Daily Archives: July 8, 2020

Make Goleta Count Census Caravan Coming Your Way

The City of Goleta will lead a 2020 Census Car Caravan THIS Saturday, July 11, from 11:00 a.m. – Noon. More than one dozen vehicles will participate in the caravan, including Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Bcarbara County Supervisors Gregg Hart and Joan Hartmann, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte & City Councilmembers, Joni Maiden of the Santa Barbara County Complete Count Committee, Ana Maria Lugo, California Census Lead Partner Specialist, Josefa Rios of the Santa Barbara Promotores Network and City of Goleta staff.

The caravan will begin at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue), driving through Goleta neighborhoods, and end at Dos Pueblos High School (7266 Alameda Avenue). In addition to neighborhoods, the caravan will be driving by the Fairview Shopping Center, Stow Grove Park, Storke Plaza, Camino Real Marketplace, Ellwood Mesa Parking Lot and more. View the route map and flyer at www.CityofGoleta.org/Census2020. Also available in Spanish at www.CityofGoleta.org/Censo2020.  We encourage you to come out and cheer on the caravan!  Honk, cheer, clap, but keep in mind the caravan will keep moving in order to observe social distancing protocols.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “During a time when our outreach opportunities are restricted due to social distancing guidelines, the Census Caravan is a fun way for us to spread the message. It is important that EVERYONE is counted this census in order to ensure we get our fair share of state and federal funding.”

According to the 2020 Self Response Rate Map, as of today, July 7, 2020, 71.4% of Goleta Households have completed their census. We have until October 31st to reach the remaining 29.6% of households who still haven’t responded.  We need your help to achieve 100% participation.  Please check in with your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers and encourage them to be counted!

This is the first year you can fill out your census on-line at My2020Cenus.gov. If you did not respond to a postcard invitation to participate on-line, you should have received a paper copy of the census in the mail. The census is easy to fill out, follow the instructions and answer 9 simple questions – it takes no time at all. You can also complete your census by phone at 844-330-2020. U.S. Census workers will be doing in person visits to households who have not yet responded.

When filling out your census, please remember to count everyone in your household even if they are not family members. Also, don’t forget to count children even if they are babies.  It’s estimated that one in 10 children under age five were missed in the last census.  That is more than two million uncounted children. Also, it’s important to know that the 2020 Census is confidential and your personal information, by law, can’t be shared.

Emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic are precisely why the government needs accurate 2020 Census Data. Your response to the census shapes decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds flow into communities each year for the next ten years. The following items are at stake for Goleta if there is an undercount in the 2020 Census:

  • Loss of revenue for TEN years
  • Federal funding for Community Development Block Grants
  • Library funding
  • Gas tax related revenue for road repairs
  • Special funding based on population
  • District election boundaries

Watch our Make Goleta Count video here. Learn more about the 2020 Census on the City’s census webpage and on Santa Barbara County’s census website. Information in Spanish is also available on the City website and Santa Barbara County website. The City of Goleta is proud to be a part of the Complete Count Committee which is working together to make sure EVERYONE counts in Santa Barbara County.

We hope to see you on Saturday! 

FREE SB Summer Cinema at the Drive-In

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the return of the FREE outdoor summer film series SB Summer Cinema with Game On! Grit, Grace & Glory – Movies Under the Stars in Your Cars, a six-week series of seven family-friendly, feel-good flicks about overcoming the odds, Wednesday evenings from July 15 through Aug. 19 at 8:30 p.m. at the West Wind Drive-In (907 S. Kellogg Avenue, Goleta). This year’s lineup includes: A League of Their Own, The Karate Kid, a 42 and Field of Dreams “double header,” Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, Pelé and Friday Night Lights. 

First come, first served: Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Arrive early to enjoy food trucks, concessions and entertainment from your car! A unique pairing of local food trucks will rotate each week, starting with Dave’s Dogs and McConnell’s Ice Cream to kick off the series on July 15 with A League of Their Own. Offerings to follow include Santa Barbara Woodfire Catering, Big Truck Foods, Santa Barbara Food Connection, Mony’s and more, to be announced each week before the film!

Movies can capture every emotion of good ole summertime, and what better way to watch than with your loved ones outside under the Santa Barbara stars? Usher in those summer vibes with feel-good family-friendly films about overcoming the odds – with just enough nostalgia to knock it outta the park. Whether it’s through believing in yourself, being part of a team, supporting the underdog or coming back from being down, these inspiring sports films remind us that when the going gets tough, we can achieve incredible things.

