And they all got fired by James Taylor

Went to see The Immediate Family at the Lobero Theatre April 2, 2019.  Four guitars, and drums. Solid sound. What a line-up  — some of my favorite guys from bands I went to see probably dozens of times.  Opening the first and second set with a Warren Zevon compositions that Waddy Wachtell co-wrote with the man set the tone for the evening “Send Lawyers, Guns and Money” – and that’s where Waddy added the line “And we all got fired by James Taylor” – you can see it on the YouTube clip. I really did LOL and replayed it twice more and laughed each time.  That stuff never gets old.  Unlike the band and the audience – and I speak from the view of a 67 y.o. because the white and silver hair in the theatre that night was mind-blowing.  (Reminded me of the time I went out for a commercial audition in NY City and part of the casting call must have been “no one over 5 feet tall” – I hover at 4’10” and so when I went up on my toes and could see over all the heads in the room, it was very disconcerting – I didn’t get the job. I think it threw me off. ) Opening the second set with the Zevon audience pleaser “Werewolves of London” and yes, we all howled at the right parts. Group experience.

Back to The Immediate Family show.   The management of the theatre asked we all put our cell phones away so we could all enjoy the show.  And for the first time in YEARS I didn’t see any of that screen light in the house.  I did see three people way down front taking pictures but it was a very pleasant experience.  Kunkel on drums and Sklar on bass would have made my night alone.  They are like milk & honey.  Albeit of the rock n’ roll kind.  One of the great lines of the night was said by  Postell, “We’re a cover band that plays originals.”  Some cover band eh? Great songs from the catalogs of Henley, the Eagles, Jackson Browne, and originals by Waddy and Danny Korchmar.  But no James Taylor songs were in the mix. LOL

The official 411 on the group:  This group began life as a studio project, recording Danny Kortchmar’s upcoming solo CD. The CD, which will be released this spring, features guest performances by James Taylor, Jackson Browne, David Crosby & Michael McDonald. On guitar and vocals, Danny Kortchmar, who has played, produced and written for James Taylor, Don Henley, Carole King, Jackson Browne and many more. Also on guitar and vocals is Waddy Wachtel, the consummate rock guitarist who has played with many of the same artists, including many years with Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, and the late Warren Zevon with whom he co-wrote and produced a number of hit songs. The Immediate Family also features absolutely one of the most recorded and revered rhythm sections in the world; Leland Sklar on bass and Russ Kunkel on drums. Their credits would require several more pages at least. Rounding out the band on guitar and vocals with Danny and Waddy is Steve Postell, a well seasoned touring/session musician who has worked with Jennifer Warnes, David Crosby and many others. Together, the members of The Immediate Family have played on close to 5,000 records, many of them classics in the rock n roll pantheon.

OMG, They’ve played on five-fucking-thousand records?!?!?  I didn’t have that many records, but I know I had a lot of their music in my collection. If they’re playing your town or city – DO GO!

It was the Name of the Street

For more than 26 years I had a great office in the center of downtown Santa Barbara – the building called ‘El Centro’ appropriately. It was built in 1929 and had a great vibe to it. Twenty-four offices and each one occupied by an interesting person or people.

I wrote about the history of the building for the SB Trust for Hysterical Preservation, I mean Historical. (wink wink) Here’s the story, to give you an idea of the place. I knew all the people who worked there. My office was located where the old reception area was for the original law offices it was made for. People naturally gravitated to my doors to ask, do you know where suite number so and so is? I’d ask them for the person’s name – then I could tell them where they were.

I was thinking about this because , earlier this week, I read Neal Graffy’s write-up in Edhat.com about how the name of the street the El Centro was on, Canon Perdido, came to be. It translates to mean ‘the lost cannon.’ There’s a funny anecdote here told by the self-proclaimed historian of Santa Barbara – Neal Graffy. I give all kudos to him for the history and stories he has accumulated. https://www.edhat.com/news/its-stolen-cannon-day?fbclid=IwAR2sEDJojBrN2YT9SPgLMjinkVgokShQnUw8mG2J3hT9DC9SOHsAtxConC8

High Times Going Through Hard Times

Just read this incredibly good investigative piece in Politico about the slow and steady downfall of magazine High Times, not by the Feds, not by the police or informants, but by greed. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/09/04/high-times-hard-times-404419 Once upon a time I worked for the man who started it – Tom Forçade as his executive assistant. He’s rolling over (and rolling one up) in his afterlife. ‘Tis a sad state of affairs.

