Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Library Summer Reading Program Progress Report

The 2021 Online Summer Reading Program is happening now at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries! Since it launched on June 5, community members of all ages have been reading book after book. So far, over 700 readers have registered for this free online program and logged a total of 4,158 books, with one month still left in the program.

This year’s Summer Reading Program is held completely online through Beanstack, a website and app that makes tracking your reading easy and fun. To encourage participants of all ages to set and reach their reading goals for the summer, many local businesses and organizations have donated exciting prizes that readers can earn at various milestones throughout the program.

Readers in the Youth category (grades 6 and under) will earn prizes after logging 5 books, 10 books, and 15 books, and readers in the Teen category (grades 7-12) will earn prizes after logging 1 book, 2 books and 3 books. Adult participants will be automatically entered into weekly prize drawings every week that they log at least one book. Prizes will be mailed to patrons of Goleta Valley Library, and they will be available for in-person pickup at the Santa Ynez Valley Libraries.

To sign up, visit goletavalleylibrary.beanstack.org to create a free account and start logging your books today! Registration remains open through the last day of the program on July 31st.

In addition to celebrating reading all summer long, the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are hosting six fantastic online shows that viewers can enjoy from the comfort of their homes. July’s performers include a children’s concert with Ukulele Jim on July 10th at 10:00 a.m., a puppet show with Luce Puppet Co. on July 14th at 10:30 a.m., and an animal presentation from Conservation Ambassadors: Zoo to You on July 28th at 1:00 p.m. Details and links to attend can be found on the library Events Calendar.

For full program details and a list of our very generous local sponsors, visit the Summer Reading Program page of the library website to learn more.

Happy reading!

Fourth of July graphic

Fourth of July Safety Reminders

As we approach the Fourth of July, we want to remind our community members that fireworks are illegal to possess and use in the City of Goleta and throughout Santa Barbara County. (The exception is in the cities of Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Guadalupe, which allow only designated “Safe and Sane” fireworks to be purchased and used within the city limits.)

Considering our current drought conditions, the use of fireworks poses an extreme fire danger in our community. Deputies will be actively enforcing laws pertaining to the possession or use of illegal fireworks. Depending on the type and amount of fireworks, violators could be subject to citation or arrest.

Residents can report firework violations in Sheriff’s jurisdictions by calling the non-emergency dispatch center at 805-683-2724, or 9-1-1 in an emergency situation.

Besides the fire danger they pose, illegal fireworks and fireworks in general also are frightening to many pets. Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) reminds pet owners of the following:

  • Make sure your dog is wearing a current license tag and update its microchip information.
  • Keep pets inside.
  • Leave the TV or radio on to distract pets.
  • Walk your dog before the fireworks start.
  • Do not bring your pet to a fireworks display.
  • If your dog or cat is especially noise sensitive, consider having someone stay home with them, taking them to a boarding facility, or discuss sedatives with your veterinarian.

While there won’t be the traditional fireworks show at Girsh Park in Goleta this year, we wish you a safe and wonderful Independence Day spent with family and friends. Thank you for doing your part to keep Goleta safe this Fourth of July.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Update

Partial service restoration for Pacific Surfliner trains increases options for customers traveling between San Diego and Los Angeles

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner will offer expanded service for trains that travel between San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Service modifications include the partial restoration of the schedule along busier portions of the corridor as well as measures to manage capacity.   

Pacific Surfliner trains have been operating on a reduced schedule since March 2020 due to a pandemic-related drop in travel demand. The upcoming schedule change is the first step toward service restoration.

Effective June 28, three roundtrips will be added to the Pacific Surfliner schedule, serving stations between San Diego and Los Angeles. These additional trips fill gaps in the current schedule to provide more options to travelers.

  • Southbound Train 562 will depart Los Angeles at 6:05 a.m. and arrive in San Diego at 8:58 a.m. 
  • Southbound Train 572 will depart Los Angeles at 10:54 a.m. and arrive in San Diego at 1:52 p.m. On weekends and holidays, this train will operate as Train 1572, departing Los Angeles at 11:20 a.m. and arriving in San Diego at 2:13 p.m. 
  • Southbound Train 590 will depart Los Angeles at 7:30 p.m. and arrive in San Diego at 10:25 p.m. 
  • Northbound Train 569 will depart San Diego at 9:43 a.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 12:38 p.m. 
  • Northbound Train 583 will depart San Diego at 2:50 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 5:54 p.m. 
  • Northbound Train 595 will depart San Diego at 8:57 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 11:50 p.m. 

A bus connection will also be retimed to space out departure options from stations between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. As additional train equipment becomes available, and as travel demand increases, the LOSSAN Agency will evaluate opportunities to increase service on the north end of the corridor. 

