Category: News

We’re excited to announce that CommUnify will be joining AgeWell on Thursday, May 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. for its next event in the Lecture Series. During this informative session, attendees will learn about the programs CommUnify offers to support seniors in Santa Barbara County, including home safety modifications, utility assistance and resources available through their 2-1-1 helpline. At the end of the presentation, four lucky attendees will win a free tablet in a drawing. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to connect with helpful resources and possibly walk away with a new device. The AgeWell Lecture Series is held in the Carpinteria Veterans Hall at 941 Walnut Ave.

Get ready to welcome Eric Castro as our new City Librarian starting June 3! Eric succeeds the wonderful Jody Thomas, who will begin her well-deserved retirement.

Eric brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having worked in libraries since 1994. His journey has taken him through libraries in Lima, San Francisco and Santa Barbara. Since joining our team as Community Engagement Librarian in April 2022, Eric has become an invaluable asset, spearheading popular programs like the Know Your Rights forum, English and Spanish computer classes, and engaging in extensive outreach to all our local schools. He has truly been a vital resource for our entire community, with a special focus on serving our Spanish-speaking members.

“Under Eric’s leadership, the Carpinteria Community Library will continue evolving as a center of equity, lifelong learning and connection,” said Jeanette Gant, Director of our Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. “Since joining our team, he has consistently demonstrated the vision, dedication and community focus that make him the perfect fit for this role. His commitment to engaging all sectors of our community reflects our shared goal of truly accessible public services.”

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, May 12 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/42TfpsL. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Proclamations designating May 2025 as “Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month” in the City of Carpinteria and May 18-24, 2025, as National Public Works Week in the City of Carpinteria.
• Fiscal Year 2024-25 Community Services Support Grants Recipients Reports by Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, Boys and Girls Club of Carpinteria Valley, and Carpinteria Children’s Project.
• Introduction of New Employee: Bret McNulty, Principal Planner.
• Amending the Carpinteria Municipal Code to modify the provisions relating to the appointment and service of youth representatives on the Library Advisory Commission.
• City of Carpinteria Equity Plan Update.
• Development of Policy for Councilmember attendance at events.
• Third Quarter Department Reports for the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Budget.

Do you love meeting new people, sharing local tips, and showing off the best in Carpinteria? Then join us and be the friendly face of Carpinteria this summer. HOSTs are welcoming volunteers stationed at the Visitors Center every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day, helping guide tourists, visitors and residents to the top spots and hidden gems in our beautiful city!

Learn more and sign up at one of our upcoming meeting sessions on May 14, June 4, June 25 and July 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Carpinteria Library Community Room, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. Questions? Email julizab@carpinteriaca.gov

Carp Chalk Walk is just around the corner, promising to turn Carpinteria sidewalks into an outdoor art exhibition on May 17 and 18. This free event is partially funded by the City of Carpinteria and invites all members of the community and visitors to unleash their inner artists.

Volunteers will provide colored chalk and point participants to available locations along Linden and Carpinteria avenues where they can transform the sidewalk into colorful art. Register for the event at https://carpinteriaartscenter.org/carpchalkwalk.

Free art supplies will be available for collection at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, located at 865 Linden Ave., between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 17 and 18. Carp Chalk Walk is presented by the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center and Muralism.

Carpinteria Community Library and Girls Inc. of Carpinteria have joined forces with members of our community to host an interactive Youth Mental Health Panel. Join us!

The Carpinteria Emergency Response Team (CERT) is thrilled to bring back its emergency preparedness training program, offering local residents the opportunity to acquire essential skills for individual and neighborhood safety in the event of a disaster. This collaborative initiative, led by the City of Carpinteria, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District (CSFPD), and the CERT Collaborative, is designed to empower community members to effectively respond during emergencies.

The training will take place over eight weeks, starting on May 13, 2025, and will be held every Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:45 PM at Veterans Hall in Carpinteria. The program will conclude with a final hands-on emergency response drill on July 1. This in-person classroom training will cover essential skills such as basic first aid, fire safety, light search and rescue, and other disaster response techniques.

The program is free of charge and available to all adult residents. To receive CERT certification, participants must attend all eight sessions. Space is limited to 30 participants, with priority given to Carpinteria residents.

Through CERT, participants will gain valuable skills to assist their families, neighbors, and the community in the critical moments following an emergency when outside help may not be immediately available. The program plays a key role in enhancing local preparedness and building a more resilient Carpinteria.

Anyone interested in attending the course is encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot. Registration can be completed by visiting carpinteriaca.gov/cert or by emailing julizab@carpinteriaca.gov for more information.

Pam Greer is our new Finance Manager, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our City Hall team. Pam brings more than 29 years of financial accounting and reporting experience, including over 16 years in local government.

Throughout her career, Pam has served in leadership roles with the Cities of Ojai, Oxnard, Ventura, and Ventura County Fire. Her professional experience includes implementation of financial systems and process improvements. Her educational accomplishments include a bachelor’s degree from U.C. Santa Barbara, a Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management, and a graduate-level certificate in accounting.

Pam brings great energy to our team, and we’re excited to have her on board. She enjoys a variety of hobbies, with painting—especially landscapes and flowers—being a current favorite.

Explore Carpinteria’s natural beauty! With freely accessible parks and trails, our community thrives on nature for health and wellbeing.

At its April 25 meeting, the City Council designated April as “Healthy People Healthy Trails Month” and acknowledged the importance of getting out in nature to support our mental and physical health.

Along with Santa Barbara County Trails Council and numerous other nonprofits and public health agencies, the City of Carpinteria encourages residents to stay active and connected to our stunning coast, mountains and rich history.

The Carpinteria Planning Commission will consider the Chevron Oil and Gas Processing Facility Decommissioning project at its next monthly meeting on Monday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Carpinteria City Hall.

The decommissioning project would remove the defunct oil and gas processing facilities, including above-ground and below-grade equipment and improvements, and remediate the site. The Proposed Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) prepared for the project has recently been released and is available for review on the City website at https://bit.ly/decommissioningEIR.

Members of the public may attend the Planning Commission 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.

Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found in the meeting agenda at https://bit.ly/PCMay2025. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.