Daily Archives: June 4, 2018

Come Play at our Parks & Recreation Community Workshop

Parks and recreation play an important role in people’s lives, and we are excited to get the community involved in the Goleta Parks Facility & Playground Master Plan. Everyone is welcome to attend a community workshop on June 13 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). The Goleta Parks Facility & Playground Master Plan process will create a road map for addressing the City’s aging parks and facilities. In order to successfully accomplish this goal, we need your input! What would you like to see in our parks? What might your recreation needs be in the future? What do you value in parks and recreation? Join us to help answer these important questions.

July 4th Events and More Summer Fun!

Celebrate Independence Day with these annual local Fourth of July festivities:

  • Old Fashioned 4th of July (304 N. Los Carneros Road) – Take the family to Rancho La Patera & Stow House from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for a hometown Independence Day. There are activities and entertainment for kids of all ages, including live music by local bands, classic cars, hayrides, pony rides, an old engine show and more.
  • 4th of July Family Fun Fair (150 N. Kellogg Avenue) – Join the Elks Lodge from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for a day of family fun. There is something for everyone from face painting and jumpers for the kids, to bingo and pull-tabs for the adults.
  • Goleta Fireworks Festival (7050 Phelps Road) – Put on by the Rotary Clubs of Goleta, the annual fireworks festival at Girsh Parkis an anticipated event all year long. Popular activities include a rock climbing wall, water balloon toss and hula hoop contest. Other activities include face painting, carnival games and live music. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:00 p.m.

The fun continues throughout the summer:

  • Music at the Ranch (304 N. Los Carneros Road) – Grab your picnic blanket and dancing shoes for everyone’s favorite outdoor summer concert series: Music at the Ranch! Relax with family and friends while enjoying music from local bands, Tuesdays 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in July and August at Rancho La Patera & Stow House. Visit http://goletahistory.org/music-at-the-ranch/ for the latest schedule.
  • Goleta’s Dam Dinner (Lake Los Carneros): Save the date for the annual Goleta Dam Dinner on Saturday, August 18 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. It’s a great time to share your love of Goleta by gathering with your friends, families and neighbors to eat dinner in a beautiful setting. There is also live music and activities for the kids to enjoy. Stay tuned for more information. Please follow us on Facebook @DamDinner to be kept apprised on the latest information about this fun, family-friendly event.

Final Reminder for Cox Communications Discount Program

We would like to remind current participants, and those eligible, that in order to participate in the Cox Communications Discount Program offered in conjunction with the City of Goleta, new applications and renewals must be received by June 28, 2018. The program offers 40% off basic cable service for applicants who reside within the boundaries of Goleta and meet certain criteria. Find out if you are eligible by reviewing the criteria below.

This is the last year Cox Communications is accepting new participants. However, they have agreed to continue providing discounted services to any eligible applicant in perpetuity or until further account changes are made. Existing participants must complete one final application to be included.

Here are some important details about the program:

Where do I get an application?
Applications can be found on the City of Goleta’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org/i-want-to/apply-for/cox-cable-discount-program or call 805-961-7500 to make arrangements to pick up a hard copy. Completed applications must be returned to the City of Goleta (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B) by June 28, 2018.

What criteria are required for cable discount eligibility?
1) 65 years of age or older, and a maximum adjusted gross income, per most recent California Income Tax Return, as follows: $17,489 for individuals or $26,217 for households
– OR –
2) Disabled and received SSI/SSD

What documents are required when submitting my application?

  • All applicants must submit proof of age (Driver’s License, passport, etc.)
  • Eligibility for cable discount must be re-certified in the event of a change of address.
  • The City of Goleta reserves the right to require documentation of any information provided.
  • Your signature on the Cable Discount Program Application authorizes the State of California to release your income tax records to the City for income verification.
  • Your signature on the Cable Discount Program Application authorizes the Social Security Administration to release proof of your SSI/SSD qualification due to permanent disability.

I don’t live in the City of Goleta. Does Cox Communications offer discount programs in surrounding areas?
Yes, the City of Santa Barbara and the County of Santa Barbara also provide a discounted Cox Communications program. For City of Santa Barbara Cox discount information, call (805) 564-5342. For County of Santa Barbara Cox discount information, call (805) 681-4200.

