Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Inaugural Wild & Free Film Festival in Goleta

Calling all film lovers and nature enthusiasts! We have a great weekend in store. The Wild and Free Film Festival (WAFFF) is almost here!  This weekend-long, first-time film festival is taking place in Goleta November 14th to 16th at the Camino Real Cinemas (7040 Market Place Drive).

The festival will showcase 30 films across three days, along with filmmaker Q&As, panels, receptions, and notable guests. All Festival Passes and Tickets are on sale now at wildandfreefilm.org/tickets. 

What to know:

  • All Access Pass Holders will receive priority entry.
  • Tickets and passes can be picked up at the info booth in front of the theatre.
  • Walk-up tickets are available for purchase, subject to availability and theatre capacity.
  • Block times and films are subject to change.
  • Community Sunday – All blocks free admission subject to theatre capacity.

There are many highlights to look forward to:

Opening Night, Friday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m., will feature the Central Coast Premiere of Checkpoint Zoo, directed by Joshua Zeman and executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. The documentary follows a daring rescue led by a team of zookeepers and volunteers who risked their lives to save thousands of animals trapped in a Ukrainian zoo during the Russian invasion. Opening night is expected to sell out. An opening night reception will follow the film at the Santa Barbara Fish Market Goleta Courtyard, with music, light bites & drinks for all pass-holders and event ticket holders. 21+.

During the day on Saturday, November 15, there will be 19 films across six blocks. Block 1 starts at 10:00 a.m.

Saturday evening at 5:45 p.m. will feature the award-winning documentary How to Change the World — the story of the pioneers who founded Greenpeace and helped define the modern environmental movement. There will be a special event, marking the film’s 10-year anniversary and one of the film’s stars Rex Weyler, co-founder of Greenpeace International will be in attendance to receive the first Wild and Free Spirit Award. Weyler will also participate in a Q&A after the screening.

“We’re delighted to have Rex Weyler join us for this special anniversary screening,” said Gareth Kelly, Executive Director of the Wild and Free Film Festival. “The 1971 protest that led to the formation of Greenpeace was a pivotal moment in the environmental movement, and its legacy through this film, particularly in how these issues are presented by the media, continues today.”

This marquee Saturday night event will also include the WAFFF Awards honoring the best films of the festival.

Sunday is Community Day and includes free entry for all nine films across two blocks, including the World Premiere of Goleta’s own Ellwood Mesa: Beyond the Bluffs film at 2:00 p.m.

For a full line up of all the films playing and more details go to www.wildandfreefilm.org.

Zip Books Program Returns November 19

The Goleta Valley Library’s popular Zip Books program will be resuming on Wednesday, November 19. In September 2025, the Library was notified it was the award recipient of $15,840 in Zip Books grant funds from the California State Library – an increase from its previous award of $15,327. This special program provides patrons with access to print and audio materials not owned in its library collection. New this year, eBooks and eAudiobooks will also be available by request to the California State Library through their Palace Project app.

The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries have been a recipient of this grant for several years. During the most recent grant cycle in Fiscal Year 2024/25, a total of 354 patrons were served and received 768 books and audiobooks through this program. Of the 685 Zip Books returned to the libraries, 363 titles were added to the circulating collections for patrons throughout the Black Gold Cooperative Library System to access and enjoy.

For details about this year’s program, please stay tuned for more information coming soon.

Happy reading, library patrons!

Attend Our Community Disaster Education Class on November 18

Learn How to Protect Yourself and Your Family in an Emergency

The City of Goleta’s Emergency Services Division invites community members to join our upcoming Community Disaster Education (CDE) class on Tuesday, November 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue).

This free workshop is designed to help residents better understand the types of disasters that can impact our region – including wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and power outages – and how to prepare for them. Participants will learn practical steps to protect their homes and families, such as how to:

  • Create an emergency plan and evacuation checklist.
  • Build or update a disaster supply kit.
  • Sign up for local alerts and stay informed during an emergency.
  • Get involved through community preparedness programs like CERT and LISTOS.

