Santa Barbara News-Press: April 10, 2023

Easter Mass

Where the tacos are the stars

Taqueria La Unica is the latest restaurant to open on State Street

Planning Commission members voice ‘real concerns’ with proposed hotel

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A proposal to build a 250-room hotel at 101 Garden St. ran into a serious roadblock when several Planning Commission members voiced concern that the hotel might have an adverse impact on the city’s housing stock.

Commission members also questioned the developers’ decision not to provide affordable housing for the 60 employees envisioned to operate the Garden Street Hotel, instead of making them commute from Ventura, Oxnard and Lompoc.

“The Funk Zone doesn’t need another hotel,” Commission member Lucille Boss said at the Thursday meeting. “We need affordable housing. We do have a need for 8,000 housing units.

Why a hotel?”

She and other commission members suggested that if the developers fail to build adequate housing for their workers, that they be required to pay linkage fees to go into the city’s new HOPE affordable housing trust.

Commission member Lesley Wiscomb suggested that

“we could as a commission encourage or recommend to council that a certain percentage of transient occupancy taxes from this project be put into the HOPE fund.”

Sean Gilbert, representing the project’s development team, said building large-scale affordable housing at the site, instead of the hotel, which has been in the works for years, would simply “not be financially viable at that scale.

“It won’t pencil out.”

A previous proposal by the owners, the Wright family, called for building 91 residential condominiums on the site, with 20 of them slated as “affordable,” but they later withdrew the project claiming it would not be profitable.

A conceptual plan for the new hotel project was considered by the Planning Commission in 2019, and a majority found it to be acceptable, according to Kathleen Kennedy, the city’s case planner, for the project. The proposed 174,812-squarefoot hotel and subterranean parking garage would be built on

Please see HOTEL on A2

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A new Mexican restaurant, Taqueria La Unica, has opened on State Street.

The Santa Barbara restaurant, which opened April 3, is co-owned by brothers Carlos and Christian Luna.

“So far business has been amazing!

We’ve had a line out the door since the first day, and we are so grateful for this community’s support,” Carlos Luna told the News-Press.

Taqueria La Unica is located at 3771 State St., and as its name suggests, it showcases the art of traditional Mexican street food, including tacos, alongside other popular taqueria mainstays.

“At Taqueria La Unica, you’ll find

Please see RESTAURANT on A4

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The 19-year-old Santa Maria man who was shot and killed last month by an off-duty police officer outside an Orcutt market had just brandished a “ghost gun” and fired at a group of people during a physical altercation with him and another group, the county Sheriff’s Office said.

The Sheriff’s Office released additional information Friday regarding the shooting that occurred at Melody Market on March 25.

Just before 8 p.m. on that Saturday, two vehicles, with four occupants in each vehicle, arrived separately at Melody Market, the Sheriff’s Office said.

One of the occupants of the vehicles was 19year-old Manuel Reyes Rios of Santa Maria. Moments later, an off-duty Santa Maria Police Officer arrived in his personal vehicle with his family. A fourth vehicle, with a woman and her two children, also arrived at the market.

“While the off-duty officer and the woman

were inside the store, the two groups from the other vehicles engaged in a physical altercation in the parking lot,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “The off-duty officer had returned to his vehicle at the same time that Mr. Rios brandished a firearm and shot at the other group, striking one of them. Rios paused in his shooting, running past the off-duty officer who had drawn his firearm and police badge.”

The off-duty officer verbally identified himself as an officer and ordered Rios to stop shooting and surrender. “Mr. Rios did not comply with the off-duty police officer’s command, raising his firearm and shooting again at the other group and towards an occupied restaurant,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

“This resulted in injury to one of the patrons from flying debris caused by Mr. Rios’ shooting. In that moment, the off-duty police officer fired at Rios until he dropped to the ground.”

The off-duty officer called emergency services on his cell phone, ushered the uninvolved bystanders into the market and

Carp City Council to honor 2022 Carpinterians of the Year

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Carpinteria City Council today will adopt a resolution commending and congratulating former Councilmember Gregg Carty and his wife, Geri Ann Carty, both long-time community volunteers, upon their being named Carpinterians of the year for 2022.

The council resolution follows the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce’s awarding the Cartys the prestigious designation at the 64th Annual Carpinteria Community Awards Gala held April 1 at Rincon Beach Club.

It’s only the fourth time in the event’s history that the chamber has named a couple as the recipients of this honor instead of an individual.

voted by his peers to serve as the city’s mayor from 2008 to 2010 and 2014 to 2016.

sheltered them inside until deputies arrived. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene with a ghost gun in his possession. The remainder of the subjects who were involved in the altercation, including the person shot by Rios, fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival.

The Coroner’s investigation has preliminarily determined that Mr. Rios died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. The final cause and manner of death is pending toxicology.

The Sheriff’s Office released a short video clip from the Melody Market security cameras that shows Mr. Rios, who is wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, during his first round of shooting. These are the seconds just before the off-duty officer intervened in the incident.

This video has been shortened from its entire length to give the public a brief idea of the scene without compromising additional parts of the investigation that remains ongoing. email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

They and others were honored for their contributions to the Carpinteria community.

The council resolution cites the Cartys’ support of the California Avocado Festival, the Alcazar Theater, The Lynda Fairly Arts Center, the Carpinteria Woman’s Club, the Carpinteria Bluffs, the Carpinteria Education Foundation, Girls Incorporated of Carpinteria, Carp Cares for Kids, the Orchard to Ocean run, the Carpinteria Skate Park, Compassionate Care of Carpinteria, local elementary schools, Mentor Match, “and many more.”

It notes that Mr. Carty was elected and served on the council for four terms, from December 2006 to December 2022, and was nominated and

“As a small business owner, Gregg has put much of his construction expertise into various volunteer projects, including the California Avocado Festival and Carpinteria Arts Center, at no cost,” the resolution states.

Ms. Carty, meanwhile, “has provided exceptional care as a private nurse and has played a crucial role in maintaining the Alcazar Theater’s legacy as a cultural hub for the community.”

“Geri Ann has extensive involvement in the Carpinteria Woman’s Club, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, Carpinteria Education Foundation and Mentor Match, where Geri Ann helped many young people overcome obstacles and succeed in both their personal and

Please see CARP on A2

Photos of the outdoor Easter Mass at the Santa Barbara Mission - A4

Sheriff’s Office: Man shot by off-duty officer had fired a ‘ghost gun’ at a group of people

It’s only the fourth time in the event’s history that the chamber has named a couple as the recipients of this honor instead of an individual.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

New Mexican restaurant Taqueria La Unica recently opened on State Street in Santa Barbara.

Man arrested for allegedly arranging to meet a minor for sex

SANTA MARIA — Santa Maria police arrested a Nipomo man on suspicion of arranging to meet a minor with the intent to engage in sexual acts, police said.

Detectives conducted an investigation on Tuesday that led them to believe an adult male suspect was arranging to meet with what he believed was a 14year-old boy, police said.

The investigation revealed that

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

Richard Cavazos, 58, allegedly was arranging to meet with the minor via social media. At 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, detectives arrested Mr. Cavazos in a parking lot after he attempted to meet with what he believed was a 14-year-old minor, police said.

Mr. Cavazos was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of arranging and meeting with a minor with the intent to engage in sexual acts, a felony, police said. Investigators believe there may be other victims connected to Mr. Cavazos who have not reported to law enforcement.

Anyone with information related to this or other unreported crimes involving Mr. Cavazos is encouraged to contact SMPD Detective Silver at (805) 928 – 3781 ext. 1346 or the Communications Center at ext. 2277.