In addition to expanding the Pacific Surfliner schedule, the LOSSAN Agency is planning for the busy travel season by making temporary adjustments to manage capacity. There will be periods this summer when reservations will be required to ride Pacific Surfliner trains, including holiday weekends and special event dates.

Passengers are encouraged to follow safety measures and any important public health orders in place during their trip and at their destination. Per federal law and Amtrak policy, face coverings must still be worn while onboard trains and in stations.   

For the latest information, please visit www.pacificsurfliner.com/schedules.  

Pictured: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (courtesy of LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency)

UCSB Summer Cinema poster

Movies Under the Stars in Your Cars

UCSB Arts & Lectures’ FREE summer cinema takes a trip back to the drive-in (and back in time!) with a series of nostalgic comedy and adventure flicks from the ’80s and ’90s. Party on, dudes! Films play Thursdays this summer, July 1 – August 12, at 8:30 p.m. at the West Wind Drive-In (907 S. Kellogg Avenue).

Movie Line-Up

  • July 1: T. the Extra-Terrestrial
  • July 8: The Goonies and Stand by Me
  • July 15: Clueless
  • July 22: The NeverEnding Story
  • July 29: Men in Black and Galaxy Quest
  • August 5: Rush Hour
  • August 12: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Wayne’s World

Click here for more information on each film. Some films include themes and attitudes that are representative of a different era and include content that parents may wish to discuss with their children.

Come early for food trucks, concessions, entertainment, and prize drawings. Gates open at 7:00 p.m.; first-come, first-served.

Premier Sponsor: Montecito Bank & Trust. Presented in association with the City of Goleta, UCSB Athletics, Carpinteria Movies in the Park, Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture and UCSB Summer Culture and Community Grant Program.

Teen Bookmark Contest Winners Announced

Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ contest celebrated equity, diversity, and inclusion

This spring, local teens were invited to submit a design for a bookmark based on the theme, “Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: what does it mean to you?” The contest was part of the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ 2021 Book to Action community reading program, which uses the graphic novel memoir by George Takei, They Called Us Enemy, to explore topics of racial justice, social inclusion, and equality.

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries received many wonderful entries that were beautiful, empathetic, and thought-provoking. We are excited to announce the winners of the contest, who have each received a certificate and a gift card for a free smoothie from our generous sponsor, Blenders in the Grass!

Winners from the Goleta Valley Library are: Dulce Perez, Eva Worthey, Lauren Hubbs and Natalie Myers-Johansing. Honorable Mentions go to: Annabelle Aslanian, Lauren Doyle, Junior Duran, Tera El-Aaidi, Roxane Martinez, Sophia Regan, Devon Robinson, Aliyah Stiles, Nora Tatjes and Jaden Van Wingerden.

Winners from the Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are: for best Interpretation of Theme: Jessica Xu, Gabriela Navarro, and Reiner Zhang; for best Artwork, Nolan Waters, Adam Marmorstein, and Helen Pruitt-Kennett; for Message Impact, Charlotte Hecker, Brandon Williams, and Gray Arredondo; and Honorable Mentions go to Alex Gorski, Miu Ono, and Addison Osta Smith. All of the winning entries were submitted by Dunn School students.

The winning designs can be viewed in an online gallery on the library website, and printed copies of the bookmarks will be available to library patrons through the end of July.

“We thank all the teens who took the time to participate in the contest, and to share their responses to the issues, which are both global and personal. The designs are hopeful, arresting, beautiful,” said Solvang Library branch supervisor Carey McKinnon.

Book to Action continues at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries with guest speakers, crafts, and films through July 31st. Information on all programs at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries can be found at GoletaValleyLibrary.org. 

Teen bookmark Contest winners from Goleta Valley Library
Contest winners from Goleta Valley Library

Contest winners from Santa Ynez Valley Libraries
Contest winners from the Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Stem with aphids and ants

Our Water Our World: Controlling Aphids in your Garden

Learn how to control aphids in your garden with these tips from the City of Goleta Environmental Services Division.

Are those aphids on your plants?

Aphids are very small insects with soft, pear-shaped bodies, often found on young buds, stems, and the underside of leaves. If you look closely you’ll see that they have long legs and antennae. Some have wings. A large infestation can stunt plant growth or distort leaves and flowers.

Aphids aren’t all bad

A few aphids on your plants can actually make your garden healthier because they attract beneficial insects—good bugs that eat pests and pollinate your garden. Many helpful spiders and bugs (like ladybugs, green lacewings, and tiny non-stinging parasitoid wasps) will stay in your garden if there are aphids to eat. Aphid problems often start early in the spring. As the beneficial insects arrive and reproduce in your garden, the aphid population shrinks.

Controlling aphids

Aphids (and other plant pests including whiteflies and scale) produce a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew that attracts ants. Seeing a lot of ants on plant stems is a sure sign of a pest infestation. Since ants will actually protect honeydew-producers from natural predators, it’s important to keep ants away when you’re trying to get rid of aphids.

