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14
spr ing
|
summer
W
hen
OprahWinfrey
purchased the 42-acre
former Bacon Estate from
Bob
and
Marlene
Veloz
nearly a decade ago, we were asked via a
Letter to the Editor in
Montecito Journal
(Weekly)
what that would mean to the rest of us; how would it impact Montecito?
Our answer was that while the village had been known internationally for
some time among a certain group (see “Montecito Hideaway,” page 84),
Oprah’s presence was sure to put Montecito on the international map. It
would also likely directly impact real estate prices, we suggested.
Turns out we were correct on both counts.
And now, we will make another prediction: expect a second wave of
interest in this area of the Central Coast via film maker
Nancy Meyers
,
who is currently shooting a romantic comedy set in both Santa Barbara
and Montecito. Her film is likely to introduce or at least re-introduce
our little world to the rest of the world, and do so in a positive way. The
film, as yet unnamed, stars
Alec Baldwin
,
Steve Martin
, and
Meryl
Streep
, and if it turns out anything like her delicately made “Holiday,”
Montecito, Coast Village Road, and Santa Barbara are about to receive an
influx of tourism, maybe even as big in scope and scale to what happened
when “Sideways” became a hit and introduced the aesthetic appeal of
Santa Ynez’s wine country to the rest of America and the international
community, particularly the French. Up until the release of “Sideways,”
Santa Ynez Valley was known and loved by a rather smaller contingent of
wine aficionados and of course, its local residents. After the movie came
out, and for years following, businesses reaped the rewards of the valley’s
newfound fame.
In “Holiday,” (starring
Cameron Diaz
,
Jude Law
,
Jack Black
,
and
Kate Winslet
), Ms Meyers caresses the village of Surrey and its
surrounding countryside with soft light and ardent attention to the allure
of its people, architecture, and slower way of life.
The guessing around here is that Nancy Meyers has chosen Montecito
and Santa Barbara as the location for her latest film for the same reasons:
the allure of its residents, architecture, slower way of life, and its semi-rural
ambience.
While we welcome what might become a wave of new popularity,
particularly in light of recent economic conditions, we will also remember
what attracted us and others to this area and promise to remain vigilant in
protecting what is here.
So, with that in mind, welcome to the second issue of Montecito
Journal, the glossy edition, and welcome to Montecito.
Tim Buckley
Publisher
Publisher’s Note