Santa Barbara News-Press: May 27, 2023

Reason to celebrate

Allan Hancock College graduates receive diplomas at commencement

Murder victim identified as s anta Barbara resident

Victim of 1997 homicide is identified as Jefferey Douglas Kimzy

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama this week identified the victim of a 1997 homicide case as Jefferey Douglas Kimzy of Santa Barbara.

On April 15, 1997, the body was found — missing its head, hands and feet — near a wooded area in Union Grove, Ala.

The autopsy results found the manner of death was a homicide and that the body was mutilated, which made the identification of the body nearly impossible.

Now, 26 years later, the body was identified on Wednesday as Mr. Kimzy, a representative of the sheriff’s office told the News-Press. He was 20 years

Please see VICTIM on A4

Santa Barbara Humane stresses nurturing environment

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

And hundreds more friends and family members were there to cheer them on. (The total number of graduates, including those who didn’t attend Friday’s ceremony, exceeded 1,200.)

The event marked the school’s 102nd graduating class and celebrated students of all backgrounds, including many first-generation graduates, veterans and an age range of 15-68.

“Today you’re at the end of a journey that is also the beginning of a new adventure,” the school’s President Kevin Walthers told the graduates. “Our goal is to give students the

Please see GRADUATION on A8

Santa Barbara Humane’s mission is simple: “To be champions for animals and the people who love them.”

The shelter has been a staple in the Santa Barbara area for

MORE insidE

Fans of Santa Barbara Humane praise the nonprofit in letters to the News-Press. Voices, C2.

over 100 years and has brought help and guidance to many families in the area.

In 2020, the shelter, which is based in Goleta, merged with Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, helping the entire county with its animal needs.

Kerri Burns, CEO of Santa Barbara Humane, has been the shelter’s fearless leader for five years. She has transformed the shelter into what the community regards as a well-oiled machine.

“We have been really focusing on ‘how can we help with what our community needs,’” Ms.

Please see SB HUMANE on A8

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Graduates celebrate during the commencement Friday at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Hugs were a common sight Friday at the commencement.

PHOTOS COURTESY MARSHALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE San Marcos High School yearbook photos show Jeffrey Douglas Kimzey from 1993 (top left) to 1994 (top right) and 1995 (bottom left.) They were compared to a composite profile image, bottom right.

Memorial Day services planned throughout county

By KIRA LOGAN and DAVE MASON THE NEWS-PRESS

Several Memorial Day services are planned on Monday:

• The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation will hold a free program on Memorial Day to remember the sacrifice of the veterans who served the country.

The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Montecito.

The program will include performances by the UCSB ROTC Color Guard, Gold Coast Pipe and Drum Band, David Gonzales and the Santa Barbara Choral Society, the Prime Time Band and a flyover performed by The Condor Squadron.

Col. Robert Long, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch Test Range, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and Lt. Christia Sandstedt, CGC and USCGC Blackfin, are the guest speakers.

“We are humbled as we remember all of those who served our country and died protecting it,” said foundation co-founder Lt. John Blankenship (formerly of the U.S. Navy). For more information, visit pcvf. org/memorial-day-ceremony.

• A Memorial Day service will take place at 9 a.m. at the Goleta Cemetery, 44 S. San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara. Keynote speaker is Drew Wakefield. Those

attending are asked to bring a photo of their loved one who died while serving in the U.S. military.

• The American Legion Post 160 will conduct a short cemetery at 10 a.m. at Chalk Hill, followed by short ceremonies elsewhere in the Santa Ynez Valley at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Ines Mission in Solvang, 11 a.m. at Oak HIll and 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s.

• VFW Post 2521 will hold a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. at the Santa Maria Cemetery, 1501S. College Drive, Santa Maria.

• American Legion Post 534 will hold a service at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery, 1100 Stubblefield Road, Orcutt.

• VFW Post 7139 will lead a Memorial Day service at noon at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building,1745 Mission Drive, Solvang. The program will feature the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, visiting Post and Vandenberg Space Force Base guest speakers, American Legion 160 and a Boy Scouts troop. A free luncheon will follow in the American Legion wing.

• The Avenue of the Flags median in Buellton will be the site of a 3 p.m. Memorial Day event, which will feature pictures painted by local children. Those attending the event are encouraged to share their Memorial Day thoughts in notes and place them in mailboxes along the median.

email: dmason@newspress.com

Resident pleads guilty in sexual abuse case involving a child

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Manuel Navarro Magallon, 63, of Santa Barbara County pleaded guilty Thursday to four counts of sexual penetration of a child under 10 years old, nine counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a child, and 16 counts of using a minor for sex acts.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney

John T. Savrnoch told local media Friday about the pleas, which were entered in a Santa Barbara courtroom.

In March 2019, “Jane Doe,” who was 13

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER Shooting in Lompoc

LOMPOC — Lompoc police reported that a juvenile was injured during a shooting.

On Wednesday, two victims — both juveniles — were walking in the 900 block of N. I Street around 4 p.m. A vehicle approached the victims, and someone in the vehicle shot at them from within the vehicle, according to the Lompoc Police Department.

Police said one 13-year-old victim was struck during the incident and was transported to a hospital. He was later released.

The incident is under investigation and anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Lompoc Police Department.

— Annika Bahnsen

Police said one 13year-old victim was struck during the incident and was transported to a hospital.

Memorial Day closures listed

Banks, government offices and schools will be closed Monday for Memorial Day.

There will be no mail.

The News-Press won’t be published on Monday, and the newspaper’s offices in Goleta will be closed.

The News-Press will resume its normal publication schedule on Tuesday.

MarBorg Industries is observing the holiday and will delay its usual trash, recycling and yard waste pickup by one day in the Santa Barbara area.

— Dave Mason

years old, reported that she found a hidden camera in her bathroom and that she believed it had been placed there by Mr. Navarro Magallon. Mr. Navarro Magallon had been working in Jane Doe’s home since 2011 as a caregiver for her brothers.

On March 29, 2019, a search warrant was conducted on Mr. Navarro Magallon’s apartment and a number of electronic devices were found and seized from his room.

On those devices, Santa Barbara Police Department Detectives found numerous videos of Jane Doe being molested when she

was under 10.

On May 25, 2023, after a jury had been impaneled, the defendant decided to plead guilty to 29 out of the 30 charges he was facing, according to the district attorney’s office.

Mr. Navarro Magallon’s sentencing is scheduled for July 26 in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The defendant is currently in custody and is facing a maximum sentence of 120 years, followed by 60 to life in the state prison.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

$39M to community projects support green growth future

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - As part of a $600 million fund for projects identified as High Road Transition Collaboratives, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $39 million in grants were awarded to eight pilot projects which will create high-growth, low-carbon industries and high-quality jobs in the transition to a clean energy economy.

“Our transition to a clean economy must include all Californians – that’s why we’re investing hundreds of millions of dollars into innovative projects across our state that put workers first. We’re leaving no one behind on our path to achieving world-leading climate goals that will slash pollution and supercharge our economy,” Gov. Newsom said.

The Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) which monetizes the awards was created

to promote a sustainable and equitable recovery from the economic distress of COVID19 by supporting new plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians as stated on their site.

Thirteen economic development entities were initially awarded $5 million each to plan and recommend opportunities for investments for their respective regions. The eight awardees received additional funding for the implementation phase of the projects following the planning aspect.

The awards, amounting to $500 million, are administered through CERF by a cross-agency team that includes the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GOBiz), and the Labor & Workforce Development Agency.

Among the entities receiving awards are: Alchemist Public Market, awarded $7.8 million, The Walnut-Daisy Urban Farm project, awarded $3.8 million, The Noyo Harbor Revitalization Plan, awarded $3.2 million, The PACE Green Loan Fund (PGLF), awarded $5 million, Integrating Innovation and the North State’s Working Landscape, awarded $2.1 million, The Bioeconomy, Agriculture, and Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative, awarded $3.6 million, High Roads to Good Jobs and Prosperity in the Central Valley, awarded $10 million, and Latino Workers and Entrepreneurs Resiliency Pathway, awarded $3.4 million. Projects range from converting a library into a business and industry innovation hub to job training, business education, capital access, digital access and workforce development and referrals to thousands of divested community members in one region.

State plans for reliable clean energy electric grid

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - In a press conference today at Moxion headquarters in Richmond, California Gov. Gavin Newsom along with Paul Hillscamp Moxion cofounder and CEO of Moxion Power Co., Amisha Rai, Vice President, Policy and Advocacy at Advanced Energy United, Siva Gunda, Vice Chair California Energy Commission and Alice Reynolds, President of California Public Utilities Commission, announced a plan for the state’s clean energy.

The nature of change is why there is a need for building a clean energy future according to Gov. Newsom. “We’ve moved way past the debate around what’s happening with our climate,” he said. “We need to alter our approach and strategy to address these extremes.”

California is meeting its climate goals ahead of schedule according to Gov. Newsom. The state exceeded its goal to sell 1.5 million vehicles by 2025, reaching that figure earlier this year. By 2035 all vehicles should run on alternative energy and 90% of the grid would be renewables. The goal is to be carbon free by 2045.

“The question now is how do we deliver the reliability of the grid. How do we achieve the affordability?” Gov. Newsom emphasized.

Ms. Reynolds explained the scale of the undertaking in making California run on 100% green energy. CPUC is electrifying massive ports, the largest in the country, warehouses, truck fleets, airports, installing data centers, stadiums and

supplying energy for the activities of 40 million people living in dense cities, sprawling suburbs and very remote area throughout the state, all being electrified with 100% clean energy by 2045 by every single Californian in a carbon free system.

Success depends on the flexibility to scale up or down as needed and the timing of the development which must be aligned with the rate of the state’s growth and adoption of EVs and clean energy homes.

“For energy systems planning is key, the system must be ready at any time to serve California’s energy load at its peak,” Ms. Reynolds said.

The system needs to be equipped to provide generation, transmission and distribution capacity, where and when it is needed.

Reliability is the top priority, Mr. Gunda explained, and planning for weather extremes has been the focus of the energy agencies.

“As we move into the summer, if we have a catastrophic fire again and coincidental with the number of the heat events, the grid is going to be stressed.” Mr. Gunda said, but contingencies are being planned to mitigate the demand on the grid.

Long term California has 3 core challenges that is necessary to ensure reliability:

• Planning - sufficient data to really understand climate variability to include in forecasting processes.

• Scaling - Rapid building of resources; California needs 5 times more clean energy resources that are presently available.

• Working together - enough contingencies planned to get through extreme events.

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A Memorial Day service takes place at the Santa Barbara Cemetery in Montecito. Another service will be held there at 11 a.m. Monday.

Reparations a sham, Prighozin a ham — and America in a jam

“REPARATIONS

FIGHT ROARS AS SOME CITIES PUSH

MILLION-DOLLAR PAYMENTS TO BLACK AMERICANS”

Americans should be asking themselves this question: Where do reparations end?

Supposing Gov. Gruesome begins a national trend by paying out billions (if not trillions) of dollars to African-Americans, using money California does not even have (considering a $32 billion deficit). Who’s next?

Reparations for Chinese, who built this country’s transcontinental railway tracks?

Reparations for the descendants of Native Americans who were massacred or relegated to reservations?

The history of humanity is brutal and tragic.

Has Germany made adequate reparations to families of those who perished at Auschwitz and Dachau? To those who also had their bank accounts and master artworks plundered?

Has Turkey made reparations (or even admitted culpability) for its genocidal atrocities against Armenians? It goes on and on through the ages. So why are only AfricanAmericans singled out deserving of millions of dollars each in cash, along with absolution of debt?

The cynical answer, as usual: The exploitation of voting power.

“CIVIL RIGHTS VETERAN SAYS PUSH FOR REPARATIONS ABOUT DEMS KEEPING THE BLACK VOTE”

As Gavin Gruesome postures himself for a run at the White House in 2028 he wants and needs the black vote, starting with those in the state he allegedly governs.

“It’s a ploy,” says Robert Woodson, president of the Woodsen Center. “It’s just keeping us all at each other’s throats, and it’s being used cynically by people who really are trying to undermine the fundamental values of this nation.”

Slavery should not even be an issue in California. The state disallowed and outlawed it from the get-go.

Add this: Eight of the nine members of the California Reparations Tax Force demanding $800 billion be dispersed from state coffers among black people are … black, including the chairman and vicechairman.

Talk about stacking the court!

Is it not a conflict of interest that these task force members would become instant millionaires through reparations?

Would it not be more prudent to have included a balanced crosssection of ethnicities to assess the fairness of providing reparations to one singled-out segment of the population?

Is Gavin Gruesome not moronic for putting himself into this predicament by appointing a stacked “task force”?

Reparations has become the new COVID — a progressive litmus test that will create new racial tension and rip this country apart at the seams, likely exploding into violence. As was the case with masks, lockdowns and the experimental vaccine, prepare yourself to be shamed by the left if you do not buy into reparations.

“SLAVERY REPARATIONS TO BLACK CALIFORNIANS DIVIDE

THE STATE”

It is almost as if some devious force from behind the scenes is trying to instigate a race war while keeping sheeple distracted

from the truly important issues facing our country. It would not surprise me if the intelligence services of China and Russia are at least partly responsible for fomenting fissures such as reparations in our country. Divided we fall — and thus, we fall into their trap.

And this: If reparations are approved and implemented by various cities and states, prepare yourself for hyperinflation, a fiscal consequence. Because you cannot give tons of money away and expect prices of everything across the board not to ascend astronomically.

We’ve already experienced this to some extent, printing greenbacks out of thin air for COVID-19 relief and assistance programs such as the so-called Paycheck Protection Program. Money did not go to those who needed their minimal paychecks but rather to fat cat law firms, corporate giants and fraudsters.

If we do it all over again for reparations, watch and weep as prices for everything double or even triple.

That’s fine for those receiving the money, but it is a two-fold penalty on those who do not: One, higher taxes (your money) to cover the cost of reparations. Two, higher prices for everything from milk and eggs to cars and homes to live in.

“WHATEVER POLITICOS DO, CASH REPARATIONS LIKELY ILLEGAL”

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires “equal protection” for all Americans.

Which translates to this: If reparations are enacted by the California legislature and approved by the governor, they will be challenged in the courts on the basis that ALL Americans deserving of reparations cannot be excluded.

“COULD OPRAH WINFREY REPLACE DIANNE FEINSTEIN, 89, IN THE SENATE?”

Proven liar Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, who desperately covets Sen. Dianne FeinsteIn’s U.S. Senate seat, must be fuming over Gov. Gruesome’s pledge to appoint a black woman to replace Sen. Feinstein, D-California, without considering the attributes of other candidates who are neither black nor female.

And now we hear Oprah Winfrey of Montecito is on Gavin’s shortlist.

Says Terry Schilling, president of American Principles Project: “The people of California, just like any other state, deserve the best person possible representing them, not someone whose chief qualification is their sex and skin color.”

“MYSTERY AS RUSSIAN OFFICIAL DIES MID-FLIGHT AFTER BECOMING SERIOUSLY ILL”

Mad Vlad’s intelligence apparatus continues to murder senior officials who criticize Russia’s tyrant and his brutal war on Ukraine.

