They love Caruso in Montecito

Celebrity hotelier Ian Schrager might be the most unpopular man in Montecito for turning the venerable seaside Miramar into a hole in the ground then fleeing town. Los Angeles power developer Rick Caruso, however, is being welcomed with open arms. He unveiled his plans last night to a well-heeled crowd of locals and pretty much won people over. "With nary a pinch hitter in sight, Caruso stood alone at the plate," the Santa Barbara Independent says. "He took an easy, natural, comfortable swing and, man, did he connect — it was a home run, an out-of-the-ball-park hit! The crowd applauded, daring to dream once again of a win, and even the cattiest of felines was found purring alongside the plate."