It’s been 12 hours and I still can’t believe the Los Angeles Dodgers topped last week’s Shohei Ohtani signing by adding a second Japanese superstar to the roster.
After dealing with decades of disappointment, it seems like Dodger Nation is finally being rewarded for the thus-far unrequited loyalty that has made the franchise one of the most financially successful in all of sports.
It’s about time.
While Dodger fans wait to see what else Santa might be bringing us for Christmas, Noozhawk was delivering for an audience of 153,869 readers this past week, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top Five stories you were reading during the period. In other words, this is my opinion column, not a news story.
Thank you for reading.
1. Storm Causes Flooding, Road Closures in Santa Barbara; More Rain Expected
A slow-moving storm system inundated Santa Barbara County’s South Coast on Dec. 21, causing widespread street flooding, road closures and a disgusting sewage spill. It also triggered a flood watch for much of the day.
There were no major injuries but more than a dozen people had to be rescued from vehicles trapped in fast-rising water.
Untreated sewage emptying into Mission Creek from a pipe near the Samarkand neighborhood forced City of Santa Barbara officials to close West Beach between the harbor and a quarter-mile east of the creek mouth on the eastern side of Stearns Wharf.
Officials say an estimated 9,ooo gallons of crud spilled out of a manhole near Vernon Road and Stanley Drive, southwest of De la Vina Street — more than three miles upstream from the ocean.
As of Dec. 22, more than 5 inches of rain had been recorded by numerous county Public Works Department rain gauges on the coast over the previous 48 hours, with mountain areas often logging nearly twice that amount.
North County rainfall totals were more uneven, but generally around or below 3 inches.
As our Serena Guentz reported, the National Weather Service was predicting the rain to taper off by dawn Dec. 22 as the storm moves east.
The weather service forecast expects dry weather through the weekend and on Christmas Day, with daytime temperatures in the low 60s and overnight lows in the 40s.
In addition to the flood watch, fast-flood warnings, wind advisories and marine warnings were all issued at various points over the last two days.
- Click here for a slideshow of storm photos and video from readers.
- Click here for a doggone heart-warming storm rescue in Orcutt.
2. BizHawk: New Owners Have Big Plans for Santa Barbara’s Iconic Harbor Restaurant
Like many of you, I haven’t been to The Harbor Restaurant on Stearns Wharf in … well, it’s been decades.
The last time I went, probably to show out-of-town friends how beautiful Santa Barbara is from that side, I found it overpriced, underwhelming and far too pretentious for my taste.
Give me Moby Dick. Besides, Al Steinman was a much better host.
But I digress.
My friends, Olesya and John Thyne III, recently bought The Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s with Gene Sanchez and his wife, Carolina Jimenez. Needless to say, changes are underway.
I ran into the Thynes a while back and they enthusiastically shared some of their plans. By the end of the conversation, I was just as excited as they were.
In an interview with our Josh Molina, the new owners outlined the transformation, starting with a fresh look and multiple concepts inside the restaurant, including a coffee bar, an ice cream bar and a lounge.
Upstairs, Longboard’s will retain its identity but additional rooftop decks are on the drawing board — to take proper advantage of the 360-degree views from the wharf.
The new chef, Katie Teal, has put together a flavorful menu, and Sanchez says it will have a South American feel, with Chilean and Peruvian food as well as high-end yet affordable seafood, steaks and prime rib.
“We want to make this the best venue in Santa Barbara,” Sanchez said.
Eventually, Thyne says, they want to add Sunday brunches like the old Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara used to have — if anyone even remembers that place.
Part of The Harbor already is operational, with the full restaurant set to open early next year.
3. 24-Year-Old Man Hospitalized After Stabbing in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone
A 24-year-old man was stabbed under mysterious circumstances the night of Dec. 16 near the Hotel Californian, one of Santa Barbara’s most prominent hotels.
Oops. I’ve said too much.
As usual, Santa Barbara police have said too little.
Cmdr. Kasi Corbett told our Tom Bolton that officers were dispatched around 8 p.m. to the corner of State and Mason streets in the heart of the Funk Zone where — somehow — the victim had become stabbed.
The man was taken by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, but his identity and medical condition were not disclosed.
Also not disclosed were any details about how the victim had acquired his wounds, whether there were any suspects in whatever had happened and, if there were, whether they might be described for the public’s benefit.
There is one thing that police were quick to conclude:
“At this time, we do not have information that this is gang-related activity,” Corbett said.
Cool, cool, cool.
