Coastal View News • September 28, 2023

Hot dang!

Emery Hickenbotham, left, and Gil Craddock – co-owners of Dang Burger – are turning their smash burger pop-up into an established restaurant at Sunburst Wine Bar, 5080 Carpinteria Ave., with plans to open in October. The pair met up with CVN to talk about their newest venture; see more on page 13.

Warriors win three in a row

blooming evening at Girls Inc.

2023 California Avocado Festival poster unveiled

One805 concert benefits first responders

BRIEFLY

COMPILED BY EVELYN SPENCE | COURTESY PHOTOS

Blessing of the Animals returns Oct. 1

This year’s St. Joseph Church’s Blessing of the Animals is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 1, 2 p.m., at St. Joseph Church, 1500 Linden Ave.

The annual gathering and pet blessing honors the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals. All well-behaved pets – including cats, dogs, turtles, guinea pigs, fish and other pets – are welcome on leashes or in carriers. Those who cannot bring their pets can bring a photograph or drawing.

For more information, reach out to St. Joseph Church at (805) 684-2181.

Museum Marketplace: Sept. 30

The Carpinteria Valley Historical Society and History Museum’s Marketplace returns on Saturday, Sept. 30, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., at 956 Maple Ave. The free-to-enter marketplace offers various treasures and goods to browse through, with live music from Mavis Hansen and the Ukulele Jammers; hot dogs, beverages and snacks will be on-site for purchase.

The museum’s booth, Granny’s Attic, will offer vintage cameras, linens, bric-abrac, kitchenware and more, starting at 25 cents. One of this month’s specialty vendors is Leaf Made Organics, which offers products made with properties found in the hemp plant.

“All of our products are CO2 extracted for maximum purity and efficacy. We offer a range of products from a variety of gummies to balms, oils, and flower products as well,” according to Kevin W., a company representative.

For more information about this event, reach out to the museum at (805) 684-3112, email info@carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org, or visit carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org.

Pepe Cuevas, right, had his dog blessed by Father Manny Ramos, left, during the 2022 Blessing of the Animals.

Not-so-happy Birthday, CVN Your local news is on the brink

Not-so-happy Birthday, CVN Your local news is on the brink

Dear Carpinteria Community,

Dear Carpinteria Community,

Last week, we kicked off our 30th year of publication – Vol. 30, No. 1. The last three decades are a huge point of pride for our publishers and staff. Without interruption, we have delivered news to Carpinteria Valley every week since 1994. We have enjoyed publishing each issue and consider it a privilege to be at the center of the conversation in the community we love. Thank you, community of Carpinteria, for the support and trust you have placed in Coastal View News for 30 years.

With this week’s edition we celebrate the start of our 30th year. The last three decades are a huge point of pride for our publishers and staff. Without interruption, we have delivered news to Carpinteria Valley every week since 1994. We have enjoyed publishing each issue and consider it a privilege to be at the center of the conversation in the community we love. Thank you, community of Carpinteria, for the support and trust you have placed in Coastal View News for 30 years.

Coastal

Carpinteria

News

PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITY

CVN has brought 30 years of news to Carpinteria Valley while recording every significant development over that time. In the last best beach town on Earth, our voice has always occupied the political center without playing favorites. Our news has been for everyone, always packaged and delivered by professional journalists with the utmost integrity.

PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITY

CVN has brought 30 years of news to Carpinteria Valley while recording every significant development over that time. In the last best beach town on Earth, our voice has always occupied the political center without playing favorites. Our news has been for everyone, always packaged and delivered by professional journalists with the utmost integrity.

OUR GOAL is to continue paying our hard-working staff and publishing a product that both chronicles and creates this special community. Imagine never again saying, “Did you see today’s Coastal View?”

However, the timing of this milestone could not be worse. Rather than celebrating this special day, we consider it our responsibility to inform Carpinterians that the future of Coastal View News is in jeopardy.

However, the timing of this milestone could not be worse. Rather than celebrating this special day, we consider it our responsibility to inform Carpinterians that the future of Coastal View News is in jeopardy.

Over the last two years, CVN’s printing and production costs have more than doubled while paid advertising – our revenue source – has declined. Despite a small and efficient staff, CVN’s expenses now far outpace our income; this is a lifeor-death situation.

Over the last two years, CVN’s printing and production costs have more than doubled while paid advertising – our revenue source – has declined. Despite a small and efficient staff, CVN’s expenses now far outpace our income; this is a life-or-death situation.

TO OUR READERS...

TO OUR READERS...

SAVE CVN…

UPDATE

Thank you to the readers that became CVN Sustaining Members through an annual contribution or monthly pledge. We will continue to ask for reader and advertising support to secure the future of free local news and event coverage.

Without your help, CVN and Carpinteria Magazine will cease to exist before the end of 2023.

If you rush out to the newsstand every Thursday morning eager to learn of local happenings, clip photos for your refrigerator, or consider it your civic duty to engage with Carpinteria content exclusive to CVN, then it’s your time to become a Sustaining CVN Member. While we plan to continue to distribute CVN as a free publication, please consider supporting us and becoming a member who can proudly participate in our future. Our Honor Roll has helped us survive for the last several years, and we deeply appreciate everyone who has contributed. Will you consider increasing your support?

If you rush out to the newsstand every Thursday morning eager to learn of local happenings, clip photos for your refrigerator, or consider it your civic duty to engage with Carpinteria content exclusive to CVN, then it’s your time to become a Sustaining CVN Member. While we plan to continue to distribute CVN as a free publication, please consider supporting us and becoming a member who can proudly participate in our future. Our Honor Roll has helped us survive for the last several years, and we deeply appreciate everyone who has contributed. Will you consider increasing your support?

CVN Champion $5 per issue — $20/month or $260/year

CVN Lover $2 per issue — $10/month or $110/year

CVN Fan $1 per issue — $5/month or $52/year

ADVERTISERS...

You have been the lifeblood of CVN for 30 years. We are an award-winning publication among all free community papers in the U.S. It is your support that has kept the gears in motion, allowing us to bring fresh news to Carpinterians every week. If you’ve advertised in the past, we ask that you consider the value of being an advertiser and the status you gain through a regular presence in the pages of CVN and Carpinteria Magazine. Like you, we are a Carpinteria institution, and we have a critical role to play in maintaining the cultural voice of a very special place.

You have been the lifeblood of CVN for 30 years. We are an award-winning publication among all free community papers in the U.S. It is your support that has kept the gears in motion, allowing us to bring fresh news to Carpinterians every week. If you’ve advertised in the past, we ask that you consider the value of being an advertiser and the status you gain through a regular presence in the pages of CVN and Carpinteria Magazine. Like you, we are a Carpinteria institution, and we have a critical role to play in maintaining the cultural voice of a very special place.

NONPROFIT PUBLIC AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS...

NONPROFIT PUBLIC AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS...

We have a partnership as important as democracy itself. The press keeps the citizenry informed and abreast of your great work and all the efforts public servants and institutions commit to making the community a better place. We ask that you consider restoring and reupping contributions you have traditionally made to CVN. From Event and Appreciation Ads to Employment and Public Notices, we are here to keep your constituents involved and engaged with your message.

We have a partnership as important as democracy itself. The press keeps the citizenry informed and abreast of your great work and all the efforts public servants and institutions commit to making the community a better place. We ask that you consider restoring and reupping contributions you have traditionally made to CVN. From Event and Appreciation Ads to Employment and Public Notices, we are here to keep your constituents involved and engaged with your message.

Without CVN, there would be a hole at the center of the community conversation, and an earthquake of disruption in the network that keeps us resilient and connected.

Without CVN, there would be a hole at the center of the community conversation, and an earthquake of disruption in the network that keeps us resilient and connected.

CONTACT US TODAY! Coastalview.com • 805-684-4428 • news@coastalview.com

SMALL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

2,500 community newspapers have closed their doors and

Since 2005 in the

left a void in small towns they had served. The why is clear — businesses that once paid for print ads to reach their customers began using cheaper digital ads offered through Google and Meta. Increasingly, readers find their news online. According to the Pew Research Center, between 2006 and 2018 U.S. newspaper revenues fell from $49 billion to $14 billion.

newsletter

readers

before the end of 2023.

CVN publishers and staff are committed to working with the community to avoid a similar fate.

Carpinteria View

OUR GOAL is to continue paying our hard-working staff and publishing a product that both chronicles and creates this special community. Imagine never again saying, “Did you see today’s Coastal View?”

Coastal

View News

ADVERTISERS...

One805 supports first responders with Carpinteria benefit

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Santa Barbara residents – including noted celebrities – filled Kevin Costner’s Carpinteria Valley estate on Friday, Sept. 22 for One805LIVE!, a benefit for first responders. Attendees were treated to a star-filled lineup, with John Fogerty, three members of Maroon five – including Adam Levine – Alan Parsons OBE and more. All came together at the end to sing the crowd goodbye with the Beatles’ song “Hey Jude.”

Noted celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Kevin Costner, Price Harry and Meghan Markle also appeared on stage, welcoming attendees, introducing bands and giving out awards.

Local organization One805 was founded after the 2017 Thomas Fire and the 2018 Montecito debris flows. The organization has dedicated itself to supporting first responders by raising money for equipment and mental health services. First responder Sam Dudley, with his therapy dog at his side, spoke at length with Oprah Winfrey on stage on Friday about responding to the debris flow and about One805’s funding of mental health services

Oprah Winfrey, left, speaks to first responder Sam Dudley, who responded to the 2018 Montecito debris flow.

From left, Dennis Forster and Cynder Sinclair dance at Friday’s benefit.

The event wrapped around 10 p.m., with the singing of “Hey Jude” from all of Friday’s performers.

Members of Maroon 5, including lead singer Adam Levine, center, performed during the benefit concert.

Alans Parsons OBE

One805LIVE! was held at Kevin Costner’s Carpinteria Valley estate.

Save our local newspaper

As most of us saw in last week’s issue of CVN (Vol. 30, No. 1) we are at risk of losing both our local newspaper and Carpinteria Magazine . We can’t let this happen.

Local theater should screen “Sound of Freedom”

Sheriff Brown’s Santa Barbara County Trafficking Task Force was formed to address the horror of thousands of children coerced, bought or kidnapped and brought to America to be exploited. The popular and very successful movie “Sound of Freedom” is helping to

advance awareness of this billion-dollar industry.

We are hoping that the Carpinteria Alcazar Theatre board will consider showing this film in sympathetic support of efforts to build a determined, non-violent and compassionate Carpinteria resistance to the savagery enacted against these children of our world citizen family.

Jack Hurley Carpinteria

It seems to me that if our Carpinteria City Council found it important enough to spend $500,000 on a skate park for a segment of our community, they can find the funds to save a very important part of our community, one that serves everyone.

