Santa Barbara News-Press: April 22, 2023

Ice cream business expands

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery adding locations in Ventura, Arroyo Grande, LA - A5

AG Bonta urges recall of theft-prone Hyundai, Kia vehicles

By TOM JOYCE

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - California

Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of 18 states calling for a federal recall of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

The attorneys general say the company has failed to take steps to combat the large number of their vehicles being stolen.

The attorneys general sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) demanding the organization recall unsafe Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011

and 2022. They say these vehicles have easily bypassed ignition switches and lack engine immobilizers, making them vulnerable to theft.

Last month, a coalition of attorneys general told the companies they must take more actions to address these safety concerns.

The new letter tells the federal government to fight to ensure that these companies make vehicles in compliance with federal standards and do not put public safety at risk.

“The bottom line is, Kia’s and Hyundai’s failure to install standard safety features on many of their vehicles have put vehicle

owners and the public at risk,” Mr. Bonta said in a press release. “Instead of taking responsibility with appropriate corrective action, these carmakers have chosen instead to pass this risk onto consumers and our communities. It is unacceptable that families and communities should be forced to shoulder the cost of Kia’s and Hyundai’s failures. Kia and Hyundai have failed to appropriately address these safety issues, ignoring urgent requests from states, law enforcement, and car buyers. We now ask the federal government to require these companies to correct their mistake through a nationwide recall and help us in our

continued efforts to protect the public from these unsafe vehicles.”

The companies opted against including anti-theft devices on their vehicles from 2011 to 2022 that were standard on virtually all other new cars sold in the United States at the time, according to the release. Additionally, the attorneys general said that Kia and Hyundai included these safety measures on the same car models sold in Canada and Europe but not in the United States.

“These vehicles have been stolen at high rates since approximately 2021, harming consumers and contributing to an erosion of public safety,” the release

County budget workshops

Board of supervisors concludes week of reviews; coming up next are revisions

from Mr. Bonta’s office said. “The thefts have frequently been accompanied by reckless driving and further criminal activity, causing injuries and deaths. The thefts have even gone viral, with videos on social media showing how to hotwire these vehicles and challenging others to steal them. Following these videos, thefts began surging across the country.” In Los Angeles, thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars increased by approximately 85% in 2022, according to the release. They now comprise about 20% of stolen cars in Los Angeles in 2022; that figure was 13% in 2021.

Please see VEHICLES on A2

news-Press to move offices to Goleta

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

The Santa Barbara News-Press building, which faces De la Guerra Plaza in Santa Barbara, was built in 1922 and designed by architect George Washington Smith. Starting next week, departments at the newspaper will move to the publication’s Goleta offices.

The Santa Barbara News-Press — the oldest daily newspaper in Southern California — is starting the next chapter of its proud history at a new home.

The News-Press is moving all of its administrative operations — including its newsroom and advertising and circulation services — to 725 S. Kellogg Ave, Goleta. That’s the address for deliveries and overnight mail such as Federal Express.

The Goleta site has long been the News-Press printing plant, and moving our operations there will allow for greater efficiency in

serving our readers. The advertising department and receptionist will move from our current historic building, 715 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, to the Goleta site, on Monday, April 24. The pre-press department will move to Goleta on Tuesday, April 25, followed by the newsroom on May 1. Our phone numbers will remain the same, and you can find them in each edition of the News-Press on Page A2.

We look forward to continuing to serve Santa Barbara County from our new headquarters.

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The third and final day of the Santa Barbara County budget workshops took place Friday with the board of supervisors.

One of the first items on the agenda was the Cannabis Review Update. After reviewing the cannabis tax revenue from the 2022-2023 year and comparing it to the current costs to uphold the cannabis programing, Paul Clementi, the Santa Barbara budget director, shared some of the budget switches in other departments to fund the rest of the costs. This includes switching minor library fundings and long-term planners.

A portion of the meeting discussed the Flood Control Assessment for Montecito. The area was hit hard this past rainy season,

causing flooding on the streets and streams throughout the neighborhoods.

This assessment, titled the “The Montecito Flood Mitigation” plan, shared that there would be two phases that would be conducted in response to the flooding. The first phase would consist of determining the existing conditions from the impacts of the flood, and the second phase would be “the master plan,” which would focus on the improvements and mitigate flood impacts.

Various tax measures were also a main portion of the agenda. Much of this was discussion based on the different departments’ recent propositions and entailed the Cannabis Review Update and tax efforts.

To evaluate tax revenues about the Cannabis Review, other county’s cannabis

reviews were used. Additionally, there were proposed area taxes for the cannabis production given. Overall, various presentations shared an increase in taxes.

This meeting finished with a conclusion given by Mona Miyasato, the county executive officer. Ms. Miyasato explained what happens now that this workshop is over: Ms. Miyasato and the auditor-controller will review the budget and revise if necessary. Then Ms. Miyasato will finalize the expenditure recommendations.

Then finally, both Ms. Miyasato and the Auditor-Controller’s office will finalize the budget in May.

The final hearings are scheduled for late June.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

The News-Press facilities in Goleta will serve as the new home for the newspaper’s news, advertising, accounting and pre-press departments.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

The third and final day of the budget workshops with the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors took place Friday at the County Administration Building in Santa Barbara.

More reports about Mad Vlad Putin

“PUTIN SET TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR RUSSIANS TO AVOID MILITARY CALL-UP

AS FEARS GROW OVER NEW MOBILIZATION WAVE”

The message is clear to 20 million men throughout Russia: Get out now!

Because in addition to conscripting 500,000 more of them for sacrifice to his vanity, Mad Vlad Putin is set to impose travel restrictions to prevent those of military age from leaving the country.

Moreover, we have learned that President Putin also has plans to freeze the bank accounts of all those called up to service, thereby making it more difficult for them to flee, along with suspending driving licenses, banning real estate transactions and prohibiting loans.

These tactics are geared to ensure they have no choice but accept a one-way ticket to President Putin’s frontline meat grinder.

“SOLDIERS MAKE SECRET PACT TO ‘DESTROY’ PUTIN’S EMPIRE FROM WITHIN”

The Chechens are finally remembering that 20 years ago Mr. Putin did to them what he’s now doing to the Ukrainians: Conducting bloody atrocities against civilians, including women and children.

As Russia steadily weakens, the Chechens will finally take their revenge. And Russia, like the Soviet Union before it, will be split into pieces (some of which China will happily help to itself).

“LEAKED PENTAGON DOCS: KREMLIN PLANS TO ‘THROW’ PUTIN’S WAR WHILE HE’S GETTING CHEMO”

When you have Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev and Russian Chief of the General Staff Valeriy Gerasimov against you, the end is nigh for Vlad — if cancer doesn’t claim him first.

According to a reliable source, General Gerasimov put it this way: “When that f----- dies, this hellish war will end.”

The sooner the better for all humanity.

The word is new therapies for President Putin’s various maladies are not working — and he’s turning into a big baby.

Power, palaces, billions of dollars, yachts and expensive wristwatches are no match for poor health and the Grim Reaper.

What goes round comes round so perhaps putrid Putin is paying the price for all the misery he has caused.

Speaking of which…

“PUTIN’S RIVAL BEING ‘SLOWLY POISONED’ IN PAINFUL ASSASSINATION AS HE LOSES 18 LBS IN DAYS & SUFFERS SEIZURES”

Alexie Navalny, the man who should be ruling Russia, is politically imprisoned by President Putin on trumped-up charges.

It is not the first time Mr. Navalny has been poisoned by Mr. Putin’s goons. Three years

Pedestrian hit by train near park

GAVIOTA — A male pedestrian was struck Friday morning by a train near Gaviota State Park. The man was declared deceased at the scene when authorities arrived.

This incident caused the trains to stop until the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and law enforcement could evaluate the

ago the FSB slipped a chemical nerve agent called Novichuck into Mr. Navalny’s underwear. Alexie needed treatment from doctors in Germany to recover. And when he returned to Russia, President Putin had him imprisoned for violating probation (on an earlier trumped-up charge) for having left Russia to seek proper medical attention.

“PUTIN CRITIC JAILED IN TREASON CASE FOR 25 YEARS”

Who: Vladimir Kara-Murza, a 41-year-old opposition party politician and father of three.

Where: Moscow.

When: April 17.

Why: For criticizing President Putin and his war on Ukraine.

“FED UP WITH L.A. POTHOLE, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER FILLS IT HIMSELF”

The larger government grows, the less it does. Whether terminating a pothole or defending your home, it is do-ityourself time.

Next thing we’ll hear is that the governator has been arrested for improving public property, perhaps a felony in Los Angeles while assault and battery are lessened to misdemeanors and offenders quickly are released without bail.

“HOW ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.’S HISTORY OF DRUG ADDICTION AND WOMANIZING MAKES HIS RUN FOR PRESIDENT A LONG SHOT”

Translation: Neither Joe Biden nor Gavin Gruesome are happy about this candidacy, and the knives have already come out.

It doesn’t seem to faze Bobby. Officially announcing his candidacy at a rally in Boston, he told a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, “I’ve got so many skeletons in my closet that if they would vote, I could be king of the world.”

Former congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio introduced RFK Jr. as the “Paul Revere of our time.”

Anyone who opposed the COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccines for kids is most definitely (and defiantly) one of the heroes of our time. RFK Jr. doesn’t just question authority, he stands up to it — and even to establishment-adoring members of his own family.

I don’t generally like the idea of political dynasties. But RFK Jr. is a genuine profile in courage, and I hope his father and uncle are looking down with pride.

Just watch as mainstream media try to do a takedown of this outsider trying to end kleptocratic collusion between corporate America and big government.

“DALAI LAMA APOLOGIZES OVER VIDEO ASKING CHILD TO ‘SUCK’ HIS TONGUE SPARKS OUTCRY”

Even Buddhism is not immune from these acts.

Call a spade a spade, no excuses, not even a “cultural” defense.

And speaking of which …

ROBERT ERINGER

“ROMAN POLANSKI’S VICTIM DEFENDS DIRECTOR WHO RAPED HER WHEN SHE WAS 13”

This was not an isolated incident for Roman Polanski. He was doing his serial “thing” right, left and center with underage girls — and finally got caught, tip of the iceberg.

I knew a girl growing up in West Hollywood who got snagged by Mr. Polanski’s web of shenanigans. She is no longer alive, having turned to drugs like so many innocent young girls do after succumbing to the desires of pedos like Roman Polanski.

To hell with him — or at least exile to France, let the French sanction perverse antics.

Your daughters and granddaughters have been safer for the last 45 years without Mr. Polanski lurking around.

“B.O. COULD TRIGGER HOSTILITY TOWARDS REFUGEES”

Body Odor will henceforth be politically acceptable because it is now associated with refugees — and refugees are the Democrats’ most precious darlings, as in future voters expected to tilt elections in their favor.

So suck it up and get ready to hold your nose more often. Or lose your deodorant and join the party. Because it is your complaint and not the stink that will soon be considered offensive.

“FBI WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO USE PUBLIC PHONE CHARGING STATIONS”

News you can use: Always carry your own charger, and use it only in a normal electrical outlet. NEVER use a public charging station, or you run the risk of having all your data stolen and used for ID theft.

“FEDERAL OFFICIALS WARN OF NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SCAM”

You receive a telephone call supposedly from a loved one pleading for money to get out of some kind of situation (a kidnap scenario, jail). It is actually a voice-cloning program created by artificial intelligence.

Sign of a scam: The cloned voice requests a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards or credit card numbers with PINs.

Don’t fall for it. Track your loved one down. Chances are, everything is just fine.

And this: California’s Department of Financial Protection & Innovation is

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

situation.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

— Annika Bahnsen

Car collides with tree

SANTA BARBARA — Late on Thursday, a vehicle collided with a tree and caught on fire on Cathedral Oaks Boulevard in the

Vehicles known to be particularly prone to theft

VEHICLES

Continued from Page A1

Additionally, since the end of 2022, 38% of the stolen cars in Berkeley have been Kias and Hyundais.

In the letter, the attorneys general tell the NHTSA that it needs to issue a recall for these reasons, according to the release:

• The vehicles violate federal requirements that vehicles have a starting system that prevents the activation of the engine or motor and steering system when the key is removed;

• The Hyundai and Kia vehicles’ vulnerability to hotwiring and theft has created an unreasonable

and well-documented risk to safety on U.S. roads;

• Surging thefts of unsafe Hyundai and Kia vehicles have consumed law enforcement and emergency responder resources; and

• The companies’ response through a phased and voluntary service campaign is insufficient to protect drivers and the general public.

Other attorneys general that signed onto the letter with Bonta are from: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

cracking down on investor fraud.

It has named the following companies that are suspect and have been warned by the state to cease and desist:

• Maxpread Technologies and Jan Gregory Cerato.

• Harvest Keeper.

• Visque Capital.

• Coinbot.

• QuantFund.

These companies purport to use A.I. as one of their lures to potential investors. States DFPI: “These schemes may seem as if they are operating as promised — for a certain amount of time. For weeks, months or even years, investors see their account balances steadily increase. In the early stages, they will process investors’ withdrawal requests to gain investors’ trust and encourage them to recruit others.

“However, a time will come when the scheme stops processing withdrawals and then the website goes dark, leaving investors without a way to access their funds. By then it’s too late, and the scammers have disappeared with investors’ money.”

If you’ve invested with any of these companies, get your money out now.

If anyone suggests you invest in any one of them, run.

“WHY DO I KEEP WAKING UP AT 3 A.M.?” Maybe because you invested with one of the companies named above?

Actually, the 3 a.m. syndrome is when you awaken at precisely 3 a.m. and cannot get back to sleep. It is a global human phenomenon among all races and faiths.

Three a.m. is known as “The Devil’s Hour,” so called for two reasons, one religious, the other physiological.

Religious: Jesus of Nazareth was crucified at 3 p.m. so the devil must naturally reside at the opposite time. Add this: Pope John Paul II decreed that 3-5:30 a.m. is a “demonic period.”

Secular: The human body is weakest between 3 and 5 in the morning when its immune system is at its most vulnerable. Most people with terminal illnesses or car crash injuries die during that period.

In addition, mental health practitioners consider awakening at 3 a.m. a potential prelude to clinical depression.

“It is always darkest,” said the Rev. Thomas Fuller in 1650, “just before the day dawneth.”

But the simplest answer to this vexing question is that the human liver begins to regenerate at 3 a.m. If your liver does not have enough sugar, you wake up.

The simplest solution for not waking up is to drink a small amount of fruit juice before bed. Even better, choose cherry juice because cherries contain melatonin, a natural sleep aid.

Robert Eringer is a longtime Montecito author with vast experience in investigative journalism. He welcomes questions or comments at reringer@gmail. com.

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Kellogg area. This was a single vehicle accident that caused a fatality. Additionally, one person who was in the car was able to free themself and one other person involved had to be rescued by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The patients were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for further assessment of injuries. The road was temporarily closed in both directions. The cause of the collision is currently under investigation.

— Annika Bahnsen

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Kaine introduces bill to ban stock trading in Congress

By SARAH RODERICK-FITCH THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and 22 of his colleagues have introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate to ban members of Congress from stock trading.

The legislation, Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks Act, or ETHICS Act for short, would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from owning or trading securities, commodities or futures.

Supporters of the bill argue members of Congress are at an advantage when it comes to forecasting the market.

“Lawmakers often have advance notice of investigations, hearings, and legislation that can impact stock prices, or can move markets by supporting or enacting policy changes that affect companies or industries,” according to a news release from Sen. Kaine’s office.

Proponents of the bill applaud the legislation as the “strongest congressional stock trading ban bill that has been introduced to date,” said Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette of Project on Government Oversight. “The bill also covers spouses and dependent children, which was a glaring loophole in previous proposals.

Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan watchdog group, claims prior to the pandemic, several members of Congress “made over a thousand financial transactions after receiving closed-door briefings.”

