Behind This Nondescript Facade Is a Very Interesting House

You could pass by 331 E. Canon Perdido without guessing what’s inside—or even noticing the building at all. Designed in 1981 by the owner, it’s a miniature hacienda above a two-car garage.

There’s a Big Sale This Saturday at C’est Cheese

And in other food-related news: Mesa Verde has decided to close Mondays; in praise of Bossie's Kitchen's water carafes and BLT; Oku restaurant is open.

California Has Tightened the Rules for Planned Power Outages

Other recent news: Santa Barbara Cemetery to start using recycled water; Montecito Sanitary District rebuts concerns about its proposed new building; Old Town Goleta to get sidewalks; destructive beetles seen in local trees; arguing over emergency dispatch operation centers.

Tyger Tyger Founding Chef Daniel Palaima Has Left

Plus: Bristol Farms opening pushed back; a rundown of restaurants that are slated to open here; Carpinteria's farmer's market is in a different location this week; another wine tasting room; fresh yuzu.

Earl Warren Showgrounds Is in Financial Trouble

In other news: Helistop decision delayed; city creates a hotline to report illegal homeless camps; crackdown on longterm parking at the waterfront; residents oppose homeless housing; questioning the Montecito Sanitary District's desired new building.

Under the Tuscan Spell

Rhonda Byrne, author of "The Secret," has put her Montecito estate back on the market at a lower price. If anyone can actualize a sale into happening....

Fitness Studio Opening Next to French Press

Plus: AIA Santa Barbara's annual self-guided architecture tour is coming up; a rare sighting of a diving board; anyone up for a cold plunge?

Can You Solve This Midcentury Modern Puzzle?

The full list of this weekend's open houses is here. Among the more intriguing ones: a Japanese-Craftsman hybrid, a 1904 house off Miramar Beach with a kooky floor plan; and a well-made Hope Ranch house that just won't sell.

Blackbird Remains More or Less Unchanged

Other food-related news and notes: Opening forecast for Mesa Burger in Montecito; Santa Barbara County's natural wine scene; local library has cake pans you can check out; Dart Coffee now selling Buena Onda empanadas.

A $2.6 Million Price-Chop Makes for One Cold Shower

Also newly reduced: The last remaining part of the Lolita Armour estate; European pastiche below San Ysidro Ranch; killer views on Eucalyptus Hill; tasteful Don Nulty manor in east Montecito.