My mom, Sally, is the busiest retired person I know. She works part-time, volunteers at the Carpinteria Library, and offers to help with any worthy cause. She says she's surrounded by like-minded people and that this spirit of volunteerism is one of the things that makes Carpinteria special. She and her friends enjoy their book club, soup club, plays, concerts, and museums. Did I mention that Mom is also a volunteer ambassador in downtown Carpinteria, answering questions and helping visitors enjoy her beachside hamlet?
When I mentioned to Mom recently that I was featuring the Carpinteria Home & Garden Tour in an upcoming column, I was not at all surprised that her response was "Oh, that's great! I'm volunteering at one of the houses again this year."
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the tour, held on the last Saturday in April in conjunction with Carpinteria Beautiful month. The tour is a fundraiser for projects such as murals and other area beautification efforts.