Santa Barbara News-Press: April 05, 2023

California declared a major disaster area

Flower show blooms again

Biden’s proclamation means continued support - A3 Garden Club of Santa Barbara prepares for its first flower show since 2017 - B1

Donald Trump pleads not guilty

Former president arraigned in court; Trump’s supporters gather in Goleta

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE SENIOR REPORTER

(The Center Square) — Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 34 felony counts related to charges he paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels through a lawyer seven years ago and covered it up as a legal expense before being elected president.

Mr. Trump offered his “not guilty” plea during his arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York.

A few hours after Mr. Trump went into the court, approximately 30 people gathered late Tuesday afternoon

at Storke Road and Hollister Avenue in Goleta with flags in support of Mr. Trump. Motorists honked in agreement and disagreement with them.

The News-Press will publish a full story on the pro-Trump rally in Thursday’s edition.

After his arraignment, Mr. Trump posted on TruthSocial, “Just lifted off for Palm Beach, Florida. Will be delivering remarks tonight at Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 P.M., EASTERN. The hearing was shocking to many in that they had no ‘surprises,’ and therefore, no case. Virtually every legal pundit has said that there is no case here. There was nothing done illegally!”

On Tuesday evening at Mar-a-

Lago, Mr. Trump walked into a ballroom to the song “Proud to be an American.”

“U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A!” the crowd chanted.

“God bless you all. I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” Mr. Trump told the audience during a speech that lasted nearly half an hour. He said the case against him was designed to interfere with the 2024 election.

Before the arraignment on Tuesday, Mr. Trump surrendered to New York police after a grand jury voted to indict him last week, marking the first time a current or former president has been charged with a crime. Mr. Trump also is the frontrunner

Mixed results for parklets

Some restaurants fail to comply with rules; others make required changes

for the 2024 Republican nomination for president.

Videos showed Mr. Trump wearing a red tie escorted by Secret Service to the courthouse to turn himself in to authorities, where he was processed before his arraignment.

“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse,” he posted to TruthSocial on his way to the courtroom. “Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!”

The indictment, which had remained sealed since it was handed down last week, was unsealed after Tuesday’s arraignment. It alleges Trump

falsified business records related to the hush money scheme.

Critics blasted the indictment, saying the case is weak.

“I’ve reviewed the Trump indictment,” Tom Fitton, president of the right-leaning group, Judicial Watch, wrote on Twitter. “There’s nothing there. Trump and the American people have been abused.”

Mr. Trump, who denies the charges, also posted a series of urgent messages blasting Democrats and New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

“THE RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS HAVE

Homeless woman appears in court

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A homeless woman appeared in court Monday for further arraignment on charges that she stole a cell phone from a witness who saw her standing outside an upper State Street restaurant moments after someone threw a rock that smashed the eatery’s front window Nelly Gackowska, 60, is charged with second-degree robbery and grand theft from a person, both felonies, in connection with the Christmas Eve incident outside Rudy’s Mexican restaurant, 3613 State St., Santa Barbara. A trial date was not set Monday, nor a pretrial readiness/settlement conference.

Instead, the case was continued to later this month, Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Branch said.

“The defendant appeared in court yesterday. and the case was continued to 4/24 for further arraignment on the Information (formerly the complaint),” the prosecutor said Tuesday.

The defendant pleaded not guilty at her initial arraignment.

of the defendant at the scene, and because she was calling 9-1-1 to report the incident.

The M. Special brewery on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara recently simplified its parklet design. Restaurants have modified their parklets to meet city requirements.

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Some Santa Barbara restaurateurs continue to defy the city’s months-old requirements to ensure their dining parklets are accessible to people with disabilities, allow for stormwater runoff and adhere to new design standards.

And city staffers remain determined to make sure they comply through inspections, imposition of citations and fines

and if necessary, removal of the outdoor facilities, either on their own or by the city.

Currently there are 92 parklets throughout the city, according to Meghan Salas, the parking programs supervisor.

Of these, 22 — more than a fourth — remain out of compliance with ADArequirements, Ms. Salas said.

The city’s deadline for compliance was Dec. 1.

Only two parklets have not been modified to ensure that

stormwater can flow alongside or underneath them, she said. “But one may have been brought into compliance and needs to be re-inspected.”

The city’s deadline for stormwater compliance was Dec. 1, too. Since then, the city has endured a series of winter storms, including the huge storm in January that dumped several inches of rain. Staffers, however, reported only minor flooding onto sidewalks.

The design requirements,

supposed to be in place Feb. 1, apply only to State Street. “We’ve issued eight notices of violation for more significant issues, but we expect to see the minor issues resolved as businesses submit applications for license agreements (required by May 1),” Ms. Salas said.

“Businesses on the promenade that don’t meet all design/ stormwater/accessibility requirements by the end of May will be issued removal notices,”

Please see PARKLETS on A4

But after a judge ruled that she should stand trial after her preliminary hearing, Ms. Gackowska was given a second chance to plead not guilty or guilty at a second arraignment.

She could receive a maximum sentence of five years in prison if she stands trial and is convicted.

The defendant represented herself at her preliminary hearing, but a public defender was appointed to represent her at her new arraignment.

The witness, Rebecca Brand, saw the front window of Rudy’s restaurant shatter before her eyes.

She contends that Ms. Gackowska forcibly took her cell phone from her moments later because she took pictures

Ms. Brand said the defendant injured her by repeatedly slamming her cell phone against her hip while trying to pry it from Ms. Brand’s hand, and that the alleged attack left her with a large bruise.

However, Ms. Brand never actually saw who threw the rock that broke the window, and prosecutors have declined to charge the defendant with that offense despite Rudy’s willingness to press charges.

“We don’t have enough evidence to prove a vandalism (incident) beyond a reasonable doubt, so that charge has not been filed for the broken window,” Ms. Branch said. email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Donald Trump

Case involving Rudy’s restaurant is continued to later this month

REBECCA BRAND PHOTO Nelly Gackowska

Action sought to prevent mass tenancy termination in Isla Vista

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Isla Vista Community Services District board approved a letter Monday urging the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to act to prevent the upcoming mass termination of tenancy at two apartment complexes in Isla Vista.

