Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

When School’s Out, Reading is In, at the Goleta Valley Library

Each year, Goleta Valley Library holds a Summer Reading Program to encourage children and teens to read during the summer months. This helps prevent “summer slide,” the loss of reading and academic skills over the summer. This year’s program, It’s Showtime at Your Library!, will run from June 7th – August 3rd. By reading and logging books, Summer Reading participants will be able to earn exciting prizes from local community donors. In addition, the library will host weekly performers and events throughout the program that are free and open to the public. Click here for a list of events. Reading logs are available for pickup at Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue) beginning June 7th.

Don’t miss out on all of the activities happening at the Goleta Valley Library. Sign up for the monthly e-newsletter, The Reading Corner, and follow the library on Facebook (@GoletaValleyLibrary).

Get in the Game this July

July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and we want you to get in the game! Visit one of Goleta’s many neighborhood parks, learn a new sport (such as pickleball, bocce ball or Bankshot basketball), and commit to spending more time outdoors. This year’s theme, Game On!, is all about highlighting the fun, games, and exciting offerings around town. The City’s newest park, Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park (170 S. Kellogg Avenue), exemplifies the Game On! theme with activities for all ages. Goleta City Council will proclaim July 2019 as National Parks and Recreation Month in Goleta at the June 18 City Council meeting.

Park and Recreation Month began in 1985 and was started by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Parks and Recreation month highlights the vital and powerful role local parks and recreation play in conservation, health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities all across the country. www.nrpa.org

Road Improvements Project by Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital has started its final phase of improvements to Patterson Avenue by Hollipat Center Drive (south of Hollister Avenue). Improvements include restriping Patterson Avenue to include a bike lane and relocating the flashing beacon crosswalk by Hollipat Center Drive (Hollipat) to improve pedestrian access to the hospital. The crosswalk will be moved from the northside of Hollipat to the southside in order to align with the main entrance of the hospital. One lane of traffic in each direction will be open at all times on Patterson Avenue throughout the construction timeline.

City of Goleta to Manage Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Beginning July 1, 2019, the City of Goleta will not only be managing the Goleta Valley Library, but the Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries as well! It has been almost one year since the City took over direct management of the Goleta Valley Library in an effort to increase library services at reduced costs. Since July 1, 2018, the Goleta Valley Library has implemented new programs and services for children and adults, started a monthly e-newsletter, introduced the new ‘Library of Things’ collection, and opened the Jake Boysel Children’s Room.

Patrons currently registered at the Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez Libraries will need to get a new Santa Ynez Valley Libraries card in order to check out material or access electronic resources. The new cards will work at any public library in Santa Barbara County and are available from any of the library locations in the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as the Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue, Goleta), and the Santa Barbara Central Library (40 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara).

Help Design a Community Garden & Splash Pad!

We are excited to bring Goleta residents the City’s first community garden at Armitos Park and install a splash pad at the Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park! The Goleta Water District has lifted its stage II and III water restrictions, so the City can begin the design phase of a splash pad. The splash pad will use potable water that is recycled and sanitized through a closed loop system. Water will not be running unless people are playing in the splash pad.

We want input from the community on the design of both park projects. Do you want a raised or flat garden bed in the community garden? Should the water for the splash pad come from below or above? Is there anything else you want to see at Armitos Park or Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park? Two community meetings were held at the end of May to gather input, and we have an upcoming meeting on Wednesday, June 19, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B). Snacks will be provided, but everyone is encouraged to bring a lunch to eat during the meeting.

We will be working with a design firm on these projects, and will hold additional meetings for the community to give input on the initial design later this summer. Stay tuned for more details and sign up here to have information emailed directly to you. For questions, contact JoAnne Plummer, Parks & Recreation Manager, at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5505.

City Awarded $3.9 Million in Funding for the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan

On May 16, 2019, the Coastal Conservancy approved $3.9 million in funding (previously authorized for expenditure during adoption of the State budget) to the City of Goleta for implementation of the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan (MBHMP). As noted in the May issue of the Monarch Press, the MBHMP was approved by City Council on March 19, 2019. Growing concern over the drought-stressed and dying eucalyptus trees in the butterfly groves led to the finalization of the MBHMP. The MBHMP identifies how the City will preserve, restore, and enhance the monarch butterfly overwintering habitat. It also includes enhancement of other wildlife habitats, education and outreach, trail improvements, signage, monitoring, and research.

