Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Distracted Driving – Don’t Do It

In the smartphone age, people are more connected than ever before, but also attempting to stay connected when they shouldn’t: behind the wheel. It’s not just cell phones, distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road, or hands off the steering wheel – especially when texting or using your phone.

It is not only dangerous, but illegal, to use your cell phone while driving. In California, you cannot use a cell phone or similar electronic communication device while holding it in your hand. It can only be used in a hands-free manner, such as speaker phone or voice commands, but never while holding it. Any driver under the age of 18 is prohibited from using a cell phone for any reason.

The Goleta Police Department takes distracted driving very seriously. Traffic officers are constantly on the lookout for motorists who violate distracted driving laws, endangering themselves and others with whom they share the roads. “It only takes a moment for lives to be forever changed by a distracted driver,” says Sergeant John Maxwell who supervises the Goleta Police Department’s Traffic Unit. “Cell phone use can be a habit that’s hard to break, but this habit can have life changing consequences.” 

Remember, other serious driver distractions such as eating, grooming, reading, reaching for objects on the floor, changing clothes, or talking with passengers, are just as dangerous. Always focus on the road ahead, and together we can eliminate the unnecessary dangers of distracted driving.

Meet Chop, the Newest K9 Team Member

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office welcomes Chop, the newest member of their K9 team. Chop was purchased through funding from the Sheriff’s Benevolent Posse’s Project Deputy Dog program. In his first few months on the job, he is off to a great start. Deputy Moore, a six-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, is his handler. The two are stationed in South County but available to respond to calls countywide.  Chop was born in Germany and received his initial training at the Inglis Police Dog Academy in Oxnard.  Chop and Deputy Moore recently graduated from patrol school where they completed 200 hours of intense training. Chop is now trained in human scent detection, open area building searches, handler protection, and apprehension. Chop will eventually be trained in narcotics detection and hard surface tracking as well. If you would like to learn more about Project Deputy Dog and how you can support the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, please go to www.sbsheriffsposse.org. 

Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month this July

In honor of Parks & Recreation Month this July, the City has put together a fun-filled calendar of outdoor activities for residents to do throughout the month. In addition to exploring some of Goleta’s great parks or attending popular summer time events such as Music at the Ranch, Concerts at the Gazebo, or the new Summer Games & Movies at the Goleta Valley Community Center, those interested can also learn a new sport by attending a clinic for pickleball, Bankshot or Bocce Ball. Check out the full calendar in both English and Spanish and get your game on this July!

City Breaks Ground on Community Athletic Field

On June 19, 2019, the City held a groundbreaking for the renovation of the athletic field behind the Goleta Valley Community Center and next to the Boys & Girls Club. City Staff, Councilmembers, and Boys & Girls Club Kids of the Week were all in attendance as Council helped to break ground on this exciting new project. The City is excited to improve this recreation space for the entire community, the hundreds of children who attend the Goleta Boys & Girls Club each day, and those who use the Goleta Valley Community Center. This project includes new turf with gopher mesh for the field, new irrigation, a walking path, and a fitness station.

The City received a Housing Related Parks Program grant from the State of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development to help pay for the renovations. Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of August. If you missed the event, you can watch the speeches and ground breaking on the City’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/user/CityofGoleta1.

CEC’s Solarize Program Comes to Goleta

The City of Goleta is partnering with the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and several other local jurisdictions to encourage residential solar development through CEC’s Solarize Santa Barbara program. The program is designed to help homeowners step-by-step through the solar installation process, and utilizes group purchasing to offer discounts on home systems. As of early 2019, CEC has helped 736 local homeowners, bringing 3.5 megawatts of solar to the Central Coast through the Solarize Program since it launched in 2011.

If you’re a homeowner interested in going solar and or adding battery storage to your existing solar system, attend an upcoming Solarize Santa Barbara workshop on Wednesday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). This workshop is free and open to everyone.

Goleta residents can take advantage of the limited-time discounted price up until August 31, 2019. For more information on the program and how you can go solar, please visit www.SolarizeSB.org or contact info@cecsolarize.org.

Provide Input on the City’s Roadways

On Wednesday, July 24, the City will hold the first of two public workshops on the Goleta Traffic Safety Study. Join us from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) to learn about the study, talk to City staff, and give feedback on the City’s roadways and corridors, traffic conditions, and perception of safety.

