Yuri Calderon New ED of SSDA
By Zach Rosen   |   March 19, 2024

The Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) announced Tuesday the appointment of Yuri Calderon as its new executive director, effective June 1st. Calderon, who holds a law degree, brings over 30 years of experience serving public institutions and school districts in California and beyond. His expertise includes fiscal management, crisis and emergency management, collaboration, and team […]

Biltmore Back at MBAR 
By Zach Rosen   |   March 19, 2024

Mark Lloyd, a private land use agent representing Ty Warner’s Biltmore Hotel, presented their plans for a major renovation project to the Montecito Board of Architectural Review on Thursday, March 7th, seeking preliminary approval for the 136,126 square-foot overhaul of guest rooms, public areas, and back of house facilities.  The proposed changes include remodeling the […]

ShelterBox to Host Inspiring Panel for International Women’s Day
By Zach Rosen   |   March 5, 2024

On Thursday, March 7th, ShelterBox USA will convene a powerhouse panel of trailblazing women at the Music Academy in recognition of International Women’s Day. The conversation is intended to recognize women’s achievements, raise awareness on gender equality issues, and inspire action towards a more equitable world. The free community event, taking place from 5-7 pm, […]

The Voice of Survivors: Finding Inspiration, Tolerance, and Hope From Our Past
By Zach Rosen   |   October 24, 2023

If the innumerable performances of Shakespeare’s plays are any testament – theater has the ability to preserve a story for centuries. And it is exactly that preservation that the play Survivors hopes to achieve at the Raise Our Voices event at the Marjorie Luke Theatre this Thursday, October 19, at 7 pm.  Written by Wendy […]

Art After Dark: A Visual Feast at Mar Monte
By Zach Rosen   |   October 10, 2023

We eat with our eyes, and this Tuesday, October 10, guests will get to do both at Art After Dark – an evening of culinary creations curated to the art nestled around Mar Monte Hotel in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The evening begins with a reception on the hotel’s Front Terrace that overlooks the […]

Local Favorite Brings New Flavors in SB Brasserie
By Zach Rosen   |   May 30, 2023

I, like many, was heartbroken when it was announced that the Black Sheep Restaurant was up for sale in 2020. Local foodies mourned the idea of losing another beloved downtown restaurant. Even if the establishment lived on under new ownership, it would not have been the same. For me, their white marinated anchovy crostini exemplified […]

Barbareño Hosts a Cross-sensory Concert and Dinner Experience
By Zach Rosen   |   April 18, 2023

Barbareño has already proven themselves on the plate – crafting dishes that blend central coast tradition with colorful flavors and engaging plating. Their ingredient choices highlight the abundance of the area while emphasizing the locale in which they are served that seemingly captures the laid-back yet sophisticated style of Santa Barbara. But the upcoming event, […]

The Poetic Art and Life of Susan Read Cronin
By Zach Rosen   |   April 4, 2023

Life may imitate art but for many of the artists I know, the two are pretty melded and hardly an imitation – they are their art, and the art is them – and this seems true for Susan Read Cronin and her collective body of work as well, including her newest book of poetry, What’s […]

Costa on the Coast: A New Brunch Locale with a View
By Zach Rosen   |   March 28, 2023

Brunch is often the best part of a weekend. Walk along Cabrillo St. on an early (but not too early) weekend day, and the winding lines outside of restaurants will confirm the popularity of this all-encompassing meal that straddles breakfast and lunch. While many locals have their favorite place to brunch, there is a new […]

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 […]

The MPC Shuffle: Commissioner Susan Keller Removed from the Montecito Planning Commission
By Zach Rosen   |   January 31, 2023

In the County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors meeting that occurred on January 24, 2023, First District Supervisor and Chair Das Williams asked the board to approve the removal of Susan Keller from the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC). According to Williams, this request comes after two MPC members stated to him that they would […]

Local Aviators Help Deliver Supplies to the Back Country
By Zach Rosen   |   January 24, 2023

With the highway closures after the recent storm, losing access to those major roadways can make one feel isolated and trapped. But for the few living deep in the back country, that sensation can only compound with limited roads to get in and out of the area.  This was the situation that Bryon and Deborah […]

Holiday Wrap Up: Wrapping Up the Home
By Zach Rosen   |   December 20, 2022

With the holidays upon us, here are a few places for putting those finishing touches on the home, last-minute local gifts, or just spots to go get some fresh air and holiday cheer. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks and this week is […]

Holiday Shopping Along State Street and Beyond
By Zach Rosen   |   December 13, 2022

With the pedestrian paths that now run down State Street, it is easier than ever to do some holiday shopping or just spend a day downtown with the family. In week three of our Home for the Holidays Guide, here are just a few of the fun events and spots to stop in along the […]

