Santa Barbara News-Press: June 22, 2023

Day Trips

Federal Trade Commission alleges ‘manipulative, coercive, or deceptive’ practices -

summer starts with sunshine

People take advantage of weather before clouds return

Durham: Feds had no real evidence to investigate Russian collusion

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –

Former Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice John Durham testified Wednesday that the federal government had no substantive basis to begin its 2016 probe into Russian collusion with the Trump campaign.

During the Trump administration, former Attorney General Bill Barr tapped Mr. Durham to investigate Crossfire-Hurricane, the name for the FBI probe into alleged collusion between Russia and the campaign of then-candidate Donald Trump.

Mr. Durham said “the FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research like the Steele Dossier.” That dossier became the foundation for the FBI’s investigation but was almost certainly a political document funded by the Clinton campaign.

“The FBI relied on the dossier in FISA warrant applications knowing that it likely originated from the Clinton campaign,”

Mr. Durham testified. “It did so even after the President of the United States, the FBI and CIA Directors, and others received briefings about intelligence suggesting that there was a Clinton campaign plan under way to stir up a

Beachgoers enjoy the sea

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

The sun pushed June gloom aside and seized the sky Wednesday — the official first day of summer.

Under blue skies, crowds hurried down to Santa Barbara County beaches. Some had fun in the Pacific while others were content to lie in their swimsuits and soak up the California rays. Others enjoyed a view of the beach as they enjoyed lunch at places such as the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. (Officially that beach is Arroyo Burro Beach, but residents call it Hendry’s Beach.)

Temperatures were pleasantly warm. Highs were 77 in Santa Barbara, 76 in Goleta and 73 in Santa Ynez, according to the National

Please see SUMMER on A4

Summer Solstice fest to take root Friday

Annual parade will go down Santa Barbara Street on Saturday

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration opens Friday with the theme of “roots” in Alameda Park.

There will be non-stop music, arts and crafts, food booths, and a beer and wine garden.

The parade will start at noon Saturday at Santa Barbara and Ortega Streets, then proceed on Santa Barbara Street to the Solstice Festival at the park.

In honor of the “roots” theme, there will be root-related floats in the parade, and, of course, root beer floats.

“This year’s Summer Solstice Festival will have an extra whimsical touch that you will not want to miss,” said Festival Activation Coordinator Olivia Sorgman. “We want our guests to enjoy being participants, not just spectators.”

During the parade, invitations will be handed out with instructions such as:

• “Pass from Spring to

Please see SOLSTICE on

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Wednesday at Hendry’s Beach in Santa Barbara on the day of Summer Solstice, which marks the first day of summer.

Highs were 77 in Santa Barbara, 76 in Goleta and 73 in Santa Ynez.

Carbajal, others back agricultural automation development

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal has joined his colleagues in the House to introduce a bipartisan bill promoting agricultural automation research and development.

The colleagues are Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.; Max Miller, ROhio, and Abigail Spanberger, DVirginia.

“Growing up, I worked summers with my father as a farmworker, understanding firsthand the backbreaking work of picking fruits and vegetables in the fields of the Central Coast,” Rep. Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, said in a news release.

“Decades later, despite the world around us being completely revolutionized by technological breakthroughs, farmworkers in California’s specialty crop fields still are

using some of the same handpicking and labor-intensive methods that my dad and I used,” he said. “As the son of a farmworker and someone who knows the difference technological improvements could make, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to support research and development for specialty crop growing and harvesting.

“Undertaken in the right way, with guardrails like those included in our bill, breakthroughs in this space will improve the quality of life for our farmworkers, and ensure we have a more sustainable workforce that is prepared to cultivate the farms of tomorrow.”

The legislation would:

• Establish an industry-derived specialty crop committee that annually consults with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,

ensuring critical feedback from and relevance to the specialty crop industry.

• Provide $20 million in annual funding ($100 million over a fiveyear Farm Bill).

• Prioritize projects that address the training or retraining of any impacted employees. This includes retraining productionoriented employees to operate and maintain the machinery or systems that result from these projects.

• Make clear that eligible proposals and projects must focus on the modification or reduction of labor-intensive tasks in specialty crop growing and harvesting operations.

• Model aspects of existing USDA grant governance structures that emphasize multi-disciplinary, multiinstitutional approaches, allowing for public and private research institutions and companies to

Salmonella case reported in SB County

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

There has been one confirmed case of backyard poultry salmonella infection in Santa Barbara County.

chickens and ducks, can carry salmonella even if they look healthy and clean, the health department said in a news release.

partner with industry. email: dmason@newspress.com

Gavin Newsom pushing $4.68 billion mental health reform bond proposal

By TOM JOYCE

(The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom is teaming up with state lawmakers to propose a $4.68 billion bond and modernization of the Mental Health Services Act for the March 2024 election.

The proposal would give California the necessary resources to, “build 10,000 new beds across community treatment campuses and facilities to help Californians with serious mental illness and substance use disorders get the housing and care they need,” according to a release from the governor’s office.

“We are facing a confluence of crises: mental health, opioids, housing, and homelessness – and this transformative effort will ensure California is tackling these head-on in a comprehensive and inclusive way,” Gov. Newsom said. “Over the last few years, California has led the nation in expanding access to affordable and quality mental health services – especially for children, teens and people with untreated mental illness. The historic legislative effort announced today will supercharge these efforts to ensure California continues to lead the way in the decades to come.”

Gov. Newsom is partnering with state Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, DStockton, and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, to push the proposal. Sen. Eggman wrote a bill looking to amend the 20-

Santa Maria Transit to consolidate Breeze Bus

Santa Maria Regional Transit’s consolidation of Breeze Bus will take effect July 1.

