Santa Barbara News-Press: September 26, 2022

Coastal

‘s tate of emergency’

Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute strains to provide aid to marine mammals hammered by domoic acid poisoning

Military subsidizes service members’ grocery bills amid higher prices

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Defense is taking new measures to help U.S. service members deal with rising costs as inflation continues to put pressure on Americans.

Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder laid out a series of changes from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to help families deal with the recent rise in costs, particularly in food, housing and childcare.

“We’re surging funding into the commissary system to drop prices at the register so that military families see savings of at least 25% on grocery bills, compared to their local marketplace, an investment that means military families will see lower grocery bills at the commissary in the next couple of weeks,” Gen. Ryder said.

“Second, making moves easier for families. We’ll extend coverage for temporary housing expenses while moving to give military families more flexibility through the move process, and we’ll increase dislocation allowance payments for enlisted troops from E-1 through E-6 to offset personal expenses from PCS moves.”

Gen. Ryder also pointed to help with childcare expenses and employment for military spouses.

“These are not the first steps that Secretary Austin has launched to take care of our people,” Gen. Ryder said.

ranks.”

The latest federal inflation data shows that food prices have soared in the past year, far outpacing wage growth.

“The food at home index rose 13.5 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” BLS said. “The index for other food at home rose 16.7 percent and the index for cereals and bakery products increased 16.4 percent over the year. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 9.4 percent (fruits and vegetables) to 16.2 percent (dairy and related products).”

The decision comes after The Center Square reported that the U.S. Army was recommending soldiers apply for SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, to help cope with rising prices.

“With inflation affecting everything from gas prices to groceries to rent, some Soldiers and their families are finding it harder to get by on the budgets they’ve set and used before,” troop guidance written by Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston reads. “Soldiers of all ranks can seek guidance, assistance, and advice through the Army’s Financial Readiness Program.”

The guidance went on to specifically recommend food stamps.

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Hundreds of sick sea lions have been stranding on local beaches along with several in areas that were up to a mile from the beach, victims of a domoic acid crisis caused by a toxic algal bloom, according to the head of the Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute.

“It is a state of emergency for our local marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit organization, Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute,” Ruth Dover, CIMWI co-founder and managing director, told the News-Press.

From Aug. 15 through Sept. 20, 37 consecutive days, “CIMWI has been inundated with reports of sick sea lions throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties,” she said. “Our local marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit organization, Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), has been on the front lines from sunrise to sunset helping these animals.”

Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced during harmful algal bloom (HAB) events by a certain type of algae, Pseudo-nitzschia australis, Ms. Dover said.

This neurotoxin accumulates in shellfish as well as small fish like sardines and anchovies. When sea lions and other marine mammals eat the contaminated fish, it can be harmful and even fatal when consumed in sufficient quantities, she said.

Visual signs of a sea lion

suffering from domoic acid toxicosis include disorientation, loss of motor skills, head swaying back and forth, foaming at the mouth, bulging eyes, involuntary muscle spasms, inability to move out of the ocean, unresponsiveness, seizures and death.

This neurotoxin causes lesions in the brain and shrinking of the hippocampus, which is primarily associated with long-term memory and spatial navigation.

Domoic acid poisoning’s degree of effect depends on the amount of contaminated fish an animal consumes.

There is no cure for domoic acid. Treatment and supportive care includes subcutaneous fluids to flush out the toxin more quickly, anticonvulsant medication and uncontaminated fish.

This particular algal bloom was concentrated in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

“This strain was potent and much stronger than CIMWI has ever experienced,” Ms. Dover said. “CIMWI saw more acute symptoms and higher rates of mortality on the beaches and with animals receiving treatment and supportive care.”

The majority of the animals affected by this domoic acid crisis were adult female California sea lions weighing an average of 175 pounds. There have also been

“These actions follow an initial economic security memo issued last November, the Food Security Initiative that the department launched in July, the proposal for the largest military pay increase in two decades included in the president’s F.Y. ‘23 Budget Request and historic reforms to curb the scourge of sexual assault and to prevent suicide in our

“SNAP is a U.S. government program that provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an electronic benefits transfer card that can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores. Service members and their families may be eligible,” the Army guidance reads. “To determine qualification, visit the SNAP website or call the SNAP information line at 800-221-5689.”

Carpinteria City Council to consider Local Coastal Program amendment

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Carpinteria City Council today will be asked to adopt an ordinance amending the city’s Local Coastal Program that makes changes to the zoning regulations and zoning map of the municipal code by adding regulations concerning accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.

In 2017, the California Legislature passed a package of three bills which generally sought to encourage the development of ADUs and JADUs by streamlining the approval process and limiting local agencies’ authority to regulate ADUs and JADUs.

These bills and subsequent ADU and JADU legislation, however, stated that the state’s laws did not supersede the California Coastal

Act (Coastal Act), and thus the city elected not to update its certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) at that time.

Following the city’s decision, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) issued memos, including the most recent memo on Jan. 21, providing guidance on implementation of State ADU Law within the Coastal Zone.

The CCC encouraged coastal jurisdictions to amend their LCPs to implement State ADU Law consistent with the Coastal Act, and also encouraged local governments to develop ADU and JADU standards in a manner that protects wetlands, sensitive habitat, public access, scenic views of the coast, productive agricultural soils and the safety of new ADUs and their occupants.

In response to the initial CCC guidance, the City Council

CIMWI PHOTOS

Patient #181, Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute’s newest patient, is a 3- to 4-month old Northern fur seal pup that was rescued because it was malnourished and unable to forage on its own.

A California sea lion receives medical treatment by CIMWI volunteers.

