State Street Ballet’s Parisian gala lights up MAW, page 8
Bestselling Author of Eat, Pray, Love
Sat, Oct 11 / 7:30 PM
Ticket purchase includes a pre-signed copy of Gilbert’s new memoir, All the Way to the River (pick up at event)
Columnist, CNN Host and Author
Tue, Oct 14 / 7:30 PM
Campbell Hall
“Okeowo... sheds light on the divided face of our nation and lovingly charts the push and pull of the places we call home.” – Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, author of My Monticello
Thu, Oct 16 / 7:30 PM
“Fareed Zakaria has been consistently brilliant in his analysis of world affairs but also something far more rare; he has turned out to be right.” – Walter Isaacson
a New American Democracy Thu, Nov 6 / 7:30 PM UCSB Campbell Hall
“Sherrilyn Ifill is a dazzling intellectual with an uncommon ability to analyze and frame the urgent civil rights issues facing our nation.”
– Bryan Stevenson
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Directory – Smart business owners place business cards here so readers know where to look when they need what those businesses
Photography: Spenser Bruce
On Entertainment
Wellesian Theater on Radio on Stage
by Steven Libowitz
War, both real and made up – as well as the battle between the sexes and the standoff between truth and fiction – runs through season-opening productions from the two major theater companies in town. To launch the season with a bang, Ensemble Theatre presents War of The Worlds: The Panic Broadcast while SBCC Theatre Group takes on George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man.
It may be hard to imagine in 2025, but in 1938 The Mercury Theatre radio broadcast dramatizing H.G. Wells’ novel about a Martian invasion was taken too much to heart by its startled listeners. Though the radio play was pointedly preceded by an announcement that what followed would be a dramatization, many listeners who tuned in failed to get that introductory memo and mistook the broadcast for a live report. Panic ensued as on-air music programming was “interrupted” by “news” of aliens attacking Grovers Mill, New Jersey. The degree of the public’s hysteria at the time is still debated today, but listeners did overwhelm telephone lines and there was a measure of traffic congestion as folks fled en masse the villainous Martians the radio assured them had landed. In the days that followed, CBS Radio Network and Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre on the Air were browbeaten by an outraged media community.
War of The Worlds: The Panic Broadcast comes from playwright Joe Landry, author of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play that performed several years ago at Ensemble. Just as in that work, the audience gets to see the play performed “live” on the radio, the cast not striding around a stage but dramatically reading into microphones, the sound effects produced in real time (foley) as the play progresses and the audience sees the working of the production laid bare. ETC’s version, as directed by Jamie Torcellini – who most recently helmed the company’s productions of Dracula: A Comedy of Terror and The 39 Steps – takes place in 1948, ostensibly as a special 10th anniversary re-creation, and features another set: the site of the imagined Martian invasion in New Jersey.
“We leave the radio station and go to the Martian landing, and then go back and forth from the story to the studio,” explained Torcellini, who fashioned the scene changes in collaboration with the cast and with blessing from the author, Joe Landry. “Instead of having the actors just standing in front of a mic and reading from the script, we drop our scripts and they get into the characters they’re portraying on the radio. There’s an incredibly energetic flow that is exciting to watch. It’s really an interesting ride.”
The quartet of actors who take on the multi-leveled roles include Richard Baird, who played in ETC’s Measure for Measure among 50 other Shakespeare productions; Matthew Floyd Miller, who boasts several Broadway credits; Bryan Daniel Porter, who appeared in a recent L.A. revival of Reefer Madness; and Ashley Margaret Morton, whose touring credits include Legally Blonde and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Morton has previously been directed by Torcellini but is here making her ETC debut.
“Putting this together has been a real communal experience,” Torcellini said.
Entertainment Page 164
War of the Worlds… thankfully it’s fiction… Or(well) is it? (photo by Loren Haar)
Beings and Doings
Why You Should Give a Flying A (The Brief Shining Moment)
by Jeff Wing
In 1923, two builders named Woodruff and Shoults built a huge promotional gimmick on Mt. Lee above Los Angeles. The row of standalone white block letters, each measuring 30’ x 50’ and visible for miles, would proclaim their new housing development in those hills: HOLLYWOODLAND.
Nine years later a forlorn actress would leap to her death from the top of the
letter H, and the melancholy story arc of Tinseltown would proceed apace through an ongoing burst of flash bulbs.
BUT ten long years before the Hollywoodland sign made iconographic prehistory (the “LAND” suffix would be removed in 1949), a raging movie studio in Santa Barbara had already conquered the realm. Here’s a snapshot.
Once Upon a Time in La Mesa
It’s fair to assume that the numbingly titled American Film Manufacturing Company – founded in Chicago in the fall of 1910 – did not see itself as first wave producer of an art form that would one day reshape the world. Fortunately, its distinctive logo – an “A” with wings – would allow the strictly business movie factory to sport a slightly more swinging nickname: Flying A Studios.
As the American Film Manufacturing Company (*sigh*) was cobbled together in Chicago, three separate shooting
units emerged. Two of the production teams would work at American Film’s Chicago studio and in the surrounding Chicago neighborhoods. The third unit was assigned westerns as a genre – and was sent out west (if you can imagine) to scout locales more visually conducive to cowboy storylines than the already skyscraping, soot-stained Chicago.
This roaming “western unit” would explore New Mexico, Arizona, and a place called California. The latter would ultimately be chosen as Flying A’s western headquarters. What now seems inevitable (Hollywood! Lana Turner!
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre! Schwab’s! Humphrey Bogart! The disturbingly owl-like Louis B. Mayer!) was not in the least inevitable. Roy Overbaugh, Flying A’s star cameraman, once explained the prosaic characteristic that would quietly anoint California the future moviemaking supernova it became.
“At this early date artificial light hadn’t been developed to the point where it was suitable for proper lighting,” Roy told an interviewer. “Consequently, all scenes were photographed by daylight.
Beings & Doings Page 264
Navy Recruiting Band pours through the Flying A gates: Santa Barbara, June 4, 1919 (photo Library of Congress public domain)
Montecito Miscellany
A Marvelous Benefit Gala En Pointe
by Richard Mineards
Elevated by a weekend of generosity, the 31st Anniversary Gala for State Street Ballet threw a spotlight on the longstanding mission: raising funds to nurture and launch the next generation of terpsichoreans. The evening’s opening pas de deux, “Flames of Paris,” showcased the rarely seen classic white tutu, its tule delicately adrift through the serial fouettes. Kaia Abraham paid her
own dedicated homage to the art of ballet in “Aquarium” from The Carnival of the Animals – her flawless technique, seemingly effortless extensions, and radiant stage presence suggesting a bright future in the ballet world.
Under the steadfast guidance of Executive Director Cecily MacDougall and the visionary artistry of Megan Philip, this company does more than perform; it opens doors. Their remarkable mission to make ballet accessible to all has, to date, nurtured over 10,000
Miscellany Page 344
inspired young artists. What an honor to have such an institution in our midst. The assembly, draped in Belle Époque Parisian chic with plumes and sparkles aplenty, celebrated both this legacy and the thrilling 2025/2026 season ahead, featuring upcoming performance of Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, RECESS!, and Chaplin. A more elegant or deserving cause is difficult to imagine. Ballerinas can spend over $100 per pair of pointe shoes alone – bespoke footwear
SSB staff and supporters were ready to welcome the crowd (photo by Priscilla)
Happy attendees at the SSB gala (photo by Priscilla)
We’re Goodwin & Thyne Properties
At Goodwin & Thyne Properties we follow a simple, yet powerful principle when representing real estate buyers and sellers- always do what is best for you, our client. We are an integrated team of clientcentered, comprehensive, connected, collaborative, and committed Realtors®, Brokers, and Attorneys servicing Santa Barbara, Ventura, Ojai, the Central Coast, LA and beyond.
We take pride in hearing our clients say we treat them like family, because – we do. It’s at the core of what makes us different.
Operating from that place means there’s nothing we won’t, and can’t, do to get you the property, deal, and overall outcome you’re looking for. No matter how big or small, complex or simple, we’ve seen and done it all. We look forward to working with you.
Goodwin & Thyne Properties
Re altors ® / Broker s / Attorney s
Community Voices Community Voices
YES on Proposition 50
Vote YES on Proposition 50 — the Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment — in California’s November 4 special election.
You can vote in person on November 4 or return your mail-in ballot, which you will receive in the next few days. Send your YES vote early so campaign volunteers can reach others who haven’t voted yet. This will be a very close race and every vote counts. Please make sure your voice is heard.
Why Proposition 50 Matters
Proposition 50, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is a necessary response to an unprecedented assault on fair representation in Congress. Recently, President Donald Trump urged the Texas legislature to redraw congressional districts to create five additional “safe” Republican seats — districts engineered to remove real electoral competition. Similar efforts have succeeded in Missouri and are underway in several other states.
Prop 50 provides California with a temporary, measured safeguard against these unprecedented actions. The new congressional maps, which has been drawn by the state legislature, will expire after the 2030 Census, when authority automatically returns to California’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. This ensures our state remains committed to fair, nonpartisan redistricting in the long term.
This initiative has earned support from much of California’s federal delegation — including U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Their backing underscores how much this measure matters nationally.
Not About Politics — About Balance
A YES on Proposition 50 is not a vote for or against Governor Newsom, nor about any future presidential race. It’s a vote to protect democracy and maintain balance in Washington. With Republicans holding only a narrow House majority, just a few districts could decide whether Congress once again acts as a check on executive power. According to election analysts, Prop 50’s proposed map could allow Democrats to compete for up to five additional seats, keeping Congress more representative and responsive to voters.
California Leads the Way
California has long been a leader in political reform and fair representation. Proposition 50 allows us to uphold these principles while responding proportionately to attacks on democratic norms elsewhere. The measure explicitly reaffirms California’s commitment to independent redistricting and calls upon all states to adopt fair and impartial mapping processes.
Take Action
Help protect fair representation: – Vote YES on Proposition 50 — by mail or in person on November 4.
– Donate or volunteer at StopElectionRigging.com.
Together, Californians can once again lead the nation in standing up for fair maps, fair votes, and a fair democracy.
With hope,
The POD – Protecting our Democracy Leslie Bhutani, Gary Bradhering, Michele Cuttler, Ann Daniel, Deborah David, Jill Finsten, Pat French, Martha Gabbert, Sheraton Kalouria, Beryl Kreisel, Dorothy Largay, John Lewis, Claudette Roehrig, Hon. Susan Rose and Nancy Sheldon.
Soup
Season Is Here:
Organic Soup Kitchen Welcomes the Community Back to the Table
by Organic Soup Kitchen
For 16 years, our team of volunteers, farmers, and neighbors has been simmering, stirring, and serving soups that do more than feed the belly – they nourish our community.
Organic Soup Kitchen provides restorative, organic meals designed to support people in cancer treatment and recovery, while also ensuring food security for low-income seniors and others living with chronic illness. Today, we offer 24 recipes of organic, nutrient-dense soups, broths, and sauces, made with locally sourced organic ingredients. Every recipe is crafted with care to deliver clean, nourishing nutrition.
For many in Santa Barbara County, our soups are a lifeline. They provide cancer patients with an easy, nutrient-rich option during treatment, help those in recovery keep their bodies strong, and offer low-income seniors the comfort of a hot, healthy bowl when resources are tight. As one client, Gary, shared: “OSK has provided for so much of our community. It’s a really good thing to have and it’s good to know that there’s an organization that is there for the people who need it, that gives us the nutrition and food we all need.”
