Coastal View News • April 20, 2023

Expires 4/30/23

Powerhouses

Ainslee Alexander sails over the pole vault, placing third in the 103rd Russell Cup; earlier in the week, she broke the school record with a vault of 10’1’’ against Channel Islands. Alexander joined hundreds of athletes participating in the 103rd Russell Cup at the Carpinteria Valley Memorial Stadium on Saturday, with athletic powerhouses like Sierra Canyon and Oaks Christian going toe-to-toe with local schools like Carpinteria, Cate and Fillmore. See more about the Russell Cup on pg. 21.

Rotary Talent Show brings out Carpinteria’s stars

Howard School holds fundraising hoedown

project mixes learning with fun

2 ERA fundraiser set for April 23

ROSANA SWING

BRIEFLY

COMPILED BY EVELYN SPENCE AND JUN STARKEY

with games, prizes, karaoke, food and video games. PFCHS wants to provide a safe and sober environment for students to celebrate after prom, the group said.

On May 20, students will tour Carpinteria on a bus before heading to prom, which will be held in the Lynda Fairly Courtyard at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. After the dance, students will be transported back to CHS to enjoy the after party, which will be open until midnight.

PFCHS is welcoming general donations, as well as sponsorships for buses, game tables, the food court, food, gift cards and other prizes. Donations may be sent by mail to PFCHS, 4810 Foothill Rd., Carpinteria, CA, 93013, or via Venmo at @PFCarpHigh. Those interested may contact PFCHS at PFCarpHigh@yahoo.com, or by phone at (805) 708-2115.

Covid-19 numbers as of April 13

Covid-19 community levels remain low

Covid-19 levels in Santa Barbara remain low, according to the Santa Barbara County Health Department. The weekly average of reported PCR-confirmed cases has increased by 7.1%; cases are underreported in Santa Barbara County due to the popularity of at-home, rapid testing. No new deaths related to Covid-19 were reported over the last week.

Parent group seeks after-prom party donations

The Parents for Carpinteria High School (PFCHS) group is calling on the community to provide donations for a “Jump on the Bus” after-prom event for students in May.

The group’s goal is to raise $15,000 for the event, which will go towards transforming the Carpinteria High School (CHS) gymnasium into a casino-style lounge, complete

Jr. Lifeguards, swimming lessons registration opens next month

Registration for the city’s popular Jr. Lifeguards program and for summer swim lessons opens online next month, on Tuesday, May 30 at 6 p.m.

This year’s seven-week Jr. Lifeguards program will run between June 19 and Aug. 3 at the Carpinteria City Beach, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; the $575 program is built for kids ages seven through 16. This year, 160 slots are available.

The city also offers a mini Jr. Lifeguards program, for kids ages seven to nine, and a Jr. Lifeguards Safety Aid program, for kids 14-16. Those who have not previously participated in Jr. Lifeguards must complete a swim test at the Carpinteria Community Pool.

The city’s $100 swim lessons are offered over two-week sessions of 30-minutes each, held Monday through Friday. Parent and child lessons are available for ages six months through three years; lessons for children ages three through 12 are also available. See more at carpinteria.recdesk.com/Community/Home.

Fried Chicken &Waffles, with Hominy Grits

Buttermilk battered chicken breast on grits with two waffles. Served with Vermont Maple Syrup.

WE WAFFLES!

Served with sweet potato fries. Lettuce, tomato, and pickles on side.

Buttermilk battered chicken breast on bun, with dill pickle chips, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, house made special sauce. Served with onion rings, french fries, or sweet potato fries.

Avocado, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, pepperjack cheese, red onions, on gluten free bread.

Local spring mix, tossed with dried cranberries & figs, chopped green apple, buttermilk battered chicken breast. Served with honey

LUNCHSPECIALS

Fried Chicken &Waffles, with Hominy Grits

Buttermilk battered chicken breast on grits with two waffles. Served with Vermont Maple Syrup.

Bison Burger

Organic ground bison burger with pepperjack cheese. Served with sweet potato fries. Lettuce, tomato, and pickles on side.

Fried Chicken Burger

ERA fundraiser set for April 23

The Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee (SBWPC) will hold a “Publish the ERA!” fundraiser at the Carpinteria Community Library on Sunday, April 23, 2–4 p.m. The Carpinteria Community Library is located at 5141 Carpinteria Ave.

Waffles,

Buttermilk battered chicken breast on bun, with dill pickle chips, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, and house made special sauce. Served with onion rings, french fries, or sweet potato fries.

Gluten Free Avocado Sandwich

Avocado, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, pepperjack cheese, red onions, on gluten free bread. Served with coleslaw or fruit.

Taylor’s Salad

Local spring mix, tossed with dried cranberries & figs, chopped green apple, buttermilk battered chicken breast. Served with honey mustard dressing.

Spinach Salad

Organic baby spinach, tossed with chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and goat cheese. Served with house made balsamic vinaigrette.

The event is free and open to the public, according to member Lisa Guravitz. The SBWPC seeks to raise awareness of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) – a decades-old, proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that states “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” The document was ratified by the required 38th state, Virginia, in 2020, but the ERA was not published as the 28th amendment.

Sunday’s event will showcase artworks created in support of the ERA; refreshments will be available. See more by emailing info@sbwpc.org or by calling (800) 977-9348.

County Budget Workshop: April 21

COURTESY LISA GURAVITZ

The Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee will showcase ERA-inspired art at the Carpinteria Community Library on Sunday, such as “Equal Rights Amendment Now 2022” by Forest and River Stearns.

Santa Barbara County will hold its final budget workshop on Friday, April 21 at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building, Fourth Floor Hearing Room, 105 East Anapamu St. Two previous budget workshops were held on April 18 and April 19.

During the workshops, each county department gives an outline of its budget. The county’s preliminary operating budget for 2023-2024 is $1.48 billion – a 6.2% increase from last year’s adopted budget.

“Adopting a balanced budget is challenging,” Board Chair and Supervisor Das Williams said in a press release last week. “Budget workshops are an opportunity to craft a plan on how to stay financially resilient while continuing to support critical services like public safety, mental health, reduction of homelessness, and environmental protection.”

See more online about the proposed budget at countyofsb.org/3645/2023-to-2024.

COURTESY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Two intruders enter Canalino campus, flee after employee confrontation

Community members, parents criticize district response to the incident

BY JUN STARKEY

Two intruders entered the Canalino Elementary School campus during instruction time on Thursday, April 13, and quickly fled once confronted by a district employee. The incident is now under investigation by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Two unknown men entered the Canalino Elementary School campus at around 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, according to Canalino Principal Jamie Persoon. It is unclear how the two men entered the campus, Persoon said, but they were not spotted by district employees until an employee noticed them walking behind the district office.

Persoon provided a second-hand account of the events to CVN, which she also provided to parents through the communication portal ParentSquare the day of the incident. Persoon was dealing with a “plumbing issue” in a kindergarten classroom at the time of the incident, and said she was not aware the two men had entered the campus until after they had gone.

Monica Thomas, an executive assistant to the Superintendent, and another district employee approached the two men. One of the men told Thomas that he had a third grader enrolled at Canalino – using a student name administrators later found is not on file – and she explained that they would have to go through the school office to leave the school.

According to Persoon, as Thomas began to guide the two men towards the school office, the men took off running and exited the campus through a push gate near the bus loop. Persoon said Thomas followed the men as they ran, watching them run into the neighborhoods along Linden Avenue, before she called 911. The interaction lasted less than five minutes.

