Santa Barbara News-Press: March 01, 2023

‘A Comedy of Tenors’

Noteworthy play opens this week at SBCC - B1

Supreme Court looks at student debt

Justices raise concerns about Biden’s plan- B4

Protecting State Street Parkway

Santa Barbara City Council designates green median as a city landmark

By NEIL HARTSTEIN

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to designate the historic State Street Parkway between Mission Street and Constance Avenue as a city landmark.

As part of its resolution conveying city landmark status on the parkway, the council followed staff’s recommendation that the landscape groundcover must consist of low plant materials, as opposed to mulch or gravel, and that any Pindo Palms that have to be removed be replaced by other Pindo Palms.

Further, council members agreed with staff that the

landmark designation should only apply to the parkway itself, which runs down the center of the street, and should not run curb to curb to include the paved street on both sides of the parkway.

The Historic Landmark Commission, which had recommended the council name the parkway a city landmark, had also voted unanimously that the designation should apply to the entire street, roads and parkway included.

But staff pointed out Monday that would mean having to return to the HLC repeatedly for permission to perform street repairs and maintenance. Restricting the landmark status to just the parkway would allow

More rain expected to fall today as winter weather persists

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday was cloudy and cold in Santa Barbara County, rounding out several days of unusual wintry weather.

Rain is expected to be back today throughout the county.

In fact, the chance of rain tonight is either 100% or close to 100% throughout the county, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow is predicted for Cuyama.

Today’s weather service forecast for Santa Barbara includes showers with a low of 40 degrees and a high of 53 with

Man pleads not guilty to electronic peeping

Judge

a 90% chance of precipitation at night and a 70% chance during the day.

The forecast for UCSB includes showers with a low of 39 and a high of 53, with a 90% chance of precipitation at night and a 70% chance during the day.

Lompoc’s forecast includes showers with a low of 41 and a high of 51 with a 100% chance of precipitation at night and a 70% chance during the day.

The forecast for Santa Maria includes showers with a low of 39 and a high of 50 with a 100% chance of precipitation at night

crews to do the work as needed without permission, staff said.

“It would make it easier,”

Associate Planner Nicole Hernandez said. “Either way, the parkway is going to be protected. I think we can reach that goal with that designation” while still restricting the status to the parkway alone.

The council sided with staff.

Although she hesitated to go against a unanimous HLC vote, Councilmember Kristen Sneddon said she would support staff’s position.

“Our priority is preserving the parkway in its current state,” she said. “But we need to maintain the roads for current uses.”

She and other council members

then enthusiastically endorsed conferring city landmark status on the State Street Parkway.

‘I’m fully in support of this,” Councilmember Mike Jordan said.

“I’m supporting staff’s recommendation 100 percent,” Councilmember Eric Friedman added. “Our intent is to protect the parkway. We don’t have to do the roads.”

He described the parkway section of State Street as “an oasis” situated in between two developed commercial areas of State, echoing a comment made earlier by a public speaker.

“It’s important we do this,” he said.

Mayor

Randy Rowse

orders Justin Obinna

Asinobi, 22, not to have contact with his alleged victims

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A man accused of hiding a camera to spy on more than two dozen people to film them in various stages of undress pleaded not guilty Monday to 26 misdemeanor counts of unlawful electronic peeping, prosecutors said.

Justin Obinna Asinobi, 22, was supposed to be arraigned Friday, but the proceeding was continued until Monday when he entered his not guilty pleas, Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Karapetian told the News-Press.

“The case was assigned for a readiness or settlement conference on 3/8 …,” she said.

Last week, Judge Raimundo Montes de Oca set Mr. Asinobi’s bail at $200,000 and ordered him to not have any contact with his alleged victims, stay out of Isla Vista and be subject to GPS monitoring.

A case involving electronic peeping was initially reported in 2022, and as a result, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office conducted an almost yearlong investigation into the allegations, Prosecutor Karapetian said.

UKRANE: ONE YEAR LATER

World Dance for Humanity connects with Ukraine on Zoom

Santa Barbara organization brings world together during Sunday sessions

Editor’s note: This is the sixth and final article in a News-Press series on local efforts to help Ukraine.

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Every Sunday at 10 a.m. PST, Santa Barbara-based World Dance for Humanity holds “Dance and Dialogue” Zoom calls with Ukraine.

It’s a chance for Americans to comprehend the realities of war, and for Ukrainians to escape from it, even just for an hour. There are tears, laughter and an outpouring of love, support and gratitude.

This past Sunday, 48 people joined the weekly Zoom call from Santa Barbara, Oregon, Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Kherson, Kyiv, Brovary, Odessa region and Mykolaiv.

“Dancing during a war is a

very strange concept,” Janet Reineck, founder and director of World Dance for Humanity, told the News-Press.

But she added, “Through time, we have realized that music is a way that we can connect, by moving together to Ukrainian music of all kinds. There is a phenomenal amount of beautiful Ukrainian music. This is how you get America to ‘feel’ Ukraine.

“On the Zoom call, some move, and some just sit there. It is a very unique and personal experience for everyone.”

Dr. Reineck holds a master’s in dance ethnology from UCLA and a doctorate in anthropology from UC Berkeley. Her goal in creating World Dance in 2010 was to share the joy of international music and dance while serving people in need.

These weekly Zoom calls have

Janet Reineck dances on State Street with World Dance for Humanity, which has raised $225,000 to help Ukrainians.

KENNETH SONG/ NEWS-PRESS

Visitors at Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara were treated to the rare view of the snow-dusted Santa Ynez Mountains on Saturday. It was cloudy and cold on Tuesday, and the winter weather is expected to continue today with rain and low temperatures. Please see WEATHER on A4

Navy veteran to start work as county’s general services director

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Kirk Lagerquist’s appointment as the new general services director has been approved by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

His first day will be Monday.

Mr. Lagerquist will assume the duties from Janette Pell, who is retiring at the end of March after six years as the general services director.

Mr. Lagerquist recently concluded a 27-year career with the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, where he became known for his record of executive leadership, and public project and program management.

Mr. Lagerquist served as the military equivalent of a public works director at both large and small Navy installations. While serving at the Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Mr. Lagerquist led 41 military and 575 civilians in the execution of facilities maintenance, repair and construction for the Navy’s second-largest installation encompassing 3,100-plus facilities.

Mr. Lagerquist has been

stationed in Ventura County three times throughout his career, for a total of seven years. He currently calls the area home, having spent the last three years of his career working as the second-incommand for Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu. “We are honored to welcome a veteran with such an extensive and impressive military career to

the county,” board chair and First District Supervisor Das Williams said in a news release. “Mr. Lagerquist’s skills and experience gained in the Navy align well with this position having firsthand experience taking care of facilities, capital investments and managing projects, including our community’s needs for buildings that consume less energy and less maintenance costs.”

“I see this position as a way to continue my career in public service. I’ve been in public service my entire career, with my first career serving the nation. This new chapter is focused on serving the citizens of Santa Barbara County,” Mr. Lagerquist said in a press release. “Having moved 14 times in 27 years, I especially look forward to the stability of staying in one place, and having the ability to see projects through inception to completion. I look forward to getting to know my team, and the wealth of experience and dedication that they put forth every day.” The General Services Department performs a broad range of needed and valuable

services to support County Departments. The department includes 98 employees and is broken down into three divisions: administration, finance and procurement; real property and fleet, and capital and facilities maintenance.