Lompoc Public Library partners with Connected California to offer free online assistance

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Lompoc Public Library is now part of a new free service, Connected California, which aims to help community members find low-cost digital products and receive help navigating online from the comfort of home.

The California State Library, supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of The American Rescue Plan Act, has launched the service that connects community members in need of computer or internet assistance with digital

SBHS All Don Reunion set for Oct. 1

The second All Dons Reunion is set for Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Santa Barbara High School.

Many activities are planned for the day, including a silent auction that will include items from the Dons Athletic Office, a painting from alumnus Jeremy Harper, a signed book by alumnus Jeff Shelton, SBHS quilt and lots more.

There will be an unveiling of the

navigator experts. These experts provide personalized assistance in English or Spanish. The program is available to everyone in California.

The digital navigators are skilled California library workers. They help people find low-cost internet service and devices for the home, so these community members can get online and learn basic computer skills to navigate the internet. A navigator will respond within 24 hours (Monday-Friday), and work with a person one-on-one to discuss their needs and learn how the navigator can help.

new “Bossie the Cow” at 1 p.m.

Other activities include a children’s corner, school tours and entertainment by the SBHS band, cheer squad and dance team, as well as DJ Skip Stecker spinning the tunes.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 children 5-12 years and can be bought at www.sbdonsalumni.com.

Those wishing to volunteer for a shift may get in free of charge for the entire event. To sign up, go to https://signup.com/go/oomUJds.

- Katherine Zehnder

Those looking to receive digital assistance through Connected California are asked to call 1-800-790-5319 or send a text message to 626-873-8390. Other options to connect with a digital navigator are to send an email to help@connectedca.libanswers.com or complete an online form at https:// connectedca.org/.

Lompoc community members looking for additional assistance with the Connected California program locally may call Lompoc Library staff at 875-8775.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

SPORTS ROUNDUP

Missing woman reunited with family

GAVIOTA - An 88-year-old woman from Santa Paula was reunited with her family Sunday after being reported missing the night before, Santa Barbara County Fire officials said. A county fire department

battalion chief noticed a car with front-end damage swerving across the lines on Highway 101 in Gaviota and using her red lights pulled the vehicle over. The elderly woman was the driver. She was uninjured, and turned over to the California Highway Patrol, which reunited her with her family, officials said.

- Neil Hartstein

Over 37 day period, CIMWI responded to 262 marine mammels suffering from domoic acid exposure

nine adult male California sea lions, two Northern fur seals and one long-beaked common dolphin that stranded with signs of domoic acid during this crisis.

“This has been a very difficult time for CIMWI’s all-volunteer team,” Ms. Dover said. “They gave their heart, time and skill to help these suffering animals and to provide education to beachgoers.”

From Aug. 15 through Sept. 20, CIMWI received 50-100 hotline calls a day, responding to 262 marine mammals suffering from domoic acid toxicosis. Some of these animals required multiple responses which resulted in 366 field responses. CIMWI volunteers rescued 77 marine mammals - 70 were suffering from the domoic acid toxin and seven had other illnesses/injuries

“CIMWI volunteers met this challenge with fortitude and extreme dedication to help these animals,” Ms. Dover said. “They may be a small nonprofit organization but they are mighty!”

Despite the gravity of the situation concerning these sea lions, there is now some light at the end of the tunnel with this domoic acid outbreak, Ms. Dover said.

She noted that recent forecasts by the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System that monitors harmful algal blooms show the bloom dissipating in our area.

“CIMWI volunteers are feeling a sense of relief, and they’re able to get some much needed sleep and self-care that they’ve missed out on during this state of emergency for the past five weeks,” Ms. Dover said.

Even while caring for sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning, CIMWI continued to care for other patients as well. This month, for example, they rescued two sea lions with trauma bite wounds consistent with the tooth size, shape and pattern of a killer whale.

CIMWI’s newest patient is #181, which is a 3- to 4-month

old Northern fur seal pup. It was rescued on Friday at Hendry’s Beach because it was thin and weak.

This malnourished pup only weighs 10 pounds, which is a typical birth weight for these seals, indicating it recently weaned and hasn’t been successfully foraging for fish on his own.

“Number 181 has a feisty demeanor and is already eating small fish which are both good signs,” Ms. Dover said. (CIMWI gives their patients identification numbers instead of names because they are wild animals they intend to return to the wild. The nonprofit has rescued 181 marine mammals so far this year.)

Domoic acid is not a direct factor in his stranding, but there is the possibility that its mother was affected by domoic acid and unable to return for her pup, she said.

While not all algal blooms produce toxins like domoic acid which can affect the health of animals and humans, excessive algal growth can deplete oxygen and block sunlight vital for the

survival of many aquatic species.

The increased frequency and biomagnification with these harmful algal blooms is posing a greater risk to marine life. Contributing factors to the proliferation of these blooms include climate change, eutrophication from fertilizers, agricultural and urban runoff, aquaculture activity, coastal development and prolonged warm water temperatures.

Global climate change is a risk to marine life. The warmer water temperatures are pushing the prey fish further off-shore and nursing seal and sea lion mothers are traveling further to forage, thus leaving their pups for longer periods of time. Nursing pups may be unintentionally abandoned and have a difficult time foraging for fish on their own, which can lead to starvation. The 2013-2016 California Sea Lion Unusual Mortality Event in California was a prime example of ecological factors causing prey shifts with grave impact on California sea lion pups and yearlings.

In addition, marine debris entanglement is a human-made

threat to pinnipeds as well as large whales, which also can become entangled in fishing gear. Entanglement of large whales is a serious animal welfare and conservation problem that affects the animals and fishing industry.

