Santa Barbara News-Press: May 04, 2023

Electric bike sharing program

Transportation option proves popular in SB, extended for three more years - A2

nEWS-PRESS EXCLUSiVE

Hearings set for project to replace Goleta drive-in

SyWest plans to build 70,594 square-foot industrial warehouse; environmental hearings officer to conduct May 17 meeting

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

There are new plans in the works for the demolition of the old drive-in theater on Kellogg Avenue in Goleta.

The 11.71-acre plot is currently unoccupied after the closure of West Wind Drive-in Theater in September.

SyWest proposed a project that involves the demolition of existing structures

Fed hikes interest rates for 10th time

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Federal Reserve Board Wednesday announced another increase to the federal funds rate, inching the target range up to 5% to 5.25%, an increase of a quarter of a point.

Wednesday’s announcement is the tenth rate hike since March 2022.

“We are prepared to do more if greater monetary policy restraint is warranted,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in a news conference after the announcement.

The Fed bases its decision largely on the health of the economy and whether the agency thinks it can withstand the economic pain of another rate hike.

“Economic activity expanded at a modest pace in the first quarter,” the group said. “Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated.”

The Feds’ key interest rate was 1% to 1.25% just before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the middle of March 2020, the rate dropped to 0 to 0.25%.

The federal government soon kicked off a several trillion dollar spending spree over the next two years in response to hardships during the pandemic, which were fueled in large part by aggressive lockdown policies.

Please see FED on A4

including a concessions building, freestanding movie screen, three ticket booths and an approximately 200 squarefoot projector building. A pad-mounted transformer, storm drain and two dewatering wells will also be demolished in the process.

As proposed, SyWest would then construct a 70,594 square-foot industrial warehouse with 60,939 square feet of landscaping, 102 parking spaces and six

loading zones.

There are currently hearings being held for the SyWest industrial building project, ensuring the safety and environmental repercussions of the build.

An Environment Impact Report is being created to present to the public regarding the construction of the building. As part of that process, the city of Goleta’s environmental hearing officer will conduct a public scoping hearing on

May 17. That hearing will take place over Zoom and in-person at the Goleta City Hall’s council chambers, 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta.

To participate via Zoom, go to www. cityofgoleta.org.

After operating for nine years, the West Wind Drive-In first closed in 2019 but reopened in 2020 when indoor movie theaters were closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drive-

in theater enjoyed a renaissance and became a setting for first-run movies and some classics. UCSB Arts & Lectures used it for its summer movie series, and Cottage Health and other organizations held special screenings there. The drive-in theater became a packed facility and provided entertainment during a time when options were limited because of the pandemic.

Please see SYWEST on A4

new emergency trailer

Fire department’s vehicle is first of its kind for Santa Barbara County

Man pleads guilty to murder

Sentencing set for Friday for Erik Rocha Fernandez

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department announced the arrival of its brand new gadget on Wednesday: a state-of-the-art emergency trailer.

Through funding from the Community Power Resiliency Allocation, the County Office of Emergency Management purchased a Mobile Nanogrid, developed by Sesame Solar, that generates carbonfree electricity from onboard solar panels, battery packs and a fuel cell powered by green hydrogen. This is the first of its kind for Santa Barbara County.

The trailer will be deployed during power outages to assist various types of emergencies in order to provide a charging station for personal and medical devices, as well as be a point of information for communities impacted. The trailer will be showcased at community events as a model for resilient power projects.

Most recently, the trailer made its debut at the Earth Day festival on April 29. Many people got the

District Attorney John R. Savrnoch announced Wednesday that Erik Rocha Fernandez pled guilty to the 2021 murder of a Santa Maria man. The defendant, 22, pled guilty to first-degree murder and admitted an enhancement for intentionally and personally using a firearm that caused the death of Frankie Hernandez on May 21, 2021, in Santa Maria. Mr. Rocha Fernandez also pled guilty to the attempted murder of another man and conspiracy to commit witness intimidation by force or fear. He will receive a sentence of 10 years, followed by 25 years to life in state prison. Sentencing is set for Friday in Santa Barbara County Superior Courts-Santa Maria division. Senior Deputy District Attorney Madison Whitmore prosecuted the case. The case was investigated by Santa Maria Police Detective Zack Robbins. email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

State gives grants for addiction prevention

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - Fortyfour community-based and tribal organizations received almost $17 million as part of Elevate Youth California, a program administered by California’s Department of Health Care Services to

Please see GRANTS on A4

COURTESY PHOTO Jerome Powell

NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Santa Barbara County officials celebrate the ribbon-cutting Wednesday for the Solar & Hydrogen Mobile Nanogrid Emergency Response Trailer at the Santa Barbara County Fire Headquarters.

The trailer is equipped to handle many needs during a disaster. Please see TRAILER on A4

Electric bike share program proves to be popular in Santa Barbara

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Residents and visitors alike have taken good advantage of Santa Barbara’s bike share program, riding the electric bikes more than 30,000 times and logging more than 950,000 miles over the past two years.

The Santa Barbara City Council, apparently impressed by those numbers — and the fact that using e-bikes reduces the number of times people have to drive their cars, reducing the city’s carbon footprint — rewarded the pilot program Tuesday by extending it another three years.

The vote was unanimous.

The bike sharing program offers residents an active public transportation option to get to wherever they want to go in Santa Barbara for whatever reason, including heading to and from work or just running errands or grocery shopping.

“It’s a point-to-point transportation option to reduce traffic and parking demand to provide access to key areas that are too far to walk and too close to drive,” Sam Furtner, the city’s mobility coordinator, told the council in his presentation Tuesday.

