Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Earthquake Preparedness

As if we don’t have enough to worry about these days, unfortunately the threat of an earthquake is always present and it’s important we are prepared. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) recently announced the launch of a public awareness campaign to educate all California residents about California’s innovative earthquake warning system — Earthquake Warning California. The campaign, “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard,” directs Californians to no-cost tools, resources, and information, including the smartphone MyShake App, Android Earthquake Alerts, Government Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), and the earthquake.ca.gov website.

International ShakeOut Day is coming up on October 15. The Great Shakeout earthquake drill occurs globally to provide education and training on earthquake safety, awareness, and protective actions. Here are some important reminders to be sure you are ready.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On!

It’s important to learn to immediately protect yourself after the first jolt… don’t wait to see if the earthquake shaking will be strong! In MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury if you:

  • DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
  • COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand
    • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
    • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
    • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
  • HOLD ON until shaking stops
    • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
    • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

The main point is to not try to move but to immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are.

Learn more and register at www.shakeout.org/. Additional information on earthquakes, including resources for people with disabilities, is available at www.earthquakecountry.org/.

The Great ShakeOut follows National Preparedness Month in September, and is another reminder to check on (or create!) emergency kits and go-bags (https://www.ready.gov/kit), discuss emergency travel plans with loved ones, and check your home or place of work for earthquake-related hazards (such as unsecured bookcases and high-hanging fragile or heavy frames and decorations).

Celebrating Halloween in the Era of COVID-19

Like many other things in 2020, Halloween will need to be celebrated differently this year to keep people safe. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is providing guidance on how to take part in this holiday in a manner that reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Gatherings of people outside of your household are currently not permitted.  Santa Barbara County is in the Red Tier, which means virus transmission remains substantial. There are many ways to celebrate creatively this year! Some ideas include:

  • Watching Halloween movies at home or virtually with others
  • Halloween movie night at drive-in theaters (that comply with the State Guidance for Movie Theaters and Family Entertainment Centers)
  • Virtual costume party or virtual craft projects
  • Decorate your house or apartment inside and out.

Outdoor alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating include:

  • Trunk or treating: This activity is allowed for the purpose of distributing candy only; no other events are permitted. Follow the safety practice guidelines. Park cars at least 8 to 10 feet apart from each Do not cluster in groups. If lines form, keep people at least 6 feet apart.
  • Car parades: Car parades must comply with Drive-In Event Guidance.
  • Plan a socially distanced costume parade: Place treats where kids can pick them up along the parade route (daytime activity). Alternatively, provide a bag of treats at the end of the Be careful not to allow spectators or crowds to gather at these types of activities.

“Traditional trick-or-treating can be a high-risk activity and alternatives are strongly encouraged this year. We must remain diligent during this holiday season and ensure that we are wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, and avoiding mixing with people that do not live in our household,” shared Van Do-Reynoso, Director for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, residents may call 211 or visit www.publichealthsbc.org.

Thank You Vance!

The City of Goleta has lost a dedicated employee and a big personality.  After 16 years of service to the City of Goleta, Building Technician Vance Johnson decided it was time to turn the page.  Vance was with the City almost since its inception.  He was hired to do Code Enforcement in 2004 and in 2007 transitioned to working as a Building Technician.  In 2010 he was hired by Willdan, which provides Building and Safety services to the City under contract, a job he continued to do until his last day on October 1, 2020.

In addition to being an expert in his craft, Vance was also a colorful character with a gregarious personality who was known to bring a smile to the faces of those he encountered.

Director of Planning and Environmental Services, Peter Imhoff said, “For some 16 years, Vance Johnson has been the bedrock of the City’s Building Division and the public face of the City’s building counter. He has helped countless Goleta residents through the building permit process, always friendly and upbeat along the way. We will miss his offbeat humor and steady, reassuring presence.”

City Manager Michelle Greene said, “It’s hard to imagine the City without Vance. He always had a friendly word for everyone he interacted with and managed to make us all smile even on the most difficult days. He was a fixture at our public counter from the beginning, and it won’t be the same without him.”

Besides his institutional knowledge, City Staff will also miss the legendary dishes he cooked up at employee events including his famous Potato Dish!

Vance says he too will miss both the people he worked with and the people he helped during the course of his work. He said, “I loved coming to work every day, Goleta is a special place.  The small-town vibe is my favorite thing about Goleta.” 

Vance’s motto he lives by, “Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

Thank you, Vance, for all you have done for the City of Goleta.  We wish you the very best in your next chapter of life. 

Go Online for This Year’s Old-Time Fiddlers’ Festival

Fiddle Fanatics, get ready, your favorite event of the year is here! The Goleta Valley Historical Society Presents the 49th Annual Santa Barbara Old-Time Fiddlers’ Festival Close-to-Home Edition on Sunday, October 11, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is taking place virtually this year. There will be performances, workshops, and a contest! Scheduled performers include: Paul Brown, Nokosee Fields & Ryan Nickerson, Rafe Stefanini, Clelia Stefanini & Eric Frey, Tricia Spencer & Howard Rains, The Horsenecks, Travis Stuart, and SLO County Stumblers. Workshop topics include: Old-Time Fiddle, Banjo & Song, Folk Art Illustration, Mandolin and Old-Time Guitar. There is also an online-contest where participants submit a video of themselves playing old-time music. More information on the Fiddler’s Festival is available at http://fiddlersfestival.org.

Severe Fire and Weather Safety

The U.S. Fire Administration wants to remind everyone that severe weather can happen at any time, in any part of the country. It’s important to be prepared for a severe weather event and to know the risks:

  • Lightning can cause house fires. So, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Portable generators stay outside. Only use the extension cords made for generator use.
  • Check your gas lines and make sure there are no leaks.
  • If an appliance gets wet, have it inspected by an electrician.
  • Move any debris away from electric lines and transformers.
  • Damaged and downed powerlines are not only a fire hazard, but an electrocution risk. Contact the electrical company or fire department if you see a downed or sparking line.
  • Like downed lines, exposed wiring is a fire hazard and an electrocution risk. Have an electrician inspect any exposed electrical outlets or wiring.

Learn more tips on severe weather fire safety from the U.S. Fire Administration at www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/severe_weather.html.

Pictured: Portable generator located outside of the house.

Almost 4,000 Pounds of Trash Collected during Coastal Clean-Up Month!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Coastal Clean-Up Month which protects our coasts by cleaning up neighborhoods and natural areas. Due to COVID-19, this annual event was different than previous years. Coastal Clean-Up occurred throughout the month of September in local neighborhoods and using technology to collaborate instead of the usual large gatherings at sites throughout the County on a single day. The City of Goleta partnered on the event with the County of Santa Barbara, local jurisdictions, and Explore Ecology who was the event coordinator. Explore Ecology shared the final numbers, but they only represent the people that reported them, so we know there were lots more volunteers and trash picked up!

  • Total Clean-Up Events: 151
  • Total Volunteers: 771
  • Total Trash Collected: 3,889 pounds; 16,605 pieces
  • Top pieces found: 2,796 plastic pieces; 2,710 cigarette butts; 1,950 food wrappers

Graphic courtesy of Explore Ecology

Goleta Valley Library Now Offering Grab-N-Go Bags

Pick Up a Bag of Paperbacks for Children, Teens and Adults

The Goleta Valley Library is thrilled to offer an additional way for patrons to enjoy reading material with a new Grab-N-Go service available during Sidewalk Service hours. Patrons can stop by the library on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and request a bag of paperbacks from the staff member at the Sidewalk Service station outside the library entrance. Library staff will bring your prepackaged bag of books to the table located outside the library’s main doors.

The paperbacks, which are not checked out to patrons’ accounts and have no due date, may be returned whenever readers are finished with them. Library staff is very excited to offer a variety of genres for different interests, with adult and teen bags separated by genre and children’s bags separated by reading level.

The following Grab-N-Go options are currently available for pickup at Goleta Valley Library:

Adult

  • Mystery/Thriller
  • Romance/Historical
  • Assortment (Fiction/Nonfiction)

Teen

  • Realistic Fiction
  • Fantasy

Children

  • Picture Books (Pre-K and below)
  • Beginning Reader (Grades K-1)
  • In-Between (Grades 2-3)
  • Chapter Books (Grades 4-6) – Realistic Fiction or Fantasy

Safety Guidelines for Pickup

Please note that 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.

We hope you enjoy all of the materials you borrow from the library! Visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org for updates and information regarding library services, operations, and programming. If you have questions, please contact the library via email at goletavalleylibrary@cityofgoleta.org or by telephone at (805) 964-7878.

Create a “Clean Air Room”

Stay indoors for protection from wildfire smoke; Tips for indoor air quality 

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage Santa Barbara County residents to plan for poor air quality conditions caused by future wildfire smoke. Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles known as particulate matter. These particles harm the lungs and heart, and can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, and in severe instances, premature mortality. People with heart or lung disease, seniors, kids, and pregnant women are especially sensitive to smoke.

The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible when smoke is present. Take these steps to ensure your family will have safe indoor air quality.

1) Choosing & Using an Air Purifier

  • Pick a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) purifier to reduce particulate matter indoors by 90 percent. These can be purchased at hardware stores or online retailers.
  • Make sure that the device doesn’t create ozone – find a list of safe options online here.
  • HEPA purifiers come in various makes and models, suitable for different room sizes.
  • Use the purifier in a room where you spend a lot of time, like a bedroom.
    • HEPA purifiers for an average-sized bedroom cost approximately $75.
  • Check your windows and doors and make sure the room is sealed tightly so smoke from the outdoors does not get pulled inside.
  • Replace the filter as directed in the owner’s manual. Filters need to be replaced more frequently if used during a wildfire. 

2) Making Your Own Air Purifier

  • Assembling a DIY version of an air purifier can be a more affordable option, with materials costing approximately $40.
  • This DIY version has been shown to reduce harmful particulate matter indoors similarly to a HEPA purifier.
  • Here’s how to make your own:
    • Use tape to attach a 20×20 MERV-rated air filter — like what you would use for your HVAC system — to the back of a 20×20 box fan. Attaching to the back of the fan creates a better seal.
    • Use a filter with a MERV rating of 13.
    • Check the filter for the direction of the air flow, marked on the side of the filter.
  • Check your windows and doors and make sure the room is sealed tightly so smoke from the outdoors does not get pulled inside.
  • Replace the filter more frequently if used during a wildfire.
  • As needed, disassemble the box fan to wipe away any accumulated dirt.
  • For safety, follow these precautions:
    • Don’t leave the device unattended.
    • Turn off the device while sleeping.
    • When the fan is modified in this way, use the device as an air cleaner, not as fan to cool your home.

3) Minimizing Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

  • In addition to using a HEPA air purifier, follow these recommendations:
    • If advised to stay inside, keep windows and doors shut and sealed tightly.
    • If temperatures are high and there is no way to keep the home cool with windows and doors shut, consider temporarily relocating to an area with better air quality until conditions improve.
    • Upgrade your filter in your HVAC system to a MERV filter, with a MERV rating of at least 13. Check with your HVAC professional to see what MERV rating your HVAC system can handle to ensure proper functionality.
    • Do not smoke or burn firewood, candles, or incense in the house.
    • Use your range hood while cooking, especially when using a gas stove.
    • Consider using professional services for a blower door test to detect air leaks. This service can help you know how to properly seal your home.

During wildfires, there are various ways to stay updated on local air quality conditions:

Goleta Green Room: Close the Poop Loop

Did you know one gram of dog waste contains millions of bacteria and can lead to beach closures? Pet waste presents a serious problem in our City and County. It’s one of the largest sources of water pollution. Keep your pets healthy by picking up pet waste in your backyard before each storm and whenever you’re out and about.

The truth about pet waste:

  • Not all animal waste is created equal. Dog waste (unlike cow manure) is not fertilizer.
  • Pet waste is one of the largest sources of water pollution.
  • The US EPA classifies dog waste as a dangerous pollutant, in the same category as toxic chemicals and oil.
  • Dog waste is a common carrier of nasty things like heart worms, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, parvovirus, giardia, salmonella and E. coli. 
  • Unattended pet waste washes into storm drains, polluting our creeks, rivers and the ocean with bacteria that are harmful to people, pets and marine life.
  • Dog waste needs to be tossed into the trash, even when you pick it up with biodegradable bags. Never leave it on the ground, particularly where it can be washed away by rain or ocean tides.
  • Picking up after your dog and tossing it in the trash protects our community’s health and our environment.

Thanks for all you do to keep our water and community clean!

City of Goleta Awarded for Sustainability Efforts

The Institute for Local Governments (ILG) is recognizing the City of Goleta for its numerous sustainability achievements with the 2020 Beacon Spotlight Award! The Beacon Program honors voluntary efforts by local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and adopt policies that promote sustainability.

At the League of Cities Virtual Conference later this week, the City will receive the Platinum level Spotlight Award, due to its fulfillment of the highest rank in each of ten categories that comprise ILG’s Sustainability Best Practices Framework. This entailed highlighting the City’s efforts in categories such as Green Building, Waste Reduction, Efficient Transportation, Open Space, and Community and Individual Action. To achieve this impressive feat, the City has undertaken notable projects such as the Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, a Strategic Energy Plan to reach its 100% renewable energy by 2030 goal, obtaining funding for a new Goleta train station, and elimination of single-use plastics within City Hall, among many others.

The 2020 Beacon Award Ceremony will take place virtually on Thursday, October 8th at 5:00 pm. Learn more about Goleta’s Sustainability Programs here. For additional information on the Beacon Program visit the ILG website.

Pictured left-to-right: Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Moore, Mayor Paula Perotte, and CivicSpark Climate Fellow Karina Takemoto, creating a video for the virtual Beacon Award Ceremony.