Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Join us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Join the City for an exciting afternoon on October 2, 2019, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m! Everyone is invited to attend the family-friendly ribbon cutting ceremony for the multi-purpose athletic field behind the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) and next to the Boys & Girls Club. There will be activity stations, information booths, and speeches from Mayor Paula Perotte, the Project Team, and stakeholders. View the flyer here.

The City broke ground on this project on June 19, and we can’t wait for people to begin using it! The project includes new turf with gopher mesh for the field, new irrigation, a walking path, and a fitness station. This new recreation space is a great addition for the entire community, the hundreds of children who attend the Goleta Boys & Girls Club each day, and those who use the Goleta Valley Community Center.

If You See Something, Say Something

Lieutenant Brian Thielst of the Goleta Valley Patrol Bureau / Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office has the following message:

As the Chief of Police for the City of Goleta, I would like to communicate an important message to our residents and visitors. These are trying times we live in, and Law Enforcement, through the strong partnership with the community, needs your help in keeping the community safe. As you live your daily lives, stay more alert and if you see something, say something, so we can possibly stop or prevent a violent act before it starts. The more eyes watching and the more alert everyone is, the safer our community will be. Whether you are out at the supermarket or at a community event, if something makes you feel uncomfortable please contact the police department immediately at (805) 683-2724.

Potential for Power Outages

Over the summer, we told you about Southern California Edison’s (SCE) plan to shut off power when high risk weather could potentially start a wildfire. Known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs or PSPS, these outages could lead to 3-5 days without power for Goleta residents and anyone within the SCE service area. In case SCE declares a PSPS and turns off the power this fire season, be prepared at home and talk with your family or roommates about what to do in an emergency. Here are some helpful resources to get you started:

Register for emergency alerts from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at www.ReadySBC.org. To receive emergency information from the City of Goleta, go to https://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency, text Goleta Emergency to 468311, or call 805-961-7508.

New City Council Meeting Start Times!

Beginning October 1, 2019, Goleta City Council meetings will start at 5:30 p.m., with closed session taking place at 4:00 p.m. It is hoped that later meeting times will allow more people to participate. Meetings will continue to be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. There are several ways to watch a meeting:

  • Come in person to City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B)
  • Live or at any time on the City’s website (https://tinyurl.com/GoletaMeetings)
  • Channel 19 live, or rebroadcast on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Everyone is encouraged to get involved with local government and attend City Council meetings. Check the City Calendar beforehand to confirm the meeting date. Find out ahead of time what is on the agenda – sign up here to receive City Council agendas sent to you via email or text message.

Picnic in the Park Kids Lunch Program

Do you know about Picnic in the Park? It’s Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s free summer lunch program for kids. The program is offered at multiple locations throughout the County for children 18 and under, including Goleta’s Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park (170 S. Kellogg Avenue). Lunch is available Monday – Friday from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. through August 16. In addition to lunch, the program includes activities, games, and nutrition education. Learn more here.

Make Your Own Upcycled Art at a GVCC Workshop

The Goleta Valley Community Center is hosting Upcycle Art Day for families on Thursdays July 11 and August 8 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kids of all ages will be able to create their own upcycled piece of art just by bringing an empty egg carton, cereal box, or can. The GVCC will supply additional materials. The workshops are free and will take place outside by the beautiful new El Corazón de Goleta mural. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Stay for lunch afterward provided by the Santa Barbara Unified School District Mobil Café, free for kids 18 and under and $4.00 for adults. Click here to view the flyer.

It’s Time for the Seventh Annual Goleta Dam Dinner

We look forward to this event every year, and we hope you do too! Goleta’s Annual Dam Dinner is always the Saturday before school begins, so join us on August 17 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam. This casual community event is a great way to meet new people, see old friends, and have a fun-filled evening. The Salt Martians will be back as the musical guest, and Neighbor Tim’s BBQ returns as well as an option to purchase dinner (you can also bring your own food). We encourage everyone to bring a dessert to share. Beer, wine, and our popular Dam Dinner t-shirts will be sold at the event. There will also be activities for kids such as face painting, coloring, and corn hole. Parking is available in the Stow House/South Coast Railroad Museum parking lot or along La Patera Lane.

Please register in advance so we can plan for enough tables and chairs. View the flyer here for more information. Keep in touch by liking us on Facebook (@DamDinner) and use #BestDamDinner.

Distracted Driving – Don’t Do It

In the smartphone age, people are more connected than ever before, but also attempting to stay connected when they shouldn’t: behind the wheel. It’s not just cell phones, distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road, or hands off the steering wheel – especially when texting or using your phone.

It is not only dangerous, but illegal, to use your cell phone while driving. In California, you cannot use a cell phone or similar electronic communication device while holding it in your hand. It can only be used in a hands-free manner, such as speaker phone or voice commands, but never while holding it. Any driver under the age of 18 is prohibited from using a cell phone for any reason.

The Goleta Police Department takes distracted driving very seriously. Traffic officers are constantly on the lookout for motorists who violate distracted driving laws, endangering themselves and others with whom they share the roads. “It only takes a moment for lives to be forever changed by a distracted driver,” says Sergeant John Maxwell who supervises the Goleta Police Department’s Traffic Unit. “Cell phone use can be a habit that’s hard to break, but this habit can have life changing consequences.” 

Remember, other serious driver distractions such as eating, grooming, reading, reaching for objects on the floor, changing clothes, or talking with passengers, are just as dangerous. Always focus on the road ahead, and together we can eliminate the unnecessary dangers of distracted driving.

Meet Chop, the Newest K9 Team Member

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office welcomes Chop, the newest member of their K9 team. Chop was purchased through funding from the Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse’s Project Deputy Dog program. In his first few months on the job, he is off to a great start. Deputy Moore, a six-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, is his handler. The two are stationed in South County but available to respond to calls countywide.  Chop was born in Germany and received his initial training at the Inglis Police Dog Academy in Oxnard.  Chop and Deputy Moore recently graduated from patrol school where they completed 200 hours of intense training. Chop is now trained in human scent detection, open area building searches, handler protection, and apprehension. Chop will eventually be trained in narcotics detection and hard surface tracking as well. If you would like to learn more about Project Deputy Dog and how you can support the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, please go to www.sbsheriffsposse.org. 

Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month this July

In honor of Parks & Recreation Month this July, the City has put together a fun-filled calendar of outdoor activities for residents to do throughout the month. In addition to exploring some of Goleta’s great parks or attending popular summer time events such as Music at the Ranch, Concerts at the Gazebo, or the new Summer Games & Movies at the Goleta Valley Community Center, those interested can also learn a new sport by attending a clinic for pickleball, Bankshot or Bocce Ball. Check out the full calendar in both English and Spanish and get your game on this July!