Others speak to just how critical these soups can be in everyday life. “I wasn’t able to eat solid food and was really tired all the time – this soup saved my life,” recalls Blandine, a client in one of our programs.
Account Managers | Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Elizabeth Scott, Jessica Sutherland, Joe DeMello
Contributing Editor | Kelly Mahan Herrick
Proofreading | Helen Buckley
Arts and Entertainment | Steven Libowitz
Montecito Tide Guide
Oct 17
Contributors | Scott Craig, Ashleigh Brilliant, Chuck Graham, Mark Ashton Hunt, Dalina Michaels, Robert Bernstein, Christina Atchison, Leslie Zemeckis, Sigrid Toye, Elizabeth Stewart, Beatrice Tolan, Leana Orsua, Jeffrey Harding, Tiana Molony, Houghton Hyatt, Jeff Wing
Gossip | Richard Mineards
History | Hattie Beresford
Humor | Ernie Witham
Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri
Health/Wellness | Ann Brode, Deann Zampelli
Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook
Food & Wine | Melissa Petitto, Gabe Saglie, Jamie Knee
Published by:
Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC
Montecito Journal is compiled, compounded, calibrated, cogitated over, and coughed up every Wednesday by an exacting agglomeration of excitable (and often exemplary) expert edifiers at 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108.
How to reach us: (805) 565-1860; FAX: (805) 969-6654; Montecito Journal, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108; EMAIL: tim@montecitojournal.net
Letters to the Editor Battalion Chief on Zone Zero
The recent article “Zero Zero: The Regulations Being Defined Right Now” leaves readers with several incorrect impressions about Zone Zero and California’s wildfire mitigation strategy. I have close family ties to the Montecito community and care deeply about its future. I also bring over 34 years of frontline and policy experience in wildfire suppression and management. In 2018, I coined the term “Zone Zero” to describe the critical five-foot ignition zone, a concept already deeply rooted in field experience and science.
1) This is not based on a single study. There is a substantial body of science – from full-scale testing and post-fire forensics to machine-learning analyses of recent California fire sieges – showing that the first five feet around structures are the most common ignition pathway in wind-driven fires. The 2025 Nature Communications study (Zamanialaei et al.) is important because it quantifies relative drivers of loss and shows that home hardening plus a clear Zone Zero materially improves survival probability compared with hardening alone. The
authors’ WUI analysis does not stand in isolation; it is consistent with decades of fire investigation and guidance from CAL FIRE and IBHS that call for a non-combustible five-foot buffer to stop ember ignitions at the wall, at the corner, under decks, and at vents and openings.
2) California is not “requiring Zone Zero instead of home hardening.”
Home hardening requirements already exist and apply to all homes in the same Fire Hazard Severity Zones where Zone Zero will apply. Chapter 7A of the California Building Code – the most stringent statewide WUI construction standard in the U.S. –has applied to new construction in mapped fire-prone areas since 2008 (adopted 2007), covering ember-resistant vents, roofing, siding, decks, windows, and more. CAL FIRE’s statewide home-hardening program continues to expand retrofits. Zone Zero is in addition to, not instead of, hardening.
3) Why the Board of Forestry is doing this, and what it regulates.
Zone Zero isn’t an agency passion
project; it is a statutory mandate. The Legislature enacted AB 3074 (2020) to create an ember-resistant zone within five feet as part of defensible space law (Public Resources Code §4291). The Board of Forestry is carrying out that law in the part of the world it can regulate: defensible space. It does not regulate the building code – that’s Chapter 7A and local building officials.
4) Trees: exemptions exist, pruning is the focus, and the canopy-loss narrative is inflated.
The current August 2025 draft and agency FAQs recognize single-specimen trees and focus on maintenance: removing dead material and keeping live branches away from roofs, chimneys, and walls. That is arboriculture best practice and fire safety, not wholesale canopy removal. In the vast majority of properties, Zone Zero regulates less than two percent of the defensible-space footprint, and only a small fraction of that narrow strip is actually tree trunk or canopy.
5) Zone Zero is not “about plants.”
The purpose of Zone Zero is to eliminate receptive fuels where embers can collect and smolder, including leaf litter, doormats, planter boxes, brooms, plastic furniture, wood fencing that touches the wall, bark mulch, and other stored combustibles. Plants are part of
that picture only when they sit where embers land and accumulate. CAL FIRE’s own public guidance emphasizes a non-combustible five-foot zone for exactly this reason.
6) Cost and heat-island claims are overstated and misdirected.
Compliance for most homeowners is modest and low-cost: move the firewood, swap bark mulch for gravel, clear gutters, prune, and relocate combustibles. Any potential change in shading at the foundation line does not outweigh the financial risk of structure loss and the regional economic damage of urban conflagrations. And nothing in Zone Zero prevents shade five feet and beyond; homeowners can – and should – keep green landscape where it does not create an ignition pathway.
7) Home hardening and Zone Zero are complementary, not competing.
The science, the building code, and the law all point to the same layered solution: harden the home and clear the first five feet. The first prevents ember entry and structural failure. The second denies embers the fuel they need to start the fire in the first place. That is how you break the structure-to-structure domino effect that devastates neighborhoods.
The Society Edit
24th Annual Bayou Down Under
by Joanne A Calitri
This weekend was packed with society events and yours truly was there! An experience to be had was at Ty Warner’s Sandpiper Golf Club which provided the perfect new setting for the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s 24th Annual Bayou Down Under fundraiser, formerly held at the Dos Pueblos Ranch. The more geographically central location was a welcome relief for many attendees avidly supporting this beloved nonprofit. Of note, this is the 60th anniversary of the SB Rescue Mission,
Janet Garufis, Pamela Dillman Haskell, and Catherine Remak (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
founded by Chuck and Mary Pope in a storefront on State Street in 1965.
Chairing the event this year were Pamela Dillman Haskell and Nancy Melekian. I caught up with Pamela, a noted and award-winning voice actor. Pamela has served as the recent past president of the SB Rescue Mission Women’s Auxiliary, and as a member for many years. She shared, “The SB Rescue Mission Women’s Auxiliary has put on this event for 24 years. For the first time, we are not at the Dos Pueblos Ranch, and are blessed to be here at the Sandpiper Golf Club on a glorious day in support of what I truly believe
is the most important organization in this community. We are God-leading and faith-based, but we are very inclusive and do not require anyone to be a devout Christian. We do lead with the 12-step program which is faith based. In addition to our two facilities, we partner with organizations in town that reach out to schools and youth.”
Noted guests were Montecito Bank & Trust President and CEO Janet Garufis, the new CEO SB Zoo Charles Hopper with wife Aisha , Annie Ferguson , Stephanie Linn, Diane Price, Georgia Jameson , Tony Davis , Megan Burwell , SB Community Church Pastor Ken Hwang, SB Foundation VP of Philanthropic Services Tammy
Sims Johnson, Cameron Brace, SB Rescue Mission Program Graduate and Director of Residential Treatment L.B. Chandler and wife Darlene, and SB Mayor Randy Rowse
Also attending was SB Rescue Mission Women’s Auxiliary Chair Cindy Anderson and members Susan Hughes, Leanne Patterson, and Barb Biehl; Silent Auction Coordinators Terry Foil, Alice Birch, and Katie Pointer;
Society Edit Page 314
SB Rescue Mission President Rolf Geyling and Board Chair Kiah Jordan (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
Honoree Janet Rowse (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
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Meanwhile, while it might seem far-fetched that WOTW ever scared people so badly almost 90 years ago, given today’s technological innovations like mobile phones and AI-assisted searches to check on veracity, consider that back then the original broadcast was on an entertainment station and was indeed interrupted several times by announcements that it was a radio play.
So, as Torcellini suggested, the question isn’t how it could happen today, but rather how we wake up to the reality that we’re living an even more unimaginable nightmare every day with the misinformation campaigns not only on social media, but TV networks and straight out of Washington.
Some of that is addressed in the current show’s epilogue, which the director and company updated to make even more current.
“There’s a lot of things that have happened and a lot of lies being told that have created more mayhem, like the insurrection at the Capitol,” he said. “The play is entertaining throughout. But it makes you think at the end in the epilogue, which ends with FDR’s voice saying ‘There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.’”
War of The Worlds: The Panic Broadcast launches Ensemble Theatre’s 2025-26 season titled “Truth and Illusion” at the New Vic Theatre October 11-26. Visit www.etcsb.org
An Arms Race to Love
BEAT THE BANKS
Arms and the Man, which performs at SBCC’s Garvin Theatre October 8-25, goes back even further in history, as Shaw’s 1894 play is set during the 1885 SerboBulgarian war. Though the work – the first in Shaw’s “Plays Pleasant” catalog – is much more of a romantic comedy, it skewers class discrimination, the politics of war, and even gender roles through a lens of realism.
The story follows Raina, a woman from a wealthy household. She is engaged to a handsome but none-too-bright war hero named Sergius, but finds herself more interested in the charismatic mercenary from the opposing army. Sergius, meanwhile, discovers he has a passion for a household servant, which has him wondering about class divisions.
“Shaw actually called it a non-romantic comedy because he took those romantic ideals of the age and sort of turned them on their head,” said director Jonathan Fox, the former artist director of Ensemble. “The play is about stripping away the myth of the Byronic hero, challenging the sentimental notions of romance.”
As Fox put it, “In the way they approach the idea that someone from the upper classes would marry a servant, the upper crust family come off as buffoonish.” Even the title of the work by Shaw – best known for his play Pygmalion on which the Broadway musical My Fair Lady is based – is meant to be ironic, Fox said, as the concept of war as heroic is challenged in moments where “there’s this horrific sort of description of what actually happens on the battlefield.”
Mainly, though, Fox said, Arms and the Man is a romantic comedy, albeit one with a message.
“It’s very funny, with a lot of humor that would have really hit home back in 1895,” he said. “Audiences got a real kick out of it back then. The play is relevant today because it is about truth and honesty as opposed to falsehoods. These are
Entertainment Page 244
Arms and the Man performs at SBCC’s Garvin Theatre October 8-25 (photo by Ben Crop)
neon
neon
Glowing
Levinson, Muller + Sheldon Families
Kay McMillan + Susan McMillan
The Wolf Family
Radiant
Kelly + Kevin Almeroth
Kielle Campbell Lindsey Chevron
David Bermant Foundation
Heather + Rob Hambleton
Montecito Bank & Trust
Sharon + Bill Rich
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
SPARK Creative Events
Carrie Towbes + John Lewis
Vivi + Paul Tziouvaras
Laura + Geof Wyatt
Electric
Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc.
Marcia + John Mike Cohen
Lily Hahn Shining + Stewart Shining
Hutton Parker Foundation
Lampson Team at OriginPoint
Zegar Family Fund
COMMUNITY IMPACT SPONSOR
Bartlett, Pringle & Wolf, LLP
INVITATION SPONSOR
Alixe + Mark Mattingly
SIGNATURE COCKTAIL SPONSOR
Sonos
SPECIAL APPRECIATIONS
Amber Weir Events
BlueStar Parking
Boone Graphics
Conway Family Wines
Cutler’s Artisan Spirits
Larry David
Demetria Estate
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.