The bike share program, in place since January 2021, was a product of a 2018 council decision to implement a sustainable public transportation option that furthers the council’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality, he said.

Mr. Furtner had nothing but praise for the program, from its low profile aesthetically pleasing docking system to the all-electric fleet of bikes, which he said are overbuilt to handle rugged conditions and withstand the rigors of bicycle sharing, and are bigger, heavier, slower and safer than electric bikes sold to consumers.

BCycle’s e-bikes come with enhanced rear brakes, strengthened battery rail improvements, “brilliantly illuminated” front and rear lights,

Man dies after being hit by train

MONTECITO — A man was killed Tuesday evening when he was struck by an Amtrak train in Montecito, officials said.

The incident occurred at 6:31 p.m. along the railroad tracks near Channel Drive and Monte Cristo Lane, Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, said Wednesday.

The Montecito Fire Department responded, as did the Sheriff’’s Office and an AMR ambulance, Christina Favuzzi, Montecito Fire Department public information officer, said.

“(We) responded to the scene with our standard response for a traffic collision, which includes an engine and squad with paramedics and a battalion chief,” she said.

An adult male victim was declared deceased at the scene, Ms. Zick said.

“We will release the name pending notification of next of kin,” she said.

The incident caused a delay for the train, officials said.

— Neil Hartstein

Three people hurt in rollover

SANTA BARBARA — A vehicle rollover Wednesday afternoon left three people injured, officials said.

The accident involving a GMC pickup truck occurred about 4 p.m. on northbound Highway 101

and additional anti-theft battery deterrents.

“They have a lot of safety features that conventional bikes do not have,” he said.

A BCycle e-bike can travel up to 17 mph, he said, whereas privately purchased electric bikes are lighter and can go as fast as 28 mph.

“A BCycle bike is quite heavy and slow, and part of that is intentional,” Mr. Furtner said.

“You can go faster downhill, but the pedal assist will not help.”

Currently, there are 250 pedalassisted e-bikes in town, plus 500 docks at 86 docking stations.

As of mid-April, people have ridden the e-bikes 36,0000 times, and have traveled 951,000 miles, he said.

“We are pleased with the success of the program here in Santa Barbara,” he said, “but there are goals we want to address.”

The goal at first was to provide access to key destinations on State Street and to some waterfront areas, he said, but now city officials want to launch a full bike-sharing network built out into neighborhoods, including the Mesa, Westside and the Milpas Street corridor.

“Extending the program would allow bike sharing to evolve to enable the program to have flexibility moving forward,” Mr. Furtner said.

Discussions are ongoing for the bike sharing program to eventually become part of a regional bike-sharing public transportation network, he said. Also, the program is poised to adapt to potential State Street Promenade changes after the State Street Master Plan is completed.

BCycle, the company providing the e-bikes, provides fast support for the program whenever an issue arises, like network connectivity and checking e-bikes in and out, he said.

Over the past two-plus years, only 16 e-bikes have been stolen, but all but three were recovered. Twenty batteries were stolen.

And about 90 to 100 e-bikes were vandalized.

The cost of using the e-bikes is $150 annually for unlimited 60minute rides “which gives riders the flexibility to get all the way across town”; $30 per month for unlimited 30-minute rides; and $25 per year for low-income eligible users.

Walk-up riders can pay a $7 single-ride rate for 30 minutes. This represents about 30% of all riders who use the e-bikes, he said. “The network is up and working very well,” he said. “People are not having problems.”

Councilmember Kristen Sneddon asked if there was any way to tell who is using the ebikes, but Mr. Furtner said there are no demographics available to say for sure.

At the same time, he said, it’s a good bet that someone who is an annual member lives locally. “You can’t make that assumption with a monthly member,” he said.

The rainy winter also made it difficult to tell who is using the system, he said, but he predicted that “the next hot season when people are out and riding will tell us a lot about who is riding.”

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

During the public comment period, Larry Bickford described the bike-sharing program as “awesome.” He said the bikes make grocery shopping and running errands easier.

“You can go anywhere and go around in a minute from point to point.”

Heather Deutsch, executive director of Move SB, called the ebike program a “vital component” of public transportation for people who don’t want to drive or take the bus or might have a conventional bicycle with a flat tire.

“Having access to the bike share program gives people a choice,” she said.

Anna Marie Gott, however, voiced disappointment that the city has not installed kiosks for people without credit cards and/or smartphones to sign up to use an ebike using cash.

“It’s imperative,” she said. “It’s a matter of equity and discrimination. You’re not reaching a lot of residents. None of them can use the bicycle program in Santa Barbara.” email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

WENDY McCAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-Publisher

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER . . . . .Co-Publisher

YOLANDA APODACA . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Operations

DAVE MASON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor

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just north of State Route 1, Santa Barbara County Fire officials said.

An adult woman passenger was flown by helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The adult woman driver and a minor girl passenger were taken to the hospital by ambulance. Two of three northbound lanes were closed by the California Highway Patrol, which was investigating the accident.

Neil Hartstein

—

Artists to discuss works at 10 West Gallery

SANTA BARBARA — A talk by artists and a 1st Thursday reception will take place today at 10 West Gallery. The talk is set for 4 to 5 p.m. and will feature artists Patrick Hall (porcelain and stoneware vessels), Iben Vestergaard (silicate

Coroner’s Bureau identifies man killed in collision

SANTA BARBARA — The man killed Tuesday when his motorcycle and a U.S. Mail courier vehicle collided was identified Wednesday by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Office Coroner’s Bureau.

and mixed media paintings) and Mary Neville (paintings). Iben Vestergaard’s works express thoughts and aspects of human fragility. Mary Neville’s art describes a sense of place or an emotional response to an event in her life and dreams.

