03/20/2021

According to the local real estate rumor mill Amazon will be leasing the Saks Fifth Avenue Building at 1001 State Street in Santa Barbara for two million dollars a year.  Construction on tenant improvements will begin in early 2019, with tenancy happening by the end of next year according to Austin Herlihy,  executive vice president at Radius Commercial Real Estate.  State Street has struggled with retail vacancies for the past several years, but the presence of Amazon (if it is Amazon) might give the artery a much-needed adrenaline boost. NDAs have been signed so hence the rumor mill reference. 10/23/2018

Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended World War 1 hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day.The community of Santa Barbara celebrates a week of Patriotic Activities beginning on November 4, 2017 thru to November 12, 2017.  Here are a list of those activities.1. Vietnam veteran’s lunch with Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Jack Jacobs. November 4, 2017 (11-1pm) Elks Club2. Granada Theatre Movies that Matter: November 10, 2017 (7pm) free admission to those in uniform3. Veterans Day Ceremony at Santa Barbara Cemetery  November 11, 2017 (10-11am)4. Veterans Parade: November 12, 2017 (12-1pm) State Street (from Sola Stre... 11/11/2017

Great branding enables you to adroitly communicate your extraordinary promise of value through a distilled message expressed verbally, through symbols (your graphic brand identity) and through your actions. It instantly tells your target market that you are the answer to their prayers. Consistently communicating your brand’s distinct message gives you muscle in your marketplace.That is exactly what the owner of Hope Ranch Mussels has done. Discovering an uncontested market niche at the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market they are the only purveyors of local mussels in the market. The brand’s association with Hope Ranch was an excellent choice for the company’s name.Hope Ranch is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Santa Barbara. Although, it is a gated community the gates are open to t... 08/21/2017

Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Trends from January 2013 to March 2017 for number of sales for that month and year.  This graph was prepared by Fidelity Title Company in Santa Barbara.The graph reflects the number of sales for the month for southern Santa Barbara. (Carpinteria to Goleta).It appears we're keeping pace with last year, but not the same level of activity as 2013 and 2014. Click on image to enlarge 05/06/2017

Open House Sunday May 7, 2017     from 1 to 4 pm             Rain or ShineClassic Santa Barbara Upper East Beauty. Two bedroom two bath home on one level with a guest suite that offers 1 bedroom and 1 bath. Close to downtown and the historic Santa Barbara Mission. Light filled rooms, coffered ceilings, large traditional dining room, remodeled kitchen, and outdoor patio. Roosevelt school district.Offered for: $1,898,000 05/06/2017

Classic Car in Santa Barbara  We were on a week long trip up the coast from Carlsbad to wine country north of San Francisco 4 years ago. On Day 1 we stopped to spend a few hours exploring Santa Barbara - a few hours, of course, is not nearly enough to enjoy this beautiful city - and I spied this classic beauty at Stearns Wharf. I couldn't resist taking a photo and fortunately was able to do so while we were stopped in traffic before it disappeared!  02/23/2017

  This is a Sauvignon Blanc grape.  It grows fast and is ideal for covering an arbor or a wall in this instance.Happy Wednesday! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 05/18/2016

1214 High Ridge Lane in Santa Barbara is listed with Sotheby's International Realty.  3,700 square feet. Mediterranean Style. 3 car garage. Gated entry.  4 bedrooms with master,  one guest and office on main floor. 3.5 bathrooms. Two bedrooms downstairs with workout area, wine closet, and more. Remodeled in 1999/2000.                  $3,398,000 05/01/2016

  1807 Cliff Drive is an opportunity to invest in a very desirable and vibrant location.  It is surrounded by a major Santa Barbara healthy grocery store, numerous restaurants, drug store, professional services and neigborhood businesses.  The traffic count on Cliff Drive is excellent. Currently in use as the only Mesa veterinary, it makes an excellent investment to hold as well as a potential development site. Current zoning is C-P/R-2/E-3/S-D-3 The property is subject to a below market, net lease rate that expires June of 2019.  The listing price reflects a discount for the lower rents. Tenant pays maintenance, property taxes, and insurance. ​The building size is 3,440 square feet according to permits in the City of Santa Barbara street file, and the lot size is 18,295, or .42 acres.... 05/01/2016

Homes For Sale Santa Barbara California Robert SwetzRobert Swetz lived in Santa Barbara California back in the 1980's and also worked and stayed in Carpinteria for a short time.The Santa Barbara area and communities are full of history, sunshine, great beaches and beautiful homes. Robert has been traveling and spending time over the years in the Santa Barbara area since the late 1970's as a teenager. Robert has several associates that are licensed to sell homes and or help find that perfect home for a permanent residence, vacation home and or retirement home.  For anyone interested in selling there home in the Santa Barbara communities or purchasing a home please feel free to contact Robert at:  702 443 7156  and he will direct you to one of his associates for free with no pressure. Or ... 04/06/2016

