The Pacific West Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) will host the Team Hope Walk, on Sunday, September 8 at Shoreline Park. Registration starts 9:00am, walk starts 9:30am. This grassroots effort across 100 U.S. cities raises funds for those with HD and their families. Going on since 2007, it has raised $28 […]

This just in – CAL FIRE is investing more than $90 million in 94 local wildfire prevention projects across California as part of the state’s wildfire preparedness strategy. Projects focus on protecting people, structures, and communities through hazardous fuels reduction, planning and education. Over the last five years, CAL FIRE has awarded more than $450 […]

Gwyn Lurie makes statements about anti-war protesters yet leaves out valuable information in her claims. She states that protesting outside of a synagogue is antisemitic while leaving out the very important substance of the protests. This is incredibly misleading. No one inside the synagogue was practicing their religion; there was an illegal sale of Palestinian […]

Miramar Beach residents are urging beachgoers to use the Miramar Hotel’s public access to the beach instead of the Eucalyptus Lane entrance due to safety concerns regarding the erosion at the base of the stairs. Currently, at high tide beachgoers must walk over a mound of rocks atop the sand in order to reach the […]

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Coastal Clean Up Day, and the team at Explore Ecology is putting out the call for volunteers early this year to celebrate it.  Your trusty Our Town news reporter, Joanne A Calitri, has been covering this event for years, and shares, “It is such a worthwhile and time-well-spent […]

CA Assemblymember 37th Assembly District Gregg Hart announced further success on his Bill AB1866 to hold oil companies responsible to plug all abandoned oil wells in the state. As of August 15th, the bill has advanced to the Senate Floor.  Hart’s AB1866 to ensure the abandoned oil well capping gets done by the oil companies […]

Beverlie Giss Latimer (nee Beverlie Anne Giss) passed away peacefully, as she wished, on August 14, 2024, surrounded by her loving daughters and devoted husband. Born on June 3, 1935, in Washington, D.C., Beverlie was lovingly adopted and raised by her single mother, a dedicated full-time nurse, and her grandparents. This unique upbringing helped shape […]

The grant funds open access to the Las Cumbres Observatory telescope network for the entire astronomical community over the next four years, covering eight six-month observing semesters. This significantly supports all current and future astronomy discovery surveys.  LCO is accessible to all institutions that host astronomers, regardless of size or resource level. LCO will be […]

Family Fall Festival and Fundraiser: The Los Padres ForestWatch is celebrating two decades of conservation success this year and is inviting the public to a family-centric Fall Festival Fundraiser event on September 15, from 11am – 2pm at the Stow House, Goleta. The event features culinary delights, engaging in fun games, an educational, immersive experience, […]

A new art exhibition by contemporary Danish ceramist Marianne Steenholdt Bork is making its North American debut at Solvang’s Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, on view now through October 14. The exhibit, titled The Lion Has to Be Happy, is a traveling exhibit sponsored by the National Foundation of Danish America and The Scan […]

Hey Posh Pups (and your humans), get ready to celebrate National Dog Day in style! The Montecito Journal, Rosewood Miramar Beach, Village Properties, and Coast Village Road have teamed up for an un-fur-gettable event – a dog photo contest that promises to be a tail-wagging good time. Submit your best photo of your beloved furry […]

The Montecito Fire Protection District is actively recruiting for an Administrative Assistant, deadline to submit applications is August 14, online applications only.  The ideal candidate will be a highly organized, detail-oriented, team player with strong written and oral communication skills, proficient with technology, and willing to learn new skills and applications. The ability to quickly […]

I feel compelled to recognize the Miramar for hosting a terrific community barbecue this past weekend. I know many of us in the neighborhood appreciated the warm hospitality, the live music on the beach and delicious food and drinks. It made for one of the best afternoons this summer. Beyond this event, I’m glad to […]

I just read Jeffrey Harding’s article, “It’s Kamala!” First, a disclaimer: I don’t often read articles by real estate investors or financial bloggers, both of which Mr. Harding is/has been. Too much self-interest and too many opportunities to be swayed by investors/clients’ priorities. But this most recent article, published under the MJ’s misleading heading, “An […]

The Santa Barbara’s Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is working to eradicate an infestation of Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, at a property in Montecito. The infestation was confirmed to have spread by a shipment of nursery stock brought by a licensed landscaper from a wholesale nursery in Riverside County, according to the County of […]

Dear Montecito Journal,  Thank you. Woof woof! My dog friends saw me in the paper and now they all want to be Top Dogs too! Blessings The Need for Affordable Housing Montecito needs affordable housing. The Miramar is doing it the right way. Hard-working employees deserve the chance to live near their jobs. That basic […]

