Year: 2006

Carrows to Condos

Orange County developer Steven Gelson just completed acquisition of Carrillo Plaza-now home to Carrows and Spudnuts at De la Vina and Carrillo streets-which he hopes to demolish and replace with a four-story, mixed-use condo project. While Gelson’s plans are far from finalized, he said slightly more than one-third of the 55 condos he’s proposing would be affordable. A 30-year veteran of the Orange County development scene, Gelson is now focusing on properties facing severe environmental challenges. In the case of Carrillo Plaza, the Regional Water Quality Control Board has ordered a massive cleanup of subsoil contaminants-produced by a former dry-cleaning business-that threaten the city’s groundwater basin.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY:

Ed Mannona onetime homeless-rights advocate who gained national attention years ago trying to save his dog from executionwas so severely beaten last Thursday night that he required 47 stitches. The assailant broke Mannon’s jaw and several ribs, and shattered one of his eye sockets so badly that doctors at Cottage Hospital stitched that eye closed. Mannon’s friends contend Santa Barbara police failed to respond to warnings that Mannon’s life may be in danger, due to a longstanding relationship with his assailant. Police countered that Mannon refused to file a complaint against his tormentor or seek a restraining order. Though police have identified a suspect, no arrests have been made. Three years ago, Mannon made the news when Santa Barbara City Councilmember Brian Barnwell was attacked by pit bulls, one of whom belonged to Mannon.

Scores Without Borders

Ensemble for Contemporary Music (ECM)

At UCSB’s Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall, Thursday, March 16.

The tingly, mind-massaging sense of discovery one gets at concerts by UCSB’s ECM is a double-edged sensation. On the plus side, ECM, bravely and smartly led by director Jeremy Haladyna, clearly fills a void. On the other hand, the rarity of such contemporary music here-and its too-small audiences-imply conservatism and fear of new music in a region otherwise rich in musical options.

ready to roar

As the saying goes, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Music‑wise, we’ve been having

CHANGE IN THE PUEBLO:

Harley Augustino (pictured) announced he will step down on July 1 from the executive directorship of the four-year-old lobbying group PUEBLO (People United for Economic Justice Building Leadership Through Organizing). Augustino
who graduated from UCSB in 2000has been at PUEBLO’s helm as it mobilized the working poor to lobby for their own interests. The organization recently led the successful campaign to pass a Living Wage ordinance for municipal contract workers in Santa Barbara. It has also garnered votes for local candidates and victories for affordable housing, childcare, and bus service. PUEBLO will search nationwide for a new director; Augustino will continue to work as PUEBLO’s fundraiser through July 2007.