Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Meet Our New Supervising Librarian

The City of Goleta is pleased to welcome Carla Mason as our newest Supervising Librarian for the Goleta Valley Library.

In her new role, Carla is responsible for overseeing staff, programming, operations and services at the Goleta Valley Public Library. Her role is key in establishing and instilling a positive organizational culture at the library, that will provide the best public library services for our Goleta community.

Carla joins the City of Goleta with ten years of experience, most recently as Librarian at the main branch of the Seattle Public Library. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities and obtained a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Drexel University. Carla specializes in developing programs and partnerships that help meet the needs of the community. “I am looking forward to getting to know the community and always finding new opportunities to connect people with their information needs,” says Carla. Her accomplishments include obtaining a $75,000 Grant to Fund Wired Furniture and Digital Literacy Workshops and a $48,000 grant to create a digital arts lab. 

Please join us in welcoming Carla Mason to this important role in our community.

The mission of the Goleta Valley Library System is to bring people, information, and ideas together to educate, inspire and enrich the quality of life in our diverse community.  To learn more about the Goleta Valley Library click here.

2022 Wildfire Preparedness Exposition May 6 – 8

Be Ready, Be Empowered, Be Fire Safe

The Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council presents the 2022 Wildfire Preparedness Exposition May 6 – 8 at Direct Relief (6100 Wallace Becknell Road, Goleta). The community is invited to come and learn how to live in wildfire threatened landscape. There will be several fun, family-friendly activities and exhibits planned. There will also be booths from over a dozen organizations so residents can get tailored information about how to prepare for the next wildfire. Click here to access the agenda for the event and learn more. View the flyer below.

 

Our Water Our World: Controlling Weeds Around Your Home

Learn how to control weeds with these tips from the City of Goleta Environmental Services Division.

Weeds are unwanted plants that are usually fast growing and spreading and found outdoors in your backyard. Non-native plants can be considered weeds and can cause serious damage to your garden or backyard. This is because non-native plants can be invasive and degrade the environment for native plants and wildlife.

Did You Know?
  • Weeds are mainly considered to be a disturbance but can provide some benefits because they provide nectar and pollen to insects and when decomposed can replenish the soil with nutrients
  • Noxious weeds are a type of invasive plant that the government spends millions of dollars on each year to remove
What Can You Do?

Different methods can be used to remove weeds in your garden or backyard such as using tools, oils, or soaps. Remember, it is difficult to completely keep out weeds in your backyard at all times as they can enter your backyard from wind dispersal of seeds. Therefore, the most effective method to control weeds is to keep them from flowering and producing seeds.

  • Pick out the weeds. Using a tool or your hands, pick out any weeds in your background. It is best to not compost them, but you can compost any weeds that have not flowered or do not reproduce easily.
  • Cut down the weeds. If you cannot dig up the roots of weeds, you can cut them down and cover the area with mulch.
  • Use drought tolerant ground cover plants. Certain ground cover plants can deter weeds from growing because they maintain unsuitable conditions for weeds, such as providing shade for the ground.
  • Cover bare soil with mulch. Weeds thrive in bare soil that get a lot of light, so use mulch to cover bare soil areas.
  • Use a drip irrigation system. Use a drip irrigation system to only deliver water to wanted plants.
  • Use less-toxic oil or soap. Apply less-toxic oil or soap to weeds. This will remove weeds above ground and may have to be repeated to reach weed roots. 
  • Mow your lawn to a high cut. If you have a lawn, mow the lawn to a high cut to help shade the ground and prevent weeds to grow.
  • Patch up your pavement. Weeds can grow in open spaces of paved ground, so use mulch or caulking designed for asphalt or concrete to fill in the open spaces.
  • Cultivate soil. Use a shovel, hoe, or rototiller to turn soil because it can bring weed seeds to the surface. This process can disrupt the food web of soil organisms, which makes the soil less suitable, so do not use this as your main method.

Find more information on controlling slugs and snails with eco-friendly products in our OWOW brochures in English and Spanish. 

Get Involved with the City of Goleta – Join a Board or Commission

Application Period Open Through May 18

The City of Goleta is seeking applications for upcoming vacancies on the Design Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Library Advisory Commission, and the Santa Barbara County Library Advisory Committee. Joining a Board or Commission is a great way to give back to your community and have your voice heard.

