Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Join Us for Coffee & Community on January 11 at Armitos Park

It’s time for City of Goleta’s next Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad! We hope to see you Saturday, January 11 at Armitos Park (near the intersection of S. Kellogg Ave & Armitos Ave) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Join Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), and Goleta staff members for this fun and family-friendly community event. Opening remarks will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a time for questions. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Enjoy complimentary coffee, champurrado (chocolate flavored drink) and fresh pan dulce (breakfast pastries) from Cristino’s Bakery. Bring the whole family. This event will take place outdoors in the recently opened Community Garden. Come see for yourself all the growth that has happened here. There is a playground to keep the kids occupied.

We have enjoyed seeing community members connect with their neighbors at these events and get to know the City better. You will hear updates from the City and learn about current and future projects. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and share ideas or concerns about your neighborhood.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join Us Dec. 17 for Last Council Meeting of the Year

Thank Councilmember Kyle Richards and Welcome Jennifer Smith to the City Council

Update: To read about what happened at the meeting click here.

We hope you will join us for the last Goleta City Council meeting of the year this Tuesday, December 17, at 5:30 p.m. (closed session begins at 4:45 p.m.) It will be a sentimental evening as it is also Councilmember Kyle Richards’ last Council meeting. We hope you will join us to show your appreciation for his 11 years of service to the City and the great impact he has made during his time here. At the meeting, Councilmember Richards will be presented with an Award of Appreciation, and you will have the opportunity to thank him in person or via Zoom. You can also submit your comments in advance of the meeting. See participation instructions below. For those who come in person, we will enjoy celebratory cupcakes, sparkling apple cider, and photo opportunities.

Councilmember Richards was on the City’s first Parks and Recreation Commission in 2013 and was first elected to the Goleta City Council in 2016. He was re-elected in 2020 and served as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Councilmember Richards has lived in Goleta since 2008 and has worked at UCSB since 1997. While his career in public service has ended at the City, his next chapter includes serving as a new Trustee on the Santa Barbara City College Board of Directors.

In addition to appreciating Councilmember Richards, the last Council meeting of the year also includes the certification of election results and the Oath of Office given to Mayor Paula Perotte who was re-elected and two Councilmembers. Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, currently at an-large Councilmember, was elected to represent District 4. Jennifer Smith is Goleta’s newest City Councilmember; she was elected to represent District 3.

Following will be the selection of a Mayor Pro Tempore from among the members of the City Council.

Another special element of the night is the presentation of City Logo Tiles to three long-time employees who are retiring:

  • Karen Corcoran – Human Resources Analyst (20 years)
  • Carey McKinnon – Solvang Supervising Librarian (25 years)
  • Cheryle Pearson – Goleta Valley Library (22 years)

There is so much to celebrate at this final meeting of the year, and we hope you will join us! 

For the complete December 17, 2024, City Council agenda and how to participate, go to: https://tinyurl.com/2rra9b9v.

#GoodLandGoodShopping Social Media Spotlights

Go to City’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for Weekday Posts

Make sure to shop Goleta this holiday season with GoodLandGoodShopping.com. To promote our local businesses, we are featuring one each weekday through the new year on our social media channels (@cityofgoleta). It’s a great way to get ideas for your holiday shopping and beyond. To see your business or a business you love on our Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) pages, send an email to PIO@CityofGoleta.org.

GoodLandGoodShopping.com is an online business directory with over 900 businesses listed, ranging from boutique stores and family-owned restaurants to professional services and apparel. This free resource includes a map view to see where each business is located, a search feature, and filter options to easily find what you are looking for. Watch our video promo in English or Spanish to find out more.

Businesses located within the City of Goleta with a business license, are automatically included in the GoodLandGoodShopping.com directory. However, we encourage you to take a moment and customize your free listing to gain more exposure. You can add your logo, social media links, promotions, photo galleries, and more. City staff will review and approve the listing before it is published. View a short tutorial on how to edit your business or add your business.

Thank you for shopping Goleta and supporting our local economy! 

