Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Scam Warning: Hang Up, Don’t Pay

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is warning community members about an increase in fraudulent phone calls where scammers pose as officials and attempt to pressure victims into paying money.

In these scams, callers claim you owe fines, missed tolls, or face arrest unless you make an immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or electronic apps. These calls can sound convincing, but they are fraudulent. The Sheriff’s Office will never demand payment over the phone, request gift cards, or threaten arrest for unpaid fines.

If you receive a suspicious call:

  • Hang up immediately.
  • Do not send money or share personal information.
  • Call the Sheriff’s Office to verify.

“These scammers rely on fear and urgency to trick people into handing over money,” said Chief Deputy Brad Welch. “We want our community to know they always have the right to hang up and call us directly to confirm whether the call is legitimate.”

You can reach the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at any time of the day or night at (805) 683-2724.

You are encouraged to share this warning with family, friends, and neighbors—especially seniors, who are often targeted by these schemes.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.

Learn How Your Business Can Save Energy! 

Goleta City Hall and 16 other businesses in Goleta have become certified in the Green Business Program. Will you be next? The Santa Barbara County Green Business Program helps businesses save water, energy and resources by going green. By joining the Santa Barbara County Green Business Program and enrolling in the certification process, your business can gain resources and strategies to help reduce your energy bills, access incentive programs—including an upcoming Intuit Green Grant opportunity—and take immediate actions towards making your business more sustainable. Goleta City Hall and 16 other businesses in Goleta have become certified. Will you be next? 

For over a decade, the Santa Barbara County Green Business Program has helped nearly 200 local businesses and organizations (with dozens more in progress) save money and protect, preserve, and improve the environment. Learn more and join the growing group of local green businesses today! 

To learn more, contact the Green Business Administrator via email at knielsen@environmentalin.com.

Goleta Valley Library September Updates

Goleta Valley Library is kicking off fall with some exciting programs for all ages. Join us this month at Goleta Community Center (GCC), Ice in Paradise, Stow Grove Park, Evergreen Park, Santa Barbara Shores Park, and the Lemon Festival. For the full calendar of events, please visit goletavalleylibrary.org/calendar.

Skate into the School Year with Some Cool Reads
Sunday, 9/7, 1:30-3:30pm, Ice in Paradise
Visit the Bookvan for a fun craft. Hear stories about ice skating and going back to school. Show your library card (or sign up for one) for free admission; there is a $5 skate rental fee. More info here.

Writers’ Workshop
Saturday, 9/13, 12:30-2pm, GCC
Open to adults and teens who write in any genre, fiction or non-fiction.

Mending Workshop
Saturday, 9/13, 2-3pm, GCC
Thread, fabric, and supplies provided, come with your clothes in need of a little care.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Party
Saturday, 9/20, 11am-12pm
Finishers will receive certificates and newcomers can sign up for their first log

Mystery Book Club: Nobody’s Fool, by Harlan Coben
Tuesday, 9/23, 5:30-6:30pm, GCC
Join us as we discuss this month’s pick.

Art Reception for Creek Week
Thursday, 9/25, 5:30-7pm, GCC
Come see our community’s creativity come to life!

Goodland Yarn Works
Wednesdays, 2-4pm, GCC
If you know how to knit or crochet, this group is for you!

Baby & Me and Wiggly Storytimes, rotating Goleta locations
Fridays, 10-10:30 Baby & Me and 10:30-11 Wiggly
Baby & Me is best for ages 0-12 months while Wiggly Storytime is best for ages 15 months – 5 years old.

Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Library by visiting www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Goleta Community Center Available to Host Your Next Event

The Goleta Community Center (GCC), located in the heart of Old Town Goleta, is open for business and ready to welcome your next event! Whether you’re planning a corporate meeting, a holiday party, a family celebration, or a community gathering, our spacious and versatile facilities are the perfect setting for events up to 200 people. From the historic auditorium to flexible meeting rooms, we offer a range of options to make your event both memorable and convenient.

In addition to event spaces, the GCC also has classrooms and multipurpose rooms available for workshops, training, classes, and community programs. Classrooms and meetings spaces are available to rent for one-time events, or for ongoing classes and programs. 

