Santa Barbara News-Press: May 23, 2023

Another hat in the ring

Sen. Tim Scott announces he’s running for president - A4

A look at ‘Fast X’

Review: Sequal delivers surprise, keeps viewers guessing - B1

Our 167th Year 75¢

TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

City goes step by step through budget ballet

Editor’s note: This concludes a three-part News-Press series on the city of Santa Barbara’s budget.

By NEIL HARTSTEIN

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

City budgets can seem dull, dry to the point where just trying to read them makes people’s eyes glaze over. And many people find it doesn’t help to

sB City Council to review parklets

Six businesses are allegedly in violation of requirements

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

For months, the owners of some downtown Santa Barbara’s outdoor parklets have been pressed by staff to meet city council requirements concerning ADA accessibility, stormwater runoff and overall design.

Owners who have resisted, or for some other reason have failed to meet the deadlines set by council, have been targeted for repeat inspections, sent correction notices, received administrative citations and issued fines.

Nothing worked, so staff issued a final ultimatum: Remove your parklets or we’ll do it for you — and bill you for the cost. The removal order was sent April 17 and the deadline was April 24.

Unless, of course, the owners decided to appeal their ouster order for ADA violations directly to the Santa Barbara City Council, an option six of them have decided to exercise by taking an opportunity to publicly tell their side of the story.

Their appeals will be considered today.

The parklets are on the agenda of the council’s meeting, set for 2 p.m. at Santa Barbara City Hall, 735 Anacapa St. Five of the six parklets are in Santa Barbara. The sixth is in Montecito but within the Santa Barbara city limits.

Those appealing their parklets’ ouster — listed officially as a “suspension of authorization to operate and maintain an outdoor business facility” — are:

• Taza Mediterranean Street Kitchen, 413 State St.

• Ca’Dario Restaurant, 37 E.

Victoria St.

• Courthouse Tavern 129 E.

Anapamu St.

• Trattoria Vittoria, 30 E.

Victoria St.

• Foxtail Kitchen and Bar, 14 E.

Cota St.

• Folded Hills Wintery, 1294

Coast Village Road, Montecito.

Please see COUNCIL on A2

Santa Barbara City council scheduled to vote on Fiscal 2024 plan on June 13

include mind-numbing budget jargon like “structural deficit” and “expenditure reduction targets.” One way to hang in there and cut through the mind fog is to consider what the budget represents.

It’s really nothing more than simply listing how much the city needs to operate over the next year to pay for such things as police officers and firefighters responding to emergencies; parks and

recreation workers maintaining city parks while simultaneously offering ways for people to enjoy them; public works crews making sure the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure function without a hitch; and the city administrator’s office ensuring it all runs smoothly.

The flip side of the budget, of course, is to make sure there’s enough money to cover expenses.

Perhaps it would also help to think of the city budget less as a set of static figures than a dynamic process, a choreographed, coordinated series of steps designed to flow seamlessly from one to the next. A kind of budget ballet, if you will.

Thus, it might make sense to consider the budget one step at a time, from start to finish, especially now, when the process stands at the halfway mark.

s TEP 1

City staff have worked for more than a year preparing for this moment. Armed with long-range, multi-year forecasts, they’ve been keeping a careful eye on the numbers to see if their predictions were accurate. They were. Staff already knew that the new, Fiscal

Happy Tails indeed

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

C.A.R.E.4Paws — a Santa Barbara County nonprofit that keeps animals out of shelters and improves quality of life for pet families in need — hosted its Happy Tails Celebration and Fundraiser Sunday at the Music Academy of the West. The Montecito event highlighted the work that the organization has been doing in the community and features personal stories and memories from some of the pet owners they help.

The event featured guitarist Michael Holland, who provided background music for the crowd to enjoy. Additionally, there were lots of food and drink to partake in, including local wine from La Lieff Wines, craft beer by Rincon Brewery, as well as C.A.R.E.4Paws’ featured “meowgaritas.”

The main fundraising portion of the night was a live auction where attendees could bid for various baskets, experiences and fun animal-related items. Specifically, some items offered were animal portraits, a VIP tour with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation or a flight on a search mission finding lost dogs. Donations were often tripled, which gave multiple buyers the opportunity to experience something they

wanted.

The fundraiser raised close to $170,000, a new event record, according to Isabelle Gullö, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ co-founder and executive director. She told the News-Press that $100,000 was raised directly at the event and

the rest was raised through sponsorships. There also was a matching grant from the Sparacio Foundation, and the organization matched $50,000 during the auction event. This helped encourage those at the

event to donate and bid.

According to Ms. Gullö, the money will go directly back to the organization, “helping thousands of pet families in need in the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo areas.”

Recently, C.A.R.E.4Paws expanded to San Luis Obispo with its Mobile Clinic, which allows more families to be assisted on-the-go with whatever pet needs they may have. The money raised will help support this area of the organization.

“Thanks to the wonderful support for C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Happy Tails event, we will be able to help thousands of pet families in need, keeping animals healthy and with the people who love them!”

exclaimed Ms. Gullö.

The event also featured multiple people talking about their “Happy Tails,” sharing how the organization has positively impacted their lives.

“It is really heartwarming,” said Ms. Gullö.

The event was a success, and Ms. Gullö alongside the entire organization is thankful for the support.

If you would like more information on C.A.R.E.4Paws, visit care4paws.org.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Please see BUDGET on A4

Assault case continued to June 6

Rebecca Brand testifies in court that Nellie

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

The case of Nellie Gackowska — a transient woman who allegedly grabbed Santa Barbara resident Rebecca Brand’s cellphone and allegedly hit Ms. Brand with the phone on Christmas eve, bruising her thigh — remains unresolved almost five months later.

During a hearing Monday in a Santa Barbara courtroom, the case was continued to June 6 for further arraignment so the court could make a determination on a motion to dismiss by Annie Hayes, Ms. Gackowska’s defense attorney.

“The defense attorney had filed a motion to dismiss the case, and I filed a written opposition,” Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Branch told the News-Press.

Ms. Gackowska was charged

Please see ASSAULT on A2

Gackowska injured her COURTESY

Rebecca Brand stands in front of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. She testified Monday, reading from a written statement during part of the testimony, in the case of a homeless woman who allegedly grabbed Ms. Brand’s cellphone and struck Ms. Brand’s thigh with it.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Four-legged attendees were part of the C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Happy Tails Celebration and Fundraiser Sunday at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito.

Isabelle Gullo, executive director and co-founder of C.A.R.E.4Paws, addresses the audience during the Happy Tails Celebration.

Carbajal helps to introduce bipartisan bill to combat fentanyl crisis

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, has joined Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., and U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Indiana, and Tim Kaine, D-Va., to lead a bipartisan effort to shine the spotlight on fentanyl trafficking.

This will be done by utilizing the tools of the Department of Defense and involving Mexico as an active partner to combat this crisis and disrupt drug cartel and trafficking activity.

This effort will be called the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023.

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

Road closure in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA — The public will encounter a road closure for the West Coast Kustoms Cruise on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the following location: State Route 135 (Broadway) will be closed to traffic from Cook Street to Stowell Road. Signage will be in place notifying the public of this road closure. Santa Maria police will be on site to direct traffic as well.

