Coastal View News • March 28, 2024

Hello, spring

9 National Vietnam War Veterans Day: March 29

12

The ins and outs of Twice as Nice

15

29 Warriors

girls move to 3-0 in league meet

Carpinteria’s oldest centenarian Mary Ota turns 105

Chumash descendent Julie Tumamait-Stenslie stands at Mishopshno Meadow on the Carpinteria Bluffs just after 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 24; Tumamait-Stenslie, and the rest of Carpinteria’s early risers, met on the bluffs for the 26th annual Sunrise Ceremony, organized each year by the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs. Attendees – who are encouraged to bring a poem, story or song to share – welcome spring and receive a blessing from Tumamait-Stenslie.

KARLSSON

Carpinteria

Community Church HOLY WEEK SERVICES

MARCH 28: MAUNDY THURSDAY

6 pm Parish Hall, Communion

MARCH 29: GOOD FRIDAY

6 pm Sanctuary

MARCH 31: EASTER SUNDAY

1O am Sanctuary, Communion

1111 Vallecito Rd • 805-684-2211

carpchurch@gmail.com • CarpinteriaCommunityChurch.org

online. community. news.

The Chrisman California Islands Center will host a grand opening on Thursday, April 4 at 10 a.m. The center is located at 4994 Carpinteria Ave.

Chrisman California Islands Center opens April 4

The Santa Cruz Island Foundation’s Chrisman California Islands Center – located at 4994 Carpinteria Ave. – will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 4. Visitors should arrive by 9:30 a.m.; the program will start at 10 a.m.

The long-awaited educational research center will occupy the former Bank of America building at the corner of Carpinteria and Linden avenues. On its Linden Avenue-facing wall is John Wullbrandt’s iconic avocado mural, “The Carpinteria Valley: A Growing Heritage,” which was relocated from 4960 Carpinteria Ave. last year.

See more online at ccislandscenter.org or RSVP to info@scifoundation.org.

Rain expected

Thursday–Monday

Santa Barbara County – and nearby San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Los Angeles counties – are expected to see rain starting Thursday.

According to the National Weather Services the coast could see 1.5–2.5 inches of rain, while the mountains and foothills could see three to five inches. Peak rain rates will be 0.25–0.5 inch an hour, with isolated 0.5–0.75 in/hr bursts.

Stay updated online at weather.gov/ losangeles.

Election results certified

The Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Joseph E. Holland certified the results of the March 5, 2024 election race late last week on Friday, March 22.

In the District 1 race for the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, final numbers show Roy Lee came in first with 12,745 votes, or 50.96% of the vote, while incumbent Das Williams trailed with 12,180 votes, or 48.70% of the vote. There were 83 write-in votes.

Grab eclipse glasses at Carpinteria Library

Ahead of the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, the Carpinteria Community Library will offer eclipse glasses for free to library card holders starting April 1. Even though Carpinteria is not in the direct path of the eclipse, locals will be able to see a partial eclipse, with the moon covering nearly 50% of the sun starting at 10 a.m.

“According to NASA, it will not be safe to look directly at the partial eclipse at any time when viewing from anywhere in California. The eclipse can be viewed with eclipse safety glasses or hand-held solar viewers and there are multiple ways to create an eclipse projector with cardboard, paper plates, and even an aluminum steamer,” librarian Jody Thomas told CVN.

Glasses are limited to one per family member. The Carpinteria Community Library is located at 5141 Carpinteria Ave.; it is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.

Learn more online at carpinterialibrary.org or by calling (805) 684-4314.

Carpinteria residents eligible for flood insurance premium discounts

Starting April 1, Carpinteria residents will be eligible for a five percent discount on their flood insurance premiums, city spokesperson Olivia Uribe-Mutal said Monday.

Because the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Carpinteria’s enrollment in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System, city residents will qualify for that discount on flood insurance for most NFIP policies renewed or issued after April 1, according to Uribe-Mutal.

“The enrollment process with FEMA took about two years, but I am excited for the Carpinteria community to be enrolled now in the Community Rating System,” said John Ilasin, Carpinteria Public Works director/city engineer, who is also the city’s designated floodplain administrator.

“Achieving this milestone not only reinforces the City’s commitment to proactive floodplain management including sustainability- and resilience-building efforts, but it also provides for a discount on the cost of flood insurance premiums for the entire Carpinteria community,” he added.

Questions about the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System can be directed to Ilasin at (805) 880-3402 or johni@carpinteriaca.gov. The city’s floodplain management website can be viewed at carpinteriaca.gov/public-works/ engineering-division/floodplain-management.

Community Services grant applications open

The city of Carpinteria’s Community Services Support Program has opened grant applications for local nonprofits who “contribute significantly to the community’s well-being and public good,” city spokesperson Olivia Uribe-Mutal said.

There are four funding categories open: community collaboration, for organizations that support outreach, education, collaboration, affordable housing, equity and inclusion and improving city services; social services, for organizations that serve Carpinteria in other ways, such as health, wellness, transportation, childcare and more; community events, for special events that incorporate the council’s strategic goals and priorities; and city council initiatives/emergent needs.

The latter is by invitation only. Organizations should only submit one per category.

Projects or events that will happen by June 30, 2024 fall under Fiscal Year 2023/24; projects or events that are scheduled between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 fall under Fiscal Year 2024/25. For FY 2023/24, the budget was $191,350; of that, $133,000 has already been awarded. The FY 2024/25 budget has not been finalized.

The grant application deadline for both fiscal years is April 19, 2024; the Carpinteria City Finance Committee will review the applications on April 25, 2024, with a possible second review on May 23, 2024.

Interested nonprofits can submit applications to OliviaU@carpinteriaca.gov.

State of the City luncheon: April 12

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce will host the 2024 State of the City Luncheon on Friday, April 12, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Visitors will hear from the local mayors and leaders of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta, including Carpinteria Mayor Al Clark.

City leaders will also host a panel to discuss how city strategies and projects impact the community; this panel will include Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet,

city of Santa Barbara Assistant City Administrator René Eyerly and Carpinteria City Manager Michael Ramirez.

“The State of the City luncheon is more than an annual event; it is a commitment to the future of the South Coast›s business community. It is an investment in understanding the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring that businesses are not only prepared for the future but are active participants in shaping it,” Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release.

The Hilton is located at 633 E Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara. For more information, visit SBSCChamber.com.

Museum Marketplace canceled

The Carpinteria Valley Historical Society and History Museum’s Marketplace is canceled due to predicted rain. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 30 at the museum grounds, 956 Maple Ave. The next marketplace is scheduled for April 27. For more information, call (805) 684-3112, email info@carpinteriahistoricalmuseum. org, or visit carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org.

COURTESY GRAPHIC

Heavy downpours are expected in Santa Barbara County on Friday night.

CITY BEAT

Council favors looser entertainment license regulations during Monday meeting

Island Brewing Company noise complaints take center stage during entertainment license update

BY ATMIKA IYER

The Carpinteria City Council favored loosening up entertainment license regulations during its Monday, March 25 meeting, directing staff to draft regulations that permanently incorporate outdoor live entertainment for businesses with entertainment licenses and doing away – for now – with decibel limits.

The council also reaffirmed a live music curfew of 9 p.m. for weekdays and 10 p.m. for holidays and weekends, and extended the number of cumulative hours businesses can host live entertainment to six hours during the weekdays and nine during the weekends.

The council also directed staff to do away with the three-strike policy – a policy where, if a business violates the live music regulations more than three times, the city can revoke its license – and replaced it with a citation policy. This matter will return to the council in the future for formal approval.

This agenda item comes after a monthslong, public disagreement involving a handful of Carpinterians complaining about live music coming from the Island Brewing Company (IBC), a brewery located in a warehouse on Sixth Street. The disagreement has elicited petitions and vehement proclamations from both sides during public comment periods – which the staff report also recognized.

“While it is not unusual to be able to hear live music to some degree in certain parts of the city on a regular basis, such live entertainment has not typically generated strong concerns from neighbors or surrounding uses,” the staff report stated.

Complaints regarding IBC’s weekend live entertainment have largely persisted since July 2023 from multiple households. Several complaints came two of the loudest voices on the issue, Eileen and Stephen Marcussen.

Since 2002, the city has required entertainment licenses for businesses that wish to host live entertainment on their premises as a way to regulate public impact. Live music has not traditionally been allowed outdoors under city law, except in cases of special events like the California Avocado Festival. Many of the businesses that had been hosting outdoor live entertainment had been doing so under Covid-19 regulations, which allowed businesses to take traditionally indoor activities and move them outside, including live entertainment events.

But none – under further city investigation – had the required city permits to host live entertainment. IBC, Corktree Cellars, the BrewLAB, The Apiary and Rincon Brewery have since applied for and received entertainment licenses.

“We developed some additional administrative entertainment license conditions that were intended to address some of the problems that we were having, primarily with outdoor live entertainment, to provide some more objective, measurable standards to apply to those complaints and help us resolve an alleged violation,” city Community Development Director Nick Bobroff said.

These measures included a limit of two hours of music during weekdays cumulatively, and six hours during the weekends, and put an end to live music by 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

As public commenters on both ends of the issue have turned to the council for guidance on navigating the situation, the agenda item was brought forth for the public and the council to weigh in on how

regulations,

measures should be changed to operate better for all parties.

Many public commenters noted that the culture of live music is part of the charm of Carpinteria, generates profits for the city and has a large network of support among the local community.

“How can the city council consider any ordinance that would negatively impact so many of your constituents? It is not the responsibility of government to hear just the voice of just one person, but rather support the reasonable voice or the majority,” commenter Bill Wellman said, opening the public comment period to raucous applause from the attendees of the meeting.

Mayor Al Clark asked that everyone hold their applause till the end of the public comment period, though attendees often ignored the request.

“I didn’t pay anybody, really,” IBC owner Paul Wright joked as he approached the podium to deliver his public comment, referencing the support. Wright told the council that the rule prohibiting noise further than 300 feet from the property lines was particularly difficult.

He added that some of the local entertainment business sponsors have formed an Entertainment Coalition to address common issues in shared spaces.

Will Breman, who said he has performed at IBC, said that he – and his colleagues – always play music at what he called “appropriate levels.”

“I have to play music that is easy enough to listen to and at appropriate levels otherwise I would not be invited back,” Breman said. “It’s not unique to me, in fact, it’s an expectation set by these businesses that the far majority of bands, musicians and musical colleagues of mine abide by.”

The majority of pub lic commenters that followed similarly came to the defense of IBC and other local businesses, repeatedly stating that the majority of complaints came from one household. Another common comment focused on the city’s commercial revenue benefit from live entertainment events.

“I don’t think Carpinteria wants to be known as the 1984 movie ‘Footloose,’ the city that banned music,” Lorraine McIntire, chair of the Downtown–T Advisory

Board, said. “Why do you want restrictive ordinances in a commercial area?”

Commenter Rosa Markhoff was one of the few to speak in favor of the current license conditions, sharing her concerns about the impacts of music that is too loud.

“I like music. I think a lot of these people think that other neighbors don’t like music and that’s what’s caused all the problems,” Markhoff said. “It’s unfair to single one family out because they don’t agree with the rest of the people in town. We support the businesses that are affected and acknowledge that they need to earn a living… but I also want to keep Carp, Carp.”

The Marcussens both spoke during the meeting against loosening the regulations. The two have lived part-time in Carpinteria for nearly 20 years, they told the council during their public comment – speaking out against other commenters who labeled them as outsiders with no understanding of Carpinteria culture – and had no issues with IBC’s noise prior to last summer.

“Please do not permit any of the entertainment license conditions to be erased or amended. We find any claim currently listed in the entertainment license dif-

ficult to comply with unbelievable and shocking,” Eileen Marcussen said during her public comment.

Councilmemb er Mónica Solórzano suggested amending the ordinance to permanently allow for outdoor live music beyond Covid-19 business allowances. Mayor Al Clark and Vice Mayor Natalia Alarcon concurred.

Solórzano also suggested using hours as a metric for guiding regulations rather than distance, and advocated for extending the allowed hours beyond the current limit.

