Santa Barbara News-Press: May 12, 2023

Coach stepping down

SBHS’ Corey Adam has served as school’s head basketball coach for four years - A3

Santa Barbara turns 70

Orchestra celebrates with Grammy-nominated soloist during Mendelssohn violin concerto - B1

new era for Sansum Clinic

Local healthcare system plans partnership with Sutter Health

Texas national Guard, dPS block illegal entry south of El Paso Port of Entry

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE

CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – South of an El Paso port of entry in the West Bridge downtown area and along the Rio Grande River stretching to New Mexico, Texas Department of Public Safety officers and Texas National Guard officers working through Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star, have effectively blocked illegal entry, Texas authorities say.

The Texas National Guard erected several miles of concertina wire to fill a gap where construction in the border wall existed. When President Joe Biden came into office, he immediately halted construction of the border wall and a gap was left in the area.

People from all over the world who didn’t want to legally enter through a port of entry roughly a mile down a Juárez, Mexico, highway would walk across the highway down a ditch, across a shallow Rio Grande River that resembles more of a stream, and into Texas, authorities say.

A partial steel wall and the river were the only barrier between Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, until the Texas National Guard stepped in.

Just after midnight, when the public health authority Title 42 ends, Texas Department of Public Safety will have a show of force in this area,

Please see EL PASO on A4

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Sansum Clinic and Sutter Health, two local medical establishments, have announced plans to enter a strategic partnership to provide greater access to high-quality care to the Central Coast.

In technical terms, as Dr. Kurt Ransohoff, the CEO and chief medical officer at Sansum Clinic, explained, “Sutter Health will acquire the assets of Sansum Clinic yet remain its own entity” and it is easy to think of it as Sansum Clinic “getting a new parent.”

This past week, both institutions signed a non-binding letter of intent and expect to formalize the partnership in the coming weeks.

This partnership has officially been in the works over the past few years, but as Dr. Ransohoff said, this has been a desire of both companies for 15 years. Due to the recession, the deal could not formally proceed, but he said the companies are both delighted with the current timing of the agreement. Both of these not-for-profit health establishments have been dedicated to improving the wellbeing of residents of the Central Coast for years.

As health systems across the country face increasing industry and financial hardships, those involved with the partnership hope to provide the necessary resources to better serve the community.

Chumash elder named Fiesta Parade grand marshal

Ernestine De Soto, whose ancestors have been a part of the Santa Barbara community for generations, will have a prominent position in this year’s El Desfile Histórico.

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

An elder of the Chumash community has been selected as the Fiesta Parade grand marshal for the first time in Fiesta history.

Ernestine De Soto, whose ancestors have been a part of the Santa Barbara community for generations, will have a prominent position in this year’s El Desfile Histórico (Historical Parade) as it travels along Cabrillo Boulevard and passes through her ancestral village, Syuxtun, otherwise known as Ambassador Park.

The announcement of Ms. De Soto’s appointment took place at the site where the important

Please see FIESTA on A2

“We think there is a demand for healthcare services that are having a hard time getting met,” Dr. Ransohoff said. “There is a shortage in doctors, mostly being primary care doctors, and we think this is a way to attract more doctors. We think this will be great for our current patients.”

When it comes to current patients of the clinic, Dr. Ransohoff explained that they will continue to work under the same system. “Although things can always change, we are envisioning patients continuing to come to Sansum Clinic without any switches.”

Sansum Clinic said it is hoping to provide updates in the near future. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

“There is a shortage in doctors, mostly being primary care doctors, and we think this is a way to attract more doctors,” Dr. Kurt Ransohoff, the CEO and chief medical officer at Sansum Clinic, said about a partnership with Sutter Health. COURTESY

HHS says COVID-19 emergency is over

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the COVID-19 public health emergency officially over on Thursday.

This marks the end of the almost three and a halfyear pandemic. Changes will now come to various health department procedures and data collection. First, there will be different coverage for COVID-19 testing.

Coming to an end is the requirement for private insurance companies to cover COVID-19 tests without cost sharing, both for over-the-counter and laboratory tests. Community members should reach out to their insurance provider for additional details, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department said.

Residents are encouraged to order free COVID19 testing kits still available through the federal government.

With the end of the federal public health emergency declaration, the operations of the three expanded COVID-19 testing trailers located in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc will terminate on June 23. That’s according to the county public health department.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and California Department of Public Health will transition their publicly available COVID data after today. As a result, the local publicly available COVID data for Santa Barbara County will also be modified.

The public health department encourages residents to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Individuals with primary care should call their provider’s office for more information or to set up an appointment, the health department said in a news release.

COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatment will continue to be available for patients at the county’s Health Care Centers in Carpinteria, the Franklin Center, Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria.

The FDA has recently authorized the bivalent booster for all brands of doses starting at six months of age, as well as a second bivalent booster for individuals aged 65 and older who have had their primary vaccination series and are at least four months out from a previous bivalent booster shot.

For more information, visit hhs.gov.

Last week the World Health Organization declared an end to the global COVID-19 emergency. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

FRITZ OLENBERGER / COURTESY OLD SPANISH DAYS

From left are Tony Miller, division chief of pageantry for Fiesta; Ernestine De Soto, Barbareño tribal elder and the 2023 Fiesta Parade grand marshal; and El Presidente David Bolton.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Sansum Clinic, a healthcare system in Santa Barbara County, has announced plans for a partnership with Sutter Health.

SANSUM CLINIC

LUSD passes resolution in support of transgender students

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

During the Lompoc Unified School District’s board meeting on Tuesday, staff proposed a new resolution to support transgender students.

This resolution, which the board adopted, was made due to recent headlines across the country showing hate and bias within the classroom toward sexual identity and more specifically, transgenderidentifying students.

