Looking back at Princess Diana
Catalina Island in all its glory
Robert Eringer writes about her tragic death and its impact on Prince Harry - A2
Conservancy CEO to give a talk at Santa Barbara Maritime Museum - B1
Our 167th Year
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S U N DAY, AU G U S T 14 , 2 0 2 2
‘True angel on this earth’ Friends recall the humanity of Santa Ynez singer Olivia Newton-John
DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS
Boys find backpacks they like at the “Tools for Schools” event Saturday at Presidio Springs in Santa Barbara.
More than 400 backpacks given away Housing authority gives local kids back-to-school supplies By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara gave away more than 400 backpacks in partnership with 2nd Story Associates Saturday during the “Tools for Schools” event at Presidio Springs in Santa Barbara. “It was so nice to be back in
full force with the event. Two years ago was when everything shut down, and we didn’t feel comfortable having an event so we gave gift cards to Target to buy school supplies,” Rob Fredericks, the housing authority’s executive director and CEO, told the News-Press. “Last year we had the event, Please see BACKPACKS on A5
PHOTOS COURTESY UNITY SHOPPE
Olivia Newton-John stands between singers Kenny Loggins, left, and Peter Noone at a Unity Shoppe telethon in the 1990s. When Ms. Newton-John first learned about Unity Shoppe, she immediately offered to help the Santa Barbara nonprofit. At right of Mr. Noone are Jelinda DeVorzon, Bob Smith and Anne Smith.
By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Olivia Newton-John performs in 1996 during a Unity Shoppe Telethon.
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Barry DeVorzon will never forget the evening at John Travolta’s ranch, just north of Santa Barbara. That’s where he saw Olivia Newton-John and enjoyed an after-dinner, musical treat. “John and Olivia recreated the songs from ‘Grease’ with Kenny Loggins chiming in,” Mr. DeVorzon told the News-Press last week. Accompanying them on the piano was record producer and composer David Foster. Mr. DeVorzon described the moment, which included his wife, Jelinda DeVorzon, and Mr. Loggins’ then wife, Eva, as “a group of friends sharing an evening together.” “That being said, I still have to
pinch myself,” Mr. DeVorzon said. “What a unique experience to be part of it.” He also recalled that Mr. Travolta and Ms. Newton-John, who starred together in the 1978 film adaptation of Broadway’s “Grease,” had a great affection for each other as friends. “There was this lovely spontaneity that only really friends who are comfortable with each other can have.” Fond memories of Ms. NewtonJohn — Santa Ynez actress and singer who people immediately describe as kind and downto-earth — are being shared following her death Aug. 8 after a long struggle with breast cancer. Her Montecito friend Corinna Gordon called her “a true angel on this earth.” Those who knew her are quick Please see NEWTON JOHN on A5
Starting her next chapter in healthcare Former public health director Van Do-Reynoso begins work at CenCal Health By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Dr. Van Do-Reynoso led the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department during the Thomas Fire, the Montecito debris flow and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she’s ready for her next mission in health care. The former public health director started work Aug. 1 as the chief customer experience
officer, a new position, at CenCal Health, the Medi-Cal-managed care plan for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. She was hired to provide strategic leadership for the management of relationships with members, providers and community partners. “I spent 20 years working in a county public health system, and that has prepared me by grounding me in working with Please see VAN DE-REYNOSO on A3
INSIDE
L O T T E RY RESULTS
Classified................. A4 Life...................... B1-4 Obituaries............... A8
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 7-2-5-1
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 23-24-50-54-64 Meganumber: 3
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 2-16-18-20-39
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 09-01-10 Time: 1:42.90
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Sudoku................... B3 Weather................. A2
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 8-5-5 / Wednesday’s Midday 5-0-8