Sheriff’s deputies searched the neighborhoods near Canalino before reporting to the school around 1:15 p.m., about 30 minutes after the men were first spotted.

No gates were broken or unlocked, and none of the school’s security cameras were angled in a way to catch the men entering the campus.

Following the incident, some community members and parents criticized the response from the district and Canalino, with many asking why the school was not placed on lockdown with intruders on campus.

“It is very scary to think that they were able to access the school,” one parent wrote on the school’s ParentSquare forum; another asked why there aren’t staff members located at each school gate.

Persoon told CVN district staff called 911 right away when “it was clear they were not truthful about their identity.”

The main purpose of a lockdown is to protect students and employees from the threat of violence, Persoon said; the men were approached as soon as they were spotted, and they did not have weapons or pose any immediate threat of violence. Persoon said that if she had triggered a lockdown after the fact, it would have

only caused fear and panic.

According to a ParentSquare message from Persoon, the school believes the trespassers likely came from Pacific Village behind the campus.

“The parent who lives (in Pacific Village) reports that his gate to his backyard was damaged and broken,” Persoon wrote last week. “He believes that the pair were attempting a robbery of his home… and saw his large, intimidating dog who likely barked at them. They may have then jumped the wall to escape the dog… which would have landed them right where they were captured on the video.”

Superintendent Diana Rigby defended the actions of Thomas and other district employees, stating employees followed the district’s safety protocols.

“We are grateful that the district office followed safety protocols and approached and questioned two males who were trespassing on district office property,” Rigby said. “All staff follow the Hour Zero safety training protocols.” The sheriff’s department had no update on the search for the suspects. Public Information Offi cer Raquel Zick asked anyone with information to call the Carpinteria station at (805) 568-3399.

COURTESY OF JAMIE PERSOON

Two intruders entered Canalino Elementary School on Thursday, April 13 shortly before fleeing; they were captured on the school’s security cameras.

Highway 101 construction update

Carpool lanes temporarily closed for median work

The north and southbound carpool lanes spanning from Bailard to Linden Avenue will be closed during daytime hours, while Caltrans crews plant greenery in the median.

The northbound carpool lane – from Bailard to Linden Avenue – will be closed Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the southbound lane – from Linden to Bailard Avenue – will be closed Mondays through Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other closures along the northbound side of Highway 101 include one lane from Santa Monica Road to Sheffield Drive, which will be closed Mondays through Thursdays, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Sundays from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The northbound on-ramp at South Padaro and Santa Claus Lane will be closed until late August, and the on-ramp at San Ysidro Road will be closed until early 2025. The northbound off-ramp at North Padaro Lane will be closed until mid-June, and the off-ramp at Olive Mill Road will be closed for up to seven months.

Along the southbound side, one lane from Sheffield Drive to Carpinteria Avenue will be closed Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., and Sundays from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The southern off-ramp at South Padaro and Santa Claus lanes will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning April 24 until April 27.

During the week of April 23, construction crews will install underground supports near San Ysidro Road, as part of the construction for the San Ysidro Roundabout, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

From April 23–25, construction crews will work on utility and drain improvements for the Olive Mill Roundabout, near Olive Mill Road by North Jameson Lane from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

South Padaro Lane under Highway 101 will be closed from April 17 to April 20, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., for the removal of the bridge. Drivers may use the offramp at South Padaro and Santa Claus lanes, or the southbound on-ramp at Santa Claus Lane, as detours.

––Jun Starkey

The prospect of estate planning can feel daunting and overwhelming. From my first conversation with Stefanie, however, those fears quickly vanished. She walked us through the process with humor, patience, and a stealth sense of expertise. It was a joy working with her.

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STEFANIE HERRINGTON

— Oriana McGee

ATTORNEY

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STEFANIE HERRINGTON

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STEFANIE HERRINGTON

STEFANIE HERRINGTON

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

ATTORNEY

ATTORNEY

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

(805) 293-6363

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

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PHOTOS COURTESY SBROADS

Crews remove old pavement, grade soils and work on drainage improvements on the segment of Highway 101 between North Padaro and Santa Claus lanes.

Crews focus on retaining walls and drainage improvements for the San Ysidro Roundabout.

Construction crews continue to work on the Santa Claus Lane bikeway.

School board ratifies incorrect union agreement Board to address mistake at upcoming Tuesday meeting

BY JUN STARKEY

The Carpinteria Unified School District Board of Trustees mistakenly ratified an incorrect version of the tentative agreement reached with the Carpinteria Association of United School Employees (CAUSE) during last Tuesday’s meeting.

The district approved three calendars at its April 11 meeting, including an incorrect version of the 2024-25 calendar. The version of the 2024-25 calendar negotiated with CAUSE included a three-week winter break, but the version approved by the board on Tuesday had a two-week winter break.

CAUSE leader Jay Hotchner penned an open letter to the district about the ratification, demanding the board “act immediately to resolve this issue by taking all necessary steps to reverse its actions, correct the record and ratify the correct tentative agreements.” The letter also demanded the board “review its entire ratification efforts thoroughly, to identify other similar errors that may exist in the district’s efforts to ratify said tentative agreements.”

This mistake will be addressed at the board’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday, April 25, Superintendent Diana Rigby told CVN.

Measure U projects continue at Summerland Elementary, Main School

The board later heard an annual update on all ongoing Measure U construction and modernization. Currently, only Summerland Elementary School and the

Carpinteria Main School have ongoing projects.

Measure U is a general obligation bond passed in Carpinteria in 2014, which issued $90 million for the district to update its facilities.

At Carpinteria High School, all Measure U updates are complete, save for an amphitheater project which has not been allocated yet, according to Assistant Superintendent Maureen Fitzgerald, who presented the update to the board.

The Carpinteria Main School campus is in the final phase of modernization, which Fitzgerald said should be completed by the end of summer. At Carpinteria Middle School, plans for the multi-purpose room will begin next year, but no projects are currently underway.

CHS Mock Trial shows off yearlong progress

The board also heard a presentation from the Carpinteria High School Mock Trial team, as well as instructor Peter Cotte, about what the team has accomplished over the last year and what each team member has learned from the program.

“Many volunteers, including some of our alumni members, have helped out…” said CHS principal Gerardo Cornejo.

“We’re very proud of our mock trial team and what they’ve achieved this school year.”

CHS placed third in the Santa Barbara County Mock Trial competition last year, and several students from the CHS team also won individual awards for their work on the team.

The students spoke about how mock trials helped build their confidence and sense of community; several students said they had issues with public speaking before joining the team.

“I’m really proud of our mock trial… We put in a lot of effort and it really paid off,” said Devyn Clayton, president of the mock trial team. “Everyone that isn’t here…I’m super proud of them.”

Donations

The board accepted five donations during its Tuesday meeting, including a donation of $1,000 from “Zack Ballat – Kims Market,” $100 from Louis Silverman and $200 from the Future Leaders of America for the CHS Virtual Enterprise class for its New York trip.

The board also approved a donation of

$250 from Lynda Kest Living Trust to the CHS Baseball Club, and an anonymous donation of $500 to the CHS Baseball Club, both in memory of Daryl Brown.

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MY WELLNESS NOW

At the beginning of the pandemic, I received a Facebook invite to join a group that was created with the following premise in mind: “The concept is simple – spread kindness/cheer through whatever means you like within guidelines of being safe and appropriate.

Some examples: a cup of coffee, a card, a kind email, prayers, words of encouragement, flowers, a painted rock, a goodie bag, a drawing, poem, etc. The ideas are endless.”

