Penelope Ruth Williams, daughter of Virginia Lee Mosher and Arthur Powell Williams, has passed away. A long-time resident of Montecito, Penelope owned and operated some of Santa Barbara’s most well-known and renowned restaurants, including Penelope’s which drew national acclaim and was voted one of California’s top fifty restaurants, The Harbor Restaurant located on Stearns Wharf, […]
In reference to the recent Montecito Association meeting held on April 13, I was deeply disappointed to see that our esteemed, highly respected former senator, Hannah-Beth Jackson, has agreed to represent the anti-growth side of the discussion regarding California State Bills 9 and 10, or SB-9 and SB-10. The legislation proffered by Governor Newsom will […]
George E. Handtmann, III caring husband, beloved father, loving brother, uncle, friend, and philanthropist, passed away of natural causes at his home in Carpinteria, California on April 10, 2021. He is survived by wife, Viviana Handtmann; son, Hank Handtmann; daughter, Kendle Evans and son-in-law Trey Evans and their two children Carter and Anderson; and daughter, […]
On April 8, the telecom industry, in the person of Crown Castle Rep. Jerry Ambrose, attempted to pull the wool over the Montecito Architectural Board of Review. He told them he needed to put a new cell antenna on a pole at 75 Eucalyptus Lane. The reason? “Capacity gap.” Yet, if you take a walk […]
Dorothy McKenzie passed away peacefully in her sleep on 04/01/2021. She leaves behind her daughter Sheelah Smith and her husband Doug Smith, her son Doug McKenzie, his wife Marian McKenzie, and their son, Dorothy’s cherished grandson Ian McKenzie. Dorothy was the only child of William Houston Millar and Ruth Millar (Ellis), and was born in […]
Richard Anthony Baum passed away in his sleep of cardiac arrest on March 22, 2021 at age 68. He lived a full and vibrant life while fighting a challenging 40-year battle with bipolar disorder. Richard was born on August 18, 1952 at St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara, grew up in Montecito, resided in Santa […]
On Saturday, March 13, 2021, Emma Myfanwy Goodman, devoted mother of two and adoring grandmother, passed away suddenly from anaphylactic shock, at age 56. Emma was born January 13, 1965, in Kent, England to Sandy and Anne Goodman, the second born of five children. From a young age, she had an adventurous spirit, moving to […]
Alfred Nicholas “Nick” Katzenstein, 73, passed away peacefully in his sleep of natural causes on February 28, 2021, at his home in Santa Barbara, California. Nick will be remembered for living life to the fullest. A decorated war veteran, a longtime and highly respected peace officer, Nick was an extremely accomplished man. Nick was born […]
We are deeply dismayed to learn that Das Williams is seeking an appointment to the California Coastal Commission for the Central Coast. A controversial supervisor synonymous with Santa Barbara’s much-contested cannabis ordinance, Williams was barely able to retain his position in 2020 (even with the political and financial muscle of the cannabis industry). Indeed, there […]
On March 31, 2021, I rode my bicycle to Riven Rock Road. Signs were placed there saying “No Parking,” threatening tickets to those who did so. I asked Gary Smart of the road crew what was going on. He told me that white lines were going to be painted on both sides of the road […]
On Saturday, March 28, 2021 at about 5:30 pm, I took my bicycle to the Hot Springs Trailhead, which is about a 10-minute ride from where I live. A vehicle which had printed on it “Hillcrest Security” had stopped on Mountain Drive next to the trailhead parking lot. I asked the driver, Mark, what he […]
We are the residents of Linden Meadow in Carpinteria, a community of 40 homes immediately adjacent to the greenhouses located at 4801 Foothill and 1495 Sterling Road in Carpinteria. For the last few years, we have been regularly subjected to the heavy, skunky odors of cannabis growing in the greenhouses surrounding our area. The smell […]
I am writing to strongly oppose the appointment of Santa Barbara County Supervisor Das Williams to the Coastal Commission. My personal experience with Supervisor William’s development and oversight of cannabis regulations, in SBC, has demonstrated to me and many others that he has failed to uphold the laws to ‘Protect Public Health, Safety, Welfare and […]
