Coastal View News • April 4, 2024

Grayson

Live island views

Santa Cruz Island

the live

an

his dad, Sam. The

toured the Chrisman California Islands Center at 4994 Carpinteria Ave. in Carpinteria ahead of the museum’s grand opening, set for Thursday, April 4. The center will be open to the public Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and archives will be available by appointment.

Tyler excitedly points to

webcam of

eagle’s nest on

with

pair

Search the archives at CoastalView.com

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What’s new at the harbor seal rookery?

This report covers March 25 – 31, 2024

High Adult Count114

Average Count 45

High Pup Count 40

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

Older pups are difficult to distinguish from small adults. Volunteers are entertained by a lot of wildlife. This week saw flocks of 1000s of birds following schools of fish, hundreds of pelicans with many resting in the sanctuary, many dolphins, Turkey vultures hoping for a meal, sea lions barking from the buoys and a dead juvenile great white shark on the beach to the east.

VISITORS

Over 1,597 were recorded. Volunteers talked with people from Germany, Norway, Venezuela, China, Mexico, Israel, New York, Washington, Tennessee, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, South Carolina, Utah, Indiana, Wyoming, New Jersey and Florida.

DISTURBANCES

Low-flying helicopters caused several seals to flush on three occasions. An individual proposing to fly a drone at the overlook was advised not to; drones, kites, helium balloons, hang gliders, helicopters and planes, depending on proximity, have all frightened the harbor seals.

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!

Several agencies, including the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, responded to Highway 101 in Montecito on Saturday, March 30 for heavy flooding.

Rain recap: heavy rain forces closure of Highway 101

Carpinteria saw 3.21 inches of rain this past weekend in the storm that forced the closure of both the northbound and southbound lanes of the Highway 101 at Montecito due to flooding.

All on- and off-ramps between San Ysidro Road and Olive Mill Road were closed, as travelers were detoured off Highway 101 at Sheffield Drive the night of March 30; eight people and a dog were rescued from their vehicles on the highway near Sheffield Drive.

“Several inches of accumulated hail caused collisions and flooding rain caused multiple vehicles to become stranded and disabled,” Montecito Fire Department spokesperson Christina Atchison said in a press release. “One driver was treated for hypothermia after becoming trapped in their vehicle near the Sheffield Drive underpass.”

Atchison said that an 18-wheel tractor-trailer also jackknifed that night after the driver attempted to avoid a downed power pole, blocking Ortega Hill Road between Ortega Ridge Road and Sheffield Drive.

Carpinteria also was briefly placed under a tornado warning around 1:30 a.m. on March 30, and saw severe thunderstorm warnings that same night.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood and severe thunderstorm warning just before 9 p.m. on March 30 for South Santa Barbara County but canceled the warning shortly after because that thunderstorm dissipated, the NWS said on its social media.

City launches official AgeWell programs

The city of Carpinteria has launched its official AgeWell Carpinteria website and Facebook page, outlining the city’s senior programming for individuals 55 and older. AgeWell is the newest division of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, coordinated by Jena Jenkins.

“Our goal is to foster a sense of community and belonging for our aging population, who often face feelings of isolation and disconnection,” Jenkins said in a press release.

Roz Kohute – a vocal voice in the fight for senior programming in Carpinteria – said in a press release that there “has been a significant demand for programs specifically catering to our aging adults, and we are thrilled that the city has prioritized us in this initiative.”

AgeWell has several senior activities available throughout the week, including crafting sessions, meditation classes, book clubs and more.

See more online at carpinteriaca.gov/agewell or on Facebook at @agewellcarpinteria.

Members of the city’s AgeWell Wednesday walking club, from left: Joanne Banks, Kathy Dubock, Roz Kohute and Susan Anderson.

April is Healthy People Healthy Trails Month

Get moving during April’s Healthy People Healthy Trails Month, which returns for its second year this month in Santa Barbara County.

The Healthy People Healthy Trails initiative encourages residents to connect with each other and nature. This month, several organizations – including CenCal Health, Sansum Clinic, Healthy Lompoc Coalition and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department – will host more than 40 activities, encouraging people to enjoy the county’s abundant trails, park and open spaces.

Dr. Josephine Preciado, chief medical officer for the Santa Barbara County Health Department Care Centers, said in a press release sent out on Monday that small behavior changes, like getting outdoors and being physically active, enhance physical and mental wellness.

“We hope everyone will take advantage of the events during the month and continue these healthy habits. Remember, starting small, even just five minutes daily, and working towards a personal goal can have long-lasting health effects,” she added.

Events are free; parking and park entrance fees may apply. The full calendar of events can be seen online at healthypeoplehealthytrails.org/events.

Electric bill credit hits April

Southern California Edison customers will see an $86 credit on their April bills, from California’s Climate Credit. The $86 credit will also be applied to customers’ October bills.

“This year’s Climate Credit delivers meaningful reductions on energy bills,” said Funmi Williamson, SCE’s chief customer officer and senior vice president of customer service. “It shows how programs designed to help California achieve a clean energy future can also provide tangible financial benefits for utility customers.”

The credit is funded by the California Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program, which was implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission. According to a press release sent out last month, more than $14 billion in utility bill credits have been given to households and businesses in California since the program began.

MTD seeks public input for proposed bus service changes

The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) is seeking public input on proposed changes to local bus services; these changes include extended service until 9 p.m. on Line 15X, the SBCC/UCSB Express, and increased frequency on Line 27, the Isla Vista Shuttle.

Meetings will be held at the Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave., on Tuesday, April 16 at 6 p.m.; Goleta City Hall, 130 Cremona Dr. #B, on Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m.; Santa Barbara City College room A161, 721 Cliff Drive, on Thursday, April 18 at noon; and a virtual meeting on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at bit.ly/MTDMeeting.

The changes will also be discussed at the April 23 meeting of the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors, at 6 p.m.

For more information, reach out to the MTD (805) 963-3364 or email info@ sbmtd.gov

Term vs. Perm: Which is right for you?

If you’ve been thinking about life insur ance, especially if you have family, loved ones, or anyone who depends on you fi nancially, you might be curious about the different kinds of policies available. Which type is right for you?

Essentially, you can look at two main categories of life insurance: term and per manent.

Term insurance is a pay-as-you-go op tion that covers a specific amount of time, usually 20 years or fewer. Term insurance benefits are paid to your beneficiaries free of federal income taxes if you pass away during the coverage period, but there’s no opportunity to build cash value.

Permanent insurance, such as whole life or universal life, offers coverage for as long as you pay the premiums, and in ad dition to providing a tax-free death benefit, also offers a chance to build equity, or cash value, on a tax-deferred basis.

When determining which type of insur ance is appropriate for your needs, you’ll want to consider these factors:

• Cost – Term insurance is generally af fordable for most people, which is why it may be particularly suitable for parents and young adults who may be at the beginning of their careers.

Permanent insurance is typically more expensive, largely because it is meant to last for one’s lifetime and some of the premi ums go toward building cash value in the policy and paying for other features. Gen erally, the younger and healthier you are when you purchase permanent insurance, the lower your rates will be.

• Length of time insurance is needed – If you think you will only need life insur ance for a certain period — perhaps until your children are grown — you might lean toward term insurance.

If you feel the need for life insurance for other goals throughout your lifetime, for whatever reason — you might have a special needs child, or perhaps you want to use your policy to help pay for retirement, or you wish to include the policy as part of your legacy and estate plans — you may want to consider

JUSTIN MEMENAS

A group of hikers follow the Arroyo Quemado Trail to Camino Cielo in the Santa Ynez Mountains on March 16.

HappyBirthdayHeavenly Wes!

Obituaries

Her ranch life helped forge the attitude of “there is nothing I can’t do,” which she has passed on to her children and grandchildren. It is that attitude that made her an amazing artist, draftsman, cook, quilter, and carpenter, to name just a few of the many accomplishments she mastered.

Eloisa “Elsie” Gonzalez

08/03/1925 – 03/26/2024

Join us for worship each Sunday at 10:30 AM

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4951 9th Street

Coastal View News welcomes your letters

Eloisa “Elsie” Gonzalez, 98, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, at home with her children and grandchildren by her side.

Elsie was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Santa Barbara, California to Hilario (Frank) Lucero and Maria F. Andasola.

On Feb. 7, 1948, she married Cipriano “Zip” Gonzalez and moved to Carpinteria, California. It was here that she and Zip had their four children: Daniel C. Gonzalez of Susanville, David J. Gonzalez (Karen) of Van Nuys, Carmen G. Malovos (Gerald) of Santa Barbara and Fermin “Fermie” Gonzalez of Carpinteria. She is survived by her children, ten grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Elsie had a genuine curiosity for the world beyond her doorstep. Her curiosity and love of other cultures led her around the globe and found her at some of the world’s greatest parties. Born the first week of August, Elsie’s birthday fell on her hometown’s largest party and was the perfect time to celebrate her birthday in style.

Patricia Ann Mojarro 03/16/1947 – 11/10/2023

Patricia Ann Mojarro passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara, California on Nov. 10, 2023, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her beloved husband David and her loving family.

Patricia was born in Los Angeles, California on March 16, 1947. She was the fourth of five children of Kenneth and Pauline Evans Murphy.

Her first few years were spent in Monrovia, California. Being born into a family of Texas ranching pioneers, they moved to the large family ranch, LBar Ranch & Cattle Co., in New Mexico to help run the operation. While there, she lived a storied life that many only read about in books. Her time was spent roaming the land, riding horses, rodeos, brandings and cattle drives.

Non-Denominational Church Previously

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

She was exceptional, strong and compassionate, and a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She dreamed of once again dancing across the room, the life of the party – and now she can.

Elsie’s life was celebrated on Monday, April 1, with a 10 a.m. mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 1532 Linden Ave., Carpinteria, California. A reception was held at the Carpinteria Woman’s Club following the burial.

