MJ Newspaper E-Edition
Past Issues:
A Year in Review - Here’s a month-by-month recap of what 2024 had in store for Montecito
RH Montecito Has Arrived - Luxury furnishings, gustatory delights, and naturally… Gwyneth. The RH Montecito opening dazzles its audience, and gives The Old Firehouse a lovely new chapter
Faherty Forever - With two floors and even surfboard décor, the sought-after fabric finery has a new store on Coast Village Road. Come take a look inside Faherty Montecito
Stay Post-ed - With scenic views of the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, new aesthetics, but the same iconic fountain, The Post is set to launch with the first shops opening and a Holiday Fair to kick off the space on December 14th. See what is coming to the complex
Light, Life, & Lois - A tree, a constellation of stars, a connected community – Hospice Santa Barbara’s annual Light Up a Life event, commemorates departed loved ones and links us through shared remembrance with Singer Lois Mahalia giving Montecito something to really remember
Relief Chief Turns Over New Leaf - Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe is leaving after 25 years at the helm... He reflects on the organization’s growth from its Montecito origins to becoming the fifth largest charity in the country
Forging New Paths - The Bucket Brigade is continuing its quest for a more walkable Montecito, but their newest path receives some pushback at the recent Land Use meeting
Butch Bears All - The community comes out to make Montecito shine and celebrate Citizen of the Year Lt. Ugo ‘Butch’ Arnoldi’s 50 years of service and dedication to the town
Voting Matters - The MJ’s Gwyn Lurie laments the current divisive politics and reiterates the importance of listening to those who have differing opinions (Story starts on page 5). Regardless of who you support, make sure to Vote this November 5th!
MPC: How to Lose a Quorum without Decorum -
Tina Takes on Jazz - Montecito’s Tina Schlieske has spent 40+ years rocking the stage… now she’s bringing it back to jazz and The Good Life
Time to Vote - The November 5th General Election is almost here... but what’s on the ballot for Montecito? Well, find out inside along with a few of the MJ’s endorsements
Via Vai Meets Studio 44 - Carlos Pillado left his village in Argentina, trekking 6,451 miles to San Francisco, Art, Pane e Vino, Via Vai, and the rest of his life. On October 11, Studio 44 explains all
Miramar Expansion Plan Goes to County! - After delays... the Rosewood Miramar short circuits local process and heads to the County
It's BBQ Time! - Smoked meats and The Doublewide Kings’ tunes will fill the Carriage Museum this Sunday for the Montecito Trails Foundation’s 60th Anniversary. Come join while the grill is still going
Legends of the Granada - The centennial celebrations are still underway and the theater’s signature gala event will honor these two legends who have helped make it happen
Michelin at the Country Mart! - Ramon Velazquez – founder of Public Market’s thronged Corazon Cocina and Michelin Bib Gourmand winner – brings his palate-popping Mexican cuisine and head chef Alan Alva to Montecito Country Mart
One805’s signature fund-raising event on behalf of our ever-ready disaster centurions features (yet again) a jawdropping roster of musical legends
A look at the past and present state of the resort, what is in store for its future and what the mbar has to say about it.
Little Alex's Makes a Big Return - Get Soup-er excited! After 32 years at its Montecito location, the beloved Little Alex’s has reopened at the Five Points Shopping Center
Fashion's Newest Faces - From punk-inspired streetwear to sustainable bikinis and California couture, these young local designers are waltzing into the world of fashion one stitch at a time
The Emotional Marathon - Familial misfortune, implausible math, a romance announced by comet – Michael Salsbury’s new memoir Running from Tragedy is a deeply affecting medical mystery, alove story, and a hymn to endurance in all its guises. Salsbury, Founder of American Riviera Bank, has a story you have to hear to believe.
Celebrate Coast Village Week - Specials, raffles, and an immersive art walk... the Coast Village Week has something for the whole family to celebrate! Come see what’s in store inside
Noche de Gala Returns! - The venue may be new but the traditions are old with Noche de Gala returning after a 30-year hiatus… prepare for Montecito’s premiere Fiesta event at Casa del Herrero
A Match Made in Vintage - Upcycled men’s shirts... ruffles... and accessories to match... it’s a one-of-a-kind collaboration when J. McLaughlin partners with local designer Kate McHale Jensen to produce this limited-edition pop-up exclusively at the Montecito store
The First Fiesta - It’s been 100 years of Old Spanish Days, but what was the first Fiesta like? There were surely costumes, music, and dance… what about aerial acrobats? Maybe. But certainly not greased pig races? You’ll have to find out inside
Here Comes the Village 4th Celebration! - It’s vintage red cars, bright white smiles, and shining blue skies… The “Biggest Little Parade” is on the way and there’s still time to join in on the fun
"Steven Gilbar" - Sound Familiar? - From legal eagle to staring bohemian to Herodotus of the Central Coast, Steven Gilbar…um…how shall we put this?
