Santa Barbara News-Press: July 19, 2023

Criminal probe

Ty Warner praises new chef

Owner sees Thomas Keller as the final element in making Coral Casino the nation’s most coveted private beach club

sBCC trustee objects to possible censure

Veronica Gallardo holds press conference in advance of City College meeting

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

her rights to disagree with the board’s majority opinion and speak freely.

Chef Thomas Keller has earned seven Michelin Stars for his various restaurants.

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Renowned chef Thomas Keller was recently announced as head chef at Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club.

And Ty Warner, who owns the Montecito business, has expressed excitement about that.

Chef Keller, with seven Michelin Stars for his various restaurants, will oversee food and beverage operations in a new partnership with the Coral Casino. Multimillion dollar upgrades have followed to get the business’ eating areas up to the preferred standards for the new chef.

“We are honored to have Chef Keller as a part of this new chapter in the Coral Casino’s storied legacy,” said Mr. Warner, who lives in Montecito and is known as the creator of Beanie Babies.

“The restaurant experience will now sing in unison with the club’s history, architecture, amenities and unparalleled oceanfront location. It’s the final piece that will cement the Coral Casino as the most unique and coveted private

beach club in the nation.”

The multi-million-dollar enhancements include a new members-only rooftop sundeck (adjacent to the second level restaurant) with lounge furniture, fire pit, and direct views of Butterfly Beach and sunsets.

Members also will benefit from a new cold plunge pool and expanded whirlpool spa, which has been relocated to the edge of the pool deck above the crashing waves. The private dining room at the second level restaurant will now feature retractable doors and windows to provide an indooroutdoor experience, along with other upgrades at Fins café and The Crow’s Nest.

“A restaurant of this setting, standard and cuisine deserves buzz, energy and a vibrant ambiance,” said Mr. Warner. “We are glad that members, visitors and the local community will be able to experience this unequaled dining concept.”

For more information visit tywarnerhotelsandresorts.com.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

The Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees is at the center of debate as member Veronica Gallardo faces the possibility of being censured after allegations of missing meetings and breaking rules.

Ms. Gallardo, first elected to the board in 2012, held a small news conference Tuesday outside the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, where she answered questions regarding her many missed board meetings. She highlighted

FYi

The Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees will meet at 4 p.m.

Thursday at the MacDougall Administration Center, Room A2111, at the college, 721 Cliff Drive. People can also participate virtually at https://sbcc.zoom.us/j/912

83393384?pwd=UW5FZD g3Z1RzT1Q3Z05xS2srNDh

BQT09.

“This is politically motivated and coincidentally orchestrated as the 2024 election season begins,” said Ms. Gallardo. “These wicked actions will not influence my decision to seek political office in 2024.”

These accusations come after the board created an ad hoc committee, which recommended the trustees censure Ms. Gallardo. A vote on her being censured is on the agenda for the board’s meeting, set for 4 p.m. Thursday at the college’s MacDougall Administration Center, Room A2111. The proposed censure comes in response to allegations of repeated missed meetings and violations of the board’s conduct rules.

Board President Jonathan Abboud told the News-Press Tuesday that discussions about Ms. Gallardo took place at public meetings. He added that a recommendation on censure came after a 200-hour review of the data.

“She has the right to object,

Please see TRUSTEE on A4

Charges dropped against homeless woman

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

As expected, charges were dismissed Monday against Nellie Gackowska — a homeless woman Rebecca Brand says assaulted her with Ms. Brand’s cellphone on Christmas Eve outside Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant in Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office decided to drop the case, and the dismissal was made official Monday in Superior Court Judge Michael Carrozzo’s courtroom at the Santa Barbara courthouse.

“The charges were dismissed yesterday (Monday) because we could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Branch told the News-Press Tuesday morning in an email.

“We explored a variety of different charges, but with the current state of the evidence, we could not proceed on the case.”

Ms. Brand told the NewsPress Sunday that she felt disillusioned with the criminal justice system after sitting in a meeting Friday with Deputy District Attorney Branch; Judith Hall, an investigator with the District Attorney’s Office, and Araceli Huerta, witness/victim program advocate. That’s when Ms. Branch told Ms. Brand that the District Attorney’s Office would discontinue its efforts to prosecute the case.

After the meeting, Ms. Brand wrote a letter that she

emailed Sunday to Ms. Branch, Ms. Huerta and Ms. Hall. She emailed copies of the letter to the News-Press, Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Eric Friedman and Rita McGaw, supervisor in the witness/victim program.

Ms. Brand wrote that she didn’t understand why the charges were being dropped. She contended that evidence of her bruising and her doctor’s appointment on the matter constitute evidence of an assault.

A photo of Ms. Brand’s bruised thigh appeared in Monday’s News-Press. She attached the photo to the letter she emailed Ms. Branch, Ms. Hall and Ms. Huerta.

“Ms. Branch said that a legal element is that at the time of the report to the police, the phone had been returned to my custody. That is beside the point,” Ms. Brand wrote in her letter. “It was only after I had loudly told Nellie I had a tracker on my phone that she threw my phone on the counter at the sushi restaurant. That is NOT returning my phone to me, but disposing of the phone because at that time the police were clearly on their way.

“It seems reasonable to assume she didn’t want to be caught with the phone in her custody,” Ms. Branch said. “Nellie certainly never handed the phone back to me.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

Anikka Abbott, Nick Ehlen talk about their parts in classic story - B1

DEBORAH JONES PHOTO

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Chef Thomas Keller will oversee food and beverage operations in a new partnership with the Coral Casino.

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

Gopher eradication device causes fire

GOLETA — A fire occurred Tuesday morning at a private ranch’s avocado orchard.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded at 8:34 a.m. to the steep hillside fire in the 1000 block of North Patterson Avenue in Goleta.

The blaze’s forward progress was kept to a quarter acre at 9 a.m., according to

Capt. Scott Safechuck, the department’s public information officer. He added that investigators determined a gopher eradication device caused the fire.

— Liam Hibbert

California bans state-funded travel to Missouri, Nebraska and Wyoming

By KENNETH SCHRUPP

THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – California

Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the state would restrict state-funded travel to Missouri, Nebraska and Wyoming in response to the passage of allegedly “anti-LGBTQ” legislation in these states.

As a result of California’s AB 1887, a 2016 law that banned state-funded travel to any state determined by the California Department of Justice to in any way discriminate against the LGBTQ community, Mr. Bonta must maintain and post a list of the soon-to-be 26 states banned from California state-funded travel.

