Author spotlight: Kelly Mahan Herrick

Kelly has been editor at large for the Journal since 2007, reporting on news in Montecito and beyond. She is also a licensed realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and is a member of Montecito and Santa Barbara’s top real estate team, Calcagno & Hamilton.

Recapping 2023’s Real Estate Market
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 6, 2024

Here is a deep dive into the state of the housing market in Montecito, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Ynez Valley, along with my predictions for 2024. Let’s look at the numbers.  South Santa Barbara County Stats  South Santa Barbara County (Goleta to Carpinteria) saw the sale of 1,011 homes and condos in 2023; this […]

Montecito’s Top 10 Stories of 2023
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   January 2, 2024

The year 2023 was busy for the small enclave of Montecito, with many important and exciting events, milestones, and progressions. We’ve narrowed down the top 10 stories in the pages of Montecito Journal this year, from weather impacts to business happenings, retirements and promotions, proposed projects, and more.  #10: Welcoming a New Fire Chief  In […]

Montecito Association Meets
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 19, 2023

At a quiet, in-person Montecito Association Board of Directors meeting earlier this week, the Board heard from community leaders on various happenings in Montecito. Nick Turner with Montecito Water District reported on the ongoing potential of a recycled water project, which recently received $1M in grant funding from the State. The funds will be received […]

Coast Village Happenings
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 19, 2023

While finishing landscaping touches take place on the Olive Mill Roundabout, crews have been busy beautifying Coast Village Road for the holidays. Last week a tree lighting took place, featuring performances and appearances by Santa Barbara High School Madrigals, Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, and the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet (Nutcracker characters).  Santa Barbara Mayor Randy […]

Trimming Montecito’s Tree
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 12, 2023

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without the trimming of the giant pine tree near the Manning Park tennis courts on San Ysidro Road. It’s a festive tradition that goes back many decades, and we retell it here each year to keep the memory alive.  As the story goes, in the early 1960s, then Montecito […]

Housing Element Update Approved 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 12, 2023

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved the Housing Element Update (HEU) on Tuesday, solidifying the State-mandated housing chapter of the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the Housing Element is to accommodate existing and projected housing needs for all residents of the unincorporated County.  County planners presented the HEU to the Supervisors, […]

Menorah Lighting in Montecito
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 5, 2023

The first public menorah lighting in Montecito is scheduled for Sunday, December 10, from 4 pm to 5:30 pm at the Upper Village Green, on the corner of San Ysidro Road and East Valley. The event is likely to become an annual tradition to add to Montecito’s array of holiday celebrations.  Rabbi Chaim and Mushkie […]

Shop, Sip, and Stroll 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 5, 2023

Another local holiday celebration happening next week is on Coast Village Road: Shop, Sip, and Stroll will take place from 3 to 6 pm on Thursday, December 7. Presented by the Coast Village Association and the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, this community event features Santa Claus arriving in style to help light a holiday tree […]

TBCF: Celebrating 21 Exceptional Years 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 5, 2023

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) proudly marks its 21st year of standing with families battling cancer in the tri-counties in significant ways. What began as a humble grassroots effort has blossomed into an organization now synonymous with hope and critical financial aid for families enduring the trauma of pediatric cancer. Despite its modest office on […]

Coast Village Association Seats New Board
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 28, 2023

The Annual Meeting for the Coast Village Improvement Association met last week at the Montecito Inn. The meeting’s purpose was the presentation of the 2024 slate to vote in the Board of Directors and to update the accomplishments and goals of the Interim Board and Executive Director.  The Interim Board of Directors voted unanimously to […]

Cottage Children’s Medical Center Hosts Holiday Toy Drive
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 28, 2023

Cottage Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) is hosting its annual holiday toy drive to bring some extra joy to pediatric patients during the holiday season and throughout the year. The community is encouraged to participate in the toy drive by donating new, unwrapped toys, games, and supplies for activities. There are three ways to participate in […]

MA Discusses Winter Storms
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 21, 2023

At this month’s Montecito Association Board Meeting, Montecito Fire Chief David Neels, along with reps from the Sheriff’s Department, Flood Control, and Office of Emergency Management, gave a presentation on the upcoming winter, which is expected to be a heavy rainy season.  Chief Neels presented a recap of last winter, in which there was historical […]

Santa Claus Lane Bikeway Opens 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 21, 2023

Last week marked the completion and ribbon cutting of the Santa Claus Lane Bikeway at a ceremony with bicyclists, pedestrians, and local business owners.  The new 0.6-mile, Class I bikeway and multipurpose path connects Santa Claus Lane to Carpinteria Avenue and is located on the beachside of Highway 101 between the freeway and the railroad […]

