Goleta’s Spanish Interpreter Receives Woman of Achievement Award

June 1, 2026

Congratulations to Viviana Marsano, one of the City’s Spanish interpreters, for receiving a Women of Achievement Award from the Association for Women in Communications (AW-CSB) on May 7, 2026. Viviana was recognized with this honor due to her on-going work and leadership strengthening and uplifting Santa Barbara’s immigrant community. Teresa Alvarez, Primitiva Hernandez and Julissa Peña also received Women of Achievement awards for their work as well. This year’s theme was “Powerful Voices, Purposeful Change — Women Leading Through Civic Engagement.”

Viviana was born and raised in Argentina. She moved to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB and completed a PhD in British history. Before coming to the US, she received a graduate degree in English Language and Literature. At UCSB, she worked at the UCSB Multi-Cultural Center for 15 years, where she started her long journey and found her passion for equity and inclusion.

She is currently Assistant Dean for Civic and Community Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs at UCSB. Viviana co-designed and co-teaches the Civic Engagement Scholars Program (CESP).

She has also been a translator and interpreter for over 25 years. In her quest to give a voice to the marginalized, she co-founded Voices Translation and Interpreting Services. She works in education, government agencies, and the non-profit sector. Viviana provides interpretation at City of Goleta Council meetings and City events.

Viviana was one of the founding members of the Language Justice Network in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Santa Maria, an initiative of Just Communities Central Coast to bring language justice to non-speakers of English in the school system and the community.

Thank you to the AWC-SB for honoring these four remarkable woman! Learn more about each of them at https://awcsb.org/women-of-achievement-awards-2026.

Group photo of honorees left-to-right: Katya Armistead (AWC-SB Director, Women of Achievement), Tracy Lehr (KEYT reporter and event emcee), Teresa Alvarez (Executive Director of the Carpinteria Children’s Project), Primitiva Hernandez (Executive Director of 805Undocufund), Ana Papakhian (President of AWC-SB), Viviana Marsano, and Julissa Peña (Director of the Immigrant Legal Defense Center)

Coffee & Community Recap: Luz at Lighthouse Coffee

June 1, 2026

Save-the-Date for Next Coffee & Community on August 29

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Coffee & Community Saturday, May 16 at Lighthouse Coffee in Goleta! It was a beautiful morning and a great opportunity to connect with neighbors, learn about what’s happening in District 1, and engage in casual conversation.

Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (1st District) and Mayor Paula Perotte enjoyed welcoming attendees and answering questions. Thank you to Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps for stopping by and to Assistant City Manager Jaime Valdez for joining us as well.

A big thank you to Lighthouse Coffee for providing the coffee and offering such a warm and welcoming space for this community outreach event.

Save the date: Next Coffee & Community will be on Saturday, August 29, in District 4 with Councilmember Stuart Kasdin at Ice in Paradise (6985 Santa Felicia Dr). To find your district, please visit the City’s interactive “Know Your District” map: https://tinyurl.com/534yt7ub. Community members are welcome to attend any Coffee & Community event, regardless of district. Stay tuned for more information.

MayorPaula Perotte and Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (1st District) at Lighthouse Coffee

Group photo at Coffee & Community

Community members at event

Save-the-Date for the 2026 Dam Dinner

June 1, 2026

Planning has begun for one of Goleta’s favorite events – the Dam Dinner! Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 15, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam as friends and neighbors gather to celebrate the end of summer in a memorable way.

The Goleta Dam Dinner is a free community event with tables and chairs set up by the dam offering breathtaking views of Lake Los Carneros and the mountains. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food from an onsite food truck. All this while listening to live music from local bluegrass group the Salt Martians

This is a family-friendly event. Kids will love the face-painters and Kona Ice truck. Commemorative Dam Dinner t-shirts will be for sale.

Please do not bring pets, service animals are allowed.

This event can’t happen without the help of our partners. Thank you to the Goleta Valley Historical Society, MarBorg, and Big Hammer Lures.

We hope to see you on August 15 for another great Dam Dinner! Stay tuned for more details.

Stow House Old Fashioned Fourth of July

June 1, 2026

Celebrate Independence Day with the Goleta Valley Historical Society’s family-friendly Old Fashioned Fourth of July! Head over to Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 4.

