On May 30, Senator Monique Limòn nominated Mothers’ Helpers as the 2022 California Nonprofit of the Year. California Nonprofits Day allows legislators from across California to highlight a Nonprofit of the Year in their district and have the organization recognized at a celebratory luncheon in June.  Mothers’ Helpers was established in 2009 and strives to […]

The Santa Barbara Tennis Club’s art gallery, 2nd Fridays, will show Marianna Victoria Mashek’s exhibit In Pursuit of Beauty for the summer. 2nd Fridays features new local artists on the second Friday of every month, and showcases uplifting art and people to enrich and broaden the general and SBTC community. Mashek is a Santa Barbara […]

On May 24, United Women for Ukraine gathered the community for a fundraising luncheon that marked the three-month anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Attendees honored Ukraine with its national anthem and were moved by concert pianist Miroslava Kisilevitch’s performance of Ukrainian classical music, including Ukraine’s spiritual anthem “Melody.” Guests were also able to learn […]

On June 26, Women in Democracy will gather to celebrate their 50th anniversary.  The event will feature Congresswoman Katie Porter as the keynote speaker and former State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson as the mistress of ceremonies. Founded in 1970, the Democratic Women of Santa Barbara has been a longstanding community of local women dedicated to promoting, […]

Two years ago, on July 28, 2020, The Santa Barbara Independent published my article “An Unfair and Forced Choice: Objections to Cannabis Retail at Santa Claus Lane.” There I explained that the decision to place a cannabis retail outlet in either Summerland or Santa Claus Lane was forced because the county arbitrarily insists there must […]

On May 30, 2022, around 10:30 pm, several concerned community members called the Santa Barbara Police Combined Communications Center to report they heard loud, unusual noises and breaking glass coming from Santa Barbara High School property. Several Officers responded to the High School to investigate the reported suspicious activity. When Officers arrived on scene, approximately […]

As longtime residents of Montecito, we are writing to share our experience and warn the community to watch out for Cox Communications. Sneaky, inept, and arrogant is an understatement. To date, their egregious mishandling of the proposed installation of a state-mandated gas generator on our property has cost us over $20,000 in both legal and […]

Joyce Enright’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 25 at El Montecito Presbyterian Church from 2 to 4 pm. Donations in Joyce’s honor can be sent to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission and El Montecito Presbyterian Church. Please contact Lauren Enright at (805) 252-9031 with any questions. Citizens for the Restoration of […]

On Saturday, May 14, an unusual influx of emaciated, weak, and hypothermic brown pelicans began arriving at the Wildlife Hospital at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN). The amount of pelicans that are being rescued and delivered are increasing at a daily rate, but the cause of their condition is still unknown.  There are […]

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History – a nonprofit organization founded in 1916 – opens its popular summer exhibit Butterflies Alive! this weekend. For the first time, the exhibit will feature more than a dozen colorful tropical species from Costa Rica. Director of Guest Experience Kim Zsembik shares, “We are excited to welcome these […]

Samantha Bearman, the owner of Bear Cave Productions, LLC, is single handedly bringing comedy back to the Santa Barbara community. Bearman has established Bear Cave Comedy shows at several thriving locations from Goleta through downtown Santa Barbara. The goal behind Bear Cave Comedy is to lift up voices that are often marginalized in the comedy […]

On Saturday May 21, 2022, Fiesta La Presidente Maria Cabrera unveiled this year’s Old Spanish Days poster and pin. The pin is a 3D silver fan that serves as a common symbol during Fiesta performances and in the crowds to fight off heat. The poster features an archived watercolor by Arthur Beaumont with printing by […]

Editor’s Note: In this industry, you’re only as good as your last mistake. And we made one. A big one – in the Voter’s Guide in the previous issue (MJ Issue 19, May 12-19). Somewhere between juggling incoming stories and caffeine stares our collective eyes missed two candidates in the United States Representative, District 24, […]

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis introduced the phrase “Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant,” in the early 20th century. He also penned the term in his book, “Other People’s Money.” The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbying, and government ethics. Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interest, is one […]

MOXI’s annual Power of MOXI luncheon was held on Tuesday, May 10 on the museum’s rooftop. The sold-out event allowed the public to learn more about MOXI’s dynamic programs and overall dedication to creating opportunities for STEM learning. MOXI’s President + CEO Dr. Robin Gose and Apeel’s Senior Vice President of Operations Jenny Du spoke, […]

Planned Parenthood’s Bans Off Our Bodies rally was held in De La Guerra Plaza on Saturday, May 14, in response to the recently leaked draft of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision. Illustrator Karen Folsom and her family were in attendance and she had this to say: “I am a passionate believer in women’s […]

On Saturday, May 7, Old Mission Santa Barbara and True Vine Bible Fellowship, Lompoc’s predominantly Black Baptist church, came together for an event at Old Mission in the name of unity. These two seemingly opposite churches have created a partnership that works to break down racial, gender, and class barriers and instead focus on emphasizing […]

A new era for the Santa Barbara Public Library recently began as the City Council approved a $9.3 million contract for the construction of the new Michael Towbes Plaza. “The Library Plaza Campaign has made evident the importance of the public-private partnership that our City and County must continue to invest in and foster to […]

The Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara will hold its annual show, sale, and demonstrations May 21 and May 22 in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 909 La Cumbre Road. Saturday hours are 11 am to 4 pm, Sunday noon to 4 pm. There will be a professional show of Club Members’ trees in […]

Imagine being elected to serve in local government, only to find yourself in a global health emergency. That’s exactly what happened to Gregg Hart, then Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. “I was hoping to use my chairmanship to highlight the need for emergency and disaster […]

