Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

The GVAA Virtual Art Show is Now Open

The Goleta Valley Art Association’s (GVAA) Annual Art Festival at Stow House has moved online this year and is available to view now. New paintings are added weekly. Pieces are also available for purchase. The GVAA has over 200 member artists exhibiting artwork in a variety of media, sharing the gift of art with the community. View the virtual art show at https://www.tgvaa.org/.

Pictured: “Hanging Out” by Jerilynne Nibbe, one of the many beautiful pieces of art available to view at the online show.

Emergency Tree Trimming Necessary for Public Safety

The City of Goleta performed emergency tree trimming in mid-July at two public open spaces located in the Santa Barbara Shores neighborhood.  The work involved trimming downed trees blocking a public trail and reducing tree fall risk and associated damage to life and private property.   The specific work and locations included:    

  • Trimming three trees blocking the trail leading west from the end of Coronado Drive
  • Trimming 21 trees at Campus Glen Open Space, located near the end of Coronado Drive
  • Trimming 16 trees at Santa Barbara Shores Open Space, located between Newport Drive and Santa Barbara Shores Drive/Sea Gull Drive

Work was completed from July 14-21. Thank you to everyone for your patience as the City completed this important public safety improvement.

The work was authorized by emergency permits from the City of Goleta and the California Coastal Commission.  Wildlife surveys were completed and no nesting birds or other protected, sensitive resources were found.  A biologist also monitored the tree trimming work and no impacts to wildlife were observed.

Questions or concerns about this emergency work can be directed to: George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager, at 805-961-7578 or gthomson@cityofgoleta.org.

Pictured: Cleared trail leading west from the end of Coronado Drive (before and after photos)

Update on Goleta’s Homelessness Strategic Plan

The City of Goleta is one step closer to adopting our first-ever Homelessness Strategic Plan. On July 22, 2020 City staff brought a full draft of the Plan before the newly-formed Homelessness Issues Standing Committee. The Committee reviewed the draft Plan, particularly providing input on the goals, objectives, and timeline for Goleta’s homelessness efforts. Once adopted, the document will help guide and coordinate efforts to prevent and address homelessness within the City of Goleta. Prior to going before the Committee, the draft Plan was reviewed by a variety of internal City staff and multiple outside agencies and partners.

The strategic planning process began in 2019 with partner meetings and data gathering. Community involvement has been essential since the beginning. In addition to public meetings, the City released a survey in December of 2019 to directly hear from those with input on homelessness in our region. Staff received input from residents, businesses, service providers, and those who are or who have experienced homelessness. In addition, staff have held stakeholder meetings, best practices discussions with communities nationwide, and held a Community Open House and information session.

City Council and staff believe having a strategic plan will provide important direction and clarity around needs, service gaps, and priorities in order to make effective and strategic funding decisions that serve both the existing homeless population, as well as those at risk of becoming homeless. The plan is expected to go before Council in September with the goal of being adopted by fall of 2020. The Homelessness Strategic Plan will help guide and coordinate efforts to prevent and address homelessness within the City of Goleta and help the City prioritize its efforts related to homelessness, essential when resources are limited.

The City team continue to be grateful for the public’s input and interest in this important effort. Learn more, review the draft Plan and keep up to date on opportunities for public review and input at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaHomelessnessPlan.

Pictured: Community meeting on homelessness

City of Goleta Partners to Provide Financial Assistance to Small Businesses

The City of Goleta is proud to partner with Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) and the Santa Barbara Foundation to support Goleta businesses through two new COVID-19 relief programs.

The Santa Barbara Better Together (SBBT) Fund Small Business Grant Program recently launched, in partnership with the City of Goleta, Santa Barbara Foundation, and Deckers Brands, providing grants for Goleta’s small businesses. This is a formative step in the City’s economic relief and recovery efforts. Grant applications are due by this Friday, August 7 at 5:00 p.m. The City of Goleta and Santa Barbara Foundation Santa Barbara Better Together Fund each contributed $50,000 in order to create the Goleta-specific small business grant program. The partnership will support grants from the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund of up to $10,000 per grant to qualifying local Goleta small businesses as they reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19. Grant awards are available to eligible businesses until funds have been depleted. The Santa Barbara Better Together Fund was set up at the Santa Barbara Foundation as a committee advised fund in March of 2020 with an initial $500,000 donation from Deckers Brands. The goal is to provide financial assistance grants to small local businesses with emphasis in support of basic needs. This will enable small businesses to continue operations in the short term while navigating the effects of COVID-19.

Women’s Economic Ventures operates the ReStart Loan Program to provide capital and advisors to businesses who are now open or eligible to open under the most current government orders (subject to change based on updated orders) related to COVID-19. The loan program provides loans up to $25,000 with a 4.50% fixed interest rate with up to a 60 month repayment term with interest only payments for the first six payment cycle in order to provide for more time to re-establish cash flow and capacity to rebuild/reopen the business. The City of Goleta contributed $200,000 in order to support the small business loan program for Goleta small businesses.  This is a critical step in the City’s economic relief and recovery efforts. Goleta ReStart Loan applications can be submitted starting August 6, 2020 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until loan funds have been depleted.

