••• “The city of Santa Barbara is in conversations to acquire the beloved La Casa de la Raza [601 E. Montecito Street], in a complex land-use deal involving the state of California [….] The city is not interested in running the center itself, but partnering with an operator. […] Since the late 1960s Casa de la Raza has served as a community destination for a variety of events and resources.” —Santa Barbara News-Press
••• From Noozhawk‘s roundup of business news: Bonnie Mara Animal Hospital opened at 4860 Calle Real; Raymond Music in Goleta has closed; and “Eos Fitness plans to close its Goleta location at 6144 Calle Real on October 1.”
••• Video of the Santa Barbara New-Press‘s recent mayoral debate is online.
••• “After 10 Years at Helm of City’s Housing Authority, [Rob] Fredericks Announces He’s Stepping Down at End of 2027.” —Independent
••• “Buellton is preparing to turn a sparse Avenue of the Flags roadway median into a pedestrian-friendly hub. […] Part of a much larger revitalization effort, the proposal comes as officials in the city of 5,000 residents foresee big changes along the avenue. A 2017 plan updated a year ago invites the construction of new retail, restaurants, food trucks, hotels and housing. Rooted in Art Deco-inspired architecture, the plan spans more than 55 acres.” —Santa Barbara News-Press
••• “Majority of Santa Rosa Island’s Rare Torrey Pines Predicted to Perish […] Up to 80 Percent of Critically Endangered Trees Are Not Expected to Survive Following Historic Wildfire.” —Independent
••• The tree of last month—but I missed it at the time—was the Canary Island date palm, “growing to over 75-feet in height on a stout trunk up to 3-feet in diameter. Its dense crown, which looks like the enormous round ball of an exploding firework, can have over 200 living fronds. Each frond is feather-like (pinnate), deep green, gracefully-arching, and 15- to 20-feet in length.” —Edhat (photos by David Gress, courtesy Santa Barbara Beautiful)
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I love the Canary Island date palm. It’s such a stately and elegant tree. I inquired as to why they were being replaced with method date palms in Hope Ranch along the iconic Las Palmas and I believe it was Dan Siebert who shared that they are unfortunately being infected with disease that is becoming more widespread. I love the canaries and hope we can keep as many around as possible.