In bronze
Riding in style
Montecito sculptor makes use of whimsical names - B1
Decorative stirrups are a work of art and a piece of history - B2
Our 166th Year
75¢
MON DAY, J U N E 21, 2 021
NEWS-PRESS EXCLUSIVE
Google works to create special computer Goleta lab focuses on developing error-corrected quantum computer By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Erik Lucero, the lead engineer for Google Quantum AI, points at a graphic detailing the future of research at the lab in Goleta. Google is working to develop an errorcorrected quantum computer.
Google is on a mission to create an error-corrected quantum computer that would outperform any supercomputer ever created and streamline solutions for some of the world’s biggest problems. And that mission is on its way to completion right here in the Santa Barbara area. Last month, Google unveiled its new Quantum AI research campus in Goleta. The brand new facility is Google’s new headquarters for quantum computational research, upgrading the headquarters from its old space near M. Special Brewing Co. From the outside, the facility looks like a typical office building. But on the inside, an experimental lab with state-ofthe-art equipment is home to some of the most advanced computational research that will take place in the next decade. It’s within this new facility that researchers hope to create the world’s most elite problem solving machine. Their research centers on the development of quantum computers, which utilize quantum bits or “qubits” that have the capacity to solve complex problems, such as how molecules behave. Qubits have the power to mimic the quantum nature of molecules and atoms by existing in a complex mix of zeros and ones, similar to the way atoms exist in multiple states all at once. This new technology can even reimagine the work of a traditional chemist, allowing scientists to examine, for example, the bonding energy of a molecule without ever having to create a physical model in the lab by hand. With Please see QUANTUM on A3
REVIEW
Lobero reopens with tribute to Brian Wilson By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
ANNELISE HANSHAW / NEWS-PRESS
Henry, left, Mac and Oliver Nevius participate in a Lego-building activity Sunday. Chantal Hagan from Play Well helped the boys race the cars they created.
Building blocks Families enjoy Father’s Day activity at Montecito Country Mart By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
On a day dedicated to great father figures, some dads decided to join an activity for kids Sunday during a Lego-building event at the Montecito Country Mart. Play-Well, a company that uses Legos to teach engineering to kids, hosted three hours of Lego building in the market’s courtyard.
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The Nevius Family was among about 10 families who decided to join the fun. The family, who recently purchased a second home in Montecito, was enjoying their last day in town when they saw the sign for the event. Oliver, 8, saw keywords like “Lego,” “building,” “cars” and “Father’s Day” and wanted to check it out. “Me and my dad, we really like to build Legos,” he told the News-Press. Please see LEGOS on A2
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DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS
Saturday night featured a sight not seen since the start of the pandemic: a crowd outside during intermission at a Lobero Theatre concert.
Brambles, Jems, Derek Thomas and Dusty Rocherolle. They were all part of “Songs of Summer: Celebrating Brian Wilson and His Music.” During the concert, Mr.
Leonardo played the Lobero’s Steinway piano with power. His hands bounced freely above the keyboard, and he created a rich, beautiful, fun sound as he Please see LOBERO on A2
LOTTERY
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The audience sang along Saturday night with vocalists on stage at a packed Lobero Theatre to celebrate Brian Wilson’s birthday and the theater’s reopening after more than a year. Mr. Wilson, who has a home in Santa Barbara, turned 79 Sunday. While the Beach Boys legend wasn’t seen in the Lobero audience, his presence was felt in his songs, which varied from “Our Prayer,” the powerful a capella notes that open his 2004 “Smile” album (listen to it if you haven’t) to the Beach Boys’ “Surfer Girl.” Other “Beach Boys’ songs ranged from the emotional “God Only Knows” to the musically complex and thrilling “Good Vibrations.” Throughout the Santa Barbara concert, musical director Sal Leonardo led the ensemble of Brother Sal and The Devil May Care with musicians such as Glen Phillips, Garrison Starr, Will Breman, Chris Pierce, Shane Alexander, Leslie Stevens, Todd O’Keefe, Max Kasch, The
Sudoku................. b3 Weather................ a4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 4-7-8-19-36 Mega: 3
Sunday’s DAILY 4: 9-9-1-0
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 14-36-44-46-53 Mega: 18
Sunday’s FANTASY 5: 2-7-22-27-31
Sunday’s DAILY DERBY: 04-07-01 Time: 1:40.08
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 4-22-35-38-39 Meganumber: 20
Sunday’s DAILY 3: 8-9-4 / Midday 0-2-5