— Neil Hartstein

Police respond to shooting in Lompoc

LOMPOC – Lompoc police responded at about 1 a.m. Saturday to the 500 block of South R Street for a call of shots fired

and a gunshot victim on scene, police said.

The victim was located within a residence and was transported to a medical facility for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Through an investigation, it was found that subjects shot multiple times through the front door of a residence, striking the victim inside.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information relating to this case is asked to call the Lompoc Police Department’s Investigation Unit at 805-736-2341 ext 8169.

– Neil Hartstein

Planning commission to discuss project again on May 11

HOTEL

Continued from Page A1

4.53 acres at the southwest corner of Garden and Yanonali streets. The project consists of the merger of six lots and removal of all existing structures.

The project includes 267 vehicle parking spaces (234 subterranean and 33 at-grade), 46 bicycle parking spaces (26 subterranean and 20 at-grade), and eight bicycle rental parking spaces for guests.

Guest amenities would include a library, bar, lounge, 208-square-foot market, media salon, meeting rooms, living room, breakfast area, outdoor seating areas with spa, courtyard with pool and spa, fitness room, and a 7,500-squarefoot roof deck.

“Is there a plan to address this need for workforce housing?” Commission member Devon Wardlow asked. She said two other hotels (including the Biltmore) are doing just that. “If others can figure it out, can’t you do that, too?”

The project’s architect, Brian Cearnal, said as planned, the site is to be fully used to accommodate the hotel.

“The only way to accommodate housing is to build more buildings in addition to hotel rooms,” he said. “We have not studied how to put full time housing as part of the hotel operation.”

Mr. Gilbert said the hotel was geared for “midtier” guests, families eager to spend a month or so on the coast in either select service or extended stay rooms that provide kitchens.

He said the developers are “adamant about where we’re positioned.”

“That’s why the key count (for 250 rooms) is

important,” he said. “We’re trying to protect this range of motel guests.” And that can’t happen “if we have to layer on, reduce key count or have to build affordable housing.

“If we were to walk away from this as a 250key hotel, even if you came to us and said we want a hotel, but we want 200 hotel rooms and 50 affordable housing, I can tell you the deal will probably fall apart,” Mr. Gilbert said.

The commission members’ concerns about the impact on the city’s housing stock, and the lack of planned workforce housing for hotel employees, echoed comments from several public speakers.

One of them Pam Flynt Tambo, with the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara, recognized that the property owners have the right to build what they want.

“But the city has fallen way behind in building low- and moderate-income level housing,” she said. “We believe hotel projects should be asked to mitigate the impact on housing (and) we don’t support employees commuting from Ventura and beyond.”

She urged commissioners to demand the applicants provide their future workers with on-site affordable housing.

At the least, she and other speakers said, they should be required to contribute a certain amount of fees to the city’s affordable housing trust.

Commissioner Wardlow seemed to sum up

the board’s and public’s concerns when she told the developers she had “real concerns” about the project.

“What is clear is that there is no specific benefit to the community, to the residents, to the people who really live here, and that’s of grave concern to me,” she said.

Things have changed considerably since 2019 when the Planning Commission viewed the project favorably, she said, given the current post-COVID reality and the city’s focus on finding ways to provide housing for locals and workforce employees who commute.

“The idea that in 2019, the Planning Commission sat here and said this use was OK, I think that after COVID, given the massive housing crisis that we are in, we are in a different place today,” she said.

Mr. Gilbert later indicated that, rather than pull the project, the developers would consider providing employee housing as well as donating to the affordable housing trust.

For its part, the Planning Commission decided not to deny the project, voting 6-0 to continue its review so developers would have time to study employee housing and do neighborhood outreach.

They set May 11 as the next time the project would come before them.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

Council to consider approval for General Plan Housing Element

CARP

Continued from Page A1

academic lives.”

The couple, the resolution states, “have made remarkable contributions and been tireless advocates for the Carpinteria Valley Community,” noting that “their generosity and commitment to lead and serve (and) inspire others to participate make a difference in their communities.

“The City Council hereby commends and congratulates Gregg and Geri Ann Carty as the ‘2022 Carpinterians of the Year,’ for their vital contributions to cherished Carpinteria events and programs that will positively

impact the community far into the future.”

“I will treasure this forever,” Mr. Carty said at the awards ceremony. Added Geri Ann Carty, “I really have no words. I’m so overwhelmed by this beautiful and generous award.”

Councilmember and former Mayor Wade Nomura and his wife, Debbie, nominated the Cartys for the honor, noting in their application letter that “this dynamic couple has had a major impact on people, as well as the Carpinteria Valley and all it offers.”

In other business, the council will be asked to adopt a resolution approving the 20232031 Housing Element of the

Carpinteria General Plan as revised to address comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and other interested parties.

Staff is recommending that the council receive its presentation and public testimony; find the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, adopt the resolution and direct the city manager to submit the Housing Element to HCD for review.

“State requirements for this Housing Element update are far more challenging than any prior update,” staff said. “The State Legislature has declared

a ‘housing crisis’ in California, and local government zoning and permit review procedures are viewed as a major cause of the crisis.”

As a result, “the state is requiring cities to facilitate a significant increase in housing production, particularly higher-density multi-family housing,” staff said. “The draft Housing Element addresses these requirements and includes revised policies and programs to create significant additional opportunities for housing development consistent with recent State legislation.”

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

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By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE

CONTRIBUTOR

CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - Eleven more communities have been named by California

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday as “Prohousing” communities.

This designation allows local governments to apply for new grant funding and priority processing or funding points when applying for several funding programs as part of a $26 million state investment from the Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund.

Emeryville, Fresno, Needles, Rancho Cordova, Redwood City, Riverside, Salinas, Stockton, and Ukiah, and the counties of San Diego and Yuba join 10 other regions recognized in February as “Prohousing” communities.

“It is very encouraging that so many jurisdictions are demonstrating their firm commitment to addressing housing availability and affordability in California,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.

Gov. Newsom established the program which is part of a vision to build 2.5 million new homes in the coming eight years and presented it in his 2019-2020 budget.

“California’s most vexing issue is also its most shameful: the large and rising number of residents who lack a safe place to call home. In a state with vast amounts of wealth, more than 160,000 of its residents sleep in shelters, cars, or on the street,” Cal Matters reports.

Along with whole-care services which address drug addiction, lack of access, health concerns, affordability and other contributors

to homelessness, it all comes down to housing.

“By taking advantage of the tools, technical assistance, funding opportunities, and incentives available to them through HCD, Prohousing communities can scale up their efforts to make a real difference in the work to address a housing crisis many decades in the making,” Mr. Valasquez said.

But building housing as an act of crisis management is not without its impact.

Riverside County has seen large swatches of land previously used as grazing fields for sheep and cattle, and agricultural fields become housing communities. More housing, less food grown locally.

“Instead of making excuses, these jurisdictions are rising to the challenge, making difficult choices and ensuring that Californians have access to needed housing,” Gov. Newsom said.

Streamlining multifamily housing developments, creating homes near jobs and transportation, building affordable homes for people of color and low-income earners with all construction being climate-smart, are all

requirements for “Prohousing” designation.

Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez stated, “We are proud to work with these jurisdictions to create a healthy housing market that offers stability and opportunity to help teachers, mechanics, home health aides and many others find a place to live within a reasonable distance from their jobs and improve their quality of life.”

Accountability measures and incentives like the “Prohousing” Designation are a critical part of Newsom’s multipronged approach to address the state’s housing crisis.

