'Relatively Normal'

VALeNtine's at ThE RaNCH

February 14, 2026

FirST

Lobster Ravioli

Parmesan Emulsion, Confit Fennel, Lobster Bisque, Elysium Blossom

Chestnut Gnocchi

Local Chanterelle, Mushroom Velouté, Crispy Sunchoke

Japanese A5 Wagyu

Black Garlic Jus, Satsuma Marmalade, Pickled Mustard Seed

secoNd

Scallop Crudo

Blood Orange Shiro Dashi, Radicchio, Sicilian Pistachio

Golden Beet Carpaccio

Cara Cara, Herbed Chèvre, Red Rhône Lettuce

auternes Poached Pear

Bleu d’Auvergne, Winter Greens, Payne Walnuts

thirD

SRF Wagyu Eye of Ribeye

Potato Rösti, Sweet Onion Soubise, Mustard Greens, Morel Mushrooms

n-Seared John Dory

Fennel Mascarpone Risotto, Confit Tomato, Lucques Olives, Saffron Velouté

ee-Spiced New Zealand Venison Loin

Pickled Red Cabbage, Ginger & Carrot Purée, Pomegranate Jus

fOURTH

Berries Pavlova

Lemon Cream, Meringue Pavlova, Lemon Confit, Diplomate, Local Strawberries

colate Blood Orange

Chocolate Palet, Valrhona Cacao Biscuit, Chocolate Crémeux, Orange Marmalade, Rhum Sabayon

Jerrad Burford

Jeanine J. Burford

Senior Vice President Financial Advisor

805-695-7108

jerrad.burford@ morganstanleypwm.com

Senior Vice President Financial Advisor

805-695-7109

jeanine.burford@ morganstanleypwm.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Reads – Creek is reluctantly deputized and shortly thereafter learns of his old friend’s second

Your Westmont – Alum enjoys career in coding and connection, alumna illustrates wildlife and flora, and poetry reading reflects on William Stafford

Vicki Hazard – Her extraordinary life blended leadership, laughter, philanthropy, and a love story rooted in partnership and trust

Elizabeth’s Appraisals – Art, theft, gender, branding, and genius collide in a must-watch lineup of films shaping the art world

Curator’s Choice – An inside look at the Flamingo skull

Sheriff’s Blotter

Montecito Health Coach – The science-backed power of positive thinking, and simple daily practices to quiet negativity and boost health

Robert’s Big Questions – What does “Beyond Fear” mean when oppression makes resistance feel no riskier than everyday life?

Calendar of Events – Springsteen tributes, medieval folk, Latin jazz legends, tango masters, and classical icons anchor a powerhouse week

Classifieds – Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads, in which sellers offer everything from summer rentals to estate sales

Mini Meta Crossword Puzzles

Local Business Directory – Smart business owners place business cards here so readers know where to look when they need what those businesses offer

Montecito Reads

Every now and then, a story comes along that refuses to stay put. It lingers on your nightstand. It sneaks into conversation. For us, Last Light in Paradise is one of those stories, and we’re delighted to let it loose, one chapter at a time, in the pages of the Montecito Journal. Well, at least the first six chapters for the time being – then you can purchase the book at one of our local beloved bookstores (Chaucer’s, Tecolote, and Godmothers) or from the QR code below.

This book marks a first for us… Last Light in Paradise is the inaugural book published by MJ Media Group. Yes, we’re dipping a toe – perhaps a barefoot run – into the world of book publishing, guided entirely by our belief in a novel that is as cinematic as it is soulful, as local as it is timeless.

Set against the luminous backdrop of 1930s Santa Barbara, this is a tale of love and loss, mystery and reckoning, populated by unforgettable characters and infused with the kind of atmosphere that feels both dreamlike and deeply true. We invite you to settle in, turn the page, and join us at the edge of paradise… just as the light begins to change.

Last Light in Paradise

by Michael C. Armour

Chapter Four

He was standing across from the judge seated at a big, dark, leather-top desk. Through a window, Creek saw the swift moving clouds and the return of sun to a wet town. The judge was a 60-year-old man named Delbert Warren, and the spray of capillary traces mapping his face told Creek that booze had probably produced the weary but kind eyes, the soft voice, and the sense that Warren had seen too much disappointment in the human race for way too many years. Still, Creek didn’t trust him.

“What’s your last name?” the judge asked.

“Don’t have one.”

“Must have.”

“Never.”

“Your born name.”

“Born Creek. Called Creek. Fought a war under the name Creek.”

The judge leaned back and appraised him. Maybe Creek had the kindness wrong, or maybe the judge, too, had had enough with the spoiled brass in this town.

“That so?” the judge said.

“No matter how eagerly people try to hitch a follow-up word to my name, it stays one word. Creek. Use it like it is or stop talking to me.”

“Jesus, you’re a sensitive man.” Warren said it without smiling.

“I’m respectful. I don’t call you more than what you proffered. I don’t try to rearrange it to suit my fancy. I work with what you give me without presuming you’re lying, withholding, or covering up. I need a piece of paper, so I can get legitimate.”

The judge stared at him, shaking his head like he just added one more thing about human beings to the circus roster. Still, a smile was slipping into his eyes.

“You talk to a judge like this?”

“Thought we were all equal in God’s eyes.”

“No hard feelings, but you ain’t God. In these robes, I might as well be.”

“Don’t believe God would have a problem calling me ‘Creek.’”

Warren finally shook his head. “You’re a hard rock to push.”

Montecito Reads Page 454

Beings and Doings

Here’s Looking at Me, Kid

by Jeff Wing

I’ve been wearing the same outfit – a black short-sleeved HEMA® tee-shirt and Levi’s – every day since April 2016. This is a fact. Please note the happy-go-lucky photo parked at the end of my every column. That photo was taken several years ago and I am wearing that tee-shirt or one of its cousins as I type this, and have done for 10 years. Yes, I look exactly the same today, clothing-wise. Otherwise I have become wizened and hunched. I have walked among you, an unrecognizable phantom slowly plying Coast Village Road with a knobby Black Walnut cane and sumptuous cape.

“Who on Earth is that wizened older gentleman in a distastefully tight black tee-shirt?”

“It’s wrong to even wonder, Marge. Let’s quicken our pace.”

Yes, that’s me. My black tee-shirt will always give me away. I long ago decided to stop fussing with my wardrobe, wildly simplified my presentational persona. Why would I do such a thing? You know why, but I’ll spell it out anyway;

and in the painfully overwrought language you have come to expect.

Inchoate? You Know it!

(to use the old school Batman indefinite article) have to choose what to wear when heading out into midnight Gotham to do battle with the forces of darkness? No. Time is of the essence, and there must be no dallying over which cowl to choose.

“Paisley or Matelassé Robin? Be quick! Gotham’s citizens await!”

“Holy Toile, The Batman!” (slams velveteen-gloved fist into velveteen-gloved palm) “My mind is a-twitter!”

“Never..use..the indefinite article when addressing me..Boy Wonder. We’ve talked about this!”

Devastating. But swell news for Gotham’s crooks, invariably dressed in b/w Breton stripes and flat cap––there you see?! Listen to me! The obsession with ensemble is paralyzing!

My wearing the same numbing outfit every day since April 2016 has freed my inchoate spirit to rise like the sweet, unfettered songbird which, escaping its gilded prison, ascends ecstatically to touch the vault of heaven. Yeah, and I’ve been doing this “flapping jailbird” thing with bargain tees sold three to a pack. The decade-old decision has borne fruit – some of it figuratively hurled at me as by an angry mob of villagers pelting an intruder with bolts in his neck. That is, We Who Wear the Same Thing Every Day are made to live on the fringes of polite society. But hear me: I am no monster. I am the Man of Tomorrow; at this writing, The Man of Tuesday or Maybe Wednesday. Look in my closet and you’ll see a metaphorical Batman walk-in with 50 pairs of grey tights, 50 dark blue cowls, 50 pairs of gloves, 50 satiny capes; a superhero’s uniform in …uh …fiftiplicate. Riddle me this: does The Batman

My own unchanging uniform gifts me something of The Batman’s JE NE SAIS QUOI – makes me inscrutable, dense with possibility. Yes, in the expressions of those obliged to interact with me, I often see confusion and pity. “Aw, this poor dissolving lump can’t work with buttons.” I’ve chosen not to. Litheness of spirit and dress had long been my goal

49 Slack-Jawed Idiots

But you know what? While we’re talking about it and I find myself deflecting your mocking inferences,

will I defend myself? Yes I said yes I will Yes! I spent too many years fidgeting with “buttons,” pushing them with clumsy, hurried difficulty every morning through “button holes.” For what? To hold my shirt closed? Let my example be your liberation! Friend, we’ve suffered long enough! And “Holes?” Ha! They are machined slots limned with close-stitching, and they are diabolical!

“Oh, man! I gotta get to work, but first I gotta gingerly push these 50 little discs through 50 tiny, machine-stitched slots down the front of my stupid shirt, just to close it.” Let me speak here for all of us, reader. Let my voice amplify your long buried hue and cry! How fabulously ridiculous is this “buttoning the shirt” business? Oh! And does this next scenario sound dishearteningly familiar?

You get to work, shirt tails hanging unevenly because you got one button wrong and the other 49 followed like slack-jawed idiots. Co-workers in the kitchenette place hands over mouths to hide their cruel snickering, and Carl from Sales (it’s always the guys from Sales!) takes it on himself to sneak the dangling tail of your Van Heusen Performance All-Way Stretch Dot Print Long Sleeve into the waffle iron. Say, what’s that smell? It’s your smoldering Van Heusen

Montecito Miscellany Local AI Input

by Richard Mineards & Friends

thought leader and Santa Barbara native Zack Kass returned home on Tuesday night for a sold-out on-stage conversation at the Granada Theatre, exploring the ideas behind his new book, The Next RenAIssance. Drawing on his experience at the forefront of artificial intelligence, Kass led a wide-ranging discussion on the societal, creative, and human implications of what he calls “unmetered intelligence,” inviting the audience to consider how people can lead, learn, and flourish in an age where cognitive power

is increasingly abundant and accessible. Following the program, guests gathered upstairs at the Granada for an intimate afterparty hosted between Kass’ family, as well as neighbors Dan and Meg Burnham. Friends, community leaders, and supporters had the opportunity to meet Kass personally and continue the conversation sparked on stage. The gathering felt like a homecoming; one that bridged global ideas with local connections, leaving attendees energized about the conversations still to come.

She said ‘OUI!’

An intimate Parisian reverie unfolded Saturday at the stunning oceanview

Miscellany Page 384

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News Bytes

MOVE-ment on E-Bike Safety

by MJ Staff

MOVE Santa Barbara County will bring its E-Bike Safety Presentation Series to Montecito Union School on January 30, educating students on safe riding practices, traffic laws, and shared responsibility on local roads. The presentations, part of MOVE’s education and encouragement program, will reach fourth- and sixth-grade classes throughout the day. Designed to build awareness as e-bike use increases, the sessions focus on safety, decision-making, and respect for pedestrians and drivers alike. Organizers said the effort reflects a broader commitment to promoting safer, more connected transportation throughout the community.

Black History Month Starts

Darrell and Sally McNeill’s SB Black Culture House invites community to join in celebrating Black History Month. The first opportunity is a film screening with post-viewing Q&A of the film, Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll (1987) directed by SBHS alum Taylor Hackford, on Sunday, February 1, 1 pm, SBDT Library. Event is free. 411: Instagram @sbblackculturehouse

Santa Ynez Trail Superbowl Hike

The Montecito Trails Foundation and Backpacking Barista host a Superbowl Hike of the Santa Ynez Trail on February 8, 8 am – 12 pm. All hike volunteers will have craft coffee during the hike, and everyone has a chance for a Superbowl square giveaway run by the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF). Everyone can

enter the square online with a $20 donation to win one of four prizes. All proceeds go directly to much-needed revamp of the LPNF public info website, www.HikeLosPadres.com, which provides updated info on water availability, GPS, camp and trail conditions, and intel on planning any public adventure in the LPNF. The website was launched 2013 and sorely needs to be updated!

In other big news, majestic Highway 1 through the Big Sur Coast has reopened after three years of closure following the January 2023 storms.

411: https://lpforest.org

Lifeguard Tryouts for Carp Beach & Pool

It’s open call for lifeguards at Carpinteria Beach and public swimming pool. Tryouts start February 7 through March 7. The beach tryouts consist of a 500-yard continuous swim, and the pool requires a 300-yard continuous swim. Interviews are online. The lifeguard coordinator role is for experienced lifeguards to mentor and supervise the City of Carp Aquatics Division.

411: https://carpinteriaca.gov/become-a-lifeguard www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca

EIR Draft Meeting on Surfliner Inn

The issues around the construction of Carpinteria’s Surfliner Inn continue. The draft EIR is available for public review prior to the slated public EIR meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 18, 5:30pm at Carpinteria City Hall. If it’s anything like the public meeting that gathered for the Carp bluffs development, we can expect a huge crowd in person and online, with questions taking up most of the evening hours. The

public may comment on the draft EIR through March 9 at 5 pm. The report is available in hard copy at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., and the Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. It is also available online: 411: https://tinyurl.com/CarpSurflinerMeet

Women’s Fund SB Announces Historic Grants

The Women’s Fund SB Board Chair Carolyn Jabs announced applications are open in the spring for area nonprofit agencies with innovative ideas, and budgets equal to and less than $350,000 for grants of $10K-$125K. This is the organization’s first foray into funding smaller initiatives. Jabs announced her 15-member board as follows, Lauren Trujillo serving as vice chair, Megan Stichter as treasurer, and Kerry Parker as corporate secretary, new member Janis Salin joins continuing members Katya Armistead , Roberta Collier, Jamie Dufek, Yonie Harris, Kathy Hollis, Lynn Karlson, Margie Larkin, Linda Putnam, Suzi Schomer, and Laurie Tumbler 411: https://womensfundsb.org

Summerland Citizens Association’s New Board

The new SCA board members following an all-member vote in December 2025 are President Jack Azar, Vice President Peter Stockmann, Secretary Jed Hirsch, Treasurer Eric Panofsky, and Director at Large Doretta Bonner Its 2026 priorities are engaging with community members and business owners and strengthening the group’s collaboration with Santa Barbara County officials.

Reminder:

Celebration of Life for Great Horned Owl Max

Max, the beloved Great Horned Owl, has passed away; he was 27

Montecito Tide Guide

human years old. Max served as an Eyes in the Sky Avian Ambassador for the SB Museum of Natural History. A celebration of him will take place on Saturday, February 7, 3-5 pm, at the museum’s Fleischmann Auditorium. Max remained in captivity his whole life, as he had fallen from his nest at an early age and was “imprinted with humans” – thus putting his life in the wild at risk. Adopted by the museum, Max fostered orphaned Great Horned Owl chicks, helping them return to the wild, and played as well a key role in the museum’s education programs. 411: https://tinyurl.com/SBMNHGreatMax

Nominations for Women of the Year

The office of Congressman Salud Carbajal announced it is taking recommendations for Women of the Year in his district, in honor of Women’s History Month. Online submissions to include name, background, work done, paid or volunteer, and how the proposed nominee has made a meaningful difference in the community.

411: https://tinyurl.com/CarbajalWomanYear

Executive Editor/CEO | Gwyn Lurie gwyn@montecitojournal.net

President/COO | Timothy Lennon Buckley tim@montecitojournal.net

Managing Editor | Zach Rosen zach@montecitojournal.net

MoJo Contributing Editor | Christopher Matteo Connor

Art/Production Director | Trent Watanabe

Graphic Design/Layout | Stevie Acuña

Administrative Assistant | Jessica Shafran VP, Sales & Marketing | Leanne Wood leanne@montecitojournal.net

Account Managers | Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Elizabeth Scott, Joe DeMello

Features | Jeff Wing

Proofreading | Helen Buckley

Contributors | Scott Craig, Chuck Graham, Mark Ashton Hunt, Dalina Michaels, Robert Bernstein, Christina Atchison, Leslie Zemeckis, Sigrid Toye, Elizabeth Stewart, Leana Orsua, Jeffrey Harding, Houghton Hyatt

Arts and Entertainment | Steven Libowitz

Gossip | Richard Mineards

History | Hattie Beresford

Humor | Ernie Witham

Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri

Health/Wellness | Ann Brode, Deann Zampelli

Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook

Food & Wine | Melissa Petitto, Gabe Saglie, Jamie Knee

Published by: Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC

Montecito Journal is compiled, compounded, calibrated, cogitated over, and coughed up every Wednesday by an exacting agglomeration of excitable (and often exemplary) expert edifiers at 1206 Coast

Our Town

The 125th NAMM Show 2026 Review

by Joanne A Calitri

NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global nonprofit music trade organization, celebrated NAMM’s 125th anniversary, and 50 years of the show in the city of Anaheim. Taking place January 20-24, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center, the trade show featured immersive education – 75 TEC Tracks (up from 55 last year); continuous live concerts on the Yamaha outdoor stage from 6 am to 11 pm daily; a live band stage inside the Anaheim Hilton; over 1,800 global brand exhibitors from over 125 countries; and registered attendees exceeding 75,000 with more last minute attendees showing up daily.

I arrived on Thursday, January 22, expressly invited by musician Brian Hardgroove as a TEC Tracks host presenter to interview him live for the TEC session. The program we planned included insights into his work as a musician and more, was accented with video, a Q&A with the attendees, and of course amazing swag. To say it went well is evident in the large amount of positive feedback Hardgroove is still receiving. A professional video of the session was taken by Athan Billias, president of the MIDI Association and by Jeff Robbins, founder of Spaceage, LLC.

Following the TEC session and photo ops with fans, I journeyed to the convention center for a walkabout before it closed for the day. I met up with friends at booths, and later at the Hilton for a performance by guitar extraordinaire,

Philip Sayce. Friday, I had my annual meeting with Tom Sumner, CEO of Yamaha; followed by walking three floors of brands to test drive keyboards, guitars, brass, drums and more. To report on all brands is beyond the scope of this piece, and teasers can be found on brands’ social media. Be sure to check out my live videos of NAMM with this report on the MJ website!

