An Oral History – Volume I 1966 – 2006

In TheirVoice Own

“That tree whose leaves are trembling: is yearning for something. That tree so lovely to see acts as if it wants to fl ower: it is yearning for something.” — Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1395

xx The Legacy of Seventeen Past Presidents – Santa Barbara Beautiful “Waiting for a Message” by Rochelle Mass

“Trees help you see slices of sky between branches, point to things you could never reach. Trees help you watch the growing happen, watch blossoms burst then dry, see shade twist to the pace of a sun, birds tear at unwilling seeds. Trees take the eye to where it is, where it was, then over to distant hills, faraway to other places and times, long ago. A tree is a lens, a viewfi nder, a window. I wait below for a message of what is yet to come.” Acknowledgements

Rozella Jewett, SB Beautiful Historian: Writer of the “History of Santa Barbara Beautiful” (1981)

H. George Kallusky, SBB President 1978 & 1979: Maintained the tradition of the SBB History Project (1978 – 2004)

UC Santa Barbara Graduate School of Public History

Donnis Galvan, SBB Board Member: Interviewed, Transcribed & Drafted (17) Past Presidents’ narrations for Past Presidents’ Oral History “Volume I,” (2005-2008)

Jim Cook, Graphic Artist, Western Web Printing: Created the original Past Presidents’ Oral History “Volume I” Digital File (2007)

Jeanette Casillas, SBB President 2015 and Graphic Designer: Redesigned the 2020 Past Presidents’ Oral History “Volume I” Digital File

Santa Barbara Beautiful Past Presidents Contents

Foreword ...... iv

Introduction: A Note by Donnis Galvan ...... vi

Advice from a Tree by Ilan Shamir ...... viii

PRESIDENT INTERVIEWS

John Pitman (1966) ...... 1

James “Bud” Bottoms (1967) ...... 3

Grant Castleberg (1971) ...... 7

Luba Carleton (1975) ...... 9

Walter Barrows (1977) ...... 11

H. George Kallusky (1978 & 1979) ...... 15

Mary Lou Jacobsen-Schmidt (1980) ...... 19

Dan Condon (1983, 1984, 1985) ...... 21

Richard “Dick” Riffero (1986 & 1987) ...... 25

Howard Hudson (1990 & 1991) ...... 29

Rosalind Gies Amorteguy (1992 & 1993) ...... 31

David Gress (1994, 1995, 1996) ...... 33

Bruce Van Dyke (1997 & 1998) ...... 37

Norman King (1999 & 2000) ...... 41

Mark Whitehurst (2001, 2002, 2003) ...... 45

Desmond O’Neill (2004, 2005, 2006) ...... 47

Courtney Seeple (2007 & 2008) ...... 49

For The Tree-Lovers by Barry Spacks ...... 51

Santa Barbara Beautiful Past Presidents 1966 – 2018 ... 53

Appendix: Moments in SBB History 1965 – 2008 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings ...... 55

Trivia Pursuit – SBB Edition ...... 75

ii Foreword

Dear Friends:

Welcome to the Santa Barbara Beautiful Past Presidents’ Oral History Project – Volume I (1965 – 2008 ) presented on the occasion of celebrating the 55th Anniversary of our organization.

We hope you will enjoy immersing yourselves in the personal stories of our past presidents with chapters that span the fi rst 40+ years of SBB history In Their Own Words.

We look forward to issuing Volume II (2009 – Present) in the near future.

Stay tuned!

— Santa Barbara Beautiful Board of Directors August 2020

iv A Note on the Santa Barbara Beautiful Past Presidents Oral History Project Volume I

n the occasion of the fortieth gift for the future! anniversary of Santa Barbara I am heartened by the opportunity to Beautiful in 2005, I had the serve as the writer for the Santa Barbara privilege of conducting oral Beautiful Monthly Awards. The process interviewsO with the past presidents of of selecting homes each month that have the organization. Inspired by Jacqueline outstanding landscaping has led to me meet Dyson, Vice President-Pubic Relations, some extraordinary people who personify I have captured the living legacy of these creative living and have the foresight and remarkable people who each contributed energy to inspire others. distinctively to the leadership of this citizen- The presidents of Santa Barbara run group of active community members Beautiful have offered their unique imprints whose mission has been beautifi cation of over time to shape our community into a Santa Barbara. world- class destination that attracts people These leaders with their own ideas, style to marvel over the beautiful environment in and backgrounds, have helped shape the which we live. destiny of one of the most beautiful cities It is intrinsic to the spirit of our great on Earth! Each are “Keepers of the Dream” nation to pull people and ideas together to of what Santa Barbara has become, a city create communities of pride. This is also transformed from the horror of natural the thrust of the work of Santa Barbara disaster in the 1925 earthquake into great Beautiful. opportunity born of painful circumstance. May we continue to hold a vision of Together taking time and creating a improvement of our natural environment, vision, mere citizens discovered they could despite the occasional interruption of shape the future. With effort and planning, Mother Nature and the encroachment people have transformed this dry and thirsty of population issues, which test our climate into the verdant urban forest it is interdependence. Æ today. The promise that from little steps, with the approach the Spanish call “poco — Donnis Galvan a poco”, inspiration was drawn from many December 2005 sources to change the future. Ideas like recognizing homeowners who take time to create lovely and imaginative gardens, can inspire neighbors to rethink their own gardens. This is the energy that transforms yards into neighborhoods, and these areas into landscapes of promise that build pride of ownership into a bright future. There is no end of what people might do to create beauty here in nature in the interdependent web in which we live. What is beauty? And how can we cultivate it? This is the essential task this organization has undertaken, the identifi cation and action to restore and enhance our natural environment. What a

vi Advice from a Tree by Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend, Stand Tall and Proud Sink your roots deeply into the Earth Refl ect the light of a greater source Think long term Go out on a limb Remember your place among all living beings Embrace with joy the changing seasons For each yields its own abundance The Energy and Birth of Spring The Growth and Contentment of Summer The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter Feel the wind and the sun And delight in their presence Look up at the moon that shines down upon you And the mystery of the stars at night. Seek nourishment from the good things in life Simple pleasures Earth, fresh air, light Be content with your natural beauty Drink plenty of water Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes Be fl exible Remember your roots Enjoy the view!

viii JOHN PITMAN

SBB President, 1966

am proud to be part of the founding of Barbara to cross-pollinate many viewpoints this organization, which has become to study all aspects of what the future might a very viable group with many caring be like. Part of their corporate thinking was and dedicated members that have to be involved in local community affairs. doneI a lot of good for Santa Barbara. As Peter Krupsczak had a military background a native Santa Barbaran and a self-taught and part of his expertise was leading our architect, I was always interested in my meetings with seasoned parliamentary community. I was asked to serve at the procedure. In the middle of our fi rst year beginning of Santa Barbara Beautiful on an which was 1966, he was relocated to initial board by Pearl Chase in the early days Venezuela and I then became president of of its formation. This was at a time when Santa Barbara Beautiful. there was an advisory landmarks board but One of the early things we did was set Lost nothing else overseeing development. She up a process to select the city fl ower. The was extremely concerned about how the Red Hibiscus was decided by the vote of Stand still. The trees ahead and city was developing and she was always the local community. We also established bushes beside you on the lookout for anything she might miss. the Santa Barbara Beautiful logo, which Are not lost. Wherever you are is She would control the local development by we are still using today, designed forty called Here, her infl uence with the Santa Barbara News- years ago by artist Peter Wolfe. Among And you must treat it as a Press as well as the city leaders and staff the beautifi cation projects we did in the powerful stranger, with her careful observation and oversight. early years were two I recall, working with Must ask permission to know it I recall she always carried postcards in her students at SB Junior High school to paint and be known. car and if she saw something amiss, she and clean up the grounds and sprucing The forest breathes. Listen. would jot down what needed attention and up service stations, which were often It answers, mail it off to the appropriate person to make historically eyesores. Today gas stations I have made this place around sure it was repaired or attended to. You did have corporate landscape design as part of you. not say “no” to Pearl Chase! their installation. If you leave it, you may come back Catherine Adams was the actual founder In 1966 we began to award outstanding again, saying Here. of Santa Barbara Beautiful. It was her local architectural and landscaping No two trees are the same to energy and vision that launched this group projects, honoring their contributions to Raven. as a citizen’s group. She was chairman the beautifi cation of the city. Eventually No two branches are the same of the city parks commission when she I worked on chairing the judging of these to Wren. approached mayor Don MacGillivray with annual ceremonies, no small task as If what a tree or a bush does is the concept, and he was very supportive of the fi rst year we had 125 entries. These lost on you, beautifi cation. As we originally met and were initially commercial and industrial You are surely lost. Stand still. were getting organized as a group, there projects in order to encourage better The forest knows were not many professionals involved. We development. Bud Bottoms designed the Where you are. You must let it fi rst met in City Hall Room #15 adjacent award certifi cates. The fi rst annual awards fi nd you. to the city council chambers, and then in ceremony was held at the El Mirasol From the book Traveling Light: Collected various ladies’ homes such as those of Hotel, (now the site of Alice Keck Park and New Poems published by the University of Illinois Press in 1999 Elizabeth Ramser and Catherine Adams. Memorial Garden) where Valley Knudsen, The fi rst president of Santa Barbara the President of Los Angeles Beautiful, Courtesy of the poet Beautiful was R. Peter Krupsczak from GE addressed the gathering. TEMPO, a brand-new concept organization The ambience and architectural beauty created by General Electric. TEMPO here in Santa Barbara have been carefully sought out experts from many fi elds from improved over the years, with the input of all over the nation and gathered in Santa many people. Over my long career, I have

1 served many organizations and had the opportunity to be involved in leadership, JAMES “BUD” BOTTOMS not only as president of this organization but also as president of the local AIA chapter, the SB Architectural Foundation, the County SBB President, 1967 Board of Architectural Review and the Mission Canyon Association, as well as the have always been involved in La Barranca. When this house came up Director of Trust for Historic Preservation beautifi cation here in Santa Barbara. for sale, they were going to demolish it. and the Downtown Association. Citizens In the early years I would document I thought it would make a great museum working together have accomplished a with photography many local features for his art, and I tried to save it for this wonderful legacy for the future. The Santa that I considered eyesores such as plastic purpose. I remember going to Thomas M. Barbara Mediterranean architectural style I signs, power lines, telephone poles, and Storke and speaking to him about helping that Santa Barbara is so well known for is new buildings that did not fi t the concept in the effort. I considered enlisting the help what I have specialized in and it lends itself of the eleven square blocks downtown in of Pearl Chase, to which Storke responded, to creative designing. Consistency is so the historic Pueblo Viejo. I have always by saying “Pearl Chase, she is the kiss of important for unifying the look and feel of felt really connected to this area, which has death!” I will never forget that remark. a city and this is what we have strived for. been enhanced with underground wiring Speaking with Pearl about this project is I feel honored to have received much and preserves the historical ambiance. where my involvement with Santa Barbara recognition for my design work including “Trees are sanctuaries. Dwight Murphy, one of those legends Beautiful began. the city’s Saint Barbara and Pearl Chase Whoever knows how to who had saved Santa Barbara beachfront In 1952, I had graduated from UCSB awards, and the Lutah Maria Riggs medal speak to them, whoever from development, cared a lot for the city. and had been working as an art director from the Santa Barbara Chapter of the AIA. I believe his father designed the Pullman for Robert Palme, a local publishing fi rm, Santa Barbara Beautiful has presented me knows how to listen them, railroad car. Dwight believed that Fiesta specializing in public relations and sales with twenty-one annual awards over the can learn the truth. They ought to feature historical aspects in our training for management programs. I years, and four President’s awards as well do not preach learning annual parade. Since the oldest people here worked in design and concept development for my architectural projects, one of these and precepts, they preach were the Chumash people, they should for them. After this I started my own for the art museum addition. undeterred by particulars, be honored. He related a very interesting commercial art business with Fred Metzler Since you asked me, if I were a tree, the ancient law of life.” story about a lone woman on San Nicholas and Peter Wolfe, whom I later asked to I would be a California Sycamore. It is a Island, and he was looking for an artist design the Santa Barbara Beautiful awards. beautiful tree that is native to our canyons — Hermann Hesse, Wandering to design a fl oat to tell this story for the They were the other two commercial artists and provides wonderful natural beauty. Æ parade. I accepted the challenge worked in town. Peter also designed our three on this project about 1952 when I was leafed logo that is still used today. still at UCSB, and it turned out to be a After being self- employed, I worked neat fl oat, leading in the parade, because 16 years as art director for GE TEMPO, it represented the oldest time period. The General Electric’s think tank here in Santa woman on the fl oat wore a cloak made of Barbara. TEMPO is an acronym that turkey feathers, to simulate the cormorant stood for Technical Management Planning feathers actually worn. I knew the local Operation. They evolved and moved here dogcatcher, so we got a whole bunch of with a brand new visioning concept to fi nd feathers and she sewed them together. I a place with an ideal environment where had a pet crow named Captain Kidd, so thinkers could come and talk about the the crow sat on her shoulder. That crow future. They had chosen this community. actually fl ew away during the parade and Dr. Raymond started this company, and there were announcements all over town to our charge was to take on envisioning the try and get him back. I built a hut with a future: what things might be like projecting fake fi re, and we also tied up a couple of 20 years ahead. So we studied population, scrawny dogs from the pound that were on transportation, space, underwater... and the fl oat to make the scene look real. These everything we could get our hands on. We were among my early attempts at local had experts of every kind, gathering the beautifi cation. best brains in the nation, from scientists to Local cowboy artist Ed Borein lived mathematicians to many other specialties here in a house up on the Mesa named in an interdisciplinary setting. The staff was

2 3 about 200 people in 5 buildings downtown. still hear her talking, because you could not staying on under Max Feldman, another worked to remove oil platforms from the in-progress in clay. He encouraged me and went down to Los Angeles to the aquarium It was projected that people would want get a word in edgewise, nor did she want to GE TEMPO employee who became Santa channel and that certainly is beautification. ultimately gave me some money to have it and the trainer motioned to a dolphin to clean energy for the future, not gas or hear anything from you! She just wanted to Barbara Beautiful president after me. I Anyone who remembers what the ocean, cast in bronze. I took it up to a Berkeley jump out of the water to a plastic sheet, coal. TEMPO later had funding issues report. So I would set the phone down and continued on the board for another 10 years. shoreline and islands looked like before foundry and learned some of the casting so I could measure it for accurate scale. I and became involved with the military every once in awhile concur with her, to let Under Max or the next president, someone offshore oil platforms can appreciate this process while I was up there. Driving back was completely focused on this project. I for a financial base, which changed the her know I was still there. suggested that we focus on planting trees. concern for beautification. with it to show my sons, I stopped in San knew I was where I was supposed to be. emphasis. If ever there were any problems in Santa So around 1968, the city agreed to plant Meanwhile, after 16 years at TEMPO, Luis Obispo and was eating a peanut butter The wonderful thing about this was that I joined them in 1959 as the art director, Barbara that needed watch-dogging, she’d trees if we got someone to donate them. life was changing. They began having sandwich, sitting in my beat up VW bug the site of this fountain was at the entrance and early on they encouraged local come to city council and sit in the front row This inspired the formation of the Memorial funding issues and became involved with on a side street, when a remarkable thing to Stearns Wharf, where the oil companies involvement with community groups, so with her Los Angeles lawyer and she would Tree program. People would donate money the military for a financial base. In fact the occurred. A woman came walking by and had a lease from Castagnola. They ran their R. Peter Krupsczak, a TEMPO employee, persist, fight for things, sue or whatever it for a tree and receive a commemorative acronym changed to Technical Military she said, ‘What is that?’ I replied it was a oil business off the end of the wharf. The joined the founding board of Santa Barbara would take to have things seen her way. memorial plaque. We planted hundreds of Planned Operations, doing space research bronze statue. She asked if she could see wharf had evolved to be not so much for Beautiful and became the first president of People had a lot of respect for her. We all trees in this manner. and getting defense contracts, which paid it. She thought that it was beautiful. She the public anymore, it was predominately the organization. I had not joined TEMPO learned a lot from her. Her vision that Santa In January of 1969, Dick Smith, a well but were a different emphasis. Some wondered if it was something I made, and for the oil companies. This fountain was until 4 or 5 years after the operation began. Barbara was a model community, that the naturalist and Santa Barbara News-Press of us were not very happy. I just thought if it was for sale. I thought well I will tell to be constructed right where a few years Shortly after Peter Krupsczak presided environment must come first, over and writer and photographer, had flown over I cannot do this and would not work her a big price and she will keep walking. prior, I had held up a sign, which said Get over Santa Barbara Beautiful, he was above business, that we have the perfect Union Oil’s Platform A and he called me anymore on projects that came across my Instead, she opened her purse, brought out Oil Out of the wharf, the site of the historic reassigned to South America, so he asked weather here, from mountains to sea, the about the platform blowing with the huge desk. So I was laid off and in fact I got a her checkbook and wrote out a check for “GOO” movement. me to take over for him. I said yes, since I offshore Channel Islands, and many unique disaster of an unprecedented oil spill. This divorce that same year. It was the low $3000! The fountain was not completed until had been taking photographs of everything features we must protect for the future. She became my focus for the immediate future point of my life. TEMPO gave me one half So I thought “You know, you follow 1984. When I got the commission, Admiral that had been disturbing my artist’s view was conscious of the history and protecting of what needed attention locally: Getting year’s salary and the other half came from your dreams!” Tom Long was the head of the Men’s of Santa Barbara, whether it was street the past. Her Plans and Planting Office, Oil Out of our channel, a movement that unemployment. I had a year to discover I called up the foundry and asked them Garden Club and he had dedicated himself signs, new plastic signs or whatever new a self-appointed oversight agency, was became known as GOO, that drew world- what I wanted to do with my life. I found a to cast another one. to planting the area at the end of the wharf visual element that distinguished itself by located at 914 Santa Barbara Street, the site wide attention. Those who were deeply psychologist, Ed Crowther, and did dream Suddenly I was in business! where the fountain would eventually be appearing out of sync. I had been visiting of the original SBCC campus, and where dedicated and angry about what had been therapy, Jungian psychology. I expressed I came back to SBCC and took some placed. He was with the committee in Carmel to observe how they were laying the Alhecama Theater is now located. done to destroy the ocean for months, my grief to him and we would talk about classes in sculpture and bronze casting. charge of helping select the fountain for the out their city with low profile signage, Ultimately, she donated some of her art- focused their time and attention with GOO, my dreams and see where I was going. It I made a little wax dolphin. I made two site. Because of him, I heard the Chumash which I thought would fit Santa Barbara, related materials to me, and her files and and the whole ecology movement was born was very exciting! One dream I had was more and the teacher said, ‘why don’t you story of the Rainbow Bridge. This fit in with and that is what I envisioned doing here. boxes and boxes of the historical documents during this time. Half of our environment is so powerful, that I actually do today what enter that contest the city has for making a everything I was thinking about. After the I wanted to protect what was here. So I to UCSB, where the Pearl Chase Library the ocean. You stood there and cried to see that dream expressed. I am a sculptor today design for that fountain down at the foot of citizens had selected the Dolphin Fountain, became involved. has been established. the waves suddenly black, and they did not because of it. I had always been close to the State Street?’ I said, “Come on, I am going the City Council was still against it. They I had hundreds of slides, in fact I still Since I had all of these photographs, I even make any noise anymore. They were ocean, being a diver, and feeding my kids to school and just learning. “ finally acquiesced. They said a base for the do, which I used for presentations all over decided we should give attention to those thick with gooey oil and just eerily sloshed. fish, abalone and lobster. And I have always He encouraged me by saying that he fountain would have to be submitted for the community at places like Lions and people who were doing wonderful things. Oil was inches thick deposited all along the loved the kelp beds. This dream came out had also entered the competition. There design approval. I gave them about half Rotary Clubs. Sometimes the owners of So I came up with the idea of creating coastline here. There was no way to clean of the blue and was about a woman on a were about 50 entries. So I took my entry a dozen designs but they turned them all some businesses with the offensive signs awards for the best homes and buildings it up, just straw and kitty litter was spread dolphin. Now I had never seen a dolphin down about the last hour before they closed. down. So finally they gave the contract to were actually sitting in the audience! So in town. I began to shoot examples of little to soak it up, then this was dumped into the out there when I swam in the ocean. They The city chose the winner, which was an Gil Garcia, who eventually was elected to from this I got a big black eye. I would homes on the lower East side of town that landfill above Santa Barbara. Then when were out in the channel, but not close in. abstract design from San Luis Obispo that the City Council. write these outrageous letters against real were really well kept, homes that had rose the rains came, it washed all back down to Dr. Crowther said that this image was published in a picture in the Santa Travis Hudson, anthropologist at the estate developers who did not have to put gardens or other nice features. Then I would the ocean again. Was that smart? We did seemed like my highest aspirations. I Barbara News-Press. However the public Museum of Natural History, had shown a dime into selling people’s land. They go up town and shoot the new buildings not know anything about how this might thought “Yes.” The woman was riding on at large reacted negatively to the chosen me a special stone that looks like a little were only looking at how they might profit. and if they followed the Spanish adobe affect our environment perhaps decades this dolphin swimming clear up in the sky. design, so the committee backed off. There flying saucer that is formed from an iron I became known as “Mr. Environment.” I look and fit in with the plans for the area, I into the future. We have certainly seen It made sense to me. Aspiration fit. He then was so much clamor over this that the city concretion, something the Chumash called came down hard on things and since I had would shoot them as well. I photographed the environmental consequences in effect asked me, ‘Well what are you going to do said the only thing left to do was to put all a tuchizt stone. These stones mysteriously known Pearl Chase a long time, she became the poorest and wealthiest homes from even today. The ocean is still dirty, and the about it?’ 23 designs up at the library for a month and come from the Channel Islands and were quite a mentor to me. She was encouraging Montecito to Santa Barbara. This prepared bottom has changed a lot. I still swim out I hadn’t sculpted since college. I had let the citizens come and look at all of the associated with inherent powers. I contacted and would back me up on these at times us to give out the first architectural awards there and cannot see things I used to see. As been an artist in two dimensions, but I designs and vote for the one they like best! Gil and showed him this ideal shape and controversial matters. She was quite a lady. in 1966 or 67. We met at the El Paseo a diver and spear fisherman I’ve seen fish, dared to think, well, I’d try it, So I started They chose the dolphins, which gave explained the significance, which suggested She would not hesitate to call me, or others restaurant, which is where we came up with sea urchin, abundant abalone, and lobster sculpting, working on a dolphin and it me a job. I had to learn how to create a the three levels of Chumash culture, the at work, and she would start going over a the architectural awards and the memorial disappear. took me about a year. I finally finished it large version from the 8-inch sample. I lower, middle the upper worlds. The ring list of things that needed to be improved tree concept. We had a dozen or so regular GOO was an example of what grassroots and my mentor and friend Michael Dolas, worked with two teachers Todd Andrews around the middle represents the world we in Santa Barbara. She might talk an hour! members of the board. activism can do to create awareness and a commercial artist, periodically came by and Joanne Duby to learn how to create and live in, and the hole drilled in the center is I used to lay the phone down, and I could After my presidency, I ended up change on the planet. In this case, we to monitor the development of this work- make molds for the life-sized bronzes. I to keep all three aspects in balance.