The CIMWI facility is located at the historic Vista Del Mar Union School campus on the Gaviota coast in Santa Barbara County. The group’s core work is the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured, malnourished, orphaned, entangled and oiled marine mammals.

CIMWI is the only organization in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties authorized by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to respond to live and dead pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), live and dead sea turtles and live cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) as well as rehabilitate live pinnipeds and triage live cetaceans and sea turtles.

Its jurisdiction encompasses 155 miles of coastline (from the San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara County line south to the Ventura/ Los Angeles County line), 106 beaches and four harbors. CIMWI has been serving Ventura County since June 2006 and Santa Barbara County since June 2015. For more information, visit the CIMWI website at www.CIMWI. org.

• CIMWI is looking for dedicated long-term volunteers. Volunteers must be 18 years old and commit to a full-day on the same day each week. CIMWI’s volunteer application is online @ http://cimwi.org/ways-to-help/ volunteer/

• Financial contributions enable CIMWI to run their daily operations and advance their mission. To learn about how to make a donation, go to http:// cimwi.org/ways-to-help/donate/ • How to help a stranded marine mammal: http://cimwi.org/ how-to-help-a-stranded-marinemammal/. CIMWI Hotline is 805567-1505.

Many people don’t know that marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and it is illegal for people to touch, feed, harass or move the animal into or out of the water.

email: nhartstein@newspress.com

City must also maintain compliance with state housing laws, Coastal Act

CARPINTERIA from Page A1

adopted a resolution which, in part, recognized the need to develop city ADU and JADU regulations to promote development of more affordable and market rate housing units and initiated the zoning amendment work necessary to replace its municipal code to allow the ADU and JADU program.

The state legislature continues to identify the production of ADUs and JADUs as an important element to increase housing production and has adopted legislation to promote new ADUs and JADUs. On Jan. 1, 2020 and 2021, new state laws that apply to ADU and JADU regulations went into effect.

Consistent with CCC guidance, local agencies within the Coastal Zone must implement these State ADU Laws that include but are not limited to: ministerial (nondiscretionary) permit

review through use of objective development standards; reduction or elimination of development fees; reduced application review timelines; limitations on zoning regulations (e.g., minimum lot size, maximum unit square footage, parking standards, setbacks, etc.); and expansion of ADU and JADU unit count, construction, and/or conversion opportunities for both single family and multi-family residential zones.

The proposed ADU and JADU Program requires compliance with both state housing laws and the Coastal Act, given that the city is located entirely within the Coastal Zone. While many local governments outside of the Coastal Zone are implementing State ADU Law by updating their housing programs or defaulting to the State’s requirements, cities and counties within or partially within the Coastal Zone must also ensure compliance.

email: nhartstein@newspress.com

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A Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute volunteer educates beachgoers about marine wildlife the organization rescues.

CIMWI PHOTOS

CIMWI volunteers and beachgoers lift a rescued animal up rocks to get to a transport truck.

Westmont volleyball’s three-win week ends with sweep of Menlo

By JACOB NORLING WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

Westmont Volleyball (11-3, 5-1 GSAC) capped off their three-match week with another win on Saturday afternoon, this time against the visiting Menlo Oaks. After sweeping Hope International on Tuesday, and beating William Jessup in five on Friday, the Warriors swept the Oaks to capture their third win of the week.

“That was a tough week,” said Westmont head coach Ruth McGolpin. “That was a lot of games in a short span, dating back to last weekend in Arizona. We’ll take tomorrow off and regroup on Monday. For this week, we got the job done.”

In the first set, Menlo hung with Westmont early, taking a 12-11 lead into double-digits. Then, kills from Lexi Malone and Keelyn Kistner bookended a 5-0 run that gave the Warriors a 16-12 lead, the largest of the set so far.

Out of a Menlo timeout, Westmont scored four of the next six points, causing the Oaks to use their final timeout as the Warriors’ lead grew to 20-14. Eventually, the Warriors finished off the first set with Sara Krueger’s second kill to win it 25-17.

A highlight of the first set was the red-hot

hitting of Taylor Distelberg, who recorded five kills in seven attempts.

Set two saw the sides remain close into double-figures again, with a kill from Phoebe Minch giving the Warriors a 10-9 advantage. The Warriors scored on back-to-back players after Minch’s kill, but the Oaks followed with a three-point run of their own to tie the set at 12.

Tied at 12, kills from Jessie Terlizzi, Ashley Boswell, and Malone highlighted a 4-1 run that gave the Warriors a 16-13 run going into a Menlo timeout.

Distelberg’s sixth kill of the set pushed Westmont’s lead to 21-17, forcing Menlo to once again call their final timeout. Following the stoppage, Menlo’s 15th attacking error of the match finished off a 25-20 win that put Westmont up 2-0.

Distelberg’s seventh kill ended an 8-2 run for the Warriors that led to an early timeout for the Oaks in the third set. The two teams traded points for several minutes, which was good news for Westmont who maintained their multi-point advantage with ease.

Menlo called their final timeout at 18-10, following a kill from Kistner, but it did little to stop the Warriors who steadily marched to 25. In the end, Malone’s match-high 13th kill brought an end to a 25-16 win, and a sweep of the Menlo Oaks.

Kistner led the Warriors with 20 assists, Minch led the team with 14 digs, and Krueger led the team with four blocks. Overall, Westmont out-killed Menlo 38-28, while holding the Oaks to a .050 attack percentage.

“One of our ‘go big goals’ of the week was to control our side of the net,” said McGolpin. “We definitely did that in all three matches this week. I thought our outsides were dynamic and got kills when they needed to, but the story of the day was our middles.