The change means increased transit service, standardized schedules, simplified trip

year-old law, while Irwan wrote a bill aiming to get bond money to finance treatment facilities and housing.

Here are the five areas of behavioral health that Gov. Newsom and the lawmakers hope to address, according to the release:

• Reforming key behavioral health care funding to provide services to the most seriously ill and to treat substance use disorders;

• Building a workforce to reflect and connect with California’s diversity;

• Focusing on outcomes, accountability and equity;

• Housing and behavioral health treatment in unlocked, community-based settings;

• Housing for veterans with behavioral health challenges.

“Combined, this legislative package will bring this transformation to all communities, all ages, all incomes, and cover mental health and substance use disorders as well as build out the State’s capacity to provide behavioral health care, housing, and good jobs for Californians – with strengthened accountability for results,” Gov. Newsom’s office said.

Gov. Newsom expects both bills will pass, and he will sign them later this year. Then, the voters will address the proposal in March 2024.

Sen. Eggman said there is an urgent need to invest in mental health.

planning and the introduction of user-friendly trip planning apps, according to a news release.

The change also means access to SMRT’s discounted multiride passes, including the $31 unlimited rides for 31-day pass.

Riders of the regional former Breeze Bus Routes 100 and 200 and the New Cuyama intercommunity bus routes will

“We are facing mental health and substance abuse crises on our streets in communities throughout California,” Sen. Eggman said. “This legislation will help us transform our behavioral health system and provide critically needed support for the most vulnerable among us, many of whom are struggling with homelessness in addition to mental illness. The time to act is now.”

And Assemblymember Irwin said the proposal will benefit the state’s homeless veterans.

“Getting veterans experiencing homelessness off the streets has long been a priority for California, but getting some of our most vulnerable veterans into needed treatment for behavioral health challenges will be transformative,” Assemblymember Irwin said. “One of the only groups that has seen a recent significant decline in percent of homelessness are veterans, thanks primarily to the very successful Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention program. Building upon the veterans’ program, AB 531 and SB 326 will provide housing and treatment services to veterans that focus on serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Funding and expanding this program is the right thing to do, and I look forward to working with the Governor and veterans organizations to put these important advances before the voters.”

see these routes rebranded as SMRT’s Routes 20 to Los Alamos, Buellton and Solvang, with additional service to the Chumash Reservation.

Route 30 will continue service to Vandenberg Space Force Base and Lompoc. Transit service to New Cuyama will now be known as the Flex Route 50.

“These important service changes ensure that passengers

have improved connectivity and accessibility throughout the region, making it easier for travelers to reach their destinations efficiently as are result of expanded transportation options,” said Transit Services Manager Gamaliel Anguiano.

For more information visit rideSMRT.org.

— Liam Hibbert

That’s according to the county Public Health Department, which noted the CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating multistate outbreaks of salmonella infections linked to contact with backyard poultry. In total, 219 illnesses have been reported from 38 states, and 27 people have been hospitalized.

The cases are not related to recent cases of H5N1 bird flu virus.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can be found in poultry manure, which can make people sick. Backyard poultry, like

The department said bacteria can easily spread to cages, coops, hay, plants and soil in the area where they live. You can get sick from salmonella by touching your mouth or food with unwashed hands.

People infected with salmonella usually become sick one to three days after exposure, the health department said. It added that most people recover within four to seven days without treatment.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website: www.aphis.usda.gov/ aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/ animal-disease-information/ avian.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Collision leaves driver dead

BUELLTON — The driver of a pickup truck died after colliding with a tree at 1:12 a.m. Wednesday on State Route 246, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department reported.

The truck crashed in the 900 block of the highway. That’s just west of Buellton. The collision caused a fire in the engine compartment, which the fire department extinguished. After the collision, the California Highway Patrol directed traffic and reduced traffic to one lane.

The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle, said Capt. Scott Safechuck, the fire department’s public information officer.

— Liam Hibbert

8.7-acre wildfire in Cuyama Valley

CUYAMA VALLEY — A grass fire burned 8.7 acres Wednesday in the Cuyama Valley.

The fire did not cause any injuries or destroy any buildings, according to Capt. Scott Safechuck of the Santa Barbara County Fire

Department. The cause is still unknown.

The fire occurred in the 5000 block of State Route 166 in Cuyama Valley. Firefighters and the Santa Barbara County air support unit responded to it and were mopping up the remains at 1:41 p.m.

“Fire season is here,” Capt. Safechuck noted. “Maintain your defensible space around your residence.”

For more information about Ready-Set-Go, visit sbcfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ ready_set_go.pdf.

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department responds to a collision on State Route 246. The driver was killed when the truck collided with a tree.

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

Federal Trade Commission sues Amazon for ‘deceptive’ tactics

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon on Wednesday alleging the online retailer used “manipulative, coercive, or deceptive” practices to get customers to enroll in Prime subscriptions.

The Federal Trade Commission’s partially-redacted complaint alleges the company tricked millions of people into enrolling in Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime, a $139 annual subscription service that has fueled the company’s growth and made it part of many Americans’ daily routines.

“Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money,” Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan said in a statement. “These manipulative tactics harm consumers and law-abiding businesses alike.”

Amazon said the Federal Trade Commission was wrong about Prime, a feature that the company said customers love.

“The FTC’s claims are false on the facts and the law. The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership,” a spokesperson said. “As with all our products and services, we continually listen to customer feedback and look for ways to improve the customer experience, and we look forward to the facts becoming clear as this case plays out.”

