Coastal View News • April 24, 2025 by Coastal View News

BRIEFLY

The Carpinteria Community Library has state park passes available for check out, which can be used at over 200 California state parks.

State park passes available at library

With summer just around the corner, the Carpinteria Community Library is reminding residents that the library has a limited number of state park passes available for check out. The passes grant free day-entry to over 200 state parks around California through the California State Library Parks Pass Program, librarian Jody Thomas told Coastal View News

Each pass is valid for one passenger vehicle, with up to nine people inside, or one highway motorcycle. It can be checked out for up to three weeks.

Learn more online at carpinterialibrary.org or by calling (805) 684-4314. The library is located at 5141 Carpinteria Ave.

Westerlay welcomes new team members

Westerlay Orchids, southern California’s largest commercial orchid grower, has welcomed two new members to its sales team: Key Account Manager Jay Hathorn and Administrative Assistant for Sales Desiree Escobar.

Escobar has 25 years of customer service and operations management experience, and Hathorn has over 30 years working in horticulture sales leadership, according to a press release sent out by the business last week.

“It’s an honor to join a company that values quality, sustainability, and community, and I look forward to contributing to Westerly’s growing success,” Hathorn said.

Escobar added: “I am thrilled to be contributing to a company that shares my love for nature and community, and an executive team that shares a vision for excellence.”

Dive into nature with bluffs outing, app challenge

Residents are encouraged to join in on the City Nature Challenge from April 2528 and identify native organisms using the iNaturalist app, land steward Andrea Adams-Morden told Coastal View News.

Participants don’t have to identify every organism; every photo will be checked by experts on the app.

“Be sure to take a full shot of your observation and a close-up of the flowers or organism you’re photographing. The app will put your observations in the City Nature Challenge Santa Barbara County Project, where you can see our results,” Adams-Morden said.

Participants can turn this into a group project by joining a collection outing on the Rincon Bluffs, at the end of Carpinteria Avenue, on Sunday, April 27 at 10 a.m.

Volunteers wanted for city Fix-It Fair

The city of Carpinteria is looking for volunteers for its inaugural Fix-It Fair: creators, seamsters, electricians, wood workers, jewelers, repairers, tech support and beyond. At the fair, volunteers will promote their own businesses while helping community members fix their belongings.

The fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, noon – 4 p.m., at Veterans Hall, 941 Walnut Ave. Set-up will take place starting at 10 a.m. Interested parties can visit carpinteriaca.gov/fixitfair or email sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov

Padaro Grill supports SB local’s recovery

Ten percent of food and beverage sales at Padaro Beach Grill on Sunday, April 27 will go back to supporting Santa Barbara County local Collin Bosse, who was injured at age 23 in a 2023 swimming accident in Mission Bay that left him paralyzed from the chest down.

The grill will also host an auction that afternoon, with 100% of the proceeds going back to Bosse’s medical care and rehabilitation.

“These funds will provide Collin with the medical care and rehabilitation he needs to return to being the amazing athletic, and dynamic guy we all know and love,” Will Ransone, owner of Padaro Beach Grill, said in a press release.

The grill is located at 3765 Santa Claus Lane. The family also has a GoFundMe up, at gofundme.com/f/collin-bosse.

Summerland groups plan beautification day

Summerland Beautiful and Parents for Summerland will host a volunteer beautification day on Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m. – noon, at Summerland Elementary School. The group last hosted a clean-up day in October.

Volunteers should bring garden gloves and garden tools; trash bags and refreshments will be provided. Those interested should meet above the Summerland Elementary School athletic courts on Varley Street.

Summerland Elementary School is located at 135 Valencia Road in Summerland.

The city of Carpinteria’s Beach Camera last updated in late March.

City beach camera breaks

The city of Carpinteria is exploring options to fix its broken beach camera, which hasn’t updated since March 27. The motor for the camera malfunctioned, city spokesperson Juliza Briones confirmed to Coastal View News last week.

“Our team is currently exploring options to address the issue. Given the camera’s age, our resources are somewhat limited, but we will keep the public informed as soon as we have an update to share,” Briones said in an email.

The camera is typically available for viewing at video-monitoring.com/beachcams/ carpinteria

Desiree Escobar Jay Hathorn

Collin Bosse

CVN FILE PHOTO

Members of Summerland Beautiful and Parents for Summerland, pictured during the October 2024 clean-up.

C A R P CARP READS

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Congratulations to board president, high school students

LETTERS

SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK

CVN DIANA RIGBY

Editor’s Note: A copy of the Superintendent’s Report is run in print as a service for parents, students and community members who cannot attend Carpinteria Uniﬁed School District Board of Trustee meetings. This report was read aloud during the school board’s April 22, 2025 meeting.

Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees President Jaime Diamond has been elected as the president of the Santa Barbara County School Boards Association.

More congratulations: Two Carpinteria High School (CHS) seniors have been chosen ﬁnalists for the 2024 Junior Carpinterian of the Year, including Evelyn Calkins and Valeria Zamora Susano. Evelyn will attend UC Davis in the fall, to study animal science and management. Valeria will study psychology with a minor in Latinx studies at Macalester College in Minnesota.

Both students will be honored at the Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet on April 26.

Three CHS students were awarded money prizes from the Carpinteria Valley Association for their essays on climate change: Evelyn Calkins in first place; Anna Morrison in second place; and Luke Donahue in third place.

Second Interim Financial Report analysis and recom-

mendations

The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) confirmed the district’s positive certification based on the Second Interim Financial Report as the district is able to meet its financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years while maintaining the required minimum level of Reserve for Economic Uncertainties (REU).

Appreciation

I would like to recognize Principal Cornejo, Coach Latham, Athletic Director Cooney, CHS student athletes and all the community volunteers for a highly successful 105th Russell Cup Track and Field meet held last Saturday.

CMS FUSE Night

Carpinteria Middle School (CMS) students and parents participated in the Family Ultimate Science Exploration or FUSE Night last Thursday. Family Ultimate Science Exploration (FUSE) continues as a program for underrepresented students and their families to gain familiarity with the practice of science, its importance in education and its promise of exciting career opportunities. Sponsored by UC Santa Barbara and led

by undergraduate and graduate UCSB science and engineering students, along with industry volunteers, students and their families rotated in 30-minute sessions through diﬀerent hands-on science activities related to physics, chemistry and biology.

Earth Day celebrations

Elementary students are celebrating and honoring Earth Day during the month of April. All district third graders attended Katie Roberts Bluffs Day, an appreciation and advocacy for preservation of our natural lands. The Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs volunteers facilitate this annual event that includes rotating small group activities at our beautiful Bluffs: The Eyes in the Sky, a rescue organization for red tail hawks and owls, a Chumash tradition of creating your own clam shell, water coloring of the Bluffs landscape and learning how the Chumash utilized native plants for resources. Third graders also do walking field trips to Tomol Park, a Rotary Club investment, to learn more about the Chumash land and traditions, and the respect and reverence for our natural resources here in Carpinteria.

Carpinteria Family School students participate in walking ﬁeld trips to the state beach during low tide to study the living creatures in the tidepools, as well as shore birds and human impact on this delicate ecosystem. Elementary students also participate in walking ﬁeld trips to Carpinteria Salt Marsh to learn about the crucial importance of our salt marsh as a nursery for marine life, as well as plant life that is part of the food chain and habitat.

In May, fourth grade students will take a boat trip in celebration of Earth Day during April to Santa Cruz Island, where the focus is on human impact on the island ecosystem as well as the ocean. The students learn about the ﬂora and fauna on the island, and sometimes see dolphins and whales when crossing the channel. During April, the ﬁfth grade students from all of our district elementary schools take a three-day, two-night trip to Catalina Island Marine Institute, and learn a lot about delicate ecosystems, how to minimize human impact on those systems and an appreciation for the natural environment.

Finally, at all our sites, we are working hard to teach our students to separate their waste into trash, recycle and compost during breakfast and lunch, and to utilize reusable containers.

Measure U

The environmental test results and survey indicated that all of the seven portables at both Canalino and Aliso detect no signs of hazardous materials. Bid and award schedule is being ﬁnalized for May with the portables set for removal during the summer. The Aliso transitional kindergarten/kindergarten classroom building project documents remain in DSA plan check, and the coastal development permit and development plan review continue at the city.

Diana Rigby is the superintendent of Carpinteria Uniﬁed School District. For more information about CUSD, log on to cusd.net, or contact Diana at drigby@cusd.net or (805) 684-4511x222.

“Sure, he answered ’yes’ to a hypothetical. Big deal. It wasn’t a resignation pledge; it was a moment of candor, grounded in his belief that the justice system would do the right thing to protect our children.”

— Jaclyn Fabre

Support for trustee Sheaffer

Andy Sheaffer is a principled, caring Carpinteria Uniﬁed School District (CUSD) trustee with a clear, big-picture perspective. He keeps students and the community at the heart of every decision. Andy’s not a politician — he’s candid and sincere. Sure, he answered “yes” to a hypothetical. Big deal. It wasn’t a resignation pledge; it was a moment of candor, grounded in his belief that the justice system would do the right thing to protect our children.

Now, a couple of grandstanders are trying to turn that into some kind of binding contract? That’s not accountability — that’s theatrics.

The district followed the judicial process with Mr. Hotchner, aiming to keep an “inappropriate and unprofessional”

teacher out of the classroom. While the ruling was appalling, it was the result of a ﬂawed system — not a failure of leadership. Governance means making tough decisions, even when the outcome cannot be guaranteed.

Time and again, Andy has stood up for students and families, even when it’s difficult, even when it’s unpopular. That’s what integrity looks like. Andy should keep doing what he does best: speaking his mind, putting kids first, and standing firm when critics come after him with manufactured outrage.

The call for his resignation is baseless. Andy has broad community support because he leads with strength, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to what matters most: our students.

Jaclyn Fabre Santa Barbara

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

Franklin Trail Project needs more native plant species, alternative to asphalt, ARB says

BY JUN STARKEY

At its April 17 meeting, the Carpinteria Architectural Review Board (ARB) granted conditional approval for a new multi-use trail along the Franklin Creek between Carpinteria Avenue and Seventh Street.

The project — which would replace the informal dirt trail currently in use — is proposed by the city’s Public Works Department.

At the meeting, the board recommended the city consider alternative materials to asphalt for the trail’s main surface; return with a more detailed drainage plan; and include more native species in the project’s plant palette.

“Our goal with this project is to be able to provide an accessible route for pedestrians of all kinds, but especially for students that are attending Aliso school,” Josefina Arechiga, an assistant engineer with the city’s Public Works department, told board members Thursday. “As of now the trail is not compliant, and can cause hazards as you walk through it, and our goal is to improve it.”

Project plans include a 900-foot paved, 12- to 13-feet-wide path from Carpinteria Avenue to Seventh Street, with two striped asphalt lanes for bikes and pedestrians, as well as new benches, fencing, gates, trash cans, lighting and landscaping.

A three-and-a-half-foot chain link fence would also run along the creek, constructed on top of the existing drainage wall. Five gates would be installed for creek access.

Trail grading includes 50 cubic yards of cut and 300 cubic yards of fill to ensure the trail is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The areas that need to be elevated would have retaining walls with ADA handrails along both sides, including both ends of the trail and the area near the walkway connecting the trail to Ninth Street.

The project also includes three rest areas, set on concrete pads, with new landscaping, lighting, benches and trash cans. The 10 lights along the trail would be about 10 feet tall, and hooded and shielded to prevent light from being cast onto the creek.

Six non-native trees would be removed, including four of the trail’s nine eucalyptus trees, one myoporum tree and a dead tree stump; three sycamore trees and five eucalyptus trees would remain.

The project is funded by two grants: a $507,000 Community Development Block Grant, and a $203,000 grant from the Measure A South Coast Safe Route to School Program and the South Coast Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.

The city has also applied for two additional grants from the Measure A South Coast Safe Route to School Program and the South Coast Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.

During public comment for the project, several commenters contested the use of asphalt along the trail. Commenter Beth Anderson said the trail should be kept as natural as possible.

“I think that we have enough asphalt in our community, and I won’t use my time to detail all the cons about asphalt,” she told board members.

Another commenter, Karen Aragaki, said some asphalted areas in Carpinteria have fallen into disrepair, and questioned which local body would be responsible for maintaining the trail once it is constructed.

“If you walk along any asphalt area that the city or the county is taking care of, they are not taking care of it,” she said. “There’s funding right now, but as

“Our goal with this project is to be able to provide an accessible route for pedestrians of all kinds, but especially for students that are attending Aliso school (…) As of now the trail is not compliant, and can cause hazards as you walk through it, and our goal is to improve it.”

— assistant engineer Josefina Arechiga

soon as that funding is used up, who in perpetuity (will be) taking care of it?”

After moving to board member comments, ARB chair Amy Blakemore asked the applicants if there was any flexibility regarding the surface material. Public Works Director John Ilasin said there is some flexibility, but the material would have to be affordable and ADA compliant.

“Based on a benefit cost type analysis, asphalt is basically the affordable… material,” Ilasin said.

Blakemore said if the city is already maintaining multiple asphalt areas, it makes fiscal sense to continue using asphalt. However, she asked that consideration of other materials be a condition of approval.

“Having a specialized finish on just one area of the city is probably gonna be challenging, but I do think we’ve heard enough public comment to look into that,” Blakemore said. She also asked the applicant to consider more native plants in its plant palette, and not plant trees like the melaleuca or the jacaranda.

Board member Richard Little agreed the applicant should consider alterna-

tives to asphalt. “If there was a way of softening up and trying an alternative to the asphalt, that’s certainly something to be concerned about,” he said.

Board member Patrick O’Connor asked the applicant to return with a more detailed drainage plan, specifically

one that coordinated with an adjacent property.

The board unanimously granted conditional approval of the preliminary review of the Franklin Creek Trail project. The project will be brought back to the ARB

COURTESY GRAPHICS

A rendering of the proposed multi-use Franklin Creek trail, facing out from the Carpinteria Avenue entrance.

