Difference Makers Photo Project

2011-04-02T21:46:00.001-07:00

http://bit.ly/flupC5 Regarding the controversy around precession of equinoxes and the zodiac

New posts on phototao.com

2009-11-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

For the latest on my photo portrait adventures, please visit and follow phototao.com, thanks.

New Difference Makers for the on-going project

2009-09-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

I came back from DC with three new sets of portraits of some magnificent leaders.

Van Jones, founder of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Green for Alll, co-founder of Color of Change.

Steve Coleman, Executive Director of Washington Parks & People, and founder of Cool Capital, overlooks, from the balcony of the "Green Embassy", the Meridian Hill Park, which he helped restore.

Lester Brown, author, founder/president of Earth Policy Institute.

Late September Media Mentions

2009-09-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

Editor and Publisher, again
Dave Mason of the Santa Barbara News Press called this morning to arrange an interview and photo shoot for next Tuesday, for the NP. They'll do it here...
Ventura County Star
Some guy with a blog on religion, who quibbles that the word "devout" was misused to describe my mother, both a Catholic and an astrologer, which he sees as hypocritical and akin to dangerous voodoo witchcraft.

Difference Maker: William Kamkwamba

2009-09-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

William Kamkwamba is amazing and inspiring.

Sunday's Media Mentions

2009-09-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

The Philadelphia Enquirer
The Atlanta Journal Constitution
The Tribune, San Luis Obispo
Biloxi Gulfport and South Mississippi Sun Herald
The Daily Advance
Trib.com, Casper, Wyoming
OregonLive.com
Yahoo News
The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA
The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana
On Tuesday:
Northwest Indiana (nwi.com ) has a longer feature, with a few minor errors, but long, with three photos.
Scripps Howard News Service (Washington, DC) ran an opinion feature taking issue with the use in the obituaries of the word "devout" describing Mom's Catholicism, which they saw at odds with astrology, and overused as a descriptive in journalism.

Almost 200 Obituaries Printed , Worldwide

2009-09-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

According to Google News, Linda Black appeared around the world yesterday in newspapers and online sites, with more coming. New links for today include:

The Reflector: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackReflector
The Washington Post (again): http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackWshingtonPost
The Washington Post (in the column section "Post Mortem", called "Daily Goodbye"): http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackWashPostDailyGoodbye
In Helenair.com , news for Helena, Montana: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackHelenaMT
In the Winston-Salem Journal: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackWinstonSalemJournal
In the Long Beach Press-Telegram
In the Kansas City Star

Taking Over Mom's Legacy, in the Media Today

2009-09-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to the news from Editor & Publisher: http://tinyurl.com/lindablackEdandPub

And from the Chicago Tribune: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackChicagoTribune

From Poland! http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackPoland

Associated Press: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackAP

In the Sacramento Bee: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackSacramentoBee

In the Sacramento Bee with a never-seen-before photo! http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackSacramentoBeephoto

In the Metro Calgary, Canada: http://www.tinyurl.com/LindaBlackMetroCalgaryCanada

In the Washington Post: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackWashingtonPost

In the LA Times: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackLATimes

TV, in Tennessee: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackWRCBtv

In the New York Times: http://tinyurl.com/LindaBlackNYTimes

Linda C. Black, Syndicated Astrologer, Passes Away

2009-09-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

“I am fascinated by the challenge of reading what (I'm convinced) God has written for us in the placement of the planets, and interpreting it in a way that people can understand. We can use this information to make wise choices, develop our talents, be warned and be comforted. I have been so very blessed.” -- Linda Chamlee Black Hotchkiss

San Simeon, CA—September 17, 2009-- Syndicated columnist and astrologer Linda C. Black touched millions all over the world with her loving snippets of astrological perspective through her daily horoscopes seen in newspapers in the United States and abroad, as well as www.astrologers-online.com, and other web sites. She died after a long battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 65.

Linda Black studied and practiced astrology for more than forty years, following a childhood interest. Linda completed her BA in English Literature at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and had published her Intro to Astrology, Parts I and II, in Fate magazine, after twenty years of study. She began writing horoscopes for Tribune Media Service (TMS) in 1992.

