The Week That Was : 03_12

Rickborn’s contract might be extended The Goleta School Board was expected to take action Wednesday night to extend the contract of Superintendent Ida Rickborn through June 2005.

Rickborn’s present contract expires at the end of the current school year. She is currently paid $114,000 annually.

Rickborn has served as superintendent since Jan. 1, 2000, after a lengthy career as a classroom teacher and principal. She is the district’s most senior employee, starting in February 1964 as a teacher at Hollister School. She also taught at Brandon School where she became a reading specialist, and later served as principal at Foothill and El Rancho schools. She was assistant superintendent for instruction prior to being named superintendent. — S.C.

Last chance for low-cost flu shots Cottage Hospital’s final flu shot clinic for 2003 will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital’s Ashton Center.

Shots are available to anyone 12 and over. Cost is $5. No reservations are required.

A total of 4,460 people have received the shots since the latest round of clinics began Nov. 3, with the number expected to top 5,000 after Friday’s session.

“It’s a very good thing to do, particularly if you’re working with the elderly or with young children,’’ said Cottage spokeswoman Janet O’Neill. “It helps protect those around you.’’

Though O’Neill said there have not been a lot of identified flu cases here this year, health officials nationwide are warning the country may be in for a severe flu season, which normally peaks in midwinter. Several states including Texas and Colorado have already reported serious outbreaks.

There are other precautions to avoid the flu, including the advice Mom gave you. “The number one thing people should do is wash their hands,’’ said O’Neill. — S.C.

Atlas rocket launches With a National Reconnaissance Office payload aboard, the last Vandenberg Atlas IIAS rocket launched during the wee hours of Dec. 2, closing a chapter of South Coast engineering but opening a new one for the Air Force Base.

“This last Atlas IIAS launch begins an era of growth and change for Team Vandenberg,” said Col. Frank Gallegos, 30th Space Wing commander. “As Lockheed begins refurbishment on (the lift-off complex) in preparation to launch Atlas V, we are preparing to support the new generation of evolved expendable launch vehicles.”

The new Atlas V rocket, which will replace the retired IIAS, is one of two evolved expendable launch vehicles set to provide medium and heavy spacelift capability at Vandenberg. — N.S.W.

Light up a Life Loved ones leave this world, but live on very vividly in memory. Hospice of Santa Barbara wants to help people express those memories with three Light Up a Life celebrations across the South Coast.

Three trees will be erected between Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 in Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. The trees will be covered with hundreds of sparkling lights, each symbolizing the ever-shining memory of a missing loved one.

“For those who have lost someone close to them, the holiday season can bring forth powerful and painful feelings of loss and sorrow,” Hospice said in a statement. “Life Up a Life was created specifically to deal with those grieving during the holidays.”

Join them: Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta; Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. on the Lobero Theater; or Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. at Linden Ave. and 8th St. in Carpinteria. — D.D.

Man stabbed A local man is in good condition at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after a stabbing early morning Nov. 30. Lee Lloyd Russell, 39, of Santa Barbara, was apparently attacked near Calle Cesar Chavez and was found injured in the parking lot of Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort at approximately 6:30 a.m., according to Lt. Doug Kresky of the Santa Barbara City Police.

Russell was taken to Cottage Hospital in critical condition said Kresky. His condition has since improved, according to a hospital spokesperson. “We really don’t have any motive and we don’t have any suspect. We’re still actively investigating it,” Kresky said.
— L.D.

Habitat takes on Bethel House project Bethel House will get spruced up courtesy of Habitat for Humanity this weekend. Volunteers will gather at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at Bethel House’s proposed new location at 24 W. Arrellaga St. in Santa Barbara to help paint the interior of the long-term rehabilitation facility for women recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. Work teams will then be assigned and led by experienced crew leaders. Taffy’s Pizza will donate lunch to volunteers.

Volunteers are still needed. To volunteer, please visit the Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County Web site at www.sbhabitat.org or leave a message at 692.2226. — L.D.