Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Keep FOG from Going Down the Drain this Holiday Season

The holidays are almost here and it’s important to remember not to put your fats, oils, and greases (also known as FOG) down the drain.

Goleta West Sanitary District (GWSD) supports efforts to keep its wastewater system free of FOG. Fats, oils, and greases are a byproduct of cooking and are found in such things as meat fats, cooking oil, lard, and shortening, butter and margarine. When grease is washed down the drain, it sticks to the inside of sewer pipes (both on your property and in the streets.) Over time, it builds up and can block an entire pipe.

Garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the pipes, they only shred it into smaller pieces. Commercial additives, including detergents that claim to dissolve grease, may pass it down the line and cause problems away from the source. But the results of a grease-blocked sewer pipe can be sewage overflows in your home or neighborhood resulting in expensive and unpleasant cleanups; possible exposure with disease-causing organisms; or an increase in maintenance costs at GWSD.

How to dispose of your FOG:

  • Pour FOG into a covered disposable container—such as glass, plastic or a sturdy plastic bag. Store it in the freezer and then put it in the trash after it has hardened.
  • Use paper towels to wipe greasy dishes before washing. Put the paper towels in the trash.
  • Use sink strainers to catch food waste.
  • Put food scraps in a compost bin or in the trash.
  • FOG waste should only be put in the trash.

‘Tis the Season for GoodLandGoodShopping.com

Goleta Community Encouraged to Shop Local this Holiday Season with our Digital Gift Card Marketplace

The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and the City of Goleta wants to remind you about GoodLandGoodShopping.com, a digital gift card marketplace designed specifically to promote Goleta businesses. Anyone who goes to the site can purchase gift cards from Goleta businesses, and merchants can sign up for a FREE listing at any time.

What makes GoodLandGoodShopping.com stand apart from other gift cards is that you can customize your digital gift card by sending the recipient a personalized email, text message and/or video creating a memorable virtual gift or care package. Watch our video in English and Spanish to learn more about how it works.

The goal of the GoodLandGoodShopping.com website is to encourage the public to think Goleta when shopping, dining, or purchasing services this holiday season and beyond. The website was created to boost local spending and help our businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

To create the website, the City partnered with Giftbar, a vendor based in San Luis Obispo, with the experience and expertise in gift card commerce. Giftbar hosts businesses on its platform with the technology for businesses to sell and redeem e-gift cards.

The site features more than three dozen unique businesses, some you may know of and some you may be learning about for the first time. Don’t see your favorite Goleta business featured on the site? Let them know about the program, and that they can sign up for a free listing at GoodLandGoodShopping.com/signup. We are also going to be featuring on the City’s social media channels each of our businesses listed on GoodLandGoodShopping.com, which is free promotion and a way to showcase our awesome businesses. So, make sure the Goleta businesses you love are signed up.

Here is how you can participate and support this effort:

  • Go to GoodLandGoodShopping.com and buy a gift card.
  • Spread the news and promote on social media with #GoodLandGoodShopping.
  • Encourage Goleta businesses you frequent to sign up by going to the website.

For questions about Giftbar and how to participate, email websupport@giftbar.com or call 866-989-5580. If you have questions for the City, email Kelly Hoover at PIO@cityofgoleta.org.

More than 200 “Stuffies” Experience Hogwarts Sleepover at the Library

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend the night at Hogwarts? On Friday, October 28th over 200 “stuffies” got to experience the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter firsthand at Goleta Valley Library’s Stuffed Animal Sleepover: Harry Potter edition! The library staff was well prepared for a great turnout and were thrilled to see a total of 219 stuffed animals dropped off this year for a magic-filled “all-nighter.”

“We were so thrilled to be able to host this event again,” said Linda Hori, Library Assistant at Goleta Valley Library. “Before the event officially started, the line was already out the door with families and children eager to drop off their stuffies at Platform 9 ¾.” While in line, many participants entered the “Guess the Pumpkin’s Weight” contest for a chance to win Harry Potter memorabilia.

The sleepover was anything but restful as our animal friends were whisked away on a variety of magical adventures and shenanigans. All stuffies started off their journey with the Sorting Hat to join their official Hogwarts House. With their scarves in hand, they loaded their suitcases onto the Hogwarts Express, then had dinner in the Great Hall, played a round of Quidditch, and even snuck into the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts Library! A small group of stuffies arrived late but were able to take Mr. Weasley’s flying car through the Forbidden Forest to make it just in time for the celebration. While all the stuffed animal guests were very well-behaved, there were a couple of House Slytherin stuffies that managed to achieve a bit of light-hearted mischief through the night.

The two-day wizarding event culminated on Saturday with a special Harry Potter celebration. Guests were able to take pictures with Dumbledore and Hedwig, find out their House with the Sorting Hat, become the face of Azkaban’s “Most Wanted,” and take home a collection of photographs from their stuffed animals’ visit to Hogwarts.