“Our primary job as educators is to educate our students, but if students don’t feel safe, they are not able to achieve academically,” Skyler Peterson, president of the

Man pleads guilty to arson

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara County District Attorney

John T. Savrnoch announced Thursday that Zacchaeus Taylor pled guilty to one count of arson of property for a fire started on June 23, 2022, near La Cumbre Plaza.

Pursuant to a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Taylor will be sentenced to three years in state prison and will be required to pay restitution and register as an arson offender for life.

The charge stemmed from an arson committed by Mr. Taylor near 3845 State St. outside of the Furniture Gallery by Mattress Mike.

The fire grew outside the building before setting off an overhanging fire sprinkler system, which ultimately controlled and extinguished the fire. Unfortunately, the sprinkler system also caused significant flood damage to inventory of the Furniture Gallery.

It was a difficult time for Mr. Gustason, the owner of Mattress Mike, who had been dealing with COVID-19 logistical issues when the fire occurred.

Many furniture items damaged by the fire suppression had already been sold and were being prepared for shipping when they needed to be replaced.

Sentencing is currently set for June 28 in Department 2 of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Barbara.

“This successful prosecution was due to the tenacious work of city fire investigators corroborating with Santa Barbara police detectives and district attorney investigators to ensure Mr. Taylor was held accountable for his crime,” District Attorney Savrnoch said.

Neil Hartstein

—

MADD honors law enforcement

CAMARILLO — Mothers Against Drunk Drivers recognized law enforcement officers throughout the Tri-Counties area on Thursday for their efforts in keeping local streets and communities safe by arresting drunk or impaired drivers.

The yearly event was held at the Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo and was well represented by all agencies, including the district attorney’s offices from all three counties.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy John Valenti was awarded the “Top DUI Officer” for arresting 68 DUI drivers. This was the second year in a row he was

Lompoc Federation of Teachers, told the News-Press.

By putting this resolution in writing, the LUSD is hoping to promote a safer and more positive experience for transgender students.

Franky Caldeira, the LUSD board president, explained that this is a “very important step to acknowledge and affirm our transgender students” and to “let them know they are loved.”

Mr. Caldeira originally authored the resolution and presented it to the board.

“I have taken the time to get to know the students at both of our Gay Straight Alliance clubs,” he told the News-Press. “I was able to share my story and listen

to theirs. What I heard in those conversations is that they were scared. There is a constant barrage of negativity and hatred toward the LGBTQIA+ community in recent history, and specifically, the transgender community.” In response, Mr. Caldeira took action. “I decided to do something about that. I couldn’t make changes at the state level, and I couldn’t do it at the national level, but I could do it for my community.”

Clara Finneran, superintendent of LUSD, told the News-Press, “We are committed to creating safe, comfortable environments in which students are given every opportunity to thrive. Each

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

recognized for his efforts, and last year he had the most arrests in the Tri-Counties area with 130. Also recognized were Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy Celeste Johnson for 44 arrests, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Deputy Kody Kiesow for 33 arrests and Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Senior Deputy Rockwell Ellis for 25 arrests.

During a speech, Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites remembered what a senior officer once told him when he first became an officer. “Each drunk driver is driving a 2 ½-ton weapon, and it’s our job to make sure we disarm that weapon before they hurt or kill themselves or someone else.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 1.5 million people are arrested on any given year for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That means that one out of every 121 licensed drivers are arrested for drunk or impaired driving.

MADD’s focused goal is to end impaired driving for good. Since its founding, the organization has served as a lifeline for thousands of victims and survivors, and drunk driving fatalities have been cut in half — but members refuse to stop there. The work of the deputies honored by MADD exemplifies a shared goal of ending this 100% preventable crime.

— Neil Hartstein

Bridge work to start in late May

LOS OLIVOS — A project to replace the Alamo Pintado Creek Pedestrian Bridge on the south side of State Route 154 near Los Olivos is expected to begin construction the week of May 22.

This project will also remove a retaining wall adjacent to the bridge and install rock slope protection.

The bridge will be closed to all pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians during construction.

Bicyclists will need to use State Route 154 or a local street to cross the creek. State Route 154 shoulder and/or lane closures may be implemented periodically during construction.

During work hours, one lane will always remain open with flaggers controlling traffic flow. This bridge was constructed in 1912. In 1971, a new bridge structure, Alamo Pintado Creek Bridge, was built on a new alignment 40 feet upstream from the original structure.

At that time, local citizens contacted the state to preserve the 1912 structure so it could be used

student deserves a space full of love in order to grow into the best version of themselves.”

Mr. Caldeira additionally shared what is happening within school’s administrations to make a change. “The district has committed to professional development for our staff in relation to gender identity and expression and how to support our transgender students.”

Mr. Caldeira finished with this: “Perhaps the most important impact of this resolution, though, is that our transgender students know they are accepted here, belong here, and are loved here.” email: abahnsen@newspress.com

as a pedestrian/equestrian trail bridge. The contractor for this $3.9 million project is M.C.M. Construction Inc. of North

Highlands in Sacramento County. It is scheduled to be complete by summer 2025.

— Neil Hartstein

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VOL. 167 NO.

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.

The Lompoc Unified School District board adopted a resolution this week in support of transgender students.

UCSB baseball to play Long Beach State, California Baptist

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The UCSB baseball team (31-14, 15-6 Big West) will play in the national spotlight on Saturday, as that night’s game against Long Beach State (26-20, 10-11 Big West) will be broadcast on ESPNU, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday will be the second game of a threegame set against the Dirtbags, and one of four games in as many days. After the Gauchos finish their series in Long Beach, they will return to Caesar Uyesaka Stadium Monday night to take on the Lancers of California Baptist (26-23, 13-11 WAC).

LAST TIME OUT

UCSB completed a season sweep of one of their most common foes on Tuesday night, defeating Loyola Marymount, 7-4, in the 146th all-time meeting between the Gauchos and Lions. Santa Barbara had taken the first half of the home-and-home series in Los Angeles, 13-6, back on March 13.

