Santa Barbara News-Press: January 13, 2023

End of the drought?

Santa Barbara County gets closer after this week’s storm; Montecito and other areas still deal with damage and road closures

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara County dropped Thursday from severe drought to moderate drought after this week’s big storm.

That’s the least severe of four levels of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. If the level drops again, the monitor will describe the area as “abnormally dry,” with the possible impact of “coming out of the drought.”

The news was emphasized with nature’s own exclamation point — a big splash at Gibraltar Reservoir.

The site exceeded its capacity by Thursday evening and spilled over, and the roar of the water at the dam was music to the ears of those waiting for an end to the drought.

The reservoir’s level reached almost 1,400 feet by Thursday evening, according to the Santa Barbara County Public Works

Department. The volume of water is 4,677 acre feet, and the total rainfall this season for Gibraltar is 32.30 inches. The Jameson Reservoir is at 100.9% capacity at 2,224.34 feet, with total annual rainfall at 4 inches. Volume is at 4,890 acre feet.

Experts expect Lake Cachuma to fill and spill by this weekend.

On Thursday, the lake was at 743.47 feet. As of 5:20 p.m. Thursday, the lake was at 85.2% capacity and 743.32 feet, with this year’s total rainfall this season at 19.32 inches. The volume is at 164,326 acre-feet.

The Alisal Reservoir is at 600.03 feet of elevation. The total rainfall is at 34.39 inches, and the volume is at 2,382.70 acre feet.

Reservoirs could rise higher. Today’s weather forecast for Santa Barbara is 70% chance of rain during the day with a low of 51 and a high of 64. On Saturday, the forecast is a 70% chance of

rain at night and 80% chance during the day with a low of 50 and a high of 60.

While Santa Barbara County waits for this weekend’s storms, officials dealt with the aftermath of the rain and wind that slammed the county Monday and Tuesday. The News-Press this week talked to officials concerning the damage to roads in Montecito and current road closures.

“In the Montecito area, we currently have four hard closures,” Lael Wageneck, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department, told the News-Press on Wednesday. “They are located at East Mountain Drive from the city limits to Coyote Road, East Mountain Drive from Cold Springs Road to San Ysidro Road, North Jameson Lane from San Ysidro Road to Hixon, and Bella Vista from

Romero Canyon to Ladera Lane.

“A hard closure means the road is closed to everyone and not recommended, even

“In Summerland, Padaro Lane

the railroad to the southbound bridge is impassable. Other than that, the roads are operational.”

Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor gave the News-Press more details on Thursday.

“East Mountain Drive west of Ashley Roadabove Cold Spring Debris Basin has major damage and is closed,’ Chief Taylor said. “Bella Vista Drive has damage at Romero Creek Crossing and is also closed.”

Mr. Wageneck is reminding motorists of the importance of being cautious at all times during a storm.

“Hazards can occur at any time. Our Urban Forest team

second-degree robbery case heads to trial

Nelly Gackowska, 60, scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The case against a transient woman charged with using force and fear to seize a cell phone from someone who says she witnessed her throw a rock and shatter an upper State Street restaurant window is heading toward trial, prosecutors said.

The defendant, Nelly Gackowska, 60, is charged with second-degree robbery and grand theft from a person, both felonies, in connection with the Christmas Eve incident. She’s pleaded not guilty.

The alleged witness, Rebecca Brand, says she saw Ms. Gackowska throw the rock that broke the front window at Rudy’s restaurant, and that the defendant took her cell phone because she took pictures and was in the middle of a 9-1-1 call.

Ms. Brand claims the defendant injured her by repeatedly slamming the cell phone against her thigh while trying to pry it from Ms. Brand’s hand, and that the alleged attack left her with a large bruise. (Ms. Brand sent a photo of the bruise to the News-

Press.)

Fire chief says next storms won’t be so bad

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara continues to recover from the onslaught of the recent storms that pounded the city, even as new storms are forecast to strike this weekend.

Only they won’t be so bad.

That’s according to city Fire Chief Chris Mailes, who, along with other staff, updated the City Council on Thursday about the impact of the massive winter storm that hit Santa Barbara earlier in the week, and the city’s response.

Chief Mailes said “two waves of energy” are predicted for Friday night into Saturday and Sunday night into Monday.

“We don’t expect to issue flash flood advisories or watches,” he said. The National Weather Service, he said, predicts 1.5 inches of rain to fall from Friday

A preliminary hearing Tuesday ended with the judge issuing a holding order against Ms.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS Rebecca Brand, above, said Nelly Gackowska, 60, attacked her with Ms. Brand’s cell phone. Ms. Gackowska’s arraignment on charges of second-degree robbery and grand theft from a person is set for Jan. 23 in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.

COURTESY REBECCA BRAND

Rebecca Brand saw the window of Rudy’s restaurant on upper State Street shattered on Christmas Eve.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

“We don’t expect to issue flash flood advisories or watches,” said Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Chris Mailes, talking to the Santa Barbara City Council Thursday about this weekend’s storms. Please see CHIEF on A4

for residents due to slip out and significant hazards,” Mr. Wageneck said.

from

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Lake Cachuma reached 85% of its capacity Thursday and is expected to fill up and spill this weekend. The rise in reservoirs at the lake and elsewhere in the county comes as the U.S. Drought Monitor reported Santa Barbara County dropped to the least severe level of drought conditions.

Mud and brush block East Mountain Drive in Montecito after the storm earlier this week.

Workers attempt to clear the debris basin off East Mountain Drive.

Please see STORM on A4

4:30, 7:00, 9:30.

Sat-Mon: 11:30, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30.

Tue-Thur: 2:20, 5:05, 7:45.

Avatar Way of Water* (PG13): Fri: 1:15, 2:30/3D, 4:00, 5:15, 6:30/3D, 8:00, 9:15/3DSat-Mon: 12:00, 1:15, 2:30/3D, 4:00, 5:15, 6:30/3D, 8:00, 9:15/3D.

Tue/Wed: 2:30/3D, 4:00, 5:15, 6:30/3D, 8:00. Thur: 2:30/3D, 4:00, 6:30/3D, 8:00.

MISSING* Thur: 4:45, 7:30.

City of Santa Maria advises residents to prepare for next storm

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Santa Marians are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity between rain storms to stock up on supplies and fill up and place sandbags.

The city of Santa Maria advises residents to stay away from the Santa Maria River and flooded basins. Turn around if driving toward flood water; it can hide hazards.

The amount of record rain experienced in Monday’s storm in the Santa Maria Valley increased runoff from agricultural fields beyond what the flood control system is designed to handle, the city of Santa Maria said.

Santa Maria has so far been fortunate compared to other local communities such

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

Store window smashed

SANTA BARBARA — Someone smashed the front window of Paradise On State Street Thursday night and stole guitars and other merchandise from the music and vinyl records store.

That’s according to the store manager, who talked to the NewsPress Friday.

The manager, who preferred not to give his name for publication, said the incident happened around 10:45 p.m. He said his store’s alarm went off and that Santa Barbara police arrived immediately.