Anyone else thinking about “War of the Worlds”?

Never in my career have I experienced anything like the rapid shut-downs of events, places and spaces due to the COVID-19 (Corona Virus). I was amazed when UCSB shut down all its winter quarter classes this past Monday and are going online. Alright I thought – that’s a campus with more than 10,000 kids – that makes sense. A virus was doing this. Never thought of that possibility.

It was then the thought struck me – this is how HG Wells took down the Martians in ‘War of the Worlds’ with a virus. ACK ACK!

Around 12:30am Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom posted online a request for all events or gatherings of more than 250 be shut down. The NBA shut down, No March Madness either the players will play, but to no one in the house. No fans. No cheering, just the squeak of sneakers, grunts and a few names called between players. Surreal. A virus is shutting us down. A virus! Not in my lifetime.

Thursday, the gala events started dropping like tiaras from Princesses heads, as the local British gossip columnist would say, one after the other. In fact, he ran down the whole list to me while asking about an art show I was working on. ‘Could be you’ll be the only game in town. That could bode well.’ in his ever so perky Brit accent. Of course, he was jesting. Even the infamous 75th SB Orchid Show set for this weekend was cancelled and they had everything in place. My pal who works in radio said as he pulled into the parking lot at Earl Warren Showgrounds for a story, they had just decided to call the show off. Saw the KEYT TV senior reporter – John Palminteri – do a story from inside the hall with all the orchids on display. He was emcee for an auction they were due to have.

This morning around 9:30 am I got a call from my client with the film festival who said, ‘I’m telling you something now, but you can’t say anything yet. We have to postpone. We’re working on dates with the venues. I’ll get back to you soon.’ Sure enough in an hour I had an official statement and dates to announce for its reschedule in the fall. All-Access passes purchased for the film fest will be honored then. I called my pal, the radio reporter, left a message, sent a text in case. Shipped out the statement about postponement to my media list and the news was picked up as the outlets started to keep running lists of cancellations and postponed events. This I want to go viral.

Meanwhile the day is moving along. I’ve sent a couple e-mails to the art show folks. No reply. They were still holding on, hoping to let it go on, but it just was not smart. Finally, someone put their foot down, put in my need for a 5pm deadline to get the news to the media so it could be included on their outlets. I called them around 4, and said we need to get out there with at least 24 hours’ notice that the art show will not happen. (That’s to the reception not the opening time either). It was a very narrow escape. They got it, and by a little before 5, I had a statement.

Had my head down with another client’s work when I got a call back from the Radio Reporter. He’d been running all day, but thought he saw a note from me that the film festival was not happening. Yeah, I confirmed. The team feared we could screen the films and there could be a no-show effect. Roll film, to no audience. Like the NBA and college ball. People are self-deciding to not go out. And they aren’t letting the venues know. It would be awful for the artists and the beneficiary to not be able to reap the accolades and funds from this event. Grateful to the venues leaders for their willingness to find a time to re-schedule the fundraisers.

I’ve been shut down by cold & snowy weather back east. I would describe it as very serious weather. White-out weather. Nothing moving weather. Cancellations make sense for those. A virus? Never thought about it frankly.

Out in CA, the multiple day, heavy rains of the mid-to-late 90s I experienced up here shut down a show I was working on – rains! Ha, but it was no laughing matter. Glad my roof was water-tight because the velocity the rain hit with was impressive. I kept saying, rain has bumped my dance company out of a couple performances. A virus? Still never thought about it.

This one is total sci-fi – a virus. LA Times and NY Times calling it a ‘novel virus’ – novel indeed. We could be having this state of high anxiety for a few more months. That’ll get old soon. Most who get it don’t die from it unless they’re systems are already compromised – think COPD, asthma, I’m lucky to not have anything like these. The symptoms are like the flu – nausea, sore throat, coughing, aches. But it’s the older population with compromised health who are in the gravest danger. Younger people recover. That’s my single biggest take-away.

Sent a note to my friends in Italy – they live in Northern Italy, the Liguria region. Where they’ve been locked down in their homes. Did you read the Op-Ed by David Unger in today’s LA Times? https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-03-11/coronavirus-italy-quarantine-infectionShe said it was a very good example of how they are living right now.