Here is just a gist of what Yamaha’s CEO and I discussed:

Joanne Calitri [JC]. What music industry trends are being tracked by Yamaha at the moment?

Tom Sumner [TS]. We are creating new trends, not following. The guitar business has been flat for everyone; not declining, but flat. So, we are doing new

Our Town Page 224

The Curious Traveler

Chihuly Garden and Glass: Seattle

TWO GARDENS

Recently I visited two gardens: In Seattle, it was one of glass, all brilliant color and eye-dazzling light. In Victoria, British Columbia, it was one of plants, whose patterns of flower and form painted the landscape like an artist’s brush.

by Jerry Camarillo Dunn, Jr.

Mystics speak of a realm that lies beyond human sight, a metaphysical domain where initiates with subtle occult perception are able to see the aura surrounding each human being – an emanation of shifting colors and shimmering light.

I had a similar, almost mystical sense looking at the work of renowned studio glass artist Dale Chihuly. On view at his gallery and garden in Seattle were colossal pieces luminous with color: gleaming orbs and spires, multi-hued flowers, undersea life, twining tendrils massed into towers so high they seemed architecturally impossible.

In one room, blown-glass flowers hung suspended overhead and were lit from above. Kaleidoscopic colors – red, yellow, and blue – filtered down, immersing me in pure radiance.

In my imagination it wasn’t a stretch to see these same forms as a school of jellyfish in glowing neon hues. “Putting the pieces overhead makes me think of the sea,” confirms Chihuly. “I get the feeling of water. Someone else might think they are looking up into the sky or having a dream.”

As the artist sums it up: “Glass is the most magical of all materials.”

Now 84, Dale Chihuly revolutionized the medium of studio glass. His organic, free-flowing creations constantly push the boundaries of this fragile material – in imagination and

technique, in shape and scale. Virtually by himself, he elevated glass in the U.S. from craft to fine art.

Raised in Tacoma, Washington, he enrolled after college in the nation’s first glass program at the University of Wisconsin. He went on to study at the Rhode Island School of Design, later founding its glass program and teaching there for more than a decade. On receiving a Fulbright Fellowship, he went to Venice and apprenticed in a glass factory. There he first encountered

the team approach to blowing glass, which shaped the way he has worked ever since. (Creating his coiled “Rotolo” sculptures, for example, can require 140 pounds of glass and 17 artisans working in fluid choreography.)

Today his pieces are included in more than 200 museum collections around the world. At Chihuly Garden and Glass the focal point is a huge glasshouse, inspired by the artist’s

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Tuesday, February 24th - 4:00pm

Join us for a valuable Real Estate Question & Answer Forum designed especially for potential Sellers. This is your opportunity to gain insights, expert advice, and answers to your real estate-related questions in a comfortable setting. Whether you’re curious about current market trends, pricing your property, staging tips, or navigating the selling process, Dan Encell is here to provide clarity and guidance

On Entertainment

Montecito at the Movies

by Steven Libowitz

In previous years, many of the films in SBIFF have only had something of a tangential connection to the Santa Barbara area, maybe a producer or an actor, or below-the-line production crew. But you can’t get more Santa Barbara, and even more specifically, Montecito, than Relatively Normal. This full-length feature is having its world premiere at SBIFF. Remarkably – unlike many films getting their first public screenings at the festival – Relatively Normal is not full of newbies to the biz.

Rather, Relatively Normal is rife with a rash of industry professionals, many of whom are returning to the filmmaking fold after years of pursuing other endeavors. These seasoned Tinseltowners were enticed by writer-director Amy Wendel’s original story; that of a teenage girl coping not only with the stay-at-home requirements of the pandemic, but with her decidedly dysfunctional family, as well. The dark comedy stars Chloe Coleman (Marry Me, My Spy, Big Little Lies, Young Lo’ak in Avatar: The Way of Water, among many others) as Hannah, whose method of managing the mayhem is to hunker down in her bedroom closet, while the madness erupts outside the door, and often just steps away from her room.

Other actors in the 90-minute movie – whose interiors and exteriors were shot almost entirely on location in a house in Montecito’s Hedgerow neighborhood –include longtime village resident Pamela Dillman as Hannah’s eccentric mother Miriam in her first film role in more than a decade, and the prolific writer/Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Cheri Steinkellner, whose actual acting credits mostly date to the 1980s, playing Miriam’s mother, Mimi.

Relatively Normal actually began life as a potential podcast.

“I have three boys, and my oldest at the time was in ninth grade at the early part of COVID, and the pandemic was really brutal for teens,” explained Wendel, a 15-year Santa Barbara local who is married to local native Dan Meisel. “I figured a narrative podcast could get on its feet fast, but I realized I really wanted to make it a film.”

It had been a while. Wendel’s feature directorial debut, Benavides Born, which she co-wrote with Meisel, premiered at Sundance, winning awards there and at the Nantucket Film Festival, and later debuted on HBO as All She Can. But Wendel moved mostly into raising their family.

That’s also what the film’s Montecito-based co-creative producer Jill Levinson (formerly Jurkowitz) was largely doing in the same time frame, having moved back to her hometown following collaborations with Northern California industry giants Industrial Light & Magic and Lucasfilm, and her own independent production companies. She developed and produced entertainment properties, including the short film The Face (which won Best Film at the Palm Springs Film Festival) and Taking the Wheel with then-Montecito resident John Cleese. Levinson and Wendel had known each other for years. “We sort of raised our kids together,” Levinson said. “We spent the years as moms, also talking about coming back to our careers in a more substantial way. This seemed to be a perfect moment.”

Entertainment Page 374

WEDNESDAY,

7:30 PM · Lobero Theatre

Seven-time Grammy®-winning pianist Emanuel Ax returns to Masterseries with a fascinating program centered on the theme of fantasy. A champion of both the core repertoire and new music, Ax showcases the depth and warmth that have made him one of the most beloved artists of our time.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026

VENICE BAROQUE ORCHESTRA

Paolo Tagliamento, violin soloist

Giacomo Catana, orchestra leader

7:30 PM · Lobero Theatre

A VENETIAN DUEL OF BOWS – In Celebration of Carnivale VENETIAN MASKS AND CLOAKS ENCOURAGED!

Celebrate Venice’s glittering Carnivale with the Venice Baroque Orchestra and violinist Paolo Tagliamento. Their spirited program, “A Venetian Duel of Bows,” rekindles the rivalry and virtuosity of 18th-century masters—Vivaldi, Veracini, Tartini and Locatelli— transporting you to a world of fiery cadenzas, shimmering strings and dazzling showpieces.

of the Presumed

“Drawing on her formidable range of vocal color, DiDonato captures the drama within each song, and across the cycle.”

The Guardian (U.K.)

“With their staggering technique and freewheeling genre-crossing, it’s hard not to be swept up in the force of their contagious energy.”

NPR on Time for Three

Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano

Time for Three

Emily – No Prisoner Be

Thu, Feb 5 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre

FREE for all students (with valid ID)

“The dancers and musicians manage to combine a high-gloss finish with a convincing air of spontaneous excitement.”

The Independent (U.K.)

“Sheer physical energy and beauty.”

“Liu can do the impeccable glitter, but his playing is more than pyrotechnics. It is powerful, polished, and emanates from a disciplined mind.”

The Telegram

Winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition

Bruce Liu

Thu, Feb 12 / 7 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall Program includes: Ligeti, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Ravel, Albéniz and Liszt

Special Double Bill Taj Mahal and Patty Griffin

Tue, Feb 17 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre

“A multi-instrumentalist wizard… While often described as a blues musician, he’s more of an international griot.” Datebook on Taj Mahal

“Sometimes with tenderness, with family and loss, sometimes with fierce poignant critique, her wordplay is profound, challenging and unrivaled.” – Robert Plant on Patty Griffin

The Giving List Storyteller

by Steven Libowitz

Storyteller has been around for nearly four decades, rising from humble beginnings as a roped off section of Transition House to occupying three distinct campuses collectively serving 150 students, its therapeutic preschools supporting Santa Barbara’s most vulnerable children and their families. The nonprofit focuses on providing high-quality, trauma-informed early childhood education, paired with comprehensive family services to help youngsters who have or are facing adversity build the resilience, confidence, and skills they need to succeed in school and in life.

Not long ago, the nonprofit adopted the slogan that they help families “rewrite their stories” and break cycles of poverty, essentially serving as a social change organization that transforms narratives of struggle into stories of strength and possibility.

In February, however, the organization is doing a bit of reframing of their own narrative, at least as far as timing for its annual big benefit evening.

The gala event, previously held in the fall, is moving away from the crowded calendar in October to a more open date in late winter. “Color the World: Hues of Love” will take place on Saturday, February 21, in an event that also heralds a new location for the fundraiser: the beautiful Rosewood Miramar right here in Montecito. The evening will be hosted by popular emcee Andrew Firestone and feature after-party tunes by the almost ubiquitous DJ Darla Bea, following a program of elevated dining, a highly curated silent and live auction, and immersive surprises throughout the evening. Storyteller’s mission will be brought to life in meaningful and unexpected ways.

“We decided to switch it up a bit and move out of the typical gala season,” explained Executive Director Dr. Gabriella Garcia. “But the goal remains the same.”

Namely, to raise a significant portion of the essential funds that support Storyteller’s critical work in serving disadvantaged children aged six weeks to five years and their families across Santa Barbara County. Much more than half of the organization’s $3 million annual budget is funded through individuals within Santa Barbara County, so the gala actually makes a measurable difference.

The theme of “Color the World,” which was established at last year’s event,

is actually scientifically based, said Tess Ortega, Storyteller’s development director.

“When children have experienced trauma, their world can be a little gray,” she explained. “But once they start making new connections and having positive experiences, if you were to put their little brains under a scan, they would light up.”

The explosions of color are only increasing at Storyteller, as its growth spurt continues at a rate that would rival a teenager’s. After returning to Transition House recently in taking over operations of its Infant and Toddler Center, Storyteller has notched a 30% increase in year-over-year number of children it serves. But the need only continues to grow even faster.

“There is a huge wealth discrepancy in Santa Barbara,” Garcia said. “Not everybody realizes that we have students and families who are truly living under the federal poverty line and are struggling. The need is great. Over the years we have done what we can to add more children and serve more families. We worked really hard to be able to serve as many as we can. But we still have a wait list of about 130 students.”

Doing what they can to be able to serve as many as possible is of utmost importance for Storyteller.

“We know that when children experience extreme early adversity, their likelihood of having long-term negative health impacts and life outcomes increase significantly,” Ortega said. “We’re really intervening early when it matters most to our students, and we’re enabling our families – who are 100% low income

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Your Westmont

A Career in Code and Connection

by Scott Craig, photos by Brad

As a Westmont student, John Rodkey (‘79) envisioned a career as a missionary doctor in the field. But he discovered a different calling and direction. After majoring in chemistry, he returned to campus in 1981, and Stan Anderson , his former professor, hired him as a chemistry lab manager.

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Programming the college’s first minicomputer to inventory chemicals and reconcile chemistry invoices led to new responsibilities. “I learned to do this in BASIC, a terrible programming language with a rudimentary database capability,” he says. “Suddenly, I became the Westmont expert on BASIC, and the mathematics/computer science department asked me to teach a general programming course.” His star pupils included Niva Tro (‘85), professor emeritus of chemistry, and Jon Walker (‘91), who founded AppFolio and now serves as chief technology officer at Buildertrend.

John then programmed the PR1ME 550 computer, a springboard into academic computing, and managed various high-tech chemistry instruments, including an infrared spectrometer by Mattson Instruments, working for the company over two summers. Mattson then brought him on staff full time to service instruments at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, and various universities.

But John returned to campus after a year at the urging of mathematics professor Russ Howell. He earned a second Westmont degree in computer science in 1991. He has worked in IT for more than four decades, gaining a unique vantage point on the ever-changing role of computers and technology on campus. He began developing the college’s IT infrastructure, setting up the first

network, implementing Linux servers, and installing the college’s first campuswide wireless internet network. He plans to write a book about his career and the evolution of computing at Westmont.

John’s wife, Jeanne, grew up in the small village of Stony River, Alaska, 250 air miles from the nearest roads. She read every children’s book available (and many adult books). They became an important part of her life, and she vowed to provide books for other isolated third-culture kids.

Fulfilling this promise, the Rodkeys established BookEnds (bookendsin ternational.org), and they’ve shipped more than 115,000 volumes to families around the world since 1990 – and more than 10,000 annually since 2019.

An avid pilot who rebuilt a 1946 Aeronca Chief, a single-engine, light aircraft, in the garage of his Goleta home, John once delivered books by plane. When he flew to Idaho to visit his parents without a passenger, Jeanne gave him 150 pounds of books for a friend in Bend, Oregon, who eventually took them to China. “Jeanne has shipped books to and developed relationships with more than 1,200 people in 107 countries despite never traveling to any of them,” John says. “She communicates by text message and email.”

Two of the four Rodkey children graduated from Westmont: Krista (‘07), a philosophy major with a doctorate in philosophy; and Erik (’11), a music major. Adelle attended a Westmont Mayterm and later completed a master’s degree in music. She has taught oboe on campus for 15 years. Elissa holds a doctorate in psychology, and Jeanne earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

“Westmont helped me see that you don’t have to be a missionary to make an impact for Christ,” John says. “The college has made me and other students more aware of global issues and ways we can minister to people that honor

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LEGACY THE BEGINS

Where California’s Santa Ynez Mountains meet the golden shores of Carpinteria Beach is a coastal legacy with no equal. A one-of-a-kind way of life where the illustrious history of the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is your new backyard. Welcome to The Santa Barbara Polo Residences, a private collection for only forty families.

things to keep guitar players in love with guitar playing and the creation of new sounds. We partnered with Chris Buck, an amazing guitar player who designed his own Revstar™ guitar. It is not a signature model because Chris and Yamaha wanted it to be a guitar that can be played by anyone, at approximately $1,200 it isn’t price prohibitive. On the acoustic side we have the TransAcoustic™ guitars with built in reverb and looper to expand songwriting and playing creativity. The user can save the song in the guitar. It is a perfect busker guitar. We made it in both a smaller body – great for players with small hands or shorter arms – and the full body. We came out with the newer Pacifica SC electric guitar with Rupert Neve pickups, and our technology that looks at how the wood vibrates and fine tunes it. We are trying to grow beyond the guitar trends.

JC. As the voice for Yamaha, what makes Yamaha stand out among your peers?

TS. The variety of products we have… we have the largest breadth of any music instrument company: we have pianos, keyboards, guitars, drums, acoustic, brass, woodwind, electronic, live sound gear, and pro audio. Our understanding of all that helps us be more musical overall, understand more deeply how each works, and the technology can be transferred across all our products. We have lots of artists we work with and lots of ideas about new products to create or update. For example, our TransAcoustic™ guitar technology is also in our TransAcoustic™ pianos, taking it to another place creatively.

JC. Does Yamaha have an R&D Idea Center…?

TS. For innovation we have two ways we go about it. We have a really talented

group of engineers in Japan and in the U.S., and then our artists, who we ask for input. Another is we let our engineers create new things as a side project that they get to present annually at our Japan headquarters, like a technology fest. It’s an in-house competition of sorts.

JC. For people attending NAMM for the first time, it can be overwhelming. What would you suggest?

TS. Two things, first plan out and schedule the booths and manufacturers you want to visit, and second, TEC tracks. The second is comprised of those NAMM magical moments where you wander around and find new products that interest you, along with world class studio musicians playing at the many booths. We are up 33% of visitors to our booth on the opening day of NAMM, and actually, the TEC Tracks

education helps our customers, and NAMM helps the retailers get better, which helps manufacturers.

Booths, Pedals, and Play

This year Yamaha celebrated its 60th anniversary in guitar manufacturing –they first brought guitars to the U.S. in 1966 – with limited editions of the FG9 (acoustic) and Revstar™ (electric), the Pacifica SC electric guitar, and a Chris Buck designed Revstar™ electric guitar. Buck has played Revstar™ since 2016. (Who says he’s not an influencer?) His model has new P90s Alnico 3 magnet pickups for a lower output with warm tone, a 3-way switch, volume and tone knobs, and adjustable saddle bridge. And the guitar is a honey gold. Yamaha celebrated their 60th at the House of Blues Anaheim with Buck, Matteo Mancuso, and Billy Sheehan playing the limited-edition guitars.

I next interviewed Yamaha Keyboard product specialist Kramer Ison on their two latest portable keyboards – the PSRE483 and PSR-E583 – both with presets, quick sampling, looper, and recording. He also demoed the updated digital arranger workstation series flagship Model Genos2™ with 76 keys, patches for drums, background vocals, multiple instruments, looper and a professional microphone to record the mix in real time… and yes, it does sync with a phone app.

While touring the pianos on the second floor, I texted my keyboard professor, Dr. Ovanes Arakelyan, who advised I go to the Fazioli Pianos Milan room to try out their pianos noting, “they are the best in the world.” I went and was truly in awe. Fazioli pianos are beautifully crafted, and when I played one, I found the action, tone, and sound colors so perfect! Fazioli Pianos exhibited their baby grand and grand pianos, models F212, F228, F278, and two F198 models – one in the standard finish and one in pyramid mahogany, starting SRP $150,000. The grand model had a mirror on the floor under it to view the underside workmanship.

Students from the Colburn School Los Angeles gave coveted performances. I attended Bingjian Chen’s fully memorized recital of Bach’s “French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816, Allemande and Courante;” Chopin’s “Étude in A Minor, Op. 25, No. 6;” Haydn’s “Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI:52, 1st mov. Allegro;” and Ravel’s “Gaspard de la Nuit”… phew!

many top guitar brands; and guitarist Cole Rolland’s enthused endorsement of the Nazgü/Sentient humbucker set. Duncan’s legendary artists roster booth performers were Kiki Wong, Philip Sayce (who oversaw his signature pickups called the “Mother” Stratocaster Set), Chase Becker, and Lari Basilio Fresh news is Duncan is in process of building a new facility in Santa Barbara, and we will meet up soon for a full report in my news column!