A bipartisan companion piece of legislation has been introduced to the House of Representatives led by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi D-IL and Michael Cloud R-TX. If the legislation becomes law, members would be given several options on what to do with covered assets they own. The legislation would allow members to divest or diversifying into “allowable assets – such as mutual funds – or placing assets into a Qualified Blind Trust.”

POGO told The Center Square in order for the assets to be “truly blind,” there would be a divestiture requirement to “ensure it is truly blind.” The group added, “trustees must sell original covered assets on behalf of the member within 120 days of the establishing of a QBT, or within 120 days of their new term following reelection for members with existing QBTs.”

The legislation includes penalties for members who continue to hold or trade assets in addition to breaking QBT communications rules. Members who continue holding or trading covered assets would be penalized at least the same amount of the members’ monthly pay or 10% of the value of each asset violation.

There would also be a penalty for members who break the QBT communications rules, which would be up to $10,000 per communication or 1% of the QBT value when the violation was committed, or whichever amount is higher.

Supporters of the bill, including Sen. Kaine, say the bill aligns with what voters want. “Even in a divided climate, polling

consistently shows that 70% of voters support banning members of Congress from holding individual stocks,” according to a release from Kaine’s office.

“Americans deserve to know that their representative in Congress’ top priority is the wellbeing of their constituents—not their own personal bottom lines,” said Sen. Kaine. “I support this effort to put commonsense limits in place to help make sure that’s the case.”

POGO predicts success for the legislation, citing bipartisan support in the House and the support of Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer D-NY in the Senate. “It has the backing of the person (Schumer) who ultimately controls what bills come to the Senate floor for a vote.” The group expressed “cautious optimism for the chance that the bill will at least pass the Senate.”

The Center Square reached out to the White House for comment on whether President Joe Biden plans to support the legislation if it lands on his desk but received no comment.

The CLC is urging President Biden to keep his campaign promise. “He promised the American people that he would advocate for them by pushing Congress to free itself from the inherent conflict of interest stock trading presents, said Danielle Caputo, legal counsel for CLC. “Voters have a right to know that public officials are working in their best interests. It is time for President Biden to keep his promise to ensure that members are not influenced by their own financial holdings.”

Woodpecker at the zoo

An acorn woodpecker takes a pause inbetween recent feeding sessions at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

National Governor’s Association campaign focuses on child mental health crisis

By CHRISTIAN WADE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy teamed up with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week to highlight the issue of youth mental health as part of a National Governors Association initiative.

Gov. Murphy and Gov. Whitmer are hosting a series of roundtable discussions with mental health experts and youth who have struggled with behavioral health issues to highlight what they say has become a “national crisis” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The youth mental health crisis and the relentless toll it takes on families, educators, providers, and communities can be felt in cities and states across the country,” Gov. Murphy said in a statement.

During a roundtable on Wednesday, Gov. Murphy led a discussion on the barriers to care for mental health treatment and what states can do to improve services and programs.

“Systemic challenges have depleted the national mental health workforce, which has led to barriers to access due to expense and distance, preventing children from receiving the care they need,” the governor said.

Gov. Murphy unveiled a new video, featuring American stock car racing driver William Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr., to help raise awareness about mental health and seeking help.

The NGA’s Strengthening Youth Mental Health initiative, which Gov. Murphy unveiled last July, involves “fact-finding” visits to multiple states over

the past year to meet with other governors and discuss how they can respond collectively to the behavioral health crisis.

In October, Gov. Murphy traveled to Utah, where he participated in a series of roundtable discussions with Gov. Spencer Cox, mental health experts, and other state leaders. In January, he held events in California with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

On Thursday, Gov. Murphy and Gov. Whitmer were expected to lead discussions on improving youth access to mental health care and helping families with treatment costs.

Recent studies have shown that children were spared the worst health effects of COVID-19, but their mental health was a different story.

According to medical experts, lockdowns, school closings, and restrictions on social gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus, coupled with a lack of access to in-person services, exacerbated a mental health treatment gap for children. Low-income and minority children were disproportionately affected.

In 2021, a coalition of health groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry issued a dire warning that the youth mental health crisis has become a “national emergency” requiring immediate action.

“We know we have more work to do in Michigan and across the nation, and we recognize this crisis will take an all-hands approach,” Gov. Whitmer said.

“This roundtable serves as an opportunity for all of us to learn more and to consider ways we can build on the good work taking place.”

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Plaque dedication at Reagan Ranch

Scott Walker, the former governor of Wisconsin and current president of Young America’s Foundation, speaks Friday at a plaque dedication at the Reagan Ranch honoring Ed Meese. Mr. Meese served as attorney general during the Reagan administration.

Gov. Walker also appeared Friday night at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for a foundation gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of Nancy Reagan’s sale of the ranch, which is near Santa Barbara, to Young America’s Foundation. For more about the gala, see Monday’s News-Press.

Testimony: State Department, CIA worked together to suppress Hunter Biden laptop story to help Biden win election

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The investigation into Hunter Biden took a turn this week after a career intelligence official reportedly testified that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and the Biden campaign were behind a letter from 51 U.S. intelligence officials discrediting the Hunter Biden laptop prior to the 2020 election. House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, released a letter saying that former acting CIA director Michael J. Morell testified that he organized the letter at the behest of Mr. Blinken. The claims of that letter were later debunked, but at the time they were used to silence the story until after the election. Recent reports have also shown that federal law enforcement pressured social media companies to censor the story, which they did after being told it was Russian

KALLAS, Agnes (Pappas)

With great sadness we share the passing of Agnes Kallas, who passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on April 10, 2023, at the age of 87. Born In Havana, Cuba on September 15, 1935, she came to the United States at the age of eight and lived the rest of her life in Santa Barbara.

Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, knitting, and crafting, but most of all she loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of almost 20 years, Anthony Kallas, her three children from her first marriage to John Pappas, Louis Pappas (Rachel), George Pappas (Kim) and Jan Newton (Michael). She was blessed with seven grandchildren, Andrea Pappas, Matthew Pappas (Elissa), Lisa Huebner (Ryan), Jessika Pappas, Jonathan Newton, Daniel Newton, Christopher Newton, and her three greatgrandchildren, Hazel, Quinten, and August Huebner. She will be dearly missed and her faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross gives us assurance of salvation and comfort of knowing we will see her again one day.

FLYNN, Jayne

Date of Birth: July 3, 1941

Date of Death: January 29, 2023

In the early hours of January 29, 2023, Jayne Flynn left her earthly world to join her twin sister Terri Flynn and her parents, Jane Pirrung Flynn and Edward C. Flynn.

Jayne was born in Pasadena, California in 1941. She attended schools in California, Missouri, and graduated from the Knox School in New York in 1959. Jayne found her calling in nursing. She graduated from nursing school in Florida in 1961, as an LVN.

Jayne married Edward F. Brown. They had a son, Peter C. H. Brown in 1967. Peter lives in Connecticut with his wife and their two daughters. Jayne married Luke Howe and they lived in Santa Barbara, California, then moved to Houston, Texas with their two poodles.

Jayne then moved to Brazos Towers in Houston. She had a great social life and her friendship with Betty Jean Ayers was filled with great adventures. Betty Jean’s daughter, Ann Martin, whose care and diligence was a great comfort to Jayne during her time in hospice.

Luke Howe, her former husband, was a constant source of spiritual strength to Jayne as he visited her daily in hospice. Wardlee and Dick Meyer who moved from Montecito to Tuscon, Arizona, found a poodle to adopt with Jayne’s help; a truly bonded friendship!

Our family is profoundly grateful to cousin Mark Pirrung who assisted with all the final arrangements and to Mary Anne Ebeling her executor. Our gratitude to you for all the patience and expertise with this funeral.

Jayne leaves behind her son Peter and his wife Genevieve, their two daughters Amenaide and Catherine, in Connecticut and New York; her sister Margaret Gilcrest in Carpinteria and her sons, Christopher Gilcrest and Robert Gilcrest.

Ciao sister Jayne!

A Remembrance Mass will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the Santa Barbara Mission at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Guide Dogs for the Blind.

HARTMAN, Christopher Cook Leith

April 25, 1961 - April 9, 2023

On the evening of April 9, 2023, Christopher “Chris” Cook Leith Hartman passed away at his Santa Ynez home after a ten month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 61 years old.

Born in Bar Harbor, Maine, in 1961, to John Burroughs Leith Hartman and Annie Verser Hartman, Chris was the third of their five children. He spent his childhood sailing at the Pleon Yacht Club in Marblehead Neck, Massachusetts, playing hockey in Houlton, Maine, and attending Stony Brook Preparatory School on Long Island in New York.

Drawn to the West Coast by the warm weather, the beaches, and the palm trees, Chris spent most of his adult life in Santa Barbara. In 1984, he graduated from Westmont College with a degree in business and economics. In 1990, Chris joined the retail brokerage firm Smith Barney, where he served as vice president for 20 years. In 2010, he joined TKG as a private wealth manager. Throughout his career, Chris cared deeply about the well-being of his clients and worked hard at assisting them in reaching their financial goals. He retired in 2023.

In 1995, Chris met the love of his life, Karen Thompson. They were married in October of 1996, and had two sons, Christopher and Matthew. Chris thrived on bringing people together, organizing social events and spending time with family and friends. His children were his pride and joy, and he was extremely active in supporting their growth and development. Chris regularly took time to relax with his family and savor the natural beauty near his cabin on Lake Almanor in northern California. He loved the great outdoors, spending time skiing, sailing, hiking mountain trails, and biking. Chris also enthusiastically collected and renovated classic American muscle cars and British sports cars.

Throughout his life, Chris was an active member of the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez communities. He served on the board of the Carpinteria Boys and Girls Club and as president of the Santa Barbara Young Republicans. Chris sat on the Board of Directors of Old Spanish Days in 2009, through 2012, and served as co-marshal of the Fiesta Historical Parade for several years.

Chris became a member of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse in 2012, serving as Vice President for five years before being elected President in 2021. He enjoyed years of fellowship and the opportunity to support his community as a member of Vikings of Solvang. Chris also collaborated with local political candidates and was elected in 2018, as the first vice chair of the Santa Barbara County Republican Party and held that position till his passing.

The Christian faith was an important part of Chris’ life. He was an active member of El Montecito Presbyterian Church and The Ranch Church in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Chris is survived by his wife of 26 years, Karen, and two sons, Christopher of Burlingame, and Matthew of Santa Ynez; his sister Tiffin H. Fox and her husband W. Trent Fox of Waldmohr, Germany; his brother John B. L. Hartman and his wife Margrete R. Hartman of Alsvag, Norway; and his sister, Kate H. Klein and her husband Matthias A. Klein of Schmatzhausen Hohenhann, Germany. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Patricia Thompson Perry of Santa Barbara, sister-in-law Susan Anderson and her husband Rod Anderson of Santa Barbara, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at The Ranch Church in the Santa Ynez Valley. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Chris to the Vikings Charities of Solvang.

disinformation, a claim that has also now been debunked. Rep. Jordan and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Turner, ROhio, have sent a letter to Mr. Blinken demanding documents, communications and more related to the coordination after the New York Post broke the story just weeks before the election.

“Within five days of the article, on October 19, 2020, 51 former intelligence officials released a public statement attempting to discredit the contents of the New York Post’s reporting about Hunter Biden, stating that the story ‘has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation,’” the letter said. “News publications immediately ran with the statement, with Politico publishing a story with the headline, ‘Hunter Biden story is Russian disinfo, dozens of former officials say.’ Social media companies simultaneously restricted access to the Post

TORNQUIST, Peter Allen

It was with great sadness that I tell you that Peter Allen Tornquist passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at age 83. He was a man of honesty and kindness and the bonds he shared with all that loved him can never be replaced. Born in Caribou Maine in 1939 to Harold Theodore Tornquist and Vella Faye Merritt. He is survived by his children (Mike, Michelle, and Heidi), his stepchildren (Chris and Rick), his nephew Kurt and sister-in-law Cynthia, his grandchildren Nicole and Candice and his great-grandchild Tennyson. A memorial will be held at El Montecito Presbyterian Church at 2pm on May 13th, 2023 in Montecito California (near Santa Barbara). We love you Pete!

SKALING, Whitney

May 8, 1944 - December 31, 2022

Whitney Skaling, known to everyone as “Whit”, was a native of California born to Percy and Helen Skaling in 1944, and grew up in Santa Barbara. He attended San Marcos High School, graduating in 1962, and then served in the US Navy during Vietnam. After serving in the navy, he married Janice Naslund and attended Santa Barbara City College to study Geology. Two years later, he and Jan left the Golden State to continue his education in geology at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico graduating in 1970.

They returned to Santa Barbara to join the family business, Soilmoisture Equipment Corporation, in Goleta, CA, a manufacturer of agronomy equipment sold around the globe. Whit went on to become the president of Soilmoisture. He was active across the industry and the local business community. He was known as an innovator, integrating state of the art technology into agricultural equipment.

Whit contributed to the County through community service organizations and interests in lapidary, geology, engineering and art. He was an active member of the Jaycee’s in the 1970s and as a volunteer helped the Santa Barbara Zoo and organized the 1976 Bicentennial 4th of July fireworks display. He was actively involved in the Santa Barbara Mineral and Gem Society in the 1980s helping to organize the annual Mineral and Gem Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds. He served as chairman of the Santa Barbara Industrial Association in the late 1990s. During the past few years, he also supported the Buellton Senior Center and Thrift Store.

Whit and Jan loved to travel and visited locations across the US and around the globe for both work and pleasure. Whit loved nature, music and art. He would combine the three by sketching outdoors, while listening to music! He was known by family and friends for being an excellent host and chef. He was at his best hosting large outdoor events at local parks, manning the BBQ, mixing the drinks and sharing jokes and laughing with friends and colleagues.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; his brother, Bryce; his two children, Noel Skaling and Cristal Skaling-Klopstock; and his two granddaughters, Olivia and Hildegard. He will be missed!

There were no services but a celebration of his life is planned for later in 2023.

GRIFFIN, Gloria

Gloria Nickerson Griffin was a woman who will be remembered for her tremendous generosity, giving of herself throughout her life to her family and faith. She was bold, kind, compassionate, and caring. She was a fierce advocate for everything she believed in and all those she loved.

Gloria was born in Buffalo, New York on December 16, 1932, to Lester James Nickerson and Jacqueline Hill Nickerson. Raised in the cold and snow, she arrived in California at the age of 7 and considered it to be the promised land of beautiful weather and boundless opportunities. For her, these culminated in a marriage of 70 years, 8 children, 22 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and a life of service with much deserved recognition.

Gloria had a strong sense of belonging to the Catholic Church from an early age and practiced the Faith all her life. She entered into the sacrament of marriage with the love of her life, Paul Griffin Jr., at 18. Together they welcomed 8 children and raised them with faith as the center of their family life.

Her career spanned a number of disciplines, from her days as an elementary school teacher to interior designer to senior vice president and member of the board of directors of the family real estate firm, Griffin Homes.

From the time she was a busy young mother to her retirement years, she was a powerhouse of Christian charity. She was involved in organizations large and small, from the parish level to youth groups to serving on boards and councils at the archdiocese. Her service was honored with several prestigious awards, including the UCLA Service Award (1984), the Cardinal’s Award (1995), and her investment in the Order of Malta (1992) and the Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory (1997). She was deeply involved in pro-life work for more than forty years, serving as President of the Right of Life League of Southern California (1993-1994).

A proud alumna of UCLA, Gloria volunteered for many years in many capacities. She served on the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors, Hospital Board of Advisors, Board of Advisors for the College of Letters and Science, Dean’s Council for the College of Humanities, and the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. She was an avid football and basketball fan all her life. In her final days, she watched the Bruins compete in the March Madness tournament and issued spirited complaints about the refereeing from her hospital bed.

