Issuu

1919

FEBRUARY 2020

THE

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY CLUB OF SANTA BARBARA

Mark McDonald

1919

THE

IN THIS ISSUE:

Club Hours:

Messages from Our President................. 3

Complimentary Continental Breakfast*

Messages from the GM.............................. 4

Tuesday-Friday 7:30am-10am

Team Member Profile................................. 7

If These Walls Could Talk.......................... 8

From Our Chef.............................................. 11 Photo Collage................................................12 Calendar of Events......................................22

*Members-Only

Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2pm

Bar Tuesday-Friday 4:30-8pm

Address:

Phone Number:

About the Cover:

1332 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805-966-0853

Website:

Member Services:

www.uclubsb.org

Memberservices@uclubsb.org

1919: The year the University Club of Santa Barbara was founded. Replete with history, tradition, camaraderie, and a sense of community.

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Pictured: Delicious coconut cakes at our Chinese New Year mixer; members enjoying lunch on the Sola Patio; members enjoying a drink at Chinese New Year.

MESSAGES FROM OUR PRESIDENT: Dear Members, By now you will all have received a letter in the mail and also via email outlining our membership dues for 2020, as well as some of the many benefits we all enjoy here at the University Club (see pages 5-6 for a copy of the letter and 2020 dues). As you can see every month in our Club newsletter and every time you step through the doors of our Club, our General Manager extraordinaire Sarah and her team are continually working to make our Club the best it can be by introducing many new amenities, social clubs, special events, and more. In addition, there have been constant upgrades to the Club’s infrastructure, décor, communications, facilities, and more--much of it behind the scenes. All in an effort to serve us better. I am also pleased to let you know that because Club dues will now be more in line with Club actual costs, our new lunch menu starting in February will have member pricing that is 25% lower and we will no longer have mixer fees. (You will see your last mixer fee on your January statements.) Please let Sarah know if there are any other events, lectures, or social clubs you would like to see here. Her door is always open, and she would love to hear what other services the Club can provide you with. On that note, my family and I really enjoyed Chinese New Year with all of you here at the Club. The decorations, food, music, and general atmosphere were outstanding. I saw a lot of very busy crafters (young and old!) making Chinese lanterns, masks, and drums. I am already looking forward to our next event

together. (The Valentine’s Day Dinner looks fantastic!) In the meantime, I hope to see you at one of our Tuesdays at the Club buffets, or perhaps a Bistro Dinner. With the new weekly themed menus on Tuesdays, and à la carte options being added to Bistro dinners (in addition to the usual three course menu option), there is truly something for everyone every week. Just a reminder that we no longer serve breakfast, but instead have complimentary continental breakfast for members every day from Tuesdays-Fridays. We will revisit full breakfast service again in March providing enough of you express an interest in reinstating it. Also a reminder that our new website is currently under construction and set to launch in mid-March, assuming all goes well. In the meantime, please call Ammanjah at 805-9660853, Ext. 140 with any questions you may have about Club hours, or to RSVP for meals or events. If you are interested in hosting an event at the Club, you can contact Natalie Douglas, our Events Coordinator at natalie@uclubsb.org for all the special member rates. This is your Club—your oasis in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara to relax, enjoy, work, socialize, meet, and eat! I hope to see everyone here soon.

Lacy Taylor UClub President

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MESSAGES FROM OUR GM: Dear Members, It seems like just yesterday that we celebrated the winter holidays and New Year’s Eve together here at the Club, and now it is already February! While I do miss the beautiful holiday decorations throughout the Club, I am also excited for the months ahead. From Valentine’s Day Dinner, to our super popular St. Patrick’s Day Mixer and Easter Brunch (cue the Easter bunny and the always fun egg hunt in the Club gardens!), the next few months have many activities happening at the Club that I hope you and your families will join us for. Thank you again to everyone who joined us for Chinese New Year. As you can see in the photo spread on pages 12-13, we had a wonderful turnout and a really good time was had by all. I especially enjoyed seeing both children and adults get creative at our Chinese New Year crafts table. We have some very talented artists in our midst! We have also enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere and camaraderie at our Tuesdays at the Club buffet dinners. Chef and his team have come up with another round of delicious and inspired menus for February and March. Take a look at the full menus on page 14-15 and be sure to RSVP for you and your friends and family so we can properly prepare food and service for each meal. February is, of course, also marked by Valentines. We have a really special Valentine’s Day Dinner planned for you. With an exquisite gourmet dinner menu, a live orchestral string duo, a complimentary glass of Veuve Cliquot Rose Champagne, and a Bottega Louie sweet treat, per two guests, to take home as a Valentine from us to you, it will be a beautiful evening to remember. See the full menu and details on page 20. RSVP by February 12th to reserve a table for yourself and someone you love; be it a life partner, a best friend, a child, or a sibling. True love comes in all forms and all are welcome. 4 THE 1919 MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2020

