••• The Anna Janelle Jewelry boutique in Paseo Nuevo has soft-opened in advance of the official opening on November 13. According to the release, we can expect “14k solid gold, precious gemstones, and diamond jewelry as well as permanent jewelry. […] In addition, the store will carry gemstones (home decor, crystal points and pocket stones), jewelry storage options, candles and natural incense, as well as some of her favorite worldly treats from Amsterdam.” Probably not hash brownies…. (Top photo by Styled by Kara.)
••• As part of tonight’s 1st Thursday Artwalk, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival “will be showing Benjamin Goedert’s Santa Barbara Weed Country. […] This film explores whether weed and wine are able to exist side-by-side and how local vintners, farmers, and residents can share the beautiful farmlands of the central coast. Showtimes tonight are 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 at SBIFF’s Education Center at 1330 State Street. The filmmaker will be in attendance for any questions after each showing.”
••• Author Susan Orlean, who seems to have a place here, will be at Chaucer’s Books on November 17 to discuss her latest anthology, On Animals.
••• I saw No Time to Die at the Metropolitan Metro 4 Theatre on State Street, and I was (a) surprised by the rampant fetishization of brown liquor in a PG-13 movie; and (b) disappointed in the state of the theater. Are any of the other cinemas around here better? Or do I have to go to Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, or even L.A. for a nice theater showing mainstream fare? I already get my art-film fix at the Riviera.
••• On November 16 at the University Club: “Future Meets Past: California Architecture + Design,” a free one-hour presentation with architect Marc Appleton “who will discuss California Mediterranean Home Design”—he knows a thing or two about the topic—“and Greene & Greene expert Ted Bosley (former executive director of the Gamble House in Pasadena) who will discuss Greene & Greene home designs in Santa Barbara.” Reserve by calling 805-403-7053.
••• Last week’s Where in Santa Barbara…? proved to be a stumper, so here’s the answer: the flower pot is on the side of 1005 Santa Barbara Street (Figueroa/Carrillo).
••• If you love plants, I highly recommend a visit to Aloes in Wonderland, a five-acre property on Conejo Road with all kinds of exotic flora. (The irresistible name is a slight misnomer; there are many more cycads.) Owner Jeff Chemnick knows his stuff and is never boring, and you get the $20 admission back if you buy a plant. P.S. The one in the last photo is giving off serious hair-metal energy.
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What happened to the wonderful wooden street sign on the corner of Mountain Dr and Los Olivos/Mission Canyon. It is a real mess there, with fallen tree branch, sand bags, and general poor maintain.