Hello 2026! by Montecito Journal

ISS 1 26 | VOL 32 1 – 8 JAN 20 et l.n citojourna www.monte

O L L E H JOURNAL

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Voice of theV illage

SERVING MONTECITO AND SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA

Getting Gilded – Art, elegance, and a touch of gold… the Gilded Gala shines brighter than the SBMA’s most treasured works, P.12

What a Ladd – From Montecito sunsets to L.A. lights, Blake Ladd blends Hollywood hustle with hometown heart and candid connection, P.18

SBNC’s new Westside Clinic is coming soon, page 22

At the Inn – Deann Zampelli’s return to Ojai Valley Inn blends spa serenity, scenic beauty, and the art of doing almost nothing, P.26

Good Charlotte, GREAT CAUSE

Benji Madden brings Good Charlotte’s biggest hits – and a whole lot of heart – to One805LIVE!… rocking Montecito for a cause close to home (Story starts on page 5)

The Sport of Kings

Enter The Rochers

a little more holiday cheer at the ranch Jeff Hall helps lead Mokarow Farms into high-goal glory as Santa Barbara’s summer polo season hits full stride, page 23

Bamboo skewers with clean lines juxtapose a wild bed of flowers… Is it an artwork or dinner? It’s The Rochers, page 28

Photo by David Lominska

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Montecito JOURNAL

1 – 8 January 2026

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

New Year, New You – Start 2026 inspired with MJ articles on home clarity, 5 mind–body wellness, and intentional Montecito living

n Entertainment – Cellist Joshua Roman returns to MAW amid Long 20 OCovid reflections, plus winter’s top concerts, comedy, dance, and film events

Sheriff ’s Blotter Beings and Doings – Here comes a new year! I don’t know about you, but I 24 6 have never been so on fire with the spirit of self-renewal! Or maybe it’s reflux. Those darned spring rolls! Robert’s Big Questions – What futures should we prepare for in 2026 – 26 from climate peril to AI disruption to political unpredictability? Montecito Miscellany – Direct Relief ’s new CEO debuts, SBMA dazzles with 8 Monet to Matisse, and rare Fiesta history resurfaces Montecito Health Coach – Why embracing your hometown like a tourist 27 may be the healthiest, most wonder-filled resolution of 2026 Message from MA – From trail safety reforms to Beautification Day 10 milestones, MA reflects on 2025 and outlines goals for 2026 – Chumash Tribe’s major donations, Cottage Hospital honors, 31 NRiseews&Bytes Tide Guide Shine’s global education breakfast, and new tumor treatment unveiled Petite Wine Traveler – When holiday pours turn hectic, Jamie Knee finds The Society Edit – A photo collage of the most memorable moments in 12 clarity 32 Montecito through Bissell Clinic’s ExoMind therapy society Far Flung Travel – A down-island, downwind paddle through currents, he Local Tourist – Discover Santa Barbara anew by starting at the Courthouse 35 cliffs, 14 TClock wildlife, and dolphin-guided crossings in the Channel Islands Tower – our most accessible, awe-inspiring panoramic perch

Calendar of Events – Holiday pop-ups linger, sock skating returns, Elizabeth’s Appraisals – Why the art world’s hottest trend for 2026 is pure 36 ZooLights 16 1970s glow on, and 2026 kicks off with polar dips, art, and music glamour – Warhol, nostalgia, and big bidding Classifieds – Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads, in which sellers offer our Westmont – The college graduated 25 new nurses, and opera to perform 38 18 YPirates everything from summer rentals to estate sales of Penzance ini Meta Crossword Puzzles An Independent Mind – What might shape 2026 – from Trump’s voter 39 MLocal 19 troubles Business Directory to rising debt, AI overvaluation, China tensions, and Ukraine’s fate

Montecito JOURNAL

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

1 – 8 January 2026

New Year, New You

Articles to Start Your New Year Get the home hardened this year with Montecito Fire (courtesy photo)

by Zach Rosen

ere we go again, turning the page on another year! For us over here at the Montecito Journal, 2025 marks 30 years of publication in this Village of the Charmed. By our quick and approximate reckoning, that’s ~ 62,400 pages (gulp) and several warm decades of neighborly “gossip” over the back fence, public announcements, hometown reportage, and the camaraderie only an actual Village can amplify. Let’s wave goodbye to the milestone year 2025 the way people in old Super8 movies used to do it – with broad smiles and exaggerated arm movements. We look back with gratitude, and more than a little awe, at the Buckley family’s earnest idea that became the Town Crier for three decades (and counting) of stories that have shaped, challenged, and connected our one-in-a-million community. With Gwyn Lurie, steadfast at the helm, we move into 2026 with a look back (accompanied by fondness and curiosity) and grab hold of a few stories that may just help you launch into your next solar revolution. From all of us at the MJ, we wish you a Happy New Year! And we thank you with all our hearts...

Finding New Solace at Home This year, let the resolutions begin where your day actually begins: at home – that wildly sentimental space where clutter collects, worries gather, and yet, potential quietly waits. If Jean Marie Driskel of TOPE has taught us anything, it’s that a house becomes functional magic when every shelf, hook, and routine is intentional. Her Montessori-rooted philosophy transforms “cleaning up” into something closer to self-care. A resolution worth stealing: design spaces that support the person you want to be, not just the life you’re trying to keep up with. Of course, a home isn’t truly at ease unless it can withstand what nature may send 1 – 8 January 2026

its way. Architect Chris Dentzel’s wildfire-hardening journey shows how peace of mind grows with each practical improvement – steel skirts, gravel perimeters, tempered windows. The takeaway for January: resolve to tackle one structural upgrade that future-proofs your home (and your sleep). It’s not glamorous, but neither is rebuilding. And finally, breathe easier – literally. Mold whisperer Sid Zagri reminds us that unseen issues can shape how we feel day to day. His scientific, non-dramatic approach to indoor air quality underscores a smart resolution: address what you’ve been ignoring. That odd smell? The damp corner? A little investigative energy now saves headaches (and actual head aches) later. Consider it the home-maintenance equivalent of drinking more water. Read More 1. “The Organized Prepared Environment” by Jean Marie Driskel, originally published August 26, 2025: https://tinyurl.com/MJTopeOrganize 2. “Local Architect Rests Easy Thanks to Wildfire-Resistant Retrofits” by Christina Atchison, originally published on July 8, 2025: https://tinyurl. com/MJWildfireRetrofit 3. “Breathing Easy: How One Local Expert is Changing the Mold Game in Homes” by Zach Rosen, originally published on July 8, 2025: https://tinyurl. com/MJBreathingEasy

New Mind, New Body If resolutions tend to wilt by Valentine’s Day, maybe it’s because we treat wellness like a punishment rather than an invitation. Groove Pilates flips that script beautifully. Under Jessica Ballonoff’s joyful vision, movement becomes communal, creative, and – dare we say – fun. Whether you’re a teen, a retiree, or someone who hasn’t seen a reformer since the Clinton administration, the message is simple: find a practice that makes you feel more you. That’s a resolution with staying power.

New Year, New You Page 254 254

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Montecito JOURNAL

Beings and Doings New Year’s Comminution by Jeff Wing

t’s frankly impossible to imagine a written document less likely to be read than a newspaper column on New Year’s Day. The original Magna Carta, maybe? Does that actually exist? Is it in the British Museum’s basement? etc. But the New Year’s Day newspaper column must be written. Much more than a contractual obligation – which merely provides the column its legally actionable inducement (and believe me, in the deadline-driven days right around year’s end the MJ lawyers are stalking around the place and glaring like Mamet characters), the writing of the New Year’s column is a spiritual compact with the reader, whose habitual routine of the heart must needs be met – or however you say that. There is, you see, surely no more devoted reader than that of a newspaper columnist… you still there? Ha ha, kidding. Ha. Common sense dictates that, at base, the New Year’s column should be aspirational, since the root word of “aspirational is aspirin.” New Year’s Day, for all its floral, high flying odes to new beginnings, must first be steadied with analgesics gobbled from trembling hands. You know the drill; it’s that vermouth-laced thing boring a ragged tunnel from frontal lobe to occipital ridge. Note to self: emesis = nemesis

Face the Slate “New Year” is typically aligned with notions of “new beginnings,” a “fresh start,” a “clean slate,” and so on. Of course if every January you are excitedly yammering about a “clean slate,” it means last year’s clean slate is a now a mud-caked mockery of the good intentions that had so energized you one short year ago. Oh, and your finger-snapping New Year’s cheer is insufferable. Anyone ever tell you that? “Hoo boy! Time for a clean slate!” “Yeah? What happened to the clean slate you sang about last January?”

Montecito JOURNAL

It’s a New Year. Last year is behind us. Next year is… in front of us, I guess? (photo by jeff)

“I…uh…” “SHADDUP WITH YOUR CLEAN SLATE!” {excuse me} Look; I don’t wanna be the guy who snatches away your New Year’s resolution, chides you like a playground bully as I wave it before your saddened, velveteen puppy eyes, then manically crumples it into a tiny little ball, grunting with exertion, finally throwing your dumb resolution in the dirt and savagely grinding it with both heels, all the while grimacing like a madman as I stare you in the face. Do I wanna be that guy? Naw! That’s the old me. The new me? I’ll be like a golden daffodil, which is a kind of flower that I’m pretty sure is golden. But the resolution thing? C’mon. All this glib New Year’s chirping about clean slates is good for one thing: buoying the January share price of Clean Slates, Inc. Haven’t those people

Beings & Doings Page 294 294

1 – 8 January 2026

Cheers!

TO A BRIGHT NEW YEAR

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1 – 8 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Montecito Miscellany Direct Relief ’s New CEO Commands the Spotlight

Brea Burkholz, Jeff Fisher, Amy Weaver, Laurie Leis, Dana Newquist and Elizabeth Spies (photo by Priscilla)

by Richard Mineards & friends

he Santa Barbara Club buzzed at its recent Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon, where club member Dana Newquist welcomed and introduced Amy Weaver, the new CEO of Direct Relief – the Santa Barbarabased global humanitarian organization. Direct Relief is active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. Guests savored Chef Humberto Perez’ delicious vegetable lentil soup, paired with warm house-baked bread and butter before the talk. Amy Weaver grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington, in a family so packed with

lawyers she stopped counting at fifteen. With a judge for a grandfather, her father, and four aunts and uncles all practicing law, she joked that law school was a given – but said it also instilled a deep belief in fairness and justice that has guided her work ever since. Weaver charmed the room with tales of her globe-trotting career – from her years in Hong Kong during the historic handover to China, to her meteoric rise at Salesforce, where she started as chief legal counsel before taking the leap to CFO, a move she called “terrifying, exhilarating, and unheard of ” in the Fortune 500. Guests adored her family stories: her husband Jeff Fisher, her junior-prom date turned-lifelong partner; their three sons born in three different countries – China, India, and the United States; and the family joke that the youngest is the

Direct Relief’s new CEO Amy Weaver speaking at the event (photo by Priscilla)

Montecito JOURNAL

only one they “don’t take anywhere.” Weaver also recalled the moment she received the recruitment call, at 1 am in Warsaw, from Board Chair Mark Linehan about joining Direct Relief. “Well, I want you to know, we’re based in Santa Barbara. You’ll have to spend a lot of time in Santa Barbara. Is that okay?” she remembered him saying. “And I was very tired at the time, but I thought, is this a trick question? Has anyone ever said no to Santa Barbara?” Weaver shared the rich 77-year history of Direct Relief and spoke about leading the organization into its next chapter, building upon the extraordinary legacy of Thomas Tighe. “As global challenges grow more urgent and complex, Direct Relief has a responsibility not just to meet the demand for medical aid, but to lead the way in reimagining how we respond to a rapidly changing world. I’m inspired by the dedication and expertise of this incredible team, and I look forward to working together to drive innovation and make an even greater difference,” Weaver said. Welcome to Santa Barbara, Amy Weaver – we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make! Attendees included Ian Meyer, Laurie Leis, Elizabeth Spies, Brea Burkholz, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Laurie and Thad MacMillan, Andrea Newquist, Sally and Curt Coughlin. by Maria McCall

The museum’s Amada Cruz showing off the exhibit’s new shirt (photo by Priscilla)

inviting them to view the collections and enjoy a glass of champagne with passed hors d’oeuvres (those goat cheese – caviar blinis flew off the platters!). Cruz opened the program – and her jacket – to reveal a playful T-shirt reading “Show me the Monet!” The room erupted with laughter – and a few proud shouts of “Eleven!” when she quizzed us on how many Monets were currently adorning the gallery walls. Cruz went on to share her excitement over the museum’s bold new hot-pink-and-blue Monet to Matisse sign on the front steps of the museum – a splash of color that even earned a nod of approval from the Historic Landmarks Commission. Paired together, The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art and Encore: 19th-Century French Art from SBMA’s Collection constitute a discourse among

