Author: Lea Boyd

The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® service, will implement a major schedule adjustments for the Pacific Surfliner that will include further restoration of service across the corridor as well as sweeping changes to existing train schedules. The improvements will enhance the reliability and connectivity of trains that travel between San Diego and San Luis Obispo counties.

Pacific Surfliner trains have been operating on a reduced schedule since March 2020 due to a pandemic-related drop in travel demand. The upcoming schedule change builds on the partial service restoration that was implemented in June 2021, and also moves towards pulsed schedules, which evenly distribute trains to provide maximum service coverage.

Effective Oct. 25, the following changes will be made:

• One additional round-trip will be added that travels the length of the corridor.
• Most train departure and arrival times will shift to evenly space them out across the day for more consistent frequencies. Many train numbers will change.
• The schedule will be consistent for both weekday and weekend travel.

For the latest information, visit http://www.pacificsurfliner.com/schedules.

Save yourself a trip to City Hall! The City of Carpinteria now has all its business license materials online, including detailed information and application forms. Access documents online at https://carpinteria.hdlgov.com/. Businesses that are based in the city must have a business license. Business license taxes and fees help pay for City services like roads, fire, police and other community services that benefit businesses, business owners and the general public.

With the launch of MTD Moves Ahead, Santa Barbara MTD has initiated a community process to create a Short Range Transit Plan that will guide bus service development, infrastructure investment and capital needs for MTD’s bus system over the next five years. To prioritize community needs and desires for bus service, MTD is seeking broad community input from everyone—people who ride the bus and those who don’t, employees, employers, students, people with disabilities, seniors, and civic leaders. If you live or work here, MTD wants to hear from you!

To kick off MTD Moves Ahead, a virtual listening session will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., where attendees will be asked to weigh in on what is most important to them in a bus system. Interested individuals can register for the listening session at https://bit.ly/3DQvmjP. Spanish/English interpretation will be provided. Additionally, an interactive website with project information and a short survey is available in English at sbmtd.gov/MTDMovesAhead and at sbmtd.gov/MTDAvanza in Spanish.

A temporary monitor has been installed in Carpinteria by the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District to measure effects of the smoke from the Alisal Fire on our air quality. Results, which are updated frequently, can be found on the interactive Fire and Smoke Map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. To find current conditions in Carpinteria, enter “93013” into the map’s search bar and select the monitor depicted with a triangle. As of Friday at 4 p.m., air quality was in the “good” range, meaning that it’s a good time to open windows or go outdoors. Earlier today the quality was lower, in the “moderate” range.

HIGHWAY 101 REOPENED, EVACUATION ZONES REMAIN

The California Highway Patrol has reopened Highway 101 in the Alisal Fire area, but the evacuation zones remain in effect. A map of the evacuation warning and evacuation order areas can be found at ReadySBC.org.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that traffic into the evacuation zones is restricted and there will be roadblocks in these areas to prevent access. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrol in these areas to ensure security of the residences and buildings as well as to keep the area clear of traffic that would impede firefighting efforts.

The City of Carpinteria is preparing a Dune and Shoreline Management Plan to help protect public and private properties from sea level rise. To learn more and contribute ideas, members of the public are invited to attend a virtual workshop on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. The workshop will include a brief overview of previous work, as well as conceptual plans for a proposed living shoreline. The intent of these public workshops is to provide regular updates and gather feedback from stakeholders. Zoom log-in and additional information can be found at https://carpinteriaca.gov/?s=dune+. Anyone with questions should contact Environmental Coordinator Erin Maker at erinm@ci.carpinteria.ca.us.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. In accordance with State guidance, the City will provide both in-person and virtual attendance and participation options for the meeting.

Members of the public may attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. In accordance with the Santa Barbara County Health Officer Order, masks are required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Members of the public may also view the meeting live at www.carpinteria.ca.us, on Government Access Television Channel 21 or by logging into the Zoom webinar through the link in the agenda below.

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/3ltJb1l. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Authorize an amendment to the agreement with LIN Consulting, Inc. for adding Carpinteria High School Crosswalk Safety Improvements Project in an amount not-to-exceed $129,880
• Authorize the City Manager to purchase a backhoe loader equipment from Quinn Company in an amount not to exceed $124,500.
• Presentation on the Emergency Housing Voucher Program in Santa Barbara County and response to a related funding request.
• Report on off-leash dog park pilot program at El Carro Park.
• Consideration of a status report for the property located at 399 Linden Avenue.

The Carpinteria Community Pool will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 9 for a swim meet. Visit our pool page HERE to learn more.

In an effort to support the downward trend in COVID-19 infection rates, the City of Carpinteria has decided to cancel its Downtown Trick-or-Treat event that is traditionally scheduled for late October. Children under the age of 12 are not eligible for the vaccine, which puts them at higher risk for spreading the disease. Given the significant effort that has gone into protecting children and other vulnerable community members, the City felt a responsibility to practice caution and cancel the event that typically draws hundreds of families together on City sidewalks.

By Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D., FACP, Health Officer County of Santa Barbara, Department of Public Health

You may have heard that a COVID-19 booster shot is being recommended and are wondering if you are eligible for it and if you should get it.

On Friday, September 24, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) endorsed the recommendation for a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in certain populations and for persons in high risk occupational and institutional settings.

People previously vaccinated with Pfizer BioNTech who SHOULD receive a booster include:

• Age 65 years and older;
• Long term care residents; and
• Age 50 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of social inequities (including communities of color and others at risk of inequities).

People who MAY CONSIDER receiving a booster based on their individual benefits and risks include:

• Age 18 through 49 years with underlying medical conditions; and
• Age 18 through 64 who are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their occupation or institutional setting. The CDC currently defines occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 as: First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff), Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers), Food and agriculture workers, Manufacturing workers, Corrections workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, Public transit workers, Grocery store workers

Why do I need a booster shot?

COVID-19 booster doses are meant to boost immunity that may have waned overtime and are the same dose of vaccine that were given as part of the primary series. Those that should receive a booster dose are at highest risk of hospitalization or death and need to be prioritized for booster doses.

Booster doses can be received at least six months after completion of the initial vaccine series. California is ready to administer boosters to those that are recommended for boosters immediately.

What about those who didn’t get the Pfizer-BioNTech shot?

At this time, CDC is evaluating available data to make recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. We are anticipating these recommendations imminently.

Where do I get a booster shot?

You may obtain your booster shot at local pharmacies and in some instances, through your primary care provider. Please consult with your primary health care provider if you have questions about receiving a booster shot.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html