Santa Barbara News-Press: June 15, 2023

Born to perform

‘Seared’ actress started entertaining at an early age - B1

No interest rate hike this time

Fed decides against increase - B4

Santa Barbara shoe designer Angela Scott sued

By LIAM HIBBERT

NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The owner and operator of a popular Santa Barbarabased shoe brand, The Office of Angela Scott, is being sued on 11 complaints, including fraud of over $1.5 million to $2 million — by

Lawsuit by company co-owner alleges fraud of up to $2 million

a friend and co-owner. The suit comes from The Office of Angela Scott co-owner Bui Simon, a longtime friend of Ms. Scott, a Santa Barbara shoe designer. She alleges that, among other abuses, Ms. Scott wrongfully took more than $1.5 million to $2 million in company funds.

The case has been filed at Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The trial date is not expected to be known until October.

The Office of Angela Scott shoes have been worn by many highprofile celebrities like Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts and Montecito celebrity Ellen DeGeneres.

The shoes are currently sold in Nordstrom and have been featured on Forbes, Vogue and many other popular sites.

“This was a very deep betrayal of trust,” a knowledgeable source close to the case told the NewsPress in an exclusive interview. “It is inappropriate that this money

New projects at Goleta parks

Groundbreaking ceremonies take place at Armitos, Jonny D. Wallis parks

was taken from the company, but it is the betrayal of trust that is most important here.”

Ms. Scott was reported in the lawsuit to have been formerly employed as a personal assistant for seven years by Mrs. Simon.

Mrs. Simon was named Miss Universe in 1988 and United

Nations Goodwill Ambassador of Thailand in 1989. The money in dispute allegedly includes numerous payments for Porsches, vacations, repeated checks to herself and payments to her husband, Scott Milden.

GOP congressmen criticize FBI

Lawmakers

accuse agency of hypocrisy in its Biden and Trump investigations

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — On Monday, U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said “the Biden Justice Department and FBI are playing games with the American people by hiding the FBIgenerated 1023 document from Congress.”

He spoke on the Senate floor about how last week FBI Director Chris Wray was going to be held in contempt for refusing to produce a 1023 form that he told Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Sen. James Comer, R-Kentucky, about.

The FBI showed a redacted version of the 1023 to the committee, which alleges a bribery scheme between thenVice President Joe Biden, his son, Hunter Biden, and an executive of a Ukrainian gas company whose board member was Hunter Biden. Both Sens. Grassley and Comer made the allegations public on May 3.

On the same day the redacted form was provided, the Justice

Department announced it was indicting former President Trump for alleged mishandling of classified documents. President Trump denies the charges.

Sen. Grassley pointed out that Attorney General Merrick Garland “signed off on prosecuting Trump for conduct similar to what Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton engaged in. Two standards of justice in this country will turn our constitutional Republic upside down.

“Thanks to the political infection within the Biden Justice Department and FBI, we’re well along the road for that to happen,” he said.

He also pointed out that Wray “placed redactions on a document that’s already unclassified” and the FBI “made Congress review a redacted unclassified document in a classified facility.”

“That goes to show you the disrespect the FBI has for Congress,” he said.

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place for the splash pad at

Luz Reyes-Martín,

James

and Recreation Commission Chair Richard Jenkins.

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

The city of Goleta broke ground this week on two projects at Old Town parks.

Around 40 people showed up Monday afternoon for the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s first community garden, located at Armitos Park.

Afterward, local officials and their audience walked to nearby Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park to dedicate the groundbreaking for the city’s first splash pad.

At Armitos Park, Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards told the audience that he started with the project when he started on the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2013. “When completed, the community garden will provide a gathering place for people to congregate,

Please see PARKS on A4

WHITE HOUSE PHOTO

Donald Trump

CITY OF GOLETA PHOTOS

Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park. From left are District 1 Councilmember

District 2 Councilmember

Kyriaco, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards and Parks

City of Goleta officials and others gather for a photo during the groundbreaking for the community garden at Armitos Park.

TRAFFIC,

CRIME & FIRE BLOTTER

TRUMP

Continued from Page A1

Montecito highway project gets $52.5 million

SANTA BARBARA — The state of California has designated $52.5 million for the Highway 101: Montecito Project. The California Transportation Commission allocated the highway

construction money to Caltrans and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.

The money supports construction between San Ysidro Road and Olive Mill Road as part of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.

A significant part of the money comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 leveraged

by Measure A — the local transportation sales tax. And there’s $7 million from Community Project Funding, which SBCAG noted was delivered by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara.

“This important project will increase reliability for all travelers, allow for the efficient movement of goods and services within this important inter-regional corridor, and improve access to

communities within Santa Barbara County,” said Scott Eades, director of Caltrans District 5.

Meanwhile, to ensure adequate emergency response time during Highway 101 construction, the Montecito Fire Department has temporarily placed a Type 6 engine into service south of Highway 101.

— Dave Mason

California senators plead with EPA to allow controlled burns in new clean air rules

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — For the last few years California has had devastating wildfires ravage the land, disrupt the lives of thousands of residents and result in fatalities, and now new Environmental Protection Agency rules may make it more likely to occur again.

