Santa Barbara News-Press: May 01, 2023

Westmont athletes find success

Track and field teams shine in final GSAC Championships - A3

Mermaid with a message

SB author’s book features an aquatic character with an environmental lesson for kids - B1

sB’s Earth day Festival returns after four years

sB Council approves rental enforcement pilot program

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

If you are the owner of one of the estimated 1,000-1,500 illegal short term vacation rentals in Santa Barbara, be warned: It’s just a matter of time before the City’s Attorney’s Office shuts you down.

That’s because the City Council has approved spending $1,175,000 to develop a one-year rental enforcement pilot program to be directed by the City Attorney’s Office and Finance Department.

The council voted 6-0 last week to approve the pilot program following a strong presentation by City Attorney Sarah Knecht as to why it’s needed to determine precisely how many illegal short-term rentals are operating in Santa Barbara, and where, and to then enforce city zoning regulations through administrative citations and, if necessary, criminal prosecution. Mayor Randy Rowse was absent for the deliberations and vote.

“We’re not proposing new regulations,” City Attorney Knecht said. “We just want to put some

teeth behind what’s already on the books. It’s very simple. But it takes some effort and some muscle and some money to be able to do that.”

At this point, she said, there is no way of knowing exactly how many illegal STRs are out there.

Part of the funding would be used to retain investigators “to gain hard data on the ground” that would be “critical to support a case filing for court.”

Illegal short-term rentals are a problem beyond the fact that they violate the city’s zoning code, she said.

“Because illegal short-term rentals are generally more lucrative than long-term rentals, their existence compounds the city’s housing crisis,” she said. “They also adversely impact a neighborhood because of increased traffic and noise.”

Short-term rentals are any dwelling unit used for exclusive transient use for 30 consecutive days or less. They are not permitted in most areas of Santa Barbara.

Currently, there are 16

Please see RENTALS on A4

City receives $1.26M for microplastic

pollution research

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The sun on people’s backs, the smell of ethically-sourced food, the squeals of joy from children, the excited barking of dogs, and, most importantly, a tangible atmosphere of hope were all elements that created the eccentric atmosphere at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival this weekend.

The festival, returning for the first time in four years, hosted an estimated 16,000-plus people in Santa Barbara this past weekend, creating a space for people to learn more about Earth, how to lead a cleaner lifestyle, listen to music and hear from speakersincluding Jane Fonda.

Founded in Santa Barbara, Earth Day has been observed for 52 years and focuses on sustainability and actions intended to safeguard the planet. Earth Day is on April 22nd every year, and the annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival was held this past weekend on Saturday.

The Community Environment Council, an organization based in Santa Barbara, hosted the festival to observe Earth Day and push Santa Barbara community members to take action to support their environment.

The CEC organized live music and entertainment, over 150 exhibitions, a green car show and an environmental hero award show, among other activities.

The cloudy day didn’t appear to hinder people’s spirits or suppress the turnout - the festival was packed, with thousands of people learning more about our environment and shopping

sustainably. Lobos Del Mar, an ethicallymade clothing store that reflects Central American culture in its clothing, was in attendance at the festival.

“Each piece here has a story, and a family that made it. Each piece is handmade with natural fibers, and we are in direct contact with the families that make each piece,” Curt Ebner, one of the vendors, explained.

The Society of Fearless Grandmothers, an organization for elders who want to dedicate themselves to climate solutions for a better future for their grandchildren, had a quilt of climate solutions on display.

“We are trying to create dialogue and reach people who could be doing something to help our planet, but they just don’t know it because of the lack of resources and communication,”

according to the society. The displayed quilt has 90 proposed climate solutions focused on “protecting, regenerating, and building” local communities and the planet.

La Crysterla, a latina-owned crystal business, followed the theme of ethically sourced goods. Their crystals are provided by small families all over the world, who they are in direct contact

Please see EARTH DAY on A4

The City of Santa Barbara has received a $1.26 million grant to research microplastic pollution prevention, with the goal of providing clean streets, clean air and clean seas.

The city’s Sustainability & Resilience Department announced Friday that its Creeks Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Division, in partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) Sea Grant Program, was awarded the grant.

Microplastics are small plastic pieces or fibers smaller than 5mm in size (about the size of a pencil eraser). They are found on our streets, in our creeks and ocean, the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe.

Microplastics can absorb and carry pollutants, leach harmful chemicals into water and are often mistaken for food by wildlife.

Microplastics often come from larger plastic products breaking down due to sun, wind and wave exposure, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces.

The project, “Clean Streets, Clean Seas: Innovating Public Works to Intercept Microplastics in Urban Runoff,” is intended to provide the first measured and reported results on the impacts of street sweeping and trash capture devices on microplastic marine debris in stormwater runoff, which transports the bulk of microplastic pollution to the sea.

Project fieldwork will take place in Santa Barbara as well as the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles areas.

The work will be carried out in collaboration with the City of Santa Barbara, the University of California Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, WSP USA, and Cascade

Water Resources.

“We are incredibly excited to work with USC Sea Grant and our research partners, including Dr. Patricia Holden at UCSB” said Jill Murray, Creeks Division water quality research analyst.

“This project will determine how to remove microplastics from impervious urban surfaces to the greatest extent possible, as soon as possible, from as many acres as possible, in order to protect our streams, estuaries and oceans from harmful pollution.”

This funding is part of a $27 million funding effort by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to address the prevention and removal of debris in marine and Great Lakes environments throughout the country.

This project is one of 29 competitively selected through two opportunities supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and leveraging funds from the Inflation Reduction Act: The Marine Debris Challenge Competition and The Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions.

“The Creeks Division’s research on decreasing the amount of microplastics reaching our creeks and ocean complements the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce the impacts of singleuse plastics in Santa Barbara,” said Sustainability & Resilience Director Alelia Parenteau. “We look forward to this project contributing important data to help government agencies nationwide take meaningful action to prevent microplastic pollution.”

The Sustainability & Resilience Department will bring the item to the City Council to accept the grant funding in August. For more information, contact Jill Murray at JMurray@ SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

A solar and battery powered tractor from Solectrac is shown during the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival at Alameda Park on Sunday.

Actress Jane Fonda, left, takes the stage with Cesar Aguirre, a winner of the Community Environmental Council’s Santa Barbara Earth Day 2023 Environmental Hero Award.

Tree-planting events held in recognition of Arbor Day

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

In honor of Arbor Day, the City of Santa Barbara’s Urban Forestry program held treeplanting events across local school campuses last week.

The events aimed to provide interactive learning experiences to educate children about the importance of trees and encourage them to take an active role in caring for the environment.

