Santa Barbara News-Press: May 09, 2023

End of Title 42

Arizona faces border surge will move some migrants to other states - A3

‘Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 3’

Review: New film sees characters find their destinies in strong story - B1

Encounters with spirit

City of sB looks at new financial policy

Approach would allow city to recover fees for services

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

In light of a looming $3.8 million General Fund deficit for Fiscal Year 2024, city of Santa Barbara staff is doing whatever it can to save taxpayers money.

One approach staff is seeking to implement is a cost recovery and revenue policy that will enable the city, wherever possible, to recover fees for services, in particular those benefiting individuals.

Staff unveiled the new policy at last week’s Finance Committee in regard to the city’s General Fund.

“The city charges fees for many of the services that are provided to the community,”

City Finance Director Keith DeMartini said. “It is important to evaluate the optimal level of cost recovery that should be achieved for certain services. This policy will only serve as a guideline for staff when proposing changes to or new fees, and for the City Council when evaluating these changes for eventual approval.”

Finance Committee Chair Eric Friedman calls the policy a “positive tool to help the city in making decisions when we look at service cost recovery fees.

COURTESY PHOTO

“It is important to evaluate the optimal level of cost recovery that should be achieved for certain services,” said Keith DeMartini, finance director for the city of Santa Barbara.

(It’s) a guide for staff and council when trying to determine the level of subsidy for a specific purpose” as well as the fees associated with cost recovery.

“While ideally cost recovery would be captured, in many cases there are reasons that full cost recovery may not be feasible or a desired policy goal,” he said. “There are some services the city provides that benefit a specific individual, some that have a broad public benefit and others that have some public

Please see FINANCE on A4

Visitors meet Spirit the horse at the Return to Freedom: Wild Horse Conservation sanctuary in Lompoc, where Spirit’s 28th birthday was celebrated Saturday with live music, vendors and food. Spirit inspired the animated movie “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” (2002). As shown in one of these photos, visitors hiked Saturday at the 300acre home for wild horses and burros. For more information, go to returntofreedom.org.

SB City Council to consider personal property ordinance

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara City Council today will consider adopting an ordinance to regulate the storage of personal property in public places.

The council’s meeting will start at 2 p.m. at city hall, 735 Anacapa St.

The purpose of the draft ordinance is to address the health and safety issues that relate to unattended or stored personal property in public areas in the city of Santa Barbara, staff said.

Dr. Erika Endrijonas named SBCC president

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees has just selected City College’s next superintendent/president:

Dr. Erika Endrijonas.

Dr. Endrijonas has been the superintendent/president of Pasadena City College since January 2019, and she previously served as president of Los Angeles Valley College in the Los Angeles Community College District for four-and-a-half years.

Dr. Endrijonas earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Cal State Northridge, and her master’s and doctorate degrees from USC in American and Women’s History. She currently teaches in the Educational

Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral program at Cal State Northridge.

Dr. Endrijonas is excited to fulfill the role of Santa Barbara City College’s next president.

“It has been my goal since I left SBCC to return,” Dr. Endrijonas said in a news release Monday evening that announced her selection. “It is where I started my community college career. I am thrilled to render service in a place I love.”

Board President Jonathan Abboud said, “Dr. Endrijonas brings a strong commitment to the work we do for student access and success.

“She has a wealth of experience as a community college president overseeing a budget of over $300 million at Pasadena City College.

She has demonstrated that she is equity- and antiracism- focused, transparent and collaborative.”

A nationwide search for the next superintendent/president was conducted by the board of trustees. Three finalists were chosen by a 19-member screening committee in November 2022 that included faculty, academic professionals, students, community members and more.

The three finalists then participated in public forums and were then interviewed by the Board of Trustees before a decision was made.

Dr. Endrijonas is expected to begin her work as president on Aug. 1. Her contract is currently subject to contract negotiations and will go before the Board of

Trustees at its June 15 meeting. email: klogan@newspress.com

The Ordinance Committee discussed the proposed ordinance on April 25 and subsequently voted unanimously to forward the ordinance to the full council for introduction and adoption.

“The public streets, rights-ofway, sidewalks, paseos, parks and other publicly-owned or controlled property within the city should be readily accessible and available to residents, businesses, and the public at large for their intended purposes,” staff said in its report to the council.

“The use of public places for private storage of personal property is inconsistent with use for public purposes and denies public use and enjoyment of public areas by exclusively occupying public property for private storage,” staff said.

“Unattended or stored personal property in certain public spaces threatens the health and safety of residents and visitors

because it interferes with the safe passage of pedestrians and people with disabilities in the public right-of-way and can foster unsanitary conditions.”

At the same time, staff said, “the needs of the public to access clean, sanitary, and attractive public areas must be balanced with the needs of individuals who have no other alternatives for the storage of personal property, and who reasonably need to retain access to a limited amount of personal property in public areas.”

The city of Santa Barbara benefits from tourism, and often travelers of all economic means may be seen carrying substantial quantities of personal possessions, staff said. “Therefore, the intent of this draft ordinance is not to focus on people experiencing homelessness or to discourage tourism, but rather to maintain the city’s ability to preserve clean, accessible public areas and to address specific safety issues.

“The draft ordinance is also mindful that while the city is not required to allow the storage of personal property within its public open spaces, it may not discriminately remove and destroy that property.”

The draft ordinance prohibits storage of unattended personal property in public areas such as a street, sidewalk, plaza, parking lot, park, beach or building. It also prohibits the storage in a public area of excessive amounts of personal property that cannot

Please see COUNCIL on A4

COURTESY PHOTO Dr. Erika Endrijonas

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Board of Supervisors to discuss public health and other matters

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will discuss health, human resources and other topics during its weekly meeting today.

The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. in Santa Maria at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway.

The board will discuss and evaluate recommendations in the Community Service Department and the Human Resource Department, as well as the Public Health Department. There are many public health items that will be discussed. First, the board will evaluate donations of pharmaceutical replenishments and safety net support from Goleta-based Direct Relief.

Next on the agenda is the funding allocation for Public Health workforce and infrastructure.

Public Health matters also include an amendment to the services of an independent contractor for design and environmental permitting for the replacement of the Toro Canyon Oil Water Separator Facility, First District. Another recommendation up

for consideration is regarding a contribution of $25,000 for the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation for coordination and collaboration of a Lompoc Homelessness Service Plan.

