Santa Barbara News-Press: July 14, 2023

A new era

Westmont Athletics strides into the future with move to NCAA - A3

Libraries of art

designed to save lives

Coral Casino partners with Chef Thomas Keller

Michelin

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club in Montecito has brought in famous Michelin star chef

California Democrats move to strengthen sentencing for trafficking minors

By KENNETH SCHRUPP THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square)California Democrats reversed course and moved to strengthen sentencing for trafficking minors after public outrage over the Assembly Public Safety Committee’s initial failure to approve the bill. With a final vote of 6-0, including two abstentions from progressive Democrats, the bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee, after which, if it is approved, can move the bill to be voted upon by the entire State Assembly.

If passed, SB 14 will make trafficking of minors a serious felony that would qualify under California’s three strikes law, which keeps dangerous, serial criminals off the streets, and make individuals convicted of the crime ineligible for early release.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Public figures from across the nation and political spectrum came out against the Public Safety Committee’s initial vote by all its Democratic members to deny SB 14’s passage out of committee. With figures ranging from California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas),

California governor Gavin Newsom, and even billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk questioning the vote, SB 14 quickly was brought back to the table.

Progressive Democrats, including Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) opposed the bill on grounds that it would increase incarceration, which they believe does little to deter crime.

“Longer sentences…increase our investment in systems of harm and subjugation at the expense of the investments that the communities need to not have this problem to begin with,” Mr. Bryan, who abstained from the July 13 vote after voting no on July 12, said.

Capturing some of the public sentiment presented by citizens confused why the measure did not pass, Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Manteca) took to the floor during the debate on whether or not to send SB 14 back to committee or skip committees and achieve a full floor vote, saying, “You can choose a team. Pick pedophiles, or children.”

Senator Shanon Grove (RBakersfield), author of the bill,

Please see TRAFFICKING on A4

A new, custom-designed truck — complete with spools of 600 feet of thick ropes and other special features — is making

Board of Supervisors changes meeting locations

SANTA BARBARA/SANTA MARIA —

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meeting locations for several upcoming meetings have been changed to allow for upgrades to the Santa Barbara hearing room.

The July 18 meeting will be the last one there before a planned audio and visual upgrade will

close the room, located in the Santa Barbara County Administration Building, through the end of October. Meetings in August, September and October will be in the Santa Maria hearing room, located in the Joseph Centeno Administration Building at 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria. The upgrades to the Santa Barbara hearing room are part of a series of scheduled improvements designed to give better access to Board of Supervisors meetings and other

public meetings that take place there.

Community members are encouraged to participate in the meetings by attending in person at the Santa Maria hearing room or online. Here are the upcoming meetings at the Santa Maria room: Aug. 22; Aug. 29; Sept. 12; Sept. 19; Oct. 3; Oct. 10; and Oct.17. For more information, visit countyofsb. org/1599/Board-of-Supervisors.

— Liam Hibbert

Truck can access parts of the back country that other vehicles can’t

TRUCK

Continued from Page A1

medical aid around the world, across the nation and throughout Santa Barbara County — donated the final $75,000 needed to complete the purchase of the $210,000 truck. Other funding came from the Woods-Claeyssens Foundation.

Nelson Trichler, an incident commander with the all-volunteer Search and Rescue Team, led the News-Press around the truck and showed how the truck makes it faster and more feasible to save lives while reducing the risks for the team members.

To start with, the truck has a high clearance off the ground, making it ideal for going into flooded areas, Mr. Trichler noted. Secondly, this truck can go to places in the back country where normal vehicles can’t, he said. “It can be the difference between getting to them (hikers) or not getting to them.”

Sheriff Bill Brown, whose office oversees the Search and Rescue Team, echoed that.

“It can get to a lot of places that a lot of traditional four-wheel vehicles can’t,” Sheriff Brown told the News-Press. He added that the truck could have gone into areas that were inaccessible for normal vehicles with four-wheel drive during the 2018 Montecito debris flow.

Besides four-wheel drive, the truck boasts 40-inch tires.

The truck is designed to be what the Search and Rescue Team needed. Team members collaborated with Chico-based

FYI

For more about the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue Team, go to sbcsar. net. For more about Goletabased Direct Relief, see direct relief.org.

QTAC to design the truck, which has specific compartments for medical supplies and gear such as a big wheel that goes under a stretcher to make it easier to transport an injured hiker along a trail.

Mr. Trichler said the design was submitted in December 2021 and that the truck was picked up in January of this year.

“It’s built exactly to our specifications, so all of our equipment is exactly where we need it,” said Staci Richard, vice president of the Search and Rescue Team.

“It makes everything more efficient,” Ms. Richard told the

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

and 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. July 17-22. This phase of the project will allow crews to complete additional slope failure and drainage repairs from the January winter storms, according to Caltrans. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

— Liam Hibbert

News-Press.

The most noticeable accessory is two giant spools of 600 feet of ropes, with the spools on opposite sides of the truck. One serves as the main rope, and the other is the safety rope in case the main rope breaks, Mr. Trichler said.

