Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Public Health Officials Urge Residents to Get a Flu Shot

Free drive-up flu shots available October 8 & 9 at San Marcos High School

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department reminds residents that it is time to get a flu shot.  Significant flu activity can begin as early as October, last as late as May, and typically peaks in February.  Although getting a flu shot every year is recommended, this season, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, getting a flu vaccine is especially important to protect yourself, your family, and community from flu.  Equally important is that flu vaccination helps save limited medical resources necessary for the care of COVID-19 patients. Just like wearing a mask, getting a flu shot is an easy and safe action we can take to stay healthy during this pandemic.

To highlight the importance of influenza vaccination for all community members, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Director, Van Do-Reynoso, and Santa Barbara County Supervisor, Greg Hart, recently joined together to get their flu shots.

Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available, and should continue throughout the flu season.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can take about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early. Health experts across the country recommend that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant women, get a flu vaccine. Medical providers are taking every precaution to keep you safe, wherever you plan to get vaccinated.

Getting a flu vaccine is more convenient than ever before and is the single best way to prevent the flu. Vaccines are available from your regular health care provider as well as retail pharmacies. Many employers, schools, colleges, and universities also offer them.

Free drive-up flu shots are available October 8 and 9 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at San Marcos High School (4750 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara). There are also locations in Lompoc and Santa Maria. No appointment is needed. Please wear a face covering or mask, remain in your car, complete a short form and get your vaccination. Available for anyone ages 2 and up. No insurance or identification needed. For more information visit https://countyofsb.org/phd/.

Find other locations offering the vaccine by visiting www.VaccineFinder.org.

Flu shots are covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare and by most insurance plans. Find more information about the flu and flu vaccine at www.cdc.gov/flu.

Pictured: County Supervisor, Gregg Hart, Chair of the Board and Director, Van Do-Reynoso get vaccinated against seasonal influenza (flu).

State Testing Availability Opens to Entire Community

The State-run COVID-19 testing site at the Goleta Valley Community Center continues to be a convenient location for Goleta community members. It is open Thursday – Monday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. by appointment only.

Over the past four months, the state-run COVID-19 testing sites’ utilization has fluctuated based on the need of the community. These testing sites have seen lower utilization rates over the past few weeks which has left sites with open availability for testing. While we continue to emphasize the importance of those in higher risk environments receiving testing, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) is now encouraging all community members to be tested.

The importance of getting tested for COVID-19 has never been greater. The positivity rate and case rate, two of the most vital measures in determining our County’s allowance to move to the red tier, are dependent on having robust testing. When a county does not meet the State’s standard for testing, it can be penalized with increased positivity rate and case rate. In an effort to achieve widespread testing, community members can in turn help Santa Barbara County protect the health and safety of our neighbors while fulfilling requirements to progress in reopening.

“We are again opening up the state-run testing sites for all community members. Testing turnaround times have greatly improved thanks to state and local efforts and we are now seeing an average turnaround time for results of under 72 hours” shared Van Do-Reynoso, Public Health Director. “Detecting COVID-19 remains crucial to stopping the spread of this virus and one of the best tools we have to do just that is testing.”

State-run testing sites are located in Santa Maria, Buellton, and Goleta. Appointments can be made by visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123 for those with no internet access. Testing is by appointment only. 

Pictured: Goleta testing site – Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue)

Santa Barbara County Moves to the Red Tier

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has issued Health Officer Order No. 2020-12.9 allowing more businesses to reopen indoors with modifications and capacity limits, in accordance with the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. As of September 29, 2020, Santa Barbara County has met the State’s red tier case rate and positivity rate criteria for two consecutive weeks. As a result, the risk of COVID-19 spread in Santa Barbara County has been downgraded, effective immediately, from widespread to substantial, allowing movement from the purple tier to the red tier.

“Our movement forward, and ability to further reopen our community, is the result of the vigilance of our overall community in following the safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19” states Dr. Henning Ansorg, Public Health Officer for the County of Santa Barbara. “As we move into the red tier, we must be even more diligent in wearing our face coverings, maintaining social distancing, and avoiding gatherings with those outside our household. The red tier is not the end goal, but rather a step forward.”

The State’s Blueprint allows counties in the red tier to reopen indoor operations for some additional business sectors and allows for certain activities to resume. All businesses in Santa Barbara County, which are open or will be reopening, must follow all State guidance for their industry and self-certify that they are ready to reopen through completing the online self-attestation.

Some additional businesses, which may reopen indoors in the red tier with modifications include personal care services, indoor dining in restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, movie theatres, museums, zoos, aquariums, places of worship, and cultural ceremonies. Schools may also reopen for in-person learning beginning October 13, 2020 without a school waiver, if they choose to do so.

