Daily Archives: July 1, 2022

Goleta Resident Mary Kahn Turns 100!

Happy 100th Birthday to an inspiring Goleta resident. Mary Kahn celebrated her centennial birthday, June 30, 2022, with her daughter and neighbors at a small backyard gathering (pictured below). She was delighted to see Mayor Paula Perotte walk in and was honored to receive a Proclamation from the City of Goleta acknowledging her 100th birthday.   

Mary was born on June 30, 1922, in Missouri and has lived a well-traveled life. She worked as an elementary school teacher in California, New York and Florida and was an exchange teacher in Honduras. Upon her retirement from teaching, Mary enjoyed travelling around the United States in her Chinook camper. She also was part of a group that hosted travelers from other countries and she stayed with host families in countries she visited.

Mary moved to Santa Barbara to be close to her daughter in 1997 and in 2002 she moved to Goleta where she has lived ever since. 

Mary is the author of a book entitled “Dear Grandparents” with suggestions of things to do with your grandchildren. She has been active throughout her years in equal rights for everyone, including for women’s rights, peace and freedom. She has volunteered at the Library and Head Start and has been a Tutor for English as a Second Language. 

What’s her secret to living to 100? Mary recommends daily exercise, including a walk, plus healthy eating, including almonds at every meal! Happy Birthday Mary! We wish you health and joy. You amaze us!

Viva La Goleta! Fiesta Ranchera Fun!

Fiesta may be next month in Santa Barbara, but on June 16, it was all about Viva La Goleta!  On June 8, the Goleta City Council officially proclaimed June 16 as Fiesta Ranchera Day in the City of Goleta. Everyone in Council Chambers and watching at home enjoyed seeing the 2022 Spirit of Fiesta Tara Mata and the Junior Spirit of Fiesta Layla Gocong perform. Both were issued Certificates of Recognition. La Presidente Maria Cabrera, who is a Goleta resident herself, thanked the City of Goleta and the Council for carrying on the great tradition of Fiesta Ranchera at the beautiful and historic Rancho La Patera and Stow House.

Then on June 16, hundreds of people attended the Fiesta Ranchera event. Party-goers danced the night away to local band Area 51, enjoyed delicious food and beverages courtesy of several local vendors and watched stunning performances from the Spirit and Junior Spirit. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this such a memorable fundraising event for Old Spanish Days.

This year marks 14 years of collaboration with Old Spanish Days and the Goleta Valley Historical Society to put on this treasured event.

Goleta’s first Fiesta Stow House event was held on August 3, 1968!

 
Spirit of Fiesta Tara Mata dancing in Goleta City Council Chambers


Junior Spirit of Fiesta Layla Gocong dancing in Goleta City Council Chambers

Pictured left-to-right: City of Goleta Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover, Francisco Cabrera, Councilmember James Kyriaco, Mayor Paula Perotte, Old Spanish Days La Presidente Maria Cabrera, Councilmember Roger Aceves and Councilmember Kyle Richards at Fiesta Ranchera on June 16

Goleta’s Draft Housing Element Submitted to the State for Review

The City of Goleta’s Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element is now in the hands of the State for review. The City of Goleta was pleased to submit this defining document after unanimous approval from the Goleta City Council on June 28, 2022. Goleta’s Housing Element is important because it establishes City policies and programs for maintaining and improving existing housing, as well as accommodating development of new housing to meet the City’s assigned share of housing needs under the Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

City of Goleta’s Planning and Environmental Review Director Peter Imhof said, “The transmittal of the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element is an important milestone for the City as it moves us one step closer to adoption before the State deadline of February 15, 2023. Implementing the Housing Element will help us address many of Goleta’s unique housing needs and it will help us comply with State law requirements.”

City of Goleta Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells added, “The Draft Housing Element reflects more than a year of public, Planning Commission, and City Council input. Public input has been critical to the development of this Draft Housing Element and the City appreciates the more than 600 people who provided input and engaged with the City during various outreach events and surveys. Thank you!”

The State now has 90 days to review Goleta’s Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element. Once the City receives comment from the State, the City will prepare a revised draft for future adoption hearings.

To learn more and to view the Draft Housing Element that was submitted to the State for review, visit the project page on our website at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/housingelement.