The board warned the tenancy termination would happen at the CBC and Sweeps complexes. Their combined 234 units make up at least 6% of the rental units in Isla Vista, and at least 1,000 people are projected to live there, according to the district.

Chicago developer Core Spaces wants to raise rates.

“It’s pretty horrible,” Jonathan Abboud, general manager of the Isla Vista Community Services District, told the News-Press.

IVCSD’s board of directors urged the county board of supervisors to explore every possible legal avenue to protect residents and minimize the impact on countywide housing prices, as well as establish policies to restrict events like this from happening in the future. Most of the eviction notice dates are within 60 days or sometime in June, and some are later, according to Mr. Abboud.

Proposals put forth in the

letter include: funding legal counsel for all tenants living in the unincorporated county facing eviction and termination of tenancy and updating Ordinance 44.44 to close possible loopholes that may be used in this situation and strengthen its provisions for renters moving forward.

Proposals also include adopting additional legislation to regulate “renovictions” as recently approved by Santa Barbara City Council. Another proposal is to require developers to receive full approval of permits for renovations before any further action can be taken by them, requiring a staggered timeline of implementation, requiring tenants to be able to return to their original rent, and requiring relocation assistance for tenants during renovations.

Proposals also include a moratorium on mass evictions in light of a local and state housing crisis.

“I’ve been living in IV for 35 years, and you know to my recollection this is the first mass eviction that I have seen to this magnitude,” one public commenter said during the Board of Supervisors meeting. “As a native Spanish speaker, I can say that one of the biggest issues is the translation of legalese, so they are really going to need help on that.”

At the March 28 board of directors meeting, Alex Entrekin of the Legal Aid Foundation said, “A number of notices on a scale that is fairly unimaginable. These are notices of termination of tenancy, not evictions. Evictions come when or if a tenant stays past the end date of a termination notice. Evictions follow a court order and can only be legally posted by the sheriff.

“I will be there every Saturday for the foreseeable future with tenants giving advice and information,” Mr. Entrekin said.

“We are trying to educate people and provide basic information to help tenants navigate this. There are just very basic rights that people should check before they run and pay double the rent.”

Legal Aid Foundation is also planning a “Know Your Rights” Zoom call in both English and Spanish on a date yet to be determined.

“This mass eviction — perhaps the largest in California — is a devastating CODE RED emergency for nearly 1,000 people in our community and could not be more urgent for me and my team,” said Santa Barbara County District 2 Supervisor Laura Capps in a news release Tuesday. “As I explained to an executive of the new out-of-state landlord, Core Spaces, who admitted he was

TRAFFIC, CRIME & FIRE BLOTTER

unaware about the lives of the people they are upending, this is a senseless travesty for people who have been working hard to diligently pay their rent — many who have raised their young children there.”

The county board of supervisors will plans to hold a special hearing on this issue on a date to be determined.

“I thank Santa Barbara County Chair and District 1 Supervisor Das Williams for working with me to schedule a special Board of Supervisors meeting to explore legal options and fight for people who are victims of housing exploitation,” said Supervisor Capps. “We will continue working in partnership with Isla Vista Tenants Union, Isla Vista Community Service District, UCSB AS Legal, Santa Barbara Tenants Union as well as the County Social Services staff who canvassed with us to offer resources.”

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

FYI

Those who have been impacted by the tenancy issue are asked to reach out to Supervisor Laura Capps’ office at lcapps@countyofsb.org or 805-5682191.

Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a head-on collision Monday in Santa Maria.

Firefighters respond to call about missing surfer

MONTECITO — The Montecito Fire Department responded to a call for an ocean rescue at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday at Miramar Beach.

The first responders went to the beach after Miramar Resort employees called 9-1-1 to report they had lost sight of a kite surfer in the water. At 8 p.m., the missing kite surfer reported he rescued himself after abandoning his foil in the water.

Montecito Fire responded with

a battalion chief, engine and squad. Assistance was provided by Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Department with a battalion chief, engine and rescue water craft, the Santa Barbara County Fire’s rescue water craft and helicopter, and Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol boat. The U.S. Coast Guard also launched a boat and helicopter to assist.

Search efforts were complicated by high winds in the area. National Weather Service LosAngeles had issued a wind advisory for Montecito due to strong winds 20-30 mph with gusts of 50-60 mph. A high surf advisory was also in effect.

The Montecito Fire Department

reminds people to be cautious during hazardous weather conditions.

— Katherine Zehnder

Collision results in fatality

ORCUTT — A man was killed when his vehicle and another vehicle hit each other during a head-on collision Monday night on Highway 135 in Orcutt.

The adult male driver was the solo occupant of the first vehicle and pronounced deceased at the

scene, said Capt. Scott Safechuck, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

A woman in the second vehicle was in serious condition and transported by air (Calstar) to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department had two paramedic engines and a battalion chief on the scene. The Santa Maria Fire Department had one engine there, and the scene also included Calstar, CHP and an ambulance.

Call time was 6:50 p.m., Capt. Safechuck said in a tweet.

— Katherine Zehnder

Sheriff’s office welcomes deputies

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office welcomed three new deputies and congratulated them upon their graduation from the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center’s Law Enforcement Academy, the Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.

Sheriff Bill Brown welcomed the new deputies, Shannon Carroll, Luis Lopez and Cole Schoenneman, on Friday.

The ceremony, which marks a beginning milestone in each deputy’s career, was shared with their close family members and included a badge-pinning ceremony where recruits have their badges pinned on their uniforms by their mothers, fathers and significant others.

This shared moment marks the culmination of more than six months of hard work by the recruits and unwavering support from the family members who

stood by them.

Shortly after the swearingin ceremony, the new deputies, along with their classmates, graduated from the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center’s Law Enforcement Academy.

