Santa Barbara News-Press: May 30, 2023

Council on Crime presents awards

Police, deputies, District Attorney’s Office recognized for achievements - A2

Chalk it up to talent

I Madonnari Street Painting Festival results in colorful images - B1

Inmate dies at Main Jail

Sheriff’s Office says cause is overdosing on suspected fentanyl

Remembering America’s heroes

Over a thousand people attend Memorial Day Ceremony at Santa Barbara Cemetery

By DAVE MASON

One of the largest audiences in the Santa Barbara Cemetery’s history turned out Monday to remember those who sacrificed their lives to defend America.

More than a thousand people, some of them holding flags, sat or stood on a cloudy but comfortable day at the Montecito site by the Pacific Ocean. They heard speakers and live music and watched when veterans from various wars were invited to stand and be recognized during the Memorial Day Ceremony. The annual program was presented by the Santa Barbara-based Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation,

whose founding director, Lt. John Blankenship (formerly of the U.S. Navy), served as the emcee.

The ceremony was among Monday’s services, which took place in locations such as the Goleta Cemetery, the Veterans Memorial Building in Solvang and the Santa Maria Cemetery.

The weather at the Santa Barbara Cemetery proved to be too cloudy for the Condor Squadron to do its scheduled flyover, but patriotic symbols otherwise flourished. Flags were placed on the graves of the many veterans buried at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, and the Memorial Day Ceremony featured a row of wreaths, each one representing a branch of the Armed Forces

as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Representatives of the branches of services and the Daughters of the American Revolution stood in front of wreaths during a special moment during Monday’s service. One of them — Lt. Col. Maureen Masson of the U.S. Air Force, retired — saluted the wreath representing the Air Force. (Col. Masson, by the way, is a member of the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation board.)

Throughout Monday’s ceremony, the music was definitely patriotic. Retired Santa Barbara police Sgt. David Gonzales sang the National Anthem. The Prime Time Band of Santa Barbara played a medley of the

theme songs for each branch of the service, as well as “76 Trombones” from “The Music Man,” “The Washington Post March” and “Ashokan Farewell.” The Santa Barbara Choral Society sang “Gift to Be Free,” “Homeward Bound,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “America the Beautiful.”

The Gold Coast Pipe Band — a bagpipe and percussion ensemble — played “Scotland the Brave” and “The Green Hills of Tyrol.”

And the ceremony ended with buglers Bob Burtness and Howard Hudson playing “Taps.”

In-between the music were words of remembrance.

“Memorial Day ceremonies like today’s are an important part of

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Custody deputies and medical staff found an inmate not breathing at the Main Jail in Santa Barbara. Officials said the cause of death is overdosing on suspected fentanyl.

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Another inmate at a Santa Barbara County Jail has died as a result of overdosing on suspected fentanyl, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Custody deputies and medical staff at the Main Jail in Santa Barbara entered the inmate’s cell Thursday night to physically check his condition “and found him unresponsive, not breathing, and with a foamy purge coming from his mouth,” officials said.

They began life-saving measures, including administering three rounds of

Narcan (naloxone), performing CPR,and placing an automated external defibrillator, officials said.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department and American Medical Response were summoned and responded to the jail facility. Paramedics continued life-saving measures, “but the decedent did not recover and was pronounced dead,” officials said. They said the incident began at about 10:57 p.m. when a custody deputy and WellPath nurse were conducting welfare

City says owners of rejected parklets can’t reapply for permit

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The owners of six restaurant parklets will not be allowed to reapply for a permit to operate them following the Santa Barbara City Council’s denial of their appeals of staff’s orders of removal for failing to comply with ADA requirements, officials said.

Council members voted last week to reject their appeals despite the owners’ asking for leniency, citing personal circumstances, a change in ownership, allegations of improper noticing, and admitted oversight failures on their part to make sure their parklets were accessible to patrons with

disabilities.

At the meeting, however, there was some talk that they might be able to start over by applying for a new permit.

That’s not going to happen, Sarah Clark, the city’s downtown plaza and parking manager, told the News-Press.

“I know there was some confusion on this point during council, so thank you for the opportunity to clarify,” she said. “The six restaurants have had their authorization to operate in the right-of-way suspended. That suspension will remain in place for the remainder of the Economic Recovery Transition and Recovery Ordinance, which

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS

City staff said Ca’Dario in downtown Santa Barbara corrected its ADA violations for its parklet, but only after the April 24 removal deadline.

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

DAVE MASON /NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Lt. Col. Maureen Masson of the U.S. Air Force, retired, salutes the wreath representing the Air Force while others stand in front of wreaths representing other branches of the service. This was part of the Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.

At left, “Stories of these brave, fallen servicemen are nothing less than inspiring,” said Lt. Christina Sandstedt, commanding officer of the Coast Guard cutter Blackfin, based in Santa Barbara. At right, Col. Robert Long, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base, addresses the large audience at the Santa Barbara Cemetery. Seated at left is former U.S. Navy Lt. John Blankenship, founding director of the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation and emcee of the Memorial Day Ceremony.

Magic Castle co-founder Milt Larsen dies

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Milt Larsen, the Santa Barbara resident who co-founded Hollywood’s Magic Castle, has died.

He was 92. He died Sunday in Los Angeles in his sleep from natural causes.

Known for his outgoing personality, Mr. Larsen was an energetic promoter of magic and recollections about music. He was active throughout his life with the Magic Castle, and he and his wife Arlene Larsen started the Magic Castle Cabaret in Montecito.

Mr. Larsen founded the Magic

Castle in Hollywood with his late brother, Bill Larsen, and the castle came to feature many famous magicians as well as serving as the home to the Academy of Magical Arts. It was also seen on the 1973-74 series “The Magician,” starring Bill Bixby.

Mr. Larsen also was a writer on

the “Truth or Consequences” game show hosted by Bob Barker in his pre-”Price is Right” days. And Mr. Larsen teamed up with songwriter Richard M. Sherman. More about Mr. Larsen will appear in Wednesday’s News-Press. email: dmason@newspress.com\

Citizens Council on Crime present H. Thomas Guerry Awards

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The 53rd Annual H. Thomas Guerry Awards ceremony took place last week in the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ hearing room.

The Santa Barbara Citizens Council on Crime presented the following awards on Wednesday.

VALOR AWARD

The Valor Award was presented to Lompoc police Sgt. Orge Magana, Detective Elizabeth Renner and Officer Sergio Peralta.

On June 11 at about 3:28 p.m., Sgt. Magana, Detective Renner and Officer Peralta were called to 210 N. D St. in Lompoc to a disturbance between the suspect and his father. When they arrived on scene, they attempted contact with both the suspect and the victim. The suspect was known to all of the officers and was known to be confrontational in multiple previous contacts.

The officers attempted to gain entry to check on the father, who they suspected was in distress and possibly in danger. They tried to convince the suspect to allow them entry and kept in contact with him while looking into every crevice of the home to get a glimpse of the victim. Ultimately, they called into the residence to ask the victim if he was “OK,” and he replied he was not. The suspect slammed the door and the security screen.

Shortly after, the victim was heard screaming in excruciating pain for help.

Sgt. Magana grabbed the locked security screen and forced the door open. Officers breached the front door and made entry into the home. Officers found the suspect had set the victim on fire.

Officer Renner and Sgt. Magana tended to the victim and put the fire out, while Officer Peralta held the suspect at gunpoint until it was safe to handcuff him and take him into custody.

The officers’ actions allowed for the victim to receive medical treatment. Unfortunately, due to the level of his injuries, the victim later died.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

AWARDS: SANTA BARBARA POLICE

Superior Performance Awards were presented to these Santa Barbara police employees: Sgt. Ryan DeJohn, Sgt. Christopher Payne, Officer John “Jay” Duffy, Officer Justin Hesketh, Officer Kelsea King, Officer Marc Renaud, Officer Dennys Reyes and Officer Thomas Van Eyck.