Be careful. Wash your hands – (I can hear you, ‘oh Mo, I know’) Find the humor in this because that will get us through it. Two fucking months of this? Maybe the world needed to learn a little patience. It’s certainly dialed the rhetoric down on the political front. For that I am grateful. Can’t watch the news for very long, I get enough pings and dings on my phone about breaking news, so it’s as if I had the TV on all day.

A few days have passed since the Thursday closures started happening. Swinging back to the perennial Orchid Show – Nancy Melekian, president of the exotic flower show said in this story linkthey would take a huge hit. But they must have insurance I thought? Nope. The answer came out in this story – “We’re not covered for viruses.”

Gatherings have been brought down to 10 or less. I’m staying put at home. I can call younger friends to help if need be. I can order online where possible. I did have a month-long homebound experience a few years ago when I broke my leg. Since I have theatre background, I look at it as a rehearsal for this COVID-19 reality. A virus? I never thought about it frankly.  I will now.

BTW if you haven’t seen this seven-minute video on the COVID-19 virus… Here’s the link.  PBS Digital Show “It’s Okay to be Smart” hosted by Joe Hanson.  Brilliant.  https://www.pbs.org/video/what-this-chart-actually-means-for-covid-19-ybsbtd/

 

Check out the auction items for Coastal Legacy 2019

Announcing Palminteri & Green as Auctioneers for Coastal Legacy 2019 on September 21st

 

Gaviota Coast Conservancy’s first exclusive public fundraising event to be held at the Music Academy of the West

Live Auction has Kayaking, Camping, Audubon Field Trip, Getaways from Mendocino to Naples to Montecito, Exclusive Wine Tour in a Tesla Gull-Wing and Serious Collector’s Items from The Doors’ John Densmore & Jack Johnson

 

(Santa Barbara, CA) Exciting donations are coming into the Gaviota Coast Conservancy (GCC) for Coastal Legacy 2019, its’ first community-wide fundraiser on Saturday, September 21 in the afternoon at the Music Academy of the West.  The Live Auction has a a lucky seven select packages to bid on.  Top-shelf musicians will create a beautiful soundtrack to listen to as you peruse and bid on the more than four-dozen Silent Auction items.  Lots of wonderful experiential items for nature devotees are in the mix on Live and Silent items, as well as a plethora of Patagonia gear for the outdoor enthusiasts.

“We’re very excited to announce the participation of KEYT’s John Palminteri as the live auctioneer and Geoff Green, SBCC Foundation’s CEO, for the Paddle Raise. John and Geoff will put the live portion of the auction on the map,” said Doug Kern, Executive Director of Gaviota Coast Conservancy, continuing, “Both are well-known in the community and GCC is very grateful to have their dynamic participation.”

Experiential auction items include: Kayaking with guide Tamlorn Chase (Kayaks from Paddle Sports Center) lunch included; gather a group of friends (up to 15) for a private field trip with an Audubon expert at Coal Oil Point Reserve and the new North Campus Open Space; or choose the perfect gift for a couple’s weekend in Mendocino at the Alegria Inn’s best suite overlooking the Pacific, with a kayak trip for two.

Luxury Getaways include: You and three friends will take an exclusive Santa Ynez Valley Sustainable Wine Tour in a gorgeous Tesla Gull-Wing, private tastings and lunch are included (this is not your Tasting Room tour); treat yourself to a two-night stay at Naples Ranch on the gorgeous Gaviota Coast (sleeps six).

Don’t miss rare music memorabilia from John Densmore, drummer of The Doors and singer-songwriter Jack Johnson.  Densmore is donating a very rare signed Deluxe Vinyl Edition of The Doors catalogue and tops it off by including a signed Drum Head.  Give that man a drum-roll!  Multi-talented Johnson has given GCC a signed Ukulele, Songbook and CD to get more hearts-a-singing, and giving money, to support the watchful eye GCC provides on the Gaviota Coast.  (Really, we can’t take a nap on this watch.)