4 5 I asked Gil not to tell the City Council of dolphins! protect God given nature all around us and but suggested this shape might help him So I have gone from environmentalist to not compete with or try and suppress it. GRANT CASTLEBERG design the base. The fountain foundation artist, and now combined the two, respecting Encouraging programs that would reward design that is down there now is just that, all the animals, especially the marine workers who walk, take the bus or ride the dome on the top, the hole in the middle mammals. I have also made something bicycles with some kind of fi nancial or SBB President, 1971 and the dome shape underneath, based on beautiful that will last forever. Some of time off incentives can directly help our air this Native American symbol. The City the animals may become endangered quality. Companies that offer this kind of nterest in the Santa Barbara a lot of the plants we wanted so we would Council never did learn the origin of this. like condors and become extinct. This is benefi t where people are not polluting the community and familiarity with some send away for bulbs. I remember that we The Chumash had a story from a nature’s way. But since these creatures air or the streets deserve an award from of the founding members such as Bud ordered some bulbs from England that had cave painting that showed four dolphins have now been sculpted in bronze, they Santa Barbara Beautiful. Related to this Bottoms got me involved with Santa to be planted soon after they had arrived, but swimming in a circle around a dot. Travis will last forever. So I felt good about that could be programs to have volunteers visit Barbara Beautiful. I was a young landscape the park was not ready, so we planted them Hudson says he thinks this dot represents whole philosophy. Now I cast bronze city schools and provide education about I architect who went to work for Richard temporarily in some old wooden drawers Polaris, the North Star, based on a Chumash dolphin sculptures that are placed all over the beauty of our natural environment and Taylor after I graduated from school in she had at her house. She was very “hands- story with four dolphins representing the the world, and my son Joseph promotes the how kids can participate to help. Santa 1960. He was involved with Santa Barbara on”. Today the city is responsible for the four directions. The dolphins point due work in his art galleries. You can see several Barbara could become a model city for the Beautiful from the beginning, so I went with long- term maintenance of this project. I North. They call the dolphins al’ul’quoy, of these dolphins today at La Arcada Court world. We have all the necessary assets: him to the lunch meetings. In 1971 I became am happy to say that I have won several that means to go around to protect Peace. downtown there near the main gallery. The Mountains, sea, creeks, ideal growing president. I recall this because my wife was SBB awards for the park, including the Travis made the image of these celestial dolphins have also become associated with conditions and weather etc. Similar to nine months pregnant with our child. We President’s award. My wife, Ann-Marie, is creatures swimming around Polaris in several of our sister cities where I have a National Forest, Santa Barbara could “The beauty of the trees, had the fi rst lunch meetings at the restaurant writing a beautiful book about Alice Keck bronze. If you go down there today, you worked on installations including Puerto become a National City, with grants from the softness of the air, at La Arcada Court around the fountain, and Park Memorial Gardens. can see this cast in the base there, pointing Vallarta, Mexico; Toba, Japan; and the the government to build superior rapid the fragrance of the grass, then at El Patio Motel restaurant at the corner Design professionals often complain due North. latest one in Dingle, Ireland. transit, solar systems for buildings, and an of Cabrillo and Bath Streets. A number of about getting through the ABR, BAR, and The money to fund the construction for I think that Santa Barbara Beautiful Ecology Center Think Tank, where new speaks to me. the participants were philanthropic ladies HLC for approval, but they are to our benefi t. the base of this fountain did not exist. It ought to consider broadening its scope and innovations could be tested, even including The summit of the from Montecito, women who had time and a They help keep Santa Barbara beautiful with was expected to be $80 or $90K. There was look at the larger picture to see how we population density studies. Experimentation mountain, desire to help the community. I believe that their restrictions and I am in favor of this. a wealthy woman named Emily De Ware can protect our environment. This includes to eliminate pesticides, unsightly wiring, the thunder of the sky, when I was president, active as a landscape I recently got a call from Fresno inquiring who lived in Montecito at the beach who protecting the ocean, a natural delicate offering priority parking and privileges for speaks to me. architect, I was one of the few professionals about our architectural board of review, as had a nurse that provided care for her. She system, which should be prized. We should electric or other alternative vehicles could The faintness of the stars, on the board. Today there are many. they do not have one. asked the nurse one day, ‘if you could see also protect the natural oaks and sycamores also be explored. There are numerous ways the trail of the sun, Initially we followed guidelines of Los The awards ceremonies that have been two things completed in your lifetime, what and even the creek beds from encroachment. we could approach this concept. the strength of fi re, Angeles Beautiful. Valley Knudsen from developed over the years have contributed would they be?’ The nurse responded that In heavy rain, creeks expand, and in However we might help the community and the life that never goes LA Beautiful spoke at one of our meetings to the depth of all the good works of Santa she would like to see the Statue of Liberty droughts they dry up. They need protected strive for its highest ideals to preserve the away, here. I had met her when I was in the school Barbara Beautiful. The publicity is good for completed. So she was told, ‘OK we will space to be allowed to do this, rather than environment and restore it to what it once they speak to me. of architecture at USC. In my years we were promoting the organization. The community send them some money.’ Her second wish be controlled with concrete. The creeks are was, will create the best long-term benefi t in the initial formation stages and not yet at large becomes aware of the importance of was to complete the fountain at the wharf, living arteries that provide natural corridors for us all to hand to future generations. This And my heart soars.” doing specifi c projects. improving properties and also learns about since she said they saw dolphins at their for deer, coyote and possum to move about gift is priceless to enhance the human spirit — Chief Dan George Pearl Chase was a friend of Santa the street trees programs. We can still use a beach every day. So she donated $80K and and forage. Wild animals need these spaces and psyche. Santa Barbara Beautiful can Barbara Beautiful as I recall. She was one lot more street trees. I love to see the palms the construction began! to move in and out of the city, since they paint and uphold this vision. to be involved. She was responsible for the as street trees. New species such as the During the groundbreaking in 1984, the were here long before we were. Creeks also If I were born as a tree, I would choose Spanish style in Santa Barbara with her African tulip trees now on State Street, are Chumash came and did their dolphin dance provide ideal habitat for native sycamores. to be a live oak, because they are native to Plans and Planting Offi ce. She was great striking with clusters of bright red, orange or at the foot of the wharf. They brought their Creeks are delicate and can be diffi cult to the Santa Barbara area. Oaks provide shade, lady and we have much to be thankful for yellow fl owers. It is also wonderful to have sticks and whistles simulating dolphin incorporate into city planning. The area acorns, and food for the native Chumash, as her stewardship of this city. trees that will grow large. The visual effect noises and they danced in a circle around where Mission Creek joins the ocean at the well as food and habitat for birds and other In 1977, several years after I was on the of wider streets creates a better effect with the fountain for nearly two hours. My best foot of State Street is an unattended long- animals. Æ board, I had the honor of being selected for larger trees. There are a lot of wonderful friend Mike Moropoulos was offshore in term eyesore. We had plans at one time to a dream project here, the design of the Alice trees that could be tried in Santa Barbara. his boat and later said that a pod of bottle cover that area with wooden observation Keck Park Memorial Garden. The direction My favorite tree is the sycamore. Each nosed dolphins arrived and were swimming decks so we could utilize and beautify that was minimal, so I had Carte Blanche in tree is unique and does not grow up straight. in the harbor entrance. They had never area. the design. I enjoyed the interaction with Sycamore structure is sculptural and the been seen here before, and they showed Protection also means looking at traffi c Elizabeth de Forest, liaison from the SB seasonal changes offer a dynamic visual up during the ceremony! They have stayed and how that resultant pollution affects the Botanic Garden, who was responsible for variety. Our neighbors have an enormous here ever since. The SB News-Press wrote air and plants. We live here because of the overseeing the project by the trustees of tree that we can see from our house. Yes, I it up as well as the Museum of Natural environment, so that should be the number the estate. At that time it was hard to fi nd would be a sycamore. Æ History. It bolstered my belief in the power one priority of Santa Barbara Beautiful, to

6 7 LUBA CARLETON

SBB President, 1975

moved up to Santa Barbara from trees on US 101 ! Los Angeles in 1967 and I had been One year, when we were about to always active in charity work. So I advertise and send out some fl yers for an looked to do community work here event, perhaps our annual ceremony, she inI my new city and joined the Historical suddenly became very indignant and said, Society and Santa Barbara Symphony, and ‘You’re not going to put any signs up on I participated in Hospice and a lot of other trees and put holes in the trees, are you?’ We things. I cannot remember why I joined said oh, no, never... just on telephone poles. Santa Barbara Beautiful, as I really did not She was really very protective, and due to know anyone there. I knew that there was her, the environment in Santa Barbara has a Los Angles Beautiful, and maybe there remained beautiful. was a connection, but I do not recall. At the We used to hold our monthly meetings “That each day I may time, Pearl Chase was still alive and this at the El Patio Restaurant at Cabrillo and walk unceasingly on the organization was “her favorite baby”. She Castillo Streets at the beach. We had our banks of my water, that my used to come to the meetings every month installation of offi cers and dinner at the soul may repose on the and she would sit up there and watch over Montecito Country Club, which at that this creation of hers. An interesting lady... time had become a bit seedy. David Gress, branches of the trees which I became president as I recall basically Walter Barrows and others brought lots of I planted, that I may refresh out of default, as in no one else was willing plants and placed them in the room to make myself under the shadow of to do it. it look gorgeous. That’s the power of nature my sycamore.” I was a smoker at the time, and I was to transform and create beauty.

— Egyptian tomb inscription, having a cigarette when she called me over In terms of accomplishments, we began circa 1400 BCE and whispered in my ear ”Oh my dear, a program to install plaques to honor the gentlemen do not like young ladies who past presidents of our organization along Sycamore trees were held to be sacred in ancient Egypt and smoke!” Chapala Street, where we planted king palm are the fi rst trees represented in She was very Victorian... trees. ancient art. However it was due to her that Santa Along Haley Street, we also planted Barbara and Montecito look as beautiful as 100 palms to beautify the street. We raised they do. When she came over on a boat from the money from our proceeds at the annual the East into Stearns Wharf, she looked Orchid Show, in which we were active. We around and said it was a barren desert. She made an effort to elicit a commitment from claimed that she would see to it that this city each of the merchants and owners to water will be beautiful! So many of the trees and and care for the trees. Also East of Milpas the lush landscaping here, which we think Street, there was an area that had gotten of as indigenous, is actually not, but often rather run down, and I recall a monthly award looks native due to her planning, vision and given to an eighty year old woman who had tenacity. a garden thriving with bountiful roses. The As a matter of fact, there was another recognition of her garden inspired others in story I recall about her. When they were the neighborhood to upgrade their gardens. going to put the freeway in, that is modernize This is the essence of why we make these US 101 and remove the stop lights, she just monthly awards. Rosamond Colome served was livid. She went down there and stood for many years as the person who selected in the middle of the road and said, ‘You’ll these monthly award winners and wrote the have to run over me with the bulldozer to article for the newspaper. take down that tree.’ That was her style. She We did not have a lot of funding. alone had them circumvent the road-side Michael Towbes, the developer, was new in

9 town and he was on the board at the time. Barbara Landis and her mother were also on WALTER BARROWS the board. I recall that we had some events at our home in Montecito that were the fi rst of SBB President, 1977 their kind. We also started home and garden tours with lectures that really were a new n the old days, many of us on the We consistently never had enough concept. At the time, I had a large estate board worked together professionally money, but we always managed to get called Ravenscroft on Cold Springs Road in the nurseryman’s association by. I have some fi les from that time that between the Armour estate and the Ganna and the landscape contractor’s include the particulars. I was very active Walska property. It was a remarkable three association. We were socially interacting as well in the Santa Barbara Horticultural story home with a ballroom, elevator and I as well. It was like a tight- knit family. I Society. Santa Barbara Beautiful was lavish appointments. It was the 1970s and it was representing my company, Griffi n and really tied to other groups, including was unusual for the time, but I offered our Morgan, which later became Griffi n Tree the International Shade Tree group. Dan home for a fundraiser. In those days, people and Landscape, where I stayed for 23 years Condon was instrumental in getting Santa did not really invite the public into the big before starting my own business in 1975. Barbara designated as a Tree City USA. estates at all. We held a fundraiser with I served Santa Barbara Beautiful as vice Dan and I both served on the tree advisory socializing, dancing in the ballroom and president and then president in 1977. board for Carpinteria. He stayed on until dinner. During the evening, an unbelievable The tree which moves Dick Riffero selected the home-of- he retired from the City Parks Department. thing happened. It became midnight, one some to tears of joy is in the-month and wrote the Monthly Award Dave Gress, who followed him, was also o’clock and then two o’clock in the morning. the eyes of others only a article for the News-Press. He walked an arborist, tree consultant and on the City There was lots of camaraderie, not a lot of around town 8 or 10 miles a day and did Street Tree Advisory Committee. drinking, but people were really enjoying green thing that stands this column for many years. We also had There was always a certain amount of themselves. It was a most magical night. in the way. Some see our annual awards and it was always civic pride among the people who served People were settling into their niche and Nature all ridicule and fun to attend. I entered some of my own on the board. We were not all professional enjoying talking, and it seemed they just did deformity, and some work and won a couple of these awards horticulturalists. The list of Santa Barbara not want to leave. Finally at two thirty a.m., scarce see Nature at all. as I recall. We had a real nice bash at the Beautiful presidents has had people who I said “I don’t know what you people are But to the eyes of the man Biltmore Hotel in the Loggia Room. It was were active in the outdoors, preservation going to do, but I am going upstairs to bed!” a semi-formal affair. There was a beautiful and horticulture and we have offered a It was quite a party. of imagination, Nature is picture of my wife and I taken there. There continuity of caring back to the era of Dr. In considering the natural environment, I Imagination itself. were also people who were the architect, Franceschi. He was responsible for planting love the indigenous oaks. However if I could — William Blake, 1799, landscaper and owners of the award Anapamu Street with the Italian stone choose to be a tree, my choice would be The Letters winning properties. It was great fun to pines. There are those who have wanted an acacia because of the beautiful fl owers, hand out the awards and get the publicity. to take them out over the years, as well as which bloom purple or yellow. I like the I remember acting as chaplain for several remove the Ficus trees on Milpas Street formality and the scent of this tree. Æ of these meetings until Mary Lou Jacobsen and upper State Street. Mike Pahos, who took that over with my blessing. served on the board, was responsible for The membership began to grow during selecting the Ficus trees to put in the small the former president Bobbi Landis’s time. planting holes on Milpas Street when it Her husband was a veterinarian on Cliff was widened. I suggested at the time that Dr. They lived up on the Riviera and her it was not a good choice and the city has mother, Mrs. Decker, also an active board been paying dearly for these trees ever member, lived in Hope Ranch. George since, with fi xing the sidewalks and doing Kallusky and I were good friends. He was a lot of excessive pruning. The goal is to interested in trees and worked for Santa put the right tree in the right place with Barbara Bank and Trust and I believe the right care so that it can then take care founded Our Gang there. These board of itself and provide the shade and all the members brought more factions of people other good attributes that trees are capable together and the New-Press was very of providing. generous in publicizing our events. There You can appreciate that viewpoint would be a picture and nice article about as you drove onto my ranch here in the award winners. Carpinteria, where I maintain a botanical

10 11 garden of my own making. I have all the We got a shopping cart with the the many years of effort to take this dry and I became “Dr. Dirt” and recorded a and nurseryman’s associations. In the trees that are near and dear to my wife permission of Jordano’s Market and put desert area and make it into an urban forest. radio program in the days of reel to reel back sections I have noticed many help and me. She wanted the pepper tree that plywood on top and had some special I thought to myself, after all this effort, tapes. I would pre-record many shows and wanted ads looking for employees in is out the dining room window, and I graph paper made up and we started up people are going to not restore this lush I would go through magazines or articles agri-horticultural fields. There is a real wanted the Albizia, with its beautiful pink Santa Barbara Street from the ocean to foliage that we had made so much progress and select timely information about the need there, both in California and all over flowers at the top. We have 5 or 6 varieties Los Olivos Street as I recall. We turned on, and much to my surprise, when water garden and what was ideal for that season the nation. This is something that the of coral trees around the ranch. It all it all into Mike Pahos with the recorded became available, people put their lawns or weather. I would talk about when it was horticulture department with the help of goes back to working with Santa Barbara information including water meters, fire back in. There had been a lot of xeriscaping time to reseed the lawn or prune trees. You Santa Barbara Beautiful could perhaps Beautiful and the people who were in it. hydrants, gas meters and then the tree data but returning to more lush traditional can rest assured we talked about trees and partner to provide: training for people to be Henry Bauernschmidt was the county including the type and condition of the landscaping has also been a trend. landscaping. Occasionally for perhaps a good tree trimmers, not just on the campus, landscape architect, in fact he retired from tree, its height and spread as well as what Another project we had was with Mike holiday, they would put me on live and but in the city as well. When there are that that position. He was very active on the would be needed in the next five years in Bodger, from the Bodger flower growers people would call in for several hours. It many jobs, where they want trees climbers board, and he carved the wooden sign at the way of pruning so that they could set up up in Lompoc. It was with his tutelage we was amazing that we would get 50 or 60 or pest control advisors or superintendents the entrance to the ranch here. He was also a care schedule. Orval Bond and Findlay planted all the Podocarpus on upper Milpas calls of general interest gardening. Later for maintenance companies and tree instrumental in Santa Barbara Beautiful MacKenzie were the park superintendents Street, which have really gracefully made a I would travel all over the world and I maintenance workers and other types of with pouring a lot of concrete and putting in those early days. Orval later became showing now, a number of years later. I am would call at five minutes to four o’clock landscape design and management, there is in brass plaques and developing the president of Santa Barbara Beautiful. not sure exactly when this was but at this in the afternoon and give my report from opportunity to grow people into productive memorial tree program. Bruce Van Dyke Their time was mostly spent putting out general time. wherever I was. I was on that station for careers. There is a tremendous program was very active as president and as a board fires so to speak. In contrast, in the first I recall the Day family, two brothers, 18 years. The station was sold many times now to legally bring in undocumented member who participated in the meetings. two years of Dan Condon’s tenure in the one a nurseryman on the Westside on San over the years. I still have all those old workers to be employed in the landscape Looking back on my own history, city, more trees were pruned and planted Andres Street, near where the old Safeway tapes. maintenance business. I do not know my father was a park superintendent in than had been done at any other time that store was. His brother worked for the So many people locally had an influence what the recruiting issues are, but we can Whittier, and prior to that, before the I can remember. We were proud of Dan Campbell Brothers who had a nursery on in coordinating education with landscaping. develop jobs and people here and not resort Second World War, he was the first park for that. It is a testament to the power of Milpas Street where Trader Joe’s is now This fills an important need. When Gordon to crossing borders. superintendent for the city of Seal Beach. information as well as to his personal work located. That whole block consisted of Warmal was the director at the Boys and If I were to be a tree, I would be a stone He took every vacant lot in the city and ethic. Dan helped me with another tree Griffin Tree and Landscape, a Chevron Girls club across from Santa Barbara high pine because of its beauty and pest-free planted it with wildflowers. He involved inventory, as we tried to do the same thing station and the Campbell nursery. That was school, we had several gardening projects attributes. However serving as an expert Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and women’s in Carpinteria. Unfortunately it has not before they built the freeway bridge over working with vegetables and flowers. After legal witness in horticultural matters, I clubs to provide labor for some projects been kept updated on the computer. Milpas Street. I remember watching them he retired, this program seems to have could also respond that I would choose to and he eventually developed a couple of One of the biggest problems we setting the beams for it. The section of disappeared. There were several advisors. be either a hall tree or a shoe tree because parks on the side of the pier at Seal Beach. had at the time was replacing the Ficus freeway between the railroad tracks and the I was one, helping them gather seeds and neither have leaves, branches or roots to We always had plants in the house as well trees on Milpas Street. We got people Municipal Tennis courts was then a pond tools. The ROP program I believe is still cause trouble! Having consulted in legal as the yard. My mother and father both to donate New Zealand Christmas trees. with the most beautiful water lilies you active at Santa Barbara high with their matters, I have seen many ways in which encouraged me. My father worked in But we had problems with kids on their have ever seen! Green Academy. Dudley Summerfield was trees can cause harm to people and this way the public sector and I saw that devotion bicycles willfully destroying the trees, Today of course the freeway has the agricultural instructor at Santa Barbara I would avoid all that sort of trouble. As my as I grew up. I recall in high school the particularly across from the Colonel reshaped that area. I don’t think that the High school and I got to know him in the wife and I travel around the world, people occasional calls at 2 AM or 3 AM when Sanders (KFC fast-food outlet) off East King palm was the best choice on the 1960s. He was instrumental in getting trees ask us why we would leave Santa Barbara, someone would drive into a tree, or some Cota Street. Two or three blocks there freeway redesign for the center divide planted around the campus, even though as it is known to be a garden spot around other hazard would occur, and I made were vandalized repeatedly. The disrespect on the freeway. It is too tender a tree that they had a gardening department. One of the world. I think that Santa Barbara in a commitment that I would go into the of this property was a constant battle to CalTrans selected and with the traffic his young students, who I used to coach, one hundred years is really going to be private sector and not the public sector. So keep those trees replaced. To get people generating extra wind, it’s hard on the tree. a Mr. Nurenberg, was a product of this rewarded with the vision and care of the this work is in my blood. to respect landscaping is not always easy. They are growing but not thriving. They program and he just retired after serving as Santa Barbara Beautiful organization. Keep One of the important functions of Santa My other observation after all these years planted many Washingtonia palms and they the landscaper for CalTrans for 42 years. up the good work! Æ Barbara Beautiful was public education is that when we went through the terrible replaced a good many Canary Island palms. A good many others have gone into the as well as educating the numerous tree drought, and I had just re-landscaped Instead of moving these fifty and sixty foot horticultural profession from the program companies in business over the years. a home on upper Santa Barbara street trees, which could have been done, they there. Doug Richardson, who replaced This involved making sure that they were with $12,000 or $14,000 worth of plants just destroyed them and replaced them with Jerry Sortomme, is now the chair of the professional and were knowledgeably and sod, all of a sudden we had a water a lot of smaller ones. Several Canary Island horticultural department at SBCC. He had doing the right thing with tree care. I did a moratorium. They said to heck with it palms have recently been planted on the La planted the exotic bananas beachside, next tree inventory for the city and had it put on and paid the fine a few times. There was Cumbre Street bridge to soften the severity to the community of La Conchita. the computer. I did this with Mike Pahos. It a water cop to monitor water usage and a of the design and they look good there. I get about 17 horticultural trade was something that Catherine Adams and guy observing infringements. I began to Years ago, Bob Sinn of KTMS radio journals of various kinds, from fruit Pearl Chase were very interested in. see the landscaping deteriorate after all of station was looking for a garden program trees to farming to cotton and grapes

