The Extraordinary Talent of Julian Nott
NASA’s Scientific Ballooning Handbook 50th Anniversary Edition has just been published. In its dedication, my late husband, Julian Nott, is identified as one of the leaders in the field. I’ve sent you this edited version of that dedication. I am so proud of him, and he would have been over the moon with this generous recognition of his work. The work that he was so dedicated to and for which in the end he gave up his life for. Because it was always about the science with Julian, never about the fame, the records and least about the money. When he ultimately worked with the NASA team, one of his lifelong goals was achieved. I hope this begins to answer many of the questions from those outside the scientific field about what Julian’s ballooning adventures contributed to science and space exploration.
Anne Luther
Santa Barbara
(Editor’s note: Thank you Anne, for passing this information on. I know how much you miss him. As you are aware, for years, Julian and I had breakfast together every other week or so – often at Tre Lune in Montecito; we often talked politics, as he was a great fan of everything American, even perhaps of hot dogs, cowboy hats, and Southern drawls. A born Brit with the upper-class accent of the boarding-school elite but the wisdom and wit of a Will Rogers, Julian was the most precious of human pals one could hope to have. I miss our conversations, his infectious laugh, his intelligence, and the unyielding optimism he expressed loudly and often about the U.S., his adopted country. – J.B.)
The NASA Ballooning Handbook Dedication
“This 50th Anniversary Edition is dedicated to the memory of……. Julian Nott, whose vision, expertise, and leadership helped define the modern era of scientific ballooning. His work spanned engineering innovation, program leadership, and the mentoring of new generations of scientists and engineers, ensuring that high-altitude research would remain a vital part of the scientific enterprise well into the 21st century. ……he brought unique talents and perspectives to the field with his innovative designs and engineering excellence; he pushed the boundaries of altitude and endurance for manned flight…..his contributions laid the groundwork for today’s global scientific balloon program.
“The authors recognize that the story of scientific ballooning has been shaped by many hands, from early pioneers to the countless technicians, engineers, scientists, and program leaders whose work has often gone unsung. Yet Nott exemplified the spirit of dedication, curiosity, and technical excellence that elevated ballooning from its experimental roots to a mature scientific platform capable of addressing some of the most profound questions in astrophysics, atmospheric science, and engineering.
“As this 50th edition reflects on half a century of innovation and discovery, it is fitting to pause and honor…….his memory …setting the tone for the modern era. His legacy continues to inspire current and future generations, reminding us that scientific progress rests not only on technical achievements but also on the passion, collaboration, and commitment of those who dare to lift humanity’s gaze toward the edge of space.
“Debora A. Fairbrothe
“Chief of NASA’s Balloon Program Office”
Waiting Forever to Speak
I spent two and a half hours sitting on my a** waiting for County Board of Supervisors public comment.
I forgot it was the first of the year and every6 kiss my you know what had an agenda item. I waited from 8:45 to 109:50 to present the November SBCAG (Santa Barbara County Association of Governments) paper on electric versus gas.
Representing CAB (Cars Are Basic), I spoke about the cost of E-V versus gasoline. Supervisor Hartmann was scribbling notes as fast as she could; Capps was not happy. Lee looked like a deer in the headlights.
I had to get out of there. I could not wait any longer for Agenda Item #3 because that was rich ground for CAB to hammer the anti-gas crowd.
I handed John Palminteri my copy of the presentation. He threw it away. Not interested in a hard copy of what was said.
This was not a fun time at the Board of Supervisors.
Scott Wenz
Santa Barbara
Help, We Need Somebody!
Think of the last time you heard news that made you mad enough to stop everything to sound the alarm. Seeing the Washington Post headline “Mandani’s New Tenant Advocate Wants to Seize Private Property” cannot be ignored. New York City is 2,880 miles from Santa Barbara, yet it’s our next door ideologic neighbor with leaders of shared values and political goals. We need a Homeowner/Property Rights Coalition to fight back.
The Democrat Socialist of America - Santa Barbara Chapter, hold two seats on the SB City Council (D1 and D3) and are positioned with resources to pick up three more seats in November in Districts 4, 5, and 6. Democrats outnumber Republicans 2:1; however, if we align, the number of registered No Party Preference (NPP) and other voters can deliver victories for non-Democrat local Candidates.
As promised, Muslim Zorhan Mandani is setting the pace, having frozen rents on January 1, launching his ‘Rental Ripoff’ hearings in the court of public opinion, and appointing DSA Comrade Cea Weaver, Tenant Tsarina aka Director of the Office to Protect Tenants. She was formerly Exec Director of Housing Justice for All, and holds an Urban Planning Degree from NYU.
In 2018 she posted “Impoverish the *white* middle class. Homeownership – the American dream – is racist/failed public policy.” She also wrote “there is no such thing as a ‘good’ gentrifier“ and called on voters to “elect more communists.” In 2021, she claimed rent control is a “more effective way to shrink the value of real estate” than zoning restrictions. Weaver’s statements remind me of Goleta’s SBCC Trustee Attorney Robert Miller who claimed that the Pledge of Allegiance is White Supremist and must be stopped.
Weaver’s now in a position of authority in America’s biggest city. She and Santa Barbara City D1 Rep Wendy Santamaria are on the same page. Mamdani stated in his inaugural address that he had “no apology for what we believe.” So how is this to be accomplished here or there?
SB City and County need fiscal conservative, financially literate, business savvy opposition candidates who support property rights. The SB City Council has three open seats plus Mayor: D4 (Coast Village/Alston/APS/Riviera), D5 (Samarkand/San Roque/ La Cumbre), and D6 (Downtown/State Street). Two Democrat career politicians ( Kristen Sneddon and Eric Friedman) have announced their run for incumbent candidate NPP Mayor Randy Rowse’s seat.
Are there no retired non-Democrat business executives, engineers, financial gurus, CPAs willing to serve our community?
You’re needed!
Denice Spangler Adams
Santa Barbara
The Future is Playing Out in Florida
Tucker Carlson and James Fishbach held an unbelievable discussion on issues that matter – presented with crystal-clear clarity by a 31-year-old Floridian running for governor in the Florida Republican primary this year. Florida is the microcosm of Red state America. All the crucial battles will be won and lost in the closed Florida Republican primary.
Fishbach was running a hedge fund when others his age were going to college. He was the typical globalist Republican who saw Florida and America through charts and statistics on a Bloomberg terminal. He came to change his views and see his state and nation through a version of America First parameters that is even more fundamental than President Trump’s on the campaign trail.
The average age of a Fox News Channel viewer is 68. Fishbach is 31. He is Gen Z on steroids. Smart, quick, thoughtful, and ready to skewer sacred cows with facts and not platitudes.
The battle for Republicans, and Americans who like America, is free markets vs. a free people.
The future of America is in Republican hands. If Democrats ever regain power in Washington, D.C., there will be no America recognizable to anyone who likes America.
The battle for the soul of Republican Party is taking place front-and-center in Florida.
David Samuel McCalmont
Santa Barbara
Warmed-Over Collectivism
The new Mayor of NYC said this at his inauguration on January 1:
We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.
It’s time for the RIs to stand up and remind the blind and dumb politicians and their sheeples that anything great was created by an RI!
Interested?
Gillian Christie
Santa Barbara
(Editor’s note: Yes, but what are RIs? – J.B.)
Community Calendar:
Got a Santa Barbara event for our community calendar? Fenkner@sbcurrent.com
Scott - that doesn't sound like a fun night. Is your November SBCAG paper on electric versus gas available anywhere online?
David McCalmont is a either an idiot or just plain ignorant. James Fishback is an odious grifter, liar and a thief, and if that isn't bad enough he is also been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-yr-old girl who asked for a restraining order against him. He is currently unable to pay a $230,000 judgement against him from various lawsuits by past business associates and has been ordered by a judge to sell his Tesla and other assets. He is also being sued by his previous employer for defamation. If you look at his history he has basically screwed up everything he has ever been involved in and has left a trail of chaos in his wake.
As for his politics, he has expressed support for the white supremacist, Nick Fuentes and has said vile things about Israel and Jews. This list goes on and on . The Republican Party should run as fast and as far from this guy as they can. Thankfully, the people in Florida are learning about him so his chances of winning any race there is pretty much nil.