Lights, Camera, Stroll Wrap-Up

We hope you have been enjoying the holiday lights in Old Town. More than 200 community members gathered to see them go on for the first time on November 7th. The LIGHTS, CAMERA, STROLL event was held to welcome the lights to Old Town and kick off the GoodLandGoodShopping season.

If you didn’t make it to the event, don’t worry we have a video recap of the fun-filled evening and a photo gallery. Watch our short video here and view the photo album here.

In her first speech since being newly re-elected, Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The holiday season is a time of joy, wonder and expectation and we are all so glad you are here to be part of this magical memory. It’s also only fitting that the group that has put on our beloved holiday parade for many years is also largely responsible for bringing these beautiful lights to Old Town for all of us to enjoy all season long as we drive down Hollister Avenue.”

The Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club secured $30,000 in funding and donated the lights, garland and parade banners to the City to bring joy to the community for years to come.

Ed Holdren who has been a member of the Lions Club for 38 years, and is the Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade Coordinator, said it would not have been possible without the generous support from the Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) Organization. He said, “The lights are going to be a positive addition to the Old Town Goleta holiday spirit.” Ed also had everyone put their hands together for the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club for the 80 years they have been supporting different endeavors in Goleta.

Attendees danced the night away to the beats played by award-winning DJ Darla Bea and enjoyed photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus who traveled all the way from the North Pole for the historic event. Photo booth gallery available here.

2nd District Councilmember James Kyriaco officially kicked off the GoodLandGoodShopping season and encouraged attendees to stroll down Hollister Avenue, enjoy the lights and visit Old Town businesses. He said, “Old Town is everyone’s downtown and so many of our local Goleta downtown businesses wanted to be part of this special moment for our City. Thank you for being here, now let’s go take a stroll!”

A map of 17 business participating in the stroll with special offerings was handed out. Thank you to everyone who participated. View a list of the participating businesses here. An easy way to shop Goleta this holiday season is to visit the City’s online business directory GoodLandGoodShopping.com. 

Shop EveryTown, who tabled at the event, provides another easy way to make shopping local easy.  Download the free app and learn about reward and challenges to support local businesses.

A special thanks to the Lions Club members for handing out cookies and hot cocoa courtesy of Holdren’s Steak and Seafood.

Happy holidays!


New holiday lights on Hollister Avenue


Group photo from left-to-right: Kelly Hoover, City of Goleta Community Relations Manager, Ed Holdren with the Lions Club, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), Mayor Paula Perotte, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, DJ Darla Bea, Councilmember Kyle Richards, and SB County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann


Photo booth – reindeer


Photo booth – family


Holiday Stroll – SB Gift Baskets

Another Spectacular Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade

Window Decorating Contest Winners Announced

Congratulations to the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club for putting on another memorable Goleta Old Town Holiday Parade! It took approximately 100 volunteers and a total of more than 1,000 volunteer hours to pull off this well-attended and festive event that took place Saturday night, December 7th. Thousands of people lined Hollister Avenue on this beautiful evening with new holiday lights lining the parade route. The spectators were entertained by more than 80 parade entries and 1,700 participants. Some of the highlights included an18-foot Snowman and an appearance by Santa.

The Earl Marion Hill, Jr. Family was honored as the parade grand marshals, celebrating their roots in the Goleta Valley that go back to 1874 when George Washington Hill settled here. The City of Goleta was pleased to participate once again this year. Check out this video clip.

Thank you to Kevin Haeberle from the Community Hot Rod Project who helped locate and organize the vintage cars for elected officials in the parade. The drivers and their cars included:

  • Efrem Reynozo with a 1957 Silver Chevy Bel Air driving Mayor Perotte
  • Kevin Haeberle with a 1938 Ford Deluxe Convertible (Milpas Motors) driving Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martín
  • Wally Schelvis with a 1988 Burgundy Oldsmobile Delta driving Councilmember Stuart Kasdin
  • David Guzik with a 1964 Light Blue Ford Falcon driving Councilmember Kyle Richards
  • Kay Lee Ahnemann with a 1995 Silver Pontiac Firebird Trans Am driving Councilmember James Kyriaco
  • John Sween with a 1987 Mercedes Benz 560 SL (Milpas Motors) driving Assemblymember Gregg Hart
  • John Finseth with a 1967 Chevy Corvette driving Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann

Congrats also to the winners of our 2nd Annual Window Decorating Contest.