“Our middles were unstoppable with Lexi hitting at .800 and Taylor hitting at .600. We have to continue to establish our middles, and our setters need to continue to trust our middles.”

McGolpin continued, “We served really well and kept them out of system the majority of the match. That was good on our part to keep them consistently out of sync.”

Westmont returns to action next Friday night at 6 p.m. in La Mesa, where they’ll take on the San Diego Christian Hawks. On Saturday, Westmont returns home to host Life Pacific at 7 p.m.

Jacob Norling is the sports information assistant at Westmont College.

email: sports@newspress.com

Warriors compete in Cougar Challenge

By JACOB NORLING WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

Westmont men’s and women’s Cross Country continued their season on Saturday when they competed in the Cougar Challenge, hosted by Cal State San Marcos. Out of 17 schools, both the men’s and women’s teams placed seventh.

Individually, the highlight of the day was the performance of All-American Zola Sokhela, who finished third overall in the 12th-ranked men’s race. Sokhela completed the 8K in 24:24.6, which was exactly eight seconds behind Chico State’s Nixon Korir, who won the race.

“Zola ran a focused and assertive race,” offered head coach Russell Smelley. “He ran like a champion.”

The next Warrior to cross the finish line was Danny Rubin, who finished the race in 41st

place with a time of 25:44.9. Adam King and Garrett Miller were the third and fourth runners for the Warriors, with King coming in at 26:17.4, and Miller finishing with a time of 26:35.5.

Rounding out the top-five for Westmont was Jack Vanden Heuvel, who came in 95th with a time of 26:48.9.

“Danny bounced back with a solid performance after struggling at the Vanguard Invite,” said Smelley. “Some runners are fighting a cold right now, and still fought really hard. Adam had an aggressive second half of the race to help team scoring, allowing us to come in ahead of #11 Embry-Riddle.”

On the 15th-ranked women’s side, freshman Anne West continued her impressive debut season by being the first Warrior to finish the 6K. West finished in 19th place with a time of 22:05.4, with All-American Anneline

DP football crushes shuts out Channel Islands

The Dos Pueblos High School football team took apart Channel Islands on Friday, winning the league game by a score of 27-0.

Senior running back David Buso led the way for Dos Pueblos, rushing for 98 yards on his way to scoring three touchdowns on the ground, one in the first quarter and a pair in the fourth. Kicker Gregory Tripathi added all three extra points in addition to contributing field goals in the first and second quarters. Running back Danny Vidaure also contributed 70 yards on the ground on only seven carries.

Dos Pueblos’ defense was supreme in the game, with fifteen defensive players recording at least one tackle. Leading in tackles was Cory Kazzi with eight, while defensive tackle Nicolas Bitar recovered two fumbles and a tackle for a loss.

The win was Dos Pueblos’ first Channel League victory, giving the team a league record of 1-3. The team has a 3-3 record overall.

Second place finishes for Dos Pueblos boys, girls cross country

The Dos Pueblos High School boys and girls cross country squads each finished second in a non-league road meet on Saturday.

The girls varsity team came up with a score of 52, finishing behind Ventura High School’s 44. Scoring were senior Phoebe Wolfe Lyons, senior Ellie Gleason, senior Reese Wahlberg, junior Sophie Saleh and sophomore Quinn Gleason.

“Phoebe Wolfe Lyons and Ellie Gleason started conservatively and moved up throughout the race until Phoebe was in the lead by half-way and Ellie moved up into third,” said girls Coach Micks Purnell. “I was really glad to see Reese Wahlberg coming into form after having had to take a few weeks off from running late summer because of an injury. She, Sophie Saleh, and Quinn Gleason work nicely together moving up through the field for most of the race.”

The boys varsity team managed a score of 69, finishing just behind the 62 of Santa Barbara High School. Scoring for Dos Pueblos were sophomore Eamon Gordon, senior Tyler Jamieson, senior Orlando Ye, Junior Dominic Corral and sophomore Andy Brennan.

Breytenbach coming in 26th with a time of 22:16.5.

The Hundley sisters were Westmont’s third and fourth finishers, with Abigail coming in with a time of 22:54.8, and Madden finishing in 23:05.7. Landon Torres rounded out Westmont’s top five with a 65th place finish and a time of 23:22.8.

Stanislaus State’s Kaela Dishion won the women’s race with a time of 20:48.3.

“Anne West continues to impress with her assertive running style,” complimented Smelley. “The women’s team worked together to stay competitive the entire race and put forward a good team performance. They beat #13 Embry-Riddle to solidify their ranking as a top-15 team.”

Overall, Westmont’s women came in seventh with 195 points, while Stanislaus won it with 28

“Today, Eamon put on a terrific surge with one mile to go, and secured his victory in the Boys Varsity race,” said boys Coach David Jackson. “In the JV race, Luciani Koroshec led our tightly bunched pack according to plan and separated himself from the competition over the second half of the race.”

Winners of individual races won a back-pack, and three Dos Pueblos runners came away with one, as Lyons won the girls varsity race, Gordon took the victory in the boys varsity race and Luciani Koroshec won the boys JV race.

Cate girls volleyball wins homecoming match against Thacher

The Cate girls volleyball team swept Thacher on Saturday, winning on homecoming with set scores of 25-16, 25-7 and 25-13.

After some struggles early in the first set, the Rams found a rhythm, coming back to win the first set and never trailing in the subsequent two.

“Thacher came aggressive and strong and caught us off guard. The team responded well, though, and we’re able to take care of business. Freshman Oyin Opawumi led the offensive front with 16 kills while Junior Mel Davidson set a quality game,” said coach Jordon Dyer.

