Like confetti from a cracked cascarón, the annual Old Spanish Days has taken over Santa Barbara.
Along with Noozhawk’s regular Fiesta reporting, we’re delighted to welcome the contributions of Carly Lindblad, a Dos Pueblos High School senior and our second Erin Graffy Journalism Fellow.
In partnership with Noozhawk, the family of the late Erin Graffy — husband Jim Garcia and siblings Kurt, Neal, Colleen and Kerry — and The Profant Foundation for the Arts established a legacy endowment to promote the things she loved, notably dance, music, history and Fiesta.
Carly, a passionate journalist with an aptitude for writing and visual story telling, is part of the legendary DP Yearbook team responsible for publishing the school’s award-winning and nationally acclaimed yearbook, The Image.
Click here to read her first article, “After Nearly 60 Years, Erin Graffy Children’s Strolling Chorus Brings Back a Santa Barbara Tradition.”
Noozhawk had an audience of 132,205 readers this past week, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading over that span, as tracked by our Google analytics.
As a reminder, this is my opinion column and not a news story.
1. Longtime Birnam Wood Bartender Was Victim in Fatal Montecito Traffic Collision
The pedestrian struck and killed by a car the night of Aug. 2 on Montecito’s Coast Village Road has been identified as Pedro Rivera, a longtime Birnam Wood Golf Club employee remembered for his kindness and dedication.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, Rivera was a popular bartender at the club and also served as assistant general manager at Teddy’s by the Sea in Carpinteria.
My friend, Nels Henderson, reminded me that Rivera had been a bartending fixture at the late Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara’s La Sala room for decades — a fact I had forgotten since I’m not old enough to remember when that hotel was even open.
Rivera was hit by a car as he crossed the street near Lucky’s Steakhouse, at 1279 Coast Village Road, about 9:50 p.m.
Santa Barbara police Lt. Ethan Ragsdale said emergency responders found a male pedestrian unconscious in the street.
He said the circumstances of the collision are under investigation and the driver is cooperating with officers.
Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be factors, Ragsdale added.
Although another SBPD spokesman would later only confirm that the victim had died and the Santa Barbara County sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau just did not respond to Evelyn at all, Rivera’s death was reported by both Birnam Wood general manager Jordan Sweeney and Teddy’s co-owner Sarah Dandona.
“Our hearts are broken,” Sweeney said in an Aug. 3 email to club members. “Pedro was a valued member of the Birnam Wood family, and his loss will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.
“He served our club with kindness, dedication, and a warm smile that touched so many members and fellow employees over the years.”
Sweeney said the club community’s Helping Hands Committee will assist Rivera’s family with funeral expenses and any other “immediate needs.”
Dandona — who co-owns Teddy’s with her husband, Juan Rodriguez — said they had been friends with Rivera for more than 40 years. She established a GoFundMe account to help his family.
“He was a dear friend, a steady presence, and a beloved member of our community since the day we opened eight years ago,” she posted on the account.
“He cared deeply about everyone he worked with, always proud of what we were building together.”
Dandona said Rivera is survived by his sons; his granddaughter, Isabella; his 92-year-old mother; and his brother.
Funeral services are pending.
As of Aug. 7, the GoFundMe account had raised nearly $63,000. Click here to make an online donation.
2. Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Amtrak Train in Santa Barbara
A pedestrian died the evening of Aug. 2 after being hit by an Amtrak passenger train near the Santa Barbara Zoo.
As our Janene Scully reported, the pedestrian was struck by a southbound Pacific Surfliner train while walking on the Union Pacific tracks around 7:30 p.m. near Sycamore Creek, between the zoo, at 500 Niños Drive, and Dwight Murphy Field.
Santa Barbara police Lt. Ethan Ragsdale said officers and Santa Barbara firefighters immediately began life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
No identity has been released pending notification of family.
While investigators worked the scene, the California Highway Patrol shut down one lane of the already chronically backed-up southbound Highway 101 along with the southbound Milpas Street entrance ramp.
3. Super El Niño Could Have Far-Reaching Effects for Santa Barbara County
The relentless heat gripping Santa Barbara County — formerly known as “summer” — may be only the beginning, as forecasters warn a developing Super El Niño could reshape the region’s weather for months to come.
Among other things, our Daniel Green reported, the change could bring a warmer ocean now and the possibility of heavy winter storms later.
Meteorologists say the powerful climate pattern already has pushed unusually warm Pacific waters toward the West Coast, raising ocean temperatures by several degrees and contributing to above-normal heat throughout the county.
National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall said there is an 81% chance of a strong El Niño developing, though its exact impacts remain uncertain.
He said records dating back to the 1950s show only seven confirmed Super El Niños. Five of them were accompanied by wetter winters, but the other two were dry years.
Warmer ocean waters are already attracting tropical fish species such as dorado, yellowtail and barracuda to the Central Coast, creating exceptional fishing opportunities, according to my friend, charter captain David Bacon.
“We get generally a few months of just amazing fishing for types of fish that we usually have to travel far south, like many, many hundreds of miles, to get to,” said Bacon, a longtime Noozhawk outdoors columnist.
“So, it’s just wild and exciting when El Niño happens.”
At the same time, the higher water temperatures could stress local kelp forests and disrupt marine ecosystems.
Santa Barbara County emergency officials are also preparing for the possibility of flooding, mudslides and debris flows if heavy winter rains arrive.
Montecito residents are way ahead of them.
