Santa Barbara News-Press: December 12, 2021

Our man in D.C.

‘Young Sparrows’

Déjà vu (unfortunately)

Columnist Robert Eringer visits the nation’s capital, reports on everything from Biden to Putin - A3

New solo exhibit salutes women - B1

Columnist says Biden is taking U.S. back to 1970s energy dependence - C1

Our 166th Year

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Su n day, DE C E M BE R 12 , 2 021

Goleta parade returns 48 entries go down Hollister Avenue in Goleta’s first parade in two years

Parade of Lights to bring ‘Magic Under the Moonlight’

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER News-Press Correspondent

The 35th annual Parade of Lights will take place tonight in the Santa Barbara Harbor. This year’s parade theme is “Magic Under the Moonlight.”

Activities, all free of charge, will begin at noon, where guests can experience a ‘winter wonderland’ on the City Pier in the harbor. There will be snow, elves, and Christmas music.

Santa Clause may even make an appearance however there will be no photo-ops with Santa.

Unlike previous years, the Human-Powered category competition will be held during the daylight hours starting at 4 p.m. There will be five categories that can be entered: human-powered, power, sail, commercial fishing or

commercial other. Stand-up paddlers and kayakers dressed in holiday attire will loop Stearns Wharf spreading holiday cheer. At 5 p.m. the Holiday Tree lighting ceremony, including a holiday choir, will take place on the shoreward finger of the wharf near the Sea Center.

Starting at about 5:30 p.m., the evening’s main attraction will begin, as approximately 30 illuminated watercraft make their way from Leadbetter Beach down the coast all the way to the Cabrillo Arts Pavillion, then looping back along the coast and up to Stearns Wharf. The parade will end with a short fireworks display. The best viewing locations include Stearns Wharf, the breakwater and East Beach.

This year’s sponsors are the 2021 Parade of Lights Please see LIGHTS on A8

Goleta reviews historic preservation effort

BY KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Holiday spirit was in full swing during the Goleta Holiday Parade on Saturday. The parade made a triumphant return this year after being forced to cancel in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER

Members of the Young Singers Club offer classic Christmas songs for the crowd.

NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Spectators saw marching bands and more as the Goleta Holiday Parade returned Saturday evening for the first time during the pandemic.

This year was the fourth annual parade.

The parade started five years ago but had to be canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The parade began at 6 p.m. and proceeded down Hollister Avenue in Old Town Goleta with 48 entries.

This year’s grand marshals were John and Ruth Lane, whose family has been in the Goleta Valley for more than 150 years.

This event was presented thanks to the Goleta Lions Club, which partnered with the Goleta City Council and other community sponsors. The club also Please see PARADE on A5

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The Goleta City Council will continue discussing its first historic preservation ordinance at its Feb. 15 meeting.

Following a lengthy discussion at last week’s council meeting, members directed city staff to provide findings for each of the 29 properties proposed to be added to the Historic Resources Inventory.

The staff was also directed to provide information for the six to seven additional properties that may be designated as Goleta landmarks.

The council also directed staff to make the exemptions from the archaeological and/or tribal cultural provisions simpler and clearer to the public.

Staff was also instructed to provide cost estimates for different archaeological reports and provide an estimate how many of these could be required in the course of a year, according to a news release.

According to the city, the Historic Preservation Ordinance

is designed to preserve and protect resources that cannot be replaced or replicated once they are lost.

On Nov. 8, the Planning Commission reviewed the ordinance and recommended the adoption.

The proposed ordinance includes regulations that could affect some property owners, especially owners of designated Historic Resources.

The regulations that regard archaeological and/or tribal cultural resources could affect property owners who are considering work that involves earth-moving activities.

The proposed regulations are intended to foster preservation while allowing for development, according to the City of Goleta.

During its review of the ordinance, the Goleta Planning Commission sought input from Goleta residents, archaeologists and historians, and Chumash representatives.

Learn more about the project at www.historicgoleta.org.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

© 2021 Ashleigh Brilliant, 117 W. Valerio Santa Barbara CA 93101 (catalog $5). www.ashleighbrilliant.com

Lic #0799445

COURTESY PHOTO

A single-vehicle crash in the 700 block of Shoreline Dr. left a man dead on Saturday.

Fatal collision on Shoreline Drive SANTA BARBARA - A 27 year-old male died as a result of injuries sustained during a traffic collision on Saturday.

Just past midnight on Saturday, the Santa Barbara Police Combined Communications Center received a report of a serious traffic collision, involving a single vehicle which had collided with a large palm tree in the 700 block

of Shoreline Dr. Several officers as well as Harbor Patrol officers, fire department personnel and AMR responded to the scene.

A silver toyota pick-up seemed to have veered off the roadway and collided with the tree. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt during the collision and the fire department had to use special equipment to extricate him from the vehicle. Both the driver and a passenger were transported to Cottage Hospital Emergency Room for medical

treatment. The driver died approximately three hours after the collision.

The Critical Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the scene to investigate the collision further. It is unknown at this time if alcohol played a role in the collision.

The cause of the collision is currently unknown.

The name of the deceased is being withheld until the family is notified.

- Katherine Zehnder

COMMENTARY

2% rental cap unfair to Santa Barbara landlords

WENDY McCAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-Publisher ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER . . . . . Co-Publisher

YOLANDA APODACA . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Operations DAVE MASON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor

RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS

Columnist Bonnie Donovan says Major Cathy Murillo is going too far in backing restrictions on landlords.

well-rehearsed as they act in concert.

We noticed that Solvang, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta and Milpas all had their Christmas parades, but nothing on State Street. What a loss for our city if State Street no longer hosts our unifying traditions of parades on our main street to celebrate the Fourth of July, Solstice and Fiesta.

The Christmas parade admittedly is small potatoes when compared to the impact of the Summer Solstice and Fiesta parades, both of which are worldclass events. Another example of the short-sightedness of putting all their eggs in one basket: Catering to the restaurants rather than encouraging diversified business establishments along the downtown corridor.

Tis the season, remember to support our local charities like, the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (and its Bethel House), Transition House, St Vincent’s Catholic Charities, Villa Magellan and all those organizations who effectively take care of the people here all year long.

Another option to support local organizations. is a membership to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History by emailing membership@sbnature2.org or the Santa Barbara Zoo by emailing membership@sbzoo.org.

Bonnie Donovan writes “Did You Know?” with a bipartisan of citizens concerned about Santa Barbara and its government. Her column appears Sundays in the News-Press. It was published in the news section this week for logistical reasons and will return next week to its usual home in the Voices section.

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Has it come to this? That will surely cut down on expenses and maintenance. No more refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, washers and dryers.

The cost certainly makes it prohibitive.

With the carpet prices doubling, it might even be a good idea to put in polished concrete flooring, and tenants can just buy their own area rugs. Oh, and utilities, those will no longer be part of the package. Utilities are often included in the rent to prevent the hardship of deposit and hook-up charges to the tenant. However, with the 2% rental cap and the city raising the costs of utilities, of water, trash, sewage, electric and gas annually, how can a landlord do anything but alleviate themselves of that expense? And of course, property taxes and insurance are another annual expenditure. And why not follow the city’s example of keeping rents low by not providing parking?

But if the tenant chooses to use a parking space, do like others, and charge $80 a month.

It’s still more cost-effective than paying for the city’s parking lot permit.

And what about extraordinary, unexpected out-of-pocket expenses foisted on the owner?

Recall the city’s mandatory Sewer Lateral Inspection Program, aka SLIP? The average cost of this is $25,000.

By the way, renters have asked what landlords and property management companies do with the rental income. They try to keep their head above water.

You are aware that we must create a new landfill. Tajegus is at the verge of reaching capacity.

Who will fund the new landfill?

Who do you think? Get the picture?

After Mayor Murillo limited public comments, Oscar Gutierrez showed the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors website, celebrating the fact there’s no end in sight for the current market boom. Does he not realize that many of the buyers are out of state and escaping from riot-torn cites to the safety and small town feel of Santa Barbara?

Locals are also selling to escape the rental regulations, which diminish the local rental stock, as they move to less regulated areas, leaving fewer and fewer places to rent.

We received calls and emails from people selling their property in 1031 exchanges to move out of state, of condos and

CALIFORNIA

BONNIE DONOVAN

small apartment buildings that were sold after the city council passed the Rental Relocation Fee Ordinance, which penalizes landlords. Also, several owners who had rental cottages on their property are now reserved for their visiting friends and family only. As they said, why bother?

The regulations on new construction will prevent new buildings. It’s impossible to get a construction loan with a 2% cap on rentals as the return will not cover the expenses of the mortgage, property taxes, and insurance. Private property owners are not subsidized by the city and must pay their own bills.

Contrary to the Housing Authority who during this city council meeting was awarded $75,000 to pay down a mortgage. We wonder what they do with their rent money.

SB 9 is another form of rent control that will also thwart new construction. It mandates lowincome and moderate rentals only, so where is the impetus to take a risk and provide housing?

Besides which, it is unknown if the lot splits take away the benefits of Prop 13.

If this council was serious about housing, why have they allowed so many new hotels?

Hotels require low-income employees, for whom we don’t have adequate housing.

As stated previously, during COVID-19 while schools were shut down, it was evident there is not the great housing shortage the city experiences when school is in session. Councilmember Eric Friedman noted that the impact of Santa Barbara City College, (emphasis on “city”) marketing to international students and outof-state students, puts a strain on Santa Barbara’s local housing stock. It has been suggested that SBCC build its own student housing on its property as a solution to this portion of the housing crisis.

These are just a few of the many stories of unintended consequences. This is all due to their shortsightedness and naïve leadership, so thank you, Mayor Murillo, Councilmembers Oscar Gutierrez, Kristen Sneddon, and Meagan Harmon.

Another example of unintended consequences: The absence of criminal charges has signaled free reign to shoplifters.

There have been recently pop-up smash and grab teams that hit the local Volcom Store and the Winchell’s. And now teenage thugs have been sighted hanging outside the old downtown Macy’s intimidating passersby.

These young men have dressed alike in black hoodies, and they appeared to be trained and are

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D

uring her second to the last Santa Barbara City Council meetings, Mayor Cathy Murillo pushed her agenda item – a gross overreach of the city’s purview.

The long meeting, which went until 11:38 p.m., was all about individual property rights, or rather curtailing those rights, by the city council. The most important item was the city’s adoption of its own version of SB 9 (a state Senate housing bill that allows lot splits) to protect Santa Barbara from the state’s version of SB9, which must be adopted before Jan 1.

Fortunately, Community Development Senior Planner Allison DeBusk gave so thorough a presentation, that the information was easily and readily understood by the public, including her explanation of the reason for the urgency of the deadline. And we thank her.

In response, Mayor Murillo appeared in a panic-stricken tizzy. Because she too faces a deadline.

She’s determined to bring her ordinance to fruition, which puts a 2% cap on residential rentals and includes a rental registry of property with the listed rental rate. The latter to monitor the rates do not exceed 2% rent increases. Mayor Murillo imposed a four-hour item for which she won’t even be in office to see the results, with an already full agenda. Self-serving to the max.

On top of which, neither Mayor Murillo nor Mayor Pro Tem Oscar Gutierrez, produced any documentation to support their position — only its urgency. Even Councilmember Jordan stated that in their memorandum, they cited information four times, yet no data was included. Ms. Murillo claimed many renters supported her agenda during public comment, yet several people compared their tallies and found almost an even split, between for and against.

That’s status quo for this city council. Her agenda item of 2% rent cap and the rental registry was passed as an interim ordinance, which will still need to return to city council from the ordinance committee, basically three months out. Interestingly, under this council, the city has transformed into nothing but interim department heads, and what did they do Tuesday night? Added another temporary ordinance.

What? Do they prefer we return to the bad old days? Why don’t landlords just go old school, like in the ’70s and ’80s when the rentals didn’t provide appliances?

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Fumes from the swamp Robert Eringer visits D.C. and reports on everything from presidential race to Russia to Monaco WASHINGTON, D.C. — Once in a while I have to check in with the usual suspects to find out what’s really going on. And that means a pilgrimage to The Swamp — a petty political place I’ve referred to in espionage novels as “The Beltway Bog.” Everyone knows that our nation’s capital was built (with symbolic architecture by founding-father Freemasons) on a swamp. But few know why the Potomac River is so brown and polluted. Here’s the reason: Numerous poultry farmers north of D.C. in Maryland are allowed to dump their fowl waste into the river (heading downstream).

So: if you always wanted to know why Washington DC is a chicken-**** town, now you do.

THE CHESAPEAKE First stop after jumping the redeye is the Eastern Shore — more specifically, Easton, on the Chesapeake, a charming colonial town settled in 1711 and recently adopted (and restyled) by New York billionaire Paul Prager, who has brought a touch of class and taste by opening a number of food and wine emporiums more usually found in the most sophisticated of cities. (The difference between Mr. Prager and Montecito tycoon Ty Warner: During COVID-19, Mr. Prager kept all 70 employees on the payroll …)

This isn’t a travel column, and it is preferred I don’t stray too far from my role as The Investigator. Suffice to say, I thoroughly investigated the fine food and wine and even finer whiskey offered here, from The Stewart (a bar devoted to top-shelf Scotch and French champagne) to The Wardroom (a charcuterie/fromagerie by day and a restaurant by night devoted to gnocchi) to Bonheur (fruit pies and ice cream) to Weather Gage (a caffeination parlor) and Bas Rouge (fine dining at its finest).

Mr. Prager has out Polo’d Ralph Lauren by creating a kind of Disneyland for gourmands.

This region is also known for its CIA safe-houses, where defectors from the Soviet Union, China and elsewhere were squirreled away for their own safety and for extensive debriefing by agency

The Georgetown Inn is also where I first met (in 1988) legendary CIA spymaster Clair George — and got initiated by him into the proverbial wilderness of mirrors (or, as another CIA legend, John MacGaffin called it, “smoke and urinals”).

THE DURHAM INVESTIGATION

THE INVESTIGATOR ROBERT ERINGER

handlers.

Russian intelligence eventually figured out where the spies formerly among them were being housed. By the time two-timer Vitaly Yurchenko came along in 1985 (the “Year of the Spy”), CIA had moved its safehouse ops away from prying ears to rural Virginia.

Needless to say, a few days in a “safe” spot is a good way to prepare for an expedition into the swamp.

THE GEORGETOWN INN I’ve been staying at The Georgetown Inn in Washington, DC, for over 40 years. I first learned of its existence while a student at American University in 1975 when a prominent photographer for Playboy (Sam Wu, I think) was reported to be luring coeds to his Georgetown Inn suite and photographing them for that magazine’s “Campus issue.”

It wasn’t until four years later I had enough bread to stay there myself. And I’ve been returning ever since to this colonial landmark in the heart of historic Georgetown.

In the late 1990s, inside The Daily Grill downstairs, I rused Cuban diplomats (they were really Intelligence officers) for FBI Counterintelligence.

On another occasion, in this same bar, as part of a wellplanned operation, I disrupted a Russian SVR agent from gaining the secrets of a British intelligence officer.

Later, in the mid-2000s, this inn became the de facto Washington station of the Monaco Intelligence Service, which I designed for Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The Durham University investigation has now established beyond any reasonable doubt that the “Trump-Russia” hoax was choreographed and paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign.

We have learned through a source close to Durham’s team that the university’s investigation is now focused on an individual who was the linchpin between the Clinton campaign and Christopher Steele (of famed fraudulent “dossier”) — to be revealed in an upcoming column.

The “Trump-Russia” hoax, as we know, resulted in a costly investigation ($32 million, your money) overseen by former FBI Director Robert Mueller, known to Swamp-ville’s “deep state” insiders as Bobby Three Sticks for his proclivity to use III after his name.

An admission: I have been a spy and a reporter (though never both at the same time).

Intelligence/espionage and journalism are essentially the same business: Gather information, validate it with reliable sources, write it up. The difference is the recipient.

With journalism, you’re looking for the widest audience possible.

With intelligence, your readership is secret, hence limited to your client.

During the 1990s my client was FBI counterintelligence.

Thereafter, for seven years during the 2000s, my client was the prince/ruling monarch of a European country, a dream mission that morphed into a nightmare due to the prince’s resistance to cleaning up corruption, as he had promised to his subjects. That was his basis for retaining me and collecting intelligence.

In service to my princely client, I forged liaison relationships with foreign intelligence services, including the CIA, Britain’s MI6

and the French secret services, among others.

I also sought to create a relationship with the FBI, my former client, after I uncovered intelligence implicating several Monaco-based U.S. citizens in criminal activity — the bureau’s domain.

Thus, I met with a pair of FBI special agents at (where else?) The Daily Grill inside the Georgetown Inn. They explained that a new “blanket policy” necessitated that I submit to a polygraph examination as a condition of having any further contact with the bureau.

Huh? “I’m not applying to the FBI for a job,” I told them. “I wish to give you intelligence, on the prince’s behalf, about U.S. citizens who appear to be committing crimes.”

“We understand that,” said one of the agents. “But we can no longer have any contact with you unless you take a polygraph examination.”

“That’s interesting,” I said. “So, if I or anyone else learns that a bank robbery is about to happen, we’re not allowed to report it to the FBI because we haven’t taken a polygraph?”

Both agents squirmed in discomfort. Because what they really meant was: We’ve singled you out because you already know too much, and now you’re doing intelligence for someone else and hence we need to mess with you and try our best to keep you under our thumb.

After discussing the matter with my client, the prince, we decided I would write a letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller III to seek clarification: “Dear Director Mueller: “As you know, I work as a security advisor to the Prince.

In this capacity, I facilitated the Prince’s meeting with you on April 25, 2003.

“You may be aware that for a nine-year period (1993-2002) I operated secretly for the FBI on at least a half-dozen sensitive cases.

Because I took FBI-sponsored trips to Moscow and Havana, operating undercover without diplomatic immunity, I believe I earned the appreciation and respect of various special agents and special agents-in-charge

For 130 years, residents of California’s Central Coast have relied on Cottage Health for excellent health care.

ROBERT ERINGER PHOTO

Robert Eringer took this photo of the Washington Monument from his plane.

in field offices and also inside Headquarters.

“In my role as advisor to the Prince I have striven to facilitate a good-faith relationship with the Bureau, with a view toward keeping the FBI apprised of any criminal activity pertaining to U.S. citizens.