Where Monet Meets Matisse: SBMA Hosts an Evening of Artistic Brilliance

It was a who’s who of Santa Barbara’s arts patrons as the Santa Barbara Museum of Art welcomed its top donors and museum circles members for an exclusive viewing of its latest extravaganza. Director and CEO Amada Cruz greeted guests with her contagious enthusiasm,

Miscellany Page 304 304

Guests enjoyed an evening of hors d’oeuvres and Impressionist masterpieces (photo by Priscilla)

“Celebrate endings–for they precede new beginnings.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie

1 – 8 January 2026

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1 – 8 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

Montecito JOURNAL

Montecito Association Reflects on a Year of Action and Looks Ahead to 2026 by Houghton Hyatt

s 2025 comes to a close, the Montecito Association reflects on a year marked by active advocacy, community collaboration, and meaningful progress on issues that directly affect quality of life in Montecito. With strong support from its members, volunteers, and community partners, the Association continued to serve as an independent and consistent voice for the community, bringing residents together and working closely with public agencies to address both immediate concerns and long-term priorities. The Association extends its sincere thanks to its members and community partners for their continued engagement and commitment. The work accomplished this year would not have been possible without a community that cares deeply about Montecito and takes an active role in its future. Throughout the year, the Montecito Association remained deeply engaged in land use, transportation, and infrastructure matters. Major projects – including the Highway 101 expansion, Rosewood Miramar, the Biltmore, the YMCA, the Music Academy, and others – continued to evolve, and the Association tracked these efforts closely to ensure Montecito’s interests were represented. This ongoing work reflects the Association’s long-standing role as a bridge between residents and decision-makers at the County and regional levels. Public safety and emergency preparedness were also key priorities in

2025. One notable accomplishment was the series of stakeholder meetings convened to address growing concerns at the Hot Springs Trail. Working with residents, county and government partners, the Association helped facilitate solutions to fire danger, parking congestion, and safety issues. These efforts resulted in trailhead closures on Red Flag days, the installation of no-parking and tow-away signage, and increased enforcement – important steps toward protecting both the community and the surrounding natural environment. The Association also hosted a well-attended Community Safety Town Hall, providing residents with an opportunity to ask questions about crime prevention and neighborhood concerns. Progress continued toward the installation of a new Sheriff substation in Montecito, strengthening local law enforcement presence and response. Hands Across Montecito (HAM), the Association’s collaborative homeless outreach initiative, marked its fifth year in 2025. Through regular meetings, cleanups with Earthcomb, and coordination with City Net, HAM has continued to address homelessness with compassion, coordination, and a focus on long-term solutions. A community event celebrating the program’s five-year milestone highlighted the importance of sustained partnership and dialogue around this complex issue. Community connection remained a cornerstone of the Association’s work. In the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires, the Montecito Association helped

Houghton Hyatt is the Executive Director of the Montecito Association

JOURNAL

Message from MA

ty, and if there is something you would like us to know about or explore, we want to hear from you. To share ideas, raise concerns, or learn more about the Montecito Association’s work, contact the Association at info@ montecitoassociation.org or visit www. montecitoassociation.org. Residents are welcome to attend the next Montecito Association Board Meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 4 pm. Meetings are open to the public. Those interested in supporting the Montecito Association’s work are encouraged to join the Association, to help sustain advocacy, public safety efforts, community programs, and outreach on behalf of Montecito. As the year comes to a close, the Montecito Association thanks its members and the broader community for their continued support and partnership, and wishes everyone a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season and New Year!

the community welcome displaced families with a neighborhood barbecue at Montecito Union School, reinforcing the community’s tradition of care and hospitality. Signature events also brought neighbors together throughout the year, including the Village 4th of July Parade and Celebration, which drew more than 3,000 attendees. Another milestone was the 40th Annual Beautification Day, hosted at Montecito Union School. This long-standing tradition of volunteerism and community spirit was recognized with a Certificate of Recognition from Supervisor Gregg Hart, honoring four decades of community service. Additional gatherings, such as a community movie night at Cold Spring School, further strengthened neighborhood connections across generations. Much of the Montecito Association’s work takes place behind the scenes, through regular board meetings, community forums, and ongoing communication with local agencies, nonprofits, and elected officials. These efforts ensure that resident concerns are thoughtfully considered and clearly communicated. Looking ahead to 2026, the Montecito Association plans to build on this momentum. Priorities include continued advocacy on land use and infrastructure projects, expanded focus on emergency preparedness, ongoing support for Hands Across Montecito’s outreach efforts, and enhanced communication with residents to ensure the community remains informed and engaged. Community input remains central to this work. The Association welcomes ideas, concerns, and perspectives from residents and encourages neighbors to bring forward issues they believe deserve attention. The MA’s effectiveness depends on hearing from the communi-

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

Montecito Tide Guide Day

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“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” – Robin Sharma

newspaper

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

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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 Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108.

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1 – 8 January 2026

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Montecito JOURNAL

Petite Wine Traveler Holiday Calm in Montecito? I Found It at the Bissell Clinic! by Jamie Knee

W W W. D H R H C O N S T R U C T I O N . C O M (805) 439-9015

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Healthy Meets Irresistible.

he holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on us. One minute we are sipping chai tea and admiring fall leaves, and the next we are juggling party planning, gift lists, airport pickups, and those surprising drop-ins from houseguests who somehow forgot to mention they planned to stay for three days. During this season of joy, chaos can sometimes crash the party. So, for this new year I am choosing a quieter gift for myself. Wellness. With that intention, I decided to explore a little haven right here in our own backyard. Just off E. Valley Road in Montecito sits Bissell Clinic, a pioneering wellness center blending physical therapy, sports medicine, brain technology, and chiropractic care. I popped in recently to meet Dr. Charles Bissell and his team, and let’s just say my brain received its most unexpected holiday treat. As someone who writes for a living, the creative mind rarely takes a day off, so when I heard about a “workout for the mind” called ExoMind, I booked myself in for my first treatment. I write stories on paper, on planes, in vineyards, and yes, in my head at 2 am. It is thrilling, but it can also be exhausting when inspiration refuses to sleep. Dr. Bissell suggested ExoMind, a non-invasive brain neuromodulation treatment designed to calm the mind, improve focus, regulate mood, and help the nervous system finally take a breath. The machine uses targeted magnetic

Jamie enters the ExoMind

technology to stimulate brain regions connected to anxiety, stress, mood, and attention. The session is painless, quiet, and deeply calming, more like resting in a cocoon than “doing” anything at all. And afterward, it felt as though someone had turned down the background noise in my head. The ideas are still there, but now they arrive with clarity rather than chaos. Bissell Clinic is much more than chiropractic; it has grown into a full-spectrum wellness clinic. It began as a chiropractic practice in 1996, soon after Dr. Bissell earned his degree and returned home to Santa Barbara with his wife Carrie, both locals who wanted to give back to the community that raised them. What started as a straightforward practice has

Wine Traveler Page 274 274

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The Bissell Clinic team (courtesy photo)

12 Montecito JOURNAL

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

1 – 8 January 2026

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Montecito JOURNAL

The Local Tourist

The Courthouse Clock Tower by Steven Libowitz

elcome to a new column, one that will take you out on the water, up into the mountains, and all around the town to explore the bounty of opportunities on land, sea, air (and otherwise) that make Santa Barbara a mecca for visitors, but that so many locals have never actually visited – or least not when we’re hosting outof-towners. Yes, we’re talking about the places pointed out by hotels concierges, the Visitors Center and tourist guides – the obvious and the not so visible, the kitschy and the unique. For those who might think we locals are above all that, we thought we’d start with a place which actually is above all that – meaning the one location downtown from whose lofty perch you can ogle many of the locations whose praises we’ll eventually be singing. I’m referring, of course, to the Courthouse Clock Tower. New York waxes eloquent about the Empire State Building, Chicago crows over the Sears Tower, and San Francisco

sings the praises of the Top of the Mark and Coit Tower. Our sightseeing attraction is a lot more modest, with the “El Mirador” clock tower rising just 85 feet above the ground. But what a magnificent and yet almost intimate spot from which to take in the majesty of our verdant little burg. The Courthouse itself is a pretty popular spot in town. Most residents have spent time in the Sunken Gardens on the corner of Anapamu and Santa Barbara streets, whether at Noches do Rondes during Fiesta or taking in a summertime film screening from UCSB Arts & Lectures on balmy Friday evenings. People have likely gazed up at the clock tower when the clock itself chimes to mark the passage of time from their vantage in the location’s lowest elevation. But only a small percentage have ever ventured up to the top of the tower itself. Maybe you didn’t even know you could. Here’s the good news: It’s easy and it’s free. You simply catch the elevator at the main entrance up to the fourth “floor,” take a short jaunt up a small flight of

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The “El Mirador” clock tower rising just 85 feet above the ground (photo by Steven Libowitz)

There were well-dressed families and friends from Idaho, Washington State and elsewhere who’d just attended a destination wedding in the Sunken Gardens, as well as several convention attendees, and a few couples eager to take selfies with our implausibly beautiful hometown as backdrop. There were never more than 15 people up there at any time, so crowds weren’t an issue, and at one point I was actually alone, as there isn’t even a security guard or other employee to tell you to move along, or to stop using the handy outlet to recharge a phone, as one visitor did. Visitors can even see the cranes erecting new buildings in town. Which also suggests you might want to stop by relatively soon; which is to say, before they actually build one of the mega-story housing complexes downtown or up by the Mission–unless obstructed views and watching construction from up above is your thing.

steps, and you will find yourself right in the middle of a 360 degree vista offering unparalleled views of the city and its variety of buildings, the Riviera, the mountains, the blue Pacific ocean, the Channel Islands, leafy local neighborhoods and much more, including East Beach, Chase Park, Stearns Wharf, the Arlington Theatre and the Mission. Handy photographic displays clearly point out exactly what you are seeing from this sun-kissed aerie, and in each of the four directions. Gazing at the tiled roofs from above offers an entirely different perspective on one of Santa Barbara’s architectural design quirks. A Sunday afternoon sojourn in early December confirmed the suspicion that only visitors take the courthouse elevator up to this surprising vista point. While a couple of dozen people gazed out at the views over the 45 minutes I was up there, none of them actually lived in town, save for one couple showing their three visitors from Massachusetts around.

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One of the best views in town (photo by Steven Libowitz)

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Elizabeth’s Appraisals

Gorvy leveraged Art Basel Miami as a return to market for Warhol’s Ali at the Gallery’s Miami Convention Center booth. (A marketing stroke of genius: Ali fought there in 1970s.) It sold on December 3 for $18,000,000 to an undisclosed buyer. The market is hot for 1970-1980s prints in editions: prints offers a spectrum of availability from those that are signed and numbered to those that are “estate” prints – and quite affordable. Again, cultural artifacts such as Bardot and Ali prints, laden with nostalgia for the 1970s-80s, will be the guiding light. Historically significant images of our American recent past (yes, the 197080s period is recent past to some of us) matter. Furthermore, artists that hit their peak in the era of the 70s are hot: Basquiat, Calder, de Kooning, Fontana, Ryman, Twombly, and of course Warhol. Cross pollination from social sources impact the way we buy art: think of Netflix’s The Andy Warhol Diaries. Furniture and decorative objects from the 1970s and 1980s – and even the 1990s – are beginning to command top prices. That Italian Brass and Glass dining table is back, (and so is the dining room by the way). The sale of Muhammad Ali a few days ago at the 23rd Art Basel in Miami Beach was the most expensive sale of the Fair; the Gallery Levy Gorvey’s booth was the event, visited by hundreds of fans of the civil rights era athlete; some big names came to worship at the shrine of the image, including Ali’s sons Asaad Amin and Muhammad Ali, Jr. Known by his nickname The Greatest, Ali’s portrait from a series of eight from 1974, along with the sale a few weeks earlier of Warhol’s Bardot portrait inching close to the $20 mill price point, indicate our expectations for 2026: Flash, Sass, Cash, and Splash, 1970s style.