Who: Pyotr Kurcherenko, 46, deputy science minister.

When: Last Saturday.

Where: Aboard a plane from Havana.

Why: “He condemned the very idea of war, especially a fraternal one,” wrote Russian journalist Roman Super.

“WAGNER GROUP CHIEF ADMITS UKRAINE WAR HAS COMPLETELY BACKFIRED”

According to Russian oligarch

Yevgeny Prighozin, President Vladimir Putin’s misguided invasion has not resulted in “demilitarizing” Ukraine.

Quite the opposite.

Because thanks to a treasure trove of military equipment from the West, Mr. Prighozin points out, plus “a high level of organization, a high level of training and a high level of intelligence,” Ukraine now has “one of the strongest armies.”

“WAGNER SAYS 20,000 OF ITS TROOPS HAVE DIED TAKING UKRAINE’S BAKHMUT”

All the lives that will never be fully lived.

All the widows, children, parents, grandparents and siblings who will never see their loved ones again and will be devastated by that loss the rest of their lives.

All the children that will never born All because of one monster: Vladimir Putin.

May his evil soul be damned and rot in hell for all eternity, along with the souls of weak sycophants complicit in his madness.

“UKRAINE-RUSSIA WAR: PUTIN AT RISK OF ‘REVOLUTION’”

Yevgeny Prighozin, head of the Meatgrinder Wagon — or Wagner-Train — has invoked Russia’s 1917 revolution in his forecast that President Putin’s regime will fall as a consequence of Russia’s defeat against Ukraine. (Mr. Prighozin is either signing his own death warrant or posturing himself to replace Putin.)

And perhaps this is already happening as …

“ANTI-PUTIN RUSSIANS SAY THEY LAUNCHED A CROSSBORDER ATTACK FROM UKRAINE”

Russians aligned with Ukraine this week initiated the revolution with an armed incursion into Belgorod in southwest Russia.

A representative of the Russian Armed Opposition Center, based in Kyiv, told CNN that his insurrectionist group intends to “liberate our motherland from the tyranny of Putin.”

Now that Russians are no longer safe within Russia, coupled with a vast number of loved ones being returned in body bags to Russian families, equals molten lava readying to erupt.

“PAUL WHELAN SHARES ‘EXTREME WORRY’ HE COULD BE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN”

Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan continues to languish inside a Russian prison while Brittney Griner (freed last December in exchange for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout) plays basketball.

Under President Joe Biden’s divisive rule, political leanings prevail. So no hostage negotiation for Paul, who has already served six years of a 15year sentence, supposedly for spying.

Where is former Congressman and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (who specializes in the brokerage of such international releases) when you need him?

As I recently learned while in Santa Fe, Bill apparently hangs at the bar of the Inn at Anasazi most mornings drinking sauvignon blanc, petulantly (after a few glasses, it is alleged) picking political peeves with other patrons.

Meantime, Paul Whelan

Illinois pork producers brace for impact from U.S. Supreme Court ruling

By ZETA CROSS THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Pork producers in Illinois and across the U.S. are scrambling after the U.S. Supreme Court narrowly ruled against them. In a 5-4 decision announced earlier this month, the Supreme Court majority voted to dismiss the pork producers’ challenge to Proposition 12, a California law that requires pork producers to give gestating sows 24 feet of space, rather than confining them in crates for their protection.

Chad Leman, a third generation hog farmer and president of the Illinois Pork Producers, said his members are “deeply disappointed” in the ruling.

“We know what is best for the animals. We certainly know more than the activists or the politicians do,” Mr. Leman told The Center Square.

The majority of pigs raised in the United States are not produced in California, Mr. Leman said. They are produced in the Midwest and in North Carolina.

“What freedom to operate means is that we don’t want states like California telling us what the rules are for growing the pork,” Mr. Leman said. “But that ship has sailed. We’re all trying to figure out how to respond to this.”

Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion for the court. Conservatives Clarence Thomas and

Amy Coney Barrett joined liberal justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor to make up the majority.

Conservatives Samuel Alito, John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh supported the pork producers, along with liberal Katenji Brown Jackson. Last fall, the Associated Press reported that the Biden administration submitted a strongly worded brief to the court on behalf of the pork producers, saying that the California law will mean a “wholesale change in how pork is raised and marketed in this country.”

The majority of Illinois hog farms currently run operations that are not in compliance with the California requirements, which are set to go into effect nationwide on July 1.

“That would mean that most of our farms would have an immediate reduction in capacity of about 30%, a significant reduction in capacity,” Mr. Leman said.

It is possible that the July 1 deadline will be extended, Mr. Leman said, adding that pork producers are now in the process of figuring out what to do next.

Some pork producers are already making the changes to their sow housing, Mr. Leman said. Pork producers are talking to their packers to determine what premium they will be paid for pigs raised under more expensive conditions.

continues to suffer because securing Ms. Briner’s release before Christmas was more politically correct than pushing for Mr. Whelan’s freedom.

THE STATE OF SMALL-TOWN AMERICA

I recently returned from a 12-day road trip that took me through Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. As much as possible, I strove to take the pulse of small town America (as did John Steinbeck in “Travels with Charley”), by driving on local routes instead of interstates.

Antonito, a small town with a population of 647, is the location of Colorado’s oldest church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in 1857. Sadly, this town symbolizes what is happening to small towns from

coast to coast. Driving through Antonito on Highway 285, I passed a number of dilapidated, boarded up shops, restaurants and hotels. One closure after another.

And forget about movie houses: Not a one remains open in any small town I drove through.

But, lo and behold, Antonito, whose amenities have been vastly depleted, enjoys a trio of vibrant, freshly painted shops: All three are cannabis dispensaries.

What would Steinbeck say?

EMAIL

FROM A READER

“You have spent an enormous amount of time and work in Monaco. Do you have or care to share your opinion on the death of Princess Grace? I have heard it was not an accident.”

My response: I have many times driven the road from La Turbie, atop a French Alp, so I know firsthand the dangers posed by that steep descent through a trio of hairpin turns. Grace, who was only 52 when she died in September 1982, speeded up when she should have slowed down. This was due to either 1) the brakes on her Rover were shot (accidental or intentional) or 2) Grace suffered a stroke and lost control of the pedals.

Some say Stephanie, age 17 at

the time, was driving (without a license) — and maybe she was. If so, Grace and she were probably arguing over Steph’s wild ways. The wrong place for histrionics.

I think it more likely that the 1990 death of Stefano Casiraghi (husband of Stephanie’s older sister, Caroline) in a boating “accident” (during a yacht race near Monaco) was an organized event.

Mr. Casiraghi and his Italian mafia backers had been trying to make a move on the principality’s ultra-lucrative and cutthroat building sector, which for decades had been the exclusive domain of the Pastor family, known as “The Prince’s Builder.”

A vicious war is now under way between the new generation Pastors and corrupt members of Prince Albert’s inner circle and Grace’s grandchildren over who gets to deconstruct and rebuild Monaco’s real estate — in addition to co-opting, through strongarm tactics, long-established businesses.

Monaco, under the rule of Prince Albert II, has become Moscow-by-the-Med.

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

ROBERT ERINGER NEWS REVUE

Warriors start World Series with a win

By RON SMITH WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

A five-run eighth inning propelled third-seeded Westmont baseball (44-8) to a 7-3 win over sixth-seeded Cumberlands (Ky.) in the Avista NAIA World Series. The victory marked the first win in program history in World Series play.

“It means a lot to our whole community,” said Westmont’s head coach Tyler LaTorre of the win. “It goes back to Robert Ruiz and the program he continued to build and broke through last year with the first trip to the World Series. It is a testament to everyone who is a part of this Westmont College community.

To the players, it is just trust. We continue to believe in each other no matter who it is – up and down the lineup, in the bullpen, on the mound – it is everyone working together.”

With the win Westmont will advance to take on the winner of Saturday’s game between secondseeded Georgia Gwinnett and seventh-seeded Taylor (Ind.). Taylor defeated MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) 6-5 earlier in the day for the right to take on Georgia Gwinnett tomorrow.

Cumberlands got on the scoreboard with a solo home run by Charlie Muniz in the top of the first inning – his 24th of the season. Westmont answered, however, with a matching run in the bottom of the first. After back-to-back walks to Robbie Haw and Brady Renck, Ryan DeSaegher reached on a ground ball to second, loading the bases. A ground ball by Bryce McFeely drove in Haw.

“This is the first time in the postseason that we haven’t scored first,” noted LaTorre. “To see us come back and score in the first after the solo home run in the top of the first was special.”

The tie at one run apiece remained until the top of the fourth when the Patriots added two more. With runners on second and third and no outs, Ben Snapp singled to left to drive in Max Harper. Then Josh Simon’s ground ball to third allowed Evan St Claire to score.

During the inning LaTorre decided to stay with his sophomore pitcher Bryan Peck, who rewarded his coach

with three scoreless innings after the fourth.

“Peck’s outing was awesome,” praised LaTorre. “He minimized the bigger inning, keeping it to two runs, and continued to put up zeros. The three zeros he put up after they scored allowed us to save our bullpen and go to the guys we wanted to later in the game. Keeping it at three runs allowed our offense to continue to push and finally break through in the eighth inning.”

Renck did not figure in the decision, but did eat up seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out one and walking two.

Patriot starter Knicko Billings carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before DeSaegher landed a single in right field. The Warriors did not score in the fifth, but the ice was broken.

In the sixth inning, Liam Critchett crushed a solo home run over the left-center field fence, pulling the Warriors to within one run (3-2).

In the top of the eighth, Zach Yates came on in relief for the Warriors and produced a scoreless inning.

Yates, who would eventually be credited with the win, gave up a walk, but not a hit, and struck out one.

The bottom of the eighth inning started with Shane Hofstadler reaching first, courtesy of being hit by a pitch. With Daniel Patterson serving as a courtesy runner for Hofstadler, Michael Soper turned a 1-2 count into a walk, giving the Warriors runners on first and second.

That brought up Haw who laid down a sacrifice bunt to the first base side of the pitcher’s mound, moving the eventual tying and go-ahead runs to third and second base respectively. With Renck at the plate, a wild pitch allowed Patterson to score and Soper to advance to third. Then, Soper scored on a balk, giving Westmont a 4-3 lead.

Renck completed his at bat with a single into center field which he stretched into a two-base at bat when the centerfielder committed an error. Then, Renck advanced to third when a pick-off move was thrown into right-center field. DeSaegher extended the Warriors’ lead to 5-3 with a single to left that plated Renck. Paul Mezurashi took

UCSB baseball falls out of title contention

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

$1.5

DeSaegher’s place at first before McFeely stepped to the plate and drove a two-RBI home run to left, making it a 7-3 game.

“Coach Ontiveros told me to hunt the fast ball,” said McFeely after the game. “He flipped me a curve ball on the first pitch, so I thought he would throw me a fastball on the second pitch. He elevated the fastball, I got my barrel to it and I let fly.”

“Early on, we were a little bit defensive at the plate,” critiqued LaTorre. “In the eighth inning, we were taking swings on our pitches and not swinging on the pitcher’s pitches and we put together quality at bats.

“Adding on runs allows your pitcher going out in the top of the ninth to not feel like every pitch has to be perfect. If we have a one-run lead and they have a lead-off single, there is a lot more at stake. By adding runs, it is a momentum build to allow the pitcher to go out and pitch his game without feeling like his back is against the wall.”

Lucien Wechsberg was asked to close out the top of the ninth inning. After giving up a single to Snapp, who was leading off, Wechsberg struck out the next three batters, sealing the victory.

“Lucian has been absolutely stunning for us the last two months of the year,” noted LaTorre. “There was no hesitation going to him in the ninth inning. Lucien has been amazing for us out of the bullpen. Zac Yates putting up a zero in the top of the eighth was awesome for us as well.”

Winning has a number of advantages for the Warriors, chief of which is that they have two day’s rest before their next game. Additionally, by the time Westmont takes the field again, four teams will have been eliminated from the 10-team tournament.

“Rest is always good this time of the year,” said LaTorre. “We need to continue to get guys healthy. It also gives us an opportunity to rest our pitcher’s arms and make sure everyone is ready to go on Monday.”

Ron Smith is the sports information director at Westmont College.

email: sports@newspress.com

EVERYTHING IN THE STORE MUST GO!

UCSB baseball’s trip to Hawaii got off to a rough start on Thursday night, as the Gauchos (35-18, 18-10 Big West) fell, 17-1, to Hawai’i (2720, 16-12 Big West) in the opening game of a three-game series. Santa Barbara is now eliminated from The Big West Championship chase, but the Gauchos can still earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. To do so, Santa Barbara must win their final two games in Hawaii and have Cal State Fullerton lose both of their final two games at Cal Poly.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Things got off to a great start for the Gauchos in the top of the first inning, which they began by loading the bases with one out. Aaron Parker’s RBI single scored Jared Sundstrom from third to put Santa Barbara in the lead, and although they left the bases loaded, Matt Ager set the Rainbow Warriors down in order in the bottom of the first to keep the momentum in the Gaucho dugout.

Santa Barbara loaded the bases again in the top of the second but were unable to bring home any more runs, and from there the game went downhill quickly. Hawai’i tied the game

VICTIM

Continued from Page A1

old when the murder occurred.

Mr. Kimzy attended San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara. The identification was made possible through a DNA technology that had only recently become available. Through a company named Parabon NanoLabs, the sheriff’s office was able to identify the DNA samples in 2019. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office was able to release a composite image of the victim in 2021 through the technology. Although the Marshall County Sheriff’s

on a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the second and scored five more runs in the frame to lead, 6-1. They added three more in the third, including another lead-off home run.

After JD Callahan, who had come on in relief to end the third inning, kept Hawai’i off the board in the fourth and fifth innings, the hosts got on the board again in the sixth, scoring five more runs in the inning. One of those runs was unearned. Three more Rainbow Warrior runs came across in the bottom of the eighth.

LeTrey McCollum and John Newman, Jr. started the top of the ninth with back-to-back singles, but they were left stranded after a double play and a game-ending strikeout.

ON THE STAT SHEET

• Parker led Santa Barbara with two hits on Thursday, driving in the Gauchos’ only run. • A total of 19 Gauchos — 13 hitters and six pitchers — appeared in Thursday night’s game, with Newman, Jr., Jessada Brown, and Josh Williams all coming in as defensive replacements in the seventh, while Justin Trimble entered an inning later.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

Office has identified the victim, it has not been able to identify how Mr. Kimzy was murdered or ended up in Alabama.

In a recent press conference, the Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sim reported his staff had been able to track a few leads, but no concrete evidence has been found.

He said this will not stop the sheriff’s office’s search.

“We want to find justice for the family,” Sheriff Sims said during the press conference. “That is the least we can do.” The search will now continue with this new information available to the authorities.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Authorities have not yet identified how victim was murdered or how he wound up in Alabama

Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sim reported his staff had been able to track a few leads, but no concrete evidence has been found.

Business/Real Estate

To buy or not to buy

Local real estate companies talk to News-Press, offer tips for future homeowners

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Ever-changing, unpredictable and stressful.

