Santa Barbara News-Press: January 31, 2023

This bird has something to say

sB City Council panel backs home repair program

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Low-income Santa Barbara residents could soon get assistance to make essential repairs to their homes.

The Santa Barbara City Council’s Finance Committee last week unanimously endorsed the establishment of a rehabilitation pilot program for low-income homeowners to work with contractors vetted by Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County.

Under the pilot program, up to $50,000 in grant funding from city Inclusionary Housing Reserve Funds would be allocated to Habitat for Humanity to operate the program.

“This is an exciting opportunity to assist some of our city’s most vulnerable residents, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes, make necessary repairs to their homes,”

More cold than wet

Santa Barbara County sees chilly conditions and sprinkles

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Brrrr!

Santa Barbara County was colder than usual Monday, with the highs no warmer than the 50s. The lows were in the mid- or low 40s and upper 30s.

There were also some scattered sprinkles on a partly cloudy (sometimes mostly cloudy) day when you clearly didn’t need an umbrella.

According to the National Weather Service, the total rainfall was just 0.02 inch in Goleta and Santa Barbara, 0.01 inch in Lompoc and just a trace in Santa Maria. The highest amount of the rain in the county fell in New Cuyama, with 0.08 inch.

The bigger story is the chill.

Highs were just 58 in Santa Barbara and Goleta, 54 in Santa Ynez, 53 in Santa Maria and 52 in New Cuyama.

The lows were 37 in Santa Maria and New Cuyama, 41 in Santa Ynez, 46 in Goleta and 47 in Santa Barbara.

Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies and, for the most part, warmer temperatures. The National Weather Service predicts highs of 62 in Santa Barbara, 61

Patches of blue sky break through the clouds Monday morning in Santa Barbara, which saw a trace of precipitation.

in Santa Maria and at UCSB, 60 in Lompoc, 59 in Santa Ynez and 54 in Cuyama. Expected lows are 43 in Santa Barbara, 34 in Santa Maria, 33 in Santa Ynez and 32 in Lompoc.

The low will go below freezing today in Cuyama to a chilling 29 degrees, according to the weather service.

Similar highs and lows are expected for the rest of this week.

There’s a 10% chance of rain

today in the Santa Barbara area, Santa Ynez and Cuyama, but the weather service said there’s no chance of the wet stuff in Lompoc or Santa Maria.

For the rest of the week, conditions will vary from sunny to partly cloudy in the county, with a 20% chance of rain Friday in Santa Maria and Lompoc. The chance of rain will vary from 10% to 20% in those two cities through Monday.

The National Weather Service doesn’t see much of a chance for rain this weekend for Santa Barbara until Sunday night and during the day on Monday. Even then, it will only be a 10% chance of precipitation.

A 10% chance of rain is also expected throughout the day and night on Sunday and Monday in Santa Ynez. email: dmason@newspress.com

Councilmember Eric Friedman, the committee’s chair, told the

News-Press.

“This funding will be an important tool to assist lowincome homeowners remain in their homes by providing assistance for essential repairs to ensure habitability,” he said.

“Even with homeownership, there are many households that don’t have the financial means to address critical home improvements such as new roofs, plumbing or electric upgrades (and) bathroom remodels to address physical constraints, or other standard repairs.

“The funding for the program comes from development in-lieu fees, which is an effective use of those funds as it will help keep residents in homes that are safe.”

The pilot program now heads to the full council for its approval. It will appear on the council’s consent agenda for consideration on Feb. 7, according to Laura Dubbels, the city’s housing and human services manager.

The pilot program would assist low-income individuals,

SB City Council expected to officially end emergency

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara City Council today is expected to terminate the state of local emergency issued earlier this month when a massive winter storm pounded the city, dumping more than 5 inches of rain in just two days.

The meeting starts at 2 p.m. at the council’s chambers, 735 Anacapa St.

Staff is recommending the council adopt a resolution ending the local emergency declared by City Administrator Rebecca Bjork on Jan. 9, and ratified by the council three days later.

City Administrator Bjork, acting in the capacity of director of emergency services, proclaimed the local emergency so city departments could prepare for the storm’s inevitable outcome, which included debris flows that blocked city roads and flooded streets that trapped residents inside their vehicles who had to be rescued by police and firefighters.

“Conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property arose within the City of Santa Barbara caused by storms and floods commencing on or about Jan. 9,” reads the resolution.

The law requires the Santa Barbara City Council to periodically review the need for

continuing the local emergency and to proclaim the termination of the local emergency at the earliest possible date that the conditions warrant, staff said.

“The Director of Emergency Services has reported that the conditions of extreme peril necessitating the declaration of local emergency no longer exist and that the declaration of local emergency may be terminated,” reads the resolution.

The city, however, will continue to seek to recover costs and may continue to exercise authority under any federal, state or county emergency or disaster declaration arising from or related to the storms and floods that gave rise to the city’s declaration of local emergency, staff said.

If, as expected, the council approves the resolution, its decision will be the polar opposite of last week’s decision by the Carpinteria City Council to extend its state of local emergency for at least another 30 days.

In other business, the Santa Barbara City Council will be asked to approve an ordinance amending the city’s Municipal Code regarding zoning regulations for accessory dwelling units.

New state legislation intended to increase production of Accessory Dwelling Units necessitates updating the city’s zoning regulations, staff said.

Assembly Bill 2221 and Senate

Please see COUNCIL on A3

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS

Biden is now considered ‘liar-in-chief’

Concerns’ About Harry’s Memoir”

In other words, “It’s all HIS fault!”

Or: “The Ginge & Cringe Show” wants to be invited back to Blighty to vacuum up a new round of private conversations to peddle to the media.

Too late for that. Banishment for two — adios and finito bon soir, but thanks for the tittle-tattle.

However …

Editor’s note: “News Revue” is a new column by Robert Eringer. It will be published on various Tuesdays.

A

Private military armies: 44,000 confirmed dead. Russian national guards: 6,250 confirmed dead.

• “Putin is Set on Big War with NATO to Bring Back the Iron Curtain,” Russians love anniversaries.

Mad Vlad is planning to celebrate with a major offensive on Feb. 24, the one-year mark of his imprudent Ukraine invasion.