Every visitor got to enjoy one final surprise: a personalized acceptance letter from Hogwarts! Their letter included a goodie bag with a wand, glasses, and of course, a bookmark.

As a great wizard once said, “When in doubt, go to the library.”

Thank you to the many families who participated in the library’s second Stuffed Animal Sleepover of the year. And a very special thank you to the library staff who made this magical event so memorable, with the help of 23 terrific adult and teen volunteers.

There is always something fun and interesting happening at the Goleta Valley Library. Visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org to check out the Events Calendar to see all of the great things planned, including storytimes, book clubs, crafts, and much more!

Pictured: Photos from the sleepover


Stuffed animals receiving their acceptance letters into Hogwarts


Mr. Weasley’s car stuck in a tree


Stuffed animals waiting for their turn with the Sorting Hat


Stuffed animals eating in the Great Hall

New Disaster Emergency Course for Goleta Residents

Sign Up for a One Hour Course with the City’s Emergency Services Coordinator

Preparing for an emergency is difficult, and where do you start? You can create a go-bag for your car, but what do you put in that bag?

The City is now offering a new service to help Goleta residents answer these questions with its Community Disaster Education Course (or CDE). A CDE is a free, one-hour introductory course that teaches residents how to become more prepared in the event of a disaster. 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.

City of Goleta’s Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris said, “I’m very happy to be bringing CDEs to Goleta! In my experience, the biggest reason I’ve heard for not having a family emergency plan is that people don’t know where to start. A one-hour course will never replace the value of sitting down with family and talking about who has what responsibility when an emergency happens, but a CDE will give you the best first step to learn about emergencies and eventually have that conversation with family.”

A CDE 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. Residents can request a CDE by using the form on our website at www.CityofGoleta.org/CDE and a City representative will get in touch to schedule the CDE presentation.

Presentations will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis, and a limited number of CDEs will be available each month. A minimum of 10 people are requested per CDE course. In the future, CDE’s will also be available in Spanish – stay tuned for details. For any additional questions regarding CDEs, please reach out to the City’s Emergency Services Coordinator at CERT@cityofgoleta.org.

Pictured: Michael Baris, City of Goleta Emergency Services Coordinator, with items from his “Go Bag”

Goleta November 2022 Election is Here

The November 2022 election is here! There is a lot for Goleta voters to consider, so let’s go Goleta! Make sure your voice is heard. 

Ballot drop boxes are open 24 hours a day through 8:00 p.m. on November 8, election night. In Goleta, there are two secure official ballot box locations: one at Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive) and one at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) at the end of parking lot in front of the building. To find official secure Ballot Drop Box locations throughout the County, visit the interactive map here­­­ or view a list of locations here.

In addition to the secure official drop boxes, ballots can also be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day, November 8), returned in-person to one of three Santa Barbara County Election Offices (locations listed below) or to any polling place on Election Day. 

This is an historic election for Goleta as it is our first ever By-District Election. The City is now divided into four districts and registered voters in Districts 1 and 2 will have the opportunity to elect a City Councilmember from the District in which they live. If you live in Goleta, make sure to find out what district you are in. Watch our quick #KnowYourDistrict video in English here: https://youtu.be/ehCrMXI-zQI and in Spanish here: https://youtu.be/LueKsftkhD0. Go to our interactive map and plug in your address at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap.

Goleta voters city-wide will vote for Measures B2022 and C2022.

For helpful information on the Goleta November election, go to our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections. 

Voters can sign-up to track their ballot at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/.

Santa Barbara County Elections Offices are located at:

  • Santa Barbara Elections Main Office: 4440-A Calle Real, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Santa Maria Elections Branch Office: 511 Lakeside Parkway, Ste. 134, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
  • Lompoc Elections Branch Office: 401 East Cypress Avenue, Rm 102, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Voters can check their registration status, look up their polling place, and find their ballot’s status by using the look-up tool at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ or calling the Santa Barbara County Elections Office at 1-800-722-8683.

For more information, visit the County of Santa Barbara’s election webpage at https://www.countyofsb.org/164/Elections.

Countdown to the Goleta Holiday Parade

The City of Goleta is getting in the holiday spirit for the Goleta Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 3! We hope you will come out to see your City Council traveling down the parade route in vintage cars. You will also be able to catch a glimpse of the popular Goleta Valley Library Bookvan.

The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. and travels down Hollister Avenue in Old Town from Orange Avenue to Kinman Avenue. Hollister from Fairview to Kellogg will be closed to vehicle traffic from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Public parking is available in the Yardi parking area off of Fairview.