Ray Seider Carpinteria

Coastal View News welcomes your letters

Letters must include your name, address and phone number. Letters are subject to editing. Letters over 300 words will be edited in length. Submit online at coastalview.com

District releases average class size numbers

23.7; 24 sections of math with an average class size of 21.7; 19 sections of science with an average class size of 24.4; five sections of physical education with an average class size of 28.4; 13 sections of foreign language with an average class size of 20; 10 sections of SSC with an average class size of 12.4; and 37 sections of electives with an average class size of 21.1.

SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK

DIANA RIGBY CUSD SUPERINTENDENT

The average class size at Carpinteria Middle School (CMS) for the 2023-24 school year – excluding special education – is 20, and the average class size at Carpinteria High School (CHS) for the 2023-24 school year is 21.

The middle school has 24 sections of language arts, with an average class size of 20.3; nineteen sections of social studies and an average class size of 18.4; eighteen sections of math with an average class size of 20.4; seventeen sections of science with an average class size of 22.5; eleven sections of physical education with an average class size of 29.5; and 21 sections of electives with an average class size of 16.4.

CHS has 24 sections of English, with an average class size of 23; 19 sections of social studies and an average class size of

English Language Development

Aliso and Canalino Elementary schools implement daily English Language Development (ELD) at all grade levels, kindergarten through fifth grade. English learners (now called Emergent Bilingual students) are given 30 minutes of instruction in ELD, which includes vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading and writing with a certificated teacher. Students are grouped according to their current language level based on teacher assessments and based on the results of the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC).

Teachers deliver instruction based on state-adopted curriculum materials for ELD, and students who are native English speakers are given literacy enrichment, such as chapter books, with instructional assistants in small groups based on reading level. Students in dual language immersion (DLI) who are acquiring Spanish as a second language also have a small

MONTECITO LAW GROUP

Stefanie and her team at the Montecito Law Group were great to work with! They made a complicated process very easy and stress free.

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

— Nathan Wood

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

group of Spanish language development with bilingual instructional assistants.

Appreciation

I would like to recognize the elementary grade level chairs and secondary department chairs who provide teacher leadership at their school sites and assist district leaders in schoolwide improvement efforts.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, to honor the contributions that Hispanic and Latino Americans have made to our nation and society. This year’s theme is “Latinos Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America,” and our schools are celebrating with assemblies and performances by Cascadas de los Flores and Mariachi La Olas de Santa Barbara.

National Bilingual Educator of the Year

Canalino DLI teacher and National Bilingual Educator of the Year, Sonia Aguila, will be the keynote speaker for two national conferences: National School Choice Week in Chicago, and the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) in San Antonio. We are so proud that Sonia will represent CUSD and bilingual teachers nationwide!

Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) approved by SBCEO

The Santa Barbara County Education Office determined that the 2023-24 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) met the following requirements: the plan adheres to the template adopted by State Board of Education; includes expenditures sufficient to implement the specific actions and services in the LCAP; adheres to the

expenditure requirements for funds apportioned on the basis of the number and concentration of unduplicated students pursuant to California Education Code sections 42238.02 and 42238.03; and includes the required calculations to determine whether there is a carry-over obligation.

Middle and high school MESA (Math, Engineering, Science and Achievement)

The UC Santa Barbara Math, Engineering, Science and Achievement (MESA) club is active on both the Carpinteria Middle School and Carpinteria High School campuses, with a full-time UC Santa Barbara college advisor, Brianna Baeza, providing students with individualized college counseling, hands-on building projects, MESA competitions and college field trips.

CEF

Carp-a-Cabana will be held outdoors, in the quad, at the high school on Saturday, Oct. 21. CEF is hosting a Halloween-themed event at Carp-a-CaBOOna, and costumes are encouraged!

The event will be catered by Omni Catering (Teddy’s by the Sea) and will feature a hosted bar and live and silent auctions. Our Carpinteria High School Career Technical Education (CTE) programs – including agriculture mechanics, agriculture science, culinary, engineering and design, information technology (robotics) and multimedia – will be highlighted during the evening.

Class sizes for transitional kindergarten

The average class size for all Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through fifth grade classes in the Carpinteria Unified School District is 18.8.

Diana F. Rigby is the superintendent of the Carpinteria Unified School District. She can be reached at drigby@cusd.net.

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

(805) 293-6363

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

WWW.MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

(805) 293-6363

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

Reduce water usage by transforming your lawn to a water wise garden. Landscape Rebate funding available! Visit CVWD.net or contact conservation@cvwd.net for information about the rebate and eligibility requirements.

Councilmember Wade Nomura, Councilmember Mónica Solórzano and City Assistant Manager Michael Ramirez attended the annual League of California Cities Conference in Sacramento between Sept. 20-22, Nomura, the city’s voting delegate, told CVN.

Carpinteria attends the conference annually; it is the main lobby group for state legislators, Nomura said.

“Many key topics were presented such as community housing issues and the new state housing laws, solutions for reducing the homeless population, adapting a ‘Main Street’ theme in a changing retail landscape, becoming a Green City,

disaster preparedness, collaborating with utility companies on installing infrastructure, building relationships between law enforcement and community, addressing discrimination and a look at California’s short- and long-term economic forecast,” Nomura said in a press release.

The city also sends representatives to the Channel Counties Division, which includes San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Goleta and the Central Coast Community Energy (formally Monterey Energy). ––Evelyn Spence

For plants need to establish roots in the FALL. spring COLOR,

From left, City Assistant Manager Michael Ramirez, Councilmember Mónica Solórzano and Councilmember Wade Nomura attend the annual League of California Cities gathering in Sacramento.

New ad hoc committee for seals approved CITY BEAT

BY ATMIKA IYER

The council voted unanimously on Monday, Sept. 25 to replace the former Harbor Seal Advisory Committee – which expired in June – with a seven-person ad hoc council committee composed of councilmembers and other stakeholders to be appointed or recruited. Mayor Al Clark put forward the motion, with Councilmember Roy Lee seconding.

The council also voted to expedite signage efforts across the rookery as recommended by the Carpinteria Open Space Management Board and the Harbor Seal Advisory Committee and directed city staff to return at a later date with proposals on incorporating other recommendations from both groups into the City’s 2024 Work Plan.

This agenda item was called in response to the July 2023 Harbor Seal Rookery Report, which outlined concerns about land degradation and human impact on the harbor seal population. The report was then sent to the Carpinteria Open Space Management Board (COSMAB) and the council asked city staff for recommendations on reforming the Harbor Seal Advisory Committee (HSAC).

The council listened to the recommendations of both COSMAB and HSAC,

which provided assessments of the protections necessary to ensure the safety of both the harbor seals and the land they occupy.

In addition to sharing the r ecommendations of both groups, city staff presented different options for a new group to oversee the city’s involvement with harbor seals after HSAC’s operations expired this past June.

C OSMAB recommended a Harbor Seal sign program and the continuation of HSAC’s work, and requested that the approval of land acquisitions in relation to harbor seals and designations of marine protected spaces fall under its purview. COSMAB also requested that these recommendations be implemented urgently.

HSAC’s recommendations included: pursuing a unified signage effort offering directions, advice, regulations and information panels; formalizing the city’s commitment to the Harbor Seals via a volunteer program or partnership with Seal Watch; creating an education outreach program with a live wildlife viewing camera; public trail acquisitions; forming local partnerships with groups like the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration or the Carpinteria School District; and updating the city’s municipal code to offer legislative protections to the harbor seals and the rookery.

Friends of the Carpinteria Library secures new lease

On Monday, Sept. 25, the Carpinteria City Council unanimously voted in favor of a renegotiated lease between the city and Friends of the Carpinteria Library that supplements monthly rent for the Seaside Building with a guaranteed annual donation of $50,000.

The terms of the new lease will be in place for the next five years, and the approved donation number exceeds 12 months of rent by approximately $34,000. Additionally, $50,000 is stipulated as the minimum donation; the group could donate a larger amount depending on generated revenue, staff said. This year, the Friends of the Carpinteria Library donation was $65,000.

The building – located at 5103 Carpinteria Ave. – was named after one of its former applicants from the 1930s: the Seaside Oil Company. It is a monument to the county’s tumultuous history of oil ventures that go as far back as the 19th century.

Friends of the Carpinteria Library, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the local library, has operated a used bookstore at the Seaside Building since 2009 and donates the profits to the city to support the library. Prior to the approved renego-

tiated terms of the lease, the city set the rent for the Seaside Building at a reduced rate of $1,321.37 to offset its own fiscal obligations in covering maintenance and operations from a lease agreement made in June 2016.

The terms of the new lease direct funding from Friends of the Carpinteria Library solely toward library programming and materials, with the city responsible for maintenance and operational costs.

In Febr uary 2023, Friends of the Carpinteria Library requested that the city negotiate terms of its lease, offering an annual donation of $50,000 in place of monthly rents, citing benefits of a fixed annual minimum contribution. Symbolically, Friends of the Carpinteria Library offered $1 in rent on a monthly basis – an offer cemented in the new lease.

“A rising annual rent creates a perception on the part of the Friends board of rising annual costs and the need for an adjustment to our book prices,” the February letter stated. “A fixed annual minimum contribution to the city from the Friends guarantees the city far and above what can be expected by a rental contract, as well as dispelling future board concerns about rising rental costs.”

Council closes in on new city manager candidate

The Carpinteria City Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 26 to decide which candidates to extend an interview to for the position of city manager, during a special meeting held in closed session.

The city received a total of 45 applications for the position. Interviews for the position are expected to be conducted in closed session on Oct. 10.

Many locals spoke at public comment in favor of urgent action to protect the harbor seals, citing population decline and human harassment and emphasizing the rarity of harbor seal coastal clusters in California.

Councilmembers, in favor of acting with urgency, discussed the most efficient way for the city to implement and oversee the aforementioned recommendations. Though Councilmember Nomura spoke in favor of an advisory council – a group

composed purely of subject-matter experts – the council ultimately believed that the committee would benefit from the stewardship and direction of councilmembers.

“It sounds like having council on that committee to really push things forward is probably where we are right now in the process since we already had that previous committee that put all of these recommendations together to begin with,”

Councilmember Mónica Solórzano said.

City reaches agreement for law enforcement services

The Carpinteria City Council unanimously approved a tentative contractual agreement between Carpinteria and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) – which had been reached on Sept. 5 – during its Monday night meeting. The agreement supplies just above $6 million for the provided law enforcement services and replaces the recently expired contract that was in place from July 2019 through June 2023.

Because Carpinteria does not have its own police department, Carpinteria’s law enforcement services are provided via contract between the city and SBSO.

Contract negotiations began in November 2022, but negotiations stalled over SBSO’s ever-increasing cost model – a historical point of contention between SBSO and Carpinteria, as well as other cities SBSO contracts with.

Carpinteria, and other cities in Santa Barbara County, have voiced concerns over SBSO’s cost model, which the city states provides insufficient information about the application of funding despite requesting increases in funding year by year. The stall in negotiations led to the council to pass amendment giving them a 90-day extension to reach an agreement set to expire on Sept. 29.