SERIES HISTORIES

As Big West conference-mates and traditional California college baseball powerhouses, UCSB and Long Beach State have seen plenty of each other through the years — 185 meetings prior to this weekend, to be exact. The Gauchos have won 90 of those games, including each of the last four. Santa Barbara split the last series in Long Beach, winning the series finale in a 12-inning game which was also televised on ESPNU, then swept a three-game set in Santa Barbara last season.

Monday’s matchup against California Baptist may only be the fifth meeting between the two teams but it will also be their second game against each other in three weeks. The Lancers took their half of the home-and-home

Breeze Bus Routes to change to SMRT’s

local routes

NORTH COUNTY — There is going to be a rebranding of the regional Breeze Bus Routes 100 and 200 and New Cuyama intercommunity bus routes as Santa Maria Regional Transit’s local fixed routes starting on July 1. The service consolidation was recently approved by the Santa Maria City Council. SMRT will

series, 6-4, in Riverside on May 2. CBU has now won the last two games in the all-time series, after Santa Barbara took the first two of a three-game set in 2019.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE GAUCHOS

UCSB has one of the most electric offenses in The Big West and one of the best pitching staffs in the country. The Gauchos come into the weekend with a 3.85 team ERA, which ranks seventh in all of Division I baseball and best on the West Coast. Now a member of the starting rotation, Hudson Barrett has the nation’s sixth-best ERA, 1.81, in his 49 2/3 innings of work. Matt Ager’s 95 strikeouts are the ninth most by any Division I pitcher this season, some of the Gauchos’ conferenceleading 465 strikeouts. On the other side of the coin, Gaucho hitters have mashed more long balls than any team in the conference, with their 71 home runs ranking 47th in the country. Only one other team in The Big West has more than 50. Pairing their power with speed, the Gauchos are also The Big West’s most aggressive team on the basepaths, leading the conference in steals (62) and attempts (86). They have stolen seven bases on nine attempts in their last two games alone. In the power department, Jared Sundstrom’s 13 home runs and .722 slugging percentage lead both the team and conference. Sundstrom also leads the team in RBI with 38 and batting average, hitting .346.

SCOUTING THE DIRTBAGS

Long Beach State comes into the weekend at a low point, having lost six of their last ten games and three straight. The Dirtbags dropped the final two games of last weekend’s series to CSU Bakersfield, then fell to Loyola Marymount on Monday night, all at home. Despite their sub-.500 record in conference

continue to administer the routes though its federal, state and city council-sanctioned process.

Effective on July 1, the regional routes will be rebranded as SMRT’s Routes 20 to Los Alamos/ Solvang/Chumash, Route 30 to Vandenberg/Lompoc, and Route 50 to New Cuyama. Riders will start to see SMRTbranded vehicles deployed in their service. Additionally, SMRT plans to fully integrate labor, fleet, ridership figures, revenues and costs to maximize efficiency.

SMRT will oversee the

DOJ announces third probe of Antioch Police Department

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - The California Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday a civil rights investigation of the Antioch Police Department (APD). The APD currently only has 34 officers on patrol and 38 on administrative leave pending the outcome of investigations which began early last year.

“Early indications that we’ve seen here in Antioch raise significant red flags, which is why we are launching this investigation,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a KTVU interview. “The people of Antioch deserve safety and their civil rights to be protected and defended.”

Both the Contra Costa County DA’s office and the FBI have launched criminal investigations into APD that involve derogatory and racist text messages and unnecessary use of force, including use of force by at least one K-9 unit.

Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford commented in a KTVU interview, “It’s disturbing. We can’t sugar coat reality. It’s a disturbing situation.”

Policies on the handling of K-9’s, cell phones and use of force have already seen some changes at APD.

The civil rights investigation announced by the DOJ will make a determination on whether APD engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing and steer a course of comprehensive corrective measures for APD.

“We’re going to get to the bottom of what’s happening at the Antioch Police Department,” Mr. Bonta confirmed. Having read the text messages the attorney general remarked, “I was disgusted. It was painful. It was awful.”

California’s constitution authorizes Mr. Bonta to conduct investigations on whether there is a pattern or practice that violates state or federal law within any law enforcement department. Such investigations do not zero in on an

individual but rather focuses on a system.

“Where there are allegations of potentially pervasive bias or discrimination, it can undermine the trust that is critical for public safety and our justice system. It is our responsibility to ensure that we establish a culture of accountability, professionalism, and zero tolerance for hateful or racist behavior, on or off duty,” Mr. Bonta affirmed.

Chief Ford acknowledged that some repair work with the community will be needed. “The pushback we’re going to experience is warranted. Let’s be clear. This is a policing organization, people expect us to behave and function in a certain way,” he said.

“I don’t want anyone to feel apprehensive about engaging with the police department.”

Mr. Bonta too is working to create public trust and provide a sense of security to the community. Anyone with information pertaining to the civil rights investigation of APD is encouraged to reach out to the California Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section at Police-Practices@doj. ca.gov. Reports can be sent in any language. The DOJ is promising to “work diligently to consider all relevant information, including from community members and organizations, local officials, oversight entities, Antioch Police Department, and individual officers.”

Chief Ford is embracing every effort to correct the direction of APD. “At this juncture I’m open to embracing any and every resource that’s available to us to get this organization back on track. We have to be accountable so we can be credible in the eyes of the people that we serve,” he said.

Allegations of inappropriate texts, discriminatory enforcement of the law, excessive force, incustody deaths, endangering public safety and law enforcement misconduct by police departments have triggered investigations by the Attorney General and the DOJ.

play this season, the Dirtbags have talent on their roster, owning the most Big West Pitcher and Player of the Week award winners this season (three of each). Two-time Pitcher of the Week Graham Osman was LBSU’s Friday guy until last weekend, when he moved to Saturday. Osman owns a 5-1 record and 4.14 ERA this season. Jonathon Long, one of three Dirtbags to earn Player of the Week honors, leads the team in batting average (.309) and home runs (12). Fellow Player of the Week winner Connor Burns is the only other Dirtbag with double-digit homers (10).