Ernie Ball Music Man is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the StingRay™ bass guitar with new models in gold, limited to 300; and their DarkRay II bass guitar ready to buy this spring that will have an octave switch, yes, a full octave up or down, along with a 3-way modes switch. Concert demos of all gear at their booth were by famed bassists Josh Paul, Derek Frank, Paul Gilbert, Dr. Ink and Dmitry (an insane amount of talent when they played together), and their new eight string (!) Richardson Cutlass guitar with 24 frets, demoed by Jason Reeves Richardson himself.

Pearl Drums celebrated their 80th anniversary with three product releases, the Pearl 2026: Primal Snare Collective with four different metal shells; the Eliminator Mono Pro 2500 Series – the first fully customizable bass drum pedal on the market, in both single and double pedals for jazz and metal; and the new beginner-friendly electronic foldable drum kit eRoadshow™. Playing at their booth were Dennis Chambers, Ray Luzier, Mike Mangini, and Jesus Diaz and Horacio Hernandez

Seymour Duncan’s booth rocked with their 50th Anniversary. Seymour himself was there sporting a Stetson with Cathy Carter Duncan and Maricela “MJ” Juarez, the legendary pickup winder. New gear includes their 50th anniversary pickups – the Slash 3.0, the JB Jazz, and the three voice Mortal Coil active humbucker set featured on ESP, Fender, and

DR Strings Dragon Skin™ guitar strings, said to be the longest playing strings, were given a run by musicians Jared James Nichols and Eugene Rice at their booth, who wreaked havoc on hard driving americana riffs.

Sully Guitars by president/owner/ builder Jon Sullivan, wins the guitar candy award in my book, check out the photo I took of him with his guitars at

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Victoria C. Hazard

July 8, 1946 – December 28, 2025 Loved and Remembered for a Life of Service

In Honor of a Life Well Spent:

Victoria C. Hazard: July 8, 1946 – December 28, 2025

At 4:25 am on December 28, 2025, our beloved Vicki peacefully took her last breath. As her family surrounded her, the bluetooth speaker beside her bed inexplicably and surreally played a piano rendition of Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” We believe, in her divine wisdom, she “chose” this song as her final message of the unending love she held for all her friends and family. In this moment, our world has lost a very special person.

Vicki was both witty and wise. She possessed a great sense of humor, a quick mind, steadfast integrity and a wonderfully generous heart. She was a lifetime student of building successful relationships and truly embodied the rare quality of listening before responding. She earned the recognition of her friends, family and community as a leader, innovator and consensus builder.

Vicki’s Role in Serving Others and Community Engagement

Victoria taught us that volunteerism is the magical ingredient that defines a good life – that putting the needs of others who are less fortunate than ourselves brings us the only true enrichment in life and fulfillment of our dreams. Philanthropy meant much more to her than just giving money. It is the thoughtful use of one’s resources – time, influence, and expertise – to strengthen our communities, support shared values, solve problems, and build a legacy of caring and commitment.

Vicki’s legacy of volunteerism included 20 years as Sansum Clinic Board Chair, board member, and member of the Executive Committee, including the Sutter Health Community Advisory Board following the merger of Sutter Health and

Samsun Clinic. She also served as a board member for Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, Casa Dorinda/ Montecito Retirement Association, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, and Santa Barbara Foundation.

Vicki was a board member and Executive Committee member for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Foundation for Santa Barbara City College, and Montecito Community Foundation Board of Trustees. In addition, she served as a multi-term board member and Finance Committee member for Birnam Wood Club and Birnam Wood Homeowners Association. As a young, former member of Girl Scouts, she devoted time as a board member on the Executive Committee of Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital (Washington, D.C.), Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus Pine Council, and Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast. It came as no surprise to our community that Vicki was chosen in 2016 by the Santa Barbara Foundation as “Woman of the Year.”

Victoria’s Role as a Soulmate to her Husband, Bob

Bob Hazard and Vicki Cranor were married 46 years ago on January 2, 1980. Their friendship began during seven years of working together at Best Western Hotels International, where Bob served as CEO and Vicki as Senior Vice-President of Strategic Planning.

Bob’s greatest accomplishment in life was to have had the good fortune to have

Maryan Strathy Schall (1930-2024), who could light a room with her smile, passed away at the age of 93 on January 2, 2024.

Like Victoria, she was an energized card-carrying member of the “Grammar Police,” who would correct anyone regardless of their status on the proper use of the English language. She and her husband Dick were renowned for their commitment to community philanthropy.

When Vicki first arrived in Santa Barbara in 2003 with no friends in town, Maryan introduced her to all the legendary healthcare providers, and the rest became the history of a passionate teacher and a devoted student. The two shared a gift of love and kindness for others, and that’s not a bad starting point.

married Vicki. He wrote of her: “Her advice is impeccable. Her heart is as big for everyone else as it is for me. She is the editor of my writings, the proofreader of my life, and the lighthouse keeper of my soul. She makes me laugh at myself and show greater sensitivity to others, in order to live up to her expectations. She is a jewel to be shared, a joy to be with, and living proof that the right footpath lies in staying humble while trying to inspire the best in everyone else.”

Bob added, “There is no question that I am a far better person because of her. She had to train me every day, an exhausting experience. She is living proof that ‘behind every good man is a woman rolling her eyes.’ Her best advice was: ‘Look people in the eye, eat your broccoli, always tell the truth, stop complaining, and live to meet the needs of others.’

“Despite her busy board schedule, she and I had a commitment to have lunch together every day, often with visiting friends, family, and their children who were staying at our Bonnymede Beach house. They came to the Beach House for one of Vicki’s famous life planning sessions. With 46 years of daily lunches, times the two of us, plus an average of four visitors staying in the Beach House for fun, frivolity, and Life Planning, the meal count rose to over 100,000 meals, enough lunches for every person in Santa Barbara.

“A game we played with Beach House guests was to have each define their definitions of the words ‘love’ and ‘marriage’ in 15 words or less. Try it – it’s not easy. The best we could come up with was, ‘Love is caring more about someone else than you care about yourself.’”

For ‘Marriage,’ Bob’s definition of Marriage is finding someone who loves you, is blind to your blemishes and tells the world about your virtues. “Vicki and I were good friends before we fell in love. There was trust. We could talk to each other about anything. The ‘I Do’s’ are the easy part. Marriage is a relationship where one person is always right, and the other person is the husband.”

Bob describes his wife “as a person whose positive outlook was contagious. Her talents and abilities were awesome. Her ability to bring people together was extraordinary. She was highly thought-of and much-loved.” One of her toughest challenges was to keep her husband in shape, emotionally and physically, assuming “a pear” is considered to be a great shape.

Victoria, a meticulous wordsmith, and the daughter of an English teacher, was once asked to explain the difference between the words “complete” and “finished.” Most people would argue there is none. She differed, noting, “When you marry the right woman you are complete; when you marry the wrong one you are finished. And when the right woman catches you with the wrong woman, you are completely finished.”

Vicki’s Life Story

Victoria C. Hazard was born on July 8, 1946, in Providence, RI. Her parents were Dr. John R. Cranor, a Naval Flight Surgeon, and Mary M. Cranor, a public health nurse. Victoria grew up in Walla Walla, WA, where her father was Chief of Surgery at the Walla Walla Hospital.

In high school, Vicki wanted to be a social worker to change the world. She credits her parents for setting high expectations, encouraging her to hold steadfastly to her values and never let them be compromised. She learned to dream big dreams and value hard work in a shared community.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology at Washington State University and her master’s degree in finance and business at American University in Washington, D.C. She earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation enabling her to offer broader services like auditing, tax planning, and financial consulting.

Since moving to Montecito in 2003, Vicki began each day at 5:15 am with an early morning walk with her good friends, Julie McGovern, Janet Garufis, Sara Fargo, and Dru Hartley. At five miles a day, for 22-years, the lovely ladies logged twice the distance around the Earth! How many of you can make that claim?

Vicki’s business career consisted of a senior executive position in an international hospitality company with responsibility for strategic planning, operations and administration, corporate communications, quality assurance, customer service and human resources. Additionally, she worked as a marketing and communications executive for a national healthcare company that owned and operated acute-care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities.

Vicki’s family includes her brother, John R. Cranor, Sr. (wife Lee); sister, Melissa Anne Cranor (deceased); niece, Rebecca Cranor Hurst; nephew, John R. Cranor, Jr.; nephew, Tyler R. Cranor (wife Anyssa), and five stepchildren, Alicia Rhoades, Letitia Hazard, Robert Hazard III (wife Susan), Thomas E. J. Hazard (deceased), Anne Hazard Boyle (husband Michael) and 14 grandchildren.

Vicki has requested no formal funeral; she never wanted any fuss. But the family is planning a “Celebration of Her Beautiful Life.” After all, how can we not? The celebration will likely be in late March or early April at Birnam Wood Golf Club. No coats, no ties, no black dresses, no sadness. The details will be announced as soon as possible.

Nelson Mandela summed up the essence of Vicki’s life: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

Vicki, on behalf of your legion of friends, family and associates, thank you for your life of love… and for just being you. You will never be forgotten. You will always be in our hearts.

“ A

great many people walk in and out of our lives. Real friends and family leave a footprint on our hearts. It always helps to have those we love beside us when we have to do the difficult things in life.

– Vicki Hazard

Here

are just a few of the people who touched her life in a very special way…

Vicki’s Friends and Family ”

“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in a world all of your own.

– Albert Schweitzer

Sansum Clinic, Now Part of Sutter Health

Sansum Clinic is the largest nonprofit outpatient healthcare organization between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. It officially became part of Sutter Health’s system in October 2023, creating an integrated network offering broad access to primary and specialty care, wellness programs, and advanced facilities for residents along California’s Central Coast.

Vicki Hazard’s Foundation Family Speaks ”

This partnership combines Sansum’s local expertise with Sutter’s broader resources, providing a connected patient experience with more services, like urgent care, surgery centers, and extensive specialty departments. Together Sansum Clinic and Sutter Health serve more than three million patients.

In a letter to his associates at the time of her passing, Vicki Hazard, a longtime Trustee and former Board Chair of Sansum Clinic, received a warm and gracious tribute from Dr. Kurt Ransohoff , Sansum/Sutter Health CEO and Chief Medical Officer:

Ransohoff wrote, “There will be few people who will have contributed as much of their time, wisdom and energy as a volunteer to Sansum Clinic. Vicki was so important that she was continuously re-elected Board Chair, as we navigated very challenging circumstances and discussions with many different potential partners over many years.

“If there were a clock to keep track of hours Vicki spent on Sansum Clinic, the clock would be in the many thousands of hours. I personally talked with Vicki about Clinic business many times on weekends and late in the evening or early in the morning. Once, we needed to meet with officials in Washington, D.C., and there was Vicki along for the journey. She would be willing to go to any meeting, even if it would be sure to be challenging, and everyone at the meeting would benefit from her attendance.

“Vicki did not seek recognition for her good work. But the work was so extensive and valuable that she won many awards and praise for her volunteerism and leadership, an example of which was being honored by the Santa Barbara Foundation in 2016 as Santa Barbara’s ‘Woman of the Year.’

“We will keep you posted if there is a public event to honor this exceptional friend of Sansum Clinic, and an exceptional person for the community and all who were lucky enough to know her.”

Earlier Dr. Ransohoff wrote: “Vicki had only been in Santa Barbara for less than a year when, in 2004, two of our board members, Tom Fly and Maryan Schall, suggested we speak to her about getting involved with the Clinic. We recognized the skills she had to offer right away and were wise enough to snap her up immediately, and three

(Formerly) Samsun Foothills Ribbon

Cutting: Vince Jensen, Virgil Elings, Victoria Hazard, Kurt Ransohoff, and the late Michael Towbes

years later we asked her to be Chair of the Board of Trustees, a position she held until 2018 when Janet Garufis – Chairwoman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust, Vicki’s good friend, longtime associate and five-mile daily walking buddy – took the baton as Board Chair while Vicki retained her board seat.

Ransohoff continued: “Back in 2004 I recall talking to Vicki on the phone one evening, and saying, ‘Things seem pretty stable at the Clinic and the term will only be two years, so I don’t think it will be too much work.’ That turned out to be a spectacular misrepresentation. Instead of a period of stability, things started happening quickly. Obamacare brought the most significant change in the American healthcare system in the 50 years since the birth of Medicare in the 1960s.

“Under Vicki’s leadership, Sansum merged with the Cancer Center, planned and built a new 60,000 square foot medical campus on Foothill Road, helped fund the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center of Santa Barbara and helped implement a new electronic medical health record system, originally called ‘My Chart.’

“Board terms are generally for two years. Victoria served for 20-years as Sansum Board Chair, as a board member, as an Executive Committee member and a member of the Community Advisory Board, Sutter Health/Samsun Clinic.”

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center of Santa Barbara

Sansum Clinic and the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara joined together in 2012 to create the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara. The goal was to fund and build a new $52 million cancer center to realize a vision for enhancing oncology care on the Central Coast.

In 2017, Philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree provided the lead gift for a new facility and the name of the institution was changed to honor her support. Her gift, alongside a community partnership of donors, patients and businesses, allowed a new cancer center to be constructed at 540 W. Pueblo Street, within the heart of Santa Barbara’s medical village. The new cancer center allowed for the centralization of all outpatient cancer care under one roof, creating a seamless experience for patients. The result was one of the finest regional cancer centers in the country, with facilities, staff and technology on par with large academic centers of excellence.

Campaign chair Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree and campaign cabinet members Dan Gainey, Ed and Sue Birch, Maryan Schall, and Peter MacDougall, worked with supporters and fundraisers, like Vicki Hazard, to raise more than $48 million for the new Ridley-Tree Cancer Center.

The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara

Victoria Hazard served on the Cancer Foundation Board for 11 ½ years from 2012 to 2023. “Vicki’s service on the board of the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara helped to ensure that our community’s patients have access to the highest quality health-care services, cancer care and wellness support –regardless of their ability,” said Ransohoff. “Victoria is known for her giving heart and her tireless commitment to strengthening the organizations she serves.”

Casa Dorinda LifeCare Retirement Community

Casa Dorinda was originally a grand estate built in 1919 from the Castor Oil fortune. Mrs. Anna Dorinda Blaksley Bliss commissioned architect Carleton

Brian & Joanne Rapp, Victoria Hazard, Barbara Hadley, Carole & Steve Halsted at Casa Dorinda’s Sequoia (Legacy) Society Annual Dinner in 2023

Victoria loved her role in working with Lisa Thomas, Director of Philanthropy, and the whole Casa Dorinda team on campus improvement programs, legacy of giving, and healthcare improvement projects.

Victoria responded to the honor of being invited to a Board seat: “I am deeply committed to the mission and vision of Casa Dorinda and am honored to have the opportunity to play a crucial role in shaping its future by serving on the board.” After six years of service on the board, and chair of the finance committee and philanthropy committee, she was named Board President before having to step down for health reasons.

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC)

Winslow to design the estate to serve as the social heart of the greater Montecito community. Over the years, its role evolved from a rest and recuperation center during World War II to an all-girls’ school in the mid-1940s and 1950s.

In 1975, Casa Dorinda welcomed its first residents as the retirement community it remains today. Walking through the 48-acre campus and its surrounding gardens, visitors are transported not to another era, but to a place of enduring beauty and tranquility, rich in history and spirit.

In 2017, Casa Dorinda named Victoria C. Hazard to the Board of Directors of its Montecito Retirement Association because of her leadership experience in the hospitality, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors.

Brian McCague, executive director/CEO, explained his mission as, “The pursuit of excellence in the care and quality of its services, so that residents may continue to live their lives with dignity and security as independently and fully as they are able.”

Brian added: “As the CEO of Casa Dorinda, I had the extreme pleasure of working with Vicki for many years when she served on our Board of Directors. Vicki was supportive of our mission, understood her responsibility to Casa, and was always receptive and caring to the needs of our residents.

“I quickly learned of her generosity of time to many organizations in greater Santa Barbara, but she always found time to be responsive to our Casa Dorinda mission. The last time I saw Vicki was at the Alzheimer’s Walk at Chase Palm Park in mid-November. Despite the challenges she was battling, there she was supporting a worthy cause as she always did.”

“Dear Bob: The loss of my dear friend has had an overwhelming effect on me, so I can only imagine your profound sadness over the loss of your beloved Vicki. You have my deepest sympathy. For almost 25 years, Vicki and I walked together almost every day, and as we got to know one another, we found commonalities – the love of our husbands and families, the importance of working with our communities and colleagues, the joy of laughter, and never allowing life’s suffering to keep us from living a full life.

“We talked about silly matters and about important things. I know we didn’t solve all of life’s puzzles, but we did try to understand what is important and how we could try to make things better.

“I am so lucky to have had Vicki in my life, and while she is physically gone, I have the memory of her beauty, wisdom, kindness, humor and love with me every moment of every day.”

– Julie McGovern, Retired Broadband Communications Executive, Cox Communications; Executive Director, County Red Cross; Board of Trustees, Sansum Clinic; Past President, Rotary Club of Santa Barbara; Past Chairwoman of the Greater Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce + more

More than 50% of the people in our Santa Barbara community live below the poverty line and often lack access to high-quality healthcare. The Neighborhood Clinics treat the vulnerable population that can’t afford to pay and may not have insurance.

Most of its patients are low-income, working class, and Latino. Without Medi-Cal, many would have no insurance. About 15% – mostly those without legal documentation – pay out of pocket, whatever and whenever they can.

SBNC is part of the safety net for the underserved. The SBNC clinic network provides a wide range of specialized care, including mental health, prenatal, pediatric, optical, preventative, chiropractic, podiatry, acupuncture, dental and behavioral healthcare.