A rendering of the proposed multi-use Franklin Creek trail, facing the Ninth Street entrance, with an additional entrance on Ninth Street.

The proposed trail would run along Franklin Creek between Carpinteria Avenue and Seventh Street.

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Michael “Mike” Holliday Harvan 10/29/1943 — 03/29/2025

Michael “Mike” Holliday Harvan, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Ventura, California, on March 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Michael had a deep and enduring love for the sea, which eventually led him to relocate his family to Santa Barbara and, later, to Carpinteria in 1987, where he embraced coastal living with open arms.

A true Renaissance man, Michael was passionate about the ﬁne arts, music, gardening and the culinary world. Known for his distinctive style and his ability to capture the beauty of the world around him, his oil paintings remain a lasting legacy.

Michael is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Sandra Harvan; his brother, Robert (Ann) Harvan; daughters Tamara Thompson (Deron) and Cyndi Harvan (Warren); sons Brian (Holly) and Marc (Kili); grandchildren Makaila (Erick), Zachary (Michael), Ana (Jesse), Tyler, Aiden, Harmony, Briar and Ivy; and ﬁve cherished great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Helen Harvan.

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Michael was born on Oct. 29, 1943, in Madera, California, to Andrew and Helen Harvan. He was raised in Fresno, where his parents owned and operated the esteemed Harvan’s Restaurant in Fig Garden Village.

Michael’s warmth, creativity and enduring love for family will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

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At just seventeen, Michael proudly followed in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the U.S. Navy. At twenty-one, he married the love of his life, Sandra “Sam” Bell, and together they raised four children in his hometown of Fresno.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Rosary and Mass at St. Joseph Church in Carpinteria, 1532 Linden Ave., on May 6 at 10 a.m., followed by a burial at Carpinteria Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held afterward at the home of Deron and Tamara Thompson.

Poetry contest winners honored

Sloan Stoddard, Isla Crooke and Kimbrough Ernest are the winners of the 2025 Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center poetry contest. The three — alongside honorable mentions Saylor Allison, Taiyari Hernández-Jarvis and Alﬁe Von Johnston in the children’s category, Cornelius Patterson and Nathalie Contreras in the teen category and Dahlia Seroussi and Stephanie Hernández-Jarvis in the adult category — were honored at the center on Saturday, April 13.

The center received 30 children’s poems, 15 teen poems and 58 adult poems, according to the arts center’s Program Coordinator Lana Ziegler. The contest was blind judged by Hal Price, Lauren Wilson and Otto Layman.

By Isla Crooke

That’s

was, before you were born.

The giraffe is the land mammal with the biggest heart .

I see you, in my dreams, sure-footed, full of grace, reaching for the sunniest blooms of the acacia.

By Kimbrough Ernest

Feelings

By Sloan Stoddard

Happiness is the joy and badness is sadness and madness is angry

But that makes you feel cool then at that time nothing can stop you

At those times you got to the bottom of those feelings

But if you keep in those feelings

It feels bad then when it happens again and the bottle opens and all those feelings came out

Then these many feelings hurt me

It’s sometimes good to just get it out

Scream out loud

And make sure it’s gone

From left, Stephanie Hernández-Jarvis, Taiyari Hernández-Jarvis, Saylor Allison, Isla Crooke, Sloan Stoddard, Alﬁe Von Johnston and Dahlia Seroussi.

Cornelius Patterson won an honorable mention in the teen category for his poem, “Montana de Oro.”

From left, Saylor Allison and Hal Price.

COURTESY PHOTOS

With

Water recycling delivers a key resource for the future

BY CRAIG MURRAY

After years of planning, environmental review and engineering design, the Carpinteria Sanitary District is now on the threshold of a major project that includes construction of an advanced water puriﬁcation facility capable of producing over one million gallons of potable water every day. Capturing and reusing this valuable resource, which would otherwise be discharged to the Paciﬁc Ocean, is an important piece of our long-term water supply puzzle locally.

This novel water resiliency project, referred to as the Carpinteria Advanced Puriﬁcation Project, or CAPP, is being developed through a partnership between the Carpinteria Valley Water District and the Carpinteria Sanitary District. First proposed in 2016, CAPP involves a type of water recycling known as Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR).

IPR first requires treatment using a proven, multi-step purification process meeting strict design and performance standards set forth by the State of California. It then requires the produced water to be stored in an “environmental buffer” for a period of time before entering the municipal water supply. In this case, CAPP’s purified water will be injected into the local groundwater aquifer and will remain there for months or years before being extracted by existing potable water wells. This approach affords an additional level of safety and security to the public. Strategically located monitoring wells, and a robust sampling program, will ensure that the recycled water ultimately delivered exceeds all State and Federal drinking water standards.

Potable reuse is not new. IPR has been in existence since Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitary District began pioneering the use of purified water to recharge groundwater aquifers in 1976. Their Groundwater Replenishment System project now produces over 130 million gallons of purified, recycled water each day. Agencies throughout California are now operating successful IPR projects and collectively producing over 250 million gallons per day to help meet critical water supply needs. Although small in size, CAPP will be unique, in that it will be the first project to capture and purify nearly 100% of the wastewater coming through the existing treatment plant.

In October of last year, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) approved new regulations to permit Direct Potable Reuse (DPR). DPR requires additional treatment steps beyond IPR standards but allows purified water to flow directly into the pipelines delivering potable water to homes and businesses. This represents a major policy advancement that will further enable the use of purified wastewater as a major water source for our drought-prone region. It also represents a huge vote of confidence in the proven technologies being used to remove all pathogens and other contaminants from any water source.

The City of Los Angeles recently set a goal of recycling 100% of its wastewater by 2035, and for many reasons this goal can only be achieved with DPR. Statewide, Governor Newsom has set a target

Although CAPP may sound like a drop in the proverbial bucket, delivering just 1,200-acre feet of puriﬁed water per year, it will meet 25% of Carpinteria Valley Water District’s total demand.

of 1.8-million-acre feet of recycled water production per year by 2040. This would double the current usage of recycled water in California and account for nearly a third of the state’s annual water usage of 6.6-million-acre feet. Potable reuse will be crucial throughout the arid West, and places like Phoenix and Las Vegas are also planning IPR or DPR projects.

Although CAPP may sound like a drop in the proverbial bucket, delivering just 1,200-acre feet of puriﬁed water per year — less than 1/1,000th of the statewide goal — it will meet 25% of Carpinteria Valley Water District’s total demand. Which is a lot. More importantly, CAPP will provide a new reliable and droughtproof water supply to add to our local portfolio.

For more information, visit the CAPP website at cvwd.net/capp or contact either CVWD or CSD directly. We expect to solicit bids for construction sometime this summer, so be on the lookout for additional details on this important project in the coming months.

An engineer by trade, Craig Murray is the general manager of the Carpinteria Sanitary District. He can be reached at craigm@ carpsan.com.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CGSA) Public Listening Sessions

The Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CGSA) invites you to participate in a series of public listening sessions to help shape the Well Registration and Metering Policy for private wells in the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin (CGB).

Key Topics:

√ Well registration process & timeline

√ Metering requirements & data collection

Listening Session Dates:

√ Future billing periods

√ Exemptions & compliance

When & Where:

Session #1 Monday, March 31 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Session #2 Monday, April 14 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Session #3 Monday, April 28 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Carpinteria Valley Water District Board Room 1301 Santa Ynez Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013

Join via Zoom: carpgsa.org/listening-sessions

Your input is essential! Help us develop a policy that supports sustainable groundwater management for our community.

Stay Updated: Sign up for CGSA email updates at carpgsa.org.

New immigrant rights coalition wants to keep Carpinteria connected and informed

BY EVELYN SPENCE

Two locals — Becki Norton and Deborah Dentler — are launching the Carpinteria Immigrant Rights Coalition, hoping to keep immigrants informed of their rights amid the recent deportation policies introduced under President Donald Trump and his administration.

“My concerns are really focused on one thing: whether the community of Carpinteria is adequately prepared for whatever might come,” Dentler told Coastal View News last week “(...) What can I do to help inform members of the community, and help reduce unnecessary panic and fear?”

Norton added: “The main goal is to protect and empower immigrants, as allies.”

Earlier this year, Norton, a bilingual teacher and school psychologist, was spurred by immigration enforcement in Santa Barbara County to launch an immigrant rights committee under political advocacy group Carpinteria Indivisible.

However, after realizing this issue needed more attention beyond a subcommittee, she met up with others — including Dentler — and stepped down as co-chair of Carpinteria Indivisible to form a coalition dedicated speciﬁcally to immigrant rights.

Dentler, a retired lawyer who worked with foster care cases, is a literacy tutor with the Carpinteria Library; her husband Tony Segall, who is trilingual, has been helping with the Carpinteria Community Library’s citizenship preparation classes. The couple, with several other groups, helped put on a “Know Your Rights” forum for immigrant families at the library in December.

“We were thinking about things at the exact same time,” Norton said. Dentler added: “We’ve merged our experiences and ideas and contact lists.”

Both Norton and Dentler said immigrant rights are fundamental human rights and must be separated from any other political agendas.

“My hope is that (the coalition) will be very broad based, and it will attract people irrespective of where they stand on the political spectrum, because it’s our belief that legal rights are human rights, and they belong to all of us, irrespective of where you stand on any other political

“We were hearing from families how fearful they were, anxiety creeping in, there were already a lot of families who were questioning what was going to happen, how to be prepared for what was to come.”

— Jessica Ramirez, director of Family Services at the Carpinteria Children’s Project

topic,” Dentler said.

Carpinteria hasn’t seen a sharp rise in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, but surrounding communities have, such as the city of Santa Maria and Ventura County. This is creating fear and anxiety locally, Dentler and Norton said.

According to the 2020 census, 22.9% of Carpinteria’s roughly 12,800 residents were born outside of the United States, and 35.9% speak a language other than English at home. The Immigrant Legal Defense Center reported that as of December 2024, 2,937 people in Santa Barbara County are facing deportation, and roughly half of them do not have a lawyer.

Dentler and Norton have reached out to local organizations, such as the Carpinteria Children’s Project, a childcare and family support agency, to help connect local families and individuals with essential services.

CCP Family Services Director Jessica Ramirez told Coastal View News the nonproﬁt saw a decline in families and individuals coming in for support after the 2024 presidential election.

“We were hearing from families how fearful they were, anxiety creeping in,” Ramirez said. “Families weren’t coming into their scheduled appointments to enroll into MediCal, CalFresh, out of fear.”

Once President Trump took oﬃce in January, CCP’s service numbers fell even

“My concerns are really focused on one thing: whether the community of Carpinteria is adequately prepared for whatever might come.”

— Carpinteria Immigrant Rights Coalition founder Deborah Dentler

lower.

“We had a lot of families show concern, if (ICE) comes, is (CCP) going to let them in?” Ramirez said.

The CCP building is owned by the Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD), so CCP has been instructed to send ICE oﬃcials to the main CUSD administration building and not let agents in if they do show up, Ramirez explained. “I think that provided a little piece of mind to the families that we worked with.”

Within the last month, CCP’s appointment numbers have started to rise again. They aren’t the same as they were before the Trump administration took office, “but they’re deﬁnitely getting there, and I think it’s because folks are getting the information that they need to feel safe and protected enough,” she added.

The coalition also hands out Red Cards detailing constitutional rights, ﬂyers outlining what to do if ICE comes to the workplace or how to report ICE in the area, and Family Preparedness Plans — legal documents families can ﬁll out in case they are separated.

Dentler and Norton said they hope to supplement the work local groups and organizations are already doing — not replace it.

“What we need is not a new project or a new organization — we need collaboration,” Dentler said. “What we really are is a coalition. We’re not the heads of it. It’s not a top-down thing. We don’t have a decision-making structure. Becki and I are allies to existing projects.”

Norton and Dentler have an email up and running, carpimmigrantrights@ gmail.com, and are working to launch a quarterly newsletter, The Pulse/El Pulso, hopefully in May. The newsletter will host a list of resources, “always taking the pulse of the community,” Dentler said.

“Our primary task that we’re focusing on right now is getting the word out, saying ‘Join us, contact us, and watch for our newsletter,’” she said.

Norton, Dentler and Ramirez all emphasized it’s important to stay connected and informed. They said parents should make ﬁrm plans and talk to their kids in case a family member is deported or taken in by ICE.

“I have a friend, who happens to be undocumented. Both of her kids were born here. I asked her, ‘Are you ready? Have you prepared for this situation?’” Norton said. Her friend has ﬁlled out the necessary paperwork, and has plans in place if she is deported from the United States. “I asked her, ‘What about some of your other friends? Are they ready?’ And she said no.”

SPENCE

From left, Carpinteria Children Project Family Services Director Jessica Ramirez, with Carpinteria Immigrant Rights Coalition founders Becki Norton and Deborah Dentler.

The screens between us

COFFEE, CAREER AND KIDDOS

We’ve finally made it out to a restaurant as a family, and I’m trying to have a conversation with my husband. But between bites, our youngest won’t stop talking, or arguing with his brother. Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is to hand over the phone. And sometimes, honestly, that’s okay.

But I’ve started to notice just how many families are doing the same. Screens have become the go-to solution in moments of chaos. Toddlers are swiping before they can speak. Elementary school kids have social media accounts. Teens sit silently at dinner tables, faces lit by their phones rather than by the people sitting across from them.

It’s led me to ask, as I know many parents are: What is all this screen time doing to our kids?

That question hit even harder after hearing author Jonathan Haidt speak about his new book, “The Anxious Generation.” He lays out what many of us have sensed for a while: unchecked

screen time and early exposure to social media are changing the mental health landscape for children and teens. Depression and anxiety are on the rise, and experts are connecting that increase to cyberbullying, constant comparison and the dopamine-driven design of platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Even for younger children who aren’t yet on social media, screen exposure matters. Fast-paced digital content can disrupt attention spans, stifle imagination and take the place of real-world learning and play. Instead of practicing conversations, conflict resolution and curiosity, kids are zoning in on games, videos and curated images.

