April 2nd, 2015 at 11:00 am
When you think ski chalet, it’s likely that sleek and modern is not the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, a more rustic, sloped-roof homemade of raw woods and stone is a more common image. All that may be changing now that Apple Store architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has been commissioned to design an upscale ski community. The new collection of homes, The Stellar Collection, is part of the luxury Mountainside Northstar Lake Tahoe brand.
The firm was asked to think outside the box. The developer did not want a traditional ski chalet, but rather something new and modern. Drawing inspiration from modern Alpine buildings around Europe, BCJ came up with a fresh new design. These homes not only look different on the outside–featuring large windows, simplistic design, and void of embellishments–but the inside is also different. Interiors still feature natural materials, but not in the traditional sense. The home is warm and inviting. Light floods the home and there’s a clean and airy feeling inside. The renderings of both the interior and exterior give off a more urban feel than your traditional skiing community.
(more…)
April 2nd, 2015 at 9:00 am
Wondering if the dog walker you hired really took Fido out on the leash or just sat on the couch watching “Scooby-Doo” reruns? Want a map of where Fluffy is prowling on her nightly scavenges?
These days, pinpointing pets’ whereabouts is easy, whether they’re outdoors or inside. The same GPS tracking technology that lets employers check the locations of their delivery trucks, scientists follow dolphin migration patterns, and vessel operators find shipping containers is available in collar-size, rechargeable electronics.
Pet-tracking methods have been available for some time, including microchip implants that require special readers, tattoos with accompanying collar-notification tag, and collar antennas that transmit to dedicated radio receivers. GPS tracking, though, has taken off in recent years, especially with the rise of smartphones and tablets that let owners track animals on the go.
(more…)
April 1st, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Would you like some red velvet with your Cabernet? Or maybe some Cabernet in your red velvet? That’s the kind of pairing you can expect on the Original Cupcake & Wine Tour with Santa Barbara Adventure Co. This daytrip from Santa Barbara features a sampling of wine-infused-cupcakes from Enjoy Cupcakes in the heart of Santa Ynez wine country. Ready for Pomegranate Mango Chardonnay and Chocolate Blackberry Syrah? The six and a half-hour excursion in a private van includes wine, cupcake and olive tastings in the valley, wine-tasting fees (private tastings available for groups of 10+), lunch, cold beverages, knowledgeable guide, and a discussion of winemaking as well as natural and human history.
Where:
Meet at East Beach parking lot (unless hotel pickup is arranged), 1400 Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93190.
When:
(more…)
March 31st, 2015 at 1:00 pm
The nonprofit Coastal Housing Coalition (CHC) is sponsoring this year’s Santa Barbara Housing Conference to raise awareness about the impacts of the lack of affordable housing. The public is invited to come and learn alongside more than 200 housing providers, developers, business and government leaders, and more. The goal is to advocate for policies and projects to produce more affordable housing for local workers and their families. According to the CHC, the affordability gap continues to widen and the vast majority of South Coast residents continue to struggle to find adequate housing within their salary, especially in Santa Barbara. By attending and sponsoring, you can help raise awareness and make it possible for your neighbors to continue to live and thrive in Southern California.
Where:
Carrillo Recreation Center
100 E. Carrillo St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
When:
(more…)
March 30th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Spend the day in Lompoc, sipping on wine and enjoying gourmet tacos from the Valle Fresh Food truck. You can enjoy roasted organic squash, slow-braised pork belly and smoked tri-tip along with your choice of wine on the patio. At $3 each, you can enjoy as many as you can eat! With a beautiful view of the winery those tacos will taste even better.
Where:
Sanford Winery
5010 Santa Rosa Road
Lompoc, CA 93436
When:
(more…)