The ropes are used for tasks such as lifting hikers out of a ravine or up along a cliff.

Ms. Richard said the ability to deploy 600 feet of ropes exceeds what the Search and Rescue Team could do in the past.

As the Search and Rescue Team members discussed the truck, they received high praise from a fan — Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of Direct Relief. He said the nonprofit wanted to help the team.

“They work at no charge, and

they are the epitome of citizen service,” Mr. Tighe said. “As a charitable organization, what could we do? From a financial standpoint, we could get them this truck. We don’t want people who are risking their lives to have a higher risk because they couldn’t afford a good rope.”

Noted Mr. Trichler, “Direct Relief was very gracious in donating those funds.”

He added that people from all professions volunteer for the Search and Rescue Team. “Everybody on the team is independently employed. They could be a teacher, an engineer, a software engineer. They’re from all walks of life.” email: dmason@newspress.com

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DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Standing next to the new truck used in rescues are Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of DIrect Relief; Staci Richard, vice president of the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue Team, and Nelson Trichler, an incident commander with the team.

Mr. Trichler of the Search and Rescue Team stands in front of the Ford F-450 truck now used by the team. In addition to four-wheel drive, the truck has 40-inch tires and high clearance off the ground, making it ideal for going through flooded areas.

An ongoing journey of success

EDITOR’S NOTE: On July 13, the NCAA announced that Westmont College Athletics has successfully completed the first year of reclassification to Division II membership and has advanced to the second year of transition. The move means that Westmont will begin competing in the PacWest Conference beginning with the 2023-24 season.

Commemorating the accomplishment, Jeff Raymond has written a story celebrating the heritage of Warrior Athletics and looking forward into a new era for Westmont. Raymond has served as Westmont’s compliance coordinator for the past two years. From 1997-2004 Raymond served as Westmont’s first full-time sports information director.

By JEFF RAYMOND WESTMONT COLLEGE

When a baseball soared through an early-June night sky in Lewiston, Idaho, and then settled softly into the right fielder’s glove, an era came to an end for Westmont College Athletics. The simple play set off a raucous national championship celebration for the Warrior baseball team, but also brought to a close a long-standing relationship with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Westmont enters a new athletics era this fall when Warrior teams begin competition in the NCAA Division II and formally join the PacWest Conference. The road to this NCAA move began over 80 years ago when a fledgling men’s basketball program represented Westmont in the early 1940’s. That road has included numerous peaks, a few valleys and thousands of changed lives along the way.

“The Westmont Athletic programs have enjoyed a rich history with the NAIA,” said current Westmont Director of Athletics Robert Ruiz. “It is a partnership that has produced profound memories, experiences and opportunities for our student-athletes over many years.

Though our valued time with the NAIA is closing, our decades of membership will remain a rich part of Warrior Athletics history.”

Westmont and the NAIA share a unique history, having actually grown up together. James Naismith, the creator of the modern game of basketball,

Westmont Athletics begins new road in the NCAA

helped to establish the National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament in 1937 in Kansas City, an event that spurred the eventual creation of the NAIA. In that same year, Ruth Kerr founded a liberal arts college in Los Angeles committed to the historic Christian faith. When that young institution outgrew its original facilities, Westmont College moved to Santa Barbara in 1945.

“I had the privilege to coach and lead the athletic department for 17 years,” said Chet Kammerer, who served as men’s basketball coach and athletic director at Westmont from 1975-1992.

“During that tenure, membership in the NAIA was a good fit for our athletic department. Through the years, many former student athletes have shared with me how competing at the NAIA national level was a highlight in their college experience.”

The men’s basketball team was the first Westmont representative on the national stage when the Warrior squad competed in the 1957 NAIA National Tournament. In the 66 years since that appearance, Westmont’s impact at the national level of the NAIA has been significant. The numbers alone are impressive: 10 NAIA national titles; 33 NAIA top-four national finishes; 637 NAIA All-American performers.

10 NATIONAL TITLES

The recent triumph in baseball capped off a string of six straight decades with at least one NAIA national title for Westmont. The men’s soccer program was the first to hoist a championship trophy with a win in 1972. Women’s tennis followed 10 years later, taking top honors in 1982.

The women’s soccer team claimed its first NAIA title in 1985, setting the stage for the greatest string of success in Warrior history more than a decade later. A national title in 1999 and then three straight championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003 propelled the women’s soccer program to new heights. The stretch of success culminated with a classic sevenovertime, 157-minute victory in the 2003 championship match in front of 3,000 home fans at Santa Barbara’s La Playa Stadium.

“To win a championship once is an

experience of a lifetime,” said Mike Giuliano, who coached the Westmont women’s soccer team from 1993-2003.

“To win four in five years is still beyond comprehension. The way those teams approached the games and training, and the relationships they cultivated with each other were special.

I’ve had the privilege of coaching many great teams, but the Westmont teams of the early 2000s were just on a different level.” Another decade passed until the women’s basketball team brought home the 2013 NAIA title and then put together a second championship run in the COVIDshortened 2021 season.

