Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Calling All Jedi! Celebrate Star Wars Reads Month at Goleta Valley Library

October 15th Jedi Party to feature characters, crafts, prizes and more!

This October, Goleta Valley Library is celebrating one of its favorite annual traditions: Star Wars Reads Month! This month-long celebration of literacy encourages readers and Star Wars fans to celebrate the stories that bring their beloved characters to life. Younglings and Padawans are invited to a Jedi Party on Saturday, October 15th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. to meet real-life clone troopers, a tie reserve pilot, a Jawa, and a Jedi Librarian! Young fans can explore the make-your-own-lightsaber station, themed crafts, fun games, fabulous prizes, and much more.

Plus, Jedi of all ages are invited to stop by the library all month long to check out Star Wars books, graphic novels, and movies from our displays for children, adults, and teens. While you are here, enjoy the most fantastic decorations in the galaxy! The library is currently bedecked with life-size droids, giant light sabers, and vibrant posters featuring your favorite heroes and villains from the Star Wars universe.

We look forward to celebrating this special month with you!

Character meet-and-greets are generously provided by the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion groups:

The 501st Legion is an international costuming organization dedicated to celebrating Star Wars through the creation and use of quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the Star Wars universe. The Legion promotes interest in Star Wars and facilitates the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributes to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.

The Rebel Legion is a Star Wars based costuming fan club. The Rebel Legion’s members create and wear costumes of the hero characters from the Star Wars saga, which includes but is not limited to the films, comics, books, games, and television shows based on the Star Wars saga. The Rebel Legion gives back to the community through works of charity and volunteerism.

Goleta Valley Library would like to thank the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library for their year-round support of our community programs.

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


Goleta Valley Library decorated for Star Wars Reads Month

United Boys & Girls Club Members Receive Gold Cards

Congratulations to the nearly three dozen United Boys & Girls Club Goleta members who were recognized at the October 4, 2022, Goleta City Council meeting. In addition to receiving a special certificate of recognition, these United Boys & Girls Club members were also awarded with a special Gold Card that celebrates their impeccable attendance record, having reached an incredible 105 days of attendance in the program. Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County CEO Michael Baker joined Mayor Paula Perotte and Councilmember Roger Aceves in handing out the special certificates and gold cards to the children as proud parents joyfully watched. Heartfelt applauses and excited whispers of “We get to meet the Mayor!” filled the room as participants proudly took home their awards.

National studies show that kids who make it to the 105 day attendance mark in one calendar year are twice as likely to graduate high school on time and twice as likely to lead a healthy lifestyle. The Gold Card gives the kids special privileges at the club and recognition by the City of Goleta.

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

United Boys & Girls Club Gold Card recipients with the Goleta City Council

United Boys & Girls Club Gold Card recipients with their certificates of recognition

 

San Jose Creek Bike Path Project Moves to Next Phase

The San Jose Creek Bike Path Project is on to the next phase following Council’s approval of the environmental document (Mitigated Negative Declaration) at its October 4, 2022, meeting. More than 15 speakers turned out to the Special Council Meeting to voice their support for the project and a petition with more than 700 signatures urging councilmembers to approve it in time to meet grant deadlines was submitted. With Council’s approval, the project has now reached the end of the environmental review and conceptual design phase. Now the project will move to the design phase which includes permitting, design, and right of way.

At the meeting, staff provided additional information regarding the impact to the trees and the riparian habitat in the project corridor. The information included the results of an arborist lead tree survey. Staff also provided additional information regarding the overall project costs. 

To view the meeting go to https://goleta.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1777.

The San Jose Creek Bike Path Project is an important component of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan as it will provide a critical connection between existing bike routes north of U.S. 101 and the Atascadero Creek Bike Path to the south. It will connect bike routes north of Calle Real all the way to the Coast Route, that connects to Goleta Beach, UCSB, and into Santa Barbara. This is a complex project that has involved close coordination with various agencies including Caltrans and the County of Santa Barbara. A project map is available here.

The public can review the final environmental document here for the project. The project will be going to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) at its December meeting to request allocation of Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding for the design and right of way phase. 

For more information contact Teresa Lopes (Tlopes@cityofgoleta.org) Or visit our project webpage for more information.

Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Facility (EOF) in the City of Goleta (photo courtesy of the California State Lands Commission)

Trucks Remove Oil from EOF as Part of Decommissioning Project

Since the California State Lands Commission assumed operation of Platform Holly and the Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Processing Facility (EOF) in 2017, the Commission has processed limited amounts of oil and gas from the Platform that is coming up from between casing strings (steel pipes in the wells) in order to manage pressure within the well. This limited stream of oil will continue until the wells on Holly have been completely plugged and abandoned. The oil and gas is treated at the EOF to remove the toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the gas stream and oil.

Although the amount of oil processed as a result of this routine pressure management is minimal, over the past several years it has accumulated and been stored in tank vessels at the EOF. Those vessels are nearing capacity. Now, the Commission plans to remove the oil from those vessels and has entered into an agreement with the Phillips refinery to take the oil by truck to their facilities in Santa Maria. The Commission anticipates transporting approximately 3,500 barrels of oil in total.

This notice is to let you know that there will be one or two trucks a day removing the oil from the EOF on the short section of Hollister Avenue between the EOF and the 101 Freeway “on ramp” (north). The operation began on October 5 and should take about two weeks. The Commission thanks you for your support as we decommission the Venoco facilities and appreciates your patience while we work to protect the community and the environment during this process.

Please contact Sheri Pemberton, the Commission’s External Affairs Officer at (916) 477-0691 or sheri.pemberton@slc.ca.gov if you have any questions or would like additional information.

Pictured: Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Facility (EOF) in the City of Goleta (photo courtesy of the California State Lands Commission)

Take Creek and Watershed Survey

The City of Goleta is in the next phase of its Creek and Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) and is seeking your valuable input. Please take our survey (available in English and Spanish) to let us know what is important to you when it comes to creeks and watersheds in Goleta. Your input will help us to determine how to prioritize work efforts and limited funding among the many important unfunded projects included in the CWMP.

The survey will remain open through October 31, 2022.

Melissa Nelson, City of Goleta’s Environmental Services Manager said, “Our community has clearly expressed how important it is to protect our creeks and coastal waters from pollution. Our goal now is to plan our priorities and focus areas, evaluating existing funding and other funding opportunities, and seeking community input as to how the City should prioritize projects. Maintaining the quality of life in the city and keeping the Goodland good – even fantastic – is important to us all.”

The Creek and Watershed Management Plan, adopted in December of 2020, includes detailed information on the dozen creeks that run through our community, identifies impairments to these creeks, and outlines programs and specific future actions to address identified impairments. It also outlines best practices to provide habitat for fish and wildlife, accommodate wildlife movement corridors, convey stormwater runoff and floodwaters, and furnish open space and passive recreational areas for City residents.

Based on outreach the City did during the development of the CWMP and outreach conducted in the years after its adoption, Goleta residents consistently and passionately voiced support for protecting and enhancing the City’s creeks.

The Creek and Watershed survey was initially released at the Goleta Lemon Festival September 24th and 25th. Thank you to everyone who came out to the City of Goleta booth area and took time to fill out the survey and talk about why creeks are important to you and your community. We learned a lot from everyone. We look forward to continuing the community engagement – so stay tuned for more opportunities.

Goleta Businesses Sign Up for GoodLandGoodShopping!

In anticipation of the holiday season, the City of Goleta is promoting our digital gift card marketplace, GoodLandGoodShopping.com, to encourage the community to shop local. Merchants should sign up NOW for your FREE listing. There is no catch, this is our gift to our awesome businesses. We will be promoting GoodLandGoodShopping in November and businesses are encouraged to get on board now. It’s easy, just go to goodlandgoodshopping.com/signup or call Giftbar, the City’s gift card commerce partner, at 866-989-5580. We currently have 37 merchants on-board, help us make GoodLandGoodShopping a success and sign-up today!

Now for the members of the public. Instead of shopping on-line for the holidays, shop local by going to GoodLandGoodShopping.com to purchase gift cards from Goleta businesses. As a bonus, gift cards can be emailed or texted instantly with personalized messages and/or video, creating a unique virtual gift or care package.

Check out the website and watch our video in English and Spanish to learn more.

The City partnered with Giftbar, a vendor based in San Luis Obispo, with the experience and expertise in gift card commerce to launch GoodLandGoodShopping last fall as a way to help our businesses recover from losses suffered during the pandemic. Giftbar hosts businesses on its platform with the technology for businesses to sell and redeem e-gift cards.

We need your help to make this a successful program. Here’s what you can do:

  • 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, Community Relations Manager/PIO at PIO@cityofgoleta.org.

