Black History Month Feature Interview Part 2: Warren B. Ritter II
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 28, 2023

As we near the end of Black History Month, hopefully all of us have given ourselves the opportunity to explore and experience Black history, culture, contributions, and successes.  The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. writes, “Carter G. Woodson and his co-workers were many, ranging from college presidents and government […]

Montecito Fire Chief to Retire
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 21, 2023

Earlier this week, Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor announced his upcoming retirement from the Montecito Fire Department after 35 years of service. Chief Taylor has served as fire chief since 2019; his last day at the helm will be March 31. “This career has been the honor of my life,” Chief Taylor told us during […]

 

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Golf Max 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 21, 2023

The largest golf store in Santa Barbara and Montecito is under new ownership, featuring 25-year-old local resident Alex Bollag at the helm. Golf Max is located next to Harry’s Plaza Café in Loreto Plaza and opened for business last fall.  The location was formerly a golf store called The Golf Klub; owner Tom Noyes announced […]

A Message from the Montecito Fire Chief Reflecting on 2022
By Kevin Taylor   |   February 21, 2023

On behalf of the Montecito Fire Protection District, it is a pleasure to share our 2022 Annual Report with our community. Over the past year, our organization experienced meaningful growth, identified opportunities for improvement, and realized significant accomplishments.  A noteworthy change in 2022 was the full return to engaging with our community in-person after the […]

Black History Month Part 1: Darrell M. McNeill and Sally A. Foxen-McNeill SB Black Culture House
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 21, 2023

Black History Month (BHM) is an annual national celebration during February that commenced with Negro History Week (February 1926) initiated by Carter G. Woodson, founder of Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Later in the 1940s, Blacks in West Virginia began to celebrate February as Negro History Month, and by 1960 […]

Stargazing Features Great Nebula
By Scott Craig   |   February 21, 2023

This month’s Stargazing at the Westmont Observatory features a diverse celestial menu of planets, Messier objects, open clusters, and double stars on Friday, Feb. 17, beginning about 6 pm and lasting for several hours. The observatory, home of the powerful Keck Telescope, is open to the public every third Friday of the month and held […]

Orchestra Tour Features French Romantics
By Scott Craig   |   February 21, 2023

The Westmont Orchestra performs at several locations as part of a Presidents’ Day weekend tour, Feb. 16-18. These concerts are open to the public and free. The orchestra will perform “Amazing Grace,” Bizet’s “Carmen Suite” and Franck’s “Symphony in D minor” at 7 pm Thursday in San Marcos High School (4750 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara); […]

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  • Swimmer Leave Their Mark
    By Scott Craig   |   February 21, 2023

    Westmont women’s swimming finished ahead of all other NAIA teams in the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championships Feb. 8-11 at East Los Angeles College. In their fourth year, the Warriors were able to beat Fresno Pacific and Alaska-Fairbanks, which have been their biggest rivals. The meet also provided an opportunity to honor Westmont’s graduating seniors, […]

    Summerland Elementary School Re-Opens
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 14, 2023

    On Saturday January 28, the Summerland Elementary School held a community-wide reception to celebrate the re-opening of the school. After being closed since summer 2021, this re-opening signifies a complete rebuild from the soil on up to new classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a library, an office and an outdoor playground funded by Measure U at […]

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    Los Padres ForestWatch Trails App
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 14, 2023

    Director of Conservation and Research for The Los Padres ForestWatch Bryant Baker has announced their new phone app for the public to find real time information on forest and trail closures and conditions.  Baker says: “Due to damage caused by severe winter storms earlier this month, many trails and roads have been closed to public […]

    Montecito Fitness Opens on Coast Village Road
    By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 14, 2023

    Kaitlyn Furr and Ben Kirkwood have opened a new private training facility on Coast Village Road called Montecito Fitness. The luxury studio is located in the former location of Trattoria Mollie, which closed in 2018. “When we saw this space, we knew we wanted to be here,” Furr told us during a recent visit to […]

    Walk Montecito Trails Damaged
    By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 14, 2023

    A month after a significant rain event damaged Montecito homes, roads, and trails, Walk Montecito – a project by the Bucket Brigade – is still digging out from the catastrophic damage to the neighborhood trail network. “We need the community’s support to get through this,” said Bucket Brigade founder Abe Powell.  The Olive Mill neighborhood […]

    Firestone Sisters Launch New Perfume
    By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 14, 2023

    Mary and Lucy Firestone held a launch party last week at Kunin Wines to introduce their newest perfume, called Open. The fragrance is the second from the sisters and their brand, Wild Precious Life.  “Open is all about opening our minds and hearts,” say the sisters, whose first perfume, The First, has a cult following […]

    Pratt Takes Leading Role in Filmmaking
    By Scott Craig   |   February 7, 2023

    The Santa Barbra International Film Festival was a small local event when Sean Pratt began working for it two decades ago. Pratt, SBIFF managing director and Westmont adjunct professor, Roger Durling, SBIFF Executive Director, and their team have grown the festival from one featuring adventure-sport and nature films into one of the top 10 in […]

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