“Arbor Day is an opportunity to get kids excited about trees and all the important benefits they provide,” said Nathan Slack, City of Santa Barbara Urban Forest Superintendent. “By partnering with schools to host tree-planting events, we help connect students with the natural world and inspire the next generation to protect and preserve our vital natural resources.”

This year’s events were held at Adams Elementary, Cold Spring School and The Riviera Ridge School.

Across the three schools, students from kindergarten through sixth grade had the

opportunity to hear from members of the City’s Urban Forestry team about the benefits trees provide before helping to plant new trees on campus for current and future students to enjoy.

“Our third-grade students look forward to watering and caring for the trees over the course of their elementary school years, watching them grow and provide shade and beauty at Adams,” said Kelly Fresch, principal of Adams Elementary School.

In addition to the new trees, copies of the book, “The Boy Who Grew a Forest,” have been added to each school’s library, courtesy of the nonprofit organization Santa Barbara Beautiful, which also covered the cost of the

new trees.

Tree planting has been a collaborative effort between the City of Santa Barbara and the organization since 1965, and has led to the planting of more than 13,000 street trees – trees located in the parkway between the sidewalk and the street curb.

The City’s Urban Forestry program celebrates Arbor Day each year with treeplanting events at local schools. Schools interested in hosting an Arbor Day event in 2024 are encouraged to contact Trees@ SantaBarbaraCA.gov or (805) 564-5433 to coordinate.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

Fun at the Fair

SANTA BARBARA – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Jail Programs Unit hosted an inaugural college fair last week for the people incarcerated at the Main Jail to help prepare them to re-enter society once released from custody.

On Monday, April 24, Sheriff’s Office staff along with faculty and administrators from Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), set

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

up information booths where they shared information with incarcerated individuals about the wide range of student services and programs that are available.

“Women and men incarcerated in California state prisons and county jails encounter many barriers and obstacles to reentry,” said Noel Gomez, SBCC Instructor and Coordinator of the Rising Scholars Program. “However, having access to higher education in prison, county jails, and on college campuses can help

facilitate successful reentry.

The events aimed to provide interactive learning experiences to educate children about the importance of trees and encourage them to take an active role in caring for the environment. College fair held for jail inmates

“Oftentimes, formerly incarcerated women and men hesitate to make that first visit to a community college campus and begin the enrollment process,” he said. “During the college fair, staff and faculty were able to send a strong message to those in custody that the academic programs and student services at SBCC can foster and enable their success. More importantly, those currently incarcerated were able to feel welcomed at SBCC.”

Representatives from SBCC shared information on programs including: Basic Needs Center, DSPS, EOPS/CARE, CalWorks, Rising Scholars, Financial Aid, Non-Credit Programs, School of Extended Learning, Transfer Achievement Program, Transfer Center, Raíces: First Year and Beyond, Student Health Services, Ethnic Studies, Chemistry, Psychology, Mathematics, Administration of Justice, and Culinary Arts.

— Neil Hartstein

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At top and above, riders use

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methods of ascent to rise above the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara during the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo. At left, spectators cheer on the competitors of the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs event on Thursday.

Sports

Westmont track and field teams shine in final GSAC Championships

By JACOB NORLING WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

Westmont Men’s and Women’s Track and Field hosted their final Golden State Athletic Conference Championships this week in Santa Barbara, where the Warriors experienced great success in the Montecito sunshine.

As teams, both the men and the women finished in second place, with the men compiling 194 points, and the women compiling 180. The men from The Master’s won the meet with 238 points, while the Vanguard women won with 266.

Individually, the Warriors took home several GSAC Championship titles, and also saw multiple Warriors achieve NAIA AStandard marks. Per usual, the meet would not have felt complete without a headline or two from Zola Sokhela, who this time around won a pair of GSAC Championships.

Sokhela won the title in the men’s 400 meter run with a time of 48.76, and also won the title in the 1500, which is an event that the junior has won a national championship in before. Gearing up to try and do so again, Sokhela ran another NAIA A-Standard time of 3:51.00 to win the event.

“The 1500 was a difficult task today,” shared Sokhela. “It felt like there were about eight Master’s guys out there, and that can be tough to run against a pack who can run together and make it tough to get around them. Tactically, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go.

“It was a challenge, but it could have been a lot harder than it was. What they did was take it out hard, and really, they did the work for me. At that point, I just had to hold pace knowing I’d be able to make the last

move.”

Sokhela continued, “You have to celebrate every victory. Downplaying success isn’t respecting yourself, or respecting your team, or your coaches. Every single win, whether it’s a national championship or a local meet, it means a lot.

“At the same time, you need to be able to move on quickly and not dwell on it. Still, you have to celebrate every single one.”

Sokhela was not the only Warrior to achieve a national qualifying mark in the 1500, as senior Adam King also ran an AStandard time of 3:52.83, just ahead of the 3:53.00 cutoff mark.

“The 1500 was honestly harder than I thought it was going to be,” admitted King. “The field was stacked, and it was a pretty quick turnaround between the 1500 and 800. On the line I was aware that my legs were tired, but I knew I just had to go with the pace and see what happens.”

Coming in just behind King in the 1500 was sophomore Jack Vanden Heuvel, who ran a B-Standard time of 3:53.63. Vanden Heuvel also collected a first-place medal in the meet, when he won the 800 meter run with a time of 1:54.37.

Another Warrior to achieve an NAIA AStandard mark was Narindra Rafidimalala, who won the long jump with an automatic qualifying mark of 7.30m. Rafidimalala, who also won the men’s triple jump (14.05m), will be competing at the NAIA National Championships for the first time in his career next month.

Also winning championships for the men were Zander Von Stade, who won the 200 meter dash with a time of 21.88, and the men’s 4x400 relay team, who completed the race in 3:20.43. The GSAC Champion relay team consisted of Ben Bodine, Von Stade, King, and

Vanden Heuvel. On the women’s side, Abigail Hundley won the conference title in the 3000 meter steeplechase, winning the event with a time of 11:34.65.

“It was awesome,” said Hundley of the steeplechase. “It was my second time ever competing in the steeplechase, so it was a highlight to jump into that race and come away with a good outcome.

“Last year in practice we jumped over some water barriers, and I thought it was something I could handle. I was supposed to try it last year, but then got sick at the meet I was supposed to compete at, so we waited until this season to give it a go. I first tried it out two weekends ago and it worked out well, so we figured we should try it out at GSAC. I’m glad we did.”

Lily Sween, who will be competing at Outdoor Nationals in the Heptathlon, won the high jump with a clearance of 1.63m, and Abby Rumohr, who will be competing in the pole vault at Outdoor Nationals, won her main event with a clearance of 3.65m. Rounding out Westmont’s notable performances was the women’s 4x400 relay team, who ran a B-Standard time of 3:56.27. The second-place relay team consisted of McKenna Phillips, Jaiden Rodrigues, Charlotte Williams, and Siena Keck. On May 24, Westmont’s best will begin competition in the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Marian, Indiana.