Setting the scene at the auction are the talented, local painters and photographers who bring the beauty of the Gaviota Coastline to the community via their talents and this is the best way you can own a piece of the beauty.  From Chris Potter, El Capitan Panorama with a gift certificate towards framing, photographer Bill Zeldis’ 24” x30” Panoramic Aerial Art Print of The Jack & Laura Dangermond Preserve also includes a gift certificate towards framing; #1 of a 100 Limited Print run of the original art for Coastal Legacy 2019, framed & signed by Daniella Manini will be a highlight of the silent auction. Her screen-prints will be for sale at the Legacy Merchandise table.  KEYT’s Senior Reporter, John Palminteri’s snappy patter is sure to get you laughing and digging deep to support GCC.

We also applaud the musicians who will be making beautiful music for us before and after the main program – pianists Debbie Denke, Patrick Lindley, with banjo player Enrique Hernandez Black, guitarist Suz Corez, guitarist Chris Judge and on accordion and guitar The Dennis and Laurie Show – Dennis Russel and Laurie Hemenway.

Greeting everyone at the entrance to the Marilyn Horne House will be Buttercup, the sweet Chihuahua who won a modeling contest for Wild EarthVegan Dog Food. Get a selfie with her to post on your social media stream. Thanks to her owner Kristin Weiss for sharing her with us. Buttercup Loves the Gaviota Coast!

Silent Auction items include nearly five dozen varied and wonderful donations from restaurants, retail outlets, local artists and businesses. Patagonia gear and signed book by Yvon Chouinard as well as a collection of surfing books.  There really is something for everyone with prices ranging from $25 to $450 and up. All bids going to help the GCC preserve and protect the Gaviota Coast for present and future generations.

COASTAL LEGACY 2019, Saturday, September 21 from 2 – 5 pm at the Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.  Tickets available at legacy@gaviotacoastconservancy.orgor call (805)683-6631. 

 

For more information visit: www.GaviotaCoastConservancy.org/2019Legacy

 

Gratitude to our El Capitan level and up sponsors:

SeaVees, Belmond El Encanto, Montecito Bank & Trust, The Nature Conservancy,

Santa Barbara Trust for Public Land, Santa Barbara Independent,

Rincon Broadcasting, Compass Realty,

Steve & Mary Forsell, Richard & Nina Hunt,

Kristin Kirby & Kevin Whalen and Candace White

 

www.gaviotacoastconservancy.org                         www.mcfaddenpr.com

  

The Gaviota Coast Conservancy mission is to protect, restore and enhance the unique natural, scenic, agricultural, recreational, educational and cultural resources of the open space lands of the Gaviota Coast for the benefit of current and future generations.  

 

 

Calling All Hearts & Minds Who Love Our Gaviota Coast

Important public fundraiser for GCC

Recently I was hired to work on an event for a local environmental/conservation non-profit that I have admired for many years – The Gaviota Coast Conservancy (GCC) has been doggedly protecting the last 20 miles of rural coastline in Southern California for more than 20 years.  My first brush with the people who volunteer at Gaviota Coast Conservancy was through a local painters group that donated 40% of all its sales for a show dedicated to showing people the incredible landscapes we have in our backyard called “Visions of the Gaviota Coast.”

My heart beats loud and strong for environmental and conservation causes – like Audubon and the Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).  Now that last group has become a part of the fabric of Santa Barbara county with its’ stewardship of The Jack & Laura Dangermond Reserve – better know as The Bixby Ranch to most who live here.  It’s a hot bed of bio-diversity.  The Dangermond’s plopped down $165 million for the parcel and then donated it to TNC. Their personal story to this land is the thread that brought them back after 50 years to do something so generous and lasting.  On their honeymoon they camped on the Gaviota Coast and never forgot the beauty of the land.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llZcin6AulU

Come join us at the Coastal Legacy 2019 event on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 21 at the Music Academy of the West.

Here’s the details:

You are invited to the Gaviota Coast Conservancy special event on Saturday afternoon, September 21stat Santa Barbara’s gorgeous Music Academy of the West

Gaviota Coast Conservancy(GCC) is a Santa Barbara based conservation organization that has been actively protecting 76 miles of coast stretching from Coal Oil Point Reserve to Point Conception for more than 20 years.  The Gaviota Coast is a globally significant bioregion with features qualifying it as a National Seashore.

In 2017 the biggest privately-owned ranch on the Gaviota Coast was preserved in perpetuity by philanthropists Jack and Laura Dangermond. The Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, now under the direction of Michael Bell, protects 24,500 acresof the Cojo-Jalama Ranches (aka Bixby Ranch), with spectacular, undeveloped and largely undisturbed lands. We are thrilled to be honoring these two outstanding conservation heroes at our upcoming September event with the Coastal Legacy 2019Award. Michael Bell, Director of The Dangermond Preserve, will be accepting the award in their honor.