2026 Art Market Predictions by Elizabeth Stewart

here is the art and decorative art market heading in 2026? Straight to the 1970s. Some recent high profile sales this past few weeks show that collectors are aggressively returning to sexy trophy objects, the more culturally evocative, the better; take for example a recent sale by the private boutique auction from Fair Warning on Nov. 19, indicative of the accelerated strong market demand for Warhol’s most iconic portraits of celebrities, famously beautiful faces which have entered the lexicon of contemporary visual culture, thanks to Warhol’s creations in mid-1970s America. The Sale Result: Brigitte Bardot (RIP) – in two colors: gold ground, magent screen) – signed… and dated ‘74 on the overlap, acrylic and silkscreen on canvas 47.2” square. Estimated $8,000,000-$12,000,000 sold for $16,675,000. Andy Warhol made eight silkscreen paintings of Bardot in 1974, all based on a 1959 photograph by Richard Avedon commissioned by Gunter Sach, Bardot’s husband from 1966-69. Five discreet paintings of Bardot have sold since 2006, and two paintings in this series have come up on the auction block twice, one of which, significantly, is that very recent sale of Nov. 19. The Fair Warning Bardot silkscreen is in two colors (gold and magenta) and was sold previously at Sotheby’s in 2012. At that time, this work sold for $4,732,607 (Lot 00023, at Sotheby’s Gunter Sachs Sale). The sale of the Fair Warning Bardot, as compared to the 2012 sale, indicates an accrued value

rate of approximately $1,000,000 a year. Five different color combinations of the Bardot portraits are rumored to be in private hands; in 2011, at the Gagosian Gallery, London, six Bardot silkscreens were presented together. One Bardot is at the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The desire to own the French New Wave Sex Kitten has existed since the 70s. Today 45-year-old collectors have deep nostalgia for the 1970s and all that the ‘70s represent: the “hip” market in 2026 is driven by sex, celebrity, money, and masterpieces. Artists and works that have become ‘brands’ will be sought after, and high prices will be paid for “flash.” The sale by Fair Warning at $16.7 mill, (exceeding the maximum estimate of $12 mill) is the best result of the year for a Warhol; four bidders competed for the gold and magenta Bardot, bidding past the $10 mill threshold. As interest increases for the artist’s iconic mid-20th century subjects, those famous silkscreened faces of modern celebrities of the 1970s are coming up for sale: think Mick Jagger, Queen Elizabeth II, Marilyn, Jackie… the 1970s and 1980s are making a total comeback. A further signal that the market for Warhol’s sexualized celebrity faces is ripe and demand is high is the Warhol which was unveiled on December 1, 2025, at Gallery Levy Gorvy at Art Basel Miami of an image of Muhammad Ali (1977), a three quarter portrait of the handsome fighter in a potent eye-to-eye confrontational strike pose. The same Ali portrait was sold at Christie’s in 2021 for $18.1 mill; the accelerated market has changed the connoisseur landscape. Gallery Levy

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Your Westmont Compassion in Action: 25 New Nurses Graduate by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott

estmont celebrated the accomplishments of 25 new graduates of the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program at a pinning ceremony Dec. 18 before a standing-room-only crowd at Montecito Covenant Church. This is the sixth cohort to graduate from the 16-month accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program, housed at 26 W. Anapamu. Dianthe Hoffman, ABSN program director, thanked the family and friends of the nursing graduates, whose love and support made this day possible. “Thank you for the late nights, early mornings, packed lunches, quiet encouragement and for pretending to understand pharmacology when they needed to talk it out,” she said. President Gayle D. Beebe said it took the global pandemic of 2020 for all of us to stop and recognize how central

nurses are, not only to the delivery of healthcare, but to our very spiritual and emotional well-being. “Nurses are compassionate, they’re person-and-patient centered, and they often end up being our advocates as they interface with other medical personnel,” he said. “Ultimately, because of their spirit of service and their concern for the well-being of every individual, they not only embody the great model of service, they inspire our moral responsibility as citizens of a wider community.” Nursing student Emma Blaschke described the moment as bittersweet, excited for what’s to come while missing her fellow graduates. “It has truly been the honor of my life to learn with you and grow beside you,” she said. “In a world full of anger, division and sickness, where our earthly bodies are destined to fail, I am truly grateful that it’s all of you stepping into the field of nursing, being positive forces in the world and taking care of future generations of babies, children and adults.”

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(Farris) (’09), the production’s stage director. “It allows us to have someone who’s never done opera to have a meaningful part without them being overwhelmed, and meaty lead parts which show off the amazing talents of our students, and everywhere in between. “Opera is always special to me because there are so many moving pieces, and the stars have to align for it to work, and I am always amazed at the way our students and faculty come together to make it happen! Pirates has even more moving pieces, with lots of comedic moments that will allow our students to experience the joy and mayhem that is this show!” Senior Melissa Ellsworth, who has performed in the opera every year at Westmont, says she continues to grow as a singer. “When I came to Westmont I had never sung opera, so it’s been really fun to get to be a part of the

Phoebe Dutra earned the Healthcare Achievement Award, which includes an engraved Littmann stethoscope donated by alumnus Ron Peterson (’71). The pinning ceremony, which welcomes newly graduated nurses into the profession, is modeled from the ceremony in the 1860s when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her service during the Crimean War. The new graduates are: Blaschke (Cum Laude), Dutra (Summa Cum Laude), Silvia Acosta Perez, Gabriela Beedle, Alexander Chu, Harpreet Chumber (Cum Laude), Emily Dall, Claire Early, Natalie Felix, Erin Hoffman (Magna Cum Laude), Camdyn Johns (Magna Cum Laude), Hayley Killion (Cum Laude), Alicia Lewsadder (Summa Cum Laude), Marisol Ortiz, Samantha Parker (Cum Laude), Amelia Perry (Cum Laude), Krystina Rivera Ochoa (Cum Laude), Casside Salcido, Lauren Salsbury (Cum Laude), Sarah Savedra, Briana Silva, Chloe Sorrell, Nicole Thompson, Alyssa Villa (Cum Laude), and Shelby Williams (Cum Laude).

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The Westmont Opera Orchestra and more than a dozen cast members will sing, dance and swashbuckle their way through Pirates of Penzance, a hilarious story of adventure, danger and romance on Friday, Jan. 23, and Sunday, Jan. 25, both at 7 pm in Porter Theatre. “Pirates is a roaring fun show that allows for flexibility in how we can feature our students,” says Ruth Lin, who directs the music with Christina Jensen “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley

Pirates of Penzance comes to Westmont’s Porter Theatre

1 – 8 January 2026

An Independent Mind 2026: Where Are We Going? by Jeffrey Harding

aking prognostications about the future of 2026 is, I admit, a stupid thing to do. No one can predict the future. Those who say they can are mostly just lucky. But, what the heck, maybe my guesses are just as good as anyone’s. We will see on January 1, 2027. Here goes.

Mid-term Elections and Donald Trump

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My prognostication today is that the Republicans will lose one of the houses of Congress. It will be mostly Trump’s fault. President Trump has voter problems. Prices are high, yet Trump denies it. People aren’t stupid when they pay for their groceries. Much of that is caused by his tariffs which have disrupted the formerly smoothly working international supply chain which had supplied us with a cornucopia of goods. Remember, it is we consumers who pay tariffs which is why it is just another tax. There isn’t much he can do to lower prices but getting rid of his tariffs would help. He’s also doing a great job of alienating just about everyone including some of his MAGA base. I watched a lot of his last campaign rally. And, while I am trying to be objective here, I saw many quizzical looks on his audience because much of what he said didn’t make sense. Trump then lashed out on Truth Social that Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered because of his anti-Trump views and that Reiner was “paranoid” and a “deranged person” because he didn’t recognize Trump’s greatness. Oops: Reiner was murdered by his son. But really Donald? The guy who gave us The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally? He just couldn’t leave politics out of it and praise Reiner’s contributions and mourn his loss? Even many Trump supporters are unhappy about ICE SWAT-like raids that deport grandmothers and college students and the people who labor in the back of restaurants and in our fields. His Chief of Staff, Susan Wiles, publicly stated that he doesn’t listen to anyone and does whatever he wants. One wonders about his mental state. As of this writing, Trump’s poll numbers are down. Poll aggregates put his disapproval rating among all voters is at about 50-55%. But that ignores the impact of independents. The key to the election will be independents, those who are neither Republican nor Democrat. According to a 2025 Gallup poll, about 40-43% of voters now identify as independents. Recent polls also show that 70-75% of independents disapprove of Trump’s job performance. The other 60% or so of voters are evenly divided between the two parties and we know how they will vote. This does not look good for Trump and the Republicans. Assuming Republicans and Democrats vote with their party, independents will swing the election, and they are unhappy with Trump. We are a long way from November 2026. There is no telling what politicians will do between now and then.

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Economy/Debt/Bitcoin My prognosis today is that interest rates on Treasury bonds will rise despite the Fed and Treasury’s attempts to set them lower. Those rates impact interest rates in the private sector. Deficit spending will increase debt levels higher than Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates. Inflation will continue to exceed Fed targets. Trump will back off on tariffs as consumer prices and interest rates rise. Bitcoin will decline. The stock market? Who knows? High Debt Levels The government can’t seem to stop spending. Federal government spending now makes up about 23% of GDP. The deficit in 2026 will be funded by more borrowing and will add another $2+ trillion to overall federal debt. Currently, publicly held federal debt equals about 100% of GDP. If you add in government debt held by the federal government and its agencies it equals 120% of GDP. We have the third highest debt to GDP ratio of the top seven industrialized countries. We also lost our Treasury bond AAA gilt-edged credit rating because of looming deficits. That also leads to higher interest rates.

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On Entertainment Roman Times in Mariposa by Steven Libowitz

oshua Roman was just 18 when he first set foot on the Miraflores campus as a cello fellow at the Music Academy of the West’s summer festival in 2002, a summer he says he’ll never forget, partly because it was where he got a sense of what it was like to be a professional musician. “It felt like the first time I was really doing ‘the thing,’ which I really didn’t expect,” he recalled over the phone from his home in New York in mid-December. “I performed something like 30 times over the eight weeks, the most in my life. I performed on stages, in the museum, in people’s homes and at all kinds of events, solo and in the orchestra and in chamber groups. I loved all of it, especially being in such an arts-supportive community. But I had only brought one suit. By the end of the summer, it was only half a joke that it could stand up by itself.” But 2002 was a long time ago, more Cellist Joshua Roman (photo by Shervin Lainez) than half his life. A lot has happened along the way. It was only four years later at 22 years old that Roman landed a prestigious post as Principal Cello with the Seattle Symphony. Just four years later – his college loans paid off – he gave up that esteemed seat many musicians strive for all their lives, in order to pursue his first love; a solo career. “I was a hard charging cellist from the age of six when I decided that’s what I was going to do,” he said. “Everything was built around that. But nobody knew in my family how to do that. So the rest of the trajectory of my life has been a series of learning periods and reactionary periods, but all kind of aimed toward that basic goal of being a cello soloist. I just wanted to be out there impacting people’s lives with the cello.” The move paid off. Roman moved to New York and earned many prestigious appearances, collaborated with some terrific elders and contemporaries, and received

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great reviews. His path went where his heart and desire led. “It’s been about all of the different ways that I feel the cello,” he explained. “Doing my best to integrate that into projects that can tell more of the story. I want what I do to be cohesive.” But then he caught Covid in January of 2021. He’s never really recovered. As one of those afflicted with the mysterious diagnosis of Long Covid, which causes symptoms that vary widely, Roman has had to reconfigure his career to accommodate the chronic illness. Mostly, it meant scaling back from his ever-ambitious schedule, cutting back rehearsal time, and re-examining what he agrees to do with a more judicious eye – focusing largely on producing projects and performances that will resonate beyond the moment. This resonance manifests through an array of ventures. Immunity is his years-long project which integrates his experience of Long COVID into his musical life and yielded an album of the same name. Roman has presented TED Talks about his experience and has undertaken a series of performances – split between the sufferers of the disease, their friends and family, and the general public. This series literally just ended a few days before our conversation. Having Long COVID meant taking a long look at his life and reframing how best to live it under changed circumstances. He constantly needs to manage his energy, and thus choose carefully where to put his efforts and how to pursue his dreams.

