Isabelle Walker

Jan 27, 2025 | independent.com | Isabelle Walker

The fate of 13 trees on North Milpas Street, including eight Indian laurel fig trees that rise 60 feet above the sidewalks, providing shade and a slice of nature, will be decided on Wednesday, January 29, when the City of Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation Commission considers a request to remove them. If approved, the request from transportation planners would be an initial step in a long-awaited safety upgrade of 11 North Milpas intersections between Quinientos and Canon Perdido Streets.

Jan 16, 2025 | independent.com | Isabelle Walker

The end result means that, from here forward, the empty tree beds that edge the sidewalks on East Anapamu between Garden and Milpas will be re-planted with Italian stone pine saplings — much to the joy of historic preservationists and community members. In the two-and-a-half-hour hearing, City Council members effectively reversed a Parks and Recreation Commission ruling of last October that redesignated the street’s tree to native coast live oak.

Oct 31, 2024 | independent.com | Isabelle Walker |Margaux Lovely |Harrison Tasoff |Lou Segal

On Tuesday morning, the bluff-hugging coastal trails at the Douglas Family Preserve (DFP) were bustling with wildlife and dog walkers. It may have disturbed the park’s peaceful ambience, but the chipping was part of long-awaited park improvements that started this month.  Near the Mesa park’s entrance on Medcliff Road, the results are immediately noticeable. A once-dense swath of prickly, dry brush is now bare.

Oct 18, 2024 | independent.com | Tyler Hayden |Ryan Cruz |Rebecca Horrigan |Isabelle Walker

Credit: Courtesy Cielo is a nine-year-old male Alaskan Husky available for adoption at the Lompoc Animal Center. Weighing approximately 52 lbs., Cielo is a social butterfly who gets along great with dogs of all sizes. The staff describes Cielo as friendly, well-mannered, and easy to handle. He is a dream on a leash, relaxed, and has ahappy disposition.

Oct 17, 2024 | independent.com | Nick Welsh |Isabelle Walker |Ryan Cruz |Tyler Hayden

THE QUICK AND THE PLAID:  There was an orgy of kissing and making up taking place inside San Diego’s Catamaran Hotel and Spa — famous for its quasi–Polynesian fire swallowers — late last Thursday afternoon. Among the participants were a spectrum of Space Force commanders fresh off the boat from what used to be called Vandenberg Air Force Base. They were chaperoned by an assistant secretary of the Air Force, flown in all the way from headquarters for his consummate skills at making nice.