“I am so grateful for the years that Westmont has been in the NAIA” said Kirsten Moore, head coach of the Westmont women’s basketball program since 2005. “The NAIA National Tournament experience has been life shaping for our players and coaches.

The resiliency it takes to win five games in six days in route to a National Championship requires a level of grit that our Warriors will carry with them in life. Even in the years we fell short of our goals, the experience challenged us to grow, stretch and improve in hopes of a better result the following year.”

33 TOP FOUR FINISHES

Perhaps even more impressive than the 10 championship trophies is the fact that Westmont teams have placed in the top four of the NAIA a grand total of 33 times, spread out among 11 different programs. Of the 12 long-term sports at Westmont— swimming and golf started in 2019— only women’s track and field does not have a top-four team finish in the NAIA. That program, however, does boast 12 individual national champions and more All-Americans than any other Westmont sport.

Men’s cross country began Westmont’s top national finishes, ending fourth in the NAIA meet in 1968 and improving to third in 1969. Almost 30 years later, the women’s cross country program put together a great three-year run, finishing fourth in 1995 and third in 1996 and 1997. The men’s track and field team captured the fourth-place trophy in 2021.

California legislature takes steps to decriminalize psychedelics

By KENNETH SCHRUPP THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - The California State Assembly Public Safety Committee approved a bill to decriminalize the possession and use of naturally occurring psychedelic substances including psilocybin, commonly known as “magic mushrooms”, and dimethyltryptamine.

After narrowly passing the California Senate and now the Assembly Public Safety and Health Committees, SB 58 must pass the Assembly Appropriations Committee before it goes before the entire Assembly, and again must face the Senate in its amended form to reach the governor’s desk for final approval. Amended upon reaching the Assembly, the updated SB 58 now includes language delaying decriminalization until the state adopts a framework regulating the therapeutic use of these substances.

Citing studies from Johns Hopkins and Harvard researchers demonstrating the non-addictive nature and effective medical uses of psychedelic substances, bill author Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said, “Psychedelics are non-addictive and show great promise in helping people

struggling with mental health and addiction challenges, and it’s time to stop criminalizing its possession and use.”

A pared down version of 2021’s SB 519, also introduced by Sen. Wiener, the updated SB 58 appears to be a direct response to the opposition from law enforcement and even some elected Democrats that led to the failure of SB 519. Notably, SB 519 which would have also decriminalized synthetic and more overtly recreational psychedelics such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), ketamine, and lysergic acid (LSD).

With the much narrower SB 58 achieving far broader support it still only narrowly passed the Senate 21-16. Under the new changes to delay legalization until a stronger legal framework for therapeutic use is place, it’s likely the bill as amended has a much easier path to becoming law.

Speaking to the California Globe about the challenges facing the bill, former police officer and current drug counselor Marty Ribera said, “Many are open to the idea, especially of helping veterans, but want to see a pilot program first or something similar to show there are no major risks and that it can be done safely…for many, psychedelics are a hard line to cross.”

Republicans raise questions after White House cocaine probe leads to no arrests

By BRETT ROWLAND

the White House.”

The U.S. Secret Service said Thursday it closed its investigation into cocaine found at the White House because of a “lack of physical evidence” 11 days after the illegal drug was found in one of the nation’s most secure buildings. “There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other

In addition to a national title, the men’s soccer team added a fourth-place finish in 1971 and a semifinal appearance in 1989. Women’s soccer advanced to the semifinals in 1994, 1997 and 2005, and was the national runnerup in 2013, giving the program a Westmont-best of nine top-four NAIA finishes.

Men’s basketball ended in fourth place in 1984, made the semifinals in 1999 and ended as runner-up in 2015. Women’s basketball reached the semifinals in 2015 and was the runner-up in 2018.

Men’s tennis finished third in both 1997 and 2013. The volleyball program progressed to the semifinals in 1990, 1993 and 1999, and finished as national runner-up in 2019.

637 ALL-AMERICANS

It would be impossible to describe the scope, breadth and impact of the All-Americans produced by Westmont in its athletic history. The hundreds of individual stories could fill volumes, ranging from the unlikely success of a walk-on athlete to the accomplishments of a top-level recruit.

What can be said is that the list of NAIA All-Americans spans the entire athletic department, with 13 sports contributing to the total. Track and field—by nature of the number of individual events and relays—tops all Warrior teams with 178 All-Americans for the women and 174 for the men. Included on that list is Westmont’s first NAIA All-American, Dave Thoreson, who earned the honor in the high jump in 1962.

Women’s soccer boasts 58 honorees, followed by men’s soccer (48), women’s swimming (34), women’s tennis (29) and men’s tennis (23). Women’s cross country and men’s basketball have each produced 20 All-Americans, while women’s basketball (19), volleyball (17), men’s cross country (12) and baseball (5) complete the list.

THE NCAA ERA BEGINS

The future for Westmont athletics is straight ahead, as the Warriors will soon take to the fields, courts, tracks, pools and courses as a NCAA Division II program. The men’s soccer team will host Saint Martin’s (Wash.) at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31 in the first official Division II contest for Westmont. The women’s soccer program kicks off 90 minutes later at Cal Poly Pomona, while volleyball begins the following day, September 1, in a tournament at Cal State Monterey Bay.