The company also said the Federal Trade Commission filed the suit without prior warning.

“We also find it concerning that the FTC announced this lawsuit without notice to us, in the midst of our discussions with FTC staff members to ensure they understand the facts, context, and legal issues, and before we were able to have a dialog with the Commissioners

California attorney general announces $3.8 million doctor kickback settlement

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

themselves before they filed a lawsuit,” a spokesperson said.

“While the absence of that normal course engagement is extremely disappointing, we look forward to proving our case in court.”

The complaint alleges Amazon “used manipulative, coercive, or deceptive userinterface designs known as ‘dark patterns’ to trick consumers into enrolling in automaticallyrenewing Prime subscriptions.”

It further alleges the company made it difficult to cancel Prime.

“The primary purpose of its Prime cancellation process was not to enable subscribers to cancel, but to stop them,” according to the Federal Trade Commission. “Amazon leadership slowed or rejected changes that would’ve made it easier for users to cancel Prime because those changes adversely affected Amazon’s bottom line.”

The Federal Trade Commission said Amazon made its cancellation process so difficult it was referred to as an epic poem by Homer.

“The FTC charges that Amazon put in place a cancellation process designed to deter consumers from successfully unsubscribing from Prime,” the commission said.

“Previous reporting about the process in the media has noted that Amazon used the term ‘Iliad’ to describe the process, which the reporting cites as an allusion to Homer’s epic poem set over twenty-four books and nearly 16,000 lines about the decadelong Trojan War.”

The lawsuit came the same day Amazon announced the countdown to its annual Prime Day.

“Prime Day is all about making our Prime members feel like a big deal, with deep savings and access to some of the best offers from brands they love,” said Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime.

Amazon Prime gives members access to free twoday shipping, music streaming, video streaming and photo storage.

(The Center Square) - California is receiving a $3.8 million settlement with Riverside skilled nursing facility, Alta Vista Healthcare & Wellness Centre (Alta Vista), and its management company, Rockport Healthcare Services (Rockport), resolving an issue of alleged Medi-Cal fraud.

The defendants are accused of violating a federal law known as the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act, in addition to the California False Claims Act. The defendants allegedly paid illegal kickbacks to doctors, incentivizing them to refer Medicaid and Medi-Cal patients to Alta Vista, according to a press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.

The United States will get $2.8 million as

a part of the settlement, and California will receive $596,700.

“Decisions that affect patient health should be made solely on the basis of a patient’s best interest,” Mr. Bonta said in the release.

“When a healthcare company cheats and offers kickbacks to gain an unfair advantage, it jeopardizes the health and well-being of those who rely on its services. These illegal schemes also make public services and programs costlier and ultimately waste valuable taxpayer dollars. Today, I thank the U.S. Department of Justice for teaming up with the California Department of Justice on this case. This settlement demonstrates our commitment to protecting the integrity of Medi-Cal and the taxpayer dollars that support the program.”

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the U.S.

Justice Department’s Civil Division said that kickbacks can impair decision-making and lead to fiscal irresponsibility.

“Kickbacks can impair the independence of physician decision-making and waste taxpayer dollars,” Mr. Boynton said in the release. “The Department is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public healthcare programs.”

The settlement comes after an investigation by the California Department of Justice’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Investigators uncovered evidence of illegal kickbacks between January 2009 through December 2019. These kickbacks came in the form of cash, gifts, and salaries.

Over 264,000 apprehensions, gotaways at southern border in May

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – More than 264,000 people were apprehended and reported evading capture at the southern border in May, according to official data released Tuesday in addition to unofficial data obtained and reported on by The Center Square.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, there were 204,561 encounters at the Southwest border in May. The number excludes gotaways of roughly 60,300, which The Center Square exclusively reported. It also excludes apprehensions at the northern border, which are also at record highs.

As in most months, the majority of foreign nationals apprehended, 65%, were single adults, totaling 133,097. Unaccompanied minors totaled 9,943 and family units totaled 58,369.

CBP says May data is a 25% decrease from May 2022, but it’s a 337% increase from the average number of May apprehensions from 2017-2020, according to CBP data.

With May’s monthly southwest border apprehensions, apprehensions at the southwest border alone surpass well over 150,000 for 27 consecutive months for the first time in U.S. history.

When comparing officially reported data, monthly

apprehensions hovered between 15,000 and roughly 60,000 from 2017-2020. After President Joe Biden took office, official apprehensions increased to several hundred thousand every month – including gotaways. Gotaways are foreign nationals who illegally enter the U.S. primarily between ports of entry and intentionally seek to evade capture. They don’t return to Mexico or Canada and they don’t claim asylum or make other types of immigration claims. They are primarily single adult military-age men, officials have told The Center Square.

CBP doesn’t publicly report gotaway data. The Center Square first reported gotaway data after a Border Patrol agent provided it on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. The data The Center Square reports is preliminary compiled in an internal tracking system used by U.S. Border Patrol agents. It excludes Office of Field Operations data, meaning officially reported total numbers are always higher.

CBP’s officially reported data is consistent with The Center Square reporting every month, showing how official numbers are higher when OFO data is included. If gotaway data were officially reported, the numbers would be even higher. Last month, for example, total reported apprehensions and gotaways were

over 264,000, according to the data.

With recent administration changes at CBP, May’s report released official data in a different format than previous months and cites an anonymous official instead of a commissioner. It states, “A

Senior Official Performing the Duties of CBP Commissioner Troy

A. Miller” claims CBP is remaining “laser-focused on our national and economic security missions this month: managing increased passenger throughput at the start of a busy summer travel season and increasing seizures of dangerous drugs by 10% over April.”