Robert Forouzandeh/Riviera Law Group
Hearth Hospitality
LaBarge Winery
Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co., LLP
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Smooch Repovich Rosenberg + Gary Rosenberg
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Jackie + Jeff Schaffer
Seasons Catering
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Donna Barranco Fisher + Dr. Robert J. Kammer
Kristen + Tom Blabey
CalPrivate Bank
Liora + Cameron Goodman
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Klein DeNatale Goldner, Attorneys at Law
Matthew Lloyd + Nini Munoz
Angie + Christian McGrath
Cáitrín McKiernan + Andrew Hicks
Kristen + Andrew Nesbit
Smooch Repovich Rosenberg + Gary Rosenberg
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News Bytes
Sip & Swing Brings Jazz-Age Glamour to SYR
by MJ Staff
The Ysidro Jazz Society in partnership with Monkey 47 Gin transported guests back to the roaring ’20s with Sip & Swing on October 2 – an elegant evening of live jazz, craft cocktails, and vintage flair. Inside the chic Prohibition-style speakeasy, the Al Vafa Jazz Trio filled the room with lively swing tunes while Monkey 47 delighted guests with its interactive Wheel of Wonder and inventive gin creations. Attendees danced beneath the glow of jazz-age ambiance, enjoyed à la carte dishes paired with signature cocktails, and reveled in a night that perfectly blended timeless sophistication with spirited fun.
Montecito Country Mart News
Join the Montecito Country Mart for autumn activities in October: October 1-31: Honor System Pumpkin Patch! Visitors to the Montecito Country Mart are invited to stroll the pumpkin patch located next to the farm stand and select one from the batch to take home!
This event made possible by the generosity of Mahri Kerley, in memory of Bob Emmons.
Step into the maestro’s musical kitchen, where, for the first time ever, he and four esteemed Chamber Orchestra alumni come together to “taste-test” Antonín Dvořák’s String Quintet No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 97, “American” 1st Movement Allegro non tanto. Through live rehearsal, dialogue, and experimentation, these masterful artists will chop, stir, season, and simmer Dvořák’s manuscript — deconstructing its rich layers and exploring is hidden flavors. Q & A to follow. An intimate performance with audience seated onstage. 5:30 PM Courtyard Reception / 6:30 PM On-stage Performance
October 31, 11 am to 6 pm: Halloween Costume Contest and all-day trick or treating for the kids. Watch for specials in all the shops!
Event Reminders:
- October 9: Las Cumbres Observatory’s Astronomy on Tap at the M Special tap house outback on the patio, doors open at 7 pm. Speakers are Joey Chatelain on Space Mining, Carrie Holt and Carolina Capetillo on space news. The event is free and dog friendly. https://lco.global/aot/october-9-2025/
- October 9: Montecito Med Spa’s 3rd Anniversary party, 2-7 pm
There will be live demos of treatments, give away bags, raffles, champagne, and party cake. Take a tour of the facilities and more. https://montecitomedspa.com
- October 10: The Ojai Studio Artists Tour reception 5 pm with exhibit titled, “Metamorphosis,” at the Ojai Valley Museum. Self-led studio tours October 11-13. www.ojaistudioartists.org/all-tours/2024-fall-open-studios-tour
- October 17: Healing Justice SB Gala Sponsorships
Healing Justice SB Annual Black is Beautiful Gala is open for sponsorships through October 17. The gala is scheduled for November 1, with the theme “Black is Beautiful: Black Excellence Through the Decades.” The gala highlights the richness of Black culture through fashion, art, music, media, and more. It features performances, keynote speaker, curated auction, and youth and community awards that affirm and celebrate Black joy. www.hjsb.org/bib-2025
Girls Inc of Carpinteria Seeking Gala Event Committee
Girls Inc of Carp is asking for event committee planners and party peeps to join their 2nd Annual Gala Planning Committee – event slated for March 7, 2026. Commitment is monthly planning meetings, secure six auction items, and provide
News Bytes Page 294
CHANEL 19 Lambskin Quilted Flap Bag
Impressive Italian Brushed 18Kt. Gold Bangle Bracelet
Art Nouveau Coral 18k Gold Bat Dangle Earrings
Canario”
Canary Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring
Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 18kt Bracelet
Black Tahitian Pearl Tarantula Spider Brooch Pin
Tunes and specialty cocktails at San Ysidro Ranch’s Sip & Swing event (courtesy photo)
New Beginnings 2025 Annual Benefit Shows
Two Shows over Four Nights
Each performance will be followed by a guest reception.
CENTER STAGE THEATER
Jonny & the Baptists
U.S. Premiere!
Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:30PM
Every Brilliant Thing
Starring critically acclaimed writer and performer, Jonny Donahoe
Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2:00 PM
Your Westmont Alumni Return for Homecoming Festivities
All proceeds go to support New Beginnings Mental Health programs
by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott
Westmont alums return to campus October 17-19 for Homecoming and a weekend of events, including the annual Alumni Awards Celebration Brunch and Westmont Golf Classic. Find the full schedule of events at westmont. edu/homecoming.
The celebration brunch will honor Alumnus of the Year Rob Ring (’90), Alumnae of the Year sisters Alexis Bennett ( Otterlei) (‘05) and Leah Pillsbury ( Otterlei ) (‘00), Young Alumnus of the Year Spencer Dusebout (’15) and Global Service Award winner Lindsey Connolly (‘08). The event, which costs $40 per guest and must be purchased beforehand, will begin at 9:30 am at the Global Leadership Center.
Alumni return for Homecoming
Every family has a story worth telling. At Nostalgia Lane, I believe memories are priceless treasures, not just moments to remember—but gifts to hand down.
My mission? To help you create beautiful, high-quality memory books and heartfelt ‘legacy letters’ that capture your unique experiences, wisdom, and values for generations to come.
In a world obsessed with speed and social media, the art of letter writing and passing down traditions is quietly slipping away. We’re here to change that. Whether you want to relive your own adventures, preserve your family’s heritage, or share life lessons with your loved ones, we’ll work with you step-by-step to craft a custom book that truly reflects your story.
The 14th annual Westmont Golf Classic, known for many years as “Will’s Tourney,” began in 2008 to celebrate the memory of alumnus Will Wiersma (’06). All the money raised will support Westmont students. Raffle prizes include a custom Westmont Kradul Golf Bag, a Scottie Scheffler-autographed Hero World Challenge flag, and a Schefflerautographed Arnold Palmer Invitational flag. Every golfer will enjoy a complimentary Chick-fil-A lunch at the course, followed by a fantastic tri-tip and chicken dinner to celebrate. Non-golfers are welcome to purchase tickets for the dinner celebration.
Ring, who earned a doctorate in molecular neurobiology at the Irell & Manella
Graduate School of Biological Sciences, serves as CEO of London-based Kaerus Bioscience, which focuses on finding treatments for patients with rare genetic syndromes causing intellectual disability, autism and epilepsy. A neuroscientist by training, Ring is a globally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders with over 30 years of experience in research and executive leadership roles. At Westmont, he majored in biology and was a decorated decathlete and All-American soccer player. He will also speak in chapel on Friday, Oct. 17, at 10:30 am in Murchison Gym.
Bennett and Pillsbury founded Orka Health and Wellness, providing compassionate, client-centered care through teletherapy, and support services through a team of licensed therapists, registered dietitian, clinical nutrition coach, psychologist, parent coach and spiritual coach. Orka reflects their commitment to balance, connection and meaningful support for the clients they serve while creating space for them to be present with their families. Orka – a Swedish word that means to be bothered enough to do something about it and have the physical or mental energy to do it –captures their shared passion and vision. Both sisters are Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers and have earned a master’s in social work.
Dusebout co-founded Hands4Others (H4O) when he was 16, turning a backof-the-napkin idea into a movement
Westmont Page 304
The Westmont Golf Classic swings into Glenn Anie Golf Club on Oct. 17
“One
– Steve Martin
“A
“Few
“Once
Brilliant Thoughts Communication
by Ashleigh Brilliant
One of my most popular epigrams says, “When all other means of Communication fail, try Words.” And it is illustrated with an image of Shakespeare. Scholars are still debating how anyone with so provincial a background could have had such a mastery of verbal expression as Shakespeare had (or whoever wrote the vast body of works attributed to him).
But incredibly outstanding genius seems sometimes to emanate from more than education, or even heredity. How else can we account for the kind of extremely youthful talent which is demonstrated by the phenomenon of the “child prodigy?” One example was Mozart, who, at the age of five, was already so capable and creative musically that his father took him on a tour of Europe, so that he might be seen by various Royal courts.
The story of modern Communication is to me quite a thrilling one. Back in the 18th Century, it was discovered that, if people were sitting in a circle, with joined hands, an electric current induced in one person would go around the entire group almost instantaneously. But it took practically another whole century before that knowledge was usefully applied. The big breakthrough came with the discovery that such electric impulses could travel through the medium of a wire. It was still a long way from transmitting actual words, since all that could be sent was a series of “Ons” and “Offs.” Some kind of code had to be devised to make them meaningful. For this, we have to thank a man named Samuel Morse, who turned them into “dots” and “dashes,” which in turn could represent letters or words. That invention became known as a “Telegraph.”
According to legend (which in this case may very well be true) in 1844, when the first public demonstration of this new wonder was about to be demonstrated by Morse himself – sending a message both ways between Washington and Baltimore –it was a little girl (whose education must have included Bible Studies) who suggested
the four-word passage from the King James version of the Old Testament Book of Numbers. Her suggested verse was indeed used, and was arguably well-suited to the occasion. “WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT.”
Of course, it was sent as a series of dots and dashes. Not until the invention of the telephone in 1876 was it possible to send actual voices by wire.
But wires were still necessary – and that is why the story of communication across the American West is such an exciting one. It is inextricably bound up with the development of railroads. The West Coast, and particularly San Francisco, had already been settled before any lines of communication between the American East and the West had been established. But attempts to remedy this gap were still in progress, pushing from each direction, at the time of the Civil War.
That situation is what makes the saga of the Pony Express so remarkable. It existed for only 18 months, beginning in 1860, but during that time it was the fastest means of carrying mail between St. Joseph on the Mississippi and San Francisco on the West Coast. It required a series of stations, at which riders and mail could change horses – or sometimes the riders would remain, and just the mail would continue on with another horse and rider. The riders were required to be young and slim, so their slight frames would not add appreciably to the weight of the mail. And they were expert riders.
The men who established this system were businessmen, and naturally hoped that it would be a money-making enterprise. Unfortunately for them, it was not. That fact – and the introduction of the transcontinental telegraph system – is why the Pony Express existed only briefly. But from the time it was in operation to today, it absolutely captured the public imagination, becoming an indelible part of American history and legend, not least because it was so emblematic of the “rugged individualism” that characterized the American citizen.
The story of Morse Code is itself full of drama, especially when ships at sea were involved. One misperception is that “S.O.S.” means something like “Save Our Ship.” Actually, it was chosen as an international distress signal just because it happens to be an easy message to rapidly tap out on any telegraph keyboard. Equally misunderstood is the idea that “May Day” as a voice message has a connection with the first day of May. It is actually a transliteration of the French expression “M’aidez!” meaning “Help Me!”
