Category Archives: News

History On Parade

Posted on by
Reply
Old Spanish Days Fiesta Parade, photo by Damian Gadal, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta Parade, photo by Damian Gadal, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

Along a route of less than three miles, El Desfile Histórico makes a colorful connection to Santa Barbara’s past.

Friday’s Old Spanish Days parade is always one of the highlights of Santa Barbara’s annual Fiesta festivities.

El Desfile Histórico, themed as “a celebration of early Santa Barbara,” will be the fruit of hundreds of hours of volunteer labor. About 800 horses, 30 carriages and as many as 20 floats will line up for the parade this year, according Kelly Magne, vice presidente of pageantry.

Because it’s Fiesta’s 80th anniversary, the parade will be a re-creation of the 1924 event, with every float either representing a 1924 float or something that existed in Santa Barbara in that year, said float chairman Marc Martinez. There will be floats depicting the 1924 Courthouse (which was later destroyed in an earthquake), City Hall, the Arlington Hotel, El Patio Restaurant (the precursor to El Paseo) and other historic buildings, events and figures.

Creating the Boys & Girls Club

Club of Santa Barbara’s Chumash village float was both fun and educational for the young art camp participants who researched the different elements of Chumash life, then designed and built the float from the ground up. One end of the elaborate float will feature two Chumash huts.

“We started with bamboo poles, but it didn’t work,” said Mitchell Cunningham, a Notre Dame School seventh-grader who helped build the float. “The bamboo looked good but it burst.”

“So we used authentic Chumash PVC pipe,” laughed Ingrid Bodnar, lead teacher for the project.

Fellow art teacher Lise Lange also contributed leaves from her yard to build the authentic-looking huts. The finished project will portray a seaside village, complete with sand, waves and Chumash grinding maize and going about their daily lives.

Also featured will be the club’s flamenco dancers, said executive director Erin Cavazos. They have new costumes this year, she noted, thanks to money donated by the alumni association.

St. Barbara is also getting a new look this year, said Dolores Hartnett of Reina Del Mar Parlor No. 126, Native Daughters of the Golden West, who’s been involved with the parade for “50 years at least.”

“We just rebuilt our float from the ground up … it’s going to be great for St. Barbara (portrayed by Marisol Cabrera) to ride,” said Hartnett. While all of the floats were drawn by horses at one time, St. Barbara is the only float drawn by horses now.

A new addition to the parade is the Fiesta Queen and her court, said Martinez. In the 1924 parade they held a queen competition as a fundraiser, where the girl who raised the most money won and had the honor of being led to the float by flower boys, a tradition that will be re-created this year, he said.

The queen will be portrayed by Diana Vandervoort, with princesses Thea Vandervoort, Jazz and Paisley Moralez, Marianne Freeman, Cari Kendric and Donna Egeberg.

The coming together of the whole parade is a work of art, said Magne, especially the horses.

“We have a full team of equestrians there that are making sure all the horses are under control and prepared. … It’s been an amazingly safe parade because of the skill of our team,” she said, giving special kudos to equestrian director Wayne Powers.

Besides being one of the country’s largest equestrian parades, it is also a qualifying parade to ride a horse in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, said Magne.

“Riding a horse in a parade is no easy task,” she said. “You need a lot of training and lot of years of experience to ride in noisy crowds.”

The equestrians are definitely big supporters of Fiesta and Old Spanish Days thanks them with a party, the Horsemen’s Rendezvous, said Magne, adding, “They usually stay one or two nights. It’s great because they spend their money here. We like that.”

“This is probably the best parade we’ve had in at least 20 years,” said Martinez, whose father, Abe, was the former float master. “I used his hammer to build many of the floats this year. It feels like he’s still with me.”

As directors, we’re only the caretakers, continued Martinez.

“It’s been the people, the families, that have kept it (Fiesta) alive to make this 80th anniversary,” he said.

“The parade is the signature event that makes everything work.”

The Fiesta Parade begins at the corner of Cabrillo Boulevard and Castillo Street at noon Friday and will continue for two-and-a-half miles, ending at the corner of State and Sola streets.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on August 5, 2004.

