Santa Barbara News, Views, & Hyperlocal Information
The Santa Barbara View caught up with the PR agency representing Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, which dates back to the 1960s when three blocks of Third Street were converted into a pedestrian mall… below is their summary.
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From Barcelona to Santa Monica, pedestrian-friendly promenades have been a huge success. But did you know, a car-free drag in Santa Barbara was part of The General Plan, which was adopted by resolution of the Mayor and Santa Barbara Council on July 28, 1964? It was called The Paseo—An Escape from the Automobile.
“There is a growing awareness that the automobile is getting out of hand; that its influence on the urban scene is becoming dictatorial rather than beneficent. It is the instrument whereby free reign was given to urban sprawl and, now that we have sprawled all over the landscape, it has become the indispensable element essential to holding the whole loosely knit package together. With the increase in population and prosperity, the automobile is demanding more and more land use for its exclusive use. In places like Los Angeles, it is demanding a lion’s share of the very air—polluting it and rendering it unfit to breath. The quirk of nature that allows the automobile to steal the air in Los Angeles is called ‘temperature invasion’. Santa Barbara has its own temperature inversion. All we need is a few more cars to attain the unhappy distinction of becoming more like Los Angeles.”
What about the idea of closing off State Street to cars… making it a promenade?
As the City Council approved another round of revisions to Plan Santa Barbara yesterday, let’s take a look back… from The General Plan, which was adopted by resolution of the Mayor and Santa Barbara Council on July 28, 1964.
By Cheri Rae
It’s always seemed like a no-brainer, but here’s scientific proof that the increased density that developers and urban planners are so fond of pushing is not optimal for good health or happiness.
According to researchers at the University of Heidelberg and McGill University, and reported in the journal Nature on June 23, the stresses of city life have negative effects on the brain. (CLICK HERE to read)
The research notes the rate of anxiety disorders is 21% among urban dwellers; mood disorders are 39% higher, and schizophrenia rates are nearly doubled.
In addition, researcher Jens Pruessner believes the brain changes of city life are most profound on those born and raised in urban environments, up to age 15.
It’s time to take another look at that General Plan and all its provisions to transform the laid-back Santa Barbara prized by so many into a high-density urban village—with all the stresses of city life. Sure looks like it’s not such a brainy idea after all.
A new budget agreement reached between California Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislators pushes redevelopment agencies to the brink of extinction.
Brown vetoed legislators’ original budget two weeks ago, but the Governor has reportedly agreed to two new redevelopment bills as part of a balanced budget, which counts on $1.7 billion from the elimination of redevelopment agencies. The first bill eliminates redevelopment agencies altogether, while the second version purportedly allows these beleaguered local agencies to exist, but only if they pay back property taxes, which have been diverted from local schools.
Tomorrow, the Santa Barbara City Council will discuss and consider a $50 million proposal to replace the Santa Barbara Police Department headquarters, located at at 215 E. Figueroa St. Even if the cash-strapped Council takes $20 million from expiring redevelopment agency funds, the top-priority project will be $30 million short. The Council subcommittee purportedly discussed a variety of options like retrofitting, but why not relocate the headquarters to Chapala One, “the empty castle of over-consumption and symbol of wretched excess in local development?”
Long before the election field for Santa Barbara City Council is set, media outlets and local organizations continue to make premature endorsements. The latest slate selection comes from Mary Ellen Wylie, President of the Democratic 
Women of Santa Barbara County (pictured left)… “I am pleased to announce that the Board of Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County has endorsed Iya Falcone, Cathy Murillo and Deborah Schwartz for election to the Santa Barbara City Council in the fall. We are confident that each of these outstanding candidates will bring strong leadership skills, understanding of neighborhood and community concerns, and their unique perspectives and priorities to the policy and decision making process. Your support will be essential in the upcoming battle to take back the majority on the City Council.” The filing period for the Nov. 8 election starts July 18.
GUTIERREZ (goo-tee-eh’-rehs) named for the distinguished civic leader, Octaviano Gutierrez, who served faithfully for many years on the Ayuntamiento or City Council. He came to California about 1816 as a lieutenant of artillery in the Mexican army. His penmanship in the official records is a work of art. His daughter, Mercedes, sold to the city of Santa Barbara (1901) the old adobe she occupied.
Weekly Column by Cerena Childress – Sustainability, Eating Fresh and Organic
Foliar plant care is so easy! Use a Dramm Can, the Perfect Foliar Machine!
Worm Castings, Compost, Manure Tea, Fish Emulsion/Kelp for FEEDING – All in ONE!
You can easily make this tea! A handful of castings, a handful to a cup of compost, handful of manure, stir and let them soak overnight in a bucket or watering can. Pour the liquid into a watering can, with an upturning rose, add a Tablespoon Fish Emulsion/Kelp, mix, and drench your plants in the morning! Yum!
Epsom Salts, Magnesium Sulfate, Your Solanaceaes, Peppers especially, and Roses!
Magnesium is critical for seed germination and the production of chlorophyll, fruit, and nuts. Magnesium helps strengthen cell walls and improves plants’ uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Magnesium deficiency in the soil may be one reason your tomato leaves yellow between the leaf veins late in the season and fruit production slows down.
Sulfur, a key element in plant growth, is critical to production of vitamins, amino acids (therefore protein), and enzymes. Sulfur is probably the oldest known pesticide in current use. It can be used for disease control (e.g., powdery mildews, rusts, leaf blights, and fruit rots), and pests like mites, psyllids and thrips. Sulfur is nontoxic to mammals, but may irritate skin or especially eyes. Sulfur has the potential to damage plants in hot (90°F and above), dry weather. It is also incompatible with other pesticides. Do not use sulfur within 20 to 30 days on plants where spray oils have been applied; it reacts with the oils to make a more phytotoxic combination.
{ After all, they're housed. Like most homeless advocates. Comfy in their home, they come out to see how their multiple homeless pets are doing. Drop... } – May 20, 2:01 PM
{ Nancy, did you read this bill? Or do you not understand how restorative policing works? They bunch offenses and use the power of the badge... } – May 20, 1:54 PM
{ A low cost RV park? Go find the nearest WallMart } – May 20, 1:47 PM { If you are wondering about the bias, Nancy and her husband Bob Hansen are long time vagrant apologists with the most extraordinary sense of entitlement... } – May 20, 1:39 PM { Love the pin. THe poster is kinda of cute. } – May 20, 12:56 PM
{ But if the column is called EcoFacts, as a journalist, online or not, you should at least try to focus on the facts and think... } – May 20, 12:24 PM
{ Those interested in the issue of climate change might be interested in a Coursera.org course that's beginning now. 10-weeks-long, online, it's called Climate Literacy, from... } – May 20, 8:49 AM { Prius'es are horrible for pedistrians. You can't hear them as all! and before you know it you're on the ground starring at an Obama bumper... } – May 19, 10:00 PM { Prius owners will do us a favor once they stop hogging the car pool lane and dispose of their batteries under their beds. Incrementally, how... } – May 19, 3:27 PM { Wonderful purple hues } – May 19, 11:14 AM { I can spend all day down there and we are so fortunate to have such a beautiful harbor! 
} – May 19, 7:55 AM { Love that boat! Great Shot bill } – May 19, 7:54 AM
{ Rouge wave or Rogue wave? } – May 19, 7:04 AM { Yes, being born a white Anglo male in the United States is winning the global lottery. The ability to work their @ss off is in... } – May 19, 9:03 AM
{ "Grandmothers in RVs" ....hahaahahahaaa, i'm speechless.. i know you aren't talking about SB. } – May 19, 8:35 AM
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