Odds & Ends

January 6, 2022

Inside the New Australian Walkabout at the Santa Barbara Zoo

Plus: A forthcoming book about Lotusland; Billy Strings is playing two nights at the Santa Barbara Bowl; MarBorg's recycling centers are temporarily closed due to staffing shortages; Bella Vista Drive is now closed till June; anyone know a good vacation rental in Big Sur? 3

January 3, 2022

The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern Has Begun Taking Reservations

Plus: Kismet lingerie-and-jewelry boutique is already expanding; Isla boutique in the Hotel Californian has closed; Maune Contemporary art gallery opens this week; more on a prominent Channel Drive property; book recommendation for people who love Santa Barbara history.

December 27, 2021

Everything Inside Botanik Is 50% Off

Plus: Upcoming concerts and events at the Arlington Theatre; public meeting about new recreational programming at Plaza de Vera Cruz; details about the proposed five-building complex off Old Coast Highway; the enhanced intersection of Santa Monica Road and Via Real; "Juxtaposed" show at Sullivan Goss.

December 21, 2021

250-Room Funk Zone Hotel Shows Signs of Life

Plus: Al Franken will be at the Lobero; Trombone Shorty's Voodoo Threauxdown coming to the Santa Barbara Bowl; the history of Santa Claus Lane; funky Hope Ranch barn house gets another big price cut; container ships off the coast.

December 16, 2021

Where Pilates Meets High-Intensity Training

Plus: Groundbreaking for a 28-unit apartment building across from the farmers' market; a renovated and rebranded Malibu hotel; clarification about an Equestrian Avenue townhouse; the Miramar's Christmas tree promotion; a new organization called ARTS District Santa Barbara; El Rancho Carpintero's custom hats. 1

December 12, 2021

First Look Inside a Jeff Shelton Farmhouse

Plus: The bridge in the Casa Dorinda Open Space has been replaced; Caffe Luxxe was the victim of a smash-and-grab; renderings for a sexy Brutalist house in Carpinteria; Anacapa Architecture is moving to a State Street storefront; a new chapter for the former Avis building in the Funk Zone. 1

December 8, 2021

Olivia Rodrigo and Jack Johnson to Play the Santa Barbara Bowl

Plus: Channel Islands educational center coming to downtown Carpinteria; Richard Thompson at the Lobero; planting underway at the San Ysidro Ranch's botanical garden; Santa Barbara's Louise Lowry Davis Center event space to close for renovations; electric-vehicle rentals delivered to your door.

December 6, 2021

One of the World’s Wealthiest People Bought the Hotel Santa Barbara

Plus: Rumor kiboshed about Montecito's Upper Village; former White House photographer Pete Souza and comedian Paula Poundstone will be at the Lobero; raft of thefts from car trunks; streetwear shop CRSVR is returning to State Street; a Coast Village Road gallery has closed. 1

December 1, 2021

A Production Designer Has Opened a Stylish Shop

Plus: Lots of great vendors at the Victoria Court holiday market; the Goo Goo Dolls play the Bowl next fall; what's happening at Summerland's gas station; pop-up gallery on De La Guerra Plaza from Oat Bakery's Louise Ulrich; Slingshot/Alpha Art Studio is moving; three new local books for your gift list. 1

November 24, 2021

22-Room Hotel in the Works for Chapala Street

Plus: The Butterfly Lane freeway undercrossing is about to be closed for at least six months; "for lease" sign on the Restoration Hardware space; Sullivan Goss's "100 Grand" show; vacation rentals at Jeff Shelton's El Zapato building; a new company that sells shares in vacation homes has its first listing here.