During the time provided by the extension, a tentative agreement was reached between both parties that specified the following terms: a fouryear agreement, usage of the full-time equivalent positions in cost model, DEI efforts, performance metrics, regular data reports from law enforcement and a funding allotment of $6,059,014 for the

2023-24 fiscal year.

The new contract also stipulates a 2.7% increase in funding in an attempt to provide financial support for escalating costs proactively rather than reactively, ensuring planned allocations and stability.

According to City Manager Dave Durflinger, this contract is the first time the city has contractually mandated DEI efforts alongside reported performance metrics of local law enforcement.

The lar ge allocation requires the council to redistribute its annual budget to meet the budgetary requirements for local law enforcement services.

The council also thanked city staff for their extensive efforts in pursuing contractual negotiations with SBSO over the span of a little under a year.

KARLSSON FILE PHOTO

The city’s former Harbor Seal Advisory Committee – which protects Carpinteria’s harbor seals and their rookery – was replaced with a sevenperson ad hoc council committee on Monday.

The agreement supplies just above $6 million for the provided law enforcement services and replaces the recently expired contract that was in place from July 2019 through June 2023.

Local student wins Avofest poster contest

This year’s green and pink California Avocado Festival poster – unveiled to the public at the Carpinteria Farmer’s Market last Thursday – was created by UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) student Celeste Elliott.

Elliott, a UCSB junior who is currently studying art, told CVN she entered the contest while she was on summer break.

“It was just something I felt like I needed to do,” she said, adding that if she lost, “worst case scenario, I have a cool poster to hang up in my room.”

She said she wanted to heavily feature Carpinteria’s avocados – hence their size on the poster.

“If it’s going to be hung up in places like businesses, I felt it should be striking and ‘in your face,’” she said, “which is why the avocados are so big and take up most of the page.”

“I was really surprised when I won, I wasn’t expecting it at all,” she added. “I’m very grateful.”

Elliott grew up in Carpinteria and spent a lot of time at the festival as a child, she said. She moved away but returned a few years ago and attended last year’s festival for the first time as an adult.

“My favorite thing was the food –that’s one of my favorite parts of the

festival, seeing all the vendors and things they put out,” she said. “I’m looking forward to this year… I’m looking forward to seeing people wear the shirts with my design on them.”

KARLSSON

Celeste Elliott unveils this year’s California Avocado Festival poster design; Elliott’s design will decorate t-shirts honoring the 37th annual festival.

“I’m looking forward to seeing people wear the shirts with my design on them.”

–Celeste Elliott

––Evelyn Spence

This year’s CEDIA Expo featured a 110-inch screen.

CEDIA Tek

CVN

LET’S TALK TEK

AVERY

I recently attended the CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association) Expo in Denver, a trade show that brings together all the vendors who are creating the technology that we are using in our homes and businesses today, as well as what we will be using tomorrow. The big brands were present – Sony, LG, Samsung, Netgear, Barco and Hunter Douglas – as well as brands you may not be familiar with, but are huge in the custom install market, such as Origin Acoustics, Sonance, Control4, Crestron, Stewart, Audio Control, Lutron, Screen Innovations and many, many more.

This was the 33rd CEDIA Expo. I attended the very first one on Amelia Island in Florida in 1990. There were 500 attendees and vendors at this tabletop show. CEDIA Expo 2023 had over 15,000 attendees and 340 exhibitors.

This is the world of Tek – my world.

CEDIA is a group that was conceived and formed in 1989 at the Mirage in Las Vegas during CES (Consumer Electronics Show). I am a founding member of CEDIA. I am a former member of the Board of Directors, founded the Systems Integration Council, authored the first Systems Integration Manual and am a certified CEDIA Instructor/Regional Outreach Instructor. I am CEDIA and have lived and breathed Tek for almost 50 years.

Even given my deep history with CEDIA I can honestly say I was blown away by all that I saw and heard at the show. The 8K video from MicroLED screens measuring 18’ wide by 10’ tall. You could walk right up to the screen and the resolution and clarity were amazing. The sound that resonated deep within my soul to the point I was brought to tears. It was clean, clear, articulate and immersive. Speakers that were totally invisible or as small as a peanut. Video displays that were framed like fine art so when not being used could display art or pictures of your loved ones. Networks that are optimized to seamlessly stream content to every room and space in your home. Zero latency. There was even a wedding at this year’s Expo! A CEDIA board member and industry veteran decided it was the perfect way to celebrate with all his friends, and the wedding took place right on the show floor.

There was a magic quality that is hard to describe, and what is driving all his magic is Tek. The electronic components and circuitry have gotten smaller and smarter. You can do so much with the right equipment, with one caveat – you

CLUB SCENE

COURTESY CEDIA AND RAVE PUBLICATIONS

A CEDIA board member and industry veteran decided this year’s CEDIA Expo was the perfect place to celebrate with all his friends, and his wedding took place right on the show floor.

have to spend the time to do your own due diligence. I advise you to seek out a professional CEDIA systems integrator just as you would an accountant, financial planner, doctor, attorney, plumber, electrician or any other area that requires more than a basic understanding of the subject.

CEDIA systems integrators are trained professionals that have been schooled in the design, installation and support of today’s highly technical systems. They know Tek!

I recently joined forces with just such a company: Utopia Technology, owned by Carpinterian James Budow. We are taking Utopia to the next level and providing a degree of expertise unmatched in the industry. With resources here, in Hawaii and on the East Coast, we will be supporting clients and projects wherever needed.

James and I will be providing pro bono upgrades to the Alcazar to continue the work I started as past president and technical director for the theater. As always, I am available to provide input and answer any questions you might have about your Tek.

Thank you for taking time to read my column and if you have a question about technology or would like to suggest a topic for a future column, please reach out to me at michael@michaeltalkstek.com or just give me a call at (805) 684-3414. I love talking Tek. May the force be with you. Happy Tek Trails.

Michael Avery brings decades of experience to his projects and his clients. He has served as an owner, partner, principal and employee of some of the most progressive companies in the electronic systems market sector. Additionally, he has provided professional consulting services to a multitude of leading companies in the industry, including Panasonic Technologies, CEDIA, AMX, Microsoft, GE Industrial, CompUSA and Paradise Theater.

CHS girls tennis, recycling club chip in for Coastal Cleanup

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Carpinteria High School (CHS) girls tennis team and members of the CHS Recycling Club participated in the California Coastal Cleanup. According to the CHS girls tennis coach Charles Bryant, the team has participated in the Coastal Cleanup for the past 12 years, though this is the first time they were joined by the CHS Recycling Club.

“It’s always a great event and to see not just our groups out there but other individuals and families helping to clean up the beach and waterways,” Bryant told CVN. “We picked up quite a few bags but nowhere near the amount of bags since we first started doing this. It is a great all-around effort and a great way to kick off the fall (after the tourist season).”

Carpinteria’s environmental program manager addresses Rotary Morning

Erin Maker, environmental program manager for the city of Carpinteria, recently addressed the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning about the standardization of waste and recycling in the city.

Maker, who has been with the city since 2009, spoke to club members about the upcoming standardization of the color of waste containers throughout the state.

“She informed us that food waste should now be put in green waste containers to be composed and minimize the amount of trash going to our landfill,” club member Sheila Hess said in a press release. “The residents of Carpinteria will be notified on the timing of these changes.”

Those seeking more information on events and speakers at the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning may contact Carie Smith at a2thfarie@aol.com.

Carpinteria Environmental Program Manager Erin Maker, right, spoke to the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning recently; at left is Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning President Carie Smith.

Rotary Noon aides in Carpinteria Coastal Cleanup Day

Members of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Noon were out in full force for the Coastal Cleanup Day at Franklin Creek, where several bags of trash were collected, according to a press release from club President Karen Graf.

“It felt great participating in the creek clean-up with my Rotarian friends,” said member Marianne Rauch in the press release. “We wanted to make a positive impact on our town.”

From left, CHS students Kacy Kramer, Valeria Zamora, Linda Galindo, Matthew Endow, Sara Fakinos, Mina Handall, Samantha Nielsen and Brenda Martinez participated in the Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 23.

MICHAEL

COURTESY MICHAEL STEVENS

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY | COURTESY PHOTOS

Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Noon participated in Coastal Cleanup on Saturday.

Dang Burger brings smash burgers to town

CVN

BOSSES BY BOSTROM

INGRID BOSTROM

I’ll be danged – another new restaurant is popping up in Carpinteria. Gil Craddock and Emery Hickenbotham – co-owners of tasty Dang Burger – are turning their pop-up into an established restaurant at Sunburst Wine Bar, 5080 Carpinteria Ave., with plans to open in October. The pair met up with CVN to talk about their newest venture.

CVN: Carpinteria is thrilled to have your pop-up service settle into an established restaurant. What instigated this change for you?

Gil Craddock and Emery Hickenbotham: We’re equally thrilled! We’ve known for a few years now that we wanted to find a permanent location to call home. After popping up at Sunburst a handful of times, we sort of asked Ryan (Moore, owner of Sunburst Wine Bar) on a whim if he would be interested in us moving in and remodeling his kitchen.

Luckily for us, it was something he had also been thinking about, so we got to work on making it happen.

From b uilding a friendship through playing music together, how did you discover your shared culinary interests?

When we lived in LA some of the best food we would get would be at these pop-ups, which kind of helped us realize you don’t need a restaurant to get started. We both love cheeseburgers, and when we moved back to Carpinteria we felt the town needed more food options. So Dang Burger was created to fill that need. While we were doing pop-ups around the 805 area, we were also working at Rory’s Place in Ojai, where we further fell in love with food and local ingredients.

Without giving away too many secrets, what is one specific thing that makes your burgers so dang good?

The secret is good ingredients and keeping it simple. We’re not trying to rewrite the formula on what makes a good cheeseburger. We’re trying to hit notes of nostalgia and flavors that feel familiar, while also elevating the ingredients in the burger.

We are also excited to add some specials to the menu, as well as salads and yummy desserts. Keep your eyes peeled for those offerings!

Which Sunburst wine would each of you choose as a favorite burger pairing? Probably a chilled red or an orange wine. Something that will cut through the fat. Or a beer!

How do you each like to spend your time when not cooking?

In our free time, you can find us on the patio at Rory’s Place drinking an ice-cold spritz and eating hanger steaks.

Dang Burger serves up smash burgers, with delicious single or double options.

From left, co-owners Emery Hickenbotham and Gil Craddock are bringing Dang Burger permanently to Sunburst Wine Bar at 5080 Carpinteria Ave.

Dang Burger got its start as a pop-up, catering events across Santa Barbara; here, the business caters a wedding in May.