Medical facilities include the Eastside Neighborhood Clinic, the Eastside Dental Clinic, the Westside Neighborhood Clinic, the Bridge Clinic, the Goleta Neighborhood Clinic, the Goleta Neighborhood Dental Clinic, the Isla Vista Neighborhood Clinic, and two mobile medical and dental clinics to service Santa Barbara schoolchildren and low-income adults. A new Westside clinic, scheduled to open in 2026, will serve as a flagship facility, offering integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services, making it the largest health safety net under one roof in Santa Barbara

Victoria began her service to the Neighborhood Clinics, originally working with Dr. Charles Fenzi, CEO and Chief Medical Officer Neighborhood Clinics, as he and his team transformed the struggling community clinics into the very successful, growing, and all-encompassing nonprofit organization. Fenzi joined SBNC as a family physician, he was then promoted to Chief Medical Officer in 2012 and to CEO in 2015. Fenzi retired in the summer of 2022.

Victoria continued her work with the Neighborhood Clinics under the direction of Fenzi’s successor, Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian, MD, MBA, when he took over the reins of leadership as the Neighborhood Clinics’ new CEO in August 2022.

Because of inadequate government reimbursement rates to cover operating expenses, community philanthropy is needed to bridge the gap between revenues and expenses. A team of community fundraisers led by Jim Jackson and Janet Garufis, including Vicki Hazard and 10 other Capital Campaign Cabinet members, have pledged to raise $9 million per year to attract new healthcare professional and close the operating budget gap; raise $5 million per year to install and run the Epic OCHIN/My Chart electronic health records system, seamlessly compatible with Cottage Health and Sansum/Sutter Health; and $12 million per year in capital costs and annual operating costs to finish and run the new flagship Westside Clinic, to be opened in 2026.

Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF). Strategic Grantmaking.

Every day, Santa Barbara County residents face affordability challenges from rising rents; higher food, gas and healthcare costs; lack of affordable childcare for working families; and higher healthcare costs. The county’s nonprofits are being stretched to limits in funding community services.

Since 1928, the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF), a community foundation for Santa Barbara County, has created meaningful change for the region through inclusive collaboration, philanthropic advising, strategic grantmaking and strengthening our regional nonprofits. The mission is to mobilize collective wisdom and philanthropic capital to build empathetic, inclusive, and resilient communities across the central coast.

Even the most diligent donor finds it daunting to try to learn about each organization and vet their work. When you partner with the Santa Barbara Foundation, donors can be assured that we award grants through a rigorous process of research, due diligence, and evaluation through our Community Grant Opportunities program.

Recently, the Santa Barbara Foundation distributed over $27 million to more than 1,500 nonprofits in Santa Barbara County, through the generosity of its donors and the support of its donor-advisor fundholders. For years, Vicki served as an advisor to the Santa Barbara Foundation.

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara

Victoria was touched by the stories of many of the teens seeking scholarships, and in recent years, the organization has made more of an effort to reach out to North County students. Victoria served for 13 years as a Board member and as an Executive Committee member of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, believes that local students need and deserve education beyond high school, and that every motivated student should have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education. After careful review of the 2,500 applications and the more than 500 scholarship funds SFSB manages, they provide scholarships and financial aid advice to eligible students from Santa Barbara County for college, graduate, and vocational school. In addition, the Foundation’s database allows access to over 3.7 million scholarship opportunities totaling some $19 billion in financial aid.

On her appointment to the Board, Victoria Hazard said, “These are just magnificent kids who didn’t have all the things I had.” She was bothered by the rise in college expenses over the years, calling the cost “prohibitively expensive,” and said, “We need to find new ways to deal with that.”

Victoria said she believes the people of Santa Barbara are committed to finding solutions, with a civic pride here unlike anything she has experienced in other communities. “I am really optimistic about Santa Barbara’s future because we do such aggressive work in the social-services sector,” she said. “I think we can do better, but we are doing yeoman’s work.”

Woman of the Year: 2016

I

n 2016, Victoria Hazard was named “Woman of the Year” by the Santa Barbara Foundation for her years of dedicated volunteer service to the Santa Barbara community. Persons-of-the-year are nominated by community members in recognition of extraordinary volunteer service that represents a meaningful commitment to the community, addresses a real community need, or enhances the quality of life. Nominees may also be acknowledged for exemplary acts of generosity, kindness, or innovation in the Santa Barbara area.

The process to select the Person of the Year begins with open nominations. Anyone in the community can nominate an individual, couple or family. A committee made up of former recipients, with input from nonprofit leaders, review nominations and select the honoree.

On March 7, 2016, a local Santa Barbara publication wrote:

Woman of the Year Vicki Hazard Privileged to Help Others Around Her.

Vicki Hazard received the 73rd annual Woman of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara Foundation, during a ceremony this week at the Coral Casino/Four Seasons Resort Biltmore Santa Barbara. This year’s Santa Barbara Foundation honoree is driven by her desire to give back to the community.

Hazard has dedicated more than three decades to leadership roles in volunteerism and public service, with the past 15 years devoted almost exclusively to nonprofit agencies in Santa Barbara, including Sansum Clinic, the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara and more.

“Vicki’s work as chair of the board of trustees of Sansum Clinic and her service on the board of the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara are helping to ensure that our community’s patients have access to the highest quality healthcare services, cancer care and wellness support – regardless of their ability to pay,” said Kurt Ransohoff, CEO and chief medical officer of Sansum Clinic. “She is known for her giving heart and her tireless commitment to strengthening the organizations she serves.”

At the Santa Barbara Foundation Award ceremony for the 2016 Woman of the Year, Vicki noted she believes people of Santa Barbara are committed to finding

“D ear Bob: The memory of Vicki’s radiant spirit will always bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. What a gift Vicki was to all who were privileged to be in her orbit. Her grace and indomitable courage offer such an inspiration, and her friendship such a comfort. But to you and your family she will be so missed.”

– Janet Garufis, Montecito Bank & Trust Chairman & CEO

“Dear Bob: I think often of the friends, parents, godparents, grandparents, mentors, coaches, and more that you have been for me, and for literally hundreds if not thousands more people over the years. Thank you for sharing your Santa Barbara Beach House so often.

“Better still, you have shared your love, generosity, wisdom, and so much more with me, Eric, Ella, Sierra and Kai. I am beyond grateful to you both for being the best fairy godparents that anyone could wish for, for all you’ve taught us, and encouraged in us and inspired in us.

“When we see your examples of how you’ve lived, persevered, given, overcome, learned – and continue to do so – both in the joyful times and in the hard ones… I love you so very much…”

– Dr. Denise R. Dunning, PhD, MPA, MA Founder, Executive Director, Rise Up Together for Girls Advancing Gender Equity on a Global Platform

Bob Hazard’s “Woman-of-the-Year” for the past 51 years – 1974-2025

March 17-24, 2016

solutions, with a civic pride here unlike anything she has experienced in other communities. “I am really optimistic about Santa Barbara’s future because we do such aggressive work in the social-services sector,” she said. “I think we can do better, but we are doing yeoman’s work.”

She is grateful to receive the Woman of the Year Award and said it’s tough to believe she’s the recipient after so many years of attending the event. Her closing comment was: “To me, it’s about celebrating volunteerism in the broadest sense. The winner could be almost any one of the thousand people in this ballroom.”

Montecito Community Foundation

The Montecito Community Foundation was established over 50 years ago (1966) by a group of citizens who believed its residents might wish to make tax deductible gifts to preserve and improve the Montecito community and its quality of life.

Classic projects include the beloved Village 4th of July celebration and picnic; the installation, repair and maintenance of Montecito’s unique wooden road signs; site acquisition, development and ownership of the delightful “Corner Green” at E. Valley and San Ysidro roads; beautification of the Village triangle at Olive Mill and Hot Springs roads; and a community partnership with the “Bucket Brigade” to plan, install and maintain safe community walking paths.

Victoria served on the Board of Trustees for many years working with community leaders Steve Hicks, Ambia Clark, Hugh Boss, Ruth Green, and Chana Jackson to preserve the uniqueness, elegance, and safety of the Montecito community.

Girl Scouts of America Capital Campaigns

More than 50 million women in America have participated in Girl Scouting to help girls build their confidence to become leaders, reach their full potential, and give back to their communities. Victoria served as a Board member or Executive Committee member of the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital (Washington, D.C.), the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus Pine Council, and the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast.

“Last Light in Paradise is drop-dead perfect. In all my years of investigating for the United States and the President–this is the kind of novel you go to for truth, heart, and the deep pleasure of a master storyteller.”

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collection of postcards of 19th-century conservatories. It houses an aerial sculpture 100 feet long, constructed of 1,340 individual glass forms in oranges, reds, and yellows.

In the nearby gardens, art meets the outdoors. Fanciful glass forms weave through real plants and flowers. Fragile reeds and translucent eelgrass sparkle in the sunshine. Indigo spires reach up into green trees. An eleven-foot-high tower of trumpet vines is made of ruby red glass.

The gardens engulfed me in a spectacle that left my eyes dazzled and tingling. “I want people to be overwhelmed with light and color,” Dale Chihuly explains, “in some way they’ve never experienced.”

The Butchart Gardens: Brentwood Bay, British Columbia

As I strolled into these famous heritage gardens on Vancouver Island, a young

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woman who seemed to be a regular visitor offered me a word of guidance. “There aren’t many exotic plants here,” she pointed out. “It’s not a botanical garden – it’s a garden. For me it’s the colors, it’s about art.”

How right she was. As I wandered among the flower beds, trees, and ponds in the 55-acre gardens, it seemed that everything could have been painted by an artist’s brush and placed there to open our eyes and simply enjoy.

More than a million people visit The Butchart Gardens each year, largely in spring and summer when blossoming flowers run riot. (Tending the gardens takes 50 full-time gardeners.) Spring showcases a wild variety of bulb plants: countless varieties of irises, hyacinths, and crocuses, plus 160,00 tulips. The summer Rose Garden bursts with color from thousands of ramblers, climbers, tea roses, and floribundas. Along the garden pathways there are swaths of dahlias, geraniums, and begonias.

I visited the gardens in late autumn, a season scant on flowers but still fascinating. I got to see teams of gardeners chuck handfuls of bulbs onto bare dirt beds, where squads of other gardeners planted them. In all, they set 350,000 bulbs (!) that will bloom in spring.

The garden’s centerpiece goes back to its beginnings. In the early 1900s Robert Pim Butchart manufactured cement using limestone from a nearby quarry. He and his wife Jennie lived in a house nearby. When the limestone played out, she envisioned transforming the quarry into a sunken garden, overflowing with lush greenery and blooms.

She allowed the deepest part of the quarry to fill with water from a natural spring, forming a lake 40 feet deep. Mr. Butchart stocked it with trout, which would rise to the surface to be fed when he clapped his hands. The quarry’s barren rock face, however, presented Jennie Butchart with a challenge. It was ugly. So she suspended herself in a bosun’s

chair and planted ivy in the crevices in the rock walls. Today the garden walls remain clad in green. The family still owns and operates the entire property.

The Sunken Garden is popular for its vast plantings of tulips in spring, vibrant chrysanthemums in fall, and a rich mix of trees, shrubs, and perennials set in dramatic tiered beds. Flowering cherry trees add splashes of color.

My favorite part of the visit, though, was the Japanese Garden. Visitors enter through a Torii gate, just two red poles and crosspieces, that traditionally signifies the transition from the mundane world to the sacred. (They’re often seen at the entrance to temples.) Two huge purple beech trees stood guard. In the shady garden, a flowing stream cooled the air. Paths twisted and turned and crossed graceful bridges. Lacy maple trees of vibrant orange and red rustled in the breeze.

Faced with so much beauty, many a romantic heart has taken wing, and wedding proposals often take place in the Japanese Garden.

All of The Butchart Gardens reveal this kind of heavenly artistry. Its graceful flow and palette of colors are like something you experience in a dream, and yet it has somehow been

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Chihuly Garden and Glass: Located next to Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, accessible by monorail and car. Open daily, yearround. Self-paced visits, downloadable audio tour, glass-blowing demonstrations. www.chihulygardenandglass.com

The Butchart Gardens: Located 14 miles north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Open daily, year-round. Dogs permitted on leash; various companies offer guided tours. https://butchartgardens.com

Jerry Camarillo Dunn, Jr. worked with the National Geographic Society for 35 years and is the author of 11 books and more than 600 magazine and newspaper articles.

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Elizabeth’s Appraisals Movies with an Artsy View

by Elizabeth Stewart

Artnet tempted me with a list of “The Best Art World Movies of 2025” and they were all so good I had to share. These films deal with prescient themes such as gender, art theft (both outright and AI generated), collaborative relationships in artists’ lives, and include documentaries on controversial art figures that we thought we despised (read below about the documentary The Painter of Light...)

- A film by Kelly Reichardt, The Mastermind, set in 1970 is the life of a slacker young man who wants to show his rich family he is ‘something.’ He plans a scheme to steal art from a British museum. From the start, the film gets the spirit of the 1970s just right, the young Boomer Gen and what we had to face then. (I was there!)

- A film about stolen art, Auction, explores just how close an auction house can get to ultimate greed when an Egon Schiele work is discovered with an unknown (likely stolen) past in a garage – and offered to the auctioneer. Does he do the right thing? Or make millions? (Having worked at Christie’s, I can tell you this work of fiction is not too unbelievable...)

- The one documentary I never thought I would long to see is Art for Everybody about Thomas Kinkade, the self-described “Painter of Light”, offering a spin on Kinkade as a marketing genius who actually COULD paint –and who ushered in the age of art and the artist as a BRAND, and painting as performance.

- Based on a writer’s interview with a famous photographer for her book on

pneumonia following a revival of A Connecticut Yankee, his final collaboration with composer Richard Rodgers. He achieved significant musical success with his lyrics making Broadway hits, such as “Blue Moon,” “The Lady Is a Tramp,” “Manhattan,” “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” and “My Funny Valentine.” A must-see about tortured genius and self-destruction with Ethan Hawke as Hart.

- This will be a cult classic: Dracula, by the Romanian film maker Radu Jude, a story about what happens when AI regurgitates 125 years of cultural baggage around Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel from 1897. AI remixes everything about Dracula, with the result being a narrative belonging to no one and resonating with no one.

- Finally, this story is not a movie but SHOULD be. A lovely bevy of ladies of a certain age called the “Dumfries House Sewing Bee” called upon King Charles III of England with an idea: to turn the curtains at his country estate, Sandringham in Norfolk, into Christmas stockings to raise money for charity.

Celebrating artist William Dalziel’s

how an artist spends a day, Peter Hujar’s Day explores how even the most inconsequential event can blossom into a work of art – or not, and what sparks and fuels the creative mind.

- The great Spike Lee reworks Kurosawa’s 1963 crime melodrama High and Low into Highest 2 Lowest, where Denzel Washington is the head of a big record label; Denzel questions both the cultural value and worth of the artist in 2026 reality, especially the Black artist.

- A film by David Charles Rodrigues – S/He Is Still Her/E: The Official Genesis P-Orridge Documentary – delves into cult British lead vocalist of the industrial band Throbbing Gristle. The film details vocalist Genesis P-Orridge and companion Jacqueline Breyer’ exploration of the pandrogyne, a concept in which the two use surgical body modification to so closely resemble each other they become “a single pandrogynous being named Breyer P-Orridge” – effectively combining two persons/genders into one and creating a third biological mind.

- I am a lover of 1940s musicals, so I long to see Blue Moon, directed by Richard Linklater, who takes us to the opening in 1943 of the groundbreaking stage musical Oklahoma. Created by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Oklahoma’s premiere was also the night the partnership of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart exploded for good, due to Hart’s alcoholism and perfectionism. Lorenz Hart died in his 40s from

The dear ladies got the job, likely due to the fact that Charles believes such handcrafts to be culturally enriching. His Majesty is in fact the founder, in 2005, of The Foundation School of Traditional Arts, whose mission, “to continue the living traditions of the world’s sacred and traditional art forms”, welcomes aspiring younger versions of the Dumfries House Sewing Bee ladies themselves. The proceeds from the sale of the Royal Cypher-embroidered curtain-created fireplace stockings raised $14,000 for the King’s Foundation. Any movie directors out there want to tackle this adorable story of the “Dumfries House Sewing Bee?”

- As I was researching this touching and very British story, I discovered that Charles III is a man who likes to upsize, rework, mend, thrift, and recycle. I learned one of his mottos is to “make do – and mend.” In fact, for his coronation in 2023 he thrifted his forebearer’s 1820 Imperial Mantle (a luscious cape), and he borrowed his grandfather’s Coronation Glove worn by George VI in 1937.

Elizabeth Stewart, PhD is a veteran appraiser of fine art, furniture, glass, and other collectibles, and a cert. member of the AAA and an accr. member of the ASA. Please send any objects to be appraised to Elizabethappraisals@ gmail.com

WENDY GRAGG

BREAD

Performance All-Way Stretch Dot Print Long Sleeve, that’s what! You make for Carl and find yourself careering around the kitchenette with an Elite Ceramic Nonstick 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker swinging from your charred shirt-tail like a smoking censer! Sound familiar?! “This lopsided button-sack and these ghastly pleated trousers have got to go!” your inner child screams for the umpteenth time. I know, friend. I know.

And these humiliations were ever preceded by the spirit-breaking ritual in the quietude of my bedroom; my blearily trying to decide which of my crummy button-down shirts to spend a laborious 40-50 minutes joining down the middle. Oh, sure – something I always looked forward to. Every morning 40-50 frustrated minutes blasted into eternity. Oh, not everybody takes 50 minutes to button a shirt? Oh, uh huh. Allow me to snort with derision.

Peace Like a Tee-Shirt

In my omnipresent black tee and jeans I am at peace. I could be one of Manhattan’s swaggering Abstract Expressionists back in the Day – Pollock, de Kooning, Rothko. I am a living symbol, a notion, a mercurial mystery man with a shrouded past and occasionally sore shoulder. My name is Jeff, and I wear the exact same outfit every day.

