Santa Barbara News-Press: June 02, 2023

Sexual abuse lawsuit settled for $950,000

Running after doughnuts

Apparel company and club collaborate on special run on National Donut Day MORE TOMORROW

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

There is nothing runners love more than doughnuts, at least according to Monica DeVreese, the co-founder of rabbit.

The Santa Barbara-based apparel company is celebrating National Donut Day, which is recognized today, in the way they know best: running.

“National Donut Day has become one of our favorite annual celebrations,” Ms. DeVreese told

Additional coverage of today’s National Donut Day run will appear in Saturday’s News-Press.

the News-Press.

“Among those who hold a deep appreciation for doughnuts are runners, who find them to be the perfect source of replenishment.

Please see DOUGHNUTS on A4

Officials discuss La Posada housing site

Hollister Avenue project designed to alleviate homelessness

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Leaders from around Santa Barbara County came together this week to take the community’s questions and concerns about the latest proposed temporary housing development for the homeless.

plan would be to cycle people through the La Posada housing development — taking people off the streets, then helping them into more permanent and independent solutions after their time at La Posada.

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

After three years, a $950,000 settlement was granted for a victim in a child sexual abuse case against Santa Barbara Unified School District and former teacher Matef Harmachis.

The civil complaint was originally filed on Nov. 30, 2020, by Manly, Stewart and Finaldi.

The law firm is best known for representing victims of former Olympics gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

According to the lawsuit, Mr. Harmachis had multiple counts of sexual abuse, harassment and groping of an underage, female student at Santa Barbara High School in 2017. The allegations stated that this behavior happened in public in the middle of his classroom.

He was charged, arrested, convicted and received a sentence for misdemeanor battery of a minor. Then, in 2020, his teaching credential was revoked.

In the news release given by the plaintiff’s lawyers, the victim’s attorney, Morgan Stewart, said, “I have never seen a case where a school district ignored so many red flags and allowed a dangerous individual to have unfettered access to vulnerable students.”

The News-Press reached out Thursday to the Santa Barbara Unified School District, but officials declined to comment.

MORE TOMORROW

See Saturday’s edition of the News-Press for a followup story.

This incident wasn’t the first time Mr. Harmachis faced allegations of inappropriate behavior with his students.

In 2004, when Mr. Harmachis was an economics teacher at Dos Pueblos High School, he was accused of using foul language against brothers visiting his classroom and then forcibly removing one of them for wearing an Israeli police department Tshirt, according to the plantiff’s lawyers.

After this incident, more allegations of sexual harassment toward a former female student at Dos Pueblos were revealed. Mr.

Harmachis was placed on paid leave until 2005, then transferred to Santa Barbara High School. He was put on paid-leave again for four years.

There are recorded attempts of termination by the district, which Mr. Harmachis disputed by calling on The Commission of Professional Competence. This panel’s involvement can be requested by a teacher after a school district notifies a permanent certificated teacher that the district intends to take disciplinary action.

CPC reported that Mr. Harmachis showed “unfitness

to teach in some respects, but that the conduct does not show unfitness to teach as to warrant dismissal.” He was then reinstated to teach in 2009. This isn’t the first time behaviors and allegations have arisen in local schools.

Sheridan Rosenberg, a local resident who has been following the case, shared an entire document with the News-Press that had a list of 15 misconduct cases at Santa Barbara schools.

“The number is truly shocking,” Ms. Rosenberg said. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Members of the Santa Barbara community raised a variety of concerns about the La Posada Temporary Supportive Housing complex during the meeting Tuesday at Living Faith Church, which is near the housing site.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on May 16 approved the lease to DignityMoves for the Santa Barbara site on Hollister Avenue. Good Samaritan Shelter is also involved.

The most common questions at Tuesday’s meeting were about the potential for an increased homeless population and threat of violence as a result of the development. There were also a number of people who supported the expansion, including some people in attendance who had lived in other temporary housing projects in the area.

The mix of voices brought on some conversations about finding an understanding, but at times the talk bubbled over into frustration.

The meeting was headlined by Sheriff Bill Brown, County Supervisors Laura Capps (2nd District) and Bob Nelson (4th District) and County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig. Armed with powerpoint print-outs, experts from local organizations Dignity Moves and Good Samaritan Shelter helped the county officials’ efforts to convince the community.

“It’s not safe for the homeless, it’s not safe for our community. There’s a lot at stake for us as elected leaders, but what we’re looking for is some real solutions,” Supervisor Nelson told the crowd.

“The idea is that we don’t want to build a permanent homeless shelter. This is one of the solutions that I believe in.”