Her family moved off the ranch to Lone Pine, California, where her father was the Inyo County District Attorney. She finished her last year of high school and it was there she met and fell in love with David Mojarro. They married in 1965 and were devoted to each other for 58 years. She and David started a family and moved to Carpinteria, California in 1968, where David still resides.

She continued her family legacy by being a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and she volunteered at the Ridley Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara, California. Many members of Patricia’s family participated in supporting the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara Walk/Run every year; Patricia was awarded the Julie Main Inspiration of Hope Award in 2019. She and David ran a highly respected and successful aerospace machining business for many years in Carpinteria.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Pauline and sisters Peggy and Polly. She is survived by her husband, David of Carpinteria; her daughter Christine Forsyth (Frank) of Solvang and son David Keith Mojarro of Santa Barbara; grandsons Tyler Anderson, Ryan Anderson, Brian Mojarro and Parker Forsyth; grand-daughters Hayley Anderson Zheng (Kai) of San Francisco, Brooke Mojarro and Kate Mojarro of Santa Barbara; sister Kathleen Murphy; brother John Murphy; and many nieces and nephews.

She loved her entire family fiercely and is greatly missed by all.

Her family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses for the expert and heartfelt care she received during her long battle with breast cancer with special thanks to Dr. Fred Kass, Dr. Shane Cotter, Ridley Tree Cancer Center, UC Los Angeles Health, and Serenity House for making her life easier as she valiantly fought her illness.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you may donate to Serenity House of Santa Barbara.

Planning Commission approves duplex addition Projects adds second story and two-car garage in the beachside neighborhood

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

On Monday, April 1, the Carpinteria Planning Commission unanimously approved a small-scale renovation of a duplex in the beachside neighborhood, which will add a 371-square-foot second story over an existing carport.

The hearing was held at the request of the property owner’s architect, Dylan Chappell, to receive the commission’s approval for conditional use and coastal development permits for construction of the addition. The project required commission approval because the site is technically considered “legal-nonconforming” due to minor encroachments on the front and rear setbacks.

The existing duplex, Associate Planner Syndi Souter explained, extends about six inches in the back and one foot in the front. Both are considered as pre-existing nonconformities, and the property will be allowed to keep its same footprint.

The duplex, which sits on Dorrance Way, is currently 1,781 square feet, with a two-bedroom unit and a one-bedroom unit separated by a 350-square-foot carport.

According to the plans, the site would

The duplex addition includes a second story and a two-car garage on Dorrance Way. add a 371-square-foot second story addition to the two-bedroom unit and convert the carport into a two-car garage. The second story addition, which would go up to 21.5 feet, would sit directly over the garage. With the addition, the duplex would expand to 2,152 square feet.

The project also includes minor reconfigurations to the interior, along with new finishes on the exterior, new landscaping

and new fencing around the property. According to the staff report, the construction is expected to cost roughly $300,000.

Proposed changes will have minimal impacts on the neighborhood, according to staff, which already contains other two-story homes nearby.

All four members of the commission supported the project, with Chair Glenn La Fevers saying that it was “in concert with

our interests and small beach town charm.” Commissioner Katherine Salant said that she thought it was “effi cient and economical” for the architects to choose to build the addition in the middle of the two existing units on the property; she also voted in favor of the project.

The conditional use and coastal development permits were approved by the commission 4-0.

2023 Outstanding Community Business Award winner: Coastal View News

BY EVELYN SPENCE

The Carpinteria Community Association – organizers of this year’s CommunityAwards Banquet, scheduled for April 6 – has awarded our own Coastal View News the 2023 Outstanding Community Business Award.

Coastal View News is in its 30th year of publication; founded in 1994 by Rosemarie Fanucchi, Michael VanStry and Gary Dobbins, 5,500 copies of the Carpinteria-focused paper are distributed to businesses and newsstands each Thursday morning across South Santa Barbara County.

The paper’s small staff – publishers VanStry and Dobbins, with Managing Editor Evelyn Spence, Assistant Editor Jun Starkey, photographer Robin Karlsson, Sports Editor Ryan P. Cruz and advertising manager Karina Villarreal – continue each week to proudly put together a product brimming with the latest Carpinteria news.

Content is also posted online at coastalview.com, which averaged over 18,000 page views a month over the past year. Under Spence, the newspaper launched an email newsletter, out every Monday and Wednesday, and revamped its Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Association President Karen Graf told CVN that the group is happy to reintroduce the business award for the local, hometown event; community members moved away from the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, which had hosted the awards banquet during the last two years, launching the nonprofit association late last year.

“Our event is now our own, so we are crafting it differently,” Graf told CVN. “The Coastal View has been an incredible partner and supporter for every nonprofit in Carpinteria (…) we as the hosting organization unanimously felt strongly that the Coastal View deserved to be recognized because of their partnerships in the community.”

She added that the community has greatly appreciated Coastal View News, calling it “the brainchild of three amazing people.”

“We value what they started so much,” Graf added.

Dobbins, Fanucchi and VanStry came together in 1994 following the Carpinteria Herald’s closure after 85 years in publication. Fanucchi, the paper’s founding editor-in-chief and a former Herald columnist, retired in 2001; she passed away in 2006.

“I really feel blessed about what the community has done for the Coastal View,” Dobbins said, referring to an outpour of community support that came last fall when CVN was facing severe financial difficulties.

VanStry said CVN would not be published each week without the generous support of its advertisers and the community.

“Hundreds of freelance writers and photographers have contributed to the paper’s success over the years, and Gary

“The Coastal View has been an incredible partner and supporter for every nonprofit in Carpinteria (…) we as the hosting organization unanimously felt strongly that the Coastal View deserved to be recognized because of their partnerships in the community.”

–– Carpinteria Community Association

President Karen Graf

everything it has to offer!”

Editing the paper and reporting on Carpinteria on a week-to-week basis are Spence and Starkey. Starkey joined CVN in September 2022, with a focus on the CUSD School Board.

Spence – who started with CVN as a freelance reporter covering the Carpinteria City Council before joining as an assistant editor in 2021 – stepped into the shoes of the CVN managing editors before her in August 2022. She said she would not be able to do what she does without the 30-year foundation built by VanStry, Fanucchi and Dobbins.

and I have always been blessed with a dedicated and professional staff that goes above and beyond expectations to produce a product the entire community can be proud of,” he said, adding that it is a privilege to bring Carpinterians the news each week.

“Readers often tell us CVN is the glue that holds the community together. We’ve watched a generation grow up seeing their accomplishments in the paper, and now their kids are the stars in the pages of CVN every week.”

The free paper is funded solely through donations and advertising sales; the latter department is composed of Villarreal, who has been with CVN since 2019. She said she took the job after CVN’s then-Managing Editor Debra Herrick approached her at a Lions Club and The Howard School event.

“It’s honestly been such a blessing,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see the support of the community within the Coastal View News.”

“Through Covid, Mike supported all of us and continued to put the paper out, and we slashed the (advertising) prices and we really tried to support the com-

munity,” she added. “When you come to Carpinteria and you live in Carpinteria and you see the people around, there’s just this lovely energy about the community. It does have that small town feel when everything around you in California is so congested and busy.”

Karlsson – known well around Carpinteria – photographs nearly everything readers see in the paper.

“Carpinteria has so many events and activities going on all the time, for such a small town. I feel fortunate that my job allows me to photograph people of the town enjoying life or standing up for what they believe,” Karlsson said. “I appreciate representing the CVN whether it’s ‘Elf on the Street’ or photographing Avofest from the Ferris wheel or walking in the rain documenting cute kids with umbrellas and witnessing Carp High graduation. I love this community and

Beyond the paper’s news articles, calendar, letters and Halos & Pitchforks sections is CVN’s fully-packed sports section – typically nestled on pages 25–27 in a typical 28-pager – led by Cruz. Cruz, who took over for Alonzo Orozco in 2022 as the paper’s sports editor, said covering Carpinteria is a unique privilege.

“You can watch the community grow over time in the pages of CVN, and it’s been a joy to see the athletes as they progress from freshman year into young adulthood, and to watch how the families, coaches and teammates all support each other. In Carpinteria it’s clear that the Warrior spirit runs deep,” he said.

The Community Awards Banquet will take place at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill Road, on Saturday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. During the banquet, Carpinterian of the Year, Jr. Carpinterian of the Year, Educators of the Year and Organization Merit awards will also be announced.

The Mother of all planning decisions

THE LAY OF THE LAND CVN

MIKE WONDOLOWSKI

New buildings are approved long before the first bulldozer shows up. Even more impactful, land use zoning decisions are often made years before any particular development is even conceived.

More than anything else, the zoning of an area controls what type of development can occur there – shopping center, office buildings, just a few houses, high-density apartments or even agriculture. There is specific zoning for each of these as well as other types of development. A decision about zoning can have more impact than any specific development proposal.

The zoning is critical, so it would seem any government decisions about it would get people riled up and filling hearing rooms. We have seen overflow crowds at City Hall for development proposals for the Carpinteria Bluffs, and we recently saw a full City Hall for the topic of live music (CVN Vol. 30, No. 28). So, for even bigger decisions that will determine what can be built somewhere, you might expect people to really turn out.

But that rarely happens. The reason is that a specific hotel proposal or an issue like live music is more immediate, more personal. Zoning is an overall plan for what type of detailed proposals will be allowed. This is not exciting stuff. It is dry, complicated, wonky, even arcane –good reading if you are having trouble sleeping.

But it is time to wake up!

For the past couple of years, every county and city in California has been working on updating their Housing Elements. This is a part of their General Plan that identifies how that community will plan for the housing it will need over the next eight years. The required amount of housing is handed down by the state of California as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation or “RHNA,” and accommodating it is not optional. The last step in the long and detailed process for the Housing Element Update is for the community to rezone areas that will need to be converted to housing to implement the plan. That is exactly where we are now for the city of Carpinteria and for Santa Barbara County.