Enjoy live music by the Americana Cats and The Paradise Kings as well as food trucks. The kids will love the tractor rides, ranch yard, face painting, and games. New this year, there will be pony rides (included with the price of admission)!

The Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association, the Model A Club of Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society will also be returning this year.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children – purchase here in advance or at the door. Proceeds benefit the Goleta Valley Historical Society. More info: https://goletahistory.org/old-fashioned-4th-july/.

Fiesta Ranchera is June 18

June 1, 2026

Celebrate Fiesta in Goleta! Fiesta Ranchera is Thursday, June 18 from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the historic Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road). This popular event is a collaboration between Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society.

Enjoy performances by the 2026 Spirit of Fiesta Jenna Ramirez and Junior Spirit Penelope Hernandez, musical entertainment, and dancing under the stars to Area 51. You can also sample appetizers, wine, and beer from local restaurants, wineries and breweries. This is a 21 and older event. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance here. No tickets will be sold at the event.

Another way to celebrate Fiesta in Goleta is at the June 16 Goleta City Council meeting. The Council will issue a proclamation declaring June 18, 2026, as “Fiesta Ranchera Day” in the City of Goleta. Council will also give Certificates of Recognition to the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta and watch them perform. We hope you will join us in person in Council Chambers to see the performances. You can also watch on the City’s website, the City’s YouTube channel, or on Goleta TV Channel 19. Viva La Goleta!

Juneteenth SB Celebration: Love for the People

June 1, 2026

Friday, June 19, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in Plaza Del Mar Park

Juneteenth SB is excited to return and bring joy to our community. This year’s local celebration is taking place on Friday, June 19^th from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Plaza Del Mar Park in Santa Barbara. The theme is “Love for the People.”

Juneteenth Santa Barbara is a local celebration of the national Black Independence Day. It is a collaborative effort to showcase Black culture, talent, and joy in Santa Barbara County. This annual event centers around a free community celebration that invites the community to enjoy local live music, dancing, poetry, spoken word, artist exhibitions, storytelling, kids zone, beer and wine garden, and food trucks. There will also be the Black Artisan Market, which includes Black-led community organizations showcasing their work at their own booths.

More info: https://juneteenthsb.org/.

At the June 2nd Goleta City Council meeting, the City proclaimed June 19^th as “Juneteenth” in Goleta and encourage all residents to use this time to learn about the legacy of Black peoples, their contributions, and stand in an alliance to end racism and hate. View the proclamation here. Juneteenth Santa Barbara Co-Founder Jordan Killebrew was present to accept the proclamation on behalf of the organization.

City Council presenting the Juneteenth Proclamation on June 2, 2026 (pictured left-to-right: Mayor Pro Tempore Jennifer Smith (District 3), Councilmember Stuart Kasdin (District 4), Mayor Paula Perotte, Jordan Killebrew (Juneteenth Santa Barbara Co-Founder), Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), and Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2)

Goleta Public Works: Serving the Community Every Day

June 1, 2026

The City of Goleta celebrated National Public Works Week (May 17 – 23) with a fun and informative community event on May 20 at Camino Real Marketplace. Hundreds of community members, including many families, stopped by from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. to enjoy games, giveaways, interactive activities, and the always popular Touch-A-Truck experience.

The event highlighted the important work performed every day by Goleta’s Public Works Department and partner agencies. Attendees had the opportunity to explore a variety of vehicles and equipment, participate in hands-on activities, and learn more about City programs and infrastructure projects. A big thank you to MarBorg Industries, Goleta Water District, Goleta Sanitary District, and Goleta West Sanitary District for participating and bringing their trucks and equipment for the community to enjoy.

This year’s National Public Works Week theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” reflected the essential role Public Works professionals play in maintaining the systems and services residents rely on every day. From maintaining roads, parks, bike paths, storm drains, and traffic systems to responding during storms and emergencies, Public Works staff help keep Goleta safe, connected, and moving forward year-round.

The City also recognized the department during the May 19 City Council meeting, where a proclamation was presented honoring the dedicated Public Works professionals who work behind the scenes to serve the community.

The Public Works Department is responsible for a wide range of services and infrastructure throughout Goleta. The City owns more than 100 parcels, including parks and open spaces totaling approximately 515 acres. Public Works manages and maintains:

85 center-lane miles of roadway
More than 20 bridges
35 traffic signals and 16 other traffic devices
1,400 LED streetlights
16 parks and 14 open spaces
Approximately 14,000 City trees
12 creeks
Two miles of coastline
Storm drain infrastructure including pipes, manholes, and drainage inlets

Public Works also maintain roadway medians, traffic control signs, approximately 17.4 million square feet of pavement, and nearly 110 linear miles of curb, gutter, and sidewalks.

In addition to maintaining existing infrastructure, the department continues work on major capital improvement efforts and projects that support the City’s long-term sustainability, mobility, and quality of life.

The City of Goleta extends its sincere appreciation to the entire Public Works team for its dedication, professionalism, and continued service to the community.

Thank you, Goleta Public Works!

Pictured below: photos from May 20 event

Annual Pavement Construction Complete

June 1, 2026

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce the successful completion of both the 2025 Arterial Pavement Project and the 2025 Residential Resurfacing Project. Both projects are now 100% complete, delivering significant improvements to the City’s roadway network and enhancing safety for all who travel our streets.

100% project completion
2+ centerline miles improved
23+ streets rehabilitated
40+ ADA curb ramps upgraded

What Was Accomplished

Together, the two projects rehabilitated six individual arterial streets and over 18 residential streets, totaling more than 5.2 centerline miles of improvements citywide. Work included replacing pavement with hot mix asphalt, slurry seal, and microsurfacing treatments, upgrading American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramps, installation of four new radar speed feedback signs, and updating traffic striping and markings throughout Goleta.

Vision Zero Safety Improvements

2025 Arterial Pavement Project incorporated Vision Zero elements to improve safety for all road users:

Green shared lane markings (sharrows) clarify shared roadway use by people driving and bicycling.
Narrowed travel lanes support traffic calming without removing on-street parking.
Over 40 ADA curb ramp upgrades created safer routes of travel at intersections.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Pavement Projects

The City is currently in the design phase for the 2026 Arterial Pavement Project and the 2026 Residential Resurfacing Project, with construction anticipated to begin in early spring 2027 and late spring 2027, respectively. Residents will receive advance notifications — including mailed notices — before any construction begins. Please note that schedules may be adjusted due to material availability, weather, or equipment conditions.

Proposed Five-Year Pavement Plan

The City has developed a proposed Five-Year Pavement Plan as a planning tool to prioritize roadway maintenance and rehabilitation, click here to view map. This five-year pavement plan is for planning purposes only and may change based on funding, staffing, and contractor availability.

Thank you for your patience during the 2025 Pavement Projects. The City of Goleta Public Works Department remains committed to improving and restoring pavement throughout our community.

Learn more at www.CityofGoleta.org/Pavement.

Project Connect Mitigation Efforts

June 1, 2026

The City of Goleta is moving forward with an important next step—restoring and enhancing natural habitat in areas where trees and vegetation were removed during Project Connect construction. These mitigation efforts are focused on bringing additional native landscape, while supporting local wildlife and long-term environmental health.

What’s Being Planted
The mitigation plan includes a variety of native plants carefully selected and grown specifically for this project. New plantings include Western Sycamore, Black Cottonwood, Coast Live Oak, and several willow species, along with native shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants that help support pollinators and improve soil health.

In total, more than 3,600 native trees and plants will be installed by a qualified restoration contractor across approximately four acres of restoration area.

Where This Work Is Happening
Beginning in June 2026, planting will take place in open space areas including Ellwood Mesa, Lake Los Carneros, as well as along Fowler Road and near Old San Jose Creek. These locations were chosen to strengthen existing habitats and create a more connected natural landscape. Mitigation plantings will be completed in late fall 2026.

What You May See
As this work gets underway, you may notice crews working in open space areas to prepare the land and installing temporary fencing in preparation for the installation of new plants and irrigation systems.

At first, some areas may look sparse, but over time, these spaces will fill in and grow into healthy, thriving habitats.

Ongoing watering, monitoring, and maintenance will continue to support plant establishment and ensure long-term success.

These mitigation efforts are an important part of Project Connect – mitigating construction impacts and enhancing Goleta’s natural spaces for the community to enjoy into the future.

Questions? Looking for more details?
www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect
connect@CityofGoleta.gov
805-690-5116