Some do want to get away for Fiesta

Posted on by
Reply
Old Spanish Days Fiesta Parade, photo by Damian Gadal, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta Parade, photo by Damian Gadal, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

There are plenty of sanctuaries within driving distance.

Santa Barbarans have a love/hate relationship with Fiesta. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of people and a lot of festivities to deal with for four days straight. If you start to feel like one more chorus of “La Bamba” will put you over the edge, read on for some cures for Fiesta fever.

The charms of Los Olivos are just a short drive away. For those who haven’t visited lately, Grand Avenue is indeed grand. Stop by the always delightful Persnickity (2900 Grand Ave.; 686.8955) for a wonderful selection of gift items, including vintage linens, birdhouses, ladies dresses and more.

Also worth a look are the Gallery Los Olivos (2920 Grand Ave.; 688.7517), which represents more than 40 regional artists, and the two Judith Hale Galleries (north at 2890 Grand Ave.; 688.1222, and south at 2884 Grand Ave.; 693.1233), an eclectic mix of Western and traditional artwork in all media, including bronze and stone sculpture, woodcarvings and jewelry.

Featuring the works of Santa Barbara artist Merv Corning, among others, is Young’s Gallery (2920 Grand Ave.; 688.9745), which specializes in original watercolors, oils and calligraphy.

A must for wine aficionados is the Arthur Earl tasting room (2921 Grand Ave.; 693.1771). Winner of the South Coast Beacon’s Savor Santa Barbara “people’s choice” tasting, this small winery produces only about 2500 cases a year.

Another small-yield vintner worth checking out is Andrew Murray Vineyards Tasting Room (2901 Grand Ave.; 686.9604), the only exclusively Rhone estate in Santa Barbara County.

Los Olivos Cafe & Wine Merchant (2879 Grand Ave.; 688.7265) is great. The food is excellent and there’s also a nice selection of local wines by the glass and bottles to purchase.

Grand Avenue even has a four-star restaurant, the Vintage Room at Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn & Spa (2860 Grand Ave.; 688.7788.

After a visit to Los Olivos, you might want to go north to the Chumash Casino (3400 E. Highway 246), where there’s free live music every Friday and Saturday night, as well as a new resort hotel and spa.

Solvang, “the Danish capital of America,” is certainly an alternative to Old Spanish Days. No visit is complete without an aebleskiver — the Danish equivalent of the ubiquitous churro — available at any of the many bakeries in town. For theater fans, the PCPA features Bullshot Crummond, a takeoff on old “B” movies, running through Sunday. Call 922.8313 for ticket information and showtimes.

Nearby is Trattoria Grappalo (3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez; 688.6899) with its mouth-watering pastas and extensive wine list. If you’re feeling like a different kind of dining experience, the Chef’s Touch’s cooking class Saturday is “Married and Bored … Go to Dinner!” which features Thai food preparation and a meal. The cost is $45. Call 686.1040 for reservations.

For those looking to escape south, rather than north, there’s the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp in Oxnard (at the River Ridge Athletic Field on the corner of Ventura Road and Vineyard Avenue) from 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.

The Ventura County Fair is going on through Aug. 15 at Seaside Park (10 W. Harbor Blvd., 648.3376). There are arts and crafts, food, farm animals, carnival rides and games, a petting zoo and more. Events in the grandstand arena are free with admission and include Motorsports at 6 p.m. today; Brad Paisley, at 7:30 p.m. Friday; the Village People at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and … guess you can’t truly escape it … Fiesta Day at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on August 5, 2004.

Cottage housing plan causes conflicts

Posted on by
Reply

While some neighbors are still leery, city planners last week praised Cottage Health System‘s plan to build workforce housing on the site of the old St. Francis Medical Center, which it purchased for about $18 million last year.

The purpose of the three-hour plus meeting was to outline which environmental impacts should be studied, but comments from the public were much further reaching, with equally passionate opponents and proponents of the project.

