Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

NatureTrack Film Festival THIS Weekend

October 6 – 8 at the Metropolitan Fairview Theatre

The NatureTrack Film Festival is here in Goleta for the first time THIS weekend and organizers are hoping for a great turnout. The three-day festival celebrating nature and outdoor adventure is taking place mainly at the Metropolitan Fairview Theatre (225 N. Fairview Avenue) with the exception of some special events. Opening night festivities and movie screening on Friday, October 6 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara is SOLD OUT. Tickets are still available for all the films and for special events at the Leta Hotel (5650 Calle Real). To check out the lineup and purchase tickets, go to naturetrackfilmfestival.org/tickets.

The special events at the Leta Hotel include free panels with filmmakers at 10:00 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday morning, a Filmmaker mixer on Saturday evening and the Awards Ceremony on Sunday evening.  

The festival includes 40 films from around the world chosen by co-directors Francisco Lopez and Mitchka Saberi. A festival program is available on the website naturetrackfilmfestival.org or at the events.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Having the NatureTrack Film Festival in Goleta is a natural fit. Our community embraces nature and the outdoors, and that’s what this festival is all about. I am looking forward to checking out the many different screenings and events that will be offered.”

At the September 19 City Council meeting, the Council presented a certificate of recognition for the NatureTrack Film Festival’s 5th Anniversary. The festival spent its first four years in Los Olivos before moving to Goleta this year. (The Best of Fest event will still be held in Los Olivos on October 14.)

You are also invited to a field trip early Sunday morning, October 8, to Lake Los Carneros to get an up-close look at the birds that call this place home.

Festival goers can experience what NatureTrack, the founding organization, has been doing since 2011 for more than 35,000 kids K-12 in Santa Barbara County to generate interest in becoming stewards of nature for future generations.

The NatureTrack Foundation is a 501c3 Non-Profit. All proceeds from the NatureTrack Film Festival will support NatureTrack in introducing school children and wheelchair users to outdoor spaces from the seashore to the inland oak woodlands of Santa Barbara County by providing cost-free outdoor field trips.

For more info go to naturetrackfilmfestival.org.


City Council and NatureTrack Film Festival representatives with the Certificate of Recognition from the September 19, 2023, City Council meeting. Pictured left-to-right: Greg Parker (Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Board of Trustees), District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Mayor Paula Perotte, Sue Eisaguirre (Founder and Executive Director of NatureTrack), Gareth Kelly (Development Director for the NatureTrack Film Festival), District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín, Maureen “Mo” McFadden (NatureTrack Communications Director), and Carrie Mullen (Development and Communications Director for the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County) 

Celebrate Education with the Lemon Run

Join the Goleta Education Foundation (GEF) for the return of its annual Lemon Run to be held once again at Goleta Beach Park on Sunday, September 17. Beginning at 8:00 am with the 10K Grand Prix, followed by the 5K Jr. Grand Prix at 9:15 am and the 1K Fun Run at 10:15 am, the Lemon Run is a community event for all ages and abilities. With prizes from local businesses, art for all ages, food from local farms and businesses, you definitely want to lace up your shoes for this Goodland tradition.

The Goleta Education Foundation (GEF) helps all nine elementary schools in the Goleta Union School District (GUSD) by providing auxiliary funding to help ensure equity in education. GEF’s Educator Grants for Innovation and Professional Development puts money put directly into the hands of GUSD educators to help them better teach all levels and kinds of learners and promote innovation. 

Youth Scholarships for the Lemon Run are available for elementary-age children. Please contact us at info@goletaed.org to register your child for FREE, or come by Deckers Brand Showcase, located at 6601 Hollister Avenue, on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 11 am until 2 pm.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have fun, see friends and make new ones, and support the Goleta Education Foundation and the children and families of the Goleta Union School District at Lemon Run 2023!

For more information and to register, go to https://goletaeducationfoundation.org/goleta-lemon-run/. Please note that parking at Goleta Beach is limited this year so please plan accordingly. We will have overflow parking and paid parking is available at UCSB. 

The Goleta Education Foundation engages the community to invest in and enhance an excellent educational experience for all students attending schools in the Goleta Union School District. The Goleta Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. To learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.goletaeducationfoundation.org.