“Mr. Lagerquist is an innovative and collaborative professional who I am confident will support the Department’s strategic goals and lead the great team Janette Pell put together into the future,” Mona Miyasato, county executive officer, said.

She added, “I would also like to recognize Mrs. Pell for the impact she made on the county from leading the charge for the construction of the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria to bringing county services digital and the county’s transition to a zero-emission fleet.”

Mr. Lagerquist holds a master’s of science in civil engineering from the University of Colorado and a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Norwich University.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Vitalant plans blood drives throughout

By CALEB BEEGHLY

CORRESPONDENT

Vitalant is urging all eligible blood donors to give in March to help patients during a prolonged blood shortage that has been made worse by inclement weather.

The nonprofit is organizing blood drives throughout Santa Barbara County. (There’s a schedule at the end of this story.)

In February, cold, snow and other adverse weather conditions across the country led to the cancellation of blood drives, resulting in more than 1,300 donations going uncollected, including over 125 lifesaving units locally along the Central Coast. That’s according to

Vitalant, which noted people who donate blood with Vitalant in March will automatically be entered to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards. That’s enough to cover grocery expenses for a year and can be used wherever it is accepted.

Additionally, all donors are invited to join Vitalant’s donor recognition program, which awards points for each donation that can be redeemed online for thank-you gifts.

March is also Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, which highlights the importance of blood donations for those living with disorders such as emophilia and von Willebrand disease. Such disorders cause chronic pain and uncontrollable bleeding, and

patients rely on blood donations for treatment.

All blood types are critical for helping patients with both ongoing and emergency needs. But Vitalant said type O donors are especially needed because O-positive is the most common blood type and O-negative can help patients of all blood types.

To learn more and schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app, or call 877-2584825.

Upcoming blood drives:

• Thursday: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Employees, 105 E. Anapamu St., 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• March 8: Isla Vista, St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 6550 Picasso,

noon to 5 p.m.

• March 9: Santa Ynez, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, 2975 State Route 246, 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

• March 11: Santa Barbara, Free Methodist Church, 1435 Cliff Drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• March 13: Santa Barbara, C Zero, 600 Ward Drive, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• March 13: Lompoc, Lompoc Foursquare Church, 125 N. C St., 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• March 25: Carpinteria, Masonic Lodge, 5421 Carpinteria Ave., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• March 28: Goleta, Camino Real Center, 7046 Marketplace Drive, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. email: cbeeghly@newspress.com

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

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER . . . . .Co-Publisher

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

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

HOW TO REACH US . . .

MAIN OFFICE 715 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 93101..805-564-5200

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara 93102

NEWSROOM ADVERTISING

News Hotline 805-564-5277

Email...dmason@newspress.com

Life 805-564-5277

Sports 805-564-5277

News Fax 805-966-6258

Corrections 805-564-5277

Classified 805-963-4391

Classified Fax 805-966-1421

Retail 805-564-5223

Retail Fax 805-564-5139

Toll Free 1-800-423-8304

Voices/editorial pages ..805-564-5277

COPYRIGHT ©2023 SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

All rights are reserved on material produced by the News-Press, including stories,

HOW TO GET US . . . CIRCULATION ISSUES 805-966-7171 refunds@newspress.com newsubscriptions@newspress.com vacationholds@newspress.com cancellations@newspress.com

Mail delivery of the News-Press is available in most of Santa Barbara County. If you do not receive your paper Monday through Saturday, please call our Circulation Department. The Circulation Department is open Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Mail delivery in Santa Barbara County: $5.08 per week includes sales tax, daily, and the Weekend edition. Holidays only, $3.85 per week includes sales tax. Single-copy price of 75 cents daily and $2 Weekend edition includes sales tax at vending racks. Tax may be added to copies puchased elsewhere.

VOL. 167 NO.

www.newspress.com Newspress.com is a local virtual community network providing information about Santa Barbara, in addition to the online edition of the News-Press.

COURTESY PHOTO Kirk Lagerquist

SBCC’s Isabella Jensen Williams succeeds on and off the court

By MICHAEL JORGENSON

SBCC SPORTS WRITER

“I have a strong belief in faith in the universe.”

Those are the first words that come to head coach Sandrine Krul’s mind when thinking about Isabella Jensen Williams.

If you’ve had the opportunity to watch the Santa Barbara City College women’s basketball team this season, chances are you’ve noticed its team captain at work. Despite initial notions that she might contribute to the program as more of a traditional forward and post player, in Jensen Williams’ sophomore season, Krul has watched her blossom into the type of multi-positional threat every team would love to have.

Not only does she possess the size, instincts and ballhandling abilities needed to play 1-through-5, but she also brings an elite IQ that’s clearly discernible from the moment she steps on the hardwood.

Her basketball savviness and acumen can be attributed to an early start in developing a love for the sport.

“I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old, just in the backyard with my dad and my brother,” Jensen Williams said. “I’ve always been a LeBron fan. I would say I try to model my game after him. I’m kind of all over the court.”

For many, basketball tends to be a convenient and reliable escape; the best way to take a break from the ups-and-downs of everyday life and focus all your energy and attention on the game. For Jensen Williams though — someone who is working tirelessly to fulfill her dream of becoming a Division I basketball player — that hasn’t always necessarily been the case.

“My parents split apart when I was in middle school. Just being split between two homes, it was hard,” she said. “When I look back and think about the things that were going through my head, basketball was not one of them. I had much bigger things to worry about.”

Alongside navigating family dynamics and just trying to be a normal kid growing up in Berkeley, Jensen Williams found herself allowing other things to take up her time and energy — aspects of life not necessarily centered around being a student-athlete.

“If I’m being honest, I was a mess. I was not focusing on school. I had bad grades,” she said. “There was so much time in high school where I could’ve been training and perfecting basketball. If it was a Saturday afternoon and I could either play basketball or be with my friends, I was going to be with my friends.”

To further complicate things, her junior year of high school coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was really easy to just do the bare minimum,” she said. “It was like, OK, I have this basketball workout. If I want to go, I’ll call my dad and ask him to take me, but if I don’t want to go, nobody’s even going to know. Before I knew it, high school was over, and it’s like, ‘Look what you did with that time.’”

The first time Jensen Williams came to Santa Barbara as a kid was to attend Kobe Bryant’s summer basketball camp on the campus of UCSB. Without even

realizing it, she was visiting the town she would later call home.

“I drove through Santa Barbara one time with a friend and I was like, ‘Wait, I’ve been here.’ Then I saw the beach and I said, ‘This is where I want to go,’” she recalled.

“I knew I wanted to find a new environment away from Berkeley. I found Sandrine and sent her an email. We got on the phone and talked for an hour or two. I didn’t watch any film on the team, but I knew this is where I’m going.”

For Krul, the feeling that this partnership was going to work out was mutual from the outset.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Krul said. “Like, oh my goodness, the universe has sent me a gift, and she doesn’t even know it.”

Jensen Williams would hit the ground running at SBCC, scoring 21 points in her Vaquero debut. Along with being one of the team’s top scorers and starting in every game, she also paced SBCC in assists and steals for the year, leading to an All-WSC Honorable Mention.

Despite having just completed a successful freshman season, Jensen Williams approached her coaches in the summer to discuss a change in the way she was being utilized.

