Santa Barbara News-Press: January 18, 2023

Big West showdown

Climate Art

Weathering the weather

A look at the aftermath of the recent storms in Santa Barbara County

Inspection finds parklet compliance on the rise

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The number of outdoor dining parklets that remain noncompliant with the city’s new stormwater runoff requirements continues to dwindle.

City staff conducted their latest inspection of the delinquent parklets last Wednesday, and found the number that remained noncompliant had been more than cut in half.

Of the 15 delinquent parklets that remained, “nine either made the required changes or removed their facilities,” Sarah Clark, the city’s downtown plaza parking manager, told the News-Press Tuesday. “Six remain noncompliant.”

Ms. Clark said the six remaining delinquent parklets will receive administrative citations, which carry a $100 fine.

The next round of inspections “will be scheduled once we’ve sent the citations,” she said.

Any of the six that receive two citations and still don’t make the required changes will be ordered to remove their parklets, she said.

And if they refuse?

“The city will remove the facilities at the business owner’s expense,” Ms. Clark

said.

The city set a Dec. 1, 2022, deadline for the city’s 50 parklets on lower State Street to be modified to allow for stormwater runoff to be able to flow freely around or beneath them. City officials were concerned that the parklets might block rainwater from flowing down State Street, resulting in flooded sidewalks and storefronts.

To date, that has not happened, despite a series of winter storms that have dumped several inches of rain on city streets.

The first round of inspections revealed only 17 of the 50 parklets between the 400 and 1300 blocks of State Street had made the adjustments. A second round showed 12 parklets were noncompliant, with four more left to be inspected. Three of those four remained delinquent, bringing the total to 15.

In most cases, restaurants have cut drainage channels, using a steel diamond plate to bridge the gap. Others have pulled their parklets away from the curb and made them more narrow. A few have removed platforms and switched to portable, at-grade designs.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The storm that hit Santa Barbara County this weekend was significantly less damaging than the storm which hit on Jan. 9, but the county is still reeling from the aftereffects of the deluges.

According to Santa Barbara County PIO Kelsey Buttitta, there is no access to Jalama Road due to slip outs and other road damage, the Old Coast Highway is closed at Highway 101 and San Miguelito Canyon is completely closed due to debris on the road. East Mountain Drive at Cold Spring is also completely closed and other portions of East Mountain Drive have limited access.

On Friday, Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor told the the NewsPress that East Mountain Drive would likely require several months worth of repairs.

Roads with limited one

lane access include: Gibraltar, Tepusquet Road from State Route 166 to Santa Maria Mesa Road and Refugio Road.

“There is no estimate for the opening of Highway 154 from the 154/246 Roundabout to Santa Barbara. This is according to our field staff this afternoon. Work remains focused on removing rocks and debris from the roadway and performing slope work, which was impacted by the storm,” Jim Shivers, PIO for Caltrans District 5, told the News-Press on Tuesday. “Highway 154 at the Alamo Pintado Creek Bridge is closed at this moment. We are hopeful for an opening by this evening. We had to perform earthwork near the abutments below the bridge due to the failure of a drainage facility.”

According to Ms. Buttitta, all but one debris basin on Randall Road are completely full.

“Crews are working round the clock cleaning out debris basins

and culverts,” she said. “The National Guard is working on Randall Road Debris Basin and is expected to remain for another week or two. We have state parks closed including the Los Padres National Forest, and all local parks and trails are closed and this may be extended for several months.”

Ms. Buttitta said that Planning and Development had received 62 requests for inspection of residences, and 48 had been completed as of Tuesday night. Four resulted in red tags indicating that the building cannot be entered, 32 resulted in the building being declared uninhabitable and 12 were deemed safe to live in.

Santa Barbara County has closed public access to Goleta Beach Park at Sandspit Road due to emergency beach nourishment operations that began on Jan. 11 and will continue as needed until facilities have been cleared. Work will occur 24

hours a day, seven days a week for approximately the first ten days in an effort to complete the process sooner, protect the communities below the impacted basins and minimize beach closures.

Large rocks and debris from basins below the Cave Fire and Thomas Fire burn areas will be sorted from the basin material before it is transferred to the beach, according to a press release sent out by Lael Wageneck, PIO for the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department.

According to Ms. Buttitta, the county is moving more into recovery mode. More information and resources can be found at https://www.readysbc.org/ including a virtual local assistance center.

The reservoir levels are as follows as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday: Alisal is at 600.10 ft, 2,389.00 acre-

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) –Children under age 14 are dying from fentanyl poisoning at a faster rate than any other age group in the U.S., according to a new analysis from Families Against Fentanyl.

In the past two years, synthetic opioid (fentanyl) deaths among children surged.

Fentanyl-related deaths among infants (children under age one) quadrupled from 2019 to 2021; more than tripled among children between the ages of 1 and 4 and nearly quadrupled among children between the ages of 5 and 14.

Since 2015, fentanyl-related deaths among infants increased nearly 10-fold; among children ages 1 to 14, deaths increased 15-fold, an increase of over 1,400%, FAF said.

Nationally, fentanyl deaths also doubled over the same time period.

The majority of deaths were poisonings, meaning they resulted from fentanyl being

Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 4-10-13-24-40 Meganumber: 2

Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: N/A Meganumber: N/A

Tuesday’s DAILY DERBY: 10-03-11 Time: 1:40.28

Tuesday’s DAILY 3: 4-1-4 / Wednesday’s Midday 5-6-9

Tuesday’s DAILY 4: 7-6-1-8

ingested without the person’s knowledge. In 2021, less than 1% of fentanyl-related fatalities were suicides.

FAF reported its findings in a newly published brief, “The Changing Faces of Fentanyl Deaths,” which evaluated Center for Disease Control data of fentanyl poisoning fatalities.

“These disturbing new findings should serve as a wakeup call to our nation’s leaders,’” Jim Rauh, founder of Families Against Fentanyl, said. He again called on President Joe Biden to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction “and immediately establish a White House task force dedicated to the fentanyl crisis.”

“Americans deserve to know what is being done to save lives, and what is being done to uncover and stop the international manufacturers and traffickers of illicit fentanyl,” Mr. Rauh added. “This is the number one killer of our nation’s young adults. It is killing more and more children each year. It’s time to treat

Tuesday’s FANTASY 5: 11-12-14-21-26

Monday’s POWERBALL: 4-14-33-39-61 Meganumber: 3

Westmont

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Lake Cachuma Reservoir is at 92.5 percent capacity after recent rains.

