Odds & Ends

April 9, 2020

Send Orchids to a Good Cause

Plus: Bella Vista Drive is closed at Romero Canyon because of debris flow; oceanfront rental on the Mesa; 101 widening delayed by rain; sprucing up your succulents; it might be time to order a custom hat.

April 3, 2020

Snake Season Is Here

Plus: The Perfect Fit tailor is making free face masks; Santa Barbara T-shirts for a good cause; 93108 Fund is helping Montecito employees; another Barton Myers house in the works for Toro Canyon; office complex being converted to residential; city seeks Covid-19 volunteers.

March 30, 2020

The Tunnel Road Trailhead to Inspiration Point Has Reopened

Plus: New boat-share club opening in Ventura; residential real estate was added to the list of "essential services"; vintage Montecito Police Patrol sign for sale; progress on the Carpinteria phase of the 101 widening project; New England–style house sold.

March 28, 2020

The Santa Barbara Zoo Has a New Baby Giraffe

Plus: Where to get updated coronavirus stats over the weekend; the library is now offering delivery; new online rentals from the Riviera Theatre; county website for economic recovery resources; one cool cow.

March 25, 2020

Trail Etiquette and Social Distancing

Plus: The Santa Barbara Bowl has postponed its May concerts; the new La Playa Inn on Castillo Street; two-bedroom vacation rental available at the Mill; when every day is a holiday.

March 23, 2020

The World War II POW Camp West of Goleta

Plus: BUNS, a nonprofit dedicated to rabbits and guinea pigs; Antica Furnishings's closing sale; School House Road sells quickly for the asking price; real-estate inspections put on hold; fitness videos from Variant Training Lab.

March 20, 2020

The Hiking Trail to Inspiration Point Is Closed Indefinitely

Plus: Montecito lingerie boutique for sale; Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has closed; 15-acre rose farm for rent; the Riviera Theatre is offering online rentals of a film set in Wuhan; snuggle with an owl.

Real Estate Agents Are Now Discouraged From Showing Houses

Plus: Checking in on the underground lair being built in Pepper Hill; Santa Ynez farm marketed as Covid-19 hideout; UCSB Arts & Lectures canceled its season; cops expect more domestic disturbance calls due to cabin fever; a chillier welcome on Riven Rock Road.

March 18, 2020

Seniors Now Get First Access to Gelson’s

More food news: A local farmer's inspiring message about reciprocity; Kanaloa Seafood, Malibu Farms, and Caruso's are offering delivery and takeout; Flor de Maiz has gone on hiatus; Bettina gift cards.

March 17, 2020

Give Burn Areas a Chance to Dry Out Before You Hike

Plus: City recreation facilities are closed; Lotusland, Riviera Theatre, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art are on hiatus; real-estate agents' caravan is off; Island Packers suspends trips for a while; help spruce up the Sespe Wilderness trails; two recent sales of note.