12 13 H. GEORGE KALLUSKY

SBB President, 1978 & 1979

joined the board in 1973 when David In Minneapolis for example, 100% of their W. Spainhour, chairman of the board street tree budget was devoted to removing of directors of Santa Barbara Bank dead Dutch elm diseased trees. That disease and Trust, came to me and asked had spread through the entire Midwest. ifI I would be interested in community We were all so proud of Santa Barbara. involvement, which was a value encouraged It occurred to me that we could set a goal to by the bank. He said he had to step down become one of the fi rst cities in the nation from the board of Santa Barbara Beautiful to complete its street tree program. I got because of obligations to the Red Cross and some fl ack from a long-time board member United Way. Beautifi cation appealed to me who said, ‘I am here to tell you that there is so I joined the board in 1973 and worked no way in the world that we can raise the with president Barbara Landis. Her mother, money in this organization to plant all of the A society grows great when who attended every meeting, was also street trees!’ old men plant trees very active on the board. Her presidency I almost said, “I regretfully accept your whose shade they know was followed by Luba Carleton, who has resignation...now is there anyone else who they shall never sit in. remained a good friend of mine. Luba was thinks we cannot do this?” a practicing psychiatrist at UCLA, and she However, where to start? I did not know — Greek Proverb is still an active table tennis champ who how many empty tree wells we had in the can hardly be beaten. She was president city. Dear Harry Bauernschmidt and Dick in 1975. Ken Taylor, who had a day lily Riffero, maps in hand, walked the entire ranch in Goleta that he sold, followed her. Santa Barbara area. Where there was a He was very actively involved in political street tree, they put an X and where there circles. Walter Barrows from Carpinteria, was an empty tree well, a zero was marked. then followed as president in 1977, and that After all that work, we counted up the brings us to me. zeros to discover we needed 5500 trees to The change between the organization make Santa Barbara one of the fi rst cities in the mid 1970s and 1979 was incredible. to reach its goal of 100% fulfi llment of the We were a pauper organization. I recall urban forest population. I then made a vital being in meetings at the La Arcada in mistake. I multiplied 5500 by what it cost in Josie’s El Cielito restaurant, which is now 1978 for a fi ve-gallon tree and a little effort the Acapulco restaurant, where we would to put that tree in the ground. Some trees have to ask if anyone could loan us $7.50 needed root barriers. The total fi gure we so we could pay postage! We would have to came up with was $105,000 as I recall. I had borrow money from each other just to keep at least twenty inches of records related to the organization afl oat. Santa Barbara Beautiful that were lost when When I became president, I saw that we the main administrative offi ce for Santa needed to focus on a major goal. We were Barbara Bank & Trust was burned to the doing essay contests in local schools for ground in the late 1990’s. All that fabulous Arbor Day and other small-scale projects. In material on our early history went up in order to get this board working, I decided that smoke. Fortunately, Rozella Jewett created we needed the impetus of a major project. a history book for us, which she completed An idea came to me when I looked at what in 1979. was happening to cities in the Midwest, Regarding tree sizes for planting, I like Omaha, Nebraska or Minneapolis- am also a devotee of a fi ve-gallon tree for Saint Paul. All through the Midwest, the planting versus the fi fteen-gallon size. This Dutch elm disease was killing many trees. is primarily because they are less expensive

15 so we can buy more trees. At the end of three street tree-planting program, to the extent she donated $10,000 when the city did well have found a pot of gold, because the not do that! However, things like that do to have this orchid.” I said that I would love years, the five-gallon tree will be as large or that they had their corporate public relations not have the money to trim the skirts on money just started rolling in! not deter me, and I got involved in many to have it, that I would put it under an oak larger than a fifteen-gallon tree. People do team design our promotional logo. This the Washingtonia palms. She loved nature Jack Kent Cook, a man who owned projects and organizations. In addition to tree at my house in Mission Canyon. not realize the money one can save with a logo was a large oak tree with the motto and beauty, and here is an example of her athletic teams in Los Angeles, sent us a Santa Barbara Beautiful, I exhibited at the She did not know the specific name of it. little patience. “Put Down Roots in Santa Barbara.” This supporting it. I replied that Santa Barbara request for 13 tickets for people he brought Santa Barbara Horse and Flower Show with It was a cattleya variety with a long spike of So I told the board that we had a job to do was the center of the promotional campaign Beautiful would consider it a privilege if up here just to see Lotusland. We had Dick Bruce Van Dyke when he was chairman, orchids blooms. She said, “George, I do not to raise that $105,000. They began buying to raise money for our street tree program. we could invite the townspeople to come Riffero and others meet the tour buses and and I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. want this to wither and die.” into the idea. And I began to challenge the They were so generous and supportive. I and see beautiful Lotusland the way you give a 45-minute tour and we had hundreds I became involved with the Boy’s Club and As I looked at her in her casket, the board by asking what we might do to raise credit a lot of the success of our fundraising have designed it today. Every subsequent of people participate. It took a lot of work many other organizations. orchid that we had given her was beginning $1000. campaign to the good folks at SB Savings. correspondence I had after that was with and a lot of planning, but we raised over In working for United California Bank to wither and die, and I thought of the We would exchange ideas and then... When I became president, I received a her secretary. I never met with her again. $27,500 this time. when I came to California, I became metaphor and her words, which reminded what can we do to raise $5000? When all telephone call from the secretary of Madame Only once, when we had the second tour of So we accomplished my purpose so we intrigued with the idea of the Spanish bells me dearly of her. When I moved to the was said and done, and we finally pulled the Ganna Walska, the owner of Lotusland. With Lotusland, did I see her peering out of the could get the fundraising moving. Once marking the El Camino Real. Father Serra desert, I took that orchid and divided it into plug on this project, we had actually raised my name of Kallusky, she assumed I was window as the tour passed. we got the momentum started, I thought traveled up our state, erecting bells to mark four different containers and gave it to local $130,000! Polish. Actually I am of German descent In her mind, I imagine that she thought other presidents would carry on, and that is the route from mission to mission, each one people who I know would protect it and I If there is one thing I can lay claim to, but I never told her that I was not Polish. we would sell tickets and bring a bus load exactly what has happened. day’s march apart. I contacted the powers always said, “Don’t let it wither and die.” it was getting this great organization off of She asked me to come out to Lotusland on of people who would be taken through We spent all of the money we got on the that be to request permission to have one of Such is the cycle of nature. its duff and instigating something that could a Wednesday at four o’clock, to be a guest, Lotusland and then get back in the bus and street tree planting program. these historic bells installed outside the front As time goes on, my advice for the really beautify Santa Barbara. When we had not of hers, but of Lotusland. I remember I leave. Being in the marketing and public Jim Hodges, who worked with me and door of the bank. Somehow Pearl Chase board is to keep planting trees! There will the drought in 1989 to 1991, we lost a lot had a plant that I wanted to give to her. Oh relations business, I realized that this had was to have been president after I gave up found out about this and came into the bank, be projects that come up for consideration of trees to the severity of this dryness. We no, she said you cannot give it to me, but to be a major fundraiser for us, we had to the gavel in 1979, married a wealthy woman demanding to know why I wanted to put this for Santa Barbara Beautiful to devote also lost trees to disease and to accidents. if you would like to present it as a gift it raise money to plant those trees! She did not from Beverly Hills and later became ill. He bell in front of a bank that was not even on funds to. Do not get involved in individual I remember people plowing into street to Lotusland, it would gladly be accepted! know it, but I arranged for two school buses, contracted cancer and suddenly died. He the royal highway. How dare I try and install projects that are not directly related to the trees with their cars. We lost trees even to Speaking of Madame Ganna Walska, here is we printed tickets and we were ready for the ended up bequeathing $70,000 to Santa a bell there! Afterwards, she toned down. I beautification of the city. Anything that vandalism. I remember at a church here in a tidbit most people do not know. By four big day. People parked their cars at the Mt. Barbara Beautiful. His wife remarried, and would see her at Fiestas. The last time I saw relates to public property seems worthy of Mission Canyon, where we had planted eight o’clock each afternoon, all workers had to be Carmel Catholic Church parking lot, where still owns San Marcos Growers. her, she was in a wheelchair, but she had on consideration for funding by the Ways and queen palms. The parishioners gathered on a off this estate property, because that is when we would load them onto the bus and bring I think that tree planting comes to me her Fiesta attire. She loved Fiesta! Means Committee. Saturday morning, digging holes and helped she would swim in her pool sans a bathing them to Lotusland to begin the tour. While naturally. I was born in Wadena, Minnesota, There had been conversation around I like the idea of planting trees in to plant those trees. Three years later, when I suit! Not the day we met, however... that was happening, we would load up a little town of 3000 people. My German town that Pearl Chase had been the founder schoolyards on Arbor Day. That gives was driving to work, I was dumbfounded to At our meeting, I will never forget that the other bus. So we had a serpentine-like grandfather was highly successful and he of Santa Barbara Beautiful, but in fact this children the idea of thinking about trees see someone had taken a saw and sawed off afternoon. She wore a pink, floppy, large system touring through Lotusland, and it did bought one half of a city block across the is not the case. It was Catherine Adams who more deeply. Let them enjoy the shade of every one of those trees about waist high! brimmed hat and a pink pantsuit .She not stop until four o’clock in the afternoon! street from a large two-story home that he was really the founder. Pearl was certainly trees on a hot sunny playground and make So there is the ugly result of vandalism. walked with the assistance of two canes We totaled our receipts at the end and though built. He turned over that land to the city interested in beautification, and did attend the connection to the longevity and impact I believe that Santa Barbara Beautiful and the help of her foreman. When we were I cannot remember to the penny, I know it and gave them the title. He also planted the meetings, but Catherine Adams was the of nature, and the part they had in planting has planted over 6500 trees. So we have touring the estate, she got a bit disoriented was between $10,000 and $12,000. That elm trees on this vacant land. My father and true founder of Santa Barbara Beautiful. it. We can do a lot with youth and that should exceeded our goal, since we had to also en route to the blue garden. In her later years gave us some ammunition. We no longer his two brothers every night would have Catherine lived in a mobile home park be encouraged. replace trees over the years. I firmly believe she had become a bit forgetful, but she was had to borrow money from each other to to carry four pails of water over to the elm out near Turnpike Road. She was married You can never stop encouraging people we accomplished our objective. We had a determined. She never did occupy the big keep the organization’s doors open. trees to nurture them until they were large to a plumber and they lived downtown prior to care for the trees that we have. When lot of assistance such as from homeowner estate house. She maintained herself in a The next year we did a tour of the enough to be self sufficient. So my tree to his death. She was one of the most loyal we would do block plantings we finally organizations. They would begin coming small wing and she did not care about the botanical garden. The following year I got planting goes way back to my grandfather people to attend our meetings, and Santa got to the point where we would say to to us, because we had good publicity with prestige of housing. For her, everything that another call from Lotusland. Since I knew and I still love to plant trees. I am living in Barbara Beautiful meant a great deal to her. the homeowner: We will buy and plant a the Santa Barbara News-Press. Whenever was of value was the Lotusland garden, with what we had done the first time, I knew that the desert now. We are having a home built She was a good friend of Ozzie da Ros, a tree in front of your home if you do three we had a tree planting, we would get a its creative planting. She told me that they we could do twice as good given another for us at this moment at Indian Wells. I am man who had workers for years tending things: Water and care for the tree, keep it photographer there and often times the had not had an invitation for the public to opportunity. I got in contact with the West a member of the Living Desert museum Lotusland year round. In fact, he was the well weeded, and call the city if your see associations would bring cookies and soft visit Lotusland in the prior ten years. ‘Do Coast editor of Sunset Magazine and with there, and I volunteer my time to go down to executor of her estate after her death. I recall the tree under duress. We got to the point of drinks for us. We would plant a minimum of you think that what I have shown you today their photographer. We toured around their nursery and assist them in pricing and going to the funeral chapel on the occasion realizing that we were not going to plant a 20 trees every Saturday from 9 until 11:30 in would be of interest to the public to see, Lotusland and got shots of the more dramatic working with plants, so the love of Nature is of her death. Santa Barbara Beautiful had tree in front of every house. We would plant the morning, so the city began to take notice because I would like to offer Lotusland to parts of the garden. When Sunset published in my blood. sent an orchid to be placed on her dress. I a tree only if the owner wants it and would of what Santa Barbara Beautiful was doing Santa Barbara Beautiful as a fundraiser for the story, the last paragraph mentioned that When I first came to Santa Barbara, I recall some words she shared with me about be willing to appreciate it by caring for the and what we were accomplishing. your street tree program.’ tours were rarely available to the public, was interested in the history and someone a year before. She was a great collector of investment. We were quick to share that the Mary Lou Jacobsen, who succeeded I think that it was known by very few but if you were interested, there will be a told me that it was an entrenched city of orchids. We had been talking and she said, value of their home in their neighborhood is me as president, was employed by Santa people that she was interested in the street special opportunity come spring, contact old money, and I was not to think I could “George, I am going to dispose of a lot of greatly increased by street trees. Barbara Savings. They really supported the trees of Santa Barbara. On East Beach, Santa Barbara Beautiful. We might just as be making any waves... new people just did these things I have around here. I want you If I were to be a tree, I would choose

16 17 to be the one you see looking outside your living room window, a beautiful oak tree. MARY LOU JACOBSEN-SCHMIDT They are great trees. My advice to Santa Barbara Beautiful is to keep people informed and get all the free SBB President, 1980 publicity you can. If there is a tree planting, get the local television station and the News- moved to Santa Barbara in 1977 from Barbara Savings gave a $10,000 donation Press there. Make repeated requests for Claremont, California. Known as “the for press and radio exposure created by the publicity. Get them tired of having a request city of trees”, Claremont kindled in me Larson Bateman Agency with Bill Sheehan from us to witness a tree planting! Regular from a young age the appreciation of as our representative. They also donated articles for the paper are good of course, and trees and their need for care. I have always $2500 seed money directly to the planting any public relations we can get is effective. I felt we should treasure our environment program to get us started. A six page print On Arbor Day we should prepare articles and plant trees. I served on the Claremont insert was printed for the newspaper and about the value of street trees. Often people Architectural Committee and City Tree radio spots were produced. do not realize the value of the trees. What Committee so the fi rst year I arrived here As chairman of both the steering and is the value of the urban forest to Santa I joined the Santa Barbara Beautiful Board major donor committees, I worked to have a Barbara? How many millions of dollars is it of Directors. I spent many memorable times tile plaque designed to award major donors worth? That is an eye-opening subject for a with Catherine Adams and Sophie Schnitter with a Moreton Bay Fig award for the lot of people. They do not realize the value “Let the trees be consulted absorbing the history of our organization $5000+ support level. Cedric Boeseke and of the trees that this organization has helped before you take any action and appreciating their goals to preserve our Elsie chaired the membership drive. We met to plant. every time you breathe in environment and plant trees. We met at the weekly, working together closely to obtain I take pride in this organization for its El Cielito restaurant and I remember our the necessary resources for a program of accomplishments over the years. Don’t thank a tree let tree roots budget was so small that we would raise this size. Dorothy Brubeck was hired as waste our assets, invest wisely, and keep crack parking lots at the our hands at board meetings to volunteer a part time offi ce manager to take care of planting trees! Æ world bank headquarters let to pay for stationery, postage and operating calls, correspondence, membership and loggers be druids specially supplies. funds received. The four branches of Santa trained and rewarded to When the president George Kallusky Barbara Savings and Loan were set up to sacrifi ce trees at auspicious focused us on a goal to launch the receive donations and promote membership times let carpenters be organization to a new level, Dick Riffero also. This began a coordinated plan to master artisans let lumber and Henry Bauernschmidt walked the vitalize Santa Barbara Beautiful and raise streets of Santa Barbara and inventoried to $105,000 and plant those trees! be treasured like gold let determine there were some 5500 empty tree With the word out, Cedric and Elsie chainsaws be played like wells. The board was mobilized into action Boeseke added the task of planning a saxophones let soldiers with this need and I decided to present a Lotusland Tour which 800 people attended, on maneuvers plant trees plan to Santa Barbara Savings and Loan and we raised over $10,000. Also our memory give police and criminals where I served as Vice President /Main tree program was born as a part of “Let’s a shovel and a thousand Offi ce Branch Manager. I knew that they Put Down Roots”. We created a brochure had resources to assist us in making this a explaining the program where individuals or seedlings let businessmen reality, and I also knew that David Tilton, groups could purchase a tree in someone’s carry pocketfuls of acorns our Chairman of the Board, encouraged the honor. We also created a great little song let newlyweds honeymoon bank to be a good corporate citizen. Angela but I was unable to locate the tape. Rozella in the woods walk Bassage, marketing director, helped me to Jewett was our publicity chairman and also don’t drive stop reading formulate a plan that was presented to the worked with Atlantic Richfi eld and their newspapers stop writing Santa Barbara Beautiful board. Adopt-A-Block program for tree plantings. poetry squat under a tree The approval of this plan set in motion It was a major undertaking, however we did a joint effort that was one of the most reach our monetary goal in 1980. and tell stories.” ambitious projects of its kind anywhere Some of the major accomplishments — John Wright in the nation. Our Slogan was “Let’s Put during the year of my presidency in 1980 Down Roots in Santa Barbara”. I recruited include President’s Row. We recognized Dick Riffero, Henry Bauernschmidt, Bill the valuable contributions made to the & Louise Sheehan, and Cedric and Elsie community presidents of the city’s service Boeseke as new board members. Santa clubs and organizations, including Santa