The Rams will host St. Bonaventure on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

SM boys beach volleyball beat Arroyo Grande, SLO

The San Marcos High School boys beach volleyball team traveled to Pismo Beach on Saturday, defeating Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo in club league play and concluding round one of the season with a 4-0 record.

Arroyo Grande was dispatched with the Royals claiming two set wins from each of the team’s three pairs, Hansen Streeter and Jack Wilson, Cliff Ficker and Kyle Foley, and Cameron Earls and Nate Loomer.

Following this victory, the three pairs concluded their day with a dominant performance against San Luis Obispo, winning every set played.

Round two of the season will begin today, with the Royals hosting Dos Pueblos at the San Marcos Courts at 4 p.m. Later in the week, San Marcos will take on the Dons at East Beach on Thursday.

- Matt Smolensky

points. For the men, Westmont’s seventh-place finish came with 210 points, while Chico State won it with 32.

Both teams return to competition on Saturday, Oct. 8, in Claremont, where they will compete in the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational.

Jacob Norling is the sports information assistant at Westmont College.

email: sports@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Faith Ehrman celebrates after being declared the winner of the 12-and-over pie eating contest during the second day of the Goleta Lemon Festival at Girsh Park on Sunday.

Goleta Lemon Festival concludes second day under the age of 12 compete in a pie-eating contest during day two of the Goleta Lemon Festival. Below is one of the lemon meringue pies used in the contest. a train makes its way through crowds during the event. Below, children get to sit on Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office motorcycles.

Coastal Cleanup

More than 10,000 pounds of trash collected during Goleta event

By MATT SMOLENSKY NEWS-PRESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The recent Coastal Cleanup Day and Bulky Item Drop Off in Goleta resulted in more than 10,000 pounds of trash being collected between the two events.

“The increased participation we see every year just goes to show how much our community cares about our creeks, watersheds and the ocean,” said Goleta Environmental Services Specialist Dan Rowell. “It was incredible to see so many people out on a Saturday morning either picking up trash from beaches

Organizers were pleased with the turnout for the Sept. 17 events, which kicked off SB Creek Week and were deemed a grout success.

or creeks, or bringing unwanted items to our bulky item drop off. Thanks to everyone who helps keep Goleta clean and beautiful!” There were three Coastal Cleanup Day locations in Goleta this year, resulting in 2,618 pounds of trash being collected by 122 volunteers.

At Haskell’s Beach, 65 volunteers served under site captain Meghan Leon of the Ritz-

Carlton Bacara to collect 337 pounds of trash.

Brian Trautwein of the Environmental Defense Center led a team of 25 volunteers at San Jose Creek, where 2,152 pounds were cleaned up.

Led by resident Al Souma, 32 volunteers picked up 129 pounds of trash at Ellwood Bluffs and Beach.

The Bulky Items Drop Off event

was held at Cannon Green Drive and Phelps Road, where a record 68 vehicle drop offs resulted in the collection of more than 7,500 pounds of trash.

With the contest concluded, winners are expected to be announced soon. The artwork submitted to the contest remains on display at the library, 500 N. Fairview Ave, until Sunday.

The city of Goleta offered special thanks to Explore Ecology for coordinating Coastal Cleanup Day across the county, to the volunteers who helped make the event a success and for the ongoing support of MarBorg Industries and Big Green Cleaning. SB Creek Week also included the Creek Week Art Contest held at the Goleta Valley Library.

email: msmolensky@newspress.com

A resident drops off unwanted items at Beautify Goleta’s Bulky Item Drop Off event at Cannon Green Drive and Phelps Road in Goleta.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Site captain Meghan Leon of the Ritz Carlton Bacara is shown with a young volunteer at Haskell’s Beach during Coastal Cleanup Day.

At top, volunteers pause for a photo at the San Jose Creek Coastal Cleanup location in Goleta on Sept. 17. Above, volunteers show off their haul at the Haskell’s Beach cleanup site.

Unity Shoppe to host Fall Flash Sale

By MATT SMOLENSKY

The Unity Shoppe will hold its Fall Flash Sale on Saturday at the Kenny Loggins Community Center, 110 West Sola St., Santa Barbara.

The sale will take place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Featuring new and gently used merchandise at discounted prices, proceeds from the event will directly fund Unity programs.

The sale will include clothing, housewares, office supplies and more.

The first 100 visitors will receive a discount coupon for the Thrift & Gift Shoppe, 1209 State St., and the Furniture Annex, 1207 State St.

The Kenny Loggins Community Center is home to Unity Shoppe’s Client Service Center, which serves families, children, adults, single-parent households and seniors referred from any of 400 agencies for services such as free groceries. Clients are able to shop in a store-like setting for groceries that support a healthy diet in addition to other household necessities, personal care products and clothing.

Money raised from the Fall Flash Sale will support the Client Service Center and other programs, aiding in the purchase of fresh perishable foods and nonperishable foods needed for Santa Barbara County residents. Additionally, during the winter holiday thousands of Santa

Barbara County children, along with their families, will have the opportunity to select their favorite new and handmade toys from Unity Shoppe’s Holiday Store. Unity Shoppe is a tax-exempt operation dedicated to providing the basic necessities of life and occupational skills training to vulnerable populations during times of temporary crisis, while encouraging self-sufficiency and independence. Programming and services are offered at no cost to qualifying clients without regard to political affiliation, religious belief or ethnicity.

For more information, go to unityshoppe.org.

email: msmolensky@newspress. com

Education center’s neighbor

In trouble at sea? Just press the keypad

Irecently stopped at the Art of Consignment on Gutierrez Street and saw something I had never seen before at the Santa Barbara business.

