Santa Barbara Independent Real Estate 1/5/23

Happy New Year

Housing Highlights from 2022

As we roll into the New Year, join me in a walk down memory lane while I share some of my favorites out of the many homes that I visited and described for you in this year’s Make Myself at Home columns. Starting at the beginning:

SYCAMORE CANYON CABIN

This little cottage in the woods is set over a bridge and next to a creek. Its historic roots, close-to-nature vibe, and petite footprint delighted my tiny-home sensibility when I visited in January. A sign on the wide front porch reads “Welcome to the porch; feel the breeze; listen to the birds.”

CARPINTERIA COTTAGES

Charming, sleepy Carpinteria experienced some excitement this summer when this cluster of five brand-new cottages were completed and put on the market. Dutch front doors, customizable closets, and myriad thoughtful designer touches were all reasons these homes sold fast.

QUEEN OF THE RIVIERA

Said to be one of the oldest homes on Alameda Padre Serra, this landmark Riviera beauty is perched high on a hill. My visit in early March was a veritable history lesson, as it sits on the original streetcar lines built in 1910. The home is a registered historic landmark, and it even has an original water tower out back!

JOHNNY CASH’S CASA

From the black commode to the shooting range out back to locals’ stories of Johnny setting up speakers on his hillside to play concerts for neighbors down below, the Casitas Springs home of “The Man in Black” loomed as large as his legacy.

HISTORIC HACIENDA

We rounded out the year with a December column on one of the oldest local homes I’ve had the pleasure to visit. Built in 1825, the Gonzales-Ramirez Adobe sits on more than a half-acre of land in the middle of downtown Santa Barbara. Its past shines brightly while it looks toward the future.

Adam’s Angels Hosts Christmas Luncheon

On Christmas Day at the Veterans’ Memorial Building, Adam’s Angels once again hosted a fabulous Christmas meal open to anyone in the community. A large team of volunteers warmly welcomed about 500 guests, many of them homeless, and provided them with a delicious meal, presents, supplies, and entertainment, including a heartwarming performance of Christmas songs by Kenny Loggins and Jackson Gillies.

While most Santa Barbara residents spent the holiday season at parties, shopping, and visiting with family, Adam’s Angels cofounders Adam McKaig and Melissa Borders and their Angels spent the past couple of weeks preparing for this event. Asked what motivates him, McKaig related how many of the guests have no family in Santa Barbara to care for them. Similarly, he and many volunteers don’t have family here, and at the event, he shared, everyone “becomes one big family united around the table.”

The gratitude from guests, according to McKaig, is huge. Everyone is welcome. The event caters to those without houses, McKaig shared, but also to those who are just hungry and, more importantly, to those who are lonely.

The event isn’t just for the guests the event gives volunteers purpose. According to McKaig, volunteers regularly say how being a part of Adam’s Angels has changed their lives for the better. He even has received calls from family members of volunteers thanking him for giving their loved one purpose and hope.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by Drew Wakefield and other volunteers, and while waiting in the buffet line, they enjoyed Christmas tunes spun by DJ Souza. Wendy Lynn from C.A.R.E.4Paws cared for dogs while their owners dined. The American Legion and Adam’s Angels prepared a feast of baked ham, mashed potatoes, and other sides. Keith Hudson of Hudson Ministries (and Katy Perry’s dad) did the prayer before the meal. An amazing partner in putting on the event, according to McKaig, was Veterans’ Memorial Building Manager Carmen Munoz, who volunteered along with her family.

The highlight of all the entertainment was an enchanting performance of Christmas songs by Kenny Loggins and Jackson Gillies. Guests and volunteers also enjoyed an extended performance by The Traveling Hurtados and others.

In conjunction with the Veterans’ Memorial Building staff, Adam’s Angels assembled a mix of donated and purchased gifts, all wrapped by S.B. Middle School students for the guests. Racks of jackets, from a drive organized by Montecito Customs owner Jeff Clark, were also offered to guests.

