Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Final Coffee & Community of 2025 on Sunday, November 2

10:00 a.m. to Noon at the Stow House Ranch Yard

Mark your calendars for the City’s final Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad of the year! Join Mayor Paula Perotte and Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1) on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at the Stow House Ranch Yard (304 N. Los Carneros Road). If you have been to this special spot you know how wonderful it is, and if you haven’t, well here is the perfect reason to check it out.

In fact, there are so many reasons why you should go and bring your family and friends. Here are our top ten:

  1. It’s a great way to connect with other people who love Goleta, ask questions, and talk about issues impacting your neighborhood. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
  2. Get to know your Mayor and District 1 Councilmember.
  3. There will be free local coffee and treats to enjoy.
  4. The Goleta Valley Library Bookvan will be there.
  5. The Stow House Ranch Yard is opening its “Sundays at the Ranch” an hour early (at 10:00 a.m.) for our event and will remain open until its usual time of 2:00 p.m.
  6. Enjoy the outdoors. It’s a beautiful place and will lift your spirits to be there.
  7. There will be a Dia De Los Muertos craft activity for kids.
  8. Stay for the day and enjoy a free concert featuring local band the Nombres from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the east lawn.
  9. Visit the Goleta Valley Historical Society’s Museum Store and Visitors Center which will be open for our event. Regular hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
  10. Meet the local barn animals and enjoy a complimentary tractor ride.

For more information on Sundays at the Ranch go to: https://goletahistory.org/sundays-at-the-ranch/.

The City holds Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad events throughout the year in each of its four districts. Our last event was on Saturday, September 6 with Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin in District 3. Read a recap here.

To find out what district you are in, plug your address into our interactive Know Your District Map: https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap. Community members are invited to attend any Coffee & Community event regardless of which district you live in.

Paving Work on Berkeley Road

Paving work has begun on Berkeley Road. Construction started September 29 and is anticipated to last approximately 2-3 weeks. Work takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

During this time, Berkeley Road will be open to eastbound traffic only. Crosswalks, driveways, and side streets along Berkeley Road will remain accessible. Please plan for delays during construction, follow posted signs, and drive with care.

Construction began near the North Fairview Avenue intersection and will progress eastward. Work will be performed one side of the street at a time, alternating vehicle access between the interior travel lane and the exterior parking lane.

The pavement work is part of the City’s ongoing effort to maintain and improve its road network by restoring and resurfacing existing pavement to prevent further damage and extend its lifespan. 

The City’s 2025 Pavement Management Program aims to pave over 5.2 center road miles with two projects: the 2025 Arterial Pavement Project and the 2025 Residential Resurfacing Project.  

For more information including a street list and project maps, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/Pavement.


Paving work on Berkeley Road

New Santa Barbara County Emergency Mapping Tool

Santa Barbara County has a new mapping tool to use in emergencies. Having launched at the onset of the Gifford Fire in August, the new tool, powered by Genasys, includes an internal map-based system intended to support rapid cross-agency emergency coordination and decision-making, in addition to the emergency zones map for the public.

Explore the new emergency zones map to better understand how to search your address and bookmark the webpage. Additionally, community members can download the Genasys PROTECT app in the Apple App Store and Google Play on their mobile devices. Mobile app users can choose to receive push notifications when a zone is activated during an emergency. This push notification feature complements the alert and warning messages issued by the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management.

All community members are advised to register with ReadySBC, the County’s official alert and warning system, to receive timely and accurate emergency information. Remember, if we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you. If you are already signed up, take a moment to confirm or update your account information.

October Preparedness Opportunities

Goleta’s Emergency Services Division invites you to participate in three preparedness opportunities this October: Cybersecurity Awareness Month, National Fire Prevention Week, and the Great California ShakeOut Drill. Each occasion is a chance to take small, simple steps that can make a big difference in protecting your family, your home, and your community.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Staying safe online is just as important as staying safe at home. Throughout October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us to update our passwords, turn on multifactor authentication, and stay alert to suspicious messages. Protecting your digital world helps protect your real world, too! Visit ReadySBC.org for practical tips to boost your online security.

National Fire Prevention Week (October 5 – 11, 2025)

This year’s theme, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape,” is a reminder to make safety part of your family routine. Take time to test your smoke alarms, walk through your home together, and make sure everyone – from kids to grandparents – know two ways out of every room. Practicing your escape plan can be empowering, and it only takes a few minutes!