Jacob Norling is the sports information assistant at Westmont College.

email: sports@newspress.com

UCSB baseball secures series win

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The UCSB baseball team (27-12, 12-5 Big West) had their offense rolling on Saturday night, scoring in five of the eight innings they came to bat en route to a dominant, 11-2 win over UC Davis (14-24, 5-12 Big West). The Gauchos had three multi-run innings in the game — a three-run first, a tworun third, and a four-run seventh — while adding solitary scores in the second and eighth. On the mound, Hudson Barrett worked his longest collegiate outing, 6 1/3 innings, to earn the win, with Carter Benbrook and Alex Schrier locking the game down out of the bullpen.

HOW IT HAPPENED

UCSB was in control from the very first inning on Saturday, with the first three Gaucho hitters reaching. Zander Darby got aboard thanks to an error, then Jared Sundstrom singled on the first pitch he saw, and Broc Mortensen drove Darby in with a double to the left-center gap.

Aaron Parker brought Sundstrom and Mortensen both home with a line drive back up the middle to put up Santa Barbara’s first crooked number of the night.

After a shutdown top of the second from Barrett, the Gauchos padded their lead in the bottom half of the inning, with Jonah Sebring stealing second before a double

Hudson Barrett recorded his first career quality start on Saturday, working 6 1/3 innings and allowing two earned runs. He gave up six hits and five walks, while striking out seven Aggies.

from Darby brought him the rest of the way around and made it 4-0.

The Aggies got a run back in the top of the third, but Santa Barbara put up another crooked number in their half of the inning with a two-out rally. Christian Kirtley sparked it with a double down the line, then consecutive singles from Corey Nunez and LeTrey McCollum brought Kirtley home 90 feet at a time. That chased Davis’ starter, and Sebring worked a walk against the Aggie reliever to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Nunez to scamper home from third, putting the home team up, 6-1. There would be no runs from either team until the sixth, as Barrett was back in his groove after surrendering a run in the third. The Gauchos’ true freshman lefty had worked around trouble in the first but set the Aggies down in order in the second, and he faced the minimum in the fourth, walking a batter but picking him off at first. A couple strikeouts and a caught stealing helped him get around two walks in the fifth, but Davis finally got to Barrett again

in the sixth. Three singles in the inning scored a run, but Barrett stranded a pair of Aggies to limit the damage. He got one out in the seventh before his day ended. Benbrook relieved his fellow lefty and set down the next two Davis hitters, and after the seventh-inning stretch, the Gaucho offense essentially removed all doubt about the result. Two of the first three UCSB batters were hit by pitches, one on either side of a single from Nunez, loading the bases for Sebring. His single moved everyone up 90 feet for the first run of the inning, and the second came on a one-out wild pitch to Sundstrom. The Gauchos’ center fielder walked to reload the bases, and Mortensen’s ensuing double, his second of the day, put Santa Barbara into double digits, up 10-2. Darby added the 11th run with an RBI single in the eighth, and Alex Schrier pitched a perfect ninth to wrap up the game and the series win.

ON THE STAT SHEET

• Five different Gauchos, including the top three in the

lineup — Darby, Sundstrom, Mortensen, Nunez and Sebring — each recorded two hits on Saturday, with both of Mortensen’s going for extra bases.

• Hudson Barrett recorded his first career quality start on Saturday, working 6 1/3 innings and allowing two earned runs. He gave up six hits and five walks, while striking out seven Aggies.

• The Gaucho defense got outs on the basepaths in nearly every imaginable way Saturday evening. Mortensen provided an outfield assist in the third, nailing a runner trying to tag up on a fly ball, Barrett picked a runner off at first in the fourth, and Parker caught a would-be base thief in the fifth.

• McCollum’s third-inning single extended his official hitting streak to five games, but he has hit in the last 25 games he has started.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

UCSB track and field competes at Fresno State Invitational

By KRISTEN KELLER UCSB SPORTS

The UCSB men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the Fresno State Invitational hosted by the Bulldogs. This was the last meet for the Gauchos before they compete at The Big West Championships in a few weeks.

There were six athletes who put themselves in the UCSB record books. The person to make the biggest jump was Mariana Lanz. She ran a time of 24.36 seconds in the 200 to move into sixth in the record books while earning seventh place with a time of 55.23 seconds in the 400 to slide into ninth place in UCSB’s history. Joining her on the women’s side is Chika Nwachukwu, who placed seventh in the 100 hurdles with a time of 14.47 seconds, the seventh-best time in Gaucho history, while Abigail Monti is sliding into ninth place in the record books with a time of 1:01.80 in the 400 hurdles.

For the men, both Tyler Holl and Dario Rock are both earning a spot in the record books in the 110 hurdles, grabbing second and fourth-

place finishes at the meet with respective times of 14.37 and 14.39 seconds. These times put them at eighth and ninth in the Gaucho record book. Along with them, Deonne McCrary is now tied for ninth in the UCSB record books with a time of 47.44 seconds in the 400 after placing fourth at the meet.

Not only did some Gauchos earn spots in the record books, but others had great performances to place highly at the meet. On the men’s side, Eitan Goore had a strong performance in the pole vault, hitting a mark of 5.20 meters in the event. Also in the field events, Jackson Trimble placed first in the discus, hitting a mark of 51.75 meters, while Jared Freeman finished fourth in the same event with a throw of 50.58 meters. Freeman also grabbed third in the hammer with a mark of 59.50 meters. Leon Gillis continues to hit high marks in the high jump as he finished second with a height of 2.09 meters. On the track, Ethan Godsey finished strongly in the 1500 as well, running a time of 3:50.81 to finish fourth.

For the women, three Gauchos had very strong performances today. Amanda Spear

continues to shine in the circle, making it to the finals in both the discus and hammer. Her higher finish came in the discus as she placed sixth with a throw of 50.55 meters while earning a seventh-place finish in the hammer with a throw of 54.35 meters. Lauren Lum shined in the 1500, placing fifth with a time of 4:32.81. Sophia Pardo also shined today, hitting new personal-bests in both the 200 and 400. In the 200, she ran a time of 24.88 seconds while finishing with a time of 57.29 seconds in the 400.

The Gauchos will now prepare for The Big West Championships that will begin with the Multis this Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6, at Cal State Fullerton. The rest of the Gauchos will compete at Big West Championships on Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13. More information on The Big West Championships will be released in the coming days.

Kristen Keller is the associate athletic director for communications and digital strategy at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

Numerous electric vehicles on display at festival

Battery-powered bicycles, above, and electric cars, at right, are shown during the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival at Alameda Park on Sunday.

