Daily Archives: August 1, 2023

Environmental Document for Stow Grove Park Master Plan Project Ready for Review

Public Comment Period Open Now through August 31

Plans to revamp Stow Grove Park has reached the next phase in the process. The environmental document for the Stow Grove Park Master Plan Project is ready for public review and comment. Community feedback continues to be an important part in planning for the future of this beloved park located at 580 N. La Patera Lane. View the Draft Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) here. The public has until August 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. to provide comment on the document.

The Stow Grove Park Draft Master Plan envisions improved, new, expanded, and renovated active and passive recreational park amenities at Stow Grove Park. Improvements include installation of a new restroom, interactive gardens, fitness trail loop, nature/play area, trash enclosure, and refurbishment of the parking lot, maintenance facility, horseshoe area, playgrounds, multi-use fields, walking/running paths, volleyball courts, picnic areas, park entrances, and redwood grove/walking trails.

To submit comments on the Draft IS-MND email Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org. Comments can also be mailed to the City of Goleta ATTN: JoAnne Plummer, 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA 93117. Again, all comments must be received no later than Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.

Following this public comment period, a Public Hearing to consider and take action on the Final IS-MND will be scheduled before City Council, the decision maker for this project. The date for this hearing has not been determined and additional notice will be provided accordingly.

For more information on the Draft Master Plan, visit the project webpage at www.CityofGoleta.org/StowGrovePark.

Summer Reading Program Wraps Up at Goleta Valley Library

The 2023 Summer Reading Program concluded on Saturday, July 29th with a grand finale performance by world-record-holding juggler David Cousin! Almost 150 patrons attended the awe-inspiring show at Goleta Valley Library, which celebrated all of the fantastic reading that participants completed since the program launched in early June. To recognize your accomplishment, we wanted to share a few of our final numbers with you and to thank our community for bringing this year’s theme – All Together Now – to life!

  • Over the course of seven weeks, more than 60 teen and adult volunteers worked with staff to host events, listen to readers report on their books, and award prizes generously donated by 37 local businesses and organizations
  • 1,870 community members attended 11 events sponsored by the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library
  • 1,551 children and teens registered for the Summer Reading Program, more than double our 2022 program
  • Adults read 821 books, a 4% increase from last year
  • Our Stuffed Animal Sleepover had a record-breaking 300 stuffies spend the weekend at the library

Thank you to our community for spending the summer with us! We look forward to seeing you at the library again soon. Be sure to check our online calendar and visit our website at www.goletavalleylibrary.org to stay in-the-know on all our services and upcoming programs!

The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries would like to thank the generous sponsors of the 2023 Summer Reading Program: Albertsons, Birkholms Bakery, Blenders in the Grass, The Book Loft, California Pizza Kitchen, Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard, Chipotle, Chomp!, Creation Station, The Elverhoj Museum, Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, Goleta Depot, Golf ‘N’ Stuff, Kyle’s Kitchen, Ice in Paradise, Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates, Isla Vista Food Co-op, Islands Burgers, Los Arroyos, Mother Hubbards, MOXI Museum, Mystic Merchant, Nathalie’s Dollhouse, New Frontiers Natural Marketplace, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Ocean Nails & Spa, Old Town Coffee, Pattibakes, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Parks-Janeway Carriage House, Senshin Center Aikido, Solvang Bakery, South Coast Deli, South Coast Montessori, Stuart C. Gildred YMCA, The Wildling Museum, and Woodstock’s Pizza.

Photos from 2023 Summer Reading Program















Stuffie sleepover story time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Luce Puppet Co. performance



 

 

 

 

 

 


Wildlife Care Network presentation

August Programming at Goleta Valley Library

Our Summer Reading Program may have ended, but there are still fun activities for all ages to enjoy this month at Goleta Valley Library!

Senior Happy Hour: Mini Art
Thursday, August 3rd, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Come join us for a fun social hour and easy crafts. We will be making mini art to display at the library or to take home and enjoy. This event is free and all supplies are provided. Senior Happy Hour takes place at the Goleta Valley Library on the first Thursday of every month. Come check us out, all ages welcome!

Writers’ Workshop
Saturday, August 5th, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
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.

Free Ice Skating Admission at Ice in Paradise with Your Library Card!
Sunday, August 6th, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Ice in Paradise has generously donated free skating admission on the first Sunday of every month in 2023 to patrons of the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries! Present your Goleta Valley Library or Santa Ynez Valley Libraries card at Ice in Paradise to receive free skating admission. Skate rentals are not included. One library card per skater is required. Skaters must be ages 3+. Ice in Paradise is located at 6985 Santa Felicia Drive, Goleta, CA 93117.

Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt
August 15th – 31st
Join us for a fun scavenger hunt in the children’s area at the library! Search for back-to-school themed clues and bring your completed form to the front desk for a prize.

Mystery Book Club
Tuesday, August 22nd, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Join us as we discuss this month’s pick. The Mystery Book Club meets the fourth Tuesday of every month.

Tech Tutoring
Sundays, Tusedays and Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Are you looking for more information about GVL’s online resources? Do you need assistance with your electronic or mobile device? All you have to do is fill out the online Tech Tutoring Request Form and one of our friendly staff will reach out to meet your needs! You will be contacted by a staff member to schedule a 30-minute in-person appointment at the library.

Goodland Yarn Works
Wednesdays 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
This fun group knits and crochets useful items for local and national charities. If you know how to knit or crochet, this group is for you! No registration required. Join us for fun and friendship!

Please note: Children’s classes such as crafts and storytimes will be on-pause from August 5th – 31st as we plan our fall programming. Storytime will resume Friday, September 1st.

For all your library needs, please visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org. 

Revised Goleta Housing Element to be Submitted to State

Includes Sites for Rezoning from Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Sessions

The City Council and Planning Commission held three Joint Study Sessions (July 20, 25, and 31) to receive feedback regarding rezoning of parcels within the City to increase the amount of land available for housing. After many hours and extensive public comment at all three study sessions, staff will proceed with adding rezone sites to the Housing Element 2023-2031 for public and State review.

The City had submitted its adopted Housing Element 2023-2031 to the State for review in January 2023. On March 20, 2023, the State issued a letter requesting that the City revise its Housing Element and consider rezoning land to address the State’s required Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).

Staff will update the Housing Element 2023-2031 with the rezone sites, post the revised Housing Element for public review and submit the revised draft Housing Element for a 60-day California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) review. The updated Housing Element will be available on the City’s Housing Element webpage in mid-August.

After that review, staff will address any comments received and proceed to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption of the revised Housing Element 2023-2031.

The study sessions are available to watch on the City website:

For more information on the City’s Housing Element Update project, go to https://cityofgoleta.org/HousingElement. If you have any questions about the project, please email City staff at HousingElement@cityofgoleta.org. For inquiries in Spanish, please contact Marcos Martinez, Spanish Engagement Specialist, at (805) 562-5500 or mmartinez@cityofgoleta.org.