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Prince William and his younger Montecito-based brother Prince Harry have now found themselves on opposite sides of a media rivalry.

The Prince of Wales’s latest initiative, focused on tackling homelessness, is the subject of a British ITV documentary, marking a significant step in his efforts to bring awareness to social issues.

Slated to air in the U.K., it is also gaining attention internationally as Disney+ plans to make the film accessible to a worldwide audience immediately after its national debut.

The announcement comes at a time when the Duke of Sussex is also preparing for a high-profile project of his own on Netflix.

Harry’s documentary takes an in-depth look at the lives of professional polo players, showcasing a rare glimpse into a sport he has long been passionate about, playing at the Santa Barbara Polo Club with his good friend and Ralph Lauren Polo model Nacho Figueras. 

Although details have been kept under wraps, it’s set to premiere next month allowing viewers a chance to explore the fast-paced sport through the players eyes.

Let the battle commence…

Among the diners at lunch were Anne Smith Towbes, Rebecca Brand, Hiroko Benko, Maria McCall, Orman and Ricky Gaspar, John Bowers, Judy Frank, and Peggy Mathis.

European Ruby Jubilee

Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry’s 40th birthday was an absolute blast!

The former Dos Pueblos High student jetted to Venice, Italy, with British actor fiancé Orlando Bloom, to join Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez, before flying to Geneva, Switzerland, for a socially gridlocked 40s-themed beano at the Ritz-Carlton.

Guests received a Monopoly Deal card game, a bottle of Moët champagne, a ‘40s style newspaper article, blue candies and a mini syringe emblazoned with the word OzempiKP, poking fun at recent claims about her weight loss.

Then the singer and her fun-loving entourage moved to the Globe of Science and Innovation in nearby Cern, as well as indulging in boat rides.

Always a joy…

Fighting On and Off Screen

Montecito actor Jeff Bridges was in fight-or-flight mode after receiving a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2020.

Bridges, 74, who portrayed a CIA operative in The Old Man, was diagnosed with blood cancer after a doctor’s checkup revealed a large stomach tumor.

Just moments before, the Oscar winner had filmed intense fight scenes for the latest edition of the FX series where he had been kicked and punched in the stomach.

“God, looking back on those, I didn’t know if I was going to die, but I had a 9 by 12-inch tumor in my stomach,” he tells People. “Nine by 12 inches! While I’m getting snaked around and punched in the stomach and stuff. It didn’t hurt. There was no pain. But then I had this long hiatus from filming.”

While he underwent chemotherapy and also caught Covid during the hiatus, Jeff was left wondering if he was “ever going to do” a season two of
the program.

“I just thought I might kick the bucket. I remember the doctor said, ‘You’ve got to fight Jeff. You’re not fighting.’”

“I had no idea what he was telling me. I was in surrender mode. Everybody dies, this might be me doing that.”

Jeff set himself the goal of walking his daughter Hayley down the aisle for her wedding.

“As it worked out, I not only escorted her down the aisle, but I got to do the wedding dance with her. Then I’d rush to the table and put my oxygen on!”

Paperwork Problems

Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard has suffered yet another blow.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, has suffered ongoing trademark troubles since the brand’s launch in March.

Last week the Riven Rock resident suffered another trademark snafu, this time from the lifestyle brand Harry & David, which filed a protest against American Riviera Orchard, claiming it is too similar to its “Royal Riviera” product line.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office received a protest filing last week. The company’s trademark is currently registered to the brand’s pear gift baskets, which are grown in Oregon.

The company says there is “a likelihood of confusion” for the trademark. The case has been escalated to Marco Wright, the Trademark Office’s examining attorney.

In September Markle’s trademark application was refused by the USPTO because businesses cannot trademark geographical areas.

Stay tuned…

Two in Who’s Who

John Britton and Rosemary Schmoller are a dynamic duo.

The accountants who work for Bartlett, Pringle & Wolf have just been named “Who’s Who in Professional Services” by the Pacific Coast Business Times.

It recognizes the top certified public accountants and attorneys on the Central Coast of California and highlights what makes them exceptional leaders in the industry.

Schmoller joined the company in 2017 and is a senior manager in the audit department.

She brings more than 15 years of experience in external and internal audit roles.

Britton joined the firm in 1991 and works with a highly diverse client mix, including both private for-profit and not-for-profit organizations with an emphasis on the healthcare industry.

Sightings

Comedian and political pundit Dennis Miller noshing at Olio e Limone… Oscar winner Kevin Costner spotted at Local… Actor Josh Brolin at Pierre Lafond.

Pip! Pip!