For Missouri, Mr. Bonta targeted SB 39, a bill that withholds education funding for schools that allow male-tofemale transgender individuals to participate in female sports

teams.

For Nebraska, Mr. Bonta cited LB 574, which he says, “makes it a departure from the medical standard of care to provide gender-affirming care for someone who is 19 years old or younger except subject to rigorous criteria in regulations to be developed by the [Nebraska’s] Chief Medical Officer.” Because LB 574 enters effect in November, Nebraska travel would only be banned beginning then.

Carbajal re-introduces Protect Patriot Parents Act

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Goleta resident Juana

Flores and her family were in Washington, D.C., Tuesday as U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal reintroduced legislation inspired by her: the Protect Patriot Parents Act.

said in a statement. “After working to return Mrs. Flores to the U.S., I turned to writing this bill to protect the family of anyone who steps up to serve in our armed forces from being threatened with deportation.”

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A group of Republican Senators have introduced the Middle Class Borrower Protection Act, legislation that would overturn a new federal rule that charges higher fees to certain home buyers with good credit and lower fees for buyers with worse credit.

“The average American has a credit score over 716,” said Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind, who is helping lead the effort. “The Biden administration is making home ownership more difficult for everyday Americans by raising rates for most people with a credit score over 680 to subsidize riskier borrowers.”

The change came via the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) which changed the Loan Level Pricing Adjustments, essentially modifying the equation for how costs are decided for loan applicants.

The modified LLPA, which has been tweaked before, is a fee assessed after bankers evaluate the risk of lending them money, and the change potentially costs the affected borrowers thousands of dollars.

The rule has sparked major controversy and pushback from critics, who say the financial jargon amounts to a thinly veiled effort to penalize those with good credit to help those with bad credit in the name of equity.

Director Sandra Thompson of FHFA said in an update on the plan that it will “advance their mission of facilitating equitable and sustainable access to homeownership.”

“This is unfair to every American who has worked hard and managed their finances responsibly - they shouldn’t have to pay more and be penalized for the choices of others,” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said in a statement.

Adam Russell, a spokesperson for the FHFA, told The Center Square in May that “there is a good deal of misinformation” about the policy in question.

The formula for determining fees is complex and takes into account multiple factors, making it difficult to make broad statements about the motives behind the changes.

The FHFA has repeatedly decried the characterization that fee change punishes those with better credit to help those with worse credit.

As The Center Square previously reported,

proponents of the fee change argue the fee is often updated and that it is not fair to draw a line between the fee changes for the two groups, namely those with good and bad credit. They also point out that borrowers with worse credit will still pay much more than those with better credit.

Critics, though, point to the FHFA’s appeal to “equitable” loan offerings as evidence of the plan’s intent. That combined with major components of the change is enough to keep the rule embroiled in controversy.

The change in question applies only to certain loans backed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The Urban Institute has pushed back on Republicans’ claims about the plan, arguing that when accounting for the cost of the mortgage insurance borrowers have to purchase when putting down less than 20%, the alleged subsidization does not hold up.

Republicans compared the effort to President Joe Biden’s recent federal action to forgive hundreds of billions of federal student loan debt, a measure that was overturned by the Supreme Court earlier this year. “Folks that have worked hard to save up and build good credit shouldn’t be punished for doing so,” said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. “People who are responsible, like those who have paid off their student loans or Americans who’ve worked hard to build good credit, should be seen as role models, not piggy banks for the left.”

For Wyoming, Mr. Bonta quoted SF 133, which bans public K-12 schools, and private schools competing against public schools from allowing male-tofemale transgender students to participate in female sports teams.

“By preventing transgender individuals from participating in sports aligned with their gender identity, or by denying them access to critical healthcare, these legislative actions directly

contradict the values of inclusivity and diversity,” Mr. Bonta said. “As mandated by AB 1887, we are, thus, compelled to impose restrictions on state-funded travel to Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming in response to their discriminatory laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community.”

The governors’ offices of Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming did not respond to requests for comment by publication.

Questions continue after White House cocaine investigation fails to find culprit

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –Questions continue about the failed investigation into who brought cocaine into the White House.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre continued to refer questions about the matter to the U.S. Secret Service, which led the investigation. After 11 days, the Secret Service detailed the steps it took to track down the culprit, but it ultimately closed the probe “due to a lack of physical evidence.”

The failure to find who was responsible for bringing an illegal drug into one of the nation’s most secure buildings has left many scratching their heads. Some Republicans have criticized the investigation, including former President Donald Trump.

“I don’t think it’s possible for bags of cocaine to be left in a certain area, in the Situation Room,” Mr. Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

Ms. Jean-Pierre pointed out Monday that lots of people visit the White House.

“Look, I’m just not going to opine on this, not going to get into specific on this. We believe the Secret Service did a thorough investigation,” she said. “We’ve been briefed on the outcome. They shared the details in a public statement, which I think is important for the American people to hear directly from the Secret Service, who did the investigation.”

The White House is a busy place, she added.

“Look, and one of the things that they said in the public statement is hundreds of people come through this particular area, and – and it – so it’s a heavily traveled working area,” she said. “And so that’s what they were able to find doing this thorough investigation.”

Ms. Jean-Pierre declined to comment on President Biden’s reaction to the Secret Service closing the probe without finding out who was responsible.

After the cocaine was found in the West Wing, Ms. Jean-Pierre said President Biden was confident that the Secret Service would “get to the bottom of this.”

A reporter asked if President Biden was “satisfied with the explanation that someone was able to bring an illegal substance into the White House because there are hundreds of people who come here every day.”

Rep. Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, and Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Florida, introduced a bill that would make parents of U.S. military service members eligible to adjust for Lawful Permanent Resident status. Rep. Carbajal’s office said that would prevent potential deportations or separations of military families.

This is the first bipartisan introduction of the Protect Patriot Parents Act, which would allow parents of U.S. service members to apply for a green card.

“The families of our service members deserve our respect for their sacrifice, not deportation. But not too long ago, a mother that I represent on the Central Coast, Juana Flores, was torn away from her family and home despite 30 years in our community and a son serving our country in the U.S. Air Force,” Rep. Carbajal

Mrs. Flores, the mother of U.S. Air Force Sgt. Caesar Flores, was deported by the Trump administration in 2019 from her home in Goleta. Rep. Carbajal worked to bring Mrs. Flores back to the U.S. His efforts included working with the Biden administration’s Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to secure a humanitarian parole for Mrs. Flores.