Public comment period begins for Housing Element Update

Santa Barbara County on Monday completed its draft Housing Element Update.

Now begins 30 days of public comment.

You can find the draft at www. countyofsb.org/3177/housingelement-update and enter your comments there.

The Housing Element Update is one of the mandated components of the county’s General Plan.

county, its goal is “to submit a high-quality Housing Element that has the unincorporated communities’ best interest in mind.”

For this cycle, the California Department of Housing and Community Development requires that Santa Barbara County identify land to accommodate 5,664 new housing units in unincorporated portions of Santa Barbara County between 2023 and 2031. That housing need allocation, the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, is further broken down to require 4,142 units on the South Coast and 1,522 units in North County. It also includes mandated affordability criteria.

nnounced Joe Biden, “There’s no there there.” There where?

This is funnier than Bubba Bill Clinton questioning “what the definition of is is.”

Double-talk, along with claptrap, is the second language of most politicians.

• “Classified Documents Found at Pence’s Indiana Home.”

Classified documents were found at former Vice President Mike Pence’s home in Indiana.

And now we learn former President Jimmy Carter found a batch at his modest house in Plains, Ga. (Might other retired presidents learn a lesson from the peanut prez in humility, hard work and not lining their pockets post-presidency?) What will the Justice Department do next, haul 98-year-old Jimmy into court?

And maybe probe Bubba Bill, too, for absconding with classified documents pertaining to his lax efforts tracking and tackling Osama Bin Laden prior to 9/11 and parking them in a dark corner at the Clinton Library in Little Rock.

• “Incredibly Suspicious’

Hunter Biden Email May be Based on Classified Info.”

Subject: Ukraine.

Date: 12 April 2014.

Email content: Filled with complex and sensitive intel written in a government bureaucratese style unlike any other writing produced by Hunter Biden.

Hunter’s goal: To demonstrate his usefulness to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma so they would pay him millions of dollars.

Was the intel scrounged from a classified document in one of the locations daddy Joe recklessly placed them?

The answer should be simple for Special Counsel Robert Hur to uncover: It will either match a classified document returned by Biden’s lawyers — or not.

And if the illegally stashed docs pertain to Hunter’s work in Ukraine?

• “Biden’s Classified Files

Debacle Will ‘Knock Him Out of the 2024 Race’ for the White House.” This is the take-away by politically savvy Dick Morris, who advised Bill Clinton.

“This issue here is not if everybody took documents home,” says Mr. Morris, but if the docs contain “classified information about American policy toward Ukraine.”

• “Prince Harry’s Book Flops at his Own Local Bookshop.”

That would be Tecolote in Montecito’s upper village.

“I think most people up here think of it as a soap opera,” says bookseller Mary Sheldon.

Even Harry & Meg’s biggest supporter, British journalist and author Omid Scobie, has grown bored. In a podcast interview he said, “How can a regular person not have Sussex fatigue at this point?”

Judging by a lack of news about “Spare” following one week of sensational titillation, that pan has already flashed. Or as Kevin Spacey’s character says at the end of “The Usual Suspects,” “And like that, it’s gone.”

• “Meghan had ‘Gentle

Vandalism reported

• “Monarch WANTS Prince Harry to Attend His Coronation”

Justin Welby, the Church of England’s principal leader as the Archbishop of Canterbury, has been asked by King Charles III to mediate a deal for Harry and Megs to attend his Westminster Abbey Coronation. Reason: Their absence would be a bigger distraction than their presence. (In other words, the opposite of Montecito.)

(Ah, maybe it’s where else Joe mislaid classified intelligence.)• “Monaco Receives Scathing Council of Europe Report on its Ability to Fight Money Laundering and Terror Financing.”

Dare we say, “Told you so?”

Because we’ve been saying this (and writing about it) for years.

Moreover, Monaco is protecting Russian oligarchs who should be sanctioned.

The rampant corruption that allows this to happen goes right to the very top, to profiteering pirates at the palace and Prince Albert II.

• “Ex-Adviser to Monaco’s Royal Family Sentenced to Three Years in Child Porn Case.”

The Rev. William McCandless aka “Father Bill,” was plugged into Palais de Monaco for many years … until police uncovered thousands of child porn images on his computer.

• “Elon Musk Claims ‘Major Side Effects’ from the COVID Booster like he ‘was Dying’ & Claims Cousin was Hospitalized with Inflammation of the Heart.”

The good news is that Elonowned Twitter is now allowed to post truthful information about COVID vaccines along with the truth about COVID’s origin: A Chinese lab with U.S. funding. Myocarditis, which Mr. Musk’s cousin suffered, is acknowledged even by official-dumb to be a potential side effect of the COVID vaccine.

• “Seattle-Area Medical Examiner’s Office Running Out of Space for Dead Bodies.”

No, this is not from the COVID vaccine but due to a large number of drug overdoses among the vast homeless population encamped along Seattle’s scruffy streets.

Hmm. Maybe fentanyl is Joe Biden’s solution to the homeless problem. It would certainly explain the inexplicable: The absence of a southern border that allows a seamless and endless import of fentanyl.…

• “Sergei Lavrov Warns Russia Close to ALL-OUT-WAR with West.”

Little else is ever expected of somber, morose Lavrov, who utilized a visit to South Africa to dismiss any notion of peace talks with Ukraine even though…

• “Russia has Suffered ‘180,000 Dead or Wounded Soldiers’ in Ukraine.”

All because Mad Vlad Putin and fellow war criminal Lavrov have no qualms about expending another 180,000 (or more) of their own conscripted and untrained troops.

• “Russian Funeral Industry Breaks Records Amid War.” Ukraine war casualties in 2022 vastly outnumbered Russian deaths from COVID (the highest number in the world) in 2021.

An annual trade show called Necropolis that exhibits coffins and other funeral-related services has never been so well attended while, according to mortician Dmitry Yevsikov, “Crematoriums are growing exponentially.” And will presumably break new records, leaving…

• “Russia’s Military Commanders ‘Terrified’ by Putin’s Demands for New Offensive on Multiple Fronts and fear ‘Mass Slaughter.’”