Councilmember and District 1 Supervisor-elect Roy Lee spoke with sympathy for IBC.

“We have to think ahead, we have multiple businesses coming in the future and we want to plan for that,” Lee said.

“I think Island Brewing is being very targeted. It’s hard to see Paul and Cheryl frown, they have the best smiles in the world. Let’s fix that, let’s bring everybody together.”

Lee agreed with Solórzano to enforce the music limits through hours. Clark added that the Marcussens are “brave See

KARLSSON PHOTOS

Paul Wright, owner of Island Brewing Company, speaks to the council during public comment about live music

calling some of the license conditions too restrictive.

Eileen Marcussen – who, alongside her husband Stephen, has shared repeated concerns that live music coming from IBC is too loud – talks during the public comment portion of the council’s Monday, March 25 meeting.

Carpinteria City Council passes four proclamations

BY ATMIKA IYER

The Carpinteria City Council unanimously passed four proclamations during its Monday night meeting, designating April as DMV/Donate Life Month and Carpinteria Business Month, and the week of April 2 – 8, 2024, as International Dark Sky Week. The council also approved a proclamation congratulating the Community Awards Banquet on its 65th anniversary.

The first proclamation aims to encourage Carpinterians to sign up to be organ donors at the DMV, highlighting the drastic need for live-saving organs in California and across the country and identifying the urgent need for donated organs within Hispanic, Latino and African American communities.

“In recognition of National Donate Life Month, April 2024 is hereby designated as DMV/Donate Life Month in the city of Carpinteria and in doing so we encourage all California to check ‘YES!’ online, or when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or I.D. card at the DMV,” Mayor Al Clark read aloud from the proclamation.

The second proclamation declared April to be Carpinteria Business Month, celebrating the city’s local businesses. The proclamation recognizes that “local businesses create significant private sector employment opportunities, ensuring the strength and competitiveness of the local workforce.”

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The third proclamation looks to preserve the natural beauty of the night sky by bringing attention to light pollution in the nighttime. It was prompted from the Carpinteria Valley Association (CVA), represented during Monday’s meeting by CVA President Mike Wondolowski.

“The goal of this annual international event is to raise public awareness of the effects of light pollution and how simple it is to reduce it with responsible outdoor lighting,” Wondolowski said in a press release.

Proud Sponsor of the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center 2024 Summer Concert Series

“What is great is this is one of the rare forms of pollution that is completely reversible immediately – as soon as the light is turned off or pointed down, the

pollution is gone, helping maintain the character of our small beach town,” he added.

The proclamation also called for the city’s General Plan/Local Coastal Land Use Plans to account for ordinances that provide guidance for minimizing light pollution.

The final proclamation recognized the 65th anniversary of the Community Awards Banquet, where local service organizations, businesses, teachers and students are recognized for their contributions to Carpinteria. The proclamation also “commend(ed) the new Carpinteria Community Association for its commitment to honor the spirit of Carpinteria.”

Entertainment:

Continued from page 4

people” for speaking on their beliefs.

After some discussion, councilmembers found that the city lacked the proper technology to identify and reinforce decibel-based noise regulations at all times. Instead, they decided curfews were a preferred method of regulation.

The council decided to preserve outdoor live entertainment within the city, extend the cumulative hours allowed for live entertainment, remove the three strikes policy for revoking of entertainment license, remove distance as a metric for noise regulation and implement a hard curfew.

“We’re not going to solve this tonight, this will take more time to think and address, I think we should continue it and ask staff to bring us options we can look at hard,” Lee said.

They also decided to see how these changes blend with the community in the coming months, and go from there. “We have to try things out,” Clark said.

Front row, from left: Curtis Lopez, Pam Werner, Mary Ann Colson, Beth Cox, Shelley Nunes, Donna Lemere, KarenGraf and Al Clark; back row, from left, Roy Lee, Mónica Solórzano, Natalia Alarcon and Wade Nomura.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Carpinteria Valley Association President Mike Wondolowski, fourth from the right, accepts the proclamation from the city council declaring April 2–8, 2024, as International Dark Sky Week.

Council approves 24-unit mixed-use project at 4745 Carpinteria Avenue

BY JUN STARKEY

The Carpinteria City Council voted this week to approve the 4745 Carpinteria Ave. development – a 24-unit commercial and residential development – with the stipulation that the overall height of the project be brought down, and that one of the three low-income units be marketed at a very-low-income rate.

The council convened a special meeting on Tuesday, March 26 to discuss the project after appealing the Carpinteria Planning Commission’s approval of the development at its Feb. 12 regular meeting. Dozens of neighbors and community members spoke against the project at the Feb. 12 meeting, with concerns over the height of the project, the proximity and privacy of those living on Ninth Street and potential traffic issues.

“We definitely will not be able to have everybody satisfied with the outcome of this,” said Councilmember Wade Nomura, following public comment. “We all have to compromise somehow.”

The mixed-use development project at 4745 Carpinteria Ave. – headed by developer Justin Klentner, CEO of Western Built Construction – has gone back and forth between Carpinteria’s governing bodies over the past few years, mostly due to its use of the California Density Bonus Law, and concerns from neighbors regarding the size and scale of the development.

The California Density Bonus Law allows developers to increase the density of their property above what is allowed by local jurisdictions, in exchange for providing a certain percentage of affordable units. This development would utilize the law to include six additional units, with 24 total, and exceed the maximum building height permitted in Carpinteria. In exchange, the development would provide three units for low-income households for a minimum of 99 years.

During the council’s special meeting Tuesday, more than a dozen community members came out for public comment, with the majority speaking against the development.

“It seems unethical and absurd to violate the integrity of Carpinteria’s well-thought-out general plan, for three measly low-income units,” said public speaker Leslie Gascoigne.

Gascoigne and other public commenters argued that the affordable units, which are all one-bedroom units, would not go to local families or young people looking to settle down in Carpinteria.

Katherine Salant – a member of the Carpinteria Planning Commission who spoke as a private citizen during Tuesday’s meeting – outlined numerous concerns regarding privacy for potential residents. An example included the first-floor units with windows facing a public walkway, which Salant said would be uncomfortable for residents. Salant abstained from voting on the development when it came before

Stipulations added regarding height, affordability

“We definitely will not be able to have everybody satisfied with the outcome of this… We all have to compromise somehow.”

––Councilmember Wade Nomura

the commission in February.

Salant and other commenters, including Mike Wondolowski, president of the Carpinteria Valley Association, suggested the developers decrease the overall size of the units to allow for more privacy, and to decrease the excessive height of the development.

“This kind of thing is the unforeseen consequence of these new housing laws,” Salant said. “There is some room for towns like us, for the city council, to make these units more livable.”

Ninth Street residents also made their cases for appealing the project. Residents of the Arbor Trailer Mobile Home Park, which sits across the street from the property, have stated that the property would tower over the ground-floor trailers, eliminating privacy for some residents and obstructing views.

John Nicoli, the manager of the Arbor

Trailer Mobile Home Park, also shared traffic concerns, predicting that congestion from additional residents would make it difficult to exit onto Carpinteria Avenue. “I think it’s going to get very congested, and that’s in addition to all the people that live on Ninth Street already,” Nicoli said. “People on Ninth Street are parking on dirt, the dust is crazy. We need to take care of the residents that already live there.”

Some locals spoke in favor of the development, including Patrick Crooks, board president of Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs. Crooks argued that Carpinteria is bound to change as time goes on, and new developments are part of the process.

“I’m looking at this project from the standpoint of somebody who wants to retain the charms that this town does have in the open spaces,” Crooks said. “This

developer I believe does want Carp to remain Carp for what it can be.”

During council discussion, Vice Mayor Natalia Alarcon asked the developer to include at least one very-low-income unit. She complimented the developers for working to address concerns. “I think if we could choose out of any and all projects, this is a good one right now,” she said. “It’s gonna push Carpinteria a little bit, but I think we’re in a good place.”

Regarding concerns over the height, Klentner told the council that he will work to bring down the height of the project, stating that by reconfiguring the roof, he could bring it down by up to 17 inches.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the project with the new height and income stipulations, with council member Mónica Solórzano abstaining.

COURTESY PHOTO

Patrick Crooks, board president of the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, speaks in favor of the 4745 Carpinteria Ave. development at the Carpinteria City Council’s March 26 meeting.

COURTESY GRAPHIC

The 24-unit commercial and resident development at 4745 Carpinteria Ave. – seen here in renderings – now will include one very-low-income unit and be brought down by up to 17 inches in height, following Tuesday’s special city council meeting.

LETTERS

“If the voices of working-class families are overlooked in favor of those who envision Carpinteria as their idyllic retirement haven, what will become of our diverse community?”

– Rosie Blue

One-sided response from city

City Hall’s responsiveness to noise complaints is curiously selective. Is economic status the difference? Old Town Carpinteria is the third most expensive neighborhood in the United States (CVN, Vol. 30 No. 20), and a few of its resident’s complaints about live music led to swift action to address them.

By contrast, near Monte Vista Park – a neighborhood characterized by working-class residents and high-density living – a dog park was shoehorned into a busy park without regard for the neighbors’ noise concerns. This contrast seems to be a reflection of Carpinteria’s ongoing gentrification process.

What does it say about Carpinteria’s future? If the voices of working-class families are overlooked in favor of those who envision Carpinteria as their idyllic retirement haven, what will become of our diverse community? When working-age families are all gone, will our schools be turned into pickleball courts? Or, as in Montecito, will they be found too noisy too?

Rosie Blue Carpinteria

App to track rocket launches

The smartphone app Next Spaceflight can provide many technical details about scheduled and past rocket launches anywhere in the world. Filters can also be applied to select only specific agencies and specific launch locations, for example, the Vandenberg Space Force Base. In addition, the app can provide text notifications one day, one hour and ten minutes before launch. The app also provides a link to watch near real-time video of most launches. Military secrecy limits information on Minuteman launches.

People who know more about this should be consulted but I believe that distant sonic booms are more likely when there is a temperature inversion (warmer air above cooler air) and the sound is reflected between the warmer layer and the ground. Other possible factors in sonic booms include low surface wind speeds, temperature, humidity, wind turbulence, wind direction etc.

George Lehtinen Carpinteria

Goodbye, Coastland

How sad I am that the Coastland store is closing.

The Carpinteria Avenue store had such unique, reasonably priced gift items. The items could be used for housewarmings, birthdays, stocking stuffers, among many

more small gifts. Best get the profits go to the students that made them.

What a sad loss to our community.

Thank you, Dave and Rachel Roberts, for exposing Carpinterians to such lovely gifts and giving the profits to the students who make them. I’ll miss you and wish you success in your new venture.

Danel Trevor Carpinteria

Support pickleball community

I have to think (and I am echoing the sentiments of many of my fellow players) that it’s high time that the city of Carpinteria support our rapidly growing community of pickleball players by constructing permanent (hopefully lighted) pickleball courts here in Carpinteria. Let’s get it done!

Bob Smith Carpinteria

Organize for reasonable opposition

Election primaries are over, the final count in weeks after the vote. Once again, the animosity, the undercurrents, surfaced that exist within the political classes in District 1, southern Santa Barbara County.

For whatever reasons, in my 44 years here, until recently there has been no effort to organize tolerant conservatives and moderates (like me), until this year when Unite2Win805.com was created.

Hundreds of laborious, tedious hours were expended by impressive District 1 resident Cheryl Trosky, organizing the precinct project to enable neighbors to connect to get out the vote. To continue to deliver results, hundreds of committed conservatives, moderates, constitutionalists, business owners and workers are needed to volunteer as precinct captains to engage neighborhoods.

You’re wanted, needed and are essential to impact electoral outcomes! Get involved or nothing will change! Email Unite2win805@gmail.com to learn more.

A major side benefit of involvement is connecting with others to freely discuss without fear shared values on less government, taxation, fees, debt spending, medical mandates, public school instruction or whatever.

I encourage every local to read Andy Caldwell’s Santa Barbara Current article on your and my county debt obligations, “America is Now a Debtor Nation,” at sbcurrent.com/p/america-is-now-adebtor-nation.

Can most of us afford the status quo? No. It’s time to volunteer, to get involved!