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Entertainment (Continued from 20 20)) But while he’d gladly exchange his condition for perfect health, Long Covid has also brought blessings, he said. “I’d always had the idea that I would play so perfectly that it would change people’s lives, just because they heard music that pure,” Roman said. “I think I’ve let go of that through therapy, but I also know that there is something about music that transcends what we can explain. The skills and the ability that I’d been working so hard on are very important, but so is the part that is very scary; to let down my guard and be vulnerable. Centering that element of performance has made me feel so much more connected and confident and open on stage, which leads to people really being moved. I’d been thinking that sense of connection was accessible through the mind, when it’s really letting go that makes it happen. “Now, everything that I do is explicitly geared toward exploring that question and the power of music in a way that challenges pre-formed conceptions. Being able to break down walls and then build new ideas with people is what it’s all about.” Roman’s collaborators at the moment are Grammy Award-winning double bassist Edgar Meyer and the similarly genre-busting bluegrass-loving violinist Tessa Lark, the trio performing a concert back at Hahn Hall on January 8 as part of MAW’s off-season Mariposa Series. All three musicians are familiar with the venue: Roman via repeat appearances for the Academy over the years, including the 2024 gala; Meyer as a 2019 Mosher Guest Artist during the festival; and Lark in a solo performance for UCSB A&L last season. The program features Bach’s “Sonata for Viola da Gamba in G Major, BWV 1027,” and Meyer’s own triplet of trios from 1986 and 1988, including a new one he composed in 2024 specifically for this group. “It’s this group, these people, the way that it sounds to have these three instruments, and the level of performance, which is surprisingly rare,” Roman said. “We all have a reverence for Bach, and Edgar’s music is just incredible. What we play has a simplicity. Even when it’s complicated, there’s a directness to it. It’s very honest.” Visit https://musicacademy.org/mariposa

Winter Wonderland: What’s Ahead in the Arts After weeks of Nutcrackers and other Christmas-centric holiday shows culminating in big blowout bashes for New Year’s Eve, January’s arrival means we’re back

Don’t miss trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane at the Granada (courtesy photo)

to our usual environment of enviable entertainment in our ultra arts-blessed burg. Here’s some admittedly biased picks and other highly anticipated shows coming our way in winter. Three big comedy performances happen over a 20-day period, including Rob Schneider and the rarely-seen Janeane Garofalo on successive nights at the Lobero January 22-23, and the return to the theater of Nick Offerman in “Big Woodchuck: An Evening of Comedy with Woodworking and Bookish Mirth,” on February 10. Folk-pop makes a fortunate foray in February, with The Wailin’ Jennys slated for February 12 at the Lobero, and Suzanne (“Luka”) Vega following two days later at the venue. The Lobero has also landed Richard Thompson, who once played the venue almost annually for what seemed like decades, for his first appearance in years on April 4 – yes, that’s actually in spring, but it’s Richard Thompson! Also of note: Taj Mahal and Patty Griffin share a bill blending blues and roots music at the Arlington Theatre on February 17 through UCSB Arts & Lectures. In the classical corner, Aristo Sham, the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medal Winner in 2025, makes his Santa Barbara debut January 24 at the Music Academy’s Hahn Hall via UCSB A&L, which also sponsors old friend and superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a special solo recital of world premiere co-commissions at the Granada on February 22. That’s the same venue for CAMA’s concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti on January 23. In jazz, it’s a “just-this-once” sort of thing on January 27 when A&L brings trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane to the Granada to celebrate and reimagine the legacies of Miles Davis and John Coltrane (Ravi’s dad) in the jazz legends’ shared centennial year. Dance dimensions include a two-day residency at the Granada March 3-4 from the ever inventive and enterprising Tiler Peck, who has curated a pair of performances in which the New York City Ballet superstar leads an all-star cast in tribute to the legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins, featuring iconic works performed by principal dancers from the world’s top companies. In theater, we get the Broadway touring version of The Book of Mormon making what is apparently the Tony-decorated musical’s local debut at the Granada, on February 24-25 as part of the American Theatre Guild’s season. In locally produced plays, Ensemble unveils The Shark Is Broken, a humorous but sophisticated exploration of the chaotic behind-the-scenes drama on the Jaws film set, when the movie’s three male stars were stuck on a boat while the mechanical shark was being repaired. The February 5-22 run chronicles the creative conflict that resulted in a cultural touchstone in the movie that celebrated its 50th anniversary last summer.

Entertainment Page 254 254

22 Montecito JOURNAL

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” – Thomas Jefferson

1 – 8 January 2026

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Montecito JOURNAL

Independent Mind (Continued from 19 19))

SHERIFF’S BLOTTER

Bank Fraud Wells Fargo / 1400 block East Valley Road, Montecito Thursday, December 11, at 12:18 hours The victim received a phone call from an unknown suspect warning of fraudulent activity with regard to her bank account. The suspect told the victim she needed to withdraw $27,000 from her account at Wells Fargo and give it to a second suspect waiting in the parking lot if she wanted to keep her money safe. The victim followed the suspect’s instructions and gave the money to a suspect driving a blue minivan. The victim attempted to withdraw an additional $60,000 from a different Wells Fargo branch, but that branch manager denied her withdrawal request and locked her account. Follow-ups will be conducted to canvas the area for video surveillance of the suspect(s)/suspect vehicle. Hot Springs Vehicle Tow/ 1200 E. Mountain Road, Montecito Sunday, December 14, at 19:12 hours One vehicle was towed from the Hot Springs Trailhead parking area. Hot Springs Vehicle Tow/ 1200 E. Mountain Road, Montecito Wednesday, December 17, at 20:44 hours Two vehicles were towed from the Hot Springs Trailhead parking area. Male Trespassing Laguna Blanca Lower School / 200 Block San Ysidro Road, Montecito Thursday, December 18, at 09:08 hours Laguna Blanca School in Montecito called in to report an unknown male subject trespassing on school property. As a precautionary measure, the school was placed on lockdown. When deputies arrived, the subject had already left and was last seen walking northbound on San Ysidro Road. The subject was contacted in front of Montecito Union School and identified. Upon being questioned, subject admitted to trespassing at Laguna Blanca School. Subject was arrested and booked into SBJ without incident. Hot Springs Vehicle Tow/ 1200 E. Mountain Road, Montecito Friday, December 19, at 19:06 hours Three vehicles were towed from the Hot Springs Trailhead parking area.

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Most spending is mandatory. About 74% goes to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, defense, and interest on debt. The CBO which comes up with this data assumes that there will be more tax revenue coming in because of tax cuts which would spur the economy. This is a big “if.” A softening economy and a pullback in consumer spending is on the horizon. Also, they are counting on tariff revenues to help reduce the deficit. I believe that is magical thinking. Private debt levels are also high. There are many new “creative” structured private non-bank investments into debt financing. Competition to place debt has forced lenders into loans to riskier companies with problematic equity and weaker revenue streams. With the rush to private lending, weaker loan standards create risks to creditor not seen since the 2008 Great Financial Crisis (GFC). Much of it is invested in AI companies. Some of these publicly held AI borrowers are seeing declining share prices as doubt grows about AI overinvestment. Stock Market Values and AI CAPE, a measure of the ratio of per share stock price to earnings is at a high level not seen since 2000 and 2021. What’s been driving it is the AI boom, or about 10 stocks that have been pushed to very high values. They are responsible for most of GDP growth yet account for only 8% of the economy, which means the rest of the economy has had flat growth. Margin debt (stock purchased with borrowed money) is at $1.2 trillion or 1.78% of market value, the highest dollar amount on record. It was 2.91% at the peak of the dot.com boom. And all that money printed by the Fed during the pandemic (about $4.5 trillion) is almost fully invested, in case you wonder where the money comes from to drive this market to its current high. The Wall Street Journal and other publications have been running articles on the “eerie” similarities of the AI boom to the 2000 dot.com crash. Crypto Then there are cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. Had you ignored my advice several years ago when I said bitcoin was an investment in thin air you would have made a lot of money. Apparently, many people thought thin air was the next big thing and they still do. My point was that it was like the tulip craze in Holland in the 1630s where tulip bulbs were bid up to fantastic prices (a single rare bulb was traded for a house) until someone realized that they were just flowers. The market crashed and Holland went into a long depression. I still believe that bitcoin has no intrinsic value since it is just a program consisting of ones and zeroes and nothing else. I have studied the uses of cryptocurrencies and the potential uses of blockchain technology dreamed up over the years and none of them have shown any utility unless you wish to trade in illegal goods or hide assets. Now Wall Street sees bitcoin as a way to make money and have jumped into the market with both feet. JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Schwab, Wells Fargo, Fidelity, etc. are all offering investments in bitcoin. There are many ways to do this. They offer bitcoin structured products, derivatives, futures, options, loans collateralized by bitcoin, ETFs. Some companies are buying on margin to increase their buying power of bitcoin. Some are offering “tether” coins which tie your bitcoin to dollar reserves they say are matched dollar to the dollar value of your coin. Promoters are coming up with more, clever investment structures to lure investors in. I think this entire crypto market rests on a proverbial foundation of sand. It goes up because it goes up. The debt structures created around some bitcoin investments magnifies this risk. If bitcoin starts losing value from its high point (as in right now – from $120,000 to $85,000-ish) one wonders what could happen if it continues its slide. But of course, that couldn’t happen, could it? As a sign of flight to safety, gold hit $4,400 p/oz. the other day. Tariffs My prognostication today is that Trump will lower tariffs as prices rise because of inflation, supply shortages, and tariff costs. Also, soft corruption will give trade benefits to Trump supplicants in exchange for benefits bestowed on things Trump favors. Higher prices will impact consumer spending. It is likely the Supreme Court will rule against Trump’s unconstitutional use of tariffs. For reasons known only to President Trump, he erected worldwide tariffs on “Liberation Day” back in April. There was a 10% tariff on all imports. Twenty-seven countries were hit with much higher tariffs. China was hit with a 125% tariff. Major trading partners such as Japan and Korea were hit with 24% and 25% (respectively) tariffs. The Dow declined 5% by week’s end and the S&P 500 was down 5.7%. Trump often says that our manufacturing industry was “hollowed out” because of Chinese competition. That is incorrect. Yes, manufacturing employment has

“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

Independent Mind Page 264 264

1 – 8 January 2026

New Year, New You (Continued from 5)

Entertainment (Continued from 22 22))

lished on February 25, 2025: https:// tinyurl.com/MJSoberChoice

Living the Montecito Lifestyle

Jessica Ballonoff and Groove Pilates can help meet your fitness needs this year (courtesy photo)

For the mind, tapping (EFT) offers a refreshingly low-tech upgrade to everyday coping. Certified practitioner Ginny Kuhn’s step-by-step method proves that emotional regulation doesn’t require a retreat, a subscription, or a Himalayan singing bowl. It just asks for honesty, presence, and a willingness to tap along your cheekbones for a minute. A resolution here: replace one habitual spiral with one deliberate pause. Small shift, big return. And then there’s the growing wave of “sober by choice.” Not abstinence born of crisis – just clarity. Many are skipping the nightly pour for reasons as varied as longevity science, sleep quality, or simply wanting to feel sharper in the morning. The resolution isn’t necessarily “never drink again,” but rather be intentional about what you consume and why. A mindful mindset, whether applied to wine, sugar, or microdosed chocolate mushrooms (we see you, Santa Barbara), is a wellness trend worth embracing. Read More “Finding Your Groove: Inside the Joyful World of Groove Pilates” by Zach Rosen, originally published on August 12, 2025: https://tinyurl.com/ MJGroovePilates “Tapping: Clearing the Way to Positive Thinking” by Ann Brode, originally published on May 20, 2025: https:// tinyurl.com/MJTapping “Sober By Choice: The New Sobriety” by Deann Zampelli, originally pub-

Lifestyle resolutions are often the most fun – and the first abandoned. But Montecito’s stories from the past year suggest goals that feel refreshingly doable. Take Organic Oren: an entire business built on nourishment, creativity, and meals that don’t repeat for five years running. Oren Giladi’s “salad walks” alone are resolution material. Maybe the aim this year is to eat with curiosity again – to choose food that energizes instead of depletes and to support local makers who emphasize quality without snobbery. Then there’s Nelly’s Tailoring, a reminder that craftsmanship – real craftsmanship – still matters. Her decadesdeep devotion to stitch, fit, and patience reframes the idea of “refreshing your wardrobe.” Instead of buying everything new, why not refine what you already own? A nip here, a restyled hem there, and suddenly the clothes you forgot you loved feel like keepsakes again. And for a dash of pure seasonal delight, fall fashion serves as an encouraging nudge to play more. Whether it’s a new belt, a scarf, or simply rotating pieces you haven’t worn in ages, small shifts can change the way you move through the world. Add a coffee at the newly opened Dart’s in Carpinteria, a gallery stroll, or a community event, and lifestyle becomes less about consumption and more about participation. Read More “Organic Growth of a Local Meal Service” by Tiana Molony, originally published October 7, 2025: https:// tinyurl.com/MJOrganicOren “A Stitch in Time is Sublime” by Jeff Wing, originally published April 8, 2025: https://tinyurl.com/MJStitchTime “Fall Fashion” by Joanne A Calitri, originally published September 9, 2025: https://tinyurl.com/MJFallFashion

Alan Ayckbourn’s nearly 40-year-old A Small Family Business dives into difficulties dealing with trying to clean up corrupt and dishonest practices through a darkly funny exploration of how minor moral compromises can lead to major crimes. SBCC’s Theatre Group puts on the play at the Garvin Theatre March 4-21.

