Issuu

Making waves

Carpinteria Children’s Project students Kailey and Soﬁa are among dozens of local children receiving scholarshipfunded swim lessons through Rincon Swim School’s partnership with the Hope Floats Foundation. The program is helping ensure that every child, regardless of ﬁnancial circumstances, has access to life-saving water safety education. See the full story on page 11 of this week’s print.

Mayor, Joyful Media launch independent ‘Shop Carp’ campaign

Carpinteria Mayor Natalia Alarcon and local communications ﬁrm Joyful Media have announced the launch of the independent Shop Carp Campaign, a community initiative aimed at promoting locally owned businesses through storytelling, social media and business spotlights.

According to a press release, the campaign will feature storefront decals, dedicated social media channels under @LovingCarp, digital marketing resources and weekly professionally produced video proﬁles highlighting local business owners and their stories. Organizers said the eﬀort is intended to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally and help businesses increase their visibility.

The campaign is a partnership between Alarcon and Joyful Media, a Carpinteria-based public relations and media company led by Dr. Regina Ruiz, a former television news anchor and communications professional.

In the announcement, Alarcon said she is participating in the eﬀort in her individual capacity as an elected oﬃcial and community member. Organizers emphasized the

campaign is not sponsored, funded or administered by the city of Carpinteria and is separate from the mayor’s oﬃcial duties.

“I want to support a ﬂourishing business community and this is just the campaign to help make that happen,” Alarcon said in the announcement.

Ruiz said the campaign seeks to strengthen the local economy by sharing the stories behind Carpinteria businesses while providing additional promotional opportunities for small business owners.

Business spotlight opportunities are open to Carpinteria businesses interested in participating, with organizers saying featured businesses will be selected based on scheduling, availability and the goal of representing a broad cross-section of the local business community.

For more information, contact Joyful Media at Regina@JoyfulMedia.org or Mayor Alarcon at nataliamalarcon@gmail.com.

Carp City Pop-Up Market set for July 25

Shoppers looking to support local artisans and small businesses will have an opportunity to browse a variety of unique goods at the Carp City Pop-Up Market on Saturday, July 25.

The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1111 Vallecito Road in Carpinteria and will feature local vendors oﬀering vintage items, jewelry, plants and other handcrafted and specialty products. Live music will accompany the shopping throughout the day.

Organizers say the event is designed to connect the community with local makers and small businesses while providing a family-friendly shopping experience.

Vendors interested in participating or seeking additional information may email carpcitypopup@gmail.com.

Community rallies to support family of Carpinteria native

Friends and family of Carpinteria native Roxana “Roxy” Avalos are asking the community for support following her passing after what organizers described as a hard-fought battle. Avalos passed away on Saturday, July 18, at the age of 41.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched with a goal of raising $25,000 to help cover funeral expenses and ease the ﬁnancial burden on her family.

Organizers described Avalos as someone whose “smile and laugh were contagious” and said she was known for her generosity, home cooking and ability to make everyone feel welcome. They also said she played an important role in helping raise two young boys.

Community members wishing to contribute can search “Roxana Avalos GoFundMe” online to make a donation. Organizers said every contribution, regardless of size, will go directly to Avalos’ family to help them focus on grieving and celebrating her life.

Roxana “Roxy” Avalos is being remembered by friends and family for her kindness, generosity and contagious smile.

Carpinteria Mayor Natalia Alarcon, left, and Joyful Media owner Dr. Regina Ruiz have launched the independent Shop Carp Campaign to encourage residents and visitors to support locally owned businesses through storytelling, social media and promotional outreach.

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria welcomes new board members

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria recently announced the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Das Williams, Ashley Smith Fraser and Danielle Bordenave.

“We are so pleased to welcome Das, Ashley and Danielle to our board,” said Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Executive Director Jamie Collins in a press release. “Each brings with them a unique perspective that deepens our leadership’s understanding of how to best serve youth in our community and strengthen our mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.”

Williams is the director of government and community relations at Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) and has an extensive background in public service and policy leadership. Williams has served as a Santa Barbara County Supervisor, a representative of the 37th District in the California State Assembly and as a Santa Barbara City Council member. Williams holds a master’s degree in environmental science and management from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a Girls Inc. parent and Carpinteria resident.

Smith Fraser is a pediatric dermatology nurse practitioner and a current board member of the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners. She received her degree at John Hopkins University. Smith Fraser is the parent of a Girls Inc. participant and lives in Carpinteria.

Bordenave is the owner of SPARK45, a small business which provides physical therapy, Lagree Fitness, Stay Strong Senior classes and indoor cycling. She is a C-DOG founding board member and helped grow the CARP Rocks group and the Carp Rock Caterpillar. Bordenave also supports Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s Eureka! program for college and career readiness.

For more information about Girls Inc. of Carpinteria or open advisory and committee positions, email Collins at jamie@girlsinc-carp.org or visit girlsinc-carp.org.

Scandinavian foundation prepares for holiday auction fundraiser, seeks donations

The American Scandinavian Foundation of Santa Barbara is inviting the community to celebrate Scandinavian traditions while supporting local student scholarships at its annual Scandinavian Holiday Auction on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carpinteria Woman’s Club.

The festive fundraiser will feature both live and silent auctions with a variety of unique items, including travel experiences centered on this year’s theme, “Making Memories.” Emmy Award-winning television reporter John Palminteri will serve as the volunteer emcee, while The Invocations will provide live music spanning favorites from the 1950s to today.

Tickets are $25 and include two glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres. Island Brewing beer will also be available for purchase.

The holiday auction is the foundation’s primary annual fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the organization’s scholarship program, which has benefited students for more than 70 years. Scholarships are available to students interested in Scandinavian culture, regardless of their heritage, with applications administered through the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.

Organizers are currently seeking donated auction items, business sponsors and new members to help expand the foundation’s educational and cultural programs. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, donations are tax-deductible.

Founded more than a century ago, the American Scandinavian Foundation has chapters across the United States. The Santa Barbara chapter promotes Scandinavian culture through educational programs, scholarships and family-oriented community events.

For more information about the Nov. 14 event, membership opportunities, sponsorships or donating auction items, visit asfsb.org.

Carpinteria foundation donates $25K to Santa Barbara Foundation

The Victor and Susan Schaff Family Foundation based out of Carpinteria recently donated $25,000 to the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Critical Needs Response Fund, which assists local nonprofits in providing food assistance, housing support and mental health services, among others.

“Flexible funds like the Critical Needs Response Fund allow us to respond quickly when nonprofits face unexpected funding gaps,” said the Santa Barbara Foundation President and CEO Jackie Carrera in a joint press release from both foundations. “We are grateful to the Schaff Family Foundation for helping us ensure essential services continue reaching those who need them most.”

According to the release, the Critical Needs Response Fund was launched in September 2025. The fund provides flexible grants, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, to nonprofits serving low-income communities disproportionately affected by economic and health disparities. The fund also helps organizations maintain and expand essential services that contribute to long-term stability for individuals and families.

The Schaffs established the Victor and Susan Schaff Family Foundation in 2021 to support organizations serving vulnerable or at-risk people, as well as efforts focused on environmental stewardship and animal protection. In its first three years, according to the release, the Schaff Family Foundation has awarded 120 grants totaling $1 million to nonprofit organizations.

“As a relatively new foundation, we are intentional about partnering with orga-

~ Old Town ~ Carpinteria Fiesta

Sunday July 26 • 11am - 2pm

An employee with the

bags of

for local families. nizations that have deep community knowledge and the ability to respond quickly. … By supporting a trusted community partner like the Santa Barbara Foundation, we can help ensure resources reach nonprofits and residents who need them most,” Victor Schaff stated in the press release.

Applications for the Schaff Family Foundation’s 2026 grant cycle will open on Aug. 3 and close Sept. 11. Additional information is available through the foundation’s website at schaff-familyfoundation.org.

New board members at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria are, from left, Das Williams, Ashley Smith Fraser and Danielle Bordenave (with Otis).

Carpinteria Children’s Project packs

food

Invasive mosquito detected in Carpinteria prompts call for residents to eliminate standing water

COMPILED

CVN STAFF

An invasive mosquito capable of transmitting serious diseases has been detected in Carpinteria, prompting Santa Barbara County mosquito control oﬃcials to urge residents to remove standing water around their homes to help prevent the species from becoming established.

The Santa Barbara County Mosquito and Vector Management District announced Monday that it collected a specimen of Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito, in Carpinteria on July 14. The detection marks the return of the species to Santa Barbara County for the ﬁrst time since 2021 and represents the second invasive mosquito species currently threatening to establish itself in the county.

Earlier this year, the district conﬁrmed the presence of Aedes notoscriptus, or the Australian backyard mosquito, in Santa Barbara’s Westside neighborhood in March and the Mesa neighborhood in June.

Unlike most native mosquito species,

Unlike most native mosquito species, both invasive mosquitoes actively bite people during the day as well as at night and are known for targeting ankles and lower legs, earning them the nickname “ankle biters.”

both invasive mosquitoes actively bite people during the day as well as at night and are known for targeting ankles and lower legs, earning them the nickname “ankle biters.” Oﬃcials warned that if

LEK KHAUV

Several specimens of Aedes notoscriptus, commonly known as the Australian backyard mosquito, were conﬁrmed by the Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County in two locations within the city of Santa Barbara this spring.

the species become established, residents could experience a signiﬁcant increase in nuisance mosquito activity.

“Public awareness of these two Aedes species in our area will be very important in slowing their spread and reducing the potential for a signiﬁcant nuisance becoming established in our communities,” Mosquito and Vector Management District General Manager Brian Cabrera said in a statement. He encouraged residents to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed and to report suspected infestations to the district.

Native to Africa, Aedes aegypti was ﬁrst detected in California in 2013 and has since spread across Southern California and the Central Valley. Worldwide, the mosquito is capable of transmitting dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses. While the latter three viruses are not known to be circulating in California, Los Angeles County reported 20 locally transmitted dengue cases during 2024 and 2025.

The district also noted that Aedes notoscriptus is the primary carrier of dog

heartworm in Australia and encouraged pet owners to ensure their dogs remain on preventative heartworm medication through their veterinarians.

Both invasive species breed in small amounts of stagnant water commonly found around homes, including buckets, birdbaths, tires, pet dishes, clogged drains, ﬂowerpot saucers and even water trapped inside ornamental plants. Oﬃcials said mosquito larvae can develop in as little as a bottle cap of water, while eggs can survive dry conditions for months.

The district is asking residents to regularly dump and scrub containers that hold water, repair window and door screens, wear long sleeves and EPA-approved insect repellent when outdoors, and keep pets protected against heartworm.

Residents experiencing aggressive daytime mosquito bites, particularly around the feet and ankles, or who notice large collections of standing water are encouraged to report them to the Mosquito and Vector Management District by calling (805) 969-5050 or through the district’s website.

JAMES GATHANY

The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County conﬁrmed the presence of Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito, in Carpinteria on July 14, 2026.

CITY BEAT

ARB grants preliminary approval to ofﬁcial Monte Vista Dog Park plans

BY JUN STARKEY

After more than seven years of work, the Carpinteria Architectural Review Board (ARB) granted preliminary approval to updated plans for the oﬃcial Monte Vista Dog Park, proposed by the city of Carpinteria’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, on Thursday, July 16.

“This will be the first and only dedicated dog park in Carpinteria, fulfilling a longstanding community need, and providing a place where dogs can safely run, play, exercise and socialize,” said Torrie Cutbirth, program manager for the city’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department. Cutbirth answered board members’ questions alongside Josefina Arechiga, an assistant engineer with Public Works and the designer of the park.

Monte Vista Park is located near the edge of the city, between Bailard Avenue and Pandanus Street, and is adjacent to the Villa Del Mar and Casitas Village condominiums. The pilot program for the temporary dog park was approved back in November 2023, and has been active since April 2024, according to the staﬀ report presented by Carpinteria Assistant Planner Megan Musolf.

Dozens of members with the Carpinteria Dog Owners Group (C-DOG) were present at Thursday’s meeting, and several spoke during public comment on the project. C-DOG has been advocating for an oﬀ-leash dog park for Carpinterians for several years, and the group has been working with the city’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department on the project since 2018.

“Throughout this time, C-DOG has been an exceptional partner and steward of the park,” Cutbirth said. “Their volunteers maintain a consistent presence at the site, help ensure park rules are followed by dogs and their owners, communicate maintenance needs to city staﬀ and serve as positive ambassadors for the facility.”

The current off-leash dog park at Monte Vista Park includes chain link, temporary fencing around the perimeter of the park. The plans for the official park include 15,000 square feet of space, with dedicated areas for small and large dogs; and oﬀ-leash transition space at the park’s entrance; black, aluminum-coated

fencing, which would be either 5 or 6 feet tall; new landscaping outside the park facing Pandanus Street; and new benches, water fountains with dog bowls and trash cans. The current concrete path into and through the park would remain to serve as an ADA accessible path, and no trees in the area would be removed.

Though ARB members Patrick O’Connor, Richard Little and Amy Blakemore were in favor of an oﬀ-leash dog park, O’Connor and Little raised concerns over the funding for the project.

“It’s a bit of a dilemma, approving a design that doesn’t have a budget; approving a design that doesn’t have a comparative cost analysis of one design versus another,” said board member O’Connor.

During her staﬀ report, Musolf said that if adequate funding is not secured for the dog park, the project would likely pivot to less expensive fencing material.

“It would be a condition of approval from (the Carpinteria) Planning Commission to require that if the fencing changed, it would need to come back to your board,” Musolf said.

One of C-DOG’s founders and treasur-

er for the group, Lorraine McIntire, told ARB members later in the meeting that C-DOG plans to raise $50,000 to kickstart the project, and that the group has found a private donor who will match up to $10,000 in funds. During Thursday’s meeting, McIntire said the group has raised $8,000 so far. She also clariﬁed that the group has not been able to apply for grants because permits have not been issued for the project.

A great opportunity for a quali ed buyer!

suggesting a 6-foot-tall fence, to ensure any athletic dogs aren’t able to jump the fence. Blakemore also suggested a few plant swaps, due to the current palette including plants that are affected by animal urine.

Further comments included Little

A rare chance to enjoy this mountain view plus the bene ts of home ownership. This mobilehome will be an excellent value for a buyer with some trade skills and some cash. Straight talk here: It’s a small home, it needs a new roof and other repairs (info available), it has “good bones” and it’s in a unique view spot in one of Carpinteria’s better parks. It’s priced with all this in mind, the purchase is nanceable with a 25% down payment, and the space rent is under Carp’s rent control ordinance.

The project received unanimous approval from the board, with member Lisa Woolf absent, on the condition that if the project doesn’t receive adequate funding, the fencing will be swapped from aluminum to chain link.

City Council retreat to focus on strategy, budget

color is CMYK 0-91-100-23. ed here.

Carpinteria residents will have an opportunity to observe the City Council stepping away from its traditional meeting format later this month as council members gather for a strategic planning retreat focused on governance, long-term priorities and preparation for the city’s next two-year budget.

have a veteran buried at Carpinteria Cemetery honor him or her with a flag on give us a call or send an email on or before May 28 will place a flag for you. include the person’s full name.

The public retreat is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. While held at City Hall, the session will diﬀer signiﬁcantly from a regular council meeting, emphasizing collaborative discussion rather than formal presentations and action items.

According to City Manager Michael Ramirez, the workshop will be facilitated by the city’s strategic planning consultant, Tripepi Smith, and is intended to give council members time for broad conversations that are diﬃcult to accommodate during regular business meetings.

“As opposed to the regular meeting format, which is more formal and tends to

revolve around reports and action items, the retreat will follow more of a workshop format,” Ramirez said.

No formal action will be taken during the retreat. Instead, discussions will center on improving the council’s eﬀectiveness, evaluating the city’s current strategic planning process ahead of work on the Fiscal Year 2027-29 strategic plan beginning next year, and reviewing the ﬁscal and operational framework that will guide development of the next twoyear budget.

(805 ) 886-6890

Ramirez said the budget discussion may be of particular interest to residents because it will help establish the framework for the FY 2027-29 budget cycle.

The draft agenda includes sessions on council norms, values and principles of governance; an audit of the current strategic planning process and expectations for the upcoming FY 2027-29 planning eﬀort; the ﬁscal and operational framework for the next budget cycle; and discussion of the transition into the city’s next strategic

plan. Public comment periods are scheduled near the beginning and end of the workshop.

The city is encouraging residents to attend and observe the discussions in

person. The retreat will not be televised or livestreamed because the council chambers will be arranged in a collaborative roundtable format.

Michael VanStry

An artist’s rendering of the proposed Monte Vista Dog Park.

COURTESY PHOTOS

The current view from the east side of Monte Vista Park.

Obituaries

Joanne Van Riemsdyk 07/17/1952 — 06/24/2026

Joanne Van Riemsdyk, 73, of Carpinteria, California, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Joanne will be remembered for her deep love of Jesus, kind heart, bright smile and adventurous soul.

Born in Los Angeles, she spent her childhood on the beautiful island of Oahu before returning to California as a teenager.

In 1975, her remarkable sense of adventure led her on a journey sailing from San Diego to Tahiti in a dugout canoe with Greg Ray. The two later married and had three daughters.

They eventually settled in Carpinteria, where she raised her 3 daughters and planted deep roots.

In 1995, Joanne married Robert Van Riemsdyk. Together, they shared 31 beautiful years of marriage, building a life rich in travel, ministry and profound joy. Joanne was happiest when she was creating art, thrifting, and spending time with those she loved, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Rob; sister, Carol; daughters, Mahana, Alishea and Vanessa; stepdaughters, Lisa and Amy; and her cherished grandchildren, Codi, Owen, Leila, Emma, Nolan, Abraham, Scarlett and Niko.

A memorial service will be held on July 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Carpenter’s Chapel, located at 4951 Ninth Street, Carpinteria.

Can YOU donate a few hours of your time to answer the phone in our Carpinteria office and schedule rides for our non-driving neighbors?

For more information call HELP of Carpinteria, Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm

Providing local news and information for the Carpinteria Valley

Ronald Mueller

01/05/1946 — 06/15/2026

Born on January 5, 1946, to Ben and Betty Mueller, Ronald Lawrence Mueller passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara on June 15, 2026.

Ron was raised in Los Angeles where he attended John Marshall High School. Throughout his life he always relished the opportunity to meet fellow alumni who, more often than not, shared mutual acquaintances.

In 1964, he moved to Santa Barbara where he met Susan Bence Luyendyk, a student at UCSB, who he fell in love with and married in 1969. In 1980 they moved from Goleta to Carpinteria, where they raised their two children, James and Ellie. Working first for 7-Up and then Pepsi Cola as a service technician, he knew all the best (and worst) restaurants in the Tri-County area. Knowing all of the owners, managers, cooks and chefs of these establishments meant that he was always bumping into somebody he knew whenever and wherever he went out.

In his younger days he was an avid fisherman, water skier, downhill skier and generally skilled at whatever he put his mind to.

In retirement he became a member of the Lions Club of Carpinteria and volunteered as a driver with HELP of Carpinteria. He was also a member of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club with whom he spent lots of quality time out on the road on his motorcycle.

Ron is survived by his wife, Susie Mueller, his children, James Mueller and Ellie Orozco, and three grandchildren. A celebration of life is being planned for later this summer or fall.

Editor Jun Starkey

Assistant Editor Tracy Marcynzsyn

Sports Editor Ryan P. Cruz

Photographer Robin Karlsson

Advertising Manager Karina Villarreal

Advertising Sales Kelsey Marie Berreckman

Publishers Gary L. Dobbins, Michael VanStry

Coastal View News is locally owned and operated by RMG Ventures, LLC, 4180 Via Real Suite F, Carpinteria, CA 93013, and is published every Thursday. Coastal View News has been adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the Superior Court of Santa Barbara

Richard Christian Pennock 3/24/1934 — 7/1/2026

competing against powerhouses Cal and Stanford.

Following the Navy, Dick became a firefighter for the city of Hawthorne. While working as a firefighter, he used his GI bill to attend the University of Southern California. He obtained both his Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from USC.

Dick met Patti Manning, a flight attendant living with other stewardesses, by the pool in the apartment complex where they both lived. Dick and Patti married in 1960 and welcomed their only daughter, Lynn Pennock (Springer) in 1965.

Richard Christian Pennock, better known as Dick, passed away on July 1, 2026, at the age of 92. Dick was born on March 24, 1934, in Porterville, California, the second of two identical twin boys born to Muriel Christian Pennock and Harry Pennock. The twins, Jack and Dick, grew up in Porterville, a small town in the San Joaquin Valley, with stints in the Los Angeles area. Jack and Dick were poster boys of the 50s with fast cars and small-town shenanigans. We are heartened to know that the twins are back together again!

At age 18, both enlisted in the military: Jack in the Air Force and Dick in the Navy. Set to be deployed to Korea, Dick was in the San Francisco Bay area when he noticed the Navy Swim Team times posted at the Navy Training Center in Treasure Island. Indicating that he “could beat those times,” he was given the opportunity and instead of war in Korea became a Navy swimmer

Dick began a long career in public administration, first as City Manager for the City of Hawthorne, followed by a long stint in Pasadena, culminating in his tenure as the Director of Administrative Services for the City of Pasadena.

Dick’s sense of adventure led him to leave Pasadena to take a job with Parsons Corporation in Saudi Arabia for three years, which provided him and Patti with the opportunity to travel the world.

Dick and Patti retired in California where he picked up his hobbies of sailing, stained glass and classic cars, joining the Roaming Angels in Grass Valley. Dick was an avid USC football fan and was rarely seen not wearing his favorite USC hat. Dick and Patti moved to Carpinteria in 2015 to be closer to family.

Dick is preceded in death by his twin brother, Jack. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia; his daughter, Lynn Pennock Springer; son-in-law, David Springer; grandchildren, Ryan Springer and Aly Springer; sister-in-law, Patricia Pennock; nieces, Peggy Pennock Mulligan (Brian) and Julie Pennock Peterson (Brent); nephew, Jon Pennock (Stacey); and all their amazing kids.

Thanks to all the wonderful caregivers and staff at Gran Vida in Carpinteria for providing kind and supportive care in these last two years.

MONTECITO LAW GROUP

Stefanie and her team have made the process of administering our aunt’s trust remarkably smooth. Throughout the process they have been responsive, supportive, and provided clear explanations to all our questions. They have helped make the process feel manageable, and we are grateful as they guide us through each step with professionalism and understanding.

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

(805) 293-6363

WWW.MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM - Scott Dombkowski

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

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

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

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

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

Carpinteria

HELP volunteers Anne Goulart, Lorien Rennie, Mary Lemke

Ad courtesy of Risdon’s Service

CCF supports public art policy, but action matters

The Carpinteria Cultural Foundation (CCF) has never opposed the establishment of a city public art policy. In fact, we welcome it.

As part of our research, CCF examined how other communities manage public art. Most have an arts commission or arts board with a dedicated budget to review, commission and maintain public art that enhances their community’s cultural identity. Carpinteria currently has neither an arts board nor a budget for public art.

When CCF presented its proposal for the educational history mural as a city monument in the Community Plaza on Linden Avenue 19 months ago, the City Council expressed that it could not move forward because the city did not yet have a public art policy in place. We were told our project would eventually be considered through the city’s planning process and were encouraged to continue our research, planning and community outreach. We did exactly that.

Nineteen months later, there is still no public art policy, no arts board, no funding mechanism and our project has never been placed on a planning agenda as we were led to expect. This is the source of our frustration — not the idea of creating a public art policy, but the lack of progress on both the policy and our proposal.

History shows that Carpinteria has successfully completed public art projects without a formal arts policy. Only six years ago, a similar proposal was reviewed through the Architectural Review Board process and approved quickly and installed. The city even contributed $5,000 toward that project.

CCF’s proposal is a fully funded gift to the city. It requires no taxpayer dollars, and CCF has committed to its long-term renovation and maintenance. We simply hope the proposal will receive the thoughtful public review it was promised.

Dr. Jim Campos Carpinteria Cultural Foundation

Kudos to Junior Guards for riding bikes

For the last several weeks I have watched the young people of the community going to and from their daily Junior Guard program. What a pleasure to see all of them wearing helmets. Do not know if this is a rule or choice, but it

LETTERS CVN

“History

shows that Carpinteria has successfully completed public art projects without a formal arts policy. Only six years ago, a similar proposal was reviewed through the Architectural Review Board process and approved quickly and installed.”

— Dr. Jim Campos

before making permanent investments and using technology to improve services while lowering costs. The common thread isn’t money. It’s a willingness to ask, “Is there a better way?”

Carpinteria has something many communities envy: engaged citizens, talented local businesses, creative nonproﬁts and residents with decades of experience in engineering, education, healthcare, finance, agriculture and entrepreneurship. What if we treated that collective wisdom as one of the city’s greatest resources?

Imagine an annual Civic Innovation Challenge where residents help solve real municipal problems. Imagine partnerships with our schools, local organizations and entrepreneurs to test ideas that make our city stronger, more eﬃcient and more connected.

e-bikes. What a novel concept: Healthy, young individuals are riding normal bicycles instead of e-bikes.

Richard Olmstead Carpinteria

E-bike tickets should be published

A modest proposal to improve the safety of pedestrians in Carpinteria: CVN should publish each month the number of tickets the police issued in the previous month for infractions involving bicyclists and e-bikes.

Without enforcement, regulations to limit misconduct, however well-intentioned, are worthless.

Stephen Salant Carpinteria

Leadership before taxes

Carpinteria is fortunate to have a city staﬀ that manages our community with professionalism and care. Budgets are (mostly) balanced, services are delivered and daily operations run remarkably well. That is management, and it matters. But leadership asks a diﬀerent question: What could we become?

As our city faces ﬁnancial pressures, the conversation has understandably turned toward revenues, expenditures and the possibility of higher taxes. Those may ultimately prove necessary. But before asking residents to reach deeper into their pockets, especially when many families already feel economic uncertainty and rising costs, shouldn’t we ﬁrst ask whether we’ve reached deeper into our

Innovation isn’t reserved for Silicon Valley. It can happen in small town City Hall. Across California, cities are testing new partnerships, inviting residents to solve civic challenges, piloting ideas

Leadership is more than balancing this year’s budget. It is creating the conditions for the next generation to inherit a community that is not only ﬁnancially sustainable, but continually improving. Before we ask more of taxpayers, let’s ﬁrst ask more of our imagination.

Andy Patrick Carpinteria

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

Job change?

Whether retiring or changing jobs, you’ll want to know your retirement account options.

There are four potential options for your 401(k) when leaving an employer:

• Leave it in your former employer’s 401(k) plan, if allowed by the plan.

• Move it to your new employer’s 401(k) plan, if you’ve changed employers and your new employer plan allows for it.

• Roll the account over to an individual retirement account (IRA).

• Cash it out, which is subject to potential tax consequences.

We can talk through your financial goals and find the option that works best for you.

Aaron P Crocker Financial

Advisor

1145 Eugenia Place Suite 203 Carpinteria, CA 93013 805-566-1828

I found Stefanie to complete my grandma and aunts’ estate planning documents. Stefanie went above and beyond to make them feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process. Her patience and attention to detail set her apart. I highly recommend Stefanie for anyone in need of estate planning services.

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

(805) 293-6363

Warriors boys basketball improves to 3-3

Carpinteria boys basketball played four games over ﬁve days, including a

three-game weekend at the Nordhoﬀ Tournament from Dec. 5-7.

At the Nordhoﬀ Tournament, the Warriors started oﬀ the action against Sanger on Dec. 5. In what was a physical game, Sanger was able to overpower Carpinteria to take the win, 88-56.

Sunday, May 17

Was Dorothy right?

pected. The tips of the mountains were still dusted in snow, even though it was hovering around 90 degrees in town. It’s a dry heat, I kept telling myself, so it didn’t feel so hot.

WWW.MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

— Megan O’Connor Dreher

SUMMERLAND SAVVY

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

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

STEFANIE HERRINGTON ATTORNEY

559 SAN YSIDRO ROAD, SUITE J MONTECITO, CA 93108

I was able to dust off my cowboy boots (which are largely relegated to Fiesta week when I’m at home) and wear them every day. I spent an evening visiting the rodeo and eating junk food. I took a wildlife tour and saw elk and bison. While driving along country roads, I happened across deer and moose! I tried almost everything I could find that was made with huckleberries, including, but not limited to, ice cream, martinis, donuts, ice teas and Shirley Temples.

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

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

When I was younger, I absolutely loathed the idea of a “staycation.” That word, to me, meant I either didn’t have enough time, money or both to get away for a real vacation.

(805) 293-6363

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

(805) 293-6363

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

stefanie@montecitolawgroup.com

As I got older, I worked hard and made the decision that when I was able, I’d put a little money aside and save up my vacation days so I could, well, go on an actual vacation.

MONTECITOLAWGROUP.COM

I’ve been lucky enough to visit our neighbors to the South, parts of Europe and about two-thirds of the United States. Every trip to a new place holds adventure and excitement.

I learn about places new and old. History and the present. I enjoy immersing myself in my whereabouts. Meeting people. Hearing a different language. Learning about different cultures. Trying new foods. It all inspires me and gives me a slightly different outlook on my daily life at home.

A couple of weeks ago, I visited Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Driggs, Idaho. The majestic Grand Tetons were even more ruggedly breathtaking than I ex-

The downtown square with the famous antler arches was so charming. Shops and restaurants, the corner soda fountain and the hustle and bustle of people. I stopped in at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar just long enough to sit on a saddle, have a quick drink and buy a t-shirt for hubby. Then I stopped into a hat store and bought myself a green felt cowboy hat and made a promise to myself that I would wear it more than just for the one week of Fiesta.

Most mornings, I sipped iced mochas at the local coffee bar and listened to the fourpiece, female country band as they played and sang while barefoot on the grass.

In the afternoons, I sat on the deck of my Airbnb and listened to the songs of birds I hadn’t heard before. I watched the leaves on quaking aspen trees dance in the breeze. One day, I was lucky enough to listen and feel the rumble of a thunderstorm as it rolled by.

After a week, it was time for my journey to come to an end. My last drive through the beautiful scenery was from the window of the shuttle of my rental

The next day, Carpinteria faced crosstown rival Cate for an unusual out-of-town “Battle of the 192.”

9:54 a.m. / Unregistered Firearm / 1400 block Sterling Avenue

was recovered and booked into Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Ofﬁce property.

COFFEE, CAREER AND KIDDOS

TERESA ALVAREZ

In the back-and-forth battle, neither team never led by more than ﬁve points and the game was eventually decided by a pair of clutch free throws from Carpinteria’s senior captain Carlo Suarez to seal the win for the Warriors by one point, 65-64.

Deputies responded to a call about a firearm and contacted a man who reportedly had an unregistered Kimber 1911 firearm in his possession. The firearm was taken from the man and secured into the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office property department for safekeeping.

6:15 p.m. / Theft / 3200 block Via Real

11:44 a.m. / Misdemeanor Hit and Run / 6500 block Rincon Road

“Touch down in the Santa Barbara airport. I walk off the plane and am struck by the briny scent of the salt air, reminding me I am home. Just the short drive from the airport to Summerland reminds me that as much as I love to travel, I also love coming back.”

A caller reported that she believes her laptop and credit cards were stolen by a female neighbor who lives at the Polo Field apartments. Follow up by deputies.

On the third day of the tournament, the Warriors faced Bishop Diego for a chance to win the consolation championship. Once again, it was a closely fought matchup that was settled by free throws, with Bishop Diego outlasting the Warriors by a slim margin, 75-72.

“What a great, early-season tournament for us,” said Carpinteria coach Karl Fredrickson. “We found some things to work on and put together some solid performances, but I was most impressed with the attitude, composure, and maturity of our guys.”

Tuesday, May 19

6 p.m. / Towed Abandoned Vehicle / 2200 block Lillie Avenue

The trio of Carpinteria seniors Suarez, Sebastian Reed and Aiden Alcaraz all averaged double-digit scoring in the tournament. Suarez had 18 points against Cate; Alcaraz had 20 against Bishop; and Reed scored a team-high 29 points against Bishop.

local restaurant providing meals for people experiencing homelessness, a group of parents pooling resources to start a skatepark, or a local nonprofit stepping in to fill systemic gaps, these acts of togetherness remind us that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone.

Last week, I stood in front of a room full of people, donors, board members, friends and staff at a fundraising event for the Carpinteria Children’s Project. There was a moment when I started to cry because I was reminded of the power of community that is so unique to Carpinteria. Here was a group of individuals coming together to learn about the needs of children and families and willing to step in to make a difference.

Then on Dec. 9, the Warriors opened up Citrus Coast League play with a road game at Fillmore. Suarez led the way with 17 points in the game, and the Warriors were able to hold on for a 60-58 win.

car company as it took me to the Jackson airport, which happens to be the only commercial airport in the U.S. that is located inside a national park.

Deputies responded to a misdemeanor hit and run call, but the male subject ﬂed the scene traveling southbound on Rincon Road. The man continued southbound on the northbound off-ramp of Highway 101 at Rincon Road. Deputies checked the area and were unable to locate the subject.

Cate Rams roundup

2:12 p.m. / Narcotics / 4600 block Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies received complaints about an abandoned vehicle parked near Sandpiper Liquor. The vehicle was tagged and marked on Thursday, May 14. The vehicle was checked and was not moved. The vehicle was towed.

Nugget seem to be smirking, welcoming me home and reminding me how lucky I am to be here.

“Tonight was a good reminder to our group that wins in league are hard to come by — especially when we’re on the road,” Fredrickson said.

Carpinteria is now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in league play.

Wednesday, May 20

This idea of community has roots in something fundamental: connection. Whether it’s a local restaurant providing meals for people experiencing homelessness, a group of parents pooling resources to start a skatepark, or a local nonprofit stepping in to fill systemic gaps, these acts of togetherness remind us that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone.

creasingly fractured, community stands as our greatest antidote to disconnection. It’s in the small acts — a shared meal, a helping hand — and the large ones, like coming together to advocate for change. When we invest in each other, we make the world not just kinder, but stronger.

8:28 p.m. / Meth Possession / 1100 block Casitas Pass

Cate’s winter sports are starting to heat up, as the Rams soccer and basketball programs prepare to start the bulk of their 2024-2025 schedules.

Deputies responded to narcotic activity and contacted a woman who had two outstanding warrants: one out of Hermosa Beach but was non-extraditable, and the other out of Santa Barbara. The woman was arrested for the outstanding warrant out of Santa Barbara County.

The next day, I walk to the post office to check my mail. People on the streets are making eye contact, smiling and waving. Just like in Jackson! I practically pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming. There, in front of The Nugget, is a cowboy on a horse. He tips his hat to me, and maybe, just maybe, I hear him say, “Ma’am.” Dorothy was right. There is no place like home.

The plane ride home offered me time enough to reflect and take notes about my latest adventure. I either do this or keep a travel journal as I go, while my recall is still fresh. Looking back at my notes a couple of weeks later, I realized not only was I struck by the beauty of everything I had seen, but also by how friendly the people were. Everyone made eye contact, smiled and waved. And how exciting it was when, while passing by me, a good, old cowboy gave a tilt of his hat and said, “Ma’am.”

On the soccer ﬁeld, the Rams are perfect to start the season at 4-0. Last week, Cate picked up a pair of wins over St. Bonaventure on Dec. 5 and Bishop Diego on Dec. 10.

Against St. Bonaventure, Cate’s junior striker George Marin continued an unbelievable scoring season with his third consecutive hat trick. Marin finished the game with five goals overall, with assists from four different teammates. Cate scored three more goals on the way to an 8-0 win.

3 p.m. / 015F / Linden Avenue and Malibu Drive

A man drove into a parking lot not wearing his seatbelt. A trafﬁc stop was initiated, and he admitted to being in possession of a meth pipe. During a search of the vehicle, his meth pipe was located, but also a baggie with 3.7 grams of meth. The subject was cited for the violations.

Summerland updates

As Carpinteria Children’s Project celebrates 15 years of existence, I am grateful for the countless individuals and partners who have embodied the community spirit. You are why we can continue to create safe, nurturing spaces for children and families, and why I continue in this work.

On Dec. 12 against Bishop Diego, Marin again proved to be an elite scorer with yet another hat trick. Through four games this season, the junior has now scored 15 goals by himself.

A black purse was found at Linden and Malibu, then booked for safe keeping. The owner was not contacted.

Sunday, May 17

8 p.m. / Trespassing / 3200 block Via Real

For many families we work with at the Carpinteria Children’s Project, community is not just a support system: it’s a lifeline. Take trauma, for example. Families who experience a traumatic event are connected to resources through PeRC (Pediatric Resiliency Collaborative). Through this partnership, I’ve seen how a network of pediatricians, psychologists and community leaders band together to address children’s health and emotional needs, ensuring that every child gets support to overcome the challenges they and their families face.

10:12 p.m. / Weapon and Dope Violations / Hales Lane and Via Real

Summerland Beautiful reminds you to save the date! Their annual community potluck will be Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:307:30. Details to follow.

In addition to Marin’s three goals, Cate had the added oﬀense of junior Kiy Barry — who scored three goals of his own — along with solo goals from juniors Kamil Abdul Nafeo and Oliver Charvel.

So, let’s show up, lend a hand, and embrace the power of togetherness. In doing so, we not only support one another but also create a legacy of compassion and care for future generations. The world needs more of this now than ever before.

Touch down in the Santa Barbara airport. I walk off the plane and am struck by the briny scent of the salt air, reminding me I am home. Just the short drive from the airport to Summerland reminds me that as much as I love to travel, I also love coming back.

Tonight, even the dreaded, never-ending freeway construction can’t dampen my mood, as I am greeted by a billion reflective diamonds, created by the light of the moon over the dark Pacific. In a highway hypnosis, I exit the freeway and turn left.

Summerland Citizens Association announces Town Hall meeting dates: Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20, from 5-6 p.m. at the church.

“Our offense has been firing on all cylinders, but we cannot forget the hard work, effort and endless grind our midfield and defensive players put in to make this happen,” said Cate coach Jorge Reynoso.

On the basketball court, Cate picked up its first win of the season with a 53-43 win over the host team Nordhoff in the Nordhoff Tournament. It was a positive end to a tough tournament that began with two losses against Royal (76-50) and Carpinteria (65-64).

But let’s be honest: community is more than what we give — it’s also about what we receive. Raising my kids has been a humbling reminder that even the most prepared parents can’t do it alone. It takes that village, whether it’s the teacher who understands your child’s quirks, the friend who listens without judgment, or the stranger who smiles at you during your morning beach walk.

A woman and man were contacted as their vehicle was getting dropped off by a tow truck. The woman is on active probation and a search of her property showed she had meth, a meth pipe and a container of pepper spray. She is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning pepper spray. A baggie of meth was found in the center console and since no one wanted to claim it, the man was given ownership since it was his vehicle.

Library on the Go is in full swing. Visit at Lookout Park on July 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 10 a.m. — noon. Books for children and adults.

In the win over Nordhoff, the Rams overcame an early deficit and came back to seal the win with a decisive 10-0 run in the final minutes. Cate was led by junior Josh Butler with 13 points and five rebounds, followed by sophomore Braylin Glomah with 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior Marcus Scudder provided a crucial spark for the Rams with 11 points in just eight minutes of action.

The first stop sign reminds me that tomorrow I need to walk to the post office to get my mail. The man from the liquor store waves as I drive by. Stop sign number two has me craving a waffle and a side of thick cut bacon from Summerland Beach Cafe. The usual stoic nature of the Native American Indian statues at The

3:38 a.m. / Dope Violations / 4100 block Via Real

At a time when society can feel in-

A caller who is renting a home on the Polo Field reported that several people forced their way into her rental home and started yelling and insulting her family. Deputies arrived and contacted six people, who admitted entering the home after they were directed to come look at the damaged caused by the caller. The caller showed cell phone video of the suspects entering the home without permission and were heard and seen yelling at the caller and her family. The husband-suspect fled across the Polo Field and did not return to the scene. A complaint will be forwarded to the DA’s ofﬁce for review.

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.

Crescent LoMonaco is an author and artist and has called Summerland home for over 25 years. A dedicated volunteer within the Summerland and Carpinteria communities, she describes herself as a lifelong learner who finds inspiration in meeting new people and hearing their stories. If you have a story to share, feel free to contact her at Creslomo1@ gmail.com

A woman and man were in a vehicle with a stolen license plate, reported to Santa Barbara Police Department. A traffic stop was initiated, and it was determined the vehicle was not stolen, but was rented a few weeks ago by the woman. She thought the “PERM” on the Arizona license plate meant it was only a “permit” for the vehicle and not an actual license plate. So, to avoid getting pulled over, they placed a stolen plate on the car, she said. After a search of nearby motel rooms associated with the subjects, they, and the woman’s sister, were cited for possession of stolen property, meth and paraphernalia. Further investigation will be done for the fraudulently obtained

access road by a Caltrans site. The mail

A man was stopped for not displaying license plates on his truck. A records check showed his driver’s license was

FOR SALE

Excellent 1bd. / 1 bath condo @ Sandpiper Complex on Elm. Upgraded kitchen and bath plus new ﬂooring. $759,000

Meaningful connections

MY WELLNESS NOW

Meaningful connection doesn’t require perfect communication or perfect relationships. It grows through ordinary moments of attention, curiosity, empathy and presence.

SALE PENDING SALE PENDING

Beautiful 2 bd. / 2 bath upper level condo @ Encino Royal 55+ in Goleta. Close to shopping and restaurants. $759,900 Owner will carry ﬁnancing Fabulous 2 bd. / 2 bath condo in Ventura with ocean/city views from a private balcony and easy access to downtown. $764,900

Large lot with existing house. Both CPD and residential zoning. Room for a house and ADU. Stunning estuary views. Price reduced $1,030,000

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 $299,000 Owner will carry ﬁnancing, for qualiﬁed buyer.

FOR RENT/LONG TERM

AVAILABLE NOW! Beautifully re-done 2BD/1bath Casitas Village Condo, upstairs unit. $3200/mo.

Spacious 3 BD / 2 bath house on private 1 acre in Toro Canyon. Property has large 3 car garage and storage. Room for garden and chickens. $5000 monthly

SUMMER RENTALS

We still have some wonderful vacation rentals available in late July and August at Carpinteria Shores and other Vacation rentals. Call for exact dates and units 805-680-9464

Debbie Murphy, Broker

Kim Fly, Broker Associate

Leah Wagner, Realtor

Stacie Zubiate - Realtor

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

PROUD SPONSOR of the Summer Concert Series at Carpinteria Arts Center

VICKIE GONZALEZ

We all know what it’s like to walk away from an interaction feeling unburdened, understood and more ourselves. And we’ve all experienced the opposite, spending an afternoon with people or exchanging messages throughout the day and still feeling disconnected. While we often assume that spending more time together or communicating more frequently strengthens our relationships, meaningful connection is about much more than that. It’s about the quality of the experience. Meaningful connection is the experience of being emotionally present with another person and feeling seen, understood and accepted.

One reason certain relationships feel especially meaningful is that they involve something psychologists call attunement. Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Siegel describes attunement as the “capacity to notice and respond to another person’s inner emotional experience.” He uses a helpful acronym, COAL, to define the state of mind required for true attunement. C is for curiosity — actively wanting to understand someone else’s internal world without judging/assuming. O is for openness — allowing the person’s reality and emotions to shape understanding of the moment. A is for acceptance — embracing their emotions without trying to change them. L is for love — approaching the interaction with kindness, compassion and presence.

An important distinction: Conversation and connection aren’t the same thing. Meaningful connection isn’t measured by the number of words exchanged. It’s reflected in whether we leave feeling understood, accepted and emotionally present with one another.

Productivity and constant communication are different from a meaningful

Thank you to the readers that became CVN Sustaining Members through an annual contribution or monthly pledge. We will continue to remind readers and advertisers that continued support is vital to secure the future of free local news and event coverage.

connection. We exchange texts, emails, instant messages, updates and conversations throughout the day, yet still feel lonely or disconnected. Information isn’t the same as intimacy. Meaningful connection isn’t measured by how much we communicate, but by whether we understand and are emotionally present with one another.

Meaningful connections improve our relationships and also support our general well-being. Research continues to show that the quality of our close relationships influences our emotional health as well as our physical health. Findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development have consistently shown that people with warm, supportive relationships tend to be happier, healthier and more resilient as they age. The quality of those relationships appears to matter more than the quantity.

We often think of meaningful connection as something that happens during those big life moments, but it is more often found in the ordinary ones. We feel it in a thoughtful check-in from a friend or coworker who notices you’re having a difficult day and asks how you are doing. A partner who listens without immediately offering advice feels supportive and understanding. These everyday moments of feeling seen and understood may seem small, but over time, they become the building blocks of trust, belonging and emotional well-being.

As I have written about in previous articles, we also know that meaningful connections help regulate our nervous system. Feeling genuinely supported and understood can reduce our stress response, making it easier to get through life’s unavoidable challenges. Research has linked strong social connections with greater emotional resilience and improved overall well-being. While meaningful connections can’t prevent hardship, they can provide a foundation of support that helps us recover, adapt and thrive.

TO OUR READERS...

When many people hear the word intimacy, they think of romantic relationships. But emotional intimacy isn’t limited to spouses or partners. We can experience it with friends, siblings, parents, adult children or anyone with whom we feel emotionally safe enough to be genuine. Emotional intimacy grows when we feel safe enough to share parts of ourselves and trust that they will be greeted with understanding, care and acceptance rather than disapproval. It isn’t built in one moment. It’s built through many small moments of showing up for one another over time.

Meaningful connection doesn’t require perfect communication or perfect relationships. It grows through ordinary moments of attention, curiosity, empathy and presence. It’s created when we choose to truly listen, to notice and to respond with care. I encourage you to reflect on who those people are who help you feel most like yourself. Who leaves you feeling understood? And just as importantly, how might you offer that same gift to someone else?

As always, may this topic inspire curiosity, compassion and conversation.

“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen.” — Rachel Naomi Remen.

Vickie Gonzalez has been licensed for almost 20 years as an LMFT and currently provides counseling, coaching and consulting services. Her private practice is currently online only. She specializes in private practice, including grief loss, addiction/codependency and anxiety disorders. She works with people around themes of identity and purpose as well, primarily with individuals and couples. Coaching services focus on collaborating with clients on setting and reaching their wellness goals, whether those goals are career, relational, financial or personal in nature. On a personal note, she has lived in Carpinteria all her life and became a therapist to give back to the community.

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

OUR GOAL is to continue paying our hard-working staff and publishing a product that both chronicles and creates this special community. Imagine never again saying, “Did you see today’s Coastal View?”

Making waves that save lives Rincon Swim School scholarships help ensure every child has access to life-saving swim lessons

BY MICHAEL VANSTRY

For Carpinterian Andrea Lionello, teaching children to swim has always been about more than strokes and splashes. It’s about giving parents peace of mind, empowering children with confidence and ensuring that financial hardship never stands between a child and a life-saving skill.

That belief has become the driving force behind Rincon Swim School’s partnership with the Hope Floats Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides needbased swim lesson scholarships to families who otherwise could not afford them.

Since joining the program in 2022, Rincon Swim School has steadily expanded its reach, awarding scholarships to 34 local families so far in 2026, including 28 families this summer through partnerships with the Carpinteria Children’s Project and United Way of Santa Barbara County.

“The question to myself was, ‘How can I make a difference in my line of work?’” Lionello said. “’How can I better the community I live in and love? How can I make a positive impact on families? How can I gift other families the peace of mind that their child will be safe and smart around water?’”

The answer, she said, was simple.

“Every child should have access to swim lessons regardless of financial status.”

Hope Floats partners with swim schools across the country to help bridge what it calls the “water safety access gap.” Families who qualify under USDA federal income guidelines receive scholarships covering most of the cost of swim lessons, while each participating swim school raises funds locally to sustain the program.

For Lionello, launching the partnership required patience and persistence.

She spent months spreading the word through social media and word of mouth,

eagerly waiting for scholarship applications to arrive.

“It was like Christmas morning to see those in my inbox,” she said. “I was extremely motivated to try to reach more families.”

Building community partnerships took time as well. After years of conversations with the Carpinteria Children’s Project, logistical challenges were finally overcome, allowing the organizations to work together this summer. Rincon Swim also established a new partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County, providing scholarships for 20 children.

“My instructors and I are making a huge impact and love every minute of it,” Lionello said. “You couldn’t ask for a more gratifying job.”

The rewards extend far beyond the pool deck.

One scholarship recipient, a single mother of two, wrote a speech for Rincon Swim’s annual Swim It Forward fundraiser that deeply moved Lionello.

“Receiving a swim lesson scholarship took a huge weight off my shoulders,” the mother wrote. “It meant I didn’t have to choose between keeping my child safe and keeping up with our everyday responsibilities. It gave me peace of mind knowing my child is learning skills that could one day save their life.”

The mother was unable to attend the fundraiser, so Lionello read her words aloud herself.

“I could barely get through it,” she recalled. “There were tears of joy and accomplishment that I had made a difference for her family.”

This summer also brought another memorable milestone when several Spanish-speaking families enrolled through the scholarship program. Rincon

Swim hired a bilingual aide to eliminate communication barriers, while Lionello found herself learning Spanish phrases she now uses during lessons every day.

“What an incredible experience for all of us,” she said.

The growing number of scholarship recipients reflects both the need and the community’s commitment to water safety.

“That number motivates us to keep encouraging families to apply and to keep our fundraising efforts going,” Lionello said. “I hope these 34 families will share their experience and encourage their peers to apply.”

Her long-term dream is to one day open a dedicated swim facility, allowing Rincon Swim School to offer more pool time and serve even more children throughout the community.

Living along the South Coast makes water safety especially important, Lionello said, but she emphasizes that swim lessons are only one part of a broader approach.

“There are layers to water safety besides just swim lessons,” she explained. “Water safety education, CPR-trained adults, designated water watchers and proper pool fencing are all important. Accessibility and education are key.”

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other organizations has shown that formal swim lessons are associated with a significantly lower risk of drowning among young children.

The scholarship program is funded through Rincon Swim School’s annual Swim It Forward fundraiser, along with support from local businesses and community sponsors, including the Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighters Foundation.

Lionello hopes the community will continue to help by donating, sponsoring the fundraiser, sharing information with friends and neighbors or simply letting families know assistance is available.

“For families who need assistance, I want them to know the process is simple and judgment-free,” she said. “We created this program because we believe every child deserves to learn water safety, regardless of financial circumstance.”

Families interested in applying for scholarships or community members wishing to donate can find more information through Rincon Swim School. Lionello also encourages supporters to mark their calendars for the next Swim It Forward fundraiser, planned for April 2027.

“Every contribution, big or small,” she said, “helps us move closer to our goal of making sure no child in our community goes without this life-saving skill.”

Instructor Amy Harrison gives Harlow a lesson in the pool.

Kailey and Sofia get aquainted with their new flippers.

Instructor Andrea Lionello gives Lia confidence in the pool.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Instructors Andrea Lionello, left, and Amy Harrison make learning pool and water safety fun for Carpinteria Children’s Project students Liam and Glayis.

Bilingual aid Carmen, center, assists instructors with lessons for Spanish-speaking students.

LIVE MUSIC

Saturday July 25th

was recovered and booked into Santa

Happy 25th Anniversary Island Brewing Company

FRIDAY: Queen Bee 6-9

SATURDAY: Strange Hotels 2-5 • Cornerstone 6-9

Halos& Pitchforks

A caller reported that she believes her laptop and credit cards were stolen by a female neighbor who lives at the Polo

SUNDAY: Rock•Paper•Sissors contest @ NOON • Americana Cats 2-5

11:44 a.m. / Misdemeanor Hit and Run / 6500 block Rincon Road

Tuesday, May 19

6 p.m. / Towed Abandoned Vehicle / 2200 block Lillie Avenue

HARU MASSAGE & SPA

2:12 p.m. / Narcotics / 4600 block Carpinteria Avenue

and contacted a woman who had two outstanding warrants: one out of Hermosa Beach but was non-extraditable, and the other out of Santa Barbara. The woman was arrested for the outstanding warrant out of Santa Barbara County.

3 p.m. / 015F / Linden Avenue and Malibu Drive

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 letter carrier Brian Lee. “Thank you from Elsa and all the other dogs in Carpinteria for all the treats you give us.”

A reader sends a halo to retiring City Council member Al Clark as one of those who saw the peace of the village worth the effort to preserve it.

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 the woman who returned the reader’s cell phone left in an Albertson’s shopping cart. “She picked up the call letting me know she found the phone in the cart!”

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 Justin at Level Up in Carpinteria for helping anyone in our community learn self-defense and encouraging people to become the best version of themselves.

A reader sends a halo to the Daykas for always being there to help with anything and never complaining. “Many thanks to the best neighbors ever. We love you all dearly.”

A reader sends a halo to Mayor Wade Nomura for the city’s beautiful ﬂower wreath at the Carpinteria Cemetery for the Memorial Day program.

A reader sends a halo to Tami and John at Robitaille’s for their constant smiles and over-the-top customer service. “The wedding favors were loved by all and brought a bit of Carpinteria to the Seattle wedding!”

A reader sends a halo to Shane from Taylor Pest Control for rushing right over to help take care of a flea infestation. “Within a few hours they were a distant memory. Shane also checked in after two weeks to make sure they hadn’t come back!”

A reader sends a halo to those who acknowledge people with disabilities. “When you encounter a person in a wheelchair or walking with a walker, please smile and say hello to that person.”

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

A reader sends a halo to the Carpinteria Beautiful lady picking up trash in a neighborhood near the beach. “Thank you! We need all the help we can get keeping trash picked up in the neighborhoods on the beach-side of the tracks.”

A reader sends a halo to Kassandra Quintero at The Spot. “When the roof-top ﬂag was twisted and lodged in the rain gutter, Quintero jumped into action and climbed up to the roof and untangled it so that it could wave freely. Way to show patriotism!”

A reader sends a halo to the kind and caring woman who stopped to help me get my neighbor’s loose dog safely across the 6100 block of Via Real. “There were so many cars zipping by and she was so helpful in getting the cars to slow down or stop. I was so focused on keeping my grip on the dog that I wasn’t able to give her a proper thank you. So here it is!”

Wednesday, May 20

8:28 p.m. / Meth Possession / 1100 block Casitas Pass

10:12 p.m. / Weapon and Dope Violations / Hales Lane and Via Real

Malibu, then booked for safe keeping. The owner was not contacted.

Sunday, May 17

8 p.m. / Trespassing / 3200 block Via Real

Meet Chad, the spicy chi

Meet Chad, a 1-year-old, 9-pound neutered Chihuahua who is looking for a very special kind of hero.

Affectionately nicknamed “Spicy Chad,” this tiny pup has been at Santa Barbara County Animal Services since June 27, 2026. While Chad can be picked up and enjoys gentle pets, everyday items like collars, leashes and harnesses are still frightening to him. His reactions are rooted in fear, not aggression, and shelter staff believe the right home can help him gain the confidence he deserves.

5 p.m. / Open Beer Violation / Linden Avenue and 9th Street

3:38 a.m. / Dope Violations / 4100 block Via Real

Chad is searching for an experienced adopter or reputable rescue familiar with fearful, sensitive dogs. He will thrive in a calm, quiet environment where he can settle in at his own pace without pressure. A crate, a predictable routine and plenty of patience will help him feel safe as he learns to trust.

A man was cited and released for possession of an open container.

5 a.m. / Welfare Check / 2100 block

Underneath Chad’s cautious exterior is a sweet little dog who simply needs someone willing to meet him where he is. He isn’t looking for someone to rush the process — he’s looking for someone who understands that trust is earned one small step at a time.

Ortega Hill Road

For the right person, helping Chad blossom into a confident companion will be a deeply rewarding experience.

A caller reported that his girlfriend’s 27-year-old son had a bad dream and ran out of the house naked and was last seen running towards Summerland. Deputies responded and located a man walking nude on North Jameson near Shefﬁeld. The man claimed he smoked marijuana

Chad is available for adoption at Santa Barbara County Animal Services, 5473 Overpass Road in Goleta. To learn more, email sbcassouthfostercoordinator@ gmail.com or text (805) 699-0975.

Thursday, May 21

8:47 a.m. / Driving with False Registration / Carpinteria and Palm avenues

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.”

A reader sends a halo to AMR and firefighters with truck 61 for helping the reader with a nasty stingray encounter on Santa Claus beach July 12. “It was a challenging situation to manage. Thank you for the help, support, reassurance and hoisting me over the rocks, so I could recover at home. I’ll return the bucket soon.”

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 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 all the beach community residents. “Thank you for parking in front of your home with your permit.”

A reader sends a halo to the families of growers over decades in Carpinteria Valley who respected their workforce and gave workers a quality of life with dignity and never brought immigration into our community.

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

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

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 person who stole tools from the bike repair station in Summerland. “The kid who installed that station worked hard to earn the money and build that station for everyone to use.”

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!”

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 pitchfork to Carpinteria for not having a fireworks show of their own at the beach. “With all the people in town and at the beach that day, people wouldn’t have to leave the beach to go and drive to Santa Barbra or Ventura. It could also possibly cut down on all the illegal fireworks that go on. Something to think about.”

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.

A reader sends a pitchfork to the group of teenage boys who ran the stop sign on Palm Avenue, then had the nerve to yell at the driver, who had the right-of-way, for almost running them over. “The rules of the road apply to cyclists, too!”

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.

suspended. The man was cited, and his vehicle was released to a licensed driver.

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

A reader sends a pitchfork to the whining unhappy customer at a local grocery store, who was being very disrespectful to the manager and complaining about supposed mispriced items. “If this is the ninth time this situation has happened with you, why wait until now to make a big deal about it? Also, there are plenty of other grocery stores in the area to choose from. I suggest finding a new one where your negative attitude won’t ruin other shoppers’ day. Grow up.”

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

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 pitchfork to the woman whose young children were barreling down the sidewalk two abreast toward the reader and took offense at the request that the kids comply with Carpinteria law and not ride on the sidewalks. “Walking in Carp has become hazardous to our health and unpleasant as we try to navigate the e-bikes, scooters and skateboards whizzing down the sidewalks.”

Saturday, May 23

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

A reader sends a pitchfork to all the fireworks before and after the Fourth of July and to a local rancher who continues to set off “seagull bombs” on Casitas Pass Road. “My dog is a wreck! Why should an entire neighborhood suffer?”

Two men were contacted in a parked truck and both were extremely intoxicated with open containers of alcohol observed in the vehicle. One man was not being the most cooperative, but once he was convinced to exit the vehicle, a pat down search of his person was conducted. Deputies located a collapsible baton in the man’s front waistband. He was cited and both were released to a sober friend.

Friday, May 22

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

access road by a Caltrans site. The mail

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

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 to the person who leaves a white dirt bike, the other person who leaves a black and silver scooter and the people who leave two motorcycles and exchange them to effectively reserve their parking spots on Bailard Avenue. “This is so inconsiderate and maddening for the rest of us.”

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

Deputies responded to a report a of a black sedan crashing into a parked water truck. While en route, it was also reported the male subject driving the sedan ﬂed the scene on foot. Upon arrival, deputies observed the sedan abandoned in the middle Cameo Road with major damage to the front right passenger wheel

A man was contacted after reporting

Threading community together

True Blue’s custom apparel business is helping local schools, nonprofits and businesses stand out

CARPINTERIA BIZ BUZZ

THE BIZZY BEE

Step inside True Blue Barbershop & Custom Apparel on Carpinteria Avenue and you’ll likely find owner Mike Andrade weaving through what he affectionately calls “organized chaos” — stacks of shirts waiting to be printed, hats ready for embroidery, engraved tumblers on the workbench and boxes constantly being shuffled from one project to the next.

To Andrade, it’s a beautiful kind of busy.

“I’m always moving shirts, moving boxes, moving stuff around,” he said with a laugh. “But it’s organized chaos.”

Behind that organized chaos is a business built on something far more orderly: relationships.

Over the past few years, owner Mike Andrade has quietly transformed the front half of his longtime barbershop into a one-stop shop specializing in direct-to-garment printing, embroidery and laser engraving.

While some of the equipment is new, Andrade says his business philosophy hasn’t changed. It’s still built on relationships.

“People can come in and talk to me about what they want,” he said. “The money comes last. I will help you out with whatever you need.”

Unlike many custom apparel companies that require minimum orders, Andrade welcomes everyone from a single customer wanting one engraved water bottle or one custom shirt to schools ordering hundreds of garments. Customers can even bring in their own items to personalize.

That flexibility has made True Blue a favorite among local schools, restaurants, contractors, churches and nonprofits. Andrade produces apparel for businesses

throughout the region while also completing larger projects for schools as far away as Santa Maria. His work has even reached Hawaii, where he has created engraved gifts for U.S. Navy chief petty officers for the past three years.

But it’s the local work that means the most.

One of Andrade’s favorite memories came from his very first school order. Summerland School Principal Dr. Shannon Colson took a chance on his growing business, opening the door to relationships with other schools in Carpinteria that continue today.

“I’ll always be thankful for her,” Andrade said. “It all trickled down because of her.”

Those relationships have become the fabric of his business.

Whether he’s meeting with local

principals over coffee, outfitting Aliso school staff, creating hats for The Alcazar Theatre or helping local nurseries build their brands, Andrade says every project begins with getting to know the people behind it.

His generosity extends well beyond the register.

When nonprofits or churches like St. Joseph’s Church need help developing a logo, Andrade typically donates the design work — often worth hundreds of dollars — and simply charges for the apparel itself.

“That’s my give to the nonprofits,” he said. “If they ever need help, I will help them.”

That giving spirit is one reason Andrade joined the Lions Club of Carpinteria about a year ago. A lifelong Carpinterian who attended Canalino, Aliso and Carpinteria Middle schools, and graduated from Carpinteria High School, he has always looked for ways to give back to the town that raised him.

Living with epilepsy since age 11 has also shaped his outlook.

Rather than allowing the condition to define him, Andrade says it has made him more compassionate toward others, especially children facing similar challenges. His hope is that, through organizations like the Lions Club, he can someday help provide financial assistance and scholarships to young people living with epilepsy.

“I’ve always liked helping people,”

he said.

Back at the shop, the barber chairs remain busy, and Andrade still cuts hair. In fact, many of his printing customers first sit in his barber chair.

“A lot of my customers are local business owners,” he said. “We’re talking while I’m cutting their hair, and they’ll say, ‘Can you make me 20 hats?’ or ‘Can you print some shirts?’ It all just happens naturally.”

Looking ahead, Andrade hopes to expand into uniform rental services while keeping the business intentionally small enough that anyone can walk in with a single shirt, mug or gift and know they’ll receive the same attention as someone placing a large order.

Tomorrow there will be more boxes to unpack, more shirts to print and more hats to embroider. The organized chaos inside True Blue will continue.

That’s just the way Mike Andrade likes it.

Because behind every box is another local business, another school, another nonprofit or another neighbor who trusted him with their idea. And for Andrade, that’s what the business has always been about — not just making custom apparel, but making connections.

True Blue Barbershop & Custom Apparel is located at 4904 Carpinteria Ave. in downtown Carpinteria. Owner Mike Andrade can be reached at (805) 403-7221. Follow on Instagram @trueblue_barbershop.

Mike Andrade has transformed the front of True Blue Barbershop into a custom apparel and engraving shop, where he produces everything from direct-to-garment printed shirts and embroidered hats to laser-engraved tumblers, plaques and personalized gifts.

Standing in front of his downtown Carpinteria storefront, Mike Andrade says the success of True Blue Barbershop & Custom Apparel isn’t measured by the number of shirts he prints or hats he embroiders, but by the lasting relationships he has built with customers, schools, nonprofits and local businesses throughout the community.

Andrade’s display of custom-etched skateboards is a favorite topic of conversation with visitors to True Blue Barbershop & Custom Apparel.

Through the lens...

This summer, Coastal provide their perspective

This summer, Coastal provide their perspective “What does a day in center pages

“What does a day in your center pages of

I arrived in Carpinteria three-and-a-half years ago during a pandemic after having an epiphany to visit my sister and family in Montecito. I thought, “Why not take a leap of faith, sell my home and ﬁnd a home that can enhance this ‘Encore Chapter’ of my life?”

I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t have a camera of some sort in my hands. My father was a relentless home movie maker, so I suspect that was a prime influence. I was a very shy child, and hiding behind the camera was an easy way out of that.

of Robin Karlsson

of Glenn Dubock

This summer, asked local photographers a question: Where do you see beauty in Carpinteria? Over the next six weeks, of each week’s print to see Carpinteria through their eyes.

This summer, Coastal View News asked local photographers a question: Where do you see beauty in Carpinteria? Over the next six weeks, flip open the center of each week’s print to see Carpinteria through their eyes.

The teeming salt marsh

My mornings usually begin before sunrise. Camera in hand, I wander Carpinteria’s beaches, marshes and bluffs looking for the quiet moments most people walk past. These photographs are not about dramatic events — they’re about the small moments that give this town its heart. This is the Carpinteria I see. This is the Carpinteria I love.

The teeming salt marsh

“Don’t you just love our little town?” I posed that question so many times to my wife, Kathy, that she had it inscribed on a brick and cemented onto Linden Avenue.

Since 1975, the Carpinteria Salt Marsh has long been a source of inspiration. As an 11- and 12-yearold, I fondly remember living in Sandyland Cove and constantly catching the ire of my parents as my muddy footprints tracked onto the back deck overlooking one of the last remaining, ecologically important, and cleanest coastal wetlands in Southern California.

I wear many hats — CPA, photographer, musician, volunteer. But labels only tell part of the story. Most mornings I’m searching for quiet moments others might miss. I’m just a simple guy grateful for this remarkable ride on a small blue planet hurtling through space.

Fifty years here in this coastal paradise and I still find new vistas to capture and share. For more photos showing my love of Carpinteria, visit dubockgallery.com. -- Glenn Dubock

I was so grateful to Lisa and Len Price for renting me their cute motherin-law suite while I looked in a very “hot” market. As the months went by in a hot housing market, one thing was certain: I had to make Carpinteria my home, and with that, the vision was realized.

— David Powdrell

What is amazing to me is the “giving spirit” of Carpinteria. I was so welcomed by everyone, and so in return, I give back in any way I can to this beautiful community.

In 1997, the completion of the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park restored vital acreage to the existing estuary with walking trails and upland salt marsh habitat. Throughout the teeming marsh, wetland flora such as multi-colored pickleweed, coyote bush, fragrant hummingbird sage, shady willow trees, saltbush and vibrant California brittlebush provide cover for over 200 species of birds that have been documented across the ecosystem.

Some treasures are found only by those willing to search.

I am also a passionate volunteer for Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and assist Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI). My passion is with all wildlife, but raptors are my absolute favorite. I also recently joined the board of Ojai Raptor Center.

Some treasures are found only by those willing to search.

It’s not difficult to spot Allen’s and Anna’s hummingbirds, long-billed curlews, whimbrels, wading herons and egrets, peregrine falcons, red-shouldered hawks, bushtits, northern pintails, bufflehead and California thrashers. Don’t forget your binoculars and leave the mud in the marsh.

I believe my photography of birds and marine animals has taken on a new life since I started rescuing precious wildlife around Santa Barbara. It is one thing to photograph these beautiful birds, but it is another to rescue them. I feel something special while looking at them now through a camera lens.

Almost any day of the week you can ﬁnd me at Rincon, Padaro Beach or trekking the Mesas and preserves of Carpinteria and our central coast assisting in rescues or capturing images of the beauty around us.

–Susie Clothier

group of scholar-athletes,

Chuck Graham logs a few morning miles on the solitude of Jelly Bowl.

Carpinteria guards

Local restaurants like Third Window Brewing Co. can pack them in when a sports event goes live on the big screens.

One member of an astounding

Izzy Scott, can be found hunting for surf in her neighborhood.

–Susie Clothier

Tern With An Appetizer | Padaro Beach, 2024 Black Crown Night Heron | Tar

My Beach Boy Haden | Padaro Beach, July 2024

Rincon Skies | October 2023

Willits Racing | Santa Claus Beach, June 2024

Surf Scoter Padaro Beach,

A male Allen’s hummingbird in the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park.

LEFT: A Vernal pool inside the Carpinteria Marsh.

ABOVE: A double-crested cormorant airs out its

Migrating American white pelicans preen in a muddy channel.

Tern With An Appetizer | Padaro Beach, 2024 Black Crown Night Heron

Willits Racing | Santa Claus Beach, June 2024

Surf Padaro

A male Allen’s hummingbird in the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park.

Black phoebe

American wigeons

Migrating American white pelicans preen in a muddy channel.

LETTERS

of Carpinterians.

This summer, Coastal View News asked local photographers a question: What does summer in Carpinteria mean to you? Over the next six weeks, ﬂip open the center of each week’s print to see Carpinteria through their eyes.

“Please do not use rodenticides. I have a pair of kestrels in my yard that ﬂedged three babies, and I also have a roadrunner. They are at risk of being killed by rodenticides.”

Issues regarding the Surﬂiner Inn

This is to oﬀer a few thoughts regarding the Surfliner Inn project. A draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be available sometime in the fall. In the meantime, we wait. We also ponder and review. Has the developer been thoroughly vetted? Is the developer successfully managing any hotels?

Under “Hot Topics” on the city’s website, the history of this project is spelled out. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was due on Nov. 16, 2017. It was very specific in terms of what was supposed to be submitted.

Nine separate items were requested. A few of these were: A list of the entities and individuals that would be involved with a description of their responsibilities; an organizational chart showing the entity structure; a summary of the team’s past experience developing similar projects;

— Nancy Hill

While passing through your lovely Coastal View to read. I couldn’t help but smile at some of the letters and wondered if the people commenting were born here.

Lately I’ve had so many people born in the U.S. commenting on something they know very little about nor have they been taught anything about immigration in schools. I am a legal alien, twice, so I know a thing or two. The best way to show sympathy is to sponsor someone from another country. Ukraine or Gaza would be good choices. Pick a person or family to sponsor through a church group and then they get on the waiting list, which in our case was 17 years long, all the while waiting, working, saving money, going to school, learning English, getting all medical tests, x-rays for the entire family. Then show up to pick them up at the airport, or if they are arriving by boat across the Atlantic like we did, show up at whatever port it docks. Then take the family to their apartment, drive them around to help them get jobs,

They are at risk of being killed by rodenticides. Kestrel populations have declined 69% in the central California coastal area. I had roadrunners for 20 years and sud-

To do anything other than that is to hand out a bandage. Another way would be to work with your representatives to enact new laws, although the current laws on the books work very well. Meanwhile, I’ll keep reading your lovely paper in your sunny town and keep smiling at

I guess it’s part of the human condition to think something is being accomplished by handing out bandages since that’s easier to feel something is being accomplished instead of getting deep down into it. Vivian Rutland, a proud legal alien and there’s generations and generations of people like me.

Vivia Rutland

its Coastal View News has once again called on local photographers to perspective on life in Carpinteria. This year, CVN asked photographers: in your life look like?” From this week through Aug. 13, flip to the pages of CVN to see a glimpse of the daily life of Carpinterians.

SU ER

BASTILLE DAY CHOCOLATE:

yard. I would be grateful for your help to

Nancy Hill Summerland

Carpinteria Junior Lifeguard competition:

match

Pits, June 2024

Heron | Tar Pits, June 2024 Brown Pelican | Padaro Beach, June 2024

Pelican Fishing | Padaro Beach, July 2024

Scoter Wave Running | Padaro Beach, July 2024

CALENDAR

Thursday, July 23

AgeWell Senior Program: Pickleball for Beginners Carpinteria Middle School Tennis Courts, Eighth Street and Palm Avenue. 8-10 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

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

Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency: In-Person Well Registration Assistance 1301 Santa Ynez Ave. 9 a.m. — noon, 1-4 p.m. carpgsa.org

Bellas Artes Free Arts & Crafts Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 10 a.m. — noon. carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 684-7789

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

AgeWell Senior Program: Food Bank Food Distribution Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 1-2 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Carpinteria Open Space Manage-

SURF ‘N’ SUDS BEER FEST

ment Advisory Board Meeting City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 3 p.m. (805) 684-5405

Finance Committee City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 4 p.m. (805) 684-5405

Dungeons & Dragons Club Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 3:30-5:15 p.m. For ages 12-17. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314 Talk & Talkback Series: “Paths Through Time: Historic Trails of Santa Barbara County and Their Influence on Modern Life” Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, 956 Maple Ave. 5 p.m. Free for members; $10 for visitors. carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org, (805) 684-3112

AgeWell Senior Program: Men Aging Well Veterans Memorial Building Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. 5:30-7 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Bingo by the Beach: World’s Safest Bingo on beach of Linden Avenue. 6-7 p.m. Free, all ages. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

One-Man Play: “Pilate: The Lost Gospel” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. $25+. thealcazar. org, (805) 684-6380

Friday, July 24

AgeWell Senior Program: Tai Chi & Qigong Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 10-11 a.m. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Free Arts & Crafts Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 10 a.m. — noon. carpinteriaartscenter. org, (805) 684-7789

Friday Fun Day Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 1011:30 a.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Peace Corner Vigil Carpinteria and Linden avenues. 5-6 p.m. carpindivisible@gmail.com

Live Music: King Bee Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 6-9 p.m. islandbrewingcompany.com, (805) 745-8272

Film: “La La Land” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. $10/ general, $7/students-seniors. thealcazar. org, (805) 684-6380

Saturday, July 25

The Carp City Pop-Up Market 1111 Vallecito Road. 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. carpcitypopup@gmail.com

Monthly Pop-Up Thrift Shop Heart of Gold Charitable Foundation, 5201 Eighth St. 9 a.m. — noon. info@heartofgoldthrift. org

Docent Tour: Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park Meet at park sign on Ash Avenue near Sandyland. 10 a.m. (805) 684-8077

Carp Chalk Walk Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 684-7789

Old Town Carpinteria Fiesta 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5103 Carpinteria Ave. (805) 617-5929

25 th Anniversary! Live Music: Strange Hotels 2-5 p.m., Cornerstone 6-9 p.m. Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. Islandbrewingcompany.com, (805) 745-8272

South Coast Stand-Up Comedy The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. $20/general, $15/students-seniors. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Sunday, July 26

Carp Chalk Walk Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 684-7789

25th Anniversary! Live Music: Americana Cats 2-5 p.m. Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. Islandbrewingcompany.com, (805) 745-8272

Monday, July 27

Preschool Story Time Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10-10:30 a.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

AgeWell Senior Program: Line Dancing Veterans Memorial Building, 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. 1:302:30 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

AgeWell Senior Program: Death Cafe Veterans Memorial Building Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. 3-4:30 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 8811279

SPY SUMMER MOVIE with Movie: “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria

Ave. 4-5:30 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

City Council Meeting City Hall, Council Chambers, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 5:30 p.m. (805) 684-5405

Tuesday, July 28

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

Carpinteria Writers’ Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10 a.m. — noon. carpinterialibrary. org, (805) 684-4314

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

AgeWell Senior Program: Bridge Group Veterans Memorial Building Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. 1-4

p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

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

Al-Anon Meeting Faith Lutheran Church, 1335 Vallecito Place. 6:30 p.m. Class: Carpinteria Improv The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. $10 general admission, thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Wednesday, July 29

FRI: DISFRUTA 3-8 PM SAT: SHRIMP VS. CHEF, 12 PM

AgeWell Senior Program: Pickleball for Beginners Carpinteria Middle School Tennis Courts, Eighth Street and Palm Avenue. 8-10 a.m. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

MUSIC…

AgeWell Senior Program: Carpinteria Men’s Coffee Club Veterans Memorial Building Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. 8:30-9:30 a.m. agewell@

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

carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

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

AgeWell Senior Program: Creative Art Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 10-11:30 a.m. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Carpinteria Knitters Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 1-3 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

All-Ages-Karaoke hosted by LarryOke Nimmer, Giovanni’s Pizza, 5205 Carpinteria Ave. 6–9 p.m. (805) 684-8288

ONGOING

AgeWell Senior Program: Free Lunch Program Monday-Friday, Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 12:15-1 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Taste of the Town

Mon.-Fri. 6:30am-2pm •Sat.-Sun. 6:30am-3pm

Carpinteria Mon.-Fri. 6:30am-2pm •Sat.-Sun. 6:30am-3pm Bagelnet.com for Restaurant menu

Mon.-Fri. 6:30am-2pm •Sat.-Sun. 6:30am-3pm

Mon.-Fri. 6:30am-2pm •Sat.-Sun. 6:30am-3pm Bagelnet.com for Restaurant menu

Wetland wilds

UNPREDICTABLE WILDERNESS

CHUCK GRAHAM

It was so quiet and still on Drakes Estero, not a wisp of wind anywhere across Point Reyes National Seashore.

I gently slid my kayak into the shallows, soft mud oozing between my toes. After I settled in, I could hear pounding surf 3 miles to the west on the gritty sandspit between Drakes Estero and Drakes Bay. But more distinct was a crunching sound about a half mile off my bow.

Webbed paws and sharp teeth of a well-equipped river otter had a hold of a mangled surf perch. With gusto, the adult otter thoroughly enjoyed its most recent meal. The crunching was loud. I can remember my parents telling me time and again as a child to chew with my mouth closed. As soon as it finished that meal off, the river otter swam out to deeper water, diving for another fish, eel or crab.

From where I launched my kayak, Drakes Bay Oyster Company operated in Drakes Estero from 1972 – 2011. They had a 40-year lease with the National Park Service (NPS), producing about eight million non-native Pacific oysters per year. So robust was the operation that it produced 40% of California’s oyster farming at its peak. But in 2011, it was shut down. Then Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar didn’t renew the lease, but commercial harvesting continued until a lawsuit was settled in December 2014. By the end of that year, the entire operation was finished.

However, the cleanup was extensive, as was habitat restoration. That went on for another three years, and by 2017, about 500 tons of debris had been removed. Offshore racks made of treated wood and structures at the backend of Drakes Estero were removed and the wetland biome was allowed to heal. It’s now designated as a permanent wildlife sanctuary within the Phillip Burton Wilderness area.

Unfettered in a wetland wilderness

Nearly 10 years later, a once degraded ecosystem is now thriving in thick eel grass swaying with the ebb and flow of the tides. Birdlife is prolific with great

egrets and great blue herons wading in the shallows. Raspy calling Caspian terns feast with the incoming tides, divebombing schools of fish. Spotted harbor seals crowd the best sandbars, and American white pelicans work harmoniously to gather and plunge on baitfish.

Over the first week of July, I paddled the estero, escaping the holiday mayhem and soaking in a wetland that had no other kayakers on the water. Wet, cool coastal fog might have had something to do with that, but the paddling conditions were sublime. And the first sounds that attracted me was the crunching by the solitary river otter.

Beyond the voracious otter, route-finding became problematic. A prominent

channel was nowhere to be seen. It was a maze of exposed sandbars and deadend channels. A couple of times I had to walk and pull my kayak where it was too shallow, but the mud was hardpacked and easy to wade through. I eventually found a deep enough channel allowing me to approach the sandspit. Further out toward the sandspit, another otter emerged from the sand dunes with two bald eagles perched above it. As I paddled the length of the sandspit, one thing stood out on the deserted beach. Below the dunes was a lone coyote pup. its long, lanky legs loping toward a harbor seal carcass. Two turkey vultures stood by waiting for the coyote to decide, while hoping for the best. The young coyote

made the right move, though. It picked up the entire carcass (no small feat) and lugged it into the dunes; a beachside feast tucked away from any other dune dwellers.

Abbotts Lagoon

Just a few miles north of Drakes Estero, Abbotts Lagoon has proven to be reliable for river otter activity. There’s been some recent behavior documented there showing river otters attacking California brown pelicans, great blue herons and great egrets. Recent footage posted on Instagram showed two river otters, each

See WILDERNESS continued on page 19

Drakes Estero can be a maze at times.

A different kind of route-finding.

American white pelicans working together to corral baitfish.

A great egret watches two river otters in Abbotts Lagoon at Point Reyes National Seashore.

A river otter devouring a fish just off the author’s bow.

A great blue heron keeps an eye on nine river otters but also hoping they stir some prey in its direction.

WILDERNESS

continued from page 18

of them drowning pelicans in the lagoon at the same time, side-by-side. Each otter swam up to the unsuspecting pelicans and grabbed them by the necks, pulling them underwater.

An average male river otter weighs 25 pounds. A California brown pelican weighs about 6-8 pounds, but they also have a 6-foot wingspan, so pulling one underwater is an effort. Still, river otters are strong and agile in the water. Waterfowl is just one of their items on the menu.

I didn’t get to see any of that, but I did come across a family of nine river otters. There was lots of foraging in the shallows, but also plenty of sand dune time, rolling and frolicking in the sand that spilled right into the lagoon. The

family of nine caught multiple fish but ironically were followed by herons and egrets. You know the old saying, “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?” At first, I thought the herons and egrets were just keeping tabs on a voracious aquatic predator. However, both species of wading birds also had hopes of the otters exposing fleeing baitfish and invertebrates chased their way.

With eyes on the otters, the herons and egrets kept just enough distance from the otters, never feeling fully comfortable, yet all the while hopeful.

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.

ON THE ROAD

Coastal View News goes to Canada

Kim and Ken Kuphaldt from Silver Sands Village enjoyed their first Alaskan cruise with stops in Sitka and Haines. They viewed glaciers in Endicott Arm, rode in a canoe and took an off-road jeep tour in Ketchikan, Alaska. They are pictured with their Coastal View News copy in Prince Rupert, a port city in the province of British Columbia, Canada.

CVN visits the Aloha

state

Carpinteria’s AYSO Girls 14U All-Star Soccer Team — including top row from left, Coach Frank Gonzalez, Finley Barr, Milenka Doukas, Hallie Mayer, Marin Bass, Rebekah Gonzalez, Renee Overgaag, Lylas Valikonis, Eva Salinas, Coach Carly Bass, Coach Julia Mayer; and bottom row from left, Kate Oshiro, Lily Till, Ailene Wheatley, Denise Barbere and Maeve Runhaar — competed in the 2026 Rainbow Tournament in Hawaii in July. With the help of the Carpinteria community through fundraising, the team traveled to Waipi’o, Oahu, where they took home the Sportsmanship Award and an invitation to return next year! The team poses with their copy of the Coastal View News here, sending a big thank you to the whole community for making this opportunity possible!

GOING ON THE ROAD?

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

ARTCETERA

BY TRACY MARCYNZSYN | COURTESY PHOTOS

“Old Town” Carpinteria Fiesta slated for Sunday, July 26

The annual “Old Town” Carpinteria Fiesta will take place on Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Friends of the Carpinteria Library used bookstore, at 5103 Carpinteria Ave. The free family event features the 2026 Spirit of Fiesta Jenna Ramirez, 2026 Junior Spirit of Fiesta Penny Ramirez, Mariachi Youth Estrellas, Puro Flamenco, Xochipilli, Mariachi 805 and more.

Enjoy fiesta crafts and a book giveaway for the kids and pizza and drinks from Pizza Man Dan’s. The event is presented by Artesania para la Familia and the Friends of the Carpinteria Library, with La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation and the city of Carpinteria as sponsors. For more information, call (805) 717-5929.

Catch “La La Land” at the Alcazar Theatre

July 24

The Alcazar Theatre will show “La La Land” on the big screen, on Friday July 24, at 7 p.m., to mark the 10-year anniversary of the film. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star in the Academy Award-winning film about pursing dreams and the hard choices they must make to keep their relationship alive.

The movie won six Oscars, including Best Director, Best Actress, Best Cinematography and Best Original Song.

General admission tickets are $10; seniors and student tickets are $7. Purchase tickets at thealcazar.org.

The Alcazar Theatre is located at 4916 Carpinteria Ave.

South Coast Stand-Up Comedy at the Alcazar Theatre

Laugh with a lineup of world-class comedians at South Coast Stand-Up Comedy night at the Alcazar Theatre Saturday, July 25, from 7-9 p.m.

Comedians Dan Gabriel, Peter Berman and Ace Guillen, with special guests, An Embarrassment of Pandas, entertain audiences with clean, smart standup comedy.

General admission tickets are $20; seniors and student tickets are $15. Tickets are available at thealcazar.org.

“UP” plays at the Alcazar Theatre July 29

Join The Alcazar Theatre for Summer Movie Magic: Wednesday Matinees for the showing of “UP” Wednesday, July 29, from 3-5 p.m.

“UP” tells the story of 78-year-old balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen, who creates an airship by tying balloons to his home and flying off into the South American wilderness. Find out what happens when he discovers a surprise stowaway. The film is rated PG-13.

The Summer Movie Magic series takes place twice a month on Wednesdays and is funded in part by a grant from the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning.

Tickets are available for $7 (general admission) and $5 for seniors and students at thealcazar.org.

KARLSSON 2025 ARCHIVE PHOTO

COMPILED

THURSDAY

Sunday, July 12

0924 hrs / Incident / 1000 block Calle Lagunitas

A deputy responded to a reporting party who advised that unknown subjects have been outside her residence at late hours of the night. No suspect or vehicle description given at the time of this report.

at a stop light and the car rolled forward into Driver 2. Minor damage was caused to Driver 2 along with minor injury. Driver 2 declined medical treatment.

Wednesday, July 15

0251 hrs / Incident / Casitas Pass Road

Elizabeth Cravens had no shortage of workers for their 130-acre Carpinteria and propCravens

that hero before glance, the inevitably, point creature some the herohero him does glance, have face horse, and love you communicate people one which love, creatures on godafraid need. emptied the the ‘You you me with pick, pick, into was all the luck! G.

this founwrong week, build security good sober. done, and worarms. you into child, you the your insight. feminine organizations, material driven to evgranted with considered the Your with the consciousness much throw through the beach through 805-564nonSanta performing renewals of life Numerolblessings to within the 564-4414 or weddingsantabarbara.

family. In all, Thomas and Elizabeth raised 11 children. Thomas’ local influence expanded as well. By the time he died at age 60, he had served on the school board, on the County Board of Supervisors and as a member of the Knights of pythias Lodge.

2111 hrs / Incident / 4600 block Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies responded to a custody dispute. The reporting party called to state his ex-wife was late for the custody exchange. Prior to deputies’ arrival, the custody exchange took place, which upset the three children. The reporting party desired documentation for his court case in August. Documentation only incident report.

2253 hrs / Incident / 4000 block Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies made contact with the subject in the parking lot of a local fast-food restaurant. The subject was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and occupying a vehicle with false tabs. She was cited and the vehicle was towed.

1918 hrs / Incident / 1000 block Casitas Pass Road

Descendants of Thomas and Elizabeth still live in Carpinteria today.

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.

state, “i am taking my own articles, such as my famous drawings, out …” According to an article printed in Coastal View News in 2002, Reynolds was not able to find a buyer for his shop. He liquidated the inventory and moved away after 43 years of business.

This article was previously published in July 2008. 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.

ToM MooRe file PHoTo kids and local fishermen, Reg’s Bait and Tackle Shop survived for 43 years at 586 with 38,172) and taught the new member a secret handshake. Jeff Boyd remembers joining the club a few times. each time Reynolds shook his hand, he said, “fish takes ahold,” then yanked hard, saying “… and takes you.” in 1972, Reynolds “took sick” and tried to sell the bait shop, which he claimed to have rented, along with his living quarters in the back, for $60 a month. in a letter written by Reynolds to a prospective buyer, he stated, “My huge fRee Rod and Reel Club of over 49,000 members goes with the shop.” However, he went on to

Deputies contacted the reporting parties after they reported that a suspicious vehicle had been slowly driving past the residence on numerous occasions. The reporting party believed the vehicle was being driven by one of their son’s friends, as they had history. The reporting party stated on one occasion when the vehicle drove by that the son’s friend had pointed a ﬁrearm at their residence. Investigation is ongoing; follow up to be handled by patrol.

0014 hrs / Incident / 1000 block Calle Lagunitas

A reporting party called to report that she’d seen a male subject peeking into her bedroom window. Deputies arrived and searched the backyard for the subject but were unable to locate anyone. Deputies canvassed the nearby area, and an oﬀense report was taken. A be on lookout email was sent to Carpinteria patrol deputies highlighting the incident and requesting frequent patrol of the area. The suspect is still outstanding.

Monday, July 13

1428 hrs / Violation / Linden Avenue and Fifth Street

A male was detained after being reported as checking cars in a parking lot. He identiﬁed himself and the name on the EBT card he possessed had a no-bail PRCS warrant from San Bernardino. Further records checks and tattoo identiﬁcation revealed the detained male’s identity. San Bernardino advised they would extradite, so the subject was arrested and booked at Santa Barbara County Jail.

Unreported time / Violation / 4000 block Via Real

A subject was contacted at a local motel and was found to have a warrant for her arrest. During a search of her property, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was found. The subject was arrested for the warrant and drug-related charges.

Thursday, July 16

2016 hrs / Warrant arrests / Carpinteria Avenue

A subject was arrested for two misdemeanor warrants out of Santa Barbara County.

Saturday, July 18

0925 hrs / Incident / 3900 block Via Real

Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

Level: Hard

A traﬃc stop was initiated on a vehicle for a window tint violation. The driver was found to not have a valid license. He was issued a citation. He signed the citation and was going to have a valid driver come to drive the vehicle away.

1459 hrs / Incident / 4900 block Dorrance Way

Deputies responded for a reported 415 Verbal. It was determined that no violation occurred. The male subject walked up to the residence while deputies were speaking with the reporting party. The male subject showed signs of intoxication and attempted to walk away from deputies on scene. The male subject was arrested and transported to Santa Barbara County Main Jail.

1606 hrs / Violation / Carpinteria Avenue and Linden Avenue

Driver 1 was stopped behind Driver 2

A report taken for burglary of a vehicle with a backpack with laptop, keys, iPad and other items taken. An AirTag later the same afternoon pinged at a residence. While talking to the individual at the residence, it was discovered that the stolen property was seen in plain view in a vehicle in the driveway. The vehicle belonged to a subject who was on active PRCS and out on bail. The subject was unable to be located, but his keys were eventually brought to the scene, and the property was secured and returned to the owner. The case was forwarded to probation for the probation violations.

1100 hrs / Vandalism / 4000 block Via Real

An unknown suspect(s) committed vandalism of an electrical control box at a local store. The graﬃti is gang related and associated with known local gangs.

1802 hrs / Incident / 5500 block

Carpinteria Avenue

Deputies responded to a report of suspicious subjects at a local hotel who were suspected to be under the inﬂuence. One subject was seen pulling on the hotel room door handles. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the subjects. Open containers were found in plain view in their vehicle and both subjects admitted to consuming alcohol. Both were heavily intoxicated and were arrested for PC 647(f), public intoxication.

VALLEy MuSEuM OF HISTORy

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Patronized by candy-seeking kids and local ﬁshermen, Reg’s Bait and Tackle Shop survived for 43 years at 586 Palm Ave.

Familiar face of Carpinteria’s past

Editor’s note: This Throwback was ﬁrst published in Coastal View News in July 2008.

Reg Reynolds and his well-frequented bait and tackle shop at 586 Palm Ave. are the source of salty, sweet memories for many locals whose Carpinteria history stretches back a ways. Described by David Moore as “a little bit of a wonderland,” Reynolds’ shop, which was open between 1930 and 1972, held a wide assortment of ﬁshing supplies, bait, an extensive candy counter, the infamous ledger for his popular Rod and Reel Club, a harem of cats, a collection of signed Hollywood portraits on the walls and his own detailed ink etchings of local landscapes.

“And if he really liked you, and he was in a good mood, he’d get the saw out and play songs for you,” said John Moyer, who seldom heard Reynolds play the saw. Moyer described him as a “salty” man who was giggled about on the Main School playground by the kids who regularly bought candy from his ancient counter. Young candy customers also remember Reynolds’ elderly father watching television in the shop, and Moyer recollects that Reynolds eventually put his father in a care facility because he regularly spit on the walls.

According to many, Reynolds’ free Rod and Reel Club was a major source of pride for the shop owner. “He encouraged every kid that came in to join it,” said Moore. Upon joining, Reynolds presented each new member with an oﬃcial, numbered card (Moore still has his, printed with 38,172) and taught the new member a secret handshake. Jeﬀ Boyd remembers joining the club a few times. Each time Reynolds shook his hand, he said, “Fish takes ahold,” then yanked hard, saying “… and takes you.”

In 1972, Reynolds “took sick” and tried to sell the bait shop, which he claimed to have rented, along with his living quarters in the back, for $60 a month. In a letter written by Reynolds to a prospective buyer, he stated, “My huge FREE Rod and Reel Club of over 49,000 members goes with the shop.” However, he went on to state, “I am taking my own articles, such as my famous drawings, out …” According to an article printed in Coastal View News in 2002, Reynolds was not able to ﬁnd a buyer for his shop. He liquidated the inventory and moved away after 43 years of business.

Read Thursday’s CVN on Wednesday

DUNCAN’S REEL DEAL

MATT DUNCAN

I love Pixar. You all know it. And I love “Toy Story,” in particular. At least two of them are in my Pixar top ﬁve. So, there is a lot riding on “Toy Story 5” for me. It’s tricky, though! I thought “Toy Story 3” was going to be the last one, because three makes a trilogy and the third wrapped things up so well. So, when “Toy Story 4” was announced, I was worried it was going to ruin everything — that, at best, it would be the franchise’s vestigial organ; at worst, it would be an ugly scar on an otherwise beautiful set of movies.

But it was great! “Toy Story 4” might be my favorite in the franchise. Still, with each new ﬁlm I feel like it’s a roll of the dice. I hold my breath. I wait nervously. When the day comes, I tiptoe into the movie theater and look around to see who’s watching. I sit down, take a deep breath and peer through my hands for the ﬁrst moments of the movie, hoping this cinematic emperor still has clothes — that my childhood wasn’t all for naught.

All right, all right — I’m being dramatic. It’s not that bad. I’m not a lunatic. I just want the movies to be good.

Most of the other “Toy Story” movies are about Woody (Tom Hanks) or Buzz (Tim Allen). “Toy Story 5” is about Jessie (Joan Cusack) — the cowgirl introduced in “Toy Story 2.” Woody’s oﬀ on his own adventure (see “Toy Story 4”). So, Jessie is the Sheriﬀ in town now. Her main duty is to bring joy to her kid, Bonnie (Scarlett Spears).

Things are mostly in order, though Bonnie is struggling to make friends. The problem, it seems, is that no kids her age play anymore — especially not with toys. Why? The answer: Tech! Everyone is glued to a screen — a phone, tablet, computer or TV. (This would feel dystopian, like in “WALL-E,” if it weren’t basically true-to-life.)

Like so many parents, Bonnie’s mom and dad are wary of tech but don’t want their kid to be left out. So, they buy her Lilypad (Greta Lee), a tablet. You don’t have to be a cinephile to guess what happens next. Just look around — once someone has a taste of the tech, they’re hooked. The same goes for Bonnie. Her wide eyes remain locked onto the screen; her zombie brain can’t think of anything else.

Eventually she gets on a text thread with some girls from dance class. And, again, you don’t have to be a cinephile to guess what happens with that. Good feelings soon give way to all sorts of bad feelings. Bonnie wants friends, but she

worries about who she is, whether she is cool enough, whether she is likeable enough, whether she has worth.

The toys try to intervene in various ways. But, as per the “Toy Story” usual, they get lost. And, on their way back, they’re forced to confront their own problems, insecurities, biases and to learn to work together for a common goal.

That aspect of “Toy Story 5” felt a bit tired. The toys getting lost may be a hallmark of the franchise, but there’s nothing fresh about it this time. We’re forced to plod along, go through the motions, wait for the toys to reconnect.

Lots of the main characters also lack a purpose in the movie (if not in a kid’s life). Woody isn’t essential, and key side characters — like Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger) and Forky (Tony Hale) — fade into the background. There are some new toys, but none nearly as memorable as Jessie or Forky — or even Ken (Michael Keaton) or Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) from the third and fourth movies, respectively.

The “getting lost” obligation also obstructs the development of some of the unique themes having to do with tech. The problem with tech is introduced — and we’re all very familiar with what it is — but not a whole lot of the peak Pixar insight is oﬀered. One message is that it’s important to engage with each other, face-to-face. And another theme is about self-worth. Still, nothing eye-opening, perspective-changing or even particularly moving is done with these ideas.

“Toy Story 5” has some good moments. You might even cry. I was close, but it never quite got me, never pulled the tears out of me like each of the last three. Which, to me, is a tragedy. To like but not love a Pixar movie — especially a “Toy Story” — is disappointing.

“Toy Story 5” is rated PG for some thematic elements and rude humor.

Matt Duncan, a former Coastal View News editor, is now a philosophy professor at Rhode Island College. In his free time from philosophizing, Duncan enjoys chasing his kids around, watching movies and playing the mandolin.

Do you have a photo from Carpinteria’s past? Contact

to share it with other readers!

TOM MOORE PHOTO

CLUB SCENE

Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning starts Community Conversations

Carpinteria residents can join the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning for Community Conversations, where people from all walks of life can share a meal and build connections.

“One of Rotary’s key commitments around the world is to build peace by fostering understanding within and across cultures. Community Conversations brings that commitment to Carpinteria,” said club President Kristina Calkins in a press release sent to Coastal View News

The club’s pilot session of Community Conversations held in April was well-received by participants, who appreciated the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with new people, according to the club’s Community Conversations Coordinator Eric von Schrader.

“Sadly, many Americans don’t trust people who aren’t like them,” said von Schrader. “We have fewer in-person interactions and it’s easy to retreat into smartphones, social media and limited circles of friends. At the same time, most of us don’t like this situation and want to better understand people across cultural, socioeconomic and political divides. Having a meal and conversation with our neighbors can help us come together and build trust.”

The next Community Conversations potluck event is on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the Carpinteria Valley Museum, 956 Maple Ave. The main course and beverages will be provided by the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning. Participants are asked to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert. Space is limited for the free event. RSVP to Eric von Schrader at evons@sbcglobal.net or (314) 495-2062.

Rotary Club of Carpinteria learns about Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria recently learned about the details of the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP) during a presentation by club member Craig Murray, general manager of the Carpinteria Sanitary District.

The presentation marked the start of President Alec Hardy’s new Rotary term. Murray shared about CAPP’s evolution and what the community can expect when the project is completed. A Q&A followed the talk.

SURF & TIDES

From left, Rotary Club of Carpinteria member Adriana Gonzalez-Smith, club member and guest speaker Craig Murray and club President Alec Hardy.

New Rotary Club of Carpinteria President Alec Hardy, center, with the club members at the Joint Coronation.

Rotary Clubs’ new presidents crowned at Joint Coronation Carpinteria’s two Rotary clubs recently celebrated their respective

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria and The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning convened at the Carpinteria Lions Club Barbecue

and each other’s company. Alec Hardy was crowned as the Rotary Club of Carpinteria’s new president and Kristina Calkins was crowned as the new president of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning.

CAR • PET • ERIA

SPORTS

properly? Contact me for a complimentary portfolio review.

Sports heals the soul of a community

CRUZ ON SPORTS

RYAN P. CRUZ

I’m a firm believer that the best way to get to know a place is to look into their local sports culture.

This holds true of anywhere I’ve visited in my life, from the soccer-crazed streets of Guadalajara to the basketball-obsessed midwestern towns of Indiana. A town always eventually revolves around their local team.

Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to visit the western coast of Maui, a place that is unquestionably beautiful both on its surface and deep down to its volcanic core. In subtle ways, Maui reminded me of our own backyard, with rolling hills and a coastline highway curving along expansive views of islands on the horizon.

On one of these scenic drives along the coast, my fiancée (Coastal View News Editor Jun Starkey) and I visited the town of Lahaina, a sleepy seaside spot with a population of just over 10,000 that sits south of the tourist-heavy section of Maui’s western coast. The small town had the look and feel of Carpinteria, a beachside haven that is similarly situated just south of Santa Barbara.

Lahaina is also connected to the Central Coast in other, more tragic ways. Just as we have become all-too accustomed to wildfires and natural disasters, Lahaina had to learn how to rebuild after surviving the deadliest fire in U.S. history just three years ago.

The wildfires that tore through Maui and Lahaina made headlines in 2023, but I did not quite understand the full scope of what happened until I saw the town with my own eyes. As we drove through the streets, we saw skeletons of dead Monkeypod trees standing stark against the bright green of regrowth. We saw brand-new clapboard houses being built on freshly laid concrete, next to the empty foundations of still-destroyed homes.

The entire city of Lahaina looks like a town rebuilt, and its main drag, Front Street, is still clawing its way back to economic vitality, with pop-up markets in the place of long-standing retail shops still waiting on reconstruction efforts.

Amid the burn scars and signs of new life, as we passed a highway memorial dedicated to the 102 lives lost in the fires, I saw a 30-foot tall “L” standing out bright against the dry grass on a mountain overlooking Lahaina.

After a bit of research, I found out the giant “L” painted on the mountainside — a hill the locals called Pu’u Pa’u Pa’u — was not only a symbol of the strength of the city of Lahaina, but also a tradition started by the local high school football team, the Lahainaluna Lunas.

I soon learned just how big a place high school sports hold in the state of

Hawaii. It makes sense, given there are no major professional sports teams and only one major university, that Hawaiian sports fans would turn to their local teams for their sports fix. But I was surprised (though I shouldn’t have been) at just how much these teams mean to their communities.

Like in many small American towns, the players on these local teams become local folk heroes. The dads and uncles that won state titles in the 80s and 90s watch eagerly as the next generation laces up their cleats to carry on the hometown pride. The rivalries are just as intense as any in Texas football, and on Friday nights the stadium lights shine bright against the dark Hawaiian sky.

Lahainaluna, in particular, is one of the longest-standing programs in Hawaii. The Lunas, who wear the same bright red as our Carpinteria Warriors, have been playing football since the early 1900s, and the school itself is the oldest operating school west of the Mississippi, dating back to 1831.

The wildfires raged through the island of Maui in August 2023, just as the Lunas were preparing for their first football game of the year. Of the 85 players in the football program, more than half lost their homes or had family members lost in the fire. Their head coach lost his childhood home.

That type of trauma would be enough to make anyone give up, but after just a few weeks, the members of the Lahainaluna football team got back into contact with each other and started to organize loose practices. It wasn’t long before most of the team was back together, on the field and feeling like teenagers once again. Being with each other and playing football was a welcome distraction, and the best medicine they could’ve asked for.

The Lunas became a symbol of recovery, and something the whole community of Lahaina could gather around to feel a sense of normalcy. Their willingness to strap up their helmets and get back on

the field inspired their families to live with a new sense of hope, and on Sept. 30, just seven weeks after the deadly fire, the Lunas were back in action for their first game of their new season.

Despite most of their roster and their families living scattered across the island, the community showed up and filled up War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku with a sea of red. The game, and the story of the Lahainaluna’s return through football, was featured on nationwide news and in video segments broadcast on the NFL Network and ESPN.

The Lunas won the game 49-0, but what made the night most memorable was the community singing the Lahainaluna alma mater together after the game. The moment stands as a reminder as to the power of high school football, and how sports — which is the soul of any community — can help an entire community heal after shared trauma.

It reminded me of the times we have

seen sports heal people on a grand scale, from the first games in New York after 9/11 to the first Monday Night Football matchup in New Orleans’ Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

It also reminded me of just how special our own sports community is, and how our Carpinteria High School athletes bring us together year after year despite all of our differences and struggles. It’s a beautiful thing, and I can’t wait for another year of high school sports. To support the rebuilding efforts, donate to Lahaina Strong or the Maui Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.

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

HAROLD HOLLINGSWORTH/CREATIVE

A 30-foot “L” is painted on the mountain above Lahaina each season by the Lahainaluna High School football team.

KEVIN FUJII/HONOLULU CIVIC BEAT/2023

The Lahainaluna High School football helped the community of Maui heal after the deadly fires of 2023.

Junior Guards of the week

After a busy start to the summer, Carpinteria’s Junior Lifeguards are back soaking in the sunshine and training hard for the second session of the season. After another week of running, swimming and splashing, program instructors selected two guards from each age group who displayed great sportsmanship and attitude to represent the program as the Junior Guards of the Week.

The best junior guards in the A group for this week were Ian Yamaoka and Luella Runhaar. Group instructors said that Yamaoka is one of the hardest working junior guards and an excellent runner who is expected to make a splash at the regional competition.

Runhaar has emerged as one of the best team players in the program after helping her group finish at the top in the recent Santa Barbara Fiesta Competition. “She had a key part in our first place in the relay at Fiesta and continues to prove herself every day, trying her best in every activity,” group instructors said. “She is going to regionals this week, and we know she is going to crush it!”

In the B group, instructors nominated Damian Reed and Ellie Lee as the best of the week. Reed is an all-around athlete who succeeds in every event, leading the Carpinteria group in the Iron Guard relay during last week’s Fiesta competition.

Lee is in her first summer of junior guards, but she has already impressed group leaders by overcoming some early nerves to be one of the team’s best sprinters in the run relay. Her skills helped her team secure first place in the competition.

Group instructors selected Hudson Pennington and Gwen West as the best in the C group last week. Pennington and West are both in their first year of junior guards, and both have stood out with their positive attitude and consistent effort — two big pieces in earning the title of guard of the week. “We are so proud of them,” instructors said.

And in the mini group, instructors nominated Ollie Farrell and Jake Brown as the guards of the week. Farrell is one of the most eager junior guards and was the only boy in the mini group who competed in every event during the Fiesta Competition. “He is a strong athlete, has a great attitude and is willing to do anything for his team at competitions,” instructors said.

Brown is one of the strongest in the mini group, always lending a hand to his instructors and fellow guards. Brown took third place in the flags competition last week and helped encourage his teammates to try their best on the beach.

MAG CARP

The Summer Issue Has Arrived! Sneak Peek inside…

FOUND & FORGED

Rarity is an unmistakable feature of Jason Campbell’s blacksmith art and its core material. Jason uses wrought iron relics of the early oil industry that resemble a wizard’s mix of gnarled pterodactyl talon and extraterrestrial onyx to create seriously whimsical pieces playing on both the intellect and imagination. In Jason’s shop/studio at 500 Maple Ave., where hammer, anvil, and red hot metal add a hint of torture-chamber to the creative space, wrought iron is the inspiration for reincarnation.

AN OPEN BOOK

I was born in Callao, Peru’s historic port — the place where the country meets the ocean and the ocean returns its stories. My childhood unfolded in my grandparents’ large home, a house that was always full: aunts coming and going, cousins playing in the courtyard, neighbors who felt like family. There was laughter, arguments, doors constantly opening and closing. And in the middle of all that joyful noise, there was a quiet sanctuary: my grandparents’ small library.

CARPINTERIA BY KAYAK

I’ve been photographing subjects from my kayak since 1996. That’s 30 years of spectacular moments in varying sea conditions and encounters with whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, and a multitude of seabirds like elegant terns, western grebes, and cormorants. Photographing Carpinteria from my kayak underscores my appreciation for living in and photographing one of the last remaining small coastal towns in Southern California. Carpinteria has always been (and remains so today) a great base to photograph what I love, which means locally the Carpinteria Reef and Carpinteria Salt Marsh and the surrounding beaches, scenic bluﬀs, and craggy rock outcroppings.

GLOBETROTTERS

For most people, packing a bag and boarding a plane means leaving work behind, but for the Carpinterians on the following pages, travel is work. The livelihood of these four globetrotters relies on a sturdy suitcase, a valid passport, and a personal life with plenty of scaﬀolding for regular exits and re-entries. There’s adventure and novelty in these occupations, as well as the lonliness and logistical challenges that come with days and weeks away from home. Let’s meet these full-time Carpinterians whose commutes take them around the globe.

COURTESY PHOTO

JGs of the Week, from left, Ian Yamaoka, Luella Runhaar, Damien Reed, Ellie Lee, Gwen West, Hudson Pennington, Jake Brown and Ollie Farrell

Stronger together

COFFEE, CAREER AND KIDDOS

The beat of the Aztec drums brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my skin. I didn’t realize how much I was holding in until I heard them play. I opened my eyes and looked at the people around me, my children included, who were there to remind us that we are not alone and have something worth using our voice for.

On July 11, Carpinteria Sin Fronteras with the support of 805Undocufund organized Unidos en la Marcha, a march and gathering to remember what happened the year before at the Glass House raid. I

was invited to speak, and standing there with our community, I found myself back in that moment all over again.

I remember exactly where I was standing. What I was wearing. The anxious static in the air on July 10, 2025. I was leading a community tour at Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP), mid-sentence about how immigration enforcement ripples through our families, when our Family Resource Center team came running past me and out the door. ICE was in town.

The tour ended. One of our board members and I drove straight to Glass House. What we found looked like a scene from a movie, except it was our street, our neighbors, our reality. There were tanks, flash bangs and agents — some masked, some not — and no cell service. As a community leader, I knew I needed to be there. As a mother, and as an immigrant myself, I was terrified.

At CCP, we moved fast and created a fund for cash aid to support impacted families, a volunteer event for neighbors asking, “What can I do?” and a deeper commitment to advocacy, because we watch every day how unjust immigration enforcement lands on parents first and children always. The weight of these four

I still get alerts about immigration activity in surrounding areas. People are still dying, in detention centers, on sidewalks, on their way to work.

years will outlast the headlines; we’ve started to see the impact now.

It’s been a year, but the work hasn’t stopped. I still get alerts about immigration activity in surrounding areas. People are still dying, in detention centers, on sidewalks, on their way to work. Most recently, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a father in Houston, was simply picking up his crew to start the day. That could have been my father.

But that’s what made the drums on July 11 feel like something more than music. A year of fear, of watching. A year of showing up for each other. Food has been delivered to families too afraid to leave their homes. Neighbors are patrolling streets so others can leave their homes or take their children to school without fear. This community shows up and has kept showing up.

To everyone who has marched, donated, patrolled: Thank you, because we

truly are stronger together. If you still want to get involved, reach out to the Carpinteria Children’s Project at info@ carpchildren.org. We are so grateful for this community!

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 2. 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.

Seascape Realty

#00623395

Terry Stain 805-705-1310 seascaperealty@ gmail.com Lic. #01484280

NEW LISTING IN BEAUTIFUL VISTA DEL ESTERO

This great two bedroom, two and half bath townhouse style condominium is ready to move in and enjoy! Downstairs features the living and dining area with a cozy ﬁreplace and guest bathroom. The kitchen is adjacent to the dining area which has a sliding door leading to a beautiful private patio. Upstairs features two lovely bedrooms, two bathrooms and a convenient laundry area. Vista Del Estero is conveniently located to the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park and has access to the beautiful Carpinteria Beach.

OFFERED AT $885,000

Please call Shirley Kimberlin at 805-886-0228

George Manuras 702-460-2726 kailuua@yahoo.com Lic. #01991682

Sylvia Miller 805-448-8882 sylvia@sanbarb.com Lic. #00558548

Diana Porter 805-452-8931 dianaporter370@ gmail.com Lic. #01842390

JUST LISTED ON CATLIN CIRCLE

Quality living in highly-desirable Villa Pinos Condominium Association (Catlin Circle)! This conveniently located 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo is newly renovated, including all-new paint & flooring, new kitchen appliances, and various new fixtures, giving a sense of freshness & brightness throughout. The home shares a pleasantlysurprising large greenbelt, and also includes a detached 2-car garage/driveway and private patio, offering peace and tranquility. Close to downtown, with easy access to the 101, parks, and shopping.

OFFERED AT $849,000

Please call Shirley Kimberlin at 805-886-0228 or Terry Stain at 805-705-1310

Mark Brickley 805-680-3770 mpaulsb3@gmail.com Lic.#02119204

Lynda Bohnett 805-637-6407 bohnettlynda@ gmail.com Lic. #01268751

DOWNTOWN MIXED USE Rare, mixed-use property on the 'T' in downtown Carpinteria-fantastic location! Parcel currently conﬁgured as 5 residential rental units and 1 commercial rental. Commercial building is a ﬂorist, but past uses include a salon, art gallery/gift shop, bike shop, and was once the location of the Carpinteria Herald newspaper! All but one residential unit currently rented. Some tenant parking onsite, W/D hookups in storage area. PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB TENANTS.

OFFERED AT $2,500,000

Please call Terry Stain at 805-705-1310

TERESA ALVAREZ