By attending, residents will leave with the tools and confidence to take action before a disaster strikes. The City encourages families, business owners, and community members of all ages to attend. Preparedness starts with learning what to do and how to stay safe, and this class makes it easy to get started.

Sign up today! For questions, contact ESD.Training@cityofgoleta.org.

For more information on emergency preparedness in Goleta, click here.

Holiday Parade Window Decorating Contest is Back

The City of Goleta is getting in the holiday spirit with the 3rd Annual Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade Window Decorating Contest! The contest aims to help create a festive and cheerful atmosphere along the Hollister Avenue parade route on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

If you are an Old Town Goleta business with a storefront on the parade route on Hollister Avenue from Orange to Kinman, you are encouraged to participate. Here is how it works:

  • Decorate your storefront windows in time for the Goleta Holiday Parade.
  • Keep decorations family-friendly, festive, and fun!
  • In support of the City’s Plastic-Free Ordinance, please avoid using Mylar balloons.
  • Decorations must be visible from the sidewalk but must not block pedestrian pathways.
  • We will review the decorated windows during the parade, and winners will be announced the following week. Winners will receive a Fuel Depot gas card and car wash.
  • All participating businesses will be featured on the City’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and X).
  • Winners will have bragging rights for the entire year!

Last year, nearly 20 businesses participated, check out the photos here: bit.ly/3WhC25X. Larry’s 8 Day Auto Parts took home the top prize with Hollister Barbershop and Goleta Bakery receiving Honorable Mentions. The Edge Salon & Barbershop earned the title of People’s Favorite and The Lazy Eye Shop was the People’s Favorite Runner-Up.

Award Categories
This year’s contest will include several fun categories:

  • Best Overall Window – The most outstanding display that captures the spirit of the season.
  • Most Creative Theme – Recognizing originality and artistic design.
  • Most Festive Display – Awarded for the most cheerful and holiday-spirited window.
  • People’s Choice Award – Voted on by the community!

People’s Choice Award:
After the parade, photos of all decorated windows will be posted on the City’s social media channels (@CityofGoleta). Community members can vote by leaving a comment with their favorite entry or by sending an email to PIO@cityofgoleta.org during the designated voting period.   

Whether you are decorating, participating, or attending the parade, thank you for helping make Old Town Goleta shine bright this holiday season. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Marcos Martinez at mmartinez@cityofgoleta.gov. 

For information on the Goleta Holiday Parade put on the by the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club, including how to sponsor, volunteer, or participate in the parade please visit: https://goletaholidayparade.org/.


2024 Winner Larry’s 8 Day Auto Parts


2024 People’s Choice Award The Edge Salon & Barbershop

Goleta’s 4th of July Drone Light Show Returning in 2026 – Sponsors Needed!

City Raising Funds to Put on Free Event at Dos Pueblos High School

After a successful first year, the City of Goleta is thrilled to announce the return of the Fourth of July Drone Light Show event in 2026! In addition to the Drone Light Show itself, there will be music, activities, entertainment, food trucks and a VIP section. Last year’s celebration saw close to 6,000 people attend. Now that we know its popularity we are looking to grow the event to accommodate the great turnout we experienced. To make this FREE event possible for our community, we are looking for sponsors. Last year, 20 amazing sponsors stepped up – who will be part of this year’s group?

Goleta’s Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover said, “The magic of the Drone Light Show is that it’s an event for the community put on by the community which is why we need your timely and generous support. By partnering with us, you’ll be a part of something special—a patriotic evening of entertainment, family fun, and community spirit.”

The City aims to have a majority of its sponsors in place by January 15, 2026. If your business or organization is interested in supporting the drone show, please complete our online interest form today. There you can also find information on the different sponsorship tiers available. For questions, please email pio@cityofgoleta.org.

A huge thank you to Yardi Systems who was our first sponsor for the inaugural show in 2025 and has once again stepped up to be a sponsor in 2026. Not only is Yardi offering a $25,000 donation, it is also offering a $25,000 matching grant. The City is also grateful for returning sponsors Ergomotion, Fuel Depot and Santa Barbara Airbus. Sponsors help cover the costs of the drone light show itself, security, audio/visual, custodial services, entertainment and more.

While planning has just begun, the event will take place the evening of July 4, 2026, and the venue will remain the same: Dos Pueblos High School located at 7266 Alameda Avenue. While the choreographed, animated light show will be potentially visible to the surrounding community from up to ten miles away, the best viewing experience will be inside the stadium.

Watch our video recap of the 2025 Drone Light Show event here: https://youtu.be/B3azqD2hx0U.

To be a sponsor for this special day, be sure to fill out our online interest form. We look forward to another great Fourth of July event. Thank you for your support!


Photo from the July 4, 2025 Drone Light Show event

Holiday at the Ranch is December 6

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Stow House

Save-the-date for the Goleta Valley Historical Society’s cherished Holiday at the Ranch on Saturday, December 6! Head over to the Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Rd) from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to meet Santa and the rein-goats, enjoy live seasonal music, make children’s crafts, check out local vendors, and tour the decorated Stow House. Tractor rides will be available as well as food trucks on site. Tickets go on sale November 10 (Children $10/Adults $20) and you can schedule your time to meet Santa. Go to https://goletahistory.org/holiday-at-the-ranch/ for more info.

Find out more about the Stow House and their other events at www.GoletaHistory.org.


2025 Holiday at the Ranch Flyer


2024 Holiday at the Ranch Photo Collage

 

Keep Your FOG out of the Drain

You may already be thinking about all that food you will be making this holiday season, but we want to remind you to keep fats, oils and greases out of the kitchen drain and our wastewater system. These items can lead to blockages in sewer lines or pollution to our creeks, wetlands and the ocean.

Fats, oils, and greases are a byproduct of cooking and are found in such things as meat fats, cooking oil, lard, and shortening, butter and margarine. When grease is washed down the drain, it sticks to the inside of sewer pipes (both on your property and in the streets.) Over time, it builds up and can block an entire pipe.

Garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the pipes, they only shred it into smaller pieces. Commercial additives, including detergents that claim to dissolve grease, may pass it down the line and cause problems away from the source. But the results of a grease-blocked sewer pipe can be sewage overflows in your home or neighborhood resulting in expensive and unpleasant cleanups; possible exposure with disease-causing organisms; or an increase in maintenance costs.

How to dispose of your fats, oils, and greases (FOG):

  • Pour FOG into a covered disposable container—such as glass, plastic or a sturdy plastic bag. Store it in the freezer and then put it in the trash after it has hardened.
  • Use paper towels to wipe greasy dishes before washing. Put the paper towels in the trash.
  • Use sink strainers to catch food waste.
  • Put food scraps in a compost bin or in the trash.
  • FOG waste should only be put in the trash.

Thanks to Goleta West Sanitary District for this info. Learn more at https://goletawest.org/customer-information/environmental-programs.

Foodbank Launches Holiday Turkey Drive

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County has launched its 2025 Holiday Turkey Drive, calling on the community to help collect 3,000 turkeys and chickens so every local family can enjoy a holiday meal this season.

This year’s effort comes as thousands of residents face uncertainty due to the ongoing federal shutdown, which may suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, known in California as CalFresh, for November. More than 55,000 Santa Barbara County residents rely on SNAP each month, and over half are children or older adults.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities SNAP helps millions of low-wage workers in California afford food while covering high housing and healthcare costs. Without it, many families will turn to the Foodbank and its partners for emergency support.

In October, the Foodbank provided emergency food for 100 families at Vandenberg Space Force Base and held food pickups for TSA employees affected by the shutdown. The organization continues to assist military families, federal workers, and anyone experiencing hardship.

Community members can contribute to the Turkey Drive in two ways:

  • Make a Virtual Donation: The Foodbank’s Virtual Food Drive allows donors to make the biggest impact. Every $1 provides $5 worth of food, helping the Foodbank purchase exactly what local families need most this holiday season. Donations can be made at https://donate.foodbanksbc.org/campaign/737714/donate.
  • Drop Off a Turkey or Chicken: Fresh or frozen birds can be dropped off Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., through November 17, at either warehouse:
    • South County: 80 Coromar Drive, Goleta
    • North County: 490 Foster Road, Santa Maria

Both donation methods directly support local families in need.

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County provides nourishment and nutrition education to more than one in four county residents through over 300 community programs. Learn more at www.foodbanksbc.org.

About the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County transforms hunger into health by providing nutritious food, education, and resources to residents throughout the county. We serve 1 in 3 Santa Barbara County neighbors, distribute over 12 million pounds of food yearly, and work with more than 200 partners and programs to build food security and resilience across Santa Barbara County. For more information, visit www.FoodbankSBC.org.

Goleta’s Finest 2025 Award Recipients Announced

75th Annual Community Awards Gala to be Held on December 5 at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2025 Goleta’s Finest Award Recipients. Goleta’s Finest celebrates 75 years of honoring extraordinary individuals who have significantly contributed to the Goleta community.

“For 75 years, Goleta’s Finest has celebrated the people who make this community special. Those whose generosity, courage, and creativity strengthen the heart of Goleta,” said Kristen Miller, President & CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s honorees reflect the very best of who we are; neighbors who give selflessly, people who lead with vision and remind us that community is built through compassion and service. We are proud to honor their legacies and the light they bring to the Goleta Valley.”

The 2025 honorees will be recognized at a formal celebration on December 5, from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Bacara. The evening will feature dinner followed by an awards ceremony.

The 2025 Goleta’s Finest Award Recipients are:

  • Man & Woman of the Year – Ron and Patricia Caird
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Anant Yardi
  • Educator of the Year – Sarah Ashton
  • Education Impact Award – Dos Pueblos Mock Trial Team
  • Student of the Year – Kennedy Fick
  • Student Leader of the Year – Reese Large
  • Non-Profit of the Year – The Friendship Paddle & Keiki Paddle
  • Health Impact Award – Arie DeJong
  • Volunteer of the Year – Jeff Zamora
  • Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Ernesto Paredes

Tickets are available for $175 per person, with advance purchase required at SBSCChamber.com.

Green Room: Are You Ready for the Rainy Season?

The City of Goleta Environmental Services Division would like to share some tips to help protect our watersheds during the rainy season. As winter approaches, let’s prevent water pollution and keep our storm drains and creeks clean! Winter rains produce stormwater runoff which is rain that does not soak into the ground and flows over land and other surfaces. Stormwater runoff can carry trash and pollutants into storm drains, which flow directly to creeks, rivers, and the ocean without any treatment. The trash and chemicals in the runoff pose a threat to wildlife and water quality.

Remember “only rain down the drain.”

If you observe stormwater concerns such as trash, illegal dumping, or any fluid with a visible sheen, odor, or color entering the storm drain within the City of Goleta, Report water pollution within the City of Goleta to environmentalservices@cityofgoleta.org. Hazardous Materials Spills should be reported to 911. Sanitary sewer (wastewater) spills should be reported to the Goleta Sanitary District (805-967-4519) or Goleta West Sanitary District (805-968-2617) immediately.

Here are some great ways to keep storm drains clear of trash and pollutants:

  • Keep trash and recycling cans tightly covered to prevent litter from being blown away during storms.
  • Take your car to a commercial car wash prior to the first rains.
  • Do not drain or pour any automotive fluid onto the street or into a storm drain.
  • Sweep dirt out of curbs and into landscaping to prevent it from entering storm drains.
  • Adjust your sprinklers to prevent over-watering and prevent water from draining onto paved surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks.
  • Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers before a rain event or within:
  • 5 feet of pavement
  • 25 feet of a storm drain
  • 50 feet of a water body
  • Compost leaves and yard clippings.
  • Always pick up after your pet.

For more information on how you can help protect our watersheds, check out our Homeowner’s Guide in English and Spanish.