However, that junk in an old wood box looked old and electronic, and I could see a light or lamp. I thought my partner, who is a professional photographer who loves to tinker, might like it. But what the heck is it?

There’s an old keypad white plastic unit in the box with buttons for HAIL, PA, FOG1, 2, 3 and 4, and a button called YELP, and ANCH, and so on. There’s one called MAN — which intrigued me, as perhaps that one summoned the handsome young deckhand with my glass of chardonnay. I saw one old telephone cord and a green box with “12VDC” stamped on it, and a large corroded handheld spotlight about 10 inches in diameter.

Perhaps a sailor reading this can help me. I have found what I believe this nautical gear might be, but I might be wrong. When I see objects like this, I think of how I could redesign them or perhaps make them work again just one more time. The big lamp looked especially inviting.

I think the keypad is part of a control box and is what is left of a Standard Communications Corporation Marine Loudhailer device LH5, serviced by Vertex Standard of Cypress 1993.

I found the manual online and learned that this was high tech in the day. (1993 somehow doesn’t seem that long ago, but it is ages in tech years). The workings include a system for hailing and listening back, and Intercom, and automatic signaling.

The signals allow your boat to

alert other vessels on your status or maneuverability.

I had no idea that there were certain sounds for certain conditions. Here’s one example from the typewriter-typed 1993 manual, “A vessel under way but making no head way through the water must sound, at the same two-minute intervals, two prolonged blasts separated by an interval of about 2 seconds (press the LH5 FOG2 button.)”

How I discovered that the box was the control for a loudhailer was to Google “FOG ANCH YELP.”

Here’s what the buttons mean.

All FOG buttons repeat the sound every 2 seconds.

FOG 1 sends a 5-second blast.

FOG 2 sends 25-second blasts.

FOG 3 sends a 5-second blast followed by two 1-second blasts, and FOG 4 sends a 5-second blast followed by three 1-second blasts.

ACH sends a 5-second rapidly ringing bell, repeating every minute.

YELP sends a yelp of varying pitch, used by the Coast Guard and patrol vessels.

And MAN allows the use of International Morse Code, such as if the vessel is aground and in fear of collision. You might sound the letter “U” (sort-shortlong). “U” is the international maritime warning code for “you are standing into danger.”

I imagine the green box is the electrical stuff I don’t know anything about.

But what is the big lamp? I believe it is a maritime signaling spotlight. Vessels back in the day had these mounted in a bracketed support, and this light could shine up to a quarter mile back

then in 1993. Some models had a permanent anchor bracket to the bow and had a red and green light below the search light.

I am assuming the lamp dates from the 1980-1990s from the similar examples I found. These were useful as a general boat light, but I see that many of these vintage lamps are called deckhand spotlights.

For those sailors out there, you will have a chuckle, but I tried to identify what the age and brand was.

So here’s a few: the Maritime Signaling Search Spotlight (portable) Spartan model 361 from the 1980s, 12V, and often used on Chris Craft vessels. It could be a Taylor Made Sport Spot No. 970, a Deckhand Spotlight. A very pretty one but perhaps too ancient: a late 1930s Quarter Mile Ray Spotlight Searchlight.

Another similar one: A 1990s Quest Marine Products No. 207 Spotlight and the Vintage Attwood Marine Bow Navigation Light.

At first, I thought it was one of those police spotlights we used to see on the side of patrol cars, but the pitting on the shaft of the searchlight looked too much like salt air damage. If you have used this type of maritime gear, let me know what the value of such vintage gear is today, and if boat owners desire this gear. I would suspect not, as modern technology has surpassed such machinery.

Dr. Elizabeth Stewart’s “Ask the Gold Digger” column appears Mondays in the News-Press.

Written after her father’s COVID-19 diagnosis, Dr. Stewart’s book “My Darlin’ Quarantine: Intimate Connections Created in Chaos” is a humorous collection of five “what-if” short stories that end in personal triumphs over presentday constrictions. It’s available at Chaucer’s in Santa Barbara.

Dead tired from bicycling

COURTESY PHOTO

This equipment got columnist Elizabeth Stewart’s interest, and she found a connection with boats.

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS

A statue at the Ridley Tree-Education Center peeks out over a hedgerow across the street from the Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden in Santa Barbara.

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS

A respirator-wearing bicyclist goes on a wild ride atop shipping containers off Garden Street in Santa Barbara.

Diversions

Thought for Today

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com Monday, September 26,

Aries: A conversation with a sibling or neighbor could lead to you making a new friend today, Aries, probably someone who works in a creative profession.

If you’re currently romantically involved, this person could become your best friend. If you’re unattached, sparks could fly between you and him or her. You could talk for hours and part unwillingly.

Taurus: Changes taking place at home could lead to more income, Taurus. Perhaps a new housemate moves in, reducing your housing costs. Or you might even consider moving to a new place, perhaps one that’s closer to where family members live or work. Whatever it is, it may not seem like much, but it should make a difference in your financial situation in the long run.

Gemini: A walk through your neighborhood could put you in the middle of an unexpected, interesting event, Gemini. It may be a small public gathering or an impromptu get-together, like a protest. Whatever it is, you could be transfixed by it. Make mental notes and then write down your impressions later.

Cancer: Some books you’ve been reading lately might excite your desire to study astrology, numerology, alchemy, or some other occult science, Cancer. This may not be something that you’d normally consider, but don’t let that hold you back. Your values have been shaken up lately anyway, so make the most of the impulse now. It could transform you in a subtle way.

Leo: Boredom might stimulate your rebellious streak today, Leo. You could decide to forego your usual tasks and do something unusual or unexpected, such as skydiving or horseback riding. Don’t feel guilty if you decide to do this. We all need to throw caution to the wind and go for some excitement occasionally.

Virgo: A virtual class or lecture of some kind could bring you exciting new information today, Virgo. This could keep your mind buzzing for hours, particularly since you may also communicate with some interesting people with whom you can discuss this subject for hours. Make the effort to take a walk and clear your head at some point during the day or else you

DAILY

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

might be too mentally charged up to sleep.

Libra: A future journey may be in the works right now, Libra. Many changes have been occurring in your life for a long time, and they continue today. They might involve group events or educational activities. This may be something you’ve anticipated for a long time. Your energy, enthusiasm, and excitement are high.

Scorpio: A change in career could be in the works for you, Scorpio. It might be within the scope of your current job or an entirely new one. It’s definitely a change for the better. Don’t let insecurity or an attachment to your current circumstances hold you back. Whatever opportunities appear at this time may not come around again for a long while.

Sagittarius: An unexpected opportunity to go on a long journey, perhaps businessrelated, could come to you soon, Sagittarius. A partner might be involved. Your enthusiasm may be almost boundless but remember that your physical energy isn’t. If you choose to travel right now, make sure you take necessary precautions.

Capricorn: Too much hard work and stress could be taking a physical toll on you today, Capricorn. But it isn’t likely to stop you from working intently and energetically on a project that fascinates you. This enterprise could be personal or job related, but whatever it is, the turn it takes is apt to surprise you.

Aquarius: If you’re single, Aquarius, today you could fall in love at first sight. A friend could send you someone’s contact information who shares your interests and with whom you’ll talk for hours. This could make you feel happy. You’ll certainly enjoy your day. If you want to stay in touch, don’t be afraid to say so.

Pisces: Have you been considering working more at home, Pisces? If so, today you might decide to do just that. An opportunity could pave the way for new jobs you could do at home, in your own space, among your own belongings. This could add to your sense of security. The only downside could be if you don’t make the effort, you might never leave the house.

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

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Sunday’s Life section.

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. to play Codewordto

“You don’t take a you make it.” Ansel Adams

THAT

Top Florida Democrat endorses DeSantis for governor

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – A top Democrat in Palm Beach County, Florida, has endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis for governor less than two months from Election Day.

Palm Beach County Commissioner David Kerner announced in a news conference he was not only endorsing Gov. DeSantis for reelection but was also campaigning for him every day until Nov. 8.

“Every day until Nov. 8th, I will campaign for Gov. DeSantis,” Mr. Kerner said. “And on Nov. 8th, I will vote for Gov. DeSantis,” He said he “proudly endorsed” the governor for reelection and “as an aside I’m very proud” that the governor “felt my endorsement was worthy of acceptance.”

“This was not a difficult choice for me,” Mr. Kerner added. “This was not the proverbial lesser of two evils. Gov. DeSantis has demonstrated himself to be beyond worthy of the humble duties of this office. And he has done so with the level of dignity, purpose and respect that is lost in the public sphere today.”

The county commissioner added that, despite being a Democrat, he could “not remain silent” about endorsing the Republican

governor. “There is too much on the line in this election,” he said. “The governor’s Democratic opponent has already started talking about reallocation, which to me by the way, is a code word for taking resources away from the men and women that protect us. It’s a code word for defunding the police.”

The Palm Beach County Democratic Party didn’t immediately respond to request for comment about Mr. Kerner’s endorsement. They also didn’t issue a statement after he made the endorsement.

Palm Beach County is the third-mostpopulated county in Florida. In 2020, President Joe Biden won the county by 56%.

The former Republican governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, is running against Gov. DeSantis as a Democrat. Mr. Crist’s platform includes an extensive plan to ban the sale of assault weapons in Florida, implement a range of gun laws, and create a neighborhood policing initiative.

Mr. Crist supports universal background checks for all gun sales, banning the sale of so-called ghost guns, cracking down “on straw purchases, corrupt gun dealers, gun thefts and bulk gun purchases,” implementing a law to require gun owners to report the

theft or loss of their firearms, and creating a “Focused Deterrence” community policing program. He also wants to strengthen Red Flag laws, firearm safe storage laws, deny the sale of firearms to domestic abusers, repeal Tallahassee’s Community Safety Pre-Emption law, lengthen the waiting period to purchase firearms, create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, among other initiatives.

None of his stated proposals include increasing funding for police departments, expanding police services or prioritizing hiring more law enforcement officers.

By contrast, Gov. DeSantis and the state legislature have implemented a range of incentives that have resulted in Florida continuing to recruit more police officers, corrections officers, and others in law enforcement, including recruiting others from out of state.

After Kerner spoke, Gov. DeSantis said, “We are focused on protecting victims and not coddling criminals, and no one knows that better than Dave, who served Florida’s communities. Commissioner Kerner knows first-hand the threat of the ‘defund the police’ movement and understands the important role that our local law enforcement officers play in keeping Florida safe.”

Judge allows Arizona’s near total abortion ban to take effect

By COLE LAUTERBACH THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A county judge has allowed Arizona to enforce a pre-statehood ban on nearly all abortions.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Kellie Johnson ruled Friday that a 1901 ban on abortion, with the only one exception to save the life of the mother, was valid.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office argued that the overturning of Roe v Wade made a 1973 ruling that invalidated state laws no longer valid.

Lawyers for Planned Parenthood argued that the judge should “harmonize” laws in the form of a modified injunction. Judge Johnson agreed with Mr. Brnovich.

“Planned Parenthood urges the court to consider other equitable factors in its decision,” Judge Johnson wrote. “While the court has considered those factors, the court finds those factors do not make considering or entering the modified injunction procedurally or legally appropriate.”