Replying to the Thought I started with, allow me to conclude with another:
“Words are a wonderful form of Communication –But they will never replace Kisses and Punches.”
characters who start to soul search and realize that they’ve been living a lie. And so even though the conventions have changed, at heart it deals with some very basic human emotions.”
Acting Out
Folks still lament the closing of the Circle Bar B Dinner Theatre in 2014 following 44 years of zaniness and BBQ at the guest ranch’s converted barn on Refugio Road. A decade later, a more elegant cousin has stepped into the void. Acting Out Theatre, a collaboration between actress/producer Nancy Gutfreund and playwright/director Joan Robb Fradkin, is set to launch a new venture that envisions bringing upscale dinner theater to downtown Santa Barbara. Acting Out’s first production, Fradkin’s A Dark and Stormy Night (yes, the same phrase that opens Snoopy’s attempt to write a novel), is a tongue-in-cheek parody of murder mysteries full of cliched characters – and is accompanied by a gourmet three-course dinner including wine at Opal Restaurant & Bar. Just like at Circle Bar B, the audience gets in on the action and are asked to guess whodunit.
The players include several dinner theater veterans among a cast of Nick Woolf, Matthew Tavianini, Alaina Dean, Felicia Palmer, Jonathan Malindine, and Ivy Vahanian. Performances are slated for October 15 and 22, with a possible third show to be announced. Email Gutfreund at ngmft@aol.com for reservations.
Anima Arrives
The Fall 2025 installment of the ritual theater performances known as Anima: Theater of the Feminine Underground brings new pieces created and presented by founder Lisa Citore as well as Anima veterans Elaine Gale, KiaOra Fox, Aurora Rose Wesman, Melissa Lowenstein, Chelsea Didier, Samantha Bonavia, Cybil Gilbertson, and Rachel Petkus, along with an ever-expanding ensemble cast of 25 other artists. The short works delve into themes of group consciousness, sensual awakenings, shame, healing from betrayal, freeing the pelvis, and liberating the voice over a variety of mediums from dance and song to poetry, theater, and clowning. Shows takes place October 9-10 at Center Stage Theatre. Visit https://centerstagetheater.org.
Focus on Film
The 7th Annual NatureTrack Film Festival, a celebration of nature and outdoor adventure through film, returns October 9-10 to kick off a year-long celebration of nature, adventure, and environmental stewardship that marks NatureTrack Foundation’s 15th anniversary year. The new slimmed-down format begins with a special opening night event at the Riviera Theatre that has already sold out. But plenty of tickets remain available for Friday evening’s main event, when NTFF takes over three screens at Metropolitan Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta, each showing two blocks of mostly shorts in a variety of genres, including world premieres and a couple of full-length features. The Festival Bonus Pass not only includes priority seating but also admission to the John Muir Laws Nature Journaling Workshop that afternoon in Skofield Park. Visit https://naturetrackfilmfestival.org.
The 4th Annual Ceylon International Film Festival 2025 presents free screenings daily from October 14-16, showcasing cinematic stories by unique voices from around the world starting at 2 pm daily at Direct Relief’s Hatch Hall. Closing Night takes place Friday, October 17, featuring a ticketed Awards Night and a cultural
experience that includes a dinner reception provided by Taqueria La Unica & Masala Spice, a reception with filmmakers and guests, and a screening of Tsunami from Sri Lanka. Visit www.ceyiff.com.
UCSB Arts & Lectures Thematic Learning Initiative launches a new season of free events, “Paradigms at Play,” with a screening of The Last Class at Campbell Hall on Thursday, October 9. A cinematic documentary love letter to education, the film is a nuanced and deeply personal portrait of former labor secretary Robert Reich as he teaches his final course and reflects on a period of immense personal and global transformation. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Elliot Kirschner and executive producer Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse, moderated by Alice O’Connor, director of the UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality and Democracy. Reserve free tickets at https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/events-tickets/ events/25-26/the-last-class.
The CWC Presents Connectivity series has slated three screening and discussion events this week at the Pollock Theater. Familiar Touch, the debut feature from writer-director Sarah Friedland, a sensitive coming-of-old-age film inspired by her experiences as a caregiver, choreographer, and dance filmmaker, gets a Q&A with Friedland on October 9. Anna Ouyang Moench, an award-winning playwright and screenwriter whose credits include Writers Guild Awards, talks about the “Woe’s Hollow” episode of the Apple TV+ series Severance, after it plays on October 14. Ecocentric filmmaker Philip Hoffman presents three of his shorts – Deep 1, vulture, and endings before discussing his work on October 16. Reserve free tickets at www. carseywolf.ucsb.edu/pollock-events.
Spike Lee is coming to the Riviera Theatre for a SBIFF Cinema Society screening of Highest 2 Lowest, his (and screenwriter Alan Fox) Apple TV+ crime thriller film remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, which was based on the 1959 American novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain. The film is Lee’s first collaboration with actor Denzel Washington in almost 20 years. Visit www.sbiff.org.
Classical Corner
Santa Barbara community-based Chamber Players’ next concert takes place October 12 Trinity Lutheran Church (909 N. La Cumbre Road), where members of the ensemble will perform a diverse selection of works including Dvořák’s “String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96, ‘American;’” Denes Agay’s “Five Easy Dances for Woodwind Quintet;” Debussy’s “Petite Suite” (arr. G. Davies for woodwind quintet); David Foster’s “The Prayer” (arr. by F. Geiger for two trumpets, French horn, and alphorn), and Ian Deterling’s “Duet in G Minor, Op. 17, ‘A Grimm Waltz’ for Horn and Double Bass.” Tickets and details at www.sbchamberplayers.org.
The Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series opens its 2025-2026 season in Los Olivos on October 11 with an evening of chamber music by Brahms, including “Trio in A Minor, Op. 114 for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano;” “Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 40 for Horn, Violin, and Piano;” “Trio in B Major, Op. 8 for Violin, Cello, and Piano.” Musicians include cellist Ani Aznavoorian (of Camerata Pacifica and Music Academy); Robert Cassidy, piano; David Gresham, clarinet; Joan Kwuon, violin; and Jean Smith, horn. Visit www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.
The fall 2025 installment of the ritual theater performances known as Anima comes to Center Stage from October 9-10
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Nir Kabaretti, Music and Artistic Director
This meant that scripts and scenarios and stories had to be written so that no interior scenes were necessary.”
Those “interior scenes” that were necessary were shot in ceiling-free rooms in broad daylight so the moviegoers could actually see the actors – to this day a critical element of filmmaking. California’s indomitable sunshine sealed the deal. Flying A’s western unit due-diligently explored the west coast and of course found their moviemaking Eden, putting down stakes in the world’s preincarnate movie capital; La Mesa, California. This means, among many other things, that in an alternate universe a 1965 television game show launched called La Mesa Squares.
Large Flightless Glamor
After two years and some 150 films, Flying A grew weary of La Mesa, having filmed in just about every favorable square foot the area had to offer, including the whole of the El Cajon valley. The studio sought a different California town with a more interesting variety of settings and
topography, the improbably cloudless skies which their enterprise required, and a proximity to Los Angeles’ gritty urban set pieces. When they stumbled onto Santa Barbara – with its mountains, canyons, sea, and largesse as a place to lounge between film projects – they knew they’d found Flying A’s new base of production. They planted themselves in SB with such haste they had no complex to move into – no magisterial arched entry proudly emblazoned with the Flying A logo, no night sky-sweeping klieg lights to announce the presence of the star making movie factory. As one does in these situations, the arriviste little studio found an ostrich farm on upper State Street near Pedregosa, signed a lease and moved in. A couple days later they started shooting.
Flying A’s movies at that time were one-reelers and the backbreaking production schedule called for producing two movies per week. By the time they got to SB, the Flying A folk had the routine so buttoned down they would typically shoot an entire movie between breakfast and lunch. In practice this meant the transplanted Chicagoans
could spend most of the week helling around Santa Barbara.
“‘Life can be beautiful’ was a familiar phrase,” cameraman Overbaugh later smilingly told an interviewer. “Well, it certainly was. Most of our time was spent at the beach.” In the meantime, the leisurely Flying A was making money hand over fist, and after a few months at the ostrich farm, decided to build their moviemaking compound.
The company picked a site on West Mission Street and ultimately took up the entire block of Mission between State and Chapala streets. Yes, they got the photogenic arched entrance, beautifully landscaped grounds, and a high, imperious wall along Mission to contain the whole Xanadu. The largest remnant of the once-sprawling Flying A is located at 34 W. Mission. Today these are the offices of Becker Henson Niksto Architects, but were once upon a time the lushly appointed green room and lounge for Flying A’s actors. It’s a fact: for one brief, shining moment (to quote King Arthur in Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot), Santa Barbara was, as a matter of record, the home of the best equipped and most artistic motion picture studio in the country.
Still. Moviemaking in those very early days was a somewhat improvised art form. Cameras were hand-cranked, lighting was by nuclear furnace (the sun), and on-set accidents were not uncommon.
Brakeless and Drowning
One Flying A script called for a scene featuring a downtown collision, one car plowing dramatically into the side of another. They set the scene up at the intersection of State and Victoria streets and planned the shot exactingly. To preclude any possibility of injury they populated one of the cars with laudably lifelike dummies the prop department spent hours detailing. A stuntman would drive the car full of dummies, set the steering wheel and throttle, and leap off the car (out of frame) just before it entered the intersection. At that point the other car, this one with a stunt driver, would fly into the intersection and thrillingly T-bone the dummy-mobile.
In the event, the driver leaped off the dummy car which, lighter now by some
150 pounds or so, picked up unplannedfor speed. The surprised stunt driver missed his target by a country mile, the driverless dummy-stuffed ride sailing through the intersection and speeding down State Street.
Entranced locals who’d crowded round to witness moviemaking magic scattered and ran for their lives. About a block down State, the dummies’ front wheels struck something in the street and the car lurched wildly to the curb, smashing into a Montecitan’s parked limousine and ejecting a gang of expertly-crafted dummies onto the sidewalk, where several onlookers reportedly screamed themselves hoarse with horror.
In another instance of misfired cinematic wonder, at the word “Action!” a Flying A movie hero leaped fully clothed into the ocean to save a drowning woman, his knit necktie contracted in the water and begins to strangle him, and the helpless damsel swam over like a champ and hauled her flailing hero to safety.
Flying A Studios would go off like a roman candle and just as quickly succumb to the integrated film and movie house business further south. Out on the East coast, Thomas Edison’s Motion Picture Patents Company held the rights to most moviemaking equipment in those early days, and Mr. Edison was a litigious sort not averse to shutting down a film production if he found his equipment was being used without the proper clearances (payments).
An L.A. neighborhood called Hollywood became a handily far-flung getaway for moviemakers hoping to avoid Edison’s patent violation radar, the province’s proximity to Mexico providing an easier escape hatch should Edison’s lawyers come to California with their briefcases and stern expressions. By 1921 Flying A was shuttered.
Jeff Wing is a journalist, raconteur, autodidact, and polysyllable enthusiast. He has been writing about Montecito and environs since before some people were born. He can be reached at jeff@ montecitojournal.net
A block-long dream factory along W. Mission Street (photo by John Southworth)
Elizabeth’s Appraisals
Silver Stirrups & Equipage
by Elizabeth Stewart
PSis curious about a pair of silver stirrups necessary for riding a horse. We can all imagine a time when cars were not in our world yet, and we rode horses – or were pulled by them. And for thousands of years stirrups have been a ubiquitous and recognizable equine accoutrement. PS is wondering if her pair of stirrups are decorative or if they were used by a lady equestrian, and when, and where?