The unnamed official also claims CBP is “delivering strengthened consequences for those who cross unlawfully while expanding access to lawful pathways and processes – we will continue to monitor changes in encounter trends and adjust our response as necessary.”

Florida, Texas and other states have sued the Department of Homeland Security and CBP for implementing new policies to create “lawful pathways,” many of which have been temporarily halted by federal judges who argue they’re illegal. Twenty states have sued over what they call DHS’s “illegal visa” system. Since they sued, The Center Square uncovered that those being released into the U.S. are being given court dates to hear

their claims three to four years in the future.

Since Jan. 12 through May 31, over 106,000 foreign nationals used the CBP One app, according to the report. Within two weeks last month, from May 12 to May 31, CBP ports of entry processed over 20,000 foreign nationals using the app primarily from Haiti, Venezuela and Mexico. Texas sued attempting to halt the app’s use, claiming it’s illegal and circumvents federal immigration law. The administration claims “scheduling an appointment in CBP One provides a safe, orderly, and humane process for noncitizens who may wish to claim asylum to access ports of entry rather than attempting to enter the United States irregularly.”

Critics argue the administration is using the app to facilitate illegal immigration for “illegal aliens,” not “noncitizens,” who don’t have a valid asylum claim. They also aren’t entering the U.S. “irregularly,” but illegally, in violation of federal law established by Congress, attorneys general who’ve sued the administration argue.

So far this year alone, illegal border crossers outnumber the individual populations of eight U.S. states.

Festival is largest arts event in SB County

Investigation resulted in two trials, no convictions

DURHAM

Continued from Page A1

scandal tying Trump to Russia. The accuracy of the intelligence was uncertain, but the FBI failed to analyze or assess the implications of this intelligence in any meaningful way.”

The testimony Wednesday largely echoed Mr. Durham’s more than 300-page report released earlier this year.

Mr. Durham also testified that his investigatory team “found troubling violations of law and policy in the conduct of highly consequential investigations directed at members of a presidential campaign and, ultimately, a presidential administration.”

Mr. Durham said in his testimony that FBI officials repeatedly abused the FISA system to improperly expand their authority.

The Solstice Parade is known for its colorful floats.

SOLSTICE

Continued from Page A1

Summer by going through the portal sponsored by Santa Barbara Beautiful (built by Luke Holden).”

• “Find the Angel Wings to take a picture.”

• “Find the SB Bubble Guy blowing bubbles and be a part of the Bubble Flash Mob at 3:12

p.m.”

At the festival at Alameda Park, there is the new Roots of Culture Zone and the return of the Children’s Mini-Fest on the Kid’s World Side for Saturday and Sunday only, with the Children’s Elves and Fairies Parade at 1:30 p.m. Sunday starting near the Santa Barbara Bowl CommUnity Stage. The CommUnity Stage will feature young performers and ethnic music and dance.

The three-day festival is free to the public and is the largest arts event in Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 parade spectators.

The festival is from 4-9 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit www. solsticeparade.com.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Cloudy skies expected through Saturday

“Multiple FBI personnel who signed or assisted in preparing renewal applications for that same FISA warrant acknowledged that they did not believe that the target was a threat to national security, much less a knowing agent of a foreign power,” he testified. “It appears that FBI leadership dismissed

those concerns.”

Democratic lawmakers took the opportunity to blast Mr. Durham’s investigation, claiming no substantial new information was brought to light.

“After four years, thousands of employee hours, and more than $6.5 million in taxpayer funds, Special Counsel Durham failed to uncover any wrongdoing that Justice Department Inspector General Horowitz had not already found in 2019,” Rep. Jerrold Nadler said. “Mr. Durham brought just two cases to trial and lost them both: both were acquitted in mere hours.”

Republicans have shared similar frustrations with the lack of potency or prosecutions in Mr. Durham’s findings.

Mr. Durham said the FBI had a pattern of mistakes that could pose a risk to national security.

“Many of the most significant issues documented in the report, including those relating to lack of investigative discipline, failure to take logical investigative steps, and bias, are relevant to important national security interests,” he testified. “If repeated or left unaddressed, these issues could result in significant national security risks and further erode public faith in our justice system.”

SUMMER

Continued from Page A1

Weather Service. A cooler spot was Santa Maria, with a high of 65. You could use a jacket in Santa Maria or Santa Ynez. The lows in both communities were in the mid-40s, the weather service reported.

Things were less extreme on the South Coast, where the lows were 56 in Santa Barbara and 51 in Goleta.

People took advantage Wednesday of the sunny weather after hearing the forecast for the rest of the week on morning TV and radio broadcasts.

The National Weather Service

said skies would be cloudy throughout the county today through Saturday.

The sun is expected to back Sunday in the Santa Barbara area, with highs of 70 in Santa Barbara and 68 at UCSB. But cloudy conditions are expected to remain through June 28 in Santa Maria and Lompoc, where the highs will be in the upper 60s.

Cloudy skies are also expected to continue to hover above Santa Ynez, where, according to the National Weather Service, highs will steadily rise from 70 today to 77 on June 28. Summer is here.

email: dmason@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

A lifeguard keeps an eye on people in the water at Hendry’s Beach.

The crowd enjoys the view from the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach.

Life theArts

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2022

Out of this world

Griffith Observatory on Mount Hollywood remains a popular place to explore outer space

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

Editor’s note: This is the first in a summer series about Southern California sites that are worth a drive from Santa Barbara County. The articles will appear from time to time in the Life and the Arts section.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

It’s just a short walk from Earth to former planet Pluto.

