Pump up your tires and grab your helmet because CycleMAYnia 2025 is upon us! Join the City of Carpinteria and MOVE Santa Barbara County on Saturday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Carp Family Ride around the city. On the ride, you’ll learn bike safety, how to navigate city infrastructure, have the chance to win prizes, and discover new bike routes. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

The ride will start at El Carro Park’s North Field (on Foothill Road) and make several stops, including the Carpinteria Bluffs, Community Garden, Tomol Interpretive Play Area, and more. The ride will conclude back at El Carro Park, where free pizza will be served!

To RSVP, visit: cyclemaynia.org/event/carpride. Participation will be capped at 40.

CycleMAYnia is a program of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).

There are cycling events all over Santa Barbara County during the month of May—check out the calendar at cyclemaynia.org. Attend any event including Carp Family Ride to enter the Aventon Level 2 e-bike raffle from E-Bikery!

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., or view the meeting live at https://carpinteriaca.gov/, 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/4jSMTx2. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Presentation of Carpinteria Valley Association’s Climate Change Essay Contest Winners
• Proclamation designating April 2025 as “Healthy People Healthy Trails Month”
• 15-Year Service Award to Erin Maker, Environmental Program Manager
• Retirement recognition for Robert Howard, Public Works Supervisor
• Scope of Work modification for The Alcazar Theatre’s FY 2024/25 Community Services Support Grant Award
• Development Permit Application Authorization concerning the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project
• Report on assessment districts for Fiscal Year 2025-26: Street Lighting; Lighting, Landscaping and Right-of-Way Improvement; Parking and Business Improvement Area; Winter Protection Berm
• Code Compliance First Quarter Report for 2025
• Potential local State of the City event

April is National Fair Housing Month and marks the anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act. This landmark legislation prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disability.

The City of Carpinteria is committed to fair housing, partnering with Santa Barbara’s Rental Housing Mediation Program for 18 years to provide education, eviction prevention and mediation services. Despite progress, housing discrimination remains a concern.

As part of this important month, the City encourages residents to learn more about their rights and the resources available through the Rental Housing Mediation Program at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/community-development/housing/

The City of Carpinteria proudly proclaims April 21-28 as International Dark Sky Week. Our starry night skies are a cherished natural beauty, inspiring wonder and fostering interest in science. However, light pollution diminishes this view and has economic and environmental consequences, impacting local ecosystems like the Salt Marsh and Bluffs.

Reducing light pollution saves energy, protects wildlife, and improves human health. Carpinteria’s General Plan includes policies to minimize light pollution. During Dark Sky Week, residents are encouraged to learn about night-sky-friendly lighting and implement practices to reduce light pollution, helping preserve the beauty of our dark skies. Look up and enjoy the stars!

Accepting the City Council proclamation, and pictured here, are members of Carpinteria Valley Association, the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Audubon Society, We Watch and Dark Sky International Central Coast Chapter.

The City of Carpinteria is currently recruiting for two part-time Recreation Leader positions within the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

One position will support equipment rentals at the Ash Avenue Beach Boat House. We are looking for someone to assist with the rental of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards (SUPs), and various beach equipment.

The other position will support the Carpinteria Community Library’s Summer Reading Program. We are looking for someone to lead activities and crafts for youth participants.

Apply by Sunday, May 4. Visit this link to view the full job announcement: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca/jobs/4907393/recreation-leader?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

We congratulate Aquatics Coordinator Kalyn Pina, who successfully completed a week-long American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer (WSIT) course. This certification enables her to train and certify staff in Water Safety Instruction (WSI), allowing them to become swim instructors. Having a certified WSIT on staff is a significant asset, as it ensures the ability to offer in-house certification courses, continuously recruit and train new instructors, and provide ongoing staff training specific to swim lesson instruction. This will help maintain the highest quality of swim instruction at the community pool.

Join us at Carpinteria’s first FIX-IT FAIR happening on May 31, 2025. We are looking for volunteers who have skills in repairing clothing, lamps, small appliances, small electronics, computers, jewelry, and more.

As a volunteer, you’ll play a key role in providing repair assistance and education, empowering attendees to learn how to fix their own belongings. Volunteers will need to bring their own tools, but the City of Carpinteria will provide tables and chairs.

In exchange for donating your time and skills to the community, you will be able to:

• Promote your business at the event
• Be featured on the event webpage and outreach materials as a sponsor for this event

Fix-it Fairs demonstrate that repair is a practical and accessible option in Santa Barbara County. By keeping items out of landfills, supporting local families, and strengthening our local economy, these events help build a more resilient and connected community.

Sign up as a volunteer today HERE.

Questions ? Contact sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov

Our Community Development Department planners Mindy Fogg, Syndi Souter, Marysol Smith and Megan Musolf recently represented the City of Carpinteria at the 2025 Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) CA State Conference in Oxnard. Our team gained valuable insights on CEQA best practices, legal updates and innovations. Special shoutout to Mindy, who currently serves as the AEP President, for her panelist role on AEP’s “People and Culture” initiatives and to Megan for her role as a panelist guiding future professionals!

At its April 14 meeting, the Carpinteria City Council issued a proclamation in honor of the 66th annual Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet and praised event organizers for keeping an important tradition alive.

Hosted by the Carpinteria Community Association, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. Dozens of outstanding individuals and businesses will be honored. Merit Awards will recognize dedicated volunteers from local organizations, including the City’s Volunteer of the Year, Ted Rhodes. Special recognitions include Robitaille’s Fine Candies for their long-standing business, Local Business Awards honoring the Mascari and Ballat families, Educator of the Year awardees, and finalists for Junior Carpinterian of the Year. The evening will culminate in announcing the Carpinterian of the Year.

Purchase tickets and learn more at https://www.carpinteriacommunityassociation.org/.

We are thrilled to introduce Juliza Briones, our new Program Manager and Public Information Officer. Juliza brings key experience in public communication and community engagement to this vital role.

Having previously served as a Communications Analyst for the City of Thousand Oaks and worked with various health departments, Juliza has a strong background in connecting with residents on key policy-driven initiatives and community-focused messaging.

A proud Latina and U.C. Santa Barbara alumna, Juliza says, “I’m eager to use my bilingual skills to help improve bilingual emergency preparedness efforts, making sure all Carpinteria residents have the information and support they need in times of need.”

Outside of work, Juliza enjoys hiking with her husband and her mini Australian Shepherd, Canela, as well as cooking and trying new foods.