“Two weeks ago, I met with FBI Special Agents. They told me that due to a “blanket policy” I would be required to take a polygraph examination in order for me to have any further contact with FBI agents “When I met with the Prince last week, we discussed this issue, and frankly, we are bewildered. I am not applying for a job with the FBI. Furthermore, I do not, on the Prince’s behalf, wish to receive

classified information from the FBI. We simply wish to give the Bureau information we believe the Bureau should possess.

“We would be grateful if you consider the position set down by your agents and clarify the apparent suggestion that I am no longer allowed to report criminal activity to the FBI. “Please help us put this situation into perspective so that the Prince and I may weigh how best to coordinate the distribution of important information to those who may benefit by such information and who may be in a position to act upon it effectively.

“Once we know your final decision, we can determine our options, which range from calling Please see INVESTIGATOR on A6

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URBAN, Roland Dean “Skip,” “Skippy,” aka “Sailor Jack” 12/19/1930 to 03/09/2021 (90 years)

Skip will be remembered as a loving Grandpa, Father, Brother, Uncle, Builder and Friend. Skip grew up in Wisconsin, son of Peter and Jeanette Urban. He served in the Korean war and received his Bachelor’s degree from Whitman College in WA. He then moved to Lake Tahoe where he started a family. Skip was an adventurous spirit and lived in London England, Mexico, and CA for the majority of his life and spent his retirement years gardening in sunny Santa Barbara. Skip is survived by his sister Audrey Ridenour of Los Angeles, and his two sons Jonathan and wife Suzie Urban, grandchildren Arlo and Arrow of Los Angeles, and Justin Urban of Santa Barbara.

Memorial Sunday, December 12th at 2 PM Location: 5797 West Camino Cielo, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Contact: Justin Urban 805-252-7951

CRUZ, HUMBERTO

Humberto Cruz “Bert” passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 16th, at the age of 82. He was surrounded by his adoring family in the compassionate care of Serenity House in his long-time home of Santa Barbara, CA. Bert was born to Ysidoro “Lolo” and Sabina Cruz on July 9th, 1939. The fourth of nine children, he grew up among a loving family in Big Spring, Texas. After school, Bert worked bagging groceries at a Piggly Wiggly, and it was there that he fell into life-long love with Esperanza “Hope” Davalos. Bert would later learn to cook, and subsequently discover his passion for food and sharing it with others, during his time working in the kitchen of Webb Air Force Base. Humberto and Esperanza Cruz married in 1956, DQG ZHOFRPHG WKHLU ÀUVW GDXJKWHU 'HDQQD LQ %HLQJ RIIHUHG ZRUN RQ D UDQFK LQ WKH FRXSOH PRYHG WR %DNHUVÀHOG &$ ZKHUH they would reside until later being invited to live in Los Angeles, CA by Humberto’s sister. There, he worked at the Statler Hotel as a houseman, until the family moved to Santa Barbara, CA a year later. Bert applied his skills to start his own janitorial company, meanwhile studying to become a machinist in trade school. Humberto was VRRQ KLUHG WR ZRUN IRU 5D\WKHRQ DV D PDFKLQLVW D SRVLWLRQ KH ZRXOG SURXGO\ KROG IRU \HDUV XQWLO KH UHWLUHG +H ZRXOG JR RQ WR VHOÁHVVO\ YROXQWHHU DW 6DQWD %DUEDUD &RWWDJH Hospital as a greeter and transporter for more than 10,000 hours over approximately 5 years. In his off-time, Bert enjoyed hosting pool and holiday parties for his friends and IDPLO\ DV ZHOO DV JROÀQJ ÀVKLQJ SKRWRJUDSK\ DQG WUDYHOOLQJ ZLWK +RSH In addition to his parents, Humberto was predeceased by his devoted wife, Esperanza; a brother, Fernando Cruz; and sisters Margie Ortiz and Yolanda Ruiz. Surviving are his daughter Deanna Meyers and her husband, James, of Goleta; daughter Lena Henson and her husband Bryant; son Rey Cruz; four grandchildren: Rachel Meyers, Michelle Meyers, Kaitlin Cruz, and Brayden Henson; older sisters Cruz Westerman of Wichita Falls, and Pascuala Vela of Big Spring; younger brother, Heliodoro “Peachi” Cruz, and Ysidoro “Jr” Cruz of Santa Maria; and younger sister Betty Gonzalez of Santa Barbara; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Humberto’s Celebration of Life is set to be announced at a later date due to current world events. The family would like to thank VNA Hospice Services, Food From the +HDUW DQG DOO WKHLU IULHQGV DQG IDPLO\ IRU WKHLU XQZDYHULQJ VXSSRUW LQ WKHVH GLIÀFXOW times.

WILCOX, Philip Scott

Native Santa Barbaran and lifelong resident, PHILIP SCOTT WILCOX, died peacefully at his Montecito home on October 30, 2021, a week shy of his 90th birthday.

Born at Cottage Hospital, November 7, 1931, to Dr. Alfred Bulkeley Wilcox and Marguerite Bone Wilcox, he attended Roosevelt School, La Cumbre Junior High and Santa Barbara High School (Class of ‘48), where he was editor of The Forge. At age 16 he went to Stanford University, earning both undergraduate (BA 52) and law (LLB 54) degrees, followed by two years in the US ARMY stationed in California and France.

Returning to Santa Barbara in 1956, he began his 39 years RI OHJDO SUDFWLFH ÀUVW ZLWK &ODUHQFH 5RJHUV LQ WKH ROG &DUULOOR $GREH DQG VXEVHTXHQWO\ with close friend, Bill Gordon, and the last 23 years with Mullen and Henzell. In 1958 he married the love of his life, Sally Fernamberg, of Wauseon, Ohio, who survives him, as do their 3 children, James Scott Wilcox (Lisa), Sara Anne Wilcox and Charles Philip Wilcox, all of Santa Barbara, with grandchildren; JP (James Philip) Wilcox and Jenna Wilcox. Philip is also survived by his sister Alita Wilcox Rhodes (Don) and brother Jonathan Wilcox – along with many nieces and nephews; Paul Wilcox (Kira), Heather Wilcox, Chris Rhodes, Jesse Rhodes, Marybeth Rhodes Woodruff (Matt), Lauren Wilcox Schmitz (George), Daniel Wilcox-Free (Laura), and Megan Wilcox-Free. His brother Douglas Wilcox and wife Yvonne preceded him in death.

Phil’s “memorable achievements” include presidencies of the Santa Barbara Foundation, Family Service Agency, the Cottage Health Institutional Review Board, 6DQVXP 0HGLFDO 5HVHDUFK )RXQGDWLRQ DQG RWKHU RIÀFHU GLUHFWRU SRVLWLRQV ZLWK WKH Montecito Library, Montecito Association and the Montecito Union School Board. He was an active and life-long member of All Saints-By-The-Sea Church. After retirement Phil enjoyed numerous Adult Education classes studying Shakespeare, music and poetry, he also volunteered at Cleveland School in the after school reading program.

Sally and Phil traveled extensively on nearly all continents in their 63 years together, PRWLYDWHG IUHTXHQWO\ E\ KHU GHYRWLRQ WR KLNLQJ DQG KLV WR WKHDWHU DQG SRHWU\ SDUWLFXODUO\ Shakespeare and WB Yeats. Phil (“I am a poet in my mind”) was an enthusiastic actor IURP DQ HDUO\ DJH DSSHDULQJ LQ VRPH ÀIWHHQ ORFDO SURGXFWLRQV QRWDEO\ DV WKH IRRO “Feste,” in Twelfth Night and the “Reverend Hale” in The Crucible.

As Phil once wrote, “Being blessed with a wonderful family and the chance to spend my life in Santa Barbara has been a gift for which the most profound thanks would not do justice.” What mattered most to him was his love of family and his wide range of friends.

0HPRULDO VHUYLFHV WR EH DQQRXQFHG DW D ODWHU GDWH ,Q OLHX RI ÁRZHUV GRQDWLRQV FDQ EH made to the Hillside House of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Strings Youth Orchestra, WKH *UDFH )LVKHU )RXQGDWLRQ RU 91$ +RVSLFH

CAMPOS, Delia Ruan

On Friday, November 26, 2021, Delia Ruan Campos passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord at the age of 91. She was born in Herreras, Durango, Mexico, to Aurora and Pedro Ruan (Ruano). She grew up in Santiago Papasquiaro and recalled an idyllic childhood. Her father and mother owned a retail business, and her father served as the township’s local judge. She would attend the Instituto Juarez in the City of Durango. A change in circumstances prompted the family to move their lives and business to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The 5XDQ VLVWHUV DOO ÀYH ZRXOG ÀQG WKHLU ZD\ WR WKH $OWD California.

Delia moved to the U.S. at the age of 16. Upon arrival, she began working for the Goleta Valley Lemon Association packinghouse where she caught the eye of photographers working for an agricultural trade publication. They took pictures of her picking, sorting and washing lemons, the journey of the lemon so to speak, on its way out of a packinghouse. Little did she know that one of the photos would become, in time, iconic to Santa Barbara County’s agricultural history appearing on postcards, posters and the local newspapers come each Fiesta, and especially the Goleta Lemon Festival. In 2001, it was chosen as the main image for the Goleta Community Heritage Project appearing in all of their publications. To this day the picture still hangs at the Stow House and The Old Town Coffee House in Goleta.

Delia met the love of her life, Salvador Campos, at a local dance. They were married DQG UDLVHG ÀYH FKLOGUHQ LQ &DUSLQWHULD $FWLYH LQ WKH 6W -RVHSK·V &DWKROLF &KXUFK VKH assisted Father Roughan administering communion to the sick in their homes, leading rosaries, making some of the best enchiladas for the Catholic carnival for years, having priests and seminarians over for dinner and even giving one of them regular haircuts!

Compassionate, Delia always went out of her way to help people in need. After gaining U.S. citizenship, she was instrumental in assisting many other immigrants become citizens. Working with others, she learned that she was a natural teacher not only to her own children, but the community’s youth, as well. Truly a highlight of her life was working with students at the Carpinteria Jr. High for 20 years. Those years turned into a lifetime of friendship and love, as the students never forgot her. As adults, they became regular visitors to the Campos household and brought their own children to meet their wonderful Mrs. Campos who was always there for them.

Delia kept herself active in ways that brought others sunshine. She loved music, singing, knitting and crocheting. A favorite pastime was reading, particularly history.

Not surprisingly, she had a hand in the writing of one of Carpinteria’s best history books. She translated Spanish documents to English for Jayne Craven Caldwell’s Carpinteria As It Was. 'HOLD LV VXUYLYHG E\ KHU ORYLQJ KXVEDQG RI \HDUV 6DOYDGRU &DPSRV KHU ÀYH FKLOGUHQ Dr. Jim Campos (Valerie), Arthur, Daniel, Graciela Barnes (Reid) and Alicia Wissing (Andrew). She was most proud of and loved her seven grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her grandson Eric Campos.

OBITUARIES / WEATHER

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

STREIFF, Joseph John “Joe” Joe passed away November 14, 2021 at his home in Santa Barbara. Joe was born January 5, 1930 in Wasco, CA. He moved to Santa Barbara in 1964. He began his career as a printing pressman with the Wasco News. After coming to Santa Barbara Joe worked for Rood’s Associates, the Santa Barbara News-Press, Channel Lithograph, and ÀQDOO\ UHWLULQJ IURP 6DQWD %DUEDUD &LW\ &ROOHJH DV ZHOO as “moonlighting” in many other print shops in town. Joe never had just one job. :KHQ KH ÀUVW DUULYHG LQ 6DQWD %DUEDUD KH ZDVQ·W VXUH LI KH ZRXOG OLNH LW +H OLNHG ÁDW JURXQG 2QFH VHWWOHG KH knew he never wanted to leave. He appreciated the climate that allowed him to enjoy being outside most of the day.

Joe & his wife, Jane, had many years of square dancing, round dancing, country western dancing, and later bowling with the Santa Barbara Lawn Bowls Club. He was a long time member of the Elks Caravaneers. He and Jane enjoyed several International RV trips to Mexico and Baja on the train, Russia and Eastern Europe, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Maritime Provinces.

Joe & Jane were just one month short of being married 47 years as a blended family.

6XUYLYLQJ -RH DUH KLV ÀUVW ZLIH DQG WKH PRWKHU RI KLV FKLOGUHQ %HWW\ 6XH +ROODQG his remaining sibling Anna Rastall, his daughter Charlotte Sell (Larry), Eric Streiff (Kim), and grandson Chase Streiff as well as Jane’s children Dale Irwin, Mark Irwin, grandsons, Jeremy Irwin, and Andrew Irwin.

Joe will be missed but never forgotten. He loved his family and enjoyed catching up on their daily lives. Laughter was always mixed in the conversation with Joe. He had a wonderful fun loving sense of humor.

-RH ZDV D UHJXODU DWWHQGHH DW 2XU /DG\ RI 6RUURZV &DWKROLF &KXUFK A memorial service in Joe’s honor will be held December 17 at l p.m. at McDermottCrockett Mortuary Chapel, 2020 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, 93105

MOLLOY, William

William “Bill” Joseph Molloy, 82, of Santa Barbara, CA passed away Tuesday, October 26th at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Bill was born September 8, 1939 in Emmetsburg, IA, the son of Joseph and Teresa (Drew) Molloy. He attended college at DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL and graduated in 1961. Shortly following graduation, he married his wife of 60 years, Patricia “Pat” (Brennan) Molloy on September 9, 1961.

Following their wedding Bill took a job with Northrop in Rapid City, SD. While living there he and Pat welcomed WKHLU ÀUVW FKLOG 0LFKHOOH ,Q WKH IDOO RI KH DQG Pat moved to Santa Maria, CA when he took a job with Lockheed at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Over the next two years Bill and Pat were joined by a son, Tom and second daughter, Peggy. During the fall of 1965 they moved to Santa Barbara where they’ve lived until present.

While in Santa Barbara Bill worked for various companies including Delco Electronics, Santa Barbara Research Center, Kidde Dual Spectrum for whom he enjoyed many years of traveling abroad on military assignments.

Bill will be remembered by many for his quick Irish wit and long winded stories. Also, for his generosity and kindness, as he was always willing to give time or labor, whether it was for family, friend, or stranger.

Bill cherished, and was cherished by, all ten grandchildren and had a knack for developing a unique relationship with each of them. Whenever possible, Papa shared with them his impassioned love for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He found great enjoyment in spending time with his wife Pat watching their grandchildren playing youth, high school, and college sports. He also treasured his time with other family and friends.

He is loved and will be deeply missed by his wife Pat, and children: Michelle Spatz, Tom (Lynn) Molloy, Peggy (Jack) Martin. By his grandchildren: Danielle Burch, Anthony Martin, Christine Burns, Courtney Douglass, Alex Spatz, Laurie Spatz, Jacob Molloy, Merrick Goodman, Kate Molloy, and Olivia Goodman. His nine great-grandchildren. $QG ÀQDOO\ E\ KLV EURWKHUV -RVHSK 5XWK DQG 0LFKDHO KLV VLVWHU .DWKU\Q 7RQ\

Catalano, Ruth (Max) Norvell, Janet (David) Brown, and Joann (Rick) Boylan, his brother-in-law Tom (Jennifer) Van Oosbree, and his sister-in-law Ruth Molloy. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helen Van Oosbree, brothers Jerry and Robert, and son-in-law John Spatz.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 A.M. on Dec. 17, 2021 at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Goleta, CA

MATTHEWS, John Richard

Dick Matthews, born John Richard Matthews, left this world on November 27, 2021 with the same generosity of character, spirit of fairness, and well planned timing in which he lived his life. He was born on September 28,1935 in Bellevue, Iowa to William and Alice Matthews.

He moved to Spencer, South Dakota in 1940 where he spent his formative years alongside his older brother, Jim Matthews. What formed during those years was an honest, hard working, part-time troublemaker who valued his relationships with people above all else.

He graduated from Huron College with a B.A. in History and P.E. After time in the Army, in 1960 Dick moved to Los Angeles to attend USC Physical Therapy School. There he met his wife of 59 years, Sally Matthews. He was a loving, loyal and fun husband. He was father to 2 daughters, Kristy Matthews and Kay Matthews to whom he imbued a sense of practicality, humor and responsibility.

He worked as a Physical Therapist at Pomona Valley Hospital, moved to Santa Barbara in 1968, was Director of PT at Goleta Valley Hospital, and opened a private practice in 1980. He was active in many PT organizations, serving on the board at APTA. He developed a preventative injury program and worked as a consultant with several large corporations.

After retirement, he volunteered time with Direct Relief, See International in Africa and served on the Grand Jury. Dick was an avid golfer with his home away from home being La Cumbre Country Club.

He was a dedicated, generous grandfather ensuring his grandchildren were given every opportunity. Along with family, the most important thing to Dick were his friendships, many of which spanned the course of his life. At his request there will be no service.

Dick loved helping people when he felt moved to. He would have appreciated more than anything, all of us doing just the same in our daily lives.

Obituary notices are published daily in the Santa Barbara News-Press and also appear on our website www.newspress.com To place an obituary, please email the text and photo(s) to obits@newspress.com or fax text only (no photos) to (805) 966-1421. Please include your name, address, contact phone number and the date(s) you would like the obituary to be published. Photos should be in jpeg format with at least 200 dpi. If a digital photo is not available, a picture may be brought into our office for scanning. We will lay out the obituary using our standard format. A formatted proof of the obituary and the cost will be emailed back for review and approval.

The minimum obituary cost to print one time is $150.00 for up to 1.5” in length -- includes 1 photo and up to 12 lines of text, approximately 630 characters; up to approximately 930 characters without a photo. Add $60.00 for each additional inch or partial inch after the first 1.5”; up to approximately 700 characters per additional inch.

All Obituaries must be reviewed, approved, and prepaid by deadline. We accept all major credit cards by phone; check or cash payments may be brought into our office located at 715 Anacapa Street.

The deadline for Tuesday through Friday’s editions is 10 a.m. on the previous day; Saturday, Sunday and Monday’s editions all deadline at 12-noon on Thursday (Pacific Time).

Free Death Notices must be directly emailed by the mortuary to our newsroom at news@newspress.com. The News-Press cannot accept Death Notices from individuals.