These are South American stirrups dating from the early 19th century, and they are SO SMALL that I, too, suspect they are lady’s stirrups, from a time when lady-feet were prized as dainty. They would have been used by a lady in 1820 or thereabouts. During the time when these stirrups were made, most women had borne an average of five kids, and who’s feet were SMALL after carrying such a load?
Let us see just how universal stirrups were in the 19th century and in the 18th century, and how plentiful the relics of them ARE. Few stirrups are worth much in the marketplace as “equipage,” which is a word that means objects related to carriage via horse or horseback; that market is strong and active.
Firstly, let us look at the ‘encased foot’ form of stirrup. This design is represented by the Spanish Colonial riding stirrup of the late 18th century, whose curved toe reflects the Moorish heritage of Spain, and with a decorative ornate attaching element to the saddle – a beautiful foliated band with a small slot. Those will only set you back around $300 for an antique pair, because so
many existed. In Old Spain, silver stirrups were copied from the Moorish solid brass stirrups. In New Spain, of which our California was a part, stirrups were much the same.
Other countries have their own forms of stirrups; for example, the Japanese stirrups of the late 19th century, called “Abumi” are also small, but are in the form of a “C” shape (not encasing the foot, but rests the foot on the bottom of that “C” shape) and beautiful in their simplicity. These are made in bronze and brass and can be worth $1,500. If you find a pair of Abumi which are cast iron with a beautiful gold-gilt inlay, then you have something valuable, but my bet is that you will think they are modern abstract works of art, and you might never recognize that they are stirrups from the 19th century. They are just so beautiful that you may have difficulty imagining a horseback rider’s feet functionally perched in them. In a wonderful C shaped curve from the Meiji period (1868-1911), they sell for upwards of $2,000 the pair.
Something more recognizable is the American Old West stirrup, functional and still used in original form today, also with Spanish influence. An interesting sideline for collectors who collect “equipage” (see above), some American stirrups were created to support political candidates! Thus, in America of the 19th century, stirrups supported something other than the FOOT.
A case in point are the stirrups that were made for the candidacy of Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House in the 19th century who ran in the 1844 Presidential Campaign. He loved horses and bred them in his home state of Kentucky, so his campaign created stirrups whose base – where the foot rests – read ‘HCLAY’.
Although Henry Clay lost his bid for the presidency, he raised a famous racehorse, the greatest such horse of the 19th century and the sire of America’s National Thoroughbred Trotting Horse. That horse’s progeny was the magnificent “Clay Line” of great trotting horses. The horse – also named Henry Clay – passed away peacefully in 1867 and was buried. Later the horse would be exhumed and his skeleton mounted and put on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
PS, your stirrups are not sterling at all, as sterling contains a great deal of pure silver. Your South American stirrups are made of Brazilian Britannica Metal (not containing very much
silver content at all) in the style of Conquistador Stirrups from the 3rd Quarter of the19th century, made for a lady rider who likely had flouncy gowns to match these stirrups.
The best of these South American lady’s stirrups were made in Brazil by the great Brazilian “equipage” ironmonger Correa de Lima, of Rio de Janeiro (1861-1873). A similar pair sold at New Orleans Auctions for $300.
Elizabeth Stewart, PhD is a veteran appraiser of fine art, furniture, glass, and other collectibles, and a cert. member of the AAA and an accr. member of the ASA. Please send any objects to be appraised to Elizabethappraisals@ gmail.com
The Conquistador Stirrups made for a lady rider
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for Over 20 Years
Foraging Thyme Walnuts
by Melissa Petitto
The resemblance between a walnut and the human brain is uncanny – the wrinkled surface, the two hemispheres – and it so happens that walnuts are super beneficial for our brain health. Walnuts from Rancho la Vina Farm are a farmers market staple and for good reason; these local walnuts are delicious. The omega 3 fatty acid, especially ALA, are prevalent in this nut and known to improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, reduce both inflammation and the risk of blood clots. The omega 3 fatty acids in walnuts are also shown to improve cognitive function and protect against age related decline. The fiber content in walnuts is a great prebiotic which is excellent for stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria. These nuts also have compounds that have been shown to lower the risk of certain cancers. Walnuts also contain magnesium, manganese, and copper, making them beneficial for bone health, improving bone density and preventing osteoporosis. We are going to make a delicious dip that can be served with warmed pita or crudités.
Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)
Yield: 4 Servings
2 medium red bell peppers
½ cup olive oil
4 ounces day old bread or plain breadsticks
1 cup toasted walnut halves
¾ cup white onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons harissa paste
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
3 tablespoons tahini
½ to 1 teaspoon sea salt
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Trim and discard tops and bottoms from bell peppers. Cut each trimmed bell pepper lengthwise into 4 equal pieces; remove and discard ribs and seeds. Toss together bell pepper pieces and 1 tablespoon oil in a medium bowl. Arrange pepper pieces, skin side up, in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer roasted bell peppers to a medium bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature to steam until completely tender and cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Remove and discard skins from bell peppers; set bell peppers aside. Reserve any juices in bowl.
2. Process breadsticks in a food processor until finely ground. Pass finely ground breadsticks through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a medium bowl. Set aside 1/2 cup fine breadcrumbs in a small bowl; reserve any remaining breadcrumbs and large un-sifted crumbs for another use. Process 1 cup walnuts in food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds. Place ground walnuts in a separate small bowl; set aside. Pulse onion and garlic in food processor until well combined and finely minced, stopping to scrape down sides as needed, 3 to 5 pulses. Add roasted bell peppers and reserved juices to food processor; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed, about 1 minute. Add ground walnuts, reserved 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, spicy pepper paste, pomegranate molasses, cumin, paprika, and Aleppo pepper; process until smooth, about 1 minute. Add tahini, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup oil; process until smooth and thick, about 30 seconds, pausing to scrape down sides as needed
3. Scoop muhammara onto a plate, and smooth out into an even circle. Using the back of a large spoon, swirl just inside the border to create a shallow moat, keeping the middle slightly mounded. Garnish with a drizzle of oil.
Melissa Petitto, R.D., is an executive chef and co-founder at Thymeless My Chef SB, was a celebrity personal chef for 16 years, just finished her 10th cookbook, and is an expert on nutrition and wellness.
Walnuts don’t just resemble the brain, they are also healthy for it (photo by Ivar Leidus via Wikimedia Commons)
2-3 desserts for the event.
Email Madeline: madeline@girlsinc-carp.org
Chumash Casino Resort
Annual Project Pink Campaign
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians launched their annual Project Pink Campaign to raise funds for local nonprofits. In addition, a portion of this year’s proceeds, along with a dollar-for-dollar matching grant from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, will be donated to the Breast Imaging Center at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, which is supported by the Foundation for Cottage Rehabilitation and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospitals. Funds are collected through their sale of pink-colored sweets, snacks and drinks throughout the Chumash Resort’s eateries. Tribal Chairman, Kenneth Kahn, for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, “Project Pink has grown into a meaningful annual tradition at the Chumash Casino Resort, thanks to the incredible dedication and passion of our Food and Beverage team. We’re honored to continue supporting the Breast Imaging Center at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, whose life-saving work impacts our community every single day.”
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $30 million to hundreds of groups, organizations, and schools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving.
411: https://chumash.gov
ShelterBox
Ramps Up Relief Efforts in the Philippines
ShelterBox is on the ground in the Philippines, rushing relief to families devastated by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake off Cebu and the back-to-back blows of Typhoon Bualoi and Super Typhoon Ragasa. Thousands have been left homeless across Central Philippines, with many sheltering in overcrowded evacuation centers. Teams are distributing shelter repair kits, solar lights, mosquito nets, and thermal blankets,
along with financial assistance to help families rebuild faster. With staff and pre-positioned supplies already in Cebu, ShelterBox is working with local partners to reach the hardest-hit and most isolated communities.
Dons Name Top 150 Athletes in School’s 150-Year History
As part of Santa Barbara High School’s 150th anniversary, the Top 150 Dons Athletes of All Time have been selected, honoring standout alums from every era. The list includes sports legends such as Randall and Sam Cunningham, Karch Kiraly, Al Geiberger, and Tom Curren Organized by Ye Ole Gang in partnership with the SBHS Alumni Association, the honorees will be celebrated at a special event on November 9. “Few high schools can boast a list of outstanding athletes quite like Santa Barbara High,” said Ye Ole Gang President David Bolton ‘81. “The Dons are legendary.”
Community Donates Over 21,000 Diapers to LEAP’s Diaper Bank
Generosity poured in across Santa Barbara County as local residents, schools, churches, and businesses collected 21,419 diapers for LEAP’s Diaper Bank – the region’s only registered diaper bank. The campaign, led by LEAP (Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner.), brought together partners like RiseUp Fitness, Trinity Church, Deckers Brands, and UCSB Athletics. “Each diaper collected represents relief for a caregiver and comfort for a child,” said CEO Lori Goodman. LEAP has distributed more than 250,000 diapers since 2021, supporting families in need year-round. The nonprofit continues to welcome donations to ensure every baby in the county has access to this essential care.
Home Improvement Center Launches Round-Up Campaign for Hospice SB
Throughout October, the Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center is inviting customers to round up their purchases at checkout to support Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB). Every cent raised directly benefits HSB’s free counseling, support groups, and care services for those facing life-threatening illness or grief. Customers can also make additional donations at checkout. “We are deeply grateful for this generosity,” said HSB CEO David Selberg. Owner Gary Simpson added, “It’s our pleasure to help provide more services to those in need.” The campaign runs all month at sbhicace.com and in-store at the Home Improvement Center.
Montecito Natural Health
Sam Cunningham, Class of SBHS 1967 (courtesy photo)
Al Geiberger, Class of 1955 (courtesy photo)
Our mission comes to life through community-driven programs:
- CenCal Medically Tailored Meals Program – delivering nutrient-dense soups to CenCal Health members with qualifying medical diagnoses, providing up to seven containers weekly to support healing at home.
- Nutrition and Food Security Program – offering nutrient-dense soups to income-qualified residents across Santa Barbara County, ensuring that no one has to choose between nutrition and financial survival.
Since opening our doors, we’ve served more than three million bowls of soup, thanks to the generosity of donors, the dedication of volunteers, and the steady support of grants.
And it’s not just for clients in our programs – our soups are available for everyone to enjoy. When you purchase soups directly from us, whether in-store or online, you not only bring nourishing, organic meals to your own table but also directly support our programs for those most in need.
Stop by our downtown Santa Barbara storefront and distribution center (126 E. Haley St., Suite A4) to shop our full menu of soups, sauces,
and broths – or order online for convenient home delivery.
However you choose to participate – by purchasing soups for your own table, making a donation, or volunteering your time – you become part of a circle of care that keeps Santa Barbara nourished in both body and spirit. Learn more about how to get involved at OrganicSoupKitchen.org.
Soup season isn’t just about what’s in the bowl – it’s about the community around it.
that brought clean water to more than 250,000 people in 17 countries. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for using technology to solve big, meaningful problems. He’s built and advised a number of Software as a Service (SaaS) companies that spanned business intelligence, automation, and machine learning. He has served as CEO and CPO at ventures such as Aidium, SparkTalk and Lendware.
