+1 on the hangars. I'm a life long pilot of many forms, spent years hanging around airports and working on aircraft. I live in a historic structure. I care about preserving historic structures, but the only thing being pushed by the "save the hangars" crowd is nothing more than pure, unadulterated nostalgia. Nostalgia is not history. The hangars are not historic or significant beyond "stuff happened here back in the day." Being able to list the businesses that used to occupy a structure does not convert a building to historic status. Anyone who has spent time on small airports knows that the structures themselves are not unique in any way. The guy who wrote the op-ed in Edhat says that they have non-profits ready to line and fund the restoration and the creation of a museum, and that they're not looking for any money from the local govt. If that's indeed the case, let em have at it. There are, truth be told, dumber ways to light money on fire. But these people are delusional about the numbers something like this will draw, and the willingness of people to lend aircraft to a museum that sits in an area prone to flooding.
I thought the harbor restaurant had a stop work order.? I walked by there today and I witnessed people working. Do you know if they have permission to be working?
Curious Karen
Fun fact: Rincon Island is Santa's Landing Pad
Relevant around Christmas, but true any time of the year. A great thing to tell your kids as you drive up to Santa Barbara on the 101, Is that the lights from the oil platforms are Santa and his reindeer. As you drive north on the freeway, those lights get "closer" and will "land" on Rincon Island and the connecting bridge like a plane at an airport. Don't believe me? Watch the row of lights as you drive and you'll see it for yourself. Great for kids on the edge of being skeptical about Santa. :-)
What an interesting enclave - El Caserio
To be clear, these aren’t some globally renown structures we’re taking about. They’re dilapidated old buildings, of no particular historic or architectural notability. It’s pure nostalgia for a few people. These politicians have no vision, sense, or backbone.
I second that. Tear down the damn house. And the hangars. The city has a huge budget shortfall. The other parks, which are used by hundreds or thousands daily, are in disrepair. State Street is awful and needs investment from the City (they can’t or won’t even replace the ragged plants). We don’t have the luxury of being precious with horrendously expensive buildings that don’t serve a purpose. If people want to preserve them out of nostalgia, there are lots of wealthy people around here they can ask for donations.
The fact that this total insanity is even being considered makes it clear we need to replace most of our local politicians.
I used to eat at Mattei's as a kid and there was still an old feeling to the place, as though it hadn't been that long since stage coaches were rolling through there. This was also before the zootification of the downtown. I recall the flagpole in the middle of the street but not much else. Look folks, it's the hipsterfication of everything: the ubiquitous white with blacktrim, the steer hide on the floors, the vodka in the lemonade. In and of itself it's "nice" but we lose some kind of connection to the past. It's the same at the Ojai Valley Inn when the stylists got ahold of the historic Neff Lounge and made it into a hipster bar. Egad old California becomes a theme park. I'd heard talk about tearing Mattei's down and was heartened to see it still standing--certainly it's a beautiful place but as we sanitize everything we lose a piece of our soul...
It is wonderful that the City is actually doing a job within their budget, collecting for the illegal vacation rentals. Let us hope that they can continue that low cost trend collecting those still outstanding and put the remainder of that HUGE budget to good use somewhere else.
Thank you Christine. What you say is entirely true...if allowed to proceed, the turbine wind farms will be one of the most destructive developments along our coastlines (inland as well) - we will have ever witnessed in our lifetime.
Nina
Had to go back and check it out....good catch!
My brothers and sisters grew up at Seacliff Beach (between Ventura and Santa Barbara). We learned how delicate our beautiful ocean and her shorelines are, and how quickly the balance of nature can be destroyed (as what we witnessed during the massive oil spill years ago). California residents must understand the dangers we are facing if coastal (and inland) turbine wind farms are developed, as they are now planned.
The wind industry says it isn't killing whales, but it is. New boat traffic is colliding with whales. And high-decibel sonar is separating whale mothers from their calves, sending them into harm's way. There is also documented concern as to sonar interference related to military national defense functioning within our coastal waters. The installation, ongoing maintenance, and eventual need for replacing obsolete wind turbines (polluting the earth's landfills) - will all contribute to an environmental disaster. How does establishing a marine sanctuary that destroys marine life make any sense whatsoever? The East Coast has suffered the loss of many whales and dolphins due to coastal wind turbine farms (not to mention the thousands of sea birds destroyed) - there is a movement to stop these developers in those affected areas. The Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (a renewable energy fund that is half- owner of the Martha's Vineyard's project) is proposing that project's turbines will rise 837 feet, almost three times the Statue of Liberty.