GCC has been holding the line on Gaviota Coast development since our inception in 1996, working with farm and ranch owners to keep land in productive agriculture, and keeping the coast open for the public to explore and enjoy for generations to come.

Join us at this fabulous event to protect the last rural stretch of undeveloped SoCal coastline.

Live and Silent Auction items so far:  Chris Potter original painting, “El Capitan Panorama,”;Jack Johnson personally signed Ukuleleand songbook; three nights in San Francisco Pied-a-terre; Plethora of Patagonia gear; GCC Guided Hike for eight;Dogtown-The Legend of the Z-Boysby CR Stecyk III, Glen Friedman, signed by alumni Zephyr Skate Team, donated by Team Member Peggy Oki; and more.

Follow us on Facebook to discover more auction items and other announcements as they come in.

http://www.GaviotaCoastConservancy.org/2019legacy

 

Abbott & Costello at Big Buy. Lou Needs a Computer…

I always got a kick out of Abbott & Costello from the movies to their infamous Who’s on First. This is an homage to that routine by someone much more clever than I am!

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, ‘Who’s on First?’ might have turned out something like this:
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I’m setting up an office in my den and I’m thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don’t own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don’t know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let’s just say I’m sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue ‘W’.

COSTELLO: I’m going to click your blue ‘W’ if you don’t start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? Do you have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That’s right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What’s bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. At no extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn’t it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on ‘START.’
If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, ‘Who’s on First?’ might have turned out something like this:
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I’m setting up an office in my den and I’m thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don’t own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don’t know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let’s just say I’m sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue ‘W’.

COSTELLO: I’m going to click your blue ‘W’ if you don’t start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? Do you have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That’s right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What’s bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. At no extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn’t it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on ‘START.’

 

 

When Trigger Had Pop Culture Status

End of workday yesterday, I went into the parking gargage to go home.  Two young men in their 20s were walking away from their car, an SUV of some nondescript make.  The owner of the car pushed the auto lock and it beeped.  No surprise there, I’ve used that beeping lock sound to find my car in a lot when I can’t recall exactly where I parked.  I’ve often called the lock beep my personal Trigger.  Well, the next thing that happened is why I titled this post what it is…the SUV started up!  I laughed and the guys looked at me.  I said “it’s just like Trigger, it’s ready to ride!”  That’s when the blank look on their faces clued me in.  I said, “you aren’t familiar with who Trigger was or Roy Rogers?”  And went on to explain how the Roy only had to whistle and his horse Trigger would be there.

I used to fantasize I was in harm’s way – usually stranded in some desert complete with the saguarro cacti on the landscape –  Roy would come in and swoop me onto his horse, Trigger, to save me when that show was in its heyday.  His wife Dale could ride as well as her man Roy.  She would, of course, welcome me into their ranch home to recuperate.

Maybe the exchange made those guys search for more info on Trigger but probably not.

The name Trigger always brings a smile to my face and I bet more than a few horses must’ve been named after him. If I had a palomino it’d be my first choice.

Do you have a special memory about that TV show?  I’d like to hear from you.

 

2017 Marks 25 Years for McFadden & McFadden Entertainment PR

Time flies when you’re having fun and it sure has flown by for me looking back on 25 years in business here in Santa Barbara.  Where it all began, my office location at El Centro building is coming to an end I’m sorry to say.  It’s the only address I’ve had in SB that has not changed over the years.

The Lippincott Family who owned it since 1948 went and sold it to a land baron and his investors for …$8 million dollars.  Do ya think the rent will go up?  Oh yeah.  Mine is increasing nearly four-fold.

Top shot is Siam Carving Academy work in Bangkok, Thailand – friends who make my business logo look delicious!

Second is inside my suite – the great large red knot I rec’d from the Chinese Opera Co. for the great PR work I did for their show at the Lobero.  I gave the knot to Lovejoy’s Pickle Room when it opened in October 2013 for more good luck.  It looks even better in the new location.

Third down – Paul Wellman photographer for the SB Independent took this of me on the front steps of El Centro for a story on how I made it in SB a few years ago.