Focus on Film: SBIFF on the Horizon It’s one of the axioms of the arts that just as the year is winding down, the Oscars and other film award races are heating up. What also warms up as the weather cools in our community is anticipation of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which presents its 41st annual event February 4-14. There’s much more to SBIFF than the Hollywood elite hoofing it up to town heralding their movie hopefuls through tributes, panels, discussions, and screenings. (Although to be fair, probably even more writers, director, and actors have already been here this fall via SBIFF’s Cinema Society, which screens previews of just about every important film followed by interviews Sinners’ Michael B. Jordan will receive the Outstanding with filmmakers.) But since Performer Award at the 2026 SBIFF the program itself won’t be made public until January 14, lavishing attention on the stars and such will have to do. Not that they, and SBIFF, don’t deserve it. As always, SBIFF head honcho Roger Durling et al have done a marvelous job anticipating who to honor well ahead of the nominations, with Sinners’ Michael B. Jordan (Outstanding Performer Award), Sentimental Value’s Stellan Skarsgård (Montecito Award) and Jay Kelly’s Adam Sandler (Maltin Modern Master Award) all expected to garner nods for Oscars, as are six of the eight mostly up-and-coming actors slated to receive the Virtuosos Award en masse, including One Battle After Another’s Teyana Taylor, currently sitting atop Oscarologist’s GoldDerby. com’s prediction list. Also in the eagerly awaited arena: the debut of SBIFF’s radically refurbished McHurley Film Center (formerly Fiesta Five Theatres), featuring upgraded auditoriums, advanced sound and projection, an art gallery and other modern amenities, and a reported art house program – expected to be completed in time to serve as the main home for SBIFF 2026.

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Montecito JOURNAL

Robert’s Big Questions

Predictions, Futures, & Hopes for 2026? by Robert Bernstein

y editors invited me to offer my predictions and/or hopes for the year ahead. I claim no special talent for making predictions. Nixon and Reagan were fond of psychics, notably the Republican Jeane Dixon. Dixon gained fame by claiming to predict the assassination of President Kennedy. Sort of. She also predicted that Nixon would win the 1960 election, making it hard for a President Kennedy to be assassinated. Mathematician John Allen Paulos coined the term “Jeane Dixon effect” for this cognitive fallacy: We remember the rare cases of correct predictions and forget the far larger number of wrong ones. This past year has been notable for what my wife Merlie calls “the poop of the day.” Each day Trump does something utterly idiotic, cruel, traitorous and/or ruinous to our future. This shows no sign of ending. We are still on the Titanic headed straight for the Climate Crisis impact. Trump has done his best to destroy sustainable energy programs that might avert disaster. But Biden created a vast sustainable energy program that is actually quite difficult to reverse. Almost all the money goes to Republican districts. I talked to a rancher whose sustainable energy grant was killed by Trump. But she was able to get it reinstated by avoiding mentioning “sustainable energy.” China has invested tens of billions to make sustainable energy cheap. That is the future. All that Trump can do is give that future to China while the U.S. digs unwanted coal and revives 19th century industry. Trump is slowing badly needed progress. But he can’t stop it. Artificial intelligence will expand and change society. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, “You’re not going to lose your job to an AI, but you’re going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.” I think some people will lose jobs to an AI. But his point is valid: Learn to use the technology in creative ways. 2026 is a midterm election year. I make no prediction. But this is an opportunity for the Democrats to offer a clear message about the future they would like to build. When I was growing up in the ‘60s and ‘70s the future looked very futuristic! Vacations on the moon. Flying cars. Supersonic transport. No one would want for basic needs. We would

26 Montecito JOURNAL

expend our resources on scientific research and exploration. We can still have the future we want. But we have to stay focused on what we demand of our leaders. 60 Minutes recently had a piece on “Prediction Markets.” Notably, one called “Polymarket.” In this model, people place bets on a wide range of predictions, including elections. My financial advisor informed me about prediction markets years ago as perhaps the best source of accurate predictions. Part of its power is “wisdom of the crowd.” But, when people have money on the line, they do their homework, greatly improving the accuracy. The U.S. banned prediction markets in the past, claiming they are just online gambling. This makes no sense to me. Gambling involves games of chance that have no bearing on anything that matters in the real world. Prediction markets are like futures markets. Why do futures markets exist for things like pork bellies? They are a form of insurance for industries that deal with major variables beyond their control. Think of farmers dealing with weather and international crises that disrupt markets. They do this by selling futures contracts (taking a “short” position) to guarantee a certain price, offsetting potential losses if the price of their goods drops. A prediction market for who is in control of the U.S. government can be used exactly the same way. Imagine if some raving lunatic took over our government and started lawlessly adding tariffs to our biggest trading partners? Or deported critical workers? Or created international conflicts, disrupting international trade? Just hypothetically. Placing bets on such an insane situation can hedge losses for a wide range of industries. Bill Gates offered this wisdom in his 1995 book The Road Ahead. We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. 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

Independent Mind (Continued from 24 24)) shrunk over the past 50 years, but it was because of modern production efficiencies. Manufacturing is still about the same percentage of GDP that it has always been. Despite all that, the U.S. is the world’s second largest exporter of manufactured goods and our workers because of those efficiencies are 10x more productive than, say, Chinese workers. We are very competitive. Everything was working pretty smoothly before Trump. Jobs were high and unemployment was at a low. The economy was moving along smoothly and growing. That stopped because businesses didn’t know what he would do next and they couldn’t plan for the future. The result of tariffs has been a setback for American business and consumers. We are already seeing higher prices, reduced economic growth, and lower real incomes. We are also seeing soft corruption in the Administration as businesses and importers beg for tariff exemptions and many get them by contributing some monetary benefit or contribution to something Trump favors. At some point Trump will realize that tariffs are part of the problem as consumer prices remain stubbornly high and he will start giving more exemptions to importers. That point will be before the November election in an attempt to lower prices for voters.

China My prognosis today is that we should not fear China and we will not join in a war with China and Taiwan. Trump will start reducing his high tariffs against Chinese goods. China is still the world’s largest exporter. Good for them. We may complain they aren’t playing fair, or that they are stealing our technology. Whatever. We are still number two in manufactured goods. It’s always easy for politicians to paint China as the villain. After all they are Commies and run roughshod over their people. They cozy up to Russia, they threaten Taiwan. They flex their muscles in the China Sea. President Xi is a dictator and is consolidating his hold over the government and his people. Fear not. Unless you are a Chinese citizen or Taiwanese neither we nor our allies are going to go to war with China. First of all, they are a weak economic power. Their economy is a mess. Real estate values, the underpinning of a lot of Chinese who saw real estate investment as a path to wealth, have collapsed. Again. Their per capita income is below Uruguay’s, down at 93rd place. Our manufacturing workers generate about 10x what Chinese workers produce. With all of their vaunted enterprise, foreigners invest less than half in China of what foreigners invest in the U.S. More opportunity here. Their government dictates the economy and sets goals for economic output, a policy that has failed wherever tried, including in China’s past. Their population is collapsing as people marry later and put off having children. A declining population leads to a declining economy. President Xi can rattle sabers all he wants, but he and China are not a military threat to us. They need us as their biggest customer. It is true that when things go bad for dictators, they threaten their “enemies” to generate nationalistic support and deflect criticism of their failures at home. Thus their increased belligerence about Taiwan and us. Our China diplomacy is to walk a tightrope between Taiwan and China. We arm Taiwan but we have limited public diplomatic relations with them. Taiwan is a technological powerhouse, and China knows that and needs them and their mainland investments as well. We occasionally send in a fleet to remind China that the South China Sea is international waters, and the Philippines are an ally. Ditto Japan and Korea. The Wall Street Journal recently published a detailed analysis of what would happen if China invaded Taiwan. First is that we would not join in. We have no mutual defense treaty with them. Second, Taiwan is a well-armed porcupine. Third it would be very costly to both sides. A ravaged Taiwan would not be in China’s interest. China will continue to put pressure on Taiwan but will likely try to chip away at them and slowly gain some controls over them similar to Hong Kong. I believe the U.S. would try to negotiate a peaceful result. What we should do with China is reduce the tension by re-opening trade relations by lowering the punitive tariffs imposed by Trump. Trade with China has been an enormous benefit to us and them. We should normalize diplomatic relations in order to divert them from aligning with Russia and Iran. These are complex issues, but it would be better to adopt a posture with China that makes us, if not friends, friendly cooperative acquaintances.

Ukraine What is our policy on Ukraine? I don’t think the administration has one. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal is to take all of Ukraine. From my perspective it

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

Independent Mind Page 304 304

1 – 8 January 2026

Montecito Health Coach

Wine Traveler (Continued from 12 12))

A New Year of Wonder by Deann Zampelli

o you have a moment in your day that highlights how fast time is passing? For me, it is at night when I turn down the covers of our bed. It seems I just did this and yet, intellectually I am aware that it was closer to 24-hours ago. Recent studies have shown that one of the reasons for this is that as we age, we are creating fewer new memories. Remember being in 9th grade and watching the clock tick (almost backward à la Ferris Bueller)? That is because when we are taking in a plethora of new information, the time seems to expand to hold it all in. But often as we get older, we don’t often challenge ourselves in the same way. Many longevity experts will advocate for doing something new each day like varying your route to the grocery store, trying a new café, or challenging your brain at a mind bender like Sudoku. But as I look forward to the new year ahead, I suggest we challenge ourselves in a different way; one filled with wonder. When we prepare for a trip, I always check that city’s calendar of events to make sure we catch whatever is on offer. A new exhibit? A sensory experience? An Indonesian restaurant listed as a Must Not Miss. But here? In my own town? Almost never. As in, really never. This year, I plan to experience my hometown of almost 20 years as a tourist. Not every day, of course, but at least a few times each month I plan to try something new and look at my own beautiful city through the eyes of a tourist. While there are so many, here are the first 24, enough for two every month. I hope you will join me on this challenge (or make your own list!) and see Santa Barbara through the eyes of wonder. 1. Wildlife Kayaking Tour. 2. Tour the Santa Barbara Courthouse. 3. Have a picnic in The Rose Garden near the Mission. 4. Walk Hammond’s Meadow Trail to the beach. 5. Plunge in the hot springs up Cold Spring Trail as a reward for the hike to get there. 6. Saturday lunch at Brass Bear in The Funk Zone. 7. Catch the sunset at The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. 8. Visit our newly renovated Museum of Art. 9. Eat some insanely good noodles at Empty Bowl in The Public Market. 10. Spend the day at the spectacular Santa Barbara Zoo and check out Zoo Lights before January 15. 11. Take a tour of Lotusland. 12. Experience sunrise yoga at Meditation Mount in Ojai. 13. Drinks or even a coffee at the El Encanto Hotel. Just walking in the doors feels like you are on vacation. Stack on a movie at The Riviera Theatre for a quintessentially Santa Barbara outing. 14. Stroll around the Japanese Exhibition at El Presidio Santa Barbara State Park on Canon Perdido. 15. No visit to Montecito would be complete without experiencing a sunset at Butterfly Beach. 16. Hang out and have lunch at Shoreline Café. Get a beach table, dip your toes in the sand and I swear it feels like you are in Mexico. 17. First Thursdays! On the first Thursday of each month, experience art, music and theater in our very own downtown Santa Barbara. 18. No self-respecting resident can ignore the cultural breadth of the UCSB Arts & Lectures series with an offering of literary, musical, dance and speaker series that any city 10 times our size would be proud of. 19. What about the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden? Yes, I say! 20. Holy moly! I almost forgot the Santa Barbara International Film Festival! For a little town, we sure have an impressive film festival each February. 21. Walk along the marina and grab some fresh fish at the seafood market, lunch at On the Alley, rent a paddle board or just watch the boats. Magical. 22. Visit the enchanting Bellosguardo, the Huguette Clark Estate. 23. The Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. Wander around the exhibits, see the hawk and owl handlers, and be sure not to miss one of the Planetarium presentations. 24. Bike or walk the Cabrillo beach path. Every time I do it, I marvel out how very fortunate we are to see this in our lives each day. The beach, the boats, the seagulls, the cafés and the oh so many dogs I meet. Pure bliss. I can’t wait to get started. And, for once I know I will not overpack! From all of us at the Montecito Journal, we wish you a happy, healthy and wonder-filled year ahead. 1 – 8 January 2026