One of the recurring points made in the meeting was that the

La Posada Temporary Supportive Housing would be located at 4500 Hollister Ave. a former juvenile hall in Santa Barbara, and would host 80 units, housing a maximum of 90 individuals. Current encampments in the area show a few dozen homeless people already living in the area of the proposed site.

One frequently asked question at the meeting was on the issue of “nomadic” homeless people — individuals who, when asked or told to move from their site, picked up their stuff and relocated to another spot in a nearby area.

Under California law, people have the right to sleep in public if there are no alternatives in the area.

Santa Barbara Homeless Assistance Program Manager Kimberly Alberts listened to variations of this concern from audience members throughout the night. “We can’t do it without the beds. We need the beds to proactively and consistently address the needs of the homeless.”

The speakers outlined a need for 563 more temporary beds across Santa Barbara County to meet the needs of the growing homeless population. Repeated questions of safety came up about substance abuse, security of the site, and potential threat to kids in the area, among others.

The county leaders tried to calm people’s fears about violence brought on by homeless people by assuring that the La Posada development would be secure.

“To go off the site, they will need to use the Good Samaritan vans, and there will be a fence,” said Mrs. Alberts.

The speakers also noted that the current situation with homeless individuals is less safe.

“Encampments are a major

Please see LA POSADA on A4

Money granted for victim in case against Santa Barbara Unified School District and former teacher

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Matef Harmachis, a former instructor named in a lawsuit, taught at Santa Barbara High School.

The Santa Barbara Unified School District declined to comment on the lawsuit when the News-Press contacted it Thursday.

State Farm stops issuing new home insurance policies in California

By TOM JOYCE

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - State Farm recently stopped issuing new home insurance policies in California.

State Farm enacted this new company policy this past weekend due to wildfire risk and increased construction costs. State Farm is the largest car and home insurer by premium volume in the United States. It cited cost when explaining its decision. The company said it “made this decision due to historic increases in

construction costs outpacing inflation, rapidly growing catastrophe exposure, and a challenging reinsurance market,” in a statement to The Wall Street Journal. The decision will not impact existing home insurance policies; those will remain in effect. The Fitch Group said State Farm’s decision to leave California reflects what it views as poor policy decisions in the state. The organization also expects the decreased competition in the market will result in higher consumer prices.

“State Farm’s announcement reflects the poor underwriting experience for California homeowners’ writers, and will further restrict availability of coverage and prompt premium rate increases going forward,” The Fitch Group said in a press release. “State Farm is perennially California’s largest homeowners’ writer with approximately $2.6 billion direct written premium and 20% market share. We expect State Farm to remain the market leader in California homeowners’ insurance, even without writing new business.”

Additionally, The Fitch Group noted that, compared to other states, California disproportionately deals with wildfires that damage homes and lead to greater insurance costs.

The Fitch Group contends that strict building laws in California make rebuilding after a wildfire more difficult and expensive.

“Insurers with exposure to wildfires in California have had challenges in pricing the heightened catastrophe risk into premiums amid higher construction costs, stringent building codes, and regulatory hurdles,” The Fitch Group

wrote. “California insurers must receive regulatory approval to raise rates and cannot use catastrophe models to set rates for homeowners’ insurance policies, including wildfire coverage. Insurers must also use historical-loss data when calculating expected future losses.”

The Fitch Group expects the residential property market in California will continue growing, allowing insurance providers more flexibility when setting premium rates and policy terms “relative to the more strictly regulated admitted market,” according to the release.

Coalition calls for end to war in Ukraine, visits Carbajal’s office in Santa Barbara

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

As tensions continue to rise around the U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war, the Central Coast Antiwar Coalition has called upon U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, to oppose the conflict.

The coalition, composed of local antiwar activists, met with Rep. Carbajal’s foreign policy adviser Esmeralda Estrada recently at the congressman’s office in Santa Barbara.

The coalition seeks an end to the U.S. funding of the war in Ukraine and the start of peace talks between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. Members explained their positions during their meeting

with Ms. Estrada. The Central Coast Antiwar Coalition, along with a number of other antiwar organizations, believes that the issue should first be addressed locally.

“Congress needs to step up. We need our (congressional) members, including Congressman Carbajal, to exercise rigorous oversight,” CCAC organizer Marcy Winograd told the News-Press. The war, which has lasted since February 2022, has caused an estimated 350,000 deaths.

“We do not justify this invasion, not in the least. That being said, we don’t see a military solution,” said Mrs. Winograd. “This is a proxy war between the United States and Russia — the two most nuclear armed nations in

the world. What are we thinking?”