They’re members of the Community Action Team.

The Santa Barbara Police Department created the Community Action Team, which consists of officers dedicated to both short- and long-term solutions to a variety of societal issues.

Selection for CAT is rigorous and competitive. CAT officers are tasked with providing seven-day a week coverage, largely on bicycles and on foot. In 2022, CAT Team Officers handled approximately 4,800 calls for service.

CAT Officers attend weekly Regional Action Plan (RAP) meetings,

Tree fire in Buellton

BUELLTON — A tree fell into power lines on State Route 246 west of Buellton on Sunday, causing a fire, Santa Barbara County Fire officials said.

The tree fire began after the power lines were struck and downed, landing on a vehicle before being run over by a passing vehicle, officials said.

Two engines responded and extinguished both the tree fire and spot fires on both sides of the freeway, officials said.

Southern California Edison also responded to make repairs.

There were no injuries or impacted structures. The highway was open to traffic as of 10:50 a.m.

Fire officials used the incident

where they are able to collaborate with other organizations, listen to community concerns and answer questions.

They attend sanctioned Neighborhood Walks and are part of the city of Santa Barbara’s Neighborhood Improvement Task Force.

They conduct community presentations, assist with community training and are experts in crisis intervention and de-escalation.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

AWARD: OFFICER TONELLO

A Superior Performance Award was also presented to Santa Barbara police officer Matthew Tonello.

At 11:15 p.m. May 28, Officer Tonello responded to the Olive Mill Road overcrossing of Highway 101 for a report of a suicidal male threatening to jump off the overpass. Officer Tonello arrived and began primary negotiation with the man, who stood 6’4” and weighed approximately 330 pounds. Upon arrival, Officer Tonello immediately began to deescalate the situation and establish rapport with the subject.

Officer Tonello learned about the argument with the man’s wife that night which triggered this episode. The man discussed his history of depression and mental health issues related to years of head injuries from his former career as an NFL football player.

The decision was made to place the subject on an involuntary 5150 W&I Hold. He made it very clear that he would not voluntarily go to the hospital.

Officer Tonello was determined to gain the man’s cooperation. Over the next two hours, Officer Tonello patiently negotiated with the subject and eventually convinced him to be driven to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Officer Tonello personally delivered the subject to the hospital and ensured he was receiving the help that was needed.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE:

DEPUTY GEORGE HENDRICKS

A Superior Performance Award was presented to Deputy Hendricks, who began working for the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office in July 2007. He is currently the city of Goleta’s community resource deputy for Dos Pueblos High School and Goleta Valley Junior High.

Deputy Hedricks works in partnership with school administrators, students, and parents daily. His on-campus presence affords him the ability to investigate complicated issues, as well work with school staff and parents on lesser involved matters.

Deputy Hedricks is the main security resource for school administrators and students. He is known for his patience and eventemperament in mediating fights and/or arguments on campus.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE:

DEPUTY AVILA

A Superior Performance Award went to Sheriff’s Deputy Leslie Avila. In 2012, Deputy Avila retired from the Santa Barbara Sheriff Office and remained an

California bill could increase state funding for Native Americans’ housing

By SETH SANDRONSKY THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF WRITER

(The Center Square) — Senate Bill 18 , the Tribal Housing Reconstitution and Resiliency Act, would amend the state Health and Safety Code, relating to California’s housing for Native Americans on tribal lands.

Extra Help employee until 2018, when she began her service retirement.

Deputy Avila was hired in August 1986, where she began her exceptional service to Santa Barbara County. Throughout her time at the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Avila worked in Patrol Operations and Court Services.

In December 1989, Deputy Avila was assigned to the DARE Program until June 1992. Deputy Avila returned to the DARE Program in September 2011, until she retired from the Sheriff’s Office in March 2012.

Deputy Avila continued to work in the DARE Program until April 2023.

During her time in the DARE Program, Deputy Avila worked with over 11,000 students in the Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria/ Orcutt and Lompoc regions of the county.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE:

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S

OFFICE

Awards went to Senior Deputy District Attorney Ann Bramsen, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kelly Duncan Sr., Deputy District Attorney Lynmarc Jenkins, D.A. Investigator-Commander Ed Olsen and D.A. Investigator Michael Hufman.

Throughout 2015 and early 2016, the city of Santa Maria experienced a terror never seen in the city’s history — murders of young men on the streets with few witnesses, the only descriptions as young men in hoodies shooting and no other leads, leaving these killings unsolved.

The transnational MS-13 gang clique Santa Maria Little Salvy, with direct ties to El Salvador, became known for its efforts to take over Santa Maria.

Throughout 2015 and early 2016, the MS-13 clique carried out the murder of 10 separate victims and attempted to murder 14 additional victims.

Santa Maria Police Department detectives utilized a wiretap operation during a period of 40 days. While listening on the wiretap, detectives actively interceded and with the assistance of multiple law enforcement partners, they were able to prevent six additional murders in Guadalupe and Oxnard in real time.

Detectives used technology in the form of hundreds of phone records, the downloads of more than 150 cell phones, social media accounts and YouTube videos to identify the criminals and their involvement in these murders. Ballistics comparisons were performed on 148 bullets and cartridge cases found at the scenes or during autopsies. Then SMPD Detective Sgt. Michael Huffman, was the lead investigator on what became known as “Operation Matador.”

Detectives and prosecutors learned these thousands of puzzle pieces formed an intricate web of criminal conspiracy where the leadership of the Santa Maria Little Salvy clique was in El Salvador. This sophisticated criminal network had ties to Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia — all answering to leadership in prison in El Salvador.

TRAFFIC, CRIME & FIRE BLOTTER

to remind people as the county heads into fire season “to maintain your defensible space including trees that may be a threat to power lines on your property.”

— Neil Hartstein

Firefighters graduate

SANTA BARBARA

— A graduation ceremony was held Saturday at Fire Station 1, 121 W. Carrillo St., for six new firefighters who had graduated from the fire academy, Santa Barbara City Fire officials said. The ceremony honored the dedication, hard work, and exceptional training the firefighters demonstrated

In 2016, Sr. Deputy District Attorney Ann Bramsen presented this case to a criminal Grand Jury, which handed down a 50-count indictment against 12 defendants, including charges of homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide and criminal gang conspiracy. The Grand Jury also separately indicted eight additional clique members for the conspiracy to murder six victims. Given the sheer magnitude and volume of the largest prosecution of MS-13 gang members in the nation in terms of number of defendants and number of charges, Chief D.D.A. Kelly Duncan joined the prosecution team with Ms. Bramsen in 2017.

As the case approached a trial date in early 2020, the Superior Court severed the trial into two groups of five defendants due to the lack of a large enough courtroom to try 10 defendants. The first group of defendants would proceed to trial while the second group of five defendants waived time so that Trial 2 would begin after the conclusion of Trial 1.

Trial 1 began in March 2020 and one week into pre-trial motions, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, putting the trial on hold for more than a year. During this delay the second group of five defendants (Trial 2) decided not to waive any further time, meaning that the two trials would take place simultaneously in courtrooms in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. Sr. DDA Bramsen was now assigned to Trial 1, along with colleague DDA Peter Telesca. And Chief DDA Kelly Duncan was assigned to Trial 2. When a second prosecutor was needed to join Trial 2, Sr. DDA Lynmarc Jenkins stepped up to the task.

In 2020, Sgt. Mike Huffman retired from SMPD and joined the DA.’s office as an investigator, and his first assignment was to be one of two investigating officers at trial. The other being a gang expert, SMPD Sgt. Scott Casey. The District Attorney’s Office said Investigator Huffman was instrumental to the success of the prosecution of these trials.

Trial 1 started in the summer of 2021. Trial 2 commenced in October 2021. Hundreds of law enforcement and civilian witnesses testified in the two trials in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. DAI Commander Ed Olsen recognized the logistical feat that coordinating all of these witnesses would involve.

