May 11, 2025
Odds & Ends
Opening Date for the Linden Square Complex in Carpinteria
Plus: A winning makeover on Garden Street; changes to a busy block downtown; Mācher's Santa Ynez shop opens this week; Mad Dogs & Englishmen is returning to Montecito; another outpost of the Well; upper De La Vina Street to be one-way during bridge replacement; "special parties" in the works at the Magic Castle Cabaret; a better look at the Hilton Santa Barbara's proposed expansion. 22
May 5, 2025
A Possible Lead in the Case of the Purloined Stiletto
Plus: A visit to Rose Story Farm during peak rose season; demolition proposed for Los Patos Way apartments; two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; Fairview Gardens update; Xanadu Skate Boutique to go online-only; Umbra Labs bailed on lower State Street; new look for the SBIFF Film Center; Don Louis Perceval art exhibit at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum; is Santa Barbara like Athens? 8
April 27, 2025
The Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Has Reopened
Plus: A new podcast about Santa Barbara; Band of Horses and Iron & Wine to play the Arlington Theatre; Maren Morris returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl; the Cold Spring bridge project is completed; Soul Sucker ceramics and plants at El Paseo; architectural tours of downtown; next year's SBIFF dates; De La Vina bridge replacement to start next month; new look for the five-story building proposed for De La Guerra Street. 2
April 21, 2025
The Big Red Shoe on Highway 101 Was Stolen
Plus: A new gym with a burly name is opening downtown; Orangetheory's Santa Barbara studio closes next weekend; Game Seeker needs to find another home; Vic Trace Reservoir replacement; new interior design shop in Buellton; the Illuminate Film Festival; confusing signage at the Los Patos roundabout. 3
April 14, 2025
April 7, 2025
The Former Nordstrom Building Will Be Partially Converted to Residential
Plus: More turnover on Coast Village Road; four new pickleball courts in Montecito; local production of "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812"; jewelry store coming to the Montecito Country Mart; Gogol Bordello to play the Arlington Theatre; Arrediamo Home Decor is opening on State Street; an evening with Albert Brooks. 14
April 1, 2025
Marisa Mason Is Moving to Montecito
Plus: Spikeball classes; tickets to the Music Academy of the West‘s summer festival; Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; free gardening advice; Colin Campbell Cooper, Leon Dabo, and Lockwood De Forest at Sullivan & Goss; "next-level circus" coming to the Lobero Theatre; a good source for breaking news? 10
March 23, 2025
The West Mesa Dragon Has a New Friend
Plus: Don’t mess with any trail easements that run through your property; Mācher is opening a shop in Santa Ynez; Chris Isaak is coming to Ojai; Dwight Yoakam, the Mavericks, and Caamp to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; Santa Barbara Public Library now offers ice skating passes; Loan Chabanol show at Tamsen Gallery. 1
March 16, 2025
A Better Look at the 90-Unit Apartment Complex Proposed for Milpas Street
Plus: The San Ysidro Ranch intends to build a much larger spa; Maison K found a new home in the Upper Village; an amusing sign at SBCC's Lifescape Garden; the Junior League's annual rummage sale; new county regulations for outdoor lighting; a visit to the Hermitage Santa Barbara. 12
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? 16
Burning Questions
- Why Are the Railroad Tracks Being Expanded Along Padaro Lane?
- Will You Explain the Plan to Adapt the Waterfront for Climate Change?
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
Recent Comments
It is kind of complex to tease out who bears the risks and benefits in these projects that have public and private parties involved. I… — SBradley
Very interesting. If Yardi is paying anywhere near $120M + $35M + $5.7M for almost 250k empty square feet, this is going to take a… — NuemanJ
I think some folks who would consider this is a windfall for Yardi may be overlooking two things: 1)The cost to Yardi to buyout AB's… — StanThompson
Just realizing I did not address your first point. The buildings on the property have been up for sale, and their value is also depressed… — SBradley
I think that the city's representation of this land as having ‘zero value’ is confusing because it sums together the value of 2 distinct things… — SBradley
No idea whether this is a good deal for Yardi or not. Paseo Nuevo has been available for sale since 2020 with no buyers -… — NuemanJ
I wish this same logic worked for Thrifty ice cream! According to the BLS inflation calculator, something that cost 5 cents in 1970 should cost… — Doug B
I'm unclear how bike lanes are related to maga. For that matter please explain how freeways and rail lines are remotely maga in a state… — Bettye Jones
Worth knowing about the Paseo Nuevo deal: the city is skipping the required competitive bidding process for this public land transfer by using the state-approved… — SBradley
This write up is such a biased take that sides with a handful of people. I imagine the people groaning about this project have a… — Yesenia G.