Also, in February we are very excited to host Architect and Art Historian Anthony Grumbine, Principal at Harrison Design, as he explores the storied history and grand design of our very own University Club building and explains why it has been designated a Structure of Merit. Call us to reserve your member-priced tickets for this exclusive Lunch & Learn at the Club. Space is limited. See details on page 21. As you might have noticed around the Club, we have new artists showcasing their photography in the Dining and Alumni rooms. I love that we are able to highlight different artists at the club every quarter. It is such a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the amazing talent here in our very own community. A special thank you to Lynn Holly who has acted as our curator and brought us all these artists. The two new photographers will be joining us at our First Thursday at the Club in March. Do come meet them over a glass of wine! In addition, we hope you will join us for our monthly First Thursday Wine Tasting at the Club, Book Club, and Empowered Aging, as well as weekly Tuesdays at the Club, Bistro Dinners (now with à la carte options!), and Mah Jongg Thursdays. Our full February calendar is on pages 22-23. Finally, we will be adding Bridge to our Club schedule soon. Please contact us at memberservices@uclubsb.org, or call us at 805-966-0853, Ext. 140, if you are interested in signing up or getting involved. And of course, please let us know if there are other activities, games, or social clubs you would like to see here, as well as any Lunch & Learn topics you might be interested in. Ammanjah would love to hear from you so that she can set those up for you. Thank you again for making the UClub such a special and exciting place,

Sarah Rudd UClub General Manager Sarah.Rudd@uclubsb.org

Dear Members,

January 27, 2020

Happy New Year again. I hope 2020 has started off well for you. We are now a bit further into the new year and I wanted to take a moment to highlight our 2020 membership dues, as well as to underscore the array of amenities and services we now offer you, our members, here at the Club. Starting with your February 2020 statements, you will notice a 15% raise in your membership dues. Attached [on next page] you will find a schedule of the current dues. While membership dues only cover about 21% of our overall costs, they do help make a number of exclusive benefits possible. Some of those benefits include: • Exclusive member events, hours, and activities, • Member priced tickets for mixers, lectures, classes, public events, and more, • Complimentary walk-in use of available rooms for work, meetings, and more, • Special member rates for private events and room reservations, • Comprehensive event planning by our in-house coordinator, • Reduced food and beverage prices and service fees, • Complimentary continental breakfast every Tuesday-Friday (7:30-10:30am), • Complimentary tea and coffee, • Free glass of wine or beer during Friday lunches, • Member wine purchases direct from selected wineries at First Thursdays at the Club, • Wi-Fi access throughout the club, • Key-coded after-hours club access, • Private on-site downtown parking, • Opportunity to showcase your business in our website’s Insider Guide Directory, • Exclusive use of the game room with flat screen TV and pool table, • Over 200 reciprocal clubs across the US and worldwide (including country clubs, yacht clubs, athletic clubs, surf clubs, city clubs, and more), • Special rates at the beautiful downtown Santa Barbara Upham Hotel (4-star) with Letter of Introduction, • No initiation fee at the Santa Barbara Athletic Club with Letter of Introduction, • And more.

There are, of course, many other benefits to being a member here. From the camaraderie and friendships, to having your own private oasis in the heart of downtown to work, relax, or bring business meetings or friends, membership at the UClub affords you a home away from home, and an office with a full array of support and friendly staff at the ready. It is a place where connections, friendships, and memories are made. On that note - we hope to see all of you here at one of our many upcoming events and meals! This is your Club – we hope you will join us in making 2020 our best year yet.