“Police were here before I got here,” the manager said.

He said the police haven’t caught a suspect, but have the store’s surveillance videos. He said it’s difficult to identify anyone from the videos.

The manager said upward of $1,000 of merchandise was stolen and that it will cost more than $2,000 to replace his window.

The News-Press reached out to the Santa Barbara Police Department but did not hear back before press time.

— Dave Mason

Lisa Marie Presley dies

CALABASAS — Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Priscilla and Elvis Presley, died Thursday after being hospitalized that morning following a cardiac arrest at her Calabasas home.

She was 54.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla Presley, a TV and movie star who has had a home in Santa Barbara, said in a statement Thursday evening. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving

as Orcutt and Guadalupe, where homes were flooded.

More rain is predicted to come this weekend.

City leadership has spoken with the offices of U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, among other agencies, conveying the situation to them.

The city of Santa Maria continues to deploy resources to protect the public and to prevent or limit damage to property and infrastructure.

Today, the city is continuing to pump large amounts of runoff water from a flood control basin in the northwest portion of the Santa Maria.

This project is both to alleviate hazards to the neighborhood and also to make room for predicted weekend rain. The city, in cooperation with Santa Barbara County, is

pumping water out of the large Blosser Basin, into the Blosser Channel, which discharges into the Santa Maria river to the north.

Resources are available. Residents may stay informed by using an interactive city road closure map posted at arcg.is/1evPrj1. This interactive map also has links to where to get free sand at five locations within the city.

Residents who need assistance with obtaining services from a federal agency can contact Rep. Carbajal’s office at carbajal. house.gov/constituent-services/casework or Sen. Dianne’s office at www.feinstein.senate. gov/public/index.cfm/submit-casework.

Those experiencing homelessness can contact the Warming Center Hotline at 805324-2372.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

woman I have ever known.”

Like her famous father, Ms. Presley, who was born in Memphis, was a rock singer. She was also Elvis Presley’s only child.

Ms. Presley’s death came after she and Priscilla Presley attended Tuesday night’s Golden Globes ceremony. They were there to root for Austin Butler, who won the Golden Globe for best actor in a drama film for portraying Lisa Marie’s father in “Elvis.”

“I love you forever,” Mr. Butler told Lisa Marie, who’s survived by three children, during his acceptance speech.

— Dave Mason

If convicted, woman could get five years in prison

TRIAL

Continued from Page A1

Gackowska.

“A holding order is when a judge holds the defendant to answer on the charges,” Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Branch told the News-Press. “So basically, the judge found the charges to be true.”

Ms. Gackowska is due back in court Jan. 23 to be arraigned on the “information” filed against her.

“That’s what a complaint is called post-prelim, where she will have the opportunity to plead guilty/not guilty again,” the prosecutor said.

Ms. Brand did not testify at the preliminary hearing. Ms. Branch, instead, relied on police testimony and evidence.

Ms. Gackowska served as her own attorney at the preliminary

hearing.

“A public defender was offered to her, but she chose to represent herself,” the prosecutor said.

If convicted, the maximum sentence she could receive is five years in prison.

There’s been some confusion as to whether she also will be charged for allegedly throwing the rock that broke the restaurant’s window.

Ms. Brand said she was told no charges would be filed for that, but that she spoke to a Rudy’s spokeswoman who said the eatery wants to press charges against Ms. Gackowska.

“We are waiting on more information before making a filing decision on the breaking of the window,” Ms. Branch said.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

A Man Called Otto* (PG13): Fri, Tue-Thur: 4:30, 7:30. Sat-Mon: 1:20, 4:30, 7:30.

Babylon (R): Fri, Tue-Thur: 4:05, 7:45.

Sat-Mon: 12:30, 4:05, 7:45.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (PG13): Fri, Tue-Thur: 8:05. Sat-Mon: 4:15, 8:05.

The Fabelmans (PG13): Fri, Tue-Thur: 4:00, 7:20. Sat-Mon: 12:40, 4:00, 7:20

The Woman King (PG13): Fri:, Tue-Thur 4:40.

Sat-Mon: 1:00.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS Paradise On State Street, a music store in the 400 block, was boarded up after someone smashed the window Thursday night.

There’s been some confusion as to whether Nelly Gackowska also will be charged for allegedly throwing the rock that broke the restaurant’s window.

California budget cuts climate change measures, protects social investments

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - Facing a $22.5 billion deficit, California Gov. Garvin Newsom expressed optimism in unveiling the 2023 budget for the state. The $297 billion package is $11 billion less than 2022 with cuts focused on electric vehicles, rail and transit, enraging environmentalists.

Gov. Newsom said he had no trepidation about California’s future and that the state will be better positioned than most other states to weather a recession.

The budget situation is a massive reversal from only months ago when the state was considering a $100 billion budget surplus.

Senate Budget Vice Chair, Sen. Roger Niello (R- Fair Oaks), said, “California’s assumption of unending higher revenue, combined with overspending on misguided priorities, led the state down the path to the deficit we have today. And this is in contrast to other states that are considering rebates.” The deficit is fueled by a decline in capital gains taxes once sourced from Silicon Valley and the state’s wealthiest residents.

“California can’t afford a shortsighted budget,” Mary Creasman, CEO of California Environmental Voters, said in a statement to CalMatters. “To further delay these investments will further compound the climate crisis and the cost of inaction will be far worse.”

Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget aims to keep eight promises as priorities for the state, transforming education, addressing homelessness, creating affordable housing, increasing healthcare access, facing climate challenges, keeping California safe, and nurturing economic development.

Education funding saw a small increase in per capita spending for kindergarten through middle school with a $108.8 billion budgeted. Gov. Newsom proposed a cost of living allowance

(COLA) for educators of 8.13% up from last year’s 6.5%. The educational package line items included funding for learning recovery, youth behavioral issues, community schools, before/after school programs and special education.

The education budget also sought to encourage more California residents to enroll in the University of California and California State University systems and addressed fundamental costs to make college more affordable through middleclass scholarships, zero-cost textbooks, grants and a host of other cost saving opportunities.

The governor became really animated in speaking about homelessness. “People are just fed up. They’re done. People have just had it. They want to see these homeless encampments cleaned up,” Gov. Newsom said. “People want to see results, they demand results, they want more accountability for money invested.”

While the budget for homelessness didn’t see any funding cuts at $15.3 billion, the governor emphasized more accountability would be expected for those receiving money to address the homeless. “More transparency is what is required not requested.”

Under healthcare, California Advancing and Innovating MediCal (CalAIM), a plan to merge Medi-Cal with other social services, got the lion’s share with a $10.7 billion commitment.

Climate challenges including wildfires, flood and drought also did not see a cut in spending from last year at $2.7 billion, with new investments in Delta levees and urban flood risk management of $200 million.