Neighbor Frank Hernandez offered praise for both the project itself and the public review process. “This is one of the better experiences I’ve had in Santa Barbara,” he said. “This is an excellent way to use seven acres.”

Cottage plans to build 115 units for its workers, with 81 of them sold at below-market rates. The remaining 34 market rate units are required in order for us to be able to afford construction of the project, said Cottage’s Chief Executive Officer Ron Werft in his presentation of the project.

These market rate units were of some concern to neighbor Jennifer Miller. “If it was 100 percent Cottage, I’d feel a lot more comfortable supporting it,” she said.

Traffic and parking are also big issues in the neighborhood and many urged the environmental report to take the County Bowl into consideration, as well as the unique situation of having at least 81 Cottage employees living in the same place. While a shuttle service is being planned for the development, the city and the hospital have not yet come up with a way to enforce its use by employees.

Throughout the meeting, the six planning commissioners expressed that they thought the project was a good one, but that the environmental report should look at impacts related to construction, noise, traffic, parking and circulation.

“The general concept of a major employer taking advantage of an opportunity like this is just phenomenal,” said commissioner Grant House. “It’s a way to take a bite out of it (the housing crisis) instead of just a nibble.”

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on August 5, 2005.

McMansions cause McConflicts

Posted on by
Reply
A "McMansion" being built in Louisville, Kentucky. From https://flickr.com/photos/merfam/174212265/ courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

A “McMansion” being built in Louisville, Kentucky. From https://flickr.com/photos/merfam/174212265/ courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

“Good fences make good neighbors.”

Robert Frost’s well-known line from “Mending Wall,” written about his 1913 England neighborhood, still holds up in 21st century Santa Barbara, where the City Council approved a plan on Tuesday to almost triple the size of an 806-square-foot home on the Mesa, thrilling one family and devastating another.

Although the debate centered around Hans and Ginny Miller’s request to remodel their home at 221 San Clemente Drive, at the core of the discussion was a larger community dilemma that both neighbors and city leaders are struggling with — mansionization or expansionization of once modest tract homes.

Often selling for over $1 million, one-bathroom houses built in the 1950s are being converted into two-story contemporary homes with multiple bedrooms and baths. Some see this type of change as inevitable. “It’s a natural occurrence that people who can now afford lots on the Mesa want bigger homes,” said Arlie Skov, who lives on Shoreline Drive.

Other neighbors spoke of buying their small homes with the intention of growing their houses. “Families need room to grow,” that Roger Moore, a neighbor who spoke in support of the project.

While one of the arguments against second story expansions is the infringement on neighbors’ privacy, Jennifer Moore spoke of the charms of close proximity. “My neighbor to the right has a two-story house that looks down into our backyard. She comments on how quickly our puppy is growing. Children of other neighbors ride bikes and trikes up and down our sidewalk, none of this infringes on our privacy. This defines the neighborhood.”

However, not everyone supports the changes. While the Miller’s next-door neighbors, Jason and Sarah Dodds, brought the appeal to the Council, they had the support of several neighbors and neighborhood groups.

“As difficult as it is for the Millers, it’s equally difficult for those of us trying to preserve our Santa Barbara lifestyle,” said Eric Schott, a neighbor and one of the members of the Marine Terrace Preservation Group, which is working to “stop the mansionization of the Mesa.”

The Allied Neighborhood Association, which represents a consortium of neighborhood groups from all over the city, was also against the project. The board of directors sent a letter to the city stating, “If the proposed project is constructed, it could establish a bad precedent for Marine Terrace that would result in further adverse impacts. … The proposed project would destroy the intactness and integrity of San Clemente Drive.”

Ultimately the majority of the City Council supported the project because of the extensive review process — which started in March 2003 — rather than the merits of the design itself.

“The applicants have been through too much,” said Councilman Brian Barnwell. “I support denying of the appeal but recognize the merits.”

Councilman Dr. Dan Secord agreed, saying at this point it would be inappropriate to ask the homeowners to do anything more because they had worked through the city process.