We were to spread “sprinkles” throughout our local community, from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara. T he group quickly morphed into an amazing group of women who followed the creators’ suggestions, and then some. Several times I walked out onto my porch to a surprise bag of goodies, flowers or a sweet note. People were extremely creative given the Covid-19 safety protocols we had in place.

When protocols laxed a bit, I made several wonderful new friends with whom I continue to spend time. I also was blessed to witness how others formed deep connections and throughout all the grief of the pandemic, were able to support one another with love and kindness.

I recently joined a new group on Facebook around RAOK (random acts of kindness). I was invited by my aunt who lives on the East Coast; I currently only know two of the over 2,600 people from all over the U.S. (and perhaps outside as well).

The premise is simple; every member volunteers to be assigned a day of the year (mine will be May 20) to deliver one RAOK throughout the year. The moderators write “Be it big or small, free or worth a few dollars and for a stranger

or someone you know. Please join our cause! We like the idea of some level of anonymity, but if it’s someone you know, then that is your call.”

Every day at least one person will post the story of what they did on their assigned day; additionally, people may post extra stories of RAOK. It’s been so uplifting and inspiring to read and witness these wonderful acts of kindness.

So what is kindness, and why does it matter so much? I’m sure many of you reading this have a general idea of what kindness is, and that it’s a good thing to participate and experience. However, I thought it might be useful to share briefly about the benefits of kindness.

Mayo Clinic explains that “Kindness is more than behavior. The art of kindness means harboring a spirit of helpfulness, as well as being generous and considerate and doing so without expecting anything in return. Kindness is a quality of being. The act of giving kindness often is simple, free, positive, and healthy.” Core qualities of kindness are being considerate, helpful and thoughtful. Studies have shown that even just witnessing acts of kindness can have positive effects, including overall improved mental health.

The Mayo Clinic found that kindness increases empathy, self-esteem, compassion and improves mood; boosts serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitters in our brain that give us pleasure, happiness and overall well being; decreases blood pressure, decreases cortisol (a stress hormone directly impacting stress levels); and improves heart health. Endorphins are released, which is the body’s natural pain killer.

According to Dr. Bhawani Ballamudi, an SSM health child psychiatrist, “Reducing inflammation, in some ways, protects you from some chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and cancer and that leads to overall better health and overall longevity.” Increased connection with others and sense of belonging, which can reduce isolation. This can help improve low moods and relationships in general, helping people create and strengthen social connections.

Per RandomactsofKindness.org, kindness increases oxytocin, “the love hormone: which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving overall heart health;

it increases self-esteem and optimism and can be very helpful in reducing anxiety in social situations.” It also increases energy and helps with physical pain and stress; according to the website, perpetually kind people” have 23% less cortisol and age slower than the average population.

I know that at times there’s so much heaviness in the world, and this is absolutely true. However, rather than let that diminish the light within us, let’s find kind ways to show up for others, whether it’s a loved one or a stranger you cross when you are out doing your errands. The exponential effect kindness has on those around us is more significant than people may realize.

Here’s an effortless way I think that we can increase the kindness energy here locally: I want to challenge everyone reading this to send a Halo to the CVN this week! Let’s flood the CVN with halos for others who’ve shown

us kindness or who we’ve witnessed doing kind acts for another. Wouldn’t it be an amazing thing indeed to open up the CVN in the next couple weeks and see dozens and dozens of halos? I look forward to seeing this!

Vickie Gonzalez has been licensed for almost 20 years as an LMFT and currently provides counseling, coaching and consulting services. Her private practice is currently online only. She specializes in private practice, including grief loss, addiction/codependency and anxiety disorders. She works with people around themes of identity and purpose as well, primarily with individuals and couples. Coaching services focus on collaborating with clients on setting and reaching their wellness goals, whether those goals are career, relational, financial or personal in nature. On a personal note, she has lived in Carpinteria all her life and became a therapist to give back to the community.

I want to challenge everyone reading this to send a Halo to the CVN this week. Let’s flood the CVN with halos for others who’ve shown us kindness or who we’ve witnessed doing kind acts for another.

VICKIE GONZALEZ

LETTERS

Why are we building during a drought?

How ironic that the Water Department chose to remind us that the drought isn’t over and that we need to conserve water without ever taking a stand over the proposed new hotels and housing.

What is wrong with our elected officials and townspeople is that they haven’t figured out that Carpinteria is a valley with a limited supply of water. (I notice Montecito doesn’t have to build any new housing.) Water is precious and is likely to remain so, so why are we allowing this irrevocable problem to take place?

Doesn’t anyone read the news? The last governor of California mentioned that we have too many people for our state’s resources.

I have a friend who tells me that people need a place to live, and while that is true, it’s a terrible idea to overbuild in a place that already has a limited water supply.

For the record...

In CVN Vol. 29, No. 30, “Carpinteria veterinarian to leave in June,” the correct address for the VCA Carpinteria Veterinary Hospital is 585 Walnut Ave.

In CVN Vol. 29, No. 30, the City Beat section, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is responsible for assigning Carpinteria’s share of the state’s allocated housing units; and Maker’s full name is Erin Maker.

In CVN Vol. 29, No. 30, “Teachers union ratifies tentative agreement with school district,” the correct salary increase for certificated employees is 8%, not 10%.

CARPINTERIA

Providing local news and information for the Carpinteria Valley

Celebrating Carpinteria’s doctors

BY JEANETTE GUMBER, RN

I hope that Carpinterians can band together like some of the other cities down south and oppose this horrible idea. People need homes but they also need water and food. Wake up Carpinteria!

Madge Oliver Carpinteria

Sidewalk dining is overcrowded, tacky

I think that the restaurants in Carpinteria need to part ways with extending their dining tables to the sidewalk and in the street. After years of Covid-19 and where we are with the pandemic, I think it’s time to revert the public sidewalk and street back to the way it was before the pandemic. The restaurant tables on the public sidewalk and street make Carpinteria look overcrowded and tacky. With the long, warm spring days and summer months fast approaching, it would be a lot nicer if these tables were removed to open up more space on the street and sidewalk.

Sam Clark Westlake Village, CA

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

On March 30, 2023, the Carpinteria Health Care Center celebrated National Doctors Day by honoring our doctors for their contributions to the community. Their dedication puts the patient first time and again. On National Doctors Day, we say “thank you” to our physicians for all that they do for our loved ones and ourselves.

Nestled in the heart of Carpinteria and serving the surrounding area, the Carpinteria Health Care Center has become an indispensable community health care resource for Carpinteria. The clinic is at 931 Walnut Ave. between the Veteran’s Hall and the Fire Station. The Carpinteria Health Care Center is part of the Santa Barbara Public Health Department and is one of eight Federally Qualified Health Centers throughout Santa Barbara County. The Health Care Center offers various services for adults, teens, children and infants. Our team of skilled medical professionals is a group of warm, compassionate staff committed to meeting our patient’s needs.

Dr. Wy, MD, graduated from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 1987 and has practiced for 33 years. He completed his residency at Hamot Medical Center. Dr. Wy is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and he currently provides care to our patients at our Carpinteria and Franklin Health Care locations. In his free time, Dr. Wy enjoys running, basketball, swimming and spending time with his family.

Pennsylvania. Dr. Garcia speaks English and Spanish and has created a special connection with her patients since returning to California in 2020. She actively participates with our local community partners, organizations and schools to ensure our Carpinteria children enjoy safe, happy and healthy lives. In addition, Dr. Garcia has made Santa Barbara her home, and loves being outside with her husband and two children.

