March 6, 2023
Tag: Santa Barbara Bowl
A New Menswear Store in the Funk Zone
Plus: Music Academy president Scott Reed is leaving the organization; another new apartment building is in the works downtown; two Highway 101 ramps to reopen this week; the Lumineers and Kelsea Ballerini to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; reader question about a nice-smelling plant; paintings by Arty Grimm at Caldwell Snyder. 1
February 23, 2023
A Big New Gym Is Opening Downtown
Plus: Adventure park with ziplining is coming to the Santa Ynez Valley; the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is coming up; Father John Misty, the Head and the Heart, and Rebelution to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; an Instagram account for local history buffs; are neighbors getting annoyed by pickleball? 5
February 19, 2023
The Las Aves Developer Has Taken Over More of Los Patos Way
Plus: Housing for the homeless is said to be in the works for 1.7 acres on upper State Street; more on MarBorg's hefty rate hike for non-curbside service; Channel City Lumber is opening a Santa Barbara store; Angel boutique is moving; an update on the Best Western Pepper Tree Hotel; the Santa Barbara Antique Show is coming up; E. Mountain Drive has reopened at the Cold Spring trailhead; Trombone Shorty, Ziggy Marley, and Mavis Staples to play the Santa Barbara Bowl. 10
February 16, 2023
The Seepage Problem at the Castillo Street Underpass
Plus: Four more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; the best look yet at the wondrous Pepper Hill house; vintage and consignment store Faitell Attractions found a new home; opening forecast for The Pad climbing gym; the answer to last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" 7
January 28, 2023
Plans for a New Jeff Shelton Building Downtown
Plus: Three more Santa Barbara Bowl shows announced; fencing proposed for Plaza de Vera Cruz park; East Beach sewage contamination; Acorn and Oak fitness and wellness studio opening on Hollister Avenue; Romero Canyon bridge is damaged again; group show by a dozen local women artists. 5
January 12, 2023
The Black Keys Are Playing the Santa Barbara Bowl
Plus: The pair of blue vases atop the Presidio Plaza Building; Alaska Airlines says San Diego service is unlikely; the local aversion to double left-turn lanes; "The Search for the American West" at Sullivan Goss; Overheard in Santa Barbara; an amusing bit of off-color humor. 6
December 2, 2022
The “Victor the Florist” Signage Has Been Removed
Plus: Olive Mill ramp closures have been pushed back; an explanation for the activity at Rancho San Carlos; State Street survey; The Great Junk Hunt flea market is on in Ventura; Brett Young to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; Marshall Brown collages at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. 4
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
November 15, 2022
Update on the Marge Dunlap Fountain at Las Aves
Plus: The Santa Barbara Antique Show is this week; Trevor Noah and Tyler Childers at the Bowl; decorator warehouse sale; solar-powered e-bike tours; a better look at the 36-unit apartment complex proposed for lower Garden Street; Ruth Ellen Hoag show at Thomas Reynolds Gallery. 3
July 21, 2022
The State Street Axe Club Is Opening Soon
Plus: Jenni Kayne Home's Montecito shop is open; an intriguing new business called Palma; Santa Barbara's luxury car scene takes a hit; Nine Inch Nails and Trey Anastasio Band to play here; dates for the Santa Barbara Studio Artists' Open Studios Tour; any word on the conversion of Montecito's Vons into a Pavilions? 4
















Recent Comments
I graduated from Brooks Institute in 1965, married a lovely native of Montecito and adopted Santa Barbara as my home, not where I was born,… — Max Schnorf
I love Little Mountain and have been three times. The rice is $12 not $17 and it's swimming in butter not oil and everyone whose… — Leslie Westbrook
Le Petit Valentien -- maybe not classic French, but pretty close and great prices and great chef Robert. (and Ethiopian on the weekends!) — Leslie Westbrook
The property has building violations on, and the property was held by a bank that wanted out after foreclosing on the previous owner. — Paul
If Merci chocolate caramels are anything close to their salted chocolate chip cookies...we all will be in heaven ♥️...can't wait to try!!! — Maryanne Brillhart
I tried Little Mountain. Beautiful space and decor. But the menu, portions, and prices are ridiculous even for Montecito. $8 for cold bread (3 small… — Foodie
What I want to know is, why is it that Santa Barbara abounds in Italian places, yet no place really exists for classic French cuisine,… — Drew Hart
Montecito restaurateurs need to learn that not all diners are billionaires and, and that inflated pricing does not work. The successful spots all have a… — Rob
Like the old Paradise Cafe! — Jimmy
Completely Agree. A lawyer opening up a flashy restaurant and expecting the city to compensate him for not knowing what he is doing ? This… — Zeeann