“This project kind of reminds me of the kid who got passed through school year after year, and, the next thing you know, he’s 18 and can’t read,” said Dr. Secord. Still, he was comfortable with it. “This is not a mansion.”

With Mayor Marty Blum absent, Councilman Das Williams cast the lone dissent, urging his colleagues to look at the bigger picture and the social costs of changing the character of the Mesa from working class to middle and upper class houses.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on June 29, 2004.

Gay marriage issue hits home

Posted on by
Reply

Despite some initial reluctance by the Santa Barbara City Council to take the plunge into the national gay marriage debate, on Tuesday night they voted to adopt a resolution expressing opposition to President Bush’s proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting lesbian and gay couples from the right to marry.

“In a nation where it’s legal for Brittney Spears to get married as a joke in Vegas, and when Fox has shows like Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire, we should celebrate anytime two people get together who want to share that love and commitment under the institution of marriage,” said Councilwoman Helene Schneider, who voted 6-0 with her colleagues in favor of the resolution.

Councilman Dr. Dan Secord abstained from voting, having earlier expressed his opinion that the matter was out of the jurisdiction of the City Council.

Mayor Marty Blum initially said she agreed with Secord that the matter was not related to City Council business and suggested that it should be brought instead before the County, which has the authority to issue marriage licenses.

However, later in the discussion Blum said she supported freedom of choice and opposed any attempt to write discrimination into our constitution. “We need more commitments in this world, not less,” she added, eventually supporting the majority.

The issue of taking a stand on gay marriage was brought before the council at the request of the Pacific Pride Foundation, GaySantaBarbara.org and the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

“I don’t want this generation to be the first to see an amendment to the constitution that takes rights away,” said Mark Quinn, a board member of GaySantaBarbara.Org who recently married his partner.

We support same sex marriage and equal access, said Linda Tuomi, a board member of the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee.

The issue of same-sex marriage sparked national debate after counties in California, Massachusetts and other communities around the country began performing same-sex marriages.

There was also some debate at Tuesday’s meeting. Both Dr. Patricia Stewart, a local dermatologist, and Dave Bramson, who said he represented “the majority of citizens who were at high school graduations and other activities that night” spoke against the resolution.

Bramson said he believed marriage is a “hallowed and very important tradition” and that if people of the same sex are allowed to marry, there is no reason why a brother and sister shouldn’t marry or any other two adults. He asked the council to back off from taking a position.

“It is incumbent upon us to take a stand,” said Councilman Brian Barnwell.

Ultimately the stand the council took was that regardless of a person’s moral position on same-sex marriage, amending the U.S. Constitution is inappropriate.

City Administrator Jim Armstrong said he would bring the final resolution (in the form of a letter) back to the council for approval before it is sent to President Bush and other elected representatives.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon

Trish Dupart was one of City College’s Strongest Supporters

Posted on by
Reply

One of the sunniest smiles on the Santa Barbara City College campus faded away recently, when Trish Dupart passed away on May 11, from an extremely rapid form of acute monoblastic leukemia.

Dupart had recently retired after 30 years of dedicated service to the school and attended the Board of Trustees & President’s Retiree Recognition Reception just a few days before her death. “She delighted everyone with her charm and wit and proudly showed off her new state-of-the-art prosthetic leg (due to diabetes complications). It was typical of Trish to face life’s challenges with humility and humor,” said SBCC President John Romo.

She began working at SBCC in the library in the early 1970s after her husband, J.P., took a job here as a groundskeeper. In the early 80s she moved over to the Learning Center in the Humanities Building. When the Learning Resource Center was built in the late 80s, she was made a supervisor, a position she held until she retired in December.

Dupart was president of the local chapter of the California School Employees Association for a number of years. She also served as President of the Association of California College Tutorial and Learning Assistance and as the regional representative for the California Reading and Learning Association.

“Trish took a personal interest in the lives of students, staff and faculty. Her work in the Cartwright Learning Resource Center was not just a job, it was a calling,” said Jerry Pike, Assistant Professor and Director of the Learning Assistance Center. “Trish lent a familial presence, remembering the details of students’ lives and encouraging or admonishing them as the situation warranted.”