SCOUTING THE LANCERS

California Baptist will play a three-game series against Sacramento State at home before they come to Santa Barbara. The Lancers come into the weekend having won three of their last five games, including midweek contests against UCSB and UC Riverside. The Lancers’ top three RBI guys each contributed in CBU’s win over the Gauchos on May 2. RBI leader Mitchel Simon (47 on the season) drove in one, with Dustin Garcia (43) and Josh Paino (30) each driving in two runs. Garrett Ostrander getting a hit in that game was no surprise, he leads the Lancers with a .366 batting average on the season.

UP NEXT

The Gauchos will play their final home games of the season next weekend, welcoming Cal Poly to Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, May 19-21. First pitch times are set for 5:05 p.m. Friday, 4:05 p.m. Saturday, and 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Sunday afternoon will be UCSB’s Senior Day game.

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

operational costs, using a combination of state and federal funding sources as well as the county’s allocation of Transit Development Act state funding to support service to unincorporated parts of North County.

This consolidation is expected to improve transit services in the

Santa Maria and North County region as well as provide riders with a more efficient experience, according to SMRT. These routes will accept SMRT bus passes, and new bus schedules will be released shortly.

— Annika Bahnsen

Corey Adam

Head basketball coach at Santa Barbara High to step down

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Corey Adam is stepping down as the head boys basketball coach at Santa Barbara High School.

The decision was announced Thursday.

“After much consideration of a variety of factors, I will be stepping down as basketball coach at Santa Barbara High School,” Adam said. “It’s been a fun ride for the past four years and the many years before that working with the lower levels, but other factors in life are

calling me away.”

Adam has served as the head coach for the past four years. The Dons went 17-13 last season and finished third in the Channel League. Adam’s overall record is 56-42, and his teams made the CIF-SS playoffs twice. Adam is also a teacher in the social science and history department at the school and will continue teaching after he steps down as coach. Santa Barbara High School will immediately begin the hiring process for a new coach. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Maria Ressa How to Stand Up to a Dictator

Thu, May 18 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

Celebrated for her commitment to free expression and democratic government, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Ressa tells the story of how democracy dies and offers an urgent cry for us to recognize the danger before it is too late.

Major Sponsor: Dorothy Largay & Wayne Rosing

Additional support provided by the Beth Chamberlin Endowment for Cultural Understanding

CEO and National Director, Anti-Defamation League Jonathan Greenblatt

Fighting Hate for Good

Mon, May 22 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

FREE (registration required)

Drawing on the Anti-Defamation League’s decades of experience in fighting hate through investigative research, education programs and legislative victories, as well as his own personal story and his background in business and government, Jonathan Greenblatt offers a bracing primer on how we can strike back against hate.

Indigenous Multimedia Artist Nicholas Galanin

Let Them Enter Dancing and Showing Their Faces

Wed, May 31 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

FREE (registration recommended)

Multidisciplinary artist Nicholas Galanin, who is of Tlingit and Unanga descent and a citizen of Alaska’s Sitka Tribe, explores conceptions and misconceptions surrounding Indigenous identity.

Justice for All Lead Sponsors: Marcy Carsey, Connie Frank & Evan Thompson, Eva & Yoel Haller, Dick Wolf, and Zegar Family Foundation

COURTESY SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL

has served for four years as the head boys basketball coach at Santa Barbara High School.

Amidst exodus of San Francisco’s retailers, a proposal to disarm security guards

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - San Francisco’s District 5 County Supervisor Dean Preston announced on Twitter yesterday plans to introduce legislation to limit the use of guns by private security guards protecting retail stores in San Francisco.

“We must amend local law to prohibit guards from drawing weapons just to protect property. Human life is more important than property,” Mr. Preston tweeted. “We need to change local law so that security guards cannot unholster weapons to protect property.”

Last week San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins revealed her office would not prosecute Walgreens security guard MichaelEarl Wayne Anthony, 33, for the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Banko Brown. An altercation broke out when Wayne attempted to stop Brown from shoplifting. Ms. Jenkins said video footage, statements from those who were present at the time of the incident and evidence that Mr. Wayne acted in self-defense are reasons why she would not prosecute.

John Kabateck, California state director for the National Federation of Independent Business expressed his disgust with the inaction of California’s leadership in a statement released on Wednesday calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature to “pull their heads out of the sand and confront a crisis of their own creation — the rampant retail theft caused by Proposition 47.”

Last month Nordstrom revealed its plan to not renew its leases and instead will close both of its downtown San Francisco stores in July

and August citing a change in “the dynamics of downtown San Francisco” adversely affecting their ability to operate successfully.

Target stores in San Francisco have taken to locking away multiple products behind plastic security cabinets in order to minimize theft due to shoplifting. Their downtown store inside the Metreon mall is estimated to have up to 10 thefts a day. Their store on Folsom Street gained attention in a viral Tik Tok post showing the extent of lockdown items making it almost impossible to shop without a store attendant with an access key.

After just one year of operation, Whole Foods Market at Eighth and Market Street is suspending operations because of concerns for its workers’ safety. Drug use and crime near the store posed a real challenge. The store initially cut back on operating hours last October to curb theft and increase the safety of store workers. Now its closing.

San Francisco has seen an exodus of retailers: Office Depot, Amazon Go, T Mobile, Banana Republic, Crate & Barrel, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and a host of other brands have all called it quits in San Francisco.

“If the retail hollowing out of one of the nation’s most visited destinations doesn’t crash cymbals next to their ears, their tone deafness will make them national examples of how not to govern,” said Mr. Kabateck.

California’s largest small-business association headed by Kabateck lamented the legislative inaction of the state’s lawmakers asking “Why ... the quick, unceremonious death of Senate Bill 316 and the sentencing of Assembly Bill 1708 to legislative limbo?