Denice Spangler Adams Montecito

VIEWPOINT

Saturday is World Bipolar Day

BY STEFANIE HERRINGTON

One of my favorite quotes is from the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh: “I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.” If he was still alive, Van Gogh would turn 171 years old on Saturday, March 30. Alas, he committed suicide at age 37, just a few years shy of the average male lifespan at that time.

Van Gogh and I have one important trait in common. Something I didn’t know several years ago when I admired his famous painting “The Starry Night” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. And it’s certainly not our artistic skills!

Saturday, March 30 is World Bipolar Day, designated as such in honor of Van Gogh’s birthday. One in five adults live with a mental illness, and the artist and I share the same one.

Bipolar disorder is a treatable psychiatric condition that causes individuals to experience periods of mania and depression, sometimes in quick succession. Signs of mania include increased talkativeness, rapid speech, a decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, distractibility and an increase in goal-oriented activity. Signs of depression include low mood, decrease in energy, increase in sleep, lack of interest in hobbies and an overall struggle to perform typical activities. Depression can also cause thoughts of death or suicide.

Most people with bipolar disorder tend to operate more on the depressed end of the spectrum. Some people, like me, operate mostly in a state of hypomania, exhibiting higher-than-average energy levels. I call it my “superpower.” It’s when I get my greatest ideas along with the inspiration to see my ideas to fruition.

On average, bipolar disorder begins at age 20, but diagnosis usually takes twelve years, with women often diagnosed in their mid-30s. I was diagnosed after I experienced my first manic episode at the age of 38. Because I was hospitalized, my diagnosis was bipolar I. My psychiatrist says it’s likely I experienced bipolar II disorder since my 20s and finally cracked under the stress of my dad dying.

Following hospitalization, I was prescribed several medications. Over time, we landed on a combination of lithium and a low dose of an antidepressant. I currently meet with my psychiatrist every other month to review progress and adjust medications as necessary. One medication last summer caused a pseudo-Parkinson’s reaction making it

In CVN Vol. 30, No. 27, “Jr. Carpinterian of the Year nominees selected,” Lizbeth Alpizar Farfan played volleyball during her senior year of high school.

In CVN Vol. 30, No. 27, “Jr. Carpinterian of the Year nominees selected,” Sara

Bipolar disorder is a treatable psychiatric condition that causes individuals to experience periods of mania and depression, sometimes in quick succession.

difficult for me to walk or talk for a few weeks. Finding the right combination of medications has been a challenge.

The average lifespan of an individual with bipolar disorder is eight to 12 years shorter than those without the illness. It is common for individuals with untreated bipolar disorder to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol or experience additional mental health challenges such as anxiety or ADHD. Nearly 80% of individuals diagnosed as bipolar are unemployed. Bipolar disorder is also the third leading cause of hospitalization worldwide and approximately 10 million people in the United States are diagnosed as bipolar.

People with bipolar disorder generally benefit from psychiatric treatment. I have had three acute manic episodes in the past 18 months, each resulting in hospitalization. Medication, therapy, nutrition and exercise, and support from family and friends, have allowed me to navigate my journey with bipolar I disorder with relatively few disruptions. I am grateful for the support of local police officers, ambulance technicians, nursing staff and doctors at the Santa Barbara Psychiatric Health Facility and Cottage Hospital, and the team at the Behavioral Wellness Center’s South County Crisis Center.

Mental health takes a village, and it starts with open discussions. Please feel free to ask about my journey.

Stefanie is an estate planning attorney and the owner of Montecito Law Group, P.C.; she is also a real estate broker and the owner of Sticks + Sand, Inc. Stefanie lives in the Carpinteria Valley and serves on Santa Barbara County’s Behavioral Wellness Commission representing the First District, which includes Carpinteria.

Fakinos attends the Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. She donated 25 sleeping bags to the Carpinteria Homeless Outreach group; and she saved $1,330 from store discounts and sales.

In CVN Vol. 30, No. 27, “Canalino, Family School students put on a show at the Alcazar,” Grayson Hoffman was misidentified; he is a boy.

Council adjusts city budget, hosts capital improvement plan session

BY ATMIKA IYER

The Carpinteria City Council adjusted the city’s budget and received a mid-year budget report during a Tuesday, March 19 special meeting. The updated budget shows increases of $257,450 in operating revenues and transfers in, and $595,850 in expenditures and transfers out, for a total of $23.4 million and $32.2 million, respectively.

The fund balance at the end of the fiscal year is projected to be $13.8 million.

The estimated revenue from the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) decreased by $180,000 primarily due to a decline in rental activities – a trend countywide, city staff noted.

“Usually there is a lot more gain in revenue, I usually don’t have a drop like that on TOT except when 2020 and Covid hit,” city program manager Olivia Uribe-Mutal said. “The economy is a little different right now.”

City Manager Michael Ramirez said the city should prepare for flat revenues from sales taxes and Measure X funds, as well as increased costs from the Sheriff’s Office.

“A bit of plateauing in terms of revenue coming out of the pandemic,” Ramirez said. “Looking at our subsidies and our revenue sources is going to be a major focus of the city moving forward.”

The council unanimously voted to receive and file the report before moving on to the capital improvement plan study session.

The city’s capital improvement projects are divided into the following categories: Alternative Transportation, General Facilities, Highway Interchanges and Bridges, Parking Facilities, Parks and Recreation Facilities, Storm Drain Facilities, Streets and Thoroughfares and Traffic Control Facilities.

C ity staff also identified its critical infrastructure – defined by staff as “so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national public health or safety” – which includes bicycle facilities, bridges, parking lots, pedestrian facilities, roadway pavement, shoreline, stormwater drainage and quality and traffic control devices.

Staff also identified Carpinteria’s Essential Services Buildings, which includes the City Hall Campus, Community Library, Community Pool, lifeguard towers and the Veterans Memorial Building. Essential Services Buildings are defined as “used or designed to be used as a fire station, police station, emergency operations center, California Highway Patrol office, sheriff’s office or emergency communication dispatch center.”

“Usually there is a lot more gain in revenue, I usually don’t have a drop like that on TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) except when 2020 and Covid hit… The economy is a little different right now.”

––City Program Manager Olivia Uribe-Mutal

seek bids for construction – with several of its critical infrastructure projects including: the 2022 pavement rehabilitation project, the 2023 pavement maintenance and rehabilitation project, Carpinteria Avenue bridge replacement, Carpinteria High School Area crosswalk safety improvement project, former Venoco Oil Pipeline #0470 abandonment, the Franklin Creek Trail Improvement project, the Linden Avenue Improvements Carpinteria Avenue to Linden Avenue Overcrossing and the Via Real Stormwater project.

Public Works Director John Ilasin said that the pavement projects require the city’s immediate attention from a risk-management perspective. He also suggested prioritizing the bridge replacement project.

that isn’t shovel-ready is the Rincon Multi-Use Trail, which is likely to be incorporated in the next set of capital improvement projects.

City staff listed the Carpinteria Community Library, the Veteran’s Memorial Building and Carpinteria Community Pool as Essential Services Buildings that require improvements.

Mayor Al Clark asked whether certain parts of the pavement rehabilitation project could be postponed to make budgetary room for other priorities.

“Maybe some things can wait for another year,” Clark said. “That way we can afford some of these other things cause there’s only going to be so much money.”

deferred projects may cost the city more in the long run because of increased material costs related to inflation or other expenses.

“Things like economic impact, budget impact, funding source – it sounds like the trend is not going upwards in terms of the availability of those resources so I appreciate staff putting this together,” Councilmember Mónica Solórzano said.

S usan Allen was the sole speaker during the public comment period.

“I’m here to talk about that mysterious park project. Your city manager was 13 when this project first came up,” Allen said, referencing the Pocket Park and Ramirez. “The disappointment level, I think, is high concerning the residents there … There’s over 70 school-aged children in those apartments.”

She added that the park might be more doable if the original plans were scaled back, to which Councilmember Wade Nomura asked about initiating a capital campaign for funding. “I’m not going away,” Allen said.

Following the end of public comment, Nomura suggested prioritizing the 2022 Pavement project, the 2023 Pavement Project, the Via Real Storm Drain, the former Venoco Oil Pipeline #0470 abandonment and the Carpinteria Avenue bridge replacement. The rest of the council concurred.

The city is “shovel ready” – or ready to The

The only critical infrastructure project

Ramirez and Ilasin also advised the council that construction bid prices have only been getting higher, meaning certain

The capital improvements program budget includes $4.8 million in Measure X funds. COURTESY GRAPHICS

National Vietnam War Veterans Day: March 29

BY PETER BIE

Editor’s note: This article was submitted to CVN by Vietnam veteran Peter Bie in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, recognized on March 29.

On March 29, our nation will pause to remember and honor the nine million military men and women of the U.S. who served both in Southeast Asia and other duty stations at home and abroad during the Vietnam War era from 1959-1975.

The date itself recalls the month and day in 1973 when the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. On and around the same day, Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged POWs. The end of the era marks the final battle concerning the seizure of the American cargo ship SS Mayaguez when it was stopped and boarded by Cambodian troops in the Gulf of Thailand in May 1975.

In the days leading up to April 30, 1975, when the capital city of Saigon fell to the forces from the North, there had begun a mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the country in any manner they could, many of them later to be known as the “boat people.” And who can ever forget the pictures of American personnel and Vietnamese civilians clamoring to get aboard helicopters and passenger jets as all was collapsing around them?

As veterans of the war, we make no distinction between those who served in-country, in the theater of operations or were stationed elsewhere during the

era. All were called to serve, and none could self-determine where they would be stationed, although over the course of the war, many voluntarily returned to Vietnam for a second, third or fourth six-month “extension” tour.

It remains a divisive conflict that is always debatable, often argued about, and has left its legacy and imprint on the American psyche for the past five decades.

What is not in contention is that a generation of Americans did what their country asked of them. With few exceptions, they did so honorably and proudly.

Over 58,000 Americans were killed –including 98 from Santa Barbara County – and their names, forever etched in the black marble of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., will never be forgotten. There are still 1,200 U.S. personnel listed as missing in action and

presumed dead.

So, too, we remember the full breadth of the casualties of the war: as many as two million civilians on both sides and some 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Vietcong fighters. It is estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers were killed. And there were also losses among our allies from Australia, the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. And, believe it or not, upwards of 25,000 Canadians volunteered to serve in the U.S. armed forces, 134 of whom were killed in action or reported missing in Vietnam. Their names are included on the Vietnam Memorial.

For all those who came home, many with mild to severe or even debilitating injuries, most with some form of PTSD or TBI and other invisible scars – not to mention exposure to Agent Orange – we must continue to ensure they have access

For all those who came home, many with mild to severe or even debilitating injuries, most with some form of PTSD or TBI and other invisible scars – not to mention exposure to Agent Orange – we must continue to ensure they have access to the best medical and psychological care this country can provide them for the rest of their lives. They deserve no less.

to the best medical and psychological care this country can provide them for the rest of their lives. They deserve no less.

To the men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine who put on the uniform and carried out their duties during the era, I salute you and loudly proclaim a hearty “Welcome Home!”

Peter Bie is president of Chapter 218, Vietnam Veterans of America. He can be reached at peterbie@cox.net.

APRIL6|MAY4|MAY18 9:00AMTO12:00PM

RSVPHERE:

COURTESY PHOTO

Eager volunteers met up early Saturday, March 23 at Parking Lot #3 on for Community Cleanup Day. During the annual event – which is sponsored by the city of Carpinteria and Carpinteria Beautiful – volunteers cleaned up over 40 sacks of litter, spokesperson Donna Jordan told CVN.

A reader sends a halo to David and Susan Allen for “the Sunday Yummies!”

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A reader sends a halo to Ryan Moore for bringing dirt back to Carpinteria.

A reader sends a halo to the person with Carpinteria Beautiful who is responsible for promptly painting over the graffiti on the sidewalk that the reader reported.

A reader sends a halo to everyone who supported the Playa Del Sur 4-H this year. “The members are looking forward to another successful year.”