To spread the word about the event, Adam’s Angels inserted invitations in the 300 bags of nonperishable food it distributes to homeless people each week at seven locations between Isla Vista and Carpinteria and passed them along to its partner organizations serving homeless individuals.

Just about a month earlier, Adam’s Angels put on a Thanksgiving dinner turkey with all the trimmings for about 400 guests. Alan Parsons led the entertainment lineup, which also included Gilles and Jason Libs. In the beginning, McKaig shared, he had to ask musicians to perform, and now musicians are offering to volunteer their amazing talents.

Adam’s Angels, now its own 501(c)(3) organization, had its roots at the start of the pandemic when McKaig, a Realtor, posted an offer on Facebook to shop for elderly people in need. It has now grown into a 400-strong all-volunteer organization serving homeless people and others in need.

Along with its weekly food distribution, Adam’s Angels also distributes clothing, gear, and hygiene items. It delivers groceries and medications each week for some elderly residents. It now has a small fund to pay for eye exams and glasses. On the very rainy day of the interview, McKaig and Borders were still out serving, this time distributing ponchos to homeless individuals.

Nobody, including McKaig, draws any compensation. The funds go the other way with a portion of McKaig’s and Borders’s real estate commissions helping to fund operations. McKaig and Borders are already planning for next year’s holiday meals and will continue the invaluable year-round services. McKaig shared his gratitude for the donations Adam’s Angels receives, enabling the group to continue to serve. If the level of donations rises, McKaig wants to broaden the services Adam’s Angels offers to further meet community needs. “The sky is the limit, and we are excited to see where the new year takes us!”

For coverage of other events, go to independent.com/society. Send invites to gail@independent.com.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SALES

