El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

In 1996 author Pat Mora became inspired by the Mexican holiday, Día de los niños, and thought to combine the holiday with literacy for children. A year later, Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros was born in the United States and Mora soon found support from across the country.

Día is now a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures. The common goals of all Día programming are to:

  • Celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books, stories and libraries.
  • Nurture cognitive and literacy development in ways that honor and embrace a child’s home language and culture.
  • Introduce families to community resources that provide opportunities for learning through multiple literacies.
  • Recognize and respect culture, heritage and language as powerful tools for strengthening families and communities.

Make sure you visit the Goleta Valley Library to check out their great selection of diverse books so you can celebrate Día de los Libros year-round!

Goleta’s TV Production Specialist Retires

After 36 years of service to City TV production, Tony Ruggieri has announced his well-earned retirement.

Tony first came to Santa Barbara in 1984 to attend the Brooks Institute of Photography. It did not take long for him to fall in love with the community and decide to make it his permanent home. He would go on to marry his wife Julie, a Santa Barbara local, and raise two children here.

Tony has worked with Santa Barbara City TV for 36 years and has been providing consulting services to the City of Goleta since 2005. When Tony first began to work with the City, the Council meetings were held in two different locations. Tony’s team had to work quickly to keep up with the Goleta City Council’s unique needs.

“The afternoon session was held at the Goleta Valley Community Center and the evening session was held at the Goleta Union School District” said Tony. “After the first session, Council would take a quick dinner break so we would take the equipment down and move it over to the school district and set it up to finish the next meeting at the school district.” 

As the City TV Production Supervisor for the City of Santa Barbara, Tony was responsible for televising all meetings for the City on Cox Communications Channel 18 as well as manage all video production. “From information videos to PSA’s and documentaries, we were doing it all” says Tony.

Tony held a demanding and important job with the City of Goleta, in a position that required a unique skillset which few possess. The managing of the equipment and Control Room in the City Hall Chambers is imperative for the City in providing direct and easy to find access to all of the meetings, boards, and commissions that are televised. His hard work and expertise helped the City mitigate the challenges faced during the COVID-19 closures and remote meetings.

Tony’s last day was on March 24, 2023. He plans on take a few months off to simply enjoy life, and then return to volunteer and consulting work.

Congratulations Tony and thank you for your many years of dedicated service!


Tony Ruggieri in the control room at Goleta City Council Chambers


Tony in Council Chambers

New Narcan Distribution Program

Latest county overdose statistics shared

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is sharing its latest data on overdose death statistics in the county, which reveals that the situation continues to escalate. A total of 168 overdose deaths occurred in 2022, with 115 of them being related to fentanyl. This compares to 133 total overdose deaths in 2021, with 78 related to fentanyl. In 2020, there were 113 total overdoses with 37 related to fentanyl.

In light of these alarming statistics, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is taking action. The Sheriff’s Office and Project Opioid, a diverse coalition of community leaders from various disciplines, are committed to addressing the opioid crisis and saving lives. To this end, they are supporting the distribution of Narcan, a drug that reverses the often-lethal effects of an opioid overdose.

Sheriff Bill Brown said, “Narcan is a harmless, yet miraculous drug that reverses the often lethal effects of an opioid overdose. Simply put, it’s easy to use and it saves lives. Making more Narcan available to community members will help us lower the unacceptably high rate of overdose deaths we are seeing in our community and across the nation.”

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a FREE Narcan Distribution Program through the Department of Health Care Services, Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) at the following locations:

  • Sheriff’s Headquarters (4434 Calle Real, Santa Barbara)
  • Carpinteria substation (5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria) 
  • Santa Maria substation (812 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria)

This program aims to distribute Narcan to members of the public and increase awareness about the opioid crisis and the importance of Narcan in saving lives. Members of the public can come to the lobby of one of these three stations during business hours, obtain information about a short instructional video and receive Narcan. This program is free to the public and members of the public are not required to provide personal information to participate.

Tsunami Preparedness

Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. Out in the depths of the oceans, tsunami waves do not dramatically increase in height. A tsunami gains its height as it travels closer to land and the depth of the water decreases. A majority of Goleta is safe from tsunamis as the city is high enough and far enough away from the ocean to not be severely affected. Where Goleta is vulnerable from tsunamis is at our beaches.

With approximately 110 miles of coastline, Santa Barbara County is susceptible to the impacts of tsunamis. The County of Santa Barbara recognized March 27 through March 31 as Tsunami Preparedness Week.

Being prepared before an emergency is critical and tsunamis are no exception. The County recommends community members take the following actions to prepare:

  • Know the tsunami hazard zones for areas you live and/or visit.
  • People living, visiting, or working in a tsunami hazard area must be aware of the warning signs that indicate potential tsunami activity including a strong earthquake, the ocean withdrawing or rising rapidly, or a loud, roaring sound coming from the sea.
  • Identify an evacuation location that is on high ground or inland, away from the water and accessible by foot. Evacuation sites should be accessible by walking and not dependent on a vehicle. Note: Some beach areas have tsunami evacuation route maps onsite.
  • Practice walking your evacuation routes to make evacuation quicker and easier.
  • Register for emergency alerts from local public safety officials: County of SB and City of Goleta

Although it can be tempting to want to observe tsunami activities or be in the water, it is important to stay out of the water and away from the tsunami hazard zone until public safety officials have deemed it safe to return. The first wave may not be the last or the largest and the danger may last for hours or days.

