Tag: UC Santa Barbara

November 30, 2021

What It’s Like to Live in a Windowless Dorm

Other recent news: The county redistricting process continues; outgoing mayor proposes two-percent cap on rent increases; Garden Street apartment complex sent back to the drawing board; update on the Highway 101 wildlife corridor in Gaviota; Santa Barbara will have holiday events in lieu of a parade; the tree of the month is the windmill palm; "The O.C." and "Gossip Girl" creator sells in Hope Ranch.

November 7, 2021

More Fallout from the UCSB Dorm Debacle

While the university explained the rationale for its proposed Munger Hall and benefactor Charlie Munger compared the bedrooms to basement restrooms, students protested, architecture history professors started a petition, and local architects blasted the design. Other recent news: Goleta will sue UCSB over the lack of student housing; Carpinteria High School's Warrior statue will not be redesigned; the Rincon Multi-Use Trail moves forward; more study approved for floating wind farms.

November 4, 2021

The County Has Extended Its Health Order Requiring Masks Indoors

Other recent news: Randy Rowse and the three city council incumbents were declared election winners; an interview with Rowse; why Santa Barbara needs a runoff or ranked-choice voting; Charlie Munger defends his depressing UCSB dorm design; county Planning Commission formally rejected ExxonMobil's trucking proposal; the former Nordstrom building has new owners wary of big-box retail.

October 30, 2021

UCSB’s Horrific Dorm Has Become a National Story

Just in time for Halloween, UCSB's monstrous Munger Hall has gone viral, so you're going to need an opinion about the project. Then again, does anyone—except the school administration and benefactor Charlie Munger—think the nearly windowless dorm is a good idea?

October 28, 2021

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Bought Twice More in Montecito

Other recent news: Progress for 14-room hotel on State Street; the rain did little to alleviate the drought; the state attorney general classified the Bellosguardo Foundation as delinquent; mayoral candidate Deborah Schwartz vs. the local Democratic establishment; Alisal wants to annex 10 acres for glamping; the restoration of UCSB's North Campus Open Space.

July 29, 2021

Most Bedrooms at UCSB’s Proposed 5,000-Student Dorm Won’t Have Windows

Other recent news: Challengers emerge for city council members Meagan Harmon and Eric Friedman; the county is not required to enlarge its jail after all; commercial rocket launches made easier at Vandenberg Space Force Base; anonymous gun buyback; updated map for tsunami risk. 1

July 19, 2021

Santa Barbara’s City Administrator Is Stepping Down

Other recent news: Los Angeles County now requires masks indoors; the University of California system will insist students and staff get vaccinated; new recycling plant; the push for more large-scale solar; an increase in stingray stings; more thefts of catalytic converters; monarch butterflies skipping this area. 1

July 15, 2021

UCSB Wants to Build an 11-Story Dormitory

Other recent news: Biltmore owner Ty Warner is now using the Four Seasons New York as leverage; Deltopia movie causing consternation in Isla Vista; Montecito lingerie store to be replaced by new lingerie store; California's updated Covid-19-related guidelines for schools; interview with architect Jeff Shelton; the latest head of Santa Barbara City College has resigned; the case against fake grass.

June 30, 2021

Countrywide’s Former CEO Is at War With the Montecito Club

Other recent news: Biltmore employees and Four Seasons head back to mediation; Santa Barbara man accused of running a Ponzi scheme; Riviera homeowner who illegally cut down trees now faces felony charges; UCSB has failed to build promised housing; homeless to be moved to motel for fire season; new home for at-risk young adults; L.A. County wants people to wear masks indoors because of the Delta variant of Covid-19. 2

May 21, 2021

Forward Progress of TV Hill Fire Has Been Stopped

Other recent news: Santa Barbara County to ignore CDC and follow state guidance on masks; yellow tier still out of reach; expanded in-person summer classes at UC Santa Barbara; effort to discourage homeless on Milpas Street; Foodbank food-and-cookware drive this Saturday.