San Ysidro Off-Ramp Reopens, Olive Mill Ramp to Close and More News Bytes
Highway 101 construction in Montecito is reaching an important milestone this month. The southbound off-ramp at San Ysidro Road will reopen on September 19, following the completion of critical work connecting it to a new auxiliary lane. While the full auxiliary lane is not yet finished, enough progress has been made to safely restore access to the off-ramp. Once completed, the new lane will improve merging for drivers entering at Olive Mill Road and exiting at San Ysidro Road, similar to the northbound auxiliary lane already in use.
On the same night, however, motorists will lose access to the southbound off-ramp at Spring/Olive Mill Road, which will remain closed until spring 2026. Crews will use that time to install upgraded drainage systems, construct a modernized off-ramp, and build a new sound wall designed to reduce neighborhood traffic noise.
Additional work continues along the corridor, including retaining wall construction, sound wall installation, and landscaping improvements. Drivers should expect ongoing lane and ramp closures, as well as a reduced speed limit of 55 mph in construction areas. Officials urge motorists to plan ahead and “Slow for the Cone Zone” for safety.
Don’t Forget Coast Village Week!
Coast Village Road comes alive this week with shopping, dining, art, and community fun! Each day offers something special: kick things off Thursday, Sept. 11, with the Art Walk, showcasing local creativity; enjoy Jazz & Mocktails on Friday while shopping boutique deals. Saturday brings the family-friendly Dog Days Photo Booth with ice cream. Make sure to get a snap of your furry friend for the upcoming “Dog Days of Summer” photo competition (more details soon!). Sunday wraps up with Vintage Cars & Surfboards lining the avenue. All week long, restaurants, shops, and galleries will feature exclusive promotions, tastings, and in-store events. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of Coast Village Road – come sip, shop, stroll, and experience the best of CVR!
Visit coastvillageroad.com and check out @coast.village.road on Instagram
21st Annual Santa Barbara Yacht Club Charity Regatta!
You heard right. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) will be hosting the 21st Annual Charity Regatta in a benefit for VNA Health. For over two decades now, SBYC has raised over $2.6 million to support VNA Health and the invaluable healthcare services they provide our community. VNA’s plainly-stated mission (statement) of mercy says it all: “Caring for our community with compassion and integrity.” Jeff Berkus, SBYC Commodore, will be joined by SBYC Charity Regatta Co-Chairs Sarah Berkus Gower and Robyn Parker. The 2025 Charity Regatta Committee includes but is not limited to Francie Lufkin, Lailan McGrath, and the estimable Trish Davis. VNA Health Foundation is solely dependent on support from the community, whereby patients’ dignity, comfort, and quality of life – regardless of adequate insurance or resources – are foremost. Please come down to the Santa Barbara Harbor and revel in sea spray and sun while supporting truly invaluable VNA Health.
For more info please contact Lailan McGrath at 805-690-6218 or [email protected].
Culinary Crawl Returns to Carpinteria
Carpinteria’s beloved Culinary Crawl is back on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 5-9 pm, after a six-year pause. Revived by the Carpinteria Community Association, the event will feature local restaurants along Carpinteria and Linden avenues serving tapas and tastings. Tickets are $45 and include a keepsake apron and a chance at door prizes. The crawl begins near Zookers Restaurant and ends at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center with desserts and prize drawings. Proceeds benefit the Jr. Carpinteria Scholarship Fund, supporting local students. “It’s a great way to bring the community together,” said CCA President Karen Graf.
Tails of Hope Fundraiser at Elings Park
Santa Barbara County Animal Services will host Tails of Hope on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 2-5 pm at Elings Park. The county-wide fundraiser supports the rescue and care of thousands of animals each year, from dogs and cats to rabbits, horses, and more. Celebrity hosts John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Bo Derek (10) will emcee the afternoon, featuring wine from La Lieff Winery, beer from Draughtsmen Aleworks, food by Pure Joy Catering and Alessia Patisserie, live music, silent auctions, and plenty of adoptable pets. Proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation.
Visit www.sbcanimalcare.org/tailsofhope
Montecito Fire Department 911 Remembrance Ceremony
Montecito Fire Chief Neels and his team invite the community to a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11 at both Montecito fire stations. The ceremony will take place from 6:55-7:05 am. It starts with ringing the bells at 6:59 am to coincide with the time the South Tower collapsed, followed by a moment of silence, and lowering of the flag to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.
Station 91: 595 San Ysidro Road
Station 92: 2300 Sycamore Canyon Road
Montecito Fire Family Friday
Chief Neels’s Fire Family Friday on September 5 celebrated Montecito Firefighter Paramedic Braden Macy. Neels, “In 2020, Braden completed the fire academy, and he joined AMR as an EMT in 2021, later earning his paramedic license. In April 2024, he joined our Montecito Fire Family. Congratulations to Braden for completing his probation earlier this summer! We appreciate the energy, dedication, and expertise you bring to Montecito Fire.”
Braden was raised in Santa Ynez, and graduated from Cal Poly in 2012 with a degree in Forestry. He started his fire service career with three seasons on the Los Padres National Forest’s Crew 7 in San Luis Obispo, followed by three years with the Shasta Lake Hotshots. In 2018, he returned to Los Padres NF to staff an engine on the San Marcos Pass. A year later, he left wildland firefighting and nearly took over an electric fencing business.
Braden adds, “I had the opportunity to work with Montecito Fire numerous times while I was with AMR, and I was always impressed by the exceptional care they provided to patients. Now that I’m with the department, I’m just amazed by the support we receive from the community.” Braden lives in Goleta with his wife, Maddy, and their two children, Luna and Sam. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking in the front country and exploring the local farmers markets with his family.
Chabad Montecito Rosh Hashanah
September 22 through September 24 is the High Holiday of Rosh Hashanah. The Chabad of Montecito invites everyone to experience the holiday with them, no matter one’s religious affiliation. There is a program with instruction, background on the services, and opportunities to connect. Registration is required. Reminder: Montecito Jewish Men’s Social Summer BBQ event on Sept. 14.
Info at www.jewishmontecito.org
LPNF Roadless Area Conservation Rule Public Comment
The Los Padres National Forest is asking for your support to keep the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule in effect. There is a public comment open period now through September 19.
According to the Federal Register Website, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture is initiating an environmental impact statement (EIS) and rulemaking concerning management of inventoried roadless areas on approximately 44.7 million acres of National Forest System lands, including in Alaska. The proposed rule would rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule) (66 FR 3244, 36 CFR Subpart B (2001), which prohibits road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas, with limited exceptions.”
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