It was Linda’s wish to have her daughter, Nancy Black, herself an internationally syndicated writer, with whom Linda collaborated for the last several months of her life, continue her legacy. Nancy will work with astrologer Stephanie Clements, who holds a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology, and was professionally certified by American Federation of Astrologers in 1974. Nancy and Stephanie will continue to provide reliable, accurate astrology that honors Linda’s style and respect for her readers.

“Linda will be greatly missed by her readers, client editors and TMS family,” said Mary Elson, managing editor at TMS. “We’re delighted to continue her popular feature under the guidance of her daughter, Nancy, and Stephanie Clements.”
Elson added that there would be no interruption in production or distribution of her column.

Before her death, Linda summed it up like this, “I’m very thankful to God, my Mom and Dad, my readers, TMS, Joyce Jillson (the astrologer who left TMS, providing Linda with her spot), and Howard Hotchkiss, without whom I would never be doing this job. I also thank all the folks at Landmark Education, where I learned to manage my time, and world-renowned astrologer Susan Miller, who taught me how to do business.”
Linda is survived by her husband, Howard Hotchkiss, her children, Nancy Black and Tony Black, and grandchildren Diego and Quique Hernández-Black and Akilah Black, as well as her brother, Bryan Chamlee, mother, Marcia Chamlee, and a host of cousins and in-laws.

Difference Maker video: Wavy Gravy

2009-08-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

New video. Check it out.

tao of photography

2009-08-20T02:15:00.000-07:00

I started a new blog about photography today: from business to creativity and ethics. Please visit, and, if you like it, follow it and share it:
Tao of Photography

A Life Alone

2009-07-31T02:08:00.000-07:00

A Life Alone video, part of Soul of Athens project. Beautiful use of photography, video and audio to convey a message, even if it's not necessarily positive. Great job, Maisie Crowe. I look forward to more photo projects.

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER POIZNER ISSUES PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SANTA BARBARA WILDFIRE VICTIMS

2009-05-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Insurance Commissioner Poizner today issued a public service announcement with useful insurance tips for Santa Barbara wildfire victims.

Transcript of the attached PSA:

This is Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. If you are a victim of the recent devastating wildfires, you may soon discover that dealing with repairs, insurance coverage or the rebuilding process can be very frustrating. If you haven’t done so already, you should keep good notes on all conversations with the adjuster or any insurance company representative. Make sure potential contractors are properly licensed, and retain all receipts for reimbursement, subject to your deductible. For assistance, call the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-HELP.

Last week, Commissioner Poizner reminded residents were evacuated due to the Jesusita Fire that they may be eligible for reimbursement for additional living expenses due to mandatory evacuations.

Please visit the Department of Insurance Web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.HELP.
Callers from out of state, please dial 213.897.8921. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.

Tunnel Road and top of Holly

2009-05-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

New images have been posted, photographed yesterday.

Utility Phone Numbers

2009-05-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

If you need to reconnect any of your utilities you may call the following numbers 24 hours a day:
Gas Company 1-800-427-2200
Southern California Edison 1-800-655-4555
Goleta Water District 805-964-6761
Santa Barbara Water District 805-963-4286

As of 6:00 P.M., Highway 154 is fully open in both directions.

2009-05-10T18:34:00.001-07:00

SB Schools Open Tomorrow

2009-05-10T18:31:00.000-07:00

All schools, child development, and afterschool programs in the following school will be open on Monday, May 11, 2009:

Santa Barbara School District
• Adams Elementary
• Cleveland Elementary
• Caesar Chavez Charter
• Franklin Elementary
• Harding Elementary
• Open Alternative School
• McKinley Elementary
• Monroe Elementary
• Parma Children’s Center
• Peabody Charter
• Roosevelt Elementary
• Santa Barbara Charter School
• Santa Barbara Community Academy
• Washington Elementary
• Home School Santa Barbara on the Monte Vista campus

• Dos Pueblos High
• Goleta Valley Junior High
• La Colina Junior High
• La Cuesta Continuation High School (including Community Day School)
• La Cumbre Junior High
• Santa Barbara Junior High
• Santa Barbara High
• San Marcos High

Hope School District
• Hope Elementary
• Monte Vista
• Vieja Valley

Bishop Diego High School
• Monday: Staff and A.P. Physics class
• Tuesday: Open to all students

For additional school information, please contact the following districts:
Santa Barbara County Education Office, 805-964-4711
Santa Barbara School District, 805-963-4331
Cold Springs School District, 805-969-2678
Goleta School District, 805-681-1200
Hope School District, 805-682-2564
Bishop Garcia Diego High School, 805-967-1266

Las Canoas Damage Update, Sunday, May 10

2009-05-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

Isaac just called in. These homes he can verify have burned: 2000, 1990, and 1976.