The CCAC has focused on Rep. Carbajal because of his support for a growing military fund.

“He continually votes for these bloated military budgets, trillion dollar budgets,” Mrs. Winograd told the News-Press. “More weapons for Ukraine, and I don’t see this as promising in terms of reaching any peace.”

The CCAC also highlighted how Rep. Carbajal has received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from military contractors, such as a $4,000 check from weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin in 2022.

The CCAC asked Rep. Carbajal to not accept campaign contributions from military

contractors during their meeting with Mrs. Estrada. It should also be noted that the congressman serves on the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees funding for the military. Rep. Carbajal’s spokesperson Ian Mariani responded to questions about the CCAC by saying that the congressman supports an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Rep. Carbajal believes that the humanitarian and security assistance provided by the United States and our allies has enabled Ukraine to defend its democracy and will ensure it is in a position to secure a lasting peace on its own terms.”

Whether Rep. Carbajal will act on the Central Coast Antiwar Coalition’s concerns is yet to be

Dredging to continue for Carpinteria Salt Marsh

CARPINTERIA — Santa Barbara County is conducting an emergency dredging operation at the Carpinteria Salt Marsh due to the increased flooding risk to adjacent properties and the city of Carpinteria. Operations will continue as needed until the amount of sediment in the marsh is no longer a flood risk to the community.

The estimated completion date is early July, as circumstances allow.

After the creek flows receded following the extreme rains from January, the Carpinteria Salt Marsh revealed an extreme amount of sedimentation. This sedimentation obstructs Santa Monica and Franklin creeks. When these channels are obstructed, the community is at increased risk for flooding throughout the city of Carpinteria, according to the county.

Obstructed channels also interrupt the tidal cycle in the marsh, which reduces habitat for fish and wildlife that rely on open water channels for habitat and foraging, the county noted.

The beach is closed to public access 400 feet in each direction of the marsh mouth. The county asked that you do not approach the dredge pipe and equipment.

For more information, visit readysbc.org.

— Annika Bahnsen

Rodeo continues in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA — The 80th annual Santa Maria

Elks Rodeo started Thursday.

The event will run until Sunday and features rodeo performances starting at 7 tonight at the Elks Event Center, 4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria.

The show includes Mutton Bustin’, Bull Riding, Tie Down Roping and Steer Wrestling among other events.

Saturday’s programming will feature both the Cowboy Up Carnival at 2:30 p.m. and a rodeo performance at 6 p.m. In addition, the Elks Rodeo Parade will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday and go from Mills Street to Enos Drive in Santa Maria.

The last rodeo performance is set for 2 p.m. Sunday.

Some online tickets are already sold out, but there will be tickets sold in-person, starting two hours before events.

Admission in advance costs $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 3-12 and seniors 62 and older. Prices increase $5 for tickets purchased at the box office.

Box seats cost $45 per person.

Midway-only admission is $10, and you can watch the rodeo live on large screens and enjoy access to vendors, food, bars, entertainment and dances. There is no grandstand seating with the Midway-only admission.

Rodeo Dance-only tickets are $10.

— Liam Hibbert

seen, although Mrs. Winograd noted that the meeting with Mrs. Estrada felt like progress. The coalition is supporting a ceasefire petition being brought to the International Summit for Peace in Ukraine in Vienna, Austria later this month.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE

SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

CENTER

(The Center Square) – With an unknown volume of fentanyl and other drugs pouring through the southern border between ports of entry in Arizona, federal agents recently seized enough fentanyl to kill more than 450 million people at several ports of entry and checkpoints.

Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field OperationsTucson Field Office agents working through “Operation Blue Lotus,” and Border Patrol Tucson and Yuma Sector agents working through “Operation Four Horsemen” seized substantial amounts of methamphetamine and over a ton of fentanyl. The operations occurred from March 6 to May 8 at four ports of entry and at two

checkpoints.

With two milligrams considered a lethal dose, one ton of fentanyl, or 2,000 pounds, is enough to kill 453,592,400 people. The operations’ success was “attributed to the federal, state and local partners that spent countless hours not just by responding to port calls but assisting HSI with seizures throughout Arizona,” Department of Homeland Security Investigations Arizona Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown said when announcing the bust. “Drugs, but especially fentanyl, are decimating communities. But together and with education, we all can make a significant impact in curbing the senseless deaths associated with the sale of these deadly drugs,” he said.