Managing Editor Evelyn Spence

Assistant Editor Jun Starkey

Sports Editor Ryan P. Cruz

Graphic Designer Kristyn Whittenton

Photographer Robin Karlsson

Advertising Manager Karina Villarreal Publishers Gary L. Dobbins, Michael VanStry

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

CIRCULATION VERIFIED BY

Dr. Kucharski was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA, and graduated from UC Davis with a dual degree in Spanish and Biology. She then attended medical school at St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed her family medicine residency training at Ventura County Medical Center Residency Program in 2014. Dr. Kucharski truly enjoys providing primary care to the whole family; from pregnancy to the newborn period, to old age, and everything in between, it is an honor for her to care for patients in all stages of life. She joined the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in January 2020, now serving as a primary care physician for Franklin and Carpinteria Health Care Centers. In her spare time, she loves being outdoors with her husband and two sons, playing at the beach, hiking, camping or visiting the local farmer’s market.

Dr. Kara Garcia, MD, is a Carpinteria Health Care Center pediatrician. After studying medicine at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine and completing her pediatrics residency and chief residency at Children’s Hospital Oakland (now UCSF Benioff Oakland), she joined her father’s practice, another pediatrician, in

Dr. Hughes graduated summa cum laude with her bachelor’s in biology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara in 2004. She graduated from medical school at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did her pediatric residency at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. She served as faculty at Loma Linda University before returning to Santa Barbara. Dr. Hughes then practiced as a pediatric hospitalist at Cottage Children’s Medical Center for four years. She joined the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in February 2016 and now serves as a part-time pediatrician for Franklin and Carpinteria Health Care Centers. She enjoys various outdoor activities in her spare time, including hiking, soccer, and paddle boarding. However, her greatest joy is spending time with her family, including her son and daughter.

In July 2022, the Carpinteria Health Care Center partnered with Cottage Hospital to offer a continuity clinic for their residents. As a result, we welcomed two pediatric residents from Cottage Hospital, Dr. Vernica Skital and Dr. Ayda Alavi, who work at our clinic under the preceptorship of our pediatricians.

Thank you to Dr. Jaclyn Kucharski, Dr. Tomas Wy, Dr. Kara Garcia, Dr. Kristen Hughes, Dr. Veronica Skital and Dr. Ayda Alavi. We appreciate you!

Jeanette Gumber, RN, is a Health Care Administrator at the Carpinteria Health Care Center, located at 931 Walnut Ave. in Carpinteria. The health center can be reached at (805) 560-1092.

“What is wrong with our elected officials and townspeople is that they haven’t figured out that Carpinteria is a valley with a limited supply of water.”

– Madge Oliver

On National Doctors Day, we say “thank you” to our physicians for all that they do for our loved ones and ourselves.

CLUB SCENE

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY | COURTESY PHOTOS

Cachuma receives 4,000 pounds of rainbow trout

Lake now at capacity following winter storms

Lake Cachuma received 4,000 pounds of rainbow fish last Monday, courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The lake, which is full after more than 10 years of being under capacity, now has more than 16,000 pounds of rainbow trout in its waters.

The fish came from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms, Inc. in Paynes Creek, California and ranged from half a pound to eight pounds; the latest round of fish was stocked at the lake ahead of the 26th Annual Fish Derby, held on April 15 and 16. The derby benefits the Neal Taylor Nature Center, a Santa Barbara County nonprofit.

For those wishing to visit Cachuma Lake, one-day and annual fishing licenses, pontoons, outboards and kayak rentals are available for rent or purchase

at the Cachuma Lake Marina and Boat Rentals. If an individual has a yearround fishing license, they can fish from the shore or a boat in the recreation area.

Visitors can also check out the guided lake cruises, Junior Rangers, disc golf, live music and hiking attractions. The Cachuma Lake Recreation Area also has a full-service campground that includes the rental options of a year-round cabin, RV, yurt or tent camping.

S anta Barbara County Parks has enforced a vessel quarantine on all trailered vessels that enter Cachuma Lake. Although boats must be inspected and tagged by the lake staff 30 days prior to visiting, kayaks and canoes are eligible for same-day launch. More information is available at countyofsb.org, under Boating & Vessel Requirements.

– Gillian Flath

Local students win Rotary essay contest

Three Carpinteria students were dubbed winners of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning student essay contest, and on April 12, the students received awards and read their essays aloud to the club.

In the elementary school category, Marshall Patterson, a fifth grader from Canalino Elementary School, took home first place. In the middle school category, first place went to Ashton Nystrom, a seventh-grade homeschool student; and second place went to Cornelius Patterson, an eighth grader from Carpinteria Middle School. Each of the essay applicants were asked to write an essay based on the Rotary 4-Way test. The 4-Way test includes the questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

In-person meetings of the Carpinteria Birdwatchers group will return this Thursday, led by founder John Callender; Callender captured this photo of a male Red-winged Blackbird in July 2022.

Carpinteria Birdwatchers group returns to inperson meetings

The Carpinteria Birdwatchers group returns to in-person meetings at the Carpinteria Community Library on Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m., after the group’s March meeting was postponed.

The topic of the meeting will be Shorebirds, and the group’s founder John Callender will present the refresher, which will include recent events involving local Shorebirds and a brush-up on how to tell different local Shorebird species apart. Carpinteria Birdwatchers meetings are open to the public. The meetings are held at the Carpinteria Community Library at 5141 Carpinteria Ave.

Rotary cleans up local beaches

Members of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning spent time cleaning up Carpinteria’s beaches following local spring breaks, including Carie Smith, Kim Gly, Libby Gerteis, Steve Gerteis, Rebecca Griffin and Mary Layman. The club told CVN that members were “pleasantly surprised at what little amount of trash was found.” To learn more about Rotary community events, contact Rebecca Griffin at rgrgriffin@aol.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Two workers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife load rainbow trout into Cachuma Lake.

More than 4,000 pounds of rainbow trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms, Inc. were loaded into Lake Cachuma last week.

Local students Ashton Nystrom, Cornelius Patterson and Marshall Patterson, center, accept their awards for the Rotary Club essay contest from Rotary President Rebecca Griffin, left, and coordinator Teresa Alvarez, right.

JOHN CALLENDER PHOTO

Local creator mixes education and entertainment with after-school activity kit

BY PETER DUGRÉ

Every educator and childcare provider knows that keeping kids on task in productive ways is a real challenge. Local creator and filmmaker Larry Nimmer hopes to provide a tool for fixing that problem with the Kids Game Show Package, an interactive and easy-to-use kit for after-school programs that mimics the flow and energy of classic television game shows. Mixing trivia and fun activities, the Kids Game Show engages kids in an exciting game-show environment all while providing lessons in academics, teamwork, confidence and fun, according to its creator.

“It started with my dad. He would always quiz me and my siblings and ask us trivia questions. It turned into a game and was a fun way to learn new things,” said Nimmer, who also produces “Man on the Street” for Coastal View News.

A study conducted by Duquesne University researchers and published by the National Institutes of Health in 2021 showed that a gamified classroom experience enhances student engagement. Of those who participated in a Bingo game to learn scientific terms, 72% of respondents found the game setting “stimulated (their) thinking and helped (them) focus on classroom materials.” As overall engagement tools, educational games make students feel more comfortable asking questions during lessons and interacting both with other students and instructors,

Local Larry Nimmer’s latest venture is the Kid Game Show Package, an interactive kit that offers academic and teamwork lessons in the form of a game show.

according to the study.