Both measures sought to make modest modifications to Prop. 47 that would not have threatened the main goals of the ballot measure that passed in November 2014, and both enjoyed bipartisan support.”

The bills sought to introduce jail time to offenders who have been convicted 2-3 or more times for petty theft. Offenders who have a history of serious, violent, or sexual prior offenses being convicted for shoplifting would also be sentenced to jail time.

The release by National Federation of Independent Business pointed out that “According to Kabateck, debate over the issue should not overlook the fact that the more pervasive, common-place retail theft crimes are not just the organized ones hitting big stores, they also strike the most vulnerable, including small, ethnic business owners, employees, customers and families in our communities.”

Meanwhile, Walgreens is being pressured by protestors of the pharmacy-shooting to stop the use of security guards on their premises.

If proposed gun legislation by Preston limits or removes guns from trained security guards, and the state’s legislature won’t act to ensure security for the city’s retailers and shoppers, then San Francisco is likely to see a continued shuttering of its downtown businesses.

“What is it about the highly flawed and missold Proposition 47 that has turned so many of California’s legislators into cult-like worshipers of it? They willfully and stubbornly will not recognize any flaw in their criminal creed,” Mr. Kabateck bemoaned. “The first duty of all governments is to provide for public safety.”

‘Bioblitz’

Ernestine De Soto stands next to images of her mother, grandmother and great-great-grandmother.

Woman’s mother is last native speaker of Chumash language

FIESTA

Continued from Page A1

Chumash village, Syuxtun, is located and where the modernday parade will travel through.

Ms. De Soto’s ancestors lived for many years at Syuxtun, one of the most dominant Chumash villages between Gaviota and Carpinteria. Ms. De Soto’s great, great-grandmother Maria Ygnacia was the last survivor of those born at this village.

Ms. De Soto’s family has deep roots in Santa Barbara. Experts have traced her ancestors

back 13,000-plus years in the Americas using DNA technology to identify Haplogroup D — one of the oldest DNA categories. Her mother, Mary Yee, is regarded as the last native speaker of the Chumash language.

The Old Spanish Days Fiesta will take place this year on Aug. 2-6 around Santa Barbara. The Historical Parade will go down Cabrillo Boulevard on Aug. 5.

To learn more, visit sbfiesta. org.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Participants in a “Bioblitz” nature walk Thursday at Elings Park in Santa Barbara stroll the trail, recording pollinators, bugs, birds, animals, and other living things of interest that they encounter using the iNaturalist app on their smartphones. The Bioblitz was the first event in a new collaboration between the park and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Around 20 garden researchers and public volunteers “blitzed” through the South Bluffs area of the 230-acre park, led by Dr. Denise Knapp, the garden’s director of conservation and research. As part of this project, free nature walks will start June 24 at the Elings Park and continue on the third Saturday of the month through December. Each hike has a different natural history focus, such as plants, pollinators or birds, and they are led by experts from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. For more information, visit www.SBBotanicGarden.org/calendar.

EL PASO

Continued from Page A1

the DPS commander of the western region of Texas, Juan Sanchez, told The Center Square at a briefing with a border security coalition arranged by The Texas Public Policy Foundation.

The coalition visited the area where in December a group of 300 people staying in a camp of several thousand on the other side of the river tried to rush across and illegally enter but were held back by Border Patrol agents. The camp is now closed.

Since then, no one can rush across the river in this area because Operation Lone Star has been so effective, Mr. Sanchez said. Foreign nationals either have to enter at the port of entry or go through New Mexico. But because New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, has told New Mexico state police to stand down and not pursue or apprehend any foreign nationals illegally entering, and because no New Mexico National Guard is there, New Mexico is wide open for illegal entry, Texas authorities say.

However, the area is so remote and there’s no infrastructure and the next biggest city, Las Cruces, is roughly an hour away.

“They’re just coming back into El Paso,” Mr. Sanchez said. When they do, DPS is actively working to apprehend them.

Cartel traffickers put illegal foreign nationals in El Paso hotels, Airbnb rentals and then trash them, Mr. Sanchez said.

“It’s been a toll on local businesses, the community and everybody else,” he said.

Texas DPS special agents working with Border Patrol are actively identifying stash houses, he said, and “we’ve been very successful.” Previously, stash houses held groups of 20-30 people. Now they’re holding groups of 50, 100, 150, he said.

Mr. Sanchez, who’s worked in this area for years, also said the kind of people who are illegally entering are unlike those in the past.

“This new group, they are very entitled,” he said. “They’ve been giving us a lot of resistance. They don’t have respect for law enforcement. They don’t have respect for the citizens here.”

Immigrants who come to the U.S. legally who want to be U.S. citizens “were real quick to say ‘I can’t wait to come into the United States. I can’t wait to carry the American flag,’” he said. But the people illegally entering today, “they still represent their home country’s flag. They’re here; they’re entitled. They expect certain things,” he said, referring to taxpayer-funded welfare and other subsidies.

“They laugh at just about everything we do,” he added. “Our citizens will say, ‘can you please get off my sidewalk, you’re blocking my door.’ And they laugh at them.”

“The problem we had downtown with all the

migrants and homeless population increasing,” he said, is transnational gang members took over the streets. If homeless illegal foreign nationals wanted “to get in the chow line at the front,” where free food was being offered, he said, they had to pay the gangs.

By contrast, the Biden administration is actively working to release foreign nationals into the U.S., Texas authorities say. At a Border Patrol conference in El Paso on Wednesday, DHS Chief Information Officer Eric Hysen said the “extremely challenging operational environment will only increase after tomorrow night,” referring to when Title 42 ended Thursday.

One of the agency’s primary goals is to facilitate an efficient processing system to release an expected influx of foreign nationals into the U.S. To do this, over 2,400 DHS employee volunteers, 1,500 Department of Defense personnel, 1,000 employees from 11 federal agencies and 2,000 contractors are working to “scale up processing efforts,” he said.