Russian army: 126,500 confirmed dead.

Putin sees “the entire Eastern Europe as his fiefdom,” claims Professor Gregory Yudin.

County staff has been working with the community on this Housing Element Update for the past year, holding in-person, virtual workshops and individual meetings. According to the

The Board of Supervisors is expected to adopt the finalized Housing Element Update later this year.

— Dave Mason

But Russian commanders must first sort out their internal squabbles as …

• “Paranoid Putin Turns Against Wagner Chief After the Mercenary Boss ‘Failed to Take the Hint’ and Kept Bragging that His Forces Achieved More Success than Russia’s.” Hence, little wonder…

• “Paranoid Putin Sets up Air Defense System Near Secret Forest Palace to Save his Family from Ukrainian Missile Strikes.”

The word “paranoid” in conjunction with Putin eructs quite a lot lately. And indeed Mad Vlad has every reason to be paranoid, not just about Ukrainians targeting him but now his own mercenaries too, not least because Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prighozin…

• “Dismisses Moscow Generals as ‘A Bunch of Clowns’.”

Hard to disagree with the assessment by Yevgeny, who was a hot dog salesman before becoming a warlord, though he surely means that President Putin himself is the biggest clown.

Mad Vlad’s newest commander, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, responded to the decimation of his troops by demanding they shave their beards before marching off to the frontline meat grinder.

Yevgeny’s precise words: “A bunch of clowns try to teach exhausted fighters how many times they ought to shave — and what kind of cologne they must use to greet high commanders.”

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadryov, whose bearded Moslem troops are assisting Russia in Ukraine, weighed in with, “Drop your machine guns; let’s go and shave. What kind of stupid thing is this?”

And the situation escalated to …

• “Kremlin Admits Wagner Mercenary Boss is at Risk of Assassination.”

Which, of course, is what Mad Vlad does to his enemies. Only these days, he doesn’t even bother to deny it, pumped as he is by steroids for various diseases. (What he really needs is Thorazine and Abilify, maybe a lobotomy.)

Said Putin spokesperson Dmitry “Pesky” Peskov, ominously, “This is more of a question of the special services.”

Which resulted in…

• “Wagner Appears to Laugh Off Assassination Plot.”

“Yes,” says Yevgeny, “That’s a very good idea. I agree that it’s time I’m eradicated.”

Psychos Putin and Prighozin would make an entertaining comedy duo — and hopefully will one day stage their slapstick at The Hague.

Meantime …

• “Doomsday Clock Sits Just 90 Seconds Before Midnight Due to War in Ukraine—the Closest Humankind has Been to Annihilation in 76 Years.”

We are now 10 seconds closer than in 2022 to The End. States the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists: “Russia’s thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons remind the world that escalation of the conflict — by accident, intention or miscalculation — is a terrible risk.”

Intelligence analysts in Washington, D.C, watch to see if priceless art works at The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg are being crated and moved out to underground bunkers for storage. That’s the tipoff. And if/when that happens, it is head-for-the-hills time.

It is therefore not surprising that…

• “WHO Issues ‘Guidelines’

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

COURTESY PHOTOS President Joe Biden

SpaceX flight set for today

SpaceX’s launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base has been rescheduled for this morning. The flight was originally set for Sunday, then delayed to Monday and finally was slated

for 8:15 a.m. today from Space Launch Complex 4 East. During this morning’s launch, a Falcon 9 rocket was to bring 49 Starlink satellites into Earth’s low orbit. The Starlink satellite program is designed to provide internet access for 46 countries.

— Dave Mason

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara police officers responded very early Monday morning to a business located in the 600 block of State Street for an investigation of reported vandalism, a department spokeswoman said.

During the investigation and upon reviewing nearby surveillance video, officers learned that a physical altercation occurred between two individuals a little after midnight (Sunday night into Monday), Lt. Kasi Corbett said.

During the altercation, it appears both individuals involved had fallen into a large

Vice President Mike Pence

for Medications to be used in the Event of Nuclear War.”

Time to stock up on potassium iodide and antibiotics.

• “Top Zelensky Aide, 9 Others Resign as Ukraine Cracks Down on Corruption.” It cannot be overlooked that Ukraine is an extremely corrupt country.

If the United States continues to provide billions in aid (your money), it should most certainly be accompanied by an ongoing audit of every dollar spent.

And maybe we are watching, albeit secretly, because this sudden purge of Ukrainian government officials comes a mere five days after…

• “CIA Director Visits Kyiv, Meets with Ukraine’s Zelensky.”

Perhaps Director William Burns read the riot act to the Ukrainian president as a precondition to delivering 32 M1 Abrams battle tanks and a $2.5 billion aid package. Now that President Volodymyr Zelensky has culled the culprits (or the usual scapegoats)…

• “Ukraine Expects Tank Deal Will Lead to West Delivering Long-Range Missiles and F-16 Fighter Jets” while “U.S. Air Force General Predicts China War in 2025.”

Folks, listen to me, seriously: Defeating Poisonous Putin is important. But never, ever allow your children or your grandchildren to join this (or any) war.

The moment any president sends American troops to Ukraine, I’m out. And you, dear

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

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER . . . . .Co-Publisher

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

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

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glass window, breaking it while actively fighting. The individuals who fled the location after the altercation are still outstanding. If anyone has information pertaining to this incident, contact the Santa Barbara Police Department at 805-882-8900 or 805-897-2376.

— Neil Hartstein

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

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WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Prince Harry

Santa Ynez River

Amendments proposed for zoning ordinances

COUNCIL

Continued from Page A1

Bill 897, which both took effect on Jan. 1, include numerous changes to the state ADU laws. The changes proposed by the new state laws include an increase to the maximum building height limit and a number of technical changes intended to make ADUs easier to build.

“In addition to amendments required for compliance with State Law, staff is recommending several changes to further facilitate production of ADUs, consistent with the city’s Draft 2023–2031 Housing Element program recommendations regarding conversion of commercial portions of mixeduse buildings to ADUs and construction of

HABITAT

Continued from Page A1

families and seniors living in the city with necessary home repairs, accessibility modifications and aging-in-place adaptations so they can remain safely in their homes.

