New mask guidance
‘Queen of the Coast’
CDC advises an upgrade to face coverings - A3
Art exhibit celebrates the Rincon and the surf culture of SoCal - B1
Our 166th Year
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S AT U R DAY, JA N UA RY 15, 2 02 2
Cycling to China Covenant Living at the Samarkand residents join virtual adventure By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
As the Winter Olympics in Beijing draws near, Covenant Living communities are hosting a Bike-to-Beijing challenge for their residents. Participants include Covenant Living at the Samarkand in Santa Barbara, where residents are going all the way to China … Virtually. This is a virtual cyber cycle challenge where communities are joining together to bike the almost 6,922 miles from Washington, D.C., to Beijing in time for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The challenge started Jan. 3 and will continue to Feb. 4, the day of the Olympics’ opening ceremony. “We got together with the other communities within the Covenant community, trying to find an activity to bring people in the communities together,” Kelsey Roberts, the wellness coordinator at Samarkand, told the NewsPress. “Covenant Living has a total of 16 communities across the country. Cybercycle is a great way to exercise but to be cognitively engaged. Bike-to-Beijing was born out of that desire. “‘Bike to Beijing’ is a great way for these residents to kick off the new year by staying fit and taking part in a wellness program — not to mention throwing in a bit of competitiveness along the way,” Ms. Roberts said. The Cyber Cycle is a stationary recumbent bike with a video screen showing virtual roads to ride on. Residents can add to their total by logging in each time they ride. This is a combined effort with mileage from all communities added up. Top riders and teams will be recognized within the Covenant Living organization. “They each have a member profile with information, login info, heart rate etc; and the bike records their information,” Ms. Roberts said. “It is an individual goal, but this one is done as a community, bringing camaraderie and connection to the community to motivate each other, but they do have individual goals. Participation is a group and team effort.” There is no minimum mileage requirement for participants. “Some people get intimidated by that, so this allows people to participate based on their comfortability,” Ms. Roberts said. “We even have a Samarkand Strong Squad, encouraging the
Class counsel seeks sheriff’s action during jail outbreak By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Lawyers representing the Santa Barbara County Main Jail population, Disability Rights California, Prison Law Office and King & Spalding LLP suggested the county improve its protocol to manage a COVID-19 outbreak of more than 200 cases at the jail. The letter sent by attorney Aaron Fischer serves as a first step to mandating changes in a federal court. “We’re prepared to do whatever is necessary,” Mr. Fischer told the News-Press. The COVID-19 monitoring by Mr. Fischer and other representatives is part of
COURTESY PHOTOS
Above, Al Behmer, 77, pedals a two-mile trek twice a week as part of the virtual Bike-to-Beijing challenge at Covenant Living at the Samarkand. At right, Gigi Major-Brown, 97, rides for a single hour every day during the Bike-to-Beijing challenge at the Samarkand.
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dedicated ones to come on a regular basis. I gave each member a mask that says ‘Samarkand Strong Squad’ on it. “Samarkand is the No. 1 facility in the community so far. It encourages friendly competition within the community,” said Ms. Roberts. (Samarkand literally means “The heart of one’s desire.”) The Samarkand community has logged almost 3,000 miles with about 50 residents. “It’s about Please see CYCLING on A4
Bedda Mia is expected to open around early February next to The Granada.
Bedda Mia to open next to The Granada Sicilian restaurant to occupy space formerly used by Trattoria Mollie By FORREST MCFARLAND NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Surf’s up again for Rincon Classic By FORREST MCFARLAND NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
The 40th annual 2022 Channel Islands Surfboards Rincon Classic is returning today after a one-year hiatus from the in-person event. The Rincon Classic, which will continue on Sunday, is a celebration of surfing and community in the Carpinteria area. There will be limited parking, and shuttles will be running from Mark Avenue to Rincon from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, courtesy of Jump On The School Bus. A full schedule of the events can
be found at rinconclassic.com/ schedule-and-heat-draw. Chris and Jenny Keet, founders of the surf school Surf Happens, are planning their 22nd year hosting this event. “The community really missed the event, and we’re glad to be back in 2022,” Surf Happens cofounder Chris Keet told the NewsPress on Friday. The Rincon Classic includes a surfing competition with a variety of age groups from 12-and-under to 65-and-up as well as food and drinks provided by various sponsors. This event is free for spectators.
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More than just surfing, this is a celebration for the unique “micro community” of surfers in Carpinteria and the surrounding area. “The legacy of the Rincon Classic is that it’s only an 805 event,” Mr. Keet told the NewsPress Friday. There is a “ripple effect rule” in place for surfers wishing to participate in the event, based on the idea of throwing a stone in the water at Rincon. Entry is prioritized toward residents who are closest to Rincon, an area that includes Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ventura and
Ojai. Surfers from further within the 805 area code are allowed as space permits. “We have a community that’s second to none,” Mr. Keet told the News-Press. “The surfers that emerge from this region are incredible.” World class surfers are expected to be present and represent their home communities. Those unable to experience the Rincon Classic in person can watch a live webcast on rinconclassic.com. email: fmcfarland@newspress.com
Elaine and Alberto Morello, owners of Olio e Limone Ristorante, are operating a new Sicilian restaurant, Bedda Mia, which will open around early February. This new business venture will be in the space formerly occupied by Trattoria Mollie. Chef and owner Mollie Ahlstrand closed her final location at the end of 2021 to pursue catering and cooking instruction. The venue is located at 1218 State St., right next to The Granada. The owner of Bedda Mia hired Mr. and Mrs. Morello to operate the new restaurant, realizing the two already have several successful Italian cuisine businesses. “Although we’ve always had touches of Sicily throughout
our menus and specials at the Olios, the cuisine at Bedda Mia is strictly Sicilian, with an emphasis on seafood and fresh produce-based dishes and Sicilian wines,” Mrs. Morello told the News-Press on Friday in an email. Mrs. Morello explained that “Bedda Mia” is used as a term of endearment toward a wife, mother, daughter or friend. The phrase can also be used to reference Sicily itself. “Bedda Mia the restaurant is an ode to our beloved Sicilia,” Mrs. Morello said. The couple plan to continue owning and operating their Olio restaurants alongside this new opportunity. Their restaurants — Olio e Limone Ristorante, Olio Bottega and Olio Pizzeria — are located on Victoria Street near Bedda Mia. email: fmcfarland@newspress.com
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a July 2020 class-action settlement between them and the county. The case, Murray v. County of Santa Barbara, stemmed from an alleged lack of care for a disabled veteran in the jail. The county agreed to renovate the 50-year-old facility and modify policies as part of the settlement. Mr. Fischer said the relationships between parties have been “constructive” and has kept them away from trial. He has sent letters to Santa Barbara County during past outbreaks in the Main Jail, which is located in Santa Barbara. But with nearly a third of inmates Please see JAIL on A2
Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 10-33-35-39-47 Mega: 22
Friday’s DAILY 4: 4-7-7-7
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 5-8-13-22-48 Mega: 25
Friday’s FANTASY 5: 7-16-17-22-26
Friday’s DAILY DERBY: 12-11-01 Time: 1:44.91
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 12-21-22-30-33 Meganumber: 24
Friday’s DAILY 3: 8-8-8 / Midday 5-3-1