The Goleta Traffic Safety Study Project is an opportunity for the City to review and evaluate the City’s major east-west and north-south corridors, including the major intersections, for things such as collision frequency and magnitude, roadway and intersection design configurations, and traffic volumes. A project team is currently analyzing and assessing the roadways. Their findings, combined with public input, will help construct an analysis which will include common factors in vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions, and address recommended safety improvements for vehicle lanes, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian crosswalks. 

The Goleta Traffic Safety Study is funded through a $225,000 Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) Program grant the City received in January 2018. The final report will aid the City in pursuing further grant opportunities to assist in funding recommended improvements which have been identified. Additional information, including a map of the corridors, is available at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaTrafficSafetyStudy.

Are You Prepared for a Multi-Day Power Outage?

Southern California Edison (SCE) has recently developed a plan to shut off power when high risk weather could start a wildfire. The Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) could lead to multi-day power outages in Goleta during periods of extremely hot, dry, and/or windy weather. A PSPS outage will last as long as the potentially dangerous weather conditions exist, plus the amount of time it takes for power company workers to inspect and repair their equipment in the affected area(s). Residents need to prepare for a power outage that could last 3-5 days.

The City has put together tips on how to prepare for a multi-day power outage including knowing how to manually open your automatic garage door and having a battery-operated radio. Click here to learn more.  It is also recommended to register for emergency alerts from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (SBCOEM) at www.ReadySBC.org. To receive emergency information from the City of Goleta, go to https://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency, text Goleta Emergency to 468311, or call 961-7508.

Learn more about Public Safety Power Shutoffs on the SCE website.

Inaugural LEAD Goleta Graduation

On July 10, 2019, the City will graduate its first LEAD Goleta (Learn, Empower, Advocate, Discuss) cohort. The City’s inaugural community academy consisted of six two-hour sessions where participants learned the inner workings of city government. The program was designed to help residents better understand the role that local government plays in the community so that they can effectively participate, share what they have learned with others, and consider getting more involved in local government. Each session was led by City Manager Michelle Greene and a Department Director, in an intimate and informal setting. Participants were encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentations which included department background information, current happenings, and future projects.

Apply for SBCAG’s Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is recruiting for their Measure A Citizens’ Oversight committee. Measure A is a transportation measure that was approved by Santa Barbara County residents in 2008 and designates one-half of one percent (1/2%) sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. It is administered by SBCAG and is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects through 2040. The 11 member committee helps ensure accountability to voters regarding the spending of funds. The vacancy is for an “at-large” position, and the term is for four (4) years. Applicants are being considered based on their ability to represent transportation interests countywide. The application deadline is June 7. Learn more and apply here.

Goleta Summer 2019 Events

It’s hard to believe but July 4th is only one month away! Here are a few ways to celebrate Independence Day this year:

  • Celebrate a hometown Old Fashioned 4th of July from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road). Enjoy live music and entertainment, hayrides, delicious BBQ, games, local artists, classic cars, an old engine show, and plenty of family-friendly fun.
  • Finish the day with the Goleta Fireworks Festival at Girsh Park (7050 Phelps Road) presented by the Rotary Clubs of Goleta. There are activities for all ages, including UCSB’s climbing wall, sack races, face painting, mini Ferris wheel, corn hole, hula hoop contest, live music, and plenty of food choices. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:00 p.m.

Don’t miss these summertime events as well:

  • Grab your blanket and picnic basket for Music at the Ranch Tuesdays this summer (July 9 – August 20) from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Make your summer evenings sweeter by hanging at the Ranch (304 N. Los Carneros Road) with friends and family and listening to great music.
  • Concerts at the Gazebo returns this summer to the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Pick-up dinner from a local restaurant, bring a blanket, and get your groove on Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (July 3, 17, 31, Aug. 14, 28)!
  • Bring the family to Goleta Depot Days on August 10 and 11 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the South Coast Railroad Museum (300 N. Los Carneros Road)! Go back in time to work a handcar, attend an “unclaimed freight & baggage sale,” and bring the kids for train rides, a bounce house, and arts & crafts.
  • We’re excited for the annual Goleta Dam Dinner on Saturday, August 17, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam! Join us for this fun community event in a beautiful setting. Bring your own dinner or purchase it from the on-site food truck, listen to great music, get to know your neighbors, and bring a potluck dessert to share. Stay tuned for more details. Follow us on Facebook (@DamDinner) for the latest information about this fun, family-friendly event.