  • First Place: Larry’s 8 Day Auto Parts
  • Honorable Mention: Hollister Barbershop
  • Honorable Mention: Goleta Bakery
  • People’s Choice Award: The Edge Salon & Barbershop
  • People’s Choice Runner-Up: Lazy Eye Shop

Winners will receive a free car wash thanks to Fuel Depot.

See for yourself photos of the participating businesses online here. Or you can head over to Hollister Avenue in Old Town from Orange to Kinman and see them for yourself. The displays will be up throughout the rest of the holiday season.

We can’t wait for next year. Mark your calendar! The next Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade is on December 6, 2025.


City Council, City staff and volunteers holding the Happy Holidays banner


Parade organizer Ed Holdren with the Great Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club


San Marcos High School cheerleaders


Parade entry


Parade-goers


Window Decorating Contest Winner – Larry’s 8 Day Auto Parts


Window Decorating Contest People’s Choice Award – The Edge Salon & Barbershop

Locals Medal at Huntsman World Senior Games

The City of Goleta is proud to recognize members of the Senior Program at the Goleta Community Center (GCC) who participated in the 2024 Huntsman World Senior Games October 7-19 in St. George, Utah. The annual tournament features 30 different sports, with over 12,000 athletes aged 50 – 90+ competing over two weeks. The group of ten GCC seniors competed in Table Tennis and had great success taking home many medals!

Judy Semenza, one of the big medal winners, has played table tennis for more than 30 years.

Table Tennis/Ping Pong is just one of the many activities offered through the Senior Program at the GCC. Other activities include: Line Dancing, the Senior Swing-A-Long Band, Gentle Stretch and Movement Class, Walking groups and more.

For more information on the Senior Center Program at the GCC, click here.

Pictured above: Judy Semenza


GCC Senior Program members at 2024 Huntsman World Senior Games

 

 

 

Goleta’s Finest 2024 Award Recipients Announced

Community Awards Gala to be Held on December 6 at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, from Goleta to Carpinteria, is thrilled to announce the 2024 Goleta’s Finest Award Winners. Goleta’s Finest, a cherished 74-year tradition, honors extraordinary individuals who have contributed significantly to the Goleta community, making it a better place to live, work, and grow.

Kristen Miller, President & CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, remarked, “Goleta is a community where service and generosity run deep, and we are proud to honor these remarkable individuals. Each honoree has made an impact on the lives of others, strengthening the foundation of our community. We look forward to celebrating their contributions and highlighting the legacy they are creating for future generations.”

The 2024 honorees will be recognized at a formal celebration on December 6, from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Bacara. The evening will feature dinner followed by an awards ceremony, a perfect occasion to commemorate these distinguished community members.

The 2024 Goleta’s Finest Award Recipients Are:

  • Man of the Year – Bill Macfadyen
  • Woman of the Year – Joanne Funari
  • Emerging Non-Profit of the Year – Hearts Aligned
  • Education Impact Award – Chancellor Henry T. Yang and Dilling Yang
  • Student of the Year – Ilan Abramov
  • Civic Leader of the Year – Kelly Hoover
  • Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Rachael Steidl
  • Goleta Preservation Award – Robert Zaida and Gregg Wilson

For more information and to purchase tickets to Goleta’s Finest, go to https://sbscchamber.com/event/goletas-finest-2024/.

New Bike Lanes and Parking on Cathedral Oaks in Western Goleta

Changes Include Bike Lanes, Protected Parallel and Back-In Angled Parking

If you haven’t noticed yet, there are changes to the section of Cathedral Oaks Road from Northgate Drive to Paseo Del Pinion in western Goleta aimed at improving the safety and accessibility for all road users. The newly repaved section now features protected Class 4 bike lanes. This innovative design includes parallel and back-in angled parking to create a safer, more inclusive experience for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike. It is also in line with the City’s ongoing commitment to Vision Zero, a long-term commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

Public Works Director Nina Buelna said, “We invite all community members to enjoy and explore Cathedral Oaks Road’s enhanced features, setting a new standard for safety and accessibility.”