The Public safety budget included funding to tackle the fentanyl crisis with $3.5 million for Narcan medication to combat the effects of overdose set aside for middle and high schools. An additional $97 million in investments were made to

Lawsuits over military vaccine mandate to continue despite DOD rescinding it

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Liberty Counsel is continuing with its lawsuits in federal court over the Department of Defense COVID19 vaccine mandate even after the mandate was rescinded this week.

Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver told The Center Square he wasn’t confident that the DOD wouldn’t continue to retaliate against service members who’d filed religious accommodation requests (RARs) and has expressed concerns about all military branches failing to comply with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The Orlando-based religious freedom legal foundation is scheduled to go to trial in one of its cases next month in federal court before Judge Steven Merryday. It’s asking the court to grant permanent class action relief for everyone serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from the mandate. Last August, Judge Merryday issued a classwide preliminary injunction.

In a separate case, Liberty Counsel presented oral arguments last month before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a U.S. Marine lieutenant colonel and Navy commander of a warship.

“These military heroes have sacrificed everything to defend America,” Mr. Staver said. “Liberty Counsel continues to pursue a permanent injunction against the Department of Defense so that this abuse never again happens to our service members.”

On Jan. 10, the DOD officially rescinded its Aug. 24, 2021, and Nov. 30, 2021, memoranda mandating that all members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard and Ready Reserves, take the emergency use authorization COVID-19 shots or face discharge and other disciplinary measures. Congress required it to rescind the mandate when it passed the National Defense Authorization Act. The president signed the NDAA into

law despite opposing ending the mandate, and after thousands of service members’ RARs were denied, were punished, demoted and discharged.

The DOD said it would comply with the law and “continue to promote and encourage COVID19 vaccination for all Service members.” Those who didn’t get the shots due to religious, administrative or medical reasons wouldn’t face discharge, according to the DOD memo. And service members’ records would be updated to remove any adverse actions solely associated with denials of their exemption requests, including letters of reprimand.

The new policy doesn’t allow reinstatement for those who were discharged for refusing to comply. However, those who were discharged can contact their discharge review board to request a correction to their personnel records, “including records regarding the characterization of their discharge,” Liberty Counsel notes.

For those still in the military, each branch has been instructed to “further cease any ongoing reviews of current Service member religious administrative, or medical accommodation requests solely for exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine or appeals of denials of such requests.”

Liberty Counsel says it’s not confident that the DOD won’t end all retaliation against service members who filed RARs in light of actions taken against service members it’s described as “cruel and unusual punishment,” causing some to commit suicide.

It also raises concerns about a directive in the guidance, which states, “All commanders have the responsibility and authority to preserve the Department’s compelling interest in mission accomplishment. This responsibility and authority includes the ability to maintain military readiness, unit cohesion, good order and discipline, and the health and safety of a resilient Joint Force.”

increase the number of National Guardsmen by one hundred and thirteen and almost $97 million for fentanyl enforcement and harm reduction strategies.

The $35.6 billion in California’s reserves will remain untouched. “Republicans fought to fill the Rainy Day Fund, and we applaud today’s commitment to not tap into it. Recent on-going spending by the governor must be reevaluated. The governor continues to celebrate how much he spends, but California has yet to see the results,” said Sen. Roger Niello, RFair Oaks.

Senate Minority Leader, Brian Jones, R-San Diego, expressed similar sentiments, “The California Senate Republican Caucus is pleased that Governor Newsom listened to our calls and is not planning on tapping into reserves. We are disappointed, but not surprised, by the governor breaking his promise to pay down our unemployment insurance debt — instead he leaves small businesses to bear the brunt of the state’s failures with a tax increase.”

‘Not Authorized:’ AG Garland appoints special counsel to investigate Biden over classified documents

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday he has appointed Robert Hur as special counsel to lead the investigation into President Joe Biden after classified documents were found at President Biden’s office at the Penn Biden Center and at his home in Delaware.

Mr. Garland said the investigation will determine “whether any person or entity violated the law in this matter.”

“I will ensure that Mr. Hur receives all the resources he needs to conduct his work,” Mr. Garland said. “This appointment underscores for the public the Department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law.”

Mr. Garland said that in November of last year, the National Archives Office of Inspector General reached out to the Department of Justice. The IG told the DOJ that they had been informed by the White House that classified documents were found at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, D.C.

“That office was not authorized for storage of classified documents,” Mr. Garland said. “The [DOJ] prosecutor was also advised that those documents had also been secured at an archives facility. On November 9, the FIB commenced an assessment, consistent with standard protocols, to understand whether classified information had

been mishandled in violation of federal law.”

Mr. Garland said that on Dec. 20, President Biden’s personal counsel told the DOJ that more documents with classified markings were found in President Biden’s private garage in Wilmington, Delaware. Those also came from during President Biden’s time as vice president.

“The FBI went to the location and secured those documents,” Mr. Garland said.

President Biden admitted during a news conference Thursday that he did have classified documents in his garage, next to his corvette.

“By the way, my Corvette is in a locked garage, OK?” President Biden said. “So, it’s not like they’re sitting out in the street.”

President Biden said his lawyers “discovered a small number of documents with classified markings in storage areas and in file cabinets in my home and my ... in my personal library. This was done in the case of the Biden Penn – this was done in the case of the Biden Penn Center. The Department of Justice was immediately – as was done, the Department of Justice was immediately ... notified, and the lawyers arranged for the Department of Justice to take possession of the document.”

“So you’re going to see,” he added. “We’re going to see all this unfold. I’m confident.”

Mr. Garland said that President Biden’s personal counsel reached out to the DOJ yet again Thursday, having found another document with classified markings.

U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has also launched an investigation into the classified documents

As The Center Square previously reported, Rep.

Comer sent a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration and the White House Counsel’s Office demanding answers.

“The Committee is concerned that President Biden has compromised sources and methods with his own mishandling of classified documents,” the letter to President Biden’s White House Counsel said. “Under the Biden Administration, the Department of Justice and NARA have made compliance with the Presidential Records Act a top priority.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

Attorney General Merrick Garland, above, and President Joe Biden, below.

COURTESY PHOTO

Gov. Gavin Newsom

night to Tuesday.

“It shouldn’t be problematic for the community,” he said, “but we’re already watching and will continue to watch every single day.”

Regarding the storm on Monday and Tuesday, Chief Mailes said his department and other emergency responders had been prepared to expect 2 to 4 inches of rain in the city and 4 to 8 inches of rain in the mountains. But Santa Barbara got a lot more than that.

“We got an 18-inch storm,” City Administrator Rebecca Bjork said.

And other communities were hit hard, too.

Chief Mailes said Montecito residents at first were told to evacuate from only some areas, but between 11 a.m. and noon Monday, “there was a dramatic shift in the weather.

“It was much more than anticipated,” he said. “All 15 zones were told to evacuate.”

He said Santa Barbara officials spent much of the past weekend planning how to reach the public with updated warnings, including using social media and radio.

The chief said his department’s urban search and rescue teams received 110 calls for service “and a great majority were rescues,” mostly people trapped in their vehicles.

