Odds & Ends

May 27, 2024

The Return of the Miramar Resort’s Swim Raft

Plus: An astute take on the State Street problem; the Knit Shop has opened; menswear shop Tendrel is moving within the Funk Zone; the new owner of the Ballard Inn; 52 units of affordable housing in the pipeline; some thoughts about the West Mesa house asking $7.7 million; more on the stone pine trees on E. Anapamu Street. 19

May 21, 2024

The Most Interesting New Lodging in Town

Plus: The city is seeking standardized ADU designs; Gibraltar Road, East Camino Cielo Road, and Barker Pass Road have reopened; Mayweather Boxing + Fitness studio has closed; Ensemble Theatre Company's next guided trip; Asher Market‘s Santa Ynez location has moved; new vinyl and vintage shop in Solvang; "Where in Santa Barbara...?" answer. 1

May 15, 2024

The Four Potential Designs for Franceschi Park

Plus: After 40 years, Wendy Foster is leaving downtown Santa Barbara; the Biltmore resort pushed its opening way back; proposed changes to a trio of Summerland buildings; a bunch of upcoming performances, including Ali Wong and Toad the Wet Sprocket; Goleta's Clay Studio has changed its name; the lineup for the French Wave Film Festival. 24

May 14, 2024

The Current State of the Four Seasons Biltmore

Plus: A GoFundMe has been set up for the Riviera family affected by a landslide; the car wash on N. Milpas Street has reopened; the Harbor Nautical Swap Meet is this Saturday; downtown landmark marred with signage; learn more about the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Montecito; Broadway in Santa Barbara announced its 2024-2025 season. 3

May 5, 2024

The Well Is Opening an Outpost in Montecito

Plus: The Castle in the Sky is available for rent; a visit to the new Venture Apparel Co. store on lower State Street; two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows were announced; a Bowlus RV showroom has opened downtown; Summer Solstice Celebration exhibit at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum; hiking up to the Hollywood sign.

April 28, 2024

A Contender for the Cutest Shop Downtown

Plus: Signs of life at the Prestige Hand Car Wash on Milpas; Westward General is opening an outpost in Ventura; changes afoot at the Field Trip pocket shop; potential Franceschi House design concepts to be revealed; investigating public beach access, restrooms, and signage at the Rosewood Miramar Beach resort; finally, a Bottega Veneta boutique. 10

April 23, 2024

Big Price Cut for the “Floating Home” at the Harbor

Plus: Xanadu Skate Boutique is having a moving sale; the new mural at Gutierrez and Chapala; the Highway 217 onramp at Sandspit Road will be closed for at least another year; vintage clothing shop opening on State Street; 21-unit apartment complex proposed for Hollister Avenue; more on the improvements at Birnam Wood Golf Club; where Eye of the Day is moving to; paid parking at a vacant lot on W. De La Guerra Street. 2

April 18, 2024

A Knitting Shop Is Opening Downtown

Plus: Moving sale at Eye of the Day in Carpinteria; a visit to antiquarian Lee Stanton's Upper Village shop; next year's dates for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival; opposition to El Capitan Canyon Resort's expansion plan; Opera Santa Barbara‘s 2024-2025 lineup. 3

April 15, 2024

Cabana Home Is Moving to a Downtown Landmark

Plus: The Marcus boutique on Coast Village Road is closing; Drybar announced an opening date; a new pharmacy in Goleta with home delivery; Ensemble Theatre Company's 2024-2025 season; the new stop sign on Hot Springs Road; a slate of improvements proposed for Birnam Wood Golf Club; more photos of the West Mesa dragon.

April 9, 2024

The Mesa’s House of the Dragon

Plus: Arrediamo rug store has opened in the Big Yellow House; "Titanic Days" at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum; John Fogerty and comedian Bert Kreischer are coming to the Santa Barbara Bowl; Las Positas Tennis Center is back in action; Royal Bee on State Street; the Chrisman California Islands Center in Carpinteria. 6