Category: News

Summer is almost here, and that means swim lesson season at Carpinteria Community Pool! Registration for our summer swim lessons opens on Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m.

Working with certified instructors, kiddos will learn basic swim and water safety skills in an encouraging and fun environment. Class dates and times are currently listed online for planning purposes and starting May 1 for registration at https://carpinteria.recdesk.com/Community/Program.

Group swim lessons are 30 minutes long and held Monday through Friday for two week sessions. Sessions begin after Memorial Day and wrap up in mid-August. Our classes are designed for ages 3 to 12.

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

• One position supports equipment rentals at the Ash Avenue Beach Boat House.
• One position leads activities and crafts for youth participants in the Carpinteria Community Library’s Summer Reading Program

Applications are due by Sunday, May 4. The full job announcement: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca/jobs/4907393/recreation-leader?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Carp Reads, Carpinteria Community Library’s annual program aimed at creating a community conversation around a specific book, is picking up steam with many free copies of this year’s reading selection, “Solito,” already provided to the public in English and Spanish. The book is also available in digital formats, both ebook and audiobook with a library card.

The author of “Solito,” Javier Zamora, will be the featured speaker at an event on Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Hall, 941 Walnut Ave. After his talk, Zamora will sign copies of his book.

Two book discussions, one in English and one in Spanish, will take place at the Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. The Spanish language event is Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. and the English language event is Monday, May 19 at 4 p.m.

A panel discussion with Carpinterians who are immigrants sharing their stories of coming to the United States will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at the Alcazar Theater, 4948 Carpinteria Ave. Carp Reads events are no cost thanks to the support of the Alcazar Theater and the Friends of the Carpinteria Library.

The City of Carpinteria is delighted to introduce our new team member, Darrell Brown. Darrell has joined us as a Facilities Attendant and is already embracing the opportunity to connect with Carpinteria locals.

Darrell brings a wealth of experience in facilities management and maintenance to his new role. His background includes positions as an engineering assistant, maintenance worker and facilities manager. Most recently, he has served as the Maintenance Coordinator for The United Boys & Girls Clubs and the Facilities Coordinator for Girls Inc. of Carpinteria.

Outside of his work, Darrell enjoys spending quality time with his many family members who love to visit. A fun fact about Darrell is that he loves movies from the Marvel Universe.

Help us shape the future of our library!

We want to know what you love and what you think could be improved. To help guide the library’s strategic plan, please consider completing a short online survey in English or Spanish at https://bit.ly/3YW9gJJ.

We will also open the doors of the library for a community discussion on Tuesday, April 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. at 5141 Carpinteria Ave. where members of the public will be encouraged to share their vision for the library.

The library is a community resource that serves everyone, so please take the time to contribute your ideas!

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