Those terms describe a myriad of things, like weddings, interior design or most importantly: the real estate market.

Buying a home is a time, energy and monetary commitment, with small nuances around every corner. Without any help, the market could seem scary and unpredictable. The News-Press asked local real estate employees about the market and their advice for future home buyers.

Billy Goldstein, director of business development and strategy at Village Properties in Montecito, explained his role in the real estate realm.

“My focus is how we can add value to our agents and broker associates; how we can help them grow their businesses, streamline their work flows and deliver consistent positive outcomes for their clients.”

Further, Mr. Goldstein weighed in about the current real estate market.

“The market is always changing, and we constantly have to adapt.

In general, while new listings have ticked up, it’s clear that buyers have come to grips with the new reality of where rates are.

“For the past seven or eight months, closed sales have averaged just below the asking price, meaning there has been some negotiability,” he told the News-Press.

Mr. Goldstein gave future home buyers a few bullet points for them to remember as they begin to look at homes:

• Start with your timeline.

• Look at a comprehensive budget.

• Evaluate where you want to live as well as your ideal property.

• Ask yourself how badly you want to be a homeowner vs. a renter, and work with a real estate agent who listens to your needs.

All things considered, Mr. Goldstein is advising caution and a well-thought out plan before any finalized decisions.

Regarding open houses, Mr. Goldstein exclaims how amazing the local area is. “This region (including the Santa Ynez Valley) just has so many unbelievable properties, and it’s a privilege to see and be involved in some of them,” he said. “And for the properties that need some love, it’s fun thinking about how they could be reimagined and the steps to get there.”

Though not a real estate agent, Mr. Goldstein proves his expertise in the field as he gives advice to future home buyers and supports agents who support them — a

domino effect of information and consideration.

The News-Press also collected insight from a real estate agent who’s president of the Santa Ynez Valley Real Estate Co.: Allan Jones.

Mr. Jones began selling real estate in 1988, then became president and principal broker for the Santa Ynez Valley company in 1992, whose “wonderful team of agents,” he said, “works like a family.”

When asked to explain the market to future home buyers, Mr. Jones explained, “The current market is still strong, even with higher interest rates. If you see a home in the location you want and can afford it, buy it. The market may be slow in the future, but no one knows for sure. Rest assured that our area will always be in demand long term.”

Cryptocurrency surprises financial industry and shows its potential

When the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, first came to the marketplace in 2009 at $0.0009 per coin, most of us in the financial services world thought of it as an odd concept at best and a scam at worst.

Jamie Diamond, one of the great minds on Wall Street, thought of it as a Ponzi scheme of sorts. Here we are, 14 years later, and Bitcoin, as well as many other cryptocurrencies, are as prominent as ever! Bitcoin got as high as $68,789 per coin!

Today it is trading in the $26,000 range.

Prominent politicians, such as Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and well-known athletes such as Odell Beckham, Jr. receive their salaries in Bitcoin. A lot of money has been made and lost with Bitcoin! Just imagine, if you were the first trader of Bitcoin, (5,050 coins for just over $5), today that trade would be worth $131,300,000!

A cryptocurrency is an algorithm.

It is any form of currency that exists digitally or virtually and uses cryptography to secure transactions.

Cryptocurrencies do not have a central issuing or regulating authority. Cryptos instead use a decentralized system of recorded transactions and issue new units. It’s a digital payment system that doesn’t rely on banks to verify transactions.

Cryptocurrency is a “peer-topeer” program that can enable anyone anywhere to send and receive payments.

Instead of being physical money carried around and exchanged in the real world, cryptocurrency payments exist purely as digital entries to an online database describing specific transactions.

Cryptocurrency received its name because it uses encryption to verify transactions. The aim of encryption is to provide security.

The first crypto was Bitcoin, which was founded in 2009 and

remains the best known today. While many choose to hold onto their digital assets for the long term, others are enticed by the potential quick profits offered by short-term crypto trading. Much of the interest in cryptocurrencies is to trade for profit, with speculators at times driving prices skyward!

Short-term trading allows investors to capitalize on price volatility within the crypto market. Traders aim to exploit price fluctuations, profiting from both upward and downward movements. By leveraging technical analysis and market trends, skilled traders can identify short-term opportunities and potentially generate significant returns.

Cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7, providing traders with ample liquidity for executing trades. Unlike traditional financial markets with limited trading hours, the crypto market’s constant availability enables traders to enter and exit positions swiftly.

Short-term crypto trading may allow investors to diversify their portfolios beyond traditional assets.

Cryptocurrencies also have a low correlation with traditional financial markets.

By incorporating short-term crypto trading, investors can potentially mitigate risks and explore new opportunities in a rapidly evolving sector. While volatility can be an advantage for short-term traders, it is a double-edged sword.

Cryptocurrencies are notorious for their price swings, which can result in substantial gains or equally significant losses within short timeframes. The unpredictable nature of the market exposes traders to heightened risk, making it crucial to employ robust risk management strategies and set stop-loss orders to limit potential losses.

Short-term trading demands constant attention and quick decision-making. The fast-paced nature of the crypto market can induce emotional pressure on traders, leading to impulsive and irrational decisions.

Fear and greed often drive short-term trading, which can cloud judgment and result in poor trading outcomes. Maintaining discipline and a rational mindset is paramount for successful shortterm trading.

Short-term trading can involve frequent buying and selling, leading to increased transaction costs. Crypto exchanges charge fees for every trade executed, which can eat into profits, especially for highfrequency traders. Additionally, tax implications vary across jurisdictions, and short-term trading may bring higher tax liabilities due to the increased frequency of trades.

Short-term crypto trading can be a lucrative endeavor for skilled traders who are well prepared, disciplined, and capable of managing the inherent risks. While it offers the potential for quick profits and portfolio diversification, it demands constant attention, knowledge and emotional control.

Cryptocurrency, an investment that seemed silly in 2009, has developed into an important part of the current investment arena.

Invest prudently, and remember to stay the course!

Tim Tremblay is president of Tremblay Financial Services in Santa Barbara (www. tremblayfinancial.com).

With more than 30 years of professional experience, Mr. Jones advises future home buyers to do just that: Buy.

“Buy. Own your home. Owning your home is the beginning of wealth building and a stable life,” he told the News-Press.

Further, akin to Mr. Goldstein’s advice, Mr. Jones stated, “No one can time the market perfectly.”

When asked about the ratio of buyers to homes, Mr. Jones said, “Yes, there are more buyers than sellers. It can be competitive when there are multiple buyers.”

He added, “Each situation is different for each person, so doing the best you can for your clients is paramount.”

Confident in his knowledge with decades of experience to prove it, Mr. Jones commented on the

Please see REAL ESTATE on A10

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Allan Jones, president of Santa Ynez Valley Real Estate Co., stands in front of a property bearing his company’s sign in Santa Ynez. “The current market is still strong, even with higher interest rates,” Mr. Jones told the News-Press. “If you see a home in the location you want and can afford it, buy it.”

Kerri Burns, Santa Barbara Humane CEO, hangs out with Benson at the nonprofit’s Goleta campus. Benson is a 9year-old dog who was surrendered when his former family was unable to take him while moving. Santa Barbara Humane also has a campus in Santa Maria.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Goal is to keep pets with families

SB HUMANE

Continued from Page A1

Burns told the News-Press.

“We have been shifting our philosophy to really being there for the community.”

Santa Barbara Humane has a range of services including adoptions, housing stray or found animals, animal training, veterinary services and appointments, and estate planning, just to name a few.

Santa Barbara Humane has a no-judgment policy that involves many conversations in your pet journey. If you need to give up your animal, the shelter will walk you through the process and help wherever you need.

“The donors have helped people who can’t afford to keep their pet. It has been a core aspect to our shelter,” Ms. Burns told the News-Press. “Our goal is to keep pets with their families, no matter the circumstance.”

Santa Barbara Humane does not receive funding from any local government and is not affiliated with any national organization. Instead, the nonprofit relies on its donors and community members for support.

Santa Barbara Humane has a focus on “Socially Conscious Sheltering.” This type of sheltering is a “compassionate, transparent and thoughtful” way of how shelters can best support vulnerable animals.

According to the nonprofit’s mission, Socially Conscious Sheltering is a “shared set of beliefs that animal welfare organizations around the world are embracing to create the best possible outcomes for companion animals.”

Free!

Ms. Burns expressed that Santa Barbara Humane is considering making some structural changes to its Goleta campus due to the various expansions the nonprofit has made over the last few months. Updates to this decision will come in the future.

Safe and sustainable sheltering is the goal for Santa Barbara Humane, something many residents in Santa Barbara appreciate. Additionally, many other organizations and shelters have expressed their love for Santa Barbara Humane.

Julie Cousino from the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton said, “Santa Barbara Humane has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the community by actively collaborating with various organizations and agencies, including our own Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society.”

“Together, we have been able to achieve more than we could alone, addressing the multifaceted needs of animals and their human companions,” Ms. Cousino said. “By pooling our resources, expertise and passion, we have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless animals in our region.”

Jeffyne Telson, a representative from RESQCATS, a local nonprofit that helps cats, said, “RESQCATS have the utmost respect for staff and the outstanding job they do for the animals in Santa Barbara County.”

If you would like to get involved, visit sbhumane.org for more information.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

GRADUATION

Continued from Page A1

tools to continue to learn and grow as they continue through their lives.”

“It feels pretty good, I actually accomplished it,” graduate William Perez told the NewsPress afterward. “I’m really proud of myself. I’ve been working at it since I graduated high school back in 2014. I went to the military for five years and then I came back and finished it.”

Students sat in their black caps and gowns, eagerly waiting to have their names called and

their diplomas handed over.

“We must push to be the strongest versions of ourselves. This is only a continuation of our journeys,” said the student body President Edianna Ysip, addressing her fellow graduates. “Be proud of yourselves. We made it through a very crucial part of our lives.”

The celebration, while focused on the graduates themselves, was also about the friends and families who helped get them through their accomplishments. For every name called across the podium, a section of the crowd cheered, occasionally followed by explosions of confetti and short bursts of handheld air horns.

“I’m very happy, very excited,” said Viridiana Perez, William Perez’s mother. “They’re carving the way for our younger generation and setting a good example.”

When asked if they were the first in their family to finish school, over half of the graduates stood to say yes.

“I hope you will look back on your time here and remember it fondly and with pride,” Board of Trustees President Greg Pensa told the graduates. “Congratulations, and I wish you all the best.”

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Join Us Memorial Day Ceremony

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2023 • 11:00 AM - NOON Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Dr, Santa Barbara Veterans, their families, and the community are welcome to join us at the Santa Barbara Cemetery for a free one-hour ceremony as we remember those who gave the greatest sacrifice for our country.

The ceremony will include a patriotic program featuring: Santa Barbara Choral Society • The Prime Time Band • Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band Seating and free parking will be provided.

Speakers:

Colonel Robert Long, Commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range, Vandenberg Space Force Base LT Christia Sandstedt, CGC, USCGC Blackfin

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Dr. Kevin Walthers, the president of Allan Hancock College, poses for a photo with a graduate.

‘We must push to be the strongest versions of ourselves’

‘Doing the best you can for your clients is paramount’

current interest rates, which have been a point of worry for some future home buyers.

“Interest rates are impacting sales, especially in the under $1million range. Buyers may not qualify for as large of a loan as they used to, which affects how much they can afford and therefore potentially putting pressure on prices.

“The market will adjust.”

His advice for future home buyers is to purchase a house as soon as they’re able.

“The Santa Ynez Valley is such a special place, where you could live in a home in town or on a ranch within a few miles of each other,” Mr. Jones noted.

As for current listings, Mr.

Jones said, “We have quite a few feature homes ranging from a 65acre horse ranch in Solvang for $8,750,000 to a 19-acre estate with a custom adobe home, over 6,000 square feet, in Woodstock Ranch in Santa Ynez for $3,495,000.”

Overall, Mr. Jones advised future home buyers to both buy and own. He believes the market will adjust accordingly, and the local area will have a long-term demand.

Lastly, a real estate agent from Carpinteria, Jackie Walters at Village Properties, weighed in on the current market.

Ms. Walters has been a real estate agent for 35 years. She worked for a real estate developer in the 1980s and said she “really fell in love with the field and how creative it is as a career.”

Ms. Walters has been with Village Properties for 15 years.

“Our main challenge in the local

CASTRO, Salomon Jr.

Salomon Castro Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully on May 16th, 2023. Sal was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Marquardt. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Castro, Daughters Diana Miller and Susan Asselin and grandchildren, Charlotte Parker, Gillian Zeile, Jason Marquardt and Julie Parker.

Sal was a man who lived life to the fullest, always. He moved to Goleta in 1969, taking a position with Raytheon in the engineering department until his retirement in 1996. Throughout his life, he enjoyed cycling, ping pong, woodworking, and always had projects in the works. He was generous with his handiwork, and I’m certain his beautiful creations are in homes all over CA. He loved to see people appreciate his pieces and took so much pride in all he built.

Sal was a loving husband, wonderful father and exceptional grandfather. He loved his entire extended family so deeply. He spoke often and warmly of his brothers & sisters and their children, and of his beloved mother until the end. He was a good man. He will be missed.

HILL, Keith

Alan

Keith Alan Hill (78) passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023, surrounded by his family in Phoenix, AZ.

Keith was born May 20, 1944, in Santa Barbara, CA and was raised in Goleta, CA, where he developed a love of the ocean and surfing.

He obtained a BS in industrial arts at Cal Poly, San Luis Obisbo before being drafted to serve in the U.S. Army in 1968. He served in Vietnam as a scout dog handler with the 1st Cavalry Division- fitting for such an avid dog lover.

After returning from Vietnam, he continued his studies at Humboldt State, Chico State and Butte Community College before settling into his lifetime career as a building inspector.

Keith was preceeded in death by his parents, Clifford and Mildred (Ware) Hill. He is survived by his ex-wife Sandee (Behl) Hill, son Kirk (Arielle) Hill, daughter Robyn Hill, and grandchildren Breanna Kern, Kyler Hill, and Ryley Hill.

He will be laid to rest at the Goleta Cemetary, in Santa Barbara, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in Keith’s honor to Soldier’s Best Friend at www. soldiersbestfriend.org.

HAWS, Marion Engel

August 10, 1932 - May 14, 2023

Marion Haws passed away peacefully of natural causes on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023. She was 90 years old and lived a full and abundant life. She is the mother of 7 children, 30 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. Each of her children had visited her for Mother’s Day before she passed that day.

Marion was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was an only child. Her father helped provide for her and her mother during the difficult years of the depression by taking paying customers for airplane rides in an airplane he had built himself. At an early age, Marion had her own leather flying helmet and would fly frequently with her father in his airplane. During her adolescent years, her father flew cargo planes during World War II and was thereafter employed by the US Air Force as an aircraft inspector. As a result, the family moved from place to place around the country. As Marion grew up and she had many varied experiences living in many different places. She developed a strong bond with her mother, Eleanor, who was a wonderful musician, seamstress, cook and homemaker. Marion had a powerful intellect and excelled in her schoolwork in virtually all subjects. After high school graduation she attended UC Berkeley and graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in zoology in 1954. After graduation she stayed in the Bay area and enrolled in the graduate program to become a licensed physical therapist.

During the first week of the new program, at a casual dinner among college students at her apartment complex, she met Karl Haws who had just begun dental school a few days before at UC San Francisco. The connection was almost instant, and they learned that they were both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were engaged within 3 months of their first meeting and were married at the end of the school year. Karl and Marion were both the first members of their respective families to attend college. Their feelings for each other were based in large part on a desire to raise a large family within their faith and to raise their children together and teach them to work and to serve. They also had great admiration for each other’s strength, sense of adventure, work ethic, and capacity.

After their marriage in the Salt Lake City Temple of the LDS Church, they returned to dental school for the remaining three years and Marion earned the money as a physical therapist working with children with cerebral palsy to fund her husband’s education. They were married for over 68 years. After graduation, Karl completed a two-year commitment as a dentist for the US Army and then the couple settled in Santa Barbara, California, where Karl had grown up. There, he opened a dental practice that spanned over 50 years. By the time Karl and Marion moved to Santa Barbara, they had two children.

Upon moving to Santa Barbara, Marion devoted the next 60-plus years of her life to raising her children and facilitating their growth and development as well as serving countless others in the community and in her church. She had a son, then two daughters and then four more sons. She gave birth to her last son in 1979, at the age of 47. Marion had many pursuits that she taught and shared with her children. She was a fine tennis player and snow skier. She owned her own baseball glove (left-handed) and knew how to use it. She loved boating and the outdoors and drove her own ATV in the mountains well into her 70s. She loved classical music and sacred choral music and all seven of her children learned to play at least one musical instrument. All seven of her children also sang in the Santa Barbara High School choral program with famed director Phyllis Zimmerman. Marion was the president of the Santa Barbara High School PTA three different times and served her last term at age 63. She was active in cub scouts and boy scouts and all five of her sons are Eagle Scouts as well as 15 of her grandsons. All along the way, she taught, corrected, served, healed, guided, and loved her posterity and many others of their friends and family members. She insisted that her children express themselves with proper grammar and in thoughtful dialogue and sound argument. She taught her children to appreciate art and culture and did everything with a sense of elegance and grace. She has left a legacy of accomplishment and commitment and will be remembered for generations to come. Her most important legacy was nurturing the faith and spirituality of her family. She modeled living a faithful Christian life of integrity by praying, teaching, singing, and participating in frequent and regular church related activities. She taught that families are eternal, and we look forward to seeing her again.

Marion is survived by her husband, Karl N. Haws, Jr. and her children Karl “Kasey” (Julia), Andrea (Jim), Lauren (Ken), Max (Kelli), Peter (Gretchen), Adam (Camene), and Aaron (Heather). Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2107 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, California at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023. There will be a public viewing from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a. m. Marion will be buried in the Mink Creek Cemetery adjacent to the Mink Creek LDS Chapel in Mink Creek, Idaho, on June 3, 2023. There will be a brief graveside service at 11 a.m.

real estate market (today) is the lack of inventory,” she said. “Right now from Carpinteria to Goleta, for all price ranges, there’s only 103 housing units for sale.”

This is in comparison to five years ago, where the same area had 438 housing units for sale.

Though the numbers seem grim, Ms. Walters assures that there’s still plenty of opportunities and even some competition on the market: “We’re still seeing multiple offers. A buyer can find themselves competing with two, three, even four other buyers.”

When asked her advice for future home buyers, Ms. Walters said, “Get pre-approved. If you’re getting close to the time you’re looking to buy a house, pre-approval is so important to show the lender. It shows the seller that you’re equipped to buy.”

Further, Ms. Walters urges future home buyers, just like

MOORE, John Leonard

April 21, 1940 - May 1, 2023

the other local real estate connoisseurs, not to wait.

“Don’t wait. The median price is down 13% from one year ago,” she said. “In other words, yes, we’re in a high-cost community for housing, but there’s an opportunity now that prices are off their height from a year ago.”

Connecting a point that both real estate employees made about renting versus owning, Ms. Walters commented, “The Federal Reserve shows that nationally, the net worth of a home owner is on average 40 times that of a renter.”

She continued to explain that owning a home, compared to renting, is one of the single most successful pathways to creating wealth over the years.

Also connecting back to Mr. Jones’ point, Ms. Walters said, “We don’t anticipate any huge downturn in the Santa Barbara prices — the market

“We’realljustwalkingeachotherhome.”R.Dass

John, a Milwaukee resident, arrived home in Clarksville, Tennessee on Monday, May 1st, bathed in the love of his family and dearest friends. John was born and raised in Santa Barbara, the son of Leonard and Helen Moore. John spent his entire working life as a proud member of the IBEW, as an industrial electrician, an organizer and an assistant business agent, retiring from IBEW Local 231 in Sioux City, Iowa in 2004. He was a lifelong learner and interested in everything from jade, bonsai, and Chinese culture to golf. Most of all, John loved sharing stories and knowledge with everyone he met, especially young people.

John is survived by his wife and partner of 37 years, Marty Kinnick, his children, Sharon Moore, Cynthia Restivo, Virginia Moore, Brett Kinnick and A.J. Moore, 4 grandchildren and brothers Ralph and Wayne Moore.

A private family gathering will take place at a later date.

ANTONETTE, Edward Robert

Edward Robert Antonette, a former Moorpark, CA, school board member, passed away unexpectedly on April 15, 2023, at his home in Henderson, NV. He and his wife, Dorothea “Dottie”, had recently relocated from Goleta, CA.

Ed was born on May 16, 1941, in St. Paul, MN, and spent his youth in Sioux City, IA. He graduated from East High School and attended Morningside College before enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Ed served with U.S. Naval Construction Battalion 9 (SeaBees) during the early Vietnam War era, where he worked as a journeyman carpenter-builder and first class petty officer. After discharge, he attended Ventura College and remained in the Ventura area.

Ed spent much of his life in service to community and country. He served as student body president of Ventura College in 1962, and on the final Moorpark Elementary School District Board of Trustees from 1979 - 1980, where he advocated for programs for highachieving students. He spent many years in the Ventura and Moorpark Jaycees, and was honored as a JCI Senator and inducted into the Order of the Tiger. In Moorpark, Ed hosted one of America’s first Pet Rock Festivals and helped lead its first Country Days festivals. He was also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and other church activities in Santa Barbara County.

Throughout his life, Ed pursued a variety of careers and entrepreneurial pursuits, including shoe salesman, retail store manager, insurance agent, software developer, restaurant owner, and friendly Home Depot advisor.

Ed was a loving husband, father, and uncle who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He enjoyed visiting relatives in numerous states and trips to Germany and Lucca, Italy (Petrognaro) - the birthplace of his father and grandparents with numerous cousins remaining there. He loved researching family ties on genealogy sites and Facebook posts with his extended family and friends.

Ed is survived by his wife of 22 years; sons Ron (Cynthia), Richard, and Eric; grandchildren Karleen, Peter and Abby; brother Richard L. (Dianna); sister-in-law Virginia (Don); and nieces Debra Kenowith, Nancy Schroeder, and Dawn Luce. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Nora Ellen Antonette, and his brother Don Antonette.

Ed will be interred in Santa Barbara, and funeral services are pending.

SMITH, Dr. Brett, DC

November 30, 1964 - May 16, 2023

Our beloved Brett Andrew Smith of San Diego, CA passed away unexpectedly, entering into the loving presence of God. He was 58 years old. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, he then grew up with his family in Santa Barbara.

Later he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a doctor of chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College then further receiving a diploma in functional medicine.

Brett spent over 30 years as a holistic practitioner in San Diego, where he helped countless patients with their health concerns. He was wholly invested in his patients’ enjoyment of life and constantly researched the best alternative practices to optimize the health of many people.

Brett was a gentle soul with a huge heart. He lived life to the fullest, never losing his sense of playfulness. He enjoyed tennis, surfing, swimming, hiking, golf, biking, skiing, camping- anything outdoors with his friends and family. Beach yoga, meditation and mental health practices accounted for much of his time. Brett devoted all his efforts into raising his three children, gifting them with his wonderful sense of adventure. He volunteered in their classrooms, coached their teams, encouraged and supported them with their interests. He simply could not stand missing any part of their lives; always immensely proud of his children whom he loved beyond measure. All his family and friends meant the world to him.

Brett is survived by his father, Jim Smith; mother, Jean Smith; younger sister, Kristie Skoda; children, Cole, Kieran Smith (mother, Linda Rood) and Bowen Smith (mother, Gina Robertson Smith); nephews Chase and Clay Skoda, niece Katie Skoda; and countless friends and family members.

Brett’s memory verse for love:

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

May he rest in peace.

Brett’s celebration of life will be held on June 19, 2023, at 11:00, reception to follow atNewbreak Church-Tierrasanta Campus

10791 Tierrasanta Blvd. San Diego, CA 92124

has adjusted down right now.”

Ms. Walters’ most recent property is in Carpinteria, at 6371 Lagunitas Ct. It is a threebedroom house with two and a half bathrooms and two bonus rooms. It is selling for $1,695,000.

“A similar home in Santa Barbara would be one million dollars more,”

Ms. Walters said. “This home is close to the beach and to downtown Carpinteria. It has a nice yard and is on a quiet street.”

This house will be open today and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

Overall, the consensus among the local real estate community is to buy as soon as possible.

email: klogan@newspress.com

Real estate agent Jackie Walters advises potential home buyers not to wait. “The median price is down 13% from one year ago.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

Carpinteria real estate agent Jackie Walters stands in front of her most recent property in Carpinteria, at 6371 Lagunitas Ct. It is a three-bedroom house with two and a half bathrooms and two bonus rooms. It is selling for $1,695,000.

By MARILYN MCMAHON

Deckers Brands, the Rev. Randall Day and the Santa Maria Elks will be honored at the 17th annual Champions Dinner hosted by CommUnify, formerly the CAC/ Community Action Commission, at 6 p.m. June 8 at the Alisal Ranch.

The event will take place on the patio overlooking the River Golf Course, 150 Alisal Road in

Life theArts

SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2023

Community champions

CALENDAR

COURTESY PHOTO

The I Madonnari Painting Festival takes place today, Sunday and Monday at the Santa Barbara Mission plaza. Above is a painting created by Lorelle Miller, this year’s featured artist.

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

9 a.m. Memorial Day flag placement will feature putting flags on veterans grave at the Santa Maria cemetery. The meeting place is at the memorial monument in the main section of the cemetery.

9 a.m. Memorial Day flag placement will feature flags being put on veterans’ graves at the Santa Ines Mission, Chalk HIll, Oak Hill and St. Marks cemeteries. The flag placement is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at Oak HIlls.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The I Madonnari

Painting Festival takes place at the Santa Barbara Mission plaza. The free festival will feature 100 street paintings drawn live with chalk pastels by renowned artists and other enthusiasts including children, families, businesses and schools. This year’s featured artist is street painter Lorelle Miller, whose works have been seen at festivals throughout California and elsewhere in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Norway. She is creating a mural directly beneath the mission steps. The three-day event will feature live music and a food market on the mission lawn. Performers will vary from Mexcal Martini to Jason Libbs and the Congregation featuring Jackson Gillies, Brasscals and Rent Party Blues Band. For more information, see ccp. sbceo.org/i-madonnari/welcome. To see this year’s festival T-shirt, go to ccp.sbceo. org/2023-tshirt-1.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its permanent mineral exhibit of rocks and crystals that is on view in the small hall off the museum’s central courtyard. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which opened April 22, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature. org/minerals.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The James Castle exhibit is on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, see sbma.net.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei:

Deckers Brands, Rev. Randall Day, Santa Maria Elks to receive awards

Solvang. Tickets are $250.

This event recognizes and celebrates the contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations that are local champions and whose dedication to the community’s well-being has made Santa Barbara County a better place for all of its residents.

“The 2023 Champions Dinner will raise greatly needed funds to support the seven vital programs in CommUnify’s Family and Youth Services division, which helps youth and their families

countywide,” said Patricia Keelean, the CommUnify CEO.

“We are also grateful to CenCal Health for its generous matching challenge of up to $100,000 and to all the corporate sponsors who make this annual event possible.”

Master of ceremonies for the evening is Catherine Remak, cohost of KLITE’s morning show “Gary and Catherine.”

A live auction will feature items that include overnight stays at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Cavallo Point in Sausalito, lunch for two at

Pebble Beach Golf Resort, Santa Barbara Bowl tickets to see Diana Ross plus an overnight stay at the Santa Barbara Inn with luxury car service.

Jim Glines will be the auctioneer.

Deckers Brands subscribes to the belief “Be Good. Do Good.”

Since its first flip-flop took the surf lifestyle market by storm, Deckers has grown into a global, multi-brand company seeking out niche brands with a like-minded spirit and heritage.

Along with that growth has come a commitment to giving back — locally, nationally and globally. Through grants, sponsorships, its annual “12 Days of Giving” event, and its employee volunteerism “Art of Kindness” week, the “Deckers Gives” program provides critical support to Santa Barbara County nonprofits and residents.

Deckers Brands employees have donated 20,000 hours of their time to date.

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.

7 p.m. UCSB Department of Theatre and Dance students will perform Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” at UCSB’s Movement Studio, Theater/Dance West Room 1507. The Russian playwright’s story has been interpreted by Libby Appel and is being directed by Annie Torsiglieri. Admission is free.

MAY 28 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The I Madonnari Painting Festival takes place at the Santa Barbara Mission plaza. The free festival will feature 100 street paintings drawn live with chalk pastels by renowned artists and other enthusiasts including children, families, businesses and schools. This year’s featured artist is street painter Lorelle Miller, whose works have been seen at festivals throughout California and elsewhere in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Norway. She is creating a mural directly beneath the mission steps. The three-day event will feature live music and a food market on the mission lawn. Performers will vary from Mexcal Martini to Jason Libbs and the Congregation featuring Jackson Gillies, Brasscals and Rent Party Blues Band. For more information, see ccp. sbceo.org/i-madonnari/welcome. To see this year’s festival T-shirt, go to ccp.sbceo. org/2023-tshirt-1.

2 p.m. UCSB Department of Theatre and Dance students will perform Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” at UCSB’s Movement Studio, Theater/Dance West Room 1507. The Russian playwright’s story has been interpreted by Libby Appel and is being directed by Annie Torsiglieri. Admission is free.

MAY 29 9 a.m. A Memorial Day Service will

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

left, the Rev. Randall Day, rector at St. Mark’s, blesses an animal. Rev. Day is among those being honored at the Champions Dinner. At right, CommUnify is honoring Deckers

community service.

COURTESY PHOTOS

A rider shows her American spirit at the Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria. CommUnify is honoring Santa Maria Elks and others at its annual Champions Dinner in Solvang.

Don’t underestimate the importance of your photos

Do you have a disaster plan? Does it include grabbing all your family photographs?

If not, it should, and if it does, what you are reading will make the process safer and easier, as well as help you prevent an accident from wiping out your treasure trove of memories.