A reader sends a halo to Gisela from Tacos Don Roge for providing food for all Canalino/CFS staff. “We are so thankful! Not to mention the food was delicious!”

A reader sends a halo to Valerie, the new volunteer at the Friends of the Library Bookstore, for cleaning and reorganizing the self-help section.

A reader sends a halo to Alexis at Carpinteria Lumber for her pleasant and super helpful manner. “From the phone call all the way to carrying my purchases to the car, she was a delight to work with.”

A reader sends a halo to Burlene for making the Carpinteria Lumberyard Nursery area a joy to visit. “Her outgoing personality (Southern style), friendly conversation and plant knowledge make it a pleasure to visit and shop.”

A reader sends a halo to Jena at the library. “Baby meetup is the highlight of my son’s week and Jena always puts on a great program for the little ones in town!”

A reader sends a halo to the generous person for paying for the reader’s gas when she forgot her ATM card at the gas station. “I’m sorry I chose the most expensive oil, I’d love to reimburse you, and thank you. I’m deeply moved by your generosity.”

A reader sends a halo to Desiree, the new masseuse at The Gym Next Door. “She could have coasted through it, but she worked really hard to relieve my back pain. I never experienced such a great massage.”

A reader sends a halo to whoever left a sign telling people to pick up their dog-waste bags and stop leaving them on Casitas Pass Road.

A reader sends a halo to Sean and Dayna for being wonderful neighbors and helping the reader through another frazzled mom situation.

A reader sends a halo to the 93013 Fund, Uncle Chen Restaurant and Marybeth Carty for the surprise delivery of a delicious dinner complete with a fortune cookie, candy bar and painted rock. “Wonderful kindness and quite a thrill!”

A reader sends a halo to Principal Lisa O’Shea for “improving Carpinteria Middle School to the highest level of quality education it has ever known. Test scores have skyrocketed, art is flourishing, the campus is more organized, safer, cleaner, better attendance and attitudes are outstanding. Thank you, the gratitude will never end to Lisa for helping our children thrive upward and onward.”

A reader sends a halo to the anonymous person who left a $100 donation in the HELP of Carpinteria office mail slot this past week. “Thank you for your kindness.”

A reader sends a halo to Chuck and Holly for their inspiring and heartwarming talk about marine whales and channel Island foxes last week at Night Lizard Brewing. “Those two are a total dream team. Thanks for all the work you do and for photographing our land and sea critters.”

A reader sends a halo to Melody in Floral at Albertsons. “She made such a beautiful arrangement for me! She is always smiling and doing a great job keeping her department looking good.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to whoever has been leaving bags of dog waste on the ground along Casitas Pass Road. “Yes, it’s frustrating that the trash cans are gone, but is that really your best way of handling the situation?”

A reader sends a halo to the staff of Jack’s Bistro for staying open during Covid-19. “Always a smile no matter how busy. A great way to start the day.”

A reader sends a halo to the Daykas for always being there to help with anything and never complaining. “Many thanks to the best neighbors ever. We love you all dearly.”

A reader sends a halo to Mayor Wade Nomura for the city’s beautiful flower wreath at the Carpinteria Cemetery for the Memorial Day program.

A reader sends a halo to Carpinteria Valley Lumber Company for their Spring Fling event last Friday, and to The Rincons and their fantastic music. “It was such a great event attended by so many, and a lot of fun. A true Carpinteria event, a community getting together, and with such camaraderie. This reflects the spirit of Carp as it has been, and shall be going forward for many years.”

A reader sends a halo to Tami and John at Robitaille’s for their constant smiles and over-the-top customer service. “The wedding favors were loved by all and brought a bit of Carpinteria to the Seattle wedding!”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the person who hit the reader’s pickup in front of the reader’s house and didn’t stop. “Shame on you, and I hope you have karma insurance.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the person who defaced public property

A reader sends a pitchfork to a local food store. “My 72-year-old mother asked for someone to help lift several cases of bottled water into her car and nobody came to help her. She had to lift it all by herself.”

A reader sends a halo to Luke at Carpinteria Valley Lumber Company for “his excellent customer service in helping me with wood supplies for a home project.”

A reader sends a halo to those who acknowledge people with disabilities. “When you encounter a person in a wheelchair or walking with a walker, please smile and say hello to that person.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the bicycle events on Foothill Road. “Purposely hosting huge rides that take up the whole road is irresponsible. There are countless bike lanes that were put in with our tax dollars to avoid this problem.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to local agents who send promotional information on high gloss, non-recyclable paper. “You don’t have my business!”

A reader sends a halo to Lance Lawhon at the Carpinteria Sanitation District for helping Kim’s Market.

A reader sends a halo to the concerned citizen biking on the Coastal Trail who alerted Seal Watch volunteers that people had trespassed into the Harbor Seal Sanctuary. “The trespassers were directed out of the sanctuary preventing a disturbance where mother seals and pups could have been separated.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the lifeguards braiding hair while swimmers are in the pool. “Not professional!”

A reader sends a halo to the Carpinteria Beautiful lady picking up trash in a neighborhood near the beach. “Thank you! We need all the help we can get keeping trash picked up in the neighborhoods on the beach-side of the tracks.”

A reader sends a halo to Kassandra Quintero at The Spot. “When the roof-top flag was twisted and lodged in the rain gutter, Quintero jumped into action and climbed up to the roof and untangled it so that it could wave freely. Way to show patriotism!”

A reader sends a pitchfork to Sacramento. “First they impose an unrealistic new housing goal for Carpinteria, 901 units, and then they establish a 1% State sales tax on lumber. How does this help incentivize new housing? Not to mention affordability.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the employees of the newer businesses on the Carpinteria Bluffs. “Learn to share the bike/walking path with locals… There will be four to five of you walking together and not a single one will scoot over just a tad to let a local pass through?”

A reader sends a halo to Carpinterians who put out boxes in front of their homes full of surplus oranges, avocados, etc. from their trees. “Thank you for sharing your abundance.”

Winter 2024 Issue

A reader sends a halo to Emma and Justin. “It was a wonderful wedding, great food, spectacular location and great people! It was moving and wonderful.”

Submit Halos & Pitchforks online at coastalview.com.

A reader sends a pitchfork to the Linden planters. “All the mushrooms growing there indicate too much water. Nice weed farm.”

All submissions are subject to editing.

A reader sends a halo to at HEAT Culinary. “I went to my first class this weekend with my sister, who has been to four so far. I had the best time! Someone get this girl a TV show, she should be on the Food Network already.”

A reader sends a halo to all the beach community residents. “Thank you for parking in front of your home with your permit.”

A reader sends a halo to , a caregiver at Carpinteria Senior Lodge for nearly three years.

A reader sends a pitchfork to a restaurant owner for parking his vehicle in the spots right out front of his establishment. “Shouldn’t he leave those parking spots available for his paying customers?”

Tom Sweeney for going out on Elm Avenue by the beach to clean up plastic bottles, bags, dirty gloves and masks.

A reader sends a halo to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the local vet for working diligently to save the Rincon Beach bear. “It’s a terrible shame to lose one of these magnificent creatures; however, I wouldn’t want it to suffer to a miserable death.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the City of Carpinteria for letting the bluffs turn into an ever-increasing dirt parking lot. “That is not what the bluffs were purchased for. Post No Parking signs immediately!”

A reader sends a halo to Bill and Rosana Swing for spending their Saturday taking photos for Junior Warriors Football. “We appreciate all you do for our families, players and program. You rock!”

the new parking zones. “All the “no parking/two hour” signs just made people park in my neighborhood. Seventh and the neighboring streets are a packed parking lot.”

Providing local news and information for the Carpinteria Valley

A reader sends a pitchfork to the sheriff’s deputy using his radar gun the other morning in front of city hall. “Why don’t you go by one of the schools and catch all the speeders there in morning, and keep our children safe while walking to school.”

A ENTION BUSINESSES:

A reader sends a halo to DJ Hecktic for coming out early Saturday morning to support the Junior Warriors. “It made the kids so happy to hear you say their names—you’re a local celebrity to them!”

A reader sends a pitchfork to those who lied on their FAFSA and took scholarships away from kids who need it.

Submit Halos & Pitchforks online at coastalview.com. All submissions are subject to editing.

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

Reserve your ad space in the Summer edition of Carpinteria Magazine today! Call (805) 684-4428

A reader sends a halo to Diana Rigby, Superintendent of schools, and Debra Herrick, director of Boys & Girls Club, for removing the toxic Euphorbia fire sticks from the pots and landscape.

suspended. The man was cited, and his vehicle was released to a licensed driver.

2:37 a.m. / Public Intoxication / Bailard Avenue

Two men were contacted in a parked truck and both were extremely intoxicated with open containers of alcohol observed in the vehicle. One man was not being the most cooperative, but once he was convinced to exit the vehicle, a pat down search of his person was conducted. Deputies located a collapsible baton in the man’s front waistband. He was cited and both were released to a sober friend.

Friday, May 22

7:41 a.m. / Theft / 5500 block Calle Arena

he found a small baggie containing a white powdery substance underneath the driver’s seat of his recently purchased vehicle. The man stated he purchased the vehicle three weeks ago but didn’t find the small baggie until he’d removed the driver’s seat to fix the reclining mechanism. The incident was documented, and the baggie was booked into Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office property for destruction.

Saturday, May 23

5:49 a.m. / Domestic Violence / 4100 block Via Real

Deputies responded to a motel on Via Real for a report of a domestic violence incident. Upon arrival, a deputy contacted a man and woman in the parking lot. After contacting both subjects, there were visible injuries on both parties. Due to conflicting statements regarding their mutual altercation and obvious injuries, both parties were arrested for corporal injury on a spouse.

Deputies responded after a woman reported her residence was burglarized the prior night. The woman stated a cartoon of almond milk and tools were taken from her garage. She told the reporting deputy that the tools belonged to her daughter’s boyfriend. The deputy attempted to contact the man via telephone multiple times with no response. The woman stated her garage door was unlocked during the night and is in the process of getting a new lock. She did not have any suspect information at the time. The incident was documented, and patrol will follow-up for further details of the stolen items.

10:36 a.m. / Hit and Run / Cameo and Casitas Pass roads

2:07 p.m. / Found Drugs / 6000 block Jacaranda Way

A man was contacted after reporting

Deputies responded to a report a of a black sedan crashing into a parked water truck. While en route, it was also reported the male subject driving the sedan fled the scene on foot. Upon arrival, deputies observed the sedan abandoned in the middle Cameo Road with major damage to the front right passenger wheel

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.

Carpinteria’s 2023 Educators of the Year: Luis Quintero and Arturo Monarres

BY JUN STARKEY

Carpinteria’s 2023 Educators of the Year are Arturo Monarres, a physical education instructor at Carpinteria High School (CHS) and Luis Quintero, a fifth grade dual language instructor at Canalino Elementary School, Carpinteria Community Association representatives confirmed to CVN.

Monarres and Quintero were nominated by their respective administrators for their above-and-beyond service to the

Luis Quintero

Canalino Elementary School fifthgrade dual language teacher Luis Quintero is one of many young educators at CUSD, currently in his fifth year of fulltime teaching at the district.

Originally from northern California, Quintero came down to Santa Barbara County for college, and began his teaching career as a substitute teacher in the Goleta Union School District. During his first year of student teaching at CUSD, Quintero said he found the administration very supportive.

“I could tell they had an interest in making sure I can grow as an educator,” he told CVN. He also said he found the Carpinteria community “very warm and welcoming.”

As a dual language instructor, Quintero teaches almost exclusively in Spanish. He works with about 42 students in a block rotation, with half during the first part of the day, and half during the later part. Quintero also said he values the role he serves as a teacher.

district. Both wear many hats at CUSD; Monarres has been with the district for more than 28 years, and Quintero is in his fifth year of teaching at Canalino. Both educators will be honored at the 65th annual Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet, hosted by the Carpinteria Community Association. The banquet will be held at the Girls Inc. of Carpinteria campus, located at 5315 Foothill Road, on Saturday, April 6, 5:30–10 p.m. Tickets, which are $110, can be purchased online at carpinteriacommunityassociation.org.

