No place like home
A different kind of film festival Drive-in screens rise for Santa Barbara’s famous event - A3
Our 165th Year
Former San Marcos star shines in heptathlon - A7
Enjoying SB’s beauty Officials recommend precautions for trailblazers By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Paramedics in Santa Barbara County are familiar with its picturesque trails — as they are often called to assist distressed hikers. In recent days, hikers have dialed 911 for leg injuries and dehydration. Historically, officials have sent warnings about assaults, heat-related illness and even the death of a dog. Incidences can happen during any season and in both the backcountry of Los Padres National Forest and city trailheads. “People can get injured in the backcountry in the winter time just as easy as the summer time,” Capt. Daniel Bertucelli, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, told the News-Press. “A lot of people think you can go hiking in the summertime and just have a bicycle bottle full of water, and it doesn’t work.” Preparedness was emphasized by first responders and hiking enthusiasts alike, water being notable especially as it heats up outside. The rule spread across most hiking websites is this: bring a half liter of water for every hour of hiking. And those hiking with dogs should bring extra water, Capt. Bertucelli said. Dogs that are drooling, weak or having trouble breathing are liable to collapse. Dogs’ fitness is just as important as humans’. “You can have somebody older and in really good shape and is a knowledgeable experienced hiker and is hydrated, and that person has a better chance of having an injury-free hike than a younger person who comes unprepared,” Capt. Bertucelli said. He most frequently sees rescues in the frontcountry trails, as they are accessible to new hikers and most heavily trafficked. Many of Santa Barbara’s trails start inside the city and extend into the Los Padres National Forest as hikers ascend. The national forest contains 1.75 million acres, some wilderness Please see hiking on A8
By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Milt and Arlene Larsen are selling the Magic Castle Cabaret in Montecito, but fear not, they have other tricks up their sleeves. “I’m not retiring by any means,” Mr. Larsen, who turns 90 on April 9, cheerfully told the News-Press when asked about the sale of the Montecito site, the former Cafe del Sol that he and Mrs. Larsen magically transformed into a small palace of entertainment. They purchased the property in 2016 and opened the cabaret in 2018. The site is listed for $4.25 million, which includes the liquor license, and will probably ANNELISE HANSHAW / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Lizard’s Mouth is a short trail of rock scattering and ocean views, generating traffic especially around sunset.
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
The view at Inspiration Point motivates new hikers to take on the trail’s incline.
By MITCHELL WHITE Santa Barbara City officials announced Tuesday that Chris Mailes has been appointed as fire chief of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department. The appointment comes after an extensive national recruitment process. Selected from 37 candidates, Chief Mailes was serving as the interim fire chief following the retirement of Eric Nickel in October 2020. Chief Mailes will oversee the fire department’s $30 million budget and 106 employees in eight fire stations. Chief Mailes is no stranger to the area, having worked for the fire department for 28 years. He has served in various leadership positions since 1993 when he was hired as a firefighter, most recently serving as battalion chief where he oversaw one of the three shifts that rotate duty coverage in the city. Prior to that, Chief Mailes was the department’s training officer, during which time he managed the training and compliance of the 90 firefighting personnel. He also oversaw the implementation of the department’s three-year, $460,000 automated fire station alerting system. He has extensive experience cooperating with regional and state fire agencies and commanding citywide emergencies. In addition, Chief Mailes has served in leadership
FOLLOW US ON
roles during numerous fires, including the Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flow event in Montecito. He received his bachelor’s degree from UCSB. Some of his other honors include receiving the Public Safety Award from the Rotary Club of Montecito and the Firefighter of the Year honor from the local Lions Club chapter. “It was a well qualified group of finalists and I chose Chief Mailes due to his professionalism, team dedication, tenure with the department, and excellent performance during his acting chief assignment,” Paul Casey, city administrator, said in a statement. “He is well regarded within the department and by fire professionals in the region.” Chief Mailes said he was honored to be selected to lead the department. “I am honored and humbled to be chosen to lead the City’s Fire Department,” he said in a statement. “As a lifelong resident of the area and having been born and raised in the city, it is a special honor to care for my community. We have an amazing group of dedicated women and men. I am honored to continue to ensure that our residents and visitors are well cared for by your Fire Department. I thank the City for having the confidence in me to lead this fine organization.” email: mwhite@newspress.com