We have all seen and heard about people who’ve lost everything in some kind of natural or man-made disaster. Usually, what was the saddest thing for most people to lose were their family photographs. Having just lost the majority of mine, I can relate.

Donors saluted for contributions to Solvang Festival Theater

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

More than 450 donors were honored during a celebration this week at Solvang Festival Theater.

The donors contributed to the Imagine! Capital campaign, which raised more than $5.1 million over four years to rebuild much of the theater. The renovation was completed last July, and the donors at Tuesday’s celebration were impressed with the results.

Many plaques recognized parts of the theater that were named for specific donors.

The celebration featured the unveiling of the plaque naming the iconic box office tower after Judge Royce R. Lewellen. He was one of the Solvang Festival Theater’s founding community members and continued to support the theater throughout the years.

Donors contributed over $550,000 in honor of Judge Lewellen.

And the main entrance gate now bears the name of donors Lloyd and Ken Mills.

The Walker family puts its name on the theater’s lawn lobby. A

large stone from their property was brought in to bear the family’s plaque, according to a news release.

“Tonight is the culmination of years of effort that go all the way back to 2015,” said Chris Nielsen, past chairman of the Theaterfest board. “It was a lot of hard work by the board and a lot of commitment, not only by the board of directors but also by the community around us. Now we have a theater that will be here for generations to come.”

Tuesday’s reception included the announcement that Solvang

Theaterfest will soon launch a seat-naming campaign. The launch is expected in June, but those attending the celebration got a chance to donate early.

Solvang Theaterfest is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that owns and operates Solvang Festival Theater. It is managed by an allvolunteer board.

For more information, contact Solvang Theaterfest Executive Director Scott Coe at scott@ solvangtheaterfest.org or 805-5884112.

email: dmason@newspress.com

In my case, the disaster was of the computer variety. The result was heartbreaking. I’m not even a big picture taker, but the loss was emotional and unexpected. The hard lesson I learned here is to always back up pictures on a scan drive or on DVDs to prevent them from disappearing and taking your heart with them.

I had no idea, when my computer was sent to the regional center for repair, that they would wipe the hard drive clean. When it came back from repairs, I was shocked but believed I was safe because I had a good backup drive — or so I thought. Many things were lost, but none as sad as the pictures of good times and loving people.

Photographs are more than just pictures. They capture special moments in your life, so you can enjoy them later. I’ve kept nearly all the pictures I ever took, even the ones with the ex. It is my life in these photos — mine — and I want to savor these recollections, the joyful and the sad. What were once bad memories can even change over time after old feelings

associated with them have shifted. Someone you were angry with you may have now forgiven. Someone who hurt you has become a better person and is still in your life. These are pieces of your own puzzle that you continue to put together until you draw your last breath. Keeping pictures of the events and faces that you knew as you were building your life can serve to inspire you, make you weep or comfort you. All the feelings that are conjured up by a photograph are real and deserve your attention, even if it is just for a moment. So dust off those old albums, copy your pics from your hard drive, and digitally scan those not yet on the computer. If something happens, you will be glad you did. True, doing all this may be a bit labor intensive, but it is so worth it in the long run — and is a very simple thing that can save you a ton of grief in the future. Keep gathering pictures of those events and people you love, record them in your heart and in your photographs. What you are able to hold close will warm you if you let it, even memories. Your life is full of precious events that you deserve to treasure and can keep you smiling for decades to come.

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.

Two new board members announced at Savie Health

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Savie Health has announced the addition of two new members to the organization’s board.

Savie Health is a free medical clinic in Lompoc for people who are uninsured.

Yasmin Dawson, a community organizer, and Michael Dixon, a licensed clinical social worker, will join Savie Health’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Dawson is the co-founder and president of Collective Cultures Creating Change (C4), a coalition that works to unify Lompoc community members by working with leaders and individuals committed to equity and peace.

She is also the recipient of the Valley of the Flowers Peace Prize for her role as organizer of the March for Marlon in 2019 in honor of Marlon Brumfield, a U.S. Army soldier shot and killed while visiting home in Lompoc.

Ms. Dawson is also president of the Islamic Center of Lompoc and a member of both the Santa Maria/ Lompoc Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the local Democratic Club.

Ms. Dawson participated as a community member in a course for graduate students aimed at addressing health disparities in Santa Barbara County, offered by UCSB and the NAACP. She received the Santa Barbara County Action Network’s North County “Looking Forward” award in 2021. She previously served as a volunteer for the North County Rape Crisis Center.

Mr. Dixon is a licensed clinical social worker and manager of the Behavioral Health Program at Lompoc Health. He previously worked in Lompoc Valley Medical Center’s Case Management Department, assisting with discharge planning, care coordination, therapeutic intervention and staff education on mental health.

Mr. Dixon has extensive experience working with patients in crisis, having worked on the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness’ crisis team from 2014 to 2021. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oswego State University in New York and a master’s of social work from the University at Albany.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Library offers free access to e-bikes

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Public Library has partnered with Santa Barbara BCycle to expand access to its e-bike share program to the community.

With the addition of BCycle to the SBPL’s Library of Things collection, BCycle is hoping to expose more residents to the benefits of the electric bikes.

Beginning this weekend, library cardholders can check out a BCycle pass from the Central Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The BCycle passes can be borrowed for one week, and patrons can have

unlimited one-hour rides for the duration of the checkout period. Additional passes will be available from Eastside Library and the Library on the Go van later this summer.

The BCycle Library Pass Program is made possible with support from Bosch. Bosch e-bike systems supply Santa Barbara BCycle’s fleet of 250 pedal-assist electric bikes.

All library programs are free. For more information, visit SBPLibrary.org.

— Annika Bahnsen

SOLVANG THEATERFEST PHOTO

Ann Foxworthy Lewellen (left of plaque) and Mike Lewellen (right of plaque) are surrounded by other donors who contributed to the Royce Lewellen Memorial Tower at the Solvang Festival Theater.

SUDOKU

Thought for Today

“Appearances are a glimpse of the unseen.”

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Saturday, May 27, 2023

ARIES — This is a great time to move forward on a writing project, Aries. Any large, long-term project involving communication, film, or longdistance travel is begging you to take action. Don’t delay. You have a strong force urging you to move forward.

TAURUS — This is an expansive time for you. You can make great progress on your goals, Taurus. The key is to clear up any miscommunication or dishonesty before you move forward with a clear conscious. Don’t even bother trying to make progress before you’ve cleared up past cobwebs. Keeping everything on a light, flexible track will help you work more efficiently.

GEMINI — Your engine is revved and ready, Gemini. You have a full tank of gas.

Unfortunately, you may feel like there’s a large obstacle in your way. Perhaps this obstacle is your mental attitude and inability to make confident decisions. You may become so scattered at times that you can’t effectively move forward on anything.

CANCER — No one likes rejection, but no one likes rejection less than you, Cancer. You may hesitate to take risks in the unknown. Keep in mind that by playing it safe, you deprive yourself of the very adventure that could turn your life around. There’s an energetic, expansive feeling in the air encouraging you to take that leap of faith.

LEO — Be flexible in your communication, Leo, and doors will open to you that you didn’t even know were there. There’s a tremendous amount of physical energy at your disposal. Don’t waste it. By being rigid about your ways and insisting on doing things only according to your philosophy, you deprive yourself of the spontaneous adventures that give life the spice and variety you love.

VIRGO — You may be in a difficult position, Virgo. You want to explode into a new way of life yet feel stuck. Perhaps you feel chained to your current routine. You may feel like you’re indeed making progress in the world, but you long for a giant release — like a trap door opening - that allows you to make a leap into the great

CODEWORD PUZZLE

beyond. This door is always open.

LIBRA — You’re getting support for and confidence from one aspect of your life and physical energy from another. Even though the two areas may be in a point of conflict, Libra, you have the ability to take the positive aspects from each and fuse them together to create something new or solve a problem.

SCORPIO — Success will come to you when you work with the energies at hand. Go with the flow of the situation instead of trying to undermine or manipulate it. There’s a tremendous force at work. Perhaps all it needs is a bit of direction to align it with your goals. State your intentions openly instead of working behind the scenes.

SAGITTARIUS — You may end up in some arguments, Sagittarius. Your nature is expansive and generous, but if others take advantage of this good nature, your mood quickly turns to anger and detachment. Conflict is often a natural part of a relationship. Use it as a learning experience instead of blowing it out of proportion and turning it into a larger issue than it needs to be.

CAPRICORN — You may be confused about asking for help, Capricorn. Your usual resources could be occupied with issues and conflicts that have nothing to do with you. You may then offer to help others. By doing this, you’ve put someone else’s needs above your own.

AQUARIUS — You’re in the middle of a terrific yearly transition. You have a great deal of physical energy, Aquarius. You have an action-oriented mind ready to tackle anything. The key to making the most of this fortunate period is communication. Right now you have multitasking abilities that you can put to good use once you connect with others and understand exactly what needs to be done.

PISCES — Try not to get too caught up in any potential conflicts brewing around you, Pisces. Your job lies in calming things down and bringing a more practical perspective to the situation. If you get tangled in the action phase of endeavors without first thinking about what it is that you’re doing, you may confuse things more.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Saturday, May 27, 2023

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

I’ve heard it said that the best thing about rules is knowing when you can enjoy breaking them. To be sure, many defensive “rules” that players learn have exceptional cases.

In today’s deal, West leads the nine of spades against four hearts, and declarer plays the queen from dummy. Suppose East “covers an honor with an honor,” as the rule enjoins. South takes the ace and cashes the A-K of trumps. When West discards, South tries the A-K of clubs and a club ruff.

GOOD CLUB

When the suit breaks 3-3, South goes to dummy with the jack of spades and throws his last spade on a good club as East ruffs. West gets two diamond tricks, but South makes his game.

East defeats the contract if he ignores a rule. If he plays low on the first spade, he deprives South of a late entry to dummy, and the defenders get four tricks in all.

Beware of “rules.” They are better regarded as tendencies.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: A 3 2

K 8 7 6 4

4 A 4. The dealer, at your right, opens one spade. What do you say?

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

ANSWER: Your hand is too strong to overcall two hearts. You have 18 good high-card points, and your king of diamonds, located behind the opening bidder, may be worth as much as an ace. Double for takeout. If your partner responds with two of a minor, you will bid two hearts. You will suggest a strong hand but can stay low if partner has nothing.

South dealer

— Anaxagoras

take place at the Goleta Cemetery, 44 San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara. Keynote speaker is Drew Wakefield. Those attending are asked to bring a photo of their loved one who died while serving in the U.S. military.

10 a.m. The American Legion Post 160 will conduct a short cemetery at Chalk HIl, followed by short ceremonies elsewhere in the Santa Ynez Valley at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Ines Mission in Solvang, 11 a.m. at Oak HIll and 11:30 a.m. at St. Marks.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The I Madonnari Painting Festival takes place at the Santa Barbara Mission plaza. The free festival will feature 100 street paintings drawn live with chalk pastels by renowned artists and other enthusiasts including children, families, businesses and schools. This year’s featured artist is street painter Lorelle Miller, whose works have been seen at festivals throughout California and elsewhere in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Norway. She is creating a mural directly beneath the mission steps. The three-day event will feature live music and a food market on the mission lawn. Performers will vary from Mexcal Martini to Jason Libbs and the Congregation featuring Jackson Gillies, Brasscals and Rent Party Blues Band. For more information, see ccp. sbceo.org/i-madonnari/welcome. To see this year’s festival T-shirt, go to ccp. sbceo.org/2023-tshirt-1.

11 a.m. The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation will hold a Memorial Day service. The ceremony will take place at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Montecito.

The program will include performances by the UCSB ROTC Color Guard, Gold Coast Pipe and Drum Band, David Gonzales and the Santa Barbara Choral Society, the Prime Time Band and a flyover performed by The Condor Squadron. Col. Robert Long, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch Test Range, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and Lt. Christia Sandstedt, CGC and USCGC Blackfin, are the guest speakers.

Noon. VFW Post 7139 will lead a Memorial Day service at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall. The program will feature the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, visiting Post and Vandenberg Space Force Base guest speakers, American Legion 160 and a Boy Scouts troop. A free luncheon will follow in the American Legion wing/.

JUNE 3

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.

The McGuire/Moffet Band and Cadillac Angels will perform at Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara. For more information, visit www.coldspringtavern.com.

4 to 7 p.m. Zoo Brew, the Santa Barbara Zoo’s annual fundraiser that caters to beer and animal lovers alike, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. with a VIP hour from 3 to 4 p.m. The zoo is at 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara. General admission tickets are $75 per person and include unlimited beer tastings and one Zoo Brew 2023 commemorative tasting cup, and VIP tickets are $110. All proceeds benefit the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo. For more information, call 805-962-5339.

JUNE 4

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan will perform their mix of guitar and harmonica blues, rags and good-time music at Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara. For more information, visit www. coldspringtavern.com.

5:30 to 8 p.m. The WineStock music series starts with The Double Wide Kings playing at Fess Parker Winery, 6200 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos. Other performers in the series include Tearaways from 4 to 7 p.m. July 23, Bryan Titus Trio from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19 and Harmony All Stars from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10. Tickets for each concert cost $20 per person and $15 for wine club members. To purchase, go to fessparkerwineshop. com/Tickets/WineStock-2023.

JUNE 9 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Pearl Chase Society’s Kellam de Forest Speaker Series will continue at the Carrillo Recreation Center. 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara. This is the third installment in the series. Author and editor Douglas Woods will discuss the transformation of Santa Barbara’s architecture following the great earthquake of 1925 to a model Spanish Revival-style city. For more information or to make a reservation, call 805-403-7053. — Dave Mason

Here’s what makes this 1962 stove-and-range special

In 1960, there was a famous museum show of Industrial Design at the MET called “Ideas for Living,” and this was a designer’s show of streamlined ways to simplify life. Repercussions are still being felt today as we face post-post modernism.

I have a unique problem: I own a stove-and-range combination that was built into my Santa Barbara condo in 1962, and it was in the kitchen when I bought the condo in 2014. I am down to only one burner working, and neither oven operable. But I will not gut this appliance. It is a sculpture. A work of art.

I had a genius electrician come by recently to see if it could be repaired, and finally I did my research on the appliance and who designed it. I found out why I love it so much, and why I cook on one burner and use a toaster oven for all the rest of my cooking prep needs! Art has its way of dominating the stomach.

The appliance was developed by one of the scholars trained at the Bloomfield Hills Academy called the Cranbrook School, one of the leading centers, then and now, of new ideas in science and art. I have researched in their art museum, because I have a mural designed by one of their former presidents, and they have a wonderful Center for Collections and Research of Material Culture, and for this article on his appliance I found much information on my stove/ range there.

This is a Frigidaire Flair 1962, when Frigidaire was owned by General Motors (hence the Michigan connection with

Cranbrook), and even today there is such a range installed at the visiting scholar’s house, the‘Edison House at Cranbrook. My appliance is an electric range that has four burners that are a part of a countertop situation that rolls in and out of the wall like a drawer. Above it are two ovens, with unique dual flip doors, one for baking and one for broiling, which are counter height. I love to show off the doors to these ovens as they have two settings. T hey can swing out, or they can swing out at a press of a button.