“She said, ‘Coach, I’m going to be your point guard,’” Krul recalled. “I told her it’s going to be a lot of work. It was up to her to prove to us that she could make it happen, but she did it. And when she said that, that’s when I realized how special she was.”

For the second straight summer, Jensen Williams made it her mission to be the hardest worker on the team.

“She worked every day — 5 a.m. beach workouts trying to get in the best shape possible,” Krul said. “Everything that she has, she’s had to work for. Nothing has been given to her. I can say this about five players that I’ve coached in 29 years — she practices what she preaches and she preaches what she practices.”

It wasn’t just Jensen Williams’ strong relationship with her coaches that allowed her to thrive as a Vaquero, though. From top-tobottom, her new school provided her with an environment that she could thrive in.

“Once I got here, it was like I’d been here forever. It was almost too good to be true,” Jensen Williams said. “SBCC is amazing. I feel like there’s an opportunity for everyone here. If you need extra support, or anything, you can find it here.”

Jensen Williams didn’t just get off to a great start on the court. After her first semester, she earned a 4.0 GPA, something she wasn’t sure she had in her following her last tumultuous years in high school.

“It was a completely fresh start, and it was the opportunity to prove to myself what I could do for myself,” she said. “I remember calling my mom and telling her I feel really smart. Like, ‘Wow, I just did that.’”

After her basketball days are over, Jensen Williams — who recently became a two-time AllState Academic Team honoree — now has aspirations of becoming a doctor, something her head coach has no doubt that she will accomplish.

“I think what it is is that Bells didn’t have to compromise

anymore,” Krul said. “She didn’t have to be one thing, she could be many things. In our program, she could just be herself.”

Krul understands the grueling task at hand for her studentathletes. Part of the supportive environment Jensen Williams has been fortunate to be a part of at SBCC has to do with her team’s attitude and culture regarding mental health.

“As a young, empowered woman, you have to find a place that allows you to make mistakes,” Krul said. “We call it the ‘golden nugget.’ Everyone gets two per season. If you’re not there mentally, if you need to miss a practice, then no questions asked, you can come back stronger the next day, and

Please see WILLIAMS on A4

KEN SCIALLO/SEVILLA PHOTOGRAPHY

Isabella Jensen Williams has impressed the head coach of the Santa Barbara City College women’s basketball team with her dedication and determination.

New bill proposes to add 700,000 California families to Young Child Tax Credit

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

(The Center Square) — Assemblyman Miguel Santiago announced this week a bipartisan bill to help struggling families in the face of rising inflation.

Assembly Bill 1128, co-authored by fellow Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R) and state senators Bill Dodd (D) and Lena A. Gonzalez (D) modifies the Personal Income Tax Law.

“This bill would remove the requirement that a qualifying child has to be younger than 6 years of age as of the last day of the taxable year,” Assemblyman Santiago, D-Los Angeles, said.

“AB 1128 offers hope for Californians who are struggling to make ends meet by providing much-needed financial relief that puts money back in their pockets to reduce the risk of children falling back into poverty while promoting greater economic stability. California must take action before families are forced into more and harder, impossible

WILLIAMS

Continued from Page A3

it’s going to be OK. We want you to be at your best, and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or a bad teammate. You’re in a safe space.”

Jensen Williams’ unshakeable self-motivation and determination to prove she can be a Division I player has yielded some remarkable performances, including last month’s 37-point career-high at Cuesta and a 26-1210 triple-double posted recently at Monterey Peninsula, both resulting in SBCC wins.

“I’m just really determined to feel what it’s like to reach a goal. To be rewarded for all the work that I’m doing,” she said. “I know that everything is earned. If a

WEATHER

Continued from Page A1

and a 70% chance during the day.

Santa Ynez includes showers with a low of 37 and a high of 50 with a 100% chance of precipitation at night and an 80% chance during the day.

Cuyama includes snow with a low of 31 and a high of 41 with a 100% chance of precipitation at night and an 80% chance during the day.

ZOOM

Continued from Page A1

been going on for about a month.

Dr. Reineck explained how the special Zoom calls started.

“During COVID, we were having classes on Zoom seven days a week within two weeks. We had classes every day seven days a week for a year and a half without missing a day,” she explained. “We created a space for those who were disoriented and lonely where they could be together.

“Post-pandemic we slowly began resuming in-person classes. One Zoom class has remained on Sundays. So we have always maintained this one Zoom class,” said Dr. Reineck. “We are very involved and talking to local Ukranians in Santa Barbara. We are like family.

“We were Zooming in with the friends of some of our local Ukrainians based in Ukraine. We then invited them to join us for our Sunday Zoom sessions, and a few of the Ukrainians started joining us.”

“There is a phenomenal connection between hearts and minds through music,” Dr. Reineck said. “Some people invite their parents, husbands or kids to the

PEEPING

Continued from Page A1

“As a result of that investigation, the District Attorney’s Office charged Mr. Asinobi with allegedly placing hidden cameras in places where persons had a reasonable expectation of privacy,” she told the News-Press previously.

Mr. Asinobi was charged with unlawful electronic peeping between Oct. 1, 2021 and Feb. 15, 2022.

tradeoffs,” Assemblyman Santiago continued.

Rising inflation presents an ongoing challenge to lowand middle-income families in California. The bill aims at providing a social safety net to the 67% of families with annual incomes under $35,000 who struggled last year to make ends meet.

In California, a salary of $35,000 can be taxed over $6,000, reducing the take-home pay to just below $29,000 at an average tax rate of 17.8%

Rising inflation in the Golden State has compounded the deficit with increased costs in food, gas and rent.

Specifically, AB 1128 would expand the young child tax credit to include all children of school age, i.e. 6-18, and children up to 23 who are students. Children with disabilities of any age are included in the changes.

“These are hard-working families struggling to make ends meet on less than $30,000 a year. California can and must step up to

coach is asking for something, you have to give them what they’re asking for or they won’t want you, simple as that. The goal of this season is to show that I am a D-I level basketball player and that I can change a program with my leadership and mindset at the forefront.”

Considering all that Jensen Williams brings to the table, Krul thinks it would be a huge mistake to not give her star sophomore a shot.

“These coaches are sleeping on her because they don’t know what they’re getting. She’s not a 6-1 shooting guard or a 6-5 post player, but what she does is the intangibles,” Krul said. “She’s not going to be the one complaining about not getting playing time. She’s going to be your hardest

The sun will be back on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Thursday’s forecast in Santa Barbara includes sun with a low of 34 and a high of 60 and a 10% chance of precipitation at night with a 0% chance during the day.

The forecast for UCSB includes sun with a low of 33 and a high of 58 with a 10% chance of precipitation at night and a 0% chance during the day.

Lompoc will be sunny with a low of 34 and a high of 59 with zero chance for precipitation.

weekly calls. I have never had anything like this ever. I don’t think there is anything like this happening in the world. We are getting together to feel each other’s realities every week. We talk and dance to Ukrainian and American music and then we talk again.”

support all children, regardless of age and household income,” said Mónica Lazo, policy manager at Golden State Opportunity. “We know that the costs of raising a child don’t stop at 6 years old, so our support shouldn’t stop either.”

The California Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition is sponsoring the bill and is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom and the legislature to increase the minimum earned income tax credit to $300 and maintain a budget for free income tax assistance programs.

The bill is unveiled just as pandemic relief programs come to an end and the enhancements to the federal Child Tax Credit and federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which positively impacted child poverty levels during the pandemic, expire.

