Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Stay Safe and Cool this Fourth of July

Excessive Heat Warning and Fire Watch

Get ready! It is going to be a hot and dry Fourth of July. Here is some information to help make sure your holiday is a safe one.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Excessive Heat Warning that includes Goleta from July 4 at 11:00 a.m. to July 6 at 6:00 p.m. and a Fire Watch that will be in effect from July 4 at 6:00 p.m. to July 6 at 6:00 a.m. More info here.

Please note that conditions can easily change and impact areas differently. Detailed weather forecasts are available at https://www.weather.gov/lox/. Stay updated by signing up for alerts from Santa Barbara County at https://www.readysbc.org/.

Please take good care of yourself and your loved ones during this heat wave. Click here for some precautions and tips.

The Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue) is a great place to stay cool. It is open Tuesday – Sunday and will be closed on July 4th.

Considering the hot and dry conditions, the City also wants to issue a strong reminder regarding the dangers of setting off illegal fireworks. Watch this safety message with Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig and Goleta Chief of Police Services Lt. Rich Brittingham. The video is available in Spanish.

To report illegal fireworks, call the non-emergency dispatch line at 805-683-2724.

We wish you and your family a safe and happy Fourth of July. 

Pictured left-to-right: Goleta Chief of Police Services Lt. Rich Brittingham, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, and Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig

Nomination Filing Period Opens for Mayor and Council Districts 3 and 4

July 15 – August 9, 2024

The General Municipal Election is just four months away on Tuesday, November 5, and the nomination filing period for Goleta City Council candidates in Districts 3 and 4 and the Mayor (at-large) begins on Monday, July 15, and closes Friday, August 9 at 5:00 p.m. To be eligible to run, candidates must be 18 years or older as well as reside and be a registered voter in the district in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are issued. Those running for Mayor can live anywhere in the city as it is an at-large position.

This is the City’s second by-district election. The first was in November 2022 where District 1 and 2 residents voted for a Councilmember.

Residents interested in running for office must schedule an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office to receive and/or file nomination papers. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, contact Deborah Lopez, City Clerk at 805-961-7505 or cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.

To find out what district you are in, view the map below or use this interactive map. Simply type your address into the top left-hand search bar and click on the search icon. The results will show your address within the map.

For information on the 2024 General Municipal Election go to www.CityofGoleta.org/elections.

Goleta's District Elections Map
District elections map for the City of Goleta

Fiesta Ranchera Highlights

Viva La Goleta! Fiesta Ranchera kicked off Fiesta on June 20 at Rancho La Patera and Stow House. This is an annual collaboration between Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society. It was a lively evening with performances by the 2024 Spirit of Fiesta Georgie Taupin and Junior Spirit Aleenah Soriano, musical entertainment including Area 51 and delicious food and beverages from local vendors. Our Goleta City Council was pleased to attend and welcome partygoers to the City of Goleta. The Spirits also performed in Council Chambers at the June 16 Council meeting where they received a proclamation. If you missed it, you can catch them dancing at the upcoming Meet Me in Old Town event on Thursday, July 18th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Magnolia Avenue in Old Town.

We are looking forward to a great Fiesta 2024 and appreciate the opportunity to get the party started in Goleta. For information on the upcoming Old Spanish Day festivities go to https://www.sbfiesta.org/.


Spirit of Fiesta Georgie Taupin giving a performance to Council at the June 16 meeting


Junior Spirit Aleenah Soriano dancing at the June 16 Goleta City Council meeting

 

 

Spanish Interpretation to Begin at Goleta City Council Meetings

Watch Promo Video to Learn More

Spread the word! Starting at the next Goleta City Council meeting on July 16, 2024, and for all City Council meetings moving forward, there will be in-person simultaneous Spanish interpretation and Spanish agendas. This historic move is a part of the City’s goal to increase engagement, inclusivity and civic participation among our Spanish-speaking community. Learn more by watching our short promo video in English (https://youtu.be/m4sziwd5rG4) or Spanish (https://youtu.be/nr7TtwSI__Q).

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Achieving this long-time priority will enable our Spanish-speaking community to have better access and input to City Council meetings where important decisions are made. I applaud our City Clerk’s Office and Community Relations team for helping to make this happen.”

Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2) said, “I’m proud to see our City Council Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee recommendation to provide interpretation services for Goleta’s Spanish-speaking community being implemented. This is an important step towards better informing and empowering all Goleta residents.”

The move to providing Spanish interpretation at Council meetings was also recommended by the City’s Public Engagement Commission.

City Council meetings are typically held every first and third Tuesday of the month and start at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall located at 130 Cremona Drive. Spanish agendas will be located on our website prior to the meetings at www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas. Headsets will be available in Council Chambers for the live interpretation. There will be speaker cards in Spanish and interpreters will be available to assist those who want to speak in person during the public comment section or on a specific item on the agenda.