– Neil Hartstein

“The Central Coast of California has been devastated by the scourge of fentanyl on our streets, with some areas seeing more than 700% spikes in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in recent years,” Rep. Carbajal said in a statement.

Fentanyl is a leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, and an estimated 196 Americans are dying every day due to fentanyl.

According to Santa Barbara County data, of the 168 overdose deaths in the county in 2022, 115 were fentanyl-related, compared to 75 in 2021 and 32 in 2019. In Ventura County, fentanyl-related overdose deaths have risen more than 800% in

recent years — with 181 deaths in 2022 compared to 22 in 2017. In San Luis Obispo County, overdose deaths involving fentanyl climbed from 9 in 2019 to 74 in 2021.

The Department of Defense plays a role in the nation’s counter-drug intelligence and monitoring operations, and these operations are meant to provide federal law enforcement with actionable intelligence to further investigations. However, a lack of interagency cooperation has hampered the federal government’s counter-fentanyl efforts, according to Rep. Carbajal and his colleagues. There are multiple ways the Disrupt

Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023 is designed to strengthen these efforts. It will declare fentanyl trafficking a national security threat stemming from drug cartels and smugglers. It will also direct the Pentagon to develop a fentanylspecific counter-drug strategy, including enhanced cooperation with foreign nations.

The act will also require the secretary of defense to increase security cooperation with the Mexican military and address coordination efforts between the military and federal law enforcement agencies.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Winning silver at World Beer Cup

From left are Island Brewing Co. brewers Jamie Perkins, Ryan Morrill, Treven Yothers and Paul Wright, who’s also the founder. The Carpinteria company recently won silver in the export stout category at the World Beer Cup in Nashville. “The event is widely hailed as the most prestigious beer judging competition in the world,” Mark Matthews of the company said in an email to the News-Press. “Starry Night Stout is the brewery’s most awardwinning beer and previously won a Gold Medal in 2012 at the same competition.”

Appeals filed against parklet guideline citations

COUNCIL

Continued from Page A1

Taza’s appeal was filed by Hitesh Ambalal, who said he’s been “mostly away from the business” dealing with “an onslaught of family issues,” including his father undergoing surgery for a pacemaker and knee surgery and his 6-month-old daughter spending nearly a week in a pediatric ICU being treated for a viral disease.

“Not trying to make an excuse, but this parklet situation generally happened in the midst of all of the family issues and fell through the cracks,” he said. He said he contacted the city when he first saw the removal order.

“The issue with our parklet is a % inch gap that is present between the curb and the parklet,” he said.

“This can easily be remedied by a rubber transition slip. This will create a seamless transition to satisfy all ADA requirements.

Further, we can purchase an ADA-suitable table to ensure fair seating on the parklet.

“Our parklet is the most well-kept and beautiful on our end of the street, and I would hate to have to remove it over simple issues that can be fixed immediately (We have begun the process of making these fixes already in hopes to comply with city and state ordinances).

“If ultimately, we have to take it down, I completely understand, but we are hoping it is not too late and the council will recognize the special conditions of this particular situation.”

Ca’Dario’s appeal was filed by attorney Michael Fauver on behalf of Dario Furlati and Quattro Fortune Inc., the entity that runs

Ca’ Dario Restaurant. He said Ca’ Dario did not receive proper notice of the continued violations, but as of April 19, had remedied all parklet violations, including fixing the lip of an ADA ramp and making sure 5% percent of their parklet seating was ADA-accessible.

“In fact, our client’s General Manager called Public Works on or around Feb. 13, requesting an inspection in hopes the situation would be resolved and was told an inspection was imminent,”

Mr. Fauver said. “Apparently, on Feb. 23, city inspectors came to the restaurant unannounced. Our clients were unaware the inspection occurred or that, while the signage and ramp fix they made were sufficient, the table provided for ADA compliance had insufficient clearance.

“It is important to note that our client was not trying to avoid inspection and took swift action to remedy the violation as soon as it was identified. In fact, they proactively called the city for reinspection twice after learning of the remaining violation on April 17, demonstrating their strong commitment to compliance as evidenced by ordering the ADAcompliant table the same day upon receiving the notice.

“Accordingly, when our client received the Removal Order on April 17, they were shocked and confused,” he said. “Despite our client’s willingness to comply and their proactive efforts to address the issue, it is unfortunate that the city was unwilling to work with them.”

Courthouse Tavern’s appeal was filed by Billy Valdez, who insisted the business was in compliance with application guidelines.

“I have been with the Courthouse Tavern for

approximately one year and have always done my best to comply within all city regulations,” he said. “By the time I was informed of our ADA handicap table not being up to code, I decided to order one.

“Unfortunately, the table we ordered was slightly not up to code due to the hinges infringing under the table. So again, we ordered another table. The table took longer than expected, but we now have an ADA-approved table on our parklet. We have been in communication with city staff to keep them updated of our efforts.

“During this time our principal, Jack Mathis, was diagnosed with throat cancer, a stroke and brain aneurysm and has been in the hospital for three months. All emails go to Jack Mathis.

“We ask please that we are not required to take down our parklet as it cost us $10,000, and it will be $2,000 to remove. We are under a state of emergency order regarding COVID-19 and extreme weather conditions, which held up the supply chain and ability to take swift productive action.

“Thank you for the consideration of this appeal, and we are hoping to make up for a tough winter and have a great summer.”

Trattoria Vittoria’s appeal was filed by Vittoria Comin, who said she took over as general manager in January to assist her grandfather, Giovanni “Lucky” Comin, who is in his 80s and has declining health.

“When a dispute arose between him and his long-time partner, we stepped in to help keep the restaurant operating until the dispute could get resolved,” she said. “We were not informed that citations had been issued before we took over operations

in January, and I did not see any other citations until we received a March 13 citation.

“There was significant disorganization and confusion during my first few weeks because I had relocated to Santa Barbara on short notice to take over the management of the restaurant and all of the prior managers had resigned without notice.” She said she contacted the carpenter who installed the parklet to arrange for him to do the necessary work to resolve any ADA-related deficiencies.

Because of his current demand though, (he) could not begin the work until April 24, but he expected to complete all the required work that week.

“We would hate to lose the opportunity to continue to offer our patrons this outdoor seating option,” she said. “My family and I are committed to improving the parklet that helped sustain this long-standing little restaurant through the COVID pandemic, so that all of our dedicated local regulars may safely access and enjoy this outdoor dining option.

“In light of our unique extenuating circumstances, I greatly appreciate your consideration in extending the deadline.”

Foxtail Kitchen’s appeal was filed by Falah Maayah.

“They are demanding the removal of our parklet for the gap at transition between the sidewalk and parklett being greater than % inch in some places,” she said. “We have since fixed the issue with a metal plate so there is no gap at transition at all. We believe this is grounds for our parklet to not be removed.”

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Woman says alleged attack caused substancial emotional distress

ASSAULT

Continued from Page A1

with second-degree robbery and grand theft from a person for allegedly taking Ms. Brand’s iPhone Pro from her against her will. Both charges are felonies, but the robbery charge is a serious, violent felony.