For more information about changes in the red tier, visit www.publichealthsbc.org. 

Follow us on our New Twitter Account @CityofGoleta

In an effort to better streamline our social media presence, the City of Goleta is moving our Twitter account handle to @CityofGoleta (formerly @GoletaPIO). We don’t want to lose any of our followers so please make sure to come with us to our new Twitter spot. If you don’t already follow us, NOW is the time. It’s a great platform to stay updated on news and information. You can also follow us on Facebook (@CityofGoleta), Instagram (@cityofgoleta), and Nextdoor. To have information sent directly to you via email and/or text, sign up for topics that interest you at tinyurl.com/GoletaSubscriptions. Information is also available on our website at www.CityofGoleta.org.

September Proclaimed Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

The Goleta City Council has proclaimed September 2020 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, joining communities across the nation to increase awareness about the importance for men to make an informed decision with their health care provider about early detection and testing for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 191,930 new cases in the US in 2020, resulting in an estimated 33,330 deaths. It is estimated 20,160 men in California will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and it is estimated 3,890 California men will die from this disease. 264 new cases of prostate cancer and 48 related deaths were reported in Santa Barbara County in 2010.

Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms and studies suggest strong familial predisposition may be responsible for 5% to 10% of the disease cases. Late stage prostate cancer commonly spreads to the bones, which can cause pain in the hips, spine, ribs, or other areas in the body.

The 5-year survival rate approaches 100% when prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated early, but drops to 31% when it spreads to the other parts of the body. The rapid reduction in prostate cancer mortality is attributed to early detection through PSA testing and advancement in treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that men should have an opportunity to make an informed decision about whether to be tested for prostate cancer based on their personal values and preferences. Learn more about prostate cancer here: www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer. 

Flex Alert Issued for Holiday Weekend – Calling for Energy Conservation

Power grid operator predicts high heat, energy demand this holiday weekend

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued a statewide Flex Alert, a call for voluntary electricity conservation, beginning Saturday, September 5 and extending through Monday, September 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Labor Day weekend temperatures are forecast 10-20 degrees above normal for California, and the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use. Overnight temperatures statewide are projected to be at least 10 degrees higher than normal, which doesn’t allow infrastructure to cool down.

High heat is also predicted throughout the West for the weekend, which can limit the ISO’s ability to import energy to serve demand.

Consumers can actively help by shifting energy use to morning and nighttime hours. Conservation can lower demand and avoid further actions, including outages, and lessen the duration of possible power interruptions. For example, consumer conservation efforts during a heat wave on Aug. 17 and 18 were key to preventing expected power outages.

Consumers are urged to conserve electricity when the grid is most stressed in the afternoons and evenings, when temperatures remain high and solar production is falling due to the sun setting.

The ISO recognizes that reducing energy use during the hot time of the day is a hardship, especially for those working from home or for families with children schooling at home. However, if a large enough number of consumers conserve even in small ways, they can help grid operators avoid more serious system emergencies. Between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the ISO is urging consumers to:

  • Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits.
  • Defer use of major appliances.
  • Turn off unnecessary lights.
  • Unplug unused electrical devices.
  • Close blinds and drapes.
  • Use fans when possible.
  • Limit time the refrigerator door is open.

Consumers can also take steps to prepare for the Flex Alert by doing the following before 3:00 p.m.:

  • “Pre-cool” their homes, or lower air conditioning thermostats.
  • Charge electric vehicles.
  • Charge mobile devices and laptops.
  • Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances.
  • Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night.

For information on Flex Alerts, to get more electricity conservation tips, and to sign up for conservation alerts, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website. Visit the ISO’s News page for more information on the heat wave’s impacts on grid operations, and to learn more about alerts, warnings and emergency notices.

For updates on grid operations, follow us on Twitter at @California_ISO or @FlexAlert, or monitor system conditions in real time at ISO’s Today’s Outlook.

Health Alert: High Temperatures Anticipated for Santa Barbara County

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is issuing a Health Alert due to the Excessive Heat Warning issued by the National Weather Service for Santa Barbara County from 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2020 through 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The Public Health Department is urging residents to take the necessary safety measures to avoid heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Community members are strongly encouraged to take the following precautions whenever temperatures are on the rise:

  • Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or be able to react accordingly – especially the elderly, young children, and pets. Check on your neighbors.
  • Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing works best.
  • Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, like morning and evening hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen and rest often.
  • Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. A few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Taking a cool shower or bath can help too.
  • If you do not have air‐conditioning, consider arranging to spend at least parts of the day, in a socially distanced manner and with a face covering, at another space that is cool. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness. 
  • For those who work outside, be sure to take frequent rest breaks in a shaded area or air-conditioned room, if possible. Stay hydrated and take action by moving to a cooler space if you feel signs of heat exhaustion.
  • Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.
  • Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin. With heat stroke, the person often stops sweating and the skin will be unusually dry. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is life threatening!
  • Do not leave children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. It only takes a matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures.

