The Ongoing Works of Matt Kettmann
words.
Published in The Santa Barbara Independent
Matt started at The Independent as an intern in the spring of 1999, got a job as a proofreader that fall, and then, eight months later, was hired as a full-time news reporter. He spent five years as a reporter, writing stories short and long that were recognized with awards and nominations from both the California Newspaper Publishers’ Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweekies. Matt became pop culture editor in 2005, and spent nearly two years redesigning and strengthening the newspaper’s arts & entertainment coverage.
He became senior editor in September 2007, and focused his efforts on building content for Independent.com, which was named the best weekly newspaper website in the country by Editor & Publisher in 2008. In addition to overseeing the popular website — by far the most well read in Santa Barbara County, with nearly 10,000 unique visitors per day — Matt also oversees many elements of the printed paper, and continues to write, edit, and photograph as much as possible.
What follows is a selection of his stories, from February 2006 till today. The stories between February 2006 and April 2007, when we relaunched Independent.com, might be oddly formatted and missing some photographs. All of his work as a news reporter was published before the modern build-up of the website in 2006, but he is working to get digital copies of his best work in the preceding years, and will post those soon.
Cover Stories
Saving the Silence: Facing Threats from Inside and Out, the Carrizo Plain National Monument Prepares for the Future, April 16, 2009
The Rockstar Who Would Save the World: How the Jack Johnson Family Is Making Musicians, Concert Venues, and Fans Rally ’Round the Earth, August 21, 2008
Taxi Timebomb: Chaos and Competition Cause Santa Barbara Cabbies to Fear for Their Future, July 24, 2008
Can Vitamins Save the World?: How Santa Barbara’s Vitamin Angels Is Saving India and Beyond, One Dose at a Time, April 24, 2008
Kid Millionaire Cashes In: The Isla Vista Roots of Superstar Deejay, Record Exec, Clothing Designer, and Global Trendsetter Steve Aoki, March 13, 2008
Not Just Bushes Anymore: Introducing Jan Timbrook’s Chumash Ethnobotany, August 30, 2007
Wine Legends: Bien Nacido Grows an Empire in the Santa Maria Valley, March 29, 2007
Last Calls: Old-Timers, Newcomers, and Stray Hipsters Remember Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens, the Best Bar in Town, July 27, 2006
The Lord Hath No Mercy: Millions Suffer as Uganda Prolongs a 20-Year War Against Crazed Rebels, June 29, 2006
Bad Eyes, Good Medicine, and a Guy Named Bob: A Short History of the Modern Medical Marijuana Movement, March 30, 2006
The Accidental Environmentalist: A Reluctant Businessman Named Yvon Chouinard and the Making of Patagonia, Inc., October 2005
The Karabakh Conflict: Traveling Into a Dark Corner of the Former Soviet Union, June 17, 2004 (currently hosted on FullMonte.com)
The Tragedy of Toxic Mold: Killing Us All…Or Just the Latest Lawsuit Craze? , January 8, 2004
Arrainging the King of Pop: Michael Jackson’s First Day in Court, January 22, 2004
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Sierra Club’s Board of Directors Bitterly Divided Over Upcoming Election, March 11, 2004
Uncommon Ground: Hikers and Bikers Square Off Over Use of Santa Barbara County Trails , July 24, 2003
Biking for Bolivia: Ride for a Reason Brings Relief to Bolivian Amazon, Summer 2003
Backstage with Jack Johnson: UCSB’s Most Famous Export if Just Like You and Me, May 2003
Travel, Fun, & Life
Dalai Lama Imparts Wisdom to UCSB Crowd: His Holiness Graces Thunderdome, Santa Barbara’s Finest Turn Out, April 24, 2009
Desert Dreams: Escape to Palm Springs in Winter, When the Time Is Right, February 19, 2009
Santa Barbara’s Alpine Connection: Snow Scientist, Gallery Owner, and Ski Bum David Court Leads Wintry Adventures in the Alps, January 8, 2009
Five-Starring in Pismo Beach?: Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa Offers Livable Luxury and Good Autumn Eats, September 25, 2008
Taking the Fast Lane Through S.L.O. County: Three Easy Weekend Excursions to Plan for in 2008, April 24, 2008
Merv Griffin, 1925-2007: Remembering My Great Uncle, August 16, 2007
The Fog Rolls Over El Encanto: Iconic Santa Barbara Inn Closes for Renovations, August 30, 2007
Fast Cars, Good Times: CoolCarsSB.com? Rents Hot Rods to Satisfy Your Need for Speed, June 14, 2007
The Joy of Carnival Rides: A Vomitous Ode to the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo, April 26, 2007
Not Just Mai Tais Anymore: The Big Island’s Kohala Coast Delivers a Luxurious Lesson in Hawaiian Culture, January 3, 2007
