March 31, 2023
News Roundup
A Move to Expand Use of Earl Warren Showgrounds
Other recent news: Santa Barbara County added more sites to list of potential housing; the political fight over ambulance and EMT services; Gibraltar Road closure could extend beyond a year; Maroon 5 to headline One805 benefit; Montecito Collective and Waterhouse Gallery open on Coast Village Road; actor Timothy Bottoms wrote a novel set on Stearns Wharf. 2
March 24, 2023
March 19, 2023
The County’s Cannabis Situation Continues to Stink in New Ways
Other recent news: Santa Barbara Airport is working on a terminal expansion and more parking; Solvang lost $538,000 to phishing; Butterfly Beach water closure due to sewage spill; the recent buyer of Oprah Winfrey's Hedgerow property; the Grace Fisher Foundation Inclusive Arts Clubhouse has opened; new pickleball shop. 7
March 10, 2023
$500,000 Donation Made Toward Expanding the Arroyo Hondo Preserve
Other recent news: The Miramar resort parking lot could be developed for employee housing; the city of Santa Barbara wants more involvement in the proposed La Cumbre apartment complex; swim platform in the works off Montecito; 2023 Fiesta theme and parade route; the return of the Starr King Rummage Sale. 6
February 27, 2023
Developers Officially Submit Plans for Resort on the Carpinteria Bluffs
Other recent news: Locals flock to mountains to look at snow; big trees down in Shoreline Park and on E. Anapamu Street; elderly woman abducted outside Smart & Final; owners of four corner stores share their stories; the tree of the month is the black acacia. 5
February 17, 2023
An Effort to Preserve 48 More Acres of the Gaviota Coast
Other recent news: HBO will adapt "Empty Mansions" into a series; a step forward for the De La Guerra Plaza revamp; Santa Barbara County might partner with San Luis Obispo county on a desalination plant; Montecito fire chief announces retirement; final oil piers removed from Haskell's Beach; the Garden Street Dog. 2
February 10, 2023
February 1, 2023
Downtown Apartment Complex With No Parking Moves Forward
Other recent news: A look back at the Potter Hotel; profile of local author Kyle Seibel; Aga John rug store has closed; neighbors concerned about Santa Maria housing for the homeless; new online map shows which trails and roads are open; the recent buyer of a $12.5 million beach house in Carpinteria. 1
January 25, 2023
The Results of a Community Survey About State Street
Other recent news: The buyer of Ellen DeGeneres's Ennisbrook hacienda; 82-unit apartment complex on Milpas gets final design approval; bike lane construction to start on W. Mission Street; Santa Barbara Central Library has partially reopened; Santa Ynez now has a cannabis shop; revised Munger Hall design expected this summer; the tree of the month is the Kentia palm; St. Regis Princeville Resort to become a 1 Hotel, with a focus on wellness. 3
January 19, 2023
Highway 154 Has Reopened
Other recent news: Untreated sewage spill affects Montecito beach; Santa Barbara County to get federal storm relief; harbor to be dredged next week; Goleta Beach Park is closed for "emergency beach nourishment"; several radio station still off the air; no word when Route 150 between Carpinteria and Ojai will reopen; Santa Barbara Museum of Art sued over Egon Schiele drawing allegedly stolen by Nazis; Cabrillo Boulevard arts and crafts market to get reorganized; Summerland oil seepage is likely natural. 1
















Recent Comments
It is kind of complex to tease out who bears the risks and benefits in these projects that have public and private parties involved. I… — SBradley
Very interesting. If Yardi is paying anywhere near $120M + $35M + $5.7M for almost 250k empty square feet, this is going to take a… — NuemanJ
I think some folks who would consider this is a windfall for Yardi may be overlooking two things: 1)The cost to Yardi to buyout AB's… — StanThompson
Just realizing I did not address your first point. The buildings on the property have been up for sale, and their value is also depressed… — SBradley
I think that the city's representation of this land as having ‘zero value’ is confusing because it sums together the value of 2 distinct things… — SBradley
No idea whether this is a good deal for Yardi or not. Paseo Nuevo has been available for sale since 2020 with no buyers -… — NuemanJ
I wish this same logic worked for Thrifty ice cream! According to the BLS inflation calculator, something that cost 5 cents in 1970 should cost… — Doug B
I'm unclear how bike lanes are related to maga. For that matter please explain how freeways and rail lines are remotely maga in a state… — Bettye Jones
Worth knowing about the Paseo Nuevo deal: the city is skipping the required competitive bidding process for this public land transfer by using the state-approved… — SBradley
This write up is such a biased take that sides with a handful of people. I imagine the people groaning about this project have a… — Yesenia G.