Bissell Clinic uses shockwave therapy that can help break up scar tissue, improve circulation, and restore movement (courtesy photo)

expanded into a comprehensive center with three highly skilled physical therapists and a thoughtful collection of advanced treatments. Today, the clinic offers sports chiropractic care shaped by 30 years of hands-on experience with athletes, weekend warriors, and busy professionals who simply want to live without pain. Adjustments are tailored to the person, never over-treated, and when needed, they are blended with physical therapy so patients receive true continuity of care. Bissell Clinic also uses shockwave therapy, a technology borrowed from lithotripsy and adapted for orthopedic injuries. Whether someone is dealing with plantar fasciitis or tennis elbow, this focused energy helps break up scar tissue, improve circulation, and restore movement. Pelvic floor strengthening is another quiet star of the clinic, a powerful magnetic system that delivers twelve thousand pelvic contractions in 28 minutes. It is ideal for building core strength, supporting the lower back, aiding post-prostate recovery, easing incontinence, and creating lasting spinal stability. For those with disc issues, spinal decompression provides gentle traction that coaxes the discs back

toward alignment. It also encourages nutrients to flow back into injured tissue over a series of relaxing sessions. All of this is supported by thoughtful physical therapy and personalized programs that can include muscle stimulation, ultrasound, stretching, strengthening exercises, and guided home care. The work that begins in the clinic continues to support you in everyday life. Wellness can be the most meaningful holiday gift, especially when we are dashing through the season searching for the perfect wine to bring to a party, planning menus for friends, and welcoming relatives who sweep in with large suitcases and absolutely no warning. In the midst of it all, it feels good to save a little sparkle for ourselves. After all, the best gatherings are enjoyed when our minds feel clear and our bodies feel supported. My visit to Bissell Clinic was a reminder that wellness is not something we wait to pursue just in the new year – it is something we can choose every day, all year round, even with the whirlwind of the holidays swirling around us. Whether your mind is buzzing with ideas, your body is calling for a little care, or you simply want to navigate the season with ease, there is a place here in Montecito that understands how to help. The sentiment at the heart of it is warm and simple, a motto that feels especially timely right now: Be Well, Live Well.

Jamie Knee is a Global Wine Communicator, Wine Media Personality, and International Wine Judge & Educator, named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential Women in Wine.” Follow her @petitewinetraveler.

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Montecito JOURNAL

Local Tourist (Continued from 14 14)) Once you’re done with viewing the vistas, you can add to the experience by taking the stairs back down – some 148, I’m told, which is only about 70 less than at the Statue of Liberty. Just one floor down from the tower deck you can gaze through a wall of glass and admire the working guts of one of the last remaining fully operational Seth Thomas Tower Clocks in America. This outsized historical timepiece has been ticking since its installation in the late summer of 1929, when the rebuilt courthouse opened four years after the famous earthquake that leveled its predecessor. It’s a fascinating machine, energized by gravity, controlled by a swinging pendulum driving two hands on each of four large outside dials. Aside from the opportunity to view the clockworks through glass throughout the day, the Bisno-Schall Clock Gallery itself is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:45 to 12:05, in the company of a docent. To reserve a group Clock Room visit (limited to 15 people at a time), email clock@sbcourthouse.org at least two weeks in advance of the desired date.

Westmont (Continued from 18 18)) Curiously, it seems that the top of the tower wasn’t originally supposed to be open to the public at all. Rather, the original design called for the top to house actual bells, which would have been too loud and dangerous for proximal visitors. Apparently budget cuts scotched that idea, thankfully, and now it’s the best 360° view in town of Santa Barbara’s demure majesty. And if you fall in love with all of it, it turns out that while tour guides don’t actually bring visitors up to the tower, the Courthouse itself is once again courting docents. Applications are being accepted through the end of the month.

at. “Each of the directors are so amazing and talented at what they do, I’m excited to see their vision come to life as we are developing our characters and partaking in some pirate shenanigans,” she says.

Westmont Opera productions these past four years and learn how to sing in that style,” she says. Ellsworth says she is most looking forward to putting together a super fun show for people to enjoy and laugh

Visit https://sbcourthouse.org and www.bisnoschallgallery.org/tower-clock

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

Melissa Ellsworth performs in “Trial by Jury” in 2023

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28 Montecito JOURNAL

“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.” – Germany Kent

1 – 8 January 2026

Beings & Doings (Continued from 6) profited enough from your annual recidivism? Maybe this is the year you forgo the Resolution and the dime store halo you hang from it. Yeah, sure you’re gonna go to the gym, not just this year but, like, in perpetuity. You betcha! But on day two your moth-eaten terrycloth robe gets caught in the treadmill and is torn from your Adonislike figure; a physiological self-appraisal confirmed by the outright screams of the Work those biceps. You can do this! (photo other gym-goers. Within the hour you by zscout370 via Wikimedia) are hoisting to your previously smug New Year’s yap an apple fritter the size of a steering wheel. You can feel the bicep burn!

Celebrating our 40th year of timeless classical design

Resistance is Futile The Starship Enterprise landing party – always comprised of the three highest-ranking guys on the ship and one nameless boob in a red Federation “Kick Me” blouse – materializes next to a gang of lizard guys whose zippers are all but plainly visible in the soundstage lighting. Of course as soon as the transporter sparkles resolve, panicky Ensign Whatnot whips out his phaser and is vaporized by the boss lizard, whose encased actor can barely raise his rubberized arm to fire. “Resistance is futile!” the boss lizard intones solemnly, clearly the leader in his ill-fitting, silver lamé tunic. Well, reader, I’m afraid that is the ...prenez une poignée de ces comprimés et theme of this year’s column… No, not appelez-moi demain matin (domaine public) silver lamé!! Resistance is Futile. To put it in terms that seem less melancholy and hopeless and more in the spirit of true yearly renewal – you don’t have to dub yourself a Knight of the Round Table every year. You’re just going to fall off your steed in your 60 lbs of riveted armor and helplessly lay there. All you have to do this year is to move incrementally from last year’s position. You be you. That scheme has worked pretty well so far, right? Just ask your family and friends – your lovebirds. Why mess with a good thing? Betterment is not a river in Egypt. Or whatever.

Yeah, dude. I can tell from here you’re a lousy shot. (photo courtesy of Joe Ross via Wikimedia)

1 – 8 January 2026

Estates...

Gardens...

Jeff Wing is a journalist, raconteur, autodidact, and polysyllable enthusiast. He has been writing about Montecito and environs since before some people were born. He can be reached at jeff@ montecitojournal.net

Interiors...

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Montecito JOURNAL

Miscellany (Continued from 8)

Independent Mind (Continued from 26 26))

the masters who shaped modern art. It is a show of remarkable depth and an experience to savor. Spotted among the art lovers were Janet Garufis, Meredith Beitz, Christine Holland, Shirley Waxman, George Konstantinow, Helene Segal, Bob and Siri Marshall, Carol MacCorkle, Keith Moore, Tracy and Michael Bollag, Jane Eagleton, Edward D’Andrea, and Betsey Johnson. by Maria McCall

appears Trump doesn’t know what to do. President Trump claimed he would stop the war in one day after his election. We are now in year four of the war. The Ukrainians have stopped the Russians in Eastern Ukraine at great cost to both sides. Europe is in a panic about this war. For good reason they fear Russia and believe Putin will not stop at Ukraine. Yet they have been ineffective in their role as negotiators or as a military power. They do supply weapons to Ukraine. They also just pledged a $105 billion loan to them. But they don’t seem to have a unified front. They are counting on us. We have been supplying some sophisticated weapons, such as missiles, but it has been sporadic. Ukraine and Europe do not see us as a reliable ally. Trump has called Putin six times and met in person once to discuss an end to hostilities or even a temporary truce. The talks have been a failure. Putin sees us and Trump as being feckless and unwilling to seriously back Ukraine. He thinks he can win and is willing to pay the cost in bodies. It makes us weaker, and Trump looks foolish. If we do not take a strong stand against Putin, he will eventually roll through Ukraine and lurk on NATO’s border. That is what Europe fears, and it makes the world a more dangerous place. It will be costly for us and Europe but a stand against warmongers and a defeat of Russia will lead to a more peaceful and stable world. Will Trump’s legacy be the president who lost Ukraine to Putin? Is it all doom and gloom? I am not trying to preach doom and gloom. But I am not alone Jeffrey Harding is a real with my views. I believe that there estate investor and long-time are good investment values, and resident of Montecito. He our resilient economy has shown previously published a popular the ability to absorb and respond financial blog, The Daily to systemic shocks. I do think Capitalist. He is a there is more risk in the econoretired SBCC my and politics and a cautious adjunct professor. approach would be a good thing right now.

Rare 1966 Fiesta Poster Donated to SB Historical Museum Keith Moore donated a rare 1966 Old Spanish Days Fiesta poster to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. The image of a caballero flamenco dancer, reminiscent of Timo Nuñez, still bears the artist’s signature, prompting Museum Director Dacia Harwood to call it a remarkable find. The gift carries special meaning for Moore. His mother, Phyllis Moore, was Saint Barbara in 1949 and spent decades assembling an impressive trove of Fiesta memorabilia. His family’s connection stretches back even further: his grandparents attended the first Fiesta parade in 1924. While the poster awaits cataloging, visitors can explore the museum’s New Acquisitions exhibition, which includes a 1900s school desk, an 1800s Chamber of Commerce seal, a De la Guerra family jewelry box, and more – each piece with its own story to tell. by Maria McCall

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ with Montecito Bank & Trust Montecito Bank & Trust celebrated its 50th anniversary with customers at a

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).

reception and a special screening of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Riviera Theatre, with guests bringing canned-goods donations for Unity Shoppe. SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling welcomed the crowd, reflecting on the film’s message about how small actions can create lasting impact – something he said mirrors the bank’s influence on local nonprofits, including early support that helped stabilize the Film Festival and Michael Towbes’ later gift of the Riviera Theatre. Bank Chairman and CEO Janet Garufis shared a warm tribute to Michael Towbes – likening him to George Bailey – and recalled how an 80th-birthday celebration for Towbes themed It’s a Wonderful Life drew a crowd of more than 800 community members. She thanked the community for 50 years of support and invited everyone to enjoy the classic holiday film together.

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SCAN ME!

Subscribe to the MJ’s Morning MoJo newsletter and get local news delivered to your inbox twice weekly. Dacia Harwood and Keith Moore showing off the historic piece of Fiesta poster art (photo by Priscilla)

30 Montecito JOURNAL

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” – Melody Beattie

ecito

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Wake up to a good cup of news! 1 – 8 January 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV075566. To all interested parties: Petitioner MARILYN CLAIRE DRAGHI filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to CLAIRE DRAGHI KEMP. 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 December 23, 2025 by Sarah Sisto. Hearing date: February 9, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 5, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 1, 8, 15, 22, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: BIZ IN ENGLISH; BIZ IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERVICES, 735 State Street, Suite 220, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. BUBEL CONSULTING, LLC, 735 State Street, Suite 220, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 14, 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. 2025-0002626.