Help the City Evaluate its Accessibility

Community Members and Organizations Invited to Take Survey by November 4

As part of the City of Goleta’s efforts to serve all members of the community, the City is in the process of updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The City’s accessibility plan provides a comprehensive plan for individuals with disabilities to access City facilities, programs, services, activities and events offered to the public.

All members of the community are invited to take our survey to provide input. Your feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs. There are two surveys available in both English and Spanish. One survey is intended for input from the general public and is open to everyone who accesses City services. There is also a second survey designed for organizations and agencies that assist persons with disabilities.

One or both surveys can be completed, as appropriate, using the links below. To take the survey in another language, use the drop-down at the top of the survey. The survey will be available from today, October 3 through November 4.

The survey is also available to download and print on our website at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/public-works/disability-services. Hard copies can also be picked up at:

  • Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA 93117) during regular business hours (Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
  • Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117) during regular business hours (Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.)

Please return all hard copy surveys to Julie Jang, City of Goleta ADA/504 Coordinator, at the City Hall address listed above. For any additional feedback, please contact Julie by phone at (805) 690-5121, by TDD through California Relay at 7-1-1, or by email at jjang@cityofgoleta.org.

Thank you in advance for helping with this important input.

Join an Upcoming Creek Clean-Up

The Environmental Defense Center, in partnership with the Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council and the City of Goleta, have partnered on creek clean-ups this fall. Help prevent trash from getting into our creeks, the Goleta Slough, and the Pacific Ocean, join the Glen Annie Creek Clean-up this Saturday, October 8, at 9:00 a.m.

If you are interested in volunteering, please RSVP to Brian Trautwein with the Environmental Defense Center at 805-963-1622 ext. 108 or BTrautwein@EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org.

Meet at Storke/Glen Annie Road at Del Norte Drive and please bring a hat, sunscreen and drinking water in a reusable container. Sturdy close-toed shoes, long sleeve shirt, and pants are recommended.

If you can’t make it this Saturday, there are three more creek clean-ups this year:

  • October 22, Devereux Creek
  • November 5, San Pedro/Las Vegas Creeks
  • November 19, Atascadero Creek

Thank you for helping keep Goleta clean and healthy!

Pictured: San Jose Creek Cleanup, September 17, 2022

National Walk & Roll to School Day is October 12

Many schools in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Montecito will be joining schools around the United States to celebrate National Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. 

Thirty years ago more than 66% of all children walked or biked to school. Today, only 13% of American children do so. The consequences are worrisome: sedentary lifestyles; an increase in health issues such as child obesity, diabetes and heart disease; and decreased independence. Walk & Roll to School Day is a good place to start reversing these alarming trends.

Walk & Roll to School events emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian and bicycle safety, traffic congestion, environmental degradation and they build connections between families, schools and the broader community. Walk & Roll to School Day often becomes a catalyst for on-going efforts to increase safe walking and bicycling all of the time.

The event is being organized through ‘Safe Routes to School’, a program of MOVE Santa Barbara County, formerly SBBIKE+COAST. Through its Safe Routes to School program, MOVE Santa Barbara County brings together community partners, including the City of Goleta, to focus on barriers associated with access to schools and to increase the number of children walking and bicycling to school.

Supportive Housing Development Community Meeting

Thursday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. at 6021 Hollister Avenue

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara, in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara and City of Goleta, is pleased to invite members of the community to an in-person meeting on Thursday, October 13th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the housing development project located at 6021 Hollister Avenue in Goleta. This development will provide permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness and homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness. The project will also include on-site wrap-around supportive services and ample space for indoor and outdoor community services.

The purpose of the meeting is to present information to the community about this housing development and answer questions from attendees. Representatives from HASBARCO, the City of Goleta, SB ACT, and Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte will be on hand. Spanish interpretation will be available. Select areas of the project will be available for viewing beginning at 5:30 p.m.

This housing development project will consist of 59 permanent supportive housing units for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. One unit will house an onsite property manager, plus five existing units will be converted to support community space and a robust offering of services.

Nearly $19 million of the approximately $20 million total project cost has been awarded through the State of California Homekey 2.0 Program. The funding is a part of $70 million in State awards for six new Homekey projects throughout California. When fully operational, the projects will provide 232 housing units for people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness.

Under recent State law (AB 140 and AB 2162), supportive housing projects funded through the Homekey program are automatically deemed consistent and in conformity with local General Plan and zoning requirements and allowed by right as a permitted use.


Pictured: 3D Conceptual Rendering of Supportive Housing Development