Gov. Abbott, who deployed a tactical National Guard unit to El Paso on Monday, said, “The cartels are working in collaboration with President Biden and the federal government to facilitate that illegals cross the border.” He said Texas is “being overrun by our own federal government. Texas is being undermined by our own federal government and our efforts to secure our border.”

‘It’s been a toll on local businesses, the community and everybody else’

FRITZ OLENBERGER / COURTESY OLD SPANISH DAYS

Life theArts

FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023

Santa Barbara Symphony turns 70

Professional orchestra celebrates with Grammy-nominated soloist during Mendelssohn violin concerto

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.

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

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

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

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

The Santa Barbara Symphony has a good reason for turning to iconic composers, a Grammy-nominated guest soloist playing a Stradivari violin and talented soloists from throughout its ranks.

The symphony is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

And that means an emphasis on great music at the concerts, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at The Granada in Santa Barbara. It’s the penultimate concert of the 70th anniversary season.

The Santa Barbara orchestra’s “Platinum Sounds” concert will feature Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary.

The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68.

Nir Kabaretti, the symphony’s music and artistic director, credits the community’s support for the orchestra’s longevity.

“The fact that we are thriving after 70 years means many people and generations have supported this orchestra both by funding it (through donations) and attending the concerts,” Maestro Kabaretti told the News-Press.

“Of course, I think if you compare the orchestra today to what it was 70 years ago, you would find a huge difference,” he said.

He noted the symphony was originally a semi-professional orchestra with retired musicians, students and musicians with nonmusical careers.

“Now we have a fully professional orchestra,” Maestro Kabaretti said, noting that evolution has expanded the

repertoire that can be played. The professional talent in the symphony will be highlighted when the orchestra plays Concerto Grosso, which Maestro Kabaretti noted will feature soloists from every section. The soloists are Concertmaster Jessica Guideri on first violin, Ryo Usami on second violin, Trevor Handy on cello, Amy Tatum on flute, Lara Wickes on oboe, Donald Foster on clarinet, Andy Radford on bassoon, Teag Reaves on horn, Jon Lewis on trumpet and Dillion MacIntyre on trombone.

Maestro Kabaretti said the concerto is a good conversation between the principal players and the rest of the orchestra.

He added that he’s glad to present the concerto again for people who missed it when it premiered in 2013.

During its long life, the symphony has been known for its talented guest soloists, and this weekend’s concerts will follow that trend with Mr. Quint playing the violin solo on the Mendelssohn concerto. This weekend will mark Mr. Quint’s fourth time performing with the Santa Barbara Symphony during Maestro Kabaretti’s tenure, and he was a soloist with the orchestra before that as well.

“Philippe is a good friend and a fantastic collaborator,” Maestro Kabaretti said. “Philippe is the one musician who was invited back (as a guest soloist) more than anyone else.”

Mr. Quint is excited about returning to Santa Barbara for the concert.

“Aside from Santa Barbara being one of the most gorgeous destinations in America, the Santa Barbara Symphony is a very special ensemble in my life,” Mr. Quint told the News-Press by phone from Los Angeles.

“We’ve always had great chemistry on the musical level,” the New York City resident

7 p.m. Vocalist Julie Christensen will perform with guitarist Joe Woodard and bassist Steve Nelson at the Ojai Underground Exchange, 616 Pearl St. in Ojai. Ms. Christensen’s album, “The Price We Pay for Love,” was recently released. Tickets are $35. To purchase, go to ojaiundergroundexchangetickets. square.site. For more information, call 805-340-7893.

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

MAY 14

2 p.m. Free concerts take place at 2 p.m. Sundays through July 9 at Hitching Post Wines’ tasting room, 420 State Route 246, Buellton. For more information, visit hpwines.com. 3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The orchestra’s 70th anniversary program will feature Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary. The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org. A pre-concert talk with Nir Kabaretti, the symphony’s music and artistic director, will take place at 2 p.m.

MAY 18 3 to 5 p.m. A recruitment reception for volunteer docents will take place at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. The year-long training course begins each September. For more information or to attend, visit www.sbma.net/docent or contact education@sbma.net. — Dave Mason

said. He praised Nir Kabaretti, the

ZACH MENDEZ PHOTO

Nir Kabaretti, the Santa Barbara Symphony’s music and artistic director, will conduct the orchestra during its concerts Saturday and Sunday. Maestro Kabaretti will also give a pre-concert talk Sunday.

JOHN GRESS PHOTO Grammy-nominated violinist Philippe Quint will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64, with the Santa Barbara Symphony this weekend. Please see SYMPHONY on B2

“Seared” will be the first Ensemble Theatre Company production to feature live cooking on stage.

‘Seared’ final show of Ensemble Theatre Company season

By MARILYN MCMAHON

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Ensemble Theatre Company will present the final show of its 2022-2023 season — “Seared,” written by Theresa Rebeck and directed by ETC Artistic Director Jonathan Fox.

“Seared” begins with a preview performance at 7:30 p.m. June 8 and opens its regular run at 8 p.m. June 10, continuing through June 25 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara.

In “Seared,” a brilliant, hotheaded chef scores a mention in a food magazine with his signature scallops, and his business partner finally sees profits within reach. The only problem: recreating masterpieces for the masses.

The play asks audiences to consider where art ends and commerce begins.

“As the saying goes, ‘If you can’t stand the heat…,” said Mr. Fox.

“And things certainly get hot and steamy in this kitchen, not least of which is the chef’s artistic temperament. ‘Seared,’ our first production to feature live cooking on stage, is the perfect play for us to close what has truly been an extraordinary season.”

The cast of “Seared” features

Prime Time Band to perform in new venue

GOLETA — The Prime Time Band will present a free spring concert, “A Celebration of America’s Musical Landscape,” at 2 p.m. May 21 at Elings Performing Arts Center at Dos Pueblos High School, 7266 Alameda Ave. in Goleta.

