Combined Coffee & Community and Beautify Goleta Recap

The City’s first combined Coffee & Community and Beautify Goleta event drew approximately 100 community members to Berkeley Park located behind Kellogg School on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Thanks to everyone who took time out of their morning to come have coffee and conversation with us and those who stayed and helped clean up the area as Beautify Goleta volunteers. Want to see for yourself how memorable this event was? Check out our photo gallery here https://bit.ly/3LxKclp and go to our social media pages on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @cityofgoleta to watch a reel.

The morning started with a welcome from Mayor Pro-Tempore Luz Reyes-Martin (District 1) who said, “These coffee and community events which are held throughout the year throughout the city are a great opportunity for neighbors to get to know the Councilmember from their district, Mayor and staff at the City. Thank you so much for being here.”

Mayor Paula Perotte introduced City staff from different departments who were in attendance and available for one-on-one time with attendees, some who came to the event with specific questions. She said, “It was a relaxed atmosphere where people felt comfortable asking questions. Whether they lived in the Berkeley Park neighborhood or were from other areas of Goleta, it was a wonderful opportunity to be together in a casual setting.”

A highlight of the event was when the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tempore recognized the Kellogg Ocean Guardians who were the first school in the Goleta Union School District, and the one of first in the state, to replace single-use plastic utensils with reusable metal sporks for its students. The students present received Certificates of Recognition for their “commitment to the protection and conservation of local watersheds, the world’s ocean, and national marine sanctuaries.”

Twenty-two volunteers stayed afterwards for Beautify Goleta and collected over 50 pounds of trash. A Bulky Item Drop Off took place nearby at Good Shephard Lutheran Church and Preschool and saw 39 vehicle drop-offs, totaling over 6,600 pounds.

A special thanks to Valerie Voorhees and Karina Trejo from Mission Refill who, in the spirit of Plastic Free July and Plastic Free Goleta, filled empty glass containers with a total of almost three gallons of unscented hand soap.

Thanks also to the Goleta Valley Library who brought sidewalk chalk for the kids, signed people up for free library cards and provided some great summertime reading books.

As always, thanks to our wonderful community for showing up and supporting our events.

Pictured above: City staff at event

Mayor Pro-Tempore Luz Reyes-Martin and Mayor Paula Perotte at Berkeley Park