Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Are You Prepared for the Next Fire?

The recent Sherpa (aka Scherpa) Fire reminds us of the dangerous conditions we face this summer due to the hot, dry weather. The City of Goleta wants its residents to be wildfire ready year-round. Here are some resources on how you can prepare yourself, and your family, for the next wildfire.

  • Stay connected with the city by signing up for emergency alerts and notifications
  • Remember the six “P’s” in case immediate evacuation is required:
    • People and pets
    • Papers, phone numbers & important documents
    • Prescriptions, vitamins and eyeglasses
    • Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
    • Personal computer hard drive and disks
    • “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash
  • Prepare Your Home

Not only is it important to prepare yourself and your home in the event of a fire, but it is important to exercise caution at all times so as not to accidentally start a wildfire. Keep in mind that bonfires are illegal on all beaches and bluffs in Goleta, do not use weed whackers when it is hot and dry and be extra cautious when disposing of cigarettes. Thank you for doing your part to keep Goleta safe.

Emergency Notifications from the City — Timely Information When You Need It

Some of you may have seen the emergency operations trailer located at the Camino Real Marketplace during the Sherpa (aka Scherpa) Fire. The City of Goleta uses its emergency operations trailer to provide information quickly and efficiently to the public during a time of need. It is staged at one of three sites depending on the location of the incident: Goleta Valley Community Center, Camino Real Marketplace, or Fairview Shopping Center.

Stay informed with email and/or text emergency alerts from the City of Goleta by registering here and checking the box for emergency notifications, or texting Goleta Emergency to 468311. If you prefer to receive a phone call, please email PIO@cityofgoleta.org with your preferred phone number, address and language preference (English or Spanish). Also consider registering for emergency alerts with Santa Barbara County through Aware & Prepare.

Goleta Library

Use Your Skills To Benefit the Community

Applications are now being accepted for those interested in joining one of the City’s Boards or Committees. The Design Review Board and Santa Barbara County Library Advisory Committee both have vacancies and more information is listed below. The deadline to submit an application is 5:00 p.m. on July 26, 2016. Applications may be obtained from, and must be returned to, Deborah Lopez (dlopez@cityofgoleta.org), City Clerk, City of Goleta, 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA 93117. Applications are also available on the City website. Additional information can be provided by calling (805) 961-7505.

Design Review Board Vacancy

The Design Review Board (DRB) is a seven-member body with responsibility to encourage development that exemplifies the best professional design practices so as to enhance the visual quality of the environment and prevent poor quality of design. The DRB has one vacancy for a professionally licensed Landscape Architect or Landscape Contractor to fill the remainder of the unexpired term through January 2017. The DRB meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and the position is compensated at $50.00 per meeting.

Santa Barbara County Library Advisory Committee Vacancy

The Library Advisory Committee has one vacancy for a one-year term July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. This is an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the Goleta community by participating in decision-making process on a wide variety of Library issues. Candidates must reside within the City of Goleta to be eligible.

November Election in Goleta: Running for City Council

In November’s election, City of Goleta residents will be voting for candidates to fill two City Council seats. 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 18, 2016, through Friday, August 12, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Deborah Lopez, City Clerk, at (805) 961-7505 or dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

Give Us Five

The City of Goleta is interested in hearing more from you on issues affecting our community.  Last month’s issue of the Monarch Press contained our first “Give us Five” survey – thank you to those that completed it.  These surveys will appear regularly; please give us five minutes and click here to take our next survey on citizen engagement – your opinion matters!

Traffic Control at Calle Real & Fairview

Caltrans recently completed work on the Las Vegas/San Pedro Creek Culvert Replacements Project near Calle Real and Fairview. The County of Santa Barbara will be starting a project in that same location in a few weeks.  However traffic control will remain in place, although no work will be done during this transition time.  The County’s project will begin on June 13 and last approximately three months (contingent on weather or other unforeseen delays).

This project is intended to reduce severe and chronic flooding that has occurred in the area. The San Pedro Creek Transition Structure Project, located immediately upstream of Calle Real, will conform the existing upstream channel with new downstream improvements recently completed by Caltrans.

The project is being funded by the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District.  Please contact the Flood Control District at 805-568-3440 with any questions.

Storke Road Onramp Complete

The additional turn lane onto southbound 101 at Storke Road is now open.  Here are some important things to note about the new configuration and bike lane improvements:

  • A bicycle signal has been added, which allows cyclists to push the button and halt vehicle traffic from entering the onramp so bicyclists may safely cross over the onramp and continue north on Glen Annie/Storke.
  • The bicycle signal looks like a regular traffic signal but with a bike symbol and is illuminated either red, yellow or green. When bicyclists have the right of way, two signs are illuminated with a mark through the right turn arrow, informing vehicle drivers they may not turn right on red onto the ramp.
    • If the bike signal is red, then drivers can turn onto the freeway and cyclists must wait.
    • If the bike signal is green and the no turn sign is illuminated red, drivers may NOT turn onto the onramp. Drivers should always look to see what color the bike light is and if a bicyclist is present before making a right turn onto the onramp.
  • In addition, for vehicles exiting Camino Real Marketplace onto northbound Storke Road, the two far right lanes have access to the freeway southbound onramp lanes north of Hollister. The #3 lane (the lane closest to the sidewalk) north of Hollister becomes a dedicated turn lane for southbound 101 and the #2 lane is now a through / right turn lane.  This new lane access eliminates the need for drivers to fight for a space in the far right lane if they want to get onto the freeway to go south.

Thank you for your patience as drivers become familiar with the new configurations.

STORKE STRIPING EXHIBIT 53116

“Go Goleta” City Council Chambers Artwork – Submissions Deadline Extended!

Do you want to share your favorite photos of Goleta with other residents? Then participate in this summer’s photography exhibit, on display in the City Council Chambers at 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B.

Titled “Go Goleta,” amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit up to three photographs showcasing why a visitor would want to visit the area.  For consideration in the “Go Goleta” exhibit, please submit your artwork by Friday, June 10 (deadline extended!).  Artists whose work is chosen to appear in the City Council Chambers will be notified by June 17.

Submissions for “Go Goleta” should be emailed to jshaw@cityofgoleta.org.  You will receive an email confirmation after your images(s) have been received. If you do not receive a confirmation within 48 business hours please resubmit. All images must be in jpeg format and at least 300dpi for high-resolution printing. The City will print selected photos at various sizes up to 16”x20.”  Photos may be cropped to fit the printed size.

COPYRIGHT: In submitting photography for this contest, artists retain ownership of and copyright to their pictures. However, in entering this contest, artist acknowledges the City of Goleta may use the photography in its online and print publications.

Please submit the following information with your photograph.

  • Contact information (photographer name, phone number, email address)
  • Title of submission
  • A few sentences about why the piece represents “Go Goleta”

 

Family Travel Safety

With summer coming up, many of you are probably planning a vacation.  The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office offers the following travel and tourist crime prevention tips. Follow these tips to help you stay safe while traveling, and click here for a complete list of tips.

Preventing crime during family travel starts with making sure your home is protected while you’re away. The key is to make it look like you never left (i.e. stop mail and newspaper delivery, keep blinds in their normal position…).

Planning ahead can decrease the chances of crime joining you on your journey. Clean out your wallet and take only essential credit cards. Pack as lightly as possible and in inconspicuous bags so as not to draw attention. Keep a separate record of the contents of checked luggage and keep valuables (medicine, jewelry) in a carry-on that stays with you.

While you and your family are traveling, it’s important to remember that tourists make tempting targets for thieves. Often lost or distracted, weighed down with bags, and carrying cameras, plane tickets, money, and other valuables, unsuspecting travelers can attract crime like a magnet. The best advice for you and your family is to do all you can to blend in with the crowd and don’t act like a tourist (i.e. check the map before you go out). If you are traveling with children, come up with a plan in case anyone gets lost or separated.

 

Goleta Valley Historical Society Celebrates 50 Years of Preservation for Our Community

Goleta Valley Historical Society had a modest beginning – a dream to “collect and promote our unique history.”  This is the mission of the Society, whose journey began on April 13, 1966.  Forty civic-minded guests attended that day at Bray’s Restaurant, many of them decedents of Valley pioneers.  It was a day that would change the course of history in the Goleta community.

After some discussion, it was decided that the ‘saving of Stow House’ should be the Society’s first project.  After a successful community campaign, in April 1967 George Adams submitted a report to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, which led to a lease agreement for Goleta Valley Historical Society to care for the interior of Stow House.  A dedication ceremony in September of 1967 brought to life the dream to preserve the historic ranch for future generations.

Today, in partnership with the City of Goleta, the Society is the steward of the Stow House, the gardens, the ranch area, and other historic structures that have been carefully restored.  The gathering place, once a home to the Stow family, has become a home to the community, a place to celebrate our history and all that is good in this wonderful city. This majestic landmark offers a rare opportunity to experience what life was like during the golden era of California ranching.  The Ranch is open Saturdays and Sundays 1-4pm and by appointment.

In celebration of 50 years of dedication to our mission to “collect, preserve, interpret and foster research of Goleta Valley’s history through exhibits, programs, and stewardship of the historic Rancho La Patera, home to the Stow family” the Society is embarking on two ambitious projects.  The first, an exhibition “Good Land Gold: GVHS Celebrates 50 Years,” to open June 1, 2016 and run through spring 2017, which will highlight the organization’s founding and first years.  The second project is an exciting commemorative reprinting of Goleta: The Good Land (1966), by Walker Tompkins.