What’s Being Done About Homelessness Quarterly RAP Meeting

Do you live in South Santa Barbara County? Have you witnessed the impacts of homelessness in your neighborhood, at your business, or in your community?

The cities across South Santa Barbara County (Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara) have formed a collaboration to address homelessness throughout the region and want to hear from YOU. Please join SB ACT for a virtual meeting on Monday, September 11 at 12pm on Zoom. The meeting will include an update from City and County staff about all the ways that City, County, and nonprofit agencies are addressing homelessness in the region as well as targeted “hot spots.” We will then take time to talk with community members about specific impacts throughout the region and any areas that you would like to see addressed.

Register in advance at here.

Foodbank Launches Hunger Action Month

Nationwide Campaign Aims to Inspire the Public to Join the Fight to End Hunger and Raise Awareness of Hunger in America

This month, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is asking the public to join the fight to raise awareness of food insecurity. The Foodbank is working to make a real lasting impact on hunger and they are asking for the public’s support. Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone across the county to act collectively against hunger.

On September 12, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will declare a resolution recognizing September as Hunger Action Month. The issue of hunger and food insecurity continues to impact communities across the U.S., including right here in Santa Barbara County. Food should not be an impossible choice but it is for thousands of people in Santa Barbara County. This year, the Foodbank served almost 11 million pounds of food to over 230,000 unduplicated children, adults and seniors in need across the county.

The Foodbank is planning a press conference on Hunger Action Day–September 15–at its new south county home, the Sharehouse, a $10 million dollar facility established as a comprehensive center for the community to share food, education, and hope. The press conference will be held at 9 a.m., where county supervisors will publicly announce the Hunger Action Month proclamation. To find out more go to: www.foodbanksbc.org/HAM23. 

The Foodbank offers a wide range of daily action items that the public can participate in to help provide meaningful support. The Johnson Ohana Foundation is providing the Foodbank with a matching grant of $5,000 to help kick off Hunger Action month donations.

Action items include: Making a donation, dining out at selected restaurants where a portion of your bill will be donated, shopping at participating grocery stores that offer a round-up your bill option, becoming a Foodbank volunteer, coordinating a food drive or a food harvest and more.

“Hunger Action Month is an opportunity for the community and those who work at the Foodbank, to reflect on the issue of hunger, rededicate ourselves to removing it from the lives of neighbors

throughout Santa Barbara County, and get into action to make it happen. Together, this is a problem we can solve,” says Foodbank CEO, Erik Talkin.

With nutrition education, disaster preparedness, community resilience and environmental sustainability at the forefront of our mission, the Foodbank is actively working to solve the underlying causes of hunger in Santa Barbara County. The Foodbank joins Feeding America and other member food banks to inspire people to join the fight to end hunger and raise awareness of people experiencing food insecurity across the United States.

Here is a list of simple action items the Foodbank asks the community to take.

  • Donate
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteers assemble over 4,000 bags of food a week, delivering groceries to seniors at home.
    • Rescue apples, oranges, and lemons from an orchard! Volunteer at one of our Backyard Bounty gleans https://foodbanksbc.org/give-help/volunteer/
  • Host a Fundraiser
    • Engage your friends and family by starting a personal fundraiser or create a corporate fundraiser
  • Donate Food  
    • Food donations make up around 60% of the food we receive and distribute into the community. Some are large scale donations, some are community-based food drives, and some are individual donations – they all make a difference in feeding those in need in our community.
  • Dine out for Hunger
    • La Paloma Cafe will donating $1 from every La Paloma Margarita
    • Lark will donate $1 from every Wayne Farms Buttermilk Fried Chicken
    • Loquita will donate $1 from every Almejas ordered
    • Lucky Penny will donate $1 from every O.G – San ordered
    • Helena Ave Bakery will donate $1 from every Farmer’s Market Bowl ordered
  • Go to the Lumineers Concert
    • On September 12 and 13 the Lumineers will perform at the Santa Barbara County Bowl. A portion of the ticket sales from both nights will be donated to the Foodbank.
  • Coordinate a Food Drive
  • Coordinate a Harvest
    • Do you have a surplus of produce? If so, consider donating your produce to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s Backyard Bounty (BYB) program. BYB is a volunteer-powered gleaning program where we harvest excess produce from local backyards, gardens, farms, and orchards in the Santa Barbara County.
  • Stay Connected
  • Follow us on our social media sites: Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Share how to find help
  • Write your Members of Congress

To learn more about how you can join the fight to end hunger visit www.foodbanksbc.org/HAM23

About Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County transforms hunger into health through good nutrition and food literacy. The Foodbank provides nourishment and education through a network of more than 200 partner agencies, nutrition education programs and food distribution sites. For more information, please visit: www.foodbanksbc.org

Goleta Visitor Guide Released

We all know how special the Good Land is, and now there is an easy way to find all that this wonderful place has to offer right at your fingertips.

GoGoleta just released a Destination Guide which includes attractions, restaurants and activities in the Good Land. While a main purpose of the guide is for visitors to use, it is a great source for anyone who knows and loves Goleta. You can use it to create the perfect staycation or an unforgettable time for visiting family and friends. You may even find some hidden gems you didn’t know about.

Pick up a copy from the Visitor Center, located at 120 State Street, Ste. F. in Santa Barbara seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or pick one up from Goleta City Hall Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 130 Cremona Drive.

A digital version is available here: https://www.gogoleta.com/goleta-inspiration-guide/. Thank you South Coast Chamber of Commerce for putting this guide together. 

Help Plant 100 Trees at Stow Grove Park

Volunteers needed to plant 100 trees at Stow Grove Park (580 N. La Patera Lane)! Join City staff on Saturday, September 16th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. to help make a difference in our community and contribute to the sustainability of our environment for years to come.

Over the past 15 years of drought here in California, the Coast Redwoods of Stow Grove Park have declined in health. Some portions of the grove have remained strong and vigilant, while others have declined and died. With this effort of planting 100 trees, the City hopes to restore the grove for generations to come as Edgar Stow had planned when he planted the original trees in the 1930s.

All ages and experience levels are welcome! We will provide all tools, materials, and knowledge necessary to successfully plant a tree. We ask that you please bring sunscreen, a hat, comfortable boots, and work gloves. Refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested in volunteering, please RSVP by sending an email to parksopenspace@cityofgoleta.org or calling 805-562-5509.

We hope to see you there!

Pictured above left-to-right: Goleta Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson, former Public Tree Advisory Commission Chair Jessie Altstatt, Mayor Paula Perotte, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Deborah Williams and Public Works Maintenance Supervisor Jorge Flores planting trees at Stow Grove Park in March 2023 for Arbor Week.

Take Action During National Preparedness Month

Sign up for the City’s Community Disaster Education Course

September is National Preparedness Month. A time to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. What better month to take action? Sign up today for the City’s Community Disaster Education (CDE) course, offered in English and Spanish.

A CDE is a free, one-hour introductory course for groups of 10 or more that teaches residents how to become more prepared in the event of a disaster. A CDE course can be held anywhere and during most hours; during a lunch break, after hours at a Homeowners Association (HOA) meeting, or at a weekend community gathering. Attendees will learn about multiple topics such as what is expected following a disaster, what they can do to prepare their home and workplace, how to build an emergency bag, and more. Watch our video in English (https://youtu.be/DSCGjSCobck) or Spanish (https://youtu.be/4soLo-9amC4). Sign up for a CDE on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/CDE.

This National Preparedness Month, the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management encourages community members to take the following actions during September:

  • Make or Update Your Disaster Plan: Creating a disaster plan is an essential part of preparing your family for a disaster or emergency. Discussing what you will do before, during and after an emergency will empower your family to take control of their own safety and survival during a disaster.
  • Build or Refresh Your Disaster Supply Kit: Ensure you have basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. When building your kit remember to factor in medications and mobility or assistive devices that you depend on. Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.
  • Make Sure Your Pets Are Included: Your pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan. Advance planning is often needed for large animals, including transportation and sheltering in the event of an evacuation.
  • Meet Your Neighbors: During a disaster, knowing your neighbors and any special considerations they may have can be lifesaving.
  • Sign Up For ReadySBC Alerts: In order to receive these official messages from the County, you must sign up for alerts. If you’re already signed up, confirm or update your account information this month.
  • Get Familiar With ReadySBC.org: Learn more about local hazards and how to best prepare for yourself and your loved ones.