Fourth down – Back in the 90’s I was Communications Director for the Lobero Theatre. Santa Barbara Magazine wrote this little item up on me for it’s “Around Town” section.

Five & Six are Shots of the Lobero stage house, and shadows on the walls of the theatre on the dressing room side.

Last shot is the press and ads for the newly opened El Centro in 1929.  Caught with a Model T Ford of what might be the same year.  My good luck!

MnM Logo in Watermelon copyP1040367Mo by Wellman4webNo Slo MoP1030746P1030749P1030750

 

I am going to relish the time I have left on my lease – through the end of February 2018.

If you’ve never seen my office, well, it’s not like any other pffice in SB.  Been described as a “Tin Pan Alley” office by which I take as a very high compliment.  Every inch of wall space is covered with posters from shows I have worked on or people I have worked with at the Lobero as well as other places.  Sweet sweet memories!

Even though my downtown era is coming to a close, I’ll still be working.   Ready to help you out.   Same phone number 805 689 5053 and same e-mail mcmpr101@gmail.com for business inquires.

 

Labor Day weekend – go inside SBSA Tour

(August 26, 2017)  Santa Barbara has always been both a refuge and an inspiration for artists from all over the world. The natural beauty drew famous artists such as Collin Campbell Cooper in the late 19th century, and has been drawing accomplished professionals ever since. According to the last census, Santa Barbara has the fifth largest population of artists in the country.

Santa Barbara Studio Artists is a nonprofit organization of visual artists who maintain working studios in Santa Barbara County, but whose work shows mainly in other places. Our purpose is to introduce great local artists to a new audience and to increase public awareness of Santa Barbara as an important destination for art and culture.

 

Karen Fedderson is just one of the 30 artists whose studio you can see – her painting of the pelicans flying over the waves is called “Freedom.”

Karen Fedderson

 

In addition to their good work, each participant is selected for their exhibition and sales history, and for their interesting studio space. Work ranges from quintessential California landscape to cutting edge abstraction, photography, and sculpture. There are many exciting new artists on the tour this year, so people who like to come every year will have some surprises. One doesn’t need to travel to New York or Santa Fe to discover a wealth of great art, one just have to know where to look.

This mosaic fish is by the award-winning Betsy Gallery.

Betsy Gallery - Roman Tunisian Fish web

This painting is by Diane Giles and is titled “What She Said”

Diane Giles - What She Said,web

Come to the 10 West Gallery at 10 W. Anapamu Street in downtown Santa Barbara to see one piece from each participating artist on Labor Day weekend only.  Pick up your Tour Passes and Map this way, you can choose the artists you most want to visit, and use the map provided to seek out varied locations from the hills of Montecito to downtown neighborhoods out to the Santa Ynez Valley.  SBSA OST is a self-guided driving tour to the professional artists who call Santa Barbara home.

Look for the yellow flags displayed at each location.   Here SBSA President Dorothy Churchill-Johnson with the flags in front of one of her paintings.

DSC_9581

More info at : http://www.santabarbarastudioartists.com 

Just the FactS:

WHO:            Santa Barbara Studio Artists

WHAT:          16th ANNUAL STUDIO TOUR

WHEN:       Labor Day Weekend  Saturday & Sunday: Sept. 2-3-4, 2017

SPECIAL: Opening Reception  5:00-8:00 PM on Friday, September 1 at 10 West Gallery, 10 W. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, 93101 

WHERE:     Various Private Studios in Santa Barbara County 

From Montecito to Goleta to Santa Ynez

COST:           General Admission: $20 for weekend available online

As of Friday Sept. 1 all tickets will be taken offline, and available only at 10 West Gallery.

Two or more: $15 each

http://www.santabarbarastudioartists.com

ABOUT:         More than 40 professional artists open their studios to the public for three  days on the Labor Day weekend. Talk with the artists in their private studios and learn more about their creative process. Everything from classic plein air landscapes, contemporary, figurative and abstract, to sculpture and assemblage will be on the three-day self-guided driving tour steering visitors to great art in interesting locations from the Funk Zone to beautiful estates in one of the most popular destinations in the world. The William Sansum Diabetes Center is the beneficiary this year.

www.mcfaddenpr.com        http://10WestGallery.com

The purpose of SBSA is to promote the interests of professional artists working in Santa Barbara and to increase public awareness of Santa Barbara as an important destination for art and culture.