The 1st Thursday reception will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.

Participating artists are Joan RosenbergDent, Diane Giles, Pamela Grau, Patrick

He was identified as Michael Joseph Figone, 46, of Santa Barbara. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the mail vehicle was not injured. The accident on Marina Drive at Alisa Lane occurred shortly before 5 p.m.

The Santa Barbara office of the California Highway Patrol is handling the accident investigation.

Neil Hartstein

—

Hall, Daniel Linz, Laurie MacMillan, Patrick McGinnis, Mary Neville, Carol Paquet and Iben Vestergaard.

The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. It’s located at 10 W. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.

For more information, call the gallery at 805770-7711 or go to 10westgallery.com.

— Dave Mason

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VOL. 167 NO. 3

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Rental BCycle electric bicycles are shown at their docking stations on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department responds to the scene of a vehicle rollover Wednesday on northbound Highway 101, just north of State Route 1.

Amendment aims to restore burden-free transfer of property from parents to kids

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - “Will California become a renter’s state or will we own homes?” asked Dr. Rosie Milligan, Author, Estate Planner from Los Angeles at the announcement of Senate Constitutional Amendment 4 (SCA 4) on May 2.

“I support SCA 4 because the intent is to repeal the devastating impact of Prop 19….The American dream is to own a home and families have worked so hard to leave generational wealth for Proposition 19 to take that away. This is a very critical issue and it is very impactful and it saddens my heart to think of what it could do despite all the homelessness that we see,” she continued.

Up until February 15, 2021 parents and grandparents could transfer their principal residence and the first $1 million dollars of other real property to their children and grandchildren without the imposition of an estate or “death” tax, but subject to an annual inflation adjustment not to exceed 2%.

In the November 3, 2020 general election however, voters approved Proposition 19.

“In 2020 Prop 19 narrowly passed on the California ballot it was titled, and I quote “The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act. Who couldn’t vote for that?” Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R - Murrieta, explained. “Unfortunately, as voters soon discovered this is a Trojan Horse…this changed the way the intergenerational transfers of property was handled, all to the detriment of Californians who had worked so hard, for so many years to solidify a future for themselves and their families, and that was the hidden implication.”

Prop 19 removed the protection of intergenerational transfers of property under the constitution and amended it to require

reappraisal of a family farm or family home for taxation upon the death of the named owner.

Sen. Seyarto explained, “This means that under current law if a family works hard to buy a home when it comes time to let the next generation reap the benefits, they can be met with an unsustainable property tax bill. Tax reassessments on inherited property often lead to the family being forced to sell their homes or close down their businesses. This is an unacceptable consequence for families who are trying to set themselves up and future generations for success. Prop 19 repealed an important taxpayer protection from the California constitution that taxpayers have relied on for decades. Simply put, Prop 19 resurrected the death tax.”

SCA 4 specifically targets that section of Proposition 19, which changed how heirs were classified under the California constitution.

“SCA 4 is our fight to restore protection for taxpayers to keep their childhood homes and businesses when their parents or grandparents pass away,” Sen. Seyarto said.

In 1986 the California legislature in a unanimous vote of both houses, approved the intergenerational transfer of property and brought it to a vote in the form of Prop 58.

California voters passed Prop 58 in a 76% “yes” vote.

Jon Coupal, CEO, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers’ Association is a strong advocate of SCA 4.

“It deserves strong bipartisan support from all demographics across the state of California,” he said. “This is not just a conservative versus liberal, Republican versus Democrat. We are hearing from people across the political spectrum, particularly many in the minority communities who own small unit apartment buildings or had planned on passing along their homes to their children, and now that right has been taken away.”

Mr. Coupal revealed that the Board of

UCSB’s Mortensen one shy of record after homer against Lancers

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

Broc Mortensen hit his 41st career home run as part of a four-run eighth inning Tuesday night, but UCSB’s (28-13) late rally was not enough and the Gauchos fell to California Baptist (24-21) by a score of 6-4. Mortensen is now one away from tying UCSB’s career home run record of 42, set by Matt Wilkerson from 2002-2005.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It took until the eighth inning for Santa Barbara to get on the board, and they had been trailing for every one of those innings but the first. Free bases hurt the Gauchos in the bottom of the first, as a walk and a two-out hit by pitch helped the Lancers load the bases.

UCSB was one strike away from escaping the jam, but a two-out double down the right field line scored CBU’s first two runs, then a single into left field scored two more, making it 4-0 after just one inning.

Lead-off extra base hits in the second and third helped the Lancers plate solitary runs in each of those innings, giving them a 6-0 lead and chasing Gaucho starter Michael Rice from the game. But from there, Santa Barbara’s bullpen did its job, not allowing any more runs. Alex Schrier pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, then Reed Moring relieved him and went 2 2/3 scoreless, allowing just one hit. Moring worked out of a couple tough spots too, leaving the bases loaded in the sixth, then stranding Lancers on third in both the seventh and eighth innings.

But as much as the Gaucho bullpen was frustrating Lancer hitters, the CBU pitching staff was doing the same to UCSB.

The Gauchos got their leadoff batter aboard in every inning from the third through the eighth, but only brought him around once. In the third, a strike-’em-out, throw-’emout double play proved costly, especially since the next batter up doubled down the line in left. It would have scored a run, if the Gauchos’ lead runner hadn’t been caught stealing. Double plays ended the Santa Barbara half of the fourth and sixth innings, and a twin killing erased the Gauchos’ lead-off runner in the seventh.

UCSB finally broke through

in the eighth, which Jared Sundstrom led off by singling to left. Mortensen followed him and got the Gauchos on the board with an opposite field home run to left center, his 10th homer of the season.