As I have said, for 10 years I have cooked on one burner and a modern cheap 2022 toaster oven, as I do not want to gut my Flair, and I have lately hired a genius electrician who can see why I am intrigued with this appliance that is essentially a range in a drawer, invented in 1960. He will fix it, he thinks.

I wonder who the architect of my condo unit was in 1962, so forward thinking. The architect had a connection to the latest in modern design — the nerve to bring the Flair to Santa Barbara. And here we have the details. It was designed by M Jayne van Alstyne, who was a ceramics major at Cranbrook from 1941-42, and went onto study Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, then refined her skills at Alfred University in New York City from 1955-1969.

She was snapped up by General Motors in 1969 and became one of Harley Earl’s Automotive “Damsels of Design.”

Gender politics existed now as then, and even if she could design a great car, she was made studio

head for GM Frigidaire, leading the research, development and design of kitchen appliances. The blockbuster museum show, “Ideas for Living,” was her brainchild, and opened, showing my stove, in 1960.

Actress Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha) was often cooking as a mere mortal on the set of “Bewitched,” with her Flair in that show from 1964-1972, as she made casseroles for Darrin Stephens (Dick York, later Dick Sargeant) as an ordinary housewife. And here is the kicker. Cranbrook’s Center for Collections and Research of Material Culture has a blog they call “The Kitchen Sink” for just this kind of design wonder. They admit that their Flair is also not working: “Anyone who sees the Flair in Edison House will agree it is a marvel of design. While they won’t be whipping up lunch on the appliance, I hope the kids taking classes in the house will take a moment to appreciate it. As Frigidaire promised in 1962, the Flair is “The happiest thing that ever happened to cooking … OR YOU!”

I have found these advertised online for sale — and I did find one, all dusty and maybe not working on eBay, in Hollywood, from a TV set for $700-800. But can we think of this as a kitchen sculpture? Yes!! Who needs to cook?

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.

FYI

CommUnify will host the 17th annual Champions Dinner at 6 p.m. June 8 at the Alisal Ranch on the patio overlooking the River Golf Course, 150 Alisal Road in Solvang. Complimentary roundtrip bus transportation from Santa Barbara to Solvang will be provided by Santa Barbara Airbus and free onsite parking is also available. For more information, go to www.communifysb.org/ championsdinner2023.

The Elks have been a consistent friend and advocate for children, families and veterans in Santa Maria. Through student scholarships, the “Golden Circle of Champions,” which provides aid to local children battling pediatric cancer, and other initiatives such as the yearly “Veterans Stand-Down” and the annual Elks Rodeo, the organization provides invaluable support to the community.

The Elks also filled a void during the pandemic, providing free, homestyle meals to residents and becoming a local food bank distribution site that continues today.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

ELIZABETH STEWART PHOTOS

Columnist Elizabeth Stewart considers her 1962 stove-and-range combination to be a work of art.

CHAMPIONS

Continued from Page B1

COURTESY PHOTO

Santa Maria Elks’ Soccer Shoot-Out is among its annual activities.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bonnie Donovan

Dangers of false promise of gender change

This month, Kerry J Byrne published an article about Nettie Stevens, the brilliant biologist who, in 1905, proved that male and female identity was determined by X and Y chromosomes.

“She discovered that females are born with a pair of XX chromosomes inheriting an X from both mother and father. Males are born with XY chromosomes; the X is from the mother and the Y is from the father. She discovered that the determinant of the X or Y chromosome was passed through the father. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Only one pair, known as the sex chromosomes, determines male or female gender.”

We know that biological science proves that there are only two genders, based on the X and Y chromosomes passed onto us. Only 0.5% of the general population have chromosome abnormalities that can create physical gender ambiguity. However, these do not necessarily mean Gender Dysphoria.

e debt ceiling and Social Security

As the negotiations on the federal debt ceiling drag on, government officials have warned in progressively louder terms that Social Security beneficiaries may not get their benefit checks in July if Congress cannot come to terms on extending the debt ceiling.

a decade. That is roughly the life expectancy of a woman turning 80 years old today.

Brendon Smith

While that prospect may unnerve voters, the least likely and least problematic event stemming from an inability of Congress to extend the debt ceiling would be a disruption of monthly checks. This would be simply a crisis of choice. The larger problem is the impact that the resolution to the debt ceiling would have on jobs and the payroll tax, on which Social Security depends. At this point, the trustees believe that Social Security will be able to pay scheduled benefits for about

The author is with The Heartland Institute

As worrisome as that forecast is, the prospect entirely depends upon a robust economy delivering both more jobs and bigger paychecks. The combined program expects to collect $1.2 trillion in payroll taxes and nearly $52 billion in taxes on the payment of benefits, all of which depends upon the state of the U.S. economy. If we choose to crash the economy, that forecast is no longer meaningful.

Here is a primer on what the debt ceiling is, and an article that suggests there might be a disruption with your July payment. The question about how Social Security would be able to pay benefits during a debt crisis has been around for more than 10 years. It is time to acknowledge that if monthly benefits cannot be paid on time in July as a result of the government’s ability to issue

Does the U.S. really

As a modern economy and putative leader of Western Civilization, the U.S. needs a steady and reliable way of collecting intelligence from sources both domestic and international.

No one disputes that.

However, a realistic question to ask is: How much intelligence collecting is needed, how much is too much and has that intelligence proven its worth?

In other words, what have the dozen-and-a-half full-blown intelligence agencies (18 and counting) done for us lately?

Ah, let’s see. They colluded with mass media and social media en masse to prevent the circulation of the New York Post’s absolutely accurate reportage of the discovery and contents of presidential contender and 50-year-political hack Joe Biden’s drug-addled son Hunter’s abandoned laptop computer.

Not to mention the failure to predict or prevent 9/11, or the inability to have accurately assessed the existence of weapons of mass destruction purportedly hoarded and developed by Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein. Or more recently, the failure to predict and possibly prevent Russia’s incursions into Crimea and then Ukraine.

But hey, we all make mistakes.

more debt, the problem isn’t the debt. It is a lack of planning. We faced this same problem in 1996, and Congress came up with a legislative solution. Further, the Treasury Department should have no problem leaving cash uninvested in the program’s trust funds to ensure payments. If we wanted to solve the problem, it could easily be solved.

If there is a problem here, tell voters what it is, and show the voters what the government has done to offset these concerns.

According to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, “For many agencies, payments of all different types are mixed together in ways that couldn’t be disentangled.”

In other words, the problem that threatens 20% of the voting public is uncertainty. We do not know for sure that our elected leaders know how to move money from pocket to pocket. Here is a solution to that

so many ‘intelligence’ agencies?

PURELY POLITICAL

later in preparing for the pending conflict with Spain and its possessions. Coast Guard Intelligence followed in 1915 in response to threats to U.S. shipping in the advent of The Great War or what became better known as World War I.

James Buckley

The very first officially recognized intelligence agency created by the United States was authorized nearly 100 years after the 1788 ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In 1882, the Office of Naval Intelligence was created as a response to the needs of the U.S. Navy to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of other navies. This was extremely helpful a decade

The Bureau of Intelligence was created in 1945 as World War II was ending and new (and possibly unknown) dangers lurked in a postwar world. Its mission was to supply all-source civilian intelligence to the U.S. State Department in support of its diplomatic missions around the world. Up until then, all intelligence agencies had been under military supervision. Following close behind INR came the Central Intelligence Agency, an off-shoot of the wartime intelligence gatherers at the

Office of Strategic Services, in 1947. The CIA was formed to act independently from the INR and its State Department overseers.

In 1948, the Sixteenth Air Force was launched to handle Defense intelligence. The National Security Agency and the Central Security Service, under control of the U.S. Department of Defense, was created in 1952 as the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union heated up.

In 1961, the Department of Defense launched the National Reconnaissance Office, in response to the Soviet successes in its satellite and space programs. During that same year, the Defense Intelligence Agency was also approved. Both came under the command of DOD (Department of Defense).

In 1977, the U.S. Army decided it needed its own Military Intelligence Corps, though it too came under the auspices of DOD.

Also in 1977, the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence under the command of the Department of Energy (DOE) appeared.

Not to be outdone or left out, Marine Corps Intelligence was authorized the following year.

In 1996, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency was created, under the DOD.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury discovered a need for its own intelligence agency, and in 2004 the Office of Intelligence and Analysis was funded for the U.S. Treasury.

In the wake of 9/11/2001, the FBI got its own intelligence agency, overseen by the Department of Justice called the Intelligence Branch.

The Office of National Security Intelligence, under the auspices of the Drug Enforcement Administration, also overseen by

In recent research, a sample of 290 declared transmales were examined for chromosome abnormalities, and only 4 (1.4%) were found to have a biological, chromosome abnormality. In a second case, out of 492 declared transfemales tested only 11 (2.3%) were found to involve sex chromosome abnormalities. The vast majority of declared trans-people are biologically male or female. Gender-suppressing or gender-promoting drugs and surgeries to remove female and male body parts and surgeries to create the appearance of opposite body parts do not alter the XX or XY chromosomes. All they do is hide the truth about whether we are biologically male or female. Here is an example of adults destroying a young girl’s life in the false promises of gender change. From The Independent Women’s Voice Forum:

“Like many girls caught up in a gender-identity crisis, Soren Aldaco suffered from a slew of mental health issues. But instead of treating her multiple diagnoses, medical professionals decided to affirm her transgender identity and put her on an irreversible path of medicalization.

“At age 11, Soren began identifying as a boy. At age 17, she began hormone replacement therapy. At age 19, she underwent a botched double mastectomy. Soren’s mother resisted the doctor’s advice to accept her daughter’s male identity. But like many parents, she and the rest of Soren’s family were manipulated into going along with it.”

“Would you rather have a dead daughter or a living son?” “Soren said that this was the kind of mindset that her family was exposed to, and upon which they acted.”

The threat of suicide by the child is used as a persuading argument, or as a reason to separate a child from his/ her parents who refuse to cooperate, in the sexual transition of their child.

“Soren’s account is of a botched double mastectomy and long-term side effects from cross-sex hormones. Soren recounts medical neglect and the unbearable pain she experienced immediately following her surgery.

Eventually, the pain, the side

need

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen

COURTESY PHOTOS

Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act.

Immigration: then and now

“America is not, nor has it ever been, the world’s full-service homeless shelter.”

Wendy McCaw

Arthur von Wiesenberger Co-Publisher Co-Publisher

GUEST OPINION

— Michelle Malkin

The Mayflower was an English ship that transported English families referred to as “Pilgrims” from England to the New World in 1620. After a punishing 10-week voyage at sea, the Mayflower and its 100-plus passengers and a crew of 30 reached the shores of the New World. When they dropped their anchor near Cape Cod, Mass., in November, this marked the beginning of America.

Conflict of interest for Board of Supervisors

Per the News-Press article published May 19, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has approved an annual salary and benefits increase of 5%.

The great reset is upon us!

Two emerging technologies could spell doom for the human race as we know it.

The first is artificial intelligence, also known as A.I. The second is transhumanism. Taken together, we are facing nothing less than a dystopian future in the name of technology and scientism. Moreover, elites from throughout the world have united behind these technologies to bring about what they call “The Great Reset.” It all has to do with their plan to usher in an age whereby humanity will and must be “re-engineered.”

My first conversation about A.I. was with James Hirsen, who writes for Newsmax. Whereas A.I. was traditionally conceived to combine computer science algorithms with data to solve problems, something more nefarious is on the horizon.

It is called Artificial General Intelligence, or A.G.I.

A.G.I. has the potential to exceed human capacity, including improving itself to the point where human beings could lose control of their own inventions. As Mr. Hirsen put it, the nightmare would begin when the “stop mechanism” no longer functions.

My second conversation was with Janet Levy, who writes for American Thinker. Her piece detailed “The Evil Twins of Technocracy and Transhumanism,” a book by Patrick Wood.

Mr. Wood’s warning is as stark as can be: “Those who claim to be the sole designers of our future will rob us of all our rights to that future and in that future.”

The move towards transhumanism involves the converging sciences of nanotech, biotech, infotech and cognitive science. The acronym for the merging of these four fields of science is N.B.I.C.

The goal? Re-engineer humans by modifying our genes and merging every individual with technology. The goal here is to create a new master race of humans who would live in a new age sans the values of Western Civilization, individual rights, religion, private property and nation states to create a new world order and a new species of man who will evolve by way of gene manipulation and the use of wearable and

implantable technology. All life forms, including humans, will be gene-hacked to suit the future the globalists envision.

If this sounds like a science-fiction based conspiracy theory, you need to look no further than an executive order signed by President Joe Biden — The National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative — which mandates a “whole of government” approach to advance biotech to achieve “societal goals.”

The “engineers” trust that people will give up their freedoms in exchange for security (our founding fathers warned us about that.), and they are proving it as we speak. Consider the man-made crisis involving the COVID-19 shutdown and vaccine (which was implantable technologyMRNA), paying people to give up their jobs and businesses, inflation, along with energy, housing, food, and water shortages.

Moreover, the United Nations, along with the World Economic Forum and others, have for decades been planning a one world government by way of such things as the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is promoting the Global Biodiversity Framework, which encourages digital sequencing and data basing of all species as a global asset.

In essence, they want to direct and control all facets of life on Earth.

To sum up, consider the statement by one of the leaders of this movement, David Pierce, who stated, “If we want to live in paradise, we will have to engineer it ourselves. If we want eternal life, then we need to rewrite our bug-ridden genetic code and become god-like.”

The timelessly brilliant C.S. Lewis envisioned all the above in his book “The Abolition of Man.” Mr. Wood quotes the same: “Each new power won by man is a power over man as well. The power of man to make himself what he pleases means, as we have seen, the power of some men to make other men what they please.”

Giving pay increases is not the issue here (although the criteria for a pay increase needs to be validated). However, the fact that the board itself voted for its own increase is a mockery of fairness. Employees and employee groups, in general, do not approve their own pay increases. This is left to the wisdom of the employer. At the least, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ initiation and passing of its own compensation increase is undeniably a conflict of interest.

Steven Siry Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Humane creates positive impact

On behalf of RESQCATS of Santa Barbara, I am writing in response to the negative article that was published in the Santa Barbara Independent last week about Santa Barbara Humane. I have had the honor of working with Santa Barbara Humane for 26 years and have the

utmost respect for staff and the outstanding job they do for the animals in Santa Barbara County.

I have heard it more than once from the CEO, Kerri Burns, “What can we do to help?” It’s about the animals first and those of us who have the opportunity to work with Santa Barbara Humane are all on the same page.

It is imperative that all the organizations work together for the sake of the animals, and Santa Barbara Humane is an excellent example of encouraging all of us to do so. In order to do so, we must be focused on the positive and not the negative from adversaries that come across our path.

Santa Barbara Humane, keep up the good work and know you have a huge positive impact on our community.

Jeffyne Telson President and founder RESCQCATS of Santa Barbara

Humane society voices support for Santa Barbara Humane

On behalf of Woods Humane Society, I wanted to reach out to express our solidarity and support for Santa Barbara Humane in light of the negative ad we saw in the Santa Barbara Independent last week. Woods believes in fostering a community of cooperation and mutual respect among agencies, as together we can create a stronger and more

effective force for change.