EARTH DAY

Continued from Page A1

with to ensure fair wages and safe mining equipment.

“The energy from all of the community that has come out has just been wonderful,” said Kathi King, director of Climate Education and Leadership at the CEC. “It’s a very upbeat and happy event, and we know that there are challenges with climate change, but we can also come together and seek some solutions.”

The CEC board then took the main stage at 2 p.m. to explain the ‘why’ behind the weekend and give out environmentalist awards to highlight the hard work of local individuals.

The CEO of CEC, Sigrid Wright, gave her remarks on the weekend and the work of her organization.

“We were founded over 50 years ago, and no organization had been doing anything like our work now. We created the roadmap,” Ms. Wright explains. “We need to deepen our work in climate

resilience, climate justice, climate policy -- and anything to do with our climate.”

Florencia Ramirez, author of “East Less Water,” took the stage following Ms. Wright.

During Ms. Ramirez’ remarks to the eager audience, she stated:

“All of us are here because we’re doing more than hoping. Hoping isn’t going to accomplish anything - we need to turn this hope into action.”

Ms. Ramirez discussed regenerative agriculture and pushed the audience to bring their own expertise to the field of climate justice.

“Walk around with an open heart and an open mind. Bring your own talents, your own beauty, your own expertise to this planet. When we have the ability to make choices on a daily basis, we can affect every part of our planet,” she said.

Subsequently, Ms. Ramirez awarded different local community members for outstanding environmental work, including Steve Heckeroth,

founder of Solecrtac, which manufactures electric tractors.

“During the first Earth Day in 1970, I dedicated myself to clean energy, and I’ve been building electric tractors for 30 years and it’s finally taking off,” Mr. Heckeroth states. “What separates the rich from the poor is access to fossil fuels, but the sun shines everywhere.”

Mr. Heckeroth explained that his tractors charge themselves with the sun.

A special guest speaker at

the event was award-winning actress and activist Jane Fonda, who spoke on the topic of environmental justice.

“We need energy that is community controlled and democratic,” Ms. Fonda said, “Doesn’t that sound like a dream? Well we can turn it into a reality - if we stick together! This is all hands on deck.

“We’re calling for a future beyond fossil fuels and an immediate end to environmental racism in our state,” Ms. Fonda said.

Ms. Fonda called on the audience to stand up against big oil companies and embark on their own environmentalist journeys.

“The ‘big oil bullies’ are lying - as they do so well - ripping off Californians, polluting our air and water, abusing our democratic process and setting us on a path to climate destruction so they can continue to rake in the profits,” she said.

Ms. Fonda also announced the recipients of the 2023 Community Environmental Council Environmental Hero Awards, Nalleli Cobo and Cesar Aguirre.

Ms. Fonda closed the award ceremony with the following vow: “I stand before you today and I pledge: I will not stop fighting until we defeat those guys (big oil).”

The festival continued until 6 p.m., with entertainment and food options, a Kid’s Corner, Green Car Show, food court and live music.

Informational booths were made available to the public at the event.

email: klogan@newspress.com

Under new program, officials would attempt to gain voluntary compliance before resorting to legal action

RENTALS

Continued from Page A1

permitted short-term rentals operating inland, and three permitted short-term rentals operating in the Coastal Zone. In addition, there are 112 unpermitted STRs in the Coastal Zone which nevertheless have tax certificates and pay transient occupancy taxes.

Because of a court decision, the city can only go after illegal STRs in the Coastal Zone in response to nuisance complaints. However, city officials can take a proactive stand against any short-term rentals they find operating inland without a permit.

Currently, the city will reach out to owners of illegal STRS in an effort to gain voluntary compliance before resorting to the lengthy process of issuing civil administrative citations and fines.

Under the new program, city officials would continue to try and gain voluntary compliance but if the owner fails to cooperate, they have the additional option of prosecuting them criminally.

Councilmember Mike Jordan, clearly frustrated, questioned why the city even bothers to reach out to those operating illegal

short-term rentals.

“Why go through outreach?” he asked. “Why not just investigate, prosecute and go get them when we obviously see it on the ground?”

In his opinion, “the outreach part hasn’t been all that effective in the past.

“We play hide and seek with people as we go through this process,” he said. “I just want to end this problem and either get people to a legal spot or get them out of an illegal spot as quickly and painlessly as possible and for the least expense that we can.”

Although he voted in favor of the pilot program, he objected vehemently to the price tag.

“It’s an obscene amount of dollars to get to somewhere that should just be happening already,” he said.

Other council members agreed the city needs to address the issue.

“It’s high time we are enforcing,”

Councilmember Kristen Sneddon said. “We’ve seen the issue this causes on our housing stock. This really is an idea whose time has come, and I’m happy to see we’re some putting some funding behind it to get it done.”

Councilmember Meagan Harmon said she was “gratified” to see the pilot program

presented to council.

“We’re ensuring all the tools are available at our disposal to deal with this incredible and ongoing problem in our community,” she said.

Unlike Councilmember Jordan, however, she welcomed the City Attorney’s Office’s assurance to the community that the city would seek to work in a voluntary, collaborative way with the owners of illegal STRs before moving to prosecution sanctions.

She agreed the expense of the pilot program is significant “and not one I undertake lightly,” but stressed “it is critical” after hearing from many people over many years that the issue “is having a real impact on the residents that live here.”

Councilmember Eric Friedman signaled his support as well, but suggested the council might want to revisit the issue after the program concludes to see if there was a way to make exceptions for retirees who need to rent out a room for a short time to supplement their income, or parents of college students who need to rent out their room to help pay their tuition, or others who need to rent out out a room to cover unanticipated medical expenses. email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Life theArts

Jemma, the plucky mermaid

Santa Barbara author’s book has environmental message for children

CALENDAR

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Continuing its book launch series, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is hosting a reading and craft workshop to promote “Jemma and the Mermaid’s Call” by local author Laura VonDracek and illustrated by Matthew King.

The event begins at 1 p.m. May 13 on the museum patio, 113 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara.

After a reading by Ms. VonDracek, participants can purchase the book and have it autographed by the author as well as create mermaid bookmarks to take home. The event is free, but registration is required by emailing reservations@sbmm.org or online at sbmm.org/santa-barbara-events.

FYI

The reading and craft workshop to promote “Jemma and the Mermaid’s Call” by Santa Barbara author Laura VonDracek begins at 1 p.m. May 13 at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Way. For more information, call 805-962-8404 or visit sbmm.org.

or swimming along with her many marine friends, she delights in the beautiful underwater landscape and bountiful sea life that surrounds her until one day when darkness encompasses her home. As she swims off to investigate this mystery, she bumps up against the huge problem above her — a giant floating island of trash. Not knowing how to solve this farreaching dilemma by herself, she calls together all the sea life and Mer tribes of the world, and, as a group, they hatch a plan to clean up the mess.

