••• “If I see tape alongside a trail, should I remove it?” asked J. It’s there to tell participants in a race where to go, said the Montecito Trails Foundation, and you can feel free to dispose of it as long as you’re sure the race has already happened.
••• M. says that the Coach Outlet shop at 808 State Street (De La Guerra/Canon Perdido) is getting upgraded to the full brand status starting April 11.
••• The Sirena women’s boutique moved to El Paseo, across from Bryant & Sons jeweler.
••• No one guessed last weekend’s Where in Santa Barbara…?, so here’s the answer. It’s the back of 12 E. Figueroa Street, as seen from City Parking Lot #8.
••• A “play-based sensory and art studio for young kids” called Let’s Make Messy Art has its grand opening this Thursday, April 2 (3-7 p.m.). It’s at 19 E. Canon Perdido Street. “At our brick-and-mortar open play art studio, we offer activities that incorporate paint, textures, organic materials, movement-based projects, and other artistic modalities that are presented in a play-based format.”
••• Tomatomania! (the exclamation point is an important part of the name) returns to the Santa Ynez Valley April 11 and 12. “Like years past, Tomatomania!—now in its fourth year in the Santa Ynez Valley—will offer a plentiful array of cut flower plants in addition to tomato seedlings, as a nod to The Starter Farm’s role in the region as a cut flower grower. […] Tomatomania! 2026 will also include difficult-to-source eggplants, a line of pepper plants arranged according to heat levels, a curated list of specialty herbs to compliment the tomatoes, and in line with the culinary component to this year’s event, a six-pack of edible flowers.” The event is at The Bakery Farmstand in Los Olivos, and “the new, larger event location will also allow for enhanced culinary offerings from Chef Tracy Fleming of The Bakery Farmstand, such as tomato ricotta quiche with fresh herbs; cherry tomato, basil pesto tartlets; plus, some of her popular baked treats like strawberry cream scones, and lemon blueberry muffins.”
••• L. suggested I take inspiration from the Overheard accounts on Instagram and solicit readers for any good morsels you’ve eavesdropped on—inadvertently, of course—while in the area. All submissions will be anonymous. Email [email protected] or reply to the email newsletter (still the best way to keep up with Siteline, because Instagram doesn’t show everyone all posts.)
••• When will the city reopen the Helena Avenue parking lot in the Funk Zone to free parking? This was as busy as I’ve ever seen it—which means a bunch of free parking in a neighborhood desperate for it has been taken offline with no compelling economic benefit.
················
Sign up for the Siteline email newsletter and you’ll never miss a post.
Hi! Tape on trails like the type shown can sometimes be markers for scientists’ test sites (surveys for plant growth, for example) so it is probably best to let them be, my two cents.
Awesome news on the growing TOMATOMANIA, poor location- the parking along Santa Barbara Ave is a accident waiting to happen…as a main artery for Valley commuters coming off the 154 and heading towards Solvang, not to mention the neighbors who have to deal with the weekly bombardment of hungry bakery supporters. The SY Forage Florals location was a better option with a central location/access/parking. Let me say that while not a option for this event, please check out Manzanita Nursery on Ballard Canyon – great native options!