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Air quality warning issued CA wildfires produce hazy conditions on the South Coast By JOSH GREGA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Rafael Maldonado/news-press photos
Bristol Farms, which opened its doors Thursday, offers a wide variety of produce as well as an extensive natural living section, coffee and juice bar, and a food hall.
‘Building meaningful relationships’ Bristol Farms opens its doors in Santa Barbara By JORGE MERCADO NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
A new grocery chain opened its doors to local residents on Thursday and it was met with a great reception to start. Bristol Farms opened its 14th storefront in California during Thursday’s soft opening of its newest location, at 3855 State St. in La Cumbre Plaza. Aptly named Bristol Farms La Cumbre, the store features an open design, perfect for social distancing, and offers a variety of goods to its newest customer base. “We know the community has been waiting for our arrival and we are excited to share everything that makes Bristol Farms a shopping experience unlike any other,” Denis Lacey, the store’s director, told the News-Press in an email.
The store’s director is also tied Since 1982, Bristol Farms directly to Santa Barbara. has supported local farms and Mr. Lacey, who has lived in provided high-quality grocery Santa Barbara his whole life, has essentials to its community. had decades of work experience Offering more than just in the grocery business, including groceries, Bristol Farms also previously working as the general delivers an extensive natural living manager at the section, coffee and Montecito Village juice bar, and a food To see streaming video hall format offering Grocery. GO TO He is now excited both full-service food to step into this newspress.com stations and grabnew journey with and-go options. a similar goal -- to “Every provide quality service to Santa department has amazing offerings: Barbarans. from our gorgeous produce “Our mission is to bring people department with incredible local, together through good food. For seasonal and tropical fruits, our our La Cumbre store, we focused Hawaiian style Poke bowls, our on reflecting the passion that brisket in the deli (smoked inSanta Barbara has for local, house for 12 hours), our extensive artisanal products. We created our wine & spirits department, our first ‘hyperlocal’ display, featuring phenomenal cheese department, items from both Santa Barbara and our meat department with trained Carpinteria,” Mr. Lacey said. butchers, loads of plant-based
options, and last but certainly not least, ‘The Cookie,’” Mr. Lacey said. The store called Thursday a “soft opening” due to the coronavirus pandemic. The store wanted to avoid long lines of customers in order to adhere to social distancing protocols, Mr. Lacey said. That did not stop locals from being excited, however, once the store was open. “We didn’t want big lines of people queuing up outside, but it turns out most folks knew about it through word of mouth. There definitely was energy in the air today, as people were able to take their time and explore our departments. We had plenty of staff on hand to answer questions and give recommendations. It really was fantastic,” Mr. Lacey said. Please see bristol on A2
The combined smoke of many wildfires burning through California has made its way to Santa Barbara County, leading the county Air Pollution Control District to issue a local air quality warning. According to APCD public information officer Lyz Hoffman, much of the smoke that has blown into Santa Barbara County originates in Monterey County, where the River and Carmel fires are currently burning. Local air quality could remain impacted for the next several days, and Ms. Hoffman told the News-Press that the APCD will be monitoring conditions this weekend to determine whether the warning will continue. As long as the air quality remains impacted by the smoke, Ms. Hoffman recommended Santa Barbara County residents check the APCD website for hourly air condition reports, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and stay indoors as much as possible. Staying indoors is most important for those who suffer from heart or respiratory conditions, older adults, pregnant women and children. Santa Barbara County Public
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Please see air quality on A10
KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS
Rafael Benavides wins caregiver award By BRIAN MACKLEY
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Health Department public information officer Jackie Ruiz also recommended local residents avoid spending too much time outdoors. She added that the cloth masks commonly worn amid the COVID-19
Rafael Benavides, center, stands between Michael, left, and Sharon Perez during a ceremony after receiving his caregiver award at the BrightStar Santa Barbara office on Thursday.
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Despite little promotion leading up to Bristol Farms’ opening, there was a steady stream of guests all day, all excited to test out the new store. Store director Denis Lacey, a Santa Barbara native, said the store was looking forward to building a meaningful relationship in the local community.
RAPHAEL MALDONADO/NEWS-PRESS
Smoke from multiple wildfires has blown down to Santa Barbara County over the last couple of days, as seen in this smokey view from State Route 154 Thursday morning.
During a surprise reveal Thursday at BrightStar Care Santa Barbara’s office, local caregiver Rafael Benavides was awarded the regional West Caregiver of the Year award. Nominated by his client’s spouse for making a significant difference in his client’s life, Mr. Benavides was selected out of hundreds of nominees for the award. It marks the first time in eight years that a caregiver from California won the prestigious award. Originally from Chile, Mr. Benavides told the News-Press his style of care focuses on going further than just providing
the basic medical care that is required. He is always willing to stay an extra few minutes to ensure his patient isn’t just healthy, but also happy and laughing before he leaves. After taking on his new patient who had several previous caregivers, Mr. Benavides said he worked diligently to gain her trust. “It was very difficult, it was very difficult. But I think the most important thing is that you need the trust,” Mr. Benavides said. “She has her ups and downs but I am very happy.” Once he finally did gain his patients’ trust, he said he has now been able to give her more independence than she Please see CAREGIVER on A2
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