If enacted, AB 1128 would add 700,000 families to the eligibility of the Young Child Tax Credit with an anticipated return of up to $1,083 per annum, expanding the program to all qualified California Earned Income Tax Credit households.

worker. She’s going to work her way up and make others better. This is a person who someone has to take a chance on.”

Isabella Jensen Williams was once on the brink of flunking out of high school. Now, after leading her team back into the postseason, she’s on the brink of leaving her legacy at SBCC.

“There are so many people like Bells who quit in high school because they didn’t realize a miracle could happen. You just have to find the right people, the right program, the right support system,” Krul concluded. “Her story… It’s a story of hope.”

Michael Jorgenson works in communications/media relations at Santa Barbara City College.

email: sports@newspress.com

Santa Maria will be sunny with a low of 29 — below freezing — and a high of 58 with zero chance for precipitation. Santa Ynez will be sunny with a low of 27 degrees and a high of 60 degrees with a 10% chance of precipitation at night and a 0% chance during the day.

Cuyama will be sunny with a low of 24 and a high of 51 degrees with a 30% chance of precipitation at night and a 0% chance during the day.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

FYI

To donate to World Dance for Humanity’s efforts to help Ukrainians, go to worlddanceforhumanity.org/ wish-list. One hundred percent of the funds donated go toward the cause. The Zoom calls, which are free and open to people around the world (including Ukraine), are at 10 a.m. every Sunday. You can join the virtual sessions at zoom.us/ j/823393549#success.

The News-Press asked Dr. Reineck to describe the atmosphere during these weekly calls. “It is a real mix with lots of emotion and excitement. It is a charged atmosphere. There is an excitement to meet each other and be together. It is exciting to meet new people in Ukraine. There are happy moments and laughter. We are getting to know people who come regularly. The music evokes tragedy and sorrow, and we go with those emotions.”

These weekly Zoom calls are open to everyone, and there is no charge. “Everyone and anybody can participate including kids,

The complaint filed against him alleges that Mr. Asinobi “willfully and unlawfully used a concealed camcorder, motion picture camera or photographic camera to secretly videotape, film, photograph or record by electronic means another identifiable person, or through the clothing worn by that other person, for the purpose of viewing the body or undergarments worn by that other person, without that person’s knowledge or consent.”

A search warrant signed on Feb.

grandparents, dancers and non-dancers. Everyone is welcome. We aren’t there to talk about politics or argue about the war. This is strictly making friends and sharing a common humanity,” said Dr. Reineck. “It is growing every week, and our dancers bring friends and family members. I feel our job is to keep awareness about Ukraine alive. We do it by getting to know the people in Ukraine.

“It raises awareness by making it real for people,” she continued.

“People get tired of hearing about wars, but this isn’t what you hear about on the nightly news. They are friends wondering if they are going to be bombed. These Sunday gatherings are the ultimate human experience connecting with people whose lives are so different and so hard and are suffering every day, but the fact when they get on the call and see that we care about Ukraine.

23, 2022 permitted the search of devices belonging to Mr. Asinobi in which the alleged recordings were located, the complaint said.

“After viewing the secret recordings, law enforcement officers were able to identify 12 of the people depicted in the recordings, and although an additional 14 were visible, they have not been identified yet,” Prosecutor Karapetian said previously.

In a move to protect the confidentiality of those alleged

Pat

PARKWAY

Continued from Page A1

complimented those members of the public who spoke Monday to urge the council to support making the State Street Parkway a city landmark. He thanked them for “carrying the torch” when it comes to historic preservation.

One speaker, Rick Baron, who said he’s lived in the same house on State Street for 70 years, called the State Street Parkway a reminder of the past.

“People in Santa Barbara have always cared about life here, and we should, too,” he said.

“We want to see this survive and last as something notable,” added speaker Eric Couch.

Pat Saley, an Upper East Side Association board member, said the parkway is the only one of its kind in town.

“It’s over 100 years old, and pretty much in pristine condition since it was first constructed,” she said.

Added speaker Fred Sweeney, “We’re trying to preserve a piece of significant history. It’s part of the city and who we are as citizens. I hope 100 years from now our greatgreat-grandchildren will look back and think it was the right

“They know we really care, and it really makes them hopeful. It is a profound human connection,” said Dr. Reineck. “It is a pure unadulterated connection. The advantage of Zoom is that it is focused. It is an intimate connection. We are in each other’s living rooms. There’s no formality it is as if we have known each other a long time.”

In addition to the Zoom calls, World Dance for Humanity has raised $225,000 to help Ukrainians, and Dr. Reineck explained the money is going in two directions.

“The Ukrainian church in Goleta is supplying food and supplies to refugee shelters,” she said, referring to the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Santa Barbara.

“The other is the Ukrainian Women of Santa Barbara where we send about $1,500 a week,” Dr. Reineck said. “We are connected with friends in Ukraine who are running shelters. They assess what they need versus what they can get. The check is sent to friends after a purchase list is itemized. We see every receipt, and we can account for every dollar donated.” email; kzehnder@newspress.com

victims who were identified, counts 1 through 12 in the complaint lists them only by their initials. In counts 13 through 26 pertaining to alleged victims who remain unidentified, all but four are listed as Jane Doe. The final four are listed as John Doe.

“In theory, he could get up to six months in county jail for each count, as they are all misdemeanors,” Prosecutor Karapetian said.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail. com

thing to do.”

Before the public speakers and council members weighed in, Ms. Hernandez presented the council with the parkway’s history, and the reasons why it should be designated a city landmark. She noted it was an important historic resource designed in 1917 to create a tree-filled green space along the six blocks of the newly residential portion of State Street from Mission Street to Constance

Avenue.

The State Street Parkway embodies the distinctive characteristics of the City Beautiful Movement, she said, a movement that was sweeping the nation at that time. The intention was to soften and beautify State Street, she said. “The public demanded it.” email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Saley, an Upper East Side Association board member, said the State Street Parkway is the only one of its kind in Santa Barbara. Above is the part of the parkway that’s by the intersection with Padre Street.

Life theArts

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023

Crescendos of hilarity and passion

‘A Comedy of Tenors’ opens this week at Santa Barbara City College

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

‘AComedy of Tenors” will end on a high note.

That’s according to director Katie Laris, who said the Theatre Group at Santa Barbara City College production goes beyond the standard theatrical farce. “There’s a lot of heart to it. There’s a lot of happiness in the show.

“There are moments of mistaken identities, the classic thing in a farce of people going out one door and coming in from another, and emotional highs and lows,” Ms. Laris told the NewsPress. “It’s also a real sweet story about the love between a lot of people and their love of opera and how they’re all incredibly passionate when it comes to singing and emoting.”

Audiences will see and hear that passion when “A Comedy of Tenors” opens with preview performances tonight and Thursday before its official run Friday through March 18. The Santa Barbara City College group will perform playwright Ken Ludwig’s comedy at the Garvin Theatre on the college’s west campus, 900 block of Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara.

“A Comedy of Tenors” is set in a hotel suite in 1930s Paris, and the story involves four tenors, two wives and three girlfriends as they await the concert of the century in a soccer stadium full of screaming fans.

It’s a sequel to Mr. Ludwig’s “Lend Me A Tenor,” which the Theatre Group at SBCC performed some years back.

