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Herb your enthusiasm The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden opens to the public once again
Postponement of high school sports looking more likely By MARK PATTON NEWS-PRESS SENIOR WRITER
Two big dominoes in the postponement of the high school sports seasons fell on Monday with both the Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified school districts announcing that they will not be reopening their campuses next month. San Marcos athletic director Abe Jahadhmy, the dean of local sports administrators, admitted that those moves will likely affect the California Interscholastic Federation’s plans to resume high school athletic competition. The CIF State is expected to announce its plans by next Monday. “Like all of us, we are frustrated and anxious to get going,” Jahadhmy said. “However, we all understand the well-being, safety
and health of everyone is more important.” The state’s rising number of coronavirus cases triggered Monday’s announcement from both LAUSD and SDUSD that they will be conducting all fall classes online “until further notice.” That move makes it prohibitive to hold practices — and, in turn, contests — in those CIF sections. Several Northern California districts —West Contra Costa County, East Side Union in San Jose, and Oakland — have made the same decision. The Santa Barbara Unified School District’s Board of Education will hold a public, online study session tonight to discuss its own reopening plans in advance of next Tuesday’s regular meeting. Dos Pueblos Please see SPORTS on A8
Tax deadline tomorrow, L.A. master tax advisor gives tips on filing By JOSH GREGA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
David and Kelly Summers, brother and sister, visited the Botanic Garden for the first time on Monday. They traveled down from the Bay Area.
By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
After four months of being closed off to the public, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is finally welcoming back anyone and everyone to stroll through and enjoy California native plants and habitats. Like many other similar facilities, the garden’s reopening is gradual. No on-site classes, tours, events or programs are being held, plus all indoor areas are closed besides restrooms. Face masks are required at all times, and narrow trails meant for one person were turned into one-way paths. In addition, as of right now, the garden is only allowing 80 people in at any given time. It’s a third of the normal population of guests. “The entire reason that the garden exists is to serve the public and encourage them and inspire them to love California natives. We haven’t been able to do that for a while,” said Steve Windhager, the executive director of the garden. “It was really exciting to be able to open back up to the general public.” He said the facility is a great place for residents and tourists alike to come get exercise, walk their pets and enjoy the weather even amid COVID-19. He added the shift to welcoming back the public has been “really rewarding to see.” “Everyone was just so excited
Marcela Jensen and her son, Jacob, traveled up from Rancho Cucamonga to see the garden. Jacob said that because he and his mother both have a background in environmental science, they learn valuable information and enjoy the experience.
to be able to be in the garden, and to see the expressions of happiness, even if it was behind a mask …” Mr. Windhager said. The garden was closed completely for two months, and then only open to members five days a week for the following two months to fine tune adjustments to the garden during COVID-19. The park will be open seven
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days a week starting July 17. Mr. Windhager said they will be closed Wednesday and Thursday this week to get all the staff together before they return to being open every day. Joseph Rothleutner, the director of horticulture and facilities at the garden, has been watering, weeding and mulching the plants all throughout the
COVID-19 closures. “The compliments that we’re receiving on how the garden’s looking are always refreshing, but how happy people are to be back in nature is inspiring and motivating for me and my team,” he said. However, although humans weren’t able to enjoy the abundance of native plants and the redwood trees, animals were paying their visits. Mr. Rothleutner said he and his team saw bobcats, great blue herons and snakes roaming around during the COVID-19 closure. “It’s a great place to be outdoors and to showcase the work that we put into it,” he said. “Spring is obviously a big time for us, so getting people in while we still have a bunch of our wildflowers blooming is really good.” He added that while the retail nursery is still closed, the garden staff hopes to open it sometime in September for the fall planting season. Jacob Jensen and his mother, Marcela Jensen, traveled up from around the Rancho Cucamonga area to observe and enjoy the Botanic Garden on Monday. “Me and my mom both have a background in environmental science, so seeing this stuff is very informational. It’s a learning experience,” Mr. Jensen said. “Everything’s nice and lush; there’s nice vegetation growth. Please see GARDEN on A8
COVID-19 may have bought people a few more months in which to file their tax returns, but that extra time is up soon. July 15 marks the IRS’s deadline for filing and paying federal income tax, extended from the usual April 15 deadline due to the pandemic. Those who need more time to file a tax return can file a request for an extension, also due on July 15. In an interview with the NewsPress, Los Angeles-based H&R Block master tax advisor Aaron Martinez said whether or not a taxpayer chooses to file or request an extension, it is most important that they “do something” in order to avoid late filing penalties. Even if a taxpayer files a request for an extension, those who have a balance due are still required to pay at least 90 percent of that balance by Wednesday, according to Mr. Martinez. Since COVID-19 forced many businesses to shut down in the spring, many people have gone on unemployment, which is taxable income. Mr. Martinez remarked that those who aren’t having taxes withheld from unemployment might have a balance to pay next year. Because of this, those receiving unemployment may want to consult with a tax professional for a mid-year check-in to discuss how their lifechanging circumstances amid the pandemic could impact the taxes they’ll owe for the year 2020. “You want to look at that now so you don’t get the surprise next year when you go to file,” Mr. Martinez said. On Wednesday, individuals who are self-employed or private contractors will need to make an estimated payment on how much they will owe in taxes for the year 2020. To determine what dollar amount should be paid as an estimated payment, Mr. Martinez suggested going onto the IRS website is the best way to do it. Whatever the exact dollar amount owed, Mr. Martinez said self-
employed taxpayers should “try to get within 90 percent” of what they owe. When filing, those who are selfemployed and work from home can make a home office deduction. Usually, deductions for charitable donations need to be itemized, but under the CARES Act that was passed to alleviate the economic impacts of COVID-19, deductions for donations of up to $300 do not have to be itemized. Mr. Martinez remarked that this is one of a few deductions that low-income individuals and families should look out for to get a greater refund. Though somewhat separate from the looming tax deadline, the tax advisor also mentioned the CARES Act’s 401(k) financial hardship withdrawal as something else low-income individuals and families should be aware of. Under normal circumstances, a person under 59 ½ years of age wouldn’t be able to withdraw from their 401(k) without incurring an early distribution penalty. However, due to the financial impacts of COVID-19, those under 59 ½ years old won’t have to pay an early distribution penalty for taking money out of their retirement account. 401(k) distributions are still taxable income, but payments can be spread over a three-year period. As for the earned income tax credit, Mr. Martinez said it is not only “one of the best reasons to file” for low-income families, but one that many low-income families are unaware of. Many low-income families wind up not owing any taxes, but they forget that filing for the earned income tax credit can get them a refund. Recalling how a single mother once got a $3,000 refund from the State of California, Mr. Martinez stressed that the earned income tax credit can be of great help to those who file for it. “We’re not talking pocket change, these credits can be quite valuable,” he said. email: jgrega@newspress.com
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