Aaron Parker kept the rally going with a single, then took second base on a wild pitch.

Jonah Sebring’s hit to right center brought home Parker, and Sebring’s hustle earned him a double on the play.

After a couple fly outs, the Gauchos scored again, with Ivan Brethowr’s single to left moving Sebring to third and LeTrey McCollum’s base hit to right driving Sebring home to make it 6-4 Lancers.

After a two-out walk loaded the bases for Santa Barbara, CBU finally shut down the rally, getting out of the eighth, then setting the Gauchos down in order in the ninth.

ON THE STAT SHEET

• Brethowr, who came into Tuesday night’s game with 12 walks on the season, earned a base on balls in each of his first three plate appearances, then knocked a single on his fourth to finish 1-for-1 on the evening. His three walks are the most in one game by a Gaucho this season.

• Mortensen added a pair of hits to his two-run homer on Tuesday, finishing the night a team-best 3-for-5 at the plate. Parker and Sundstrom also had multi-hit games, each going 2-for5 with a double.

• Moring has come out of the bullpen in his last four appearances now. The freshman has allowed just one run over his last three outings — a total of 8 relief innings.

UP NEXT

The Gauchos will remain in Riverside, as they are set to play UC Riverside in a threegame series this weekend.

First pitch times from the Riverside Sports Complex are 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the series finale to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday. All three games will be live on ESPN+ with live stats and an audio broadcast available on ucsbgauchos.com.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

Equalization, the County Assessors’ office, and his own office have been flooded with calls from concerned Californians.

“I want to thank the Board of Equalization as well as the County Assessors in California who have worked very hard with us to try to correct this…this is a nonpartisan issue. One of our strongest supporters is the assessor of LA, Jeffery Prang… Jeffery Prang is extremely progressive but he recognizes…that we need to reinstate intergenerational transfer protection. It’s what taxpayers deserve. It’s what families deserve” Mr. Coupal acknowledged.

“I love my job because I help connect families with the opportunity of finding their forever home in the complex of the real estate world….It warms my heart to bring smiles and see the joy in the eyes of new homeowners as I hand over the key to them, and they know that they have achieved a slice of the American dream,” Elk Grove Realtor, Lynda Chac commented. “Ninety percent of my clients are immigrants and over the years I have helped 60 to 70 families in purchasing their forever home. My immigrant clients buy the home in hopes of leaving that home to their son or daughter after they pass. They work hard to purchase that perfect home and the opportunity to leave behind for their children without concerns of placing their children in debt.

“SCA 4 is very important to all of us, to every family especially the immigrants who work hard to save their money and to buy their home to leave it to the next generation and hopefully to create wealth for their family.”

SCA 4 will be heard in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on May 10 at 9:30 a.m. It will be the only issue on the agenda. If the measure is passed by both houses of the legislature it will go to a ballot for a public vote which focuses on just the intergenerational transfer of property section of Prop 19.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

San Marcos competes at Channel League Individuals

The Royals boys golf team participated Tuesday in the second day of the Channel League Individuals, hoping to land a spot in the CIF tournament. Out of the six San Marcos players, three qualified for the CIF tournament. Shams JahangirArsah tied for second place with scores of 68 on both the first and second day of competition. Leo Metzger finished fourth, with scores of 65 and 72. The final qualifier was Jeffrey Forster, who came in sixth place with scores of 71 and 72.

The three athletes will now compete on May 10 in the CIF-SS Individual Regionals, which will take place at Los Robles.

SB Audobon Society, SB Botanic Garden celebrate Bird Month

SANTA BARBARA — Look up in the sky, and you’ll have no doubt. May is Bird Month.

To celebrate it, the Santa Barbara Audubon Society and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden are presenting family-fun activities throughout the month

Dos Pueblos defeated in girls beach volleyball

The Dos Pueblos Chargers finished their season this year with a loss against Redondo Valley on Tuesday.

The final score for the girls beach volleyball game was 2-3, a close defeat for the Chargers. There was still some success in this game for Dos Pueblos. The two points of the match came from Addison Low and Sonia Mancusco in their 3’s game as well as Layla McQuiggan and Halle Riley in their 5’s game.

“Overall I am proud of this team and the way we competed all year long,” said head coach Mike Fitzgerald.

The final records for the Chargers were 12-1 in league and 17-2 overall.

— Compiled by Annika Bahnsen

at the garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. Kicking it all off is “Family Bird Nest, set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday as well as May 13 and 21.

Activities vary from guided bird walks to bird-themed story time, avian crafts and bird scavenger hunt. Participants will discover why native plants are important to birds and how to create a birdfriendly garden, according to the botanic garden. Reservations are required. To make them, go to www. sbbotanicgarden.org/visit/hoursreservations.

— Dave Mason

ALAN SCHMEIRER / SB BOTANIC GARDEN

A hooded oriole is among the feathered friends you can celebrate during Bird Month, which includes special activities at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Owners: Drive-in closed due to economic conditions, film industry changes

SYWEST

Continued from Page A1

When indoor movie theaters reopened, the drive-in theater remained popular for a period, but attendance fell. The drive-in theater closed permanently in September.

Earlier in 2022, Hi-Way Drivein theater in Santa Maria closed, and a residential complex is planned there.

Once a popular part of the American lifestyle for families packing station wagons and couples on dates, drive-in theaters have faced a decline in the 21st century. The resurgence of the Goleta drive-in theater brought back scenes of families, this time packing SUVs and camping out with lawn chairs to watch the big screen.

The parking lot was mostly dirt with patches of pavement, and some vegetation at the bottom of the screen added unintentional three-dimensional effects, but fans didn’t seem to mind.