The class of 38 recruits completed more than six months of comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) instruction. Some of the academy instruction included community policing, report writing, laws of arrest, search and seizure, firearms, ethics, investigation procedures, patrol techniques, arrest and control, physical training, CPR/ First Aid and emergency vehicle operations.

If you are interested in a career in law enforcement or know someone who is, visit sbsheriff. org to apply.

Neil Hartstein

—

Gwendolyn’s playground hits campaign goal

SANTA BARBARA — The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding Spinal Muscular Atrophy research, has reached its $6 million capital campaign goal for construction of Gwendolyn’s Playground.

This will be the first and largest fully inclusive playground on the Central Coast, and it will be located near the Santa Barbara

Zoo.

Victoria and Bill Strong established GSF in honor of their daughter, Gwendolyn, who had SMA. Even after her passing in 2015, GSF raised millions for SMA research, leading to life-changing treatments.

Gwendolyn’s Playground will feature various inclusive activities, including a one-of-a-kind Magical

Tree filled with imaginative play, STEAM interactive experiences, and allowing for the exploration and full accessibility of every visitor. With construction set to begin in 2024. GSF will now focus on endowment efforts to support long-term maintenance and future programming.

“We are eternally grateful to the Manitou Fund for their tremendous

gift and for every single gesture that was offered to our effort — from lemonade stand profits and piggy bank coins to corporate and nonprofit grants and matching contributions,” said Victoria Strong. For more information, visit gwendolynstrongfoundation.org/ gwendolyns-playground.

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

HOW TO GET US . . .

CIRCULATION ISSUES 805-966-7171

refunds@newspress.com newsubscriptions@newspress.com vacationholds@newspress.com cancellations@newspress.com

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

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.

— Caleb Beeghly

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Sheriff Bill Brown stands with deputies who joined the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO

Biden declares California a major disaster area

(The Center Square) — California has been declared a “Major Disaster” area by President Biden.

The declaration comes as ongoing rain and extensive damage continues in the state that saw 47 counties in a “storm state of emergency.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom had requested the declaration in a March 28 letter, which highlighted the devastation in California’s Central Coast, Southern California, the San Joaquin Valley, Sierra Foothills and throughout the state.

“California continues to recover from multiple, consecutive disasters that warranted and received emergency declarations and major disaster declarations,” the request said. “Now, due to the damage caused by the Late Winter Storms…I am requesting a Major Disaster Declaration..”

The White House announcement means that the state can get continued support for its ongoing response and recovery efforts, with the state and local governments assuming all applicable nonfederal shared costs as required by the Stafford Act.

“This declaration brings in more vital resources as we continue to work in lockstep with local, state and federal partners to support communities that have been turned upside down by these storms,” said Gov. Newsom.

Housing assistance, food aid, counseling, and medical and legal services will be made available to eligible Californians by the declaration.

“First responders and state personnel are on the ground in hard-hit regions across California to assist the ongoing response and recovery,” Gov. Newsom said. “We are committed to supporting our communities over the long haul and thank the Biden administration for their continued partnership.” California Department of

Social Services through its Rapid Response Fund will deploy disaster relief services to illegal immigrants and communities that are ineligible for FEMA individual assistance.

“Selected local partners will announce details once they receive their funding awards and can begin providing services,” a news release from the governor’s office stated.

The declaration facilitates the California National Guard and other state personnel in the mobilization of food, water, sandbags, cots and other

commodities to areas in need; and the provision of equipment and personnel to assist in the fortification of levees, clearing of debris and snow from roadways, medical support at shelters, and staffing support for local assistance centers.

Business proprietors and residents in the named counties can begin applying for assistance by registering www. disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.

California firearms cops seized 1,400 guns, 280,000 rounds of ammo last year

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — The California Department of Justice seized more than 1,400 firearms, 50 ghost guns, 300 large capacity magazines and 280,000 rounds of ammunition, reported state Attorney General Rob Bonta in releasing the 2022 Armed and Prohibited Persons System annual program report this week.

California became the first state in the country to establish a tracking system for firearm owners who end up in a prohibited status.

The database identified who obtained firearms and later became banned from legally owning them. No other state has a

system of this kind.

People on the list are generally those convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor, were placed under domestic violence or other restraining order, or have a mental illness, according to a news release from Attorney General Bonta’s office.

The California Department of Justice recovered 1,437 firearms, including 712 handguns.

Ghost gun seizures have ticked up in recent years. The APPS program seized 54 ghost guns, a 38% increase from 2021 and a 575% increase since 2018.

Additionally, agents seized 308 large-capacity magazines, 2,123 standard-capacity magazines, and 281,299 rounds of ammunition through APPS enforcement.

Newsom appoints Joyce Dudley to POST Advisory Board

Retired District Attorney

Joyce Dudley has recently been appointed to the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

John T. Savrnoch, who succeeded Ms. Dudley as the Santa Barbara County district attorney, said he was proud that he got the opportunity to work with her.

“This appointment shows that even in retirement, Joyce remains dedicated to public safety, to the women and men of law enforcement, and to ensuring that California has the best trained and most ethical peace offers in the country,” Mr. Savrnoch said, Ms. Dudley is a Democrat, with more than 30 years of experience.

Most recently, she was chair of the Commission on Peace Officer

Standards and Training from 2016 to 2022. And she was a member of the commission starting in 2013.

Ms. Dudley served as district attorney of Santa Barbara County from 2010 to 2022. Before that, Ms. Dudley was a deputy district attorney in the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office from 1990 to 2010.

And she was the director of child development programs at the county Community Action Commission from 1984 to 1988 and Child Development Director at the Children’s Home of California from 1979 to 1984.

This position does not require Senate confirmation and Dudley is compensated $350 per diem for this position.

— Kira Logan

As of the start of this year, there were 3,347,221 known registered firearm owners in California; fewer than 1% of them (23,869) cannot legally own a firearm.