“The move to the NCAA marks a monumental moment for our athletic programs and the Westmont College community,” said Ruiz. “We look forward to the new partnership in the PacWest conference and the opportunity to challenge ourselves in a new landscape.”

Throughout this past season, Westmont athletics was able to compete in the NAIA while completing its first year of NCAA provisional status. Now, the Warriors move from the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) — their home since 1986—to the NCAA Division II PacWest Conference. Another two years of provisional status lays ahead as the athletic department and teams adjust to the NCAA rules, protocols and expectations. During that period, Westmont teams will not be eligible for NCAA postseason play in any sport, although they could still capture regular season PacWest titles.

Much of the PacWest will look familiar for Westmont, with five current members that were formerly part of the GSAC. Azusa Pacific, Fresno Pacific and Point Loma moved from the GSAC to the PacWest in 2012, Concordia joined in 2015 and Biola followed in 2017. Another long-time GSAC member— Vanguard—is expected to make the move to Division II and the PacWest in 2024, along with more recent GSAC foes Jessup and Menlo. By the start of the 2024-25 academic year, the PacWest expects to include 14 members.

“NCAA Division II will undoubtedly challenge us to compete at our highest capabilities night in and night out,” said Moore. “The PacWest is extremely deep from top to bottom and will require more from us to be successful throughout the duration of the season. We look forward to rekindling some of the great rivalries that Westmont traditionally has had.”

In addition to the former GSAC foes, other current members of the PacWest are Academy of Art (San Francisco), Chaminade University (Honolulu), Dominican (San Rafael), Hawaii-Hilo (Hilo) and Hawaii Pacific (Honolulu).

“I commend the Westmont administration for leading the College into membership with the NCAA,” said Kammerer. “The timing is right.”

The next time a Warrior baseball player makes a game-ending catch in the spring of 2024, Westmont athletics will be further ingrained into the life of a NCAA Division II member. There are sure to be some bumps in the road and some growing pains as the process moves forward. Players, coaches and teams will need to adjust to new opponents, new schedules and an expected step up in the level of competition. Winning awards and gaining accolades—both for individuals and for teams—may take some time.

Fortunately, anyone associated with Westmont athletics can look back at the last 80 years and see the history of success. If the past—as they say—is a way to judge the future, Westmont and its NCAA athletics programs will rise to the challenge.

email: sports@newspress.com

Westmont enters a new athletics era this fall when Warrior teams begin competition in the NCAA Division II and formally join the PacWest Conference. The road to this NCAA move began over 80 years ago when a fledgling men’s basketball program represented Westmont in the early 1940’s.

CHEF

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the James Beard Foundation. He joins the Coral Casino to help its restaurant improvement plan.

“I’m excited to be part of the Coral Casino story,” Chef Keller said. “It’s an honor to be invited to join this legendary California destination with its rich history. We look forward to introducing our cuisine to the community and making great memories for them.”

The Michelin-grade chef is brought in by the Coral Casino with a mission to improve its food and restaurant.

“Thomas Keller is a pivotal restauranteur in the American cuisine,” said William Tomicki, a local food writer and publisher of Santa Barbara-based Entree Magazine.

“I think we’re very lucky to have his influence coming to Santa Barbara,” Mr. Tomicki told the News-Press Thursday. Chef Keller comes into Coral Casino as it plans to open its Tydes restaurant to the wider public.

What is not clear is the exact role Chef Keller will play at the Coral Casino. “It remains to be seen how much we’re going to be seeing of Thomas Keller, and how much of his influence will be felt here,” said Mr. Tomicki. “I don’t think he’ll be cooking in the kitchen. I think he’ll train the staff.”

The Coral Casino has said it plans to “transform the Coral Café, Fins, Tydes restaurant, and La Pacifica to match the brand and inspiration of Chef Keller’s Thomas Keller Restaurant Group.”

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Consumer pricing data shows slowing inflation

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Federal inflation

data released this week show inflation may be cooling.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released consumer pricing data Wednesday and producer pricing data Thursday, showing a smaller increase than the spikes seen earlier in the Biden administration.

The BLS’ Producer Price Index rose 0.1% in June, less than experts predicted.

“The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services moved up 0.1

percent in June after no change in May. For the 12 months ended in June, prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services advanced 2.6 percent.”

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% in June, less than predicted, and part of a 3% rise over the last 12 months.

“The index for shelter was the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase, accounting for over 70 percent of the increase, with the index for motor vehicle insurance also contributing,” BLS said. “The food index increased 0.1 percent in June after increasing 0.2 percent the previous month. The index for food at home was unchanged over the month

while the index for food away from home rose 0.4 percent in June. The energy index rose 0.6 percent in June as the major energy component indexes were mixed.”

President Joe Biden touted the economic data on Twitter.

“Today we learned that annual inflation has fallen each of the last twelve months and is now down to 3%,” he wrote. “We’ve made this progress while unemployment remains near record lows. That’s Bidenomics in action.”