18 19 Barbara Beautiful, by voting to designate Catherine Adams on the occasion of the 15th both sides of Chapala Street from Anapamu anniversary of Santa Barbara Beautiful. It DAN CONDON to the freeway as President’s Row. At that was held creekside at the Café Del Sol in time we had planted three blocks with king Montecito, in the former location on San palms. The fi rst tree, at the corner of Chapala Ysidro Road. SBB President, 1984 & 1985 and Anapamu streets was specifi ed to be in We sang “Happy Birthday” on the honor of Catherine Adams, co-founder of celebration of her 85th birthday. She in turn was hired as the City Arborist in Barbara into the Tree City USA program, the organization. Name plaques were placed surprised us with a $100 donation. March of 1980 and David Gress administered by the National Arbor Day at the base of each palm tree naming all of One of my goals as president was to brought me to my fi rst Santa Barbara Foundation. We fi rst submitted the required the presidents of Santa Barbara Beautiful. retain a strong actively involved Board of Beautiful meeting. It was clear that application documentation in 1980 and This project was planned and completed Directors to continue our programs into the this was a natural group I needed to work received our fi rst of twenty-fi ve public Tree that year by Henry Bauernschmidt and Dick future. Unfortunately, James Hodges, our I with in order to get trees purchased and City USA recognitions in April 1981 in De Riffero. president-elect, and such a strong force on planted throughout the city. I served on the La Guerra Plaza. On that day we planted By April of 1980, the original goal of our Tree and Steering Committee, passed board from 1980 until 2003, becoming the a lovely purple orchid tree, on the De La $105,000 for the Tree Fund was surpassed away suddenly. He was generous with president in 1983 for two years. I had come Guerra Street side of City Hall, in honor of and 1,700 street trees had been planted. fi nancial contributions and sharing his from Michigan with a degree in forestry and Santa Barbara Beautiful founder and former Starting with the funds Santa Barbara leadership skills, and he was a motivator worked for two years with a private tree Santa Barbara City Parks commissioner, Savings & Loan committed, in less than one of the highest order. Orval Bond agreed service in Carpinteria, and I applied for the Catherine Adams. year, over 50% of the goal had been reached to step in as President and carry on our Keep a green tree in your job with the city after David (Gress) had left Orval Bond had been El Presidente of with about $60,000 in total contributions. ambitious programs. Dorothy Brubeck heart and perhaps a to go into the wholesale nursery business. Old Spanish Days, and for decades he also The fund was boosted signifi cantly with agreed to continue as offi ce manager. She singing bird will come. Once I began working with the city, served as the chairman of the summer horse the Lotusland Estate Tour, with proceeds had the offi ce paperwork so organized and I was amazed by the wide variety of over and fl ower show at the Earl Warren show of $10,000. The last $45,000 was the most greeted all inquiries with such warmth and — Chinese proverb 450 species of trees scattered over Santa grounds. He had come to Santa Barbara to formidable task. To reach our goal, major appreciation. She never missed sending a Barbara in over 50 park sites, and along help clean up after the big earthquake of contributions ($500 and above) were Thank You for all contributions, monetary numerous city street parkways. There were 1925, and he decided to stay awhile, and it targeted from local large business concerns. and otherwise. With very little outlay 22-23,000 street trees and now it’s some turned out to be 75 years! Working under This resulted in large donations from of actual funds, I wanted to insure the 25,000 including lots of replacements in 25 Findlay MacKenzie for over thirty years, Mission Federal Savings, Santa Barbara continuance of this show of appreciation, years. Santa Barbara Beautiful has played a Orval eventually became the Superintendent Bank & Trust, Sambo’s Restaurant, and professionalism and effi ciency. I was able huge part as a helping partner with the city of City Parks after MacKenzie passed away. Raytheon Corporation. We had generous and to recruit Ron McGurer as a new board in planting trees. Like MacKenzie, Orval Bond was a pillar of ambitious support from Atlantic Richfi eld member and future president. I met my wife Lu Ann, when she was on this fi ne community. with the “Adopt-A-Block” program in The Annual Awards Banquet in 1980 the interview committee for the city arborist I had been elected vice president to which a total of over ten blocks were attended by 130 people, was at the Montecito position. She had been working in human follow Ron McGurer, who served in 1982 planted and a $5000 grant for tree planting Country Club, which was transformed resources for the city and had conducted and 83. Unfortunately he passed away at a was contributed. Despite all of our efforts, into a garden setting through the efforts of that particular interview. We began dating fairly young age. He was very committed the fi nal goal seemed distant. Then, as if Dave Gress (San Marcos Growers) and Joy four months later and were married a year to Santa Barbara Beautiful and helped to in answer to a prayer, one of our original Goodfi eld (Santa Barbara Savings). Mayor later. Both my wife and later our daughters initiate the commemorative tree program. members of our Steering Committee, and Shiffman attended and praised the efforts have been involved in tree plantings in I was so actively involved with Major Donor Committee members pledged of Santa Barbara Beautiful. Our new city Santa Barbara and Carpinteria, where the everything that Santa Barbara Beautiful an anonymous contribution of $50,000, arborist Dan Condon, who had recently kids went to school. In fact, I spent 16 years did, not just the tree planting, but also the which put our fund-raising efforts over the replaced Dave Gress, spoke. David has as chairman of Carpinteria’s tree advisory beautifi cation projects, the monthly and top. remained as a valuable board member. I am board. annual awards, that it seemed to be my turn Marking the birthday of Luther so very proud and honored to have served as Mary Lou Jacobsen was president when to serve as president. It was the fi rst thing Burbank, we planted 20 magnolia trees on President for this most worthy organization I joined, and Orval Bond followed her. that I got involved with where I had such a Bath Street from Canon Perdido to Carrillo and a board member for twenty-fi ve years. Orval was a very nice man, and important leadership role. Streets, honoring past presidents of the If I were a tree I would select the in the city’s history, as well as the city Parks The fi rst year of my leadership was my Men’s Garden Club. I presented Mr. H. Jacaranda, they are so lovely, and it is our Department. He and his wife June, as well fourth on the board, and I had the example Hampton Bell, then current president of this offi cial city tree! Æ as board member Rozella Jewett, and my of some good leaders and in fact several still club, with a certifi cate for each deceased mentor and adopted papa, Mr. Bruce Van were on the board including Orval Bond, president hand inscribed with calligraphy Dyke, were all very nice and welcomed George Kallusky and Walter Barrows, who by Joy Goodfi eld. me into my city parks career. Our fi rst was president in 1976 and whom I had On August 28, 1980 I had the pleasure big accomplishment was to launch Santa worked for prior to becoming city arborist. of planning a surprise dinner in honor of

20 21 That was one of the challenges. Walter had opportunity to play a vital role in Santa major storms over the years. In 1983, 1995 hope that their money actually effectively get them all planted and keep them watered. community will be. gotten a little miffed and resigned my second Barbara Beautiful. Every project that we and 1998 with the El Niño storms there were goes to research for curing cancer or heart The city does have a water truck, which There are many ways to make a lasting year as president. It was over some minor did I was directly involved with planning, quite a number of trees lost. In one case, over disease for example. You see a tangible goes around attending to the newer trees. To impact. Incidentally, some creativity and things, and I was sorry to see him resign. My organizing and implementing. One of the 300 street trees lost in one evening! And outcome with Santa Barbara Beautiful. plant 300 or 400 trees and water them all risk taking can enhance this pursuit. I have biggest challenge was to learn how to run the biggest bonuses I have had with my job also we had some real strong windstorms, People can actually see the results all over the is a big job. We hope that the homeowner made up some a cappella songs about Santa meetings and prioritize what was important. with the city was seeing the trees that we one that knocked down a couple of hundred community. On occasion, we do put up signs gets out and waters them, but you cannot Barbara and Tree City USA that I sing on The experience helped a lot. Ten years later planted grow over many years. There is street trees. After the big clean up effort, to showcase ”Another SBB Beautification rely on it. These trees need to be watered the tree tours. These songs are familiar I became president of the western chapter hardly a street in the city where Santa there was a huge need to replace trees. Each Project”. Perhaps we might do more signage for at least the first two or three years. The tunes with parodied lyrics that I wrote. For of the International Society of Arboriculture Barbara Beautiful planted trees that are not time the city committed some resources, to show the public and promote the good city has to provide that service, to ensure example, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” with 3000 members in four states. That was still growing today. but in every case, Santa Barbara Beautiful work we do. There are such clear results that the investment is maintained. Some from the musical ”Oklahoma.” I adapted this a much bigger leadership responsibility, and It is coming up to thirty years now that stepped forward and contributed trees. Two from Santa Barbara Beautiful projects that homeowners do participate, but consistency to recognize the Milpas Street improvement Santa Barbara Beautiful helped prepare me Dave Gress and I have been stewards of this specific times that I recall, Santa Barbara people can feel good about. is important. Water is crucial for plants in project on the east side of Santa Barbara. for that important pursuit. urban forest and more than 10,000 street Beautiful contributed $15,000 each time, We have had considerably good this area. Then there is “Song Sung Blue” about There were about 25 members on trees have been planted in those years. To toward a federal grant to buy trees. In the consistent leadership recently. My fondest memories over the years are Jacarandas, “Coastal Roads” using the the SBB board then and typically 6 or 7 see them growing and maturing as they were fall of 1983, we planted 1200 trees through We have had a goal over the years to the projects we have worked on. I also have melody of John Denver’s “Country Roads” members were actively engaged in projects. intended to do when we planted them as a small business association federal grant. plant all of the vacant tree planting locations. great memories of our work in the schools and the Everly Brothers’ “All I have to Do is Among the many challenges of leadership little saplings and seeing the beautification I applied for these grants, and we had a That has not yet happened. We are gradually on the Arbor Day observances, particularly Dream” of Santa Barbara, of course! I enjoy is motivating people to active involvement, projects come to full bloom and become similar one in 1992, where we planted 1100 getting closer and closer. The last time I Adams Elementary School and Peabody singing and watching people’s faces as they to keep programs vital and growing Dick established, is quite satisfying. trees. These were administered through the knew, when I left the arborist job two years Charter School. These two have been think about all that we have here in another Riffero was chairman of the Monthly A project like the State Street median State Department of Forestry. Combined, ago and had my hands on the data base, we active in the last several years. We seem to dimension. Awards committee. Actually, he WAS the from Mission Street to Constance Avenue, we planted 2300 trees in those two years, the had about 28,000 possible tree planting sites have planted every possible place you can If I were a tree, I would be a Sycamore. Monthly Awards committee for about 20 where Santa Barbara Beautiful was involved largest endeavors in tree planting. Normally in the city. There was then a good fifteen to imagine at Peabody. What happens is usually The native sycamore is such a strong and years. George Kallusky was master of in buying lots of plants and supplying the city will plant 250-500 street trees in a eighteen percent tree vacancy rate, or about one teacher, maybe two, is particularly endearing tree species. It can live for hundreds ceremonies for our banquets, which were volunteer labor. There are twelve medians given year. 4,000 tree sites for potential planting. We interested in this aspect of education. They of years under ideal growing conditions. It’s held at the Montecito Country Club, and there, with two pindo or jelly palms planted Dick Riffero followed me as president, are gaining on that. Santa Barbara Beautiful involve the kids in tree awareness, planting growth and graceful branching is so variable then later at the Miramar Hotel for 4 or 5 on each one. They were all surrounded and he and I were good buddies through all and the city parks staff have planted nearly and appreciation, and are willing to spend and interesting, changing each season. The years. He actively supported and monitored by grass before, which grew poorly and the years that I worked for the city. He was 1000 trees since I left, and have of course the extra time and energy to organize sycamore or el aliso, as it was known by the tree-planting program and got us into required mowing and edging, a dangerous an avid walker around the city and being lost some, perhaps two or three hundred. It activities. At Adams school, the spearhead the Spaniards, provides crucial habitat Lotusland for a second, very successful venture for workers in the center of the a lifelong horticulturalist, he would notice will be a long time before we plant every has been Jodi Miles for the last five years; to acorn woodpeckers, hawks, owls and community garden tour in 1981. street. Now flowering shrubs and ground everything. Every time I saw him, he would possible site. Some people don’t want trees and prior to her Mrs. Mitchell, who retired, many other wildlife species. A strong, deep There was a broad cross section of board covers have replaced the grass, and it is just have a whole list of things that needed to in front of their home. We want to plant the taught third or fourth graders. They did a root system helps to control stream bank members, as there still is today. Finding an beautiful. Another project was the Shoreline be done that he had seen from the walking trees where they are wanted, and people fantastic job. At Adams they involved the erosion and enable flood control efforts to editor for the newsletter was a challenge. Drive median planting from Harbor Way to perspective. I never tried to discourage are willing to water them. You don’t want entire school with National Arbor Day and be more effective. All this and the sycamore Shelly Dayton was the editor awhile, though La Marina. We put in palm trees and large him. I would thank him and respond that to force the public to have a tree or it will Tree City USA ceremonies and observances. is so aesthetically beautiful. That is why in finding someone willing to make a long-term round concrete planters with geraniums. Part we would get to each when we could and suddenly disappear one way or another. This The Forestry Service presented us with our my next life, I will return as a sycamore, commitment was not easy. Several retired of that has been recently reworked in 2004 sooner or later we got to attend to all of the approach has been our policy for 25 years new Tree City USA flag for re-certification, or maybe a coastal redwood. If I were a ladies were active, for example Dorothy with the street narrowing, re-landscaping, things he pointed out. now. and the kids would sing songs and plant redwood tree, I would be growing up in their Brubeck, who served as volunteer secretary. and adding pedestrian and bike lanes. One of the biggest challenges Santa So with the good leadership history trees. We worked at Adams School over 5 native habitat, in Northern California. Æ She had been a teacher and she brought in These are all city park department Barbara Beautiful faces is how to spend the and a stable funding source, Santa Barbara years and they have continued to plant trees. Patsy Brock, also a retired teacher, who maintained properties with a collaboration money we have raised and where best to use Beautiful should be able to branch out to Shirley Kuntze at Peabody School was great served as secretary after Dorothy. They between the two organizations. In the it. At least now we have a stable funding even broader kinds of projects. The last two for about four years, and then she retired. served both as treasurer and editor as well. city’s Parks and Recreation Guide that is source. Another area of challenge is growing years Santa Barbara Beautiful has managed Then the parent teachers group took over These were important jobs. Most of our new published in the Santa Barbara News-Press our membership. to plant a thousand trees because we were for a few years, and then I think we planted members joined when friends invited them as an insert, there is a listing inside the front There is keen competition among the able to also fund a temporary worker every space around the perimeter with trees. to. Later Rosemary Reed became treasurer cover of all of the partnership organizations many non-profits here, but we should have dedicated to directly plant these trees. This We are still actively planting at Adams and and served for a couple of years. She also that are affiliated with the city and extend at least a couple of thousand members, includes the year I retired from the city, and Cleveland elementary schools. became president, and her husband Ted was the city’s ability to provide services to the I believe. There is plenty of potential to the following year. Santa Barbara Beautiful Many of our members have come from also on the board, and often came out to help public. This includes tree planting and partner with the general public to appreciate contributed $10,000 each year toward hiring the projects we have done involving the with Saturday tree planting projects along beautification, as well as tree care and many and support all the natural beauty here. this temporary city employee. That directly community, or personal contact by board with Dick Riffero, Henry Bauernschmidt, other worthwhile projects. We should work on the area of retaining resulted in more trees being planted. There members asking others to join in. The and George Kallusky. The biggest single project Santa Barbara members as well. I think that people want has always been more money for trees than more people involved, the more diversity Since I was the city arborist for twenty- Beautiful has been involved with is the to see something tangible for their money. the resources to actually plant them. It’s one of interests that you gather and actively two and a half years, I had a unique street tree planting. We have had some When people donate to organizations, they thing to buy a bunch of trees and another to engage, and the stronger our impact in this

22 23 RICHARD ”DICK” RIFFERO

SBB President, 1986 & 1987

was born March 17, 1913 in Renton, Barbara. Washington, and my family moved Out of 25 applicants, I was proud to to Santa Barbara when I was a child. be the one chosen for this position. It was I have lived here ever since. I retired a very challenging and demanding job. inI 1977 following 25 years of service as I looked forward daily to improving and superintendent of parks and grounds for beautifying the landscaping of the county’s Santa Barbara County. I devoted a lifetime south coast, especially the Santa Barbara to community service and received 22 Court House, which was my jewel. I was awards and plaques for this service. named “Mr. Courthouse.” I recall Pearl Dancing and horticulture are my Chase would come around the Courthouse, passions. They have kept me active and and suggest what plants should be where. healthy and enriched my life. I have been a She was a strong-willed person. Since it was Think Like a Tree Santa Barbara Horticultural Society member my job to maintain the landscape, not design by Karen I. Shragg for fi fty years, and I am thankful that I could it, I would just listen. She had a grand home devote my professional life to the care and on upper Anacapa Street, with a mixture of Soak up the sun beauty of the outdoors. many plants and garden features. Affi rm life’s magic My horticultural career started as a After 25 years of supervising, I retired Be graceful in the wind youngster, learning from my father and from my job with the county in 1977, and Stand tall after a storm grandfather, and several professionals. My devoted my knowledge, expertise and time Feel refreshed after it rains father worked as a foreman for many years to civic achievements as a volunteer. I have on the Gavit Estate in the 1920s, supervising been since recognized with twenty-two Grow strong without notice a large staff of gardeners. This later became awards and plaques, among them, one for Be prepared for each the Ganna Walska Estate, now known as twenty-fi ve years of dedicated service to season Lotusland. I used to help pull weeds from Santa Barbara County as superintendent of Provide shelter to strangers the massive lawn there. My father later went Parks & Grounds and also deputy sheriff Hang tough through a cold on to work for the Doulton family, who (1952-1979). spell owned the Miramar Hotel. I became a board member of Santa Emerge renewed at the fi rst I attended Santa Barbara High school Barbara Beautiful in 1977, where I am still signs of spring and was in the class of 1933, in the middle very active today at 93 years old. I became Stay deeply rooted while of the Great Depression. All through my board president in 1986 and served through reaching for the sky school years I did gardening, cut lawns for 1987. I have helped to plant city street Be still long enough to neighbors and worked for a nursery. That trees and participated in many planting and hear your own leaves was great for learning and identifying plants. beautifi cation projects over the years. rustling. My father, being a horticulturalist, also gave I have been a walker for many years for me training. I got a job as a trainee at the posture and health, and I am still walking Stevens Estate. As a trainee, I was paid a today. In the process of walking through quarter a day and worked 6 days a week, many neighborhoods, I saw all manner with only two holidays a year, Thanksgiving of unsightly signs tacked up to poles and and Christmas. I later served in the military trees, marring the natural beauty. I provided for four and a half years and then worked a community service by removing these on the Isham Estate on San Ysidro Road as “snipe” signs. People would forget and a caretaker. leave these signs up long after events and After many years of service working not realize the impact they have on the as a supervisor on Montecito estates, I was environment. I would deposit these signs in offered the position of Superintendent of the next trash container I encountered on my Parks and Grounds with the County of Santa route.