Both the city and the county will be rezoning long lists of sites, not just one

This map shows the city of Carpinteria in gray, with the three sites outside the city that the county is considering rezoning for high-density residential. The two green sites are presently zoned for agriculture and the purple site is zoned residential (two houses total) but has a farm on it.

New buildings are approved long before the first bulldozer shows up. Even more impactful, land use zoning decisions are often made years before any particular development is even conceived.

or two parcels. You can consider this to be the Mother of Them All when it comes to planning decisions that will affect the future of our community.

In the past week, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission held hearings to discuss a list of potential rezone sites that has slightly more than the number of sites that are required. The commission eliminated a few and sent its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which will generate a final list in hearings on April 30 and May 3.

It is possible that the final rezone list could include up to three sites just outside the Carpinteria city limit; these sites could be rezoned for at least 20 housing units per acre, and up to 30 units per acre, for 588 total new units. This would be in addition to the city’s upcoming rezoning process to allow at least 228 new units inside the city limits.

These three county sites are unique among all those considered throughout the entire county – they are outside the Urban/Rural Boundary, but inside

the Coastal Zone. Rezoning them to high-density residential would be inconsistent with existing county policy and good planning principles, and it would set the dangerous precedent of expanding the Urban/Rural Boundary in Carpinteria whenever more housing is needed somewhere in the county.

For decades, both the county and the city have worked to maintain a stable Urban/Rural Boundary in Carpinteria to prevent urban sprawl and protect the rural, agricultural character of our valley. Both the Carpinteria Valley Association (CVA) and the city of Carpinteria submitted comments to the county objecting to any of these sites being rezoned.

If you are at all interested in the future

of Carpinteria, now is the time to pay attention and make your voice heard. It is not too late to influence critical decisions about potentially rezoning multiple sites. Of course, now you want to learn more, and you are in luck! You can sign up for CVA’s email list at tinyurl.com/ carp-news for updates about important upcoming hearings (both county and city), and information on how to submit written comments and in-person or Zoom comments for those hearings. You can also follow the CVA Facebook page at the address shown below.

The bulldozers have not shown up yet, but we need to stay awake.

Mike Wondolowski is president of the Carpinteria Valley Association (facebook. com/carpinteriavalleyassociation), a local organization dedicated to maintaining the small beach town nature of our community. In over 30 years of involvement in planning issues, he has witnessed visionary successes, as well as decisions that were later widely regretted. When not stuck indoors, he can often be found enjoying Carpinteria’s treasures including kayaking and snorkeling along the coast, running or hiking on the bluffs or the Franklin Trail, or “vacationing” as a tent camper at the State Beach.

COURTESY GRAPHIC

LETTERS

“Ten months later, our one, our only issue, delivered to the city council in the form of a request that asked for a noise ordinance that would protect residents from unchecked decibel levels that disrupt residents’ lives, was not addressed.”

–– Eileen Marcussen

Misunderstood perspective

We appreciate Ms. Blue’s frustration (CVN Vol. 30, No. 28) with city hall’s responsiveness to residents’ complaints. Ms. Blue asks important questions that speak to the city’s priorities moving forward in this current, complicated, postCovid-19, (affordable) housing-strapped environment.

However, some clarification is in order. Our complaints did not lead to “swift action” from the city and, critically, our complaints were not about “live music.” Our complaints were about the volume of live music that entered our household and regularly overwhelmed all our indoor activities.

But, during the March 25 Carpinteria City Council meeting, we were reminded – over and over again – that our complaints didn’t matter because we were a minority.

When the city and residents write your household off as a minority – we were the “part-timers,” “the weekenders,” “the one couple from L.A.,” “the retirees” – and local businesses intentionally conflate residents’ reasonable requests to lower the volume of their live entertainment with a fear-mongering narrative that suggests that live music is threatened or will become impossible to stage (for reasons that would not be specified), it becomes convenient and easy for the city to dismiss and not take seriously what is, in fact, a very real issue.

We urge you to read the city’s staff report for agenda item 16 “Update on the City’s Live Entertainment Program,” and watch the city council grapple with what are truly “objective” measurements such as decibel levels and distances during its March 25 city council meeting. It is a study in obfuscation.

Ten months later, our one, our only issue, delivered to the city council in the form of a request that asked for a noise ordinance that would protect residents from unchecked decibel levels that disrupt residents’ lives, was not addressed. Our hollowed-out beach neighborhood is hardly an “idyllic retirement haven.”

Eileen Marcussen Carpinteria

Gratitude for local music

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who signed our petition, attended or spoke at the March 25 Carpinteria City Council meeting in support of live music in Carpinteria. The many stories from long-standing members of our community of how music has historically been a center of Carpinteria and the community building it engenders were truly touching to hear and we are honored to be a part of that tradition. We at Island Brewing Company have high hopes for another great summer filled with music, as we have had for the past

20-plus years. We want to further thank the city council for its openness to amending the entertainment license, listening to their constituents, and allowing small businesses in Carpinteria to utilize the magic of music to its full potential.

Paul Wright Carpinteria

Inescapable new housing laws

At a special meeting, the city council approved the redevelopment project of the Suncoast Rentals property by a vote of 4-0. Actually, the meeting wasn’t even necessary as it was predetermined that it would be approved because of state laws that required it to be passed.

Savvy developers are using provisions in the builder-friendly “Density Bonus Law” to expand their projects by including the magical words “affordable housing.” This is a misleading term that forces cities to accept projects that they would otherwise reject. If you view the video of the meeting, you will understand why our councilpersons had no choice but to approve this development. The attorney for the developer even went as far as to warn them against rejecting the project during his presentation.

One of the more interesting parts of the meeting was a few local residents speaking in favor of the project. Surprisingly, one was the guy who is running the effort against the Bluffs Farm development at the Tee Time complex.

Another interesting take is that there appears to be a burgeoning disconnect between the young working professionals and the older establishment in our community as the mostly younger speakers were in favor of the project and the older against. The only concessions the city received was one “very-low-income unit” and the developer would work very hard to bring down the overall height by a “whopping” 17 inches. Noting that it is already over by five more feet than is allowed by our general plan.

Because new state rules concerning affordable housing favor developers, things like this are going to be a common occurrence in our community and throughout the state, so we should prepare ourselves for a very uncertain future because we are not going to escape being severely impacted by these new housing laws.

Bob Franco Carpinteria

VIEWPOINT

The importance of theater in our schools

BY GRACE THOMPSON

High school is the opportunity to step out of that middle school haze and level up your skills in preparation for the real world and college. While sports are a fantastic way to develop character, fitness and grit, in honor of Theater in Our Schools Month, I want to spotlight an often-overlooked program in our local high school that offers everything sports does (maybe even more).

While theater in all schools is important, the Carpinteria High School Muses program founded by Ray Hill in the 1980s, has been a legendary part of Carpinteria High School, offering the opportunity for performing arts education, dramatic plays and musical theater performances. Some of the cast members are seasoned performers, some also part of our sports programs, and still others come in having never performed a day in their lives. But that is what makes theater so special: it challenges you to overcome fears by being completely vulnerable in front of others, and those “others” become a team and support you.

Theater is not just an artistic talent of evolving a character. It also helps with confidence, problem-solving, improvisation, the ability to hold critical discussions, public speaking, memory, physical fitness, concentration, emotional outlets, stress reduction, increased cultural awareness, enhanced vocabulary, collaboration development, a sense of belonging and fun.

What makes CHS Muses especially unique is that unlike most schools where you have to audition to be part of the club or class, CHS Muses embraces anyone who wants to join. I can’t think of a better enhancement to high school academics, and one that is so inclusive.

Here are some statistics to show how school theater contributes to academic success. According to the American Alliance for Theater and Education, students who took courses in drama or theater

For the record...

In CVN Vol. 30, No. 28 “Council approves 24-unit mixed-use project at 4745 Carpinteria Avenue,” Katherine Salant did not mention the overall height of the project during the meeting; she shared her concerns about the size of the walkways on the second and third floors and the tunnel it creates, and requested the units be made smaller and the walkway wider.

In CVN Vol. 30, No. 28 “Council approves 24-unit mixed-use project at 4745 Carpinteria Avenue,” Councilmember Mónica Solórzano recused herself from the meeting.

In CVN Vol. 30, No. 28, “City adjusts budget, hosts capital improvements plan session,” Licette Maldonado, the city’s administrative services director, was misidentified.

What makes CHS Muses especially unique is that unlike most schools where you have to audition to be part of the club or class, CHS Muses embraces anyone who wants to join.

appreciation scored on average 55 points higher on verbal and 26 points higher on math than their non-arts classmates.

Students who participated in theater programs also had improved reading comprehension, held better attendance records and engaged in school more than their non-arts counterparts.

And let’s not forget the fact that theater brings a community together. There is still nothing quite as exciting as a live theater performance featuring “in residence” performers in a small town. Speaking of coming together, I hope you will join the CHS Muses for the time-honored musical classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” on May 23, 24 and 25, with a special matinee option on May 25.

Grace Thompson, a CHS Honors Senior, ASB Leader & Entrepreneur is a second generation Muses Hall of Famer and local volunteer. She will be attending Principia College in Illinois in the fall for a B.A. in communications. In her free time from running the world, Grace enjoys spending time with her French Bulldog Clarabelle.

Zoe Helena Alvarez

Zoe Helena Alvarez was born on Feb. 18, 2024 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to Eric Alvarez and Andrea Pintor. She arrived at six pounds, 13 ounces, and 19 inches long, joining her big sister, twoand-a-half-year-old Samara. Her grandparents are Helen Methmann of Carpinteria, Inez and Armando Alvarez of Lompoc and Maria and Oscar Pintor of Camarillo.