“Remarkably, in just a few weeks since our last announcement, the number of Prohousing Designations has doubled, a testament to the growing number of communities taking responsibility and committing to building their fair share of housing,” the governor said. Not all is going according to plan. Last month Attorney General Rob Bonta announced “he would sue the city of Huntington Beach for not following state housing laws,” according to the Associated Press.

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The commission members’ concerns about the impact on the city’s housing stock, and the lack of planned workforce housing for hotel employees, echoed comments from several public speakers.

Eleven new regions designated ‘Prohousing’ communities by Governor Newsom

Emeryville, Fresno, Needles, Rancho Cordova, Redwood City, Riverside, Salinas, Stockton, and Ukiah, and the counties of San Diego and Yuba join 10 other regions recognized in February as “Prohousing” communities.

Mortensen homers, but Gauchos drop game two at Fullerton

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

Broc Mortensen hit his fifth home run of the season Friday night, but it would be the only run the UCSB baseball team (19-8, 6-2 Big West) scored on the evening, as they fell, 8-1, to Cal State Fullerton (15-10, 8-3 Big West) in the second game of a threegame series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gauchos might consider themselves unlucky to have been behind after the first two innings on Friday. In the first, Zander Darby singled with one out, then advanced to second, giving UCSB a runner in scoring position, but Aaron Parker lined out to shortstop. In the bottom of the inning, Tyler Bremner was one strike away from working around a lead-off double, but his 3-2 pitch got smacked into left center to give the hosts a run. In the second, the Gauchos once again had a runner on with just one out, but a line drive right to the Titan first baseman turned into a double play to end the inning.

Fullerton got on the board again in the bottom of the fourth, but Bremner came back and ended the inning with his sixth strikeout of the day. That gave UCSB their best chance to build momentum, as Mortensen led off the top of the fifth with a no-doubt home run to right field, cutting the deficit to just one run. Bremner recorded strikeout number seven to

start the bottom half of the fifth, but a walk and a single ended his evening, with Carter Benbrook relieving him. The left-hander got out of the fifth unscathed, but gave up a pair of runs on a two-RBI single in the sixth. Aaron Parker led off the seventh with a double, hustling to make it all the way to second on a ball that bounced off the shortstop’s glove and rolled into shallow center. However, he was left stranded, and things would only get worse. The Titans scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, putting the game squarely out of reach.

ON THE STAT SHEET

• LeTrey McCollum extended his hitting streak to 14 games with single in the eighth inning on Friday. It is the longest hitting and on-base streak by any Gaucho this season.

• Tyler Bremner’s seven strikeouts Friday night bring his season total to 48, the most by any Big West freshman pitcher, and the fifth-most among all pitchers in the conference.

• Broc Mortensen’s fifth-inning home run was the 36th of his UCSB career, putting him six away from tying the program record, set by Matt Wilkerson from 2002-2005.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

UCSB Track and Field hosts Challenge Cup

By KRISTEN KELLER UCSB SPORTS

The UCSB track and field teams hosted their final home meet of the season in the Challenge Cup, welcoming Long Beach State, Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine to Pauley Track. This is one of the few meets with team scoring this season as the Gauchos had multiple athletes win their events to help the women finish second in the Challenge Cup while the men earned third.

On the women’s side, Amanda Spear had one of the best outings for the Gauchos as she finished in first place in the hammer and discus while making it to the finals in the shot put, competing in this event for the first time as a Gaucho. She threw a distance of 48.52 meters in the discus while hitting a mark of 54.76 meters in the hammer, securing a new PR in the hammer. Also finding success in the throws were Malia Benson and Kendall Martin, who ended up with the top two spots in the javelin as Benson took the firstplace spot with a throw of 46.78 meters while Martin followed close behind with a throw of 45.22 meters. Melodie Quiroz rounded

out the top performances in the women’s field events as she placed second in the pole vault with a mark of 3.70 meters.

The women also found success on the track as Madeline Franco was the first track athlete to win an event today for the Gauchos. She brought home the win in the 1500 with a time of 4:38.36, a new personal best. Paige Damron was another Gaucho to earn first place in her event, securing the top spot in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:01.49. Ashling Carr rounded out the women’s top performances on the track as she finished with a time of 10:29.34 in the 3000, beating the second-place runner by six seconds.

In the field events for the men, Leon Gillis was just shy of hitting 7 feet, but still won the event with a jump of 6-feet-9-inches, which is four inches higher than the second-place finisher. Joining him with a win in their event was Chase Tarr, who threw a distance of 64.35 meters in the javelin to beat the second-place finisher by six meters. Eitan Goore topped his own PR in the pole vault that also moved him up to third in the UCSB All-Time Record Book as he hit a mark of 5.06 meters for a

second-place finish.

The men’s team also raced well on the track. Brandon Cobian grabbed a first-place finish in the 3000 as he ran a time of 8:37.42, a new PR for him in this event. Tyler Holl also was a huge asset for the Gauchos, earning a secondplace finish in both of his events. He ended up with a new PR on his way to second in the 110meter hurdles with a time of 14.41 while registering a time of 54.49 in the 400 hurdles. He was also a member of the 4x400-meter relay team that locked down first place in that event. Holl ran alongside Deonne McCrary, Justin Fong and Brendan Fong with a time of 3:14.48.

The Gauchos will have a quick turnaround following the Challenge Cup as they head to the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut while other members of the team compete at the Bryan Clay Invite in Azusa. These meets will begin as early as Wednesday.

Kristen Keller is the associate athletic director for communications and digital strategy at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

Strong second half, Walker’s career day propel UCSB women’s water polo to victory at Biola

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The No. 11 UCSB women’s water polo team (17-8, 13 Big West) scored five goals in each of the final two quarters on Friday, turning a 5-4 halftime lead into a 15-9 victory over Biola (12-14, 3-1 WWPA). Annie Kuester recorded her third hat-trick of the season, and Caitlyn Snyder tallied two goals alongside six assists to lead the Gauchos in points, while Madison Walker made a career-high 18 saves to deny any chance of a Biola comeback.

UCSB never trailed in the match, as Nina Munson opened the scoring a minute into the first quarter, and the Gauchos never looked back. Kuester tallied the first of her three scores to double the lead, then Imani Clemons scored the first two goals on her birthday to keep UCSB’s advantage at two when the quarter ended. Kuester scored again in the second, then Snyder made it 5-2, but Biola got within one by halftime. In net, Walker was tremendous throughout, denying pretty much every shot the Eagles could throw at her, making close-range stops and batting

UCSB never trailed in the match, as Nina Munson opened the scoring a minute into the first quarter, and the Gauchos never looked back.

away long-distance attempts as well. Walker’s goalkeeping helped the Gauchos pull away, as their offense found the net early and often. Leigh Lyter scored the first two goals of the half, then Munson made it 8-4 Gauchos three minutes into the third quarter. UCSB led by that four-goal margin to start the fourth quarter, and Kuester completed her hattrick to put the Gauchos up by as many as six. They found the net three more times before the final buzzer sounded, wrapping up a comfortable victory.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

Easter Mass

METZ, Joyce L.

Santa Barbara, CA - Joyce L. Metz, 92, a resident of Valle Verde retirement community, died peaceably in her residence on Monday, March 6, 2023.

Joyce was born December 14, 1930, in Lyons New York to Harold (Butch) and Florence Lauster. She was a graduate of Lyons High School (1948) and a graduate of Keuka College (1950). She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Santa Barbara.