Sarah Rudd UClub General Manager (805) 966 0853, Ext. 200 Sarah.Rudd@uclubsb.org

UPDATE: We are pleased to let you know that because Club dues will now be more in line with Club actual costs, our new lunch menu starting in February will have member pricing that is 25% lower and we will no longer have mixer fees. (You will see your last mixer fee on your January statements.) THE 1919 MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2020 5

6 THE 1919 MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2019

MEET THE UCLUB TEAM: Everyone at the UClub knows and loves Manny Cordova, and with good reason. In

addition to being the University Club’s longest serving employee, Manny is hands down also the most amenable, kind person you can meet. Manny has been working at the University Club since 1979 and has seen countless members come and go. Standing at the wall of Presidents, Manny has a kind word and smile for each of them. He remembers when the first women were accepted into the Club in the early 80s, saying: “It made the Club better. [There have been] a lot of changes over the years... every time better and better.” Manny’s favorite events at the Club are Mother’s Day and Easter, when families come to the Club together. “I like taking care of our members and giving them good service” he says with a modest tip of the head. It is no wonder then that many of our members request Manny to help with their private meetings and special meals at the Club. During his time here Manny has done it all - from serving members and guests, to busing tables, bartending, and even helping out with handyman jobs around the Club. In his younger days Manny was known for his impressive head of hair, sporting an Afro which inspired a past food and beverage manager to nickname him “el borego” - the lamb. The nickname could easily describe his gentle and humble personality as well. Born in Nogales, Mexico, Manny came to the US when he was about 20 years old, together with a number of his six brothers and sisters. In fact, his older brother Julio also came to work at the UClub not long after Manny, and worked here for many years as well. Today Manny lives with Julio and their youngest brother Miguel, and all three of them work in the service industry. During his time off, Manny enjoys resting and taking trips to the casino with friends.

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IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK:

Finding Romance at the UClub --by Judy Pochini

“Hello ladies. My name is Eric Boehm and I’m a member of the Club. Are you members? I don’t believe we’ve met.” The voice came from behind my right shoulder as Kitty Peri and I were enjoying lunch on [what was then] the Santa Barbara Street patio. I had noted the man who now spoke as he had come down the steps and purposely entered the patio. He had walked by on my left, then had disappeared from view, only to show up on my right. (Surprise!)

“Yes, we’re members too,” Kitty and I chorused as we introduced ourselves. “So happy to meet you ladies. I just turned ninety and I wanted to share my joy.” I gave a start and looked at him more closely. Slim, trim, and obviously agile, this guy looked seventy-five at most. Following the introductions, our erstwhile new friend then announced, “I’m looking for happiness now that I’m ninety. Do you think I deserve it?” Kitty and I exchanged glances. This was an innovative approach. “Oh, you surely look as if you do,” came our reply. “I plan to continue to travel and I’m looking for a companion. Do you think I deserve that as well?” “Oh, surely you must,” we responded. “And what about you ladies? Do you have companions in your lives to keep you happy?” He turned first to Kitty who waved her diamond laden left hand and told him that Dave, her husband of many years, had been keeping her quite happy and satisfied. Eric then turned a questioning glance my way.

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In response I waved my right hand, showing him my rings.

husband’s family’s mother’s Italian cuisine.”

“My late husband, Bob, gave me great companionship and love for many years, but he’s been gone for a while.”

Eric reached for his wallet.

“I know how that can be,” Eric sympathized. “I lost my wife ten years ago.” Kitty and I made comments of sympathy. Then Eric put us through the same query sequence about travel. He liked to travel but was wondering if he deserved to travel. Did we like to travel? Etc. Then he switched the subject.

“Uh oh. I left my wallet at home today. I didn’t want to carry any extra weight as I walked between my home and the Club. I live just up Valerio Street but though it’s an easy walk down, it’s quite a climb back.” Again, I marveled. Here was a guy who at ninety still could traverse steep hillsides. “It takes me about ten minutes to climb the hill back home. So when you’ve finished your meeting maybe you could drive up there and bring the book and I’ll pay you. Oh, come to think of it – I, too, have written a book. Maybe you’d like to exchange. Mine’s about the same price, but the topic’s more serious. We survived: Stories of the Hidden and Hunted in Nazi Germany.

“So happy to meet you ladies. I just turned ninety and I wanted to share my joy.” “Looks as if you’re conducting some business over lunch.” He noted our papers spread across the table. “Sorry to have disturbed you.” “Oh, that’s all right. We’re almost done – planning ways to promote Judy’s new book, just off press.” Eric reached for the book and picked it up. “The Frittata Affairs. That’s a provocative title. I just love books. Where may I buy it?” [side note: little did Judy know at the time, but Eric was actually a publisher!]

And so it was that I trekked up the hill by car to 800 East to exchange books and more conversation with Eric Boehm that sunny August day. Within a short time we started dating and I developed a happy liaison of love and companionship which continued almost ten years. And yes, we did travel and experience many interesting adventures. Eric made his transition at age ninety-nine on September 11, 2017. He was a member of the University Club for many years.