25 Besides walking 8-10 miles a day, my many wonderful people over the years in Ganna Walska’s Lotusland. She never is the one who paid for the Santa Barbara I finished my horticultural career as philosophy is that what you eat is what you this pursuit of outstanding home gardens. allowed the public at large to come into the Beautiful promotional flags out on the a docent for sixteen years at Madame are. So I am careful about what I eat, and The interview process is quite involved. garden, just organizations and certain clubs. breakwater every year. She also financed the Ganna Walska’s Lotusland, recently rated after nearly 80 disciplined years, I enjoy First there is the selection of a worthy home. She was always the tour guide herself. I development of the Santa Barbara Beautiful the second most popular private garden in my good health... and I still love dancing! I had to go knock on doors and meet people was there on one occasion and touring with website, which her son designed. Molly the nation. I have volunteered pruning the I began at fifteen years old. Dancing keeps to interview them. Some people would our group when I was telling members of helped with many of our functions, such as orange trees over the years there and just you young, in great shape and having fun. I refuse, because they would not want the the board some horticultural information as our annual awards dinners. She was a great retired as a docent last year at nearly 93 years am still dancing and chasing women! public to know them or where they lived. an aside. She stopped, turned around and helper in many ways. That was her nature. old. I honed my memory in memorizing Walking was an ideal way to see homes Most winners felt honored to be recognized looked at me, and said ”Young man, come She always wanted to help. She contributed thousands of types of plants, both the genus and be in a position to evaluate gardens. for their efforts. They would welcome you up here. “ I was about 55 or 60 years old. I to the Girls Club in Carpinteria and many and species, and the common names. It was One of my longest acts of service for Santa with open arms. After the interview, the could not believe her incredible magnetism. other organizations, before her sudden a huge amount to remember and I enjoyed Barbara Beautiful was as writer for the next step was the writing process. I write She was unlike anyone I have ever met. She death, several years ago. those years immensely. monthly awards. Catherine Adams initiated the old-fashioned way. I don’t type or use reminded me of a cobra. When she looked After my retirement, I supervised the One of my fondest memories was the this monthly awards program in 1967 and the computer. I wrote all these articles out at you, you could not deviate from her stare. landscaping of the State Street Plaza for party given in honor or my 90th birthday wrote the column herself for several years. long hand. It was legible, and I am very That is how she got her men, I suppose. After 18 years from 1977–1995. I was awarded at the Montecito Country Club. It was a Later I was selected the monthly awards proud of my spelling. However, that format all, she was married six times and had many an Outstanding Citizen Award from the black-tie affair with ballroom dancing of chair and wrote the article for the paper was not acceptable. Marilyn McMahon, the lovers. She was a unique woman unlike any Downtown Organization for these efforts. course, and at the first intermission, Dan each month featuring a different residence representative at the Santa Barbara News- I have ever known. They recognized me for “unselfish labor Condon spoke of my twenty- two civic I selected. I was recognized by Santa Press, explained these articles would have In an effort to fundraise, I had to approach toward beautification of Santa Barbara achievements. Steve Timbrook, Director Barbara Beautiful with their first Lifetime to be typed. It did not matter that my writing these estate owners “cold”. I did not know through landscaping.” The award went on of Lotusland also spoke about my work Achievement Award in 1999. I served as the was clear. She is a very patient woman, so I these people. I had to contact them and sell to state “He has been a driving force for there and it was a wonderful affair. All the News-Press Monthly Award correspondent had to find someone to type for me. Often I them on Santa Barbara Beautiful, because enhancing the State Street Plaza and for his ladies danced with me and many spoke of from 1979 –1999 and wrote articles featuring would give the column to Dan Condon and many of these wealthy estate owners did abilities to teach and inspire others, out of a anticipating my 100th birthday party gala. a total of 200 homes in that time. This was he would have it typed. not want the public to go through their lifetime of experience.” This was the largest I am still walking now some 4-5 miles a a daunting task. Walter Barrows had written Years ago, board member Norma gardens. Santa Barbara Beautiful of course plaque I have ever received. Among the day, often around Vista Del Monte, where the column before me for a few months, but Gallagher wrote personalized certificates is a wonderful cause and I was very proud things I did for this project was to instruct I live. People have suggested my habit said that the project was too demanding, and with special calligraphy to present to the to be able to meet this challenge. There were the workers. They were hired as laborers of circumnavigating the campus here is stopped. I kept going. I was determined to winners, and we would invite the recipients never again public tours of most of these at minimum wage, so I taught them about boring, but I am often busy redesigning the put in twenty years. When I retired, I asked to lunch at our board meetings. These estates. Places such as the Klinger Estate, on soil types and fertilizer, and how to prepare landscaping in my mind as I walk. the board to help out, but there was a period winners are all documented in scrapbooks I Llano Drive in Hope Ranch; Val Verde on the earth. I showed them in detail how to If I were a tree, I would select several of many months when there was no one have put together, chronicling twenty years Sycamore Canyon Road; Casa Del Herrero plant and improved their job skills, slowly species, depending on the specific climate writing, and we did not have any winners worth of awards. on East Valley Road; the Bacon Estate, recreating the downtown corridor from where I was planted. I certainly favor palms. selected. Then David Petry took over for a Another of the legacies of my tenure East Valley Road, now Oprah Winfrey’s Victoria Street to the freeway. I am very I’d choose the Lady Palm for the grace of short while, and soon after Donnis Galvan with Santa Barbara Beautiful was a project Estate; the Steven Estate, which became the proud of this project. this tree. I would also choose Maytenus assumed the position in 2002. honoring all of the past board presidents in Morton Estate and is now the Scott Estate Among the many other awards I have boaria for its graceful quality. The Bauhinia I had not been a writer, but I became one a walk of fame planted in King palm trees (owned by the brother of the movie actor, been given for horticultural work include: is another of my favorites along with the by doing it. When the board asked me to along Chapala Street. Henry Bauernschmidt Randolph Scott) on East Valley Road; and recognition for restoration and plant Magnolia × soulangeana, both with lovely become the writer, they suggested I should created a cement block upon which a plaque the Abercrombie Estate also on East Valley identification in Franceschi Park, awards for purple blooms. have a back up correspondent, so that there was placed featuring the name of each of the Road. my work as SB Park Commissioner, projects In 1999, I was awarded the Santa Barbara would be continuity, in case I had to miss. past president of Santa Barbara Beautiful. The Santa Barbara Beautiful board for with Santa Barbara Horticultural Society, SB Beautiful first ever (Heritage Oak) Lifetime So Cynthia Heyer offered to be an assistant. These king palm trees are located from several years had monthly meetings at the Zoo landscaping, City Rose Garden for the Achievement award, and they posted a However, she never did any writing. West Anapamu Street down to West De La Acapulco Restaurant in La Arcada Court, annual pruning of the roses, SB City Street plaque on a bench between a pair of Albizia She traveled a lot and was not around for Guerra, and the one honoring me is planted which was noisy and had limited food Tree Advisory Committee, and Santa Barbara trees in Hidden Valley Park in my honor. Æ periods of time. She was very generous to at 1025 Chapala Street. choices. I found a new location, the Presidio Parks Department recognition. I have also Santa Barbara Beautiful in other ways. She For several years, I contacted private Cafe, where we continued to meet until it been bestowed awards for recognition by enjoyed entertaining and had many affairs estate owners in Santa Barbara and closed. This became the favorite location of Santa Barbara Beautiful itself, for enhancing at her home on the Mesa, overlooking the Montecito to allow Santa Barbara Beautiful our group. It was in the same block as the Santa Barbara’s beauty for city street tree city. On my first world cruise, she hosted an to have garden tours of their properties for main post office on Anacapa Street. plantings and beautifying blighted areas in affair for Santa Barbara Beautiful, inviting fundraisers. That was the way we raised My friend Molly Barbey, a fellow 1980, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997 people to her lovely home and I narrated money to buy city street trees and provide ballroom dancer who taught with Arthur & 1998. These awards were for dedicated slides of my travel experience. landscaping to improve different areas. I Murray Company in New York, got involved service to beautification by Santa Barbara For the monthly awards, I wrote the conducted tours, with other board members, in Santa Barbara Beautiful through my Beautiful, which I was honored to receive 8 guidelines for the selection process and met of many properties including of course suggestion. She was a great benefactor. She times in over 20 years!

26 27 HOWARD HUDSON

SBB President, 1990 & 1991

fi rst became involved with Santa was very active as a “hands on” president. Barbara Beautiful through Mary Lou She really knew the organization well and (Jacobsen) Schmidt. She invited my was helpful in guiding it with her great wife Lynn and I to the annual banquet knowledge of horticulture and trees. That asI a thank you for some accounting work I put me in line to become president. had done for the organization over the years. When I became president, Rosalind I also knew board member Cedric Boeseke Amorteguy was the vice president and we very well and between the two of them, had the permanent offi ce on State Street, they got me to the Miramar Hotel for the John Woodward’s offi ce space in La Arcada. annual banquet. There were many people Patsy Brock served as the administrator. present honoring Dick Riffero, who was Patsy and I were in constant contact, at least the president then. I recall Dick asking the twice a week. Our board meetings were at “It is not so much for its board members to stand up for recognition. the Presidio Café. The primary goal I had beauty that the forest He then asked me to stand up, and that was was to expand the scope of the organization makes a claim upon men’s when I knew that I was now targeted to from a tree-planting group to the mission of hearts, as for that subtle become a new board member! I had done beautifi cation in a larger sense. Of course some work for Santa Barbara Beautiful we did plant many trees and promoted the something, that quality of before on some accounting issues during memorial tree program. air that emanates from old Dick Riffero’s term. One different area of focus we had was trees, that so wonderfully Cedric Boeseke was one of my business to clean up the Southern Pacifi c railroad changes and renews a clients. So this was not an unknown group to corridor. This was done in an effort to create weary spirit.” me. I will add that Cedric was a wonderful a pleasant approach for railway visitors, fellow. He always had a way of getting so the fi rst impression of our community — Robert Louis Stevenson people involved without them knowing they would not be the graffi ti-laced fences and had been drafted. He had an irrepressible trash that existed along that right-of way. upbeat attitude no matter what was going on, We did not get very far because the railroad whenever you talked to him. His enthusiasm bureaucracy was a real stumbling block. was infectious. He got people involved with They were diffi cult to work with. We also many things such as the breakwater fl ag did some clean up and beautifi cation work project. Santa Barbara Beautiful still has a down at the Milpas Street freeway on ramp. fl ag up there I believe, and Molly Barbey I recall Warren Wentink, a veteran sponsored the funds for its creation. member of the Men’s Garden Club, For a fresh outlook on life, I like to look working for a long time as treasurer for at organizations that are involved in the our organization. For years Santa Barbara community and that are slightly off center Beautiful was primarily a street tree planting from where I am professionally, so that I get organization. This refl ected the restricted another perspective on life. This broadens funds dedicated to that purpose at the time. my horizons. Santa Barbara Beautiful was In addition to his fi scal responsibilities, new to me and different and I have enjoyed Warren’s special area of concern was it. I continue to enjoy it as I am still on the eradicating “snipe signs,” the advertising board for twenty years now. signs attached to trees or utility poles. He felt I have served on the board since 1983 these were a real blight to the community. or 84. Later Rosemary Reed, who had been He would tolerate these kinds of signs up the treasurer for several years, asked me for the weekend of a yard sale, for example, if I would be her vice president when she and then he would promptly remove them. assumed presidential responsibilities. She This is something many people do not think

29 about, but this signage truly detracts from Valley Beautiful, Carpinteria Beautiful, the impression people have of an area. For and the Montecito Protective Association. ROSALIND GIES AMORTEGUY Warren, snipe signs were an obsession and Together we could understand each other’s he, along with Dick Riffero, dedicated a lot goals and share approaches and form a of personal time and energy to removing coalition. Who knows where we could SBB President, 1992 & 1993 them. There is always work to be done on go with an opportunity to create such a these and many other issues. synergy. fter leaving Santa Barbara for joined the board. She and her husband also Another person I recall from the older If I were a tree I would choose to be an graduate school in Boston, I threw a big party for us. So Santa Barbara days was Elizabeth Humphreys. She had oak tree. The oak starts small as an acorn attended the Barnes horticultural Beautiful was a way to fl exibly respond to been a board member for years and she was and grows to have lasting impact on its training program in Philadelphia the concerns of neighbors. another retired schoolteacher. She never environment. Æ for 3 years. This was an excellent program The La Entrada project, the entrance wanted to be an offi cer. Her traditional role A at the Barnes arboretum, which surrounds to the city, was honored in 1992 with the was to be involved with street tree plantings, the Barnes Art Museum there. With the annual President’s award. This area was a and that was her passion. Every time we had encouragement of the director, Dr. Fogg, I joint project with the city and many people a tree planting, she baked cookies for all the attended the landscape architecture program worked together to design lower State Street workers. “The cookie lady” we called her. at the University of Pennsylvania. I began after the renovation of the US 101 Freeway. A Another lady I recall is Rozella Jewett, who with the Design of the Environment year safe and well lit passageway for pedestrians had been very active as historian before I was and then spent 3 more years there. After was created under the freeway featuring involved. By the time I became president, “The creation of a thousand I returned to Santa Barbara, I fi nished enlarged walkways, tile workbenches, and she was in a nursing home and I visited her forests is in one acorn.” with one of their projects, with the help of two artistic mosaics at the entrance to the there from time to time. She always wanted Lotusland, where I did research. This was train station. All of the latest changes on to stay involved and knowledgeable about — Ralph Waldo Emerson a study on biomes, relating elevation, soil State Street, varying the sidewalk sizes and what was going on. Her mind was always types and water to vegetation for a course adding landscaping, followed the style of active. called Plants and Designs. this project. Drought conditions were a reality during Patsy Brock, a local teacher and a friend We also organized a marathon, which we my tenure. So we added a special award to of my sister Annabelle Rea, was a secretary called a Fun Run with the new Nordstrom our annual ceremony for drought tolerant at Santa Barbara Beautiful and she wanted department store in Paseo Nuevo. We staffed landscaping, to encourage beauty and me to get involved, so she asked me to join. it and did a tremendous amount of work to excellence addressing this issue. This also She worked part time 2 days a week in an promote this event and in return, Nordstrom’s focused public attention on the importance offi ce on State Street. Our board meetings donated $5000 to our cause. This was a joint of this emerging issue while responding to were at the outdoor restaurant on Anacapa project with Origins cosmetics company and the inherently dry years. Street, the Presidio Café, which no longer Nordstrom, who really wanted to support Immediately after my presidency, I operates as a restaurant, but was in the same their new community, after their new store was proud of the fact that the American block as the post offi ce. opened here in Santa Barbara. Institute of Architects recognized us. The As an organization we were involved This was right after the drought years. Santa Barbara chapter of the AIA had in education and tree awareness as well People were very conscious of conserving suggested that we submit an application as many projects. I recall completing a water and planting with the use of drip for our accomplishments in the category of project planting the medians on State Street systems, as well as using drought tolerant public service awards, which we responded between Constance Avenue and Mission vegetation. Santa Barbara Beautiful to. The judges awarded Santa Barbara Streets, with the help of Billy Goodnick, the contributed to this awareness by promoting Beautiful as one of three organizations who city landscape architect. water conserving landscaping. It was a time were recipients of a community service Relationships are the most important when a green lawn was a kind of red fl ag. award in California. This award was not aspect of any group. The members of the A gentleman in Montecito became infamous presented for any specifi c project, but for board have worked to build relationships by persisting in watering his green lawn, our organization’s continued service and between people, various communities and despite popular pressure to do otherwise. leadership in beautifying the community of the aesthetics of nature around us. Our The drought situation made people rethink Santa Barbara. That recognition was a real group was responsive to many issues in the use of public and private space. highlight. the community. For example responding to An anti graffi ti group called “Looking For the future, we may fi nd value in a request from a group of homeowners in Good Santa Barbara”, under the direction of creating a brain trust relationship with the San Roque, we designed an area there and Linda Clough, happened to start when I was other beautifi cation organizations in this planted many trees. They were so grateful, president. Looking Good reported to us, as community. The thrust of this idea is to that one of those involved, Firth Wilkinson, well as operating as a separate city entity. explore areas of mutual interest with Goleta

30 31 People became very aware of “snipe” signs, those unsightly signs left posted on trees DAVID GRESS and poles and not removed. Looking Good Santa Barbara played a big role in getting rid of these signs as well as in cleaning up SBB President, 1994, 1995 & 1996 graffi ti. I recall board member Warren Wentink n January 1975 I joined Santa Barbara Beautiful, where she had lived and been handing each of us on the board a packet Beautiful as City Arborist after involved, was also one who was very active of stamped postcards, which we were moving from Ft. Collins Colorado. with our group. Over the years there were a instructed to keep in our car or take with us Santa Barbara Beautiful was already number of people active in gardening and on walks. The idea was if we saw a beautiful active in planting trees and instrumental in landscape design, who had come from the or unsightly property, write the appropriate I getting money donated to get trees pruned Pasadena area, where a consciousness and comments on the postcard, and then address and planted. an anesthetic had evolved. They brought a it and mail to the property address. It was My predecessor in the position as Arborist lot of ideas to Santa Barbara. Catherine also an effective and simple method for us to was Mike Pahos, Park Superintendent/ served on the park commission for quite a be directly involved in instigating local Arborist. He was also very involved with number of years as well during the 1960s feedback and change. Santa Barbara Beautiful during his time and early 1970s. Personal contact is the best way to involve with the City. I was the fi rst full-time City In 1977 the board had a meeting at more people and grow this organization. “And this, our life, exempt Arborist in Santa Barbara when I joined Luba Carleton’s home, Ravenscroft, with a The dedicated people at Santa Barbara from public haunt, fi nds the board in 1975. David Shiffman was the special objective of creating specifi c goals Beautiful who have gotten out, walked the tongues in trees, books Mayor at the time and was very supportive and the direction for future projects for streets and become involved in creating of Santa Barbara Beautiful. I became the organization. Dave Conway, the Parks changes, have set a powerful example as in the running brooks, involved with Goleta Beautiful and served Director, gave a presentation challenging well as had direct impact on the future of sermons in stones, and 6 years as President in the 1980’s. This was the board to undertake the goal of planting our city. This organization has been a model good in everything.” before Goleta was a city. The county did the 5500 empty tree wells in the city. That for citizen involvement and commitment — William Shakespeare not devote funding for street trees and was is when the board voted on embracing this to the continuing beautifi cation of this cutting down trees. We planted the medians project. From this we determined we would community. and hired our own hourly workers to weed plant 5- and 15-gallon trees and calculated If I were a tree, it would like to be a the medians. It was a real grass roots effort the costs which gave us the $105k fundraising Chorisia, a silk fl oss tree. My mother planted initially. Now Goleta Valley Beautiful is on goal. That was when the board went out to one where we now live and it has grown to stronger footing since they are now a city get the community involved. be quite enormous. Trees are signifi cant and with more resources. Santa Barbara Savings offered seed have lasting value. Every time that I see that When I started on the board in 1975 money and their management expertise to tree, I think of my mother planting it. there were 6 or 7 regular attendees to board our board to help us with the fund raising Whatever tree one chooses to be, the idea meetings. I served as treasurer for Santa drive in the 1970’s. They also offered the of planting a tree with a commemorative Barbara Beautiful from 1977-1979. The services of their local public relations fi rm, plaque creates a place to go to think about treasury vacillated between zero and $2000. Larsen, Bateman, McAllister. Bill Sheehan honoring someone you have loved. My The largest changes I have seen are the of the fi rm and his wife Louise became husband and I had a tree planted upon our size of the board and the size of our bank active with us on the board. They developed marriage, and our whole family has a series account. a print and radio PR campaign called Putting of trees planted on East Cota Street near Pearl Chase was still attending our board Down Roots. The goal was to plant the 5500 the junior high school; one in my father’s meetings at least until 1976. She would empty tree wells. We had determined that memory, one in my mother’s, and each of regularly attend the meetings at that time and Santa Barbara was losing more trees than the three girls has her namesake tree. So it’s would make forceful suggestions when she they were planting, between the demise nice to have a clustering effect, and a plaque felt it was necessary. Her nurse would bring of disease and natural causes. One of my that says who is being honored. Santa her in a wheelchair. She was still very alert fi rst job objectives as arborist was to do a Barbara Beautiful has a real opportunity to and would make astute comments and give computerized tree inventory and I put this honor loved ones and events with the street historical insights. It was fun to have her together with the Street Tree Master Plan. tree program. This act has a unique and there as one who had been involved in many We did a walking inventory of trees on lasting effect to beautify our community. Æ of the city’s physical changes. Catherine every street in every neighborhood. I did the Adams, who had actually brought the initial initial walk through, and when we got down concept for the organization from Pasadena to starting the program in downtown Santa

