Referrals

Do edhat readers know of any early kid-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations in town? Something in the afternoon or early evening for all ages?

It has been a hard year and I'm looking to bring the Christmas spirit early for my family. Is there a Christmas lot that is open now instead of waiting until after thanksgiving? Thanks.

By Pam

My husband has Type 2 diabetes and I’m just not sure his general doctor is knowledgeable enough to treat it correctly. I would like referrals to a good diabetes doctor in Santa Barbara.

Who has the best cakes in the area? I want to get a birthday cake for my wife.

Would appreciate Ed Readers' recommendations for and experience with mobile screen repair services.

Screenmobile? SB Screen and Shade? Others?

Thanks.

Now that things are calming down with the pandemic, can readers recommend local restaurants with good happy hour deals? A lot of places suspended them for the past 2 years so I'm curious who is offering what.

I’m looking for a recommendation for an MD in town who is well versed in immunizations, specifically for a young adult who has not had the typical childhood vaccines and is now interested in getting them on a   time schedule that is reasonable and safe.

Where can you go in town for really great corn beef and cabbage?

I need to replace some windows at my house. Does anyone have a referral for a local company with good rates and job quality? thank you.

Is there anywhere in our area that might be able to do a duplication of family vase that’s about 60 years old? 

Also, have a garden gnome?   Would appreciate any input for these projects.

I'm thinking that there are some restaurants in/around SB that are known for dedicated Friday & Saturday menus.

Common offerings are fresh fish, prime rib, fried chicken, etc. Mind asking my fellow Edhatters what are the best Friday and Saturday night restaurant specials?

For me, it's less about the price and more about them being "known" as the place to go for a specific thing those nights.

I'm looking for a reasonably priced caterer or taqueria that will cook and serve tacos and other appetizers. Do edhatters have a recommendation?

I need referrals for a French tutor, for whom French is their first language, who will come to my house on the Riviera for one hour a week (4-5 PM)(maybe 2 hours later.) A Parisien or a Parisienne would be “formidable!”

Can readers recommend a fairly priced landscaper or gardener to help maintain my yard? I have a smaller single-family home on a fairly large lot for Santa Barbara. I have hedges and fruit trees. It shouldn't be that much maintenance, maybe once a month, to keep everything looking nice. I usually do my own yard work but I'm heeding the advice of my kids since I'm not as young and spry as I used to be and I easily get tired. Thank you for your suggestions.

I'm looking for a plumber to replace a section of deteriorated cast iron pipe that is in the crawl space under my Santa Barbara house. I have spoken to several companies and they are either too busy or do not want to do this type of work. If anyone can give me recommendations I would be most grateful.

Thanks,
TJ

We need to do "spot" repairs on older wood floors, these include burn marks and some other spot staining from fluid. Can anyone recommend a local company who can do this, at a reasonable price? Thanks!

Does anyone have recent experience with a gutter replacement company that they recommend?

Anyone know somebody in Goleta area that does detailing for autos? Preferably comes to me for detailing.

Can edhat readers recommend a dependable contractor for a small scale project? I'm looking to open up a closet wall to install a washer/dryer, and countertop installation is a plus. Thanks!

I'm looking for a recommendation for a company that installs granite and stone in Santa Barbara. 

Could any Edhat reader recommend a good camera repair shop, please? Thanx!

Remember the Hourglass and Magic Waters?  The Hourglass was on West Cota Street, and Magic Waters was on upper State Street near the Highway 154 junction.  They were businesses where you could go and book a private "room" for an hour or so and enjoy your own private hot tub/spa.  As I recall, both places had about half a dozen or so fenced outdoor "rooms."  Alas, it seems that both entities are now gone.

I'm moving out of my rental apartment and I need a person or company to deep clean it once I'm out. Do readers have a recommendation?

We have seen barber shops operating in outdoor spots like parking lots, but does anyone have a referral for someone permitted to cut women’s hair outdoors in SB or Goleta? Unfortunately, my regular hairstylist does not have an outdoor location so looking for referrals. Thanks!

I just purchased a 2006 Volvo station wagon for $1. Mechanically, it runs well. The head liner is peeling on the inside and some of the weather stripping around the windshield is old, cracked and peeling and the passenger side trim (exterior) is loose. Can anyone recommend someone who does this kind of work other than the dealer? Thank you!

I'd like to know who if anyone has a recommendation for a washing machine repair person.

