Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta Child Care Grant Application Open

Apply by June 30th

The Goleta Child Care Grant Program application period is now open! This program is a partnership between the Santa Barbara Foundation and City of Goleta. The intent is to strengthen the child care sector and support the workforce that serves Goleta’s youngest residents. Applicants must be a licensed nonprofit child care provider and be based in the City of Goleta. The grant application period is open through June 30, 2025 – more info and apply here. For an application in Spanish, email bgarcia@sbfoundation.org for assistance.

The Goleta Child Care Grant Program will offer awards of up to $15,000 each, focused on the following priority areas:

  • Child Care Workforce Development – Increasing the number of qualified child care professionals and promoting ongoing skill-building.
  • Sustainable Business Models – Strengthening organizational operations and financial sustainability.
  • Family Engagement – Supporting culturally responsive and inclusive family partnerships.
  • Leadership in Child Care – Advancing equity, inclusion, and strategic responses to local needs.

For more information or to review the guidelines go to the Santa Barbara Foundation’s website or contact Beatriz Garcia at bgarcia@sbfoundation.org.

Background:

The Goleta City Council last December 2024 approved $250,000 in child care funds thanks to revenue from Measure B, a one cent sales tax approved by voters in 2022. The funding was awarded to several child care initiatives to bring more options to residents, help support local families and enhance community well-being. The Santa Barbara Foundation received $50,000 to launch this childcare grant opportunity.

According to the 2024 Santa Barbara County Child Care Facilities Needs Assessment, there is a shortage of 9,371 licensed spaces for children ages 0-5 in the county. Goleta families and providers continue to face rising costs and limited availability, impacting both child development and working parents’ ability to thrive.

Earthquake Readiness and Remembering the 1925 Earthquake

With the 100-year anniversary of the 1925 earthquake coming up at the end of June, now is a good time to prepare for the next big earthquake. Cal OES encourages Californians to take the time now to update their emergency plan, share any emergency preparedness lists with friends and family, and activate advance warnings on their devices to know when to take protective life-saving actions. Many things in life may catch us off guard, but knowing what to do when an earthquake strikes doesn’t have to! Cal OES provides free resources through Earthquake Warning California. These resources include the MyShake app, a free mobile device application that automates alerts before shaking occurs on earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or greater. Learn more at https://earthquake.ca.gov/.

1925 Santa Barbara Earthquake

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake, the community is invited to attend a free, family-friendly street exhibition on June 28 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. on the 1100 block of State Street and surrounding paseos. Enjoy live entertainment, educational exhibits, interactive displays, hands-on workshops, and themed surprises.

Highlights include:

  • Earthquake simulator (experience a 7.0 quake!)
  • Kid zone and history walk
  • Earthquake-themed food and booths
  • Stage events with musicians and storytellers
  • Disaster preparedness info and resources

The 1925 earthquake and its aftermath truly transformed Santa Barbara. After the earthquake, Santa Barbarans rolled up their sleeves and rebuilt in ways that still endow it with a unique urban and architectural character. 

The event is hosted by the EQ25 Alliance—a coalition of local nonprofits, agencies, and residents led by the Santa Barbara Conservancy. More info: https://eq25.org/event-calendar.

Summer Events at Stow House

Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road) is the place to be this summer! Join the Goleta Valley Historical Society for a spectacular event – the 51st Annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy fun family-friendly activities including tractor rides and face painting for kids, listen to live music by the Cadillac Angels and Cliffhangers, browse the wares of local vendors, and dine on delicious eats and drinks from AR Catering, Mony’s and Considered Curbside Coffee.

The Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association, the Model A Club of Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society will also be returning this year. And don’t forget to stop by Granny’s Attic, where you’ll find all the vintage items and antiques of your dreams. All sales proceeds benefit the Goleta Valley Historical Society.

Purchase tickets in advance or at the door. More info: https://goletahistory.org/old-fashioned-4th-july/.

Also this summer is the popular Music at the Ranch series which runs Tuesdays July 15 – August 19 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs and head over for an outdoor concert (line-up below). You can bring your own food or purchase from the onsite food trucks.

Music at the Ranch Summer Concert Series Line-Up

  • July 15 – Out of the Blue
  • July 22 – Tony Ybarra
  • July 29 – Salty Strings
  • August 5 – Mezcal Martini
  • August 12 – Doublewide Kings
  • August 19 – Spencer the Gardener

Learn more at https://goletahistory.org/music-at-the-ranch/.


Photo from Music at the Ranch 2024

Meet Me in Old Town July 10

5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center

Join us for the third and final “Meet Me in Old Town” event of the summer! Taking place on Thursday, July 10 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on the front lawn of the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Grab some food from an Old Town eatery and come on down to enjoy an evening full of live music from Equipo Elite, games, refreshments, giveaways, and commemorative merchandise.

Parking for the event is available in the lot behind and next to the Goleta Community Center.

Previous events were held May 8 and June 5 (view photos here). The events are put on by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Goleta as a way to boost local business visibility and showcase Old Town Goleta’s charm.

We’ll see you there!

4th of July Drone Light Show Details

Thanks to Generous Sponsors this Free Community Event is ON!

Fourth of July evening fun is back in the City of Goleta! Thanks to many generous local sponsors, our community will get to experience its first Fourth of July Drone Light Show. The free event is taking place at the Dos Pueblos High School football stadium, located at 7266 Alameda Avenue in Goleta. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. with food trucks, DJ Darla Bea, line dancing, family-friendly games and activities, a photo booth and more. The approximately 15-minute-long drone show will begin at nightfall, around 8:30 p.m. Check out this video invite in English and Spanish for more information.

Here is some important information to know before you go:

Parking: Parking is available at Dos Pueblos High School (DPHS) on a first-come basis. Carpooling is encouraged. No parking is allowed along Cathedral Oaks Road. Santa Barbara Airbus will be providing free shuttle service from the Costco Parking lot at the Camino Real Marketplace to the front of the High School on Alameda Avenue from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The shuttles will be available to take people back to the Camino Real Marketplace following the show. There is limited handicapped parking available in the DPHS staff parking lot on Alameda Avenue as well and a roundabout drop-off location. Please note, it is still a bit of a walk to the event.

Seating: The bleachers on the home side of the stadium will be open for seating. The track and the turf field area will be available for blankets and beach chairs only. No camping chairs or pets allowed.

Food and Beverages: Bring your dinner or purchase from several food trucks including Sassafrass, Santa Barbara Food Connection, Pancho’s Tacos, Don Pepe’s and Kona Ice. No large coolers or ice chests are permitted.

Sponsors: The City of Goleta would like to thank our partners: Yardi Systems, Ergomotion, Inc., Santa Barbara Airport, Santa Barbara Airbus, Santa Barbara Unified School District / Dos Pueblos High School, Alamar Dental Implant Center, Deckers Brands, Goleta Valley Historical Society, MarBorg Industries, Teledyne FLIR, UCSB Athletics, Community West Bank, Fuel Depot and Point Market, The Cederlof Family, Best Best & Krieger, LLP, Olivia Sorgman Event Planner, Above All Aviation, Cottage Health, Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club, Quality Roofing, Ramsey Asphalt, True North Wealth Management, Camino Real Marketplace, Friday Night Lights, and The Water Store.

Let’s come together to celebrate our country and our community in true Goleta spirit on the 4th!  For more information go to our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/DroneShow.

National Pet Safety Month

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and the City of Goleta Emergency Services Division is sharing tips to help keep our entire community, including our four-legged family members – safe during emergencies.

Materials are available online and are designed to be inclusive and accessible for all residents.  This effort is part of our ongoing commitment to make emergency preparedness easier and more effective for everyone.

Top Pet Safety Tips:

  • Never leave pets in parked cars – even briefly. Temperatures can become life-threatening within minutes.
  • Assemble a pet emergency kit with food, water, medications, a leash, vet records, and a recent photo of you with your pet.
  • Know your options: Identify pet-friendly hotels and emergency shelters ahead of time.
  • Avoid walking pets during the hottest parts of the day (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Check the pavement with your hand to ensure it’s not too hot for paws.

Learn more: ReadySBC.org: Pet & Large Animal Preparedness

Stay tuned throughout the summer as we roll out more tools to help you and your loved ones – furry or otherwise – stay safe.

Photo: National Red Cross

Fiesta Ranchera on June 19

A Goleta tradition, Fiesta Ranchera, is coming up on Thursday, June 19 from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the historic Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road). This popular event is a chance to experience Fiesta in Goleta and is a collaboration between Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society.

Come see performances by the 2025 Spirit of Fiesta, Junior Spirit, musical entertainment and dancing under the stars to Area 51. Attendees can sample tasty appetizers, wine and beer from local venues. This is a 21 and older event. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance here.

You can also be part of Fiesta in Goleta at the June 17 Goleta City Council meeting. The Council will issue a proclamation declaring June 19, 2025, as “Fiesta Ranchera Day” in the City of Goleta. Council will also give Certificates of Recognition to the Spirit of Fiesta, Natalia Treviño, and the Junior Spirit of Fiesta, Victoria Plascencia, and watch them perform. We hope you will join us in person in Council Chambers to see the performances. You can also watch them on the City’s website, the City’s YouTube channel, or on Goleta TV Channel 19. Viva La Goleta!

Juneteenth SB Celebration

Block Party Saturday, June 14

Juneteenth Santa Barbara welcomes the community to the eighth annual Juneteenth celebration in South Santa Barbara County! 

Bring a lawn chair, blankets, and the family to enjoy a free celebration on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Plaza Del Mar/Band Shell Park at Castillo Street and Cabrillo/Shoreline Streets. Come stay a while and enjoy the day!

The celebration includes local live performances, the return of the Black Artisan Market, the Indy Parenting kids zone with 805 Body Art face painting, the Santa Barbara Public Library on the Go Van, and so much more! This year’s theme invokes the emotion of hope, one that finds strength in community gathering together to celebrate freedom. Juneteenth SB has partnered with Leticia Resch for event logistics to plan a safe, fun, and successful event.  

To learn more, please go to juneteenthsb.org. 

At the June 17 Goleta City Council meeting, the City will proclaim June 19th as “Juneteenth” in Goleta and encourage all residents to use this time to learn about the legacy of Black peoples, their contributions, and stand in an alliance to end racism and hate. The proclamation is available here. 

Goleta Valley Library Summer Programming

We can’t wait to see our library patrons this summer! Our staff have been busy with our big move as well as planning an amazing summer lineup. Join us as we LEVEL UP our Summer Reading Program this year. Check out what we have in store for you this summer.

June Events

Preregister for the Summer Reading Program using our new Beanstack web tool and app! You can find the Beanstack app in the apple and android stores, or you can log in online at www.beanstack.com.

Kick Off Event at Stow House!
Saturday, June 14, 10am-2pm
Featuring live music by Nathalia, Ukulele Jim, and a Hula Hoop Show with Elemental Aerial Arts! The Book Van and Library staff will be there, as well as food trucks, community partners and family friendly games!

First day of the Summer Reading Program! Children in grades K-6 earn prizes for logging their reading, and teen participants (grades 7-12) earn prizes for every book they read. Similarly, adults 18+ receive one prize drawing ticket for each book they read, which they can enter in the library’s weekly prize drawings.  The more you read, the better your chances to win! The Summer Reading Program runs from June 14-July 27.

Shawn McMaster Magic Show
Wednesday, June 18, 4-5pm @ Goleta Community Center
Enjoy the magical entertainment of magician Shawn McMaster as he dazzles and delights! Learn a few magic tricks from Shawn and surprise your friends. A longtime favorite of the Summer Reading Program, this is a program not to miss!

Teen Escape Room (Registration Required)
Friday, June 27, 6-7pm @ GVL Express (our new location at 6500 Hollister Avenue, opening soon)
See if you have what it takes to escape from the library in our first ever mystery Escape Room. Solve Clues and Puzzles to get out in time! Registration opens June 14 at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

July Events

4th of July Craft Event
Thursday, July 3, 2-4 pm @ Goleta Community Center
Let’s celebrate the 4th of July! Join us for a red, white and blue crafternoon! Make patriotic crafts, decor and more!

Hula Anyone Hula Show
Saturday, July 12, 2-3pm @ Goleta Community Center
Come and experience the mesmerizing dancing of Hula Anyone. Hula Anyone is dedicated to the preservation of Hawaiian hula and Tahitian dance traditions. This show will include traditional hula dancing, Tahitian dancing, and some audience participation in the form of a mini lesson.

Mahni’s Reptiles
Tuesday, July 15, 10-11am @ Goleta Community Center
Join us for an educational and exciting Reptile Show! Maybe your favorite slithery species will be there! 

Baby & Me and Wiggly Storytime
Every Friday in June and July (except 4th of July), 10-11am
Join Miss Kaeley and Miss Nicole every Friday morning for storytimes at rotating parks throughout the month. Please check our calendar for locations.

Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Library by visiting www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org. Happy reading!

Summer Reading Kick-Off Event June 14 at Stow House

Pick Up Your Reading Program Prizes at the Goleta Community Center Beginning June 17th

Community members of all ages are cordially invited to celebrate summer and LEVEL UP your reading with Goleta Valley Library! The Summer Reading Kick-Off is Saturday, June 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road). Join library staff and volunteers for a free, family-friendly event featuring live entertainment, lawn games, and food trucks. Patrons of all ages are invited to log their reading on Beanstack and check out books from the Bookvan. Beanstack can be accessed online at https://goletavalleylibrary.beanstack.com and is also available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Once you download the app, follow the prompts to locate your library branch.

Performance Schedule:
10:00 a.m. – Ukulele Jim (Cali Folk)
11:00 a.m. – Elemental Aerial Arts (Hula Hoops)
12:30 p.m. – Nathalia (Bilingual Concert)`

“We’ve been preparing the party of the year for you and invite you to join us for what will be an amazing day to celebrate reading and our library community coming together at Stow House,” said Children’s Librarian Kaeley Christensen.

Goleta Valley Library’s Fairview location has been closed since April and staff are excited to greet you soon at our temporary library, GVL Express (6500 Hollister Avenue). A firm opening date has not been set, but until then, prizes can be picked up at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) starting June 17th during the following times: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Come tell our teen volunteers all about your reading adventures and earn prizes from our generous community partners.

Children in grades K-6 earn prizes for logging their reading, and teen participants (grades 7-12) earn prizes for every book they read. Similarly, adults 18+ receive one prize drawing ticket for each book they read, which they can enter in the library’s weekly prize drawings. Reading in all formats is welcome, including print books, graphic novels, eBooks, audiobooks, and having someone read to you. Click here to access eBooks and audiobooks for free with your library card.

The last day of special Bookvan stops at Goleta Union School District was June 11th. In addition to its regular Isla Vista route, there are still three scheduled Bookvan stops per week in Goleta until GVL Express opens. For the full schedule visit www.goletavalleylibrary.org/services/bookvan.

Goleta Bookvan Stops:

  • Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center
  • Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at rotating locations during storytime
  • Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center

See you soon at the Summer Reading Kick-Off, a Bookvan stop, or one of our outreach events. Visit our website at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org for the latest information. Happy reading!