The digital picture and sound were good. And the theater was praised for its concessions (including delicious popcorn that came in generous portions) and personal service that featured staff providing jump starts for motorists whose car batteries died because of radios tuned in to the movie’s soundtrack. (You had to remember to turn on your ignition every so often, but that

‘This is a really exciting opportunity as a county’

wasn’t necessary for hybrids.)

You could actually hear the special FM station for several blocks past the theater.

Down in Ventura, a mall now stands where the Pacific 101 Drive-in Theater once stood on Telephone Road. That theater closed in 1997, the same year the Simi Drive-In Theater in Simi Valley closed.

The Gran family, who owned the Goleta drive-in, said the closure was because of economic conditions and the changing nature of the film industry in the age of streaming and home theaters.

Some indoor movie theaters have been hit by the current age of films. The Park Plaza Theatre closed in Buellton when the pandemic began in 2020 and never reopened. And in Ventura, the Regency Buenaventura 6 discount theater is now open only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays.

With the closure of the Goleta drive-in and the absence of any drive-ins in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, the closest drive-in theater is the Sunset Drive-In in San Luis Obispo.

A dozen or so drive-in theaters remain open in Los Angeles.

News-Press Managing Editor Dave Mason, who regularly watched movies at the West Wind Drive-in in Goleta, contributed to this story.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

TRAILER

Continued from Page A1

opportunity to see its capabilities and ask questions about the device.

Anne Webb from Sesame Solar, an out-of-state company that collaborated to create this trailer, gave the News-Press a look into the trailer. It is fully equipped to

handle many of the needs during a disaster. Specifically, it has the ability to provide power, help those who need a wheelchair and provide a place to refrigerate medications, along with other amenities.

Kelly Hubbard, director of the County Office of Emergency Management, spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the trailer. “This new trailer was

Dems express concern that rate hikes could force an economic downturn

Continued from Page A1

Since that pandemic-era spending, inflation has soared, in particular affecting gas and food prices. The banking sector has struggled in recent months with several bank collapses fueled in part by rate hikes. Experts fear another rate hike could worsen that situation, which is far from

stabilized. The rate hike could increase fears that regional banks will go insolvent because they are less able to weather storms than bigger banks, potentially leading to a run on the depositors hoping to get their money out just in case. The Federal Reserve board waved off those risks in its announcement.

“The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient,” the group said. “Tighter credit conditions for households and businesses

are likely to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. The extent of these effects remains uncertain. The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks.”

Democrats raised concerns that the rate hikes amid a shaky banking environment could force an economic downturn that hurts Democrats in the next election.

“The Fed’s extreme interest rate hikes risk triggering a recession, destroying jobs and

crushing small businesses,” U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., wrote on Twitter.

Some were more optimistic.

“The remaining question is how much the regional bank crisis and credit crunch will slow the economy,” said Gina Bolvin, president of Bolvin Wealth Management Group. “Investors should remain cautiously optimistic. Evidently Powell thinks the economy is strong enough to continue to tighten.”

State ‘is committed to reaching young people struggling with substance use’

GRANTS

Continued from Page A1

develop programs that prevent youth drug addiction.

“Youth substance use and mental health challenges are at an all-time high in California, especially for youth of color and 2S/LGBTQ+ youth,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. Gov. Newsom explained, “California is committed to reaching young people struggling with substance use and mental health challenges where they are, with the resources they need to get healthy.”

The awards frame a bigger picture in the state’s effort to strengthen California’s health and human services prevention programs and varied in amounts of almost $200,000 to $400,000.

Among the awardees with the smallest grant of $199,945.00 was HC Black Music and Art Association, a Humboldt County based organization. HC Black Music and Art Association “is an Afrikan nonprofit phoenix agency with multicultural programs built around cultural healing and wellness that includes; traditions, art, music, nutrition, gardening and spiritual outlets to youth, individuals, and families of color in Humboldt County rural areas.”

Native American groups also received awards. The Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians of Los Angeles County was granted $387,701.00 The citizens of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (Tribe) are the people of northern Los Angeles County.

Their grant will support native youth in Los Angeles County through embracing cultural knowledge, advocacy, skill development and community health training to reduce substance use.

Another group benefitting for the DHCS and funded at $400,000 the highest possible award, was California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance (CIYJA) which operates in the counties of Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside. CYIAJ describes their mission as one that “creates an intersectional space for system-impacted, undocumented, and refugee immigrant youth across California in underserved QTBIPOC communities. We organize through an abolitionist framework to shut down detention centers and build community power by providing a holistic approach, cultivating leadership, and supporting community transformation for liberation.”

Their grant will support system-impacted, undocumented and refugee Queer and Trans youth in the Central Valley and Inland Empire through coaching, mentorship

and transformative justice-embedded programming to advance equity and reduce substance use.

“When the community sees that the local Medication Assisted Treatment program incorporates the importance of culture and consistently integrates Native context into the service approach, they may be more likely to reach out for help,” said Marlies Perez, Chief of DHCS’ Community Services Division.

“We’re investing in our community partners who work day in and day out to help vulnerable youth access the quality, culturally-competent services they need and deserve,” Gov. Newsom stated.

Community groups focused on the prevention of drug addiction can receive up to $400,000 under Elevate Youth California, to strengthen organizational infrastructure through operational, programmatic and financial support. So far more than $139.9 million in funding to support statewide prevention programs have been disbursed, with Elevate Youth California receiving the largest share of funding at $76.3 million for fiscal year 2022-2023.

“Through Elevate Youth California, DHCS continues to provide safe spaces where youth have an equitable opportunity to receive behavioral health prevention services,” said Ms. Baass.

an opportunity that came to us through some state funding and through other emergency organizations in the area.”