The recent interesting “Seen Around Town” article (volume 27, issue 10) reviewed Santa Barbara Polo Club and requires a few comments and corrections. It mentioned that polo player Elmer Boeseke Jr. was able to gain admittance for the local club into the U.S.P.A. However, it was his father, Dr. Elmer J. Boeseke, who served two […]
Regarding the letter by Eileen Read. I have never met her nor Bob Hazard. I don’t care if he’s a motel franchiser from Phoenix, or a right-wing political gadfly. I and my surf-rider friends, fishermen, ocean swimmers, and beachgoers ONLY care about the quality of effluent that enters the surf and that is only treated […]
–From County Public Health Office Appointments for first doses of COVID-19 vaccines are available to eligible Santa Barbara County residents every Monday at 9 am through the county’s public health vaccination sites. People who are eligible for these appointments are those who work in emergency services, agriculture, and food services, and any remaining Phase 1A […]
There’ve been two letters in the past two weeks concerning the possibly inappropriate influence that Bob Hazard might be trying to exercise over water policy in our village, specifically his amateur hydrological agenda that includes a risible proposal to merge the boards of the Montecito Water Authority (MWA) and the Montecito Sanitary District (MSD). For […]
Contrary to Nick Welsh’s February 10 piece in the Santa Barbara Independent, at no point did I suggest in my Montecito Journal editorial replacing Dr. Ansorg or Van Do-Reynoso with Thomas Tighe or Charity Dean. My letter made the fairly obvious suggestion that our county would benefit from a COVID Czar that has the independence […]
Interesting concept, as per last week’s lead piece of this newspaper. Having a COVID vaccination czar in Santa Barbara. It would be even worth investigating if it weren’t so hypocritical and so self centered for this particular newspaper to bring the subject matter up. Two weeks ago MJ’s investigative reporter Nicholas Schou pointed out, what […]
Senior Moments Congratulations on the new column, Senior Portrait. Just read the wonderful article on Peter van Duinwyck, whom I knew years ago from our Montecito Association Board. He certainly made big contributions to the success there and to all his other involvements, then and now. Sure miss our “good old days” and look forward […]
1936-2020 Immigrant daughter from humble beginnings internalized her family’s “Lessons to Live By” and became a community hero by dedicating her life to serving people in crisis Unity Shoppe lost our matriarch and founder, Barbara Tellefson, after a brief bout with an aggressive illness. She was 84. Barbara’s singular focus and half-century of devotion to […]
It takes a good interviewer and writer and selection of a worthy subject to produce a meaningful and touching article. Leslie A. Westbrook achieved all three for her piece, “At Home with Lou” (August 21-28, 2021). She focused on interviews with the prize-winning, former senior White House Correspondent for The Washington Post, Lou Cannon, and […]
Setting the Record Straight Cold Spring School has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the best public elementary schools in California. Year after year, we have earned high honors for student achievement, family engagement, innovative instruction, and effective administration. Our students are given an exceptional foundation for life-long learning and they excel in junior […]
Capitol Offense Like most Americans, I was distressed last week when rioters at the instigation of Donald Trump invaded and trashed the Capitol. It was even more upsetting for my wife, Mary, who worked twelve years on Capitol Hill. I covered Congress for Ridder Publications before going to The Washington Post and have been in […]
Dr. Mohamed Samir “Sam” Amer died at his second home in Punta del Este, Uruguay, on December 21, 2020. He was 85. Born in Tanta, Egypt, to Mohamed Mohamed Amer and Zeinab Hussein Saad Amer, Sam came to the U.S. in 1958 as a Fulbright scholar to study pharmacology at the University of Illinois at […]
Comic Relief For the funniest line ever to appear in the Journal, the Oscar goes to: “As of press time, Jesus Christ was unavailable for comment due to commitments elsewhere.” LOL, LOL, LOL! Thanks Nick, I needed that. LeeAnn MorganMontecito Identifying Dangerous Mask Deniers How will public health officials, ambulance drivers, and the TSA distinguish […]