Ingrid Bostrom is a photographer, drawn to open space and stories told in each new face. Send ideas of impactful Carpinterian bosses to

Flowers, fairies and elves at Girls Inc.’s enchanted fundraiser

PHOTOS BY INGRID BOSTROM

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s annual blooming fundraiser – An Enchanted Evening in Bloom –drew Carpinterians of all ages adorned head to toe in their floral-inspired outfits to the Girls Inc. campus on Saturday, Sept. 23. This year’s fundraiser honored Carpinteria philanthropists Lynda Fairly and John Franklin, both longtime contributors to the community.

Girls Inc. Executive Director Jamie Balch Collins speaks to the crowd.

From left, Aja Forner, Angelina Lane, Lindsey Densmore and Emily Nordee pose with the "unicorn."

Girls Inc.

Development Director Tess Ortega carries glasses.

From left, George and Carey Bradshaw.

From left, Bianca Vega and Kellie Wolfe.

ABOVE, David Walker donned elf ears for the night.

RIGHT, From left, Jamie Balch Collins greets Saturday’s honorees, Lynda Fairly and John Franklin.

BELOW, Autumn Fiore Palm shows off her wings.

Matt Chung mans the auctioneer’s podium.

Jan and Gail Persoon grab a drink.

From left, Frank Issac and Courtney Reynolds raise their bids.

Whodunit at the Alcazar Theatre

PHOTOS BY DAVID DEMOULPIED

Agatha Christie’s whodunit “The Mousetrap” was brought to life at the Alcazar Theatre last weekend with a Santa Barbara County cast, directed by Jim Sirianni. The play captures the aftermath of a local woman’s murder, when all guests and staff at the Monkswell manor are trapped during a snowstorm.

“It becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of each other. A police detective arrives on skis to question the suspects, including the newlywed owners of the house, a spinster with a mysterious background, an architect who seems more fit for the role of a chef, a retired Army major, a peculiar man who claims his car overturned in a drift and a jurist who causes misery for everyone. As tensions rise and another murder takes place, fears escalate,” the theatre’s description of the play states.

The theatre continues showings this weekend, on Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, and $15 for seniors and students. See more online at thealcazar.org.

ARTCETRA CVN

Inkspots returns with group project at Ventura ArtWalk

The Inkspots of San Buenaventura – a printmaking group with members from Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Ojai and Ventura – will return to the First Friday ArtWalk in Ventura on Friday, Oct. 6, 5–8 p.m., for the opening reception of its annual group exhibition “Touched by Ink.” The group will also offer a free drawing for the 2023 folio of 14 original prints at 7 p.m.

The Inkspots gallery will be open each Saturday in October – Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 – from 1– 4 p.m. with a different printmaking demo each day, including collagraphs, monoprinting, linocut and photopolymer etchings.

The Inkspots of San Buenaventura gallery is located at 643 Project Space Ventura Ave., and the opening reception for “Touched by Ink” will be on Friday, Oct. 6, 5–8 p.m. Those interested in demos at the gallery can email inkspotsventura@hotmail. com to book an appointment.

“Torn” by Crescent LoMonaco

LoMonaco wins People’s Choice Award

The Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center announced this week that Crescent LoMonaco’s piece “Torn” is the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the “Illusion of Light and Shadow” exhibit.

LoMonaco had three pieces hanging in the show, and she told the arts center that she wanted to depict a range of emotions. “I have often felt torn. Torn between right and wrong, love and hate, depression, and elation,” LoMonaco said in a press release. “I wanted to create a piece that shows the two sides that all of us have.”

“Bay Witnesses” by the Inkspots of San Buenaventura

From left, Sharon Reinhold, Emily Vallance and Sam Szpor take the stage.

Jonathan Malindine

Louis John, in back, surprises Emma-Jane Huerta.

GUESTS: HOPE AND JUSTIN

WONDER

S un da y, February25 th •$ 7

STARRING: JULIA ROBERTS, OWEN WILSON AND JACOB TREMBLAY

COCO

CALENDAR

Thursday, Sept. 28

Senior Center Activities: Book Club or Cards/Cribbage Carpinteria Community Library, Arts & Lecture Hall, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 9:30–11 a.m.

Dementia Caregivers Support

Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10:30 a.m.–noon

Senior Center Activities: Zumba Gold Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 11 a.m. – noon

Bilingual Postpartum Support Group El Carro Park, 5300 El Carro Lane. 1 p.m. rmaldonado@carpchildren. org, (805) 566-1613

One-on-One Tech Help Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 1:30–3:30 p.m.

Senior Center Activities: Mexican Train or Rummikub Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 2–4 p.m.

Carpinteria Creative Arts Eighth St. and Linden Ave. 2:30–6 p.m. Handmade pottery, beach art, cards, jewelry and sewn articles. (805) 698-4536

Carpinteria Farmers Market 800 block of Linden Ave. Thursdays, 3–6:30 p.m.

Advanced Beginner Spanish Classes Carpinteria Woman’s Club, 1059 Vallecito Road. 3–4:30 p.m. Fee: $8 a week. carpinteriawomansclub.com, (805) 566-8953

2023 Avocado Festival Booth

Carpinteria Farmers Market, 800 block of Linden Ave. 3 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 29

Gallery Opens: Small Town Big Appetite Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. Noon–4 p.m. carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 6847789

Senior Center Activities: Bocce Ball GranVida Senior Living, 5464 Carpinteria Ave. 1:30–3:30 p.m.

Live Play: “The Mousetrap” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. General tickets: $20; senior, student tickets: $15. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Saturday, Sept. 30

Carpinteria History Museum’s Marketplace Carpinteria Valley Historical Society and History Museum, 956 Maple Ave. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (805) 684 3112, info@carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org, carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org

Yoga at Linden Field Linden and Sandyland. 9–10 a.m. JDayeMackie@ gmail.com

Carpinteria Creek Park Restoration Day 7500 Carpinteria Ave. 10 a.m.–noon. (805) 886-4382

Salt Marsh Nature Park Docent Tours Meet at the entrance across from the corner of Sandyland and Ash Avenue. 10 a.m.–noon. Free. (805)

886-4382

Live Play: “The Mousetrap” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. General tickets: $20; senior, student tickets: $15. thealcazar.org, (805)

684-6380

Sunday, Oct. 1

Live Music: Jared Lettow Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 2–5 p.m

Blessing of the Animals: St. Francis Day St. Joseph Church, 1500 Linden Ave. 2 p.m. (805) 684-2181

Live Play: “The Mousetrap” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 3 p.m. General tickets: $20; senior, student tickets: $15. thealcazar.org, (805)

684-6380

Monday, Oct. 2

Preschool Story Time Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10–10:30 a.m. For preschool-aged children. carpinterialibrary.org, (805)

684-4314

Senior Center Activities: Arts and Crafts Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. Noon

Monday Mahjong All levels of play. 1 p.m. (805) 729-1310

Saturday, M a rch 3rd • $7

DISNEY/PIXAR'S STUNNINGLY ANIMATED TRIBUTE TO FAMILY AND CULTURE

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT LAUGHING BUDDHA THRIFT AND MURPHY’S VINYL SHACK

FRI-SUN

SEPT 29 - OCT 1

LIVE THEATRE

Final Weekend

THE MOUSETRAP

Fri/Sat 7 pm • Sun 3 pm Gen $20 Senior/Students $15

TUESDAY, OCT. 3

COMEDY

ONGOING IMPROV WEEKLY CLASSES

Drop-in Classes on Tuesday nights

7-9 pm • $10 at the door

WED/THUR • OCT. 4 & 5

*AUDITIONS

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

CHILDREN AGES 5 - 11, 5 -6 PM

TEENS/ADULTS 6:30 – 8:30PM

Performance dates:

December 8 -10 and 15-18

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

*AUDITIONS

“ENOUGH” IMPACT GUN VIOLENCE

TEENS 13-19 • 11 AM – 1 PM Nationwide Reading November 6 at the Alcazar Theatre

*MORE INFORMATION AND/OR TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION CALL 805-901-3554 (LEAVE MESSAGE)

THURSDAY, OCT. 12

MOVIE STOP THE WAVE I WANT TO GET OFF!

1965 Surf Movie & Tribute

TICKET PROCEEDS BENEFIT ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION & RIDLEY TREE CANCER CENTER SPONSORED BY RINCON BREWERY & CHANNEL ISLAND SURFBOARDS

7 PM • Gen $15

FRIDAY, OCT. 27

COMEDY CACKLE CAULDRON: AN IMPROV SPOOKTACULAR Carpinteria Improv

7 PM • Gen $15/Seniors $12

SATURDAY, OCT. 28

MOVIE

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

Produced by Women Making Change and Carpinteria Woman’s Club

7PM & 12 AM • $15

DOORS OPEN 30 MINUTE BEFORE SHOW TIMES.

TIMES & DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Mind Games for Adults Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 2–3 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Let’s Get Knit Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 5:30–7:30 p.m. (805) 745-8272

Walk to End Polio Meet at Delgados Restaurant, 4401 Carpinteria Ave. 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Senior Center Activities: Book Club Carpinteria Community Library, Arts & Lecture Hall, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 9 a.m.

Senior Center Activities: Mind Balance Exercise Class Veterans Memorial Building,

Email

Duplicate Bridge 1 p.m. Call Lori Locker at 805-684-5921 for more information

Tai Chi for Beginners Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 2 p.m.

Bridge for Beginners Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 3:15 p.m.

Improv Classes The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7–9 p.m. $10 at the door. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Wednesday, Oct. 4

Baby & Me Meet Up Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria

Ave. 9–9:45 a.m. Children under two. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Senior Center Activities: Walking Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 9 a.m.

Knitting and Needle Crafts Group Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 1–3 p.m. Free. (805) 886-4382

Senior Center Activities: Mindfulness Meditation Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 2–3:30 p.m.

Senior Center Activities: Line Dancing Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Right sized senses on the right coast

IT’S ALL SURFING

CHRISTIAN BEAMISH

A couple of guys with whom I do surfboard business in Maine reached out earlier in the month saying that Hurricane Lee would likely bring high-quality surf, and could I come out for a visit?

So, I booked a ticket to Boston where one of them picked me up at 1 a.m. After a few hours of sleep, we were scampering down a seawall to a white sand beach, paddling out in sparkling blue water to perfect four- to six-foot waves.

The coastline in central Maine is beautiful with headlands, reefs, and off-lying islands. Beaches, rivers and estuaries define the landscape and stately, well-maintained homes stand at a respectful distance from one another. Blazing sunshine and an after-summer quietness seemed almost eerie, the woods in full green with no sign of Autumn chill.

Everywhere it seemed, sun-dappled waves were pouring along sand bars, sloughing off submerged boulders offshore, or cracking on rock reefs closer in. The wind was light offshore and the conditions pristine on this first day of a five-day surf forecast.

In Maine, the waves come either from hurricanes that track up the Eastern Seaboard, or from brutal Nor Easters – arctic storms that drive huge surf onto ice-laden shores in the depths of winter. My hosts described a “sea smoke” that hovers over the lineup on big winter swells, the spray billowing off the waves and freezing, then raining down in an ice slurry.

The surf became more significant as evening came down on the first day of my visit, and we waded across a river in golden light, climbed up a rocky bank and then followed a ribbon trail through a pretty little meadow in a nature preserve to a rocky cove, where we made a long paddle out to a premiere surf break.

Bending onto a reef shelf and drawing up 10 or 12 feet in the face, powerful waves thundered through reminiscent of Sunset Beach on the North Shore. The friend I was staying with had suggested I bring a big wave gun, but when the time came to pack boards, I chose a 6’11” 8-channel single fin I’ve been loving this summer at home, and another board

I love: the 8’3” “Mid Length for Black Belts,” also an 8-channel single fin.

The “MLBB” has an elliptical outline, a full-but-not-round nose and a pleasing, tapering curve overall. Increased tail rocker (the “lifting” curve on the bottom of a surfboard) flows with the eight deep channels cut into the aft-third of the bottom of the board, and a “neutral” Hawaiian-style single fin drives the whole design.

I had only been riding the MLBB in our dismal summer of West Coast surf, and enjoyed it nonetheless. But in significant surf, these Maine waves with real power, the board just came alive. Where I had merely hoped this design would make small days at Rincon or bring the clean-but-always-soft C-Street in Ventura a somewhat more lively feeling, I discovered a design with real range. The bigger surf freed up the board at speed and

allowed powerful, driving turns.

(On another note, this evening, Sept. 26, was Opening Day at Rincon with really fun four-footers doing their cobblestone magic in green water under a sunset/moonrise sky, and that MLBB was right where it wanted to be.)

And there’s something else going on for me these days, besides these fun surfing and shaping moments, that I feel compelled to share – not to just “spill my guts,” but to write something that might matter to somebody. So, here’s my big reveal: I quit drinking two months and three days ago.

You have become my invisible friend reading this column in our admittedly mostly one-sided relationship where I do all the talking (and thanks for reading/ listening) – though I sometimes hear back from folks, mostly with positive comments. This not-drinking business has been a long time coming as I round the bend towards 55 years of age. The ancestors are with me on this one, a number of them having gone down with the boozy ship and its attending insanity.

I want to report spiritual “progress not perfection,” and I’m sure some readers recognize the reference. What’s changing in my life is my obsessive concentration on myself. (The irony of writing yet another first-person column about my personal life is not lost on me, however!) I won’t dance around it any longer… I’m working the 12-steps in AA, and it’s true what they say: I am amazed before I am halfway through.

It’s God of course (as long as I’m all in saying what’s really going on) making all the difference. Praying daily, and giving my life and will over to His care (as I understand Him), has me navigating a poor business climate, upside-down finances and some personal difficulties with a mostly upbeat attitude.

I know, I know… so weird, right? But I

swear, praying works. It also helps that I have good friends who have been doing this program ahead of me for years and more new friends in the program, too. The world seems crazier than ever, and since the terror attacks of 9/11 and the 20 years of war that followed, and the wildfires and debris flows locally, a global pandemic and a fractured politics that has us Americans sometimes literally gunning for one another, it’s easy to believe that everything is falling apart.

But everything is not falling apart. Back in Maine, my five-day visit coincided with a surf event at Grain Surfboards, a wood-kit surfboard company in the town of York. Some California buddies from surfing – Jon Wegner, Andy Davis and Greg Long – were in attendance, and the coastal scene there is every bit as cool and natural as ours is out here.

There was, of course, a craft beer tent, along with a very cool DJ from NYC and vendors’ booths and food, and I kept thinking, as the day went on, how the event would have progressed for me in the not-too-distant past. The first beer would have turned into the fifth or seventh beer over the course of the afternoon, and the inevitable surfboard talk with potential clients (my hosts from Maine Surfers Union surf shop had a booth with a good selection of my boards on display) would have gotten a little too loud, a little too friendly, too intense, and too sloppy on my part. I would have woken up hungover and ashamed the next day.

As it was, still pretty new in sobriety, I recognized a lot of those feelings the next day and felt somehow unsettled just the same. But looking back, I realize I didn’t act inappropriately this time. I was just another person at the surf event – no better, no worse than anyone else there with an interest in surfing, with the hope of better days ahead.

Christian Beamish took leave of his position at Coastal View News in October 2020, to pursue his surfboard business, Surfboards California, full time. He continues his monthly column, and shapes at the surfboard factory showroom at 500 Maple Ave., in Carpinteria. The former Associate Editor of The Surfer’s Journal, Beamish is also the author of “Voyage of the Cormorant,” (Patagonia Books, 2012) about his single-handed expedition down the coast of Baja California by sail and oar in his self-built Shetland Isle beach boat. He now lives with his wife and two children in Ventura.

My hosts described a “sea smoke” that hovers over the lineup on big winter swells, the spray billowing off the waves and freezing, then raining down in an ice slurry.

The author aboard his “MLBB” model at Kennebunkport, Maine, in surf from Hurricane Lee, mid-September 2023.

COULD

Monday, Sept. 11

2258 hrs / Narcotics / 5400 block

Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies contacted a subject riding their bicycle at nighttime without proper lighting. The subject was on active county probation with full search terms. During a probation search, a bag of methamphetamine, a plastic bindle of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe were located in the subject’s backpack. The subject was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for the violations.

2257 hrs / Incident / 1300 block

Dahlia Court

Deputies responded to a local apartment complex for a report of juveniles fighting.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

1415 hrs / Incident / 1000 block

Casitas Pass Road

Deputies contacted a subject to the rear of a local pharmacy. The man was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was charged.

Thursday, Sept. 14

2130 hrs / Incident / 4200 block Via Real

A subject was contacted in the parking lot of a local motel, and was found to have alcohol emanating from their breath and person. Alcohol was also located near them, and the subject was arrested and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail.

0155 hrs / Narcotics / 4200 block

Via Real

A subject was contacted because their vehicle was parked in a red zone. The subject was on probation and had warrants for their arrest. A methamphetamine pipe and methamphetamine were located in the subject’s hotel room. The subject was arrested and transported to Santa Barbara County Jail.

0301 hrs / Narcotics / Highway 101 and Santa Monica Road

A vehicle was pulled over for vehicle violations. Upon contacting the driver, deputies discovered the driver had warrants for their arrest. Deputies also located a methamphetamine pipe and methamphetamine.

Friday, Sept. 15

1105 hrs / Incident / 4800 block

Foothill Road

High school staff were notified of an assault that occurred on campus during a football game on Sept. 1. School surveillance and a student’s cell phone video captured the assault. A referral was sent to Santa Barbara Juvenile Probation to charge the suspect.

2033 hrs / Narcotics / Carpinteria Avenue and Santa Ynez Avenue

A subject was contacted during a traffic enforcement stop. They were found to be in possession of narcotics, false tabs and a suspended license. They were issued a citation and released from the scene.

CARPINTERIA

Providing local news and information for the Carpinteria Valley

2133 hrs / Incident / Sandyland Road and Elm Avenue

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted for stop sign violations. A subject was driving the vehicle and displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. SFSTs were administered and the subject did not provide a PAS. The subject was arrested for DUI and provided an evidential breath sample. The subject was then transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

2241 hrs / Incident / Via Real and Padaro Lane

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted and the driver displayed signs of marijuana use. The driver admitted to smoking marijuana an hour before driving. SFSTs were conducted and the driver refused a PAS. Based on SFSTs, the driver was arrested for DUI. The subject later consented to a blood draw at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, and was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail.

Saturday, Sept. 16

0201 hrs / Incident / Linden Avenue and Seventh Street

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted for a stop sign violation. Upon contacting the driver, the driver displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. SFSTs were administered and the driver was arrested for DUI. He provided a breath evidential sample and was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail.

0255 hrs / Narcotics / 5700 block Carpinteria Avenue

A subject was contacted and found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. They were issued a citation and released from the scene.

Sunday, Sept. 17

1830 hrs / Incident / Seventh Street

A reporting party called to report that their son’s backpack was stolen from Seventh Street. The backpack was left behind in a vehicle in the street while the reporting party dropped their child off at school. When the reporting party returned to the car, the backpack was gone. The backpack contained a MacBook Air, headphones and school textbooks.

Monday, Sept. 18

1335 hrs / Incident / Via Real and Padaro Lane

A subject was seen masturbating by a female driver on Via Real and Padaro Lane. Deputies found the subject in the

Managing Editor Evelyn Spence

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Sports Editor Ryan P. Cruz

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Photographer Robin Karlsson

Advertising Manager Karina Villarreal

Publishers Gary L. Dobbins, Michael VanStry

Coastal View News is locally owned and operated by RMG Ventures, LLC, 4180 Via Real Suite F, Carpinteria, CA 93013, and is published every Thursday. Coastal View News has been adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the Superior Court of Santa Barbara County, Case No. 210046. Coastal View News assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

Toro Canyon Creek under the Via Real bridge. Upon contact, the subject was fully naked and fled from deputies up the creek and appeared to reach for a rock, as if to arm themselves. Deputies chased the subject up the creek but the subject refused to comply, pushed one of the deputies down and continued to run up the creek. After refusing several commands to comply, the subject was sprayed with pepper spray twice before deputies could handcuff them. Once in the deputy’s vehicle, the subject slipped their cuffs to the front and was transported to the Santa Barbara Main Jail. Two deputies suffered minor injuries during the altercation, and the subject had outstanding warrants out of Santa Barbara and San Diego.

1722 hrs / Incident / 1100 block

Casitas Pass Road

An employee at a local coffee shop reported a male subject causing a disturbance inside the store. The subject was located walking in the parking lot near a local restaurant when deputies arrived. A records check was conducted and showed the subject had three outstanding felony warrants for their arrest out from Riverside County. Riverside advised they will extradite the subject, and the male subject was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara Main Jail.

1751 hrs / Incident / 4800 block Via Real

While deputies were completing a warrant arrest, a car was seen speeding south on Casitas Pass Road. The vehicle turned west on Carpinteria Avenue at a high rate of speed causing the vehicle to fishtail. The vehicle was found at the red light at Linden Avenue and Carpinteria Avenue. When the driver noticed deputies behind them, they attempted to flee and drove through the red light. The vehicle was stopped, and the driver was found to be intoxicated. The driver refused all testing and was arrested. A warrant was issued for a forced blood draw. The driver was transported and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail.

Tuesday, Sept. 19

1734 hrs / Incident / Lookout Park Road

Deputies responded to a local park for the report of a subject trying to steal a vehicle. The subject was confronted by the vehicle’s owner. The subject was located nearby and provided a false name, and was later arrested. During a search of their backpack, their ID was located and the subject was found to have a felony warrant for their arrest. They were transported and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail.

2242 hrs / Incident / Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies responded to the above address for the report of a homeowner finding a male inside their apartment. The victim reported returning to their apartment and seeing a male running out of the apartment. The homeowner noticed $200

missing from their wallet. Follow up will be conducted for security footage.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

0914 hrs / Incident / 2700 block Padaro Lane

Deputies responded to a disorientated female in a parking lot. She was contacted in a porta potty with a male. Both had been drinking, but the female was inebriated to where she could not care for her safety or of others. She was arrested and not left with the male that she had just met.

