Surf’s Up, Pups, Teacher’s Fund, and More News Bytes

Join the Dog Days of Summer Photo Contest!  This year’s theme is all about the beach. Dress your pampered pup in their best seaside style and dive into our end-of-summer pup party. Every photo snapped will be entered for a chance to win! Winners to be announced in the Montecito Journal!

The #1 Top Dog’s Pick (Editor’s Choice) will receive a luxurious dinner for two at Caruso’s with wine pairings. And #2 Crowd’s Best in Show (Fan Favorite) will win a custom sketch of their pooch by Peter Horjus.

Don’t miss out on this furry fun opportunity to celebrate the summer with your canine companions! 

411: Visit www.coastvillageroad.com/events/dog-days-of-summer-photo-contest-september-2025 to submit a photo!

Debut Novel Intersections Launches in Montecito

Author Karen F. Uhlmann will celebrate the launch of her debut novel, Intersections, with a reading and reception at Tecolote Book Shop in Montecito on September 27 at 3 pm. Uhlmann, an MFA graduate from Bennington and award-winning short story writer, brings readers a gripping tale of secrets, guilt, and moral conflict. Intersections follows Charlotte Oakes – whose seemingly perfect life unravels after a hit-and-run possibly involving her troubled daughter – and Officer Ed Kelly, a cop weighed down by his own grief. Their bond forces difficult choices between love, loyalty, and justice.

Teacher’s Fund Drive Raises $140K for Local Classrooms

Santa Barbara’s Teacher’s Fund Supplies Drive scored an “A+” this year, raising over $140,000 to equip local classrooms with essential materials. Powered by Village Properties Realtors, community members, and local businesses, the annual fundraiser supports teachers across Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and the Santa Ynez Valley. “This fundraiser is about giving our teachers the tools they need to help students thrive,” said Brianna Johnson, realtor and committee co-chair. Since its founding in 2002 by Village Properties Owner Renee Grubb, the Teacher’s Fund has donated more than $2.3 million to educators, funding supplies often beyond school budgets.

Carp Rotary Club & Girls Inc. Unveil New Peace Pole

The Rotary Club of Carpinteria is proud to announce the installation and dedication of a Peace Pole at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, 5315 Foothill Road on Thursday, September 25, at 4:30 pm. The Peace Pole, which bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in nine languages including Braille, represents Rotary and Girls Inc.’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and cross-cultural understanding. This collaborative project was developed jointly by members of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria and Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, who selected the languages together to reflect the diversity and values of the Carpinteria community. “This Peace Pole is more than just a symbol,” said Roland Rotz, peacebuilder director for the Rotary Club of Carpinteria. “It’s a call to action for our community to live out Rotary’s mission of goodwill, service, and peaceful conflict resolution.” The dedication ceremony is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend.

Reminder: Condor Trail Fundraiser 

The Los Padres Forest Association is holding a fundraiser event for their Condor Trail on Thursday, September 25, at the Balboa Building, 735 State St. The event keynote is a presentation by Addison Jerlow, who set record time in March hiking the 400-mile trail with a vertical gain of 69,000 feet. He did it in 21d 5h 31m 0s. Jerlow is sharing his experience with a talk and slide show, suggestions on how to navigate the trail, gear needed and logistics. Brian Sarvis will also be speaking. He has through-hiked the Condor Trail once in each direction, as well as completed numerous section hikes for research. Sarvis wrote a book on his arduous hiking adventure, The Condor Trail Guide. The event includes a happy hour and raffle for only $10. 

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/LPForest-Fundraiser

Girls Inc. Mixer Fundraiser Announced

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is having a public mixer on Thursday, September 25, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The evening includes a guided tour of their campus and a happy hour to connect with supporters and learn more about the organization.

RSVP to [email protected] 

Reminder: Happy 60^th Birthday to the City of Carp

The City of Carpinteria invites all locals to celebrate its 60^th Anniversary

September 24, 1-4 pm: Carpinteria Valley Museum of History 

September 25, 1 pm: Veterans Hall and 6pm Carp Beach Clean Up

September 26, 4 pm: Lynda Fairly Carp Arts Center community painting

September 27, 11 am-1 pm: Carp Library arts performances and costume contest

September 29, 5:30 pm: Veterans Hall State of the City Address

Montecito Trails Foundation’s Annual Fall BBQ Fundraiser

Montecito Trails Foundation Annual Fall BBQ fundraiser is on Saturday, September 27, at the Carriage Museum (129 Castillo Street in Santa Barbara). The event honors board member Jane Murray. Proceeds are slated to help fund restoration of the remaining 5 miles of Old Romero Road, a project scheduled to commence spring 2026.

411: www.montecitotrailsfoundation.info/about-4

Assemblymember Hart’s Congressional Bills Update

Assemblymember Gregg Hart has published the bills he is sending to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newson as follows:

– SB 237 – Protect the Coast: Improves oil facility and pipeline standards and oversight to safeguard coastal resources. Clarifies the California Coastal Commission’s authority to require coastal development permits for the reactivation of old oil facilities and pipelines.

– AB 14 – Blue Whales, Blue Skies: Creates the California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program to reduce ship strikes on endangered whales and cut air emissions by incentivizing slower vessel speeds along the California coast.

– AB 1108 – FACTS Act: Requires independent medical examinations into deaths of individuals in law enforcement custody (including federal immigration enforcement), ensuring sheriff-coroners refer in-custody death investigations to independent physicians.

– AB 1466 – Sustainable Groundwater Management: Strengthens California’s groundwater sustainability efforts by protecting small farmers and disadvantaged communities from costly and prolonged legal challenges.

– AB 632 – Local Housing and Safety Compliance: Expands enforcement tools for local governments to uphold state housing laws, fire safety regulations, and restrictions on unlicensed cannabis activities by strengthening penalty collection against serious violators.

– AB 471 – Equitable Air District Board Compensation: Expands participation on local air district boards by providing fair compensation, cost-of-living adjustments, and transparency requirements to ensure diverse and effective leadership