At left, bulldozers and dump trucks unload and scoop around loads of mud, silt and rocks at Goleta Beach on Sunday. At right, debris piles up in front of Bradbury Dam at Lake Cachuma after recent rain storms.

Report: Children under 14 dying from fentanyl poisoning at faster rate than any other age group

Lompoc nonprofits free to apply for permission to sell fireworks

LOMPOC — As of last Sunday, qualified, Lompoc-based nonprofit groups can submit applications to the Lompoc City Fire department for an opportunity to sell “safe and sane” fireworks.

Limited to six sale stands in the city of Lompoc, permits will be issued to qualifying nonprofit organizations chosen via lottery, with first priority given to new applicants. Applications will be available at Lompoc Fire Station 51 (115 South G St.) and will be on hand from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applications must be picked up in-person by an adult representative of the applying organization.

Applications must be

‘Barrels of Fun’ ready to roll at Santa Barbara Fair and Expo

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Fair and Expo will be returning to Santa Barbara on Wednesday, April 26.

The theme for this years event, ‘Barrels of Fun,’ is meant as a nod to a fun lifestyle and a

Suspects arrested with 20 catalytic converters

ISLA VISTA - A Tuesday traffic stop has resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of 20 catalytic converters.

At approximately 3:30 a.m., a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic enforcement stop of a vehicle leaving the Isla Vista area, near Los Carneros Road and Castilian. As a result of the stop, deputies reportedly found 20 catalytic converters inside the vehicle

reminder to keep laughing and enjoying life, according to a press release.

As usual, the event will feature rides, games and fair food as well as a farm area including animals and learning opportunities.

There will even be local entertainers and displays of local talent and accomplishments. The fair ends on Sunday, April 30.

For more information on the 2023 Santa Barbara Fair and Expo and to learn how

TRAFFIC, CRIME & FIRE BLOTTER

along with a floor jack and an impact drill.

Deputies arrested both occupants of the vehicle, 25-yearold Arman Abrahamyan of Van Nuys and 27-year-old Levon Martirosyan from Glendale, on suspicion of grand theft (felony), possession of burglary tools (misdemeanor), possession of stolen property (felony) and conspiracy (felony). Both suspects are being held at the Main Jail on $20,000 bail.

Deputies from the Isla Vista Foot Patrol and Goleta Patrol had taken several reports for thefts of catalytic converters throughout the day on Tuesday. Victims

who have not yet reported their catalytic converter as stolen can use the online reporting portal at https://www.sbsheriff.org/ or contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 805683-2724.

— Katherine Zehnder

Three injured in RV fire

SANTA MARIA - At 12:33 a.m. in the 3500 block of Skyway Dr. in Santa Maria, an RV fire was reported at a construction site. The vehicle was fully involved

you can participate as a vendor, exhibitor, entertainer or volunteer, visit www. earlwarren.com or call 805-6870766.

—Caleb Beeghly

when fire personnel arrived, and three people were inside.

Santa Barbara County Fire and Santa Maria Fire Department personnel knocked down the fire at 12:53 a.m. before the blaze had the opportunity to spread to any nearby structures.

Three adult patients, two males and one female, were transported by two ground ambulances to Marian Medical Center with minor injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Scott Safechuck, PIO for Santa Barbara County Fire reported in a tweet.

— Katherine Zehnder

Continued from Page A1

feet and 37.40 inches of rainfall in total for the year; Cachuma Reservoir is at 92.5 percent capacity, 748.20 ft, 178,0365 acrefeet and 21.21 inches of rainfall in total for the year; Gibraltar is at 100 percent capacity, 1399.99 ft, 4,691 acre-feet with an outflow of 1,000 cubic feet per second and 34.95 inches of rainfall in total for the year; Jameson: 100.8 percent capacity, 2,224.32 ft, 4,888 acrefeet and 39.99 inches of rainfall in total for the year.

“Twitchell capacity is 194,971 acre feet and it is currently at 63,705 or 32.6% capacity. Gibraltar and Jameson reservoirs are at full capacity. Cachuma Reservoir level is within 2 feet of full nominal capacity at elevation … gradually rising,” Mr. Wageneck told the News-Press.

Today’s forecast is sunny with a low of 41 degrees and a high of 59. Thursday is partly cloudy with a ten percent chance of rain at night and a ten percent chance during the day with a low of 42 degrees and a high of 60 degrees.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Savory & Sweet Eats ribbon cutting ceremony

LOMPOC

Founder

this threat with the urgency it deserves.”

It announced its findings after the DEA issued several public safety alerts last year about fentanyl and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warned of Mexican cartels targeting young Americans with rainbow fentanyl pills, fake prescription pills that look like candy but are laced with fentanyl.

The DEA last month announced that in 2022, it seized enough fentanyl to kill more than everyone in the U.S. Texas law enforcement officers, as of Jan. 13 and since March 2021, have seized over 356 million lethal doses of fentanyl, enough to kill more than everyone in the United

States. Last year, in a few months’ time, Florida law enforcement officers seized enough fentanyl to kill everyone in Florida.

Two milligrams of fentanyl, the size of a mosquito, is lethal enough to kill a grown adult and is 100 times more potent than morphine.

In early January, Ms. Moody called on President Biden to demand that Mexico take action to prevent fentanyl from pouring across the border. She said she was “deeply concerned” because in his meetings with the Mexican president they didn’t appear “to discuss the deluge of illicit fentanyl flooding across our border from Mexico or the record number of Americans dying because of your failure to take action and stop the unmitigated flow of this deadly poison.”

President Biden has also

culinary arts with her Central California roots and her Laotian culture, resulting in a unique taste experience.

For more information on the ribbon cutting ceremony, call the Lompoc Valley Chamber at 805-736-4567.

—Caleb Beeghly

“failed to demand accountability and cooperation during previous meetings with both Obrador and Chinese President Xi Jinping,” Ms. Moody said.

Both countries have been identified by U.S. federal and state law enforcement agencies for creating the illicit fentanyl crisis. Chinese mafia and gangs ship fentanyl precursors to Mexican ports, where cartels and their operatives manufacture fake prescription pills and lace other drugs with fentanyl, fueling the fentanyl crisis, the DEA and other agencies say.