The State of California - lead by Governor Newsom is forging ahead with the federal government whereby he has signed a declaration to ACCELERATE the approval and installation of wind turbine farms along our coastlines.
Follow the money...it will always lead us to how and why these horrific collaborations with greedy wind farm developers are gaining momentous power. For a better understanding of the facts underlying turbine wind farms (coastal and inland as well) - be sure to watch Michael Shellenberger's dynamic documentary - Thrown to the Wind:
https://youtu.be/km78wMHt9d8?si=Je6OXyeu21NIjC8R.
Also, please watch this interview with a representative from one of the east coast fishermen's association - they see and know first hand how destructive the marine wind turbine farms are to not only the environment, but to the thousands of fisherman whose livelihood and families are affected.
https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6349684304112
I often recall from reading what Chief Seattle said, "The Earth is our Mother - whatever befalls the earth, befalls the children of the earth."
Nina Meyer
Part of Santa Barbara's charm is the free street parking. Even if the City feels it's necessary, how will they even enforce it as illegal parking seems hardly enforced now.
I can use the bathrooms at the Miramar while at the beach? Game changer!
And Bottega Veneta… I can’t lie… very nice. My BV French wallet from 2005 is still going strong. Glad to see the brand back on track aesthetically in the last few years after a rough decade of hideous gunmetal hardware on everything.
As for Franceschi, tear it down. It’s a dump. I’m a preservationist but that house is not worth dumping money into. Turn it into a garden of rare specimens honoring the late Franceschi’s botanical pursuits. That would serve the public and taxpayers much better.
Sounds horrible. Why discourage people from parking and having a nice walk around town. I think the businesses would like more people. Talk a walk. Do some shopping. Have some lunch, etc...and not worried about how much time is left on a meter. Keep SB the small, quaint town that it was. Don't turn it into LA.
E, you continue to do such a great job in your newsletters...thanks. For ex-pat Santa Barbarans like us (now posting up in Bend, OR), your fresh insights and honest questions keep the SB vibe alive.
I've used such parking systems in other towns, and they can be quite convenient. You download the app and register your license plate and payment method online, and when you park, it automatically detects where you're parked via GPS, or you can manually enter the parking spot number. You choose a time, say 1 hour, and you're on your way. The accompanying app will remind you when your time is almost up and allow you to add more time if needed, all without returning to your car to put in more coins in a meter. Other than the cost, it's pretty painless.
Pay by Plate means you enter your vehicle license plate number to pay for parking. If you leave the spot before the time expires, there is no remaining “free” time for the next person occupying the spot. The parking payment is associated with your vehicle, not a specific spot. Apps on your phone typically are used to manage your vehicles and payments.
Downtown Santa Barbara has way less visitors because of the state of State Street. So make it more difficult and more expensive to park? Budget issues? Take the loss, make it welcoming and easy for residents and tourists to park. They’ll spend more money and the city will get more tax revenue.
The ending of oil transport to the mainland from the platforms brings to mind the possibility of future oil leaks from the wells. As I recall a building up of pressure underground has ended up with crude oil escaping anyway elsewhere.
The Mesa!
The corner of Cliff Drive and Meigs Road
Hahhahaha love the video link
Big statement trees are wonderful - when they have enough room around them so that when they mature they don't cause huge problems. I fully get the sentiment, but perhaps a more appropriate tree should be chosen with an eye towards the future.
I understand the need to remove the stone pines, but I’m heartbroken about it. We’re losing more and more of our big statement trees around town each year and nothing striking is being planted in its place. The large, varied trees have always been part of what makes Santa Barbara feel so special, and established.
NO WIND FARM! Save Port San Luis from blowing up into Port Hueneme!
We went to Nick’s today at 11:50 and there was a short line. They had a large crew working in the kitchen which was nice to see. We had the chicken gyro bowl and lamb/beef gyro that was delivered to our table in about five minutes. It was good and we will be back! By noon there was a long line but the food was coming out fast.