To be clear, this isn’t about banning screens. Technology is part of our lives, and when used with intention, it can support learning and connection. But intention is the key. Are we guiding our children’s digital experiences, or handing them over to algorithms? Are we modeling healthy balance, or scrolling through our own feeds while telling them to unplug?

There are practical steps we can take. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one hour of high-quality screen time per day for children ages two to five, and consistent limits for older kids. Phones should be off during meals and at bedtime. Schools and families can partner in teaching kids how to be smart, safe and self-aware in the digital world.

Most importantly, we need to reconnect in real life. Encourage boredom. Embrace face-to-face conversations. Make time for nature, books, art and play. For dinner out, pack a busy bag. Mine includes magnetic tiles, magic marker

Screens have become the go-to solution in moments of chaos. Toddlers are swiping before they can speak. Elementary school kids have social media accounts. Teens sit silently at dinner tables, faces lit by their phones rather than by the people sitting across from them.

books and small figurines. Be present — even when it’s hard.

Screens aren’t going anywhere. But neither is our responsibility to protect childhood.

Tonight at 5:30 p.m., the Carpinteria Family School is hosting an information night at 1480 Linden Ave. on this very topic. I urge parents to attend and gather resources to help navigate this new digital terrain. The Carpinteria Children’s Project team will be there, too — we’ll be listening, learning and gathering tools we can share in our parenting classes, teacher training and early learning programs. Let’s take this on together.

Teresa Alvarez is the executive director of the Carpinteria Children’s Project. She has over a decade of experience in the nonprofit field and a passion for helping children and families. Teresa was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and moved to the U.S. with her parents at age two. Growing up as an undocumented student, she learned the importance of having mentors, a strong work ethic, and the value of education. Teresa holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCSB and a master’s degree in psychology from Antioch Santa Barbara. She currently serves on the Future

Leaders of America board and is a founding member of the Santa Barbara Latino Giving Circle. Teresa loves to travel, read and chase after her two boys.

Free Event!

April 24th 5:30-7pm

Canalino - 1480 Linden

Email by 4/15 for childcare

Se ofrece interpretación en español board@parentsforcfs.org

TERESA ALVAREZ

This engaging session will be led by TechWell, featuring Dr Kristen Hughes, a pediatrician, and Kym Ozburn, a school psychologist.

Santa

Via believes her stolen by Polo deputies.

Vehicle / about Sandtagged and vehicle

Halos& Pitchforks

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

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 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 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 all the outstanding volunteers who made the 105th Russell Cup a great success.

A reader sends a halo to Poncho at All-Around Irrigation for helping the reader out with a project for her preschool. “It worked out great!”

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 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 whoever left a sign telling people to pick up their dog-waste bags and stop leaving them on Casitas Pass Road.

KARLSSON

What’s

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 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 librarian Jody Thomas for “all the energy, love and dedication she has poured into our wonderful library. You can really feel all of her eﬀorts each time you walk into the library. Jody you are the best and I’m really going to miss you!”

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 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 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?”

new at the harbor seal rookery?

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.”

This report covers April 14–20, 2025

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.

FOR SALE

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.”

Buildable lot on golf course on the 12th hole of the Mission Club Golf Course in Lompoc, .47 acre. Sight plans, lot & house plans included. Price reduction NOW $325,000 Owner will carry financing, for qualified buyer.

A reader sends a halo to the local food and beverage establishments that oﬀer non-alcoholic beer, wine and interesting mocktails for those who don’t drink alcohol but still enjoy going out, socializing and enjoying a tasty beverage. “Thank you!”

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!”

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. There is no vehicle access from Dump Road.

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 the lifeguards braiding hair while swimmers are in the pool. “Not professional!”

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES

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?”

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 Bob Banner for his dedication and support to the Crafty Ladies program at the Carpinteria Community Church.

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

Separate pup counts are diﬃcult now, because many are diﬃcult to distinguish from adults.

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

Amazing Opportunity on the edge of the estuary! This large lot with commercial planned development, residential zoning and utilities at property is ready for your vision. A 2nd story would bring stunning sunset and estuary views. $1,600,000

A reader sends a halo to John at Paciﬁc Auto Body. “John made my 2014 MDX look new and didn’t charge me an arm and a leg for car body repairs.”

A reader sends a halo to all the beach community residents. “Thank you for parking in front of your home with your permit.”

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

Sweet 1 bd / 1 bath, loft condo at Sandpiper, just 1/2 block to the beach. 220 Elm Ave. #10, in Carpinteria $719,000

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

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

Beautifully appointed 2 bd. / 1 bath Casitas Village condo. Located in the back of the complex, this upstairs, back unit has a nice balcony and lots of privacy. New carpet and paint. $699,000

A reader sends a halo to Holden at the Carpinteria Community Library, who was able to ﬁnd exactly what the reader needed for their book club. “Thanks so much!”

A first! Only once before have volunteers possibly seen a mom nursing another’s pup, and that occasion may have involved rare twins. Two adults and a pup hauled out closely together. At the shore one nosed the pup, then continued onshore with the pup, and a second seal followed close behind. The first stopped, rolled to her side and the pup began to nurse. The other seal lay about three feet beside, with the pup between. After approximately four minutes of nursing the pup turned to the other mom, who turned on her side, reached her flipper out and brushed the pup toward her. The pup then began to nurse the second seal. Very rare behavior!

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 City of Carpinteria for letting the bluffs turn into an ever-increasing dirt parking lot. “That is not what the bluffs were purchased for. Post No Parking signs immediately!”

VISITORS

COMING SOON

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!”

3 bd/ 2 bath, new carpet and paint. CREEKSIDE in the Singing Springs Complex.

A reader sends a halo to Marie at The Worker Bee, who the reader hadn’t seen since Cajun Kitchen closed 12 years ago. “She still remembers I liked veggie omelets!”

A reader sends a halo to DJ Hecktic 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 a local celebrity to them!”

A reader sends a pitchfork to those who lied on their FAFSA and took scholarships away from kids who need it.

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

2 bd. / 1 bath house, plus office in the desirable beach area of Carpinteria. Includes: hot tub, washer, dryer, gardening services and water. Available Mid May $4200 monthly

VACATION RENTALS

2:37 a.m. / Public Intoxication / Bailard Avenue

Spring Availability at Carpinteria Shores. Fantastic

2 bd. / 1 bath Beach front condos $500 nightly. Units 102, 104, 112, 208, 308. To view units, visit our website @ www.murphykingrealestate.com.

Spring Availability at Sunset Shores. Several stylish 1 bd./ 1 bath condos available. $199$285 per night depending on unit. Units 139, 211, 230 & 233. To view units, visit our website @ www.murphykingrealestate.com.

Debbie Murphy, Broker

Kim Fly, Broker Associate Leah Wagner, Realtor Carolyn Friedman, Realtor

Friday, May 22

A reader sends a halo to Anna and Paul at Risdon’s Auto Care Center. “They not only installed a great set of tires at a reasonable price, they literally gave me a lift. So Carp-like.”

A reader sends a halo to Diana Rigby, Superintendent of schools, and Debra Herrick, director of Boys & Girls Club, for removing the toxic Euphorbia ﬁre sticks from the pots and landscape.

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.

Heidi & Jim Michener, Vacation Hosts 805-684-4101 murphykingrealestate.com

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

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.

A reader sends a halo to Jonathon at Carpinteria Athletics. “My wife and I joined after the ﬁrst of the year. Jonathon has always maintained a clean (even the parking lot) friendly environment.”

5285 Carpinteria Avenue • 805-318-55O6 Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm • Sun: 10am-4pm

A reader sends a halo to Liz Watkins, Fon Ha, Carol Nichols and Brass Bird for helping Carpinteria’s homeless.

Saturday, May 23

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

A reader sends a pitchfork to whomever is in charge of maintaining Tar Pits Park. “The Cypress trees are in great need of trimming.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the sheriff’s deputy using his radar gun the other 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.”

Over 1,860 visitors were recorded, including six-year-old excited Chloe from Germany. Others came from Ukraine, Brazil, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, France, Venezuela, Greece, Qatar, China, Chile, Portugal, Italy, France, Argentina, Sweden, Mexico, Switzerland, Korea, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Washington, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, New Hampshire, Montana, Utah, Oregon, Iowa, Idaho, Missouri and Washington D.C. A Tahoe visitor said he has come to see the seals yearly for almost 40 years.

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

DISTURBANCES

The seals were disturbed by low ﬂying military aircraft, a beach walker, boat with divers and a mylar balloon.

MORE INFORMATION

Please consider honoring the Marine Mammal Protection Act by not walking the 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 asked that dogs always remain outside the rope area.

Carpinteria Seal Watch volunteers monitor our local seal rookery. More volunteers are always needed. Contact Seal Watch at carpsealwatch@gmail.com or call (805) 364-3194 if you’d like to help!

Real Estate Sales•Rental Housing•Property Management Vacation Rentals Notary Services

Beach town, Hootennanny sing-along

4 Fridays 4/18-5/9 1:30-3pm $65 for joyous fun singing songs you know. Contact Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center 805-684-7789

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.

The 1100 lot not was possearch located, meth. violations. contacted as off by a probashowed container felon pepper in the wanted ownership 4100 vehicle reported to Department. A was stolen, by the on the only a actual pulled the car, motel they, cited for and investigation will obtained Palm regisviolation at his License / displayrecords was suspended. The man was cited, and his vehicle was released to a licensed driver.

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.

A reader sends a pitchfork for winning the Easter Games ﬁ ve years in a row.

Submit Halos & Pitchforks online at coastalview.com.

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

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

A man was contacted after reporting

Submissions subject to editing.

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 age to the front right passenger wheel

True Ames Surf Fins finds its flow in Carpinteria

BY FAITH MARTIN

Tucked behind the railroad tracks in a historic lemon-packing building on Sixth Street, a quiet evolution in surf culture is taking shape. True Ames Surf Fins, a legacy name in surf hardware since 1979, has found new energy — and a new home — in Carpinteria.

The brand’s roots run deep. Founded by Chuck Ames after he spotted a flyer advertising a surf fin business for sale, True Ames has long been committed to craftsmanship, innovation and a reverence for surf heritage. For decades, Ames operated out of Goleta, staying close to the breaks at Hollister Ranch and partnering with some of the surf world’s most revered shapers: George Greenough, Skip Frye, Wayne Rich.

But late last year, a change in the tide brought the company to Carpinteria.

“We’d been in Goleta for over 35 years,” said Troy Mothershead, who now co-owns the business with Will Adler. “But we were outgrowing our space, and we really wanted to be closer to the heartbeat of surfing in this area: Rincon.”

Mothershead’s story is as layered as the fins his company crafts. A former professional longboarder with deep ties to the surfing world, he also spent years at Patagonia and later Topa Topa Brewing, blending business acumen with board culture. Adler had worked under Ames in an informal apprenticeship that grew into a full-time commitment. Together, the two officially took over the company at the end of 2023.

The new Carpinteria headquarters — at 5045 Sixth St., Unit #3 — is more than just a warehouse and workshop. It’s a tangible embodiment of what True Ames stands for: craftsmanship, authenticity and surf culture without the gloss.

“When people walk in, their jaws kind of drop,” Mothershead laughed. “There’s this wall with over 300 fins, every shape

and color you can imagine. It really captures what we do.”

Designed with intention and simplicity, the showroom uses unfinished plywood and an open layout to highlight the fins themselves. A vintage pin router machine that once shaped fins now serves as a centerpiece — a quiet homage to the brand’s roots in analog craftsmanship.

A March open house drew friends, family and local surfers eager to get a first look. “It was super grassroots,” Mothershead said. “Hot dogs, chips, some beer from Island Brewing (Company), and

a lot of stoke. It was just about letting people explore the space.”

That space, while functional for the business’s day-to-day shipping and production, has started to take on a broader role. There are plans for film nights, artist collaborations and fin education events.

“We’re not trying to become a big retail store,” Mothershead said. “This is about community. About creating a place where surfers can come, talk shop, and maybe learn something new.”

Already the showroom has housed collaborations with artists like Jeff Canham,

known for his whimsical wood sculptures. Limited-edition fins — sometimes released only in person — give visitors a taste of something exclusive.

And the timing? It felt right, especially with local Matt Moore’s recent closure of Rincon Designs just up the street. Rincon Designs had operated in Carpinteria for 45 years, but with rising rent and the loss of fire insurance, Moore made the tough decision to close down the brick-andmortar Linden Avenue location in March.

“We didn’t move here to compete,” Mothershead said. “We only sell our own fins. But it does feel like a natural passing of the torch in a way.”

The True Ames team is mindful of the balance between legacy and progress. Though Chuck Ames has stepped back from daily operations, he still weighs in with insight and craftsmanship. His presence, though quieter now, continues to shape the direction of the brand.

At its core, True Ames is about making better fins for everyone from backyard board builders to legendary shapers. Their specialty in single fins and alternative surf craft fills a niche often overlooked by major players focused on competitive shortboarding.

“There’s something exciting about helping people discover how a different fin can completely transform the way a board feels,” Mothershead said. “That’s what we want to share.”

As for the Carpinteria community, the response has been warm. Locals have stopped in to fit fins, browse boards and connect with a brand that’s been shaping surfing from behind the scenes for over four decades.

“We want people to feel welcome,” Mothershead said. “Even if you’re just curious. Come in, say hi, see the space.”

True Ames Surf Fins held a grand opening last month; the surf hardware retail store is now open at 5045 Sixth St., Unit #3.

True Ames Surf Fins carries surfboard fins and other branded merch at its new home on Sixth Street.

From left, Shaun Crowley, Troy Mothershead and Gabe Macon.

KARLSSON PHOTOS

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Community Association honors Ballat and Mascari families with Business Spotlight Awards

BY EVELYN SPENCE

The Ballat and Mascari families are the recipients of the Carpinteria Community Association’s (CCA) newest award, the Business Spotlight Award. The award spotlights family-owned, local businesses, CCA’s Karen Graf told Coastal View News.

Both families will be honored at the Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria.

The Ballat family — Zach Ballat and Mary Watfah, and their children, Sam and Rohm — own Kim’s Market, at 4060 Via Real, and the two City Markets in Carpinteria, at 501 Linden Ave. and 5292 Carpinteria Ave. They also own and run several other liquor and market stores in Santa Barbara and Ventura, the family told Coastal View News.

Zach and Mary immigrated to California from Syria in 2004, originally landing

in Ojai before coming to Carpinteria in 2007. They bought City Market 15 then, with a partner who ran the store they worked for in Ojai. “He saw that we were hard workers, seven days a week, to survive,” Mary said. “When you come from another place, you come from zero. You have nothing.”

The family bought City Market Center, formerly the La Mexicana Market, in 2010, and Kim’s Market in 2012.

When they’re not working, the family likes to go to the beach and hike in the mountains. Mary also works as a kindergarten and preschool aide at The Howard School, where their son Rohm attends. Their son Sam is set to graduate this June with the Carpinteria High School class of 2025.

The family sponsors local events and donates to groups each year, such as Rotary Club of Carpinteria’s Talent Show, Movies in the Park and The Howard School. “We like to give to the

community,” Zach said. “(...) Whatever the community needs, or ask for, we always help.”

The Mascari family — Ben and Kerri Mascari, with their children, Kate, Michael and Paige — are the owners of Serigraph Resort Wear, on 5040 Sixth St., as well as Carpinteria T-Shirt Company and Carpinteria Beach Co., both located on the 800 block of Linden Avenue.

Serigraph Resort Wear, a dual clothing store and T-shirt company, has been open since 1987. The family opened the Carpinteria T-Shirt Company in 2017, and their third store, Carpinteria Beach Co., in 2021. The T-Shirt Company’s claim to fame is screen-printed T-shirts and sweatshirts, while the Carpinteria Beach Co. offers boutique clothing and other gift-like items.

Ben, Kerri and Kate largely handle the day-to-day operations. Ben said the family has found success but said it can be difficult to do business in a tourist-centric

area like Carpinteria with rising rents.

“It’s not easy running a business on Linden Avenue if that was your full-time employment because (...) when the tourists are not really here, it’s hard to make it work,” Ben said, naming a few longtime businesses have closed recently: Rincon Designs, Robitaille’s.

“It’s sad. We will miss Robitaille’s, we will miss (Rincon Designs’ owner) Matt Moore (...) We’re not Santa Barbara. We’re not another place that can dictate huge amounts of money for rent and leases because the traffic just doesn’t warrant that kind of number.”

In their free time, the family loves to go to Delgado’s Mexican Restaurant, Ben said.

He and Kerri will be attending Saturday’s banquet. “I try to keep a low profile and just do my own thing and not draw too much attention to myself, but it’s nice that the community recognized our efforts over the years to do retail,” Ben said.

Robitaille’s Fine Candies receives Outstanding Community Business Award

BY JUN STARKEY

The Carpinteria Community Association (CCA) is awarding John and Tami Robitaille, owners of the recently closed Robitaille’s Fine Candies, with the Outstanding Community Business Award for their years of service in the community. The Robitailles will receive their award at the Community Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 26.

Robitaille’s Fine Candies occupied the space at 900 Linden Ave. for 36 years before closing its doors in December 2024. The store was almost entirely operated by owners John and Tami, with help from their children and a handful of employees.

After opening its doors in 1989, Robitaille’s Fine Candies quickly became a staple of downtown Carpinteria, and their regulars included a healthy mix of locals and tourists who made a point to stop by the shop while in town. The store was put on the map by its chocolate mints, which were chosen as the official mint of the 50th presidential inauguration for President Ronald Regan in 1985. Robitaille’s was also the first local business to be presented with the Outstanding Business Award in 1990, according to the CCA.

The Robitailles decided to close their

doors for several reasons, but a major point was their desire to spend more time with their grandchildren. Following their store’s closure, Tami said she spent two months in Arizona with her daughter and grandchildren.

“We’ve never been able to go to games or have time on the weekends,” Tami told Coastal View News. Now that they have more free time, she said she and John have been able to “fall back in love with Carpinteria.”

Although the couple appreciates their freedom, the Robitailles said they do miss the day-to-day interactions that came with running the store. “You kinda go through a grieving process,” Tami said. The pair said they now see many of their regulars while running errands in Carpinteria.

John and Tami said they didn’t expect to receive the Outstanding Community Business award and were surprised at the impact their store’s closure had on Carpinteria. “(The) community kept us in business for 36 years,” John said. “We’re thankful and appreciative of the recognition…we’re gonna continue to volunteer and be out there.”

The Community Awards Banquet will be held at the Girls Inc. of Carpinteria campus, located at 5315 Carpinteria Ave., on Saturday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m.

SPENCE

The Ballat family, from left, Zach, Mary, Rohm and Sam.

SPENCE FILE PHOTO

The Mascari family, from left, Ben, Kerri and Kate. Not pictured: kids Michael and Paige.

KARLSSON FILE PHOTO

John and Tami Robitaille of Robitaille’s Fine Candies, pictured here in November 2024, are receiving the Outstanding Community Business Award for their years of service in Carpinteria.

Crime in Carpinteria decreased in 2024, per police

BY FAITH MARTIN

Carpinteria experienced a decrease in reported crime between 2023 and 2024, according to data released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriﬀ’s Oﬃce (SBSO) on April 14.

Like several other cities in Santa Barbara County, the city of Carpinteria contracts out for police services through SBSO.

Carpinteria experienced an 8% decrease in reported serious crimes, also known as Part 1 crimes, in 2024. Part 1 crimes cover violent and property-related crimes; the city recorded 200 Part 1 incidents in 2024, down from 218 in 2023

However, the city saw a modest rise in reported violent crimes, from 21 incidents in 2023 to 24 in 2024 — a 14% uptick. Carpinteria recorded no reported incidents of rape in 2024 (down from three in 2023), aggravated assaults held steady at 18, and robberies rose from three to six.

Property crimes, which include burglary, theft and vehicle theft, overall fell by 11%, from 197 to 176 incidents. Notably, larceny-theft dropped from 160 to 131 cases, while motor vehicle thefts held steady at 18. However, burglary reports rose by 32%, from 19 in 2023 to 25 in 2024. No homicides were reported in Carpinteria for the second year in a row.

Carpinteria’s 720 Part 2 crimes — crimes like fraud, vandalism, drug offenses and alcohol-related incidents — reflected no significant change from the prior year. Simple assaults (95 incidents) and sex offenses (16 incidents) were among

the most frequently reported.

SBSO also reported that Part 1 crimes dropped countywide by 2% — from 2,225 in 2023 to 2,187 in 2024 — marking the lowest total in over a decade. While violent crimes rose slightly (up 8% from 377 to 406 incidents), property crimes declined by 4%, largely due to decreases in larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft.

SBSO attributed countywide crime

Car • PET • teria

Meet Kobe the love bug

Meet Kobe, a 2.5-year-old black and white Siberian husky with a “love bug” nickname. Kobe — a very aﬀectionate boy who loves car rides — has been with Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) since January.

SBCAS staff shared: “He may be a little shy at first, but once he warms up, he’s a total love bug! This affectionate boy adores his walks, melts for pets, and isn’t shy about letting you know when he wants attention — he’ll tell you all about it with his signature Husky talk. Kobe might need a little space to start, but once he bonds with you, he loves with his whole heart. If you’re looking for a loyal, adventurous, and loving companion, Kobe is your guy!” Interested in adopting Kobe? He’s at the Goleta shelter at 5473 Overpass Road. The shelter is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more online at bit.ly/KobeTheLoveBug or by emailing animalservicesdirector@sbcphd.org.

stability to ongoing collaboration with local leaders and proactive enforcement strategies. While Carpinteria continues to maintain relatively low crime rates, oﬃcials say they will monitor the rise in burglaries and continue eﬀorts to reduce violent crime.

“I am proud of the many contributions the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office made during 2024 that helped keep the peace that made our communities safer,” said Sheriff Bill Brown.

The full 2024 Crime Report can be viewed online at sbsheriff.org/santa-barbara-county-sheriﬀs-oﬃce-releases-2024-crime-stats.

COMMANDER’S RECAP

Reports from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce COASTAL BUREAU OPERATIONS • APRIL 14 – 17

Monday, April 14

1457 hrs / Fraud / 5700 block Carpinteria Avenue

The victim arrived at the Carpinteria police station to report fraud. The victim was expecting a transfer from an auction company in New York. The victim discovered someone had impersonated him via email and forged a Docusign changing the location for the money to be sent to a bank in Kentucky.

Tuesday, April 15

1412 hrs / Theft / 3300 block Via Real

Two chairs worth about $1,900 were stolen from an event in January 2025.

1948 hrs / Incident / 1300 block Camino Trillado

Deputies responded to a family dispute that resulted in a battery. The report was submitted to the district attorney’s oﬃce for review and a report was submitted to CWS.

Wednesday, April 16

1152 hrs / Death / 6800 block Casitas Pass Road

A missing 33-year-old male out of Santa Paula was found deceased in his parked vehicle. The decedent had likely been deceased for over 24 hours. No indications of foul play were found upon the decedent’s remains or at the scene and he was transported to the coroner’s bureau.

1147 hrs / Missing Person / 5400 block Eighth Street

The reporting party called to report her 78-year-old husband missing.

0212 hrs / Trafﬁc/ Santa Ynez Overpass

A vehicle driving without lights and with too many people seated in the backseat was stopped on the Santa Ynez Overpass. The car was occupied by six high school students, with a 15-year-old unlicensed driver. Five out of the six occupants were not wearing seatbelts, and one was seated on another’s lap in the backseat. All ﬁve were issued citations for seatbelt violations, and the driver was cited. The driver was transported back to the Carpinteria State Beach campground where they were staying, and the licensed 18-year-old drove the rest there.

Thursday, April 17

1446 hrs / Fraud / 1000 block

Casitas Pass Road

Deputies responded to investigate a report of an unknown female suspect entering a bank and impersonating another customer to withdraw $15,000. The suspect presented the bank teller with a fake ID card in order to pretend to be a customer. The unknown suspect also had the victim’s banking information and signed a withdrawal slip forging the signature. The suspect successfully withdrew $15,000 and left the bank. The suspect is also in violation of police code 470(d) and 530.5(a).

Carpinteria Part 1 crimes — violent and property-related crimes — decreased in 2024.

COURTESY GRAPHICS

Reported crime in Carpinteria deceased between 2023 and 2024.

A local treat: Pacific Health Foods celebrates 35 years

Pacific Health Foods is celebrating 35 years in business and 10 years of being owned and operated by Nathan and Whitney Noll. Their shop, tucked into the heart of downtown at 944 Linden Ave., is beloved by locals and tourists alike for its unique selection of organic groceries and juice bar, cafe and bakery items.

The Nolls give Coastal View News a taste of small and intentional business ownership in the following interview.

CVN: What are some of the highlights and challenges of your 10 years running Pacific Health Foods?

Nathan and Whitney Noll: In our very first year of business our brand-new, 20-door refrigerator and freezer failed not once, but twice, causing us to lose all of the product each time! That was our first real fall on our faces so to speak. We quickly learned it wouldn’t be the last.

The other significant challenging season was to not only watch our community lose so much during the Thomas Fire and mudslides, but to navigate our way through that as small business owners with a newborn in tow.

Our constant struggles will always be

competing with big box stores and the internet/direct to consumer model. As an independent grocery store, we have to speak up to make sure our main distributors supply us with products to fill the shelves over our bigger competitors.

One of the biggest highlights will always be watching the families that support our shop grow over the years!

To be a part of their story by providing nourishing food and being there when they need us for advice on supplements to what smoothie to order will always make the challenges worth it.

The other highlights would be each time we have been able to expand because our amazing Carpinteria community has continued to show up and support our ‘Tiny but Mighty’ shop!

What considerations go into what you stock in the store?

We love supporting local brands always and try to provide the cleanest products currently available in the industry. As we are busier lately in life, sometimes we find ourselves loving all of the products our regulars suggest bringing in!

What new products are you carrying that customers may not know about yet?

Our own organic breakfast burritos and tacos with tortillas made from scratch

“These last ten years have not been easy by any means, but we’re continually blown away by the support that is shown for our family and the shop.”

— Pacific Health Foods owners Nathan and Whitney Noll

daily; Masa Chips, a seed oil free organic chip line; Super Mallows, collagen protein marshmallows made by Carp local Erica Dudley; and Desi Milk, a local company started by a farmer and food activist to bring affordable organic raw milk to the shelves.

The juice bar is a customer favorite. Which items on the menu does your family consistently order?

B reakfast burritos, strawberry date smoothies and the kids açaí bowl.

What brings you joy about living and working in Carpinteria?

It is our joy and passion to provide nourishing food options to our community, and the Carpinteria community is our biggest blessing! These last ten years have

not been easy by any means, but we’re continually blown away by the support that is shown for our family and the shop. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Our advice to anyone wanting to start a business or who is currently a local business owner: keep the faith and keep pushing forward. There seems to always be a purpose for the hard seasons. Focus on making lasting connections, help others when you can and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It truly takes a community to make it all happen!

Ingrid Bostrom is a photographer, drawn to open space and stories told in each new face. Send ideas of impactful Carpinterian bosses to ingrid@ingridbostromphotography.com.

BOSTROM PHOTOS

Pacific Health Foods owners Nathan and Whitney Noll, with their three children, from left, Hope, Grace and Eli.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 218 | Santa Barbara Presents

VIET NAM: 50 YEARS ON

Join us in observing the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on:

Sunday, April 27, at 3pm

Carpinteria Community Library Arts & Lectures Room | 5141 Carpinteria Ave.