Mayor Paula Perotte shared her excitement about the two programs. “It’s amazing what we can do when great organizations work together to support our small businesses during this unprecedented time of economic upheaval resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City is proud to partner with Women’s Economic Ventures and the Santa Barbara Foundation on these much needed financial and technical support programs to assist Goleta small businesses. The WEV ReStart Loan program will provide immediate funding on favorable terms and WEV’s highly-regarded financial expertise to our small businesses. Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Small Business Grant Program recently launched, in partnership with the City of Goleta, Santa Barbara Foundation, and Deckers Brands, providing grants for Goleta’s small businesses to help them reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19. Both of these programs are important components of the City’s economic recovery efforts.”

With support from the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, outreach for both support programs will be comprehensive with significant efforts to reach minority-owned businesses.

For more information about the grant program, please review the SBBT Small Business Grant Program guidelines for further details or apply at grantsportal.sbfoundation.org/accounts/register. For more information and to apply for a Goleta ReStart Loan from WEV, visit www.wevonline.org/loans-2/restart/.

Goleta’s First Community Garden!

Goleta is getting its first community garden! Located in Armitos Park behind Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, a conceptual design was recently selected at the July 21 City Council meeting. Garden features include: raised garden beds of varying sizes, demonstration area/outdoor classroom, picnic area, tool sheds, composting area and landscaping. The garden will also feature unique amenities such as a pizza oven, flower bed in the design of a butterfly to help educate visitors on the importance of pollinators, and musical chime instruments for children to play. The project also includes improvements to Armitos Park such as adding swings and sandboxes to expand the play area, and a bike path extension connecting Armitos Park to Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park.

View the selected conceptual design below and here.

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Watch a Movie Under the Stars and Enjoy UCSB’s FREE Summer Cinema Series

There is something special about watching a movie under the stars. In its first three weeks, UCSB Arts & Lectures FREE outdoor summer film series at the West Wind Drive-In (907 S. Kellogg Avenue, Goleta) has been a success. Don’t miss the last three weeks of films: August 5 (Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable), August 12 (Pelé) and August 19 (Friday Night Lights). Films begin at 8:30 p.m. and gates open at 7:30 p.m.  First come, first served. Arrive early to enjoy food trucks, concessions and entertainment from your car! A unique pairing of local food trucks will rotate each week. For more information go to https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/.

Filmgoers are asked to respect the safety of fellow attendees: Please wear masks and maintain a distance of six feet from others. UCSB Arts & Lectures continues to prioritize the health and comfort of the community. 

Photo credit: Isaac Hernandez

Goleta Planning Commission Welcomes Two New Members

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce that Luz Reyes-Martin and Jennifer Fullerton were recently selected to fill the two vacancies on the Planning Commission.

Luz Reyes-Martin is a communications professional, a community advocate, parent and resident of Goleta. Over the years she has worked for public agencies, private industry, and higher education. She has experience and expertise in the fields of communications, public affairs, and marketing. Luz has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Chicano/Chicana Studies from Stanford University and Masters’ Degrees in Land Use Planning and Public Administration from the University of Southern California (USC). She currently serves as the Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Santa Barbara City College. 

Luz is honored to have been selected to serve on the City of Goleta’s Planning Commission. As a resident and homeowner, she is invested in working towards the long-term vibrancy of our Goleta community. Luz and her husband, Diego, are parents to two young children and love living in the beautiful community of Goleta, “The Goodland”.

Jennifer grew up in New York, Texas and Los Angeles, but once she came to Goleta to attend UCSB, like many, she didn’t want to leave. She was fortunate to be able to stay in the area, working first in television production and then in project management and software development for several large companies in the area.

After living in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria before moving to Goleta 6 years ago, she quickly realized what a special city Goleta is, and wanted to find a way to give back and make a difference in the community. In addition to currently serving as the Board Chair of TV Santa Barbara and as a member of the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District (SBAPCD) Community Advisory Council, Jennifer served on the Goleta Design Review Board for three years, and is extremely proud and excited to join the Planning Commission to work to ensure that Goleta remains “the Goodland”.

Thank you to Luz and Jennifer for giving back to your community by serving on the Planning Commission.

Local Hospitality Hero

Congratulations to Pamme Mickelson with the Goleta Valley Historical Society for her Visit Santa Barbara Hospitality Heroes Award and exemplifying the #GoodLandGoodPeople spirit! As the Development and Marketing Manager for Goleta Valley Historical Society, Pamme has made over 400 masks for the Goleta Valley Historical Society and other nonprofits on the South Coast. Mickelson even went so far as to find “lemon-patterned” fabric to make masks for residents of Goleta, an area known for lemons in its agricultural history. Mickelson creates and distributes hundreds of masks, as well as customizes them for individuals and nonprofits. In addition, she also tracks COVID-19 regulations at the city, county and state levels to update the organization’s policies and procedures.

