Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Boys & Girls Club Members Receive Gold Cards

Members Recognized by Goleta City Council for Outstanding Attendance Record at Goleta Club

More than seventy United Goleta Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County members and their families packed the Goleta City Council Chambers on November 7, 2023, for a special ceremony. The Mayor and Goleta Councilmembers took turns reading the names of 73 club members ages K – 12th grade who were recognized for their outstanding attendance record at the Goleta Club location at 5701 Hollister Avenue in Old Town. Applause erupted as each name was announced and photos were taken. In addition to receiving a Certificate of Recognition from the City, the students received a prestigious Gold Card acknowledging 105 days or more in the program this year.

While it is a tradition for the Gold Cards to be distributed yearly at the Goleta Council meeting, this year had the highest number of Gold Cards handed out by the City!

“The City looks forward to the Gold Card Distribution Ceremony every year,” said Mayor Paula Perotte. “It was wonderful to see the largest number of Boys & Girls Club recipients yet at City Hall, and we are very proud to have celebrated this amazing accomplishment with the students and their loved ones.”

“I want to thank the City of Goleta for giving this recognition to our kids,” said Michael Baker, CEO of the United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County. “Over 50 years of studies and data have proven that the magic number, 105 days of attendance, makes Boys and Girls Club members twice as likely to graduate high school on time and twice as likely to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

Besides the sense of accomplishment the students get from reaching this milestone, the Gold Card holders also receive special privileges at the club including choice of the day for sport, special line privileges, and even being “staff for the day” among others.

The Gold Card Distribution Ceremony is a special moment for the City each year. If you would like to see why, we encourage you to watch a recording of the presentation on the City website here.

Congratulations to all the deserving Gold Card recipients, Goleta is proud of you!

Group photo of the recipients with their certificates, along with the Goleta City Council and staff from the United Goleta Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County.

Former Goleta Library Director Receives Goleta’s Finest Award

Congratulations to our former Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library Director Allison Gray, who was recognized with a 2023 Goleta’s Finest Award on her birthday. Allison was honored as the Public Servant of the Year. She said it was “literally the best birthday present I’ve ever received, and the most unexpected.” A formal celebration was held at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara last Friday night, December 1st, to honor remarkable individuals whose contributions have enhanced the Goleta community.

During her acceptance speech, Allison credited her late mother who served as the library director in East Hampton New York for 27 years, for igniting her passion to pursue a career in library services. She said her mom was, “a shining example of what it means to be a public servant.” 

Allison also recalled the moment she understood the importance of public libraries while working at a library in Long Island, New York near the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She said, “Our community had been impacted and people came to the library seeking community, and a sense of togetherness. It was at this point that I realized the importance of libraries and it has informed my work ever since. I try to give my all every day to my community.”

At the awards ceremony Allison was recognized for her remarkable 37-year career in library services, 15 of those which were served at the Goleta Valley Library. The awards write up stated, “Throughout her tenure, Allison’s commitment was evident in her initiation of innovative programs for families and children. Her vast experience and persistent dedication were instrumental in guiding the Goleta Valley Library System through the challenging COVID-19 closures, ensuring that the community continued to have access to essential library services. The Goleta community extends its heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Gray for her years of selfless service.”

The Goleta’s Finest Award is a 73-year tradition. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients (listed below) and thank you to the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce for putting on this wonderful event.

The 2023 Goleta’s Finest Award Recipients are:

  • Woman of the Year – Jackie Parker 
  • Man of the Year – Marty Plourd
  • Educator of the Year – Scott Guttentag
  • Students of the Year – Valeria Tiburcio Romo
  • Volunteer of the Year – Fritz Olenberger
  • Innovator of the Year – Demis D. John, PhD
  • Public Servant of the Year – Allison Gray
  • President’s Award – Christine LeBon


Allison Gray accepting her award


Allison Gray with her Certificate of Recognition and Goleta’s Finest Award


Allison with Goleta City Council and Staff

Warm Up with a Good Book

The 2024 Winter Reading Program begins January 2nd at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Community members of all ages are invited to participate in the library’s 12th annual Winter Reading Program beginning on Tuesday, January 2nd! The program is open to children, teens, and adults and will run for eight weeks though February 23rd. The 2024 theme is “Warm Up with a Good Book!” and encourages our local patrons to read their way through the winter months with the library’s collection of print and digital titles.

Here’s how it works:

As in years past, participants will complete one entry slip for every book they read during the program and enter them into prize drawing boxes at their local branch for a chance to win exciting prizes in our weekly drawings. Plus, all the tickets submitted during the program will be entered into a grand prize drawing for everyone who participated! Entry boxes for each age group will be available at the Goleta Valley Library, Bookvan, Solvang Library, and Buellton Library.

