Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch a National Reconnaissance Office mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex-4 on Wednesday, Feb. 2, with a launch window targeting 12:18 p.m.

The mission’s first stage will return to land on Vandenberg. Upon re-entry of the vehicle, spectators and local residents from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties can anticipate hearing multiple sonic booms as the vehicle breaks the sound barrier.

A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves from an aircraft or launch vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate a sound similar to an explosion or a clap of thunder and the degree experienced will depend on weather conditions and other factors.

In compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, the normal public viewing area on Azalea Lane off of Hwy 1 just a half mile south of Vandenberg Space Force Base’s main gate will not be open to the public.

Albertsons will offer free Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations for eligible individuals age 5 and older at a clinic on Friday, Feb. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carpinteria Middle School. A second clinic will follow on Friday, March 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. Minors must have a consent form to receive their vaccination. Sign up for an appointment and receive a consent form at https://bit.ly/3giAuUa.

The City of Carpinteria is excited to introduce our new Assistant City Manager, Michael Ramirez. Michael grew up in the small beach community of Port Hueneme and currently resides in Oxnard. Drawn to social issues, he began working in local government as a way to better his community. He has a sociology degree from California State University Northridge and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Cal Lutheran University School of Management. He’s also a graduate of the Ventura County Leadership Academy. Michael is looking forward to getting to know the community of Carpinteria and strengthening the relationship between residents and local government. Read more about our new Assistant City Manager at https://bit.ly/347jtK7.

Harrison Industries will now accept residential food waste in paper bags as well as in plastic bags. All bags of food waste must still be closed and placed in residents’ yard waste carts for weekly curbside pickup. Harrison, which is Carpinteria’s trash hauler, and its partners at Agromin have approved the use of folded-shut paper bags in addition to the tied plastic bags that have been accepted since residential food waste recycling began on Jan. 3.

The move to include paper bags is a response to customers’ concerns about the use of non-Earth-friendly plastic bags in the area’s new food waste recycling program; the decision was buoyed by the early success of the program.

Food waste includes meat, bones, dairy, coffee grounds, shells, skins and peels as well as all produce, grains and other food products. Whether it’s in paper or plastic, all food waste must be bagged. Food waste should NOT be placed directly into yard waste carts, where it would contaminate the loose yard waste.

For the first time in Carpinteria Community Pool history, we are hosting a Swim-A-Thon. At the 2022 Swim-A-Thon, our Carpinteria Aquatics Club (CAC) athletes will raise money by swimming lengths of the pool. All proceeds will go towards supplies for our CAC swim and water polo teams.

For event details, or to learn how to donate, visit: bit.ly/CarpinteriaPool or call (805) 566-2417.

Looking for community service hours? If so, contact Leilanie Silva at Leilanies@ci.carpinteria.ca.us to sign up on the day of the event.

The Carpinteria Community Pool will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. for a girls water polo match between Carpinteria High School and Santa Paula High School.

The City of Carpinteria has been approved for funding to replace and expand City-owned electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. New charging stations are proposed for installation at Parking Lot 1 at Ninth Street and Holly Avenue, Parking Lot 3 at the Amtrak Station and at City Hall. The City is currently in the early stages of the funding process and installation is expected to take place next winter. “We are thrilled to provide new opportunities for electric vehicle drivers to charge their cars in Carpinteria,” said Erin Maker, City of Carpinteria Environmental Program Manager. “Promoting EV use is another way the City is working to reduce carbon emissions by acting locally while thinking globally.”

The City of Carpinteria is updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and is seeking the public’s input at a virtual public workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the LHMP Update is to improve disaster preparedness and reduce or eliminate risks to community, life and property. The LHMP Update will identify local hazards and mitigation measures available to reduce associated risks.

“The goal of this update is to understand emerging hazards and develop strong mitigation strategies,” explained Olivia Uribe Mutal, Program Manager of Emergency Services, Volunteers & Outreach. “We need public input in order to prepare our community for a wide range of risks.”

The public workshop for the LHMP will cover the goals, components and timeline of the project. To attend, visit https://carpinteriaca.gov/local-info/emergency-preparedness/.

Volunteers are needed for the Santa Barbara County Point-in-Time Count, a county-wide effort to obtain a snapshot census of people experiencing homelessness on a single night. The 2022 Count will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 23 between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The PIT Count is an essential element in the effort to end homelessness, as the data gathered from this census shows not only how many people are homeless in Santa Barbara County but also who is homeless and why. To volunteer or learn more about this very important activity, visit https://countyofsb.pointintime.info/.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 24 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., but the City encourages the public to participate via Zoom (details in agenda link below) to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Those who attend in person will be required to wear a mask. 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.

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/3nQ5CP1. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Authorization for a notice of dispute to be submitted to the County of Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office disputing the Sheriff’s Office’s recomputation of compensation for fiscal year 2022-23.
• Authorization of an amendment to the agreement with COM3 Consulting, Inc. for consulting project management services for the Carpinteria Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.
• Approval of applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services.
• City Council District Maps review, including presentation on three draft plans created by Redistricting Partners for Council review and feedback.
• Appointments to the Harbor Seal Advisory Committee.
• General Fiscal Outlook and General Fund Reserve Policy report related to the City’s update of its Long-Term Financial Plan.