Each Kids Game Show Package includes enough scripted questions and challenges to configure dozens of game shows, along with game props like balloons and ringers, trivia questions and myriad digital video assets used in the game. For example, “Guess the Animal by Emoji” has students deciphering

Games

Animal Charades

Dance Contest

Face Staring Contest

Funny Face Contest

Funny Sound Contest

Guess the Animal by Emoji

Guess the Picture

Guess the Sound

Identify the Object

Karaoke

Memory Game

Ping Pong Ball Toss

Spot the Odd Emoji

Talk Fast Contest

Thumb War

Truth or False

Sample Trivia Questions

What is the opposite of North? (South.)

words and phrases written in emoji script, and “Identify the Object” features videos slowly zooming out from an object until a contestant rings in to identify it. Games are designed for three to four contestants in addition to lively audience roles needed to dial up the appropriate game show energy through cheering and participating in interactive portions of the game show like a “Guess the Drawing” Pictionary round.

“The game is designed to be well-rounded for all types of learners, whether someone learns visually or tactically,” Nimmer said. “Students should feel challenged but never ignorant. One thing that is important is to call the questions ‘trivia’ and not ‘quiz questions.’ Kids don’t respond well to quiz questions.”

Audience interaction is a big part of the game, so involvement expands beyond the contestants; up to 20 students can participate in the games. During “Guess the Sound,” audience members can also score points by identifying the sounds.

Nimmer, who has worked as a videography teacher at Carpinteria High School and volunteered in the after-school program at the Boys & Girls Club of Carpinteria, said the activities draw from familiar game concepts. The key, he said, was to adapt material into the gameshow structure and to package and script materials into a platform that after-school instructors can implement on their own. The Kids Game Show scripts

Name a U.S. president who was assassinated.

Name three foods that are yellow, inside or outside.

What is the name of a country that begins with the letter “M.” (Mexico, Morocco, Malaysia.)

What are the holes on the moon’s surface called? (Craters.)

provide both the narrative framework for the games along with clickable links to multimedia components. Using The Kids Game Show Package, anyone with computer access can gather up to 20 kids and put on a game show. The package includes a short training video and age-appropriate trivia questions for ages seven to 17. Technical support for one year is included.

Nimmer piloted The Kids Game Show with the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and other after school programs around the country. Currently, Nimmer is bringing the product to market both through direct sales and potentially distributors specializing in products for youth programming.

“All of the after-school staff so far have seen how much kids like it and the staff find it easy to use,” Nimmer said. See more at nimmer.net.

From left, Isabella, Evan and Armani of the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank prepare to answer questions during the Kids Game Show, created by local Larry Nimmer.

COURTESY PHOTOS

ARTCETRA

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY | COURTESY PHOTOS

Taylor wins People’s Choice award

The Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center has announced Beth Taylor’s piece “The Coveted Beach” as the winner of the people’s choice ballot from the “Shape and Soul” exhibit.

“Bates Beach is one of my favorite places to relax on this particular bench,” Taylor said about her piece in a press release. “I look out and take in the gorgeous Carpinteria coastline, which I believe is the most coveted bench in the park! It is the only bench that provides shade on a hot summer day.”

The art center’s next exhibit is the Artist Studio Tour, opening on April 21.

Carpinteria composer’s works featured at SB concert

Carpinteria composer John Villar will have his work featured at a concert organized by the Santa Barbara Music Club on Saturday, May 6 at 3 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara.

Beau

Beau Wilding releases full-length album

Carpinterian Beau James Wilding is set to release his third full-length album “seeing i god” on Friday, April 21, 7–9 p.m. He will commemorate the release with a performance at brewLAB, where physical copies of his album will be available. Wilding is legally blind, and said his album’s title is a play on the term seeing eye dog. He also said his nine-track album deals with transcending disability and dives into emotions such as determination and grief.

Carpinteria’s brewLAB is located at 4191 Carpinteria Ave.

The performance will feature the premiere of Villar’s song cycle “Prayer for Earth,” performed by soprano Kyra Folk-Farber and pianist Bridget Hough. The show will also include “Variations on a Theme of Emma Lou Diemer” by Eric Valinsky as well as selected works for oboe and piano featuring oboist Adelle Rodkey.

Other compositions by Villar can be heard on YouTube at @johnvillarcomp2222.

The First United Methodist Church is located at 305 E. Anapamu Street in Santa Barbara.

The People’s Choice winner for the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Art Center’s “Shape and Soul” exhibit was “The Coveted Beach” by Beth Taylor.

Filmmakers discuss storytelling at Alcazar Theatre

Five filmmakers took to the stage at the Alcazar Theatre on Monday, April 17 to discuss their own works and the current world of storytelling through documentaries, in a free community event hosted by 805 Film Co.

The event was moderated by Soraya Simi, the founder of 805 Film Co. and a producer who is also currently in post-production for her first feature film, “ROW OF LIFE,” which follows the story of the globally renowned Paralympian, Angela Madsen, and her final solo row across the Pacific Ocean in 2020. The panel included filmmakers Nicole Noren, a documentary director, producer and journalist for ESPN’s investigative unit; Emmy award-winning directors Nicholas Weissman and Rita Baghdadi; and multi award-winning director and producer David Byars.

From left, Nicholas Weissman, Nicole Noren, David Byars, Rita Baghdadi and Soraya Simi spoke at the Alcazar Theatre on Monday about their own works and documentary storytelling.

Yee-haw! Howard School auction draws country fans to annual fundraiser

PHOTOS BY DEBRA HERRICK

Carpinteria’s Howard School parents and community members grabbed their cowboy boots and hats for the private school’s fundraiser and auction at Lions Park. This year’s western-themed gathering included a silent and live auction, a full bar and dinner from The Food Liaison and a raffle for special prizes, offering patrons the chance to bid on destination getaways, sports memorabilia, date nights and other fun items.

From left, this year’s auction was organized by committee members Holly Franke, Dayna Kelly, Leah Harding and Elise Guelich.

From left, Melanie Klein, Anita Betancourt and Jennifer Hansen check in attendees.

Lyn and Jack Griffin

The Howard Hoedown took place at Lions Park in Carpinteria.

Anthony Pozzebon and Brandon Wheatley face off in a game of horseshoes.

Ryan Williams and Jessica Stovall enjoy this year’s catering from

Food Liaison.

Lights, set, action! Carpinteria school fundraiser puts local talent on full display

PHOTOS BY DAVID DEMOULPIED

Saturday marked the Rotary Club of Carpinteria’s 14th annual Talent Showcase, drawing out local talent and curious observers to the Alcazar Theatre. This year, acts ranged from dances by the CSD School of Performing Arts to stand-up comedy from Santa Barbara-based comedian Chris Williams.

Each year, the funds raised by the Rotary Club goes back to the Carpinteria Unified School District, funding new and reburnished musical instruments and cases, tuners and recorders, band uniforms, sheet music and books, summer music camp scholarships, academic scholarships and more. Over the past 14 years, the talent show – emceed by local TV reporter John Palminteri – has raised over $200,000 for the local school district.

RIGHT, From left, Bishop Diego High School student Nate Creager, 14, speaks to emcee John Palminteri about his country music performance of “Where I find God” by Larry Fleet.

Mariachi Las Olas de Santa Barbara took the stage on Saturday directed by local Juan Zaragoza, the district’s new high school mariachi teacher.

Sixteen-year-old Devyn Clayton –High School musical production “Moonshadow” by Cat Stevens.