“As California’s chief law enforcement officer, protecting public safety and our communities from the threat of gun violence is my top priority,” Attorney General Bonta said in a press release. “I’m proud of the work our special agents do on behalf of the people of California. These brave agents are rarely in the spotlight, but they are working every day to prevent gun violence from ever happening by removing dangerous weapons from communities. When guns are in dangerous hands, it puts the public at risk. We will continue working with the

Governor’s Office, Legislature, and our local partners to address gun violence.”

The Bureau of Firearms, a part of the California Department of Justice’s Division of Law Enforcement, led the seizure effort.

More people were removed from the APPS prohibited list in 2022 than were put on it; meaning it was smaller at the start of 2023 than it was at the start of 2022.

The DOJ report also said that 194 armed and prohibited individuals who attempted to buy ammunition were denied a chance to do so because of the eligibility check process.

A copy of the full report is available at oag.ca.gov/system/ files/media/2022-apps-report.pdf.

County releases Active Transportation Plan

Santa Barbara County this week released its first Active Transportation Plan.

The ATP focuses on forms of transportation primarily powered by human energy, such as walking and biking.

The ATP assesses existing conditions and incorporates

public and stakeholder input to identify projects that help promote healthier and more sustainable communities.

According to a news release from the county, the benefits of active transportation can include reduced traffic congestion and improved mental and physical

health, air quality, economic vitality and quality of life. The ATP is an aspirational document designed to reflect the needs of the community and to help position the county for future grant opportunities to build out a more walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly transportation

network.

County staff will present the ATP to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on May 2. To learn more visit sbco. mysocialpinpoint.com/atphome or email pwATP@countyofsb.org.

— Katherine Zehnder

Commission: Californians with developmental disabilities need better service

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

oversight and a focus on reducing racial disparities.

The right to services and individualized programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in California was codified in

Services Act, when care for individuals with developmental disabilities was expanded beyond Down syndrome to include “people with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and other neurological handicapping conditions.” This care is executed through a

network of 21 nonprofit regional centers.

The system has been facing a number of challenges around variations in the availability and quality of services among racial and ethnic groups and

COURTESY PHOTO

President Joe Biden

TRUMP

Continued from Page A1

CRIMINALIZED THE JUSTICE SYSTEM,” Mr. Trump posted on TruthSocial. “THIS IS NOT WHAT AMERICA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE!”

Mr. Trump’s family and many Republicans have centered their criticism on Bragg, a George Soros-backed prosecutor who has been lax on many violent criminals during his tenure. Mr. Soros is a billionaire donor to Democrats across the country.

“The entire system is rigged!”

Eric Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday.

Republicans have repeatedly said the prosecution is politically motivated.

“The indictment wouldn’t happen if President Trump didn’t run for office,” U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, wrote on Twitter.

Mr. Trump blasted leaks from the prosecutor’s office as well.

“Speaking of LEAKS, Special “Prosecutor” Jack Smith (What did his name used to be?) leaked

PARKLETS

Continued from Page A1 she said. “Off-state accessibility violations will be issued removal notices early next week.”

The next accessibility inspections are scheduled for Friday. “For design and stormwater (promenade only), inspections will coincide with license application review.”

So far, only one parklet has been removed due to noncompliance, she said.

Several downtown Santa Barbara restaurants focused on meeting the deadline for design requirements and spent the time and money necessary to make the improvements.

The major changes to State Street facilities included painting to match the approved color palette (dark grays, browns, and black); removal of lighting from trees and over sidewalks; removal of visible advertising, signs, logos, etc.; and removal of turf grass, according to Sarah Clark, the city’s downtown plaza parking manager. Some of the restaurants had help from others to make sure they complied on time.

“We’re glad to see businesses working together to improve the appearance of the promenade,” Ms. Clark said.

When the outdoor parklets were first allowed, they were considered vital in helping restaurants on lower State Street survive during the COVID-19 pandemic when indoor dining was prohibited.

But along the way, the outdoor

massive amounts of information to The Washington ComPost,” Trump wrote on TruthSocial.

“This is illegal, and I assume this Radical Left Lunatic, much to the chagrin of his Trump

Hating wife and family, will be PROSECUTED? He is a totally biased Thug who should be let loose on the Biden Documents hidden in Chinatown, and the 1,850 BOXES secretly stored in Delaware, which Biden REFUSES to give up. Biden is guilty of Obstruction, I am not!”

While the indictment naturally presents challenges for Trump, analysts speculate that the legal battle could propel Trump as a martyr of the “rigged” system he regularly makes a focus of his message.

A recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll reports that Mr. Trump’s numbers among Republicans have spiked since the indictment. The latest poll puts Trump well ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, assumed to be the biggest threat to Mr. Trump’s chances to win the GOP nomination for president in 2024, by 26 percentage points.

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

News-Press Managing Editor Dave Mason and News-Press correspondent Caleb Beeghly contributed to this report

DISABILITIES

Continued from Page A3

among localities across the state alongside infrastructural limitations. These perhaps were exacerbated by periods in the department’s history where “cuts imposed on regional centers in the early 1990s were never restored. Regional centers are overwhelmed with unfunded mandates, rising expectations of consumers and their families, and the inability to retain an adequate number of employees.”

Tamar Foster, Deputy Executive Director of the Little Hoover Commission gave the following summary of recommendations for improvement in the report:

• Increase consistency of service across all centers.

• Target and reduce ethnic discrepancies.

• Strengthen the state oversight of the system.

• Modernize technologies - a single system to track services.

• Standardize the system for vendor service.

• Strengthen the regional government boards.

• Improve service coordination. Parents and stakeholders spoke at the report’s release meeting expressing a wide range of reactions. Some were understanding about

the challenges of service with limited staff. One person, perhaps in response to board member Dion Aroner, who said she’d like to see “more standardization,” voiced concern about standardized care for all regional centers as some had fought long battles to get the care for loved ones and didn’t want a well-intentioned proposal to have unintended consequences and disrupt the service consumers had worked hard to attain.