Published December 11, 18, 25, 2025, and January 1, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: MIRAMAR MANAGEMENT, 701 Anacapa Street, Ste. D, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. MIRAMAR GROUP, INC., 701 Anacapa Street, Ste. D, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 1, 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. 2025-0002709. Published December 11, 18, 25, 2025, and January 1, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: EDDIE’S CATERING, 1206 W Alvin, Santa Maria, CA 93458. HERIBERTO C MORAN, 1206 W Alvin, Santa Maria, CA 93458. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 3, 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. 2025-0002722. Published December 11, 18, 25, 2025, and January 1, 2026 AMMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV05574. To all interested parties: Petitioner CHRISTOPHER PAUL PUGLISI filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to CHRISTOPHER PAUL

RHODES. 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 December 3, 2025 by Terri Chavez. Hearing date: February 6, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 4, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published December 18, 25, 2025 and January 1, 8, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 25CV07046. To all interested parties: Petitioner JANET MARIE NICKSIC filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to JANET VIE. 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 December 5, 2025 by Terri Chavez. Hearing date: January 28, 2026 at 10 am in Dept. 3, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published December 25, 2025 and January 1, 8, 15, 2026

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News Bytes

Chumash Tribe Donates $160,000 to Local Programs

he Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has announced two major charitable contributions: $25,000 to the Central Coast Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots campaign and $135,000 raised through its annual Charity Golf Tournament for Angels Foster Care, CALM, and the Mental Wellness Center. This marks the tribe’s 22nd year supporting Toys for Tots, totaling $550,000 in donations and gifts for more than 5,300 children. Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn called the long-standing partnership “a source of pride.” Mental Wellness Center CEO Annmarie Cameron said the support ensures vital mental health services remain free and accessible. 411: www.chumash.gov

SB Cottage Hospital Named in Top 20 Teaching Hospitals in California Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has earned Top Teaching Hospital recognition for outstanding achievement in patient safety and quality from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit national watchdog organization. The hospital is one of 20 in California and one of 73 recipients of this award in the U.S., out of 2,400 hospitals reviewed. Cottage Health’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs provide comprehensive training for resident physicians in surgery, radiology, internal medicine and pediatrics at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. For more than a century, Cottage has offered residency training that combines a regional tertiary care and Level 1 Trauma Center with the focus of a community teaching hospital. The program is one of the oldest physician training programs in the Western United States, and continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of medicine.

411: www.cottagehealth.org/residency-programs

Rise & Shine to Host “Shine On” Breakfast Rise & Shine will hold its Shine on Santa Barbara Breakfast on January 15, 2026, from 8:15-10:15 am at the Cabrillo Pavilion, spotlighting the organization’s work empowering young people in Ghana through education and leadership development. The event features a panel discussion, “The Impact of Investing in Education in Africa,” led by Jeff Staley, Chris Toomey, and Our Lady of Grace Senior High School alumna Frederica Aboagye. With Africa projected to represent one-quarter of the world’s population by 2050, panelists will explore why developing global citizens matters now. Sponsorship and ticket details are available through Rise & Shine.

Cottage Hospital Introduces Non-Invasive Ultrasound Treatment for Liver Tumors Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is now offering histotripsy, a breakthrough non-invasive treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to precisely destroy cancerous and benign liver tumors. SBCH is the only provider on the Central Coast offering this FDA-approved technology, which breaks down targeted tumor tissue without heat, radiation, needles, or incisions. The body then naturally clears the fragments. Interventional radiologist Dr. Elliot DeYoung said histotripsy expands options for patients with tumors difficult to reach surgically. The outpatient procedure provides a vital alternative for individuals who are not candidates for invasive treatments.

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Montecito JOURNAL

The Society Edit

Society Edit’s Kisses to 2025 by Joanne A Calitri

ello Loves! This week I’ve put together a fab photo story of the cherished events for 2025, to celebrate you. And what I am looking forward to for Society news in 2026 is to continue to shine a light on you, the things you love and support. If you can’t help but wonder what’s on my personal wish list, it includes that famously perfect-for-me man to appear! And after putting that wish in the postbox, I am adding wishes for you – to do art, music, read a book you hold in your hands, pen a letter on stationery, take a walk to hear the birds singing and to smile up at the stars, for “We are made of star stuff!” – Carl Sagan. Here’s to a fabulous holiday and NYE! Kisses, JAC

32 Montecito JOURNAL

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

1 – 8 January 2026

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34 Montecito JOURNAL

“You can get excited about the future. The past won’t mind.” – Hillary DePiano

1 – 8 January 2026

Far Flung Travel

A congregation of cormorants

The Art of the Down-island, Downwind Paddle I swear we parked the car somewhere around here

as we drifted off to sleep, a hydrological melody driven by the islands.

Sandspits, Marine Terraces, and Cobbled Pitstops by Chuck Graham

could see the dark rippling water off the port side of my kayak as we paddled southeast toward the northwest end of Santa Cruz Island. After paddling east, away from Carrington Point on Santa Rosa Island, and halfway across the Santa Cruz Passage, I searched for a favorable down-island current to propel myself and Zack Yates to the largest island in the Channel Islands National Park. Sea conditions are a large part of the art of the down-island, downwind paddle, while taking advantage of Mother Nature’s favorable moods in the open ocean. Wind, swell, fog, currents, and tides all play their part. It’s not just paddling. As soon as I saw the rippling, cobalt blue current, we immediately kayaked into it. It was easily identifiable. It was as if we went from the slow lane and into the fast lane. There wasn’t a wisp of wind coming from any direction, but a strong down-island current was running, short interval wakes were cresting, momentarily white capping, which propelled us to Santa Cruz Island.

In Our Rearview Mirror Two days earlier, we left my favorite California Channel Island, San Miguel. A light, northwest wind was steadily pushing us southeast to sandy Challenge Point where we had an excellent visual of nearby Santa Rosa Island. Only three miles southeast of us, Santa Rosa was seemingly right off our bows. It’s a windswept island surrounded by distant shoals, dense kelp forests, and wave-battered bluffs. There were also some inviting pocket beaches coveted by spotted harbor seals, and subadult northern elephant seals. However, the legions of Brandt’s cormorants clinging to seemingly sheer, gritty sandstone 1 – 8 January 2026

cliffs were impressive. Awkward in flight, these sleek-swimming seabirds can dive effectively to over 200 feet deep. As hundreds of them clung to the cliffs, we paddled beneath, searching for a place to land. Suddenly, they took off. All it took was a steely peregrine falcon to disrupt the seabird nirvana. The fastest flying bird in the world made several high-speed dives angling at the cormorants that fled their sandstone perches. The incessant hum of the cormorants’ wings nearly drowned out the heaving surf. With so many cormorants in the air, we lost track of the opportunistic peregrine. Many of the seabirds huddled on the surface, safety in numbers while bobbing in choppy seas. For the moment, it appeared the peregrine was unsuccessful. We found a sweet pocket beach to camp for the night. Beaching our kayaks was a little tricky, while timing short interval swell. The berm was steep, the sand gritty beneath our feet, but standing on solid ground after a day of paddling down-island was a great way to finish on Santa Rosa Island. We also had the benefit of a full moon rising above Carrington Point before sunset, a lunar gem as pink and purple hues swept over the Santa Barbara Channel. Year-round freshwater creeks flow on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands. The combination of pounding surf, and steady creek flow was the ideal rhythm

At least visibility was stellar. There’s nothing worse than paddling from island to island when pea soup fog rolls in. No, we didn’t contend with dewy overcast. Instead, we drifted away from an angry blowhole at Coati Point on the easterly fringe of Santa Rosa Island and situated ourselves within that favorable down-channel current. We kept the long gritty finger of Skunk Point on our right and powered across the Santa Cruz Passage in two hours. We aimed toward the scenic marine terraces of Santa Cruz Island, veering wide of Fraser Point to avoid the daunting, Mordor-like cliff face of West Point on Santa Cruz. One of the most exposed regions across the entire national park, we paddled just outside heaving swell that propelled us along several miles of nothing more than wave-battered cliffs. Toothy sea caves went unexplored as swell surged into barnacle-encrusted grottos, and then drained out towards us, that consistent ebb and flow increased our already steady pace down-island. Besides throngs of seabirds, such as black oystercatchers, western gulls, and California brown pelicans perched like pelagic centurions, it was majestic bald eagles roosting on the highest cliffs and soaring in light northwest winds that had us gazing upward. Even more so than a peregrine falcon, the keystone species of the island ecosystem demanded all the attention of the seafaring birds. As a pair of eagles flew overhead and down-island,

in the distance hordes of seabirds took flight, an impressive display of seabirds flying away from the largest island off the coast, even though the bald eagles showed zero interest in the mass exodus from the shadows of the cliffs. After touching down and stretching our legs at Cueva Valdez, we marveled at its uniquely intricate sea cave system. We exited a huge cave and kayaked east toward multiple geological wonders. Sea caves and cathedral-like archways beckoned, but our pace increased because of two offshore bottlenose dolphins. Arguably the ultimate down-island, downwind experience is paddling with marine mammals. Offshore bottlenose dolphins are big, animated animals. They slashed through the water on either side of our kayaks. Some of it was playing, and some of their movement was hunting. They remained with us for several miles from Cueva Valdez, east to Frys Harbor. They forced us to pick up the pace, our downwind, down-island paddling experience artistically pelagic, and induced by natural forces.

Chuck Graham is a freelance writer and photographer based in Carpinteria, where he also leads kayak tours and backpacking trips in Channel Islands National Park

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Look at that blowhole

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Montecito JOURNAL

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Calendar of Events

ONGOING

by Steven Libowitz ENDING THIS WEEK Pop-up Party Pair – Christmas and New Year’s Eve are over for another year, and it’s back to work and school time. But a couple of deep downtown establishments are keeping the spirit of the holidays going for at least a few more days. Once again, one of the Funk Zone’s favorite hangs has transformed into Miracle at Pearl Social Cocktail Club for the holidays. The fifth year of its annual holiday destination attracts Christmas lovers near and far to an over-the-top experience that entices visitors to step into a shimmering snow globe of holiday magic. Guests get to enjoy the festive season in a whole new Christmas light, as the space is bedecked in delightfully kitschy holiday decor and dashing displays, plus a delectable cocktail menu and merchandise that include kooky collectible ceramic Christmas cocktail vessels. Proceeds from this year’s reservation fees for the magical kingdom benefit Wilderness Youth Project… Meanwhile, six blocks further up Anacapa St. in the heart of downtown is where you’ll find Tinsel Tavern at La Paloma, the restaurant/bar’s own version of the holiday pop-up. The bar is filled with holiday cheer, twinkle-light magic and cheeky seasonal nostalgia in a Christmas escape complete with themed cocktails, playful décor, and a special seasonal menu featuring limited-time dishes and holiday treats. Paloma has partnered with Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation for its seasonal event. WHEN: 3-5 pm daily for families, 5-11 pm adults only through January 6 (Pearl Social); Opens at 4 pm daily through January 4 (Paloma) WHERE: 131 Anacapa St. & 702 Anacapa St. COST: Free admission; $10 per person reservation fee at Pearl Social, walk-ins accepted INFO: www.opentable.com/r/miracle-at-pearl-social-cocktail-club-santa-barbara or https://lapalomasb.com/tinsel-tavern SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 Oskar’s Eye-opening Exhibit Opens – Sullivan Goss Gallery kicks off 2026 with a groundbreaking solo exhibition providing A Deeper Look into Oskar Fischinger, throwing a long-overdue spotlight on the innovative ONGOING Sock It to Me? – The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation introduced sock skating in 2023 when the family-oriented museum turned a big part of its rooftop into a makeshift rink that needs no ice. Kids of all ages kick off their shoes and frolic with largely frictionless fun on a specialty tile floor that has some of the same properties as ice, sans the sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures. It’s no surprise that the seasonal exhibit is back for a third year of exploring scientific properties disguised as slippery, frolicsome fun in the spirit of the season. To that end, skaters are invited to experiment with their sockwear to determine which provides the most friction-free glide. Cotton? Wool? Synthetic materials? Big fluffy slippers? While the exhibit eliminates the possibility of frostbite and gashes from an errant blade, and the ambiance might fall short of Rockefeller Center’s famous NYC rink, gliding along while glancing at the ocean, mountains and downtown buildings sure beats the inside of an arena. WHEN: Sock Skating open during regular museum hours through February 1 (weather permitting) WHERE: MOXI Museum, 125 State St. COST: Free with museum admission INFO: (805) 770-5000 or www.moxi.org