Volunteers are needed! Help make this holiday parade a success and learn more about volunteering here: https://goletaholidayparade.org/info/.

If you are interested in being in the parade, submit your entry form by November 18. Apply here online.

We can’t wait to see you all at the parade!

Pictured: Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte at the 2021 Parade

Goleta Resident Helen Modugno Turns 100!

The City of Goleta would like to wish a very Happy 100th Birthday to an inspiring Goleta resident. Helen Grace Barnet Modugno celebrated her centennial birthday, October 20, 2022, with a lovely family gathering. She was excited to receive a Proclamation from the City of Goleta from Mayor Paula Perotte that acknowledged her 100th birthday.

Helen was born on October 20, 1922, in Paris, Texas and has lived a well-traveled life but always maintained her passion for community work and involvement. The youngest of 7, her family survived extreme challenges and together made it through the Great Depression.

Helen moved to Goleta in 1963 to escape an overcrowded Los Angeles scene and her family have been in Goleta ever since. Helen never forgot the poverty of her youth and has always given back to those less fortunate than her.

A life-long women’s rights activist, Helen has been a dedicated community member of the Goodland. She volunteered at St Raphael Church as a Sunday school teacher, served as the Women’s Auxiliary Board President, and a Minister that brought communion to the sick and elderly confined to their home.

Helen raised six children, 11 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Her secret to living to 100? Helen credits her long life to healthy living and her husband Ralph Modugno convincing her to quit smoking at an early age.

Happy Birthday Helen! We wish you health and joy. Your love of Goleta will continue to amaze us!

To read more about Helen’s incredible life, read the tribute that her son Tom Modugno wrote in Edhat: https://www.edhat.com/news/helen-grace-barnet-modugno-s-100th-birthday.

#Goleta #Goodland #Community #HappyBirthday

Pictured: Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte giving Helen Modugno her 100th Birthday Proclamation. Helen is surrounded by family and friends.

Girsh Park Buy-A-Brick Program

Do you know about Girsh Park’s Buy-A-Brick program? It’s a way for the community to support one of our beloved parks, which is overseen by a non-profit community organization. With this program you can buy a brick that will be engraved and placed for everyone to see at Donor Plaza or the entrance to Girsh Hochman Soccer Field. For more info go to https://girshpark.org/brick-donors/.

Pictured: The Snowden Family

The Force is Strong with More than 1,400 Jedi Party Attendees

Popular Goleta Valley Library Event Part of Star Wars Reads Month

Star Wars Reads month may be an annual tradition at Goleta Valley Library, but this is the first year that Library staff put on a Jedi Party Celebration. Based on its success, it won’t be the last one!  More than 1,400 community members, younglings and force-users passed through the library’s doors to attend the family friendly event held on Saturday, October 15, 2022. 

As patrons walked into the library, they were immediately transported to a galaxy far, far away as multiple areas of the library were decorated with Star Wars memorabilia, posters, and decorations. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet and take photos with real-life Clone Troopers, Tie Pilots, and a Jawa!

Young library patrons enjoyed an afternoon of fun Star Wars-themed games including Feed the Jabba, Lightsaber Ring Toss, and Find the Baby Yoda on a Shelf for an opportunity to win Star Wars book sets, plushies, posters, water bottles, and the coveted Baby Yoda ears. The Children’s Area and Art Gallery were packed with fun craft activities such as Yoda Headbands, 3D Death Stars, Queen Amidala Costumes, and of course the make-your-own-lightsaber station.

How did Goleta Valley Library make this out-of-this-world event happen? “This was only possible thanks to our group of energetic teen volunteers, all-hands-on-deck squadron of library staff, and the indispensable support from the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library,” said Linda Hori, Library Assistant at Goleta Valley Library. “It was so great to see people of all ages stop by, from children to grandparents. We want to give a special and heartfelt thank you to the amazing members of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion volunteer groups that graciously donated their time.”

Pictured: Photos from the October 15 Star Wars Jedi Party

 

 

Library November Programming

November brings cooler weather, color-changing leaves, and exciting programs at your library! We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below, but be sure to check out the Library Events Calendar for the full schedule of events for all ages this month.

Goleta Valley Library

Writers’ Workshop: “Speaking of Characters: Dialogue as Action”
Saturday, November 5th, 12:30 p.m.
This month, the Writers’ Workshop will discuss some fundamentals (along with some finer points) of writing compelling dialogue. The Writers’ Workshop is open to 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.

Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop
Wednesday, November 9th, 3:00 p.m.
Bring a pumpkin and some succulents to share and trade, for this fun and easy free crafting event. This popular craft workshop will help you create a lovely living holiday centerpiece, that will last all season! Sign up at the library or call (805) 964-7878.