Traffickers then bring deadly drugs across the border using migrant warfare as a way to distract and avoid law enforcement, experts say.

The DEA has published several public safety alerts about the dangers of fentanyl. Florida has

also published resources through its Dose of Reality, One Pill Can Kill website. Its Fast Facts on Fentanyl toolkit includes a DEA Emoji Drug Code to educate parents about how dealers are selling illicit drugs targeting minors through social media apps.

FAF points out that synthetic opioid (fentanyl) poisoning is still the leading cause of death among Americans between ages 18 and 45.

Americans are encouraged to have Naloxone on hand, a drug that’s proven to reverse opioid overdoses and fentanyl poisoning if administered quickly enough. It’s available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It’s accessible for free and low cost online, through a range of community organizations, and through pharmacies with and without a prescription and with or without insurance.

turned in to Fire Station 51 and filed by 5 p.m. on Feb. 1. Applicants will know by Feb. 15 if their application met the requirements for consideration. The lottery for choosing which organizations receive permits will be held on Feb. 23. The selected organizations will have until March 31 to submit the required information.

The groups that were granted firework sales permission last year will be considered for an alternate position if they apply for the 2023 lottery. These groups will be entered into the lottery if fewer than six new applicants are accepted and approved.

— Caleb Beeghly

to the Santa Barbara News-Press, P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara, CA 93102. Published daily.

— This Thursday, the expansion of Savory & Sweet Eats mobile food truck will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. at Temperance Cellars (1515 E. Chestnut Avenue #B).

and owner Vilay Saikeo started her career in the local culinary scene and spent time working for renowned chef Thomas Keller. Savory & Sweet Eats allows her to combine a passion for the

COURTESY PHOTOS

The Santa Barbara Fair and Expo is making its return on Wednesday, April 26, at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, and will feature numerous rides, games and learning opportunities.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Shoppers get rained on while crossing the parking lot of the Target department store in Goleta on Sunday.

UCSB men’s basketball defeats UC Irvine

in favor of the home team by the time the first half ended.

Just 48 hours after their last outing, the UCSB men’s basketball team (14-3, 5-1 Big West) were back in action as they traveled south to the Anteaters of UC Irvine. After a close game between two of the top teams in The Big West, it was the Gauchos who came out on top as they defeated the Anteaters 73-67 in Irvine.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The top team in The Big West came out strong, putting themselves on the board first, but that didn’t intimidate the Gauchos. UCSB continued to battle on the back of Andre Kelly, who already had 10 points with seven minutes left in the first. The two teams continued to play an aggressive game throughout the remainder of the half, resulting in a 32-29 score

Kelly continued to stay on fire throughout the remainder of the first half, scoring 14 points to go along with seven rebounds. Not only that, but he also grabbed a steal that led to a slam dunk for the graduate student.

Once the second half began, the Gauchos came out with an even more intense fire. The two teams were within two points of each other for most of the game until 10 minutes into the second half.

The Gauchos scored back-to-back baskets, causing the Anteaters to make big plays to keep up. But whenever Irvine would make the play, Santa Barbara would make one right back. By the end of the game, the Gauchos had ice in their veins, making key shots to keep the Anteaters at bay. This resulted in a 73-65 victory for the Gauchos on the road, winning their last five

contests on the road.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Kelly had a game in the Bren Events Center with his best performance since becoming a Gaucho. He ended the game with 22 points while also adding on 11 rebounds, his third doubledouble of the season. His shooting was phenomenal as he shot an impressive 78.6 percent clip while also tallying a block and a steal.

• Miles Norris continues to be one of the leaders for this team.

The senior finished tonight’s game with his third double-double of the season, registering 16 points while adding on 12 boards.

• Ajay Mitchell finished the night with 14 points to contribute another double-digit night. Along with that, he dispersed the ball well on offense as he notched seven assists.

• Also finishing the game with

double-digit points was Cole Anderson. The sophomore scored 10 points while recording a 50 percent shooting percentage.

• As a team, UCSB made 55.8 percent of their shots while only allowing UC Irvine to make 42 percent of theirs.

UP NEXT

The Gauchos will get three days to prepare as they make their way back to The Thunderdome on Thursday, Jan. 19, for another Big West game as they host the Matadors of CSUN. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m. with a live stream available through ESPN+. Live stats will also be available through ucsbgauchos.com.

Kristen Keller is the associate athletic director for communications and digital strategy at UCSB. sports@newspress.com

Westmont women’s tennis opens with loss to Azusa Pacific

By JACOB NORLING WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

Westmont Women’s Tennis (01) opened up their season with former GSAC and future PacWest rival Azusa Pacific on Monday afternoon in Santa Barbara. The NCAA Div. II Cougars, the twotime reigning Pac West champion, defeated Westmont in the Warrior’s season opener by a score of 4-0.

“We got a lot out of today,” said Westmont head coach Cade Pierson, the reigning GSAC Coach of the Year. “They’re a very talented team, having won the PacWest each of the past two seasons. Getting them on our schedule, even this early, was a really good idea for us since we’re getting to play them twice.

SM boys basketball defeated by Colony

The San Marcos High boys basketball team suffered defeat at the hands of the Colony Titans of Ontario on Monday, falling by a score of 48-39. The game, part of the MLK Showcase, was played in the Toyotal Arena, home of the Los Angeles Clippers G-League team.

San Marcos made it a close game at the end, cutting the Titans’ lead to two with only 27 seconds left to play before surrendering a 7-0 run to put the game out of reach.

The Royals were led by Ben Treadway’s 11 points, while Andre McCullough contributed ten.

“I am very proud of the way that our guys battled today,” said San Marcos Coach James Kinzler. “It was an amazing opportunity to play in the Toyota Arena on this

“It’ll be awesome to play a team of this caliber twice for a couple reasons. For one, of course, being in the same conference next year, and for two, it will give us a great chance to measure our progress later in the season.”

In doubles, APU took each of the three sets by a score of 6-1, which included a court one victory for Madison Kane and Elanora Liga over Westmont’s Francesca Aguirre and Sophia Ostovany.

In singles, the first match to finish was on court four, where APU’s April Wong defeated Liska Knight 6-2, 6-1 in the Warrior’s collegiate debut. The result from court one followed next, with Liga defeating Aguirre 6-1, 6-3, followed by Katherine Nguyen defeating Justie Spitzer on court

six (6-1, 6-4).

