Category: News

This weekend, Carpinterians will have an opportunity to get to know the men and women who keep us safe! At Coffee with a Cop on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m., deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to chat with residents over a cup of joe at Carp Moon Cafe, 4991 Carpinteria Ave. Join us!

A Santa Monica Creek Trail beautification volunteer event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, and volunteers can drop in and lend a hand anytime between 9 a.m. and 4  p.m. Led by trail steward Ray Kolbe, volunteers will lay down cardboard and spread mulch to keep invasives from crowding out native species. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, a hat and water, as well as a rake and/or hoe if possible. Join the effort at 4405 El Carro Lane. Volunteer work days take place every second Saturday of the month. To learn more, contact Ray at rwkolbe@gmail.com or (805) 705-3429.

Sandbags are restocked! We have replenished our supply of sand and sandbags, and Carpinteria residents are welcome to serve themselves at our City Hall sandbag station, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Sandbags are free, but limited to 20 per household. Our goal is to provide for all Carpinterians who aim to protect their homes and properties in upcoming storms.

Though the peak of the storm has passed, some facilities remain closed for public safety. Please observe the following closures, which are designed for safety of individuals and to avoid costly damage to public property:

1. Carpinteria Skate Park: This facility is unsafe during and after rain. Until the concrete surface is dry, please respect the park’s closure. Depending on weather conditions, this could require multiple days.
2. Carpinteria Creek Bike Path: Due to flooding risk, the bike path that connects Via Real and Carpinteria Avenue along Carpinteria Creek will be closed through the week. Please avoid the path and use Casitas Pass Road as an alternative to travel from one side of Highway 101 to the other.

Santa Barbara County residents and businesses are encouraged to complete the Damage Assessment Form at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4f7acca7cc7f4815be42945606c3476 to report damages sustained as a result of the February 2024 storm. The information compiled will assist public safety officials in understanding the extent of local impacts and advocate on behalf of the community for state and federal assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and utilized for storm recovery assistance only.

AgeWell’s free Senior Lecture Series continues in February with a line-up of high-quality programming tailored to our senior community. The following presentations will take place on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. at Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave.

• Feb. 8, Understanding Vision Loss: The Braille Institute will provide information on common eye conditions and how to find resources for ourselves and our loved ones. Learn all they have to offer, from evaluations to classes and support groups and so much more.
• Feb. 15, Getting Past a Grudge: The presence of resentments or grudges can be a source of personal stress and emotional depletion. Based on the work of contemporary researchers, strategies and exercises are provided that offer a creative alternative for those struggling with the burden of a grudge. Join Scott Barash LCSW as he teaches us helpful tools used to successfully come out of the other side.
• Feb. 22, Protecting Yourself From Consumer Fraud: Losing money or possessions to scams, fraud and exploitation can be especially devastating to older adults, who may not be able to earn back what they’ve lost. Learn how to protect yourself and the resources out there to help you.
• Feb. 29, Carpinteria Seal Watch: Carpinteria Seal Watch is a dedicated team of volunteers marking its 33rd year here at the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Rookery. Come learn what they do and what makes our seal sanctuary so magical.

Starting on Feb. 1, there will be a 4% surcharge applied to all credit card purchases made through the City of Carpinteria. This surcharge will apply to all City programs and services paid through credit card, for example aquatics programs at the Community Pool, barbecue area reservations at City parks, and permits. We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for Southern Santa Barbara County including Lompoc, the Santa Ynez Valley, and from Point Conception to Carpinteria. This means that flash flooding is occurring or imminent. A flash flood is an extremely dangerous, sudden, violent, and fast-moving wall of water. Avoid recent burn areas, low-lying areas, areas with standing water, and areas near creeks or streams. If you are in one of these areas, go to the innermost room of your home or to higher ground such as a second floor.

ADVERTENCIA DE INUNDACION REPENTINA emitida para el sur del Condado de Santa Barbara

El Servicio Meteorologico Nacional ha emitido una ADVERTENCIA DE INUNDACION REPENTINA para el sur del Condado de Santa Barbara, incluyendo Lompoc, el Valle de Santa Ynez, y desde Point Conception hasta Carpinteria.  Esto significa que las inundaciones repentinas estan ocurriendo o son inminente. Una inundacion repentina es una pared de agua extremadamente peligrosa en rapido movimiento que puede ocurrir de repente. Evite las areas quemadas por recientes incendios, areas bajas, areas con agua estancada y areas cercanas a arroyos o corrientes. Si se encuentra en una de estas areas, vaya a la habitacion mas interna de su hogar o a un terreno mas alto, como un segundo piso.

EVACUATION ORDERS have been issued for the following areas in Santa Barbara County:

➡️ Properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas.

➡️ Properties in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Drive down to parts of Ninos Drive, in the city of Santa Barbara.

➡️ All state campgrounds including Gaviota, Refugio, El Capitan and Carpinteria

This EVACUATION ORDER is effective as on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. and is due to an incoming storm arriving today, Feb. 3 and lasting through Tuesday, Feb. 5 with the potential to produce flash flooding, debris flows and landslides.

Please reference the interactive map at https://sbcoem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=414f62c92c5b4769a418fc62d30d2f7f to determine if your home/property is in the evacuation order area.

Carpinterians are encouraged to use our self-serve sandbag station at City Hall to help protect their homes and properties. The station is located in our Public Works yard at the back of the City Hall property, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. If sandbags are not available at City Hall, please visit Lower Manning Park at 449 San Ysidro Road in Montecito.

Storm related closures:

✔️Carpinteria Unified School District schools (Monday, Feb. 5)

✔️Carpinteria State Beach (until further notice)

✔️Carpinteria Creek bike path (through next week)

✔️Carpinteria Skate Park (through Tuesday, Feb. 6)

✔️Senior programing (Monday, Feb. 5)

✔️Carpinteria Community Pool (Monday, Feb. 5)

At this time, Carpinteria City Hall is expected to remain open on Monday, Feb. 5.

Carpinterians are strongly encouraged to stay informed by signing up for Ready SBC alerts at https://www.readysbc.org/. The SB County Call Center is also open at (833) 688-5551. The City of Carpinteria provides regular local updates through Facebook, Instagram and the “Latest News” section of the City website at https://carpinteriaca.gov/