Participants can read in whatever format they like best, including print books, graphic novels, eBooks, and audiobooks. We are adding new books to our collection each week, so there has never been a better time to visit your library and discover your next great read!

Happy Winter Reading, library patrons!

Explore GoletaValleyLibrary.org for up-to-date information about our services, programs, and events.

Our Water Our World: Controlling Fleas In Your Home

Learn how to control fleas with these tips from the City of Goleta Environmental Services Division. 

Did You Know?  

Fleas make pets and people uncomfortable and can transmit tapeworms to pets and sometimes to children. 

It takes about 18 days for a flea egg to grow into an adult flea, but in temperatures above 37 ̊F, fleas can be dormant for up to 18 months. A flea lays 20 to 50 eggs each day, so flea problems in your home can get out of control quickly, especially in warm weather. Adult fleas can live on your pet for 30 to 40 days—and they generally account for only 5 percent of fleas (counting fleas in all stages of their life cycle) in your home! 

Finding Fleas In The Home  

Adult fleas spend almost all of their time on an animal’s body. If you haven’t seen fleas but your dog or cat is scratching, your pet may have fleas. 

You may be able to see tiny white flea eggs and white, worm-like flea larvae on the floor, in cracks and crevices, in carpets, and where pets rest or sleep. You may also see “flea dirt” (flea droppings) where your pet sleeps. These black specks contain blood and turn red when wet. 

What Can I Do? 

Fleas In Your Home

  • Because fleas in many life stages live in your home and not on your pet, thorough vacuuming and washing your pet’s bedding is a key part of your flea control program. 
  • Vacuum carpets, floors, couches, and chairs often to pick up adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. Empty vacuum or dispose of bags in the trash, outdoors. 
  • Wash pet bedding in hot soapy water every week. 
  • Thoroughly clean cracks and crevices in floors or baseboards, or seal permanently with caulk. 
  • Use a non-toxic flea trap to attract fleas and trap them on sticky paper. Traps work better if people and pets are not around—fleas prefer warm bodies to traps. 
  • Use diatomaceous earth (DE) to treat carpets, chairs, couches, and pet bedding. Use a hand duster to apply a thin layer of DE (labeled for use on pests, or use “food-grade” DE if you have small children) and blow it into cracks and crevices. Wear a dust mask and goggles to keep DE out of your lungs and eyes! 
  • When you treat furniture or carpets to kill fleas, use a borate-based solution, which can control fleas for up to a year. 

Outside Your Home

  • Don’t treat fleas outdoors unless you know you have a major problem there. 
  • Do not try to combat fleas by spraying around the perimeter of your house or spraying your entire yard. Spot-treat with insecticidal soap only those areas where you find large populations of fleas. 
  • Apply beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora or Stienernema carpocapse) to soil where you have found fleas. You can buy them at garden centers or order them online. Soil temperature must be between 60 ̊F and 90 ̊F, and the soil should be moist. Water before and after application, but don’t soak the area. 

 Fleas On Your Pet 

  • Wash your pet with pet shampoo and warm water. Using a flea comb while your pet is lathered should get rid of most adult fleas on him or her. 
  • Use a flea comb (available at pet stores) often to catch fleas crawling on your cat or dog. Drown fleas caught in the comb in a cup of warm soapy water and flush or pour down the drain. Make sure to comb well around your pet’s neck and the base of the tail. 
  • Use chewable flea medication for your pet. Be sure you use the right dose for your type of pet (dog or cat) and his or her weight. 
  • Using flea medications in pill form protects water quality. Wastewater treatment plants cannot fully remove complex chemicals like pesticides. Wastewater agencies are concerned that pesticides in spot-on flea treatments can wash off a pet even weeks after being applied. In fact, these pesticides are turning up in wastewater treatment plant discharge and recycled water. 

Find more information on controlling fleas with eco-friendly products 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 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 a great resource for finding less-toxic products to use around your home or garden. 

Green Room: Pollutant Of The Month – Nitrates

Nitrates can cause detrimental environmental and health impacts. Learn more about nitrates, and how we can keep nitrates from polluting our watersheds and oceans, in the article below.

What are nitrates?   

Nitrates are chemical compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrates are found in many foods (both naturally and as additives), including deli meats, hot dogs, spinach, and carrots. Nitrates are also used for industrial purposes and in explosives. Importantly, nitrates are used in fertilizers for many gardening and agricultural practices. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers can provide plants with the nutrients needed to maximize growth.

Impacts of Excessive Nitrates

Excessive amounts of nitrates can cause harm to local environments. During the rainy season, excess nitrates from local gardens, farms, manufacturing facilities, etc. can mobilize into stormwater runoff and wash down storm drains. Eventually, nitrates travel through local creeks, watersheds, and into the ocean. When nitrates deposit into bodies of water, this can proliferate the growth of algae and aquatic plants, as nitrates provide necessary nutrients for this vegetation. However, large growths of plants/algae can reduce the amount of available oxygen in the waterway, which results in limited oxygen availability for fish and other aquatic species. This can lead to the death of species in the creek, watershed, and/or ocean. Furthermore, some types of algae produce toxins that can cause illness and/or death in plants, animals, and/or humans that visit the waterway or surrounding area.

