The origin story of Santa Barbara’s Waterhouse Gallery reads like a charming, romantic comedy. In 1983, Diane met Ralph Waterhouse, a British gallery owner, on a blind date at the now-defunct Chanticleer Restaurant (where Lucky’s currently sits). They viewed art together at a modernist gallery on State Street, fell madly in love, and faced a […]

While on a normal night, San Ysidro Ranch’s Speakeasy at Plow & Angel has an intimate, moody ambiance – for Halloween evening the space will be transformed into the speakeasy of your dreams (well, to keep with the theme, let’s say nightmares – but really, it will be quite dreamy).  Enter the stone-lined space to […]

On the cover of the previous issue (Sep. 26, 2024), we inadvertently used a rendering from a group opposed to the Rosewood Miramar development instead of the proposed rendering that had been provided by Caruso’s team to the County Planning Commission. This was unintentional and accidental. The image had also been modified without notification by […]

As a high school student with governmental aspirations, I attended a two-week program in Washington, D.C. to study constitutional law – one of the highlights on the syllabus was the promise to meet and hear one of the Supreme Court Justices speak.  While Antonin Scalia may not have been my personal choice of who to […]

Santa Barbara recently hosted the 7th annual American Riviera Classic Pickleball tournament, an event that has grown from a small gathering to a prominent community affair. Coordinated by USAPA Pickleball Ambassadors Richard Salzberg and Barb Kloos, the tournament had 275 participants this year, reflecting the sport’s exponential growth in the region. Pickleball – a sport […]

Following the announcement that Biltmore employees have received their settlement packages from Four Seasons, the Montecito Journal sought clarity on the future of the historic hotel, which has been closed for over four years. Sean Lavelle, a representative for Ty Warner, commented, “as Four Seasons announced today, we are pleased to have reached a collective […]

Brunch. It’s the perfect meal for when you know the day is going to happen at some point but there is no rush to get there – drifting somewhere past the time of breakfast and maybe on the precipice of lunch and beyond. This magical meal sets the pace and expectations for the rest of […]

While heavy rains are not unfamiliar to locals these days, this past storm came with a few surprises, including hail at the Sheffield Drive undercrossing and a sinkhole on the 2400 block of Sycamore Canyon that led to a gas line break. As well as a slump in the road on Barker Pass.  The areas […]

Mark Lloyd, a private land use agent representing Ty Warner’s Biltmore Hotel, presented their plans for a major renovation project to the Montecito Board of Architectural Review on Thursday, March 7th, seeking preliminary approval for the 136,126 square-foot overhaul of guest rooms, public areas, and back of house facilities.  The proposed changes include remodeling the […]

The Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) announced Tuesday the appointment of Yuri Calderon as its new executive director, effective June 1st. Calderon, who holds a law degree, brings over 30 years of experience serving public institutions and school districts in California and beyond. His expertise includes fiscal management, crisis and emergency management, collaboration, and team […]

On Thursday, March 7th, ShelterBox USA will convene a powerhouse panel of trailblazing women at the Music Academy in recognition of International Women’s Day. The conversation is intended to recognize women’s achievements, raise awareness on gender equality issues, and inspire action towards a more equitable world. The free community event, taking place from 5-7 pm, […]

If the innumerable performances of Shakespeare’s plays are any testament – theater has the ability to preserve a story for centuries. And it is exactly that preservation that the play Survivors hopes to achieve at the Raise Our Voices event at the Marjorie Luke Theatre this Thursday, October 19, at 7 pm.  Written by Wendy […]

We eat with our eyes, and this Tuesday, October 10, guests will get to do both at Art After Dark – an evening of culinary creations curated to the art nestled around Mar Monte Hotel in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The evening begins with a reception on the hotel’s Front Terrace that overlooks the […]

I, like many, was heartbroken when it was announced that the Black Sheep Restaurant was up for sale in 2020. Local foodies mourned the idea of losing another beloved downtown restaurant. Even if the establishment lived on under new ownership, it would not have been the same. For me, their white marinated anchovy crostini exemplified […]

Barbareño has already proven themselves on the plate – crafting dishes that blend central coast tradition with colorful flavors and engaging plating. Their ingredient choices highlight the abundance of the area while emphasizing the locale in which they are served that seemingly captures the laid-back yet sophisticated style of Santa Barbara. But the upcoming event, […]

Life may imitate art but for many of the artists I know, the two are pretty melded and hardly an imitation – they are their art, and the art is them – and this seems true for Susan Read Cronin and her collective body of work as well, including her newest book of poetry, What’s […]

Brunch is often the best part of a weekend. Walk along Cabrillo St. on an early (but not too early) weekend day, and the winding lines outside of restaurants will confirm the popularity of this all-encompassing meal that straddles breakfast and lunch. While many locals have their favorite place to brunch, there is a new […]

Watch most Kung Fu movies and you’re sure to see the protagonist’s “master,” quintessentially depicted as the graying wise man, often cranky and whipping around a long beard. Meet Yun Chao Zhang, or Master Yun as everyone calls him, and he is nothing like those tired clichés, yet he is a master in the truest […]

In the County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors meeting that occurred on January 24, 2023, First District Supervisor and Chair Das Williams asked the board to approve the removal of Susan Keller from the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC). According to Williams, this request comes after two MPC members stated to him that they would […]