According to data from the 2020 Census, 33.8% of households in Goleta speak a language other than English at home. To ensure our Spanish-speaking community participation the past several years, the City has stepped up its efforts to provide Spanish interpretation at most of its events, workshops, and during the City’s bilingual LEAD (Learn, Empower, Advocate, Discuss) Goleta Community Academy. Prior to having Spanish interpretation available at all Council meetings, people were able to request interpretation at least 72 hours in advance.

We hope the addition of Spanish interpretation at Council meetings and Spanish agendas will be a valuable resource for the community for years to come.

Goleta’s Dam Dinner August 17

Watch Video Message from Mayor Paula Perotte

The best Dam Dinner you have ever had is coming up next month on Saturday, August 17. We hope you can join us for Goleta Dam Dinner at the scenic Lake Los Carneros Dam from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Watch this video invitation from Mayor Paula Perotte to find out more about this low-key special event. The video is also available in Spanish featuring the City’s Spanish Engagement Specialist Marcos Martinez.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Every year this event gets better and better. I love being a part of the Dam Dinner and seeing so many familiar and new faces each year.”

The Dam Dinner is a popular event bringing together friends and neighbors. Tables and chairs are set up by the dam with breathtaking views of Lake Los Carneros and the mountains. Bring your own picnic dinner and beverages or purchase food at the event from Mylestone BBQ who will be joining us for the first time. Enjoy live music from local bluegrass group the Salt Martians, a staple of the Dam Dinner. Commemorate the event with a 2024 Dam Dinner t-shirt. Bring the kids! The Dam Dinner is a family-friendly event. There will be face painters and Kona Ice.

As a reminder, the City has a plastic reduction ordinance in place, and we ask you to please not bring single-use plastics. As a free gift to you, attendees will receive a reusable travel utensil set to use and keep courtesy of the City of Goleta. Learn more about Plastic Free Goleta here: www.cityofgoleta.org/plasticfreegoleta. #GoGreenGoleta

To get to the event, enter off N. La Patera Lane or Stow House at 304 N. Los Carneros Road. Wear walking shoes and bring a jacket in case it gets windy. Please do not bring pets, service animals are allowed.

Goleta’s Dam Dinner is organized by the City of Goleta and Goleta Valley Historical Society with special thanks to Big Hammer Lures, Creekside Restaurant & Bar, Devereux, MarBorg and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.

See you August 17 at the #BestDamDinner!

Reminder: Old Town is OPEN for Business

With the Hollister Avenue Interim Striping Project construction underway, we want to remind you that Old Town is OPEN for Business. Watch our video with just some of the many incredible businesses that are eager and ready to serve you.

We encourage the public to support Old Town businesses during construction of the City’s largest capital improvement project – Project Connect. All businesses along the project alignment will remain open. Don’t let the construction discourage you from coming to Old Town. There are two free public parking lots, one at Community West Bank (5827 Hollister Avenue) and another on Orange Avenue.

Thanks for doing your part to keep Old Town thriving while we work to build a better future for Goleta.

NatureTrack Film Festival Returns

July 6 Summer Screening Announced

The NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF) is returning to Goleta October 11-13, 2024, at a new location, the Camino Real Cinemas at Camino Real Marketplace. Over three days, festival attendees will be wowed with adventure films, visually arresting documentaries, animated films, and films that defy conventional perceptions of nature-centered cinema. The full program of films will be announced in September.

Early Bird VIP passes for the 6th NatureTrack Film Festival are on sale now here.

Gareth Kelly, Managing Director for this year’s festival, said, “We’re excited to stage our biggest festival yet! We look forward to welcoming the community with a program of incredible films and events that will inspire people to connect with the natural world.”

With the mission to Ignite Passion for Nature Through Film, the 2024 festival will showcase over 50 films from around the world that focus on nature, share a passion for environmental stewardship, and celebrate outdoor adventure. The festival will feature an opening night party, filmmaker panels, tributes, and more!

Founded in Los Olivos, CA, in 2018, the NatureTrack Film Festival has become a yearly highlight for filmmakers, conservationists, and nature lovers from California and worldwide. Past NTFF films have won prestigious awards across the film festival circuit, including last year’s Oscar shortlisted Between Earth & Sky, and Range Rider – now a Patagonia Film.

New this year, the NatureTrack Foundation will present a family-friendly outdoor Summer Screening Series at El Capitan campground, in partnership with California State Parks, starting on Saturday, July 6th at 7:30 pm with a screening of The Beaver Believers (2020 NTFF Audience Award Winner). This screening series will be free, open to the public, and will feature films from past editions of NTFF. Also don’t miss the big reveal of this year’s special festival poster featuring art by a prominent local artist on July 11th at 4:00 p.m. in front of the Camino Real Cinemas.

Proceeds from the film festival directly support NatureTrack’s mission of providing outdoor experiences to children and wheelchair users, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access, appreciate, and learn from nature’s wonders.

For more information about the festival, including film submissions, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket sales, please visit the newly revamped website: www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org.

Fourth of July Events in Goleta

50th Annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July at Stow House

Join the Goleta Valley Historical Society for a spectacular event – the 50th Annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration! This annual event takes place at Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road) from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy fun family-friendly activities including tractor rides and face painting, listen to live music by The Cliffhangers and The Down Yonder Collective, browse the wares of local vendors, and dine on delicious eats and drinks from Mony’s Santa Barbara, AR Catering, and Considered Curbside Coffee!

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. And don’t forget to stop by Granny’s Attic, where you’ll find all the vintage items and antiques of your dreams! All sales proceeds benefit the Goleta Valley Historical Society.

Tickets cost $5 for children and $10 for adults and can be purchased in advance. For more info and to purchase tickets go to https://goletahistory.org/old-fashioned-4th-july/. 

See you on the 4th for an old-fashioned extravaganza!

Goleta Depot Independence Day Celebration

Celebrate the 4th of July at the Goleta Depot (300 N. Los Carneros Road) from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. with a variety of activities planned to keep guests of all ages entertained. Children will have a blast bouncing in the bounce house, playing lawn games, and taking tours of the Museum, which includes the Freight Office and Depot Master quarters. Train rides and hand car rides will be offered, as well as miniature steam engine rides, taking families on a nostalgic journey through Goleta’s rich history. There will also be a craft station and unclaimed freight market, filled with miniature trains and tracks for sale.

Pack a picnic lunch, enjoy the designated picnic areas, and make it a perfect day trip for the whole family. Wristbands are $4 for kids of all ages 0-100!

Ribbon Cutting for Latest Solar Project in Goleta

The solar photovoltaics project built and serviced by First Edison is now operating at Cox Communications’ corporate office in Goleta, reducing utility costs and improving sustainability at the 22 S. Fairview Ave location.  

The roof-top solar system is 185 kW DC with a total of 388 panels. The system is projected to produce more than 270,000 kWh of power annually, which is equivalent to the electricity use of 37 homes per year or 207,000lbs of coal burned per year. This annual production is estimated to cover 90% of the electrical load of the building. 

Kirsten McLaughlin, Santa Barbara market vice president for Cox Communications and Colin Lucas, renewable energy engineer for Cox Enterprises hosted the City of Goleta City Council Members including Mayor Paula Perotte to flip the switch on for the new conservation system. They were joined by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kristen Miller. Watch a short video clip of the ribbon cutting on June 12 here: https://youtu.be/zecsGqqEdFQ.

“Cox Communications’ new solar system installation is a perfect example of the transition to our clean energy future. I look forward to seeing more of these systems installed to help meet our climate goals,” said Mayor Paula Perotte.  

“Sustainability and driving positive environmental change are core to the way Cox does business. We’re excited our primary facility serving Goleta, is using solar power to reduce our carbon footprint throughout the entire Santa Barbara region,” said McLaughlin. “This solar project will move us closer to our company’s sustainability goals which include becoming carbon neutral by 2034.”  

Cox has long been committed to renewables, as this project is just one of more than 60 on-site solar generation projects Cox implemented across the country. In April, Cox announced the achievement of its ambitious goal to send Zero Waste to Landfill by 2024. Cox is the first U.S.-based, enterprise-wide service company to be verified by GreenCircle Certified as achieving a 92% waste diversion rate. This achievement meets Zero Waste USA’s definition of a zero-waste business. 

The company is still focused on its goal of becoming carbon and water neutral by 2034. So far, Cox has invested nearly $165 million in more than 500 projects to get there.

Pictured above: Solar panels at Cox Communications’ corporate office in Goleta


Ceremonial cutting of the ribbon and flipping the switch – click here to watch video clip


Mayor Paula Perotte speaking at the event


Goleta City Council and Staff pictured with Cox Communications Staff

Habitat Home Repair for Low-Income Homeowners

Habitat Santa Barbara’s Home Repair program provides free critical repairs, modifications, and maintenance for qualified low-income homeowners in Southern Santa Barbara County including Goleta. Repairs under this program address health, safety, and security issues as well as accessibility improvements and projects that support aging in place. We work in all home types, with the majority of our repair projects taking place in Mobile Home Parks, ensuring that Mobile Home Parks can continue to provide a significant source of naturally affordable ownership housing. Learn more here and apply today.

View the application in English here and in Spanish here.

More information on the program is available at www.sbhabitat.org/programs/home-repair. To contact someone at Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County, email repairs@sbhabitat.org or call (805) 692-2226.