Insurance Assurance - After wildfires and weather events, homeowners continue to face steep insurance challenges. The latest Montecito Association meeting brought in experts to explain all, and how to assure insurance
The Corwins' Contributions - From Sioux City to Santa Barbara, the Corwin family built their Metropolitan Theatres dynasty, blazing a philanthropic path along the way
Swim on Up! - Summer is (almost) here and the Rosewood Miramar Swim Platform is back!
Memorial Day with the CVA - With Phase 1 of construction complete and a holiday weekend on the way, the Coast Village Association has plenty to celebrate, and you can join in with them
Biltmore Settlement Reached - After being closed for four years, the Biltmore announces it has reached a settlement with its employees... But what is the future of the hotel?
Happy Mother's Day! - The Montecito Journal wishes all the mothers, daughters, and hard-working women in the world a Happy Mother’s Day! From Afternoon Tea at San Ysidro Ranch to hiking along the Carpinteria Bluffs, here are some ways to celebrate the special day
In the Station - Montecito Fire has a new engine and the community can help bring it into the station with a traditional push-in celebration
Oak Bakery is Open! – The ever-popular bakery opens its third location at Montecito Country Mart… But how did it all start?
Calling All Doctors! - From a doctor’s home office to anywhere their medical robots are – the World Telehealth Initiative is connecting health clinics and hospitals around the world with accessible experts
Capital for Casa - The Montecito jewel Casa del Herrero has launched their first capital campaign and Susan and Palmer Jackson, Jr. are on board to lead the way
Taking a Chance - From local theater companies to touring internationally, 10-year-old Chance Challen is headed east to perform in The Sound of Music with Broadway Asia
George Meets the Pope! - Normally a visit to the YMCA would get you a little exercise, some fresh air, and maybe a new friend or two... For YMCA USA Board Chair George Leis and President/ CEO Suzanne McCormick, it’s getting them an audience with Pope Francis. Read more on the global impact of the organization and how it’s sending them to the Vatican
Road Work Ahead - Coast Village Road’s facelift proceeds apace! The CVA is rolling out a new paving and loading zone project. Read more about what is planned inside
The Unstoppable Tom Snow - You’ve heard the songs – now hear the story behind the songwriter. Tom Snow has written for the icons of the music industry and his tale doesn’t fall flat
Tough as Nails - Alice Tran fled Da Nang across the South China Sea, ultimately coming ashore on Coast Village Road. How?
An Abstract of Art & Soul - Housewife... mother... Abstract Expressionist... the collage of Cecily Barth Firestein’s life and art would find itself into museums, private collections, and galleries across the globe... and her work is now up at the Funk Zone’s Art & Soul
Coral Casino Opens - A newly constructed Coral Café with a Rosa Verona bar… The largest glass spa in California… and Chef Thomas Keller on the way… The Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club reopens to its former glory and more
From Liverpool to the Ranch - Your Stonehouse server this evening is Richard Slater, who hitchhiked 2,967 miles to get to San Ysidro Ranch. He will be with you shortly
Montecito at the Movies - The Queen and horse whisperer Monty Roberts bond over their past... a beloved orange tabby that bonds with a whole neighborhood... The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is in full swing, and these movies tie in to Montecito. Plus favorite picks from SBIFF Program Director Claudia Puig
Brazen Burglars - Four robberies... One night... And a worried community... a string of sophisticated burglaries hits the community. Here is what is known as of now and what you can do to protect your own home
Feeling Lucky's - Newly appointed GM Larry Nobles chats about the exalted eatery, his own opportune past, and how the team brings that magical Lucky’s feel
The Secret Is Out - Wisps of peat and smoke lingering in the air... Sultry notes of jazz drifting over the drips of an absinthe fountain... The taste of forgotten flavors... Get a glimpse inside San Ysidro Ranch’s newly reopened Speakeasy: Plow & Angel
Ivan Rasmussen's Wild Ride - Ivan Rasmussen recollects his path from UCSB lecturer to impassioned activist in the heat of the ‘60s civil rights struggle
Rig Reefs or Removal? - The offshore oil platforms are destined for decommissioning. Some want them completely removed. Others want them converted to artificial reefs. But what do the studies say about the life teeming underneath?