She married William E. Metz in 1950, and they raised two children; Holly (1954) and William (1956). Joyce worked at the Lyons Public Library for 26 years as Assistant to the Librarian.

In 1996, she moved from Lyons NY to Santa Barbara CA to be closer to her children. She was an avid book reader as a golfer and enthusiast of all things art. Throughout her adult life in upstate New York she was an indefatigable volunteer advocating change to end discrimination in her home town.

She is survived by her daughter, Holly (Edward) Bennett of Santa Barbara CA, her son William (Jasmin) Metz of San Diego CA, two grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren; and her brother David Lauster of Lyons NY.

She was predeceased by her husband, William E. Metz, and brother Donald Lauster. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lyons Public Library, 122 Broad Street, Lyons NY 14489 (LyonsLibraryDirector@owwl.org) or Trinity Lutheran Church, 909

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Disgorgement bill proposed to compensate victims of fraud

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - Assemblymember

Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) has authored a bill that would require companies that have violated the law to give up the profits that they made through their illegal conduct. Money collected would be held in a newly created Restitution Fund in the state Treasury. Proceeds from this fund would be used to provide restitution for any victim who cannot otherwise be compensated.

Assemblymember Maienschein has the support of Attorney General Rob Bonta who is sponsoring AB 1366. The new legislation was announced today in a release by the attorney general’s office.

“Under AB 1366, the restitution would be funded from the ill-gotten gains of businesses that violate California’s consumer protection laws, rather than through taxes or fees charged to law-abiding businesses.

Specifically, AB 1366 would allow the Attorney General to seek the remedy of disgorgement in actions brought under the Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law,” the release

said.

Victims of fraud are entitled to restitution after a judgment has been reached but in many cases the business becomes insolvent and files for bankruptcy, leaving the victim without recourse.

In one such case pointed out by Mr. Bonta, the AG obtained a $20 million judgment against Paul Blanco’s Good Car Company in November 2022. Ultimately, Paul Blanco became insolvent, went out of business and left its victims with little to no compensation.

“When a predatory business takes advantage of a consumer, it’s only right that the proceeds gained from illegal conduct should go towards compensating victims rather than remaining in the bank accounts of bad actors,” Assemblymember Maienschein stated.

Current California consumer protection laws do not include a disgorgement clause like those already enacted in states like Arizona and New York. The bill proposes to implement another safeguard for California consumers alongside the Civil Penalty Fund that allows the federal government through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to make victims financially whole.

Newsom requests Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration for California

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - The projected amounts of key salmon stocks off California and parts of Southern Oregon has led the Pacific Fishery Management Council to recommend a full closure of the 2023 ocean salmon season, leading California’s governor to request a Federal Fishery Disaster declaration.

The declaration is requested specifically for the State of California 2023 Sacramento River Fall Chinook (SRFC) and Klamath River Fall Chinook (KRFC) ocean and inland salmon which are at historic lows.

The projected loss from closures of commercial and recreational fisheries is expected to exceed $45 million. This estimate does not account for the full impact to California’s communities as it does not include economic impacts to inland salmon fisheries.

A letter by California Lt. Gov. Eleni

Kounalakis to the US Department of Commerce revealed the reason for the low count of salmon stocks, “A host of factors have pushed these iconic and important fisheries to the point of collapse, including prolonged and historic drought, severe wildfires, impacts to spawning and rearing habitat, harmful algal blooms, and ocean forage shifts and associated thiamine deficiency.”

Salmon are born in freshwater but spend most of their lives in the ocean, then return to freshwater to spawn. This life cycle makes them particularly susceptible to factors both on land and at sea. The low count has been attributed in part to the low return of salmon entering California’s waters, which were affected by drought three years ago and are now subject to climate disruption putting further stress on fish stocks.

Assistance to the communities impacted by the closures which are expected to be implemented next month, hinges around the approval of the request.

New Mexican restaurant is currently hiring

RESTAURANT

Continued from Page A1

very traditional and authentic Mexican street food, like you find on the streets of Mexico,” Mr. Luna said. “At any given time, you can choose from 10 or more varieties and preparations of meats — from the more familiar Al Pastor (pork), Sirloin and Pollo Adobo (chicken) to styles you really don’t see very often in town, like Cabeza (beef’s head) Tripa (tripe), Labio (lips), Lengua (tongue) and more. So whether you want to try something new, or stick with the classics, there’s something for everyone here.

“Tacos are the star of the show here, and we encourage guests to be adventurous and try something new. In addition to the tacos, people are really loving our Volcanes, Costras and Alambres. And I highly recommend the house-made Horchatas and Agua Frescas,” said Mr. Luna.

The restaurant has received praise online.

“... some of the most savory tacos I have tasted in town. Great variety of meats for these street-style tacos, fresh ingredients, and amazing salsas to pair. Taqueria La Única is part of the Los Agaves family. The menu includes some other dishes as well. I will definitely be back to try more,” said Yelp reviewer, Eusebio C.

Mr. Luna noted, “Every Monday we are offering our Lunes del Rey special featuring $2 Al Pastor tacos all day, as well as Taco Tuesday specials, in addition to various menu specials that will change weekly. We also have a great outdoor patio that’s perfect for gathering with friends and family as the days are getting longer and warmer. We are excited to welcome everyone.”

Hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Taqueria La Unica is currently hiring and is holding open interviews on Tuesday from noon to 3 p.m. Applicants are asked to bring their resume. You can follow the restaurant on Instagram at @taquerialaunica_sb.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

An outdoor Easter Mass is delivered at the Old Mission Santa Barbara on Sunday.

Life theArts

e Genevieve

Former Santa Ynez Inn has a new name

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Formerly the Santa Ynez Inn located in the town of Santa Ynez, The Genevieve reopened last month as Santa Barbara County’s newest boutique hotel, offering an array of luxury amenities such as complimentary gourmet breakfast, a daily wine and dessert reception, whiskey library, spa and premier private event space. It is also home to The Victor restaurant helmed by Chef Beto Huizar.

From the ownership team behind The Landsby hotel in Solvang, The Genevieve brings 20 spacious and luxurious guestrooms and what the hotel calls a refined sense of intimate luxury to Santa Ynez.

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. “Storytelling: Native People Through the Lens of Edward S. Curtis” is on display through April 30 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information, visit sbnature.org.

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “SURREAL

WOMEN: Surrealist Art by American Women” is on display through April 24 at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, www.sullivangoss.com. 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. to etcsb.org or call 805-9655400.

APRIL 12

introduction to wine in the Santa Ynez Valley and event spaces for weddings and milestone events.

“The Genevieve is the perfect setting for rediscovering romance, escaping the mundane and fully embracing the serenity of the Santa Ynez Valley,” said Janice Leslin, co-owner of The Genevieve and The Victor. “The Genevieve and The Victor are a true escape and the perfect pair — a combination of intimate, detailoriented hospitality and some of the best food and cocktails in Santa Ynez.”

FYI

For more information about The Genevieve, 3627 Sagunto St. in Santa Ynez, visit www.thegenevieve.com or follow The Genevieve on Instagram @thegenevievehotel. To learn more about The Victor, visit www.thevictor. us or follow The Victor on Instagram @ thevictor_sy.

The Genevieve continues to offer the same level of hospitality and detail-oriented guest experience as the Santa Ynez Inn in an intimate setting amidst a lush garden, meandering pathways and fire pits that provide the perfect setting for enjoying an evening bottle of wine.

