Sharon Byrne to Leave Montecito Association 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   July 18, 2023

In an announcement made last week, Montecito Association Executive Director Sharon Byrne will be stepping down from her position in order to assume leadership of the Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF), a national feminist organization. “It’s long been a dream of mine to advance the cause of women’s rights in the United States, and globally. I’ve […]

Village Vibe: Diane Warren Stewart & Monica Epstein
By Rachael Quisel   |   June 27, 2023

Meet Diane Warren Stewart, the owner of Stewart Fine Art, located in the Upper Village of Montecito. With her exceptional collection of fine art, she has cultivated a devoted following. “I think I offer a unique collection of fine art. I’ve been in the business for over forty years and so I have people that […]

 

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Village Vibe: Meet the Neighbors
By Rachael Quisel   |   June 20, 2023

One of the cornerstones of community is knowing your neighbor. Though Montecito enjoys a global reputation, for those of us who live here, one of the best things about this place is the small village vibe. In an increasingly impersonal world, we appreciate knowing our pharmacist, our grocery clerks, our local store owners. It’s comforting […]

Montecito’s Magic Man Passes On
By James Buckley   |   June 13, 2023

As MJ reported last week, Milt Larsen passed away on Sunday, May 28, after what had been a whirlwind week for the 92-year-old founder of Hollywood’s Magic Castle. The Sunday before he died, Milt and his wife, Arlene, attended a production of their longtime touring production, “It’s Magic!” in Cerritos, California. They watched the entire […]

Sharon Byrne Awarded for Her Work with Hands Across Montecito and the MA
By Eileen Read   |   June 13, 2023

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office awarded its Exceptional Civilian Award to Montecito Association Executive Director Sharon Byrne, citing her “extraordinary dedication to others and her collaborative work” with the Sheriff’s deputies, primarily in creating and managing the Hands Across Montecito project to address homelessness. The award described Ms. Byrne as “an accomplished neighborhood advocate […]

Brooke Green New Head of Laguna Blanca Lower School
By Joanne A Calitri   |   May 30, 2023

Laguna Blanca School has announced that Brooke Green M.Ed. will be taking on the role of Head of the Lower School Montecito commencing July 1, 2023. Green is an alumnus of Laguna Blanca School 1997, has been the Lower School’s third grade instructor and their Learning Specialist grades two through four since 2013; and taught […]

Sarah Powers: Podcaster
By Dalina Michaels   |   May 23, 2023

We could call her Podcaster Powers, but this Montecito Mama is close to being a native – and we are thrilled to introduce her to the MJ this week! Sarah (Wysel) Powers moved to Montecito with her family in 1986 when she was five years old. Her mornings were spent walking to school (Montecito Union) […]

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  • Jakob Hammer: Culinary School Insider
    By Stella Haffner   |   May 16, 2023

    One of my favorite types of articles are the industry-insider sort of stuff. What do experts know that we don’t know? Unfortunately, I couldn’t get an expert this week, so I asked my friend Jakob Hammer to join me instead. (Only kidding!) Please enjoy our light-hearted conversation about the behind-the-scenes of culinary school.  Q. You […]

    Building the Gary David Goldberg Gym as a Team
    By Dr. Diana Meehan   |   April 4, 2023

    Hollywood knew him as Gary David Goldberg, creator/producer of acclaimed TV series Family Ties, Brooklyn Bridge, and Spin City. Brooklyn knew him as a storied high school athlete. Montecito knew him as the guy on local beaches walking five big black dogs – four Newfoundlands and a Labrador. He was all of these; and a […]

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    Women’s History Month with Women Professional Barbers
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 28, 2023

    To celebrate local women of history, this column dedicates the month of March to them – their contributions, their stories, their inspiration, and opportunities to support. This week we are talking with our town’s women barbers. While the barber profession began over 6,000 years ago in Egypt, pushing the bar upward are women barbers who […]

    Women’s History Month with Wendy Sims-Moten
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 21, 2023

    To celebrate local women of history, this column dedicates the month of March to them – their contributions, their stories, their inspiration, and opportunities to support. “Anywhere there is a woman, she is creating impact.” This is the quote of a most accomplished woman whose career spans 26 years with the County of Santa Barbara […]

    Zero Time to Waste! Interview With UCSB Sustainability Club
    By Stella Haffner   |   March 21, 2023

    Founded in 2013, UCSB’s Zero Waste Committee was formed to address the university’s goal to reduce waste and redesign their consumption. As a national leader in sustainability initiatives and awareness, the university’s goals are in part maintained by the Zero Waste Committee, represented today by public outreach coordinator Caroline Bancroft. In our interview, Caroline talked […]

    A Talk with Leonie H. Mattison, PGI’s CEO and President
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 14, 2023

    To celebrate local women of history, this column dedicates the month of March to them – their contributions, their stories, their inspiration, and opportunities to support. As a Black woman born in Jamaica, West Indies, growing up in Queens, New York City, and deciding to make Santa Barbara home 15 years ago, Leonie H. Mattison, […]

    Master Yun Delivers a Kick of Health and Happiness
    By Zach Rosen   |   March 14, 2023

    Watch most Kung Fu movies and you’re sure to see the protagonist’s “master,” quintessentially depicted as the graying wise man, often cranky and whipping around a long beard. Meet Yun Chao Zhang, or Master Yun as everyone calls him, and he is nothing like those tired clichés, yet he is a master in the truest […]

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