“Hello, Jeff.”

How to explain Gail Kvistad ? More to the point, who is foolish enough to try? Moi. Longtime host –since 2010! – of Living Local (a rolling televised X-ray of our unlikely Shangri-La); serial do-gooder (Santa Barbara City College Foundation, Youth Interactive Media for Good, Committee member for Partners in Education, Dream Foundation…) and animated conversationalist (hard to describe), Gail is arguably the human personification of our Mirror Ball-Driven Central Coast. But an author to boot? Catch her at Tecolote Saturday, January 31, 3-4pm where she will hold forth on her children’s book The Enchanted Tales of magic Mojo & Gail Good Fairy

So it was a no-brainer for them to come together again for Relatively Normal, with another of Levinson’s longtime friend and collaborator Allison Coleman (who is also Chloe’s mom) serving as a co-producer.

“We were all around and available last summer, and we decided to just go for it,” said Levinson. The co-creative producer’s philanthropic credits happen to include a four-year stint as President of the Board of Crane Country Day School, and raising millions as the founding President of the Board for MOXI: The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. “Everything fell in at the right spot at the last minute –including Chloe, who is the right age to play Hannah. We loved the scripts and were available – so we decided to leap off the cliff together and make it ourselves and not wait for the big filmmaking machine to get going again.”

We’ll leave the plot points of Relatively Normal to be discovered by the audiences during screenings. Suffice it to say the film veers from humor to sadness, anger to sympathy, fighting to friendship – evoking both distraught headshaking at human behavior and a gentle bowing of the heartstrings.

“There’s a lot of tension between all the characters,” Wendel said. “When you take people who normally spend most of the day at work or school, put everyone in the same house and facing a very different scenario day in and day out, that provides its own engine. It’s like when you take atoms and turn the heat up and limit their space, they bounce off each other.”

Still, the over-the-top antics and situations didn’t come from Wendel’s own experiences, she said, but rather myriad stories she heard and read about. In fact, while the mom in the movie makes a big deal about her prized piano, Wendel is the only one in her home who doesn’t play the instrument, although the family piano was moved to the Montecito house for the shoot.

Speaking of which, the Montecito/Santa Barbara roots run even deeper, including a number of below-the-line production crew, and local singer-songwriter-guitarist artist Emi Grace, who provides the musical soundtrack.

Relatively Normal has its world premiere at the brand-new SBIFF McHurley Film Center February 6, with additional screenings on February 7 & 9. Given all the local connections, expect large crowds at the theater. Especially on opening night.

“We just finished the film,” Levinson said. “We haven’t even had a friends and family screening. The festival is going to be the first time that anyone, other than those of us working on post, sees the movie. So get there early.”

Don’t Swat ‘Mosquito’: SBIFF Opening Night Film Is Subtle Charmer

The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival opens on February 4 with a single event at the Arlington Theatre, but the U.S. premiere of A Mosquito in the Ear is not an opening night to miss. The drama with dialogue in both English and Hindu focuses on the international adoption of a four-year-old girl in India by an American couple. It’s the feature film debut of Italy-born writer-director Nicola Rinciari, based on the graphic novel Una Zanzara nell’Orecchio by Andrea Ferraris. The graphic novel is itself is drawn from Andrea Ferraris’ own true-life experience, and stars Jake Lacy and Nazanin Boniadi as the would-be parents and Ruhi Pal as adoptee Sarvari.

The drama comes from Sarvari’s extreme resistance to leaving the overcrowded, underfunded orphanage for “a better life” in America, a situation not unfamiliar when families “rescue” an unwanted child overseas.

“(My research into) what once seemed like the simple act of welcoming a child into a family led to more complex, personal questions such as: How much do you need to understand someone to form a meaningful relationship with them? And what must you leave behind to go through this process?” Rinciari says in his director’s statement.

What’s most impressive about the film, beyond the terrific acting, scenery and story, is not only the apparent authenticity of the situation and the setting, but the remarkable restraint exhibited by Rinciari in relating the tale. The film is stunningly understated and immediately relatable, with not a moment of excess or over-the-top conflict.

“I stumbled on the graphic novel and when I started reading, it immediately resonated on how authentic it is,” he said over the phone from L.A. “I came here when I was 18 – a completely different circumstance – but I understood that idea of the cross-cultural situation and interacting with people that are talking a different language than I do, and of leaving something that I really loved behind even for something I thought would be better. It turns out this situation is very common for international adoptees.”

To stay true-to-life, Rinciari reached out to the graphic novel’s author and illustrator, the couple whose story it represents, and, with his partner, even took a course about adopting a child from India. They also spent two months on location

immersed in the culture and pre-production before rolling the cameras.

Adding to the authenticity, Ruhi Pal, who plays Sarvari, speaks perfect English, but not only spoke Hindi to the director during the casting process, but also did the same to Lacy as her would-be adoptive father, as the language barrier is part of the struggle in the story.

“She waited until she got comfortable enough to start speaking English to him,” Rinciari said.

What they saw in her in the casting process – “so much soul in her eyes while still being a true kid” – comes through in the final film. As does the positive intent of all of the characters despite the tensions and struggles triggered by the problems in the adoption process.

“It’s about how people even in difficult situations are trying their best,” Rinciari said. “Even during the arguments, I often gave the direction to the actors that you’re trying not to argue. You’re actually trying to make the other person happy even though you are upset right now.”

Pairing Lacy – whose numerous credits include portraying the entitled male chauvinist Shane on the first season of The White Lotus, as husband Andrew to Nazanin Boniadi, who had stepped away from her busy acting career in 2022 to focus on the #WomanLifeFreedom uprising in Iran – was an inspired bit of casting. Both the tensions and the connection between the characters is palpable.

As is the sheer humanity of what is really a simple story but with cultural issues that could have become polemical in other hands.

“I come from European cinema that tends to be more understated, playing the moment so that it’s the audience that gives them meaning rather than the director trying to force an emotion on them,” Rinciari said. “Like with Moonlight, it’s an approach where it’s very understated and you can get drawn in, disappear as an audience and just follow the journey. And I also really wanted people to believe in this story, to understand and picture that everything that happens is real, even those moments that we altered for dramatic intent. When I showed it to the author of the graphic novel, the real parents, he said, ‘It felt like you were in India with us, that every moment in the film either happened or could have.’ That was the best thing.”

In its own way, A Mosquito in the Ear also serves as a gentle antidote to the current moment in time. Not a protest but perhaps a parable that doesn’t hit you over the head but combats divisiveness through understanding and empathy.

“That was super present in the film for me,” Rinciari said. “Bringing people together where others might tend to separate, is all about the value of understanding the other’s perspective. I feel that seeing things through the lens of a different culture is exactly the answer to what’s going on. If we did more of that, maybe we wouldn’t be in the situation we are.”

Kerrilee We Roll Along

Two other locals who call our betwixt-the-mountains-and-the-sea slice of paradise home are also having world premieres of their feature film debuts during SBIFF. Stand By, Mother, written and directed by Kerrilee Gore in a reimagining of her own theatrical piece, follows a young boy traveling the world in an adventure to protect the planet after a mysterious book comes to life. The magical, musical movie is an allegory meant to educate children about their role in defending the Earth.

Entertainment Page 424

Curator’s Choice

Flamingos famously feed with their heads upside-down, filtering algae, brine shrimp, and other food from shallow water. A closer look at the beak here reveals filtering structures composed of keratin, the same protein that makes up hair, hooves, horns, etc. This skull of a Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) is among over 44,000 specimens curated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Department of Vertebrate Zoology, overseen by Curator of Vertebrate Zoology Krista Fahy, PhD.

Montecito home of Rochelle Mirabella, where a music-themed engagement and bachelorette celebration honored bride-tobe AND lifelong Santa Barbara resident Teresa Kuskey of La Bohème fame and her fiancé, local businessman Rick Oshay

Purling, and Kim Williamson. Teresa’s accolades include being a Local Icon, Dance Celebrity, Woman of Achievement, La Bohème Director, Local Hero, and Saint Barbara 2020, underscoring the spirit of friendship and community that defined the night.

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Set against sweeping Pacific vistas, the stunning residence was transformed into a chic Paris soirée. The glimmering pool served as the evening’s centerpiece, encircled by modular lounge seating and guests dressed in playful Parisian costumes including many pearl necklaces, berets, silk scarves, and Chanel styled accents evoking an effortless Saint-Germain elegance. Stylish and playful décor transported attendees straight to Paris at dusk.

Champagne flowed freely as diners enjoyed shrimp cocktail and refined bites, while a beautifully adorned French-themed floral cake further added to the celebration. Candlelight, flowers, freshly made french fries, pink-adorned tables and abundant, beautifully wrapped gifts created a scene as cinematic as it was celebratory.

The guest list reflected a gathering of amazing women and champions of the arts, including Dana Mazzetti, Karen Davis, Gretchen Lieff, Melissa Borders, Michele Higgins, Gail Kvistad, Jennifer

Soundtracking the fête, DJ Darla Bea curated a soundtrack of Parisian-inspired tunes and dance-floor favorites, weaving music seamlessly into the experience. Laughter, dancing, and revery at the celebration brought together dozens and dozens of Teresa’s friends, blending engagement joy and bachelorette flair; romantic, spirited, and unmistakably French! It was a night of love, artistry, and joie de vivre as Montecito transformed into Paris, if only for an evening. But in the end, what matters most is this; Entre deux coeurs qui s’aiment, nul besoin de paroles. (Words are not necessary between two hearts that love each other.)

Richard sends his thanks for your many cards and good wishes, they are deeply appreciated. He reports that he’s improving every day, though there’s plenty of therapy ahead. Please continue sending your news and updates to his ever-helpful sidekick, Priscilla (805city@gmail.com).

Our Town (Continued from 22)

the Boutique Guitar Booth!

Ibanez had its usual line up of signature guitars and basses, one photo tells it all, from the long-awaited Nita Strauss JIVA10 red electric to the Steve Via PIA77BON2 signature model limited-edition guitar with intricate gold filigree.

Blackstar Amps held court and showcased their new handheld amp, the Beam Mini. The booth volume was too loud to test drive it, however the brand has pros swearing by it, with social reels of them in their hotel rooms practicing on the road. Doug Aldrich and Marco Mendoza were up to their usual banter and axe playing competition to show off the brand’s tube amps, including the ones designed by Aldrich himself, the DA100 Ruby and DA412B. I would def recommend the new solid-state ID: Core V4 Stereo 40, I just bought one, it’s a great amp for practicing and for small gigs at a great price.

One of NAMM’s most talked about new products was the Neural DSP’s Quad Cortex Mini desktop/pedal board set up for gigging musicians on the go, fully programmable with a diverse range of tones.

Roland’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring artists whose work has made a lasting impact on music, culture, and innovation, went to DJ Prince Paul, with a celebration at their booth.

Pioneer Audio brings Sphera™, an aftermarket spatial audio in-dash receiver with Dolby Atmos playback in Apple Carplay™, that can be installed in existing vehicles.

Polyend’s new pedal Endless, is a fully customizable, open-source effects pedal that allows players to continually create new effects via the brand’s open code online. The pedal is a custom-machined aluminum enclosure, magnetic, with a swappable faceplate, a stereo 48 kHz / 24-bit audio path, and no sonic limits. It’s the first pedal to produce effects directly from user-generated descriptions, with reverbs, overdrives, and loopers.

The latest technology using music as

medicine was VIBE by Bioharmonic Technologies with a demo booth. Peeps lay down on a vibration and sound therapy bed with eyes covered while the music vibrations play. There is also a portable meditation mat with phone app.

But you ask, was Fender there to showcase their 80th Anniversary as a company, and the 75th Anniversary of its famed Stratocaster guitar? If you’re in the know – you KNEW Fender only exhibited its Master Luthiers’ guitars at the Wood, Wire, Volts event in Anaheim on Wednesday, January 21. There were custom vintage guitars and bass guitars displayed with vintage cars to which Leo Fender matched his guitar colors back in the daze. Head over to Fender’s social accounts for a viewing. What’s really new(s) at Fender Music Corporation is its new CEO Edward “Bud” Cole, their longtime president of Fender Asia Pacific. He replaces retiring CEO Andy Mooney Cole is an active guitar player and song writer with his band Rain Convention, said to have opened for Radiohead in the 1990s. Rumors about his new direction include a new flagship physical store, reaching guitar players from pros to novice, and perhaps inside a Guitar Center store, three-day events with featured artists, and other strategies he used in Japan. There were funky pop-up booths, some with just a desk, featuring everything from the Musicroadtrip™ free phone app for travelers to locate live music and buy gear; and ShopBot™, a computer-programmable wood cutter and designer – no more sore hands!

Awards

and the NAMM-Ys™

The NAMM TEC Innovation Award went to Billy Corgan, founding member and front man of GRAMMY® Award-winning band The Smashing Pumpkins. The awards recognize achievements in audio excellence, honoring innovators in recording, live

sound, and technology with legends of the industry. List of all winners were Moog Music, Universal Audio, Apple, Shure, Avid-Pro Tools, AEA Ribbon mics, Rupert Neve Designs, Solid State Logic, Audio-Technica, and Native Instruments.

She Rocks Awards annual show took place Friday, January 23 at the Anaheim Hilton. It was co-hosted by Vicki Peterson of The Bangles, and Alecia “Mixi” Demner of Stitched Up Heart. Honorees were Sophie Burrell, Andreea Gleeson, Margaret Glaspy, Kay Hanley, Judith Hill, Reina Ichihashi, Susan Lipp, Lisa MacDonald, Michelle Lewis, Rachel Platten , Heather Dembert Rafter , Carnie Wilson, and Lisa Worden

At the Parnelli Awards – honoring individuals and companies in the live

Mevent production industry – the Lifetime Achievement went to Marty Horn , Visionary Award to Marc Brickman, and Audio Innovator Award to Michael Laiacona

Starting this year, Bass Guitar Magazine Awards is now part of the official NAMM Show. Awards went to Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Les Claypool of Primus, Marcus Miller (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock), Laura Lee of Khruangbin, and Blu DeTiger.

Quite honestly, my overall find at NAMM this year was a warm gathering of thousands of people from all across the globe, some giving their last dime to get there, and all of us speaking the language of music, celebrating, and supporting music’s diversity … bliss.

SHERIFF’S BLOTTER

Meth / Finney Street Beach

Monday, January 12, at 10:34 hours

Subject was contacted at the above location and found to be on pre-trial release conditions with full search terms. A methamphetamine pipe was found on subject. A search of his vehicle revealed methamphetamine, fentanyl, and various narcotics-related pieces of equipment. Subject was arrested for violation of 11364(a) HS, 11377(a) HS, 11350(a) HS and 496(a) HS and transported to SBJ.

Trailhead Car Towed / 1200 E. Mountain Road

Monday, January 12, at 22:00 hours

A vehicle was towed from the Hot Springs Trailhead parking area.

Break-in, Meth, Assault / 1800 block Jameson Road

Tuesday, January 13, at 21:11 hours

Subject entered the residence on the 1800 block of N. Jameson and was looking through the food in the kitchen. A resident located and confronted the subject and tried to push him outside. Subject refused to leave, pushed his way back inside, and tried to strike the resident. Subject was taken to the ground and subdued until deputies arrived. Subject was later found in possession of presumptive methamphetamine.

Check Fraud / 1200 block Coast Village Road

Wednesday, January 14, at 11:29 hours

A bookkeeper called to report a fraudulent check. Victim wrote the check in January 2025 and dropped it off inside the US post office drop box in Montecito. The fraudulent transaction went unnoticed because the check’s payee was changed but not the amount the check was originally made for. A courtesy report was taken and will be forwarded to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

“No Parking” Signs Removed / 800 block Riven Rock Road

Wednesday, January 14, at 21:10 hours

Two “no parking” signs were removed from their posted locations in the ground and thrown off the side of a hill along Riven Rock Road. There is no suspect information at this time. An offense report was authorized.

Camouflaged Camera Found on Property / 1100 block Oriole Road

Friday, January 16, at 10:30 hours

The property owner’s landscaper found a camouflaged and operative game camera on the property. It was unknown when the camera was installed or by whom. The camera was collected and booked. An email was sent to the Intel Unit as this may be South American Theft Group (SATG) related.

Montecito Health Coach

Perspective and Positivity: The Dynamic Duo We All Need

by Deann Zampelli

The other day I was working with a client who has been battling debilitating insomnia as a side effect of a chronic illness. As part of our check-in, I asked her how she had been sleeping since I had last seen her. “Well, last night I only got about six hours,” she replied. “Six hours!?” I rejoiced. “That is amazing.” Over the last few months her average sleep total was hovering around the three-hour mark, so this was incredible news. I didn’t feel her enthusiasm matching my own, so I dusted off my training from when I was an associate therapist and let her set the tone for the rest of our session.

She proceeded to share that that she needs at least seven to eight hours of sleep in order to feel awake and refreshed. She told me she was initially excited by the six hours until her husband reminded her that she doesn’t function well on less than seven. There it was. Right there.

The dissenting voice of another and the shift in perspective. I donned my most curious and therapeutic voice and asked, “I wonder what it would be like for you to view those six hours of sleep through the exhausted eyes of someone who not too long ago was only getting three.” We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes and then she laughed. “Yes, that me would have

considered six hours a huge victory.” This wasn’t about the health benefits of seven to nine hours of sleep. This was about her being able to greet her accomplishment with the joy it deserved. And to reap the emotional rewards of this acknowledgment.

Start each day thinking of one thing you are looking forward to. End each night by thinking of something you are thankful for.

People have been studying the health benefits of positive thinking for years, but for so long it was considered “fringe” or “juju” – only to have it borne out that things like gratitude practices have significant physiological benefits. Why, then, do we not naturally think positively? Why do our minds often go to the worst-case scenario, or as I call it, to The Dark Side?

