Odds & Ends

November 13, 2023

The Biltmore Is Adding a Bunch of Shops

Plus: A big construction project in front of the hotel; Vuori has moved into the Athleta space; "sock-skating rink" on MOXI's rooftop; protea garden tours in the Santa Ynez Valley; Gregory Alan Isakov to play the Arlington Theatre; explanation for the Rosewood Miramar Beach's Italian flag. 8

November 9, 2023

First Look Inside Carpinteria’s New Bookstore

Plus: Farewell to Montecito's "welcome tree"; Jeff Shelton–designed T-shirts; Coast Village Week is coming up; two new biographies of Pearl Chase; Loud Flower Art Co. has opened on E. Haley Street; Padaro Lane beach access and "road closed" signage; a meeting about changes to Cliff Drive; the Santa Claus Lane Bikeway is officially done. 5

November 5, 2023

Lookout Park Has Expanded

Plus: Hotel deals for locals and their guests; Light + Home's downtown pop-up; left-turn lane in the works for State and Mission; Google paid $16.8 million for Goleta land; another hotel changed hands; Ojai house tour; flamenco in a historic adobe; talk by the James Webb Space Telescope's lead project scientist. 1

October 30, 2023

Build a Fort at the Botanic Garden

Plus: Ketamine clinic opening on N. Milpas Street; the return of ZooLights; Los Patos Way roundabout construction update; N. Padaro Lane onramp to open November 9; "Piscinas" at Maune Contemporary. 6

October 23, 2023

Jules by the Sea Is Opening an Uptown Branch

Plus: The bookstore opening in Carpinteria; new retaining wall near the Santa Barbara Yacht Club; full-moon hike; the seasonal closure of Loma Alta Drive has begun; Leadbetter Beach Park turf renovation; Cody Jinks to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; low-key photography from the Botanic Garden's archives.

October 19, 2023

Arts District Get-Together Tomorrow Evening

Plus: Chamber music at Bellosguardo; another Los Alamos landmark is for sale; screening of film about the origins of Plaza Rubio; guided tarantula walk; the Courtyard by Marriott's roof deck; John Evans paintings at Caldwell Snyder. 6

October 16, 2023

How Do You Feel About Parking Meters?

Plus: Santa Ynez General has reorganized; the Santa Barbara Airbus now stops in Camarillo; Paula Cole to play the Lobero Theatre; a mysterious email from Alaska Airlines; following up on two Lower Riviera tips. 3

October 11, 2023

Palma Colectiva Is Opening a Dedicated Retail Shop

Plus: The State Street pianos are back and a "performance progressive" is coming up; first look at Providence School's plan for the former Girls Inc. building; a trio of contemporary dance performances; Mad Fitness's hiatus appears to be permanent; please don't use fake spider webs outside. 10

October 6, 2023

The Miramar Resort Wants to Add 15 Apartments and 12 More Shops

Plus: A menswear store is coming to the Montecito Country Mart; interior design firm opening shop/studio on State Street; Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum building is on the market; distinctive Funk Zone building for sale; Neal Feay's fabulous London project revealed. 4

September 28, 2023

A Local Real Estate Legend Tells All

Plus: The Montecito Estate Sale is coming up; Ojai Studio Artists tour; Jeff Shelton on his redesign of the State Street undercrossing; floral design studio moving to Santa Claus Lane; vintage tile enthusiast.