SKETCHBOOK
Take a look at the gorgeous watercolors of JJ Avrutin, who recently moved back after spending time on the East Coast. “I love finding new ways to capture the magic of this place,” she says.
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FOOD STUFF
••• Handlebar Coffee Roasters has a third café in the works (above).
••• A Christmas-themed pop-up at Pearl Social.
••• Choppa Poke on State Street is turning into a different restaurant.
••• Eureka! is back after a remodel.
••• Kyle’s Chicken House has opened in Isla Vista.
••• The most Ojai thing I’ve ever seen.
→ Read the post.
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JUST LISTED
This is the best batch of new listings in a long time, including Jeff Shelton’s Pistachio House; a wild mash-up of old and new in Hope Ranch; walls of windows in Toro Canyon; the artsy, funky “Hope Ranch Barn”; a historic compound near the Mission; and many more.
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NEWS ROUNDUP
••• Bellosguardo released specifics about proposed tours and events.
••• American Indian Health & Services makes progress on the old Army Reserve Center.
••• Athleta opening date.
••• Preliminary maps for state redistricting.
••• The Natural History Museum’s Folk & Tribal Arts Marketplace is coming up.
••• A new yoga studio in Goleta.
••• Hitchcock Cinemas reopens next week.
••• The Four Seasons hotel in New York City is said to be reopening, so maybe there’s hope for the Biltmore.
→ Read the post.
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WHERE IN SANTA BARBARA…?
Congratulations to Vidal for correctly identifying where this was shot. We’ll play again Saturday morning.
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Erik- if one of the SOUTH AMERICAN GANG MEMBERS is arrested, the first call is to ICE- as they have the data base of criminal… — Christine!
Erik for the win! Thank you!!!! — Dave
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you are clearly the one that is misinformed. Tell me where they refrigerate their meat to meet code? Tell me where their hot water stations… — jimbo
Stica’s lasagna looks delicious! Always helpful to know about high quality To-Go catering options. Time, energy and cost of shopping, cooking, and managing dinners are… — Nina M.
Based on your repeated comments here, it seems you are confused on the subject matter- perhaps figure out what the subject at hand is....Permitted food… — christine!
Did the Saladino house sell furnished? I presume many of the pieces in the house are original to the property - or are these old… — Paul
City staff has said otherwise if you've ever attended any meetings on the subject. Grand Jury agreed https://www.independent.com/2025/07/01/santa-barbara-grand-jury-calls-for-stronger-enforcement-of-street-vendors/ Members of the jury visited food trucks… — Jefferson A.
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The street kitchen on Upper State is delicious — the line to get food says it all. Also pretty sure they have a permit. — Ederson