When people asked for help, either on an organizational or personal level, Gloria never refused. If she was needed, she found the time and made the effort to help. Her combination of energy and competence made her enormously effective at everything she did.

In their retirement, Gloria and Paul moved from Northridge to Carpinteria, where they attended daily mass and enjoyed entertaining family members and friends in their home. Wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations and family reunions were held there.

One of her goals later in her life was to reach the date of her 70th wedding anniversary. She was able to celebrate that with Paul and the family on December 16, 2020, which she considered a great blessing from God.

Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will miss her and strive to follow her example of faith, service, and family life.

story, including Twitter locking the Post’s feed and then-White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany’s accounts for sharing a link to the article.”

The letter had no small impact on the election. In fact, President Joe Biden referenced the letter during a presidential debate to assuage fears that he could be compromised by foreign sources.

“Look, there are 50 former national intelligence folks who said that what this, [President Trump’s] accusing me of is a Russian plan,” President Biden said at the time. “They have said this this has all the characteristics – four – five former heads of the CIA, both parties, say what he’s saying is a bunch of garbage. Nobody believes it except him and his good friend Rudy Giuliani.”

The House Judiciary Committee laid out their concerns in a statement:

Morell testified that his communication with Blinken was one of a few communications he had with the Biden campaign, explaining that he also received a call from Steve Ricchetti, Chairman of the Biden campaign, following the October 22 debate to thank him for writing the statement. Morell also explained that the Biden campaign helped to strategize about the public release of the statement. Morell further explained that one of his two goals in releasing the statement was to help then-Vice President Biden in the debate and to assist him in winning the election. Based on Morell’s testimony, it is

apparent that the Biden campaign played an active role in the origins of the public statement, which had the effect of helping to suppress the Hunter Biden story and preventing American citizens from making a fully informed decision during the 2020 presidential election.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Hunter Biden has ramped up. House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said he is now investigating nine Biden family members after the committee received more financial documents from the Treasury Department.

Rep. Comer says that large sums were transferred from at least one Chinese company that ended up in bank accounts controlled by the Biden nexus.

“Thousands of pages of financial records related to the Biden family, their companies, and associates’ business schemes were made available to members of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, which confirm the importance of this investigation,” Rep. Comer said.

“The Biden family enterprise is centered on Joe Biden’s political career and connections, and it has generated an exorbitant amount of money for the Biden family,” he continued. “We’ve identified six additional members of Joe Biden’s family who may have benefited from the Biden family’s businesses that we are investigating, bringing the total number of those involved or benefiting to nine.”

ally by 10 people in an urban environment.

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER / NEWS-PRESS

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery expands

Popular ice cream business is adding locations in Ventura, Arroyo Grande and Los Angeles

By CALEB BEEGHLY NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery, known for its delectable homemade ice cream, is gearing up for a major expansion with three new locations set to open in the coming months.

With five already existing stores from Santa Barbara to Santa Monica, Rori’s is bringing its fine artisan desserts to Ventura, Arroyo Grande and Los Angeles.

The first of the new locations to open will be in Ventura, located on Main and Palm streets. And if everything goes smoothly, the new location is set to open over the first week of May.

The second new location will open in Arroyo Grande, taking Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab’s place after its recent closing. It’ll be located on Arroyo Grande on Branch Street, and Rori’s is excited to join an area of rich history.

The previous ice cream shop had an old-fashioned ice cream shop vibe, complete with train tracks and antique trains that come out of the building. Rori’s plans to honor the history of this location — the train tracks will stay — while incorporating its own style. The Arroyo Grande location is expected to open in the middle of May.

The third and final new location will be in Los Angeles, specifically in the Glen Centre and Mulholland area, located up

FYI

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery operates locations in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Camarillo and Santa Monica and is adding sites in Ventura, Arroyo Grande and Los Angeles. For more information, rorisartisanalcreamery.com.

the hill from UCLA and Encino’s. As of now, the new shop is slated to open in mid-June, bringing Rori’s popular ice cream creations to the heart of the city.

To celebrate the grand openings, Rori’s Artisanal Creamery is planning special events at each location. The first day of each store’s opening will feature a free ice cream event and be on the lookout for coupons.

Customers can also bring in coupons for special promotions, such as buy one, get one free deals.

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery is also excited to announce its kids’ menu, which is set to start this

Saturday. Rori Trovato — owner, founder, and chef of Rori’s — said his idea was inspired by her scoopers who have had to watch parents tirelessly read their kids the ice cream flavors.

The plan is to have options that the kids will immediately be drawn to, such as the new sprinkles-inspired flavor. Ms. Trovato said this will make the ordering process easier for families.

The kids’ menu will also have a kids version of vanilla with chocolate chips, Chocolate Monster and Strawberry Delight. Luckily, these flavors are not limited to kids and can be eaten by people of all ages.

Rori’s also has its daily happy hour from 3 to 4 p.m. where if you buy one scoop, your child gets one for free.

Ms. Trovato told the News-Press she is excited to see what role the new locations take in these new communities. She explained that each location is different because each community is different. Whether it’s different ice

Beauty products store owners to retire

SANTA BARBARA — The sisters who operate Skin Deep, a beauty salon and beauty products store in Santa Barbara, are retiring after 42 years.

The small business has provided beauty products, gifts and salon services to their customers beginning in 1980.

Skin Deep has carried professional haircare and skin products, pure mineral cosmetics and bath treats. The owners have announced

cream flavors or whether one store attracts more families than another, Ms. Trovato knows it is important to understand what the community wants.

“We have such a great, loyal customer base,” Ms. Trovato told the News-Press. “We are so grateful for them. They’ve made a lot of decisions for us; we take their advice. They stuck with us for 10 years, and we hope we can continue that.”

To keep her loyal customers

happy, Ms. Trovato focuses on service and quality.

To maintain the high standards of service at the new locations, workers will begin training next week at the existing Rori’s locations, and veteran scoopers will be on hand at the new locations (at least at the start) to help the new scoopers find their comfort zones.

When it comes to quality, Ms. Trovato’s grandma’s homemade ice cream set the bar for her

growing up.

Ms. Trovato said that when she decided to produce her own product and decided on ice cream, she wanted to “share what ice cream should taste like.”

So Rori’s ice cream is made from scratch, using the best local ingredients, in small batches, Ms. Trovato said.

Rori’s current five locations consist of outlets in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Camarillo and Santa Monica. The

new locations in Ventura, Arroyo Grande and Los Angeles will bring the number to eight.

After being in business for 10-plus years, Ms. Trovato still loves sharing with people what ice cream should taste like, claiming that as the reason for the expansion. Now she gets to share her love of ice cream with even more people in new communities.

email: cbeeghly@newspress.com

owners, Jack and Rose Herschorn, have stepped down from their positions and have chosen Amy Cooper to keep the community of gardens and gifts open to all. Ms. Cooper is the founder of the bookstore Plum Goods.

“I have high hopes that Amy will continue to shine the light and legacy at The Sacred Space,” Ms.

their planned retirement for some time before June.

“We look back with gratitude for the many years we have served our loyal customers and worked with our dedicated family of talented employees. But the time has come for my sisters and I to enjoy a little more free time during this chapter of our lives,” owner Tina Hasche said.

Over the decades, this local business has evolved into a onestop-shop for many Santa Barbara patrons, allowing them to shop a wide range, from eclectic gifts to beauty products.

— Kira Logan

Cooper, said,

am grateful for the opportunity to honor the legacy of Jack and Rose by continuing to nurture this truly sacred space.”

The Sacred Space is now open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, with the exception of Wednesdays. The gift store and garden are located at 2594 Lillie Ave.

— Kira Logan

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Rori Travato sits in front of her Rori’s Artisanal Creamery Friday at the Santa Barbara Public Market. Ms. Travato expressed excitement that the next three locations opening soon in Arroyo Grande, Ventura and Los Angeles, just in time for summer.

Visitors enjoy their ice cream at the Rori’s location in Santa Barbara.

Rori’s treats include this scoop of strawberry cheesecake ice cream topped with cobbler crumble.

Dons’ baseball game is a home run for Vs. Cancer, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Santa Barbara High School baseball players recently held a fundraising game to raise money for Vs. Cancer and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, two nonprofits helping kids diagnosed with cancer and their families. Head Coach Steve Schuck initiated this collaboration for multiple reasons, but most importantly, he wanted to have his players be influential in the community off the field.

“I am teaching my players to be givers. We live in a transactional world but we want to be transformational,” Coach Schuck told the News-Press. The Vs. Cancer foundation is one of the two foundations the team is helping. This specific foundation focuses on kids with pediatric brain tumors who love baseball. The money raised sponsors a kid and their family to play the sport of baseball. Additionally, money that is raised will go toward brain tumor research and help hospitals with resources they may need. They pride themselves on being

a foundation “by athletes, for athletes” because the founder, Chase Jones, experienced childhood cancer. He was an athlete playing for the University of North Carolina baseball team, and when he was a freshman, he was diagnosed with a stage four brain tumor.

Additionally, some of the money that the Dons athletes have raised will also go toward the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, a Santa Barbarabased nonprofit serving Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. This foundation focuses on the effects of cancer on not only the child but the family as well by providing resources and basic needs in whatever form.

This is also a personal mission for Coach Schuck. He shared that his mother passed away due to cancer a few years ago, which makes this even more special for him.

After explaining all of this to his team, Coach Schuck said that “All of the players jumped in 100%.”

According to Coach Schuck, “the boys raised the money themselves” by “posting it on their social media and sharing it with

FYI

If you would like to learn more about what the Santa Barbara High School baseball team is doing and to give your support, visit www.sbdonsbaseball.com. And to learn more about the foundations that the team is helping, go to teddybearcancerfoundation.org and www.vs-cancer.org.

friends and family.”

The Dons held a game on April 14 that was specifically intended to fundraise for the causes.

At the game was Elijah Vargas, a 11-year-old boy who was adopted by the Santa Barbara baseball team through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. Elijah has been with the program for four years and currently is experiencing a brain tumor.

Before the game, there was a moment of silence to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer. “All of the players held up placards with people in their lives who have died because of cancer. Cancer touches everyone,” Coach Schuck said.

In addition to playing an amazing game — beating Buena Park 4-3 — the Dons were able to raise money for the cause. In total, the boys have raised $4,300 and hope to do more.

“I am very proud of my boys. They never complain and always want to do more,” remarked Coach Schuck.

Other than these foundations, the Dons baseball team also helps out with other local causes. Recently, they participated in the Breast Cancer Awareness walk and currently, their biggest project is redoing Eddie Matthews baseball field in order to create a better space for young baseball players.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

UCSB men’s volleyball tops UC San Diego

By KRISTEN KELLER UCSB SPORTS

The fourth-seeded UCSB men’s volleyball team (8-16, 3-7 Big West) competed in the quarterfinal round of The Big West Championships against the fifth-seeded UC San Diego Tritons with the winners looking to earn a spot in the semifinals. It took five sets to decide who would move on to the next round, but it was UCSB who came out victorious (25-18, 25-23, 25-21, 25-20, 15-12).

HOW IT HAPPENED

From the start of the first set, the Gauchos had control. UCSB went 4-1 before UC San Diego fought back. The bad guys tied the score up at 11’s, with the two teams exchanging points five times. That was until the Gauchos pushed ahead thanks to a six-point service run from Nick Amoruso. With that, UCSB closed out the first set 25-18. UC San Diego was not going to let the Gauchos get too comfortable. These two teams went point-forpoint, tying up the set 14 times along the way. It took the remainder of the second to decide the victor, but it was the Tritons who prevailed. The Gauchos dropped the second set 25-23 as the match was tied up at 1-1. The third set went similarly to the first, except this time, the Gauchos were even more dominant. UCSB only let the Tritons get close once before they ran away with the set, finishing this out at 25-21 to go up 2-1 in the match.

Just like the second set, the Tritons wanted vengeance. They came out swinging, going point-for-point with the Gauchos. However, multiple Tritons went on service runs in the back half of the fourth to go up on UCSB. This resulted in UC San Diego tying up the match with a 25-20 win. Ryan Wilcox and his teammates did not want their season to end just yet. The Gauchos took the lead from the very first point without giving the Tritons any room to come back. UCSB took the fifth and final set in commanding fashion, hitting .652 on the way to a 15-12 win.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Amoruso recorded the most kills for the Gauchos as he put up 20 while hitting .415, only making three errors. Along with that, he contributed an ace and two blocks.

• Wilcox ended the quarterfinals with 17 kills, hitting .406 on the night with only four errors on 32 swings. He also had the most digs on the team with nine while also putting up three blocks and an ace.

• Ben Coordt had a great night at the pin, securing 16 kills while putting up a .361 hitting percentage. He also added an ace and two blocks.

• Jack Walmer led the offensive efforts again this evening, tallying 50 assists. He also controlled the team’s defense with a career-high six blocks and six digs.

UP NEXT

The Gauchos will be back on the court tomorrow, April 21, as they take on the first-seeded Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors in the semifinal round at 5 p.m. in the Bren Events Center in Irvine. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available through bigwest.org.

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

COURTESY SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL DONS

The Santa Barbara High School baseball team held a fundraising game on April 14 in support of Vs. Cancer and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.

It took five sets to decide who would move on to the next round, but it was UCSB who came out victorious.

Laguna Blanca boys volleyball wins

The Laguna Blanca Owls boys’ volleyball team defeated Bishop Diego in its final regular season game on Thursday.

The final score of the game was 3-1, with the match scores being 21-25, 25-18, 25-20 and 25-21.

“It was a battle with the fun, cross-town, and high energy environment you would expect,” said Owls assistant coach Kat Niksto.

Tyson Deveze led the Owls in offense with 17 kills and three aces. Kincade Avery, not the usual setter for the Owls, stepped into the role and did an impressive job, totaling 33 assists. Libero Caden Weaver kept the pace of the game, recording 13 digs on the night.

The CIF playoff draw comes out on April 22.

San Marcos boys golf defeats Brea Olinda

The San Marcos Royals had a successful match against Brea Olinda, defeating the Wildcats 368-437.

The match was played at La Cumbre Country Club, which had a par of 71. Leo Metzger came away with a medal finish for his team, with a final score of 70. Jeffrey Forster and Shams JahangirArshad finished even, and Holdt Gore finished with a 75.

Head coach Jeff Ashton remarked, “We played really solid as a team for the second straight match, and we are hopeful that we hit our stride going into the end of the season.”

San Marcos will play Dos Pueblos on Tuesday at the Sandpiper Course.

Bishop Diego loses in softball against Foothill Tech

The Cardinals softball team played Foothill Tech Thursday in an away match. Bishop Diego lost, with a final score of 8-18.

First base’s Johansen had the most runs and hits for the Cardinals, totaling three in both categories. Pitcher Ferries played for a little over two innings, with two strikeouts recorded.

The Cardinals had a total of 10 hits during the game in comparison to Foothill Tech’s 15.

Bishop Diego will play Village Christian Academy on Monday.

Dos Pueblos beats

Thacher in girls’ lacrosse

The Chargers merely escaped Thacher in girls’ lacrosse, with a final score of 18-17.

Dos Pueblos’ Avery Ball had 10 goals in the game, tying the Santa Barbara County record of most goals in a single game. Reagan Arnold scored five goals, Alice Sperling scored two, and Lauren Elliot had one goal as well as five assists. Elliot also broke a school record with 16 draw controls.

Dos Pueblos will play Santa Barbara on Monday.

Carpinteria boys tennis falls to Malibu

With a final score of 16-2, the Warriors lost to Malibu on April 20. Carpinteria is now 8-7 overall and 6-4 in the league.

The couple of Warriors’ points came from the doubles team, Servando Campuzano and Connor Gralewski. This was the first time they played with each other, and they went 2-1 against their Malibu opponents.

