Byron Lyle Fairbrother was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to Edwin Henry Fairbrother and Randi Tangvall Fairbrother. He had a heart attack while sailing in San Diego. Their team won last year’s race. He learned to sail as a youngster at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. At least he passed doing something he loved. […]

This Friday, June 16, the public is invited to take part in an informal meeting regarding the launching of a documentary with a satirical angle about rebranding ME, Long Covid, and other diseases. (www.movieaboutme.com) The effort is being spearheaded by Chesley Heymsfield, a Santa Barbara film producer who is living with ME. “I first noticed […]

Santa Barbara County residents who believe they may have Long Covid can now be seen at the UCLA Long Covid Clinic, according to Dr. Henning Ansorg, Santa Barbara County Health Officer. The phone number of the UCLA clinic is: (310) 825-2631. While Santa Barbara County does not have a Long Covid clinic, “UCLA has stepped […]

While the open-door policy of the UCLA clinic may be good news for Long Covid and autoimmune disease sufferers, a look into the legal world involving disability claims for patients provides an unfortunately different view. Although President Biden declared last year that the road had been cleared for Long Covid patients to file federal disability […]

Michael Cherry (85) died peacefully in his home in Palm Desert, California on the morning of March 29th, with loved ones at his side.  Michael was born in Fall River, Massachusetts to Nelson and Constance Cherry (Brayton), and was raised in Bristol, Rhode Island. Michael graduated from The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut (’55). He […]

More than just a “Magic Man,” Milt Larsen was a kind and generous person. It’s inevitable that he and Arlene should marry, because they’re both the same – so friendly and giving. Milt and I first met when I joined the Magic Castle. Over our 50+ year friendship, he was always generous with his time, […]

When I moved to Casa Dorinda on January 1, 2009, after being on the waitlist for five years, it was the height of the 2008 financial disaster which cost me a $300,000 loss on the sale of my house. I had friends from the Music Academy of the West here, and the first four years […]

I read in last week’s edition [of MJ] that someone has told the food trucks not to come to Montecito because of complaints. I find this shocking – that someone would complain when the people eating lunch at these trucks are mainly working for them! I am a direct next-door neighbor to the Olive Mill […]

I am glad that “Robert’s Big Questions” are published regularly in the weekly Montecito Journal. The writer is among my most interesting friends (among other things, he’s the widely grinning high-brow guy cavorting about on his unicycle in parades and events around town), and I find it worthwhile to consider how and what he thinks. […]

Bob Veloz passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 13, 2023, with his beloved family by his side.  Bob was born on January 31, 1934, in New York City to Louis and Adelaide Veloz. Three years later, the family welcomed identical twin boys who brought so much joy to the family. When Bob was […]

On May 5, 2023, Sansum Clinic and Sutter Health announced they have entered into exclusive discussions with each other, with plans to sign a non-binding letter of intent this week to enter into a strategic partnership. The two organizations have begun “exclusive discussions with each other” with the partnership expected to be formalized in the […]

Local philanthropist and bridge player Julie Nadel, 77, passed away on March 29th at her home in Santa Barbara. A private service was held on April 4th. When describing Julie’s bridge style, Dutch champion Joris van Lankveld said, “One of Julie’s strengths was that she had no fear to bid, and she put her opponents […]

Bobbie Rosenblatt passed away peacefully at home in Santa Barbara being held by the love of her life. She was a wonderful woman full of love and positive energy. Music was a huge part of her life, and she continued going to rock concerts into her 80s. She loved the arts and traveling around the […]

I would like to add something to the comments on the recent Board of Supervisors’ decision regarding sound walls along the 101 corridor in Montecito, which meeting I attended. My concern is that in this conversation we are perhaps disregarding the “elephant in the room,” which would be the status of our creeks and their […]

Carolyn Virginia Wyatt passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, in Santa Barbara on March 5, 2023. A loving devoted wife and adoring mother and grandmother, she was born in Hollywood, CA on February 6, 1936. She is survived by her husband Philip Wyatt, her children Scott, Jon, and Lori, and her grandchildren, and stepchildren. She […]

Re: “Picking A President in 2024” (Diana Thorn, Thursday, March 30) Inflation is a world-wide problem. (In the U.S., it is currently 6.4 percent.) More can and should be done to find a solution, and President Biden will rightfully take the heat if it isn’t – but President Biden did not cause the problem. The […]

I think it’s time to cede Bryan Rosen space as a columnist; there is no other way to describe his way-too-regular contributions on a single topic. Certainly, no one can doubt his passion for the Hot Springs Trail and its attendant issues, but his letters exceed the accepted word limit by hundreds; often they cannot […]

Montecito Journal, thank you for printing the letter I wrote on the surveillance cameras placed at the Montecito Hot Springs and nearby. Unfortunately, changes were made to what I submitted, greatly confusing the matter. First, the quote from Lieutenant Ugo “Butch” Arnoldi’s February 21 email was altered. It’s not proper to alter quotes from people […]

Elizabeth Jill Jacobsen-Parish of Bellingham, Wash., passed away at the age of 71 on March 3, 2023, after a short battle with pneumonia. Her husband of 26 years, John Parish, was by her side. Jill was born on June 8, 1951, in St. Boniface, Manitoba, Canada. Moving to Vancouver, B.C., Jill received her BA in […]

Last year, our own Montecito Association did its diligent best to inform us of the final plan for Caltrans’ highway widening project. Many of us thought further study would be forthcoming, particularly updated FEMA maps (which are now in process). In December 2022, Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approved the project as is. The final […]

An EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for today, Tuesday March 14, 2023, for the identified properties and areas in south Santa Barbara County associated with the Alisal, Cave, and Thomas Fires due to existing debris flow hazards and flooding. Everyone in the current Thomas Fire Storm Impact Consideration Map properties are being ordered to evacuate. Click here to access an interactive evacuation […]

On Feb. 16, 2023, a camera was placed facing a newly restored pool at the Montecito Hot Springs. The camera bore a tag that had printed on it “County of Santa Barbara, Public Works, Trail and Creek Monitoring in Progress, Do Not Tamper or Remove, Enforced by County Sheriff.”  The Dept. of Public Works wasn’t […]

Elizabeth (Betty) Webb Woodworth died of natural causes on Feb. 20, 2023, in Santa Barbara, Calif. She was born on Aug. 17, 1921, in Hamden, Conn., to Anne Pinkney Webb and Paul Webb. Betty was a people person who loved life, no matter the moment or the environment. Betty’s early years were spent in Spring […]

I must add my protest to Susan’s arbitrary removal from the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC).  As a 20-year resident of Montecito, who recently had an issue important to us and our neighborhood before the MPC, Susan Keller was one of two commissioners who took the time to listen to us, actually visit the site, and […]

Martine Marie Daniel, 59, of Coarsegold, California, passed away on Jan. 5, 2023, surrounded by loving family. Martine was born July 16, 1963, in Frankfurt, Germany. The daughter of Leota A. Robb and Darwin F. Daniel moved to Germany from the United States in the late 1940s, for the purpose of helping to rebuild Germany […]

Roger Arlen Phillips, 88, beloved and devoted husband, father, and friend, passed away quietly surrounded by love in his home in Montecito on Jan. 19, 2023. Roger was born in 1934 to Paul Edward and Lela Belle Phillips of Bakersfield, Calif. When he was a young boy, his family vacationed in Santa Barbara, where he […]

We feel so lucky to live in Montecito, a beautiful community with great neighbors and friendly dogs. And you owe me $30,000. This is what I was forced to spend on legal and engineering fees trying to stop your company from ripping out our landscaping and killing our trees in order to put a large, […]

Hope Sterling Kelly passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara on January 8, 2023. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to anyone she had ever met.  Hope was born on Groundhog’s Day, February 2, 1929. She grew up in West Los Angeles and attended University Elementary School, University High School, UCLA for two […]

Lake Cachuma may have spilled over for first time in 12 years due to the winter storms (which is great news), however officials have warned that the drought is far from over. The Montecito Groundwater Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is here to help make sure our town stays on track with water usage and […]

I feel I must reply to the Journal’s article (“The MPC Shuffle”) of Jan. 26 regarding my removal from the Montecito Planning Commission, as it contained several errors. Additionally, there were important issues that I raised at the hearing before the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors to which they did not respond, and which the Journal […]

With both sadness and celebration of a life well-lived, we announce the passing of David R. Martin at 91 years young. His family’s and friends’ hearts ache to have lost the presence of such a great man. “Dave” was an energy industry leader since the mid-1950s, having earned his master’s in Geology at UCLA after […]

I read with great interest Gwyn Lurie’s recent editorial Q&A with Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor. As a retired Certified Emergency Manager, with 23 years of experience in County Emergency Management, I find these topics very interesting from both a personal and professional perspective. I’ll preface my comments by saying that I have an enormous […]

Continued education and understanding of cultural groups are needed across our community. Last month, anti-Semitic flyers were dispersed across the Mesa on the first day of Hanukkah. This was a coordinated effort that occurred in the Second District that Laura Capps represents and is compounded by the horrific displays of anti-Semitism across the country. Like […]

David “Gilbert” Bertrand died suddenly on October 18 at the age of 93, and was actively in charge of his business until his very last day. He was born at St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara to a family with long-standing roots in the community. His great grandmother settled in Santa Barbara in the 19th […]

Barbara Levenson, 80, of Santa Barbara, sadly left us on December 29, 2022. Barbara was born on January 31, 1942, to Harry and Ruth Eisenberg in Los Angeles. She was raised in West Los Angeles and built a community of friends she cherished from her days at Fairfax and Beverly Hills High School. Always one […]

Clift Seybert Kinsell was born in Oakland, California and moved to Santa Barbara at age three. With this move, commenced a long and fruitful life full of travel. His main love was for his family and service to others. Sey loved “all things Santa Barbara.” He first attended Roosevelt School, then La Cumbre Jr. High […]

Elevated, Luxurious Dental Practice Cosmetics, Implants, & Aesthetics Serving the Santa Barbara & Montecito Community Hlavaty Dental Arts737 Garden Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101(805) 564-3600www.hlavatydentalarts.com Nonprofit wellness organization whose mission is to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Montecito Family YMCA591 Santa Rosa LaneMontecito, CA 93108(805) 969-3288www.ciymca.org/montecito Premium personal training services including Private […]

Joyce Sosner, beloved wife of Norman for 66 years, passed away on December 2, following a bad fall which caused serious internal injuries. She is grievously mourned by her sons David and Jeremy, their wives Leonie and Sissy, grandchildren Marina and Noah as well as countless friends in Hawaii and Santa Barbara where her generous […]

Karen Folsom is a Santa Barbara-based illustrator and commissioned portrait artist. Her work includes children’s books and promotional material. She illustrates book and music covers as well as posters and murals. She wrote and illustrated The President’s Pet. Her concept and editorial work has been featured for clients in entertainment, hospitality, foundations, and private ventures. […]

Carlos, The Bear, was snug and cozy, reclining in his lazy bear chair perusing the internet, when a memory bubbled up under his holiday cap. He remembered as a very young cub, his mother would take him to Romero creek near their den, in Rancho San Carlos, in hopes of catching some steelhead trout, that […]