Interested community members can apply for the following positions:

Design Review Board – one (1) vacancy for an At-Large Member; This board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and the members are compensated $50 per meeting.

Parks and Recreation Commission – one (1) vacancy for a Commissioner; Eligible applicants must live in the City of Goleta. The Commission holds six regular meetings and may hold additional meetings as needed.

Library Advisory Commission – one (1) vacancy for a Commissioner; Eligible applicants must live in the City of Goleta. The Commission meets the first Monday of every month.

Santa Barbara County Library Advisory Committee – one (1) vacancy for a Committee member; Eligible applicants must live in the City of Goleta.

Applications for all open Board and Commission vacancies may be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/goletaboards-commissions. Applications are due by May 18, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. For additional information, please email cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.

Green Room: Zero Waste Spring Cleaning

Goleta is a community that cares deeply about reducing waste and its impact on the environment. To help our community achieve this goal, we can all contribute by learning more about Zero Waste and making changes in our day to day lives. Please read on to learn more about this month’s topic, Zero Waste Spring Cleaning, and stay tuned for future articles that will highlight Zero Waste lifestyle choices and tips in alignment with  The Five R’s of Zero Waste.

What is Zero Waste Spring Cleaning?

Zero Waste is a philosophy that can guide us while we do our normal annual spring cleaning routines. Making targeted changes to how you spring clean can help reduce impacts on the environment in terms of waste and packaging. The ultimate goal being the reduction of the overall amount of waste sent to the landfill for disposal.

So what can we all do to help achieve Zero Waste while Spring Cleaning? The City of Goleta consults the  The Five R’s of Zero Waste when trying to think about small lifestyle changes that add up to a large impact over time. We’ve collected a few suggestions we hope will help community members work towards Zero Waste Spring Cleaning. These suggestions are organized below within The Five R’s of Zero Waste:

REFUSE “what you don’t need – even if it’s free”

Many people use Spring Cleaning as an opportunity to go through all the piles of stuff we don’t normally have time to deal with. Some people refer to this as “purging”. A purge can be an empowering experience, catching up on organizing and cleaning your home. As empowering as this moment can be, it’s also a stark reminder as to all the things we consume in our day to day lives.

While “purging” this year, consider the items you no longer need. Could these have been avoided or refused? Did you already have something that could have done the job instead? By refusing more in our daily lives, the need to purge gets reduced and therefore less work! You can save the environment and your time, two birds with one stone.

REDUCE “what you do need”

To Spring Clean, we usually purchase even more stuff like cleaning solutions, boxes and bins, and other tools. Sometimes you already have items around the house that can help you without buying more.

Cleaning Solutions can be easy to make at home. Here are a couple quick recipes to get you started!

  • Citrus De-Greasing Solution: Remove grease from hard surfaces with this citrus-based product. This solution is made with 2 cups of warm water, 2 teaspoons of Castile soap, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and approximately 20 drops of lemon essential oil. After mixing in a spray bottle, spray on hard surfaces as you would with other general cleaning products.
  • Baking Soda Deodorizer: Combine a quart of warm water with a few tablespoons of baking soda, you can create a deodorizing, cleansing paste. Always use a clean cloth to rub the paste in the direction of the metal’s grain. Then rinse the paste off. Use a clean cloth to dry and shine the surface.
  • Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide: Combine a few tablespoons of baking soda with the hydrogen peroxide in a bowl. Dip a clean cloth in the solution, and start wiping down your counters, sinks and other hard surfaces in the bathrooms and kitchen. You will need to rinse the surfaces with clean water and dry them after you have finished cleaning them.
  • Homemade Air Freshener: Combine 2 tablespoons of emulsifier (a food additive used to stabilize the solution like mustard, baking soda, or xanthan gum) with 6 tablespoons of tap water and 20 drops of essential oil. You can also combine oils for a unique, pleasing scent. After shaking the mixture, use a spray bottle to aerate it throughout your home. You can also spray it lightly on your bed and upholstery for an extra aromatic boost.
  • Vinegar and Salt Brass Cleaner: Combine regular table salt with white vinegar. Use a clean sponge to wipe down your brass surfaces with this mixture. After you rinse the brass with clean water, use a dry, soft cloth to finish the job. This should only be used on non-lacquered brass.
REUSE “and repair what you already have”

Instead of buying boxes and bins to help organize your cleaning, reusable grocery bags can be very useful, and many people have collected extras over the years. Also, your neighborhood grocery store may be able to give you some free boxes.