“It is a good eye opener for us. We will have to be sharper and will have to be our best from here on out,” said Carpinteria head coach Charles Bryant.

The Warriors will play in their league tournament on Sunday and Monday at Channel Islands High School in Oxnard.

Royals girls’ swim defeats Santa Barbara

The San Marcos girl’s swim team had a meet against cross-town rival, Santa Barbara.

The Royals came out on top, with a final score of 74-65.

There were several first place finishers for the Royals. In the 200 medley relay, Lucy Haaland-Ford, Madison Haaland-Ford, Makenna Stretz, and Sophia Panossian won. Stretz also finished first in the 200 individual medley, and was a part of the winning 200 freestyle relay.

San Marcos will compete at the Channel League prelims on Monday.

Bishop Diego boy’s tennis loses in season finale

The Cardinals lost their tennis match against Dunn with the final score being 4-14.

Two of Bishop Diego’s seniors and captains, Max Schwarz and Brennan Kaufman, left it all on the court, defeating their opponents 6-2 in the final game of their high school career. Joe Simolon and Alfredo Contreras had success in their sets. They won 7-6 (5), and 6-3.

“The Cardinals came a long way this year and even though we didn’t win, we still accomplished our main goals: the win the game is great, to play the game is greater, to love the game is the greatest,” said head coach Pete Kirkwood.

Dos Pueblos beats

Thacher in boys’ lacrosse

The Chargers boys lacrosse team defeated Thacher Thursday 12-10. This improves the Chargers’ overall record to 9-3 and league record to 5-2.

Sophomores Gus Miller and Roman Christou both had four goals and one assist during the game. Christou had the final goals of the game, sealing the win for the Chargers.

Dos Pueblos will wrap up its regular season on Sunday against Santa Barbara.

San Marcos girls’ dive team competes in finals

The Royals showed success at the Channel League final competition on Thursday.

San Marcos’ Kate Edgar finished first in the one meter dive competition, with a score of 328.5. Right behind Edgar, Bridget Cunnison scored a 322.3 to finish in second place.

“Both divers have shown tremendous improvement and have dedicated many afternoons to their new found sport,” said the girls’ aquatics coach, Brian Roth.

Dos Pueblos competes against Rio Mesa

Both of the Chargers girls and boys’ swim and dive teams had a successful meet Thursday against Rio Mesa.

The Dos Pueblos girls had a final score of 67-14, and the boys’ final score was 90-77.

Some major contributors to the Chargers on the boys’ side were Leon Guo, Aricin Marshall, Eli Carnaghe, Bennet Sullivan and Tarkan Ezal, who all added points during the match.

On the girls’ side, Natalie Murray came in first in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

Ruby Gomez-Witcher also had success at the meet, winning the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle. Brooke Findlay took second in the 200 and first in the 50 freestyle. Sofia Huebner came in first in theo 100 breaststroke and took third place in the 50 freestyle.

The Chargers will compete at the Channel League prelims on Monday.

— Compiled by Annike Bahnsen

Four states advance bills prohibiting union dues deductions

By JANIE VALENTINE BALLOTPEDIA VIA THE CENTER SQUARE

Four states have advanced Republican-sponsored bills prohibiting union dues deductions for certain public-sector employees.

Here’s what those bills say and where they stand.

A R k ANSAS

Arkansas lawmakers delivered Senate Bill 473 to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) on April 7 after the House passed the bill on April 6.

SB 473 states: “A school district board of directors or representatives of a school district board of directors shall not deduct dues, fees, or contributions from the pay of a teacher or classified employee on behalf of any professional or labor organization or political fund.” Republicans have had trifecta control of Arkansas’ government since 2015.

Fl OR iDA

The Florida State Senate passed a committee substitute for SB 256, allowing for a waiver of certain aspects of the bill for mass transit employee unions, on March 29. In the House, a committee substitute for HB 1445 with the same allowance for mass transit employee unions was added to the Second Reading Calendar on April 13.

The bills both state that, with certain exceptions for unions representing law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and firefighters, “an employee organization that has been

certified as a bargaining agent may not have its dues and uniform assessments deducted and collected by the employer from the salaries of those employees in the unit. A public employee may pay dues and uniform assessments directly to the employee organization that has been certified as the bargaining agent.”

Republicans have had trifecta control in Florida since 2011.

k eNTUcky

After Gov. Andy Beshear (D) vetoed Senate Bill 7 on March 27, the legislature voted to override the veto on March 29. SB 7 states: “A public employer shall not deduct from the wages, earnings, or compensation of any public employee for … [a]ny dues, fees, assessments, or other charges to be held for, transferred to, or paid over to a labor organization[.]”

In his veto message, Gov. Beshear wrote, “Senate Bill 7 is special legislation targeting public employees in violation of Section 59 of the Kentucky Constitution. … Senate Bill 7 is an attack on unions and teachers associations that support and protect hard working Kentucky families. … Senate Bill 7 also has First Amendment implications, stifling public employees’ freedom of speech.” Kentucky has had a divided government since 2019, with a Democratic governor and Republican-controlled House and Senate.

House received the bill from the Senate on April 3.

SB 281 states, “Notwithstanding chapter 5, part 6 of this title, [a local education agency (LEA)] shall not deduct dues from the wages of the LEA’s employees for a professional employees’ organization, including, but not limited to, a professional employees’ organization that is affiliated with a labor organization exempt under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(5). This section does not prohibit an employee of an LEA from personally and voluntarily remitting dues to a professional employees’ organization.”

Republicans have had trifecta control of Tennessee’s government since 2011.

A DDiTiONA l cONT ex T

Similar bills introduced this year in Oklahoma and Oregon have not advanced. In 2022, Florida Republicans introduced a set of bills similar to the ones being considered in 2023, one of which passed the House and one that did not advance out of committee in the Senate. In 2021, West Virginia passed a law prohibiting public-sector employers from deducting union dues from the paychecks of state, county, and certain municipal employees. After a group of unions filed a lawsuit, a state circuit judge temporarily blocked the law from going into effect. The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals overturned the judge’s ruling. Bills introduced in 2021 in Indiana, Montana, and New Jersey did not make it out of their respective originating chambers.

Life theArts

‘Politics of Beauty’

Film celebrates life and legacy of Stewart Udall

CALENDAR

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@ newspress.com.

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. : The Isla Vista Juggling Festival takes place with open juggling at the UCSB Multi-Activity Court. The festival runs today through Sunday. For more about the festival, visit sbjuggle.org. The festival is a fundraiser for Standing Together to End Sexual Assault. For more information, see sbstesa.org.

10 a.m. to noon. A Rolled Paper Picture Frame workshop will take place at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Storytelling:

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

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “SURREAL

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

By appointment on weekdays: “Holly Hungett: Natural Interpretations” is on view through May 20 at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s gallery, 229 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb.org.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free.

Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical.org. to etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.

Redskins football team in 1962.

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS

Just in time for Earth Day next weekend, the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network is hosting the film premiere of “Stewart Udall and The Politics of Beauty” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St. John de Graaf, the awardwinning filmmaker behind the movie, will participate in a Q&A and discussion after the screening. He will discuss Mr. Udall’s connection to Santa Barbara and the first Earth Day.

Celebrating the life and legacy of former U.S. congressman and Secretary of the Interior, this film tells the inspiring story of Mr. Udall as an advocate for social and environmental justice, international cooperation, the arts and most of all, the protection of the environment and its natural beauty. Mr. Udall is known for leading the way for much of the environmental legislation now taken for granted.

Serving as secretary of the interior under both Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, he provided the political leadership for a legacy that includes the Clean Air and Clean Water Restoration Acts, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Wilderness Act, Endangered Species List, Highway Beautification Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Scenic Trails Acts, Pesticide Reduction and Mining Reclamation Acts, Solid Waste Disposal Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Mr. Udall was also responsible for the creation of many national parks and monuments, more than any other American since President Theodore Roosevelt. Working collaboratively with Congress, he added 3.85 million acres to the public domain, including four national parks — Canyonlands in Utah, Redwood in California, North Cascades in Washington state, Guadalupe Mountains in Texas — and six national monuments, eight national seashores and lakeshores, nine national

recreation areas, 20 historic sites and 56 wildlife refuges.

Mr. Udall was also the government’s primary advocate for the 1964 Wilderness Act, which permanently ensured that millions of acres of wild land would remain “untrammeled by man.”

He was the intellectual force behind the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which directed fees and royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling to pay for wilderness protection and recreation.

But Mr. Udall was more than an environmentalist. He spoke out for peace during the Cold War, at one point traveling with poet Robert Frost to the Soviet Union to meet its premier, Nikita Khrushchev, to encourage weapons reductions.

With his brother Morris Udall while still in college, they challenged racism at the University of Arizona, where both were celebrated and popular athletes. Later as a public official, with the support of President Kennedy, he forced the integration of the Washington

When Mr. Udall discovered that the National Park Service had only one black ranger (in the Virgin Islands), he directed the NPS to launch a major recruiting campaign in traditionally black colleges. Robert Stanton, the only black director of the National Park Service, credits Mr. Udall’s effort as helping make possible his career as a park ranger.

Mr. Udall also reshaped the Bureau of Indian Affairs to give more power to tribal organizations, appointing Oneida leader Robert Bennett as the first Native American to direct the BIA.

“Udall always took a back seat to Indian leaders,” said Diane Humetewa, a Hopi and the first Native American federal judge.

In 1966, Mr. Udall froze the federal transfer of lands to the state of Alaska to ensure that Alaska natives would not lose their lands.

As William Hensley, an Alaskan native leader later wrote, “Udall, with his sense of fairness, used his power to help establish the most generous land settlement in American history. Later in life, Udall managed a law practice that represented uranium miners, many of them Navajos, who had health issues due to radiation exposure.”

Among his rare missteps, one that had devastating consequences for this city, was when Mr. Udall approved federal oil and gas leases off the coast of Santa Barbara. As a result of that fateful decision, in 1969 a catastrophic oil

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: The Isla Vista Juggling Festival takes place with open juggling at the UCSB Multi-Activity Court. The festival runs today through Sunday. For more about the festival, visit sbjuggle.org. The festival is a fundraiser for Standing Together to End Sexual Assault. For more information, see sbstesa.org.

7:30 p.m. The Ensemble Theatre Company will perform “The Children” at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $40 to $84. To purchase, go to etcsb.org or call 805965-5400. ETC is partnering with the nonprofit One Tree Planted to plant one tree in California for every ticket sold for this play.

8 p.m. Sō Percussion with Caroline Shaw will perform at UCSB Campbell Hall. Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw joins Sō Percussion as vocalist for 10 songs she co-composed with the quartet members. Tickets are $20 to $35 for the general public and $10 for UCSB students with current student ID. TO purchase, call Arts & Lectures at 805-893-3535 or go to www. artsandlecturesucsb.edu.

7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Isla Vista Juggling Festival presents its public show at the Isla Vista Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. 10 p.m. to midnight. Glow toys will be juggled during the Isla Vista Juggling Festival at People’s Park on Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista.

APRIL 23 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Isla Vista Juggling Festival takes place with open juggling at the UCSB Multi-Activity Court. The festival runs today through Sunday. For more about the festival, visit sbjuggle.org. The festival is a fundraiser for Standing Together to End Sexual Assault. For more information, see sbstesa.org.

7:30 p.m. The Ensemble Theatre Company will perform “The Children” at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $40 to $84. To purchase, go to etcsb.org or call 805965-5400. ETC is partnering with the

COURTESY PHOTO Nancy Travis stars in the Ensemble Theatre Company’s production of “The Children” tonight and Sunday afternoon at The New Vic in Santa Barbara.

spill

STAFF WRITER

COURTESY PHOTOS

Stewart Udall advocated for social and environmental justice, international cooperation, the arts and most of all, the protection of the environment and its natural beauty.

At left, John de Graaf, right, is the award-winning fi lmmaker behind “Stewart Udall and The Politics of Beauty.” Center, from left, Stewart Udall and his wife Lee meet with poet Robert Frost. Mr. Udall traveled with Mr. Frost to meet with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to encourage weapons reductions. At right, Mr. Udall, standing at the podium, served as secretary of interior for President John F. Kennedy.

Stewart Udall and his family explore a desert.

Accepting aspects of your relationship

There are two different kinds of acceptance, and both are important in a romantic relationship. (They will also serve you well in other areas of your life).

The first kind of acceptance is understanding and taking things for what they are: appreciating situations for surface value.

An example of this could mean accepting that your partner tends to run 15 minutes late. By accepting this as a fundamental aspect of who your partner is, you’ll find yourself feeling less frustrated by him or her being late when it happens.

Accepting our partners for who they are can make all the difference when it comes to resolving issues and solving problems.

Perhaps your mate is the type who needs to think for a little while before he or she makes a decision. By accepting this fact, you will avoid endless hours of

frustration waiting for your loved one to make up his or her mind. You understand that you just need to give your mate a little space to process the thoughts and feelings.

Accepting the way things are in your relationship is not the same as giving up your desire to make things better. Depending on the reasons why, and how the changes manifest, perhaps the most positive way to deal with difficult issues is to develop the habit of acceptance. Acceptance is a tool that can help in almost any situation.

The other type of acceptance is the kind that catalyzes change. It has been said that acceptance is the answer to all of our problems. By accepting where we are, we have a starting place to make changes, an understanding of who we (as well as our partners) are and a sense of where we truly

Wildflowers focus of field trip at UC Sedgwick Reserve

want to be.

Sometimes making a list of what is going on for you and how you would like it to change can be very helpful, and even more so if your partner does the same exercise. And it’s so simple.

When you see or experience something in your relationship that doesn’t work for you, you should accept the fact that you need to make some adjustments. Even if the situation you are currently in is undesirable, accepting it is the first step toward changing it. Until you are ready to admit that you need to make some changes, you won’t.

If you and your partner agree that you are not making as much money as you’d like, you may have to accept this as something that you cannot change, at least not overnight. But through first recognizing this, you then may

be able to work as a team to identify some areas where you can cut back on your spending. This approach can be applied to a variety of similar situations. Remember that acceptance is different from giving up. When our partners feel that we are letting things go, they will begin to do the same or perhaps withdraw, and neither works. Discuss what’s the best thing for both of you and put some energy into your next steps as a couple.

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.

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

“Wildflowers of the Blueschist Trail,” a pop-up field trip at the UC Sedgwick Reserve, will take place with Margie Popper, John Evarts and other special guests from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Participation is limited to 18. Good physical condition and good balance are essential for this trip.

To register for the Santa Ynez Valley Natural Historical Society trip, call 805-693-5683 or email syvnhs@syvnature.org

The fee is $10 for SYVNHS members and $25 for nonmembers with all proceeds going to Sedgwick Reserve.

Ms. Popper and her husband, Mr. Evarts, are avid students of natural history and experienced trip leaders. They are retired

publishers and contributing authors for Cachuma Press, which was known for its natural history and gardening titles, such as “Oaks of California” and “California Native Plants for the Garden.”

They are Sedgwick Reserve docents, NatureTrack docents and co-founders of the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society in 2000.

The Blueschist Trail is one of the most floristically diverse and geologically intriguing hiking routes on the entire 5,900-acre UC Sedgwick Reserve. This field trip will traverse oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grasslands and serpentine outcrops while crossing the dramatic Little Pine fault zone.

Please

‘Passage to Sweden’ film event April 30 in Solvang

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A free screening of the documentary film, “Passage to Sweden,” will take place at 4 p.m. April 30 at Bethania Parish Hall, 603 Atterdag Road in Solvang. Doors open at 3:30 pm with a book sale and exhibit about the Danish WWII boat rescue. A discussion with producer/director Suzannah Warlick will follow the screening.

The 60-minute film shines a light on the mostly unheralded story of how thousands were spared from the Holocaust by being smuggled into Sweden. Focusing on World War II in the Scandinavian countries, “Passage to Sweden” illustrates how ordinary citizens worked to save the lives of their Jewish countrymen when the Nazis closed in. Supported by archival footage, this inspiring film shows that even in the most extreme circumstances a single person can make a difference.