Sign Up for Disaster Preparedness Training

Are you ready for the next disaster? Take the next steps by signing up for our eight-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class Tuesdays June 12 – July 31, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue).

CERT Training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. CERT graduates were instrumental in assisting during the Thomas Fire and Debris Flow emergencies. Those that take the class will learn about hazards that can occur in our area and receive training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, so you can make a difference by using the 24 hours of training you receive in this class to save lives and protect property.

To register, contact Anthony Rodriguez at arodriguez@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-7571, and complete the registration form. Participants must attend all classes. To learn more about the program, view the flyer or visit our website.

Private trainings are also available for large groups. Contact Anthony Rodriguez for information.

Reading is Groovy at the Goleta Valley Library this Summer

Staff of the Goleta Valley Library is enthusiastically preparing for the free annual Summer Reading Program, in which more than 1,200 children and teens participate. This year’s program with the theme of “Reading is Groovy” runs from June 12 – August 4 and will feature the lovable blue children’s book character Pete the Cat. Kids of all ages are encouraged to read what they love, visit the library and talk to engaged teen volunteers about their favorite stories. The more a child reads, the more prizes he/she can earn. Reading rewards are donated by generous local businesses. There are many benefits for children to continue reading over summer, including building reading skills, preventing summer learning loss and preparing for a successful school year.

Over the summer the library will offer a full slate of entertaining and educational family programs, from the weekly baby, wiggly and preschool story times, monthly crafts and Lego builds to special performances and the “Stuffed Animal Sleepover.” Don’t miss out on all these great summer library events!

We Love Our Goleta Valley Library!

Celebrate the Goleta Valley Library’s transition to a City of Goleta library on July 1 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.! The City is excited to take over direct management and wants to commemorate the special occasion with our patrons. Join us at the library (500 N. Fairview Avenue) for food and entertainment, including 3-D printing demonstrations, live music, children’s book characters, face painting, balloon animals and more. There will be a ribbon cutting at 12:00 p.m. with City Council and staff. Special thanks to the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library for sponsoring this family-friendly event. Overflow parking is available next door at the First Church of Christ, Scientist and across the street at the Goleta Union School District. We hope to see you there!

Want to Help with the Barcoding Project? New Expanded Hours Available

The Goleta Valley Library is extending its volunteer hours from June 5 to June 30! Help us re-label and re-barcode the entire 75,000 item collection before transitioning to an independent library operated by the City of Goleta on July 1. So far over 50,000 items have been completed, but there is still a lot to do! Volunteers are welcome Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:50 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Volunteers can choose between placing new barcodes on each item or registering the new barcodes into the library system using the library’s computers and scanners. Training will be provided on your first day. Sign up at the library or contact Library Director Allison Gray at agray@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5502. Thank you in advance! Volunteers will be working in the Multipurpose Room, so unfortunately it will not be available for library and community programming during the month of June. However, expect an increase in services starting in July.

Construction Has Begun on Goleta’s Newest Park

Thank you to everyone who attended our Hollister Kellogg Park Groundbreaking ceremony on May 29! It was great to see so many people there to celebrate this momentous occasion! Excitement was in the air as community members heard from speakers on what this new park means to Old Town and the rest of Goleta. Attendees cheered as City Council broke ground at the corner of Hollister and Kellogg Avenues for the construction of a new 4-acre park in Old Town. Learn more about the new park at www.cityofgoleta.org/projects-programs/parks-open-space/old-town-park.

Construction began in late May on this long-awaited park, which is expected to be completed in early 2019. The park brings amazing amenities to the Goleta community (such as a skateboard plaza, multi-purpose field, picnic areas, fitness nodes and more). In addition, Segment 1 of the Middle Extent of the San Jose Creek Bike Path Project will go through the park linking Armitos Avenue to Hollister Avenue. In total, the San Jose Creek Bike Path Project extends approximately three miles alongside San Jose Creek from Cathedral Oaks Road (in the County of Santa Barbara) to the Atascadero Creek Bikeway/Obern Trail near Goleta Beach to provide an alternative means of transportation for commuters as well as a source of recreation.