The Protect Patriot Parents Act was introduced Tuesday with Rep. Darren Soto, DFlorida, as an original cosponsor. The bill passed the House in December but didn’t advance in the Senate. According to Rep. Carbajal’s office, recent estimates project that there are as many as 80,000 illegal immigrants living in the U.S. who are spouses and parents of U.S. active duty and former service members.

email: dmason@newspress.com

Ms. Jean-Pierre didn’t say if President Biden was satisfied. “What I will say is that the Secret Service did a thorough investigation,” she said. “That’s what we believe. They put out a public statement. I think that’s important.”

While the Secret Service has closed its investigation, Republicans plan to continue to look at what happened.

Earlier this month, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability said it plans to look into how cocaine ended up in the West Wing of the White House.

Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Kentucky, sent a letter to United States Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Friday requesting a briefing and information related to the discovery of cocaine in the White House.

“The presence of illegal drugs in the White House is unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White House’s history,” Rep. Comer wrote in the letter. “Congress funds White House security procedures, and the Secret Service has a responsibility to maintain effective safety protocols. This incident and the eventual evacuation of staff now clearly raises concerns about the level of security maintained at the White House.”

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As a result of California’s AB 1887, a 2016 law that banned state-funded travel to any state determined by the California Department of Justice to in any way discriminate against the LGBTQ community, Mr. Bonta must maintain and post a list of the soon-to-be 26 states banned from California state-funded travel.

Senators push back against federal rule raising mortgage fees for some with good credit

The change came via the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) which changed the Loan Level Pricing Adjustments, essentially modifying the equation for how costs are decided for loan applicants.

The failure to find who was responsible for bringing an illegal drug into one of the nation’s most secure buildings has left many scratching their heads. Some Republicans have criticized the investigation, including former President Donald Trump.

Trump says DOJ is opening criminal probe into him over Jan. 6

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Tuesday that Special Counsel Jack Smith informed him he is the target of a criminal probe related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. This update, which has not yet been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice, is the latest in a series of legal challenges for the former president. Mr. Trump released a lengthy statement on his social media site of choice laying out what he says was told to him.

“Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden’s DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and indictment,” Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Smith has already filed nearly 40

Federal judge rejects challenge to Connecticut’s ban on firearms in parks

By CHRISTIAN WADE

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — A federal judge has tossed a challenge to a Connecticut law banning firearms in state parks, saying the lawsuit lacks standing because the regulation isn’t enforced.

The ruling by U.S. District Court Janet Bond Arterton, issued on Wednesday, upholds a more than a century-old Connecticut law prohibiting lawfully licensed firearm owners from packing in state parks and wildlife preserves.

David Nastri, a financial advisor who said in court filings that he frequently camps at state parks, filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, claiming the restrictions on carrying firearms in the parks violates his Second and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S.

Constitution.

In the 17-page ruling, Ms. Arterton noted testimony from state environmental officers who said they were unaware the law had ever been enforced and didn’t search visitors for guns unless there was a reason to suspect they were armed. He also noted testimony from Nastri, saying the state environmental agency “does nothing” to enforce the law.

“By his own account, the lack of inspection mechanism undermines the idea that any kind of enforcement might be “sufficiently imminent” against Plaintiff or someone like him who carries a concealed firearm in state parks or forests,” Ms. Arterton wrote.

The law, which has been on the books since 1918, prohibits guns, archery equipment, or other weapons in state parks and forests unless the state authorizes it. Violators face a $75 fine and could be barred from the state parks for a year.

That includes non-hunting members who possess valid Connecticut pistol permits and are not allowed to carry handguns for self-defense under the restrictions.

State Attorney General William Tong, whose office represented the state agency, praised the ruling and said the judge was right to dismiss it for lack of standing.

“Connecticut’s common sense gun laws are livesaving and constitutional — they strike the right balance between respecting Second Amendment rights while also protecting public safety. This decision protects our ability to safely enjoy our State parks and forests,” he said in a statement.

But Mr. Nastri’s lawyer, Cameron Atkinson, said he would appeal the court’s decision arguing that the judge ignored recent rulings on Second Amendment issues.

“We view the district court’s decision as legally and logically unsustainable, and, at times, it opens fire on its own reasoning,” he wrote. “In sum, the district court ruled that Mr. Nastri had not shown that he faced a credible threat of prosecution because he could not identify any instances where someone had been charged for violating Connecticut’s prohibition.”

charges against Mr. Trump related to his handling and retention of classified documents at his Florida residence.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers and federal prosecutors are currently wrangling over when the classified documents trial should take place, with Mr. Trump’s team working to push the case past the 2024 election.

The former president went on to call out what he calls a double standard of justice, pointing to the lack of indictment for President Joe Biden, who also admitted mishandling classified documents, although he returned the documents and fully complied with the

investigation. President Biden also faces unsubstantiated allegations about his role in a family “bribery scheme.”

“Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before, or even close,” Mr. Trump said. “They illegally spied on my Campaign, attacked me with a totally Fake ‘Dossier’ that was funded by Hillary Clinton’s Campaign and the DNC, Impeached me twice (I won!), they failed on the Mueller Witch Hunt (No Collusion!), they failed on the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, the 51 ‘Intelligence’ Agents fraud, the FBI/Twitter files, the DOJ/Facebook censorship, and every other scam imaginable.”

International coalition calls for new U.S. policy strategy with Mexico

Cites border crisis, cartel violence, Mexican president interfering in U.S. elections

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – An international coalition, led by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, is calling on office holders and policy makers in Washington, D.C., to alter its policy with Mexico.

The newly formed Conservative U.S.-Mexico Policy Coalition argues “the old policy consensus that undergirded NAFTA, USMCA, and a generation of cooperative and friendly U.S.Mexico relations has collapsed. The Mexican government is not an ally to the United States and can no longer properly be described as a partner.”

“The Mexican government and Mexican criminal cartels exist in conscious and willing symbiosis, at multiple levels, up to and including the Mexican presidency,” the group argues, which is devastating the lives of citizens of Mexico and the United States.

“The current president of Mexico has expressed his openness to a pact with the cartels and spoken of his willingness to defend them from American action,” the group argues. As a result, the Mexican government “is failing in its obligation to exercise full sovereignty over its own territory and citizenry,” and is “failing in its obligation to preserve its territory from use as a base of operations against its neighbors,” referring primarily to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

In response to the ongoing border crisis, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas legislature have committed to protect the sovereignty of Texas. For the first time in Texas history, they designated Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Gov. Abbott is also expected to call a special legislative session for the legislature to pass other border security measures.