Last year’s Fairview fire consumed more than 28,000 acres and took two lives, but it was the Creek Fire in 2021, which burned more than 379,000 acres, that set the record for the largest single fire in California’s history. The year before that was another record-setting year- for the most wildfires in a single year – when more than 9,000 wildfires charred more than 4 million acres of land in 2020.

Now U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla, Dianne Feinstein (both D-Calif.) and 23 members of California’s House of Representatives delegation are aiming to keep

prescribed burns in California’s arsenal of tools to stop wildfires from getting out of control again. In January, the EPA proposed to tighten fine particle pollution standards triggering concern among the California representatives that the implementation of the rule could inadvertently limit land managers from deploying prescribed fires, and, in fact, have the opposite effect of improving air quality should an unplanned and uncontrollable wildfire begin.

In a letter to Michael S. Regan, Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the 25 representatives stated “... we are concerned that the proposed rule could inadvertently hinder the ability of land managers to deploy prescribed fires that help California avoid the larger catastrophic wildfires that more significantly pollute the air and threaten public safety. Therefore, throughout the rulemaking process and during implementation, we strongly

encourage the EPA to continue working closely with federal land management agencies and state, Tribal, and local air quality districts of all sizes to ensure that implementation of the final rule will enable prescribed fire to be deployed through a simple, clear, and efficient process.”

While expressing support for clean air quality and standards, the group noted, “... we must bring healthy, low intensity fire back to Western landscapes through prescribed fire and cultural burning. Scientific and public health experts agree that a significant increase in the use of these beneficial fire practices is essential to reducing overall PM 2.5 exposure and addressing the long-term impacts of rampant wildfire on our communities.”

PM 2.5 is fine particle pollution in national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) lingo and is the principal pollutant in wildfire smoke.

The letter noted that the state of California has concluded a

Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service to increase the use of fuel treatments, including prescribed fire to 1 million acres per year by 2025, while the Department of the Interior is still considering the role of prescribed burns, although they agree in principle.

The main concern expressed in the letter was that California’s Air Districts will, without clear guidance from EPA, reduce prescribed burns rather than risk the consequences of “nonattainment.”

Non-attainment is the failure to meet particulate matter measurement set by National Ambient Air Quality Standard by the deadline mandated in the Clean Air Act.

“We urge you to continue to collaborate with land managers, air districts, and fire practitioners to ensure that prescribed fire can be deployed in an efficient and timely way under the new standards,” the group pleaded.

No mail, no News-Press on Monday

All branches of the U.S. Post Office will be closed Monday for the federal observation of Juneteenth.

There will be no mail. And that means the News-Press, which

is distributed through the mail, won’t publish on Monday. But our office in Goleta will be open during its normal hours. And the News-Press will publish as usual this Friday, Saturday and

Tuesday.

Federal offices and banks will be closed Monday. The Juneteenth holiday celebrates the emancipation of black slaves in America. It is

celebrated on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Major Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for slaves in Texas.

— Dave Mason

The 1023 states that a Ukrainian executive who allegedly bribed President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, has 17 audio recordings of his conversations with them. There are reportedly 15 audio recordings of phone calls between him and Hunter Biden and two of him and thenVice President Joe Biden. The recordings, Sen. Grassley said, “were allegedly kept as a sort of insurance policy for the foreign national in case he got into a tight spot. The 1023 also indicates that then-Vice President Joe Biden may have been involved in Burisma employing Hunter Biden.”

Sen. Grassley asked if the Department of Justice and FBI had investigated these allegations at all or just hid them.

A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee for the Democrats told The Washington Post, when FBI agents provided the redacted form they “informed the Committee, in no uncertain terms, that this assessment was closed in August 2020 after it failed to identify sufficient evidence to justify further investigation.”

But Sen. Grassley argued the FBI “will use every resource to investigate candidate Trump, President Trump and former

President Trump” and “haven’t nearly had the same laser focus on the Biden family.”

He also pointed out that Special Counsel Jack Smith “has used a recording against former President Trump,” but the FBI isn’t doing the same with the president and his son. He added that the American public and Congress needed to know the truth and that Congress must assert its “constitutional congressional oversight powers against an out-of-control Executive Branch drunk with political infection. Remember, Congress has received 1023’s in the past, and they’ve been made public. So asking for this 1023 to be turned over to the American people to read is not unusual.”

He also said he wants “everyone to remember that I have read the unredacted version.”

On Tuesday at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, asked Paul Abbate, deputy director of the FBI, for a copy of the form and the 17 audio recordings. Mr. Abbate said he would “take back” the request to his superiors. Sen. Cruz said he was “stonewalling” and “destroying” the institution by weaponizing it against political opponents.

According to a recent ABC/ Ipsos poll, a plurality of American voters believe the charges against Mr. Trump are politically motivated.

lb. 5 98 $

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VOL. 167 NO.

UCSB athletes featured on baseball coaches’ all-region teams

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The American Baseball Coaches Association announced its 2023 ABCA/Rawlings All-Region teams this week, with UCSB’s Matt Ager and Hudson Barrett each featured on All-West Region squads.

