Odds & Ends

March 23, 2023

A New Fitness Studio Is Opening Downtown

Plus: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi actually took a loss on that Hedgerow house; yet another Santa Barbara hotel has been sold; Italian Pottery Outlet is celebrating its 40th anniversary; the Santa Ynez Inn has changed its name; Brad Paisley to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; Mark Morris Dance Group is coming to town.

March 20, 2023

The Return of the Two-Hotel Funk Zone Development

Plus: The Biltmore is reducing its number of guest rooms; Hozier to play the Bowl; a visit to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's fun Backcountry area; presale memberships to the Pad climbing gym; the Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival will include a block party; answer to last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" 16

March 14, 2023

Another Shop Is Leaving State Street

Plus: Most frontcountry trails have reopened; Parker Clay's warehouse sale is this Saturday; two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; San Ysidro Road northbound onramp to close for nearly two years; current-day photos added to the recent post of old buildings. 1

March 9, 2023

Big Carpinteria Development Lands Its First Retail Tenant

Plus: A State Street bank is closing; the Nesbitt mansion is back on the market; more reasoning for MarBorg's non-curbside rate hike; construction on Highway 217 starts in April; Jazz at the Ballroom returns to the Lobero Theatre; amusing construction sign. 5

March 6, 2023

A New Menswear Store in the Funk Zone

Plus: Music Academy president Scott Reed is leaving the organization; another new apartment building is in the works downtown; two Highway 101 ramps to reopen this week; the Lumineers and Kelsea Ballerini to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; reader question about a nice-smelling plant; paintings by Arty Grimm at Caldwell Snyder. 1

March 2, 2023

Why Were Cameras Installed at the Montecito Hot Springs?

Plus: The latest plans for the De La Guerra Plaza revamp; Little Rainbow Foot Spa closed for remodeling; a new explanation from MarBorg for its non-curbside rate hike; Union Bank is becoming U.S. Bank; East Beach water-contact closure lifted; free firewood from the State Street Axe Club; potential public use of Santa Barbara High School's track and football field. 12

February 23, 2023

A Big New Gym Is Opening Downtown

Plus: Adventure park with ziplining is coming to the Santa Ynez Valley; the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is coming up; Father John Misty, the Head and the Heart, and Rebelution to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; an Instagram account for local history buffs; are neighbors getting annoyed by pickleball? 5

February 19, 2023

The Las Aves Developer Has Taken Over More of Los Patos Way

Plus: Housing for the homeless is said to be in the works for 1.7 acres on upper State Street; more on MarBorg's hefty rate hike for non-curbside service; Channel City Lumber is opening a Santa Barbara store; Angel boutique is moving; an update on the Best Western Pepper Tree Hotel; the Santa Barbara Antique Show is coming up; E. Mountain Drive has reopened at the Cold Spring trailhead; Trombone Shorty, Ziggy Marley, and Mavis Staples to play the Santa Barbara Bowl. 10

February 16, 2023

The Seepage Problem at the Castillo Street Underpass

Plus: Four more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; the best look yet at the wondrous Pepper Hill house; vintage and consignment store Faitell Attractions found a new home; opening forecast for The Pad climbing gym; the answer to last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" 7

February 13, 2023

Rooms & Gardens Is Moving to Montecito

Plus: MarBorg's price hike for "non-curbside" service; Goleta Beach County Park has partially reopened; Zodo's bowling alley has been rebranded; documentary about the cool house on Pepper Hill; city survey about the Single Family Design Board design review process; contemporary photos of old buildings; Highway 101 construction updates. 12