At least, it is in the underground floor of Griffith Observatory, where the entire solar system fits neatly, with models of planets suspended from the ceiling and exhibits about those planets under them. You can even step on scales and see how much you would weigh on those worlds.

If you want a really low number, go first to the moon, where you weigh one-sixth of your weight on Earth.

Right across from the planets is a giant photo covering an entire wall. It’s the “Big Picture,” and it shows the night sky that would seem to exist between your thumb and finger if you held your

Please see GRIFFITH on B4

COURTESY PHOTO Boogie Knights, above, will perform 1970s hits during the New Year’s Eve Disco Boogie Ball at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. And the Spazmatics will play hits from the ’80s. Tickets cost $50.

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily: The Sistine Chapel Art Exhibition runs through Sept. 4 at the Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $18 for children, and $22 for seniors, military and students. Each ticket also includes admission to the mission museum. To purchase, go to santabarbaramission. org/sistine-chapel-omsb or stop at the museum’s gift shop.

Father Joe Schwab is hosting personal tours that delve into the theological and philosophical perspectives of Michelangelo’s art. Groups of 10 or more can contact Donna Reeves for a private tour at development@sboldmission.org.

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.

The Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. The concert is presented by Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara.

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.

7:30 p.m. The Takács Quartet will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The Music Academy of the West’s fellows will join the quartet and acclaimed soprano Ana Maria Martinez in a concert featuring works from Tchaikovsky to Brahms to Héctor Campos Parsi and Federico Moreno Torroba. Tickets cost $55 and $60. To purchase, go to lobero.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 23

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 24

11 a.m. The Mini Show segment of “Series 7: Go for Broke,” The Dance Network’s 10th annual studio showcase, will take place at Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $25 for general admission and $15 for students. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org. 2 and 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.

2:30 p.m. The Junior Show segment of “Series 7: Go for Broke,” The Dance Network’s 10th annual studio showcase, will take place at Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $25 for general admission and $15 for students. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org.

7 p.m. The Senior Show segment of “Series 7: Go for Broke,” The Dance Network’s 10th annual studio showcase, will take place at Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $25 for general admission and $15 for students. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org.

8 p.m. “Laughin’ in Santa Barbara” features stand-up comedians from Netflix, Comedy Central, “Conan” and more at Topa Topa Brewing Co.,120 Santa Barbara St., in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. The show will be held outdoors and is for those 21 and older. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25. To purchase, go to eventbrite.com/e/laughin-in-santa-barbaratickets-645094293397.

JUNE 25

2 p.m. Ensemble Theatre Company presents the final performance of “Seared,” a comedy/drama about a restaurant, 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.

Saturn is among the planets suspended above the Gunther Depths of Space.

visitor stands under the rings of Saturn as he checks out an exhibit about the planet.

Above, Earth is also part of the exhibits on planets. Below, this is the original projector for the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. A newer projector is used today.

look up

a mural or down at the Foucault Pendulum, which gently sways in the lobby of the Griffith Observatory. It’s actually a scientific instrument used to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth.

Fun in the Sun program begins at schools throughout county

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

More than 400 second- through fifthgraders are learning a lot and having fun in the process throughout Santa Barbara County.

They’re enjoying Fun in the Sun.

That’s the name of the United Way of Santa Barbara County’s summer learning program, which benefits financially and academically atrisk students and their families.

Fun in the Sun is a free six-week summer learning program that provides academic and reading practice, hands-on STEAM activities, field trips and other enrichment activities.

The program recently began at schools throughout the county, but is continuing to accept applicants at www.unitedwaysb.org/ FITS.

Activities are continuing through July 28 at three schools in Santa Barbara — Franklin Elementary School, 1111 E. Mason St.; McKinley Elementary School, 350 Loma Alta Drive, and Hollister Elementary School, 4950 Anita Lane.

The program is also taking place through July 21 at Mary Van Buren Elementary School,

1050 Peralta St., Guadalupe; through July 28 at Santa Ynez Elementary School, 3525 Pine St., Santa Ynez; and through July 28 at Aliso Elementary School, 4545 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria.

This year’s program is reaching a recordbreaking number of students.

That’s thanks to United Way’s partnership with educational agencies such as Guadalupe Union School District, according to a news release.

The district’s support of the Fun in the Sun academic enrichment program has doubled enrollment at the Mary Van Buren Elementary School. The Guadalupe school is hosting more than 100 students this summer.

All students receive literacy support, STEAM and enrichment activities and field trips, as well as access to basic needs. And there are wraparound resources for families and caregivers.

In addition to academic and enrichment activities, this year’s Fun in the Sun students are participating in new STEAM activities such as the GLOBE Goes to Camp program, which was developed by NASA to help students explore nature while fostering environmental stewardship and scientific

Italian eggplant

Just one of many types of fresh eggplant starting to pop up at the local farmers markets this week, Italian eggplant is recognized by its oval shape and dark purple glossy skin.

It is very similar to the most common globe eggplant but smaller in size. Ideal for eggplant parmesan, lasagna or delicious spreads, this versatile fruit will be readily available at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’

Afew weeks ago, I noticed a couple of boxes of beautiful eggplant for sale at the Saturday market.

This past weekend, the market was loaded with this elongated dark purple vegetable, harvested at its most tender stage. Early summer is the best time of year to purchase eggplant, which will be available in many forms through the end of the fall season. From the most common globe eggplant to the fancy white skinned or purple and white speckled heirloom varieties, your local farmers will be loaded with a great selection for the months to come.

literacy.