Commander Olsen developed a plan to ensure the safety of numerous surviving victims and witnesses and that would alleviate their concerns in testifying not once, but twice against these serial killers.

In April 2002 a Santa Maria jury delivered guilty verdicts against each defendant in Trial 1, resulting in multiple life without parole sentences. In June 2022 a Santa Barbara jury delivered guilty verdicts against each of the remaining defendants in Trial 2, also resulting in multiple life without parole sentences.

More in Wednesday’s NewsPress. email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Currently, the supply of affordable and habitable housing for tribal residents is in short supply, according to Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire, a Democrat who represents the North Coast.

“Tribal communities face a staggering housing crisis which is rooted in historic genocide and racism, under investment and lack of eligible funding,” he said in a statement. “To truly fix this public health crisis that exists in so many California tribal communities, the state must move with speed in partnership with tribal leaders to establish an exclusive tribal housing program with dedicated infrastructure funding. That’s why we’re working hand-in-hand with tribal leaders from across the Golden State to move SB 18 forward.”

About 9% of tribes in California have homes that lack complete plumbing and 7% lack complete kitchens, according to Sen. McGuire. Consider Native Californians’ household income. A third of tribal residents live below the federal poverty line of $13,950 for an individual; $18,310 for two persons; $23,030 for three people and $27,750 for a fourmember household. The Golden State boasts the biggest Native American population in the U.S. Over 365,000 Californians identify completely or partly as American Indian and/or Native American. Building on Gov. Newsom’s Executive Order No. N-15-19 that formally apologizes to California’s Native Americans for a history of settler maltreatment, neglect and lethal violence, SB 18 would establish a tribal-specific housing fund dedicated to paying for the building and rehabbing of affordable homes for rent and sale. Tribal leaders from every corner of California would be in consultation for available state funds that meet the specific

Please see HOUSING

WENDY McCAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-Publisher

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER . . . . .Co-Publisher

YOLANDA APODACA . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Operations

DAVE MASON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor

HOW TO REACH US . . .

MAIN OFFICE 725 S. Kellogg Ave. Goleta, CA 93117 805-564-5200

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara 93102

NEWSROOM ADVERTISING

throughout the fire academy, officials said.

“These graduates have undergone rigorous physical and mental training, preparing them to face the challenges and responsibilities of serving and protecting the community.”

Fire Chief Chris Mailes presided over the ceremony, commending the graduates for their unwavering commitment to public safety and their completion of this rigorous academy.

“The department takes great pride in providing comprehensive and state-of-the-art training to ensure that firefighters are equipped and trained to handle any emergency with professionalism and efficiency,” he said.

— Neil Hartstein

Highway lane to be closed

The left lane of southbound Highway 101 will be closed for two miles — from just north of the interchange with State Route 1 to just south of the Gaviota Tunnel — beginning today.

The closure will allow for an emergency repair project, which is expected to take three to five weeks, according to Caltrans.

The project will repair damage caused by the storms in January.

The contractor for the $15 million project is CalPortland of Santa Maria. Caltrans said electronic message boards will advise travelers of the lane closure.

— Dave Mason

News Hotline 805-564-5277

Email...dmason@newspress.com

Life 805-564-5277

Sports 805-564-5277

News Fax 805-966-6258

Corrections 805-564-5277

Classified 805-564-5247

Classified Fax 805-966-1421

Retail 805-564-5230

Retail Fax 805-966-1421

Voices/editorial pages ..805-564-5277

COPYRIGHT ©2023 SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

All rights are reserved on material produced by the News-Press, including stories, photos, graphics, maps and advertising. News-Press material is the property of Ampersand Publishing LLC. Reproduction or nonpersonal usage for any purpose without written permission of the News-Press is expressly prohibited. Other material, including news service stories, comics, syndicated features and columns, may be protected by separate copyrights and trademarks. Their presentation by the News-Press is with permission limited to one-time publication and does not permit other use without written release by the

HOW TO GET US . . .

CIRCULATION ISSUES 805-966-7171

refunds@newspress.com newsubscriptions@newspress.com vacationholds@newspress.com cancellations@newspress.com

Mail delivery of the News-Press is available in most of Santa Barbara County. If you do not receive your paper Monday through Saturday, please call our Circulation Department. The Circulation Department is open Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Mail delivery in Santa Barbara County:

$5.08 per week includes sales tax, daily, and the Weekend edition. Holidays only, $3.85 per week includes sales tax. Single-copy price of 75 cents daily and $2 Weekend edition includes sales tax at vending racks. Tax may be added to copies puchased elsewhere. www.newspress.com Newspress.com is a local virtual community network providing information about Santa Barbara, in addition to the online edition of the News-Press.

VOL. 167 NO.

Westmont track leaves a legacy as it competes for the last time in NAIA

By JACOB NORLING WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

MARION, Ind. — The Westmont track and field athletes brought an end to an era on Friday in Marion, Ind., when they competed in the final day of the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.

In fitting fashion, Westmont’s final two races in the NAIA were run by Zola Sokhela, who entered the day with four national championships and 12 NAIA AllAmerican honors under his belt.

Sokhela’s first event on Friday served as a sequel to the most memorable story from Indoor Nationals back in March. In Brookings, S.D., Sokhela and Jason Bowers, a South African friend from home, were neck-and-neck in the men’s mile.

Eventually, Cumberland’s Bowers stormed past his friend on the final 400, taking the crown in the Indoors mile. The two friends still cooled down alongside one another and posed for photos atop the podium side by side. Hours after Bowers won his championship in the mile, Sokhela claimed the National Championship in the men’s 1000. Then the two champions posed once again, each flexing their championship plaques.

This time, at Outdoor Nationals on Friday, the two best competitors in the 1500 meter run shared small talk and laughs all the way up to the starting line. Then once the gun went off, Bowers was gone in a blur. By the end of the first 400, Bowers had built nearly a full-100 meter lead, leaving Sokhela and the rest of the pack for good.

Wisely, Sokhela considered the fact that he won another championship less than two hours later. Rather than attempt to close the insurmountable gap, Sokhela remained with the pack that was now competing for second. With his signature kick, Sokhela calmly and surely passed the remainder of the competitors to once again take second place behind Bowers.

Bowers won the race with a time of 3:47.24, while Sokhela finished as the runner-up with a time of 3:52.94. The second-place finish gave Sokhela his 13th AllAmerican honor.

Similarly to Indoors, Sokhela had less than two hours to shake off the result from his first event, this time turning the page to the

men’s 800 meter run. Sokhela entered the day as the two-time defending National Champion. Sokhela has regularly said in years past, that his plan in the 800 is always to make the last move. In 2022, Sokhela finished the first 400 meters in dead last, before being crowned the victor 400 meters later.

In 2023, Sokhela had four men ahead of him after the first 400 meters. One-hundred meters later, he had only one man left to beat. By the time he made his last turn with only 100 meters to go, it was clear that Sokhela’s final move in the NAIA was going to make him a champion once again.

With a time of 1:48.78, Sokhela earned his fifth NAIA National Championship, his 14th NAIA All-American honor, and a threepeat in the men’s 800 meter run at Outdoor Nationals.

“Relieved,” was the first word that came to mind when Sokhela was asked how he felt. “Up to this point, I’ve run like six races already this week, so I knew it’d be tough. I knew whoever would win would have to break 1:50, so a 1:48 was able to get it done.

“I feel like I’ve run this track a million times, so I knew what the straights felt like, what the curves felt like and where to position myself. I was ready, and I think I peaked at the right time.”

When Sokhela crossed the finish line he immediately removed his bib, and spun the inside of it toward the cameras waiting for him at the finish line. The inside of the bib read one word, scribbled in light blue ink: Legacy.

When asked when this was planned, Sokhela revealed, “The moment we got here. It wasn’t for myself. We’ve had track at Westmont since 1957, and I’m the last person representing Westmont on the track in the NAIA.