“Jemma and the Mermaid’s Call” is the story of a plucky and high-spirited mermaid who loves living in her ocean world. Whether exploring for treasure

“This delightful, beautifully illustrated tale has an important environmental message for children, highlighting this very real issue but also containing a can-do spirit and hopeful outcome. This is definitely a must read book!” according to reviewer Kirson Levinsohn, executive director of New Haven Reads, Autographed copies of the

Please see MERMAID on B2

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 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.

MAY 2

7:30 p.m. Pete Muller and The Kindred Souls will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 2 at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St., Suite 205, Santa Barbara. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Wilderness Youth Project. Tickets cost $30 for general admission and $85 for VIP seats. To purchase, go to www.sohosb. com. The concert is for all ages.

MAY 3 7:30 p.m. Movie stars Laura Dern and Diane Ladd will be speaking May 3 during a UCSB Arts and Lectures program to discuss their new book “Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life and Love.” The event will take place at UCSB Campbell Hall, where the actresses will talk with KLITE’s Catherine Remak. For more information, go to artsandlectures. ucsb.edu.

MAY 6 7 p.m. The Choral Society will wrap up its 75th anniversary season with a “Mozart to Modern” concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara, 21 E. Constance Ave. Accompanied by a full orchestra, the 70-member Santa Barbara chorus will perform Mozart’s Requiem and music varying from Palestrina to Morten Lauridsen. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase, go to sbchoral.org.

MAY 7 3 p.m. The Choral Society will wrap up its 75th anniversary season with a “Mozart to Modern” concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara, 21 E. Constance Ave. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase, go to sbchoral.org.

MAY 13

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The orchestra’s 70th anniversary program will feature

Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary. The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org

MAY 14

3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The orchestra’s 70th anniversary program will feature

Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary. The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org. A pre-concert talk with Nir Kabaretti, the symphony’s music and artistic director, will take place at 2 p.m. — Dave Mason

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023

JOHN GRESS PHOTO

Grammy-nominated violinist Philippe Quint will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64, with the Santa Barbara Symphony during its “Platinum Sounds” concert May 13 and 14 at The Granada in Santa Barbara.

Author Laura VonDracek calls Santa Barbara home and can often be found walking and cleaning up beaches while searching for sea glass treasures to incorporate into her art.

PHOTOS COURTESY SANTA BARBARA MARITIME MUSEUM

Participants will get to make mermaid bookmarks at a workshop promoting “Jemma and the Mermaid’s Call” at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

“Jemma and the Mermaid’s Call” is the story of a high-spirited mermaid who loves living in her ocean world.

The lifelong benefits of long-term relationships

Long-term relationships are often seen as a daunting prospect, with many people believing that the initial spark of attraction and excitement will inevitably fade away. However, those who have been lucky enough to experience the joys of a long-term relationship will tell you that there are incredible benefits to be gained from sharing your life with someone you love.

A study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that couples who reported high levels of satisfaction with their relationship also reported better physical health and fewer symptoms of depression over time. This suggests that being in a long-term relationship can have positive effects on both your mental and physical health.

One of the greatest benefits of a long-term relationship is the deep sense of comfort and companionship it can provide.

Another study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that couples who had been together for a longer period of time reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction and intimacy compared to those who had been together for a shorter period of time. This suggests that the longer a couple is together, the deeper their connection can become.

When you’ve been with someone for a long time, you develop a level of intimacy and understanding that can’t be replicated in any other type of relationship. You know each

other’s quirks, habits and preferences, and you feel safe and secure in each other’s company. This kind of comfort can be incredibly soothing, especially during stressful or difficult times. When you’re in a long-term relationship, you get to share your life with someone in a way that’s truly special. You’ll create memories together that will last a lifetime, from the big moments like weddings and births to the small moments like lazy Sunday mornings in bed.

A study published in the journal Personal Relationships found that couples who engaged in novel and challenging activities together reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction. This suggests that sharing experiences and trying new things together can strengthen a relationship. Sharing experiences with someone you love can be incredibly fulfilling, and it can deepen your connection to each other in ways that nothing else can. It builds the hormone oxytocin — also known as “the cuddle hormone” — and it enhances the feeling of being close and loved.

When you’re in a long-term relationship, you have someone in your corner who believes in you and supports you, no matter what. This kind of support can be invaluable, especially during challenging times. Whether you’re going through a career change, dealing with a difficult family situation, or just feeling down, having someone who has your back can make all the difference.

Research studies and guidelines suggest that being in a long-term relationship can have many positive benefits for individuals, including better physical and mental health, increased intimacy and satisfaction, and opportunities for personal growth and exploration. Being in a long-term relationship can also be a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. When you’re with someone who loves you unconditionally, you feel safe to explore new parts of yourself and try new things. Your partner can challenge you to be your best self, and you can do the same for them. Together, you can learn and grow in ways that you might not have thought possible on your own. While long-term relationships may not always be easy, they can be incredibly rewarding.

From the deep sense of comfort and companionship to the support and encouragement that comes with sharing your life with someone you love, there are many incredible benefits to be gained from being in a committed, longterm relationship. If you’re lucky enough to find someone who makes your heart sing, hold on tight and enjoy the ride.

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 or 818-879-9996. He has lived and practiced in Westlake Village for more than two decades. His column appears Saturdays and Mondays in the News-Press.

Art series for teens at Santa Maria youth center

SANTA MARIA — Four art series for teens in grades 7 through 12 are being hosted in May by the city of Santa Maria’s Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center art studio, 600 S. McClelland St. Teenagers are invited to create works of art for their mother figures during the “Amayzing Art” series from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday in May.

SOFT WASHING

Society to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage

By CALEB BEEGHLY NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society has announced the opening of its new exhibit, “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage of Santa Barbara, 1870s - 1970s.”

The free exhibit will be open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. May 7 at the Sahyun Genealogical Library, 316 Castillo St., Santa Barbara.

“The Santa Barbara Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Exhibit will be a

journey to discovery that we can experience together,” said Melinda Yamane Crawford, Genealogical Society member and co-chair of the Society’s Exhibit Committee.

“We are delighted to welcome the community to learn more about our local Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino families and their many contributions to the rich and colorful history of Santa Barbara,” she continued.

The event will feature a variety of activities and exhibits. For instance, visitors will have the opportunity to explore historical accounts, photos, and artifacts

from local Asian American and Pacific Islander families. They will also be treated to a Chinese tea service, a Japanese choir singing and playing the tone chimes, and Bonsai trimming demonstrations. In addition, community organizations will have booths set up, and genealogy research assistance will be available. Light appetizers and refreshments will also be provided. For more information, visit www. sbgen.org.

email: cbeeghly@newspress.com

‘Men in Pink’ focus of talk at SB Museum of Art lecture

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Each Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m., fans of the “Star War” anthology are invited to create cosmic craft projects related to the epic space opera. Registration is required for both series at www.cityofsantamaria. org/register.

Additionally, a free dropin series named “Thrifty Thursdays” will focus on using upcycled materials for creative expression. Teens are invited to

Soft washing is the alternative to pressure washing. We use water based, biodegradable solutions. They emulsify dirt and grime, break down insect nests and webs as well as kill mold, mildew, algae and bacteria. All while sanitizing the surface we are cleaning. Soft washing uses one-third the water of pressure washing, lasts four to six times longer, and doesn’t erode the surface like pressure washing often can.

ADDING HOME VALUE

According to the National Association of Realtors, cleaning the homes exterior (for the home and driveway) can add anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 to the value of your home, making pressure washing one of the most costeffective and time-efficient cleaning techniques. “High pressure washing systems are likely to damage asphalt roofing and should not be used on asphalt roofing for removing algae or for any other purpose.” — Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing Association

Santa Barbara Soft Wash uses processes and roof cleaning solutions that are recommended by the ARMA so you can be reassured that your roof warranty is not voided.

KILLS MOLD, MILDEW, & ALGAE

The problem with high pressure washing is it only strips away the top of the algae bloom, and while it may temporarily remove discoloration, it leaves the root spores on the surface, often blasting them deeper, and allowing them to grow back thicker and healthier. Soft Washing penetrates to the root of the growth, eliminating the discoloration instantly while breaking the bond of the spores and achieving a 100% kill ratio.

use the fully-stocked art studio to bring their imagination to life during the “Freestyle Fridays” drop-in series.

Registration is not required for either series from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, respectively, through the end of the summer break.

For more information, call 805-925-0951, ext. 2260.

— Marilyn McMahon

WINDOW CLEANING

“Men in Pink: EighteenthCentury French Portraiture” will be the topic when Dr, Melissa Hyde speaks at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Mary Craig Auditorium at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. It is part of the museum’s Art Matters Lecture series.

Dr. Hyde is a professor and distinguished teaching scholar at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Though never as ubiquitous in the 18th century as the color blue, pink became the color par excellence of the French Rococo. The color was intimately associated with the so-called “Godmother of the Rococo” — Madame de Pompadour, the famous mistress of Louis XV.

But even before Pompadour, pink was a hue much favored among elites in France, where it attained an unprecedented level of visibility in the visual and decorative arts and in the fashions worn by women, children and men.

This talk demonstrates why, in the 18th century, to wear pink was to make a statement, a statement made all the more emphatic and enduring when memorialized in portraiture, and one in which gender, class and/or race played a fundamental role.

Jean-Baptiste Perronneau’s “Olivier Journu (1724–1783),” 1756. Pastel on blue-gray laid paper, laid down on canvas. (Metropolitan Museum of Art.)

Admission is free for students and Museum Circle members, $10 for SBMA members and $15 for nonmembers. Tickets are

available at tickets.sbma.net. email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

Shelters seek homes for pets

Local animal shelters and their nonprofit partners are looking for homes for pets. For more information, go to these websites:

• Animal Services-Lompoc, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc.

• Animal Shelter Assistance Program in Goleta, asapcats.org.

ASAP is kitty corner to Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter in Goleta, bunssb.org. BUNS is based at Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Companion Animal Placement

MERMAID

Continued from Page B1

hardcover book, which is designed for children ages 4-9 as well as ocean-lovers of all ages, will be available on the day of the event for $24.99.

Born and raised in New York along the waterways of the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, Ms. VonDracek now calls Santa Barbara home and can often be found walking and cleaning up beaches while searching for sea glass treasures to incorporate into her art.

As an artist, she loves using her hands and imagination with a variety of materials, including

Assistance, lompoccapa.org and facebook.com/capaoflompoc.

CAPA works regularly with Animal Services-Lompoc.

• K-9 Placement & Assistance League, k-9pals.org. K-9 PALS works regularly with Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, sbcanimalcare. org. (The foundation works regularly with the Santa Maria Animal Center.)

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services in Goleta: countyofsb.org/ phd/animal/home.sbc.

• Santa Barbara Humane (with

ceramic, stones, sea glass, old bottles, feathers, driftwood and more.

Ms. VonDracek, who has been journaling for most of her life, sees writing as a necessary and important part of her creative life.

“Approaching the blank page from a stream-of-consciousness place has always allowed me to let thoughts and feelings flow freely and find their way onto the page and then into visual form,” she said.

The avid swimmer has long been fascinated by mermaids, and as a lover of all waterways — oceans, seas, rivers, brooks, lakes — and the earth itself, she found it natural and fitting to incorporate so many personally meaningful

campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria), sbhumane.org.

• Santa Maria Animal Center, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc. The center is part of Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton, syvhumane.org.

• Shadow’s Fund (a pet sanctuary in Lompoc), shadowsfund.org.

• Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals in Lompoc: vivashelter. org.

— Dave Mason

elements into this story.

“As the condition of our earth and its waterways, along with the life within them, is facing environmental harm, we must all do what we can to clean up our earth, our oceans and our homes so we can continue to enjoy the beauty and life they offer us,” she said.

Jemma’s story is Ms. VonDracek’s effort to transform her personal journaling into the public storytelling world.

In her own words, “So here I am/we are . . . a writer becomes an author, and a mermaid becomes a community leader!”

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

COURTESY NAKAGAWA FAMILY COURTESY MUNENO FAMILY

At left, this is the wedding portrait of John and Alice Nakagawa, who were married in 1933 in Los Angeles. At right, the Muneno family gathers during the late 1950s in front of the Japanese Buddhist Church in Santa Barbara.

Thought for Today

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

SUDOKU

– Maya Angelou

HOROSCOPE

Aries: This is a good day to make your list and check it twice, Aries. There is room for improvement in the way you organize your life. Your system at home, such as it is, isn’t particularly efficient. Your bill paying is haphazard, and you may be surprised by how much you pay in late fees. Your in-box threatens to bury you. You need a system, Aries! If this isn’t your strong suit, hire some help.

Taurus: You’re at risk of feeling emotionally overwhelmed today. Don’t worry, Taurus, it will all work out. Take some deep breaths and apply your intellect to the situation. Prioritize and organize. You will find that steadily and systematically you can conquer your obligations. Take time off to pay attention to your family.

Gemini: You can expect to receive some good financial news today, Gemini. Your mind races a mile a minute as you strategize ways to spend the money. If you aren’t careful, you will have the money spent before the check has even cleared! Why not divide the funds in half? You can invest half in a low-risk, long-term investment and the other half can be your fun money to do with as you please.

