Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Dyslexia Dialogue at Goleta Valley Library

Goleta Valley Library is hosting the first in a series of monthly Dyslexia Dialogues, titled “Welcome to DyslexiaLand: Population 1 in 5” on Sunday, September 30, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Join us for an afternoon discussion on dyslexia – a common and misunderstood learning difference. Dyslexia affects 1 in 5 individuals and is often the unrecognized reason that bright and motivated children unexpectedly struggle to read, write and spell. Those academic difficulties, if unaddressed, can lead to negative self-esteem and worse.

The September Dyslexia Dialogue program will be led by Cheri Rae of the Dyslexia Project. She is a dyslexia advocate, mother of a dyslexic son, and author of the new book, “DyslexiaLand: A Field Guide for Parents of Children with Dyslexia.” Cheri will provide resources about the early indicators of dyslexia, how to support dyslexic strengths and what parents can do to help their children reach their full potential. 

Walk with a Cop

The City’s popular Walk with a Cop program returns on Saturday, September 22! This exciting program gives residents a chance to speak with their local law enforcement officers and ask questions. Led by Community Resource Deputy Dave Valadez, interested individuals should meet in the parking lot across from Ellwood School (7686 Hollister Avenue) at 9:30 a.m. for a 30 minute walk through the open trails on the Ellwood Mesa. Don’t forget your sunscreen, hat and water bottle!

Learn about Goleta’s Ballot Measures

On the November 2018 ballot, Goleta residents will also vote on two ballot measures:

  • Measure W2018 asks if the annual City Council salary should be raised to 75% of the nonfamily median income of City of Goleta residents, and if the Mayor’s salary should be raised to 90% ($42,134 and $50,561 respectively, according to the US Census Bureau).

Current salaries are $7,020 annually for all five Council members, including the Mayor.

  • Measure Z2018 asks if a Cannabis Business Tax should be put in place on gross receipts of cannabis businesses, not to exceed 10% and with initial rates ranging from 1-5% depending on the type of business (ex.: retail, distributor).

The Cannabis Business Tax is estimated to raise $334,000 – $1,423,000 for unrestricted general revenue purposes such as street repair, parks and police.

If you desire a copy of the ordinance or measure, please call the City Clerk’s office at (805) 961-7505 or email your request to cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org and a copy will be provided to you at no cost.

Update on Goleta’s City Council Election

In a first for the City of Goleta, the November 2018 election will include a race for a directly elected Mayor. Since incorporation of the City, the Mayor has been selected by the City Council for a one-year term and has rotated among the Council members. This year, as a result of the passage of Measure C2016 on November 8, 2016, City of Goleta residents will now directly elect a Mayor for a two-year term. Voters will choose between two candidates: Paula Perotte and Michael Bennett. 

In addition, two City Council seats were open. The two candidates vying for those seats are Roger Aceves and James Kyriaco. The term for this office is four years.

Go Solar, Save Money

The Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Solarize Santa Barbara program is underway and will be running through August 30th to help homeowners install quality solar energy systems at affordable prices. Over the past seven years, CEC has helped over 657 homeowners install solar energy systems. CEC has partnered with two local installers, Brighten Solar and California Solar Electric, who offer reduced prices for the Solarize program duration, assuring that homeowners get the best price for a quality solar system. New this year is an energy storage option – homeowners can add a battery system so that energy generated from solar panels can be discharged when electricity prices are higher in the evening. 

CEC is partners with the Cities of Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria and the County of Santa Barbara. To learn more about the Solarize Santa Barbara program, visit www.solarizesb.org, call (805) 963-0583 x 102 or attend the next workshop on July 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Carpinteria Library Multipurpose Room (5141 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria).

Ready, Set, Race to the Lemon Run Finish Line!

Save the date for this year’s Lemon Run on September 23, 2018 at Goleta Beach Park! The Lemon Run is put on by the Goleta Education Foundation (GEF) to support programs in the Goleta Union School District’s nine elementary schools serving 3,700 diverse students. Money raised this year will go to the new Innovation Grants, given to educators in Goleta Elementary Schools to support new and exciting learning opportunities for students. Learn more about GEF and the programs they support at www.goletaeducationfoundation.org.