“For me, I wanted to put on a race that would represent Westmont. Whatever it is, never leave Westmont out of the question. We’re always going to be here ‘till the end. I wanted to show that.

“I couldn’t be happier to come away with a win that’s bigger than myself. This is for the people who built this program, for the people who came way before me, and for Coach Smelley.”

The completion of the event

Despite comeback, UCSB loses to Hawai’i in baseball

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

HONOLULU — After falling behind, 9-2, early Saturday night, the UCSB baseball team (35-20, 18-12 Big West) stormed back, eventually tying the game at 1111, but ultimately fell, 13-11, to Hawai’i (29-20, 18-12 Big West) in the regular season finale.

For the third straight game, the Gauchos took the lead in the first inning. After Zander Darby walked, Ivan Brethowr drove a home run to straightaway center field, his 11th of the season, giving UCSB a 2-0 advantage.

However, like the first two games in this series, Hawai’i came

brings an end to Westmont track and field’s time in the NAIA, where the athletes have competed since the middle of the 20th century. Perhaps the most notable piece of continuity to Westmont’s history in the affiliation, is that of their coach, Russell Smelley.

Smelley took over as head coach of the Warriors in 1979, and has dedicated his career to growing men and women both in and out of the classroom, and on and off the track, ever since. While this fact will not change when the Warriors begin competition in the NCAA in the fall, this closing of a chapter in the college’s history provides a great opportunity to reflect on the impact that Smelley has had at Westmont for over four decades.

“It makes me think about all the things I’ve learned along the way,” said Smelley, who has taken at least one athlete to NAIA Nationals for 44 years in a row. “It makes me think of the individuals I’ve shared this experience with, Rick Ifland being the first, this larger group in the present, and also the women since 1985.

“It’s been a significant part of my life, and it’s important to me that they’ve had a good experience here. Here, our student-athletes have learned the difference between what you want, versus what it takes to get what you want. Abby Rumohr, for example — she’s been knocking on the door, and this year she discovered what it takes to become an All-American.

“It’s not just about the performances either, these meets have given us the opportunity to experience cultural events and explore the country.”

Smelley continued, “The NAIA is a great association for athletes, and for friendships, while focusing

not just on the outcome, but the participation. I’m going to miss my friends in that regard. We’re all out here because of the young men and women and their growth, and not just about their performance.

“From 1957 to 2023, Westmont represented, and became an integral part of the NAIA.”

Smelley was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 1995, and was inducted into the NAIA Cross Country Hall of Fame in 1999. He was a recipient of the NAIA Coach of Character Award in 2015. Up to this point, Smelley has also been named Westmont College Teacher of the Year on two occasions, in 1988 and 2002.

The peak of Westmont Track and Field’s NAIA history came in 2021, when Westmont’s men’s team took fourth-place at NAIA Outdoor Nationals. This year, the men finished in eighth-place. Two of the men involved in both top-10 finishes ensured that the results of competition is not what they will take away from these experiences.

“Smelley cares about character more than anything,” said Sokhela. “He cares far more about the individual than anything we ever do on the athletic side. To be honest, he’s even more influential off the track. He represents people who don’t always have representation, and that’s what I’ll remember about him long after I’m done running at Westmont.

“The whole point of being at Westmont is to grow the individual, and Smelley cares about that more than anything.”

Jacob Norling is the sports information assistant at Westmont College. email: sports@newspress.com

back and took the lead thanks to some big innings. Hawai’i scored one in the bottom of the first, then four in the bottom of the third and four more in the bottom of the fourth to take a seven-run lead.

The Gauchos responded in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs of their own to claw back into the ballgame. Jared Sundstrom led off with a single, Darby reached on a fielder’s choice with Sundstrom taking third on an error, then Brethowr walked to load the bases. Aaron Parker sparked the rally, knocking an RBI single through the left side of the Rainbow Warrior infield to score

Please see BASEBALL on A4

UCSB track athletes

compete at Sacramento State

By KRISTEN KELLER UCSB SPORTS

SACRAMENTO — The UCSB track and field teams had six athletes head up to Sacramento State for the NCAA West Regional in hopes of making it to the NCAA Championships in a few weeks in Austin, Texas.

On the first day of competition, the javelin throwers and pole vaulters competed. which consisted of Brad Thomas, Chase Tarr and Eitan Goore. Thomas and Tarr were up first as the javelin was one of the first events of the day. Tarr came out in his final meet as a Gaucho, making a throw of 59.24 meters while Thomas was close behind with a throw of 57.36 meters. Goore competed shortly after that, hitting a mark of 5.20 meters in the pole vault.

Day Two was the women’s javelin competition, where Malia Benson was slated to compete. She had to be scratched from the event due to illness, resulting in no mark. Even though her season was cut short, Benson set the new school record

in the javelin while bringing home the gold in the event at The Big West Championships.

The third day of the NCAA West Regional led to Leon Gillis competing in the high jump. The freshman earned a spot after his phenomenal performance at The Big West Championships that led to a mark of 2.14 meters. Here at the regional, Gillis finished in the top third of the field, hitting a mark of 2.09 meters for his first NCAA meet. The final day of competition was today as Mariana Lanz represented the Gauchos in the triple jump. She was just shy of her season-best as she hit a mark of 12.08 meters in the event.

This concludes the 2023 track and field season for the Gauchos this season. UCSB will be back in action this fall with the cross country team. The schedule will be announced soon.

Kristen Keller is the associate athletic director for communications and digital strategy at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

APPEALS:

The decision of the Planning and Development Department to approve, conditionally approve, or deny this Coastal Development Permit 23CDP-00034 may be appealed to the County Planning Commission by the applicant or an aggrieved person. The written appeal must be filed within the 10 calendar days following the date that this Coastal Development Permit is approved. To qualify as an "aggrieved person" the appellant must have, in person or through a representative, informed the Planning and Development Department by appropriate means prior to the decision on the Coastal Development Permit of the nature of their concerns, or, for good cause, was unable to do so.

Written appeals, with accompanying fee, must be filed with Planning and Development at either 123 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, 93101, or 624 West Foster Road, Suite C, Santa Maria, 93455, by 5:00 p.m. within the timeframe identified above. In the event that the last day for filing an appeal falls on a non -business of the County, the appeal may be timely filed on the next business day.

This Permit cannot be appealed to the California Coastal Commission, therefore a fee is required to file an appeal.

For additional information regarding the appeal process, contact Henry Wakamiya. The application required to file an appeal may be viewed at or downloaded from: https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/a332eebc-b6b5-4a1e-9dde4b99ae964af9?cache=1800

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Information about this project review process may also be viewed at: https://ca-santabarbaracounty.civicplus.pro/1499/Planning-Permit-Process-Flow-Chart Board of Architectural Review agendas may be viewed online at: https://www.countyofsb.org/160/Planning-Development

America’s dedication to those who are called to defend our nation, yet do not return home,” said Col. Robert Long, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

“America makes the commitment to all who serve that should they fall, they will not be forgotten, nor left behind,” Col.

Long told the large audience.

The Vandenberg colonel noted services such as the ones on Monday honor the more than 21,000 service members from California who lost their lives in World Wars I and II and wars in nations such as Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“We remember the nearly 81,500 brothers and sisters in arms who remain missing in action since World War II, and we remain committed to returning them home,” Col. Long said.

He also noted that there are more than 10,000 Gold Star families in California who have lost loved ones who were on active duty.

“That number is a sober reminder that the loss of a service member can be far reaching. They are our friends, our neighbors and our coworkers.

“I suspect there are some Gold Star families in our audience today,” Col. Long said.

“You have our deepest sympathies and commitment to always remember your loved ones, which is why it’s important to spend this day with families and friends,” he said.

Col. Long later told the audience, “I’m a firm believer that those who could not be here today would not want us to remain sorrowful. They would want us to make a positive and memorable day out of today. Their sacrifice ensured we would have the freedom to do so.”