Barrett made the All-Region First Team as a reliever, while Ager was one of three starting pitchers on the All-Region Second Team. Both pitchers will be attending USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team Training Camp later in June and can add their All-Region selections to growing lists of

honors.

Barrett has already been named a Freshman AllAmerican twice after his stellar rookie campaign, earning the distinction from Collegiate Baseball News and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The lefty from Bakersfield led all qualified Division-I rookies with a 1.92 ERA this season and led all freshman relievers with 82 strikeouts, ranking fifth and third among all qualified pitchers during the regular season, respectively.

In his 17 appearances out of the bullpen, Barrett allowed just three runs in 40 innings for a 0.68 ERA as a reliever. He was named

Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year and selected to the All-Big West First Team.

Ager joined Barrett as a First Team all-conference selection in what was his first season in a starting role. He took up the mantle of UCSB’s Friday starter and ace, pitching 92 1/3 innings in 15 games with a 3.12 ERA. His 115 strikeouts ranked tenth in Division I.

The sophomore worked 11 quality starts — six or more innings pitched with three or fewer runs allowed — on the year, including eight of his first 10. He was twice named Big West Pitcher of the Week.

The ABCA will announce its All-America selections on Friday

Nevada Senate approves $380M deal to bring A’s to Las Vegas

By JON STYF THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — The Nevada Senate approved an amended deal to put up to $380 million in public funding toward a stadium and entertainment development project to bring the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas.

The Senate passed the deal with a 13-8 vote, and the bill will now move on to the Assembly in the second week of the special session.

The bill includes a tax capture at the complex expected not only to pay off up to $175 million in bonds but also to fund future capital projects at the stadium, which will be required by a “firstclass” clause in a 30-year lease the Athletics plan to sign.

The amended bill requires the team to fund a community benefits

fund with $500,000 each year until the 30,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof opens in 2028 and then bump that contribution up to $1.5 million annually or 1% of the team’s annual ticket revenue, whichever is higher.

The bill also requires the stadium to be built on the Tropicana site.

The stadium tax capture will collect all sales, payroll, insurance, gross revenue, ticket and liquor taxes at the nine-acre site – planned to be built at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue on the site of the current Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Resort – along with transportation taxes on trips to and from the complex. The Athletics will be able to sell stadium naming rights and keep those funds.

Sen. Dallas Harris, D-Las Vegas, said she did not support the bill but appreciated the amendments that were made.

Sen. Fabian Doñate, D-Las Vegas, agreed, saying that he was pleased to see the community benefit to end homelessness expanded to all of Clark County instead of just the area around the Las Vegas Strip.

Sen. Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, said he is fearful this deal will open the door for someone like Steve Wynn to come to the state asking for tax incentives to build a new casino based on employment and tax projections, just like the team.

“These bills are great, and I have no doubt that the A’s will make money, but if that’s the case, why are we holding the taxpayers accountable for financing it?” Sen. Hansen asked.

House members file Moneyball Act, protesting Oakland A’s relocation to Las Vegas

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square)

— Two Democratic U.S. representatives from California introduced a bill in response to the Oakland Athletics’ attempt to relocate to Las Vegas.

Reps. Barbara Lee and Mark DeSaulnier introduced the “Moneyball Act” this week.

It would require the owners of any professional baseball team seeking to relocate to compensate the state and local authorities they move away from. If the owners do not cooperate, the league will be subjected to the anti-trust laws they have been exempt from for over 100 years.

Rep. Lee recently sent Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred a letter asking him to stay out of relocation negotiations. Mr. Manfred previously discussed waiving MLB’s relocation fee, making it cheaper for MLB teams to relocate.

“This legislation will ensure that no city and community is left behind when billionaires decide that lining their own pockets is more important than the community that supports them,” Rep. Lee said in a news release issued by her office.

“The Oakland Athletics have been an institution of the East Bay for over half a century.

If the A’s ownership group decides to leave, Oakland should not be left emptyhanded.”

Rep. DeSaulnier said the lawmakers filed the bill to combat “corporate greed in sports.”

“I am proud to introduce this bill with Congresswoman Lee on behalf of the East Bay and communities across the country that stand to lose out as a result of corporate greed in sports,” Rep. DeSaulnier said in the release.

The bill aims to compensate cities for lost jobs, revenue, and commerce due to a team

relocating.

MLB claims it needs an antitrust exemption to stop teams from frequently relocating, according to the release.

“However, if a professional baseball club is deliberately incentivized to leave their home city and bring their revenue elsewhere, the legal and public policy bases for such exemption should be nullified, rendering MLB subject to the Sherman Act,” the release said. While the Athletics want to relocate to Nevada, the interest is mutual.

The Nevada Senate recently approved an amended deal to provide up to $380 million in taxpayer funding for a stadium and entertainment development project that would involve bringing the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas. It would require the Athletics to sign a 30-year lease to stay in the city and aims to construct a 30,000seat baseball stadium with a retractable roof by 2028.

Biden DOL secretary nominee told California Labor offices to obstruct immigration enforcement

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — President Biden’s nominee for the secretary of labor, Julie Su, directed state employees to not comply with federal immigration law when she led California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement under former Gov. Jerry Brown.

Ms. Su issued two memos to her then-employees instructing them not to comply with requests made by ICE and Border Patrol agents, one in May and July of 2017. In her July 7, 2017, memo obtained by The Center Square, she wrote, “A worker’s immigration status is irrelevant in determining whether an employer has violated state labor laws.”

Federal law established by Congress states that illegal entry into the U.S. is a federal crime necessitating removal, with some exceptions. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas changed

multiple aspects of how agents are to enforce or not enforce the law, prompting multiple states to sue.

Ms. Su also said in the memo, “There is no doubt the presence of federal immigration agents in our offices would have a substantial chilling effect on the willingness of workers to report labor law violations” and would cause “considerable harm” to workers.

Tom Homan, the former acting director of ICE in the Trump administration, criticized her nomination, saying it was another attempt by the Biden administration to not enforce federal immigration laws.

“Once again, this administration is taking steps to NOT enforce the laws enacted by Congress,” he told The Center Square. “A major pull factor for illegal immigration is jobs. DHS Secretary Mayorkas has already forbid ICE from worksite enforcement operations, and now he instructs DOL not to share information on companies

and its National Pitcher and Player of the Year selections on June 26. As a First Team AllWest Region member, Barrett is eligible to be selected as an All-American, as are the first teamers from the ABCA’s other seven regions.

Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 40 countries. The AllRegion teams are voted on by members of the association.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

RADIO FOR HERE

FROM HERE

that hire illegal aliens. This is disgusting and because of the fact the child trafficking and child labor is at an all-time high because of the open border, this will make it more difficult to find and save these children.”

Prior to issuing the memo she expressed her opposition to federal immigration laws in a chapter she wrote in a 2000-era book about INS and the “criminalization of immigrant workers.” In it, she wrote, “By attacking (illegal foreign nationals) for their immigration status, the U.S. government ensures that they remain beyond legal protections and justifies their exploitation.”

She also criticizes Immigration and Naturalization Service agents in the chapter for enforcing federal immigration law. (INS was later merged into the Department of Homeland Security after 9/11.) She wrote, “The INS war

Hiding the mountains

Lawsuit alleges Ms. Scott wrote checks to herself

LAWSUIT

Continued from Page A1

“(Ms.) Scott repeatedly lied to Plaintiff (Ms. Simon) regarding Mr. Milden’s involvement in the Company,” reads the lawsuit. “Denying that he was an employee when directly questioned by Plaintiff (Mrs. Simon).” According to the lawsuit, Ms. Scott later admitted to more than $1 million in company payments to her husband, including over $280,000 in 2021.

Along with the allegations of Porsches, vacations and other luxury expenses, the lawsuit alleges that Ms. Scott has written checks to herself. According to the lawsuit, these “guaranteed payments” are supposedly not part of the company contract, yet she “has continued to improperly pay herself compensation in the form of a “guaranteed payment” of $9,615 every two weeks ($250,000 per year) through the date of this Complaint.”

The Office of Angela Scott, although profitable since around 2019, was not yet supposed to pay either Ms. Scott or Mrs. Simon.

FIVE-DAY FORECAST

Bonta demands documents in Florida transport of illegal immigrants to California

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta has requested documents from the Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

“This request encompasses every record related to the transportation of migrants into California. It encompasses but is not limited to transportations that originated in El Paso, TX, Las Cruces, NM, and/or Deming, NM, and arrived in Sacramento, CA on June 2, 2023 and June 5, 2023, as well as any future transportations,” Bonta said in the letter.

to New Mexico, then relocated to California.

Citizens from these two countries are subject to an immigration rule that requires them to pre-apply for asylum in the United States before crossing the border or to seek asylum in the first country into which they cross.

“The rule encourages migrants to avail themselves of lawful, safe and orderly pathways into the United States, or otherwise to seek asylum or other protection in another country through which they travel,” a description by Homeland Security says.

farmworkers,” a description on its site read. “We collaborate with different agencies of social services, legal and health, and we provide information for these services. And through all of this, we support family unity … We have an active ministry in three migrant camps: one in Davis, one in Dixon, and another in Madison.”

This was reported in the lawsuit in an effort to grow the company and pay off debts. It should also be noted that the lawsuit reports Ms. Scott was paid $70,000 yearly for work at Mrs. Simon’s scholarship foundation, Angels Wings. The alleged misuses of company funds were found when Ms. Scott asked for a half million dollar bonus for her work over 10 years at the shoe company.

Mrs. Simon “happily agreed to review the Company’s finances to see if the Company was in the position to pay Defendant Scott her requested $500,000 bonus to celebrate ten years in business,” said the lawsuit.

Instead, the lawsuit reports that Mrs. Simon found evidence of embezzlement of over $1 million from Ms. Scott and her husband.

The complaint has been filed on behalf of The Office of Angela Scott shoe company and asks for the money to be paid back to the company.

Angela Scott and Scott Milden did not respond to requests for comment from the News-Press. email: lhibbert@newspress.com

A similar request for all communications, bids, instructions and contracts involving the movement of the immigrants was made to the Division of Emergency Management.

“These letters represent our commitment to transparency and justice. We need to understand

DOL

Continued from Page A3

While people have been defined as undocumented and therefore ‘illegal,’ capital has escaped such characterization.”