Police Chief Kelly Ann Gordon told the council her department received 160 calls from Monday to Tuesday morning to check houses and active flooding areas, and to respond to people trapped in their vehicles and help get them out.

Clifford Mauer, director of the city’s Public Works Department, said the storm put a lot of stress on the city’s aging water distribution system, but it survived intact. He said the city’s program to replace the worst water mains first “has started to pay dividends.”

Similarly, he said the city’s wastewater collection system also made it through the storm OK, despite stormwater and sediment entering the system.

Likewise, all city facilities “fared very well through the storm,” although there were some roof leaks. “All were resolved within an hour or two of being reported,” he said.

City roads, meanwhile, remain structurally sound. “We’re not aware of any significant damage,” he said. “All of the roads are passable today,” including roads that experienced debris flow.

Mike Wiltshire, the city’s waterfront director, said the waterfront “did very well” in terms of flooding, and that all businesses and Stearns Wharf “are open to business.”

The rain was not an issue, he said, but a huge ocean swell on Jan. 5 and 6 was. He called the swell “historical” in terms of size and intensity.

This kind of swell “happens once every decade, if not every 20 to 30 years,” Mr. Wiltshire said.

The Santa Barbara Yacht Club, he said, suffered damage to its plumbing and utilities as waves washed beneath it. The club’s parking lot and storage space also sustained damage.

The worst problem, however, faces the harbor itself.

Because the swell and storm removed much of the sand in the harbor, “it’s really shallow right now” and is “hazardous to navigate,” Mr. Wiltshire said.

He added that the sand berms built to protect property were destroyed because of wave inundation.

“We’ll continue to monitor for swells and tides,” Mr. Wiltshire told the council. “We might have to close the breakwater and Stearns Wharf as needed.”

Assistant City Administrator Rene Eyerly talked about community recovery efforts.

She said the county is creating a virtual local assistance center. She also noted the city is upping its efforts to connect with people through workshops and online, while working with various city groups and agencies, including United Way, to help businesses and others affected financially by the storms.

“We’re starting this process now and will be unrolling some basic information this week,” she said.

Councilmember Oscar

Gutierrez told staff that some residents were confused by conflicting forecasts provided by the city.

City Administrator Bjork noted the storm was a lot worse than anticipated and that residents had been encouraged to “stay home and be safe.”

She said some 300 vehicles got trapped by floods and were damaged or destroyed. So by people choosing to ignore warnings and drive anyway, “they were gambling with a lot of money.”

Fire Chief Mailes said emergency responders can only go with the best intelligence provided at the time by the National Weather Service. For example, a Monday morning prediction of small urban and creek flooding turned into a flash flood warning for the entire county by the afternoon.

Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez also asked if people who live in neighborhoods near creeks should have been warned to take extra precautions.

Chief Mailes said it’s hard to say specifically how far a house needs to be from a creek to be safe, but that “there needs to be a little bit of common sense. If they issue a flash flood advisory or flash flood warning, people should be on alert.”

At the same time, he said, it might have been best to tell people to shelter people in place rather than to evacuate.

Residents who choose to leave their homes often can’t simply drive away, he said.

“A lot of people got trapped outside of their house or in their vehicle,” he said.

“In hindsight, staying at home would have been safe,” the fire chief said. “Not one house was red-tagged as a result of the storm.”

Mayor Randy Rowse thanked staff and emergency responders for their efforts.

“It was a fantastic job by everybody,” he said. “Our system worked. Thank you for your efforts.”

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Carbajal, Panetta join call for disaster declaration

STORM

Continued from Page A1

responded to a fallen eucalyptus tree next to the Obern Trail bike path before during a relatively light storm on Jan. 4,” said Mr. Wageneck.

“Anyone making travel plans can check our road closure site countyofsb.org/3675/StormRelated-Road-Closures. This site only contains information for County maintained road closures, but there are links to other agency road closures.”

On Thursday, U.S. Reps. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, and Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, urged President Joe Biden to approve California’s request for a major disaster declaration to unlock additional storm relief for Central Coast families and businesses impacted by recent storms and flooding.

“We are grateful for the swift support your Administration has afforded to our region in the wake of the severe winter storms,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, more help is needed to support families and businesses impacted by flooding, debris flows, and mud flows directly related to the storms …We strongly support Governor Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration and ask that you make all federal resources necessary available. We stand ready to provide any support to you in expeditiously approving this request and provide the necessary resources to the impacted communities.”

The major disaster declaration would enable the federal government, spearheaded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to receive claims from individual families and businesses, provide unemployment and legal assistance, crisis counseling, and other related services for

communities in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties.

A declaration from President Biden would also enable public assistance from FEMA to state, local, and tribal

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Lompoc 61/52/sh 58/46/r

Pismo Beach 60/52/t 58/50/r

Santa Maria 60/52/t 56/46/r

Santa Ynez 61/50/c 59/47/r

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Ventura 62/56/pc 57/51/r

to support debris removal, emergency protective measures, and other emergency infrastructure and work measures.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

LINK,

Pam, as she preferred to be called, was born in Pomona, California. Her family relocated to Santa Barbara, California, where she spent most of her childhood. Pam attended college at the University of San Francisco where she studied nursing and met her husband. Pam and Jim were married on January 8, 1977, at the Old Mission of Santa Barbara. Pam and Jim made their home in Los Angeles and started a family, having four children over the next twelve years.

Pam was a devoted mother, daughter, and sister. She was a devout Catholic and raised her family in accordance with her religion to be kind, loving, and accepting people. She had a fantastic wry sense of humor, taking great pleasure in scaring the pants off of her children any chance she could get. She loved long conversations and could spend hours on the phone everyday; she knew how to foster relationships with her loved ones better than most. Even after her diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer, and until her final moments with us, her focus remained on the well-being of her family and friends. She was a beautiful, wonderful soul. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered by her family and friends.

Funeral services are pending. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation for

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Sacramento 57/52/r 55/46/r

San Diego 67/52/pc 64/56/r

San Francisco 58/54/r 57/49/r

San Jose 59/53/r 58/45/r

San Luis Obispo 60/52/t 58/48/r

Santa Monica 63/52/pc 55/50/r

Tahoe Valley 42/32/r 36/28/sn

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58/44/c 60/44/pc Sydney 79/67/pc 79/67/c Tokyo 58/52/pc 60/49/c

Mary Pamela (née Taylor)

Pamela Mary Link (née Taylor), born on October 2, 1954, to Valdez and Lorine Taylor, passed away on January 3, 2023, in her home city of Los Angeles, California. She was 68 years old. She is survived by her husband, Jim, her four sons, five grandchildren, brother, and three sisters.

pancreatic cancer research

Pam’s name

City of Hope.

