Closed in the Time of Corona

As I waltzed through the mostly empty streets of Summerland this past Sunday, the cowboy ballad “The Cowboys Lament” (aka “Streets of Loredo”) came to mind:

“As I walked out on the streets of Laredo.
As I walked out on Laredo one day,
I spied a poor cowboy wrapped in white linen,
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay…”

I did spy two couples walking hand in hand, as well as two fellas perched atop a pile of firewood at Summerland Liquor (which remains open). Many places of business are shuttered, some with signs posted – The Nugget: Closed Until Further Notice. Summerland Presbyterian Church: sermons online. Field + Fort: Closed. A Sacred Space: beautiful, but closed. Rusty’s Pizza in the old Stacky’s: closed, but a new sign offers up hope. Only Tinker’s, Summerland Beach Café, and Red Kettle remain open, so far, for vittles. Summerland Liquor is also open. Carpinteria has many nearby restaurants that deliver and/or are open for pick up. Thario’s Kitchen on Santa Claus Lane is making terrific lasagna trays and daily specials and safe physical distancing pick-up from Thais and Mario who are trying to keep the doors open. Delgado’s, if you’re craving Mexican food, has pick-up and delivery, regular menu and family size portions including taco kits and soup combos. Siam Elephant, for delicious Thai cuisine, delivers. For a complete list, join the Carpinteria Chamber of Commerce’s Take-out and Delivery Options Facebook page.