Calling all volunteers for the Great Migration! All items in the Carpinteria Library must have a new barcode affixed as we transition to an independent City library. There are currently 12,700 books, magazines, DVDs and more, and each one must have its Santa Barbara Public Library label blacked out, a new barcode attached, a new scan completed and the radio tag re-set. Each part of this project is simple, but it will take about 1,000 hours to do the job. We will have many hands making light work. Sign up with a friend, or make new friends during your shift!

The barcoding process will begin on March 15 and must be complete by April 15. If you have two hours to spare, we hope you will join the project, which is the single most time-consuming aspect of becoming an independent library. The volunteer shifts will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Volunteers must be 16 years old or older, and high school students can receive community service hours for their time.

The work will be done in the library’s adjoining multipurpose room at 5141 Carpinteria Ave. Sign-ups can be made https://bit.ly/LibraryBarcode or in person at the Library or Friends of the Library Bookstore.

At its Feb. 28 meeting, the Carpinteria City Council recognized and commended Pedro Castro Lopez for outstanding service to the Carpinteria Community. Pedro has been a Parks and Facilities crew member since 1994. The experienced painter has used his skills to beautify the City, painting fixtures, buildings and signs at every park and facility. He takes pride in his work, which he performs reliably and meticulously. Pedro’s commitment to his work has incalculable value in keeping the maintenance of city parks and facilities in good order. We are fortunate to have Pedro as a member of our team.

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.

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.