| The following is a reprint of Sea
Shells by Rosemarie Fanucchi (rosemarie@coastalview.com) (scroll down to red text to skip to portion
about Patricia's trip)
As it appeared in the "Coastal View" weekly news website (click here to go to page)
A late-night comedy
All I needed was an ill-fitting, outdated cop uniform to complete this picture.
To begin with, the injury itself was a laughing matter. I fell off my shoe, really, I am
not making this up. Wearing my favorite high wedge heeled togs I walked up the driveway
enjoying looking at the baby quail as they followed their mom into the bushes. My foot
landed lopsided on large stone and in an instant, plop, out of the shoe came my foot as it
kissed the pavement. Swelling commenced.
Somewhere between 4 and 5 a.m. I awoke because the ice pack on the bump sprung a small
leak. Thank goodness, I felt the wet towel before it reached the mattress—I hate
having to change sheets in the middle of night.
In a half-sleep haze I padded, more like hobbled, to the kitchen for a new bag. With
confidence I pressed the button in the refrig door for the cubes—I still think it is
the cat’s meow to have a water and ice dispenser in the door—but alas, a
grinding sound emitted from inside. Several tries and more grinding prompted me to open
the door. A cascade of ice spilled out and across the kitchen floor.
In the process of sweeping up the ice, I lost balance and fell on the now wet floor, as I
descended I hit my elbow against the wheeled island. The island glided away from me
hitting the cupboard which caused an impact which in turn knocked the basket of fruit from
the top shelf causing an extremely overripe pear to sort of splat, which in turn splashed
some of pulp against the toe space of the cabinet. The rest of the fruit just rolled
around the kitchen.
By the time I made back to the bedroom with an ice bag and an aching elbow I thought I
detected daylight creeping in. I sat on the bed, placed and wrapped the ice pack in a
fresh towel and cradled my arm on a small pillow. As I leaned back I whacked my head on
the wall above the bed. I began laughing, realizing I had just produced a one-person
Keystone Cop flick. I am fine, thanks.
Starr’s Quest
Patricia Starr with husband Gabriel Gonzales (center) stopped on Santa Claus Lane at
Smokin’ Jack’s BBQ to have lunch with Gabe’s cousin, Carpinteria Fire Chief
Tom Martinez.
Patricia Starr is a remarkable woman. She is a professional musician, a concert pianist, a
vocalist, a music teacher, a trombonist in the Prime Time Band, holds a BA in education
and performance and is accomplished at tennis and golf. At 66-years young she has a model’s
figure and is readying to hop on her bicycle for a 50 day, 3,622 mile (eighty miles per
day average) trip from Astoria, Oregon to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The trip will span
from June 20 to August 9.
Why? “I’m so appreciative of what the help I’ve received in my career, now
I want to do something for others,” she said. Starr founded a scholarship endowment
that bears her name, at Santa Barbara City College and to pump funds into it she has taken
on the cross-country challenge for donations, “Anything is accepted and appreciated,”
she said.
Patricia’s husband, Gabriel Gonzales, who will make the trek in the family van said,
“This has been a life dream for her. This will be her longest ride. She will make it
because she has such a positive outlook and drive to do it.”
By the way, Gabriel spent much of his childhood with Carpitneria relatives, including at
the home of his grandparents, Beatrice and the late Gabriel Gonzales.
The Patricia Starr Scholarship will provide a $1,000 grant each year to a performing arts
music student. To contribute, contact her via email: pstarr18@cox.net or send donations to
Santa Barbara City College, Starr Endowment Fund.
Summer benefit
Mark your calendar now for the community drum circle, hosted by Eddie Tuduri of course, on
Sunday, July 11 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Girls Inc. You are encouraged to bring hand drums and
percussion to join in to make your own music in helping to raise funds for the Rhythmic
Arts Project (program to help people in recovery from accidents, strokes and illnesses).
Contact Eddie at: etuduri@verizon.net or 745-8280 to purchase tickets at $20.
The Factory
It has been two years since The Factory (large appliances) on Carpinteria Avenue burned to
the ground. Though the land is vacant, waiting for all the Ts to be crossed and Is dotted
at city hall so that a new building can be started, business continues in the 800 block of
Linden Avenue, across from the seal fountain, according to owners Dan and Laurie Chamlee.
In addition to new washers, dryers, stoves, ovens and refrigerators, the Chamlees offer a
wide variety of used appliances as well.
In addition, if you have an appliance in need for repair, Dan is the man.
Speaking of stories
It was sort of Carpinteria night at the season’s closing of Speaking of Stories at
the Lobero in Santa Barbara. Two of the evening’s performers (l and r) wife and
husband team, Karyl Lynn Burns and James O’Neil (who grew up and developed his
interest in acting in Carpinteria) are joined by (center l-r) actress Meredith McMinn who
is also a member of the Carpitneria Valley Arts Council and business woman person and
community volunteer Suzanne Amstutz.
Singles scene here rates second in nation
According to the Men’s Journal Magazine a few months back, the Santa Barbara area
came in second to Athens, Ga. for having the greatest number of singles. I am not sure
what that means other than this is supposed to be a great place in which to be single.
Until next time …
A Cheery-bye.
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