As fellow advocates in animal welfare, we understand the dedication, hard work and passion it takes to make a difference in our communities. Let us continue to inspire and uplift one another, and remember that the positive impact we create far outweighs any negative voices or adversities we may encounter.

We wish Santa Barbara Humane strength, resilience, and continued success in your endeavors.

Emily L’Heureux CEO, Woods Humane Society San Luis Obispo

Let’s use our resource of energy

Germany is a huge economic European powerhouse, but now it’s slipping into a recession.

The No. 1 reason is the cost of energy. Making products, delivering food and heating the house depends on energy.

Our economists say it will be a “small” recession for us next year, maybe. Why have a recession at all? Could high energy costs be a factor, like in Germany?

We live above a huge resource of energy in this country. It’s difficult to understand why our government would purposely deprive industry and citizens of inexpensive energy. Energy is not an economic mystery, so why follow Germany’s path to a recession?

Michael C. Schaumburg Santa Barbara

The case for Gov. Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ muchanticipated 2024 presidential campaign is finally here.

Gov. DeSantis is, by any empirical metric or otherwise reasonable estimation, the only person with a viable chance of defeating former President Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. What follows is a straightforward affirmative case for Gov. DeSantis’ candidacy, written from the perspective of someone who moved to the Sunshine State during the COVID-19 pandemic due in no small part to Gov. DeSantis’ courage, independent judgment and dynamic leadership during that most woeful chapter of recent American history.

President Ronald Reagan famously said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” That was an accurate assessment at the time President Reagan said it, when America was drowning in punitive taxation and draconian regulation.

In 2023, by contrast, overweening government is certainly still a threat, but the single all-encompassing threat facing the American people is the metastasis of the woke ideology, which spreads like a cancer and is weaponized by the out-of-touch ruling class elites who populate all the major institutions of our political and civic life.

There is no elected official in America who better understands this reality and — even more important — who has wielded political power to repeatedly fight back against it than Ron DeSantis. Whether it is anti-Americanist critical race theory or gender ideology indoctrination in the elementary school classroom, the university faculty lounge or the corporate boardroom, Gov.

DeSantis has taken decisive measures to defend civilizational sanity and curtail or outright proscribe the dissemination of wokeism’s corrosive tenets.

Gov. DeSantis’ righteous crusade to remake New College of Florida as a “Hillsdale College of the South” is perfectly emblematic of the approach now needed to recapture lost institutions, over a century into the Left’s insidious “long march,” to salvage and revive the American experiment in ordered liberty. Gov. DeSantis’ similarly righteous crusade against The Walt Disney Co. is the encapsulation of how a conservative elected official evinces “knowing what time it is” amidst today’s woke-addled social decay: the prudential wielding of political power to bolster the forces of civilizational sanity and punish the forces of civilizational arson within the confines of the rule of law.

MORE ON DESANTIS

victory this past November, Gov. DeSantis helped usher in an allRepublican state Cabinet (the first time that has been the case since Reconstruction) and Republican supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature. Thanks to that influence and those victories, the recently completed Florida legislative session successfully enacted the most sweeping right-wing agenda of any state in modern American history. The legislative session’s myriad achievements, too numerous to list in full, touched on virtually every hot-button issue: immigration, abortion, guns, gender ideology and education among them.

Before disembarking the Mayflower, the Pilgrims wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact, which was an agreement that established a rudimentary government. It set the standard for an organized colonial society. Each member would contribute to the safety and welfare of their new settlement.

Thus began the first era of immigration, lasting until the American Revolution in 1775. They were mostly British, German and Dutch. They assimilated into their society. They learned English, built communities, worked arduously, and contributed to the economic growth and prosperity of America.

The second period was during the early 1900s created by the Industrial Revolution. Factories and mills needed workers and immigrants came here to work. So many landed in America during this period that it is called the “Great Wave.” People from all over the world came to catch their dreams.

“If you have an opportunity in this life, you need to appreciate every moment of it.” — Kanye West The economy of the Industrial Revolution was growing so rapidly it was labeled the “Gilded Age,” and lowskilled workers were highly employable. New mechanical devices and the assembly line were introduced that did away with the need for workers with specialized industrial skill-sets. The U.S. Industrial Commission stated: “Machinery has opened a place for unskilled immigrants. Industry benefits from cheap labor, and they learn a skill.” Many moved into management, and all assimilated into American society. They helped to retool the American economy and its industries.

The next wave of immigrants came after World War II. There were many displaced persons in Europe.

In 1948, Congress passed the Displaced Persons Act. It entitled 200,000 people to enter the U.S. — up to 50% of future quotas. This brought another wave of migrants to America’s shores. Many had skills, others were professionals such as doctors and nurses. All of them gave something to America.

His ongoing battle against a Fortune 500 corporate behemoth may offend the delicate sensibilities of libertarian purists and “zombie Reaganites” wedded to outmoded 1980s-era bromides, but it reveals a sound understanding that, in the year 2023, corporate America is firmly on the side of civilizational arson — not civilizational sanity.

Perhaps most impressive from the perspective of an aspiring presidential candidate, Gov. DeSantis is almost singularly responsible for transforming the nation’s third-most-populous state, which was once the iconic swing state that decided the 2000 presidential election by a paltry 537 votes and which only first elected Gov. DeSantis himself in 2018 by a 0.4% margin, into the beating heart of red-state America.

By leading the top of the ticket with a whopping 19.4%-point

These achievements were made possible due to the sheer number of people who flocked to Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Gov. DeSantis stood above the fray and brazenly defied the biomedical security state’s prolockdown/pro-vaccine mandate ruling class ideology. People moved to Florida for the state’s policies, no matter how much revisionist history and disingenuous gaslighting Gov. DeSantis’ foes may regurgitate to the contrary. Registered Republicans now outnumber registered Democrats in Florida by nearly 500,000, a shift of over 700,000 since Gov. DeSantis’ minuscule 2018 gubernatorial victory. Of the active voters who have moved to Florida since the onset of COVID, roughly twice as many are registered Republicans as registered Democrats. Simply put, throngs of people (including yours truly) have moved to Florida en masse due to Gov. DeSantis’ impressive leadership of the Sunshine State — initially on COVID, and subsequently on a whole host of other issues. Gov. DeSantis has secured for the Republican Party of Florida a voter registration advantage for

In 1953, the Refugee Relief Act defined “refugees” as people fleeing communism, and “expellees” forced out of Eastern Europe. This allowed 190,000 refugees to enter the U.S. before it expired in 1956. Again, entrants brought trades and skills that benefited our society along with our economy. “America was not built on fear. It was built on courage, work and determination.”

— Harry S. Truman

In 1965, L.B.J. eliminated “origin quotas” with the HartCeller Act, which increased immigration from Central America and brought an influx of unskilled workers. In 1980, Congress passed the Refugee Act, claiming the U.S. had a historic duty to allow all persons subject to persecution to seek asylum in America. This resulted in criminals, terrorists and freeloaders flocking to our southern borders. Supporters of today’s mass immigration claim we should not be concerned, because it is no worse than past waves of mass migration. But times have changed greatly in the last 200 years. Immigration is much more out of sync with

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

the News-Press radio station.

Andy Caldwell

KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors recently gave itself a 5% pay increase.

Josh Hammer

Columnist John Stossel interviews Gov. Ron DeSantis. C3.

Welfare work requirements make everyone better off

The Congressional Budget Office has just released its latest projection for the next 10 years.

“In the agency’s updated projections, annual deficits nearly double over the next decade, reaching $2.7 trillion in 2033 ...

As a result of those deficits, debt held by the public also increases in CBO’s projections, from 98% of GDP at the end of this year to 119% at the end of 2033.”

The picture keeps getting worse.

The difference between Democrats and Republicans on the issue: Republicans say, “Let’s do something.” Democrats say, “Let’s do nothing.”

House Republicans have put forward the Limit, Save, Grow Act as a condition for increasing the debt limit, which imposes limits on growth of spending over the next 10 years and achieves reductions in expenditures.

Democrats are beside themselves because Republicans propose to achieve efficiencies in spending in Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (food stamps) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families by imposing more stringent work requirements. The idea that those getting welfare should have some skin in the game regarding humanitarian assistance they receive from U.S. taxpayers is an idea that is bonkers to our president and his party.

But, for me, Democrats screaming about cruelty and heartlessness regarding work requirements for welfare is nothing new.

I started my public career working on welfare reform passed in 1996.

It was my personal experience with the horrifying and destructive realities of welfare that opened my eyes to how badly reform was needed.

I was in the system as a young woman and collected welfare in the pre-welfare reform world of Aid to Families with Dependent Children. I saw from the inside

the destructiveness, inhumanity and cruelty of government support pretending to be assistance and charity.

Welfare funds were available to women who were poor, not working and not married. Those were the conditions that had to be met to get the money.

Instead of being charitable and humanitarian, the government assistance was really a heartless subsidy that encouraged poverty, unemployment and sexual promiscuity out of marriage.

Welfare reform in 1996 showed how a Democratic president, Bill Clinton, could productively work with a Republican House, under the leadership of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich.

President Clinton had promised to “end welfare as we know it,” and House Republicans stepped up to work with him.

When Temporary Assistance for Needy Families was put forward by Republicans, reforming welfare

with work requirements and time limits, Democrats started screaming, as they are screaming now.

Poor women would be thrown into the streets. It is amazing how those who supposedly care about people have such little respect for the humanity, creativity and resiliency of those same people.

When suddenly poor women on welfare were faced with time limits for welfare and work requirements, the world changed for the better, for everyone.

In 2006, 10 years after welfare reform was passed, Ron Haskins, Brookings Institution scholar, testified before Congress summarizing the results.

From 1994 to 2005, welfare caseloads declined 60%. From 1993 to 2000, employment among single mothers increased from 58.9% to 75%. Employment among never married mothers increased from 44% to 66%.

For female-headed households in the bottom 40% of the income distribution, income attributable to earnings increased from 30% to 55% from 1993 to 2000, and

income attributed to welfare declined from 60% to 23%.

Theologians and philosophers over the ages have noted that the highest charitable act is to help someone become self-sufficient.

Unfortunately, the many forms of welfare distributed by our government take recipients in the opposite direction.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans are doing the nation a great favor with the Limit, Save, Grow Act.

Let’s hope they get somewhere with a president and a Democratic Party whose vision for our future is a nation bloated with spending, debt and dependence.

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

Stop picking winners and losers in health care

hen Congress passes major legislation, it’s not unheard of for lawmakers to pick economic winners and losers.Some companies and industries will do well under a new law while others will fare poorly. This often leads to adverse consequences for consumers and, when products that affect our health and lives are involved, the results can be catastrophic.

We’re seeing this with the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law last year. The IRA has some positive aspects — like capping insulin out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $35— but the law also created some unintended consequences that will be quite damaging for Arizona patients, particularly those who are or will be suffering from serious health conditions.

I am the founder and CEO of the Arizona Myeloma Network, a 501(c)(3) cancer charity. We work with not only myeloma patients and families, but all cancer patients and caregivers because the whole family is affected.

I also participate as an advocate with other patient groups across Arizona to support policies that protect access to care and promote the patient’s well-being.

Finally, we help navigate a patient’s insurance issues, co-pay problems and the lack of access to quality resources. We do our

best to encourage our federal leaders to work together, and in this instance, we urge them to address some of the policies in the Inflation Reduction Act that are harmful to patients.

By choosing medical “winners” and “losers,” the law creates farreaching consequences that will affect millions of Americans.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, prescription drugs in the

Medicare program are going to be subject to government pricesetting, but not all drugs are being treated equally. There are essentially two broad categories of drugs — small molecule and large

molecule, the latter commonly known as biologics. Roughly 90% of all prescription drugs are small molecules in nature, ranging from aspirin to medicines to treat high cholesterol to chemotherapy drugs. The biologics, or large molecule drugs, are more timeconsuming and expensive to develop and are used to treat complex conditions like autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders.

The IRA subjects both the small and large molecule drugs to government price controls. The difference is in the time period drugmakers have to recoup their research and development investment before those price controls kick in. For the large molecule drugs, it’s 13 years. The small molecule drugs have just nine years. Congress, in this case, clearly picked winners and losers, and there are painful consequences for doing so.

This inexplicable timing discrepancy will have a negative impact on innovation investment into small molecule drugs and therapies. It’s simple logic. Capital investors will direct their money toward the products that have four additional years free from federally-imposed price ceilings. Research dollars are not unlimited and, through the IRA, politicians have decided where the lion’s share of them will go. The losers will be those patients who depend on small molecule drugs.

In Arizona, more than four million people live with a chronic illness. These conditions need

The G7 and the framework for peace

Government leaders of the influential Group of Seven met in Japan during May 19-21.

Last June, they gathered at the elegant Schloss Elmau, in picturesque Bavaria in Germany.

Japan and Germany — two major nations known in the past for aggressive militarism — are now influential leaders in international cooperation.

The 2023 G7 meeting was held in Hiroshima, which, along with Nagasaki, was devastated by the atomic bombs that ended World War II in the Pacific. These cities testify to the absolute horror of modern war — and the human capacities for positive regeneration.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was a featured G7 guest. He and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida jointly laid a wreath for the atomic bomb victims at the Cenotaph in Hiroshima.

The public purpose of the Group of 7 is fostering economic stability. The other related purpose, however, is to diminish the likelihood of war.

President Vladimir Putin, in using Russia’s military to invade Ukraine, has provided a bloody lesson in reality. For the first time since the cataclysm of World War II, a major military power has

launched a war on the continent of Europe.

For a time, Russia’s membership turned the G7 into the G8. President Putin’s 2014 annexation of Crimea resulted in suspension from the organization.

Last June 23-24, China

President Xi Jinping hosted a virtual summit of his counterparts in Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa. These sizable nations are not equal to the G7, nor are they united.

During May 18-19 this year, President Xi hosted a Central Asia “summit” involving Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan along with China. The meeting was held in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, not exactly a global crossroads.

Russia’s brutal, so far disastrous, invasion of Ukraine has ended once-close cooperation with China. This recent meeting is an effort to increase influence in what was once Russia’s sphere.

The G7 operates in the context of the larger G20, begun in 1999. That incentive was the Asian financial crisis of 1997, sparked by the collapse of Thailand’s currency. President Xi holding his mini-summits outside this context is revealing.

Stossel

President DeSantis?

Recently, Gov. Ron DeSantis sat down with me for a onehour interview. I started by praising him for keeping Florida largely open during COVID-19.

“I just had to make the decision as a leader,” says Gov. DeSantis. “Are you gonna worry about the daily news cycle? Worry about your personal popularity? ... I did not know how it was going to work out politically. I was going to do what I thought was right.”

That worked well for Floridians. “If you look at excess mortality, we were the lowest in the Sunbelt and (had) lower excess mortality than California and New York.”

In addition, since the pandemic started, Florida gained more than 500,000 jobs. My state, New York, lost more than 200,000. Florida opened schools quickly. As a result, kids suffered less learning loss. Good for Gov. DeSantis.