LOCAL FIVE-DAY FORECAST TODAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Cool with increasing clouds

Rain and drizzle

Rain tapering off

Turning cloudy

A morning shower

INLAND

INLAND

INLAND

INLAND

INLAND

60 39

55 48

52 30

51 33

58 30

59 44

55 50

53 39

56 40

55 39

COASTAL

COASTAL

Pismo Beach 56/48

Their dream was to die together holding hands. At 97 and 98 years old their dream came true as they spent the last couple of weeks of their lives in Hospice at their daughter’s home in Santa Barbara, California. They were surrounded with family and love as Bob made his transition on November 15, 2021, and Peggy followed 4 days later on November 19, 2021.

Bob was born March 30, 1924, in Santa Ana, California, to Carl and Lillian Edgar. He had one sister, Shirley, and they were raised in Santa Ana. Peggy was born February 9, 1923, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Frank and Margaret Myers. She was the oldest of 4 girls and they were raised in Costa Mesa, California.

Once they were married, they lived in many different places including Maracaibo, Venezuela, where Bob worked for Brown Drilling Oil Co, and Singapore for 6 years in the early 1970s where Bob ran Sea Supply for Oceaneering International. Bob’s career was as an Executive in the Oil and Diving Industries. Peggy was the consummate wife and homemaker. They lived in 37 different homes during their 76 years together and had friends all over the world.

They spent the last 20 years living in Paso Robles, California, living independently thanks to the care and assistance of their good friend and neighbors, Betsy Hardy DQG 0DWWKHZ DQG *LQQ\ 5HLG 7KH\ PDGH WKHLU ÀQDO PRYH WR 6DQWD %DUEDUD &$ RQ October 9, 2021.

They are survived by their 3 children: Julie (Peter) Newendorp of Santa Barbara, CA; Jake (Kwang) Edgar of Pai, Thailand; Joan (Lloyd) Gay of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. They are also survived by their 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

They are loved and will be missed

With deep sorrow we mourn the passing of our patriarch, Gordon LeRoy Reisig on Nov. 28, 2021. Gordon was born June 1936 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Sam and Emma Reisig. He graduated from Ferris State University in 1958, majoring in Business and Economics. Gordon signed up with the United States Marines and served for 6 years in the reserves. After years as a branch manager at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Gordon purchased Capitol Hardware in 1972, trading in his suit and tie for a pair of OP shorts.

Gordon loved working with his hands, helping his loyal customers, and providing the Tri-Counties with the best in building materials. His quick wit was well-known around the building trades in Santa Barbara. He could be seen almost every weekday morning having breakfast at the Jolly Tiger (and subsequently the Cajun Kitchen) with his dear friend Ed Koke.

Gordon will always be remembered as a kind and generous person. He opened his heart and home to all he met. He loved having holidays and family get-togethers. His legacy will live on in the business he built and the future housing development at 711 N. Milpas St. He will be sorely missed by the building community, especially his longtime customers at Capitol Hardware. He helped many contractors as they started their businesses by extending them credit. Customers will always remember his ice cream machine at Capitol Hardware and the Danish butter cookies he handed out to his customers at Christmas time.

Gordon continued to work until March of 2020, when declining health forced him to retire. He remained at home with the help of Jojo, his caregiver, who we appreciated so much and who became part of our family. Nurse Trish, Marianne, and Social Worker Robert with Assisted Hospice were wonderful.

7KH IDPLO\ ZRXOG HVSHFLDOO\ OLNH WR WKDQN &DWK\ 0LOOHU RI 3DFLÀF 9LOODJH DQG KHU staff for Delia’s outstanding care. We also thank everyone at Hospice/VNA – Shannon, Carolyn, Fabiola and Chaplain Reggie Salcedo.

Gordon is survived by his wife Darlene of 63 years, his sister Sharon Mack of Orlando, Florida, his two daughters, Sherri Bjorndahl (Jay), and Michelle Bleecker (Alan), his 7 grandchildren Erica, Daniel, and Heidi Bjorndahl, Taylor, Jordan (Kristin), Kelsey Muralles (Jose), and Cameron Bleecker, and 2 great-grandchildren Shiloh and Owen Bleecker, along with many nieces and nephews.

The town of Herreras, Duango, has a tradition of ringing the church bells when one of their own passes away. The bells have been rung for Delia.

While we mourn his passing, let us also celebrate his life and the lasting impact he had on our lives. May his memory always have a special place in our hearts and minds.

A celebration of her life will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1532 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the Church Hall.

A memorial service for Gordon will take place at El Montecito Presbyterian Church on 'HFHPEHU WK DW SP ,Q OLHX RI ÁRZHUV SOHDVH PDNH GRQDWLRQV LQ *RUGRQ·V QDPH to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission or El Montecito Presbyterian Church.

COASTAL

New Cuyama 60/35 Ventucopa 58/37

Los Alamos 60/40

Lompoc 58/46 Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021

Buellton 60/40

Solvang 60/39

Gaviota 58/47

SANTA BARBARA 59/44 Goleta 58/43

Carpinteria 58/44 Ventura 57/46

AIR QUALITY KEY Good Moderate

Source: airnow.gov Unhealthy for SG Very Unhealthy Unhealthy Not Available

ALMANAC

TEMPERATURE High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low

64/36 64/40 78 in 2017 32 in 2013

PRECIPITATION 24 hours through 6 p.m. yest.

Month to date (normal) Season to date (normal)

0.00” 0.02” (0.76”) 1.23” (2.76”)

City Cuyama Goleta Lompoc Pismo Beach Santa Maria Santa Ynez Vandenberg Ventura

Bakersfield Barstow Big Bear Bishop Catalina Concord Escondido Eureka Fresno Los Angeles Mammoth Lakes Modesto Monterey Napa Oakland Ojai Oxnard Palm Springs Pasadena Paso Robles Sacramento San Diego San Francisco San Jose San Luis Obispo Santa Monica Tahoe Valley

60/42/s 59/34/s 45/19/pc 54/31/pc 55/46/c 53/50/r 62/42/pc 52/45/r 55/48/pc 64/47/pc 44/29/pc 53/48/r 57/53/r 52/49/r 54/52/r 60/40/pc 60/45/pc 67/43/s 62/45/s 56/45/pc 49/46/r 63/50/pc 55/52/r 55/52/r 59/48/pc 60/47/pc 39/32/sn

Mon. Hi/Lo/W 53/44/c 54/48/r 59/52/r 55/50/r 60/49/r 55/48/r 55/50/r 57/53/c

57/37/s 47/37/pc 47/35/s 61/42/s 58/28/pc 63/47/s 84/72/pc 36/22/pc 48/38/s 49/35/s 71/48/s 45/40/sh 55/36/s 43/33/pc 42/37/sh 51/33/s

POINT ARENA TO POINT PINOS

Wind west-northwest 4-8 knots today. Waves 2 feet or less with a south-southwest swell 1-3 feet at 14 seconds. Visibility clear.

POINT CONCEPTION TO MEXICO

Wind west-northwest 4-8 knots today. Waves 2 feet or less with a south-southwest swell 1-3 feet at 14 seconds. Visibility clear.

SANTA BARBARA HARBOR TIDES Date Time High Time Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Dec. 14

5:16 a.m.

5:16 p.m.

5:51 a.m.

6:29 p.m.

6:22 a.m.

7:31 p.m.

4.9’ 3.6’ 5.2’ 3.5’ 5.4’ 3.5’

LAKE LEVELS

Low

11:50 a.m.

11:10 p.m.

12:44 p.m.

11:49 p.m.

1:28 p.m. none

1.6’ 1.1’ 1.0’ 1.5’ 0.5’

AT BRADBURY DAM, LAKE CACHUMA 58/51/r 58/40/c 42/26/c 50/37/c 53/49/c 55/46/r 59/50/r 47/36/r 54/46/r 56/50/c 40/25/sn 57/48/r 60/48/r 54/45/r 55/47/r 53/47/r 58/53/c 65/48/c 53/50/c 55/46/r 52/44/r 62/55/r 57/47/r 56/45/r 57/52/r 54/52/c 37/22/sn

NATIONAL CITIES Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Houston Miami Minneapolis New York City Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, Ore. St. Louis Salt Lake City Seattle Washington, D.C.

Wind from the west at 4-8 knots today. Wind waves 1-3 feet with a south swell 1-3 feet at 14-second intervals. Visibility clear.

TIDES

LOCAL TEMPS Today Hi/Lo/W 60/35/s 58/43/pc 60/45/pc 56/48/pc 58/46/pc 60/39/pc 57/48/pc 57/46/pc

MARINE FORECAST

SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL

Santa Barbara through 6 p.m. yesterday

STATE CITIES

REISIG, Gordon LeRoy

COASTAL

Shown is today's weather. Temperatures are today's highs and tonight's lows.

Santa Maria 58/46

Vandenberg 57/48

Robert C. Edgar “Bob” and Margaret E. Edgar “Peggy” had a 76-year love affair. They met at a dance on Balboa Island right as Bob returned from serving in the Army Air Force in World War II. They were married two years later on June 12, 1947 and would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2022.

COASTAL

Maricopa 59/43

Guadalupe 58/47

EDGAR, Robert D. “Bob” EDGAR, Margaret E. “Peggy”

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

61/39/s 52/39/s 50/34/s 70/57/pc 56/36/pc 68/66/r 82/71/pc 37/26/s 52/42/s 55/38/s 72/54/c 45/36/r 61/43/s 46/36/c 43/34/r 56/37/s

At Lake Cachuma’s maximum level at the point at which water starts spilling over the dam holds 188,030 acre-feet. An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, equivalent to the amount of water consumed annually by 10 people in an urban environment.

Storage 91,586 acre-ft.

Elevation 711.29 ft.

Evaporation (past 24 hours) 5.1 acre-ft.

Inflow 16.5 acre-ft.

State inflow 11.9 acre-ft.

Storage change from yest.

-37 acre-ft.

Report from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset

Full

Last

Dec 18

Dec 26

Today 6:56 a.m.

4:50 p.m.

1:21 p.m.

12:57 a.m.

WORLD CITIES

New

Jan 2

Mon. 6:57 a.m.

4:50 p.m.

1:47 p.m.

1:55 a.m.

First

Jan 9

Today Mon. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Beijing 41/16/pc 39/15/pc Berlin 38/37/sh 43/40/sh Cairo 75/61/c 74/59/pc Cancun 84/72/pc 82/73/t London 55/50/c 54/44/c Mexico City 71/46/pc 72/44/s Montreal 39/34/s 42/31/pc New Delhi 72/48/pc 69/48/pc Paris 51/43/c 49/41/c Rio de Janeiro 88/76/c 87/76/t Rome 54/36/s 55/38/s Sydney 70/60/pc 72/61/s Tokyo 64/47/pc 56/41/s W-weather, s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

NEWS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

A5

‘The community is super excited about this year’s return’

Above, 2021 Spirit of Fiesta Ysabella Yturralde, left, and Junior Spirit of Fiesta Savannah Hoover dance for the crowd. Below, people gather on the side of the street to witness the parade.

The Goleta Valley Junior High School Marching Band plays music during the Goleta Holiday Parade on Saturday.

PARADE

Continued from Page A1 collaborated with the Goleta Rotary Club.

“After not having a parade last year, the community is super excited about this year’s return,” parade chair Ed Holdren of the Lions Club told the News-Press in an email.

The parade included four bands, a lot of youth groups and entries by number of banks.

Additional entries included several boy and girl scout troops, the Goleta Boys and Girls Club and many private organizations with floats, singers and groups strolling down Hollister Avenue.

Sponsors of the parade donated different amounts to fund the parade.

The highest level for a sponsor is the “North Pole’’ or “Presenting Sponsor” level, wherein $3,000 is donated. These sponsors were the Santa Cruz Markets and the Santa

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Barbara Elks Lodge. The lowest level, bronze, is a $100 “Elves” sponsorship.

In addition, more than 25 other local businesses and families have donated funds to help make this event possible.

Parade organizers took pains to make this event possible during the pandemic. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as local public health officials were followed.

“We are very excited about the great response we have received from the Goleta community,” Mr. Holdren told the News-Press before the parade started.

He predicted it would be fun for friends and families.

“We, the members of the Goleta Lions club, are very proud to be the 2021 organizer’s for the parade,” he said. “Our club has served the Goleta Valley since 1941.” email: kzehnder@newspress.com

At left, local members of the Girl Scouts wave to the crowd. Above, children rush to pick up candy tossed from parade entrants. Below, Classic cars roll down Hollister Avenue.

A6

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

NEWS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

Biden may already have lame duck status

ARE YOU TIRED OF PAYING TOO MUCH FOR GARDENING SERVICES?

$50

PER VISIT (Depending on size of yard)

WEEKLY OR MONTHLY SERVICES PROVIDED

INVESTIGATOR

Continued from Page A3

the FBI ANSIR hotline to report alleged crimes (from which we may eventually reap a reward of up to $500,000, although a financial reward has never been our motive) to contacting U.S. Senators as a conduit for passing information directly to your office.

“Respectfully yours …”

When I showed former CIA spymaster Clair George this letter, he laughed his head off.

Seven weeks later, I received this terse reply from an FBI assistant director: “The FBI appreciates your past support. As you are aware, the FBI welcomes reporting from anyone regarding criminal activity that falls within its investigative jurisdiction.

‘In the future, should you wish you relay information of interest to the FBI, you are requested to contact the local FBI representative at the United States Embassy in the country where you currently reside.”

We never did.

It was clear to us that the FBI had become much too disconnected (within itself) and was in severe need of an overhaul — an overhaul that still hasn’t happened as the bureau becomes more insidiously politicized.

Instead, we provided our information to the CIA and a U.S. senator on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the former of which did not share it with the bureau (business as usual). The latter gave it directly to the director.

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AND SPEAKING OF MONACO (ANOTHER SWAMP)

SERVICES OFFERED:

FOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL GUTIERREZ LANDSCAPING AT

805-403-9028

Winter Specials

Where is Princess Charlene?

This is the question being asked by everyone inside the principality (along with reporters at all of the glamor and gossip mags in Paris, Rome and London).

Prince Albert announced that his somewhat estranged wife is suffering from “fatigue that’s not just physical.”

Which seems like self-serving code for “she’s nuts and I need her out of the public eye for my own convenience.”

What is known is this: After being absent from Monaco for 10 months (in favor of her native South Africa, supposedly due to a “sinus infection”), she abruptly departed for a mystery facility, location unknown, only 11 days after returning to the principality.

One report places Charlene at a “calm and peaceful” private clinic in Lauenen, Switzerland.

A South African friend of Charlene’s told the New York Post: “It is unfair that she is being portrayed as having some kind of mental issue. We don’t know why the palace is downplaying that she almost died in South Africa” from “severe sinus and swallowing issues stemming from an earlier surgery.” (Another story doing the rounds is that Charlene has been suffering from myositis, an autoimmune disease that inflames the muscles — a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine?)

We believe that Albert and his minions, embarrassed over the strange state of his marriage (which began badly when she reportedly attempted to flee from the altar only days before the $50 million nuptials), lured Charlene back to Monaco from South Africa with a premeditated plan to park her in a place beyond the press’ reach.

We believe this because she has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement with no visitation rights. Says a source, “She is imprisoned for drug treatment.” Even her father is forbidden to visit her.

And so, our question is this: Did Charlene voluntarily admit herself to a psychiatric facility or was she committed against her will?

If it is the latter — and knowing how royal courts operate (especially Monaco’s) — we worry for her safety, especially as she has apparently lost weight and is down to 95 pounds.

On another Monaco front: Censorship is alive and well inside the once-glamorous principality, these days best known for its rampant corruption and large Russian presence.

A secretive entity called “Dossiers du Rocher” has created various internet sites reproducing internal Monaco communications that reveal corruption at the very top. However, the powers that be inside the principality have striven to quash and censor all attempts to make these very credible documents available to the public.

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In September 1981, a short-lived magazine called The Investigator, created by syndicated columnist Jack Anderson, published my in-depth investigation of Liberty Lobby, a neo-Nazi organization that masqueraded as being populist. The article exposed a man named Willis Carto as the mysterious figure behind Liberty Lobby and its weekly anti-Semitic newspaper, The Spotlight.

Mr. Carto took umbrage and sued The Investigator (the magazine) and Jack Anderson for defamation.

That case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled against Liberty Lobby on the basis that the plaintiff “had not provided clear and convincing evidence.” (Apparently, this case is now required reading in law schools across the nation.)

Liberty Lobby — some called it Liberty Lobotomy — could not name me as a defendant even though I was the true author, having researched, investigated and written the piece. This was because The Investigator’s editor improperly gave the byline to a magazine staffer, Charles Bermant, who had conducted supplemental research.

I have not, until now (40 years later), refuted the nonsense spewed by all parties.

I, of course, had evidence in my possession to back up every aspect of my story, including tape recordings and transcripts of interviews conducted with ex-Liberty Lobby employees, among others who’d had unpleasant dealings with Willis Carto.

Oddly, these extensive notes/recordings/transcripts were never requested for review, either before the piece was published or after the lawsuit was filed.

Jack Anderson’s attorney, David Branson of White & Case, flew to London to meet me. We had tea at the hotel where he stayed, Inn on the Park. When I asked what Mr. Branson wanted of me, he whimsically stated that he just needed to be able to tell the court that he had met me in person and that I truly exist.

The assertion (in Liberty Lobby’s lawsuit) that “Carto often observes interviews of prospective employees through a mirror” came from a former senior Liberty Lobby employee who claimed (to me directly) that he had personally witnessed this behavior. A second source, also an ex-Liberty Lobby employee, corroborated that point (to me directly, no duplicate sourcing). This was old-fashioned, bythe-book investigative reporting (remember that?) as

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Robert Eringer got the latest on the presidential race during a visit to Washington, D.C. The information comes after President Joe Biden’s recent announcement he would seek re-election.

taught to me on Fleet Street.

As for “a drawing of a Hitleresque person, allegedly Carto”: The draft I submitted to The Investigator was a typescript without illustrations of any kind.

Hence, this drawing did not come from me, as Charles Bermant erroneously testified, but most likely was created by The Investigator’s own art department.

That said, I have no doubt, based on my investigation, that Willis Carto admired Adolph Hitler; that the illustration truly reflected his leanings. It was Carto, for instance, who created (from behind the scenes) the notorious Institute for Historical Review, which published books and held conventions to promote a revisionist theory that the Holocaust was a hoax.

Every other point in my story that Liberty Lobby alleged to be “defamatory” was similarly sourced and documented as true. Neither Mr. Bermant nor Joseph Spears — a key lieutenant to Jack Anderson who negotiated my fee — ever asked me about my sources nor asked to see evidence that supported my story.