Home repairs would be confirmed for applicants who own their home, earn an income below 80% of the area median income, live within city limits and demonstrate urgent need based on other criteria, according to staff.

Habitat staff would manage the pilot program from the initial application solicitations through application submissions, evaluations and qualifications.

The staff members would work directly with homeowners, contractors and subcontractors to develop the necessary scope of work, obtain any required permits and oversee the construction process to successful completion.

This work will include payment of funds to contractors and subcontractors for completed work. No funding will be paid directly to homeowners.

A one-time investment in a home repair can greatly extend

two ADUs (double-ADUs) on existing multiunit properties,” according to the city of Santa Barbara.

Amendments are proposed for both the Inland Zoning Ordinance and Coastal Zoning Ordinance. After adoption by the council, the amendments would be submitted to the California Coastal Commission as a standalone Local Coastal Program amendment. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed amendments on Nov. 17, and the council’s Ordinance Committee reviewed the proposed amendments on Dec. 6. Both forwarded a recommendation to the council for adoption.

“Although the city has approved a growing number of ADUs, property owners have expressed interest in increasing the allowed number of ADUs on properties with existing

multi-unit development,” staff said. The city will conduct outreach to evaluate and implement procedural changes to assist ADU applicants and develop additional guidance to support residents who are seeking city ADU approvals.

In addition, the city will research and collaborate with community organizations and nonprofits who are interested in offering ADUs as deed-restricted affordable housing, and look for ways to implement a pilot program with incentives for property owners to provide ADUs as deed-restricted housing or housing choice vouchers for lowincome seniors, students and other community members in need of affordable housing.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

the life of the home and is far more cost-effective than new construction, staff said. The average cost of a home repair is approximately $5,000 while new construction costs can be as high as $500/square foot.

“It is critical that Santa Barbara retains its current affordable housing stock through rehabilitations that ensure decent and sustainable housing,” staff said. “Safe, decent and affordable housing creates an environment of safety and security for all residents.

“The vast majority of government funding targets rental housing exclusively. While this is important, Santa Barbara has a vast array of affordable housing needs, including low- and very low-income households who own their home but have scarce resources for needed repairs.”

According to Habitat Program data captured since the beginning

of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020:

• Habitat’s home repair clients are 78 years old, on average.

• Seventy percent of households served include homeowners who have a disability. The average annual income of homeowner repair clients is below $30,000 annually.

• All homeowners served are at or below 80% of the area median income for Santa Barbara County.

“Staff supports Habitat’s request to establish and operate a pilot program in order to assist low-income homeowners with needed home repairs. Attending to repair and rehabilitation needs will ensure preservation of housing, enabling low-income households to remain in their homes,” the city staff said.

Habitat has operated the same program for Santa Barbara County for the past year “and has an excellent record of providing

successful rehabilitation projects that address the needs of several households in the community,” staff said.

“By offering a one-year pilot program, the city can assess the success of the program before committing to supporting an ongoing program.”

Established in 2000, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County partners with low-income individuals and families to build or improve a place to call home.

Homeowners build their residence alongside volunteers and purchase their home, paying an affordable mortgage. Habitat has built 22 new homes for 84 people (half of whom are children) and led efforts to rebuild and repair 180 homes across southern Santa Barbara County.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Associated Press attempts to cancel ‘the’

REVUE

Continued from Page A2

reader, should be too. Let Raytheon fight this war with all its high-tech weaponry. Do not let our government do it with your children. There is no glory in war, no valor, only death, misery and exploitation by those in cushiony beds who send your children and grandchildren to be sacrificed while they grow rich from blood money.

As Nancy Reagan said about drugs: Just say

no.

• “World’s Oldest Person on the Keys to Longevity.”

Maria Branyas Morera of Toulon, France is 115. She says: “Order, tranquility, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity and STAYING AWAY FROM TOXIC PEOPLE.” Amen, sister. And finally, our Chuckle of the Week:

• “’THE’ Can be Dehumanizing.”

The Associated Press has canceled “the.”

“We recommend,” the AP has told its reporters, “avoiding general and dehumanizing ‘the’ labels as the poor, the mentally ill, the French, the disabled. Instead, use wording such as people with mental illnesses.”

Such as the mentally ill editor at AP who issued this recommendation.

Robert Eringer is a longtime Montecito author with vast experience in investigative journalism. He welcomes questions or comments at reringer@gmail.com.

This was the view of the Santa Ynez River last week from Paradise Road in Santa Barbara.

Home repairs would be confirmed for applicants who own their home, earn an income below 80% of the area median income, live within city limits and demonstrate urgent need based on other criteria.

‘Safe, decent and affordable housing creates an environment of safety and security for all residents’

The long and not-so-winding road

Armour Ranch Road stands empty at this moment last week in Santa Ynez.

OBITUARIES

FOSTER, Ruth

On Dec. 4, 2022 Ruth Foster passed away in the warm cozy home of her son in Morro Bay Ca. after 97 years. Beloved mother to Brenda Greene (Mik Lamming), Ellen Diamond d.2017 (Eliot Diamond), and son, Eric Foster; and proud grandmother to Adam Clammer (Kate), Benjamin Clammer (Cathy), Zachary Clammer (Bridget), and Jason Diamond. Also GiGi to Charles, Alexander, Caroline, Jack, Lila, Emma, Callie, and Maggie. Ruth Seidman was born in Baltimore MD Feb. 5, 1925, to Rebecca and Harry Seidman, the youngest of 4 sisters and 3 brothers; Jesse, Rita, Hannah, Bernie, Nathaniel and Leona. When she was one, her family moved to the Chesapeake Bay community of Churchton, operating a vital local general store and gas station during the Great Depression. The values she learned there served her very well the rest of her life. Coming of age in 1942, she moved to Washington operated a suburban retail store until 1972; then traveled extensively and eventually moved to CA to be near her children. They moved to Morro Bay in 1978, where Ruth Barbara, where she spent time with her daughter, Brenda, and eventually married Max in music led her to volunteer to the Assistance League where a Ukulele group formed, bringing cheer to wherever they played. Throughout her life her kindness, generosity, advice. She will be missed greatly but her lovely glow will permeate forever to the people she loved and who loved her.