TPPF president Greg Sindelar last September argued that “until Mexico is a good neighbor, Texas must act” and declare an invasion. So far, the judges and commissioners of at least 46 counties have declared an invasion.

TPPF’s Chief of Intelligence and Research, Josh Treviño, told The

Center Square the coalition’s call was important because “policy must be based in reality, and when it isn’t, policy fails. Nowhere have we failed to develop policy informed by reality more than in our relationship with Mexico. The Mexican state is not a partner, not an ally, and not a friend, yet Washington DC continues to pretend it is – and unnumbered Americans and Mexicans alike suffer for it.

“It is past time we understand Mexico as it is – and make policy accordingly. When we do that, we start to move toward the solutions both countries need – and build a future that is now out of reach.”

In addition to TPPF, the coalition includes The Heritage Foundation, Center for Renewing America, Fundación Patria Unida, Center for a Secure Free Society, and America First Policy Institute.

The group also argues that the Mexican government is “a willing partner in a regional authoritarian leftist alliance that is fundamentally anti-American, actively interventionist, and increasingly an arena and base for hostile powers from outside the Western Hemisphere.” Mexico’s president is also “actively interfer[ing] in the domestic electoral process of the United States,” the coalition maintains.

Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador recently called on Americans to not vote for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after Florida passed one of the strongest immigration reform and border security bills in the country. After the state’s E-verify law went into effect July 1, Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department said the Florida law “will affect the human rights of thousands of people, Mexican girls and boys, exacerbating hostile situations that could result in hate crimes against the migrant community.” Florida has begun investigating human trafficking, including of children, from Mexico into the U.S. Violations of child labor laws, and allegations of human trafficking and sex trafficking of minors, including of unaccompanied minors released into the U.S. by the Biden administration, has resulted in several federal and state

Fauci, health officials accused of illegally approving $26B in grants using taxpayer dollars

By J.J. BRANNOCK THE CENTER SQUARE

(The

Institute and Center Directors every five years, starting with those whose terms would expire in December 2021.

“There’s been a complete breakdown of accountability at the agency that has lost the trust of the American people, especially during COVID-19,” Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said at the news conference. “14 NIH officials, including Dr. Fauci, held unlawful positions and exercised authority that they didn’t have, which included approving $26 billion in grants.”

investigations.

On the same day the coalition made its announcement, President Lopez Obrador also publicly called for “compatriots” in the U.S. to not vote for Gov. Abbott or members of the Texas legislature because of Operation Lone Star’s effectiveness in preventing illegal entry along the Rio Grande River.

Gov. Abbot is not up for reelection. He is currently serving the beginning of his third term, after he was resoundingly reelected in November.

Since Gov. Abbott launched OLS in March 2021, OLS officers working in Texas alone have apprehended more than 390,500 illegal foreign nationals, and made over 30,800 criminal arrests, with more than 28,700 felony charges reported. They’ve also seized over 421 million lethal doses of fentanyl pouring through the Texas-Mexico border, enough to kill more than everyone in the United States.

This update, which has not yet been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice, is the latest in a series of legal challenges for the former president.

Federal food stamps cost dropped to lowest level since pandemic started

By SHIRLEEN GUERRA THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The cost of the federal food stamps program dropped to its lowest amount since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020.

The cost of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps, dropped to $7.6 billion in April of 2023, the most recent data available.

Senators want data on how SNAP money is spent

By BRETT ROWLAND

THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Two U.S. Senators are backing a bill that would require the government to collect data on how people who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program spend their food money.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides food benefits to lowincome families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service runs the program along with the 50 states. States distribute the benefits.

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Cory Booker, D-NJ, introduced the SNAP Nutrition Security Act to help improve SNAP recipients’ diet quality and collect data on SNAP purchases to identify what products taxpayer dollars are being spent on.

The bill would require tracking and reporting on how SNAP benefits are used, including what food participants buy.

“In the midst of America’s obesity crisis, taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be spent on junk food,” Sen. Rubio said in a statement. “This legislation would strengthen the SNAP program by requiring the USDA to collect data on the impact of SNAP. This data will provide a clearer picture of how SNAP can be used to improve recipient’s health and ensure the program promotes a healthy, nutritious diet.”

Sen. Booker said such data was needed.

“SNAP plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty and food insecurity, but needs to do better at improving nutrition security and diet quality for program participants,”

Sen. Booker said in a statement.

“We need timely, comprehensive data to determine SNAP’s impact on nutrition security and diet quality in order to effectively promote access to nutritious food, improve the well-being of SNAP recipients, and help address our nation’s alarming increase in chronic diet-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.”

The bill would require reports on food security, nutrition, diet quality and other metrics. The goal would be to evaluate SNAP recipients’ diet quality and collect data on SNAP purchases to identify what products taxpayer dollars are being spent on.

The American Heart Association is on board with the plan.

“What we eat and drink matter to our heart and brain health,” said Mark Schoeberl, executive vice president of advocacy at the American Heart Association. “The SNAP Nutrition Security Act of 2023 would help ensure that programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can adequately track and measure the availability, accessibility and affordability of nutritious foods, making a healthy diet a reality for more people across the country.”

grants

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That’s the lowest cost since $5.3 billion in March 2020 when the pandemic first started, according to the USDA.

The cost of the SNAP program peaked in December 2022 at $11 billion. But as most states have dropped the extra pandemic assistance, the cost of the program has shrunk.

For example, California ended its additional pandemic supplement for SNAP in March.

The $7.6 billion cost in April 2023 was 44% higher than the $5.3 billion cost in March 2020.

That’s because there are more people on federal food assistance in 2023. There were 41,941,715 people on food stamps in April 2023 compared to 37,208,099 people on assistance in March 2020.

The monthly benefit per person was $181.72 in April 2023 compared to $142.02 in March 2020. The average monthly benefit peaked at $259.52 in November 2022.

The USDA said in an email to The Center Square the increase in cost from 2020 is due to inflationary adjustments to SNAP benefits.

Paying food stamp recipients to buy more fruits and vegetables has mixed reviews

By SHIRLEEN GUERRA THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Some economic analysts have mixed reactions to a federal program that would pay people on food stamps if they buy more fruits and vegetables.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service recently announced a $25 million grant to incentivize Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants to consume more fruits and vegetables with the goal of encouraging healthy eating and improving diets.