“Oh, you may buy that one,” I replied. “I have more copies in the car. It’s a memoir cook book about my THE 1919 MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2020 9

Please Join U s For

First Thursday UClub Wine Tasting • THU. FEB. 6, 2020 • 5:00-7pm • TASTING: • $9 MEMBERS • $12 NON-MEMBERS • • WHOLESALE DIRECT PURCHASES •

Wine Tasting ~ Charcuterie ~ Social Evening at the Club RSVP: memberservices@uclubsb.org 805-966-0853, Ext. 140 (Ammanjah)

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Cooking with Chef David Braised Beef Short Ribs

UClub Chef David Rosner

INGREDIENTS: 5 beef short ribs 1 tablespoon oil for sautéing 2 celery, rough chop 2 carrots, rough chop 1 onion, rough chop 5 garlic cloves

1 quart good-quality brown beef stock 4 sprigs fresh thyme 1 bay leaves 1 bottle ruby port wine - salt and pepper to taste

1 bottle dry red wine

DIRECTIONS: • Preheat oven to 300°F. Season short ribs all over with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until simmering. Working in batches, add short ribs and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer browned short ribs to a platter and repeat with remaining short ribs. • Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the Dutch oven. Return to the heat and add celery, carrot, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until browned, about 6 minutes. • Deglaze with port wine until reduced by 80%, next add red wine, scraping up any browned bits from bottom and sides of pot. Bring to a simmer. Add stock. • Return short ribs to pot along with any accumulated juices, nestling them into braising liquids. Add thyme and bay leaves, cover, then transfer to oven, and cook until beef is fork-tender, 2 to 3 hours. • Carefully remove short ribs from pot and transfer to platter. Tent with foil. • Skim accumulated fat from surface of braising liquid and discard. Strain braising liquid through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. • Return strained braising liquid to Dutch oven. Bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer until braising liquid is reduced to 2 cups. Skim any foam that accumulates on the surface as needed. • The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Return short ribs to Dutch oven, spooning the sauce all over and around them to glaze and rewarm. Serve.

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OUR MONTH IN PHOTOS:

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JANUARY

2020

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TUESDAYS • Social Evening with *ALL MEALS INCLUDE SALAD & DESSERT

February 4th

February 11th

• Roast • $42++

• VENEZUELAN NIGHT • $16++

Wedge Salad, with blue cheese, bacon crumbs, cherry tomatoes

Presented by Carlos Lopez

Creamed Spinach

Chicken & Beef Arepa

Roasted Carrots Baked Potato Bar Prime Rib, horseradish au jus Local Sea Bass, with red wine, root vegetables

Cheese Cachapas Beef Pabellon Bread Pudding

Chocolate Cake

February 18th • ASSORTED PIZZAS • $15++

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AT THE CLUB Buffet Dinner • 5-8pm • *ALL MEALS INCLUDE SALAD & DESSERT

February 25th

MARCH 3rd

• FAT TUESDAY • $35++

• Ramen Night • $16++

MARDI GRAS THEMED EVENING!

Edamame

Oysters Rockefeller

Shishito Peppers

Andouille Jambalaya Crawfish Etouffee Cajun Chicken Cassoulet Beignets

Shrimp, Chicken & Pork Dumplings Shrimp, Beef & Pork Ramen Mochi

MARCH 10th

MARCH 24th

• Fajita Night • $16++

• Caribbean Night • $18++

Nachos, Beans, Cheese, Sour Cream, Jalapenos, Cilantro

Jerk Chicken Callaloo (Stewed Greens)

Chicken, Steak, Shrimp Fajitas, Peppers, Onions, House-made Flour Tortillas

Grilled Whole Snapper, with Papaya Salsa

Guacamole

Beef Pepperpot

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MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT at the University Club of Santa Barbara

Friday • March 6, 2020 • 8:30am-2:30pm

Join us for a fun-filled day of Mah Jongg benefiting CALM! Rounds for Beginners & Experienced Players • Registration includes Chinese buffet lunch, beverage, dessert. For more information: memberservices@uclubsb.org • 805 966 0853, Ext. 140 CALM’s mission is to prevent childhood trauma, heal children and families, and build resilient communities throughout Santa Barbara County. More information at: Calm4Kids.org -----------------------------------------------------------------

UClub Mah Jongg Tournament Registration Form Registration Deadline: February 28, 2020

Registration Fee*: UClub Member: ___$32 Non-Member: ___$48 ** I would like to make an additional donation to CALM, please add the following amount to my total: ___$10 ___$20 ___$40 ___$100 ______Other. Mail/bring registration form to: University Club of Santa Barbara, 1332 Santa Barbara St. Payment with Credit Card: call us at 805 966 0853, Ext. 140 Make checks payable to: University Club of Santa Barbara

* Registration not complete until payment received. * No Refunds or Cancellations after February 28, 2020. Name: _____________________ Phone: ___________________ Email: _____________________ ___ I volunteer to be East and keep score

___ I can provide a Mah Jongg set

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EMPOWERED AGING Unreliable Truth: Crafting Memoir from Memory with Maureen Murdock, Ph.D.