Connolly co-founded the nonprofit Destined for Grace 17 years ago to educate and improve the lives of children in Haiti. Through donations and funds raised at their Goleta thrift stores, the nonprofit has established a school and garden in Mirebalais that feeds and provides an education for the children. Although the city experienced gang-related violence earlier this year, forcing school staff and students to flee the area, Destined for Grace officials regularly communicate with Haitian community leaders to assess when they can safely reopen the school. Connolly, interim head coach for Westmont’s track and field team this season during Russell Smelley’s sabbatical, also coaches the college’s cross-country teams.
Greek Tragedy Offers Raw Emotion
Westmont College Theatre presents Sophocles’ ancient and disturbing tragedy Antigone with fresh language and new life in a poetic and thrilling production from Oct. 24-Nov. 1 at Westmont’s Porter Theatre.
Tickets to the play, “Antigonick,” which cost $20 for general admission and $12 for students, seniors and staff, are available for purchase at westmont. edu/boxoffice. Show times are Oct. 24-25, 30 and Nov. 1 at 7:30 pm; Oct. 31 at 8:30 pm; and Nov. 1 at 2 pm; all in Porter Theatre.
Following last year’s productions of The 39 Steps and Wind in the Willows, director Mitchell Thomas says they felt the time was right for a play that reflects the suffering, loss, and inequity many are experiencing. “Greek tragedy takes an unflinching look into the face of grief, injustice and death,” says Thomas, who
directed another Greek tragedy, Electra, nearly a decade ago. “We recognize that our own feelings of pity and fear are not singular, but universal. We are not alone. The plays critique and lament the tragedy and injustice around us and leave us yearning for a more just, more merciful and more peaceful society and world.”
MacArthur Genius and world-renowned poet Anne Carson created “Antigonick,” a free translation of Sophocles’ classic drama. His Theban plays, Antigone, Oedipus Tyrannus, and Oedipus at Colonus have become three of the most enduring plays in Western civilization. “It’s an honor and privilege to be wrestling with the profound ideas, text and characters each night in rehearsal,” Thomas says.
Antigone has lost two brothers, but law demands that she can only bury one. Forced to bend to the will of a dictator, she takes a stand for her beliefs, pitting morality against patriotism. Exploring love, grief, loyalty and civil disobedience, Antigonick chronicles the all-too-relevant battle of a righteous individual against the machine.
Mitchell welcomes musician and composer Jim Connolly to the show, who plays original live music and sound on stage during Antigonick
Due to mature themes of grief and loss, Westmont Theatre recommends this production for ages 14 and up.
The downtown Santa Barbara storefront and distribution center has a full menu of soups, sauces, and broths (courtesy photo)
Antigonick will be at Porter Theatre from Oct. 24-Nov. 1
Mitchell Thomas directs the Greek tragedy
the SB Rescue Mission President Rolf Geyling and the Board of Directors: Chair Kiah Jordan, Sarah Douglas, Treasurer Byron Myers, Secretary John Ross, Erin Barr, Chris Call, Joe Foster, Patti Hunter, Barney Melekian, Garth Nobis, Tom Rogers, and Paige Sawaya Parking off-site, guests were valeted to the Grand Lawn area for an Aussie outback experience. The program began with a silent auction o’plenty with literally hundreds of top tier experiences and gifts to bid on via one’s smart phone, turning the bidding wars into a dating match. Wonderful live music was provided by Al Vafa Duo.
Dining was al fresco with ocean views and family style service. Event emcee Catherine Remak introduced Pastor Hwang who provided a prayer for the guests. Geyling provided his thanks to everyone for their continued support of the organization. He introduced Noah benShea – globally renowned poet-philosopher and a friend of this year’s Léni Fé Bland awardee Janet Rowse – to say a few words about her work. Rowse is the co-founder and executive director of SafeLaunch, an organization committed to preventing youth substance use. The mission of SafeLaunch is to empower youth via drug free clubs and supporting healthy choices. In accepting her award, Rowse thanked her husband and kids for their support. She emphasized
the importance of preventing substance abuse at the youth level.
For those who would like to support the SB Rescue Mission and could not attend the fundraiser, a most generous group of friends are offering to match every donation up to $50,000, for all donations received by October 15.
411: https://sbrm.org/
8th Annual Night at MOXI Fundraising Gala
It was quite the Night at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, at their annual gala held this year on Saturday evening, October 4, at the museum. The theme was “NEON” with bright colors and black light décor. This lovely event always brings out the best in everyone. Here men donned their neon bests in jackets, ascots and for some, in eyewear. In form, ladies gave a new meaning to “you wear it well” in their Lycra neon-colored dresses matched with high platform sandals and stiletto pumps. Entering the MOXI, guests were greeted with live piano music, and photo ops at the brightly painted Step’n’Repeat. The cocktail reception was held at the museum’s first-floor area reimagined as a designer lounge, with black velvet contemporary couches, comfy neon-colored pillows, hors d’oeuvres tables and open bar. Experiences
included a station for hand painted arm and face temporary tattoos in black light neon colors by Zoe E. Designs.
The Event Committee Co-chairs Austin Lampson and Robyn Parker were supported by their event committee members Kelly Almeroth, Cassie Brungarth , Robert Forouzandeh , MOXI President/CEO Robin Gose, Lily Hahn Shining, Heather Hambleton, Tracy Krainer, Jill Levinson, Cáitrín McKiernan, Susan McMillan, Erin Sanchez, and Kate Shrout
Gose took a moment to talk with me about the museum’s latest adventures, saying, “We are so excited, we’ve got new exhibits here at the museum, new things for people to interact with and learn from in science, technology, art and math. We are doing our programs again at schools, and welcoming field trips, so it’s been a really busy and fun time at MOXI. We are bringing in new exhibits, which is a process we are rolling in over the next few years, so lots of new things. Our phased approach is to move through the museum floor by floor. We’ve just completed our renovations on the second floor. Rooftop and first floor are to come. The neon theme for our event is so fun. I’m so amazed that after eight years of MOXI at Night, the museum looks different and beautiful every time.”
Attendees included Bank of America’s Midge Campbell-Thomas , Jacky Holler , Graham Bell and Dorian Harris; and MOXI Board: Chair Kelly Almeroth, Vice Chair Austin Lampson, Treasurer Angela Krablin, and Secretary Casey Summar
Noted sponsors were the Levinson, Muller, and Sheldon families, Kay McMillan, Susan McMillan, and the Wolf family.
The formal program was held on the rooftop with a family style sit-down dinner, speaker remarks, and an info video on MOXI programs featuring staff and kids.
Gose welcomed the guests and thanked event presenting sponsor Bank of America, along with the top sponsors. She asked guests to “Eat, drink and be MOXI!”
The live auction and ask were led by Geoff Green. The funding goal for the event was slated to beat last year’s net of $375,000. Live Auction items included the coveted Walk-On Role in Larry David’s new comedy show donated by Jackie and Jeff Schaffer. Green raised approximately $91,000 with the live auction and paddle raise.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to free or reduced-cost field trips for Title I schools; afterschool programs that bring free museum experiences directly to schools; free and discounted admission through MOXI’s Community Access Program with local nonprofits, libraries, and social service agencies; free admission for teachers in Santa Barbara
and Ventura counties; 40-plus Camp Scholarships for kids who could not otherwise attend; $1 Museums for All admission for individuals who receive supplemental nutrition assistance; sensory backpacks and dedicated resources for visitors with exceptional needs; and disaster relief, providing free admission to families in crisis with 1,700 guests welcomed during January’s L.A. fires. The evening concluded back on the museum first floor where the Silent DJ played tunes to work off the luscious dinner. The scene also included a face painting station, a late-night lounge area with bar, and live sitar by Ronobir Lahiri to chill out by.
411: www.moxi.org
And that’s a wrap till next week! Do email me if you have society news or an experience we can do together! Xx JAC
Night at MOXI event committee with Robin Gose (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
Bank of America team Dorian Harris, Midge Campbell-Thomas, Jacky Holler, and Graham Bell (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
Finally: Zone Zero is not an “arbitrary five-foot idea.”
The Legislature required it, the Board is implementing it, and the wildfire community supports it because it addresses the ignition zone we know best. If we are serious about reducing losses in places like Montecito, we should stop framing Zone Zero as a landscaping debate and start treating it as what it is: the most controllable, enforceable, and cost-effective ignition-prevention step we have.
Respectfully,
Todd Lando, President, Fire Safe Marin; Battalion Chief / Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Central Marin Fire Authority
Asher’s Zone Zero Story
Excellent excellent article – I implore you to use this article and your voice to get it circulated to every possible media outlet in existence, especially podcasts, via social media and TV. A loud megaphone is the only answer to standing up against an ill-founded unscientific policy that could logically lead to the extreme detriment of those who live in California.
As a resident in Mandeville Canyon, (adjacent to Palisades) whose house was spared because the wind did not turn east and go up my well-watered green hill, my home of 45 years in the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains would have been lost. The delay in “City Hall” action resulted in an unnecessary, catastrophic, devastating fire, where the handicapped Fire department had to chase a fire. But why did that happen. It wasn’t
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LITTLE SHELLS, 89 Depot Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. SIERRA V CASTRO, 89 Depot Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on October 3, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0002294. Published October 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing
our green trees or shrubs Zone Zero threatens.
Most of our dear friends in the Pacific Palisades lost their homes because the city and county and state offices were absent on every level – from lack of funding, to equipment, to having water, to having a plan, mitigation steps, and a governor who vetoed a bill twice that would have mandated underbrush cleared in the mountains of California –the dead, fire fueling underbrush!
We all need a loud voice to represent the truth: The sheer absence of the local government (particularly in Los Angeles) to provide the tools and funding and intelligence to provide top tier fire mitigation, resources, prevention and planning are the underbrush to these wildfires.
Zone Zero promises an exponential outcome: Homeowners are the scapegoats. The ecosystem and all of the animals who live in nature are the victims. Noncompliance will let insurance companies refuse insured homes compensation, let alone non-coverage altogether. The cost of electricity will skyrocket without natural shade. More brownouts will occur. Etc. etc.
Sarah
Thank You for Ashleigh, his Thoughts, & his Story
Thank you for your cover story, “Ashleigh’s Brilliant Summer,” ( MJ issue October 2-9, 2025) written by Jeff Wing so eloquently (yes, brilliantly). It was a welcome piece of journalism for so many of us who were struck by the suddenness of Ashleigh Brilliant ’s passing. In truth it really
business as: THE COWBOY WAY BBQ, 80 Zaca St, 62, Buellton, CA 93427. DANIEL J PLACENCIA, 80 Zaca St 62, Buellton, CA 93427. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on September 19, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0002200. Published October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: STRONG & FUELED, 3790 San Remo Drive, 41, Santa Barbara,
wasn’t so sudden, since he was 91, but he was a treasure we all expected to have forever. Those of us in Santa Barbara often saw him walking here, there, and everywhere, always deep in thought, most likely thinking of his next ideas. I grew up with “PotShots” taped or magnetized all over the front of my refrigerators for years, and was so happy when the Montecito Journal began publishing his “Brilliant Thoughts” pieces, many of which I shared or saved. It would be a dream if his work could be replicated in the Montecito Journal going forward, so that we could read them all again.