3
The United Way of Santa Barbara County is in the early stages of distributing more than $13 million in rental and utility assistance for residents hit the hardest by COVID-19. The relief funding comes after a difficult pandemic year for thousands across the county, some of whom are experiencing financial struggles for the first time. Earlier this year, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors allocated $13 million in funding to the nonprofit’s Emergency Rent Assistance Program to assist residents who experienced significant income loss during the pandemic. Since February, the United Way has helped more than 200 individuals and families and allocated a total of $1.5 million in funding, with plans to allocate the remaining $11.5 million by the end of the year. “Families who are so desperate right now and facing obstacles are finding respite in this funding,” Melinda Cabrera, the United Way’s director of strategic partnerships, told the News-Press. “They’re able to put food on the table because they know rent and utilities are paid for.” All county residents at or below 80% of the Area Median Income can qualify for the relief funding, though qualified individuals at or below 50% of the AMI will take priority, according to a news release from the United Way. AMI totals vary depending on the number of individuals residing in a household, and specific totals can be found at unitedwaysb.org/ rent. Upon approval, qualifying households can receive up to $6,000 over three months
towards rent and utility expenses. Applicants can reapply for funding every three months for a maximum of 15 months. The payments are distributed directly to the landlord and/or utility providers on behalf of the household. Currently the organization has received more than 4,800 applications for relief funding, and officials are creating a more robust system that can process requests more efficiently, Ms. Cabrera said. Despite a large number of applications, Ms. Cabrera said she still encourages people to apply because there is nearly $12 million in remaining funds that can be claimed. “It certainly is a large number (of applications), and it did surpass expectations, but it’s just a testament to the overwhelming need right now and how COVID has affected many throughout the county,” Ms. Cabrera said. “It placed families who were already vulnerable in a higher category of risk.” The funding for this program will remain available until Dec. 30, or until all funds are expended, whichever comes first. At the current rate, Ms. Cabrera said the United Way is hoping to expend 60% of the funds by the end of September. All community members are welcome to apply on the United Way’s website, Ms. Cabrera said, noting that citizenship status is not a qualifying factor to receive funding. For more information on the funding and to apply for relief, visit unitedwaysb.org/rent. After applying, individuals will be contacted by a representative from the United Way Family Services Agency who will review their application and request further documentation. email: mhirneisen@newspress.com
LOTTERY
ins id e Classified............... A6 Life.................... A3-4
COURTESY PHOTO
City officials announced Tuesday that Chris Mailes has been appointed as fire chief of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.
go on the market next week, real estate agent Joe Parker of Berkshire Hathaway told the News-Press. But already, potential buyers have expressed interest in the property, which could retain the name Magic Castle Cabaret if a separate agreement is reached, Mr. Parker said. He said the asking price includes most of the Magic Castle Cabaret’s furnishings and decorations. Mr. Larsen spoke Tuesday to the News-Press by phone from Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle, which he and his late brother Bill Larsen Jr. started in 1963. Like other venues, it has been closed during the Please see cabaret on A8
United Way offers millions in rent relief By MADISON HIRNEISEN
NEWS-PRESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
66833 00050
Larsens to sell Magic Castle Cabaret Potential buyers show interest in Montecito property
Mailes appointed as new fire chief
6
75¢
w e dn e s da y, m a rc h 31, 2 0 21
Obituaries............. A8 Sudoku................. A5 Weather................ A8
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 11-12-20-27-45 Meganumber: 6
Tuesday’s DAILY 4: 6-4-2-6
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 11-37-47-53-56 Meganumber: 15
Tuesday’s FANTASY 5: 1-9-11-14-18
Tuesday’s DAILY DERBY: 08-04-07 Time: 1:40.10
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 6-14-38-39-65 Meganumber: 6
Tuesday’s DAILY 3: 3-3-8 / Midday 9-1-6