1845 hrs / Incident / 5400 block Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies contacted a subject who had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant and was arrested. During a search incident to arrest, the subject was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe. They were transported and booked for the warrant and violations.

2005 hrs / Incident / 4500 block Carpinteria Avenue

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted on two men riding separate bikes. A pat down of the first man revealed a methamphetamine pipe with a usable amount of methamphetamine and a wallet containing cards not belonging to the subject. He also admitted to using a false name and DOB. The first subject was transported and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for the charges mentioned above, and the other man was released on scene with the first man’s bike.

0053 hrs / Incident / 4200 block Via Real

Deputies contacted a male subject asleep inside his vehicle. He displayed objective signs of being under the influence and admitted to consuming alcohol inside his hotel room. The man’s baby was inside a car seat, seated in the front of the passenger seat. The subject consented to a search of his person and vehicle, and multiple marijuana pipes, marijuana and suboxone strips were inside the vehicle. The man stated he stepped out of his hotel room with his child after getting into a verbal argument with his girlfriend. Deputies contacted the girlfriend, who took possession of the baby and the three returned to their hotel room. Child Welfare Services (CWS) was notified, and an incident report was authored and forwarded to CWS.

Thursday, Sept. 21

2007 hrs / Incident / 1000 block Casitas Pass Road

On the above date and time, deputies contacted a subject on active county probation with full search terms, who told deputies he was in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. The subject then removed the methamphetamine pipe from his pocket, which had a usable amount of methamphetamine in the bowl. The subject was cited for his violation.

2046 hrs / DUI / Highway 101 and Bailard Avenue

A traffic enforcement was conducted on a vehicle for an equipment violation. During the investigation, the driver displayed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. The driver consented to SFSTs and provided a PAS sample with a result of 0.188 BAC. The

continued on page 21

Rental listing scams are surging, county warns

As the demand for housing increases in Santa Barbara County, rental estate scams are becoming more common, Santa Barbara County said this month.

“Often, rental listings are copied from legitimate listings by a scammer who then markets the units as their own, perhaps at an appealing rent in order to attract even more unsuspecting victims,” said Laurie Baker, County Housing and Programs manager. “Apartment seekers must use extreme caution to avoid becoming a victim of scam.”

Residents should be alert for signs of a rental scam. Scammers may ask for a wire transfer, cash or money orders or request a security deposit or first month’s rent before potential renters can see the property. A scammer may also say they live out of the area and may create fake keys.

“Fair market rents can be particularly difficult for out-of-town seekers to readily recognize. Seekers should research the local rental market when searching in a

RECAP

continued from page 20

0.19 BAC. The driver was arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for the violations.

2321 hrs / DUI / Hickory Street

The victim reported a subject intentionally rammed the victim’s unoccupied vehicle causing damage and threatened them with a knife. The subject also displayed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. SFSTs were conducted and the subject blew over a 0.08 BAC. The subject was arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for the violations.

0234 hrs / Narcotics / Bailard Avenue and Carpinteria Avenue

Two subjects were contacted in their vehicle at the above-mentioned location. The vehicle had expired registration over six months, therefore, deputies decided to tow the vehicle. While taking inventory, a usable amount of meth was seen on the driver seat, along with an open container of marijuana, a used glass meth pipe and a baggie of fentanyl. Further search of the vehicle revealed multiple credit/EBT/ID cards not belonging to either subject. Deputies also found multiple pairs of shoes with security tags and multiple pairs of new high-end sunglasses with no receipts of purchase. Both subjects were arrested and booked for the mentioned violations.

1302 hrs / Incident / Cota Lane

A subject was observed naked in the backyard by neighbors, who believed she was not supposed to be there. It was learned that the subject had been contacted at the same residence the day prior by deputies, after they were sobbing and ringing nearby doorbells, and fled from deputies. Deputies contacted the subject

specific area. Legitimate rental owners and managers are willing to show their rental units and provide a copy of their lease agreements before accepting any funds. They also may perform a credit check,” public information officer Kelsey Buttitta said.

“Often, a fraudulent listing includes misspelled words, grammatical errors and overuse of uppercase letters. Using a credit card, direct payment from a checking account or a check are better options after verifying the legitimacy of the rental listing and owner or property manager.”

Those who have been a victim of a rental listing scam should report the crime to law enforcement, to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complain Center (ic3.gov), and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit (da.countyofsb.org/da/ consumer-protection), if the scam occurred in Santa Barbara County.

––Evelyn Spence

who was now inside the residence naked, having forced entry through a rear door window. Deputies gained access and arrested the subject, who resisted being placed in cuffs and in the patrol vehicle.

Friday, Sept. 22

1319 hrs / Incident / Carpinteria Avenue and Casitas Pass Road

A sergeant encountered a subject crossing illegally in the intersection of Carpinteria Avenue and Casitas Pass Road. As the suspect loitered in the roadway, the sergeant used his PA to order the suspect to leave the roadway. The suspect became aggressive and refused to follow orders. Multiple deputies responded to assist with placing the suspect in handcuffs, who was then booked at Santa Barbara County Jail without incident.

1617 hrs / Incident / Carpinteria Avenue and Palm Avenue

A man was observed walking on the sidewalk and was known to be PRCS. He was found to have a warrant, and was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail without incident.

Saturday, Sept. 23

0804 hrs / Incident / 4900 block Sandyland Road

Items were stolen from an unlocked vehicle and some were later located at a lifeguard stand at the end of Linden Avenue. Items were also located that weren’t from the reported theft.

1016 hrs / Incident / 100 block Holly Avenue

A vehicle was stolen from a local parking lot. A watch in the car pinged at Mussel Shoals at 0748 hrs. Video footage from that location showed the vehicle enter the beach parking area there and leave approximately five minutes later. The victim’s cards were used in Ventura and Oxnard, as well as back in Carpinteria at 1700 hours.

Thursday, March 14

Library preschooler story time ibrary, 5141 Carpinteria Ave., 684-4314

Rotary Club of Carpinteria meeting ions Park Community Building, 6197 Casitas Pass road, non-members rSVP to 566-1906

Bingo Farmers Market and Arts & Crafts Fair inden Ave. downtown, Craft fair: 684-2770

Free Stress Relief Veteran’s Acupuncture Clinic, 6-7 p.m. drop in, 4690 Carpinteria Ave. Ste. A, 684-5012

Karaoke, Dusty Jugz Country Night

Friday, March 15

CVCC Lunch & Learn, noon-1 p.m., Curious Cup, 929 linden Ave., 684-5479 x10. The Peace Vigil, 5-6 p.m., corner of linden & Carpinteria Ave.

Music in our Schools Month Concert, 7:30 p.m., CHS cafeteria, 4810 foothill road, 684-4701

Back Track, 9 p.m., the Palms, 701 linden Ave., 684-3811

Saturday, March 16

Carpinteria Salt Marsh docent led tours, 10 a.m., free walks start from the park sign, 684-8077

SURF & TIDES

Magicarp Pokemon League, 11 a.m., Curious Cup, 929 linden Ave., (619) 972-3467

Energy Balancing, 2-4 p.m., Curious Cup, 929 linden Ave., free

“The Quiet Man,” 8 p.m., Plaza Playhouse theater, 4916 Carpinteria Ave., $5

The Groovie Line, 9 p.m., the Palms, 701 linden Ave., 684-3811

Monday, March 18

Women of Inspiration, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Girls inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 foothill road, $70, 684-6364

Basic Bridge, 1 p.m., Sandpiper Mobile Village clubhouse, 3950 Via real, 684-5921 Mah Jongg, 1 p.m., Sandpiper Mobile Village clubhouse, 3950 Via real, 729-1310

Bingo

Celebrate Recovery (Hurts, Hangups, Addictions) irst Baptist Church, 5026 foothill rd., 684-3353

CVCC’s Cuba Trip Meeting oom, 5141 Carpinteria Ave., 684-5479 x10

A Community Toolbox: How to Serve the Depressed Person with Understanding, 7-8:30 p.m., Carpinteria Woman’s Club, 1059 Vallecito road, 684-2509

Tuesday, March 19

Coffee with Cops, 9-11 a.m., Crushcakes, 4945 Carpinteria Ave., 684-5405 x437

Carpinteria Writers’ Group, 10 a.m.-noon, Carpinteria library multipurpose room, 5141 Carpinteria Ave., 684-7838

Sandpiper Duplicate Bridge Club, 1 p.m., Sandpiper Mobile Village Clubhouse, 3950 Via real, 684-5522

Battle of the Books club, 3:30 p.m., Curious Cup, 929 linden Ave., 220-6608

Beginner Meditation Workshop, 6:30 p.m., Curious Cup back meeting room, 929 linden Ave., 705-4703

Al-Anon Meeting, 7-8 p.m., faith lutheran Church, 1335 Vallecito Place, 331-4817

ESL Class, 7 p.m., first Baptist Church, 5026 foothill road, free, 684-3353

Wednesday, March 20

Morning Rotary meeting with Cyndi Macias, The Gym Next Door, 7-8 a.m., Woman’s Club, 1059 Vallecito rd., $10

Meditation, 10:30-noon, Carpinteria Woman’s club, 1059 Vallecito rd., 847-208-6520

Knitting Group, 1-4 p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 941 Walnut Ave., free, 684-8077

Fighting Back Parent Program, 5:30-7 p.m., Canalino School, 1480 Carpinteria Ave., 963-1433 x125 or x132

Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

Kiwanis Club Meeting, 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 941 Walnut Ave., 368-5644 Coastal View Book Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Carpinteria Branch library, 684-4428

8 Ball Tournament, 7:30 p.m., Carpinteria & linden Pub, 4954 Carpinteria linden Ave.

ONGOING

Lani Garfield photography show, island Brewing Co., 5049 6th St., 745-8272

Michael Fisher Fish art show, Corktree Cellars, 910 linden Ave., 684-1400

Liz Brady art show, Porch, 3823 Santa Claus lane, 684-0300

Arturo Tello art show, friends of the library used Bookstore, 5103 Carpinteria Ave., 566-0033

“SPACE” exhibit, 855 At the Arts Gallery, 855 linden Ave., 684-7789

Carpinteria Plein Air Painters art show,

UNPREDICTABLE WILDERNESS

CHUCK GRAHAM

A legion of black flies menaced her scuffed-up snout as the lioness lazed the afternoon away at Okondeka, a reliable, year-round waterhole located within Etosha National Park in Northern Namibia in Southwest Africa.

Stretched out in the shade, the only sign of movement was her long tail waving like a magic wand. Okondeka is one of at least 40 waterholes that surround the southern fringe of the glaringly massive Etosha Salt Pan. The pan itself is 75 miles long and 32 miles wide. Etosha means “great white place,” in the native Oshindonga tongue. Okondeka has a long history of prides of lions thriving around this specific waterhole.

