Tag archives: health

When my sister’s fifth and youngest child was about to leave for university, she and my brother-in-law made a plan. They knew that after he left, they couldn’t face their once full, noisy and vibrant home. So, they packed the car and when he took off, they took off.  It turns out that this wasn’t […]

Last week, my daughter and I both had tests to study for, so I suggested we go downtown to the library, a place that holds many fond memories for us both. Years ago, they had an incredible program where young children could sit with therapy dogs and their companions and read together. It was transformative […]

Both sides of the political divide cast this past election as an existential moment for our democratic way of life. Each side pitching its own version of freedom and well-being. Each side casting the other as the enemy. Yet, when the sound bites fade away and the dust settles, we’re all in this together. But, […]

The MJ had a seat at the table, and we witnessed the power of giving back. The Santa Barbara Wine Auction was back at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta this past weekend, drawing hundreds of oenophiles who dressed up, showed up and raised their paddles up. This is a biennial party put on by the […]

Some years ago, I was at a friend’s dinner party where I had the good fortune to be seated next to the late philanthropist, Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree. At the time, she was 92 and clearly had no intention of slowing down anytime soon. As I was in graduate school studying healthy aging, I used this […]

Before I became a mother, I had some pretty run-of-the-mill, irrational fears; snakes, heights, and flying cockroaches, to be exact. Well, not really heights, per se, but falling from great heights was a big concern. And did I mention the snakes? Many years later, when we had our first child, these irrational stressors I had […]

A movie producer named Gary Binkow (Finding Neverland, The Nanny Diaries, V/H/S, etc.) stopped in for a routine physical, at whose conclusion his doctor blandly recommended a preemptive cholesterol med. “I was prescribed Lipitor,” Binkow says with a puzzled half grin. “It was so easy for my doctor to say, ‘…Look, you’re very early and […]

“This place saved my life.” A sentiment I heard from not one, but two different women while I was staying at the Desert Hot Springs oasis last month. One of whom was a Montecito resident celebrating her 50th birthday. This was her sixth visit to the spa and even after not having eaten solid food […]

I am sitting in the shade of military-grade netting that has been – carelessly but effectively – erected to protect us from the relentless midday sun. The camouflaged men and sole woman are readying their weapons. Hip Hop blares in the background; more distraction than entertainment, but it also aids in dulling the soundtrack of […]

Sometimes, taking time away to be quiet and introspective is exactly what’s called for. This might be simply when you’ve been working hard and need a break. Or, in response to a significant event like a big birthday, a career change, or when the kids leave home. It might be precipitated by a health issue, […]

There is an old saying that is often attributed (incorrectly) to Henry Ford; “You don’t stop learning when you get old; you only get old when you stop learning.” His version was not quite as eloquent as this one, but his meaning was just as poignant.  These words never felt truer than when I was […]

Time to lace up those running shoes and follow the Oat Bakery on Instagram for the next installment of their Run Club. The club was established in honor of owner Louise’s mom Else, who was a professional athlete and marathon runner. Post-run treats by the bakery are on hand. Run #2 in Montecito took place […]

Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, Ed.D., MBA, president and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute (PGI), is inviting mental health organizations in Santa Barbara County to join a free event via Zoom on Sept. 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. PGI will provide a platform to connect and work together on the mental health issues in the […]

Earlier this week I sat down with Drake Peterson, co-founder of Wellness Loud, the first wellness media and podcast network of its kind. Many here in town might know Drake from his Isla Vista formed band, Iration, but lately his focus has been on spreading the word of health, one podcast at a time. Incorrectly […]

The first rays of dawn can be the most depressing sight in the world for an insomniac, as it means any hope of a good night’s sleep is officially gone. As someone who has often struggled with insomnia for the better part of a decade, I know only too well the frustration; the tossing and […]

Brett Matthews is showing me around Kate Farms’ Innovation and Quality Center, a lab and office complex the size of an airplane hangar. Bewilderingly complex machines festooned with tubes are being tended to by folks in clean room suits. We stop outside a sealed central workspace and stare through a glass wall. The largish, inelegant […]

President & CEO of SB Cottage Health Ron Werft first made his announcement to retire via internal hospital communication last week, resulting in a press release the same day. The announcement initially caught both internal staff and the town a tad off guard, in view of his full-on 37-year career at SBCH, one marked by […]

I recently had an email exchange with a man who was interested in renting our vacation home for a stay with his grown sons. His wife had died the week before and as she loved the beach, he felt it would be a wonderful way to honor her. I offered what I hoped were words […]

It’s been a landmark year for major anniversaries in Santa Barbara. The Granada Theatre launched its year-long Granada 100 celebration in the spring. The Summer Solstice Parade held its 50th festival on the first day of summer. And Old Spanish Days Fiesta is in the midst of its centennial celebration as this issue hits newsstands.  […]