The clincher for APU came on court three, where Vini Bautista defeated Westmont’s Arden Samuels by a score of 6-4, 6-3.

“Quite a few of the guys had really good matches,” assured Pierson. “Considering we only had two days of practice leading up, I thought we fought well. We had some people who had never played with each other as doubles partners before today. Having that perspective, I thought we played well today.

“Sophia was someone who stood out. From playing at five or six, to jumping to two, she had a really nice match today. Then, of the freshmen, Arden and Sabina Salva really stood out in their first collegiate matches against high-

SPORTS ROUNDUP

day honoring MLK and I thought our guys responded well. We were right there at the end with a chance to knock off a really good team in Colony, but just couldn’t get it done. We did get better today though, and we will do our best to take that momentum into this week.”

The Royals will return to action tonight when they go on the road to take on Oxnard at 7 p.m.

DP boys basketball loses to Crespi

The Dos Pueblos boys basketball team fell to Crespi on Monday, falling by a lopsided score of 76-49.

A disastrous first quarter set the tone for the game, and saw Dos Pueblos outscored 19-5. Crespi never looked back after the hot start, outscoring Dos Pueblos in

every quarter.

“It was a good tuneup for all of our players today,” said Dos Pueblos Coach Joe Zamora. “We were able to play everyone and it was a learning and growing game for a lot of our players.”

Justin Stock led Dos Pueblos with 15 points, while Shane Grant scored 11.

Dos Pueblos’ record falls to 7-12 with the loss.

Cate boys basketball beats Santa Clara

The Cate boys basketball team defeated Santa Clara, winning by a score of 59-50 in the Tri Valley League matchup.

“What I loved most about today was how we shared the ball and got a ton of fantastic looks in transition,” said Cate Coach Andy

caliber opponents.”

The Warriors and Cougars will meet again on Friday, March 24, when the two teams will meet in Azusa.

“This will set the tone, not just for the level of tennis we want to play at, but also the level of tennis we are going to be playing at,” reflected Pierson. “We get to use this as a benchmark and then have that check-in when we play them again down the road.”

Next up on Westmont’s schedule is a road match at Caltech, which will take place on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Pasadena.

Jacob Norling is the sports information assistant at Westmont College.

email: sports@newspress.com

Gil.

Cate’s win was made possible by a strong first half that saw the team outscore their opponents 34-21. Santa Clara narrowed the gap in the second half, but was unable to overcome the deficit.

Babacar Pouye led the Rams with 17 points.

“Babacar was great for us tonight. He’s getting his stamina back and creating great shots for his teammates,” said Gil, who also singled Marcus Scudder and Jengus Ercil for praise.

“A good team win over a strong team that just beat Bishop,” said Gil. “Our league is tough and we have to bring it every night … We have a couple things to continue to clean up and hope to keep improving.”

Cate returns to action tonight at Thacher.

— Compiled by Matt Smolensky

Snowy plovers in Santa Barbara

A flock of snowy plovers peck at the sand on Leadbetter Beach over the weekend in Santa Barbara.

Afghan refugees cost U.S. military bases over $535 million

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Afghan nationals housed at U.S. bases overseas and in six states cost military branches more than $535 million in damages and consumables according to findings released by the Department of Defense inspector general. A Texas congressman is now demanding answers.

Those housed at eight military bases in the six states cost the bases $362.63 million in depleted resources and damages to facilities. This included $257.48 million in damages to base facilities, making some buildings and infrastructure unusable for U.S. troops, and over $105 million in equipment and replaceable consumable items used, and weakening military readiness.

Afghan-related damages totaled more than $150 million at U.S. bases in Germany, more than $3 million in bases in Spain and Germany and over $20 million at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

The inspector general findings reveal the U.S. Army reported the greatest domestic base losses of $188.81 million, followed by the Air Force’s $150.14 million.

In August 2021, President Joe Biden withdrew U.S. troops from Afghanistan, turning it over to the Taliban, the Islamic terrorist organization U.S. troops fought

for 20 years.

Leaving thousands of Americans stranded, and over $7 billion worth of weapons, ammunition and equipment, the Department of Defense “executed the largest airlift in U.S. history, evacuating more than 120,000 people from Afghanistan in just 17 days,” the report states. Thirteen service members were killed during the withdrawal.

Afghans were housed in U.S. military bases through February 2022; as their visas were processed they were released into the U.S.

In the U.S., they were housed at Fort Bliss in Texas; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey; Fort McCoy in Wisconsin; Camp Atterbury in Indiana; Fort Pickett, Fort Lee and Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia; and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, with the majority being housed at Fort McCoy, Fort Bliss and Fort Pickett.

But at least 44,000 weren’t housed in military bases whose whereabouts were unknown within months of entering the U.S., prompting U.S. senators to demand answers from Department of Homeland Security.

According to the report, damages caused by “guests” were described by Air Force officials as “unrepairable.”

“Air Force officials described

tables, chairs, and cots broken by guests and tents and cots ruined by spray paint, human biological matter, and holes,” the report states; materials were “completely depleted, such that no materials remain available for other real-world missions.”

Holloman AFB said Afghans depleted $18 million worth of their medical equipment.

“There were at least $2.5 million in damages to Navy installations that did not have permits to house refugees,” the report states.

Only $259.5 million in restoration and repair funding requests for the eight bases resulting from OAW was approved, due to technicalities. The report notes that the Deputy Secretary of Defense authorized funds to be limited to specific repairs and restoration activities three months after assessment of damages was presented.

Due to several factors, the DOD was holding bases responsible to pay at least $103.1 million worth of damages from their own budgets. Costs include replenishing depleted stocks of medical equipment, repairing infrastructure, refilling supplies of consumable goods, and restoring basic facility items.

Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez, whose district includes Fort Bliss, expressed “alarm” about the findings of the report in a letter to Defense

Department officials.

“I am alarmed by how these bases will be required to cover the costs of these damages because of their efforts to support Afghan evacuees,” he wrote.

“I am equally troubled by the report’s negative assessment of OAW’s impact on military readiness, which details ongoing disruptions to training exercises,” he said, adding that the DOD denying reimbursement requests for repair costs due to a technicality and the DOD’s “procrastination in issuing restoration directives” was unacceptable.

“While our military continues to feel the strains caused by the withdrawal from Afghanistan, it is essential that all affected entities are returned to their full operational capacity as soon as possible,” he said. “As the United States faces a global environment steeped in rising instability, it is critical that our military forces have the resources necessary to maintain a constant state of readiness.”