Speakers also included Lt. Christina Sandstedt, commanding officer of the Coast Guard cutter

PARKLETS

Continued from Page A1

expires on Dec. 31. They may not apply to replace their facilities.”

Staff delivered new removal notices to the restaurants on Thursday with a two-week deadline to take down their outdoor dining facilities, she said.

“These businesses have lost their parklet privileges because they failed to comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations that require facilities to be accessible to people with disabilities, despite being given multiple opportunities over a period of several months to correct deficiencies,” Ms. Clark said.

The six parklets are owned by five Santa Barbara restaurants: Taza Mediterranean Street Kitchen, 413 State St.; Ca’Dario Restaurant, 37 E. Victoria St.; Courthouse Tavern, 129 E.

Continued from Page A2

needs of Native communities, according to Sen. McGuire.

SB 18 passed the Senate Governmental Organization committee in March on a bipartisan basis. The bill had a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 8, then moved to the Suspense File via a party line 7-0 vote to allow for future consideration of its fiscal impact.

In the case of SB 18, a legislative consultant estimated ongoing spending of $1 million yearly to run the Tribal Housing Grant Program.

BASEBALL

Continued from Page A3

Sundstrom.

With the bases still loaded, LeTrey McCollum barely missed a grand slam, hitting a double off the top of the right field wall, scoring two more runs. Broc Mortensen pinch-hit for Jessada Brown and drove in the fourth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.

The action heated up in the sixth inning, beginning with UCSB making it a one-run game in the top half of the inning. Corey Nunez earned a walk and Darby was hit by a pitch, then Christian Kirtley drove them both home with a double, making it 9-8 Hawai’i. However, the hosts would

Blackfin, based in Santa Barbara. Her ship conducts search and rescue and law enforcement from Morro Bay to San Diego.

“I have a crew of 11 phenomenal men and women, some of whom are here today,” Lt. Sandstedt told the large audience.

“I would like to point out that the shield on our sleeve is a super easy way to identify a Coast Guardsman,” she said. “But if you ask us how the Air Force is going, we will politely correct you.”

The audience laughed.

“The Coast Guard has a long and proud history of serving both the public and carrying out dayto-day missions, as well as serving alongside our DOD (Department of Defense) partners in wars, armed conflicts and regional tensions around the globe,” Lt. Sandstedt said. “We are the nation’s longest continuous seagoing service, tracing our roots back to 1790.”

Lt. Sandstedt told the story of Coast Guard Signalman First Class Douglas Munro, who volunteered to assist with the evacuation of 500 Marines from the beaches of Guadalcanal during World War II.

Signalman Munro used his boat and manned a machine gun to cover for the last group of Marines

escaping in a landing craft from the Japanese gunfire. “Munro was struck in the back of his head” by Japanese gunfire, Lt. Sandstedt said. “His final words were: ‘Did they get off?’” Sacrificing his life to save the Marines, Signalman Munro, who was from the small town of Cle Elum, Wash., became the first and only Coast Guardsman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

“Stories of these brave, fallen

servicemen are nothing less than inspiring,” Lt. Sandstedt said. “They act as a reminder that freedom isn’t free, but our democracy is worth fighting for. “On this Memorial Day, let’s continue to tell stories about the brave heroes of our armed forces, who represent some of the best of America, so their stories are not lost to history.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

violations, but only after the April 24 removal deadline set by staff.

Neither Taza nor Courthouse Tavern had made the corrections during the last round of inspections, although a Taza coowner told council members that his restaurant is now ADA compliant, too. Folded Hills Winery, meanwhile, had already removed their parklet because of construction on the Olive Mill Road roundabout.

Everything could change, however, after years’s end depending on what the council ends up deciding about the future of parklets in Santa Barbara.

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS

Foxtail Kitchen and Bar in downtown Santa Barbara corrected its ADA violations but only after the April 24 removal deadline, according to city staff.

Anapamu St.; Trattoria Vittoria, 30 E. Victoria St.; and Foxtail Kitchen and Bar, 14 E. Cota St.

The sixth restaurant is Folded Hills Winery, 1294 Coast Village Road, Montecito.

Moreover, there could be potential General Fund expenditures of over $100 million annually. Under SB 18 provisions, state funds would flow into a Tribal Housing Grant Program Trust Fund; later, appropriated annually for a five-year period that would begin next January 1 and run through December 31, 2028. California tribes were unable to access state housing programs for decades, leaving them reliant on federal housing programs, according to Sen. McGuire. In the language of SB 18, federal spending is a necessity but an insufficient way to fund the entirety of demand for comprehensive tribal housing and

get both of those runs back in the bottom of the inning with help from a controversial call. With a runner on first and one out, the Hawai’i batter hit a dribbler down the line, reaching on a throwing error by the Gaucho pitcher.

The throw rolled into right field, allowing the batter to get all the way to third as the runner on first scored. However, replays suggested that the ball may have been fouled off before bouncing back fair. But the call was fair ball, and Hawai’i would bunt that second run in from third before the inning ended, making it 11-8, Rainbow Warriors.

The drama was not done there, as the Gauchos tied the game with a three-run eighth inning. A single and two hit batters loaded

Staff conducted a followup inspection after issuing their initial notices of removal and found Ca’Dario Restaurant, Foxtail Kitchen and Bar and Trattoria Vittoria had corrected their ADA

community development. Against that backdrop, AB 1010 passed in 2019, making persons living in Native communities eligible for most state housing programs, while recreating the G. David Singleton California Indian Assistance Program at the Department of Housing and Community Development. However, state housing funds for tribal communities remain elusive. Only 13 of the federally recognized 109 tribes in California have received state housing funds.

According to SB 18, requirements of state housing programs “conflict with tribal sovereignty and the concept of sovereign immunity. As a result,

the bases for McCollum, who drove in one run with a hustle single, beating the first baseman to the bag after hitting a high chopper down the line. With the bags still full, Mortensen singled down the right field line, driving in two more runs and tying the game. Sam Whiting struck out the side in the bottom half of the inning, but the Santa Barbara offense did not put up any more runs in the top of the ninth. A two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth walked off the game for Hawai’i.

By homering in Saturday’s regular season finale, Ivan Brethowr bookended his first season in Santa Barbara with home runs, having hit his first long ball as a Gaucho in the

checks on the inmates.

“While checking on inmates housed in the Inmate Reception Center, they found an inmate that did not respond to the checkin procedure.”

That’s when they decided to check the inmate’s cell.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Coroner’s Office are investigating the in-custody death. Sheriff’s detectives will conduct an extensive investigation into the inmate’s death, officials said, but added, “preliminary information indicates this death is likely the result of an opioid overdose.”

Additional information will be released once family members have been notified of the death and upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Sheriff Bill Brown would like to remind the Santa Barbara County community about the immediate dangers posed by fentanyl, “a highly addictive and exceedingly dangerous synthetic opioid that continues to claim countless lives nationwide, leaving communities in crisis.

“Recognizing the urgent need to combat this lethal epidemic head-on, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office continues to join our partners in Project Opioid to increase awareness about the opioid crisis and to provide FREE Narcan — a powerful tool in the fight against opioid overdoses that has the potential to reverse the fatal

FIVE-DAY FORECAST

effects of fentanyl and provide a glimmer of hope in the face of this devastating crisis,” Sheriff Brown said.

Free Narcan is also available from Pacific Pride Foundation, the Santa Barbara Opioid Safety Coalition, UCSB Student Health Services Alcohol and Drug Program and Fentanyl is Forever SB.

“With this critical resource at our disposal, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and the members of Project Opioid remain committed to protecting our residents’ lives and upholding our community’s safety and well-being,” Sheriff Brown said. “Together, we can make a difference in the battle against fentanyl; one saved life at a time.”