Ms. Brand testified at Monday’s hearing before Judge Michael Carrozzo at Santa Barbara County Superior Court at the courthouse on Anacapa Street.

Ms. Brand said Ms. Gackowska was not in the courtroom during Ms. Brand’s testimony.

Ms. Brand was standing on Christmas Eve outside Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant, 3613 State St., when someone threw a rock that shattered the front window of Rudy’s. Ms. Brand said she did not see who threw the rock, but did see Ms. Gackowska and a man standing there.

Ms. Brand said when she called 9-1-1 to report the vandalism, Ms. Gackowska grabbed her cellphone, which was by Ms. Brand’s ear, and hit Ms. Brand’s thigh with it.

“Ramming it hard into my thigh like a weapon to hurt me — presumably to get me to let go of it and end the phone call to 9-1-1, while I was giving the exact location of Rudy’s,” Ms.

Brand said, reading from her statement during her testimony. “Ms. Gackowska’s attack on me was vicious, and she injured me.”

“That Christmas Eve, my thigh was aching,” Ms. Brand continued. “But more so, I was terribly upset by this attack by her, shocked I had been attacked, thankful I had not been more harmed, but realized it was a close call.

“I did not sleep all night,” Ms. Brand testified.

Ms. Brand said the attack ruined her Christmas visit with her children, who she doesn’t usually get to see, and that the bruise got worse over time, changing colors “and was the size of my hand on my thigh.” She told the News-Press Monday that she was halfway through reading her statement when she realized it would be more effective to look the judge in the eye and tell him the rest of the story.

“When I was finished, he told me he was very sorry for what I had gone through,” Ms. Brand told the News-Press. “I was very appreciative that he listened to me.”

She told the judge that if she had been a quarter of a second sooner approaching her car, the glass from the window would have hit her.

Ms. Brand added that she was surprised Ms. Gackowska had yet to make a plea after all this

time.

“I learned today that this type of criminal arrest usually takes a year or two in order to finish the process, for sentencing to occur,” Ms. Brand told the News-Press. “That’s what the victim’s advocate (from the District Attorney’s Office) told me.”

Ms. Brand said her injury, which, again, was allegedly caused by Ms. Gackowska, went beyond physical symptoms. She said the emotional distress from the incident has harmed her business, making commercials about household appliances.

“Today I came home, after reading my victim’s statement and told my videographer I could not shoot (a commercial) today,” she said. “I don’t have it in me to be chipper and cheerful, explaining appliances for commercials.”

If convicted, Ms. Gackowska could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Prosecutors have declined to charge her with throwing the rock that broke Rudy’s window, despite Rudy’s willingness to press charges. News-Press staff writer Neil Hartstein contributed to this story. email: dmason@newspress.com

No Board of Supervisors meetings until June

SANTA BARBARA

There will not be a Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting today or May 30.

The next Board of Supervisors meeting will take place June 6 at the County Administration Building in Santa Barbara.

— Annika Bahnsen

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Skating competitively in Goleta

Ninth-inning rally comes up short on UCSB baseball’s Senior Day

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

Aaron Parker hit a two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday, but it only cut the deficit to four, as the UCSB baseball team (35-17, 18-9 Big West) fell to Cal Poly (20-33, 10-17 Big West) in the series finale, 9-5. With Cal State Fullerton and UC San Diego both winning, the Gauchos now must sweep Hawai’i next weekend to keep their conference championship hopes alive.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Santa Barbara left runners stranded on second and third in the first inning, it was Cal Poly who struck first, scoring a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second. An error allowed the lead-off man to reach, then a double scored the first run. That Mustang would come around to score on a pair of groundouts before the end of the inning.

The Gauchos answered in the bottom of the third, scoring a pair to tie the game, but they were seconds away from taking the lead. After Nick Oakley and LeTrey McCollum started the inning with back-to-back singles, Jared Sundstrom was robbed of a home run in the cruelest of fashions, as the pitcher was called for a pitch clock violation

right before delivering the ball Sundstrom rocketed 420 feet to left center. But by rule, it was just a ball, and Sundstrom ended up popping out. Zander Darby eventually brought Oakley and McCollum home with a game-tying single to right center.

However, things quickly went downhill for the Gauchos. Three singles, three walks, and a hit batter, most of them with the bases loaded, resulted in four Mustang runs in the top of the fourth. Santa Barbara got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a two-out RBI single from Christian Kirtley, but Cal Poly regained their four-run lead in the top of the sixth on an RBI single of their own.

The Mustangs extended their lead late thanks to a bit of luck, as a high fly ball bounced off the top of the fence and over for a tworun home run in the eighth, just staying inside the foul pole too. Parker hit a two-run homer of his own in the bottom of the ninth to bring the Gauchos back within four, but that would be all for Santa Barbara.

ON THE STAT SHEET

• Six of UC Santa Barbara’s nine graduating players — Kirtley, Alex Schrier, JD Callahan, Broc Mortensen, Sam Whiting, and Carter Benbrook — featured in

Sunday’s Senior Day game. The three players not to appear were Mike Gutierrez, who pitched three innings on Saturday, as well as Clayton Hall and Logan Barnier, who both missed out due to health reasons. All nine players were honored before the game.

• Aaron Parker led the Gauchos at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, plus a walk.

• Schrier was the only Santa Barbara pitcher not to allow a run on Sunday, working the final 1 ⅓ innings, allowing just one hit and two walks.

• Oakley went 1-for-4 and scored a run as he continued his good series against the Mustangs. He hit .400/.455/.800 over the weekend.

UP NEXT

UCSB heads to Honolulu for the final series of the season, with a chance at winning The Big West Championship. The Gauchos will need to win all three of their games against Hawai’i Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and need Cal State Fullerton to lose one game at Cal Poly to take the title. UC San Diego would win the title with a Gaucho loss.

All three games in Honolulu will begin at 9:35 p.m. Pacific time, live on ESPN+. Live stats and an audio only broadcast will be available on ucsbgauchos.com.

McMorris transferring to UCSB women’s basketball

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The UCSB women’s basketball team will welcome an athlete from the transfer portal that will join the team this fall. Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson inked transfer Mary McMorris after playing her freshman season at Northern Arizona.

“We are excited to have Mary join our Gaucho family,” said Henrickson. “She’s a player that loves to compete on both ends of the floor. Mary’s speed and playmaking ability will be valuable in our transition game.”

McMorris was a captain of the basketball team

while attending Centennial High School in Las Vegas, Nev. She won a state title each year with the Bulldogs. During her freshman season at NAU she played in 29 games averaging over 10 minutes per game.

McMorris will join a Gaucho team coming off a 20+ win season and a trip to The Big West Championship game. UCSB ended the season with an overall record of 21-12 and a 12-8 record in The Big West.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB. email:

sports@newspress.com

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The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations.

At left, Leila Wiedmann skates in the freestyle category. Above, Lilly Sebastian competes in the freestyle category.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

The group from L.A. Kings Ice at Pickwick Gardens competes in the synchronized form category during the inaugural Paradise Ice Sports Industry Open Skating Competition Sunday at Ice in Paradise in Goleta.