Great California ShakeOut Drill (October 16, 2025)

On Thursday, October 16, at 10:16 a.m., Goleta will join millions of Californians for the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. It’s quick, easy, and potentially lifesaving: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Practicing together makes us all stronger, and it’s a fun way to get kids and adults alike ready for the unexpected. Sign up at www.ShakeOut.org to join the statewide movement.

ReadySBC: Your Resource for Peace of Mind

A great source for more ways to be prepared for any emergency, go to ReadySBC.org.  You can download guides in English and Spanish for different hazards.

Also, make sure you are signed up for ReadySBC Alerts.

For more information and resources, City of Goleta Emergency Preparedness.

Sign Up for a Free Emergency Preparedness Class this Fall

Choose from Community Disaster Education Workshops or CERT Training

The City of Goleta wants you to be prepared for the next disaster. That is why we are offering two different types of classes this fall: Community Disaster Education (CDE) workshops (two hours) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training (21 hours). Don’t wait – sign up today at www.CityofGoleta.org/preparedness.

Here are descriptions, dates, and details of the free opportunities being offered:

Community Disaster Education Workshops

CDE courses are short interactive workshops that introduce community members to the essentials of emergency preparedness. Topics typically include:

  • Building an emergency plan.
  • Assembling basic supplies.
  • Staying informed during an emergency.
  • Helping vulnerable populations and connecting with local resources.

Below are the upcoming workshops taking place at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/mswjtwx2 (use the date filter on the left to display all the classes).

  • Friday, Oct. 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 16 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

You can also request a CDE in English or Spanish for your next community event, workplace lunch break, or neighborhood gathering. A minimum of 15 people are needed. Send an email to the Emergency Services Division, ESD.Training@cityofgoleta.org, for more information.

Community Emergency Response Team Training

The City is also offering a CERT training course on October 18, November 1 and November 15 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center (you must be able to attend all three dates to complete the course).

CERT is a comprehensive 20–24-hour training nationwide course designed to teach residents how to respond effectively during and after a disaster.

Sign up for the CERT Training here: https://tinyurl.com/bdhad2r5.

Learn more about the different classes being offered by the City by watching our video, available in English and Spanish.

Make sure you are signed up to receive emergency information from Santa Barbara County at ReadySBC.org and the City of Goleta here.

Coffee with a Cop on October 7

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at McDonald’s on Fairview Ave

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join deputies for Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the McDonald’s located at 146 S. Fairview Avenue in Goleta.

This informal gathering gives residents an opportunity to meet with deputies, ask questions, share concerns, and get to know the men and women who serve their community. There is no agenda or speeches, just a chance to have a conversation and build relationships in a comfortable environment.

Thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s, McCafé coffee will be provided free of charge to attendees during the event.

“Events like Coffee with a Cop give us the opportunity to connect with our community in a relaxed setting,” said Lieutenant Vasquez, Chief of Police for the City of Goleta. “We encourage everyone to stop by, have a cup of coffee, and get to know the deputies who are dedicated to keeping Goleta and the surrounding areas safe.”

The Sheriff’s Office looks forward to welcoming residents, business owners, and community partners to this event.

Event Details:

👮🏼 What: Coffee with a Cop
📅 When: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
📍 Where: McDonald’s, 146 S. Fairview Avenue, Goleta
🍵 Cost: Free

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.

Lemon Run Results & Photos

The City of Goleta is proud to have once again sponsored and participated in this successful community event and is sharing this press release from the Goleta Education Foundation.

Thank you to all the runners, volunteers, and sponsors who made the 2025 Lemon Run a HUGE success! There were 775 participants, nearly 150 volunteers, and over 1000+ in attendance overall. It was a picture-perfect day at Lake Los Carneros & Stow House with food from local farms, Cristino’s Bakery, Kona Ice, Don Pepe’s Mexican Food Truck, prizes from local businesses, and art for all ages.

The Goleta Education Foundation raised $45,000 through this event! The proceeds will allow GEF to support essential programs and give out Innovation Grants and Professional Development Scholarships to GUSD educators. Learn more about Educator Grants here. The Lemon Run is one of GEF’s events that help engage the community to invest in and enhance an excellent educational experience for all students attending schools in the Goleta Union School District.

Relive the Day!

  • View and add your Lemon Run photos here
  • Click here to view the full race results
  • Provide course and event feedback here

Make sure you Save the date for next year’s Lemon Run on September 20, 2026!

Interested in getting involved with the Goleta Education Foundation? Contact info@goletaed.org.


Participants in the 2025 Lemon Run 1K Family-Fun Run

Councilmember Jennifer Smith handing out award certificates to the winners


Lemon Run 2025 photo collage

Nominations Open for Goleta’s Finest

Community Awards Gala to be held on December 5, 2025

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce will honor Goleta’s Finest at the annual community awards gala at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara.