AREA SELLER

CARPINTERIA HABER MICHAEL

GOLETA DOOLITTLE RICHARD EU

BUYER

JOHNSON AARON

THORNWOOD 5756 REAL ESTATE LLC

DHRH LLC FIDEL RICHARD

LOMPOC BITTLE FREDERICK EU

BELLUZ JOSEPH EA

SEKELA MICHAEL EA

MONTECITO BLUE FRANK EA

KETOLA DARLENE EA

KAY GAIL EA

DAVIS RYAN EA

PRICE DATE ADDRESS

$1,825,000 12/16/22 4975 SAWYER AVE

$6,300,000 12/15/22 5756 THORNWOOD DR

$1,265,000 12/15/22 6279 NEWCASTLE AVE

$500,000 12/16/22 308 N H ST

PEREZ DANIEL EU $585,000 12/15/22 513 BUSH CT

PORTILLO CLEMENTINAL

TENNIS JASMINE EA

321 PADRE ST LLC

STONE MEADOW X LLC

$390,000 12/14/22 520 W WALNUT AVE

$4,700,000 12/15/22 2165 ALISOS DR

$3,075,000 12/13/22 487 HOT SPRINGS RD

$5,800,000 12/14/22 620 STONE MEADOW LN

KAY GAIL EA STONE MEADOW X LLC $5,800,000 12/14/22 620 STONE MEADOW LN

OK WAVE LLC

427 LANAI LLC

$7,500,000 12/15/22 427 LANAI RD

MASTERS JULIAN EA LINN PATRICK EU $4,200,000 12/16/22 2233 CAMINO DEL ROSARIO

LOS OLIVOS STRICKEROCKET NATHAN EU SWANSON ERIK EA

$1,645,000 12/16/22 2847 SANTA BARBARA AVE

SANTA BARBARA BOSS KEVIN EA COOPER ANDREW EA $6,300,000 12/13/22 2001 LAS TUNAS RD

KVANCZ SCOTT JUERGENS GUNNAR EU $1,425,000 12/15/22 326 ALAMEDA PADRE SERR

SAUL ELIZABETH EA WEAVER BRYAN EU $4,350,000 12/16/22 2310 SANTA BARBARA ST

TAYLOR PAMELA EA CHEESEMAN DAISY $1,200,000 12/13/22 226 JESMARY LN

ROMANELLO PAMELA EA

ACQUISTAPACE CLARA EA

ABRAHAM VIKRAM EU $2,400,000 12/13/22 22 E ISLAY ST

LINCOLN RONALD EA

$3,550,000 12/14/22 3059 SEA CLIFF

SMITH ELIZABETH EA PUMA ANTHONY EU $1,150,000 12/16/22 636 CALLE DE LOS AMIGO

HARNESS JAY EA

SANTA MARIA MCNABB MICHAEL EA

BINNEY BRYAN EA

ANDRADE DAVID EA

GELOTTI SCOTT

PADELLA MICHAEL EU

LABRECQUE CARL EU

GASON DEGAR

EVANS CHERIE

OROZCO MARIA

SERRANO FURINO

GUNTER HUGH EA

BAUER MIHAELA

GRAHAM JESSICA EA $1,495,000 12/16/22 2731 MIRADERO DR

BOLIN CHARLES EU

MILLER CHRISTINE

$445,000 12/16/22 1418 OAKRIDGE PARK RD

$610,000 12/15/22 5688 SHILO CT

MULLEN JAMES EU $650,000 12/16/22 1128 WOODMERE RD

HUMANN KYLE

$435,000 12/15/22 407 N CENTER CT

SALAZAR ROBERTO EA $550,000 12/13/22 3099 LANCASTER DR

ZICH MATTHEW EU

TORRES ROSA EA

HERRERA FAMILIA PROPERTIES

$600,000 12/14/22 441 FAIR OAKS DR

$867,000 12/16/22 1129 HAMPSHIRE PL

$200,000 12/15/22 495 W DAL PORTO LN

ESPINOSA CRISTINA EA $485,000 12/14/22 623 W GINGKO CT

GONZALEZ ROSALVA EA

$535,000 12/16/22 1120 ROSEWOOD DR

DICKERSON ROBIN EU $540,000 12/15/22 902 E EVERGREEN AVE

DE JESUS JOEL

$300,000 12/16/22 1321 N BRADLEY RD 15

People Can Make Rain

Through an examination of tree rings dating back 2,500 years, scientists have determined that from the 1500s until the 1970s, California was uncharacteristically wet. The latter 130 years of this period cover the modern development of the state. Understandably, planning parameters have been based on overly optimistic figures for rainfall. Not only are our expectations outside the long-

term range of weather patterns, but we are making the climate hotter and drier through human-induced climate change.

There are two moisture cycles in nature. The most widely understood one is rain flowing down rivers to the sea, where it evaporates from the ocean surface, condensing into clouds that drift over land to rain again. This, however, only accounts for about half of rain-

fall. The second cycle is a smaller, more local one. Moisture evaporates from plants, trees, and the soil, making clouds overhead and subsequently falling as rain in the region.

To make clouds, microscopic particles are needed. These were thought to be inert minerals like dust. Only within the past 50 years have scientists begun understanding that bacteria can also be nuclei around which water vapor can coalesce. Studies have shown that cloudmaking bacteria exist in every part of the world. One study of cloud-water revealed 28,000 different species of bacteria. Plants and algae create conditions for microbe propagation, of which some become lifted by winds and attract water vapor. Bacteria multiply rapidly and are among the most resilient organisms on the planet.