Others were clear to point out that while prices are rising more slowly, they are not decreasing and are still much higher than they were a few years ago because of the recent inflation spike.

Cocaine was found in ‘heavily traveled area’ of White House

COCAINE

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means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area,” the U.S. Secret Service said in a statement.

“Without physical evidence, the

investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service’s investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence.”

Officers from the U.S. Secret

V. VAN BEUREN, Lolita Sara

November 10, 1944 - June 30, 2023

Lolita “Lili” Sara Vignot-Van Beuren of Santa Barbara, CA passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 30, 2023. She was born in New Rochelle, New York to Dolores (Berea) Van Beuren, originally from La Coruna, Galicia, Spain, daughter of the Spanish Ambassador, and Alfred Vignot-Van Beuren from New Haven, Connecticut. She ������������������������������������������������������� 1990) and Peter Van Beuren. She adored her family, including many very close aunts, uncles and cousins. She had a wonderful childhood in her house that bordered the woods, and fondly remembered tending roses with her father, which she continued to take pleasure in her entire life. Lili graduated from The Ursaline School in New Rochelle, and earned a BA in economics from Marymount College of New York, a topic she thoroughly enjoyed and put to use working as a stock broker for many years.

Lili was an amazing storyteller, an attentive listener and famous for her memory. She delighted in recounting family stories, those of her life and those passed down through generations. She loved words, and was smart and funny with an unassuming wit. She had a seemingly endless positivity, always smiling, and loved to laugh, assured that humor would get one through all things. She had a special way of immediately befriending anyone she encountered, whether at a shared table or simply stepping into a shop.

Lili discovered Santa Barbara on a trip with her parents in 1968, and made it her dream to call it home, which she did a couple of years later. Lili’s greatest pride and joy was raising her seven children - Jean-Paul Manoux, Andre N. Manoux, Alfred Manoux, Christine Manoux, Philipe Manoux, Joseph Manoux, and Jacques Manoux - who loved her dearly. She created a charmed childhood for them, full of love and opportunity. She will be remembered for her incredible spirit and generosity, always with an open door, that extended to family, friends, including her children’s friends, and beyond.

spouses, her seven grandchildren, and so many who knew her. Her happy places were ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

she always deserved.

Service Uniformed Division discovered what later turned out to be cocaine July 2 inside a vestibule leading to the lobby area of the West Executive Avenue entrance to the White House. The stash was located inside a receptacle used to store electronic and personal devices before entering the West Wing.

After finding what was then an unknown white powder, the Secret Service temporarily evacuated the White House as a precaution.

Last week, the White House declined to provide additional information about the matter, but said the cocaine was found in a “heavily traveled area.”

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The state capitol in Sacramento

TRAFFICKING

Continued from Page A1

celebrated the bill’s approval in more measured terms, noting, “This is a bill with strong bipartisan support, and protecting victims of child sex trafficking should not be a partisan issue. Today is a victory for every survivor. However, the

battle is not over—SB 14 must still go through the Assembly Appropriations Committee when legislators return from Summer recess. I believe most Assembly Democrats want to vote for this bill if they are given a chance, and I am hopeful we can succeed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. I urge every Californian to stay engaged until the bill is signed into law.”

‘You can choose a team. Pick pedophiles, or children’

The Coral Casino plans to reopen its Tydes restaurant to the public at large.

‘Thomas Keller is a pivotal restauranteur in the American cuisine’

Life theArts

read all about it

Punctuation-inspired sculptures house books worthy of an exclamation point

CALENDAR

CALenDA r

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

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

These books are worth a question mark if they inspire curiosity.

And if they’re a real page turner, they deserve an exclamation point!

Books by notable authors such as Pat Conroy and retired NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw lie within the life-size, lower State Street punctuation mark statues that double as bookcases. In the spirit of “tiny libraries,” or in this case, not-so-tiny libraries, passersby can pick up a book that intrigues them from the shelves inside the sculptures. They’re free. Or you can drop a book there you think someone else would enjoy.

Artist Douglas Lochner created the colorful sculptures, which were commissioned by the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture.

The office worked in partnership with the city of Santa Barbara, and the goal was to inspire a love of books. The sculptures, which went up in May, are there through the end of this month.

Looking through the sculptures gives a sense of what residents are reading.

In fact, you’ll never know what you’ll find in a sculpture of an ampersand, the symbol meaning “and.” The News-Press on Wednesday found — they might be gone by now — books such as Elizabeth George’s “Missing Joseph,” part of her detective series, and Mr. Conroy’s “Beach Music,” a novel about a South

Carolina native who leaves the South with his daughter after his wife commits suicide. Deep in the ampersand sculpture were books such as “Gone But Not Forgotten,” Phillip Margolin’s mystery thriller. And what is in a sculpture shaped like a question mark?

Glad you asked.

On Wednesday, it held books such as Mr. Brokaw’s “The Time Of Our Lives: A Conversation About America.”

Another question is what books you might find in a sculpture shaped like — drum roll, please — an upside down, exclamation point!

You can read “The Wild Women in the White House,” Autumn Stephens’ book about 120 famous and infamous women.