The governor also banned mask mandates.

“Some local police departments were going to fine people ... We kneecap them with our clemency power ... no penalties for wearing a mask or not. It’s your choice.”

“Your choice” is a great thing. But Gov. DeSantis’ laws and executive orders often limit choice. Today no Florida business may require its customers to wear masks or show proof of vaccination.

I push back. “If it’s my business and I’m scared ... why can’t I?”

“You do have freedom to choose, but so do individuals,”

HAVE YOUR

SAY

Your opinions are valuable contributions to these pages. We welcome a variety of views.

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Direct questions to

Please

The author is with the Center for Urban Renewal and Education

Barbara Kavanagh

The author is with the Arizona Myeloma Network

Arthur I, Cyr

Please see KAVANAUGH on C4

Gov. Ron DeSantis

Social Security will suffer if we choose to crash the economy

SMITH

Continued from Page C1

problem: Privatize the portion of the program that pays beneficiaries. There are private companies, which for a fee, will ensure that the payments are made. The money would be paid today when the government is not constrained by the debt ceiling, and we could eliminate the problem for July, August, and many more months ahead. It is a high price, but the short-term

problem would be solved. Unfortunately, the larger problem would remain. What happens to Social Security’s forecast in the event that Congress is unable to agree upon an extension of the debt ceiling?

Treasury Secretary Yellen has warned Congress that the failure to extend the debt ceiling would lead to economic collapse. If the economy suffers, the number of workers will fall, as will the collection of payroll tax revenue on which Social Security depends. Further, the collection

of revenue from the taxation of benefits is apt to fall short. In other words, Social Security will suffer if we choose to crash the economy. Even if the debt ceiling is extended on bipartisan terms, Social Security’s horizon can materially worsen if a reduction in spending reduces the jobs outlook. If the resolution that Congress will reach in the coming weeks has any impact on the wage market, the latest estimates go out the window. Based on the amount of media

coverage I see, the country is largely focused on a problem that will not happen, and ignoring the problem that threatens to further destabilize a program on which tens of millions depend on to make ends meet on a monthly basis.

Brenton Smith (think@heartland. org) is a policy adviser with The Heartland Institute. This commentary was provided to the News-Press by The Center Square, a nonprofit dedicated to journalism.

One man in our community is fighting back

DONOVAN

Continued from Page C1

effects, and the lies, that came along with living as a boy became too much to bear. Soren went through the process to transition back to being female.” But will never again be a complete female.

“Now 21, Soren feels cheated by the medical system. She said, ‘Children deserve better than plastic surgery and hormones. The gender-affirming care I experienced was an elaborate placebo.’ ”

This is the story of one girl. We are all responsible for allowing politicians to pass laws that enable these medical mutilations. We are responsible for permitting people

with power to take advantage of these laws through the manipulation of children and the denial and usurpation of parents’ guardianship of their children. One man in our community is fighting back.

Thomas Cole holds a juris doctorate degree, is a political analyst and founder of Analytics805. He resides in Santa Barbara. He has sued the local school district in federal court for violating his free speech right to speak to parents outside a school on the sidewalk.

Mr. Cole believes in making parents aware of the explicit sexual books in local schools and the radical sex ed topics hidden from parents, and the general “grooming” activities that

are hidden from parents. Note: The whole suit can be seen at coalition4liberty.com under the FEDERAL LAWSUIT TAB.

The defendants are:

Hans Rheinschild is being sued as an individual and as an employee of the government. Mr. Rheinschild holds the position of principal at the Monte Vista Elementary School District.

Anne Hubbard is being sued as an individual and as an employee of the government. Ms. Hubbard is superintendent of the Hope Elementary School District.

Hilda Maldonado is being sued as an individual and as an employee of the government. Dr. Maldonado is superintendent of the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

Mr. Cole’s free speech rights were violated on Sept. 16, 2022. Plaintiff was on the sidewalk distributing printed flyers to adults walking on the sidewalk. He was exercising his right to speak freely at the public forum on the sidewalk to inform parents that sexually explicit material is made available to minor children within the confines of school property.

“The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is keeping them ignorant.”

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

Continued from Page C3

answers Gov. DeSantis. “In Florida, we’ve just consistently sided with the individual.”

But people who own businesses or who want to be surrounded by masks are individuals, too.

Florida does give parents a choice when it comes to picking a school. In fact, thanks to Gov. DeSantis, Florida leads the nation in school choice, offering parents $8,000 scholarships they can take to a better school. So why can’t parents choose a school with a mask mandate?

“Because it’s irrational,” replies Gov. DeSantis. “Hysteria took over evidence-based analysis ... the policy shouldn’t be based on fear.

No, it shouldn’t be. But while mask mandates were often irrational, and possibly harmful to children, one-size-fits-all rules are harmful, too.

I change the topic to immigration.

Last summer, Gov. DeSantis flew 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard — a stunt meant to expose the hypocrisy of places declaring themselves “sanctuary” jurisdictions. “Liberal elites ... don’t ever face any of the consequences,” complains Gov. DeSantis. “Towns in Texas are getting overrun.” Media called his stunt “cruel.” A lawyer for migrants criticized Gov. DeSantis for not phoning “Martha’s Vineyard so that even the most basic human needs arrangements could be made.”

I read that to Gov. DeSantis. He replies, “Do you think these Texas border towns are having people call ahead?!”

“Most of those people that went to the vineyard,” he adds, “were thankful to be in that area ... They were not treated well by Biden.”

Today’s favorite media “hateDeSantis” topic is his Parental Rights in Education law. Critics smear it by calling it the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The law bans “classroom

instruction ... on sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“Transgender or probing some student’s sexuality, that is not appropriate for the schools. We’re going to leave that to parents to discuss.”

But “it can come up,” I say. How far does the ban go? “A gay teacher could say he’s gay?”

“Our law doesn’t affect that,” Gov. DeSantis answers. Also, the decision to teach sex education is made at the district level.

Good.

I ask, “Doesn’t school choice solve this? Parents who want kids taught about gender changes could have that.”

Some private schools do teach that, says Gov. DeSantis. But “when you’re talking about what the taxpayers are funding, you just have to make a choice.”

For 44 minutes, Gov. DeSantis and I talk about: how America will go broke, whether he’d cut Social Security or raise retirement age, what departments he’d cut if he were president, the drug war, his

opposition to President Barack Obama’s plan to send Americans to Syria, Donald Trump and whether Gov. DeSantis is a “slob who eats pudding with his fingers.”

I don’t think his staff liked some of my questions. They cut our interview short, saying the governor had to go. You can watch it all at JohnStossel.com

I like some things Gov. DeSantis says and does.

I also worry that he’s an authoritarian.

In any case, he’s definitely smarter and better than both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

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.

‘There is just no way that we can continue this’

HAUPT

Continued from Page C2

our country’s safety, security and needs than before.

Modern technology requires skilled workers. Census data in 2020 shows only 16% of immigrants admitted to the U.S. were skilled or professional workers. During the Great Wave of the Industrial Revolution, immigration was a fiscal and an economic gain since industry needed unskilled labor. “I’ve found there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labor.”

— Albert Camus

Since the 1900s, over 30 million unskilled legal immigrants and an estimated 20 million unskilled illegal aliens from Central America have been admitted to the U.S. under the 1980 Asylum Act.

While they pick fruit, clean homes, cut grass and work at labor jobs, they also over-crowded our emergency rooms and schools, and most are on state and federal aid

and live in Section 8 housing. Today, the southern border is flooded with migrants claiming they want asylum. But our asylum laws were not created for illegal migrants from Third World countries to come to America and exploit our generosity. They were passed to assist people who were in legitimate danger from rogue nations.

Border Patrol agents used to arrest and send back illegal migrants sneaking across the border that lied about their age. Now they have to let them in.

Border Patrol Commissioner Troy Miller said they’ve been told that, “If we can’t disprove a migrant’s age claim, we have to let them stay even if they are lying.”

The caravans of people marching through Mexico are encouraged by the political left. They tell them to tell border agents they are the parents of these illegal children so they can be reunited with them. And once they become a “questionable family,” they are then transplanted to states around America.

The number claiming to be

17-year-olds who are actually adults have doubled since Joe Biden became president. Today, 78% of those in custody who are seeking asylum say they are under 18.

Commissioner Miller told Congress, “There is just no way that we can continue this.”

Now that President Biden has ended Title 42 restrictions, all hell is breaking loose at the southern border and border states like Texas, and nobody can control it.

President Biden conceded the looming migrant surge is “chaotic.” He claims he has discussed this with the president of Mexico, who has promised to help get it under control. But who is fooling whom? He doesn’t want this chaos there anymore than we do.

“I thought this was the most humane thing to do since so many are seeking asylum.”

— Joe Biden

Songwriter Bob Dylan wrote, “There is no fool like an old fool.” With an election coming up and poll numbers in the tank, President Biden is taking the coward’s

way out. He claims he wants an “orderly” transition but refuses to support the GOP’s House Bill 382, which would do exactly that. President Biden is buying time walking the political tightrope to appease independents without losing the progressive vote.

We need immigration policies that bring people to our nation who will benefit America.

Since the 1980s, there has been an influx of doctors, nurses and other professionals migrating to the U.S. from India. These immigrants have filled the medical void in America. America accepts more skilled professional immigrants from India than any other nation. We must finish building the wall to keep freeloaders out and bring more professionals in.

We need immigrants who will give to America, not take from America.

“The Democratic Party has gone out of its way to develop programs to attract Latino votes, sanctuary cities etc. literally, at the expense of African Americans.”

— Horace Cooper

No one really knows where the money goes

BUCKLEY

Continued from Page C1

DOJ, was created in 2006.

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security approved the creation of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis.

And most recently, in 2020, the newly created (by the Trump Administration) U.S. Space Force got its own National Space Intelligence Center.

What does all this intelligence gathering cost?

Well, if you believe governmental figures (and who doesn’t?), the approved budget for U.S. Intelligence amounted to $65.7 billion in budget year 2022.

That is in addition to whatever the Defense Department allocates to Military Intelligence gathering.

The figure is probably closing in on $100 billion per year. No one really knows where the money goes because knowing in detail about that spending “could harm national security,” according to former Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell. The money is spent on everything from salaries (100,000-plus personnel) to satellite programs, aircraft, weapons, electronic sensors, analysis, spies, counterspies, travel, computers, software and, well, lots of stuff, including access to billions in actual cash, such as

the pallets of U.S. dollars, euros, Swiss francs and British pounds (approximately $1.4 billion) loaded onto private aircraft and shipped off to Iran to solidify the Obama-era Nuclear Initiative. In case you are worried there is no “oversight” with the way that money is spent and whether it is being spent judiciously or not, you should know that the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, the Joint Intelligence Community Council, the Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Management and Budget are assigned the oversight tasks. Congressional oversight is performed by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the House and by the Senate

Select Committee on Intelligence in the Senate. Oh, and the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee keep watch on the intelligence agencies run by the Department of Defense. And there you have it.

Whew!

Good thing, right?

Feel safer now?

I don’t, but hey, that’s just me!

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.

Continued from Page C2

an entire generation or two — similar, on a smaller scale, to what F.D.R. was able to achieve for the national Democratic Party over the course of his lengthy presidency.

The 2024 Republican presidential primary is shaping up to become a grand battle royale between an eccentric, larger-than-life Baby Boomer who obsesses over relitigating the last election and is constantly distracted by self-imposed wounds and personal grievances, and on the other hand an extremely disciplined, missionoriented Gen X conservative who single-handedly made the nation’s largest swing state ruby-red and has overseen the implementation of the most transformative right-wing agenda in modern American history. That is the basic choice.

In order to defeat presumptive

Throngs of people have moved to Florida Government shouldn’t be picking winners and losers

HAMMER

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and stand the best chance of (actually) draining the swamp and salvaging a decadent late-stage republic, let’s hope Republican voters choose wisely. Josh Hammer is senior editor-atlarge at Newsweek, a research fellow with the Edmund Burke Foundation, counsel and policy advisor for the Internet Accountability Project, a syndicated columnist through Creators and a contributing editor for Anchoring Truths. A frequent pundit and essayist on political, legal and cultural issues, Mr. Hammer is a constitutional attorney by training. He hosts “The Josh Hammer Show,” a Newsweek podcast, and co-hosts the Edmund Burke Foundation’s “NatCon Squad” podcast. To find out more about Mr. Hammer and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www. creators.com.

KAVANUGH

Continued from Page C3

constant management to successfully control symptoms. Whether we are talking about diabetes, cancer, asthma or depression, patients with these chronic diseases need effective medications, and they deserve innovation into new treatments and even cures. Price controls alone will make it more difficult to bring new breakthrough drugs to market. Selecting certain drugs, particularly those that affect so many patients with a wide range of health challenges, to be subject to a harsher impact from those price controls is unfair and often tragic.

An immediate step that Congress can take is to fix this flaw in the IRA and give small molecule drugs the same 13year window as biologics before government price setting kicks in. Government shouldn’t be picking winners and losers among patients who have the same needs for high-quality health care. We need to be proactive in dealing with these flaws in our research and development system.

Arizona has been a leader in new clinical trials and access to care as well as new drugs for cancer. My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1991 just before our marriage. We were told that there was only one drug available, and he had one to three years to live. It has been 32 years. And he is doing well and we have been blessed to have had access to the new drugs and treatments that are now available. This would not have been possible if these IRA policies were in effect back then.

Arizona Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly have been friends to the patient community. I hope they use their influence to advocate for us once again.

Barbara Kavanagh is founder and CEO of the Arizona Myeloma Network, which is a statewide nonprofit that provides resources and programs to cancer patients and their families. Their new educational platform is now available at cancercaregiversaz. com. Ms. Kavanagh’s commentary was provided to the News-Press by The Center Square, a nonprofit dedicated to journalism.

Today’s persecution of journalists is disturbing

CYR

Continued from Page C3

This year’s G7 summit was the second for Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, successor to long-serving Angela Merkel, a challenging act to follow.

Additionally, Germany hosted a summit in 2015, also in the Schloss Elmau.

The G7 evolved from an informal meeting of finance ministers of Britain, France, West Germany and the United States. U.S. Treasury Secretary George Shultz began the initiative, spurred by the 1973 oil embargo launched by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Other G7 members are Canada, Italy and Japan, with the European Union also engaged. Emphasis on nonmilitary problems after the frightening Cold War years is understandable. Hopefulness, however, has not avoided realities.

Britain sponsored the G7 summit in 2021. That meeting assembled in the immediate wake of Belarus

forcing a traversing civilian international airliner to land. Roman Protasevich, a passenger and prominent critic of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, was then arrested. Today’s persecution of journalists and others is disturbing, indeed tragic. But the world has progressed since the invasion of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. Market economies and representative government are spreading. Throughout the Cold War, the United States and our allies were generally on the defensive. Today, dictators no longer conquer entire nations, and their foundations are fragile. The dictatorships are on the defensive. Global momentum is with us.

To learn more, read Ban Kimoon’s “Resolved”

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.

‘Hysteria took over evidence-based analysis’ STOSSEL