The vast majority of speakers however, spoke of the difficulty of navigating the system to get the help they sought.

“I was moved by the people who had the nerve and the ability to share their story with us,” board member Gil Garcetti said.

The California Department of Developmental Services has oversight responsibilities for the regional centers. The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act established the framework for a statewide system of community-based services and supports which, as was mentioned at the meeting, serves 400,000 individuals through this system. While it was noted that the system had failed many consumers, it was felt that the report should move forward to the legislators and not be delayed by edits to wording.

/NEWS-PRESS

dining facilities have drawn more and more flack from critics.

Some were upset that they blocked people from seeing into the front windows of their retail neighbors and/or had expanded beyond the restaurant’s exterior.

Others said it was unfair that the restaurants could provide more room for diners without also being compelled to increase

KRAMER, Gail Woodford

Santa Barbara --- Gail Woodford Kramer (née Gail Allen Woodford), 83 years old, died peacefully on Monday, March 20, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Edward John Kramer.

Gail was born in Paterson, New Jersey to Dorothy Jackson Woodford and Donald Sage Woodford. Her early years were spent in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The family later moved to Pennyhill, a northern suburb of Wilmington, Delaware. There, Gail attended Mount Pleasant School and Mount Pleasant High School (class of 1957). In her junior and senior years Gail was awarded the school athletic award in cheerleading. She also excelled at golf as a teen, winning junior tournaments at the DuPont Country Club. Among her classmates was her future husband Ed, who lived down the same street. While not high school sweethearts, they went to sophomore and senior proms together. Gail continued her education at Ohio Wesleyan University, majoring in Psychology (B.A. 1961). Out of college she worked at the George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania, and married Ed in 1963. While Ed was a doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon University, Gail earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1966. After settling down in Ithaca, New York, Gail taught sixth grade at the Henry St. John Elementary School. Her gradual disillusionment with the 1970s educational system led to another career as an office manager, first with the United Way and then with Spoken Language Services, a pioneer of foreign language remote learning.

Gail was a very active person who liked to be in community but also someone who enjoyed time alone with independent study and pursuits. In her seventh grade autobiography, Gail declared her favorite hobbies to be swimming and collecting anything related to foreign countries. Such youthful enthusiasm has a way of reemerging and ramifying in adulthood. For decades, the pool at 6 a.m. became Gail and Ed’s shared daily fitness routine in the Cornell Masters Swim Club and subsequently, with Masters Swimming at Santa Barbara’s Los Baos. Another strong theme in Gail’s life was an enriching immersion in different cultures. Her openness to travel and living abroad likely shaped the arc of Ed’s career by enabling him to make strong connections internationally. She spent months and entire years as an academic spouse in Oxford, England; Lausanne, Switzerland; Gottingen as well as Mainz, Germany. In addition, her extensive travel included trips to Japan, Korea, Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Israel, France, Spain, Netherlands, and Italy. Gail’s outgoing and irreverent style, her great memory for names and faces, as well as a sharp and wicked sense of humor, endeared herself to people she encountered. She made lasting friends with ease.

Gail embarked on a slightly more relaxed journey into retirement following the move to California in 1997. Her fitness, reading, and gardening activities expanded with more available time and a new community. Gail volunteered for many years as a docent at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and obtained certification as a master gardener.

At home she cultivated an outstanding succulent and cactus garden with a focus on plants native to southern California. Living close to the Santa Ynez Valley, and with a beautiful view of the Santa Barbara sunset from the foothills, it is no wonder that wine became one more hobby for Gail to enjoy with friends and family.

In 2013, Gail unfortunately suffered a serious stroke as a complication of surgery. The following winter she lost her beloved Ed. She worked hard to regain some movement and stabilize her condition through physical therapy and a battery of daily exercises. Not one to shrink away under adversity, Gail found conviviality in new traditions. A sorority of fellow swimmers from Los Bañwos, “mermaids”, uncorked her wit and elevated her spirit with a weekly happy hour at the Kramer residence, dubbed Wet Wine Wednesday.

To her friends and family, Gail’s positive attitude, her resolve, perseverance, and good humor in the face of severe physical challenges were exemplary. She will be fondly remembered and cherished.

Gail is survived by her children; Eric (Marta) Kramer of Tucson, Arizona, and Jeanne (Michael) Kane of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey; grandchildren, Matthew Kane, Allison Kane, and Cecilia Kramer; her sister Sara Jane (William) Lasko of Lake Mary, Florida; stepsisters Judy Rosser of New Harmony, Utah, and Sandy Mason of Los Gatos, California, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for early summer 2023.

the number of restrooms to accommodate them.

Still others said the parklets interfere with people being able to appreciate the downtown’s famed architecture, which has drawn many thousands of visitors to Santa Barbara eager to see “America’s Riviera.”

attracting increased numbers of rats to the downtown area. Some went beyond criticizing these unintended ramifications to harping on the appearance and construction of the parklets themselves, referring to them simply as “wooden boxes.” email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

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

To place an obituary, please email the text and photo(s) to obits@newspress.com or fax text only (no photos) to (805) 966-1421. Please include your name, address, contact phone number and the date(s) you would like the obituary to be published. Photos should be in jpeg format with at least 200 dpi. If a digital photo is not available, a picture may be brought into our office for scanning. We will lay out the obituary using our standard format.

A formatted proof of the obituary and the cost will

office located at 715 Anacapa Street.

The deadline for Weekend and Monday’s editions is at 10a.m. on Thursdays; Tuesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Fridays; Wednesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Mondays; Thursday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Tuesdays; Friday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Wednesdays (Pacific Time).

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

ARTHUR VON WIESENBERGER /NEWS-PRESS

Supporters of Donald Trump gather at Storke Road and Hollister Avenue in Goleta to protest against the indictment.

Life theArts

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023

CALENDAR

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 in Montecito. 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. “Storytelling: Native People Through the Lens of Edward S. Curtis” is on display through April 30 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information, visit sbnature.org. 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., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, www. sullivangoss.com.