Economist Markus Bjoerkheim with the Mercatus Center said that changing people’s diets can lead to long-term savings for taxpayers.

“I think it’s important to recognize that a lot of what ultimately shows up as expensive healthcare bills down the road, which taxpayers pay for, are preventable through lifestyle changes, including of course eating more fruits and vegetables, so on some level, it’s obvious we’re not experimenting enough in this space,” Mr. Bjoerkheim said in an email to The Center Square.

Mr. Bjoerkheim said by experimenting with benefit-design, there may be cheaper, nonmedical ways to improve public health problems such as obesity, high blood pressure with programs such as these.

“Ultimately, if pilots show that we can improve health outcomes at lower costs through

Trustee says absences are excusable

tr U stEE

Continued from Page A1

master’s certificate in finance (and) data principles and raising two children.”

subsidized vegetables than through much more expensive medicine, that would be really valuable,” he said.

Paul Guppy, vice president at the Washington Policy Center, had some concerns with the program.

Mr. Guppy said there was nothing stopping people from spending the money they get back from buying vegetables on unhealthy food.

“There’s a better way to improve nutrition for families,” Mr. Guppy said in an email to The Center Square. “The government could simply make it so unhealthy foods cannot be bought with SNAP public money. That would directly benefit families and would provide access to the healthy foods that are necessary for life-long health and well-being. “

As previously reported by The Center Square, U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Cory Booker, D-NJ, gave introduced the SNAP Nutrition Security Act to collect data on SNAP purchases to identify what products taxpayer dollars are being spent on.

“In the midst of America’s obesity crisis, taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be spent on junk food,” Sen. Rubio said in a statement. “This legislation would strengthen the SNAP program by requiring the USDA to collect data on the impact of SNAP. This data will provide a clearer picture of how SNAP can be used to improve recipient’s health and ensure the program promotes a healthy, nutritious diet.”

Man arrested near Obama’s D.C. home, faces capitol riot, weapons charges

By LOGAN WASHBURN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – After a Pasco man was arrested near the home of former President Barack Obama, a grand jury indicted him on six charges related to illegal firearms and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia indicted 37-year-old Taylor Taranto on July 14, according to a Department of Justice news release. He was arrested near Mr. Obama’s Washington, D.C. home on June 29, according to NBC News.

Mr. Taranto faces charges including unlicensed carrying of a pistol, possession of a high capacity ammunition feeder, entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly disruptive conduct in a restricted building, parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and disorderly conduct in a capitol building or grounds. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of firearms involved in his alleged crimes.

Public defender Kathryn Guevara claimed Mr. Taranto has mental trauma from serving in Iraq during his time with the Navy, according to CBS News. She said he is not receiving mental health treatment in the Washington, D.C. jail where he is being held and is being unfairly detained.

When Mr. Taranto joined a crowd of rioters climbing the U.S. Capitol Building’s west terrace on Jan. 6, 2021, he threw pieces of metal scaffolding, according to the news release.

Rioters breached the door to the Capitol

Rep. Rodgers mentioned that the NIH had misled the committee for over a year throughout the investigation. She claimed that the request “has been a pretty simple one,” that being to provide documents proving Mr. Becerra reappointed the officials.

“No one is above the law. Americans need to know that their tax dollars are being spent responsibly, effectively, and lawfully and that the people making these decisions are lawfully authorized to make them,” Rep. Rodgers said. Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., said in the conference that every decision each official made after 2021 should be called into question. He specifically called out Dr. Fauci.

building, and he entered and went through the Rotunda and Statuary Hall toward the House chamber.

He then stood outside the Speaker’s Lobby, where members of congress were evacuating. Around this time, a Capitol Police officer shot a rioter. After more police arrived, prosecutors allege Mr. Taranto and other rioters scuffled with officers, and he was forced to leave the building.

Law enforcement later arrested Mr. Taranto on June 29, 2023 in Washington, D.C.’s Kalorama neighborhood, near Mr. Obama’s house, according to court documents published by Courtlistener. Prosecutors claim he had been live streaming and made comments about how he “had them surrounded” and was trying to get a “good angle on a shot.”

Ms. Guevara told CBS News these comments were only referencing the live stream.

Officers arrested Mr. Taranto, then FBI technicians and Metropolitan Police Department K-9 units searched his car, according to the court documents. They found two firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Mr. Taranto had allegedly made earlier threats online to blow up his car at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland and made threats and calls to the office of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

An FBI whistleblower told Congress in May that the agency lied to make Jan. 6-linked domestic terrorism seem more widespread. FBI Director Christopher Wray faced congressional allegations of bias against conservatives earlier this month.

“It is unfair to the American people that, while he held this position unlawfully, he used his platform to be the voice of science and shame those with alternative point of views in addition to pushing for questionable public health guidance policies,” Rep. Guthrie said.

The committee also announced plans to hold a hearing for Mr. Becerra at the end of the month.

and the board can vote and take action or not take action on the resolution and information provided,” said Mr. Abboud. Ms. Gallardo said at her news conference that the absences were excusable, for a variety of reasons. She claimed that outside of the regularly scheduled board meetings decided at the beginning of the year, she, in practice of “time-management skills,” could not be expected to make all of the special meetings.

“These board meetings that are special have just been brought up,” said Ms. Gallardo.

“Meanwhile, I was getting a

She also highlighted jury duty requirements and pre-arranged flights out of town.

“Trustee Gallardo has been absent for 19 out of 63 board/ committee meetings and late to 14 meetings in the last two years, including several meetings covering our main duties as trustees,” Mr. Abboud told the News-Press.

Ms. Gallardo said she is looking forward to the meeting this Thursday, where she invites civil conversation with her colleagues to “hear their claim and supporting evidence and to model what civic discourse looks like.”

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

to the amount of water consumed annually by 10 people in an urban environment.

‘Americans need to know that their tax dollars are being spent responsibly’

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

Life theArts

SATURDAY,

Love’s a good bet

Anikka Abbott and Nick Ehlen talk about playing missionary Sarah Brown and gambler Sky Masterson in ‘Guys and Dolls’

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Romance is worth the gamble. If you doubt that, see “Guys and Dolls,” running through July 29 at the Garvin Theatre at Santa Barbara City College.

Katie Laris is directing the Theater Group at SBCC production, with musical direction by David Potter and choreography by Christina McCarthy and Gianna Burright.