Santa Barbara actor Justin Davanzo, who was involved for many years in films and plays in Los Angeles, plays two tenors who look alike but who have opposite personalities: temperamental operatic star Tito Mereli and the more likable up-and-coming singer Beppo. Hilarity ensues when Maria (Felicia Hall), Tito’s wife, and Tito have a fight and Maria, in her effort to make up with Tito, mistakes Beppo for him. (Not that Beppo minds the attention of a beautiful woman.)

Mr. Davanzo talked to the News-Press about the differences between Tito, who’s from Rome, and Beppo, who’s from Venice.

“Tito is the greatest opera singer in the world. He’s an emotive diva,” Mr. Davanzo said. “He’s got all these pent-up emotions, including love for his wife.

“Beppo is full of heart, full of love,” Mr. Davanzo said. “He got his start as a gondolier in Venice. He sings really well. And he loves to make people feel good and joyful. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

“He really wanted to go to become an opera star, but instead he became a bellhop in Paris,”Mr. Davanzo said.

Just as the temperamental Tito quits before the big concert in Paris, the show’s producer happens to hear Beppo singing at the hotel.

The producer finds his solution in a great singer who looks exactly like Tito. The fans won’t know the difference!

While the play refers to the producer hearing Beppo singing, Mr. Davanzo won’t actually be singing on stage as either Beppo or Tito.

“I’m not a musical guy,” Mr. Davanzo said. “One of the first things Katie and I discussed is I don’t actually sing.”

But music will be present in “Comedy of Tenors” in a way that’s unexpected for a play. As the actors talk, their dialogue will be supported by recorded operatic music, in much the same way that music is heard during conversations in movies.

The difference is actors on a movie soundstage don’t hear that music during filming.

“It makes it so fun as an actor

CALENDAR

COURTESY PHOTO

The State Street Ballet will perform “Tango Rain” (pictured above), “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and other dances at 7:30 p.m. March 4 at The Granada, 1214 State St. Tickets cost $38 to $106. To purchase, go to granadasb.org or call the box office at 805-899-2222.

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 nonnative 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 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.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical.org

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara City College Theatre Group will perform Ken Ludwig’s “A Comedy of Tenors” March 1-18 at the Garvin Theatre on the college’s west campus in the 900 block of Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara. The curtain will rise at 7:30 p.m. March 1 and after that, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 18. The March 1 and 2 performances are preview shows. The 2 p.m. March 5 performance will be livecaptioned for the hearing-impaired. Tickets range from $18 to $26 for general admission, with discounts for students, seniors and SBCC staff.

To purchase, go to www. theatregroupsbcc.com or by calling the Garvin Box Office at 805-965-5935.

MARCH 2 5 to 8 p.m.

“SURREAL WOMEN:

Surrealist Art by American Women” will open with a 1st Thursday reception at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St. The exhibit will be on display Friday through April 24. For more information, www.sullivangoss.com.

to get this injection of music that’s very passionate and emotional actually playing,” Mr. Danzano said. He added that the music brings an element of emotion that has a positive impact on the actors’ performance.

Despite the fighting between Maria and Tito, the two characters have deep, passionate love for each other. But things are complicated because Tito has a mistress, a soprano who also falls for Beppo, Mr. Davanzo said.

One question is whether Maria, who mistakens Beppo for Tito, will like Beppo better than Tito.

“That’s a great question,” said Ms. Hall, a Santa Barbara actress who portrays Maria. “There’s a moment in the show where Maria is introduced to Beppo unknowingly, thinking it’s Tito after they’ve had their argument.

“She comes back to mend their relationship and wanting to make things better in a really passionate way, thinking it is Tito and getting a nice surprise in the throes of passion (with Beppo). Maybe there is hope that things will be really good with Tito now,

even though it is Beppo,” said Ms. Hall, the artistic director and a founding member of Actor Circle, a local theater company.

In “Comedy of Tenors,” Beppo has a decision. Does he pursue a relationship with Tito’s Italian wife or Tito’s Russian mistress?

“The heart of this play — underneath all this comedy and ridiculousness and doors opening and doors closing, mistaken identities — is love and passion for each other and opera,” Ms. Hall told the News-Press. “Beppo is the symbol of that. He comes into this show with the love of life, love for passion, love of love. He brings the chaos and reminds everyone what it (life) is all about.

“The play is very well written,” Ms. Hall continued. “Just reading it on the page, without hearing anybody speaking the words — it’s hilarious.”

Ms. Hall described her character, Maria, as being larger than life and having great oneliners.

“She is such an empowered Italian woman. She has a lot of heart and puts Tito in his place.

It was so much fun to brush off my Italian accent and get to play a woman with strength and humor.

“With comedy, the most challenging part is playing it truthfully,” Ms. Hall said. “You cannot play the fact you know you’re being funny because that kills the joke.”

Ms. Hall praised the writing, cast and director. “I’ve always enjoyed working with Katie.”

Besides Ms. Hall and Mr. Danzano, the cast includes Jean Louis Dedieu as Jacques, Luke Hamilton as Carlo, Isaac Lewis as Max, Sean O’Shea as Henry Saunders, Tiffany Story as Racon and Grace Wilson as Mimi. And the production crew includes scenic and lighting designer Patricia L. Frank, costume designer Pamela Shaw, sound designer Barbara Hirsch, and production stage manager Alyson Grandle.

“The set designer is someone who always likes getting every architectural detail correct, from the luxurious Parisian hotel room from 1936 with a lot of doors

to the look of the Eiffel Tower in the background,” Ms. Laris said. “We really had fun with the costumes, which are all based on the period.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

FYI

The Theatre Group at Santa Barbara City College will perform “Tenors” tonight through March 18 at Garvin Theatre on the west campus in the 900 block of Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara.

Curtain will rise at 7:30 tonight.

After that, performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tonight’s and this Thursday’s performances are preview shows.

The 2 p.m. March 5 performance will be live-captioned for the hearingimpaired.

Tickets range from $18 to $26 for general admission, with discounts for students, seniors and SBCC staff.

To purchase, go to www. theatregroupsbcc.com or by calling the Garvin Box Office at 805-9655935.

7:30 p.m. The Miro Quartet will perform at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Admission is $20 for museum members and $25 for nonmembers.

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara City College Theatre Group will perform Ken Ludwig’s “A Comedy of Tenors” at the Garvin Theatre on the college’s west campus in the 900 block of Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara. Tickets range from $18 to $26 for general admission, with discounts for students, seniors and SBCC staff.

To purchase, go to www. theatregroupsbcc.com or by calling the Garvin Box Office at 805-965-5935.

MARCH 3 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “SURREAL

WOMEN: Surrealist Art by American Women” is on display through April 24 at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, www.sullivangoss.com.

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara City College Theatre Group will perform Ken Ludwig’s “A Comedy of Tenors” at the Garvin Theatre on the college’s west campus in the 900 block of Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara. Tickets range from $18 to $26 for general admission, with discounts for students, seniors and SBCC staff.

To purchase, go to www. theatregroupsbcc.com or by calling the Garvin Box Office at 805-965-5935.

At left, actors Justin Davanzo, left, and Luke Hamilton are part of the hilarity in “A Comedy of Tenors.” At right, Tiffany Story and Mr. Davanzo share a moment on stage.

BEN CROP PHOTOS

From left, Tiffany Story, Luke Hamilton, Felicia Hall and Justin Davanzo play characters caught up in the drama of passion in “A Comedy of Tenors.” The Theatre Group at Santa Barbara City College is performing the play this month at Garvin Theatre on the college’s west campus.

