Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Local November 2018 Election Update

This November, City of Goleta residents will be voting for a Mayor for the first time in the City’s 16-year history. Residents will also vote for two City Council members. Have you ever thought about running? To qualify as a candidate, one must be at least 18 years of age and a resident and registered voter of the City of Goleta. Nomination documents can be obtained and filed Monday, July 16, 2018, through Friday, August 10, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. The City will also have two measures on the ballot, W2018 (City Council compensation) and Z2018 (Cannabis Business Tax). Learn more about the 2018 election here. For more information, please contact Deborah Lopez, City Clerk, at (805) 961-7505 or dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

In Case You Missed It…Goleta’s Emergency Communications

This weekend’s Holiday Fire was a reminder of the vulnerability of our community to wildfires.  It also highlighted the importance of timely information and we wanted to take this opportunity to share more about the City’s role in emergency communications.

Please note that if an evacuation order is implemented, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office’s (SBSO) attempts to make contact through phone calls (Reverse 911), emails and text messages, knocking on doors or and making direct, personal contact with residents in the affected area. 

While the City is not a first responder like Fire and Sheriff, we are committed to the following:

  • Providing timely and accurate information.
  • Providing Goleta-specific information.
  • Sharing information released by other agencies as appropriate.
  • Directing people to accurate resources.

Our notifications are not emergency alerts.  These are done for the City of Goleta through a partnership with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (SBCOEM), at no cost to the City.  Typically, we send notices via email/text after briefings from Incident Command (the agency or agencies coordinating the response). Sign up for City of Goleta email/text notifications here! We regularly post information to Facebook and Twitter (@goletapio) which also feed to our website.  In rare instances, we send recorded phone messages. 

Our practice is to notify people when we have information that can help people make decisions about how they should proceed without unduly alarming people.

We encourage you to:

  • Sign up for emergency alerts from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (SBCOEM) at www.ReadySBC.org.
  • Make an evacuation plan.  www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
  • Have a battery-powered radio ready to listen to local radio stations if the power goes out.
  • Be familiar with 211.  Santa Barbara County’s 2-1-1 Helpline is the first point-of-access to all community services, including emergency information.  A live person is available to answer questions 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and in multiple languages.  www.211sbco.org
  • Finally, know your neighbors and look out for each other.  Share verified information from trusted resources.

It’s the #OhDam Time of Year

Get ready for the annual Goleta Dam Dinner on Saturday, August 18! Taking place from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam, this casual community event is a great way to spend the evening with family and friends. Share a meal together while enjoying music from the Salt Martians and the beautiful surroundings. Bring your dinner or purchase food from the on-site food truck (Neighbor Tim’s BBQ). If you’re feeling friendly, bring a dessert to share. Water, beer & wine will be sold along with our awesome t-shirts. Parking is available in the Stow House/Goleta Depot parking lot or along La Patera Lane.

Please register in advance so we can plan for enough tables and chairs. Keep in touch by liking us on Facebook (@DamDinner) and use #OhDam.

Goleta Valley Library News Corner

The Library’s July 1 Celebration was a big hit with more than 100 people coming out to enjoy the festivities! Kids were entertained by popular book characters Gerald and Piggie, face painting and balloon animals. Everyone got to watch the 3-D printer in action, and now, patrons can submit their own designs using a form found at the library’s new website www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought everyone to the front lawn to hear from City Staff and Council. Thank you to everyone that turned out!

If you have not gotten your new Goleta Valley Library card, please remember to do so. Now that the Goleta Valley Library is an independent library, all patrons with Goleta Valley Library as their home library need a new card in order in order to check out material or access electronic resources. The new Goleta Valley Library cards will work at any Santa Barbara County Public Library and you may continue to pick up your hold requests at any library you prefer. To get your new library card, visit the Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue).

Find out the latest library information by visiting the new website at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org, signing up to receive e-newsletters and liking our new Library Facebook page @GoletaLibrary.

Goleta Beach is Now Open!

We are excited to share the good news that Goleta Beach waters are now open! During these hot summer days and beyond, swimming and other recreational water activities are now allowed at Goleta Beach. The ocean waters have been closed since January 2018 due to elevated levels of bacteria. After two consecutive bacteria level tests at three sampling sites were below state standards, the Santa Barbara Public Health Department approved the opening of the ocean waters for our enjoyment. For additional information and the most recent ocean water quality data please visit: www.sbcphd.org.

