“Asphalt over Humans,” “Stolen Land,” and Other Senseless Slogans

By Bonnie Donovan

I have been trying to do my once-a-month “what’s good or happy" column instead of what is so wrong here in Santa Barbara. But it’s impossible sometimes, because our elected officials continue doing or saying dumb things.

For instance, the slogan “Asphalt over Humans” that Council member Kristen Sneddon recently used to justify misappropriating money from Measure C. Measure C was the sales tax increase for infrastructure that Council members swore up and down would never be used for anything except infrastructure. Unless Sneddon wants to use it to provide food and rent assistance to illegal immigrants.

While Kristen was delivering her comments, someone from the audience shouted out. She paused and responded, “Yes, stolen land.” I was under the impression that council members aren’t permitted to engage with the public during meetings.

While the city council (and all our elected officials) continues to do everything it can to prevent ICE from helping make us, our cities, counties, state, and country, safe.

City officials put their hands out demanding even more of our money.

“Give us the money from the three police departments’ frozen hires”, said by city council member Wendy Santamaria. The police department still hasn’t been allocated these funds. These positions were frozen due to BLM’s efforts to defund the police.

Before the attack on our police, I remember when they would do a gang sweep before Fiesta to prevent issues and/or tragedies.

They stopped that during the defund the police movement also. I’m amazed they don’t demand the funds for that operation, because believe me they don’t realize that funding was taken away. And we see what happens…

RIP Mr. Bisquera-Hartley

On to Happy and Good things

Since June, I’ve been trying to acknowledge the many people who helped turn a heartbreaking time into something healing and hopeful. My dear friends of over 30 years lost absolutely everything in the Palisades Fire. I’ve written about them before—about visiting their destroyed home and spending time with them in the aftermath.

In June, they invited me to join them on vacation to Summerland, here in California. Yes—Summerland.

They rented a stunning home perched on a hill, complete with a dream kitchen. Each day, I put out a beautiful spread courtesy of The Berryman: fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and nuts. My friend Vanessa even made a special pimento cheese spread just for me to bring along. It was the kind of thoughtful gesture that made everything feel personal and comforting.

For a full week, we dined out and explored the local gems:

• Summerland Nugget (twice!)

• Summerland Café for a delicious breakfast

• Moby Dick’s, where Debbie took excellent care of us

• Mesa Café, a cozy spot with hearty fare

• Brewhouse, where we paired our meal with a rich, velvety Donovan Stout—only available there!

• Holdren’s, to celebrate their daughter’s 30th birthday

• Pane E Vino, where the owner Pietro gifted them handmade pottery from Italy to help start new memories

We met Ms. B, who’s opening a Children’s Club in Summerland for after-school activities, birthday parties, and family events. It’s going to be a wonderful addition to the community. I’ll share the website once it’s live—watch for the grand opening in October.

GodMother’s Bookstore was a delightful stop for browsing and book hunting.

One of my favorite moments was sitting outside at the Nugget, watching people stroll by with bags full of local finds (retail is not dead!). Something was grounding about it, — seeing life go on, people supporting their community, and the quiet joy of everyday routines.

A Gift Returned, A Collection Reborn

Before the trip, I brought with me something deeply personal: two large, framed pieces of art their daughters had made in kindergarten and second grade—birthday gifts they had given me 23 years ago. My friends were art collectors, and they lost their entire collection in the fire. Returning those pieces felt like the beginning of something new. A seed for a fresh collection. A reminder that beauty and meaning can be rebuilt, one cherished piece at a time.

A Long-Delayed Thank You

I asked Christine Neuhauser if she could take us on a tour of Lotusland for my friends—and she did! They haven’t stopped talking about it since. Every plant we passed sparked a memory, and they’d say, “Now Christine would say…” while looking it up on their new app.

Over lunch, fresh from their tour, they couldn’t stop marveling at the serene magic of Lotusland—calling it a sanctuary of calm and saying how incredibly fortunate we are to have such a treasure in our midst.

Christine, from the bottom of my heart—thank you. I shared with you what my friends have been through: a father battling cancer, another serious health issue, and the trauma of losing everything in the fire. They weren’t even home that day. This trip to Summerland was their way of accepting the doctor’s advice not to rebuild, and to instead sell their lot and begin anew.

This vacation wasn’t just a break—it was a turning point. It reminded me that healing doesn’t always come from grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s found in shared meals, laughter, pottery gifted by strangers, and the quiet kindness of others.

To everyone who helped make this vacation enjoyable, relaxing, restorative, and full of joy—thank you. You gave my friends more than just a getaway. You gave them peace, and the courage to start again. Thank You!

The Santa Barbara Elks Lodge

Even though prices are coming down, we don’t see it in restaurants, but where have you seen prices like this lately? The Elks isn’t your typical fast-casual spot where you place your order at a counter and then wait for your food to be handed to you. Instead, this is a delightful sit-down restaurant where you can relax at a table and enjoy attentive service. The menu features a variety of mouthwatering options, including a classic burger for $12.00, a cheeseburger for $13.00, and a bacon cheeseburger for $14.00. For those craving something different, the patty melt is available for $13.00, while traditional sandwiches like turkey and the prime rib French dip are priced at $12.00 and $15.00. Each sandwich and burger is served with a choice of sides, including coleslaw, French fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, or onion rings.

The seafood and fryer selections start at a reasonable $12.00 and go up to $16.00, offering a range of delicious options for seafood lovers. If you’re looking for something lighter, the soup and salad offerings are priced between $5.00 and $14.00, making it easy to find a satisfying meal that fits your appetite. Additionally, the chef prepares daily lunch specials that are sure to surprise and delight your taste buds, ensuring that there’s always something new to try.

Having dined at the Elks since the 1980s, I can confidently say that this establishment remains a beloved staple in our community, open for lunch from 11 am until 2 pm, Tuesday to Friday. One of the standout features of this restaurant is they have what I call "fat fries" or steak fries, by others (not easy to find in Santa Barbara). If you’re a fan of chicken tenders, you won’t want to miss out on what I believe are the absolute best in the area, priced at just $12.00. Whether you’re a long-time patron or a first-time visitor, the Elks offers a warm atmosphere and delicious food that keeps customers coming back for more.

Check out their 125 years of history on the wall over the booths.

If you go on Friday, say “Hi” to our table 🙂

The Santa Barbara Elks Lodge is located off Calle Real at 150 N Kellogg Ave.

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