There are three levels of notifications that exist for tsunamis. People living, visiting, or working in a tsunami hazard area must be aware of the warning signs that indicate potential tsunami activity; there may not be time for public safety officials to send a notification before the effects of a tsunami are felt. Nevertheless, beachgoers should familiarize themselves with the following notifications and follow directions from public officials:

  • Tsunami Watch: A tsunami may later impact the area.
  • Tsunami Advisory: A tsunami with the potential to generate strong currents or waves is imminent, expected, or occurring.
  • Tsunami Warning: A tsunami with the potential to generate widespread inundation is imminent, expected, or occurring. Evacuations of identified tsunami inundation areas will be required.

To learn more about tsunami safety and steps you can take to prepare, visit  https://www.readysbc.org/597/Tsunami. You can also view a California tsunami map at https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/tsunami/maps.

Senior Programs at the GCC

Come check out the Senior Programs available at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue)! Open to anyone 55 and over, there are a number of activities and opportunities you can get involved with including dance, music, fitness, counseling, and food services. View the monthly calendar on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC

The City of Goleta assumed interim management of the Goleta Community Center on January 1, 2023, in anticipation of the upcoming seismic construction. Due to the construction project, the Goleta Valley Community Center organization had placed senior program on a hiatus until further notice. This past January, the City of Goleta stepped in and coordinated a mini expo to share resources and program opportunities with the seniors of the Goleta Valley and had an amazing response.

If you would like more information, or would like to receive the calendar directly, please contact Kelsey Hamilton, Recreation Supervisor at khamilton@cityofgoleta.org or 805-967-1237.

Pictured: Tai Chi at the GVCC Senior Program in 2022

Splash Pad and Community Garden Coming Soon

The moment many have been waiting for is here. Construction is scheduled to begin this month on two highly anticipated projects in Old Town. Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park will receive an upgrade with the installation of the long-awaited splash pad as well as a few other upgrades such as additional fencing for basketball and pickleball, shade structures over the picnic areas by the soccer field and more. The intent is to keep portions of the park open during construction, when it is safe to do so. 

Just up the street, Armitos Park will soon be home to Goleta’s first Community Garden. The garden will be constructed in the undeveloped area of the park, south of the playground. The design includes raised garden plots, a picnic area with a pizza oven, a gathering/education area, tool sheds and more. The playground will also receive a refresh that includes the addition of swings, sand features and music elements. The entire area will be fenced and open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to sunset every day. In addition, the multi-purpose path adjacent to Jonny D Wallis Neighborhood Park will be extended to Armitos Avenue. 

The contracts were awarded at the City Council meeting on March 21, 2023. If you have any questions about these projects, please contact Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5505.

How Modernizing Infrastructure Can Help to Capture More Storm Flow

Special from California Department of Water Resources

The series of atmospheric river storms that brought record-breaking amounts of rain and snow in January had many Californians asking if our existing water infrastructure is able to capture and store flows from these extreme weather events. With climate change resulting in stronger storms carrying more water and the possibility of major flooding, the answer is more complicated than one might think.

“As the world gets warmer as a result of climate change, we see a change in the distribution of rain and snow,” said State Climatologist Michael Anderson. “This results in more runoff during the storm event itself, potentially creating a flood hazard and leaving less to run off from the snowpack in the spring for storage in our reservoirs.”

Whether it falls as rain or snow, the majority of that water flows through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta – the center of California’s water distribution system – on its way to the San Francisco Bay. From state and federal pumping facilities in the south Delta, water is lifted into the aqueducts that carry it to the Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley and Southern California, to be delivered to 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland.

Regulations govern how much water may be diverted to the aqueducts in order to protect water quality and fisheries. These regulations are based in part on the physical location of the facilities.

The Delta Conveyance Project is a proposed infrastructure modernization project outlined in Governor Newsom’s strategy to adapt California’s water supply for a hotter and drier future. The project is an essential climate adaptation strategy that will help adapt to climate change and aid in ensuring the State Water Project can capture, move and store water during extreme weather events like the nine atmospheric rivers experienced in January.

For example, if the Delta Conveyance Project had been operational during the high rain events of January this year, the modernized conveyance system could have moved 228,000 acre-feet of water into San Luis Reservoir while still meeting fishery and water quality protections and regulations. That’s enough water to supply about 2.3 million people for an entire year and is equivalent to approximately 40 percent of the total State Water Project exports in water year 2022. 

As encouraging as the recent rainfall and snowpack statistics are, state water managers note that drought conditions persist and it will take years to replenish groundwater basins. While the winter season has been positive, the most important measurement of the year will be April 1 when the snowpack is typically at its highest.

“These storms made clear the importance of our efforts to modernize our existing water infrastructure for an era of intensified drought and flood,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “What we need to be positioned to do in California is move water when it’s available because moving and storing that water is going to help California weather longer and deeper droughts.”

View the Santa Barbara County Fact Sheet here.

Economic Development Community Forum April 19

5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers and via Zoom

A thriving economy is a critical component to the success of a city.  That’s why the City of Goleta is developing a new Five-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan and wants community input. Please join us for a hybrid Community Forum on April 19 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive) and via Zoom. We will be reviewing the Draft Plan and want your input. Specifically, we want to know: Is there anything that is missing? Should anything be adjusted? Which elements are on the right track?

For the past year we have been working with a community-led strategic planning team to develop the Draft Plan. Economic development is attracting and growing businesses, creating, and retaining jobs, and making our communities a better place to live.

In September 2022, the City released a survey to gather input and ideas from businesses, non-profits, organizations, residents, visitors and everyone who has a stake in the economic future of Goleta. Feedback received was incorporated into the Draft Plan. The perspectives and ideas of the community and stakeholders are essential for the creation of the plan and will help inform and guide the development of not only the City’s long-term economic vision, but actionable strategies and initiatives.

We hope to see you on April 19. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ryan Kintz, Assistant to the City Manager, at rkintz@cityofgoleta.org.