This is a new venue for the band. Those attending are asked to enter the parking lot off Cathedral Oaks Road.

The band is composed of adults from age 40 to 90, many of whom hadn’t played an instrument since high school or learned to play during their retirement or semiretirement. The band is directed by Dr. Paul Mori, a member of the Westmont College music faculty. For more information, visit ptband.org.

FYI

Ensemble Theatre Company will perform “Seared” in June at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. A preview show is set for 7:30 p.m. June 8. The regular run is from June 10 through June 25.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m.

Sundays; with added performances at 7 p.m. June 11; 7:30 p.m June 13 and 4 p.m. June 17.

Ticket prices range from $40 to $84. To purchase, call the ETC box office at 805-965-5400 or visit etcsb. org. Prices are subject to change.

Ronald Auguste, making his ETC debut as the ever-friendly waiter “Rodney.” Mr. Auguste has been seen on such TV shows as “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Dear White People” and “Station 19.”

Also making his ETC debut is Andrew Elvis Miller (“Dexter,” “NCIS” and “Halston”), who stars as the temperamental head chef “Harry.” Gary Paten (”Ragtime”

3D Theatricals - Ovation Nomination; “The Immigrant,” Pico Playhouse - Ovation Nomination) stars as Harry’s put-

upon business partner “Mike,” and Angela Sauer stars as restaurant consultant “Emily.”

Ms. Sauer most recently appeared in the Netflix series adaptation of “Steel Magnolias,” and she was featured on “The Daily Show“ and “Jane the Virgin.” This is her first time on the ETC stage.

Mr. Fox joined ETC in 2006 as its artistic director. His ETC productions include “American Son,” “Porgy and Bess,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Woyzeck” and many others. He adapted and directed ETC’s 2017 world premiere production of Woody Allen’s “Husbands and Wives.” He has directed performances for Opera Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Symphony. He has also directed productions in Vienna, Austria and is slated to direct “An Iliad” this summer in Montenegro.

Ms. Rebeck is a prolific and widely produced playwright, whose work can be seen and read throughout the United States and abroad. Other Broadway works include ”Dead Accounts,” “Seminar” “and”Mauritius.”

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

Spooky Mansion X at SOhO

SANTA BARBARA — Spooky Mansion X will perform at 9 p.m. May 26 at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St., Suite 205, Santa Barbara. Doors open at 8 p.m. The Los Angeles rock band has had over 20 million Spotify plays and has toured across the U.S. for the last eight years. The concert will also feature Tino Drima. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 at the door. To purchase, go to www.sohosb.com.

The concert is for ages 21 and older.

Chekhov-inspired event opens tonight at Westmont College

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER FYI

“Theatre and Memory: Now and Then” — an event inspired by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov — will be performed at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in the Ellen Porter Hall of Fine Arts at Westmont College.

The campus is at 955 La Paz Road in Montecito.

The event will include live performances of “Uncle Vanya” by Anton Chekhov — translated by Libby Appel, directed by John Blondell and featuring the artists of Lit Moon World.

The performances are preceded by and followed by a curated display of the theater art pieces crafted by designer Yulya Dukhovny of Lit Moon Worlds’ exploration of “Uncle Vanya,” “Three Sisters” and “Ivanov.”

Here is a breakdown of “Theatre and Memory: Now and Then.”

“Theatre: Now”: In Chekhov, the heart aches, the dreams fade, but there’s vodka. Featured are

SYMPHONY

Continued from Page B1

Santa Barbara Symphony’s music and artistic director, for making the experience special.

“He’s just a terrific musician and an incredible collaborator,” Mr. Quint said. “He’s a friend you want on stage.”

“Nir inspires me in the moment,” Mr. Quint said, adding that he loves the acoustics of The Granada.

Another special element is the instrument Mr. Quint will be playing: a 1708 “Ruby” Antonio Stradivari violin on loan to him from The Stradivari Society in Chicago. It’s one of 650 Stradivari violins still in existence.

“I believe I’ve brought it to Santa Barbara several times,” Mr. Quint said. “The experience is a little bit like having a Mona Lisa at your home.”

Most concertos begin with an orchestra playing before the soloist performs. But Mendelssohn decided to put the soloist in the

“Theatre and Memory: Now and Then,” an event inspired by Anton Chekhov, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in Ellen Porter Hall of Fine Arts at Westmont College, 955 La Paz Road in Montecito. Tickets are $30 general admission and $20 students. For more information, visit litmoontheatre.com.

Irwin Appel, Jim Connelly, Cierra Denning, Brian Harwell, James McCarthy, Vardan Mkrthchyan, Nina Sallinen, Matt Tavianini and Mitchell Thomas.

Scenography and costumes are by Blagoj Micevski, with lighting design by Danielle Draper. Assistant director is Kelli Coleman Moor, and the stage manager is Anna Warren.

Memory: Then: Ms. Dukhovny, an American artist living in Long Beach, centers on the Model Theater medium and contemporary interpretation

FYI

The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. A pre-concert talk with Nir Kabaretti, the symphony’s music and artistic director, will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

spotlight from the first note.

“Mendelssohn chopped off the long orchestral introduction. He was probably the first major composer to do that,” Mr. Quint said, adding, “The opening of Mendelssohn’s music is considered to be the most challenging of any concerto. …

“For this particular opening, you have to make sure you’re really warmed up,” Mr. Quint said.

“I take extra time to warm up.”

Mr. Quint also described the concerto’s beauty and noted Mendelssohn was ahead of his time with his advanced

of traditional paper/toy theater, popular in 19th-century Europe. She creates a dramatic visual narrative incorporating creative writing, object-based performance, physical theater, experimental puppetry, video and original music.

She defines her tiny-stage plays as a “live paper animation performed in a vertical 2D scenic space, where six-inch paper figures are wading through the metaphorical landscapes.”

Ms. Dukhovny’s experimental work is inspired by life-size scenography and its multiple stage process of modeling.

