Recent Comments

Oak trees are not protected in residential zones in the inland area of the county, other than in Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas on properties. They're only protected in the Coastal Zone and on Ag zone properties, Mountain zone properties, and Resource Protection zone properties in the inland area of the county. Oak trees, Eucalyptus trees, and other vegetation are protected in Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas on properties, such as along creeks; however, the street is likely not in an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area. Considering the location of the trees cut down and the fact that Park Lane is a County maintained roadway, those trees likely were on County property, so the property owner at 655 Park Lane probably should have gotten permission from County Public Works' Transportation Division for the tree removal.

The City’s left hand: “STRs are taking up housing options! Spend $1.2mil our budget doesn’t have to crack down!” The City’s right hand: “It’s a property owner’s right to develop in a way that’s most profitable. Could these be studio apartments instead? Are you kidding? Everyone knows those aren’t profitable! Build another hotel, instead!” Give me a freaking break.

Amen.

So I was born here at Cottage Hospital. I have dealt with the scourge of Eucalyptus Globulus my life. As a skateboarder and cyclist I have scars from wiping out after getting branches and nuts caught in wheels and spoke. The Eucalyptus is an invasive and destructive alien species which was introduced in 1850s. These trees do substantial harm to thr local environment and ruin the soil. Over the next 25 years the County of Santa Barbara will remove 95% of all Eucalyptus from Public lands in an effort to combat invasive species, widespread property damage, and the liability the County and City have incurred as a result of hundreds of injuries from falling branches. Eucalyptus evolved in the desert climate of Australia. It is normally a slow growing, water saver, adapted for dry climates. As such every eucalyptus tree traps water, removing it from the air and soil. The rapid growth the experience in rainy climates causes the wood to twist and become very brittle. This allows very large branches to detach in strong winds, and this is very dangerous. Few other trees so readily drop branches in wind storms, none here in town. While is distasteful to have to cut down such a large tree, these trees are a burden. Most animals cannot adequately make use of their widely shifting branches to make adequate nesting sites. Palm,Pine, Fir, Cedar, and Sycamore trees provide just as much oxygen and do not drop toxic leaves loaded with Inflammable oils or affect the soil Ph. Lets be clear, they should plant different tree first to replace these ones. Simply chopping them down is not the answer. But we are not defending these trees by any stretch. We need to find a happy balance where every single Eucalyptus cut down is replaced by a semi mature tree such as Coastal Oak, Monterey Cypress, Redwood, Bristlecone Pine, or Palm. Any of these are perfectly natural to find growing in the remote areas of the back country and should be promoted on a wider scale. The Bottle rush is popular in town and native to the islands. These are a great option and do not drop things which jam skateboard wheels. Bomb Hills not Countries..

Who wrote "Architects Who Tried to Kill California"? I can't seem to find it on Amazon.

Carpinteria hopes to have its cake and eat it too if it thinks it will generate business with its anti service mentality and mindset as a culture. No smoking, no drinking, hence no clientele. The provincial supremist pseudo conservative rural society of Carpinteria somehow believes there’s enough of a market or demand to be self sustaining as a commercial enterprise. Yet, the aversive effort to combine children with adult interests has the whole little town region feeling like a child care center with nothing to do… than having adults chaperoned by children —than to drink, smoke, and carry on as a resort destination. What would really help is to have a marijuana dispensary and additive free tobacco smoke in the air as measure of balance. Maybe have a clothing optional facility. Definitely Carpinteria is in the need of a nightclub downtown near the beach. When Carpinteria stops being so momma boy in its offer to service, maybe the town might actually make a profit someday.

There is no need to "import low incomes" to Santa Barbara. We have the opposite problem: lack of housing for existing low income SB residents, many of whom work in the service industry related to tourism.

Correct!

Hello, Friends of Santa Barbara, first off I'm not against development. My question is what attracts these developers here? Is it the possibilities for profitable investments? Yes Is it the ambiance that Santa Barbara provides and attracted you here in the first place?? Is it the low scale, old Spanish style of architecture that 90% of the buildings here have? I dare to say YES because it presents an ambience that a lot of cities don't have. When you submit your Lego Land style of buildings, What are you thinking? Hello, you're trying to change the ambience that attracted you here in the first place. Save yourself time and money and try to conform. Everything does not need to be new and "improved". I'm not going to quit on this thought. Regards, wake up

Toma, SB's great Italian restaurant was sold to Sam Grant and his sommelier partner Julian. Tom the former owner established a great following. Still a wonderful staff, but still learning the hospitality ropes at the front. They changed to credit card to hold tables and lots of text reminders. The menu looks the same, but upon ordering dishes we had before, we found them over sauced and in one case not tasting fresh. The chef is same. Service is still good. We will give them a little more time.

Cowboy Junkies!! I love them and they had fallen off my radar. Going down a deep listening rabbit hole now.