(866)

UCSB students give talk about Latine College Day

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Santa Maria High School graduate Jazmin Ramirez, who now attends UCSB, returned to his alma mater to talk to Chicano/ Latino Studies and U.S. history students about the 30th annual Latine College Day.

Other UCSB students talked to the students as well about the annual event, set for April 29 at the university.

Latine College Day began as Raza College Day 30 years ago by a group of dedicated students who felt the need to address the lack of Chicanx/Latinx students at UCSB and the broader higher education system, said Erik Magana, UCSB student and guest speaker.

The one-day outreach event, which is hosted by El Congreso de UCSB, will include about 400 students from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, Mr. Magaña added in a news release.

4.75%APY1

“The presentation that the UCSB students gave our class was very enlightening,’’ said Marlene Rodriguez, a junior at Santa Maria High School. “They talked a lot about prioritizing your mental well-being and that it’s important for you to continue to take care of yourself even when you feel stressed or have been swamped

with homework. They helped me understand that the cost of burning yourself out can be worse than taking a day just to be you.

“Also, they touched on what it means being a Latinx college student and how it is important to find your people and friends that can help you do and be better. Even in a college where they lack diversity, finding your people is

Righetti students compete at poetry recitation

State competition is ahead for Righetti High School’s Lucas Hsiung, who won first place in the 2023 Poetry Out Loud Regional Competition for Santa Barbara County.

Two other Righetti students — sophomore Samantha McDonald and junior Natalie Lancor — also recited poems to compete at last week’s event at the Santa Barbara County Administration Building in Santa Barbara.

Lucas, who’s a junior at the Santa Maria school, recited “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley.

“Participating in the competition was an awesome experience,’’ said Lucas, who also won a new iPad. “I’m very glad I did it, and I’d like to encourage others to do it as well!”

Righetti Reading Specialist and English Teacher Kristen Kurth described Lucas’’ performance as, “amazing,

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

NOTICE OF PENDING ACTION BY DIRECTOR TO AMEND A DEVELOPMENT PLAN

DATE OF THIS NOTICE: February 24, 2023

APPLICANT: Pacific Pipeline Company

CASE NAME: Change of Ownership, Guarantor, and Temporary Operator of the AAPL 901/903 Pipeline System

APPLICATION FILED: November 15, 2022

DATE OF DIRECTOR ACTION: March 13, 2023

SUBJECT: Pacific Pipeline Company (PPC) is requesting approval of: 1) A Change of Ownership of the All American Pipeline L.P. (AAPL) 901 and 903 Pipeline System from Plains Pipeline L.P. (Plains) to PPC; 2) Substitution of a Temporary Operator from Plains to ExxonMobil Pipeline Company (EMPCo); and 3) Change of Guarantor from Plains to ExxonMobil Corporation. PPC requests that EMPCo be recognized as the temporary operator while EMPCo prepares its application for permanent operatorship. EMPCo would operate the pipeline system on behalf of PPC. Both PPC and EMPCo are ExxonMobil Corporation companies. The 901 and 903 pipeline system is an existing 122 linear mile crude oil pipeline that runs from the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County to the Pentland Delivery Station in Kern County. These pipelines are covered by Santa Barbara County Final Development Plan Permits 88-DPF-033 (RV01)cz, 88-CP-60 (RV01), and 88-DPF-25cz (85-DP-66cz; 83-DP-25cz). The pipeline system was purged in 2015 and remains idle to date. PPC purchased Lines 901 and 903 from Plains on October 13, 2022. The pipelines are now registered with the California Office of the State Fire Marshal as the Las Flores Pipeline System. Ownership, operatorship, and guarantor changes require Planning and Development Director Approval pursuant to Section 25B of the Santa Barbara County Code. This letter is to notify you that the Director’s action on the applications will take place on Monday, March 13, 2023.

PUBLIC COMMENT: A public hearing will not be held on this matter. Anyone interested is invited to submit written support or opposition regarding the proposal to the Planning and Development Department. All correspondence should be addressed to the Project Planner, ATTN: Jacquelynn Ybarra for Director Lisa Plowman, and mailed to Planning and Development at 123 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, or emailed to the Project Planner at jybarra@countyofsb.org. Public comments should be received by March 12, 2023.

MATERIAL REVIEW: Staff analysis of the proposal may be reviewed online at: https://cosantabarbara.box.com/s/zcd47bdcrtmv6bu4ndc6a8x6p5mj2n5a, or at the Planning and Development offices located at 123 E. Anapamu Street in Santa Barbara on, or before March 6, 2023 (a week prior to the Action date).

APPEALS AND CHALLENGES: The Director’s decision may be appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 days of the action date. The appeal shall be in writing with an accompanying fee. If you challenge the decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in written correspondence to the Planning and Development Department. More information on the appeal process can be found at: https://www.countyofsb.org/2837/Filing-Land-UseAppeals-Claims

CONTACT: For further information, please contact the Project Planner, Jacquelynn Ybarra at jybarra@countyofsb.org.

powerful and moving.’’

“Lucas is an 11th-grade, 4.0+ student on the varsity swim team, but he has never done anything like this in his life,’’ Ms. Kurth added. “He gained an interest in poetry after the poetry writing and recitation assignments in Honors English during his sophomore year, but he never thought it would lead to anything outside of his class assignments.

“Now his confidence in public speaking is soaring, and he is about to compete at the state level for Poetry Out Loud! I met his parents for the firsttime last night, and they were shocked because they had never witnessed their son perform in anything but sporting events!

“I love when our students surprise their parents in positive ways!’’

— Dave Mason

important. They elaborated how making connections with different and new people is vital as well.’’

“I am a proud alumnus of Latine College Day,’’ said Ricardo Valencia, a Chicano/Latino studies teacher at Santa Maria High School. “When I attended this conference in high school, it inspired me to become an educator so I can uplift my community

through education.

“Seeing and hearing from Latinx college students was a mirror of what I could become. It also reminded me of the importance of being proud of my Chicano heritage. This conference has a profound impact on all the students that attend.’’ email: dmason@newspress.com

Free spay, neuter surgeries begin today in Santa Maria

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Santa Barbara Humane is now offering free feline spay and neuter surgeries, starting today at its campus at 1687 W.Stowell Road, Santa Maria.

The operations, which are made possible by a large donation from ResQCats, are by appointment only. To make an appointment, visit sbhumane.org/clinic or call 805964-4777, ext. 205

Santa Barbara Humane noted that spay and neuter surgeries are crucial to keeping the feline population under control. An unaltered female cat can give birth to as many as 180 kittens in her lifetime. Those kittens could become part of the 3.2 million cats that enter animal shelters each year, Santa Barbara Humane

CALENDAR

Continued from Page B1

7:30 p.m. Cabrillo High School Performing Arts will present the musical “The Wizard of Oz” at 7:30 p.m. March 3, 4, 10 and 11 with an “Emerald City” matinee, in which the audience is encouraged to wear green, at 1 p.m. March 11. The performances will take place at the school’s Little Theater, 4350 Constellation Drive, Lompoc. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for youths under 18. To purchase, visit www.gofan.co. MARCH 4 9 a.m. Santa Barbara Airport is partnering with Alaska Airlines and Atlantic Aviation to host local nonprofit Alpha Resource Center’s second annual Plane Pull fundraiser. Proceeds benefit the Alpha Resource Center. Registration is at 9 a.m., followed by the opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and the first team pull at 9:45 a.m. For more information, go to alphasb. org/plane-pull or contact Jeff Henson at Alpha Resources Center, 805-683-2145 or jhenson@alphasb.org. 7:30 p.m. The State Street Ballet will perform “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and other dances at 7:30 p.m. at The Granada, 1214 State St. Tickets cost $38 to $106. To

noted.

