Oprah And Rob Lowe Commiserate Over Burning Hometown

Montecito is home to the rich and famous, but it's not flashy. It's exclusive, but not haughty. And it's far enough from the sprawl of Los Angeles for comfort _ while still close enough for convenience. People who live in this enclave tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains call it a paradise, one that has long drawn old money and, in recent years, flush celebrities. Among them are Oprah Winfrey and Rob Lowe, Montecito neighbors who commiserated by phone Friday during the taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." While the homes of each had apparently escaped damage as of Friday evening, they talked at length about their friends and neighbors who weren't so lucky. "It started last night and so far it's been reported that as many as 100 homes have been destroyed," Winfrey said. "A lot of them are friends and neighbors of mine so it's not a good morning for us. ... Some of my friends left their homes with only their dogs last night as I was calling, 'Are you all right? Are you all ... (link)