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

A reader sends a halo to Chef Brent at Zooker’s Meat and Seafood Shoppe. “Not only do they have the freshest surf and turf every day, his cooking knowledge and the friendliness of his crew is exceptional.”

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 Mr. Chendo with the city of Carpinteria’s Public Works Department for running the street sweeper in front of the reader’s house to clean up the street curb area filled with storm debris remnants.

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 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 thewoman at the Verizon Store who recommended Ventura Fix to fix my phone. “...very inexpensive and great service to Josh. Thanks so much.”

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 Corktree Cellars for becoming a mini The Palms.

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 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 Ms. Garcia and Mr. Lopez, Carpinteria High School FFA advisors who took 12 students to state conference in Sacramento. “Students participated in the FFA conference over four days. In addition, students got to visit UC Davis and Merced Jr. College. Thank you, Ms. Garcia and Mr. Lopez, for going above and beyond to provide these opportunities to our students.”

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

A reader sends a halo to Jeanne Sykes at Zookers Restaurant for providing the clam shells for the Katie Roverts Bluffs Day so that all the third-grade visitors can make Chumash inspired music rattles.

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 halo to Das Williams for his attitude after losing the election for county supervisor. “Rather than bemoaning the surprise loss, he’s flipped it and emphasized the wonderful opportunity he has to spend more time with his daughters.”

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 the men and women in law enforcement who are helpful and compassionate towards neighbors living on the edge in their vehicle. “When their vehicle (home) is towed, and impounded they lose their cell phone, their identification, and legal docs, and the few personal belonging that sustain them, let alone the transportation needed to make the different release arrangements. They cannot raise $500 or more within 24 hours to get their home released, their lives spin out of control, they are now homeless, and a burden to society, which they do not want to be.”

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 Julie at Sansum Clinic Radiology for her kind care.

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 thecouple who weeded the landscaping at a corner of their Concha Loma neighborhood. “Keeping Carpinteria beautiful. Go team Carp!”

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 AvoFest for donating $5,000 to the Local FFA Chapter. “On behalf of the program, we want to thank every single person involved not only in the amazing festival but the organization and kind hearts to donate to our program and believe in what the program is doing for our students. We plan on using the funds to better our pathways and facilities for student projects and careers! Thank you all so much again!”

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 halo to Case Van Wingerden for continuously supporting the local FFA program. “Your time and donations do not go unseen, student are beyond excited for the greenhouse and project potential! Thank you again!”

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 theoverzealous train engineer who blasts his horn “unnecessarily at 7 a.m. for the entire trip through town.”

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

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

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?”

Submit Halos & Pitchforks online at coastalview.com.

A reader sends a halo to all the folks who recently worked to mulch Franklin Trail “Many of us use one of Carpinteria’s best spaces but few work to preserve it. A special shout out to el hombre principal del rastro de Franklin. He knows who he is.”

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.”

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.”

All submissions are subject to editing.

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

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

A reader sends a halo to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 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 halo to 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 pitchfork to 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.”

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!”

CHEF, 12 PM

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

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

A reader sends a pitchfork to the sheriff’s deputy 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.”

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

FRI: GORDON CROWL UKULELE, 6-9 PM SAT: SKA DADDYZ, 6-9 PM SUN: SANTA BARBABRA TROMBONE SOCIETY, 5-6, HOLIDAY SING ALONG, 6-8 PM 18

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

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

, Superintendent of schools, and , director of Boys & Girls Club, for removing the toxic Euphorbia fire sticks from

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.

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

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.

Saturday, May 23

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

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

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.

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

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 man was contacted after reporting

Forty years delivering Carpinteria’s mail

Elise Malacara, longtime USPS carrier, has had the same dedicated route for 20 years

BY JUN STARKEY

United States Postal Service (USPS) carrier Elise Malacara has been delivering mail to Carpinteria’s residents for nearly 40 years , 20 of those on a dedicated route through town. She will celebrate her 40th anniversary on April 23, and plans to retire in September of this year.

“What’s not to like (about Carpinteria)? The weather, the people,” Malacara told CVN.

Carpinteria is the only town Malacara has ever delivered in with USPS, though she lives full-time in Santa Barbara with her husband. After moving from Oxnard to Santa Barbara, she began her work with USPS in 1984.

Malacara said in her 40 years delivering mail, she has hit every corner of the town, and become friendly with many of the people on her route. It’s not uncommon for Malacara to have conversations with the residents on her route, until eventually everyone on her path becomes an old friend. Outside of work, she would often come into town to visit the library, the beach or The Palms before it closed. She told CVN that she’s seen children grow up, go off to college then come back and have their own children.

“People are great on my route. I love waving to them, and the kids knowing my name,” she said. “I’m gonna miss it.”

Despite loving her job, Malacara said Christmas and election seasons have become increasingly difficult over the years. During a 2020 interview with CVN, Malacara said her workload and her daily stress levels had doubled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though she doesn’t have any official plans for her retirement, she said she does plan on stopping back in Carpinteria every so often. “People stay in Carpinteria because they love Carpinteria,” she said. “I’ll miss the people.”

“People are great on my route. I love waving to them, and the kids knowing my name. I’m gonna miss it.”

– Elise Malacara

Carpinteria artist returns to Linden Avenue studio

Local artist Leigh Sparks has returned to her 961 Linden Ave. studio, after retiring from the gallery business in 2018 for several reasons, including a cancer diagnosis, the Covid-19 pandemic and the birth of her grandchildren.

“I’m just getting started and I want to show other women that they can do the same,” Sparks told CVN.

Sparks has run businesses up and down Linden Avenue, including a previous gallery at 963 Linden Ave. She said with her return, she’s bringing a more collaborative spirit to her gallery setting. As a gallery owner, Sparks would traditionally work at the gallery most days of the week and receive a fee when a piece sold. Now, Sparks has elected to share her space with several other artists, who all pitch in to pay for the cost of the space and work in the gallery throughout the week.

Despite her retirement, Sparks has never stopped painting or creating, frequently selling her works at local shows or galleries. With her return to the studio, Sparks plans on bringing more products and opportunities to appeal to a wider audience. This will include jewelry and candles for smaller gifts, and painting classes, or paint n’ sips, in the back garden.

“I’m trying to inspire women that have put off doing the things that they love,” Sparks said.

Those interested in signing up for classes may inquire at Linden Studio, 961 Linden Ave. The studio will host a reception for its gallery on Saturday, April 20, 3–6 p.m.

––Jun Starkey

STARKEY

ABOVE: Elise Malacara has been delivering mail in Carpinteria since 1984; she plans to retire later this year.

INSET: Malacara, pictured in 1984, has been delivering mail in Carpinteria for nearly 40 years.

COURTESY PHOTO

KARLSSON

Leigh Sparks has returned to her art studio at 961 Linden Avenue, after retiring in 2018.

STARKEY PHOTOS

“Carpinteria Bluffs” by Leigh Sparks

“Bates Ranch Farm” by Leigh Sparks

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

(805) 293-6363

(805) 293-6363 stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE MONTECITO, CA 93108

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I can’t recommend Montecito Law (Stefanie Herrington and her Team) highly

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I can’t recommend Montecito Law Group (Stefanie Herrington and her Team) highly enough! When my elderly mother recently had a serious medical emergency, she decided that she wanted to change her will. My mom’s mind was put at ease knowing this was handled and I’m sure this helped in her recovery process. Stefanie was compassionate, gracious, responsive and professional throughout the process. She is the right person to handle these sensitive and important personal matters.

Working with Stefanie and the team at Montecito Law Group was a pleasure. They made the complexities of establishing an estate plan and trust, very easy to understand and implement. By asking insightful questions, Stefanie ensured that our specific needs were accommodated and that all areas of concern were proactively addressed. Having our trust planned by Stefanie, lets us rest more comfortably, knowing that our children will have expert representation, and counsel as needed in the future.

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559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108 (805) 293-6363

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Highway patrol officer honored by Lions Club

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New location—same personalized service

In our service to you and our community, we’ve found we needed more space. Even though our location is different, our commitment to you and our community is the same.

Stop by and take a look at our new space: 1145 Eugenia Pl Ste 203 Carpinteria, CA 93013

We’re excited to serve the Carpinteria community.

The Lions Club of Carpinteria recently presented its 45th annual Public Safety Officer recognition award to California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer

Ronald Hensic Jr.

The Lions annually honor a public safety officer who serves the Carpinteria community and who has “gone above and beyond their normal duties during the previous year,” according to a press release from Lion Doug Treloar.

The committee that chose Hensic Jr. received four nominations this year, including from the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Hensic Jr. is an 11-year veteran of the CHP. He also serves as a field training officer, a certified drug recognition expert and is on the critical incident response team.

“During the severe weather in January, he spent many hours in his wet uniform and boots responding to calls for service, manning road closures and directing traffic,” Treolar said. “In April of 2023, Officer Hensic was dispatched to a major collision involving multiple fatalities. This incident was investigated as a ‘Watson’ murder case against the errant driver which then required him to perform an extensive investigation and work side-by-side with the County DAs office and their victim’s advocate unit.”

Hensic attended the meeting with his wife, Heidie, CHP Station Commander Captain Michael Logie

Lt. Elena Demarah.

Rotary Noon hears from Islands Center executive director

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Noon invited Emily Duncan, executive director of the Chrisman California Islands Center, to speak to the club ahead of the center’s grand opening on Thursday, April 4. Duncan told club members how the center was created and what can be expected during the first visit at the upcoming opening, scheduled for April 4, club President Karen Graf told CVN.

and

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY | COURTESY PHOTOS

California Highway Patrol officer Ronald Hensic Jr.

From left: Capt. Michael Logie, Lions Club of Carpinteria president David Hayman, Ronald Hensic Jr., Heidie Hensic and Lt. Elena Dumarah.

