Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Inaugural LEAD Goleta Graduation

On July 10, 2019, the City will graduate its first LEAD Goleta (Learn, Empower, Advocate, Discuss) cohort. The City’s inaugural community academy consisted of six two-hour sessions where participants learned the inner workings of city government. The program was designed to help residents better understand the role that local government plays in the community so that they can effectively participate, share what they have learned with others, and consider getting more involved in local government. Each session was led by City Manager Michelle Greene and a Department Director, in an intimate and informal setting. Participants were encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentations which included department background information, current happenings, and future projects.

Apply for SBCAG’s Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is recruiting for their Measure A Citizens’ Oversight committee. Measure A is a transportation measure that was approved by Santa Barbara County residents in 2008 and designates one-half of one percent (1/2%) sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. It is administered by SBCAG and is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects through 2040. The 11 member committee helps ensure accountability to voters regarding the spending of funds. The vacancy is for an “at-large” position, and the term is for four (4) years. Applicants are being considered based on their ability to represent transportation interests countywide. The application deadline is June 7. Learn more and apply here.

Goleta Summer 2019 Events

It’s hard to believe but July 4th is only one month away! Here are a few ways to celebrate Independence Day this year:

  • Celebrate a hometown Old Fashioned 4th of July from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road). Enjoy live music and entertainment, hayrides, delicious BBQ, games, local artists, classic cars, an old engine show, and plenty of family-friendly fun.
  • Finish the day with the Goleta Fireworks Festival at Girsh Park (7050 Phelps Road) presented by the Rotary Clubs of Goleta. There are activities for all ages, including UCSB’s climbing wall, sack races, face painting, mini Ferris wheel, corn hole, hula hoop contest, live music, and plenty of food choices. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:00 p.m.

Don’t miss these summertime events as well:

  • Grab your blanket and picnic basket for Music at the Ranch Tuesdays this summer (July 9 – August 20) from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Make your summer evenings sweeter by hanging at the Ranch (304 N. Los Carneros Road) with friends and family and listening to great music.
  • Concerts at the Gazebo returns this summer to the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Pick-up dinner from a local restaurant, bring a blanket, and get your groove on Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (July 3, 17, 31, Aug. 14, 28)!
  • Bring the family to Goleta Depot Days on August 10 and 11 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the South Coast Railroad Museum (300 N. Los Carneros Road)! Go back in time to work a handcar, attend an “unclaimed freight & baggage sale,” and bring the kids for train rides, a bounce house, and arts & crafts.
  • We’re excited for the annual Goleta Dam Dinner on Saturday, August 17, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam! Join us for this fun community event in a beautiful setting. Bring your own dinner or purchase it from the on-site food truck, listen to great music, get to know your neighbors, and bring a potluck dessert to share. Stay tuned for more details. Follow us on Facebook (@DamDinner) for the latest information about this fun, family-friendly event.

Discover the Flavors of Old Town

Old Town has so much to offer that an entire festival has been created around it! Taste & Sounds of Old Town Goleta returns for its second year on Saturday, June 8, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sample cuisine from local restaurants, peruse vendor booths, sip beer, wine and cider in a beer garden, and enjoy live music by Soul Machine. Tickets are on sale now; buy early as prices go up at the door. The Festival is presented by the Goleta Old Town Community Association. For more information, follow the Festival on Facebook (@TasteandSoundOTG), or visit the website at www.goletataste.com.   

