Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

World Homelessness Day

Written by Goleta’s Homelessness Services Coordinator Chuck Flacks

World Homeless Day is on October 10, 2024. This annual day of recognition is a great time to stop and reflect on the persistence of a problem that plagues a growing number of communities.

How Can You Honor World Homeless Day? This year, the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SBACT), Goleta’s partner agency in implementing its Homelessness Strategic Plan, is honoring World Homeless Day by airing a series of videos from people who have experienced homelessness. The videos will be available to stream at www.sbact.org/whd and on Facebook/Instagram at @sbactnow. SBACT will also host a panel discussion on Homelessness: It’s Not What You Think to help people dispel the myths that many people have about homelessness and the people who experience it. The panel will be on Thursday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. To register please visit www.sbact.org/whd.

What does Homelessness Look Like in Goleta?

Housing affordability has become a national issue with high rents across Santa Barbara County. With a majority of renters experiencing a high burden, it is likely that homelessness will increase in the near future.

Some facts include:

  • Average number of people experiencing homelessness is about 200
  • Each month an average of 8 people experiencing homelessness find housing
  • Each month, about 8 new people are identified as homeless
  • Currently, for residents of Goleta experiencing homelessness:
    • 56 are in shelters
    • 28 are in vehicles
    • 87 are in encampments
  • A recent census of people living in vehicles found 136 people; however, only 28 consider themselves homeless.

World Homelessness Day is a chance to remember that we hold many myths about homelessness that are not true and keep getting debunked. Homelessness is a housing problem. While many people experiencing homelessness have mental health issues or problems with alcohol and drugs, so do many people who are housed. (Places like West Virginia have a much higher percentage of people with substance problems, and they have almost no homelessness). There is no evidence that these problems cause homelessness. While many people on the street might say that they “prefer” to be homeless, all of our experiences show that when someone is offered a home that they can afford, they take it. And, we have learned that the vast majority of people who are homeless were housed, at some point in the past, in the community where they are living. The people on the streets are our neighbors, and often they are our daughters, sons, friends, or even co-workers.

Thank you for taking time out to think about Homelessness in our community.


People featured in SBACT’s videos

City Receives $364,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant

Funding Another Big Step Forward for City’s Vision Zero Initiative

The City of Goleta received a Planning and Demonstration Activities grant for $364,000 from the Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. This funding allows Goleta to take meaningful steps toward improving safety and implementing the City’s Vision Zero initiative. Goleta is one of over 350 communities to receive this grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We are committed to making our streets safer for everyone. This funding represents a crucial opportunity to begin planning for solutions that will save lives and enhance our urban environment.”

Senior Project Manager Teresa Lopes said, “The City was fortunate to receive funding from the grant program enabling us to continue with supplemental planning activities related to the San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path Project and to further the City’s Vision Zero efforts.”

With this funding the City will:

  • Develop a public safety dashboard to track and monitor safety projects.
  • Launch a Vision Zero Public Safety Campaign to raise awareness about traffic safety concerns including development of a traffic calming toolbox.
  • Implement a Safe Routes to School program to establish non-motorized transportation options for students residing in the Old Town neighborhood.

With these resources, the City can engage with the community, gather feedback, and ensure that its initiatives reflect the needs and priorities of all residents.

In addition to the grant, the City has been working to make Goleta’s roadways safer by adopting the Vision Zero Plan earlier this year. The philosophy maintains that serious collisions on public roadways are preventable and that while collisions cannot be avoided altogether, there are steps you can take to avoid deaths and serious injuries. Another step taken was the Goleta City Council’s approval of an ordinance at its September 3, 2024, meeting that will lower speed limits on roadways in Goleta based on a new State law.

For more information about the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, go to https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A.  

Goleta Holiday Parade Dec. 7 – Join the Celebration

Call for Participants, Volunteers, and Sponsors to Help Spread Holiday Cheer in Old Town Goleta

The Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club is excited to announce the return of the annual holiday parade in Old Town Goleta on Saturday, December 7th at 6pm. The 2024 Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade, presented by Fuel Depot and Elks Lodge, is a cherished tradition that unites our community in the spirit of the holidays. The parade is a collaborative effort, so the group is actively seeking volunteers, sponsors, and participants to help make this an unforgettable celebration!