Earlier this month, at a May 9 news conference, Sheriff Brown announced that two Santa Barbara County men had been indicted with distributing fentanyl inside the Northern Branch Jail near Santa Maria on Oct. 20, which led to the death of one jail inmate and serious bodily injury to a second.

The defendants, Kaelen Wendel and Michael Villapania, pleaded not guilty to the federal charge and are expected to stand trial together in December in U.S. District Court. If convicted, each defendant would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

“The ERETO will expire at the end of this year, at which point the temporary parklet program will end,” Ms. Clark said. “In the coming months, council will consider options for outdoor dining postERETO.” email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

tribes must often appeal for timeconsuming program waivers, which depend on the good will and understanding of nontribal staff about tribal laws, culture, and practices.”

SB 18 supporters range from the Yurok Tribe to the Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley, Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, Karuk Tribe Housing Authority, Manchester Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Housing Authority, and others.

The Senate moved SB 18 from the Suspense File on May 18.

season opener back on February 17.

Sam Whiting was nearly flawless in his two innings of relief on Saturday, not allowing a hit and issuing just one walk, while striking out four.

Broc Mortensen drove in three runs in just two at-bats after pinch hitting in the fifth inning; LeTrey McCollum also collected three RBI on the night, doing so with a 3-for-5 game at the plate.

Four Gauchos had multi-hit games on Saturday, with Jared Sundstrom, Aaron Parker, and Nick Oakley (two each) joining McCollum.

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

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.

DAVE MASON /NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

At left, more than a thousand people attend the service at the Santa Barbara Cemetery. At right, the Santa Barbara Choral Society sings patriotic music.

The Gold Coast Pipe Band performs at the Memorial Day Ceremony.

Life theArts

TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023

CALENDAR

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.

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.

IMadonnari Street Painting Festival

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. 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 805-962-5339.

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.

5:30 to 8 p.m. The WineStock music series starts with The Double Wide Kings playing at Fess Parker Winery, 6200 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos. Other performers in the series include Tearaways from 4 to 7 p.m. July 23, Bryan Titus Trio from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19 and Harmony All Stars from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10. Tickets for each concert cost $20 per person and $15 for wine club members. To purchase, go to fessparkerwineshop.com/Tickets/ WineStock-2023.

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Santa Barbara I Madonnari Street Painting Festival was back again during Memorial Day weekend for its 37th year. The community was out in droves as the lot alongside the Old Mission Church was once again transformed into a mosaic of chalk art.

The unofficial theme of this year’s festival was family. People of all ages participated in and watched the pavement art in action over Memorial Day Weekend. Live music set the backdrop as the artists worked on their pieces within their designated squares of asphalt.

This year’s featured artist was Lorelle Miller, an acclaimed painter who has been coming to the festival for over 20 years. Her painting, placed right at the base of the

mission steps, depicted her immigrant grandfather as he entered the United States.

“When he came here, he thought this was the Garden of Eden,” Mrs. Miller told the News-Press. “It’s about honoring the unsung hero of our family.”

“I love this. I love the creativity of it, the community support, and to see the process,” Donna Ainsworth, a festival-goer, told the NewsPress. Watching from the top of the mission steps, Mrs. Ainsworth said she hadn’t been to the festival since the pandemic and had missed it. “It’s just a really fun atmosphere to be in.”

The free event also included local food carts and art for sale, as well as a newly expanded painting area for kids to get involved.

JUNE 9 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Pearl Chase Society’s Kellam de Forest Speaker Series will continue at the Carrillo Recreation Center. 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara.

This is the third installment in the series. Author and editor Douglas Woods will discuss the transformation of Santa Barbara’s architecture following the great earthquake of 1925 to a model Spanish Revival-style city. For more information or to make a reservation, call 805-403-7053.

JUNE 10 7 p.m. A concert will feature South of Linden, The Vonettes, Ron Solorzano of Mestizo and The Youngsters at Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria. Cost is $15 for general admission. You can buy two tickets for $25 at https://www.thealcazar.org/ calendar/11838-south-of-lindenfirends.

JUNE 15

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony and vocalist Tony DeSare will perform Frank Sinatra’s hits at The Granada, 1214 State St. Tickets for “An Evening with Sinatra” can be purchased at granadasb.org.

— Dave Mason

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

Kai Tepper — the event’s executive organizer for the last

Chalk art rises on area in front of Santa Barbara Mission

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

A plethora of chalk art emerges Saturday at the Santa Barbara Mission during the I Madonnari Street Painting Festival.

Artists work on their images at the festival..

artist Lorelle Miller’s “The Barrel Maker” graces the

How long does it take to get to know someone?

Mark Twain said, “Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.”

Twain makes a good point. But I don’t think it takes quite so long these days.

For example, if you meet online, most of the time you know a great deal about someone else before you even meet in person. Of course, you have to hope he or she has been honest in disclosing those personal details. Yes, this does take some due diligence, but isn’t that what dating is all about?

I usually find that people who are disappointed in those they forge a relationship with either didn’t ask enough questions or didn’t really listen to the answers.

When people tell you about themselves and their behavior — for instance, admitting to having a quick temper — listen!

Many people fail to notice or they simply ignore the red flags, or warning signs. If you see one, it’s supposed to stop you in your tracks. Unfortunately, most of us

refuse to stop when it comes to romantic love. When love has got you in its grasp, no flag or warning from a friend will stop you from going full speed ahead. Even if you suspect that opening your heart may result in getting it broken, you will do it anyway because the lure of love is so powerful. Thinking that you will change a person once you are in a relationship is, unfortunately, mere fantasy. People do improve, but only if they want to. Relying on someone to come to his or her senses isn’t a good bet. You are better off dating longer and seeing how someone chooses to grow rather than wishing and hoping, or trying to force someone to make the changes that you desire. There are no rules here, but it just makes sense to not get engaged for at least six months, and to wait another year before getting married. It will be worth it. If you don’t think so, just ask someone you know who is in the process of a breakup.

A book by Monica Leahy entitled “1001 Questions to Ask Before You Get Married” is a

wonderful read for anyone on the path to matrimony. The title alone says something important. If you don’t ask enough questions, you may find yourself wondering how you got yourself into such a mess and how to get out of it.

Finding the right person to love is something to take very seriously. Relationships don’t just work themselves out; you have to work on them. When you think you have found someone worth sharing the rest of your life with, you should do your homework before settling down.

Those who take their time generally end up with better relationships, less chaos, more love to share, and a stronger commitment. This is one of the biggest steps you will ever take. You need to do everything you can to ensure that you don’t stumble and fall.

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., is an award-winning psychotherapist and humanitarian. He is also a columnist, the author of eight books and a blogger for PsychologyToday. com with more than 28 million readers. He is available for video consults worldwide. Reach him at barton@bartongoldsmith. com or 818-879-9996. He has lived and practiced in Westlake Village for more than two decades. His column appears Saturdays and Mondays in the News-Press.

Shelters seek homes for pets

Local animal shelters and their nonprofit partners are looking for homes for pets.

For more information, go to these websites:

• Animal Services-Lompoc, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc.

• Animal Shelter Assistance Program in Goleta, asapcats.org.

ASAP is kitty corner to Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter in Goleta, bunssb.org.

BUNS is based at Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Companion Animal Placement

RADIO FOR HERE

Assistance, lompoccapa.org and facebook.com/capaoflompoc. CAPA works regularly with Animal Services-Lompoc.

• K-9 Placement & Assistance League, k-9pals.org. K-9 PALS works regularly with Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, sbcanimalcare. org. (The foundation works regularly with the Santa Maria Animal Center.)

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services in Goleta: countyofsb.org/ phd/animal/home.sbc.

• Santa Barbara Humane (with

campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria), sbhumane.org.

• Santa Maria Animal Center, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc. The center is part of Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton, syvhumane.org.

• Shadow’s Fund (a pet sanctuary in Lompoc), shadowsfund.org.

• Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals in Lompoc: vivashelter. org.