The knowledge that microbes from plants and soil play a central role in rain cycles over land has profound implications. For example, the removal of vegetation by overgrazing or exposing bare soil in monocrop farming can create conditions for drought. Conversely, the restoration of a plant-rich ecosystem could increase precipitation. Cloud-seeding bacteria can be deliber-

OPEN

San Roque

715 Grove Ln, 3BD, 2BA, Fri 10-1 & Sat & Sun 1-3, $1,595,000, Village Properties, Gabe Grandcolas 805450-4723, DRE#02136492

Hope Ranch

622 Via Trepadora, 5BD, 4BA, Sun 1-4, $4,200,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, John Comin 805-689-3078, DRE#00662357

Santa Barbara

545 Los Feliz Dr, 3BD, 2BA, Sun 1-3, $1,050,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Katya Sheets 805-708-2323, DRE#02061444

733 Bath St, 2BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $1,095,000, Village Properties, Spencer Cole 805-689-6673, DRE#02115510

5307 University Drive, 3+BD, 2BA, Sat 1-3 & Sun 2-4, $1,350,000, Compass, Jan Banister 805-4551194, DRE#01244760

5073 San Vicente Drive, 3BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 12-2, $1,395,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Brandon F Veltri 805-448-7433, DRE#02070796

ately cultivated to boost water cycles.

Reversing destructive farming, ranching, and forestry practices creates opportunities to restore carbon stocks in soil, plants, and trees. Healthy, carbon-rich soils store a great deal of water and foster abundant microbial communities, leading to increased evaporation, water vapor, and clouds.

Evaporation is usually seen as a loss, something to be minimized. We need to change this perspective and start seeing it as a source of precipitation.

A Dutch company, Water Makers, has a project to transform the upper half of the Sinai desert from brown to green, filled with farms, plants, animals, and forests. Centuries ago, the Sinai was green with life, before degrading activities by people dried it out.

With droughts and wildfires in California ever more frequent, it is time to start transforming our industrial agriculture and landscape into carbonsequestering soils and plants, thereby improving the local rain cycles.

Dennis Allen is chair of Allen Construction, an employee-owned company committed to building and operating sustainably. He also serves as chair of the Dean’s Council at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UCSB and as a boardmember of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Saturday 1/7 & Sunday 1/8

401 Chapala Street #215, 1BD, 2BA, Sat 11-3 & Sun 1-4, $1,619,000, Epstein Partners/Keller Williams, Steve Epstein 805-689-9339, DRE#00994429

2536 Borton Drive, 3BD, 2BA, Sat 1-4, $1,960,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Lisa Glenny 805-280-2667, DRE#01357194

4414 Meadowlark Ln, 5BD, 3BA, Sun 1-4, $2,795,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Andrea Ruhge 805-8955862, DRE#01965484

4675 La Espada Drive, 3BD, 5BA, Sat 2-4, $3,799,000, Coldwell Banker Realty Montecito, Chris Harrington 805-689-7418, DRE#01019556

Montecito

1231 East Valley Road, 4BD, 5BA, Sat 11-4, $2,900,000, Epstein Partners/Keller Williams, Steve Epstein 805-689-9339, DRE#00994429

1086 Coast Village Rd, 3BD, 3.5BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $5,475,000, Coastal Properties, Gary Goldberg / Martha McNair 805-455-8910 / 707-4806769, DRE#01172139 / #01860908

Carpinteria

5926 Hickory St #3, 2BD, 1BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $549,000, Village Properties, Pranav Shastri 805-7297993, DRE#02152010

1116 Linden Ave, 1BD, 1.5BA, Sun 12-4, $765,000, Village Properties, Justin Corrado 805-451-9969, DRE#01356799

1114 Linden Ave, 1BD, 1BA, Sun 12-4, $795,000, Village Properties, Justin Corrado 805-451-9969, DRE#01356799

1118 Linden Ave, 2BD, 2BA, Sun 12-4, $945,000, Village Properties, Justin Corrado 805-451-9969, DRE#01356799

1112 Linden Ave, 3BD, 2BA, Sun 12-4, $995,000, Village Properties, Justin Corrado 805-451-9969, DRE#01356799

1364 Cramer Circle, 4BD, 3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,249,000, Alemann & Associates, Nico Pollero 805-4503552, DRE#02015082

1112-1118 Linden Ave, 7BD, 6.5BA, Sun 12-4, $3,295,000, Village Properties, Justin Corrado 805-4519969, DRE#01356799