When Winter Means June: A Weekend of Snow Riding and Relaxation at June Lake, Winter 2006
Wheelin’ the Waterfront: What Makes the Tourists Spin Those Silly Surreys, Summer 2005
Blue and Green Guide 2004: Adventure on the High Seas of Santa Cruz Island (sailing) and Living on the Ledge (rock climbing), May 2004
Fresh Tracks, Furry Fun, and Frozen Lakes: Wild Winter Sports of Central Montana, Winter 2004
Livin’ La Pura Vida: The Gringo Show Heads to Costa Rica, Fall 2003
Food & Wine
They Got Terroir, We Got Alma: Celebrate the Spirit of Santa Barbara Wine Country at This Weekend’s Vintners’ Festival, April 14, 2009
The Marketing Winemaker: Larry Schaffer’s Campaign to Take Santa Barbara County and Tercero Wines to the Top, April 9, 2009
Figuring Out the Futures Tastings: Elements Consumes Courthouse April 25; The Winehound Hits Museum of Natural History May 9, April 23, 2009
Wine Cask Owner Speaks Out: Bernard Rosenson Blames “Depression,” but Will Former Owner Doug Margerum Salvage the Business?, February 24, 2009
Wine Cask Evicted: Venerable Santa Barbara Institution Closes Without Warning, February 19, 2009
Champagne on the Brain: Bounty of Bubbly Choices to Pop in the New Year; Plus, Which Cheese Will Please?, December 24, 2008
Santa Barbara County’s First Syrah: Zaca Mesa Celebrates 30 Years of the Black Bear Block, December 18, 2008
See You at The Stonehouse: Getting a Taste of San Ysidro Ranch, Where Locals Mingle with the Elite, November 13, 2008
Highlights from the Harvest: A Report from the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association’s Celebration of Harvest, October 18, 2008
High Time for Tequila: From Badge of Bravery to Cup of Class, a Primer on Fiesta’s Favorite Drink, July 31, 2008
A Toast to Fiesta: It Wasn’t Always Margaritaville Around Here, July 31, 2008
Syrah Secrets Revealed: A Report from the Second Annual Syrah Symposium, June 12, 2008
The Green Fairy Is Free: Distilling the Myths and Washing Down the Rumors of Absinthe, March 20, 2008
The Tastiest Autumn Ever?: Fewer Grapes Mean Better Wine for Santa Barbara County’s ’07 Harvest, November 1, 2007
A Proven Past and Promising Future: The Evolution of the Sta. Rita Hills, June 21, 2007
Music, Film, Arts, & More
Welcome to Your Planet: Interview with Directors of earth, Disney’s New Nature Documentary, April 14, 2009
The Master Glazer of Figueroa Street: Santa Barbara Ceramicist James Haggerty Turns Pottery into Fine Art, October 2, 2008
George Clinton’s Mothership Touching Down at West Beach: The Parliament Funkadelic Take Part in Santa Barbara’s Sandiest Festival, September 9, 2008
The Icon of Our Era?: UCSB Grad and Global Superstar Jack Johnson Releases Sleep Through the Static , February 7, 2008
Getting His Experience: Meet Javier Bardem, This Year’s Montecito Award-Winner for Classic Performances, January 24, 2008
Hollywood’s Next Wave: Actress Amy Ryan Joins the Cast of SBIFF’s Virtuosos, January 24, 2008
Stealing Advice from the Trees: Matt Costa Looks at Unfamiliar Faces, His Second Full-Length Album of Folk-Pop, January 10, 2008
Michael Jackson Is Innocent: Aphrodite Jones’s Book Exonerates the Pop Star, November 15, 2007
Bang to the Boogie: Rap Pioneers Sugarhill Gang Come to Santa Barbara, September 13, 2007
Intrepid Reporter Saves Forgotten Generation: Jeff Gordinier’s X Saves the World Reminds Us that Gen X Is Making Everything Alright, April 3, 2008
The Bowl Raises the Roof, Literally: The Hallowed Santa Barbara Venue Goes Big with a New Stage, May 17, 2007
First King of the Festival: Forest Whitaker Talks Acting, Uganda, and Why Idi Amin Wasn’t So Bad, February 1, 2007
Talking Life and Music with ALO’s Zach Gill: An Early Morning Spent with the Frontman for the Animal Liberation Orchestra, December 21, 2006
Jon Stewart’s in the House: The Daily Show’s Host Comes to UCSB, November 16, 2006
Monkeys He Will Make of Men: Del tha Funkee Homosapien Gears Up for Best Album Yet, September 19, 2006
Meet the Marleys: Ziggy and Stephen Perform on Their Father’s Hallowed Ground, August 9, 2006
Dancing Days Are Here Again: Conversatin’ with Taj Mahal, April 20, 2006
Nature & the Environment
Flaming Whale of a Problem: Jean Michel Cousteau’s Next Two PBS Specials on Beluga and Killer Whales Get Personal, April 2, 2009
Birder’s Paradise: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Unveils Its Revamped Bird Exhibit, September 9, 2008
What’s 30 Feet Long with Eight Legs, a Big Beak, and a Life of Mystery?: Giant Squid Dissected at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, August 22, 2008
Sharks and the Chumash: Santa Barbara’s First People Relied Heavily on Our Finned Friends, August 14, 2008
Leaving More Than a Trace: Re-creating Carpinteria’s Historic Franklin Trail, May 17, 2007
Want More?