Thanks again to Jeff Wing for writing the story of his life.
Hillary Hauser
Capping Annual Rent Increases
On October 9th, the City Council will learn that on October 14th (or soon after), Councilmembers Kristen Sneddon and Wendy Santamaria plan to introduce a proposal capping annual rent increases at 60% of CPI (Consumer Price Index). With Santa Barbara’s CPI currently at 2.7%, that would limit rent increases this year to just 1.62%. In years when CPI is negative, no increases would be allowed at all – unless property owners go before the Rental Housing Mediation Board, forcing disclosure of financials and adding new administrative costs for the city. In short, you would need government approval just to manage your own private property.
Why You Need to Speak Up Now
If rent control moves forward, the
CA 93105. CHRISTOPHER M JORDAN, 3790 San Remo Drive 41, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on August 28, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250002045. Published September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: FOURFEND SECURITY GROUP, INC., 863 Sand Point Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013. FOURFEND SE-
consequences will be real for both property owners and renters in Santa Barbara:
1. Fewer Rentals Available – Many owners will shift their properties to short-term rentals or other uses if they can.
2. New Housing Will Stall –Developers will stop building, choking off future supply.
3. Investment Will Dry Up – Investors will skip Santa Barbara entirely, reducing options for renters.
4. Forced Sales & Higher Rents –Some owners will sell, and new buyers will raise rents to the maximum allowed.
5. Falling Property Values – Both rental providers and homeowners will see their values decline.
6. Less Revenue for the City – Lower values mean less property tax money for city services.
7. Rents Will Still Go Up – With fewer units and less investment, scarcity will continue driving rents higher.
8. More Government-Owned Housing – The Housing Authority, exempt from paying taxes, will grow its holdings, further reducing city revenue.
9. Loss of Local Control – Builder’s Remedy projects may move forward with little say from Council or neighborhoods.
10. What’s Next? – Mandates on renting out spare bedrooms? A vacancy tax on second homes, commercial spaces, and rentals?
The bottom line: Rent control will not solve our housing challenges – it will make them worse. The only way to stop this is for Council to hear directly from you today!!
CURITY GROUP, INC., 1072 Casitas Pass Road PMB 321, Carpinteria, CA 93013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on August 13, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250001926. Published September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: LUMIO, 1187 Coast Village Rd, 1-172, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. STUDIO LUMINOUS, LLC, 500 Maple Ave
STE 4, Carpinteria, CA 93013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on September 11, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250002131. Published September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 2025
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV05018. To all interested parties: Petitioner Thomas Nicholas Petosa filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to Thomas Petra. The Court orders that all persons
interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed September 5, 2025 by Terri Chavez. Hearing date: October 27, 2025 at 10 am in Dept. 5, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 2025
CRIME IN THE ‘CITO
Sheriff’s Blotter 93108 . .
. .
Car Vandalism / Olive Mill Road
Thursday, September 25, at 16:20 hours
On 9/25 at approximately 15:15 hours, the victim parked his vehicle on Olive Mill Road near the railroad tracks. The victim was gone for approximately one hour and when he returned, he found his front passenger side window had been broken with an unknown object and the door was left unlocked. He did not notice anything missing from inside of the vehicle.
Curator’s Choice
Asplendid menagerie of natural history specimens filled four large volumes of Albertus Seba’s 18th century publication Thesaurus or Cabinet of Curiosities. A Dutch pharmacist and collector of curiosities, Seba amassed a vast collection of exotic natural objects by trading medicine and services to sailors at the port of Amsterdam as ships arrived from the Dutch East Indies. He commissioned artists to draw, engrave, and print his specimens. Many had been transported on ships in jars of alcohol to preserve them, and the resulting illustrations were not always faithful to reality. The nearly 500 plates in the work ranged from the beautiful to the bizarre. Included were birds, snakes, insects, shells, exotic sea life, bats, and anteaters, as well as exotic plants. Easily recognizable for the bold engraving style and odd juxtaposition of subjects on a plate, the images reflect an age of curiosity and discovery.
Mark your calendars in
all
October, the Museum is going to be packed with incredible offerings
month, starting with National Earth Sciences Week, Oct 11- Oct 17
Portrait, Hedgehogs and Shells, Thesaurus, Albertus Seba, Amsterdam, 1734-1769
SCAN ME!
that typically exhausts itself over the course of a few arduous performances. So here’s to the upcoming season, and to the talented, deserving young artists on the fast track to launching the collective Grand Jeté of a career in the arts.
Jenna Jobst Reichental, Co-Founder, Co-CEO of Jenavi Vineyards
Shhhh… It’s a Surprise!
A lively crowd gathered at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to celebrate Montecito resident Bob Gates’ surprise 80th birthday, planned to perfection by his wife, Mary Gates. Cleverly, Mary told Bob they were attending a Caribbean masquerade party for their friend Hiroko Benko – until he arrived to discover family and friends who had traveled from near and far.
Guests enjoyed Santa Barbara seafood – uni with caviar, ceviche, and ahi tuna bites – alongside tropical cocktails and live Caribbean steel drum music that sparked spontaneous dancing on the terrace. With help from SBMM’s Greg Gorga and Emily Duncan, Mary created an unforgettable evening.
The emotional centerpiece of the
night was a heartwarming video tribute. Through touching vignettes, friends and family recounted Bob’s journey –from his childhood in Brooklyn to his
deep love for boats and airplanes, and ultimately, to his pioneering role in the wind energy industry. Bob Gates’ name is synonymous with advocacy and
Belle Hahn and Lily Hahn Shining (photo by Priscilla)
The evening included a sneak peek of the upcoming season (photo by Priscilla)
Bob and Mary Gates arrive to the surprise party (photo by Maria McCall)
Happy 80th Birthday Bob Gates! (photo by Maria McCall)
Hiroko Benko is in on the surprise! (photo by Maria McCall)
innovation in launching the U.S. wind power movement and commercial large scale wind-fueled electricity power generation. The company Bob helped found was acquired by GE and has grown to become GE’s largest energy segment – a legacy that continues to grow.
The program ended on a high note with American Idol contestant Micaela McCall serenading the birthday honoree.
The celebration continued through the weekend, with a surprise family luncheon at the Gates’ Montecito home on Sunday, followed by a sunset cruise aboard the Condor Express for all guests that evening.
Among those joining the festivities were Randy Swisher, Amir and Maggie Mikhail , Jim and Judith Lyons, John and Susan Lamb, Tom and Chris Frisina, and Dana and Andrea Newquist
Maria McCall, Founder of Montecito Bank and Trust’s MClub
Sir Paul McCartney: We Don’t Know You, But We Love You
by Maria W. Long
“I don’t know you, but I love you.”
– Sir Paul McCartney (Aug. 26, 2025)
...And the crowd loved him back!
Sir Paul McCartney’s Friday night appearance at the Santa Barbara Bowl was the most spectacular show many of us would see in our lifetime. Lines stretched down the block beginning at 1 pm, as the crowd buzzed with electricity
and anticipation. The intimate setting and balmy night created conditions that were pure magic. Musical history was about to be made.
One local lottery winner, Barbara Gundy, shared that she fought back tears when learning she’d be able to purchase a ticket, saying, “This music has been the background of my life.”
Longtime Bowl usher Debbie Owens gushed that the last time she’d seen McCartney in concert was in 1964 when the Beatles helicoptered into Golden Gate Park. She smiled, remembering the band couldn’t be heard over screams from the female attendees.
Sir Paul kicked off the concert with “Help,” which had not been played live in full since 1965. He surprised us with 18 Beatles songs of the 26 played, including “Now and Then.” Found in 2023 and recently released, this song has been dubbed as “the last Beatles song.”
The 4,562-person crowd stood as one, sang and swayed to “Hey Jude” and more favorites like “Got to Get You into My Life,” “Getting Better,” “Love Me Do,” “Blackbird,” “Ob-La-Di, ObLa-Da,” “Live and Let Die,” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Sir Paul explained how he wrote “Let It Be” from a dream he had of his late mother when he was going through a “bad patch,” struggling with drinking and drug use. She appeared to him and whispered, “Let it be.”
The concert was backed by stunning visuals curated for each song featuring vivid, poetic imagery, including Sir Paul’s virtual duet with John Lennon on “I’ve Got a Feeling” using footage from the 1969 Beatles Apple Records rooftop performance.
In attendance enjoying the magic were Rolf Geyling, Andrew Firestone, Sue Parker, Carolyn Baker, Kathryn Martin, Lisa Parsons, Dana Mazetti, and Kieran Shah. Thank you Sir Paul, Moss Jacobs of GoldenVoice, Rick Bollers’ stellar team, and the Board of the Santa Barbara Bowl. We can always count on you to deliver Santa Barbara incredible joy! Many of us are still buzzing from the evening. It’s not often you are serenaded by Royalty.
Sightings
Richard in rehab surrounded by letters and floral arrangements… Goop’s holiday list isn’t out (ours is still in the works) but any cards, flowers or creative things to send to Richard may be addressed to:
1187 Coast Village Rd #243 Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Pip! Pip!
The man, the legend, THE Paul McCartney (photo by Priscilla)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Calendar of Events
by Steven Libowitz
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
Sein-language – It’s been more than 27 years since Seinfeld left the airwaves, at least under the sitcom’s original network TV run, but the show remains as popular as ever. Deservedly so, as there are legions who consider “the show about nothing,” with “no learning and no hugging” as its mantra, to be the greatest half-hour series in TV history. Somewhat more surprising, the co-creator, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, is also still stunningly popular – surprising because nothing he’s produced since has been anywhere near as commercially successful – although Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and Jerry Before Seinfeld were also critical faves. That includes his most recent movie, the silly (although Emmy-nominated) Unfrosted, which is based on the true story of the creation of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries (no, really). At least his stand-up routines remain reliable, as audiences still get a kick out of Seinfeld’s ability to joke about the little things in life with an eye on the absurdities and inconsistencies. Which is why his umpteenth appearance in town at the Arlington today has already sold out.
WHEN: 7 pm
WHERE: Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St.
COST: $100-$600 resale (at time of writing)
INFO: (805) 963-9589 or www.arlingtontheatresb.com/upcoming-events
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
Memoir in Action – The Community Environmental Council teams with Central Coast Riviera Roses to co-host an evening with renowned wildlife ecologist and storyteller Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant – best known for her groundbreaking research on how human activity influences black bear behavior in Montana. Grant will be unspooling the story behind her memoir, Wild Life: Finding My Purpose in an Untamed World, which explores humanity’s evolving relationship with nature. The intimate conversation and Q&A session are intended to lead the audience on a journey through Wynn-Grant’s life and career, from a nature-deprived childhood in urban America to the frontlines of wildlife conservation. As a woman of color in a field where diverse voices have long been underrepresented, Wynn-Grant –a National Geographic Society fellow who currently serves as the host of NBC’s
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
Benise Is Back – Emmy Award-winning Spanish guitarist brings his music and dance spectacular back to the Lobero to celebrate 25 years of his fiery fusion that has found such success. Roni Benise, aka “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” fronts a stage full of musicians and elaborately choreographed dancers to take the audience on a musical journey through Spanish flamenco, Cuban salsa, Brazilian samba, Parisian waltz, exotic drumming, and more in his global, high-energy, Latin-themed theatrical production. The new show is a culmination of his boundary pushing quarter-century, a two-hour show that incorporates fan favorites from his street performing days and rock classics like Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” as well as Benise’s signature touch on classics such as “Ave Maria,” “Moonlight Sonata,” and Vivaldi’s “Summer” from The Four Seasons. Buckle up.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.
