A love affair with SB

BY LORETTA REDD
As a columnist for this paper, my charge is to write on political issues of city, county and national concern. In the context of an opinion piece, certainly my preferences often show through, although I do attempt to present varying points of view or information for further consideration.

I admit to having strong feelings about the ethical and moral future of our nation, and equally strong sensibilities regarding the impact of development and the speed of change occurring in our region and our city.
Receiving feedback from city employees, developers, historians, urban planners, housing proponents and slow growth advocates has provided me with much information and education. I acknowledge the ardent visions expressed by opposing groups to maintain the city as envisioned by those of the Pearl Chase Society genre, and those more contemporary, expressed by the ‘smart growth urban density’ conceptualists.
The changing vistas and ‘feel’ on the streets, especially in the downtown, Westside and Laguna neighborhoods, disturbs me each time I leave the Mesa, crest the Carrillo hill, and descend into our urban hub. The undeniable trend is to bring more residential living and commercial space to downtown through ‘mixed use,’ and redevelopment projects.
Thinking about increasing the numbers of families brought to mind a concern about what exactly comprises a neighborhood, and if ‘mixed use’ might become ‘mixed abuse.’ Where will this new compliment to Santa Barbara send their children to school, will they come to know their neighbors or become isolated, will they be safe in walking to the corner store, and where will the children go to play outdoors?
Will the efforts of the city to rid the few downtown parks, such as Ortega and Vera Cruz, of its drug needles, broken bottles, homeless encampments and smell of human urine be successful and consistent? Will the noise and clamor from the downtown ‘nightlife scene,’ meet head-on with the new residents and parents who are past their partying days and looking for a little rest? Will guests staying at the State Street Holiday Inn or the upscale Canary Hotel feel they are in a concrete jungle or a vibrant but gentle neighborhood?
To answer these questions while peering into our city’s future, I decided to seek assistance from a respected, local, ‘higher’ power. I called upon someone whose family has lived in and served Santa Barbara for many, many decades, and who has maintained legitimate and enduring business relationships with the city, its residents and visitors since 1951…Madame Rosinka.
The original “Madame Rosinka” is Rachel Adams, who began her business as psychic, palmist and reader back when the Castagnola family still owned Stern’s Wharf. Since that time, she had acquired other locations including Montecito’s Coast Village Road, Milpas at the roundabout, East Canon Perdido in the parking area across from the Lobero, and recently, in Solvang. Who better to forsee the future of our city, its challenges and opportunities?
Madame Sonia Rosinka, daughter of the original psychic, is equally imbued with her mother’s powers. But in addition to her work as a licensed psychic, Sonia also considers real estate as her “second passion,” is an artist with works on display at Churchill’s, and has owned the Chase restaurant for the past nine years.
On her website, she offers a quote from a client, “The Madame doesn’t sugarcoat her readings, if you can’t handle the truth, don’t bother.” There are few people I have met here with more passion and caring for our city. In our time together, she reminded me that “Santa Barbara has a lot of integrity,” and is simply, “Heaven on Earth.”
I am relieved to share with you that the future of our city and our downtown area especially, is “changing for the better,” according to Madame Rosinka. She sees the downtown area growing into “its own little district of families and people in the creative arts field; what I would call ‘Little Europe.’” Don’t build anything permanent that is “based on a fad,” she said, adding, “When a town is little, it is supposed to stay little, or it loses the beauty of its vibration.”
I’m sending the Planning Commissioners over for a psychic reading right away.
Troubled by the end of Chapala Street, the Madame asked to have the cyclone fencing removed and landscaped, as it seems harsh and inconsistent with the intended beauty. She sees the Farmer’s Market as a gathering anchor, and adds, “Because of mixed-use, I see several parks and safe gathering places without tall buildings and with underground parking.” As we talked, she was visibly disturbed when recalling the recent teenage stabbing downtown, adding, “I like our City Council — they really try, and our police are good, but we need more of them to keep the young people out of trouble.”
On the sweeter side of the emotional equation, she remarked how she observes visitors at the Wharf who are instantly enamored and stunned by our beautiful surroundings. “I wish more residents here would come to the Wharf and the beach, and just take a walk, and hold hands, and be reminded of the heaven in which they live.”
We have a lot of characters in this city; we also have some amazing resources. Today, I was reminded that expert planners aren’t the only ones responsible for the future of our city. The design is up to each of us. And each of us has a role in creating the city of our future.
“First the vision,” Madame Rosinka added, “then the decision.”

Loretta Redd’s column appears every Tuesday and Thursday in the Daily Sound. E-mail questions or comments to loretta@santabarbarafree.com.