Obituary notices are published daily in the Santa Barbara News-Press and also appear on our website www.newspress.com

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

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Poll: Americans not optimistic about government, economy

By BRETT ROWLAND

THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The government is the nation’s top problem, according to Gallup’s latest poll.

The government (21%) beat out inflation (15%) and illegal immigration (11%). Mentions of the economy fell six points to 10%, the lowest reading in a year.

The poll was conducted from Jan. 2-22 during Kevin McCarthy’s contentious Speaker of the House election. The period also included the discovery of classified government documents in President Joe Biden’s private office and home.

Approval ratings for Biden (41%) and Congress (21%) remained unchanged, according to the poll.

The government ranked

as the top problem for both Republicans and Republicanleaning independents (24%) and Democrats and Democraticleaning independents (18%), Gallup reported. Inflation and immigration were cited by 18% of Republicans, while mentions of inflation (11%), the economy in general and race relations (9% each) trailed the government among Democrats. Democrats were more likely than Republicans to view unifying the country and the environment as top problems, according to the Gallup poll.

Those polled weren’t optimistic about the nation’s economy.

The Economic Confidence Index, which summarizes responses to the existing and economic outlook items, stood at -

39. That is the same as last month, but well above the -58 score last June amid high gas prices and the record low of -72 in October 2008, during the Great Recession. The ECI, which has a theoretical range of -100 to +100, has been negative since July 2021, when the U.S. inflation rate was on the rise, according to Gallup. “Americans’ mentions of the government as the nation’s most important problem have risen significantly in the past month, while inflation remains the next most-cited issue,” according to Gallup. “Fewer name the economy in general, yet when asked about the economy directly, Americans continue to lack confidence in its current and future health. Views of the job market remain largely positive, but they are diminished from

one year ago. While the U.S. unemployment rate remains relatively low, recent layoffs in the technology sector could affect opinions about the job market, and possibly the broader economy, in the coming months.”

Last week, the latest survey from the National Association for Business Economics found that more than half of respondents put the possibility of a recession over the next year at 50% or higher.

“The results ... indicate widespread concern about entering a recession this year,” NABE President Julia Coronado said. “For the first time since 2020, more respondents expect falling rather than increased employment at their firms in the next three months.”

SPN: Fewer government regulations could alleviate housing crisis

By GLENN MINNIS

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Three out of every four voters agree that housing affordability is a problem, with many saying they would like to see the government take more direct action in easing the burden for residents, a new State Policy Network (SPN) poll finds.

Pollsters found that 63% of those surveyed support establishing rent control rates as the most popular housing related policy that’s been tested, with pluralities also supporting placing limits on foreign citizen ownership (43%) and relaxing zoning laws (44%).

While not surprised to see so many impacted by the housing bubble, SPN messaging strategist Erin Norman told The Center Square she doesn’t expect to see any measurable levels of relief coming any time soon.

“We’ve seen the cost of housing skyrocket in recent years and that coupled with inflation is making housing a larger and larger part of household budgets, squeezing Americans,” Norman said. “The polling data we have reflects the pain of the tradeoffs people are

having to make because of that.”

Overall, the SPN State Voices opinion poll of roughly 2,000 registered voters conducted in partnership with Morning Consult through online interviews found that 41% of the 75% of respondents who point to the issue as a problem think it is a significant one.

Ms. Norman laments that government regulations add to the problem.

“This is the natural result of increasing layers of regulation on buildings,” she said. “The regulations restrict what can be built and drive up the cost to builders of supplying housing. I’m actually surprised we aren’t seeing more people leave high-cost metro areas for lower cost ones given the trouble many companies have had filling positions in the last year and the increase we’ve seen and the number of jobs that don’t require you to be in the office. Prices in those markets are also going up but it is a way Americans can find some relief.”

To see so many people supporting rent control speaks to the level of desperation many feel in their ongoing struggle to keep a roof over their head, Ms. Norman added.

“A big part of it is that people need relief

now,” she said. “Many of the reforms that could ease the cost of housing are long-term solutions that will ultimately result in greater supply. It’s hard to favor those types of reforms over immediate subsidies when you aren’t sure how you are going to pay your rent.”

Branding rent-control policies as shortterm fixes, Ms. Norman said there are more concrete steps officials can take in making housing more affordable for more people.

“Reducing paternalistic regulations will make more types of housing available to more people,” she said. “Some localities have regulations on how many parking spaces residential construction must have, an outdated [policy] given how much easier it is to live even in the suburbs without owning a car. Other areas have effectively made dense housing illegal with minimum lot and square footage requirements, pricing people who might be happy with a home of 500 or 600 square feet completely out of the market. A lot of building codes are designed to encourage single-family homes, which is a housing model that doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.”

The poll had a margin of error of 2%.

Life theArts

Flight worth taking

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING

In terms of storytelling, many movies have flown higher than “Plane.”

But while it’s not an especially great movie, “Plane” is a good one, thanks in large part to stars Gerard Butler and Mike Colter.

Mr. Butler plays pilot Brodie Torrance, who’s forced to land his commercial jet on a mysterious island because of stormy weather. His passengers include a convicted murderer, Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter). Brodie, his passengers and the plane survive the rough landing. But now they face armed rebels in a war zone in the effective screenplay by Charles Cumming and J.P. Davis. What makes this film a good one is not so much the story, but the acting by Mr. Butler and Mr. Colter.

Brodie finds he needs Louis’ help in protecting the passengers from the rebels.

Outnumbered and outgunned, these two unlikely buddies team up and take on the bad guys, led by Junmar (Evan Dane Taylor).

Helping Brodie are flight attendant Bonnie (Daniella Pineda) and co-pilot Samuel Dele (Yoson An). Both actors excel in the roles, and Samuel is a good contrast to the rougher, tougher Brodie.

It’s fun to see how Brodie and Louis achieve their success, and there’s an interesting side story on how the airline is dealing with all this. Tony Goldwyn, who was great as the president of the United States on ABC’s “Scandal,” comes to the rescue as Scarsdale and organizes the rescue team for the hostages.