What is true and what do we create from our reminiscences? This program looks at the basic components of memoir writing and the self-reflection required to move a memory into the realm of memoir. Come prepared to write in class. Maureen Murdock, Ph.D., is an expert teacher of memoir writing, internationally published author, and licensed psychotherapist. She has taught memoir writing in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program since 1990 and was the 1995 recipient of the UCLA Extension Outstanding Teacher Award. She teaches in the Memoir Certificate Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she was Chair of the Masters Program in Counseling Psychology. Murdock finds memoir writing to be an important tool for exercising memory. Topics to be covered include: • Difference between autobiography and memoir • Elements of memoir writing • What’s true and why do my family members say it didn’t happen that way? • Developing yourself into a believable character • Crafting a memory into a universal story

Tuesday, February 11, 2020 • 2:00pm-3:30pm University Club of Santa Barbara 1332 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara 93101 RSVP by Monday, February 10th to: Ammanjah de Vries, University Club of Santa Barbara memberservices@uclubsb.org • (805) 966-0853, Ext. 140

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You Are Invited To

BOOK CLUB NEW DAY: EVERY 2ND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

NEXT MEETING: Friday, February 14, 12-2PM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER People’s Book of the Week • USA Today’s #1 “New and Noteworthy” Book • Entertainment Weekly’s Must List • LibraryReads Top Ten Pick. A triumphant new novel about New York’s “Swans” of the 1950s - and the scandalous, headline-making, and enthralling friendship between literary legend Truman Capote and peerless socialite Babe Paley. Beneath this elegantly composed exterior dwells a passionate woman—a woman desperately longing for true love and connection.

Join us for one, a few, or all of the meetings, no commitment necessary. Open to men and women of the University Club and their guests. Meetings are held over lunch, and include general discussion of books as well as each monthly book. Free wine courtesy of the University Club with your à la carte lunch.

RSVP & MORE INFO: memberservices@uclubsb.org | 805-966-0853, Ext. 140

(Ammanjah)

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FEBRUARY @ THE UCLUB WEEKLY EVENTS:

MONTHLY EVENTS:

Tuesdays at the Club

Empowered Aging

Social Evening & Buffet Tuesdays | 5-8pm

2nd Tuesdays | 2-3:30pm

Mah Jongg Thursdays | 2-4pm

Bistro Dinner Fridays | 6-8pm

1st Thursday Wine Tasting 1st Thursdays | 5-7pm

UClub Book Club 2nd Fridays | 12-2pm

*no bistro dinner on 01/03*

CLUB HOURS:

SAVE THE DATES!

Members-Only Complimentary

• 03/17 - St. Patrick’s Day

Continental Breakfast Tues.-Fri. | 7:30am-10am

Lunch Mon.-Fri. | 11:30am-2pm

• 04/12- Easter Brunch • 05/8 - Opera Dinner • 05/10 - Mother’s Day Brunch

Social Hours @ the Bar

• 03/6 - Mah Jongg

Tues.-Fri. | 4:30-8pm

Tournament benefiting CALM

- Happy Hour: 4:30-6pm - Bar Bites served Wed.-Fri.

For more information & to RSVP: memberservices@uclubsb.org | 805-966-0853, Ext. 140 (Ammanjah) 22 THE 1919 MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2020

5:00pm Tuesday at the Club Club Closed

5:00pm Tuesday at the Club

2:00pm Empowered Aging

5:00pm Tuesday at the Club

2:00pm Mah Jongg 5:00pm

1st Thursday Wine Tasting

2:00pm Mah Jongg

Club Closed

2:00pm Mah Jongg

6pm Bistro Dinner

Club Closed 6pm Bistro Dinner

12pm Lunch & Learn

5pm VALENTINE’S DINNER

12pm Book Club

6pm Bistro Dinner

FEBRUARY @ THE UCLUB

Club Closed

President’s Day

5:00pm Tuesday at the Club

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