SHIRLEY KIMBERLIN Everything I list turns to SOLD! 805-886-0228 skimberlin@aol.com
This week’s listings on the back page
Haggen sues Albertsons for $1 billion
Alleging that Albertsons engaged in efforts to eliminate Haggen as a competitor from the moment it entered the Southwest region, Haggen on Sept. 1 filed a lawsuit in a Delaware federal court seeking over $1 billion in damages. Haggen purchased 146 Albertsons and Safeway stores but has since had to close about one-fifth of them and lay off hundreds of employees. In the lawsuit, Haggen claimed that Albertsons misrepresented itself in the deal by stating that it would help Haggen become a competitor in five states. Haggen had only 18 stores in Oregon and Washington before the deal, which was the result of the Federal Trade Commission forcing Albertsons to sell off 146 stores as part of merger with Safeway. Haggen asserts that Albertsons ramped up advertising of discounts at the times Haggen was opening and left past-their-prime perishables on shelves when the stores changed hands. “Albertsons’ illegal campaign includes premeditated acts of unfair and anti-competitive conduct that were calculated to circumvent Albertsons’ obligations under federal antitrust laws, Federal Trade Commission orders and contractual commitments to Haggen,” the lawsuit said. Haggen alleges that incomplete pricing data provided by Albertsons led to it falsely inflating its prices upon opening. Albertsons had sued Haggen in July for fraud for allegedly not compensating Albertsons for millions of dollars in inventory. ––Peter Dugré
Sinking the Pirates
BILL SWING
Warrior water polo player Sal Briceno battles for a shot on goal in a 11-9 victory over Santa Ynez High School in the Carpinteria High School boys water polo season opener on Sept. 1. The auspicious start for the Warriors came at the expense of the sixth-ranked Pirates. In sinking the Pirates, the Warriors remained composed with a one-point difference in the seesaw match. Junior Eric Thornbourgh had four steals and scored three goals. Malek Mehai added two goals.
2015 Avofest poster unveiled
Carpinterian Kim Fults decided on her birthday that this year she would start doing things outside of her comfort zone. As a result, the well-loved former owner of Video World in Casitas Plaza finally submitted a poster design for the California Avocado Festival. Her nostalgic image resonated with the selection committee and was plucked from among 41 submissions as the logo for the 2015 festival. Poster selection committee chair Geri Carty said, “It was striking, beautifully composed and had an old fashion feel that will appeal to the masses. The icing on the cake is that Kim is such a talented, humble and sweet woman.” All submissions remain anonymous during the judging period, and when this year’s ballots were counted, Fults’ poster was clearly the favorite, Carty said. Though she typically shies away from the spotlight, Fults was lauded for her festival design at the Avofest Kick-off Party on Sept. 2 at Union Bank. There she announced plans to donate her $500 prize purse to the Carpinteria High School Future Farmers of America program. Additionally, she received a one-week stay in a Carpinteria condo, which she intends to donate to a silent
“It was striking, beautifully composed and had an old fashion feel that will appeal to the masses.”
––Geri Carty
auction benefiting local youth. A fourth generation ocean lover who grew up with sand between her toes in Manhattan Beach, Fults studied to become an art therapist in college. Her life path meandered away from art therapy, and landed her in Carpinteria with two daughters in 1987. Fults worked at Video World for years, eventually purchasing the shop. After it closed in 2007, she was hired by Santa Barbara Exotics and began creating art that incorporated agriculture. Despite this being her own moment in the spotlight, she said she is most proud of her two daughters, Heather, who works with studios in the entertainment industry, and Elyse, who is studying medicine in Chicago.