“When you’re a teacher you’re also a mentor, so I make it a point to really get to know my students,” he said. “I try to just focus and do what’s best for the kids.”

Canalino Principal Jamie Persoon, who nominated Quintero, commended him in his roles as a teacher and a leader for fourth and fifth grade throughout the district.

“(Quintero) leads by example in his classroom and shares strategies to increase student academic achievement,” Persoon wrote in her recommendation letter. “His rapport with students and families is heads above the rest, which affects student well-being and parent engagement.”

Arturo Monarres

Carpinteria High School physical education teacher – and occasional assistant baseball coach – Arturo Monarres was described as a “pillar of the Carpinteria High School community” by CHS principal Gerardo Cornejo, for his longtime dedication to students.

When Cornejo asked Monarres about his success as an educator, Monarres said: “When difficult moments come in life, always choose love and kindness.”

Monarres has been at CHS for 28 years, Cornejo said, serving most of that time as a physical education teacher. He has also at times taken on the role of assistant baseball coach, or as chair of the district’s physical education department.

“(Monarres) became known for his engaging teaching style, his ability to connect with students on a personal level, and his unwavering belief in their potential,” Cornejo wrote in his recommendation letter. “Whether it’s cheering or coaching on the sidelines at a baseball game, offering guidance to a struggling student or simply lending an ear, Mr. Monarres embodies the spirit of Carpinteria High School, creating a warm and supportive environment where every student feels valued and heard.”

Outside of school, Monarres can be found spending time with his wife and two children, golfing or watching baseball.

“Congratulations Mr. Monarres! This Teacher of the Year award is a well-deserved recognition of your 28 years of making a difference. Your impact on Carpinteria High School and the lives of your students will be felt for generations to come,” Cornejo added in the recommendation letter.

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Carpinteria Unified School District’s secondary Educator of the Year is Arturo Monarres, a physical education teacher from Carpinteria High School.

COURTESY

Carpinteria Unified School District’s elementary Educator of the Year is Luis Quintero, a fifthgrade dual language teacher from Canalino Elementary School.

Hey, baby!

Denver,

and Winston Black of Broomfield,

He arrived at 6 pounds, 12 ounces and 19 inches. His grandparents are Val and Mike Carmel of Carpinteria.

What’s new at the harbor seal rookery?

This report covers March 18 – 24, 2024

CVN’s Seal Watch weekly report, written by Seal Watch volunteers, covers activities at the Harbor Seal Rookery. The group can be reached at carpsealwatch@ gmail.com or at (805) 364-3194. The rookery is located immediately east of Casitas Pier, between Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and Carpinteria State Beach.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES

Many pups are now getting large and are difficult to distinguish from juveniles. Harbor seals need to rest on land about half the time, but they also sleep in the ocean. Often they assume a position called “bottling,” floating vertically with only their nose out of water, typically breathing every five to 10 minutes. They must voluntarily open their nostrils to breathe. They also are known to sleep completely underwater, sometimes using kelp or rocks as anchors to stay in place.

VISITORS

1,733 people were counted at the overlook. Visitors from afar were recorded from the Netherlands, France, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Switzerland, Canada, India and England. Visitors from the U.S. included Washington, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona, Oregon, West Virginia, North Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin and New York.

DISTURBANCES

Two different beach walkers walked through the sanctuary area and flushed all the seals into the water. A low-flying helicopter caused many of the seals to alert, but did not send them into the water.

Please help seal watch volunteers by reminding people on the beach of the closure area.

Please consider honoring the Marine Mammal Protection Act and not walking the seal sanctuary beach all year. Do not bring dogs, bicycles or loud voices to view the seals. Harbor seals, when disturbed, may flee and become separated from their pups. Volunteers ask that dogs always remain outside the rope area.

Carpinteria Seal Watchers do some monitoring of our local seals year-round; we would like to increase visitor services and data collection year-round, but more volunteers are always needed. Contact Seal Watch at carpsealwatch@gmail.com or at (805) 364-3194 if you’d like to help!

CELEBRATIONS

Happy 105th, Mary!

Carpinterian Mary Ota turned 105 on Thursday, March 21, surrounded by her neighbors and loved ones. According to a Coastal Views News piece published in March 2022, Ota was born in Los Angeles California in 1919; she spent her childhood in Sierra Madre, California, and moved to Carpinteria around 1950 after she married Tom Ota. Based on the city of Carpinteria’s proclamations and recognitions from the past few years, Ota appears to be Carpinteria’s oldest centenarian.

Happy 104th, Josephine!

Carpinteria’s Josephine Villegas recently turned 104, surrounded by loved ones; a lifetime resident, she was born in Carpinteria on March 25, 1920. Until her retirement, she worked at Josten’s. Villegas is featured in the “Voces de Old Town Carpinteria” documentary and on the new mural that went up at the Aliso Elementary School last year, documenting Carpinteria’s history through those who attended Aliso, one of California’s last segregated schools.

Happy 90th, Bob!

Longtime Carpinteria Bob Fuji –who has lived in Carpinteria since the 1970s – recently celebrated his 90th birthday at Bates Beach; at right is Marie Schienbein, left, and Bob Fuji; above, from left, is Askar Atakeeu, Fuji and Yvonne Olson. Fuji, whose birthday is March 9, 1934, told CVN that he is blessed with all the friends that he has and is very thankful to everyone.

KARLSSON

KARLSSON PHOTOS

COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTOS

BIZ BRIEFS

Seaside Makers moves to Carpinteria Avenue

Carpinteria’s Seaside Makers Collective is now at 4193 Carpinteria Ave., with a soft opening held on Tuesday, March 26.

The artisan store owner Kristin Fraser told CVN that several events – including the Covid-19 pandemic, the loss of her home in a fire caused by a new gas dryer and financial and physical impacts at the old Linden Avenue location – prompted the move to Carpinteria Avenue.

“It was really hard, because (the Linden Avenue) location has so much charm and we put a lot of love and upgrades to it,” she told CVN. “Overall, this is going to be a much better move for us and our business and where our business is going (…) I’m a mom of a young kid and I just want to simplify. It really wasn’t just one thing.”

She told CVN that after the fire in January 2020, there were no furnished rentals in Carpinteria that would take pets long-term, so her family relocated to a townhouse in downtown Santa Barbara with no extra storage.

“We lost everything in the fire, so I felt extremely blessed to have the space at Grapeseed Co. to build out a separate front room to accommodate our building supplies and furniture. That room is now our new Seaside Makers location!”

Fraser said Seaside’s parent company Grapeseed Company’s event business has also exploded, and with the move out to The Row and next to the business’ production plant, she has big plans. In the middle of April, she plans to host a Grand Opening for the new location, and in the coming months, open up scent bar events; visitors

Spring blooms at Carpinteria Valley Lumber Co.

Carpinteria Valley Lumber Co.’s 2024 Spring Fling drew Carpinterians both looking for a good deal and ready to enjoy that spring sunshine on Friday, March 22. ABOVE, Carpinteria favorites The Rincons/Dusty Jugz – with, from left, Dan Gerrera, Frank Rose Roger Gilbert and Curtis

can expect make-your-own candle gatherings, will be able to host birthday and bachelorette parties, and more. The business’ Scent Bar trailer also remains active.

“We have our doors open today, but we’re still very much merchandising,” Fraser said on Tuesday. “The Row area is really taking off. There’s so many cool, amazing maker businesses down here that are very complementary to us. That’s another reason that we’re really happy to be over here. This is a really cool part of Carp.”

Fraser added that Seaside also has bargain bins out front with clothing, home décor and kids ideas, at $5, $10 and $20.

The Carpinteria Avenue location is open 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; the shops’ State Street location, at 727 State St., is open daily, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. See more online at thegrapeseedcompany.com/seaside-makers-shop or by calling (805) 881-9409.

––Evelyn Spence

Lopez – keep the crowd entertained; BELOW, Beverages were provided courtesy of Buckaroo Bar, served by Laura Fullilove of La Conchita. SPENCE PHOTOS

COURTESY PHOTOS

Founder Kristin Fraser has big plans for the Seaside Makers Collective, now at 4193 Carpinteria Ave. Seaside Makers Collective is now located at 4193 Carpinteria Ave., with the store’s parent company, Grapeseed Company.

The ins and outs of Twice as Nice

BOSSES BY BOSTROM

INGRID BOSTROM

Does a fresh season awaken your desire for an updated wardrobe? Lighten the impact on your bank account and the planet by thinking twice before shopping brand new. Jana Smirnova, owner of Twice As Nice consignment at 957 Maple Ave., shared the ins and outs of her business (and life beyond) with Coastal View News in the following interview.

CVN: Please share a brief history about your store. When did you open?

Jana Smirnova: I purchased this business from my friend Jill Castro. She originally opened it in 2000-ish. I was her customer for four years and had been asking her to sell me the business. Eventually, she agreed, and I became an owner of Twice As Nice in November 2011.

For those who haven’t consigned their items with you before, please describe how the process works.

If someone wants to consign their items, they need to make an appointment – call (805) 684-1808 – and bring seasonal items in great (gently used) condition.

We accept women’s clothes, shoes, bags, scarves, belts, clutches, wallets and jewelry. We prefer current styles and like to sell items that were purchased in the past five to seven years, but occasionally will make exceptions.

Items need to be free of stains, pet hair, smells, etc. We offer check or store credit as payment. Commissions are 40% or 50% (depending on the contract) and paid after the item sells.

What considerations do you have when selecting items to sell? When items are in good condition, are there certain brands that you always take?

We don’t accept fast fashion brands

like Forever 21, Old Navy, etc. One of the best-selling brands is Johnny Was. Our customers love our cashmere rack. Anything made from linen is very popular. In our location we do well mostly with casual, trendy clothing and sportswear sells great (Lululemon and Alo are favorites). We don’t sell business wear and shoes with high heels.

Do you follow trends? If so, what are some current trends with your demographic of customers?

We are trying to have a little bit of everything in different styles. Our customers are anywhere from teens to late ‘90s and they all like to shop at Twice as Nice.

When you aren’ t attending to shop business, how do you spend your time?

I have a seven-year -old grandson, George, who lives in Los Angeles. He comes to spend a weekend with me twice a month (we go to the beach, zoo, museums) and if he’s not here, I go and visit him in LA. We like going to Universal Studios and other fun places there.

Also, my husband and I have a lot of friends and a big family – usually we all get together and barbecue.

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

Twice as Nice owner Jana Smirnova, seen at far right, has owned the consignment store since 2011.

Jana Smirnova’s Twice As Nice consignment store doesn’t accept fast fashion brands, she told CVN.

CVN

CALENDAR

Thursday, March 28

Senior Center Activities: Senior Lecture Series Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 9:30–10:45 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Dementia Caregivers Support Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10:30 a.m.–noon. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Senior Center Activities: Chair Yoga Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 11 a.m.–noon. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

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

Food Bank Senior Food Distribution Veterans Memorial Building Courtyard, 941 Walnut Av. 1–2 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

One-on-One Tech Help Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 1:30–3:30 p.m. carpinterialibrary. org, (805) 684-4314

Senior Center Activities: Book Club Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 2–3:30 p.m. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Carpinteria Creative Arts Eighth Street and Linden Avenue. 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.

Spring Break Theatre The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 4–4:45 p.m. Tickets: $5 for students, $7 for adults. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Sea Lion Soundsystem Carpinteria Skate Park, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 6–8 p.m.

Friday, March 29

Friday Fun Day Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10–11:30 a.m. For ages three – 11-ish. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Senior Center Activities: Games and Gab Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 1–2:30 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805)

881-1279

Movie: “Barbie” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7–9:30 p.m. Tickets: $12. Rated PG-13. Prizes for best costumes. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Saturday, March 30

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.

Gallery Host Happy Hour Training Event Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 4–5 p.m. carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 684-7789

Movie + Q&A: “The Panda Corp” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7–9 p.m. Speaker: Jesse Langille. Tickets: $12.

Reception: Artists For The Bluffs

The Palm Lofts Gallery, 410 Palm Ave., Loft A-1. 4–6 p.m. (805) 7296029

Sunday, March 31

HAPPY EASTER!