Or you can flip through “In A Sunburned Country,” Bill Bryson’s travelog about Australia. There’s also “The Pink Panther’s Just Desserts,” in which Inspector Clouseau is trying to figure out who’s killing France’s great pastry chefs.

The book is by Marc Cerasini and Alice Afonsi, and it was published in 2006, long after the original “Pink Panther” movies starring Peter Sellers as the bumbling detective.

From serious to funny, mysteries are a big part of what you’ll find hidden in punctuation-inspired sculptures, which demonstrate that right now is a good period to read books.

email: dmason@newspress.com

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 recurring summer exhibit, “Butterflies Alive!” Featuring a variety of butterflies, this experience allows guests to walk through a garden while nearly 1,000 butterflies flutter freely around them. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 4, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature.org/ butterfliesalive.

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. “Guys and Dolls” runs through July 29 at the Garvin Theatre at Santa Barbara City College. Tickets for the Theatre Group at SBCC production cost $26 for general admission, $21 for seniors and SBCC staff, and $17 for students. To purchase, go to theatregroupsbcc.com.

JULY 15

7:30 p.m. “Guys and Dolls” runs through July 29 at the Garvin Theatre at Santa Barbara City College. Tickets for the Theatre Group at SBCC production cost $26 for general admission, $21 for seniors and SBCC staff, and $17 for students. To purchase, go to theatregroupsbcc.com.

8:30 p.m. The UCSB Summer Cinema series continues at the Sunken Garden at Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, with Alien.” Admission is free. You can get there as early as noon to claim a space with your blankets (nothing plastic, nothing nylon, no tarps) and low-to-theground, low-back chairs.

JULY 16

2 p.m. “Guys and Dolls” runs through July 29 at the Garvin Theatre at Santa Barbara City College. Tickets for the Theatre Group at SBCC production cost $24 for general admission, $19 for seniors and SBCC staff, and $14 for students. To purchase, go to theatregroupsbcc.com. This matinee will be live-captioned for the hearing-impaired.

JULY 20

8 p.m. The Jerry Douglas Band will perform its bluegrass and folk music at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Tickets cost $35 and $45 for general admission and $106 for VIP tickets, which include premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

JULY 21

7:30 p.m. The Cowboy Junkies will perform their country music and folk rock at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Tickets cost $55 and $65 for general admission and $106 for VIP tickets, which include premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

AUG. 11

8 p.m. Blake Lynch, aka Nurse Blake, will perform his healthcarerelated standup comedy at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $48.50 to $93.50 at granadasb.org. The $195 VIP package includes perks such as a photo opportunity with Nurse Blake.

— Dave Mason

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS

Douglas Lochner’s ampersand sculpture this week contained books such as Pat Conroy’s “Beach Music” and “Gone But Not Forgotten,” Phillip Margolin’s mystery thriller.

For more photos, see pages B2 and B4.

Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation awards $27,000 for music education

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit that supports classical music education through scholarships and grants, has awarded $27,000 to local music programs.

The Santa Barbara Youth Symphony was the highest recipient of funds, which provides extensive training and performance opportunities for young musicians. The grant money comes from the foundation’s annual performing arts competition.

“The grant process is by invitation and focuses on arts organizations that support and foster the foundation’s mission,” said President Deborah Bertling. “Our mission is to provide financial assistance to young musicians studying classical performing arts and to support music education in our

Trumpeter to perform at SOhO

SANTA BARBARA —

Trumpeter Nate Birkey will return July 24 to SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, Mr. Birkey, a longtime Santa Barbara resident who’s now based in New York City, will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1221 State St., suite 205, Santa Barbara.

He will be joined by saxophonist Tom Buckner, Los Angeles pianist Jamieson Trotter, bassist Jim Connolly and L.A. drummer Peter Buck.

Mr. Birkey was a founder of the longtime Santa Barbara band Spencer the Gardener and plays with the group whenever he’s in Santa Barbara.

And Mr. Birkey has recorded 10 albums for Household Ink Records, a Santa Barbara label. Tickets cost $15. To purchase, go to www.sohosb.com.

community.”

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation also received a grant. The organization offers music lessons and instruments to public school students through its Keep The Beat program, and runs two music summer camps for local youth: Nick Rail Band Camp and Summer String Camp.

Other awardees include the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara’s Music Matters program, Opera Santa Barbara’s student dress rehearsal performances, and State Street Ballet’s student ticket program and classroom outreach.

Ms. Bertling said the foundation’s ability to grant funds this year was limited by stock market fluctuations, the sum of financial gifts the organization received, and soaring inflation.

For more information visit pasfsb.org.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

SUMMER SAVINGS!

Santa Barbara Rescue Mission to hold graduation ceremony

The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission has an upcoming graduation ceremony for participants in its 12-month Residential Treatment Program. The ceremony will occur on Saturday, July 15, at 5 p.m. at South Coast Church in Goleta. The event marks a major milestone for the ten individuals who have successfully completed the first three phases of the Rescue Mission’s transformative program and are ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives.