Come Play at our Parks & Recreation Community Workshop

Parks and recreation play an important role in people’s lives, and we are excited to get the community involved in the Goleta Parks Facility & Playground Master Plan. Everyone is welcome to attend a community workshop on June 13 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). The Goleta Parks Facility & Playground Master Plan process will create a road map for addressing the City’s aging parks and facilities. In order to successfully accomplish this goal, we need your input! What would you like to see in our parks? What might your recreation needs be in the future? What do you value in parks and recreation? Join us to help answer these important questions.

July 4th Events and More Summer Fun!

Celebrate Independence Day with these annual local Fourth of July festivities:

  • Old Fashioned 4th of July (304 N. Los Carneros Road) – Take the family to Rancho La Patera & Stow House from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for a hometown Independence Day. There are activities and entertainment for kids of all ages, including live music by local bands, classic cars, hayrides, pony rides, an old engine show and more.
  • 4th of July Family Fun Fair (150 N. Kellogg Avenue) – Join the Elks Lodge from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for a day of family fun. There is something for everyone from face painting and jumpers for the kids, to bingo and pull-tabs for the adults.
  • Goleta Fireworks Festival (7050 Phelps Road) – Put on by the Rotary Clubs of Goleta, the annual fireworks festival at Girsh Parkis an anticipated event all year long. Popular activities include a rock climbing wall, water balloon toss and hula hoop contest. Other activities include face painting, carnival games and live music. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:00 p.m.

The fun continues throughout the summer:

  • Music at the Ranch (304 N. Los Carneros Road) – Grab your picnic blanket and dancing shoes for everyone’s favorite outdoor summer concert series: Music at the Ranch! Relax with family and friends while enjoying music from local bands, Tuesdays 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in July and August at Rancho La Patera & Stow House. Visit http://goletahistory.org/music-at-the-ranch/ for the latest schedule.
  • Goleta’s Dam Dinner (Lake Los Carneros): Save the date for the annual Goleta Dam Dinner on Saturday, August 18 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. It’s a great time to share your love of Goleta by gathering with your friends, families and neighbors to eat dinner in a beautiful setting. There is also live music and activities for the kids to enjoy. Stay tuned for more information. Please follow us on Facebook @DamDinner to be kept apprised on the latest information about this fun, family-friendly event.

Final Reminder for Cox Communications Discount Program

We would like to remind current participants, and those eligible, that in order to participate in the Cox Communications Discount Program offered in conjunction with the City of Goleta, new applications and renewals must be received by June 28, 2018. The program offers 40% off basic cable service for applicants who reside within the boundaries of Goleta and meet certain criteria. Find out if you are eligible by reviewing the criteria below.

This is the last year Cox Communications is accepting new participants. However, they have agreed to continue providing discounted services to any eligible applicant in perpetuity or until further account changes are made. Existing participants must complete one final application to be included.

Here are some important details about the program:

Where do I get an application?
Applications can be found on the City of Goleta’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org/i-want-to/apply-for/cox-cable-discount-program or call 805-961-7500 to make arrangements to pick up a hard copy. Completed applications must be returned to the City of Goleta (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B) by June 28, 2018.

What criteria are required for cable discount eligibility?
1) 65 years of age or older, and a maximum adjusted gross income, per most recent California Income Tax Return, as follows: $17,489 for individuals or $26,217 for households
– OR –
2) Disabled and received SSI/SSD

What documents are required when submitting my application?

  • All applicants must submit proof of age (Driver’s License, passport, etc.)
  • Eligibility for cable discount must be re-certified in the event of a change of address.
  • The City of Goleta reserves the right to require documentation of any information provided.
  • Your signature on the Cable Discount Program Application authorizes the State of California to release your income tax records to the City for income verification.
  • Your signature on the Cable Discount Program Application authorizes the Social Security Administration to release proof of your SSI/SSD qualification due to permanent disability.

I don’t live in the City of Goleta. Does Cox Communications offer discount programs in surrounding areas?
Yes, the City of Santa Barbara and the County of Santa Barbara also provide a discounted Cox Communications program. For City of Santa Barbara Cox discount information, call (805) 564-5342. For County of Santa Barbara Cox discount information, call (805) 681-4200.

Sign Up for Disaster Preparedness Training

Are you ready for the next disaster? Take the next steps by signing up for our eight-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class Tuesdays June 12 – July 31, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue).

CERT Training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. CERT graduates were instrumental in assisting during the Thomas Fire and Debris Flow emergencies. Those that take the class will learn about hazards that can occur in our area and receive training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, so you can make a difference by using the 24 hours of training you receive in this class to save lives and protect property.

To register, contact Anthony Rodriguez at arodriguez@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-7571, and complete the registration form. Participants must attend all classes. To learn more about the program, view the flyer or visit our website.

Private trainings are also available for large groups. Contact Anthony Rodriguez for information.