“We are delighted to be able to bring back SB Summer Cinema – with a twist!” says Celesta M. Billeci, A&L’s Miller McCune Executive Director. “Especially this year, it was important to us to find a way to bring the community together for a free, fun-filled night of entertainment where all are welcome. We are getting creative, carrying on this beloved tradition in a way that considers everyone’s well-being. So this year, it’s movies under the stars, in our cars! Arts & Lectures is grateful to Montecito Bank & Trust for partnering again to make this series possible.”

“Montecito Bank & Trust is excited to bring the community together in a safe, socially distanced manner to enjoy one of the most anticipated summer traditions of the year, the UCSB Arts & Lectures Free Summer Film Series!” MB&T’s Chairman and CEO Janet Garufis says. “This year’s Game On! Grit, Grace & Glory – Under the Stars in Your Cars sport-inspired films will allow viewers a chance to appreciate the value of comaradery and teamwork, both on and off the screen, and serve as a friendly reminder that we are in this together!”

Filmgoers are asked to respect the safety of fellow attendees: Please wear masks and maintain a distance of six feet from others. UCSB Arts & Lectures continues to prioritize the health and comfort of our community. We are keeping a close eye on developments locally in Santa Barbara and beyond, including updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and UC Santa Barbara, among others. We are following, and will continue to follow, guidelines and recommendations from these and other trusted authorities. As we take additional steps to promote our community’s health and well-being, we encourage everyone to follow CDC and other health organization recommendations.

Game On! Grit, Grace & Glory – Movies Under the Stars in Your Cars is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures. Premier Sponsor: Montecito Bank & Trust. Presented in association with the City of Goleta, UCSB Athletics, Carpinteria Movies in the Park and the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture. Special thanks to KLITE 101.7 FM, Santa Barbara Independent, Voice Magazine and DJ Darla Bea.

Updated Library Sidewalk Service Hours

Sidewalk Service at the Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries is changing hours of service. Starting on July 15, 2020, Sidewalk Service will be available Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (instead of Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:30 to 5:30 p.m.)  The change was made for more efficient use of staff resources for both online and curbside services during the hours with the highest demand.

After several months of being closed due to COVID-19, on June 16, the Goleta Valley, Buellton and Solvang Libraries opened for Sidewalk Service and book returns. It has been wonderful to see the many patrons taking advantage of the ability to borrow library materials again. It is important to note that in order to receive sidewalk service and place holds you must have a library card issued by Goleta Valley, Buellton or Solvang Libraries.  To get a library card, go to your local branch during Sidewalk Service hours with verification of your address. You can also get one online at the Black Gold eCard Registration webpage that allows you access to all of the library’s downloadable services.

Please keep in mind that, all visitors must comply with social distancing rules. To receive service, everyone must wear a face covering and line up six feet apart on the sidewalk leading up to the library’s front walkway. Library staff will be following public health safety guidelines as well, wearing face coverings and gloves, and an apron if they are emptying the book drops. Please be respectful of other patrons and do not come if you are feeling ill.

If you notice that material you returned in the book drops are still on your record, don’t worry Library Staff are still checking in items and there may be a delay before the items are reflected on your account.  No fines will be charged.  The return process is more lengthy due to the need to quarantine materials for a week.

Books can be placed on hold with Black Gold from any of the three library branches only for pick-up at your local branch. The full Black Gold service between seven tri-county jurisdictions will not resume until later this year. After logging into Black Gold, select your library branch in order to see the options available to you. Watch this video for a tutorial on how to place a hold.

For more information on the Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, and the programs and services available, please visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Face Covering Dos and Don’ts Video Message

Watch the City’s new safety video featuring our Emergency Services Coordinator, Michael Baris, which aims to clear up some confusion about how and when to wear face coverings.  The video is followed with a Spanish version that is narrated by Natalia Rios, an Emergency Services aide.  In addition to information about face coverings, the video also includes other important COVID-19 safety tips.  We hope you will take time out to watch and share the video with others. 

View the video here: https://youtu.be/Er0RkyJo8Fs.

Pictured: Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris

Old Town Sidewalk Project Moves into Phase 4 of 5

Having just wrapped up Phase 3, out of 5 Phases total, the Old Town Sidewalk Project is now more than half-way complete, and is ahead of the original schedule.  The contractor, Toro Construction, has now moved into Phase 4 of the work, which includes construction of sidewalks on Pine Avenue, a portion of Tecolote Avenue, Nectarine Avenue, and the remaining segment on Orange Avenue.  Utility relocations and upgrades are also being performed in some areas, so you may see utility work underway in the project areas as well. 

Phase 4 work will be underway through July, and then Phase 5 segments will start late July or early August. Phase 5 sidewalk improvements will include the rest of Tecolote and Nectarine Avenues, completing the sidewalk segments north of Hollister Avenue.

After the concrete sidewalk installation is complete through all the 5 Phases, the roadway segments in each of the areas will be finished with a new asphalt overlay surface throughout the project.  This final asphalt surface work will likely come in late August, with final striping and finishing touches estimated to wrap up in September.

Feedback from the neighbors in the completed areas has been very positive, and the new sidewalks and access ramps are already getting plenty of use! Learn more about the Old Town Sidewalk Project at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaOTSW.

Background
The 9031 Old Town Sidewalk Improvement project includes constructing sidewalk on at least one side of each street north of Hollister Avenue between South Fairview Avenue and Mallard Avenue as well as on Pine Avenue south of Hollister Avenue. The new sidewalks will connect to existing sidewalk providing a continuous path of travel. There will also be drainage improvements, tree replacements, repaving, and the construction of 39 back-in angled parking spots on Magnolia Avenue (for a net increase of approximately 17 new parking spots). Watch this video to learn more about the project.

When this project is done, the safety improvements, livability and ability to recreate in Old Town will change dramatically. We are pleased the community will be able to enjoy the improvements for years to come.

High Fire Season Reminder

While wildfires pose a significant threat to Santa Barbara County residents year-round, this time of year is high fire season.  The fire incident we had over the Fourth of July holiday weekend near US 101 Freeway and Fairview Avenue is a good reminder that fires don’t stop for pandemics and we need to remain vigilant.  Fortunately our Santa Barbara County firefighters were able to knock the fires out quickly.

Santa Barbara County has put together the tips below to help you before and during a wildfire.

Before a Wildfire

During a Wildfire: Pre-Evacuation Preparation

When a wildfire occurs in your area, leave early for the safety of you and your family.  Leaving early also keeps roads clear of congestion and helps firefighters move more freely to do their job.

Do not wait for any evacuation warning or order to leave if you feel threatened by a wildfire.

If the wildfire is not an immediate threat to you or your home, and time allows, follow these pre-evacuation steps:

  • Alert family, friends and neighbors of the wildfire threat.
  • Place your emergency kit in the car, or have it ready by the front door.
  • Dress in clothing to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt, heavy shoes/boots, a cap, a dry bandanna, goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is preferable.
  • Stay tuned to updates on local TV, radio stations, social media, and ReadySBC.org.
  • Remain close to your house, drink plenty of water and keep an eye on your family and pets until you are ready to leave.
  • Review this home evacuation checklist to prepare the inside and outside of your home.

Ready! Set! Go!

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department launched Ready! Set! Go! as a new approach to educating residents about the local threats of wildfire and how to prepare.  To learn about this program, visit https://www.sbcfire.com/ready-set-go/.

  • In the event of an emergency, call 911. For general non-emergencies, call the Sheriff Office Dispatch at (805) 683-2724.
  • Register to receive ReadySBC Alerts. If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

Pictured: Photo from the Southbound US 101 at Fairview Avenue on-ramp, courtesy of Mike Eliason with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Apply for the Monterey Bay Community Power Community Advisory Council

In 2021, Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP), soon to be Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE), will be the clean energy provider for the City of Goleta. MBCP is a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) that provides 100 percent carbon free electricity to its jurisdictions. The CCA model puts energy purchasing and pricing options into the hands of local decision-makers and allows the community to determine what type of energy mix serves its needs. MBCP is currently seeking qualified, passionate and committed applicants for its volunteer Community Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC serves as an advisory body to the MBCP’s Policy and Operations Boards and CAC members serve as important connections to the diverse communities MBCP serves. Ideally, candidates will be business leaders, energy experts, community leaders and/or sustainability champions and will have a reasonable understanding of, or interest in, the energy business. Applications are due July 15, 2020 and candidates must reside or work in Monterey Bay Community Power’s service area (the Central Coast spanning from Santa Barbara County in the south to Santa Cruz County in the north).

Learn more about the MBCP Community Advisory Council and apply here. For more information on Community Choice Energy, click here.