October 31, 2024
News Roundup
The CVS Store on State Street Is Closing
Other recent news: The downtown library plaza has opened; oak trees to replace stone pines on E. Anapamu Street; Caruso and All Saints by-the-Sea church make a deal; the head of UCSB Arts & Lectures is retiring; free digitization of local home movies; the tree of the month. 6
October 24, 2024
How the Montecito Planning Commission Shot Itself in the Foot
Other recent news: Biltmore's family pool complex moves forward in slightly smaller form; Isla Vista now has a vending machine with Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and emergency contraceptives; land preservation on Goleta ballot; another Huguette Clark estate is on the market. 3
October 17, 2024
Santa Barbara Is Finally Getting Serious About E-Bikes
Other recent news: Art Essentials is moving at year end; Montecito police blotter; the latest on the proposed Rosewood Miramar Beach expansion; the city council's District 3 race; the Lobero Theatre’s executive director is stepping down; California Coastal Commission refuses to allow more SpaceX launches. 14
October 3, 2024
Debate Rages Over the 250-Room Garden Street Hotel
Other recent news: Debunked rumor that the Bidens bought in the Santa Ynez Valley; District 1 candidate forum recap; Funk Zone art gallery closed; city councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez's poor attendance; criticism for cannabis stink abatement plan; Goleta library to close for up to two years; Mission Creek restoration; Cottage Health to create employee housing; what's next for Andersen's Pea Soup in Buellton. 3
September 26, 2024
A Faster Track for the Miramar’s Retail and Housing Expansion
Other recent news: The new owner of Buellton landmark Pea Soup Andersen's; California to finally ban the sale of all plastic bags at grocery stores; buyer found for the News-Press's physical archive; bomb thrown inside a Santa Maria courthouse building; the tree of the month; the Riv's ode to Bianca Censori. 3
September 19, 2024
The City Council’s Current Thinking About State Street
Other recent news: CVS is said to be closing downtown; Metropolitan Theatres has left the Fiesta Five on State Street; interview with city administrator Kelly McAdoo; what to do with two dilapidated airport hangars; Fuel Depot opened on Storke Road; candidates for Goleta elections; progress for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. 11
September 5, 2024
The Debate Over Rent Control in Santa Barbara
Other recent news: A rise in stolen checks; vintage shop updates; Lucidity Festival is shutting down for good; Goleta likely to lower speed limits; Platform Holly has been plugged; the county's agricultural enterprise ordinance moves forward; Eric Goode's huge Ojai spread; positive feedback for the proposed Tri-County Produce project; SBCC wants a bond extension; the Surfliner Inn's slow progress. 31
August 29, 2024
August 22, 2024
Opening Date for the Santa Barbara Public Library Plaza
Other recent news: The eight-story building proposed near the Mission; a bit of intel on the buyers of the former St. Anthony's Seminary complex; President Biden and his family are vacationing in the Santa Ynez Valley; feedback on the plaza to replace Franceschi House; Moody Sisters cottages istreated; the new Tilly Timms souvenir store; California Highway Patrol issued a ton of speeding tickets; driver crashes car and flees on skateboard. 5
August 15, 2024
A Chilly Reception for the Biltmore’s Family Pool Complex
Other recent news: The arrogance of the U.S. Space Force; beach grooming debate; UCSB chancellor Henry Yang will step down; the candidates for Santa Barbara's city council; the men behind the street names near the airport; questions about the Lobero Theatre's proposed expansion; downtown condo owners caught in the new Community Benefit Improvement District; Refugio State Beach reopened; dreaming big about the former U.S. Bank branch on State Street. 5
Burning Questions
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
Recent Comments
I live near a couple of the segments of streets mentioned for improvement and they absolutely need assessment. There are crashes every few months. It’s… — BW
Local attorney Luis Esparza in on the ballot with Judge Adams — Esparza for Judge 2026
El Smurfo. As Ben Kenobi said, "That's a name I have not heard in a long time." Gosh, what was my handle on the orange… — Dan O. Seibert
Taking criticism from losers is price of not being one — Duds
One of the best travel articles I’ve ever read. The narrative and the pics made me feel that I was there. Thanks ever so much — Jeff
Missed that reddit post, but I would say on the whole pretty positive. Obviously Montecito real estate postings are not going to be super popular… — el_smurfo
If you liked Angkor, then you need to visit Borobudur. And there’s even an Aman! AmanJiwo. One of our best trips. — Tom F
Shop keepers closes two stores. Why are all you experts not analyzing this? Could it be that the greed of landlord's has now reached the… — Jose Luis Riviera
Perfect summary of Angkor. You captured it well. My first visit was over 30 years ago before the disney-esque entrance. On the back of a… — KGS
Ummmmm....CVR is definitely thriving!!! Ask the retailers. There are more tourists willing to spend money (there are many affordable shopping options). Locals have been stopping… — Dave