According to The Menninger Clinic (a top ranked psychiatric clinic in Houston), “Our brains are wired for survival, not happiness. This is known as ‘The Negativity Bias,’ the tendency to focus more on negative events

and threats than on positive ones.” Of course, the evolutionary purpose of this has its roots in the good old “fight, flight, or freeze.” If we perceive danger, our stress hormones get triggered, and all that powerful adrenaline can help us (attempt to) flee from the saber-tooth tiger. However, our body does not distinguish between negative thoughts and a perceived threat, so chronic negativity can lead to chronic illness as our body does not respond well to operating in the continual state of a stress response.

According to the Amen Clinics (mental health clinics founded by author and psychiatrist, Dr. Daniel Amen ), “…negative thinking is one of the biggest culprits in keeping you trapped in a cycle of suffering.” They go on to explain that “those who score higher on the negativity bias, have an increased risk of chronic pain.” That is, the way we perceive our situation – and our pain – has a direct effect on the pain itself.

You know when you have a sore throat, you wish the sore throat would go away? But when you don’t have a sore throat, you aren’t walking around thinking, “Wow, I am so glad I don’t have a sore throat”? Well, maybe we should.

Psychology Today (July 3, 2024) reports that in addition to the myriad mental health benefits, “Research indicates that optimists often exhibit stronger immune systems, which can help defend against illnesses and infections more effectively. Additionally, maintaining a positive outlook has been linked to lower blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes (Kubzanksy et al., 2018).”

The knock-on effect (a secondary, indirect, or cumulative effect) of this is profound. Those who have a positive outlook tend to make healthier lifestyle choices, engage in more social activity, and have lower levels of depression. And here’s a big one: a positive outlook can improve your health prognosis. There is so much interesting data continuing to emerge

on this subject. Recently Johns Hopkins Medicine Journal reported, “People with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook.” That is staggering. One-third less likely just from their positivity?

But positive thinking, like brushing your teeth or watching too much Netflix, is a habit that needs to be consistent to have the most impact. Depending on where you land on the Susie Sunshine Spectrum, your practice will begin differently; but here are a few tips to get your started.

1. Be realistic. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure so start with attainable goals.

2. Try simply reframing negative thoughts. “I’m not good at this” can become “I am working on getting better.”

3. Start each day thinking of one thing you are looking forward to. End each night by thinking of something you are thankful for.

4. Be sure to get some time outside each day. Feet in the grass, fresh air, look at greenery.

5. Help someone else. Kindness towards others naturally increases your feelings of self-esteem. And it just feels good.

In the meantime, turn that frown upside down. You will thank me later.

Health and humor in the MJ. National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach trained at Duke Integrative Medicine, Deann Zampelli owns Montecito Coaching & Nutrition. She also has a Masters in Clinical Psychology and has been a resident of Montecito since 2006.

and live under the poverty line – the ability to go to work, go to school, to change their financial circumstances.”

Storyteller’s growth efforts are also in the qualitative space, with designs on supporting its students not only with day-to-day educational needs but also holistically – from daily nutritious meals to long-term household stability. Hence the creation of its new family empowerment program called THRIVE.

The program, an acronym that stands for Transforming Households with Resources, Information, Vision, and Empowerment, is a financial literacy initiative offering quarterly practical workshops that provide families with concrete tools to set them up for longterm financial success.

“It focuses on financial literacy for the entire family,” Garcia said. “To break the cycle of poverty and trauma, our families have to partner with us and they, as the first teachers of their children, have to really be dedicated to the program in terms of the comprehensive services that we offer for the parents and families. Otherwise, this doesn’t work. THRIVE is the newest addition where we’ll be partnering with local banks to provide financial literacy classes quarterly and really make that one of the pillars of what we do for our families to help reshape their futures.”

The benefit evening will also spotlight the Storyteller Teen Council, a youth-led program that began at San Marcos High School and has grown to include chapter presidents from Bishop Diego High School, Cate School, Laguna Blanca School, and Santa Barbara High School. Some of the teen volunteers will take the stage to share their perspectives on philanthropy and the power of community investment.

“There’s also the quarterly volunteer program called Storyteller Giving Circle, with on-campus activities offered after hours for those who really want to get into the nitty-gritty and do tangible work that impacts our students and our families,” Ortega said. There’s also a new food pantry that helps address food insecurity prevalent among its families, as well as other essential supplies.

To be clear, though, this “Color the World: Hues of Love” gala isn’t a bland recitation of facts and figures. While its actual clients won’t be on hand, the event keeps the spotlight on the children throughout the evening.

“It’s an exciting night that celebrates how far we’ve come and the hurdles that we have continued to overcome,” Garcia said. “We make sure that our kids and our mission are at the forefront of every aspect of the gala. While it’s beautiful and elegant, there’s also such a huge mission focus and it’s really a celebration of what we’ve been able

Storyteller has notched a 30% increase in yearover-year number of children it serves (courtesy photo)

to achieve together. Everything at the gala is definitely representative of our mission and our children.”

That includes the actual artwork that will be displayed in the evening’s decor at the Rosewood Miramar.

“Every piece has been touched by a child and created by a child,” Garcia said. “That’s part of why we hear over and over that people think our gala is one of the most fun in town. They appreciate that our gala feels like you are coming into a family party to celebrate the growth of our children and the resiliency of our families.”

For those unfamiliar with Storyteller who are perhaps not ready to attend an event like the February gala, the executive team extended an open invitation to visit and see the program in action first-hand.

Terry Real’s Essential Skills Relationship Bootcamp

For couples and individuals March 7 and 8, Cabrillo Pavilion, Santa Barbara Transform your relationship in 2026

“Come and experience the magic,” Garcia said. “It’s easy to schedule a tour and once you get here, you will understand why it is so important to make Storyteller one of your priority organizations you support… If you love Santa Barbara and you care about the future of our community, you should care about the children in our community.”

Visit https://one.bidpal.net/huesoflove/welcome for tickets to Color the World

Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage

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– John David D.

Imbalance is Dale Griffiths Stamos’ story about an ethically ambiguous relationship between an esteemed philosophy professor (played by Sharon Lawrence) and her teaching assistant/graduate student in the wake of Title IX and the #MeToo movement. The film examines the power dynamics even in a consensual connection, and is the long-developing first feature from Stamos, a fixture at the famed Santa Barbara Writers Conference.

Both movies have first screenings at SBIFF on February 10. See next week’s issue for more.

Free for All From A&L

Several no-cost events are on their way from UCSB’s Arts & Lectures, all with tie-ins to full presentations as part of its current season. The classical corner comes up big this season, first with violinist Nicola Benedetti leading a masterclass on Thursday, January 29, at Geiringer Hall, the morning after her concert at Campbell Hall. Jessica Guideri, assistant professor of Violin and concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Symphony, hosts the event where three students will perform and receive coaching.

Later that evening, while superstar Joyce DiDonato won’t be on hand during A&L’s launch of its Winter Book Giveaway at Santa Barbara Wine Collective, you can pick up a copy of The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson and hear readings of her verse. It’s a preview of the singer DiDonato’s and Time for Three’s presentation of Emily – No Prisoner Be, a semi-staged song cycle opening at the Granada a week later. Composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts, Emily explores themes of identity, freedom and nature through Dickinson’s poetry and DiDonato’s mezzo-soprano magic.

Get your tango on in a Community Dance Class with Tango After Dark on Saturday afternoon January 31 at Carrillo Ballroom, where Gérman Cornejo’s world-class tango dervishes work with dancers of all levels in authentic Argentinian Tango. Then check out the company’s two performances at the Lobero on February 1.

Back at Geiringer, bass-baritone Davóne Tines leads a masterclass on February 4, just 12 hours after the conclusion of his concert with the ensemble Ruckus at Hahn Hall the prior evening. Isabel Bayrakdarian hosts, with four students getting tips from Tines.

At the same on-campus venue of Geiringer, pianist Bruce Liu actually holds his masterclass the morning of his concert in the evening of February 12, with professor Paul Berkowitz hosting the event featuring three student performers.

Finally, A&L has a free screening of “Dance on Film” – Tiler Peck: Suspending Time. This deep exploration follows one of ballet’s most celebrated artists as she faces a career crossroads and will be succeeded by a brief discussion on legendary American choreographer Jerome Robbins with Professor of Dance Studies Ninotchka

Bennahum. The February 18 event at the Granada serves as a preview to the spectacular Ballet Festival: Jerome Robbins, curated by Tiler Peck, who leads an all-star cast in a two-night tribute to Robbins on March 3-4. Visit https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

ETC’s Shark Attack

Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage

Ensemble Theatre Company continues its new policy of presenting a pay-whatyou-can performance of each new production as its first preview before the weekend offering. So you can see the company’s much-anticipated West Coast premiere of the hit Broadway play, The Shark is Broken, based on the now well-known technical mishaps and personality clashes that so roiled the making of the now classic movie Jaws. The preview is on Wednesday, February 4, and as explained will take only a small bite out of your budget. See next week’s issue for an interview with director Pesha Rudnick

them as well as Christ. The church hasn’t always honored people properly.

“Christ is preeminent, and we want him to be our source of meaning, our motivation for doing significant things.”

Alumna Artist Offers ‘Habitual Curiosity’

Emerging artist and Westmont alumna Chelsea Roberts (’18), who delicately illustrates wildlife and flora with a gentle, compassionate reverence, opens a solo exhibition, Habitual Curiosity, in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum’s downstairs gallery through June 20.

Roberts, a scientific illustrator from Danville, conducts extensive research studying her subjects for hours before creating each piece. This forms a deep connection that translates into digital paintings that capture both the accurate details and the essence of the natural world.

“In my life, I have found that to be curious is to be present, and to have a desire to learn about the world around me on a daily basis,” Roberts says. “It is the opportunity to foster a bond with whatever I strive to understand, and for me that desire is overwhelmingly focused on nature. This series showcases my curiosity for the natural world and celebrates the variety of species and connections found both locally in Santa Barbara and across the globe.”

Visitors to Habitual Curiosity will encounter a range of subjects, from shorebirds that frequent Santa Barbara’s coastline, whose subtle differences in feather patterns and coloration reveal distinct personalities, to global flora and fauna rendered with vibrant color, experimental technique, and thoughtful composition.

At the January 15 opening reception, she was surrounded by a crowd of family and friends, including many who drove out from the Bay Area to celebrate her painstaking achievement. “The most memorable part for me was being able to tell the stories of these plants and animals with the viewers,” she says. “It was a night of joy and excitement as I got to explain what makes each of them so special. Everyone was full of kindness

and curiosity, asking lots of questions about the subjects and my techniques in depicting them.”

While she works on creating a website to host her artwork, she has seen an uptick in support on her Instagram site @chelupaz.

The museum is free and open to the public weekdays 10 am – 4 pm and Saturdays 11 am – 5 pm; it’s closed on Sundays and college holidays. To learn more about the museum, upcoming museum events, or becoming a museum member visit: www. westmont.edu/museum.

Poetry Reading Honors Stafford

Paul Willis, English professor emeritus and former poet laureate of Santa Barbara, hosts the 17th annual William Stafford Reading on Saturday, January 31, at 2 pm at the First Crossing Day Use Area in Los Padres National Forest, across from the old Los Prietos Boys Camp, 3900 Paradise Road. This is the former site of the Los Prietos Civilian Public Service Camp, where Stafford served as a conscientious objector during World War II.

Stafford won the National Book Award in 1963 and became poetry consultant to the Library of Congress in 1970 and poet laureate of Oregon in 1975. The reading features former Santa Barbara poet laureate Emma Trelles, accompanied by Nicolas Vivanco on classical guitar.

While the event is free, vehicle parking costs $10 though self-service cash payment envelopes just inside the entrance to the day use area.

Robert’s Big Questions Beyond Fear?

by Robert Bernstein

In the 1980s, Reagan was waging wars around the world that most Americans were blissfully unaware of. One of those was in El Salvador. Yes, the same El Salvador that kept delivering refugees to our doorstep. And that Trump lawlessly uses as a torture prison.

Our Central America Response Network raised awareness and direct aid to reduce Reagan’s brutality. The real power in El Salvador was with the military, the Treasury Police and a wide range of death squads, which Reagan funded. The civilian government was mostly irrelevant.

One of my friends “Jessie” had the courage to travel to El Salvador and build relationships with heroic people who organized resistance. One of these resistance heroes was a young student “Beto.” Beto described to me how military helicopter gunships fired into his school, terrorizing everyone.

So I was surprised when Jessie told me later about mass demonstrations in El Salvador. How can that be? She said the Salvadoran people had an expression “Beyond Fear.” When repression becomes too extreme, it backfires. People feel that they can die just going to school or doing everyday things. So, they might as well fight back.

This may explain some of what has been happening in Iran. The Islamists running Iran famously killed young Jina Mahsa Amini claiming she wasn’t wearing her headscarf properly. At some point people realize three things: The oppression is intolerable. Death from resistance is no riskier than death from just living. And they are not alone.

Beyond Fear can lead to a mix of non-violent and violent resistance. The issue is not primarily ethical. Brutal oppressors may well “deserve” getting a taste of the violence they dish out. The issue is more about results. A violent resistance inevitably results in even more violence from the oppressive power.

But, again, if the oppressive violence is extreme past a certain point, resistance cannot bring more violence. It is already saturated.

I remember the 1970s uprising against the Shah of Iran. Many Iranians felt anything was better. Which was how they got something worse: a revolutionary Islamist dictatorship. A government that comes to power through revolution knows how it was able to crack an oppressive power. Which means they know how to seal the cracks to prevent themselves from being overthrown.

We have witnessed many uprisings against the Islamist government of Iran in recent years. There is no guarantee that this will succeed. But the current government should be very afraid. It rules only by fear. Polls are difficult, but the government seems to have little support. At some point resistance can make the cost intolerable for those implementing the violent oppression.

Bullies are really just cowards in disguise. When people fight back, bullies often run. Not much consolation when a wall of bullies confronts a wall of citizen dissenters.

My last article declared that we are officially in a dictatorship. It was written before a masked ICE official killed Renee Good. Not only has Trump blocked his prosecution. He has blocked an investigation. We are not yet in the situation in Iran. Our situation is actually worse. Most Iranians reject official disinformation.

But tens of millions of Americans live in an echo chamber where they believe a bizarre alternate reality. One in which Renee Good deserved to die. They probably would believe that young Masri also deserved to die if they lived in Iran.

MAGA people do not grasp this: Federal agents can literally kill American citizens with impunity. We no longer have a functioning FBI, Justice Department, or Supreme Court.

The Fourth Amendment clearly made the killing of Renee Good illegal. But the Supreme Court perversely ruled that Congress would have to pass a specific law to enforce the Fourth Amendment. The U.S. is an outlier among Western nations in having this immunity for official lawbreakers.

Protesters in the U.S. are in a difficult situation. Trump will use the slightest provocation to respond with more oppression. Non-violence is the most effective response. But it takes real courage to remain non-violent in the face of unjust violence.

Our challenge is to wake up MAGA people to reality. And to build effective resistance.

Robert Bernstein holds degrees from Physics departments of MIT and UCSB. His passion to understand the Big Questions of life, the universe and to be a good citizen of the planet. Visit facebook. com/questionbig

ORDER FOR PUBLICATION OF SUMMONS OR CITATION:  CASE No. 25CV06178. Notice to Defendant:  John Coons: You are being sued by Plaintiff:  Danielle Loveall.  You and the plaintiff must go to court on February 23, 202 at 9 am in Department 3 of the Superior Court of California,  Santa Barbara, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. If you do not go to court, you may lose the case. If you lose, the court can order that your wages, money, or property be taken to pay this claim. Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case. Name and address of the court: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara,  1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93121-1107. Filed January 9, by Sarah Sisto, Deputy Clerk. Published January 29, February 5, 12, 19, 2026

petition without a hearing. Filed January 13, 2026 by Sarah Sisto. Hearing date: February 13, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 4, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 2026

in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2026-0000040. Published January 15, 22, 29, and February 5, 2026

AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV060204. To all interested parties: Petitioner ROBYN SUZANNE ROSAS-RENNER filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to ROBYN SUZANNE ROSE The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV06655. To all interested parties: Petitioners Cynthia Hawkes and Paul Arria filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing their daughter’s name from --Arria to Leila Summer Hawkes-Arria. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed January 12, 2026 by Stephen Rebernik. Hearing date: February 23, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 5, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MCLUB, 1106 Coast Village Road, Suite E, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. MONTECITO BANK & TRUST, 1010 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 8, 2026. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: OUTPOST IV; OUTPOST COFFEE & KITCHEN; OUTPOST, 955 Embarcadero Del Mar, Suite F, Isla Vista, CA 93117. SIPS AND BITES LLC, 955 Embarcadero Del Mar Suite F, Isla Vista, CA 93117. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 8, 2026. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2026-0000052. Published January 15, 22, 29, and February 5, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: SHENNIE SMITH AND ASSOCIATES THERAPY GROUP, 30 W MISSION ST, SUITE 4, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. SHENANDOAH SMITH MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST, INC, 30 W MISSION ST SUITE 4, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 23, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0002921. Published January 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026

Creek let it sit.

“Well Mister ‘Creek-with-No-Last-Name,’ you don’t back down, and you got a flare for the joust. We got a lot of spoiled fruit in this town, and you might bring something to the mix. I wouldn’t mind that. Knew your father and your mother. Knew them better before the judging days. Won’t ask why you didn’t take his name.”

“He didn’t give it.”

Delbert Warren studied Creek some more then looked away and began filling out forms as he spoke. Warren had summoned Creek by phone that morning to come and explain the fracas with Chief Wade. Having listened, Warren said the question of his badge, of his inactive but still-operative function with the Army, might fix itself, if Creek chose to obtain an investigator license to accompany his temporary sanctioning as a court deputy.

“One question,” Warren said now. “You took unscripted leave from soldiering, and nobody court-martialed you when you returned.”

“You read my transcript?”

“I did. I’m a patriot. I wanted to know about you. I won’t mention you pulled an expired federal badge on a man too unlettered to know it had no validity. So, I’m curious about your nature, this unorthodoxy you seem to bring to things.”