Rep. Gonzalez also requested the DOD explain when base repairs would be completed and “how the costs to repair the damages to these facilities will shortchange the activities for other military readiness priorities.”

The DOD also didn’t approve all requests made by the bases overseas or by the Marine Corps.

Washington gas prices continue to rise after 13-week decline

By TIMOTHY SCHUMANN THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – After over thirteen straight weeks of price declines, Washington fuel prices increased for the second week in a row.

On Monday, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was sitting at $3.99 statewide, up from $3.92 the week prior, according to AAA data. This 7-cent increase per gallon continues the sharp reversal in Washington state’s over threemonth-long trend of fuel prices.

While fuel prices have been falling significantly when looking at the national average, citizens of the Evergreen State are still firmly on the expensive end of the market nationwide.

Washington’s pump prices moved up the list nationally into third place being beat on only by California and Hawaii.

Compared with the national average of $3.30 per gallon, Washington’s $3.99 does place it 69 cents per gallon higher than that average. This is a full $1.10 off the nation’s least expensive fuel costs of $2.89 per gallon currently paid by Mississippi state residents.

In Washington, intrastate variance remains high, spanning a range of $1.03 per gallon across counties. The outliers this week, San Juan and Asotin counties, represent the most and least expensive gas prices statewide at $4.55 and $3.52 per gallon, respectively.

This price variance still largely follows the Cascade Range, with residents to the west paying a higher premium at the pump than residents to the east.

On top of the nation-topping prices, as of Jan. 1st of this year, Washingtonians also have a new cap-and-trade tax to contend with. Originally projected to cost an additional 46 cents per gallon, the first carbon auction concluded last month, and that price projection may have been on the high side.

According to previous reporting by The Center Square, Washington Policy Center environmental director Todd Myers thinks that prices may only rise 28 cents per gallon. This is based on 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide selling for $35 per metric ton. Brett Davis contributed to this report.

By RAELYNN RICARTE THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre commended two Washington lawmakers this week for working together on rules to set clear limits on how “Big Tech” collects, uses and shares highly personal data.

At a press briefing this week, Ms. Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration was “heartened to see bipartisan cooperation” to address the issue between Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Spokane, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Edmonds.

Each legislator leads committees charged with regulating tech companies in their respective chambers. Rep. McMorris Rodgers chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Cantwell the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology.

“Democrats and Republicans need to come together to pass serious federal protections for Americans’ privacy, including the strongest possible protections for minors,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said during a White House press briefing on Thursday.

Her comments followed President Joe Biden call for both parties to unite against companies that “collect, share and exploit our most personal data, deepen extremism and polarization in our country, tilt our economy’s playing field, violate the civil rights of women and minorities, and even put our children at risk.”

He issued the challenge in an op-ed published Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal.

“Big Tech companies collect huge amounts of data on the things we buy, on the websites we visit, on the places we go and, most troubling of all, on our children,” he wrote. “We must hold social-media companies accountable for the experiment they are running on our children for profit.”

Sen. Cantwell and Rep. McMorris Rodgers haven’t always agreed on how best to rein in the reach of social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers and Rep. Frank Pallone, her Democratic counterpart from New Jersey, backed a package of reforms last year that cleared the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 53-2.

However, Sen. Cantwell criticized that bipartisan bill, referring to it as “weak.” She backed a separate bill to protect children online that Rep. McMorris Rodgers did not believe went far enough.

Sen. Cantwell responded to President Biden’s call for action with this written comment: “I appreciate President Biden’s continued partnership on tech regulation as well as the work the FTC [Federal Trade Commission] and many states are already doing to protect consumers. Congress must pass strong rules that protect kids and adults online – with strong enforcement to make sure they stick. I will continue to advocate for robust privacy rights in any nationwide standard and meaningful enforcement mechanisms, including the right for individuals to sue for substantial privacy harms.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers said in a written statement that she welcomed President Biden’s message. She then called for social media companies to scale back restrictions on free speech that doesn’t agree with their ideologies, a longstanding area of disagreement between the parties.

Republicans claim that social media platforms unduly target conservative voices, and Democrats believe tech companies are not doing enough to censor misinformation.

“President Biden is correct to acknowledge the risks posed by Big Tech for Americans,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said. “Rather than trying to address these harms unilaterally through executive action and contorting authority, the administration needs to work with Congress to enact comprehensive privacy protections through one national privacy standard that protects all Americans, especially our kids.”

Republicans narrowly took a majority in the House in the 118th Congress, and Democrats retained control of the Senate. Ms. Jean-Pierre said it was important in a divided government for both parties to share the focus on regulating tech companies.

“We look forward to working with both parties and both houses to get privacy and other tech legislation done,” she told reporters. “The protection of privacy is important for Americans across the country, but also let’s not forget our children.”

Democratic coalition of attorneys general file amicus brief in two student loan debt cases

By BRENT ADDLEMAN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –Massachusetts is leading a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the Biden administration’s student debt cancellation plan.

The Democratic law enforcement officials filed the legal document in response to a pair of lawsuits that seek to prevent the initiative from taking effect. The lawsuits, Biden v. Nebraska and Department of Education v. Brown, are being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the brief, the attorneys general say the president acted within his statutory authority. At stake is a student loan debt relief initiative that would provide relief to student loan borrowers

who were directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense financial harm to millions of families and borrowers,” Massachusetts’ acting Attorney General Bessie Dewar said in a release. “The Biden administration’s debt cancellation plan will help prevent student loan borrowers from needlessly suffering even more pandemic-related economic harm, including the devastating cascade of harms that follow from default. As state attorneys general, we are calling on the Supreme Court to uphold the secretary’s authority to provide much-needed relief to people across the country who have been affected by this unprecedented pandemic.”

In the brief, the attorneys general argue that U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel

Cardona has authorization under the HEROES Act to offer a limited student debt cancellation that would prevent borrowers from experiencing hardships.

Massachusetts is joined in filing the brief by AGs representing California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

The student debt relief plan, announced last year, would allow for $10,000 in debt to be canceled under certain income thresholds and $20,000 to be erased for those who took out a student loan and also received a Pell Grant.

The federal government’s plan to provide student loan debt relief, according to the release, was to help borrowers who were directly affected by the pandemic to not face catastrophic defaults following a nearly three-year pause for loan repayment obligations.