By appointment on weekdays: “Holly Hungett: Natural Interpretations” is on view through May 20 at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s gallery, 229 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb.org.

‘In the Gardens of Splendor and Delight’

Garden Club of Santa Barbara’s flower show and boutique first since 2017

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Whimsical Chinoiserie paintings by Harrison Howard have inspired the theme of the Garden Club of Santa Barbara’s upcoming flower show and boutique.

Its first show since 2017, “In the Gardens of Splendor and Delight” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21 at the Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road in Montecito. Admission and parking are free.

“Here, you’ll find not only beautiful and colorful floral displays and individual specimens but also inventive jewelry made entirely out of seeds and pods, gorgeous prize-winning photographs and more,” said Anne Rhett Merrill, co-chair.

“But the show is just part of the club’s activities. Over the past 20 years, we’ve donated more than half a million dollars to horticultural projects throughout Santa Barbara County, reflecting our active involvement in the community.”

The juried show features floral arrangements, horticultural specimens, scenic photographs and botanical arts. Entries are primarily from GCSB members with additional entries from members of other Garden Club of America chapters.

Judges from the Garden Club of America fly in from around the country to judge the show before it opens to the public.

Mr. Howard’s images have been licensed for fabrics, wallpaper, paper goods, packaging, lacquered wood serving trays, placemats and other home items. Louis Sherry chocolate company, established in New York in 1881, features Harrison’s work.

This year, an unjudged category, open only to GCSB members, has been added in Mr. Howard’s honor. Submissions must feature dried, pressed flower and leaf designs inspired by his Chinoiserie illustrations and incorporate pollinator plants and pollinators from the Santa Barbara area.

“My attraction to art began when I was very young on the floor of my father’s studio with colored pencils and sheets of white paper bigger than I was,” said Mr. Howard. “My father was a professional artist. My parents’ interests revolved heavily around their preoccupation with art, antiques, history and traveling, and

they passed their interests along to me. We lived for a year near Cannes when I was very small.

“Trips that stretched to many other parts of Europe as well fueled my imagination to this day in ways that no classroom probably ever did. I painted murals for almost two decades, mostly in houses. Some were in wonderful places, and during that time, my interest in decorative art and design of all periods grew at a fast pace.

“However, traveling to do murals was difficult, and over time some jobs became an exhausting experience. When my wife told me the teachers and staff where our son at age 5 attended school thought she was a widow, it was clear that things needed to change. From 2003 onward, I’ve focused mainly on easel-size paintings and prints.”

Mr. Howard, who had his first solo exhibit at age 19 in La Jolla, received his bachelor’s degree in industrial design from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and studied at the Boston University College of Fine Art.

His work has been featured in Veranda Magazine, Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Town & Country, Departures Magazine and Flower Magazine, among others.

“The paintings I produce reflect my great attraction to both fine and decorative art. I gravitate heavily to narratives that reflect the positive side of life. I find inspiration in the natural world, literature, history and the things and people surrounding me in daily life,” said Mr. Howard.

The boutique at the flower show features nearly a dozen vendors offering gardenthemed antiques, women’s clothing, floral fabrics, fine and costume jewelry, gift items and more.

A selection of paintings and products featuring Mr. Howard’s designs are also for sale, including Louis Sherry Chocolate tins. All proceeds support the GCSB’s community projects and other activities.

Food and wine is for sale from 15 Degrees C Wine Shop and Bar. Author and GCSB member Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn from Carpinteria’s Rose Story Farm will sign her new book, “The Color of Roses,” at various times over both days.

“Conservation and Water Sustainability in Santa Barbara: How Our Gardens of

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. Singer-songwriter Colin Hay, the former lead vocalist for Men at Work, will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The concert will feature his songs varying from “Now and the Evermore” to “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself.” The evening will also feature special guest Lazlo Bane. Tickets cost $59 and $69 for general admission and $106 for VIP seats, which include a pre-show reception. To purchase, go to lobero.org or call the Lobero at 805963-0761 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or 1-888-456-2376.

APRIL 6

7:30 p.m. Stacie Burrows will perform her one-woman dark comedy “Bulletproof Unicorn,” which she wrote, at the Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara. Ms. Burrows, a Los Angeles comedian, tells how she went to Texas to fix everything that was wrong with her dysfunctional family. It was a challenge. Tickets cost $30 for general admission and $50 for a patron ticket, which includes one drink. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org.

7:30 p.m. The Ensemble Theatre Company will perform “The Children” April 6-April 23 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Michael Butler, Linda Purl and Nancy Travis star in the play set at a remote cottage on the British coast after a tsunami wreaks havoc on a nuclear reactor. A married couple’s lives are further disrupted by the mysterious appearance of a longlost colleague. The April 6 and 7 shows are preview performances, and the regular run begins April 8. Tickets cost $40 to $84. To purchase, go to etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.

APRIL 7

7:30 p.m. Stacie Burrows will perform her one-woman dark comedy “Bulletproof Unicorn,” which she wrote, at the Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara. Ms. Burrows, a Los Angeles comedian, tells how she went to Texas to fix everything that was wrong with her dysfunctional family. It was a challenge. Tickets cost $30 for general admission and $50 for a patron ticket, which includes one drink. To purchase, go to centerstagetheater.org.

8 p.m. The Ensemble Theatre Company will perform “The Children” April 6-April 23 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Michael Butler, Linda Purl and Nancy Travis star in the play set at a remote cottage on the British coast after a tsunami wreaks havoc on a nuclear reactor. A married couple’s lives are further disrupted by the mysterious appearance of a longlost colleague. The April 6 and 7 shows are preview performances, and the regular run begins April 8. Tickets cost $40 to $84. To purchase, go to etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.

APRIL 8

7:30 p.m. Stacie Burrows will perform her one-woman dark comedy “Bulletproof Unicorn,” which she wrote, at the Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa

Please see CALENDAR on B2

This Garden Club of Santa Barbara ring is made from leaves.