Rita Beth Moya, corporate and health foundation executive, advisor and philanthropist, passed away peacefully July 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Montecito, California, at age 74. She was loved by all who knew her for her grace, generosity, intelligence, humility, and character.  Rita was born to Paul David Becker and […]

Having moved to Montecito in 1973, I well remember the many memorable activities at the Miramar. To me, the Miramar was the “Gateway” to Montecito/Santa Barbara coming in from the 101 Highway. It was then, as it is today, a magical location for both locals as well as the guests to spend rewarding time with […]

The Fund for Santa Barbara was founded way back in 1980 as a means to support local organizations working for progressive social change. Nearly 45 years later, while the issues, its methods and organization might have grown, that purpose has not been altered at all: The Fund remains dedicated to helping to find solutions to […]

I support both Russel Ruiz and Cliff Gherson’s thoughtful and on-point letters to the editor in opposition to the glitz shopping center about to be dropped from the Trojan horse of “affordable housing.” I’ve known both of these good fellows for probably 50 years as a resident and small business owner here in this wonderful […]

The Montecito 101 segment is located between Sheffield Drive and Olive Mill Road.  Plan summary: Highway 101 in Montecito adds a new peak-period carpool lane in each direction from the Romero Creek Bridge north to Olive Mill Road; new on- and off-ramps with northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes (lanes connecting on-ramps and off-ramps to improve […]

Local realtor, investor, and entrepreneur Kim Stone is the new president of the Montecito Rotary Club. A longtime Rotarian who has led multiple service projects for the organization, she succeeds Tony Morris, who has just completed a two-year term. Founded in 1953, club has developed projects and provided service to the community and the wider […]

After the reported break-in that occurred on Coast Village Road, we reached out to the Santa Barbara Police Department for a statement: “On June 12, 2024, around 1:20 pm, the Santa Barbara Police Department Combined Communications Center received a report about a grand theft that occurred from a local clothing store in the 1200 block […]

Carpinteria, home to the world’s safest beach, is having its first annual beach and community clean-up day, Saturday, June 29, from 9 am to 12 pm.  All volunteers are requested to wear sun protection, closed toe shoes, and to bring their own protective gloves. Clean Up leaders will provide a map, materials and instructions. People […]

Assemblymember Gregg Hart, in conjunction with Santa Barbara County Trails Council, Healthy People Healthy Trails, and the UC Santa Barbara Cheadle Center for Biological and Ecological Restoration, is holding his regular hike ‘n’ talk on Saturday, June 29 from 12-2 pm.  The trail hike is free and open to everyone. Bring your thoughts, discussion items, […]

David R. Quincy, MD, has joined Cottage Primary Care Santa Barbara where he will practice primary care medicine alongside Yana Gristan, MD and Arielle Kanner, DO. Currently serving as Cottage Health’s Chief Ambulatory Medical Officer, Quincy is a family physician with over 30 years of experience. He is board-certified by the American Board of Family […]

Village Properties, the largest independent real estate company in the Santa Barbara area, has launched a new division focused on commercial properties, the company recently announced. The Village Properties Commercial Group will provide specialized representation to clients looking to buy or sell multi-family dwellings, retail spaces, mixed-use buildings, and land for development or agriculture. “The […]

I am a lifetime, 8th generation South Coast resident. I have resided in Montecito most of my life. I have also lived in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and today, Summerland. After attending SBHS, UCSB, and practicing Water & Land Use law locally for over 20 years I am now retired. In my retirement I served for […]

On the early morning of May 27, 2024, a group of local homeowners/residents escorted a demolition crew carrying picks and shovels to destroy the Montecito Hot Springs pools. About eight people in all, dressed in black. This event was captured on a video taken by a hiker, a young man, who was en route to […]

Barbra Rudvall Schutte, born November 6, 1926, in Fresno California, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2023, in Montecito, California Robin had a very full life with many accomplishments. She was a woman ahead of her time, who was gifted in so many ways. Born in Fresno California, she moved after college to San Francisco […]

As a nearby, full-time neighbor of the Rosewood Miramar Hotel, and directly affected by their construction and traffic, I feel very qualified to respond to their plan to commercialize and build up this part of Montecito with a high-end shopping mall, restaurant, and expensive apartments. This plan proposes the construction of 34,000 square feet of […]

Jerry Dean Springer, 88, beloved husband of Julia, father to Kurt, Jill, and Amy, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024, at Serenity House in Santa Barbara.  Born in Reeve Township, Iowa, the fourth of six children, Jerry attended many different schools before finally settling in Carpinteria in middle school. After his itinerant childhood during […]