From left, Isabella Stovall, Sienna Aguilar, Salma Balogun, Jojo Bell and Olivia Hotchner represented the CSD School of Performing Arts.

– the star of this year’s Carpinteria of “Brigadoon” – sings

LEFT, Martin Osborn of The Ukulele Jammers sings and plays the ukulele.

Etta Nicolaides, top, and Sadie Crouse, bottom, dance to “I Don’t Dance” from High School Musical 2.

Comedian Chris Williams engages the crowd with stand-up comedy.

The Carpinteria High School Warrior Band performs “Jurassic Park” and “Raiders March” by John Williams, directed by Michael Martindale.

ABOVE, Tiffany Story, right, sang on Saturday for the talent show.

RIGHT, Cara Terlep, a local registered nurse, sings “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin.

Bear Saxon Kutcher and Meadow Jane Kutcher

Bear Saxon Kutcher, left, and Meadow Jane Kutcher, right, were born on Feb. 2, 2023 at Ventura Community Memorial Hospital to proud parents and long-term partners Northe Saxon Kutcher and Sequoia Terry Davis of Carpinteria. Meadow was born at 10 p.m., arriving at 5 lbs., 6 oz.; her brother Bear was born at 10:02 p.m., at 6 lbs., 1 oz.

The twins’ maternal grandmother Neva Ortiz Sweeney and her husband Tom Sweeney are overjoyed with the pair’s arrival, Tom told CVN.

ON THE ROAD

Local readers and entrepreneurs flock to Carp Kids Read

PHOTOS BY ISMAEL PAREDES ULLOA

The Carpinteria Children’s Project attracted local readers and entrepreneurs with its Carp Kids Read and Youth Makers Market community gatherings last Saturday, taking advantage of the sunny spring weather.

During the free community events, attendees sat through storytime with local guests – including Carpinteria Unified School District Diana Rigby and Canalino Principal Jamie Persoon – danced to music from DJ Marco and enjoyed musical performances from the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center. Kids also entered into the raffle and stopped by Maria’s Face Painting for a makeover.

CVN sleds at Mount Pinos

Carpinteria Family School classmates, Sylvie and Amber Freund, and Skylar and Sylas Ziegler, take a break from sledding to read CVN at Mount Pinos. The two families vacationed at the mountain during Spring break.

CVN braves the Arctic Circle

Rebecca Griffin, realtor at Murphy King Real Estate, and her daughter Alleea Griffin, an instructional aide at Carpinteria Unified School District, visited the Arctic Circle in Finland in search of the Northern Lights.

“We found Santa instead,” Rebecca told CVN.

Several local Carpinteria and Santa Barbara organizations partnered with the Children’s Project for the Carp Kids Read and Youth Makers Market events, including the Carpinteria Community Library, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, United Way of Santa Barbara County, the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, the Community Environment Council, Women, Infants, and Children Program and the Santa Barbara County Promotores Network.

Do you have a photo from Carpinteria’s past? Contact news@coastalview.com to share it with other readers!

Superintendent Diana Rigby reads to a group of children.

Elaynna and her mom sell her bracelets during the Youth Makers Market.

Dealing with an estranged child, and cleaning up parents’ messes

THE SEAWITCH SAYS

Dear Amy O, I have three children and have been estranged from one for more than three decades. Reconciling does not look to be in the future. As I am a few years past my life expectancy age, my question is would it be wrong to exclude that child from any inheritance?

Signed,

Wondering About Leaving This World

Dear Wondering About Leaving This World, I’m sorry to hear about your family situation. Discord isn’t easy. I applaud you wanting to do the right thing.

Generally speaking, financial planners and other money experts think dividing up assets among children is the fairest way to distribute wealth. But this is life, and life has all kinds of exceptions. For example, perhaps one child previously has received more financial support than others, such as help with a business venture, and the estate plan is where the numbers get evened. A child with special needs also requires more money. Then there’s irreconcilable differences.

Can you articulate why you want to disinherit your child? If the reasons fall into a get-even-or-punish-or-teach’em-a-lesson category, you may want to talk this through with a mental health counselor. You don’t need to justify your reasons to anyone else but yourself; I’m suggesting the extra help of talking to someone may be beneficial. If you are satisfied with your reasons, then you do what you think is best.

You are entitled to do what you please with your money and assets. Please remember, though, that dollar amounts are one part of estate planning. There is also your legacy, which dictionary.com defines as “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.”

Please make sure that your legacy includes sharing your estate plan with your heirs before your time comes. Let them know your vision and values in your bequeathing of assets. This also will help prevent any unpleasant surprises. Lastly, maybe you’d like to leave a legacy of creative thinking, for example, giving your estranged child’s share of the estate to your grandchildren.

Dear Amy O,

Every time I visit my parents, who are in their dotage, I spend too much time focusing on all their possessions and how I’ll have to clean the mess. My old bedroom is filled with boxes of stuff, maybe from my grandparents? Who knows? How can I begin the process now without offending my parents? Signed They Can’t Take It with Them

Dear They Can’t Take It with Them,

If we ever need a good example of a first-world problem, this is it. I sure hope your parents aren’t like millions of other Americans who rent storage space(s) for their stuff.

Good job on being proactive. The stuff isn’t going take care of itself, and, yep, most likely you’ll be the one left to clean up the mess (your word, not mine). In the article “Sorry, Nobody Wants Your Parents’ Stuff” on forbes.com, writer Richard Eisenberg suggests, “… if you’re lucky enough to still have one or more parents or stepparents alive, it would be wise to start figuring out what you’ll do with their furniture, china, crystal, flatware, jewelry, artwork and tchotchkes when the mournful time comes.”

The first step? Start a conversation with your parents. Admittedly, death-related chats aren’t high on the list of info-tainment. I suggest framing the talk as what do they want to leave behind and be remembered for. I’m guessing there may be items you would like to have and other items that they would like you to have. There may be other things that they would like other family members to

have. For all you know, your parents may be under the impression that you aren’t interested in any of their possessions, and maybe you aren’t, but you need to talk. This won’t be a one-and-done conversation. In fact, plan on it taking longer than you expect. Lots longer. And during those conversations, perhaps slowly and surely the piles of stuff will be whittled.

The actual chore of dealing with stuff – the physicality of sorting, boxing, bagging, hauling, dumping, donating –is the easy part. A simple google search (try Swedish Death Cleaning or Marie Kondo) or checking out HGTV will yield plenty of how-tos on decluttering and downsizing. For that matter, you can hire someone for the task.

Remember, begin with a conversation and be sure to ask if they are paying rent on any storage space(s). You can do it!

Former CVN editor Amy Marie Orozco loves living in Carpinteria, including all the sometime socially sticky situations happening in our seaside setting. Along with giving advice (only when asked), Amy O edits Cannabis by the Sea Magazine. Have a question for her? Email it to news@coastalview.com.

THROWBACK

Shootout at the Aguirre House

Part 1 of 2

BY S. JIM CAMPOS, PH.D.

Editor’s Note: Part 2 of “Shootout at the Aguirre House” will run in CVN Vol. 29, No. 32.

The Carpinteria Valley’s historical past of 150 years ago conjures visions of an idyllic time, pastoral scenes with vaqueros herding livestock and señoras and señoritas tending colorful flower gardens around adobe homes.