All Independent articles from February 2006 until now
Published by Time MagazineIn 2004, Matt was hired as a stringer by Time Magazine. Since then, he has covered everything from illegal immigration, national energy policy, and podcasting to the Michael Jackson trial, blind photographers, and the American toy industry for both the printed magazine and the website Time.com. Here is a selection of that work.
Writing
What's SUP? A Surfing Sport That's Bucking the Recession, June 7, 2009. Article about the explosive growth of stand-up paddle surfing.
The Art and the Heart of Blind Photographers, May 17, 2009. Story behind a Riverside photography exhibit.
Solar Power: Eco-Friendly or Environmental Blight?, March 24, 2009. Report on solar plants planned for Carrisa Plains in San Luis Obispo County.
Recession Threatens the Original Surf City, January 19, 2009. Article about plan to save Santa Cruz’s surfing museum.
Wind and Fire: One Family’s Escape, October 24, 2007. Interview with family who escaped San Diego wildfire.
Saving Bukowski’s Bungalow, September 14, 2007. Story about fight to save Charles Bukowski’s Los Angeles home.
Taking Aim at Hunters’ Ammo, April 4, 2007. Article about restrictions on using lead ammunition across the country.
Michael Jackson’s Date with Destiny, June 14, 2005. Report of jury decision in Jackson case.
Surfing’s Sudden Wipeout, December 14, 2005. Article about demise of Clark Foam and what that means.
Will Podcasting Kill the Radio Star?, December 17, 2004. First major nationals story about podcasting.
Reporting
The Myth of Black Friday, November 27, 2007. Reported from San Jose mall on shopping.
The Great California Fires , October 25, 2007. Reported on one family’s escape from San Diego wildfire.
The Harley Honor Guard , May 1, 2006. Reported from Riverside on motorcyclists who defend soldiers’ funerals from protesters.
The Next Energy Crisis?, January 15, 2006. Reported on proposed natural gas facility near Oxnard.
Playing Both Sides of the Fence, November 27, 2005. Reporting on use of illegal immigration in California agriculture.
Target: Trans Fats, October 16, 2005. Interviewed Stephen Joseph, leader of anti-transfat movement in Bay Area.
Toy Story 3: Dolly Dramas, April 26, 2005. Interviewed Montecito toymaker Rouben Terzian.
Jacko’s Bad Day in Court, March 14, 2005. Organized reporting on Michael Jackson’s pajama day during molestation trial.
Let the Lawyering Begin, March 7, 2005. Lawyer rundown in Michael Jackson trial.
The Thriller Begins, February 7, 2005. Kick-off to Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial.
What's SUP? A Surfing Sport That's Bucking the Recession, June 7, 2009. Article about the explosive growth of stand-up paddle surfing.
The Art and the Heart of Blind Photographers, May 17, 2009. Story behind a Riverside photography exhibit.
Solar Power: Eco-Friendly or Environmental Blight?, March 24, 2009. Report on solar plants planned for Carrisa Plains in San Luis Obispo County.
Recession Threatens the Original Surf City, January 19, 2009. Article about plan to save Santa Cruz’s surfing museum.
Wind and Fire: One Family’s Escape, October 24, 2007. Interview with family who escaped San Diego wildfire.
Saving Bukowski’s Bungalow, September 14, 2007. Story about fight to save Charles Bukowski’s Los Angeles home.
Taking Aim at Hunters’ Ammo, April 4, 2007. Article about restrictions on using lead ammunition across the country.
Michael Jackson’s Date with Destiny, June 14, 2005. Report of jury decision in Jackson case.
