May 18, 2025
Odds & Ends
May 11, 2025
Opening Date for the Linden Square Complex in Carpinteria
Plus: A winning makeover on Garden Street; changes to a busy block downtown; Mācher's Santa Ynez shop opens this week; Mad Dogs & Englishmen is returning to Montecito; another outpost of the Well; upper De La Vina Street to be one-way during bridge replacement; "special parties" in the works at the Magic Castle Cabaret; a better look at the Hilton Santa Barbara's proposed expansion. 22
May 5, 2025
A Possible Lead in the Case of the Purloined Stiletto
Plus: A visit to Rose Story Farm during peak rose season; demolition proposed for Los Patos Way apartments; two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; Fairview Gardens update; Xanadu Skate Boutique to go online-only; Umbra Labs bailed on lower State Street; new look for the SBIFF Film Center; Don Louis Perceval art exhibit at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum; is Santa Barbara like Athens? 8
April 27, 2025
The Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Has Reopened
Plus: A new podcast about Santa Barbara; Band of Horses and Iron & Wine to play the Arlington Theatre; Maren Morris returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl; the Cold Spring bridge project is completed; Soul Sucker ceramics and plants at El Paseo; architectural tours of downtown; next year's SBIFF dates; De La Vina bridge replacement to start next month; new look for the five-story building proposed for De La Guerra Street. 2
April 21, 2025
The Big Red Shoe on Highway 101 Was Stolen
Plus: A new gym with a burly name is opening downtown; Orangetheory's Santa Barbara studio closes next weekend; Game Seeker needs to find another home; Vic Trace Reservoir replacement; new interior design shop in Buellton; the Illuminate Film Festival; confusing signage at the Los Patos roundabout. 3
April 14, 2025
April 7, 2025
The Former Nordstrom Building Will Be Partially Converted to Residential
Plus: More turnover on Coast Village Road; four new pickleball courts in Montecito; local production of "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812"; jewelry store coming to the Montecito Country Mart; Gogol Bordello to play the Arlington Theatre; Arrediamo Home Decor is opening on State Street; an evening with Albert Brooks. 14
April 1, 2025
Marisa Mason Is Moving to Montecito
Plus: Spikeball classes; tickets to the Music Academy of the West‘s summer festival; Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; free gardening advice; Colin Campbell Cooper, Leon Dabo, and Lockwood De Forest at Sullivan & Goss; "next-level circus" coming to the Lobero Theatre; a good source for breaking news? 10
March 23, 2025
The West Mesa Dragon Has a New Friend
Plus: Don’t mess with any trail easements that run through your property; Mācher is opening a shop in Santa Ynez; Chris Isaak is coming to Ojai; Dwight Yoakam, the Mavericks, and Caamp to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; Santa Barbara Public Library now offers ice skating passes; Loan Chabanol show at Tamsen Gallery. 1
March 16, 2025
A Better Look at the 90-Unit Apartment Complex Proposed for Milpas Street
Plus: The San Ysidro Ranch intends to build a much larger spa; Maison K found a new home in the Upper Village; an amusing sign at SBCC's Lifescape Garden; the Junior League's annual rummage sale; new county regulations for outdoor lighting; a visit to the Hermitage Santa Barbara. 12
















Recent Comments
Does the Après Ski party include a lift ticket? — Heidi Smith
Bravo, Music Academy of the West! — Deborah David
Santa Barbara Museum of Art gift shop has moved upstairs. Still a great place to shop with lots of Impressionist merchandise to match the GREAT… — LG
This is the box outside of Ca’ Dario at the corner of Anacapa and Victoria. — Mike
Renaming the post office and spending $500 k to do it. Is another great example tax payers money being wasted. — Dan Kolodziejski
Hallelujah! The return of that Southbound on-ramp is long overdue — Tammy
You've done a great thing for the hapless men of Santa Barbara with this series. Stopping by half of these stores. — Andy
The post office renaming will cost roughly $500,000 paid for by the USPS internal funds from stamps and fees. — Derek
Thank you, Erik, for reminding your readers to support local businesses; it is one of the critical ways to help our communities thrive. (I laughed… — Pat
I agree about the skimpy wine pour. However, we loved the shared entrees (chicken and salmon) with their special rice. Yes there were leftovers but… — ElizabethW