Coast Village Week Wraps 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 21, 2023

This Saturday, November 18, over a dozen businesses on Coast Village Road will take part in the last day – aka the finale – of the first annual Coast Village Week.  Here is a list of the offerings taking place: Marcus will host a Catherine Gee Trunk Show with local designer Catherine Gee, who presents […]

Iconic Cypress Tree Comes Down
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 14, 2023

Earlier this week, an iconic cypress tree in the Highway 101 median just south of the San Ysidro Road exit was removed, in preparation for the expansion of the freeway in both directions. The removal has spurred many comments in online and social media forums, with commenters lamenting the loss of the tree, which many […]

Housing and Flooding Discussed at Land Use 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 14, 2023

At this month’s Montecito Association Land Use Committee meeting, chair Bill Babbitt introduced Cindy Chvatal, who will be working with the committee regarding affordable housing requirements and initiatives in Montecito.  Babbitt explained there are three different ways the state of California is trying to add to affordable housing supply: the Housing Element and RHNA (Regional […]

Save the Date for Coast Village Week
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 7, 2023

Sunday, November 12, through Saturday, November 18, marks the Coast Village Association’s inaugural “Coast Village Week” – an unprecedented weeklong celebration showcasing the very best of what Coast Village has to offer.  Residents and visitors alike are invited to experience the vibrant array of boutiques, restaurants, fine art galleries, specialty markets, and salons – all […]

Town Hall Meetings for Los Patos Roundabout 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 7, 2023

The City of Santa Barbara has announced two upcoming town hall meetings regarding the impending roundabout slated for the intersection of Los Patos Way and East Cabrillo Boulevard. The first is this week, Thursday, November 2, at 5:30 pm via Zoom. The second is next week, in person, at the Palm Park Beach House at […]

Ghost Village Road
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 31, 2023

Coast Village Road’s popular trick-or-treating event, Ghost Village Road, is happening next week, from 3 pm to 6 pm on Tuesday, October 31. The event attracts  roughly 2,000 costumed kids and their parents each year. Many of the Lower Village’s business owners report they will take part in the festivities, passing out candy and other […]

New Miramar Project at MBAR 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 31, 2023

Representatives of Rick Caruso’s Rosewood Miramar Resort were in front of the Montecito Board of Architectural Review (MBAR) last week showing conceptual plans of a new proposal that would include residential housing and new retail shops.  Caruso’s Senior Vice President of Development Bryce Ross told the Board that the new expansion project was born out […]

Measure C Concluded 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 31, 2023

The Cold Spring School District announced earlier this week that the Measure C Bond Oversight Committee has conducted a comprehensive review of the final expenditures related to the Measure C General Obligation Bond. The Committee, comprised of Jesse Wheeler (Parent), Zoe Copus (Representative of the Parent Club), Lanny Ebenstein (Representative of Taxpayer Organization), and Stan […]

Citizen of the Year Announced
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 24, 2023

Save the date for Saturday, November 4, for the 38th annual Montecito Association Beautification Day. Themed “It Takes a Village,” this year’s event is shaping up to be a super successful event, after several years of COVID-induced, pared-down versions of the popular volunteer event. “We’re back! And we are thrilled that so many people and […]

Parklet Update at City Council 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 24, 2023

At a late meeting on Tuesday, Santa Barbara City Council voted to approve a new program regulating parklets within City limits, with the exception of Coast Village Road in Montecito.  City staff was given guidance to draft an ordinance regulating parklets in terms of location constraints (red curbs, blue curbs, stormwater drains, utilities, distance from […]

Jemma Montecito 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 24, 2023

Last week it was quietly announced that a new restaurant called Jemma Montecito is in the works for the Las Aves complex near the Bird Refuge; the complex traded hands last year for $19M, selling to a Los Angeles-based investment group, the Runyon Group, which has big plans to revitalize the complex and bring in […]

Montecito Association Meets
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 17, 2023

In last week’s edition we briefly reported on the proposed plans by the Rosewood Miramar Resort to expand its offerings. Reps of the property, owned by Rick Caruso, were due to be in front of the Montecito Association Board of Directors earlier this week, but had to cancel due to illness.  A brief conversation was […]

Sansum Clinic Merger
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 10, 2023

A press conference was held last Friday to announce an exciting partnership between Sansum Clinic – our area’s oldest and largest not-for-profit outpatient healthcare provider – and Sutter Health, another not-for-profit system of associated clinicians, employees, and volunteers that supports more than three million patients in diverse communities across two dozen counties. The partnership will […]

Proposed Expansion from Rosewood Miramar
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 10, 2023