More than a dozen homeowners along La Vuelta Road, off North Jameson Lane west of Sheffield Drive, recently met with county Flood Control District staff and First District Supervisor Roy Lee to discuss ways to reduce flooding.
Nearby San Ysidro Creek overflowed and damaged homes during the 2021-2022 storms, and residents said they are especially concerned about protecting elderly neighbors and avoiding future property damage.
“We’re trying to put our best foot forward with the county,” resident Mitch Chupack told our Rebecca Caraway.
“They’re making efforts to come up with ideas to help us. I’m hopeful that we’re going to get something done.”
4. Black Bears Make Themselves at Home in Santa Barbara County Yards
For a pair of bears, a backyard swimming pool in Montecito’s Toro Canyon apparently made the perfect early morning watering hole — and a surprise summer stop during Santa Barbara County’s annual bear season.
As our Pricila Flores reported, a homeowner captured nearly an hour of security camera footage starting around 5 a.m. Aug. 2.
The video shows what appears to be a mother black bear and her cub wandering into the yard, drinking from the pool and taking a refreshing dip before eventually moving on.
The cub takes a lap in the water while the bigger bear lies on a pool step. Later, the mama bear gives the youngster some help climbing out.
Wildlife officials say the unusual visit is actually part of a normal seasonal pattern.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Cort Klopping said black bears become more active during the summer as they search for food and water.
“It’s also common to see yearling bears dispersing in search of new home ranges after separating from their mothers,” he added.
Recent sightings have been reported throughout Romero, Toro and other canyons in Montecito, as well as near San Marcos Pass and in western Goleta.
Residents say they’re more concerned about the bears’ safety than their own, noting that people are living in the animals’ habitat.
Fish and Wildlife officials say potential conflicts can be reduced by securing trash, compost and pet food; harvesting ripe fruit promptly; and reporting bear sightings through the department’s online reporting system.
5. Noozhawk’s Guide to Santa Barbara’s 103rd Old Spanish Days Fiesta
As mentioned previously, Santa Barbara’s 103rd Old Spanish Days Fiesta is well underway.
We put our Pricila Flores in charge of our annual Fiesta guide this year, and you can click here to read the result of her work.
I’ll just call attention to two of my favorite events:
The Historical Parade (El Desfile Histórico) was once the largest equestrian parade in the country and is now described as “one of the largest.”
The parade starts at noon Aug. 7 and runs along Cabrillo Boulevard between Castillo Street on the west to the street still named Calle César Chávez on the east.
On Aug. 8 is El Desfile de los Niños (Children’s Parade), which starts at 10 a.m. and also travels along Cabrillo Boulevard, from Calle Puerto Vallarta on the east to Casa Las Palmas on the west.
Of course, I’ll say again for the umpteenth time that both parades — and the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade — should be restored to their traditional route on State Street through downtown.
City of Santa Barbara officials relocated the parades a few years ago to create a dedicated freeway for electric motorcycles — excuse me, e-bikes — on State Street.
But I digress.
Team Noozhawk has already been out and about covering Fiesta festivities and has a busy schedule this weekend. Check back with us for more details.
Viva La Fiesta!
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Good Reads
Check out these six stories, too:
» Victims’ Family Speaks Out at Sentencing for Wrong-Way DUI Driver — North County editor Janene Scully listens to heart-wrenching victim-impact statements from the family of Alma Lazaro, a 53-year-old Santa Maria grandmother killed by a now-convicted wrong-way drunken driver on Highway 101 in 2024.
» Mother of Santa Barbara Zoo’s Red Panda Cubs Dies — South County editor Evelyn Spence has even more heartbreak from the Santa Barbara Zoo and its small family of red pandas, and this update may be the hardest news to take of all.
» Santa Barbara Foresters Defeat Alaska Goldpanners to Capture NBC World Series Title — Unlike last year, I purposefully didn’t jinx the Santa Barbara Foresters in their quest for another national championship — and it worked. Sports editor Diego Sandoval has the details.
» Santa Barbara Rodeo Proves Western Spirit Is Alive and Well — Photographer Lily Chubb shot her first rodeo, and it was quite a ride.
» Nearly 1,000 Isla Vista Rentals Inspected in Controversial Pilot Program — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway digs into Santa Barbara County’s ongoing crackdown on Isla Vista landlords.
» Santa Ynez Valley’s Monty Roberts, Horse Trainer Known for Gentle Method, Dies — Janene writes the last chapter of acclaimed horse trainer Monty Roberts’ amazing life. He died July 31 at age 91.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? 1 Dead, 2 Wounded in Downtown Santa Barbara Stabbings.
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What I’m Up To
Although I’m not looking for a free meal, I occasionally do have free time if you’re looking for a speaker for your club, group or organization and want to hear more about Noozhawk. Email me at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com.
Oct. 29 — I don’t recognize who Scouting America — Los Padres Council is describing, but I’m being honored with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award at the annual Salute to Scouting celebration at the Santa Barbara Club, #myhomeawayfromhome.
Dec. 10 — Having not learned their lesson from last year, the Channel City Club has invited me back to emcee its Christmas brunch at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. I’m privileged to do this in honor of my close friend, the late Erin Graffy, the club’s longtime host.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
HT to Best of Bill reader Mike Edwards for expanding my horizons and giving me directions to a Lord of the Rings fan with a flair for cartography: Lord of Maps Isaac Dushku Makes the Coolest Maps You’ve Ever Seen.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed is pretty much all @santabarbararodeo this past week, and I couldn’t be happier.
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Watch It
Mama bears multitask, too. HT to Best of Bill reader Lilou Molin.
