MJ Newspaper E-Edition
Past Issues:
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.