Additionally, when excess nitrates are washed into the local environment, this constituent can contaminate local drinking water supplies. Nitrates in groundwater and drinking water can cause severe adverse health outcomes in humans. Nitrate exposure is associated with rashes, stomach/liver illness, respiratory issues, and neurological impacts. Studies have also found that exposure to nitrates is associated with some types of cancer, thyroid disease, and neural tube defects.

What can I do to reduce nitrate pollution?

The best way to reduce nitrate pollution is to use mulch and compost as soil amendments in your garden, not chemical-based fertilizers. If you must use chemical-based fertilizers, apply fertilizer only when necessary, and do not overwater/over-irrigate the planted area. Additionally, picking up your pet’s feces with a bag minimizes nitrate pollution, as feces is also high in nitrates.

The City of Goleta does not use herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers in public parks, open spaces, or the right-of-way. This practice is based on elements of the Goleta General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, the City of Goleta Stormwater Management Plan, and guidance from City Council to City staff. The City invites the Goleta community to adopt this practice as well.

For more information, please visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website on nitrate pollution: https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution.

 

Green Room: Waste Free Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, the City of Goleta invites residents to celebrate with an eco-friendly spirit, blending festive joy with sustainable practices. This year, let’s make a collective effort to reduce waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a healthier environment. 

Decorations: 

Opt for sustainable decor by reusing last year’s items or crafting new ornaments from recycled materials. Consider supporting local artisans or businesses that offer eco-friendly holiday decorations. When the season ends, store decorations for reuse in the coming years. 

Gifts: 

Choose thoughtful, eco-conscious gifts over material excess. Consider experiences, subscriptions, or handmade items. If purchasing, buy from local and sustainable businesses. Wrap gifts in reusable materials like fabric or recycled paper. Remember, the sentiment behind the gift matters most. 

Instead of traditional wrapping paper, consider using reusable gift bags or cloth. Support organizations and charities with a focus on sustainability. Many local initiatives provide opportunities to give back, ensuring your generosity extends beyond the holiday season. 

Food: 

Plan your holiday meals carefully to minimize food waste. Buy local, seasonal produce. Encourage guests to bring reusable containers for leftovers, and compost food scraps. Goleta’s composting programs can help turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil. Dispose of food scraps in your trash bin for sorting at the Resource Center. 

Energy: 

Illuminate your home with energy-efficient LED lights. Use a timer to reduce electricity consumption and consider solar-powered decorations for outdoor displays. Goleta promotes energy conservation to enhance the holiday glow without compromising the environment. 

Stay Informed: 

Stay informed about Goleta’s recycling programs. Separate recyclables from trash and compost organic waste. Dispose of electronic waste through designated channels, preventing harmful materials from entering landfills. 

By adopting these practices, we can collectively make a positive impact on our community and the planet. The City of Goleta wishes everyone a joyous and environmentally conscious holiday season! 

Learn more about Waste Free Goleta at www.CityofGoleta.org/WasteFreeGoleta.

Marborg Christmas Tree Recycling

Marborg will be collecting Christmas trees free of charge after the holidays. To have your tree recycled please bring it to the curbside on your green waste collection day. If you do not have green waste service, bring your tree to the curbside on your trash collection day.

Please remove all tree stands, tinsel, and ornaments, and cut any trees over six feet in length to ensure they will fit in their trucks.

Christmas trees can also be dropped off at the South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station (free through January 13, 2024) at 4430 Calle Real in Santa Barbara.

For more information, read the Marborg newsletter.

Neighborhood Navigation Center Opens

Ribbon Cutting Held November 20

A weekly Neighborhood Navigation Center (NNC) is now open in the City of Goleta following a ribbon cutting held at Christ Lutheran Church (6595 Covington Way) on November 20, 2023. The NNC, overseen by SBACT, is a place where people without homes can go on Mondays between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for a variety of services. It’s now one of four NCCs located in Santa Barbara County.

The ribbon cutting was an emotional one for Mayor Paula Perotte who said, “This is something we have wanted for a long time, to have a place where people can come get services, get document ready, get a meal, connect with service providers and gain their trust. It’s a big deal to me and I am forever grateful to everyone who was a part of making this happen.”

The services include checking in with outreach teams from City Net and Good Samaritan Shelters, enjoying a free lunch provided by local volunteers, finding clothing, getting health needs treated by Doctors Without Walls, and meeting with the Santa Barbara Response Network to receive mental health first aid. Other services like showers and Coordinated Entry access to housing are planned for the near future.

Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said, “I’m so proud that the City of Goleta is stepping up and doing its share to humanely address homelessness. When people become homeless they become disconnected and those connections have to be rewoven carefully, and that is what the service providers accomplish at this site. The missing link SBACT fills is working with communities to better understand what causes homelessness, how it is being addressed, and coordinating outreach efforts that serve people with dignity.”

Chuck Flacks, Homelessness Services Coordinator for the City of Goleta added, “It takes a village to house people, and we will bring together as many programs as we can to make homelessness rare, brief, and a one-time experience. Goleta is fortunate to have 160 new homes for homeless people in the pipeline, and many agencies willing and able to provide services. This new center will help lead people home.”

Acknowledging that transportation to this site might be a challenge, Landon Ranck, Operations Manager for SBACT, said, “We expect it to take several weeks for people to find this site, but by providing food, caring support, and a range of services in Goleta, people who would otherwise have to go to Santa Barbara to meet their needs now have somewhere close to go to in their hometown.”

Those interested in helping homeless people can direct them to the weekly service center. For more information, or to volunteer or donate items, please contact Eric Meyer, Program Coordinator at 805-259-4692 x103.

Pictured from left-to-right: City of Goleta Homelessness Services Coordinator Chuck Flacks, SBACT Executive Director Rich Sander, Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Christ Lutheran Church Board President Laurel Johnson, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, Christ Lutheran Church Board Vice President Scott Craig, and District Director for the Office of Assemblymember Gregg Hart, Ethan Bertrand.

‘Tis the Season to Shop Local

Support Local Businesses this Holiday Season with GoodLandGoodShopping.com

During the busiest shopping time of the year, the City of Goleta is encouraging you to think local first when shopping, dining, or purchasing services. Go to Goleta’s new online business directory GoodLandGoodShopping.com and check out the more than 800 Goleta businesses that are listed. 

The City is promoting this great new resource especially during the holiday season. Look for the GoodLandGoodShopping signs and light post banners around town and watch our video promo:

The directory includes the business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of the businesses. 

If you are a business located in the City of Goleta with a business license, you are automatically included on the website. You can customize your free listing by going to GoodLandGoodShopping.com and adding details such as: logo, social media links, promotions, photo galleries, and more. City staff will review and approve the listing before it is published.

Thank you in advance for shopping Goleta and supporting our local economy! 


GoodLandGoodShopping.com A-frames and light post banners around town

Monarch Butterflies Return to Goleta Butterfly Grove

Goleta’s monarch butterflies are back and making headlines with their strong numbers! The Goleta Butterfly Grove even made the New York Times. Read the article here: https://tinyurl.com/ywdax4w3.

More than 15,000 monarchs were counted in the Ellwood Mesa Butterfly Grove on December 1, 2023. Monarchs continue to arrive every day and we expect the population to peak during the first half of December. The City of Goleta monitors butterfly populations at Ellwood to provide insight into population trends, behavior, migration patterns and ecological health.

Monarchs that come here for the winter are part of the western monarch population, a distinct group that is separated from the eastern population by the Rocky Mountains. They migrate from the inland Pacific Northwest and Great Basin regions out to the California and Northern Baja California coastlines every fall.  The separate population of monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to spend the winter in Mexico. Monarchs cluster in groups at Ellwood Mesa and similar areas that provide the specific conditions needed to survive the winter months—humid, protected from wind, and the right amount of shade. The best butterfly viewing area locally is the Ellwood Main Grove.

Viewing the monarchs at Ellwood is a magical experience for children and adults. When visiting the monarchs, please be respectful of their habitat by staying on marked trails, not throwing objects at clusters of butterflies, and keeping your dog on leash. The Goleta Butterfly Grove is open from sunrise to sunset with no admission fee. Free parking is available at the Ellwood Mesa Open Space & Sperling Preserve parking area, 7729 Hollister Avenue, across from Ellwood Elementary School. The Ellwood Main Grove is a half mile walk on a dirt path from the parking lot, following the butterfly trail markers. For a printable map, go to https://tinyurl.com/hex8fpaf. 

To track the population counts and learn more about monarchs, visit the Goleta Butterfly Grove Visitor Information page at GoletaButterflyGrove.com.

If you visit, you will notice the eucalyptus forest has suffered significant damage from extended drought and severe winter storms. The City is actively clearing dead and dying trees for public safety, fire prevention, and in preparation for habitat restoration. Learn more about the City’s plans to improve monarch butterfly habitat, reduce wildfire risk, and repair basic public infrastructure at Ellwood Mesa at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/play/parks-recreation-open-spaces/ellwood-mesa-and-monarch-butterfly-habitat/ellwood-improvement-projects.


Photo of monarch butterflies at Ellwood Mesa captured in early November 2023 by photographer Mike Eliason