Hungary through the war years.

FYI

A free screening of the documentary film “Passage to Sweden” will take place at 4 p.m. April 30 at Bethania Parish Hall, 603 Atterdag Road in Solvang. For more information, visit www.elverhoj.org.

“ ‘Passage to Sweden’ is my way of honoring those who acted as ‘up standers’ instead of ‘bystanders’ during one of the most horrific times in history,” Ms. Warlick said. “People who risked their lives, showed courage and compassion to save Jews during the holocaust need to be remembered and have their legacy kept alive. The film is a powerful example of how anyone can make a difference, how leadership matters and how solidarity with our fellow citizens is vital to ensuring fundamental human rights for all of us.”

Ms. Warlick shot 130 hours of material from which she has woven a treasure trove of historic film footage, photos and interviews with people who lived in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and

Esther Jacobsen Bates, Elverhoj executive director, said, “I hope that many people attend to view the film and engage in the discussion with Suzannah and that the event sparks conversations about this important time in history. It is a particularly compelling story.” The event is presented by Elverhoj Museum of History and Art with support from Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community and location host Bethania Church. email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

Galanin appearance rescheduled

UCSB Arts & Lectures announces that indigenous multimedia artist Nicholas Galanin has postponed his April 19 Santa Barbara appearance. The event has been rescheduled to 7:30 p.m. May 31 at the university’s Campbell Hall. Patrons who registered for tickets to this free event can keep their original tickets for admission on

the new date.

Mr. Galanin’s appearance is part of Arts & Lectures’ Justice for All programming initiative. The next Justice for All event is the public art projection “Woman. Life. Freedom” from 8 to 11 p.m. May 9 outside the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UCSB.

—- Marilyn McMahon

JOHN EVARTS PHOTO

Gray pine and oak woodland is among the sights from the Blueschist Trail in the Sedgwick Reserve.

COURTESY PHOTO

Suzannah Warlick directed and produced “Passage to Sweden.”

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Perfection is

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Saturday, April 22, 2023

ARIES — Stay at home tonight and cook a delicious meal for you and someone you love, Aries. You will gravitate toward beauty, both tangible and intangible. In fact, it might be a good day to go shopping, as long as you can control the urge to overspend. Don’t let your self- worth be equated with how many shiny toys you have.

TAURUS — Today may seem like one of those days in which everyone but you has a perfect life, Taurus. Realize that no one has a perfect life. Everyone is plagued by demons of some sort. And it isn’t wise to compare yourself to others anyway.

The more you do, the more you simply set yourself up for failure.

GEMINI — Today may be serious, Gemini, with clouds looming over your parade. Although the clouds are dark and threatening, that doesn’t necessarily mean that rain will pour down. Things are about to climax in your life. Today’s message is that you should find the beauty and sensuality in yourself and others and renew your enthusiasm and sensuality in each new day.

CANCER — Today is a terrific day for you, Cancer. You have the chance to start over on many levels, especially romantic ones. Whether or not you’re in a serious romantic relationship, you will find all your interactions with close friends and partners to be especially tender and meaningful.

LEO — Things are starting to lighten up for you, Leo, even though you may find your interactions quite heavy today. Don’t run away from the feeling. More than likely it’s a result of you or the other person consciously or unconsciously wanting to get closer and more intimate. Your sensitivity is heightened.

VIRGO — Today is a terrific day to let your sensitive, caring nature shine through fully, Virgo. Surprise someone with roses and a candlelit dinner. Take care of the amenities like music and wine. It’s also an excellent time to go shopping for yourself or others. Let romance lead the way.

LIBRA — Turn over a new leaf with your loved ones today, Libra. Infuse something new into the relationship. Add a new wave of tenderness and sensuality to the dynamic. If something annoys you about the relationship, don’t confront it abrasively and cause the other person’s defensive walls to go up.

SCORPIO — You’re going to feel extra connected with the people around you today, Scorpio. Go out and have a good time with loved ones. You will experience the oneness that comes when people acknowledge that we are all part of a whole. This will resonate loud and clear in your core today and you will be extra sensitive and emotional about anything said to you, positive or negative.

SAGITTARIUS — There’s an Earthy weightiness to today. You could feel like your relationships are in a difficult situation, Sagittarius. Don’t worry, because the clouds are going to lighten up tremendously after today. Put in your hard work now and do any last minute planning you feel is necessary before you’re off and running.

CAPRICORN — Your love, generosity, and sense of beauty are heightened today, Capricorn. If there’s one thing you need to do, it’s go outside and watch the sunset. The romantic, creative, and beautiful side of all things, including you, will resonate strongly and create a lasting bond with your inner core.

AQUARIUS — Let your guard down today, Aquarius. Don’t feel like you need to perform for anyone. Accept the notion that you’re perfect the way you are. You don’t have to prove your self-worth to anyone. Let your heart expand and your mind rest. Make sure the pure glow within you is lighting the path.

PISCES — Reconnect with your self-worth today, Pisces, and say out loud, “I am awesome!” You’re good at extending your heart to others and helping them with their issues. Now take some of that love and caring and focus it on you. Issues having to do with love and romance are of primary concern.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Saturday, April 22, 2023

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.

“Something to fall back on? If I’m falling, I want to fall forward.” — actor Denzel Washington

A common approach in dummy play is to seek multiple chances for your contract. If one doesn’t work, you have some to fall back on. At today’s 3NT, South counted seven top tricks: two spades, two diamonds, three clubs. He could surely get one heart trick and had a chance for an extra trick in hearts, diamonds and clubs. The idea was to try everything.

LAST STOPPER

South started by winning the first spade in dummy and leading a heart to his king. West took the ace — one chance gone — and led another spade to force out the ace. South next took the A-K of clubs. A 3-2 break would have seen him home, but West threw a diamond.

South had one fall-back left. He led a diamond to his ace and back to dummy’s jack, and his last chance came home. The finesse won, and the king of diamonds gave South his ninth trick. DAILY QUESTION

You hold:

10

10. Your partner opens one heart. The next player passes.

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

INSTRUCTIONS

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

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

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

What do you say?

ANSWER: This case is close, but your hand is too strong for a single raise to two hearts. You have nine high-card points — true, some may not be of much help to partner — and a singleton. Temporize with a response of one spade. If partner rebids two hearts, raise to three; if he bids two of a minor, jump to three hearts to invite game. South dealer N-S vulnerable

the child of time.” — Joseph Hall

Tartans reflect Scottish history and pride

My last name is Stewart, and, yes, I have a Scottish connection, both by marriage and by heredity.

I had the good fortune at the young age of 23 to marry a Scot that I had met during my master’s year at the University of Edinburgh, and we have remained fast friends for 45 years.

You see a photo here of Adrian wearing his grandfather’s kilt, a Regimental Highlander’s garment from World War I.

Thus, when I heard of the recent discovery of a 16th-century kilt, I was, as they say in Britain, “gob smacked” and had to write to all of us in Santa Barbara who have Scottish heritage. Our son, Laughlin Cameron Guthrie Stewart, wears one of the authorized versions of the Stewart tartan, so I was thrilled to see that this week the Scottish Tartan Authority was assisting the Victoria and Albert Museum in Dundee, Scotland, with a recent discovery, a fragment of an ancient tartan textile.

They found that the mustardcolored fragment of wool with a recognizable plaid pattern dates to 1500-1600. Evidence of the tartan as a symbol of Scottish pride exists in literature well before this discovery. However, nothing material in terms of an actual tartan had been discovered until now.

I am referring to the great

WILDFLOWERS

Continued from Page B2

Along the trail, hikers will see a rich variety of flowering plants, some of which are common and others that are very narrow endemics. There is even a small waterfall, courtesy of the heavy precipitation this past winter. Geology enthusiasts will get to see a fine exposure of blueschist, a special rock within the Franciscan Formation.

The entire loop is 4.5 miles, with

CALENDAR

Continued from Page B1

nonprofit One Tree Planted to plant one tree in California for every ticket sold for this play.

7 p.m. Artemis, an international jazz ensemble made up of six women, will perform at UCSB Campbell Hall. The ensemble consists of pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, trumpeter Ingrid Jenson, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, alto saxophonist and flutist Alexa Tarantino, bassist Norike Ueda and drummer Allison Miller. Artemis’ music ranges from modern compositions to jazz classics by Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter. Audience members may arrive early at 4 p.m. for a free Q&A and behind-the-scenes open sound check. Register at thematiclearning.org/2022-2023.Elubia’s Kitchen will

UDALL

Continued from Page B1 happened in the Santa Barbara Channel, at that time ranked as the largest in U.S. waters. The consequences were devastating for the Santa Barbara community, its environment, wildlife and economy. But what transpired out of that tragedy lives on in a remarkable legacy. Citizen activists, students and volunteers from all walks of life rallied, pitching in to clean up, then formed an amazing array of

discovery of the Glen Affric Tartan 1500-1600 which, according to Peter MacDonald, head of research of the Scottish Tartan Authority, is a magnificent piece of Scottish history. The fragment, discovered in a peat bog by a utility worker in 1995, was recently tested for age and dye quality. It was found that during the 14 weeks of testing and the removal of peak bog stains with acid and alkali baths that indeed the fragment at 55 x 43 cm was from the 16th century. What is amazing is that there is actually a Scottish Tartan Authority Board, because before the 19th century, tartan was, as some scholars say, not all that notable, as it was only a working garment, and not clan based. But when writers such as Robbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott made Scottish heritage so important in the 19th century that even Queen Victoria was wearing tartan at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with her trusted Scottish servant, well, then Scottish clan history, including the tartans, began to be important.

Northwest Scotland, where the fragment was found, was a traditional pathway crossing between two major oceans, transversed by a river. This is at Glen Affric, where the 16th-century tartan was found in a dense peat bog. Because there was little oxygen in the bog to break down the fragment, it was preserved. The selvedge indicates that the piece

an elevation gain of more than 700 feet. There are four creek crossings over shallow water, and they entail walking across short, wide planks over the stream. Since parts of the trail are steep and/or rutted in some sections, hikers are strongly advised to bring trekking poles, sturdy boots and patience. A slightly shortened version of

FYI

COURTESY PHOTO

Adrian Stewart wears his grandfather’s kilt, a Regimental Highlander’s garment from World War I.

was a fragment of a cloak.

Experts say that this 16thcentury cloak was worn by an average working man and did not indicate a clan. However, even if not clan-specific, kings and rulers indicated their allegiance to Scotland by wearing certain tartans as far back as the 1400s when in 1471 King James III wore a tartan sash. Then in 1538, King James V wore a tartan piece, and in 1662, King James V wore a tartan rosette.

In 1594, writings pertaining to the wars of an Irish Gaelic king mentioned that the leader recruited fierce warriors from the Hebrides (Northwest Scottish Coast Islands) who wore tartan and who were recognized as Scots by the Irish. If you are of Scottish heritage, you might be interested in a book by

“Wildflowers of the Blueschist Trail,” a pop-up field trip at the UC Sedgwick Reserve, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, visit www. syvnature.org.

the hike will be available for anyone who feels that they can’t complete the entire loop, but even the shorter version of the trip will involve the stream crossings and some steep sections of trail. This is not a trip for novice hikers. If you have questions, text Mr. Evarts at 805-350-4280.

Hikers are advised to bring

the archaeologist Elizabeth Barber, who researched gravesites for years for her book “The Mummies of Urumchi.” She found warriors wearing tartan all over the known ancient world.

Urumchi is a location in China where tartan-clad warriors who were not of Asian heritage were discovered in an ancient grave.

The tradition of the weaving of yarn from wool into distinctive patterns in certain locations, originated by certain clans, is a symbol of Scottish pride. This month at the Victoria and Albert Museum (at their adjunct location in Dundee, Scotland) a show will be mounted about the history of the tartans, including this ancient 15thcentury fragment.

The website Luxuo states that in the light of the great discoveries around Scots Tartans, a woolen mill, Holland and Sherry, in the city of Peebles, is creating a fine tartan of 100% pure Mongolian cashmere for $6000 a kilt. Says the mill’s director: “we are creating a champagne fabric rather than a beer fabric.” And that is what the tartan is about. It is meant to be worn while drinking.

Dr. Elizabeth Stewart’s “Ask the Gold Digger” column appears Saturdays 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.

ample water and a large snack or light lunch for the planned stop at a viewpoint on the trail. Trekking poles and good shoes (water-resistant are suggested) are strongly advised. If you own a highclearance AWD or 4WD vehicle, use those to get to the trailhead, where parking is limited. Directions to the meet-up location at the reserve and the entrance gate code will be emailed to registrants.

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

be serving dinner before the show from 5 to 7 P.M., outside of the event. Tickets range from $30 to $45 for the general public and are $15 for UCSB students who show a current student ID. To purchase, go to www. artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

APRIL 24

7:30 p.m. The Lompoc Pops Orchestra will perform everything from Broadway hits to a “Star Trek” medley at the First United Methodist Church, 925 North F St., Lompoc. Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for all full time students, and free for children 12 and under. To make reservations, call 805-733-1796.

7:30 p.m. Acclaimed violinist Augustin Hadelich will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. Mr. Hadelich will play music by Bach, ColeridgeTaylor Perkinson and Eugene Ysaye. Tickets for the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara concert cost $45 and $55. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

organizations still active today to help protect against future disasters and formulate environmental policy, including the Community Environmental Council, Get Out Oil, the Environmental Defense Center and the first Environmental Studies Program at UCSB. An impromptu Earth Day at the

FYI

APRIL 25

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

To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

APRIL 26

7:30 p.m. The American Theatre Guild will present “Anastasia” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The new Broadway musical follows a brave young woman on a journey to discover the mystery of the past.

This production transports the audiences from the twilight of the Russian empire to Paris in the 1920s. Tickets cost $54 to $129. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

“Stewart Udall and The Politics of Beauty” takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St.. Santa Barbara. Admission is free. For more information, call 805-962-2571, visit www.sbpermaculture.org or email margie@sbpermaculture.org.

foot of the Santa Barbara pier later inspired the nation’s first Earth Day.

Mr. Udall later returned to Santa Barbara to acknowledge what he felt was his mistake and formally apologize.

Mr. De Graaf, the filmmaker behind “Stewart Udall and The Politics of Beauty,” has been producing and directing

APRIL 27

7:30 p.m. Pico Iyer will talk with movie star Isabella Rossellini at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $35 for general admission and $10 for UCSB students. To purchase, call UCSB Arts & Lectures at 805-893-3535 or go to artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

APRIL 30

3:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art presents a unique conversation between renowned poet and art critic John Yau and artist Joan Tanner. The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. April 30 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets are free for SBMA members and students and cost $5, otherwise. They are available at tickets.sbma.net.

Mason

— Dave

PBS documentaries for more than 40 years, including 31 years at KCTS, the Seattle PBS affiliate. Fifteen of his programs have been broadcast nationally in primetime on PBS, including his 1997 hit special “Affluenza.” He has directed and written many biographies and history programs, including the PBS national Earth Day 1990 special, “For Earth’s Sake: The Life and Times of David Brower,” which includes an interview with Stewart Udall.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

Biden’s electric vehicle folly

The Biden administration is currently preparing regulations to drastically cut the number of new combustionpowered vehicles sold in the United States.

The new regulation being prepared by the EPA would require that by 2032, 64% of all new cars sold in the U.S. would need to be electric vehicles, an elevenfold increase over their 5.8% market share now. According to the administration, this massively costly intervention into the market is necessary to save the world from the “existential threat of climate change.”

Aside from its fantastic costs, which also include building millions of electric vehicle charging stations, the strategic, economic and environmental consequences associated with vastly expanding our nation’s reliance on Chinese rare earth metal exports, and the question of whether electric cars really do reduce overall carbon emissions, there is a fundamental problem

with this initiative.

