Historic value?
Dog lovers, this book’s for you Carpinteria residents’ stories part of ‘UltiMUTT’ - A3
Our 165th Year
Bought for $40, this painting might be worth a lot more - A4
75¢
m o n da y, d e c e m b e r 14 , 2 0 2 0
A stone’s throw from hope Gem Faire brings sparkle to showgrounds
SB City Council to discuss stay-at-home order By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Clamp lights cast a spotlight on a variety of gems for sale. Each vendor had a different offering, some focusing on raw stones and others selling beads and jewelry.
By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Gem Faire spent a weekend at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, its first California show since mid-March. The marketplace travels along the West Coast, sometimes dipping into the Midwest, selling gems almost every weekend of the year
— except, of course, this year. The fair has just begun traveling again. “Most of us are out here on a gamble because we didn’t know what it was going to be like post-COVID,” said Michele, one of the owners of QRZ, inc who did not want to give her last name. Booths were spaced apart, and Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and gloves sat on the
tables. A few vendors inconsistently wore their masks, but most adhered to guidelines. The products varied from large chunks of raw crystals to polished jewelry. Customers could nab a string of beads for a dollar or spend thousands on a substantial piece. The show takes a lot of effort. Vendors from all over the West Coast pack up thousands of Please see gem on A8
Pam Spears shows off the disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer in her booth: Paso Robles-based Sister Stones.
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SBUSD revisits hybrid plans By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The board of the Santa Barbara Unified School District meets at 6:30 Tuesday with a full agenda. The largest discussion point is the return to in-person learning. Friday, during a special meeting of the board, returning board members Laura Capps and Wendy Sims-Moten took the oath of office alongside newly elected member Virginia Alvarez. As previously decided by the board, schools will reopen for hybrid learning when Santa Barbara County reaches the red, or “substantial,” tier. During the Dec. 1 meeting, the board did not officially take action on a waiver to open elementary schools in the purple tier, as public health officials decided just prior that they wouldn’t review applications. Susan Klein-Rothschild, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department deputy director, will present an update on the county’s case rate. The rate must be below 14 cases per 100,000 population for SBCPHD to review reopening waivers. The case rate as of Saturday was 14.4. In an email to the News-Press Thursday, Superintendent Hilda Maldonado expressed that district administrators were ready to open campuses for hybrid learning. “As soon as it is deemed safe and is permitted by county Public Health — and in consultation with our school board — Santa Barbara Unified is ready to move forward with in-person, hybrid learning,
and has all appropriate plans ready to go,” she said. According to the board presentation posted in advance of the meeting, 25% of families preferred distance learning to hybrid for the January-June semester. In an October poll, 15% of families voted not to return for hybrid learning when responding to the question: “Are you comfortable with your student returning to campus for two days a week when SB Unified reopens for hybrid in-person learning?” Attendance, transfers and student success will be discussed by administrators. Fewer D and F grades are given, but more students have three or more D and Fs than last year. “We believe that the best learning takes place in person, in a classroom environment, where teachers can make personal connections with each and every student,” Superintendent Maldonado said in an email. Dr. John Becchio, assistant superintendent of human resources, will give a hiring update. In order to reopen for hybrid learning, more personnel are needed. The presentation indicates that the district has filled 10 out of 20 paraprofessional positions, all the floater custodian positions, five out of 11 playground supervisor roles and 29 out of 40 substitute teacher positions. The next meeting of the board is scheduled for Jan. 5. email: ahanshaw@newspress.com
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ins id e Classified............... A6 Life.................... A3-4
The Santa Barbara City Council will consider and discuss the county’s request to Gov. Gavin Newsom to create a new Central Coast region consisting of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties. The Central Coast region would then be released from the regional stay-at-home order as long as ICU capacity remains above 15%. If authorized, Mayor Cathy Murillo would sign a letter to the governor consistent with this request. In other business, the council will receive an update on city actions to address homelessness, including efforts by the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation on the Santa Barbara City Homelessness Collaborative and City Net on outreach and response. Council members will be recommended to approve an increase of $50,000 in appropriations in the Revolving Rehab Loan Fund, funded from its reserves, to facilitate a request from SB ACT for additional funding to offset unplanned costs incurred from the agency’s response to the pandemic. They’ll also be asked to approve a $330,000 increase in estimated revenues and appropriations in the Permanent Local Housing Allocation, with funding from PLHA funds awarded by the State of California Housing
and Community Development Department to fund a new oneyear contract with City Net. “Beginning in Fiscal Year 2013, City Council has appropriated funding annually for homeless collaboration, recognizing that homelessness is a complex social issue that cannot be solved by the city alone,” the staff report reads. “Since Council’s approval, this collaborative has worked to prevent homelessness, foster mutual accountability, coordinate service delivery, and improve access for those living on the streets.” The Parks and Recreation Department and the City Attorney’s office are also proposing amendments to the Municipal Code pertaining to permits and regulations for special events, including parades, athletic events and other special events in parks or requiring the closure of streets and other public rights of way. The proposed amendments, referred to as the City of Santa Barbara Special Events Ordinance, would establish the process for permitting and regulating all special events, such as athletic events, festivals, parades, public assemblies, demonstrations and other special activities in and on City parks, beaches, streets, sidewalk, and plazas. “The city has historically used administrative guidelines to Please see council on A6
Obituaries............. A8 Sudoku................. A5 Weather................ A8
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 1-13-24-26-39 Meganumber: 17
Sunday’s DAILY 4: 5-8-3-7
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 19-31-37-55-67 Meganumber: 25
Sunday’s FANTASY 5: 8-17-20-21-27
Sunday’s DAILY DERBY: 03-07-10 Time: 1:48.08
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 17-54-56-63-69 Meganumber: 20
Sunday’s DAILY 3: 6-8-2 / Sunday’s Midday 4-2-7