According to the release, the coalition’s argument is that student loan debt relief is “an appropriate and necessary use” of the secretary of education’s authority under the HEROES Act. In addition, the Supreme Court is being asked by the federal government to lift injunctions that were granted by lower courts that have blocked the secretary from granting debt relief amid legal challenges.

The lawsuits against the debt cancellation plan, according to the release, were filed in September and November.

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TODAY Cool with partial sunshine 57 59 39 42

INLAND COASTAL

THURSDAY Breezy in the afternoon 56 65 32 39

INLAND COASTAL

FRIDAY Mostly sunny 59 60 31 36

INLAND COASTAL

SATURDAY Breezy in the afternoon 62 62 33 39

SUNDAY Sunny to partly cloudy 60 62 36 40

Today Thu.

City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W

Cuyama 54/34/pc 50/30/c

Goleta 59/42/pc 61/37/c

Lompoc 58/43/pc 58/32/c

Pismo Beach 58/44/pc 59/37/c

Santa Maria 57/42/pc 59/38/c

Santa Ynez 57/39/pc 56/32/c

Vandenberg 57/47/pc 57/40/c

Ventura 58/42/s 59/40/c

Bakersfield 56/39/pc 54/38/c

Barstow 55/32/s 55/33/pc

Big Bear 38/17/s 37/10/pc

Bishop 45/27/pc 43/20/pc

Catalina 53/45/s 52/45/c

Concord 57/38/pc 54/35/pc

Escondido 59/36/s 57/38/pc

Eureka 51/37/r 54/33/pc

Fresno 55/44/pc 52/37/pc

Los Angeles 60/43/s 58/42/c

Mammoth Lakes 28/19/pc 22/5/pc

Modesto 51/42/pc 51/32/pc

Monterey 57/44/pc 53/37/pc

Napa 54/35/r 57/37/pc

Oakland 57/41/pc 57/38/pc

Ojai 57/35/s 58/33/c

Oxnard 58/43/s 59/40/c

Palm Springs 64/43/s 61/44/pc

Pasadena 59/40/s 56/42/c

Paso Robles 55/39/pc 55/29/c

Sacramento 53/41/pc 52/35/pc

San Diego 61/44/s 60/47/pc

San Francisco 58/46/pc 56/42/pc

San Jose 57/41/pc 56/36/pc

San Luis Obispo 58/43/pc 59/35/c

Santa Monica 60/43/s 56/41/c

Tahoe Valley 36/17/pc 30/12/sf

Atlanta 67/60/c 69/41/t

Boston 49/35/pc 40/35/r

Chicago 40/35/c 42/31/sn

Dallas 70/42/pc 60/41/s

Denver 26/11/sn 30/15/c

Houston 73/50/t 68/48/pc

Miami 79/66/s 82/66/s

Minneapolis 32/25/c 28/17/sn

New York City 50/39/pc 43/40/r

Philadelphia 52/39/pc 47/42/r

Phoenix 59/39/pc 60/41/s

Portland, Ore. 47/35/r 46/33/c

St. Louis 45/41/r 43/29/c

Salt Lake City 35/24/c 36/22/sn

Seattle 48/37/r 46/35/c

Washington, D.C. 57/41/pc 51/43/r

INLAND COASTAL

54/40 59/42 Wind east at 4-8 knots becoming west today. Wind waves 3-5 feet with a west swell 4-7 feet at 9-second intervals. Visibility clear. Wind from the west at 3-6 knots today. Wind waves 1-3 feet with a west swell 3-5 feet at 14-second intervals. Visibility clear. Wind from the west at 3-6 knots today. Wind waves 1-3 feet with a west swell 3-5 feet at 14-second intervals. Visibility clear.

54/34

Jan. 18 5:57 a.m. 6.0’ 1:40 p.m. -0.9’ 8:21 p.m. 3.3’ none Jan. 19 6:47 a.m. 6.5’ 12:10 a.m. 2.4’ 9:01 p.m. 3.5’ 2:24 p.m. -1.5’ Jan. 20 7:36 a.m. 6.8’ 1:08 a.m. 2.3’ 9:40 p.m. 3.7’ 3:07 p.m. -1.9’ 52/33

INLAND COASTAL AT BRADBURY DAM, LAKE CACHUMA

equivalent to the amount of water consumed annually by 10 people in an urban environment. 57/39

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2023 Storage 169,082 acre-ft. Elevation 744.85 ft. Evaporation (past 24 hours) 0.0 acre-ft. Inflow 4482.0 acre-ft. State inflow 0.0 acre-ft. Storage change from yest. +4733 acre-ft.

Today Thu.

Beijing 41/16/pc 41/10/pc Berlin 37/26/pc 36/28/c

Cairo 71/51/s 72/52/s

Cancun 83/75/pc 82/75/sh London 41/29/pc 41/28/pc

Mexico City 79/43/pc 79/45/pc Montreal 36/20/c 27/23/c

New Delhi 63/45/pc 66/48/pc Paris 41/30/pc 41/28/pc

Rio de Janeiro 84/75/t 83/75/t

Rome 55/47/r 53/37/r

Sydney 84/67/sh 70/64/r

Tokyo 52/39/c 49/42/pc

SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL POINT ARENA TO POINT PINOS POINT CONCEPTION TO MEXICO LAKE LEVELS City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W W-weather, s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

Managing Editor Dave Mason

Life theArts

CALENDAR

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

‘Entangled’

Crisis,”

The exhibition, “Entangled: Responding to Environmental

of inspiration.

“Madeleine addresses the

landscape in ways that stimulate the viewer to think more seriously about what is at peril in nature today,” said Judy L. Larson, R. Anthony Askew professor of art history and museum director, who has followed Ms. Tonzi’s career since she was a student at Santa Barbara City College.

“Her work is focused on

change

“capturing the essence of ephemeral moments and is a reflection of her investigation into memory and place and the relationships we form with the various environments we experience,” according to Google.

Now based in Los Angeles, Ms. Tonzi was born in Santa Fe.

“Her aesthetic inescapably

echoes her time spent in the high desert landscape and simultaneously gives way to her experiences traveling and living in California,” according to Google.”Finding both solace and discomfort in the places that she goes, Madeleine creates

see TONZI on B2

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

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “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.

1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, 4436 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. For more information, go to vitalant.org.

