Visionary philanthropists Mary and Richard Compton recently increased their gift to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation, for a total of $65 million to support medical excellence and innovation at Cottage Health. Adding to their prior $15 million gift, a new commitment of $50 million is the largest single gift in Cottage’s 135-year history and […]
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) has awarded the Montecito Community Trails Partnership – a partnership between the County of Santa Barbara Public Works Department and the nonprofit Bucket Brigade – with a 2022 Challenge Award in the Suburban Disaster and Emergency Response category. CSAC’s Annual Challenge Awards recognize the innovative and creative spirit […]
As Tropical Storm Hilary threatened to bring significant rainfall to Southern California and into Santa Barbara County this past weekend, Montecito Fire Protection District remained in close communication with National Weather Service partners to determine how Montecito may be affected. In response, a sandbag filling station was set up at Lower Manning Park for community […]
Earlier this month, the Rosewood Miramar Beach hosted the Coast Village Association for another Meet & Greet; an opportunity for merchants in the Lower Village to gather and discuss ideas and concerns. Over 40 merchants from retail stores, art galleries, restaurants, markets, and services joined together to meet the Rosewood’s guest services’ department as well […]
Local entrepreneur Robb Ferer and Santa Barbara Chiropractor, Hunter Ford D.C., along with mechanical engineer Grant Draper, have invented a new product, called a Dorso Mount, that connects percussive massage devices to massage canes. The device has had positive traction online, selling to patients as well as to sports teams, gyms, and physical therapists across […]
There have been a handful of storefront and office space changes on Coast Village Road as of late, including the impending relocation of one of the street’s most prominent clothing boutiques. Angel, which has been in its coveted 1221 Coast Village Road space for 25 years, is moving to the Villa Fontana complex, next to […]
Former MUS student Zander Murren Doherty has been passionately working away in his Montecito workshop this summer, building a variety of wooden creations and winning local and national competitions for his work. Each May, the Santa Barbara School District hosts a local student woodworking competition; this year Zander built a very special rocking chair inspired […]
On Sunday August 13, at approximately 3:12 am, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a report of a traffic crash that had occurred on the southbound 101 freeway, north of Olive Mill Road where the three-lane highway merges to two lanes. The accident involved two vehicles, a 2019 Toyota Camry and a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. […]
With hot temperatures continuing over the next week, Los Padres National Forest officials reminded visitors last week that an open fire ban remains in effect for the Santa Barbara front country while trail closures have been extended for the Old Romero Road (26W25), Romero Canyon Trail (26W14), and San Ysidro Trail (26W15 Singletrack) through August […]
Pat McElroy was at the Montecito Association Board of Directors on Tuesday, giving a report on the six steel debris flow nets that were placed in the canyons above Montecito in 2018. Recently, the citizen-led group that spearheaded the installation of the nets, The Project for Resilient Communities, filed an application with the County of […]
In a statement released last week, local hotelier Ty Warner confirmed that the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore will reopen in the fall of 2024, over four years after closing in March 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Warner’s company, Ty Warner Hotels and Resorts, has been working with the Four Seasons Hotels […]
The tumultuous saga between four Montecito homeowners and the County of Santa Barbara’s Public Works Department continues, as the California 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the County at an appeal hearing in mid-July. The ruling stated that the County could legally remove unpermitted encroachments in the public right-of-way along East Mountain […]
Mike Clark has retired from the Montecito Water District, passing the baton to a new Water Conservation Specialist, Steven Cognac. Clark’s remarkable passion for drought-resilient gardening and water conservation inspired 18 years of service through some of the driest periods on record. Known community-wide for providing sincere and direct assistance to customers, Clark was named […]
At this month’s Montecito Association Board of Directors meeting, the Board had a lively discussion regarding retail chains in Montecito’s Upper Village. Spurred by the impending opening of RH (i.e. Restoration Hardware) in the Old Firehouse, a discussion ensued as to whether the MA board should be at the forefront of a future ordinance regulating […]
Last week, Cold Spring School officially unveiled its state-of-the-art school kitchen, which is a crucial step in fulfilling Governor Gavin Newsom’s mandate to offer free breakfast and lunch to all public school students. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by guests and stakeholders, was led by Dr. Amy Alzina, Superintendent of Cold Spring School District, who […]
As a follow-up to a story we’ve been following since April, Montecito Natural Foods, which was located in Montecito Country Mart for nearly 60 years and closed its doors in June, has reopened a small storefront in the Upper Village, next to Josephine’s Antiques. The store, now dubbed Montecito Natural Health, opened in mid-July, and […]
Earlier this week, Ty Warner announced a new partnership with seven-Michelin star chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller, who has been tapped to oversee all food and beverage operations at the iconic Coral Casino on Channel Drive. “I’m excited to be part of the Coral Casino story,” Chef Keller said in a statement. “It’s an honor […]
The announcement of the new restaurant operation team comes on the heels of the dismissal of multiple appeals made by Coral Casino members against Warner’s application to amend the Coral Casino’s land use permit. The Coral Casino operations team was in front of Montecito Planning Commission in April, asking for amendments to two of its […]
In an announcement made last week, Montecito Association Executive Director Sharon Byrne will be stepping down from her position in order to assume leadership of the Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF), a national feminist organization. “It’s long been a dream of mine to advance the cause of women’s rights in the United States, and globally. I’ve […]
The numbers are in for the first half of 2023, and the Santa Barbara South Coast real estate market remains tight in terms of inventory and well in favor of sellers, as there is simply more buyer demand than homes available for sale. Accordingly, the number of sales is down 32% over last year, with […]