Local businesses, schools, sports teams, community organizations, and residents are encouraged to get involved. The parade offers a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and experience the joy of wholesome, hometown fun. With festive floats, lively musical performances, dynamic dance groups, and cheerful participants, this event promises to be a highlight of the year for both residents and visitors. As the anticipation grows, we invite you to join us in creating a magical experience for all!

A variety of sponsorship levels are available, including:

  • North Pole Diamond Sponsor ($3000)
  • Reindeer Platinum Sponsor ($1500)
  • Candy Cane Gold Sponsor ($1000)
  • Silver Bells Sponsor ($500)
  • Snowman Bronze Sponsor ($250)
  • Elf Copper Sponsor ($100)

Volunteers can easily sign up at www.GoletaHolidayParade.org to assist with preparations or help on the day of the event. For those wishing to participate, the fee is $45 for general entries and $30 for schools and non-profit organizations. Please note that the deadline for entry is November 22, so don’t miss this chance to be a part of the festivities and support our community!

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, volunteer positions, and participation details, visit www.GoletaHolidayParade.org or email goletaholidayparade@gmail.com.

NatureTrack Film Festival Almost Here!

The NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF) returns to Goleta for a second year October 11-13, and for the first time will be taking place at the Camino Real Marketplace and Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta. The full festival lineup is now available online at www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org. To celebrate the return of this impressive film festival to Goleta, the Council issued a Certificate of Recognition to the festival organizers at the October 1 Council meeting (see photo below).

This year’s festival will screen over 80 films across three days. The festival team is thrilled to feature seven World Premieres, six North American Premieres, and four United States Premieres throughout the weekend, supporting the outstanding full lineup of over 80 inspiring short and feature films with the mission: To Ignite a Passion for Nature through Film. 

All tickets are now on Sale!

Tickets to the Opening Night Extravaganza are priced at just $65 each, and Opening Night guests will enjoy an entertaining evening that will set the tone for the unique and exciting Festival weekend ahead. 

Opening Night will showcase the Central Coast Premiere of Jane Goodall – Reasons for Hope, plus two world premiere short films, Open Space and Otter Space followed by the official opening night reception with light bites and an open bar.  

The Intro Pack ($140) includes a four-pack to any film block of your choice, PLUS two tickets to all the opening night films and reception. An all-access VIP Pass that includes a swag bag, priority access to all screenings, and entry to the VIP lounge is $200 or $375 for two. Individual film block tickets start at just $15.

New this year, the NTFF team will open the official Festival Hub in the former Pier One space at the Camino Real Marketplace at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 11th and it will be open throughout the festival. 

The festival hub will be a place for all festival attendees to pick up passes, purchase tickets, attend filmmaker panels, enjoy the opening and special event receptions, grab a drink with filmmakers, and even enjoy an art gallery featuring local artists. 

Other notable highlights for this year’s festival include the world premiere of the new PBS Documentary Animal Pride – Nature’s Coming Out Story, the world premiere of R.E.S.C.U.E – a heartwarming short documentary about elephants and empowering women and the world premiere of Tagliamento – King of The Alpine Rivers – a beautiful documentary about the last wild river in Europe from Austrian National Broadcaster ORF which will close out the festival on Sunday October 13th. 

With multiple world premieres, over 80 films screening across three days, interesting filmmaker panels, attending filmmakers from around the world, and now with a dedicated festival hub, the 6th NatureTrack Film Festival promises to be its biggest and best yet!

Buy your tickets today and learn more about the full festival schedule, and special events at www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org.

Pictured: NTFF group with Goleta City Councl – left-to-right: NTFF Program Manager Abby Pickens, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Mayor Paula Perotte, Managing Director Gareth Kelly, NatureTrack Foundation Founder/Executive Director Sue Eisaguirre, Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), and Councilmember Kyle Richards

Old Town Open for Business Campaign Continues

Check Out City Social Media Post for #OTOB Business Spotlight

While Project Connect construction continues in Old Town, so does the need to support the awesome businesses that call this heritage district home. For the past four months we have been featuring social media posts showcasing a different business as part of our Old Town Open for Business/Negocios Están Abiertos campaign on the City’s Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) accounts. In case you missed them, here is a short slideshow with the ones we have featured so far. If you know of an Old Town business that we should highlight, or if you are an Old Town business that would like to be featured, send an email to PIO@cityofgoleta.org.

Also make sure to come shop, dine and do business in Old Town. Whether it’s supporting merchants you already frequent or discovering a new one, there truly is something for everyone in Old Town!

