Local kids who want to improve their swimming skills, learn water polo or just love being in the water should give the Carpinteria Aquatics Club a try. During the week of March 7-11, the club is offering a free trial for the swim and water polo teams at Carpinteria Community Pool, 5305 Carpinteria Ave. Swimmers of all skill levels, ages 5-17, are encouraged to come sample the program. See attached flyer for details or call the pool at (805) 566-2417.
The City of Carpinteria is thrilled to introduce Jody Thomas as our new City Librarian. Hiring Jody was one great leap toward transitioning our local library from a Santa Barbara County branch library to a City of Carpinteria library. Jody has been working at a fever pitch behind the scenes to prepare for the library’s summer reopening as a community hub filled with books, magazines, digital resources, computer stations and vibrant programs for young and old. And the warm smile behind it all will be Jody’s. Learn about our new librarian in English at https://bit.ly/3vr3GkS and in Spanish at http://bit.ly/2EhALnq.
Hundreds of free COVID-19 test kits were provided to community members last weekend through a partnership between Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP) and the City of Carpinteria. There are still many kits available, and CCP is working to distribute them throughout Carpinteria. Kits can be picked up Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. at the front desk at Carpinteria Children’s Project, 5201 8th St. A maximum of two kits will be provided to each family. Additionally, kits can be picked up at La Tiendita on Friday, Feb. 25, and after mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday, Feb. 27. Local nurseries will provide employees with kits through CARP Growers, and CCP plans to provide kits at the Foodbank distribution on March 9 and at a vaccine clinic on March 11. For questions, call (805) 566-1600.
The City of Carpinteria annually celebrates Arbor Day by teaming up with helpful kiddos to plant trees. This year, a hard-working group of Carpinteria Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts joined the City’s Public Works crew to plant an olive tree and a gingko tree on Carnation Place.
California observes Arbor Day on March 7 in honor of horticulturalist Luther Burbank’s birthday. Over the course of his life, Burbank developed more than 800 varieties of fruits, flowers and vegetables.
Looking for a good reason to plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day? Here are several: 1) Trees produce oxygen that we need to breathe. 2) Trees reduce stormwater runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways, as well as flooding. 4) Trees provide food and shelter for many wildlife species.
The National Weather Service has announced a Freeze Watch for the cities of Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria overnight on Wednesday, Feb. 23. Sub-freezing temperatures are forecasted starting late tonight and into Thursday morning. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents should take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold, and plan for extra time to defrost vehicle windshields.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced that deputies have arrested a suspect they believe intentionally set fire to the culvert near the 5700-block of Via Real in Carpinteria. On Monday, Feb. 21, at approximately 4:47 p.m., deputies were dispatched to investigate a subject digging into the hillside near a drainage culvert in Carpinteria Creek, which was believed to be the origin point of the underground fire which closed Highway 101 and Via Real on the evening and night of Saturday, Feb. 19.
Deputies contacted the suspect, 24-year-old Santiago Garcia-Soriano of Carpinteria. Garcia-Soriano spoke with deputies and a fire investigator from the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire District, and admitted he started a fire in the culvert on Saturday, Feb. 19, about one hour before the fire was reported. Garcia-Soriano was arrested for arson to property (felony) and possession of cocaine (misdemeanor). Garcia-Soriano was booked at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail and is being held on an increased bail of $250,000.
Yesterday afternoon, Feb. 19, a fire occurred in a storm drain conduit under Highway 101 just east of the bridge over Carpinteria Creek. The fire was difficult to extinguish and has caused significant damage that requires the closure of Via Real for further investigation and repairs. As a result of the fire and its damage, Via Real is now closed to vehicle traffic from the intersection of the northbound Highway 101 on and off ramps to San Roque Mobile Home Park’s most westerly entrance at Carpinteria Creek Park. It is unknown how long the vehicular closure will last, but bicycles and pedestrians may pass through the closure area. Also, some of the foam and debris from the firefighting discharged to Carpinteria Creek. Firefighting foam is a legal discharge and is expected to dissipate.
Completion of the new Heath Ranch Park playground has been delayed due to postponed shipment of some play equipment. The City recently received information that the necessary parts may be shipped by the end of February, which would allow for playground completion in March. Thank you to all the neighbors for your patience while we suffer from delays due to manufacturer supply chain disruptions. For additional information, please call (805) 755-4449.
The draft map pictured here is under consideration for the City of Carpinteria’s transition to district elections. Starting in the November 2022 election, Carpinteria voters will elect one City Council member from within their specific district. This map was drawn to incorporate community ideas and requirements of the Voting Rights Act. Additional feedback from members of the public is now sought. What do you think of the map above? Does it achieve the goals of being balanced in size and protect the interest of the communities within the districts? Learn more about the population and demographics of each district at http://www.drawcarpinteria.com. Send us your feedback to CarpinteriaDistrictElections@ci.carpinteria.ca.us before the City Council meeting on Feb. 28. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more and/or to comment.
The City is currently designing a flood mitigation project for the eastern portion of Via Real and Poplar Street. Design will be completed this month, and the City plans to hold a public meeting in March to present design details. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please contact Jason Dane at jasond@ci.carpinteria.ca.us.
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