Cancer: You might be surprised by how clever and creative you are today, Cancer. Just for fun, you may decide to pick up a paintbrush and try watercolor painting or perhaps writing some poetry. Whatever you attempt, you can be fairly sure that it will work out favorably.

Leo: Today you feel a tug of war between desires and obligations, Leo. If you’re smart about managing time, maybe you can satisfy both. You could be discouraged by how hard you’ve been working for minimal results. Take heart. You’re accomplishing more than you realize. Your strong work ethic is what keeps you from having fun. Everyone needs some downtime.

Virgo: You need to give yourself more credit, Virgo. When you set your mind to something, no matter how ambitious, you usually accomplish it. Remind yourself of this today, as you may feel bogged down and overwhelmed by obligations at work and home. Pay attention to your finances.

Libra: Today you’re bursting at the seams with energy and enthusiasm. Your personal and professional lives are going well, so it’s no wonder you feel joyful. The only downside is that you may be overwhelmed by work responsibilities. Certainly there’s a lot to do, but you’re up to the task. Buckle down and put in a last burst of effort so you can enjoy your evening free of guilt.

Scorpio: Take care not to get on a soapbox today, Scorpio. You have strong opinions on everything from religion to politics. You risk offending people if you expound on them. You’d be better off keeping your views to yourself. In fact, rather than try to change people’s minds with words, why not try and do it with actions?

Sagittarius: Friends and money rarely mix, Sagittarius. Today a close friend may ask for a loan. Think carefully. Rather than take the easy route and say yes, you and your friend would be better served if you helped him or her figure out a way to earn the money. Perhaps you could offer a job or introduce your friend to someone else who can help. Be creative and you will find a solution that works for everyone.

Capricorn: Today could be filled with delays and mix-ups at the office, Capricorn. You’d be well advised to remain as patient as possible. Take deep breaths and maintain your sense of humor. Most of what occurs today is outside your control. You may as well go with the flow and see where the day leads you.

Aquarius: You have big plans, Aquarius, and your dreams may be keeping you from paying attention to your work. Don’t get too stressed. You’ve never missed a deadline, so you know that one way or another you will get everything done. In the meantime, begin to make plans for your next getaway.

Pisces: It’s frustrating when work gets in the way of romance and social activities. This is what you feel today, Pisces. Your thoughts are on your evening and weekend activities, but your obligations are on your desk. Don’t despair. Simply make a commitment to do what’s expected of you.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Monday, May 1, 2023

I heard from the Society of Finessers again — their letters seem to be coming more often — grumbling that finesses never win in my columns.

“Sir: We again condemn your disdain for the finesse, an honorable technique that works fully half the time, except in your deals.”

The Society won’t like today’s deal. West led a spade against 3NT: deuce, king, ace. South next let the nine of clubs ride, and East took the king and led the jack of spades to South’s queen.

EIGHT TRICKS

South next led a diamond to dummy’s ace and a diamond to his jack, and West produced the queen and exited with a heart. South had only eight tricks, and when he finessed in hearts, East won and cashed three spades.

“Three finesses lose,” the Society rails. “For shame!”

After South wins the second spade, he can cash only two clubs, then exit with a spade. After East takes three spades, he must lead a heart or a diamond, yielding a free finesse. So South gets home without taking a red-suit finesse.

You hold:

CODEWORD PUZZLE

You open

INSTRUCTIONS

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

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

one club, your partner responds one spade, you bid 1NT and he jumps to three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your duty is to show your three-card support for partner’s first suit. Bid three spades. If you insist on 3NT, you might play there when partner’s hand is fatally short in diamonds. If he has a hand such as

Q 10 8 7 4, K Q 4 3, K Q, Q 4, he can bid 3NT next to offer you a choice of games.

North dealer N-S vulnerable

Classified

Outrage continues over federal rule to charge higher fees to home buyers with better credit

The new rule is set to go into effect Monday

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A new federal rule that would charge higher fees to home buyers with good credit to help subsidize those with poor credit goes into effect Monday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced in January it would increase LoanLevel Price Adjustment fees for mortgage borrowers with higher credit scores to help keep fees lower for those with worse credit.

Director Sandra Thompson of FHFA said the plan will “advance their mission of facilitating equitable and sustainable access to homeownership.”

The loan-level price adjustment is a fee assessed after bankers evaluate the risk of lending them money. The FHFA rule could cost those with better credit scores thousands of dollars on their loans, effectively punishing them for paying their bills.

Critics argue the rule shifts risk costs onto borrowers with better credit and will leave taxpayers on the hook if the plan leads to major economic issues.

The rule has sparked a wide array of controversy, especially as critics point out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac engaged in similar policies in their role in the 2008 financial crisis. That crisis put billions of dollars in financial burden on taxpayers via government bailouts.

Critics called the rule a “bailout” for those with poor credit, comparing it to student loan forgiveness.

“Rather than saddle those with scores 680 or lower with more debt, it’s far better to encourage them to re-establish credit,” Joel Griffith, an economic expert at the Heritage Foundation, told The Center Square. “Most people find themselves financially strapped at some point. A few years of consistent timely payments and debt paydown can help someone even emerging from bankruptcy attain scores at 680 or worse with a near 0% loan from FHA.”

Mr. Griffith also said the plan would drive up home prices, especially for starter homes, which are already experiencing the highest housing inflation. Other critics argue this is part of a pattern in

8,700 human smuggling attempts stopped to date through Operation

Lone Star

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Texas Department of Public Safety troopers working as part of Operation Lone Star have stopped over 8,700 human smuggling attempts since Gov. Greg Abbott launched the state’s border security mission in March 2021.

“Without Texas’ historic efforts,” hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals who’ve illegally entered the U.S. as well as an untold number of weapons and enough fentanyl to kill everyone in the U.S. “would have flowed into our country,” the governor argues.

DPS troopers and Texas National Guard members continue to work with local law enforcement to secure the Texas-Mexico border. This includes preventing, detecting, and interdicting transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry primarily along Texas roads and highways and throughout neighborhoods to thwart trafficking and smuggling of people, drugs, weapons and currency.

Because they aren’t stationed along the border or at ports of entry, officers are catching smugglers through routine traffic stops and engaging in high-speed pursuits on county and state roads.

During traffic stops alone, DPS troopers rescued 39,100 illegal foreign nationals whom smugglers attempted to transport from stash houses and border regions to primary human trafficking hubs like Houston, El Paso and other large cities. Among those rescued were roughly 900 unaccompanied minors.

OLS officers continue to apprehend single military age men wearing camouflage who’ve illegally entered between ports of entry and mostly at night in small border communities.