32 33 Barbara, Board Members Dick Riffero Kallusky was a manager at Santa Barbara “Survive until 95.” Many people did have events at Earl Warren Show grounds from creating the horticultural Mecca here. recently funded a grant to restore a blighted and Henry Bauernschmidt volunteered to Bank & Trust and served as Santa Barbara to change professions and went out of plastering signs all over the city. He should Some of the street trees are getting to crime ridden area at Cacique Street Bridge create the graphic of the business district Beautiful’s board President during this business. It was one of the few times when be recognized for this because he devoted a be 100 years old. The organized plantings involving a community association, the downtown. They pinpointed all the trees major drive. Another very active member real estate actually lost value, significant lot of time to it. He personally went to the such as along East Anapamu Street planted Police Department and the Creeks Division and the empty spaces from the Master Plan who chaired that fundraising committee value throughout California, and here in 19th Agricultural District and advocated for in 1907, and on the westside at San Andres, of the Parks and Recreation Department. maps. The parks department funded the tree was Cedric Boeseke. He was a real dynamo Santa Barbara. this to be written into the event contracts, to Chino and other streets were planted in This is a great direction for the inventory. I performed the tree inventory for whose family had lived here for several The mission of Santa Barbara Beautiful prevent signs from being put up all around the early 1900s. We are fortunate to still organization. Over the last few years we all street trees within the city limits, with the generations so he knew a lot of people. He has stayed pretty focused over the years, town. The city was getting inundated and have a lot of those trees with us, though have developed a great board. I think that help part of the time of a student intern. He took a personal interest and his dedication in concentrating on tree planting and street then after events the signs would stay up some are slowly decaying. Very few of the the whole board owes Jacqueline Dyson a copied the parcel maps and documented the working with the Downtown Organization trees when I started, and that remains today. indefinitely. He accomplished quite a bit. California bay laurels are left on De la Vina great deal for what she does to pull the board information. I would determine the species, drew the involvement of more business At times we have undertaken beautification Dick Riffero would walk 5 –7 miles around Street for example. So early on there was together, making sure that everything is on the health status, age and size of the tree people and resources. He was a motivator projects outside of that, but those dual areas town daily and collect these signs as well. a lot of interest and people were active in the right track and keeping us informed. while he captured the information. This and instrumental in getting many new people and the annual Santa Barbara Beautiful We miss this focus because even garage sale tree planting. The City Parks Department She has a strong personal commitment and process took about a year. to join and stay on the board. So this was awards have been consistent. The awards signs have gotten a lot worse without them planted many street trees as areas of town has given a lot to the board to make a grand An offshoot of this was the memorial tree a time of great expansion. We transformed program was established before I came on out there. We have taken down some signs developed. Then later the WPA and the difference in our effectiveness. plaque program, started as an effort to raise a small group of concerned citizens into a board. with 3 inch nails or screws into the bark of Civilian Conversation Corps planted trees It warms your heart that the public money for the 5500 tree wells. This began in group of community leaders that was well Something else that Santa Barbara trees which can affect the health of trees. like the Jacarandas on Carrillo Street. Over reacted was such concern over the proposed the late 1970s and it has stayed fairly constant known and liked locally. This was in 1977 or Beautiful has done is to encourage the About this time, we received a sizable the years interest and planting of trees has removal of Ficus trees on upper State Street as a fundraiser. Trophy companies produce 1978 and we now had expertise, leadership celebration of Arbor Day. We started out trust from a donor that increased our treasury continued periodically, lean in years when recently, as well as their general concern and the plaques. We had volunteers initially to and fund raising skills that were previously celebrating with plantings around town significantly. This came as a surprise to the city has not devoted funding. The mix love of trees in this community. The emotion place them, and now the parks department lacking. Cedric was like the glue to pull in streets and parks and it has evolved receive a gift from an individual we were of trees has changed somewhat, but since connected with trees speaks volumes. It staff installs them. Someone who wishes to things altogether and helped us accomplish to programs in schools. We now have not familiar with. Sometimes you never the active tree planting with Santa Barbara seems as if people relate not in an intellectual make a donation can locate where they want our goal of raising $105k for planting those programs in 4 or 5 elementary schools. With know what touches an individual. This is the Beautiful began in the late 1970s, you see a way but are moved emotionally on certain to place a plaque. Originally one program 5500 trees. Working with Cedric Boeseke Jacqueline Dyson being the coordinator, we power of good works! lot more variety of trees, as well as younger tree issues. encompassed both street trees and park was one of my fondest memories, because have gotten the fifth grade students involved Since you asked about Henry specimens. This has also stimulated public I have often said that community is trees. So you could dedicate a very large he was such a warm individual. He got in poster contests sponsored by the National Bauernschmidt, the county landscape interest and involvement. really a reflection of the people that live in tree that was located in a park for the same so many people excited and interested in Arbor Day Foundation and the local winners’ architect, he worked frequently with Dick Now times are very good regarding it. As long as people are interested in the amount of money that people were donating working with the board. He was a motivator posters are sent to the state competition. Riffero, and had spoken out about burying public interest in street trees and appearance of their community and the trees, for new trees. Now the program is just for for everyone and we accomplished a great A lot of the schools get the whole student the wires from utility poles on Milpas beautification. When property values are that is what they are going to be involved in. street trees. You can find a location where deal during that time period. body involved in the Arbor Day Celebration Street. That may have influenced the city to up and money is available, it plays into the What you see today in Santa Barbara is a there is no tree and select your own or find We raised the $105k and accomplished and the mayor and local legislators attend complete this project. I cannot recall how whole idea of building, home remodeling, reflection of people’s feelings toward their an existing tree without a plaque. Eventually our fundraising goal in 1979. This was in as well. This is another one of our highlight much Santa Barbara Beautiful was involved and beautification. At least privately there is community, the parks department took over the park done in large part with the luck of a $50k activities. The students really get involved in this. Certainly submerging overhead a lot of money out there. The government Responding as a good arborist regarding trees. The program was very successful, and anonymous donor. And we had several and take notice. wires adds to the beauty of any city. When sector is still suffering from a lag of revenue what sort of tree I would choose to be, the became more formalized during the 1980’s. Lotusland tours, one of which contributed I have served on the board since 1975. I Henry and Dick both retired, they became shortfalls, however that should improve western chapter of International Society of During the late 1970’s fund raising over $20k. When I became president in left my position as City Arborist and started the dynamic duo that personally supervised over the next several years. Arboriculture magazine identified two types campaign we would give a membership 1993, there was an average balance of $100k San Marcos Growers nursery at the end of the downtown landscaping on State Street, The future of Santa Barbara Beautiful of men, oak men and eucalyptus men. The for every $5.00 we received for a tree in the bank 1979. My hands were very full with a new a project lasting many years, from 1978 is brighter than ever! With a large treasury oak men are the more refined, studious and donation. This was successful in building We started some tree tours of Alice business and young family. I finally became through the mid 1980s. They would consult to work with, we are only limited by our self-controlled of the arborists. The “euc” the membership up to the largest we have Keck Park Memorial Garden and Alameda president in 1993. There were people on the on what plants to add or replant and supervise imaginations and our ambitions. I think (eucalyptus) men are considered to be the ever had, some 400 or 500 as I recall. Park about this time. We have used these board such as Warren Wentink, president the crews that were working on the project that we could actually do a lot more than more wild “fly by the seat of your pants” If someone donated $25 for a tree, five tours as a means of educating people about of the Men’s Garden Club, who were very and maintaining the plantings. we are doing. We’ve done some outreach high risk taking men, who enjoy living life $5.00 memberships would be given. Today trees, landscaping, and gardening in Santa capable and had served as treasurer and vice Santa Barbara very early on had in the community with offers to fund “on the edge.” So I always considered myself membership is one our biggest challenges. Barbara. These annual tours were popular president several times of Santa Barbara some active horticulturalists, such as Dr grants for projects. We have started to an oak man with strong ‘euc’ tendencies. Æ Fortunately, we are not dependent on for quite a number of years. Beautiful. But he never became president. Franceschi, Dr. Doremus, the first park fund beautification projects other than members to fund our treasury. However, The time period 1992-96 was a period He became very interested in the snipe sign superintendent, and Peter Rydell, who just street trees. We have done some creek from a public awareness aspect, and to of economic recession, both here and in issue and he would collect a stack of these was very active in planting trees and was restoration work, community beautification, support our goals, membership is key. California in general. It was a tough time signs that had been posted and left up, and employed by the parks department as a and hopefully this will expand. We involve Two very active members during our for construction, design professionals, and deliver them to the city, He would bring horticulturalist. Findlay MacKenzie, who youth in these grass roots community based fund raising period were George Kallusky landscapers, who had a very difficult time stacks of these into the board meetings was superintendent, planted many trees in projects. We get families with kids pulling the and Mary Lou Jacobsen. Mary Lou was a making a living. People forget how easily to get the board interested in snipe sign the San Roque area. We always felt we had weeds and planting plants with refreshments manager at Santa Barbara Savings and had things change, but there was a time when removal and solicit the city to take action. the most diverse urban forest of any city, in provided. There is an opportunity to do more a leadership role in the committee. George there was a motto in the design profession: He probably single handedly prevented no small part due to these historical figures with neighborhood projects as well. We

34 35 BRUCE VAN DYKE

SBB President, 1997 & 1998

rees are my life. I came to this to be Hass. This was quite a change from area in 1948 after graduating the picture postcard green Fuerte avocado, from UCLA in sub tropical with a small neck. Hass had some initial horticulture. I started in 1939 market resistance, with an oval shape and asT a physics major, but it did not take me dark color at maturity, but is had marvelous long to realize I was not cut out to work lasting qualities, since the fruit will hang on in the world of physics. When I was in the the tree for a long time. It makes it an ideal service, during WWII, I had a lot of time tree for home use, since you can pick fruit for thinking, and I realized that horticulture from mid-spring though the new year. Hass better suited me. The climate we have here is known for a much longer bearing season, in Santa Barbara is Mediterranean, meaning delicious taste, and is fl exible in terms of that in cool seasons we have rain, and in the harvest. We found that you can leave the “We have nothing to fear warm seasons there is drought. This is also fruit on the tree until it is needed. and a great deal to learn called sub tropical. I grew up in Fallbrook, The headquarters for the Santa Barbara from trees, that vigorous about fi fteen miles inland from the ocean, City College job I had was at the Alhecama and pacifi c tribe which where the climate is similar. Theater complex, where Pearl Chase’s I came here to teach at the new Santa Plans & Planting offi ce was based. This without stint produces Barbara City College in the commercial organization was devoted to landscaping strengthening essences for agriculture department. My placement was property visible to the public eye. The city us, soothing balms, and in part of a Veteran’s program, where I worked had property on the north side of Cabrillo whose gracious company for fi ve years. It was an on-the-farm training Boulevard along the beach. So her offi ce we spend so many cool, program, with mainly citrus and avocado would oversee any plantings such as where silent and intimate hours.” tree crops. We taught veterans. Peter Rydell Fess Parker’s hotel now is located. Anything was also teaching at SBCC in ornamental that appeared non-conforming would be — Marcel Proust, Pleasures and Regrets, 1896 horticulture at that time. brought into line by her oversight. There was a great need for people then Since my offi ce was near hers, she almost with grafting expertise. I learned to graft immediately got me involved conducting because of a fascination with camellias. I garden tours. She had a stable of maybe started propagating them after taking a class sixty garden properties spread out from at UCLA. I went from wholesale nursery Montecito to Santa Barbara and through to wholesale nursery watching how they Hope Ranch. Every Friday afternoon, grafted camellias. That is how I learned the from mid March to October, we’d form a principals of grafting. There was a local cortège and we would visit three, four or farm advisor who recommended that I graft fi ve gardens. Through this I got to know the someone’s avocado tree. This turned out gardens and the gardeners and the owners successfully, so then I was ”off to the races” of these properties. It certainly increased grafting for people’s farm and family needs my knowledge of plants in this area, as with my own business. During this time my well as gave me an “in” to perform various wife and I bought property and built a house, horticultural services for these estates. So so I became fi rmly attached to this area. when I went into business for myself, I had When I fi rst started my own business, a pretty good background with the grafting I worked with avocado trees locally. We and I was soon overwhelmed with work. It planted orchards of seedling trees, which was a job that is solitary in nature, so I did could be grafted to any desired variety. They not have a crew of workers, but I certainly did not really know the favored variety for enjoyed it and was at least responsible this climate, and I watched this evolve for my own mistakes, not other people’s

37 mistakes! Street. who are not comfortable with this tree. It is tell me they were in my class and then their Beautiful, growing membership is a key pink clusters of flowers that carpet the Pearl Chase was a dominating woman I joined Santa Barbara Beautiful when harder and harder for an olive tree to reach children and maybe their grandchildren challenge and opportunity. In addition to ground in indescribable pink. When those whose sole interest in life was beautification Dick Riffero was President. Catherine Adams adolescence. It is a very stunning tree, but a have attended. I am impressed by young planting trees and dedicating markers to fade, the scurfy pea with blue and white of Santa Barbara. One of her pet peeves was was the real force and founder of Santa poor street tree. Especially when the olives people and their knowledge and enthusiasm honor and remember people, we could herald flowers, prickly needle-like leaves and a poor signage. She just hated unsightly signs, Barbara Beautiful. She was very dedicated get squashed on the sidewalk and the pulp about horticulture. I just think that the world more of what we do and give members Kool-Aid scent. Such a remarkable series of revolving signs or billboards. She was very and really knew her plants well and was gets carried into the house. The fruit stains is in better hands looking at these bright something really tangible for their money. plants grow here, so it is hard to pick out successful in her crusade against offensive devoted to building this organization. I had the sidewalk. They now have developed a youth. The interest in trees has increased as We also need a really good newsletter. We any one tree. There are also the majestic signs. Notice we have no billboards here become the manager of the Santa Barbara type of non-bearing olive tree. we have gotten more populated, and in the should represent more than just tree planting. trees, the redwood and the Moreton Bay today, a legacy of her vision. She would Orchid Show in 1974 and served for 20 The city not only owns the parkway, process, the planting of trees has become Beautification does not sound too dramatic fig. Every tree has its specialty so it’s lovely meet at the first garden of the weekly tours years in that capacity. it has jurisdiction over it. There is also a more important. when it takes the form of picking up rubbish to be fickle and to be able to appreciate and give a long lecture about beautification, When I was president, we were very little known residential 10’-35’ setback that My dad gave me an old typewriter in but clean up is necessary or we do not have anything that you are looking at. I would long before Santa Barbara Beautiful was active in planting trees. There is a place I the city has jurisdiction over as well. This 1940. I used this for a column I wrote on the basis to create beauty. have to violate a lot of horticultural rules to established. Pearl Chase was not the founder believe was called Condon Junction near protects neighborhoods with signature trees horticulture for the Santa Barbara News- It is harder and harder to grub out a graft all these and create my favorite tree, of Santa Barbara Beautiful, but she was the railroad tracks at the on-ramp near that a property owner might be unable or Press. I was invited to do this by an editor living in Santa Barbara. The wives are not but it would really be something to see. If involved in it from the beginning. Haley Street going south onto US 101. This unwilling to maintain. I have been on the named Mr. Eliot, whose wife was in my home to work in the garden. Not that people it would grow anywhere, it would be here At the end of one of Pearl Chase’s garden is also one of the first visions you get of advisory group to the park commissioners adult education class. This was not a very are greedy, they are just trying to work hard in Santa Barbara! Santa Barbara is a lovely tours, in the late 1950s, I was contacted by Santa Barbara by rail. There were homeless for city street trees. We are continually user-friendly machine, mainly because I in order to stay in Santa Barbara. I cannot spot and we are happy to give back with an Madame Ganna Walska to come and see people living in the area, which was overrun trying to add value and integrity to the urban was not much of a typist. I would use carbon blame them. I feel very fortunate to have organization like this in gratitude for the her. She wanted me to do some horticultural with weeds. Santa Barbara Beautiful was forest. paper, and in fact I was so inexperienced I come to this area as early as I did and been opportunity to live here. Æ advising and soon I was there one day a instrumental in cleaning that up. And later Regarding street trees, over the years we did not even now that there was such a thing fortunate enough to have a home here. week for the next twenty- five years! At that replanting and maintaining the area, though have experimented with various species. On as White Out! I remember getting into jams Santa Barbara Beautiful benefits from time she would have me consult on an area, the work was difficult in this vicinity. some minor streets, such as Aliso, Voluntario with my sentences and then trying to get out projects that most anyone can be involved and she then would come in and view it. We also planted a lot of trees along the or Carpinteria Streets on the lower Eastside, gracefully without having to re-do the whole with. The goal is to get people eager to be She would save up all her planting for my railroad tracks just east of Mission Street. we have planted floss silk trees or the newer sentence, mainly because I could not erase associated with trees. If we can get people oversight and we would have a crew of up In fact we planted trees in front of Norman African tulip trees and other exotic species. very well. Some of those articles were a involved in any way and working together, to seven people installing plants. I did not King’s house and that is what got him Thanks to Santa Barbara Beautiful, the funds mess! My last eight years of columns, I had we can do amazing things. I recall a lady do major work that required cranes and involved. As you know, he later became for these tropical trees are allotted and there a word processor, making the whole ordeal who has since passed away, and her main professionals, but the basic plantings. We president after me. We had plantings over on is more latitude for sampling exotic trees to much easier. I wrote the column for 33 contribution was to make cookies for the moved a lot of trees around. She might like the Mesa, on the eastside and other locations test their adaptability to our city. years until 1997. I kept the public informed tree planters. She would distribute literature a plant position turned a few degrees. So we scattered around. We made an effort to plant Having the arborist be a curious about everything of horticultural interest. I before planting the trees, and then bake would dig things up and move them. It was wherever it was needed. Of course we had horticulturist also has an impact. Over the would write about trees, and horticultural cookies and when we had a tree planting she sort of taxing at times, but she was a very nice to be cautious not to plant many trees where years we have planted such a beautiful events like the orchid show, plant sales at would come around to feed the planters. She lady with a surprisingly good vocabulary. they would not be maintained. People seem variety of species. This is the ideal climate the SB Horticulture Society, the cactus and had a lovely garden at home and valued our She spoke a half a dozen languages, and to have short memories when they would and place for someone in my profession. succulent society etc. During these years I mission of beautification. Baking cookies sometimes she would mess up her verb just love to have a tree planted. Sometimes There is such an opportunity to try different fell in love with Alice Keck Park Memorial was her way of being supportive of our tenses, but she was well spoken and her the intentions are good but not the follow tree species. In my years, I have also had a lot Garden, a community treasure created in the efforts and making others feel good for their knowledge of horticulture was excellent. At through, so a lot of places it is up to the of experience with grafting. As I mentioned, 1970s. This public garden is such a delight labor. People feel good when they do their one point she donated $10,000 to prune the city to water them for the first three years I have worked grafting many citrus and other because of the great variety of trees, all so part, when they can participate in the synergy palm trees along East beach. They wanted to to get them established. Then the trees fruit trees. I have these “children” spread all accessible. I was a trustee of the Botanic that we have built in this organization. present her an award for this generosity, and are left on their own. It certainly makes a over town. I just love it! Garden and we oversaw the development of If I could be a tree, I would want to be she asked me to accept it on her behalf. difference with owner care. Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Beautiful also takes this new downtown park. We would tour the the perfect tree that would have different Over the years, I had the opportunity to Beautiful makes an effort to educate people. a hand in the intelligence regarding the property and advise on the progress of the flowers throughout the year, grafted from be involved with many of the large estates in We would leave flyers and ask them if they placement of certain trees. The Tipuana tipu plantings and design. all the species I love. The blooming trees Montecito. I did these garden tours for some wanted a tree planted and explain the care. that we put on the island at West Carrillo It’s remarkable how people who have so appeal to me. I am really fickle and fifteen years under Pearl Chase’s auspices. This was an effort mounted for parkway and San Andreas Streets, will grow into not had a long history in Santa Barbara so I would be a combination of many Through these I met many large estate trees, which is really a function of the city. a huge specimen, which requires ample have come here and thrown themselves trees. Beginning with the Cassia, golden owners including Mrs. Steadman of Casa del Since municipal efforts are spread so thin, space. They do not belong in more cramped into the organization and helping. We are medallion tree, which is so gorgeous now. Herrero. I remember her asking me to move we attempted to garner cooperation from quarters, where you will sometimes find enriched by a diversity of people working When that fades the floss silk trees come in, a full-grown yew tree to Mrs. Dupont’s the homeowner, to inform them a tree was them. How plants are spaced can make a together. We even have a second generation Chorisia speciosa and then the yellow floss estate. We had to box it up and deliver the coming and encourage its care. The olive significant difference. associating themselves, such as Jacqueline silk tree. These have a nice yellow center gift to Amy Dupont, who lived at the estate, tree in particular is one that the resident Education is so important. I taught a Dyson, whose mother Helen Dyson was on and then the flower turns brown, which later which was later owned by Burl Ives, and is either likes or vehemently dislikes. On gardening class at SB Adult Education for the board for many years. becomes a mahogany color. When these located at East Valley Road and Buena Vista Olive Street in particular, there are residents 42 years. I meet ladies on the street who In terms of the future of Santa Barbara fade the Dombeya cauacina, with electric

38 39 NORMAN KING

SBB President, 1999 & 2000

n 1996, I was a resident on the communication between neighbors that Westside of Santa Barbara. Interested improved neighborhood security. in making safety improvements to my This Valerio Street project is ten years neighborhood and revitalization of old now and has been kept up by the theI street and open space, I contacted the neighborhood ever since. Not long ago, Westside Community Organization. It was someone drove by attempting to dump off then that I was pointed toward Santa Barbara an old mattress. Kids playing nearby took Beautiful and, specifi cally, the city arborist, issue with this and reacted by writing down Dan Condon. After a call to Dan and a the license number of the person to tell their timely response, I was able to meet with parents to contact the authorities! That is him and, through his help, formulate a plan the power of this process to instill pride of for improving a three block area on West ownership. Pruning Valerio Street. Dan was also a board member By the end of the project, I was so by Johanna Herrick of Santa Barbara Beautiful and he suggested impressed with Santa Barbara Beautiful’s I prune my lime tree that I attend a board meeting where I could ability to inspire these changes in our under the luminous moon personally present my proposal. The board neighborhood, that I decided to become of early evening. The citrus graciously listened to my presentation and an active supporter of the organization smell of broken leaves voted to put the organization’s full support and soon after joined the board. As a third- is pungent and wonderful. behind it. generation Santa Barbaran, I felt this was an I know the cutting will make Though appreciative of their funding, I ideal way to give back to a community that the tree stronger, more beautiful. was most taken by the personal commitment has so enriched my life. It trusts me and responds to the pain, of the board members themselves once the The turn of the century would prove to for already, even the order of shaping project began. For instance, on the initial be a challenging time for the organization has produced a different mood for us; day of our neighborhood clean-up and tree due to dwindling membership and lack of the discarded sprigs on the ground planting, the fi rst volunteer on the scene with funding. In 1998 we had to let go of our only ring the tree like a variegated lime lei, gloves in hand was Bruce Van Dyke, the paid employee, Patsy Brock, due to fi nancial my offering to this faithful tree, president of Santa Barbara Beautiful. Bruce, constraints. This was a heartbreaking my promise that things will change along with Dan, a working crew, and several decision, after many years of her faithful between us. other board members, showed up to ensure service as administrator/secretary and As I pause in the process—breathe, the project’s success. Through the process beloved public liaison and mentor. Without observe, feel--- of carrying out this project, I learned how her skills, the function and future of the I encounter the tree, ceasing responsive a neighborhood can be if one organization would be completely defi ned to be an “it” and transforming into acts as a catalyst to initiate change. by volunteerism. Buber’s “Thou.” On the day that we had the fi rst tree I had not known that Dan Condon put In this new, reciprocal relationship, planting, we had over 30 people turn out, forward my name to an organization called we move toward holiness, the tree including kids as young as 7 years old, as ReLeaf California for a competition and I and I, well as teens and older people, and we put was selected to become a “Tree Hero” for as I whisper, “You, tree.” on a BBQ to celebrate. As a neighborhood my work as the catalyst for the Valerio working together, within three months we had Street project in 1997. But this title paled in planted over 50 trees and shrubs, converted comparison to what I considered the heroism eyesores to open space, created parkways of those people who rallied to support the on curb-less streets by arranging partition organization in its time of need. One of stones and strategically planted trees. We these people was Jacqueline Dyson, who also landscaped and mulched two blocks volunteered her strong organizational skills along a railroad frontage, and petitioned for and public relations talents to fi ll a crucial and received new street lighting, bolstering gap after Patsy’s departure. Jacqueline’s

