Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

City Wins Esteemed Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Awarded for LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy

The City of Goleta recently received the prestigious 2024 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the category of Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement through its LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and Discuss. The City was honored with the award October 17, 2024, at the League of California Cities annual conference held in Long Beach this year. The League of Cities played this short video clip at the conference highlighting the program.

Mayor Paula Perotte and Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet had the honors of going on stage at the General Session attended by hundreds of representatives from cities across the state to accept the award.

Mayor Paula Perotte could not be prouder. She said, “We view our LEAD Academy as a strategic investment that is already paying big dividends. This program is providing increased participation, leadership and inclusivity that will also continue far into Goleta’s future.” 

Established in 1982, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence, given annually in 12 categories, recognizes outstanding achievements made by California’s 483 cities. The purpose of the award is to promote innovative solutions by city governments. This is the third Helen Putnam Award for the City of Goleta. The first one was awarded in 2005 for the City’s role in preserving the Ellwood Mesa and the second one in 2014 for an Emergency Preparedness Program.

The City of Goleta, at the direction and encouragement of City Manager Robert Nisbet, submitted this time for its LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy. LEAD Goleta is a free, interactive six-week class that gives community members an opportunity to learn how the City is run in an intimate setting of 30-35 participants. The purpose of the Academy experience is to give community members a front row seat to their local government so they in turn feel connected and empowered to get involved and be part of the decision-making process.

The first LEAD Goleta Community Academy was held in 2019, and since then there have been four total academies including more than 115 people. The last two (in April/May of 2023 and January/February of 2024) were bilingual. This meant translation of all the class materials, simultaneous interpretation at each class, and outreach to the Spanish speaking community in Goleta to garner participation.

A booth displaying the program was on display at the League of California Cities Expo floor and was put together by the City’s Community Relations Division (Kelly Hoover, Jaime Shaw and Marcos Martinez) which also puts on the LEAD Goleta Community Academy each year. 

The City would like to take a moment to congratulate our fellow 2024 Helen Putnam award honorees for their exceptional work. Click here to see a list of recipients. 

The League of California Cities will do a Helen Putnam Award Presentation at the next Goleta City Council meeting on November 19, 2024.

If you are interested in being a part of this award-winning program, the City will begin accepting applications soon for its next LEAD Goleta Community Academy which starts in January of 2025. Stay tuned for details and visit www.CityofGoleta.org/LEADGoleta for more info.

Photos from the League of California Cities Conference


Goleta City Council and Staff – pictured left-to-right: Assistant to the City Manager Shannon Kirn, Community Relations Manager/PIO Kelly Hoover, Assistant City Manager Jaime Valdez, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), City Manager Robert Nisbet, Mayor Paula Perotte, Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martín (1st District), Councilmember Kyle Richards, Community Relations Assistant Jaime Shaw, and Spanish Engagement Specialist Marcos Martinez


Representatives from cities that received the Helen Putnam Award – Mayor Paula Perotte and City Manager Robert Nisbet on the very right


City’s Community Relations Division – pictured left-to-right: Jaime Shaw, Kelly Hoover, and Marcos Martinez

Window Decorating Contest Returns

Old Town Businesses along Goleta Holiday Parade Route Encouraged to Participate

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce the return of the Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade Window Decorating Contest! The aim of the contest is to help create a merry and bright route for the 2024 Goleta Holiday Parade happening Saturday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. Now with the addition of the Shooting Star Light Post displays along Hollister Avenue that are going on for the first time on November 7, 2024, the window decorations are going to help make Old Town a magical place to be this holiday season.

Last year, more than 20 business participated in the first-ever window decorating contest with Goleta Bakery taking home the top prize and Paperback Alley and GoodLand BBQ receiving Honorable Mentions. This year, we hope to have even more businesses participate. Who will the winner(s) be this year?

Here’s how it works:

  • If you are on the parade route, on Hollister Avenue from Orange to Kinman you are encouraged to decorate your storefront window in time for the Goleta Holiday Parade on December 7th at 6:00 p.m.
  • Keep it family-friendly! Be creative, festive, and have fun!
  • Please remember the City’s Plastic-Free Ordinance and refrain from the use of Mylar balloons.
  • Decorated windows should be viewable from the sidewalk but must not obstruct the sidewalk and/or pedestrian right of way.
  • A panel of judges (TBD) will view the windows at the event and a winner will be announced on Monday, December 9th.