By the way, one block away and one year and one week before, Camarillo resident Rob Gutierrez was gunned down in front of his wife and two close friends when a shootout erupted as the four innocent tourists strolled on Stearns Wharf.
He died on Dec. 20, 2023, although police withheld that detail from the public for another month.
Gutierrez’s murder did turn out to be gang-related although I’ve been told that Santa Barbara doesn’t have a gang problem.
4. One Man’s Christmas Light Tour Now a Santa Barbara Holiday Tradition
Since 2009, Harley Hahn, a Santa Barbara computer science professional and author, has been curating an annual, drive-it-yourself Christmas lights tour for locals.
As our Rebecca Caraway reported, Hahn originally was inspired by a casual drive to view the holiday lights around town. He began documenting a route, providing specific instructions on turns and stops.
That was back in 2009.
In early December each year, Hahn retraces the previous tour, noting changes and updating the route for accessibility and interest.
The route, available on Hahn’s website, begins in downtown Santa Barbara, heads to the Westside, goes up and over Bel Air Knolls, and finishes in the neighborhood of Hitchcock Way.
Hahn’s attention to detail ensures a safe, enjoyable and festive experience for those embarking on the holiday light adventure.
“It’s about people who volunteer to put in effort and spend money, and take a lot of time to do things to make people happy that they may never even meet,” he told Rebecca.
5. Santa Maria Pair Arrested on Robbery, Theft Charges Involving Postal Carrier, Mail Boxes
A pair of Santa Maria residents found themselves behind bars after allegedly robbing a U.S. Postal Service carrier at knifepoint and stealing letters and packages from secured mailboxes.
As our Tom Bolton reported, Santa Maria police were following up on multiple complaints about mail and package thefts when detectives came across a guy matching the description of one of the suspects holed up at a North Preisker Lane motel.
“Further investigation revealed the suspect was in possession of items that were reported stolen from the secured mailboxes,” Lt. Paul Van Meel told Tom.
He said 39-year-old Michael Cantero and his companion, 37-year-old Christina Pichardo, were arrested on several felony charges, including robbery and theft-related counts.
As of Dec. 22, Cantero is still being held at the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail on $215,000 bail. Pichardo is there on $50,000 bail.
If you’re missing mail or have any information about the thefts, contact the SMPD Detective’s Bureau at 805.928.3781 x2278.
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Good Reads
Check out these six stories before you go:
» Police Arrest 17-Year-Old Suspect for Fatal Shooting at Santa Maria Park — North County editor Janene Scully has an update on the tragic killing of 15-year-old Pioneer Valley High School student Jesus Valverde. Sadly, a 17 year old has been arrested by Santa Maria police as a suspect in the shooting.
» San Marcos Foothills Forever Raises $1 Million for West Mesa Restoration Endowment — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway has been following the Foothills Forever campaign, and reports that the grassroots undertaking has reached a critical milestone for the popular San Marcos Foothills Preserve.
» Mark Patton: Coastal Commission Trips Up UCSB on Some Tough Turf — Sports columnist Mark Patton is about as an objective observer as you’ll come across, and has decades of bylined stories and columns to prove it. But he’s got a few things to get off his chest about the California Coastal Commission’s arrogant dismissal of UC Santa Barbara’s plans for a new baseball field, and I could not have said it better. Furthermore, UCSB — specifically Chancellor Henry Yang — needs to go to bat for the team and his athletic department. This is bigger than baseball.
» ‘Gem of Goleta,’ Dos Pueblos Little League to Celebrate 50 Years of Diamond Dreams — Staff writer Josh Molina — who has experienced Dos Pueblos Little League as a rookie parent and a championship coach — previews the program’s 50th anniversary next year with an all-star cast of Goleta’s baseball legends.
» Santa Barbara County Supervisors to Consider Limits on Number of Roosters People Can Have — Staff writer Serena Guentz pecks out a story that may leave you squawking.
» Catholic Charities of Santa Maria Delivers Gifts, More to Needy Families — Janene mingles with the elves as Christmas comes early for dozens of Santa Maria families.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? La Cumbre Plaza Housing Plan Funding Crumbles After Das Williams Blasts Planning Processes.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
There’s no pleasing some people, no matter how spectacular the setting. Besides, sometimes nature just stinks: The Worst National Park Reviews of the Year.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
Things were looking up in my Instagram feed this past week. Also, I’ve realized I’m running out of time to finish my #mailboxesofmontecito2023 tour.
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Watch It
Merry Christmas.