This year’s students will also enjoy swimming lessons and movement and dance classes, as well as the return of pier fishing field trips and visits to universities and colleges such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UCLA.

Fun in the Sun was originally developed to address summer learning loss, but over the last 26 years, it has expanded into a comprehensive space to support students and their families, according to a news release. The program is supported by 80 service delivery partners, over 38 funding partners and more than 600 volunteers each year.

“We are grateful for each of the educators, partners, and staff members who make this program a reality each year,” said United Way Santa Barbara County Vice President Melinda Cabrera. “This program continues to be an essential resource for the families we serve. Our team and the program’s dedicated network of partners have worked hard to ensure that every student on campus feels supported and can access the tools they need to start the next school year strong.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

Picks of the Week

markets from several local growers.

This week I prepared a roasted eggplant and garlic spread as the Fix of the Week, elsewhere on this page.

Eggplant makes for a nice healthy addition to your weekly meal plans, acting as a low fat, calorie and carbohydrate food. It is also a decent source of vitamin B-6 and potassium, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals. Price averages $3 per pound.

Flavorosa pluot

This fresh pluot season is under way, with this deep purple

skinned variety kicking things off.

With a nice juicy flesh, this plum and apricot hybrid delivers a wonderful balance of sweet and tart notes throughout. The flesh within has a stunning dark pink to red hue, making for a nice presentation in a fruit salad and over mixed greens.

Pluots pair very well with nuts and cheese, fresh herbs and poultry preparations. They’re grown by Burkdoll Farms of Visalia.

You can expect to find pluots at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets while in season.

Price averages $4 per basket or pound.

Lemon cucumber

Cool as a cucumber, one of the summer’s most refreshing items can be found in many forms. One of the more unique cucumber specimens to emerge, this rounded shaped variety has a nice yellow skin when ripe, with small spikes across the skin. Inside, the green to yellow flesh

Fix of the Week

Fresh eggplant has a diversity of uses in the kitchen.

Traditionally from India, eggplant is found regularly in such traditional cuisine, as well as throughout Southeast Asia. It is also heavily incorporated into Italian-style dishes. This member of the nightshade family of vegetables shares the likes of potatoes, tomatoes and peppers, and it’s commonly paired with such vegetables in dishes.

In the fields, the plants are erect with broad green leaves possessing purple veins expanding in all directions. The eggplant, like tomatoes, hangs downward in a vine-like fashion. It’s harvested once it reaches the desired size and color.

On its own, eggplant does not tend to have a ton of flavor. Eaten raw, it can be quite bitter, with a distinct spongy texture. The flavor tends to get much more pleasant once sautéed, roasted in the oven, or fried, delivering a creamier texture and less bitter flavor.

Commonly paired in dishes with more intensely flavored ingredients, eggplant is commonly found in Asian-style stir-fries with an abundance of basil and garlic, spicy curry dishes, or fried and topped with rich tomato sauces such as eggplant parmesan.

There are many uses for eggplant. Through the summer, I enjoy making healthy spreads utilizing the great mix of fresh summer veggies available at the farmers’ market Eggplant-based spreads and dips are at the top of my list, perfect for dipping your favorite

Lompoc plans for Fourth of July

crackers or veggie sticks, or for use on a sandwich, wrap, or stuffed in pita bread.

Easy to whip up, once roasted in the oven, eggplant possesses a perfectly creamy finish to get the job done.

Roasted eggplant and g a R lic spR ead

One pound eggplant (I used Japanese, but any you prefer will work). Olive oil.

1 head garlic.

1 tablespoon lemon juice.

¼ cup parsley leaves, finely chopped (or fresh basil).

2 tablespoons olive oil.

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil and place whole eggplant on the

has mildly sweet flavor and crisp texture, with edible seeds inside. The skin can be consumed but is often peeled. You can enjoy this tennis ball-sized fruit as they come like an apple, enjoy in a salad, or cut into rounds and used to dip in your favorite hummus. You can find lemon cucumbers at most weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets from several local growers. Price averages $3.50 per pound.

- Sam Edelman

sheet. Trim off the top portion of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then loosely cover with aluminum foil. Place the wrapped garlic head on the baking sheet with the eggplant and place in the oven. Cook for about 40 minutes, flipping eggplant halfway through, until the eggplant is very soft. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the eggplant. Once eggplant is cool enough to handle, discard skin and place flesh in a mixing bowl. Squeeze out the roasted garlic cloves into the bowl, adding remaining ingredients as well. Mix well until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Season with salt and pepper as desired to taste. Serve with warm pita bread.

Yield: Serves 4.

LOMPOC — The city of Lompoc is planning a Fourth of July Family Fun Day at Ryon Memorial Park. Admission is free to the event at the park, located off West Ocean Avenue and South O Street.

The Fourth celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a patriotic bike parade from

SAM EDELMAN

Fa RMeR s M a RKet

Diversions

Thought for Today

Conformity

SUDOKU

— John F. Kennedy

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Aries: Today isn’t the best day to play practical jokes, Aries, so put away the disappearing ink. Stick close to home. Find security in doing things you know how to do best. Hang a painting and cook a scrumptious dinner. You can inspire others with your smile, so use it. Don’t get down if your thoughts aren’t flowing well with the group.

Taurus: There may be a great deal of opposition in your way today, Taurus, but try not to dwell on it. The key is to stay levelheaded and maintain a positive outlook. This is a day in which you can bring a great deal of balance to issues by understanding and respecting the other side. Have charity for those who are making sacrifices so that you may have a more comfortable ride.