— Dave Mason

FROM HERE

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

‘Little Mermaid’ swims ahead of all other movies in its first weekend

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

“The Little Mermaid” made a huge splash on its first weekend.

The live-action remake was No. 1 at the box office with $95.5 million.

And “The Little Mermaid” swam faster than “Fast X,” which fell from first place to second with $23 million.

That left “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3” dropping from No. 2 to No. 3 with $20 million.

And “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” fell to fourth place from third with $6.27 million.

“The Machine” — the comedy about Bert and his father being kidnapped by people whom Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk in Russia — opened in fifth place with $4.9 million.

“About My Father” — a comedy starring Robert De Niro as the eccentric dad of a man trying to impress his fiancée’s rich family — opened in sixth place with $4.25 million.

“Kandahar” — the story of a CIA operative and his translator fleeing from special forces in Afghanistan — opened in seventh place with $2.4 million.

“You Hurt My Feelings” —

starring Montecito resident Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Beth, a novelist who feels betrayed by her husband Don (Tobias Menzies) — opened in eighth place with $1.39 million. Instead of rising in the box office, “Evil Dead Rise” took a dive from fifth place to ninth with $1.05 million.

And “Book Club: The Next Chapter” — the sequel starring Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen — fell to 10th place from fourth with $920,000. email: dmason@newspress.com

Carl Verheyen Acoustic Band at SOhO

SANTA BARBARA — Carl Verheyen Acoustic Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St., suite 205, Santa Barbara. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mr. Verheyen, a singer and guitarist, has been a member of the British rock band Supertramp since 1985 and has a 14-record discography.

He has taught jazz guitar at the USC Thornton School of Music and has explored acoustic

jazz on 2001’s “Solo Guitar Improvisations.” He has played a variety of genres, including rock and blues on his albums “Six” (2003), “Trading 8s” (2009) and “Mustang Run” (2013).

His second volume of solo guitar came out in 2015. The next year, his album “Grand Design” was released. It featured Mr. Verheyen’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “Times They Are a-Changin’.”

Mr. Verheyen’s album “Essential Blues” (2017) was recorded live

over three days. Guitar Magazine declared Mr. Verheyen as “one of the top 10 guitar players in the world. Tickets for the SOhO concert cost $30 for general admission and $77 for a dinner reservation and priority seating. To purchase, go to www.sohosb.com. The concert is for all ages. For more about Mr. Verheyen, go to carlverheyen.com.

— Dave Mason

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

At top, people watch as artists create a variety of chalk art. Above, bold images rise from the pavement.

FESTIVAL

Continued from Page B1

two years — had been hard at work to make sure everything ran smoothly.

“We’ve been setting up all week. My phone will not stop bugging me,” said Mrs. Tepper.

“We’ve been planning for months, and the actual set up started on Tuesday (the 23rd).”

Walking through the rows of paintings, viewers saw a variety of different art styles, techniques and subjects on display.

One artist, Andrea Johnston, came from Sacramento to show off her painting for the weekend.

“I just started this morning, and I’ll probably take the whole three days, we’ll see,” laughed Mrs. Johnston, sitting on a low stool using her fingers to rub the chalk into the pavement.

“It’s a little girl who’s had her face painted, a portrait,” Mrs. Johnston said to the NewsPress.

The I Madonnari Street Festival — which raises money for art programs in county

schools — went all three days of the long weekend, from Saturday to Monday.

The many squares of unique art, sprawled across the pavement outside of the old church will only last so long until they are eventually washed away by rain.

Mrs. Miller, the featured artist, told the News-Press that there was some beauty in this.

“It’s ephemeral art, it goes away. It has its moment, and then it’s gone. Kind of like life, man,” laughed Mrs. Miller.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Diversions

Thought for Today

SUDOKU

“We

CODEWORD PUZZLE

— Jordan Peterson

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

ARIES — Today you may be impressed by the powers of concentration and self-discipline of one of your friends. There’s a lesson to be learned from your admiring stance, though. The fact that you recognize these qualities in others means that you’re making progress. Don’t be shy, Aries. Strut your stuff!

TAURUS — Confidence and efficiency are the day’s themes. Do you long to bring your romantic involvement to the next level? Do you wish your partner would consent to a more profound commitment? You can take advantage of the energy from today’s aspects to give your future a gentle nudge in the right direction, Taurus.

GEMINI — The relative tranquillity you enjoy today lets you listen more attentively to your inner self. You’re well aware of the toll you pay when you try to ignore those nudges of intuition you sometimes feel. If you’re alone at some point today, Gemini, take advantage of the time to evaluate the events of the past few days.

CANCER — You can look forward to an enjoyable day, Cancer. Neither family matters nor career issues will cloud your spirit, as everything seems to be proceeding smoothly and according to plan. Moreover, the day’s aspects seem to be inviting you to be a little more adventurous than usual. Any artistic or romantic undertaking will be especially fulfilling.

LEO — There’s no doubt that today will be excellent, Leo. You can find satisfaction that puts a smile on your face and boosts your morale. There’s the likelihood that you’re challenging some of your core values. While it’s true that these values have stabilized your life, you may be starting to feel they’re less relevant.

VIRGO — The forecast is wonderful today, Virgo. You may have been asking yourself a thousand questions about what will become of you, especially in terms of your career. It’s as though all your experience so far no longer make sense. The positive aspect of that observation will energize you

today. LIBRA — Admit it, Libra. You have a tendency to run away from conflict in relationships. This can get you into some complicated situations. You don’t always dare say what you think, and this can block your energy and determination. Try to stop yourself from running away today.

SCORPIO — Do you feel that your power has increased, Scorpio? You may not know what to do with this newfound strength. Try looking at how you relate to your friends. Could you improve your relationships? Using power is something that one learns over time. If you let it stagnate, it will create some stubborn obstacles.

SAGITTARIUS — You may feel that your current relationships are more complicated than ever, Sagittarius. This is because you’re going through a period when many planets are trying to shed light on your hidden motivations. When you’re finished analyzing and have an understanding of what really drives you, your relationships will seem much simpler.

CAPRICORN — You finally understand that the force of your will can’t always determine everything, Capricorn. Your ego is taking a beating, no doubt, but this will help you mature. You accept being wrong and willingly revise your judgment when necessary. In a way, you’ve just finished your first year at a university for wisdom!

AQUARIUS — You’re currently stuck between two strong desires - the desire to create for your own pleasure and the desire to please others. You come by this latter urge naturally, as it’s part of your character. It will understandably be difficult for you to resolve this dissonance. The solution for you comes from asking why you feel such a strong need to be appreciated.

PISCES — You may feel more of an urge than ever to search for your family roots. Your search could be so deep and intense that you may even go beyond genealogy and study archeology as a way to learn how to bring some cohesion to the odd bits and pieces of family remnants that you uncover.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Cy the Cynic is a bachelor — confirmed, he says, at an early age. Wendy, my club’s feminist, defines a bachelor as a man who missed his chance to make some woman miserable.

“So she has a low opinion of men,”

Cy said, displaying today’s deal.

“You wouldn’t have thought so after the way she defended here.”

In a penny game, Wendy led the queen of hearts against four spades.

Cy won and shifted to the jack of clubs: deuce, eight, queen. South led a trump to his hand and tried a diamond to dummy’s queen, winning.

“He next led a second trump,” the Cynic told me, “and Wendy clung to her king of diamonds like he was the man of her dreams.”

MAKING FOUR

South led a second diamond, and when Wendy played the king, dummy played low. Wendy could only cash her ace of clubs.

“She should pitch her king of diamonds on the second trump,” Cy said. “I’ll get in with the jack for another club lead, and South goes down.”

“Wendy goofed,” I said.

“She makes me miserable,” Cy growled.

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-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

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

opens one heart. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Bid two diamonds. If partner rebids two hearts, as he often will, continue with an economical bid of two spades. With K 10 9 6,

K, A 10 7 6 2, 4 3 2 — a hand worth only one forward-going response — finding a major-suit fit would be a priority, and you would respond one spade. With your actual hand, show the good long minor suit first.

dealer

have to rediscover the eternal values and then live them out.”

Attorneys: Military members still suffer from COVID-era mandates, need relief

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — The Memorial Day holiday is a bittersweet time for those who say they are still suffering from Biden administration policies that forced them to choose between their sincerely held religious beliefs and serving their country, attorneys representing them in lawsuits over COVID-19 vaccine mandates told The Center Square.

This holiday weekend, Steve Crampton, general counsel with the Thomas More Society, attended his son’s swearing-in ceremony to the Air Force after completing basic training. The irony of the experience wasn’t lost on him, he said. On the one hand, he was proud of his son’s and others’ accomplishments and commitment to serve their country. They all took an oath to defend and protect the U.S. Constitution from threats both foreign and domestic.

On the other hand, he said, the same institution has “violated the constitutional rights of its service members and won’t even acknowledge it’s done so.”

“The hypocrisy of those leading the military and the continued discrimination against those with deeply held religious beliefs is that people who want to serve their country are being railroaded out of the services,” he told The Center Square.

Memorial Day is a time to “celebrate our freedoms and honor those who’ve sacrificed for those freedoms with their lives,” he said, “but the very institutions we’re celebrating are running roughshod over those freedoms.”

The Thomas More Society sued on behalf of Air Force personnel in a case in Georgia and on behalf of Coast Guard personnel in a case in Texas. TMS and others sued after their clients filed religious accommodation requests as exemptions to the vaccine mandates, requests that were rejected by all military branches.

Those who filed RARs said they refused to take an experimental drug that was produced using aborted fetal cells because it violated their sincerely held

religious beliefs. The lawsuits alleged blanket RAR rejections violated the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Federal judges presiding over the military vaccine mandate cases agreed. As did the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General. The IG report detailed abuses noting, “the volume and rate at which decisions were made to deny requests is concerning.”

Coast Guard plaintiffs are still waiting for a ruling on their case with a retired three-star vice admiral urging action.

The lawsuits stem from two mandates: a Defense Department COVID-19 vaccine mandate for personnel in all four branches of the U.S. military and a Biden administration federal employee vaccine mandate impacting the Coast Guard. Those who didn’t comply faced demotion, retaliation and eventual discharge. Ultimately, district and appellate judges ruled against the mandates in lawsuits across the country. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal employee vaccine mandate; Congress forced the DOD to rescind its mandate.

In a class action lawsuit filed in Ohio that went to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the appellate judges refuted every argument the federal government made, effectively ending any chance for an appeal. They unanimously ruled the Air Force’s blanket denial of nearly 10,000 RARs violated the RFRA.

In Florida, when U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted class status to Marines, he said “the record reveals the substantial likelihood of a systemic failure by the Marine Corps to discharge the obligations established by RFRA.”

In this case, Marines had been charged additional monthly rent for noncompliance, given two days’ notice to be discharged and ordered to leave their military housing, which he said “suggests retribution and retaliation.”

In Georgia, U.S. Judge Tilman Self, III, said the chain of command’s reasoning for rejecting a plaintiff’s RAR, was, “Your religious beliefs are sincere, it’s just not compatible

with military service.” In this case, a plaintiff was given less than a week to agree to take the vaccine or submit a retirement request, after her RAR rejection appeal was denied.

In Liberty Counsel’s Navy SEAL case, it filed a declaration “revealing shocking evidence of the abuse, intimidation and retaliation military members are facing over the Biden shot mandate,” including actions it argued were “cruel and unusual punishment.”

In a separate situation, after a former Marine’s RAR was denied, he was discharged and lost his last paycheck. Then the USMC charged him $17,878.23, the remaining balance of a bonus he was given for re-enlisting, which he still has to pay off.

Last year, over 60,000 National Guard and Reserve soldiers were told they’d lose pay, benefits and “adverse administrative actions, including flags, bars to service, and official reprimands” if they didn’t comply with the mandate, according to a U.S. Army announcement.

Even after the mandate was rescinded, all four military branches continued to deny RARs, according to reports filed in Liberty Counsel’s case. Still, others are being denied promotions and face ongoing retaliation, Mr. Crampton said.

“We have great respect for our military and would much rather be defending those who risk their lives for our national security than suing them,” he told The Center Square.

After the DOD mandate was rescinded and Liberty Counsel’s case was dismissed, its founder and chairman, Mat Staver, told The Center Square the organization was urging Congress to provide relief: Reinstate those who were discharged, restore their personnel records and issue back pay among other remedies.

“Memorial Day is a good reminder of the sacrifice these men and women and their families have made,” Mr. Staver said. “How they’ve been treated by the Biden administration is shameful and appalling. And as hard as they’ve fought for us, we will continue to fight for them.

The future of Arlington National Cemetery uncertain

By SARAH RODERICK-FITCH THE CENTER SQUARE REGIONAL EDITOR

(The Center Square) — Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery, one of America’s most notable symbolic memorials to freedom, will soon run out of room.

Despite two extensions in progress meant to expand capacity until 2060, the 639acre cemetery’s eligibility requirements and geographical footprint must change to preserve space for future generations of American heroes, officials say.

“It’s absolutely critical that we plan for the expansion of the Arlington National Cemetery,” said Mario Marquez, director of national security for the American Legion. “It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by generations of service members and must continue to provide space for future generations to honor their loved ones in this revered place.”

Since the first burial and designation as a national cemetery in 1864, the site has become synonymous with presidents, famous military and political leaders, and astronauts. It’s also the final resting place of more than 400,000 service members and their families.

Mr. Marquez said the prospect of burial at the cemetery “carries profound significance” and “symbolizes the nation’s deep

gratitude for their service and sacrifices.”

Initially, the burial ground was established to ensure the families of service members killed in action – who could not afford to transport their remains home –were given a proper funeral and burial. Veterans from as far back as the Revolutionary War rest inside the cemetery.

But in the 20 years following President John F. Kennedy’s burial, the cemetery grew rapidly. By the 1980s, the federal government had established stricter eligibility requirements to preserve space.

Mr. Marquez said those guidelines should narrow even further.

The legion recently authored a resolution that calls for restricting burials to service members killed on active duty; highly decorated veterans, including Purple Heart recipients; veterans separated from the military before Oct. 1, 1949 with a physical disability rating of 30% or higher; retired military veterans, their spouses, and eligible children; former prisoners of war; and presidents or former presidents.

“Having loved ones interred at Arlington National Cemetery provides a sense of deep pride and respect, as it reflects the nation’s recognition of their valor,” Mr. Marquez said. “The ceremonies held here provide an

opportunity to honor their service and remember their contributions, instilling a sense of solemn dignity and continuity.”

Today, thousands of rows of simple white headstones brightly illuminate in the sun against a backdrop of rich, dark green hills. Those white headstones perhaps shine the brightest for Gold Star families, who understand the magnitude of sacrifice in defense of freedom.

“These hallowed grounds are the ultimate honor we can give to our heroes who have given all for our great nation so we may continue to enjoy our freedom every day,” said Marlene Van Matre, a Gold Star Family member.

Ms. Van Matre’s brother, Michael H. Flood, was killed in action while serving in Vietnam in April 1969. She described his burial at the cemetery as “the ultimate honor” for Americans who have given so much to the nation.

The American Legion also supports the Expanding America’s National Cemeteries Act introduced in Congress in March.

“This is not only about maintaining the tradition and honor of Arlington but also about upholding our promise to every service member and their family,” Mr. Marquez said. “Let’s preserve and expand these sacred grounds for our future generations.”

changes to service structure. The fees for the Public Works Transportation Division have not been studied or modified since 2007. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara County Flood Control & Water Conservation District shall introduce an ordinance (first reading) entitled “An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 3150, The Flood Control Benefit Assessment Ordinance, Relating to Benefit Assessments for