Nominations are now open! If you know someone deserving of special recognition for their community activities, now is the time to nominate them for these prestigious awards. Award categories include Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Student of the Year.

To nominate someone, go to Goleta’s Finest 2025 Nominations. You may nominate more than one person, but we ask for only one nomination per category. To ensure that your recommendations are considered, please submit a completed nomination form by October 10, 2025. To read about last year’s recipients, click here.

SAVE THE DATE: Goleta’s Finest Community Awards Gala, presented by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Tickets are available at SBSCChamber.com. 

Have questions about nominations or the event, please contact Camden Gustason, Events Manager at Camden@sbscchamber.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available, please contact Michele Schneider – Director of Business Development: Michele@sbscchamber.com  or (805) 965-3023.

Goleta Holiday Parade Entries Now Open

Seeking Entries, Volunteers, and Sponsors, to Bring the Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade to Life

The Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade is coming to town on Saturday, December 6 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and now is the time to sign-up your parade entry, to volunteer, or to sponsor this community event. The parade takes place along Hollister Avenue from Orange Avenue to Kinman Avenue.

Parade Entries

Whether you’re a school, nonprofit, business, or community group, now’s your chance to march, perform, and celebrate with Goleta. Register your group by November 21 at: https://goletaholidayparade.org/2025-registration. There is a $45 general registration fee and a $30 fee for schools and nonprofit organizations. School bands are free!

Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to put on a great event! You can help with preparations in advance or assist on the day of the parade. Interested? Send an email to goletaholidayparade@gmail.com.

Sponsor

Sponsorships are available at multiple levels. Your support helps bring this cherished tradition to life and benefits the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club’s mission to promote sight and hearing health in local schools.

  • Presenting Sponsor ($5000)
  • North Pole Diamond Sponsor ($3000)
  • Reindeer Platinum Sponsor ($1500)
  • Candy Cane Gold Sponsor ($1000)
  • Silver Bells Silver Sponsor ($500)
  • Snowman Bronze Sponsor ($250)
  • Elf Copper Sponsor ($100)

Thanks to the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lion’s Club and 2025 presenting sponsors Fuel Depot and the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge 613 for making this event happen.

For more information about the parade go to www.goletaholidayparade.org.

Unpermitted Food Vendor Risks

Unsafe and Unsanitary Conditions Found at Illegal Roadside and Sidewalk Stands

The Santa Barbara County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services (EHS) reminds the community that unpermitted roadside and pop-up food vendors often operate illegally and without proper food safety practices.

For over 100 years, EHS has worked to keep the food supply safe by setting strict standards and conducting regular inspections, helping to ensure that the public faces a very low risk of foodborne illness. While unpermitted food stands may seem convenient, inexpensive, or even exciting, they often operate under unsafe and illegal conditions. Investigations have confirmed cases of salmonella infections and other foodborne illnesses linked to unpermitted roadside vendors in the County. Unsafe conditions observed include:

  • Cockroach and pest infestations in vehicles and equipment
  • No handwashing facilities or restrooms for workers
  • Lack of refrigeration, with many vendors transporting food long distances without temperature control
  • Adulterated or unknown food sources
  • Improper cooking and serving temperatures
  • Unclean equipment, utensils, and food preparation areas

“Unpermitted food vendors often bypass health regulations, putting people at serious risk of foodborne illness,” said Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, “We encourage residents to only eat from food vendors displaying a valid health permit and to look for signs that food safety standards are being followed.”

There are several ways the public can protect themselves and ensure the food they eat is safe:

  1. Buy from Permitted Businesses: Restaurants, food trucks, and certified farmers’ markets permitted by County Health undergo regular inspections to meet strict health and safety standards. Look for a posted health permit before you buy.
  2. Support Local Farmers and Producers: The County has an incredible variety of local food producers. Shopping at certified farmers’ markets or farm-to-table restaurants ensures you’re getting fresh, local food that supports our economy and meets health
  3. Know Before You Eat: Many foodborne illnesses can be avoided if consumers choose only permitted sources. Unpermitted vendors may not follow hygiene or food safety practices, raising the risk of contamination.

To report an unpermitted roadside food vendor or other concern please complete this online form http://bit.ly/3W9cQhS or call 805-681-4900 ext. 3 (Santa Barbara) or 805-346-8460 ext. 3 (Santa Maria).

For more information about the work of County Environmental Health Services, visit Environmental Health | Santa Barbara County, CA – Official Website.