Electric cars require electricity.

President Joe Biden wants to use our grid to drive America’s vehicles. But we don’t have the juice to power them. Not by a long shot.

In 2021, the United States used 26.9 quadrillion BTU’s (or quads) of energy to power its transportation sector. At the same time, it produced 12.9 quads of electricity, over 99% of which went to existing residential, commercial and industrial users.

It’s true that internal combustion engines only have an efficiency of 28% while diesels have an efficiency of 43%, so that between the two, America’s vehicle fleet is about 35% in converting 26.9 quads of fuel into 9.4 quads of motive power. The electrical utility system is also about 35% efficient, outputting its 12.9 quads of electricity from 36.7 quads of raw energy input. That’s why powering an electric car using grid power produced from fossil fuels does

little to reduce overall carbon emissions.

Furthermore, charging the battery of an electric car is typically around 83% efficient, and the car itself is 90% efficient in turning the electricity in its battery into motive power, for a net vehicle efficiency of about 75%. That means that it would take about 12.5 quads of electricity — roughly equal to the entirety of our current electric power output — to drive the current American transportation fleet.

Of course, President Biden is not demanding that we switch our entire fleet to electric vehicles instantly. He only wants twothirds of new vehicles to be electric by 2032, and it would take some time after that before they constituted a large portion of the fleet. This would give us time to expand our power generation capacity.

So let’s say we have 20 years to expand our grid enough to power half the current fleet — or about

40% of the anticipated fleet size of the year 2053. To do that, we would have to increase our power output at a rate of 0.337 quads per year. This is equivalent to adding 99 billion kWh of output (or 13.3 GW of capacity operating at 85% full load) to our grid every year for the next 20 years.

In contrast, for the past 15 years, the United States has increased its electric power output at a rate of 3.3 billion kWh per year. To implement President Biden’s plan, America would have to immediately start bringing new power plants online at 30 times the rate it now does.

In principle, that is not impossible. From 1957 to 1977, the United States increased its electric power output at an average rate of 70 billion kWh per year, 20 times the current rate, and that was accomplished by a country with (in 1967) one-third of America’s current GDP. Based on orders received during this period, from 1981 to 1991, U.S. nuclear electricity output alone was increased at a rate of 35 billion kWh per year.

But then regulators slammed on the brakes. U.S. nuclear capacity today is no more than it was in 1991, and total electric production capacity, from all sources combined, has barely increased at all since 2010.

If President Biden’s program is to be implemented without crashing America’s power grid, what is required is a total reversal of the regulatory state’s War on Energy. Furthermore, if the electrification of transportation is to actually result in a reduction of carbon emissions, the vast amount of new capacity required will need to come from a carbon-free source. The only way to do that is through nuclear power.

Robert Zubrin @robert_zubrin is president of Astronautics, an aerospace R&D firm. His latest book, “The Case for Nukes: How We Can Beat Global Warming and Create a Free, Open, and Magnificent Future,” was recently published by Polaris Books. This commentary was provided to the News-Press by The Center Square, a nonprofit dedicated to journalism.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bonnie Donovan

Don’t let the state trample on parental rights

Legislation passed in Sacramento affects the lives of Santa Barbarans. Often we are ignorant of the laws until it is too late. You have already lost control of your home and your neighborhood to the dictatorship in Sacramento. State lawmakers have eliminated single-family zoning, and taken from you and your local city councils, all powers of zoning decisions in your neighborhoods. Democratic members in the state Assembly are recommending two new bills that further reduce your parental-guardian rights, to add to one already passed by them.

According to Reform California, Assembly Bill 1078 would eliminate local education officials and parents making decisions on curriculum content, based on the needs and desires of parents and students in their community. Henceforth, all decisions on curriculum content would be made in Sacramento.

This bill is to prevent parental actions here that occurred in Virginia and Florida against school boards. Parents rebelled against the teaching of Critical Race Theory propaganda; against LBGTQ+ propaganda, teaching their sexual practices; and, against the encouragement of minors of 12 and above to change from the gender they were born with to the opposite gender, or a variation thereof.

Accompanying that bill is Assembly Bill 665 - 202324. (AB665), written by a Democrat, Wendy Carrillo. It allows a single “mental health professional” to place a child as young as 12 years old in a “Residential Shelter Facility” without parental knowledge or consent. This is without any prior allegations of child abuse, incest, or any other report or evidence of maltreatment by that child’s parents. Your Assemblyman Gregg Hart, D-Santa Barbara. voted for this.

Let me see if I have this right. It’s a federal offense to transport a minor under the age of 18 across a state line for immoral purposes. It’s also a felony for an adult to have sex with a minor under the age of 18.

But …

The Democratic-controlled California legislature is about to pass a law allowing the state to take control of a minor from another area of the country (or world as far as I know) and offer that under-age person “sanctuary” protection from his or her parents or guardians.

And it’s apparently OK to perform an abortion on, say, a 13-year-old girl without informing the parents of the minor child.

In states such as New York and California, Oregon, and Washington, it’s OK if someone brings say a 12-year-old girl from Texas, Florida, or another state with laws prohibiting the sexual mutilation of underaged minors and deliver said minor to some “doctor,” who would then offer “gender affirming” care that may include excising the breasts of the underaged minor female, or even worse.

Huh?

You may have been following the various school scandals in states that allow — even encourage

— nurses, teachers, counselors and administrators to “protect” students who’ve decided they’d like to change their gender (no doubt with the encouragement of an army of new-found on-line “friends”). If you are a parent, you no doubt are appalled that those same nurses, teachers, counselors and administrators are legally allowed to keep any and all information about your child’s transitional activities away from you.

Huh?

It’s difficult to understand how a teacher, nurse or anyone really, could do this to someone’s child in good conscience.

But they do.

All the time.

Those teachers, nurses, counselors and administrators are empowered to do so by virtue of Assembly Bill 1266, which became a provision within the California Education Code, Section 221.5(f), on Jan. 1, 2014, thanks to then-Gov.

Jerry Brown, who signed it into law on Aug. 12, 2013.

AB 1266, named the School Success and Opportunity Act, requires that “pupils be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs, activities and use facilities consistent with their

gender identity, without respect to the gender listed in a pupil’s records.”

The California Education Code protects adult groomers further by requiring that “Private information such as transgender status or gender identity falls within this code requirement and should not be released.”

The code also stipulates that “a school cannot require a student to provide any particular type of diagnosis, proof of medical treatment, or meet an age requirement as a condition to receiving the protections afforded under California’s antidiscrimination statutes. Similarly, there is no threshold step that any student must meet in order to have his or her gender identity recognized and respected by a school.”

The cde.ca.gov website advises the following as steps a school or school district should take to “protect” a transgender or gender or non-conforming student’s right to privacy:

“To prevent accidental disclosure of a student’s transgender status, it is strongly recommended that schools keep records that reflect a transgender student’s birth name

and assigned sex (e.g., copy of the birth certificate) apart from the student’s school records. Schools should consider placing physical documents in a locked file cabinet in the principal’s or nurse’s office. Alternatively, schools could indicate in the student’s records that the necessary identity documents have been reviewed and accepted without retaining the documents themselves. Furthermore, schools should implement similar safeguards to protect against disclosure of information contained in electronic records.

“Pursuant to the above protections, schools must consult with a transgender student to determine who can or will be informed of the student’s transgender status, if anyone, including the student’s family. With rare exceptions, schools are required to respect the limitations that a student places on the disclosure of their transgender status, including not sharing that information with the student’s parents.”

The state currently allows a minor 12 or older to request transgender treatment without parental supervision, if a counselor or doctor deems it appropriate.

There is some pushback.

In Arkansas, for example, newly elected Gov. Sarah Huckabee

Sanders signed into law the Given Name Act, which requires school officials to call a student by the name listed on the student’s birth certificate. It also demands that educators cannot address a child by a pronoun that does not match the child’s sex.

Here in California, Republican Assemblymen Bill Essayli and James Gallagher (who represent Riverside and Chico) have put forth a bill (AB 1314) that would require “teachers, counselors, and any other employee of a school to notify parents within three days in the event their child requests to be called by a name normally used by the opposite sex or different personal pronouns, or begins using a bathroom or locker room designated for the opposite sex.”

But don’t get your hopes up. The veto-proof California legislature and current governor are not likely to consider the bill.

The bill would restore the right of parents to be informed of any medical decision their child makes regarding gender — bolstering the original California law, which states that: “Parents and guardians of children enrolled in public schools have the right, and should have the opportunity, as mutually supportive and respectful partners in the education of their

The rationale behind such state-ordered kidnappings is that children of 12 years and up are susceptible to the desire to change their gender. It is claimed that opposition to, or attempts to ignore or prevent gender change, by parents, will increase the risks of suicide among those children. Therefore, the child must be removed from the protection of their parents into the care of strangers, to enable gender conversion treatments.

The adverse emotional impacts on the child in losing the love and guardianship of their parents to the dubious control of strangers, and the distress of their parents, are not considered.

You have voted so many of these activists into power that they have now become your masters. The Republican minority cannot even slow them down.

Around the nation, gender modification has grown to epidemic proportions. Children can be referred by one mental health professional to “Gender-Affirming Clinics” for evaluation. Puberty blockers and gender modification drugs could be recommended, together with later referrals for gender-changing surgery. In California, surgery of this nature would require the permission of the minor’s guardians or parents. However, how could this be enforced if the child keeps it secret and

e transition tide may be turning

United States lacks the grid to power an electric vehicle fleet

Robert Zubrin

The author is with an aerospace R&D firm

James Buckley

PURELY POLITICAL

COURTESY PHOTO

Wendy McCaw

Arthur von Wiesenberger Co-Publisher Co-Publisher

GUEST OPINION

County ambulance debacle: Part 2!

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has decided to have American Medical Response and County Fire provide redundant ambulance services throughout the county in a non-exclusive contract.

What does that mean in practical terms? County fire department and AMR will be competing against each other for each and every ambulance call in some way shape or form.

This is a ridiculous predicament as the county spent at least one million dollars of taxpayer monies and wasted several years of staff time weighing competing proposals from county fire and AMR to be the sole ambulance provider for the county. After all that, the supes decided, against staff recommendations, to force these two providers to somehow produce an equitable plan to share the contract — meaning either or both providers will likely no longer have the customer base to fully fund their operations, including overhead.

Moreover, the current contract with AMR expires less than one year from now.

That does not give County Fire enough time to gear up to share the responsibilities and duties of the new contract.

This has to do with how long it will take County Fire to construct its own new dispatch center — which will allow the department to dispatch ambulances and fire engines countywide — and County Fire’s ability to procure ambulances, which typically take up to 18 months for delivery.

I could go with either provider if the financials pencil out. I acknowledge the fact that fire engine crews go on every ambulance call as it is right now. Hence, having them run the whole show can make sense.

One large concern with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, however, has to do with pension costs and liabilities. County Fire, along with all government employers, offers a defined benefit pension to their employees, which I do not oppose for cops and firefighters for a variety of reasons. However, what a defined benefit pension plan portends is that once the employee is vested, they will receive a portion of their

Living in dangerous times

Library does a lot to help community

exceptional aspect of what makes Santa Barbara such a special place to live.

final highest salary for the rest of their lives after they retire. These pension costs are extremely expensive, and the costs can’t be controlled because the funds are dependent upon stock market returns.

Hence, the question is: Do we want to add some 46 people at the dispatch center, and dozens of additional paramedics and EMTs, to this pension, system meaning the county taxpayers will be on the hook for shortfalls? An alternative for the new hires who run the county fire dispatch and ambulances would be to give them a 401k type retirement contribution that has fixed costs.

Moreover, the county, due in part to its pension liabilities ($178 million per year), charges anyone receiving “services” from the county to fund the entire cost of the services received by them via a county policy called full-cost recovery.

Similarly, cities that contract with the county for sheriff services saw their bill rise tremendously because of this policy.

Well, to be true to form, the county should require the new dispatch center and ambulance service to be held to the same standard. That is, the costs associated with these new services should be self-sustaining without any subsidies from county taxpayers.

For instance, when the fire ambulance service gets sued, it should have to pay for the insurance coverage and losses out of its own funds, not relying on Santa Barbara County’s general insurance policy to pay for the same. After all, AMR has had to cover all these costs themselves as a private sector company.

My concerns about the dispatch center and the nonexclusive ambulance contract have to do with the fact that nothing the county does is affordable.

For example, the average salary and benefit package for county employees is now $166,000 per year — and that does not include unfunded pension liabilities.

W

e are lucky to have the Santa Barbara Public Library. Through a personal experience, I recently discovered the scope of the extraordinary services offered by the Santa Barbara Public Library. A friend of mine was frustrated in seeking employment. Someone suggested that she might try the library for assistance.

To our great surprise, a very friendly and responsive librarian made us aware of help in preparing a resume and tips on presenting yourself to advantage in a job interview. The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful.

I am happy to report that the result was success in attaining the position that my very happy and grateful friend was hoping for. A further benefit of my experience was a discovery of the many other beneficial opportunities that are available at our library -— everything from helping to prepare your taxes, to English as a Second Language classes, to preschool story time for kids and moms. The extent of the community benefit of our library was a wonderful surprise.

We are very lucky to have this free resource as just another

Art Merovick Santa Barbara

Editor’s note: Art Merovick is a retired headmaster of Laguna Blanca School.

Let’s make State Street great again

At one time State Street was one of the most attractive and vibrant streets in California.

A drive down State was a must for visitors and locals alike to enjoy the Spanish motif, as well as, to get a glimpse of the many boutique shops that adorned the street. Equally enjoyable was the convenience of the electric trolleys and, of course, the parades and festivals that make Santa Barbara special. This changed with COVID-19 as restaurants struggled to survive, and the city offered help by closing off State Street and allowing restaurants to erect parklets for outdoor dining. While this rightfully helped restaurants, State Street became less accessible, and the parklets turned out to be eyesores as well as breeding grounds for dirt and

rodents. With COVID-19 officially over, there has been a great deal of discussion on how to return State Street to an attractive and vibrant thoroughfare. The best suggestion I’ve heard came from a restaurant owner whose main interest is making State Street a world class destination for locals and tourists alike.

With that as the goal, we suggest the following:

Widen the sidewalks and allow restaurants and retailers to use the space as they do in Paris, Rome or the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

Outside dining in settings with attractive wrought iron fencing, colorful awnings and umbrellas that contribute to the beauty of our city.

Make State Street a one-way street with a dedicated bike path. Add to this the return of electric buses for easy access to local businesses, and, most important, bring back the parades and festivals to State Street that make Santa Barbara a destination for people from all over the world.

Expensive? Yes.

Worth it in the long term?

Absolutely!

Boy do I feel stupid. I have always complained how inadequate, corrupt and inefficient the government is, but I had no idea how badly it jeopardizes the lives of every American. And I mean not just by squandering tax dollars or being unable to fix our roads, but actually putting our heads beneath the guillotine. As horrible as mass shootings are, the danger our government puts over 300 million human souls in should be the headline.

My first reaction, like many of you I’m sure, was when all the secret documents were revealed that it may be considered a treasonous offense. However, what the documents exposed is how much worse our government is. Or to be more specific, the Biden crowd. You surround yourself with stupid people, you’re going to get stupid results.

It used to be that the media had investigative reporters. They would seek out the truth, then let America know what they found. Now if they know the truth and it doesn’t fit with their political view point, they hide it. So instead of sticking to facts, the media hugged themselves, labeling the kid who made secret documents public as a gun-loving, right winger military guy. Trying to paint that as something bad. That’s probably 80% of country. The Biden administration then tried to pour sugar over all the dangerous revelations and dance around how it got caught with its pants down to bare its irrationality for the world to see.

As we now know, when it was first reported there was a big Chinese balloon flying around, it wasn’t revealed by our military, but by some guy out for a walk. Only then did it garner attention, and the military had to fess up. Now it turns out from the documents there were many more.