The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission has been at the forefront of addressing homelessness and addiction in the Santa Barbara community for over five decades. The rescue mission has been instrumental in helping rebuild lives and reintegrate people into society with renewed hope and purpose. Attendees can expect speeches from program graduates, testimonials from individuals who have benefited from the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s services, and the program staff’s presentation of certificates of completion and Bibles. The public is invited to attend the graduation ceremony and witness the incredible stories of resilience and triumph firsthand. For more information visit sbrm.org.

-Liam Hibbert

These books ended up in an upside down, exclamation point sculpture! They included “Wild Women in the White House” by Autumn Stephens and a book about Australia, “In A Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson. For more photos, see page B4.

Above are members of the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation’s Grant Committee. From top left to bottom right are Noel Lucky-Ris, Deborah Bertling, Barbara Burger and Dr. Marjorie Gies.

— Dave Mason

COURTESY PHOTO Nate Birkey, a founding member of Spencer the Gardener, will perform July 24 at SOhO.

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Diversions

horoscope • puzzles

Thought for Today

“Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” — Alexander the Great

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com

Friday, July 14, 2023

ARIES — Hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication are now paying off financially, Aries. New opportunities are opening up to profitably make use of your artistic side. The downside is that you might be working so hard that you’re too drained to be creative even though the inspiration is there. Take a moment to rework your schedule to accomplish the most in the least amount of time. You can do it.

TAURUS — People close to you might be a bit worried about you, Taurus. Too much work and socializing might have you feeling less than your usual self, and perhaps even a little feverish and headachy. If so, this is a good day to take time out, stay home, and rest. Don’t worry about sabotaging your success. It will continue. Take a break and your body will reward you with greater clarity and concentration.

GEMINI — All continues to go well professionally, Gemini. You’re feeling physically strong and vigorous. Mentally, however, you might be a bit vague. You may be easily distracted and not as sharp as usual. This isn’t a good day to start a new project. Try to concentrate on finishing old tasks and tying up loose ends. You should be ready to go again in a couple of days.

CANCER — The high from your recent successes could make you want to purchase luxury items that you used to think were impractical, Cancer. This is fine as long as you’re discriminating and don’t give in to impulse buying. This also isn’t a good time to overindulge in food or drink. You should let yourself enjoy your success while still using common sense.

LEO — You could be on a real emotional high today because of your success and that of other household members, Leo. Your mind may be buzzing with ideas for future expansion, some of which may not be all that workable. However, you should allow yourself a few flights of fancy. Tomorrow your feet will be back on the ground and you will see things in a more practical light.

SUDOKU

LIBRA — Business and financial success makes you happy and satisfied, Libra. You also look forward to moving on. The downside of this flush period is that people who aren’t particularly trustworthy might decide to latch onto your coattails for their own purposes. Some might even ask for loans. Be careful about the ones you assist. They might not be honest with you. Don’t fall for any sob stories.

SCORPIO — As your professional dreams unfold, Scorpio, you may worry about the downside. First, there are new responsibilities that you might doubt your ability to fulfill. Second, you might be catapulted into an uncomfortable new realm of office politics. Don’t let these matters put a damper on your enthusiasm. You have what it takes to fulfill the first concern and the wisdom to avoid the second. Onward and upward.

SAGITTARIUS — Recent spiritual breakthroughs might have you feeling both exhilarated and downcast, Sagittarius. Your sensitive side tells you that this is a definite step forward on your spiritual path, but the logical side might cause you to doubt its reality. Take comfort in the fact that reality is relative and that what you’re sensing is at least valid for you. Then keep moving ahead.

CAPRICORN — Many of your personal goals have either been met or are in progress, Capricorn, and you’re feeling exhilarated. However, people around you might have their hands out. You may be asked to contribute to charities or make personal loans to people you don’t know well. You want to help whenever you can, but be discriminating about whom you help now. Some may be less than trustworthy.

AQUARIUS — Confirmation of professional success could come your way, Aquarius, and you’re probably feeling excited and motivated to keep pushing. But you may find that increased responsibilities interfere with your social life. You wonder if friends have forgotten you. They haven’t, but it will make you feel better if you squeeze in a few hours for your friends each week. Remember what they say about all work and no play.

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 Saturday’s Life section.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CODEWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Monday, November16, 2015

Daily Bridge Club

VIRGO — Today may prove to be one of your busiest in a long time, Virgo. The promise of continuing success in your personal and professional goals could find you spending a lot of time on the phone, writing emails, or making a few short trips around the community. You might not be able to reach everyone you need to see. Don’t worry. Be persistent and you will reach them eventually.

PISCES — Success on all levels is filling your life and making you feel absolutely wonderful, Pisces. The downside of this is that you might be a little too conscientious. Are you putting in a lot of extra hours? Be discriminating about this and don’t work harder than necessary. You could get stressed to the point of taxing your strength too much, and that won’t help you. Pace yourself.

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.

DAILY BRIDGE

‘Play Bridge With Me’

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

PUZZLE

“I’m supposed to know about the English language,” my friend the English professor said to me, “but it continually mystifies me. I’m a teacher, and I have taught; if I were a preacher, wouldn’t I have praught?”