A free screening of “Last Days in Vietnam”, the 2014 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature. Written, produced, and directed by Rory Kennedy, it covers the last two chaotic months leading up to April 30, 1975 as North Vietnamese tanks and troops close in on Saigon. The few remaining U.S. diplomats and military personnel face an impossible choice: who among the thousands of South Vietnamese would be airlifted out and who is left behind. Co-presented by the Carpinteria Community Library. (Limited seating)

Wednesday, April 30, at 6pm

Carpinteria Veterans Memorial Building | 941 Walnut Avenue

“From Saigon to Hollywood via Jerusalem”. Hear a first-person account by Bihn Pham, who along with his wife, spent several years in a “re-education” camp following the fall of the South. In 1977 they, along with 50 others, escaped in the dead of night on board a boat that would be adrift at sea for several weeks. His story of escape, rescue, relocation, and eventual sponsorship to a host country is incredible. A “Talk & Talkback Series” event hosted by the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History.*

Admission: $10—Free to museum members and Veterans.

Friday, May 16, at 6pm

Carpinteria Valley Museum of History | 956 Maple Ave.

“Vietnam: In Our Own Words”. A panel of local Vietnam Veterans will speak about their experiences, how it shaped their lives and what it has meant to them over the decades since. A Q&A will follow. Another “Talk & Talkback Series” event hosted by the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History.*

Admission: $10—Free to museum members and Veterans.

VVA Chapter 218 is a non-profit organization that welcomes all who served our country during the Vietnam era (1959-1975), whether they were in Vietnam or not. For more info go to: vvachapter218.org or contact Peter Bie, President at: info@vvachapter218.org

*The Carpinteria Valley Historical Museum is a non-profit foundation and does not receive funding from the City of Carpinteria.

Thursday, April 24

English Language Conversation Group / Grupo de Conversación en Inglés Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 8:30–10 a.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Dementia Caregivers Support Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10:30 a.m. – noon. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

AgeWell Senior Program: Chair Yoga Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 11 a.m. – noon. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Food Bank Senior Food Distribution Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 1–2 p.m.

Carpinteria Creative Arts Eighth Street and Linden Avenue. 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.

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

Parent Workshop: Smartphones & Social Media Canalino Elementary School, 1480 Linden Ave. 5:30–7 p.m. Speakers: pediatrician Dr. Kristen Hughes, school psychologist Kym Ozburn. board@parentsforcfs.org

Grand Opening: Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Library Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill Road. 5:30–7 p.m.; ribbon-cutting, 5 p.m. girlsinc-carp.org

Friday, April 25

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

Padaro, Summerland Construction Segments Completion Ceremony QAD, 101 Innovation Place. Noon. sbroads.com

AgeWell Senior Program: Creative Studies, Sun Printing Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 1–2:30 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Maker Space for Teens Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 3–4 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Live Music: Adam & Rita Corktree Cellars, 910 Linden Ave. 6–9 p.m. corktreecellars.com, (805) 684-1400

Live Music: Damaged Goods Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 6–9 p.m. Film: “Conclave” Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 6–8 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Saturday, April 26

Santa Monica Creek Trail Restoration El Carro Lane at Santa Monica Creek, 4405 El Carro Lane. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Bring gloves, hat and water. (805) 705-3429

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

Preview: Carpinteria Festival of Books Carpinteria Community Library,

5141 Carpinteria Ave. 2–4 p.m. Free admission. Get a preview of the Carpinteria Festival of Books with select author readings. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

The Howard School Auction The Howard School, 5050 El Carro Lane. 5-9 p.m. ticketstripe.com/howardanniversarygala

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

Art Exhibit Opening: Amie Rodriguez, Beryl Schwartz brewLAB, 4191 Carpinteria Ave. #8. 5–8 p.m. Live music: Vinny Berry

Live Music: Ray Jarique Trio Corktree Cellars, 910 Linden Ave. 6:30–9:30 p.m. corktreecellars.com, (805) 684-1400 South Coast Stand-Up Comedy The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. Tickets: $15. Comedians: Christ Strait, Ron Pearson, Jay Lamont. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Sunday, April 27

Festival of Books Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. noon – 4 p.m. info@carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 684-7789

Film Screening: “Last Days in Vietnam” Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 3 p.m. Limited seating. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Monday, April 28

AgeWell Senior Program: Tai Chi Together Veterans Hall, 941 Walnut Ave. 9:30–10:30 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

Preschool Storytime Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10–11 a.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

AgeWell Senior Program: Line Dancing Veterans Hall, 941 Walnut Ave. 10:30–11:30 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

Monday Mahjong All levels of play. 1 p.m. (805) 729-1310

AgeWell Senior Program: Mind Games Veterans Memorial Building meeting room, 941 Walnut Ave. 2–3 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

AgeWell Senior Program: Matter of Balance Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 3–5 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Death Cafe Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 3–4:30 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Meeting: Carpinteria City Council Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 5:30 p.m. bit.ly/CarpinteriaCityMeetings Clases de Computacion Intermedia Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 6–7 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314 Alcazar Ensemble Open Auditions The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 6:30 p.m. For information or audition times, call or text (805) 902-3554

Tuesday, April 29

AgeWell Senior Program: Walking Club Meet at Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 9 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 8811279

AgeWell Senior Program: Mind Body Balance Exercise Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 11 a.m. – noon. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Senior Arts & Crafts Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. Tuesdays, 9–11 a.m. Free. info@carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 684-7789

Carpinteria Writers Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10 a.m. – noon. (202) 997-0429

Chair Yoga The Gym Next Door, 4915 Carpinteria Ave., Suite A. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – noon. $15. (805) 684-2595 Bridge Group Veterans Hall meeting room, 941 Walnut Ave. 1–4 p.m. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Spanish Conversation Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 2–3 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805)

684-4314

Carpinteria Songwriters Circle Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 4–5:30 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Corktree Karaoke with K.J. Tati Corktree Cellars, 910 Linden Ave. 6:30–9 p.m. corktreecellars.com, (805) 684-1400

Carpinteria Improv Classes The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7–9 p.m. Tuesdays, weekly. $10 at the door. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Wednesday, April 30

AgeWell Senior Program: Pickleball for Beginners Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill Road. 8–10 a.m. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

AgeWell Senior Program: Veterans Morning Meet Up Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 8:30–9:30 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Babies Are The Best Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 9–10 a.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Science for Teens 11–13 Years Old Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Knitting Group Carpinteria Library Community Room, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 1–3 p.m. Free. (805) 886-4382

Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony Carpinteria Middle School, 5351 Carpinteria Ave. 1:45 p.m. aﬁsher100@yahoo.com

AgeWell Senior Program: Mindfulness Meditation Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 3–4 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 8811279

Adult Advanced-Beginner Spanish Classes Carpinteria Woman’s Club, 1059 Vallecito Road. 3–4:30 p.m. $8 per class. Live Music: Vinny Berry Corktree Cellars, 910 Linden Ave. 6–9 p.m. corktreecellars.com, (805) 684-1400

Talk & Talkback Series: “From Saigon to Hollywood via Jerusalem” Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 6 p.m. Admission: $10. Free for veterans and Carpinteria Valley Museum of History members. Hosted by VVA Chapter 218 Alcazar Ensemble Open Auditions The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 6:30 p.m. For information or audition times, call or text (805) 902-3554

ONGOING

Senior Nutrition Program Carpinteria Veterans Hall, 941 Walnut Ave. Monday–Friday, 12:15 p.m. No cost for seniors ages 60+. (805) 925-9554, meals@ centralcoastseniors.org

Music by Vinny Berry

ART BY Amie Rodriguez and Beryl Schwartz

The Vonettes rock The Alcazar

BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Friday, April

Lee Mandell keeps an eye on the lighting board.

From left, Susan Frank, Amie Rodriguez, Kathy Block and Luci Rogers.

Jon Everett played guitar.

The Vonettes, from left, André Jackson, Mary Fishell Sawyer and Alicia Gomez.

Lisa and Len Price backed up the group on horns. André Jackson

From left, Bern and Ken, Jean Ray, Anthony Cavagnaro, Emily Silva and Mark Hunt.

The Vonettes — composed of singers André Jackson, Mary Fishell Sawyer and Alicia Gomez — brought a packed crowd to The Alcazar Theatre on

18, for the trio’s “We Are Family” concert.

PHOTOS

SCHOOL NOTES

The Howard School students learned the science behind nuclear power before touring the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant on April 3.

Howard students learn about nuclear power at Diablo Canyon plant

On April 3, fourth through eighth grade students from The Howard School stopped by the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County to learn more about how nuclear energy is produced.

“Throughout the day, students had thoughtful, interesting questions for the tour guides and learned a lot about nuclear energy,” admissions advisor Anita Betancourt told Coastal View News.

The tour of the plant began with a presentation about the science behind nuclear energy, before students explored different areas of the plant to see it in action. Students were then taken to the power plant grounds in Avila Beach to see the fire station and learn about the necessary equipment, training and procedures firefighters must use in case of an emergency.

Students also visited the marina, where the nuclear plant brings in its water supply; divers who help protect local wildlife spoke with students about their roles. The ﬁnal stop was a vantage point for students to view the dome-shaped buildings, which house the reactors, and visit the site where used nuclear pellets are stored.

— Jun Starkey

SURF & TIDES

COURTESY PHOTOS

Students from The Howard School saw the dome-shaped building that holds the nuclear reactors.

The Tek bloom of spring 2025: innovations reshaping our world

MICHAEL AVERY

As the vibrant blooms of spring 2025 usher in a season of renewal, the world of Teknology is also experiencing a fresh wave of innovation. From artificial intelligence breakthroughs to sustainable energy solutions, this year’s technological advancements are transforming industries and improving daily life. Here’s a look at the most promising developments that are making headlines this spring.

Artificial intelligence: beyond the chatbots

Artificial intelligence (AI) Tek has taken a leap forward with more intuitive and specialized models. In healthcare, AI diagnostic tools are now offering near-instant analysis of medical imaging, reducing diagnosis times for critical conditions. Companies like MedScan AI have developed algorithms capable of detecting early-stage cancers with remarkable accuracy, providing doctors with an invaluable second opinion. In the creative realm, AI-generated content has become indistinguishable from human-created work. Music AI platforms like MelodyMind are collaborating with artists to co-compose songs, while AI-driven video editing software is automating complex post-production tasks.

Sustainable Tek: powering a greener tomorrow

Sustainability remains a driving force in Tek development. Spring 2025 has seen the widespread adoption of next-generation solar panels. These ultra-thin,

flexible panels from SolFlex Solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into building materials, allowing entire skyscrapers to generate solar power.

Meanwhile, breakthroughs in energy storage are addressing one of renewable energy’s biggest challenges: reliability. Companies like EcoVolt have introduced efficient solid-state batteries with longer lifespans, making clean energy storage more practical and cost-effective.

Quantum computing: a new era of problem solving

Quantum computers are no longer confined to the lab. Tek giants like QubitCore and IonWave have launched accessible quantum cloud services, enabling businesses and researchers to solve problems that were previously unsolvable. From optimizing supply chains to simulating new drug molecules, quantum computing is making a tangible impact across industries.

Smart mobility: autonomy on the roads and in the skies

Autonomous vehicles are now a common sight on city streets, with companies like AutoPath leading the charge in deploying self-driving taxis. Equipped with advanced LiDAR systems and AI perception algorithms, these vehicles offer safer and more efficient transport options.

On the aviation front, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft are transforming urban air mobility. SkyLink Aero has launched pilot programs in major cities, offering quick, emission-free air travel for short distances.

Health and wellness: personalized and preventive

care

Wearable health Teknology has evolved into comprehensive health management systems. Devices like the BioSync Band monitor vital signs in real-time, alerting

users and medical professionals to potential health issues before they become critical.

Moreover, advancements in genetic research and AI diagnostics are making personalized medicine a reality. Companies such as GeneMap Health provide individualized treatment plans based on genetic profiles, maximizing therapeutic effectiveness.

The innovations of spring 2025 reflect a commitment to harnessing Teknology for the betterment of society. From cleaner energy and smarter transportation to enhanced healthcare and creative collaboration, these advancements are not only shaping industries but also enriching our everyday experiences. As we step into the future, the blossoming of new Teknology serves as a reminder of human ingenuity and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

This year’s Spring Tek Bloom is a

prime example of how Tek will continue to be a driving force in our lives and is truly reshaping the world we are living in.

Thank you for taking time to read my column and if you have a question about Tek or would like to suggest a topic for a future column, please reach out to me at michael@michaeltalkstek.com or just give me a call at (805) 684-3414. I love talking Tek or as they say in Hawai’i, let’s get togeda brah and talk story. We could even meet for coffee at Brass Bird. Stay tuned. Michael Avery brings decades of experience to his projects and his clients. He has served as an owner, partner, principal and employee of some of the most progressive companies in the electronic systems market sector. Additionally, he has provided professional consulting services to a multitude of leading companies in the industry, including Panasonic Technologies, CEDIA, AMX, Microsoft, GE Industrial, CompUSA and Paradise Theater.

Tiny creatures

While walking along the shores of the Carpinteria State Beach earlier this month, Coastal View News contributing photographer David deMoulpied noticed thousands of By-the-Wind Sailors — deep blue, jelly-fish-like creatures also known as Velella velella — washed up onshore. These creatures live in the ocean but can wash up onto the beach during the spring and early summer months. According to a Santa Barbara Channelkeeper report from last year, these creatures are usually six centimeters in diameter, with 45-degree angled “sails.” They are not dangerous to humans.

AVERY GRAPHIC

DAVID DEMOULPIED PHOTOS

ARTCETRA

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY | COURTESY PHOTOS

AgeWell installs Little Gallery in Veterans Hall Courtyard

The city’s Senior Programming division AgeWell has brought a new installment to the Veterans Hall Courtyard at 941 Walnut Ave. The Little Gallery — inspired by the Little Free Library — features small works of art by dozens of local artists.

