Parcel for Sale

Casa del Herrero, the historic George Washington Smith-designed home and gardens located on East Valley Road, is selling a two-acre parcel connected to the property.

By an overwhelming majority vote of the board of trustees, including full support from the Bass and Steedman family members serving on the board, the land sale was approved.

Medora Steedman Bass, the last family member to reside in the property and the generous creator of the nonprofit vision for the casa, provided for a sale in her letters and instructions as a way to ensure the enduring sustainability and success of Casa del Herrero as both an historic treasure and a community resource.

The board of trustees will be utilizing a portion of the proceeds to complete the capital improvement and restoration project that is currently ongoing at the property, including critical improvements and repairs to infrastructure – roofs, systems, mechanicals – restoration of interiors, conservation, and repairs to key elements of the 17th and 18th century arts and collections, as well as restoration and upgrades to the gardens and grounds.

“I am so pleased Medora Bass had the foresight and vision to grant us the options necessary to guarantee that we as a board can be true stewards of the casa, both in terms of maintaining its historical integrity and allowing it to grow as the beloved casa we all know and appreciate,” says Heather Biles, president of the board.

The listing of the parcel is represented by Maureen McDermut of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Discussing the Journey

Oprah Winfrey has candidly opened up about obesity and why she has shied away from using Ozempic during her own weight-loss journey.

The 69-year-old former TV talk show titan hosted a panel in front of a live audience in New York as part of Oprah Daily The Life You Want series.

“I don’t know there is another public person whose weight struggles have been exploited as much as mine,” says the Montecito resident.

“For those of us that are adipose storers, no matter how many times… You’ve all watched me diet, diet, diet, and diet. It’s a recurring thing because my body always wants to go back to a certain weight.”

Oprah added: “I am Oprah Winfrey and I know what comes with that, and I get treated differently if I am 200-plus pounds versus under 200 pounds. There is a condescension. There is a stigma.”

Rent in Dispute

Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry is claiming millions of dollars in lost rent from an ailing 83-year-old veteran who claims he mistakenly sold his Montecito estate while under the influence of opiates.

Katy and her British actor fiancé Orlando Bloom says they have lost out on $2,670,000 in rent they could have charged on the 9,285-square-foot home.

Veteran Carl Westcott’s lawyers have spent that time trying to nix Westcott’s $15 million deal for the property he signed six days after undergoing major back surgery in July 2020.

Katy, 38, and Orlando, 46, came out fighting to get their hands on the eight-bedroom residence. They also want millions in compensation, according to court documents obtained by the London Daily Mail.

The substantial sum includes $1,428,571 in rent, more than $325,000 in mortgage interest, $343,759 in property taxes, $145,407 for gardening, and $8,919 for “research – cable and internet.”

Stay tuned…

Top Notch Advice

Ted Cronin, founder and executive chairman of Manchester Capital Management, has once again been honored among Barron’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors.

The ranking reflects the volume of assets overseen by the advisor and their team, revenues generated by their firm, and the quality of the advisor’s practice.

Ranked 12th this year, it is Cronin and Manchester Capital’s 17th consecutive mention on the list.

Heady stuff…

Sightings

Singer Lady Gaga performing at a charity gala at the Rosewood Miramar… Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow filling up her Mercedes G Wagon at Chevron on CVR… Rockers The Lumineers celebrating their Santa Barbara Bowl concert at the Pickle Room.

Pip! Pip!