The funds administered by the Coastal Conservancy allow the City to begin implementing the MBHMP and help restore the ecosystem on the Ellwood Mesa. This will not only support the monarch butterfly population, but other vulnerable plant and animal species as well. Key components include:

  • Expedite the completion of the MBHMP Implementation Plan and necessary permitting.
  • Remove and replace dead trees to optimize butterfly habitat value and increase human safety along trails and observation sites.
  • Identify and reduce potential impacts to monarch butterfly habitat including pest infestations, trash and debris, and other threats that may arise over time.
  • Support implementation of Goleta’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan in the buffer zone between the open space and adjacent housing.
  • Design, construct, and install an interpretive signage program that is sensitive to the environment.
  • Improve and maintain public recreational features such as trails, trail markers, and benches.
  • Expand the docent program.

The City will begin work on the MBHMP implementation plan as soon as necessary permits are obtained, which is anticipated to be by September. Restoration work will continue incrementally over the next few years.

Fire is Everyone’s Fight: Vehicle Fire Safety

Each month we have been talking about fire safety. This month features vehicle fire safety. The U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association share that vehicle fires attributed to nearly one out of seven fires; one in 10.5 fire deaths; an estimated 300 civilian deaths and 1,250 injuries annually; and four percent of fire-related firefighter injuries each year. Learn more here.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cars can catch fire for many reasons, with mechanical or electrical issues being the most common cause. A car can also catch fire as the result of a bad crash, although most crashes do not result in a fire. If you see smoke or flames, or smell burning rubber or plastic, take action. Here are steps you should follow if your car catches on fire:

  • Pull over as quickly as you can when it is safe.
  • Once you have stopped, turn off the engine.
  • Get everyone out of the car. Never return to a burning car. Do not try to fight the fire yourself.
  • If you think there is a fire under the hood or trunk, do not open it. This could cause the fire to grow.
  • Move everyone at least 100 feet from the burning car and well away from traffic.
  • Call 911.

Get more fire safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration at www.usfa.fema.gov.

Stop the Bleeding with an Advanced CERT Class

Have you completed the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training? Then take the Advanced Bleeding Control class being offered by Safety Matters Certified Training on Thursday, May 23, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). This is a hands-on class and the cost to attend is $10 per student.

The Advanced Bleeding Control class is designed to teach participants how to stop the bleeding, with detailed instruction on the control of severe external bleeding, including the use of direct pressure, commercial pressure bandages, tourniquets and packed dressings.

No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene.  A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, which is why it’s so important to stop it quickly. Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma.

Learn if this program is right for you and register here.

Easy Ways for Businesses to go Green

Are you interested in becoming a Certified Green Business or in the process of certification? The California Green Business Network (CAGBN), in partnership with the California Environmental Protection Agency, has rebates available to assist businesses with the updates and upgrades that are required to become a Certified Green Business. Up to $500 per business is available on first-come first-served basis, until the available funds are spent. The rebates can be used to cover the cost of expenses such as low-flow water fixtures, recycled paper, reusable utensils and eco-friendly cleaning products.

Following are the rebate requirements:

  • Business will be reimbursed for a material expense or service expense. Copies of receipts must be provided.
  • Expense must be a cost incurred that leads directly to a measure required for certification being completed. The measure must be on the business’ CAGBN checklist.
  • Business must achieve the Participant Level, or higher, to be reimbursed for expense.
  • The expense must be verified by a local Green Business Program Coordinator.
  • There are a limited number of rebates. They are first-come, first-served. Check with your coordinator to make sure there are funds available before incurring the expense.

For more information on the rebate program, email coordinator@greenbizsbc.org. To become a Certified Green Business, visit www.GreenBizSBC.org.

Businesses can also make themselves greener with Southern California Edison’s Direct Install program. The program offers long-term savings to qualifying businesses by providing no- or low-cost energy efficient products, including installation. In late May, Southern California Edison will be auditing small businesses who want to make their lighting more energy efficient. If interested, call (909) 942-8496 or email michele.myersheard@sce.com. Audits for eligibility will take place in mid-late May, and installations will take place in early summer. Learn more about the SCE Direct Install program here. Read Southern California Edison’s announcement of the program here.

Emergency Preparedness Fair

Prepare yourself for the next emergency. Attend a free family-friendly Emergency Preparedness Fair on Sunday, May 19, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) hosted by local organizations. This is a great opportunity for families, individuals, and anyone else who wants to learn about disaster resources and safety procedures. Participants will walk away with an emergency plan, information on what items to include in an emergency kit, radio station information, a bag of fresh and healthy produce, how and when to call 911, and essential trainings like CPR and First Aid. Click here for the flyer and RSVP information.

*Updated 5/10/19