December 10, 2025
Tag: Music Academy of the West
First Look at the Music Academy of the West’s Downtown Venue
Plus: The Funk Zone lost two dozen free parking spaces; Iris Galerie has opened; new tenant for the cute space on De La Guerra Plaza; permanent conservation of 587 acres in the Los Alamos Valley; Preservation Hall Jazz Band in concert; Anacapa Architecture's handsome office on State Street. 1
August 18, 2025
The Biltmore’s Reopening Has Been Pushed Back Again
Plus: Dylan Star will morph into an online-only business; Leone Salon has moved to the Funk Zone; Coast Village parklet for lease; "In the Mood for Love" on the big screen; more programming at the Music Academy of the West; checking out the model homes at the Santa Barbara Polo Residences. 10
June 17, 2025
June 5, 2025
Music Academy of the West Has Plans for a Downtown Hub
Other recent news: Traffic collisions were up in 2024; remembering journalist Barney Brantingham; rival rodeos this summer; the Carpinteria Community Pool is headed for a big renovation; UCSB's pokey search for a new chancellor; the tree of the month. 7
April 1, 2025
Marisa Mason Is Moving to Montecito
Plus: Spikeball classes; tickets to the Music Academy of the West‘s summer festival; Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; free gardening advice; Colin Campbell Cooper, Leon Dabo, and Lockwood De Forest at Sullivan & Goss; "next-level circus" coming to the Lobero Theatre; a good source for breaking news? 10
November 7, 2024
June 29, 2024
Santa Barbara Art Essentials Is Being Forced to Move
Plus: July 4 festivities at the harbor; Anderson .Paak and the mariachi festival at the Santa Barbara Bowl; André 3000’s New Blue Sun live; Jane Lynch's Christmas revue; Charter Classic bus question; who bought the former St. Anthony's Seminary complex? 7
June 16, 2024
Santa Claus Lane Is Getting a Year-Round Christmas Shop
Plus: James Perse's shop at the Montecito Country Mart has closed; "What the Constitution Means to Me" is coming to town; volunteer for the Summer Solstice Celebration; Eric Idle and Aimee Mann at the Lobero Theatre; the Music Academy of the West changed its name back; Soul Care Studio + Sauna is open on Anacapa Street. 1
November 23, 2022
Mysterious Activity at One of Montecito’s Biggest Properties
Plus: Santa Barbara Bowl Christmas tree lot isn't happening this year; Hermosillo Road finally gets advance Highway 101 signage; the Music Academy of the West shortened its name; new clothing store coming to State Street; Inn at Mattei's Tavern will open in February; updated rendering of Santa Barbara High School’s forthcoming VADA building; golf store changes hands (and brings in pickleball equipment). 3
October 7, 2022
Another Santa Claus Lane Shop Is Closing
Plus: Progress comes to the Music Academy of the West; the county is mulling bike and pedestrian improvements near Montecito beaches; opening date set for Santa Barbara Hives's shop in San Roque; holiday revue at the Lobero; a question about the former QAD campus; antique owl prints at the Museum of Natural History. 4
















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