2023 Year in Review. Top Stories of Montecito.
A Cup of Teeccino with Caroline - It’s warm… It’s oh so roasty… It’s caffeine-free and all kinds of healthy… It’s Teeccino. Founder Caroline MacDougall shares her story and how the herbal blend came about
No Unclaimed Shelter Beds - The recent meeting of Hands Across Montecito unearths an unsettling truth... there are zero emergency shelter beds left for the houseless
Chef Mollie Goes LOCAL! - Lavish layers of lasagna… meatballs dotted with raisins and swirled around spaghetti… delicate, decadent tufts of tiramisu… the irresistible Italian fare of Chef Mollie is coming to LOCAL Montecito
Let's Go HTO - Senator Limón and Assemblymember Hart help secure half a million dollars to help fund Heal the Ocean’s study of the seeps and leaks along Summerland’s abandoned oil wells
The Thanksgiving leftovers are served, and the holiday lights are coming up. Get ready to give some gifts from the Lower Village in part one of our four-part series on holiday shopping around town.
The Unforgettable Art of Rick Sharp - Ethereal lines, dreamy landscapes, and timeless designs... an era captured in the poster art of Rick Sharp. His new memoir reflects on his career and life in his Montecito studio with more to be said at the upcoming Tecolote book talk
Iconic Cypress Torn Out - After surviving fires, floods, and road closures… the decades-old, lone surviving cypress tree is removed to make way for the HWY 101 Widening project
Ring Nets Are Coming Out! - At an impasse with the County and in El Niño year, The Project for Resilient Communities is pulling out the Debris Nets
A Spooktacular Time at Ghost Village - Costume-up, grab the kids, and get ready for another spooky stroll down Ghost Village Road
It's Beautification Time! - The sun is shining, the Citizen of the Year is selected, and the streets of Montecito are soon to be sparkling with community care as citizens don some safety vests and get ready for Beautification Day. As this year’s theme says, “It Takes a Village!”
Not Your Grandfather's Symphony - With versatile style and creative collaborations, the Santa Barbara Symphony is deviating from classic concerts but still keeping it classical
The Friend in the Center - Is it a gathering place for our aging loved ones? Or a source of inspiration for those who work there? The Friendship Center has a new Executive Director, Kathryn Westland, who talks about the role and the joys of fulfilling it.
In the Mart - Vons is now Pavilions. Oat Bakery is moving in. Changes are coming to Montecito Country Mart.
Montecito has some new faces on the health front. Blending functional medicine and Eastern practices, the Montecito Wellness Clinic is ready to serve the community
Hearts of Gold - What connects big hearts, stuffed bears, and an aurous hue? The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s annual Golden Gala of course! Come celebrate its 21st anniversary and the heroes behind the organization.
Granada Legends - Take to the stage and celebrate the artistic contributions of Fannie Flagg, Brooks and Kate Firestone, and the Ensemble Theatre Company at this year's Granada Theatre Legends Gala
A Roundabout Way of Doing Things - The flags are down… The signs are up… And the San Ysidro roundabout is ready for business (See more details on page 6). But the MPs Gwyn Lure has her concerns about Montecito losing Its character with the newest traffic addition, and asks: It works… but does it quirk?
The Legacy of Larry - After leading world-class exhibits, a $50 million renovation, and numerous other initiatives since 2008, Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Director and CEO of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Larry J. Feinberg, is set for his November retirement. He sits down with the MJ to discuss his lauded legacy and what he has next in store.
And the President Is... - After an exhaustive search and reviewing over 50 applicants, the Music Academy has named the upcoming CEO and president. Read what the new appointee has to say inside
Reports of Montecito Being Exclusive to the Newly Wed and Nearly Dead Turn Out to Have Been Greatly Exaggerated - Last week I wrote about the long demise of the Santa Barbara News-Press and the poignance that the final chapter of its tortured story turned out to be Chapter 7. And I touched on the irreplaceable role local news plays in a robust, functioning democracy.
Wreck-Quiem for the Santa Barbara News-Press - We live in this time of great schadenfreude – consider. the case of the OceanGate submersible. I’ve never seen so many posts online from random people gloating over the misfortune of a billionaire. However, I for one take no joy or comfort in
El Presidente Bolton - This year’s head of Old Spanish Days, David Bolton, reflects on his past and rise to the role with longtime friend and collaborator, Paul Vercammen
Save the Sea Life! - See any heartbreaking sights on the beach lately? The Domoic Acid Crisis is creating an influx of sea lion and dolphin deaths. Find out what is causing it and what you can do about it.
French Laundry Chef to Open Eatery in Montecito - With seven Michelin stars, Chef Thomas Keller to oversee all of Coral Casino's eateries… including Tydes, which will be open to the public now that the MC appeal has been resolved
Anthony Parnther Presents - From grade school oboe to playing and conducting with the greats, Anthony Parnther speaks about his cinematic career and upcoming concert, including the string suite from Hitchcock’s Psycho
Here Comes the Cavalcade - Village 4th is here! Put out the chairs, heat up the grill, and get ready for this patriotic motorcade parade to roll past.