The musical romantic comedy is about highrolling gambler Sky Masterson, who bet his friend Nathan Detroit he can convince Sarah Brown, the prim-and-proper head of the SaveA-Soul Mission, to have dinner with him in Havana.

Portraying the characters in the City College production are KEYT-TV chief forecaster Anikka Abbott and carpenter/actor Nick Ehlen.

Ms. Abbott told the News-Press this week what she loves about Sarah.

“She’s a beautiful character,” Ms. Abbott said. “She transforms so much. In the beginning, she’s uptight, but she becomes more accepting of people. …

“When Sky Masterson walks into the room, he’s a handsome guy, and there’s something about him,” Ms. Abbott said. “As she learns more about him, she learns more about herself and becomes more accepting of other ways of life.”

Ms. Laris, who participated in the NewsPress interview with Ms. Abbott and Mr. Ehlen, noted that Sarah’s initial idea of an ideal man is someone who’s conservative and safe.

Then Sarah falls in love with Sky, a gambler, and in the process learns to take more risks, the director said.

“Sky appears to be this incredible gambler, but there’s something very solid about him at his core,” Ms. Laris said.

Mr. Ehlen said he’s having fun playing Sky.

“He’s charismatic and really takes control of the room when he walks into it,” Mr. Ehlen told the News-Press.

But there’s something missing in life, and Sky realizes that when he meets Sarah.

“He gets to know Sarah and learns how much he cares about her,” Mr. Ehlen said. “He goes from being this suave lone wolf to wanting something more solid in his life. It’s fun to show that change in himself.”

The musical’s original producers Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin based “Guys and Dolls’ on Damon Runyon’s 1920s and 1930s short stories about gamblers, gangsters and others in the New York City underworld.

Frank Loesser was the composer and lyricist, and “Guys and Dolls” is known for songs such as “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.” “A Bushel and A Peck,” “Luck Be A Lady” and “Fugue for the Tinhorns.”

“Guys and Dolls” premiered in 1950 on Broadway and went on to win the Tony for best

Please see PLAY on B4

FYI

The Theatre Group at SBCC is performing “Guys and Dolls” through July 29 at the Garvin Theatre at Santa Barbara City College. To buy tickets, go to www. theatergroupssbcc.com.

In addition to Anikka Abbott and Nick Ehlen as Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson, “Guys and Dolls” features Felicia Hall as Adelaide and Raymond Wallenthin as Nathan Detroit.

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

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily: The Sistine Chapel Art Exhibition runs through Sept. 4 at the Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $18 for children, and $22 for seniors, military and students. Each ticket also includes admission to the mission museum. To purchase, go to santabarbaramission.org/sistine-chapelomsb or stop at the museum’s gift shop.

COURTESY PHOTO Boogie Knights, above, will perform 1970s hits during the New Year’s Eve Disco Boogie Ball at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. And the Spazmatics will play hits from the ’80s. Tickets cost $50.

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.

Father Joe Schwab is hosting personal tours that delve into the theological and philosophical perspectives of Michelangelo’s art. Groups of 10 or more can contact Donna Reeves for a private tour at development@sboldmission.org.

The Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. The concert is presented by Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its recurring summer exhibit, “Butterflies Alive!” Featuring a variety of butterflies, this experience allows guests to walk through a garden while nearly 1,000 butterflies flutter freely around them. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 4, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature. org/butterfliesalive.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The James Castle exhibit is on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, see sbma.net.

JULY 20

6 to 7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department’s free concert series is taking place every Thursday night in July from 6 to 7:30 p.m. People can bring blankets, chairs, picnics, family and friends to the Concerts in the Park at the Great Meadow in Chase Palm Park, 323 E. Cabrillo Blvd. July 20 is the date for Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries, the ’50s and ’60s Rock band. For more information, visit santabarbaraca.gov/ concerts.

8 p.m. The Jerry Douglas Band will perform bluegrass and folk music at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Tickets cost $35 and $45 for general admission and $106 for VIP tickets, which include premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

8 p.m. PCPA will perform “Bright Star” at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang. To purchase tickets, go to pcpa.org.

JULY 21

7 p.m. PCPA will perform “American Mariachi” at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Tickets start at $25. To purchase, go to pcpa.org.

7:30 p.m. The Cowboy Junkies will perform their country music and folk rock at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Tickets cost $55 and $65 for general admission and $106 for VIP tickets, which include premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

8 p.m. PCPA will perform “Bright Star” at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang. To purchase tickets, go to pcpa.org.

JULY 22

1 to 2:30 p.m. Richard Lambert, chef and founder of National Tamale Day, will teach “Secrets of a Tamale Chef” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Free Methodist Church, 1435 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara. Suggested donation for the class is $55 per person. To enroll, go to tinyurl. com/0721class.

1:30 and 7 p.m. PCPA will perform “American Mariachi” at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Tickets start at $25. To purchase, go to pcpa.org.

JULY 23

1:30 p.m. PCPA will perform “American Mariachi” at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Tickets start at $25. To purchase, go to pcpa.org.

AUG. 11

8 p.m. Blake Lynch, aka Nurse Blake, will perform his healthcare-related standup comedy at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $48.50 to $93.50 at granadasb.org. The $195 VIP package includes perks such as a photo opportunity with Nurse Blake.

— Dave Mason

BEN CROP PHOTO

Sarah Brown (Anikka Abbott) of the Save-A-Soul Mission and gambler Sky Masterson (Nick Ehlen) get together in “Guys and Dolls.” LESLIE HOLTZMAN PHOTO

Gamblers get together for a game in a mission and sing “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” in the Theater Group at SBCC’s production of “Guys and Dolls.”

Goleta Lions Club collaborates with United Way’s Fun in The Sun Camps

The Goleta Lions Club has announced a collaboration with United Way of Santa Barbara County. United Way’s Fun in the Sun program, an award-winning summer learning initiative, offers enriching experiences to hundreds of students and families in Santa Barbara County. The program gives 350 students the opportunity to enhance their academic, behavioral and social skills. In alignment with this initiative, the Goleta Lions Club is offering sight and hearing screenings for the children attending the Fun in the Sun camps throughout this month. While traditionally offering screening services during the school year, they can now expand outreach into the summer.

As part of its mission, GLC is dedicated to offering programs related to sight, hearing and children’s causes. The objective is to promote early detection and treatment of sight and hearing conditions in children, as these issues can adversely affect their social, developmental, and educational well-being.

