What Are These Black Beetles That Are Everywhere This Spring?

"I don't remember them from previous years, at least not in these numbers," asks R. "And does nothing eat them? They would seem to be easy prey, since they meander around so slowly and often end up on their backs with their legs wriggling." The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has the answer. 1

Two Former Loquita Chefs Are Selling Weekly Asian Dinners

More food news: Loquita, The Blue Owl, and Jeannine's on Coast Village Road have reopened; Rusty's Pizza in Summerland opened; profile of Organic Soup Kitchen.

In the Heart of the Golden Quadrangle

The streets northwest of Montecito's Upper Village are home to impressive estates, storybook cottages, a Richard Neutra house, and an indignant French bulldog.

Updates on Two Other Big Funk Zone Projects

Plus: Lotusland reopens to the public soon; food drive today will exchange toilet paper for non-perishable food; Mate Gallery photography is on sale; marketing real estate during a pandemic.

Newsletter: May 9

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Nordstrom Will Close Its Santa Barbara Store

Given the state of retail even before the Covid-19 nightmare, this can hardly come as a shock—except perhaps to Paseo Nuevo, which assured everyone just last week that "Nordstrom isn't going anywhere."

Montecito Compound With a Dreamy Garden

The week's other top price reductions: Half of a historic 1930s building downtown that got split into condos; 10,000-square-foot property now $2 million less; sweet house with freeway issues; what $2.5 million buys in central Montecito; one of the cooler houses in Hope Ranch.

New Hotel Coming to Lower State Street

Other local news: Hollister Ranch fire has burned 200 acres; how the I Madonnari festival will work this year; UCSB pushes all summer classes online; Goleta now requires face masks in any essential business; Randall Road Debris Basin update.

Field + Fort and the Pickle Room Are Reopening

More food news: Acme Hospitality's depressing survey about the possible future of dining out; the emerging network of groups helping to feed the vulnerable; early hours at Dune Coffee Roasters; new pizza at Bettina.

Riviera Midcentury With Quirky Interiors

Other noteworthy new listings: A mix of contemporary and exotic way up the mountain; Vegas-style neoclassical with 35-car motor court; privacy near San Ysidro Ranch; cute downtown cottage with even cuter artist studio.