Love for Brilliant Thoughts It is with anticipation that I pick up my copy of the Montecito Journal each Thursday morning to catch up on local news, learn what’s going on in Montecito and Summerland and find entertainment. My favorite column is Ashleigh Brilliant’s Brilliant Thoughts. Your paper never disappoints! While I always appreciate Mr. […]
The Real Hoax Dear Mr. Hazard, I think deplorable is an apt title for your article regarding Trump, and your willingness to accept his ignorance by denying the existence of COVID “The Hoax.” How many deaths and illnesses have occurred because of this denial? How about his 20,000 lies certified by fact checkers over the […]
The Governor Who Stole Christmas The Board of Supervisors approved sending a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom at last Tuesday’s meeting. I was elated to hear Adams and Lavagnino lead a stronger pushback with the idea of keeping our County evaluated separately. However, Santa Barbara County needs to take even a stronger stand with a […]
Pound for pound, or rather inch for inch, it’s doubtful that Santa Barbara has ever had a more hardworking, tireless, dedicated, and effective advocate for the underprivileged than Barbara Tellefson. The founder and president of Santa Barbara’s Unity Shoppe, who passed away at 84 on November 22, was an undeniable dynamo whose stature and influence […]
Shock and Law In an article in MJ’s Dec 3-10 issue, Rinaldo S. Brutoco describes the recent Supreme Court decision in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v Cuomo as astounding, shocking, incredible, and “out of left field.” The only thing shocking to this former trial lawyer is Mr. Brutoco’s total misstatement of the facts of […]
The New Roundabout Nightmare Brought to you by the same storytelling government that said closing southbound ramp would not adversely affect Coast Village Road. Plus, they knew they didn’t have to close the ramp until they widen the freeway through Montecito. The only conclusion we can make is they wanted Montecito to suffer. Hurt the […]
The Art of Compromise Dear Mr. Hazard, I know you expect an answer from President-elect Joe Biden. But here is mine to your letter. One Party Rule. Read Constitution, Article II, sec. 1. The concept of electors did not make any sense then, and it does not make any sense now. The country is mature […]
‘Copter Conundrum We have a real threat going right now. A real one. A resident of Summerland is asking for two helipads on his private property in Summerland. This is after he has admitted that he has been illegally landing and taking off from this same property for 25 years. He has built a “helicopter […]
A Spaceship Named ‘Resilience’ I look forward to Rinaldo S. Brutoco’s Perspectives missive every week in the MJ. Mr. Brutoco not only does a good job of succinctly identifying difficult problems or issues of concern we all face, he offers well thought out and constructive paths forward. A Spaceship named ‘Resilience’ immediately resonated with me […]
Bear Necessities Carlos here! Since I have good Wi-Fi here in my den, I was able to watch the Town Hall meeting a few weeks ago about me. I was grateful for a large attendance of twenty-something people who logged in to learn, listen, and let their thoughts be known about my presence. Fish and […]
Stunned and Irredeemable I’m stunned… and so is an insignificant handful of fellow irredeemable voters. Give it a couple weeks and stout-hearted Republicans will eventually accept the mostly-legal ballot results. I think it’s uncertain whether deplorable conservatives will reconcile, forgive, join hands, sing Kumbaya and fully cooperate with the new administration, like the democrats did […]
Lest anyone get the impression from last week’s “On the Record” column by Nicholas Schou on the cancellation of this year’s Ghost Village Road Trick or Treat event that I was the person behind the very first one, I’d like to clear up that record. Mr. Schou was quite accurate in his reportage that the […]
Joyce Enright lived her life with such love, generosity, and grace. Her strong relationship to the Lord impacted and influenced her family and friends to understand the best is yet to come, “for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). She was a best friend to so many. We had the best mom in the […]
Put Our Children First Our family moved into the Cold Spring School District on the eve of the Thomas Fire. We chose the district because we had first-hand experience with Dr. Amy Alzina’s leadership at Adams Elementary School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Her student-centered focus and educational vision is the perfect recipe […]