As part of their community outreach, the Goleta Lions Club uses state-of-the art equipment to screen over 3,000 local children annually for sight and hearing loss. As an extension of their efforts, they will provide the same comprehensive sight and hearing screenings to children participating in the Fun in the Sun camps. For over two decades, United Way has offered the Fun in the Sun with the involvement of 80 service delivery partners, over 20 funding partners, and more than 600

volunteers. The program has expanded its curriculum to include academic enrichment, a mindfulness program, STEAM activities, mentorship opportunities, environmental education and field trips.

The Fun in the Sun program aligns with the goals of the Goleta Lions Club, as both share a commitment to bettering the lives of children within the community, the Goleta Lions Club noted in a news release. This partnership allows the Goleta Lions Club to extend its reach and offer their screening services to children who may have limited access to resources.

For more information, see www. goletalionsclub.org and www.unitedwaysb.org. email: news@newspress.com

John Denver tribute concert set for Saturday

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the death of folk music icon John Denver.

In honor of Mr. Denver, Jim Curry and his band will perform a tribute concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at The Granada.

“This is going to be a very special night, a very special tribute,” said John Denver’s drummer, Richie Gajate Garcia.

“Whenever I play with Jim, it feels the same as when I was on stage with John. On every level, Jim has stayed true to John’s music and vision. I look forward to joining everyone on stage.”

Mr. Curry has performed Mr. Denver’s music in sold-out shows throughout the country.

“We have been working on this tribute for the last year and a half, as a celebration of John’s life and legacy. The audience will have a chance to see rare photos and videos of John, and hear some great stories,” said Mr. Curry.

“Most importantly is the music, and to that end I am exceptionally excited that John’s drummer, Richie Gajate Garcia, will be joining us on stage. We look forward to seeing everyone at the beautiful Granada Theatre.”

The legacy of John Denver, who sang hits such as“Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High,” will be honored at The Granada.

Tickets are available from $23 to $62 at The Granada, by phone at 805-899-2222 or at granadasb. org.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

K-9 PALS works regularly with Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, sbcanimalcare.org. (The foundation works regularly with the Santa Maria Animal Center.)

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services in Goleta: countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home.

sbc.

• Santa Barbara Humane (with campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria), sbhumane.org.

• Santa Maria Animal Center, countyofsb. org/phd/animal/home.sbc. The center is part of Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton, syvhumane.org.

• Shadow’s Fund (a pet sanctuary in Lompoc), shadowsfund.org.

• Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals in Lompoc: vivashelter.org.

— Dave Mason

NEWS-PRESS STAFF REPORT

United Way’s Fun in the Sun program offers enriching experiences to local students and families.

Diversions

horoscope • puzzles

Thought for Today

“Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.”

— Albert Schweitzer

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

ARIES — Today is a day of contrasts, Aries. Eat chocolate in the morning and go jogging in the afternoon. Sleep in late and go to bed early. It’s also a day of grounding. Spend time at home and make more calls than you normally would. Clean your desk and organize a bookshelf. Why not clean out the refrigerator? Take care of your pets.

TAURUS — The day doesn’t begin until you clear your head and take stock of some pending personal issues, Taurus. You might be making mountains out of molehills. Realize that there’s a path for everybody. Put your stinger away today. It’s powerful, but it won’t do any good. Keep your power under wraps. Concentrate more on the mundane tasks that need to be done. Why not make a list?

GEMINI — Today might be a difficult day for you, Gemini. You instinctively will want to escape the situation and explore your horizons, but something holds you down. Take care of the bills on your desk, and deal with the mess in the bedroom. Clearing the physical space around you will help clear the mental space in your head. You will be footloose and fancy free soon enough.

CANCER — The world is wide open to you today, Cancer, so take advantage of all the great things it has to offer. Even though you may not realize it, you have a loyal fan club developing in the wings. The things you say and do have a strong impact on others. This is a fantastic day to take charge and lead others who seem to be floundering. Your solid perspective will be an asset in every situation

LEO — Say what’s on your mind, Leo, but don’t take offense if no one seems to listen. Don’t bulldoze your point through. Whiners aren’t popular, either. Concentrate instead on your aspirations and push yourself to the limit. You might have been talking a lot lately, and getting those ideas out there is great. Now is the time when you need to lay some groundwork in order to realize those ideas.

SUDOKU

head and keep a firm handle on the reality of the situation.

LIBRA — Bring things down to Earth today, Libra. Get yourself grounded and enjoy the day. The more you slow down and adopt a caring, sensitive, receptive attitude, the more things will naturally flow your way. This isn’t a day to fight. It’s a time to connect with others on a symbiotic level. Nurture yourself and others. Get a massage and snuggle up close to those you love.

SCORPIO — Today is a fantastic day for you, Scorpio, so enjoy yourself fully. Your emotions will be stable and you have a very expansive sense of well-being. Your self-confidence is strong, so use this to your advantage. This energy may be subtle, but if you tune into it early in the day and set a plan for what you want to accomplish, you can be very productive.

SAGITTARIUS — Today is a good day to simply get things done, Sagittarius. Take care of the annoying tasks that have been accumulating. You have a great opportunity to accomplish a lot. People are less concerned with frivolous drivel and gossip than they are with setting a plan to meet an important goal. Contribute to this trend by getting serious about the tasks at hand.

CAPRICORN — Your emotions may seem a bit muddy today, Capricorn. You might not understand the reason for this. Look to others to share your thoughts. You should find that talking will help you sort through your feelings. If you need to, shift down to second gear for a little more power. Take your time if you need to. Don’t let others rush you into believing something that you suspect isn’t true

AQUARIUS — You’re going to get it all today, Aquarius. You may not feel especially powerful, and in fact there may be those who try to make you feel incompetent. Realize that this is a passing trend and you will soon bounce back to your true self. Open up a little more than usual and let more light into your life.

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-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CODEWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

VIRGO — Get your head out of the clouds, Virgo, and come back to Earth for a nice visit. There are some things you need to take care of here. Mundane tasks and routine chores won’t be painful after you set your mind on getting them done. You can accomplish a lot today. Just make sure you keep a level

Monday, November16, 2015

Daily Bridge Club

PISCES — Today is your day to shine, Pisces, so give it your all. Be sure that you get the credit you deserve for all you do. Try not to fall into self-pity. Be yourself and people will naturally follow your lead. Now is an excellent time to make plans for the future. Stay grounded and on target with your goals. Make sure you aren’t thrown off course by other people’s whims and motivations.