Dupart was particularly supportive of the school’s athletic teams. For many years she volunteered her time at basketball tournaments and she would also invite teams over for barbecues at her house.

“She had a special interest and a special passion for the student-athletes, helping them succeed academically and making sure they got a good meal now and then,” said Marsha Wright, Director of EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) and a close friend.

“Trish’s passing is a tremendous loss to the college and to everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed,” said Romo.

Dupart is survived by her husband of 38 years, J.P., daughter, Danielle and grandchildren, Alyssa and T.J.

An informal gathering of remembrance was held at the college last week. There will be no funeral service.

The family is requesting no flowers. Those who wish may send donations to either Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, 2219 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105; The Endowment for Youth Committee, 1136 Montecito Street, Suite 2, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 or a favorite charity.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on May 20, 2004.

St. Vincent’s project gets $6.7 million more

Posted on by
Reply

The Sisters of Mercy had their prayers answered on Tuesday, when the City of Santa Barbara approved an additional $6.7 million in redevelopment funds for St. Vincent’s housing project, which will provide 170 affordable units (95 designated for low-income seniors and 75 for low-income families) on the site at 4200 Calle Real.

Housing and Redevelopment Manager Dave Gustafson described the project as a precedent setting joint effort of the Redevelopment Agency, the county and the city. This is by far the largest affordable housing project these groups have ever undertaken, with a total cost estimate of $50 million, $11 million of which will come from Federal HUD funds.

Approximately $10 million will be dedicated to infrastructure and area upgrades near the project site, which the city annexed from the county specifically for development of the St. Vincent’s project. The developers will make improvements to the nearby Cieneguitas Creek, including bank stabilization, habitat restoration and enhanced public access with a new bridge. There will also be new roads, extensive grading, streetlights, sidewalks, utilities, drainage, landscaping and a bike and pedestrian path put in along Highway 154, which borders the project on the east.

A primary factor in the increased cost of the St. Vincent’s project is a worldwide increase in the cost of steel. This has also been a driver in cost overrun estimates for the Granada Parking Garage project.

While the City Council voted unanimously to approve the increased funding (with Roger Horton absent), it was not without expressing some concerns about the cost and the implications for funding of future redevelopment projects.

“I’m thrilled this is happening. I’m not so thrilled steel is going up,” said Mayor Marty Blum.

“This is a great project. But these are staggering numbers,” said Councilwoman Iya Falcone.

Construction on the project will begin this summer. Housing Developer Benjamin Phillips said he is hoping residents can begin moving in within two years.

“From the very beginning, there’s been a profound and palpable commitment from the city to make this happen,” said Sister Amy Bayley. “It’s been a source of encouragement and inspiration to us. The citizens of Santa Barbara should be very proud.”

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on May 20, 2004.

Summerland lands on June 1

Posted on by
Reply

Surf will be up in Summerland on June 1 on the WB Network’s new show, which shares a name with our fair burg. SummerlandThe show stars Lori Loughlin as 30-something fashion designer who inherits her sister’s three kids when their parents are killed in an accident. They live in a hip beach community, natch. But it’s the fictional community of Playa Linda, said Andrea Gruber, Publicity Manager for the WB Television Network. “Summerland is just the title of the show basically because it’s a summer series,” she said.

Gruber, who grew up in Montecito, predicts tourists will still trek to Summerland to try to spot Lori Loughlin and her ensemble of beach-worthy co-stars. When “Dawson’s Creek” was hot, the show was set in the fictional town called Capeside. There happens to be a real city of Dawson in the Yukon Northwest territories of Canada, and Gruber said they had oodles of tourists who were fans of the show, as did the coast of Massachusetts, where the fictional Capeside was supposed to reside.

Of course, “Dawson’s Creek” ran for years and built up quite a following. “Summerland” has a commitment from the network to run for 12 weeks, from June 1 until the end of August, on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. After that, the jury’s still out on the show.