As a result of their efforts, county attorneys are

Please see FENTANYL on A4

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CENTRAL COAST ANTIWAR COALITION PHOTO

Members of the Central Coast Antiwar Coalition visit U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s office in Santa Barbara to call for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Rep. Salud Carbajal

Federal agents seize a ton of fentanyl in Arizona, enough to kill 453 million people

Judge Jeanine Pirro discusses ‘Crimes Against America’

Judge Jeanine Pirro, author of “Crimes Against America:

The Left’s Takedown of Our Republic,” gives a talk Thursday during the Wendy P. McCaw Reagan Ranch Roundtable Series in Santa Barbara. In addition to her lecture before the Young America’s Foundation audience, Judge Pirro signed copies of her new book. She is a highly respected judge, former district attorney, elected politician, sought-after legal commentator and champion of women’s rights. She currently hosts “The Five” on the Fox News Channel and previously hosted the cable network’s “Justice with Judge Jeanine.” In addition to “Crimes Against America,” she’s the author of books such as “To Punish and Protect: Against A System That Coddles Criminals” and ”Don’t Lie to Me: And Stop Trying to Steal Our Freedom.”

Two people hurt in three-car collision

SANTA MARIA — A threecar traffic collision on Mahoney Road left two people with major injuries, according to Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials.

The accident occurred around 1 p.m. Thursday in the 2600 block of Mahoney Road, west of Santa Maria. The road was closed in both directions.

Two of the three vehicles involved required heavy extrication by city and county firefighters.

Two women were in the first vehicle. One woman with major injuries was transported by air to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. The second woman was taken by ambulance to Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria with minor injuries.

The male driver of the second vehicle also sustained major

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Marian.

The female driver of the third vehicle was not injured, despite her vehicle ending up 10 feet over the side of the roadway. She was taken by ambulance to Marian for evaluation.

Emergency crews stayed behind clearing the scene.

– Neil Hartstein

Car blocks highway traffic

SANTA BARBARA — The California Highway Patrol reported a gray Honda with its hazard lights on apparently blocking traffic on the northbound Highway 101 off ramp at Las Positas Road at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

The CHP dispatched freeway service patrol tow trucks to the scene. The tow trucks are sent to help anyone broken down by the

side of the road, the CHP said.

– Neil Hartstein

Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI

SANTA MARIA – The Santa Maria Police Department arrested one driver on suspicion of driving under the influence last weekend.

The checkpoint was held at the 500 block of East Main Street from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.

“We are committed to taking impaired drivers off the road,” police said. “Driving under the influence is not only dangerous, but also has major consequences.” Another driver was cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license. One hundred and fortyone vehicles were screened, and no drivers were arrested for other criminal charges.

Drivers charged with a firsttime DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license. The Santa Maria Police Department will hold additional DUI/driver’s license checkpoints in the upcoming months. Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

– Neil Hartstein

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Senate Democrats turn on Biden’s student loan forgiveness

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Senate voted 52-46 Thursday to overturn President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness executive order.

President Biden’s order would cancel up to $10,000 for qualifying borrowers, and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. President Biden ordered the debt cancellation via the Department of Education last year, but it is now under review from the U.S. Supreme Court after a legal challenge.

The Congressional Joint Resolution of Disapproval passed Thursday and received Democratic support from Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana, as well as Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who now identifies as Independent. Two other Democrats, Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia and Michael Bennet of Colorado, did not vote.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Md., introduced the bill in the Senate that passed Thursday. He touted the legislation, saying “87% of Americans didn’t take out student loans or responsibly paid them back.”

Critics of President Biden’s plan argue it is unfair to those who worked to pay off their loans or who never took them out in the first place.

They also argue it taxes poorer Americans who could not afford to go to college in order to subsidize the choices of other Americans, often wealthier people who now have more earning potential because of their degree.

“These schemes are unfair and irresponsible,” Sen. Cassidy added. The legislation passed under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo recently passed executive actions. President Biden, however, can veto this legislation.

The bill first passed in the House after it was introduced by U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimated the provision would cost taxpayers about $400 billion.

“President Biden’s student loan transfer scheme shifts hundreds of billions of dollars of payments from student loan borrowers onto the backs of the American people,” Rep. Good told The Center Square. “I am proud to lead the fight against President Biden’s reckless, unilateral, and unauthorized action that would

unfairly penalize those who worked hard to pay off their loans or who never took them out in the first place.”

That spending has become the center of much controversy as inflation rises and the federal debt that fuels it continues to soar.

As The Center Square previously reported, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Senior Vice President and Senior Policy Director Marc Goldwein in March testified before Congress about runaway federal spending and the national debt, which is on its way to $32 trillion this year.

“Unfortunately, the Administration’s policies have contributed to this inflation and cancellation could further exacerbate inflationary pressures if allowed by the Supreme Court to go forward,” Mr. Goldwein testified before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. “This in turn puts more pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, which disrupts the financial, housing, and labor markets and risks pushing the economy into a recession.”

