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
Burning Questions
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
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When I was a little kid, "go to lower State" was a slur. It implied you were seedy, a bum, criminal. As long as the… — el_smurfo
Spoken like a true "MAGAT", lol. — el_smurfo
I don't think it's a myth. Yes, the data shows that "only" 20% of retail sales are done online, but that's still a 20% decline… — Doug B
Haven't been there in years but dipped in for a look, still the omniscient Sacjon and Generatree berating and insulting anyone who dare question the… — Jefferson A.
I thought it was just Dan-O, but it has been forever. It's funny that my comments are still censored over there while the same 5… — el_smurfo
The coral tree is fine for residential purposes as long as you routinely trim it. — Jim Owens
It's a beautiful tree, but Coral trees have brittle wood structure and limbs easily break off and fall. It's surprising to see these in parks.… — Chet
City streets are unsafe all day long with no enforcement. City needs to stop assessing things, and start taking action. San Andreas and Milpas Street… — billy
Patricia Bragg loved Katy Perry- longtime family/church friends- she gave Katy her first guitar. Using 3% of the property is a decent ratio, no? I… — Christine!
My fav coral tree is the round-a-bout on Pacific Ave on the Mesa- a real stunner! The California Coastal Commission being publicly flogged and forced… — Christine!