Odds & Ends

March 11, 2025

A Massive Vacant Lot in the Funk Zone

Plus: Jeff Bridges and a screening of "The Big Lebowski"; two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows were announced; Pete Buttigieg talk; Valvoline coming to De La Vina Street; Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum appears here to stay; the former Victor the Florist space is available again; rotating cast at Ensemble Theatre Company's new comedy; anyone remember a "family fun center" called Shady Acres? 15

March 3, 2025

The Post Announced Three More Tenants

Plus: The best look yet at the 443-unit complex replacing Sears at La Cumbre Plaza; Cold Spring bridge update; My Morning Jacket to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; new coffee table book about Santa Barbara homes; Goleta movie theater for lease; hair salon leaves Coast Village Road; the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is coming up; reminders of constitutional rights. 7

February 24, 2025

Two More Shops Have Opened at The Post

Plus: A new show of work by Hank Pitcher; three retail moves on State Street; update on the housing development near the polo fields; Mary Chapin Carpenter and Brandy Clark to play the Lobero Theatre; Father John Misty, Lucinda Williams, and Mt. Joy at the Santa Barbara Bowl; swing dancing at the Carrillo Ballroom; new picture book about local nature.

February 12, 2025

Will Eucalyptus Hill Road and Alston Road Get Speed Bumps?

Plus: Private e-foil lessons; big sale at Home Crush ahead of a concept change; three more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; MarBorg is restarting textile recycling; Highway 101 ramp openings and closings; Big Bounce America is returning to Elings Park. 7

February 9, 2025

More of Carpinteria’s Bluffs Are Getting Preserved

Plus: The county's push for more decomposed granite sidewalks in Montecito; the Biltmore resort has plans for three swim rafts, not two; parking availability at Santa Barbara Airport is now online; new shop on State Street; proposed "health retreat" on Paradise Road; signs of life at the Andalucia Building at State and Gutierrez. 6

February 2, 2025

A “Pickleball Social Club” From the Founder of Crushcakes

Plus: New nail salon coming to San Roque; big sale from local shops and brands; slate of improvements at Birnam Wood Golf Club; question about how property taxes are allocated to schools; "book bench" to be installed on the Eastside; testing a street vacuum on State Street. 11

January 28, 2025

More Turnover on Coast Village Road

Plus: Research about trail use; a visit to Florabundance in Carpinteria; Lake Street Dive to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; local spa now operating at the Hilton Santa Barbara; two new shows at Sullivan Goss. 8

January 21, 2025

How Should UCSB Use This Big State Street Storefront?

Plus: Where to comment about the proposed increase in space launches; visits to two new shops at The Post; a giant troll of upcycled materials is being built in the Santa Ynez Valley; Solvang hotel changed its name; Goleta homeowners want to build a meeting facility.

January 15, 2025

King Kong Comes to Montecito

Plus: The Talbots store at La Cumbre Plaza is closing; Khruangbin returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl; Gillian Welch and David Rawlings to play the Granada Theatre; a short stone wall on the Eastside; tree maintenance to affect two major streets; when license plate recognition fails.

January 12, 2025

High-End Rentals Are Going Through the Roof

Plus: The new southbound carpool lane has opened; Coyote Road spec reno cleaned up its facade; a Summerland antiques store has closed; an old sign from the Alameda Saloon; Japanese Breakfast to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; "Stomp" at the Granada Theatre; the Harding school bridge on the Westside. 35