‘Every community in America struggles with this’

LA POSADA

Continued from Page A1

problem for us. It’s very difficult to police them, to provide service for the people living in the encampments,” said Sheriff Brown.

The site would also host 24/7 staff, security and cameras, and access would be denied to visitors. There will also be no drugs or alcohol allowed, and a curfew of 7 p.m. and quiet hours at 9 p.m. as well as a number of other rules.

Many people in the audience considered some of the rules to be inhumane. One person pointed out the curfew hours, asking if it was moral or even legal to have such

restrictions. “Are they children?”

The night was often tense, and not all questions were answered as the community leaders walked a narrow line between their different constituencies. There was, however, a notable sense of effort between the different groups to understand each other and try to find a solution to something they could all agree was an existing issue.

“Every community in America struggles with this in one way or another,” Sheriff Brown told the audience. “I truly believe that this community would be safer with (La Posada) than without it.” email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Vehicles stopped carrying hundreds of pounds of fentanyl

Continued

prosecuting alleged offenders and nine cases were referred for federal prosecution. Among the federal cases, those charged allegedly attempted to smuggle drugs into the U.S. at ports of entry or made it through and were stopped at checkpoints. Or they picked up drugs from others who made it across the border undetected and were caught at checkpoints. The drivers were all heading north, authorities said. Single vehicles that were stopped held enough fentanyl to kill tens of millions of people.

At the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, a driver and passenger

were apprehended for attempting to smuggle 156 packages of pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl hidden in their vehicle. Weighing over 200 pounds, the pills were enough to kill over 45.3 million people.

Also at the DeConcini POE, another driver, accompanied by a minor child, was apprehended after 65 packages that field-tested positive for fentanyl were found hidden in the vehicle. Weighing nearly 103 pounds, the drugs were enough to kill 23.3 million people.

Also in Nogales, another driver was apprehended for attempting to smuggle 236 packages that field-tested positive for fentanyl. Weighing over 415 pounds, they were enough to kill over 94.1 million people.

At the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, a driver was apprehended after agents found 73 packages that field tested positive for fentanyl hidden in the quarter panels and seats of the vehicle. Weighing over 119 pounds, they were enough to kill 27 million people.

Also at the Mariposa Port, another driver and passenger were apprehended after agents found 588 packages hidden in their vehicle that field-tested positive for fentanyl. Weighing nearly 163 pounds, they were enough to kill 73.8 million people.

At the Lukeville Port of Entry, a driver with two minor children in her vehicle was apprehended after officers found 32 packages that field-tested positive for

fentanyl hidden inside the vehicle. Weighing over 73 pounds, they were enough to kill 16.5 million people.

At the San Luis Port of Entry, another individual, also with minors in the vehicle, was apprehended after 201 packages of suspected drugs were found hidden in the vehicle doors. They included 131 packages that field-tested positive for fentanyl. Weighing nearly 85 pounds, they were enough to kill 38.5 million people.

At a checkpoint near Amado, another driver and her passenger were apprehended. Agents found a trap door in the vehicle, which led to a hidden compartment where 114 bundles that fieldtested positive for fentanyl were

Clothing line ‘blends the passion for running with the unyielding love for doughnuts’

hidden. Weighing over 30 pounds, they were enough to kill nearly 7 million people.

At a checkpoint near Wellton, a driver was apprehended after agents found 16 vacuum-sealed packages containing small blue pills hidden inside the vehicle’s tailgate and in a spare tire that field-tested positive for fentanyl. Weighing over 137 pounds, they were enough to kill over 31.2 million people.

Federal agents working with the Arizona Department of Public Safety also intercepted crates of .50-caliber ammunition bound for Mexico. As law enforcement

agents have explained to The Center Square, people and drugs are smuggled north into the U.S.; weapons, cash and other contraband are smuggled south.

Chief Patrol Agent of the Yuma Sector Patricia McGurk-Daniel said, “The success of the Four Horsemen operation was due to the collaborative efforts and teamwork of multiple agencies.” She said she was “especially proud of the Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents who worked tirelessly during this operation to take deadly drugs off our streets and out of the communities we proudly serve.”

Continued from Page A1

After a vigorous run, there’s nothing quite like a doughnut to refuel both body and soul.”

At 7 this morning, rabbit and The Friday Donut Run Club, a running club from Pasadena, were scheduled to host a doughnut running event.

After a 3- to 4-mile run, participants were invited to have doughnuts and coffee at rabbitHOUSE (1913 State St).

