Message from the Mayor

Dear Carpinterians,

The shortening days, the arrival of spectacular sunsets and the announcement of our Avocado Festival are reminders that fall is approaching. This is one of my favorite seasons in Carpinteria. This fall, as with every fall, I will be hoping for early rains and forecasts for a wet winter. We need it badly.

In a recent presentation by Bob McDonald, General Manager of the Carpinteria Valley Water District, our City Council received some staggering statistics related to drought and long-term water availability. The water district has wisely diversified its sources over the years, securing water from Lake Cachuma, our local groundwater basin, and the State Water Project, and is working with the City and Carpinteria Sanitary District to implement a recycled water project using injection wells to replenish our aquifers. Nonetheless, another few years without sufficient rainfall to fill our lakes and replenish our groundwater supplies will lead to a severe drought and subsequent equally severe restrictions.

What can be done now? Everyone reading this can help. When small steps to conserve water are multiplied across hundreds of households, they translate to large savings. Here are a few really easy tips for saving water: 1) turn off the water when you brush your teeth; 2) shorten your showers; 3) water your landscape early in the morning or late at night; 4) adjust your sprinklers to prevent overspray and runoff. CVWD has many water conservation resources and rebate programs. Visit HERE to learn more.

The end of summer also prompts me to think of our local businesses. Now that many schools are back in session, we’re seeing fewer visitors downtown, which means fewer sales for our merchants and restaurants. Please remember how important it is to direct your spending locally where the business owners are our friends and neighbors and are major donors to our local nonprofits. Remember, buying local is an investment in our community.

Carpinteria has an outstanding group of nonprofits that support our less fortunate citizens. Fall will bring many important fundraisers in our community. Treat yourself to a ticket, a seat at a dinner or even a sponsorship. Our hard-working organizations play a critical role in the lives of community members in need. These events are fun, exciting, a great time to visit with others, and the proceeds are often more than expected thanks to your generosity. I am proud to be a Carpinterian, as we truly care for our own.

Stay Well and Stay Safe,

Mayor Wade Nomura

City News & More

Help Shape the Future of Senior/Active Adults Services

Members of the Carpinteria community are asked to spend a few minutes of their time to help shape the future of local active adult and senior services. The City of Carpinteria has launched a Community Needs Assessment Survey that will provide the City Council with data-supported recommendations for active adult/senior services and programming.

Earlier this year, Carpinteria City Council approved the formation of an Ad Hoc Senior Services Planning Committee. Councilmembers Gregg Carty and Roy Lee were appointed to the committee and are now supported by an enthusiastic working group of both seniors and future seniors. The group has created the Community Needs Assessment Survey, and will be distributing the form and collecting responses through Sept. 18.

Find the online survey in English HERE and in Spanish HERE. Paper copies are available at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., for pick up during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Get Connected Carpinteria!

Home Internet can be FREE with the ACP discount! The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps eligible families afford high-quality home internet at a lower cost. Get Connected Carpinteria, an ACP enrollment event, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. Spanish language speakers will be available to help with the process, which should only take about 20 minutes. There will  also be  opportunities to win a free Chromebook throughout the day! Please bring the following 1) identification, and 2) proof of eligibility in the form of a monthly WIC, MediCal or CalFresh statement, proof of enrollment in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) at CEP designated school, or a Pell Grant Award Letter for the current year.

Candlelight Vigil to honor World Suicide Prevention Day

HopeNet of Carpinteria will hold its annual Candlelight Vigil in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Seal Fountain at 800 Linden Ave. “This event will honor the memory of those who have died by suicide, survivors, and those impacted by suicide. It will also increase awareness and sensitivity relative to mental wellness, suicide and suicide prevention. We will have music, speakers, candles, refreshments and a resource table as well as therapists available to speak to interested persons,” stated Roberta Lehtinen, President of HopeNet of Carpinteria.

Scheduled speakers include Greg Fish, Chief of Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District; Toni Navarro, LMFT, Director Behavioral Wellness County of Santa Barbara; and Dawson Kelly, president of the youth-led Wellness Connection Council, a program of the Mental Wellness Center and YouthWell. This event is free and open to the general public. Spanish translation will be available.

HopeNet of Carpinteria is a local, grassroots suicide prevention group of volunteers. It is a Community Partner of the City of Carpinteria. For more information about the vigil, contact Becki Norton in Spanish or English at (805) 507-7933 or [email protected].

County Launches Monkeypox Webpage

In response to monkeypox cases increasing around the nation, the County of Santa Barbara has launched a new webpage to provide information about the disease, its prevalence in the County and opportunities to learn more or get vaccinated. Currently the total confirmed number of cases in SB County is five. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, respiratory symptoms and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters. Learn more at the new website in English HERE or in Spanish HERE.

Tennis is Free on Sundays!

The Carpinteria Community Tennis Courts are now open and free for use on a first-come, first-served basis on Sundays. Pickleball players must bring their own gear, including nets, on Sundays. During the rest of the week, tennis and pickleball players may access the courts by making a reservation HERE and going through the Carpinteria Community Pool at 5305 Carpinteria Ave. to pay and pick up pickleball equipment and access information. Please note that the Community Tennis Courts are available to the public during the hours when school is not in session. For questions, contact the Community Pool at (805) 566-2417.

Detectives Investigate Carpinteria Robbery and Kidnapping

Detectives from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a reported robbery and kidnapping that occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the 4900-block of Carpinteria Avenue. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, on Aug. 24, the victim reached out to law enforcement to report the incident that had occurred the day prior.  

While this investigation remains active and ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office is informing the public of preliminary incident information. On Aug. 23 at approximately 2:30 p.m., two suspects approached the victim outside of a business in the 4900-block of Carpinteria Avenue. They engaged in a conversation before they displayed weapons and forced the victim into their vehicle. The suspects drove the victim to a bank where they forced the victim to withdraw cash. The suspects left the victim at the bank and fled in their vehicle.

The description of the suspects and their vehicle is not yet available for release, as detectives are working to verify information. The Sheriff’s Office intends to keep the public informed of developments in this case to an extent that will not compromise the ongoing investigation.