With the highway closures after the recent storm, losing access to those major roadways can make one feel isolated and trapped. But for the few living deep in the back country, that sensation can only compound with limited roads to get in and out of the area.  This was the situation that Bryon and Deborah […]

With the holidays upon us, here are a few places for putting those finishing touches on the home, last-minute local gifts, or just spots to go get some fresh air and holiday cheer. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks and this week is […]

With the pedestrian paths that now run down State Street, it is easier than ever to do some holiday shopping or just spend a day downtown with the family. In week three of our Home for the Holidays Guide, here are just a few of the fun events and spots to stop in along the […]

I, like so many others, have childhood memories of burgers, the beach, and that larger than life bearded, jolly man looming over Santa Claus Lane. Growing up on the road with traveling artists as parents, we stopped at countless little, quirky resting points along the way, but something about Santa Claus Lane sticks in the […]

The turkey has been put to rest (or maybe it put us to bed), and the holiday season is underway. With so much around our beloved town, it is easy to shop and support local. This is part one of four articles featuring the local stores that make our area so distinct.  This week features […]

Medical emergencies are not exactly planned, and there can be unexpected costs that come at inopportune times when they do arise. If a family has to stay overnight, this can add even more burden on an already stressful situation. Fortunately Cottage Hospital, in their ongoing effort to provide the best service they can to the […]

Dancing is arguably one of the oldest and most expressive art forms – one that transcends cultures and history with every area of the world having their own styles of the ancient art. Even if you’re not one to don the dancing shoes, just watching the wonder of a Waltz or rhythmic Rumba can get […]

“My favorite thing is having all the fellows show up to a rehearsal and not know what’s going to happen,” Artistic and Creative Director James Darrah told me this summer in an interview during the leadup for Hahn Hall 1922-2022: An Original Cabaret. He continued, “It also helps highlight where you can push and everyone […]

Oxygen and water. These two components make up the essence of life and as far as we know, are the two necessities for being and staying alive. Of course, as air and water pollution continue to escalate throughout the world, finding clean sources of either is an endless pursuit for those hoping to lead a […]

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then it was a photo that inspired a thousand (or so) paintings when the Oak Group gathered under an expansive eponymous tree along the San Marcos Foothill Preserve 35 years ago for a photo. Founded on the idea of painting the places of nature in an effort […]

A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) titled, “The Clinical Utility of Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy: A Review of Safety, Effectiveness, and Use,” has raised concerns for the staff of San Ysidro Pharmacy (SYP) and other compounding pharmacies around the nation.  The report included a recommendation for across-the-board restrictions […]

Montecito has long had its eye on style and recently Summerland is becoming a hotbed for finding the design, décor, and items that adorn your bed and interior spaces. Here is a roundup of the designers and stores in the area that help make our homes feel like home.  Marc Normand Gelinas Interior Design Marc […]

It was a scene of blue skies surrounded by the fire-red roof tiles and off-white walls that color our area’s distinctive architecture while on the rooftop of the MOXI. A crowd was gathering around appetizers and drinks to wait for the official announcement – professional soccer is coming to town. Welcome to the Santa Barbara […]

While Ukraine can seem very far away and hard to help from here, these are some stories of local organizations and people that are helping Ukrainians both close by and afar.  ShelterBox USA For years ShelterBox USA has been helping communities in crisis around the world, even being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in […]

You know, when I spend time with our students, I never give it a second thought that the world’s going to be a better place,” says Kindred Murillo, the interim President and Superintendent of Santa Barbara City College, in an inspired tone during our conversation. “When you talk with our students, they’re concerned about sustainability; […]

“And remember… It’s a Rally – not a Race.” The statement was met with general merriment from the crowd of drivers and navigators meeting in Hope Ranch the night before the Rally 4 Kids was to be held. As the meeting continued, Michael Baker, CEO of the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara […]

We are always curating our environment to fit our feelings and lifestyle. Just as we put on music to match a mood, we select the colors, materials, and objects of our home to pair with how we want to feel there. Or as Aimee Miller of Home Crush puts it, “Design your life.”  Home Crush […]

Think globally, act locally. It is a phrase often used in regard to the environment, especially on Earth Day. But sometimes, to really know how to think globally, it helps to get out into the globe. Traveling to other parts of the world helps us understand the interconnectivity of our world communities and the impact […]

In his upcoming exhibit, Far and Near, at the Santa Barbara Fine Art Gallery, Michael Drury explores the illustrious landscapes of California, Nevada, and Ireland, immersing the viewer in these locations with his distinctive style of plein air painting. While this exhibit captures vistas far and near, Drury got his start in painting more near […]

Philanthropy and giving back to the community has been a part of the Montecito Bank & Trust ethos since opening on March 17, 1975. Over the years Montecito Bank & Trust (MBT) has grown from its simple beginnings into a much larger operation, with over 250 associates under its roof. MBT continues to give back […]

Virtually everyone knows someone who has had, or is being treated for, cancer. This disease has become a prevalent threat in our everyday lives. For those who have been around the treatment process, it can be a scary and challenging time for both the individual and their loved ones. At Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, the entire […]