Creek thought about his words with Wade.

“It’s a body, accident or not, minus a head. There’s a respectful way to come at it. Your man Wade – ”

“He’s not my man – ”

“… and his boys,” Creek said, “pissed all over the site, me, the dead man, and the man hurting most over the death, John Penbrook. I think Wade got off easy. But thanks for overlooking the jurisdiction thing.”

“Looks very much like an accident to me,” Warren said.

“Yup. Was probably up the mast and fell. A long fall. The wire was thin and sharp. Would just like a clean finish to a messy scene, was my feeling. Like to find the boat. Like to find the head. Push me, and I’m apt to bristle. Get bully about it, and I’ll take it up a notch. A lifelong flaw.”

“And the thing in Europe?”

“It’s a long story. Involved the cousin of a prominent French woman. Some trouble in Paris. Some decisions I made might not have held up under too much scrutiny, but I brought her back in better shape than I found her. My captain knew some of it, and all was forgiven.”

Judge Warren waited in silence, but nothing more was offered.

“Marie Souvestre? The prominent woman, and fairly old at the time?” Warren asked.

Creek remained silent.

“Eleanor Roosevelt’s teacher, in England?”

Creek showed nothing, trying hard to stop the memory. He was getting good at not thinking about any of it, but the mention of the name Roosevelt put Sandrine in the room now. Creek had twice discreetly helped the young assistant secretary of the Navy with situations that held potential for political as well as private embarrassment. Both occasions, though nearly a decade apart, had involved the distant cousin of the famous headmistress, a girl named Sandrine. The most recent, a request to prevent any possibility of an election year scandal for the man who was now his president, had allowed an errant husband to return six years after the war’s end to resume a marriage to a woman and child he had abandoned – a woman and child Creek had loved and supported for many years. The feelings around it stung.

When Creek gave him nothing, the judge turned to the paperwork, finished, and slapped the desk.

“All right, Mister Creek. You change your mind and decide to clarify what happened to John’s boy, you’re legit. My police force is homegrown weeds, no ‘intelligence officer, first class, European theater, United States Army,’ with six stars and eight years and some hefty bonafides for references.”

“What’s that mean, exactly?”

“Be patient with them. You’ll get a lot further.”

The judge stood up now and went to the upright wooden file cabinet. He unlocked a drawer, pulled out a long black box and brought it back to the desk. He opened it, and Creek saw the solid silver star, and a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver. The badge had raised lettering that read: Deputy Sheriff, Santa Barbara County. He slid it across the desk.

“You keep this on you. Most people respond with much better manners when they see it.”

“I don’t want a badge.”

The judge stared at him, smiling at how hard a case Creek must be. “Keep it. It’s grease. Lot of ‘to the manner born’ in this town. A big, shiny star cuts right through.”

“No thanks.” Creek slid it partway back across the table.

“Damn it, son, it’s a tool is all.” The judge picked it up and tossed it to Creek, who caught it. “Take the fucking thing. And take this. Makes you valid as a temporary servant of the court.” The judge ripped out a check, and passed the form sheet with it to Creek. It was made out for three hundred dollars. Creek took it. And then the judge held out the pistol.

“And this. Use it if you wish. Our issue. It’s accurate, good balance, expensive.”

“I’m heeled,” Creek said. He opened his coat a little to show the handle. “And more at home.”

Judge Warren just stared at him, shaking his head.

“Alright. I’m finished. You’re hard work, son. But let me say, I hope we’re finished with any discord, here. If you decide to jump back into the crime business, you’re a welcome addition. Lot of sad people in this damn Depression. A lot of drifters. Many of ‘em broke, many of them get drunk. A lot of them angry as badgers underneath their pathos and their plight, especially if cornered any worse than they already are. That hard bark will serve you with them.”

He stared at Creek a long while.

Creek said, “If you’re trying to say something, Your Honor, by all means say it.”

“Well, there’s a small fracas brewing up there on the reservation. Couple of the Indians tried to walk onto Diamond’s production lot and were denied access. They all want to be in the movie, see. Tribal Chief Charlie Sweden can be an obstreperous and willful man, so he dug up a moth-eaten piece of cloth he claims is a presidential deed to Diamond’s land. He then hired a fearless hound dog named Neil Chumpsky, and the upshot is a pending lawsuit and a court date on the day prior to the day Johnny Diamond set for the filming of the movie to start. It occurred to me that one thing might have to do with the other.”

“Pony and the lawsuit?”

“Or the trespassing.”

“You know something I should know?”

“No. I don’t. But our town elders are rapacious and wily, and if they had their way, they’d buy the entire coast of California and charge admission just to peek at the water. The ‘deed’ is a joke, a letter with reference only. It will never hold up unless they find a source document in Washington, D.C. But the idea of anything or anyone threatening this movie might be enough to get a body lynched.” He held Creek’s look to see how this registered, then continued.

“For what it’s worth, the thing you did in Europe, for this country, was really something. It’s a big honor to have you with us. Only …” He hesitated getting to it, “you had a body count. That was Europe. This is Santa Barbara. It’s a place where the rich don’t like, well, interruptions in their soft lives or too much press or attention from the common world beyond their tall hedges and tightly laid stone walls.”

“Meaning?”

“Please try not to shoot everybody you don’t like.”

Creek smiled and then nodded. He liked this man.

“FDR comes to Santa Barbara to campaign, you know,” the judge said.

“Honest. It’s a long story. Europe is. And nothing I can ever talk about,” Creek said, wondering how much was known or not known.

They shook hands, and Creek took the check and badge and walked out of the office. As he stepped out into daylight, the steel bands that had begun to cage his chest and shoulders – an effect all office walls had on him – loosened. School was out. Some daylight left. River still runnin’.

He crossed the empty street wondering, not for the first time, why his parents had never given him another name. He had asked for one repeatedly. Every year before school. Every time they moved. But his birth mother had chosen a first name that caught what she most loved of the boy – his frolic in creeks every time the rains came. His father, who had the superstitions of a North Sea Scot and was stubborn as walnut burl, had let the one name be the only name. Having defended it too many times, Creek saw the foolishness in all of it and got surly about it every

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damn time someone pushed it. He ought to grow up. Invent one. Go ask his father again. He decided he would ride up to Painted Rock and bring the old Scot some bourbon and ask him one last time why he was truly never given the last name “McQueen.” Yes, he had been in love with creeks and woods beside their house, and never came home till dusk, but damn, it was a stupid name for a grown man and had set up contention now for 30 years.

The police station was a box adobe with some fancy windows and red tiles and a lot of sunlight. Palm trees lined the walkway to the big front door. A clean and happy building, like the town its occupants protected.

Creek went up to the long counter, and a large, bigheaded man in uniform got up from a desk and walked over to him.

“John Wade, if he’s in,” Creek said.

“No, sir, he is not. Out with the Hollywood crowd this afternoon. Talking about giving the Chumash chief a walk-on in Big Red Sunset What can we do for you, young fella?”

“Sent a body your way for autopsy yesterday. Wondered if anyone got to it yet?”

The big man understood now who Creek was, and while he remained jovial, his eyes said he’d been forewarned.

“Why, you must be Creek, the service marshal helpin’ out ol’ John Penbrook. Name’s Hank.” He produced a ham paw to shake. Creek took it and suffered the big man’s grip as he tried to smile back.

“Caught steer with John years back, in the old days. Cagey as mice, them big things. Met that Indian fella back then. Said hello whenever I seen him since, here and there, in town. Ran the light tower and the grain silo out on that island. He let me flip the shield on the big arc lamp one time. Thirty feet up. Highest I ever took a set a stairs.” He looked down forlornly, then back up at Creek. “It’s the oddest thing I ever heard,” Hank said.

“Odd, how?” Creek asked.

“Twice in one lifetime, washed up from the ocean. Left on a beach.”

“So who’s your coroner, and what’s he learned so far?”

The big man seemed perplexed, turned to look for help, found none, and turned back to Creek, not looking forward to what he had to say.

“Don’t think it’s happened yet, son,” Hank said.

“Not yet, huh?” Creek was studying him and knew what was coming.

“Pretty sure not.”

“Truth is, Hank, there probably isn’t a body anymore, is there?”

“Well, Sheriff Wade probably figured, with our skimpy bankroll here, we couldn’t afford an autopsy.”

Creek held his cards close, thinking. He watched the young lieutenant Billy emerge from his office, knowing the bad news was coming.

“A chance that man was murdered,” Creek said to the big man.

“Ah, Mister Creek, that ain’t too likely. He was a loved man. He just got foolish out there, fouled his lines or something.”

“Wade don’t like color,” Billy said from his doorway. “Don’t like anything but white and Mexican. He’s a good cop, just a bigot.”

“Where’s the body?” Creek wanted them to say it out loud.

The big man instinctively moved down the counter. “Cremated him this morning, Mister Creek,” he said. “Called over from the island and left word they gonna put a memento in the ground someplace he can be remembered.”

“On Santa Rosa,” Creek said.

“Yes, sir.”

“Nobody took a good look at the bone cuts?” Creek asked.

“No, I guess not.”

“Billy?” Creek looked over at him.

“I’m just hearing this, like you,” Billy said.

“And all this movie hobnobbing? Where’s that going on?”

Neither man answered.

“I hear there’s a famous schooner, damn near 200 feet long, parked at the harbor. Movie people?” Creek asked.

“Mister Creek,” Hank said, “Indians and Chinese don’t usually own a plot of land here, let alone claim a hole to die in. Most of ‘em get shipped up into the hills and sunk up there. We never, not in 50 years I been in uniform, ever saw a Japanese or Filipino or Chinese or Indian man, woman, or child get an autopsy.”

The big man looked hangdog, and Creek saw how it was; you made your peace with policy.

“I’m sorry about your boy, honest,” the lieutenant said.

“I respect that. But it’s your chief I need to hear it from.” Creek said. “You tell that parsimonious fat white man, if I find out Pony was murdered, I’ll make him dig up the ashes and swallow them. Make him put the head up on this wall, so Pony can see his way back in death to the family he lost in life. You tell him that. For me.” He turned to the kid, “If I decide to bird-dog up north any time soon, will you show me the way?”

“Hell, yes, sir.”

Creek turned and walked out of the station thinking, absurdly, that nobody asked to see his shiny, new credentials.

He drove back along the coast, too lost in thought to notice that the storm had passed. Thinking, little Charlie Russell. Wasn’t bad enough he lost his head to a bad sea. Fate took it further, like the man said, had again in one lifetime flushed his wounded body onto shore rocks. Left him nearly naked flopped like a skinned fish in broad daylight. And now, in a final ignominious gesture, stolen all means of an honorable passing by feeding him to an incinerator.

And yet, no matter the grotesque thoughts, Creek’s picture of Charlie Russell remained indelibly of a memory from a day when Pony, as a small boy, rose out of the common ranks to a place of high glory.

Creek had known of Pony and of this story since childhood. Norman and Magdalena had witnessed it at a state fair in Santa Maria and told it more than once. On a day of serious bull and bronco riding, the man on the loudspeaker interrupted events to call forth six eight-year-old boys, hyping the crowd on their pedigree as cowboy “mutton busters.” As he introduced them, coaxing each to strut his sequined shirt and smile for the fans, the kids acted out their part, waving hats and bowing like born showmen, all except for one. The last boy was a recalcitrant, pint-sized Indian. The announcer introduced him as Pony Russell and began to tease him because he refused to budge, smile, or wave or doff a hat so large it nearly sat on his brows. Nearly half the size of the others, he remained immobile in his too-large boots, as defiant as he was baffled by the big crowd. He was here to ride mutton, not gloat, and said so in how he stood.

One at a time, the terrified sheep burst out of the hole below the stadium, each with a boy spread-eagle and tight as a tick upon its wooly back as the animal raced to shake free of him. The sheep were ripping fast and wily, and every boy fell within twenty yards, drilling into the soft ground fill only to rise, dust his denim, bow to the clapping, and walk proudly back to the starting block.

The last to ride was Pony. The crowd waited a long five minutes as the boy vacillated, so picky about his ride that he scratched three times, renewed four, and finally settled on one that was, the announcer broadcast, thornier and larger than the pint-sized cowboy himself. But nobody was joshing when Pony blew out of the starting hole going faster and straighter and farther than any of his competition had even dreamed of. The crowd came roaring to its feet as Pony rode that lightning ball past the 20-yard mark, past the 50-yard mark, across the entire arena and out the opening at the other end. They waited in stunned silence for long seconds until the new champion reemerged, clothes crumpled and dusty and that black hat still consuming most of his head. They had never seen anything like it and cheered to prove it. And he never bowed or waved, but he did grin as he walked the full length of the arena to collect his trophy.

That was Pony Russell. A year later, the boy and his folks got lost at sea and Pony washed up on Santa Rosa, to become someone else’s son.

A few miles past the flat crop fields of Refugio, the cliffs rose to give a long view of the sea. Creek could see the curved rim of the planet, and he nodded, grateful for open country, wondering who despised or feared open space so deeply that they needed to hack it apart and sell it off like a cord of wood or the body parts of an animal.

Creek wondered why there was so much burr and so little sweet with the people he’d met since coming back. Men coming on his land trying to buy it. Townspeople looking at him askance. And now the big shrug over Charlie Russell. Was it squawk over too much attention to a man of

color? Or was it Creek – a stranger who had come home from abroad with enough money to buy a piece of land by the sea without getting social. An unmarried man, too private. A rogue wolf always puckered bungholes and closed the family ranks. And people had a hard time with veterans. Afraid to ask, afraid not to. Especially with the wounded ones. Creek wore a scar on the side of his face with so little apology that people presumed it as a measure of defiance, when he was merely unapologetic. He was a reminder of a lot of things that other men weren’t, like any man who goes to war when others don’t. They look at him with a mixture of repulsion for the stupidity of going in the first place and envy because he had the story that he went there and survived, and they didn’t.

He came up to his house on the back road, cruising past the sublet fields, then following the bluff road to his barn. The goat named Tables stood on a table watching him. Spinnaker and the horse named Psycho were both up against their corral planks watching the goat. The goat was hopping up and down on the old wood table Creek used to work on his motorcycle and his imported vintage Crossley 20/25 ambulance.

Fifteen minutes later, Creek was standing at the kitchen sink looking out to sea, wondering about the goat. It was nervous. The horses were nervous. And then he heard a silence, and from it remembered sounds he’d missed – the bleating of the goat, snorting from the horse. And then he knew why.

He grabbed his rifle, jacked it loaded and went out through the front porch. He came quietly around the back and managed to surprise her. The young goat was head-deep within her jaws, the big cat sideways to Creek and caught staring halfway between the man and her meal. Creek was about to raise the gun when the cat jacked sideways, twisting the dead goat, her eyes burning squarely at Creek. The goat’s head was apart, hinged by a line of ligament, blood spread over its bone-white hair and all about the puma’s jaws. The lion chose not to bolt, and Creek chose not to raise his gun to shoot. Both were somehow frozen in amazement and curiosity.

He felt pierced with the beauty of the cat, by her size, her golden coat and how her muscles moved, by the brilliant examination of her stare. The two of them seemed caught within this forbidden hesitation, mesmerized yet ready as trip wire for the first telltale that would signal a fatal burst of movement.

Creek had her in his sites but was unwilling to pull the trigger. Knowing she would be thinking about her unfinished meal and confused by the confrontation, he wished not to kill her but to notify her and keep her shy and well out on her twenty-mile range with a few close shots.

She stood, slowly, her eyes peeled to Creek, the goat forgotten at her feet, then sudden as a bird, she was gone.

He had hunted men and game much of his life. He had studied killers. No wild animal, not man and not beast, had ever behaved like this one. If she was rabid, or addled, she needed to be put down, but he thought otherwise.

Later, he found an onionskin log and carried it to the porch. It was a fresh book, and he looked at it for a long time, unsure if he wished to begin a new biography of a possible crime. He had filled many such volumes in Europe but had sworn, in this new life, not to do it again. He looked out to sea, to the fog moving like a slow wall toward land.

He had arrived in Europe the summer of 1916, stayed on after, and had left in the fall of 1933, sailing from Le Havre on the freighter Pedro Cortez bound for New York City, a 10-day crossing during which he thought long and hard about what a man might do back in California at a time when the Depression still had half the nation in a death rattle with no end in sight.

The government had paid him well. He had banked the money and the fees two private clients had paid him as percentages of retrieved goods, one for a box full of deeds, the properties of a man from Marseille; the other for the return of six boxes of promissory notes stolen from La Banque de Bordeaux.

On the freighter, Creek had time and space to try to account for his life and to imagine a new one. In a chair beneath a blanket on a sunny deck, the words of his closest friend in the French police came back to him. Gary “Say-No-More” had said during their last shared meal in Paris: “Cowboy, you must not leave the profession. You are a natural. You are unbribable and so stubborn. You use chess-style thinking. You laugh at the pompous, and you hate the bully. You are heroic. Ugly, but heroic. Don’t leave it. Punish the evil. Help the helpless. If you go private, you

won’t have the hindrance of the always pesky, always nosey bugle boys of the government. You will have the open prairies. The big skies. Yes? Isn’t this the cowboy, eh?”

Now Creek answered what he had withheld over the meal: No, there are no open prairies or big skies in the trade. It is a lonely, unhappy way to make a living. And it is infectious. To think upon evil is to wear some of it. To stalk it, examine it, plot against and confront it is to become absorbed within its boundaries. You begin to live within the circumference of a criminal’s mind. After a time, it owns you. You live where the rats live and smell like a rat smells. And your knowledge of the rat doesn’t go away when you finish your job. It never goes away. You never go back to innocent. The lucky do a lot of forgetting. On that deck, in the sunny breezes, he wondered how much luck lay ahead for him. He was thirty-five, a man of the new century, and he had seen all he ever wanted to see of evil. He wanted lots of luck in this new life and lots of distance from his old one.