JAN. 19 2 to 5:30 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, 524 Chapala St., Santa Barbara. For more information, go to vitalant.org.

JAN. 21

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Plains, Trains & Violins” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St. The concert includes Miguel del Aguila’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, “The Journey of a Lifetime” (El viaje de una vida) with violin soloist Guillermo Figueroa and the concert world premiere of Elmer Bernstein’s “Toccata for Toy Trains.” The orchestra will also perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”). Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

JAN. 22

3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform its “Plains, Trains & Violins” concert at The Granada, 1214 State St. The concert includes Miguel del Aguila’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, “The Journey of a Lifetime (El viaje de una vida)” with violin soloist Guillermo Figueroa and the concert world premiere of Elmer Bernstein’s “Toccata for Toy Trains.” The orchestra will also perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”). Tickets cost $35 to $175. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

4 to 5 p.m. “Roy Dunn: Capturing Imagery of Our Wild Neighbors” will take place at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, 1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang.

JAN. 24

2 to 6 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at Camino Real Marketplace, 7046 Marketplace Drive, Goleta. For more information, go to vitalant.org.

7 p.m. UCSB Arts & Lectures presents mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and a music ensemble in “Eden” at The Granada, 1214 State St. “Eden”

explores the individual human connection

COURTESY PHOTO UCSB Arts & Lectures will present mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and a music ensemble in “Eden” Jan. 24 at The Granada, 1214 State St.

The Westmont RidleyTree Museum of Art features two artists whose work responds to climate change.

runs through March 25 and highlights the artwork of Madeleine Tonzi, a New Mexico painter, muralist and printmaker; and GATS (Graffiti Against the System), a well-known anonymous Bay Area artist, who draws on the urban environment as a source

Westmont art exhibit deals with climate

COURTESY PHOTOS

“Little Blue Dot,” acrylic and crackle paste on panel, by the anonymous artist GATS (2022).

At left, this is a museum site-specific installation by GATS (2023). At right, “Below and Surrounding,” acrylic on canvas, by Madeleine Tonzi (2022).

These ceramic masks were created by GATS.

Please

Chaucer’s to host conversation with Nick Hornby

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Chaucer’s Books in Santa Barbara will host author Nick Hornby for a conversation with writer Jessica Anya Blau at 6 p.m. Jan. 31.

Mr. Hornby’s book, “Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius,” is about art, creativity and the unlikely similarities between Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and modern American rock star Prince.

Equipped with a fan’s admiration and his trademark humor and wit, Mr. Hornby invites readers into his latest obsession: the cosmic link between two unlikely artists, geniuses in their own rights, spanning race, class and centuries.

When Prince’s 1987 record “Sign o’ the Times” was rereleased in 2020, the iconic album came with dozens of songs that weren’t on the original — Prince was endlessly prolific, recording 102 songs in 1986 alone.

In awe, Mr. Hornby began to wonder, Who else ever produced this much? Who else ever worked that way? He soon found his answer in Victorian novelist and social critic Charles Dickens, who died more than 100 years before Prince began making music. Examining the two artists’ personal tragedies, social

statuses, boundless productivity and other parallels, both humorous and haunting, Mr. Hornby shows how these two unlikely men from different centuries “lit up the world.”

Mr. Hornby is the author of seven bestselling novels as well as several works of nonfiction.

Many of his books have been turned into successful films and TV series.

He has been nominated for an Oscar twice for his screenplays of “An Education” and “Brooklyn.”

His 10-part short-form TV series, “State of the Union,” directed by Stephen Frears, was recently broadcast by Sundance TV and

FYI

Nick Hornby will discuss his book, “Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius,” with fellow writer Jessica Anya Blau at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 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.

the BBC and won three Emmys. He lives in London.

Ms. Blau was born in Boston and raised in Southern California. Her novels have been featured on NBC’s “Today,” CNN and NPR, and in Cosmo, Vanity Fair, Bust, Time Out, Oprah Summer Reads and other national publications.

Ms. Blau’s short stories and essays have been published in numerous magazines, journals and anthologies. She co-wrote the script for “Love on the Run,” starring Frances Fisher and Steve Howey.

A resident of New York, she sometimes works as a ghost writer and has taught writing at Johns Hopkins University, Goucher College and The Fashion Institute of Technology.

email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

Enjoying the day despite the weather

Reagan Library to host Valentine Sweetheart event

SIMI VALLEY — The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library will host its 15th annual Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner and Dance from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb.14 at the library, 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley.

Under the wings of Air Force One, guests will dine at tables for two and will

enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne. There will be reserved and preferred table seating available for groups of four or more.

Included will be a tour of the museum, a four-course meal and live music.

A professional photographer will be available to commemorate

this special day. The cost is $206 per couple (tax and gratuity included). Reservations are required by 8 a.m. Feb. 7, and seating is limited. Cocktail attire is suggested. For more information, call 805-5774057.

— Marilyn McMahon

Museums Free-for-All returns on Feb. 5

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

SoCal Museums announces the Museums Free-for-All in-person on Feb. 5 for the first time since 2020. More than 30 museums presenting art, cultural heritage, film, natural history and science will open their doors and offer free general admission.

The following Santa Barbara and Ventura County museums will be participating in Museums Freefor-All: the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Ventura County, the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum and the Santa Paula Art

Museum.

“We are thrilled to be able to collectively welcome visitors from across the region on this special day once again,” said Briana Sapp, SoCal Museums president and director of marketing and communications at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. “The Museums Free-forAll has always been a celebration of the varied and remarkable institutions in Southern California, and it is meaningful to continue this tradition of accessibility and joy.

“We hope this will be an opportunity to revisit old favorites and see new exhibitions or to try somewhere new.”

The Free-for-All also serves as a

reminder that free visitor days are available year-round at museums across Southern California. A calendar of free days can be found at socalmuseums.org/free.

This offer is for general museum admission only and does not apply to specially ticketed exhibitions. Regular parking fees apply at each museum. Consult individual museum websites for hours, directions and other visitor information.

SoCal Museums is a group of marketing and communications professionals from museums all over Southern California. For more information, visit socalmuseums.org.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

TONZI

Continued from Page B1

vivid abstract representational landscapes, both organic and architectural, utilizing a distinct visual language in order to emote what can not always be put into words as we move through time and space.”

GATS (Graffiti Against the System) is a multidisciplinary artist known for totemic works that challenge ideas about ownership, authority and power, according to Google.