Our classrooms and meetings spaces are versatile and can be set-up to accommodate almost any need – from dance classes to professional workshops. The Goleta Community Center can provide tables, chairs, linens, audio/video equipment and more to make your event or class a success. 

With competitive rates and its central location in the heart of Goleta, ample parking, and a welcoming atmosphere, the GCC is your go-to destination for corporate, private, and group events of all sizes. 

To review our rental rates, policies, and rental/booking procedures, please click here.

The Goleta Community Center is part of the Parks and Recreation division of the City of Goleta’s Neighborhood Services Department.  For information on Park, Picnic Site and Multi-Purpose Field Rentals, please click here.

For questions and inquiries, send an email to communitycenter@cityofgoleta.org.

Another Darn Good Time at the 2025 Goleta Dam Dinner

Watch Video Recap and View Photo Album

Around 350 people enjoyed the #BestDamDinner they ever had at beautiful Lake Los Carneros in Goleta on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The weather was perfect for the scenic event that went from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m.

Whether you were able to make it or not, we hope you will take a moment to see why this event is so darn special. Check out our video recap and view the photo album. As always, people had fun capturing the moment by taking a photo with a Dam Dinner frame.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We are so lucky to have this incredible place in Goleta to gather for this free community event. It was wonderful to see so many neighbors hanging out together and people making new friends as well. This just may have been the best year yet.”

Whether they brought their own picnic dinner or purchased food from A/R Catering, attendees found a spot at the long community table decorated with yellow and blue checkered tablecloths. Each seat had a complimentary Go Green Goleta reusable cutlery set for attendees to take home and a lucky few won a succulent created by Devereaux CA and sponsored by the Fuel Depot and Point Market.

Bluegrass group the Salt Martians have performed at this event for many years and entertained the audience with live music. Free face painting, corn hole and a visit to the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan kept the young attendees occupied. Kona Ice served up more than 250 complimentary snow cones to smiling faces.

This was the first year the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan has been at the Dam Dinner, but judging from its popularity, it won’t be the last. Another first for the event was a Bike Valet staffed by MOVE Santa Barbara County.

Thanks to everyone who attended, including our Goleta City Council, Assemblymember Gregg Hart and Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Susan Salcido.

A big thanks to the Goleta Valley Historical Society for partnering with the City of Goleta once again to put on the event. A special thanks to Pete Wolf with Big Hammer Lures for helping to plan, set up and clean-up the event, and for creating the yearly Dam Dinner T-shirt.

Thanks to Creekside Restaurant and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce for sharing their tablecloths and to the Water Store for donating water to keep everyone hydrated. As always, thanks to MarBorg for donating the bathrooms, handwashing stations, and trash and recycle bins.

We appreciate everyone who is a part of making this event so memorable each year. We are already looking forward to the 2026 Dam Dinner and hope to see you there.

Event photos by Rob Hoffman unless noted


Group photo of event


Goleta City Council pictured left-to-right: Councilmember James Kyriaco (2nd District), Councilmember Jennifer Smith (3rd District), Mayor Paula Perotte, and Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (4th District)


Salt Martians performing


Assistant City Manager Jaime Valdez and his family (photo by Kelly Hoover)


Kona Ice truck serving up snow cones


Library staff member Amy Porter with the Bookvan at the Dam Dinner


View of Lake Los Carneros at the Dam Dinner

Plant Trees at Ellwood Mesa for Monarch Butterfly Season

Monthly Volunteer Opportunities through December

Help welcome back the monarchs to Ellwood Mesa! Community members are invited to come plant trees and native plants that will provide food and shelter for overwintering monarch butterflies. The first Saturday volunteer day of the season just happened on August 30; more opportunities are taking place each month through December. You are encouraged to participate in as many days as you would like. Complete all five days and earn a limited-edition Ellwood Mesa T-shirt!

Mark your calendars for upcoming Saturday Volunteer Days from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.:

  • September 27
  • October 25
  • November 15
  • December 6

A big thank you to the 84 volunteers who came out to the first volunteer day of the fall and planted 41 new trees! Participants rolled up their sleeves to dig, plant, drive in support poles, and give each tree a good first watering. Many different local organizations were represented, including Brownie Troop #55548, the Goleta Rotary Club, Ellwood Elementary, Althouse and Meade, Laguna Blanca, and UCSB. From here, the trees will be lovingly cared for by UC Santa Barbara’s Cheadle Center and the City of Goleta’s team to help them thrive.