Sacred Space Odyssey - Summerland’s spiritualist origins find their nexus in The Sacred Space – and new owner Amy Cooper’s vivid eye for the eternal. Come in for a deeper look
Long Haul Helpers - A new documentary that you can be a part of... A specialized clinic... An administrative law judge... These are the people helping remove stigmas and provide solutions for those experiencing Long Covid and other long-term illnesses
Montecito's Magic Man - From a family traveling act to the father of the renowned Magic Castle, the legacy and final moments of Milt Larsen’s magical life are recounted by his wife and longtime collaborator, Arlene, and the MJ’s Jim Buckley
The Highball House - A pulsing discotheque, glassware in the ceiling, a glowing pool... It's not a party gone awry, it's the Sheats-Goldstein House
Village Walk Remodel - Coast Village Walk is seeking to remodel the space. The scope of work has been put in front of the Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review. See what they think inside
Standing with Maria - Democracy’s tipping point... The inevitable impact of AI... The sociological strike of social media... Maria Ressa covers these pressing topics and more in her new book, How to Stand up to a Dictator. MJ’s Gwyn Lurie speaks with Ressa before the Nobel laureate’s upcoming talk at UCSB’s Campbell Hall, to find out what can be done and where there’s hope
Through fires, the debris flow, and a pandemic, United Way of Santa Barbara County has been here for the community ... and that was only in the past five years. Now the organization is turning 100 and having a celebration to honor a century of work, but mostly those who have helped make it happen
Chamber Tamers - This weekend... Eight virtuosos enter the chamber to master and tame Dvořák, Debussy, Mozart, and more. After years of effort, Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project is here
Light, Camera, Action! - Four Automated License Plate Readers are coming to Montecito. The installation sites have been selected and permits are in the works
A night of Flamenco and Spanish song. A cabaret set in 1979. Puccini: La bohème in Occupy Wall Street-era Brooklyn. The Music Academy $ Summer Festival returns for its 76th season of musical magic
Tydes Coming In - More details emerge about the Coral Casino at the latest Montecito Planning Commission meeting. Read more inside about its Tydes restaurant, plans for launching, and which areas will be open to the public
Sound Wall Hearing - They’re in. They’re out. Will the 101 widening project have sound walls or not? The community wants to be heard. Listen to the appeals from the latest Board of Supervisors meeting
The hammers are down and the art is up! After nearly 40 years in business, Diane and Ralph Waterhouse are ready to open a new art gallery in Montecito at the former Scoops store
What do Sunkist® and a Collector Car Vault have in common? A sustainability symposium, if you can imagine. From horticulture and fire ecology to environmental salvation, Lotusland heads offsite to talk sustainable future for the next generation of garden lovers and a greener world
Cannabis Revenues Disappoint - The cannabis tax revenue numbers are in … and they are way down. Projecting a $10.5M deficit, where is the loss revenue coming from? Laura Capps and the other County Board of Supervisors have questions
San Ysidro Roundabout Construction Begins - After years of waiting...the San Ysidro roundabout is on the way! Median islands to be installed. Vegetation to be removed. Flaggers directing traffic. Work crews pulling old pavement. But in which order? Will it be at night? Will they finish before school starts? Find out more inside
Open to the Public - Swimsuit weather is on the way, and the Miramar is thinking ahead with plans to bring back its oceanside public swimming deck
A Year in Ukraine - As the Russian-Ukrainian war hits its one-year anniversary, ShelterBox USA president Kerri Murray speaks to us about the conditions and the past year of ShelterBox’s work supporting Ukrainians in the ongoing crisis
Changing of the Guard - After a 35-year career, Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor announces his retirement with David Neels, Division Chief of Operations, named as his successor.
MOXI Rocks - Six years in and the learning and fun are STEAMing up at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. See where they have been and what is in the works.
"Nina and Ruth" – Legendary NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg speaks about her memoir and inspiring friendship with RBG
PARKLETS: A PROBLEM? The parklets have been reduced along Coast Village Road, but to what effect and what purpose?
Evacuation Explanation – Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor explains about how decisions around evacuation and how emergency response are made. Hint: It takes a team effort.
The System Worked – Montecito assesses what went right after the recent deluge and what can be improved as another storm looms on the horizon.
Raising Our Light – It has been five years since the devastating 1/9 Debris Flow, but through the disaster our community continues to grow. Here are details on the commemorative event plus three untold stories from our readers.
2022 Year-In-Review
Walk On – Walk Montecito is making paths to a safer, more accessible Montecito and Casa Dorinda residents are already walking the talk.
It's Lit – The story and tradition of decorating the Hathaway Family Tree
currently found near the Manning Park tennis courts and its
latest lighting.
