Daily Archives: December 6, 2021

Goleta Valley Library Bookvan Off to Impressive Start

Updated Schedule Released

The Goleta Valley Library Bookvan is off to an impressive start providing new library services to the Isla Vista community. Since the Bookvan rolled into Isla Vista on October 4, 2021, it has served more than 1,000 people. These patrons have been getting library cards, books, audiovisual materials, Library of Things items, technology, craft kits for kids, honor system books, free books, and more.

Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries Director Allison Gray said, “The new Bookvan has been a wonderful experience. Watching the children’s faces as they pick up their free take-home craft kits is priceless. It’s also been great getting to know the residents of Isla Vista and know that we are making a difference for them.”

Due to Daylight Saving Time, the Bookvan schedule has been modified, but will continue to operate Monday through Friday with a repeating schedule every two weeks. Stops include: Isla Vista Friendship Manor, St. George’s Teen Center, IV Community Center, Storke Community Center, Estero Park, Studio Plaza Apartments, Sea Lookout Park, Perfect Park, UCSB Early Childhood, West Campus Playground, and Isla Vista Elementary School. The schedule is available here on the Library’s website. The Bookvan will continue its service in Isla Vista through the holidays with only a few days off; please check the calendar for those days.

To hear more about the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan, watch the special ribbon cutting ceremony held on October 4, 2021, at the Isla Vista Community Center.

Pictured: Goleta Valley Library staff in front of Bookvan, left-to-right: Kiara Pacheco, Nicole Bury, Sharon Nigh, and Allison Gray


New Library Bookvan Schedule

Goleta Holiday Parade THIS Saturday, December 11, at 6:00 p.m.

Hollister Avenue Closed in Old Town from Fairview Avenue to Kellogg Avenue Starting at 5:00 p.m.

We hope to see you this Saturday, December 11th, for the return of the Goleta Holiday Parade! The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and runs from Orange Avenue to Kinman Avenue. As a reminder, Hollister Avenue will be closed to all vehicles (including electric or motorized bicycles) starting at 5:00 p.m. from Fairview Avenue to Kellogg Avenue. No parking signs will be posted and Goleta Police will be providing security and patrols. If your vehicle is parked in the parade route it will be cited and towed. Goleta Public Works will be providing traffic control support for vehicle safety and providing portable lighting throughout the parade route for pedestrian safety. Please allow time for parking and carpool if possible.

The parade is presented by the Goleta Lions Club, in partnership with the City of Goleta and community sponsors. This year, the Mayor, Councilmembers, and the City’s Community Relations Team are thrilled to participate. We are so pleased this much-anticipated event is back after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic. It’s a great opportunity to see our Goleta community organizations, schools, nonprofits, youth sports teams, and community members march down Hollister Avenue in Old Town Goleta. We can’t wait to get in the holiday spirit with you and see so many smiling faces. Look for the Mayor and Councilmembers who will be cruising the parade route in style in an antique fire truck, convertibles and by bike. The Community Relations Team will be promoting the City’s new GoodLandGoodShopping.com website.

We are looking forward to a safe and fun event! For more information on the parade, go to https://goletaholidayparade.org/.

Our Water Our World: Controlling Fleas in Your Home

Learn how to control fleas with these tips from the City of Goleta Environmental Services Division.

Did You Know?

Fleas make pets and people uncomfortable and can transmit tapeworms to pets and sometimes to children.

It takes about 18 days for a flea egg to grow into an adult flea, but in temperatures above 37 ̊F, fleas can be dormant for up to 18 months. A flea lays 20 to 50 eggs each day, so flea problems in your home can get out of control quickly, especially in warm weather. Adult fleas can live on your pet for 30 to 40 days—and they generally account for only 5 percent of fleas (counting fleas in all stages of their life cycle) in your home!

Finding Fleas in the Home

Adult fleas spend almost all of their time on an animal’s body. If you haven’t seen fleas but your dog or cat is scratching, your pet may have fleas.

You may be able to see tiny white flea eggs and white, worm-like flea larvae on the floor, in cracks and crevices, in carpets, and where pets rest or sleep. You may also see “flea dirt” (flea droppings) where your pet sleeps. These black specks contain blood and turn red when wet.

What Can I Do?