All participating business will be featured on the City’s social media pages (@CityofGoleta).

Whether you are decorating a window or participating or attending the Parade, thanks for helping to bring joy to Goleta this holiday season.


2023 Participants

Goleta Holiday Parade December 7

Honoring the Earl Marion Hill Jr. Family at the 2024 Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade

The City is sharing this from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club

The Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club is filled with excitement for the upcoming annual holiday parade in Old Town Goleta on Saturday, December 7th at 6pm! This year’s 2024 Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade, proudly presented by Santa Barbara Elks Lodge, Fuel Depot, Toyota of Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara Honda, promises to be a spectacular celebration filled with festive joy, bringing our community together like never before.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening featuring enchanting floats, lively musical performances, dynamic dance groups, and spirited participants, all contributing to a magical evening filled with extra holiday cheer that you won’t want to miss. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to unite, embrace the joy of wholesome hometown fun, and honor our cherished community traditions. It will be a highlight of the season for both residents and visitors!

We’re excited to unveil the inaugural lighting of our dazzling new shooting star displays, made possible by the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club. These beautiful lights and colorful garlands will shine bright as darkness falls, and we invite you to join in the collective cheer as we illuminate the night.

We’re also proud to honor the Earl Marion Hill, Jr. family as the 2024 Parade Grand Marshals, celebrating their rich history and deep-rooted ties to the Goleta Valley. The Hill family first arrived in Goleta in 1874 when George Washington Hill acquired 60 acres of Rancho La Goleta. Notably, the Earl Marion Hill Jr. family served as the Grand Marshals of the Goleta Valley Days Festival Parade in 1989, highlighting their enduring connection to the community.

Dr. Earl Marion Hill Jr., a proud descendant of both George Washington Hill and L. Delenno Hill, embodies this commitment to the community. L. Delenno developed a thriving citrus ranch on his property, primarily planting lemon orchards. He was also a founding director of the Goleta Lima Bean Growers Association, further demonstrating his dedication to Goleta’s agriculture.

Earl Marion Hill Sr., L. Delenno’s youngest son managed the ranch with his wife, becoming a beloved figure in Goleta. Known for his generous spirit, Earl Sr. delivered fresh milk from the farm to neighbors and provided rides in his grandfather’s horse-drawn spring wagon, now restored and displayed at the Horace A. Sexton Memorial Museum.

The Hill family continued to expand their agricultural endeavors and shape their family legacy on the ranch. Earl Marion Hill Jr. was born at Cottage Hospital, and grew up helping his father on the ranch as he attended La Cumbre Junior High School and Santa Barbara High School. He later attended Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, passed the State Board Examination, and became the first practicing chiropractor in the Goleta Valley.

As we honor the Hill family during the parade, we celebrate their significant contributions to Goleta’s agricultural and cultural heritage, which continue to resonate in the community today.

We warmly invite local businesses, schools, sports teams, community organizations, and residents to participate in this heartwarming event. Volunteers are crucial to its success, and those interested can sign up at www.goletaholidayparade.org.

For more information on how to get involved and to celebrate the magic of the holidays together, please visit www.goletaholidayparade.org or email goletaholidayparade@gmail.com. Join us in creating a memorable experience for all!

We want to express our gratitude to our Presenting Sponsors, Santa Barbara Elks Lodge, Fuel Depot, Toyota of Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara Honda. We also extend our thanks to our Diamond Sponsors, Cox Communications and Boone Graphics; our Platinum Sponsors, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Special Technologies Lab; our Gold Sponsor, American Riviera Bank; and our Silver Sponsor, Kona Ice of Santa Barbara. The Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club invites any future sponsors of this year’s parade.


George Washington & Rhoda Barbara Wood Hill’s Home


Santa in the 2023 Holiday Parade

LIGHTS, CAMERA, STROLL on November 7th

Join Us for Holiday Lights Reveal in Old Town from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

We are going all out to celebrate holiday lights going on for the first time along Hollister Avenue in Old Town on Thursday November 7, 2024. Join us from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for an exciting night to commemorate this special moment in Goleta history. We can’t wait to be with you in front of the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) for the big reveal and dance under shooting star displays on the light posts wrapped in garland. This free event is so big that Mr. and Mrs. Claus are flying in from the North Pole to be here at our photo booth to help you get your holiday photos done early. The event will also mark the beginning of the GoodLandGoodShopping season and more than one dozen Old Town businesses are opening their doors with special offerings just for you!

