Odds & Ends

March 20, 2020

Real Estate Agents Are Now Discouraged From Showing Houses

Plus: Checking in on the underground lair being built in Pepper Hill; Santa Ynez farm marketed as Covid-19 hideout; UCSB Arts & Lectures canceled its season; cops expect more domestic disturbance calls due to cabin fever; a chillier welcome on Riven Rock Road.

March 18, 2020

Seniors Now Get First Access to Gelson’s

More food news: A local farmer's inspiring message about reciprocity; Kanaloa Seafood, Malibu Farms, and Caruso's are offering delivery and takeout; Flor de Maiz has gone on hiatus; Bettina gift cards.

March 17, 2020

Give Burn Areas a Chance to Dry Out Before You Hike

Plus: City recreation facilities are closed; Lotusland, Riviera Theatre, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art are on hiatus; real-estate agents' caravan is off; Island Packers suspends trips for a while; help spruce up the Sespe Wilderness trails; two recent sales of note.

March 12, 2020

Social Distancing Comes to Santa Barbara

The Riviera Theatre is limiting audience size; the public library is canceling events; Slightly Stoopid is coming to the Santa Barbara Bowl; MarBorg will soon rent hand-sanitizer stations; Cottage Hospital has COVID-19 test kits; toilet-paper hoarding continues; a free house.

March 11, 2020

Five Percent Increase in Santa Barbara County’s Homeless Population

Plus: Two high-end rentals, one with a helistop and an Airstream trailer; the county keeps sending out Spanish-language alerts; new book on everyday homesteading from Heritage Goods & Supply; three recent sales of note.

March 6, 2020

The Weather Forecast You Should Subscribe To

Plus: Architect Barton Myers's house is said to be hitting the market soon; new four-story condo building on E. Micheltorena; two recent sales, including a 13.75-acre estate that went for 55% off the initial asking price.

March 4, 2020

Historic Montecito Mansion Is Renting Rooms by the Night

Plus: Two George Washington Smith houses are available for rent; the Riviera Theatre is screening Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" to honor Kirk Douglas; expanded hours at the Cuyama Buckhorn motel and restaurant; superb private art collection on view in L.A.

February 29, 2020

The Apple Store Is Now Collecting Visitors’ Images

Plus: New Lotusland exhibit about founder Ganna Walska; oceanfront property sells for well under the initial ask; Amazon's State Street building is on the market for $38 million; you know you're in California when....

February 25, 2020

Owner of Three Dry Cleaners Resists Push to Hand Over Customers’ Data

Plus: Bright Eyes will play the Santa Barbara Bowl; slow-motion video of last weekend's hailstorm; two recent sales of note; forest bathing class at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden; the pros and cons of a Cielito spec renovation.

February 20, 2020

Wildflower Season Has Started Early on Anacapa Island

Plus: The Santa Barbara Bowl is looking for volunteer ushers; Montecito water update; Turnpike Road onramp to reopen after sinkhole repair; new book by the niece of Lotusland founder Ganna Walska; "late night screenings" of Bong Joon-ho's "The Host."