Monday, April 1

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: Music Mondays Sing Along Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 10:30 a.m.–noon. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

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

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

Meeting: Planning Commission Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 5:30 p.m. bit.ly/CarpinteriaCityMeetings

Tuesday, April 2

Senior Center Activities: Arts and Crafts Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 9–11 a.m. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Carpinteria Writers Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10 a.m.–noon. (202) 9970429

Senior Center Activities: Mind Body Balance Exercise Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 11 a.m. – noon. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

Junior Spanish Conversation Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 12:30–1 p.m. For tweens and teens. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Spanish Conversation Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 1–2 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Bridge Club Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 1–4 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

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

Wednesday, April 3

Senior Center Activities: Walking Group Meet at Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 9 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Baby Meet Up Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave.

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

Knitting 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. 2:30–3:30 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Senior Center Activities: Line Dancing Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 3:30–4:30 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

ONGOING

Senior Nutrition Program Carpinteria Veterans Hall, 951 Walnut Ave. Monday–Friday, 12:15 p.m. Free for seniors ages 60+. (805) 925-9554, meals@centralcoastseniors.org

Palm Loft Gallery to hold reception supporting bluffs

The Palm Loft Gallery, 410 Palm Ave., will hold a reception for its latest gallery “Artists for the Bluffs” on Saturday, March 30, 4–6 p.m.

The “Artists for the Bluffs” exhibit includes more than 60 paintings by 33 artists, each featuring the Carpinteria Bluffs coastline. The artists in the exhibit have also set out to support the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs organization by donating 40% of revenue from sales to the group.

The Palm Loft Gallery is located at 410 Palm Avenue, Loft A-1 near the railroad by the entrance of the State Beach. Those interested in attending are advised to park on the street. For more information, call (805) 729-6029.

––Jun Starkey

CompostingWorkshop 11:00am-12:00pm@ Community Garden

CompostingWorkshop 11:00am-12:00pm@ CommunityGarden

“Solo Artist” by Ted Rhodes

“View from the Bluffs Trail” by Karen Fedderson

“Tar Pits Park” by John F. Avila

Paging through Carpinteria at the Carpinteria Writers Group book festival

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Celebrating Writers’ Month in Carpinteria, the Carpinteria Writers Group held a book fair featuring 28 local authors on Saturday, March 23 at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center. Writers hailing from Santa Barbara to Ojai showcased their talents during the Saturday afternoon gathering, offering up all genres from fiction to poetry to children’s books.

Sandy Evans purchased several books at the festival.

Calla Gold’s “Wedding Rings” details designing the dream ring, from engagement to eternity.

Children’s book author Caryn Doti Chavez displays her collection.

Nature writer, photographer and CVN columnist Chuck Graham brought his copy of “Paddling Into a Natural Balance”; in the book, Graham tells stories of kayaking and conservation around Channel Islands National Park.

Suzanne Ahn, the lead volunteer from the Carpinteria Writer group.

“Wandering Ojai: Poetry & Photographs” by Holly Woolson – a painter, printmaker, photographer, arts educator and writer – captures the beauty of Ojai; it is Woolson’s first collection of poetry.

“Dragons of Aeronoth” is a new release by Victor Borda, tackling the fantasy fiction genre. This is the first book in the Aeronoth trilogy.

Moms and sons dance the night away

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Nearly 75 mothers, sons and female role models danced the night away at the Carpinteria Woman’s Club on Friday, March 22 for a mama-son dance, swept up in a night of games, music and food. Spokesperson Aja Forner told CVN earlier this month that the night was inspired by local father-daughter dances held each year. All funds raised went back to the Women Making Change group, which hosts women-focused programming during March.

Cynthia Dahliquist, center, came to the dance with sons Jayce and Jaxxon.

Gina Karpenko-Crocker smiles for the camera, with Christian in her arms.

Lee Cox hugs her son Ford.

Nearly 75 people attended the Friday night dance.

Jaqueline Kucharski, center, with her sons Levi and Caleb.

Andrea, Luca and Nico Lionello hit the dance floor.

Quentin Burkey, center, shows off his dance moves.

Crystal and Grayson Hoffman write on the “What

You” banner.

Jameson and Dayna Kelly clasp hands on the dance floor.

A royal show at the Carpinteria Woman’s Club

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

The Carpinteria Woman’s Club briefly turned into a royal hall for the United Queendom drag show on Saturday, March 23, with performances from drag performers Angel D’mon, Vivian Storm and Melina Poinsettia. Attendees danced and sang along with the performers, closing out Women’s History Month with a celebration of dance and community.

ACROSS

1 Wild guess

5 Flower with a showy head

10 Attention-getter

14 First name in fashion

15 As long as

Thursday, March 14

19

Library preschooler story time, 10:30 a.m., Carpinteria library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave., 684-4314

22

Rotary Club of Carpinteria meeting, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., lions Park Community Building, 6197 Casitas Pass road, non-members rSVP to 566-1906

Bingo, 1 p.m., Veterans Building, 941 Walnut Ave.

Farmers Market and Arts & Crafts Fair, 3-6:30 p.m., linden 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, 8 p.m., Carpinteria & linden Pub, 4954 Carpinteria linden Ave.

Dusty Jugz Country Night, 9 p.m., the Palms, 701 linden Ave., 684-3811

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

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, 1 p.m., Veterans Building, 941 Walnut Ave.

Celebrate Recovery (Hurts, Hangups, Addictions), 6 p.m., first Baptist Church, 5026 foothill rd., 684-3353

CVCC’s Cuba Trip Meeting, 6-8 p.m., Carpinteria library Multi-Purpose room, 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

Sudoku Puzzle by websudoku.com

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.

Easy Level: Hard

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, lucky llama, 5100 Carpinteria Ave., 684-8811

Imagination & Inspiration show, Curious Cup, 929 linden Ave., 220-6608

From left: Angel D’mon, Vivian Storm and Melina Poinsettia perform for the crowd.

Melina Poinsettia makes a grand entrance to the special event.

From left, Jamie Collins and Torrey Kightlinger watch Angel D’mons’ performance.

Ingrid Bostrom, left, and Aja Forner hit the dance floor.

Amie Rodriguez, left, sings along with Vivan Storm.

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY |

COURTESY PHOTOS

Morning Rotary learns about vital community members

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning presented a community service award to Gabriela Cardona, a teacher at the Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP), and heard from local dentist Janice Sugiyama at its March 20 meeting.

“Gabbie has been a teacher with CCP since 2013,” Alvarez said. “She is a dedicated, patient, and overall wonderful teacher. We are incredibly lucky to have her as an early educator in our community.”

During the same meeting, Carpinteria dentist and club member Sugiyama spoke about her career as a woman in dentistry. Sugiyama told club members she became a dental hygienist in the late 1970s, then went to dental school at USC, where she was one of a handful of women in a large class.

Sugiyama and her husband, Bob Berkenmeier, met at USC and ran a dentistry practice in Carpinteria for decades, club spokesperson Eric von Schrader told CVN. “She served in leadership on boards where male dentists predominated. She noted with pride that women now make up half of dental school students,” von Schrader said.

Noon Rotary discusses values at new member meeting

The club’s vocational chair Mary Layman presented the award, which was given to Cardona for her many years of service to the children of Carpinteria. Teresa Alvarez, the executive director of CCP, spoke about Cardona at the meeting.

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SAT: SKA DADDYZ, 6-9 PM

SUN: SANTA BARBABRA TROMBONE SOCIETY, 5-6, HOLIDAY SING ALONG, 6-8 PM

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The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Noon recently held a “fireside chat” for its incoming members at Jack’s Bistro & Famous Bagels, club president Karen Graf told CVN. Directors from the club explained the Rotary “Avenues of Service, ‘’ and club member Wade Nomura shared his international perspective on Rotary.

LEFT: Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning member Mary Layman, left, presented an award to Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP) teacher Gabriela Cardona, center; at right is CCP’s executive director Teresa Alvarez. RIGHT: Club member Janice Sugiyama, right, spoke to the club about the earlier years of women in dentistry; at left is Carie Smith, club president.

Rotary Club of Carpinteria Noon member Wade Nomura, far right, speaks about Rotary from an international perspective during a recent meeting at Jack’s Bistro & Famous Bagels.

Carpinteria locals and boating friends – from left, Jim Bailard, Jane and Steve Murray, Jean Bailard, Bill and Ann Matson, and Dave and Nancy Hill – brought their copy of CVN on a week-long sailing trip down the coast of Costa Rica and Panama. The group traveled aboard the Star Clipper, a 379-foot clipper sailing ship with 16 sails, Jean told CVN. During their trip, the group enjoyed “gorgeous

Sunday, March 17

COMMANDER’S RECAP

1557 hrs / Incident / Linden Avenue and El Carro Lane

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted on a vehicle for multiple vehicle violations and the driver was also unlicensed. A consent search was conducted of his vehicle and person which revealed narcotics and a counterfeit U.S. residency card. The driver displayed impairment during FST’s of being under the influence of alcohol/a controlled substance. The driver was arrested, transported to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital for a blood draw, and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for the violations.

Monday, March 18

1000 hrs / Warrant / Via Real and Santa Ynez Avenue

Deputies contacted a subject with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The subject was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail.

Tuesday, March 19

0011 hrs / Warrant / 5000 block El Carro Lane

Deputies contacted a subject behind a local church. The subject was found to have an outstanding misdemeanor warrant, and they were cited and released on scene.

Wednesday, March 20

1150 hrs / Incident / Carpinteria Avenue and Palm Avenue

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted for a vehicle code violation. The driver had a suspended driver’s license. While speaking with him, deputies saw a baton in plain view. The subject was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail for the violations.

1437 hrs / Incident / Hales Lane

An off-duty probation officer came to the station to report his vehicle had been broken into. He said his department identification and badge were taken from the vehicle. The victim didn’t have any suspect information but said his business card was found in a vehicle in Montecito. A report was taken.

Thursday, March 21

0058 hrs / Incident / Padaro Lane and Santa Claus Lane

Deputies located a stolen silver car at Padaro and Santa Claus lanes in Carpinteria. The vehicle was occupied by a subject, who was later arrested.

Friday, March 22

1355 hrs / Incident / 4800 block

Foothill Road

Reporting party received a call from an unknown number. When she answered the phone call, she heard her daughter’s voice crying on the other line stating she was in the back seat of a car. Reporting party then heard a male voice on the other line. The reporting party said she told the male to take her daughter back inside to school, and she said the male voice then cussed at her. Deputies responded to the school and spoke with staff who stated there was not a person employed at the school with the name heard over the call. It was shortly discovered that the juvenile was fine and at school. The reporting party and her daughter were reunited and it was confirmed that the juvenile never left the school that day. The number that called the reporting party was learned to be from a TextNow subscriber.

1517 hrs / Theft / Ninth Street

A suspect stole approximately $60 worth of plastic recyclables from his neighbor. The victim provided cell phone footage capturing the theft taking place. The suspect refused to speak to deputies who had visual of him through a bedroom window to his residence. A report was forwarded to the district attorney’s office for complaint.

Saturday, March 23

0029 hrs / Incident / 5700 block Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies contacted a subject in front of the station. Deputies conducted a drug evaluation on the subject, who was cited and released at the scene.

1312 hrs / Narcotics / 1000 block Concha Loma Drive

Two subjects were contacted on the 1000 block of Concha Loma Drive. Both consented to a search of their persons. The first subject was found to be in possession of 11.6 grams of methamphetamine which he concealed inside of a plastic water bottle. The second subject was found to be in possession of a glass methamphetamine pipe. Both subjects were arrested and booked.

UNPREDICTABLE WILDERNESS

CHUCK GRAHAM

I’ve always known them to be tiny, but when one was sitting on top of my right foot, I couldn’t ask for a better perspective.

In between bouncing, clambering and hopping on the leaf litter as is their nature, the island spotted skunk stopped at my foot, licked a couple of my toes, and then continued foraging. Perhaps it was my salty, dirty feet after another stellar fall day of sea cave kayaking at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island.

Island fauna mystery

Every time I’ve seen an island spotted skunk, it’s always difficult to imagine them as a carnivore, because they are super cute and small. They weigh just over a pound. However, they are one of the rarest carnivores in the world.