There will also be a couple of approvals that are expected today. First, there’s the approval of the appointment of Courtney Arensdorf to the Arts Commission,

Heidi Holly to retire from Friendship Center

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Heidi Holly, executive director at the Friendship Center, is planning to retire in July. She has served the center for 38 years.

The adult day care program, which has campuses in Montecito and Goleta, provides services for aging and dependent adults as well as respite for their caregivers. Friendship Center brings social activities to enhance seniors’ quality of life, promote self-esteem and increase their physical ability to continue living at home.

Ms. Holly graduated with a bachelor’s in behavioral sciences from UCSB. She additionally attended Antioch University

and studied organizational management. She is a certified California administrator of residential care facilities for the elderly.

Currently, Ms. Holly serves on the Wellness and End of Life Committee, and the Adult and Aging Network. She has served on many boards and has been a presenter at the local, state and national level on issues pertaining to the aging population.

During her tenure, Ms. Holly created programs and activities including the Growing Old project, also known as GOLD, where public/charter school children get together with the aging population to diminish ageism. The executive director position is now open. To apply, visit friendshipcentersb.org/ friendship-center-now-hiring.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Day in Goleta

as well as the approval of the appointment of Jay Connor to the Human Services Commission.

There will be many recognitions that will take place at this meeting. Dolly Motley, Paul Zelis, Evangelina (Eva) DeBayona, and Patricia Martinez will be honored for their many years of service in various Santa Barbara governmental departments. Additionally, K-9 Doomis will

City of Lompoc receives transportation award

LOMPOC — The Lompoc Planning Division recently received a transportation planning award for its Lompoc Streetscape

Multi-Modal Improvement Plan.

The award was recently issued by the California Chapter of the American Planning Association, Central Coast Section on April 22, as part of its 2023 Central Coast Planning Awards. The city worked with planning consultant RRM Design Group and Caltrans to create a transportation plan for Lompoc.

The Lompoc Streetscape

Multi-Modal Improvement Plan is designed to provide bicycle

receive a recognition upon his retirement from the Agriculture/ Weights and Measures Department. Also up for approval is Compost Awareness Week which is taking place now through Saturday, as well as National Correctional Officers Week, which also takes place this week. For more information, go to www.countyofsb.org.

and pedestrian improvements along the North H Street and Ocean Avenue corridors, as well as streetscape design and beautification measures. According to the city of Lompoc, the plan is designed to ensure better safety measures, as well as to create more walkable access and connectivity along state highways. In addition, the streetscape plan recognizes opportunities for new city gateways and landscaping improvements while encouraging development and revitalization along Lompoc’s major transportation corridors. The Lompoc Streetscape MultiModal Improvement Plan is listed on the Caltrans Lompoc Area Projects List and is scheduled for construction in spring/fall of 2029. — Annika Bahnsen

Department of Transportation to require airlines compensate stranded passengers

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Transportation said Monday it will launch a new rulemaking process to require airlines provide compensation and cover expenses for stranded passengers.

“When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “This rule would, for the first time in U.S. history, propose to require airlines to compensate passengers and cover expenses such as meals, hotels, and rebooking in cases where the airline has caused a cancellation or significant delay.”

The rulemaking will address compensation for passengers when there is a controllable airline cancellation or significant delay; a meal or meal voucher, overnight accommodations, ground transportation to and from the hotel, and rebooking for controllable delays or cancellations; timely customer service during and after periods of widespread flight irregularities; and it will define what constitutes a controllable cancellation or delay.

The 10 largest airlines guarantee meals and free rebooking. Nine guarantee hotel accommodations. One guarantees frequent flyer miles and two airlines guarantee travel credits

Please see DOT on A3

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

Lompoc police investigate shooting deaths

LOMPOC — At approximately 3 a.m. April 30, Lompoc police Officers responded to the 1600 block of West Pine Avenue regarding a domestic violence incident.

While en route to the call, a neighbor reported seeing a gunshot victim on his porch. As a result of the preliminary investigation, officers located one deceased victim and another victim with multiple gunshot wounds.

The second victim was transported to the hospital for medical aid.

One suspect has been taken into custody. He was identified as Zavian Chappelle, a 60year-old man.

On May 2, the Lompoc Police Department received information the second shooting victim had succumbed to his injuries sustained on the night of April 29. The suspect was booked on a second count of homicide. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Lompoc Police Department.

This case remains under investigation, and no further information is currently available.

The first victim was identified as Cassandra Butler, a 59-year-old woman

The second victim was identified as Tyree McPherson, a 29-year-old man.

Neil Hartstein

—

Saturday, Lompoc Fire Department crews responded to a structure fire in the 1000 block of Alden.

The first arriving crews had heavy fire

and smoke showing from a garage on a single family home. Crews made quick access to search the interior of the home for any possible rescues.

All occupants had exited the home safely.

The fire was contained to the garage due to fire crews’ swift suppression.

Santa Barbara County Fire, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc Police Department and an AMR medic responded with Lompoc Fire units.

The fire was controlled and fire crews performed salvage to assist the occupants, followed by overhaul to completely extinguish the fire.

The Red Cross was called to help with a total of six occupants, three dogs and three cats. No injuries were reported.

The fire is under investigation.

-- Neil Hartstein

Seacliff ramps to be closed

VENTURA — Caltrans plans daytime ramp closures this week through Friday on northbound Highway 101. Signs will be posted. Motorists can expect delays. Here are the details:

— 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Northbound U.S. 101 Seacliff off- and on-ramps will be closed.

La Conchita residents traveling south on Highway 101 during work hours can continue to Main Street off-ramp in Ventura, make a U-turn to northbound Highway 101 and travel north to the off-ramp at Santa Barbara Avenue.

— Neil Hartstein

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VOL. 167 NO.

COURTESY PHOTO Heidi Holly

The adult day care program, which has campuses in Montecito and Goleta, provides services for aging and dependent adults as well as respite for their caregivers.

This was the view Friday from Goleta Beach.

Arizona faces post-Title 42 border surge, will move some migrants to other states

By CAMERON ARCAND THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — Gov. Katie Hobbs, Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, and border law enforcement officials are preparing at the state and local levels for the end of Title 42 on Thursday.