After three weeks enjoying the grit and grind of Namibia, my girlfriend Holly and I arrived at Etosha National Park, one of the largest and oldest national parks in all of Africa. As soon as we got there, I remembered Okondeka. A decade ago, I was traveling across Namibia, and was fortunate to see a large pride of lions hunting at Okondeka.

So, when Holly and I drove into Etosha in May 2023, it all came back to me. We drove straight to Okondeka. Along the way we passed herds of pronking springbok, dusty wildebeest, majestic gemsbok and teary-eyed steenbok, antelope species all on the menu of a hungry lion. We also saw a loping brown hyena (a highlight), towering giraffes and oodles of ostriches scuffing at the dry, dusty Namibian loam.

The black stripes of massive herds of zebra offered a nice visual contrast against the arid desert backdrop. However, their behavior within the herds and their braying and honking amongst all the other Southern African fauna made them a standout species for Holly and me.

Okondeka itself is ideal for a pride of lions. The topography is perfect for them to survive in. The waterhole is located on the edge of the Etosha Salt Pan. Just west are several gullies that gradually ascend a slope towards dense vegetation, perfect places for lions to rest, but also ambush prey.

The reliable water source attracts throngs of wildlife, from rhino and wildebeest to black-backed jackals and various antelope. Throughout the day,

Waterhole reflections

animals make their way back and forth to Okondeka. All the lions must do is wait out their prey. After Holly and I watched the lone lioness into the late afternoon, we decided to come back at dawn.

The next morning, anticipation mounted as to what we might see. We weren’t disappointed. The lioness was now resting on a berm overlooking the Okondeka waterhole. With her was a large male lion with an impressive mane. There were also two rambunctious cubs. It appeared sometime in the night they had killed a wildebeest. It looked as if they had fed all night and were now satiated and sleepy.

Holly and I, along with other folks in their vans and 4x4s, were angling to get a decent look at the lions. We waited for any drama or behavior to unfold for a couple hours but we didn’t wait long enough. Etosha is massive, and although we saw plenty of wildlife, we should’ve stayed put for about four more hours. However, we didn’t. I grew a little impatient because so many people showed up, so we moved on.

When we returned, there had been a dramatic shift in the scene. We arrived just as the big male lion was stashing the approximately 250-pound wildebeest

carcass underneath a bush. We missed the portage, which was about a tenth of a mile – impressive strength displayed by the burly male lion.

A pair of black-backed jackals were aware of the carcass and scheming on how they could reach it without going the way of the wildebeest. Brazen but always strategic, the jackals eventually got close enough for some scraps as all four lions napped in the shade near the carcass. They weren’t the only scavengers

around. Two pied crows quickly bounced to within a couple of feet of the snoozing lions, nabbing scraps before reemerging from the shadows.

In all, Holly and I saw 13 lions throughout Etosha National Park. We saw a pair mate three times within a 40-minute stretch, and we found lions on three separate kills.

After 16 trips to Africa, anticipation always mounts and remains throughout each excursion. Not knowing what to expect is a gift, and the Namibian desert never disappoints.

Adventure and travel writer Chuck Graham lives in Carpinteria and contributes his writing and photography to publications far and wide. For more wildlife photos, visit chuckgrahamphoto.com or follow Graham on Instagram at @chuckgrahamphoto.

CHUCK GRAHAM PHOTOS

Two male lions walk with adolescent cubs at Okondeka in 2013.

A lone male lion walks at the Okondeka waterhole in Namibia, 2013.

A male lion secures a wildebeest carcass at Okondeka, Namibia, in 2023.

A black-backed jackal gazes into the bushes where the wildebeest carcass was stored in Okondeka, Namibia, 2023.

After 16 trips to Africa, anticipation always mounts and remains throughout each excursion. Not knowing what to expect is a gift, and the Namibian desert never disappoints.

ON THE ROAD

THROWBACK THURSDAY

CVN makes annual Chicago trip

Local Dennis Schroeder – pictured in front of one of his favorite restaurants Miller’s Pub, with the tracks of the L train above him – brought his copy of CVN on his annual trip to Chicago.

“He drives from California to Illinois once a year for his vacation,” Paul Kern, Schroeder’s longtime friend told CVN. “He’s done the drive for decades and now has many, many friends in Chicago who he enjoys visiting.”

Going on the road?

Days gone by at Fosters Freeze

Longtime Carpinterians allude to the old days like proud scholars of ancient history, Lea Boyd wrote in a 2014 Carpinteria Magazine feature.

There were the years before the freeway cut through town, with fond memories of citrus groves predating Casitas Plaza, and the stories about the old Fosters Freeze – a small, wooden building where customers walked up and leaned against a narrow counter to order through a dark window. After a short wait at one of the picnic tables in front, a brown paper bag hot with blossoming grease stains emerged, or maybe spiral staircases of soft serve ice cream or sweating Pepsi cups filled with something sweet and cold. This was the Fosters of the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s, a place where you sat facing Carpinteria Avenue and when your friends motored by, you lifted a hand to greet their honking horn.

Three employees could run the little, walk-up burger joint: one on the register, one cooking and one bagging food and making shakes. In the early days, cheeseburgers were 55 cents, hot dogs 45 cents,

and a large soda 25 cents.

Carpinterian Pat Ary submitted this photo of Fosters Freeze snapped in 1967. Ary posted the image on social media last week, sparking fond memories from many locals.

Amanda Williamson commented, “I used to walk up from across the street at Vallecito and get a really good fried burrito for 50 cents!”

Creig Dolge wrote, “I put myself through UCSB working at Foster’s Freeze… started in 1974 earning $1.65 per hour.”

Bryanna Ojeda said, “Oh man, I miss Fosters Freeze, (g)ood memories of my grandpa taking us and getting dipped ice cream!”

Linda Rose asked, “I’m still looking for their Kona recipe. Anyone know it?”

And Jonathan Cruz commented, “I’m 24 years old and wish I was born in the era of this photo. Seemed more genuine and great fun with friends just enjoying a milkshake rather than going to a bar.”

Calidad Devida concluded, “Miss it so much!”

Carpinteria High School students enjoy a break at Fosters Freeze in 1967. The photo was published in the yearbook, Chismahoo, that year.

SPORTS

September 28, 2023

Carpinteria tennis drops first loss after 9-0 start

Warriors girls tennis proves dominant on the court in 2023

BY RYAN P. CRUZ • PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

Carpinteria girls tennis has been nearly impossible to beat this season, starting out the year with nine straight wins before suffering its first defeat of 2023 in a tough non-league match against the Thacher Toads.

The Warriors started the week with a dominant 17-1 win at home against Fillmore, advancing to 9-0 overall on the year and 5-0 in the Citrus Coast League.

In the win over Fillmore, coach Charles Bryant took the opportunity to switch up the lineup and allow players to play in different spots or with new partners in doubles. The changes paid off with much success, and the team responded by winning every set except one.

“They seemed to be slightly more invigorated for this new challenge,” Bryant said. “Plus, it is a great way to become more of an all-court player versus just being too one dimensional.”

Izzy Scott – who typically plays in singles – teamed up with Charlotte Cooney in doubles for a 3-0 sweep. Cooney’s usual partner, Allison Banks, paired up with Sasha Porinsh to win two sets then grabbed a third set win with Brenda Martinez. Sara Fakinos did the same, going 2-0 with Keyla Manriquez before teaming up with Clover Martinez for a third set win.

“It is not always easy playing with different partners, but I was really pleased with all of our doubles teams today and how they adapted and learned to communicate with different players,” Bryant said.

Silke Leonard continued a stellar season in singles play with another 3-0 sweep, without dropping a single game. Taylor Trembley, who has emerged as another weapon for the Warriors, followed up with a 3-0 sweep of her own.

A few days later, the Warriors hit the road

to Ojai to face Thacher for what turned out to be Carpinteria’s biggest challenge of the year so far.

Carpinteria jumped out to a 7-5 lead after the first two rounds, but Thacher had a big run in the third round to bring the match even at 9-9. With the teams tied in sets, the match went to Thacher, which won 70 games compared to 65 for the Warriors.

“Games matter and we had sets where we had big leads but let the Toads win a game or two at the end of the set. Or we had sets where we were down 0-4 and just didn’t put up the fight to win a game or two,” Bryant said.

“But the positive is, it is better to happen now then down the road in the playoffs,” he said. “Close losses are more painful, as you start to ask the ‘woulda-shoulda-coulda’ questions, but I am hoping this loss turns into more of a positive and a learning opportunity for the girls. All games matter when you know going in that the match will be tight. I am hoping we learned that lesson today.”

He gave credit to the Thacher team, which he said “did not give up and kept fighting and clawing back” throughout the match.

In the loss, the Warriors had a strong showing in singles, winning seven out of nine sets, led again by Leonard and Scott who both finished with 3-0 sweeps.

In doubles, Carpinteria was challenged by Thacher’s duos, with the Toads taking all but two of the nine sets.

“They exposed us a bit, which again, I will take as a positive,” Bryant said.

With the loss, Carpinteria is now 9-1 overall and still the top team in the Citrus Coast League at 5-0 heading into next week.

ABOVE, Clover Martinez helped Carpinteria grab a win in doubles over the Flashes.

LEFT, Allison Banks went 3-0 in doubles in the Warriors’ win over Fillmore.

Izzy Scott showed her versatility in two matches this week with 3-0 sweeps in both doubles and singles.

Silke Leonard was undefeated in singles play, finishing 6-0 through two matches last week.

SHORT STOPS

BY RYAN P. CRUZ • PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

Carpinteria football falls to 2-3 after loss at Viewpoint

After starting the football season with back-to-back wins, the Warriors have lost three in a row, falling to 2-3 in the season after a loss on Friday against Viewpoint in Calabasas.

The Warriors had a tough time finding offense, with the biggest play of the day being an 85-yard kickoff return by Sebastian Hernandez.

Viewpoint’s junior quarterback Connor Egan had 230 yards passing, threw for one touchdown and ran for a touchdown in the win over Carpinteria. The Warriors are now 2-3 overall heading into league play next week.

“The Warriors continue to play hard in preparation for league play,” said Carpinteria coach Mario Robinson. “Tough preseason games will get us ready for good teams in the Citrus Coast League as we look to prepare for the league opener versus Hueneme and keep improving and getting better. The team and coaches continue to believe and will work hard next week in practice to win the league opener.”

Warriors golf takes third at league match

Carpinteria’s girls golf team placed in the top three at the second Citrus Coast League match at Saticoy Regional Golf Course in Ventura on Sept. 21.

Sophomore Jamaica Cook continues to lead the way for the Warriors, taking second place out of all competitors with a score of 44. Three different Warriors – sophomores Kiana Kiah and Laureen Partida and freshman Athziry Rojas – all shot a score of 55.