Here is a timeline of events and activities:

  • 5:00 p.m. – DJ Darla Bea (voted by best DJ of 2024 in SB Independent Reader’s Poll) will kick off the night playing dance music under the Goleta Community Center (GCC) gazebo.
  • Cookies and hot cocoa served courtesy of Holdren’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant.
  • Photo booth open for photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus (take your photo home with you!).
  • 5:15 p.m. – Announcements from Mayor Paula Perotte, 2nd District Councilmember James Kyriaco and Ed Holdren from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club. Spanish interpretation available.
  • 5:30 to 5:45 p.m. – Darkness falls and lights go on! Applause everyone!
  • Dance party and photo booth continues until 7:00 p.m.
  • 6:00 p.m. – GoodLandGoodShopping begins with a Holiday Stroll down Hollister Avenue with businesses who have opened their doors special for this occasion. See list of participating businesses here.
  • Shop EveryTown will have a table at the GCC and a fun Holiday Lights challenge to encourage you to shop local this holiday season. Come by the table to see how to download the free mobile app and support local economy. Businesses can enroll and create a free profile by going to https://shopeverytown.com/business-portal/.

This Holiday Lights event is exactly one month before the return of the beloved Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade on December 7th at 6:00 p.m. A big thank you to the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club for securing the necessary funding to bring us this holiday lights project, which would not have been possible without the generous support from the Goleta Valley Community Center Organization (GVCC). 

For parade details go to https://goletaholidayparade.org/. If you haven’t signed up to be in the parade or help volunteer, there will be a sign-up table. Make sure to hug and thank the Lions Club and even better, consider joining the group yourself.

We can’t wait to see you on November 7th for this exciting Holiday Lights event!


Mr. and Mrs. Claus


DJ Darla Bea

Earthquake Warning System

Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake. 

To receive earthquake warnings, individuals and family members can download the MyShake App and ensure phone settings are adjusted to receive emergency alerts, including:

  • MyShake App: Free smartphone app that provides iPhone and Android users with audio and visual warnings [magnitude 4.5 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity III (weak) shaking]. Available at in the Apple App and Google Play stores;
  • Android Earthquake Alerts: Android phones with updated operating systems are automatically subscribed to Android Earthquake Alerts, which uses the same technology as the MyShake App; and
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): No-cost text messages for emergency situations [magnitude 5.0 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity IV (light) shaking].

If you live in or travel to areas that could be impacted by an earthquake, preparation is vital, as these events can strike suddenly, at any time, with little warning. Visit My Hazards to see if you live or work in an area prone to earthquakes.

For more info go to https://earthquake.ca.gov/.

Santa Cruz Market Receives City’s First Business Recognition Award

Nestled in the heart of Old Town Goleta, Santa Cruz Market stands as more than just a grocery store. It’s a testament to resilience, family ties, and the enduring spirit of community. For decades, this unassuming market has been a gathering place, a hub of activity, and a source of comfort for generations of residents. The City of Goleta would like to congratulate Santa Cruz Market as the City’s first recipient of our Business Recognition Program for Longevity in the City and for serving the community for over 40 years. The market also received a Proclamation for its 40 years in business.

The Business Recognition Program, recently adopted by City Council in July 2024, is designed to highlight exceptional Goleta businesses throughout the year for special achievements or other unique contributions to the City such as longevity, economic development, prosperity, sustainability or resilience, or other activities fostering continuous community enrichment. We encourage you check out our website to learn more about the program and how to nominate a business.

Santa Cruz Market story begins in 1938 when Robert Giffin transformed an old airplane hangar built by Earle Ovington in the late 1920s into what would become the Santa Cruz Market. Ralph Modugno, son of Italian immigrants, took the reins in 1980, purchasing two of the chain’s stores—one in Goleta and the other in Santa Barbara. His dedication to quality, service, and community made Santa Cruz Market a beloved fixture.