The end of the pandemic era order is already leading to an increase in migrants at an already porous southern border, which is leaving many officials concerned about both the safety and security of the situation.

Gov. Hobbs referred to Title 42 as a “temporary solution” to a larger issue.

“I’m afraid these challenges will only get worse,” Gov. Hobbs said regarding the end of the order, saying that she’s worried the federal government is “unprepared.”

The governor announced a five-point approach to tackle the issue: public safety, partnership, transportation, executive action, and shelter. When pushed by reporters, Gov. Hobbs said that transportation and sheltering are the current main focus.

One of the bullet points listed in the governor’s plan said her office would

“coordinate interstate(between multiple states) transportation.”

“We will activate state resources as needed,” Gov. Hobbs said and mentioned that the Arizona National Guard could be deployed to the border to assist, but she would not delve into specific details.

Later on, she referred to the situation as “fluid,” which is being used as a justification for executive action to be on the table once it ends as opposed to making an order beforehand.

Last week, President Joe Biden ordered 1,500 troops to be sent down to the border to mitigate the surge, The Center Square reported.

“As of today, we have not received an adequate response,” Gov. Hobbs said of her messages to President Biden and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the crisis.

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” Gov. Hobbs said at one point in terms of the federal government’s response, or lack thereof.

Gov. Hobbs’ announcement comes as other states ready themselves for a new surge of migrants empowered by the end of the COVID-

19 emergency rule that allowed border patrol agents to turn immigrants away at the border.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday he is deploying a tactical border force.

On the local side, Mayor Nicholls expressed support for the state government, particularly on the transportation front, and said he’s displeased with how the Biden administration has been handling the crisis.

“This is a national issue, and the federal government has failed to make good on this national issue,” Mayor Nicholls said.

Yavapai County Sheriff Daniel Rhodes, head of the Arizona Sheriffs Association, told The Center Square that the governor needs to support the Ducey-era Border Strike Force to help local law enforcement in the coming week.

“That money needs to be restored and increased,” Sheriff Rhodes said regarding the governor’s budget proposal to cut funding for the force. In addition, he asked the federal and state governments to communicate more clearly with sheriffs about where people are being transported.

“We have to be able to respond quickly to public safety matters,” he said.

Abbott deploys new border force to fight ‘catastrophic disaster’ as Title 42 ends

Texas ‘is being overrun by our own federal government,’ governor says

By BETHANY BLANKLEY

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday he is deploying a tactical border force ahead of the public health authority Title 42 ending on Thursday.

The plans were unveiled on the tarmac of the Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

As he spoke, the new Texas National Guard Tactical Border Force Unit began loading up behind him into black helicopters and C-130 military planes.

“President [Joe] Biden is laying down a welcome mat to people across the entire world saying that the United States border is wide open and it will lead to an incredible amount of people coming across the border illegally,” Gov. Abbott said, which will “cause a catastrophic disaster in the United States.”

Citing Biden administration estimates that 13,000 foreign nationals are expected to cross the southern border illegally every day, he said that amounts to about 4.7 million people who “will be coming across the border illegally,” or more “than there are residents of the massive city of Chicago.”

In response, he said, “Texas is doing more than any other state in the United States of America to

defend the southern border.”

Adjutant General of the Texas Military Department Major General Thomas Suelzer said the Texas National Guard has executed a multiphase response to Title 42 ending. Phase 1 began last month and is complete, he said, involving shifting troops to hot spots along the border. Last month, 200 additional troops were deployed to El Paso and they also erected 22,000 miles of concertina wire barriers to block illegal entry between ports of entry.

“Yesterday two quick reaction forces were deployed,” Gen. Suelzer said to opposite ends of the Texas-Mexico border. One is currently deployed in El Paso. Another is arriving in the Rio Grande Valley later Monday, he said.

“What you are seeing behind you is phase 3,” he said. The tactical border unit is comprised of 450 personnel who are being deployed to El Paso and to the RGV. The same operation will occur again with over 200 personnel leaving for the RGV Tuesday, he said, completing phase 3 of the operation.

This is in addition to Texas having already deployed 10,000 National Guard troops and 1,200 Texas DPS troopers to the border. Gen. Suelzer also said he “had the honor of eating dinner with

these troops last night. I can tell you the morale is high among the troops and their dedication to the state of Texas is inspirational.”

Despite Texas troops effectively blocking illegal entry between ports of entry south of El Paso, the city declared a state of emergency after thousands arrived at ports of entry believing the border is open and were released into the community by Border Patrol agents. With no money and no means for transportation or plans, people from all over the world have taken over and set up tents on sidewalks downtown and in surrounding areas.

In the RGV in Brownsville, guardsmen last week shut down a major crossing between ports of entry, Gov. Abbott said. The same tactic will be deployed elsewhere where troops will use aircraft, boats, night vision equipment, and riot gear “to prepare for anything they may encounter as they are protecting and securing our border,” he said.

Their efforts are different from the 1,500 military personnel deployed by the Biden administration tasked with assisting Border Patrol agents with processing foreign nationals into the U.S.

“They’re doing paperwork,” Gov. Abbott said. “They’re not actually going to be on the border to secure the border. The goal

of the president is not to stop the people from coming across the border illegally. Our job and what we’re focused on, is trying to stop the people coming across illegally.”

The governor said there wouldn’t be any “entanglement” between Texas troops and those the president deployed “because the president is not going to have his troops down there trying to secure the border.”

“Texas has the ability to secure the border,” Gov. Abbott said in response to a reporter inquiry. “If we were acting in isolation, we would have secured the border. We are doing everything possible to try and stop people from crossing the border. At the very same time the president of the United States is putting out the welcome mat. The cartels know it’s the federal government that controls the immigration process. The cartels are working in collaboration with President Biden and the federal government to facilitate that illegals cross the border.”

Referring to Texas, he said, “we are being overrun by our own federal government. Texas is being undermined by our own federal government and our efforts to secure our border. It’s only Joe Biden and his open border policies that’s hindered out ability to secure the border.”

Feds announce $703 million for six transit agencies

By T.A. DEFEO

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — The federal government is sending $703 million in taxpayer money to fund railcar replacements at six transit agencies nationwide.

The Federal Transit Administration announced the awards, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “One-third of our nation’s subway and commuter rail vehicles are more than 25 years old,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said in an announcement.

