Beer maker and community supporter wins top Carpinteria honor

Carpinteria honored its outstanding community leaders over the weekend. At the Annual Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Dinner, Paul Wright from Island Brewing was the surprise winner of the Carpinteria of the Year. Wright is a long time craft beer maker with a growing business. He has also been involved in many service organizations, events, fundraisers, charity drives, and plays in a local band. Island Brewing has also won many national awards for its beer selections. The Junior Carpinterian of the Year was Maria Zamora. The Large Business of the Year award went to Mission Linen Supply. The Small Business of the Year award went to Meister & Nunes, PC The packed event was held at the Boys and Girls Club Saturday night. Local residents, business leaders, and politicians attended to celebrate the city’s successes and plan for the coming year. Here is a complete list of honorees from the weekend event: Carpinterian of the Year – Paul Wright Junior Carpinterian of the Year – Maria Zamora Small Business of the Year – Meister & Nunes, PC Large Business of the Year – Mission Linen Supply Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Caroline Alarcon 2016 Educators of the Year Award – Brett Weiberg and Curtis Johnson Congratulations to the Merit Awards honored by Community Non-Profit Organizations: American Cancer Society-Relay for Life – Nancy Garrison California Avocado Festival – Geri Carty Carpinteria Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group – Joe Escareno & Bruce Aiches Carpinteria Arts Center – Charles Lobue Carpinteria Beautiful – Diana Freeman Carpinteria Children’s Project – Becky Richardson Carpinteria Education Foundation, Inc. – Casey Balch Carpinteria High Boosters Club – Chris Kelsey Carpinteria Lions Club – Ron Hurd Carpinteria Masonic Lodge – Lawrence Cook Carpinteria Senior Citizens, Inc. – Nola Ferguson & Wilma Heidenrich Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce – Doralee Jacobsen Carpinteria Woman’s Club – Sharon Organista City of Carpinteria – Dick Weinberg Girls Inc. of Carpinteria – Donna Downs HELP of Carpinteria – Gail Stribling (posthumously) Plaza Playhouse Theater – Asa Olsson Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning- Kimberly Fly Rotary Club of Carpinteria Noon – Andy Bailard United Boys & Girls Club of Carpinteria – Angel Sugler​is