These volunteer events are part of a larger conservation effort to restore monarch habitat at Ellwood Mesa—one of the most important overwintering sites for Western monarchs. With butterfly populations declining due to drought and extreme weather, this project will plant hundreds of trees and thousands of native plants to create the shelter monarchs need to survive. Your help makes it possible.

How to Get Involved: Bring a friend and help plant a tree that will provide shade for monarchs and people alike for generations. Volunteers will meet at the Main Grove on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. Park at the Sperling Preserve (across from Ellwood Elementary) and allow 10-15 minutes to walk to the Main Grove (meeting location may change so stay tuned for updates by email). 

What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and gloves (if you have them). Tools will be provided.

Sign Up to Volunteer Here

About Ellwood Mesa: Ellwood Mesa has been facing challenges such as drought and storms, which have damaged the trees that monarchs depend on for shelter. This nationally-significant restoration project will contribute to a healthier habitat for both monarchs and the community. For additional details, visit the project page: www.cityofgoleta.org/ellwood-now.

Contact: For more information contact George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager, at gthomson@cityofgoleta.gov or 805.961.7578.

Pictured above: a family volunteering together


Goleta Rotary Club at tree planting event


Volunteers getting ready to plant trees

Cool Back-to-School Event Sep. 7 at Ice in Paradise

Visit the Bookvan, Get Your Library Card and Enjoy Free Ice Skating Admission

Start off the new school year with the back-to-school event “Skate into the School Year with some Cool Reads.” Come by Ice in Paradise (6985 Santa Felicia Drive) from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 7 for free skating admission (with a library card) and check out the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan.

“September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and we want every Goleta community member to have access to free resources through their public library. Make it a family outing–get your library card, go ice skating, and enjoy stories and bubbles with the Bookvan,” said Supervising Librarian Kim Crail.  

Whether you are an experienced ice skater, have never put on a pair of skates, or are somewhere in between, you are encouraged to participate. Please note, there is a $5 skate rental fee, one library card per skater is required, and skaters must be a minimum of 3 years old.

Don’t have a Goleta Valley Library card? Don’t worry! Bookvan staff can create one for you right then and there. Bring your government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, ID card, or passport) and proof of California residence to sign up. Children under the age of 13 need a parent or guardian with them to get their very own library card.   

In addition to giving out library cards, you can also stop by the Bookvan to borrow books, do a fun craft, learn about the new temporary location for GVL Express at 6500 Hollister Avenue, Suite 105, or just say hello to library staff. Hear stories about ice skating and going back to school while you browse with popup story times!

In case you didn’t know, Goleta Valley Library patrons receive free ice-skating admission the first Sunday of each month from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. thanks to a generous partnership with Ice in Paradise.

To learn more about Ice in Paradise, visit www.iceinparadise.org.

Stay updated on the Goleta Valley Library and Bookvan stops at www.goletavalleylibrary.org.

Coffee, Community & Donuts this Saturday, Sep. 6

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Anna’s Bakery in Camino Real Marketplace

Read a recap of this event here.

You are invited to the City’s next Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad event THIS Saturday, September 6 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Anna’s Bakery in the Camino Real Marketplace (7018 Marketplace Drive).

Meet with Mayor Paula Perotte, Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (District 4), and City of Goleta staff members. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about issues impacting your neighborhood in a casual setting. Spanish interpretation will be available.

Thanks to Anna’s Bakery for providing an area with free coffee and donuts.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “I always learn so much at our Coffee & Community events. It’s a great place to get to know each other better, ask questions and hear ideas.” 

Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin said, “I am looking forward to connecting with the community outside of the confines of a City Council meeting. This is more than just having coffee and donuts, it’s about an opportunity to discuss what is important to western Goleta.”

Topics that will be discussed include: Ellwood Mesa, fire preparedness, pavement and capital projects like the 101 Overpass Study, airport noise, homelessness, and whatever else comes up!

Bring the kids! There will be an area to color.