The weekly Visit Santa Barbara Hospitality Heroes Awards program recognizes local hospitality industry workers for their vital role in helping communicate and carry out standards that protect the health and safety of our community, workforce and visitors.


Pictured: Pamme Mickelson making face coverings (top right) and Goleta Valley Historical Society Executive Director Amanda De Lucia wearinrg one of Pamme’s face coverings (above).

Clear the Shelters Adopt and Donate Campaign

Animal Shelters throughout Santa Barbara County have joined NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations’ Clear the Shelters™ 2020 pet adoption campaign.  This year’s initiative will run the entire month of August.  To help individuals and communities continue to practice safe social distancing measures some organizations will be featuring weekly virtual pet adoptions with adoption counselors standing by and the campaign will make it easier for people to donate online to participating shelters/rescues.

Local participating shelter organizations include:

  • Santa Barbara County Animal Services, 805.934.6119 ext. 7 – Offering fee-waived adoptions for animals who have been available longer than seven days
  • Animal Shelter Assistance Program, (ASAP), at 805.683.3368 – Offering fee-waived adoptions on all adult cats and on kittens who have been available longer than seven days
  • Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter, (BUNS), at 805.683.0521
  • Santa Barbara Humane Society, at 805.349.3435 North, 805.964.4777 South – Offering fee-waived adoptions for animals who have been available longer than seven days
  • Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society & D.A.W.G. , at 805.688.8224 – Offering fee-waived adoptions for animals for have been available longer than seven days

“Clear the Shelters” is focused on engaging the community to help assist our shelters and save them all. “When shelter partners work collaboratively we have a much larger impact in finding them forever homes and improving animal welfare in our community. We are looking forward to empty kennels at all of our shelters throughout Santa Barbara County,” says Esteban Rodriguez, Animal Services Operations Manager.  “There’s never been a better time to start following our community shelters on social media if community members aren’t already.  The way the public has searched for an animal to adopt was already changing with technology.  That search has only changed more drastically with the changes COVID has brought to the way we do business and we’d love to see more community members than ever find their new family member virtually.”

Visit www.SBCAnimalservices.org, ClearTheShelters.com, DesocuparLosAlbergues.com for more information. 

Storytimes, Crafts, Book Clubs and More Offered Virtually at the Library

As Sidewalk Service continues to provide patrons with new library materials, staff at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries are finding ways to actively connect with members of the community through weekly virtual programs. Patrons can tune in for live storytimes, craft workshops, book clubs and more from the comfort of their homes as we follow guidance from the Public Health Department on staying safe during the pandemic. Virtual programs are offered on a regular basis for all ages, ranging from Baby & Toddler Storytime, to the Teen Graphic Novel Book Club, to the Bring Your Own Book Club for adults. All programs can be enjoyed through Facebook, YouTube, or GoToMeeting, with instructions provided in the Library Events Calendar listing for each program on how to attend.

Community members can also tune in for special programming each week, such as the library’s ongoing Special Guest Storytime project and Book to Action events. Special Guest Storytime is a new program that spotlights members of the community reading their favorite picture books online for children to enjoy. The program launched in May with a wonderful reading from Mayor Paula Perotte of the beloved story Silly Sally by Audrey Wood and has since continued with a wealth of support from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, UCSB Classics Department, and other local individuals and organizations. Book to Action is a community reading program in which members of the community read the same title collectively, participate in programs related to the themes of the book, and join their efforts to take action for a relevant cause through a culminating event at the end of the program. This year’s program focuses on the book Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man & Their Journey Across America by Britt Collins and will conclude with a Donation Drive for Local Animal Organizations held onsite at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries. Weekly Book to Action programming includes themed storytimes, crafts, book discussions and more! Additional information about these programs can be found on the library website on the Special Guest Storytime and 2020 Book to Action Program webpages.

Lastly, the library is offering personalized programs for patrons who would like to chat with a librarian or who are in need of technical assistance through the Check In with a Librarian and Tech Tutoring programs. These programs are designed to provide support to patrons during the closure to ensure that they are still feeling connected and that they can receive the help they need to access information in an increasingly virtual environment. Both programs are available by appointment on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. A form is available on the library’s website where patrons can submit a request and a library staff member will reach out to meet their needs.

The staff at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries miss the wonderful patrons who attend our programs and we look forward to the day when it is safe to hold events in-person once again. Until that time, we look forward to connecting with you virtually! The library staff is working hard to provide an important service during these difficult times. Please be respectful of them and take a moment to let them know you are thankful and appreciative. 

Visit the Library Events Calendar for a full list of virtual programs at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries. For more information go to www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Pictured: Facebook Live videos available at www.facebook.com/GoletaValleyLibrary (above) and Mr. Marcos doing bilingual virtual storytime (top right)