At The Genevieve, guests also enjoy daily made-to-order breakfast and wine and dessert hour, a whiskey library, onsite Tesla charging stations, a curated Tasting Passport for an

Chef Huizar’s menu features dishes including Santa Maria Tri-Tip Frites, Cedar Plank Salmon, Whole Roasted Fish and Tomahawk Steak, using ingredients from the California coast and prepared in The Victor’s Josper Oven or its traditional Santa Maria grill.

Guests will also find a menu of starters, from barbecued oysters and oysters on the half shell and shrimp cocktail to deviled eggs and fresh salads spotlighting local produce.

“The Victor is rolling out its newly designed spring menu of seasonal favorites featuring new dishes such as Ceviche Tostada, Vegetable Tempura, American Wagyu Filet Mignon, 20-ounce Delmonico Steak and JosperRoasted Romanesco,” said Ms. Leslin.

Please see GENEVIEVE on B2

8 p.m. Elton Dan & The Rocket Band will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The band plays tribute to Elton John. Tickets cost $34 and $52 for general admission and $92 for VIP seats. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

APRIL 13

7:30 p.m. John Oates, onehalf of the duo of Hall & Oates, will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The concert will also feature singersongwriter and guitarist Steve Postell. Tickets cost $45 and $55 for general admission and $106 for VIP seats, which include pre-concert reception.

APRIL 15

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform “Beethoven Dreams” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The allBeethoven program will include a collaboration with the Ensemble Theatre Company’s artistic director, Jonathan Fox. Mr. Fox will direct the West Coast premiere of Ella MilchSheriff’s staged monodrama, “The Eternal Stranger,” based on one of Beethoven’s dreams. The concert will also feature the symphony playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Symphony No. 4. The concert’s piano soloist is Inna Faliks. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

APRIL 16

3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform “Beethoven Dreams” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The allBeethoven program will include a collaboration with the Ensemble Theatre Company’s artistic director, Jonathan Fox. Mr. Fox will direct the West Coast premiere of Ella MilchSheriff’s staged monodrama, “The Eternal Stranger,” based on one of Beethoven’s dreams. The concert will also feature the symphony playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Symphony No. 4. The concert’s piano soloist is Inna Faliks. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

APRIL 25

7:30 p.m. The American Theatre Guild will present “Anastasia” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The new Broadway musical follows a brave young woman on a journey to discover the mystery of the past. This production transports the audiences from the twilight of the Russian empire to Paris in the 1920s. Tickets cost $54 to $129. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

— Dave Mason

PHOTOS COURTESY THE GENEVIEVE

The Santa Ynez Inn has reopened as The Genevieve, Santa Barbara County’s newest boutique hotel.

What to do when your therapist is out of town

Irecently met someone who was having a challenging time in their relationship.

When I recommended that they talk to a therapist about it, they said their therapist was out of town. Hence, unavailable to talk.

I directed them to some mental health resources, including some that might be available in their area as well as the national crisis hotline: Just dial 9-8-8.

That being said, I’ve traveled the world and always found time to return my client’s calls, texts and emails. I know the idea of a vacation for most people is to unplug and switch off, but that doesn’t work for me. I stay available to my clients because they are under my care. Look, even though I think most practitioners would disagree with this, I can’t relax knowing that someone who relies on my support is suffering.

If you are in therapy or considering it, a good therapist will not only return calls and messages but may well check up on you between sessions. They will give you information about other

resources available to you, so you can learn to deal with your issues, and homework to do when you’re not in session, to keep you focused on healing. Therapy is more than just one session a week. You need to work every day on your emotional healing; it needs to become part of your lifestyle. This way, when the inevitable issues come up, you will have the right tools to deal with them, and if you need some extra support, you will know where to find it. The goal of therapy should be to give you the ways and means of dealing with your demons. Once you have those tools, you can choose to stay in therapy and do growth work or even dive into your childhood, but only if you want to.

I believe in healing the presenting problem before looking into deeper issues. The goal is to get yourself back to a place where you can deal with “your stuff” in

a logical way and not have it spin you.

If you are looking for mental health answers online, I would advise going to WebMD or the Mayo Clinic; they are the most trusted by physicians and therapists. Other sites can lead you down a rabbit hole.

Likewise, online support groups need to be vetted before you share your issues. Don’t get me wrong. There are some great ones, like Compassionate Friends, which is an online support group for people who have lost a child. There is probably a great group out there for your issues, too, but it’s important to choose wisely.

Talking to someone is a triedand-true method of helping you resolve emotional and life issues, but it needs to be the right someone. I think I went through five or six therapists in my first go-round before I found the right person (and we are still in touch.)

So if you don’t feel comfortable with someone you are seeing now, it’s really OK to check out someone else. If you and your therapist are definitely not a good fit, your therapist should know that and refer you to someone else. I have given hundreds of referrals (my therapist friends love me) and continue to do so because if I know of another therapist who would be a better fit for the person who’s calling me, it’s my obligation to give them that information. I view therapy as a sacred trust, and I honor my clients because they have made the conscious choice to work on themselves with me as their guide.

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., is an award-winning psychotherapist and humanitarian. He is also a columnist, the author of eight books and a blogger for PsychologyToday. com with more than 28 million readers. He is available for video consults worldwide. Reach him at barton@bartongoldsmith.com. His column appears Saturdays and Mondays in the News-Press.

Story of bird migration focus of Audubon Society’s free presentation

By MARILYN MCMAHON

WRITER

“Flight Paths,” the story of how the scientific community came together to understand bird migration, will be the topic of the Santa Barbara Audubon Society’s free April program.

Co-hosted by Audubon and the Santa Barbara Public Library, it will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. April 19 at the Faulkner Gallery in the library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.

“Flight Paths” is the neverbefore-told story of how a group of migration-obsessed scientists in the 20th and 21st centuries engaged nearly every branch of science to understand bird migration — from where and when birds take off to their flight paths and behaviors, their destinations and the challenges they encounter getting there.

Bird enthusiast and science writer Rebecca Heisman, the author of “Flight Paths,” will trace the development of each technique used for tracking migratory birds, from the first attempts to mark individual birds to the cutting-edge technology that enables ornithologists to trace where a bird has been, based on unique DNA markers. Along

the way, she’ll share the almostforgotten stories of the scientists who harnessed breakthrough inventions to further the understanding of nature.

Ms. Heisman will speak about how the real power of science happens when people work

together, focusing their minds and knowledge on a common goal. While the world looks to tackle massive challenges involving conservation and climate, the story of bird migration research offers a beacon of hope for finding solutions to difficult and complex

problems, according to a news release.

Ms. Heisman is a science writer based in eastern Washington who loves nerding out about birds. She’s contributed to publications including Audubon Magazine, Sierra Magazine, Hakai Magazine, bioGraphic, Living Bird (the magazine of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and Bird Conservation (the magazine of the American Bird Conservancy).

From 2015 to 2020, she worked for the American Ornithological Society, the world’s largest professional organization for bird scientists.

While at AOS, she became intimately familiar with the North American ornithological community and got excited about the varied methods for studying bird migration.

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

FYI

“Flight Paths” will be discussed from 7:30 to 9 p.m. April 19 at the Faulkner Gallery in the Santa Barbara Central Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. For more information, go to santabarbaraaudubon.org/programs.

Lompoc parks division to host employment workshop for teens

LOMPOC — The Lompoc Parks and Recreation Division is hosting a workshop to provide career resources for teens and young adults in the Lompoc area. The free program will take place 9 a.m. to noon April 12 and 13 at the Anderson Recreation Center 125 Walnut Lane, Lompoc. The workshop is sponsored

Continued from Page B1

For seafood lovers, The Victor offers Oysters and Bubbles nights from 5 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, featuring $2 oysters and $10 glasses of bubbles.