COST: $46.50-$69.50 ($102.50 VIP tickets include premier seating and artist meet-and-greet)
INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
Elizabeth-an Era Continues – Writer Elizabeth Gilbert’s first bestselling book Eat, Pray, Love was a major literary success and became an even bigger hit movie starring Julia Roberts, influencing a whole lot of folks to follow in the footsteps of a personal journey. Similarly, her Big Magic inspired millions to live more creative and courageous lives. Now comes Gilbert’s latest memoir, All the Way to the River, an even more deeply personal book, one that shares the story of her relationship with her late partner, Rayya Elias. In the book, Gilbert employs her signature mix of wit, wisdom, and radical candor to invite readers to explore what it means to seek connection, truth, and transcendence in the face of profound grief; all of which will be echoed in her insightful talk where the author reflects on love, loss and the healing power of storytelling.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St.
COST: $53-$83 (Include a pre-signed copy of the new memoir)
INFO: (805) 963-9589/www.arlingtontheatresb.com/upcoming-events or (805) 893-3535/https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
viewpoint to the ecology conversation. Books will be available for purchase at the event, and everyone is invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments at the meet-and-greet and book signing following the discussion.
WHEN: 6-9 pm
WHERE: CEC Environmental Hub, 1219 State St.
COST: $43.45
INFO: (805) 963-0583 or https://cecsb.org/events
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
Piece Time from CCP – Celebrate 50 years of Children’s Creative Project, the program that has championed the transformative power of the arts in education from classrooms to community stages. This will be a joyful, family-friendly community festival at the SBCC Great Meadow. CCP – producers of the annual I Madonnari Festival at the Mission every Memorial Day Weekend – has spent half a century connecting students with musicians, dancers and visual artists who inspire curiosity, expression, and joy. The event is meant to mark the milestone in the organization’s history, pay tribute to the generations of young people whose creativity has shaped our community, showcase some of today’s talent, and imagine the future of arts education. The festival features live music from Mendeleyev, Spencer the Gardener, The New Vibe, Whatever Forever and special guests – alongside interactive activities with Creative Network, Explore Ecology, Healing Justice, Summer Solstice Celebration and many others. The event will feature a curated art market and hands-on artmaking for all ages. Admission includes a handmade ceramic bowl from Empty Bowls as a keepsake from one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved community traditions. The afternoon concludes with an optional Sunset Happy Hour overlooking the beautiful Santa Barbara Harbor and Leadbetter Beach. All proceeds benefit arts education for the next generation.
WHEN: 11 am-5 pm
WHERE: SBCC Great Meadow, 721 Cliff Drive
COST: $15 general, free for students under 18; Sunset Happy Hour $45 INFO: https://ccp.sbceo.org
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
Rollins-Collins Quartet – Jazz ensembles are often named after their leaders, so the rhyming scheme of the foursome heading to SOhO for the monthly Santa Barbara Jazz Society Sunday afternoon show is merely a by-product of that tradition. Hopefully the rhythms and swing roll off the stage as easily as the
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom – brings a fresh, necessary
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
Are You Trying to Seduce Me? – Pose that question to Paul Langer and Michael Trew and you’ll likely get a resounding yes, as the two musicians front a band called The Graduates that serves as a tribute to the timeless music of the iconic folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. From “Homeward Bound” to “Scarborough Fair” to “Mrs. Robinson” to “The Sound Of Silence” to “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Langer and Trew – who sing both as an acoustic duo and as vocalists of a full band – do their best to channel Paul and Artie’s stirring harmonies over a period of decades, meaning some of Simon’s early solo songs are also part of the set. A backdrop of multimedia visuals combine with brief narrative pauses to produce what has been called a spine-tingling and nostalgia-packed evening. Amazingly, the flawless tribute band has only been together for barely more than a year.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.
COST: $62-$106
INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org
moniker of the quartet, which features Kent Rollins on piano, Tom Collins on guitar, Bob Wider on bass and Eddie Layman on percussion. The four fellas –who all reside between Santa Barbara, Ventura and Ojai – swing between classic jazz, modern jazz, jazz-funk and blues.
WHEN: 1-4 pm
WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court
COST: $10-$15
INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com
A Decade of Ice in Paradise – The skating rink dream-turned-reality between Costco and Girsh Park in Goleta celebrates its 10th anniversary with a slate of events that leverage its gamut of offerings. Attendees can try hockey, ice skating, broomball and curling with lessons for newbies, plus watch a skating exhibition. Of course there will also be time set aside for public skating; all this in one celebratory day.
WHEN: Ribbon cutting, 3-4:30 pm
WHERE: Ice in Paradise, 6985 Santa Felicia Dr, Goleta
COST: $10
INFO: (805) 879-1550 or www.iceinparadise.org/events
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
Have a Hart – The Emmy and Grammy nominated actor-comedian Kevin Hart was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he launched his career as a comedian during an amateur night at a local comedy club. Fast forward a bunch of years and Hart has turned into a Hollywood box office powerhouse whose movies have grossed more than $4 billion in global revenue. His comedy stand-up shows have performed in huge arenas, including a sold-out Philly’s Lincoln Financial Field in 2015, where – on the final stop of his What Now? Tour – Hart became the first comic to fill a football stadium. Now Hart, who also received the Kennedy Center’s annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy in 2024, is back out on the road with his “Acting My Age” tour, the ninth such national trek for the 46-yearold funnyman. Understandably, tickets for the Chumash show tonight cost a pretty penny as the Samala Showroom holds just 1,500 people. Note: the show will be a phone-free experience; use of phones, smart watches and accessories will not be permitted in the performance space.
WHEN: 8 pm
WHERE: Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez
COST: $132-$305
INFO: (800) CHUMASH (248-6274) or www.chumashcasino.com
Adapted by JOE LANDRY
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805) 565-1860
ESTATE/SENIOR SERVICES
Your Trusted Choice for Estate Sales, Liquidation & Downsizing
Moving Miss Daisy’s providing comprehensive services through Moving Miss Daisy since 2015. Expert packing, unpacking, relocating to ensure your new home is beautifully set up and ready to enjoy. Miss Daisy’s is the largest consignment store in the Tri-Counties - nearly 20K sq.ft.- always offering an unmatched selection of items. We also host online Auctions.
Glenn Novack, Owner 805-770-7715
www.missdaisy.org info@movingmissdaisy.com
THE CLEARING HOUSE
Recognized as the area’s Premier Estate Liquidators - Experts in the Santa Barbara Market! We are Skilled Professionals with Years of Experience in Downsizing and Estate Sales. Personalized service. Insured. Call for a complimentary consultation. Elaine (805)708-6113 Christa (805)450-8382
We Buy, Sell and Broker Important Estate Jewelry. Located in the upper village of Montecito. Graduate Gemologists with 30 years of experience. We do free evaluations and private consultation. 1470 East Valley Rd Suite V. 805-969-0888
SENIOR MOVE SOLUTIONS
For 10 years your trusted experts in Downsizing, Relocation & Estate Transitions. Experienced & detail-oriented, we handle every step with patience and precision. CuratedTransitions.com
805.669.6303
PHYSICAL TRAINING & THERAPY
Stillwell Fitness of Santa Barbara In Home Personal Training Sessions for 65+ Help with: Strength, Flexibility, Balance Motivation, and Consistency
John Stillwell, CPT, Specialist in Senior Fitness 805-705-2014 StillwellFitness.com
GOT OSTEOPOROSIS? WE CAN HELP
At OsteoStrong our proven non-drug protocol takes just ten minutes once a week to improve your bone density and aid in more energy, strength, balance and agility. Please call for a complimentary session! Call Now (805) 453-6086
ELECTRICIAN
Montecito Electric Repairs and Inspections Licensed C10485353 805-969-1575
TILE SETTING
Local tile setter of 35 years is now doing small jobs only. Services include grout cleaning and repair, caulking, sealing, replacing damaged tiles and basic plumbing needs. Call Doug Watts at 805-729-3211 for a free estimate.
PET/ HOUSE SITTING
Do you need to get away for a weekend, week or more? I will house sit and take care of your pets, plants & mail. I have refs if needed. Call me or text me. Christine (805) 452-2385
PERSONAL SERVICES
Tell Your Story
How did you get to be where you are today? What were your challenges? What is your Love Story? I can help you tell your story in an unforgettable way – with a book that will live on for many generations. The books I write are as thorough and entertaining as acclaimed biographies you’ve read. I also assist with books you write – planning, editing and publishing.
David Wilk Great references. (805) 455-5980 www.BiographyDavidWilk.com
LANDSCAPE
Casa L. M.
Landscape hedges installed. Ficus to flowering. Disease resistant. Great privacy. Certified rootstock assorted fruit trees. Licensed & insured. Call (805) 963-6909
WATERLILIES and LOTUS since 1992 WATERGARDEN CARE SBWGC
Carpet Cleaning Since 1978 (805) 963-5304
Rafael Mendez Cell: 689-8397 or 963-3117
Openings now available for Children and Adults.
Piano Lessons in our Studio or your Home. Call or Text Kary Kramer (805) 453-3481
CONSTRUCTION
General Building Design & Construction Contractor
William J. Dalziel
Lic. B311003 – 1 (805) 698-4318
billjdalziel@gmail.com
MIRAMAR BEACH CONDO FOR LONG-TERM LEASE
Two bedroom / two bath, furnished beach condo. Gated entry, two private parking spaces. $9,500 / month. No pets. Call owner at (817) 307 8989 AVAILABLE TO WORK FOR THE ELDERLY
Available to work for the elderly Erik Miciano (805) 403-7712 34 Years of Homecare experience with excellent employment references
CLEANLINESS & PEACE FOR RENT
1 bed / 1 bath on West Camino Cielo on 5 acres 10 min from State St. - NS, NP $2000/month Call (805) 964-1891
ATTENDANT AND PROBLEM SOLVER
Dad or grandpa need assistance w transport, outings, shopping, or companionship? Retired 62 y/old male can help. Verifiably spotless driving and personal history. 10-15 hours p/week.
Rates by the hour.
Text Pete B at 805-881-1115.
BOOKKEEPER/PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Bookkeeper/Personal assistant, looking for Part-Time (5-10hrs a week), Excellent references, would pass background check, NDA experience, email address: agn3@icloud.com
FOR SALE
BRAND NEW Fiido T1 electric bike. Was purchased as a gift that was never used so still in the original box, unopened. Original price was $1000. Can sell for $800. Please text or call 805-895-5192
$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD
It’s simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters. Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2pm the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex (3% surcharge)
DONATIONS NEEDED
Santa Barbara Bird
Sanctuary Menagerie 2430 Lillie Avenue Summerland, CA 93067 (805) 969-1944
Donate to the Parrot Pantry! At SB Bird Sanctuary, backyard farmer’s bounty is our birds’ best bowl of food! The flock goes bananas for your apples, oranges & other homegrown fruits & veggies.
Volunteers
Do you have a special talent or skill? Do you need community service hours? The flock at SB Bird Sanctuary could always use some extra love and socialization. Call us and let’s talk about how you can help. (805) 969-1944