Executive Director of the Chrisman California Islands Center Emily Duncan, second from left, spoke to Rotary Club of Carpinteria Noon members at a recent meeting, including Doralee Jacobson, left, Roland Rotz, Rob Godfrey and Kim Duncan.

“Barbie” pops by The Alcazar

Dressed head to toe in their “Barbie” best, Carpinterians gathered at The Alcazar Theatre on Friday, March 29 for a Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning-sponsored showing of the “Barbie” movie and a similarly inspired pink costume contest. Some attendees opted for a more literal Barbie look – for example, Nanette Rochelle, who showed up in a pink plastic box – while others showed off their “I am Kenough” shirts, an homage to the movie’s male lead, Ken.

From left, Gina Marchand and Cynthia Crewdson showed up in red and pink.

From left, Elle de la Mont, Martha Avalos, Natalie Avalos and Mary Layman; Avalos created the event’s balloon art.

Dozens flocked to the theater for the showing.

Nico Luthard was “Kenough.”

Autumn Fiore-Palm

Khaya Williams

It was a full house of pink at The Alcazar Theatre.

The costume contest winners gather on stage.

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Nanette Rochelle came dressed in a pink Barbie box.

From left: Billy Blake and Emily Ellis.

THE BOOK NOOK

Carpinteria Community Library recommends

“Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai” by Matti Friedman

In the sad weeks following the latest iteration of brutal violence between Israelis and Palestinians, I sought solace and a deeper understanding of the conflict by visiting Carpinteria Library.

The book jacket of the 2022 book “Who by Fire” caught my attention. It features a black and white photo of singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen surrounded by soldiers in fatigues. A battle tank is seen in the distance.

The book, written by award-winning journalist Matti Friedman, describes Cohen’s journey to the front to entertain troops during the Yom Kippur war of 1973. Cohen bid farewell to Suzanne and their young child. Living with them on an idyllic Greek island, he had pondered abandoning his music career, but instead went into the Sinai desert to sing.

The experience made Cohen a superstar in Israel and birthed one of his most memorable songs – “Who by Fire” – the lyrics of which derive from a prayer recited during Yom Kippur synagogue services.

Drawing on unpublished sources and building on his deep love of Cohen’s work, the author manages to pack a lot of history, politics, old photographs and music information into a riveting 185 pages.

––Deborah Dentler, Carpinteria Community Library tutor

Friends of the Carpinteria Library recommend

“Living Big: Embrace Your Passion and Leap Into an Extraordinary Life” by Pam Grout

“Living Big” by Pam Grout intrigued me because when she wakes each

morning, she tells herself, “Something amazingly awesome is going to happen to me today.” Now there is a woman who is open to possibilities. It’s an expression and a mindset I am starting to embrace in life. One path to happiness comes from service. For seven days, she suggests that you anonymously do something for someone else. I second that. Pam Grout makes you think that could be me!

––Dan Rothermel, Friends of the Carpinteria Library

CVN Reads…

“Annihilation” by Jeff VanderMeer

CVN Assistant Editor Jun Starkey is reading “Annihilation” by Jeff VanderMeer. The first entry in the Southern Reach trilogy follows four women – a biologist, a surveyor, an anthropologist and a psychologist – and their journey into the abandoned, eerie Area X. (Published 2014; 208 pages)

“The Pearl” by John Steinbeck

CVN Sports Editor Ryan P. Cruz is reading “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck, a novella set in the 1940s that explores greed, societal norms and evil. It was inspired by a Mexican folk tale from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. (Published 1947; 96 pages)

“Paddling Into a Natural Balance” by Chuck Graham

CVN photographer

Robin Karlsson is reading “Paddling Into a Natural Balance” by local nature photographer and CVN columnist Chuck Graham. Across ten chapters and in 170 photographs, Graham captures conservation efforts from his kayak, with a foreword written by Kate Rooney Faulkner. (Published 2023; 123 pages) Email

Thursday, April 4

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

Senior Center Activities: Zumba Gold 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

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

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

Fuel Her Fire Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill Road. 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Talk: Harbor Seals | What Makes Them Special Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 6–7:30 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 6844314

Friday, April 5

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

Meeting: Seniors Inc. Carpinteria Community Church, 1111 Vallecito Road. 1 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

Tweens Dungeons and Dragons Club Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave 3–4:45 p.m. Full. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Spring Fling: A Night of Unscripted Laugher The Alcazar Theater, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7–9 p.m. Tickets: $15. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Saturday, April 6

Meeting: Carpinteria Beautiful Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 9 a.m.

Carpinteria Bluff Restoration Meet at Bailard Ave. Parking lot. 9 a.m. – noon. sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov

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

Salt Marsh Tour and Picnic Carpinteria Salt Marsh. Beach end of Ash Street. 10 a.m. – noon. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Carpinteria Arts and Craft Faire

Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 6847789

Live Music: 4 on the Floor Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 5–8 p.m.

Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill Road. 5:30–10 p.m. carpinteriacommunityassociation.org

Sunday, April 7

Live Music: Jared Lettow Island

Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 2–5 p.m.

Monday, April 8

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

Tuesday, April 9

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. 7–9 p.m. Cost: $10 at the door. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Wednesday, April 10

Meeting: Morning Rotary Carpinteria Woman’s Club, 1059 Vallecito Road. 7–8 a.m. Speaker: Richard Godfrey

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

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 gives back to the bluffs with new exhibit

BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Forty percent of proceeds made from the Palm Loft Gallery’s newest exhibit, “Artists for the Bluffs,” will go back to the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, gallery owner Arturo Tello said. The gallery held a reception for its newest exhibit on Saturday, March 30 at 410 Palm Ave., raising awareness about the nature and beauty of Carpinteria’s bluffs.

Gallery owner Arturo Tello thanks the crowd.

Meredith Abbott, center, with her grandchildren Forrest and Aggie McTigtue.

President of Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs Patrick Crooks speaks to the crowd John Avila’s painting, “Tar Pits Park,” oil, 30x30, is part of the gallery’s newest exhibit.

PHOTOS

THROWBACK

Rincon Point in the 1970s and ‘80s:

publisher Tom Adler’s view

BY VINCE BURNS

Let’s travel back in time to the Rincon of the 1970s and ‘80s.

To jog your memory: the 1960s had ended with the annus horribilis of 1969. The year began with terrible rainstorms in January which left residents digging out as they kept a wary eye on the ever-rising creek. Then came the infamous Santa Barbara oil spill, coating the storm debris in oil and bringing Union Oil crews to the Point to scrub the beach of oil. The spill and its aftermath helped launch the American environmental movement, but that was no consolation at the time to oil-coated surfers.

But the year ended with an epic swell that lasted for days. In past articles, we’ve chronicled the memories of Jeff Boyd, Mike Davis, George Greenough, Brent Lieberman, Steve Bissell and others who paddled out or photographed the monster waves that December.

As the 1970s came along, Rincon’s iconic waves drew a new generation of surfers including Mike Purpus (b. 1948), who wrote a loosely fictional account of rampant localism at Rincon Point. In 1973 Steve Bissell took what might be the Point’s greatest photograph, using his Kodachrome-loaded Nikon to record a majestic incoming swell from high atop Rincon Hill. The photo made it into Surfer magazine as a mini poster, ending up adorning the bedroom walls of countless aspiring young surfers. Also in the 1970s, the Point became a favorite location for iconic surf flix, everything from “Five Summer Stories”(1972) to the George Greenough films. The very first edition of the Rincon Classic came in 1979, thanks to Roger Nance, Jeff White and others.

Into the 1980s we go. The best-written source for the Point’s surf culture then is Don Balch’s masterful 1981 Surfer magazine article “La Rinconada del Mar,” which delightfully profiles a cast of committed and eccentric surfing characters –including Rincon gate-card moochers and a “Dawn Patrol” of early risers hoping to beat the crowds.

Balch’s subtitle for the article, “The Queen of the Coast,” seems to be the original use of that honorific for Rincon, a nickname that’s stuck and become a staple of Rincon marketing ever since. The early 1980s also brought massive El Niño storms; these coincided with the rise of Tom Curren to international surfing stardom, Santa Barbara and Rincon’s own representative

the top of the surfing pantheon.

THURSDAY

These were heady days filled with great stories and charismatic characters. To unpack and understand this period, we sat down recently with longtime book publisher Tom Adler. Born in 1950, Tom quickly became a dedicated surfer down south. In 1969 he moved up north to Rincon Point, which he had always loved. Over the next years, Tom lived at four different Rincon addresses, including a home he built on the Ventura side of the creek. Tom even rented a cottage from longtime landowner Edwin Ardell Hill whose family’s history at the Point goes back to some of the earliest days. Of all the locations, Tom’s favorite Rincon residence was the iconic house that Edward Bates built for himself in 1929 on a sand dune above Rincon Creek.

“It was a dream for a surfer like me to live at Rincon Point, and it was a truly perfect place to raise a family,” Adler said.

Tom’s time at Rincon overlapped with the heyday of a sort of “Bohemian Rincon” when a fascinating collection of artists and fellow travelers dominated the scene. Tom fondly remembers befriending at the Point Silvia Dobson (1908–1992), a longtime friend of the modernist poet H.D. (Hilda Doolittle). Dobson quietly contributed to a literary Rincon, writing poems for fellow residents, including one for Tom’s daughter on the occasion of her birth.

Tom subsequently played a role in steering Silvia’s papers to the Beineke Library at Yale University, where they could join those of H.D. Other Rincon cultural figures at the time were Jack Baker, Barnaby and Mary Conrad, and Paige Rense (1929-2021), the longtime Architectural Digest editor in chief. A smattering of Hollywood personalities rounded out the neighborhood.