Ms. Su’s nomination process has been met with heated opposition, some of which from her home state. A coalition of Californians in a group, Stand Against Su, is urging the Senate to oppose her nomination because “Thousands of workers have already suffered

PARKS

Continued from Page A1

spend time with their family, meet neighbors and help combat food insecurity.”

The community garden will be built in an undeveloped part of the park, south of its playground. There will be 50 raised garden plots, including 10 large ones, and amenities such as a picnic area with a pizza oven, a gathering/

the circumstances that led to the implementation of this operation,”

Attorney General Bonta said.

Thirty-six immigrants were flown into Sacramento on June 2 and 5. The majority of the charter flight migrants were primarily from Columbia and Venezuela. The individuals were transported from El Paso, Texas

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS Attorney General Rob Bonta against immigrant workers creates a wholly exploited and exploitable workforce that serves the interests of corporate profit.

thanks to Su’s anti-business agenda.” They argue in online and billboard campaigns as well as on their website that Ms. Su oversaw the largest instance of taxpayer fund fraud in California history under Gov. Gavin Newsom as the secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

Under Gov. Newsom, the agency she oversaw paid $400 million in fraudulent unemployment payments to California inmates. The state later hired a former federal prosecutor as special counsel to investigate the largest employment fraud in California history. Initially, the fraud was believed to total $19 billion but later totaled $40 billion, including

education area and tool sheds.

At Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, the splash pad will lie between the basketball court and a picnic shelter.

“The splash pad has been in the works for a long time and fulfills our vision for a water feature to serve people of different ages and help them keep cool on hot days,” said James Kyriaco, who represents District 2 on the council.

“I look forward to seeing this

The undocumented immigrants were transported by Vertol Systems Company, Inc., and Berry Aviation, contracted by the state of Florida under its Voluntary Migrant Transport Program. The ending destination for the June 2 immigrants was the Catholic diocese in Sacramento.

The Catholic diocese runs ministries that serve migrant communities. “We are ready to support, recognize and welcome the community of migrant

fraudulent payments made to death row inmates and deceased residents.

The state’s unemployment insurance fund deficit is now over $18 billion, which led to the state taxing employers by up to several hundred dollars per employee to cover losses, which businesses call “the Su Tax.”

Ms. Su also championed AB 5, the controversial law requiring independent contractors in California to be full-time employees. When enacted, it immediately led to significant layoffs, an exodus of contract workers, and a lawsuit filed by Lyft, Uber and others.

Ms. Su promised to audit and investigate businesses and

project completed this year!”

Mr. Kyriaco told the audience at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park.

In addition to the splash pad, the park will receive improvements such as fencing for basketball and pickleball and shade structures over picnic areas.

The city of Goleta said it plans to install construction fencing for both parks’ projects by next week.

The city also noted all of

In addition, the Diocesan Immigrant Support Network works to build a network of support for immigrant parishioners throughout the Diocese. The network provides reliable and timely information, and access to immigration legal services.

The Department of Justice has launched an investigation to see if any laws warranting criminal or civil action were broken.

“The information gathered will be crucial in determining whether the law has been violated and, if so, what subsequent steps are required to prevent such disregard for human rights from recurring,” Attorney General Bonta stated.

workers who didn’t comply, saying AB 5 “will be a model for the country.” She’s also come under fire by House Republicans for not knowing how she voted on a key labor proposition in California.

When asked on June 7 by newly elected Rep. Kevin Kiley, a former state lawmaker who sued Gov. Gavin Newsom over lockdown policies, how she voted on Proposition 22, she said she didn’t know. California voters overwhelmingly passed the ballot measure to exempt Uber and Lyft from AB 5. When testifying before the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, Ms. Su said she couldn’t remember how she voted on it.

Armitos Park will be closed during the construction. But parts of Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park are expected to remain open. The closed portions will include the basketball court, parts of the parking lot, the bocce and Bankshot courts, one of the picnic shelters and the chess/ checker tables. The city expects construction to be completed by mid-October. email: dmason@newspress.com

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.

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS

Heavy fog blankets the Santa Ynez Mountains as seen Wednesday from East Camino Cielo in Santa Barbara. The National Weather Service said partly cloudy conditions will linger through at least June 21 in Santa Barbara County as June gloom continues. But the weather is expected to get warmer by this weekend, with highs rising to the low 70s in much of the county. Santa Ynez will be even warmer, with a high of 79 expected on Saturday.

Life theArts

A sizzling role

Angela Sauer loves playing a restaurant consultant in Ensemble Theatre Company’s ‘Seared’

Editor’s note: This is a follow-up story on “Seared,” which is being performed at The New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara. Last week the News-Press published a story on the overall play. This article focuses on one actress and her career on stage and screen.

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Angela Sauer couldn’t wait to perform. “I think I came out of my mother’s womb tap dancing,” Ms. Sauer told the News-Press. “I was born to be on the stage. My parents put me in a theater class when I was 3 years old.

“I always had a performative personality,” the Los Angeles resident said. “I always wanted to be dancing or telling you a joke.”

She grew up to become an actress whose day job is working as a guide for the VIP tours at Universal Studios Hollywood. But at nights in June, you’ll see her in the first Ensemble Theatre Company production to feature real cooking on stage.