These homes were saved: 1681, 1978, 1980, and 2261.

These are specific addresses that people requested information on. More to follow, and the images will be available after posting, by this evening to http://bit.ly/mercurypress-jesusita-photos

COMMISSIONER POIZNER ASSISTS JESUSITA FIRE EVACUEES AND VICTIMS IN CONTACTING THEIR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR ASSISTANCE

2009-05-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today provided a comprehensive directory of contact information for Santa Barbara residents who have been impacted by the Jesusita Fire. Commissioner Poizner also reminded evacuees that they may be eligible for reimbursement for additional living expenses due to mandatory evacuations.

“Losing your home and belongings to a wildfire is absolutely devastating,” said Commissioner Poizner. “I want to make sure that every single Jesusita Fire evacuee has access to their insurance company and is receiving the kind of immediate response they deserve. If any wildfire victims or evacuees have questions or are being given the run-around from their insurer, they should call the Department of Insurance at 800-927-HELP.”

The Jesusita Fire, which started on May 5, has burned 3,500 acres and 75 homes. The fire is 10 percent contained, with 2,300 firefighters working to fight the blaze. Commissioner Poizner has offered to dispatch CDI enforcement officers to assist local authorities.

Many residential homeowners insurance policies cover what is known as ALE, or additional living expenses. This permits homeowners to maintain their normal standard of living by covering the increased living expenses incurred as a result of damage caused by the fire or a mandatory evacuation. ALE coverage typically includes extra food costs, increased housing costs, furniture rental, relocation and storage costs, telephone installation and extra transportation costs to and from school or work, after the deductible is reached.

Commissioner Poizner provided the insurance company contact information below to Santa Barbara residents impacted by the wildfire. If anyone has difficulty getting in contact with their insurance company, they can call the Department of Insurance at 800-927-HELP.

Insurance Company Contact Information
Allstate Insurance Group (Allstate Insurance Company, Encompass Insurance Company) (800) 54 Storm or (800) 547-8676
www.allstate.com

AIG (866) 342-2045 or (877) 244-0304
www.aig.com

American National Property & Casualty Company (800) 333-2860
www.anpac.com

American National Property & Casualty Company (800) 333-2860
www.anpac.com

American Security Insurance Company (866) 324-6516
www.assurant.com

Amica Mutual Insurance Company (800) 242-6422 or (877) 972-6422
www.amica.com

Auto Club of So Ca - AAA (800) 672-5246
www.aaa.com

Balboa Insurance Group (888) 768-2096
www.balboainsurance.com

2-2-2 (#065) California Department of Insurance News Release
Commissioner Poizner Assists Jesusita Fire Evacuees and Victims in Contacting Their Insurance Companies for Assistance

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies (Federal Insurance Co., Vigilant Insurance Co., Pacific Indemnity Co., Great Northern Insurance Co., Chubb Custom Insurance Co. (800) 252-4670
www.chubb.com

California Capital Insurance Company (800) 682-9255 or (800) 986-9974
www.ciginsurance.com

California Casualty Ins. Exchange (800) 800-9410 or (866) 680-5143
www.calcas.com

California Earthquake Authority EQ only - call insurer who holds policy
www.earthquakeauthority.com

California Fair Plan (800) 339-4099
www.cfpnet.com

Century National Insurance Company (800) 733-1980
www.centurynational.com

Civil Service Employees Insurance Company (800) 282-6848
www.cseinsurance.com

CNA Insurance Group (877) 262-2727
www.cna.com

CSAA (877) 422-2100 or (800) 922-8228
www.csaa.com

Electric Insurance Company (800) 227-2757
www.electricinsurance.com

Farmers Insurance Group (Fire Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company) (800) help point or (800) 435-7764
www.farmers.com

