10 Thursday, November 21, 2013
Spotlight on Aza Schepat
Coastal View News • Carpinteria, California
let’s go!
By Kim DrAin
Tucked behind Casitas Plaza is a small center of commerce called the TomrA recycling Center. making sure the transfer of bottles and cans goes smoothly and quickly is affable recycling agent Aza Schepat. Whether people arrive at the lot motivated by environmental concerns or just to make a few extra dollars, Schepat greets them all with a friendly “Welcome” and a helping hand, if needed. Having traveled the globe, Schepat is adept at dealing with people from all walks of life. often mistaken as a gathering spot for loitering transients, the recycling center, he quickly points out, is an integral part of our community and is visited by all types of industrious citizens. According to Schepat, city officials have visited the site and encouraged him not to do business with the homeless. “What is a homeless person anyway?” Schepat questioned. “What signs would i look for? in this economy, aren’t most of us just a paycheck away from being homeless ourselves?”
CommuNiTy Film STudio SANTA BArBArA
Occupation: recycling Specialist; TomrA recycling Center.
Soap star and Carpinteria resident Finola Hughes found herself behind the camera for the first time as the director of “The Bet.”
How long have you been in Carpinteria? i was raised in Ventura, but i have been here in Carpinteria for approximately one year.
…see “The Bet”
What new skill would you like to learn? i have picked up several languages in my travels; italian, French, Spanish. i would like to add a new language. Where in the world would you like to travel to next? At one point i decided to get rid of all my possessions and just travel. i’ve been to most countries in Europe. i would love to go to Kuala lumpur. i love arriving in a country with no agenda and just soaking up the culture and the sights. What is the best advice you have ever received? don’t make assumptions. Describe yourself in one word: Well-rounded. Kim Drain moved with her family from San Francisco to Carpinteria 10 years ago. Since then, she has been intrigued by the small town charm of Carpinteria. She loves to uncover the hidden gems here, such as the people, whose lives and jobs intersect to make this community thrive.
…learn about extreme succulents
Carpinterian Tom mulroy will speak about a favorite type of succulent at the upcoming meeting of the California Native Plant Society Channel islands, an event that is free and open to the public. The talk, “dudleyas: California’s Fascinating Cliff Hanging Succulents,” will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden library, 1212 mission Canyon road. The group’s business meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and the talk will start at 7 p.m. There will be refreshments and a native plant exchange. For more information, call Andrea at 684-8077.
…hear a story or two
Night time is the right time for story reading, and this weekend, Curious Cup will deliver opportunities for kids to snuggle into two evenings of colorful fiction. On Friday, Nov. 22, from 7 to 8 p.m., the local bookstore will bring story time to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 4991 Carpinteria Ave. The first 15 kids to attend will receive a free hot chocolate. on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m., “Jammies, Hot Cocoa, and Ghost Stories” will take place on the bookstore’s porch, 5285 Carpinteria Ave. Scott lancet will read ghost stories for the kiddos, who are encouraged to attend in their PJs. Event sponsor Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will provide hot chocolate. To find out more, call the bookstore at 220-6608.
CARPINTERIA BOY SCOUTS CHRISTMAS TREE LOT
WE’VE MOVED FOR 2013 • We want to see you this season at our new location, only 4 blocks from our old home.
US 101 North
• Parking behind Buen Gusto restaurant. • Come early for best selection or larger trees.
Carpinteria Avenue
• FRESH trees arrive November 30. • Hours: Weekdays Noon to 8:30 pm Weekends 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
X
Casitas Pass Rd.
What improvements would you like to see made within the city? i witness a lot of innocent people being harassed. i wish the police force would focus more on serious crime. i realize the homeless situation is a problem, but it is not one that should be brushed away like garbage. The community needs to work together to offer more assistance.
Linden Avenue
Where is your favorite spot in Carpinteria? Tar Pits beach.
South
Linden Avenue
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? i’d like to volunteer to help keep the beaches clean by picking up trash. if i had the time, i would do more surfing.
Elm Avenue
What is the most challenging thing about this job? it gets very busy. This little hut fills up fast. But I love my job and interacting with all the different people.
Holly Avenue
What is the best thing about your job? i like being able to educate the community about recycling and better ways to green living.
A gala reception and screening of the Community Film Studio Santa Barbara’s inaugural movie project, “The Bet” will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 5:30 p.m. starting at Crushcakes, 4945 Carpinteria Ave., and leading to the Plaza Playhouse Theater, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. The evening’s festivities will begin with food and drinks from Crushcakes and Sly’s as well as a chance to meet local stars of the movie, including director Finola Hughes. “The Bet” is a light-hearted coming-of-age story in which a teenager and his grandfather enter a wager over who can find love first. The evening gala will benefit the film studio and the theater. Tickets are available for $50 at plazatheatercarpinteria.com or Curious Cup, 5285 Carpinteria Ave. There will also be a matinee screening on the same day at 2 p.m. for $10. Proceeds from the matinee will go toward the theater’s efforts to purchase a new, larger screen.
4819 Carpinteria Avenue
OPEN FOR BUSINESS SUNDAY, DECEmBER 1