SHAFER, Evelyn “Lynn”

Evelyn “Lynn” Shafer passed away peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 27, 2022, at Casa Dorinda in Montecito. Born June 14, 1931, in San Fernando, CA to Frank Wheeler and Nell McElhenney Wheeler. Predeceased by her son, Carter W. Cordner, Lynn is survived by her daughter, Carlye Cordner (Richard Tricker) of Pasadena; daughterin-law, Lynn G. Cordner of Truckee; her sister, Becky Wynn (Gary) of Coto de Caza; and eight grandchildren: Elisabeth Cordner (Christian Cattell) of Modesto; Evelyn Cordner (David Wardlaw) of Truckee; Patrick Tricker of Richmond, VA; Emily Cordner of Truckee; Catherine Tricker (Jonas Noack) of Playa del Rey; Andrew Tricker of Berkeley; Amelia Tricker (John Hunnell) of Reston, VA; and Carter Cordner III (Sandra Deal) of Le Grande, OR. The family thanks everyone at Casa Dorinda for her loving care.

Santa Barbara News-Press

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Chris Mailes told the Santa Barbara City Council that his department received 110 calls for service during the storm that took place Monday and Tuesday. He said most of those were for rescues.

governments

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Cold Spring Creek, which runs parallel to a portion of East Mountain Drive in Montecito, flowed freely after the storm.

Managing

Life theArts

‘Coast to Cuyama’

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Cuyama Buckhorn is partnering with La Paloma Cafe in Santa Barbara for a weekend celebrating the coast and valley of Santa Barbara County.

“Coast to Cuyama” will feature Chef Jeremy Tummel and lead bartender Jorge Baez, both from La Paloma, and Chef Daniel Horn from Cuyama Buckhorn. The event was originally scheduled for Jan. 20 through 22, but has been delayed because of the recent storms. New dates will be announced.

Included in the weekend will be a cocktail-making class and guided Mezcal tasting with Mr. Báez, a seminar with Travis Meyer of Travis Haha Fishing teaching the Ikejime method of preparing fish, a five-course sea-centric collaboration dinner with chefs Tummel and Horn, screening of “Becoming Cousteau” followed by a Q and A with filmmaker Mark Monroe plus live music, bonfires and more.

Cuyama Buckhorn, 4923 Primero St. in New Cuyama, is a roadside inn and restaurant in California’s high desert in Santa Barbara County. First opened in 1952, Cuyama Buckhorn features 21 guest rooms with amenities such as Bluetooth radios, complimentary wifi and custombuilt furniture.

Vintage accents, with a nod to the property’s mid-century history, add a classic feel to modern, updated rooms. For dining, the property features a restaurant, bar and coffee shop, along with spaces for hosting private events, weddings or meetings.

Opened in 1940, La Paloma is located at 702 Anacapa St. in Santa Barbara. Its menu celebrates the cuisine of the Californios — early Californian settlers who incorporated Spanish and Mexican influences into indigenous ingredients cooked over fire. The food focuses on the traditions of Santa Maria and influences from Baja, Mexico.

Chef Tummel is a culinary expert passionate about sustainable seafood and locally sourced meats. The Santa Barbara native’s experience draws from his time at the Wine Cask, Bacara Resort & Spa, Pebble Beach Company, Rosewood Miramar Beach, Santa Barbara City College Culinary

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. “Interlopings: Colors in the Warp and Weft of Ecological Entanglements” is an exhibit that runs through March 12 at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The exhibit features weavings dyed with pigments from non-native plants on Santa Cruz Island. The weavings were created by artists Helen Svensson and Lisa Jevbratt. For more information, see sbbotanicgarden.org.

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “The Search for the Modern West,” an exhibit, continues through Feb. 20 at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, see sullivangoss.com or call the gallery at 805-730-1460.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit “Parliament of Owls” runs through Feb. 5 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information, go to www. sbnature.org.

JAN. 13

7 p.m. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar will perform a free concert at Isla Vista Elementary School, 6875 El Colegio Road, Isla Vista, as Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara resumes its programming.

7 p.m. The Los Angeles Reed Quintet will perform during the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series at St. Mark’sin-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos. The program will include music by Mendelssohn, Mahler, Ligeti, Nina Shekhar, Yanjun Hua, Corelli, Fred Coots, and Sam Lewis

JAN. 14

7 p.m. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuélla will perform a free concert at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. The concert is presented by Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara .

JAN. 15

7 p.m. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuélla will perform a free concert at The Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. The concert is presented by Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara.

JAN. 17

1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, 4436 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. For more information, go to vitalant.org.

JAN. 19

2 to 5:30 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, 524 Chapala St., Santa Barbara. For more information, go to vitalant. org.

7 p.m. Photographer, writer and kayaker Chuck Graham,

JAN. 21

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Plains, Trains & Violins” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St. The concert includes Miguel del Aguila’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, “The Journey of a Lifetime” (El viaje de una vida) with

COURTESY PHOTO

Emmanuel Fratianni, an acclaimed Santa Barbara composer, conductor and pianist, will lead the Santa Barbara Chamber Players orchestra in its fi rst concert Jan. 28 at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara.

La Paloma Cafe and Cuyama Buckhorn team up for weekend event

COURTESY PHOTO

RAFAEL MALDONADO /NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Ferial Sadeghian, left, architect and co-owner of Cuyama Buckhorn, walks up to the resort, which is participating in “Coast to Cuyama.” The event includes a dinner, classes and more. At right, La Paloma Cafe in Santa Barbara is teaming up with Cuyama Buckhorn for “Coast to Cuyama.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

La Paloma lead bartender Jorge Báez will teach a cocktail-making class and guide people in Mezcal tasting during “Coast to Cuyama.” La Paloma is teaming up with Cuyama Buckhorn for the event. Dates will be announced later.

Please see CUYAMA on B2

Ojai concert to honor Cole Porter, ‘great American songwriter’

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The music of the late Cole Porter will be featured at American Songbook Today’s third concert of its monthly series “Standards and Showtunes.”

Mr. Porter is recognized as one of the most prolific, wittiest and most famous of all American songwriters.

“A Tribute to Cole Porter” begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai.

Mr. Porter wrote the musicals “Anything Goes,” “Can-Can,” “Kiss Me, Kate,” etc. His songs are featured in films such as “The Gay Divorcee,” starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; “Night and Day,” starring Cary Grant in a fictionalized account of Mr. Porter’s life, and “High

CALENDAR

Continued from Page B1

violin soloist Guillermo Figueroa and the concert world premiere of Elmer Bernstein’s “Toccata for Toy Trains.” The orchestra will also perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”). Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

JAN. 22 3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Plains, Trains & Violins” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St. The concert includes Miguel del Aguila’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, “The Journey of a Lifetime (El viaje de una vida)” with violin soloist Guillermo Figueroa and the concert world premiere of Elmer Bernstein’s “Toccata for Toy Trains.” The orchestra will also perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”). Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

4 to 5 p.m. “Roy Dunn: Capturing Imagery of Our Wild Neighbors” will take

FYI

Reservations are needed for the Cole Porter concert, set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Reservations can be made by emailing michaelsongbook@gmail. com.

A $10 cash donation will be collected at the door. Wine, beer and water will be available. Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations will be required. For more information, email michaelsongbook@gmail. com.

Society,” starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Louis Armstrong.

Among the local performers Sunday will be Lou Adams, Jared Beau Bergmann (of the Rose Valley Thorns Bluegrass Band),

place at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, 1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang.

JAN. 24 2 to 6 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at Camino Real Marketplace, 7046 Marketplace Drive, Goleta. For more information, go to vitalant.org.

7 p.m. UCSB Arts & Lectures presents mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and a music ensemble in “Eden” at The Granada, 1214 State St. “Eden” explores the individual human connection with nature and features music from four centuries. Tickets cost $46 to $131 for general admission and $20 for UCSB students with ID, one hour before the performance, and youths 18 and younger. To purchase, go to granadasb. org.

JAN. 25

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. For more information, go to vitalant.org.

7:30 p.m. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform at The Granada,

Fred Chapman, Roman CluffThompson, Darienne Gross, Eric John Harrington, Joyce McWilliams, Marisa Miculian, Anders Shennum, Robin Streichler, Suzi Thatcher and Emmalee Villafana.

Michael Estwanik, the founder of American Songbook Today, will host the concert, and Greg Spaulding will be the pianist.

Among the songs to be performed are “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “I Concentrate on You,” “Let’s Misbehave,” “Don’t Fence Me In,” ”The Can-Can,” “So in Love,” “It’s DeLovely,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Anything Goes,” “The Physician,” “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” and many others.

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The ensemble will perform Beethoven’s “Coriolan” Overture and Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Opus 93; Anatoly Lyadov’s “The Enchanted Lake”; and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” The concert is being presented by the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara. TIckets cost $36 to $156. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

JAN. 28 7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Chamber Players orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, 305 E. Anapamu St. Tickets cost $16. To purchase, go to sbchamberplayers.org.

FEB. 1 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Coast artist and London native Annie Hoffman’s exhibit “Seeing Ourselves in Colour” will be displayed through Feb. 28 at Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. For more information, visit anniehoffmann.com.

— Dave Mason

Local authors to sign ‘Moon Mother, Moon Daughter’ books

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A book signing for “Moon Mother, Moon Daughter,” a celebration of the divine feminine spirit by Janet Lucy and Terri Allison, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 21 at Paradise Found, 17 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.

The local authors first heard the call to write a book together 25 years ago when their four daughters were queuing up to come of age.

They had both read the bestseller, “Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls” by Mary Pipher, about the frightening ways pre-teen girls lose their voices and their true selves in today’s culture and began to ask themselves some questions:

How would it be different if mothers looked forward to their daughters’ first steps into womanhood with the same anticipation and excitement as they had for her very first steps toward walking? What if

FYI

All three of the “Moon Mother, Moon Daughter” books are available at Paradise Found, 17 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara; Chaucers, 3321 State St., Santa Barbara, and Heritage Goods and Supply, 5100 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria. For more information, visit www.sevenseaspress.org.

there was a whole community of women waiting to receive her into womanhood? What if there was a way for mothers and daughters to walk together?

Their quest to find new resources led them to the discovery of an ancient, worldwide moon goddess culture. Here they knew they’d found the inspiration they were looking for, and sat down to write together.

With the moon as a guide and a symbol,” Moon Mother, Moon Daughter — Myths and Rituals That Celebrate a Girl’s Coming of Age” (Fair Winds Press 2002) introduced a whole new approach

to the coming-of-age years as a time to strengthen the motherdaughter connection with the support of community and to celebrate female gifts and wisdom.

Since the first edition publication in 2002, women from all over the world have reached out to affirm the vision and value of ancient wisdom and traditions based in community and spirit.

Inspired by requests for a companion guide to facilitate groups, they have created “Moon Circles Facilitators Guide” (Seven Seas Press 2022) as a response.

This guide, to be used alongside the original book, is an expansive version with added new voices and language to be more inclusive and reflective of our diverse humanity.

“After all,” affirm the authors, “we all live under the same moon.” The authors have also created a companion journal filled with moon quotes and the lunar phases titled, “By the Light of the Moon,” for women and girls of all ages.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

New Year, new shows at Ventura galleries

VENTURA — Buenaventura Art Association’s Plein-air Open Competition debuts today in Studio 99 at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura.

Running through Feb, 25, the compeition/exhibition will feature original works by local artists — both BAA members and nonmembers.

Alongside the exhibition, a small show will highlight selected acrylic plein-air paintings by award-winning Ventura artist Laura Jespersen.

Judging the Open Competition is lauded local plein-air painter, Sharon Weaver, who has hosted art demonstrations, workshops and talks in Southern California since 2011. On Jan. 21, Ms. Weaver will also demonstrate her step-bystep process in “How to Paint a Eucalyptus Tree” (1 - 2:30 p.m.).

The Studio 99 gallery is open noon- 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

BAA is a grassroots Ventura arts group founded in 1954 and has an outlet at Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts and a display at SpiceTopia on Main Street. The Harbor Village site has been closed but is reopening this week with the return of the artwork and artisan crafts of its resident artists. An all-new show of art by other BAA members commences next Friday.

Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week, and the shop is at 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 106, in Ventura Harbor.

For more about BAA and its programs, call the gallery at 805-648-1235 or visit buenaventuraartassociation.org.

— Caleb Beeghly

Ventura Land Trust organizes art contest

VENTURA — In honor of Ventura Land Trust’s 20th anniversary, VLT is inviting Ventura County artists to participate in an art contest.

Using a 2D design, artists are encouraged to use the circle outline of VLT’s logo as the form for a designed inspired by Ventura County’s natural beauty. The artwork can explore a wide range of themes, such as the intersection of community and nature, Indigenous cultural heritage and the protection of open spaces.

CUYAMA

Academy and The Bear and Star in Los Olivos.

He is known for his innovative dishes that feature hookand line-caught fish, using environmentally friendly methods. In addition to his seafood specialties, Chef Tummel is skilled in smoking and grilling meats to perfection.

He is also a Level Onecertified sommelier, and other accomplishments include his win in 2015 as ACF Western Regional Chef of the Year and national finalist.

Chef Báez comes to Santa Barbara by way of La Paz in Baja California, Mexico. Since he joined La Paloma Cafe in 2021 as lead bartender, he has become instrumental in the development of La Paloma’s craft cocktail program and is responsible for

There will be three groups for the contest: kids (2-12), teens (13-17), and adults (18 and older), with a winner for each group and an overall winner. The overall winning design will be revealed at VLT’s birthday celebration on Feb. 24 at Topa Topa Brewing Co., 4880 Colt St., Ventura.

.The winning artwork will be featured on a special edition VLT t-shirt and sticker.

Art contest guidelines and the online submission form can be found at www.venturalandtrust.

creating the library of more than 35 100% agave mezcal brands, in addition to an impressive list of tequilas.