Considered Coffee was scheduled to serve free drinks for the first 25 attendees.

The Friday Donut Run Club’s main premise is to run and enjoy a well-deserved doughnut at Los

Angeles’ iconic Randy’s Donuts after the workout.

Recently, the club approached rabbit with an idea to collaborate on some apparel that would reflect a “runner’s profound adoration for these delectable treats,” said Ms. DeVreese. “Without hesitation, we eagerly accepted their proposition.”

The clothing is bright and fun with doughnuts covering the entire running shorts. “The collection blends the passion for running with the unyielding love for doughnuts!” exclaimed Ms. DeVreese.

The clothing line is a limited edition. To learn more about rabbit, visit www.runinrabbit.com. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

COURTESY PHOTOS

Runners enjoy doughnuts. This morning a National Donut Day run took place on upper State Street.

The Santa Barbara apparel company called rabbit designed special running shorts covered with doughnuts.

Life theArts

CALENDAR

COURTESY PHOTO Nir Kabaretti, above, will conduct the Santa Barbara Symphony during a concert saluting Frank Sinatra’s hits and featuring vocal soloist Tony DeSare. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. June 15 at The Granada in Santa Barbara.

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

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

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

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

JUNE 3

REVIEW

Robert De Niro plays a funny dad

‘About My Father’ succeeds because of its cast and dialogue

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

4 to 7 p.m. Zoo Brew, the Santa Barbara Zoo’s annual fundraiser that caters to beer and animal lovers alike, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. with a VIP hour from 3 to 4 p.m. The zoo is at 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara. General admission tickets are $75 per person and include unlimited beer tastings and one Zoo Brew 2023 commemorative tasting cup, and VIP tickets are $110. All proceeds benefit the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo. For more information, call 805-9625339.

JUNE 4

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

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

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

After a slow start, “About My Father” evolves into a hilarious and insightful story about a father’s relationship with his son, who’s trying to impress his fiancée’s rich family.

His biggest worry is making sure Dad doesn’t mess everything up.

Ultimately “About My Father” succeeds because it has one of the best casts for any comedy this year: Robert De Niro as the eccentric father and hairstylist, Salvo; Sebastian Maniscalo as Salvo’s son, Sebastian; Leslie Bibb as Salvo’s fiancée’, Ellie; Kim Cattrall as Elle’s mom, Tigger;

David Rasche as Ellie’s dad, Bill; and Anders Holm and Brett Dier as Ellie’s brothers Lucky and Doug, respectively.

It’s strong group of actors who are cast in good parts, and Mr. Maniscalo and Austen Earl, who co-wrote the story, made a smart move in casting Mr. De Niro as a hairstylist, a character you wouldn’t expect the “Raging Bull” star to play. But Mr. De Niro has fun with the role, which has some of the vibe from his character in “Meet the Parents” but with a kinder heart. No, he doesn’t put Ellie or Sebastian through a lie detector test.

In “About My Father,” Mr. De Niro proves he can easily be sweet, tough, funny and dramatic, and he smoothly goes from one emotion to the next.

FYI

“About My Father” is playing at Fairview Theatre in Goleta and Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara. See metrotheatres.com for times. The film is also screening at Regal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX. Go to regmovies.com for times.

“About My Father,” a Lionsgate release, has a running time of one hour and 29 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for suggestive material, partial nudity and language.

The film begins in Chicago with Sebastian wanting to propose to Ellie. He thinks his best opportunity will be when he joins Ellie during a visit to her parents’ fancy estate in Washington, D.C., and Ellie gets the idea that

Sebastian’s father should join them. Sebastian is scared his father, a free spirit who says what he thinks, will make a bad impression.

At first, “About My Father” is a bit slow, and some slapstick doesn’t help. But once the characters are established and the physical comedy dies down, “About My Father” becomes hilarious. The dialogue proves to be all it needs. Mr. De Niro gets many of the best lines and delivers them so matter-of-factly that you can’t help but laugh. At a recent screening, audience members laughed their loudest when Mr. De Niro spoke. And there are some fun scenes as Mr. De Niro’s character, Salvo, gets into the spirit of Fourth of July activities at the estate.

As the story develops, it touches on the father-son relationship, and as Salvo and Sebastian’s bond grows, you might tear up.

Again, Mr. De Niro deserves a lot of the credit because he keeps everything simple and honest. That’s how you build a character.

And it’s great to see Ms. Cattrall as Tigger, Ellie’s mom.

Ms. Cattrall’s usual energetic approach is perfect for this character, but she never goes over the top. Like Mr. De Niro, she approaches her character with honesty.

Likewise, Mr. Maniscalo, Ms. Bibb, Mr. Holm and Mr. Dier bring an effective, honest approach as they play four diverse characters who keep the story moving.

email: dmason@newspress.com

JUNE 9 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Pearl Chase Society’s Kellam de Forest Speaker Series will continue at the Carrillo Recreation Center. 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara. This is the third installment in the series. Author and editor Douglas Woods will discuss the transformation of Santa Barbara’s architecture following the great earthquake of 1925 to a model Spanish Revival-style city. For more information or to make a reservation, call 805-4037053.

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

— Dave Mason

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023

At left, Sebastian (Sebastian Maniscalo), left, argues with his father Salvo (Robert De Niro) in “About My Father.” Center, from left, Tigger (Kim Cattrall), Ellie (Leslie Bibb) and Bill (David Rasche) are members of a rich family with some problems. At right, Lucky (Anders Holm), left , and Doug (Brett Dier) are two very different brothers.

PHOTOS BY DAN ANDERSON/LIONSGATE

Salvo (Robert De Niro) gets into the spirit of Fourth of July activities in “About My Father.”

A Better Way to Hear TV

Habitat for Humanity homeowner stories shine bright at gala

Editor’s note: This story was provided to the News-Press by Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County.

By HABITAT SANTA BARBARA

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County, aka Habitat Santa Barbara, celebrated achievements and previewed its latest plans at the sold-out annual Denim & Diamonds gala May 19 at the Carriage and Western Art Museum.

The Santa Barbara event highlighted a personal story from a local Habitat homeowner, Raquel, that underscored the long-term benefits of affordable homeownership, including creating the stability that allowed her and her daughter to pursue their education and career goals.

Raquel, who once lived in transitional housing for low-income families, shared the details of how she purchased a Habitat home with her then sixyear-old daughter in 2011. “Habitat changes lives and we are living proof of that,” Raquel said. Her remarks detailed how she and her daughter have thrived since moving into their Habitat home — with Raquel becoming a licensed therapist and her daughter heading off to college this fall.

“Habitat not only builds houses and condos, but it also builds people and communities up,” she concluded, as many guests wiped away tears. “We will forever be indebted to kind, caring people like you — people who want to make our community a more accessible, welcoming and a better place for all.”

Habitat Santa Barbara CEO

Jessica de L’Arbre led the event, which showcased Habitat Santa Barbara’s volunteer efforts, disaster response initiatives and affordable homeownership programs.

Other event participants included Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse, Habitat Santa Barbara Board Chair Janet Burki, U.S. Bank and Diamond Sponsor representatives Vincent Caballero and Lora Fisher, and Janet Garufis, chairman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust.

Ms. Garufis led the paddle-raise opportunity and encouraged guests to be a part of the celebration by investing in Habitat’s mission of building strength, stability, selfreliance, and shelter.

Overall, the event raised more than $210,000 in sponsorships, ticket sales, and paddle raise donations.

More than 200 guests attended

and enthusiastically embraced the theme by dressing in stylish combinations of denim attire and sparkly embellishments. All funds raised support Habitat Santa Barbara’s programs including critical home repairs, neighborhood revitalization and new homeownership projects — many of which are led by volunteers. The Denim & Diamonds gala directly supports Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County, a local nonprofit established in 2000. Habitat Santa Barbara has built 22 new homes for 84 people, half of whom are children, as well as helped rebuild and repair more than 180 homes on the South Coast. Habitat Santa Barbara is working on its fifth affordable housing development.

email: dmason@newspress.com

Do No Harm to play at Stearns Wharf

SANTA BARBARA — As a follow up to last year’s Stearns Wharf 150th Anniversary Celebration, the Wharf Merchants Association is continuing the free concert series, now held on the first Wednesday of each month through October.

The next Wharf Wednesday is on June 7 and will feature live music by Do No Harm. The free concert will be performed from 6 to 8 p.m. at the wharf.

Do No Harm is a five-piece, multigenre, Santa Barbara band, playing rock, R&B, soul, Motown, disco, blues, Latin, country and jazz hits.

Other bands in the series will be: Double Wide Kings on July 5, Tequila Mockingbird on Aug. 2, The Academy on Sept. 6 and Down Mountain Lights on Oct. 4.

— Annika Bahnsen

Stearns Wharf is hosting a free concert series.

Vita Art Center to host teen LGBTQ workshop

KELSEY CREWS PHOTOS

Janet Garufis, chairwoman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust, led the paddle-raise during Denim and Diamonds, a sold-out gala event raising money for Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County.