Mystery Book Club: “The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro”
Tuesday, November 22nd, 5:30 p.m.
Almost twenty-five years after the infamous art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum—still the largest unsolved art theft in history—one of the stolen Degas paintings is delivered to the Boston studio of a young artist. Claire Roth has entered into a Faustian bargain with a powerful gallery owner by agreeing to forge the Degas in exchange for a one-woman show in his renowned gallery. But as she begins her work, she starts to suspect that this long-missing masterpiece—the very one that had been hanging at the Gardner for one hundred years—may itself be a forgery. The Art Forger is a thrilling novel about seeing—and not seeing—the secrets that lie beneath the canvas.

Goodland Yarn Works
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
This wonderful group meets every month at Goleta Valley Library to knit and crochet items for local and national charities. This group is for people that enjoy knitting, crocheting, socializing and catching up on the latest stitches! Feel free to stop by the Goleta Valley Library and see what it is all about! Upcoming meetings will be on Wednesdays November 23rd, December 7th, December 14th, and December 21st.

Coming Soon: Senior Happy Hour
First Thursday of the month starting December 1st, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Just in time for the holidays! Join us at Goleta Valley Library to make fun and easy holiday gift tags. You don’t have to be crafty to make this useful and beautiful paper craft. Stop by and join the fun! Upcoming Happy Hours will be held December 1st, January 5th, and February 2nd. See you there!

Live Poetry Series
Sunday, December 11th, 2:00 p.m.; Submission deadline: November 19th, 2022
Goleta Valley Library invites local poets to join the featured readers at our first semi-annual Live Poetry Series, hosted by former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate David Starkey. Our first reading will feature former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Chryss Yost and local poet George Yatchisin. Poets are encouraged to submit three poems, up to two pages long, to be considered for the event. Full submission guidelines can be found here.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Year-round
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy program popular at libraries across the country. It encourages parents and caregivers to read to their children, which helps prepare them for school readiness and lifelong success by building a strong foundation for later reading and writing.

At the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, the program is open to all families whose children are below kindergarten age. To get started, stop by the library to pick up your first reading log. As you read to your child, mark off a circle for each book you read. You can mark off a circle for each time you read the same book, too, as repetition is an important part of learning to read. When you’re finished, you and your child can bring the completed log back to the library to receive a prize and your next reading log! Once you have completed all ten logs and read 1,000 books, you will receive a free book to keep and we will contact you with an invitation to our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten graduation party.

Buellton Library

Buellton Bookworms Book Club
Friday, November 18th, 1:00 p.m.
Hosted in the Council Chambers inside the Buellton Library. Come and join the conversation and meet new friends.  Join in the conversation in the library council chambers.  The book chosen for November is Radium Girls: The Dark Story of American’s Shining Women by Kate Moore.  Copies of the book are available at the library and able to requested to be put on hold at gvl.blackgold.org.  See you there!

Family Folklore Cookbook
All November
Food brings us together, and whether you’re gathering with relations or found family, there are always those recipes that connect us deeply to the past and the people around us. The Buellton Library’s Family Folklore Cookbook is a blank book organized so you can write down three of these important recipes, with space for ingredients, steps, and the lore surrounding the food. All ages are invited to fill out their own custom cookbook, which will be available throughout the month of November at the front desk.

Solvang Library

LIVE ONLINE: Solvang Library’s Book Club for Kids
Wednesday, November 16th, 4:30 p.m.
For readers 8-11 years old.  Join us to explore some great new books! The November title is Coyote Tales by Thomas King. These two trickster tales from award-winning First Nations author Thomas King are set “a long time ago” “before humans and animals stopped talking to each other” and are full of cheeky humor and master storytelling. Please register to receive the link for the online meetings – the first 10 readers to register receive a free copy of the book!

All About Opossums: a Talk with Dawn Summerlin
Thursday, November 17th, 4:00 p.m.
Dawn Summerlin is known locally as the “Possum Lady” as she has been rescuing and releasing baby Opossums for the past 21 years. Join her to learn all about these fascinating marsupials and get to meet a baby opossum as well!

Dawn and her husband Jim volunteer their time and fund all expenses for their rescue and release operation except veterinary care which is funded by the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.  Dawn encourages contributions to the Network and is always in need of bedding materials like old sweatshirts, t-shirts, pillow cases, sheets, and newspapers. Sponsored by Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society.

Dashing Through Dementia with Lauren Mahakian
Wednesday, November 30th, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a timely presentation on How to Enjoy the Holidays with your Memory Impaired Loved One.  The event will be held both in person and livestreamed via Zoom.  Please register to attend in either manner.

Lauren Mahakian is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and an Elder Care Specialist, and is the founder of Family Connect Memory Care.

We hope to see you this month at the library! For full programs details, visit our website at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org and sign up for the monthly Library Corner Newsletter to stay in-the-know on all things library.