The largest award the feds announced is $200 million to the Chicago Transit Authority, which the agency plans to use to buy up to 300 new electric propulsion passenger railcars.

The new cars will replace ones that have operated since the 1980s. The second largest award is nearly $196.3 million for the BiState Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District, which serves the St. Louis metropolitan region. The agency plans to replace up to four dozen light rail vehicles “that have exceeded or are near the end of their useful life.”

The feds awarded $130 million to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to buy 60 new light rail and heavy rail vehicles. The agency plans to couple the money with another $213 million it received from other sources, including the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency and the Ohio Department of Transportation. In a news release, the

agency said the new fleet would save $7 million annually by reducing repair costs and providing better passenger service. The agency projects its Rail Car Replacement Program will cost $393 million. The money “will allow GCRTA to replace railcars purchased in 1981 and 1982 respectively, with best-in-class technology and efficiency that will elevate our system to the next level,” GCRTA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer India L. Birdsong Terry said in an announcement.

The tranche included $71.7 million for the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates in the Miami area, to replace roughly 24 rail vehicles or about a third of its fleet. The FTA also sent $60 million to the Utah Transit Authority. With the money, the UTA plans to buy 20 new light

rail vehicles as replacements for older vehicles.

Lastly, the feds included $45 million for the Sacramento Regional Transit District. The agency plans to buy 16 light rail vehicles to replace older vehicles that have exceeded their usefulness.

“This significant funding award will help accelerate SacRT’s light rail modernization program and puts us one step closer to replacing our aging light rail fleet with entirely new and modern, low-floor vehicles that will improve accessibility for all riders,” SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy said in an announcement.

“These new vehicles are being built by Siemens, right here in Sacramento, so this is also a significant boost to the economic prosperity of the region.”

Airlines don’t guarantee compensation due to delayed or cancelled flights

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or vouchers in the case of significant delays or cancellations caused by something within the airline’s control, such as a mechanical issue. No airline guarantees cash compensation when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation.

The department’s planned rulemaking process would make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory.

Airlines for America, a lobbying group for airlines, said its members plan to work with the government “to ensure U.S. airspace

remains the safest airspace in the world while supporting robust marketplace competition that provides transparency and vast options for consumers.”

“U.S. airlines have no incentive to delay or cancel a flight and do everything in their control to ensure flights depart and arrive on time – but safety is always the top priority,” Airlines for America said in a statement. “We have the safest air travel system in the world because we never compromise on safety.”

The group said weather is a major cause of disruptions. It said that in 2022, more than half of flight cancellations were due to extreme weather.

“Thus far in 2023, the majority of flight

cancellations have been because of ATC outages and severe weather,” the group said. “Carriers have taken responsibility for challenges within their control and continue working diligently to improve operational reliability. This includes launching aggressive, successful hiring campaigns for positions across the industry and reducing schedules in response to the FAA’s staffing shortages. In 2022, carriers reduced their schedules by about 15% to alleviate pressure on the National Airspace System (NAS), and U.S. airlines are currently accommodating record demand while operating 10% fewer flights than in 2019 to reduce pressure on the system.”

UCSB baseball takes series from Highlanders

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

Jonah Sebring had a career day at the plate on Sunday, going 5-for-6 with two home runs and three stolen bases, driving in five of UCSB’s 18 runs as the Gauchos (30-14, 15-6 Big West) beat UC Riverside (10-32, 4-17 Big West) to secure the series win, 18-4. All nine of UCSB’s starting hitters recorded at least one RBI in the game, and starting pitcher JD Callahan racked up a career-high 10 strikeouts in his seven innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gauchos’ offense got off to a good start again Sunday afternoon, with Christian Kirtley reaching to lead off the third game in a row. Zander Darby got on behind him, then Jared Sundstrom bunted Kirtley and Darby over to second and third. Sebring’s two-out single scored them both, and Sebring took second before the inning ended for his first of three steals on the day. The lead did not last long though, as Callahan worked

a perfect first inning but could not get around a pair of doubles in the second inning, with the Highlanders scoring both of those runners to tie the game.

After both sides went down in order in the third, Santa Barbara re-took the lead for good in the fourth inning. Sebring started the frame with an infield hit, then stole second and, in the same plate appearance, stole third. Aaron Parker walked before Ivan Brethowr’s single brought Sebring home, then another walk loaded the bases. Corey Nunez drew the third straight base on balls of the inning, and with nowhere to put the freshman shortstop, the Gauchos went up, 4-2. With the bases still loaded, Darby nearly cleared them, but had to settle for a sacrifice fly after Riverside’s right fielder leaped at the wall and took away what would have been at least a double. Kirtley was picked off at first base to end the inning, but Nunez scampered home from third before the final out was made on the play, making it 6-2 Gauchos. Santa Barbara blew the game wide open in the fifth, sending 12 men to the plate and putting up eight runs in the

inning. Sundstrom led off with a double down the left field line, then Parker started the scoring with a bases-loaded single to right. The Gauchos added another run after Brethowr’s hard-hit grounder to third, which the Highlander third baseman threw home to cut down the lead runner, but the catcher tried to also throw out Brethowr at first, instead sailing it up the line, allowing Sebring to score from second and advancing Parker to third. McCollum drove in Parker, with an infield single, then took second on another Highlander throwing error. With three runs across in the inning, UCR got their second out, but then Kirtley got Santa Barbara back to doing damage, driving in Gauchos from second and third with a single to center. Darby singled to left then took second on the throw, with Kirtley moving around to third. That set up an RBI opportunity for Sundstrom in his second at-bat of the inning, which he cashed in with a two-RBI single. The center fielder then stole second, meaning Broc Mortensen’s single — the fourth straight Gaucho hit — was enough to make it 14-2 UCSB.

Riverside got one back in their half of the fifth, but the game was as good as over. On the mound, Callahan denied any threat of a Highlander rally in the sixth or seventh innings, allowing just one baserunner over his final two frames of work. Santa Barbara’s offense added three runs of insurance in the seventh as well. Darby led off with a triple and scored on Sundstrom’s sacrifice fly, and after Mortensen reached on an error, Sebring hit his third home run of the season to left field to put the Gauchos up two touchdowns, 17-3. Sebring hit his second home run of the game and fourth of the season in his next at-bat, with two outs in the top of the ninth. The Highlanders scored a run of their own in the bottom of the ninth, but Frank Camarillo finished out the game on the mound without allowing any further damage.

