Blog

The Small-Town Charms of Samarkand

It’s a land of lemonade stands, lawn bowls, good vibes, and bingo nights.

Update on Two New Harborside Restaurants

More food news: Funk Zone tasting room for rent; recommendations for fancy cheese and bento boxes; Labor Day weekend barbecue in Los Alamos; Bibi Ji has begun selling wine online.

This Is What Happens When You Run Into a Fire Hydrant

Plus: New book of Studio William Hefner’s work; the city’s grammatically incorrect electronic signs; state-operated Covid-19 testing site moved to Goleta; curve warnings installed along Route 192 this week; patches to help the fight to save Pine Mountain.

Hair Salons Are Allowed to Operate Indoors Again

Other recent news: California has a new system to determine reopening schedule; 13 schools submitted waivers to reopen; UCSB moves almost all classes online and cancels all events and sports; prescribed burn at the UCSB lagoon; UCLA Health’s expansion into this area; oil platform update; Carpinteria city council candidates; school-board candidate Virginia Alvarez.

Richard Neutra’s Tremaine House Sold Off-Market for $12 Million

The market remains red-hot: the week’s 13 noteworthy sales include a midcentury landmark and a run on the Ennisbrook enclave.

Venus in Furs Soft-Opens This Saturday Night

More food news: Two new restaurants across from East Beach; how a catering company pivoted into a restaurant; new Goleta coffee shop; pies delivered to you.

A Former Finnish Ambassador’s Fanciful Retreat

The week’s top price adjustments are mostly downward—including a funky Lower Riviera triplex and an architectural statement in east Montecito—but things being what they are these days, a couple went up.

The County Decided Not to Ratchet Up Covid-19 Rule Enforcement

Other recent news: Goleta School District won’t apply for reopening waiver, and Santa Barbara is unsure; investigation into the career of police officer Jeremy Rogers; the Biltmore made an announcement to employees; more on the county’s use of Roundup herbicide in creek beds; progress for new Goleta fire station.