Fidelity National Insurance Company (800) 220-1351
www.fidelityonline.com

Fireman's Fund (888) Fire Hat or (888) 347-3428
www.firemansfund.com

First American Specialty Insurance Company (800) 346-3782
www.firstam.com

Foremost Insurance Company (800) 527-3907
www.foremost.com/claims

Hartford Fire & Casualty Group (Hartford Underwriters, Hartford Casualty) (800) 243-5860
www.thehartford.com

IDS Property and Casualty Ins. Co (800) 872-5246
www.ameriprise.com

Kemper Independence Ins. Company (888) 252-2799 or (888) 227-5004 or (877) 252-7878
www.ekemper.com

Lexington National Insurance Corporation (800) 931-9546
FAX to report a claim: (866) 603-5519
Email:lexingtonhomeownerproperty@aig.com

Liberty Mutual (800) 2 Claims or (800) 225-2467 or (800) 713-7379
www.libertymutual.com

Lincoln General Insurance Company (866) 367-3424
www.lincolngeneral.com

Merastar Insurance Company (800) MERASTER or (800) 637-2782
www.merastar.com

MetLife Auto & Home Phone: (800) 854-6011
FAX: (866) 743-1546
Email: MET_CAT@metlife.com
Web: www.metlife.com

Mercury (888) 313-6372
www.mercuryinsurance.com

National Interstate Insurance Company (800) 929-0870
Email: newclaims@nationalinterstate.com

3-3-3 (#065) California Department of Insurance News Release
Commissioner Poizner Assists Jesusita Fire Evacuees and Victims in Contacting Their Insurance Companies for Assistance

Nationwide Group (AMCO Insurance Company, Allied Property and Casualty Insurance Company) (800) 282-9445 or (800) 282-1446
www.nationwide.com

Oregon Mutual Insurance Company (800) 888-2141
Pacific Specialty (800) 962-1172
www.pacificspecialty.com

Progressive Insurance Company (800) PROGRESSIVE or (800) 776-4737
www.progressive.com

Residence Mutual Insurance Company (800) 927-2142 or (800) 234-2103
www.residencemutual.com

Safeco Insurance Group (Safeco Insurance Company of America, Safeco Insurance Company of Illinois, First National Insurance Company of America) (800) 332-3226
www.safeco.com

State Farm (800) SF Claim or (800) 732-5246
www.statefarm.com

Travelers (800) Claim33 or (800) 252-4633
www.travelers.com

Unitrin Auto and Home Insurance Company (888) 252-2799 or (888) 227-5004 or (877) 252-7878
www.ekemper.com

USAA (800) 531-8222
www.usaa.com

Wawanesa General Insurance Company (800) 57 Claim or (800) 572-5246
www.WawanesaUS.com

Zurich American Insurance Company (800) 987-3373
www.zurichna.com
Online claims:
https://webclaims.zurichna.com/mainpage.aspx

# # #

Please visit the Department of Insurance Web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.HELP. Out-of-state callers, please dial 213.897.8921. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.

Jesusita Fire Press Release as of May 10, 2009 at 4:00 P.M.

2009-05-10T16:55:00.001-07:00

Information Requested

Fire investigators have confirmed the Jesusita fire origin is adjacent to the Jesusita Trail, commonly accessed from the San Roque or Tunnel Road areas. The fire cause appears related to the use of power tool equipment involved in vegetation clearance. Fire investigators are requesting public assistance with identification of the person or persons engaged in vegetation clearance on Monday, May 4th, and Tuesday, May 5th, 2009. The unidentified persons are known to have been on the trail between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on both days. Please call the Santa Barbara County Tip Line at 805-686-5061 or contact investigators by email at sbctip@sbcfire.com with information regarding these individuals.

Jesusita Fire Photo Gallery

2009-05-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a new shorter link to get to Isaac's fire photos (from the last three days; today's images are not yet posted): http://bit.ly/mercurypress-jesusita-photos

Thanks to Duncan Westley for his partnership in communications!

Isaac's back on the hill, taking photos

2009-05-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

We received a list of information requests last night, and Isaac has gone back to the fire zone to continue taking photos. Homeowners in many areas are being let in, so please check the release I just posted to see if you are allowed back.

I'll keep posting information as I get it. He took our friend David Gala with him today; David is a great photographer who lost his home in the Tea Fire. I'm glad they are together doing this.