If you have old clothes that aren’t suitable for donation, these can be easily turned into cleaning rags, so you don’t need to buy paper towels or dusting clothes.

Also, remember to consider repairing items before buying new ones. There are many great resources to help you learn how to repair common items. Check out some Repair Guides online to get started!

RECYCLE “what you can’t reuse”

Whatever you do “purge” during Spring Cleaning this year, do your best to keep your purged items organized into piles for trash, recycle, repair, and donation. Please refer to our guidance so you can Recycle Right!

ROT “the rest (compost)”

For those who have a compost pile at home, you may be able to compost items that you are trying to purge. Items like old newspapers and some types of junk mail can be perfect for your compost pile at home. Please refer to our guidance on backyard composting so you can Compost Correctly!

Stay tuned for future articles about how you can help Goleta achieve Zero Waste. If you have any tips for us to share, please email Environmental Services at EnvironmentalServices@cityofgoleta.org.

The Five R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot) are listed in order from the most favored option (refuse) to the last resort (composting). This idea was made popular by Bea Johnson’s book Zero Waste Home and is similar to a classic American saying from WWII: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!”

Participate in CycleMAYnia all Month Long

E-Bike Incentives Available to the Goleta Community

May is National Bike Month! The transportation sector is the #1 source of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions, and a major contributor to climate change. This month, Goletans can participate in a number of opportunities to reduce their emissions, get active and join fun community bike events, and potentially win a free e-bike!

Santa Barbara County residents can participate in CycleMaynia’s EZBike Challenge for an opportunity to win a free e-bike and other small prizes on a weekly basis in May. If a resident logs eight separate bike trips in the month of May through SmartRide.org, they can potentially win one of the three free e-bikes available. More details on the EZBike Challenge and contest eligibility can be found at https://cyclemaynia.org/ezbike-challenge/.

In addition to the contest, CycleMaynia is hosting a number of community events to get folks outside and on their bikes. Below are some local events you may enjoy, check out the full calendar of events here.

  • May 11, 2:15-3:15pm: Mayor’s Ride. Join the three South Coast Mayors (Paula Perotte of Goleta, Wade Nomura of Carpinteria, and Randy Rowse of Santa Barbara) along with other elected officials for a tour of existing and planned infrastructure. Coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and City of Santa Barbara with support from BCycle and Cycling Without Age. The ride begins at SBMTD office, 550 Olive Street in Santa Barbara.
  • May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm: Taco Tuesday E-Bike Ride. The EZBike Project invites you to test ride various e-bikes on a group ride destined for tacos. Starts/ends at SBCAG Regional Transit Facility, 6414 Hollister Ave.
  • May 19, 9:30am-3:30pm: Demo an E-Bike at Home. The EZBike Project invites residents to borrow an e-bike for a long weekend to see what a life changer an e-bike can be. Registration required, and bikes are picked up at SBCAG Regional Transit Facility, 6414 Hollister Ave.
  • May 20, National Bike to Work Day. Takes place the third Friday in May every year.
  • May 22, 1pm-4pm: Bike to Nature Ride. Goleta route will include a group ride on streets with a nature spot destination. Ride will be led by a certified biking instructor from SBBIKE+COAST. Wilderness Youth Project will lead family activities at the nature destination. This event is open to all families with children, and able to accommodate folks unable to ride a bike, elderly family members, someone who uses a wheelchair, etc. thanks to a partnership with Cycling Without Age.
  • May 31, 11:30am-1:30pm: Taco Tuesday E-Bike Ride. The EZBike Project invites you to test ride various e-bikes on a group ride destined for tacos. Starts/ends at SBCAG Regional Transit Facility, 6414 Hollister Ave.

View the flyer here.

Learn about E-Bike Incentives from Central Coast Community Energy

If you’ve been considering purchasing an e-bike, there are incentives available to Goleta residents. If you are an enrolled customer with Central Coast Community Energy, you are eligible for up to $1000 in rebates when purchasing an e-bike through the Electrify Your Ride program. If you purchase an e-bike from a local shop, you can qualify for an additional $100 rebate. This is a great opportunity to make the switch to an e-bike at a discount! There are still funds available through Electrify Your Ride on a first come, first served basis until funds are fully reserved. Details on the Electrify Your Ride program and available rebates can be found at: https://3cenergy.org/electrifyyourride/.