The play’s about a chef and his restaurant, and it’s called — what else? — “Seared.”

The comedy/ drama continues through June 25 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara.

a restaurant consultant who knows nothing about food but everything about marketing, and she’s determined to make the Brooklyn restaurant a success.

Ms. Sauer loves playing colorful characters on the stage, but despite being a natural performer since birth, she didn’t decide immediately on acting career.

“I didn’t always know I wanted to be an actress,” Ms. Sauer told the News-Press. “It was not until my junior year of college when I decided theater shouldn’t just be something I did at school. It should be my major.”

She earned her bachelor’s of arts in theater in 2006 at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana and her master’s in fine arts in acting in 2011 at Florida State University Asolo Conservatory.

Today she walks seven miles a day as a guide leading the six-hour VIP tour for a dozen or so guests at Universal Studios Hollywood. She’s on a trolley with them, and the trolley takes them to famous outdoor sets, where they get out and walk around.

FYI

Ensemble Theatre Company continues to perform “Seared” at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Preview shows are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday. The regular run is from Saturday through June 25.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, with an additional performance at 4 p.m. this Saturday.

Ticket prices range from $40 to $84.

Written by Theresa Rebeck, “Seared” is directed by ETC Artistic Director Jonathan Fox. And it features Andrew Elvis Miller (“Dexter,” “NCIS” and “Halston”) as temperamental head chef Harry, Gary Patent as Harry’s business partner Mike and Ronald Auguste (“NCIS: Los Angeles” and “Station 19”) as friendly waiter Rodney. Harry just got praise in a food magazine for his scallops, and if he cooks them for the masses, his and Mike’s struggling restaurant could succeed.

To purchase, call the ETC box office at 805-965-5400 or visit etcsb.org. Prices are subject to change.

Before that, she was a guide in the regular tour trams at Universal.

“I’m actually the only person in the cast (of ‘Seared’) who has a full-time day job, 40 hours a week,” said Ms. Sauer, who took a leave of absence from Universal Studios Hollywood to perform in “Seared.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Sauer performed in many plays, varying from “How I Learned to Drive” to “Othello,” according to her website (angelasauer.com).

She’s also acted on TV in shows such as “The Mindy Project,” the 2012-17 comedy that starred Mindy Kaling as a doctor.

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.

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

7 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony and vocalist Tony DeSare will perform Frank Sinatra’s hits at The Granada, 1214 State St. Tickets for “An Evening with Sinatra” can be purchased at granadasb.org.

7:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre Company is performing “Seared,” a comedy/drama about a restaurant, through June 25 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Ticket prices range from $40 to $84. To purchase, call the ETC box office at 805-965-5400 or visit etcsb. org. Prices are subject to change.

JUNE 16 4 and 7:30 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

8 p.m. Ensemble Theatre Company is performing “Seared,” a comedy/ drama about a restaurant, through June 25 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Ticket prices range from $40 to $84. To purchase, call the ETC box office at 805-965-5400 or visit etcsb.org. Prices are subject to change.

There’s just one problem: Harry doesn’t want to be stuck cooking scallops for the rest of his career.

And in that sense, “Seared” is looking at commercialism vs. creativity.

Ms. Sauer, 38, who appeared in the Netflix series adaptation of “Steel Magnolias,” portrays Emily,

Elsewhere on TV, Ms. Sauer’s roles have varied from an art teacher in the 2022 remake of “Quantum Leap” to a police officer in a 2019 episode of “Jane the Virgin.”

In addition to playing characters, Ms. Sauer likes to perform amateur close-up magic. “Seared” is Ms. Sauer’s first play since the pandemic, and she said she was impressed with the script and her character — Emily, the restaurant consultant.

“The thing that really drew me in was not only was it (‘Seared’) funny, not only did it have something to say, but it has a real ending,” Ms. Sauer said. “This one has an ending that will leave you thinking about it.”

“I think the playwright has done a wonderful job of making every character’s perspective very clear,” Ms. Sauer said. “They all have defensible positions, even

though they’re in conflict.”

Ms. Sauer said she fell in love with her character, whose restaurant knowledge is so limited that she doesn’t know what a toaster oven is.

“I’m wearing very bright colors, and I’m very loud and storm in with this high level of energy,” she said. “I’m kind of goofy and silly.”

But Emily is smarter than you

think.

“It’s very easy when she comes in, to underestimate her as the annoying, comic relief,” Ms. Sauer said. “But she’s super smart and manipulative. She’s going to run everything.

“I love playing the character who’s secretly the smartest character in the room.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

JUNE 17 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

6 p.m. Momentum Dance Company will perform “The Glow Gala” at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The twohour show will feature tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary dance and acrobatics with a total of 44 numbers. Dancers range in age from 3 to 18. Tickets cost $50. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

8 p.m. Ensemble Theatre Company is performing “Seared,” a comedy/drama about a restaurant, through June 25 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Ticket prices range from $40 to $84. To purchase, call the ETC box office at 805-965-5400 or visit etcsb. org. Prices are subject to change.

JUNE 18

12:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

JUNE 19

6:30 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its final show June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

Managing

THURSDAY,

COURTESY PHOTO Vocalist Tony DeSare will perform Frank Sinatra’s hits with the Santa Barbara Symphony tonight at The Granada.

ZACH MENDEZ PHOTOS

Head chef Harry (Andrew Elvis Miller) gets advice from restaurant consultant Emily (Angela Sauer) in “Seared.” The Ensemble Theatre Company’s production continues through June 25 at the New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara.

At left, Emily (Angela Sauer) and waiter Rodney (Ronald Auguste) watch as head chef Harry (Andrew Elvis Miller), left , listens to his restaurant partner Mike (Gary Patent). At right, restaurant partner Mike (Gary Patent) listens to restaurant consultant Emily (Angela Sauer). Ms. Sauer said her character, who knows nothing about food but a lot about marketing, is smarter than she appears.

Her Family Farm has some extraordinary basil at the Saturday Santa Barbara Farmers Market right now, with sweet Italian, Thai, purple and lemon basil all on hand.

Grabbing a bunch of each, I was excited to fill my kitchen with jars of this aromatic herb, which truly reminds me of the summer season to come.

The most aromatic was the lemon basil, delivering strong notes of lemon and sweet licorice. This variety is excellent when used to make flavorful salad dressings, over freshly grilled fish, or when added to a basil coconut curry soup.

This week I prepared lemon basil, stone fruit and mixed berry salad as the Fix of the Week, elsewhere on this page.

Basil is best used when added just before serving for optimum flavor. You can find lemon basil at the Saturday Santa Barbara and Sunday Camino Real farmers’ market weekly.

Price averages $3 per bunch.

consumed. With a wonderful dynamic sweet-tart flavor and earthy undertones, these berries are plump, juicy and loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. Eat as they come, incorporate them into a host of desserts, enjoy them as beverages, or in fruit and mixed green salads. Blackberries pair very well with cheese and nuts, as well as poultry and pork preparations. You can currently find blackberries from several local growers, available at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers markets. Price averages $5 per basket.

Blackberries

This weekend I brought home a 3-pack of giant blackberries sourced from the Chavez Family Farm, which my kids quickly

Sungold cherry tomato

The first outdoor tomatoes are starting to trickle in, with the small cherry types the first on the scene. These smaller, round orange tomatoes deliver a nice sweet and fruity flavor. They are texturally quite delicate so should be consumed as close to harvest as possible. Their skins tend to be quite thin and are very juicy inside, making them a nice addition to pasta dishes, salads, or to just eat as they come. A hybrid variety native to Japan, they have become a customer favorite over the years. Certified organic is available. You can expect to find sungold cherry tomatoes from several local farmers at most weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets. Price averages $5 per basket.

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. Sam Edelman photos

FARMERS MARKET

Sam Edelman

Fresh aromatic basil is starting to make an appearance at weekly area farmers markets.

Delivering the true essence of summer, this fresh herb is by far my favorite to emerge all year.

Whether used to top fresh slices of layered tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, added to your favorite stir fry, or blended to produce a flavorful salad dressing, basil is one item you should consider keeping in your kitchen for the months to come.

While basil has been available in moderation over the past few months from greenhouse growers, the core season for this fresh herb produced under the sun’s rays runs from early June through October. There are several varieties of fresh basil to choose from locally, all delivering slightly different flavors and textures. The most common is the sweet Italian basil, which produces the largest and sweetest leaves, which are bright green.

It is by far the most versatile and

‘Strange New Worlds’ returns

Celia Rose Gooding is back as communications officer Uhura in today’s second season premiere of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” the series set on the Enterprise in the era before Capt. James T. Kirk, on Paramount+. Today’s episode is called “The Broken Circle.”

easiest to work with in the kitchen. This variety is commonly used in Italian style dishes, often seen chopped over fresh pasta, on a caprese salad, or on a homemade pizza. It is also the best for a homemade bruschetta or fresh pesto.

The other main types of basil you will find locally are lemon basil, Thai basil and purple basil.

Lemon basil is like an infusion of fresh lemon worked into the Italian style basil, noticeable both in the aroma and flavor. The leaves are also large and bright green, but not quite the size of Italian basil.

Lemon basil is wonderful when used to flavor coconut soups and is my top choice when serving freshly cooked fish.

Fresh basil is best stored in a cool area of your kitchen with the stems in a jar of water. I recommend that you cut the base end of the stems every few days, as well as change the water.

Basil stored in the refrigerator tends to spoil very quickly, often turning black after just a couple of days. When properly taken

care of, fresh basil can last for a couple of weeks. If you see basil sold with the roots still attached, you can simply place the roots in a cup of water on the countertop and change the water out every four or five days without any need to cut them. Basil with the roots attached will last for up to a month on the countertop.

Fresh basil is best when added to your dishes at the very end of the cooking process. When exposed to too much heat, the characteristic flavor of fresh basil diminishes greatly.

Whether adding to soups, stirfries or sauces, add your raw chopped basil just before serving for optimum flavor.

With lemon basil from Her Family farm looking amazing this weekend, I utilized my fresh basil in a summer stone fruit and berry salad.