Thario’s Kitchen: Family Feels and Home Cooking on Santa Claus Lane
By Zach Rosen   |   December 6, 2022

I, like so many others, have childhood memories of burgers, the beach, and that larger than life bearded, jolly man looming over Santa Claus Lane. Growing up on the road with traveling artists as parents, we stopped at countless little, quirky resting points along the way, but something about Santa Claus Lane sticks in the […]

Cottage Family Suites Opens
By Zach Rosen   |   November 29, 2022

Medical emergencies are not exactly planned, and there can be unexpected costs that come at inopportune times when they do arise. If a family has to stay overnight, this can add even more burden on an already stressful situation. Fortunately Cottage Hospital, in their ongoing effort to provide the best service they can to the […]

Upper Village Unwrapped: Holiday Shopping Along Montecito’s Upper Side
By Zach Rosen   |   November 29, 2022

The turkey has been put to rest (or maybe it put us to bed), and the holiday season is underway. With so much around our beloved town, it is easy to shop and support local. This is part one of four articles featuring the local stores that make our area so distinct.  This week features […]

Born to Boogie: David Alvarez and the California Star Ball Bring the Best in Dance to Town
By Zach Rosen   |   November 22, 2022

Dancing is arguably one of the oldest and most expressive art forms – one that transcends cultures and history with every area of the world having their own styles of the ancient art. Even if you’re not one to don the dancing shoes, just watching the wonder of a Waltz or rhythmic Rumba can get […]

Aux for All: An Inclusive Future for the Auxiliary
By Zach Rosen   |   November 15, 2022

“My favorite thing is having all the fellows show up to a rehearsal and not know what’s going to happen,” Artistic and Creative Director James Darrah told me this summer in an interview during the leadup for Hahn Hall 1922-2022: An Original Cabaret. He continued, “It also helps highlight where you can push and everyone […]

Ophora Puts the Nature Back into Water
By Zach Rosen   |   November 15, 2022

Oxygen and water. These two components make up the essence of life and as far as we know, are the two necessities for being and staying alive. Of course, as air and water pollution continue to escalate throughout the world, finding clean sources of either is an endless pursuit for those hoping to lead a […]

Rooted in Art: ‘Dos Arbolitos’ Exhibit Paints a Picture of Friendship and Nature
By Zach Rosen   |   September 20, 2022

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then it was a photo that inspired a thousand (or so) paintings when the Oak Group gathered under an expansive eponymous tree along the San Marcos Foothill Preserve 35 years ago for a photo. Founded on the idea of painting the places of nature in an effort […]

FDA Considerations Put Compounding Pharmacy Services at Risk
By Zach Rosen   |   August 30, 2022

A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) titled, “The Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy: A Review of Safety, Effectiveness, and Use,” has raised concerns for the staff of San Ysidro Pharmacy (SYP) and other compounding pharmacies around the nation.  The report included a recommendation for across-the-board restrictions […]

Home Design Roundup: Making Home Your Own
By Zach Rosen   |   August 9, 2022

Montecito has long had its eye on style and recently Summerland is becoming a hotbed for finding the design, décor, and items that adorn your bed and interior spaces. Here is a roundup of the designers and stores in the area that help make our homes feel like home.  Marc Normand Gelinas Interior Design Marc […]

Soccer in the Sky: Santa Barbara Sky Football Club is Here
By Zach Rosen   |   July 19, 2022

It was a scene of blue skies surrounded by the fire-red roof tiles and off-white walls that color our area’s distinctive architecture while on the rooftop of the MOXI. A crowd was gathering around appetizers and drinks to wait for the official announcement – professional soccer is coming to town. Welcome to the Santa Barbara […]

The Locals Helping Ukraine
By Zach Rosen   |   May 31, 2022

While Ukraine can seem very far away and hard to help from here, these are some stories of local organizations and people that are helping Ukrainians both close by and afar.  ShelterBox USA For years ShelterBox USA has been helping communities in crisis around the world, even being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in […]

Spring Gala to Support SBCC
By Zach Rosen   |   May 24, 2022

You know, when I spend time with our students, I never give it a second thought that the world’s going to be a better place,” says Kindred Murillo, the interim President and Superintendent of Santa Barbara City College, in an inspired tone during our conversation. “When you talk with our students, they’re concerned about sustainability; […]

Feeling Your Own Home
By Zach Rosen   |   May 10, 2022

We are always curating our environment to fit our feelings and lifestyle. Just as we put on music to match a mood, we select the colors, materials, and objects of our home to pair with how we want to feel there. Or as Aimee Miller of Home Crush puts it, “Design your life.”  Home Crush […]

Drivers and Navigators Rally for a Cause
By Zach Rosen   |   May 10, 2022

“And remember… It’s a Rally – not a Race.” The statement was met with general merriment from the crowd of drivers and navigators meeting in Hope Ranch the night before the Rally 4 Kids was to be held. As the meeting continued, Michael Baker, CEO of the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara […]

Arctic Locale: Local Residents Travel FAR South to Bring Back Lessons and Stories 
By Zach Rosen   |   April 21, 2022

Think globally, act locally. It is a phrase often used in regard to the environment, especially on Earth Day. But sometimes, to really know how to think globally, it helps to get out into the globe. Traveling to other parts of the world helps us understand the interconnectivity of our world communities and the impact […]

The Illustrious Artworks of Michael Drury
By Zach Rosen   |   April 7, 2022

In his upcoming exhibit, Far and Near, at the Santa Barbara Fine Art Gallery, Michael Drury explores the illustrious landscapes of California, Nevada, and Ireland, immersing the viewer in these locations with his distinctive style of plein air painting. While this exhibit captures vistas far and near, Drury got his start in painting more near […]

MBT Gives Back
By Zach Rosen   |   March 29, 2022

Philanthropy and giving back to the community has been a part of the Montecito Bank & Trust ethos since opening on March 17, 1975. Over the years Montecito Bank & Trust (MBT) has grown from its simple beginnings into a much larger operation, with over 250 associates under its roof. MBT continues to give back […]

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center Brings World-Class Treatment to Our Community
By Zach Rosen   |   March 29, 2022

Virtually everyone knows someone who has had, or is being treated for, cancer. This disease has become a prevalent threat in our everyday lives. For those who have been around the treatment process, it can be a scary and challenging time for both the individual and their loved ones. At Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, the entire […]

Dream Design: A Lifetime of Dreams, Design, and Serious Play
By Zach Rosen   |   March 15, 2022

Chase your dreams. It all too often is considered just the ideals of naive dreamers, but for Larry Vigon it has led to a lifelong career designing album covers, posters, and other artworks, including Carl Jung’s The Red Book. His commercial design has had a significant cultural impact but his personal artwork – drifting somewhere […]

Leaving a Legacy at the Library
By Zach Rosen   |   February 15, 2022

The magic of the printed word is its lasting legacy. Books help preserve the wisdom of the past for the future, and if that is the case, then libraries can conjure all kinds of enduring impressions with the collective knowledge they contain. Of course, public libraries are more than just a collection of books – […]

Building a Regenerative Community on the Jalama Canyon Ranch
By Zach Rosen   |   January 18, 2022

Regenerative agriculture incorporates a variety of pre-modern farming techniques like no-till farming and intensive grazing to help revitalize the surrounding ecology, increase biodiversity, and counteract climate change through carbon sequestration, among many other benefits. While these practices have a noticeable impact on the land, there is still a need for more educational programs and formal […]

Stacy Shymansky: Bringing Life and Longevity to Plant Medicine
By Zach Rosen   |   November 22, 2021

The medical benefits of the cannabinoids such as CBD continue to develop as doctors and researchers study the chemistry and medicinal applications of the cannabis plant. For Stacy Shymansky — a Certified Medical Cannabis Expert, consultant, and world-renowned speaker on cannabinoid treatments — it was through her own path of healing that she discovered a […]

Bringing Mermaids to Life
By Zach Rosen   |   November 22, 2021

The wild and mysterious ocean has inspired stories of mythical creatures for millennia, but the image of the mermaid remains one of the most popular and iconic throughout time. From the Assyrian goddess Atargatis to the explorers of the new world, mermaids make up the dreams, tales, and deities of many cultures. These fantasies have […]

The Growing Branches of Lucidity
By Zach Rosen   |   November 22, 2021

While the past two years have been unkind to so many, live event producers have faced unprecedented challenges. The core concept of their craft has been at stake, with countless live events being cancelled. This was very true for Lucidity Festival, which was only a month or so out when the shutdown occurred. The Lucidity […]

Celebrating the Season of Winter Ales
By Zach Rosen   |   November 22, 2021

‘Tis the season for seasonal beers. Between Oktoberfest and Christmas beers, this season has many beers that are only available at this time of year. Whether you are bringing beer to a holiday party or grabbing a gift for the beerdoe in your life, these warming brews simply fit the foods and moods of the […]

The Community Arts Workshop is Ready to Hang
By Zach Rosen   |   November 22, 2021

Whether it’s for a holiday gift or just something for yourself, the upcoming show, Ready to Hang, will have what you are looking for. This one-day pop-up art show will be held at the Community Arts Workshop (631 Garden St.) on Saturday, November 20, from 4-7 pm. The event is organized by Santa Barbara-based artist […]