Tim Scott announces he is running for president

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., announced Monday that he is running for president.

In his announcement, Sen. Scott gave a nod to his Christian faith and defended his record in the Senate, pointing to economic legislative efforts he led such as tax cuts and Opportunity Zones.

Sen. Scott told his family’s story, pointing to his grandfather who was born in Sally, South Carolina, in 1921 and dropped out of school in third grade to pick cotton.

“But my grandfather lived long enough to watch his grandson pick out a seat in

Congress,” Sen. Scott said. “That’s the evolution of the country we live in. My family went from cotton to Congress inhis lifetime, and it was only possible because my grandfather had a stubborn faith.”

Sen. Scott also hit on an array of hotbutton issues such as the border, China, COVID-19 and fentanyl.

“They spent COVID locking kids out of the classroom, and now they are locking kids out of their futures,” he said. “And in Biden’s America, crime is on the rise and law enforcement is on retreat.

“They are demonizing, demoralizing and defunding police,” he added.

Sen. Scott also pledged to build the wall at the southern border.

“When I am President, the drug

cartels using Chinese labs and Mexican factories to kill Americans will cease to exist,” Sen. Scott said. “I will freeze their assets. I’ll build the wall. And I will let the world’s greatest military fight these terrorists, because that’s exactly what they are.”

Sen. Scott also took shots at President Joe Biden. “But unfortunately, under President Biden, our nation is retreating away from patriotism and faith,” he said. “The fewest people in 30 years think that their kids will be better off than their parents, and the radical left is pushing us into a culture of grievance instead of a culture of greatness.”

Sen. Scott aimed for an optimistic tone,

focusing on “hope and opportunity.”

His campaign slogan is “faith in America.” He has taken issue with what he characterized as Democrats’ victim mentality, pointing to how his family overcame through a “victor” mentality and hard work.

“My life disproves their lies,” he said.

Sen. Scott faces an uphill battle.

Republican primary polling results released by Morning Consult last week put Scott at 1% support, well behind former president Donald Trump, who has 61%. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to announce his bid this week, came in at 18% support.

Mr. Trump posted on TruthSocial on Monday morning welcoming Scott to the

primary and taking the opportunity to attack Gov. DeSantis, seen by many as the largest threat to Mr. Trump.

“Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race,” Trump wrote. “It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!”

The first GOP caucus is in Iowa on Jan. 22, 2024, while the first GOP primary is Jan. 30 of the same year in New Hampshire. However, the first cohort of states holding their presidential primary votes is in March of next year.

Council is scheduled to vote on budget at June 13 meeting

BUDGET

Continued from Page A1

Year 2024 budget would have to incorporate increases in employee salaries and benefits.

What they didn’t know was whether revenue from sales taxes and transient occupancy taxes, two of the biggest sources of revenue feeding the General Fund, would be enough to cover these increases as part of the cost of running each department, even while factoring in the impact of inflation.

Especially since sales taxes and TOT were “significantly reduced” during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Finance Director Keith DeMartini.

It wasn’t.

Revenue was rising, to be sure, but only at rates considered “very modest” to “moderate.”

Something had to be done to cover what essentially was a “structural deficit” in the General Fund, to the tune of $3.8 million. (The proposed $221 million “status quo budget” represents about a third of the overall $667 million FY 24 budget.)

To reduce the deficit, they proposed 2% reductions in all General Fund department budgets to save $2.7 million. The remaining $1.1 million would have to come out of the city’s reserves in order to balance the budget.

STEP 2

Staff, led by Finance Director Keith DeMartini, met with each department to break the bad news and discuss ways to implement the cuts, leaving the decisions on where and how to make the cuts up to each department head.

STEP 3

City officials went public on April 18.

News releases about the FY24 budget were sent to local media, including the News-Press.

“Staff is pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 budgets,” Mr. DeMartini said in

Pickleball Courts temporarily closed

the release.

“The budget is the culmination of multiple months of hard work reviewing revenue sources, programs and understanding what it costs to continue to deliver critical services to the community and maintaining the city’s infrastructure,” he said.

“The city is committed to fiscal sustainability and has made some challenging choices to present a balanced budget.”

The same day, the finance director went before the Santa Barbara City Council, where he officially went on the record, warning about the General Fund structural deficit and staff’s proposed 2% across-the-board budget cuts.

STEP 4

A series of meetings was scheduled between the council and each department head, who outlined their ideas about how to trim their budgets without affecting essential programs and services.

“Each General Fund department is proposing reductions that are unique for their operation,” Mr. DiMartini told the News-Press in an exclusive interview.

For example, he said, “the police department is proposing to continue to hold officer and other positions vacant, reduce hourly positions and purchase required equipment using Measure C funding.

“The fire department is proposing to hold positions vacant, purchase required equipment using Measure C funding and achieve various operating cost savings.”

And “the parks and recreation department is proposing to reallocate funding of certain positions and reduce some programming.”

To date, council members have met with the heads of the airport, police and fire, sustainability and resilience, waterfront, library, city administrator, mayor and council, city attorney, human resources

and finance.

On Wednesday, they will meet with the heads of Community Development and Information Technology. Thursday, they will meet with the head of parks and recreation. And on May 31, they will meet with the heads of public works and capital (General Fund & Measure C).

INTERMISSION

The city has reserved June 5 just in case something comes up that needs to be addressed before the council begins its budget deliberations. Otherwise, everyone involved will be able to take a week-long break before the two-part Budget Finale.

STEP 5

Part 1 is scheduled for June 7 when council members will hold a marathon, three-hour special meeting to discuss for the first time in public their respective thoughts and positions on the FY 24 budget.

The meeting is scheduled for 6-9 p.m., and will be held in council chambers at City Hall, 735 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara.

Already, some council members have signaled places where they’d like to see fewer budget cuts, particularly when it comes to public safety, knowing full well that if a majority of the board agrees with them, money saved for one or more departments will have to be made up by making steeper cuts elsewhere.

But before they start talking, two things are going to happen, one fairly routine and the other significant.

The former is a brief presentation by Mr. DeMartini, who will outline where the budget process stands as of that night.

“I will deliver a brief presentation to introduce the item and summarize the recommendations that the Finance Committee made during their meetings over the past month as well as summarize any

Following the initial repairs conducted in April, a few remaining issues were identified that require attention to ensure the courts’ longevity and safety.

staff recommended changes to the budget,” he said. “Multiple staff will be available to answer questions as necessary, including our budget manager, Natalija Glusac.”

The latter involves the public, who will have their first opportunity to weigh in on the budget — including the structural deficit and proposed budget cuts — and offer their own ideas about how much to cut and where, or whether the cuts should even be made.

People can either show up in chambers and speak in person, or watch the meeting online and participate remotely.

Once the public comment period is over, it’s the council’s turn.

Their deliberations will set the stage for Part 2 of the Budget Finale the following week.

S TEP 6: DEcISION TIME

The council is scheduled to vote on the budget at their regular meeting on June 13. The meeting starts at 2 p.m.

For the second time, Mr. DeMartini will talk first.

“I will deliver a brief presentation to introduce the item as well as list the various resolutions that are required to formally adopt the budget,” he said.

Another public comment period will follow.