Carpinteria placed third out of seven teams with a combined score of 265, just two strokes behind second-place Santa Paula (263) and less than ten strokes behind first-place Nordhoff (256).

Cate Rams Roundup

Over at Cate School, the girls volleyball team split two matches in the past week, beating Laguna Blanca 3-1 before losing to La Riena by the same margin. Meanwhile in cross country, brother and sister Seb and Francesca Sutch both took wins at the Tri County Athletic Association’s first meet at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura.

In girls volleyball, the Rams got off to a hot start against Laguna Blanca, taking the first set (25-21) and the second (25-25) before Laguna Blanca responded with a win in the third (24-26). Cate closed out the win in the fourth by a score of 25-17.

Lizbeth Alpizar keeps the ball alive for the Warriors.

Warriors volleyball wins three in a row in league

After sweeping the Fillmore Flashes 3-0 in the previous week, Carpinteria girls volleyball took that momentum into last week with two more Citrus Coast League wins over Santa Paula and Nordhoff, bringing the Warriors to second place in league at 5-2.

The Warriors started the week with a road game at Santa Paula. Carpinteria took the first set, 25-19, but Santa Paula responded in the second set with a 20-25 win to even the match at 1-1.

But after that, it was all Carpinteria, with the Warriors taking the third set 25-15 then taking the match win 3-1 in the fourth set by the same score, 25-15.

Carpinteria’s outside hitters Averi Alexander and Liz Alpizar led the way in the victory over Santa Paula with 11 kills each. Senior Amarisse Camargo pitched in with eight assists and senior Alexiana Jaimes tallied 10 assists and five digs.

Two days later the Warriors hosted the Nordhoff Rangers in what was a competi-

tive match, with Carpinteria taking three close sets for the 3-0 sweep.

Carpinteria took the first set, 25-20, then in the second set, the Rangers jumped out to a 14-5 lead before Carpinteria senior Jenny Valencia went on a hot streak at the service line with 13 straight points to give the Warriors the lead 18-14. Carpinteria took the second set, 25-18, then took the match sweep in the third by a score of 25-19.

Valencia finished with a monster stat line of 15 assists, eight kills and 19 service points in the win, while Alexander led the team with 16 total kills.

Carpinteria is now 8-5 overall and 5-2 in the Citrus Coast League heading into a busy week with a match at home against Malibu before hosting the Carpinteria Fall Classic Volleyball Tournament this weekend with Ventura, Calabasas, Azusa, Rio Mesa, Cabrillo, Thacher and Santa Ynez.

“A lot of players stepped up and produced tonight besides our usual leaders,” said Cate coach Jordon Dyer. “Melanie Davidson and Oyin Opawumi yet again led our team statistically, yet it was also great to see an overall team effort tonight. Shoutout to Fallon Erickson for helping us go on a handful of serving runs as well as Josie Frazier for winning several clutch plays at the net.”

Two days later Cate was on the losing side of a 3-1 match, with La Reina jumping out to a 2-0 lead before the Rams were able to grab a win in the third set, 25-15. La Reina sealed the deal in the fourth by a score of 25-17.

“La Reina is a well-rounded team and they showed that tonight. La Reina’s serving was tough, their setter was great, and their offense was potent,” Dyer said. “For our side of the net, I think we played well and stepped up to the challenge.”

In cross country, Cate traveled to Arroyo Verde Park for the first TCAA meet of the season.

The meet served as a coming out party for several Cate freshmen and sophomores, with nine runners – six boys and three girls – finishing in the top ten in the underclassmen divisions. Freshmen Ati Zwieback and Jackson Steele took first and second for the boys, while freshman Valentina Selmoni was the top finisher in fifth place for girls junior varsity.

But the story of the day was the dominance of the Sutch family. Junior Francesca Sutch took first place in girls varsity by more than a minute with a time of 20:49, while senior Seb Sutch took first in the boys varsity race by nearly 50 seconds with a time of 16:09.

Three more varsity girls placed in the top ten for Cate – Caroline Keohane, Jen Won and Stella Rodgers – while seniors Everest Schipper and George Gordon came in second and fifth place, respectively, for the boys.

CVN

ON DECK

Thursday, September 28

Carpinteria Girls Golf at Citrus Coast League Match (Olivas Links), 1:30 p.m.

*Carpinteria Girls Tennis vs Nordhoff, 3:30 p.m.

*Carpinteria Boys Water Polo vs Santa Ynez, 3:45 p.m.

Carpinteria Girls Volleyball at Channel Islands, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, September 29

Carpinteria Football at Hueneme, 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 30

*Carpinteria Girls Volleyball hosts Fall Classic Tournament, 8 a.m.

*Denotes Home Game

Jenny Valencia had a breakout game with 19 service points in the win over Nordhoff.

CRUZ ON SPORTS

RYAN P. CRUZ

What’s in a name?

In the couple of years that I’ve been covering sports for Coastal View News, I have come to know and love the Carpinteria High School identity and motto of “Warrior Spirit Never Dies.”

The way the community rallies around Carpinteria sports and those four words is inspiring. It’s something that carries decades of history and athletic tradition, and it’s likely that if you wear the red and black, your parents and maybe your grandparents were also Warriors.

But there’s something that I have always wondered about, and at the risk of bringing up old arguments, I have to address the strange feeling it gives me when I think too much about the deeper meaning behind using the name “Warriors” – a Native American reference – as a team mascot.

The push for changing Native Americanthemed logos and mascots is nothing new, with the sports world almost agreeing enmasse a decade ago that derogatory names like “Indians” and “Redskins” were offensive and inappropriate. In 2015, California became the first state in the country to ban the use of “Redskins” in high school sports.

Some teams, such as the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos, acknowledged that its name was a term that was seen as offensive to natives from the region. Edmonton voluntarily changed its mascot to the Elks, and even worked with an indigenous artist, Conrad Plews, to help design the new team logo.

Other teams kept their school identities because they represented actual groups, such as the Florida State Seminoles and the Utah Utes – both named for actual tribes.

But there is another set of names that have ambiguous or well-meaning connotations, and in this category is where I would place the “Warriors.” These names, like the “Braves,” are terms that are meant to inspire pride or pay homage to Native Americans, and in many cases, these mascots are designed directly to represent tribes or groups from their regions.

It’s easy to say that these types of mascots are harmless or even flattering representations, but that’s only if you are not a part of the group that is being represented. In Carpinteria, knowing the

history of the Chumash people that are indigenous to this area, it’s hard for me to accept that the term “Warrior” reflects anything I know to be true about the Chumash people.

Chumash are historically peaceful hunter-gatherers and fishermen who learned to navigate the coast thousands of years before the Spanish arrived.

Nearly 15 years ago, a student with Chumash heritage brought this debate to light when he asked the school board to remove some of the emblems that were considered offensive, particularly the image of a generic Native man wearing a Plainsstyle headdress and a scowling caricature that was used on the school’s letterman jackets.

The request sparked an intense debate in the community, with locals arguing that the Warrior name and mascot were a source of pride for the community since 1928 when it was first adopted. After a months-long battle, the school board decided in a 3-2 vote to keep the name and get rid of some of the more offensive depictions, while keeping its traditional imagery.

The current logo, used on Carpinteria’s football helmets and team uniforms, is the “C” with an arrow and two feathers. According to the former student who designed the logo, the “C” is for Carpinteria while the arrow represents “moving forward” and the fathers are a symbol of peace.

Personally, I don’t find any part of the current logo explicitly offensive, and I could say the same for the name “Warriors.” On the surface, they aren’t harmful, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be improved.

Ideally, the arrow and feathers should visually represent the area, and I think there’s an opportunity to play with it and make something new and visually appealing (Chumash did use arrows for hunting,

and red hawks are native to the area).

In 2020, another petition started making the rounds in an effort to get the school to change the mascot to something that would honor the indigenous people of Carpinteria. The petition reached 3,900 signatures, but still the issue has not been formally addressed.

And I understand why not. When you walk around Carpinteria, Warriors logos are everywhere. It’s embedded in the fabric of the community, and even the mention of changing the name is likely to elicit a chuckle or a you-can’tbe-serious smirk.

Even after some deep thought, I can’t for the life of me think of any viable options. The Washington Redskins changed to the Commanders, and the Cleveland Indians are now the Guardians, but I can’t imagine a world without the Carpinteria Warriors.

Is this one of those battles not even worth fighting? I’d like to think that people would be open to discuss the issue, but I also understand that things like a school mascot are so near and dear to some folks that they can’t even entertain the thought.

So, I guess for some people, a name is more than just a name – it’s a positive community identity, and I can respect that. But I just want to make sure that if there are people in the community who want to have a real discussion about these types of things, we listen to their voices as well.

Ryan P. Cruz is the sports editor for Coastal View News. This is the latest installment of a monthly column where he explores local sports, sports history, and what’s in store for the future of Carpinteria sports. Have an idea, tip, or sports story? Email me at sports@ coastalview.com.

For some people, a name is more than just a name – it’s a positive community identity, and I can respect that. But I just want to make sure that if there are people in the community who want to have a real discussion about these types of things, we listen to their voices as well.

Nearly 15 years ago, the Carpinteria School Board decided in a 3-2 vote to keep the name “Warriors” and get rid of some of the more offensive depictions, while keeping its traditional imagery. The current logo, used on Carpinteria’s football helmets and team uniforms, is the “C” with an arrow and two feathers.

St. Vincent de Paul Walk/Run returns

PHOTOS BY MIKE LEE

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Friends of the Poor Walk/Run returned to Carpinteria on Saturday, Sept. 23, with more than $7,000 in donations received this year, according to organizer Mike Lee.

The 5K event covered flat terrain, starting at Carpinteria’s business district. This year marked the fifth year the local St. Vincent de Paul chapter from Carpinteria sponsored this event. Nationally, the event generates millions in donations; 100% of all donations made locally go back to the community, Lee said.

“We were very excited and pleased with the event. We had the most participation since the Covid hiatus, with walkers, runners and volunteers coming to Carpinteria from as far distant as Guadalupe, Lompoc and Santa Ynez, as well as Simi Valley, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks,” Lee told CVN. “I feel we accomplished every aspect of the goal, and we are really looking forward to an even bigger and better Friends of the Poor Walk/Run next year.”

“We are always looking for volunteers to work with us, as we serve the disadvantaged in the Carpinteria area,” he added.

Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Lee at (805) 698-5680.

Babies to Big Kids Music Classes BRING A FRIEND ALONG!

KindermusikwithKathy.com

Local Carp and SB classes

Participants started the walk and run in Carpinteria’s business district, ultimately raising over $7,000 for those in need.

Holy spirit, you who made me see everything and showed me the way to reach my ideals. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. Thank you for your love towards me and my loved ones. Amen

Persons must pray the prayer 3 consecutive days without asking the wish. After 3rd day the wish will be granted no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to publish this dialogue as soon as favor is granted. Thank you.

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