On the surfing side, Tom was friends with the legends of the era. Case in point: Miki Dora (1934-2002). Tom even published a book on surfing’s most famous personality, “Dora Lives: The Authorized Story of Miki Dora” (2004). In total, Tom’s company has published a couple dozen art books on surfing and mountaineering. (Visit tadlerbooks.com for a complete list of titles.) The surfing emphasis was natural of course, while the mountaineering and climbing specialty

“It was a dream for a surfer like me to live at Rincon Point, and it was a truly perfect place to raise a family.”

––Tom Adler

grew out of book projects with Patagonia. The links and overlaps between mountaineering and surfing are many. Both, of course, are more lifestyle or avocation than mere sport or hobby.

Proving the point is another Adler book that tells both stories in one: “California Surfing and Climbing in the Fifties” (2013). Tom’s current project is a photographic history of legendary California climber Tobin Sorenson (19551980). Sorenson’s precocious career as a climber ended prematurely when he died in 1980 attempting a solo ascent of Mount Alberta. Another Adler project that came directly from his Rincon experience is the hauntingly beautiful “Surfing San Onofre to Point Dume, 1936-1942: Photographs by Don James”(1996). It’s crammed with gorgeous Don James photos telling the relatively unknown story of the pre-war SoCal beach scene. The project came to be when friends Adler and Don James (1912-1996) both lived at Rincon.

Taken together, the books of Tom’s publishing program play a critical role in preserving and interpreting the kindred pastimes of surfing and mountaineering. By documenting the stories and photographs of various rebels that might otherwise have been lost to history, Tom Adler has made his own important contribution to the story of California. And whether directly or indirectly, this body of work has been drenched and marinated in the waves of Rincon Point.

Vince writes a monthly column for us on Rincon’s surf history. If you have any episodes or photographs that belong in that history, get in touch with him at vinceburns805@gmail.com.

Vince and Stephen Bates have written “the” history of Rincon Point, available locally and online at amazon.com/dp/1467108707.

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at

COURTESY TOM ADLER

LEFT: “Surfing San Onofre to Point Dume, 1936-1942: Photographs by Don James” was published

and Climbing in the Fifties” was published by longtime book publisher Tom Adler. RIGHT: “Dora

Navigating the world of lactose intolerance

WELLNESS WARRIOR

HARDING

Imagine indulging in a creamy scoop of ice cream or a slice of pizza only to find yourself in discomfort hours later. If this hits close to home, you might be part of the significant chunk of the population that’s lactose intolerant. It’s like your body throwing a mini protest against dairy, and frankly, it’s not the exclusive club many of us would hope to join.

The journey to understanding and managing lactose intolerance doesn’t require a medical degree – just a bit of guidance and the willingness to explore alternatives. Together, we’ll uncover the ins and outs of this common digestive issue and how to lead a full, happy life without feeling sidelined by dairy.

Lactose intolerance occurs when your body says a big “nope” to lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This happens because your body isn’t producing enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. Without enough lactase, lactose travels to the colon rather than being processed and absorbed normally, leading to some less-than-desirable symptoms.

Symptoms can range from mild to party-stopping, including bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea and even nausea. They usually hit between 30 minutes and two hours after dairy consumption. If you’re experiencing these symptoms regularly after your dairy indulgences, it might be time to consider lactose intolerance as the culprit.

Far from being a rare condition, lactose intolerance affects millions worldwide. It’s more prevalent in some ethnic groups than others, with a higher incidence in people of East Asian, West African, Arab, Jewish, Greek and Italian descent. In fact, it’s believed that around 68% of the global population has some degree of lactose intolerance, and about 36% of Americans have it.

Navigating lactose intolerance

Identify your tolerance level. Not all dairy is off-limits. Many with lactose intolerance can still enjoy hard cheeses and small amounts of yogurt. Parmesan is nearly lactose-free, as is butter (up to one tablespoon at a time), while ghee (clarified butter) is completely lactose-free. Goat milk items are often more tolerable as well.

The journey to understanding and managing lactose intolerance doesn’t require a medical degree – just a bit of guidance and the willingness to explore alternatives.

Find substitutes. While not a “trend,” there are a lot more lactose-free items flooding the market lately: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, mozzarella, sour cream, ice cream, cream cheese and, of course, milk. Some easy substitutions can be made, like using silken tofu to replace ricotta or soft cheeses in recipes or nondairy milk in some recipes (highlighting the word “some” as the water content can be different than milk and items may not rise or cook the same as using a milk product).

Read labels carefully. Lactose often hides in unexpected places, like processed foods, bread and even medications. I think this is the hardest part of being lactose intolerant while eating out. I have found that the easiest way to get around it is just to ask if there is dairy in something. Restaurants and servers are typically pretty helpful in this area.

Nondigestive issues

It’s not just about what happens in the gut. Lactose intolerance can also impact your skin, causing acne or eczema in some individuals. (Eczema was the first symptom I recognized, which appeared on just one elbow but also on my scalp in the form of dandruff.)

Living well with lactose intolerance.

Living with lactose intolerance is about adaptation, not deprivation. Here are a few hacks.

Experiment with lactose-free products, whether they are lactose-free dairy items or non-dairy items.

Enjoy small servings of dairy with meals, as tolerance may be better. This will help you find your personal tolerance.

Use lactase enzyme supplements when you just can’t say no to dairy. These over-the-counter pills are taken with the first bite of dairy-filled meals or snacks.

From personal experience

When I first came across more lactose-free options, I was thrilled. It had been years since I could enjoy many of these foods. What I didn’t initially grasp was how lactose-free items are made. They aren’t actually free of lactose;

Lactose intolerance occurs when your body says a big “nope” to lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This happens because your body isn’t producing enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose.

instead, the lactase enzyme is added to break down lactose for those who can’t do it naturally.

Eager for my newly re-expanded palate, I ended up having milk in my coffee, yogurt for breakfast, cream cheese on a bagel, mozzarella for dinner and ice cream for dessert – all in one day. While it was great to eat these foods again, I quickly learned there’s a limit to how much added lactase your body can handle. Go beyond that, and you might as well be consuming regular dairy, complete with all the usual side effects. It was a stark reminder that even with lactose-free options, moderation is key, and understanding the intricacies of these products is essential for true dietary freedom.

Navigating life with lactose intolerance might seem daunting at first, but

with a bit of knowledge and preparation, it’s entirely manageable. It’s all about understanding your body’s needs and finding the right balance that works for you. Remember, lactose intolerance is a common issue, and you’re far from alone in this. So, the next time you eye that dairy aisle with a mix of longing and apprehension, know that there are plenty of delicious, lactose-friendly options out there.

Lea h Harding is a nutrition coach and mobile personal trainer. She specializes in helping people see food as an ally to reach their goals, both in and out of the gym. She previously worked out of Rincon Fitness and owned CrossFit Carpinteria/Foxwing Fitness. Contact her at leah@foxwingfitness. com with questions or with ideas for future wellness articles.

Car • PET • teria Meet Echo

We are in urgent need of drivers and dispatchers to HELP provide this important transportation service for the non-driving members of our community.

Echo, a two-year-old Toy Australian Shepard, only weighs about eight pounds, four ounces, her owner, Betsy Denison of Carpinteria, told CVN. Echo works with Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara and regularly visits Aliso Elementary School.

“Those of you who know her there remember a sweet, quiet, cuddly little pup,” Denison said. “But there is another side when you throw a ball, as she is very fast and will try and outrun the big dogs. If you meet her around town, she will probably come right up to you.”

LEAH

Cathy Foss, Kim Ishida, Yvette Torres, Kathy Daly.

said personal property and/or fixtures, or to add additional personal property and/or fixtures to the election herein expressed, at the Beneficiary’s sole election, from time to time and at any time until the consummation of the trustee’s sale to be conducted pursuant to the Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing and this Notice of Unified Trustee’s Sale. The personal property which was given as security for trustor’s obligation as described in the Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents,

If you rush out to the newsstand every Thursday morning eager to learn of local happenings, clip photos for your refrigerator, or consider it your civic duty to engage with Carpinteria content exclusive to CVN, then it’s your time to become a Sustaining CVN Member. While we plan to continue to distribute CVN as a free publication, please consider supporting us and becoming a member who can proudly participate in our future. CVN

OUR GOAL is to continue paying our hard-working staff and publishing a product

Thursday, March 14

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

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

OGLE

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

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

Kiwanis Club Meeting, 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 941 Walnut Ave., 368-5644

Coastal View Book Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Carpinteria Branch library, 684-4428

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

ONGOING

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

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

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

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

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

Carpinteria Plein Air Painters art show, lucky llama, 5100 Carpinteria Ave., 684-8811

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

Sunday, March 24

1256 hrs / Incident / Carpinteria Avenue and Highway 150

Deputies responded to an OAA with California Highway Patrol (CHP). CHP dispatch told dispatch there was a biker gang punching one another and stopping other vehicles. Another reporting party told dispatch the gang was dragging a male subject off the freeway. Deputies located the group at Carpinteria Avenue and Highway 150. All subjects were detained, and K91 conducted an open-air sniff and hit on two of the vehicles on scene. During a consent search, a firearm was located inside the trunk of one of the vehicles involved. Three subjects were arrested by CHP for various charges. Deputies assisted CHP in the transport to jail.

The need for speed

2230 hrs / Incident / 1100 block

Casitas Pass Road

Deputies responded to a subject refusing to leave. Upon arrival, contact was made with a man who was extremely intoxicated. The man was arrested and booked.

the south end of Bailard Avenue. The additional suspect was found driving westbound on Via Real where a pursuit was initiated. The subject ran through several stop lights and continued northbound on Casitas Pass Road before making a sharp left turn on Dariesa Street, where the suspect lost control of the motorized minibike and crashed into the back of a truck. Deputies attempted to chase the subject down on foot but he escaped. The subject left behind a pair of shoes, his motorized minibike and his phone. Both suspects have been identified and charges will be forthcoming.