His passion for mixology is reflected in La Paloma’s bar program, where he incorporates traditional Mexican ingredients and techniques with his cocktails, bringing an inspired and authentic touch to the drinks that pair with Chef Tummel’s menus.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

FYI

Rates for “Coast to Cuyama’’ start at $842 per night, which cover the cost of all package activities, including Saturday dinner, classes, etc. For more information or to make a reservation, call 661-766-2825 or visit cuyamabuckhorn.com. The event was originally set for Jan. 20-22, but has been postponed because of recent storms. New dates will be announced.

org/artcontest. The deadline for artwork submitted online is Feb. 10. Mailed artwork submissions must be received by Feb. 7.

Ventura Land Trust, founded in 2003 as Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, will celebrate its 20th anniversary throughout 2023 with special events and opportunities for the community to be involved in protecting open spaces. A calendar of happenings is available at www. venturalandtrust.org/events.

COURTESY PHOTOS

At left, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby star in “High Society,” a movie that featured music by Cole Porter. At right, Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger dance together in “The Gay Divorcee,” which featured Cole Porter music.

COURTESY IMAGE

Conejo Creek North Park in Thousand Oaks is shown in Laura Jespersen’s acrylic on canvas. The Ventura artist’s works is on display at Bell Arts Factory in Ventura.

— Caleb Beeghly

COURTESY PHOTO

La Paloma Chef Jeremy Tummel, above, will collaborate with Cuyama Buckhorn Chef Daniel Horn on a five-course, seacentric dinner as part of “Coast to Cuyama.”

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

Thought for Today

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Friday, January 13, 2023

ARIES — Unfounded worries about money could plague you today, Aries. Someone close may have given you some incorrect information, perhaps about your financial situation, but more likely regarding trends in the economy that could affect your finances. Don’t waste time worrying. Check out the facts before driving yourself crazy.

TAURUS — You don’t worry too much, Taurus, but today might be different. Insecurity may arise about a partnership. This might be a current or potential romantic relationship. Perhaps there has been little if any communication between you and your insecurity is coming to the forefront.

GEMINI — Worries about health and work might be on your mind today, Gemini. You could be stressed out over whatever you’re doing, and this might have you feeling less energetic than usual. It’s a good idea to work a little to lessen the stress in your life. This feeling is going to pass whatever you do. Try to rest a little and have some fun in spite of the stress.

CANCER — Today you may want to set aside some time to spend with close friends or a love partner, Cancer. Other responsibilities could have you on your own, taking care of errands and other important matters. You may have the feeling of being lonely in a crowd. Don’t waste time feeling sorry for yourself.

LEO — Today you might concentrate on projects. These could be related to your personal relationships. Whatever the nature of your tasks, Leo, don’t be surprised if you find them confusing. You might be tempted to chuck it all and go out, but this isn’t a good idea. Better to try to make sense of the confusion than put it off. It won’t get any better with time.

VIRGO — Virgo, making or receiving an important letter or call regarding money might be on your agenda today, but circumstances beyond your control could delay it. This could prove frustrating. Take care of whatever you have to do. Distract yourself if you have to sit and wait. Nothing is worth stressing over. The call will come in time,

so just relax.

LIBRA — Worries about money might plague you today, Libra. They might have little, if any, basis in fact, as you’re probably fretting over possibilities that aren’t likely to ever manifest. A little caution with regard to budgeting and spending today certainly won’t hurt you. It’s best to be objective and see the situation as it really is.

SCORPIO — Today you could look in the mirror and be appalled by what you see, activating your insecurity about the way you look. This could send you looking for various treatments. Go ahead if you want, Scorpio, but your impressions are clouded right now and you probably look far better than you think.

SAGITTARIUS — Artistic or spiritual inspiration could come your way today, Sagittarius, although it might be muddled and you could be perplexed about how to deal with it. Don’t try to force the issue. Write down your ideas and return to them later. Someone close might feel unwell, and you may want to spend some time with him or her.

CAPRICORN — Today you may spend some time by yourself working on your own projects, Capricorn. The desire to spend time alone with a special someone may also interfere with plans you’ve already made to attend a social gathering or event involving a lot of people. You won’t want to give up either, so you might try to find a compromise of some kind. Think about it.

AQUARIUS — Various personal issues might be on your mind today, Aquarius. You could want to work them all out without distractions, so you may decide to spend part of the day alone. Responsibilities from the outside world might make it impossible for you to take as much time as you’d like.

PISCES — You could be expecting an important letter, call, or email today, Pisces, and sit on the edge of your chair waiting for it. This might be from a friend or lover. It could be delayed, and this might get you flustered. Distract yourself and do something else while you wait. If you make good use of the hours, the time will fly by.

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Sunday’s

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.

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Friday, January 13, 2023

“Is it true that seven out of five people have trouble with fractions?” — graffiti.

I don’t know about that, but handling single suit combinations is a building block of good dummy play, and many people have trouble with it.

At today’s 3NT, South took the king of clubs, led a diamond to his hand and returned a low heart to dummy’s king, winning. Then came the play to Trick Four: three of hearts, seven, jack, ace. West next led the jack of clubs, and declarer won, came to his king of spades and led a third heart. He hoped for a 3-3 split, but East took the nine and led another spade. South won only seven tricks.

NEXT HEART

Declarer mismanaged the hearts. After the king wins, he must play low from his hand on the next heart.

If the suit breaks 3-3, South’s play is moot, but the correct play gains if West held A-x. South can win a spade shift and lead the jack of hearts to force out East’s queen, setting up three heart tricks, two spades, two diamonds and two clubs. DAILY QUESTION

A K J 10 5 4 2 A K 4 3 6 2. Your partner opens one spade, you bid two hearts, he rebids two spades and you try three

diamonds. Partner next bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner lacks good heart support. Your bid of two hearts suggested a five-card or longer suit, and he often would have raised directly with three-card support. Bid three spades to show a tolerance for that suit. He may have six cards in spades.

South dealer N-S vulnerable

“Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued.”

— Socrates

Most House Dems oppose resolution condemning attacks against churches, pro-life facilities

Measure passes after over 400 churches, entities targeted with violence over past five years

(The Center Square) – Nearly all U.S. House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning attacks against anti-abortion facilities and churches. The vote came after a report was published showing violence escalated against churches and pro-life groups last year ahead of and after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The House passed the measure 222 to 219 Wednesday mostly along party lines. Three Democrats voted for it: Reps. Vicente Gonzalez of south Texas, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

The resolution “condemns recent attacks of vandalism, violence, and destruction against pro-life facilities, groups and churches” and “calls upon the Biden Administration to use all appropriate law enforcement authorities to uphold public safety and to protect the rights of pro-life facilities, groups, and churches.”

There have been at least 420 hostile acts committed against primarily churches in America over the past five years, according to the report published by the Family Research Council.

The Washington, D.C.-based Christian public policy advocacy organization analyzed publicly available data from January 2018 to September 2022 and reported that it identified at least 420 acts of hostility against American churches in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The greatest number occurred in California and Texas, the two most populous states. None were reported in Delaware, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Vermont, according to the report.