At left, Mayor Randy Rowse is greeted at the podium by Habitat Santa Barbara CEO Jessica de L’Arbre at the Carriage and Western Art Museum. At right, Lora Fisher, a mortgage loan officer, and Vincent Caballero, district manager, present remarks on behalf of the Diamond Sponsor, U.S. Bank.

Diversions

Thought for Today

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” — Nelson Mandela

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Friday, June 2, 2023

ARIES — Aries, the romantic side of your life may be rocked by a storm of emotion. You may go from intense rage to ecstasy in an instant. The day may instruct you to get hold of your emotions. If you hope to build a stable relationship, it’s necessary to maintain psychological coherence and physical health.

TAURUS — The day may be somewhat oppressive, Taurus.

It’s possible you will receive some unpleasant news related to your domestic life. Perhaps in the past few years you haven’t been especially careful about your home budget. Or you may have postponed an important maintenance task for too long.

GEMINI — You seem frustrated today, Gemini! There’s only one person who could possibly arouse your anger to such a degree, and that’s you. Today’s aspect is favorable for crises of conscience that result in a change of attitude. You’re likely to remember to choose your words more carefully from now on.

CANCER — This is a contemplative day, Cancer. You seem to be developing new techniques, means, therapies, and methods to use in your main occupation. Today you’re likely to question your underlying reasons for so much innovation.

Why reinvent the world?

LEO — You will have to expect the day to be somewhat frustrating, Leo. Your friends may insist that you be more cooperative and less individualistic. They could resent your refusal to be part of the team. In fact, your rebelliousness may be earning you quite a reputation!

VIRGO — You mustn’t expect to do whatever you like today, Virgo. Quite the contrary! You may be restrained by technical limitations. Perhaps your financial resources will be insufficient. In other words, you won’t be able to follow your usual pattern of taking refuge on a spiritual island and quietly contemplating your inner thoughts.

LIBRA — Science, space

exploration, and certain other fields require the participation of all with a very strong team spirit. Stubborn as you are, it doesn’t make you the greatest specialist in group dynamics. Certainly no one would ever accuse you of enjoying working in a group, unless you’re the one in charge.

SCORPIO — What good does it do you to resist change, Scorpio? Everyone knows that you have trouble adapting to change in the world around you. Unfortunately, that’s life and you can’t do much about it. However, you aren’t powerless. You will find that life is more stable when you can surf the waves of change.

SAGITTARIUS — If you work in a helping profession such as psychotherapy, you’re probably breaking quite a few rules and protocols right now, Sagittarius. You may even be going against theories that were a fundamental part of your education. Don’t be troubled by your rebelliousness. It’s important that the status quo be challenged from time to time.

CAPRICORN — You don’t have to be a genius or do something extraordinary in order for people to notice you, Capricorn. It’s time you abandon the notion that you can’t play a musical instrument because you don’t have perfect pitch or that you can’t sculpt because you don’t have Michelangelo’s genius! Dare to engage in any hobby or interest that you fancy.

AQUARIUS — You aren’t free enough, Aquarius. This is especially true in your relationships. With the current astral energy, you can expect to break free of your chains. It’s time for you to participate more in life. Speak your mind. Tell people what you want and when you want it. Surely one of your desires is freedom.

PISCES — If you were in charge of a company’s human resources department, Pisces, today you would begin to completely overhaul the recruitment procedure. You would focus more on the human element rather than any diplomas and awards people wave around as evidence of their abilities.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Friday, June 2, 2023

“Grapefruit must be dog-tired every night,” a club player said to me. “After all, he spends the day growling.” Grapefruit has a foul disposition and berates his partners mercilessly. He was West in a penny game, and North-South bid a slam that surely would have succeeded with any lead but a club.

Grapefruit led his singleton club, and East took the ace ... and returned a club. South ruffed with a high trump, and when Grapefruit didn’t overruff with the king, South knew East had it. So South led a trump to dummy’s ace. The king fell, South claimed, and Grapefruit told East that if his brains were money, he couldn’t buy a pack of gum.

SILENT

“You have the right to remain silent even if you aren’t arrested,” East glared.

“Your development at bridge is arrested,” Grapefruit growled.

East’s play at Trick Two would have been right if West’s trumps had been J-x. As it was, East gave the show away. He needed to return a diamond, and then South would finesse in trumps. DAILY QUESTION

You hold:

The dealer, at your right, opens one spade.

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

INSTRUCTIONS

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

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

What do you say?

ANSWER: This is a matter of personal style and temperament. You would have opened the bidding but are not compelled to act when your opponent opens. The hand has defensive values but might make a poor dummy if you doubled and obliged partner to bid. I would pass.

Still, some good players would double.