Thursday, March 28

1409 hrs / Narcotics / Carpinteria Creek

As the nation gears up for March Madness (starting March 19), CVN thought it would be appropriate to stoke the fire of excitement with an image of Carpinteria’s version of highly competitive basketball. Sports rivals Carpinteria and Bishop Diego high schools vie for a piece of the ball at this Feb. 7, 1978 game.

Monday, March 25

2046 hrs / Incident / 4200 block Via Real

He said, she said Bring on the funny!

A man was contacted in his vehicle in the parking lot of a local motel. A consent search resulted in locating methamphetamine in the man’s jacket. The subject was arrested and booked into jail.

Two subjects were contacted at the above-mentioned location, which is closed due to being a sensitive habitat area. One subject was in possession of a methamphetamine pipe and discarded it upon deputies approaching him; he was issued a citation. The other subject was in possession of a half-full alcoholic beverage in public and was cited. Both subjects were released on scene.

Carpinteria car buffs looking to test their speed in the days of yore regularly roamed to the Santa Maria Drag Strip with their fastest set of wheels. Above, from left, are Marty Panizzon and his 1950 oldsmobile, Bob Brooks and his 1954 Ford, russ Marple and his 1924 t dragster and Steve rose and his 1949 Ford with an oldsmobile engine. on this particular trip to Santa Maria in 1955, Marple sped off as the top Eliminator for the day—the fastest guy on the track.

1415 hrs / Incident / Walnut Avenue

He said, she said CArPiNteriA VAlley MuSeuM of HiStory

Send us your best caption for this photo by Monday, May 23.

Tuesday, March 26

1408 hrs / Warrant / Carpinteria Avenue

A subject was arrested for a felony warrant. The subject was also in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. The subject was booked for the outstanding warrant as well as other charges.

2057 hrs / Incident / 4100 block

Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies responded to a report of a domestic where the suspect and victim were contacted in a vehicle. Through the investigation it was determined the two are dating and the suspect injured the victim, held her against her will and kidnapped her. The suspect was arrested and an EPO was granted and served.

Wednesday, March 27

1216 hrs / Narcotics / 1000 block

Concha Loma Drive

Deputies were dispatched to the above location where the victim stated her phone was pinging. She stated her phone, keys, cards and shoes were stolen along with her bag. Upon arriving, deputies located a white vehicle that had keys belonging to the building where the victim had lost her items. Deputies then located the missing items in the vehicle, with everything accounted for. A vehicle check came back to someone who lived down the street from the vehicle. Deputies contacted the owner of the vehicle who stated that she had met the victim, and later found the victim’s items were missing when closing the food bank. The victim was contacted and items were returned.

Coastal View News is ready to get a little silly with Carpinteria history, and we’d like readers to join us by coming up with clever captions for photos from the past. At the end of each month we’ll publish our favorite caption submissions from readers.

1715 hrs / Incident / 1000 block

Casitas Pass Road

Deputies were dispatched for a stolen bronze Trek bike with a black basket on the front. Victim advised deputies he had not locked his bike and had gone into the laundromat for ten minutes before he went outside and realized his bike was missing. Deputies looked for the bike around the surrounding area but were unsuccessful.

To learn more about Carpinteria’s unique and interesting past, visit the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 956 Maple Ave.

Civic

Thursday, March 14

Deputies contacted multiple subjects who had open containers of alcohol. During a consent search, a folded dollar bill with methamphetamine was located inside of one of the subject’s pants pocket. The subject was arrested and booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail while another subject was issued a citation.

2001 hrs / Incident / Sandyland Road

Get creative, get goofy, but keep comments brief and don’t expect CVN to print any inappropriate language or innuendo. All submissions will be edited for grammar, punctuation, length and content. Please send captions to news@ coastalview.com. Caption writers selected for publication will receive the following grand prizes: bragging rights, name in lights (well, black ink) and a free copy of Coastal View News from any rack in Carpinteria Valley.

To learn more about Carpinteria’s unique and interesting past, visit the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 956 Maple Ave

Reporting party called to report that her son’s truck had been vandalized. The total cost to repair the damage was estimated at approximately $5,000.

City of Carpinteria Architectural Review Board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., 684-5405

Friday, March 15

2142 hrs / Incident / 5200 block

Carpinteria Avenue

2311 hrs / Incident / Via Real and Casitas Pass Road

SB S. County Architectural Board of Review meeting, 9 a.m., 123 e. Anapamu St., rm. 17, Santa Barbara

Monday, March 18

Tuesday, March 19

Deputies were dispatched for two subjects using motorized minibikes and running through red lights. Deputies found the subjects and initiated a traffic stop, but both subjects did not stop and continued driving. Deputies lost visual of one subject, who drove down the trail on

Deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle, and suspected the driver was under the influence. Deputies conducted a DUI evaluation, and the driver was arrested and booked for the violations.

SB County Zoning Administrator meeting, 9:30 a.m., 123 e. Anapamu St., rm. 17, Santa Barbara, 568-2000

See RECAP

continued on page 22

SB County Board of Supervisors meeting, 9 a.m., Board of Supervisors Conference rm., 105 e. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, 568-2000 Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District Board meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., 684-5405

Ongoing

County Supervisor Salud Carbajal drop in office hours, friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Carpinteria Children’s Project at Main, 5201 8th St. rm. 101, 568-2186

MArty PANizzoN

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

Carpinteria track and field hosted Cate, Foothill Tech and Thacher high schools for a four-way meet on Wednesday, March 27; although Foothill Technology came out on top in both the boys and girls team scores, the Warriors athletes provided some highlights on the day.

In the girls events, Carpinteria athletes kept up with the Foothill Tech Dragons, winning eight of the 16 events on the day, but in the end, it was Foothill Tech who pulled away in first place overall with a team score of 59 compared to Carpinteria’s 56 points. Cate girls took third place with 31 team points and Thacher girls wrapped up the competition with 12 points.

“Foothill’s depth was too much to overcome,” said Carpinteria coach Van Latham. “I was pleased we were that close with the Dragons. We were short-handed because of spring break, but the girls we had performed very well.”

Carpinteria senior Amarisse Camargo continued an impressive athletic season with a new personal record shot put toss of 32’8’’ – enough for first place, just ahead of Warriors junior Melanie Avalos. Avalos took a win of her own in the discus with a first-place throw of 100’10’’.

Other field event winners for the Warriors included junior Averi Alexander with yet another win in the triple jump with a leap of 32’ 4.5” and freshman Leona McClellan with a height of 4’ in the high jump.

On the track, the girls 4x400 relay team of Mika Mullikin, Kiana Kia, Giarys Gomez and Izzy Scott ran a season-best of 4:26.42 to win the race by a large margin.

Mullikin also took the top spot in the girls 300-meter hurdles with a time of 51.98 seconds, while Lela Roberts won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 18.50 seconds and Gomez claimed the open 400 meters with a time of 1:08.21.

The Foothill Tech Dragons also dominated the boys events, taking first place overall with a team score of 93. Cate boys came in second with a team score of 26, while Carpinteria took third with 22 points and Thacher rounded out the competition with 19 points.

Two Warriors boys claimed first-place finishes in the meet. Carpinteria junior Nathan Carrillo claimed the win in the pole vault with 9’6’’ clearance, and senior Wes Chung took the top spot in the boys 110-meter-high hurdles with a new sea-

son record of 16.85 seconds. Chung also took third place in the boys 300-meter hurdle with a new personal record of 44.63 seconds.

“Today was a fun, low-key meet against strong competition,” coach Latham said. “The athletes that were able to participate today were rewarded with many quality performances. We look forward to returning to league action next week. First place in the Citrus Coast League will be on the line for the girls.”

Freshman Izzy Scott ran the final leg of the Warriors’ first place 4x400 meter relay.

Carpinteria senior Lela Roberts took the top spot in the girls 100-meter hurdles.

Junior Averi Alexander continued to dominate in the girls triple jump.

Warriors junior Melanie Avalos won the discus with a toss of more than 100 feet.

SPORT SHORTS

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

Carp United makes youth soccer history

The Carpinteria AYSO girls 14-and-under team “Carp United” competed in the Western State Finals on Saturday, March 16, in Lake Forest, taking a second-place finish. With the second-place run, the Carp United girls now have the highest finish of any Carpinteria AYSO team in history.

Only four Carpinteria AYSO teams have ever made it to the Western State Finals, which brings together the top teams from 235 regions in from Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Alaska.

Players on the squad included Carson Weber, Josephine Patterson, Evelyn Aviles, Alyn Avila Martinez, Aven Hardy, Penny Rowe, Caroline Cooney, Kenzi Gardner, Amaya Kuryliw, Luella Runhaar, Genesis Garcia, Shaelee Glance, Lyra Moore, Callie Labistour and Yoselyn Lara. The team is coached by Brett Labistour and Jeff Spach.

Warriors tennis continues hot streak

The Carpinteria boys tennis team shook off the spring break rust and continued its hot streak by beating Hueneme, 15-3, in a Citrus Coast League match on Tuesday, April 2. With the win, the Warriors have now won six matches in a row. In singles, Warriors Max Stone and Elio Taha both swept their three sets without dropping any games, while Matthew Endow finished 2-0 on the day and dropped just one game.

“All three were off the courts quickly,” said Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant. “Each of them were overpowering their opponents with not just pace but with placement. It was impressive to watch them today.”

The Warriors had some tough competition in doubles, but brothers Nolan and Lucas Martin were able to scrape through with another three-set sweep.

Carpinteria is now 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the Citrus Coast League with a big test coming up this week against defending CIF Champion and crosstown rival Cate on Thursday, April 4. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we fare against such good competition,” Bryant said.

Cate Rams roundup

Carp Surf Team to host raffle, movie night

The Carpinteria Surf Team will host a movie and pizza night at the Carpinteria Skate Park, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., on Friday, April 19, 6–9 p.m., which will also include a raffle event and skating.