Gemini: The pieces of today’s puzzle may not fit into place, Gemini, and it’s possible that you have no idea why. Don’t stress over something you don’t quite understand. The key to making things work out is listening. Adjustments will definitely be needed on both sides, but this can only happen if both parties are willing to open their ears and understand one another’s perspective.

Cancer: Today can be an extremely productive day, Cancer. You’re in a good space from which to work and this will aid you in all your endeavors. Today is also excellent for looking at some of the long-term trends moving through your life now. Consider the next five or ten years and think about how your actions will affect your future.

Leo: There may be a battle between old and new in your world today, Leo. A reserved and old-fashioned perspective has a strong hold on the prevailing sentiment. This feeling is likely going to hit you square in the face as you lean toward the unconventional and more revolutionary approach to life. See what sort of past lessons you can learn from as you build the future.

Virgo: People may seem a bit stubborn today. Your powers of adaptation may be put to the test, Virgo. The people around you are likely to call on your tender, sympathetic nature. Offer a

nurturing ear and strong shoulder for others to cry on. Keep things low key and steady. The more grounded you are, the easier it will be to get along with the energy of today.

Libra: When you go up a flight of stairs, take one step at a time today, Libra. Skipping up the staircase two at a time could result in you falling back to the bottom. Trying to rush things today will leave holes in your projects. Finish jobs completely by making sure that every step is thoroughly taken care of.

Scorpio: Today is a terrific day for taking the plunge or making an investment, Scorpio. Luck and prosperity are in your favor, and you have the opportunity to make some very profitable financial decisions. Your intuition is right in line with what you need to do. Make the best deal possible and provide a fair and secure future for you and your investment.

Sagittarius: The key to being successful today is to maintain an air of stability. If others see you as too flighty and off the wall, they will hesitate about putting their trust in you. Make sure you do those things in your power that will help boost your clout. You will need this support from others later.

Capricorn: Today is a very expansive day for you, Capricorn. Your emotions can lead you into favorable situations with others. The pace of the day may seem a little slow, but this can be used to your advantage. Examine every detail with care and try not to leave any piece of the equation unaccounted for.

Aquarius: You may feel like you’re coming up against a brick wall, Aquarius. Your emotions are a bit stifled and you may find that you’re more stubborn than usual. There is a large and beneficial force that you can tap into today, as long as you keep your intuition open. The less you search for it, the more likely it will come to you.

Pisces: Smile at the world today, Pisces. Be thankful for the things you have and the people around you. Amplify the cozy, warm feeling inside and spread this love to others. This is a very expansive time for you in which you can get quite a bit accomplished if you set your mind to it.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Thursday, June 22, 2023

In the Platinum Pairs at the Spring NABC (reported in the excellent Daily Bulletin by George Jacobs), West was the Swedish player Peter Fredin who is noted for imaginative card play.

When Fredin preempted with four clubs, North doubled for takeout, and Jacobs, South, bid four hearts, doubled by East. Fredin led the nine of diamonds. Sure the lead was a singleton, Jacobs put up dummy’s ace and led the king of trumps. East took his ace, cashed the ace of clubs and led the king of diamonds.

PLUS 500

Fredin promptly ruffed his partner’s winner to take the king of clubs — if he didn’t, he wouldn’t get it. East’s king of spades scored, so East-West were plus 500 for most of the matchpoints on the deal.

West’s defense was accurate. In my view, the result was mostly due to North’s indiscreet entry into the auction. His hand wasn’t strong enough to double and oblige South to bid at the four level. If North prefers a disciplined pass, West will play at four clubs, plus only 130. DAILY QUESTION

You hold:

You open one diamond, and your partner bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do

CODEWORD PUZZLE

you say?

ANSWER: This problem is difficult and might divide a panel of experts. There would be votes for two diamonds, three diamonds despite the broken suit, two spades, or an aggressive and an improvised reverse to two hearts. Some maverick might have opened 1NT. I would raise to two spades, hoping to hear more bidding. West

INSTRUCTIONS

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

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.

No post-pandemic recovery: Assessment offers stark look at declines in math and reading scores

By BRENDAN CLAREY CHALKBOARD REVIEW

VIA THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The National Assessment of Educational Progress released assessment results Wednesday that show 13-year-olds tested in the 2022-23 school year saw dramatic declines in math and reading compared to previous years.

The NAEP’s Long Term Trend assessment, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, found the average reading score declined four points and the average mathematics score declined nine points.

According to Peggy G. Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, there was no hint of post-pandemic learning recovery.

“The ‘green shoots’ of academic recovery that we had hoped to see have not materialized, as we continue to see worrisome signs about student achievement and well-being more than two years after most students returned for in-person learning,” Ms. Carr said in a statement Wednesday.

Ms. Carr added that the lowest reading scores have not been this low since they began the assessment over 40 years ago and declines in math have never seen a more precipitous decline.

“The mathematics decline for 13-yearolds was the single largest decline we have observed in the past half a century,” Ms. Carr said. “The mathematics score for the lowest-performing students has returned to levels last seen in the 1970s, and the reading score for our lowestperforming students was actually lower than it was the very first year these data were collected, in 1971.”

Math scores declined for almost every student group, with White students seeing a 6-point decline and American Indian/Native Alaskan students seeing a decline of 20 points. Asian students did not see noticeable declines between the

Admission to Griffith Observatory is free

GRIFFITH

Continued from Page B1

2019-20 and the 2022-23 assessments. Reading scores declined in the same time frame for Black, White and students of two or more races. In contrast, American Indian/Native Alaskan, Hispanic and Asian students did not see significant differences.