Had I been a named defendant in the action, all of my files would have been “discovered,” and Liberty Lobby would have been sent packing long before its case reached the Supreme Court.

Lesson to publications: Don’t steal credit/bylines from freelance journalists.

As usual, those who benefited most were lawyers.

2024 PRESIDENTIAL SWEEPSTAKES Even though President Joe Biden recently announced he will run for re-election, given his age, mental frailty and strong disapproval rating, this prez is already (in the opinion of many D.C. insiders, with whom The Investigator has spoken) a very lame duck.

Furthermore (they tell us), his VEEP, Kamala Harris, has proven to be a non-entity (worse, “a liability”) and little more than Mr. Biden’s insurance policy against being asked to vacate the White House before his term is up. (Think Spiro Agnew.)

Terry McAuliffe (a Clintonite from way back) was supposed to be the Democratic Party’s new darling and leading contender for the White House next go-round. That’s why his loss to Glenn Youngkin in Virginia’s gubernatorial election — recoloring the state from blue to red — was a kick in the teeth not only to Mr. McAuliffe but to the whole party, as he is now dead before arrival. (And If the other Democratic contenders from last time weren’t such a motley crew — aside from John Kasich, former governor of Ohio — how could Mr. Brandon, uh, Biden have nailed the nomination in 2020?)

On the other side of the great divide, the Republicans have an impressive roster of potential candidates.

Donald Trump will undoubtedly throw his hat into the ring because he resides in a tower built not of ivory but, like his bathroom faucets, of gilt gold, and he has already begun interviewing — at Mar-a-Lago — a series of potential running-mates.

Few in the swamp, however, want a rerun of divisive politics and incessant tweets.

And since Mr. Biden did not even attempt to keep his promise to reunite the country, a reformation is necessary unless the U.S.A.’s deeply-divided population is looking for a civil war — something our adversaries such as Russia and China and Iran are deeply promoting from behind the scenes.

Thus, the most likely Republican candidates, in the opinion of insiders, are these: Rick DeSantis, governor of Florida, a state to which so many disenfranchised voters from California and New York and other blue states have flown and are still fleeing; Ted Cruz, who has demonstrated his moxie and incisive cunning while grilling Biden appointees.

Tom Cotton, Republican U.S. senator, is the most likely to “arise from nowhere” due to his hush-hush Establishment connections (a la Jimmy Carter in 1976 and George H.W. Bush in 1980 — VP to Reagan, later president himself).

Their ideal running mates would be former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley (a presidential candidate in her own right) or Kristy Noem, the governor of South Dakota. Forget about Chris Christie, whose White House aspirations are a figment of his own imagination.

THE PERFECT STORM Picture this: In an unholy pact prepared in purgatory, Russia invades the Ukraine while, in a simultaneous, concerted action, China invades Taiwan.

Does U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken blink (as opposed to his usual deer-caught-in-headlights expression)?

Does President Biden go hidin’ (his normal posture anyway)?

Sounds like a game show (especially with these jokers in charge), but this is serious stuff, according to Phillip Petersen, who has spent his whole career in D.C. working on defense and security issues for the Pentagon (at the Defense Intelligence Agency) and various think tanks.

In fact, Dr. Petersen is known among his many fans as “The Indiana Jones of Central Asia” because, in the early 1990s when the Bush and thereafter the Clinton administrations refused to take the former republics of the Soviet Union seriously enough to deal with them beyond Moscow, Dr. Petersen traveled to all 15 of them (in extremely rough conditions) on behalf of the Potomac Foundation to offer assurances and support.

Now, at the ripe age of 75, when most people seek quiet retirement, Dr. Petersen remains active, having flown out again last Monday to the frontlines.

“Putin is at war with us,” Dr. Petersen told The Investigator/News-Press last Sunday in The Daily Grill. “What’s not to understand? World War III has already begun, and Eastern Europe is the frontline.”

Dr. Petersen revealed to us what Russian President Vladmir Putin wants in exchange for not Please see INVESTIGATOR on A8

NEWS

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

SBCC beats Pasadena in men’s basketball

By MICHAEL JORGENSON SBCC SPORTS WRITER

The Santa Barbara City College men’s basketball team enjoyed its largest win in four weeks on Friday, defeating Pasadena 85-73 on day two of the SBCC Holiday Classic.

The Vaqueros (5-8) came into the game with a renewed emphasis on sharing the ball and the results showed as they put up a seasonhigh 23 assists.

Four of SBCC’s five starters had at least three helpers, led by point guard Wilfrid Nado’s six.

Forwards Brycyn Gossett (7-10 FG) and Adam Weingard (6-11) paced the home side with 18 points each. They also led all players with 10 and eight rebounds, respectively, seeing Gossett record his first double-double of the year.

Assuming an increased role for the fourth straight game, guard Elijah Simpson showed out once again, tallying 17 points on an excelent 6-of-8 shooting day, including 2-for-2 on threes. He also added four assists and four steals.

Nado and forward Billy Whitting helped SBCC get out to an early 7-point lead, playing a part in all of SBCC’s early baskets. Whitting nearly put down a highlight fast break dunk that ended up in a JJ Fain jumper, making it 16-9 about eight minutes in.

The Vaqueros headed into halftime with a comfortable 38-30 lead after shooting 46.7 percent in the opening half.

SBCC opened the second half on a 17-5 run

to go up 55-35. Simpson contributed to 9 of the 17 points, making plays on both ends as he darted into passing lanes, finished at the basket and the foul line, and knocked down a corner three.

Pasadena answered with a 14-0 run as the Vaqueros went cold, cutting the lead to 55-49 with 11:33 to go.

After going scoreless in the opening half, Weingard got hot to help push the lead back to double-digits. His layup at the 10:31 mark ended a stretch of five minutes without an SBCC bucket. That started an 8-0 run to go back up 14, 63-49, and the Vaqueros cruised the rest of the way.

SBCC shot over 50 percent as a team for the second time this season (50.8%). Both times, it has happened against Pasadena; SBCC’s season-high 53.8 percent mark came in an 8766 win over the Panthers back on Nov. 12.

Simpson’s production has seen a remarkable increase over his last four outings. He is averaging 17 points on 58.6 percent (24-41 FG) shooting to go along with four steals and 2.2 assists per game.

On a day where the Vaqueros reached new heights in the assist department, they also set a season-high in rebounds with 50. It was their highest rebound total in their last 27 games.

Santa Barbara hasn’t just emphasized sharing the ball – the Vaqueros have also made it a point to not settle for outside shots. They attempted a season-low 11 three-pointers (411 3FG) tonight, but had their third-most free throw attempts (21-29 FT).

The Vaquero starters carried the team on

the day, accounting for 61 of their 85 points (71.8%). It was the second-most points the starting unit has scored this year.

“I’m trying to have these guys understand the relationship between sharing the ball, where everybody touches it, and how that energizes your defense,” Head Coach Devin Engebretsen said. “We haven’t been playing really great D because lately we’ve had too many 1-pass-shot or no-pass-shot possessions.

“When nobody touches the ball, it’s hard to be excited to play D. We had a really good shootaround this morning where we really talked about sharing the ball, and the proof is in the pudding today where we had 23 assists on 30 baskets, so that’s a major a difference.”

The coach also talked about Elijah Simpson.

“Since Jaelen Bates got hurt in the DVC game, Elijah has really started to blossom.

In that game, he basically won it for us. He knows and we all know, he can virtually get to the basket any time he wants with his quickness.

“Over the last couple days now, he’s starting to hit his threes, and if he can knock down shots, that’s going to open up his game even more, because now people have to respect his jumper. We’ve also asked him to be more of a defender, and he’s just getting better in a lot of ways.”

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SBCC SPORTS WRITER

FRESNO – The SBCC women’s basketball team led through one quarter, but couldn’t keep pace in a 68-49 loss to Merced on the first day of the Fresno City Crossover on Friday afternoon.

Guard Katrina Regalado led the way in the scoring department, putting up 13 points for the third straight outing. She also pulled in seven rebounds and had a teamhigh three steals.

Forward Trinity Scott also posted double-figures in points, scoring 10 with five rebounds.

Michael Jorgenson works in communications/ media relations at Santa Barbara City College. email: sports@newspress.com

Forward Asia Kirven added nine points and five boards on 3-of-6 from the field. Lia Rodriguez led the Vaqueros (3-8) on the glass with eight rebounds.

SBCC shot 41.7 percent from the field, a season high.

However, that wasn’t enough to withstand a strong second half

from Merced, which outscored the Vaqueros 42-23 over the final 20 minutes.

Michael Jorgenson works in communications/media relations at Santa Barbara City College.

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UCSB men’s soccer signs up athletes

By ARTHUR WILKIE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The reigning Big West regular season and tournament champion UCSB men’s soccer team has signed four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, head coach Tim Vom Steeg announced this week.

Dominick Phanco, Eddie Villeda, Ryan Valentine, and Keaton Fargo are the four members of the incoming class.

Here’s the details on each one: • Dominick Phanco • MF/F • 5’9”/144 pounds • Odessa, Fla./JW Mitchell High School.

Phanco joins the Gauchos after playing for JW Mitchell High School from 2015-2020 and spending six years in the DA/MLS league with Clearwater Chargers U14/U16 and Tampa Bay United U17 and U19. He currently plays in the UPSL with Florida Premier.

Earlier this year, he was awarded a spot on the Tampa Bay Rowdies Academy team and picked up several honors, including County of Pasco High Schools Player of the Year and JW Mitchell HS Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named the MVP of the Florida Champions League tournament.

He attended three regional

national team camps for three consecutive years from the U15U17 level and was selected to play abroad in Scotland for two summers in 2018 and 2019.

In the classroom, Phanco maintained honors and AP status throughout high school.

• Eddie Villeda • MF • 5’11” • Costa Mesa/Servite High School/ Pateadores SC. Villeda lettered and started in all four years for the Friars, earning All-Trinity League honors three times, including two appearances on the first team.

Prior to his senior season, he had played in 64 games with 20 goals and 18 assists. He led Servite to Trinity League titles in 2019, 2020, and 2021 and the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship in 2020, while also being selected All-SCA in 2020 and All-CIF in 2021.

In a commitment announcement published by Servite, Villeda said “I chose UC Santa Barbara because I know I will succeed there. I trust the coaches and teachers that they will help me throughout my four years and will continue to push me to be the best version I can possibly become.

I fell in love with the campus the very first time I visited my freshman year when we took a trip to Santa Barbara with the

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Merced defeats SBCC in women’s basketball

By MICHAEL JORGENSON

A7

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

Servite varsity team and since then I always knew that if I had a chance to go there I wouldn’t let it slip away.”

• Ryan Valentine • GK • 6’1”/165 pounds • Irvine/Strikers FC. Beyond his time with Strikers FC, Valentine was a participant in the Talentprojekt, a year-long immersion program in Germany for top American youth soccer players. While in Germany, he competed in friendlies against the academy teams of Schalke 04, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Hannover 96, Borussia Monchengladbach, FC Utrecht, SBC Vitesse, and others.

2019-21 and participated in the ODP Western Region Camp in 2021.

In the classroom, Fargo earned Redwood HS Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, and NCS Scholar Athlete honors from 2019-21.

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• Keaton Fargo • D/MF • 5-11/160 pounds • Kentfield/ Redwood HS/Marin FC/ODP State Team Cal North.

Fargo has played from 201621 with Marin FC 04 Blue in the US Development Academy and National Premier League, achieving a top-16 finish in the State Cup. He also spent three of those years from 2018-21 playing on the varsity team at Redwood High School, where he led the team to an MCAL title, and to the finals of the NCS and CIF playoffs.

Fargo also played for the Cal North Olympic Development Program state travel teams from

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Two crescent moons — one fake, one real — flank the palm trees at the Santa Barbara Harbor.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

Official claims west does not want Ukraine as part of NATO

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Medical/Dental Speech Pathologist at Dignity Health (Santa Maria, CA): Performs all phases of speech therapy eval, tx planning, tx & doc. Require MS in Sch Lng & Hrg Sci, or cls rel and 6 months exp. Add’l duties, rqmts, travel req avail upon request.

Email resume & cover letter to adrienne.dodd@commonspirit.org, ref Job#YB01.

Professional

WEBMASTER College of Engineering

Develop and maintain the web presence for the College of Engineering (CoE) and its departments, institutes, centers, programs, and faculty. Under the direction of the Marketing and Publications Director, the position has primary responsibility for the development and maintenance of the college’s websites, content management systems, and web applications. Provides web development, planning, search engine optimization, database architecture, analytics, training, and consultation to other college affiliated units on a recharge basis. Implements new tools, user interfaces, and applications on the web in a variety of programming languages. Adheres to laws and policies regarding accessibility, security, and data protection.

Coordinates with server providers to ensure software upgrades and maintenance are current. Provides technical support to users as needed. Performs website-related duties in a Linux environment and configures the web server and databases.

Works collaboratively with the ECI team to ensure efficient integration with existing College infrastructure and with UCSB campus IT professional organizations to ensure integration with campus serving architectures. Under the direction of the Marketing Team, identifies and improves the online needs for students, faculty, staff, alumni, the media, industry, and other college affiliated audiences. Performs creative layout, graphics creation, and design tasks, and advises the College on web development decisions.

Reqs: Good knowledge of Drupal 7 and Drupal 8, and staying current on future versions. Proficient with HTML 5. Experience in CSS. Experience in Adobe Photoshop. Problem solver, quick learner, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines.

Good communication skills and very reliable. Good understanding of accessibility and SEO best practices. Experience with media and social media integration. Experience with coding in all browsers.

Eye for the details (pixel-perfect coding). Positive attitude and love working with a team. Desire to create best-in-class products and stay on top of the latest web technologies. Note: Satisfactory conviction history background check. Salary commensurate with experience.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 12/16/21. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 27768

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DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL PLANNING & ANALYSIS Budget & Planning Office

Provide critical leadership and support for the University’s financial planning, forecasting, and decision-making processes. The Director, FP&A will serve as an integral member in the development, interpretation, analysis, and decision-making methods for UCSB’s financial planning and resource allocations. In addition, the position provides support to the Chancellor, Senior Officers, Colleges, and campus departments regarding allocation and management of resources.

This position applies principles of public finance to conceptualize, develop, and implement cross-functional funding models in support of critical campus programs. The incumbent is responsible for preparing in-depth financial analysis and reporting, development of business models, and evaluation of funding streams for various campus-wide programs. This position will also play a key role in transforming the financial reporting processes to best serve the needs of the campus community. Reqs: 10+ years’ Experience in a financial field analyzing data and designing and delivering reporting at an advanced level using Hyperion, SQL and MS Access databases, Tableau, Microsoft, Excel, and/or other reporting software.

Advanced knowledge of and experience in strategic financial and budget management using advanced financial concepts for planning.

Advanced knowledge concerning preparation and interpretation of financial statements such as Statements of Net Income and Change in Net Position, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statements. Notes: Completion of a criminal history background check. Must maintain valid CA DL, a clean DMV record and enrollment in DMV Pull-Notice Program. Satisfactory conviction history background check. Salary commensurate with experience.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 01/04/22. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 27939

FINANCIAL ASSISTANT Humanities Administrative Support Center

Administers all financial activities for the Departments of Classics and East Asian Languages & Cultural Studies, and HASC. Processes monthly review and reconciliation of ledgers, providing timely reporting, identifying and initiating corrective actions, and ensuring compliance with University, Federal, and State accounting policies and procedures on all transactions. In collaboration with management, establishes best practices for procurement, payroll, record retention, and accounts payable functions. Funds administered include a variety of state operating funds, gifts, endowments, fellowships, and grants.

Requires considerable initiative, multitasking, communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Must possess a strong knowledge of UC and departmental policies and procedures as they relate to financial services. Advises faculty on policies and procedures that govern the full range of accounting processes, gift and award administration, and academic and staff payroll. Processes gifts and monitors endowment accounts.

Responsible for assisting faculty with logistical arrangements and all financial aspects of conferences, colloquiums, seminars, and events.

Reqs: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently to perform details and accurate work while meeting critical deadlines. Must be customer service oriented and able to work with interruptions.

Ability to perform within a diverse work environment. Strong computer experience using Word and Excel. Note: Satisfactory conviction history background check. $24.61 - $25.77/hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 12/14/21. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 27146.

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ACADEMIC PERSONNEL COORDINATOR HSSB Admin Support Center

Responsible for administrative coordination and processing of academic merit and promotion cases, faculty recruitment and appointment cases, recruiting and hiring temporary faculty (25-30 per year) and other essential Academic Personnel duties, including payroll (UC Path). All duties require confidentiality, diplomacy, sound judgment, analytical and decision-making skills. Duties also include keeping abreast of Academic Personnel Manual (APM) and Red Binder policies and procedures, and ensuring that all cases and recruitments are in compliance. Works in conjunction with the Office of International Studies and Scholars (OISS) in processing Visa documentation as required and serves as primary contact for visiting scholars. Utilizes detailed knowledge of relevant policies and procedures from the campus Office of Research in preparing postdoctoral and other research appointments. Works in conjunction with faculty, department Chairs and Manager on facilitating special leave requests. Reqs: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience in a higher education setting. Requires strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks under pressure of deadlines, large workload, and frequent interruptions. Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, assertiveness and diplomacy, and critical attention to detail.

Able to exercise good judgement, common sense, and discretion, while providing careful attention to detail. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks with minimum supervision; set boundaries and adhere to them. Creatively problem-solving.

Ability to work effectively and cooperatively as a staff team member, and to work well with faculty members. Note: Satisfactory conviction history background check. $24.61 - $25.77/hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 1/3/22. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 27491

SYSTEMS AND DATA MANAGER Business & Financial Services

Supports multiple financial system integrations, provisioning of access to campus financial systems, and assisting with long-term financial system process development.

Documents complex business processes and systems; prepares plans and proposals for the improvement of systems, procedures, and processes. Handles identifying and resolving complex issues with BFS system integrations. Oversees UCSB’s person index maintenance.

Possesses solid operational and accounting skills, data reconciliation experience, and system support skills. Possesses the ability to work under deadline pressure, handle multiple projects concurrently, and deal with sensitive and confidential issues. Reqs: Bachelor’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Thorough knowledge of business and process analysis functions. Thorough Knowledge of related areas of IT. Strong skills and knowledge of methodologies associated with the analysis of processes and problems, information flow, and architecture. In-depth understanding and skill in process and systems requirement documentation standards. Demonstrated ability to work with others from diverse backgrounds. Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team. Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.