We're very grateful for the amazing generous community that supports us to be able to do this: caring for our children, feeding us, taking our evacuated stuff... I'm very grateful to be able to give back and be useful for the community we have loved for so long. What a Happy Mother's Day it is: our fire is nearly out!

Jesusita Fire Press Release as of May 10, 2009 at 2:55 P.M.

2009-05-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

JESUSITA FIRE EVACUATION WARNING UPDATE

THE UNIFIED COMMAND TEAM HAS DEVELOPED A PLAN FOR THE SAFE, STRUCTURED RETURN OF RESIDENTS TO THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

EFFECTIVE AT 3:00 PM –THE CURRENT MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER FOR THE FOLLOWING AREA ONLY HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO AN EVACUATION WARNING:

• WEST CAMINO CIELO INCLUDING THE KINEVAN ROAD AREA; INCLUDING RESIDENCES HAVING HWY 154 STREET ADDRESSES

RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN WITH PROPER IDENTIFICATION (I.E. DRIVER LICENSE, UTILITY BILL, U.S. MAIL).

THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL WILL BE ESCORTING GROUPS OF RESIDENTS APPROXIMATELY EVERY ONE-HALF HOUR BEGINNING AT 3:00PM TO THE ABOVE AREAS (I.D. REQUIRED) FROM CATHEDRAL OAKS/FOOTHILL AT HWY 154 AND FROM PARADISE ROAD AND HWY 154.

UPON ARRIVING IN AREA OF CATHEDRAL OAKS/FOOTHILL AT HWY 154 AND FROM PARADISE ROAD AND HWY 154 PLEASE PROVIDE PROOF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF THE AFFECTED AREA. AFTER VERIFICATION YOU WILL BE DIRECTED TO A “STAGING AREA.”

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AN EVACUATION WARNING STILLS EXISTS IN THE ABOVE AREAS. RESIDENTS RETURNING ARE CAUTIONED TO REMAIN AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR AN EVACUATION ORDER ON SHORT NOTICE.

HWY 154 BETWEEN CALLE REAL AND PARADISE ROAD REMAINS CLOSED EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND ESCORTED VEHICLES ONLY. ALL OTHER EVACUATION ORDERS REMAIN IN EFFECT.

RETURNING RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED TO KEEP OUT OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER AREAS:
PAINTED CAVE ROAD AT HWY 154, PAINTED CAVE ROAD TO EAST CAMINO CIELO, EAST CAMINO CIELO TO HWY 154, HWY 154 TO PAINTED CAVE ROAD. EAST CAMINO CIELO AND GIBRALTAR ROAD REMAIN CLOSED.

# # #

Saturday photo gallery

2009-05-09T23:05:00.001-07:00

Check the website (www.mercurypress.com ); we've posted over 500 images today. It's been a long day.

We're taking requests for tomorrow. Let us know if you'd like a specific address checked.

Signing out,
Isaac and Nancy

New Las Canoas information

2009-05-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

1656 Las Canoas is still standing, as is 2457 (earlier mistaken for 2447), and 2449.

We posted pictures of homes that made and those that didn't on Las Canoas Place. The addresses weren't clear, so check the photos (already online at www.mercurypress.com). The only way to get there was by walking, as there was a lot of debris.

The homes mentioned in the Independent.com report, "two houses NW of 2660", that burned down are 2652 and 2656. Isaac is posting these images right now; they should be there in a few minutes.

Isaac went to San Antonio Creek Road yesterday, and didn't see any burned homes, so didn't investigate very deeply. If you have a specific request, he can go there.

Tomorrow Isaac will go back and photograph 2261, 1681, 1966, 1976, and 1978 Las Canoas. Let us know if you have other addresses on Las Canoas so he can check them in the same trip.

New after fire photos

2009-05-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

It has been a tiring day. Nancy and I had to give the news to several people that their homes had burnt. They were out of town, in LA, Turkey, Bay Area and Paris...
And we were able to tell a person in Camarillo and one in China that their homes were fine. I'm posting the photos from today: Las Canoas Rd., Las Canoas Pl., 1165 Tunnel Rd and above (including the scorched Tunnel Trail), and Montrose Pl.
See photos here.