The City holds Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad events throughout the year in each of the four districts. To find out what district you are in, plug your address into our interactive Know Your District Map: https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap. Community members are invited to attend any Coffee & Community event regardless of which district you live in.

We hope to see you there!

DRB Hearing for Proposed New Church Development

August 12 at 3:00 p.m.

The City of Goleta’s Design Review Board will be conducting a Conceptual Review of a proposed new church development on August 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The property owner, Christ Lutheran Church (CLC) has submitted a proposal to split the property located at 6595 Covington Way Goleta, into two lots to allow the construction of a new church and associated improvements for Anthem Chapel (AC). The meeting will be held in person at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers 130 Cremona Drive and via the Zoom platform (link available in agenda). The public may also view the meeting on Goleta TV Channel 19 and/or online at www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas. The agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting on the City website.

The proposed project description includes the following:

  • Subdivision of the existing 3.423-acre lot into two (2) parcels.
    • Parcel 1 is proposed to be 0.881 acres and would be the site of the existing CLC facilities including the sanctuary, parking lot, and accessory structures.
    • Parcel 2 is proposed to be 2.542 acres and support the AC facilities, described below.
  • A new agrarian-style 2-story 22,038 SF church for AC is proposed with sanctuary/assembly area, classrooms, daycare/preschool, offices and associated uses, exterior patios, play yards and passive recreation areas.
  • A 125-space parking lot including 7 ADA, 6 EV parking spaces, and 25 EV ready spaces.
  • Short and long-term bicycle parking and charging stations.
  • Restoration of on-site ESHA Monarch buffer area.
  • New perimeter walls and fences.
  • New trash enclosure.
  • Modification of existing driveway apron and proposal of new driveway entrance on Los Carneros Road.
  • Associated lighting and landscaping.

Additionally, as part of the proposal, adjustments to various development standards are proposed, pursuant to Section 17.59.040 of the Goleta Municipal Code as follows:

Lot 1: Adjustments (CLC)

  1. Request to provide less than a combination of 50% shading for the Heat Island Effect to 22%, pursuant to the Municipal Code Section 17.38.110(J).
  2. Request relief to not providing charging for one required electric bicycle parking space, pursuant to the Municipal Code Section 17.38.090(C).
  3. Request to have the existing modular classroom continue to extend 5 feet into the rear setback abutting new Lot 2 (Anthem).
  4. Request relief from the requirement for a separate loading space, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.100(A).
  5. Reduction to the number of parking spaces from 43 to 41, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.070.
  6. Fewer than 1 tree/4 parking spaces, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.110(K). For 43 spaces, the project requires 11 trees, and the applicant is proposing a total of 10.

Lot 2: Adjustment and Request for Reduction (AC)

  1. Request to exceed the maximum height of the RS zoning district from 25-feet to 31-feet, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.07.030.
  2. Request to reduce Monarch Butterfly ESHA buffer setback from 100-feet to 50-feet, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.180(C2).

Proposed building material facades for the new church building include troweled concrete, metal, storefront windows, exterior glazing, board and batten siding, lap siding, and standing seam metal roofing, as well as others. The building would contain an elevator at a total height of 33 feet, consistent with Section 17.24.080 of the GMC. Regarding lighting, the applicant is proposing both building wall sconces and pole lighting, which would be directed downward.

Following Conceptual Review and the preparation of the environmental analysis for the project, the project will be considered by the Design Review Board again to make a recommendation to the Planning Commission on the design element (Preliminary Review). The Planning Commission will be the review authority for the various project components including the environmental analysis. The date of the Planning Commission meeting has not been determined and additional notice will be provided at a later date.

Written comments regarding the design aspects of this project may be submitted to planningmeetings@cityofgoleta.gov for Design Review Board consideration. Please submit comments regarding the design element by noon of the date of the hearing. Communication received after that time may not be reviewed by the Design Review Board prior to the meeting. Please direct questions and/or comments regarding this project to Supervising Planner Darryl Mimick at dmimick@cityofgoleta.gov.

The project was filed by agent Steve Whelton, of Suzanne Elledge Planning and Permitting Services (SEPPS) on behalf of Lars Linton, agent for Christ Lutheran Church, the property owner and Anthem Chapel, applicant.
Rendering of the west elevation


Rendering of the southeast elevation