Then it’s the council’s turn to debate what should happen before they cast their ballots.

Among their options:

• Approve the budget as proposed by staff, with no changes made to their recommendations.

• Make any changes they want to see and then pass the budget.

• Decide to skip the budget cuts altogether, and vote to cover the entire $3.8 million deficit out of the city’s reserves which, at last count, stand at $36.9 million.

• Postpone the vote to another day, as long as it takes place before the new fiscal year starts on July 1.

If, as expected, the FY24 budget

Kellogg Courts, which are managed by Santa Barbara County.

is approved, everyone involved can take a deep breath and move on to other things, at least until next April when the budget ballet begins anew.

Everyone, that is, except for city staff.

They’ve already forecast a larger structural deficit in FY25 ($8.9 million) and an additional 3% in budget cuts ($4.1 million) that will need to take place to help close the gap and balance the budget.

So yes, they might take a pause, but only a brief one.

They’ll be watching — with fingers crossed — for sales tax and TOT revenue to seriously pick up steam this summer as locals, joined by thousands of tourists

projected to visit Santa Barbara, spend most of their time outdoors basking in the local weather. And that translates into a lot more people shopping and eating here, as well as a lot more people who will need a place to stay overnight filling up local motels and hotels.

But city staff don’t plan to just watch and wait for that to happen.

They’ll also be focusing on new ways to generate revenue, ways which Mr. DeMartini said “will be presented and discussed in detail with the Finance Committee and City Council in the coming months.”

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

GOLETA — Repairs are being done at the Goleta Valley Community Center pickleball courts, 679 Hollister Ave., which are closed this week through Friday.

During the closure, the city of Goleta encourages pickleball players to utilize other available courts in the area: Evergreen Park, Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park and

CASTRO, Salomon

As his 5 year old great-grandson remarked after he left this world on May 16, 2023, “I wish he could’ve lived to be 100.”

While Sal (also fondly known as “Chirino” to much of his family) lived a mere 89 years on this earth, he lived them with zest, humor, and integrity. He was born the third child to Salomon Castro and Eulalia (Baca) Castro in El Paso, Texas on October 9, 1933. He moved from El Paso to Los Angeles as a youth with his brave mother and 7 siblings after his father courageously lost his life in battle during WWII. He often expressed his love of his family in a manner that was deep yet whimsical, particularly for the love of his life and his wife of 67 years, Mildred “Millie” Adams Castro. As many do, he loved to tell stories of his past experiences, but he had a particularly charming brand of whimsy and wit, often accompanied by his unique gravelly chuckle.

He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, which he often joked about given his propensity for motion sickness. He was hardworking but also loved a good life adventure, which is what led him from Los Angeles to Goleta accompanied by his wife and 3 daughters in 1969, where he began a career of over a quarter century at Raytheon, often riding his bike to work. After retirement, he perfected the art of the leisurely bike ride. Even 20 mile bike rides with Sal never felt taxing because he, quite literally, would stop to smell the roses--take in nature around him, have a covert pastry and coffee while people-watching, peruse a garage sale/farmers market/bookstore.

His former work in mechanical drafting made him particularly adept at woodworking, and he often reveled in the joy of making handmade gifts. It is impossible to adequately qualify or quantify the gift he was to our lives, but to summarize a few of his other wonderful attributes: he was a proud brother and son, and a doting father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was unwittingly stylish, humbly handsome, a ping pong sniper, and a bicycle outlaw (by his own account of his one and only traffic ticket). He had perfected the craft of the tamale, the charcoal grilled tri tip, and his minimalist guacamole. He was a voracious reader, as if unable to satiate his fascination with the world around him. He appreciated people, lighthearted banter, sexy cars, perfectly coiffed lawns, a clean kitchen, and a good cup of soup with an Arnold Palmer. He never went a day without remarking how fortunate he was to make a good life in the good land with his family.

He has gone to join his father Salomon, mother Eulalia, baby sister Celia, brothers Alberto “Beto” and Luis “Chito”, and daughter Linda. He will be greatly missed yet fondly remembered by his wife Millie, his brothers Tomas “Titi”, Carlos “Kelly”, and Raul “Boogie” Castro, sisters Elvira “Lila” Acosta and Elena “Helen” Palmerin, daughters Diana Miller and Susan Asselin, granddaughters Charlotte and Julie Parker and Gillian Zeile, his great-grandson Theodore Zeile, as well as numerous family and friends.

For more information, visit www.cityof goleta.org/play/parks-recreation-openspaces/recreation-across-the-city/pickleballtennis.

— Annika Bahnsen

STEELE MOREHEAD, Julianne

September 6, 1966 - May 11, 2023

A Mass for Julianne will be said at 10 AM, Thursday, May 25, 2023, at St. Raphael Church, Hollister Ave. Goleta. It will be followed by a Celebratory reception and lunch at Stowe Grove Park, Area #3, Goleta from 12:30-3:30 PM.

Julianne was a graduate of Dos Pueblos High School and Santa Barbara Business College which led to a successful 30-year career as a full-charge bookkeeper in the corporate world.

Julianne was predeceased by her father and brother, Ed and E. J. Steele and her husband, Larry Morehead. Julianne leaves behind a vast emptiness in the hearts of her mother, Elizabeth, sisters Suanne (Norm) Hesse and Marianne Steele, her sister-in-law, Susan Steele, her nephews and nieces: Khris Steele, Deven and Nolan Hesse, Sierra Steele and her loving partner Greg Smith and his brother, Randy.

Obituary notices are published daily in the Santa Barbara News-Press and also appear on our website www.newspress.com

To place an obituary, please email the text and photo(s) to obits@newspress.com. Please include your name, address, contact phone number and the date(s) you would like the obituary to be published. Photos should be in jpeg format with at least 200 dpi. If a digital photo is not available, a picture may be brought into our office for scanning. We will lay out the

At Lake Cachuma’s maximum level at the point at which water starts spilling over the dam holds 188,030 acre-feet. An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, equivalent to the amount of water consumed annually by 10 people in an urban environment.

Life theArts

CALENDAR

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

‘Fast X’ is de nitely fast and furious

Sequel delivers many surprises and keeps viewers guessing about everything

By DAVE MASON

MANAGING EDITOR

‘Fast X” is full of twists and turns and blind spots for drivers who find they can’t put the brakes on danger.

The latest film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise is full of surprises, to the point you can’t be certain if you know who’s a villain and who’s a hero. The action goes to new heights and new depths — figuratively and literally. At one point, a good guy’s car gets pulled up in the air

by the bad guys’ helicopters.

As always, “Fast X” is about family, and this time around, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is trying to save his family from Dante (“Aquaman” star Jason Momoa), the kind of villain you love to hate. Out for revenge after the death of his father — drug kingpin Hernan Reyes, Dante wants to kill the people Dominic cares about. Making matters worse, Dante doesn’t care if he blows up an entire city in the process, so Dominic feels the burden of saving his family and the world at the same time.

Somehow Dante is always

one step ahead of Dominic, but the hero manages to pull a metaphorical rabbit out of his hat and has some victories. The problem is Dante is anticipating that.