She then explained that through a community member on social media, they were able to purchase the trailer.

Brandon Kayson, energy manager for the County Services, also shared a few words at the

unveiling of the trailer. “This is a really exciting opportunity as a county to show not only our commitment to disaster preparedness but also a commitment to the environment.” He highlighted its solar energy panels and elimination of the use of fossil fuels.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

An industrial warehouse is planned for the West Wind Drive-In site in Goleta.

This is a close-up of the hydrogen generator inside the Solar & Hydrogen Mobile Nanogrid Emergency Response Trailer.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Plans call for the trailer to be deployed during power outages to assist various types of emergencies.

Life theArts

the Spirit!

Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary in Lompoc to celebrate stallion’s 28th birthday and opening day on Saturday

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Adual celebration for the start of its summer program season and the 28th birthday of Spirit — the stallion that served as muse and model for the animated film “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” — will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary, 4115 Jalama Road in Lompoc.

Included will be a Native American blessing with Peter Crowheart and Thomas Tenfingers for the horses and land, staff-led walking tours, wine pourings from Flying Goat Cellars, including “Celebrate Freedom,” a pinot noir label created to help benefit the sanctuary, and wine donated from Beckmen Vineyards in Los Olivos.

Light food will be provided by local vendors including New Frontiers Natural Marketplace of Solvang, and Jacqueline Fuentes will sing South American songs.

Guests will receive swag bags with gifts from Puremedy and Pacifica Beauty.

This is a casual and intimate event limited to 65 guests. Tickets are available at returntofreedom. org/visit until 10 p.m. tonight.

Driving directions are provided after registration.

Admission is $250 for adults and $150 for youth; children 5 and under are free. All ticket sales benefit the more than 400 wild horses and burros in RTF’s care at three California locations.

Attendees can have their photos taken with Spirit.

DreamWorks Animation selected RTF’s sanctuary as Spirit’s home following his time as the animators’ model for the Oscar-nominated “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” (2002).

That movie spawned a popular Emmy Award-winning spinoff series for younger children — “Spirit: Riding Free” on Netflix and the 2021 movie “Spirit: Untamed.”

A national nonprofit advocacy organization, Return to Freedom opened its first sanctuary in Lompoc on 300 acres in 1998. Sanctuary visitors can experience the diverse herds that represent the American Mustang, including

CALENDAR

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

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its permanent mineral exhibit of rocks and crystals that is on view in the small hall off the museum’s central courtyard. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which opened April 22, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature.org/minerals. By appointment on weekdays: “Holly Hungett: Natural Interpretations” is on view through May 20 at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s gallery, 229 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb.org.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical.org.

MAY 6 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Santa Barbara Audubon Society and Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens will jointly present family-fun activities at the garden throughout May, Bird Month, starting with “Family Bird Nest” on this day and during the same period on May 13 and 21. Activities include guided bird walks, bird-themed Story Time, avian crafts, bird scavenger hunt, and more. Participants will discover why native plants are important to birds and how to create a bird-friendly garden. Reservations are required. To make them, go to www.sbbotanicgarden.org/ visit/hours-reservations.

12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Toot and Puddles, two friendly dogs who are bonded sisters, will appear during an adoption event at George Pet Shop at the Montecito Country Mart, 1026 Coast Village Road, Montecito. The 2-yearold dogs currently live at Shadow’s Fund — a Lompoc sanctuary for the most vulnerable shelter dogs. For more information, email info@shadowsfund. org or visit shadowfund.org.

7 p.m. The Choral Society will wrap up its 75th anniversary season with a “Mozart to Modern” concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara, 21 E. Constance Ave. Accompanied by a full orchestra, the 70-member Santa Barbara chorus will perform Mozart’s Requiem and music varying from Palestrina to Morten Lauridsen. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase, go to sbchoral.org.

MAY 7 3 p.m. The Choral Society will wrap up its 75th anniversary season with a “Mozart to Modern” concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara, 21 E. Constance Ave. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase, go to sbchoral.org.

descendants of Padre Kino’s Spanish Mission horses, the Iberian Sorraia-type Sulphur Springs herd and descendants of the Choctaw Indian ponies that carried the ill and infirm on the tragic Trail of Tears.

Among the summer offerings at RTF is the “Mustang Magic Medicine & Miracles” workshop from May 11 through 13 taught by Sandy Rakowitz, a healing master, animal communicator and Akashic records consultant who has been offering consultations, classes and healing adventure programs for more than 30 years.

Participants will learn the “Magic Medicine of spending time with the mustangs in their natural and wild state. No bridles. No saddles. No riding. And no prior experience with horses is needed,” according to the sanctuary.

The cost is $1,800, and interested persons should contact Ms. Rakowitz at 434-996-3595 or horsedancer77@gmail.com.

Lori Sortino will lead a “Photo Safari and Editing Lab” from June 27 through 29 at RTF’s 2,000-acre satellite sanctuary in San Luis Obispo. Participants will observe and photograph herds in their natural state. There’ll be time during the day for group editing for those interested in learning and sharing editing techniques.

MAY 13 7 p.m. Vocalist Julie Christensen will perform with guitarist Joe Woodard and bassist Steve Nelson at the Ojai Underground Exchange, 616 Pearl St. in Ojai. Ms. Christensen’s album, “The Price We Pay for Love,” was recently released. Tickets are $35. To purchase, go to ojaiundergroundexchangetickets. square.site. For more information, call 805-340-7893.

