Santa Barbara’s Police Headquarters Could Be Done by Mid-2026
Other recent news: Living Vehicle's new sustainable camper; jury to decide Birnam Wood golf dispute; grand opening of the Carpinteria Community Library; the argument for a better pool complex at Ortega Park; the U.S. Navy will expand weapons testing off the coast; Solvang Festival Theater has reopened; the tree of the month is the dragon tree. 2
The Best Look Yet Inside Bellosguardo
Plus: Kule pop-up coming to the Montecito Country Mart; the closed part of Bella Vista Drive has finally reopened; an official answer about the left turn on red at Anacapa and Haley; more on the Chumash plan for a 31,000-square-foot office building in Santa Ynez; a fantastic 1920 postcard of Summerland. 13
A Stylish New Taproom in the Funk Zone
Validation Ale founders Brian and Briana Deignan have used their backgrounds in tech to create a better experience—from the menu, to ordering, to the bathrooms. "Whether you're a beer nerd like me or you've only had Coors your whole life, you're welcome either way," says Brian. "We want this to be about community." 1
A Stellar Week for New Listings
There's something for everyone: A Carpinteria estate inspired by a Chumash canoe; Yankee Farm midcentury with ocean views; a Hedgerow charmer; Toro Canyon farmhouse furnished by Ellen and Portia; rad Riviera pied-à-terre; an Upper East grande dame; a sweet little Spanish in San Roque; and more. 3
Santa Barbara Is Getting a Professional Soccer Team
Other recent news: The Museum of Contemporary Art is closing; State Street Promenade to get more lights and regular cleaning; new fencing along freeway off-ramps popular with the homeless; Olympic figure skater bought in the Hedgerow; interim police chief Barney Melekian steps down; emergency alert system to be tested in Montecito; Ventura's 1,645-acre Mariano Rancho to be preserved. 1
Bossie the Cow Is Getting Rebuilt and Moved
Plus: The Randall Road Debris Basin is just about done; the Chumash are working on a 31,000-square-foot commercial building in Santa Ynez; 2023 dates of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival; the city's ugly new solar arrays; this year's French Festival has been canceled; what not to do with used corks. 6
Recent Comments
This is the box outside of Ca’ Dario at the corner of Anacapa and Victoria. — Mike
Renaming the post office and spending $500 k to do it. Is another great example tax payers money being wasted. — Dan Kolodziejski
Hallelujah! The return of that Southbound on-ramp is long overdue — Tammy
You've done a great thing for the hapless men of Santa Barbara with this series. Stopping by half of these stores. — Andy
The post office renaming will cost roughly $500,000 paid for by the USPS internal funds from stamps and fees. — Derek
Thank you, Erik, for reminding your readers to support local businesses; it is one of the critical ways to help our communities thrive. (I laughed… — Pat
I agree about the skimpy wine pour. However, we loved the shared entrees (chicken and salmon) with their special rice. Yes there were leftovers but… — ElizabethW
That 5% would go to all employees proportionate to their hours I would presume compared to tips where more skilled staff take a higher percentage,… — Don
Geo , you know absolutely nothing about the restaurant business. — Roy
What if, and bear with me here because this is complicated, restaurants just paid their staff normally and charged prices that reflected those expenses, i.e.… — Rich