In this movie, Dominic is determined to protect Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and his son, Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), but both are in danger and get their share of action scenes.

To defeat Dante, the heroes might have to get help from villains, but can they be trusted? Is it wise to seek help from the wicked Shaw (Jason Statham)?

Dominic and his team also turn

to fellow heroes such as Tess (Brie Larson), Queenie (Helen Mirren) and Dominic’s brother Jakob (John Cena) in a epic that, as you’d expect, spans across continents.

As always, good guys Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) and Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) have funny moments, although nothing tops them flying a car in orbit around Earth in the last “Fast and Furious” film.

The actors are clearly having fun with the characters, and director Louis Leterrier keeps the film moving at a good pace. Justin Lin, Gary Scott Thompson

and Dan Mazeau have written a story that salutes the franchise’s history and asks about whether Dominic has finally met his match in Dante. Well, “Fast X” is the first of two parts, and the ending will leave you surprised and delighted as you wait for the next film.

The franchise keeps getting better with each film. It’s no wonder “Fast X” topped the North American box office in its first weekend with $67.5 million.

There’s definitely gas left in the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

email: dmason@newspress.com

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.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The James Castle exhibit is on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, see sbma.net.

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. Appointment on weekdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. “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. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb. org.

MAY 25

7 p.m. UCSB Department of Theatre and Dance students will perform Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” at UCSB’s Movement Studio, Theater/Dance West Room 1507. The Russian playwright’s story has been interpreted by Libby Appel and is being directed by Annie Torsiglieri. Admission is free.

MAY 26

7 p.m. Dos Pueblos Theatre Company is putting on “High School Musical!” at the Elings Performing Arts Center at Dos Pueblos High School, 7266 Alameda Ave., Goleta. The musical chronicles a high school love story, as the main characters Troy and Gabriella find themselves choosing between music and school. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $5 for seniors and students, and free for children 10 and under.

7 p.m. UCSB Department of Theatre and Dance students will perform Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” at UCSB’s Movement Studio, Theater/Dance West Room 1507.

The Russian playwright’s story has been interpreted by Libby Appel and is being directed by Annie Torsiglieri. Admission is free.

9 p.m. Spooky Mansion will perform at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St., Suite 205, Santa Barbara. The concert will also feature Tino Drima. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 at the door. To purchase, go to www.sohosb.com.

The concert is for ages 21 and older.

MAY 27

7 p.m. UCSB Department of Theatre and Dance students will

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

TUESDAY,MAY 23, 2023

COURTESY PHOTO Vocalist Grayson Converse, above, and his band, Spooky Mansion, will perform Friday at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club in Santa Barbara.

NEWS-PRESS

Dante’s henchmen pull a good guy’s car up into the air in one of the many action-packed scenes of “Fast X.”

PETER MOUNTAIN/UNIVERSAL PICTURES PHOTOS

At left, family and friendship are celebrated in “Fast X.” Clockwise from left are Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera). At right, Queenie (Helen Mirren) advises Dom (Vin Diesel) after an encounter with a villain.

‘Fast X’ tops box office in first weekend

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS

“Fast X” won the box office race in its opening weekend.

The latest film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise grossed $67.5 million, knocking “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3” off the No. 1 spot. “Guardians” instead placed second with $32 million.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” dropped to third place from second with $9.8 million.

“Book Club: The Next Chapter” — the sequel starring Jane Fonda,

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perform Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” at UCSB’s Movement Studio, Theater/Dance West Room 1507. The Russian playwright’s story has been interpreted by Libby Appel and is being directed by Annie Torsiglieri. Admission is free.

MAY 28

2 p.m. UCSB Department of

Theatre and Dance students will perform Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” at UCSB’s Movement Studio, Theater/Dance West Room 1507. The

Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen — fell to fourth place from third with $3 million.

“Evil Dead Rise” dropped to fourth place from third with $2.38 million.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” dropped to sixth place from seventh with $1.332 million.

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” — the story of a 11-yearold girl adapting to her new life in the suburbs — fell to seventh place from fifth with $1.326 million.

“Hypnotic,” starring Ben Affleck

Russian playwright’s story has been interpreted by Libby Appel and is being directed by Annie Torsiglieri. Admission is free.

JUNE 3

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. The McGuire/Moffet Band and Cadillac Angels will perform at Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara. For more information, visit www.coldspringtavern.com.

4 to 7 p.m. Zoo Brew, the Santa Barbara Zoo’s annual fundraiser that caters to beer and animal lovers alike, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. with a VIP hour from 3 to 4 p.m. The zoo is at 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara.

as a detective investigating his daughter’s disappearance and a secret government program, dropped to the No. 8 spot from the No. 6 spot with $825,000.

“Love Again” — about a woman meeting a man when she sends text messages to her deceased fiance’s old phone — fell to ninth place from eighth with $400,000.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” remained in 10th place from seventh with $385,000.

email: dmason@newspress.com

General admission tickets are $75 per person and include unlimited beer tastings and one Zoo Brew 2023 commemorative tasting cup, and VIP tickets are $110. All proceeds benefit the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo. For more information, call 805-9625339.

JUNE 4

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan will perform their mix of guitar and harmonica blues, rags and good-time music at Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara. For more information, visit www.coldspringtavern.com

— Dave Mason

‘Bee cups’ created to help bees at Ventura garden

VENTURA — Michele Foster, Buenaventura Art Association instructor, has enlisted 180 art students to help save local bees.

For weeks, the students have been making ceramic “bee cups” to provide water for the threatened pollinators.

Participating students are from Mesa Union School in Somis, Pierpont Elementary School in Ventura, Girl Scout Troop 65004 and the Ventura-based Bell Arts Factory Youth Program. There were three adult volunteers who helped produce the bee cups out of glazed and fired clay.

The 350 hydration stations they created have been available for viewing since May 19, and continue to be seen until June 2. These can be seen at the South African Garden portion of Ventura Botanical Gardens above Ventura City Hall in Ventura.

After June 2, the students will reclaim their ceramic flowers, and they will be able to refill them for the bees.

General admission to the garden is $7, but visits are free for ages 18 and under and Botanical Garden members. It is also free to the public on Fridays. For more about Buenaventura Art Association and its programs, visit buenaventuraartassociation. org.

— Annika Bahnsen

John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band to play at SOhO

SANTA BARBARA — John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band will perform at 5:30 p.m. June 3 at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St., suite 205, Santa Barbara. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Mr. Jorgenson plays multiple instruments, but may be best known for his guitar and mandolin playing. He has played previously with the Desert Rose Band, which was formed by John Jorgenson

Bluegrass Band member Herb Pedersen and Byrd member Chris Hillman. In addition, Mr. Jorgenson has collaborated with Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Luicano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and many others.

John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band features Mr. Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Mr. Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar

and vocals. The band’s debut album, “From the Crow’s Nest,” was recorded in singer Sheryl Crow’s home barn studio in Nashville. Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 cash on the day of the show. To purchase or make dinner reservations, go to www.sohosb. com.

— Dave Mason

Mission Poetry Series to finish on May 27

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The 14th season of the Mission Poetry Series will be wrapping up over Memorial Day weekend with an in-person reading at 1 p.m. May 27 at Central Library’s Faulkner Gallery.