“GATS emerged from the Bay Area graffiti scene in the 1990s. Their tags were inspired by the aesthetics of punk and hardcore and artists like Ed Templeton and Gee Vaucher.

“In the mid-2000s, they came up with the pseudonym GATS and began painting their trademark

FYI

“Entangled: Responding to Environmental Crisis,” runs through March 25 at the Westmont RidleyTree 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.

Hashimoto Contemporary and Harman Projects sponsor the exhibition.

masked face with blank eyes on buildings worldwide. The character is an omnipresent witness for the artist, intended to remind passersby that they are not alone. GATS also paints their emblem on all kinds of found and personal objects, including

skateboards, books and tools.”

“Street art and graffiti are non-traditional media for many urban artists, who respond with directness and vigor to the world around us,” said collections manager Chris Rupp. “I believe that’s the greatest strength of street art — its unmediated directness. GATS is a master of communicating to the masses without written word.

“The current environmental crisis is something that affects all of us. Street art, like murals and graffiti, offers everyone access to the art world. Art becomes part of our everyday lives. We’re lucky to have Madeleine Tonzi and GATS come together to create pieces that will start conversations about how we can take on this challenge of protecting our fragile environment.”

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

with nature and features music from four centuries. Tickets cost $46 to $131 for general admission and $20 for UCSB students with ID, one hour before the performance, and youths 18 and younger. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

JAN. 25

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vitalant blood drive at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. For more information, go to vitalant.org.

7:30 p.m. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The ensemble will perform Beethoven’s “Coriolan” Overture and Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Opus 93; Anatoly Lyadov’s “The Enchanted Lake”; and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” The concert is being presented by the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara.

TIckets cost $36 to $156. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

JAN. 28

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Chamber Players orchestra will

perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, 305 E. Anapamu St. Tickets cost $16. To purchase, go to sbchamberplayers.org.

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.

COURTESY PHOTO

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS

Sightseers chat during inclement weather at Leadbetter Beach Saturday.

COURTESY PHOTO

“Indulgence and a Heatwave Series, 1-3,” acrylic on canvas, by Madeleine Tonzi (2022).

Thought for Today

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

ARIES — Group activities in your neighborhood could lead to positive changes in your community. You will enjoy exchanging ideas and information with others, Aries, and could come away from these activities feeling exhilarated. It might be a good idea to walk home, or perhaps go for coffee or a movie afterward.

TAURUS — Today you might find yourself in the public eye. Acknowledgment for work well done could come your way. It might also involve an increase in income. This could be job related or simply a community project that you’ve been working on and accomplished successfully.

GEMINI — Expanding your horizons is the key for today, Gemini. Communications received from distant states or foreign lands could have you entertaining the idea of traveling to those places. Learning is very much on your mind. You’re probably curious about different cultures, ideas, and perspectives.

CANCER — Some very intense dreams could take you back to the past, perhaps your childhood or past lives. Write down any dreams you remember, Cancer. They might not make sense to you now, but if you go back and analyze them later, you’re likely to find that they reveal a lot about you that you weren’t previously aware of.

LEO — An old friend you haven’t seen for a while could suddenly reappear, and you might view this person in a different light as a potential business partner, source of inspiration, or even a romantic possibility. If this is your inclination, Leo, don’t write it off without giving it some careful consideration.

VIRGO — You’re a serviceoriented person by nature, Virgo, and today the opportunity to spend time serving those in need could well present itself. This could be in a professional capacity or helping someone close who’s having troubles of some kind. This particular situation won’t last long, but it’s likely to change your life in a positive way. Don’t resist. Go with the flow.

LIBRA — If you’ve been

hoping for a lucky break, Libra, this is the day it might come, especially if it involves love and romance. Or you might have been hoping for acknowledgment on the job, in the field of education, or by someone who means a lot to you. Whatever breaks come your way are likely to move you emotionally.

SCORPIO — Changes in your home could take place now. These are positive, Scorpio, though they might seem a bit overwhelming. Some could even be described as upheavals. Perhaps someone moves in or out. It could even involve moving to a new place, redecorating, refurbishing, or perhaps adopting a pet.

SAGITTARIUS — Some great news could change your life forever. It might involve a new partnership of some kind or opportunities in your community. At the least, Sagittarius, it could involve changes in your outlook and attitudes about life. You could spend a lot of time on the phone with friends and acquaintances.

CAPRICORN — Some changes regarding your career could make a difference in your resources. This could involve a pending raise or promotion or opportunities for freelance work outside the job. It might imply a new job, perhaps in a creative field. Whatever work you do is likely to seem more emotionally rewarding than it has been, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS — Today you’re likely to feel especially romantic and sexy, and anxious to get together with a love partner. This doesn’t mean you aren’t in the mood for socializing in general. In fact, you may look forward to meeting with friends. You should be feeling especially creative, and you could spend a lot of your day either planning or working on projects.

PISCES — Some deeply buried feelings about your mother and family could come up from the past today and need release. Don’t be afraid to show your pain and anger. If you’re embarrassed to do it around others, Pisces, stay home and deal with it. This is a positive development. By the end of the day you might feel as if a large weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

SUDOKU

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

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

“My partner is a patient listener,” a club player said to me. “He always lets me explain my losing plays. I think it’s because he knows his turn will come.”

My friend was declarer at today’s six spades. He won the diamond opening lead, took the A-Q of trumps and next cashed the A-K of hearts and ruffed a heart high.

“When West showed out,” South told me, “I led a trump to dummy’s king and finessed with the queen of clubs. West won, and I lost another club at the end.”

OVERTRICK

“I explained to my partner that if hearts had split 3-3, I would have made an overtrick. And he might have held a high trump spot I could have used as a dummy entry. He listened impassively — and said I’d booted the slam.”

South indeed needed an extra dummy entry; to get it, he ducks a heart at Trick Three. If East wins and leads a club, South takes the ace, leads a heart to the ace and ruffs a heart high. He draws trumps ending in dummy and takes the king and the good fifth heart for 12 tricks.

4 2 A K 7 4 2 5 4 4 3 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart

and he bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: To pass would be timid — partner might have enough extra strength to make a game — but no good call is available. A rebid of two hearts would suggest a longer suit, and a bid of 1NT with no sign of a club trick is clearly flawed. Try a raise to two spades as the least evil.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” — Ann Landers