Halos & Pitchforks • Sept. 24, 2026

A reader sends a halo to Holden at Carpinteria Library . “I had to do some front to back copying that had to be arranged in a certain way. It rapidly became harder than I thought. Seeing my frustration, Holden offered to help. He knew a few things about the printer that I didn’t and had really good spatial relations. In just a few minutes he copied the pages just right, saving me time, money and lots of wasted pages. When Holden solved my copying problem, I was in heaven and he deserves a halo for that.”

A reader sends a halo to the Lynda Fairly Art Center for its 25-year anniversary and to Geri Ann and Gary Campopiano for all their work and time getting the art center up and running.

A reader sends a halo to the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History for another great Family History Day! “The kids activities were awesome and it was all so well organized. It was great to see such a great crowd in attendance. Keep up the wonderful work!”

A reader sends a halo to the folks at Carpinteria Valley Lumber for donating a few items for a science lesson. “We’re a small homeschool pod and your donation was much appreciated. I hope your generosity and thoughtfulness is returned to you tenfold!”

A reader sends a halo to Carpinteria Beautiful for all they do to keep our town magnificent, including providing bee homes for native bees along the Santa Monica Creek trail.

A reader sends a halo to the Carpinteria High School football coaching staff who generously volunteer time away from their own families (approximately 40 hours a week each) to support student athletes with integrity and leadership for these last three seasons. “In a community that no longer supports a local youth football program and with a high school principal who does not value sports or the hiring of on-campus coaches, what these walk-on coaches — CHS alumni and community members — do on a weekly basis, is extraordinary. And, as good human beings, we should all remember that winning seasons involve so much more than numbers on a scoreboard. Thank you, coaches, not only for your devotion to our athletes but for bringing a level of integrity to CHS Football that is unchanged by the score of a game. We see you.”

A reader sends a halo to dentists Dr. Kimia Attar and Dr. Nima Afshar at Carpinteria Smiles for their excellent care when the reader had a molar tooth extracted and bone graft procedure. “I appreciated how patient they were in answering all my questions. I highly recommend the entire team at Carpinteria Smiles. We are so lucky to have a dental practice that does it all right here in Carpinteria!”

A reader sends a halo to the folks at Rancho Granada Mobile Home Park who anonymously responded with such kindness and generosity to the reader’s recent hearing loss. “You know who you are and I am ever grateful to be living in a community with such neighborly and caring people.”

A reader sends a halo to all the football coaches at Carpinteria High School . “Your time and dedication to make sure we have a football team, when there is no youth football team in place, is priceless! Thank you for teaching our players and new coaches the traditions and discipline that is needed to make a team and have lasting memories! Football is so much more than winning. WSND!”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the library , where there used to be two restrooms. “Now one is locked, with a sign that says ‘Staff.’ Having done the ‘crossed-legs dance’ many times in the past when both restrooms were occupied, I question the wisdom of narrowing the options to just one.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the person complaining about a potluck participant . “It should be noted that some on high horses bring way too salty nuts and stale chips to said get-togethers, and thus should mind their P’s and Q’s …”

A reader sends a pitchfork to the California Highway Patrol officer for driving an SUV recklessly fast on the 101 near Linden, no siren on, weaving in and out of traffic at 6:24 p.m., Friday Sept. 18.

A reader sends a pitchfork to the person who shot off fireworks on Saturday evening around 9. “Please get a job or for that matter get a life! We know who you are, and we know your parents. They need to get a life too!”

A reader sends a pitchfork to critics of the Carpinteria High School football coaching staff . “I know for a fact our coaches are on the field at the high school seven days a week (yes, weekend meetings and ‘films’ with the players on Saturday) and they’d welcome your expertise! Please join them on the field as a Warrior and not just a couch critic. Meaningful change involves effort, support and leadership … not finger pointing.”

A reader sends a pitchfork to Union Pacific Railroad for senselessly stripping all the vegetation and wildlife along the tracks from Viola Field to the Rincon in the dead of night.

A reader sends a pitchfork to the city staff responsible for the extremely poor audio at Monday night’s Planning Commission meeting. “Couldn’t hear in the chambers or outside in the tent and garbled at home on the city channel. No excuse that audio was not tested before such an important meeting. The city needs properly working audio for their meetings.”

Halos & Pitchforks • Sept. 24, 2026

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