LEMON BASIL, STONE FRUIT, AND BERRY SALAD

1-pound assorted stone fruit, firm-ripe.

1 basket strawberries.

1 basket blueberries.

1 basket black berries.

½ cup walnut pieces or pistachios.

½ cup cubed feta cheese.

½ cup lemon basil leaves, cut into thin ribbons.

Optional: olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar to taste.

Discard the pits from the stone fruit, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Slice strawberries and toss with stone fruit and remaining ingredients.

If desired, you can drizzle with a very small amount of olive oil and a little aged balsamic vinegar.

Yield: Serves 8 sides.

MICHAEL GIBSON/PARAMOUNT+

Thought for Today

—

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Thursday, June 15, 2023

ARIES — This is a moment to start being creative and stop worrying that you don’t have talent, Aries. Who’s to say what “talent” is? In the romance department, the love of your life might be right under your nose. Try lifting your eyes from the romance novels and look around.

TAURUS — You may be a bit unclear about your professional direction today, Taurus. Your motivation has disappeared without warning. What happened? It may be that you need to become involved in projects that have more universal resonance. Projects that concern only your interests or that are of narrow scope no longer hold your attention.

GEMINI — You could be seeing mirages at the moment, Gemini, most notably in the environment around you. You may have the impression that people are lying to you or that they’re hiding something from you. Or it may be that you’re the one who lies about certain things or hides what you do.

CANCER — Hold on to your wallet, Cancer, because you may have some strange {though noble) impulses to give away your money or spend a large amount on something useless. You should think about spending your money in a better way or not at all. Why not consider donating some of your time rather than money to those in need?

LEO — Today isn’t a good day to sign contracts or make any substantial purchases, Leo. Go to the grocery store, by all means, but buy hamburger, not tenderloin. Keep your money at home and safeguard your reserves. Don’t negotiate about anything. No matter how good the offer sounds or how compelling the deal, walk away.

VIRGO — Are you certain you can’t modify your current situation, Virgo? Are you a prisoner of a lifestyle that isn’t of your own making or is a throwback to the past? People have been asking you to take on too many responsibilities and this is weighing you down. Don’t be afraid to distance yourself from these situations. Learn to say no. LIBRA — The forecast for you

DAILY

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Cy the Cynic defines the difference between good advice and meddling: He provides good advice; other people meddle.

Cy, today’s North, could have overcalled 1NT at his first turn but doubled instead; he didn’t like his spade holding for notrump. When South “advanced” 1NT, Cy raised to game. West led the seven of spades: five, ten, queen. South finessed in diamonds through West and cashed four diamonds. West threw hearts. When South led a heart next, West won and led the king of spades. South had only eight tricks, and West won the last four tricks with the ace of clubs and good spades.

OVERTRICK

“A bit of advice,” Cy told his partner. “Let East’s ten of spades win. East must shift, and you have time to force out West’s aces and make the contract.”

“Mind your own business,” South snapped. “If East has a second spade, I go down two.”

Your partner’s dummy play should be none of your concern, but Cy had a point. South’s only chance to make 3NT is to duck the first trick.

at your

is excellent, Libra. You can rely on today’s aspects to restore your self-confidence, which has been sorely tried during the past few days. The charismatic seducer in you can swagger forth, certain of conquest. However, don’t go too far. Wait a while for reality to dispel the cloud of ecstasy and you will be able to see the future more clearly.

SCORPIO — You may have some trouble communicating today, Scorpio. It’s as though something is distorting your perception. Don’t be surprised if once evening comes you feel like forgetting about everything and traveling to the other side of the world. Tomorrow you will see clearly again.

SAGITTARIUS — You are radiant and glowing with happiness today, Sagittarius! This is a refreshing change after the gloom of the past few weeks. Apparently, the decisions you made worked out for the best. Or even better, perhaps you’re in love? In any case, it will be even easier than usual for you to communicate with others and share your joy.

CAPRICORN — Your goal for today is to enchant your mate. There’s no reason not to try. Indeed, it’s an excellent day for love. But don’t exaggerate your seductive wiles, Capricorn. Since the day’s aspects tend to distort your perception of things, you may be deceived by what you see in the mirror.

AQUARIUS — You’re in splendid shape today, Aquarius! Did a fairy godmother brandish a magic wand to dispel all the little difficulties of the past few weeks? Enjoy this moment of relief from worries. As for your love life, some exciting opportunities may arise. Be on the lookout for them. Whatever you do, don’t let them pass you by!

PISCES — It’s certainly clear that you have faith in your actions, Pisces! You feel no fear or doubt as you progress toward your goals at a fast clip, cruising along on calm seas under clear skies. This new atmosphere is likely the product of your renewed commitment. Reward yourself for your accomplishments, but you should wait a few days before launching an all-out celebration.

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

INSTRUCTIONS

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

right, opens one club. You overcall one spade, and your partner bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner does not have clubs. His cue bid in opener’s suit suggests spade support and game interest. With a minimum hand and a spade fit, he would raise to two spades; a jump-raise to three spades would be preemptive. Since you have a sixth spade and a sound hand, bid four spades.

West dealer N-S vulnerable

“Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.”

J. Paul Getty