Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

100 Trees Planted at Stow Grove Park

Thanks to a community effort, 100 new trees are in the ground at Stow Grove Park. Approximately 90 volunteers turned out on September 16, 2023, for a community tree planting event. Every shovel was taken as volunteers of all ages, including Councilmembers and Parks and Recreation Commissioners, spent two hours actively working together to get all 100 trees planted.

The City of Goleta’s Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson said, “It was a heartwarming sight to see such a great turnout and cross-section of our community coming together and willing to push up their sleeves, grab a shovel and get dirty to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the pristine beauty of this treasured park in Goleta.”

The primary purpose of the tree planting event was to help restore the grove at the park which has been impacted by drought conditions over the past 15 years. While some portions of the grove have remained strong and vigilant, others have declined and died. The 100 new trees will help get the grove back to what Edgar Stow envisioned when he planted the original grove of about 300 coastal redwoods in the 1930s.

Of the 100 trees that were planted, 75 were coast redwoods and 25 incense cedars which look like the coast redwoods but require much less irrigation. Over the next few years, these newly planted trees will be looked after closely by City of Goleta Parks and Open Space staff including regular watering, pruning, and fertilization.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who volunteered to make this event possible. Stay tuned for more tree planting events in the future. For additional information about volunteer opportunities with City of Goleta Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces, please contact us via email at adoptapark@cityofgoleta.org or by phone at 805-961-7558.

Pictured above: City of Goleta District 2 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín and Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards


Group Photo


Parks & Recreation Commissioner Stacie Furia and family


One of the many great volunteers at the event


A volunteer watering one of the newly planted trees

Goleta First “Blue City” in Santa Barbara County

City Recognized for Commitment to Healthy Waterways and Oceans

Goleta is officially the first Blue City in Santa Barbara County due to its commitment to healthy waterways and oceans. The non-profit organization Project O certified the City of Goleta as a “Blue City.” The City received its official certification at the September 19th Goleta City Council meeting.

“We’re honored to have Goleta join the Blue City Network. We know that Goleta will be a source of inspiration for other cities committed to protecting our oceans & waterways,” said Evelina Marchetti, Executive Director of Project O.

To receive this recognition, the City of Goleta completed a thorough assessment of its environmental initiatives and programs with Project O. Out of 500 points, the City scored 370 placing it in the Ocean Hero Tier. Some of the major accomplishments that helped Goleta achieve this recognition include:

  • Launching the Plastic Free Goleta initiative to drastically reduce single-use plastic in the community through one of the most comprehensive plastic pollution reduction policies in California.
  • Helping residents access renewable energy and battery storage systems in their homes, regardless of financial qualifications, through the PoweredUp Network.
  • Developing a Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan to protect Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas in the Ellwood Mesa.
  • Implementing a Creek and Watershed Management plan that 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.

“I am so proud of our City for receiving this recognition. Protecting the environment and creating a sustainable community are priorities of the Council, and we look forward to continuing our legacy of stewardship and care for our oceans and creeks,” said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte.

Upon certification, cities become part of the Blue City Network, a coalition of communities from around the world that collaborate in their ongoing quest to become true champions of the environment.

The Blue City Network Certification allows communities to credibly and transparently track progress toward overall sustainability objectives. The assessment focuses on four solution areas: Waste Minimization; Climate Protection and Community Resilience; Water Quality and Efficiency; and Healthy Ecosystems. Participants also gain access to proven resources and blueprints provided by top environmental nonprofits, cities, and governmental agencies working with BCN. Other certified Blue Cities include Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, and Santa Cruz.

The Blue City Network is supported by Project O, a non-profit, 501c3 organization founded by noted entrepreneur Rich German and based in the coastal town of Laguna Beach, California. By restoring, protecting, and sustaining the ocean and all that lives in it, Project O ensures the wellbeing of humankind now and for generations to come through various programs and projects, such as developing and supporting innovative partner programs for ocean conservation, and educating the next generation to protect the ocean and make cleaning up plastic pollution a priority. Find out more at https://project-o.org.

For more information, please contact Evelina Marchetti at evelina@project-o.org. 

Get Ready to ShakeOut on October 19

Download the MyShake App

On October 19, 2023, millions of people will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever: ShakeOut! Why? Earthquakes can happen anywhere you work, live, or travel, which is why everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves should an earthquake occur. What we do to prepare now, before the next big earthquake, will determine how well we can survive and recover.

Everyone, everywhere can participate! Individuals, families, businesses, schools, government agencies and organizations are all invited to participate. Register at https://www.shakeout.org/ and join the City of Goleta in practicing how to drop, cover and hold on October 19 at 10:19 a.m.!

What To Do:

If Possible

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down by shaking and reduces your chance of being hit by falling or flying objects.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

  • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter
  • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall
  • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs

HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

  • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
  • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Or Adapt to Your Situation

If you have difficulty getting onto the ground, or cannot get back up again without help, then follow these recommendations:

  • If you are in a recliner or bed: Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow until the shaking stops.
  • If you use a cane: Drop, Cover, and Hold On or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.
  • If you use a walker or wheelchair: LOCK your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and COVER your head/neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

This is also a good reminder to download the MyShake app, a West Coast (California, Oregon and Washington) warning system that could give residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Learn more: https://earthquake.ca.gov/.

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.