Demonstrates problem-solving skills. Broad knowledge relating to software design. Thorough knowledge of business processes and procedures. Demonstrated testing and test planning skills. Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization.

Interpersonal and communications skills to work with both technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization. Note: Satisfactory conviction history background check. $70,815 - $85,000/yr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 12/14/21. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 27520

BUDGET AND SERVICES FINANCE MANAGER STUDENT ADVISOR 2 College of Engineering Summer Sessions Responsible for the overall coordination of the fiscal operation of the Dean’s Office, including seven distinct units (Building Construction and Space Management, Corporation Affiliates Program, Engineering Computing Infrastructure, Events, Machine Shop, Marketing and Communications, and Undergraduate Studies) in accordance with university policies and procedures. Supervises the finance unit. Ensures that all day-to-day and monthly financial activities are completed to the highest quality. Collects financial data, provides analyses, and recommends courses of action to the Assistant Dean of Budget and Administration for all Dean’s Office fiscal activities. Reconciles sub-0 and sub-1 staffing lists for College, including five departments and one program. Analyzes, recommends, and implements changes in existing administrative policies and procedures for more efficient and effective operations. Ensures high standard of customer service and professionalism. Develops and upgrades systems to track collegewide budgetary information and coordinates data for college-wide tracking and analysis. Is a point of contact for questions from staff in CoE regarding UC, campus, and CoE policies and procedures for all financial matters. Reqs: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Thorough knowledge of financial processes, policies and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of financial data management and reporting systems. Strong proficiency in the use of spreadsheet and database software. Strong interpersonal and analytical skills. Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to function effectively as a member of a team. Ability to multi-task in a high-volume environment. Note: Satisfactory conviction history background check. $55,600 - $83,400/yr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 12/16/21. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 27727

Support and advise new, continuing, and returning UCSB students, and visit high school students regarding Summer Sessions’ programs, courses, policies, deadlines, and fees. Serves as a primary point of contact for phone inquiries, email inquiries, and in-person visitors, and triages registration and fee issues in collaboration with BARC, Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, College Advising offices, and academic departments. Assists with Summer Sessions outreach, promotion, and training, review of summer program applications, and maintenance of student records.

Reqs: Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in academic advising or customer service related fields. Ability to understand and inform students about campus policies, procedures, and requirements. Basic knowledge of working with a diverse student population, and sensitivity to culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Skills in problem solving, judgment, and decision-making. Solid organizational skills and proven detail orientation. Basic knowledge of the UC system, student information systems, and Summer Sessions operations. Notes: Satisfactory conviction history background check. No extended vacations may be taken during spring or while programs are in session.

Must work occasional weekend and/or evening hours while programs are in session, as needed. $23.66 - $26.82/hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 26613.

To Advertise in the Legals EMAIL: legals@newspress.com

STRUCTURAL GROUP FACULTY COORDINATOR Materials Department

Provides high-level administrative and budgetary support for faculty research groups. Advises on critical budgetary and personnel planning decisions on multi-million dollar cross-disciplinary research awards such as MURI programs and the Pratt and Whitney Center for Materials Excellence. Assumes complete project planning for technical research reviews, conferences, workshops, seminars, and group meetings. Coordinates travel arrangements, prepares travel and entertainment reimbursements.

Manages arrangements for longand short-term visitors. Assists group members in purchasing activities. Reqs: High level of administrative and organizational skills in addition to excellent oral and written communication skills. Accounting background demonstrating sound analytical and financial skills. Ability to handle multiple tasks with frequent interruptions, as well as meet deadlines with minimal supervision. Must be able to establish priorities, perform effectively under pressure and adapt to changing needs and issues. Must be detail oriented with a high degree of accuracy. Experience working with office equipment; fax machine, scanner, telephone and photocopier. Strong computer skills are essential. Note: Satisfactory conviction history background check. $24.61 - $26.98/hr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 1/4/2022. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 28113

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ASST. DIR. OF DEVELOPMENT Office of Development

Associate Director of Development (ADD), Gevirtz Graduate School of Education (GGSE) ADD for GGSE will work with donor prospects to optimize philanthropy to benefit UC Santa Barbara and to support GGSE. ADD primarily focuses on giving from individuals and foundations to promote fundraising priorities in support of the overall schoolfundraising strategy. Fundraising efforts, as defined by the Dean and the GGSE Assistant Dean of Development (DD), are devoted primarily to the Gevirtz School, with an emphasis on fundraising priorities connected to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and GGSE’s role in furthering UCSB’s campus efforts as a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution ADD will raise money for priorities as set annually by the Dean and DD. ADD will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual prospects and associated family foundations, with a focus on major gifts of $25,000+ including targeted solicitations to foundations and corporate sponsors. Additional focus will be on the annual strategy to close new and renew annual gifts up to $25,000, and to build a major gift and estate gift pipeline. Reqs: Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated interpersonal skills to establish and maintain good working relationships with diverse groups, including colleagues, faculty, staff, donors, and students. Strong organizational and time management skills and meticulous attention to detail, the ability to set, negotiate, and meet priorities and produce high-quality work under multiple deadlines and priorities. Proven success in leading a creative venture or program. Experience with social media. Proven success in managing events at various scales and generating positive outcomes.

Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of university fundraising and stewardship best practice.

Notes: Maintain a valid CA driver’s license, a clean DMV record. Satisfactory conviction history background check. May be required to work some evenings and weekends. $67,500 - $75,000/yr. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Application review begins 1/5/22. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu Job # 28174

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invading Ukraine, having already amassed almost 115,000 troops at the border (with many more on the way): “Putin wants the water in Crimea turned back on.”

Huh? “After Russia invaded the Crimea in 2014,” Dr. Petersen explained, “Ukraine’s government turned off the water supply, and Putin couldn’t pipe water in from Russia. So what does he do?

Typical of Russians who don’t like reality, they double-down all the harder. They dug their own wells into the aquiver. Crimea is a peninsula, surrounded by sea water. Russia was clumsy — as usual, or they just didn’t care — and they screwed up. Net result: the aquiver got corrupted by salt water. So this is really about the desertification of Crimea.

“What Putin really wants is the water turned back on. And if Ukraine doesn’t do that, they get invaded.”

Dr. Petersen says the Russians always try to choose a time when their opponents won’t be ready — and Christmastime would be a good example of that “to blunt a Western response.”

And if Ukraine provides water?

“It’ll soon be something else,” said Dr. Petersen. “Putin is never going to stop. He wants the old U.S.S.R. reunified. And he’s like Hitler.”

If Mr. Putin invades Ukraine as Hitler once invaded Poland (leading to World War II), how much of it is he looking to control this time?

“Putin doesn’t want to occupy all of Ukraine, but Russia won’t have a choice (if it invades) because the Ukrainians will never stop fighting,” said Dr. Petersen.

“We estimate a minimum of 30,000 Russian soldiers(will be) dead.”

The Investigator posed to Dr. Petersen our theory about a simultaneous Chinese invasion of Taiwan, and he surprised us with his response: “Don’t assume China would win. Taiwan has invested in some very sophisticated military capabilities. And most of the Chinese weapons systems are operated by microchips made in Taiwan because Taiwan produces the very finest chips.

“These computer chips are so good, in fact, that they may have sabotage mechanisms built into them. It won’t be the rollover everyone seems to think.”

Dr. Petersen then pointed out China’s biggest weakness: the vulnerability of its ports. “China’s economy depends on producing and shipping everything to everywhere else. If an invasion is attempted, the Taiwanese could strike China’s ports.

And they would. And doing so, because China depends on its ports for global commerce, would bring China’s economy — and, by extension, the whole global economy — to a halt.”

In other words, invading Taiwan is akin to the Chinese biting their nose to spite their face. And not only that. Everyone, everywhere will suffer.

Added Dr. Petersen: “Putin is a traitor to his own country. He signed a deal — to enrich himself and his oligarch buddies — to provide energy to China, and in exchange China promised to fund the pipelines to bring oil and gas

their way. As part of this, he sold to the Chinese the right to build high-speed access into the Russian heartland. And what happens as a result? The Chinese military is now practicing war games about taking over Russia all the way to Kazan (the capital of Kazakhstan).”

Former senior MI6 official Ian McCredie has written: “A recurrent fear in Moscow is that the Chinese will eventually reassert control over the Russian Far East. The Chinese were forced to cede this area to Russia in 1858 and 1860 … and the Chinese have been taught to regard these lands as lost territories. The entire population of the whole of the Russian Far East is less than 7 million (compared to China’s 1.3 billion), and demographic pressure is pushing more and more Chinese across the border — legally and illegally — in search of work, trade, farmland and space.”

The wildcard in this scenario is Iran. What does Iran do, in alliance with Russia and China, to further complicate the situation as the world goes to war?

“It’s the other way around,”Dr. Petersen responded. “Iran is in no position to do anything until their nuclear weapons program is fully developed. It is Israel who might take advantage of World War III chaos by striking Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

Tighten your seatbelt.

“This could be,” said Dr. Petersen, “a very interesting season ahead.”

Or maybe not.

The Investigator also spoke with a senior intelligence official who perceives the situation somewhat differently.

With regard to Ukraine, he tells us that the U.S. government is quietly pressuring Kyiv (Kiev) to understand that the former Soviet republic can never become part of NATO and that Ukraine must declare to Russia that they will NOT pursue any attempts to join NATO or the European Union. “And, truth is,” he told The Investigator, “the West does not want Ukraine as part of NATO or the EU because Ukraine is extremely corrupt. With Putin, it’s just a continuing series of dealmaking. He is serious about his ‘red line’ and you have to understand that Ukraine is at the very heart of Russia and the Russian soul.”

With regard to China: “The Chinese are not going to invade Taiwan. They are very patient and they know, in time, China’s renegade territories will reunify with Beijing — as happened with Hong Kong — because it will eventually become economically beneficial for them to do so. The situation may seem tense or even alarming at this juncture, but it is normal give-and-take diplomacy albeit with a militaristic edge.”

On one point, both the senior intelligence official and Dr. Petersen agree: “China’s natural enemy is Russia, and Russia’s natural enemy is China. This is due to their proximity to one another and shared border.

Whatever talk of a pact between them, they fear each other more than they fear the United States.”

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Live music returns to Santa Barbara SANTA BARBARA —Vocal ensembles are planning holiday concerts.

Pacific Sound Men’s Chorus will perform from 2:30-4:30 p.m. today and Dec. 19 at La Cumbre Plaza.

The MistleTones Barbershop Quartet will perform noon to 2

p.m. Dec. 18 at Paseo Nuevo, as well as noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 at La Cumbre Plaza.

The Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Choir will perform 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today at Paseo Nuevo and 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. today at Stearns Wharf, accompanying the tree lighting and the Parade of Lights.

— Katherine Zehnder

Voting for ‘Parade of Lights’ winners to take place online LIGHTS

Continued from Page A1 Committee, City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants Association, and the Stearns Wharf Business Association.

Stearns Wharf closes to vehicular traffic when parking is full and foot traffic becomes heavy. In the past, this closure

happened around 3:30 p.m.. so attendees are advised to plan accordingly.

Voting for the winners will be conducted online, at https://www. santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/ waterfront/events/light_parade. asp.

For more information, contact Waterfront Public Information Officer Chris Bell at 805-618-8642 or cbell@santabarbaraca.gov. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

PAGE

B1

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

Life

INSIDE

Barton Goldsmith offers tips on making 2022 a better year. - B3

S U N DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 21

‘Young Sparrows’ Inga Guyzte celebrates ‘daughters’ in solo exhibition

COURTESY PHOTOS

Artist Inga Guzyte painted the works in “Young Sparrows,” her solo exhibition.

The term “Young Sparrows” refers to daughters.

Among them are Amanda Gorman, Momiji Nishiya, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai and Millie Bobby Brown.

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

F

rom performance artists to politicians, from activists to musicians, Inga Guzyte created a large series of portraits of women she admired for her first solo exhibition at Sullivan Goss-An American Gallery in 2019.

For the current exhibition on view through Dec. 27, she has focused on the idea of younger women.

The title, ”Young Sparrows,” refers to daughters. Among them are Amanda Gorman, Momiji Nishiya, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai and Millie Bobby Brown.

Ms. Gorman, an American poet and activist, is the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate, and Ms. Nishiya is a Japanese skateboarder, who won the first ever gold medal in the women’s street competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

A Swedish environmental activist, Ms. Thunberg is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation.

Ms. Yousafzai, often referred to Please see SPARROWS on B4

B2

PUZZLES

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

JUMBLE PUZZLE

No. 1205

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1 Evidence of disorderly conduct?

5 Animated greetings 11 Threads 15 Some words of Wordsworth 19 Mötley ____ 20 Fiend 21 Instrument with a solo in Seal’s ‘‘Kiss From a Rose’’ 22 ‘‘There’s no place like ____’’ (Alaskan’s quip) 23 TV, volume knob broken, only $10!

26 A bit 27 ‘‘Me too’’ 28 Food Network host Brown 29 Sandal variety 31 Barbecue side dish 35 Tried one’s hand 38 Before, once 39 In large supply 41 What may cover some ground 43 Baseball mitt, has a small hole, just $1!

47 Casual greeting 49 Model featured on many romance novel covers 52 Split personalities?

53 Stretch of time 54 Wipe out

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12/12/2021

Jeff Kremer is a management consultant for KPMG in Chicago. His initial interest in crosswords was sparked by his parents, who were journalists and avid solvers. But it was his wife, he says, who ‘‘obsesses over her solving streak and times’’ and who inspired him to start constructing. Jeff thinks this ad-themed puzzle — his first — is nicely timed for the Sunday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as we all are flooded with sales pitches for the holidays. — W.S.

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GARAGE-SALE PITCHES

BY JEFF KREMER / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

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Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 4,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

56 ‘‘Predictably . . . ’’ 58 Much of Italy’s north 60 What the universe may or may not be 62 Huey, Dewey and Louie, e.g.

63 ____ colada 65 She can act as a D.J., nowadays 67 Raised 68 Guitar, never used, $15!

72 Baseball’s Matty or Felipe 74 After-tax investment account, informally 75 Award achievement for Audrey Hepburn and Andrew Lloyd Webber 76 Ones coming on board 79 Classic mower brand 81 Loosen 83 Raiser of team spirit 84 Ready for a refill, say 85 Sucker 86 ‘‘Voilà!’’

89 Running figure 90 Nautilus’s locale 91 Textbook, a few pages torn out, $2!

96 Extremely energetic people 98 ‘‘Ain’t that the truth!’’

99 Or rather 102 Least enjoyable parts 105 Super wrong identification?

108 Words that might elicit the response ‘‘Prove it!’’

110 Goldfinger’s first name 112 Blood line 113 Final check?

114 Two fish tanks, accessories included, $5!

120 Started a turn, perhaps 121 Like a tautology, by its nature 122 Name for zinc sulfide that is one letter short of a kitchen appliance 123 Demolish 124 Ingots 125 Source 126 Heir to the throne, as a rule 127 Catch a glimpse of DOWN

1 Andrew who became the acting F.B.I. director after James Comey was fired 2 It gets the lead out 3 A good dessert to split?

4 Having made up one’s mind about 5 Outback sight 6 Stingray or Barracuda, e.g.

7 Taylor of fashion 8 U.S. poet laureate with a 1987 Pulitzer 9 ‘‘The BFG’’ author 10 Disperse 11 ‘‘Heaven forbid!’’

12 Blood-typing letters

13 Word that can come before or after home 14 Lloyd ____, Dukakis’s veep pick in 1988 15 Amenity in G.M. vehicles 16 Prop ax used in ‘‘The Shining,’’ a valuable collectors’ item, $200!

17 Actress and gender equality activist Watson 18 Trickle 24 ‘‘____ but a scratch’’: Monty Python 25 As well 30 Set up 32 Back 33 Pin point?

34 ‘‘A Clockwork Orange’’ narrator 36 Actress Madeline of ‘‘Blazing Saddles’’ 37 Horror director Aster 40 Started again, as ‘‘99 Bottles of Beer’’ 42 False front 43 Get off one’s high horse?

44 Libertines 45 ‘‘Sure is’’ 46 Target with a pass 48 Concern for veterans, for short 49 Not even close 50 Incense residue 51 Wallet, in good condition, plenty of card slots, $5!

55 Person from Calgary or Edmonton

SOLUTION ON D3

HOROSCOPE Horoscope.com Sunday, December 12, 2021 ARIES — Your week begins with some major transformation in your career when Mars in Scorpio forms a sextile with Pluto in Capricorn on Monday, creating the possibility of achieving something great if you’re willing to take a risk (which you always are).

TAURUS — Your week begins on a romantic note when Mars in Scorpio forms a sextile with Pluto in Capricorn on Monday. The important relationship in your life (partner, lover, bestie) could encourage you to expand your life.

GEMINI — Your week begins on a tense note when Mercury in Sagittarius forms a square with Neptune in Pisces on Tuesday. Avoid making any serious commitments at work because this aspect can make you look at situations through rose-colored glasses. If you can’t see a situation clearly, Gemini, it could hurt your reputation later.

CANCER — Your week begins with a fantastic date night opportunity when Mars in Scorpio forms a sextile with Pluto in Capricorn on Monday. A burning-hot love affair has the ability to last through the cold winter months if you make it official tonight. Make your move, Cancer!

LEO — Watch what you say this week, Leo. Your roar could lead you into big trouble when Mercury in Sagittarius forms a square with Neptune in Pisces on Tuesday. Your bold personality could cross the line with more sensitive souls.

Remember your boundaries, so you don’t go off the deep end.

VIRGO — This week brings a burst of creativity when Mars in Scorpio forms a sextile with Pluto in Capricorn on Monday.

You’ll have a ton of brilliant ideas that you can communicate with passion and clarity. Big ideas can lead to big results, Virgo.

LIBRA — We’re fully in the holidayhustle season, and all this running around trying to get everything done can leave you in a mental fog when Mercury in Sagittarius forms a square with Neptune in Pisces on Tuesday. Be kind, and go with the flow instead of forcing yourself to stick to a schedule, Libra.

SCORPIO — Ask, and you shall receive this week when Mars in your sign forms a sextile with Pluto in Capricorn on Monday.

Your passion and drive can lead to big things, Scorpio, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. You just might get it if you’re willing to rise to the challenge.

