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Survival of the fittest
Save Our Stages Act Congress establishes $15 billion for live venue operators and more
Gyms stay open indoors despite health orders
By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
While the big push for the Save Our Stages Act to be included in the COVID-19 relief bill was successful, some local venue owners still don’t see how it will keep their heads above water. The Save Our Stages Act establishes a $15 billion grant program for live venue operators, promoters, producers, talent representatives, independent movie theaters, museums and other cultural institutions. Each recipient is eligible for a grant no greater than 45% of gross revenue from 2019 or $12 million, whichever is less. Grant funding may be used for payroll and benefits, rent, utilities, mortgage interest payments, interest payments, insurance, personal protection equipment, existing loans, payments to 1099 employees, and other ordinary and necessary business expenses. The National Independent Venue Association — a group of more than 3,000 independent venues in all 50 states — banded together to ask Congress for
Restaurant owner cited for dining in own restaurant
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
A small number of gym members continue to work out at AC4 Fitness, at 3883 La Cumbre Plaza Lane in Santa Barbara. The business remains open to members only despite a regional stay-at-home order.
By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Despite the regional stay-athome order, some local gyms are continuing indoor operations. Others have closed completely or moved outdoors to comply with the mandate. The Dec. 6 stay-athome order limits gyms and health clubs to outdoor operations only. Indoor fitness is only allowed in the red tier or better. But some business owners feel trapped and have stayed open to stay in business. “We’re at a point now, we’re really fighting to survive as a business,” Tony Calhoun, owner of AC4 Fitness, said. “We can’t afford to close again.” He expects to be served a citation for keeping his Santa Barbara and Goleta health clubs
open, but he estimates that he won’t be the only one. Multiple government agencies across the county work together to enforce the stay-at-home order. “We aim toward voluntary compliance, but we have seen a little bit more pushback with this go around,” said Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office is aware of the gym’s operations and is communicating with health officials about the industry, said John Savrnoch, South County chief deputy district attorney. The office can’t disclose if an investigation is open or pending. The D.A.’s office aims for voluntary compliance as well and
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By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Jenny Schatzle, co-owner of Bond Fitness, leads a cycling class at 211 W. Carrillo St. in downtown Santa Barbara. Gyms may operate outdoors, so staff members haul the equipment outside each morning to stay open.
has not had an instance yet where a business has disobeyed orders after being given a warning. Through the windows of a handful of local gyms, members can be seen exercising indoors. Some gyms, even in downtown Santa Barbara, have moved equipment and classes outdoors.
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Michael Cherney and his wife, Sarah Cherney, opened their own restaurant called peasants FEAST in Solvang on April 1 this year, and now they’re being told by the state that they can’t eat in it. On Dec. 10, Mr. Cherney received a notice of violation from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for “violation of the Governor’s regional stay at home order.” In the comments, the state official wrote that six customers were observed eating/drinking/ being served while seated inside the premises. The six customers were Mr. Cherney, his wife and four of his employees, and in a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Mr. Cherney said they were all at separate tables, some eating, some not, and no alcohol was involved. “Fellow restaurant friends and
family, please learn from our mistakes,” Mr. Cherney wrote in the post. “No one is allowed to eat or drink inside your restaurant or on your patio. Nowhere on your property is anyone allowed to eat or drink anything but water. This includes employees and owners. During regular business hours or after hours. So now, we take turns, eating on the curb, alone. …” The Cherney’s restaurant has never been open to the public — staff has served strictly to-go food since its opening. “We’ve never used plates, never opened up the dining room to guests and we’ve always followed all the rules,” Mr. Cherney told the News-Press. “We have signs posted everywhere. One hundred percent compliance.” He explained that the employees are also very close family friends who work in close quarters, including his sister-inPlease see restaurant on A10
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Mr. Calhoun said he can’t logistically move equipment outdoors, though he’s considered it. Some are extremely heavy and wired to the floor, and he said moving the equipment outdoors will void its warranty. Bond Fitness, at 211 W. Carrillo Please see gyms on A10
targeted legislation to help them survive, citing that independent venues were the first to close and will likely be the last to open, according to the Save Our Stages website, saveourstages.com. “We’re thrilled about it,” Palmer Jackson, the executive chairman for The Granada, told the NewsPress. “It will help us, and another round of PPP will help us. But will it make us whole? Absolutely not.” He said The Granada has had “severe economic consequences” and that he hopes to be able to recover from it. Mr. Jackson added that the situation is even more dire for for-profit venues such as SOhO Restaurant & Music Club. “For nonprofits who are suffering, we have the capability to raise money,” he said. “We can go ask people to help, and people are giving us money.” As a result, Mr. Jackson said he and his rock band are planning to do a show with the Lobero Theatre to raise money for SOhO. The Save Our Stages Act will allow independent venues, Broadway theaters, museums, talent agencies and managers to Please see stages on A2
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