The library is located at 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.

Admission is free.

The May 27 program — Three Poets in Spring — features awardwinning authors Catherine Esposito Prescott, Gabriel Ibarra and Florencia Milito.

The event offers complimentary broadsides, poets’ books for sale, and the chance to meet one of the featured authors. This reading is made possible by the Academy of American Poets with funds from the Mellon Foundation.

Ms. Prescott’s poetry collection “Accidental Garden” won Gunpowder Press’s 2022 Barry Spacks Poetry Prize, selected by Danusha Laméris. She is originally from Long Island, N.Y., and the author of two books, “Maria Sings” and “The Living Ruin.” She is co-founder

of SWWIM and editor-in-chief of SWWIM Every Day.

Mr. Ibarra is the author of “On Display”, which was the cowinner of the Alta California Chapbook Prize. Born and raised in California’s San Joaquín Valley, he earned a master’s in fine arts in poetry from Fresno State University. His poetry has been published in the Packinghouse Review, and he earned an honorable mention for the Ernesto Trejo Memorial Prize from the Academy of American Poets, selected by Philip Levine. To honor his roots as a Puentista, he has served as a Puente Program mentor at Fresno City College. He’s part of Fresno State’s Creative Writing Alumni Chapter, whose goal is to connect multiple generations of Fresno writers.

Ms. Milito is a bilingual poet and author of “Sor Juana”. Her work has appeared in ZYZZYVA, Indiana Review, Catamaran, 92nd Street Y, Latinas: Struggles and Protests in 21st Century USA and Zócalo Public Square, to name a few. Her writing has been influenced by her early experience fleeing Argentina’s

1976 coup, subsequent childhood in Venezuela, and immigration to the United States at the age of 9. Ms. Milito’s bilingual collection “Ituzaingó: Exilios y Ensueños,” was published in 2021. Florencia is also a creative writing and composition educator, translator, and mother.

Mission Poetry Series program curator Emma Trelles is the ninth poet laureate of Santa Barbara and a poet laureate fellow at the Academy of American Poets. She was one of 22 poets in the United States appointed for their creative and community work.

The daughter of Cuban immigrants, and originally from Miami, she is the author of “Tropicalia,” winner of the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize and is currently writing a second book of poems, “Courage and the Clock.” She is a CantoMundo Fellow and the recipient of an Individual Artist Grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ missionpoetryseries. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) has fun behind the wheel in “Fast X,” which quickly moved ahead of all

COURTESY PHOTO

Ceramic bee cups, created by Ventura County students, are providing water to bees in the Ventura Botanical Gardens.

COURTESY PHOTO

John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band recorded its debut album, “From the Crow’s Nest,” at singer Sheryl Crow’s home barn studio in Nashville.

SUDOKU

Thought for Today

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

ARIES — Frustration could be the word for today. If you’ve made plans to meet a close friend or lover, Aries, don’t count on it happening. Unexpected events might force a postponement. Problems with schedules could have you playing phone tag. This also isn’t a good day to work on creative or artistic projects.

TAURUS — Upsets and disappointments on the part of a family member could have the household in an uproar. Problems with household equipment could throw a monkey wrench into everyone’s routine. On days like this, it’s best for everyone to get out and distract themselves.

GEMINI — Today you may need to contact a lot of people, Gemini, but the process could be frustrating. People may not be home, messages might not be delivered, or your equipment might not work properly. Unless it’s urgent, it might be better to wait until tomorrow to try to reach them. You could end up too stressed otherwise.

CANCER — Conflict over money could get in the way of your usual cordial relationships, Cancer. Attention to the household budget is definitely needed. Unexpected events may require some immediate purchases that you hadn’t planned on. They might require some scrimping, but you should be able to minimize the need if you plan carefully.

LEO — Your mother and father, or a couple you’re particularly close to, could visit you today, Leo. Plan some distractions like movies or videos, or invite some other people over. Talking with this couple alone might result in heated discussions that accomplish nothing but get everyone worked up and stressed.

VIRGO — This isn’t a good day to go out, Virgo. Traffic is probably awful. Don’t trust any gossip that comes your way! It’s probably passed through at least half a dozen people and retains little, if any, of the facts. Someone might be passing along

rumors for their own reasons, so believe nothing you hear without checking it out.

LIBRA — Some unusual events could cause you to feel discontented from your life and contemplate some big changes, Libra. Money matters might need attention and could prove frustrating. Outrageous ideas for improving your financial status could come to mind.

SCORPIO — Recent activities have suddenly made you bored with your job and the people you deal with. You may feel restless and contemplate changes to your professional life, Scorpio. This could be appropriate now, but it might not. It’s best to look at your options logically and practically.

SAGITTARIUS — A lack of time to pursue your spiritual and intellectual interests could weigh on your mind today, Sagittarius. Gloom might descend on you, as if responsibilities of the moment are too much for you. Try to be the observer. If a friend came to you for advice with your problem, what would you say?

CAPRICORN — An unexpected setback could interfere with reaching a longterm goal as soon as you’d hoped. Don’t let it get you down, Capricorn. A little innovative thought and extra planning could get you back on track. This is a day best spent alone, working on projects of your own. You’re likely to be restless in the company of others.

AQUARIUS — Your partner’s family obligations could interfere with things you wanted to do together, Aquarius. Your desire to help could also get in the way of other responsibilities. The best way to handle days like today is to plan carefully. There’s always a way to squeeze it all in. This may be what you have to do.

PISCES — A delay in receiving a communication from a distant place could prove frustrating today, Pisces. You may be looking forward to a vacation, but responsibilities that suddenly crop up could postpone the trip. This probably won’t be necessary, but some adjustments need to be made before you can both do what you want and fulfill your responsibilities, too.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune

Content

Agency

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

My friend the English professor is always coming up with descriptive new words. He says some of his partners are “errorists”: always wrong.

In a penny game, the prof was today’s North and judged to pull South’s 3NT to four hearts. South won the first spade with the king, led a trump to dummy and tried a diamond to his jack. West took the queen, led a trump to dummy, won the next diamond and led a third trump. That left South with a diamond and a club to lose: down one.

“My partner began ‘blamestorming,’” the prof told me. “He said I’d have won nine easy tricks at 3NT. I issued a ‘fauxpology’ — an insincere one.”

“I can’t blame you,” I said.

LAST DIAMOND

North might have passed 3NT, but South should make four hearts. He leads the king of diamonds at Trick Two, wins West’s trump return and leads the jack of diamonds. South can win the next trump and ruff his last diamond in dummy to assure 10 tricks.

By the way, do you think a trump opening lead beats four hearts?

8. The dealer, at your left, opens two hearts (weak).

CODEWORD PUZZLE

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. Every number 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

Your partner doubles, and the next player raises to three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner suggests opening values — quite possibly more since his double might have obliged you to act at the three level — plus support for the unbid suits.

Bid four spades. You would bid three spades to compete if your queen of spades were a low spade.

South dealer N-S vulnerable

“Challenging the meaning of life is the truest expression of the state of being human.” — Viktor E. Frankl

Texas deploys tactics to block illegal entry, catch foreign nationals trying to evade capture

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Like the Texas National Guard troops blocking illegal entry near El Paso at the Texas-Mexico border, troops are successfully blocking illegal entry along the Rio Grande River at the opposite end of Texas near Brownsville through Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star.

