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Our 165th Year
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To bike or not to bike City aims to solve State Street biking issues By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
As tensions grow between pedestrians and bicyclists on State Street, Santa Barbara city officials are working to create harmony between the two and find a safe, logical space for both on the promenade. As the spine of the bike lane network of the bicycle master plan, State Street provides a connection to many main streets and a destination full of shops, restaurants and activity. When the city closed off the street to cars in March, the overwhelming support of that decision was twofold — residents of Santa Barbara are now pushing for the closure to be permanent. According to Rob Dayton, the transportation planning and parking manager for the city, “The city is leaning into permanent closure.” However, on a street packed with parklets, outdoor operations and countless pedestrians, what does permanent closure mean for bicyclists? While some pedestrians on State Street have filed complaints about reckless biking practices, city officials said a bike ban is not likely. “We believe that bikes represent about half the activity over the course of the day,” Mr. Dayton told the News-Press. “There’s a constant flow of bikes that’s really steady. Pedestrians come and go, but if you want to keep the street active, bikes are probably going to play an important role.” In fact, the city is considering implementing a pilot program of a new electric bike share program, offered to the city for free by Trek Bikes. The program is three years long and bike docks will only be available on State Street and the waterfront initially. If the response is positive, the docks will expand into the city. This is one of the efforts to revitalize downtown Santa Barbara, which has always been a bike-friendly city. “What I’ve been telling people
COURTESY PHOTO
Volunteers assemble gift bags for High Holy Days, the 10 days between the start of the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement. For the first time in Congregation B’nai B’rith’s 92-year history, the holy days will be celebrated virtually.
Adapting High Holy Days By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
RAFAEL MALDONADO/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
While the city has received complaints of reckless biking on the State Street promenade, officials are working on a way to make space for both bicyclists and pedestrians, and working to add an electric bike share program.
is that if you’re uncomfortable walking in the street because you’re fearful of encountering bikes, then move to the sidewalks. Bikes aren’t allowed on the sidewalks,” Mr. Dayton said. City Council member Oscar Gutierrez has been paying attention to the concerns of pedestrians. He told the NewsPress that State Street is still legally considered a street, which means bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers are supposed to be on the road, and all pedestrians should technically be on the sidewalks. “There’s a few issues that we need to address,” Mr. Gutierrez said. “One is the privatization of a public space and two is the blocking of people’s right to Please see proposal on A8
State Street is the spine of the bike lane network of the bicycle master plan, so city officials don’t feel a ban on them would be appropriate.
Westerlay completes donation project By JORGE MERCADO NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS
Westerlay Orchids donated 100,000 orchids over the past five months as part of its special project during the pandemic.
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For the past five months, Westerlay Orchids has been in a giving mood. The Carpinteria based floral company has been handing out orchids as part of its 100,000 Orchid Challenge for five months, and on Wednesday it delivered it’s final batch of orchids to Gardens on Hope, an 89-unit housing complex for the elderly in Santa Barbara. “It’s catching me a little bit in an emotional place, kind of unexpectedly,” Toine Overgaag, owner of Westerlay, told the NewsPress. “It was just another day on my calendar, but now that I am here, and I am recalling the beginning
of this of where we were and how that felt and to cap it off here locally at this assisted living facility that has just opened, and to be able to see and interact with the residents, it brings it back to how much connection and joy we brought to people in this. “It’s a very simple thing that we’re doing.” Residents at the housing complex walked through the lobby with smiles on their faces as they passed by the orchids. At the start of the challenge, Westerlay delivered orchids to frontline workers. Mr. Overgaag recalled how shocked they were by his donations. “I asked how many employees are at the hospital and they said Please see orchids on A8
The Jewish New Year begins Friday, also known as Rosh Hashanah. This marks the High Holy Days, or the 10 days bookended by Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This year, Congregation B’nai B’rith had to be creative when planning the celebration. “We are a house of gathering that’s not able to gather anymore,” Rabbi Steve Cohen said, noting that synagogue means “house of gathering.” “So we’ve had to learn how to be a house of gathering by using every resource at our disposal.” He hopes that the community feel is not lost because members can’t physically congregate. The staff has been trying to stay in touch with members through phone calls and gift baskets. “During a situation like this, it has really brought up a spirit of volunteerism and a desire to work together, to stay strong together,” Rabbi Cohen said. “And to particularly reach out to members that are isolated, living alone or at risk for COVID.” A staff of volunteers
assembled over 600 gift bags and delivered them by hand. Inside, members will find Shabbat candles, prayer booklets, honey sticks and apples for a sweet new year. One of the biggest hurdles was finding a safe way to have the choir perform. Choir members recorded themselves individually and are using software to combine the voices. For an in-person experience, Rabbi Cohen and Assistant Rabbi David Brenner will take appointments for individuals and families to have prayer and reflection time in front of the ark, which holds the Torah scrolls. There will be online services at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday for Rosh Hashanah. Then, the congregation will hold a Kol Nidre (which means “all vows”) service at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27. The celebration for Yom Kippur (or the Day of Atonement) is planned for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 28. For more information on the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services and programs, visit www.cbbsb.org. email: ahanshaw@newspress.com
Low-pressure system inbound Transport winds expected to blow away smoke this weekend By JOSH GREGA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Santa Barbara residents can expect cooler and less smokey conditions this weekend. Transport winds from a lowpressure system arriving Friday in Northern California are expected to blow away smoke from the ongoing West Coast wildfires. Much of Santa Barbara’s current smoke cover at 6,000 feet has already passed on, but there are still pockets of ground
level and near-ground level smoke. Due to these pockets scattered throughout the county, the county’s Air Pollution Control District has designated today’s air quality the same as on Wednesday, unhealthy for sensitive groups, said Lyz Hoffman, district spokeswoman. Sensitive groups include children, seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with heart and lung conditions. Air carried by the incoming Please see weather on A8
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Comics................. A6 Classified.............. A7 Life.................... A 3-4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO:13-18-28-38-42Meganumber: 4
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 2-1-2-6
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 25-28-38-59-62Meganumber: 22
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 1-25-31-33-35
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 04-08-11 Time: 1:40.41
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 10-17-31-51-53 Meganumber: 1
Obituaries............. A8 Soduku................. A5 Weather................ A8
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 2-4-8 / Wednesday’s Midday 5-2-0