Mr. Brnovich and others reacted to the ruling Friday,

calling it a victory for prenatal life.

“We applaud the court for upholding the will of the legislature and providing clarity and uniformity on this important issue,” he said on social media. “I have and will continue to protect the most vulnerable Arizonans.”

Others used it as a call to arms.

“Abortion is now illegal in the state of Arizona, including in cases of rape and incest,” said state Sen. Christine Marsh, DPhoenix. “We need to flip the legislature this November to protect access to abortion in Arizona.”

New poll: Abbott leads O’Rourke by 7 points

Majority polled support Operation Lone Star, busing illegal foreign nationals to Democratic cities

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Less than two months out from the November election, a new poll shows Gov. Greg Abbott leading Democratic challenger Robert “Beto” O’Rourke by seven points.

The majority of those surveyed listed the economy and border security as their top issues this election. The majority polled also expressed support for Gov. Abbott’s border security effort, including busing people who illegally entered Texas to blue states and cities.

According to the new Spectrum News/Siena College poll, Gov. Abbott leads Mr. O’Rourke 50% to 43%.

“Governor Abbott, who won a landslide thirteen-point race against Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez four years ago, has a seven-point lead with over six weeks until Election Day,” SCRI Director Don Levy said in a statement.

“Abbott has the support of 95% of Republicans and O’Rourke has the support of 93% of Democrats, while independents tilt toward Abbott by one point.”

According to the poll, Gov. Abbott has a 47-46% favorability rating. Mr. O’Rourke has a negative 3952% favorability rating.

The majority polled, 59%, said the economy/ inflation/cost of living was the most important issue “in determining the election.” Among them, 75% of Republicans, 60% of Independents and 38% of Democrats said the economy is their top concern.

“Economic issues are by far the dominant election issues for all voters. Republicans overwhelmingly put economic issues in the top spot, and say immigration is the second most important issue affecting their vote,” Mr. Levy said.

Thirty-one percent of those polled list immigration and the southern border as their top concern, including 54% of Republicans, 27% of Independents and 6% of Democrats.

The majority, 58%, also approve of Abbott’s border security initiative, Operation Lone Star, with 93% of Republicans, 53% of Independents and 24% of Democrats supporting it.

Another majority, 52%, expressed support for Gov. Abbott’s busing strategy. Since April, he’s bused more than 12,000 people to Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago after they’d illegally entered the U.S. in Texas.

Since the majority are likely ineligible for admittance according to federal immigration law, they are required to be detained, processed and removed. Instead, the Biden administration has been releasing an historic number into the U.S., prompting states to sue. In the meantime, Gov. Abbott and the governors of Florida and Arizona have been providing voluntary and free

transportation to blue states and cities.

Republicans have expressed strong support for Gov. Abbott’s busing initiative; 47% of Independents support it and Democrats overwhelmingly oppose it.

“Threats to our democracy,” 30% of voters said, was the third-most important concern for them this election, with 38% of Democrats, 33% of Independents and 21% of Republicans saying it’s a priority.

While Democrats have been using the issue of abortion as their rallying cry to oust incumbent Republicans, only 22% polled said it was their top issue.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton are also leading in their races, the poll found. Lt. Gov. Patrick leads his Democratic opponent Mike Collier by 9 points, 49% to 40%. Mr. Paxton leads his Democratic opponent Rochelle Garza by 5 points, 47% to 42%.

The poll surveyed 651 likely Texas voters from Sept. 14-18 and has a margin of error of 4.4%.

According to a RealClear Politics average, Gov. Abbott leads Mr. O’Rourke by 7.5%.

Group files voter roll complaint about SOS Benson

By SCOTT McCLALLEN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A complaint filed to the Michigan Board of Elections claims

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated the federal Help America Vote Act by outsourcing the managing of voter rolls to the Electronic Registration Information Center.

The conservative Thomas More Society filed the complaint on behalf of nonprofit Pure Integrity Michigan Elections.

HAVA requires the SOS to maintain Michigan’s Qualified Voter File, the secure voter list used by the bureau of elections, and more than 1,500 Michigan election clerks, without outside assistance.

Thomas More Society Special Counsel Erick Kaardal claims that outsourcing voter file maintenance could hurt the state’s election process.

“Under the Help America Vote Act, maintaining state voter registration is seen as such a core governmental purpose that Congress deemed that it cannot be delegated to any other organization, including Electronic Registration Information Center,” Mr. Kaardal said in a statement. “As every Michigan resident knows, some things must be done by oneself.

Similarly, the Help America Vote Act requires the Michigan secretary of state to fulfill her constitutional duty and maintain the Qualified Voter File by herself, even if she does so badly.”

The complaint also contends that Ms. Benson’s agreement violates HAVA by sharing voter data with ERIC, a third party.

“Under Michigan’s current agreement with Electronic Registration Information Center, the secretary of state must transmit all voter data to the center, as well as licensing and identification records from the motor vehicle department,” Mr. Kaardal said. “That clearly violates the Help America Vote Act and should be ceased immediately.”

Michigan Department of State spokesperson Angela Benander told The Center Square that they won’t comment on the complaint but said that only election officials maintain Michigan’s voter rolls.

“We will not comment on the pending complaint but want to remind citizens that Michigan’s voter rolls are maintained by Michigan election officials only and in accordance with state and federal laws,” Ms. Benander wrote in an email. “In recent years election officials canceled more than 400,000 registrations and prepared more than 500,000 additional registrations for cancellation in the years ahead. The cancellation process is explained in full detail and transparency on our website.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott