Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta Business Ambassadors Visit More Than One Hundred Local Businesses During On-Going Pandemic

A group of Goleta Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members are busy in their new role as Goleta Business Ambassadors.  Typically, the volunteer organization trains to prepare and respond to emergencies, but due to the on-going pandemic, CERT pivoted to help out in a different way.  Since August, the trained team members have been visiting local businesses to provide support, answer questions, and ensure that Goleta businesses understand the laws and guidelines surrounding re-opening and conducting business safely during the COVID-19 crisis.  So far, they have visited more than one hundred businesses.

City of Goleta Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris said the Goleta Business Ambassadors are pleased to help in this way and support the County’s RISE Ambassador effort. He said, “Recovery from a disaster is difficult and causes so much stress.  And then add in the ever-changing laws of how to operate your business – it becomes overwhelming.  The City knows these troubles are occurring, which is why we want the CERT Ambassadors out in the community to point you in the right direction.”

CERT Team Member/Goleta Business Ambassador Cecilia Herrera said, “I feel helpful participating as a business ambassador volunteer because these new regulations can be stressful but us going to offer our help to the owners or managers makes it easier to comply and less confusing.”

The group has also been passing out #reCOVERgoleta signage for businesses to post in their front windows indicating the City’s face covering requirement when outside of the home.

Before businesses can reopen in Santa Barbara County, they are required to review state and local guidance, complete a COVID-19 Prevention Plan, and self-certify that they can open safely; all of which can be found at https://recoverysbc.org/reopen-your-business/.

For more information, contact Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris at cert@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 690-5119.  Learn more about the Goleta CERT program at http://tinyurl.com/GoletaCERT.  

Pictured: Goleta Business Ambassadors (CERT Team Members) Peter Omoregie, Cecilia Herrera and Viridiana Victoria meet in front of the Goleta Valley Community Center before heading out to meet with businesses.

New Health Order Allowing Some Indoor Businesses to Reopen

Santa Barbara County Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg has issued a Health Officer Order in response to the States new four-tiered color-coded reopening framework (pictured). Santa Barbara County is classified as Tier One, “purple” – the highest risk tier. The new framework allows for some previously closed sectors to reopen indoor services with modifications. This Order is effective August 31 at 5 p.m. and continues until 5 p.m. on September 29, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.

As required by the Health Officer Order the following sectors may open indoor operations with modifications and adherence to the Health Officer Order and State provided guidance located here.

  • Hair salons and barbershops
  • Indoor occupancy is limited to 25% capacity. Common areas and food court dining areas must remain closed. Food court food facilities may remain open for off-site consumption (take-out or delivery).
  • Libraries limited to 25% occupancy capacity
  • Retail limited to 25% occupancy capacity

Additionally, the following businesses and activities must continue to keep physical locations closed:

  • In-person higher education including technical schools, colleges, universities, adult education, and trade schools. Indoor lectures are prohibited.  Courses offered in specialized indoor settings (e.g. labs, studios, arts), whose design imposes substantial physical distancing on participants are permitted when following the Stated issued guidance.  Distance learning is allowed;
  • Parties and Receptions. Outdoor wedding ceremonies (religious or non-religious) are permitted so long as the State guidance for Places of Worship is followed.  Indoor ceremonies are not allowed at this time.  Receptions for weddings are not allowed.
  • Rodeos and public equestrian events.
  • Organized sports and team sports including adult, amateur (non-professional) team sports, and indoor and drills, except professional sports without a live audience. (Intramural &Youth sports training and conditioning are allowed when following State guidelines.)

Gatherings are not allowed whether small or large. Gatherings are defined as an event or convening that brings together people from different households in a single room or space at the same time in any indoor or outdoor space whether public or private. Gathering exemptions include:

  • While in a work setting which is allowed while maintaining physical distancing;
  • Outdoor recreational activities while maintaining six feet distance from others. Examples include walking, cycling, jogging and hiking;
  • Congregate living situations including dormitories and homeless encampments;
  • Outdoor worship services, wedding ceremonies, outdoor cultural ceremonies or outdoor protests, when physical distancing of six feet is maintained.

More information can be found on COVID-19 and the response locally at www.publichealthsbc.org or call 211 for further assistance.

Bookmark Design Contests Begin at Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Entries from Ages 12 and Under Accepted September 1st – 30th

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries will be holding their annual Bookmark Contests this fall!  All kids ages 12 and under are eligible to participate.  Goleta Valley Library’s theme this year is “Every Book is an Adventure…” and the theme for the Santa Ynez Valley Libraries is “A Friend is…”  There is a limit of one entry per participant, and entrants are encouraged to use their best idea: make it colorful, fun and let your imagination run wild!

Entry forms are available here on the Goleta Valley Library website and can also be picked up from your home branch the next time you pick up library materials.  All entries should be turned in to your local library before the deadline of September 30th.  There will be boxes for submitting entries outside each library during Sidewalk Service hours on Wednesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Entries will be considered in four different age categories: age 3 and under, ages 4-6, ages 7-9, and ages 10-12.  Winners will be announced for both contests on October 13th, and winners’ work will be shared via social media and printed for distribution in Sidewalk Service bags during the month of November.  Winners will also receive a certificate of participation and a gift card from Blenders in the Grass!

Library staff is excited to run this contest. Carey McKinnon, Branch Supervisor of the Solvang Library, said, “We love seeing the creativity and imagination of these young artists!  And so do patrons when they pick up bookmarks after the contest!”

The Goleta Valley Library has been running their annual bookmark design contest for many years, and staff is thrilled to be able to continue to offer the contest this year even while the library is closed to the public. “During these challenging months, it is so important for children to take time to be creative and to celebrate the special themes of adventure, individuality and friendship,” said Goleta Valley Library Children’s Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo.

The Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley. Both Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ contests are sponsored by Blenders in the Grass.

For more information, or to request an entry form by email, contact your local library at either buelltonlibrary@cityofgoleta.org, goletavalleylibrary@cityofgoleta.org, or solvanglibrary@cityofgoleta.org. Information on all programs at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries can be found online at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Visit the Library Events Calendar for a full list of virtual programs at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries.

Pictured: 2019 Bookmark Design Contest Winners

Teen Graphic Novel Club Launches this Month at Goleta Valley Library!

Library Invites Teens to Join New Book Club for a “Fantastic” September

Comic lovers, rejoice! Fans of art, comics, and graphic novels will be thrilled to learn that Goleta Valley Library is introducing a Teen Graphic Novel Club to their set of virtual programming.

Goleta’s Teen Graphic Novel Club welcomes everyone between the ages of 13 and 17 who loves comics and wants to connect with other likeminded individuals. Each month the club will focus on a unique genre, represented by a hand-picked assortment of graphic novels. For the month of September, the genre is High Fantasy and we will be reading Nimona by Noelle Stevenson and Wynd: Issue #1 by James Tynion IV. Members are encouraged to read either or both options, and to bring their insights to the September 30th meeting to share with others. Meetings will be held once a month for an hour each meeting, using the platform GoToMeeting. The mood will be casual and the meetings fun and discursive — recommend it to your friends!

All of the books discussed in the Teen Graphic Novel Club are available on Hoopla, one of the library’s popular digital platforms that boasts a wide selection of unique graphic novels and comics in eBook form – all of them instantly accessible and completely free with a Goleta Valley Library card! If you don’t have a library card already, you can register for an eCard through the catalog and start downloading titles through the Hoopla app or website right away.

Starting in October, members of the Teen Graphic Novel Club will also have the opportunity to earn community service hours each month by participating in a discussion leader role and contributing to the club’s WordPress blog. More information will be provided at the meeting on September 30th.

Interested in joining, or know a teen who might be? Register for our first meeting through the library’s online calendar of events here and receive a link to join the club. We can’t wait to talk about the incredible genre of graphic novels together at our first meeting on September 30th from 4:30-5:30pm! Wear a cool costume to the meeting and we’ll even feature your look on our Instagram page @goletavalleylibrary.

More information about Goleta Valley Library’s newest in teen programming can be found here on the Goleta Valley Library website. Questions about this program can be sent via email to goletavalleylibrary@cityofgoleta.org with the subject line “Teen Graphic Novel Club.”

Simple Steps to Use the Library’s Sidewalk Service

Reserve and Pick-Up Items in Two Easy Steps

The Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are now open for Sidewalk Service on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11am-4pm. During this time, library card holders of the Goleta Valley, Solvang, and Buellton libraries can pick up their hold requests at their local library. To do this, patrons will need to follow these simple steps:

Step #1: Reserve Your Items

First, patrons can place requests in the online catalog by visiting BlackGold.org and selecting “Goleta Library” from the Branch drop-down menu in the upper left corner of the screen. Search terms such as title, author or series can be typed into the “Quick library search” box.

At this time, the shipment service that delivers materials between the different library jurisdictions within the Black Gold Cooperative is temporarily suspended, so libraries are only able to loan materials to their cardholders. Search results in the catalog can be filtered accordingly to show only those items owned by Goleta, Solvang, and Buellton libraries. This can be done using the Assigned Branch options in the “Narrow your search” box on the left panel of the screen.

Once you find the item that you would like to borrow, you can place it on hold using your library card and select your desired pickup location as Goleta Valley Library, Buellton Library or Solvang Library. Please note that you will need to sign in to the catalog in order to reserve your items. Up to 10 reserves can be placed at a time.

Watch this helpful video to demonstrate the process of how to place a hold.

Step #2: Sidewalk Pick-Up at Your Library

You will receive a notice that your item is ready for pick up either by email, text or phone, depending on the notification preferences you have selected in your account. Visit the library during Sidewalk Service hours to pick up your request. When you arrive, you have three options per library branch to let us know that you’re here: send us a text message, message us through the web-based widget, or call us via telephone. The details for each method are specified below:

Goleta Valley Library

  1. Text CHECKIN to 805-902-1020
  2. Go to Goleta Sidewalk Service
  3. Call 805-964-7878

Solvang Library

  1. Text CHECKIN to 805-902-1021
  2. Go to Solvang Sidewalk Service
  3.  Call 805-688-4214

Buellton Library

  1. Text CHECKIN to 805-902-1022
  2. Go to Buellton Sidewalk Service
  3. Call 805-688-3115

Watch another helpful video to demonstrate how to text the library to pick up your items on hold.

Once you’ve let us know you are here, you will be asked to provide your last name and library card number. A library staff member will check out your reserved items to your account and place your bagged items on the white table at the library entrance for contactless pick-up.

New Service: Grab-N-Go Paperbacks in a Bag

In addition to your reserved holds, you can now also request a bag of paperbacks through Sidewalk Service! Simply pick from four genres, including Mystery/Thriller, Romance, Historical, or Assortment (a mix of fiction and nonfiction), and let the staff member outside know which genre you would like. We will bring your prepackaged bag of books to the table at the library entrance. These books are not checked out to your account and may be returned whenever you are finished with them. We hope to expand this program to begin offering children’s and young adult books in the near future.

Guidelines

All visitors to the library must comply with social distancing rules. To receive service, everyone must wear a face covering and line up six feet apart on the sidewalk leading up to the library’s front walkway. Library staff follow public health safety guidelines, wearing face coverings and gloves, and an apron if they are emptying the book drops. Please be respectful of other patrons and do not come to the library if you are feeling ill. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this new process.

We hope you enjoy all of the materials you borrow from the library! Visit the libraries’ social media pages listed below for updates on new items that have been added to the collection and are available for checkout.

Find us on Facebook:

Follow us on Instagram:

 And now YouTube!

Pictured: Library staffmember Jil Ronkainen providing Sidewalk Service

The Great Work of Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics

The City of Goleta wants to acknowledge Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics for the great work they do. With seven locations in Goleta, Isla Vista and Santa Barbara, the organization provides high quality, comprehensive, affordable healthcare to all people, regardless of their ability to pay, in an environment that fosters respect, compassion and dignity. During National Health Center Week (August 9-15) Mayor Perotte applauded the organization and said, “I want you all to know that the sacrifice, passion and commitment you all demonstrate day in and day out serve not only your patients. During these dark times, all of you offer a ray of hope and light to all of us for a brighter, healthier future. On behalf of the people of Goleta, I extend our deepest gratitude.”  Learn more about Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics at https://sbclinics.org/.

Energy Savings Incentives

With most people spending more time at home, coupled with the recent heat wave, household energy usage tends to increase along with temperature. There are many ways you can save both energy and money through conserving energy and taking advantage of rebates and incentives.

Conservation Strategies

Try adjusting your daily habits within your home!

  • Replace your light bulbs: Light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use anywhere from 25-80% less electricity and last 3-25 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs.
  • Unplug electronics when not in use or use smart power strips: It is estimated that 75% of the energy used to power household electronics is consumed when they are switched off. Smart power strips shut off the power to electronics when they are not in use.
  • Purchase energy efficient appliances: Appliances are responsible for roughly 13% of your total household energy use. When purchasing an energy efficient appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR label, which is a federal guarantee that the appliance will consume less energy when in use.

Energy Efficiency Rebates and Incentives

  • Energy Savings Assistance Programs. If you are recently unemployed, furloughed, receiving unemployment benefits or otherwise income-qualified you may be eligible to receive energy-efficient appliances and home retrofits at no charge or minimal charge from both Southern California Edison (SCE) and SoCalGas. Check out the links to see if you qualify for either of these utility programs through SCE or SoCalGas. SoCalGas also offers the Residential Direct Install Program which provides no-cost energy improvements to eligible renters and homeowners living in single-family and multifamily dwellings to help make their homes more comfortable and help conserve energy.
  • SCE and SoCalGas Marketplaces. These websites help you research and find energy saving products such as appliances, electronics, electric vehicles, and rebate offers. Tools help you see how efficiency translates into dollar savings. You can also create and save custom searches and get notified when prices drop. Check out the links through SCE or SoCalGas.

Goleta Green Room: Trash Reduction and Solid Waste Programs for Everyone

There is more to solid waste than just trash. The majority of the City of Goleta’s solid waste programs are focused on trash reduction: reduce, reuse, recycle. We have many programs to help you! This includes everything from recyclables to bulky items and more. The City of Goleta and MarBorg want you to know about the FREE programs to help you dispose of your waste in the most sustainable and safe way possible.

Textiles: Many people don’t know that you can not only recycle textiles but that it is also FREE. MarBorg offers a free recycling drop-off program for textiles. You can drop off textiles such as clothing, clean rags, scrap cloth, fabric, matching shoes, purses, and backpacks. However, it is not permitted to drop off any items that are contaminated, wet, or soiled. You can drop off your clean textiles to the Goleta Recycling Center (20 David Love Place) or the South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station.

Plastic bags/Film plastics: Not only can you recycle textiles, but you can also recycle certain types of plastic bags and film packaging. The first requirement is that your bags are clean and dry. The types of bags that are recyclable are popped air pillows, newspaper bags, dry cleaner bags, retail bags, case wrap (beverage case/snack wrap), napkin, paper towel, bathroom tissue, and diaper wraps, Bubble wrap, and Bubble-only envelopes, and inside out bread bags. CEC, Channelkeeper, and Ablitt’s are all accepting film plastic drop offs by appointment only. Email sales@ablitts.com to request to receive information about upcoming dates. Learn more about plastic film recycling on CEC’s website or Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s website.

While this is a great option when you can’t avoid film plastic, we do encourage everyone to try and avoid film plastics as much as possible by following these waste reduction tips on lessismore.org.

Styrofoam: Clean Styrofoam that “snaps into pieces” can be recycled at the Goleta Recycling Center. No packing peanuts, foam that once held food, packing foam sheets, pool noodles, or concrete-coated foam. If it bends without snapping, it cannot be recycled. Clean foam can be turned into mirror and picture frames!

Recycling and Green Waste: MarBorg offers a lot of residential programs that not everyone is familiar with. You can get extra recycling and green waste containers at NO COST. Call MarBorg to learn more: 805-963-1852.

Batteries: MarBorg has a residential curbside battery collection as well. You just put your batteries in a ziplock bag and put it on top of your recycling container on collection day. 

Sharps: If you need a sharps container, then you can request one from MarBorg for FREE safe mail back disposal. Call MarBorg to learn more: 805-963-1852.

Medicine: If you need to dispose of medicines, you can take them to any of your local CVS pharmacies.

Bulky Items: MarBorg offers two FREE bulky item collections annually at no extra cost. All you need to do is call them to schedule pick up (805-963-1852). You can put the bulky items curbside on the scheduled day, and they will be removed. There is no need to dump your old mattress illegally, MarBorg can recycle the box spring steel, foam, fiber, and other wood at no cost to you. You just need to drop off your mattress and box spring to MarBorg’s C&D Facility, located at 119 N. Quarintina St. during regular business hours, and it will be recycled for free.

Household Hazardous Waste: For other Hazardous waste, you have two options. You can take it to the MarBorg Recycling Center (20 David Love Place), Monday through Saturday, 9am – 4pm or to UCSB-Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center (Mesa Road), open Saturdays 9am – 3pm and Sundays 11am – 3pm.

Trash and recyclables can be handled in many ways, and we hope you found some information to help you recycle or dispose of your waste responsibly. The City of Goleta and MarBorg are here to help you dispose of your solid waste in the most sustainably and cost-effectively way possible. We hope you can use these programs to the fullest and continue disposing of waste in responsible ways.

Celebrate Creek Week September 19 – 26

The Santa Barbara South Coast’s Creek Week, an annual celebration of our creeks, watersheds, and the ocean, is taking place September 19 – 26, 2020. While we cannot meet in person this year, the community is encouraged to join in the fun and educational opportunities that will be available. Many local organizations are hosting events to help build awareness and stewardship of the natural treasures of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria.

The City of Goleta is planning many fun events for Creek Week. There will be self-guided tours and nature walks, movie night, lectures and short video day, the cross stitch project, and of course, self-guided cleanups as part of Coastal Clean-Up Day every Saturday in September. A schedule of events will be available soon. Follow the City of Goleta on social media to learn more: Facebook (@CityofGoleta), Twitter (@GoletaPIO), and Instagram (@CityofGoleta).

Visit the Creek Week website for the most up-to-date information and schedule: http://sbcreekweek.com/. 

Saturdays in September are Coastal Clean-Up Days

Send us Photos of Yourself in Action!

Coastal Clean-up Day is still ON for 2020! There have been some changes to help us stay safe during COVID-19 while keeping our oceans clean. Coastal Clean-Up Day is an annual event where communities across the world come together to protect our coasts by cleaning up neighborhoods or natural areas. This year, the City of Goleta is still partnering with the County of Santa Barbara, Explore Ecology (the event coordinator), and other local jurisdictions, but instead of gathering together at beaches and sites throughout the County on a single day, cleanups will happen in our local neighborhoods and we can use technology to collaborate.

Community members are encouraged to clean up their neighborhood or favorite open space Saturday mornings in September from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. The dates include September 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. Your cleanups should be self-guided and close to home. We know there are local beach restrictions over Labor Day Weekend (September 4 – 7), but you can still do coastal clean-up work as long as you keep moving, do not gather and are working independently or with people from your own household. Also, keep in mind there are many other options to participate in Coastal Clean-Up Day. Local parks, shores, creeks, streets, drainage areas, sidewalks, natural areas, and trails are great choices. Practice physical distancing and strictly follow both local ordinances and the set of guidelines provided on the California Coastal Commission website to make this a safe cleanup for you and your community. While not necessary, we would love to track how many people participate. Please register here to connect with us!

We want to see you in action! Please send us your best pictures of you participating in a Coastal Clean-Up activity. Email it to PIO@CityofGoleta.org with a short caption for a chance to be on our Facebook (@CityofGoleta) page, Instagram (@cityofgoleta) page, and the City’s Environmental Services webpages. Please also tag us while you’re out and about, or after you complete your cleanup: #coastalcleanup, #protectyourhappyplace, #cityofgoleta.

There is a great new app that can help us track how well we are doing as a community, and globally. Use the Clean Swell App to report the different kinds and amounts of trash you find. There are other ways to submit your trash data, find out more at Explore Ecology’s website here.

City of Goleta Director of Public Works Charlie Ebeling said, “During these unusual and challenging times, one thing we can all appreciate is the natural beauty of our coasts, creeks and open spaces. We are all incredibly lucky to have clean water, thriving habitats, and the ability to enjoy one of the most spectacular natural environments in the world. I am very excited to do my part to help protect our natural assets. Please join us any Saturday in September to help keep Goleta clean and beautiful.”

Melissa Nelson, City of Goleta Environmental Services Coordinator, added, “I am so excited to be a part of this event. Every day I’m not only inspired by our exquisite natural surroundings, but by the dedicated community that protects them. Thank you for helping to Protect Your Happy Place!”

Learn more about guidance for neighborhood cleanups, including preparation, cleanup, and post cleanup here.  Have fun and remember, safety first!