August 1, 2024
News Roundup
Will a Hotel Ban Fix Santa Barbara’s Housing Problem?
Other recent news: Discussion over county agritourism changes; Santa Ynez Valley radio station now part of KCLU; the heads of Cottage Health and Direct Relief are retiring; Gaviota Coast Conservancy and El Capitan Canyon campground come to an agreement. 11
July 25, 2024
Aggressive Invasive Ants Discovered in Montecito
Other recent news: Santa Barbara is thinking about spending money on an economic development plan; downtown building could become apartments; Mesa residents are concerned about Elings Park fire risk; Carpinteria's Soap store is closing; the tree of the month; push to turn Carpinteria's former Rite Aid into a community center; miserable Casa Dorinda resident Renée Templeraud. 14
July 18, 2024
The State Street Advisory Committee Can’t Reach a Consensus
Other recent news: Progress on containing the Lake Fire; popular campgrounds suffered little fire damage; Santa Barbara and Goleta working together on airport noise; back-in angled parking in Old Town Goleta; this year's Fiesta celebration won't include a carnival; the folks hoping to build on Hot Springs Trail share their point of view. 25
July 11, 2024
The Vons Store in Turnpike Center Might Close
Other recent news: An update on the Lake Fire; the Ukrainian corner in San Roque; how SpaceX gets its way with government agencies; Parma Park's new trails; the county Planning Commission finally insisted on carbon scrubbers; the wildlife crossing under construction in Agoura Hills. 3
June 27, 2024
Inching Toward a Decision on the State Street Promenade
Other recent news: A business improvement district for downtown Santa Barbara; apartment complexes proposed for the Lower Riviera and near Cottage Hospital; Refugio State Beach should reopen early this summer; the Waterman hotel in the Funk Zone has been rebranded; update on the Las Alturas house falling down the hillside; hidden camera found in landscaping; the tree of the month. 11
June 19, 2024
Refugio State Beach Is Closed Indefinitely
Other recent news: Professional soccer team to play at UCSB stadium; Santa Barbara Unified School District teachers' strike tentatively averted; county supervisors wrestle with the cannabis tax mess; Highway 101 construction above Ventura is done; seed money to try and buy Carpinteria Bluffs land slated for development; Santa Cruz Market sold; new hat shop in Carpinteria. 2
June 12, 2024
Santa Barbara Residents to Vote on a Sales Tax Increase
Other recent news: The longstanding friction at Hot Springs Trail; Chaucer's Books is under new ownership; hotel tax hike on the ballot in November; cannabis taxes continue to disappoint; Lower Tunnel Trail and Inspiration Point trailhead will be closed for six months; Waterfront Department plans to raise slip fees and harbor parking fees; inside the reborn Zaca Lake resort. 3
June 4, 2024
Santa Barbara Is Considering a Sales Tax Increase
Other recent news: Many of the school district's solar arrays have yet to function; criminal charges filed against landlord; mysterious fish die-off; Old Town Antiques is closing; the tree of the month; county district attorneys vs. Carbmaster bread. 2
May 23, 2024
Caruso Officially Files Plans for Miramar Expansion
Other recent news: The city intends to tweak another block of State Street; Southwest Airlines is expected to pause weekday flights between Santa Barbara and Denver; underground tanks discovered downtown; creepy people harass restaurant patrons; more on Hill House Montecito; Island View Outfitters opened on upper State Street; the county courthouse’s viewing deck is closed till late July; new kung fu and tai chi studio; state law to make street parking even harder; Pink to headline One805Live! benefit. 18
May 16, 2024
City Council Rejects Proposal for Paid Street Parking
Other recent news: More on the two new pools the Biltmore is building in its front yard; SpaceX continues to flout Coastal Commission policies; rise in rattlesnake bites; county supervisors are rethinking cannabis taxation; a surge in sick brown pelicans; Billy Baldwin and Chynna Phillips put their house on the market; Carpinteria photo archive is now online. 7
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
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
I’ve bought many great items from A Royal Suite home furnishings! Looking forward to them being on State street so we don’t have to drive… — Suzy