For the millions of feral cats who don’t enter a shelter, life on the streets is fraught with dangers ranging from encounters with wildlife to communicable illnesses to the hazards of busy roadways.

Surgical sterilization is not only a safe and humane way to prevent unwanted litters. It also offers significant health benefits to cats. Spaying female cats helps prevent breast and uterine cancer, and neutering male cats helps prevent testicular cancer. Studies have found that spayed female cats live 39% longer than intact female cats, while neutered male cats live 62% longer than intact male cats.

Dr. Katie Marrie, Santa Barbara Humane’s chief veterinary officer, says that surgical sterilization can also help address some common

purchase, go to granadasb.org or call the box office at 805-899-2222.

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara City College Theatre Group will perform Ken Ludwig’s “A Comedy of Tenors” at the Garvin Theatre on the college’s west campus in the 900 block of Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara. Tickets range from $18 to $26 for general admission, with discounts for students, seniors and SBCC staff. To purchase, go to www. theatregroupsbcc.com or by calling the Garvin Box Office at 805-965-5935.

7:30 p.m. Cabrillo High School

Performing Arts will present the musical “The Wizard of Oz” at 7:30 p.m. March 3, 4, 10 and 11 with an “Emerald City” matinee, in which the audience is encouraged to wear green, at 1 p.m. March 11. The performances will take place at the school’s Little Theater, 4350 Constellation Drive, Lompoc. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for youths under 18. To purchase, visit www.gofan.co.

MARCH 7 7 p.m. “Four Winters,” a documentary about resistance fighters during World War II, screens at Paseo Nuevo Cinemas on lower State Street in Santa Barbara. A Q & A will follow.

MARCH 16

5:30 p.m. Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi —

feline behavioral problems.

“In male cats, surgical sterilization helps decrease aggressive behavior and can help prevent certain unwanted behaviors like spraying, fighting, and roaming in search of a mate.” Dr. Marrie also noted that for female cats, spay surgeries can make a difference that the whole neighborhood can appreciate. “Anyone who has been around female cats that are in heat can attest to how noisy they can be. Spaying your cat can prevent a whole lot of yowling!”

In 2022, Santa Barbara Humane provided 5,762 spay/neuter surgeries to cats, dogs and rabbits in Santa Barbara County. The surgeries typically cost $100 for female cats and $80 for male cats. email: dmason@newspress.com

Lewis Atterbury Stimson professor and chairman in the Department of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center and surgeonin-chief at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center — will present a public lecture titled “In the Eye of the Storm: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The free talk will take place at the Wolf Education and Training Center, 529 W. Junipero St., adjacent to RidleyTree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara. Reservations are required by March 10. To attend, contact J.V. Vallejos at 805-681-7528 or jvallejo@sansumclinic.org.

MARCH 18

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform “John Williams: A Cinematic Celebration” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. To purchase tickets, go to granadasb.org. For more information, visit www.thesymphony.org or call 805-8989386.

MARCH 19 3 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony will perform John Williams: A Cinematic Celebration” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. To purchase tickets, go to granadasb.org. For more information, visit www.thesymphony.org or call 805-8989386.

— Dave Mason

UCSB students visit Santa Maria High School and meet with students to discuss the university’s upcoming Latine College Day.

COURTESY PHOTO

From left are Righetti High School students Lucas Hsiung, Samantha McDonald with Tulia (guide dog In training), Natalie Lancor and Krissy Kurth, an English teacher at the Santa Maria school. Lucas, Samantha and Natalie competed at the 2023 Poetry Out Loud Regional Competition, where Lucas earned first place.

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

Thought for Today

“Only trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee.”

— William Penn

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

ARIES — Today rethink all the social values you take at face value. Like the rest of us, you learned them at an early age and accepted them unthinkingly. Established concepts of propriety are especially deserving of consideration. After hearing for years about all those things that “just aren’t done,” isn’t it refreshing to think that maybe they should be done after all?

TAURUS — Today is an ideal day to shop for a new wardrobe.

You may find your usual style too conventional or uncomfortably trendy. Sometimes you reject outfits you really like out of fear they’re too suggestive, old fashioned, or something else.

Perhaps you should listen to your good judgment for a change instead of being so concerned about what other people might think.

GEMINI — The topic of the day is knowledge and learning. Did you study the field you really wanted to? Do you feel bad about not having attended such-andsuch school or program? If these issues are uppermost on your mind today, remember that your creativity has little to do with the degrees you hold.

CANCER — The planetary alignment is favorable, and you’re in the process of reaping the benefits, Cancer. It was only a matter of becoming aware of and settling certain matters related to your need for social recognition. Don’t be so hungry for approval, Cancer. Everybody contains a stern inner parent and can survive comfortably in total selfsufficiency.

LEO — You may feel hemmed in by the role models society currently offers. As you struggle to reach your own definition of the truly innovative achiever, other people sometimes criticize your rather liberated attitude. Just because your ideas aren’t in sync with theirs in no way invalidates them. If your ideas are too radical, theirs are too conventional.

VIRGO — The results of the recent planetary influence are coming home to roost, Virgo. If everything went according to plan, you gained some insight into your ego. Buddhist wise men say that the path to spiritual fulfillment lies in knowing how to build a healthy ego while developing a part of oneself

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

“Some religious denominations preach that wives should obey their husbands,” a club player told me. “I can relate to that. My wife has been doing my bidding for years. She bids both sides of the table.”

My friend opened 1NT as South.

When he bid two spades in reply to Stayman, his wife bid six!

“She said I never would’ve bid slam,” South told me, “so she had to do it for me.”

West led a trump, and South took the A-K. When East showed out, South was doomed. He took the ace of clubs, led a heart to his hand, ruffed a club, came to his ace of diamonds and ruffed a club, but the defense got a trick in each side suit.

OVERBID

“I told my wife she had overbid,” South said. “She said that was true, with me declaring.”

After South wins the first trump, he must take the ace of clubs, then play a low heart from both hands. He wins the next trump and proceeds thus: club ruff, king of hearts, club ruff, ace of diamonds, draw trumps. Then he can run the hearts for 12 tricks.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: A 7 5

Q 8 7 A. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one heart and

completely foreign to the ego. Are you working hard at this?

LIBRA — A small crisis is still a crisis, isn’t it, Libra? You can expect one in your personal life today. Since you aren’t the kind of person who lets issues go unresolved, you won’t be able to put off dealing with your problems any longer. Are responsibilities shared equally with your partner? Are you each making an equal effort to maintain harmony?

SCORPIO — Something has to change. You knew it as soon as you woke up this morning. Your mirror provides the impetus for important resolutions today. Is it time to begin a diet, commit to exercising more, or strengthen your resolve to quit smoking? Anything you do to improve your appearance will make you feel a lot better about yourself.

SAGITTARIUS — The only good thing about being on an emotional roller coaster is that you never feel the same way for long. One moment you’re up, the next you’re down. You can’t figure out what it is you want. Rather than drag your loved ones along on the ride, get away from your usual environment. You will be a lot better off alone.

