La Casa de Maria is a special place for many of us. I discovered it walking in Montecito many years ago. Who knew that I would eventually be married in its chapel? These 26 acres spell peace in the best way. The Chumash were the first residents to tend the spirit and beings of this […]
Lea másGail Brenner called her last book, The End of Self Help: Discovering Peace and Happiness Right at the Heart of Your Messy, Scary, Brilliant Life an intriguing and possibly provocative title that could send an entire personal growth industry to its knees. But the Santa Barbara psychologist has no intention of causing dismay. In fact, […]
Lea másThe truly “endangered species” in America is neither the salt marsh harvest mouse nor the Channel Island fox. Rather, it is the ominous disappearance of small, locally owned businesses – particularly in retail — and the erosion of their positive impact on the character of local communities. The Retail Meltdown In the last few years, […]
Lea másAre man’s activities having an impact on climate change? Probably. Is the weather changing? Yes. It always has and always will. How much, I don’t know, and few if any of the current crop of prognosticators know either. Take note that the climate change crowd has conveniently changed its mantra from the climate warming chants […]
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More than 100 of Gloria and Peter Clark’s friends gathered at the University Club to celebrate their wedding, which took place a month before. As they said on the invitation, “Nobody Saw This One Coming!!” John J. Thyne III officiated with best man Barry DeVorzon and two matrons of honor, Jelinda DeVorzon and Nina Terzian. […]
Lea másThe past few weeks, well, months… okay, maybe even years… I have seen an ongoing dearth of available housing inventory to choose from in Montecito, especially in the “more affordable” $1.5-to-$3-million range. There are currently many $10-million-plus properties to choose from in a variety of shapes and sizes, but try finding the perfect family home […]
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If you are worried about aging and don’t know Doug Wood, you should. This man has the greatest smile and attitude, and it shows in everything he does. Growing older is not stealing the meaning or the fun out of his life. But, wait, I am getting ahead of myself. Doug was born in Los […]
Lea másOne of the illustrated epigrams on which my strange career has been built shows a little cherub hovering in the air, holding a large volume, while an unseen speaker demands, “BRING ME A DICTIONARY – I WANT TO KNOW THE MEANING OF LIFE.” Well, after all, if you can’t find meaning in a dictionary, where […]
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Longtime friend Andy LoRusso just came out with a new book, Sing & Cook with Andy LoRusso The Singing Chef. It’s the 25th anniversary of his career singing and cooking. Friends and fans met at Tecolote bookstore for his book signing. With the tome you not only cook, you can sing along at the same […]
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