Coastal View News • May 25, 2023

New heights

Procore hosted a springtime employee appreciation carnival last week at its Carpinteria Avenue campus, which included cotton candy, a slide and Joy Circus entertainers on stilts, including Joy, right, and her daughter Anna,

left.

Carpinteria Lions to honor veterans with Memorial Day Observance

The Lions Club of Carpinteria will honor veterans during a Memorial Day Observance ceremony on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m. at the Carpinteria Cemetery, 1501 Cravens Ln. Chairs will be provided; attendees can also bring their own.

This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Clyde Freemen, a navy veteran; Fr. Richard Martini from St. Joseph Church will give the invocation and the benediction. The Santa Barbara Bob Guthrie Pipe & Drum Corps will also perform, and the Lions will feature its civil war cannon to close, according to Lion Bob Stokes.

Museum Marketplace: May 27

The Carpinteria Valley Historical Society and History Museum’s monthly fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, May 27, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 956 Maple Ave. The upcoming marketplace will offer specialty foods, antiques, jewelry, plants, music instruments, household items and more; the museum’s booth, Granny’s Attic, starts prices at 25 cents.

One of this month’s featured vendors is Silverquest, a silver jewelry booth run by Janet Rutland. Cold beverages, snacks and hot dogs will be available for purchase. See more at carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org.

Animal Services sees increase in lost pets

Santa Barbara County Animal Services saw a significant increase in the number of lost pets coming into its facilities for the sixth month in a row during April. The shelter plans to expand its team and hold more community events to meet the needs of the increasing number of lost pets.

“We know that the community we serve has the capacity to help us, and we are committed to building one of the largest foster programs on the central coast,” Director Sarah Aguilar said in her April summary of services.

Shelter Operations reported a 90.2% live release rate during April, according to its monthly report. To enhance reunification efforts, the department plans to host adoption drives and volunteer meetings. The organization has also partnered with local organizations such as Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter, Santa Barbara Humane and the Animal Shelter Assistance Program to hold free microchip clinics throughout Santa Barbara County starting in June.

The shelter also facilitated the adoption of 156 pets, about a 25% increase from the previous year; however, transfers to foster homes were lower. Animal services placed 127 dogs and 141 cats and kittens in foster care.

Aguilar also emphasized the growing need for support of newborn animals and expecting dog and cat mothers in their monthly summary. “Challenges to access veterinary care over the past three years mean an increase in the need for support of pregnant moms across our community,” the report said.

The shelter is finalizing a proposal to transfer licensing services to a third party to enhance customer service and improve efforts to increase licensing and reunification rates. To meet the needs of the increase of animals in their services, the shelter is also expanding its animal care team and is actively recruiting for key positions. See more at sbcanimalservices.org.

New Directions Travel searches for volunteer tour guides

New Directions Travel, a non-profit organization, is looking for volunteer chaperones across Santa Barbara County and in Carpinteria to support adults with intellectual disabilities on vacation tours. This non-profit provides local, national and international vacations for adults with brain impairments. The vacation tours range from three to 10 days, with various locations such as Disneyland, Las Vegas and Hawaii. All travel fees will be covered.

Some requirements for this position include having respect for people with disabilities, good communication skills and the ability to lift 50 pounds. Additionally, tour guides must have a CPR certification, a clean DMV record and pass a background check. Experience with IDD is preferred. See more at NewDirectionsTravel.og/tourguides.

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KARLSSON FILE PHOTO

Lions Club of Carpinteria President Matt Dawson salutes a wreath during the Lion’s Memorial Day remembrance in May 2022.

Beach

A deceased juvenile whale washed up on Padaro Beach over the weekend; according to KEYT, local organization Heal the Ocean will pay to remove the animal from the beach. Locals who spot the whale should not touch the animal or get too close to prevent disease.

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City Council approves three legislative position letters

Council addresses SB423, state housing funds, fentanyl crisis

BY ATMIKA IYER

The Carpinteria City Council approved three legislation position letters on Monday, relaying its opposition to Senate Bill 423, requesting a permanent budgetary allocation for housing production and requesting the state take action in response to the fentanyl public health crisis. The

fornia State Senator Scott Wiener, author of SB423; the second letter to Senator Nancy Skinner, Senator Roger Niello, Assemblymember Philip Ting and Assemblymember Vince Fong; and the third letter to California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher.

ties within the state that are not meeting their housing targets. The city’s letter states that despite the concern of a lack of affordable housing in California, expediting the process of acquiring permits removes environmental and community considerations and input.

of $3 billion annually so that cities may “help more Californians find homes and prevent more Californians from having to live on the streets, under bridges, or in their cars.”

letter was addressed to Cali-

SB423 would expedite the process of acquiring a housing permit in communi-

Little fills Architectural Review Board seat

Following the retirement of Jim Reginato from the Carpinteria’s Architectural Review Board (ARB), the city received one application from Richard Little to fill the board’s vacancy. The council unanimously approved Little’s appointment on Monday.

Little, who was present at the meeting, shared that he “always had a passion for architecture and design,” and pursued the major in college until his father instructed him to pursue a more lucrative career to better provide for his family through accounting.

“But I never lost that enthusiasm and passion for architecture and design. When my wife and I moved to Carpinteria, we saw so much of the small town, beautiful buildings and history that we really wanted to be a part of the community as far as the design boards,”

Little said.

Councilmember Monica Solórzano inquired about Little’s perspective on further developing the city of Carpinteria – a controversial topic in the area.

“I certainly am in support of encouraging development in the city, but not to the point of losing its charm,” Little responded. “I’m not anti-growth. We’ve become stagnated, and it’s not a good thing. We need to allow people to develop things that are beneficial not only for their livelihoods but that will help beautify the city.”

Councilmember Roy Lee thanked Reginato for his tenure with the Carpinteria ARB.

“I just want to thank Reginato for all his services and commitment to our community. If he’s watching, Jim, you’re awesome and we’ll miss you,” Lee said.

“This measure would double-down on the recent trend of the state to override its own mandated local housing plans by forcing cities to approve certain housing projects without regard for the needs of the community, opportunities for environmental review, or public input,” the letter stated.

The second letter asks the state legislature to create a permanent funding source

The letter also asks the state to pay its backlog of unreimbursed claims to cities in California, which would amount to around $200,000 for the city of Carpinteria.

The final letter calls on Rendon and Gallagher to “to thoughtfully deliberate on and provide solutions for one of the most pressing issues of our time” as two bills increasing punishments for people who sell fentanyl make their way through the California State Assembly.

Sheriff’s office reports uptick in accidents, reduced thefts

Lieutenant Butch Arnoldi, from Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) Carpinteria Station, reported an uptick in arrests, but reduced thefts and accidents, in Carpinteria between January 2023 and April 2023.

Physical assaults increased from 27 to 32, burglaries decreased from six to five, thefts decreased from 45 to 37, accidents decreased from 21 to 18, DUI arrests

increased from 15 to 19, felony arrests increased from 33 to 38, misdemeanor arrests increased from 149 to 156, calls for service increased from 2,991 to 3,235 and homeless transit contacts increased from 155 to 193 from calls for service, according to Arnoldi.

He also shared that the Carpinteria station currently has five vacancies as a result of injuries on the job.

Council revises five-year project plan

The Carpinteria City Council unanimously repealed its Feb. 13 resolution approving a five-year plan for local projects in order to approve a revised version; the revised version reflected changes to expense estimates within the Measure A Local Street and Transportation Improvements Submittal Form.

Director of Public Works John Ilasin reminded the council that adopting this five-year program of projects is mandatory for the city to be in accordance with Measure A. Funds for Measure A are collected through a sales tax; it operates as an investment plan to fund road repair, traffic relief and transportation safety projects.

Proclamation: National Public Works Week

The city approved May 21-27 as National Public Works Week in Carpinteria for the fourth year in a row, to recognize those who work in the field maintaining infrastructure, facilities and services, and to raise awareness of public works personnel being designated first responders.

Public works includes transportation, maintenance of public spaces and facilities, management of water and wastewater, solid waste management and street sweeping.

“Many thanks to our crew that really keeps the city humming behind and in front of the scenes,” Mayor Al Clark said.

The Public Works First Responder logo includes an orange and white striped flag.

Carpinteria Community Library now

fully staffed

New technician started May 1

BY GILLIAN FLATH

Following the hiring of Holden Arquilevich as the new Carpinteria Community Library technician on May 1, Carpinteria’s library is now fully staffed. The municipal library – run by the city of Carpinteria – opened in July of last year, after years of operating as part of the larger Santa Barbara County library system.

Prior to graduating from Hendrix College in Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in history, Arquilevich worked under an AmeriCorps program for a year, where he said his plans of becoming a teacher shifted into something different.

“The school librarian of the school that I was posted at was really wonderful,” Arquilevich said. “I saw what a fantastic job being a librarian looked like and it seemed like a pretty close place to pivot from wanting to be a teacher.”

After working as a library assistant and shelver in Portland, Oregon, Arquilevich moved back home to Ojai, California, where he currently resides. He said that after searching on governmentjobs.com, the “one stop shop” for library positions, he found an opening at Carpinteria Community Library.

“After I got an interview with (librarians) Jody and Eric, it was pretty wild because it was looking like I wasn’t going to get the job at first,” Arquilevich said. “But then out of the blue, I got a call from City Hall, and they were like ‘just kidding, do you want the position?’”

During his application process, Arquilevich applied to other libraries near Ojai, but this position was the one that he wanted the most.

“I was really stoked about it,” Arquilevich said. “It was one of those interviews where you could tell that even if you weren’t going to get the job, they still cared about you being successful.”

He is currently enrolled in an online master’s in library sciences program (MLIS) at Valdosta State University, where he’s gained an interest in several librarian duties, such as processing mate-

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“Since it’s such a tiny library, we get to do everything that they need help with,” Arquilevich said. “Everything from circulation to customer service to getting notices ready, processing materials, troubleshooting people’s accounts. It’s a lot of the stuff that I’m interested in because of my library sciences degree.”

A rquilevich said that working as a library tech in the Carpinteria Community Library is a “sweet” opportunity, and he is going to start working on more in-depth work that employees at larger libraries might not get the opportunity to do.

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Holden Arquilevich is the Carpinteria Community Library’s new technician.

Betty Louise Franklin 08/06/1953 – 05/16/2023

Betty left us way too soon, after a lingering illness. She was born to Marga and Alfred Franklin at St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara. Betty and her twin sister Barbara were born an hour apart; hence, Betty always referred to Barbara as her older sister.

The family resided in Carpinteria, where Betty grew up through the Carpinteria public school system, graduating from Carpinteria High School with the class of 1971. Betty was also a graduate of the school of hard knocks, as life wasn’t always easy. Her mother passed away when Betty was just six years old. Her father tried hard to keep the family together, but earning a living and raising a family proved difficult and he arranged to have the twins live with and be raised by Marga’s best friend, Betty Taylor, and her husband, Al, who also resided in Carpinteria.

Betty tried marriage twice, but it didn’t agree with her. The first was to her high school beau, Mac Brown, then later to Scott McLeod. Although both marriages ended in divorce, Betty became good friends with both.

In her professional life, Betty worked at Cate School, before she enjoyed a career in corporate marketing. She was employed by QAD in Summerland, then recruited by Meta Creations in Carpinteria. When Meta moved out of state, Betty decided she needed to spread her wings as well

and moved to Basel, Switzerland, where she lived for several years. While there, she worked with a large pharmaceutical firm as its English language marketing representative. She quickly learned to speak both German and French, mostly self-taught. Ultimately, Betty could converse in five languages. When she returned from abroad, she continued her career with the European pharmaceutical firm on a contractual basis and also contracted with local firms in the tourist industry.

She had purchased a home in Summerland just prior to her European adventure and eagerly moved back when she returned. She identified with Summerland and became involved in the Summerland Citizens Association and Summerland Beautiful. She also volunteered for Girls Inc. of Carpinteria and was elected to the board of directors of the Summerland Sanitary District, which she served on for several years. She dearly loved her Summerland home and resided there until shortly before her passing.

Betty is survived by her sisters Cathy Closson (Rick) and Lea Ojeda, brother John, and many loving and loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in this journey by her parents, brother Mike, sisters Linda and Barbara and niece Michelle. Sadly, when her twin Barbara passed, a part of Betty left us as well. Although not blessed with children of her own, Betty was a fun and loving aunt to her many nieces and nephews.

Many years ago, her niece Michelle wrote: “Think of a daisy, what do you see? I see gardens & children, innocence & dreams. I see worriless nights & carefree days. I see love & comfort & young foolish games. I wish you a daisy!”

Indeed, Betty was our daisy!

In her passing, Betty gave to Hospice of Santa Barbara and the Carpinteria Community Library. Those wishing to remember Betty are asked to do the same in her name. An informal gathering with mostly family to spread her ashes has yet to be scheduled.

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Joseph Lazaro

09/07/1933 – 05/16/2023

Beloved and loving husband, father and “Pop Pop” Joseph Lazaro passed away on May 16 at the age of 89.

Born in Garfield, NJ to John and Angela Lazzara, Joe was a gifted athlete, excelling at football, softball, swim, gymnastics and boxing. A Golden Gloves boxer, Joe attained a spot on the 1952 Olympics team, serving as an alternate in Helsinki. Joe graduated Hackensack High School and immediately enrolled in the U.S. Marine Corps, and proudly served in Korea in 1953. He married the absolute love of his life, Marilyn “Lynn” D’Eletto, in 1956 and graduated from the New Jersey State Police Academy in 1959, eventually attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Joe built a home and moved his family of seven from Wanamassa to Toms River in the mid-1960s, where he and Marilyn spent many happy years watching their children grow, hosting gatherings of family and friends, and attending St. Joseph Church. Joe played on many different State Police ball teams and dabbled in drawing, woodworking and photography. In anticipation of the arrival of their first grandchild in 1983, Joe

For the record...

and Lynn relocated to Carpinteria, CA, where they lived the rest of their lives surrounded by their adoring children, and eventually, many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, wonderful neighbors and faithful friends.

Joe became a licensed general contractor and served on the Parish Council of St. Joseph Church in Carpinteria. He was a member of the VFW, served on the Citizens Council on Crime, and joined Rotary International. A Paul Harris Fellow and ardent believer of the Rotary “Four Way Test,” Joe later co-founded the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning.

Nothing made Joe happier than gathering with family and friends, telling stories, playing harmonica, listening to music and drawing with a child in his lap. Joe could often be found laughing and talking with his “coffee klatch” around a table at Jack’s Bagels or Tyler’s Donuts, often with his dog in his arms.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents; younger brother Evans Lazzaro and his wife Terry; fatherin-law John D’Eletto and mother-in-law Mary D’Eletto; brother-in-law John D’Eletto and sister-in-law Jane D’Eletto; and brother-in-law Thomas Vancheri. He is survived by his children Marybeth (Martin) Carty, Geri (Gregg) Carty, Michael Lazaro, Angela (John) Krablin and Joanne Vega, along with 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law Edith Vancheri and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Joe leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, music and family, and will be missed by his large and loving family forever.

A funeral mass will be held on July 29 at 10 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Church in Montecito. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rotary Foundation, 5410 Hales Ln., Carpinteria, CA 93013.

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In CVN Vol. 29, No. 35, “City Council approves steep slope path for the Rincon Multi-Use Trail Project,” the city planning commission approved the Rincon Trail in January 2022, not the county; the First District City Committee will also look into additional traffic calming research.

LETTERS

It’s about time for the Rincon Trail project

We owe a thank you to one of the newest members of the Carpinteria City Council, Monica Solórzano, to finally move the Rincon Trail project forward. Our mayor has failed to lead on numerous occasions, and seemed to favor kicking the can down the road one more time. This concept has been waiting to go forward since 2016! We ended up with 10 alternatives, and have spent 10 times the amount of dollars and time with this project while capable city staff did the due diligence needed, and the mayor favored one more go around. Unconscionable.

Will Carleton Carpinteria

Outdoor dining adds European charm

I am writing to say how much my husband and I enjoy the outdoor restaurant seating available on Linden Avenue. We sincerely hope it will be permanent. It is reminiscent of spending time in European cities. It adds charm and is a positive addition to the ambience of our quaint town.

Linda Hernandez Carpinteria

Coastal View News welcomes your letters

Letters must include your name, address and phone number. Letters are subject to editing. Letters over 300 words will be edited in length. Submit online at coastalview.com

Overcoming stigma: give our youth greater mental health resources

BY DEBORAH SMILOVITZ FOSTER, PHD

Editor’s Note: May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month. This four-week series, from HopeNet of Carpinteria, focuses on mental health awareness and mental health resources in the Carpinteria and Santa Barbara areas.

Our world is at a crossroads, especially in terms of mental health; over the past 15 years, the mental health of young people in the United States has been greatly affected.

Between 2007 and 2018, the suicide rate among Americans ages 10 to 24 increased by 65%. Paired with concerns about social media, violence, natural disasters, climate change and political conflict, these issues have compounded the normal ups and downs of childhood and adolescence. More people are sharing their personal struggles with depression, anxiety, anger, trauma and difficult relationships.

We need more support systems in place to take care of these needs including prescribed medications, psychotherapy and community/government support. There is a common stigma against mental health problems that limits our ability as a society to embrace and address mental health problems and to learn the skills to reduce illness.

In addition to stigma, contributing factors to ongoing mental illness issues likely include misinformation, discrimination and online bullying. Female students also report much higher levels of sexual violence than their male peers, which further harms their mental health.

There are family limitations that affect millions of U.S. children, including poverty, food insecurity, homelessness and lack of access to health care and educational opportunities. These lead to stress responses such as anxiety, withdrawal and anger, which are known to underlie mental health challenges and perpetuate physical illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over the last 10 years there has been a 40% increase in feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness, which includes suicidal thoughts and behaviors; major depressive episodes also increased by 52%. These are the highest rates we have ever seen. One in four people are experiencing more stress; an increase from last year, which saw one in five people.

Some actions family members and caregivers can take to help our youth include being a healthy role model by getting enough sleep, taking technology breaks, exercising, eating nutritious food and spending time with family and friends. Cultivating safe and caring relationships with others leads to open communication, positive validation and acceptance. Creating consistent and persistent routines help with navigating daily demands and expectations. Practice check-ins with one another to take a mental health temperature and find out what is going on in one another’s lives to stay connected. If there are issues that need to be addressed, the sooner you work on those the better off the individual will be.

Our culture is moving toward a more responsive mode, instead of a wait and see approach. It will be essential for each of us to continue the process of reorienting our priorities to create greater access to resources and build a culture that normalizes and promotes mental health. We need to look at emotional hygiene the same way we focus on physical hygiene, just like brushing our teeth or going to an annual checkup. We can create positive change for young people.

CARPINTERIA

Providing local news and information for the Carpinteria Valley

Managing Editor Evelyn Spence

Assistant Editor Jun Starkey

Sports Editor Ryan P. Cruz

Graphic Designer Kristyn Whi enton

Photographer Robin Karlsson

Advertising Manager Karina Villarreal

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 County, Case No. 210046. Coastal View News assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

The good news is that adults in the U.S. have been becoming increasingly committed to working on their own mental health. This directly helps our teen population because they learn about self-care from others. New mental health recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force are working to evaluate and implement preventative health services for our youth. Anxiety screenings for youth ages eight to 18 have begun, as well as regular depression screenings for adolescents ages 12 to 18. These essential screenings are moving in the direction of increasing preventative medicine and intervention. Some are already being administered and being utilized in our community.

If you have time and are able, volunteer to help our youth by being a mentor or as a big brother/big sister. Mental wellness for all of us begins in our own homes with our own family members by creating a loving, caring and healthy home, based on honesty, kindness and conflict resolution.

Deborah Smilovitz Foster, PhD, has a private clinical practice, is a wife and mother, and enjoys playing tennis and spending time in nature. She can be reached at deborahsmilovitzfosterphd@yahoo.com. Dr. Foster serves as vice president on the board of HopeNet of Carpinteria (hopenetofcarp.org), whose mission is to improve mental wellness of our residents and to lessen the number of attempted and completed suicides in our community through information, support, training and advocacy.

Some actions family members and caregivers can take to help our youth include being a healthy role model by getting enough sleep, taking technology breaks, exercising, eating nutritious food and spending time with family and friends.

CHS students honored for academic excellence

More than 40% of Carpinteria High School students earned 3.5 GPA or higher

CVN

SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK

DIANA RIGBY CUSD SUPERINTENDENT

On May 15, 281 Carpinteria High School students (43.7%) were recognized for high academic achievement with GPAs above 3.5., of which 183 students earned 4.0 GPA and above. One hundred and forty-five students were also recognized for excellence in each department.

Appreciation

I would like to recognize this year’s retiree, Sylvia Figueroa, a first grade DLI teacher from Canalino Elementary School, for her 30 years of dedicated service to Carpinteria Unified School District students, families and colleagues.

Congratulations

Four Carpinteria Middle School seventh grade students – including Samantha Sanchez, Evelyn Ailes-Moreno, Callie Balch and Mariah Galvez – were selected to attend a one-week UCSB summer camp, Tech Trek , with a focus on STEM education.

Congratulations to the cast/crew of Carpinteria Family School’s musical production “Finding Nemo Jr.” and to the Summerland cast/crew for the musical production of “Character Matters.”

Math Superbowl

Students in fourth through sixth grades from Summerland, Canalino, Carpinteria Family School and CMS will participate in the 2023 Math Superbowl on May 31 at Earl Warren Showgrounds. This mathematics competition event includes challenging math tests, exciting problem solving and team competition.

CHS Prom

We appreciate CHS ASB and CHS parents for sponsoring the 2023 Prom at Girls Inc. on May 20 with the After Prom Party, Casino Night, in the CHS gym.

CHS Agriculture Department

During the week of May 16 to May 19, CHS Agriculture students hosted a petting zoo/livestock observation for CUSD kindergarten classes. The culinary students baked cookies and the arts department provided art activities for the young students.

CUSD Board Meeting Students review Youth Summit with school board

BY JUN STARKEY

Governor’s May revised budget (From CalSchoolNews.org: May 16)

“Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a $306.5 billion revised budget on May 12, scaled back to account for a $31.5B shortfall. That’s up from the $22.5B projected deficit announced just four months ago. A year ago, Newsom was reporting a surplus of nearly $100B. The state is facing significant economic uncertainty, buoyed by an extension of tax filing deadlines in most counties. That uncertainty could complicate the next month of negotiations between Newsom and lawmakers. The new proposal would allocate $106.8B from Prop. 98 to school districts and community colleges. That’s $2B less than what was proposed in January and $4B less than what was included in California’s historic budget two years ago. The 8.2% cost of living adjustment for K-12 and community colleges would remain unchanged. However, billions in one-time funding for learning recovery and the arts would be cut. Some programs would get more, not less funding under the new plan. These include Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program and dyslexia screening efforts. This May revision also scales back funding for transitional kindergarten, which has not attracted the number of students that state had hoped.”

23-24 staff recruitment

We have hired 14 new certificated teachers for 2023-24, and we continue to recruit for a Speech/Language Pathologist and Bilingual CMS Social Studies teacher.

Summerland Courts project

This week, the main tie into the storm drainage system was completed. The retaining wall has been inspected and will be poured next week. Street and sidewalk work will begin on the lower end. Work on the court slab will also begin once the retaining wall is cured.

Measure U

The district met with architect Robert Robles to review the DSA submitted drawings for the Canalino Learning Center and the preliminary building footprint for the Aliso Elementary School Transitional Kindergarten (TK)/Kindergarten classrooms. The Canalino Learning Center drawings are now at DSA for review and approval. The district, Aliso principal and Aliso TK/K staff will meet in June to finalize the drawings for the TK/K classrooms.

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

Trash, Recyclables and Yard/Organic Waste Pick Up Delay Due to the Memorial Day Holiday

Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 29, trash, recyclables and yard/organic waste will be collected one day later than usual, on Friday, June 2 in the City of Carpinteria.

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More than 30 Carpinteria High School (CHS) students traveled to New York City from April 17 to April 21 as part of the school’s Virtual Enterprise course; several of the students recounted their trip at the Carpinteria Unified School District board of trustees meeting on Tuesday, May 9.

“We took the biggest class that we’ve ever had, we took 33 students,” said Julie Rubio-Shamblin, virtual enterprise teacher for CHS. Virtual Enterprise is an entrepreneurial course for CHS seniors, where students are asked to create a business from scratch, including the business idea, name, logo, marketing plan, human resources manual, website and more.

Students compete in online or in person competitions throughout the year, and this year the CHS Virtual Enterprise class qualified to attend the Youth Business Summit in New York City, where they competed against thousands of students throughout the country.

The company created by the students was called Guardian, which are accessories or jewelry enabled with Bluetooth tracking. Rubio-Shamblin said she challenged her students to come up with a product or idea that was topical and relevant to the state of California. During this time, human trafficking was a major

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concern and talking point throughout the state, and students became inspired to create a product that combated the issue, while remaining affordable for families and everyday wear.

“Someone that is kidnapping you… they’ll keep the jewelry, thinking that it’s something valuable,” explained Gabriel Flores, the CFO for Guardian. “That way, you’re safe.”

The CHS class also visited several iconic New York locations, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, Chinatown, Central Park and the 9/11 Memorial, among many others.

“This is really amazing, and an accomplishment, so be very proud of yourselves,” said CUSD board president Jaime Diamond.

Public Comment

Several instructional aides from CUSD attended the May 9 meeting to implore the board to fairly compensate aides in the district, many of whom claim they are paid less than incoming aides.

Heidi Medel, an instructional aide at Aliso Elementary School, said CUSD is not compensating its current instructional aides, some of whom have been in the district for several years. “New (instructional aides) are making three to four dollars an hour more,” Medel said. “This feels unjust.”

SCHOOL NOTES

Canalino Elementary teacher honored by GATE Council

Kristy Guerrero, a second-grade teacher at Canalino Elementary School, was honored by the Tri-county GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Council recently for her commitment to rigorous education for all students.

“Kristy Guerrero is committed to high-quality instruction for all subjects, but especially in mathematics,” said Carpinteria Unified School District GATE Coordinator, Crystal Marshall, in a press release. Marshall nominated Guerrero in March.

Marshall commended Guerrero for her work in implementing engagement strategies for math. Guerrero was involved in the Math Project at UC Santa Barbara, a professional development program for K-12 mathematics, and also helped coordinate the annual Family Math Night at Canalino in November 2022.

“Rigorous math tasks are necessary to the future success of students, and, put simply, she talks the talk and walks the walk,” Marshall said.

CHS wraps up semester of AP Chemistry

Carpinteria High School’s Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry class has ended for the semester. Junior and senior students in AP chemistry are exposed to college-level chemistry content, which they are later tested on; students can potentially use the credit from the high school course to waive chemistry courses in college, according to chemistry teacher Noe Gomez.

“…and that’s a wrap!... The students’ curiosity and brilliance continues to be an outstanding catapult for learning,” Gomez said.

Back row, from left: CHS chemistry teacher Noe Gomez, Silke L., Connor F., Paul B., Griffin Y., Wes C. and Judah T.; front row from left: Camryn B., Dillan S., Francis B., Juan Q., Ryan S. and Anthony Y.

Revering our Huey

Editor’s Note: The Vietnam Veterans of America Local Chapter 218 is looking for a home for a local Huey helicopter. The helicopter has made appearances at several parades and events in the area since the chapter acquired it in 1993. According to Maureen McFadden, the “‘bird’ means so much more to our members because to all the men and women in VVA Chapter 218, this Huey is family.”

This piece’s author, Rik Peirson, is a decorated combat vet – a captain in Military Intelligence – who served as a MACV Advisor in IV Corps, Republic of Vietnam, 1968-’69.

To learn more about Huey and the campaign to find the helicopter a home, visit vvachapter218.org/huey or call Huey pilot Ed Foster at (805) 770-0979.

BY RIK PEIRSON

It was on a random day in November of ‘68 when a Huey dropped me and my gear onto a Vietnamese soccer field, delivering me to my assigned MACV team 69 in An Giang Province, high in the Delta. MACV stands for Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; it ran teams of advisors to every province and district.

I spent my year on an advisory team, right on the Mekong River, west of Saigon. It was a small but nimble team, made up of a West Point major (who was also our district’s senior advisor), a captain (the Major’s XO, Executive Officer), a radio operator and an Air Force medic. I was attached as the Phoenix officer. Connections with the world (beyond our old school radios) were done on a Vespa scooter, one of two Boston whalers, an Army Jeep, or the next available Huey.

Our major went down in a Huey my first week there. Everybody survived, but a local Vietnamese district chief broke

his back. One other downing happened when I was three months in country: a Huey went down a few clicks away (clicks meaning kilometers) where we lost a pilot and the door gunner, with one other wounded. But a second Huey went in immediately, despite the danger.

Its crew scooped up the dead and wounded, helped destroy the bird and lifted off (whomp, whomp, whomp) in what must have been record time.

Huey’s often flew in pairs for just this reason, where one could evacuate the other’s crew when evacuation was necessary. This same strategy was used by pairs of PBR boats (Patrol Boats, River) – the jet-powered, well-armed river boats that took us in and (more importantly) got us out – following operations.

But it was the Huey pilots who were often most revered for their bravery in taking their birds in for a rescue – not just in HOT LZs (landing zones), but in places where there were no LZs at all! If everybody was mobile, they grabbed the skids and were hoisted in, and the Huey never had to land. I swear an unspoken job description of door gunners was to be the local greeter. With one hand on their M-60 (machine gun) they’d use their other hand to grab the belt of a rescue to help haul him aboard. Huey crews were legendary for their courage – flying into and out of questionable places, including

ones where they probably shouldn’t have been.

I spent more time on PBRs than on Huey’s and – as a confirmed Army guy – I need to comment on the Navy guys. They were our instant brothers-in-arms. Ready, willing and very capable collaborators. The friendly banter, usually over bragging rights – that happens stateside surrounding the Army-Navy game –doesn’t really exist in a combat zone, where teamwork is serious business.

Back to ground pounding, where it didn’t take long to realize the value of our Huey’s, who always had our backs. Cobra gunships were in the area, too, if we were lucky, as were the little fixed-wing pipers that flew above it all, coordinating and directing the Cobras and Huey’s, identifying and communicating colors of smoke to separate the friendlies from the bad guys. But it was the Huey’s who were closer in – and always in the fight.

This is why it’s been so special for our unit (VVA Chapter 218) to “own” a Huey. As a marketing guy, I’m always lucky to find a good two-dimensional graphic to represent a client or an initiative. To have a much bigger-than-life, 3D icon like the Huey to represent us is a branding dream come true.

We obtained this Huey thirty years ago in 1993, and everyone in our chapter is on edge about losing her. We hope a group or organization close to us will come forward with help.

We need a local place where the bird can be displayed 24/7/365, probably on a pole, in a situation where we can provide adequate security.

At different local events, including Fourth of July parades, car shows and other display opportunities, I’ve personally lifted a couple of hundred kids into the cockpit of the Huey. I’ve seen them literally light up, so overwhelmed and enchanted they’d forget the sound of their mothers’ voices. It’s my fondest hope that in time, hundreds of young adults will remember when they were kids and were hoisted aboard that Huey. They probably didn’t know much about Vietnam “back then” but their brush with our Huey will undoubtedly add context to their later, deeper understanding of the war. There’s real magic in the bird. And our appeal is for help to keep it in the area, so it can enchant generations of local kids for years to come.

Rik Peirson and the team dog Checker

“...it was the Huey pilots who were often most revered for their bravery in taking their birds in for a rescue – not just in HOT LZs (landing zones), but in places where there were no LZs at all!”

County sues a Carpinteria Valley cannabis grower, then approves a permit

Neighbors at the Polo Condos will appeal; it’s been a smelly five years with little relief, they say

BY MELINDA BURNS

Island Breeze Farms, a cannabis greenhouse operation that was sued by the county in 2021 for allegedly creating “a continuing public nuisance,” failing to make progress on a zoning permit application and engaging in “unfair competition,” was granted a permit this spring by the county planning department, confounding Carpinteria Valley residents who thought the project would be shut down.

“It’s a perfect example of a broken system,” said Jeremy Norris, who lives next door to Island Breeze, a “grow” on two acres at 3376 Foothill Rd. at the western end of the valley. The “skunky” stench of pot from the grow has caused him and his family to suffer headaches, not to mention rental income, Norris said, adding, “If they’re approved, they will devalue my property and make my financial life more difficult. There have been warm days when you feel sick breathing the air around you.”

Across the street, residents at the exclusive Polo Condos say they have protested for years – in emails, phone calls, odor complaints, letters and a meeting at the club with county officials, including Das Williams, their county supervisor – that the smell of pot wafts into their homes, particularly during summer and especially at morning and night, when the greenhouse roof vents are opened wider to allow heat to escape. The entrance gate to the condos is 50 feet from Island Breeze.

As recently as March 3, the following anonymous odor complaint was filed with the county with reference to the 3376 Foothill Rd. grow: “Woke up in my bedroom this morning to the stench of pot, and my right nostril clogged. Every door & window closed in the house. It comes down our shower vents and chimney! After several minutes, I had a headache. This has got to stop.”

Now Norris and the Polo Condos board, representing more than 300 residents in 140 units at 3375 Foothill Rd., next to the polo fields at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, have appealed to the county Planning Commission to deny the permit for Island Breeze that was approved by county Planning and Development staff on March 31. A hearing date has been tentatively set for July 26. The commission’s vote can be appealed to the County Board of Supervisors by either party.

“Tired of appeals”

Island Breeze is just the latest of dozens of cannabis projects to confront an appeal – either by residents of the Carpinteria Valley, where the county has allowed flower greenhouses to convert massively to industrial-scale marijuana on the doorstep of densely populated neighborhoods, or by residents of the North County, where outdoor grows have proliferated. Although the stink in the valley is not as bad as it was several years ago, it still lingers in a number of hot spots, and Foothill Road is one of them.

The county usually approves cannabis permits on appeal. In drafting their lenient cannabis ordinance of 2018, the supervisors sought to “develop a robust and economically viable legal cannabis industry,” overriding “significant and unavoidable” impacts from “objectionable odors.”

“We get so tired of appeals; they’re never successful,” said Jim Mannoia, president of the Polo Condos board. “But we think that this particular grower is not a good citizen. They’re a bad actor.”

Mark Brickley, the condo board secre-

tary, added: “We’re hopeful that at some point, the county will say no.”

The Polo Condo residents, who include retirees and families with children, love their views of the ocean and the mountains, their front-seat views of polo matches and the feel of being out in the country and not hemmed in by urbanization, the board members said. But the smell of cannabis can be awful, they said; and, besides the residents, it affects hundreds of children who attend summer camps at the club.

Williams, who is chair of the Board of Supervisors and was a chief architect of the cannabis ordinance, said this week that the lawsuit against Island Breeze and Island View Ranch, the property owner, has not been withdrawn. A trial date that had been set for this month has been continued to October to allow more time for permit review and settlement negotiations.

“Lawsuits take time,” Williams said. “We remain in litigation against Island Breeze across from the polo fields because we believe they no longer qualify to grow under our rules. They retain the right to apply for a permit, but that doesn’t mean that the Board of Supervisors will grant it, and indeed I believe we should not generally hand a permit to someone who won’t comply with our orders.

“If they don’t get a permit, they will lose their state licenses and be shut down.”

Mixed messages

The 10-acre property at 3376 Foothill includes Island Breeze, the cannabis operation; Island View Nursery, a business that sells landscaping plants and garden accessories, and a separate nursery business that sells plants wholesale.

The zoning permit for Island Breeze would allow cannabis cultivation in 13 greenhouses, each with five harvests per year and two rooms for drying, trimming and packaging the harvested product. The permit would require the use of a “vapor phase” system of perforated pipes along the roof ridge lines of some greenhouses and around the perimeter of the others to set up a curtain of mist – a plant-based chemical vapor that is meant to “mask” the smell of cannabis.

State and county records show that Island View Ranch LLC is registered to Robyn Whatley Miller of Thousand Oaks

and Lois Von Morganroth of Ventura. Whatley Miller, who signed the permit application, did not respond this week to a request for comment on the lawsuit or the appeal by the Polo Condos, and Von Morganroth said through a representative that she had no comment.

Back in 2021, the county sued Island View Ranch and Island Breeze, alleging that the cannabis operation “has not diligently pursued the required permits as its application has been pending with the County for over two years” and “has operated a commercial cannabis business at the Property without the required land use entitlement or business license.”

The operation “constitutes a continuing public nuisance” and has committed “acts of unfair competition,” the county alleged. By failing to comply with “regulatory safety measures,” it said, Island Breeze and Island View Ranch were profiting “to the detriment of lawful cannabis businesses operating in the county.”

Gary Bright, a Carpinteria attorney for Island View Ranch and Island Breeze, filed a response to the lawsuit in 2021, stating that the defendants “neither directly or indirectly performed any acts which would constitute a violation of any laws or regulations” and had not engaged in practices “likely to mislead an ordinary consumer or constitute unfair competition.” No “applicable laws or regulations define the alleged conduct of the Defendants as constituting a nuisance …” Bright stated, adding that the county’s arguments were “uncertain, ambiguous

and unintelligible.”

Bright did not respond to calls for comment this week.

The affidavit

Recreational marijuana was approved by California voters in 2016. Today, Santa Barbara and Humboldt counties routinely exchange the No. 1 ranking for the largest number of active cultivation licenses in the state; each has roughly 20 percent of the total.

In this county, as long as the growers signed an affidavit declaring that they had been cultivating medicinal marijuana before Jan. 19, 2016, the Board of Supervisors allowed them to continue operations and even expand them exponentially under “legal, non-conforming” status — so long as they applied for permits. The county largely took these affidavits at face value and did not investigate them.

The board of the Polo Club Condos has pushed hard for such an investigation with no success. Two years ago, the board obtained a copy of the cannabis lease for Island Breeze. It was for one greenhouse, and it went into effect on Jan. 1, 2016, meaning the grower would have had just 18 days to get a medical marijuana operation up and running before the cutoff date for legal, non-conforming status. County records show that the grower signed an affidavit in February 2018 stating that

“Lawsuits take time. We remain in litigation against Island Breeze across from the polo fields because we believe they no longer qualify to grow under our rules. They retain the right to apply for a permit, but that doesn’t mean that the Board of Supervisors will grant it, and indeed I believe we should not generally hand a permit to someone who won’t comply with our orders.”

– Supervisor Das Williams

COURTESY PHOTO

The entrance to the Polo Condos is 50 feet from Island Breeze, a “grow” with 13 greenhouses. In 2021, the county sued Island Breeze, alleging that it was creating “a continuous public nuisance.” A trial in the case has been postponed until October.

he had been growing medical marijuana before Jan. 19, 2016.

The condo board hired a lawyer to take statements from several residents in the neighborhood who said they had not observed or smelled cannabis on the property before the cutoff date. One of them was Norris, who said he walked the property as a prospective buyer in January 2016 and saw no marijuana there. It wasn’t until October 2017 that he smelled the stench of pot from Island Breeze next door, Norris said.

In 2021 and again this January, the condo board sent the information it had gathered to the county Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney, Planning and Development and Board of Supervisors, requesting an investigation of Island Breeze’s affidavit. Both times, the condo board said, there was no response.

“We feel that there’s pretty solid evidence that no marijuana was being grown before the cutoff deadline, and that the affidavit was false,” Brickley, the board secretary, said. “What this leads us to is a narrative that the operators of this site have not been forthright.”

In an interview, Williams objected to the condo board’s assertions that the county had been unresponsive.

“The whole reason we did a case is because the neighbors raised the issue of the affidavits,” he said, referring to Island Breeze. “We think it’s really important for the rules to be enforced. We gathered affidavits from the neighbors about what they saw in activity there.”

(Mannoia said he didn’t know of anyone at the condos who had given a declaration for the lawsuit. The suit does reference “several complaints in the past two years concerning cannabis odor from the property and about the extent of a cannabis grow.”)

Before 2021, Williams said, there was a point when Island Breeze appeared to have suspended operations and “I hoped it was the last we’d see of them.” When operations started up again, he said, the county filed suit.

Subduing the smell

This May 2, county officials conducted their first odor inspection at Island Breeze; a report will be available in the coming weeks. Only five of the greenhouses were in active cultivation during the inspection, officials said. According to the condo board, that could explain why the smell has been much less noticeable during the past two months, although in cold weather, residents tend to keep their windows closed.

The permit for Island Breeze would require the installation of a Byers Scientific vapor-phase, or misting system, to mask or neutralize the smell of cannabis. That’s the most widely used odor control system across 35 operations and 155 acres of cannabis in the valley. But over the years, many residents have complained

that the perfume-y smell of the chemical mist bothers them just as much as the smell of cannabis.

Responding to the complaints, a few growers are now using or have pledged to transition in coming years to carbon filters, or “scrubbers,” to replace their misting systems. The scrubbers are installed inside the greenhouses to eliminate the smell of cannabis before it can escape through the roof vents.

Last year, Coastal Blooms Inc., a group of cannabis operators in the valley, conducted an odor study at a greenhouse that they equipped with state-of-the-art Envinity scrubbers from the Netherlands. It showed that, on average, the scrubbers could eliminate 84% of the cannabis smell inside a greenhouse. Yet the county has not required the use of these or any other scrubbers, industry-wide.

County records show that Island Breeze has been using a Byers vapor phase system since at least 2021. Before the county filed its lawsuit that year, an attorney for Byers informed the officials that Island Breeze was using the system only a few hours every day, or not at all, and was diluting the neutralizing chemicals with water.

“We want to make it clear that Byers Scientific will accept no responsibility for any odor-related issues with this facility,” said Michael D. Head in a June 16, 2021, email to Planning and Development.

After the lawsuit was filed, Head noted, Island Breeze began running its vapor system full-time.

Condo board members say that as part of their permit appeal, they will bring up the cluster of cannabis operations at the western end of the valley and the expansion of Island Breeze from one greenhouse in 2017 to 13 greenhouses today.

Just 700 feet to the southeast of the Polo Condos is Vista Verde Farms, a 13-acre grow that was approved for a permit at 3450 Via Real but is not yet up and running. Vista Verde has been required to install scrubbers but is allowed to fall back on a misting system, if necessary.

“It’s going to be hard for any odor technology to defeat the amount of cannabis being grown in the western end of the valley,” Brickley said.

Two years ago, a Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge ruled that the county’s policies, ordinances and environmental review allowed for clusters of cannabis grows and the expansion of medicinal grows.

“It’s very frustrating,” Mannoia said. “The legalization of marijuana is the law; we understand that. But when it begins to cause problems, it’s very difficult to retain a sense of the good faith of those who represent us. Every time we do what we’re told to do, it seems to come to naught.”

Melinda Burns is an investigative journalist with 40 years of experience covering immigration, water, science and the environment. As a

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Rolling around town with Gonzo Cycles

portunity to take over ownership and operations. I couldn’t be happier with the partnership.

Aside from bike and accessory sales, what services does your shop offer?

BOSSES

BY BOSTROM

INGRID BOSTROM

Jonathan Porinsh has been steering the operations of Gonzo Cycles since last year. Locals and visitors alike drop into his shop for their cycle needs. The following interview with Porinsh cruises through some history and offerings of Gonzo Cycles.

CVN: Where does the name Gonzo come from?

Jonathan Porinsh: Gonzo Cycles is named after the original owner, Joaquin Gonzalez, aka “Gonzo.”

When did you take over the shop and what drew you to do so?

I bought the shop from Gonzo in 2022 with Frank Isaac and Philip Greene, who have since left the business. I love bikes and I have wanted to own a bike shop for a long time. Gonzo is a great guy with a big heart and we didn’t want him to go anywhere. We also wanted to keep a local bike shop in Carp. After the pandemic, Gonzo was looking for a buyer so he could get back to doing what he loves, which is wrenching on bikes, and I was presented with an op -

We also rent and repair bikes. We offer full maintenance on most bikes. It’s pretty amazing how many people rent bikes during the summer. We have lots of folks who come to the campground and don’t want to haul all their bikes here and we also have people who come to Carp for the day and want to do a little exploring. We have pedal bikes for kids and adults as well as e-bikes. It’s the perfect way for anyone to cruise around and spend time in our beautiful little town.

What do you think your customers most appreciate about your shop?

I might be biased, but I think we have great service, and we are open seven days a week. We weren’t sure it would be cost effective to be open every day, but my goal was to make sure that anyone in Carp who needed something, whether a repair or an accessory, on their bike could always get that at our shop. I hope we’ve done a pretty good job so far.

Are you an avid cyclist?

I am an avid cyclist, much to my wife’s chagrin. I think she let me buy a bike shop so I could have somewhere to store all my bikes. I love riding on the road and in the mountains and I recently purchased a trainer which allows me to turn my road bike into a stationary bike for workouts in the garage when it’s not great weather, or I need to get a real quick workout in.

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

Cycles

INGRID BOSTROM PHOTOS

Jonathan Porinsh bought Gonzo Cycles in 2022.

At Gonzo Cycles, employees sell and rent bicycles.

Senior Spotlight

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Ariana Lounsbury

WHAT’S NEXT: Majoring in chemistry at UC Davis, where I plan to become a chemical researcher

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Going undefeated in tennis with my doubles partner Charlotte Cooney

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Spending the summer with my friends

Monica Delgado

WHAT’S NEXT: UC Davis, with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Playing water polo with my best friends and going out to eat after games

LOOKING FORWARD TO: The fun experiences ahead and meeting new people

Francis Bennett

WHAT’S NEXT: SBCC to study biology, then transferring to UCSB to become a clinical lab scientist

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Bus rides with my water polo team

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Making new friends and starting my life

Aaron Ramirez

WHAT’S NEXT: To work and provide for my family

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Lunch time with my friends

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Having a good life

Graduation for the Carpinteria High School class of 2023 is around the corner, so CVN popped over to the high school campus and asked soon-to-be Warriors graduates what their futures hold.

Gabriel Flores

Paul Birters

WHAT’S NEXT: UC Santa Barbara

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Chem labs with Mr. Gomez

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Pursuing my education in computer engineering to change the world!

Robert Morales

WHAT’S NEXT: SBCC for two years

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: The one dance I went to

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Making my own money

Stephanie Garcia

WHAT’S NEXT: Nursing at UCLA, to be a nurse practitioner

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Traveling with my tennis team to Palm Desert for the CIF playoffs

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Living in a dorm and exploring LA

WHAT’S NEXT: I will be attending Fresno State to study animal science and agricultural education.

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Winning the first football game since 2019 on my birthday

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Continuing my agricultural education in college

Chalk Walk 2023 adds color to Carpinteria

BY MELEA MAGLALANG PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Muralism partnered with the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center and the city of Carpinteria to host Chalk Up 2023 – an event which invited community members to add art along designated spaces on Linden Avenue – on May 20 and 21.

Muralism is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people with special needs to their communities through art projects in various cities, like painting murals or events like Chalk Up. Its mission is to paint one hundred murals by the 2028 Olympics.

The city held a similar event called “Chalk the Walk” in 2020; however, due to the pandemic, it was not held the following year. This year, the event provided an opportunity for children and families to get to know their community in a fun, colorful and casual environment, Ernie Merlan, founder and executive director of Muralism, said.

“This event was really about bringing in families and everyone getting to have a good time out there and not worrying about being super duper professional,” he said.

Merlan said Chalk Up brought the community together, as part of Muralism’s mission to bring people together through art. Although the organization primarily focuses on serving individuals with special needs, this weekend’s event was open to all as an opportunity to meet others within their local community.

“Everyone’s getting to come together, and working right next to someone they may never see otherwise,” he said. “It was just a great way for everyone to get together and do things as a community.”

Project manager Greg Perea added that the event also promoted business in downtown Carpinteria by directing foot traffic to the area. According to Perea, the event also received nearly triple the participation than initially anticipated, and Muralism is hoping to hold the event again next year.

“Just with the short timeline, with three weeks to put it all together, promote it and logistically support it, and to have the turnout exceeded by three times, I think there’s gonna be a value in holding it next year,” Perea said.

“We love our town. They’re so great about working with us and figuring out ways that we can do things that bring the community together, and this is a community that loves being together.”

From left: Luci Rogers, Anne Odom and Stephanie Gurland

Olivia Fox

From left, Clyde and hand

Diana Freeman, alongside Brian Mootz, chalk.

From left: Jessica Stovall, Aurora Stovall and Isabella Stovall share their love for Carpinteria.

Dr. Charlotte Gullap-Moore of SBCC chalks the city college logo. Tara Towers created the CHS logo.

Julia Fowler Jose Manuel

Canalino kids stop by FFA farm

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Students from Canalino Elementary School stopped by the Carpinteria High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) farm last Thursday to check out this year’s crop of animals. Students pet the goats and met the farm’s pigs, before creating an art project led by FFA members.

RIGHT, Canalino kids, from left, Crosby Bass, Daisy Pantaleon, Sally Green, River Taylor and Levi Kucharski made sheep out of construction paper and cotton balls, in honor of their visit to the farm.

Clover Martinez and Bowie

BELOW, Matthew Muñoz and Tank

RIGHT, Ivan Vargas, newly crowned 2023 prom king, leads Athena.

ABOVE, Canalino teacher Melody Aguila took her students on a trip to the FFA farm last Thursday. LEFT, Chris Medina with Nico Boy

Canalino kids pet two of the goats.

For the young at heart

JOYFUL AGING

LESLIE SOKOL

It can be argued that age is really just a state of mind. With a positive attitude, love of life and confidence, you can accomplish anything, no matter how old you are! Feeling good and being joyful from the inside out is so important. Sound mind, sound body. Starting your day in a healthy and happy way by moving your body, adopting a positive attitude and focusing on good nutrition is the way to go! Exercise is a natural medicine that helps move emotions through you; the body was made to move.

It can be challenging to set up a regular exercise routine. Start small and build on it each day, one day at a time. A lot of people ask me what form of exercise is best and I say, the one you enjoy the most! Perhaps you like to take walks, garden, swim, hike, play golf, lift weights, dance, practice yoga or stretch – whatever it is, try to set up a daily schedule and prioritize it. Doing a variety of exercises such as cross

training is also a good idea. It works the muscles in different ways and gives you a variety of workouts, while utilizing the whole body. Total fitness improves performance, prevents injury and is more enjoyable. Having fun and bringing joy to your workouts is most beneficial.

How to find joy in exercise

For many people, exercising feels like a chore, too much work or just plain boring. When we approach exercise with a negative mindset, it can feel like punishment and it’s definitely not fun. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. I encourage you to explore a joyful movement mentality and learn how to exercise in a way that benefits your mind, body and soul. Joyful movement means moving your body in ways that feel good to you in the moment. Some days you might want to take a leisurely walk while other days you might want to participate in a group dance class. What feels joyful and fun now may be different than what your body preferred years ago and that’s ok.

Your preferences change over time, in the same way that your body changes – discover what is new about yourself and celebrate those changes with a joyful mindset.

Age is just a number, so don’t allow your age to set your limitations. Make the most of life’s moments. Live in the present, enjoy your surroundings, be social and active in your community, be joyful and appreciative of the life you live!

Health tip of the day

Did you know that over 70% of your body is made up of water? As the weather gets warmer, you need to be aware of your daily fluid intake. You want to

stay hydrated and not get dehydrated. I always suggest that you drink before, during and after you exercise. The more active you are, the more fluids you need. Water is one of the best fluids to drink while exercising.

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program “For the Young at Heart.” She has been teaching adults and children for 45 years. You can watch “For the Young at Heart” by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB. She also teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For more information contact Leslie at Dancekidsfun@gmail.com, (805) 312-8089 or at LeslieSokolDance.com.

COURTESY PHOTO

From left, Cliff, Leslie Sokol, Grace and Eva from GranVida – a senior living community in Carpinteria – prepare for Sokol’s fitness class.

Exercise is a natural medicine that helps move emotions through you; the body was made to move.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”

ARTCETRA

Summer Drama Camp: June 12–23

Enrollment has opened for the 2023 Summer Drama Camp, a two-week camp at the Alcazar Theatre that will end with a live performance; the deadline for enrollment is June 8.

DUNCAN’S REEL DEAL

MATT DUNCAN

In a now-famous article on Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers), journalist Tom Junod recalls when Mr. Rogers asked him whether he had any special friends growing up. By “special friends,” Mr. Rogers didn’t mean any person – he meant, like, a stuffed animal, or a blanket or something. Mr. Rogers thought that special friends like this could be very important. And Junod did have a special friend – a stuffed bunny. And, indeed, it was very important.

I had a special friend growing up. It was Super Mario. I don’t know if Mr. Rogers would count that, but I do. My first encounter with my special friend was in Super Mario Bros. on the original Nintendo system. I soon met him again in Super Mario Bros. 2 and 3 (3 was my favorite). Then I played more games with Mario on Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, the Wii and now, the Nintendo Switch. We’ve had a long and fulfilling relationship, Mario and me.

So, when I heard that they were coming out with a new movie featuring my special friend, I was excited. And nervous. “This better not disappoint,” I thought.

Mario is voiced by Chris Pratt, Luigi by Charlie Day – real favorites of mine. So that’s a good start. In the movie, Mario and Luigi have just started a new plumbing business and are aching for new customers. Mario is great at what he does, but too ambitious and devil may care. Luigi is cautious – too cautious, probably – and also sort of inept. They’re a perfect pair. And, at any rate, they’re inseparable.

Mario and Luigi are normal plumbers living in New York City – they don’t fight crime or interact with any power stars, flying turtles or princesses. But that all changes when they go to a big, dangerous job one day. They get sucked into a pipe and find themselves in the world – the place where I so often met my special friend.

They don’t end up in the exact same place, though. While Mario is transported to the relatively innocuous Mushroom Kingdom – except for the fact that it is full of mushrooms and Mario, ironically, really doesn’t like mushrooms

– Luigi is put right on the doorstep of none other than Bowser (Jack Black). Luigi gets captured immediately, and Mario sets off to save him. I guess Bowser is being a meanie because he wants to marry Peach, but she isn’t having it and joins the fight.

Think of the rest of the movie like a big montage of Mario-themed diversions – adventures with Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), run-ins with Donkey Kong (Seth Rogan), flirtatious floundering with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and so on. The filmmakers’ concern, it seems, was not so much with drawing out a sustained and interesting melody but in striking individual notes that we, like Pavlov’s dog, have been trained to associate with the Super Mario Bros.

In other words, forget plot – which desperately wanted for an even modest creativity power up. Instead, bask in a parade of scenes that invoke various tidbits from the vast Mario corpus. Karts, cat suits, koopas and more – the whole shebang.

Confession: I don’t like parades. I want to like them, I get why people like them, and I’m even glad they happen

they’re so festive – but ask me to stand in a crowd for a couple of hours just to watch some bright things go by… No thanks, I’m all good.

I’m guess I’m similarly glad that “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” happened –my kids liked it, I get why others might like it, and, hey, I’m happy to bathe in nostalgia for a bit. So, was I horribly disappointed by it, as I had worried? No.

But ask me to do it again… No thanks, I’m all good.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is rated PG for action and mild violence.

Matt Duncan, a former Coastal View News editor, has taken physical but not emotional leave from Carpinteria to be a philosophy professor at Rhode Island College. In his free time from philosophizing, Duncan enjoys chasing his kids around, watching movies and updating his movie review blog, duncansreeldeal.blogspot.com.

Do you have a photo from Carpinteria’s past?

Contact news@coastalview.com to share it with other readers!

The camp is open for students in fourth through 12th grade; high school students may earn community service hours working as assistants and co-coaches. Students will gain hands-on experience in acting and character building, as well as set, light and costume design, under the direction of creative director Asa Olsson.

This year’s camp session will be held from June 12 to June 23, Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m. The Alcazar Theatre located at 4916 Carpinteria Ave. Tuition for camp is $305, and those interested may register by phone at (805) 901-3553, by emailing orsaasa@gmail.com or by going to thealcazar.org/calendar/11819-summer-drama-camp.

IBC debuts photos from local wildlife volunteer

Local artist and photographer Susie Clothier will have her photography displayed at Island Brewing Company from May 24 until July 9. Clothier is a Carpinteria freelance photographer who also works as a volunteer for Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network; many of the animals she’s spotted along the coast have become subjects in her photos.

“It is one thing to photograph these beautiful birds, but it is another to rescue them,” Clothier said in a press release. “I feel something special while looking at them now through a camera lens.”

Island Brewing Company is located at 5049 Sixth St.

Arts center to celebrate Charles Lo Bue

Charles Lo Bue, 90, was recently recognized by the Carpinteria City Council with a resolution honoring him for his years of supporting the arts in Carpinteria; the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center will honor Lo Bue and his resolution on Saturday, May 27 in the Koch Courtyard at 3:45 p.m., at 865 Linden Ave.

During the celebration, Mayor Al Clark will read aloud the resolution; the arts center will then host an arts reception for the “Palate to Palette” silent auction art exhibit, from 4–6 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Cottage Health opens artist commissions for new rehabilitation hospital

Cottage Health is calling on artists throughout the county – including as far north as San Luis Obispo, as far south as Ventura and as east as Bakersfield – to have local art be permanently installed in the new Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital in Goleta.

Cottage Health has announced its plans to move the Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital to its Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital campus, in order to create a new and expanded rehabilitation center.

The Art Committee at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital is seeking applications and work samples from artists who work in various media to be considered for commissions, as well as purchasing or licensing artwork. The works will be installed permanently starting in November 2023 until September 2025, and will be placed in corridors, waiting and consultation rooms, patient rooms and other public areas.

Mediums being considered – including existing and commissioned pieces – include original art, oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, mixed media art, glass, mosaics, photography and more. The themes for the various works may include wellness, active lifestyle and exercise representing both amputees and non-amputees; inspiring or motivational images for patients recovering from disease or injury; seascapes and coastal scenes; or natural landscapes and macro nature images.

Works can cost anywhere from $150 – the license fee for image usage – to $5,000 for original commissions. Applications will be accepted until June 19. Learn more by emailing Pam Nickell, senior project manager, at nickell@aesthetics.net.

I’m similarly glad that “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” happened – my kids liked it, I get why others might like it, and, hey, I’m happy to bathe in nostalgia for a bit.

COMPILED BY JUN STARKEY | COURTESY PHOTOS

Photographer Susie Clothier debuted her work at Island Brewing Company on May 24.

Carpinterian Charles Lo Bue was recognized by the Carpinteria City Council for his many years of supporting the arts in Carpinteria.

Latinx Arts Project introduces Carpinteria Cultural Foundation board

CCF will expand on the project’s mission, dedicate murals to the city’s Mexican heritage

BY JUN STARKEY

The newly formed board of the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation (CCF) was introduced to the community on May 20, at the Carpinteria Woman’s Club; CCF is a branch of the Latinx Arts Project, and will expand on the project’s mission to create murals recognizing Carpinteria’s Mexican community.

During the May 20 event, CCF announced the winning artists for the group’s first two murals: H. B. Hanrahan and Ralph D’Oliveira. CCF will expand on the Latinx Arts Project’s mission by focusing on the Japanese, Dutch and Dust Bowl families of the Great Depression, who were closely linked to the Mexican community of the era. The Saturday celebration also included a screening of “Voces de Old Town Carpinteria” by Brent Winebrenner, which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival earlier this year. The film examines Carpinteria’s history of segregation, and included interviews with students who grew up under segregation. Some of those students were honored during the celebration, including Lorenzo Martinez, Julia Sargosza, Milton Munoz,

SNAPSHOTS

By-the-wind sailors visit Carpinteria

Arts center kicks off summer concert series

Thomas Moreno and “Bunky” Macias.

KARLSSON PHOTOS

The new Carpinteria Cultural Foundation board includes, from left, Monica Solórzano, Rich Medel, Suzanne Requejo, Natalia Alarcon and Jim Campos.

RIGHT, Stanley Martinez and his father Lorenzo

LEFT, Members of the Carpinteria High School class of 1951 attended Saturday’s event, including from left, Joel Mathias, Gus Munoz and Tom Moreno.

From left: Henry Jaimes, Serge Morales, Llew Goodfield, Larry Garcia, Mary Moreno and Mary Ellen Murillo

KARLSSON PHOTOS

CVN photographer Robin Karlsson snapped a photo on Saturday of these beach visitors: the Velella velella, also known as by-the-wind sailors.

Local group The Nombres kicked off the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center concert series on Saturday, with beer, wine and pizza available for all attendees. From left, couples Roland Rotz and wife Jody Giacopuzzi celebrate the kickoff event with Karen and Lin Graf. Each summer concert will be held on the third Saturday of each month, between May and October.

UNPREDICTABLE WILDERNESS

CHUCK GRAHAM

From my trusty blue kayak, I sat 15 feet below a massive rock outcropping cloaked in thick seabird guano and sparse vegetation. I was hoping for an adult black oystercatcher to arrive. I wasn’t the only one patiently waiting.

It was going to bring food to its two fuzzy chicks, just out of their eggs a few days prior. They were well hidden amongst the mass splattering of guano and the ashy-colored volcanic rock that characterizes the coastal island seascape surrounding Santa Cruz Island.

I’d been sitting there for a while and was timing the parent every time it left its brood. The attentive parent would be gone for up to 10 minutes at a time. It was feverishly foraging for food on a negative tide amongst the nearby clusters of acorn barnacles, mussels and purple sea urchins all within the teeming intertidal zone. When it arrived, it dropped the food off as the two hungry chicks, adorned in downy feathers, gobbled the slimy stuff down within seconds.

As I sat in my kayak, I anticipated when the parent arrived. After dropping the food off, the doting parent walked toward the edge of the weather-beaten bluff and took flight. It flew the same route each time to its reliable food source. On one occasion the parent arrived with an unlucky shire crab. On another occasion it landed with a worm in its beak. The other attentive parent kept the two chicks hidden from possible predation, standing watch like a Roman centurion.

It’s a big effort for black oystercatcher parents to raise their chicks to survival. Always lurking nearby and visible were opportunistic western gulls and crafty ravens. Stealthy predators were also hovering above, especially peregrine falcons concealed in the cliffs, but they also rely on their blinding speed to vanquish their prey.

The best defense for the chicks was their camouflage. They were born with tiny black beaks, not the bright orangish-red beaks that their parents possessed. As they continue to grow, their beaks will morph from jet black to orangish-red, resembling candy corn. And their soft, fluffy, downy feathers were the same col-

Within the rocks

A black oystercatcher flies in with prey. or as the ashen-colored volcanic rock that concealed them. There have been times where the chicks were out in the open, but I couldn’t detect them as they melded in against that volcanic rock. If they didn’t move, they blended in perfectly.

Locating them from the kayak in choppy seas was especially difficult. The constant motion while bobbing in my kayak and drifting with the wind and current made it really challenging. Every couple of minutes I repositioned myself. When giant bladder kelp was available, I’d purposely wrap my leg with it to maintain my position, much like a sea otter.

At least one parent stayed with the chicks all the time, which are equipped with big, oversized feet right out of the egg. Those large feet helped them steady themselves in the loose, uneven volcanic rock. If they survived their first year, they will have grown into those salmon-colored feet. If both parents felt threatened by a predator, they’d fly off and their chicks instinctively hunkered down in crevices or beneath sparse vegetation growing out of those gritty volcanic crags.

I came back a week later to see how the two chicks and the parents were fairing. The parents were easy to locate because they make a lot of noise, and their bright orange beaks stand out against the rock. Where were their chicks though?

After several minutes of studying all the nooks and crannies of volcanic rock, I found one chick, which had grown a bit from a week ago. Unfortunately, the other chick was nowhere to be seen.

Life on the island can be harsh, especially for those ashy-colored fuzz balls relying on the color of the rock to survive. The cycle of life for oystercatchers will always challenging across the Channel Islands National Park.

CHUCK GRAHAM PHOTOS

A parent and lone chick move along on a barren rock outcropping on Santa Cruz Island.

There have been times where the chicks were out in the open, but I couldn’t detect them as they melded in against that volcanic rock. If they didn’t move, they blended in perfectly.

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.

A black oystercatcher forges for food.

The rocks do a good job of concealing the chick.

CONTROL4

Guestroom Technology can best be described as any touchpoint where technology can improve or enhance the guest experience before, during and after their stay; for example, contactless check-in, early online engagement and smart technology.

Guestroom Tek

LET’S TALK

Recently I was invited to advise on a large local resort renovation project concerning the use of technology in all guest rooms and – as with much of what I write – it inspired this month’s column. It also reminded me of a meeting I had with MGM Resorts in Las Vegas to discuss planning for the City Center project. I was fortunate to have a client in Hawaii whose brother-in-law was the CEO of MGM and made the introduction, which led to the meeting. I am sharing this because that meeting in 2006, and the document I created speaks directly for what is Guestroom Technology.

This brings us to the question: what is Guestroom Technology? Guestroom Tek. With all the innovation and advances in technology, what does this look like in the hotel industry? Although technology changes rapidly, providing an unending list of possible candidates for inclusion, there are a number of key trends that have driven the development of Guestroom Technology.

Some trends, like the shift toward a mobile-first and cashless experience, transcend the hotel industry. Other trends, like mixed-use spaces and vacation rental marketplaces, spotlight the blurring of lines between short-term rentals, hotels, workspace and residential properties –not to mention smartphones, music services, cloud computing and remote work. Guestroom technology can best be described as any touchpoint where technology can improve or enhance the guest experience before, during and after their stay. These can include, but are not limited to:

Early online engagement. Your stay begins with your booking, setting the stage for your arrival – all made possible via your computer or smartphone.

Contactless check-in. With the benefit of your smartphone, you receive the room confirmation and proceed directly to your room and use your phone to gain access.

Smart in-room technology features. When you scan your phone for entry, the lockset communicates with the room and sets the thermostat, turns on the lights, opens the drapes, a screen on the flat TV displays a welcome greeting with your name and a playlist you selected plays your favorite music.

Personal entertainment options. In

Engagement

Graf – Pena

Lauren Graf and Will Pena of Thousand Oaks have announced their engagement.

Graf graduated from Villanova Preparatory School in 2017 and California Lutheran University in 2021; she works for the Ventura County Community Foundation. Her parents are Karen and Lin Graf of Carpinteria.

Pena graduated from Saint Joseph’s High School in 2017 and California Lutheran University in 2021; he works at the California Lutheran University Theatre Arts Department. His parents are Anne and Gil Pena of Santa Maria.

The couple’s wedding date is set for Aug. 24, 2024 in Carpinteria.

No more door tags or phone calls. Push a button on your inroom touchscreen and illuminate the Do Not Disturb or Service light on a panel in the hall next to the door, alerting the front housekeeping department.

addition to your playlist being available there is the ability to BYOD (bring your own device) and connect it to the local system wirelessly.

Seamless connectivity. WiFi6/VPN network topology allows for an always-on connection (if you want it) that is stable, strong and private.

Privacy/service enhancements. No more door tags or phone calls. Push a button on your in-room touchscreen and illuminate the Do Not Disturb or Service light on a panel in the hall next to the door, alerting the front housekeeping department.

Personalized Wow factor. The experience described above concerning entering the room with your smartphone and triggering a series of events that sets the room up just right also allows you to fine tune the room at any given point; you can also check-in on your home, your pets or your family. You can have a My Room App that will allow you to control the room from your smart phone, find your room if you come back from dinner a little fuzzy or send directions to a friend with a code for entry. The possibilities boggle the mind. How would you personalize your guestroom experience?

Thank you for taking time to read my column and if you have a question about technology or would like to suggest a topic for a future column, please reach out to me at michael@michaeltalkstek.com or just give me a call at (805) 684-3414. I love talking Tek. May the force be with you. Happy Tek Trails.

Michael Avery brings decades of experience to his projects and his clients. He has served as an owner, partner, principal and employee of some of the most progressive companies in the electronic systems market sector. Additionally, he has provided professional consulting services to a multitude of leading companies in the industry, including Panasonic Technologies, CEDIA, AMX, Microsoft, GE Industrial, CompUSA and Paradise Tåheater.

MICHAEL AVERY

THROWBACK

Holiday weekend

Here’s what a full Carpinteria campground looked like in the 1920s. Rolling beach dunes, an undeveloped beach neighborhood and row crops west of Carpinteria Creek are just a few of the noteworthies in this slice of nearly 100-year-old Carpinteria.

CVN road trips to Niagara Falls

Carpinteria residents Kate and Greg Stewart – and the couple’s inherited dog, Keera – ventured more than 7,000 miles on a road trip last summer, traveling for more than a month and a half with their copy of CVN. Their highest point? Niagara Falls, New York, Kate told CVN.

CVN catches a football game in England

Carpinteria resident Cynthia Crewdson and her husband, Phil, recently attended a Tottenham Hotspur Football Club game in England to celebrate her husband’s 60th birthday, from April 11 to April 17. Phil was born and raised in England, Cynthia told CVN, and has been a Tottenham fan since he was at least 10 years old.

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!

CARPINTERIA VALLEY MUSEUM OF HISTORY

Mavericks Dribble Drive is bigger than ever

BY RYAN P. CRUZ • PHOTOS BY HARMONY CHOI

Hundreds of local hoopers bounced their way down Linden Avenue Saturday afternoon for the annual Mavericks Athletics Dribble Drive – a community event and fundraiser to support the nonprofit basketball program – which aims to “build character through sports,” according to Mavericks founder and Coast Supply president Ryan Reed.

“It was our most successful event ever,” Reed said of last weekend’s Dribble Drive, which drew hundreds of kids, parents and volunteers who made their way from Carpinteria High School across Linden Avenue to the beach before ending at Carpinteria Middle School for a free-throw shooting competition.

Mavericks started over 15 years ago as a way to provide a youth sports experience for at-risk kids who couldn’t afford to play normal club sports. It’s also a tight-knit organization, with Reed’s wife Aimee running much of the day-to-day operations and their children helping as summer camp directors.

What started as one team has grown to eight teams in both boys and girls

divisions from third grade all the way up through varsity level, with more than eighty players and a dozen coaches in the program.

Many of the program’s volunteer coaches are former Mavericks themselves. Several of the coaches are former Carpinteria High School stars returning to pass on their love for basketball to the next generation. It’s all part of the program’s focus on character development and community engagement.

The Dribble Drive kicks off the Mavericks summer programming, which includes three weeklong summer camps for youth from first grade through middle school, with the older high school athletes helping coach and mentor them.

Reed said the community “really stepped up” this year to support the program, and he added that all the money raised helps cover the cost of uniforms and tournament fees across California.

For more information or to sign up for the summer camps, visit facebook.com/ Mavericksathletics or call (805) 450-0844.

Director Ryan Reed leads a team break with players Connor Gralewski, Sebastian Reed, Drew Filippini and the rest of the Mavericks teams.

Jonah Wyban shows off dribbling through his legs.

Illiana Perez Neri smiles for the camera.

Mavericks middle schoolers race down Linden.

Issac Zick and Hugo Goodfield battle in “dribble knockout” at the end of Linden as coaches and players look on.

The Mavericks celebrate a good day of basketball.

It’s summertime: go outside

SHORT STOPS

ON SPORTS

Even though it’s been a while since I’ve been in school, I can always sense the summertime coming.

Here on the Central Coast, sure, it’s technically summer weather all year round, but even so, the vibe of summer coming around the corner brings the promise of being outside.

During the rainy winter months and dark-before-dinner indoor seasons, I’m just as comfy on the couch as anybody else. I love going “goblin mode,” curling up with a book and closing the curtains on my own personal comfort cave. But come summertime, I shed the slippers and get ready to soak my skin in sunshine wherever I can.

For me, summertime opens up the doors to activities we don’t get to do during the rest of the year, and serves as an opportunity to try something new. This summer, I’m urging that everybody try one or two activities you’ve thought about but haven’t gone for. That surfboard you bought a few years back that’s sitting in your shed – dust it off and take it out. That bike that’s sitting on two flat tires in your garage – time to pump it up, give it a tune up and hit the streets.

One thing I’m to try this summer: pickleball. The new, admittedly strange sport has captured the attention of many of my friends and neighbors, and despite my early reluctance to try such a “goofy” game, I must admit it looks fun.

I was won over when I saw tennis leg-

ends Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick embracing the new sport on ESPN last month during the first ever Pickleball Slam, where the four legends took their turn on trying what is now the fastest growing sport in the U.S.

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

GRAHAM

If pickleball isn’t your thing, or if you just want to feel like a kid again, another way to get out in the sunshine is to pick up a set of roller skates. Yes, the fourwheeled skates from the ‘70s and ‘80s are making a huge comeback, with companies like Moxi and Impala creating new and fun skate designs and introducing a new generation to the art of rolling.

Speaking of skating, this summer the Carpinteria Skatepark is pouring concrete and bringing the 20,000-square-foot facility closer than ever. Early estimates say the park could be done by mid to late summer (though there may be delays, so stay tuned for updates), and in the meantime the Carpinteria Skate Foundation’s Push Project will be hosting weeklong summer programs from June 26 to August 4.

And of course, for all the locals who can’t keep away from the water in the summertime, there is a wealth of aquatics activities in Carpinteria, from swimming laps in the community pool to joining in the popular summer lifeguard program. Whatever your choice, if at all possible, get outside this summer. Go hiking, go on that long bike ride, or pick up a set of frisbees and hit the beach. It’s good for the body, and even better for mental health. Have a favorite activity that we haven’t mentioned? Write to us and let us know what you will be doing this summer, and what helps you break out of the school year slump.

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 me at sports@ coastalview.com.

Carpinteria grads shine at the next level

Several former Warriors athletes are making waves at the college level, showing Carpinteria pride all across the country, on the baseball diamond and on the track. At Beloit College in Wisconsin, sophomore Miles Souza (CHS Class of 2021) helped his team to a 31-12 regular season record and a Midwest Conference championship. The team’s 31 total wins broke the school record for most wins in a season, and the Buccaneers’ 20-4 conference record was also the best in Midwest Conference history. Souza led the team in both batting average (.385) and hits (71) this season, and he earned a spot at #2 on the Beloit All-Time record books for hits in a season, coming just a few hits shy of the all-time record. He helped his team reach the NCAA Division 3 Regionals in Granville, Ohio.

As a third baseman, Souza started every game for Beloit this season and recorded 11 doubles, three home runs, 41 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .920. For his efforts on the field, he was named to second-team all conference, and for his work in the classroom he earned Academic All-District honors. Souza is double majoring in business, economics, and media studies, and recently received the school’s Joseph Kobylka Scholarship for Journalism.

Over at Chico State, former Warriors track standout and fellow CHS Class of ‘21 graduate Vince Rinaldi is finding similar success as a sophomore sprinter. This year, the second-year runner earned second place in the 200-meter dash at the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, setting a new Chico State record and qualifying for the NCAA’s with a time of 20.98 seconds – his first time ever breaking the 21-second barrier.

In addition to setting a new school record, Rinaldi entered the all-time Chico State top ten in the 100 meter dash and as a member of the school’s #7 all-time 4x100 relay team. After that performance in early May, he was named the school’s “Wildcat of the Week.”

Warriors compete in CIF Tennis Tournament

Three members of the Carpinteria boys tennis team qualified to compete in the CIF Sectional Individual Tournament last week, which took place at both Carpinteria High School and Cate School.

At Carpinteria, the doubles duo of Troy Zimmerman and Connor Gralewski had home court advantage, but ran into a buzzsaw against the Division 3 duo from Crossroads. “Connor and Troy played well but the experience of the Roadrunner duo was just a bit too much,” said Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant.

Across town at Cate School, Carpinteria’s standout singles star Max Stone opened up the first round with two dominant set wins (6-0, 6-0) over Quartz Hill.

“It was a good warmup for him as he was nursing an arm injury,” Bryant said.

But in the second round, Stone faced top-ranked Drew Koval from Oak Park High School. Despite some strong play, Stone dropped both sets (6-1, 6-0) and ended his season.

“I was proud of Connor, Troy and Max for being great representatives of the Citrus Coast League and of Carpinteria High School,” Bryant said. “They gave it their best all season and today was no different. They continued to fight to the end.”

Cate baseball players earn all-league honors

Cate had a tough season on the baseball diamond with a 2-7 overall record, but several of the team’s young players were recognized for their individual efforts in the end-of-year Tri County Athletic Association All Frontier League list.

Sophomores Peter Lehman and Quinn Pullen – both pitchers and infielders for the Rams – earned First Team All Frontier League honors; freshman infielder Chase Meyer and freshmen catcher Noah Casbarro both were named second team all conference; and freshman infielder Josh Butler earned an honorable mention.

RYAN P. CRUZ

For me, summertime opens up the doors to activities we don’t get to do during the rest of the year, and serves as an opportunity to try something new.

Carpinteria High School Class of 2021 graduate Miles Souza had a historic year as a sophomore at Beloit College.

MAG CARP

The Summer Issue Has Arrived! Sneak Peek inside…

WETLAND CHRONICLES

The Carpinteria Salt Marsh holds a special place in the heart of wildlife photographer Chuck Graham. In 1975, Chuck moved to the edge of the marsh with his family and soon fell head over heels for his big backyard, its 250 bird species, and its endless opportunities for fresh photos.

GIRLS ALLOWED

Turns out, Cyndi Lauper had it wrong. Girls don’t just want to have fun; they want to work hard and succeed at any job that appeals to them. Carpinteria Magazine celebrates four women who bravely tackle roles that were long reserved for boys only.

DAVID LETINSKY, SURF MENTOR TO MANY

Dave Letinsky never seeks the spotlight. From a few steps away, he enjoys the warmth of the bright lights that shine on the many successful surfers he’s coached and mentored over the years. His humility only makes his story more interesting.

IMPECCABLE TASTE

From sunup to well past sundown, Carpinteria’s restaurant scene has been rewritten by husband and wife team Juan Rodriguez and Sarah Dandona. The owners of Brass Bird Coffee and Teddy’s by the Sea have fine-tuned the delivery of delicious flavors in a casual chic atmosphere.

JEFF MOORHOUSE, FLYING WITH ANGELS

When you combine doing what you love with doing good, volunteering becomes your favorite pastime. This is how it goes for Jeff Moorhouse, who comes to the rescue with his Beach Bonanza A36 when disasters strike and people are in need.

NATURE & NURTURE

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in these two Carpinterian families. For mother-daughter artists Nini Swift Seaman and Jessica June “JJ” Avrutin, and for father-son artists Ron and Ben Anderson, there’s an intergenerational bond forged in color and creativity.

Thursday, May 25

Senior And Active Adult Group Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill Road. 9:30 a.m. – noon. carpinteriaca.gov/parks-and-recreation/active-adult-senior-services

Architectural Review Board meeting Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 5:30 p.m. carpinteriaca.gov/ city-hall/agendas-meetings

Paint n Sips Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 6 – 8 p.m. islandbrewingcompany.com

Friday, May 26

Friday Fun Day Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10 – 11:30 a.m. For ages 3-11. carpinterialibrary.org

Live Music: Bombafiya Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 6 – 9 p.m. islandbrewingcompany.com

Saturday, May 27

Live Music: Vinny Berry Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 6 – 9 p.m. islandbrewingcompany.com

Museum Marketplace Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, 956 Maple Ave. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 28

Live Music: Mike “Guitar” Witt Island Brewing Company, 5049 Sixth St. 2 – 5 p.m. islandbrewingcompany.com

Monday, May 29

Memorial Day Observance Carpinteria Cemetery, 1501 Cravens Ln. 10 a.m.

Preschool Story Time Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10 – 10:30 a.m. For ages 2 - 5. carpinterialibrary.org

Curso de Computación Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 6 – 7 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

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

Tuesday, May 30

Carpinteria Writers’ Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10 a.m. – noon. carpinterialibrary.org

Spanish Conversation Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 1 – 2 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org

Senior And Active Adult Group Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill

Artesanía para la Familia

presents:

Mariachi Class

Clase de Mariachi

July 11- August 17

11 de julio - 17 de agosto

2-3 pm

CLASS IS FREE/GRATIS

Playground/Patio de juegos 5956 Hickory St. Carpinteria

For more Information • Para más informacíon: 805-617-5929

Road. 9:30 a.m. – noon. carpinteriaca.gov/parks-and-recreation/active-adult-senior-services

Carpinteria Improv Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7 p.m. $10. thealcazar.org

Wednesday, May 31

First Annual Eighth Grade Luau Parents for Carpinteria Middle School, First Beach campground grills and picnic tables, Linden Avenue/campground. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. $10 suggested contribution; free for all eighth graders.

RSVP at pfcarpmiddle@gmail.com. parents-for-carpinteria-middle-school. square.site

LOL auditions Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 6 – 8 p.m. thealcazar.org

BEAUTIFUL SENIOR COMMUNITY...A lovely home featuring two bedrooms, two baths plus an enclosed porch that is perfect for a home office, den, and more. Milgard dual-pane windows and vaulted ceilings throughout. Engineered wood flooring in the living and dining room. Low maintenance garden area. Park amenities include: Pool, Spa/Hot Tub, Clubhouse, Game Room, RV/Boat Storage, Guest Parking and OnSite Management. Easy access to walking trails, the ocean and downtown.

OFFERED AT $450,000

Please call Shirley Kimberlin at 805-886-0228

ENJOY THE BEACH LIFESTYLE... Delightful condo located just steps across the street from the “WORLD’S SAFEST BEACH” and NATURE PARK PRESERVE. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, private deck with estuary and mountain views. Amenities include two swimming pools, spa, laundry room and gated parking. A perfect unit to enjoy full-time, or as a vacation retreat that can be rented weekly or monthly. Great on-site management.

OFFERED AT $1,150,000

Please call Shirley Kimberlin at 805-886-0228