Choose from competitive 5K (Jr. Grand Prix) and 10K (Grand Prix) races, or the popular 1K Family Fun Run. All races begin and end at Goleta Beach with an out-and-back course on the bike path. There will be fun and exciting prizes and goodies from the Lemon Festival and other local businesses, fabulous food from Wahoo’s Fish Taco, and family-friendly activities to keep even the littlest ones happy. Come out and support Goleta schools and the community! Click here to register today.

Apply for the Library Board of Trustees

Do you love the Goleta Valley Library? Then apply to serve as one of five members on the Library Board of Trustees. The role of the Board is to advise the City Council and increase citizen participation in library issues by analyzing current needs, considering goals, anticipating future needs and problems, acting as a liaison, acting as a sounding Board, and to help develop consensus for advisement to the City Council. The Board will meet at least once a month. There is a $50 stipend per month.

To apply and be considered, Board Members must be residents consisting of the following:

  • 2 Board Members – Goleta City Residents
  • 2 Board Members – Residents of the Unincorporated Service Area of the Goleta Library (Eastern Goleta Valley, Community Service Area 3, and Hope Ranch)
  • 1 Board Member – Isla Vista Community Services District

The deadline to apply is July 20, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. Applications may be submitted online at http://tinyurl.com/goletaboards-commissions. Additional information can be provided by contacting Deborah Lopez, City Clerk, at (805) 961-7505 or dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

Goleta’s Next Bicycle Project – the San Jose Creek Bike Path

The City has a number of projects in the works, including the San Jose Creek Bike Path Project. When completed, the path will extend 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. The bike path will provide an alternative means of transportation for commuters as well as a source of recreation.

The San Jose Creek Bike Path Project is being worked on in two portions, the middle extent and the southern extent. For the middle extent, a Class I Bike Path will be constructed along the west side of San Jose Creek extending from Calle Real to Hollister Avenue. The middle extent project has been broken into two segments identified as Segment 1 and Segment 2. Segment 1 is the portion of the bike path which extends from Armitos Avenue south to Hollister Avenue. This section is currently under construction with the City’s Hollister Kellogg Park project. Segment 2 is the portion of the bike which extends from Armitos Avenue north to Calle Real. This segment is in preliminary design. Learn more here.

The southern extent extends from Hollister Avenue south along the new Class II bike facility proposed along Kellogg Avenue (to be constructed with the Ekwill Street project) and then will cross San Jose Creek Channel via a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, to follow along the west side of State Highway 217 connecting to the existing Class I Atascadero Creek/ Obern Trail. This segment is currently in preliminary design. The City is coordinating with Santa Barbara County and Caltrans for the project. Click here for more information.

From Caterpillar to Butterfly – A New Educational Experience

The Goleta MOVES (Monarch Overwintering Visual Experience Simulation) program is a new educational opportunity for the community to learn about the lifecycle and migration cycle of the Western Monarch Butterfly. The program, currently under development, will feature an outdoor exhibit, education materials, activities and more. It is a collaborative effort of the City of Goleta, Nature Tracks, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, and many more. This unique educational alternative is made possible through the generosity of the Santa Barbara Foundation and will be available to the public later this year. If you are an educator and would like to find out more information or schedule a field trip, or if you are interested in volunteering to assist with construction or serving as a docent, please contact JoAnne Plummer at (805) 562-5505 or jplummer@cityofgoleta.org.

Final Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Community Workshop

Be a part of Goleta’s biking and walking future – your final opportunity to provide input is on July 19. Community members like you have been an important part of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) from the beginning – attend our final community workshop on Thursday, July 19, from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue).

The workshop will review and allow for input one last time on the City’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan. Read the five draft chapters here. Following the workshop, the final plan will be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval this fall.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is the future of biking and walking in Goleta. It aims to expand and improve the pedestrian and bicycle network in the City of Goleta making it easier to walk and bike around town. The BPMP also promotes public health by encouraging people to walk and bike, reduces automobile usage and fuel consumption, and promotes transportation equity. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/GoletaBPMP.