Why Is There a Pressure Cooker Attached to This Utility Pole?

"I was walking on Anacapa Street when I noticed a pressure cooker attached to a utility pole. A couple of days later, I saw a stockpot at Garden and E. Padre. What purpose do they serve?" —P. 1

Newsletter: April 7

The twice-weekly 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.

South County Resident Is the Second to Die of Covid-19

Other local news: 174 confirmed cases as of Sunday afternoon; county appears to have more cases than comparable counties, but the lack of testing clouds the issue; could coastal winds carry the virus far?; the history of the 1930s Lutah Maria Riggs house at 818 Hot Springs Road.

Bibi Ji Is Now Open for Takeout

More food news: Caruso's is serving comfort food for pickup and delivery; more provisions at Bettina; the Sweet Wheel Farm & Flowers cart is back in Summerland; Giovanni's Pizza reopens today; Local Harvest Delivery, a produce distribution company; new Solvang restaurant Peasants Feast.

Naked Man Rescued from Inside a Storm Drain

Other local news: Public Health director expects a mid-May Covid-19 surge; childcare for frontline workers; the history of Quarantina Street; state to house homeless in hotels; CARES Act snags; gun sales soar; bookstores are open; fashion entrepreneur expands Montecito estate.

Panoramic Mountain and Harbor Views in Alta Mesa

The week's other top price reductions: Renovated ranch house way up the hill in Montecito; Spanish-Moorish fantasia in Hope Ranch; Golden Quadrangle teardown; 1930s Spanish on a Riviera cul-de-sac.

Newsletter: April 4

The twice-weekly 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.

California Sent Cottage Health 200,000 Unusable N95 Masks

Other local news: There are now 139 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including three more police officers; rapid testing finally available here, to a limited degree; city basketball courts and park picnic sites closed; marvelous Tecolote Bookshop is open.

Snake Season Is Here

Plus: The Perfect Fit tailor is making free face masks; Santa Barbara T-shirts for a good cause; 93108 Fund is helping Montecito employees; another Barton Myers house in the works for Toro Canyon; office complex being converted to residential; city seeks Covid-19 volunteers.

The Perfect Little Lower Riviera House

Also recently listed: 9,000-square-foot contemporary pile in Montecito; Provençal aspirations on a golf course; 1928 house on a San Roque corner lot; Hope Ranch blank slate with ocean views.