'Smurf House' greenlighted

Now, over to our Little Persons reporter, Bridget the Midget:

When a local dry-cleaner and his wife finally move into their new four-story home, they'll have a convenient downtown location, a drop-dead view, and plenty of room to breathe � as long as they don't puff out their cheeks too much.

Their entire spread will be built on a lot of 20 feet by 20 feet � an area about the size of a deluxe room at the Four Seasons Biltmore just down the highway.

Last week, the Santa Barbara City Council unanimously approved plans for the whimsical, Spanish-style tower. Neil Ablitt, owner of the pint-sized parcel, was jubilant about the council's action...

"It's an incredibly beautiful structure," Ablitt said. "It's a house of whimsy."

Meanwhile, a million more worthy stories happened while the L.A. Times was trying to compete with Reuter's Oddly Enough category.

Other coverage of this momentous event here.

If, like me, you'd rather think about Bridget the Midget, go here, here, here, or here.