COURTESY PHOTOS

These are past winners of the Garden Club of Santa Barbara’s annual flower show. The club is holding its fi rst show since 2017 on April 20 and 21 at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito.

Breast Cancer Resource Center to present THRIVE Fashion Show

By MARILYN MCMHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara will host its annual THRIVE Fashion Show featuring client models sharing their inspiring Thrive Stories.

This year’s event will take place at 11:30 a.m. April 30 on the Great Lawn at the Montecito Club, 920 Summit Road in Montecito.

Tickets are $250.

Models include Debby Barnett, Sara Browne, Shawn Dyer, Susan Ferguson, Kathy Patton and Beatrice Valenzuela.

“Thriving and sharing their inspiring ‘Thrive Stories,’ they feel uplifted, beautiful, and heard, bringing hope to others facing breast cancer. From the core of oneself, a thriver taps deeply into innate courage to reshape and redefine life’s undesirable circumstances and emerge vibrantly anew,” said Silvana Kelly, BCRC executive director.

Guests will enjoy lunch catered by the Montecito Club, as BCRC models walk the runway in fashionable season trends provided by J. McLaughlin of Montecito and hair and makeup by Samara Beauty. DJ Darla

Be, a long-time BCRC supporter, will serve as emcee and DJ for the event. Guests can also bid on a tempting array of silent auction items. The THRIVE Fashion Show raises funds for the BCRC, a local nonprofit founded in 1997 to provide vital and compassionate

support to individuals facing breast cancer diagnoses and treatment or breast health challenges.

“The BCRC is a community resource created and sustained through the compassion, vision and generosity of many who understand the importance of the free support and resources we

provide,” said Ms. Kelly. “BCRC is here through the challenging times, and the THRIVE Fashion Show is a moment to honor the strength and light of these amazing women, along with those who have supported and uplifted them throughout their journey with breast cancer,” BCRC provides resources and information, connecting clients with educational lectures, peer counseling, support groups and several integrative therapies and wellness programs. All services remain free of charge to anyone who needs them.

The BCRC is located at 55 Hitchcock Way in Santa Barbara and is funded solely through its fundraising events and donor base. email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

FYI

The THRIVE Fashion Show will take place at 11:30 a.m. April 30 on the Great Lawn at the Montecito Club, 920 Summit Road in Montecito. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 805-569-9693 or visit www.thrivebcrc.org.

Adult Day Program receives grant for Alzheimer’s patients

LOMPOC VALLEY — The Valley Haven Adult Day Program, located in the Lompoc Valley, recently received a grant that allows lowincome and diagnosed Alzheimer’s seniors to attend the weekly social enrichment program.

The Mary Oakley Foundation in Santa Barbara gifted the adult program the grant, with specificity toward the recipients. The grant is only for applicants who are

currently on Medi-Cal and who have an Alzheimer’s diagnosis from a neurologist.

The Valley Haven Adult Program, which opened in 2000, has a mission of increasing social connections and forming a safe sense of community between adults 60 and older and veterans. Valley Haven provides mentally and physically stimulating activities such as exercise, arts and

crafts, and musical performances. The nonprofit wants to prevent institutionalization of seniors and prolong their time at home with loved ones, thus the various activities. Valley Haven’s program is open 8:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. on weekdays with the exception of Thursdays, and is located to the north of downtown Lompoc. The program holds 30 participants and costs $75

per day. Valley Haven is connected with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a primary care provider from the V.A. may refer veterans with physical and/ or cognitive impairments to Valley Haven programming. For more information, contact Valley Haven’s executive director, Colodia Owens, at 805-733-9459.

— Kira Logan

College encourages students to apply for California College Corps

SANTA MARIA — Allan

COURTESY PHOTO Allan Hancock College students are sworn into the California College Corps at the college’s Santa Maria campus. Through the program, students earn money to pay for college.

Hancock College, located in Santa Maria, is encouraging students to apply for the California College Corps program to earn money to pay for college. The college is currently accepting applications for the statewide program which allows students to earn a living stipend, $10,000 for college, and the Education Award in exchange for volunteering with nonprofits such as K-12 schools, food banks or climate action organizations in the Santa Maria area.

This is the second year of the program. Last year, the college welcomed 50 students as part of the program’s inaugural cohort. The College Corps program is open to full-time Allan Hancock students who are in good academic standing. AB 540 CA Dream Act students are also eligible. Applications for the program are due by April 30. To learn more or to apply, visit hancockcollege.edu/careers/ collegecorps.php.

— Annika Bahnsen

Health screenings set for May 8 in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Residents living in and around Santa Barbara can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.

GARDENS

Continued from Page B1

Splendor and Delight Can Thrive in Times of Drought” is an educational exhibit that explores local water resources and how they can be used responsibly by home gardeners.

Sponsors for this year’s Garden Club Show include Hogue & Company and members of the Garden Club of Santa Barbara.

Event co-chairs are Betsy Coates and Ms. Merrill, who oversee a committee of nearly 40 club member volunteers.

“As the Chinese proverb goes, ‘If you would be happy all your life, plant a garden,’ ” said Ms. Coates. “We are a happy group and welcome all garden lovers to enjoy our free show.”

Awards are given in 26 categories (“classes”) in four divisions, according to criteria from the Garden Club of America. Best of Show is selected among

CALENDAR

Continued from Page B1

Franklin Neighborhood Center, 1136 E. Montecito St., will host this Santa Barbara event on May 8. Registration is required. To register, go to www. lifelinescreening.com.

Screenings can check for the level of plaque buildup in the arteries, related to risk for

divisional first place winners. Special awards, including those for uniquely skillful and creative entries and outstanding specimens, are also given within divisions.

FYI

cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health; HDL and LDL cholesterol levels; diabetes risk; kidney and thyroid function and more.

Screenings are affordable and convenient, according to Life Line Screening. Free parking is available.

“In the Gardens of Splendor and Delight” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21 at the Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road in Montecito.