If you like beans, the organic version of these is really tastier than the other beans.Wild arugula's leaves are diffierent and the taste is spicier than the regular arugula. We love the wild variety also.Conehead Cabbage is unlike most cabbage varieties.  It is mild tasting with a hint of sweetness, and it makes a wonderful coleslaw.  Happy Saturday!  Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 03/12/2016

Off of Highway 154 which leads to the wine country from Santa Barbara, we took a left onto old Stagecoach Road.  As you drive, you get a feel of the road traversed by stagecoach in the 1800's.Further down the road, the scenery changes.We were headed to Cold Springs Tavern, which was a stagecoach stop.  It was a comfortable place to change horses, rest, and eat a hot meal. Here is one of the buildings built in 1851 which is till in use.  They have brought in electricity and modernized it just enough, so that the original character is still intact.Note the original fireplace has been replaced by a modern wood stove.  The walls are filled with sepia and black and white photos detailing the history of this area.Here are the cold springs in all their glory.  The rain was a welcome addition t... 03/06/2016

We are happy to report that it started raining this morning as we headed out the Santa Barbara Farmers Market.The Healing Grounds had plenty of organic tomato varietals ready for planting in your vegetable garden.  "The Healing Grounds is part of the Transitions Mental Health Program.  Its purpose is to provide work training and income for adults with mental illness in partnership with the Santa Barbara Mental Health Services." This is a quote from their site.This interesting looking fruit is a Cherimoya. It is very sweet and tastes like a blend of tropical fruits, including apple,and pear.  Mark Twain refered to it as "the must delicious fruit known to man!"  Wishing you an abundance of Saturday Smiles!   Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-  ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is th... 03/05/2016

We woke up to a beautiful sunny day.  The Santa Barbara Farmers market was full of vibrant colors.  This mound of carrots greeted us as we walked in.Here is what "beet red" looks like!And the first Sunflowers of the season are showing up! Wishing you an abundance of Saturday Smiles, Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 02/27/2016

 Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 01/15/2016

One of our favorite places to go to for tea or happy hour is the Santa Barbara Biltmore.  Each year their Christmas display is lovely and well worth a visit.  We loved this wreath welcoming us in!The Christmas tree is also a beautiful sight almost reaching the tall beamed ceiling.  Notice the big switch!They also decorated the chandeliers, it added a special touch to the holiday atmosphere. We really enjoyed the festive spirit created by all this lovely decor.   Wishing all our friends a Very Merry Christmas Eve!  Regardless of your religious beliefs, we all want peace and goodwill to all of mankind, with no exclusions! Cheers,  Ron & Alexandra Seigel. 12/23/2015

The temperature was at 41 degrees at 6 AM.  We are at 55 degrees at this moment and a high predicted at 63...Many of the farmers stayed home today, as did those who have plenty of leftovers. We still have heirloom tomatoes at the end of November!Parsnips made their appearance this morning. I love the pale green of their stems.  They are a great vegetable for soups and for pickling.   Wishing you lots of Saturday Smiles, Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing the... 11/28/2015

Santa Barbara Ridgeback Shrimp is in season once again, and we instantly joined the queue to buy some for tonight's dinner, ($6 a pound).  You toss them in boiling water for less than 3 minutes.  We will be dipping them in melted cultured salted French butter from Brittany.  Peppers with a kick were also another highlight at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market this morning.  These golden Manzardo peppers pictured above are very mild, and they are beautiful!And of course, there are these really the hot ones, the habaneros, are just lovely too.    Wishing you all lots of Saturday Smiles, Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate abo... 11/14/2015

 On an another gorgeous cool and sunny morning, we took off for the Santa Barbara Market.  Persimmons are known as the "food of the gods."  From our standpoint having been tricked into tasting an unripe persimmon once, we appreciate them for their color, and not so much their taste.  The ones  pictured above can be eaten when ripe, and do not make your mouth feel like it has been turned inside out!  When cut horizontally, they have a beautiful star shape. This is the lethal one, you have to wait till it gets to a mushy state before you even dare to eat it.  It is called the Hachiya Persimmon. With this post, we pass the 2 Million mark on Active Rain.  It has been a delightful journey, and we appreciate the conversations, the posts we have read, and the people on this platform.  This is ... 11/07/2015