Landscape nursery changes hands
The Carpinteria Landscape Nursery is under new ownership for the first time in four years. New owner Lynn Adams recently took over the Elm Street business from Bill and Dorene Custer. The Custers have been taking the opportunity to thank residents for their patronage and to welcome Adams into the landscaping fold. “She has a lot of enthusiasm and is eager to meet the needs of our community,” said the Custers. Located at 933 Elm, the nursery can be reached at 566-9344.

Salad debut part of adult “Happy Meal”
Happy meals are not just for kids anymore. A new series of adult-themed take-out meals, now available at the Carpinteria McDonald’s on Casitas Pass Road, includes the debut of a new Asian Salad. The salad contains a blend of edamame, snow peas, red bell peppers, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, and up to 16 types of greens. The salad also includes a choice of orange-glazed grilled or crispy chicken. According to McDonald’s nutritionist Bonnie Modugno, in an interview last week as part of a media tour, the meals include bottled water and an exercise DVD of cardiovascular fitness, yoga or strength training.

Wine tasting offers Pine Ridge for the palate
The Carpinteria Wine Company has scheduled its next wine tasting for Wednesday, a unique tasting opportunity allowing the most connoisseur of wine drinkers to taste the latest releases from the 220-acre Pine Ridge Winery, located in the Napa Valley’s Stags Leap district. Some of the wines include a 2004 Chenin Blanc/Viognier blend, 2004 Dijon Clones Chardonnay, 2002 Crimson Creek Merlot, 2003 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 2002 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The tasting will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the wine company, located at 4193-1 Carpinteria Ave. Cost of the event is $10 and includes a logo glass. For more information call 684-7440 or email nicole@Carpinteriawineco.com.

Obesity initiative names new pediatric director
Andria Ruth, M.D. has been named medical director and supervisor of the Carpinteria Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative, according to Michael Fisher, M.D., president of the Diabetes Resource Center, the funding agency of the program. Under Ruth’s direction, the two-year initiative will utilize strategies to address three causes of obesity: eating habits, physical activity and environment. Ruth, a pediatrician whose experience includes working successfully with local schools to change menus, will work with the California Nutrition Network’s Latino 5 a Day program for elementary schools in the Carpinteria Unified School District. Ruth will also oversee development of intervention classes for children identified as high risk due to being overweight, and coordinate activities with the Carpinteria Public Health Clinic. The initiative program is set to be introduced to the community on May 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Canalino School, 1480 Linden Ave. For further information, Ruth can be reached at 687-5586.