Newsletter: June 9

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Foothills Forever Has Reached Its Goal

In what is truly an impressive accomplishment, the effort to save the 101-acre West Mesa of the San Marcos Foothills that was slated for development has been successful.

Alaska Airlines to Start Nonstop Service to San Diego

Plus: A new company that designs home gyms; photography book by Santa Barbara County Fire Department's Mike Eliason; One Plant cannabis shop has opened in Goleta; the price revealed of Adam Levine's flip; cute bobcat video; an aggressive legal maneuver by the county's Planning and Development department. 1

A Battle Is Brewing Over Mission Creek Bridge

Other recent news: Ticks are on the rise in coastal California; more on the human remains found in Montecito; the push for a Coast Village Road business improvement district; how prescribed burns work; the lure of Montecito's Golden Quadrangle; Seaside Makers Collective opening on State Street; coast and sheep put to work on Eucalyptus Hill; cannabis farm broke air-pollution laws for nearly a year.

Rascal’s Is Opening Another Longterm Pop-Up Restaurant

More food news: California will allow take-out alcohol through year end; get popular Priedite Barbecue without waiting in line; Palihouse hotel is only serving cold food because of a kitchen glitch; Cost Plus World Market is applying for an instructional tasting license; a profile of 4 Eggs & Pizza; the sad state of the Montecito Wine Bistro. 5

Maroon 5 Frontman Adam Levine Flipped His Montecito Estate

Adam Levine and model Behati Prinsloo have sold El Miraval, the 1923 estate that they bought three months ago for $22.7 million. They made a pretty profit, too.

Newsletter: June 6

The Siteline newsletter is the best way to follow the website. To subscribe, click the link at the bottom of this post. And you can unsubscribe at any time.

Houses Are Still Selling Quickly and Above Ask

While there weren't any huge sales this week—a few are in the pipeline—most were fast and above ask. Beside the spectacular Riviera flip, notable closings include two oceanfront fixer/teardowns; a sleek and sexy midcentury with killer views; a triplex near Crushcakes; a State Street charmer; Mesa three-bedroom with hot terrace action; and more. 1

Anyone Want to Open a Bar in Montecito?

Plus: First look at the revamped Butterfly Lane pedestrian undercrossing; new tenant coming to Coast Village strip mall; a visit to the Mount Calvary Monastery & Retreat House, on the market for $10.9 million; a mineral named after Santa Barbara.

The County Has Pledged to Close Any Foothills Funding Gap

Other recent news: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought yet another Montecito property; an update on how the city's bike-rental program is doing; construction of a bike path linking Santa Claus Lane and Carpinteria will start next year.