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The orchestra’s 70th anniversary program will feature Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary. The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org

MAY 14

3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Platinum Sounds” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The orchestra’s 70th anniversary program will feature Grammy-nominated American violinist Philippe Quint on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64. And the symphony will showcase its own players performing Jonathan Leshnoff’s Concerto Grosso, previously commissioned for the symphony’s 60th anniversary. The orchestra will also perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68. Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org. A pre-concert talk with Nir Kabaretti, the symphony’s music and artistic director, will take place at 2 p.m.

— Dave Mason

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023

RICH SLADICK

Spirit, who lives at the Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary in Lompoc, inspired the 2002 animated fi lm “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.”

LIESL DE LEON PHOTO Spirit is photographed on the horse’s birthday celebration in 2021 at Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary.

IRENE VEJAR PHOTO

People gather for Spirit’s birthday celebration in 2022.

IRENE VEJAR PHOTO

Takoda, a 1-week-old Choctaw colt, relaxes in the sun at the Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary in Lompoc.

Weekend at the fair

Rhubarb

These long grooved deep red to purple stalks pair incredibly well with the selection of fresh berries this time of year, whether added to pies, crisps, cobblers and crumbles.

Naturally tart and astringent, once cooked, rhubarb becomes texturally soft and quite delicious. Sugar is typically used to help balance out the naturally tart flavor.

This week I incorporated freshly harvested rhubarb into a rhubarb berry preserve as the Fix of the Week, below.

almost daily from my home garden.

It’s often referred to as “Wild Marjoram” even though oregano is a different species.

This Mediterranean herb is often found in Greek and Italian cuisine, whether added to pastas sauces or salads or worked into meats such as sausages and meatballs. I also find it pairs well with Mexican cuisine.

You can currently find fresh oregano at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets from several local growers. Certified organic is available. Price averages $2 per bunch.

The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo concluded Sunday with award-winning entries in exhibits, including those devoted to art, and camaraderie among visitors.

Biography author to talk about Pearl Chase

SANTA BARBARA

— The Pearl Chase Society will present Cheri Rae — author of the upcoming biography, “A String of Pearls: Miss Chase of Santa Barbara” — on May 12, in the second presentation of the Kellam de Forest series.

The series takes place on the second Friday of each month at the Carrillo Recreation Center,

SPIRIT

Continued from Page B1

A significant portion of the registration fee, which is $1,800, will go to supporting Return to Freedom’s conservation work for America’s wild horses and burros. To register or for more information, contact Ms. Sortino directly at 805-709-6000 or Lori@ essencecaptured.com.

Volunteers at RTF can sign up for days, weeks or the in-residence program. Those accepted into the in-residence program after

100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara.

Ms. Rae will offer insights about Pearl Chase, who was a teacher at Santa Barbara High School and a social worker at Neighborhood House and the Recreation Center.

Before she became known for her beautification of Santa Barbara, Ms. Chase partnered with Margaret Baylor, a Santa Barbara social worker, to

a rigorous application process are eligible to stay on site at the sanctuary, where they are required to remain a minimum of one month to three months.

establish social services in the community, including the Red Cross, World War I relief work, and Americanization classes, all at the recreation center, built in 1914.

The Pearl Chase Society, established in 1995, is an allvolunteer organization dedicated to preserving Santa Barbara’s historic architecture, landscapes

and cultural heritage. The series is free to the public. However, donations will be accepted to help sustain the program. To reserve a seat, call 805-4037053. Seating is limited. For more information, visit pearlchasesociety.org.

— Annika Bahnsen

Grown and harvested from the Mendoza Family Farm of Lompoc, rhubarb can be found at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets. Available from the spring into the summer months, rhubarb is often difficult to find as it is not grown on a large scale in our area.

Price averages $5 per bunch.

Radish microgreens

With an array of different types of radish-style sprouts and microgreens available from both Westland Floral and Ojai Microgreens, I find them a great way to add a little pepper crunch to salads, sandwiches, wraps, seafood preparations and grain bowls.

Fresh oregano

There are three main herbs I use on a very regular basis, when in season. The first is cilantro, followed by fresh basil (summer months only) and oregano.

FYI

Return to Freedom’s celebration will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the RTF American Wild Horse Sanctuary, 4115 Jalama Road in Lompoc For more information, visit www.returntofreedom.org.

Norm Yost is winemaker and proprietor at Flying Goats Cellars, which will be back to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary for special wine pourings on Spirit’s birthday.

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com FARMERS

I love the distinct earthy flavor that oregano adds to meats, vegetables, rice and beans, as well as soups and stews. Oregano is most regularly available during the spring through fall seasons, and oregano is a herb I harvest

This week I encountered purple radish microgreens, daikon microgreens as well as red rose radish sprouts, all great options. With a slightly milder and less spicy version than that of the fully developed radish, they are also more nutritionally compact.

You can find radish microgreens at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets.

Price averages $3.50 per 2 ounces.

Sam Edelman is general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association and host of “Farm to Table,” which airs live 9 a.m. Thursdays on KZSB AM 1290. Courtesy photos

Resembling the physique and size of celery stalks, colorful bunches of freshly harvested rhubarb have been coming out of the Lompoc fields of the Mendoza Family Farm.

From light pink to dark purple in color, often with some variegated green throughout, rhubarb is used more like a fruit than a vegetable, finding its way into pies, crips, cobblers and preserves.

With a naturally tart and astringent flavor, sugar is usually combined with chopped rhubarb to add a little sweetness. And as it cooks, the rhubarb pieces turn quite soft and exude a pink hue to the surrounding ingredients. Commercially found in two main forms, field grown rhubarb tends to take on a deep red to purple color with green leaves, which is what is available at the farmers market, while hothouse grown rhubarb has more of a pink hue with yellow leaves.

A member of the buckwheat family, rhubarb is quite nutritious as an excellent source of vitamins B-complex and C, as well as dietary fiber, potassium and calcium. It is additionally low in carbohydrates and a good source of vitamin K.