Locals are encouraged to take a piece and leave a piece, and the art is not limited to painting or drawings; those interested can also leave poems or other creative expressions. The gallery is open to the public daily.

“The result is a dynamic, ever-evolving collection that celebrates connection, expression, and community spirit,” said Jena Jenkins, Carpinteria’s AgeWell coordinator. “AgeWell is proud to bring this project to the community as part of its mission to support creative aging, connection, and lifelong learning.”

Duo art exhibition at brewLAB opens April 26

Artists Amie Rodriguez and Beryl Schwartz will celebrate the opening of their combined art show at brewLAB on Saturday, April 26, 5–8 p.m. Vinny Berry will provide live music.

Rodriguez has been in Santa Barbara County since 1981. She attended UC Santa Barbara, where she majored in studio arts and earned her teaching credentials in art, physical education and multiple subjects for kindergarten through 12th grade students. She is now retired, but worked at Tommy’s Designs in Carpinteria for years before it merged with Serigraph Resort Wear, and continued working until 2015.

Schwartz is a retired carpenter with a background in textile art. She has used her retirement as a time to create art, with the majority of her work hand cut, poured and painted. Some of her art memorializes lost loved ones and incorporates cremated remains into the pieces.

brewLAB is located at 4191 Carpinteria Ave. #8.

Second annual Festival of Books: April 27

The second annual Carpinteria Festival of Books, featuring 30 local authors and presented by the Carpinteria Writers Group, will return to the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center on Sunday, April 27, from noon to 4 p.m.

Readings from local authors will be held at the Carpinteria Community Library in its Community Room on Saturday, April 26, from 2–4 p.m.

“We are delighted to celebrate the art of the written word with the community by spotlighting so many local authors for the second year making this a much-anticipated annual tradition,” said the arts center’s Executive Director Kristina Calkins. Learn more online at carpinteriaartscenter.org.

Last weekend to see “Two

Personal Visions”

The Palm Loft Gallery’s latest exhibition “Two Personal Visions” — featuring beach or water-inspired oil paintings by Pamela Enticknap and Ben Anderson — will be on display at the gallery until Sunday, April 27.

“If you have not seen this exhibit yet, it’s worth dropping by this weekend to experience this vibrant show and appreciate Arturo’s eﬀorts here in Carpinteria,” Enticknap said. “We are very lucky to have Arturo and Palm Loft Gallery in our little town, and I for one

Local artist Amy Stanﬁeld stands before the new Little Gallery, installed by AgeWell in the Veterans Hall Courtyard.

Art by Beryl Schwartz will be on display at brewLAB starting this weekend.

“Beach Figures With Blue Umbrella” by Pamela Enticknap

CARLOS BRENS

From left, Suzanne Ahn, Lynda Fairly and arts center Executive Director Kristina Calkins check out a book by Bee Bloeser at the 2024 Carpinteria Festival of Books.

CLUB SCENE

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY | COURTESY PHOTOS

From left, Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning President Mary Layman and Rotary Peacebuilder Committee members Jesus Gonzales, Carie Smith, Art Fisher, Eric von Schrader and John Gonzales.

Morning Rotary to install Peace Pole outside middle school

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning, in cooperation with Carpinteria Middle School (CMS), will hold a dedication ceremony for a Peace Pole — a six-foot-tall white post with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written in four languages and

braille — which will be installed in front of CMS on Wednesday, April 30, 1:45 p.m.

The CMS Peace Pole will have its message written in braille, English, Spanish, Chumash and Japanese. Rotary club members worked with the CMS AHA! PeaceBuilders student club, overseen by teacher Sarah Block, to select the languages and speciﬁc location for the pole. The pole will stand in front of the school at the corner of Carpinteria Avenue and Casitas Pass Road.

“A Peace Pole is an aﬃrmation of peace and its placement furthers Rotary’s goal of building a culture of peace throughout the world,” said Art Fisher, chair of the club’s Peacebuilder Committee.

More than 250,000 Peace Poles have been installed in every country around the world, club member Eric von Schrader told Coastal View News. The CMS Peace Pole will be the ﬁrst in Carpinteria and one of only a few in Santa Barbara County.

Morning Rotary honors Sandpiper manager

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning presented a Vocational Service Award to the manager of the Sandpiper Mobile Home Park, Tonya Martines, for her years of service on Wednesday, April 16.

The club regularly recognizes people “who may receive little public appreciation, but who work hard every day to make Carpinteria a better place,” said club member Eric von Schrader. He also said the Sandpiper Mobile Home Park is home to about 7% of Carpinteria’s population.

“The residents know they can count on Tonya,” said club treasurer and Sandpiper resident Kim Fly. “Tonya is responsible for our roads, utility infrastructure, facilities, staﬀ, billing, enforcement, communication, and much more.”

Carpinteria Girl Scouts helped clean up the Santa Monica Creek Trail last week, led by trail steward Ray Kolbe. At left, the scouts hoist their tools into the air; above, from left, Bodhi Swigart, Brooklyn Allison and Sylvie Freund.

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning, including President Mary Layman, left, and Kim Fly, right, presented a Vocational Service Award to Sandpiper Mobile Home Park Manager Tonya Martines, middle.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Bringing life into your garden

CARPINTERIA GARDENING

I always look forward to spring when I see the bright orange California poppies popping up everywhere, which are annual and only grow one season, then spread their seeds for next year. Other native spring plants, many of which are drought tolerant, include the hummingbird sage, butterﬂy bush, Matilija poppies and ceanothus. There are also many other plants that are known for their ﬂowers and color that we see now. All add to the enjoyment of your yard both by those in your home as well as by others in our community.

However, flowers aren’t the only way to brighten your garden for spring. Another design factor to consider when using ﬂowering plants is a unique factor that many don’t think about and that is to create a garden that becomes “alive” with motion.

Most gardens are designed to be

Few consider what a garden becomes when seasonal and native animals visit. Hummingbirds, butterﬂies, moths, bees and squirrels can come to enjoy your garden, which will literally come to life.

viewed for their stationary elements, but few consider what a garden becomes when seasonal and native animals visit. Hummingbirds, butterﬂies, moths, bees and squirrels can come to enjoy your garden, which will literally come to life.

One of my clients loves birds, so she installed a few gourds carved out as bird houses and hung them in a tree. She has enjoyed seeing generations of birds nesting and raising their hatchlings until they ﬂy away, then returning again the following year.

Adding plants that attract and serve as a food source is a way of protecting these for future enjoyment.

For these reasons, I strongly recommend considering adding a few of these plants to your garden, as it will bring you years of pleasure and enjoyment.

Carpinteria is on the Monarch butterﬂy migration route, along with many other migrating birds. It is a joy seeing these visitors coming through each year.

Wade Nomura is an award-winning landscape designer and President of Nomura/ Yamasaki Landscapes Inc, where he brings to life unique gardens speciﬁcally designed for the individual client. Wade started in the industry 46 years ago after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Ornamental Horticulture with honors.

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

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

THROWBACK THURSDAY

ON THE ROAD

hindsight

Stealing the show

Main School arrives, departs

riday, June 10 at 6 p.m.,

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

Main School opened in the winter of the 1938-1939 school year, much to the relief of teachers and students who had spent the previous couple of years in tent classrooms after the two-story Union Grammar and High School was deemed seismically unsafe. When the doors to the new school opened in 1938, the entire student body, led by the principal and three-time Olympic medalist Frank Wykoff, ran to the new school site on the 5200 block of 8

but it’s unlikely to be as shocking an event as the 1974 ceremony when a streaker darted across the covered hallway behind the graduation stage. he student, who wore running shoes, a backpack and a ski mask, was quickly identified as 11-grader robert piegle, a running coach at the school recognized aith’s gait as he loped across the roof. “Everybody gasped and then everybody started laughing, even the staff,” said Beverly anger, retired CHs teacher who remembered the 1974 graduation as the most eventful she attended in her 38-year tenure.

Technically the new school maintained the name Union Grammar and High School, but the community called it the Main School. Dr. Jim Campos, who was the principal at Main when it closed in 2007, wrote about its history in the Carpinteria Valley Historical Society’s newsletter, “The Grapevine,” that year. Campos stated that the name Main School did not become ofﬁcial until the late 1960s.

Caption this photo •

CVN celebrates in Brazil

He said, she said Bring on the funny!

Lescher Dowling, who attended the tent school and then the new Main School, recounted the transition in his contribution to the “The Grapevine.” “Moving into this new school was quite an adventure, with the smells of fresh paint, the strange odors of ﬂoor tile and wonder of wonders, water fountains in the hallway,” he stated.

Segregation was in effect in the Carpinteria School District during Main’s early years. Mexican students had to attend Aliso School, while Main School served the rest of the valley’s children.

Send us your best caption for this photo by Monday, March 25.

Carpinterians Carie Smith, left, and Sheila Hess, right, traveled to Brazil to visit former Rotary foreign exchange student Marianne Silva, middle. The three snapped a photo with their copy of Coastal View News while cooling off in the ocean. Silva and her family planned several adventures for Smith and Hess and vacationed with the pair in Rio de Janeiro and Terrasino. “We attended the Carnival celebration, took a speed boat ride out to an island in the Atlantic, toured the Christ the Redeemer area, and kayaked with the family in a river,” Smith said. “It was such a memorable trip.”

Students from kindergarten to eighth grade attended Main until the late 1950s, when the campus was converted into a junior high school. At that point, Aliso, which was integrated in 1947, and Canalino School housed the elementary students. By then, a separate high school had been constructed along the Coast Highway—today’s Carpinteria Middle School.

GOING ON THE ROAD?

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.

Snap a photo with your Coastal View News in hand and email it to news@coastalview.com. Tell us about your trip!

The Foothill Road high school campus opened in 1967, which shifted the junior high school from Main to its current facility. Main returned to its original purpose as an elementary school.

In 2006, due to declining enrollment, the Carpinteria Uniﬁed School District board of education voted to close Main School under the weight of budgetary pressures. Main School shut down in June of 2007.

To learn more about Carpinteria’s unique and interesting past, visit the Carpinteria Valley Museum of

open

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

He said, she said Bring on the funny!

Send us your best caption for this photo by Monday, June 27. 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. 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 gram mar, punctuation, length and content. Please send captions to news@coastalview. com. Caption

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

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

Friday, March 15

SB S. County Architectural Board

Monday, March 18

Tuesday, March 19

Tell us about your pet and send us a picture, too. Favorite snacks, special tricks, nicknames, let all of Carpinteria know about your furry, feathered or

Email news@coastalview.com

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 Chambers, City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., 684-5405

Ongoing County Supervisor Salud Carbajal drop in office hours, friday, 9 a.m.-5

CArPiNtEriA VALLEy MusEuM of History

CARPINTERIA VALLEY MUSEUM OF HISTORY

Dwelling on desert bighorn sheep

UNPREDICTABLE WILDERNESS

CHUCK GRAHAM

They were foraging on a steep, crumbly scree slope in the Sespe Wilderness. Fourteen desert bighorn sheep were browsing on holly, prickly pear, chamise and other backcountry flora, while traversing the higher reaches of the Los Padres National Forest.

Historically, the Sespe Wilderness has been the westernmost region in the desert bighorn sheep’s range. However, there was a 100-year absence from their territory from the late 1800s until they were reintroduced by then California Fish and Game (now California Fish and Wildlife, CFW) in the mid-1980s. Disease from livestock and overhunting contributed to their extirpation.

Delving into desert bighorn

Not long after photographing desert bighorn sheep in the Sespe Wilderness last December, I gave a presentation about the Carrizo Plain National Monument to the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Association last January. Prior to the presentation I had dinner with board member Page Philler-Adams, my girlfriend and all-world naturalist Holly Lohuis, and Dr. Paul Collins, retired curator of vertebrate zoology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Dr. Collins asked me what I was currently working on, and I told him I had just returned from the Sespe Wilderness and shooting photos of those stealthy nimble herbivores. And then Dr. Collins asked me if I had heard of Dr. Joseph Grinnell. I said I had, and that I heard there were once desert bighorn sheep in the Caliente Mountains that overlook the Carrizo Plain to the northeast and the starkly beautiful Cuyama Valley to the southwest.

“Look him up at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley,” Dr. Collins said. “Grinnell did an extensive study of wildlife surveys in California in the early 1900s.”

Sweeping surveys

After several e-mails and phone calls, I finally contacted Chris Conroy, curator of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ) at UC Berkeley. Conroy sent me a digital copy of Grinnell’s entire journal from his 1912 expedition while surveying wildlife in California.

Spotting wildlife isn’t easy. It’s a waiting game. It’s a lot of hours in the field hoping something materializes. It’s searching for burrows, dens, nests, scat and spoor. It requires patience. Grinnell was doing all of that and more, making significant discoveries in a multitude of habitats. Grinnell traveled far and wide across the most biodiverse state in the Lower 48. Whatever it took, by car, train, horseback, and on foot, he monitored and counted species. There weren’t any desert bighorn sheep in the Sespe back then, but it didn’t stop Grinnell from looking extensively across California’s expansive desert ecosystems for the nimblest desert dweller.

In his journal he mentioned speaking with a couple of ranchers on the southwest side of the

Mountains in the Cuyama Valley. The two ranches were

located at the base of the mountain range. They told Grinnell of sporadic sightings of desert bighorn, but they thought the bighorn had been hunted out. Still, Grinnell went to investigate. On April 26, 1912, he didn’t see any bighorn, but on a north facing slope Grinnell found a single weathered horn, one of many wildlife specimens he brought back to the MVZ.

The Caliente Mountains are one of the least populated regions in California, which means there’s no human habitation. The range is arid and covered in California juniper groves and scrubby chaparral. Several times a year, the Calientes receive snow. The summit of 5,106 feet is the highest point in San Luis Obispo County. There’s a collapsed cabin at the summit that was once used as a lookout during World War II.