They are nocturnal. The only time I’ve seen them during the day is when a biologist is handling one while monitoring a population grid of island foxes. Traps are set for island foxes, but sometimes the biologists find a skunk inside a trap instead of a fox. I’ve also spent a lot of sleepless nights searching for them in the dark, bushwhacking in shallow gullies, and side canyons in Scorpion Canyon on the southeast end of Santa Cruz Island.

Mostly, I’ve smelled them before seeing them, but as time has mounted, and as I’ve learned a little more about them, my sightings have increased over the last three years. Before that, I’ve guesstimated seeing them maybe 10 times over a 25year period.

At just over a pound, they are found on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands and nowhere else on Earth. Between the two windswept isles, there are an estimated 1,000 island spotted skunks.

Frothing over figs

September and October 2023 were a memorable stretch for spotting island spotted skunks. For about a two-week run during those two months, I and some of the other guides were seeing as many as six Spilogale gracilis amphiala a night. It got to the point where we expected to see them right after it got dark.

It was also a good year for figs in Scorpion Canyon. Another leftover from the ranching era, the four fig trees in the craggy canyon are around 100 years old. In the fall of 2023, the figs were robust, plentiful and sweet. Sometimes I found myself eating six at a time right off the tree.

Those fig trees were a vibrant convergence of terrestrial biodiversity. Endemic island foxes were guaranteed every night, and during the day the endemic island scrub jays along with ravens, and a throng of migrating birds also feasted on the seasonal fruit.

However, as soon as it got dark, several of us lined the old ranch fence to see what might transpire. We had headlamps and sea cave lights at the ready as soon as something stirred.

Island foxes are three pounds heavier than the island spotted skunk. Yet, the skunks are noisier. There’s a big difference between the two species foraging in

One of the rarest

Initially, the smell made my eyes water –the combination of fresh skunk spray and their scat was too much to bear – but I quickly got used to it.

leaf litter. The island foxes seem lighter on their paws than their spotted counterparts.

The same goes for tree climbing. Island foxes have semi-retractable claws and use their bushy tails like a rudder to counterbalance maneuvering up and down trees like a small house cat. Island spotted skunks do okay on the ascent, but down-climbing is a whole other deal. They tend to skid down the trunk of a tree, seemingly hoping for the best.

The skunk bunk

Initially, the smell made my eyes water – the combination of fresh skunk spray and their scat was too much to bear – but I quickly got used to it.

When leading kayak tours at Scorpion Anchorage, guests store their belongings inside bench seats that are provided for them. Some of those benches stand the test of island time better than others. So, when we must retire one of those bench seats, it usually becomes storage for something else.

This particular bench is now tucked away in the historic corral against the fence, near where we wash kayaking gear. Currently, the shade canopy that

keeps guests cool during the summer is stashed in there for the winter. However, it’s also become a “skunk bunk” for what we hope to be a mating pair of island spotted skunks.

In mid-February, one of the guides was searching for a piece of gear and lifted the seat, only to be surprised by two spotted skunks. They didn’t scurry off or act defensively, but they were aware they were being watched. The lid was gently closed,

and we let them be until later in the day.

At dusk, we slowly and quietly lifted the lid. I was only a couple feet away from a very curious island spotted skunk. They had created a maze through the shade canopy with a couple of makeshift nests to rest inside of, and there were piles of skunk poop in all the corners.

It appears we will have to let this smelly scenario play out and see what these secretive island dwellers want to do next. We may have to get a new shade cover, but it’s safe to say, the island spotted skunks rule. It’s their part-time home for now.

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

An island spotted skunk emerges from its nest inside the skunk bunk.

A tiny island spotted skunk licks the author’s foot.

The animal climbs a fig tree for a night-time snack.

An island spotted skunk peeks out from the leaf litter.

AI/ChatGPT TEK revolution – unveiling the potential of artificial intelligence

CVN

MICHAEL AVERY

I thought it was time to revisit the provocative topic of artificial intelligence (AI). A company I currently contract with is using AI for several basic tasks and recently invited all its employees and contractors to participate in its ChatGPT subscription as an incentive to stimulate collaboration and development of even more tools for the technology they develop and support.

To date, they have launched chatbot agents to their three vertical channels, end user, enterprise and partner. They can respond to quote requests, customer service inquiries and tech support requests. All automatically, without a human involved at the initial stage. Thus, the inspiration for this month’s column. I asked ChatGPT for a report on AI and – along with the title – this is what it provided:

In the annals of technological advancement, few innovations have captured the imagination and transformed our reality quite like Artificial Intelligence (AI). From its inception as a concept to its pervasive integration into our daily lives, AI has emerged as a cornerstone of the digital age, revolutionizing industries, reshaping economies and challenging the very fabric of human existence.

At its core, AI refers to the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. This encompasses a broad spectrum of capabilities, ranging from simple data analysis to complex decision-making processes. What distinguishes AI from traditional computing is its ability to learn from data, adapt to new inputs, and perform tasks autonomously, often surpassing human capabilities in speed and accuracy.

The evolution of AI can be traced back to the mid-20th century, with foundational contributions from pioneers such as Alan Turing and John McCarthy. However, it wasn’t until the advent of modern computing power and the accumulation

As we stand on the precipice of a new era defined by technological disruption, embracing AI with a spirit of curiosity and vigilance is paramount.

of vast amounts of data that AI truly began to flourish. Breakthroughs in machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning algorithms have propelled AI into new frontiers, enabling applications that were once the realm of science fiction.

One of the most visible manifestations of AI’s impact is in the realm of automation. From manufacturing and logistics to customer service and finance, AI-driven systems are streamlining processes, optimizing workflows, and driving efficiencies at an unprecedented scale. Tasks that were once labor-intensive and time-consuming are now being performed with remarkable speed and precision, freeing up human workers to focus on higher-level strategic initiatives.

Moreover, AI is revolutionizing how we interact with technology, ushering in a new era of personalized experiences.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms power virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, enabling seamless communication between humans and machines.

Recommendation systems leverage AI to anticipate user preferences, delivering tailored content and product suggestions in real-time. This level of customization not only enhances user satisfaction but also drives business growth by fostering customer loyalty and engagement.

In healthcare, AI is proving to be a game-changer, empowering clinicians with tools for more accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment plans and predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms can analyze medical images with unparalleled accuracy, detecting subtle anomalies that may elude the human eye.

COURTESY GRAPHIC

It took five days for ChatGPT to reach one million users, according to the company’s announcement on LinkedIn.

AI-powered virtual health assistants are revolutionizing patient care, providing round-the-clock support and monitoring for chronic conditions, thereby improving outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

However, the proliferation of AI also raises profound ethical and societal implications that must be carefully navigated. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias and job displacement loom large as AI becomes increasingly integrated into every facet of our lives. The rapid pace of technological advancement has outstripped regulatory frameworks, necessitating a concerted effort to establish guidelines and standards that ensure AI is deployed responsibly and ethically.

Furthermore, there is growing apprehension about the potential for AI to exacerbate existing social inequalities. Without careful oversight, AI systems run the risk of perpetuating biases present in the data used to train them, leading to discriminatory outcomes across various domains, including criminal justice, hiring practices and access to essential services. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that involves collaboration between policymakers, technologists and ethicists to develop fair and transparent AI systems that uphold principles of justice and equity.

Despite these challenges, the promise of AI to drive innovation and solve complex problems remains unparalleled. As we stand on the precipice of a new era defined by technological disruption, embracing AI with a spirit of curiosity and vigilance is paramount. By harnessing the transformative power of AI responsibly, we have the opportunity to unlock new frontiers of human potential, propel eco-

nomic growth, and build a more inclusive and sustainable future for generations to come.

In conclusion, Artificial Intelligence stands as a testament to the boundless ingenuity of the human mind and the limitless possibilities of technological innovation. From its humble beginnings as a theoretical concept to its current status as a driving force shaping the trajectory of human civilization, AI has proven to be both a source of wonder and a source of apprehension. As we navigate the complexities of an AI-driven world, it is imperative that we approach this transformative technology with wisdom, foresight and a steadfast commitment to the common good. Only then can we fully realize the promise of AI as a force for positive change in the world.

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 and this year I invite you to take a minute to explore the fascinating world of AI and ChatGPT. All you have to do is ask!

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.

Publish: March 28, April 4,

COASTAL VIEW NEWS DOES NOT KNOWINGLY ACCEPT advertising which is deceptive, fraudulent, or which might otherwise violate the law or accepted standards of taste. However, this publication does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of any advertisement, nor the quality of the goods and services advertised. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all claims made in any advertisements, and to use good judgment and reasonable care, particularly when dealing with the persons unknown to you who ask for money in advance of delivery of the goods or services advertised.

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THROWBACK

First Carpinterian of the Year

BY JIM CAMPOS

Editor’s Note: A version of this article ran in CVN Vol. 26, No. 45. The 2023 Carpinterian of the Year will be named at the upcoming 65th Annual Community Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

It was New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1959. Lou Panizzon, a senior at Carpinteria High School, was going about his assigned chores at the Chevron Service Station at his part-time job over the Holiday Season break, owned and operated by John Moyer. The weekly edition of the Carpinteria Herald had arrived and was plopped onto Moyer’s desk. Together, the duo of Lou and John reacted in something akin to shock. Moyer’s face in a picture at the top of the front page was looking back up at them! Next to the picture, the headline read “Citizen of the Year: John Moyer.”

It wasn’t too much after this surprising moment that Paul Barger, editor of the Herald, sauntered over from his office, only a block away down Linden, to congratulate Moyer. Barger took Moyer a few steps behind the service station to Dorothy Slaughter’s Finest Food (today’s Worker Bee Café), for a cup of coffee to celebrate. There was no plaque or trophy, no gala ceremony. Just a cup of coffee and presumably a pastry treat. The event and all participants were only a couple of blocks away from each other on the same side of Linden Avenue. Such was life in a small town like Carpinteria.

Barger had just completed his first year as editor of the Herald. In hindsight, we can presume that he thought it would be a great idea to award Mr. Moyer a shoutout for his strong commitment to civic duty, publishing it on the first day of the New Year, 1959. And presumably, Gordon Lord, owner and managing partner of the Herald, seconded Barger’s selection of Moyer. A committee of two!

The Carpinteria community reacted favorably to Moyer’s selection as Citizen of the Year. The Herald had cited him as the catalyst for creating recreational programs for youngsters throughout the 1958 year, especially during the summer months; acquiring funds from the Lions Club to repair the Scout House on Casitas Pass; and serving as the mover and shaker for street cleaning services in Carpinteria. Who could argue that the award wasn’t warranted? But was there even a certificate of merit awarded? Does one exist?

Taking up the mantle, the Chamber of Commerce stepped forward for an award the following year. The Citizen of the Year was changed to Carpinterian of the Year. This time there was a gala

THURSDAY

There was no plaque or trophy, no gala ceremony. Just a cup of coffee and presumably a pastry treat. The event and all participants were only a couple of blocks away from each other on the same side of Linden Avenue. Such was life in a small town like Carpinteria.

dinner ceremony and an award handed out. The ceremony was Saturday, Jan. 30, 1960. The Herald reported, “The awarding of the honor and silver plate with an appropriate inscription highlighted the chamber’s annual dinner and installation of officers.”

Despite the name change, the chamber

Do

appears to have used the same criteria that the Herald used to name a winner. They selected Melvin Lea Haggin, who was heavily involved in youth service work for the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Lea, along with his wife, Ruth, created the Circle V Boys Club which I – as a member of the club – can attest was a marvelous

program of civic endeavor.

The award most probably should have been given to the Haggin couple, known as “Mom” and “Pop” to the community. But it was the era where women weren’t even referred to by their first names in the newspapers. They were a “Mrs.” to a man’s first name. It was a male-oriented time. Regarding the chamber’s selection, Editor Barger in a separate article in the same edition of the Herald gave a positive nod to the Chamber of Commerce for its selection of Haggin.

Recipient Haggin’s Cottage Bakery was only two doors down on Linden Avenue from Moyer’s Chevron Service Station, with only Dorothy Slaughter’s Finest Food separating them. Thus, the first two Carpinterians to be awarded recognition for service to the community were in close proximity of each other – as would be the third one, Ernie McCurry, whose Shell Service Station was directly across the street on Linden Avenue from both of them!

Jim Campos is a native born Carpinterian. Upon retiring from a 35-year career with the Carpinteria Unified School District in 2006, he joined a group of local historians to publish two pictorial history books on Carpinteria. Jim’s curiosity of local history grew from that experience. He is currently serving on the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation which honors the achievements and contributions of Carpinteria’s diverse community. He is also on the board of the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, where he writes occasional in-depth articles. In 2020, Jim wrote an entire year of columns for CVN’s Throwback Thursday.

Ernie McCurry awards Melvin Lea Haggin the first Chamber of Commerce Carpinterian of the Year award at a ceremony on Jan. 30, 1960. McCurry would win the award the following year.

John Moyer was awarded Citizen of the Year honors in the Jan. 1, 1959 edition of the Carpinteria Herald

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

Carpinteria track and field hosted the visiting Santa Paula Cardinals for a Citrus Coast League dual meet on Thursday, March 21. After a busy day of events, the Warriors girls remained undefeated in league meets with a 97-37 victory and the Warriors boys fell in an 86-49 overall loss.

The Warriors girls were dominant in the meet, with Carpinteria athletes taking the top spots in 12 of 16 events. Eleven different girls took wins on the day, with Carpinteria’s senior captain Audrey Kramer finishing as the team’s only double winner with first place wins in the girls 1600- and 3200-meter races. In the 3200, Kramer blew the competition away with a new personal record of 13:05.05

“Audrey is doing a fantastic job with her training, racing and her leadership,” said Carpinteria coach Van Latham.

Senior Amarisse Camargo – one of the busiest Warriors athletes of all, competing in varsity volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field – started out her 2024 season with a first place in the shot put, taking the win with a toss of 31’ 6”.

“This was her first track meet of the year,” coach Latham said. “She has had a softball game on each of our first six meets. It was nice to see her pick up where she left off last season.”

Senior sprinter Mika Mullikin set a new personal record in the girls 300-meter hurdles, taking first place with a time of 51.65 second. Warriors girls took the top three spots in the varsity 100 meters, with sophomore Vivian Huskins running a new personal record 13.44 seconds to take first place and teammates Anna Morrison and Kaydance Gardner coming in close behind in second and third.

Huskins, Morrison, Gardner and junior Averi Alexander also set a new meet record in the girls 4x100 relay, taking first place with a time of 51.5 – something

Warrior Wes Chung claimed the top spot in the high jump with a leap of 5’4’’.

coach Latham pointed out had not been done since the 2005 Carpinteria girls varsity ran the same time 20 years ago.

And rounding out the record-setting day for the Warriors was junior Kelly Hernandez, who set a new personal record with a first place toss of 95’ 8” to win the discus throw.

On the boys side, despite the team loss, several Warriors took individual wins on the day. Senior Sebastian Hernandez, still in his first year of track, set a new personal best of 24.27 seconds to win the 200-meter sprint.

“He is getting over the aches and pains of a new sport,” coach Latham said. “And he is making great progress.”

Junior Peter Campuzano took the win in his first time ever racing in the boys 3200 meters, while senior Wes Chung grabbed first in the high jump and junior Nathan Carrillo took the win in the pole vault.

“The Warriors performed well today,” Latham said. “The overall strength of the girls showed through as they kept their league record unblemished. The boys gave a valiant effort against the first-place Cardinals.”

Carpinteria junior Joel De Lira took second place in the boys 1600 meters.

Junior Sawyer Kelly set two new personal records in the boys long jump and triple jump.

Senior sprinter Mika Mullikin took first place with a new personal record in the 300-meter hurdles.

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

Warriors swimmers take shorthanded win

Carpinteria’s swim program took on Santa Paula on March 26 for a head-tohead meet, and despite having a large portion of the Warriors swimmers out for Spring Break, both the boys and girls teams managed to pull away with overall wins for the day.

The Carpinteria boys took the team win 108-12, taking care of business despite half of the team being out for the break.

Sophomore Jake Ehlers and junior Jacob Otsuki took wins in all four individual freestyle events, with Ehlers winning the 50 and 500 meters and Otsuki capturing the 100 and 200 meters. Other individual winners included Griffin Yamaoka, Sky Korling, Eli Sheaffer and Taison Lee.

The Warriors girls managed to pull away with the win, 96-49, thanks to some great swimming by senior Lilli Nemetz and freshman Izzy Scott, who both finished with two individual wins on the day.

The Warriors also had freshman Mina Handall in first place in the 200 individual medley; Devyn Clayton with first place in the 100 butterfly; Lucy Moore with the top spot in the 100 backstroke; and Allison Banks with a win in the 100 breaststroke.

SPORT SHORTS

“The kids that did compete rose to the occasion and put together some personal best times,” said Carpinteria coach Jon Otsuki.

Carpinteria baseball drops two-game series

Warriors baseball had a challenging two-game series against the Citrus Coast leading Santa Paula Cardinals this week, with Carpinteria losing both games and dropping to 1-5 overall on the season.

The series started with the Warriors on the road at Santa Paula on March 20. In this game, Santa Paula took a 4-0 lead early on and never looked back, adding four more runs off multiple home runs to take the 8-1 win.

Carpinteria’s only score of the game came when sophomore Gabe Martinez reached home plate thanks to a sacrifice fly from his brother Beto Martinez in the sixth inning.

“We felt a little bit unprepared for the seasoned approach that Santa Paula brings to the table,” said Carpinteria coach Pat Cooney. “Still, it also looked like we grew up a bit throughout the contest.”

Two days later, the Warriors hosted Santa Paula for the second leg of the series at John Calderwood Field.

Once again, Santa Paula’s high-powered offense was too much for the Warriors. Carpinteria committed six errors and gave up 10 runs in the final two innings, giving the Cardinals a second win in a row, 12-0.

Despite the lopsided score, sophomore Gabe Martinez had a solid performance on the mound for the Warriors, holding Santa Paula to just two runs through most of the game.

“This really was a case of the score not reflecting the quality of the pitching effort,” coach Cooney said. “Gabe kept a really potent lineup in check and the score was just 2-0 heading into the sixth.”

With the loss, the Warriors are now 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the Citrus Coast League, with a chance for a fresh start when they return to league play against Fillmore on April 3.

Cate Rams roundup

Cate’s baseball team returned from spring break on a two-game win streak, and the Rams extended that streak to five in a row after picking up three high-scoring wins against Ojai Valley and Villanova Prep.

Cate hosted Ojai Valley on March 21, where the Rams were able to score often and hold on for the win, 11-2.

In the win, Cate junior Quinn Pullen pitched for five innings, surrendering just one earned run and one hit before Rams sophomore Josh Butler came in to pitch the final two innings and seal the win.

“This group is resilient and challenging,” said Cate coach David Soto. “I’m so proud of their heart.”

The next day, on March 22, Cate hit the road to take on Villanova Prep, and the Rams continued to show their high-scoring offense on the way to a decisive 19-0 shutout victory.

A few days later on March 26, the Rams won their fifth in a row with another high-scoring game, 21-14, on the road against Ojai Valley. With the win, Cate is now 5-2 overall after beginning the season at 0-2.

In Cate boys volleyball, the Rams were swept 0-3 against Bishop Diego on March 26. In the loss, Cate gave up the first set in a close battle, 27-25, before dropping the second and third sets by wider margins of 25-14 and 25-13, respectively.

“We had trouble moving the ball around and putting balls down past Bishop’s consistent defense,” said Cate coach KC Collins. “We couldn’t quite get the right play on the ball, and we couldn’t get momentum on our side, so everything went flat.”

Cate boys lacrosse remained undefeated on the season with an 8-3 road win against

San Marcos on March 21.

In the win, the Rams offense was led by Elliot Murray Osborne with three goals; Tres Davidson and Crosby Rosenthal with two goals each; and Julian Lee with one goal. Cate is now 3-0 in boys lacrosse this season.

Cate girls lacrosse suffered a 14-6 loss to San Marcos, despite a breakout performance from junior goalie Sanai Edwards with 18 saves in the game.

On the offensive side, Maia Holmes led the Rams with three goals and two assists, while three Cate players – Sophia Ospina, Riley Pan and Lorelei Roof – each scored a goal in the loss.

“Overall, this game also exposed our challenges,” said Cate coach Renee Mack. “This is a team that loves to compete. And this was a great learning experience.”

Cate girls lacrosse is now 2-2 overall on the season.

ROSANA SWING

Warrior Matthew Endow glides in the backstroke.

COURTESY PHOTO Cate’s baseball team is on a five-game win streak.

Nolan Martin has been a force in doubles play in 2024.

Warriors tennis extend win streak

BY RYAN P. CRUZ PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

The Carpinteria boys tennis team continued to find a way to win this week, taking two victories over Channel Islands and Bishop Diego to extend the Warriors’ win streak to five in a row. With the two wins, Carpinteria is now 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the Citrus Coast League.

Carpinteria hosted the Channel Islands Raiders on March 20 for a Citrus Coast League battle, and the Warriors came away with the win, 14-4.

Single star Max Stone continued his dominating season with another perfect 3-0 sweep. “He is fun to watch and is a good sport on the court,” Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant said.

Carpinteria’s Matthew Endow and Edwin Hernandez also swept their sets, finishing a combined 5-0 on the day.

In doubles, partners Elio Taha and Servando Campuzano swept their three sets,

as did the always-consistent brotherly duo of Nolan and Lucas Martin.

“Overall, we played a really solid match for our third time in a row,” Coach Bryant said. “It is good to see that consistency as a whole team and not just from certain players.”

The next day, Carpinteria hosted Bishop Diego for a non-league match. In this match, the score was tighter, but the Warriors came away with the win, 10-8.

In doubles, the duo of Campuzano and Hernandez went 3-0, and the Martin brothers teamed up once again to sweep their sets.

“Overall, I am very happy with how the week went,” coach Bryant said. “They met three different styles of teams and played great against each of them.”

The Warriors have now won six of their last seven matches, and Carpinteria will have the chance to avenge a loss to Hueneme with a rematch set for April 2.

Edwin Hernandez swept his three singles sets against Channel Islands.

WADE NOMURA CARPINTERIA GARDENING

Let’s discuss some questions you might want to consider.

Who will use the garden and what for? Would you like your garden to relax in, entertain or enhance the aesthetics of your home? An entertainer may want a large seating area with a built-in BBQ as a central focus, whereas if you would like a relaxing garden, you may want to build

a pond or water feature and include softleaved plants in a neutral color palette.

One of my clients has a very stressful job, so we created for him a tranquil meditation-type secluded area, away from the rest of the garden.

How much time do you have to take care of it? If you have little time to maintain your garden, then you may want to go with more hardscape and low-maintenance plants, with an irrigation system. Whereas if you find relaxation in working in the garden, you may be happy with plants that need regular trimming, shaping and color.

Do you have young children or pets? Certain plants are poisonous to pets, so you should check any before you plant. Those who have young children need to ensure they don’t have fragile plants that can be easily damaged if a ball landed in them or have plants that could be dangerous, like thorny or rigid plants that poke.

Would you like to grow fruit and vegetables? If you have an interest in growing your own fruit and vegetables it’s great to plan that upfront, as they need to be planted where they will get the right amount of sunlight and easy access.

However, you can be creative, rather than hiding them down the back. For example, fruit trees can be a focal point

and two small lemon trees in pots could frame a path. I have used passionfruit vines as my back hedge growing on a fence. One of my clients had a labyrinth, and we included strawberry plants as part of the shrubbery around it. Think outside the box to design your dream garden!

Wade Nomura is an award-winning landscape designer and President of Nomura/ Yamasaki Landscapes Inc., where he brings to life unique gardens specifically designed for the individual client. Wade started in the industry 46 years ago after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in ornamental horticulture with honors.

WADE NOMURA

The author designed and installed a tranquility garden in a retirement home in Montecito.