Taste of Santa Barbara
Mirror, mirror on the wall
First-ever event concludes with wine-centered theme, explored in photos - A6
Columnist Elizabeth Stewart reflects on the history of dressing mirrors, vanity tables - B2
Our 166th Year
75¢
MON DAY, M AY 23, 2 02 2
USS Santa Barbara
Committee and Santa Barbara Navy League prepare for next year’s commissioning
As gas prices soar, analysts say energy costs will be no better By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE
(The Center Square) – Electricity prices will rise 3.9% this summer compared to the summer of 2021, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates, another bill ticking higher for Americans as they grapple with record high gas prices and inflation. Rising energy costs have garnered national attention as gas prices hit record highs every day this week, an unusual occurrence
that has economists worried about the summer. In California, the cost of Gas is $6.067 on average, while the average cost in Santa Barbara County sits at $6.038. Other nearby average gas costs include $6.078 in Ventura County, $6.273 in San Luis Obispo County and $6.099 in Los Angeles County. Energy costs, though, have been rising for more than a year, and not just gas prices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released new data this month showing that despite Please see ENERGY on A4
Symbols of Fiesta COURTESY PHOTOS
The USS Santa Barbara is set to be commissioned next year.
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Excitement is in the air and on the sea with the anticipation of the USS Santa Barbara’s commissioning, in less than a year. The ship (LCS-32) is to be commissioned in January 2023. The ship was christened in the fall of 2021, as the News-Press previously reported. The ship’s sponsor, Santa Barbara native Lolita Zinke, christened the ship in October. Mrs. Zinke is married to Ryan Zinke, who served as secretary of the interior during the Trump administration. (Today, Mr. Zinke is running for a congressional seat in Montana.) The leader of the USS Santa Barbara Commissioning Committee talked to the NewsPress recently about the highly anticipated commissioning. “As we get closer to the commissioning, there will be community events in support of the ship and its crew,” Kevin McTague, chair of the USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) Commissioning Committee and vice president of the Santa Barbara Navy League, told the News-Press. “Traditionally there is an event held to honor the crew and their family members,” Mr. McTague said. “As we get closer to the commissioning, there are several events that surround the commissioning itself. Before that, we are looking at having namesake visits. Traditionally that is when the crew is identified, including the prospective commanding officer (PCO). The commanding officer and support staff come to visit. There will be more focused namesake visits addressing the officers and the ship itself.” Mr. McTague explained that the responsibilities to the commissioning committee fall into three primary categories:
COURTESY PHOTOS
The 2022 Old Spanish Days Fiesta poster, above, and pin, below, were unveiled Saturday night. For the full story, see page B1.
raising funds, ship enhancements and organizing the week of commissioning events. Raising funds is to provide support for the crew and the families including: perpetual scholarships and funds dedicated to morale boosting activities such as welcome home and deployment events, Sailor of the Year and Sailor of the Quarter announcements, and similar events and awards. Ship enhancements include furnishing the ship with decor and comforts beyond the necessities that are provided by the Navy. “We have the opportunity to put the community imprint on the ship,” said Mr. McTague. Some possibilities being discussed include: Santa
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Barbara city street signs put in passageways and a replica of Santa Barbara Mission bells. Also included will be “china in the war room including the ship’s crest and artwork that the ship approves,” according to Mr. McTague, as well as “additional creature comforts beyond the basics including: entertainment, books, CDs, videos and fitness equipment.” Organizing the week of commissioning events includes: “providing information on commissioning events so the community can attend.” said Mr. McTague. The commissioning committee works with the Commissioning Support Team, which is contracted by the Navy. The responsibility of the support team
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email: kzehnder@newspress.com
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is to: “update site surveys and work with the commissioning committee, which we have begun earnestly over the last couple of months,” said Mr. McTague. The commissioning team is also coordinating with the Santa Barbara Navy League to make this event possible. “We are expecting that the commissioning support team will be visiting Santa Barbara in June,” said Mr. McTague. Mr. McTague told the NewsPress that once commissioned, the USS Santa Barbara will be under the command of LCS Squadron 1 in San Diego. The squadron is currently under the command of Capt. Jack Fay.
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Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 8-13-21-39-47 Mega: 9
Sunday’s DAILY 4: 7-9-0-4
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 33-40-59-60-69 Mega: 22
Sunday’s FANTASY 5: 2-13-27-28-32
Sunday’s DAILY DERBY: 08-10-02 Time: 1:40.56
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 14-15-25-52-58 Meganumber: 11
Sunday’s DAILY 3: 1-4-6 / Midday 7-8-7