Schools located in rural, urban and suburban areas saw declines, while those in towns did not see a difference. There were no measurable differences for students attending Catholic schools in mathematics or reading.

Before 2012, there had been improvements in average reading and math scores, but after 2012, scores started to fall before dipping starkly after the pandemic-related school closures.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the Biden administration had expected academic recovery after the school closures to take years.

“The latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress is further evidence of what the BidenHarris administration recognized from Day One: that the pandemic would have a devastating impact on students’ learning across the country and that it would take years of effort and investment to reverse the damage,” Mr. Cardona said.

The assessment also found that fewer students read for fun, with 31% of 13year-olds saying they do not or hardly ever read for pleasure, up from 22% responding the same way in 2012.

The NCES assessment also found that fewer students are enrolled in algebra classes, with 24% of students saying they were enrolled in a class in 2023 compared with 34% in 2012.

The assessment is used to gauge how students’ reading and mathematical skills have changed over time, and, unlike NAEP assessments, are administered by age instead of by grade. Chalkboard has previously reported on academic declines highlighted by NAEP assessments.

hand in front of you and looked up. In reality, that “little space” is enormous and contains a lot of galaxies. That’s one of the things you’ll learn in this hall, called the Gunther Depths of Space.

It’s farther than a short walk to get to Griffith Observatory and its take on the universe, but the drive is only a couple hours or so, depending on traffic, from Santa Barbara. The Los Angeles site is an ideal day trip.

The observatory’s admission is free, although you pay small fees to see planetarium shows that are worth the price.

But there’s a story before you enter the observatory. Take a look; you’re standing on the south facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The observatory was used in movies such as “Rebel Without A Cause” (1955) and “The Rocketeer” (1991), as well as on television.

A couple officers from “Star Trek: Voyager” got into a phaser fight with a bad guy during an unexpected trip to the past. And the pilot for “MacGyver” — the original 1980s series, not the recent remake — was filmed here. As the story goes, MacGyver, played by Richard Dean Anderson, lived in the observatory before moving to new quarters in Santa Monica. Outside the observatory, you get a spectacular, all-encompassing view of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. You can also spot the iconic Hollywood sign.

The observatory is well-known for its giant, public telescopes, mounted in copper-clad telescopes at both ends of the building. This writer looked through one of those and saw Saturn, as plain as night.

Inside the observatory on the first floor, science starts right in the W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda. It’s a celebration of science, mythology, earth and sky. If you look up, you’ll see murals painted by film producer and author Hugo

Balin in 1934. If you look down, you’ll gaze into an opening for the Foucault Pendulum, which sways ever so gently. It’s been a big hit with visitors since the observatory opened in 1935.

The restored pendulum is a scientific instrument that demonstrates the Earth’s rotation.

Nearby is the Griffith J. Griffith exhibit about the man who donated the land to the city of Los Angeles in 1896 for Griffith Park. He also made sure his 1916 will would ensure the construction of Griffith Observatory, which was built after his death.

Left of the observatory entrance is a Wilder Hall of the Eye, which discusses the progress of astronomy and telescopes. But after just a few steps in this direction, you could see some lightning-like sparks from inside a cage in a glassed room. It seemed like the laboratory from “Frankenstein.”

One observatory tour guide, in fact, laughed like a mad scientist after he talked about the arcing sparks and its eerie noise. The funny thing is he actually was a scientist, and this writer told him, “I expected you to say, ‘It’s alive! It’s alive!’ ”

(That’s what Dr. Frankenstein said after he created his monster with the help of lightning.)

The scientist smiled at the reference from the “Frankenstein” movie and said, “Another tour guide says that.”

The sparks were generated by the Tesla coil, for which the scientist had given the six-minute demonstration. Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) invented the coil, which converts low-voltage alternating current electricity into very high voltage. The coil was part of the dream to provide electricity without wires. The Tesla coil went on display at the observatory in 1937.

Elsewhere, the hall features information on wavelengths of light, California observatories, telescopes and using the sky for timekeeping devices and calendars. Sailors depended on the North Star — Polaris — for navigation.

Visitors also get to step into a small dark room and see the results of the Camera Obscura, which projects the outside world through a pinhole. The Camera Obscura

FYI

Griffith Observatory is at 2800

E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles (213-473-0800). It’s open noon to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It’s closed Mondays.

Admission is free.

Parking is free on Observatory Road until you get close to the observatory. Then you pay to park on the road or in the parking lot. For more information, go to griffithobservatory.org.

on the observatory roof uses a mirror and rotating turret to pull off that magic trick.

(Magic really is done with mirrors!)

If you go to the other end of the first floor, you’ll wind up in the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky, which is about the sun and moon interacting with the Earth.

In addition to the exhibits, the Griffith Observatory features planetarium shows. James Dean fans will recall his character watched one in “Rebel Without A Cause.” Well, since the observatory’s renovation in the 2000s, the seats in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium are more comfortable, which is a good thing when you’re lying back and looking up at the universe.

This writer watched the show “Signs of Life,” which explores cosmic evolution. The comfortable seat came in handy for a journey through the solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond. First class all the way! Other shows include “Centered in the Universe” and a show written and produced for Griffith Observatory’s fifthgrade school field trip program, “Water Is Life.”

Downstairs in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, a program narrated by the actor forever known as Mr. Spock gives the history of Griffith Observatory and Griffith J. Griffith. Like everything else at the observatory, it’s out of this world.

email: dmason@newspress.com

you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recommendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remissión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.