I don’t want to take up space in the column to regurgitate facts but to point out that American citizens are considered peons and idiots in our own country. Why does the deceitful media continue to be the voice for the left and not the voice for the people? This makes them part of the woke pack endangering our lives. Tell the truth, we can handle it.

Escape from New York: the judge

Editor’s note: This is the third in columnist Brent E. Zepke’s series on Donald Trump.

‘The court finds” is a familiar phrase to everybody involved in court decisions. But is it too familiar, meaning that everyone just accepts it rather than wonder if it is used to obfuscate that a “court” never has, nor ever will, make any decisions. Why?

A “court” is defined as “A tribunal presided over by a judge,” so the phrase that a “court finds” really means a “judge finds.” But do judges really “find” their holdings?

To “find” is to “discover or perceive by chance or unexpectantly.” Hopefully judges are not indicating that they “discover or perceive by chance” their holding, but rather determine them from the facts and testimony presented in their courts.

For judges to “unexpectedly” find something, they must begin with “expectations” that may indicate prejudices that may influence their rulings. For example, in my first appearance

in my first case representing Hercules, federal Judge Schwartz, by asking me “Why do all Hercules employees lie?” indicated that he “expected” my witnesses to lie.

I found it difficult to begin a trial with a judge’s expectations from a case before my time that had people not involved in my case or even still employed by my client. To his credit, after many spirited times in open court and in the judge’s chambers in that, and other cases, the judge changed and even asked me to join him for lunch and help his law clerk understand how I had become an effective trial lawyer.

Expectations before trial are prohibited for both jurors and judges. However, unlike jurors, judges must recuse themselves to avoid at least the appearance of impartiality.

What “expectations” might Judge Juan Manuel Merchan have before the New York trial against Donald J. Trump even begins?

Judge Merchan’s career was in the New York City district attorney’s office and the New York state attorney general’s office, while both of them sued the Trump Organization multiple

times. Previously, as a judge he presided over the Trump grand jury proceeding where Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. based his case on the testimony of Michael Cohen, the disbarred lawyer who spent time in jail for perjury.

All judges in New York are supposed to be bound by the New York Code of Judicial Conduct, which is intended to establish standards for ethical conduct of judges in New York, and provides:

(A) A judge shall respect and comply with the law and shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

(B) A judge shall not allow family, social, political or other relationship to influence the judge’s judicial conduct or judgment.

Judges in New York are supposed to be randomly selected, which raises the question: How was this judge assigned the cases involving the Trump Organization, including the ones against former CFO Allen Weisselberg, Steve Bannon and now Donald J. Trump? Since his receiving all three cases defies randomness, do they reflect “political” relationships?

To shift gears a bit, the media keeps hammering home the number of mass shootings that have taken place this year. And they’re always Johnny on the spot if they can try and nail the shooter as a right-wing, white guy, and of course, a racist. But they shut down when it’s a trans killer or a person of color. Then the shooting takes on an altered personality.

Just how sick is that? People are still murdered, but it’s different. Suddenly this time it’s the shooter who has issues.

Then Ole Joe is led to a podium by the elbow to proclaim something needs to be done to stop it. What President Joe Biden doesn’t know, among a lot of things, he’s been the biggest coup for gun sales the country has ever had. Gun manufacturers couldn’t pay for that kind of advertising. One of the top 10 dates of gun sales was when Corn Pop Joe was sworn in, I’m choking on this, as president.

Last December, and think about this, was the 40th consecutive month where background checks to purchase a weapon were over one million! Rivaling the number of illegals crossing the border or the pounds of deadly drugs coming into the country killing far more people than guns. The total number of background checks to buy a gun for 2022 was almost 16 million. Years 2020 and 2021 were No. 1 and

Andy Caldwell is the COLAB executive director and host of “The Andy Caldwell Show,”

Andy Caldwell

George Lilly, trustee The SJL Foundation Montecito

Henry Schulte The author lives in Solvang

Brent E. Zepke The author lives in Santa Barbara.

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KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

The Santa Barbara Public Library offers a variety of services for the community. Above is the Central Library.

COURTESY PHOTO

Sen. Tim Scott and American exceptionalism

Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his candidacy for president.

You may have noticed that Sen. Scott is black. We may ask, in this woke age of ours, the extent to which this matters in his candidacy.

I think it does matter, which requires some explanation given that I am adamantly opposed to identity politics in all its shapes and forms. Should Sen. Scott run and win, he will not be America’s first black president. When America’s first black president, Barack Obama, did run and win, it was widely viewed as a turning point in American history.

Many thought that, at last, the era of racial politics had come to an end. Now, the thinking went, that Americans showed that a black man could run for and win the presidency, we would move on from our national obsession with race and move on to dealing with issues confronting the nation as they impact every citizen, regardless of race. But it didn’t happen.

The American people twice chose Mr. Obama as their president, and today, perhaps more than ever, racial awareness and politics permeate our day-today realities. They permeate practically all political institutions, corporate boardrooms, athletics, universities, K-12 schools and our dayto-day marketplace. And it’s why Sen. Scott’s candidacy is so important and why his race matters.

Early in President Obama’s first term, he traveled to Europe for a NATO meeting, and in the press conference after, he was asked by a reporter from the Financial Times if he believes in “American exceptionalism.”

For President Obama to say “yes” would have been for him to state in this international forum that there is something unique and special about his country that sets it apart from and above others.

By standards of political correctness, a “yes” answer would have been most incorrect. President Obama’s finely tuned political skills immediately kicked

in, and he answered in a most politically correct way.

“I believe in American exceptionalism,” he said, “just as the Brits believe in British exceptionalism, and the Greeks in Greek exceptionalism.”

America’s first black president is a very politically correct man. And it’s why his presidency changed nothing regarding racial realities in America.

Tim Scott is not a politically correct man, and it is why his potential presidency can change everything.

He does believe America is exceptional, and he is not afraid to say it. His recent book, “America, A Redemption Story: Choosing Hope, Creating Unity,” recounts what he has learned growing up poor, becoming a successful businessman and making his way to the U.S. Senate — and now, maybe, the presidency. His personal success story is not about government programs, but about “perseverance and grit,” only possible with faith and freedom.

Sen. Scott is pro-freedom, proprivate property, pro-personal

Preserving fragile peace in Northern Ireland

President Joe Biden’s four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which began on April 11, has provided an overall opportunity to highlight our important — and complex — relationships with both Ireland and Britain. These ties span significant economic, military security and above all historical dimensions.

Northern Ireland is geographically part of the island of Ireland, but under the sovereignty of Britain. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the United Kingdom. The majority of Northern Ireland’s population is Protestant, while Ireland is overwhelmingly Catholic. Ireland overall was under British rule until 1921. Independence relieved considerable political pressure, but Northern Ireland has

remained a source of tension and — periodically — violence. U.S. leaders have been influential in efforts to broker and maintain peace, over many years.

Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, D-Maine, was central to the successful peace negotiations. On St. Patrick’s Day in 1977, U.S. Sens. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Pat Moynihan, D-New York, joined with fellow Democrats Gov. Hugh Carey of New York and U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill from Massachusetts in urging IrishAmericans and others to stop sending money to violent groups.

President Biden’s successful trip has reflected both these political and more personal dimensions. The president addressed an enormous audience at a cathedral in County Mayo, where his family has strong roots.

“Over the years,” he said, “stories of this place have become part of my soul, part of my family lore.”

During a visit to Knock Shrine, President Biden had the opportunity to talk with former U.S. Army Chaplain Fr. Frank O’Grady, who gave last rites to his late son Beau Biden.

Former President Bill

Clinton arrived on April 14 for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, which ended the sectarian violence that had plagued Northern Ireland — and both Ireland and Britain — from the late 1960s.

The understanding, actually

two agreements, signed on April 10, 1998, involved the details of power-sharing among Northern Ireland’s political parties and also the governments of Britain and Ireland. Despite challenges and occasional crises, this historic peace accord overall has held. President Biden made a point of visiting with five leaders from the main political parties of Northern Ireland. Events related to Northern Ireland reach well beyond the province. Britain after a long ordeal implemented Brexit, departing the European Union. Ireland remains a staunch EU member. Britain is a military power within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), while Ireland is a neutral nation. Wider relationships may prove crucial. The G8 (Group of Eight) nations held a summit in Northern Ireland in June 2013. Members emphasized economic cooperation. The venue selected also underscored progress toward peace. The Northern Ireland summit also reconfirmed commitment to wider strategic cooperation. The participants agreed to work to ensure negotiations to end the

The only way out is through

In 2017, my friend Rod Dreher published his popular book, “The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation.”

Mr. Dreher’s basic prescription, already intimately familiar to Orthodox Jews, is a localist focus on the cohesive formation of tight-knit, virtuous, religious communities as the best way of enduring the cultural onslaught of progressivism and secularism.

There is nothing at all wrong with Tocquevillian localism, and surely it is part of the survival strategy for America’s more traditionally inclined.

But further extrapolated to its logical conclusion (something Mr. Dreher doesn’t do in his book, to be very clear), the strongestpossible version of this argument — a singular emphasis on retreat to communal redoubts at the expense of the public contestation of core issues — is self-defeating, a surefire losing strategy. It amounts to one big “LARP,” to use the common online abbreviation for “live-action role-playing” — an attempt to escape from reality and instead live in a different world than that which we actually inhabit.

To “LARP” in this manner, and to retreat from our decadent civilizational morass more generally in the hope that all can be cured by wishing it to be so, is not merely naive. It also belies an underselling of modern progressivism-secularism’s fundamentally hegemonic impulse. Much like Pac-Man, the modern Left has an insatiable appetite, attempting to gobble up ever-more cultural, political

Save the planet, invest in fossil fuels

Earth Day is today! Hooray? ‘Saving humanity from the climate crisis,” says EarthDay.org, requires us to “push away from the dirty fossil fuel economy.” Sounds logical. But my latest video explains why doing that is cruel to poor people.

“Three billion people in the world still use less electricity than a typical refrigerator,” explains Alex Epstein, author of “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels.” If they’re going to have “their first well-paying jobs ... their first consistent supply of clean water ... a modern life ... that’s going to depend on fossil fuels.”

But the greens say we have a better replacement: wind and solar power.

So I push back at Mr. Epstein: “Solar is getting cheaper all the time. It’s already cheaper than fossil fuels.”

Syrian civil war became an urgent priority. Britain and the U.S. are historically close military partners. Such alliance began in World War I, and became close, vital and lasting during World War II. Intelligence operations were important in both wars and were the initial source of cooperation in World War II, which evolved into our continuing special relationship. Current developments in Europe provide sound reasons to re-emphasize this cooperation.

Both Britain and Ireland are closely tied to the U.S. in the most human dimension of international relations, immigration. President Biden and former President Clinton have done a fine job of reinforcing these relationships.

Arthur I. Cyr is author of “After the Cold War - American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia” (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan). He is also the director of the Clausen Center at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisc., and a Clausen Distinguished Professor. He welcomes questions and comments at acyr@carthage.edu.

“When we look at solar and wind around the world,” he answers, “it always correlates to rising prices and declining reliability. Why? Because solar and wind are intermittent. At any time, they can go near zero.”

That means wind turbines and solar farms don’t replace fossil fuel plants. You have to build them in addition to fossil fuel plants.

“We spent trillions of dollars in subsidies and mandates putting solar panels and wind turbines everywhere,” Mr. Epstein points out, “Yet we’re still having shortages of fossil fuels.”

Germany invested heavily in solar and wind power. Elites around the world praised German politicians for creating record renewable power. But that didn’t work so well when the winds slowed and clouds appeared.

Germans now pay much more for electricity, triple what Americans pay. Germany has even turned to coal for energy. Coal! Coal is the filthiest fuel. Yet Germany now imports coal from Russia and America.

OK, say the activists, even if renewables have problems, soon we’ll have better batteries

fil-A en masse due to the devout Christian beliefs and strongly held views on marriage of the company’s founder and managers, many on the Right refused to countenance reciprocating with such “nasty” tactics, preferring instead to seize an illusory moral high ground. But concerted economic boycotts, it turns out, work: They are effectual punishments of one’s cultural enemies using the undoubtedly legitimate means of market pressure. The Right, it turns out, can mass-organize just like the Left can. Perhaps AnheuserBusch will see the folly of its ham-fisted attempt to foist the transgender agenda down the throats of its disapproving — “fratty,” to use the Bud Light vice president of marketing’s now-infamous description — customer base. Or perhaps it won’t. Regardless, the dramatic and successful pushback, which continues almost two weeks later, underscores that the only way out is through.

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and geographical terrain and permanently vanquish the forces of traditionalism and Americanism.

Amidst this ineluctable backdrop, it is incumbent upon the American Right to recognize, as this column admonished last week in response to the New York County, New York district attorney’s unprecedented and utterly meritless criminal indictment of former President Donald Trump, that the only way out is through. Some recent examples help clarify what that entails.

Consider first the dramatic pushback to Anheuser-Busch’s gobsmacking decision to present a special-edition can of Bud Light, America’s best-selling beer, to biological male Dylan Mulvaney to commemorate the nowtransgender Mulvaney’s “365 Days of Girlhood.”

Anheuser-Busch’s market capitalization has plummeted after the boneheaded decision, to the tune of billions of dollars. Kid Rock filmed a video of himself shooting Bud Light cans with a rifle and cursing off Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch, and country

star John Rich announced he was pulling all Bud Light from his bar in downtown Nashville. Fox Business aptly summarized the carnage with a headline earlier this week: “Bud Light suffers bloodbath as longtime and loyal consumers revolt against transgender campaign.”

The full damage will likely take weeks, perhaps months, to assess, and there have been off-record grumblings from Bud Light executives who felt “blindsided” by the stunt.

A decade ago, around the time liberals were boycotting Chick-

Consider also the recent drama in Tennessee, where the Republican-dominated state House of Representatives recently voted to expel two Democrats for their role in fomenting what the hyperpartisan corporate press, if the parties were reversed, people would not hesitate to describe as an “insurrection.” Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are both clearly seen on video ginning up a frothing pro-gun control mob that descended upon the legislative chamber to demand more Second Amendment restrictions after a transgender lunatic decided to shoot up a local Christian school. In the video, Reps. Jones and Pearson can be clearly seen shouting into a bullhorn, flying protest signs and leading vapid chants for protesters in the gallery

see HAMMER on C4

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John Stossel

Arthur I, Cyr

COURTESY PHOTO President Joe Biden

Star Parker

The author is with the Center for Urban Renewal and Education

COURTESY SEN. TIM SCOTT’S OFFICE

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott

Please see PARKER on C4

Josh Hammer

COURTESY IMAGE

Alexis de Tocqueville

This law, in many ways, is open to manipulation

DONOVAN

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the mental health professional cites patient confidentiality?

About 10 years ago, there was only one clinic devoted to changing gender. Today, there are about 300 such clinics. This is exponential growth.

There are 260 working days in a year. Assume that one clinic has a doctor and supporting staff. Reduce the number of working days for this clinic to 200 days, leaving 60 working days aside for vacations and sickness. Two hundred working days with eight hours of work time, provides the capacity for seeing nine patients a day at an average of 40 minutes a patient and 13 minutes between patients. Patient-visit capacity would be 1,800 a year.

Multiply by 300 clinics. The patient capacity in gender-changing has grown from 1,800 to 540,000 patient visits per year. This is an exponential growth that can be explained only by a pandemic or human manipulation.

It seems that the educationalindustrial complex acts to take away your rights as a parentguardian by acting as an identifier of potential candidates for gender modification. While at the same

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No. 2 with last year being No. 3.

When it comes to concealed carry weapons permits, the numbers are staggering. In 1999, there were just under 3 million nationwide. Now there are more than 22 million and growing. Some states have counties where over 50% of the community carry a gun.