Mr. Goldywn has a knack for playing leaders, and he adds a lot to the airline scenes.

The big question in “Plane” is whether Brodie and Louis can keep everyone alive until the team arrives.

Director Jean-Francois Richet does well with a story that’s somewhat predictable.

Some of the characters in the movie do some dumb things that will leave you shaking your head, but Brodie and Louis are smart, and they’re the reason to watch “Plane.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

FYI

“Plane” is rated R and has a running time of one hour and 47 minutes.

The drama is playing at Fiesta 5, 916 State St., Santa Barbara, and Camino Real, 7040 Marketplace, Goleta. See metrotheatres.com for times.

The Lionsgate film, which stars Gerard Butler and Mike Colter, is also screening at Regal Edwards Santa Maria, 100 Town Center East, Santa Maria. See regmovies.com for times.

And “Plane” is screening at Movies Lompoc, 220 W. Barton Ave., Lompoc. See playingtoday.com for times.

CALENDAR

‘Avatar’ musician becomes principal utist of Santa Barbara Symphony

By KATHERINE ZEHNDRE NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Amy Tatum found her voice in the flute. It’s an instrument she’s played for 31 years, since she was 11 years old. Now she has her dream job.

In January, the Santa Barbara Symphony announced Ms. Tatum, who played the flute on the soundtrack of “Avatar: The Way of the Water,” was appointed to the position for principal flutist.

“It is a dream realized,” Ms. Tatum told the News-Press.

“I have been going to hear the

symphony for years. My husband has been playing as a guest musician on trumpet for 10 years. We have been going to concerts for 10 years.

“To be part of this world-class ensemble, which I already consider family, is a beautiful situation for me,” said Ms. Tatum. She discussed her career prior to her new position.

“I have been freelancing in Los Angeles for 20 years. I have been doing studio work and played as guest principal with the Los Angeles Opera and other orchestras,” she said. “Being a musician can be a patchwork quilt experience. I go from Orange

County to Santa Barbara and everywhere in between.

“I have taught at Los Angeles City College and Mount Saint Mary’s University. Out of grad school, I started working for the Harmony Project, a nonprofit that serves communities that wouldn’t otherwise have access to high quality music and classical music education,” Ms. Tatum said. “It is a partner with the L.A. Philharmonic educational program. I also taught at El Sistema based out of Venezuela. That is where I found my love of teaching.”

“The benefit of a freelance musician is that you are exposed to every kind of musical situation

possible,” she noted. “There is so much diversity in what we do. A lot of times we are thrown into situations at the last minute.

“With the opera I have had so many opportunities to be in an orchestral setting. I did a semiprofessional training program in grad school, the American Youth Symphony, which is a combination of college-aged orchestral musicians along with recent grads.

“We had the chance to explore repertoire and play in different positions of the orchestra. It was a really great training ground for getting familiar with the repertoire

COURTESY PHOTO

Pianist Jerome Lowenthal, who served as a Music Academy of the West teaching artist for half a century, will perform a concert, “Lowenthal’s Legend,” March 9 at the academy’s Hahn Hall in Montecito.

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

TODAY

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Entangled:

Responding to Environmental Crisis,” runs through March 25 at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. The museum is open from 10 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It’s closed on Sundays and college holidays. For more information, call 805-565-6162 or visit westmont.edu/museum.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Interlopings: Colors in the Warp and Weft of Ecological Entanglements” is an exhibit that runs through March 12 at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The exhibit features weavings dyed with pigments from non-native plants on Santa Cruz Island. The weavings were created by artists Helen Svensson and Lisa Jevbratt. For more information, see sbbotanicgarden.org.

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “The Search for the Modern West,” an exhibit, continues through Feb. 20 at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, see sullivangoss.com or call the gallery at 805-730-1460.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit “Parliament of Owls” runs through Feb. 5 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information, go to www. sbnature.org.

6 p.m. Nick Hornby will discuss his book, “Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius,” with fellow writer Jessica Anya Blau at Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St. in Loreto Plaza, Santa Barbara. Mr. Hornby will also sign copies of his book. For more information, call Chaucer’s at 805-682-6787 or go to www.chaucersbooks.com.

FEB. 1 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Coast artist and London native Annie Hoffman’s exhibit “Seeing Ourselves in Colour” will be displayed through Feb. 28 at Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. For more information, visit anniehoffmann.com.

FEB. 2 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic will provide free dental care for local children during its third annual Give Kids A Smile event on Feb. 2. The free day of exams, cleanings and more will take place at the clinic, located on the Chumash Reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane,l Santa Ynez.

FEB. 5

Free admission will be available on this day at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Ventura County, the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum and the Santa Paula Museum. For more information, visit socalmuseums. org.

FEB. 8

8 p.m. Transform Through Arts will present 10 dance companies in “Colors of Love” at the Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara. General admission costs $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are $25 for students. To purchase, go to www.centerstagetheater.org.

FEB. 12 Noon. Participants in Ted Nash’s workshop will go on stage at the Mary Craig Auditorium, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. The free program is called “Transformation:

Managing

‘Plane’ is a good, but not great, action movie

EDITOR

At left, the “Plane” cast includes Daniella Pineda as fl ight attendant Bonnie Lane, Gerard Butler as pilot Brodie Torrance and Yoson An as copilot Samuel Dele. At right, convicted murderer Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter) plays a pivotal role in “Plane.”

PHOTOS BY KENNETH REXACH/LIONSGATE

Commercial pilot Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) tries to call for help in “Plane.”

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ among history’s highest-grossing movies

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

After earning $2 billion at box offices around the world, “Avatar: The Way of Water” is now the fourth highest-grossing film of all time.

That means director James Cameron now has three movies in the top five. The other two are the original “Avatar” movie, the highest grossing film of all time with $2.923 billion, and “Titanic,” the No. 3 film with $2.195 billion. The No. 2 film is “Avengers: Endgame,” with $2.799 billion. No. 5 is “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” with $2.071 billion.

Last weekend, the “Avatar” sequel topped the North American box office again, grossing $15.7 million.