Getting my Jurassic on Conroy said I could come up and photograph the single horn left long ago by a ram, which I did. When I arrived at the MVZ, I felt like it was a scene from the original Jurassic Park movie. Following Conroy up into the inner sanctum of the museum, we walked the circular stairway

ascending above the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

After photographing the horn, I drove directly to the Carrizo Plain, specifically the northeast foothills of the Caliente’s.

I took Bitterwater Valley Road, a windy, two-lane route that connected with Highway 58, and eventually Soda Lake Road, the main drag across the National Monument. After arriving I car-camped on a nameless dirt road. While gazing at shooting stars, I visualized desert bighorn sheep once again traversing the rolling Caliente Mountains.

The CFW has a current map of desert bighorn sheep populations throughout California. Most of those occupied habitats are in desert regions. However, the Sespe Wilderness and San Gabriel Moun-

tains have herds that have grown over time, that rugged isolation contributing to their survival.

On the map are several regions outlined in red. These are unoccupied habitats, and the Caliente Mountains are one of these. However, long-term conservation plans are in place to one day return desert bighorn sheep to these old territories.

Good things in life can sometimes take a long time.

Adventure and travel writer Chuck Graham lives in Carpinteria and contributes his writing and photography to publications far and wide. For more wildlife photos, visit chuckgrahamphoto.com or follow Graham on Instagram at @chuckgrahamphoto.

Caliente

CHUCK GRAHAM PHOTOS

A bighorn ram sniffs a female to see if she’s in estrus in the Sespe Wilderness.

A desert bighorn sheep horn found by Dr. Joseph Grinnell in the Caliente Mountains.

A horn cataloged by Dr. Joseph Grinnell at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology in 1912.

Jurassic Park at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, UC Berkeley.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE. CASE NO. 25PR00194

ESTATE OF MANUEL PERALES CORRALES

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MANUEL PERALES CORRALES. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by PAUL COCHET in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara.

The PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that PAUL COCHET be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on JULY 3, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept. 5 of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, Anacapa Division, at 1100 Anacapa Street, P.O. Box 21107, Santa Barbara, CA, 93121-1107.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of a petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Petitioner: NEAL E. BARTLETT

4299 CARPINTERIA AVE., STE 101 CARPINTERIA, CA 93013

805-576-7693

FILED 9/30/2024 by Monica Buenrostro, Deputy, for Darrel E. Parker, Executive Officer. Publish: April 24, May 1, 8, 2025

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF JOSEPH ALBERT MARTINEZ

AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE NO. 25CV01131

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner: JOSEPH ALBERT MARTINEZ filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present name: JOSEPH ALBERT MARTINEZ aka JOSEPH ALBERT CASTRO

Proposed name : JOSEPH ALBERT CASTRO- MARTINEZ

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indic=ated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that include the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING MAY 28, 2025 at 10:00 am, Dept: 3, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, 1100 Anacapa Street, P.O. Box 21107 Santa Barbara, CA 93121-1107. A copy of this order to Show Cause shall be published in the Carpinteria-Summerland Coastal View a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for the hearing on the petition. Dated 04/10/2025 by Thomas P. Anderle, Judge of the Superior Court.

FILED BY the Superior Court of California County of Santa Barbara on 04/10/2025. Darrel E. Parker, Executive Officer by Chavez, Terri, Deputy Clerk.

Publish: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT. The following Entity(ies) is/are doing business as WEBSITE LEVEL UP at 1488 EUCALYPTUS ST, CARPINTERIA, CA 93013. Full name of registrant(s): MINEIAN LLC at SAME ADRESS AS ABOVE. This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. This statement was filed with the County on 05/10/2025. The registrant began transacting business on April 09, 2025. Signed: TREVOR BLACKMAN, OWNER. In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (see section 1441 Et Seq., Business and Professions code). I hereby certify this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder (SEAL) FBN2025-0000958.

Publish: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT. The following Entity(ies) is/are doing business as (1) GOLD COAST SENIOR OPTIONS, INC. (2) GOLD COAST SENIOR OPTIONS (3) DEMENTIA CARE ASSOCIATES (4) GCSO at 1221 GLINES AVE, ORCUTT, CA 93455. Full name of registrant(s): GOLD COAST SENIOR OPTIONS, INC. at 1130 EAST CLARK AVE 150-160, ORCUTT, CA 93455. This business is conducted by a Corporation. This statement was filed with the County on 03/21/2025. The registrant began transacting business on Jan 01, 2025. Signed: LORI-JOAN GROSS. I n accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (see section 1441 Et Seq., Business and Professions code). I hereby certify this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder (SEAL) FBN2025-0000764. Publish: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT. The following Entity(ies) is/are doing business as VIRONMENTAL, INC PL, 103, CARPINTERIA, CA 93013. name of registrant(s) RONMENTAL, INC AS ABOVE. This business is conducted by a Corporation. filed with the County on 03/13/2025. The registrant began transacting business on Nov 01, 2010. Signed: BLAKER, OWNER. with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (see section 1441 Et Seq., Business and Professions code). I hereby certify this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder (SEAL) FBN2025-0000701.

this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder (SEAL) FBN2025-0000958.

Publish: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT. The following Entity(ies) is/are doing business as LPC ATELIER at 2160 ORTEGA HILL RD, UNIT 2, SUMMERLAND, 93067. Full name of registrant(s): HAYLEY M SLYE at PO BOX 302, SUMMERLAND, CA 93067 This business is conducted by an Individual. This statement was filed with the County on 03/24/2025. The registrant began transacting business on March 18, 2025. Signed: HAYLEY M SLYE, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER. In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (see section 1441 Et Seq., Business and Professions code). I hereby certify this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder (SEAL) FBN2025-0000793.

Publish: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT. The following Entity(ies) is/are doing business as THIRD WINDO BREWING at 720 LINDEN AVE, CARPINTERIA, CA 93013. Full name of registrant(s): TWB CARP LLC at 406 E HALEY ST STE 3, SANTA BARBARA, CA 92101. This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. This statement was filed with the County on 04/14/2025. The registrant began transacting business on N/A. Signed: KRISTOPHER PARKER, MANAGER. In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (see section 1441 Et Seq., Business and Professions code). I hereby certify this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder (SEAL) FBN2025-0000978.

Publish: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2025

CITY OF CARPINTERIA

5775 CARPINTERIA AVENUE

CARPINTERIA, CA 93013 (805) 684-5405

WWW.CARPINTERIACA.GOV

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CARPINTERIA PLANNING COMMISSION

MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025 AT 5:30 P.M.

Notice is hereby given that the City of Carpinteria Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, May 5, 2025 to consider the following item:

Decommissioning and Remediation of the Chevron Carpinteria Oil & Gas Processing Facility Project Planner: Luis Perez, MRS Environmental, Inc.

Applicant: Walid Masri, Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program

Project: 21-2128-DP/CDP

Location: 5619, 5663, 5675 and 5731 Carpinteria Avenue

Hearing on the request of Walid Masri, on behalf of the Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program, to consider Project 21-2128-DP/CDP (application filed October 25, 2021) for approval of a Development Plan and a Coastal Development Permit to decommission and remediate the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities under the provisions of the Coastal Dependent Industry (M-CD) and Recreation (REC) Zone Districts; and to certify the Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2022080026) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. The EIR and all documents referenced therein may be reviewed at the Community Development Department, 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria. The EIR is also available for review at the Carpinteria Branch of the Santa Barbara Public Library, 5141 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria. The application involves APNs 001-170003, -004, -014, -020, -021, -022, and -023, addressed as 5619, 5663, 5675 and 5731 Carpinteria Avenue.

The full agenda and associated staff reports will be available by Thursday, May 1, 2025 on the City’s Website here: https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-

Publish: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT. The following Entity(ies) is/are doing business as WEBSITE LEVEL UP at 1488 EUCALYPTUS ST, CARPINTERIA, CA 93013. Full name of registrant(s): MINEIAN LLC at SAME ADRESS AS ABOVE. This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. This statement was filed with the County on 05/10/2025. The registrant began transacting business on April 09, 2025. Signed: TREVOR BLACKMAN, OWNER. In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (see section 1441 Et Seq., Business and Professions code). I hereby certify

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT. The following business as LYTEL & LYTLE, LLP at 225 E CARRILLO STREET, SUITE 203, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101. Full name of registrant(s): (1) DIANA P LYTEL (2) ROGER B LYTEL at SAME ADRESS AS ABOVE. This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Partnership. This statement was filed with the County on 04/14/2025. The registrant began transacting business on April 20, 2015. Signed: DIANA P LYTEL, PARTNER. I n accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (see section 1441 Et Seq., Business and Professions code). I hereby certify this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder (SEAL) FBN2025-0000979 .

Publish: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2025

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THROWBACK

Riding the Rails

BY CHRIS HECOX

Editor’s note: This installment from Chris Hecox’s column “Snapshots of Carpinteria” was originally published in CVN on Feb. 3, 2003.

As the new writer of this column, I look forward to delving into Carpinteria’s history, as Jaine Toth did so well in her articles of the last two years I’m a relative newcomer to town and a naturally curious person, so there’s a lot I want to learn. Along the way, I hope to bring you some new stories and remind you of things past.

On my first night in Carpinteria, I was startled awake several times by the roar of the train, its horn blasting at the crossings and the vibration shaking my building. I wondered if this would keep me awake at night, but I soon got used to it, and now I take comfort in its familiarity.

And I smile, because it reminds me of my childhood, when, once a year, my family and I rode the overnight train, the Lark, from Glendale to San Francisco. I’d lie on my berth in the darkened compartment and gaze out the window. The moon shimmered on the ocean and illuminated the small coastal towns before me. And as we passed by, I’d wonder about the people in the houses…who they were and what their lives were like. Little did I know that I would someday be one of them, living in Carpinteria, listening to the clackety-clack of the train in the night.

I’ve now learned that our town’s railroad history began in 1887 when Southern Pacific built a branch from its main line in Saugus to the coast via Santa Paula and Ventura. Before this, Carpinterians had to take the stagecoach to Saugus to catch the train to San Francisco. Los Angeles was reached by stage or boat.

At first, plans were made to construct the train depot on land owned by Russell Heath in “Old Town,” the western stretch of Carpinteria Avenue. But another businessman, H. J. Laughton, was building the White Sulphur Springs Hotel on Linden between 7th and 8th Streets, where the Palms now stands. Knowing that his hotel would benefit from proximity to the depot, Laughton offered Southern Pacific a free piece of land a few blocks down the street. He also convinced L. B. Hogue to

provide additional nearby land to the railroad. This development changed the center of town, bringing businesses to Linden and away from Carpinteria Avenue and the Santa Monica Road area. Excitement ran high on July 1, 1887, when the first train came in from Ventura. The citizens of Carpinteria, including the children dismissed from the two-room school, gathered at the station to watch its arrival.

By Aug. 19, the line had been completed over Ortega Hill, and the train made its initial run into Santa Barbara. City businesses and schools closed for a huge “Jubilee” celebration on State Street. Most of Carpinteria’s population attended; some of them, including the Carpinteria Brass Band, were passengers on that first journey. The rest traveled to Santa Barbara by carriage and wagon in order to transport a bounty of chicken, fruit and desserts to the big feast held in honor of the occasion.

Soon, Carpinterians routinely took the train into Santa Barbara on Saturdays to shop and visit. On Sunday afternoons, they congregated at the Carpinteria station to watch the train come in and chat with their friends.

For many years, the railroad provided an easy way to travel. Mary Alice Coffman, a lifelong resident of Carpinteria, describes her trips south to UCLA during World War II. “At the end of my visit home for a vacation or weekend, my father, wanting to save money and gas (probably for fishing trips!), put me on the train at 1 or 1:30 in the morning –a horrible time of night. Dad asked the conductor to keep an eye on me, so I was escorted to a car with no passengers. I slept until the conductor woke me up around 7:30 a.m. when we neared Glendale. There a sorority sister picked me up and drove me to campus.”

However, with the increase in automobile use, ridership fell off, and even freight trains were used less due to increased trucking practices. Carpinteria became a “flag” stop; the trains stopped only if signaled to pick up passengers and goods. Finally, in September of 1958, the depot was closed for business. It fell into disrepair and was demolished by Southern Pacific in 1967.

Thirty years passed before passenger

service resumed. Amtrak built a new platform with dark green railings and a small shelter, and service began on June 22, 1997. Several weeks later, a festive grand opening was held at the station, complete with various dignitaries and a display of the railroad’s history compiled by the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History. Reminiscent of the Brass Band that had performed in Santa Barbara 110 years before, the Carpinteria Municipal Band played at the event.

Today, both northbound and southbound trains stop regularly, giving Carpinterians an alternate way to travel up and down the coast for business or pleasure. The journey is relaxing and offers a special treat for children who’ve never experienced the fun of riding the rails.

Tourists and townspeople alike seem to enjoy watching the trains go by. I often stop to wave at the passengers and think about where they might be going and why. And sometimes I wonder if there’s a curious youngster on board who one day will end up living in Carpinteria.

Chris Hecox is retired and loves living in Carpinteria, enjoying time with friends, the library, and community events. “I hope to spend the rest of my years in this great little town!”

CARPINTERIA VALLEY MUSEUM OF HISTORY

The Daylight train headed for Los Angeles chugs through the Carpinteria station in 1954. Carpinteria saw its first train come to town on Aug. 19, 1887. In the early days of train service, a tug on the cord prompted the engineer to stop anywhere along the route. Pick ups happened along the way too. In “Carpinteria as it Was,” Jayne Craven Caldwell quoted Ed Braley as saying, “You could go to any main crossroad at the railroad tracks, hold up your hand as a signal and the local train running between Santa Barbara and Oxnard would stop for you.”

This photo shows the Southern Pacific Railroad depot in Carpinteria in 1958 before it was razed. It was originally constructed in 1887 at a cost of $6,000 on land donated by H.J. Laughlin.