In addition to signing up for ReadySBC alerts, sign up for emergency notifications from the City of Goleta at http://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency.

Learn more about National Preparedness Month, and how to make sure you and your family are prepared, at https://www.ready.gov/september.

It’s Time to Get Spooky – Enter the 2023 Ghost Story Challenge

Submissions Accepted at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries September 1 – 30

Get an early start on Halloween and enter the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries Ghost Story Challenge 2023! The Ghost Story Challenge began in 2018 at the Solvang Library, and now in 2023 all three libraries, Goleta Valley, Buellton and Solvang, are participating. Members of the public are invited to submit a scary or mysterious story related to the supernatural; all entries must be the original work of the submitter, with a maximum length of 500 words. The Challenge is open to all local writers in three age categories: Adult (18+), High School (9th-12th grades), or Middle School (6th-8th grades).

A panel of professionals will judge the entries, and winners will be announced on October 26th. Afterwards, submissions will be made available for the public with the permission of the authors. Adult prize categories include: Scariest, Best Plot, Most Original, Writer’s Craft, and Best Overall; Teen prize categories include the above and two additional categories, Best Dialogue and Best Setting. Prizes include horror genre books, including some signed by the judges, gift certificates and more.

Our Panel of Judges:

Stephen Graham Jones is the New York Times best-selling author of more than thirty books and several hundred short stories (plus a few graphic novels), including such modern horror classics as The Only Good Indians, My Heart is a Chainsaw and Don’t Fear the Reaper.

Gabino Iglesias is a writer, book reviewer, editor and translator whose work has appeared in The Los Angeles Review of Books, The San Francisco Chronicle and on NPR. He is the author of Zero Saints, Coyote Songs and most recently, The Devil Takes You Home.

Both Stephen Graham Jones and Gabino Iglesias are recipients of the Shirly Jackson Award and the Bram Stoker Award, among others.

Sadie Hartmann reviews horror for Scream magazine and Cemetery Dance Online, is an active voting member of the Horror Writers Association, and is editor-in-chief of her own horror fiction imprint, Dark Hart. Hartmann is the author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered, released in August of 2023 from Page Street Books.

Award-winning writer and filmmaker Gary Robinson (Choctaw/Cherokee descent) has worked most of his life to create Indigenous content in dozens of Indigenous educational, informational, and documentary television projects. He is the author of sixteen books, including most recently Billy Buckhorn: Book of Spells, the first in a teen/young adult fantasy adventure series.

Shobha Rao moved to the United States from India at the age of seven. She is the author of the short story collection, An Unrestored Woman, and the novel, Girls Burn Brighter. She is the winner of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Fiction, and her story “Kavitha and Mustafa” was chosen by T.C. Boyle for inclusion in Best American Short Stories 2015.

Anne Mai Yee Jansen is a literature and ethnic studies PhD. who currently teaches writing in Cal Poly’s Ethnic Studies department. She loves a good haunting and is an avid consumer of horror, magical realism, and pretty much any “weird” fiction. Find her articles on Book Riot!

Craig Clevenger is the author of the The Contortionist’s Handbook, Dermaphoria, and most recently Mother Howl. He is also the moderator of the Goleta Valley Library’s Writers’ Workshop, which is open adults and teens who write in any genre, fiction or non-fiction. The workshop meets on the first Saturday of each month to share work, exchange feedback, offer mutual support and discuss the tools of the trade.

“The Ghost Story Challenge celebrates the craft and imagination involved in writing a story, as well as the thrill experienced for the reader. We hope the short format encourages novice writers to give it a try – and also tests the skills of the more experienced,” said Clevenger.

Submission Guidelines:

Submissions will be taken beginning September 1st. The DEADLINE is September 30th at 5:00 p.m.

Send your story in the body of an email (no attachments please) to goletavalleylibrary@cityofgoleta.org. Include in Subject line:  GHOST STORY [and “Goleta” or “Santa Ynez Valley” for student submissions]. Include in the body of your email:

  • Full Name of Author
  • Phone Number
  • Age Category: Adult (18+), High School (9th-12th grades), or Middle School (6th-8th grades)
  • Name of School if submission is part of a school assignment

Don’t forget to title your story! Entries received without full names or as a Google link cannot be accepted.