DAILY BRIDGE

‘Play Bridge With Me’

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Since 1981 I’ve written a monthly column for the ACBL’s magazine. Many have been “over-my-shoulder” style. You listen in on my thoughts during a deal.

“My partner was declarer and lost his contract,” a club player told me, “and he let slip a four-letter word. It’s happened before, and I’m afraid we’ll get booted out of the club. Maybe he needs calming medication.”

you rebid two hearts and he tries 2NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?

left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

PUZZLE

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.

“Some Christian friends of mine run a pharmacy,” I said. “I think they sell a med that inhibits swearing. It’s called ‘darnitol.’”

ANSWER: Your hand is a “maximum minimum.” You have solid hearts and primary values in clubs. Partner may have the queen of clubs for his bid of 2NT. Jump to four hearts. If he holds a sub-minimum hand such as A 10 5 4, 4 2, A 8 6,

Ninety of the best of these appear in “Play Bridge With Me,” my 23rd book, just published. The deals are intermediate level; the focus is on logical thinking.

At five spades, South discarded a diamond from dummy and took his ace of hearts. He drew trumps and led a club from dummy to his jack. West won and forced dummy to ruff a heart. South then led a second club to his queen and cursed when West took the ace and ten.

“Partner definitely needs help,” my friend said.

At today’s four spades, I win the first heart in dummy and lead a diamond. I can’t risk losing an early trump finesse; I need a quick pitch for my heart loser. East wins the second diamond and returns a heart, and I win to discard dummy’s last heart on my high diamond. When I finesse in trumps, East wins and exits with a trump.

LAST HEART

8 7 6, you will have a chance for 11 tricks.

ANSWER: This case is close. In theory, your 11 points are enough for a jump to two spades, inviting game, but your king of hearts, trapped in front of the opening bidder, may be worthless. Many experts would jump anyway. I would reluctantly downgrade the hand and settle for a response of one spade.

East dealer N-S vulnerable

South could also improve his play. He can ruff a heart at Trick Two, lead a trump to his hand and ruff his last heart. He draws the last trump, takes the top diamonds and ruffs his last diamond. South then leads a club to his jack.

PASSED HAND

Now I must guess in clubs. But East, a passed hand, had the ace of diamonds, queen of hearts and king of spades. He won’t have the ace of clubs, so I lead to the king, making the game.

When West wins, he must take his second high club or concede a ruffsluff.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: 9

10

10. You open one heart, your partner bids one spade,

For a postpaid to U.S. copy of “Play Bridge With Me,” send $23.95 to PO Box 962, Fayette AL35555. Tell me how you’d like it inscribed. Profits donated.

Students complete summer school programs

Hundreds of Santa Barbara Unified elementary school students wrapped up summer school on July 14.

The month-long program spent mornings providing supplemental education in English, Math and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).

Two dual-language immersion classrooms were held for students as well.

About 500 students from all Santa Barbara Unified elementary schools took part in the program that was hosted at Franklin, McKinley and Monroe schools.

Students also had the option of attending an after-school camp that included field trips to UCSB, the movie theater, Art From Scrap, MOXI, the Watershed and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

“Our students had the chance to spend extra time this summer learning while having a fun time with engaging teachers and programs. I want to thank the parents, faculty, staff, and community partners who took time out of their busy schedules

Interpretation of characters differs from those in the movie

Continued from Page B1

musical.

It was adapted for a 1955 movie starring Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson, Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown, Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit and Vivian Blaine as Adelaide, a showgirl who wants to settle down with Nathan.

The News-Press asked Ms. Abbott and Mr. Ehlen how their interpretations of Sky and Sarah differ from Mr. Brando and Ms. Simmons.

“I’m not Marlon Brando; he’s fantastic,” Mr. Ehlen said. “In particular, he’s got this suave, sexy kind of portrayal. When I play Sky, I really wanted to bring more empathy for him, a more sympathetic outlook for him.

“I really try to dive into the personal beats and show the audience that this man is longing for something better, that he wants to be good for someone.”

Ms. Abbott said her voice is different from Ms. Simmons’.

“I’m operatically trained and bring a lot of that style into my portrayal on the technical level,” said Ms. Abbott, a Gig Harbor, Wash., native who earned her bachelor’s in vocal performance in 2015 at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash.

Ms. Abbott said her portrayal also differs in that she brings softness to the character when Sarah discovers gamblers have

been using her mission for gambling. “I don’t remember as much softness in the movie.”

The weather forecaster’s love for music began during her childhood when she played the violin. Later, when she got a role in an elementary musical, a Seattle opera company discovered her.

Ms. Abbott sang in her first opera at age 11.

“The rest is history,” she said. “I fell in love with opera and the stage in general because it involves every art form, from music to acting, directing, set design, lighting. Every type of artist is involved.”

“One of the most amazing things about opera is that it utilizes the unamplified human voice,” she said. “In musicals, you stop for dialogue, but operas are entirely sung. They’re basically the Olympics for the voice.”

Ms. Abbott also was interested in broadcasting and earned her master’s in that field in 2019 at Arizona State University.

Mr. Ehlen graduated in 2013 from San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara. He studied drama at SBCC with Ms. Laris before transferring to UC Irvine to earn his bachelor’s in fine arts in theater in 2018.

What led to his interest in musical theater?

“I blame my mom for it,” he said, chuckling. “She did ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Santa Barbara High School in the 1970s.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

to help our students learn,” said Superintendent Hilda Maldonado. Summer School was held at each high school back in June as well. Many students who attended the classes were working hard to ensure they received a grade of “C” or better in classes for college eligibility.

Additionally, a number of eligible students who qualify for an Extended School Year through Special Education completed their four-week program on July 14, The Extended School Year program serves select students from pre-K through adult transition years and focuses on maintaining student skills to prevent excessive regression during the summer break, according to the school district. A STEAM Academy for junior high students will begin on Aug. 7. Students taking part in the program have already been invited by their schools. The STEAM Academy will build their skills in math integrated with fun activities that include engineering, science and the arts. email: news@newspress.com

SANTA BARBARA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTOS

Elementary school students receive instruction during the recent summer school programs in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

Adelaide (Felicia Hall) performs with the Hot Box Girls, but what she really wants is a starring role in her longtime fiancee Nathan Detroit’s life.

LESLIE HOLTZMAN PHOTO