Attendees will watch “North Shore” –– a 1987 film about a man traveling to Hawaii to surf –– eat pizza, skate and enter a raffle with prizes including an electric bike, surfboards and gift cards to local eateries. Proceeds from the event will go back into the Carpinteria Surf Team to support its students and coaches.

Good Ol’ Carpinteria Barbecue To Go!

Raffle tickets are available for pre-sale, $10 for one or $25 for three. Those interested in purchasing raffle tickets can pay through Venmo at @Sara-scott-46. The memo section of the payment must include a name, phone number, email address and the raffle being purchased. If a winner is chosen but not present, they will be contacted afterwards.

FULL MEAL ONLY $30 • WE COOK - YOU ENJOY SATURDAY, APRIL 7 • PICK UP 11am - 5pm CHS

Cate baseball’s five-game win streak came to an end with an 8-0 loss to Valley Christian Academy on Thursday, March 28. Cate is now 5-3 overall.

1 whole cooked Tri tip foil wrapped

1 family size can of chili beans

“We were not our best selves yesterday against a good team,” said Cate coach David Soto. “Losses aren’t frustrating but not playing your best can be. The good news is that we have plenty of time to correct our mistakes. We’re a young team with all of our goals still in front of us. I have all the confidence in the world that we will get right back to work and get better for league play coming up.”

1 Large loaf of grilled garlic bread

4 Buttered corn-on-the-cob in foil

*Limited # while supply lasts!

–– Jun Starkey

RECAP:

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Friday, March 29

Tickets on sale from Warrior athletes or call 252-1435 for more info today!

Cate boys volleyball claimed its fourth straight win against Dunn on March 28. In the 3-1-win, Cate was led by a trio of seniors: Ben Richmond with 16 kills and 14 digs; Max DeVore with eight kills and three digs; and Oliver Lee with seven digs and three service aces.

“Overall, the team came out excited and focused and it was a total team effort, with everyone participating to make this win happen,” said Cate coach KC Collins. Cate volleyball is now 4-3 overall, with a crosstown rivalry matchup against Carpinteria on Thursday, April 4.

And Cate girls lacrosse squeaked out its second win in a row, moving to 4-2 overall with a 7-6 victory over Valencia on March 28. The Rams were led by sophomore Maia Holmes with six goals and junior Lucy Guilbert-Neil with one goal and one assist.

ON DECK

Thursday, April 4

Carpinteria Boys Tennis at Cate, 3:30 p.m.

Carpinteria Boys Volleyball at Cate, 5 p.m.

Friday, April 5

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

Carpinteria Swimming at Cate, 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 6

Carpinteria Baseball at Santa Clara, 11 a.m.

*Denotes Home Game

2307 hrs / Incident / Namouna Street

Deputies were dispatched for an attempted burglary. The reporting party told deputies while looking through their garage they saw their window had been pried open. Reporting party stated nothing was missing from inside or outside their house. Deputies checked the area.

2005 hrs / Incident / 1000 block Casitas Pass Road

Deputies were called to a local fast food restaurant for a subject causing a disturbance. The subject was contacted and found to be very intoxicated, and was arrested and booked into jail.

COURTESY PHOTO

Carp United players, from left: Carson Weber, Josephine Patterson, Evelyn Aviles, Alyn Avila Martinez, Aven Hardy, Penny Rowe, Caroline Cooney, Kenzi Gardner, Amaya Kuryliw, Luella Runhaar, Genesis Garcia, Shaelee Glance, Lyra Moore, Callie Labistour and Yoselyn Lara; coaches, back row from left: Brett Labistour and Jeff Spach.

COURTESY PHOTO

Wyatt Pitterle shows off a surfboard, one of the raffle prizes for the Carpinteria Surf Team’s movie night fundraiser on April 19.

Celebrate, don’t hate

CRUZ ON SPORTS

RYAN P. CRUZ

It’s nothing new, but the fact that women continue to shatter records and break barriers in sports over the past decade is awe-inspiring.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) began its inaugural season on Jan. 1, joining the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as the only organizations that pay women to play professionally.

Last season, Nebraska women’s volleyball hosted a match in the university’s football stadium with a record 92,000 fans. At Iowa, the women’s basketball team did the same, playing outdoors in a football stadium and setting an NCAA single-game record for attendance with 55,000 fans.

I mean, did you catch the star-studded March Madness regional matchup between Iowa and defending champion LSU on Monday night? A lot of people did. According to ESPN, more than 12.3 million people tuned into that game, shattering the previous record of 9.9 million viewers, a record set by the same two teams when they met up in the national championship last year.

What’s helped women’s sports break into the collective consciousness are the larger-than-life characters in the game. There’s Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, the “G.O.A.T.” of women’s basketball, goddess of the deep-range three-point shot and deserving darling of the women’s sports world, who has garnered more than $3 million in endorsement deals and appeared in commercials with Nike, Gatorade and State Farm.

On the other side, there’s LSU’s polarizing coach, Kim Mulkey, whose brash coaching style, flamboyant fashion choices and undeniable winning ways have thrust her into the forefront of the sports world. You either love her or hate her, but you can’t deny her impact on the game.

Then there’s LSU’s trio of stars – Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Hailey Van Lith – who have joined together this season and captured the attention of the entire country with their skills on the court, iconic hairstyles and social media presences. Together, the three basketball stars have made $3.5 million in endorsement deals this season, blurring the line between influencer and athlete just as their male counterparts have in the past few years.

Ever since last season, the “Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese” debate has built into a fever pitch, with sports media and online commenters painting the two as polar opposites, with Clark as the humble American sweetheart and Reese as the trash-talking villain.

It makes for an easy narrative to follow, and creates an irresistible draw to the game that makes millions of viewers want to tune in to see what happens next. On Monday, even my girlfriend – who never watches basketball – was glued to the couch, marveling at Clark’s 41-point performance and the LSU girl’s undeniable “cool factor.” The hair, the passion for the game and the non-stop action all made for an all-time viewing experience. But there’s an inherent problem in the easy-to-follow narrative, and one that I

We have to do better. When sport media perpetuates this dangerous narrative, it dehumanizes these athletes, and gives the public permission to delve into their base instincts, which undoubtedly leads to hateful comments that can veer into racism and misogyny.

hope starts to change as women’s sports become more popular in the future. It’s disappointing and shocking to see how quickly people feed into the “good vs. evil” storyline, turning their anger and criticism towards student-athletes who – at the end of the day – are twenty-yearolds trying to navigate the same harsh world as everybody else.

I’m talking about the online hate that’s been pointed at Reese, who has turned into an easy target for holier-than-thou commenters on social media ever since she seemingly “taunted” Clark in last year’s championship game (in reality, Reese used the same John Cena “you can’t see me” hand gesture Clark had also been seen using against opponents).

These have turned into personal attacks and long-winded discussions from sports journalists who seem to think athletic success should be measured by humility. It’s a tactic that’s been used for decades to discredit athletes who don’t “play the game the right way.”

It happened with Muhammad Ali, and again with Dennis Rodman. Athletes whose confidence is in your face and who refuse to play by society’s rules are always cast out. And with Reese, as with Ali and Rodman, race has played a role.

Last year after winning the championship, Reese told reporters: “All year, I was critiqued for who I was. I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit the box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. When other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing. So, this is for the girls that look like me. For those that want to speak up for what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you.”

This season, Clark won the matchup between the two, putting together a historic performance and dashing LSU’s hopes for a second national title in a row while also ending Reese’s college career. But instead of praising Clark, the sports world chose to celebrate Reese’s tears following the loss, with commenters taking the chance to say over and over how she “got what she deserves.”

We have to do better. When sport media perpetuates this dangerous narrative, it dehumanizes these athletes, and gives the public permission to delve into their base instincts, which undoubtedly leads to hateful comments that can veer into racism and misogyny. We can praise athletes like Clark without villainizing others like Reese. Both, in their own ways, are expanding women’s sports further than ever before, and both are inspiring young girls around the world.

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

Happy birthday, Lynda!

Philanthropist

Lynda Fairly – the namesake of the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center – celebrated her 80th birthday on March 31; at her birthday celebration, she gave attendees a note saying she would donate $1,000 to their favorite charity.

ON THE ROAD

CVN visits penguins in Abu Dhabi

Stephen Joyce, with the Ventura Travel Professionals, recently visited Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to visit with his grandchildren; he stopped by SeaWorld to snap a photo with the penguins. “The water was around 40 (degrees Fahrenheit) and the ambient temperature was not much more,” Joyce told CVN, adding that although the penguins were real, the snow was fake.

CVN celebrates in Las Vegas

The

Going on the road?

Olivares family, including from left, John Olivares, Walter Olivares, Nancy Shultz, Hilda Martinez and Angelo Olivares, traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate Hilda’s birthday, stopping to snap a group photo with their copy of CVN.

COURTESY PHOTO

Recurring closures along Highway 101 will continue as construction progresses on the lanes and on- and off-ramps; consecutive lanes in the same direction will not be closed at the same time unless noted, according to SBRoads.

On the northbound side of the highway, one lane from Carpinteria Avenue to Hermosillo Road will be closed Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The northbound on-ramp at San Ysidro Road will also be closed until early 2025.

On the southbound side, one lane from Cabrillo Boulevard to Carpinteria Avenue, as well as the on-ramp at Posilipo Road, will be closed Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Sunday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The southern on-ramp at San Ysidro Road will be closed until later this summer.

During the week of April 8, Caltrans construction crews will set up a concrete mix site at the North Padaro Interchange. According to SBRoads, mixing concrete on-site saves “463,771 truck miles, reduces water use by 400,000 gallons… and saves taxpayers between $10-$15 million.”

––Jun Starkey

COURTESY PHOTO Caltrans crews work on retaining walls, slopes and pedestrian improvements under the bridge at the South Padaro Lane Undercrossing.