Barbara Tellefson’s collection
‘Wild Night Out’ Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network plans benefit for its hospital - A3
Our 166th Year
Unity Shoppe founder’s estate sale to benefit the nonprofit she treasured - B1
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F R I D A Y , S E P T E M B E R 1 7, 2 0 2 1
Shelters launch special effort to help animals One-day adoption event set for Saturday
DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
“Underwater Atlantes/Toltecas,” one of the 18 murals at Ortega Park, is on one of the walls facing the outdoor swimming pool. The Santa Barbara Planning Commission Thursday approved the park’s master plan, under which the mural would be repainted.
DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS
Panel OKs park plan SB Planning Commission approves proposal for Ortega Park’s 18 murals
By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Ortega Park is closer to a $15 million refresh after the Santa Barbara Planning Commission approved a master plan. City staff presented a plan for the 18 murals currently beautifying the park. The artwork has been the centerpiece of community debate. The murals adorn structurally deficient buildings, but community members want to preserve Chumash, Chicano and Mexican imagery. The project’s planners identified five murals that have maintained their integrity
and can be relocated during construction: Coatalicue, Campesinos, Niños del Maiz, Deportes and Cosmic Unity. Three murals with aquatic themes are proposed to be repainted near the pool by the original artist or an artist familiar with their work: Blue Whale, Dolphins and Underwater Atlantes/Toltecas. Local artists will re-envision four murals with the permission of the original artist: Rainbow Quetzal, Codex Cospi, Aztec Chumash Solstice and La Playa. The remaining six murals will be documented and published digitally or in a book. There is room for eight new murals to be added.
Parks and Recreation will appoint a committee of stakeholders to advise the implementation. The presentation and discussion of the agenda item lasted around four hours as commissioners narrowed in on portions of their 1,128-page staff report. An item out of the commissioners’ purview, but still brought discussion, was the project’s fencing. Plans have a six-foot-tall fence drawn around almost the entirety of the park, apart from sidewalks and empty grass areas on the perimeter. The fence was designed similar to Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens’, only one
foot higher. The gates will close overnight, shutting after sunset. Commissioner Roxana Bonderson and Vice Chair Gabriel Escobedo questioned if it would make neighbors feel unwelcome in their hometown park. “In the last year, we’ve had a really important conversation about preserving Chicano and Chumash art and caring and honoring that into the future and providing a space for people who don’t always feel like it’s a safe space for them,” Vice Chair Escobedo said. “Ortega Park has been one of those spaces where it’s been safe for many families in
Alana Yañez, the Animal Shelter Assistance Program executive director, said she felt inspired to come to ASAP after hearing about the cats saved and homes found by the shelter. ASAP is kitty corner to Santa Barbara County Animal Services and is part of Saturday’s Clear the Shelters adoption event.
By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Saturday’s an important day for animal shelters throughout Santa Barbara County. On that day, they’re trying to find homes for all homeless animals. In most cases, that effort means waivers on adoption fees. The one-day adoption event is part of “Clear the Shelters,”
Montecito movie star also shares details of COVID recovery
By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
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Oscar award-winning actor and local Montecito resident Jeff Bridges announced earlier this week that his cancer is in remission. And he said he’s on the road to recovery from the long-term effects of COVID-19. In a new post to his website (jeffbridges.com), the actor announced his 9- by 12-inch tumor “shrunk down to the size of a marble” and that his COVID illness is in the “rearview mirror.” He shared details in the post about his road to recovery from COVID “Long Haulers” syndrome after he and his wife, Susan Geston, were infected with COVID-19 in January. “COVID kicked my a** pretty good, but I’m double vaccinated and feeling much better now,” the actor wrote. Mr. Bridges shared that
after contracting COVID-19 in January, he spent five weeks in the hospital recovering. His wife, who also contracted the virus, spent five days in the hospital. The actor said it’s likely they contracted the virus from the health center where he receives chemotherapy treatment, as he was alerted by the center that he could have been exposed to COVID-19 during the first week of January. Mr. Bridges said the illness got him close to the “pearly gates” because of his weakened immune system. “My dance with COVID makes my cancer look like a piece of cake,” the actor wrote. He also shared details about his difficult recovery in the post, noting that he’s been working with a therapist to get off oxygen assistance. Until recently, Mr. Bridges said he has needed Please see BRIDGES on A2
L O T T E RY RESULTS
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Jeff Bridges reports cancer in remission
Please see HEARING on A4
At left, “Campesinos” graces a wall near the playground at Ortega Park. Under the master plan, the mural is one of five that would be relocated during construction. At right, “La Playa” graces the building by the pool. Under the Ortega Master Plan, it is one of the murals that would be re-envisioned by local artists with permission of the original artist.
a campaign organized by NBC/ Universal-owned television stations. The event will take place at Santa Barbara County Animal Services and Santa Barbara Humane, both of which have campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria. The event will also be held at Animal Shelter Assistance
Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 1-5-7-28-45 Meganumber: 8
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