AIDS/LifeCycle Riding Through Goleta

The AIDS/LifeCycle Ride returns to Goleta on Friday, June 7, 2019. An estimated 2,500 bicyclists will ride 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles June 2 – 8 for this annual fundraiser. Riders will be in Goleta around 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be staggered along the route. Bicyclists will enter the City riding southbound on U.S. 101 and exit at Hollister Avenue / Winchester Canyon Road. Riders will make their way to Girsh Park for lunch by taking Hollister Avenue east, turning right on Cannon Green Drive, left on Phelps Road, right on Pacific Oaks Road, left on Armstrong Road, left on Mills Way, left on Phelps Road and entering Girsh Park through the west parking lot for a lunch stop. After lunch, riders will turn right onto Phelps Road to exit Girsh Park, turn right again onto Pacific Oaks Road, and make a final right turn onto Hollister Avenue. Riders continue east on Hollister Avenue and exit the City after crossing Patterson Avenue on their way to Ventura. Click here to view a map of the Goleta route. For more information on the AIDS/LifeCycle ride, go to www.aidslifecycle.org.

Legal Aid Services Available

The Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County is celebrating 60 years of providing legal assistance to low-income and other vulnerable individuals in the community. Volunteer lawyers are available Wednesday’s at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). The type of law they provide assistance for alternates weekly between Family Law (4:00 – 6:00 p.m.) and Civil Law (5:00 – 6:00 p.m.). Clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call the Goleta Valley Community Center ahead of time to ensure an attorney will be present: 805-967-1237. Additional services are available throughout Santa Barbara County. Please visit the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County’s website at www.lafsbc.org for more information.

When School’s Out, Reading is In, at the Goleta Valley Library

Each year, Goleta Valley Library holds a Summer Reading Program to encourage children and teens to read during the summer months. This helps prevent “summer slide,” the loss of reading and academic skills over the summer. This year’s program, It’s Showtime at Your Library!, will run from June 7th – August 3rd. By reading and logging books, Summer Reading participants will be able to earn exciting prizes from local community donors. In addition, the library will host weekly performers and events throughout the program that are free and open to the public. Click here for a list of events. Reading logs are available for pickup at Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue) beginning June 7th.

Don’t miss out on all of the activities happening at the Goleta Valley Library. Sign up for the monthly e-newsletter, The Reading Corner, and follow the library on Facebook (@GoletaValleyLibrary).

Get in the Game this July

July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and we want you to get in the game! Visit one of Goleta’s many neighborhood parks, learn a new sport (such as pickleball, bocce ball or Bankshot basketball), and commit to spending more time outdoors. This year’s theme, Game On!, is all about highlighting the fun, games, and exciting offerings around town. The City’s newest park, Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park (170 S. Kellogg Avenue), exemplifies the Game On! theme with activities for all ages. Goleta City Council will proclaim July 2019 as National Parks and Recreation Month in Goleta at the June 18 City Council meeting.

Park and Recreation Month began in 1985 and was started by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Parks and Recreation month highlights the vital and powerful role local parks and recreation play in conservation, health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities all across the country. www.nrpa.org

Road Improvements Project by Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital has started its final phase of improvements to Patterson Avenue by Hollipat Center Drive (south of Hollister Avenue). Improvements include restriping Patterson Avenue to include a bike lane and relocating the flashing beacon crosswalk by Hollipat Center Drive (Hollipat) to improve pedestrian access to the hospital. The crosswalk will be moved from the northside of Hollipat to the southside in order to align with the main entrance of the hospital. One lane of traffic in each direction will be open at all times on Patterson Avenue throughout the construction timeline.

City of Goleta to Manage Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Beginning July 1, 2019, the City of Goleta will not only be managing the Goleta Valley Library, but the Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries as well! It has been almost one year since the City took over direct management of the Goleta Valley Library in an effort to increase library services at reduced costs. Since July 1, 2018, the Goleta Valley Library has implemented new programs and services for children and adults, started a monthly e-newsletter, introduced the new ‘Library of Things’ collection, and opened the Jake Boysel Children’s Room.

Patrons currently registered at the Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez Libraries will need to get a new Santa Ynez Valley Libraries card in order to check out material or access electronic resources. The new cards will work at any public library in Santa Barbara County and are available from any of the library locations in the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as the Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue, Goleta), and the Santa Barbara Central Library (40 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara).