Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Green Business Webinar on October 10

WEV Works Webinar: Profit Meets Planet

Women’s Economic Venture (WEV) has partnered with the California Green Business Network on a webinar Friday, October 10 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. You are invited to participate in a 1-hour Green Business Program Info Session facilitated by Kori Nielsen to learn about the California Green Business Network (CAGBN) and its local programs along the Central Coast. The Green Business Certification Program helps businesses adopt sustainable practices while saving money, improving employee wellness, and gaining marketing visibility. In this session, you’ll discover why businesses pursue certification, hear success stories, and get a step-by-step overview of the certification process — including enrollment, technical assistance, and typical timelines. Attendees will also get a walkthrough of the core checklist categories — energy, waste, water, pollution prevention, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and register to start your green business journey today. Plus, certified businesses are eligible for an exclusive $1,000 Intuit Grant to support sustainability upgrades!

Register online to save your spot! 

Goleta Old Town Hosts Shop & Taste Fest

A Celebration of Food, Music & Local Shopping

Goleta Old Town will come alive on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 1–5 PM with the Shop & Taste Fest — a dynamic community celebration of food, shopping, and live entertainment powered by the locally developed Shop EveryTown app.

The festival kicks off at Toyota of Santa Barbara (5611 Hollister Ave), where guests will be welcomed by Emcee Miguel Avila, President of the Greater Santa Barbara County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and treated to live music by the Swing Along Band. Check-in begins at 1 PM, and the celebration continues along Hollister Avenue with music at various locations, including live music at SB Cider Co.

“This event is more than just a showcase of food and shopping,” said Miguel Avila. “It’s a moment to celebrate the diversity of Old Town and the businesses that are the heart of our community.”

Using the Shop EveryTown app, shoppers and tasters scan QR codes at participating businesses to earn points, qualify for gift certificates and prizes, and unlock voting privileges for the ‘Best Of’ awards. Live performances run from 4–4:30 PM, followed by the awards ceremony. Shoppers and tasters who complete the Shop or Taste Challenges have a chance to take home gift certificates or prizes and businesses will receive certificates and cash awards funded by ticket sales. Voting categories are listed at tasteofgoleta.com.

“We’re proud to host the Shop & Taste Fest at our dealership,” said Jim Stigliano, General Manager of Toyota of Santa Barbara. “Supporting local restaurants and small businesses isn’t just important for Goleta — it’s vital to the strength and future of our region.”

Taste Fest – Tickets Required
Guests will enjoy tantalizing bite-sized samples and sips from Old Town’s best restaurants. Taste Fest star restaurants La Hacienda and Del Valle Grill will be serving sumptuous tastes. Pre-sale discounted tickets Eventbrite include early entry starting at 12:30 PM and include a swag bag of goodies. Regular tickets are available at Toyota on the day-of the event.

Shop Fest – Free & Open to the Public
Old Town’s Black Friday in October features four hours of flash sales and demonstrations. Shoppers can look forward explosive sales from 20+ businesses, including whopping discounts up to $1500 at Gordon & Grant Spas! Discounts and offers from Crystal Chiropractic, Goleta Valley Paint, Carbajal Services, and JG Bike Workx. SB Krav Maga Self Defense and Warrior Soul Combat, both will open their martial arts schools for demos and membership deals.

“Old Town Goleta has such a special energy,” said Albert Carasco, co-founder of Warrior Soul Combat. “Events like this bring people together, remind them of the value of shopping local, and show how businesses like ours are part of the bigger picture.”

At 1 PM Saturday, October 11, the party starts at Toyota of Santa Barbara. Shop & Taste Fest is a celebration of Goleta Old Town. Event info: tasteofgoleta.com.

Goleta Wraps Up Creek Week 2025

2025 Creek Week is in the books. Take a look at what we did here in Goleta.

The week kicked off on Coastal Cleanup Day, Saturday, September 20, with over 100 volunteers tackling debris at Ellwood Beach & Bluffs, San Pedro Creek, and Haskell’s Beach, while the City hosted a bulky item drop-off along Phelps Road, where 38 vehicles dropped off items to keep large waste out of local waterways.

More than 20 residents joined a guided Creek Walk of Northern San Jose Creek, presented in partnership with Santa Barbara County Flood Control and the Environmental Defense Center. Participants discussed watershed health, flood resilience, and creek stewardship—and even enjoyed a surprise great horned owl sighting (the owl, it must be said, stole the show).

The City’s 4th Annual Creek Week Art Contest drew 100+ attendees, recognizing outstanding works across children’s, teen, and adult categories. The event showcased how art and science together can inspire long-term care for local creeks.

For questions, feedback, or to get involved in upcoming stewardship events, email EnvironmentalServices@cityofgoleta.gov.

Pictured above: Dan Rowell, City of Goleta’s Environmental Services Project Manager, at the Bulky Item Drop-Off event


Coastal Cleanup Day – Haskell’s Beach Captains


Group at Haskell’s Beach


Participants at the Northern San Jose Creek Tour


Environmental Defense Center Creek Clean-Up

Goleta Lemon Fest Highlights

Watch Our Short Slideshow Video

We definitely served up the fun at the 2025 Goleta Lemon Festival on Sep. 28 & 29 at our City booth area! Our new Plinko game and tennis ball challenge were a hit this year. Thanks to the hundreds of people who stopped by our booth to see what all the racquet was about! We enjoyed sharing laughs as many of you had to bounce the tennis ball ten times or do ten jumping jacks to take home a useful City of Goleta giveaway. We are pleased to say that everyone walked away a winner! 

Here is a short video clip with highlights from the weekend: https://youtu.be/44FsD1xrNyE. Check out photos from our booth as well at https://photos.app.goo.gl/LutzByzyuoErfrCu5.

Our “How Many Lemon Drops Are in the Jar” contest was a successt! Thanks to everyone who participated. Find out the winners later this week on the City’s social media channels (@cityofgoleta on Facebook, X and Instagram).

We also want to thank the Friends of Ellwood Mesa who were included in our booth area this year in honor of Ellwood’s 20-year anniversary. The group walked away with pages of sign-ups of people who want to volunteer to be part of the great work happening at this beloved open space in Goleta.

The Goleta Valley Library booth was bustling the entire weekend. Hundreds of people came by to spin the wheel for fun prizes and learn about GVL Express. More than 200 people took home a new library card.

Also, this year, Goleta was pleased to have both Goleta CERT and Goleta Police represented and interacting with the community in the Safety Street area of the festival all weekend long.

While there were so many fun moments, one of the best parts, as always, was watching the pie-eating contests each day at noon. Thanks to our distinguished judges, including our Mayor, Councilmembers, local dignitaries and Zesty the mascot for having the difficult job of deciding the winners.

Finally, we want to congratulate and thank the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce for putting on another awesome Goleta Lemon Festival. We can’t wait till next year to do it all over again!

Goleta Valley Library to Launch Capital Campaign

The Goleta Valley Library is launching its first-ever capital campaign to raise funds for upgraded interior furnishings throughout the facility.

The campaign, which was approved by the Goleta City Council at its September 16 meeting, is expected to begin later this fall and run for 12-14 months to align with the construction schedule of the Goleta Valley Library Americans with Disabilities Act, Safety, and Building Improvements Project. While the Library is currently closed for construction, this presents a rare opportunity to refresh the interior design of this well-loved space.

Some of the upgraded furnishings the campaign will aim to fund include new carpet, tables and chairs, a designated teen space, study pods, an audiovisual system in the Community Room, modern shelving, and a public address system. The proposed upgrades reflect aspirational feedback received from the Community Visioning Survey held in July 2025, which gathered input on what patrons would most like to see in the Library following its reopening.

By project completion, it is expected that over $1,000,000 will have gone toward upgraded Library furnishings. The campaign has not officially begun, but thanks to generous funding commitments from the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library and a donation from Yardi, we have already reached almost 40% of the overall goal. Stay tuned for more information coming soon on how you can support the campaign and help bring our community’s dreams to life for the next chapter at Goleta Valley Library.

Old Time Fiddler’s Festival October 4

The Goleta Valley Historical Society’s 53rd Old Time Fiddler’s Festival is on Saturday, October 4. Celebrate one of the West Coast’s longest running traditions from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road).

The day is packed with toe-tapping performances, an epic fiddle contes, instrument “petting zoo,” artisan vendors and hands-on workshops in fiddle, banjo, singing and more. This year’s line-up features Suzy and Eric Thompson, The Horsenecks, Skillet Licorice, and the Clinton Davis Stringband, with additional jams and workshops to be announced.

A family-friendly favorite, the festival promises a lively mix of music, community and fun for all ages.

Early bird tickets for $20 can be purchased at https://fiddlersfestival.org. Tickets at the door cost $25, students are $5 and kids 12 and under are free.

World Homeless Day October 10th

Kindness Can Change A Life: The Real Faces of Homelessness

World Homeless Day is observed internationally on the 10th of October every year. The aim is to raise awareness about the needs of people who currently experience homelessness and promote work in local communities to address this crisis.

California is largely considered the epicenter of homelessness in the United States, with over a quarter of the county’s unhoused population residing in the Golden State. Currently, over 181,000 people in California are experiencing homelessness (source).

Santa Barbara County’s 2025 Point-in-Time Count shows that 2,436 people are experiencing homelessness across the county. Although the Point in Time Count has limitations in providing an accurate census, this does represent a 15% increase over the 2024 count of 2,119 (source).

This year, a coalition of providers has joined together to create a campaign aimed to educate South Santa Barabara community members about local homelessness issues, humanize our unhoused neighbors, and motivate individuals and groups to take action to address homelessness. The coalition includes SB ACT, Santa Barbara Foundation, PATH Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, and the City of Goleta. 

This coalition and people with lived experience of homelessness will be offering proclamations at the County Board of Supervisors meeting and the Goleta City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 7 (9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively).

The coalition will also be hosting a media campaign themed “Kindness Can Change a Life” starting Friday, October 10th. The video campaign will feature the stories of local individuals experiencing homelessness. The videos, generally produced by Oscar Guiterez, will be available starting October 10th at www.sbact.org/whd as well as through SB ACT’s social media (@sbactnow on Instagram and Facebook).  

Community members are invited to join in by (1) attending the County Board of Supervisors and/or Goleta City Council meeting and (2) sharing the individual video stories on social media. There are more action items available at www.sbact.org/whd. Help spread the message that kindness can change a life!

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Halloween Parking Restrictions Return

One Night Only

As Halloween approaches, the City of Goleta is bringing back temporary parking restrictions in coordination with Isla Vista, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara County. These measures are designed to deter partygoers from parking in Goleta’s neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista and to minimize the noise and disturbances experienced by residents. 

A temporary permit-only on-street parking program for residents near Isla Vista has proven successful in previous years in reducing the impacts of unsanctioned Halloween events. After a hiatus in 2023 and 2024, the Goleta City Council approved Resolution No. 25-39 establishing overnight parking restrictions for Halloween 2025 since it is on a Friday this year. 

Parking permits are issued for the University 1 and University 2 neighborhoods, including the Cannon Green Condominium complex. The boundaries are: Cannon Green Drive to the west, Hollister Avenue to the north, Storke Road to the east, and Whittier Drive to the south. This area is comprised of an estimated 1,250 dwelling units representing approximately 4,000 residents. 

Each household will receive two passes in their mailbox by Friday, October 24. The parking permits are required to be taped to the inside of the vehicle’s driver’s side window during the restricted hours (see below). Signage will be posted on the streets in advance to remind drivers, and electronic message boards will be at several entrances to the University 1 and 2 neighborhoods. Vehicles not displaying the appropriate permit will be subject to ticketing and/or towing. While citations are preferred, vehicles may be towed if parked unsafely or if they have already been cited within the prior 24 hours. 

Parking restrictions are for the following date and time: 

  • Friday, October 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. through Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. 

The overnight parking restrictions will not affect those visiting Girsh Park over Halloween weekend; the park will distribute its own permits. 

Additionally, City crews will conduct a neighborhood cleanup on the Monday following the restrictions to remove any trash or debris from the streets. 

If you live in the area designated to receive a parking permit and do not receive yours, please contact the City of Goleta Neighborhood Services Department at 805-961-7554 to make arrangements for a replacement. 

For more information go to www.CityofGoleta.org/ParkingRestrictions.

October Library Programming

Goleta Valley Library staff is excited to roll out some new adult programs this month, including the festively timed Horror Book Club discussing “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” and a new Film Club watching “Young Frankenstein” as the first selection. A monthly Poetry Club will also be convening for a far less terrifying gathering of community members reading poems meant to melt your heart, rather than startle it.

For the full calendar of events, please visit goletavalleylibrary.org/calendar. 

This month join GVL for the activities listed below, with many being held at the Goleta Community Center (GCC – 5679 Hollister Avenue).

Mending Workshop 
Saturday, 10/11, 2-3pm, GCC 
Thread, fabric, and supplies provided; come with your clothes in need of a little care.

Film Club: Young Frankenstein
Thursday, 10/16, 1:30-4:30pm, GCC
Share in the laughter, lively discussion, movie trivia & fun facts after the movie. 

Horror Book Club: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham
Saturday, 10/18, 1-2pm, GCC
Join us for our very first meeting of the Goleta Valley Library’s bi-monthly Horror Book Club. 

Poetry Club
Sunday, 10/19, 2-3:30pm, GCC
Whether you want to read a favorite poem or simply enjoy the voices of others, come celebrate the art of poetry.

Mystery Book Club: Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley 
Tuesday, 10/28, 5:30-6:30pm, GCC 
The Mystery Book Club is breaking form this time, to re-visit this horror classic.

Teen Zine @ GVL Express
Submit any art, poetry, or writings by November 1st to be published in our first issue. Suggested prompt: Magic of Autumn! Grades 6-12.

“The Book Was Better” Book Club @ GVL Express
Come and pick up a free copy of Holes by Louis Sachar and join us for a movie screening in December. Grades 4-8.

Seed Library @ GVL Express
Take seeds to grow at home! Come pick from our rotating selection of edible and ornamental plants. Free and no library card required.

Baby & Me and Wiggly Storytimes on Friday Mornings
10-10:30, Baby & Me & 10:30-11, Wiggly 
New location rotation for October:  

  • 10/03 – Fire Station 14 for Fire Safety Storytime
  • 10/10 – Evergreen Park
  • 10/17 – Tucker’s Grove Park
  • 10/24 – Goleta Beach
  • 10/31 – Stow Grove Park for Spooky Storytime

October is one of staff’s favorite times of the year as the seasons change and staff want to cozy up with some spooky reads and hear your scary movie recommendations. See you at the library or at one of our programs soon!