36 Montecito JOURNAL

Illuminated Installations at the Zoo – It’s year four for the annual ZooLights production at the Santa Barbara Zoo, where visitors have the chance to see the place in – yes, we said it – a whole new light. The facility is still open during the day for its regular animal exhibitions, including Layan, a nine-year-old male snow leopard who recently migrated from Idaho Falls Zoo to our sunny burg with very good timing for the holiday season. But as darkness beckons, the gorgeous grounds just across the street from East Beach transform into a magical world of lights, featuring thousands of handcrafted, silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED bulbs. A walk through the expansive environs of the hilltop haven (for humans as well as animals) becomes an immersive holiday experience that shines with the interactive light exhibits showcasing animal and nature scenes representing wild places from around the world. Discover underwater seascapes, beautiful birds in tropical forests, wild safari creatures on the prowl and dozens of other animals – including an extinct animal showcase. With most of the critters showing up in oversized proportions (like someone leaned too hard on the zoom button), ZooLights clearly becomes a larger-than-life light show. To keep everybody’s tummy in tip-top shape, seasonal snacks and warm drinks are available for purchase. WHEN: 4:30-8:30 pm on 14 select dates through January 11 WHERE: SB Zoo, 500 Niños Drive COST: $22-$36 INFO: (805) 962-5339 or https://www.sbzoo

painting career of this abstract animation and visual music pioneer. Fischinger (1900-1967) has been celebrated for his revolutionary abstract films, the German American artist’s pioneering work in “visualizing music” preceding by many decades the appearance of computer graphics and music videos. The new exhibition, which coincides with the release of the first major monograph dedicated entirely to his work as a painter, serves as an attempt to “balance the scales” on an artist whose 800-painting body of work has been overshadowed by the focus on his films. The exhibition features several of his most idiosyncratic canvases, demonstrating an evolution driven by his unique vision and outsider mentality. Included in the exhibit are early works developed in conjunction with various film projects, a major stereoscopic painting, and important late-period works from the mid-‘60s. The accompanying monograph, which includes an essay by gallery owner Nathan Vonk, provides the definitive text to date on this aspect of Fischinger’s life’s work, examining his development after his arrival in Los Angeles in 1936, a fruitful period that produced pieces that now reside in the collection of nearly every major museum in California, and prominent institutions like MOMA, the Guggenheim, and the Smithsonian on the East Coast. WHEN: Opening reception 5-8 pm tonight, exhibit open January 2-February 23 WHERE: Sullivan Goss, 11 E. Anapamu St. COST: free INFO: (805) 730-1460 or www.sullivangoss.com SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 Baker’s Dozen Back at SOhO – The Baker’s Dozen, one of Yale University’s legendary a cappella ensembles, comes back to town on its winter-break West Coast tour for a night of rich harmonies, sharp wit and timeless tradition. Founded in 1947, The entirely student-run Baker’s Dozen is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected collegiate a cappella groups. The group consists solely of current undergraduate singers at the Ivy League school who vocalize sans instrumental accompaniment, and blends music and comedy with polish, personality and warmth. Charmed audiences have enjoyed Baker’s Dozen in both intimate club settings and grand formal stages. The ensemble’s repertoire

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Eliot

1 – 8 January 2026

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 Big Dip-per Holds Water for ‘26– The annual event – in which particularly peculiar people take a plunge into the frigid depths of the Pacific to start the New Year – was on official hiatus last year due to some snafus with permits and the like. Of course many of the intrepid masses went ahead and hurled themselves into the waters off East Beach anyway. But now the official Santa Barbara Polar Dip is back, with all city permits, requirements, and insurance in place; and actually at a new location. Leadbetter Beach, a few miles further west along the waterfront, will be hosting the grimacing group dunk this year. The free community event is completely open to the public and everyone is welcome. As can happen, what began nine years ago with five friends frolicking in the surf has surged to include hundreds of people from all walks of life, all ages, visitors and locals who all exult in the experience of a brisk New Year’s plunge in the Pacific Ocean. But you must sign the waiver to participate in the official Dip. As a bonus, everyone who signs up gets a free souvenir Polar Dip wristband to show off to your friends – although they might question your frigid life choices. Arrive early to allow parking time and to partake in the all-important warmup activities, which at least ameliorate somewhat the physiological effects of immersion in super cold water. And don’t forget a towel, warm clothes to change into, hydration and snacks. Certificates are awarded to everyone who submerges in the ocean without a wetsuit. Waivers will also be available to sign in person at the event, but organizers encourage you to save time and sign up online. WHEN: 11 am (Dip at 11:30 am) WHERE: Leadbetter Beach, 801 Shoreline Dr. COST: free INFO: 805 451-9993 or www.sbpolardip.com

MAGAZINE

runs the gamut from classic ballads and jazz standards to soul, rock and contemporary hits. Their original arrangements draw from Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Boyz II Men, Maroon 5 and the like, showcasing tight harmonies and dynamic solo work along with a close-knit brotherhood built on friendship, tradition and a shared love of music. WHEN: 7 pm WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State St., upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $10 in advance, $12 at the door INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 Jorgenson’s Django-style jazz – John Jorgenson is known for his blistering guitar, mandolin licks, and mastery of a broad musical palette as demonstrated in his bands Desert Rose and The Hellecasters. He has also collaborated with the likes of Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan, and many others. But Jorgenson’s fave rave is his Django Reinhardt-honoring quintet, which exalts the Reinhardt legacy by expounding the master’s unique brand of string-driven swing known as Gypsy Jazz. Gracing stages across the land through original compositions that draw in elements of Latin, Romanian, classical, rock and Greek music, the John Jorgenson Quintet – the only American act to ever headline the prestigious Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France – comes back to SOhO to swing us into the New Year. WHEN: 7:30 pm WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State St., upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $39 general ($99 with dinner and seating in first four rows) INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

1 – 8 January 2026

• Voice of theVillage •

NEWSPAPER

www.montecitojournal.net/subscribe Montecito JOURNAL

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805) 565-1860

ESTATE/SENIOR SERVICES

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

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

CARPET CLEANING

GIFT FOR THE TRAVELER!

Carpet Cleaning Since 1978 (805) 963-5304 Rafael Mendez Cell: 689-8397 or 963-3117

RIMOWA L Luggage - Arctic color Never used, purchased for $1,885 Offered at $1,300 (save $585) Inquire or offer: 805-570-1639 Delivered to Montecito in original bag

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

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

General Building Design & Construction Contractor William J. Dalziel Lic. B311003 – 1 (805) 698-4318 billjdalziel@gmail.com RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Local, Reliable Property Management. We care for your rentals. FoothillPM.com 805-698-4769

SECOND FLOOR OFFICE SUITES 1000 Block Chapala (across from Ralph’s)

Montecito Electric Repairs and Inspections Licensed C10485353 805-969-1575 TILE SETTING 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

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.

WATERLILIES and LOTUS since 1992 WATERGARDEN CARE SBWGC 805 682 5750 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 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

38 Montecito JOURNAL

LIVE-IN ESTATE MANAGER 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

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

Two second-floor office suites with Private restroom. Great parking positioned across the street from Ralph’s grocery store Between Figueroa and Carrillo. Adjacent to parking lot number three. Near downtown shopping, art, galleries, and restaurants. Suite No. one: 14’ x7’.5” 105 sqft Suite No. two: 14’.3”x7’.6 108 sqft Restroom: 12’ x 7’.5” 82 sqft Rate: $1400.00 per month (negotiable depending on use) Term Minimum One Year No elevator For showings call (805) 896-6977 or email terryjryken@gmail.com

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES MACC CONSTRUCTION Building dreams Lic 949275 805 895 2852 Construct1.mac@gmail.com We specialize in ADU construction Kitchen and bathroom remodeling Decks

$10 MINIMUM 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)

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” – Paulo Coehlo

1 – 8 January 2026

Mini Meta

Last Week’s Solution:

By Pete Muller & Frank Longo For each of the first five mini crosswords, one of the entries also serves as part of a five-word meta clue. The answer to the meta is a word or phrase (six letters or longer) hidden within the sixth mini crossword. The hidden meta answer starts in one of the squares and snakes through the grid vertically and horizontally from there (no diagonals!) without revisiting any squares. PUZZLE #1 1

I T E M S C H L O E C I V I L S I R E S A S

A V A M E C H A A R T U R S O N G E R G O

WA G S A B R AM S O AM I U P O N T H A T

H I S Y O D A R U N A T A L O H A P E R O N

R I G H T A R O A R MA R I E A N G L E E S S

K E S H A A N T O N B E R R A OMA N I B Y T E S

ITEMS

HUNG

UPON

YULE

TREES

ORNAMENTS

PUZZLE #3

PUZZLE #2 5

Across 1 Inter Miami megastar 6 Destination of some high flights 7 Shakespearean title 8 Animal known for its March madness? 9 With 1-Down, Tom Lehrer song with lots of calculations in its lyrics

Down 1 See 9-Across 2 "Honey Don't!" director Coen 3 No mere glance 4 Bone-to-muscle connector 5 What a glaring 3-Down feels like, metaphorically

Across 1 Part of CMYK 5 Castle in old dance halls 6 Old relative of "Suh-weet!" 7 Puts a heavy black coat on? 8 Chorus in a yoga class?

Down 1 Half of half-and-half 2 "This ___ Girl" (1978 Elvis Costello song) 3 Creatures such as a Pixar flick's Flik 4 Con opener? 5 Really feeling

PUZZLE #4

PUZZLE #5 1

Across 1 Where you might be relaxing after a waxing 4 Vessel in which to 5-Across 5 Apply drippings to 7 Last quarter for the players? 8 Man whose company eventually went to Pieces?

1 5

Down 1 With 5-Down, computer key to a void? 2 What a user will often do after copying 3 They're not for things 5 See 1-Down 6 She was suckered by a snake

7 8

Down 1 "God Friended Me" actress Gimpel 2 Improver of pore health? 3 Put in a blast furnace, e.g. 4 A dog might raise one on a door 6 Express

META PUZZLE

Across 1 Facehuggers on FX's "Alien: Earth," e.g. 4 "Banned ___ NO" (2025 rap hit by Lil Wayne) 5 See 8-Across 7 ___ Express 8 With 5-Across, people often vote along these

Across 1 Quick pick-me-up? 4 With 1-Down, what travelogue writers often try to capture 6 Informal statement on a candy heart 7 The fifth element 8 Like triple plays and perfect games

Down 1 See 4-Across 2 Car brand with the slogan "Exhilaration takes many forms" 3 Show a preference for 4 Ad trailer? 5 It orbits la Terre

Across 1 Having learned something 6 What gives a reader pause? 7 What some chips might be 8 Response from a psychotherapist, perhaps 9 She sang the 2023 single "DJ Play a Christmas Song"

Down 1 Lavs 2 Charged, in a way 3 "Believe" was one for 9-Across 4 Conan O'Brien, for the 2025 Oscar ceremony 5 Person using a yard stick?

LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY Residential & Business Professional telephone & gate Phone opener Systems service 805-217-8457

CorporateTelecom@Rocketmail.com opener

*Nortel/Norstar, Panasonic & all others *Telephone, line & gate connections *Installation, troubleshooting & repair *Licensed & Insured with 25+ years experience

Professional telephone & gate opener service

STEVEN BROOKS JEWELERS Vintage & Custom Jewelry

Serving Montecito & Santa Barbara Since 1974 Graduate Gemologist Appraiser G.I.A For Appointments Call or Write

805-455-1070 sbjewelers@gmail.com

1 – 8 January 2026

Santa Barbara Estate Management

Joe Boudre (805) 319-5364

www.santabarbaraestate.management City of Santa Barbara Business License # 984709

Andrea Dominic RPh Sherry Saffarnia, PharmD Maria Winn, RPh 1498 East Valley Road Montecito, CA 93108

Phone: 805-969-2284 Fax: 805-565-3174

Compounding Pharmacy & Boutique

Medicare

Health OR Insurance Options “We make sure it works out for you”

Jordan Futch

LOCALLY OWNED - GLOBALLY CONNECTED License # 0773817 Bilingual Staff

(805) 683-3636 3412 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105

• Voice of theVillage •

WE SPECIALIZE IN CUSTOMIZED LUXURY FOR THE DISCERNING TRAVELER.

1485 East Valley Road #9, Montecito 805-969-7746 www.sbtravel.com

Montecito JOURNAL

“[Michael V. Drake] has used his decades of experience to advocate for better access to higher education for all Californians and has always fought for academic excellence.” – Governor Gavin Newsom

One of The New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2024

UC President Emeritus

An Evening with

Miranda July

Dr. Michael V. Drake

Tue, Jan 20 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall “By tangling explicitly with reality across mediums, July pushes autofiction to new limits.” The Guardian (U.K.)

“For an hour the audience sat spellbound by a display of focused virtuosity that was so extraordinary it shouldn’t have been possible.” The Times (U.K.) HHHHH

In Conversation with Dr. Susannah Scott Thu, Jan 22 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall LIVE MUSIC! “Sexy, sensuous, stylish and seriously impressive. This is an utter feast for the eyes and a riveting recital of physical poetry.” Broadway World (U.K.)

Debut Performance of U.S. Tour

Nicola Benedetti, violin

Following Sold-out Runs in London Two Performances!

Germán Cornejo’s

Director, Edinburgh International Festival

Tango After Dark

Wed, Jan 28 / 7 PM / Campbell Hall

Sun, Feb 1 / 2 PM & 7 PM / Lobero Theatre

(805) 893-3535 | www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu Lobero event tickets can also be purchased at: (805) 963-0761 | www.Lobero.org