In Kinney County, a DPS brush team located and arrested 14 Mexican men who were all dressed in camouflage trying to avoid detection on a private ranch. They all face criminal trespass charges.

In Webb County, DPS aircraft personnel observed a Mercury Grand Marquis that stopped on the shoulder of a road. Four people got out and ran in different directions, some into cars. Border Patrol agents then pursued those who fled and eventually caught them.

The driver continued and a DPS trooper engaged in pursuit. The driver eventually crashed into a cement barrier and appears to have broken his leg. He and a passenger, both 18-year-olds from Laredo, were arrested and charged with smuggling of persons.

The driver, passenger, and one illegal foreign national still inside the car suffered injuries from the crash and were transported to a local hospital. The four who ran were eventually caught by Border Patrol agents.

In Hidalgo County, a human

smuggler from Mission, Texas, led DPS troopers on a highspeed pursuit on Bentsen Palm Road. The driver ran through stop signs, nearly hit other vehicles and then turned onto a dirt road. Due to his high speed and uneven dirt terrain, the driver lost control and the truck rolled over on its side.

As the troopers approached, Mexican nationals who’d illegally entered the U.S. and were hiding inside the truck climbed out and ran. Some jumped into a bayou and tried to evade arrest. The troopers arrested the driver and apprehended five Mexicans who were turned over to Border Patrol agents. The driver faces charges of evading arrest and smuggling of persons.

However, several others, including at least two women who were inside the truck, jumped out, climbed through a wire fence, trespassed on private property and ran into the local neighborhood. They weren’t caught and remain at large.

Meanwhile, the Texas National Army and Air Guard are preparing for the end of Title 42 on May 11.

Guardsmen recently engaged in a bridge surge exercise in Eagle Pass. One who participated in the drill, Pfc. Jackson, said, “This is the first time we’ve done a drill like this. I know that this is a real scenario with Title 42 possibly ending right around the corner. It’s a bit more advanced than our own CDO [civil disturbance operations] training.”

In other areas, guardsmen and engineers are installing additional razor wire, constructing barriers, and deploying other strategies to stop illegal crossings in the El Paso region. One soldier said his team has installed roughly 720 feet of razor wire every day. They’re also setting up 50 rolls of razor wire around Gate 36, which has been rushed by foreign nationals in the past.

“By limiting access and controlling the flow of people through Gate 36, we hope to prevent [groups rushing the gate],” Pfc. Carver Dyck said, adding he was “extremely proud to be part of SRT 4. We’re making a massive difference.”

Since Gov. Abbott launched OLS, as of April 28, law enforcement officers have apprehended over 369,000 illegal foreign nationals and made over 27,000 criminal arrests, with more than 25,000 felony charges reported. They’ve also seized over 383 million lethal doses of fentanyl, enough to kill more than everyone in the U.S. Gov. Abbott argues they’re filling “the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Joe Biden’s open border policies.”

the Biden administration of using regulations to take from some and give to others.

“This mortgage rule is part of a pattern of Biden administration policies that force responsible consumers to subsidize irresponsible ones – from blanket student loan forgiveness that disregards those who already paid to the CFPB’s price controls on credit card late fees that would force those cardholders who pay on time to pay more,” John Berlau, director of Finance Policy for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, told The Center Square.

In response, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, RAriz., introduced the Responsible Borrowers Protection Act last week. Rep. Biggs’ measure would block the rule from going into effect, but will almost certainly not be passed before Monday if at all.

“The FHFA – led by a President Biden appointed director – is punishing financially responsible mortgage borrowers,” said Rep. Biggs, who has more than 30 lawmakers backing his bill. “Their agenda of equity over equality defies common sense and will endanger the stability of the housing market.”

Biden administration to expand entry to U.S. ahead of Title 42 ending

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State announced unprecedented policies to expand entry to the United States while also claiming the border is closed ahead of the public health authority Title 42 ending on May 11.

The new policies, they said, will “further reduce unlawful migration across the Western Hemisphere, significantly expand lawful pathways for protection, and facilitate the safe, orderly, and humane processing of migrants.”

The Title 42 public health order is set to expire 11:59 p.m. EST on May 11. Implemented under former President Donald Trump, Title 42 allowed border agents to immediately expel foreign nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifting the order “does not mean the border is open,” the statement says.

When Title 42 is lifted, it claims federal agents “will return to using Title 8 immigration authorities to expeditiously process and remove individuals who arrive at the U.S. border unlawfully.”

The announcement claims Title 8 authority violations “carry steep consequences for unlawful entry, including at least a fiveyear ban on reentry and potential criminal prosecution for repeated attempts to enter unlawfully,” even though over a million people with deportation orders haven’t been deported because of new policies instituted by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

While the statement claims “the border is not open,” the new policies are being implemented in coordination with the governments of Mexico, Canada, Spain, Colombia and Guatemala to expand entry to the United States “through a combination of expanded lawful pathways.”

One “legal pathway” includes expanding access to the CBPOne App. Foreign nationals from Central and Northern Mexico can schedule an appointment using the app to present themselves at a port of entry to be processed by Border Patrol with the expectation of being released into the U.S. “CBPOne will make additional appointments available, and the use of this tool will enable safe, orderly, and humane processing,” according to the policy.

Another includes a new family reunification parole process for citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia to enter the U.S, as well as for Cubans and Haitians. “Vetted individuals with already approved family-based petitions” will be released into the U.S. through this new system, which may conflict with an order given by a federal judge in Florida, who ruled against Mr. Mayorkas’ parole policy. Another includes doubling

The Title 42 public health order is set to expire 11:59 p.m. EST on May 11. Implemented under former President Donald Trump, Title 42 allowed border agents to immediately expel foreign nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

the number of refugees allowed entry into the U.S. from the western hemisphere –“welcoming thousands of additional refugees per month” – through processing efficiencies and increasing resources and staffing to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

The U.S. will continue to accept up to 30,000 individuals per month from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti, or 120,000 total, through its expanded parole policy.

To facilitate “access to lawful pathways” to foreign nationals to enter the U.S. bypassing immigration laws established by Congress, the federal government is opening regional processing centers for the first time in U.S. history outside of the United States.

The first processing centers will be opened in Colombia and Guatemala. Citizens of these countries can make an appointment on their phone to meet with an immigration specialist to help them be processed before they ever arrive in the U.S.

DHS is also dedicating $15 million to its Case Management Pilot Program to provide voluntary case management and other services to noncitizens to increase compliance with court dates and accelerate processing times to help them stay in the U.S.

The agencies also announced they were implementing enforcement measures, but since DHS has repeatedly been sued over the past three years for failing to enforce existing federal law, critics question the credibility of the claim.

Critics also argue the agencies are likely to be sued because the policies appear to directly conflict with laws established by Congress.