Burning Questions

October 4, 2021

What’s the Point of These Markings on Laguna Street?

"Every time I drive on Laguna Street, I wonder why traffic is pushed outward as you approach Ortega Street." asks K. The city's traffic engineers have an explanation.

May 30, 2021

The Mystery of the Red Shoe Has Been Solved

The folks who installed the giant stiletto alongside Highway 101 have been getting a kick out of all the news reports. 25

May 24, 2021

Why Is There a Giant Red Shoe Off Highway 101?

The shoe appears to have made its debut in February. No one has taken credit, but theories abound: the shoe was part of an American Heart Association publicity campaign, or a prank, or placed there by a real-estate agency as a joke. 6

May 17, 2021

Is Timbers Restaurant in Goleta Really Going to Reopen?

"I believe it's owned by Sandy Boyd, who founded two chain restaurants/cafés in California: Espresso Roma and Fresh Choice. But nothing much seems to have been done with it, at least from what you can see from the highway. Maybe there’s an interesting story here?" —S. Indeed, there is—and a local restaurant has plans to open soon. 1

April 15, 2021

Will the Dorinda Triangle Ever Get Beautified?

"I thought that since it's an entrance to Montecito, the county's Public Works Department might give it some priority. Instead, it has been used as a parking lot for heavy equipment." —L. 3

April 5, 2021

Are We No Longer Allowed on the SBHS Baseball Field?

"A new fence is going up at the Santa Barbara High School baseball field. Does that mean no more dog walkers and picnickers?" —T.

February 18, 2021

What Does “SBTP” on This Post Mean?

"I saw this post on De La Guerra Street and I can’t figure out what SBTP stands for. Can you help? —A."

January 19, 2021

What’s Up With the “No E-Bike” Signs on Local Trails?

"A friend saw these signs today, and they make no sense to us," wrote PJ. "Mountain bikers only use pedal assist while going uphill—going downhill, without pedal assist, they're going at the same speed as a friction bike. (Even with pedal assist, you can't go fast uphill as it’s too steep in Santa Barbara.) Wondering if you know anything...." 5

January 15, 2021

Why Is Franceschi House in a Holding Pattern?

"My fiancée and I think that it would be wonderful to see Franceschi House restored," emailed N., "but it seems that efforts over the last 20 years have been unsuccessful. We'd love to understand in more detail what has caused the house to get stuck." 3

December 15, 2020

Why Is There a Train Station Inside This State Street Storefront?

"In the storefront between the Christian Science Reading Room and Open Air Bicycles is a replica of a train station. Is it old or new? Why does it exist?" —C. 1