Surfing’s Sudden Wipeout, December 14, 2005. Article about demise of Clark Foam and what that means.
Will Podcasting Kill the Radio Star?, December 17, 2004. First major nationals story about podcasting.
Reporting
The Myth of Black Friday, November 27, 2007. Reported from San Jose mall on shopping.
The Great California Fires , October 25, 2007. Reported on one family’s escape from San Diego wildfire.
The Harley Honor Guard , May 1, 2006. Reported from Riverside on motorcyclists who defend soldiers’ funerals from protesters.
The Next Energy Crisis?, January 15, 2006. Reported on proposed natural gas facility near Oxnard.
Playing Both Sides of the Fence, November 27, 2005. Reporting on use of illegal immigration in California agriculture.
Target: Trans Fats, October 16, 2005. Interviewed Stephen Joseph, leader of anti-transfat movement in Bay Area.
Toy Story 3: Dolly Dramas, April 26, 2005. Interviewed Montecito toymaker Rouben Terzian.
Jacko’s Bad Day in Court, March 14, 2005. Organized reporting on Michael Jackson’s pajama day during molestation trial.
Let the Lawyering Begin, March 7, 2005. Lawyer rundown in Michael Jackson trial.
The Thriller Begins, February 7, 2005. Kick-off to Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial.
Published elsewhere
Matt has been freelancing since 2000, writing for publications small and large on a variety of topics. He was also the managing editor of Ventura Magazine in 2005. Here is a selection of freelance pieces.San Francisco Chronicle
Slumdog reality, February 24, 2009. Report on the good news in India that Slumdog Millionaire forgot.
Sunset
(Most of Matt’s many articles for Sunset are 100-word blurbs that don’t show up on the website. But here is a feature that is viewable online.)
Visit a different Santa Barbara: For a change of pace, leave State Street behind and journey to SoCo, July 2008
Smithsonian
Not So Dead: Death Valley, California, May 2008
Wine Spectator
Santa Barbara’s Wine Cask Closes: Recession derails restaurant and wine shop, February 25, 2009
Los Olivos Wine Cask Restaurant Changes Hands: Restaurant reclaimed and renamed by vintner Fess Parker, who owns the hotel in which the restaurant was located, June 12, 2007
Santa Barbara's Wine Cask Being Sold: After 25 years of touting Central Coast wine, owner Doug Margerum opts to step away from heralded market and restaurants, April 10, 2007
Muse and Medium: Wine inspires and helps create Christina LoCascio's art, December 15, 2005
In the Mountains of Karabakh: A war-ravaged former Soviet region tries to recover its winemaking roots, June 15, 2005
Ode Magazine
Seeing is believing: Ophthalmologist Ramniklal Doshi gives India the gift of sight, June 2008
Supplementing global health: Howard Schiffer and Vitamin Angels are saving the world one multivitamin at a time, January 2007
Swindle Magazine
Pader: The Broken Heart of Northern Uganda, Issue #10, 2006
Chewing Mairungi in Uganda, Issue #8, 2006
Hemispheres Magazine
Having a Vine Time: Santa Barbara County’s wine industry has both tourists and business owners seeing red, white, and rosé. December 2007
Glorious Getaways: The Simpson House Inn (page 2), December 2007
SkyWest Magazine
Secret Sips and Two-Wheeled Trips: A Town and Country Guide to Santa Barbara Wines, May 2003
LA Yoga
The Promise of Eco-Tourism, March 2008. Story about ecotourism worldwide, including scenes from Bolivia and Panama
Spreading the Micronutrient Message, Spring 2008. Report on Vitamin Angels’ programs in India and beyond.
Ventana Magazine
Story about Yoga on the Rocks, a yoga/climbing combo course, June 2009
Story about the Farmer and the Cook restaurant and market in Meiners Oaks, January 2009
Story about Sustainable Vine Wine Tours, November 2008
Profile of Manfred Krankl, owner of Ventura County’s Sine Qua Non Winery, December 2007
Broughton Quarterly
Profile of Gene Montesano, founder of Lucky Jeans. On page 17. Spring 2009
Profile of Yulun Wang, inventor of remote surgical robots and hospital rovers On page 20. Winter 2008
Profile of Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard On page 30. Fall 2008
Profile of Sustainable Vine Wine Tours On page 24. Summer 2008
Ventura County Star
A Chat with Mason Jennings, September 11, 2008. An interview with the Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter.
art ltd.
Santa Barbara Shooters: Inside the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s exhibit of S.B. photographers. August 2007.
American Cowboy
Bakersfield and Back Again: A road trip in search of California’s country soul. November 2005
