Author: Lea Boyd

Carpinteria Community Library kicks off Carp Reads 2025 on April 1, by making available free copies of “Solito” by Javier Zamora in English and Spanish. With support from Friends of Carpinteria Library, Carp Reads is modeled after One Community, One Book programs and designed to bring people together through a common love of literature.
The program aims to foster community-wide conversation, encouraging hundreds of residents to engage with the book. “Solito,” a New York Times bestseller, is a non-fiction memoir, narrated from the perspective of a 9-year-old Zamora, recounting his journey from El Salvador to the United States.

A special author event featuring Zamora as the keynote speaker will take place on May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. Additionally, the Library will host book discussions in both English and Spanish, along with other related programming. More details on upcoming events and activities will be shared in the coming weeks.

The City of Carpinteria is thrilled to announce that April 2025 has been officially proclaimed Carpinteria Beautiful Month! A tradition since 1992, this designation highlights our community’s dedication to maintaining our town’s charm.

Throughout April, look out for the iconic Carpinteria Beautiful banners downtown. The organization’s dedicated volunteers are busy year round removing graffiti, restocking doggie bag dispensers, and keeping our streets litter-free.

The City Council encourages all residents to join in the celebration by making a personal commitment to beautify their own properties and neighborhoods. Let’s work together to ensure Carpinteria remains a beautiful place for everyone to enjoy!

Carpinteria City Council, Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board will hold a joint conceptual review on Monday, March 31 for a new 93-unit multifamily residential development proposed for 6380 Via Real, the site formerly approved for the “Lagunitas” office park. The townhome development proposal contains a mix of two- and three-story units in three- and four-bedroom configurations.

The March 31 conceptual review will be held at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. At the review, city decision-makers will consider conceptual plans and pre-application materials, and will have opportunities to provide feedback to the developer. Details about the proposal and how the public may comment during or prior to the meeting are available in the meeting agenda at https://carpinteria.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=2469

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department will present a Fraud Prevention class for AgeWell Carpinteria on Thursday, April 3 at 1 p.m. in the Veterans Hall Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave. This free session will provide valuable insights on how to protect oneself from fraud and scams, offering practical tips on recognizing common threats and staying safe. Don’t miss this important opportunity to learn how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones.

Carpinteria Beautiful’s Community Cleanup Day is almost here!

Join us on Saturday, March 29, from 9 to 11 a.m. to keep the community clean, green and beautiful. Volunteers should meet at the Amtrak Parking Lot, 499 Linden Ave., to be assigned a location.

Gloves, bags and trash pickers will be available, but we encourage you to bring your own reusable items, if possible. We hope to see you there!

It’s almost that time of year again! This year’s free Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event for the residents of Carpinteria will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

Please bring only accepted items. Most items are accepted at this event, including

• Furniture
• Appliances
• Electronic waste
• Pesticides
• Automotive fluids
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Medications
• And MORE!

Please limit liquids to 15 gallons total.

The City is not accepting tires, explosives, biohazards or radioactive materials.

*Attention Businesses* Carpinteria Small Quantity Generators MUST have an appointment. Contact sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov to make an appointment (hazardous waste ID number required). Businesses without an appointment and Large Quantity Generators will be turned away.

Outside of this event, Carpinteria households are able to request up to two bulky item collection services every year through EJ Harrison & Sons Inc.

Bicycles can be donated directly to Santa Barbara County MOVE’s Community Bike Shops (Bici Centro) year-round. Bici Centro also offers bike maintenance services, opportunities to learn bicycle repair and maintenance, and a selection of affordable, pre-loved bikes and upcycled bike parts to fix, build, or upgrade your bike. For more information visit movesbcounty.org

For questions or more information, contact sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov.

It’s the end of an era! On March 24, our Public Works team demolished the defunct Carpinteria Beach Store ahead of the summer season. Deemed unfit for use, the aging trailer has not been operational since 2023.

City of Carpinteria merchandise (T-shirts, hats, etc.) is now available for sale at Carpinteria Community Pool, and rentals of kayaks and other beach gear will take place through the boathouse on Ash Avenue during the summer.

Starting Monday, June 16 and ending Friday, Aug. 1, the boathouse will be open daily. The season will continue with weekend-only open hours through Aug. 31.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., or view the meeting live at https://carpinteriaca.gov/, on Government Access Television Channel 21 or by logging into the Zoom webinar.

The following topics are highlights of the agenda. Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found at https://bit.ly/41YaMMq. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Proclamation designating April 2025 as “DMV/Donate Life Month” and “Carpinteria Business Month” in the City of Carpinteria.
• Selection of the 2024 City of Carpinteria Volunteer of the Year.
• Closeout of the 2022 Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
• Approval of the amended agreement between the City of Carpinteria and South Coast Community Media Access Center (dba TV Santa Barbara).
• Adoption of an Electronic Signature Policy.
• Proposition 218 protest hearing for proposed 5% increase to City of Carpinteria’s Solid Waste AB 939 Program fee.
• Annual Progress Report on General Plan Implementation.
• Adoption of City Council Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27; and Strategic Plan Final Report, including City Mission, Vision, and Value Statements (Working Drafts); and City Council-developed Norms, Values, and Principles of Governance (Final Draft).

If you’re looking for a fun and healthy way to fill some spring break hours, bring the kids for a swim at the pool, 5305 Carpinteria Ave.

Spring break is March 24-28, and during that week, rec swim hours will be Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Learn more at https://carpinteriaca.gov/parks-and-recreation/carpinteria-community-pool/

Don’t miss this Santa Barbara County arts grant opportunity!

Some details:

• Grant funding is $50,000 given out in grants between $1k-$5k.
• This is open to organizations with an annual budget of less than $500,000
• The grant comes in the form of reimbursement payments
• Applicants are required to attend an online workshop to apply:
  • March 26, 2025 4:00-5:30 pm
  • April 10, 2025 12:00-1:30 pm

Learn more at https://www.sbac.ca.gov/county-grants