Still in second place was another sequel, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” The animated movie, starring Antonio Banderas as the voice of the swashbuckling cat, earned $10.6 million at the box office.

“A Man Called Otto,” starring Tom Hanks as a curmudgeon with friendly neighbors, jumped to third place from fifth with a gross of $6.75 million.

Dropping to fourth place from third was the sci-fi/horror thriller “M3GAN,” about a robotic doll. The film grossed $6.37 million.

The spy thriller “Panthaan” opened in fifth place with $5.94 million.

“Missing,” the story about a missing mother, fell to sixth place from fourth with $5.68 million.

“Plane,” which stars Gerard Butler as a pilot who’s forced to land his commercial plane during a storm, dropped to seventh place from sixth with $3.83 million.

CALENDAR

Continued from Page B1

Personal Stories of Change, Acceptance and Evolution” and will feature student composers, performers and writers from Mr. Nash’s workshop.

FEB. 14

6 to 7:30 p.m. Nicole Lvoff and Joe Woodard will perform on Valentine’s Day at the Crush Bar & Tap, 1129 A State St., Santa Barbara. Their music varies from Beatles songs to jazz standards. For more information, go to

“Avatar: The Way of Water” grossed $15.7 million last weekend at the North American box office.

Opening in eighth place was the horror/sci-fi movie “Infinity Pool.” It grossed $2.72 million. “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist” opened in ninth

crushbarsb.com.

FEB. 18 7 to 9 p.m. The Nicole Lvoff Jazz Trio will perform at Crush Bar & Tap, 1129 A State St., Santa Barbara. There’s no cover. For more information, go to crushbarsb.com.

Feb. 19 4 p.m. The Takács Quartet will perform an all-Beethoven concert at St. Mark’sin-the-Valley Episocpal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos. Tickets cost $20 for general admission. To purchase, go to smitv.org/syv-concert-series. Tickets for

Keep

Stacy and

SANTA BARBARA — Ken Stacy and Claire Khodara will perform at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St., suite 205, Santa Barbara.

Mr. Stacey is a singer, songwriter, producer, vocal coach and the former lead singer of the Grammynominated group Ambrosia. He

place with $2.36 million. “The Wandering Earth II” placed 10th with $1.36 million. email: dmason@newspress.com

students are free. For more information, contact Linda Burrows at 805-705-0938 or syvconcerts@smitv.org.

March 9 7 p.m. Pianist Jerome Lowenthal, who served as a Music Academy of the West teaching artist for half a century, will perform a concert, “Lowenthal’s Legend,” at the academy’s Hahn Hall, 1070 Fairway Road, Montecito. Tickets are $55 for general admission and free for ages 7-17. To purchase, go to musicacademy.org to call the academy’s box office at 805969-8787.

— Dave Mason

Khodara at SOhO

has performed with everyone from Michael Jackson to Elton John, Billy Joel, Sam Smith and Madonna. Ms. Khodara is a recording artist, autism activist and creative entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. Her sound is influenced by Americana performers such as Brandi Carlisle and Bonnie Raitt.

For more about Ms. Khodara, go to www.clairekhodara.com. General admission costs $25 in advance and $30 cash on the day of the show. To purchase or get a dinner reservation, go to www. sohosb.com.

AnimalZone’s seasons now on TUBI

AnimalZone is putting a fresh paw forward in the New Year, as the award-winning animal-rescue television series now airs on TUBI.tv, the world’s third largest streaming platform. AnimalZone’s Seasons 6 and 7 are available to TUBI’s 80 million active monthly users throughout the United States and Canada.

“We are thrilled to be part of TUBI’s collection of quality programming and that our family-friendly series will now reach millions of animal lovers,” said Arthur von Wiesenberger, AnimalZone’s host and executive producer (and co-publisher of the News-Press).

AnimalZone first aired in 2018 on Santa Barbara’s local public access channel, TV Santa Barbara. The show’s accolades includes a Telly Award and recognition as TVSB’s Best New Series. In 2019, the show began airing on Cox Cable’s national network, and in September 2022, AnimalZone aired its 100th episode.

“That’s 700 episodes in dog years,” quipped Mr. von Wiesenberger at a recent celebration event held in Montecito.

AnimalZone features animal rescues, sanctuaries and animal welfare experts with the goal to educate, entertain and inspire. The series quickly grew from focusing mainly on dogs and cats to many types of pets, including rabbits, Guinea pigs, parrots and tortoises. It also highlights barnyard livestock such as horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, chickens and even wildlife like lemurs, alligators, opossums, pelicans and manatees. Originally filmed

Arthur von Wiesenberger hosts “AnimalZone.”

in only California, the series has grown to air episodes from Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

Many celebrities and their animals have been featured on AnimalZone, including Christopher Lloyd, Jimmy Connors, Peter Noone, Alison and Dina Eastwood, Monty Roberts, Diana Baseheart, Tiffany Lonsdale, pet

COURTESY PHOTO

psychic Laura Stinchfield, former Hallmark Channel’s Pet Rescue Expert Larissa Wohl, and Katy Perry’s parents, Mary and Keith Hudson.

The show is sponsored in part by Santa Barbara Humane, the Rudi Schulte Family Foundation and Wendy P. McCaw Foundation.

— Staff reports

Talk to cover NASA’s OSIRIS-REx

GOLETA — Steve Penniman, vice president of the Santa Barbara Model A Club, will be the speaker at the club’s business meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Southcoast Church, 5814 Cathedral Oaks Road, Goleta. This meeting is open to the public.

Mr. Penniman, who is one of the club’s newest members, will discuss NASA’s OSIRIS-REx

Continued from Page B1

and learning orchestral work.”

The News-Press asked Ms. Tatum why she is passionate about music, especially the flute.

“Well, music has always been part of my life. I grew up in a musical family. My mom and grandma both played piano. I took piano lessons from my grandma and was in choir all through my childhood. It is part of the fabric of my life.

“Once I found the flute, I found my voice. I can express myself through music better than words. Music is the medium I feel most comfortable with.”

Ms. Tatum spoke to her goals as principal flutist. “I have already been blown away by the Santa

and the space agency’s trip to the asteroid Benue to bring back samples. Mr. Penniman worked on this project with another club member, Fred Duerner’s son Andrew. This project launched in 2016 and will return to earth with the samples later this year.