Goleta Recognizes First Mayor on Her 90th Birthday!

The City of Goleta is celebrating the City’s first ever Mayor on her 90th birthday.  At the September 1, 2020 City Council meeting, the Council issued a proclamation acknowledging Margaret Connell’s milestone birthday and the many contributions she has made to the City.

The Proclamation read, “Margaret Connell devoted more than six decades of her life in the City of Goleta and the greater Santa Barbara community, inspiring those around her with her leadership and professional achievements on civic engagement, social justice, women’s rights, environmental protection and stewardship, historic preservation and quality education for our youth.”

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Margaret has so many accomplishments to her name over decades of devotion to the public good, including serving on Goleta’s school board, driving us to Goleta cityhood, and leading us as Goleta’s first Mayor. Among her greatest accomplishments has been inspiring (and sometimes cajoling) me and so many to serve in elected office. I’m so proud to know her as a public servant and so honored to call her my friend”.

Margaret grew up in England where she received her BA in Zoology from Oxford University and moved to Goleta in 1956 when her husband joined the faculty at UCSB.  She became active in education issues when her children were in school and served on the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board for four terms.  She was an active member of GoletaNow! which worked successfully for the incorporation of Goleta in 2001. 

She was elected as the first Mayor of Goleta in November of 2001, something she is proud of to this day. She said, “It was an exciting time and the theme was “decisions about Goleta would be made by people who lived in Goleta. Twenty years later, this remains the driving force behind the City.”

Margaret served on the Council until 2006 and was re-elected as a council member in 2008. She was appointed Mayor in 2012. 

While she is proud of the many accomplishments that were made during her time on the City Council, she is especially proud of her part in creating a General Plan for Goleta.

She said, “It was a blueprint for what can be developed and where.  The overriding concept was protection of the environmentally sensitive habitat and open space as well as preservation of viewsheds critical to the character of the city.”

Margaret’s message to the community on her 90th birthday is, “Goletans must treasure what they have – one of the most beautiful and livable places in California. Please, everyone, take care of it!

Her list of volunteer activism is extensive but a short list includes, Planned Parenthood President of local affiliate and later as the Public Affairs Director, founding member of the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee, Goleta Valley Historical Society, Goleta Valley Land Trust, League of Women Voters, Santa Barbara County Civil Service Commission, Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, Environmental Defense Fund and the Goodland Coalition.

Margaret is a mother of four and has eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to her contributions to the City and her civic volunteerism, we are proud of Margaret for her role as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a champion for women, families, the environment and a fearless leader.  We wish her health and joy on her 90th birthday.

Pictured: Margaret Connell

Reminders Regarding Wildfire Preparedness, Air Pollution, and Power Outages

In the last month, Californians have lived through wildfires, air pollution, and power outages. The City wants to say a big thank you to all of our local firefighters for their endless work to protect everyone. Many have traveled and helped fight fires in other areas of California. We are so appreciative of your sacrifices!

It is important to remain vigilant and be prepared in the event of a wildfire. View the City’s resources here. With fires also comes the poor air quality that we need watch out for, and recently experienced, with the fires in Northern California. You can get the latest information on air quality from the Santa Barbra County Air Pollution Control District at https://www.ourair.org/.

With the excessive heat, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) declared an electrical emergency in mid-August, and again this Labor Day weekend, due to the strain on the grid. Residents are asked to conserve energy to avoid rotating power outages. While we were successful in not having a power outage during the mid-August electrical emergency, we must continue to conserve as much energy as we can this weekend and beyond. Below are home energy conservation tips from Southern California Edison:

  • Set air conditioners to 78°F or higher.  
  • Turn off unused appliances and equipment. 
  • Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.  
  • Minimize use of lighting where possible.  
  • Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.  
  • Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers at the same time an air conditioner is running.  
  • Operate swimming pool equipment and energy-intensive appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, during early-morning and late-evening hours after 10:00 p.m.  
  • Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators, major users of electricity in many homes. 

The California Department of Insurance has resources on insurance and an evacuation checklist.

Thank you for doing your part to be prepared and safe.

Pictured: SBC’s Strike Team 9322C assigned to the Lake Fire, in the Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County. They worked that fire for a week & then were reassigned to the Moc Fire in Tuolumne County.