Fleas In Your Home

  • Because fleas in many life stages live in your home and not on your pet, thorough vacuuming and washing your pet’s bedding is a key part of your flea control program.
  • Vacuum carpets, floors, couches, and chairs often to pick up adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. Empty vacuum or dispose of bags in the trash, outdoors.
  • Wash pet bedding in hot soapy water every week.
  • Thoroughly clean cracks and crevices in floors or baseboards, or seal permanently with caulk.
  • Use a non-toxic flea trap to attract fleas and trap them on sticky paper. Traps work better if people and pets are not around—fleas prefer warm bodies to traps.
  • Use diatomaceous earth (DE) to treat carpets, chairs, couches, and pet bedding. Use a hand duster to apply a thin layer of DE (labeled for use on pests, or use “food-grade” DE if you have small children) and blow it into cracks and crevices. Wear a dust mask and goggles to keep DE out of your lungs and eyes!
  • When you treat furniture or carpets to kill fleas, use a borate-based solution, which can control fleas for up to a year.

Outside Your Home

  • Don’t treat for fleas outdoors unless you know you have a major problem there.
  • Do not try to combat fleas by spraying around the perimeter of your house or spraying your entire yard. Spot-treat with insecticidal soap only those areas where you find large populations of fleas.
  • Apply beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora or Stienernema carpocapse) to soil where you have found fleas. You can buy them at garden centers or order online. Soil temperature must be between 60 ̊F and 90 ̊F, and the soil should be moist. Water before and after application, but don’t soak the area.

Fleas On Your Pet

  • Wash your pet with pet shampoo and warm water. Using a flea comb while your pet is lathered should get rid of most adult fleas on him or her.
  • Use a flea comb (available at pet stores) often to catch fleas crawling on your cat or dog. Drown fleas caught in the comb in a cup of warm soapy water and flush or pour down the drain. Make sure to comb well around your pet’s neck and base of the tail.
  • Use chewable flea medication for your pet. Be sure you use the right dose for your type of pet (dog or cat) and his or her weight.
  • Using flea medications in pill form protects water quality. Wastewater treatment plants cannot fully remove complex chemicals like pesticides. Wastewater agencies are concerned that pesticides in spot-on flea treatments can wash off a pet even weeks after being applied. In fact, these pesticides are turning up in wastewater treatment plant discharge and recycled water.

Find more information on controlling fleas with eco-friendly products in our OWOW brochures in English and Spanish. 

The City of Goleta along with the Cities of Buellton, Carpinteria, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and the County of Santa Barbara have partnered with the OWOW organization to promote the use of less-toxic products in an effort to reduce pesticide pollution in our communities. By reducing pesticide use and the use of less-toxic products around the home, you can help reduce pesticides and other pollutants such as herbicides and fertilizers from being picked up while watering or when it rains and transported to the nearest storm drain inlet and into our waterways. The OWOW website is a great resource for finding less-toxic products to use around your home or garden.

Beautify Goleta is Back – Neighborhood Captains Wanted!

The City of Goleta’s Environmental Services Division is announcing the return of Beautify Goleta, which will now include neighborhood volunteer cleanups to keep all of Goleta healthy and safe year-round! Beautify Goleta originally helped residents clean their homes and yards with free bulky items collections, but starting this spring, Beautify Goleta will also host Saturday morning cleanup events in neighborhoods throughout the city, generally every other month.

Captains Needed!

For these events to work, we need the help of Neighborhood Captains – clubs, businesses, community groups, or individuals – that will coordinate with the City to organize and run their local cleanups. Being a Neighborhood Captain is a great opportunity to:

  • Serve as a steward of your neighborhood and leader in your community
  • Keep your neighborhood, parks, creeks, and beaches clean and beautiful year-round
  • Get to know your neighbors better, and network with others
  • Be recognized in City press releases, the Monarch Press, and social media campaigns
  • Increase the community presence of you or your organization

We also welcome having co-captains in each neighborhood! See the map below for current areas, although areas are subject to change.

Already hosting your own cleanups?

If you or your organization already have your own cleanup events, great! We can still highlight the great work you’re already doing and get the word out about your cleanups (and avoid redundancy). In Goleta, we are lucky to have organizations like the Environmental Defense Center, Okeanos Swimwear, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Explore Ecology, and Goleta Rotary Clubs who have been effectively organizing cleanups for many years! Our goal is to complement the great work already being done and fill in gaps as needed.

What’s Next:

Cleanup Leaders Meeting- Beautify Goleta will have its first ever Neighborhood Captains meeting in January, which will also include leaders from existing cleanup efforts. We will be giving more details about cleanup logistics and will also be reaching out for thoughts about making the program fun and engaging, before, during, and after events.

First Event- Our first new and improved Beautify Goleta cleanup event is targeted for March and will then generally occur every other month. If you are interested in leading as a Neighborhood Captain, please sign up here.

Neighborhood Spotlight- while Captains will be the leaders in their area year-round, the City will be highlighting various neighborhoods on a rotating basis, based on need. The neighborhood spotlight will provide additional volunteers to the area, as well as the free bulky items collection and dumpster service previously part of Beautify Goleta.

All Volunteers Welcome!

Of course, we could not have Beautify Goleta without Cleanup Volunteers as well! Check out last month’s Monarch Press article here and sign up as a general volunteer here.

Residential Theft Prevention Tips

The Goleta Police Department wants to take this opportunity to remind our community members of these safety tips to help prevent residential theft especially during this holiday season. 

  • Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. Doors should have deadbolt locks and all windows should also have locks.
  • Secure sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or a wooden dowel rod in the track and install vertical bolts. This will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.
  • Always lock the door to an attached garage. Do not rely on your automatic garage door opener for security.
  • Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights to make your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home.
  • Keep the perimeter of your home well lit. Installing outdoor lighting is a good way to discourage intruders.
  • Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and deliveries while you are away. Be mindful of your social media and save the vacation photos until you are safely home.   
  • Lastly, report all suspicious activity to law enforcement when it is occurring or as soon as possible. 

City Welcomes New Traffic Unit Motors Deputy

The City of Goleta is pleased to welcome a new addition to the Goleta Police Department. Deputy Derek Taylor was born and raised in the Good Land and is a graduate of Dos Pueblos High School. He started his new assignment on November 15, 2021.

Deputy Taylor said, “I am invested in this community and am ecstatic to be a part of the Goleta Motors Unit team. I can’t think of a better place to take this next step in my law enforcement career.”

Goleta City Manager Michelle Greene said, “I am very impressed by Deputy Taylor’s knowledge and understanding of the Goleta community, as well as his interest in traffic, pedestrian and bike safety. Deputy Taylor understands how important proactive education is in promoting traffic safety and is motivated to make difference in the community where he grew up.”

Deputy Taylor has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2016. He was previously assigned to the Santa Maria sub-station and Central Valley sub-station. Deputy Taylor also served as the liaison deputy between the Chumash Reservation Community and the Sheriff’s Office.

The City of Goleta wishes Deputy Taylor a great chapter ahead in his new assignment.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank Deputy Rockwell Ellis for his three years of service to the City on the Goleta Motors Unit and for his quick actions (along with fellow Deputy David Ashley) on November 9th to rescue a woman from an apartment fire in Old Town. Best of luck to Deputy Ellis on your new assignment working in the Coastal Patrol Bureau which serves the areas of Montecito, Carpinteria and Summerland.

Book Your Winter Getaway! Discover New Adventures while Reading

2022 Winter Reading Program Kicks off January 4th at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Let’s start the new year with a great read! The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are excited to launch their 10th annual Winter Reading Program on Tuesday, January 4th. The program is open to all ages and will run through Friday, March 4th. This year’s theme – Book a Winter Getaway! – invites readers to discover a new adventure in the pages of a book.

As in years past, participants will complete entry slips for every book they read during the program and enter them into prize drawing boxes at the library for a chance to win exciting prizes from local businesses and community partners each week.

More details will be announced closer to the start date of the program. We can’t wait to read our way into the new year together!

Reading is a Gift: Join the December Library Fun

Book Giveaway and Festive Activities this Month at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

There is lots of fun in store at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries this holiday season! Patrons can pick up a free copy of The Polar Express by two-time Caldecott medalist Chris Van Allsburg at the Goleta, Buellton, and Solvang Libraries, while supplies last. These books were generously provided by Monroe Elementary in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Our hope is that families will enjoy reading this classic Christmas story, as well as the many other books at the library that celebrate winter holidays around the world.

At Goleta Valley Library and Solvang Library, young patrons can enjoy searching for the Elf on the Shelf as he mischievously moves around the library each week in December. Anyone who spots him will receive a prize.

Also at Goleta Valley Library, children can complete a Scavenger Hunt for festive clues posted around the children’s area of the library and turn in their completed card to receive a prize. There is also a station to create greeting cards for residents of local nursing homes; library staff will deliver the cards near the end of December.

At Buellton Library, children have the opportunity to write Letters to Santa and receive a reply from the North Pole! Special stationery is available to use at the library. Come back after January 15th to pick up Santa’s response. You can also stop by the library all month long to grab a Gingerbread craft kit for your little one.

We look forward to sharing the gift of reading with you throughout December and beyond at the library. See you soon!

For more information on programs and services at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Find the Elf on the Shelf at the Solvang and Goleta Libraries and win a prize

Write your own letter to Santa at the Buellton Library

Electrify Your Ride –Rebates Now Available for 3CE Customers

If you are a new Central Coast Community Energy customer and you bought or leased an electric vehicle or purchased and installed an electric vehicle charging station at your home or office after October 1, 2021, you may be eligible for Electrify Your Ride incentives.

Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) recently launched its Electrify Your Ride program. As part of this program, rebates are available to CCCE customers for the purchase and lease of new and pre-owned electric vehicles (EVs), motorcycles, EV chargers, associated EV readiness electrical work, and electric bikes! Electrify Your Ride provides access to a one-stop-shop to apply for post-purchase incentives that will help save customers money and help residents and businesses make the switch to electric transportation. See tables below for pricing. The program is open now through September 30, 2022, or until all funds ($2.8 million) are used.

The Electrify Your Ride rebates not only reimburse a portion of the cost for electric-powered transportation but are also intended to cover costs associated with the purchase and installation of chargers to power up EVs at homes and workplaces – including the labor and related electric panel updates or replacement – which is part of a CCCE Energy Program “readiness” measure designed to prepare customers for more all-electric conversion such as appliances and water heaters. So, even if you may not be ready for a new vehicle, program funds can be leveraged now to start upgrading your electric panel for a cleaner future.

Transportation contributes to 60% of our local Central Coast greenhouse gas emissions. By powering cars with electricity instead of gasoline or diesel saves money and improves local air quality. Additionally, building more charging stations improves equitable access for residents and EV chargers add value to businesses. CCCE energy programs assist the Central Coast community with the switch from fossil fuels to clean-energy solutions.

Learn more about the program at https://3cenergy.org/electrify-your-ride-program/.

Join CCCE’s monthly eNewsletter here to stay informed about Electrify Your Ride and other CCCE programs. Still have questions? Contact CCCE at programs@3CE.org.

Electrify Your Ride resident rebate and incentive rates

Electrify Your Ride commercial business rebate and incentive rates

Apply to be on City’s Design Review Board or Planning Commission

Applications Due by January 14th

Are you interested in getting more involved with the City of Goleta? Then we encourage you to apply for vacancies on the Design Review Board and Planning Commission.

Those with an eye for design are encouraged to apply for the Design Review Board. This seven-member body encourages development that uses the best professional design practices to enhance the visual aesthetics of the community and prevent poor quality of design. Members are appointed to a three-year term. There will be three vacancies: One Licensed Landscape Professional (must be a Landscape Architect or Landscape Contractor) and Two At-Large Members (must be a resident of Goleta). The Design Review Board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and the position is compensated $50 per meeting.

The Planning Commission sits as a decision-making body on land use issues for the City and consists of five members who each serve a four-year term. Their role is to review and take appropriate action on discretionary development applications and to make recommendations to the City Council regarding any proposed legislative actions, including the General Plan and its implementation, as required by law. The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month starting at 6:00 p.m. Compensation is $100 per meeting. There will be one vacancy. To be eligible, applicants must reside within City limits and be a qualified elector.

Applications may be submitted online at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/city-clerk/boards-commissions and are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 14, 2022. This is a new application process for the Design Review Board, and the Planning Commission deadline has been extended to the new date. Additional information can be provided by emailing cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.

We look forward to receiving applications and having more community members be part of #TeamGoleta.