41 considerable contribution of time, energy, Her vision gave larger purpose to my own enthusiasm, and new ideas helped to turn initial idea to become involved. This vision Santa Barbara Beautiful around at a critical sprouted in me and I have been able to time and continues to be a significant benefit contribute to this larger purpose. If I were to to the organization. somehow evolve into a tree in the landscape, Another person who went far beyond and I could make a choice, I would become the required parameters of his position was an apple tree, and further the Johnny Apple Warren Wentink, a long time member of the Seed legacy spreading trees and nature’s board. Warren had been an active advocate bounty around. for cleaning up graffiti and enforcing In reviewing my years, the privilege of ordinances on street signs and had just taken working with fine people on the board who over the position of treasurer. Due to a flood have such a sense of community and have in the building where our more recent records given so much, has been personally inspiring. were stored, the last two years’ financial It is good to have such an association in records were destroyed. Warren came to your life of people who are so dedicated and the aid of the organization by rebuilding focused on serving others. They are like an accurate records step by step from piecing extended family. As a composer, I actually together hundreds of bits of information wrote a song for Santa Barbara Beautiful and double and triple checking every entry. graders, tree planting and landscape projects clean it up with help of neighbors and do the that might be appropriate for our annual He had to recover records like a detective, at local schools, and creative instructional planting and put it back on the map again. awards ceremonies at some point. I would visiting banks and piecing together details projects developed by the teachers We decided to invigorate our annual like to record it for the organization to have for well over a year. We did our own audit themselves that involved board members, awards banquet ceremonies by adding a copy. The lyrics are as follows: eventually. No telling what this might have parents, and even State Assembly members live music and introducing multi-media cost. He did it completely in his spare time and our U.S. Representative. presentations of the winning projects, making Beautiful as a labor of love. New member Mark Whitehurst, them a more enjoyable social affair and a Lyrics by Norman King In 1999 I was elected president of Santa publisher of CASA Magazine, began public interest event. This renovation has Plant a tree Barbara Beautiful. During my tenure as including Santa Barbara Beautiful activities made the awards ceremony an increasingly This forest started with a dream, sow president, our goal for the organization and full-color spreads of annual award popular local event, promoting community the seeds was to foster a greater sense of interest and winning projects, and the new tree tours. pride by acknowledging outstanding of this vision and you will see ownership within the community and to Maria McCall, a multi-talented board projects in the areas of landscape and how the sense of community provide accessible means for residents to member who coordinated activities for the architectural design that enhance the beauty can grow in this garden green take an active role in the stewardship of the Carrillo Recreation Center, developed the of the city. We also introduced the Heritage Plant a tree ongoing beautification of their community. idea of spring and fall tree tours as a vehicle Oak Lifetime Achievement award (Dick Take away cities dull and gray, To accomplish this goal, we realized that for appreciation of our city and a promotional Riffero 1999, Bud Bottoms 2000) and the make it green greater public awareness was pivotal. This tool for Santa Barbara Beautiful. These tours Jacaranda Award for Community Service where colors blossom then breathe led us to embark on a number of new public were particularly popular, primarily due to (Dan Condon 2000). the air that’s clean awareness projects that involved young and Dan Condon’s informative and entertaining Visitors and residents alike can easily It begins when you plant a tree old participants, including the following: commentary. take the lush beauty and unique environment We knew we needed a website, but it In 2000, we planted the 8,000th street of Santa Barbara for granted, as if it just And people will cross the earth, the was not one of Santa Barbara’s new high- tree, promoting our joint-venture urban forest happened this way. But we owe this Eden sky tech residents who came to our aid, but revitalization program with the City of Santa – developed from a relatively barren To see this dream made real Molly Barbey, one of the organization’s Barbara. Another plan, from long-term board landscape – to the foresight and vigilant And they’ll call our home beautiful longest standing members and part of the member Jeanette Bush Carpenter and Linda efforts of those visionaries who came before Keep this beauty growing still “old school” who enthusiastically adopted Clough of Looking Good Santa Barbara, was us. As beneficiaries of this beautiful and Like the children who’ll play this project as benefactor and employed her to create the Neighborhood Pride program diverse landscape, we need to realize that ‘neath the shade that we’ve made son, Tom Barbey, as project webmaster who that coordinated neighborhood clean up this dream can only be sustained through bearing visions of their own worked with Jacqueline Dyson to develop and landscaping projects for renovation and the ongoing efforts of the members of the with the hope instilled the site’s content and layout. renewal and to empower citizens to take community itself. When Catherine Adams by our promise fulfilled We instigated elementary school an active role in their area. One of these founded Santa Barbara Beautiful, her goal in this dream that they’ll call home educational programs to promote awareness projects was Sylvan Park on Alameda Padre was to create an organized approach to And we’ll call our home beautiful, and stewardship of the urban forest by our Serra. This was a small park that had been sustaining this labor of love and empower Santa Barbara, next generation. These projects included the overlooked and become rundown since the city and community to promote the Beautiful National Arbor Day poster contest for fifth it was built in the 1920s. We were able to growth of this dream long into the future.

42 43 MARK WHITEHURST

SBB President, 2001, 2002, & 2003

have always had a long-term interest be one of them. This local couple has gifted in community beautifi cation projects us in perpetuity. and being in the newspaper business Another gift, Jacqueline Dyson’s full- and seeing the Santa Barbara time volunteer involvement, changed the BeautifulI press releases inspired me. Since dynamic of Santa Barbara Beautiful. She this organization offered a forum for my joined just prior to my coming on board as Interests, I joined them in 1997. I was invited Vice President. Norman King was President, to be a board member by Norman King, and and she became very dedicated and devoted I served as fi rst- and second Vice President a good deal of time assisting many activities, and then was elected president in 2001. including the annual awards banquet. I was involved in a few planting projects Norman and I were so pleased to have her. and came to the board meetings, and was This has become her special project. As a A Blessing for the Woods active to the same extent that the board volunteer, you could not ask for anything By Michael S. Glaser was active. At that time our projects were more. Someone who loves the organization “Before I leave, almost stimulated by city arborist Dan Condon, and has the interests of the organization at without noticing, who would get requests from neighborhoods heart is priceless. She threw herself into it before I cross the road for trees and plantings. He conveyed this and that improved our profi le. The public and head toward information to the board, and we discussed relations had been fairly haphazard. She what I have intentionally it and followed through. The board always pulled things together. By the second year of postponed— said yes. We would then go out and canvass my presidency, she had gotten things quite Let me stop to say a the neighbor-hoods and fi nd out what kind organized. blessing for these of trees they wanted. We did projects such She got Dan Condon organized with his woods: as Santa Cruz Circle, Stanley Drive and tree tours, setting up the calendar, working for crows barking and squirrels scampering, other areas. to recruit people for the tours such as for trees and fungus and About two years before I became active seniors from the Carrillo Recreation multi-colored leaves, president, Patsy Brock, a long-term Center. She also networked to get those for the way sunlight laces secretary /administrator, had sadly been let tours continually growing. In addition, with shadows go, because there were not suffi cient funds she was organized about regular publicity through each branch to pay her and there was some diffi culty information being released. She was really and leaf of tree, being organized with the payroll taxes. As responsible for a number of the successes for these paths that take is often true with non-profi t organizations, we had in connecting to the community. me in, oversight was diffi cult. Shortly after that I It was at that point I suggested we start for these paths that lead was elected President. including automatic memberships whenever me out.” Just prior to this, the Griswold Estate people were involved in our activities, be it bestowed an unsolicited bequest to us. They buying tickets to our tours, a memorial tree, donated a small amount of money and then tree dedication, or whenever they sent money the estate attorney informed us that they our way. So our membership grew, and we were going to pay us a regular amount of were really just tapping into the people who money each year, according to the profi ts were connecting with us. What did it cost that came in from the estate. At the time that us? Just a stamp, and a post card. I think our this happened, we were unaware that one membership had dwindled to 20 plus the of the Griswolds was still alive. When the board, but now it has grown to 120 or 130. other passed away, the disbursement went We are a Santa Barbara organization, and from once a year to twice a year. Eventually we are viewed as a good cause, but getting we learned that the trust contributes to only people activated is a diffi cult thing. a handful of causes and we are fortunate to When I became president, we began a

45 weekly tree column in our CASA Magazine ceremony by ramping up the promotional grasp, and for us to do. Selling that idea was publication. Each week we featured a efforts, advertising more, and adding judges a hard sell because of the amount of politics DESMOND O’NEILL different tree. Bruce Van Dyke helped us to cover more categories and an increase in involved. with this and we have some 200 tree stories the number of award nominees. We went Fond memories of the organization out there. Santa Barbara Beautiful provided from some 10 judges to 25. The number would be Dan’s gift of song. Another is a SBB President, 2004, 2005, & 2006 a grant of $10,000 to the SB Botanic of nominations doubled as a result of the knocking on a door on Stanley Drive asking Garden to assist in the updated publication advertising and the direct mailings that them if we could plant a tree, and having s a long time Parks and matching funds basis. We try to partner of the Trees of Santa Barbara book. So tree Jacqueline put together to the various trades, them give us a check for $500 and telling Recreation commissioner for with local organizations and neighborhood education has been a priority. as well as advertising in the Independent and us how wonderful the organization is. The the city - about twelve years - I associations that can supply manpower and If there was anything special I brought to the Santa Barbara News-Press. camaraderie of the board and the friendships became friendly with Bruce Van security. I think that is the direction that we the table in Santa Barbara Beautiful, it was Norman King added special awards for that have developed are wonderful memories Dyke, Jeff Cope and others. I fi rst served on should be going. When a neighborhood gets to change our vision and create more of a outstanding achievement. The Jacaranda as well. A the City Street Tree Advisory Committee as proud of its appearance, then that is a natural business orientation. We were able to turn Award for Community Service came the I believe that beautifi cation is a part of liaison with the city. About the time I became counter to the mindless vandalism that is too our money situation around and not only year we went to the city council and asked the soul of a community. That is the reason a trustee a SB City College, I became a much a part of our culture. We can be very did the money start to grow, we worked if the jacaranda tree could be the offi cial why I support Santa Barbara Beautiful, and member of Santa Barbara Beautiful’s board effective in partnership in this fashion. You out a long-range planning and budget tree of Santa Barbara. They countered to it is an honor to serve on the board. I have of directors, since I had attended various can go anywhere in this city to see spray- accounting system. The organization had have a native tree, the coastal live oak, continued to serve, currently as treasurer. board meetings and I decided to make it painted walls or planted trees that someone been operating out of its checkbook for 35 Quercus agrifolia, included. So we rolled If I could choose to be a tree, it would offi cial since I was already working on a uprooted thinking it was fun. I abhor this! years. We had never had a budget. There with it and made them both the offi cial city be a jacaranda tree. It was an interesting “We build on foundations, number of issues that were important to the Another thing, which Looking Good had been a balance sheet and it was more trees. It upped our profi le with the city. So coincidence that Dan Condon overtly and we did not lay. organization. Santa Barbara has addressed, is cleaning up of a profi t and loss situation, than looking we created the Heritage Oak Award for covertly planted more jacarandas in the We warm ourselves at fi res, Why president? Isn’t the standard the city. For a city which ought to have a at money as a long- range tool, projecting Lifetime Achievement and the Jacaranda city than anyone knew. I had spent a couple we did not light. answer that no one else wanted the job? I great deal of pride, where there are so many expenses and projects for at least a year into Award for Community Service, to go with of years teaching in Australia after I got We sit in the shade of trees, believe I was First Vice President under beautiful features, I cannot understand how the future. So I suggested that we operate our two offi cial trees. The other thing that I out of college. I signed a contract with the we did not plant. Mark Whitehurst. I would like to get some people can walk down the street and throw with a plan and a committee responsible for would lay a claim to was adding the annual government in Queensland. There is a city We drink from wells, we did new board members working with us, since a McDonald’s wrapper just anyplace, and the budget. That was three years ago. That award for public art. I thought it was very called Grafton there, where perhaps 80% of not dig. the smaller the board, the more diffi cult it is yet I see it all the time! Yes, Santa Barbara was monumental, because as the money important that the organization move a bit the city is planted in jacaranda trees. They We profi t from persons, we to keep it going. Beautiful supports Looking Good Santa grew, people could see where it was going away from foliage to other beautifi cation have an annual festival called the Jacaranda do not know. Jacqueline Dyson does a lot of good and Barbara. and making plans for how we were going projects, like public art. It was appropriate Festival with art, boat races, athletic events, We are ever bound in she is an absolutely indispensable worker. Homemade signs are another issue that to spend money meant that more projects that we broaden our thinking. The public bands and music, and the whole town is just community.” New board members bring more energy and detracts from the beauty of our environment. were done. In fact, we have not been able art award and the organization’s budget purple from these jacaranda blossoms. I — Peter Raible fresh ideas for what is possible. Both Dick Riffero and I go around and to spend the money fast enough! That is the were a gift from me, and everything else we went to that festival and it was the fi rst time Since receiving the gift of the Griswold remove signs people nail to trees, telephone challenge we are working with right now. accomplished was a group effort. This has I had come into contact with these trees, Trust, the responsibility of deciding where poles and whatever else they can affi x them I was dedicated to and supported always been a quality board. The number being from Des Moines, Iowa, and it was these funds can be most benefi cial, is a to. People do not even have a right to put upgrading public relations and also worked of different talents working together is unbelievable. So when Dan Condon made pure pleasure. Picking the projects and up these signs and then they are thoughtless to improve how the annual awards were excellent. The key is activating people. the suggestion to the city that we adopt the coming to the city with projects and funding about taking them down. The last time I got presented. The actual banquet itself had been We had a grandiose plan when I fi rst jacaranda as our city tree, I was pleased and beautifi cation projects is great work. More quoted in the newspaper, I recalled how one meeting at the Radisson Hotel for several came in as president that we were going to thought that would be a nice side light to a people should get in on that. Saturday morning I walked home from my years. We needed a change of venue and to improve upon the urban forest, and make wonderful city that has palm trees, especially Goleta Valley Beautiful is a much offi ce, which is about two miles across the improve the overall focus of the ceremony. it an offi cial designation, but that kind of at the time of year when these trees are wild more hands-on organization, much more Westside. In the course of that walk, while There were some skeptics about spending disappeared in time. The city has an idea of in bloom! Æ physically active; and, of course, has I did not get every little sign, I took down the money on this, but it has proven a good where and what the city looks like on a map, been around much less time as they are a seventy- two signs, some of which had been move. So changing location to the Montecito in terms of what trees have been planted, newer community. GVB have a lot more up for four months! Country Club was accomplished. We also but there was no plan fi ve, ten, fi fteen years people mobilized to help with activities and People appreciate what Santa Barbara changed the presentation from slides into a into the future as to what to do to sustain plantings, and there is a lot still to do there. Beautiful does, and we continue to support Power Point format. The actual awards also that and improve it. That was one of the We used to have tree planting parties as they beautifi cation. Buying trees for the city to changed, and Jacqueline was very involved big problems with the view ordinance, do now. I would like to get more people plant has been a major part of our activities in these changes and in fi nding Leslee which came in during that period of time. involved and once again do some projects, all along, and we maintain a good working Sipress to do professional hand calligraphy The city council had not talked to a lot of In terms of accomplishments, I am relationship with the city. We also award to personalize each of them. We improved organizations and we asked that they put proud to say that we have managed to homeowners for outstanding beautifi cation the quality of paper they were on, so that together an urban forest plan, before they fund more projects than in previous years. efforts - monthly as well as annually. We what we were presenting was high caliber. approve a view ordinance. The urban forest Good civic improvement projects on a hold an annual awards celebration and We also increased the scope of the whole concept was too comprehensive for them to

46 47 this generates publicity and well-earned sidewalks are just a temporary measure, Something I consider an area for our recognition for the creative people receiving and a potentially hazardous solution at best. organization to work on is rekindling the idea COURTNEY SEEPLE them in the various categories. This allows I wrote a long letter with my opinion as a of trying to hook up with local high schools. us reach out to various segments of the street tree commissioner, which they were They have a mandatory public service community. We had a very successful apparently not interested in printing. requirement for students. I would also like SBB President, 2007 & 2008 annual awards celebration this year. It has Unfortunately, historically developers in to get some input into the SB City College built nicely over the years. We also have a lot of newer residential areas in the city Green Gardener Program, which educates spent most of my life in San Francisco, in architecture as in natural beauty. I was Arbor Day ceremonies and Tree City USA would put in whatever grew quickly, such landscaping and gardening professionals on in the Bay Area. I’m a seventh interested in recognizing and promoting Proclamations from City Council and we get a Ficus, Pittosporum or pepper trees. They how to garden with ecological responsibility. generation Californian on both sides. I community beautifi cation and the individuals as much attention as I believe we deserve. would frequently put them into the same We could invite people from that program have some family roots here, although who create it or participate in it. I am looking forward to the Ten Thousand hole as the waterline, which would later to our lunch meetings, perhaps support I didn’t grow up here. I did have some One thing that attracted me in particular Trees milestone ceremony in Spring 2005, show up as root trouble in the pipes. That and reward their work and build important I grandparents who were brought up in Santa was the SBB Annual Awards, going on now which will be great for publicizing the work has changed, but we are still living with the relationships. Barbara; one of my uncles was the fi rst Fire for some forty years, as a way of honoring of this organization. We have done good results of some of this. In my capacity as The guys who grew up around trees Chief in Montecito. people who create the beauty of Santa things and I am not so modest that I don’t a street tree commissioner, every month we and who know many trees by their fi rst I come from a background a little Barbara. see any reason that we shouldn’t get credit get eight or ten requests for tree removals. names are endlessly fascinating to me. It is different from some past presidents of SBB. During my presidency we held the for it. My vision is that we should just keep This is for street trees as well as for 10-15 a pleasure working with them, not just for My university education at UCLA was in Annual Awards at the Lobero Theater doing the good work we are doing. Focusing foot setbacks onto private property. The their tree judgment and wisdom. They are Urban Planning. Eventually, I became a (2007) and last year (2008) at the newly on continuity and attracting new members average person may not know this, but there wonderful people! Dick Riffero has some When I Am Among The Trees property developer. remodeled Granada Theater. Both theaters will create this. are tree surgeons who do know. Enforcement rough edges on him, but his heart is in the By Mary Oliver I decided to semi-retire about ten years are two of the most beautiful, note-worthy Most people seem to take trees for can be spotty. Dick Riffero and I will turn in right place. Bruce Van Dyke is a prince of a When I am among the ago and was fortunate to live just about and historic buildings in the United States. granted. This would be a very different place unauthorized tree removals. A lady named fellow. You could not ask for a better person. trees, anywhere. It made a lot of sense for Alix, And to have them both in a town the size of without trees! If you look at photographs of Kathi Ann Brown has several times thrown Besides which, he was one of the original especially the willows and my wife, and I to come here – because of Santa Barbara it was an honor for me to be the city from the last half of the nineteenth her body in front of a chainsaw to save a SB City College faculty members. Dan the honey locust, my roots here, and because my two children part of these events and to promote them. century, you would appreciate what trees tree! She is invaluable in terms of what Condon was “Mr. Tree” as was Dave Gress. equally the beech, the attended UCSB. It’s always been one of my Another thing that attracted me to SBB have meant. In the early photographs, you she sees and what she reports. We have a These are generous, knowledgeable people. oaks and the pines, favorite places. was that out of all the local non-profi t see oaks, sycamores, chaparral brush and listing over the last 2 years of about sixty Other people I have associated with such as they give off such hints of We came here with really nothing so to “environmental organizations” SBB is one little else. The problem is that we, I mean violations. If we prove they are willful, the Bob Cunningham of Arcadia Studios, and gladness. speak, except a love for the town and an of the oldest. One of its primary goals is collectively the city and all the people who people responsible are fi ned. Most people Carol Bornstein and Nancy Johnson of the I would almost say that appreciation of its beauty. We immediately planting trees. Trees are important to the have worked over a century, have been don’t realize that on private property in Botanic Garden. We recently helped the they save me, and daily. started to fi nd an opportunity to build environment as pollution fi ghters to combat almost too successful in bringing in a lot of the setback, they are subject to the city’s Botanic Garden fund the publication of their I am so distant from the a house here. Coming from a builder/ global warming and giving us the air we diverse trees and keeping them thriving. To jurisdiction. updated and revised book Trees of Santa hope of myself, developer background we bought a lot that breathe. By the end of my presidency, SBB the point where many people take them for To a lot of people, trees are trouble: Barbara. That has been a good project. in which I have goodness, had all the permits and approvals, made had planted over 11,000 city street trees. granted, assuming they have always been Fallen leaves, falling fruit, interference with There have been a lot of really good and discernment, some minor design changes, built the house The world has lost far too many trees, but it there. They don’t even ask where they came sewer lines, and more. I am convinced that people involved in this organization. and never hurry through and it ended up winning the 2000 Award for takes money to replant them. from, and expect them to go on forever... there are a substantial number of people in If I were a tree, I would choose to be a the world Single Family Residence. One accomplishment by the end of my It has nothing to do with Santa Barbara the city who would happily take out all the fruit tree, something useful. Being a shade but walk slowly, and bow At that point I was really inspired. I term was an increase in fi nancial reserves. Beautiful, but the controversy that the Santa trees, just to save themselves the trouble of tree is fi ne, and being a rare specimen is often. found out about Santa Barbara Beautiful. I We also increased the number of SBB Barbara News-Press has jumped into with caring for them. And of course there are some also good. However, the idea of being fruit- Around me the trees stir in had been involved in a similar organization funded community beautifi cation projects. I the Ficus trees on upper State Street is an trees that you would not want as a neighbor, bearing appeals to me, perhaps a pear tree or their leaves in San Francisco, San Francisco Beautiful was quite proud of the number and variety example of people taking a situation for fruiting olives, the Ficus, and others. It is a some variety of citrus. I love citrus, and the and call out, “Stay awhile.” (SFB.) At the time their major effort was of funded projects during my term. It felt granted. Oh my, they are going to cut those constant challenge to care for trees. scent of the blossoms is a lovely bonus. Æ The light fl ows from their preserving the cable cars, and it required a good being part of the organization. Ficus trees down! Well trees have a lifespan, If there was one important message branches. lot of major funding. We expanded our range of funded and sooner or later those trees are going to be I could get out to the general public, it is And they call again, “It’s I have always had a major appreciation projects into creek clean-up and public gone. The Ficus species was a bad choice for “Value your trees.” The urban forest is not simple,” they say, of the beauty of nature and trees, but also for landscape beautifi cation. We expanded and a street tree anyway, and most people who just a turn of phrase. It is what makes this “and you too have come the people who create the physical beauty of developed the relationship with the City of have to live with them would just as soon they area so beautiful. This forest occasionally into the world to do this, to a community and help protect it. Santa Barbara to provide funding combined were gone tomorrow, if not yesterday. Here makes a mess with fallen leaves and fallen go easy, to be fi lled I saw in SBB an opportunity. One of my with their manpower on city properties to the News-Press prints columns defending fruit, but trees quietly act as “calming” with light, and to shine.” goals was to continue in the tradition of one restore city parks, creeks, and landscapes. the wonderful trees. All that was happening elements to slow down traffi c, and they are particular past president, John Pitman, who We helped fund the restoration of San Roque was an orderly replacement program so that important sources of both shade and cooling. was an architect and design professional Creek at Stevens Park and did some work at all of them would not die together. I wish the There are areas of the city that would be ten in the community. I was just as interested Sycamore Creek on the eastside. city had not backed down on this. Rubber degrees warmer if it weren’t for the trees.

