Biltmore at the MPC: Schedules, Palapas, and More Discussed at Meeting
By Tiana Molony   |   October 29, 2024

On Wednesday, October 16th, the Four Seasons Biltmore received preliminary approval from the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC) for its updated development plan. The plan includes adding private hot tubs for the bungalows, renovating the guest houses, building a new pool, and renovating the outdoor dining deck.  Ahead of the vote, the MPC requested that the […]

Biltmore and More at October’s Land Use Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 8, 2024

The Montecito Association Land Use September meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room, and on Zoom. The meeting was led by its Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson. Attendees were the Land Use Committee members, Montecito Association Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, MA President Doug Black, Supervisor Williams’ Chief of Staff Darcel Elliott, and […]

 

Recently Trending

More from Montecito

The Miramar Plan: Rosewood Expansion Plan Heads to County Commissioners
By Tiana Molony   |   October 1, 2024

In October 2023, five years after re-opening under the ownership of Rick Caruso, the Rosewood Miramar officially declared its expansion plans, first presenting to the Montecito Association Land Use Committee and later the Montecito Board of Architectural Review.  The proposed plans include new affordable housing units for staff, luxury apartments for long-term rent, and additional […]

New Supervisor Roy Lee, and Honors for Lt. Butch Arnoldi at September’s Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 24, 2024

The Montecito Association’s September meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on zoom. The meeting was led by its President Doug Black and Executive Director Houghton Hyatt.  First agenda item had Roy Lee, incoming 1st District SBC Supervisor, present a Certificate of Recognition from SB County 1st Supervisor Das Williams […]

Joan Rutkowski and Susan Gulbransen: Legends of the Granada
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 17, 2024

After seven years of following a broad format for its annual Granada Legends gala, the performing arts venue is turning its attention inward for this year’s fundraising event. Previous galas have called attention to the region’s rich and interconnected cultural heritage of artists, organizations and philanthropists, as the event each year honored one of its […]

Executive Chef Ramon Velazquez Opens Alma Fonda Fina Restaurant in Montecito
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 10, 2024

Executive Chef and a 2024 California Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Ramon Velazquez has opened his restaurant Alma Fonda Fina in the Montecito Country Mart. To celebrate, Velázquez held a Labor Day weekend soft opening from Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2. Taking Tuesday and Wednesday off, Alma is officially open on Thursday, September 5. […]

Nonprofit Kick Ash Bash rises Sept. 20
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 3, 2024

Will any public event in town ever come close to matching the Kick Ash Bash in pure megawatt star power? Back in 2018, over the course of a full day and evening, just about everybody in the entertainment industry with a local connection – rock legends, pop princesses and other celebrities – participated in the […]

Advertisement
  • Biltmore Faces the MBAR with Its Future Unknown
    By Tiana Molony   |   August 27, 2024

    When the Biltmore opened its doors in 1927, a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean, various hotel aficionados around California gathered for dinner there. According to a December 1927 issue of The Morning Press, many praised it as “a hotel in the most beautiful spot in California.” Its Spanish Revival charm, easily recognizable by the […]

    Coast Village Week Celebration
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 30, 2024

    Executive Director of the Coast Village Association Beth Sullivan invites everyone to the upcoming Coast Village Week, Saturday, August 3 through Saturday, August 10.  Sullivan mentioned, “After a successful launch of this event in 2023, the Coast Village Association is proud to announce the First Annual ‘Coast Village Week,’ a weeklong celebration that will showcase […]

    Read more...

    After a 30-year Hiatus, Noche de Gala Event Returns to Montecito
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 23, 2024

    Society is happy to announce that the famed Montecito celebration of Old Spanish Days (OSD), known as the “Noche de Gala,” has been revitalized and will be held on Saturday, July 27, after its 30-year hiatus. The event, re-imagined by OSD El Presidente 2023 David Bolton, is hosted at Casa del Herrero, with tickets on […]

    J. McLaughlin and KMJ Collaboration
    By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 16, 2024

    The Coast Village Road women’s designer shop, J. McLaughlin, has collaborated with local designer Kate McHale Jensen, owner of KMJ, for a Limited-Edition Selection of Women’s shirts and tops, sold exclusively at the Montecito store in a limited quantity. The launch was held on Tuesday, July 2, at the store with store manager Diana Romero, […]

    Join Us for the VILLAGE 4TH CELEBRATION!
    By Houghton Hyatt   |   July 2, 2024

    We are excited to announce the return of our traditional 4th of July celebration, co-sponsored by the Montecito Community Foundation and Rosewood Miramar, featuring the “Biggest Little Parade” down San Ysidro Road and ending in a grand picnic in the park!  Your 4th of July Committee – spearheaded by board member, Mindy Denson – has […]

    Attorney to Hippie to Beloved Literary Gadfly. Steven Gilbar? Yep.
    By Jeff Wing   |   June 25, 2024

    Yes, there are people in the area you are more likely to have heard of than to have actually met. Jeff Bridges. Carol Burnett. Beloved local mononyms Ellen, Oprah, and Harry. Steven Gilbar is in this category, but with a caveat. The name rings a deafening bell, but where the hell have you heard it? […]

    The Other Hollywood Dynasty
    By Jeff Wing   |   June 11, 2024

    If you’ve ever watched David Lean’s legendary Lawrence of Arabia on a “hand-held device” (a noun-hyphenate that describes lots of swell gadgets these days) you will have noticed that the film’s breathtaking Battle of Aqaba looks like a bunch of ants streaming across a baloney sandwich. Is cinematic splendor about scale? Yeah, partly. It’s also […]

    Advertisement