SAGITTARIUS — You might as well be talking to the wall when it comes to communicating with your family when Mercury in your sign forms a square with Neptune in Pisces on Tuesday. Your family has big dreams about your life that don’t match up to yours, creating tension over dinner.

CAPRICORN — It takes a village to achieve your dreams, so don’t hesitate to use your connections to change your life for the better when Mars in Scorpio forms a sextile with Pluto in your sign on Monday. People will follow you anywhere you want to go, so point them in the right direction.

AQUARIUS — Put your money where your mouth is when Mercury in Sagittarius forms a square with Neptune in Pisces on Tuesday. You talk a big game about social issues and being a good person, but when you’re presented with an opportunity to practice what you preach, you might hesitate.

PISCES — If you’re planning on traveling for the holidays, the best day to go is when Mars in Scorpio forms a sextile with Pluto in Capricorn on Monday.

This is a great day for travel and making new friends and useful connections on the road that can help you out on your adventures.

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107 Tours can be found on it 108 Website with star ratings 109 ____ mia (Italian term of endearment) 111 ‘‘____ all be fine’’ 115 Wash. neighbor 116 Stick on a table?

117 Only’s partner 118 Ward workers, for short 119 Term of endearment

SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

2

SOLUTION ON D3

CODEWORD PUZZLE

1

+

1

How to play Codeword Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great test of 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 you off. 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.

BRIDGE PUZZLE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

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2022: A new year and a new attitude

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very year we get this chance for a symbolic fresh start and new beginning, and 2022 is no different.

But then again, it is.

We are still living with COVID-19, which changes a lot of things. This is our new-normal new year, and it is far from what we have been used to, even if you don’t want to believe COVID is here for the indefinite future.

That being said, my job is to learn to cope and share what I’ve learned with those who are interested. Here are a few things that come to mind as 2022 gets closer.

1. Maintain health protocols.

Many are currently mandated in some places and shunned in others. Look, masks just make sense; no one likes them (except maybe Spider-Man), but it’s now a regular part of the wardrobe.

Remember it’s also flu season, and last year we had very few infections and fatalities compared to years before. Let’s do that again.

2. Stay in the game in terms of your work. I’m not looking to hit it

KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Signs advising visitors of the local mask mandate are displayed at the Santa Barbara Public Market. Columnist Barton Goldsmith urges everyone to continue to follow health protocols during the pandemic.

out of the park this year, but I do have plans. Last year was more than busy enough; sometimes you just can’t say no. This year I hope to find more creative opportunities.

Gone are the days when just having a good location and website were enough. Now reputation and great service are everything.

3. Be prepared to spend more money this year, and maybe later on. Luckily I have always been one to save for a rainy day. It took $99 to fill the gas tank in our compact

SUV, and we will be going electric as soon as we can find one to buy.

There is a business tactic that my father taught me about life: Once something (such as prices) goes up, it will probably stay there.

4. Work a little smarter. If you don’t have a side hustle, now may be the time to start one. If you already do, then now is the time to expand. If you can make some extra money, then you won’t feel the pinch of inflation as much.

Maybe it’s time to ask for a raise

or take that other offer if you have one. Many places are hiring, so it’s a good time to look for another gig.

5. Be up for trying something new. With the housing shortage, building a guest house, converting your garage to a granny flat, or even renting out your RV can really add to your income and comfort level. You can also try turning your hobby into a business.

My wife is now selling recipes from her cooking blog, and even though it’s very small right now, her sales will grow. And speaking of growing and food, planting a garden has so many benefits that it deserves its own column.

Perhaps one of these ideas will make your 2022 a little easier. An easier year is my hope for all of us.

We need life to be a little less harsh — and that starts from within, even when you are dealing with a negative outside force. You can prosper and live well if you plan, are a little patient, and are willing to take a slightly different path.

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D. is an award-winning therapist and humanitarian. He is also a columnist, the author of seven books, and a blogger for PsychologyToday.com with nearly 27 million readers. Reach him at barton@bartongoldsmith.com.

His column appears Sundays and Wednesdays in the News-Press.

CODEWORD SOLUTION

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INSTRUCTIONS Fill 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 © Puzzles by Pappocom page in Sunday’s Life section. www.sudoku.com

COURTESY PHOTO

The library staff stands by the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan, which rolled out Oct. 4 in Isla Vista.

Bookvan serves 1,000-plus Isla Vista patrons

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Goleta Valley Library Bookvan has served more than 1,000 patrons since it first rolled into Isla Vista Oct. 4.

Patrons have been getting library cards, books, audiovisual materials, technology, Library of Things items, craft kits for kids, free books, honor system books and more.

“The new Bookvan has been a wonderful experience,” said

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St. George’s Teen Center, IV Community Center, Storke Community Center, Estero Park, Studio Plaza Apartments, Sea Lookout Park, Perfect Park, UCSB Early Childhood, West Campus Playground and Isla Vista Elementary School.

The schedule is at www. cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goletavalley-library/information/ bookvan.

The Bookvan will continue its service in Isla Vista through the holidays with only a few days off.

People are advised to check the calendar for those days.

The calendar can be found at engagedpatrons.org/ EventsCalendar.cfm?SiteID=8565.

To hear more about the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan, watch the special ribbon cutting ceremony, which was held Oct. 4, at the Isla Vista Community Center.

You can watch the ceremony at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua_ UglOVP1E. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

NEWS

LANE FARMS “CHRISTMAS PATCH”

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

SPARROWS

Continued from Page B1

as Malala, is a Pakistani activist for female education and the world’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Ms. Brown, a British actress and model, was featured in the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people in 2018 and was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, the then youngest person selected for this position.

“All of these portraits show these heroic young women among flowers and other natural forms like oak leaves, gladiolas, crocus, daffodil and tulips,” said Jeremy Tessmer, gallery director at Sullivan Goss.

“These beautiful shapes not only adorn the women, they also contain symbolic meaning in much the same way that early still life paintings often employed a rich and subtle lexicon of symbols,” she told the News-Press.

“To take one example from the current show. Malala is shown with gladiolas, which are also known as Sword Lilies. This, in turn, may relate to a rather famous quote of Malala’s: ‘There are two powers in the world; one is the sword, and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.’

“These wonderful portraits are joined by sculptures of young sparrows in a beautiful array of colors that celebrate the resilience and strength of daughters everywhere,” added Mr. Tessmer.

Ms. Guzyte has also created a portrait of an anonymous young woman that she calls “Bacha Posh-Daughter, You Will Be My

FYI “Young Sparrows,” a solo exhibition

by Inga Guzyte, is on view through Dec. 27 at Sullivan Goss-An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St. To comply with municipal rules, the gallery, which is open seven days a week, requests that visitors wear masks. For more information, call 805-730-1460 or visit www.sullivangoss.com.

Son” to draw people’s attention to the stories of the Bacha Posh of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Families in that part of the world without sons can designate one of their prepubescent daughters as a son in order to help their families with work that girls are not typically permitted to do,” said Mr. Tessmer. “Accordingly, Bacha Posh have some freedom of movement. They can dress differently. They are sometimes allowed to be educated. That they must return to being girls when they enter puberty and that some of them fight to retain freedom of movement or the right to an education inspired the artist to highlight their stories and celebrate their courage.”

Ms. Guzyte was born in Lithuania and emigrated to Gelsenkirchen, Germany, with her mother and brother when she was still young. When she turned 21, came to the United States to study English and art at Santa Barbara City College.

After finishing school, she exhibited broadly in Santa Barbara and since then has shown in San Francisco, Oakland, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Zürich, Vienna and Los Angeles.

Last year, Ms. Guzyte won

first place in the “At the Edges’’ exhibition at the Westmont RidleyTree Museum of Art. She also got the Mayor’s Choice award at the L.A. Art Association’s exhibition “Floating Worlds” at the Brea Gallery last year.

Currently her work is showing at Barney’s in New York as part of a special presentation of the “Women Who Dared” Collection through the Northwell Health Group.

Sandi and Bill Nicholson of Santa Barbara chose Northwell to premiere the collection because of its unique focus on women’s health and “the healing properties of art.”

“Inga’s work has also been selected for exhibition as part of the 2022 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Out of more than 2,700 entries, her sculptural portrait joins just 41 other finalists next year in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.,” said Mr. Tessmer.

The National Portrait Gallery’s triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition celebrates excellence in the art of portraiture, according to its website. It is the realization of Virginia Outwin Boochever’s gift to the Smithsonian and the nation.

“Every three years, artists living and working in the United States are invited by the museum to submit one of their recent portraits to a panel of experts. The selected artworks reflect the diverse approaches contemporary artists are using to tell the American story through portraiture,” quotes the website. email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

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Artist Inga Guzyte stands by her self-portrait

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“These beautiful shapes not only adorn the women, they also contain symbolic meaning in much the same way that early still life paintings often employed a rich and subtle lexicon of symbols,” said Jeremy Tessmer, gallery director at Sullivan Goss.

PAGE

C1

voices@newspress.com

Voices

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

IDEAS & COMMENTARY

GUEST OPINION ANDY CALDWELL: Race, class taints redistricting process/ C2

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021 Brent E. Zepke

The author lives in Santa Barbara

San Francisco starts dangerous trend

A

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Commentary writer William Haupt III is critical of President Joe Biden’s handling of energy issues.

Biden returns U.S. to 1970s’ energy dependence

Editor’s note: Beginning this week, the News-Press’ commentaries will include those from The Center Square, a nonprofit source of content for media.

(The Center Square) — “Joe Biden eliminated my job with the stroke of a pen.”

— Suzanne Walker, pipeline welder, in Tennessee

I

n 1880, the U.S. produced 85% of the world’s crude oil.

The four largest U.S. export was kerosene.

Major oil finds in Oklahoma, Texas and California tripled U.S. production by the turn of the century. During World War I, America supplied oil to Britain, France and their allies. And during World War II, Americans rationed gas and oil at home and provided over half of the muchneeded fuel for the allied war effort.

But when Franklin D. Roosevelt helped the Middle East double production of cheap crude, it was the kiss of death for U.S. energy independence. As a result of

cheap imports, the U.S. cut back This was a result of President on oil production. And by 1970, the Trump’s support for the hydraulic U.S. was dependent on imported fracturing production of oil. By oil from politically unstable June 2020, the U.S. was exporting Eastern nations. Since the oil!

1970s, the East has had a major influence on America’s foreign “We allowed OPEC to have too and domestic political and energy much control over America too policies. long.

Throughout the ’70s, U.S. — Donald Trump dependence on foreign oil influenced According to the American William her politics and Energy Alliance’s 2021 Haupt III threatened her scorecard, America’s energy The author is renaissance was due to Mr. economic health and a contributor Trump’s commitment to global influence. to The Center use all energy resources For six decades, Square America has faced gas to make America energy rationing, shortages of independent. This included industrial petroleum oil and gas, minerals and and heating oil. The U.S. has been renewable resources such as coerced to invest in inferior, less wind, geothermal and solar. efficient energy resources to fuel Mr. Trump worked with the the needs of its consumers, and Energy Department to roll to keep the wheels of industry back President Barack Obama’s churning. restrictions on methane gas It was not until 2019 that production. He made it easier the U S. regained its energy to obtain Liquefied Natural Gas independence under President mining permits on federal land.

Donald Trump. In 2019, after 62 He increased drilling permits years, our nation produced more under the National Environmental energy than we consumed.

Policy Act. Energy Secretary

Brouillette said, “Our goal is to simply provide Americans with safer, cleaner, affordable energy.”

In his 2017 budget bill, President Trump gained approval for clean, safe energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

He also negotiated re-drilling on federal lands in Kern County, Calif., which had been shut down by environmentalists in 2013 when they filed a lawsuit to halt all drilling.

The biggest step toward American energy independence was Mr. Trump’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. To cross over the U.S.-Canadian border it needed presidential approval, and President Barack Obama had told Congress that, “This pipeline is not in our best interests.”

But President Trump disagreed.

“Keystone will not only help Americans, it will help defend world energy freedom.”

— Donald Trump Without President Obama’s onerous regulations, America achieved the largest decrease in

carbon dioxide emissions of any country since 2000 – by telling free markets to self-police. This allowed President Trump to justify removing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, which was only benefiting China and third world nations at America’s expense.

These nations could continue to pollute all they wished.

While America was enjoying energy independence for the first time in six decades, then candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were campaigning to ban hydraulic fracturing. Both candidates had also vowed to block all drilling and exploration on federal lands. President Biden’s energy platform called for new, increased “strict, aggressive methane pollution limits for new and existing oil and gas operations.”

Despite the pandemic proving that people prefer driving their personal vehicles, Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris campaigned to transform the entire U.S. transportation system into electric Please see HAUPT on C4

School Daze (Part II): Teacher not allowed to maintain discipline

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woman I’m calling Teacher currently teaches at the highschool level in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. In deference to protecting her — not from her friends, acquaintances and co-workers who surely know who she is, but from others who may not wish her well but who don’t know her at all — she will continue to remain unnamed for now.

In last week’s column, Teacher revealed that yes, critical race theory is being taught at all levels within the school system. We touched upon some class agendas in the earliest grades (pre-school, first and second grades).

We also learned that Teacher has a difficult task maintaining discipline in her classes because of administration policies that appear to encourage bad behavior, or at least don’t punish such behavior.

Here’s more:

When I asked her why the Are teachers advised to treat administration didn’t or couldn’t students of color differently from punish habitual miscreants, she white kids? I wondered. said the administration responded She ponders briefly before by telling her that she doesn’t answering, “Not directly, but know what their home I think indirectly in PURELY life is like and that the sense that, as an POLITICAL she has to accept such administrator told me behavior. Since she is not last week: ‘Well, they have authorized to ask about all these problems, and their home life, she’ll we can’t force them to do never know what it’s like. anything.’ And I’m like, In any case, she says, “Well actually you can.

“I don’t think I have to Just because they have accept that behavior.” these problems (at home) Teacher believes does not mean they get to James Buckley that every student come and be a tyrant in needs to learn how to my classroom. That’s not come to school and not helpful to all the other bring “all of that” with them, kids that are here to actually learn, but she is pressured to lower because there’s a lot of them that her expectations, to “accept the are doing a really good job.” disrespect and the abuse and the Teacher suggests that disruptive negativity from kids, because their behavior should be dealt with life is so bad.” somewhere else and that when Teacher says she knows that “It the troublemaker is ready, he or doesn’t have to be done that way.” she can be sent back to her class.

She says what they’re doing now is basically mainstreaming bullies and often undermining teachers who are trying to use a different approach.

THE TRANSGENDER PUSH Part of the pre-school, firstand second-grade curriculum in the Santa Barbara school system (and likely, across the nation, especially on the coasts) is a focus on informing young minds about “gender stereotypes” and how they shouldn’t be too quick to judge. Apparently, this movement began with the “Anti-Bullying” movement. Naturally, no one of good faith wants to see anyone, especially a child, be bullied. But it’s gone from opposing bullying to promoting the position that children really do know what they want and what they are and that parents and other adults have no right to interfere.

Blogger Matt Walsh takes on

the subject in his new best-selling “Johnny The Walrus” children’s book in which a young boy decides that he is a walrus. He puts wooden spoons in his mouth, socks on his hands, and claims the wood floor is his ocean and the carpet is his shore. After speaking with teachers and “experts” in child development, Johnny’s mother is convinced to help her son actually “become” a walrus because he believes he is one and children always know what they are.

One of the experts explains that Johnny should start eating worms in order to “transition,” and that at some point, he’ll have to consider surgically removing his feet and replacing them with fins. The mother is concerned but receives support from internet sites and various pro-walrus organizations, so she brings Johnny to his potential new home – the zoo Please see BUCKLEY on C4

s a child in Southern New Jersey, I saw San Francisco being such a trend setter that the dreaded rival of my Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, the New York Giants, moved there. No more could I visualize the radio commentators in New York, describing the pitches Sal Maglie threw as being so close to the chins of right-handed hitters that he earned the nickname “the barber.”

As a student I saw the trends from the Haight-Asbury area and Levi Strauss’ blue jeans that they created during the gold rush instead of panning for gold.

After almost needing a chiropractor to stand up after bending over a stream while panning for gold, I admired their choice of trading the pan for sewing machines and scissors. They even rejuvenated the trendsetting by again using scissors to make the horizontal tears in their women’s jeans that has permeated every nook and cranny from coast-to-coast.

I saw the tech companies use of silicon cause the San Francisco area to be given the nickname ‘Silicon Valley.”

Later I would wonder if the use of silicon by the two major breast augmentation companies, both located in Santa Barbara, would lead to the nickname “Silicon Silhouette?”

San Francisco is also a trend setter in politics, as it is the home of the speaker of the house, which initiates most legislation and impeachments, Nancy Pelosi (D); former California Attorney General and current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (D), current U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D) and former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D), U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D), Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) from nearby Alameda County, Mayor Loudon Breed (D) and District Attorney Chesa Boudin (D) as well as the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals and the California Supreme Court.

The trend considered herein started with a procedure that permits anyone with sufficient financing (big money) and signatures to apply for inclusion as a “proposition.”

The application is reviewed, edited and perhaps rewritten by the attorney general, who at times, added so many double negatives that I tried to remember how to diagram sentences.

In 2014, campaigns by celebrities, such as Michael Moore, for Proposition 47 were so successful that voters approved it. That started the trend of reducing the theft of items worth less than $950, from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Then elected prosecutors started seeking no jail time and minimum fines for those arrested, which caused law enforcement to treat these offenses with the equivalent of parking tickets. “No bail,” the nickname for this procedure, was rejected by voters in the 2020 election.

Nevertheless, in March 2021 the California Supreme Court ruled that courts must consider an accused “ability to pay for bail.” Since courts are not Please see ZEPKE on C4

DID YOU KNOW? Bonnie Donovan’s column is appearing today in the A section.

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VOICES

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

LETTERS TO THE NEWS-PRESS Let’s take the garbage out of schools d like to comment on the very disturbing but equally important commentary by James Buckley carried in last Sunday’s paper on the public school system here in Santa Barbara and around the United States (“School Daze,” News-Press).

Our educational programs have been degrading yearly for a long time, and it is at such a critical level that if something isn’t done about it now, there may be no turning back.

I would like to qualify this statement with a mention of all the decent teachers out there who are also horrified with the indoctrinations that are being foisted on the pupils instead of the teachings of fundamental reading, writing and arithmetic.

Whether one has children or not in the public school system, we are all affected by the outcome of their learning and certainly we all deserve a say in what is being taught.