The day the Spanish freighter came into the Verrazzano Narrows and he saw the gray island of Manhattan rising out of the sea like the cement slabs of a cemetery, Creek knew he would not go back to crime. He did want the prairies and open skies, and it struck him as if a picture had popped into the air before him – he would buy a small ranch by the sea and grow something. He would sell that something. There would be only him and his horses and some livestock and the something growing out of fertile California soil with a little sea fog to caress its leaves. He would plant his disappointed bones in a soft chair out on the porch facing the rows of the something he planted and watch it grow up into the crisp sunshine – the least evil thing he could think of.

So here he was staring out the window of his kitchen to where his lima beans had died, his basil had failed, his tomatoes were overwatered and shriveled, and he was stuck churning over the whereabouts of a dead man’s head.

Anyway, who had ever heard of a plant dying from too much water? Who would even know this about a tomato? He would give back the money and the badge in the morning. No more cop meant no more cop. He returned the investigation book to its drawer, showered and dressed within minutes, and headed down a foggy highway into town, wondering if his musings were the misgivings of a poor farmer or the inability of a man to switch directions at midlife.

Tune in next week for Chapter Five of Last Light in Paradise

Michael C. Armour is author and original artist of bestselling Smithsonian children’s books Orca Song and Puma Range, and has been an award-winning writer/director for CBS documentaries, and many print and TV commercials for Honda and other companies. He comes from three generations of ranching, has been a horseman and motorcyclist most of his life, and has worked for years with released inmates under the direction of the Santa Barbara Superior Court and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office.

Scan the QR code to purchase the full book online, or pick one up at your local bookstore: Tecolote in Montecito, Godmothers in Summerland, or Chaucer’s in Santa Barbara.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Calendar of Events

by Steven Libowitz

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

‘Art of Resistance’ – The Art of Resistance show is actually a double exhibition that takes over two spaces at the Community Arts Workshop: One that will display pieces reflecting the current political situation along with examples of local street protest signs, while the second gallery hosts The Art of Propaganda, a display of original WWI and WWII poster art re-imagined for our current era. The shows are running in conjunction with the planned launch of the www.artists-for-democracy. com website as a place for community artists to show their Resistance Art. It is an effort to create a space for concerned artists to express their creativity, frustrations, hope, and concerns surrounding the current political situation. “Our country has been a beacon for democracy and hope,” the website says. “While there is still time, we must unite in a nonviolent manner for its preservation. Do what you can.”

WHEN: Opening reception with refreshments and entertainment 2:30-6:30 pm; Show runs January 28-February 2

WHERE: SBCAW, 631 Garden St.

COST: free

INFO: www.sbcaw.org/upcoming

FOSB Gets Medieval on You – Pleasure not punishment is on the menu with the weekend concert series from the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara, which is coming

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

Life on EZ Street – Jeremy Allen White failed to score an Oscar nod for his portrayal of rock icon Bruce Springsteen in Deliver Me from Nowhere, although he’s still slated to be part of SBIFF’s Virtuosos Awards on February 8 Meanwhile, fellow actor Hank Azaria, known for voicing several characters on TV’s long-running The Simpsons (and appearances in many popular movies and other series) is headed our way with his new-ish project, a Springsteen tribute band. Azaria first put his efforts into creating an authentic representation of The Boss less than two years ago as a planned one-off taking advantage of his voice acting abilities. But the project quickly grew into forming a tribute band full of professional musicians, many with Broadway or major touring experience. The journey included months of SAG and multiple Emmy Award-winner Azaria mastering the impression of Springsteen’s distinctive speaking cadence and singing voice. Sixteen months later, Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band bring “A Springsteen Celebration” – their powerful hit-packed-plus homage by the rock star – to the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom in the band’s area debut. Net proceeds go toward Azaria’s The Four Through Nine Foundation, which is committed to social justice, education, and addiction recovery.

WHEN: 8 pm

WHERE: Chumash Casino, 3400 E. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez

COST: $20-$55

INFO: (800) CHUMASH (248-6274) or www.chumashcasino.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

Romantic Chamber – The Santa Barbara Chamber Players kick off the new year on the last day of the month with an evening of Romantic-era orchestral music two weeks in advance of Valentine’s Day. Under the baton of Zig Reichwald, the orchestra will perform two beloved masterpieces, including Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, ‘Scottish,’” which was inspired by the composer’s visit to Scotland in 1829, and reflects the rugged landscapes, misty highlands, and historical romance he encountered there. Schumann’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54,” considered one of the most poetic in the repertoire, started out as a single-movement fantasy for piano and orchestra in 1841, written for his wife Clara. The full three-movement concerto is celebrated for its intimate dialogue between soloist (pianist Pascal Salomon here) and orchestra, expressive lyricism, and passionate Romantic spirit. Befitting its community leanings, the Santa Barbara Chamber Players orchestra will be joined by select local high school students performing side-by-side with the orchestral musicians in a unique educational collaboration.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Hahn Hall, Music Academy campus, 1070 Fairway Road

COST: $20 general, $15 college students, free for students K-12 INFO: www.sbchamberplayers.org

up on a decade since its founding by musical director Adam Phillips. Audiences can anticipate music performed on rare and unusual instruments, along with more familiar strings, drums, and guitars, with pieces ranging from lively dance tunes popular in the 1500s to orchestral arrangements of international folk favorites. Among the exotic apparatus making the beautiful noise through the efforts of the ensemble’s 28 musicians are the crumhorn from England (King Henry VIII owned more than two dozen); the gemshorn from Germany; a Middle Eastern oud, one of the world’s early string instruments; and the Swedish nyckelharpa. Phillips will also play an assortment of gaitas (bagpipes) from Spain and elsewhere. “The Dark Ages never sounded as light as this,” Phillips said in a press release.

WHEN: 7 pm tonight & tomorrow, 4 pm Sunday

WHERE: The Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, 123 E. Canon Perdido St. (Friday); Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St. (Saturday) St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley in Los Olivos (Sunday)

COST: $35-$45

INFO: (805) 260-3223 or https://folkorchestrasb.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

Sánchez Still Sizzles at 74 – The Grammy-winning bandleader, conguero and percussionist Poncho Sánchez has long been one of most influential figures in Latin Jazz. For more than four decades, his blend of straight-ahead jazz, gritty soul and infectious rhythms drawn from Latin American and South American

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Tango After Dark –World Tango Champions Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi have been practicing and perfecting their tango since the early ages of 10 and 16, respectively, mastering the skills and styles of classical dance, contemporary dance, jazz, ballet, acrobatics and tango in the company of Argentina’s most respected teachers. World Tango Champions dating back more than two decades, the couple now choreograph and teach other champions while still performing regularly. Cornejo’s Tango After Dark is a highly intimate and sensual tango show that comes direct from Argentina, as Cornejo’s innovative choreography fuses deep-rooted traditions with a contemporary edge, capturing the seductive pulse of Buenos Aires. Cornejo and Galeassi lead a company that includes a vocalist and live band in their local debut performing Piazzolla’s revolutionary nuevo tango – which has won raves around the world (“Sexy, sensuous, stylish, and seriously impressive. This is an utter feast for the eyes and a riveting recital of physical poetry”).

WHEN: 2 & 7 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

COST: $60 & $85

INFO: (805) 963-0761/www.lobero.org or (805) 893-3535/https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

traditions has served to carry forward the torch lit by Mongo Santamaría, Tito Puente, and Cal Tjader, who entrusted to him the vibrant legacy of the genre. Sánchez shows always satisfy on multiple levels.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

COST: $47 & $57 ($107 VIP tickets includes premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres)

INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Bass-ic Ruckus – Another likely highlight of this still-young year heads to Hahn Hall. Visionary bass-baritone Davóne Tines and the genre-defying early music ensemble Ruckus will be performing a special program in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. What Is Your Hand in This? serves as a musical journey through American history that draws on colonial hymns, Revolutionary-era ballads, Baroque masterworks, spirituals, and contemporary works to trace the nation from its founding ideals through the Civil War, and from Civil Rights movements to the urgent questions of today. Beyond the stunning music, the powerful program invites audiences to reflect on the legacies we inherit and the futures we choose to build. WHEN: 7 pm

WHERE: Hahn Hall, Music Academy of the West campus, 1070 Fairway Road COST: $53

INFO: (805) 893-3535 or www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

No Ax to Grind – The piano newcomers who have performed around town over the last several weeks give way to an avowed master when multiple Grammy-winner Emanuel Ax returns to CAMA’s Masterseries. Renowned for his poetic lyricism and brilliant technique, the five-decade-plus veteran will perform a program centered on the theme of Fantasies, featuring two of Beethoven’s famous Op. 27 sonatas, Schumann’s beloved “Arabeske” and grand “Fantasie,” and a contemporary reflection on Beethoven by John Corigliano

The keys to the kingdom await.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

COST: $68 & $78

INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Get Cream-ed at SOhO – Relive the glory days of Cream – the revolutionary 1960s trio featuring Eric Clapton , Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce. The band has remained steadfastly relevant despite having lasted less than three explosive years in its day. Now a tribute act takes a familial turn on the arguable first Supergroup. Sons of Cream features two male offspring of the original band members in bassist Malcolm Bruce and drummer Kofi Baker , both playing the instruments wielded by their famous fathers. Clapton’s role is handled by guitarist Rob Johnson , a grandnephew of Ginger Baker, while all three members also sing. Each is an accomplished musician in his own right, with long lists of credits as leaders or sidemen for major touring artists. The trio plays a generous set of their interpretations of Cream’s songs plus two by Blind Faith, Clapton’s immediate successor band before going solo. Their live shows stay true to Cream’s music even down to the heavy duty improvising of the performance of the songs that the original Cream was noted for throughout its too-brief career, while the members also share stories. Meaning it’s a safe bet nobody’s ever said “We’re Going Wrong” after hearing their concert, even less so as they turn SOhO into the “White Room.”

WHEN: 8 pm

WHERE: SOhO, 1221 State St., upstairs in Victoria Court

COST: $20 in advance, $25 at the door

INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

NOTE TO READERS

This entertainment calendar is a subjective sampling of arts and entertainment events taking place in the Santa Barbara area for the next seven days or so. It is by no means comprehensive. Please also see my feature stories elsewhere in this issue for more events. In order to be considered for inclusion in this calendar, please submit information – including hi-res photos –by 12 noon Wednesday eight days prior to publication date. Email: slibowitz@yahoo.com.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805) 565-1860

Your Trusted Choice for Estate Sales, Liquidation & Downsizing

Moving Miss Daisy’s providing comprehensive services through Moving Miss Daisy since 2015. Expert packing, unpacking, relocating to ensure your new home is beautifully set up and ready to enjoy. Miss Daisy’s is the largest consignment store in the Tri-Counties - nearly 20K sq.ft.- always offering an unmatched selection of items. We also host online Auctions.

Glenn Novack, Owner 805-770-7715 www.missdaisy.org info@movingmissdaisy.com

THE CLEARING HOUSE

Recognized as the area’s Premier Estate Liquidators - Experts in the Santa Barbara Market! We are Skilled Professionals with Years of Experience in Downsizing and Estate Sales. Personalized service. Insured. Call for a complimentary consultation. Elaine (805)708-6113

Christa (805)450-8382

Email: theclearinghouseSB@cox.net Website: www.theclearinghouseSB.com

TRESOR

We Buy, Sell and Broker Important Estate Jewelry. Located in the upper village of Montecito. Graduate Gemologists with 30 years of experience. We do free evaluations and private consultation. 1470 East Valley Rd Suite V. 805-969-0888

TILE SETTING

Local tile setter of 35 years is now doing small jobs only. Services include grout cleaning and repair, caulking, sealing, replacing damaged tiles and basic plumbing needs. Call Doug Watts at 805-729-3211 for a free estimate.

PHYSICAL TRAINING & THERAPY

Stillwell Fitness of Santa Barbara In Home Personal Training Sessions for 65+ Help with: Strength, Flexibility, Balance Motivation, and Consistency

John Stillwell, CPT, Specialist in Senior Fitness

805-705-2014 StillwellFitness.com

GOT OSTEOPOROSIS? WE CAN HELP

At OsteoStrong our proven non-drug protocol takes just ten minutes once a week to improve your bone density and aid in more energy, strength, balance and agility. Please call for a complimentary session!

Call Now (805) 453-6086

ELECTRICIAN

Montecito Electric Repairs and Inspections

Licensed C10485353 805-969-1575

LANDSCAPE

Casa L. M.

Landscape hedges installed. Ficus to flowering. Disease resistant. Great privacy.

Certified rootstock roses and fruit trees. Licensed & insured. Call (805) 963-6909

WATERLILIES and LOTUS since 1992

WATERGARDEN CARE

SBWGC

PET/ HOUSE SITTING

Do you need to get away for a weekend, week or more? I will house sit and take care of your pets, plants & mail. I have refs if needed. Call me or text me.

Christine (805) 452-2385

CARPET CLEANING

Carpet Cleaning Since 1978 (805) 963-5304

Rafael Mendez Cell: 689-8397 or 963-3117

PIANO LESSONS

Openings now available for Children & Adults. Piano Lessons in our Studio or your Home. Call or Text Kary Kramer (805) 453-3481

CONSTRUCTION

General Building Design & Construction Contractor William J. Dalziel Lic. B311003 – 1 (805) 698-4318 billjdalziel@gmail.com

Local, Reliable Property Management. We care for your rentals. FoothillPM.com 805-698-4769

35 yrs experience in luxury estates Professional, discreet, refined Real estate & contractor licensed Insured, bonded, background checked Exceptional integrity and care Call Brad (805) 350 6674

COASTAL HOME & PET CARE

In-home sitting • Walks • Visits Discreet • Insured • Great refs coastalhomeandpetcare.com Call/Text 805-689-8078

GENTLE WELLNESS & COMPANION SUPPORT

Offering calm, supportive presence for those seeking greater ease and well-being. Services include gentle movement and breathwork, wellness support, companion walks, nutritional support and errands, and mindful daily-life assistance. Thoughtful, discreet, and personalized care in a peaceful, respectful manner.

Available locally

References upon request natalierlarochelle@gmail.com (805) 705-7687

DONATIONS NEEDED

Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary Menagerie 2430 Lillie Avenue Summerland, CA 93067 (805) 969-1944

Donate to the Parrot Pantry! At SB Bird Sanctuary, backyard farmer’s bounty is our birds’ best bowl of food! The flock goes bananas for your apples, oranges & other homegrown fruits & veggies.

Volunteers

Do you have a special talent or skill? Do you need community service hours? The flock at SB Bird Sanctuary could always use some extra love and socialization. Call us and let’s talk about how you can help. (805) 969-1944

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

K-9 PALS need volunteers to be foster parents for our dogs while they are waiting for their forever homes. For more information info@k-9pals.org or 805-570-0415

WANT TO ADVERTISE HERE?

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TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

It’s simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters. Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2pm the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex (3% surcharge)

ByPeteMuller&FrankLongo

Foreachofthefirstfiveminicrosswords,oneoftheentriesalsoservesaspartofa five-wordmetaclue.Theanswertothemetaisawordorphrase(sixlettersor longer)hiddenwithinthesixthminicrossword.Thehiddenmetaanswerstartsin oneofthesquaresandsnakesthroughthegridverticallyandhorizontallyfrom there(nodiagonals!)withoutrevisitinganysquares.

1 Shuckingwaste

5 SheplayedAuntMayin three"Spider-Man"films

6 Toughdude sself-directed boast

7 Peoplemayhavetoclear hurdlesinthem

8 Failstoclearahurdle,e.g.

Cartoondadwhotellshis daughter"Youdon twin friendswithsalad" 2 Pigmentdarkerthanocher 3 100ontheHill 4 Nickelodeon'starget audience

5 BenHechtcalledit"a circus,alwayspackingup andmovingaway"

1 Whatyoumayhearwhile feedingthekitty 4 Hall-of-Fameprowrestler Stratus

6 Messageonsomecandy hearts

7 Farfromruddy

8 Asianholidayduringwhich bánhchungiseaten

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1 Targetofrepairforsome athletes,forshort

4 With9-Across,1969top10 hitfortheGuessWho

7 SokoloffoftheNetflixfilm "TheMerryGentlemen"

8 With9-Across,wearerof glasses,toabully

9 See4-Acrossor8-Across Down

1 Onepressedforcash,for short?

2 Rubthewrongway

3 The"L."ofSamuelL. Jackson

5 Swivelaboutanaxis

6 Bodypartscloseto 9-Across

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1 Michelewhovoiced Dorothyin"LegendsofOz: Dorothy sReturn"

4 With8-Across,conversion onafootballfield

7 Threatentogoonthefritz, maybe

8 See4-Across

9 Miceareoftennearthem

Greatforce 2 ActressCreed-Mileswho playedDeliriumon"The Sandman" 3 Followerof"Ifnotnow" 4 Lead-into"guy"or"Girl" 5 Bait-and-switch,say

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1 Imitateanyofthe"Twelve DaysofChristmas"lords

2 Personwho snolongerone ofthefinest

3 Wherethefinalflightmay end

5 Flashypassagesforsingers andpianists

6 Notatalloutofplace

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1 Unitofyarnorgeese

6 "Asaresult..."

7 Fantasynovelist screation

8 Funcompanion?

9 Peoplewhomaycommute sentences,forshort

1 TitleroleforRuthGordon oppositeBudCort sHarold

2 Howglassesareoftenheld whilefillingthemwithbeer

3 SitcombrotherofFrasier

4 Initialismassociatedwith cumulativepay

6 Hopperorhamper,e.g.

Down

1 Privateinstructor?

2 Workwithone shandsin thekitchen

3 AlternativestoGoudas

4 Lastresortonacruise, perhaps

5 Jean,Luc,etJean-Luc

“[Jlin creates] something frenetic and physical but also heavy with emotion, like chamber music breaking out on the dance floor.” Stereogum

“Third Coast Percussion is blurring musical boundaries and beguiling new listeners.” NPR

“Tiler Peck’s dancing is distinguished by its musicality, speed and precision.” The New York Times