Author: Lea Boyd

Santa Barbara County Flood Control has concluded the critical clearing of the Carpinteria watershed debris basins and transport of high-quality sediment to Carpinteria City Beach. Since the operation began on Jan. 17, approximately 43,000 cubic yards of material have been removed from Santa Monica Basin, Gobernador Basin, Arroyo Paredon Basin, Toro Basin, Franklin Channel, and Santa Monica Channel. Additional work to re-grade and groom the Ash Avenue beach area will take place over the next 1-2 weeks, depending on access allowed by tides.

To ensure that only natural, quality sediment material was deposited at the beach, frequent testing was conducted by Fugro West Inc, Laboratory and FGL Environmental. Water quality was also tested throughout the operation by the Water Resources Division of the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department and the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services Ocean Monitoring Program. Test results indicated that all materials were environmentally safe for beach deposits.

A FLOOD WATCH has been issued for Santa Barbara County effective Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m. through Saturday, March 11 at 4 a.m. Rainfall is predicted to start Thursday evening and remain consistent through Saturday morning. There is a small potential for thunderstorms which could produce heavier rainfall. Current forecasts indicate this storm is likely to be most intense in northern portions of Santa Barbara County, though the Flood Watch is in effect county-wide. The storm could cause excessive runoff that may result in dangerous flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low lying and flood prone areas. Avoid low-lying and flood-prone areas, areas with standing water, and areas near creeks or streams. If you are in one of these areas be prepared to go to higher ground. Visit www.weather.gov/lox for more weather information. Take steps to prepare ahead of the storm by visiting https://www.countyofsb.org/576/Storm-Readiness

On International Women’s Day, March 8, we join a global community in recognizing the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women of every race, class, and ethnic background.

Carpinteria Community Pool will be closed to the public for Carpinteria High School swim meets starting at 2:30 p.m. on March 15, 22 and 24. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Mark your calendar for one of two free Induction Cooking 101 Workshops. The first free workshop will be held on Friday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at Goleta Public Library, 500 N Fairview Ave. The second will be held Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. Attendees will learn about induction cooktops and how they can try one out at home.

Carpinteria City Beach is temporarily closed while tractors work to remove woody debris deposited in recent storms. The operation is expected to continue through Thursday, March 9. Typically, woody debris that arrives on the beach during winter storms is naturally swept back out to sea in the extreme tides of December, January and February. At this later point in the season, however, it is unlikely that the large logs and branches will be removed naturally. Motivated by public safety, the removal will protect swimmers from potentially dangerous floating debris and reduce risks associated with structure building and illegal bonfires. The operation will also facilitate the removal of the winter protection berm in coming weeks.

Tennis coach Ron Mousouris was honored by the Carpinteria City Council on Feb. 27 for his service to the community. Ron is a tennis pro who started working with the City of Carpinteria running Saturday tennis clinics in November of 2016. From there he began teaching lessons to mostly youth in the Carpinteria Community. Many of his lessons are low or no cost because Ron has a passion for making tennis accessible for all, regardless of financial status. Ron played tennis on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo team and has been teaching lessons ever since.

Longtime City employee Vic Anderson was honored by the City Council at its meeting Feb. 27. Vic has worked with the City of Carpinteria since 1989 in many roles including beach lifeguard, pool lifeguard and masters swimming coach. He currently coaches Masters Swimming five days a week at Carpinteria Community Pool, and he also works full time at Agilent of Carpinteria. Aquatic staff describe him as a team player who brings a positive attitude to every shift.

The City of Carpinteria recognizes the month of March 2023 as “Women’s History Month” and honors women of every race, class, and ethnic background for the social, economic, cultural and political contributions they make in our community and around the world. Organizers of Women Making Change, a program of Alcazar Theatre events celebrating women during the month of March, were presented with a proclamation during the City Council meeting on Feb. 27.

The Carpinteria City Council honored Phyllis Hansen on her 100th birthday at the council meeting on Feb. 27. Phyllis moved to Carpinteria with her family at age 16 in 1939. After graduating from Carpinteria Union High School, Phyllis worked at the Hubbard Lemon Packing House. She met George Hansen at a USO-sponsored dance at the Veterans Memorial Building, and they married after George returned from World War II. The couple built a house in the Concha Loma area in 1951 where they raised their four children, RanelI, Kevin, Janna and Mavis. Phyllis worked for 30 years at Carpinteria Junior High School before her retirement. She volunteered extensively throughout her life in numerous organizations, including the Carpinteria Community Church, American Business Women’s Association and Carpinteria Valley Historical Museum.