Misplace your sample ballot? We have you covered. Here are the candidate statements for the upcoming election: United States Representative, District 24 Also referred to as a congressman or congresswoman, each representative is elected to a two-year term serving the people of a specific congressional district. Among other duties, representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer […]

Regarding the May 3rd, 2022 Montecito Association meeting topic of trailhead parking at Montecito Hot Springs. Many years ago, at the launch for the “Campaign for Hot Springs Canyon” both Kellam De Forest (Pearl Chase Society) and I were in attendance at the little green park on the corner of East Valley and San Ysidro […]

I look forward to reading the studies that the Montecito Water and Montecito Sanitary districts have jointly commissioned, one by Carollo Engineers to evaluate recycling options and the other by Raftelis to explore the pros and cons of a business case for district consolidation.  The need for recycled water supplies is rather self-evident.  The self-evident case […]

Kirsten Marie Donnelly (née van Duinwyk) passed away at home on February 22, 2022 after an incredibly brave battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband Tom, son Dembelo, parents Susanne and Peter van Duinwyk, sisters Anne-Marie Tucker (Clark) and Lisa Aviani (James), and nieces and nephew, Alison and Chris Tucker, and Clara and Juliana […]

Bob Hazard’s recent piece, “Should the Montecito Water and Sanitary Districts Consolidate?” needs a host of corrections, out of respect for the intelligence (and ratepayer costs) of the citizens of Montecito, particularly Water District customers. As part of the “Montecito Water Security Team,” Hazard praises a number of studies – MORE STUDIES – on studies […]

These K-Rails on the 101 are extreme causes of fear. Who pays for the cleanup after accidents, including the semi on fire in Summerland backing up traffic for hours? Does the City have recourse for cleaning up after the fire and accidents? This superhighway they are building will have big effects on the community. I […]

The Friendship Center and VNA Health recently co-hosted a Veteran Pinning Ceremony this past week honoring 14 veterans at the Friendship Center in Montecito. This is a rare and special treat because typically pinning ceremonies are scheduled for one veteran privately. VNA Health has made a special exception to “Come to Seniors” at the Friendship […]

Have you ever wondered why you can’t find a parking space on Coast Village Road? Coast Village Road is not downtown Santa Barbara. Unlike downtown, Coast Village Road does not have public parking structures and has suffered from a parking shortage well before the pandemic. So, it should come as no surprise that removing 23% […]

In a tribute to Ted Tedesco on his 90th birthday, his son David said, “Show me a man who does not like Ted Tedesco because I don’t believe it.” A tribute from a friend said he learned three things from Ted: “It’s important to carry on no matter what life throws at you, remember to […]

I’ve been reading some excellent opinions in the Journal. Writers are challenging the Montecito Creek Water Company’s claim to the wonderful life-giving Montecito Hot Springs. These writers are right, we need to unite for the Earth, everywhere we can. I figure, if we’re taking on one water user, we’re taking on all water users. For […]

As a longtime reader of the Montecito Journal, I am disappointed in your magazine under new ownership. I always looked forward to reading the Letters to the Editor. Not anymore. It appears you only publish letters about Montecito or ones that reflect the views of the left. Do you not understand that some of us […]

On Thursday morning (March 10, 2022) the reservoir on upper Hot Springs Road was empty so no water was going to the estates below. This was because the main pipe had been disconnected for days on end, and the hot springs water that normally flowed into the reservoir poured onto Hot Springs Trail.  Will the […]

Carlos, The Bear, set his Fender Telecaster guitar on its stand, sat back in his bean bag chair, crossed his arms, and began humming a tune. His mind was remembering his early days. He was a smallish bear, nothing like the one he saw on CNN earlier that day, Hank the Tank. No, Carlos was […]

Derek (“Derk”) Kenneth Hunter passed away peacefully February 19, 2022, at his home in Woodside, California, surrounded by his family. Born April 25, 1931, in San Marino, California, he was the son of Kenneth and Helen Hunter. He is predeceased by his wife, Fredricka (“Dricka”) Hunter, his daughter, Antonia (“Toni”) Hunter Breck, and his brothers, […]

On Monday, January 3, 2022, the world lost a thoughtful, principled, energetic, loyal, and loving man. John W. McIntyre’s passing will be felt by the many people whose lives he touched, but none more than his adoring wife and three admiring daughters who were by his side at their forever home in the hills of […]

Again, Mr. Emanuel in his latest letter (February 24, 2022) puts words in my mouth that I never said. Regarding a shuttle, he says “…where is the pickup parking lot to be? Bryan has suggested Mt. Carmel…” I never suggested the Mt. Carmel Church for a shuttle. He goes on to say, “What we are […]

Justin Bruce Forrester was born in Santa Barbara, California, on July 16, 1999 and passed away in Santa Barbara on February 22, 2022 at the young age of 22. Justin was a fun-loving and good-hearted young man who had family and many friends who loved and adored him. Justin attended Montecito Union School where he […]

In a perfect universe there would be unlimited funds and proactive civil, charitable and political involvement on the Hot Springs Trail issue that seems to engender such considerable interest on the part of Bryan Rosen. No one can reasonably dispute that his desire to clean up the trail from potentially dangerous and unsightly impediments makes […]

DeAnna peacefully passed on the morning of January 30. Her partner of 18 years, Michaela Morgan, was by her side, and their “baby” fox terrier Chanel was at her feet. I have lost the love of my life… We never talked about her passing as we focused on living and celebrating the daily “wins” no […]