All day free parking is available at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) and Orange Avenue Lot, while free 90-minute parking is offered at Community West Bank (corner of Pine Avenue and Hollister Avenue) and Carson Street (between Orange Avenue and Fairview Avenue).

The City launched its Old Town Open for Business (OTOB) campaign in May following the beginning of construction on Project Connect, the largest capital improvement project in the City’s history that will take several years to compete. The campaign includes OTOB light post banners, A-Frame signs, and a video of Old Town businesses ready to serve the community that you can watch here in English and here in Spanish.

The City is always looking for ways to support our Old Town businesses during construction. This past summer the City partnered with the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce to put on a Meet Me in Old Town block party series and collaborated with the Greater Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to put on a Mexican Independence Day Festival at the Goleta Community Center. Stay tuned for a community event in November to celebrate the installation of Holiday Lights in Old Town courtesy of a donation from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club.

To stay updated on Project Connect milestones, traffic impacts, and other important information, visit the project page on the City’s website at www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect.

For additional information or questions, please contact: Connect@CityofGoleta.org or call 805-690-5116.

Watch Project Connect Video Update

Learn Latest on Construction Progress

Six months into construction of the largest capital improvement project in Goleta’s history, the City has released a video update. 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!

In the video, there’s important information about Project Connect, including the new Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping layout, emergency vehicle access, and free public parking in Old Town. Plus, find out why the projects are being done all at once and where you can go for updates, questions, or feedback.

Interim Public Works Director Nina Buelna said, “We’re deep in the construction phase, and we know that can mean delays. But we truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this important time. When all is said and done, this project will create a safer and better transportation network for everyone—no matter what your mode of travel is.”

Construction Update:

Completed: Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping

Happening Now: Hollister Avenue Bridge Replacement over San Jose Creek

Future Construction: Two Roundabouts on Hollister Avenue and the extension of Ekwill Street and Fowler Road

Project Connect will take several years to complete with a targeted completion of spring 2027. The City plans to provide video updates throughout the construction process.

For more information go to CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect or contact the Project Connect outreach team at Connect@cityofgoleta.org or call 805-690-5116.

Help Shape Goleta’s First Environmental Justice Policies

Take Survey and Attend Community Open House on October 9th

The City of Goleta is preparing General Plan Updates and needs your help getting feedback on its first-ever Environmental Justice policies. Environmental Justice policies are about making sure everyone has equal access to clean air, water, land, and other resources. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Please take a moment to complete a brief survey to share your ideas on Environmental Justice (the survey will remain open until October 18th).
  • Attend an Open House on October 9th anytime 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) where you can learn more about Environmental Justice policies, the role the policies will play in Goleta, provide input, and speak directly with City staff.

Responses to the survey and input from the Open House will help shape the City’s Environmental Justice goals and policies as we look to create a more safe, healthy, and equitable Goleta for all to enjoy. New goals, policies, and objectives will seek to address pollution and its effects on all neighborhoods, with an emphasis on areas of the City most negatively affected by environmental burdens and associated health risks. These new goals will also promote civic engagement in public decision-making and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of vulnerable communities.

For more information go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GeneralPlanUpdates or contact the City’s Advance Planning Division at (805) 961-7548 or GeneralPlanUpdates@cityofgoleta.org.

Goleta’s November Election

Know Your District!

This is another historic election for the City of Goleta – do you know what district you live in? The City is divided into four districts and registered voters in Districts 3 and 4 will have the opportunity to elect City Councilmembers from the District in which they live in this election. Voters in Districts 1 and 2 elected a Councilmember from their Districts in 2022. The Mayor’s seat continues to be elected at-large and is also on the November 2024 ballot.

If you don’t already know, find out what district you live in by putting your address in the interactive map at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap.

Take a moment to learn more about the upcoming General Municipal Election in Goleta by watching this short video from veteran City Clerk Deborah Lopez. The video is also available in Spanish featuring the City’s Spanish Engagement Specialist.

No matter which of the four districts you live in, ALL Goleta residents will vote on the Mayor’s seat and on a City sponsored ballot measure (G2024).

Measure G2012 Agricultural Land Initiative Extension Measure.
Shall the measure be adopted extending the term of Measure “G2012” (“Heritage Farmlands Initiative”), requiring a majority vote of the people to redesignate or change the intensity of use for agricultural parcels within the City of Goleta of ten or more acres, by twenty additional years upon the expiration of the term of Measure “G2012” and to take effect on December 31, 2032?