“They are doing so as Mexican drug cartels attempt to recalibrate their criminal smuggling operations to continue profiting off the chaos created by President [Joe] Biden’s open border policies,” Gov. Abbott said.

The governor said there was “only one thing that caused them not to enter illegally: the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety building the barriers that were needed to prevent people from entering and then having the personnel behind those barriers to ensure that no one would enter.

“As far as I know, it’s the first time in American history that a state has led the effort to prevent people from entering the United States illegally.”

Texas soldiers helped install miles of additional razor wire along the border and continue to maintain a strong presence behind the barriers. Their drone teams are also working to detect foreign nationals who’ve entered illegally and weren’t caught.

Capt. Christopher Semonis, Operation Officer, Task Force East, Brownsville, said, “we have our soldiers repeating Title 8,” the federal law governing entry to the U.S., “to the migrants on the other side reminding them that if they cross illegally they

will have a five year probationary period when they are deported back to Mexico.”

In a video published by the Texas Military Department, foreign nationals can be seen trying to cross the Rio Grande River between ports of entry near Brownsville and a Texas soldier can be heard speaking in Spanish through a megaphone, saying, “it is illegal to cross into the United States, even to be deported, even if it is Mexico.”

In the video, groups of foreign nationals are seen walking along the other side of the concertina wire unable to enter or they are camped out on the Mexican side across the river.

Capt. Semonis said, “what we’ve done, we’ve seen a drastic reduction in the numbers here and they have been given a clear message on what we’re going to do.”

Staff Sergeant Samual Garza, Remote Pilot in Command, said he joined the drone team because he thought operating drones would be the most efficient way to identify where foreign nationals are hiding in Texas after they illegally entered and weren’t caught by Border Patrol.

Using drones, he said, “we can coordinate our ground teams and have less resistance of IAs being captured.” “IAs” is short for “illegal aliens,” the legal term in Title 8 referring to noncitizens who illegally enter the U.S., and one used by those in law enforcement.

Because National Guardsmen and state troopers are catching many people at night, he said, drones help keep them safer by limiting how much time they run into the brush to chase people running away, saving time and avoiding injuries. Using drones, he said, “we just walk up on the

IAs and there’s not that much resistance and they’re already caught.”

“The Texas National Guard continuously deploys their soldiers and airmen with the resources and technology necessary to detect, deter, and apprehend people that illegally cross the border into Texas,” the TXMD said in a statement. “In conjunction with the Department of Public Safety, the service members utilize loudspeaker to broadcast the newest policy changes that effect the federal response to border crossings: migrants who come into the United States between the authorized points of entry, their asylum claims will be denied and they will be deported back to their country of origin and barred from attempting asylum for a minimum of five years.”

Since they’ve employed this new tactic, TXMD says, and since the end of Title 42 on May 12, “the number of illegal crossings per day have steadily declined by nearly 50%.”

Since Gov. Abbott launched OLS in March 2021, officers have apprehended over 376,000 illegal foreign nationals and made over 28,000 criminal arrests, with more than 25,000 felony charges reported. They’ve also seized over 416 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

At a press conference on Friday, Texas Military Department Brigadier General Matthew Barker said, “The eyes of Texas and indeed the entire nation have been on our guardsmen for the past few weeks and they have performed flawlessly. I am so proud of their skill, their professionalism, their operational agility, and their resolve … to hold the line. We will continue to hold the line.”

AGs ask court to dismiss Mexico lawsuit claiming U.S. firearms industry is responsible for cartel violence

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – A Mexican government lawsuit blaming American firearm manufacturers for cartel violence is bogus, 20 Republican attorneys general argue. In a new brief filed with the First Circuit Appeals Court, they asked the court to dismiss the case.

Last September, Chief District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, presiding over the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, dismissed Mexico’s lawsuit filed against several U.S. gun manufacturers. The defendants include Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.; Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.; Beretta U.S.A. Corp.; Glock, Inc.; Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.; Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., D/B/A Interstate Arms; Century International Arms, Inc.; Baretta Holdings Spa, Glock Ges. M.B.H; and Colt’s Manufacturing Company, Llc.

Mexico appealed and the case is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. A coalition of 20 attorneys general, led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, have asked the court to “protect the law-abiding firearms manufacturers within their borders and to uphold the rights of their citizens to keep and bear arms.”

The Mexican government is seeking $10 billion in damages for cartel violence in a country where guns can only be purchased legally at one gun store in Mexico City run by the Mexican Army. In 2018, the store sold 38 firearms on average, a day, compared to an estimated 580 weapons smuggled into Mexico from the U.S., the Los Angeles Times reported.

Mexico’s lawsuit isn’t a new

claim. In 2016, the former Mexican president also argued that cartel firearm trafficking was “strengthening the cartels and other criminal organizations that create violence in Mexico,” the Times reported. Law enforcement officials have explained to The Center Square that Mexican cartel violence is perpetrated through the illegal purchasing and trafficking of firearms, largely financed through human and drug trafficking and smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border. People and drugs are trafficked and smuggled north; illegal weapons, cash and other contraband move south, officials have explained.

The AGs argue, “Mexico advances a legal theory that is unsupported by fact or law.

“On the facts, American gun manufacturers are not responsible for gun violence in Mexico. Rather, policy choices by the Mexican government, policy failures in the United States, and independent criminal actions by third parties are alone responsible for gun violence in Mexico,” they state in the brief.

“And on the law, even if Mexico could establish but-for causation between the manufacture of guns in America and gun violence in Mexico, intervening criminal actions preclude finding proximate causation between a gun’s legal sale and the harm caused by it,” they add.

Mexico claims in its lawsuit that after the 2004 U.S. “assaultweapons ban” expired, an increase in gun violence in Mexico occurred. The AGs argue Mexico’s homicide rate decreased in the three years after the ban ended.

“For the first nine months of 2019, Mexico had 25,890 murders – almost six times as many murders per 100,000 people as in the U.S.,” The Wall Street

Journal reported, noting that the country’s gun control laws were among the most restrictive in the world and “most criminals” weren’t getting weapons from the U.S.

Even if Mexican cartels were using American-made guns to commit violence, American gun manufacturers aren’t responsible, the AGs argue. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act protects manufacturers from liability resulting from criminal misuse of guns that they lawfully manufactured or sold in the U.S.

“The law was passed in direct response to lawsuits from antigun groups seeking to financially cripple the firearms market – just as Mexico is doing here, recycling the tactics of the American antigun lobby,” the AGs argue.

“The activity that Congress shielded from liability – the production and sale of firearms – occurred entirely in the United States and is protected from the criminal actions of third parties, wherever that might occur,” they argue, adding that the court should affirm the lower court’s ruling and dismiss the case.

Mexico claims that American guns are “among the deadliest and most often recovered at crime scenes in Mexico.” The AGs argue many of the guns recovered “were sold to the Mexican military or law enforcement and ended up in cartel hands as the result of military or law enforcement desertion.”

The AGs represent the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.