Rosewood Miramar reps were in front of the Montecito Association Land Use Committee on Tuesday presenting on a newly proposed project to add more employee housing as well as 12 new resort shops plus a café, and 15 market-rate apartments that would be available for long-term rent. The employee housing would be located on what […]

Carlyle Salon Expands 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 10, 2023

Carlyle Salon and Style Bar, a popular hair salon in downtown Santa Barbara, has expanded with a new venture: the Corner Room at Carlyle. Located adjacent to the established Carlyle Salon, the Corner Room is a private suite primarily dedicated for bridal parties, yet also available for an array of innovative and exclusive events. The […]

Montecito Country Mart Happenings
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 3, 2023

Montecito Country Mart is preparing to welcome two new businesses: the Mart’s anchor grocery store, Vons, has been under construction the last 1.5 years to be rebranded as Pavilions, which officially takes place this week with a ribbon cutting and grand re-opening. The store boasts expanded produce and bakery departments, a new floral department, expanded […]

Highway 101 Construction Continues
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 3, 2023

While progress continues on both roundabouts in Montecito, crews are prepping for the start of the highway widening through Montecito, building new safety railings and retaining walls for both sides of the San Ysidro overcrossings, clearing vegetation, setting temporary barriers, and working on temporary electricity connections for the start of freeway improvements.  Part of that […]

Montecito Union Partners with AHA!
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 3, 2023

As MUS superintendent Anthony Ranii mentioned to the Montecito Association earlier this month, AHA!, a local nonprofit serving teens, families, and educators in Santa Barbara County, is now utilizing MUS’s Nature Lab for its Littlest Little Farm.  The Littlest Little Farm, launched in fall 2019, is one of the nonprofit’s afterschool programs, teaching participants about […]

Montecito Wellness Opens
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 26, 2023

A new functional medicine clinic has opened in the Upper Village: Montecito Wellness Clinic, owned by Montecito mom and integrative doctor Dr. Talina Hermann, launched publicly last week with a grand opening this past Friday. “It’s always been my dream to open a clinic here,” Hermann told us last week as she geared up for […]

Bus Fire Shuts Down Highway 101
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 26, 2023

At about 6:40 pm on Saturday, September 16, Montecito Fire responded to a bus fire on Highway 101 southbound near the Sheffield Drive exit. The driver of a tour bus noticed something was wrong with the vehicle, pulled over and evacuated the approximately 30 passengers and their luggage. The engine compartment of the bus caught […]

Montecito Planning Commission 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 26, 2023

Last week the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC) received an annual maintenance report on the Debris Flow Mitigation Project.  Pat McElroy, a rep for the citizen-led group The Project for Resilient Communities (TPRC), which spearheaded the installation of the six steel debris flow nets that were placed in the canyons above Montecito in 2018, told the […]

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Expands Reach
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 19, 2023

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF), a local nonprofit organization providing support for families battling childhood cancer along the Central Coast, has announced a major milestone as it enters its 21st year of operation: TBCF is now able to extend its age eligibility to 21 years.  For the past two decades, TBCF has been a place […]

Roundabout Updates
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 19, 2023

Drivers traversing the San Ysidro roundabout over the weekend may have noticed the lighted traffic sign flashing an inappropriate message. According to the project team, the obviously-hacked sign was fixed within the day, with the contractor resetting the sign. “Unfortunately this happens all over the country, and we try and fix it as quickly as […]

Montecito Association Meets
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 19, 2023

At this month’s Montecito Association Board of Directors meeting, President Megan Orloff announced the Association’s new Executive Director: Houghton Hyatt, who served on the MA Board of Directors for six years, and has helped with countless community events. We’ll have more with Hyatt and her ideas for the MA in a future edition.  During Community […]

Marc Normand Gelinas Relocates Store
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 19, 2023

As a follow-up to a story we mentioned last month: interior designer Marc Normand Gelinas has moved his antique store to the former location of Lemondrop, the Upper Village kids store that closed over the summer.   Designing interiors for over 36 years, Gelinas is best known for his classic and inviting designs, reflecting his […]

San Ysidro Overcrossing Opens
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 5, 2023

This past weekend marked an important milestone in the construction of the San Ysidro Roundabout: the roundabout was opened for partial usage, and the overpass, an important thoroughfare in Montecito, was reopened, triggering the closure of the temporary fire station that was erected earlier this summer on Hill Road. “It entailed unbelievable collaboration for what […]

Lemondrop Closes in Upper Village
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 5, 2023

Roughly two years after opening their doors to the Montecito community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lemondrop, Montecito’s only shop catering to pre-teens or “tweens” has closed. The shop was owned by Montecito mom of four, Ana Rudnicki, who opened the shop in 2021 to give parents a place to take their pre-teens to try on […]