48 49 During my term as president we partnered Award winning Cota Street Studios designed with the city on the “Summer Parks and by local architect Jeff Shelton. We’re so Forestry Youth Apprentice Program” lucky to have individuals like that. that sponsored at-risk youth to learn tree One project we couldn’t bring to fruition planting and the importance of trees in the was to create a funding vehicle to maintain environment. Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden. Past We supported a much-needed city project president Grant Castleberg, who created For The Tree-Lovers on State Street “Deep Root Tree Watering the original landscape design, and his wife Program.” Some of the street trees in the Anne-Marie have tried hard to fi nd a way to by Barry Spacks State Street corridor were not able to get increase the level of funding to maintain and A man fell in love with an Ironwood tree, properly fertilized and didn’t have deep renovate the garden. It’s one of the special hugged her where she (motionlessly) roots to reach water because of the asphalt parks in the city; a special place. endured his passion, as if she might say and hardscape surfaces. Our organization doesn’t have a lot We also developed a strong relationship of members but we’re fortunate to have “Dude, it will never work, we haven’t with the local schools to celebrate Arbor an active group of board members that anywhere enough in common, Day by helping the children plant trees on understand what SBB is all about. SBB is 2005: 10,000 Tree Dedication Poem you with your leap-about monkey-mind by Barry Spacks, Poet Laureate school property. an all volunteer non-profi t, and I’ve enjoyed My immediate past president predecessors working with the fellow board members, and me with a sap-fl ow like humming.” established, and I was able to continue, SBB particularly Jacqueline Dyson, who has In this folktale I’m inventing, a woman support of Art in Public Places – not only been a spark plug for SBB. We’re fortunate marries a tree, clears up its leaves as an annual award category, but also as a to have strong ideas, clear ideas. Volunteers focus of project grants. We cooperated with are what’s special about Santa Barbara. waters its roots and glories to see the County Arts Commission on the “Whale I always solicited ideas from the board, its great spring-summer burgeoning. Watch Project” at Arroyo Burro Beach. I but sometimes I would sit down, usually It made, she felt, the best of husbands: believe this expansion of our support into twice a year, with a couple of city department public art is very important. heads and sometimes with members of the silent except in storms of wind, Another accomplishment during my city council and ask them what areas are rooted fi rm to be leaned upon, term was the introduction of a new Special neglected that we could help with. That’s and never tempted to sneak down an alley Award, the Playa de Santa Barbara Award also where some ideas came from. for Environmental Stewardship, presented If I could be a tree I’d be an Oak tree. I though naked at the Annual Awards (2007). The fi rst Playa know other SBB presidents have chosen it. and willing to burn. de SB award was presented to the non- The Coast Live Oak is one of our offi cial City trees, caring for us profi t organization Heal the Ocean-Hillary city street trees. SBB gives the Heritage Hauser, executive director. Oak Award for Lifetime Achievement. It’s with green and bloom and needlessness, The following year (2008) I was pleased such a special tree. The silhouettes of a lot street after shaded street yielding to present the Heritage Oak Award for of the oaks in this community are so special. a sort of saintedness, as if Lifetime Achievement to William Mahan I hope we can preserve them in the urban they quietly crooned to us in our rush: AIA., an amazing guy. forest and within the California landscape. “There, there, busy-ones...breathe!” 2005: Mayor Marty Blum; City council member Brian One of my favorite community funded SBB is behind that completely. Æ Barnwell, City council member Iya Falcone, City Arborist projects is the recently completed total & SBB past president David Gress, and SBB President Des O’Neill at the 10,000th Tree Planting at City Hall renovation of the beautiful Granada Theater. It was the winner of the 2008 President’s Barry Spacks, City of Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Award. on the occasion of the planting of the I also appreciate the Riviera Business 10,000th City Street Tree Park restoration project at the old historic UCSB Riviera Campus. The city has done a great job as well as the owner/developer Michael Towbes preserving it as a unique environment. Imagine, even a movie theater right in the middle of a residential community; it’s a special place. 2005: 10,000 Tree Commemorative Plaque Another special creative and artistic property development is the SBB Annual

50 51 Santa Barbara Beautiful Past Presidents 1966 – 2018

R. Peter Krupsczak Rosemary Reed January – June 1966 1988 & 1989

John Pitman Howard Hudson July – December 1966 1990 & 1991

James A. “Bud” Bottoms Rosalind Rea Gies (Amorteguy) 1967 1992 & 1993

Max L. Feldman David Gress 1968 1994, 1995 & 1996

David Lloyd Bruce Van Dyke 1969 & 1970 1997 & 1998

Grant Castleberg Norman King 1971 1999 & 2000

Dunckley Murray Mark Whitehurst 1972 2001, 2002 & 2003

Elizabeth H. Ramser Desmond O’Neill January – August 1973 2004, 2005 & 2006

Barbara Landis Courtney Seeple 1973 & 1974 2007 & 2008

Luba Carleton Kerry Methner 1975 2009 & 2010

Ken Taylor Ginny Brush 1976 2011

Walter Barrows Robert F. Adams 1977 2012

H. George Kallusky Christie Gallagher 1978 & 1979 2013

Mary Lou Jacobsen (Schmidt) Kate Kurlas 1980 2014

Orval Bond Jeanette Casillas 1981 2015

Ronald McGurer Ricardo Castellanos 1982 & 1983 2016

Dan Condon JoAnn Mermis 1984 & 1985 2017

Richard Riffero Jacqueline Dyson 1986 & 1987 2018

53 Moments in SBB History 1965 – 2008 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

Catherine Adams, SBB Founding Member

Miss Pearl Chase, SBB Founding Member

1965: City Hall Founding Meeting

1981: Annual Awards Ceremony Tribute to Catherine Adams Circa 1950s: Catherine Adams

54 55 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

1970: Tree Planting with Pearl Chase

1967: Bud Bottoms Elected President of SBB Board

1976: Betty Ford Letter

56 57 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

1977: Pearl Chase, Catherine Adams, and Walter Barrows

1978: Lotusland Tour

1977: Tree Planting on Chapala Street

1978: Street Tree Plan Map

1978: Street Tree Fundraiser Campaign Ad

58 59 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

1979: SBB Fundraiser – $50K donation puts tree drive over the top

1979: SBB Spring Newsletter

60 61 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

1980s Arbor Day Celebration

1980’s: Dick Riffero and Henry Bauernschmidt

1981: Lady Bird Johnson Letter

1979: Arco gives $5k donation to beautifi cation

62 63 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

1986: Article by Bruce Van Dyke about the hibiscus, Santa Barbara’s offi cial fl ower

2001: Offi cial City Trees Designation

1986: Tree Planting in the News-Press

1990 Board of Directors Front: Patsy Brock; Howard Hudson, president; Dorothy Brubeck Middle: Helen Dyson; Rosalind Rea Gies; Sophie Schnitter; Cynthia Heyer; UNK; UNK; Betty Humphreys Back: Richard “Dick” Riffero; Alea Cunningham; Sam Salerio; UNK; Dan Condon; Bruce Van Dyke; Henry Bauernschmidt; Norma Gallagher; 2004: Awards Invitation 2003: SBB Past President Dick Riffero (1986 Mary Lou Jacobsen-Schmidt & 1987) dancing with SBB Past President JoAnn Mermis (2017) on his 90th birthday at the Montecito Country Club

64 65 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

2004: SBB Past Presidents Norman King, Dan Condon, Mark Whitehurst at the 2004 Holiday Party at Moby Dick Restaurant 2005: Awards – Bud Bottoms & Huell Howser 2005: Awards – Ralph Waterhouse, Des O’Neill, & Huell Howser

2004: Spring Tree Tour conducted by Dan Condon 2005: Awards – Des O’Neill and SBB 2004: Cold Spring School Arbor 2005: Awards – Past President Rosalind Amorteguy, Past President Mary Lou Jacobsen Day Poster Contest Winner SBB President Des O’Neill, & Huell Howser Schmidt

2005: Awards – City Arts Advisory Committee Chair 2006: Awards – Huell Howser and artist Ray Strong Leon Olson created the Business in Art Award and presented the fi rst ever award to CASA Magazine. 2004: Harding Elementary 2004: Adams Elementary 2004: Franklin Elementary School On stage Mark Whitehurst & Kerry Methner, CASA School Arbor Day Poster Contest School Arbor Day Poster Contest Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner Magazine; Des O’Neill, SBB President; & Leon Olson. Winner Winner

66 67 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

CELEBRATING TEN THOUSAND TREES A beautiful partnership between Santa Barbara Beautiful and Santa Barbara City Parks & The Fo∑t√-fir∂t Annuµl Recreation Department began in 1976 with the planting of a King Palm near what is now Paseo Nuevo on Chapala Street. Together they achieved the milestone of planting the 10,000th street tree (ten thousand!) on April 26, 2005, with the goal of planting all empty tree wells in the city. Sµnta Bµ∑bµrµ Beµutiful Santa Barbara Beautiful is an organization of volunteers dedicated to beautifying our area in a variety of ways, not only by working independently but also by cooperating with city departments, neighborhood organizations, and other agencies. Formed in 1965 by concerned civic leaders, Santa Awµrd∂ Pre∂entµtion Barbara Beautiful is a non-political, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation and contributions are tax-deductible. Sundµy, September 25, 2005 • Lobero Theµter

SANTA BARBARA BEAUTIFUL PAST PRESIDENTS R. Peter Krupsczak • John Pitman • James “Bud” Bottoms • Max L. Feldman David Lloyd • Grant Castleberg • Dunckley Murray • Elizabeth H. Ramser Barbara Landis • Luba Carleton • Ken Taylor • Walter Barrow H. George Kallusky • Mary Lou Jacobsen • Orville Bond • Ronald McGurer Dan Condon • Richard Riffero • Rosemary Reed • Howard Hudson Rosalind Rea Gies • David Gress • Bruce Van Dke • Norman King • Mark Whitehurst

SANTA BARBARA BEAUTIFUL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Penelope Bianchi • Jeanette Carpenter • Jeff Cope • Inge Crowder • Glores Cutler Helen Dyson (in memoriam) • Jacqueline Dyson • David Gress • Howard Hudson David Jacoby • Patti Jacquemain • Maria Elena McCall • Suzanne Mellichamp Jo Ann Mermis • Kerry Methner • Desmond O’Neill • Richard Riffero Courtney Seeple • Carol Terry • Maury Treman • Bruce Van Dyke Diane Waterhouse • Mark Whitehurst

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE OAK GROUP The OAK Group is an organization of environmentally conscious landscape painters rooted in 2007: SB Beautiful Past Presidents David Gress, Bruce Van Dyke, Bud Bottoms, 2007: Awards – David Gress and Heritage conservation, reaching out to the community through exhibition and education. Its mission is to preserve, protect, and celebrate our natural heritage. Mark Whitehurst, & Des O’Neill Oak Award Recipient Bruce Van Dyke Members include: Meredith Abbott, Whitney Abbott, Donald Archer, Joseph Areno, Marcia Burtt, Chris Chapman, Patricia Chidlaw, John Comer, Bill Dewey, Michael Drury, Erika Edwards, Mike Enriquez, Karen Foster, Karen Gruszka, Glenna Hartmann, John Iwerks, Larry Iwerks, Manny Lopez, Hank Pitcher, William Roberts, Rick Schloss, Skip Smith, Ray Strong, Arturo Tello, Thomas Van Stein, and Sarah Vedder.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO HUELL HOWSER Santa Barbara Beautiful is honored to present Huell Howser, producer and host of “California’s Gold,” as the special guest and keynote speaker at our 2005 Awards Ceremony. Huell has long considered Santa Barbara to be one of the most beautiful locales in the state and we welcome him with warmth, affection, and gratitude.

www.sbbeautiful.org • (805) 965-8867 Michael Drury, “Big Tree at Wilcox,” oil, 20"x24"

2005: Awards Invitation Front & Back

Hank Pitcher: “Coreopsis at Point Conception,” 2003, oil on canvas, 60" x 68" Marcia Burtt: “Summer, Bird Refuge” acrylic, 23" x 39" Courtesy of Sullivan Goss You µre cordiµlly invited to attend the 41∂t annual Sµnta Bµ∑bµrµ Beµutiful - Celebrµting 10,000 Tree∂ AWARDS PRESENTATION Honoring Community Beautification Efforts and Featuring September 25, 2005 Huell How∂er Lobero Theater 4:00-5:00 p.m. Courtyard Reception with Huell Howser 5:00 p.m. Presentation of Awards – Special Guest Huell Howser 33 E. CANON PERDIDO STREET SANTA BARBARA

$40 PER PERSON*: COURTYARD 2007: SB Beautiful Board of Directors: (Front Row) Diane Waterhouse, David Jacoby, Suzanne RECEPTION Mellichamp, Patti Jacquemain, Jacqueline Dyson, Carol Terry, and Karen Christman. & AWARDS (Second Row) David Gress, Maury Treman, and Des O’Neill $20 PER PERSON: (Third Row) Andrew Wyatt, Mark Whitehurst, Christie Gallagher, Vickie Hawks, 2007: Awards Lobero Kiosk AWARDS ONLY SBB President Courtney Seeple, Ginny Brush, and Ricardo Castellanos

*INCLUDES ONE-YEAR MEMBERSHIP (Back Row) Robert F. Adams, Kerry Methner, and Charlie Kelly RSVP BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2005 John Comer: “Last of Summer, Refugio,” oil, 18”x24" Richard Schloss: “Light in Mission Creek,” oil on canvas, 20”x36”

68 69 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

2007: SBB Board of Directors – (Front Row) Norman King, Suzanne Mellichamp, Bruce Van Dyke, Donnis Galvan, Diane Waterhouse, SBB President Courtney Seeple holding certifi cate, Dick Riffero, Jacqueline Dyson, Carol Terry, Christie Gallagher, Ricardo Castellanos, Recording Secretary Diane Stevens. (Back Row) Robert F. Adams, Des O’Neill, Mike Bush, David Gress, Randy Figgins, Charlie Kelly, Mark Whitehurst, Richard Riffero Jr., and Andrew Wyatt

2008: Awards – Past Presidents Rosalind Amorteguy, Grant Castleberg, Mark Whitehurst, Howard Hudson, Des O’Neill, & Courtney Seeple

2008: Awards – Marquee at the Granada 2007: Dick Riffero’s 94th birthday celebration during a board of directors meeting held at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion

2008: Awards – Inside the Granada with RoadShow Media 2007: Dick Riffero’s 94th birthday certifi cate

70 71 Keepsake Moments in Photos & Clippings

Original Santa Barbara Beautiful Logo Santa Barbara Beautiful �����������������������������W� C������� D� I� W������ Y��� ��������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ���������������������� ���������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� ����������� ������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ������� ������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������

O�� P���������������������� ����������� ���������������������� How Can I Help Keep ��������������������� Santa Barbara Beautiful? ����������������������������������������� Make a Donation, Become a Sponsor, ����������������������� or Leave a Legacy! ��������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� �������������� ������������������� ��������� ���������� �������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������� Santa Barbara Beautiful Brochures Through�������������������������������������������������� the Years 1970-2020 Santa Barbara Beautiful Logo Redesign, 2009 www.sbbeautiful.org

������������� (805) 965-8867 [email protected]

Arbor Day at Local Schools

REV 9/2019

�������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������

����������� �������������������������������������

72 73 History of Santa Barbara Beautiful Trivia Pursuit – SBB Edition

Check all that apply

1. Year SBB Founded 7. Commemorative Trees 12. SBB has donated ° 1965 are located Scholarships to ° 1977 ° City Streets ° Architectural Foundation of SB ° 1980 ° Private Homes ° SBHS MAD Academy ° Public parks ° SBCC Environmental 2. SBB Founder Horticulture ° Catherine Adams 8. SBB State Street Flags fl y during the Month of 13. The 1978-79 SBB Fund Raising ° Pearl Chase ° April Project of $100K+ was for ° Don MacGillivray ° June ° Community clean up 3. Offi cial City Flower ° September ° Public parks ° California Poppy ° Street trees 9. City of Santa Barbara has been ° Hibiscus Tree City USA every year since 14. Name three SBB past presidents ° Rose ° 1977 ° ______4. Offi cial City Street Tree ° 1980 ° ______° Coast Live Oak ° 1999 ° ______° Jacaranda 10. SBB celebrates National Arbor 15. SBB participated in which ° Queen Palm Day by 2017 Parades 5. Annual Awards began ° Planting trees at schools ° Holiday Parade ° 1966 ° Donating a book on trees to ° Old Spanish Days local public libraries ° 1977 ° Summer Solstice ° Donating a book on trees to ° 1980 local school libraries 6. SBB “Walk of Fame” is located 11. SBB has donated along Major Funding to ° Alameda Padre Serra ° Airport Terminal (SBA) ° Cabrillo Boulevard ° Chromatic Gate ° Chapala Street ° Community Arts Workshop (CAW)

ANSWER KEY: (1) 1965 (2) Catherine Adams (3) Hibiscus (4) Coast Live Oak AND Jacaranda (5) 1966 (6) Chapala Street from West Anapamu down to the end of the street (00 Block) (7) City Streets (8) April for National Arbor Day (9) 1980 (10) All of the above (11) All of the above (12) All of the above (13) Street Trees “Putting Down Roots in Santa Barbara” (14) SBB Past Presidents from 1965 to 2006: R. Peter Krupsczak; John Pitman; James “Bud” Bottoms; Max Feldman; David Lloyd; Grant Castleberg; Luba Carleton; Dunckley Murray; Elizabeth H. Ramser; Barbara Landis; Ken Taylor; Walter Barrows; H. George Kallusky; Mary Lou Jacobsen (Schmidt); Orval Bond; Ronald McGurer; Dan Condon; Richard “Dick” Riffero; Rosemary Reed; Howard Hudson; Rosalind Rea Gies Amorteguy-Fendon; David Gress; Bruce Van Dyke; Norman King; Mark Whitehurst; Desmond O’Neill; Courtney Seeple; Kerry Methner; Ginny Brush; Robert F. Adams; Christie Gallagher; Kate Kurlas; Jeanette Casillas; Ricardo Castellanos; JoAnn Mermis; Jacqueline Dyson (15) Holiday Parade & Summer Solstice

75 KEEPING Santa Barbara Beautiful FOR 55 YEARS