The pace of life was slow. People with old Spanish names like Arrellanes, Ayala, Badillo, Carrillo, Cota, García and Rodriguez dotted the landscape. By the time of California statehood in 1850, however, the time celebrated today as Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days was fading fast. Like Pueblo Santa Barbara, the pueblo lands in the Carpinteria Valley were feeling the effects of an American Invasion. President James K. Polk’s “Manifest Destiny” was in full force. The Californios – the Spanish-speaking population – became foreigners overnight, strangers in their own land. Tensions between Americanos and Californios ran high.

In the month of April 1853, 170 years ago, the first open clash between Americanos and Californios in Santa Barbara broke out in earnest at the corner of Carrillo and Anacapa Streets. The tipping point was a land dispute between squatters and the owners of the large Dos Pueblos Ranch. Nicolas Den and Daniel Hill had leased it several years earlier from California Governor Pío Pico, the last of the Californio governors. Squatters, in the form of Irishmen from Stevenson’s Regiment of New York which had come to California in the aftermath of the Bear Flag Revolt, had settled on about 40 acres of the Arroyo Burro Creek that emptied out into what is today called “Henry’s Beach” located at the end of Las Positas Road. The Irishmen, led by John “Jack” Powers wanted the Arroyo Burro, and Den and Hill wanted him off of it.

On Wednesday, April 20, 1853, Santa Barbara Sheriff William W. Twist was on the road outside of the presidio center when Jack Powers made way in his direction. Twist informed Powers that he had

THURSDAY

received a court ordered writ of restitution to evict him from the Arroyo Burro. He told Powers he would be coming soon to execute the writ. Powers responded in no uncertain terms that he would resist the order as long as his “boys stuck by him” or even “if the house was burnt over his head.”

Twist’s encounter with Powers may have caused him to overreact in the matter. He summoned all able-bodied men to meet him at his home at the Aguirre House on Carrillo Street at the corner of Anacapa Street on April 30, 10 a.m. The summons was far reaching, from North County in Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. It was Powers’ turn to make the next move.

Powers decided to host a feast at the Arroyo Burro to ease tension over his eviction on the night of April 30. He would counter Twist’s summons of a large posse, by throwing a huge feast for the posse men and all of Santa Barbara. He hired merchant Theodore Smith to superintend the preparation of the food. He contracted musicians to be carried out

to the Arroyo Burro by wagon, and ladies, as well, to dance.

Then, he concocted an added ploy to assure he would not be evicted. He drew up a deed at the Santa Barbara Courthouse transferring his claim to the Arroyo Burro to his friend and agent Patrick Dunne. The bill of sale was for $1.00. Wouldn’t Twist be surprised when he sought to hand him the writ of restitution! Powers had covered his bases, or so he thought.

Known in Santa Barbara as the Spaniard, Francisco Felipe Badillo, was 67 years old in 1853. He had first arrived at the Santa Barbara Presidio as a skilled Soldado de Cuera (a leather jacket soldier) in the service of the King of Spain in 1812. He lived on the corner of Cañon Perdido Street on State Street. He observed the heightened activity on Carrillo and Anacapa Streets from his home. Lewis T. Burton’s store was busy, as usual, on State Street, but so was C. V. R. Lee’s liquor store, and merchant Theodore Smith’s store.

The young Smith, only 22 years old,

credibility to the statements made by each witness.

had been commissioned by Powers to supervise a feast of pork and beef to feed over 200 people. He was busy going back and forth in his wagon, making preparations at the Arroyo Burro. Badillo would take occasion to chat with Powers as he would stop in with more frequency at Lee’s and Smith’s stores.

“Would there be trouble on the 30th?” asked Badillo. Powers responded there would be no trouble. “All the fighting we would have to do would be to eat a good dinner and drink some wine.” Badillo pulled out $2 in coin to personally donate to the musicians’ fund. Badillo was obviously an aficionado of good music.

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 has been a regular contributor of in-depth research pieces for The Grapevine of the Carpinteria Historical Society ever since. He has a current series running in The Grapevine about Carpinteria’s only Old West lynching in 1859. In 2020, Jim wrote an entire year of columns for CVN’s Throwback Thursday.

COURTESY JOHN WOODWARD

Four differently detailed maps of Pueblo Santa Barbara were made in 1852-53; this insert from Wackenrueder Map #2 shows the Aguirre House on Carrillo Street to the left. The insert on State Street between Cañon Perdido and De la Guerra Streets shows three pertinent Carpinteria landholding families in 1853.

COURTESY OF JOHN WOODWARD

The Aguirre House, where the shootout took place, can be seen at the forefront of the picture to the right. The old Santa Barbara Courthouse can be seen in the background circa 1875.

COURTESY SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL MUSEUM County Judge Charles Fernald presided over the trial of “The People vs. Powers” in 1853. He signed off after each testimony was given, thus providing

Athletes show their skills at 103rd Russell Cup

BY RYAN P. CRUZ • PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

After splitting a dual meet against Channel Islands earlier in the week – with the Warriors boys falling to 3-2 in the Citrus Coast League and the girls advancing to 5-0 and claiming first place in the league – Carpinteria welcomed hundreds of athletes for the 103rd Russell Cup at Carpinteria Valley Memorial Stadium.

Teams from over 30 schools across Southern California came to Carpinteria High School (CHS) for the annual track meet, with athletic powerhouses like Sierra Canyon and Oaks Christian going toe-to-toe with local schools like Carpinteria, Cate and Fillmore.

Sierra Canyon claimed the top spot for boys varsity, while Foothill Technology took first place for the varsity girls team competition. Carpinteria’s girls snuck into the top five for girls varsity, but the frosh/ soph girls grabbed second place in their team competition – right behind Oaks Christian – bumping the combined girls score into third place overall.

Senior Ainslee Alexander was the only varsity winner for Carpinteria, claiming the top spot in the triple jump with a personal record of 34’8’’ along with third place in the pole vault. Earlier in the week against Channel Islands, Alexander broke the school record in the pole vault with an all-time best height of 10’1’’. Her personal record in the triple jump tied her older sister, Shaya Alexander (2018), at number four on the all-time CHS list.

Their younger sister, sophomore Averi Alexander, was awarded with the Barney Milne Lions Club Trophy at the Russell Cup, given to the Warriors’ highest points-scorer in the meet. The sophomore

typically competes for Carpinteria’s varsity team during dual meets, but during the Russell Cup she took first place in the girls frosh/soph long jump and triple jump, setting a new personal record with a 33’4.5’’ in the triple jump.

Cate senior Kennedy Kirkland was named the Russell Cup Outstanding Female Athlete, with wins in the 200, long jump and a spot on the team’s winning 4x100 relay race.

On the boys’ side, La Salle junior Thomas Gomez was awarded the Outstanding Male Athlete title, with first-place finishes in the shot put and discus events.

Carpinteria senior Ivan Vargas was the only medalist for the Warriors boys with a third-place 9’9’’ finish in the pole vault. Senior Chris Ceja took seventh place and set a new personal record in the 400 meters with a time of 53.82.

“The Warriors had another typical Russell Cup day. Many great efforts throughout the day,” said Carpinteria coach Van Latham. “We responded to the big meet atmosphere with great enthusiasm and performances. We are in a good place going into the end of the season.”

Latham thanked this year’s Honorary Meet Director, Helen Methmann, and the crew of over 100 volunteers that helped the meet run “smoothly and efficiently.”

“The Russell Cup is the favorite meet of the season for many of the schools in attendance,” he said. “That is because of the great help our volunteers provide.”

Carpinteria’s track & field athletes celebrate a successful day at the 103rd Russell Cup.

Junior Lela Roberts took fifth in the girls 100-meter hurdles.