Las Canoas Update

2009-05-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

1656 Las Canoas is still standing. 2457 Las Canoas is fine, as is 2449. In an earlier post, I reported 2447 as fine, but it was 2457 that Isaac documented. We regret the error. We don't know the status of 2447 (or if that address even exists).

1455 Tunnel lost

2009-05-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

We're just editing and captioning the photos now. We're so sorry for the loss.

Tunnel Road Update, Saturday, May 9

2009-05-09T16:08:00.000-07:00

Here's the Tunnel Road update:

1085 Tunnel is still standing and fine.

For the group of houses at 1165: House #A: has burned down. #B: the car and jacuzzi burned but the house was saved, with some damage on what looked like a window awning. #D: house is fine. #E: house is fine. #F: the first house on the driveway is burned. He couldn't go further due to burn debris. The Guthrie house is fine, but the garage has burned and the boat has damage in the rear. #G: the house is fine, but the back is damaged. The nearby Honda del Sol and Volvo wagon burned, but we don't know if these cars were from G or from the other house across G, on another driveway, which burned. #H: has burned completely. #J: the house is fine. #L: the house is fine. #O: the house is fine. The house on the driveway to the left, opposite Martin's driveway, is fine.

1159 is fine. The rest of the homes look fine.

Back to the top of the hill, on the driveway that ends next to the G house, there were two houses which looked like 1265 and 1267 and that were burned, but the sign doesn't have arrows, so Isaac was uncertain of the exact addresses. Near a mailbox marked "1285, 1295" a Corvette Stingray sustained paint damage, but the house nearby burned down.

Making a difference with photography

2009-05-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

If you ask any journalist why they do what they do, the answer isn't about the money. It's about the opportunity to make a difference. Lately, with the media industry shifting dramatically, those paid opportunities have greatly diminished, and maybe it's time for a new paradigm regarding the public service aspect of getting the news out.

We fell into it through fire. This time, it's the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara. We've been serving magazines and periodicals with editorial photos and words for seventeen years. We're based in Santa Barbara, where Isaac and I both attended university almost two decades ago (Brooks Institute and UCSB, respectively). I'm from Ventura, before 1984, and Isaac's from Madrid, Spain, but we've been here for so long because we love the amazingly generous, artsy community here.

And our community has faced some adversity together: four fires in eighteen months, many friends losing homes, sifting together through the ashes of the Tea Fire. There's a whole generation of Santa Barbara children who have bad dreams about fire, ours included. We packed up our stuff to leave on Wednesday night, staying up around the clock. At least we all slept better last night.

On Tuesday when the fire began we called our friends whose homes might be affected to help with evacuations; one friend was in New Zealand, so Isaac went with her parents to evacuate her house. While he was there, he documented what he saw. This is what he does.

When we saw the lack of real-time news on fire location, damage, results and info on homes, he chose to go back, armed with cameras, face mask, and stout shoes, to let our community know what was going on, posted on Facebook and to local media, real time. Usually we do this for magazines or newspapers overseas, but this time, it's a gift. "I feel like my job as press is to inform people," he told me over the phone not long ago.

He took on being a journalist for the people, to inform his community. He's spent three days so far photographing homes behind the lines to document and let people know which homes were still standing and which burned in each of the most-affected neighborhoods.

"As photographers," he told me over the phone, "we’re inclined to find the most spectacular photo, so we can compete with our colleagues to get published, and thereby get paid. In this case I don’t care about getting paid. The technology today allows me to be in touch directly with the community, without depending on the newspapers who might pay me, and what's important is getting the word out. I understand that other photographers usually feel they can’t afford to take the time to take these kinds of photos, because they’re trying to put dinner on the table. We're in the same boat. But sometimes you just do what you can."

We' re inspired by our friend Jorge Torres, a cameraman who shot disasters for the Weather Channel, Discovery Channel and National Geographic. He filmed the earthquake in India, and started a foundation to get money and supplies to people. He ended up doing as much disaster relief as filming.

In many cases, Isaac's images were the first confirmation for evacuees of whether their homes had made it through the night. He put out a smoldering pile of leaves near one home. He contributed to the first news report damage assessment: http://www.independent.com/news/2009/may/08/assessing-whats-burned/

This is the community we love, and the families we raise our kids with. We're grateful to be able to provide vital information, but it's been a great responsibility to be the bearer of not always good news. We'll be happy for a massage in about a week, and maybe a new pair of shoes for Isaac who put out a fire with his.

