Daily Archives: September 3, 2025

LEAP Diaper Drive

National Diaper Need Awareness Week is September 15–21, but local nonprofit LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner. is teaming up with local businesses to raise awareness and diapers for babies in need all month long.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network’s Diaper Check, one in two families in the United States struggles to afford diapers for their children. In addition, there is currently no government investment in providing diapers to families. LEAP’s Diaper Bank is crucial to filling this gap, helping local families access free diapers and wipes for their children. Since launching its diaper bank in 2021, LEAP remains the only registered diaper bank in Santa Barbara County and has distributed over 260,000 diapers and wipes to local families.

“Every donation helps us put diapers in the hands of parents who need them most,” said Lori Goodman, CEO of LEAP. “Together, we can relieve some of the daily stress families face and make sure babies across our county have the healthy start they deserve.”

“Deckers is proud to partner with LEAP in supporting local families through a diaper drive. It’s a simple yet essential way to make a real difference. We hope you’ll join us!” said Michelle Apodaca, Director of Deckers Gives at Deckers Brands.

This will mark the 3rd year that LEAP has participated in National Diaper Need Awareness Week, raising awareness and partnering with local organizations to hold diaper drives. Community members are invited to donate unopened boxes of diapers at one of LEAP’s Diaper Drive Partners:

  • Old Town Coffee, Goleta
    5877 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
  • Deckers Brand Showcase
    6601 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
  • RiseUp Fitness (September 13-21)
    7127 Hollister Ave Suite 110, Goleta, CA 93117
    2273 Las Positas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Trinity Church of the Nazarene
    500 E North Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436

LEAP will be collecting donations at these sites throughout September, with diapers distributed directly to families through the LEAP Diaper Bank. For more information about LEAP’s Diaper Bank, hosting a diaper drive, or supporting the program, email info@leapcentralcoast.org.

Free Car Seat & Booster Safety Check Sep. 19

Did you know that up to 80% of car seats are installed incorrectly? Ensuring the safety of our children while traveling should always be a top priority, and Cottage Health is here to help with a great free opportunity for our community.

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Trauma Services has partnered with local safety organizations to provide expert assistance at a drive-up car seat inspection. Head on over to the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Ave) on Friday, September 19, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for a FREE car seat and booster safety check.

  • Vehicle, child and car seat must be present
  • No registration required
  • First-come, first-served
  • No citations issued; no driver’s license or vehicle registration required

For more information, call Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Trauma Services at 805-569-7478 or visit cottagehealth.org/seatcheck.

2025 Out of the Darkness Community Walk

Powerful Community Event Taking Place October 4 at Goleta Beach

The County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness invites the community to come together for the 2025 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Community Walk, happening Saturday, October 4 at Goleta Beach Park.

The Out of the Darkness Walk is a powerful and unifying event where friends, families, coworkers, and neighbors join in the fight against suicide. Participants walk to honor loved ones lost, support those who struggle, and raise awareness that hope and help are always available.

Suicide remains a critical public health issue, claiming more than 47,000 lives annually in the United States—including over 4,000 in California and 37 in Santa Barbara County in 2024. National Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that while prevention is a year-round effort, this is a time to connect, raise awareness, and reinforce the message that no one is alone.

The walk provides a safe and inspiring space for individuals to share their stories, connect with others, and build a network of support and resilience.

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
  • Location: Goleta Beach Park
  • Check-in: 9:00 a.m. (community resources & information available)
  • Walk begins: 10:00 a.m.

Registration is free and open to all. Whether you walk individually, with a friend, or form a team, your presence makes a difference. Sign up today and be part of bringing mental health out of the darkness and into the light of hope.

Register here today!

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, help is available:

  • The Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line is available at 888-868-1649.
  • Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  • Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255
  • Text TALK to 741741
  • Visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org

To learn more about County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness, visit countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness.

Photos below of local Out of the Darkness Walk (credit: courtesy)

“Get Your Small Business Online” Free Course

Wednesdays September 10 – November 12

Attention Small Businesses! Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) is offering a “Get Your Small Business Online” FREE course for Santa Barbara County small business owners. This class is geared towards anyone who is looking for comprehensive knowledge and tools to establish an online presence including a website, e-commerce, and digital marketing to grow and stay competitive.

The class meets for nine weeks on Wednesdays September 10 – November 12, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

This course is taught via Zoom, with some in-person classes held at WEV’s downtown Santa Barbara office.

Learn more and submit an Interest Form here.

For more information on WEV, go to www.wevonline.org.

This program is offered for free through a generous donation from the Mosher Foundation.

Goleta Lemon Festival Sep. 27 & 28

Come Visit the City, Goleta Valley Library and Goleta CERT Booths!

The Goleta Lemon Festival is happening soon on Saturday, September 27 & Sunday, September 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Girsh Park! Here at the City, we are preparing our booth area and excited to see you there! The City is again sharing space with the Goleta Valley Library, and new with us this year will be Ellwood Friends on this 20th Anniversary of community members coming together to protect Ellwood Mesa and ensure its preservation for future generations. Stop by and say hello, pick up a prize, get a library card, and/or purchase a commemorative Ellwood 20-Year T-shirt!

The Goleta Lemon Festival is a special tradition for our city, and on September 2, 2025, the Goleta City Council proclaimed September as Lemon Month in the City. Show your spirit by wearing your vintage Lemon Festival (or yellow) T-shirts throughout the month. View the proclamation at https://tinyurl.com/5n4axt58.

The Goleta Lemon Festival, put on by the South Coast Chamber of Commerce, celebrates the rich history and role lemon harvesting has in the region. 

What started as a small street festival in 1949, The Goleta Lemon Festival has grown to attract more than 40,000 people. The festival is Goleta’s largest community event of the year, featuring over 80 booths packed with local crafts, nonprofits, lemony food, drink, and souvenirs.

There is so much to enjoy throughout the weekend. You can snack, shop, and listen to live music with sounds ranging from Rock and Country to Blues, Funk and more with crowd-favorite Area 51 headlining on Saturday afternoon. You also won’t want to miss the ever-popular pie eating contests each day starting at noon!

Purchase an all-inclusive activity wristband for endless rides and games for the kids including mini golf, inflatable bubbles, and obstacle courses. Save $5 when you pre-purchase your activity wristband at https://lemonfestival.com/activities-entertainment/.

The festival also features the largest interactive display of Fire, Police, and Emergency Services in the County at Safety Street. Meet the people who help keep us safe and get an up-close look at their state-of-the-art vehicles and technologies. Attendees are also invited to meet the Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Unit. The Goleta Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will also have a table – come by to learn more.

Saturday only, the festival will feature the 18th Annual Goleta Fall Classic Car Show. Admire an impressive lineup of Corvettes, Camaros, vintage trucks, motorcycles, and more. Have a classic of your own? Register now at https://lemonfestival.com/goleta-fall-classic.

The festival could not happen without the help of amazing volunteers (ages 14 and up). Sign up to help plan the event or help during the weekend at https://lemonfestival.com/get-involved/volunteers/.

For more information, visit LemonFestival.com.

Pictured above: City of Goleta staff at our 2024 Lemon Festival booth


Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber receiving the “Lemon Month” proclamation from Goleta City Council at the September 2 City Council meeting

Creek Week Art Contest Reception on September 25

5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center

The City of Goleta’s Environmental Services Department, Goleta Community Center (GCC), and Goleta Valley Library are pleased to announce an Art Show and Reception for the 4th Annual Creek Week Art Contest on Thursday, September 25 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the GCC (5679 Hollister Avenue). The artwork will be on display at the GCC from September 12 through October 10.

At the Art Reception, Dan Rowell, Project Manager for Environmental Services, will speak on the importance of building awareness of our local oceans, creeks and watersheds and we will also recognize the art show participants and reveal the winning artwork. This event is free and open to the public.

This year, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and guest judge Goleta Valley Art Association President Elizabeth Flanagan will have the impossible job of selecting the winners based on relevance to the theme, overall appearance, and originality. 

Come enjoy the creativity from local artists of all ages who created artwork for this year’s theme, “Once Upon a Creek: Bringing the Community Together with Art”.

The final day to drop off artwork for the Creek Week Art Contest is Saturday, September 6 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center. Ask for Sharon Nigh, Library Assistant and Creek Week Art Contest Coordinator.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted artwork so far! We can’t wait to see the artists and community at the Reception on September 25.

Goleta Shines Light on National Preparedness Month

Watch Videos and Act Now to Prepare for Emergencies

September is National Preparedness Month, the perfect time to do a few basic things NOW that can make all the difference LATER when an emergency happens. The City of Goleta has several new videos in English and Spanish to outline steps you can take BEFORE a disaster strikes and how to get involved in emergency preparedness in Goleta. Watch the videos in English with the City’s Emergency Services Coordinator Jason Levy and in Spanish with Emergency Services Program Technician Ana Sofia Aguilar Encinas.  

In one of the videos Jason Levy says, “An emergency can happen at any moment. That’s why we are making sure we are ready here at the City and we want you to be ready as well. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a disaster is the key.”

There are many ways you can get involved in emergency preparedness and response right here in Goleta. The City offers three free options available at various times throughout the year. Sign-up for a class on the City’s webpage at www.CityofGoleta.org/Preparedness.

  • Community Disaster Education (CDE) Courses are a great place to start. They are one-hour workshops that teach introductory lessons on how to become prepared for a disaster. You can request a CDE in English or Spanish to be given at your local community event, work lunch hour, or other gathering with a minimum of 15 people in attendance.

  • LISTOS is a grassroots disaster preparedness program. LISTOS offers 8-hour courses in Spanish and English. The LISTOS course is especially flexible and can be broken up to fit your group’s needs. The course provides easy, actionable steps for you and your family to stay safe before, during, and after disasters. 

  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training is a 20-24 hour course that teaches residents how to work together following a disaster. CERT is a high demand program offered nationwide that is designed to empower residents with essential skills and knowledge

to prepare themselves, their families, and the community for emergencies and disasters.

The Goleta City Council proclaimed September 2025 as National Preparedness Month in the City of Goleta at its September 2 Council meeting.  Watch a recording here (item B.1).

For more information, go to the City’s newly updated webpage: www.cityofgoleta.org/preparedness.

Learn more about National Preparedness Month, and how to make sure you and your family are prepared at https://www.ready.gov/september.

Remember, a ready community is a prepared community, and it starts with YOU! 


Watch our “September is National Preparedness Month” video here 


Watch video on emergency preparedness here


City staff receiving the proclamation at the Sep. 2 City Council meeting