Tom Modugno, Ralph’s son, grew up in the aisles of Santa Cruz Market. His memories include the coin-operated horse rides out front—a reminder of childhood days spent playing while his family shopped. Tom, along with his brother Jon and wife Kim, worked tirelessly to maintain the market’s legacy. Their commitment to sourcing fresh produce, good deals, and quality meats endeared them to locals.

In 2024, after decades of dedicated service, Tom decided it was time to retire. Today, Santa Cruz Market remains a beacon of community spirit. Its walls echo with stories of families shopping together, kids riding the coin-operated horses, and neighbors catching up in the aisles. And Tom? He’s ready for a more leisurely life, pursuing creative hobbies and sharing Goleta’s history through his popular blog, GoletaHistory.org.

As the Santa Cruz Market transitions to new ownership (Santa Barbara Markets Corp., a family with markets in Ventura, Fillmore, and Oxnard), the legacy remains intact. The award serves as a reminder that businesses can thrive while staying true to their roots. The market’s commitment to quality, community, and service continues to inspire. So, the next time you step into Santa Cruz Market, remember that it’s more than just a grocery store—it’s a living testament to the Modugno family’s dedication and the enduring spirit of Goleta.

Pictured above: Mayor Paula Perotte and Tom Modugno holding a Proclamation for Santa Cruz Market’s 40 years in business and the City’s first Business Recognition Award given to Santa Cruz Market

Below: Santa Cruz Market then and now



Miles of Smiles at the Goleta Lemon Festival!

Watch Our Highlights Video

We had a blast at the Goleta Lemon Festival this past weekend (Sep. 28 & 29) and loved seeing so many of you there! Our City of Goleta booth area had non-stop visitors for the entire two-day festival. We enjoyed seeing all of the smiling faces and hearing the laughter as people spun the wheel for a chance to win some of our Go Green Goleta and Live • Work • Play themed giveaways. To take home a prize, many had to do some sort of challenge, but everyone walked away a winner. 

Here is a short video clip with highlights from the weekend: https://youtu.be/pAMq2p-qBHA.

Congratulations to Asher Logan of El Camino Elementary School and Joshua Mejia from Goleta for being the winners of our “Guess How Many Lemon Drops are in the Jar” game.  

Our Sustainability and Environmental Services team members shared our booth and had lots of great information to provide on our sustainability programs and policies, creeks and watersheds including learning about creek health and the endangered Steelhead Trout in Goleta’s creeks. Always popular were the Go Green Goleta reusable utensil sets of which more than 1,000 were handed out. People also signed up to volunteer for our Beautify Goleta program and learned about how to help the City shape its first Environmental Justice Policies – attend an Open House on October 9th and/or take a survey. 

The Goleta Valley Library booth right next to us was another popular spot with 2,200+ visitors learning about the wonderful programming options and spinning the wheel for fun prizes. 70 people also signed up to receive a free library card! 

While there were so many fun moments, one of the best parts as always was watching the pie-eating contests each day. Thanks to our distinguished judges, many including our Mayor and Councilmembers, for helping to pick the winners.

Thanks also to the Goleta Police Department for being at the impressive Safety Street section.

Finally, we want to congratulate and thank the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce for putting on another awesome Goleta Lemon Festival. Can’t wait till next year to do it all over again.


Watch highlights video here or click photo above


Winners of the “Guess How Many Lemon Drops in the Jar Game”, pictured left-to-right: Asher Logan with his grandmother Cynthia Logan, and Joshua Mejia

Creek Week in Goleta Wrap-Up

This year’s Creek Week in Goleta was bigger and better than ever! Our community came together for so many fun events all aimed at protecting and celebrating our treasured creeks and watersheds! We would like to thank all who came to participate in our events that included Coastal Cleanup Day, Free Bulky Items Collection, a tour of San Pedro Creek, an Art Contest at the Goleta Valley Library, and a Lunch and Learn at the Goleta Community Center.

Coastal Cleanup Day, Saturday, September 21st: Over 65 volunteers showed up for Goleta’s Coastal Cleanup location at Haskell’s Beach. Participants included the Evening Rotary Club of Goleta, Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and numerous residents. The site was captained by Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP.  An estimated 253 pounds of trash and recyclables were removed from our local beach by our community!

Free Bulky Items Collection, Saturday, September 21st: The free Bulky Items Collection event collected nearly three 40-yard bins of furniture, mattresses, tires, and more! These events provide our residents with a convenient collection site and help to prevent illegal dumping. A huge thank you to MarBorg Industries, Inc., Big Green Cleaning Company, Solid Waste Solutions, Inc., Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, and the Environmental Services Division, who all supported this effort!

San Pedro Creek Tour, Wednesday, September 25th: Community members and organizations connected for an enjoyable walk along the beautiful San Pedro Creek. Melissa Nelson with City of Goleta Environmental Services, Andrew Raaf with the County of Santa Barbara Flood Control, and Brian Trautwein with the Environmental Defense Center, teamed up to discuss various aspects of San Pedro Creek. Participants learned about the City of Goleta’s Creek and Watershed programs, migration of steelhead trout, native plants and animals that call this creek home, and the County’s fish passage project. This was also a great opportunity for us to learn what the community values in the San Pedro Creek. The City would like to thank all who attended and made this an engaging and fun way to learn more about our creeks.

Creek Week Art Contest Reception, Thursday, September 26th: Read more about this great event and find out the winners in this article.

Lunch and Learn, Friday, September 27th: Held at the Goleta Community Center, the City was thrilled to welcome the many community members, Councilmember James Kyriaco, and our speakers to learn more about our creeks and watersheds. Melissa Nelson with City of Goleta Environmental Services spoke about the City’s Creek and Watersheds program, and Brian Trautwein with the Environmental Defense Center and Mark Capelli with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave attendees an in-depth look at Southern California Steelhead Trout, including a summary of the last 5 years of trout study. It was such a fun and educational way to spend our Friday lunchtime! If you missed it, you can review the presentation and materials on our website here.

We can’t wait for next year!

Pictured above: Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers at Haskell’s Beach


San Pedro Creek Tour

 

Holiday Lights Coming to Old Town on November 7th

Save the date for an exciting history-making celebration. Thanks to a generous $30,000 donation from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club, Holiday Lights are coming to Old Town for the first time ever. Join us on Thursday, November 7th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Old Town (exact location to be confirmed) for a special community gathering/party to watch the lights go on. We can’t wait to see the shooting stars and colorful garland that will soon decorate the light posts along the Hollister Avenue corridor. The beautiful lights are sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit and will especially be a great addition to the Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade to be held on Saturday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. For parade details go to https://goletaholidayparade.org/.

Pictured: Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club members John Pace and Ed Holdren with a sample of the holiday lights.

October Observances

October is a month filled with various holidays and cultural observances, and the City of Goleta wants to highlight some of these events.

Global Diversity Awareness Month: A reminder for us to embrace and celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives that make our community vibrant and unique.

Filipino American Heritage Month: Honors the contributions and achievements of Filipino Americans to the history and culture of the United States.

Italian American Heritage Month: An opportunity to recognize the enduring legacy of Italian Americans and their invaluable contributions to American society.

LGBT History Month: Commemorates the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It’s a time for acknowledging the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community and celebrating the progress made towards equality and acceptance.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Encourages emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive workplaces and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Rosh Hashanah, Oct. 2 – 4: Also known as the Jewish New Year, is a significant and joyous occasion celebrated by Jewish communities around the world. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal, and it holds great cultural and religious importance for the Jewish community.

World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10: Underscores the importance of mental health awareness and advocacy. It’s a time for us to come together and support individuals facing mental health challenges, promoting understanding and empathy within our community.

National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11: Celebrates and supports members of the LGBTQ+ community as they embrace their identities.

Yom Kippur, Oct. 11 – 12: Also known as the Day of Atonement, is a day of fasting, repentance, and reflection, observed by Jews all around the world. Yom Kippur is considered the most solemn day of the year in Judaism.

Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 14: Honors the history, culture, and contributions of Native American communities. This observance provides an opportunity to reflect on the rich heritage of indigenous peoples and the ongoing efforts to promote indigenous rights and recognition.

The City of Goleta encourages you to learn about diverse holidays and observations year-round and embrace the spirit of inclusivity and understanding. Together, we can contribute to a warm and welcoming community