CARPINTERIA VALLEY MUSEUM OF HISTORY PHOTOS Flags and flowers adorn “Old 226” on her maiden run to Carpinteria and Santa Barbara on August 19, 1887.

APRIL 24, 2025

Carpinteria athletes shine at 105th Russell Cup

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

Carpinteria track and field hosted its biggest event of the year, the 105th Russell Cup, on April 19 at Carpinteria Valley Memorial Stadium. After a long day of events with hundreds of athletes from dozens of schools in the region, the Warriors girls came away with the “sweepstakes award,” given to the team with the highest combined score for varsity and freshman-sophomore divisions.

The Warriors girls found success on the track and in the field events, combining for a total of 111 points in all divisions to win the title. Morro Bay’s girls took second place with 98 total points and Santa Ynez grabbed third with a combined score of 92 points.

Carpinteria senior Melanie Avalos was the team’s leading individual scorer with 18 points. Avalos, who has had a standout season in the throwing events, took the top spot of all competitors in the varsity shot put, with a new personal record toss of 34’11.25’’ — the sixth best throw in Carpinteria track and field history.

In the discus, Avalos took second place overall with another personal record throw of 117’6’’ — a toss that moved her up to fourth place in the school’s all-time record book.

“Melanie is incredibly strong,” said Carpinteria coach Van Latham. “She has always had the capability to throw far. She is finding her groove at the right time.”

Carpinteria senior Averi Alexander found similar success, competing in the girls relay race along with her specialties, the long jump and triple jump, to combine for 17.25 individual points.

Alexander took third place in the long jump, setting a new season best distance, and beat all competitors to take first place in the triple jump with a new personal record leap of 35’10.75’’ — second in the all-time Carpinteria High School records.

“Averi’s increased her personal record in the triple jump by a foot,” Latham said. “That is an outstanding feat considering what an accomplished jumper she is already. Big increases in personal records usually happen with novices as they learn the event. This is testament to her hard

Giarys Gomez takes the baton from Vivian Huskins in the girls 4x100 relay race. work and attention to details.”

On the track, Alexander earned a medal as part of the fourth-place 4x100 relay squad, along with Vivian Huskins, Anna Morrison and Giarys Gomez. Gomez also took home a third-place medal in the girls 400-meter dash. Carpinteria’s girls finished fourth in the varsity standings, behind Morro Bay and Santa Ynez.

The Warriors boys finished 11th as a team, with the Santa Ynez boys winning the varsity division with 74 combined points. Oaks Christian won the boys sweepstakes award, with the varsity and freshman-sophomore divisions combining for 116.5 points.

Carpinteria senior Nathan Carrillo was the leading individual scorer for the Warriors boys, taking a third-place

medal in the pole vault then setting a new season-best time in the 300-meter hurdles to earn fifth place overall. Right behind Carrillo in the field events was junior Jeremy Haines, who grabbed a fourth-place medal in the boys pole vault.

Senior Sawyer Kelly rounded out the medalists for the Warriors, with a leap of 37’11.5’’ to take fourth place overall in the

boys triple jump.

“It was another great Russell Cup day for Carpinteria,” Latham said. “The team responded to the excitement of the Russell Cup, the excellent competition and the nice weather with numerous personal records. Kudos to all the volunteers that made for a successful day!”

ROSANA SWING

Junior Kiana Kiah pulled out eighth place in a crowded field in the girls 800-meter race.

DREW FILIPPINI

Senior Sawyer Kelly was a medalist in the boys triple jump.

ROSANA SWING

Senior Melanie Avalos was Carpinteria’s leading scorer at the Russell Cup with 18 points.

ROSANA SWING

SHORT STOPS

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

Warriors celebrate junior Dallas Bartholic’s walk-off game-winning home run.

Warriors win with extra-inning walk-off home run

Carpinteria and Santa Ynez were locked at 1-1 at the end of seven innings in the first of their two-game series on April 16, forcing the teams into an extra inning to decide a winner. After the Warriors grabbed three outs to retire the Pirates in the top of the eighth, Carpinteria’s Charlotte Cooney set the scene for a heroic ending when she forced a leadoff walk in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Speedy pinch-runner Jesus Haro subbed in and took Cooney’s spot at first base, and after Santa Ynez grabbed one out, Carpinteria junior Dallas Bartholic stepped to the plate. Earlier in the game, Bartholic had a couple at-bats that didn’t go too well. But here in the bottom of the eighth, he locked in and swung on the first pitch, sending the ball flying over the right field fence at John Calderwood Field for a two-run walk-off home run to win the game 3-1.

“Dallas can hit,” said Carpinteria coach Pat Cooney. “He works as hard as anyone and we are really proud and excited that his blast delivered the win.”

The low-scoring game was a story of near-scores, with both teams leaving potential runs on the field and both pitchers squashing potential rallies. Carpinteria scored first, with Micah Smith bringing Cooney in with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Santa Ynez responded with one run in the fifth inning, tying the score but leaving two runners on base. The Warriors nearly scored again in the sixth inning, though a broken blunt play erased a runner in scoring position.

Carpinteria’s junior pitcher Gabe Martinez held strong for six innings, striking out four batters and keeping Santa Ynez’s potent lineup in check. Freshman Jonah Hernandez came in to pitch the final two innings, keeping the Pirates off the scoreboard and earning the win.

“Though Martinez didn’t end up being the pitcher of record, he threw a great game,” coach Cooney said. “He trusted his stuff and his defense and both were good. He kept us in the game and set the stage for the drama.”

The two teams met again two days later for a rematch in Santa Ynez. In this game, the Warriors took a 2-0 lead early in the game before the Pirates exploded for a fiverun rally in the bottom of the second. Carpinteria would score one more, but Santa Ynez added three to take the win, 8-3.

Aiden Alcaraz started for the Warriors and turned in a scoreless first and became the hard-luck pitcher of record. Sam Medel, Smith and Cooney faced the potent Santa Ynez offense in the remainder of the game.

After splitting the two-game series with Santa Ynez, the Warriors are now 8-10 overall as they prepare for a home-and-away series against Channel Islands this week.

Carpinteria swimmers take on crosstown rivals

Carpinteria’s swim meet against Cate on April 16 brought together some highly touted talent, with head-to-head matchups between the school’s fastest swimmers and some races decided by hundredths of a second.

Carpinteria’s Jake Ehlers and Cate’s Wil Rivera both broke their respective school records in the 500 freestyle just a week prior, and the two record holders faced off head-to-head twice in the dual meet. In the boys 200-yard freestyle, Ehlers touched the wall first, winning with a time of 1:50:35 compared to Rivera’s 1:50:36.

In their next race, the 500 freestyle, the swimmers were side-by-side start to finish, with Rivera narrowly grabbing the win by .09 seconds. “It was great for the boys to get out and race each other rather than just the clock,” said Carpinteria coach Jon Otsuki.

On the girls side, Carpinteria’s Izzy Scott and Cate’s Stella Rogers battled it out for the “queen of the sprints.” Just as with the boys, the two swimmers split the races, with Rogers taking the 50-yard freestyle by .02 seconds and Scott grabbing a win in the 100.

“Izzy is such an amazing athlete, excelling in both swimming and track,” Otsuki said. “She has the potential to qualify for CIF in both sports in the same season.”

Carpinteria will prepare for its final league meet this week against Channel Islands, where the Warriors will celebrate its senior class of Jacob Otsuki, Lucas Martin, Alex DeLeon and Giulia Piccoletti.

Carpinteria softball drops two games

Carpinteria softball has found a better offensive rhythm as of late, with the Warriors scoring at least four runs in each of their last four games, though the team has still not broken into the win column this year.

The Warriors hosted Santa Barbara on April 15, where Carpinteria’s offense scored four runs, but the defense gave up more than 10 runs due to errors, eventually taking the loss 19-4.

Two days later on the road at Santa Ynez, the Warriors scored a season-high seven runs. But Santa Ynez responded with some high-scoring innings of its own on a way to a 14-7 win over the Warriors. Carpinteria will now prepare for a two-game series against Nordhoff this week.

The Warriors clinched a spot in the playoffs with a win over Fillmore.

Warriors volleyball clinches CIF playoff spot

Carpinteria boys volleyball lost a crosstown rivalry against Cate on April 18, but the Warriors recovered with a league win over Fillmore three days later on April 21, giving Carpinteria a guaranteed spot in this year’s CIF playoffs.

The Warriors played a hard-fought battle against their crosstown rivals from Cate, winning the first set before the Rams claimed the next three to take the win, 3-1.

Despite the loss, the Warriors had some standout individual performances, with Jesus Reyes contributing 15 assists and 15 digs, while Alariuziel Rodriguez added five kills and 26 digs. Not to be outdone, Kevin Bernal matched those stats with 28 digs, while Jesus Campuzano added another 27 digs.

The match against Fillmore on April 21 would have been “Senior Night” for Carpinteria, but the Warriors have no seniors on this team, so instead they celebrated Fillmore’s eight seniors with roses and a gift for each player.

When the match started, the Warriors got right into the action, winning the first set 25-12 and second set 25-8. Fillmore fought back with a win in the third set, 25-19, but the Warriors sealed the victory with a 25-9 in the fourth.

The Warriors had a balanced attack in the win over Fillmore, with Alan Maya pitching in 20 assists and 13 digs, while Campuzano finished with 10 kills and 17 digs. With the win, the Warriors are now 6-4 in the Citrus Coast League and will have a guaranteed spot in the postseason.

“As a head coach, this is my first time making it to CIF,” said Carpinteria coach Favian Muralles. “Win or lose, I’m proud of how these boys have played this season, and I’m excited for the playoffs and what next year has in store.”

ON DECK

Thursday, April 24

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

Friday, April 25

Carpinteria Baseball at Channel Islands, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 26

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

Softball vs Nordhoff, 10 a.m. *Denotes Home Game

ROSANA SWING

The

ROSANA SWING

Senior Delilah Santizo looks to score against Santa Barbara.

DREW FILIPPINI

John Morrison, left, and Elio Taha, right, were two of Carpinteria’s boys tennis players to qualify for the league individual tournament.

Warriors boys tennis competes in league tournament

Carpinteria boys tennis had six players qualify for the Citrus Coast League Individual Tournament on April 21, with two players competing in singles and four paired up for doubles competition.

Lucas Martin and Elio Taha defeated doubles teams from Malibu, Channel Islands and Hueneme, advancing to the league finals. Carpinteria’s other doubles duo of Servando Campuzano and Ethan Almgren took a loss against Channel Islands.

In singles, John Morrison started out strong with a win to start the day, before he was swept by the top-seeded player from Hueneme. Edwin Hernandez advanced to the semifinal round, where he took a tough loss in a back-and-forth battle against Nordhoff.

The duo of Martin and Taha will compete in the finals against Malibu, while Hernandez will have a chance to compete in the third-place match.

Locals go on to play college football

Two former members of the Carpinteria Junior Warriors youth football program have signed letters of intent to continue their football journeys at the collegiate level.

Linebacker Dominic Herrera and lineman JD Vargas both started out their football lives on Carpinteria’s youth team before going on to play for Bishop Diego. Herrera will be headed to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, where he will study sports management, while Vargas will play for Black Hills State University in South Dakota, where he will study business.

Both athletes have shown tremendous dedication and talent on the field, and their former coaches and teammates said they are proud to see them represent Carpinteria on a larger stage.

Cate Rams Roundup

Cate baseball racked up its seventh straight win, picking up high-scoring victories over Ojai Valley on April 17 and Santa Clara on April 21.

Cate’s bats were alive against the Ojai Valley Spuds, with the Rams putting together 10 hits and seven walks on the way to a 16-5 win. Eight different Rams got hits in the win, while senior pitcher Quinn Pullen handled the game from the mound with nine strikeouts and just two earned runs.

Cate’s offense was even more powerful against Santa Clara, with the Rams scoring 20 runs off 14 hits. Four different batters had multiple hits, while the Rams added seven stolen bases in the 20-3 win. Cate baseball is now 9-3 overall, and 6-1 in league play.

Cate’s swimmers took on Carpinteria in a head-to-head meet on April 16, where Cate’s girls team won 88-64. The highlight of the day for the Rams came when team captain Jen Won set a new school record in the 500-yard freestyle, beating a record time that stood for more than 22 years.

On April 18, Cate’s swim team celebrated senior night, with six Rams seniors competing in their final home races. Senior Ben White took a win in the boys 100yard backstroke; senior Stella Rogers won her final 50-yard freestyle race; senior Phin Stephenson helped the boys win the 200-meter relay; and Joba Samson, Baye Breene, and Tallulah Bates all pulled out top-five finishes in their final home swims.

On the lacrosse field, Cate’s girls team picked up back-to-back wins in the last week, defeating Nordhoff 14-1 and beating Santa Barbara 17-9. Senior Sophia Ospina led the way in both wins, with six goals in each game.

Cate’s boys lacrosse team has now won four in a row, clinching a playoff spot with a 12-10 win over Santa Barbara and a 12-6 win over Thacher in the past week. In the win over Santa Barbara, Cate senior Cody Mast scored four goals, including his 100th career goal at Cate.

CARLOS ALVARADO

COURTESY PHOTO

Linebacker Dominic Herrera, right, is headed to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks; lineman JD Vargas, left, will play for Black Hills State University in South Dakota.

COURTESY PHOTO

Cody Mast scored his 100th career goal with Cate in a win against Santa Barbara.

Carpinteria

SBC Genealogical Society pops by history museum

The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society stopped by the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History earlier this month for a tour, led by longtime docent Marge Kelly. From left, Santa Barbara Genealogical Society members Rhonda McFarlane, Karen Ramsdell and Mary Jacob, Carpinteria Valley History Museum docent Kelly, Carpinteria Valley History Museum curator and executive director Jayme Yahr, and president of the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society Ted Tazer-Myers.

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COURTESY PHOTO