Which leads me to my next point. I don’t even know what to say or write anymore about how whacko the (lack of) enforcement of our laws have become. You’ve been background-checked, you have a permit to carry a gun, someone breaks into your house in the middle of the night, their intentions you can only guess are not good and you shoot for fear of your own and your family’s life. And you go to jail! Again, for the sake of space, cases like this in a variety of situations occur every day.

time, failing to produce students educated to their grade level in English and mathematics.

You are about to be disenfranchised as parents unless you all fight back. If you allow these bills to pass, you will lose your children to the ever-growing control of Sacramento zealots.

Your disenfranchisement, if you are over age 65, is likely to be state nationalization of all health care in California, called CalCare. It will provide a leveled-down, healthcare service. Those over 65- 70 will lose their position for health care procedures by rationing in favor of younger people. Elderly people will also lose the protection of federal Medicare and Social Security.

The state of California has been negotiating with the federal government to take control of your Social Security payments and your Medicare funding to subsidize CalCare. Social Security payments will likely be means-tested to subsidize others. As will Medicare through rationing. This “singlepayer” system includes coverage for illegal immigrants and the homeless. The vast bureaucracy to administer this sprawling network will cost billions of dollars annually.

If you don’t organize together to defeat legislation AB1078 and AB665 and reverse AB1184,

defender had every right. But loony woke district attorneys out of their way to lock you up. And if you’re white and the criminal was black, you lose. The new wave of racial equity. Laws are being “adjusted” so criminals with darker skin shades don’t get punished.

I keep repeating: Murder, robbery, drug dealing, rape, all crime, should be color blind. Doesn’t matter what the wrongdoer looks like. But that’s not what’s happening. Left-wing nut cases, including Los Angeles’ D.A. leader of the pack George Gascón, has such bad woke cataracts he can’t tell a criminal from a hero. Well actually he can. He simply chooses to enforce the law the way he interprets it, especially if you’re a cop.

described below, your children’s future will have been surrendered to the state by your inaction against socialism-driven activists in Sacramento.

In September 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 1184. This bill is designed to lock parents out of any serious medical and surgical decisions requested by any child of 12 and older.

Medical requests made by your 12-and-older children, including abortion, will be implemented and your insurance will be charged without your knowledge or consent. Neither the adult referring your child for treatment, nor the doctor carrying out the treatment, nor the insurance company paying for genderaltering drugs or other services, such as abortion, are permitted to inform you, without your minor child’s consent. This law, in many ways, is open to manipulation.

Jointly, parents should seek legal advice to contest in the courts these three bills, plus the imposed indoctrination of minor schoolchildren by school staff in racially divisive ideologies, such as critical race theory, the indoctrination of minors in LBGTQ+ sexual practices. the identification of minors with misdiagnoses of gender dysphoria,

Francisco, criminals managed to close Whole Foods, Walgreens, Safeway and so many more. Here the inmates destroy not just the business but the livelihoods of thousands and eliminate much needed services from the public.

In Los Angeles, a longtime beauty business owner with multiple stores, recently announced she’s closing all of them down after her 12th breakin. Says she can no longer survive the crime. Starbucks, the darling of the left, shut down six locations in L.A. due to safety. Those two examples are but a blip to what’s happening by the thousands across what used to be a law and order country.

and advocacy toward gender transformation treatment.

Woke insanity has arrived in our military that will appall all the men and women of every religion and every political persuasion, in our armed forces.

It was reported that Pentagon doctors have proclaimed that children from 7 years old can make decisions to be injected with hormones and puberty suppression drugs.

This means children can be removed from their parents’ care if the parents object that “The child is not mentally or emotionally mature enough to make such decisions.” As we have reported here, astonishingly, California is considering a bill to allow the same standard for children of 12 years and above.

This alone will severely reduce recruitment below existing poor levels. And departures from all branches of our military will accelerate. The Chinese military must be rubbing their hands in glee.

“Failure is a product of fear. Success is a reward to the brave.”

Bonnie Donovan writes the “Did You Know?” column in conjunction with a bipartisan group of local citizens. It appears Saturdays in the Voices section.

on the brink of bankruptcy.

The numbers are staggering, and we better take notice. Those people losing their jobs certainly do.

While our propaganda “news,” D.A.’s, government and our president are supposed to be keeping an eye on the welfare of the nation, they’re more dangerous than our enemies. I’m beginning to fear the above more than a Chinese invasion.

Fight fire with fire, mutatis mutandis: The only way out is through

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— all of which flouts Tennessee House rules.

Many have condemned Tennessee Republicans for their purported “overreach” in expelling the inciters — including, naturally, the invariably incoherent Vice President Kamala Harris, who jetted off to Nashville to praise the rulebreakers (each of whom has since been reinstated to the House by their respective county commission or city council) for their “courage.” (N.B. real courage in this broader saga would be Nashville law enforcement standing up to the transgender lobby and releasing the lunatic school shooter’s manifesto, which has conveniently since been deepsixed.)

But at a time when U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice is prosecuting myriad dubious cases of hapless individuals who traipsed into the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 jamboree, which the corporate press prefers to describe as an “insurrection,” why would the Right in Tennessee not muscularly respond to actual legislative rulebreakers in an attempt to send a reciprocal message? Fight fire with fire, mutatis mutandis: The only way out is through.

Judge Lisa Branch to supplement their previously announced boycott of hiring law clerks from woke-addled Yale Law School by now adding an additional boycott of Stanford Law School, where fellow Fifth Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan was shouted down last month by an uncontrollable mob of juvenile mini-Robespierre jackals. Just as some “nice” and “civil” conservatives rejected economic boycotts a decade ago, so too do many establishment/ chamber of commerce-aligned conservative judges today reject using their heft in the law clerk hiring market to try to effectuate much-needed changes at our nation’s leading institutions of legal education. But these naysaying judges are simply naive. Only “exogenous shocks to the system,” as the Manhattan Institute’s Ilya Shapiro recently put it in Newsweek (where I am opinion editor), have any chance of bearing fruit. The Ho/Branch boycott, in short, is emphatically correct: The only way out is through.

“When it comes to the most important things in life, you should toss civility aside and fight for what’s right with everything you have,” Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm argued in a 2020 Newsweek op-ed. Indeed. Would that the country club/chamber of commerce wing of the American Right might imbibe that lesson. The only way out truly is through.

Finally, consider the recent admirable decision of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Judge James C. Ho (disclosure: my former boss) and U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

To find out more about Josh Hammer and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www. creators.com.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. in New York City and so many other woke sycophants across the country have taken the law into their own hands.

On that other planet called San

Common sense tells you the

The stories of all the retail closures due to safety is only one part of it. The Biden cartel, through a variety of reckless moves, has America trending backward at an alarming rate. Amazon, Walmart, BB&B, CC, Best Buy, Macy’s and so many more are cutting back or just giving up. David’s Bridal with 300 stores is

You know when the trans community has a group of gun toters training in the use of semi-automatic weapons calling themselves the Rainbow Reload — some go by the name “Pink Pistols” — that something has really gone wrong. One of the organizers, Fin Smith, said, “If the world is a dangerous place, then you have to be dangerous back.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Henry Schulte welcomes questions or comments at hschulteopinions@ gmail.com.

The name Donald J. Trump can raise strong emotions

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Mr. Weisselberg was charged with failure to pay taxes on the fringe benefits of his use of a house and car provided by the Trump Organization. Typically, the penalty for not paying this type of taxes is paying it along with a fine. However, Mr. Weisselberg was charged with a crime although that would be waived if he testified against Trump. When he refused, District Attorney Bragg threatened to charge his son for failure to pay taxes on the tuition Trump paid for him. After Mr. Weisselberg pled guilty to a misdemeanor, Judge Merchan, while sentencing the 75-year-old to five months in Rikers jail, said he wanted to sentence him to more time but was limited by the plea agreement. Did this comment “promote public confidence” in his “impartiality?”

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Judge Merchan will preside over the court case that alleges Steve Bannon committed fraud in raising funds to help build the wall for our southern border.

Judge Merchan in the Trump case is permitting an attempt to raise an alleged misdemeanor violation of a state law, that is barred by the statute-oflimitations, into 34 felony violations of a federal law, without specifying what “crimes” were violated.

Multiple legal experts, such as Alan Dershowitz (D), retired law professor of Harvard Law School, questioned these charges and Trump’s ability to receive a fair trial in New York City.

The case appears so bizarre that it caused President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, after they both received hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars last year from Vice President Kamala Harris, to say that the Biden administration

uncomfortable with my body, I was probably a boy trapped in the wrong body.

“And the more I agreed with them, the more they celebrated me.

“I was getting the message loud and clear: if I was a girl who became a boy, I’d be valued and loved even more.

should stop telling them about the U.S. having a democracy. Chinese ruler Xi Jinping is also using the Trump case to discredit U.S. democracy.

The name Donald J. Trump can raise strong emotions internationally, as well as in New York, such as District Attorney Bragg’s wife, Jamilia, reportedly saying she influenced her husband Alvin to file the charges against Mr. Trump while also tweeting that all U.S. presidents had “enslaved African Americans.” How much does that affect potential jurors? Can he receive a fair trial in New York?

Judges must not allow family or political relationships to influence their judgment.

Is the judge’s daughter Loren Merchan, 34, a partner in the progressive digital firm Authentic Campaigns, that worked for Obama-Biden and on the campaigns of Biden and Harris, influencing the judge? Should her

sex offenders ...

...and finally, they removed my breasts in a radical double mastectomy.

“I was 15 years old.

“And of course, none of this made me any happier or less confused.

deposition be taken, as happened to the Trump family?

Judge Merchan’s record indicates that for him to avoid the appearance of political relationships impacting his impartiality when “this court finds” on such issues as venue, the charges, jury selection, witnesses and evidence and objections, and the applicable law to the jury, this judge should rule that he is recusing himself from the Trump case. Now.

Brent E. Zepke is an attorney, arbitrator and author who lives in Santa Barbara. His website is OneheartTwoLivescom.wordpress. com. Formerly, he taught law and business at six universities and numerous professional conferences. He is the author of six books: “One Heart-Two Lives,” “Legal Guide to Human Resources,” “Business Statistics,” “Labor Law,” “Products and the Consumer” and “Law for Non-Lawyers.”

my breasts.

“When I woke up from that surgery, I was shocked at how mangled my body was. And now years after the surgery, I still wear bandages every day to cover the oozing, unhealed scars.

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so we can bank wind and solar energy and store it until it’s needed!

Batteries are “getting continually better and cheaper,”

I say to Mr. Epstein.

Backing up all solar and wind with batteries would cost “multiples of global GDP,” responds Mr. Epstein. “This is a total fantasy.”

“You say unaffordable,” I push back, “but who’s to determine what that is?”

“The general narrative is we’re destroying the planet with fossil fuels, so who cares how much energy costs?” Mr. Epstein says. “The truth is, the planet is only livable because of low-cost, reliable energy from fossil fuels.”

Before fossil fuels, “Life expectancy was below 30. Income was basically nonexistent. The population was stagnant because people had such a high death rate. The basic reason is that nature is not a very livable place for human beings.”

By contrast, thanks to cheap fossil fuels, Mr. Epstein says, “We make it unnaturally safe by producing all forms of climate protection. We produce drought relief ... sturdy buildings. We produce heat when it’s cold, we produce cold when it’s hot. We have this amazing, productive ability. That’s the only reason we

experience the planet as livable.”

Unfortunately, because of today’s foolish hysteria over fossil fuels, energy prices will climb. “When you threaten an industry, you scare investors and producers. Massive threats to industry have definitely cut down production.”

America’s affluent protesters can afford the higher prices. But poor people will suffer. Allowing billions of the world’s poor to live a modern life requires energy from gas, oil and even coal.

The United Nations now puts pressure on countries to stop using fossil fuels. Governments in poor countries, eager for U.N. handouts, often listen.

“Their whole population is going to suffer,” warns Mr. Epstein. “People who have by far the least in the world (are) most subject to today’s international pressure against fossil fuels.”

If we want more of the poorest people to have decent lives, we need to invest in both fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Every Tuesday at JohnStossel. com, Mr. Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

Copyright 2022 BY JFS Productions Inc.

Which brings us to the case of Chloe Cole, whose “transition” from a girl to a boy was accomplished before she turned 15. That includes the removal of her breasts.

She has recently made an online appeal to raise money to help prevent what happened to her from happening to others. She’s now 18 and recently appeared with Harmeet Dhillon on the Fox News Channel’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight.” Here’s some of what she writes:

“It all started when I was 11 years old and growing up in Northern California. I was growing embarrassed and confused once my body started changing.

“I was also shy and didn’t socialize easily — and I didn’t feel comfortable talking about any of this with my parents.

“But I found ‘friends’ on the internet who told me if I was

“Before long I was telling my parents, I was transgender.

“They had no idea what to do.

“My poor parents were scared and desperate and took me to ‘experts’ who convinced them that if they failed to act quickly, I would surely commit suicide.

“The gender clinic gave my parents an ultimatum: ‘Would you rather have a dead daughter or a living son?’

“Given those choices, my parents would have signed anything the doctors put in front of them if it meant ‘saving’ me. When they signed those forms, it wasn’t informed parental consent. It was a desperate decision made under extreme duress.

“And so, at age 13, I was fasttracked for medical transition from a girl into a boy. The doctors started giving me weekly testosterone injections … they injected me with an experimental drug used to chemically castrate

If you’re like most people I tell my story to... right about now you’re probably thinking, “HOW did it ever get this far?”

“And the answer is simple.

“The ‘experts’ lied to my parents — and to me — every step of the way.

“They claimed I would never get ‘better’ unless I medically transitioned — when the truth is that the vast majority of children who think they’re transgender grow out of it with absolutely no chemical or surgical intervention.

“They claimed their consent forms covered all the risks of pumping testosterone and puberty blockers into my 13-year-old body ... while their forms left out dozens and dozens of known risks.

They never told us that there isn’t one single scientific study on the effects these treatments have on young children.

“And they never, ever, were straight with me about what it would mean to let them remove

“At age 18, I’m just beginning to understand what it will mean to never nurse my child — if I’ll ever be able to have children at all.

“For the rest of my life, my voice will sound like a man’s, my body will look like a boy’s, and who knows what cancers, cardiac problems, bone problems, and more are lurking around the corner.

“And my parents feel like they’ve failed me on every level imaginable.

I can’t go back. I can’t change what happened…” If you’d like to support kids such as Chloe, you can go to the “Imperfectly Me” GoFundMe platform that she has set up for that purpose.

James Buckley is a longtime Montecito resident. He welcomes questions or comments at jimb@ substack.com. Readers are invited to visit jimb.substack.com, where Jim’s Journals are on file. He also invites people to subscribe to Jim’s Journal.

our collapsing culture is endangering national security

Copyright 2022 by Creators.com. children within the public schools, to be informed by the school, and to participate in the education of their children, as specified to include, among other things, having access to the school records of their child.”

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responsibility and initiative, and pro-life.

We must understand that the collapse of these core issues and principles, so vital to a genuinely free society, is threatening our nation both domestically and internationally.

As David McCormick and James Cunningham show in their new book, “Superpower in Peril: A Battle Plan to Renew America,” our collapsing culture is endangering national security, as the Army falls short of recruitment goals with more and more young Americans unwilling or unable to serve.

Tim Scott is black man in America who knows that this is an exceptional country and that the exceptionalism is rooted in faith and freedom.

Sen. Scott understands that our future starts in the hearts and minds of every American citizen of every background and that our future does not start in Washington.

This vital message was lost in the presidency of our first black president, and great damage was done.

So, Sen. Scott’s race matters not for woke reasons but for anti-woke reasons.

This is a candidacy that can make all the difference where Barack Obama failed.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators. com.

Copyright 2023 by Creators.com.

‘This is a total fantasy’