ON THE STAT SHEET

• Sebring had an amazing series against the Highlanders, going 7-for-14 with two home runs and a double over

the weekend. He slugged 1.000, recorded eight RBI, and stole four bases without being caught.

• Sundstrom was impressive as well this weekend, hitting .500 like Sebring, with three of his six hits going for doubles.

• JD Callahan pitched seven innings for the first time since May 2 on Sunday, earning his second straight quality start. His final line reads seven innings pitched, three earned runs on six hits and just one walk, with a career-high 10 strikeouts

• Four relievers took the mound for the Gauchos after Callahan on Sunday, with Sam Whiting, Jed Decooman, and Alex Schrier combining to work a scoreless eighth before Camarillo handled the ninth.

• Fourteen Gaucho hitters made at least one plate appearance on Sunday, with Josh Williams, Nick Oakley, Jessada Brown, Leo Mosby, and Justin Trimble all coming off the bench.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

Council to consider participation in federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program

COUNCIL

Continued from Page A1

be immediately moved.

The draft ordinance excludes operational personal transportation or mobility devices, such as bicycles, walkers, wheelchairs, strollers and scooters from the definition of personal property.

Furthermore, the draft ordinance does not impact personal property stored on public property pursuant to a permit, ordinance, statute or other authorization by the city or state.

The ordinance does not apply to private property.

Under the draft ordinance, storage is generally defined as being in the same location for more than four hours. If after four hours written notice, the unattended personal property has not been removed, the city may impound it and thereafter must store it for potential recovery for 90 days.

The draft ordinance provides that personal property may be disposed of immediately when the property is perishable or is contraband or constitutes an immediate threat to the public health or safety.

Identification is not required to recover impounded personal

property. The owner may claim the property if they describe the items or the location of where the property was impounded, or other identifying details.

The draft ordinance provides that no storage fee shall be charged for any impounded personal property. It also specifies certain locations where property cannot be left regardless of duration, such as in travelways.

Property left in prohibited locations can be removed immediately.

The draft ordinance also sets forth the requirements for preremoval and post-removal notice, which the city is required to use when impounding personal property that is unattended.

In certain circumstances, the ordinance allows immediate impoundment without notice. These situations include personal property that does not allow for passage for people with disabilities; obstructs the city’s maintenance, cleaning, or other operations in public areas; is left behind in a public area after a posted closure time; or is left on property within five feet of an operational, utilizable entrance, exit, driveway or loading dock; and contraband or property that constitutes evidence of a crime.

In other business, staff is recommending the council

authorize the finance director to execute a direct payment agreement with Horne, LLP, to participate in a federal LowIncome Household Water Assistance Program.

The program provides financial assistance to low-income Californians to help manage their residential water utility costs.

Qualified low-income households can apply to a Local Service Provider to receive a one-time benefit payment (of up to $15,000) on their past-due combined water and wastewater bill, and benefit payments on current water and wastewater bills.

The program includes all eligible low-income households, regardless of whether they are current on their bill or have a past-due balance. It is administered by the California Department of Community Services and Development under the Department of Health and Human Services. Applications and eligibility for the program are administered by LSPs. The LSP for Santa Barbara County is CommUnify.

CommUnify’s role includes customer outreach, intake, eligibility verification and calculating the LIHWAP benefit amount.

CommUnify has been releasing marketing materials within its

service area to inform community members that the program has been expanded to cover utility payment needs in general, not only those that are past-due on payment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, late fees and disconnections for water and wastewater bill non-payment in the city were suspended in March 2020. The city is working to reinstate late fees for utility bills in July 2023 and disconnections for water and wastewater bill non-payment in September 2023.

The city’s participation in LIHWAP ahead of resuming disconnections would allow eligible customers to address unpaid balances on their accounts ahead of being assessed late fees or experiencing any disruption to their water service.

And at today’s meeting, the council’s consent calendar includes a resolution amending the amount of relocation assistance payments for no fault just cause evictions. Qualified tenants will receive an amount equal to two months of the rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the tenancy. This resolution will be effective upon adoption and will apply to no-fault just cause evictions commenced after its effective date.

Committee set to make recommendation on May 16

FINANCE

Continued from Page A1

benefits as well as individual benefits. This would be a tool that helps categorize fees and assist in determining the level of cost recovery.”

When setting fees to determine the amount of cost recovery and subsidy, it is important to consider the level of individual versus community-wide benefit, Councilmember Friedman said.

“For example, public safety services, such as police and fire, are services that benefit the entire city so charging a full cost fee for use of service would not be good policy,” he said. “If someone calls 9-1-1 and police/fire respond, there is a general public benefit to ensuring that there isn’t a charge.”

On the other hand, he said, getting a permit to remodel a kitchen is an individual benefit, as is obtaining a building permit for a home.

“It benefits the individual homeowner and therefore a feasible policy goal is (that) the individual pays for the full cost to the city to process it, whereas the development review process for the same home would have both individual and general public benefit.

“The homeowner would get the individual benefit of having the new home, but the public gets the benefit of a process that works for the home to be compatible with the neighborhood. In this case the policy may lean toward a partial cost recovery mixed with a general fund subsidy for the costs to the city.”

The Finance Committee wasn’t scheduled to take action last week because it’s reviewing

recommendations for changes in fees from both General Fund Departments and Enterprise Funds.

The committee will hear about how the policy would apply to Enterprise Funds at its meeting Tuesday.

On May 16, the Finance Committee is scheduled to make a recommendation to the full council in regard to all fee changes as part of the budget process. This will include the proposed cost recovery and fee policy.

The total proposed budget for FY 2024, including the General Fund and Enterprise Funds, is $667 million. The General Fund budget estimate for FY 2024 is $201 million, about a third of the overall budget.

The General Fund, however, “has a structural deficit we need to address,” Mr. DeMartini told the council at its April 18 meeting.

He said property tax revenue is stable and continues to grow, but added “ongoing revenue growth is not enough” to cover increases in the city’s ongoing expenditures, including salary increases, pension costs, impacts of inflation, and deferred maintenance and capital improvements.

As a result, Santa Barbara faces a projected $3.8 million structural deficit in the General Fund for FY 2024 (and $8.9 million for FY 2025).

In response, staff has proposed the City Council trim $2.7 million from department budgets in FY 2024. That would leave a $1.1 million budget deficit.

City Administrator Rebecca Bjork has worked with Mr. DeMartini and each department to come up with reductions from each department to address the

others that have some public benefits as well as individual benefits,” Finance Committee Chair Eric Friedman said. “This would be a tool that helps categorize fees and assist in determining the level of cost recovery.”

deficit, Councilmember Friedman said. All of the recommended reductions will be presented to the council when the departments give their budget presentations, he said.

Those meetings, which began last week, are scheduled to continue through the rest of the month, and possibly into early June if necessary. “Ultimately, the decisions on where to cut are up to the council,” Councilmember Friedman said. “However, if council reduces a recommended reduction from one department (such as the discussion that was had with Public Safety), then other departments will have to absorb

The resolution is the result of the settlement of a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against the city by the Santa Barbara Apartment Association. The council authorized the settlement in closed session

on April 11. Adoption of the resolution will implement the settlement and result in plaintiffs dismissing the lawsuit. email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

even larger cuts to their budgets.”

The Santa Barbara City Council is scheduled to begin its budget deliberations on June 7 from 6-9 p.m., and to act on the recommended budget during its regularly scheduled meeting from 2-5 p.m. on June 13.

At the same time, staff will ask the council to adopt a resolution approving the cost recovery and revenue policy.

The city’s recommended budget for FY 2024 and 2025 can be found by accessing the online budget tool at santabarbaraca.gov/budgetreports.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

“There are some services the city provides that benefit a specific individual, some that have a broad public benefit and

Life theArts

CALENDAR

‘Guardians’ reaches epic conclusion

Characters find their destinies in strong, character-driven story

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

‘Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3” has everything you’d want in a final chapter: a victory despite overwhelming odds and characters who define the word heroism.

No, it isn’t the best film in the trilogy, which started in 2014. That honor is still with “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2,” which had the best mix of character development, action, surprises and 20th-century music from Earth.

But Marvel Studios’ “Vol. 3” has much of what you saw in “Vol. 2”: hilarious dialogue, compelling action and charming characters, right down to Cosmo, the dog from the Soviet space era who communicates in English — with a Russian accent. Director and

writer James Gunn, who has a new job as co-CEO and co-chairman of rival DC Studios, has wrapped up his time with “Guardians” with a story that speaks to the heart.

It’s no surprise that the movie easily topped the box office in its first weekend. It will likely stay No. 1 for a few weeks.

Some of the characters have evolved more than others in the final chapter. For example, Groot (the voice of Vin Diesel), the sentient, mobile tree-like creature, has become bigger and stronger. But “Vol. 3” starts with the characters not yet at their final destinies, and Mr. Gunn’s brilliant story leads them there.

A good part of the movie looks back at the genetic engineering that was done on Rocket (the voice of the talented Bradley Cooper), a raccoon from Earth who was modified to be smart (and have the ability to talk). The High Evolutionary, the mad scientist

“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3” is screening at Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta, and the Arlington Theatre and Metro 4, both in Santa Barbara. See metrotheatres.com for times.

The movie is also playing at Regal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX (regmovies.com) and Movies Lompoc (www.playingtoday.com.)

“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3” has a running time of 2 hours and 29 minutes. (Be sure to watch for extra scenes during and after the credits.)

The film is rated PG-13.

And the movie topped the box office in its first weekend. Story, B2.

behind the genetic modifications in Rocket, has never been able to duplicate the creativity in Rocket, and that sets the stage for the present in which the High Evolutionary is determined to

recapture Rocket, who escaped from the genetic engineering laboratory a long time ago.

A villain like the High Evolutionary needs to be of the twirling-a-mustache variety, and while actor Chukwudi Iwuji doesn’t have a mustache, he achieves the same effect with his eyes and voice.

The movie addresses other issues such as Star-Lord’s love for Gamora, who’s not in love with him. No, this is an alternate, timetraveling Gamora from the past (as shown in “Avengers: End Game”), and the Gamora who fell in love with Star-Lord, aka Peter Quill, died in “Avengers: Infinity War.” “Vol. 2” was a better story for Peter, but in this movie, as in the first two movies, the character is played with honesty, compassion and a sense of fun by Chris Pratt. Zoe Saldona effortlessly makes Gamora compelling. And Karen Gillan continues to

add humor and depth to the movie as the very serious, cybernetic Nebula, Gamora’s adoptive sister.

Dave Bautista continues to deliver many of the funniest “Guardians” lines as Drax, and he does so with a great straight face. Pom Klementieff adds a good emotional contrast to the more stoic Drax as Mantis and gets some of the film’s funniest scenes. She delivers her lines and carries out her actions with unstoppable energy. It’s fun to watch her.

Characters from previous “Guardians” movies appear in this one (including, of course, Sean Gunn as the funny Kraglin), and the saga wraps up with a good ending.

At least for this trilogy.

Star-Lord’s story isn’t over, and the door has been left open for new stories for the other characters.

email: dmason@newspress.com

COURTESY

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@newspress.com.

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its permanent mineral exhibit of rocks and crystals that is on view in the small hall off the museum’s central courtyard. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which opened April 22, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature.org/minerals. By appointment on weekdays: “Holly

Hungett: Natural Interpretations” is on view through May 20 at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s gallery, 229 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb.org.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical.org.

MAY 13 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Santa Barbara Audubon Society and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, will jointly present family-fun activities at the garden throughout May, Bird Month, including “Family Bird Nest” on this day. Activities include guided bird walks, bird-themed Story Time, avian crafts, bird scavenger hunt, and more. Participants will discover why native plants are important to birds and how to create a bird-friendly garden. Reservations are required. To make them, go to www.sbbotanicgarden.org/visit/ hours-reservations.

7 p.m. Vocalist Julie Christensen will perform with guitarist Joe Woodard and bassist Steve Nelson at the Ojai Underground Exchange, 616 Pearl St. in Ojai. Ms. Christensen’s album, “The Price We Pay for Love,” was recently released. Tickets are $35. To purchase, go to ojaiundergroundexchangetickets.square. site. For more information, call 805-3407893.

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The orchestra’s 70th anniversary program will feature Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary. The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org

MAY 14 3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The orchestra’s 70th anniversary program will feature Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary. The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org. A pre-concert talk with Nir Kabaretti, the symphony’s music and artistic director, will take place at 2 p.m. May 18 3 to 5 p.m. A recruitment reception for volunteer docents will take place at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. The year-long training course begins each September. For more information or to attend, visit www.sbma.net/docent or contact education@sbma.net.

— Dave Mason

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023

PHOTO Nir Kabaretti will conduct the Santa Barbara Symphony when it performs its “Platinum Sounds” concert Saturday and Sunday at The Granada in Santa Barbara.

At left, the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi lwuji) is the mad scientist who’s after Rocket. At right, Gamora (Zoe Saldona) helps the Guardians, but this isn’t the same Gamora who fell in love with Star-Lord. She’s an alternative, time-traveling version.

MARVEL STUDIOS PHOTOS

Star-Lord, aka Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), leads the team again in “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3.” From left in the front are Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Star-Lord and Nebula (Karen Gillan); back row, Groot (voice of Vin Diesel) and Drax (Dave Bautista).

At left, much of the plot of “Vol. 3” concerns Rocket (voice of Bradley Cooper) and his origin story. At right, Kraglin (Sean Gunn) strives to master his weapon during an attack.

MARVEL STUDIOS

Cosmo (voice of Maria Bakalova) proves she’s a good dog in “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3,” which topped the box office in its first weekend.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ tops box office with $114 million

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

The Guardians are ruling the galaxy again.

“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3,” Marvel Studios’ closing chapter of the superhero team trilogy, topped the box office in its first weekend. The film grossed a whopping $114 million.

That knocked “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” off its No. 1 spot for the first time since it opened five weeks ago. Based on the Nintendo game, the movie grossed $18.6 million.

“Evil Dead Rise” dropped to third place from second with

$5.73 million.

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” — the story of a 11-year-old girl adapting to her new life in the suburbs — fell to fourth place from third with $3.38 million.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” remained in fifth place with $2.36 million.

“Love Again” — about a woman meeting a man when she sends text messages to her deceased fiance’s old phone — opened in sixth place with $2.19 million.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” dropped to seventh place from sixth with $1.52 million.

Pearl Chase Society to present

‘A String of Pearls’ author

BY KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Cheri Rae, who is working on a Pearl Chase biography, will be a featured speaker at the Pearl Chase Society’s speaker series on Friday.

The talk will take place 6 to 7 p.m. at the Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 East Carrillo St., Santa Barbara. The lecture will cover the social work of Pearl Chase and Margaret Baylor.

Mrs. Rae, a Santa Barbara author who has written about literary advocacy and Santa Barbara icon Pearl Chase (18881979), will soon be releasing a comprehensive Pearl Chase biography about her adolescence, her correspondents and her causes. It’s called “A String of Pearls: Miss Chase of Santa Barbara.”

Mrs. Rae wants young girls, women and the greater Santa Barbara community to understand Pearl Chase’s significance and her extraordinary history.

“Air” — the movie about Nike’s efforts to recruit NBA star Michael Jordan to endorse the Air Jordan shoes — dropped to eighth place from seventh with $1.4 million.

“The Covenant” — the story of a local interpreter risking his life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain — remained in ninth place with $1.22 million. And “Sisu” — which is about an ex-soldier who faces Nazi soldiers after finding gold in the Lapland wilderness — stayed in 10th place with $1.08 million. email: dmason@newspress.com

‘Woman. Life. Freedom.’ to be projected at UCSB museum

In Iran, women have been at the forefront of political revolution, calling for change across class, religion, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and generations.

The women-led revolutionary movement inspired a public art projection “Woman. Life.

Freedom,” which premiered earlier this year at the Asian Art

Museum in San Francisco.

Among the projection’s organizers is cultural historian Shiva Balaghi, an academic coordinator with UCSB’s Area Global Initiative. The digital art installation will make its way today to UCSB, where, from 8 to 11 p.m., the art will be projected in a sevenminute loop onto the front of

the university’s Art, Design and Architecture Museum.

Then at noon Wednesday, Ms. Balaghi will speak about art and protest in Iran in historical context at the UCSB MultiCultural Center. Both events are free and open to the public.

Annika Bahnsen

—

Time for Color!

Mrs. Rae has been working on a Pearl Chase biography for approximately four years. In an interview with the News-Press, Mrs. Rae explained how this idea came to her years ago and has been percolating in her mind ever since.

“I always thought that someone had to write a biography about her (Pearl Chase), but no one did. So just before COVID-19, I started thinking more about it and researching more.”

Mrs. Rae explained that the combination of the pandemic and family loss created a motivating space for her to continue researching Pearl Chase and finish writing her biography.

“This book was really healing for me,” she said. The author’s upcoming biography can be synopsized in relation to Mrs. Chase’s early years as a teacher and social worker. Mrs. Rae said her goal in writing the biography is to “put her life in the context of Santa Barbara history.”

“The history of Santa Barbara and Pearl Chase is so connected, I had to primarily focus on her influence in Santa Barbara,” Mrs. Rae explained.

A distinguished author, Mrs. Rae has previously released a small pocket-size book about Pearl Chase in 2013, titled: “Pearl Chase: First Lady of Santa Barbara.”

When asked about her previous book, Mrs. Rae differentiates the two: “It’s a small little pocket sized book. I call it a tourist’s guide to Pearl Chase, though this woman deserved so much more. I never imagined myself writing a biography, but COVID helped get me through and stay motivated.”

Mrs. Rae’s passion for Santa Barbara history and specifically, for Pearl Chase, is evident in her writing.

“It was a huge privilege to be

able to access her documents; love letters, correspondents, and all kinds of work documents,” she explained. “It’s nice to have those (letters) as a backdrop for all the good work she did.”

The author reflected inward to see what she gained from writing this biography and learning indepth about this woman icon.

“I really gained a great deal of respect for her and how diplomatic she always was, and how she could straddle separate worlds at a time when women didn’t have as much freedom as we do today.”

Mrs. Rae’s previous book, “DyslexiaLand,” is about literacy advocacy and wanting to provide a wealth of knowledge to parents who have a dyslexic child.

When asked about her previous work and its relation to her upcoming biography, Mrs. Rae said, “The books are completely different, but Pearl was an advocate in so many ways. I’ve become an advocate for providing access for literacy, and that book was created from serious research and personal experience.”

Though her books are completely separate topics, there is a thread of activism, womanhood and Santa Barbara history in her books.

“I would not compare myself to Pearl Chase, but we share similar

qualities,” Mrs. Rae said. “We are both well prepared and expect that of others, and we both want to make this world a better place.”

Mrs. Rae wants her readers to gain an appreciation for the context of Pearl Chase’s life, through her new work.

“She lived a very long time and saw extraordinary change,” she said: “I want readers to see how brave she was, and how much of an environmentalist she was. That was largely overlooked.”

When asked what attendees can expect from her remarks on Friday, Mrs. Rae said, “I’m going to be talking about her early life — before the earthquake (in 1925). The audience will learn about her life as a student at UC Berkeley, as a sorority girl, about her efforts as a social worker.”

Mrs. Rae wants to focus on this “small sliver of her life,” especially about her work co-creating the Carrillo Recreation Center in Santa Barbara, where the talk will be held.

Knowing that kind of history is important to Mrs. Rae and the Pearl Chase Society.

“If we know the stories of the past,” Mrs. Rae said, “we can be better citizens today and tomorrow.”

email: klogan@newspress.com

Hitching Post Wines announces return of concert series

BUELLTON — Hitching Post Wines, located in Buellton, has announced the return of its popular concert series.

The free concerts will feature Santa Ynez Valley musicians at 2 p.m. every Sunday through July 9 at the company’s tasting room, 420 State Route 246, Buellton.

Local artists include Teresa Green, Jeff Elliott, Maya Helena, Jess Bush, Arwen Lewis, Peter Lewis, George Adrian, Parker Scott, Jeff Pine, About Time

and Jacob Cole.

The lineup was announced recently by Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley.

Hitching Post Wines will extend a 10% discount to all bottle sales during performances. Signature lunch and snacks will be available for purchase during operating hours.

For more information, visit hpwines.com.

— Annika Bahnsen

PHOTOS COURTESY CHERI RAE

Santa Barbara author Cheri Rae will talk about the early life of Pearl Chase (above) Friday at the Carrillo Recreation Center in Santa Barbara.

At left, Pearl Chase worked on co-creating the Carrillo Recreation Center. At right, Friday’s talk will include a discussion of the social work of Margaret Baylor.

Thought for Today

If you do not think about your future, you cannot have one.

— John Galsworthy

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

ARIES — Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it. You will be challenged in ways you didn’t even think possible. Perhaps you will be forced to do a little research when questions arise that you don’t know how to answer.

TAURUS — Don’t underestimate the power of other people today, Taurus. They may seem flighty and scatterbrained on the outside, but underneath you will find that they have a great deal of wisdom to share. It might take some probing on your part to draw this wisdom out, but once you do, the outpouring of information will richly reward you.

GEMINI — Remember that there’s a benevolent force out there that loves you, Gemini. No matter what, there’s always a shoulder to cry on, even if it isn’t a tangible one. Even in your darkest moments, you’re never alone. Let this knowledge carry you through the day.

CANCER — Don’t hesitate to say the obvious today, Cancer, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it’s obvious to everyone. The truth of the matter is that most people aren’t mind readers and probably aren’t picking up on the subtle signals that you send out.

LEO — Look to older figures for advice today, Leo. Seek counsel with a parent or grandparent on issues you feel strongly about. Relationships with older people are likely to go especially well, and you will find you can break through barriers that may have existed between you and a certain member of your family.

VIRGO — Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words. You might find that a great deal of your inner turmoil really boils down to just one or two central things. Let your written

words express this as succinctly as possible.

LIBRA — Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties by processing your feelings and running them by someone close. Keep your interaction limited to just one person at a time so you don’t get overshadowed by a third party who wants to get their opinion in at the same time.

SCORPIO — You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that’s asking you to be conservative at this time. You have many more profound things to say when you filter your thoughts through a large funnel.

SAGITTARIUS — You feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination. Unloaded the stone from your pack. Realize that this break in your journey will help you make much better time in the long run and save you from a great deal of physical strain.

CAPRICORN — Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others’ lives. You may not even realize how much this sort of action taxes you until you rid yourself of unnecessary baggage.

AQUARIUS — Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius. The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things. Go ahead and say no to people, and don’t feel badly about it.

PISCES — You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces. Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip, you must listen to this message. The key for you now isn’t to get too emotional as a result of this slowdown. Know that it’s for your own good.

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Tuesday,May9,2023

Tuesday,May9.Itwaswarmin LosAngeles.Wewereworkingthe daywatchoutofBunco.Theboss isCapt.Stewart.Mypartner’sBill Gannon.He’sagoodplayer.My name’sFriday. Wegotacallaboutaswindleata Ventura club. We checked it out. The suspectwasstillplaying.Oneofhis opponentsspokewithus.

“Itwasterrible,officer.”

“Justthefacts,ma’am.”

“ThatmansittingSouthscammed usoutofagame.” Against3NT,Westledthequeen ofspades.Southwonindummyand led...alowdiamond.

HIGHCLUB

“Mypartnerputupherkingas East,aswhowouldnot.Souththen had10tricks.Anyself-respecting Southwouldcometohishandat TrickTwotofinessewiththequeen ofdiamonds.Hewouldlosetwo diamondsandthreespades.The man’sagrifter!”

WetookSouthintocustody,but nochargeswerefiled.Eastshould followwithhernineonthefirst diamond.Clearly,Southdoesn’thave J-10-x.Ifhehas,say,J-x,Eastcan’t gainbyplayingherking.

DAILYQUESTION

Youhold: A5 1085

AQ764 Q42.Onlyyour

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Everynumber in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

PUZZLE

side is vulnerable. The dealer, at your left,opensthreeclubs.Yourpartner jumpstofourhearts,andthenext playerpasses.Whatdoyousay?

ANSWER: Partnerhasahuge hand. His bid is not preemptive; there areno“preemptsoverpreempts.”

Slamislikely.Raisetofivehearts. IfpartnerhasahandsuchasK72, AKQ9732,3,A5,withacontrol inclubs,heshouldbidsixheartsor sixclubs.

Southdealer Neithersidevulnerable