CAPRICORN — You might want to check your alarm clock to be sure it really woke you up this morning. Your tendency today will be to stay in the cocoon of your little dream world, deep in your own thoughts. Obsessive thoughts, in particular, will try and drown out some more pressing issues from the past that need resolution once and for all. Ring! It’s time to wake up!

AQUARIUS — There’s something in the air pushing you toward change or renewal. Is it time to change your wardrobe or redecorate your home? If so, today’s the day. If you have a budget, you will find it just as fulfilling (and a lot cheaper) to rid your home of all the things that just aren’t “you” anymore. Surround yourself with things you love.

PISCES — The good news is this - it gets better. There could be some trying times in store, Pisces. If you’re a parent, the children will ask for something every five minutes, and you may feel pressure from all sides. Not even your love life is immune from the doubt that seems to hover over your head. No compromise is possible for you, Pisces.

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

he bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is a mighty good hand to bid only four spades. Your aces and queen of diamonds are ideal; partner may win 12 tricks if he has K Q 9 6, 2, A K J 6 5, 8 7 6. A possible call is four clubs, a “splinter” jump to show a spade fit, club shortness and slam interest. Another is a “fourthsuit” bid of two clubs to hear more from partner. South dealer

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

Supreme Court justices raise concerns about Biden’s ability to forgive student debt

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE SENIOR REPORTER

(The Center Square) — The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a legal challenge to President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt.

President Biden announced in August that his administration would “forgive” $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 per year or $250,000 for married couples.

Debtors who borrowed money before July 1 can qualify.

For Pell Grant recipients, the debt reduction would total $20,000.

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimated that the plan would cost taxpayers roughly $400 billion.

The Biden administration argued that the administration has the legal authority to cancel the debt. Justices poked back at that claim, asking whether Congress’ HEROES Act, which allowed the federal government to delay debt collection because of national emergencies, really grants power to cancel that debt.

Justices point out that the law does not explicitly allow for the waiving of student debt in this way, but the Biden administration argued that forgiving the student debt was still in line with the

purpose of the bill.

The Biden administration also argued that the legal challengers did not have a real injury because of the policy that would give them legal standing to challenge the plan in the first place.

The Biden administration has paused student loan repayment until the Supreme Court rules on this case, which is expected by June and no later than July.

“Today, my Administration argues our case for student debt relief in the Supreme Court,” Biden said in a statement. “This relief is critical to over 40 million Americans as they recover from the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. We’re confident it’s legal. And we’re fighting for it in court.”

A poll from August 2022 found Americans are concerned that forgiving the student loan debt will hike inflation.

A CNBC/Momentive survey found that 59% of those surveyed said they are concerned forgiving the debt will make inflation worse.

“Republicans are especially concerned: 81% of Republicans say student loan forgiveness will make inflation worse, nearly double the number of Democrats who say the same (41%),” Momentive said.

Casey Harper works at The Center Square’s Washington, D.C., bureau.

FBI: 77-month wait for thousands of pages of emails from FBI director on Trump

By TOM GANTERT THE CENTER SQUARE MANAGING EDITOR

(The Center Square) — The FBI says that it would take nearly 6 1/2 years for it to release the thousands of pages of FBI Director Christopher Wray’s emails that contained the word “Trump” over a four-month period that were requested in a Freedom of Information Act request.

The Center Square submitted the FOIA on Aug. 8, after former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida was raided by the FBI. Agents were seeking classified federal documents being stored at Mar-A-Lago.

The Center Square requested any emails with the word “Trump” in it on the email account of FBI Director Wray from April 1, 2022 through Aug. 8, 2022.

Nearly 5 1/2 months later, the FBI responded with its findings.

“The FBI located approximately 5,074 pages potentially responsive to your request,” the FBI stated in an email. “The current average time to complete your extralarge track request is at least 77 months.”

The FBI said if the scope of the FOIA were narrowed and the response was less than 50 pages, it could be released in four months. If the response was more than 50 pages, the response time varied from 35 months to 77 months.

The FBI raided Trump’s MarA-Lago home in August and found classified documents. Classified documents were also found at the homes and offices of former Vice President Mike Pence and President Joe Biden.

McMorris Rodgers reintroduces bipartisan disabled minimum wage bill

By TIMOTHY SCHUMANN THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, Wash., helped reintroduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation to advocate for the rights of disabled workers this week in Congress.

The Eastern Washington congresswoman was joined in reintroducing the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, by Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and U.S. Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., after the previous version died in a House committee in the 117th Congress.

“We should be doing everything we can to bring people with disabilities off the sidelines and into the workforce,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers in a joint

statement. “Together, we can end the outdated practice of paying individuals with disabilities a subminimum wage and help them live more independent lives.”

Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act currently allows employers to apply for certification from the Department of Labor, which then allows them to pay individuals with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

There is no legal minimum for how low those wages can go. A recent report by the Government Accountability Office found that half of the workers employed under this Section 14(c) certificate program are earning less than $3.50 an hour.

Bill co-sponsor Scott was not happy about that information.

“We must take this next step to ensure that every worker can

succeed in the workplace and earn a fair wage,” the Virginia congressman said.

That same report by the GAO showcased the Department of Labor’s findings that more than two thirds of its investigations into 14(c) certificate holders found labor violations, and owed more than $15 million in back wages owed to more than 73,500 workers.

“Paying workers less than the minimum wage is unacceptable,” said bill co-sponsor Casey.

“Everyone deserves to be paid a fair wage, and Americans with disabilities are no exception.”

If adopted into law, the act would discontinue issuance of new 14(c) certificates while creating grant programs to help employers transition to paying employees with disabilities at least minimum wage.

By GLENN MINNIS THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — More than four of every 10 voters now feels as if the country is severely divided, with a combined 20% of individuals admitting that they have stopped talking with a family member or friend because of politics, according to a new State Policy Network poll.

In the SPN poll of 2,005 voters conducted in partnership with Morning Consult between Feb.1619, researchers found 21% of respondents agreed, “I have a family member I don’t talk about

politics with anymore because it has become too divisive” and another 22% of individuals said the same about a friend.

SPN messaging strategist Erin Norman told The Center Square the growing division strikes her as a sign of the times.

“I’m not sure people are more divided although I can understand why people have that perception,” she said. “We focus more on specific issues or policies that are framed as blackand-white but when you get into longer discussions, most people are actually somewhere in the middle and can see merits to the

points the opposing sides make. The narrative of a divided nation, another Civil War, or ‘the most important election of our lifetime’ gets a lot of attention, which is why you see it so much, but it doesn’t match with how people in real communities live and interact.”

Despite the friction, pollsters found that 52% of respondents don’t report any major changes in their relationships or conversation topics with regard to politics. Ms. Norman said a little more common decency could go a long way toward keeping the peace.

“We all need to be open to hearing the ‘why’ people have behind their opinions. Behind preferred candidates and policies, we share similar values of wanting the best life possible for our families, opportunity and progress,” she added.

“When people connect on these shared values, it is much easier to accept that different people have different visions for how we might get there. I think political campaigns have taken advantage of a changing landscape but one that is broader than politics.”

The poll had a margin of error of 2%.

SPN: More than 40% of voters say country is severely divided

President Joe Biden

COURTESY PHOTO

FBI Director Christopher Wray

COURTESY PHOTO

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers