🌱 Fresco Cafe Closes + Lifeguards On Duty + Carpinteria Project Woes

Hello all! Today’s World Milk Day; did you know that China is one of the fastest-growing dairy markets, while the use of beverage milk has steadily declined in the United States since 2000? I'm here with your Thursday edition of the Santa Barbara Patch newsletter, filled with news on:

• 🚧 Drive-thru redo for Chick-fil-A.
• 👮 H. Thomas Guerry Award recipients.
• 🤔 Carpinteria Avenue property design disagreement.

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🌤️ But first, today's weather: Low clouds, then some sun. High: 67 Low: 52.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Santa Barbara Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99 percent of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Santa Barbara Patch newsletter possible.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Santa Barbara

• Conserv Fuel at 150 S. La Cumbre Road, $4.35
• Educated Car Wash at 3735 State St., $4.45
• Fuel Depot at 101 W. Carrillo St., $4.49

🦸 Superpower Poll!
A 2018 survey found that Americans would love to have the superpower of healing others. If we take this one off the table, which superpower would you love to have?

• 29.4 percent: The ability to fly
• 17.6 percent: The ability to time travel or the ability to read minds
• 11.8 percent: The ability to become invisible
• 5.9 percent: Superhuman strength, teleport, healing, or win select lotteries and give money away

📰 Here are the top stories today in Santa Barbara:

1. What’s happening with the 4745 Carpinteria Ave. property? Residents attending a recent Architectural Review Board meeting argued that the plans “would violate the privacy of residents and create parking issues along Ninth Street.” As it stands right now, look for workshops that will be scheduled in the future. (Coastal View)
2. The Fresco Cafe at 23 E. Canon Perdido St. closed on Tuesday, with no plans for reopening. A staple at the Five Points location, we do know that the venue was frustrated at the long time it took to get a beer and wine license. There’s no word if this had anything to do with the closure. Owner Mark Brouillard went on record saying he “couldn’t talk about it at the moment because he needed time to heal.” (NoozHawk)
3. Chick-fil-A on Upper State Street is also closing, but only for a couple of months. The company is working to revamp its drive-thru lanes that have been backing up traffic on the road. The business will be “widening the entrance to three lanes and changing the exit so that drivers cannot make a left turn out of the parking lot across oncoming traffic.” (Santa Barbara Independent)
4. A shoutout to nine officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department who received the H. Thomas Guerry Award for Superior Performance. They are Ofc. M. Tonello, Sgt. R. DeJohn, Sgt. C. Payne, Ofc. J. Duffy, Ofc. J. Hesketh, Ofc. K. King, Ofc. M. Renaud, Ofc. D. Reyes, and Ofc. T. Van Eyck. Congratulations! (edhat)
5. When you plan your summer beach outings, you’ll be happy to know that Santa Barbara succeeded in staffing all lifeguard towers at beaches and pools. While there are shortages in other areas, lifeguards “will go on a weekend schedule until June 10, then go seven days a week through the summer season.” (KEYT)

Calling Santa Barbara business owners: reach local readers, attract a crowd, and make a splash with your events this summer! We have a limited number of sponsorships available to amplify your events and increase attendance among your target audience. Click here to learn more about our sponsorships.

📆 Today in Santa Barbara:

• World Dance Class Meetup at the Schott Campus (9:15 AM)
• Pura Luna Pride Party Open House (5:30 PM)
• 100th Anniversary Celebration of the United Way at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum (6 PM)
• The Alcazar Theatre holds auditions (6 PM)
• Bringing Back Our Wetland: Community Film Screening & Panel Discussion at the Marjorie Luke Theatre (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "State Route 154 Safety Committee to meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 14 in Solvang. Officials will discuss the latest traffic safety efforts & focus on the Los Olivos Community. Q&A with Caltrans, California Highway Patrol & more. Agenda online by June 6, https://bit.ly/3WusovS." (SBCAG)
• "The Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara’s staff and board of directors is pleased to announce the summer schedule for the 'Downtown Live' Free Music Series, Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. The series is set to run for 9 weeks through May 31 –July 26 and will feature local bands each week in a casual setting outside of OPPI’Z Bistro and Natural Pizza and across from L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele on the 1000 Block of the State Street Promenade between Carrillo and Figueroa Street." (edhat)
• "The County of Santa Barbara officially released its Recommended Budget today, Tuesday, May 30, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24. The recommended operating budget is $1.48 billion. To read the Recommended Budget Book, and for more information, click here: https://countyofsb.org/3647/2023-to-2024." (Santa Barbara County)
• "TVSB flags went up on State Street, representing the nonprofit's nearly 50-year history serving the Santa Barbara community through media. Please help us preserve public, education, and government operations like TV Santa Barbara! http://tvsb.tv." (TV Santa Barbara)
• "Long weekend got you like... what day is it? Let CNIB get you up to speed! A new issue was just sent to subscribers last night: http://ow.ly/zBFC50OAZyw. Not getting the latest City happenings at a glance - delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up: http://ow.ly/8zLO50OAZyy." (City of Santa Barbara)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll be back in your inbox Saturday with another update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Santa Barbara Patch newsletter? Contact me at santabarbara@patch.com