The new striping for the class 4 bike lanes and parking configuration is a strategic move toward safer, more sustainable travel by reducing potential conflicts among road users and encouraging active transportation options. In all, there are now 89 total parking spaces: 31 new back-in angled parking spaces and 58 parallel parking spaces.

We know bike protected parallel and back-in angled parking is new for Cathedral Oaks Road and may take some getting used to. Here are three steps to help:

  1. Signal as you approach the spot.
  2. Stop ahead of the space and then reverse into it.
  3. Once parked, you’ll have a clear view when exiting.

The City is pleased that there was an opportunity to improve this section of Cathedral Oaks Road when it was recently paved as part of the City’s Pavement Maintenance Project. Staff presented the Goleta City Council with three alternatives for a bike lane and parking, and at the July 16th Council meeting this option was selected and staff moved forward with the work.

The new layout is below:


Example of back-in, angled parking and bike lanes that are on the north side of Cathedral Oaks Road near Northgate Drive. Parallel parking on the south side of Cathedral Oaks Road from Brandon Drive to Northgate Drive.

Vision Zero is a system-wide approach to traffic safety, gaining momentum in American cities, that focuses on reducing the number of traffic related fatalities and severe injuries to zero. Since adopting a resolution in support of Vision Zero strategies in Goleta earlier this year, the Council has also approved an ordinance that will lower speed limits on roadways in Goleta based on new State law.

Learn more about this project and the City’s Pavement Management Program on our website at www.CityofGoleta.org/Pavement.

Photos of the new striping on Cathedral Oaks Road


Project Connect: November Update

Project Connect construction continues, and great progress is being made. Currently, work is focused on the replacement of the north side of the Hollister Avenue Bridge over San Jose Creek. Crews are forming the bridge deck and will continue that work through the end of the year. The current traffic shift is scheduled to be in place until early 2025 when crews will shift traffic to the north side of the bridge to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the south side. The contractor is also working to clear the Ekwill Street extension area in preparation for work in that location.

Construction began on the City’s largest Capital Improvement Project in March 2024. Project Connect will take several years to complete with a targeted completion of spring 2027. 

If you haven’t already seen it, we encourage you to watch our recent video on the project providing a six month update from our Public Works staff. Check it out in English here and Spanish here to see what’s been accomplished so far, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming next!

We appreciate your patience during the construction of this important project. Please follow the posted traffic signs, travel with care, and stay clear of construction zones.

For additional information or questions, please email Connect@CityofGoleta.org, call 805-690-5116 or visit www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect.

Pictured above: Crews excavating for the soil nail wall


Crews constructing a bridge abutment


Crews constructing the north side of the Hollister Avenue Bridge over San Jose Creek

 

 

Tis the Season for GoodLandGoodShopping.com

City to Feature Businesses on Social Media

The holiday season is coming up and the City of Goleta wants to remind our community about our GoodLandGoodShopping.com online business directory. GoodLandGoodShopping.com serves as a hub for discovering and supporting local businesses. With over 900 businesses listed, there is something for everyone, from boutique stores and family-owned restaurants to professional services and apparel. Whether you’re in need of a specific service or simply looking to explore what Goleta has to offer, GoodLandGoodShopping.com is the perfect place to start your search.

The online business directory is a free resource that includes a map view to see where each business is located, a search feature, and filter options to easily find what you are looking for. Watch our video promo to find out more, available in English and Spanish.

For businesses located within the City of Goleta with a business license, you are automatically included. However, we encourage you to take a moment and customize your free listing to gain more exposure. You can add your logo, social media links, promotions, photo galleries, and more. City staff will review and approve the listing before it is published. View a short tutorial on how to edit your business or add your business.

In addition to promoting our business directory, the City is also launching a #GoodLandGoodShopping social media campaign starting on November 15, 2024, through the New Year. Look each weekday on our Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) pages to see what Goleta business is featured. If you want to see your favorite Goleta business featured, send an email to PIO@CityofGoleta.org.

Thank you for shopping local and supporting our local economy!