I'm very moved by the Black Lives Matter movement and was disappointed to learn how much harder it is for black-owned businesses in the US.

I am searching for a professional property manager to help me navigate the current rental market. I have a townhouse to rent once people are able to move around again. Thank you!

Our small manufacturing business is part of the governments "Critical Manufacturing Sector" and we are looking to purchase well-made masks for our employees that are washable. As everyone knows it's challenging to find good product online and we'd rather support another local business who has stepped up to make masks. Any suggestions?

I'm looking to donate cash to a local organization that's helping during the pandemic, but want to choose one that has a relatively low overhead where the majority of money would go to those in need and not for the organization's expenses. Does anyone have recommendations?

Are there any local farmer's market alternatives for fresh produce in Santa Barbara County? Ventura and Ojai have provided lists of CSA's, farm stands, or pay-in-advance-then-pickup services at local farms.

Some farmers are no longer coming to the SB market, because of their own health concerns. For the same reason, some of us can't shop at open markets, either.

Has anyone found a reliable online grocery delivery service in Santa Barbara? Thanks.

Can edhatters recommend a motorcycle mechanic on the South Coast? I'm hopefully looking for someone who does some minor repairs, drain gas tank and oil change, to get my bike up and running again. Someone who is mobile would be great.

Can someone please post a list of all local markets who have set aside time for seniors only to shop? I heard Gelson's allows only older folk to shop between 7AM and 8AM: are there any others?

Update by edhat staff

The below list was compiled by VNA Health:

We have a termite problem in our single family house. It looks like a tent job from past experiences. Any recommendations? Tips, hints, or alerts?

I'm thinking of using an indoor antenna for TV reception and ending my cable service (to save money). But first I wanted to find out if anyone else in the area has done this, and how many stations can actually be received this way? I'd appreciate my neighbors' feedback! Thank you all

Are any local restaurants/bars hosting SuperBowl parties this year? Preferably with no cover and family-friendly? My young son loves the 49ers and would love to watch the game with him and other fans.

A friend just moved to town and has never eaten Indian food before (I know!). Without traveling far and wide, what local Indian restaurants would edhat readers recommend?

I've heard of local farms selling their items in a subscription box. Can edhat readers recommend a good one that stays local?

Hi everyone! I have a very small local business and am looking for a new accountant. Preferably someone with good rates who works hard to help business owners get the best return possible. Thanks for the referrals!

Does anyone have a gentle donkey we can use for Las Posadas, the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem? It is for the Trust for Historic Preservation and the burro will be paid for its efforts. He would be ridden by a little 6 year old girl. A mini would be good, or if not, a regular size one.

I am going on vacation for a month and have no one to move my pickup to the opposite side of the street twice a week. Any suggestions for storage or other ideas? The airport lot seems pricey.

I got the name of an electrician a year or so ago, but have lost the contact info. All I remember is that he has a Queensland Heeler that accompanies him in his work truck! But the guy himself was reasonably priced, quick and honest. Help!

In recent years I’ve grabbed breakfast at Backyard Bowls and Renaud’s before work, but I’m looking for other breakfast option in the downtown area. Does anyone have any suggestion for quick breakfast option? Preferably someone with phone or online ordering.

Can edhat readers recommend a good local mechanic for Toyotas?

Can readers recommend a local and reputable Neuropsychologist?

I have five large oak trees which need trimming.  Which local tree care companies do a good job trimming oak trees. Thank you.

I've been looking at getting a generator for my home, inside the Power Shutoff Zone deep up Mission Canyon. I am wondering if anyone has installed a Standby Home Generator? I see the commercials for Generac generators and we personally have with their small portable unit (GP2200I) as our current backup, but their home units are newer. I've heard positive reviews from Cumming, Yamaha, and Kohler who also top generator producers consumers rave about. Anyone locally with home generator or a backup power plan?

I have a 200 page Word manuscript that I would like to publish on Amazon.  I’d like to find somebody who knows how to format it and get it into KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) for a reasonable price.

 I would like to find a local editor - so i can work with her/him in person. Any recommendations?

I've had my homeowner's insurance for decades and always paid promptly. I made no insurance claims whatsoever during any fires. But my home insurer is now cancelling me, basically for being in a fire-risk area, even though no homes in my neighborhood had any smoke or fire damage during the Thomas fire.

Can you recommend any insurers who will provide reasonable coverage?