Loughlin came up with the original concept for “Summerland.” The network then paired her up with Executive Producer Aaron Spelling, of “Love Boat,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Melrose Place,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Dynasty,” and “7th Heaven” fame. Also involved with “Summerland” as executive producers are Remi Aubuchon, Stephen Tolkin and Spelling’s partner E. Duke Vincent.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on May 13, 2o04.

Passions run high as controversial condos approved by city

Posted on by
Reply

More than 150 people filled City Hall Tuesday night, where the Santa Barbara City Council unanimously voted to approve a controversial mixed-use condominium project near De la Vina and Calle Laureles Streets, rejecting an appeal by the neighbors.

Architectural firm DesignArc had proposed renovating an office building for itself, along with five condominiums. The council approved the project at 29 W. Calle Laureles, but with the addition of a rental unit designated for employees, more parking and the promotion of alternative transportation.

Passions ran high at the hearing, with 21 people speaking in favor of the project (in addition to members of the Planning Commission who gave it a unanimous approval) and 15 people against. In a neighborhood that has recently shouldered the additional burden of Trader Joe’s where a less robust business had been, parking and traffic were the issues of most concern.

“We are very glad to be your neighborhood drug store … we are very afraid to become your local parking lot,” said Bob Dooley, manager of Long’s Drug Store, one of the appellants.

“If you believe this is going to have no effect on our neighborhood — baloney,” said neighbor Kelly Griffin, quoting television’s Judge Judy.

Arguing that the project was the least possible weekday parking demand that could be on that site, DesignArc Principal Michael Holliday said, “The only parking and traffic threshold that this project exceeds is perception.”

Council members expressed concern about some of the misleading information that had been circulated in the neighborhood. “This flyer looks like we’re going to build Wilshire Boulevard along De la Vina,” said Councilman Das Williams.

“I don’t think that this project should be the scapegoat for all of the frustration,” said Councilwoman Helene Schneider.

The controversy over the project should have at least one positive impact on the neighborhood. Councilman Roger Horton made a direct request of the transportation department to improve the parking and traffic situation. “It seems to me that that’s our responsibility,” he said.

“I think it was actually a win-win for ourselves, trying to provide infill housing and for the neighborhood. I think we really spurred on action from city to solve problems that are far beyond our project,” said Bruce Bartlett, a founding partner of DesignArc.

The office construction will begin in two months, with the condos shortly afterward. DesignArc hopes to move in by the end of the year, said Bartlett. “It wasn’t quite the welcome wagon we were expecting, but we plan on being good neighbors.”

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on May 13, 2004.

Crane Music Fest rocks out this week

Posted on by
Reply

Rather than endure another “rubber chicken and auction” fundraiser, this year the Crane Country Day School will host the first Crane Music Fest on May 1 as a benefit for the Library and Arts Center Expansion Campaign, said Mary Blair, who is co-chairwoman of the event.

This is no ordinary school talent show lineup. Headlining the event will be Jefferson Starship, 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of fame inductee Dave Mason, Fast Freddie of Spiro Jiro, Holly Palmer, Crosby and Bella Loggins, King Bee, Rustic Groove and many other well-known performers.

“The Crane fields are really this little Hamlet, just such an awesome place to go enjoy music,” said Blair. You can hang out with your friends and family, eat, drink get a henna tattoo. It will be sort of a cleaned up version of Woodstock … offering a caliber of music that really anybody in Santa Barbara would enjoy and listen to, she said.

Along with the music, the event — which runs from noon to 5 p.m. at Crane Country Day School, 1795 San Leandro Lane in Montecito — will feature a silent auction and a live auction hosted by Crane Dad Dennis Miller and including coveted prizes like a cabana at the Coral Casino, a week at La Quinta Resort and a shopping/gourmet getaway at the Argent Hotel in San Francisco. There will also be a village street fair packed with artisans and local food vendors.

Tickets are $100. Call Kara Petersen at 969.7732 for more information or to purchase tickets.

Originally published in South Coast Beacon on April 29, 2004.