It is time for the community to take a stand against the harmful and dangerous garbage that has taken the place of actually teaching that benefits society.

classes? If this is how he conducts himself in a public meeting, what is happening behind the scenes that we don’t see?

This behavior should not be allowed to happen without ramifications. The only way this will happen is if our press makes it known outside the small group that attended this meeting.

The fact that the city attorney advised him that this was not legal and the rest of the council did not support it is not sufficient.

It does not change the fact that Councilman Oscar Gutierrez was advocating for discrimination.

To provide further context, his comments came up in a discussion related to an ordinance to allow lot splits (item No. 17 on the agenda). The city council and the mayor were cautioned by many that allowing lot splits in high fire areas would pose a significant risk to residents and there are no plans to mitigate this risk.

This was Councilman Gutierrez’s solution.

So I guess it also means it’s OK if people not in these protected classes can’t get out in an emergency and die?

For the record, I am a strong proponent of the need to develop housing, especially targeted to low-income individuals.

Discrimination is never the answer.

Monica Bond Santa Barbara

Jim Carbone Santa Barbara

I’ Wendy McCaw Arthur von Wiesenberger

Co-Publisher Co-Publisher

GUEST OPINION

It’s not OK to discriminate

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This is the Santa Barbara County redistricting map that a citizens panel selected. It doesn’t show the modifications that were made during a meeting Wednesday.

Race and class warfare taints county redistricting

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t Tuesday’s Santa Barbara City Council meeting, Councilman Oscar Gutierrez asked if they could enact an ordinance to prevent old, sick and disabled people from living in the Santa Barbara foothills to develop more housing in high fire areas.

When did it become OK to discriminate against protected

Editor’s note: The News-Press covered the housing issue in two stories, which were published in the Dec. 8 and 9 issues. You can find those stories at newspress.com.

Schools must teach history’s negative chapters

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in the past 20 years has moved around from elementary, junior high and high school, regarding her own high school aged child being in an Advanced Placement World History class in which “They’re teaching them that Christopher Columbus murdered Native Americans, and he is perceived as a monster. I mean, if there’s truth to anything, I am somebody who wants to hear the truth. I’m sure Christopher Columbus did not do everything right. But to make it so bad or just really emphasize the negative side of history is wrong.”

It’s so distressing that an educator is so focused on only wanting to know the positive side of history instead of HISTORY. The point of history, especially factually based history, is not to wash over the “negative.”

Up until recent times, history only presented the nice, factually deficient parts of many histories.

A very simple Google search provided a quick Britannica account of Columbus’ story, actions and impacts. He and other European explorers enslaved, murdered and exploited the native populations, to their extinctions, and took their lands.

The disdain in Mr. Buckley’s article for teaching, especially in an Advanced Placement World History class, the reality of what has happened with well-known Caucasian historical figures and cultures is so evident, and this writer and “Teacher” do not understand, or may not want to understand, that it isn’t about them “apologiz(ing) to a Native American for something my ancestors did, that I never took part of OK.” It’s about learning the truth, and its still ongoing effects, or why it happened and why it’s “negative, bad” for history to repeat itself in these ways.

Carrie Pekarek Santa Barbara

im Buckley quotes the anonymous “Teacher” who,

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anta Barbara of its own significant Latino County’s concentration of voters that independent would otherwise be the case. redistricting The Rios Grande district was committee, created ultimately the handiwork of by a ballot initiative, has the radical Latino/farmworker unanimously approved a final activist organizations CAUSE map, but believe me, there was and MICOP whose sole plenty of drama along the way! intention is to elect a woke That drama included a lastLatino activist to represent minute furtive attempt by this district in 2022 by way of a one commissioner (Megan divide and conquer mentality.

Turley) to forward a radical That is, the racist, class map, never before seen by the warfare rhetoric used to justify public, into the final round. the boundaries of this district Fortunately, due to was appalling. These immense outcry, that activists completely map was jettisoned. The reject the notions of final map determines E pluribus unum and the boundaries the melting pot, two of the five county characteristics that supervisorial districts made America what it that is not without some is today.

Andy Caldwell controversy.

CAUSE, MICOP and Truth be told, most Rios, plainly stated people don’t know they did not want who their county supervisor any “nice neighborhoods”, is, what district they live in presumably composed of or why it matters! This lack “wealthy,” read that white of knowledge actually led to people, residing in “their” manifold concerns that had Latino district. Similar socioabsolutely nothing to do with economic arguments were county government. Hundreds made in the South County, of people participated in whereby they objected to the process, many of whom having wealthy Hope Ranch in were political activists. the same district as Isla Vista.

Nevertheless, the end result is Drawing maps on the better than would be the case exclusive basis of race is if the supervisors had drawn actually illegal. Nonetheless, the boundaries of their own the leftie consultants districts. the commission hired to The biggest win for the advise them assured the North County? Isla Vista and commissioners they were on UCSB are finally relegated the right track! to vote in a south county Politically speaking, there district (2nd District) where are no absolute guarantees they belong. Gone are the that either conservatives or days wherein IV and UCSB liberals can now win either completely dominated the the 3rd District (consisting of swing district (the 3rd District) Santa Ynez Valley, the city of by way of a super concentration Lompoc and portions of Goleta) of extremely naive political or the 5th District offices, lemmings who never lived which means the redistricting here long enough to suffer the commission overall came up consequences of their political with a reasonable map, despite machinations. their packing effort.

There were four The 4th District (Orcutt, commissioners on the along with “white” Santa Maria committee who nearly died and the unincorporated parts on this hill, that is, trying to of the Lompoc Valley) will be keep IV and UCSB in a North held by conservatives.

County district, but thankfully, The 1st District (Carpinteria, they were outvoted.

Montecito and parts of Santa The most disturbing and Barbara) and the 2nd District troublesome result of the (IV, UCSB, Hope Ranch and the process is the “Rios Grande” waterfront portions of SB) will 5th District, aptly named by be held by liberals, with the yours truly, after commissioner notation that the 2nd District Jannet Rios. The newly could become even more delineated 5th district, which extreme liberal due to the IV/ comprises parts of Santa UCSB influence.

Maria and all of Guadalupe, was drawn in such a way as to Andy Caldwell is the COLAB “pack” (a technical term) the executive director and host of district with as many Latinos “The Andy Caldwell Show,” as was possible, a whopping airing 3 to 5 p.m. weekdays on 83%. Hence, the neighboring KZSB AM 1290, the News-Press 4th District will be robbed radio station.

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Not a good time for property owners

f you have a unit to rent, Alejandra Gutierrez remains keep it vacant until after the against it. However, she likely will March City Council meeting only be against the 2% rent control unless you’re willing for if the contrived COVID emergency your private property to be is extended beyond March with registered, regulated, controlled more $52,000 checks issued to and possibly confiscated by the “illegal” family residents to pay government. rent as she stated at the meeting.

The Santa Barbara City Council (View the 1 minute clip of her voted 4-3 Tuesday to change rent stated position at Tuesday’s City control from the 5% state Council meeting). mandate down to 2%, How many checks Denice Spangler which means this plan in what amounts were Adams now goes to the Ordinance distributed in South The author Committee for review.

County? The answer lives in The council’s March requires filing of a Public Montecito meeting is when the 2% Records Act request will come back with a and for us to ask our registry mandate for the supervisors and council council. Randy Rowse will then be Reps. mayor. He’ll be sworn in on Jan. 4.

Federal universal basic income Loudly object to the council’s isn’t expected to be implemented planned Rental Unit Registry until months after Build Back unless you want your private Better law is approved with property and family life controlled funding and signed by President by the government. This rental Joe Biden. registry could be followed by a Be mindful that Santa Barbara vacant bedroom registry in all City College is expected to recruit private homes, if Mayor Pro Tem 4,000 tuition-paying out-of-district Oscar Gutierrez gets his way. and foreign students to make up The March Vote could go 4-3 for enrollment decline revenue against the Registry and 2% losses because local unvaccinated rent control if Councilmember students and district residents are

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denied campus access. Where will they reside? How many units, and what density can our landlocked South County safely support?

Think fire, El Niños, earthquakes, debris flow closures.

Forever flip-flopping Kristen Sneddon has her seat for five more years, unless recalled. She wants Beverly Hills rent control model adopted, which is apples and oranges. There’s the wealthy student population, as well as fewer rental units and subsidized units per capita, plus there’s the ability to relocate tenants across the street into the city Los Angeles.

I did a HUD 202 elderly project there decades ago, and suggest Sneddon do more research.

Council members Oscar Gutierrez and Meghan Harmon are firmly for tight regulation and control of private property.

Fasten your seatbelts as the worse is yet to come in 2022.

More ADUs will be built, and SB 9 lot splits will allow up to four units per single family lot. This Tuesday’s City Council meeting will determine SB 9 rules.

Outcomes depend on your active participation or influence.

Henry Schulte

The author lives in Solvang

Let’s care more and fight less

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his might get mushy.

I’ve done a few risky things in my life, nothing too crazy. I never jumped out of a perfectly good plane or swam with sharks. I’ve had some near-death scares, but none like I had the other day. Even days later I’m still shook up, which is strange, unfamiliar territory for me.

To bring you up to speed, I was trying to cross State Route 154 on my bike by Los Olivos.

There’s a near blind curve coming from the east, and cars are moving.

I saw two cars approaching, and on the right a motorhome some distance off. I pushed out onto the highwa and for some reason decided to go after the first car.

The second car rushed past me inches away.

In the following blink, hundreds of thoughts flooded through my head. I had just missed being splattered across the highway and become another statistic.

In those milliseconds, I flashed that I never had a chance to say goodbye to my wife or family. That my wife would have had an empty bed that night. I would never see my grandson graduate from college. I’d miss Christmas.

We’ve heard it before how life flashes by in a blink of an eye, and I found out that is actually true. Just like that I suddenly had more clarity in my life, without the suffering or injuries so many people go through to discover the same thing.

Then I thought more about the broader perspective of life.

We’ve all done this at one time or another about the stupid things that bother us. The silly stuff we get angry over.

The annoyance of some jerk tailgating or cutting you off.

Or the granddaddy of trouble makers, politics. You knew I would get around to it.

I asked myself, why do I put myself out there? When you break down all the unrest in America today and parse it out, I thought, “Does it really matter?”

Later I answered: yes and no.

America has been the land everyone wants to come to. The reasons are many,l but the one on top of the list is freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to protect yourself. We have also been called the land of opportunity.

Anyone can virtually do anything if you put your mind to it and work hard.

My father emigrated at the age of 20 with only watch repair skills and unable to speak a lick of English. And he did it the right way.

He had a sponsor, a place to live and a job lined up. Using his sharp mind and taking risks, he went from repairing watches for $40 a week to owning three companies and providing jobs to more than 400 people.

There are thousands of those self-made success stories. Even the more modern ones like kids fiddling in their garages and creating Apple and Facebook or a garage band becoming a world sensation.

Politics does play a very critical role to maintain the integrity of how America came to be.

If we fall asleep and don’t pay attention, there are those who don’t like all the good things in America, which is why the rest of the world wants to live here. One side of the political equation has grown too powerful for their own good and is coercing a new agenda on America. You’ve heard the stories of spouses leaving because they don’t share the same political view or family members or long-time friends no longer speaking with each other. That’s pretty gloomy Please see SCHULTE on C4

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

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VOICES

Inside the vaccine passport racket

he profit-maximizing corporations that covet your “digital health” data hide behind nonprofit umbrella groups that pose as public interest do-gooders. These vaccine passport profiteers are turning millions of human beings into walking QR codes in the name of fighting COVID-19 and under the guise of bringing “normalcy” back.

It’s an unprecedented worldwide racket that rewards compliant sheep and punishes free-thinking, autonomy-seeking citizens.

Let’s name them.

Here in my adopted home of Colorado, the state government is pimping the Smart Health Card “allowing users to verify and share their vaccination status.” Who’s behind Smart Health Card technology, which is now being used in Canada, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, Australia and a total of 12 states, including California, Washington state, Virginia, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Oregon as well as CVS and Rite Aid pharmacies, Kaiser Permanente, UC Health, Walgreens, Walmart, Express Scripts and United Healthcare Services?

The Commons Project Foundation (known as “TCP”)

is the massive nonprofit entity of their vaccination records in responsible for Smart Health’s digital or paper form using open, dominance of the vaccine passport interoperable standards.” market. It says it “builds and Its steering group is a who’s operates digital platforms and who of for-profit Big Tech and services for the common good.”

Big Health corporations looking TCP oversees the for ways to profit off Common Trust Network personal data, including (which operates a Apple, Microsoft, Cerner, global registry of Amazon Web Services, organizations that issue Google, Epic, the Mayo vaccine passports).

Clinic, Oracle, Salesforce, You will notice on Evernorth (Cigna’s health every vaccine passport services business) and system’s website and in something called the Mitre Michelle Malkin Corporation. their public relations statements an emphasis What is Mitre? It’s a on how these intrusive nonprofit, Cold War-era tracking measures are meant conglomerate headquartered “to empower individuals with near the Massachusetts Institute digital access to their vaccination of Technology and near the Deep records,” as Paul Meyer, CEO of State in McLean, Va., which The Commons Project, put it, to oversees billions of dollars of allow people “to safely return to federally funded research in travel, work, school and life while the military, homeland security, protecting their data privacy.” cybersecurity and now, of course, TCP also created and the explosively lucrative health collaborates with VCI, the data market.

Vaccination Credential Initiative.

According to Forbes, Mitre Who is behind VCI? The raked in $1.8 billion in revenue in nonprofit calls itself a “voluntary 2019 and boasts a $2 billion budget coalition of public and private funded by American taxpayers. organizations” committed to One of its many government “empowering individuals to gigs includes a $16.3 million gain access to their verifiable contract with the Centers for clinical information,” including “a Disease Control and Prevention trustworthy and verifiable copy to help build “an enduring

national capability to contain COVID-19,” plus a $20 million joint partnership with the CDC on disease surveillance technology and services. As Forbes reported, the secretive military-industrial alliance brags ominously in its promotional material: “You may not know it, but Mitre touches your life most every day.”

They’re everywhere.

Clear Secure Inc., the forprivate biometric tech company that makes the touchless fast passes for airline travelers, jumped into the burgeoning vaccine passport industry this past year and filed to go public after announcing partnerships with Walmart; the NBA; and dozens of sports, entertainment, theater, casino and restaurant venues. According to one business reporter, “over 70,000 of Clear’s Health Passes are being used for venue admission weekly.”

In New York, 1.1 million residents have dutifully submitted to the Excelsior Pass regime. IBM Watson Works is behind the Big Apple and Empire State’s vaccine credentialing system, which it likened positively to a “credit score” and launched in the fall of 2020 in order for New Yorkers to “return

to the activities they love.”

According to Business Insider, the company generates $1 billion in annual revenue.

What the vaccine passport profiteers’ feel-good, do-gooder propaganda won’t tell you is how the facade of pandemic philanthropy obscures the insatiable appetite of tech oligarchs collecting vast amounts of intimate health data by giving away “free” apps and software to control freak bureaucrats worldwide.

They’re not doing you a favor.

They’re using you to construct a totalitarian regime of vaxpartheid that discriminates against anyone who dares follow the money to find the truth.

This isn’t about COVID-19 control. It’s about mind control.

Know your enemies, and for the sake of what’s left of the land of the brave, do not comply.

Michelle Malkin’s email address is michellemalkininvestigates@ protonmail.com. To find out more about Michelle Malkin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

Copyright 2021 by Creators.com.

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How platform transparency could help build antitrust cases Editor’s note: This commentary was published by The Center Square and is reprinted with The Center Square’s permission.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

here is growing bipartisan concern over the power Silicon Valley’s oligopolies wield over American

society.

Amazon alone controls 72% of U.S. adult book sales, Airbnb accounts for a fifth of domestic lodging expenditures, and Facebook accounts for almost three-quarters of social media visits.

Just two companies, Apple and Google, act as gatekeepers to 99% of smartphones, while two others, Uber and Lyft, control 98% of the ride-share market in the U.S. Yet, for the government to take robust antitrust action against Silicon Valley requires the kind of data it currently

lacks: documenting the harm The question must be asked: this market consolidation If the amount and intimacy of inflicts on consumers. A that data increases alongside a new RealClearFoundation company’s market dominance, report offers a look at how are antitrust conditions of rising amending Section 230 of the “prices” satisfied?

Communications Decency Act to Moreover, that same data require platform transparency is being increasingly used to could aid such antitrust determine what we pay Kalex efforts. for goods and services Leetaru When it comes to through “differential Silicon Valley’s social pricing.”

The author media platforms, they In 2000, when Amazon is with have long argued that experimented with RealClearWire charging different antitrust laws don’t apply to them because users different their services are provided free prices for the same items of charge. In reality, users do (though the differences were pay for their services: with their randomly selected rather than data rather than their money. personalized), it had just 20 Companies today harvest vast million users. Today Amazon’s amounts of private information market share stands at more about their users every day, using than 40%, and while the company that data to invisibly nudge their states it does not employ users toward purchases and “differential pricing,” e-commerce consuming ads, or the companies platforms increasingly base simply sell that data outright. pricing on factors as diverse as

search history, home address, in-store vs. online and even Mac vs. PC usage, to name just a few.

As major brands like Target also move toward contextual pricing, it is only a matter of time before the majority of e-commerce platforms employ it.

Beyond price, the growing consolidation within entire industries to just a handful of companies means the policies of those companies can have outsized economic impacts on American life, often in unexpected ways.

In 2019, I asked Uber how it ensured that the ratings its drivers assign to passengers did not unfairly penalize older and disabled riders who require additional time to enter and exit vehicles, given that low ratings can result in being banned from the service. A spokesperson pointed to its nondiscrimination policy, but went on to note that its community

guidelines explicitly require that riders “always try to be on time for your ride … because nobody likes to wait.”

The spokesperson did not comment further when pressed on the impact of this policy on the disabled. Last month, the Department of Justice sued Uber for charging wait fees to disabled users in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Similarly, in 2018 I asked Facebook to explain why it built its advertising system to allow housing, employment and credit advertisements to explicitly exclude women, older people and minorities in violation of federal law and its own policies, cutting them off from economic opportunities. A spokesperson emphasized that it was the responsibility of advertisers to Please see LEETARU on C4

Report says pole attachment regulations harm broadband growth Editor’s note: This commentary was published by The Center Square, which gave the News-Press permission to reprint it.