City of Goleta at Earth Day 2022 Celebration

While the official day has passed, Earth Day is every day. This year, the City of Goleta was pleased to join people across the globe in celebrating this important day.

On Saturday April 23, 2022, hundreds of community members joined the Community Environmental Council (CEC) at the historic Arlington Theatre in Downtown Santa Barbara for an Earth Day Celebration. Mayor Paula Perotte and Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin participated at a table, as did our Environmental Services and Sustainability Divisions staff.

At the celebration the City of Goleta highlighted its efforts on Local Energy Programs, Single-Use Plastics Reduction, Beautify Goleta Community Cleanup Events, Zero Waste Programs, and Creek and Watershed Management. Learn more about Santa Barbara’s 2022 Earth Day Celebration.

Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Earth Day festivities. Please remember we can all treat every day like Earth Day, making small changes and commitments in our day to day lives that has a large impact over time. View our Earth Day challenges in last month’s issue of the Monarch Press here.

In case you didn’t know, the Earth Day movement actually began in Santa Barbara. In 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets and parks on the first Earth Day to demand better protections for the environment, creating a national shock wave that fueled rapid and impactful action. Learn more about the History of Earth Day here.

Pictured: Stephanie Holmes, the City’s Sustainability CivicSpark Fellow, at the Earth Day Celebration

Beautify Goleta’s May 21 Event Spotlight Announced 

Beautify Goleta’s next event will highlight the Dos Pueblos and El Encanto neighborhood as the Spotlight! This event will focus on Cathedral Oaks Road and surrounding neighborhoods in northwest Goleta. On May 21st from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., residents in the area will have access to a FREE bulky item drop off event at Dos Pueblos High School’s Upper Parking Lot (7266 Alameda Ave). The Upper Lot is also the meeting place for a Community Cleanup from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. that is open to anyone who wants to come help pick up litter (sign up here to join!).

On event day, Beautify Goleta Captains will also host additional cleanups. For our May event, Captains will help host a cleanup on S. Kellogg Avenue in East Old Town, as well as the Marketplace area around the Camino Real Shopping Center. We are excited to have so many cleanup opportunities for this upcoming Beautify Goleta event!

Our previous event on March 26th was a fun and productive day of cleaning up around the City. Volunteers cleaned up over 800 pounds of trash, and residents dropped off 4,580 pounds of bulky items – that means less litter in our neighborhoods, parks, creeks, and ocean. Of the 5,380 pounds of trash collected, 83% or 4,463 pounds was recycled and diverted from disposal in the landfill. Thank you to all the Volunteers and Captains that made the March Beautify Goleta event possible!

Mark your calendars and sign up today for our May 21st event. Thank you to Dos Pueblos High School for their support, our new and returning Neighborhood Captains, and to everyone who has helped #BeautifyGoleta! Learn more about the program at www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta.


Locations for our upcoming Beautify Goleta event on May 21st, 2022 from 9am-11am.

A breakdown of how effective our last Beautify Goleta event was – a lot can get done in just a few hours when you have great help!

 

City Launches First Adopt-A-Park Program

Learn More at a Park Clean-Up Event this Saturday, May 7 at 9:00 a.m. at Winchester II

The City of Goleta’s first ever Adopt-A-Park program is ready to launch and is looking for community members like you! We are lucky to have 28 parks and open spaces that need to be managed here in the Good Land. The Adopt-A-Park program welcomes community members to have a shared responsibility in helping to keep our local parks clean.

Join the City of Goleta this Saturday, May 7 at 9:00 a.m. to participate in the Adopt-A-Park for Winchester II located on Calle Real at Jenna Drive. This clean-up is geared toward neighbors of the park, but anyone is welcome to attend. It is also a great opportunity to speak with staff and learn more about the new Adopt-A-Park program and how you can get involved.

Here is how Adopt-A-Park works: Interested individuals, organizations, and/or businesses will select a City-owned park to “adopt.” Participants will perform park clean-ups with their volunteer groups on a designated day once every two months for a year or as desired. The City will provide the necessary equipment for the volunteer group such as maintenance supplies and gloves, all that is required from YOU is your time, energy, and commitment.

