JOURNAL
Lucky’s 25th 12 – 19 FEB 2026 | VOL 32 ISS 7 www.montecitojournal.net
Voice of theV illage
SERVING MONTECITO AND SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA
The Pink Palace – Creek trespasses onto a cliffside estate, confronting wealth, secrecy, and a woman whose elegance conceals unsettling contradictions, P.5
Future Votes – With housing, downtown vitality, and SB’s literal future at stake, the next City Council will be making truly consequential decisions, P.10
Building Sanctuary
There’s still time to send in your favorite memories & pics, p.10
Steely Resolve – A massive habitat restoration in Los Padres National Forest clears long-blocked pathways for one of California’s toughest fish, P.22
Sanctuary Centers’ eccentric evolution is a study in humane momentum. Mental health care, co-occurring disorders, the oncebottomless pit of stigma – Barry Schoer and his scrappy colleagues are on their way to antiquating the word “hopeless.” In Part One of this two-part series, Schoer’s own harrowing backstory lights the fuse. (Story starts on page 6)
Love, Montecito
Montecito means Romance this Valentine’s Day with lovely local gifts, enrapturing meals, and lots of hand holding – the good kind, page 12
Rod of Light
Rod Lathim’s nonlinear memoir mirrors his artistic life… one guided by spirit, collaboration, and a belief in light as essence, page 32
CeLeBRate MarDi GrAs in THE speakeasy
CeLeBRate MarDi GrAs in THE speakeasy iNDUlGE tHis fat TUesDay wiTH Live jazz AND a new ORLeans iNspired EveNiNG FeB 17 6-10pm
saN YsiDrO RAnch
805-504-1961