Category: News

Our new Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator assigned to AgeWell Senior Programming is a familiar face to anyone who patronizes Carpinteria Community Library. Jena Jenkins, former library employee, is now building and managing the City’s new programs and services to promote successful, healthy aging in Carpinteria.

Jena’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in social work and master’s degree in counseling psychology. Her training, along with her innate optimism and can-do attitude, make her a perfect fit for the new position. We are thrilled to have her creating and improving opportunities for Carpinterians to maintain and enhance their mental and physical health as they grow older.

Outside of work, Jena loves camping, the outdoors and most of all, her daughter, Clover.

On Monday March 11, the City Council will conduct the first hearing of a proposed ordinance that would amend the City’s smoking regulations. Ordinance No. 778 proposes to prohibit smoking anywhere on the premises of a multi-unit residential property, including all individual units, common areas and outdoor areas. The meeting agenda, staff report and proposed ordinance will be available on the City website on or after Thursday, March 7. Interested parties are invited to give public comment on this item at the meeting, or to submit public comments online through the eComment portal (which will be available in the agenda) before noon on March 11. Questions about this item can be sent to meganm@carpinteriaca.gov.

The Carpinteria Community Library will launch its new “Wild Things” lecture series by dipping its toes into sharky waters. A talk entitled “Shark Misconceptions Debunked” will be held on Thursday, March 7 at 6 p.m. in the event room at the library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. California State Park naturalist Christina Furio will explore some of the misconceptions about some of the oceans’ most fascinating animals: sharks. The talk is free and open to all.

SpaceX is planning a Falcon 9 launch for Monday, March 4 at 2:05 p.m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. About eight minutes after liftoff, Falcon 9’s first stage will land at Vandenberg Space Force Base. There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the landing, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions. If needed, there is a backup opportunity Tuesday, March 5 at the same time.

The Carpinteria City Council declared March 2024 “Women’s History Month” at its Feb. 26 meeting. Leading local efforts to celebrate women’s history through the “Women Making Change” initiative, members of the Carpinteria Woman’s Club accepted the proclamation. The initiative aims to educate residents about the achievements of women throughout history, specifically highlighting the fight for suffrage and voting rights, and the ongoing efforts to secure equal rights for all. The City’s proclamation recognizes the historical and ongoing contributions of women in all areas of society, from the workforce to volunteerism and social movements. It emphasizes the often-overlooked role of women in shaping our nation and community.

When Little League athletes and fans take off their hats to salute the flag this season, they’ll be paying their respects to an American flag flying on a brand new flagpole. Public Works crew members Anthony Vega and David Huff put up the new pole this week, just in time for Saturday’s Little League Opening Day. Take a close look for the uniquely Carpinteria element on top!

At its Feb. 26 meeting, the Carpinteria City Council commended Volunteer of Year nominees Robin Kait, Jack Niederpreum and Ray Kolbe for their commitment to their community and their generous gifts of time and expertise. Kait is a dedicated Carpinteria Community Garden volunteer described as “an invaluable asset to our community.” Niederpreum lends his time and talents to Carpinteria Community Library where he is described as a “standout” volunteer. Finally, Kolbe has demonstrated “a profound commitment to community enhancement” by actively beautifying Santa Monica Trail and organizing volunteer efforts there for the past few years.

The Council commented on the difficulty of selecting just one Volunteer of the Year from among the three incredible community servants. Ultimately, they selected Niederpruem for the honor, which will be bestowed at the Carpinteria Community Association’s Community Awards Banquet (an event formerly held by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce).

Kolbe was not able to attend the Feb. 26 meeting, but Kait and Niederpreum are pictured here holding their commendations.

The Carpinteria Architectural Review Board will meet on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 5:30 p.m. to review several projects that may be of interest to the community. The public meeting will include the following highlights:

✔️ Final review of a request to complete new and rehabilitated landscape and hardscape improvements to The Row business park, located on the west end of Carpinteria Avenue.

✔️ Preliminary review of a request to replace the existing freeway pole sign for the Holiday Inn Express and Suites located at 5606 Carpinteria Avenue.

✔️ Final review of a request to construct a new 1,137 square foot covered outdoor dining patio to replace the previously existing detached and enclosed dining room structure for the Spot Restaurant.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., and participate in public comment. Written comments for distribution to ARB members must be submitted by noon on Feb. 29 to PublicComment@carpinteriaca.gov. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to ARB members. Learn details about the agenda and how to participate at https://bit.ly/49xiY8W

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 26 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/3uKMatP. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

👭👭🏾 Proclamation Designating the Month of March 2024 as “Women’s History Month.”

🌳 Proclamation Designating Thursday, March 7, 2024 as California Arbor Day in the City of Carpinteria.

🌴 Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Tree Maintenance Services.

🏅 Commend Carpinteria Volunteer of the Year nominees for their service in 2023 and select one nominee as the Volunteer of the Year to be awarded at the Carpinteria Community Association’s Community Awards Banquet.

📋 Consideration of potential priorities / tactical deliverable and measures and metrics to support City Council adopted goals for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Work Plan.

Before Carpinteria Community Pool opens registration for swim lessons, we will hold swim assessments to determine placement for little swimmers. Kids who do not know how to swim will be placed in level 1, and kids who will be placed in levels 2 and 3 will need to have their swim skills evaluated on Saturday, March 2 or March 9 from noon to 2 p.m. Please sign up for a date and time at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044FA4A62AA1FA7-48020862-swim#/

Swim lesson registration will open online on April 1 at 6 p.m. Lessons will be available for children ages 3 to 12 years. Two week sessions of daily 30-minute lessons held Monday through Friday are $100. Skilled instructors will help children develop water safety habits and build foundational swim skills.