Mr. Penniman was principal electronic design Engineer on the LIDAR project at Advanced Scientific Concept. He graduated

Barbara community. I have never experienced so much support and appreciation from a community of art lovers like in Santa Barbara.

I am greatly looking forward to getting to know as many people as possible in the community and becoming part of that fabric.”

Ms. Tatum discussed her experience playing flute on the soundtrack of “Avatar: Way of the Water.”

“That was a dream and a high that I will never forget,” she said.

“It took place over the course of many months. It’s the longest score I have ever recorded; oftentimes a score is recorded in a week or two.

“We really got to know the music, the composer and the people working on the film. We established relationships working on the score and that is pretty unusual and special.”

from Cal Berkeley in 1968 and has been doing electronic design and software in the Santa Barbara area throughout his career. He holds several patents for disk drive servo control and LIDAR image processing. He is currently an independent consultant to the telecommunications industry.

Dave Mason

—

Ms. Tatum spoke to what genres she plays aside from orchestral.

“I love commercial music as well. I love to sing; I have been singing since I could utter anything at all. I love popular music, and commercial music; I’m a closeted jazzer, but I only play it in the comfort of my own home.

“I love all music, which is why a freelance career appealed to me. We get to do all of it and it keeps me excited, motivated and fulfilled.”

“I am grateful to be able to do what I love and what I am passionate about,” Ms. Tatum said. “I am grateful to have two wonderful children and a supportive husband and to be able to play in this ensemble in a beautiful community.”

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

2OTH CENTURY STUDIOS

— Dave Mason

COURTESY PHOTOS

Claire Khodara Ken Stacy

Diversions

Thought for Today

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

ARIES — Are you involved in a search through every store for a particular item, Aries? You might be looking for a long time. The object you need won’t be found at the local mall. Secondhand shops, obscure boutiques, antique stores outside town - all of these are more likely to have what you want than any shop you’d normally frequent.

TAURUS — If you’ve given up on something you’ve lost, Taurus, you might get a real surprise tonight when a dream sheds light on where you might find it. It’s important that you either get up and search for the object immediately or write the dream down in as much detail as you can remember.

Otherwise, this could be one of those dreams that disappears as soon as you wake up, and you won’t want that.

GEMINI — A business or romantic partner might be in a foul mood and not very likely to tell you why, Gemini. It won’t be all that easy to deal with, but it probably doesn’t relate to any trouble between you. Therefore, it’s best to let your partner work it out alone. Take care to stay cool and keep a safe distance between you, at least for today.

CANCER — Have you been exercising beyond your fitness level, Cancer? If you have, you’re probably feeling very tired, sore, and out of sorts. Take it easy today, even if you don’t want to. You can still exercise, but concentrate on yoga and tai chi rather than more strenuous programs like aerobics. Push yourself a little, but not too much.

LEO — A goal you’ve recently been on the verge of attaining may suddenly hit unexpected setbacks, Leo. However major or minor they are, it’s going to be disheartening. The only thing you can do is pick up the pieces and move on. The goal isn’t dead in the water. There are only some extra tasks that need to be done before you achieve it.

VIRGO — The start of February isn’t a great time for your wallet as Ceres goes into retrograde in your value zone on Friday. Over the next few weeks

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

A middle-aged couple had joined my club and was playing in duplicate games.

“They say they want to make their marriage more exciting,” Cy the Cynic told me as we were sitting in the lounge.

“I tried to add some excitement to my marriage,” Unlucky Louie sighed, “but my wife found out.”

“How well do they play?” I asked the Cynic.

“You be the judge,” Cy said, displaying today’s deal. “They were North-South. Their bidding to four spades was fine, but the husband was declarer and made the play more exciting than it should have been. I was West and led the ten of clubs. My partner took the ace and returned the five.”

THIRD TRICK

“Declarer won and led a trump at the third trick. I took the ace and led a third club, and East ruffed and cashed his ace of hearts for down one.”

“I think I get the idea,” I said.

Declarer had a blind spot. After he wins the second club, he must take dummy’s A-K of diamonds to discard his last high club. Then he can lead a trump safely.

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

you might have a hard time earning money but a very easy time spending it. Try to develop a better relationship with your income by showing some discipline. You don’t need to buy everything you see.

LIBRA — This isn’t a great week for first impressions, Libra, because you’ll be feeling a little stalled when Ceres enters your sign on Friday. Over the next few weeks you might be wondering how much you’re really growing as a person. You’ll need to find harmony in your body again before you can make peace with the world.

SCORPIO — You could be starting February with some disharmony if you’re keeping a lot of things to yourself when Ceres goes into retrograde in your subconscious zone on Friday. This can be a period of endings because you might have to cut some people out of your life.

SAGITTARIUS — This is a not a great time to make friends as Ceres goes into retrograde in your social zone on Friday. The cold February weather can kill any budding friendship. And it isn’t an ideal time for networking or buying any new gadgets. Instead, think about how you can help others in your community to find fulfillment.

CAPRICORN — You were starting February feeling better but stall as Ceres goes into retrograde in your career zone on Friday. Over the next few weeks you might not have the productive energy to help grow your career. Use this as a period of reflection as you decide where to go from here.

AQUARIUS — February starts on a bit of a rocky note as Ceres goes into retrograde in your communication zone on Friday. You might have a difficult time understanding everything, both yourself and the world around you. It’s easy to get lost in unproductive thoughts, so get back to your roots to create understanding.

PISCES — Bonds you thought would last forever suddenly break when Ceres goes into retrograde in your intimacy zone on Friday. Sudden endings could take you by surprise, so remember to grieve not for what you’ve lost but for what might have been.

INSTRUCTIONS

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

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

your left, opens three clubs. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have 11 good points, and your partner was willing to play for nine tricks even if you had none. He will usually have support for the unbid suits, especially for the majors. Jump to four hearts. If partner’s hand is A K 8 7, A K 8 4, Q 7 6 5, 3, you may take 12 tricks.

dealer

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.”

— Jim Rohn