Since 1981 I’ve written a monthly column for the ACBL’s magazine. Many have been “over-my-shoulder” style. You listen in on my thoughts during a deal.

spade and he raises to three spades.

What do you say?

left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER : P artner’s jumpraise promises a hand worth about 17 points with four-card support.

The prof was today’s North in a penny game.

“My partner had to oversee the play at four hearts,” he said.

Ninety of the best of these appear in “Play Bridge With Me,” my 23rd book, just published. The deals are intermediate level; the focus is on logical thinking.

East took the king of spades and led the nine of diamonds: ten, jack, deuce. When West led a trump next, South drew trumps and led a second diamond to his queen. West produced the king and exited with a diamond. South lost a club finesse later and was down one.

Your singleton in his suit is not encouraging — you would rather he had opened one diamond but you have a five-card suit and kings in the minor suits. Bid four spades, especially if your side is vulnerable. South dealer E-W vulnerable

At today’s four spades, I win the first heart in dummy and lead a diamond. I can’t risk losing an early trump finesse; I need a quick pitch for my heart loser. East wins the second diamond and returns a heart, and I win to discard dummy’s last heart on my high diamond. When I finesse in trumps, East wins and exits with a trump.

ANSWER: This case is close. In theory, your 11 points are enough for a jump to two spades, inviting game, but your king of hearts, trapped in front of the opening bidder, may be worthless. Many experts would jump anyway. I would reluctantly downgrade the hand and settle for a response of one spade.

East dealer N-S vulnerable

WINNING PLAY

“My partner overlooked a winning play,” the prof said. “Odd how ‘overlook’ and ‘oversee’ have different meanings.”

PASSED HAND

After South draws trumps, he can finesse in clubs. West wins and returns a club. When East’s ten falls, South gets two diamond discards on the J-9 of clubs. (He could also succeed by end-playing West with the king of diamonds to lead a club from his king or yield a ruff-sluff.)

Now I must guess in clubs. But East, a passed hand, had the ace of diamonds, queen of hearts and king of spades. He won’t have the ace of clubs, so I lead to the king, making the game.

For a postpaid to U.S. copy of “Play Bridge With Me,” send $23.95 to PO Box 962, Fayette AL35555. Tell me how you’d like it inscribed. Profits donated.

Your partner opens one heart, you respond one

Tale of two states’ policies

Comparing Arizona and Colorado economies in recent years

By LAUREN SCOTT THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –Arizona and Colorado had similar policy decisions in recent years but diverged on a number of them. A new report says the Copper State’s progrowth moves have resulted in outsized economic growth compared to its northern neighbor.

Partnered with the Arizona Chamber, the Common Sense Institute of Arizona used research from partners in Colorado to estimate the potential impacts on Arizona’s economic prospects of enacting some of the policy ideas within the “job killer” bills, according to the CSI Arizona report.

CSI’s report analyzed 67 bills and found that if enacted, they would create an additional $25 billion in costs for businesses, resulting in a $9.5 billion decrease in Arizona’s economy.

“Bills like those studied here are being shopped at state legislatures across the country, and many of them have been introduced annually at the Arizona Legislature,” according to the report.

“Though they have not moved in the past, the lesson of Colorado’s anti-business policy transformation over the past half decade shows that climates can change quickly.”

Five years ago, Arizona and Colorado were on similar growth trajectories. In 1990, Arizona had 3.7 million residents and Colorado was 10% smaller. By 2015, Arizona’s population had increased 86% and Colorado’s by a comparable 65%.

One difference in the past few years between Arizona and Colorado is the policies.

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“Arizona has aggressively invested in policy initiatives post-Great Recession intended to both diversify and make more competitive its business economy (and in particular its manufacturing economy),” according to the report. “The beginnings of this can be traced to the state’s passage in 2011 of its ‘Jobs Bill,’ which established the Commerce Authority and lowered business property and income tax rates.” But Colorado went in a different direction.

“While the state conformed to the federal tax law changes in 2017, beginning in 2019, it has been enacting various statutory and regulatory schemes intended to promote social welfare ahead of economic growth,” according to the report. Colorado’s manufacturing sector is now running at an average annual job growth rate of just 0.7%/year.

According to the report, if Arizona had grown more like Colorado since 2019, there would be 113,500 fewer workers, 3.5% of the state’s workforce.

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“Policy matters as seen in Arizona’s success compared to Colorado’s shortcomings. In the Grand Canyon State, our leaders have trusted people over government,” Rep. Matt Gress, a Phoenix Republican who previously served as former Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget director, told The Center Square. “The report released today by the Common Sense Institute Arizona reveals that some Arizona politicians think they know better than Arizonans by proposing terrible ideas like tax hikes of all sorts, higher energy costs to cover environmental regulations, and greater compliance with an administrative state that knows no bounds.”

In Colorado and since 2019, at least 13 bills similar to “job killer” bills identified this year by the Arizona Chamber have been enacted. More are under active consideration and each year similar bills are reintroduced.

CSI estimates that some of the bills introduced would have a total tax increase of more than $15 billion.