NEWS ROUNDUP 2/26
••• State Street Promenade extended for another year.
••• Santa Barbara city and county elementary schools to reopen.
••• Proposed charter school denied.
••• Funk Zone rooftop bar moves forward.
→ Read the post.
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JUST LISTED
Notable new listings include what might be the most impeccable house in Montecito; a 1919 villa on Mission Canyon Road, an idiosyncratic contemporary the architect built for himself, a Lower Riviera charmer, and a 9.5-acre equestrian compound outside Carpinteria.
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FOOD STUFF
••• Gelson’s is being bought by a Japanese conglomerate.
••• Pizzeria Mozza and Restaurant at Meadowood pop-ups at the Ojai Valley Inn.
••• An effort to farm purple sea urchins.
••• Big new parklet at Mony’s.
••• Opening date for Sear Steakhouse in Solvang.
••• The Tavern at Zaca Creek brought on a new chef.
→ Read the post.
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NEWS ROUNDUP 2/27
••• Santa Barbara County rare punishes Covid-19 scofflaws.
••• Carp hotel moves forward.
••• Partisan conflict in the county redistricting commission.
••• The history of the Granada Theatre building and the plan for a backlot plaza.
••• Protesters try to stop development near the San Marcos Foothills Preserve.
••• Highway 1 repair timeline.
••• Artist Jane Gottlieb’s passionate embrace of color (above).
→ Read the post.
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HOT PROPERTY
The local real estate market is even hotter than it was six months ago: everything is selling, often going into escrow before officially being listed and selling above ask with a quick close. So if you think you might want to sell—and you have somewhere else to live—now is the time. See what sold last week—including Natalie Portman’s 10-acre spread (above)—and for how much.
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Recent Comments
The coral tree is fine for residential purposes as long as you routinely trim it. — Jim Owens
It's a beautiful tree, but Coral trees have brittle wood structure and limbs easily break off and fall. It's surprising to see these in parks.… — Chet
City streets are unsafe all day long with no enforcement. City needs to stop assessing things, and start taking action. San Andreas and Milpas Street… — billy
Patricia Bragg loved Katy Perry- longtime family/church friends- she gave Katy her first guitar. Using 3% of the property is a decent ratio, no? I… — Christine!
My fav coral tree is the round-a-bout on Pacific Ave on the Mesa- a real stunner! The California Coastal Commission being publicly flogged and forced… — Christine!
Why do you think Patricia Bragg hates underserved kids as much as you do? — Jefferson A.
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I live near a couple of the segments of streets mentioned for improvement and they absolutely need assessment. There are crashes every few months. It’s… — BW
Local attorney Luis Esparza in on the ballot with Judge Adams — Esparza for Judge 2026
El Smurfo. As Ben Kenobi said, "That's a name I have not heard in a long time." Gosh, what was my handle on the orange… — Dan O. Seibert