Many Santa Barbarians, Montecitans, and Los Angelenos have caught on to what Santa Ynez Valley locals have known for decades: livin’ is good in the SYV. With several unique areas from which to choose, each with their own culture, lifestyle, and merits, it’s no wonder that residency in the Valley has exploded over the past […]
This week, Montecito Board of Architectural Review will hear from representatives of RH, Inc., formerly Restoration Hardware, regarding a new location in Montecito’s Upper Village. The agenda item was continued from an MBAR meeting earlier this month. RH reps are seeking conceptual review to add a café and wine bar inside of the nearly 7,000-square-foot […]
Last week, Mad Dogs & Englishmen hosted a simultaneous bike assembly session and giveaway of 75 bicycles to local Boys & Girls Club chapters at their locations in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montecito, and for Trips for Kids in Mill Valley. The gesture was conceived after Jennifer Blevins, owner of Mad Dogs & Englishmen, was criticized on […]
Don’t miss Montecito’s fourth annual Motorcade Parade on July 4! The festive event, which was borne out of the social distancing measures put in place by the pandemic, will be rolling through Montecito beginning at 11:30 am on Tuesday, July 4. “We are encouraging everyone to come out and support the community and show their […]
Save the Date for Saturday, July 22, when Lotusland hosts “Where the Wild Things Grow,” a fundraiser to support Lotusland’s diverse ecosystems and habitats. Beginning at 3:30 pm, attendees will roam the gardens sipping herb-infused cocktails before perusing an impressive array of auction items on the Great Lawn before dining al fresco with catering by […]
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing their public outreach by sharing additional images related to the May 27, 2022 murder of Violet Evelyn Alberts with a focused request for information from Los Angeles area residents. Earlier this month, investigators released two images of a suspect vehicle along with a reward for information leading to […]
At Tuesday’s Montecito Association Board of Directors meeting, Montecito Fire Chief David Neels announced that a new temporary fire station south of the freeway is opening in Montecito this week, in response to the community-wide traffic congestion currently occurring. “We are concerned about emergency access due to construction, and we are augmenting our emergency response […]
Plans to remodel the building that was once the home of Cava were in front of the Santa Barbara City Architectural Review Board last week. The building, located at 1212 Coast Village Road, will be reimagined by well-known architect Jeff Shelton in his iconic, whimsical style. The plans propose renovating the façade of the restaurant […]
At a Montecito Association Land Use & Transportation Committee meeting earlier this week, Executive Director Sharon Byrne and First District Supervisor representative Darcel Elliott gave an update on plans for a Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance for the Coastal Zone in Montecito. As it stands now, the only ordinance pertaining to STRs in Montecito is […]
On May 27, 2022, 96-year-old Violet Evelyn Alberts, a longtime resident of Montecito, was found deceased in her residence on the 900-block of Park Lane. A victim of a home invasion, the autopsy confirmed her death to be a homicide. Through their diligent investigation, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Detectives have identified the motive and do not […]
The project team behind the 101 expansion and associated projects in Montecito are making the rounds this week, preparing the community for impending traffic delays. Representatives for the project, along with spokesperson Kirsten Ayars, will be at the Montecito Inn this week, on Thursday, June 1, at 4 pm, to discuss the staging timeline for […]
A tranquil space located upstairs at the Las Aves complex across from the bird refuge is expanding its offerings next month; Montecito Meditation will now add yoga classes to the schedule, in addition to guided meditation sessions. The business, owned by Tina Lyn, opened shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and is now making […]
The world lost some of its magic this past Sunday, May 28, as Milt Larsen has passed away at 92. A writer and frequent participant on the long-running TV show, Truth Or Consequences, producer and instigator behind various theatrical projects like DAWGS! The Musical, but more than anything from his storied past, Milt will be […]
The retail center located at 1046 Coast Village Road, also known as Coast Village Walk, is proposed to be remodeled with expanded sidewalks and patio areas, which will entail the removal of 11 parking spaces. The project, which is in the City of Santa Barbara’s jurisdiction, was at the Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review […]
Coast Village Improvement Association (formerly the Coast Village Association) held a Meet & Greet at Local Montecito earlier this month, to kick off the new Association’s Interim Board and meet the property owners, merchants, and residents in the Coast Village District. More than 40 people gathered for nibbles and drinks to mingle with their neighbors. […]
On Friday, May 19, Roosevelt School, Peabody Charter, Montecito Union, Roosevelt, Adams, Cleveland, Washington, Harding, Monroe, Franklin, McKinley and Cold Spring School participated in the tenth annual All Santa Barbara and Montecito Schools Track and Field Meet at Westmont College. Students in grades fourth through sixth competed in 11 different events that included everything from […]
A new traffic pattern was in effect last week at the intersection of Olive Mill Road, Coast Village Road, North Jameson Lane, and Highway 101, marking a significant turning point in the construction of the Olive Mill Roundabout. On Wednesday, May 17, the roundabout was opened partially to traffic, while construction work continues on the […]
A reader recently reported that the tennis courts at Manning Park have been locked by the County, with promise of renovation, which is long overdue. No word yet from the County Parks Department on the scope of the work or the estimated time for completion.
Longtime Montecito Natural Foods employee Matt Mosby has confirmed that the beloved store, which has been in business nearly 60 years and is closing its Montecito Country Mart location next month, is planning to reopen in the upper village. “We are excited to make the move to the new location, and I know our customers […]
The County of Santa Barbara Planning and Development Department (P&D) is soliciting comments on the adequacy and completeness of the environmental document prepared for the proposed renovation, enhancement, and expansion of the Montecito YMCA, located at 591 Santa Rosa Lane. The YMCA is seeking to revise its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to update the Montecito […]