December 6, 2023
News Roundup
By 2025, SpaceX Plans on Vandenberg Launches Every Three or Four Days
Other recent news: Womenswear brand d'Offay opened in El Paseo; Carpinteria residents sue cannabis farms over the foul smell; monarch butterfly season in Goleta; Lake Los Carneros footbridge repair is stalled; Camino Real Marketplace tree replacement; Goleta energy substation opens. 5
November 27, 2023
November 21, 2023
The State Street Promenade Now Has a One-Block Bike Lane
Other recent news: The Coral Casino intends to reopen in January; Replay toy store has closed after the owner passed away; an effort to determine whether Rincon Point beach is public or private property; Amazon liquidation store opens in Lompoc. 8
November 11, 2023
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
Burning Questions
- What’s This Building Under Construction in Toro Canyon?
- What’s the Story Behind the Seal of the City of Santa Barbara?
- Four Questions From the Mailbag
- What’s This Pole With a Flashing Blue Light?
- What Are These Sculptures on the Riviera?
- What’s the Origin Story of This Fence on Hot Springs Road?
- What’s the Housing Development Under Construction Next to the Polo Fields?
Recent Comments
So wonderful to have this new shop there in the El Paseo. Hand crafted ceramics, plants both real and dried, art, books, candles, decorative glassware,… — Miguel
Sad to see McCormick House close up shop to sell off. I've taken a few wonderful art classes there over the years. It is such… — JD
It is absurd. — Laurie
Exactly! I have no words for anyone that could even think of approving such a design and In Buellton of all places. Ed St George… — Monica
Alessia Patisserie & Café, 134 E Canon Perdido Street, Entry mat — Tal
PS- the generated photo previously used was more hidious though — Christine!
If you read the city paperwork- they describe the current Pea Soup design as “art deco”. I don’t think what they think is our deco… — Christine!
Come again? — J
Actually- the Art Deco style they speak of.... is what the current building is described as. — Christine!
Villas 1880 -1930, the metal roofing was the only product available in NZ, used in all areas and building types, mostly based on the needs… — Alan