November 11, 2023
News Roundup
The Summer Solstice Celebration Theme Is “Flights of Fancy”
Other recent news: Rain is in the forecast (as is a wet winter in general); verdict in the trial over house bought by Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom; the bitter battle between the Santa Barbara Unified School District's teachers and leadership; State Street tattoo parlor moved to the Mesa; the history of Isla Vista; more on the former Child Estate; the mission of the U.S. Space Force. 2
November 2, 2023
State Street Promenade to Get Bike Lanes Again
Other recent news: Montecito debris nets to be removed; UCSB officially pulls the plug on Munger Hall; new refillable store in Goleta; the Modoc Road Multi-Use Path makes progress; proposed expansion of the Tajiguas Landfill; ExxonMobil subsidiary wants to repair an oil pipeline rather than build a new one; fiddling with the boundary of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary; real estate commissions could be headed for a change; the tree of the month. 7
October 25, 2023
The State Street Advisory Committee Met Again
Other recent news: Blissful Boutiques makers' market lost its lease at Paseo Nuevo; the city council approved new regulations for restaurant parklets; the Land Trust bought 48 acres on the Gaviota Coast; California Highway Patrol decided to stay and renovate its Calle Real office; progress for improvements at the Goleta Butterfly Grove; looking back at when a rich homeowner let hobos live on her property. 3
October 18, 2023
Santa Barbara Proposes Painful Regulations for Restaurant Parklets
Other recent news: Carpinteria votes to allow parklets; Santa Barbara is said to be mulling an increase in the hotel tax; Santa Barbara County is considering three new taxes; commuter train service from Ventura County is in the works; gate installed at the Hot Springs trailhead; two regional banks have merged. 2
October 10, 2023
The Trees of Milpas Street Are in Danger of Being Removed
Other recent news: California has passed a law banning "junk fees"; the tension between hotel and housing development; San Ysidro Creek debris net dam cleared; Goleta street improvements (and three new roundabouts); looking back at Santa Barbara's early surf scene. 28
October 5, 2023
Increased Regulation Likely for Pandemic Restaurant Expansion
Other recent news: The fall cruise season has begun; list of Santa Barbara infrastructure projects; an opponent for Das Williams; big downtown probation office moves forward; the ongoing restoration of Hammond's Meadow; Santa Barbara Unified School District enrollment continues to drop; Santa Barbara Humane expansion and the recreation of an airport hangar. 4
October 2, 2023
September 23, 2023
September 13, 2023
September 1, 2023
State Street Promenade to Get a Designated Bike Lane
Other recent news: Downtown library plaza delayed; Goleta Beach Park update; UC Santa Barbara will fail to meet housing obligations until at least 2029; 24-unit homeless housing coming to Patterson Avenue and Highway 101; the Santa Barbara Studio Artists Open Studio Tour is this weekend. 2
Burning Questions
- What Does the “S” on Certain Chimneys Stand For?
- What’s the Status of the Decommissioning of Rincon Island?
- What Happened to the Gas Flame on Highway 101?
- What Do We Know About the Proposed Apartment Complex at 1 Hot Springs Road?
- Why Is the Castillo Street Undercrossing Always Wet?
- What’s the History of This Tower on Ortega Ridge?
- What’s Up With These Sculptures on a Hillside in Summerland?
Recent Comments
The residents surrounding Elings should be more concerned about the salaries of the staff and how little is actually spent running the park and enriching… — Spank
I so agree with you—it was so tacky. He did the same thing to the once-charming Plow and Angel—early 20th century bordello style for both… — Anne
The two kitchen island trend is so weird. It never looks good and always looks like a glitch in the simulation. — BW
Perhaps I should have been more clear. It doesn’t bother me in the least that you (and others) don’t like going to State Street. To… — Doug B
Speaking from Austin, TX. We had an invasion of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) about 50 years ago. They built mounds in lawns and… — Wastrel
Sam, you nailed it, I hope more residents of SB read or hear about this before the city council. I just watched "Newsmakers with JR"… — Dan O.
Stupid question, but will the consultants be paid from the withhold wages of the city stuff who were hired to do that job in first… — ZM
I wish I could upvote or like this! Funny, sad, and too much truth in it. — BW
Erik, thank you for being the only member of the media to point out that the precise location where the scary imported fire ants have… — Master Gardener
While tourism remains Santa Barbara's largest industry, what many people don't know is that writing studies and reports for the city is now #2, and… — SkyG