“Guests can enjoy their TwoBuck Shuck deals from a stunning patio overlit with twinkling lights by a cozy fireplace,” Ms. Leslin said.

The Victor is also launching its new Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekend starting April 30, and Wood-Fired Wednesdays will start May 29 on the red brick patio,where new weekly specials, such as a whole roasted pig and more, will be offered.

Splendour, The Genevieve’s spa, offers a variety of massage services including a Bubbles and Bliss Massage, featuring a flute of sparkling wine, organic Champagne body butter and Champagne-infused aroma therapy, as well as deep tissue, pre-and post-natal massages and a couples massage.

Each treatment is customized to meet each guest’s specific treatment needs.

Among the accommodations at the hotel is a 550 squarefoot Garden ADA King guest room with a king-sized bed and fireplace. Included are several mobility and hearing accessible

by the Lompoc Unified School District. Titled “The Summer Employment Workshop for Teens,” the workshop is designed to educate teens ages 15 through 19 about the process of finding employment as they enter their adult lives.

The two-day long workshop

will focus on helpful techniques for a successful career such as resume writing, interview tips, and how to find and complete a job application.

All who participate in the program are guaranteed an interview with the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Division for summer employment. Some

of the open include lifeguards, recreation leaders, pool attendants and swim instructors. Registration is recommended. The deadline to register is Tuesday at apm. activecommunities.com/ lompocrecreation.

— Annika Bahnsen

NEWS-PRESS STAFF

COURTESY PHOTOS

Rebecca Heisman, the author of “Flight Paths,” will discuss the mystery of bird migration April 19 at the Santa Barbara Central Library.

GENEVIEVE

PHOTO COURTESY THE GENEVIEVE

A variety of dishes are served at The Victor.

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”

— Albert Einstein

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com

Monday, April 10, 2023

Aries: You should feel especially strong, motivated, and focused, Aries. Your ability to establish yourself in the world is enhanced by increased selfsufficiency. Your goals seem more attainable, and you find this encouraging. Relations with others should be warm, congenial, and cooperative, so if you’ve been thinking of starting some sort of enterprise with others, this is the day to start planning.

Taurus: Sudden positive developments regarding the family could make a big difference to your future if you make the most of them, Taurus. A family member could have a lucky break of some kind and need your support. You might be in the right place at the right time to meet the right person.

Gemini: You might want to leave the office early today to finish all those pressing errands, Gemini. Phone calls could keep you busy, as could small tasks that still need tending around the house. At some point, financial paperwork might take up a lot of your time, but the evening shows promise.

Cancer: A task that requires a lot of writing might have you discovering a new talent you never knew you had. You might be surprised, but you will want to develop this new skill. It could involve technology in some way, or it could entail working with money. A number of people could confer with you at some point during the day, Cancer, perhaps asking advice about future business trends.

Leo: Emotional reunions with friends or relatives you haven’t seen in a long time could take place today, Virgo. Some of these might be unplanned and off the wall. You might meet your sixth-grade teacher at the mall, increasing the feeling of warmth and happiness that you’ve been enjoying lately. An evening spent relaxing at home with loved ones increases your sense of security.

Virgo: Emotional reunions with friends or relatives you haven’t seen in a long time could take place today, Virgo. Some of these might be unplanned and off the wall. You might meet your sixth-grade teacher at the mall, increasing the feeling of warmth and happiness that you’ve been enjoying lately. An evening spent

relaxing at home with loved ones increases your sense of security.

Libra: A quarrel with a friend might put you in the position of having to lay all your cards on the table and tell him or her exactly how you feel. It isn’t always easy to be so frank, Libra, but today the strength of your sincerity should impress your friend and make your friendship stronger.

Scorpio: A talent for writing that you haven’t tapped may surface today, Scorpio. Perhaps using a computer, particularly one with voice activation, is making it possible. Your imagination is in full swing, and your work may be very entertaining. If you’ve been thinking about writing, this is the day to start. It’s also a good day to handle paperwork relating to finances.

Sagittarius: You could either be planning or preparing for a long journey by air, Sagittarius. Your plans may still need to be confirmed. Today is the perfect day to do this. Spiritual matters might be very much on your mind right now, and you might read a lot about such subjects. Don’t be surprised if it proves difficult to put them out of your mind.

Capricorn: Unexpected social invitations might find you meeting people in the healing professions - doctors, surgeons, nurses, or technicians. You might also rub shoulders with bankers and investment advisers. Take their contact information. They may prove valuable to you later.

Aquarius: The vast social whirl of late might have overwhelmed you with new names and faces, all of which you want to remember. Today would be a good day to follow up with some of them by phone, postcard, or email. Your charisma and sincerity are likely to have made just as much of an impression on them as they did on you, Aquarius.

Pisces: Your skills with computers and other forms of technology should be growing rapidly. This will greatly increase your efficiency with these tools and your marketability, should you be thinking of changing careers or simply be looking for a new position. This would be a good day to get your resume up to date so you can act when you learn of a job that seems right for you.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Monday, April 10, 2023

Unlucky Louie is sure that fate is determined to do him in. He blames his bad results on bad luck.

The real problem is that when things go wrong, Louie goes with them. When he played at today’s four spades, West found a trump lead. East let dummy’s eight win (not best). Louie then tried a club to his queen. West won and led another trump, and East took the ace and led a third trump. Louie then had nine tricks: three trumps, a ruff, two diamonds, two hearts and a club. He could have won another with astute play, but he tried unsuccessfully to set up his clubs and went down.

GOOD DUCK

“The man finds a good lead,” Louie growled, “his partner finds a good duck, and the clubs are foul as well.”

Maybe Louie was fated to go down, but a good declarer would win the first trump, cash the A-K of hearts, ruff a heart, lead a diamond to dummy, ruff a heart, lead a diamond to dummy and ruff a diamond. He wins the first eight tricks and still has two trump winners in dummy and the ace of clubs. DAILY

Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your left,

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-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

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

opens three diamonds. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes.

What do you say?

ANSWER: To double and oblige you to act at the three level, partner promises a hand worth at least 17 points, probably with support for all the other suits, especially the majors. Slam is likely. Cue-bid four diamonds. When he bids four of a major next, raise to five or six.

dealer

Control and Water Conservation District (District).

Online bid submittal deadline: on or before 10:00 a.m. on May 10, 2023

The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informality in a bid. Bidders may not withdraw their bid for a period of sixty (60) days after the date set for the opening thereof.

No bid will be accepted from a Contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9, Division III of the Business and Professions Code. APR 10, 17 / 2023 -- 59242

Pastors engaging in politics: religious liberty isn’t a

political issue,

it’s spiritual

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – A group of pastors who recently gathered in Washington, D.C. – and made national news for singing hymns in the U.S. Capitol rotunda – are part of a movement of Christian leaders encouraging others rooted in the religious principles that shaped America’s founding to use their influence to impact the political landscape.

Eighty pastors who visited the U.S. capital are leaders in their states involved with the South Carolina-based nonprofit, “Faith Wins,” led by Chad Connelly. He’s been mobilizing faith leaders in the public arena for 15 years and told The Center Square their mission is to “educate and mobilize faith leaders to leverage their influence and impact within the political arena.”

Mr. Connelly was the former chair of the Republican Party of South Carolina and the first-ever national director of faith engagement for the Republican National Committee. He left the RNC in 2017 “when I realized the new leadership wasn’t going to have an authentic evangelical outreach,” he told The Center Square.