Isaac Hernandez is photographing homes again today, for confirmation. This is what he's reported in today, so far. I'll continue to post new information as he calls in. This afternoon, when he returns we'll post images to our site: www.mercurypress.com . We've reorganized the galleries there to be by neighborhood.

On Las Canoas: 2447:The first and second driveways are fine. 1600 block: The fireman there said that the paper made a mistake, that many of the homes there are undamaged.

Here's the list. 1655: The house is fine. The first four cypress trees burned. 1657: The garage burned completely, but the house and pool are fine. 1661: The back door burned inside, and the room has minor damage, but the rest of the house is fine. 1667: The house has burned down completely. 1669: The house has burned down completely. 1681: The house is still standing and fine.

Mo McFadden let us know that her friends, Anne and Mike Macy, "live in the 2200 block of Las Canoas and are safe, as are their kids. They lost the bridge to their home, and the kids shack across Mission Creek. The house is fine. Their neighbors weren't so lucky as their house burned."

We'll keep posting throughout the day.

Paolo Soleri's photo in Life.com

2009-04-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

As part of Earth Day, Life picked up the portrait I did of Soleri. If you like it, rate it with a thumbs up.

Difference Makers Reception News

2009-03-23T19:24:00.001-07:00

The Difference Makers reception gathered over 100 people, including Bud Bottoms and Stephen Sherrill (featured in the exhibit), and many other creative types, like film maker Robin Bisio, architect Harold Powell and comic book artist Sergio Aragones! Antonio Banderas emailed to say that he couldn't attend because of an early morning trip the next morning. And book designer Helena Hernandez was present via Skype, chatting with many of the attendees.

What a great week! Thank you Eileen Cook, of Bella Dolce, for the great catering and amazing cookies and delicious raspberry lemonade; they were a hit. Thank you Dan Randall for the great Green Star Coffee. And thank you all that attended, in person or in spirit.

Updates to PhotoDifference.com and media coverage

2009-03-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

Check out PhotoDifference.com for a preview of the e-book Difference Makers.

My portfolio at PhotoServe.com has been selected as the Top Ten Editor's Picks this month!

I am being interviewed on television on Wednesday about the project PhotoDifference.

The Santa Barbara Newspress featured Zainab Salbi and Stephen Sherrill in their arts section as part of a story on the exhibit Difference Makers!

And Santa Barbara Channels newspaper did a story on the sculpture department at SBCC, in which I am also featured, as I volunteer to pour bronze that day.

Difference Makers: Zainab Salbi, founder Women for Women International

2009-03-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Difference Makers: Wavy Gravy, clown, co-founder of Seva Foundation and Camp Winnarainbow.

2009-03-13T09:50:00.001-07:00

Difference Makers: Vicki Pollack, founder The Children Book Project.

2009-03-13T09:49:00.001-07:00

Difference Makers: Lenor Kandel, poet.

2009-03-13T09:48:00.001-07:00

Difference Makers: Stephen Sherrill, activist, founder of Arlington West.

2009-03-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Difference Makers: Antonio Banderas, actor.

2009-03-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

Difference Makers: Amy Tan, writer.

2009-03-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Invitation to Difference Makers Exhibit this Saturday

2009-03-13T09:31:00.000-07:00

Difference Makers Artist Reception at Samy´s

2009-03-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

It takes a village to raise the world. This series of environmental portraits by Isaac Hernández presents a group of people with powerful impact from a variety of fields: artists, scientists, cultural, social and environmental leaders. All of them are up to something worth finding out about. Discover what they love.

This inspiring group ranges from local community leaders to internationally-known figures. Santa Barbara leaders like Bud Bottoms and Steve Sherrill share walls with Amy Tan, Wavy Gravy, Isabel Allende, Antonio Banderas, Michael Pollan, and Zainab Salbi, in great company. The event will raise funds for the great organizations showcased.

Please join us at the opening reception to celebrate these leaders and enjoy thirty of the photographs that Isaac has created over the last few years for publications around the world. The show runs from March 4 to 31. Samy's is open M-F 9-6, Sat 9:30-6, & Sun 10-5.

Share some wine and laughter with the artist at the opening, and be inspired!