26 Nov 2024
Direct Relief
At the end of July, Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe announced his decision to step down from his role at the end of the year after 24 years leading the organization, a period that saw unprecedented expansion of the nonprofit’s critical work to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty […]
Lea más
Freedom and Sanctity
Tony Soprano: You know we’re the only country in the world where the pursuit of happiness is guaranteed in writing? You believe that? Bunch of $%@! spoiled brats. Where’s my happiness then? Dr. Melfi: It’s the pursuit that’s guaranteed. Tony Soprano: Yeah… always a $%@! loophole, right? A dear friend asked me once; “Jeff, do […]
Lea más
Lilli Margrethe Jensen Tragos August 31, 1934 – November 3, 2024
Lilli Margrethe Jensen Tragos, 90, beloved wife, mother, Mormor/Farmor, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024, in Santa Barbara, California. Lilli lived her life with the deeply held conviction that there is inherent goodness in all people. She shone her unshakable optimism on her family and friends who always felt grateful to […]
Lea más
Getting Stuff Done?
There is no single explanation for the popularity of Trump. But one thread is that he can “get stuff [sh-t] done.” Supporters (MAGAs) don’t care about his long history of cheating people out of their money, his talk of “grabbing pussies”, or even that he violently tried to overthrow an election. “He gets stuff done.” […]
Lea más
Coming Together for Changing Times
Both sides of the political divide cast this past election as an existential moment for our democratic way of life. Each side pitching its own version of freedom and well-being. Each side casting the other as the enemy. Yet, when the sound bites fade away and the dust settles, we’re all in this together. But, […]
Lea más
White Sapote
Another new one for me this week, the white sapote – or custard apple – just came into the market, and Rancho Santa Cecilia has some gorgeous ones. This fruit originally from central Mexico is a distant relative of citrus. The smooth textured pulp tastes like a mix between a banana and a peach, mixed […]
Lea más
Sicily Part 3: The Isle of Ortigia and Ancient City of Siracusa
My traveling pal and I arrived at the lovely, seaside Hotel Gutkowski (an affordable recommendation from a friend) on a Sunday early afternoon, just moments after a welcome, much needed thunderstorm and downpour began to clear the air. The island of Sicily had been suffering from a drought and the air had been gray and […]
Lea más
These Bowls Sing
Post election, we need deep relaxation, muscle regeneration, pain relief, digestive help, cure for migraine, improved circulation, a repaired immune system, elimination of toxins (too much wine), and better concentration. This may be just the time for an article on JF’s “singing” bowls from his home altar – a collection of Japanese standing “struck” bowls, […]
Lea más
In Need of a Cinematic Pick Me Up? Go see ‘Anora’ Now!
Roger Ebert once said that “the movies are like a machine that generates empathy. It lets you understand a little bit more about different hopes, aspirations, dreams and fears. It helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.” If there’s one writer-director currently working from a place of empathy, […]
Lea más
Do You Care?
“Care” is an interesting and rather flexible concept. As a noun, it once had a very negative meaning, which today we would equate with “worry.” There was a song about “dull care” whose lyrics go back to the 17th century, and show how both “care” and “dull” have changed in meaning. The song starts by […]
Lea más
Love of Art: Waterhouse Gallery — 40 Years of Love & Art
The origin story of Santa Barbara’s Waterhouse Gallery reads like a charming, romantic comedy. In 1983, Diane met Ralph Waterhouse, a British gallery owner, on a blind date at the now-defunct Chanticleer Restaurant (where Lucky’s currently sits). They viewed art together at a modernist gallery on State Street, fell madly in love, and faced a […]
Lea más
CALM’s Annual Fundraiser Where Generosity Abounded
CALM’s annual fundraiser, the “CALM at Heart” luncheon, was held for the first time at the Rosewood Miramar Beach, on Friday, November 15. Upon arriving at the luncheon, one could feel the elevated excitement with the new venue location, which accommodated an expanded guest list topping 340. The sterling event co-chairs were Amanda Lee, Elisabeth […]
Lea más
An Activist CPC Grabs the Reins: Miramar & Cannabis
As we await our new D1 Supervisor Roy Lee, the County Planning Commission (CPC) has taken what some might argue is an activist approach to certain significant issues facing our County, including the Miramar Project and our Cannabis Ordinance. Allow me to explain: The Montecito Planning Commission lost their oversight of the Miramar based on […]
Lea más
Sunspel Fashion to Open at the Montecito Country Mart
The upscale British fashion brand Sunspel is currently renovating its store location at the Montecito Country Mart (MCM), in the space formerly occupied by James Perse. One of the brand’s icons is its Classic T-Shirt – made from the highest quality extra-long staple Supima cotton sourced from a single family-owned Californian farm dedicated to environmentally […]
Lea más
San Ysidro Ranch Named “World’s Best Romantic Hotel” & More
With over 500 nominees from 80 countries, the 2024 Boutique Hotel Awards named San Ysidro Ranch as World’s Best Romantic Hotel, America’s Best Romantic Hotel, and America’s Best Honeymoon Hotel. The awards are decided by a panel of experts assessing 400 standards of hospitality, considering such elements as uniqueness, sustainability, and unforgettable guest experiences. The […]
Lea más
Robitaille’s Fine Candies Closes in Carp
Who would have thought that this Linden Street sweet staple would shut its doors after 36 years on December 1? Locals have questions but are stopping in to buy out all the candy left on the shelves. Shop owners Tami and John Robitaille say they made the decision to try to recapture some personal time. […]
Lea más
The Palms Restaurant-Retail to CPC and The Surfliner Inn to Carp ARB
Their reopening anxiously anticipated, The Palms Restaurant project at 701 Linden Avenue is scheduled for the Carpinteria Planning Commission on December 2. The project cleared the Carp Architectural Review Board (ARB) in October. Currently it is an 11,453 square-foot lot with a 10,508 square-foot, two-story building on site. Renovations include a new third story addition […]
Lea más
Join In a Thanksgiving Soul Food Dinner
Momma’s Soul Food Fusion – home of Chef Guidance Moon and her 15-year old sous-chef and son, Elishah Barthelemy – is inviting you to a Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 27, 2024, from 5 pm to 10 pm at the Isla Vista Community Center, 970 Embarcadero del Mar in Isla Vista. The theme is “Thankful […]
Lea más
DignityMoves Receives 2nd Women’s Fund of SB Grant
The Women’s Fund of SB has awarded $125,000 to DignityMoves for its new Child Care Center at its Family Village to provide housing and childcare. The grant covers the cost for the modular components of a childcare center, and for parents to seek/maintain employment, participate in job training/education, and for sobriety and mental health stability. […]
Lea más