For more information, visit www. gardenclubofsantabarbara.org.

The divisions include Floral Design with six classes, Horticulture with 13 classes, Photography with five classes and Botanical Arts with two classes. A fifth division is the educational exhibit.

Some unusual Floral Design classes include an underwater design and a functional tea table set for two including floral design.

The Horticulture division includes eight different classes of cut specimens from exhibitor

gardens, including roses, blooming perennial herbs and flowering branches, among others, plus displays of drought-tolerant rooted plants from the Santa Barbara region and of a single pink jasmine trained onto a frame.

The Photography division isn’t only about flowers and plants but includes classes for images of landscapes of any kind (including cityscapes), closeup images of a building or building detail, a beach scene, a flower garden that has been manipulated photographically, and more.

The two Botanical Arts classes are jewelry made entirely from plants that depicts anything that flies and a mini (9.5 inches high) of a staged pavilion, gazebo or

Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with people to create a package that is right for them based on age and risk factors. For more information, call Life Line Screening at 1-877-237-1287.

— Marilyn McMahon

pagoda.

Founded in 1916, the Garden Club of Santa Barbara is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging the knowledge and enjoyment of gardening, the art of floral design, the protection of the environment and native plants, the preservation of the historic and horticultural richness of the community, and the active support of civic projects. There are currently approximately 125 members.

Between 2002 and 2022, the Garden Club of Santa Barbara donated more than $500,000 to various projects. Projects in 2022 included those benefiting the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Lotusland, Cheadle Center for Biodiversity, Explore Ecology and the Santa Ynez Botanic Garden. email: mmcmahon@news-press. com

COURTESY

SUDOKU

Thought for Today

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

ARIES — Aries, you’re likely to be giving a lot of thought to your future. You’re probably wondering how best to increase your financial standing. You may be thinking in terms of making some investments in land or property. If you’ve been considering buying a home, this is a good time to do it.

TAURUS — If communication has been difficult for you in the past, Taurus, today you may find things a bit different. You may have a deeper understanding of the motives of others, making it easier for you to deal with them. Your intuitive abilities are operating at a high level, so you’re likely to form new bonds based on what you sense about others.

GEMINI — Inside information may come your way today that starts you thinking about improving your financial standing, Gemini. You might hear of career and investment opportunities that you’ve never considered before. You’re an adventurous soul. You might consider jobs that would have your grandmother reeling!

CANCER — You could meet new friends at a social gathering, Cancer, people who could become valuable business contacts. You might learn of new and different investment opportunities that reflect the changing times, and these could capture your imagination. Your understanding of others runs deep, so relations should be congenial.

LEO — You’re by nature a person who likes to look toward the future. Today is a very special day for you. You might wonder what the next few months hold, Leo. You’re trying to answer this question by looking within and coming up with insights about you and your goals that you’ve been too busy to see before. These will work for you and guide you in the right direction.

VIRGO — Today your spiritual and career goals may come together, Virgo, enabling you to make a living without compromising your ideals. New opportunities may come your way to make new friends with people who share your beliefs and interests. You might reflect nostalgically on the past and yet look to the future with great optimism. Good luck!

CODEWORD PUZZLE

LIBRA — Libra, you’re looking forward to making a new start. Your intellect is working in harmony with your intuition. Your mind is clearer and more focused than it was, and you’re thinking of expanding your horizons and creating new career opportunities for yourself. You’re feeling passionate about life, ready to face just about anything.

SCORPIO — The position of the planets could have you doing a lot of soul searching, Scorpio. You’re looking deep within to discern your true goals. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find. Increased communication and deeper understanding enhance your relationships. Many of your aims are likely to be spiritual in nature. Write them down.

SAGITTARIUS — Today you might take time out from all the recent excitement to take a good look at your working life, Sagittarius. Is it satisfying? Is it contributing not only to your own well-being but also to that of the planet? You’re likely to decide to change your profession in some way, either through augmenting the job you have or taking on an entirely new one.

CAPRICORN — Increased communication between you and those around you, particularly the partner in your life, brings a new understanding between you. Your head and heart seem to be in better accord, so you’re feeling especially optimistic right now. This optimism isn’t just related to career and financial matters but to private matters, especially your romantic life, too.

AQUARIUS — Plans to work at home at least part of the time might be firming up for you, Aquarius. Your mind is very much on home and family right now, so you might be thinking in terms of leaving the rat race of the city and creating your own office. Success is highly indicated, so it’s well worth going for. If you start planning today, you might have it worked out soon.

PISCES — Information about possible careers and investments might come to your attention today, Pisces. You may give a lot of thought to these matters, especially since your thinking is changing along with the times. This is a good day to explore new avenues your life could take over the next six months, and make final decisions, if appropriate.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

“If you’re looking for a sign from God, this is it.” — a message on a sign beside a church in my town.

Today’s South zooms into six spades, expecting North to produce a shapely hand with a big spade fit. If North had held the king of clubs instead of the ace of hearts, South would have had 13 tricks.

As it was, South ruffed the first heart, drew trumps, took the A-K of diamonds and ruffed a diamond. He threw a club on the ace of hearts, ruffed dummy’s last heart and ruffed his last diamond. At the end, he led a club from dummy — and lost two clubs to West.

GUIDANCE

If you’re looking for guidance as declarer, a surplus of trumps may be a sign of a possible end play. As South played, he could pitch a club from dummy on the fourth diamond. West would have to return a club from his king or yield a ruff-sluff. South could also lead a trump to dummy at Trick Two, discard a club on the ace of hearts, ruff a heart, lead a trump to dummy and let the ten of diamonds ride. DAILY QUESTION You

You open one spade, your partner responds 1NT,

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

you jump to three diamonds and he bids 3NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: To pass might be correct, but partner didn’t bid three hearts at his second turn, and your hand certainly doesn’t look suitable for notrump. Bid four clubs. If, unluckily, no playable trump suit is available, and 3NT was the only makeable game, you will apologize. South dealer

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” — Bono