From 2013 to 2017, Mr. Connelly traveled to 43 states and met with over 80,000 pastors encouraging them to get involved in the public square. In the last two years, he said Faith Win teams, which don’t endorse candidates, have registered over two million evangelical voters.

“It’s not political to register people to vote,” Mr. Connelly told The Center Square. “It’s spiritual. How can you be salt and light if you’re not engaging the culture and voting for biblical values?” he asked, referring to Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 of the Bible.

“Being pro-life isn’t a political issue; it’s a spiritual issue,” he continued. “Religious liberty isn’t a political issue, it’s a spiritual one. So many issues of the day may have been politicized, but it doesn’t remove our responsibility to tell the truth to the people we’re responsible for.”

Over the last several years, Faith Wins has hosted over 17,000 pastors at events nationwide, connecting them with religious and political leaders.

When the group sang in the Rotunda,

Mr. Connelly said, it was in recognition that “there’s a higher authority than government: God. America was the first place to say our rights don’t come from the state.”

“We have inalienable rights that are endowed by our creator,” he said, citing the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident. While truth is under attack these days, God is still on the throne. He is sovereign over all governments and more than any government will ever be.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, who joined them, said, “It was a privilege to take this group of nearly 80 pastors on a special tour of the Capitol. Church services used to be held routinely in the Capitol, and it is always moving to hear prayers and hymns echoing in the Rotunda.” He also tweeted a video of them singing the hymn “Amazing Grace,” and quoted founding father, John Adams, who said, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” The group also sang the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” The group’s commitment extends beyond Washington, D.C., to their home states, pastors told The Center Square. Terry Amann, pastor of Church of the Way in Des Moines, Iowa, said partnering with Faith Wins “allows Iowa pastors to provide a ministry of presence to presidential, and potential, presidential candidates.” Iowa’s “unique, First-in-the-Nation status in the race to the White House brings with it, opportunities to ask tough question of faith and policy in a safe environment for the candidates. Along the way, we are reminded of Proverbs 27:17, ‘Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.’”

Josiah Kagin, a pastor of Grace Baptist

Federal science agency’s gender and race speech codes take criticism

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s speech directives for scientists have come under fire for embracing critical race theory and gender ideology ideas.

The Center Square recently reported on the NIST’s “Inclusive Language Guidance,” which tells scientists which words or phrases they can or cannot use in reports.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND PENDING ACTION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO:

(1) WAIVETHE PUBLIC HEARING ON A COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITTHAT MAY BE APPEALED TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION AND (2) APPROVE, CONDITIONALLY APPROVE, OR DENY THE COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT This may affect your property. Please read.

Noticeisherebygiventhatanapplicationfortheprojectdescribedbelowhasbeensubmittedtothe SantaBarbaraCountyPlanningandDevelopmentDepartment.Thisprojectrequirestheapproval andissuanceofaCoastalDevelopmentPermitbythePlanningandDevelopmentDepartment.

ThedevelopmentrequestedbythisapplicationissubjecttoappealtotheCaliforniaCoastal Commissionfollowingfinal actionbySantaBarbaraCountyandthereforeapublichearingon theapplicationisnormallyrequiredpriortoanyactiontoapprove,conditionallyapproveordeny theapplication.However,incompliancewithCaliforniaCoastalActSection30624.9,theDirector hasdeterminedthatthisprojectqualifiesasminordevelopmentandthereforeintendstowaivethe publichearingrequirementunlessawrittenrequestforsuchhearingissubmittedbyaninterested partytothePlanningandDevelopmentDepartmentwithinthe15workingdaysfollowingtheDate ofNoticelistedbelow.Allrequestsforahearingmustbesubmittednolaterthan5:00p.m.onthe RequestforHearingExpirationDatelistedbelow,toKylieBrownatPlanningandDevelopment, 123E.AnapamuStreet,SantaBarbara93101-2058,byemailatbrownk@countyofsb.org,orbyfaxat (805)568-2030.Ifapublichearingisrequested,noticeofsuchahearingwillbeprovided.

WARNING: Failure by a person to request a public hearing may result in the loss of the person’s ability to appeal any action taken by Santa Barbara County on this Coastal Development Permit to the County Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors and ultimately the California Coastal Commission.

Ifarequestforpublichearingisnotreceivedby5:00p.m.ontheRequestforHearingExpiration Datelistedbelow,thenthePlanningandDevelopmentDepartmentwillacttoapprove,approve withconditions,ordenytherequestfora CoastalDevelopmentPermit.Atthistimeitisnotknown whenthisactionmayoccur;however,thismaybetheonlynoticeyoureceiveforthisproject.To receiveadditionalinformationregardingthisproject,includingthedatetheCoastalDevelopment Permitisapproved,and/ortoviewtheapplicationandplans,ortoprovidecommentsontheproject, pleasecontactKylieBrownatPlanningandDevelopment,123E.AnapamuStreet,SantaBarbara 93101-2058,orbyemailatbrownk@countyofsb.org,orbyphoneat(805)568-2507.

PROPOSAL: KOLSTADFAMILYTRUST-GARAGE

PROJECT ADDRESS: 4870VIEJADR,SANTABARBARA,CA93110 2nd SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED IN THE COASTAL ZONE

4/27/2023

PERMIT NUMBER: 23CDH-00002 APPLICATION FILED: 1/18/2023

ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NO.: 065-240-061

ZONING: DR-1.8

PROJECT AREA: 1.10

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Applicant: CharlesAndValerieKolstad

Proposed Project: TheprojectisforaCoastalDevelopmentPermittoallowconstructionofanew426-square-foot attachedgaragewithroof-mountedsolarpanels.Gradingfortheprojectwillincludelessthan 50cubicyardsofcutandfill.Notreesareproposedforremoval.Theparcelwillcontinuetobe servedbytheGoletaWaterDistrict,aprivatesepticsystem,andtheSantaBarbaraCountyFire Department.AccesswillcontinuetobeprovidedoffofViejaDrive.Thepropertyisa1.1-acreparcel zonedDR-1.8andshownasAssessor’sParcelNumber065-240-061,locatedat4870ViejaDriveinthe EasternGoletaValleyCommunityPlanArea,SecondSupervisorialDistrict.

APPEALS:

ThedecisionoftheDirectorofthePlanningandDevelopmentDepartmenttoapprove,conditionally approve,ordenythisCoastalDevelopmentPermit23CDH-00002maybeappealedtothe County PlanningCommissionbytheapplicantoranaggrievedperson.Thewrittenappealmustbefiled withinthe10calendardaysfollowingthedatethattheDirectortakesactiononthisCoastal DevelopmentPermit.Toqualifyasan“aggrievedperson”theappellantmusthave,inpersonor througharepresentative,informedthePlanningandDevelopmentDepartmentbyappropriate meanspriortothedecisionontheCoastalDevelopmentPermitofthenatureoftheirconcerns,or, forgoodcause,wasunabletodoso.

WrittenappealsmustbefiledwiththePlanningandDevelopmentDepartmentateither123East AnapamuStreet,SantaBarbara, 93101,or624WestFosterRoad,SuiteC,SantaMaria,93455,by 5:00p.m.withinthetimeframeidentifiedabove.Intheeventthatthelastdayforfilinganappeal fallsonanon-businessdayoftheCounty,theappealmaybetimelyfiledonthenextbusinessday.

This Coastal Development Permit may be appealed to the California Coastal Commission after an appellant has exhausted all local appeals, therefore a fee is not required to file an appeal.

Foradditionalinformationregardingtheappealprocess,contactKylieBrown.Theapplication requiredtofileanappealmaybeviewedatordownloadedfrom:

The guidance, for example, tells federal employees to avoid using the terms “blacklist” or “whitelist” because of the racial connotations and also cautions against “using terms that assign a gender to inanimate objects, such as male/female connectors.”

The guidance also tells report writers to “avoid terms such as master/slave that perpetuate negative stereotypes or unequal power relationships.”

“This new language code by the National Institute of Standards and Technology is one more sign that the Biden Administration in only going deeper and deeper into the racialization and sexualization of everything,” Mike Gonzalez, an expert at the Heritage Foundation, told The Center Square. “It puts the ruinous critical race theory and gender theory on steroids.”

The NIST is a federal agency created to help the U.S. innovate and compete scientifically and technologically with its rivals like China. Congress appropriated about $1.65 billion for the group for 2023.

Many scientists and researchers have begun raising the alarm about the rising politicization of scientific research and related agencies.

“Where most people might regard the sciences as somehow immune from politics, in fact it has taken over the sciences thoroughly, and in so doing, has corrupted the sciences thoroughly,” Scott Turner, who works with the National Association of Scholars, told The Center Square. “As a result, science is no longer the trustworthy source of objective knowledge and advice that the public has long believed.”

The NIST is not the only entity putting its attention and taxpayer funds into these efforts as it struggles to keep pace with its key mission. The trend has become common across federal agencies.

Jennifer Huergo, a spokesperson for NIST, defended the guidance, telling The Center Square that it “was created primarily for the benefit of NIST staff experts...”

“Use of inclusive language helps to avoid potential gaps in understanding that could arise from the use of colloquial or idiomatic expressions that are rooted in particular historical events or regional dialects,” she said.

Turner, Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York System, said the focus risks the U.S’ “scientific edge.”

“Of all institutions, the National Institute of Standards and Technology... should be immune from politics and ideology,” he said. “The definition of the meter, the determination of the second, the mass of the kilogram, the scale of temperature, has no political dimension whatsoever. The directives to control the meaning of words and phrases is simply the nose in the camel’s tent that will ultimately destroy the United States’ diminishing technical and scientific edge.

“Our scientists need to keep their eyes on the ball, focused on their research,” he added. “The issuance of this new guidance will only make them constantly look over their shoulder, worrying about how to state this fact or that one, rather than engaging in truth discovery without fearing Stalinist diktats.”

Church in Kettering, Ohio, told The Center Square, “It was powerful to hear the stories of how God touched history,” citing examples of former presidents and Frederick Muhlenberg, a pastor from Pennsylvania, was a colonel in the 8th Virginia Regiment. After fighting successfully in the American Revolution, he was the first signer of the Bill of Rights and became the first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“He firmly held to the belief that pastors shouldn’t be engaged in the political arena,” Mr. Kagin said, “until the British burned his church. Then his perspective changed. He was a man who didn’t stand still.”

“Pastors were so engaged in the founding of our country that they were also signers of the Bill of Rights,” he added. “The reason we have freedom of religion today is because we had men of faith who were politicians founding our country. I cannot underscore how much pastors influenced the founding documents of our country.”

In response to federal, state and local lawmakers advancing what he called pagan policies and the overall societal and moral decline in America, Kagin said he and others are standing for righteousness.

“We are taking a stand,” he told The Center Square. “We were great as a nation when we were godly. We lost our moral compass and so much of what we are seeing happening now is a result of a nation that is no longer acknowledging God.”

“We believe we can turn it around,” he said. “Not to make America a ‘Christian nation’ as some mischaracterize as ‘Christian nationalism.’ That’s not what this is.” Citing a verse from the Bible (Proverbs 14:34), he said, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

What fentanyl looks like from the perspective of a Washington hospital

By JEREMY LOTT THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – As Washington state faces an ongoing fentanyl overdose crisis, state lawmakers have proposed many fixes to the problem, from making simple possession a felony again to cracking down on pill production machines. But what does the crisis look like at the local level, out of the halls of Olympia?

To get a measure of this, The Center Square interviewed by email Dr. Raul Garcia. He is the medical director of Astria Toppenish Hospital in Toppenish, Washington as well as the executive director of the nonprofit Opportunity for Washington, a group that weighs in on drug addiction and homelessness, among other issues.

TCS: From the perspective of an emergency physician in Washington state, how bad is the fentanyl problem?

Garcia: Throughout my 25 years serving as an emergency physician, 16 in Central Washington, I have never seen a crisis develop and then multiply as drastically as fentanyl overdoses have.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 107,375 people in the United States died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings in the 12-month period ending in January 2022 with 67 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Here in Washington State, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, have increased 10-fold just over the past year—and I’ve seen it firsthand.

Why is fentanyl so deadly?

Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, leading to high dependency and addiction. Only 2 milligrams of fentanyl is needed to kill most people, which is equivalent to just a few grains of salt. The death rate from this synthetic opioid has been increasing at alarming rates in the past few years, and emergency rooms like mine are being flooded with these overdose cases.

Is the fentanyl problem a normal drug addiction issue, or is it something different?

The fentanyl crisis is not just a drug addiction issue—it’s a multi-pronged public health crisis that stops at no lines or victims. Healthcare professionals have been buffeted from crisis to crisis over the last few years, but this one is entirely preventable. It’s past time we take substantive action to address this crisis that is killing off thousands of our children every year. We need commonsense legislation to help our frontline workers and victims while holding the drug dealers and manufacturers

accountable.

What should be done at a legislative level?

First, our healthcare professionals who are battling this crisis on the frontlines need more resources. The COVID-19 pandemic swept through medical staffing and resources, leaving us overwhelmed and inadequately prepared to not only handle the influx of patients from the pandemic, but also the increased rates of overdoses from this lethal drug. Supporting our healthcare workers is the first step to successfully maneuvering through this crisis.

What else needs to happen?

Much like our healthcare workers who are fighting this crisis in the emergency rooms, our law enforcement officers are fighting this crisis on the streets. Right now, fentanyl-related substances are classified as Schedule II drugs, meaning that medical-grade fentanyl does have a use in some cases. However, bad actors are creating different variants of fentanyl that are extremely lethal. By exploiting loopholes, this drug is sold on the streets without being classified as Schedule I drugs by law enforcement.

Classifying fentanyl as a Schedule I substance, meaning that it would have no acceptable medical use, would help ensure that law enforcement can keep them off the streets. Congressman Dan Newhouse, who represents us here in Central Washington, introduced the bipartisan Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act earlier this year to permanently schedule all fentanylrelated substances as Schedule I drugs. It’s a great first step. I commend Rep. Newhouse for his unwavering dedication to help curb this crisis and hope he recognizes we can’t stop there.

What should be done for hospital patients who currently rely on microdoses of fentanyl to treat their pain?

Our regular treatment of pain with fentanyl directed by our medical providers should continue. These treatments are professionally regulated, properly dosed by pharmacist, and continuously monitored to effectively treat our patients.

You said that Rep. Newhouse shouldn’t stop there. What would be a further step? Fentanyl primarily enters the United States through our southern border. Open-border policies have allowed fentanyl, amongst other drugs, to flow freely over the border with little to no prevention. Securing our southern border and enforcing the laws of the land will go a long way in preventing fentanyl from plaguing our communities in the first place.

Eighty pastors who visited the U.S. capital are leaders in their states involved with the South Carolina-based nonprofit, “Faith Wins,” led by Chad Connelly. He’s been mobilizing faith leaders in the public arena for 15 years.