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Thursday, March 6, 2014 5
Coastal View News • Tel: (805) 684-4428
Breitling Scholarships awarded to four Carpinteria teens By Kim Drain
Spring is the time many high school seniors are weighing a very important decision: where to attend college? The brochures can seem appealing, but how can a student know if a particular college will be a good fit? Thanks to the Breitling Scholarship Award, four local girls will be given the chance to travel to a university (or two) on their wish list and see for themselves. Administered by Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, the scholarship was established to give a helping hand to high-achieving young women in Santa Barbara County. Jacqueline Breitling, the scholarship’s namesake, was a longtime community volunteer in Santa Barbara and Montecito. Breitling, who passed away in 2001, was a self-made businesswoman who understood the value of higher education. She intended the money to be used as a way for college-bound girls to explore their options in person by traveling to various campuses. “It’s a remarkable opportunity,” said Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Board President Mary Crowley.
Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC) March 2014 Offerings
All Members, Guests & the General Public are Invited to:
*First Friday & Saturday, March 7 & 8, “Think Green.” Check out ad in this Coastal View News! Info: 684-5405x450.
“Mrs. Breitling’s vision and generosity continue to help the young women of our community choose the right college for themselves.” Scholarship winner and Girls Inc. of Carpinteria member Viviana Morales said, she is “nervous yet excited” to travel out of state for the first time ever to visit Harvard University over her spring break. Massachusetts is a world away from Carpinteria, but Morales feels it would be a good choice to pursue her intended major, political science. “I’ve never really been away from home,” Morales said. “The funding from the Breitling Scholarship will give me the opportunity to expand my horizons.” Another award recipient, Carpinteria FFA Chapter President Molly Miller, is considering colleges that will help her achieve her career goal of working in agriculture. While she has already been accepted by several California universities, Miller has set her sights farther away. “My mom and I are flying to Indiana to tour Purdue University,” Miller said. “The head of the Ag Department is going to give me a tour of the campus as well as inviting me to sit in on a few class sessions.” Miller will also use her Breitling funds to travel to Texas to learn more about the ranch and agricultural business programs offered. Two other graduating girls will be following their dreams to college; Leticia Cruz of Carpinteria High School and Mckell Davis of Cabrillo High School each received a Breitling Scholarship.
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*An interactive Business @ Breakfast event, Fri., Mar. 14, 7:15-9am, sponsored by Island Brewing Company @ Rincon Beach Club, 3805 Santa Claus Ln. Pre-registered members $20, non-members $25 (day of $25/$30). RSVP NLT noon on Mar. 12 to be on the“HOT SHEET.” Info: 684-5479x10 or stephanie@carpinteriachamber.org
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vacation *Network @ the CVCC’s Businesspackages After-Hours Mixer, Wed., Mar. 26,
hotel & car reservations
5-7pm, location TBA. CVCC members $5, non-members $10 admission. Info: 684-5479x10.
In response to the discovery of two Asian Citrus Psyllid in residential citrus trees in Carpinteria and Summerland, the California Department of Food & Agriculture is planning a targeted pesticide application in Carpinteria, in the Cravens Lane and Foothill Road area, possibly affecting numerous residential properties. This application follows on the heels of similar sprayings recently in Ojai and other parts of Ventura County. According to the CDFA, the detected pests can carry and transmit a devastating bacterial disease called Huanglongbing. It should be noted that the bacteria has not been detected in any of the samples, but because of risk to the citrus industry, the state has been aggressively monitoring and attempting to control the pest. Several alternatives to this treatment exist; including netting citrus trees and far less toxic treatments that organic growers have used successfully. The three pesticides intended to be applied including Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid, are labeled by the manufacturer to be “highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops or weeds.” Dozens of independent studies on Imidacloprid, as well as other neonicotinoid pesticides, confirm impacts on bees and colony health, including colony collapse disorder. As many citrus trees are currently in bloom in the intended treatment area where local bees are foraging, an application of these insecticides poses an extremely high risk of poisoning, injuring and potentially exterminating local honeybee colonies. Last year, 18 beehives collapsed in nearby Montecito. Penn State University tested samples of the comb and honey which showed the presence of a number
of pesticides. Penn State Senior Extension Associate Maryann Frazier remarked, “Honey bees across the country are being exposed to a great diversity and sometimes high levels of pesticides. While the evidence associated with the Montecito die-off is not conclusive, the symptoms of colony deaths and detections of low levels of pesticides toxic to honey bees are suspicious and cause for concern.” Just last week, Assemblymember Das Williams introduced Assembly Bill 1789 that would set a timeline for the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to determine whether the pesticide neonicotinoids are driving bee die-offs across the country. The California Department of Food and Agriculture will be sending notifications to homeowners within the treatment areas but will not be holding any public hearings. Residents have the option of opting out of treatment and should inquire further. Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner’s office has a list of safer alternatives; contact them at 681-5600. Honeybees are responsible for the pollination of at least 95 kinds of crops. Local beekeepers and supporters of beekeeping are highly committed to providing safe, healthy and pesticide-free environments for honeybees, as well as other important pollinators. Voluntary monitoring and treatments using less invasive and harmful methods by owners of citrus trees are encouraged. Community education programs will be expanded this spring to provide information and alternatives to the use of pesticides toxic to pollinators. Please inquire at Santa Barbara Beekeepers Association (sbba.org) for more information.
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Providing local news and information for the Carpinteria Valley managing Editor Lea Boyd associate Editor Peter Dugré Sales associate Dan Terry Graphic Designer Kristyn Whittenton Student intern Joe Rice Publishers Gary L. Dobbins, Michael VanStry Coastal View News is locally owned and operated by rmG Ventures, LLC, 4856 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013, and is published every Thursday. Coastal View News has been adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the Superior Court of Santa Barbara County, Case No. 210046. Coastal View News assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.
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State pesticide spray could kill bees