Message from the Mayor

Dear Carpinterians,

This week it’s my pleasure to welcome many of you first-time readers! We’ve had an incredible response to the postcard we mailed last week encouraging new subscribers to this twice monthly newsletter that is available in English and Spanish. The effort has resulted in hundreds of new subscribers, and every day we’re adding more.

While I’m thrilled to know that the City of Carpinteria’s news is reaching more of our residents, I realize that our work is not done. We’re still not reaching everyone with these important updates, and we will continue to think outside the box to come up with ways to ensure that Carpinteria households have access to the City news they want and need.

To get the latest news, I encourage each of you to also follow the City on Facebook, Instagram or Nextdoor. Much of the news you’ll read here is also posted to our social media accounts, which are being updated regularly, sometimes multiple times a day.

This week’s edition of The Current is full of important dates you’ll want to add to your calendar. Though it seems like I was just writing about beach days and summer visitors, it’s now time to start planning for the holidays.

Our Holiday Parade will be back in full swing this year, so save the afternoon of Dec. 10 for the parade and the assortment of festivities that will take place downtown that day. The Hospice Tree Lighting will take place in the evening at Seal Fountain Plaza, the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center will hold its Arts & Crafts Faire all day, and the Carpinteria Community Library will hold its Frosty Fest in the morning.

I’m marking my calendar for December events, but before I turn the calendar page, I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving. As Carpinterians, we have so much to be grateful for that I appreciate having a day dedicated to giving thanks.

I ask that as you reflect on all that you have, you remember that not everyone has equal resources, opportunities or good fortune. Please do what you can to help those in our community and the wider world who are struggling this holiday season. Maybe write a check to an organization that does good work, contribute to a food drive, shop at a local store, call a lonely family member, hug your friends tightly or just smile at the folks you pass on the sidewalk. We all have something to give including making sure all Carpinterians will enjoy this Holiday Season.

Stay Well, Stay Safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Mayor Wade Nomura

City News & More

Save the Date: Holiday Spirit Parade & Much More

Holiday-focused fun and festivities will fill downtown Carpinteria with holly jolly spirit on Saturday, Dec. 10. The well-loved Holiday Spirit Parade will take place on downtown Linden Avenue at 3 p.m., followed at 5:30 p.m. by the Light Up a Life Hospice of Santa Barbara event at the Seal Fountain. Prior to the parade, the Carpinteria Community Library will hold its Frosty Fest from 10 a.m. to noon at 5141 Carpinteria Ave. and the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center will host an Arts & Crafts Faire from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 855 Linden Ave.

MTD Plans to Add Bus Service and On-Demand Microtransit

Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transportation District’s Board of Directors approved a Short Range Transit Plan on Nov. 1 that includes impacts to Carpinteria. Changes are expected to be rolled out over the next five years. Major changes affecting Carpinteria will be the addition of a line (Line 19X) that will provide direct connection between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara City College, and improved weekday frequencies and extensions of peak hour service for Line 20, which connects Carpinteria to Santa Barbara. The Seaside Shuttle, which was removed from service during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be replaced with The Wave, an on-demand microtransit service.

For more detailed information, see the Short-Range Transit Plan in English HERE at and in Spanish HERE. Need more information? Email [email protected] or call 805-963-3366.

Tennis & Pickleball Courts Open and Free for Holidays

The Carpinteria Community Tennis and Pickleball Courts will be open for free play throughout the week of Thanksgiving, Nov. 21-27, and during a winter break, Dec. 19 - Jan. 2. During these free periods, the courts, which are located on Palm Avenue adjacent to the Carpinteria Community Pool, will be open on a first come first served basis and should only be used during daylight hours. On an ongoing basis, the courts are free and open every Sunday. To reserve a court during the rest of the week, visit HERE. Note that the Community Tennis Courts are available to the public during the hours when school is not in session.

Community Library Announces Frosty Fest & Holiday Hours

Carpinteria Community Library invites young and old (and everyone in the middle) to come out for Frosty Fest, a winter-themed party on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at 5141 Carpinteria Ave. The community event will feature games, treat-making and crafts that are free for all. Attendees who wear their favorite beanie will win a prize. At 2 p.m. that afternoon, the library will close to participate in the Holiday Spirit Parade on Linden Avenue. 

In order for Carpinteria Community Library staff to enjoy a break for the holidays, the library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 25; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 23 and 24; and Saturday, Dec. 31.

Reservations Required for Amtrak Surfliner Nov. 23 - 28

In anticipation of large numbers of travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner will require advanced reservations to travel on board Pacific Surfliner trains and connecting bus service beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23 through Monday, Nov. 28. Additional train cars and shuttle buses will be used to increase the number of available seats. However, customers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and book early to guarantee available tickets. Visit HERE to learn more and book a trip.

Earthquake Brace + Bolt program offers funds to retrofit homes

Would you like to receive up to $3,000 toward an earthquake retrofit of your house? Registration is now open for the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program, which provides homeowners up to $3,000 to strengthen their home and lessen the potential for earthquake damage. Income-eligible homeowners may qualify for an additional Supplemental Grant on top of the $3,000 EBB grant. Find out more HERE.

Library Offers Free State Park Day Use Passes

Carpinteria Community Library cardholders can now check out one of three California State Parks passes available at the library located at 5141 Carpinteria Ave. These passes allow for free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state park units. Cardholders can check out passes for a week at a time, with up to three renewals. The passes have been made available through a partnership with the First Partner's Office and the California State Library.

Mark Your Calendar

YouthWell Wellness Workshop

YouthWell will host a free virtual Wellness Workshop on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. to help youth build a healthy relationship with technology. YouthWell is a Santa Barbara County nonprofit focused on prevention and early intervention in order to connect youth through age 25 and families to mental health and wellness resources before a crisis.

Register

DIY Home Energy Savings Toolkit Workshop

3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network) will hold a DIY Home Energy Savings Toolkit Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. The free workshop will include tools, equipment and a guide to help you save energy and increase the comfort of your home. The kit has FREE items for you to install in your home, as well as tools to return after use.

Register