Ainslee Alexander placed third in the pole vault at the Russell Cup; earlier in the week, she broke the school record with a vault of 10’1’’ against Channel Islands.

Hugo Alvarado paces himself through the 3200-meter race.

Carpinteria coach Van Latham, right, presents a plaque to 2023 Honorary Russell Cup Director Helen Methmann.

SHORT STOPS

BY RYAN P. CRUZ • PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

two individual wins each, while the girls took first place in all three relay events.

On the boys’ side, junior Asher Smith was the lone double-winner with first place in the 50 and 100 freestyle events, while the boys relay squad matched the girls team and swept all three races.

Over the weekend, Carpinteria headed to Simi Valley to compete in the 32nd Annual Josh Milakar Invitational hosted by Royal High School. The Warriors were short-handed, but rose to the occasion to take second place in the boys and third place in the girls team competitions.

Jackson Melton continued to build on a stellar season, breaking his own school record in the 100 breaststroke for the fifth time this season, this time shaving over a second off for a time of 1:03:44. He took second place in that race, and finished third in the 100 freestyle with a new personal record of 49.52.

“Jackson is having a tremendous season and we look forward to what he can do at CIF,” said Carpinteria coach Jon Otsuki.

The girls had a number of strong performances, with Nemetz, Piccoletti, Otsuki and Taylor Classen each earning top-three performances and setting a few personal bests and CIF-consideration times.

In the girls relay events, the same four girls won the 200 medley relay and came from behind in the 4x100 to claim the win and come within .3 seconds of the CIF automatic-qualifying standard.

This week, Carpinteria will celebrate its senior class of 2023 with the final home swim meet of the regular season against Fillmore.

Carpinteria softball explodes for 17 runs

The Warriors softball bats were alive against Channel Islands, with Carpinteria exploding for 12 hits – including two home runs – in a 17-2 win over the Raiders.

Junior catcher Amarisse Camargo had five RBIs for the Warriors in the win, including a long-range grand slam in the second inning. Junior Alexiana Jaimes knocked in the other home run with a three-run shot one inning later.

“Both players have been struggling from the plate, so this was huge for them to get back on track,” said Carpinteria coach Matt Mora.

Three more Warriors finished the game with multiple hits: sophomores Cassandra Vergara and Caden Lemere and junior Bella Velasquez. “I’m really impressed with how these three players showed up today,” Mora said.

Junior pitcher Ashlee Mora had one of her best starts of the year, pitching all five innings and allowing just two runs on eight hits.

Later in the week, the Warriors struggled to find that same offensive spark, taking back-to-back losses to Hueneme (7-1) and Nordhoff (15-5).

Against Hueneme, senior Renata Martinez pitched through the first four innings, holding the Vikings to four runs before Hueneme opened up the fifth with a three-run rally and Mora came in to finish the game.

“Martinez did really well today, defensively it just wasn’t our day,” Mora said. “There were plays that we should have made that we didn’t and that can take a pitcher out of the game quickly.”

Carpinteria is now 4-14-1 overall and 4-9 in the Citrus Coast League, heading into the final week of the season with four league games remaining.

Junior Isaac Flores has found success at the plate this season for the Warriors.

Carpinteria drops two out of three on baseball diamond

The Warriors dropped back-to-back games to Hueneme before recovering with a decisive 10-0 shutout over Channel Islands to move to 8-7 overall and 7-7 in the Citrus Coast League.

In the first out of two games against Hueneme, the teams traded runs back and forth, but the Vikings sealed the game with a walk-off run in the bottom of the seventh for a 7-6 win.

Two days later, the teams met up again at John Calderwood Field in Carpinteria, but once again Hueneme was able to hold on for a narrow 5-3 win, thanks to five Carpinteria errors and a stingy Vikings defensive pitching staff that held the Warriors to just one hit.

Despite the loss, freshman righthander Gabe Martinez pitched a solid complete game for the Warriors, giving up five hits and two runs while striking out three in seven innings – a performance that would usually earn a win on most days of the season.

“At times, baseball can be really frustrating,” said Carpinteria coach Pat Cooney. “The battery of Martinez and Nieves did a great job, but the defense made some

SHORT STOPS Continued on page 24

CVN

ON DECK

Thursday, April 20

Carpinteria’s swim team celebrates a strong showing at the Royal Invitational in Simi Valley.

Warriors swimming floats on at Channel Islands, Royal meets

Carpinteria’s aquatics programs continue to find success in the pool, and last week the boys and girls swim teams came away with favorable results at meets in Hueneme and Simi Valley.

The Warriors traveled to Hueneme to face the Channel Islands Raiders, and Carpinteria was in firm control with wins in both the girls (110-33) and boys (131-25) team competitions.

For the girls, Lilli Nemetz led the team with two new personal records, shaving three seconds off her previous time in the 200 freestyle and two-and-a-half seconds off her record in the 500 freestyle. Senior Erin Otsuki and junior Guilia Piccoletti took

Carpinteria Boys Golf at CCL Match (Saticoy), 2 p.m.

Carpinteria Boys Tennis at Malibu, 3 p.m.

Carpinteria Softball at Fillmore, 3:30 p.m.

*Carpinteria Boys Volleyball vs Malibu, 5 p.m.

Friday, April 21

*Carpinteria Baseball vs Malibu, 3:30 p.m.

*Carpinteria Boys Volleyball vs Ventura, 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 22

Carpinteria Track & Field at SB County Championship, 10 a.m.

*Denotes Home Game

Junior Ashlee Mora gets the tag in a close play at home plate.

mistakes and our offense blistered some balls right at the Viking defenders.”

On Monday, Carpinteria recovered from the two losses with a dominant 10-0 performance on the road at Channel Islands.

Carpinteria junior Shane Goodmanson improved to 4-2 with a complete game shutout victory, striking out seven batters and giving up five hits on just 84 pitches.

The Warriors are now 7-7 in the Citrus Coast League, where there are five teams behind Santa Paula fighting for a playoff spot.

Warriors boys tennis sweeps Channel Islands

Carpinteria boys tennis faced Channel Islands three times in a row this week in matches rescheduled due to weather and the Warriors won on all three days, moving to 8-5 overall and 6-2 in the Citrus Coast League.

Coach Charles Bryant shook up the lineups in all three matches, and the Warriors found success in singles and doubles play. Max Stone, Troy Zimmerman, Connor Gralewski and Lucas Martin each turned in strong performances with singles sweeps against the Raiders.

Carpinteria is in second place in the Citrus Coast League with two matches left in the season, starting with a showdown against undefeated first-place Nordhoff (11-0).

Polo Opening Day: May 7

The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is preparing for opening day of the 2023 Polo Season on Sunday, May 7, kicking off with tournaments and events that will showcase some of the most talented polo players from across the globe.

The season opens with the 12 Goal Series in May and June, followed by the pinnacle 20 Goal or “High Goal” Series in July and August, and finally the 8 Goal Series in September and October. The club also offers polo lessons and clinics at the Polo Academy and will host a variety of social events and happenings throughout the season. For more information, check sbpolo.com. The Santa Barbara Polo & Raquet Club is located at 3300 Via Real in Carpinteria.

Local artist and author Hal Price, center, popped by Canalino Elementary School teacher Kristy Guerrero’s third-grade classroom to read his book the “The Bear Essentials” and share poetry with local students, as part of the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center’s poetry contest. Price’s book focuses on Eli Benjamin Bear, who learns about the magic of a parent’s love after he discovers his grandfather’s secret scroll.

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