October 23, 2025
Tag: Electrify America
Santa Barbara Has Hired a New State Street Consultant
Other recent news: The number of international visitors is down; addressing the city's budget shortfall; an update on the Electrify America vehicle-charging station; Santa Barbara County looks to phase out all onshore oil operations; Sable Offshore loses in court; first steps toward a new trail linking Buellton, Solvang and Santa Ynez. 20
September 17, 2025
A New Family-Friendly Pool Hall Is Opening Downtown
Plus: Changes at the Montecito Country Mart; another long Highway 101 off-ramp closure; Anna Janelle Jewelry is moving to State Street; Pacific Premier Bank got bought; work is underway on the downtown charging station; new jiu-jitsu and self-defense studio; Paul McCartney to play the Santa Barbara Bowl. 7
June 1, 2025
The Biltmore’s Reopening Has Been Pushed Back
Plus: ChatGPT's roast of Santa Barbara County; new effort to change the way Santa Barbara is run; update on the Electrify America charging station; Kaarem's Victoria Court boutique has closed; Dawes to play the Lobero Theatre; downtown building to be clad in artificial turf; note from a descendant of the proprietor of the Weeping Willow Inn. 10
February 16, 2024
Santa Barbara Airport Has Added “VIP Concierge Service”
Plus: The Biltmore now intends to fill in its unpermitted pool; Heidi Merrick archive sale; Habitat for Humanity is looking to reopen its Restore store; progress for the Electrify America charging station; Orlebar Brown opened at the Montecito Country Mart; Los Patos roundabout construction to start soon; retreat center on Painted Cave Road; Namaste clothing boutique is moving. 9
November 24, 2023
New Look for the Tri-County Produce Building
Plus: Art gallery opening on State Street; Galerie XX has closed up shop here; Cat Power in concert; update on the Electrify America vehicle-charging station; Glen Annie Golf Club rumor; Casa de Maria is still in limbo; amusing Instagram account about Ojai. 12
December 22, 2022
Church Has Plans for a Big Roof Deck Downtown
Plus: Women's apparel store opening in the former Rite Aid on State Street; Olive Mill ramps not closing till at least January 8; new look for the apartment complex proposed for Carrillo and De La Vina; updates on the downtown electric-vehicle charging station and the redesign of the State Street undercrossing; Gaviota rest areas reopen; the story behind a Jeff Shelton house on the Riviera; the annual homeless count; drive-through car wash in the works for S. La Cumbre Road; "Golden Hour" at My Pet Ram. 5
October 25, 2022
July 22, 2021
















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Chinese Lantern Tree is so invasive and messy, its a bad street tree. Certainly be a beautiful tree in the landscaping, but it has its… — TINA
My parents cut down their Chinese Lantern tree over 30 years ago, and I still marvel at all the shoots the old root system still… — Heidi
Well- why not give the Chumash the Channel and let them operate Sable? Bring out the money making machines! I’m positive they would find a… — Christine!
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