The Independent’s Local Heroes 2009

It’s an unhappy land that is in need of heroes, to paraphrase writer Bertolt Brecht. Fortunately, Santa Barbara does not have that problem. In fact, The Indy’s list of Local Hero nominees grows each year; the challenge is in paring it down.

After much deliberation, 20 folks were selected this year based on their inspiring actions. There is the fellow who donated a kidney to his coworker, and the man who gives food, shoes, and other essential items to the homeless, paid from his own pocket. There are folks who are making sure we treat our city-and planet-kindly, those who are bringing people together to help neighbors and animals, and those who provide a unique and essential service to our community.

Each year we are humbled by the giving nature of the group of Local Heroes honored. We take comfort, however, in a line by Will Rogers: “We can’t all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.”