To sign up, go to https://cityofgoleta.org/adoptapark and fill out a pre-registration form stating which park(s) you are interested in, and a staff member will follow up within three business days to get you started. After confirming park availability, the program coordinator will schedule an initial walkthrough of the park in which logistics (e.g., equipment, volunteer dates) will be discussed and finalized.

JoAnne Plummer, Parks and Recreation Manager, said, “We have a very passionate community when it comes to our parks and open spaces. This program provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and/or businesses to give back to the parks and open spaces they love. The Adopt-a-Park program is designed to promote civic responsibility, community pride, and camaraderie.”

We are grateful to the Goleta Noontime Rotary Club who piloted the Adopt-A-Park program for us and have been helping to keep Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park clean since December 2019. It has been a mutually beneficial experience for club members, the City, and park neighbors.

Scott Phillips, District Governor Elect and Past President of the Goleta Noontime Rotary Club, said, “This program opens the doors to getting people out to the parks and provides a chance to bond with the community. Since the Goleta Noontime Rotary Club adopted Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, it has been rewarding to see neighbors of the park become more involved in the upkeep and maintenance. Being thanked by neighbors for keeping the park safe and clean for children has been a highlight.”

Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park has remained a popular destination over the years, which in turn has led to an increase in usage by the community. Having such a high rate of activity, the park continues to benefit from the extra support that is provided from the Adopt-A-Park program.

Get involved! For more information on the program and to sign up to adopt-a-park, go to https://cityofgoleta.org/adoptapark. For questions, please contact adoptapark@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-7558.

Pictured: Goleta Noontime Rotary Club at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park

Public Input Requested on Renovation of Stow Grove Park

Take Survey by May 22 and Tell Us What You Want to See

The City of Goleta is working on a Stow Grove Park Master Plan, and we need your input! Stow Grove Park, located at 580 N. La Patera Lane, is a beloved destination for local residents and visitors to Goleta. Take the survey now at www.surveymonkey.com/r/StowGroveMP. The survey will remain open through Sunday, May 22. The survey is also available to take in Spanish here.

A Stow Grove Park survey may sound familiar to you. That is because back in 2019 the City had a survey about the park to gather input on what residents enjoyed and would like to see at the park. We heard your feedback and have hired a designer to put your ideas in motion. KTUA was chosen as the consultant for this project, and they have compiled the results from the previous survey, reviewed historical documents, evaluated current conditions, and are looking for additional community input. The next phase of the project is to confirm some of the information from the first survey and fine tune additional information through this new survey.

Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer said, “We received such a great response to the first survey, which is a true testament to how much this community treasures this historic park location. Now it is time to take what we have learned, build upon it and provide our consultants with the necessary community input to design a location to be enjoyed for many decades.”

In addition to the survey, the City is also hosting workshops on Stow Grove Park. The first one was held on April 23rd at La Patera School and we received excellent feedback from all in attendance.

Thank you in advance for providing your feedback and we look forward to working with you to design and create a “new and improved” Stow Grove Park. If you have questions about the project, please contact the Project Manager, JoAnne Plummer, at 805-562-5505 or jplummer@cityofgoleta.org. Learn more about the project here. For regular updates on this project, and other parks and open space related projects, please sign up for email and/or text updates from City of Goleta at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaRecreation.

Park Background

Stow Grove Park was developed when Edgar Stow first planted trees for a beautiful, shaded picnic area to share with his family, friends and neighbors. This space has remained a public picnic ground since 1920. In 1964, the Sherman P. Stow Company deeded Stow Grove to the County of Santa Barbara as a public park. When Goleta became a City in 2002, the ownership of Stow Grove Park was transferred to the City of Goleta. This location continues to be a popular destination for sports, family gatherings, fitness, bird watching and more.

In 2015, the City of Goleta conducted a Recreation Needs Assessment. During this evaluation of City facilities, parks and services, Stow Grove Park’s Multi-Purpose field was identified as an area that needed improvement and the project was approved within the City’s Capital Improvement Project Budget. 

In 2021, the City of Goleta approved altering the Stow Grove Capital Improvement Field Renovation Project to instead create a Master Plan for Stow Grove Park. This change allows the City of Goleta the opportunity to create a design for improvements to the parks’ infrastructure, amenities, and more. KTUA was chosen as the consultant to develop a design that could be constructed all at once or phased based on funding availability. The final design is anticipated to be approved by the end of the calendar year.

Pictured below: photos from the April 23 Community Workshop