One805 is LIVE!

One805 has come roaring back from lockdown with a perfectly executed, sold-out event that was the perfect combination of class, emotion, and world-class entertainment. The One805 Live! event held this Saturday at the stunning Winn-Twining estate, featuring Danny Seraphine of Chicago and Robby Krieger of the Doors, was a knockout success. Strict COVID protocols at the outdoor venue provided partygoers with a safe environment to have a wonderful time. From start to finish, the mission of supporting first responders was achieved at every turn. The event sold out in three short weeks and premium sponsors made significant donations to ensure the success of the night and the cause. Outstanding food by Via Maestra 42, incredible music, a wonderful VIP experience, a rousing bagpipe introduction including “America the Beautiful,” and a short program focused on supporting first responders, made it a night to remember.

Giving the first ever “Heart of the Community” awards, the board of One805 honored Alan Parsons, Kim Cantin, and Ashley Iverson for their contributions to One805 and the broader community. Linda Weinman, co-founder of lynda.com, created the unique, handmade ceramic awards that were presented to recipients.

One805 is a 501(c)(3) public charity that was created following the devastating Thomas Fire and ensuing Montecito mudflow that claimed the lives of 23 of our neighbors. What began as a planned BBQ to thank first responders who fought the fire, grew to a massively successful and star-studded event dubbed the Kick Ash Bash where over $2 million was quickly raised for emergency equipment that most first responder agencies do not have the budgets to procure, plus critical counseling services following such a traumatic incident. Three important mobile command units were purchased and given to police, fire, and sheriffs agencies, and those units are in service today. Now, One805 has continued to support 11 first responder agencies who comprise their advisory council by hosting events and coordinating the procurement and delivery of lifesaving equipment. Over the past two years, the organization has provided COVID decontamination equipment and PPE to the agencies, delivered donated flowers to nurses and doctors, filled several grant requests for emergency tools and equipment for the first responders, and launched its successful One805 Live! events that continue to raise funds to support those who support us. For more information, please visit www.one805.org.

John J. Thyne III

Bachelor Bear Seeks Den

Carlos, The Bear, felt fall’s tinge and he needed to find a new den, because Wendy Bear had her cubs. He decided his sabbatical to the back country of Montecito was over. It had been agreed the cubs needed space and safe lodging and to be in the Montecito Union School District. The den being too small for all of them, amical parting came to be, and the estate was split with mutual agreement. Carlos got the big screen TV, satellite dish and stereo. Wendy received the den because Carlos wanted his kids to grow up in a good neighborhood.

So, he went towards The Village out of the backcountry, seeking a rental.

Having come over on Cold Spring Trail, he took a left on Mountain Drive and ambled towards Hot Springs Trail, where he wanted a soak and a drink of water. When he made it to the trailhead, he found two-hour Parking Limit, Park Hours and Forest Closed signs posted there. The whole lot was strewn with yellow “Do Not Cross” tape. “Good grief,” he thought, “has the trail become too popular?” He had never heard this trail referred to as a park! Never had he seen the trail closed and fenced off. What the heck was going on? In the backcountry he didn’t get cell reception. He had been completely off grid and had not kept up with local news.

Carlos shrugged. He knew the signs were for humans and their cars, and still not having found an accommodating den, he continued walking on, toward the San Ysidro Ranch to check possibles. The real estate around these parts had become pricey. And, it was becoming crowded, with so many “Granny Units” going in bringing more humans to the neighborhood. He didn’t need much though, just a rental studio with good cell reception and satellite.

He noted some within his price range, a bit pricier than Toro Canyon, his old haunt. Rents were higher in the Golden Triangle. However, here more amenities were nearby and thus landlords were able to charge more for the convenience factor. It was a full moon night and he happily walked on.

On the corner of Mountain Drive and San Ysidro he came upon what looked like a new sign erected to advise the locals of the level of fire danger. Or maybe it just had a makeover and had been freshly painted. No matter, Carlos smiled and nodded an approval. It made sense that the forest was off limits for humans, because the sign-o-meter needle was pointing into the high fire danger range and just shy of the extreme range. Global warming, he sighed.

Michael Edwards
Montecito

Of Cancelled Meetings . . .

I was certified to teach history in 1993 in Rhode island and Massachusetts. Did you (and Mr. Hecht) know that the first pilgrims never celebrated Christmas? In fact, Christmas was not declared a federal holiday until 1870. We now have Americans from over 130 countries. If we cancelled meetings for all of their holidays as well, we may never have public meetings again! Just a thought.

Leon Juskalian
Santa Barbara

We Regret the Error

A letter in the September 16 issue of the Montecito Journal in response to Bob Hazard’s series on water was erroneously contributed to the wrong writer, as Charles Bullwinkle Hamilton was the author.