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recent report found that red tape in regards to pole attachment policies at the state and federal level is harming broadband growth and holding up many millions of dollars in economic benefits.

The study from Connect the Future, led by Western Carolina University economics professor Edward Lopez and pole attachment expert Patricia Kratvin, found that better access

to utility poles so that internet from the owners of the poles — providers can attach their usually electric companies — in equipment “is the most efficient the form of delayed permitting or means to expand highdisagreements on best Johnny speed broadband access practices.

Kampis to currently unserved With lawmakers areas of the country.” attempting to ease access The author The report determines to poles for providers, is with the that the overregulated this is an issue that many Taxpayers pole attachment issue states have begun to Protection is costing Americans address legislatively. The Alliance an incredible amount Taxpayers Protection of between $491 million Alliance testified on the and $1.86 billion in unrealized need to cut such red tape during economic gains. the spring session of the Texas Because burying fiber is often Legislature. HB 1505, ultimately prohibitively expensive, most passed by the Legislature and providers try to attach their cable signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, to utility poles where available. established guidelines on who Providers often face resistance pays for pole replacements and

set a shot clock on how quickly a pole owner must act on pole attachment requests.

Broadband Breakfast noted that large telecoms have been forced to file lawsuits to gain efficient and timely access to poles.

The Federal Communications Commission found that a Maryland utility billed Verizon “unjust” pole attachment fees by charging the maximum rate possible. The FCC also ruled this year that investor-owned utilities cannot charge pole replacements costs to providers adding new attachments to poles if they aren’t the sole cause for the replacement.

These reforms come as the federal government looks to put

billions of taxpayer dollars into broadband growth across the U.S, as TPA previously reported.

Zach Cikanek, executive director of Connect the Future, said in a press release accompanying the report that the study “makes clear that as our country continues to invest public and private dollars into expanding broadband access, policymakers must take immediate action to ensure that these investments are maximized for impact to bring connectivity to rural communities without delay — and this includes reforming outdated and ineffective pole attachment rules.”

Please see KAMPIS on C4

John Stossel

A different park

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eople want “public” rather than “private.”

Public is ... free, right? Wide open.

Sharing. Available to everyone.

All good things.

“Private” is ... selfish, closed, for the rich.

Clearly, public must be better.

But then why do the words “public toilet” make me cringe?

I think: dirty, smelly, ugly, maybe dangerous.

Lots of people think that.

I know because I watch tourists stare at the long line of people waiting to use a public toilet near my office in Manhattan.

“Yuck,” they say, with a disgusted look. “Why would someone line up for that?”

“A lot of people say that,” laughed a bathroom attendant.

Wait, a bathroom attendant?

Yes. This is a different sort of bathroom, in a different kind of park.

There is ice skating, pingpong, juggling lessons, yoga lessons ... all for free.

Two attendants clean the bathrooms 30 times a day, and the bathrooms are furnished with flowers and paintings.

Speakers play classical music.

This is a huge difference from 37 years ago, when Bryant Park was filled with vagrants and trash. It was then that urban redeveloper Dan Biederman managed to persuade city politicians to let him try to run the park.

He got money from local businesses and tried innovative things, like playing music in the bathrooms.

“It’s just another element, along with flowers, recessed lighting and artwork, that makes people think they’re going to be safe,” says Biederman in my new video.

Safety is important because crime is up.

But there’s little crime in Bryant Park because crime thrives in dark corners, and this park is filled with people.

Plus little businesses like Joe Coffee Co. and Le Pain Quotidien. They pay for the park. Some people object to that.

“A park isn’t supposed to be Please see STOSSEL on C4

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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

VOICES

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

Central Park was rescued by a private charity STOSSEL

Continued from Page C3 about business!” they say.

Mr. Biederman responds, “In the current state of things you can’t have ‘passive spaces.’ Too many people are circulating who are violent or emotionally disturbed.”

To discourage such people, he fills his park with businesses and activities — like the juggling lessons. When lots of people are in a park, he says, vagrancy is less of a problem.

Still, he sometimes must deal with troubled people. The worst, he says, are people who take the drug K2 and suddenly get so hot that they take their clothes off.

Our guards “guide them out of the park,” says Mr. Biederman.

It all works. Twelve million

people visit Bryant Park every year, and none of it costs taxpayers a penny. Actually, the city makes money, says Mr. Biederman, because “the increased real estate taxes paid by the surrounding buildings— it’s $33 million a year.”

“Why can’t governments do this?” I ask.

“They do, at times,” he responds. He points to Central Park.

But Central Park was rescued by a private charity, one I happen to work with. Before we started managing the park, it, too, was run-down, dangerous, covered in trash and graffiti.

That often happens to public property. Politicians rarely spend much time on boring tasks like maintenance.

“A typical thing for parks

departments to do is take old oil drums ... and use them as trash cans,” says Mr. Biederman. “Oil drums are really ugly. What does that say to the public?”

He installs elegant trash cans.

Then he has them emptied often.

“That signifies that someone cares,” he explains.

Mr. Biederman runs “private” parks in other places, like Salesforce Park in San Francisco and Fair Park in Dallas.

All save taxpayers money, while government-run parks cost taxpayers money.

When government does things, most everything costs more and is lower quality.

One of my first Stossel TV videos was a report on a New York City park that spent $2 million on its bathroom. The Parks Commissioner claimed $2 million

was “a good deal.”

“But you can buy whole houses in that neighborhood for less than what you spent on this bathroom,” I said.

“These are very, very durable materials,” he replied.

Give me a break. Bryant Park’s nicer bathroom uses similar durable materials. But it cost much, much less.

Whenever possible, let the private sector do it.

John Stossel is creator of Stossel TV and author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

For other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www. creators.com.

Copyright 2021by JFS Productions Inc.

In the end, antitrust regulation will struggle LEETARU

Continued from Page C3 comply with discrimination laws and did not comment further when asked why it did not simply remove those options for protected ad classes. It was not until the following year, after settling a series of lawsuits by civil rights organizations, that the company finally removed the ability of advertisers to exclude legally protected groups from seeing housing, employment and credit ads.

Yet just months later it was shown that the company’s algorithms had learned to continue targeting ads based on those removed categories by identifying non-protected demographic and interest information that were highly correlated with them.

Uber’s decision to charge a “wait time” fee meant higher costs for the disabled across 69% of the American ride-share market. Facebook’s decision to allow housing, employment and credit ads to explicitly target

ZEPKE

or exclude users based on age, race and gender and to resurrect redlining using pinpoint geofencing, impacted the economic opportunities seen by 69% of American adults.

A common theme among all of these examples, from Amazon’s 2000 pricing experiment to Uber and Facebook’s discriminatory policies, is that they came to light not through voluntary disclosures by the companies, but rather through external scrutiny and data. Yet these discoveries remain the exceptions. Despite their vast internal stores of data, the companies typically refuse to confirm even the most basic of statistics, such as the number of tweets sent each day or the criteria their algorithms use to set prices.

What if companies were forced to share basic pricing information? After the federal government required hospitals to begin sharing their previously confidential pricing data by earlier this year, journalists and researchers have been able to document substantial differences between what different patients

pay for the same procedure, offering critical insights to policymakers. Imagine if all e-commerce sites with more than a certain number of users were forced to publish hourly snapshots of the maximum and minimum prices they charged for each item on their site, allowing similar external scrutiny. Such data could be embargoed and released monthly to prevent competitive misuse while still offering critical transparency into just how much of an impact differential pricing is having on American consumers.

Similarly, what if “free” adsupported platforms with more than a certain number of users had to offer each of their users a monthly report detailing every purchase, sale or collection of their personal data and how much money, including ad revenue, they made from that user and all of the companies and governments that purchased access to their data?

This would allow tracking of how the amount and value of our data that we essentially barter for access to these platforms is steadily increasing and would provide evidence as to whether

the hidden price we pay for social platforms is steadily increasing.

As foreshadowed by TikTok, future top social media and e-commerce platforms may not be American companies or even have a physical or financial presence in the U.S., complicating antitrust enforcement. Making these transparency requirements an amendment to Section 230 would ensure disclosure even for such companies, providing critical visibility for policymakers to understand their impact on American society.

In the end, antitrust regulation will struggle until policymakers and the public can see for the first time the true economic cost of Silicon Valley’s ever-growing consolidation.

RealClear Media Fellow Kalev Leetaru is a senior fellow at the George Washington University Center for Cyber & Homeland Security. His past roles include fellow in residence at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Government.

At least 1,000 people lost their jobs HAUPT

Continued from Page C1 and renewable fueled mass transit vehicles. Their plan was to eliminate all petroleum-based infrastructure in a decade.

When Joe Biden took office, America was recovering from its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. With many of the COVID-19 restrictions lifted and employment rising, it was only a matter of days before the economy would pick up where it left off before its international shutdown.

“We learned a lot of lessons from the pandemic, and I know that we’ll profit from them.”

– Joe Biden The American Energy Alliance had reported that the Keystone Pipeline would reduce emissions by cutting down fuel used to transport oil.

But President Biden ordered the cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline on his first day in office.

This was a promise he made to the climate activists who paid dearly to elect him.

Mr. Biden’s misspent energy policies have haunted him daily as gas prices have no place to go but up.

TC Energy Corp., who owns the Keystone Pipeline along with Alberta, reported that at least 1,000 people lost their jobs immediately due to President

Biden’s executive order. They estimate it will affect more than 11,000 more industry jobs, and lost economic revenue will exceed $2 billion by the end of the year.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that unemployment started to improve when President Biden ended federal handouts.

But seasonally adjusted numbers only edged down to 4.6%. Recent Commerce Department figures revealed all of America is now suffering from high inflation and high fuel prices.

“We can end these high gas prices simply by dipping into our oil reserves.”

— Sen. Chuck Schumner By the midterms, President Biden will learn that much of his $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan” was used to pay for higher gas and home heating prices caused by his energy policies.

With gas averaging $1 more a gallon than last year, Mr. Biden is begging OPEC to increase production and cut export prices on oil.

Last month, the Saudis showed President Biden that they too can take down the American economy any time they wish like Iran and Iraq did to President Jimmy Carter in 1978. As Mr. Biden frantically tries to save face with his war on fossil fuel, the Mideast is turning a deaf ear, praying that he’ll be re-elected in four years.

Walgreens closed numerous stores

Continued from Page C1 prepared to make this analysis, they simply continued the “no bail” policy.

When the word spread that the threat of punishment had been eliminated, crime became easier as the bad guys no longer had to make committing crimes complicated. They simply walked in, “snatched and grabbed,” and walked out to waiting cars.

The next step was similar to that at our southern border where the “catch-and-release” led to entrepreneurial criminals, in that case Mexican gangs, taking control and charging the participants, or migrants, for the opportunity to participate.

Already gang leaders have made store thefts a big business that, for example, cost CVS an estimated $200 million a year.

In San Francisco, Walgreens tried putting the items most frequently stolen under locks, but since these items were primarily used for grooming by minorities, they were accused of racism.

Wal Greens closed numerous stores, citing “snatch-and-grabs.”

Of course, the politicians argued the closing was already planned.

Following the Wille Sutton quote of “I rob banks because that is where the money is,” gangs in San Francisco attacked Macys and Louis Vuitton in Union Square.

Videos showed groups bringing in slug hammers into jewelry stores to break glass counters. The looting spread to a Nordstrom’s store in the nearby Walnut Hills with the inclusion of multiple getaway cars blocking traffic and also preventing the police access. Like happened in Prohibition, when the criminals organize, there will be violence.

For example, in Oakland when a media crew was filming the theft of a vehicle they planted, their van was broken into and cameras stolen. Threats caused film crews to start including security. However, when bad guys attempted to take the camera equipment of the film crew of KRON-TV at the scene of a “snatch-and-grab” at a clothing store, they shot and killed the security guard and former policeman Kevin Nishita.

The trend moved to Los Angeles where on Dec. 4, 2021, an organization of 14, only one juvenile, were arrested for 10 “smash-and-grabs” of $340,000 and released under the “no bail” policy.

Even Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) and District Attorney George Gascon (D) complained about the release because as of Dec. 6, Mr. Gascon still had not filed charges. Imagine this: a “no bail” release before the court knows the charges? Who sets these policies?

The trend moved east to the usual suspects, such as Chicago with Gov. J.B. Pritzer (D), Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) and District Attorney Kim Foxx (D), where on Dec. 5, Attorney General Kwane Raoul (D) recovered tens of thousands of stolen items worth millions from different storage units: But no arrests.

Mr. Raoul did state a lesson learned at our southern border: that these thefts frequently fund drug trades and human trafficking.

And on to Minneapolis with Gov. Tim Walz (D), Mayor Jacob Frey (D) and District George Floyd (D) where on Black Friday, 20 to 30 bad guys looted a Best Buy store in Burnside.

Again, no arrests.

Where are we headed? When law enforcement is not a threat the trend, as happened in Prohibition, will be for the bad guys to organize into more efficient, violent actions and maybe, following Wille Sutton’s words, move into public

and private gatherings.

Consumers and retailers may follow the actions taken at airports in response to the actions of a few bad guys. Costs and inconveniences will rise while privacy rights for consumers in their persons and possessions will fall. Some politicians, such as already done by AOC (D), will openly deny the existence of the problem while many others will deny it by their silence. Loud objections by the minority party have not, and will not, work.

The hope is for San Francisco politicians to again make the city a trend setter, not by patching the dangerous policies, but by revoking them. Much like our southern border, delays bring the problems closer to our faces than a Sal “the barber” Maglie’s fastball.

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

The death of George Floyd accelerated BLM’s cause BUCKLEY

Continued from Page C1 – where she introduces him to real walruses.

I won’t give away the ending, but the book is meant as a parody of the support boys who believe they are girls and girls who believe they are boys are receiving from school administrators and “experts.” It’s a good, quick read, and seems like the kind of book that should be assigned to public school children under the age of, say, 10, rather than “My Princess Boy,” “I Am Jazz,” (an autobiographical picture book written by a transgender 13-year-old with “a girl brain but a boy body”), and other such material.

BLACK LIVES MATTER Well, of course, black lives matter, as do all lives; there’s nothing controversial about that.

This organization grew out of the acquittal of George Zimmerman; he was charged with

the murder of Trayvon Martin, a black teenager. The movement took off when Eric Garner died after being held in a chokehold by a police officer in Staten Island, N.Y., and Michael Brown was shot and killed by a policeman in Ferguson, Mo. The death of George Floyd accelerated BLM’s cause to the point of riots and demonstrations in the summer of 2020 and again in ’21, and the wholesale acceptance of BLM’s legitimacy by many national institutions as well as schools and colleges.

Alicia Garza, a self-described “trained Marxist,” Patrisse Khan-Cullors, who calls herself an “artist, organizer and freedom fighter” and Opal Tometi, a “student of liberation theology,” are the three women who launched and successfully guided BLM into the institutional powerhouse it has become.

The group’s appeal is hard to resist when it calls for empathy, loving engagement and diversity, or that it is unapologetically

black. Who could deny those goals and attributes listed among their “13 Guiding Principles?”

Another of BLM’s Guiding Principles, however, is advocating for the transgender experience: “Everybody has the right to choose their own gender,” it states, “by listening to their own heart and mind. Everyone gets to choose if they are a girl or a boy or both or neither or something else, and no one else gets to choose for them.”

Santa Barbara Unified introduced a program during Black History Month (February) that included a “National Black Lives Matter Week of Action PLC Discussion and Collaboration Guide.” The Daily Themes for sixth through 12th grades were Monday: Restorative justice, empathy, and loving engagement; Tuesday: Diversity and Globalism; Wednesday: Transaffirming, Queer Affirming, and Collective Value; Thursday: Intergenerational Black Families and Black Villages; Friday: Black

Women and Unapologetically Black.

It does seem there is room for compromise and discussion with this movement, as many of its stated goals are admirable and timely. But its leaders and spokespeople make it extremely difficult to dialogue with them when they bristle at the idea that not only do black lives matter, but that “all lives matter.”

The inclusion of the transgender theme too, has many people shaking their collective heads wondering how that fits into the rest of the organization’s “13 Guiding Principles,” and what it has to do with being black. And, perhaps most importantly, why transgender as a subject needs to be introduced to 5-, 6- and 7-yearold children at all.

Next week we’ll take a closer look at critical race theory.

James Buckley is a longtime Montecito resident. He welcomes questions or comments at jimb@ substack.com.

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Bureaucrats should work to limit the control that pole owners hold KAMPIS

Continued from Page C3 Mr. Cikanek argued that policymakers need to establish “a faster, fairer process” for dispute resolution and utility pole access, given the “significant market power” that pole owners hold over pole attachment rates and terms.

The report also said that pole owners “frequently impose onerous timetables, unfeasible permitting fees, and various pre- and post-construction requirements, including full pole replacements ahead of

scheduled replacement, as part of ‘make-ready’ procedures required prior to the actual attachment to the pole.”

Bureaucrats should work to limit the control that pole owners hold over the growth of broadband infrastructure.

It will help close the digital divide, speed timely deployment of high-speed internet, and lessen the need to use taxpayer money to build out the networks .Johnny Kampis is a senior fellow and investigative reporter for the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

We should all be able to express our opinions SCHULTE

Continued from Page C2 stuff, and that’s when politics has gone too far.

Had I died that day, my political views and opinions would have gone with me, and nothing would have changed as the world just keeps going around and round. I would have been reduced to 9-point type.

“Look dear, so and so died. What do you want for dinner?”

With that realty hitting me harder than any time before, I still think it’s important for all of us to be able to express our views and opinions. To have conversations with others who don’t think the same and then finish lunch parting as friends.

Very few of us, on either side, are likely ever to change our views, and that’s fine. It’s how we treat each that matters.

Hate can be as powerful as love. But love always wins out.

Like the old Westerns, the guy in

the white hat always defeats the guy in the black hat.

And finally, I love Christmas.

It isn’t the religious aspect or the story of Santa Claus. It’s the change that takes place in the air. People tend to be more friendly. It’s a time when we step up to volunteer for something or donate money to a charity. We feel better.

Yes, I know it’s also a time of stress for others, but for the most part it’s the season of joy.

I know this Christmas I’m going to be thinking about that brush with death and be very thankful for the time I have.

I’m also going to give a big chunk of my heart to all those who are struggling, who have lost someone, especially the recent shootings of kids and the suffering those families are going through, to the sick and all those desperately trying to survive. It’s all we can do.

We need to care more and fight less. Merry Christmas.