There is always so much going on at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang Libraries. Learn more at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Green Room: Back To School Waste Free

A new academic year brings with it the need for supplies, clothing, and various essentials. Embracing a sustainable approach to this annual ritual can positively impact the environment and your budget. Let’s explore creative ways for students of all ages to be eco-conscious and mindful consumers. 

Secondhand Supplies and Thrifted Fashion: Instead of rushing to buy new supplies and clothing, consider thrift stores, online marketplaces, or local buy-and-sell groups for secondhand options. Many thrift stores offer a treasure trove of gently used notebooks, stationery, backpacks, and clothing. Opting for pre-used items reduces demand for new production and helps divert usable items from landfills. 

Repair and Upcycling: Consider repair or upcycling before discarding old supplies or clothing; a torn backpack or a worn-out binder can often be given a new lease on life with simple repairs or creative embellishments. YouTube tutorials and online guides can provide step-by-step instructions for DIY repairs. 

Zero Waste Lunch Essentials: When it comes to packing lunch, reusable options are key. Invest in a sturdy, reusable lunch box or bento container to minimize single-use packaging. Reusable napkins, cutlery sets, and stainless-steel water bottles help reduce waste and promote a greener lunch routine. 

“Do Your Best” Disposal Approach: Sometimes, it’s inevitable to dispose of items. Aim to do so responsibly when it’s time to bid farewell to old spiral notebooks, used paper products, or outdated electronics. Check with your local recycling facilities to learn how to recycle or dispose of these items properly. Many communities have designated drop-off points for electronics recycling and paper products. 

Goleta’s Sustainable Solutions: There are several options to responsibly dispose of common school supplies and textiles for Goleta residents. The South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station, located at 4430 Calle Real in Goleta, is a central hub for waste disposal and recycling. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s a great place to drop off paper products, electronics, and textiles for proper recycling. This facility is also a valuable resource for responsibly disposing of items like furniture, appliances, and construction debris. Remember to check their guidelines for accepted items.

In the spirit of “Do Your Best,” the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is another place where you can safely dispose of hazardous materials, such as batteries and electronics, that should not go in regular waste bins. It is located on the UCSB Campus on Mesa Road at Building 565. Residents can bring items by on Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., or by appointment – call 805-882-3602.

Thanks for doing your part for our planet. Remember, even small actions can make a big difference.

 

NatureTrack Film Festival Lineup & Ribbon Cutting

Lights, camera, action! Here is the lineup for the NatureTrack Film Festival coming to Goleta for the first time October 6-8. The three-day festival celebrating nature and outdoor adventure will be at the Metropolitan Fairview Theater located at 225 N. Fairview Avenue. The diverse films chosen by co-directors Francisco Lopez and Mitchka Saberi include one dozen features and 30 shorts. There will also be two panels. Check out this trailer to for a taste of what you will see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErrXDNyDxf4. Learn more and view the lineup here: https://naturetrackfilmfestival.org/.

Besides watching the films there is a lot more to look forward to including a grand opening night at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, VIP Pass holder and filmmaker mixer on Saturday, and an Awards Ceremony with a closing Party on Sunday – both at The Leta Hotel.

You are also invited to a Field Trip early Sunday morning, October 8, to Lake Los Carneros to get an up-close look at the birds that call this place home. Festival goers can experience what NatureTrack, the founding organization, has been doing since 2011 for more than 35,000 kids K-12 in Santa Barbara County to generate interest in becoming stewards of nature for future generations.

To welcome the Festival to Goleta, a ribbon-cutting was held on August 24 in front of the Metropolitan Fairview Theatre. The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber organized the event which had a great turnout. Mayor Pro-Tempore Kyle Richards, 2nd District Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín, 1st District Councilmember James Kyriaco, and City Manager Robert Nisbet attended the special event.

Tickets are on sale at https://naturetrackfilmfestival.org/tickets/.


Feature film “The Way of the Cheetah”


Short film “Ice Merchants”


Ribbon cutting event