Labor Day arrives this year with a peculiar resonance. It’s meant to honor the dignity of work — the daily, ordinary, unglamorous labor that keeps a community upright. But in California, 2026 has felt like a season when simply carrying on has become its own kind of profession. The news greets us each morning with […]
Jay Casbon
Santa Barbara resident Jay Casbon has devoted his professional journey to higher education, leadership and religious art history. He has served in distinguished academic roles, including provost at Oregon State University, graduate school dean at Lewis & Clark College, and a professor of education and counseling psychology. Jay is the author of several books, and most recently the co-author of Side by Side: The Sacred Art of Couples Aging with Wisdom & Love. He finds joy and clarity in writing poetry, restoring vintage watches, and collecting art that speaks to the soul. The opinions expressed are his own.