Make sure you are registered to vote! Check your registration or register now at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

There are two ballot drop box locations in Goleta, for all locations in the County, click here.

  • Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive)
  • Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Ave)

For Goleta-related election information, please visit our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections. 


Watch video on the upcoming election with Goleta City Clerk Deborah Lopez

Goleta's District Elections Map
Find out which district you live in with our interactive map 

Ballots for Upcoming Election Delivered in October

All registered voters in California will receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot in the mail by early October

The Santa Barbara County Elections Office announced today that official Vote-by-Mail ballots and voting materials will be delivered to the United States Post Office by October 7th.  Registered voters are asked to check their mailboxes for their ballot and related voter information guides which should reach them within the next 5-10 days.

The vote-by-mail packet will contain several items:

  • The voter’s official ballot
  • Instructions for voting and returning the ballot
  • A ballot return envelope with a unique barcode that allows the Elections Office to verify the signature of the voter on the envelope with the voter’s registration record.  This may be the signature on the voter registration card submitted by the voter or the signature on the voter’s driver’s license if they registered to vote at the DMV.  It is important that the voter verifies that their name is printed on the envelope (the ballot doesn’t belong to another person living at the same address), signs the envelope, and encloses the ballot in the return envelope.

If a voter receives a ballot for a person who is no longer living at the address, please:

  • Mark the box on the bottom left corner of the outgoing envelope and return the packet to a mail carrier

OR

  • Write “No longer at this address” on the outside envelope and return it to a mail carrier 

Ballots may be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day, November 5), returned in person to one of three election offices (locations listed below), to any polling place on Election Day, or an official ballot drop boxes located throughout the County.

A list of polling places and official drop box locations can be found at www.sbcvote.com.

Voters can sign up to track their ballot at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

Voters can check their registration status, look up their polling place, and find their ballot’s status by using the look-up tool at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov or calling the Elections Office at 800-722-8683.

Register online at registertovote.ca.gov/ or request a registration form by calling 800-722-8683.  Voter registration forms are available at local DMV offices, post offices and public libraries.

Santa Barbara County Elections Offices are located at:

  • Santa Barbara Elections Main Office (4440-A Calle Real) Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Santa Maria Elections Branch Office (511 Lakeside Parkway, Ste. 134) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning October 5 and on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Lompoc Elections Branch Office (401 E. Cypress, Suite 102) – 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning October 29 on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Santa Barbara County Elections can be reached at sbcvote.com or by calling 800-722-8683.

Red Flag Warning (until 9/07) & Heat Advisory (until 9/09)

The National Weather Service has expanded the Heat Advisory for the coastal areas of Santa Barbara County, including Goleta, and the Excessive Heat Warning for inland areas, through Monday, September 9. The National Weather Service has also issued a Red Flag Warning for southern Santa Barbara County due to strong sundowner winds, low humidity, and high temperatures. This Warning is in effect now through Saturday, September 7. Detailed weather forecasts are available at https://www.weather.gov/lox/.

Sundowner winds are expected tonight and Friday night. Hot and windy conditions greatly increase the risk for dangerous wildfires. Avoid hazardous activities that may cause sparks or start a wildfire.

Community members are urged to take the following precautions:

  • Familiarize yourself with the Ready, Set, Go program for wildfire preparedness at https://sbcfire.com/ready-set-go.
  • Report any signs of smoke or fire immediately by calling 911. If using a cell phone, be sure to know and report your exact location.
  • Avoid operating spark-producing equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, and vehicles in dry grass or brush areas.
  • Report any suspicious individuals or vehicles to local authorities.

Take care of yourself during this heat. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued a health alert with precautions – view them here.

Community Cooling Relief

Stay cool at the Goleta Valley and Solvang Libraries. Other community-based cooling options include: malls, movie theaters, parks, and beaches. For countywide cooling locations click here.

Goleta Valley Library
500 N. Fairview Avenue
805-964-7878
Hours of Operation:

  • Tuesday-Thursday 10am-7pm
  • Friday & Saturday 10am-5:30pm
  • Sunday 1pm-5pm

Solvang Library
1745 Mission Drive
805-688-4214
Hours of Operation:

  • Tuesday & Friday 10am-5pm
  • Wednesday & Thursday 10am-7pm
  • Saturday 10am-4pm

For the latest information, go to readysbc.org.