Santa Ynez Valley

22 Stanford Circle (Lompoc), 3BD, 2BA, Sat 1-3, $530,000, Village Properties, Patty Armor 805-3504038, DRE#01320210

629 Central Ave Unit B, 2BD, 1.5BA, Sat 1-3, $622,000, Village Properties, Nancy Rizzo 805-4032700, DRE#01031367

142 Victory Drive, 3BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 1-3, $859,000, Village Properties, Eric Roachell 805-618-8884, DRE#02116629

472 Scandia, 4BD, 2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $910,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Jamie Jo Sim 805-689-5799, DRE#01234347

636 Hindfell Way, 5BD, 4BA, Sat123, $1,725,000, Village Properties, Michelle Glaus 805-452-0446, DRE#01921235

Realtors: submit your open house listings at INDEPENDENT.COM/ OPENHOUSESUBMISSIONS

Email: openhouses@independent.com with questions

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SALES

AREA SELLER

BUELLTON DITTMAR KAREN EA

ZELEZNY JOHN EA

GOLETA HOWELL TERRY EA

LOMPOC NORTHSTAR ACQUISITIONS INC

THOMPSON NAOMI EA

CULBERSON BARBARA

PHEBUS KIMBERLY EA

MONTECITO SINGER MARK

SANTA BARBARA FAITH JEREMY EA

16 W MISSION LLC

SROKA JUSTIN EA

BAER ARTHUR EU

STEEN MOLLY EA

BRINKERHOFF PARTNERS

JEFFREY GUTIERREZ LLC

JEFFREY GUTIERREZ LLC

BUYER

SMITH MICHAEL EU

WELCH STEVEN EU

GUERRERO HILDEGARDA EU

LANE DAVID EU

PRICE DATE ADDRESS

$1,700,000 12/19/22 2275 ALAMO PINTADO RD

$1,250,000 12/23/22 1875 AUGUSTENBORG PL

$1,185,000 12/20/22 676 SAN RAMON DR

$500,000 12/23/22 104 HUNTINGTON PL

THOMPSON CHRISTOPHER $360,000 12/23/22 1004 E WALNUT AVE

PATEL DAKSA EU

PATEL PANKAJ EU

NASSERI PARDIS EA

L'HOMMEDIEU GARY EA

PETER F HILF COMPANY LLC

ESTES RONALD EA

$625,000 12/21/22 516 N U ST

$625,000 12/21/22 520 N U ST

$5,545,000 12/21/22 500 MEADOW WOOD LN

$2,395,000 12/23/22 2690 GIBRALTAR RD

$11,825,000 12/19/22 16 W MISSION ST

$2,900,000 12/23/22 518 E PEDREGOSA ST

REILLY KRISTEN EU $1,603,000 12/23/22 1502 DE LA VINA ST

LUNDQVIST KARL $644,000 12/20/22 129 E MICHELTORENA ST 7

STERLING KENNETH EU $1,286,000 12/21/22 506 BRINKERHOFF AVE

GOODENOUGH DAVID EA $3,450,000 12/20/22 24 W GUTIERREZ ST

JEFFREY RYAN EU $2,000,000 12/23/22 24 W GUTIERREZ ST

WALSETH GEORGE EA GALAXY PROPERTY HOLDINGS $1,200,000 12/20/22 23 W MICHELTORENA ST

PARKS DONNA EA

EATON DARRLY EU

SCHNEIDER NICHOLAS EA

VISTA MONTE LLC

$1,980,000 12/20/22 3502 LA ENTRADA RD

KELLY-BURKETT ERIN $2,475,000 12/22/22 315 STANLEY DR

HANDTMANN JANET EA $1,920,000 12/21/22 204 ADAIR DR

MONCADA EDWARD EU HOFFNER ERIC EU $4,950,000 12/22/22 4200 MARINA DR

SANTA MARIA GIVENS DANIEL EA

REED KEVIN EU

DEGREGORIO MICHAEL

SUMMERLAND

MENDOZA DANIEL EA

$710,000 12/23/22 1544 HEATHERWOOD LN

ACQUISTAPACE RYAN EA $450,000 12/23/22 4628 QUARTER HORSE TRAI

EVANS ROBERT EU $395,000 12/23/22 610 SUNRISE DR UNIT 5-J

OKERBLOM EILENE EU YEH DAVID $550,000 12/20/22 2341 S EASTBURY WY

PLANTATION PROPERTIES

COASTAL RIVER TERRACE LLC

$1,925,000 12/23/22 2294 LILLIE AVE

SANTA YNEZ HANDTMANN JANET EA 1640 ROLLING HILLS ROAD LLC $1,750,000 12/21/22 1627 REFUGIO RD

UNINCORPORATED

RAMSEY

START THE YEAR IN A GOOD HEADSPACE

HappyNew Year, Santa Barbara! As we move into 2023 with anticipation and eyes wide open, ready to take on anything and everything as a community. I want us to pause and reflect on the accomplishments of 2022. Looking back through your camera roll for the last year is a fun exercise to realize all the amazing things you did and went through in 2022. Pause to look around, to be grateful for each other and where we live in this thriving and beautiful community. This helps put things into perspective as we look forward to tackling the next year together as many parts to a whole. At this time, there are so many distractions and expectations from peers and social media that the chances for negative self-talk are higher than ever. It's amazing how warped thoughts can get when you don't take the time to allow yourself space to create positivity and balance. In this negative headspace, your reactions to those around you create a ripple effect outward into the community. Focusing on Real Estate, we are so fortunate to be in this profession in this area. Our friendly competition is the envy of other associations across the state and nation.

When traveling to California Association of Realtors (CAR) and National Association of Realtors (NAR) events, I am proud to represent SBAOR alongside industry icons in Bob Hart, Staci Caplan, Diana Bull, and our amazing Board of Directors. Our Region 11 is not only vocal, but it also creates ideas and solutions looked at on the highest political platforms and is well respected at both the California state and National levels.

Imagine Santa Barbara Community and Realtors if we all approached the day in a positive headspace and with that mindset towards others. Trust me, I understand there is always an opportunity for conflict, and I welcome those opportunities. That is where we grow. Our patience and responses with others would change, and that now positive ripple effect would spread throughout the beautiful community and neighborhoods we live in.

There are many great daily morning routines out there to start the day. Mine consists of 3 things. The goal is to start the day off positively and healthily to foster this mindset in taking on the day. Of course, there are days that these don't happen. I use an app called Streaks on my iPhone to keep me accountable. And some may say this is a waste of time or does not change anything. But I challenge you to try it, lean

into it, and then continue if it starts your day off more positively and creates space to interact with people and challenges during your day.

First is my hot start, consisting of push-ups and sit-ups. This starts the day in a healthy way, is easy to do, and wakes me up. Nothing crazy, just some reps to get going.

Daily Affirmations next, creating positive talk and affirming who I am, what is important to me, what I want to be, how I want to interact with people, and where I want to go.

Example of Daily Affirmations:

I will take action; every small step I take today will build on each other, create the life I want, and do the small things all day today. I am 1% better every day.

I am grateful for the opportunity to help others accomplish their dreams through real estate, coaching, mentorship, being a teammate, and friendship.

I am stepping into the best year of my life! Enjoy the journey, and be proud of what you have accomplished.

Finishing with a 10-minute meditation. I use the app Headspace, but there are many others or do your own 10 minutes of breathing and positive thoughts around these daily affirmations.

Then, of course, a good cup of coffee, and I am ready to go! Enjoy Santa Barbara, and here's to a positive 2023!

If you would like Betsy to trace your home’s history for her column, send her a message through the contact page of her website: betsyjgreen.com.