Overall, 57 “pro-abortion acts of hostility” against churches were identified, with violence increasing last year from January to September leading up to and after the Supreme Court decision. Concerned by

increasing attacks on pregnancy centers and churches, 19 attorneys general last June called on the Department of Justice to investigate.

The FRC report, “Hostility Against Churches Is on the Rise in the United States,” shows a trend of increasing hostility against churches over the past five years that includes arson and arson attempts, assaults, bomb threats, gun-related incidents, among others.

Increased incidents of vandalism, including destruction and defacement of property, ransacking, theft, and destruction of church property were “likely symptomatic of a collapse in societal reverence and respect for houses of worship and religion – in this case, churches and Christianity,” the report states.

“Americans appear increasingly comfortable lashing out against church buildings, pointing to a larger societal problem of marginalizing core Christian beliefs, including those that touch on hotbutton political issues related to human dignity and sexuality.”

Many Democrats who opposed the resolution said they did so because it did not also condemn attacks against abortion facilities.

“This resolution fails to acknowledge decades of well-documented violence against reproductive health care providers in this country, and in failing to do so, it fails us all,” Rep. Lizzie Fletcher of Texas said, according to The Hill.

Of the attacks on churches and pro-life facilities, there were 342 occurrences of vandalism, 58 arson attacks or attempts, 12 gun-related incidents, 11 bomb threats, and 19 others, including assault, threats, interruption of worship services, among others. Another 20 covered more than one category.

Of the 420 incidents, California had the most with 51, followed by 33 in Texas, 31 in New York and 23 in Florida.

The analysis was published after the FBI reported 240 anti-Christian “hate crimes”

Overall, 57 “proabortion acts of hostility” against churches were identified, with violence increasing last year from January to September leading up to and after the Supreme Court decision.

had been recorded in its Uniform Crime Reporting Program in 2021, up from 213 in 2020, 217 in 2019 and 172 in 2018.

FBI data was consistent with the FRC findings. In 2018, FRC found 50 acts of hostility committed against churches; from January to September 2022, it found 137.

The report notes that such acts of violence “are a matter of religious freedom. Religious freedom is not maintained by good laws and policy alone: it also relies on cultural support.”

FRC President Tony Perkins has called on the Biden Administration to better protect churches and religious freedom, noting, “the Biden Department of Justice has so far largely ignored these growing attacks on churches and that is creating an environment of lawlessness around the country.”

He added, “Christians must not live in fear. We must not be intimidated; we must continue to stand upon the truth of God and defending the freedom of all to live out their faith free from the fear that they will be subject to a violent attack.”

S&P expects federal aid to help keep states afloat during recession

(The Center Square) – A credit rating agency expects U.S. states to make it through a shallow recession in 2023 by using reserve funds, tax and fee increases and expense cuts.

S&P Global Ratings’ economists expect a recession for the first six months of 2023 that states should be able to weather without credit challenges. In part, that’s because many states are sitting on federal money given out in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Another reason why states are in a good liquidity position is the significant federal stimulus aid still on hand,” according to the S&P report. “The federal government has allocated over $7 trillion in stimulus aid to fight the pandemic and support the economy over the past few years. The largest share of aid given directly to states was in the American Rescue Plan, with nearly $200 billion allocated to the states and territories.”

Roughly 21% of that federal money has yet to be appropriated, according to the report.

State-held reserves have increased from about $80 billion heading into the pandemic to about $136.5 billion at the end of fiscal 2022, according to S&P tabulations. That’s a 70% increase over three years. That money won’t last forever, but it could provide a cushion for states.

“Much of the existing aid will be spent through fiscal 2026, providing both internal liquidity

in the short-term and funds for capital requirements in the longer term. So, although the impact of a potential fiscal cliff caused by the depletion of federal aid is a current topic in the market, we view the coming change for states as more of a gradual slope than any type of precipice,” the authors wrote.

S&P economists gave the sector a stable outlook.

While U.S. states as a group are considered stable by S&P, Alexander Salter, the Georgie G. Snyder associate professor of economics at the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University, said some states are in a better financial position than others.

“There’s already a massive divergence in state finances –California, for example, has blown through its COVID largesse, whereas Texas is doing quite well, retaining a $27 billion surplus,” he said.

California faces a $22.5 billion shortfall in its budget for the 202324 fiscal year, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal.

The S&P report also said that states could become less generous with taxing bodies they help support, such as local governments.

“States have an advantageous, although at times divisive, ability to share fiscal challenges with other related governments,” according to the report. “In prior recessionary periods, we have seen states cut aid to local governments and other authorities, and believe this could happen again should the recession be longer and deeper than our economists forecast.”

As of December 31, 2022, Vandenberg Van & Storage, Inc., located at 540 North 8th St., Lompoc, CA 93436, no longer represents Atlas Van Lines, Inc. JAN 11, 12, 13 2023 -- 58997

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT, FBN No: 20220003086 First Filing. The following person (s) are doing business as ARTEMISIA ACADEMY: 735 STATE ST, SUITE 428, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101 County of Santa Barbara. Full Name(s) of registrants: ARTEMISIA ACADEMY INC.: 735 STATE ST, SUITE 428, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101. This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION, STATE OF INC.: CA. This statement was filed in the office of JOSEPH E. HOLLAND, County ClerkRecorder of SANTA BARBARA COUNTY on 12/21/2022 by E30 Deputy. The registrant commenced to transact business on: Dec 18, 2022. Statement Expires on: Not Applicable.

OPEN HOME DIRECTORY

law (See Section 14400, ET SEQ., Business and Profession Code). (SEAL) DEC 30 / 2022; JAN 06, 13, 20 / 2023--58985

to the provisions of Section 1773 and 1773.2 of the Labor Code of the State of California, the

Santa Barbara Community College District has obtained from the Director of Industrial Relations, the general prevailing rate of per diem wages and the general prevailing rate for holiday and overtime work in the locality in which the work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of workman needed to execute the contract with a copy of the same being on file at the office of the Vice President of Business Services, Santa Barbara Community College District. The Contractor and all Subcontractors shall pay not less than the applicable prevailing wage rate for the classification(s) of labor provided by their respective workers; prevailing wage rates are available for review at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlsr/statistics_research.html. During the Work, the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) will monitor compliance with prevailing wage rate requirements and enforce the Contractor’s prevailing wage rate obligations. The successful bidder will be required to post all job-site notices required by DIR regulations and other applicable law.

the Contractor to whom the contract is awarded, and upon any subcontractor under him, to pay not less than the said specified rates to all workmen employed by them in the execution of the contract. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 1771.1 of the Labor Code of the State of California, a contractor or subcontractor shall not be qualified to bid or engage in the performance of any contract for this project unless; (1) currently registered and qualified to perform public work pursuant to Section 1725.5; or (2) expressly authorized to submit a bid by Section 1771.1 and provided the contractor is registered to perform public work pursuant to section 1725.5 at the time the contract is awarded.

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE