Coastal View News • March 26, 2026 by Coastal View News

CARPINTERIA

107 years young

Mary Ota celebrated her 107th birthday with a smile on Saturday, March 21, during a celebratory ride through Carpinteria with Cycling Without Age pilot Susie Clothier. Ota, born in Los Angeles in 1919 and a Carpinteria resident since around 1950, is pictured with her daughter, Marsha, as they pause in front of The Alcazar Theatre marquee in her honor before the group continued to the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center for a birthday party. Asked her secret to a long life, Ota said simply, “Be kind to everyone.” She said she enjoyed the ride — and is ready to go again. Ota appears to be ar nter a’s o dest centenar an

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ort ons o the as tas a a Sho n enter ere e ac ated on Monda o o n an e os on at he S Store

ac a e th fire e t n sher e odes at S Store n as tas Sho n a a

A package containing a fire extinguisher exploded inside The PS Store on Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria on Monday afternoon, resulting in surrounding stores being evacuated for over two hours.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s O ce Public Information O cer Ra uel ick, the explosion did not result in any in uries.

Authorities responded to the area ust after 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Around p.m., the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s O ce Bomb S uad arrived on scene and began investigating the explosion. The s uad was able to determine that a fire extinguisher had exploded, and the area was reopened by p.m. Monday.

o n s arch anned or Sat rda n do nto n ar nter a

A community march billed as part of a broader national movement is set to take place in downtown Carpinteria on Saturday, March 28, according to a press release issued by local advocacy group Carpinteria Indivisible.

Organizers are inviting residents to gather at 9:30 a.m. at Seal Fountain, 8 0 Linden Ave., for the local “No ings” march, described as a peaceful demonstration focused on civic engagement and defending democratic values.

The event is part of what organizers say has grown from a single day of protest in 202 into an ongoing, nationwide movement. Participants across the country have organized similar gatherings in both small towns and ma or cities.

Saturday’s march will begin at Seal Fountain to Carpinteria Avenue, proceed east on Carpinteria Avenue, then south on Palm Avenue to the beach boardwalk, where participants will pause for a group photo. The group will then return to the starting point via Linden Avenue.

Organizers encourage attendees to bring signs, water, sunscreen and hats. Musical instruments and chants are also welcome, with the event framed as both a demonstration and a community gathering.

“This is about coming together and making our voices heard,” Carpinteria Indivisible said in the announcement, emphasizing a message of collective action and civic participation.

The event is open to the public, and participants are encouraged to share information with friends, family and neighbors. Advance registration is optional, carpindivisible gmail.com.

The march is expected to be peaceful, with organizers highlighting a focus on unity, expression and community presence.

Santa Mon ca ree restorat on da set or Sat rda

Community members are invited to roll up their sleeves and help restore habitat along Santa Monica Creek at El Carro Lane during a volunteer workday on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to p.m..

Organizers say spring conditions have brought a burst of blooms and increased activity from butterflies, bees and hummingbirds making it an ideal time to support pollinator habitat. Volunteers will assist with “sheet layering,” a techni ue used to suppress invasive plants while protecting newly planted native species.

The event will take place near 0 El Carro Lane. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves, a hat and water, and to be prepared to spend time outdoors.

A behind-the-scenes tour of the restoration site will be offered at 10 a.m., led by organizer Ray, who can also be contacted for more information at (80 ) 70 -3 29.

The event is open to all and offers an opportunity to contribute to local environmental stewardship while connecting with others in the community.

ar t S r n o March

A new seasonal marketplace will bloom in Carpinteria this weekend as the Carp City Spring Pop- p invites the community to gather for a day of shopping, music and connection.

Set for Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event will take place at 1111 Vallecito Road in partnership with Carpinteria Community Church. Organizers are promoting the pop-up as a family-friendly community marketplace featuring local vendors and a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Guests can expect a mix of small businesses and artisans offering a variety of goods, along with live music throughout the day. The event aims to create a relaxed space where residents can support local makers while en oying time with friends and neighbors.

With spring in full swing, the pop-up leans into the season’s spirit of renewal and community gathering, encouraging attendees to spend the day outdoors browsing, listening and connecting.

Organizers are also continuing to welcome vendor in uiries ahead of the event. Those interested in participating can contact ccpuemail yahoo.com for more information.

The Carp City Spring Pop- p is free to attend and open to the public.

t o ens re strat on or ad t s er so tba ea e

The city of Carpinteria’s Parks and Recreation epartment will open registration for its Adult Co-Ed Summer Softball League on Tuesday, March 31, at noon.

The league will run from early May through August at Viola Fields, with games scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from to 8 p.m., beginning May and May 7.

Team registration is limited, and managers must sign up and pay the 3 0 entry fee before individual players can register. The nonrefundable fee secures a team’s spot in the league. An additional 20 umpire fee will be collected per game, per team. Payments may be made by cash, check or credit debit card, with a processing fee applied to card transactions. American Express is not accepted.

Teams must register by Monday, April 20, at p.m.

Each team roster must include a minimum of eight players and a maximum of 16, with at least three women re uired. Participants must be at least 18 years old, though 16- and 17-year-olds may play with a signed waiver.

The league will offer separate Tuesday and Thursday divisions based on availability rather than skill level, allowing teams to choose the night that best fits their schedules. After a team is registered, individual players can sign up online through the city’s Rec esk system. Players must create an account to complete registration.

Individuals looking to oin a team can contact Reynaldo Cardenas at (80 ) 3-2089 or by email at reynaldo cardenas yahoo.com for assistance with placement. For uestions about league rules, team formation or schedules, participants can contact Cardenas. For help with online registration, contact the Parks and Recreation epartment at (80 ) 7 - 76 or email abigailg carpinteriaca.gov or recreation carpinteriaca.gov.

City o cials encourage teams to register early, noting that space is limited and spots are expected to fill uickly.

KARLSSON

Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs adds two board members amid renewed development debate

Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs has announced the addition of two new members to its board of directors as the group prepares to ramp up opposition to a proposed housing development on the bluffs: Pat French and ristin ing. The grassroots nonprofit has long advocated for preserving the Carpinteria Bluffs as open space, according to a press release from the organization.

The appointments come as a new proposal has emerged to build 191 luxury homes on the Tee Time parcel, a portion of the bluffs that has been the sub ect of past development efforts. The proposal has renewed community debate over the future of the coastal property.

French, who previously lived in New Mexico, brings a background in real estate and nonprofit leadership. She co-founded a prominent real estate agency in northern New Mexico and has been involved in several philanthropic and civic initiatives.

“Having traveled extensively, I see the Carpinteria Bluffs as a uni uely beautiful slice of California coast,” French said in a statement. “Preserving the Bluffs has become a passion of mine.” ing, a Carpinteria resident since 2012, is an attorney with experience in land use, real property and construction law. She said her connection to the bluffs is both professional and personal, recalling years spent walking the preserve with her young children.

“ eeping the bluffs open and undeveloped is an incredibly crucial part of keeping Carp, Carp,’” ing said, adding that she hopes to contribute legal insight to the organization’s efforts.

Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs has been closely tracking the latest proposal

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by developer Sortis Holdings, which seeks to build a private residential enclave on the site. The pro ect follows an earlier proposal for a luxury resort and is being pursued under the state’s Builder’s Remedy provisions, which can limit local control over certain developments.

The developer is scheduled to host a public forum on the proposal from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Carpinteria Community Church.

Founded in 1996, Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs has played a key role in preserving portions of the bluffs, including the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and Rincon Bluffs Preserve, through partnerships with conservation organizations. The group said it is encouraging residents to attend the upcoming forum and engage in ongoing discussions about the future of the bluffs.

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COURTESY PHOTOS

Pat French, left, and Kristin King have joined the board of Citizens for the ar nter a B s br n n bac ro nds n rea estate non rofit leadership and land use law as the group mobilizes to oppose a proposed 191-home development on the Carpinteria Bluffs.

Debbie Murphy, Broker

Kim Fly, Broker Associate Leah Wagner, Realtor Stacie Zubiate - Realtor

CITY BEAT

Council certi es re ection o assessment istricts as u et ap looms

BY LIV KLEIN

Two-thirds of voters oppose two proposed assessment districts

The city of Carpinteria has formally rejected two proposed assessment districts after certifying final ballot results showing strong opposition from property owners, a decision expected to strain the city’s budget and impact service levels.

At its March 23 meeting, the City Council declared the results of a Proposition 218 property-owner ballot proceeding for the proposed Carpinteria Landscape Maintenance istrict No. 202 -1, confirming that a ma ority protest exists and o cially abandoning the effort.

Final weighted ballot totals showed 1 8,271.38 in support and 303,8 .93 in opposition — a 33% to 67% split — reuiring the city to halt formation of the district under state law.

A similar outcome was reported for the proposed Coastal Berm Assessment istrict.

Carpinteria property owners voted against both measures, which were designed to replace decades-old assessment districts and bring funding levels in line with current costs for maintaining public landscaping, street trees and coastal flood protection.

City o cials said the re ection creates a significant fiscal challenge moving forward.

“It’s a big hit to the city for sure,” Assistant City Manager Ryan Kintz told the council.

The proposed Landscape Maintenance istrict would have replaced an existing district dating back to the 1980s that generates about 200,000 annually. Today, maintaining the city’s landscape system costs roughly 1.1 million per year, with the difference currently subsidized by the city’s General Fund and other sources.

“If wages hadn’t increased since the nineties, and you were still trying to keep up with payments in 2026, that would pose a significant problem,” Vice Mayor M nica Sol rzano said.

City Attorney Jenna Shoaf Acos emphasized that assessment funding is legally restricted.

“The funds that would (have been) obtained through that special benefit assessment could only be used for very special purposes in this case the special benefit that residents are receiving from this assessment and so they are very limited to providing those services to the residents,” she said.

Without the additional revenue, city staff warned that service reductions are likely. Those could include less freuent landscape maintenance, delayed tree-trimming cycles and slower response times to tree damage.

“(It’s) important for the public to understand that if there is less street maintenance going on, then that’s one of the very natural conse uences of having voted against this assessment,” Sol rzano said.

The failure of the Coastal Berm As-

“(It’s) important for the public to understand that if there is less street maintenance going on, then that’s one of the very natural consequences of having voted against this assessment.”

––Vice Mayor Mónica Solórzano

sessment District also raises concerns about long-term funding for the seasonal sand berm constructed along Carpinteria City Beach, which helps protect coastal properties from winter storm damage.

Staff said they will continue to explore cost e ciencies, though strict permitting re uirements limit flexibility in how the berm is built and maintained.

The vote follows a March 9 public hearing, when the council closed the ballot period and directed the city clerk

to begin tabulating votes. nder Proposition 218, ballots are weighted based on each property’s financial obligation, and a majority protest — where opposition outweighs support re uires agencies to abandon the proposal.

With both districts now formally rejected, city leaders signaled that additional discussions on alternative funding strategies are likely as Carpinteria works to balance service levels with available resources.

County denies cannabis odor control extensions Enforcement underway, council told

BY LIV KLEIN

Carpinteria Valley cannabis operators will face enforcement action after Santa Barbara County denied all eight re uests for extensions to comply with new odor control re uirements, First istrict Supervisor Roy Lee’s o ce reported.

istrict irector aisy Weber delivered the update during a report to the Carpinteria City Council on March 23, confirming that the Board of Supervisors re ected every Odor Abatement Plan (OAP) extension re uest at its March 10 hearing.

ero OAP extensions were granted to operators at the March 10 board meeting, according to the county report.

nder county rules, cannabis operators were re uired to install carbon-based odor scrubbers by March 18. Weber said County Planning and evelopment is now issuing Notices of Violation to operators who failed to meet the deadline.

If violations are not corrected, enforcement will escalate. After March 31, the

County Executive O ce has the authority to revoke business licenses for noncompliant operators a decision that can be appealed through a state administrative court process.

The crackdown comes as Carpinteria Valley residents have continued to raise concerns about persistent cannabis odors in agricultural areas near homes and schools. County o cials have emphasized that the new multi-technology carbon fi ltration re uirements are intended to signifi cantly reduce those impacts.

Weber also reminded residents that odor complaints can still be filed online through the county’s Planning and evelopment enforcement portal, allowing regulators to track problem areas and prioritize follow-up.

The denial of extensions signals a firm stance by the county as it moves from a compliance phase into active enforcement, with potential business license revocations looming for operators that remain out of compliance.

SPRING GALA

CITY BEAT

City Council issues e proclamations celebrating community en ironment an ser ice

BY LIV KLEIN

The Carpinteria City Council approved five proclamations Monday night, recognizing efforts that span from supporting local businesses and beautification initiatives to promoting organ donation and honoring longstanding community traditions.

Carpinteria Business Month

Among the proclamations, the council designated April 2026 as “Carpinteria Business Month,” highlighting the role local businesses play in sustaining the city’s economy and uality of life.

“Here in Carpinteria, we are lucky to have such a vibrant business community,” said Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce representative Rachel Murphy. “We have large employers working to produce cancer diagnostics we have well-loved restaurants that have served this community for years we have lawyers, retailers and service providers all of whom are run by the very people that we call our neighbors.”

Murphy added, “This April, we encourage Carpinteria locals to show some extra love and support to the city’s local businesses.”

Carpinteria Beautiful Month

The council also proclaimed April as “Carpinteria Beautiful Month,” continuing a local tradition that dates back more than three decades. The designation aligns with national eep America Beautiful Month and includes Earth ay celebrations and volunteer efforts such as litter cleanups, gra ti removal and neighborhood improvements.

“ nowing other people that live in other towns, I don’t know of any other council or city that really works with its citizens on such a grass-roots level,” President of Carpinteria Beautiful Brian Mootz said after accepting the proclamation.

The council encourages all residents to oin Carpinteria Beautiful, a local organization, next month in continuing their year-round efforts to maintain a clean, beautiful city by removing gra ti, refilling dog waste bag dispensers and other contributions.

“Something that really separates Carpinteria from almost anywhere else is that spirit of all of us together doing something to make it a better place,” said Councilmember Julia Mayer. “What you do is really leading by example it can be something as simple as ust keeping your neighborhood beautiful.”

International Dark Sky Week

In another environmental proclamation, the council named April 13 20 as “International ark Sky Week,” encouraging residents to reduce light pollution and protect the region’s natural night skies.

“Carpinteria was a leader in this effort when it first issued a proclamation for this week in 2023,” said Carpinteria Valley Association President Mike Wondolowski.

In accepting the proclamation, the Carpinteria Valley Association oins the city in encouraging residents to take extra time in the coming month to explore how they can limit light pollution.

It could be as simple as directing outdoor lighting down and only using

it where it is needed, but the effects can drastically improve the city’s natural ecosystems, agriculture, public health and en oyment of a starry night sky.

According to the proclamation, light pollution contributes to roughly 3 billion in wasted energy annually in the nited States and can disrupt wildlife and sensitive habitats such as the Carpinteria Salt Marsh and local creeks.

67th annual Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet

The council also honored the 67th annual Carpinteria Community Awards Ban uet, a tradition dating back to 19 8 that celebrates local volunteers, educators, students and businesses.

“Our theme this year is honoring the past and celebrating the present,” Carpinteria Community Association (CVA) President aren Graf said of the upcoming event, which will continue the legacy of recognizing outstanding contributions to the community.

The event will celebrate the Carpinteria Lumber Company as its Outstanding Community Business award recipient.

“We are so excited to honor our Carpinteria Business Community Partner, the Carpinteria Valley Lumber,” Graf said.

CVA will also honor two small, local businesses on April 18 Carpinteria Nails and elgado’s Restaurant.

Other awards will be distributed including Junior Carpinterian of the ear, selected from one of three local high school student finalists. All three high school students will receive a generous college scholarship with funds donated by community members.

The proclamation notes the ban uet culminates each year with the announcement of the Carpinterian of the ear and includes awards for educators, student leaders and local businesses.

DMV/Donate Life Month

Rounding out the evening, the council declared April as “ MV onate Life Month,” encouraging residents to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.

“I consider this my bonus life,” said Prescilla Marcus, who received a liver transplant 18 years ago. “I’m very, very grateful to my unknown donor who said yes’ to organ donation.”

There are about 100,000 people nationwide looking for organ donations, 19,91 of which are in California and 188 in Santa Barbara County, according to Scott Burns with One Legacy an organ donation organization.

California residents can sign up with the onate Life California onor Registry online at any time by visiting www.donateLlFEcalifornia.org or checking “yes” to be an organ donor when renewing their driver license or identification card at the California epartment of Motor Vehicles.

O cials noted that a single donor can save up to eight lives and that more than 6,000 lives were saved through organ donation last year.

Mayor Natalia Alarc n and councilmembers emphasized that each proclamation reflects a shared community commitment from supporting local businesses and volunteers to protecting the environment and saving lives underscoring Carpinteria’s strong civic spirit.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY OF CARPINTERIA

Rachel Murphy, center, accepted a proclamation designating April 2026 as “Carpinteria Business Month.” Councilmembers that were presentfor all the proclamations presented Monday included, from left, Vice Mayor Mónica Solórzano, Julia Mayer, Mayor Natalia Alarcon, Wade Nomura and Al Clark.

Brian Mootz, Donna Jordan and Clyde Freeman, center, accepted a proclamation designating April as “Carpinteria Beautiful Month.”

Mike Wondolowski, center, accepted a proclamation naming April 13–20 as “International Dark Sky Week” in Carpinteria.

Representatives from Carpinteria Community Association accepted a proclamation recognizing the 67th annual Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet scheduled for April 18.

City Council declared April as “DMV/Donate Life Month,” encouraging residents to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.

seed

o rofit n sacred so

Who recalls the last time a PR firm was hired to sway public opinion in our small town? Maybe the Venoco Paredon Pro ect — soundly defeated, the people spoke. Here in 2026, we stare down yet another attempt to develop the Carpinteria Bluffs. This time, the applicant is a newly formed LLC with a Portland address, backed by LA attorneys and PR strategists, proposing development on land loaned to Carp Bluff LLC. Make no mistake, this is land prospecting — a REIT seeking returns on investors’ dough.

For the record, Carpinterians don’t chant “not in my backyard.” Our Housing Element identifies over 20 sites where the city agrees increased density is appropriate to meet our state mandated 900 units. The Bluffs are simply not one of them.

As president of Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, I am compelled to call attention to the city’s recently released “consistency review” for the proposed pro ect at 88 Carpinteria Ave. My perspective comes ahead of the developer’s PR driven “open house,” a focused rebrand of this super-sized project. A quick look at “The Farm” website shows a wildly inaccurate portrayal.

The consistency review lays the truth bare. Across more than 100 pages and over 300 policies and ob ectives, contradictions pile up. Page after page, the city identifies failures: public access, habitat protection, tra c safety, visual resources, coastal hazards, emergency response, setbacks, ESHA buffers the list is long.

Our Bluffs Master Program is repeatedly contradicted or ignored. The applicant steams forward as though these inconsistencies are trivial rather than dead on arrival. For decades, residents have a rmed that the Bluffs are a symbol larger than themselves an irreplaceable legacy for future generations, a rare stretch of true coastal openness.

We urge the community to stand by our values. The Bluffs must remain open space forever.

Patrick Crooks Carpinteria

onor

ar nter

a’s enera an

Carpinteria is not losing its character by accident — it is being eroded by decisions that ignore the very plans meant to protect it.

For decades, residents of Carpinteria have done the hard work: shaping a General Plan, protecting agricultural land and insisting on thoughtful growth. We have never been anti-change. We are pro-accountability.

Yet today, we are seeing a surge of development proposals that openly conflict with those commitments — especially in sensitive areas like the bluffs. At the same time, the city appears increasingly unfocused: expanding sta ng, leaning heavily on consultants, proposing unpopular fees and failing to enforce the codes already on the books.

That contradiction is the problem.

If we are facing fiscal strain, then discipline should tighten — not disappear. Instead, basic enforcement is slipping. Long-neglected properties remain untouched for decades. Short-term rental violations persist. Blight, debris and safety issues go unaddressed. These are

LETTERS

“A General Plan is not a suggestion. It is a commitment — to residents, to the environment and to the future. When it is quietly set aside, trust erodes just as quickly as community character.”

—Jane Benefield

ee ber n a ne

Elaine was small in stature, but that was the only part of her that was. Everything else arrived full-size: presence, warmth and style that felt like a life well lived. Her name fit her, Musick, because she carried something melodic, a kind of lift you could feel.

I met Elaine at Corktree, a chance encounter, you know, the kind that reminds you how friendships sometimes begin in a single glance. The sparkle in her eyes caught mine, and a connection was born. We didn’t know each other long. We saw one another fewer than 10 times, yet her imprint is permanent.

not complex policy failures; they are fundamental responsibilities.

Meanwhile, residents continue to carry the load volunteering, maintaining public spaces and preserving the very qualities that make this town work.

So what exactly is the city prioritizing?

A General Plan is not a suggestion. It is a commitment — to residents, to the environment and to the future. When it is quietly set aside, trust erodes just as quickly as community character.

Carpinteria has always balanced growth with stewardship. That balance is now at risk — not because change is inevitable, but because accountability is being treated as optional.

This is the moment for clarity. Enforce the rules. Honor the plan. Respect the community.

Or be honest that something else has taken priority.

Jane Benefield Carpinteria

annab s concerns

Today, there are ongoing concerns about the cannabis issue in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. Simply put, there has been a rapid expansion of cannabis cultivation. The good news, residents, city o cials and local groups have raised concerns.

Some of these concerns are the odor impact, locations near schools and legal issues. And the revenue issue is another factor. Thankfully, some o cials have said “enough is enough.” As a person who lives in the Carpinteria Valley, I do not want Carpinteria to be known as the “pot” capital. It is time for everyday citizens to speak up about this issue.

Diana Thorn Carpinteria

reen art endorses as are a or on ress

Thank you for your March 19 Briefly item “O ai activist Helena Pas uarella announces bid for 24th Congressional District.”

On behalf of the Santa Barbara County Green Party, I’m proud to announce our endorsement of Helena, the Peace Freedom Party candidate. Helena’s platform aligns perfectly with the Four Pillars of the Green Party: Nonviolence, Ecological Sustainability, Social Justice and Grassroots Democracy.

Coastal View News welcomes your le ers

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

Nonviolence means cutting the 1 trillion Pentagon budget and Helena says, “It’s time to bring our resources home” and “ICE is terrorizing our communities and causing irreparable harm, the agency must be abolished.”

Grassroots Democracy means a people-powered campaign and Helena will not accept AIPAC or any large corporate donors.

“We must take immediate action to curb our consumption and over-reliance of fossil fuels.” AI centers are the latest assault on our clean water and clean air. We know Helena will seek input from qualified constituents to address this threat. She will promote ecological sustainability in District 24.

We need strong leadership with the vision to place people before profits. The Santa Barbara Greens believe Helena is that strong leader and will deliver on her promises.

Learn more at pas uarellaforcongress. com. Vote in the California Primary Election on June 2. You will make the difference.

Donna Pulling Orcutt

Caroline Mina Kuizenga 03/31/1940 –– 02/25/2026

Caroline Mina Kuizenga (née Grimm), age 85, crossed the rainbow bridge on February 25, 2026, following a prolonged decline and a brief battle with pneumonia.

Born March 31, 1940, in Santa Barbara, Calif., she attended Garfield School, La Cumbre Junior High School and Santa Barbara High School. For two years she studied at Occidental College, then spent a summer abroad with the Experiment in International Living. pon return, she finished her degree in political science at CSB.

Caroline loved horses, fruit trees, native plants, reading and music, but most of all, the ocean. She took to swimming at a young age, started surfing in the early 1960s and outrigger paddling in her late 40s. She kept a succession of Yater longboards and maintained a habit of escaping to Rincon well into her 60s.

Elaine was always impeccable: hair “done,” nails “done,” clothes that said she had been places, seen things, without ever needing to prove it. Her East Coast accent still had its edge, softened into the sweetness that comes from living on the Central Coast for a spell. If her surname suggested sound, her voice was the instrument, distinct, seasoned and quietly kind.

She told me once she’d been a dancer. And though time had made her movements more careful, the dancer never really left. There was still a lightness to her including an occasional storytelling gesture, a graceful sweep of the hand that made you imagine the earlier version of her crossing a stage with ease. You could see the choreography in the everyday: a small turn, a bright smile, a perfectly timed laugh.

Laughter was our shared language. Elaine and I would laugh to the point of tears on nearly every encounter, eyes watering, breath gone, that helpless kind of joy.

May her memory suggest that we all take the opportunity, when that glimmer arrives, to reach out and say hello, because a life can change, quietly, in the space between one glance and the decision to meet it.

She was always curious and relished the opportunities at CSB, City College and Adult Education – to study gamelan, belly dancing, botany and jewelry making, among others. Her Chumash basketry group was especially beloved.

Her career varied from social work, to sewing at the Bikini Factory, to staff at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and finally, as a Planner at the County. She was active in local environmental causes including foundational work to save the Carpinteria bluffs and volunteer botanizing on many of the Channel Islands. As a parent, she whipped up some amazing Halloween costumes and birthday parties, and brought her daughters along on CSB class field trips, endless beach time and one fine horse adventure in the eastern Sierra.

Caroline is survived by her sister Mary Grimm; her daughters Marin Kuizenga and Marisa Kuizenga; her former husband John Kuizenga; and as well as her grandchildren Matteo, Annika, Aila and Roan; and her cousins Karl in Santa Barbara and Wolfgang in Germany. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harriet and August Grimm. She always remembered Paul Williamson.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Mission Park as well as a deep appreciation to Nathan at Pacific Health Foods, Organic Soup Kitchen and Help of Carpinteria. No public services are planned. Memorials can be observed by spending a day at the beach with your friends or family.

Andy Patrick Carpinteria

Jelly Bowl cleanup gains ground, more help needed

Volunteers and State Parks crews make progress removing invasive Arundo; ne e or e or ar

Efforts to clear invasive Arundo reeds from Jelly Bowl Beach are gaining momentum, as local volunteers and California State Parks crews continue work to restore the shoreline ahead of summer.

According to Carpinteria resident Jason Lusk, 12 community members turned out last weekend, oining earlier efforts by a State Parks crew to remove the dense accumulation of invasive plant material near the spring outlet at Jelly Bowl.

Volunteers spent about two hours on what Lusk described as “backbreaking work,” digging out reeds that extend far deeper than they appear.

“While it looks like the sticks are ust on the surface, they’re actually layered in with sand about three feet deep and challenging to extract,” Lusk said.

Crews have already made noticeable progress, particularly around the spring outlet, where much of the debris has been cleared. However, a large pile of Arundo remains farther up the beach, and organizers estimate at least two more work sessions will be needed to fully remove the invasive material.

The next cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, from 9 to 11 a.m., when volunteers will focus on tackling the remaining large pile.

The urgency behind the effort is tied to both environmental concerns and seasonal timing. Arundo, a fast-spreading invasive species, can uickly take root if left in place especially in damp areas like the spring-fed section of Jelly Bowl potentially crowding out native plants and disrupting natural beach processes.

At the same time, the Santa Barbara Harbor dredge is expected to begin operations this week, a process that typically helps move sand down the coastline. With the right tides and a cleared shoreline volunteers are hopeful that sand will begin to naturally replenish Jelly Bowl in time for summer.

ongoing effort to restore the shoreline ahead of summer.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, tarps and sturdy rakes to assist with the cleanup.

With continued community effort, organizers say the goal is within reach: restoring Jelly Bowl Beach and ensuring it remains a welcoming spot for residents and visitors alike as the summer season approaches.

Invasive mosquito detected in SB

The Mos uito and Vector Management istrict of Santa Barbara County has confirmed the first local detection of Aedes notoscriptus, a non-native mos uito species, prompting an aggressive response to prevent its spread.

The mos uito was identified March 13 in Santa Barbara’s Westside neighborhood. istrict o cials say they are expanding surveillance and control efforts in the area, including deploying traps for adult mos uitoes and eggs and conducting door-todoor inspections to identify standing water where the insects may breed.

of the invasive

Native to Australia, Aedes notoscriptus often called the “Australian backyard mos uito” is a small black-and-white species known for its aggressive daytime biting. While not currently associated with human disease transmission locally, it is considered a primary vector of dog heartworm in its native range.

“Our goal is to control and eliminate this mos uito population, if possible,” said MVM General Manager Brian Cabrera. “We are doing everything to help ensure this mos uito does not become established in our communities.”

The detection comes in a familiar area. In October 2020, crews identified Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the “ankle biter,” in the same vicinity. That species

was successfully eradicated and did not become established in the region.

O cials are urging residents to help limit the mos uito’s spread by eliminating standing water around their homes.

The species lays eggs ust above the waterline in small containers such as plant saucers, bird baths, fountains, buckets and even children’s toys. Residents are encouraged to regularly dump and scrub these items.

To reduce bites, the district recommends using EPA-registered repellents, wearing protective clothing and ensuring window and door screens are intact.

Residents who notice unusual daytime mos uito activity are asked to report it to the district at (80 ) 969- 0 0.

COURTESY PHOTO

Volunteers worked to remove invasive Arundo reeds from Jelly Bowl Beach during a community cleanup last Saturday, digging through layers of debris buried several feet deep near the spring outlet as part of an

COURTESY PHOTO

A close-up

Aedes notoscriptus,

black-and-white mosquito first detected March 13 on Santa Barbara’s Westside.

Cotte, Guerrero named 2025 Educators of the Year

BY MARTIN FOLEY

The Carpinteria Community Association (CCA) has announced its 2025 Educators of the Year: Peter Cotte, a social studies teacher at Carpinteria High School, and Kristy Guerrero, a second-grade teacher at Canalino Elementary School. The educators will be honored at the Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 18, at the Girls Inc. of Carpinteria campus.

Peter Cotte Carpinteria High School

A Massachusetts native and geography graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Peter Cotte took the scenic route before arriving at his teaching career in Carpinteria.

In early adulthood, Cotte spent time sailing before selling his boat and heading west to enroll in UC Santa Barbara’s master’s in education program. From there, Cotte accepted his first teaching assignment at Carpinteria Middle School. An opening eventually came up at Carpinteria High School (CHS), where he has spent the past 20 years of his career.

Cotte teaches AP government, AP world history and health at the high school – a diverse course load with distinct goals.

In health, he aims to equip students with the tools to make good lifelong

decisions. In AP world history, which many sophomores take as their first college-level course, he focuses on keeping them engaged while building skills they will carry into higher levels of education. In AP government, Cotte is the focal point of a classroom environment that often produces an intriguing dialogue.

“AP Government is all about what they need to know to be good citizens,” said Cotte. “It’s amazing because it’s all current. It relates to real-life issues, and we have some really amazing class discussions.”

For Cotte, the measure of a great class in any subject is that conversation is mutual.

“It’s a two-way street,” he said. “If they’re interested, I’ll be really interested too.”

Outside of the classroom, Cotte co-advises the CHS Mock Trial team. The program is entirely voluntary, which Cotte says is both a challenge and an advantage.

“Student buy-in is super important and having them feel ownership of the team makes it more fun,” said Cotte. “Mock Trial can be something just so they can have it on their college application. But it’s much cooler, much better when they’re really into it. They learn so much more.”

When CHS principal Gerardo Cornejo pulled Cotte aside to share the news about the CCA award, Cornejo was reassuring.

“He said, ‘You’re not in trouble,’” Cotte recalled with a laugh. It was a moment that reminded Cotte of the impact he has as a teacher, and in return, on the community.

“Sometimes as a teacher, you don’t always get formal recognition, and that’s OK,” Cotte said. “But it was really cool.”

Cotte resides in Santa Barbara but has developed a strong bond with generations of Carpinterians through his career. Over the last two decades, he has taught siblings, cousins and now the children of former students. Some of the current teachers on staff at CHS were once his students.

“I’ve just been teaching here for so long,” said Cotte, reflecting on his career. “I feel deeply connected to Carpinteria.”

Kristy Guerrero Canalino Elementary School

risty Guerrero first came to Carpinteria to fulfill her student teaching requirement at Westmont College. After graduation, Guerrero never strayed far — spending her entire career of more than 25 years in Santa Barbara County.

Guerrero first worked at Aliso Elementary School when she was hired by the Carpinteria nified School istrict (C S ). In 2017, she began her work ust over a mile away at Canalino Elementary School.

For Guerrero, a second-grade classroom was always her desired destination.

“I like working with the younger kids who have a big enthusiasm for learning,” she said. “There’s a lot of growth from being a first grader to a third grader, and I enjoy being there for that growth.”

Guerrero believes that second grade is where a lot of a young students’ identities will be built. Students shift from needing ongoing support to owning their reading independently. With that, children are learning quickly and using newly developed problem-solving skills for the first time.

When Guerrero is at home after the school day, she reflects on her primary goal that is unrelated to any standard, grade or benchmark.

“I want them to see themselves as being able to take on challenges, try new things, and trust themselves,” Guerrero told Coastal View News. “It’s a lot to take on. They go home tired because their hands, brains and bodies were busy all day.”

Midway through her career, C S tapped Guerrero to serve as a math

teacher on special assignment. That had Guerrero without her own designated classroom and focused entirely on math instruction during the Common Core rollout. She then worked at the Santa Barbara County O ce of Education, doing the same math-focused work across schools in the county. Guerrero eventually left the role to return to Carpinteria, a decision that allowed her to be even closer to her own children now attending Canalino.

“I missed Carpinteria,” she said. “I wanted my every day to be back at a school where the kids are and where my kids would be.”

The math expertise stuck with her upon her return to Carpinteria. Guerrero currently teaches a math methods course at UC Santa Barbara for undergraduates and works with the UCSB Mathematics Project, training teachers in how children can better digest math content.

Guerrero’s biggest challenge, she says, is that math has been misrepresented for generations. Breaking down the barriers to a polarizing subject is now a critical part of her work.

“Math is usually looked at as a very narrow subject like there’s a right answer and wrong answer and one way to get there,” Guerrero said. “That’s a disservice to kids because it’s not true.”

Instead, Guerrero reframes math in a practical way.

“If you think about opening your game closet at home, 90% of those games are math based. We love puzzles, we love patterns. A lot of people don’t see that as math, and it truly is.”

With a busy schedule including teaching, involvement at UCSB and being a mother, the award for Guerrero is reinforcement that she’s a valued member of the Canalino team.

“I’ve seen people that I really respect and honor receive this award,” she said. “I’m glad to be a part of that. I do see my job at school as more than just my classroom, and I want to make Canalino the best it can be for the kids inside and outside of my class along with my colleagues.”

While the devotion Guerrero has displayed to her career led to her being recognized next month, it has also spilled over into a familial-like love for the Carpinteria community.

“This community has my whole heart,” Guerrero said warmly. “This town sees the children as their little ducklings. It feels like a family.”

10 Murals. 5 Weeks. One Community Story.

Carpinteria’s history takes center stage. Coastal View News has launched a ﬁveweek series detailing the Community Plaza on Linden Avenue murals — honoring the Chumash, Californios, Japanese Americans, Italian Americans, Dust Bowl families and more.

Carpinteria’s story: a community mural series

Part 4 of 5:

The Dust Bowl Americans and the Dutch Americans

WEEK 2 OF 5: The American Pioneer Settlers and The Mexican Americans

Carpinteria Cultural Foundation (CCF)

Carpinteria Cultural Foundation (CCF) member Dr. Jim Campos will be providing historic background on all 10 of the murals included in the CCF’s proposed Community Plaza on Linden Avenue over a five-week period for Coastal View News. The articles will also be available at coastalview.com.

member Dr. Jim Campos will be providing historic background on all 10 of the murals included in the CCF’s proposed Community Plaza on Linden Avenue over a five-week eriod for Coastal View News. The articles will also be available at coastalview.com.

Carpinteria’s history is rich with the stories of the many cultures and families who have helped shape the coastal town into the community it is today. Over the next several weeks, Coastal View News will highlight selected panels from the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation’s (CCF) new mural project — a visual tribute to the people and traditions that built the Carpinteria Valley.

The project, known as the Community Plaza on Linden Avenue, features 10 murals created by Carpinteria artist Rick

Sharp. Commissioned by the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation, the murals illustrate key chapters in local history, from the original Chumash inhabitants to the diverse groups who followed and contributed to Carpinteria’s development over the past century.

Each mural panel was developed through extensive research of historical records and community interviews conducted by members of the CCF and its advisors. The finished works are designed to be installed as aluminum panels along the pergola behind the Seal Fountain on Linden Avenue — a site long considered the historic heart of Carpinteria.

The project recently reached full funding and has received strong support from local civic organizations as it moves through the city’s review process.

Through this five-part series, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the people, cultures and moments that helped build Carpinteria — one panel at a time.

The American Pioneer Settlers

The Dust Bowl Americans

The Mexican Americans

The Dust Bowl storms of the 1930s in the midwestern United States coinciding with the Great Depression devastated the farmers and many of them migrated to California following advertisements that offered work opportunities. There were two main routes into the state. One route was through the Central Valley where Dust Bowl Americans sought work as seasonal agricultural labor, moving from crop to crop. The classic novel “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck tells the story.

The Spanish-speaking people of the Carpinteria Valley had dwindled to a precious 100, plus or minus a few, by the beginning of the 20th century. They mostly identified as Californios. The valley had become the domain of American settlers of various Protestant religious persuasions. Two major events turned the tide into a wave of Mexican migration that brought back a Spanish-speaking presence to Carpinteria. One was the arrival of the Southern Pacific railroad that established a train depot at the foot of Linden Avenue in 1887. The other was the purchase of the Methodist Church by the few remaining Spanish-speaking Catholics joined by some of the Italian Lobero family from Santa Barbara who came to Carpinteria upon the death of their patriarch José Lobero, founder of the Santa Barbara Lobero Theatre. The Methodist Church along Santa Monica Road became the Iglesia San José in 1894. It served as the glue that bonded the dwindling Spanish-speakers and welcomed the huge wave of Mexican migrants who were to come to provide the labor for the agricultural boom that the train depot facilities made possible.

Designing the American pioneer era in Carpinteria on a mural was a tall task for the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation. Which pioneers should be included among so many candidates, and which events and ventures were most critical in defining Carpinteria? Clearly, Russel Heath, Carpinteria’s first prominent personage, had to be included. Serving in a variety of government positions in Santa Barbara under the de la Guerra and Carrillo dynasties, he moved to Carpinteria in 1858. Legend has it that he bought some of his first acreage in Carpinteria for a pair of high boots and a saddle. The highly influential Stephen Hart Olmstead settled in 1863 and could claim to being the first true visionary of what was to come. He tested a variety of produce and fruit trees and turned the acreage he bought into a park landscape of lush gardens. He would fit right in with the members of the Carpinteria Beautiful organization today. Andrew Bailard arriving in 1868 might complete a “Big Three” of Carpinteria’s early residents after statehood with a slew of entrepreneurial endeavors and an extensive number of family members, most, it appears, as industrious as he. But how can the families Fish, Cadwell, Cravens, Shepard, Bates, Higgins, Smith, Franklin, Ogan, Thurmond and others of their like not be included?

Another route was entering at the bottom of California and following a coastal path. This brought those Dust Bowl people through Carpinteria which provided year-round employment in the lemon industry, the oil fields and farming opportunities which the Dust Bowl people understood well. Carpinteria was a perfect fit for them, and they laid down roots and made a major impact on the community. The Dust Bowlers’ arrival also met a campaign to increase white labor in Carpinteria to compete with the Mexican American labor pool already here, and the Japanese. In the Carpinteria Herald of Nov. 4, 1927, an op-ed piece on Page 2 by H. Van Bentheusen titled “Urges Quota for Mexicans” was published. The letter did not spare the Japanese, either. Its main point was that if white labor was recruited, the Mexican and Japanese flow of migration would be stopped, or at least, slowed. Perhaps, to the chagrin of Mr. Bentheusen, no quotas were necessary. The lemon industry was at the height of its success and there was plenty of blue-collar work to be had for anyone willing to do the arduous tasks required. Upon arrival, many of the Dust Bowl people moved into “Mexican Town” and lived side-by-side with the Mexican Americans as neighbors. They got along famously, becoming lifelong friends. Some examples include ust Bowler Eugene McCafferty lending his buckboard wagon

The Mexican American mural features the Iglesia San José as its centerpiece with a series of postcard pictures of Mexican American life west of Linden Avenue in “Mexican Town,” a term coined by Carpinteria author-historian John McCafferty in “Aliso School: For the Mexican Children” (2003). Note that artist Rick Sharp pictures a locomotive in the postcard at the top left that starts a rotation of Mexican American scenes of life in a mostly chronological order. The postcard framework features many Carpinteria Mexican Americans of note, too many to name for this article, but who will be listed in the QR Code that will accompany this mural. It highlights families and individuals whose labor, traditions and cultural values helped shape the identity of the town during the 20th century. Farmworkers, railroad laborers, merchants, musicians and parish families are rep-

resented as symbols of perseverance and community-building. Their contributions extended far beyond agriculture; they established neighborhoods, supported local businesses, strengthened parish life and preserved language, faith and cultural traditions that became woven into the fabric of Carpinteria.

Through celebrations, foodways, religious festivals and multigenerational family networks, Mexican Americans transformed “Mexican Town” into a vibrant cultural center that sustained the valley during periods of economic growth and hardship alike. The imagery reflects both daily life and collective resilience, children at play, families gathered and workers whose efforts made Carpinteria’s agricultural prosperity possible.

and horse to Santiago Campos in 1934 to tear down the Iglesia San José to help build a new Catholic church on 7th Street; Dust Bowler Ray Rollins bringing his tractor — along with Japanese American Kenji Ota — to landscape and construct the memorial football field in 19 8 and the Thunderbowl Racetrack on the bluffs in about the same year in a multiethnic endeavor that involved the whole community. Those less well off, the ust Bowlers and Mexican Americans, particularly, often teamed up to help each other build their homes and provide financial support when the banks were not willing to take financial risks on them. Is it any wonder that Eugene McCafferty’s son, John, would be the one to write the definitive book on the Carpinteria era of Mexican segregation?

many royal families from Europe on the inn’s register. The asphalt mines would pave the streets of Carpinteria when cars, trucks and tractors replaced horses and buggies. Carpinteria’s major cash crops line the bottom of the mural. In chronological order, the lima bean was the first big cash crop in the Valley (1870s), the first of its type sold commercially on a national scale. Next came walnuts, with Heath’s 180 acres of orchards (1890s) vying for the top spot in California into the turn of the 20th century. Lemons then took the spotlight for decades reaching their apex in the 1930s and helping Carpinteria cruise through the Great Depression. Avocados took the lemon’s crown and are still going strong, currently celebrated every October with the Avocado Fest. The flower industry, a mainstay in Carpinteria’s history, also continues to flourish. Carpinteria is a veritable Garden of Eden, an agricultural paradise where virtually anything can grow.

Artist Rick Sharp’s composition intentionally presents these scenes as living memories, much like treasured postcards sent home, reminding viewers that the story of Carpinteria is inseparable from the Mexican American experience. This panel honors not only migration but belonging in the enduring presence of a community whose influence continues to shape the cultural, social and economic life of Carpinteria today!

John lived within the Mexican neighborhoods and in his writing honored the bonding of the blue-collar elements of his community. Though born of hardship, the Dust Bowl migration brought new life to Carpinteria, where families found opportunity and stability. Familiar surnames of those who made a positive impact on Carpinteria include Wullbrandt, Peterson, Johnston-Rosebro, Barber, Barnes, Brown and Damron. Working alongside neighbors, they formed deep cross-cultural bonds rooted in shared labor, resilience and mutual support, helping to shape the enduring spirit and identity of the community.

The Mexican Americans

The American Pioneer Settlers

The Dutch Americans

The Dutch transplants into Carpinteria from the Netherlands cruised across the Atlantic Ocean to New York Harbor. Switching to airplanes they crossed the United States to the Los Angeles Airport, then to the Santa Barbara Airport. Carpinteria’s George Bliss Jr. awaited them there, taking their luggage and boarding them in vehicles he brought to carry them to their new homes. The year was 1967.

Coming to Carpinteria, four families of Van Wingerdens and their friends the Van Koppens had purchased 26 acres of land that had once belonged to Carpinteria’s first legendary figure, Russel Heath. Case Van Wingerden, the oldest of the Dutch Brothers, huddled the family together and said: “From here, it will be all blood, sweat and tears.” Case and Connie, Hank and Agatha, John and Mary, and Bill and Leny and their children plunged into the unknown, but the American Dream became a reality for them. They thrived in a beautiful Carpinteria climate growing carnations, tulips, daisies, chrysanthemums and other varieties.

Note that artist Rick Sharp pictures a locomotive in the postcard at the top left that starts a rotation of Mexican American scenes of life in a mostly chronological order.

A hospitable community welcomed them with open arms in all quarters of the Valley. Today, 165 Dutch from the original Van Wingerden and Van Koppel groups live from Oxnard south of Carpinteria to Nipomo, north, as well as various places in the United States. They became civic leaders in their newfound land and philanthropists giving back to the Carpinteria community that took them in so warmly and enthusiastically. Artist Rick Sharp has used the Van Wingerden family picture albums to capture some of the cultural impact and imprint they have brought to the valley creating a new legacy where Carpinteria’s Russel Heath began his. It lives on to this day.

The postcard framework features many Carpinteria Mexican Americans of note, too many to name for this article, but who will be listed in the QR Code that will accompany this mural. It highlights families and individuals whose labor, traditions and cultural values helped shape the identity of the town during the 20th century. Farmworkers, railroad laborers, merchants, musicians and parish families are represented as symbols of perseverance and community-building. Their contributions extended far beyond agriculture; they established neighborhoods, supported local businesses, strengthened parish life and preserved language, faith and cultural traditions that became woven into the fabric of Carpinteria.

Key landmarks that are in the mural include the Serena Wharf (the Smith Brothers Wharf), Shepard’s Inn, the Higgins Asphalt Mining Company, the Fish Seed Company (think lima beans) and the Ayala Grapevine. The Serena Wharf was the main vehicle for shipping things in and out of the valley, until the coming of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1887. Having your picture taken at the Ayala Grapevine was a must for residents and visitors alike and served as a venue for elections, weddings, church services and picnics. Note Carpinteria’s leading citizens under the Ayala Grapevine at the bottom right of the mural. Shepard’s Inn along Casitas Pass Road at Rincon Creek was a major Carpinteria tourist attraction and stagecoach stop which included Teddy Roosevelt, wealthy easterners looking for California sun and many royal families from Europe on the inn’s register. The asphalt mines would pave the streets of Carpinteria when cars, trucks and tractors replaced horses and buggies. Carpinteria’s major cash crops line the bottom of the mural. In chronological order, the lima bean was the first big cash crop in the Valley (1870s), the first of its type sold commercially on a national scale. Next came walnuts, with Heath’s 180 acres of orchards (1890s) vying for the top spot in California into the turn of the 20th century. Lemons then took the spotlight for decades reaching their apex in the 1930s and helping Carpinteria cruise through the Great Depression. Avocados took the lemon’s crown and are still going strong, currently celebrated every October with the Avocado Fest. The flower industry, a mainstay in Carpinteria’s history, also continues to flourish. Carpinteria is a veritable Garden of Eden, an agricultural paradise where virtually anything can grow.

What began as a leap of faith grew into a lasting legacy, as Dutch families helped shape Carpinteria through hard work, perseverance and a deep commitment to community. Through the cultivation of vibrant flower crops, carnations, tulips, daisies and chrysanthemums, they helped define the valley’s agricultural identity, and today, new generations continue that tradition as innovative growers, carrying forward their families’ enduring impact on Carpinteria.

MURAL STORIES BY JIM CAMPOS AND ADRIANA GONZALEZ-SMITH

Intergenerational Tea at Girls Inc.

Women Making Change held its fourth annual Intergenerational Tea on Saturday, March 21, inviting women of all ages together for food, refreshments and an opportunity to connect with other women in the community.

The event was held in the Lynda Fairly Courtyard of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. This year’s keynote speaker was Beth Cox, a Carpinterian, business owner and community organizer. Cox spoke to members about her journey overcoming and recovering from loss.

The Girls Inc. of Carpinteria campus is located at 5315 Foothill Road.

Cecilia James and Connie Geston

Geri Carty

Kellie Wolfe with her daughter Valerie Bonning-Wolfe

Amanda Soper

From left, Carlee Cason, Darci Diage Ward, Libby Gerteis and Stacie Dattilo Zubiate

Sally Green with her daughter, keynote speaker Beth Cox

Vianna Vega

Danielle Bordenave

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

Leigh Sparks expands vision with Linden Studio Home

CARPINTERIA BIZ BUZZ

THE BIZZY BEE

A familiar name on Linden Avenue is entering a new chapter, as longtime local business owner and designer Leigh Sparks expands her creative footprint with the opening of Linden Studio Home, located at 963 Linden Ave. next door to her collaborative art gallery, Linden Studio.

Sparks, who has maintained a business presence in Carpinteria since the 1980s, is building on decades of experience in textiles and interior design, including her former venture, The Princess & the Pea. With Linden Studio Home, she is creating a dedicated space focused on interiors while maintaining a connection to the artistic energy of the gallery next door.

“I wanted to create a space with its own identity while still complementing and flowing with Linden Studio,” Sparks said. “This second space allows for a more focused expression of interiors and home, while maintaining a connection between art and interiors.”

Custom design remains central to her work. At Linden Studio Home, Sparks continues to offer bespoke bedding, slipcovers and window treatments, tailored to each client’s space, lifestyle and budget.

Her approach is deeply rooted in her background as part of a fifth-generation Carpinteria family with agricultural ties.

“It instilled a respect for craftsmanship, patience and local materials,” Sparks said. “My work is grounded in those values — creating spaces that feel intentional, enduring and connected to place.”

Sparks stands inside her newly opened

te t es c sto ndo treat ents and c rated

color and coastal-inspired design.

The new shop features a curated mix of locally sourced pieces, artisan-made goods and items influenced by Sparks’ own design perspective. She gravitates toward pieces that feel collected rather than manufactured, emphasizing texture, history and craftsmanship.

Community remains a driving force behind the expansion. Sparks envisions Linden Studio Home as another welcoming space for connection, with plans for classes, workshops and gatherings that support local creatives.

“The biggest challenge is sourcing affordable and uni ue materials,” she said.

“The reward has been supporting fellow local artists, seeing the space come to life and watching people connect with it in a meaningful way.”

Sparks also notes a shift in design

trends toward individuality, including a renewed appreciation for artisan textiles, hand-block printing and rich, expressive color palettes.

“Textiles are at the heart of my work,” she added. “They bring depth and authenticity into a space in a way nothing else can.”

Looking ahead, Sparks hopes Linden Studio Home will continue to reflect both creativity and community.

“My goal is for it to feel both inspiring and rooted — a place that people keep returning to,” she said.

Linden Studio Home operates by appointment, though Sparks is often available next door at Linden Studio on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Contact Sparks at Leighsparksart@ gmail.com and follow her on Instagram @leighsparks.art.

KARLSSON PHOTOS

Leigh

Linden Studio Home on Linden Avenue, surrounded by layered

ho e d cor that re ect her s nat re b end o cra ts ansh

Sunday, May 17

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

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

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

was recovered and booked into Santa

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

Tuesday, May 19

at’s ne at t e

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

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

harbor seal rookery?

This report covers March 16 – 22, 2026

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

Wednesday, May 20

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

A reader sends a halo to the UPS store staff for their quick response regarding hazmat issue in Carpinteria store on Monday.

A reader sends a halo to Burlene for making the Carpinteria Lumberyard Nursery area a joy to visit. “Her outgoing personality (Southern style), friendly conversation and plant knowledge make it a pleasure to visit and shop.”

A reader sends a halo to the generous person for paying for the reader’s gas when she forgot her ATM card at the gas station. “I’m sorry I chose the most expensive oil, I’d love to reimburse you, and thank you. I’m deeply moved by your generosity.”

A reader sends a halo to Diane and Clothing Children in Need for the donation of clothing to the Kinderkirk Preschool families! A halo to Colin for delivering them

A reader sends a halo to Sean and Dayna for being wonderful neighbors and helping the reader through another frazzled mom situation.

A reader sends a halo to The Alcazar Theatre for being a wonderful smalltown theater. “It provides excellent entertainment for all and a wide variety of great programs.”

A reader sends a halo to the 93013 Fund, Uncle Chen Restaurant and Marybeth Carty for the surprise delivery of a delicious dinner complete with a fortune cookie, candy bar and painted rock. “Wonderful kindness and quite a thrill!”

A reader sends a halo to the anonymous person who left a $100 donation in the of arpinteria ofﬁce mail slot this past week. Thank you for your kindness.

A reader sends a halo to the staff of Jack’s Bistro for staying open during Covid-19. “Always a smile no matter how busy. A great way to start the day.”

A reader sends a halo to Starbucks for their generous donation of coffee to the AgeWell Men’s Coffee Club every week. “ ou provide the perfect pick-me-up for our day.”

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

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

A reader sends a halo to Kerry Mann for supporting Carpinteria’s commercial property owners and local businesses with insight and care and for recognition in the recent Pa ifi oa u ine i e Who’s Who in Commercial Real Estate.

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

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

A reader sends a halo to the new property manager at the Sandyland condo complex for his efforts to make the complex a friendly place to stay for the guests and the owners.

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

CVN’s Seal Watch weekly report, written by Seal Watch volunteers, covers activities at the Harbor Seal Rookery. Several Seal Watch volunteers are winter visitors and will soon depart for other states, so please consider joining Seal Watch for the remainder of the pupping season through May. The group can be reached at carpsealwatch@gmail.com or at (805) 364-3194. The rookery is located immediately east of Casitas Pier, between Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and Carpinteria State Beach. There is no vehicle access from Dump Road.

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

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES

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

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

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

Harbor seal pups grow rapidly, and already an early February birth can be difficult to distinguish from a small adult. High pup counts that are not documented by more than one volunteer shift are not published, in order to be reasonably sure of accurate counts.

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

Sunday, May 17

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

Many dead shore birds have been noticed not only in Carpinteria but along the California coast. Rescue organizations report deaths appear to be due to starvation, suggesting a shift in food resources. California Fish and Wildlife has not found any deaths in Southern California due to bird influenza, although the avian flu has appeared in Northern California.

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

VISITORS

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

The count was 1,423. Several school groups visited. In addition to locals, volunteers met people from Russia, Canada, Spain, South Africa, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Bulgaria, Ireland, France, Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina, North Dakota, Iowa, Indiana, Georgia, Washington, Idaho, New York, Tennessee, Maryland, Minnesota, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Idaho, Michigan, Texas, Oregon, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Montana, Colorado, South Carolina, Hawaii, Vermont, Utah and Washington D.C.

DISTURBANCES

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

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

The sheriff’s department responded to a woman beneath the pier. Chevron decommissioning work caused some loud bangs Tuesday morning and last Thursday afternoon, which flushed some seals. A loud truck on the pier also scared the seals.

MORE INFORMATION

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

Please consider honoring the Marine Mammal Protection Act by not walking the sanctuary beach all year. Do not bring dogs, bicycles or loud voices to view the seals. Harbor seals, when disturbed, may flee and become separated from their pups. Volunteers ask that dogs always remain outside the rope area.

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

5 a.m. / Welfare Check / 2100 block Ortega Hill Road

Carpinteria Seal Watch volunteers monitor our local seal rookery. More volunteers are always needed. Contact Seal Watch at carpsealwatch@gmail.com or ca 3 31 o ’d e to he

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

Monday, May 18

10:41 a.m. / Tossed Mail / Via Real and Carpinteria Creek

Mail was found scattered off a county access road by a Caltrans site. The mail

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

Thursday, May 21

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

A man was driving with a false registration tab. He was cited for the violation and allowed to park the vehicle at his mechanic shop located nearby.

10:06 p.m. / Suspended License / Via Real and Vallecito Road

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

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

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

A reader sends a halo to Abel at Beach Motor & Tires. “Our rear window wiper came off accidentally, and he kindly snapped it on for us. We were very impressed!”

A reader sends a halo to the wonderful crew at Worker Bee Cafe. “They went above and beyond to make this reader help her students create e elen art.”

A reader sends a halo to Emma and Justin. “It was a wonderful wedding, great food, spectacular location and great people! It was moving and wonderful.”

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

A reader sends a halo to the Spring Fling volunteers. “We couldn’t have done it without you! our smiles and enthusiasm help make our spring fling a success! Thank you Angela, Dreyden, Joan, Andy, Emily and George!

A reader sends a halo to Nikki at AT ulinary. went to my ﬁrst class this weekend with my sister, who has been to four so far. I had the best time! Someone get this girl a T show she should be on the ood Network already.

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

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

A reader sends a halo to the 12 volunteers who showed up at Jelly Bowl for some beach clean-up. “Thanks for getting the beach back in shape for spring/summer!”

A reader sends a halo to the State Park for sending a crew for Arundo removal and Jelly Bowl restoration at a moment’s notice. “Time was critical for this one.”

A reader sends a halo to Tom Sweeney for going out on Elm Avenue by the beach to clean up plastic bottles, bags, dirty gloves and masks.

A reader sends a halo to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the local vet for working diligently to save the Rincon Beach bear. “It’s a terrible shame to lose one of these magniﬁcent creatures however wouldn’t want it to suffer to a miserable death.”

A reader sends a halo to Eddie for helpingat the Veterans Hall for so many years. “You were a friend to all of us and we miss you.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the new parking zones. “All the “no parking/two hour” signs just made people park in my neighborhood. Seventh and the neighboring streets are a packed parking lot.”

A reader sends a halo to Bill and Rosana Swing for spending their Saturday taking photos for Junior arriors ootball. e appreciate all you do for our families players and program. You rock!”

A reader sends a halo to the group of visitors who guarded a stranded elephant seal pup for four hours and assisted Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute with the rescue.

A reader sends a halo to DJ Hecktic for coming out early Saturday morning to support the Junior Warriors. “It made the kids so happy to hear you say their names—you’re a local celebrity to them!”

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

Submit Halos & Pitchforks online at coastalview.com.

A reader sends a pitchfork to the national grocery chain for not accepting a valid passport as a form of identification. “Now this is a sad time.”

All submissions are subject to editing.

A reader sends a halo to Diana Rigby, Superintendent of schools, and Debra Herrick director of Boys irls lub for removing the toxic uphorbia ﬁre sticks from the pots and landscape.

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

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

A reader sends a pitchfork to the city of Carpinteria’s and County of Santa Barbara’s negligence on mitigating the expansion of the recreational vehicle caravans and encampments along Via Real and Santa Claus Lane. “Padaro Beach is a beautiful and widely enjoyed beach in our area and it has become overrun with transient RVs that have not moved from their beachfront parking spots for months, some even years. They are taking away the accessibility of beachgoers and families who need to be able to park close to the beach. This is Carpinteria beautiful, let’s protect our beaches and preserve them for all of us to enjoy.”

he found a small baggie containing a white powdery substance underneath the driver’s seat of his recently purchased vehicle. The man stated he purchased the vehicle three weeks ago but didn’t find the small baggie until he’d removed the driver’s seat to fix the reclining mechanism. The incident was documented, and the baggie was booked into Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office property for destruction.

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

A reader sends a pitchfork to the woman on a Zoom call without using headphones.“Having a lovely morning coffee and definitely do not want to be part of your meeting. Please people, use your headphones.”

Saturday, May 23

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

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

A reader sends a pitchfork to the people who erected a religious symbol on Franklin Trail. “Please keep our beautiful public forest clean for everyone to enjoy.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to Arundo. Literally.

Friday, May 22

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

Deputies responded after a woman reported her residence was burglarized the prior night. The woman stated a cartoon night and is in the process of getting a new lock. She did not have any suspect information at the time. The incident was documented, and patrol will follow-up for further details of the stolen items.

Deputies responded to a motel on Via Real for a report of a domestic violence incident. Upon arrival, a deputy contacted a man and woman in the parking lot. After contacting both subjects, there were visible injuries on both parties. Due to conﬂicting statements regarding their mutual altercation and obvious injuries, both parties were arrested for corporal

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

A man was contacted after reporting

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

KARLSSON

Carpinteria

Howard in Wonderland Gala

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

The Howard School brought wonderland to life for its annual fund raising event on Saturday, March 21, with the Howard in Wonderland Annual Gala Auction, held at Carpinteria Lions Park.

The fundraising event set out to raise $80,000 for the school’s pro grams and to minimi e ﬁnancial barriers for its families. The event included silent and live auctions, as well as cocktails, a dessert dash, paddle raise and a themed meal.

The Howard School is located at 5050 El Carro Lane in Carpinteria.

Art teacher Rebecca Stebbins scores at croquet.

From left, Barbara Groves and Caitlin Barber

Cyndi Cassady serves Howard Head of School Joel Reed a piece of Reed’s keylime pie.

Alumni Jake Ehlers and Lacy Zimmerman greeted guests as they arrived.

Jessie and Jess Jacobs

Howard’s Associate Head of School Anita Betancourt chose cupcakes in the dessert dash.

Chef Ricky Rossignol and his wife Jen prepared dinner for the gala. .

Leah Harding grabs a chocolate cake in the dessert dash.

Taylor Rice and Erin Ervin

IN THE NATUREHOOD

NANCY BARON

My favorite place to drink morning coffee is under two big oak trees in our yard. The birds sing gustily announcing their presence at the start of every day like a roll call. The purpose of their singing is to advertise their availability for a mate, or if they have found a partner, they are declaring their territories, as they get down to the business of building nests. I crane my neck to look up and try to distinguish the individuals within the chorus: Orange-crowned warblers, acorn and hairy woodpeckers rat-a-tat-tatting, sweet warbling house finches, hooded orioles, white breasted nuthatches with their nasal calls and boisterous oak titmice.

An app on my phone, called Merlin, records the songs, uickly identifying the singers. Pictures of birds scroll across the screen, a cast that gets longer and longer. I compare its list to mine. Better. As each bird sings, the name lights up. In our yard, I can easily find 33 species thanks to the big old oak trees and a sycamore. If it’s early enough and still dusky the great horned owl gives a few more hoots before it goes to bed. But where does “going to bed” mean for birds?

Animals are running out of places to live. Residential sprawl and loss of woodlands and open spaces due to urban expansion, as well as increasing fires are all taking their toll especially when we remove mature trees.

The other housing crisis

“Trees are canopies of care,” says writer Terry Tempest Williams. They afford housing for nesting, perches from which to search for food and protections from predators below.

Birds need to find right-sized holes in trees, or stable branches to build their nests, or make repairs and renovations on last year’s nests. Some take over the nests of others. Others engage in something akin to a time-share, such as great horned owls and hawks. Owls nest earlier in the year and then give way to

the hawks that built them.

With the loss of every mature oak, sycamore or large eucalyptus tree, the housing crunch gets worse.

Oaks are remarkable trees. At a recent talk by entomologist oug Tallamy at the Santa Barbara Botanic Society, I learned ust how important they are. “Oaks are keystone species, because they support entire food webs,” Tallamy said. “Not only do they offer housing in their dense branches and cavities, but they are also ma or suppliers of food.”

In fact, oaks provide the ma or protein source for almost all nesting songbirds in North America. Most birds rear their young on caterpillars. Even seed-eaters like oak titmice rely on caterpillars, a wriggly sausage of fat and protein, to nourish their fast-growing chicks. Oaks offer a bounty for birds, from moths and larvae that feed on them day and night. Tallamy calculates that a single oak can provide a home for 2,300 species of wildlife from insects to large raptors.

Birds forage close to their nests and when food declines, their babies don’t survive. So, ust as so many people are struggling to find housing, so are birds. The evidence is in the thinning of the beautiful morning chorus, as birds blink out due to loss of food and housing. Local bird expert John Callender said, “We are

living through the sixth great extinction of species called the Anthropocene meaning human caused extinction resulting in species loss at hundreds to thousands

NATUREHOOD

continued on page 17

NANCY BARON

Developers propose building 191 houses on this open area which they ironically would call The Farm.

SUSIE CLOTHIER

Amber Eckland, left, and Susie Clothier rescue a tiny great horned owl chick that fell out of its nest in the crown of a palm.

JOHN CALLENDER

Oak titmice search for caterpillars to feed their young. They nest in holes in oaks.

KIM STROUD

Allen hummingbirds artfully weave nesting material with cobwebs. This is an unusual nest site.

parents.

time the natural rate. This is shocking. Yet it can easily escape our attention.”

A landmark study showed that nearly 3 billion birds in North America have been lost since 1970 due to habitat loss and climate change. That’s 30% — and the decline continues.

Callender reflected on his time on the Carpinteria Planning Commission. He sees the issues, common to human and wildlife. “We all need a habitat. A place to raise our kids. It’s valid that we need more housing. Our human concerns are shared by every species on the planet. How do we consider our role in a natural community? When we remake the landscape for our own purposes, it seems like a good idea. But for the animals that are adapted specifically for that habitat, it’s a housing crisis — and they don’t have alternatives,” he says. “I’d like to believe if people understood the importance of mature trees that they would place more value on them.”

Eucalyptus, though not native, have become critically important nest sites for hawks and owls. I recently walked the Bluffs area watching hawks going into the large eucalyptus trees and seeing many birds in the open space of the current working farm, which is also a farm camp for children. This is important habitat.

The proposed Bluffs One Development, ironically called The Farm, which it would replace, mentions the addition of 253 trees and preserving some sycamores on its website thefarmcarpinteria.com. But, if the addition of trees means tiny saplings, it will take years for those trees to provide much value for wildlife — or us. How much farm and habitat will be bulldozed to make way for 191 houses, more than half of them single family homes with five-bedrooms each. Only 20 is affordable housing.

I think about how Santa Barbara citizens succeeded in buying the land they now call, “Foothills Forever.” It can be done. And here in Carpinteria, the community has succeeded before with the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve next door.

Open spaces, and farmland with large trees like the Bluffs are irreplaceable. Once they are gone, they are gone. They offer so much to both wildlife and all of us. We should do everything in our power to preserve them.

The developer has a community open house scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 6-8 p.m. at Carpinteria Community Church, 1111 Vallecito Road.

Nancy Baron is a biologist and writer who lives in the hills above Carpinteria with her husband Ken Weiss and rescue dog Velcro. e a wri en a ird field uide ird o e Pa ifi or we and work on iodiversity conservation issues. Reach her at Nancyebaron@gmail.com.

SUSIE CLOTHIER

Twenty-six turkey vultures were killed when their giant roosting tree crashed in a windstorm. This survivor was rescued and later released by the Ojai Raptor Center.

What you can do to help with the bird housing crisis:

• Protect the big trees.

• Plant with purpose. Plant native and wildlife friendly plants. Native plants repair the living system that supports all life.

• Avoid trimming or removing trees in spring, especially large oaks, eucalyptus and sycamores. Many birds have nests that may not be obvious until you cut them down. Hold off until after the breeding season.

• Wait until fall to trim palms. Many birds, including red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks and great horned owls may nest in the crown while barn owls roost in the palm beards. Hooded orioles weave hanging nests that look like a hanging sack underneath fan palm fronds.

• Create “no-go” zones under big trees for root health to avoid soil compaction. Leaf litter is good for insects and ground dwelling pollinators like bumblebees.

Check out this Santa Barbara Botanic Garden special lecture by Doug Tallamy: youtube.com/watch?v=Q3fnXBu3euI&t=3530s.

SUSIE CLOTHIER

This great blue heron is building its nest in a big pine near Ash Street close to the beach.

JOHN CALLENDER

These red-shouldered hawks secured a prime nesting spot in a big sycamore in Memorial Park.

SUSIE CLOTHIER

Great horned owlets wait in a large oak tree for meal delivery from their

SUSIE CLOTHIER

Red-tailed hawks typically nest in eucalyptus 30 to 50 feet up where they have a commanding view.

SUSIE CLOTHIER

A male kestrel guards his nest box. Kestrel numbers have plummeted due to lack of nesting cavities and pesticides.

CALENDAR

Thursday, March 26

In-Person Well Registration Carpinteria Valley Water District, 1301 Santa Ynez, 9 a.m. — noon, 1-4 p.m. sgma@ cvwd.net to register

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

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

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

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

AgeWell Senior Program: Free Lunch Program Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 12:15-1p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 8811279

AgeWell Senior Program: Food Bank Distribution Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 1-2 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 8811279

AgeWell Senior Program: Meditation Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 3:15-4 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca. gov, (805) 881-1279

Dungeons & Dragons Club Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 3:30-5:15 p.m. Ages 12-17 carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

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

Architectural Review Board Meeting City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 5:30 p.m. carpinteriaca.gov (805) 684-5405

Friday, March 27

Friday Fun Day Carpinteria Communi-

ty Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 10-11:30 a.m. For ages three to 11. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

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

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

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

Free Music by Friendship Center

Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. 2-3 p.m. carpinteriaartscenter.org, (805) 684-7789

Teen Advisory Board Biweekly Meeting Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 3:10-4:30 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Peace Corner Vigil Carpinteria and Linden avenues, 5-6 p.m. carpindivisible@gmail.com Popcorn & A Movie Night “Hugo” Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 6-8 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

The Grateful Photography of Jay Blakesberg The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 7:30 p.m. $25+, children. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Saturday, March 28

Arundo Reeds Cleanup Jelly Bowl Beach, 9-11 a.m.

ABOP Hazardous Waste Disposal City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 9 a.m. — 1 p.m. carpinteriaca.gov (805) 684-5405

Santa Monica Creek Trail Restoration El Carro Lane at Santa Monica Creek, 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. Behind the scenes tour 10 a.m. Bring gloves, hat, and water. (805) 705-3429

No Kings Rally and March Seal Fountain, 850 Linden Ave. 9:30-11:30 a.m. carpindivisible@gmail.com

Carp City Spring Pop-Up – Community Marketplace Carpinteria Community Church, 1111 Vallecito Road, 10 a.m. — 3

para la Familia presents:

Carpinteria Community Room Saturday, March 28 • 11:OOam to 1:OOpm

Dances, Music and Face Painting!

Family Friendly Event

p.m. ccpuemail@yahoo.com

Saturday English Language Conversation Group/Grupo de Conversación en Inglés los sabados Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 9-10 a.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Live Music: Jared Nels Island Brewing Company, 5049 6th St. 6-9 p.m. islandbrewingcompany.com (805) 745-8272

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

Sunday, March 29

Springbreak Theatre “Happily Ever After or Else!” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 3-4 p.m. $7/general $5/Seniors, children. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

Monday, March 30

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

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

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

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

AgeWell Senior Program: Mind Games Veterans Memorial Building Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. 1:302:30 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

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

Springbreak Theatre “Happily Ever After or Else!” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 4-5 p.m. $7/general $5/Seniors, children. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

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

Introducción a las computadoras–Clase Bilingüe Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 6-8:15 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Tuesday, March 31

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

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

AgeWell Senior Program: Mind Body Balance Exercise Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 11 a.m.

— noon. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

AgeWell Senior Program: Free Lunch Program Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 12:15-1 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 8811279

AgeWell Senior Program: Bridge Group Veterans Memorial Building Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. 1-4 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

Spanish Conversation Group Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 2-3 p.m. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

Special Meeting Joint Utilities Committee City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 3 p.m. carpinteriaca.gov (805) 684-5405 Public Facility Site Acquisition/ Development Committee Meeting City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. 3 p.m. carpinteriaca.gov (805) 684-5405

Springbreak Theatre “Happily Ever After or Else!” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 4-5 p.m. $7/general $5/Seniors, children. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

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

Al-Anon Meeting Faith Lutheran Church, 1335 Vallecito Place. 6:30 p.m. Artist Talk-Gerri Shapiro: “It’s Complicated” Rubenstein Chan Contemporary Art, 410 Palm Ave., Unit B, 6:30 p.m. RSVP rubensteinchan.com.

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

Wednesday, April 1

AgeWell Senior Program: Carpinteria Men’s Coffee Club Veterans Memorial Building Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. 8:30-9:30 a.m. agewell@ carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 881-1279

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

Science for Teens Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. For ages 11- to 13-years-old. carpinterialibrary.org, (805) 684-4314

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

AgeWell Senior Program: Free Lunch Program Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. 12:15-1 p.m. agewell@carpinteriaca.gov, (805) 8811279

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

Springbreak Theatre “Happily Ever After or Else!” The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave. 4-5 p.m. $7/general $5/Seniors, children. thealcazar.org, (805) 684-6380

ARTCETERA

COMPILED BY CVN STAFF | COURTESY PHOTOS

cast

Ever After or Else” includes, from left,

Alcazar Ensemble brings fairy tales to life with Spring Break Theatre

The Alcazar Ensemble will return to the stage with its fourth annual Spring Break Theatre production, offering a week of live performances designed for families, youth groups and spring break camps.

Running Sunday, March 29 through Friday, April 3, this year’s featured production is “Happily Ever After or Else,” a playful and imaginative twist on classic fairy tales.

The original play, written by awn Balk, was selected from more than 0 submissions after the Ensemble invited regional writers to create short works blending familiar storybook worlds. In the chosen script, beloved characters such as Cinderella, Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood rebel against their predetermined endings. Their ourney through the forest leads them on a uest to confront authority and ultimately discover friendship, independence and the courage to shape their own futures.

The production is co-directed by Asa Olsson and Leslie V. AnnRenee and features a cast of performers from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Cast members include Ross Brown as the narrator, Genevieve Schatz as Cinderella, reamer Rae Wilson as Snow White, Bethany ’Ambra as Red Riding Hood and Philip Moreno as the Big Bad Wolf. Additional performers include Maddy hachadoorian, Alphonse Philippe Mouzon as Prince Charming, Claudia ashin as Barry and Elizabeth Flanagan as Gary.

Performances are scheduled for Sunday, March 29 at 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, March 30 to April 2 at p.m. and Friday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are 7 for general admission and for children and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at thealcazar.org.

Mini festival celebrates Indian culture at Carpinteria Library

Carpinteria residents are invited to experience a vibrant celebration of Indian culture at a free, family-friendly mini festival this Saturday at the Carpinteria Community Library.

The event will take place on Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Carpinteria Community Room, and aims to highlight the richness and diversity of Indian traditions, inspired by the elephant motif a symbol of strength, harmony and a welcoming spirit.

Guests can en oy a variety of activities throughout the morning, including arts and crafts, face painting, snacks and a book giveaway, making the event especially appealing for families with children.

A centerpiece of the festival will be live performances by the Nadabhoomi ance Academy, founded by eepa awson. The academy will present Bharatanatyam and Indian folk dances, offering a glimpse into the storytelling and expressive movement that define these traditional art forms.

Organizers say the performances aim to share the depth of Indian culture while inviting the community to connect through music, dance and creativity.

The event is open to all ages. For more information, contact Suzanne at (805) 617- 929.

B a esber ’s boo a nbo o So nd ead o 1 3 he Touring Years” be a a ab e to t c et ho ders at r da ’s ca ar Theatre event, which includes a signed copy and a behind-the-scenes look at his iconic music photography.

Photographer Jay Blakesberg brings Grateful Dead stories to Alcazar stage

Music fans and photography enthusiasts alike are invited to an evening of stories, images and history as The Alcazar Theatre hosts renowned photographer Jay Blakesberg this Friday, March 26.

The 90-minute event, “The Grateful ead Experience,” begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature a storytelling slideshow drawn from Blakesberg’s 8-year career documenting the iconic band. Attendees can expect behind-the-scenes anecdotes, insights into his photographic techni ues and personal reflections on some of his most memorable images.

Blakesberg, a San Francisco-based photographer and filmmaker, is widely recognized for his extensive work capturing the Grateful ead and the broader music scene. His photography has appeared in publications around the world and in 16 coffee table books, including “An American Beauty: Grateful ead 196 199 .” He also co-owns the Retro Photo Archive with his daughter.

The evening will offer a rare, firsthand look at the cultural impact of the Grateful ead through the lens of one of their most dedicated visual chroniclers.

Tickets are 2 for reserved seating, while VIP tickets are available for 60 and include a signed copy of Blakesberg’s book, “Rainbow Full of Sound ead Co 201 2023: The Touring ears,” along with one complimentary drink.

Tickets can be purchased online at thealcazar.org.

Photographer Jay Blakesberg, known for his decades-long documentation of the Grateful Dead, will present a storytelling slideshow at The Alcazar Theatre on March 26.

Carp Conversations to host March dialogue on identity and belonging

Carp Conversations, a monthly community dialogue series, will host its inaugural event on Wednesday, March 26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave., according to a press release from the organization.

The March gathering will focus on themes of identity, unity and difference, encouraging participants to reflect on uestions about how individuals define themselves and relate to others. Organizers describe the event as a shared in uiry rather than a debate, emphasizing listening, reflection and mutual respect.

The discussion will be co-facilitated by Nick Holder, a recent California Lutheran niversity graduate with an interest in American history, and Ariah Hayley, an attorney and founder of Carp Conversations.

“These gatherings are about slowing down,” Hayley said in the release. “They are about speaking thoughtfully, listening generously and discovering what becomes possible when people engage one another with openness and humility.”

Organizers said the series is designed to provide an alternative to more polarized discussions by focusing on shared human experiences rather than partisan issues. Each event follows guiding principles that encourage participation, respect and open dialogue.

Carp Conversations is free and open to the public, and no prior experience is re uired to attend. Future events are planned throughout the year. Contact Ariah Hayley at amy.ariah.hayley gmail.comfor more information.

Arts and Crafts Faire: April 4

The first Arts Crafts Faire of 2026 will be held at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center on Saturday, April 4.

The event will feature live music, as well as numerous vendors selling a variety of items, including fabric arts, glass, ewelry, pottery and much more.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to p.m. in the och Courtyard of the arts center, located at 865 Linden Ave.

Dancers from Nadabhoomi Dance Academy, founded by Deepa Dawson, will er or trad t ona Bharatanat a and nd an o dances d r n Sat rda ’s Indian culture mini festival at the Carpinteria Community Library.

The

of “Happily

Claudia ach n oss Bro n h Moreno Bethan ’ bra honse Philippe Mouzon, Genevieve Schatz, Maddy Khachadoorian and Dreamer Rae Wilson.

ar nter a est a o Boo s r 1

The Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center and the Carpinteria Writers Group have collaborated once again to host the third annual Carpinteria Festival of Books on Sunday, April 12, noon to 4 p.m. at the arts center.

The event will feature more than 25 local authors, including some live author readings. Attendees will also have an opportunity to read with a dog from Therapy Dogs of America.

The Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center is located at 865 Linden Avenue.

e a nt n stor te n to head ne err e Sha ro art st ta

An evening of live art, conversation and storytelling is set for Tuesday, March 31, as artist Gerrie Shapiro brings a dynamic twist to the traditional artist talk at Rubenstein Chan Contemporary Art.

The event, titled “It’s Complicated,” begins at 6:30 p.m. at the gallery, 410 Palm Ave., Unit 3B, and invites attendees to experience Shapiro’s creative process in real time.

Rather than a standard lecture, Shapiro will transform the gallery into a working studio for the evening, painting live while engaging with guests. The format offers a rare behindthe-scenes look at how her work evolves, with opportunities for attendees to ask questions and gain insight into her inspirations.

Shapiro is also expected to weave in stories from her life and career, creating an informal and interactive atmosphere.

Guests are encouraged to enjoy the relaxed setting with wine while taking in the live demonstration and discussion.

“It’s Complicated” will remain on view at the gallery through April 6.

res dent and o the recent s o e

President and CEO of the members of the Rotary Club

Hopper was previously the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. in January 202 . Hopper outlined becoming the Central Coast conservation and providing “an experience The Santa Barbara Zoo is located

5:30 AM

o a nt n s on sa e to benefit ar nter a brar

Two paintings by New England artist Marieluise Hutchinson were anonymously donated to the Friends of the Carpinteria Library, and are currently on sale through the Heritage Auctions’ American Art Within Reach Showcase.

Bidding for the paintings closes April 10, and all proceeds from the sale of the paintings will benefit the Carpinteria Community Library. The paintings were donated to the used bookstore by an anonymous art collector.

Hutchinson is an artist with the Copley Society of Boston and the Cape Cod Art Center, and is known for her traditional, realistic depictions of rural New England scenes. The paintings are “Pure Glee” and “Snowbound,” which were part of Hutchinson’s annual Christmas series to benefit veteran services, and originally sold for 6,000 each.

Bidding starts at 100 for the paintings, and more information is available online at fineart.ha.com c auction-home.zx?saleNo 17230.

re ee b Mar e se tch nson

Community rea ast i li ts CCC’s mission of care and connection

Community members gathered at the Carpinteria Woman’s Club on March 19 for a complimentary breakfast hosted by Compassionate Care of Carpinteria, offering a closer look at the organization’s services and impact.

Attendees filled the room, sharing a meal while hearing presentations about the nonprofit’s work supporting individuals and families through serious illness, grief and end-of-life planning. The event also provided an opportunity for the community to connect with staff, volunteers and members of the organization’s steering committee.

A highlight of the morning came from Suzie Schneider, who offered a deeply personal reflection on the loss of her father. “Having someone walk alongside you during grief can make all the difference,” Schneider said, underscoring the importance

AROUND TOWN

COURTESY PHOTXO

From left, Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning President Stephen Gerteis, member Wade Nomura, Unite to Light President and CEO Megan Birney Rudert and Rotary member Art Fisher.

Rotary hears from Unite to Light CEO

Megan Birney Rudert, the president and CEO of the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit Unite to Light, spoke to the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning on March 18. Unite to Light works to provide low-cost solar light and power for people across the globe living without access to electricity.

Rotary club member Wade Nomura sits on the board for the nonprofit, and member Art Fisher is an active volunteer for the group.

“Seven hundred million people around the world lack access to electricity,” Rudert told club members. “Our products support disaster relief, education, health care, economic development and violence prevention.”

Rudert also described new Unite to Light devices, including a village-scale phone charging system and an expandable lantern flashlight. Rotary clubs have partnered with Unite to Light in the past to donate solar-powered reading lights and phone chargers to people from Central America and the Caribbean to Africa, Asia and Ukraine. Those interested in learning more may visit unitetolight.org/.

of compassionate support during life’s most di cult moments.

Organizers expressed gratitude for her willingness to share such an intimate experience, noting that stories like hers reflect the heart of the organization’s mission.

Compassionate Care of Carpinteria provides free services to the community, including support for those facing serious illness, grief counseling for children and families, and guidance in advance care planning. The program aims to walk alongside individuals of all ages, offering comfort, resources and connection during times of need.

The breakfast served as both an introduction for newcomers and a rea rmation for longtime supporters of the vital role the organization plays in the Carpinteria community.

Middle schooler earns second place in county spelling bee

Carpinteria Middle School seventh grader Isaac Cumes earned second place in the junior high division of the 2026 Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 24. Cumes was one of six top spellers in a competition of more than 60 students from across the county.

The competition included a total of 69 fourth through eighth grade students, competing in an elementary and junior high division. Cumes was one of three students who placed in the junior high division, for his word “cataclysm.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Carpinteria Middle School student Isaac Cumes earned second place in the junior high division of the 2026 Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee.

CVN PHOTO

Compassionate Care of Carpinteria (CCC) board member Marybeth Carty, left, and Director of Strategic Advancement for Hospice of Santa Barbara Charles Caldwell update the community on CCC programs.

Locals celebrate 28th Sunrise Ceremony

PHOTOS BY ROBIN KARLSSON

The 28th annual Sunrise Ceremony was held at the Mishopshno Meadow atop the Carpinteria Bluffs on Sunday, March 22, organized by the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs in partnership with Chumash descendant Julie Tumamait-Stenslie.

The spring spiritual observance has been an annual event since 1999, and each year, Tumamait-Stenslie invites other members of the Chumash community and general public to “bring a poem, story, or song to share in the language of their ancestors,” according to a press release from the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs.

Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs member Ted Rhodes plays “Three Little Birds” and everyone sang along.

Julie Tumamait-Stenslie offers words from her Chumash ancestors.

Julie prepares for the ceremony.

Julie offers a cleansing using artemisia plant and water.

The Weekly Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

THURSDAY

Sunday, March 15

1 1 hrs nc dent Sand and oad and en e

involving an ICE incident that occurred. The reporting party felt threatened by the female subject’s actions and wanted the incident documented.

Editor’s note: Hey readers, would your house be a good fit for Throwback Thursday? If you have an old photo of your home that we can share, please contact Lea at lea@coastalview. com or 684-4428. We’re happy to take a contemporary photograph of your house to pair with the

A vehicle collided with the reporting party’s vehicle while reversing out of a parking stall. The driver of the vehicle fled the location without exchanging information.

Continued from page 1

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A subject was contacted after causing a disturbance at a local fast-food restaurant. The subject was found to be intoxicated to the point he could not care for himself. He was arrested and booked at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail.

Monday, March 16

After a somewhat tumultuous era at Carpinteria Middle School that saw more than 75 suspensions last year, Briggs said that he was interested in coming on as principal for the challenge of turning things around in terms of discipline. “It’s hard for teachers (when students misbehave) in a class with 25 or 35 other kids they have to teach,” Briggs acknowledged, but went on to say that simply assigning them punishments like detention “doesn’t work.”

Deputies responded to a trespass suspect who was wearing an all-white outfit with a medical wristband, who voluntarily left the location. Mobile crisis responded and placed the subject on a 5150 hold. Narcotics were located on the subject, however due to the subject’s mental health state, he was transported to the hospital on the 5150 hold. The case was forwarded to the district attorney for filing of charges, and the narcotics were recovered.

A NT

The Pine Haven Motel and Caf , located on the Coast Highway today’s Carpinteria Avenue , were proud new elements of Carpinteria’s downtown in 1941.

1 hrs arcot cs Ba ard en e

Fun in the sun

are other reasons why you’re there.” He added that he looks forward to expanding extracurricular activities for students at Carpinteria Middle School, including some woodshop courses, design and technical classes, and coordinating with Carpinteria High School Principal Gerardo Cornejo to create programs that would “line up” with established pathway certiﬁcate programs at the high school, such as culinary arts and other disciplines.

CARPINTERIA HERALD AR CHIVES

David Lundberg hits Bill Araluce with a handful of Jello during a Youth Festival held by the local Youth Council in the summer of 1967.

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BY LEA BOYD

“Who doesn’t love avocados?” queried Emily Crosby when asked about her feelings for the scaly-skinned green-ﬂeshed fruit Carpinterians celebrate every year with a three-day festival. Crosby, a graphic designer, loves avocados enough to have produced an avo-honoring poster design that was selected to represent the California Avocado Festival in its 31 st year.

Rena VanKirk, the festival’s executive administrator, said that among the many entries into this year’s poster design contest, Crosby’s graphics drew the support of all the decision-makers. “The colors and are fun and vibrate, and the ‘waves’ around the avocado gives it a groovy Carpinteria Beach feel,” she said. rosby will attend her ﬁrst alifornia Avocado Festival this October. The celebrated artist behind the design said she was thrilled to be chosen and looks forward to eating, drinking and admiring all things avo when she attends the festival, scheduled for Oct. through 8. Last year, Crosby submitted a poster entry similar to this year’s winner. “I really liked the last one I did,” she said. “It just needed tweaking.”

As a graphic designer at Whatever Company, which makes novelty items and customized apparel, she’d been assigned a project to make shirts with 1960s and 1970s band names, like Jefferson Airplane and Janice Joplin. The retro lettering and throwback patterns appealed to her despite her typically minimalist aesthetic. She worked that mood into her Avofest poster.

Growing up in the Northridge area, Crosby didn’t take a liking to avocados as a kid. The 2014 Loyola Marymount

A vehicle that had tinted windows and no front plate was the sub ect of a tra c enforcement stop. During the stop the driver and the passenger were both found to be unlicensed. During a search of the vehicle, over a kilogram of cocaine was discovered in the back seat. Both occupants had constructive possession of the cocaine and were booked for sales and transportation of cocaine. A bail increase was sought and approved.

A laptop cover, laptop, mouse cover and wireless mouse werefound by a city employee at the Carpinteria Community Library. An incident report was authored, and the property was booked for safekeeping.

Editor’s note: Longtime Carpinterian Lou Panizzon recently discovered a copy of a 1940 Directory of Carpinteria Valley and Summerland online and forwarded it to Coastal View News. Published by the Carpinteria Herald, Coastal View News’ predecessor, the 30-page book includes addresses—no phone numbers—for every family listed. Also included is a “Historical sketch” about Carpinteria Valley that has been reprinted here in sections over the last several weeks. Former installments published in CVN, can be found at coastalview.com.

In August of 1967, Carpinteria’s Youth Council organized an all-day festival of beach competitions for local teens, giving the youth a chance to shake off their beach energy before returning to the classroom. Some of the festival winners from 40-plus years ago are still in Carpinteria today.

White House once removed

Thursday, March 19

1940 Directory of Carpinteria Valley and Summerland: Historical Sketch continued

Tuesday, March 17

At Hueneme High School, Briggs said, he would ask his colleagues who were having trouble with certain students if they knew anything about the kids. When a teacher builds relationships with their students, he said, the children then know someone is advocating for them. “A red flag (behaviorally) means something is happening,” Briggs noted. “When you dig deeper, you can get them extra support.” Briggs looks forward to leading CMS in part because “with middle schoolers the cement is still wet in their brains” he said.

13 hrs he t b oc th Street

ick Olmstead and Jim and claimed the ﬁrst place trophy in two-man beach volleyball beating out artin arty and Jack oyer - in the ﬁnals. espite a broken ski handle in the second round of the competition, Bob Walsh won the water skiing trophy for the men’s competition. ricia Wooldridge was the top female water skier, trailed by Peggy Puentes and Mary ouise Brown (now Sanchez) who tied for second. Other festival participants included Matt Moore, Mac Brown, David Granaroli and G.G. Colson.

“Going to school is tough,” Briggs noted, “but it makes it easier if there

1 3 hrs arcot cs ast as ass oad

Besides the school buildings that have been constructed during the depression years, the county built the Veterans Memorial building on the old Aliso school site which has proven of great accommodation to the residents of the town besides housing the ﬁre department the justice court the library and the welfare department.

nknown suspect(s) forced entry through a window to the Carpinteria Community Garden building and stole a work phone, speaker and folding saw. No suspect information is currently available.

Tucked under an oak canopy off Foothill Road, Ivy Oaks, the longtime home of the lewellyn oodfield Jr. family once housed hester Alan Arthur son of the st resident of the nited States. The craftsman home and barn at oothill oad were built around by Jerome and race haffee. hester Arthur and his wife yra ithian Arthur lived there from to . The Arthurs named the property Nirvana but its next owner uth elin changed it to vy Oaks. lewellyn and atherine oodfield moved from Santa Barbara to vy Oaks in with their two sons because they wanted more space for the boys. lewellyn Jr. and wife arilyn now own the property. Their son raham was raised there and now lives in the converted barn with his wife annah and their two children. The oodfields delight in sharing the beauty and serenity of the property with family and friends.

After the serious contests, a Jello free-for-all resulted in 11 gallons of the jiggly dessert smeared over 20 participants. he festival wrapped up with snacks of watermelon and soda donated by the Seven-Up Bottling Company.

A short time ago r. and rs. Adrian . ood began the construction of a business block on Linden Avenue, which, when completed will be the largest business structure in town.

ofe t n eil roo po ter

hrs nc dent 1 b oc o en e

Thirty years ago, all of the lemons that were grown in the Valley, except those that were hauled to Santa Barbara were packed in the packing house of the . . ubbard ruit company which was not much larger than the erald ofﬁce building. That company has built four additions to the plant until now the house covers the whole block. This company is now the arpinteria emon Association.

Consider a Gift

Annuity

Deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance. pon interviewing the subjects, it was determined that no crime had occurred, both parties had been drinking and had a verbal argument.

A little over ten years ago, the Carpinteria Mutual Citrus Association was organized and a packing house was built on Sixth street extending to the railroad side track. Two additions have been added to this plant so that now the house covers the whole block.

Saturday, March 21

The original service station was established at the southeast corner of the state highway and inden Avenue about twenty-three years ago. This station consisted of a stand of two pumps and a small fruit stand. That was ade uate as there were not many automobiles in the valley.

A vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 101 was stopped for equipment violations. The driver was found to be operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested, and during an inventory of the vehicle, approximately a quarter-pound of meth was found in the vehicle in different locations. The meth was individually wrapped in multiple weights. The subject was also in possession of over $1,000 in cash. He was booked into the Santa Barbara County Main Jail after a blood draw warrant was authored for refusing to supply a blood sample.

the Gift that Gives Both Ways

Wednesday, March 18

Having grown up in Ojai and going through the public schools there, Briggs said that his family didn’t put a big emphasis on education but after about ﬁve years of differing jobs and vocations after high school—“ski bum,” commercial ﬁsherman car salesman and martial arts among them—he went to Ventura College then transferred to UCSB where he majored in environmental studies and philosophy. Intending to pursue a career in environmental law, a two weeks teaching engagement changed his trajectory. At 48 years old, Briggs brings more than 20 years of teaching experience to his job at Carpinteria Middle School— those years in the more economically and socially challenged areas of south Ventura County. “I’m interested in kids with emotional, behavioral and academic challenges,” Briggs said. Coming to Carpinteria Middle School, Briggs said that he was not interested in seeing his future staffs’ teaching records, preferring instead to start his job with high expectations of both teachers and students. “If you have low expectations of someone,” Briggs explained, “they’re going to meet those, too.”

To learn more about Carpinteria’s unique and interesting past, visit the Carpinteria Val ley Museum of History, open Tuesday through Saturday from to p.m. at 956 Maple Ave. Coastal View News • el r a , epte er ,  3

111 hrs nc dent b oc ar nter a en e

This service station gave way for a fine super-service station which was constructed by the Seaside Oil ompany the first one of its kind to be built here. This super-service station was ra ed last winter when that company constructed the fine plant at the corner of aple Avenue and the state highway.

hrs arcot cs nden en e and ar nter a en e

Since that time other oil companies have built ﬁne super-service stations until now there are only two corners on the state highway through town on which there isn’t a service station.

NOW

Consider a Gift Annuity

Deputies responded to a vehicle vs bicycle tra c collision. pon arrival, the bicyclist was found sitting on the street in front of the western driveway, alert and oriented but bleeding from a laceration to his left shoulder. A vehicle had pulled out from the western driveway in front of the bicyclist to travel westbound on Carpinteria Avenue. The bicyclist observed the vehicle but collided into the rear window, shattering it and sustaining injuries. The bicyclist was evaluated and transported to the hospital.

The Star Auto amp now the arpinteria otor odge was the ﬁrst one of the kind that was ever established in arpinteria. ater the ine aven Auto amp now the ine aven otel was established.

hen the ow- ueller building was constructed on the state highway at lm street arpinterians were provided with their ﬁrst real theatre. This building houses a caf a store and a barber shop.

1 hrs he t 1 b oc ooth oad

To learn more about Carpinteria’s unique and interesting past, visit the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 956 Maple Ave.

The ﬁnest caf arpinterians have ever enjoyed locally was opened the fore part of August the ine aven offee Shop.

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

Deputies responded to the intersection of Carpinteria Avenue and Linden Avenue for a report of a female walking into tra c multiple times. pon contact, the subject mentioned that she had not walked into tra c but did admit she had used methamphetamine and fentanyl within the prior few days. The subject consented to a urine sample which tested presumptive positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. The subject was arrested, transported and booked at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail without further incident.

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The reporting party wanted to report that an unknown female subject became upset with her about a political issue

To learn more, call Shanna Taylor at 805.965.8591 ext. 120 or email staylor@unitedwaysb.org

unitedwaysb.org/giftplanning

nknown sub ects stole mail from mailboxes along Foothill Road and Casitas Pass Road. The suspected vehicle has registered owners with an address out of Los Angeles.

Coastal View News • el

THROWBACK

Henry W. Muzzall: Twice a trailblazer

BY STEPHEN BATES

In 1924, three days after his 79th birthday, Henry Woolven Muzzall died at his home in Stanley Park in Carpinteria. Although few people remember him now, the Ventura Weekly Post & Democrat called him “one of the best-known residents of this section.” He had devoted two careers to opening up Santa Barbara County.

Born in 1845 in Indiana, Muzzall served in the Union infantry during the Civil War. In 1872, he came to Santa Barbara with his uncle, Edwin J. Hayward. Hayward started a photography business. After a couple of years, Muzzall joined him. Hayward & Muzzall became the county’s leading photographers.

Advertising “Prices to Suit the Times,” they charged $5 to $6 for a dozen cabinet cards — portraits about four by six inches on thick stock for display. The Lompoc Record urged readers to stop by the men’s State Street studio for a family portrait, because “many regret the neglect when too late.” Those who sat for photos included archeologist Stephen Bowers and members of the de la Guerra family.

Outside the studio, the Arlington Hotel in 1876 commissioned Hayward & Muzzall to take a picture of its building for 1,000 advertising cards to be sent across the country. The men also photographed the mission, Chinese and Chumash residents, undeveloped State Street and overdressed beachgoers, and construction of the railroad at Rincon Point. The Santa Barbara Daily News in 1875 said that a 6-by-16-inch Hayward & Muzzall panorama showing the mission, Stearns Wharf and Montecito “deserves a place on the parlor walls of every citizen” and would make an ideal gift for faraway friends.

The photos marketed as “Hayward & Muzzall’s Views of Santa Barbara and Vicinity” now provide one of the best records of the area during the 1870s. John Woodward, a leading local collector of historic photos, says they captured more images of early Santa Barbara than all other photographers combined. The Huntington, the Getty and the New York Public Library all own Hayward & Muzzall prints.

In 1879, the photographers debunked a famous spiritualist. In the midst of a series of public appearances and private seances in Santa Barbara, Henry Slade needed photographic evidence of his supernatural abilities, so he came to Hayward & Muzzall’s for several portrait sittings. Some of the long-exposure images showed ghostly hands touching his body. During one sitting, Muzzall hid in

enr M a or ed as one o the first ran ers at hat o d beco e os adres at ona orest ere he’s b the os r etos stat on c rca 1918, when he was in his early 70s. He was forced to retire at 75.

an adjoining room and peered through a keyhole while Hayward snapped photos. Whenever Hayward turned his back, Slade would quickly place his hands on his shoulders or head. Muzzall went public with his discovery. His sleuthing made it into newspapers halfway across the country.

Having opened Santa Barbara County with lens and tripod, Muzzall then opened it with trail-axe and saddle.

He suffered from health problems, and a doctor told him to spend more time outdoors, his son Carl recalled in a 1960 Carpinteria Herald interview. In 1898, President William McKinley set aside 1.1 million acres for the Pine Mountain and Zaca Lake Reserve, later part of Los Padres National Forest. Muzzall signed on as one of the first rangers.

Gifford Pinchot, the head of the ivision of Forestry under McKinley, once said that a ranger must be able to “ride all day and all night” and work under brutal conditions. Muzzall was in his early 50s, much older than most others, yet a colleague, L. A. Barrett, remembered him as “one of the most conscientious men on the force.” He became a deputy ranger posted to the Los Prietos Ranger Station on the Santa Ynez River.

Muzzall and a handful of other rangers cut more than 100 miles of trails through the wilderness in the first six years. Hunters and fishers used them at first recreational horseback riders came later.

When President Theodore Roosevelt visited Santa Barbara in 1903, local rangers served as an honor guard. The president thanked them for protecting natural resources for future generations, adding: “I like the way you ride.”

In 1909, newspapers reported that Muzzall was leading his horse on foot

down the San Marcos Trail when a rattlesnake — nine feet long, in his telling — struck at the horse. Muzzall ran, trying to get the horse to safety, but the snake chased them, lunging at the horse’s legs.

After 10 minutes, Muzzall threw his coat on the path, forcing the snake to pause, and crushed its skull with a rock. He said he had killed hundreds of rattlesnakes, but he had never seen one pursue a horse or a man for such a distance. The Ventura Free Press ran the story under the whimsical headline “AWFUL RATTLESNAKE CHASED A MAN / Hair-Raising Story Right Out of Staid and Sober Santa Barbara—Ain’t It Awful, Mabel.”

By 1919, when he turned 74, Grandpa Muzzall, as children called him, had cut back to working six months a year, but he was still blazing trails — he worked on one between Mono and Los Prietos that year. The Santa Barbara Daily News called him the “Dean of Rangers.”

In 1920, Muzzall turned 75 and was legally forced to retire. He had bought Stanley Park Lodge in 1916 for Carl to manage. Muzzall spent his last years there, in the quiet backcountry of the Carpinteria Valley, next to what’s now Los Padres National Forest.

Stephen Bates is coauthor (with Vince Burns) of a pictorial history of Rincon Point, which is available at the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History and elsewhere.

JOHN WOODWARD

CHRIS ERVIN

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Hayward & Muzzall captured scores of images of the region during the 1870s, including this circa 1875 shot of Santa Barbara beachwear.

PRIVATE COLLECTION

Henry Woolven Muzzall, right, arrived in Santa Barbara in 1872 with his nc e d n a ard

MARCH 26, 2026

Record-setting day for the Warriors

Carpinteria

sweeps Hueneme as Vivian Huskins sets new record in 100-meter dash

BY RYAN P. CRUZ | PHOTOS BY ROSANA SWING

Carpinteria boys and girls track and field teams both won in a dual meet against Hueneme on March 19, with the highlight of the day coming when the Warriors girls sprinters took the top five spots in the 100-meter dash with senior Vivian Huskins coming in first place and setting another school record — breaking her own time from earlier this year with an all-time best finish of 12. 2 seconds.

The Warriors girls team won the overall competition by a combined score of 119-1 , with multiple new personal records and Huskins’ new school record all in one day. The senior sprinter recovered from a hip flexor in ury to come back and run the fastest time in Warrior history. Huskins is now the school record holder in both the 100- and 200-meter sprints.

“We backed off on the training this week and only ran (Huskins) in one race today,” Carpinteria coach Van Latham said. “It appears the rest paid off.”

The success of the Warriors girls continued in the 200-meter race, where Carpinteria sprinters came in the top four spots and freshman Caroline Cooney took first place. In the 00-meter race, the Warriors took the top three spots, with aydance Gardner finishing first with a new personal record time of 1:01.92, Giarys Gomez taking second with a season best of 1:03.98 and Isla Moore coming in third with a personal record of 1:0 .09.

The Warriors runners went two-fortwo in the hurdles races, with sophomore Halleh Gahan winning the 100-meter hurdle sprint with a new personal record time of 18.13 seconds, while senior Izzy Scott won the 300-meter hurdles with a new season best of 0.39. Jac ueline Guardian completed the Carpinteria running wins with a first-place finish in the 3200-meter race.

Carpinteria was e ually dominant in the field events, with Warriors athletes winning in every single event.

Senior Marely Avalos took first place in both the shot put and the discus; sophomore Callie Labistour won the long ump sophomore Ayla Soicher took first place in the triple ump senior Ellie Roberts

and freshman Hunter Stovall tied for first in the pole vault and unior Natalia Andrade came out on top the girls high ump.

Carpinteria’s boys took the team win in a closer battle, overcoming Hueneme by a score of 76-60. The Warriors boys earned the win thanks to a successful showing in the technical events, outscoring Hueneme 7-1 in the hurdles and field events.

Sophomore Isaac Sanchez swept both the hurdles events, while senior Eli Perez took the sweep in the throwing events with a new personal record in both the shot put and the discus.

Senior Josiah Gonzales took first place in the high ump, while senior Jeremy Haines earned the top spot in the pole vault with a 10-foot clearance.

Junior Max Soto continued a strong season in the distance sprints, winning both the 1600- and 3200-meter races. Junior Isaac Neri took second in the 00-meter, and Jeshua Magana earned second place in the 100m with a new personal record time of 11.72 seconds.

“The boys had a very satisfying day,” coach Latham said. “The girls continued their great start to the season with another dominant performance.”

Gia Sharma set a new personal best and earned second in the girls high jump.

ROSANA SWING PHOTOS Halleh Gahan won the girls 100-meter hurdles with a new personal record time.

Vivian Huskins, center, set a new school record in the 100-meter dash, followed closely by teammates Callie Labistour, Kenzi Gardner, Belen MacMurray and Caroline Cooney.

Isaac Neri on take-off from the starting blocks in the boys 400-meter sprint.

SHORT STOPS

BY RYAN P. CRUZ

JESUS MAYA

Gabe Martinez drove in the eventual game winner in the second inning against Fillmore on March 18.

arr ors baseba ta es first oss reco ers with win

Carpinteria’s baseball team started its season with eight straight wins before suffering its first loss of the year in the second game of a home-and-away series against Fillmore on March 20. Following the loss, the Warriors got back in the win column with a 9-0 shutout win at home over el Sol the next day on March 21.

Carpinteria started out the year hot, with a mix of high scoring offense and staunch defense to win the first eight games of the year. This success continued in the first game of a two-game series at home against Fillmore on March 18.

Senior allas Bartholic earned the win on the mound, giving up ust one hit and one run through five innings before senior Gabe Martinez came in to finish the final two innings. Bartholic also did damage on offense, knocking in a run with a double to score the first run of the game in the top of the first inning.

Four different Carpinteria hitters knocked in RBIs to help the Warriors take the -1 win over Fillmore and extend their undefeated streak to 8-0.

Two days later, Carpinteria had a tougher task in the second game of the series on the road at Booty Sanchez Field in Fillmore.

In this game, Fillmore took advantage of some early Carpinteria mistakes to take a 3-0 lead. The Warriors battled back with a five-run rally in the fifth inning and scored another in the sixth to give Carpinteria a 6-3 lead heading into the final inning.

Fillmore came back, going on a late rally to seal the win by a final score of 8-6. It was Carpinteria’s first loss of the season, and also Fillmore’s first win of the year. Carpinteria sophomore Jonah Hernandez kept the Warriors in the game, hitting a double and a single with two RBIs and one run scored himself. Freshman Brick Trumble provided three hits, while sophomore Gabe Chung and senior Micah Smith each had a pair of hits and scored.

“Baseball can be a cruel game,” said Carpinteria coach Pat Cooney. “Players work at their craft and try like crazy to execute plays and still there are forces beyond their control. Sometimes it doesn’t work out in your favor but you are thankful when you get the chance to play again right away.”

The Warriors were eager to get back in the winning rhythm the next day, with a home game against el Sol on March 21.

In this game, the Warriors had success across the field with highlights on both offense and defense. Carpinteria scored two runs in the second inning, then added four more in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth and sixth the take the win by a score of 9-0.

Trumble continued a stellar freshman season, going four-for-four at the plate with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Sophomore Brandyn Moore added an RBI and a double, while Hernandez scored twice and knocked in a triple in the win. Hernandez was also dominant on the mound, pitching through the first two scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Senior Charlotte Cooney came in and earned the win with three innings of scoreless work with three strikeouts, while Smith came in to finish the final two innings and maintain the shutout with four strikeouts.

Carpinteria baseball is now 9-1 to start the season, with a two-game series against league rival Hueneme this week.

Warriors swimmers suffer loss to crosstown rival Cate

Carpinteria’s boys and girls swim teams both suffered losses in a head-to-head meet against crosstown rival Cate on Friday, March 20, though many of the Warriors swimmers turned in strong individual performances and multiple personal best or CIF postseason consideration times.

The Warriors boys lost by a combined score of 120- 9 but had several individual highlights on the day. Senior co-captain Jake Ehlers won both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races, earning CIF ivision 3 postseason times and setting new season bests in both races.

The Carpinteria girls found more success in the pool, though Cate held on for the team win by a score of 9 -6 .

The Warriors earned first-place wins from Madison Lee in the 100-yard freestyle, Izzy Scott in the 0-yard freestyle and Lucy Moore in the 00-yard freestyle. The girls x 0 and x100 relay teams both set CIF ivision 2 consideration times, and Lucia Smith set a new lifetime best with a CIF consideration time in the 100-yard backstroke.

“I’m proud of the performances by the athletes today, they showed a lot of heart,” said Carpinteria coach Jon Otsuki. “Our swimmers continue to improve each meet, and that progress remains our focus going forward.”

Carpinteria will now prepare for a home meet against league opponent Santa Paula this week.

Carpinteria volleyball wins two of three matches

Carpinteria boys volleyball had a busy week on the court, with three matches over five days from March 19-23.

The Warriors traveled to Fillmore on March 19, where Carpinteria dropped the first set before coming back to win three straight and take the match by a final score of 3-1. Carpinteria was dominant in the final stretch, with Rafael Cintura keeping the Warriors in control with 21 digs and six aces from the service line. evin Bernal was a force with 20 digs Alari Rodriguez finished with 1 digs and four kills Alan Maya added 10 digs and six kills and Cole Rowbottom came away with nine kills in the win.

The next day, Carpinteria hosted el Sol and kept the winning momentum with a three-set sweep. The Warriors maintained control throughout the match, with Maya and Rowbottom leading the offense with 16 assists and 13 kills, respectively. This win over el Sol was the Warriors fifth win in a row.

Carpinteria’s win streak came to an end in a tough five-set match at home against Citrus Coast League leader Malibu on March 23.

The Warriors were competitive throughout the match, with Rodriguez and Cintura keeping the team alive with 6 combined digs. Rodriguez added six kills, Cintura finished with five, while Rowbottom had 1 kills and Maya contributed with 17 assists.

“We ultimately came up short, but the boys battled the entire way and showed a lot of heart,” said Carpinteria coach Favian Muralles. “It was a total team effort, and the boys competed at a high level throughout the match.”

The Warriors are now 8-3 overall, and are in second place in the league standings with a record of -2 against Citrus Coast League opponents. Carpinteria will continue league play this week with a road match against Hueneme.

Warriors boys tennis drops match to Malibu

Carpinteria boys tennis suffered its first league loss of the year in a home match against Malibu on Thursday, March 19. The Warriors were competitive, but the Sharks pulled away by a final of 11-7.

Warriors singles specialists Edwin Hernandez played a clean day of tennis and provided a 3-0 sweep. amran advar continued to show improvement this season, winning two of three of his sets in singles.

The Warriors struggled in doubles, with the exception being the duo of Servando Campuzano and Ethan Almgren, who swept their three sets together. These were the only wins for Carpinteria in doubles that day.

“We seemed to be going after the big shots but not the smart shots sometimes,” said Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant. “But I am confident we will get much better at understanding scenarios.”

The Warriors are now -2 overall and 2-1 in the Citrus Coast League. Carpinteria will now prepare for league matches this week against Nordhoff and Channel Islands.

ROSANA SWING

Taison Lee kept the pace in the breast stroke against crosstown rival Cate.

CRUZ ON SPORTS

RYAN P. CRUZ

In my reporting, I speak to a lot of parents of young athletes, and often these conversations reveal that these parents are sacrificing more time and money each year to keep their kids competing in the sports of their choice.

I was shocked when one local parent told me they spent more than 2, 00 a year on sign-up fees, travel club costs and equipment for a child who specializes in one sport. That price jumps up even higher for kids who play several sports, or for those who enroll in the private training sessions and off-season camps that have become the norm for athletes looking to gain an extra edge.

These increasing costs go against what youth sports are supposed to be about, by creating a pay-to-play system where the cost of entry prevents low-income families from participating right out of the gate. The little league field has always been the great gathering place of small towns across the country, but with the cost of sports wildly out of sync with what most families can afford, it’s in danger of becoming the new country club for the kids.

It made me think back to my own

ou can’t play i you on’t pay

childhood in Santa Barbara, where I was lucky enough to play in youth sports year-round, even with a single mother who had to work hard to raise me and my older sister by herself. This was possible thanks to programs like the Boys & Girls Club’s basketball leagues, or youth football and baseball leagues that allowed kids to sign up with lower prices or raffle-ticket fundraisers.

When I asked my mother about this recently, she said she remembers playing a flat fee, usually less than 100, that would cover an entire season in basketball, baseball or football. I asked the mother of a middle-school aged basketball player how much she pays now, and she responded with a list of fees: a base fee of 3 0 a month during the season; tournament and travel fees; training sessions and off-season camps or shoes and other equipment that added up to thousands a year.

The price also varies greatly depending on which sport you choose, and where you choose to play your sport. There are still plenty of programs for subsidized costs and scholarships for low-income families to play basketball, baseball, football and soccer through public leagues like A SO or the Boys Girls Club. But the rise of club sports has created a divide between families who can and can’t afford to participate.

One parent told me her son wanted to play hockey, but she uickly found out that this was one of the most expensive sports worlds to enter as a newcomer. The e uipment alone with skates, pads, helmet, shin guards and more ran well over 00. For some families, this alone is enough to keep their kids on the outside looking in.

Sports like tennis and golf are inherently exclusive sports. They can be played casually, sure, but if your child wants

CAR • PET • ERIA

Toro the Gentle Giant

Meet Toro — a 90-pound gentle giant with a heart even bigger than his paws.

When Toro first arrived, he weighed just 45 pounds — severely underweight but still full of hope. With proper care, good nutrition and plenty of love, he has transformed into a strong, healthy and happy dog who is now ready for his forever home.

Toro is the definition of a family companion. He does well with dogs, cats and kids, and his sweet, affectionate nature makes him an easy fit for a variety of households. He is potty trained, well-mannered and eager to please.

This big softie is happiest when he’s with his people. While he can handle some time alone, Toro much prefers to be part of the action — whether that’s relaxing at home or joining in on daily activities.

espite a di cult start, Toro’s resilience and loving personality shine through. He’s ready to leave his past behind and give his whole heart to a family willing to do the same.

To learn more about adopting Toro, email sbcassouthfostercoordinator gmail. com or visit him at Santa Barbara shelter, 73 Overpass Road, Goleta.

ON DECK

Thursday, March 26

Carpinteria Boys Tennis at Channel Islands, p.m.

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

*Carpinteria Track & Field Nordhoff, 3:30 p.m.

Carpinteria Boys Volleyball at Hueneme, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, March 27

Carpinteria Baseball at Hueneme, 3:30 p.m.

There are still plenty of programs for subsidized costs and scholarships for lowincome families to play basketball, baseball, football and soccer through public leagues like AYSO or the Boys & Girls Club. But the rise of club sports has created a divide between a ilie w o an and an a ord o ar i i a e

to be competitive in either it requires $200-an-hour private training and access to high-end clubs that most families just can’t afford.

It’s discouraging to consider that there might be another future sports superstar out there who might not ever get the chance to live out their potential because the cost to play youth sports is just too high. We’re already starting to see the effects of this bleed into college and high school sports, where money runs everything and the top players are often the ones who had access to the best schools and club teams from a young age.

What does this mean for the future of sports? Who is left out if the only families that can afford to play are the ones that are making six figures? It’s not the future I want to live in, and worse, it goes against everything I’ve ever believed sports to be about.

I’ve always considered sports as the great e ualizer, where avid could meet

Goliath and it’s possible for the little man to win. Need I remind you we’re in the midst of March Madness, when we celebrate the scrappy underfunded colleges for taking on and defeating billion-dollar basketball blue bloods on the court?

The whole world has become about money, and about controlling who has access to things based on their income, but I think we need to defend sports from this encroachment. I understand we can’t make things completely free, but there comes a point where we need to make sure that youth sports are about, well, the youth.

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

ON THE ROAD

CVN drives south in Argentina

Matt Roberts and Heidi LeVay of Carpinteria brought their copy of Coastal View News to Bah a Lapataia in Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina, the southern-most drive-able point in the Americas. The park is 2 3 s uare miles of preserve, Roberts told Coastal View News. “The wooden sign marking the terminus of Route 3 is a monument of how far south we’d traveled,” Roberts said. He and LeVay also travelled by ship to shuaia, Argentina, along the Beagle Channel, often referred to as the “end of the world,” by travelers. “We went to the end of the world’ to take a photo for the Coastal View,” Roberts said.

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’s high school surf team finished its second-ever season in the Scholastic Surf Series with a 5-0 record in head-to-head competitions, and the team capped off the year with a ma or milestone, competing at the State Championships in Oceanside on March 21-23.

Carpinteria’s surfers won the Los An-

geles to Santa Barbara Division championship and earned an invitation to go against the best surfers from all across California.

The Carpinteria surfers who ualified in the state finals included Luke Anderson, Owen Reeves, Wyatt Pitterle, Maddox eet, Ryder Shaw, Noah Morente, Luke Donahue, Reid Olesen, Gus Bridgeford,

Izzy Scott and Hudson Findley.

The team is coached by Chris eet, who said the appearance at the Scholastic Surf Series State Championships was a testament to the strength of the local surf community, which supported the high school team through its growth in the past few years.

“This experience was unforgettable for our athletes,” eet said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the Carpinteria community it truly helped make this opportunity possible.”

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––Ryan P. Cruz