Mr. Blondell is the founding artistic director of the Lit Moon Theatre Company, director of the Lit Moon World Theater Festivals, chair and professor of theater arts at Westmont College and cofounder of the Bitola (Macedonia) Shakespeare Festival. He has directed more than 80 professional productions and has produced another 60 for Lit Moon’s international festivals. email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

harmonies.

“This concerto incorporates all the glorious details of the Romantic Era,” he said. “It has everything in it …

“People love the piece,” Mr. Quint said. “I have performed it over 200 times. Every time is like the first time. It has such a tremendous energy — a great amount of beautiful energy that has stayed with people over the centuries.”

Mr. Quint said next year will mark the 30th anniversary of his unofficial debut in America. He said highlights of his career have included winning the Juilliard School of Music’s competition in 1998, recording his first commercial album and being nominated for two Grammys.

“The beautiful thing about our job is that no matter how much you play a Mendelssohn or Tchaikovsky concerto, there is never a point of reaching a ceiling,” Mr. Quint said. “It’s just infinite where the music can go.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

COURTESY ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY

—Marilyn McMahon

COURTESY PHOTO

Dr. Paul Mori will lead the Prime Time Band when it performs its spring concert May 21 in Goleta.

— Dave Mason

the last eight years

SUDOKU

Thought for Today

“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” — Alex Haley

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Friday, May 12, 2023

ARIES — Sign up for a class or workshop today. Your career could greatly benefit from more training. A short computer course might be all you need to move your career a giant leap forward. Don’t neglect your artistic abilities, Aries. Ideally, you will find a way to integrate your creative talents into your daily business life.

TAURUS — You’ve been working especially hard lately, Taurus, and today you may begin to reap the benefits of all your hard work. Some project that’s dear to your heart may be nearing completion, and even you are impressed by the results!

All those naysayers who said it would never work are now looking at you with admiration and respect.

GEMINI — There’s no other way to say this, Gemini — you’re in the mood for love. Tonight you may feel a strong urge to be with your partner. If there isn’t one in your life, you should take steps to correct that. You may meet someone who sweeps you off your feet. You want to be headin-the-clouds in love, which is the only way to be!

CANCER — You have a generous spirit, Cancer, which could get you into trouble if you aren’t careful. When you get a gift of money or even a hint of one, your tendency is to buy presents for all your friends.

It’s hard to fault you for this, but there are other ways to show your affection.

LEO — You hardly even believe in love, much less love at first sight, Leo, but something that occurs today may turn you into a believer. You never know when it will happen. You could be in line at the grocery store when someone catches your eye (and heart). Perhaps someone with whom you’ve only had a phone relationship suddenly shows up at your office.

VIRGO — It’s likely a hidden talent of yours is revealed today, Virgo. All those scraps of writing could turn into something more concrete, such as a novel. Maybe you begin to dabble with your children’s paint set and realize how much you enjoy the creative process. Be open to all possibilities. You may find your life takes a different, more

CODEWORD PUZZLE

authentic direction.

LIBRA — You will feel especially close to family and friends today, Libra. There’s a lot of positive energy in the air, and people feel optimistic and congenial. It’s a pleasure to be with your loved ones, and interactions with strangers have a lovely flavor as well. Take advantage of the warm astral energy and plan a get-together with your favorite people.

SCORPIO — You’re likely feeling confident, optimistic, and enthusiastic today, Scorpio. You feel as though anything is possible, and indeed it is. If you feel a bit of wanderlust and are anxious to explore new places and meet new people, you may soon receive the chance. Life is one great big adventure. You’re fortunate to have the sort of spirit that embraces it fully.

SAGITTARIUS — You have a wonderful combination of optimism and spirituality, Sagittarius. You believe in miracles as well as angels, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy. We support your attitude wholeheartedly! Today something may happen that only further solidifies your beliefs.

CAPRICORN — Don’t be afraid to ask for help today, Capricorn. It may be that your friends and family help you with a task or you discover a mechanized solution that does the job for you. Technology can be a wonderful thing. Don’t let any aversion to it stop you from incorporating it into your daily life.

AQUARIUS — You can expect your love life to take a dramatic turn for the better, Aquarius. This may be because you feel more self-confident than you have in a long time. In addition, you feel great and look even better. It’s no wonder your romantic partner is reacting to you in such a powerful, positive way.

PISCES — You’re looking good and feeling great, Pisces. Now if only your home environment reflected who you are. As you look around, you may realize that it isn’t as elegant as it could be. Today you can begin to change it. Begin with the basics — tidy up and clear away clutter. Once all the extraneous items are gone, you can begin to look at more serious changes.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Friday, May 12, 2023

My friend the English professor can’t tolerate poor grammar. He also has no use for poor partners — except when he partners his wife, a dear lady who abides his eccentricities.

“She played at four hearts in this deal,” the prof said, showing today’s layout. “West led a spade, and East won and returned a spade. My wife promptly cashed the Q-K of trumps.

When East discarded, she took the ace and then started the diamonds.

West ruffed the second diamond, and the defense took the jack of spades and ace of clubs. Down one.”

“You were upset?” I asked.

“No. I commiserated with my wife like a good English professor. I said ‘there, their, they’re’.”

BAD BREAKS

There is an easy way South can guard against bad breaks and prevent the defense from getting their four tricks. After South wins the second spade, she leads a club from dummy to set up communication with her hand. She can ruff her last spade in dummy.

As for the prof and his wife, I would say they’re a lovely couple.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: K Q Q 3

INSTRUCTIONS

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

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

ANSWER: Though you have 19 high-card points, your hand is wrong for a strong jump-shift to suggest slam. You may belong at hearts, diamonds, clubs or notrump, and you need room to decide. Bid two diamonds. Jump-shift when you have a self-sustaining suit, a big fit for partner’s suit or a strongish balanced hand that will bid notrump next.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

7 3

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