  • Wipe off or prune away large numbers of aphids from leaves and buds.
  • Use a strong stream of water to wash off both aphids and honeydew. Do this early in the day so that the plants will dry before hot sun hits and burns the leaves.
  • Bring on the ladybugs! Purchase lady beetles (ladybugs) or green lacewings and release them onto your infested plants.
  • If all else fails, spray with a horticultural oil spray to smother the aphids.

Table with information on controlling aphids in your garden with eco-friendly products

Find more information on controlling aphids with eco-friendly pesticide alternatives in our OWOW brochures in English and Spanish. 

The City of Goleta along with the Cities of Buellton, Carpinteria, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and the County of Santa Barbara have partnered with the OWOW organization to promote the use of less-toxic products in an effort to reduce pesticide pollution in our communities. By reducing pesticide use and the use of less-toxic products around the home, you can help reduce pesticides and other pollutants such as herbicides and fertilizers from being picked up while watering or when it rains and transported to the nearest storm drain inlet and into our waterways. The OWOW website is user-friendly and a great resource for finding less-toxic products to use around your home or garden.

Microplastics on a finger

Goleta Green Room: Microplastics

City of Goleta’s Environmental Services Division would like to share information about microplastics with the community.

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.

Where do microplastics come from?

Microplastics come from a variety of sources, including from larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller and smaller pieces. In addition, microbeads, a type of microplastic, are very tiny pieces of manufactured polyethylene plastic that are added as exfoliants to health and beauty products, such as some cleansers and toothpastes.

Why is this a problem?

As a pollutant, microplastics can be harmful to the environment, animal health, and possibly human health. These tiny particles easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean, posing a potential threat to aquatic life.

How to help

While larger scale policy may be needed to help address microplastics, individuals can have a positive impact on plastic pollution through their lifestyle choices. Here are some ways you can help reduce microplastics in the environment:

  • Avoid purchasing products with excess packaging
  • Choose glass or metal drink containers over plastic
  • Avoid disposable plastic bags and bring reusable bags with you
  • Avoid single use plastics as much as possible
  • Choose natural fibers over synthetic garments
  • Participate in shoreline and neighborhood cleanups

Learn more about microplastics and what you can do to help in the incredibly detailed and accessible video: “Ten Facts You Need to Know about Microplastics” by PhD candidate Imari Walker, Duke University. This video was shared by the California Water Quality Monitoring Council, State Water Resources Control Board, and also includes information from academic articles and research therein.

Countdown to Clean Energy

Locally Controlled Electricity Service Begins with Central Coast Community Energy this October!

Beginning in October 2021, Central Coast Community Energy (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) will be sourcing electricity from clean and renewable sources on behalf of all electricity customers in Goleta, as well as the communities of Carpinteria and southern Unincorporated Santa Barbra County. The City of Buellton will also enroll in early 2022. 

Who is Central Coast Community Energy?

Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) is a community-owned public agency known as a Community Choice Aggregator or CCA, that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. Central Coast Community Energy is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. CCCE serves more than 400,000 customers throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties.

What is Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)?

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) was established back in 2002 through the California Assembly as an opportunity to give residents and businesses an ability to purchase electricity from local government agencies, and gives local governments the authority to manage energy resources on behalf of their communities and customers. CCAs provide many environmental, social, and economic benefits to California communities. Central to the concept of CCA is local choice. It gives the communities themselves the power to make choices about energy resource portfolios and investments, both within and from outside their local service area. It also empowers communities to reinvest locally with programs that address economic, social, and environmental goals.

How did Goleta decide to participate in Central Coast Community Energy?

The City of Goleta went through a comprehensive and public process in 2019 to evaluate 3CE (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) as an opportunity to provide choice, local control, competitive rates and access to community reinvestment for our residents and businesses.  The City of Goleta City Council passed the required resolution and conducted two readings of the ordinance in accordance with California Public Utilities Code to request membership in 3CE as well as codify the City of Goleta’s participation in the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program.

What does this mean for you?

Revenue generated by Central Coast Community Energy stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. That means some of the money you spend on electricity bills will come back to you in the form of economic and environmental benefits for your home or business – and for your own community.

How does it work?

Central Coast Community Energy replaces your utility’s (PG&E or SCE) role in deciding how and where your electricity is generated. Your utility (PG&E or SCE) will continue delivering electricity and maintaining electric infrastructure along with billing. Customers still receive only one bill which will include Central Coast Community Energy Electric Generation Charges.

Electricity customers have always paid for electric generation, but prior to Central Coast Community Energy service these costs were part of your utility’s Bundled Service charges. Now generation charges will be broken out on a separate Central Coast Community Energy page for more transparency.

Share Your Feedback About CCCE Energy Programs for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year

Community members are encouraged to share comments and feedback about 3CE’s proposed FY 21-22 Energy Programs by emailing programs@3ce.org before July 14, 2021. Staff will review and post formal responses to questions and concerns via CCCE’s website.  Review Proposed CCCE FY 21-22 Energy Programs on the City website here.

Stay Informed

Learn more at https://3cenergy.org/2021-enrollment/ and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @3Cenergy.

Community members are also encouraged to join the Central Coast Community Energy e-newsletter and board meeting notification list here.

LED Streetlight Project Goes to Council on July 20

If you want to know more about new streetlights to be installed throughout the City, then mark your calendar for July 20th at 5:30 p.m. That’s when the LED Street Lighting Project will be presented to the Goleta City Council for final approval. City Staff will be requesting authorization to purchase light fixtures and begin the streetlight conversions.  The plan is to replace more than 1,300 High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlight fixtures throughout Goleta with new energy efficient LED streetlights.

The community had a chance to hear more about the project and ask questions at a virtual Town Hall meeting on June 22nd.  The two-hour interactive meeting started with a brief presentation, and was followed by an extensive Q&A session discussing the light color, brightness, shielding and more.

The City website has been updated to include a copy of the presentation, as well as a transcript of the Q&A. Learn more at www.CityofGoleta.org/LEDStreetlights and watch our video on the project here.

Please contact Project Manager Michael Winnewisser at (805) 690-5120 or mwinnewisser@cityofgoleta.org for any questions or additional information.

The project team wants to thank all of the participants for joining in the discussion for this important project!  We hope you will watch the July 20th Goleta City Council meeting to learn more and see what Council decides.

Pictured: LED Project staff members James Campero and Michael Winnewisser (left to right).

City Acknowledges Goleta CERT Business Ambassadors

The City of Goleta would like thank its CERT Business Ambassador Team for a job well done!  This volunteer group, made up of graduates from the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, was an enormous part of Goleta’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  They worked in three teams and met businesses at their storefronts to provide guidance and education to the ever-changing health guidelines and provided ideas and solutions to challenges that arose at store locations.  

Over the last year, the CERT Business Ambassadors put in more than 300 hours of work for the community and contacted more than 125 businesses in Goleta.  The program was led by the City’s Emergency Services Coordinator, Michael Baris, and Emergency Services Aide, Natalia Rios, who also serve as the program managers of the general CERT program.  “My jaw dropped when I saw the final numbers our volunteers put in,” commented Michael Baris.  “I can’t imagine a more amazing group.  These volunteers care so much about their community – it’s incredible.”

Our wonderful CERT Ambassadors have shared their experiences with us:

Zubir Putih
To be out there during the pandemic and lockdown was pretty scary.  We are glad to be able to help in a very different kind of emergency and are thankful we are safe now.


Jeff Woolever
Being an Ambassador for the City of Goleta during the pandemic was a great experience that helped local businesses and created an atmosphere of partnership.



Viridiana Victoria
This project gave me the opportunity and pleasure to serve my community in the face of a difficult, unknown, and changing situation during the pandemic. Now, it is a joy to see that we are on the right track and improving more and more.

Peter Omoregie
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as a volunteer City of Goleta Ambassador to help businesses navigate the responses to the pandemic.  I had great experiences working with the leaders and other volunteers.


Stephan Brissaud
I am grateful for the opportunity to help the Goleta community through the CERT Program under the leadership of Michael and Natalia. The local businesses were appreciative of the regular flow of information we gave them during the entire duration of the Ambassador program, and I am very glad the City is on the road to recovery so fast.

Cecilia Herrera
Volunteering as a CERT Business Ambassador was very fulfilling and an honor.  We were in the same storm and separated from each other, but everyone was taking care of each other to be afloat. I love Goleta and our community. / Ser voluntario como “CERT Business Ambassador” fue muy gratificante y un honor, solo por el hecho de que todos estamos en la misma tormenta separados unos de otros, pero todos cuidando de todos y seguir a flote. Amo a Goleta y nuestra comunidad.

Justin Haagen
It was an honor to serve on the City of Goleta’s CERT Ambassador team. We were out in the business community at least once a week visiting with local businesses for many months during the pandemic and our educational efforts were welcomed.  After several visits in our green volunteer shirts, businesses recognized us as a partner and understood the requirements of the always changing color tier system.  It was great to be of service to our community.

Ian Fiedler
I enjoyed being a CERT Ambassador.  It was great to be there for the businesses of Goleta.

Thank you, CERT Ambassadors, for all your hard work and dedication to the community.

CERT courses to become a volunteer are generally held twice a year.  If you are interested in becoming a CERT volunteer and would like to be contacted when a course becomes available, sign up here.