While it can be eaten raw, rhubarb is almost always incorporated into dessert-type preparations. It is also quite good

SAM EDELMAN PHOTO

when quick-pickled, and when cooked, it pairs quite well with poultry dishes.

One great way to utilize the flavor and texture of fresh rhubarb is in a homemade preserve. The final product can then be used as a spread over your morning top, as an ice cream topper, or, if done in a larger quantity, a filling for dessert bars, cookies, bread and cakes.

You can utilize any type of fresh berries you have available for this recipe.

Sam Edelman is general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association and host of “Farm to Table,” which airs live 9 a.m. Thursdays on KZSB AM 1290.

RHUBARB BERRY PRESERVE

6 rhubarb stalks, well diced.

2 cups mixed berries (if using strawberries, dice).

1 cup granulated sugar.

1 teaspoon lemon juice.

In a saucepan, add all ingredients and bring to a low simmer while mixing regularly. Cook for about 12-15 minutes until reduced and thick. Mash down fruit to reach desired texture. Place in a sanitized jar, cover and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate.

PHOTOS COURTESY SANTA BARBARA FAIR & EXPO

COURTESY PHOTO

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.”

— Simone de Beauvoir

SUDOKU

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Thursday, May 4, 2023

ARIES — Are you an artist, writer, or musician, Aries? If so, your work may take on a more symbolic or impressionistic tone. Today you’re probably more interested in conveying feelings and impressions than details. It might surprise you that you’re thinking along those lines.

TAURUS — Innovative art forms might seem especially appealing today, Taurus. Stay out of gallery shops unless you’re prepared to take home a carload of merchandise. If you’re more into music, you might break the bank downloading tunes to your MP3 player.

GEMINI — Do you believe in ghosts? Some strange phone calls, emails, or other communications may come your way today, Gemini. One may come from someone who thinks you’re someone else. Phone calls may be hang-ups, wrong numbers, or phantom rings. If there’s a knock at the door, it may be the house settling and not a ghost, but it can still be rather unnerving.

CANCER — An unexpected sum of money could come your way today, Cancer. It probably won’t be large, but it will be welcome nonetheless. Perhaps someone has owed you money for a long time and finally repays it. Or you might sell an item you’ve wanted to unload for a long time.

LEO — Have you been exercising too rigorously lately, Leo? If so, you might feel some little aches and pains. Stay off your feet for most of the day. When you exercise, concentrate on stretching. Spend some time soaking in a hot tub if you can. The old saying, “No pain, no gain” has pretty much been discredited!

VIRGO — The feeling that someone is coming to visit you might be with you throughout the day, Virgo. Your intuition is probably right, except for one thing - it’s probably more than one person! Some friends may have some good news that they want to share as soon as

possible.

LIBRA — Are all of your friends into astrology, divine science, or spiritual matters, Libra? It might seem like most of them are today, anyway. You may have many new friends in those fields. You have a lot to learn from all of them, and even more that you can learn together.

SCORPIO — A love partner may host a social event or meeting of some kind, Scorpio. It might be interesting to get acquainted with friends of your mate you haven’t yet met. Some of them are probably intelligent, interesting people in fascinating professions. One of them could recommend a few books that you will definitely want to read. Have fun.

SAGITTARIUS — Are you contemplating a trip, Sagittarius, perhaps to a place you’ve always dreamed of visiting? If you’re in doubt as to whether or not you can do it, work out your budget and you might be surprised. Invite a friend or romantic partner to accompany you.

CAPRICORN — Material values may pale beside spiritual ones today, Capricorn. You might consider giving up the rat race and retreating to the wilderness. This would perhaps make a good vacation, but you probably aren’t ready to chuck it all just yet. Don’t be too hard on yourself if your enjoyment of worldly pleasures returns tomorrow.

AQUARIUS — A current or potential romantic partner might seem like the most perfect, wonderful person in the world to you, Aquarius. Your romantic nature could get the better of you today. Don’t gaze at your partner all dewy eyed! Instead, try to maintain a certain distance to avoid appearing too needy.

PISCES — You might not be able to concentrate on your work today, Pisces. Your head may be in the clouds and your eye for detail could fail you somewhat. Needless to say, this isn’t a good day to tackle new, difficult, or complicated tasks. Concentrate on routines that you can do without thinking.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Thursday, May 4, 2023

We’re all in the manufacturing business: Some people make good, some make trouble, some make amends and many of us make excuses.

Against today’s five diamonds, West led the queen of spades, and South won and drew trumps. He next led the A-K of hearts and a third heart. West won with the queen and judged that the contract was unbeatable if South had the ace of clubs. So West shifted to the deuce of clubs, and East took the ace and queen. Down one.

CLUB PITCH

“I’m safe if West has the ace of clubs,” South shrugged, “or if he doesn’t lead a club; I pitch a club from dummy on my high nine of hearts.”

Did South have a valid excuse?

South had no excuse. He should lead a trump to dummy at Trick Two, ruff a spade, lead a trump to dummy and ruff the last spade. He next leads the ace of hearts and a heart to dummy’s ten. East wins with the jack but is stuck: He must give dummy the king of clubs or concede a ruff-sluff. South also succeeds if East began with three hearts.

CODEWORD PUZZLE

dealer. What is your opening call?

ANSWER: Today’s South opened one diamond. He had a smooth auction when North raised, but a response of one spade instead would have left him with an awkward second bid. Some players would try to avoid rebid problems by opening 1NT, but that would be asking for trouble. Open one diamond and rebid two hearts or three diamonds over a one-spade response. South dealer

INSTRUCTIONS

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

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek