FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2004

CONTACT
APCD: Frances Gilliland, 961-8838, or Bobbie Bratz 961-8890
SBCAG Traffic Solutions: Jonathan Whitt, 961-8918

Kids Care for Clean Air Contest Winners Announced
Winning Artwork Featured on 2005 Calendar

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and SBCAG Traffic Solutions today announced the winners of the 2005 Kids Care for Clean Air calendar contest. The contest was open to kids between the ages of 5 and 12 who live in Santa Barbara County. Winning artwork illustrates fun and creative ways to get around without creating air pollution, or the importance of working together for clean air.

JoJo Relyea, Age 10, a student at May Grisham Elementary School in Orcutt, was the grand prize winner of a free bicycle donated by Bicycle Bob’s in Santa Barbara, and a $100 savings bond contributed by Santa Barbara Bank and Trust. Her picture of colorful butterflies with the message “creative ideas for transportation will make our world beautiful” is on the calendar cover. JoJo explains that she was playing outside on a warm day and spotted a butterfly that became the inspiration for her winning artwork. She says, “If you want to go to your friend’s house, ride your bike instead of having your parents drive you - and that will keep our air clean.”

The twelve other winners received $50 savings bonds from Santa Barbara Bank and Trust. Their names and descriptions of their drawings are listed below (last names are omitted to protect the children’s privacy).

Josef, Age 11 The Howard School, Carpinteria: “My picture is about electric buses.”	Veronica, Age 12 Jonata Elementary School, Buellton: “Bike riding is the way to prevent air pollution.”	Dana, Age 7 Oak Valley School, Buellton: “A train can carry lots of people.”
Sabrina, Age 12 Goleta Valley Junior High: “Fly Free in the Clean Air!”	Kyle, Age 10, Santa Barbara Christian School: “People using alternate forms of transportation to keep the air clean.”	Corina, Age 12, Vista de las Cruces School, Gaviota: “My picture is about pollution and why it should be stopped.”
Helena, Age 8, Montecito Union School: “Walking is a lot more fun than riding in a car!”	Rylan, Age 12, Vandenberg Middle School, Lompoc: “Outdoor play the clean air way!”	Stephanie, Age 10, Adams Elementary School, Santa Barbara: “The way to go!”
Matthew, Age 8, Fillmore Elementary School, Lompoc: “My picture is about the walking school bus.”	Jose, Age 7, Harding Elementary School, Santa Barbara: “My picture is about being kind to the air.”	Ben, Age 6 Monroe Elementary School, Santa Barbara: “Bike riding is fun!”

The winners will be honored at the APCD Board meeting on Thursday, December 16th at 2:00 pm, in the Board of Supervisor’s Hearing Room, on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building at 105 E. Anapamu Street in Santa Barbara.

Local artist Daniel Girard designed the calendar, using a medieval castle theme to integrate the artwork and photographs of the children.

Calendars will be distributed around the county, starting today, and will be available to county residents on request while supplies last. Priority will be given to county schools and other locations for public display in the county. To request a calendar, call the APCD at 961-8800.

For more information on APCD’s other school outreach programs, see this page. Art submitted by kids from Santa Maria for the contest will be on display in the Santa Maria Public Library during the month of December.

Return to News Releases or News & Notices