Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Free Family Weekend at the Train Depot

In celebration of the history, technology and adventure of railroading, the Rotary Club of Goleta will host Family Weekend at the Goleta Depot, June 15 & 16 from noon – 4:00 p.m.

The free event, which is open to all students and their families, will offer a variety of activities such as a bounce house, provided by Luna’s Jumps; lawn games; and tours of the museum that include the freight office and depot master quarters.

Train rides and hand-car rides will be offered at no cost, taking visitors on a nostalgic journey through Goleta’s history. Families also can pack a lunch and eat the designated picnic areas.

“Family Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for families to connect and create lasting memories,” said Becca Vail, museum administrator. “We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Goleta for their support and look forward to welcoming children and their families for a fun-filled weekend at the Goleta Depot.”

The Goleta Depot is open noon – 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; last train tickets are sold at 3:30 p.m. For more, visit www.goletadepot.org.

 

June Observances

In addition to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, there are other holidays and cultural observances we want to highlight this month. Read about the City raising Pride Flags in Goleta here.

Caribbean American Heritage Month: Caribbean American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of Caribbean Americans to the United States. This community encompasses individuals with roots in various Caribbean countries, including but not limited to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic. A proclamation making the resolution official was signed by President George W. Bush in June 2006.

Native American Citizenship Day: Signed into law on June 2, 1924 but officially celebrated every June 15th. It was on this day in 1924 that the Indian Citizenship Act by Congress granted citizenship to all American Indians born in the U.S. Native American Citizenship Day reminds us that indigenous peoples have been an integral part of our nation’s fabric since time immemorial. Let’s appreciate the vibrant traditions, languages, art, and wisdom that have shaped our society.

Juneteenth, June 19: Juneteenth marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

Join us in learning, acknowledging, and honoring various cultural and awareness observances each month, creating a more inclusive and welcoming Goleta for all.

Summer Reading Program Begins June 15

Earn Prizes and Attend Special Events at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

The Summer Reading Program begins on June 15th at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries! This year’s program – Adventure Begins at Your Library – is open to children, teens, and adults, and will run through July 27th. To participate, all you need to do is stop by the Goleta Valley Library, Bookvan, Buellton Library, or Solvang Library to pick up your Reading Log. A big thank you to our teen volunteers who help make this event happen.

Children’s Librarian Kaeley Christensen said, “I am so excited to share this program with our community this summer. We have some great events planned and really fantastic prizes donated by our generous local businesses! We have something for everyone this year, with prizes for all ages. This is one of the most important programs we do all year because it helps prevent the “summer slide”, keeps kids motivated to read, and sets up our local students for success during the months in between school years.”

Our local businesses are an integral part of helping to motivate readers by donating prizes that participants can earn at different milestones based on the number of books they read. Participants in the Youth category (grades K-6) earn prizes for every five books or 300 minutes they read, and participants in the Teen category (grades 7-12) earn prizes for every book they read. Similarly, participants in the Adult category (ages 18+) receive one prize drawing ticket for each book they read, which they can enter in the library’s weekly prize drawings. Families with little ones under the age of 5 can participate in our 1,000 Books before Kindergarten program, which is year-round, and will have additional incentives during the Summer Reading Program. Reading in all formats is welcome, including print books, graphic novels, eBooks, and audiobooks. Access eBooks and audiobooks for free with your library card.

The Summer Reading Program also includes amazing special events for all ages! Each week, programs and special performances will be held across our three library locations. We have some returning acts, like Magician Shawn McMaster, and some new faces, including a Hula show, presented by Hula Anyone. We also have some fun craft activities, scavenger hunts, and everyone’s favorite, the Stuffed Animal Sleepover to wrap up the program in July! Check out our calendar here and below for a full list of scheduled events.

Last year’s Summer Reading Program saw a lot of engagement: 2,540 community members attended 26 events, 1,918 children and teens registered to participate, and adults read 1,060 books. Let’s make this year even better!

City Facilities Move to 100% Renewable Energy

City Hopes Action Will Inspire Others to Do the Same

The City of Goleta is poised to meet and exceed municipal renewable energy goals earlier than expected following action by the Goleta City Council. The Council unanimously approved at its May 7th meeting, moving to powering all City facilities with 100% clean, renewable energy through the City’s Community Choice Aggregator Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), starting in July. 

“Moving to 100% renewable energy is a significant step the City of Goleta is taking to combat climate change. We all need to do our part, by taking action and leading by example,” Mayor Paula Perotte said. “By powering our Community Center, library, City Hall, streetlights, and other facilities with solar and wind, we’ll be cutting the City’s greenhouse gas emissions, and we hope to inspire others to join us in this effort.”

Goleta will join other cities in working to meet California Senate Bill 100 mandate early — to power 100% of the state’s electricity consumption with zero-carbon, clean renewable energy electricity by 2045. The City of Goleta has a goal to reach 100% renewable energy by 2030 and an interim goal to power municipal facilities with 50% renewable electricity by 2025. 

Powering Goleta’s municipal facilities and streetlights with 100% clean electricity encourages the continued development of renewable energy in California by 3CE. 3CE offers two rate options: 3C Choice at 35.8% renewable content (2022 Power Content Label) and 3C Prime, which provides 100% renewable content at a premium added cost of $0.008/kilowatt hour. In advance of 2030, cities in 3CE territory can “opt up” to 100% renewable electricity at any time through 3C Prime to purchase up to 100% renewable, clean electricity – procured from non-polluting, clean and renewable sources with an approximate 50/50 split using solar and wind. 

“Cities are on the front lines when it comes to combating climate change. Cities like Goleta are also leading the world in reducing carbon emissions through aggressive policies and adoption of clean technologies,” said the City’s Sustainability Manager, Dana Murray. “The City of Goleta has a strong history of taking climate action and moving towards sustainability, and how much renewable energy is in our municipal electricity has a direct correlation with lowering greenhouse gas emissions.”

With Goleta City Hall already running on solar energy generated by the Monarch Solar Array since August 25, 2022, the solar PV system powers 84% of City Hall electricity usage, saving the City roughly $6,000 and avoiding 75.7 metric tons of CO2 emissions in its first year of operation. The remainder of Goleta’s municipal electricity usage for all facilities and City-owned streetlights is 245.6 metric tons of CO2 emitted. Moving the City’s municipal electricity accounts to 3C Prime and 100% clean, renewable energy would effectively reduce those carbon emissions to zero, reducing the City’s total municipal GHG emissions by approximately 20%.

You can help by taking action and being part of the City’s Go Green Goleta initiative. Our tomorrow is today! Find out how you can help at www.GoGreenGoleta.org. You too can opt-up your electricity account to 3C Prime by visiting www.3ce.org or calling 1-877-455-2223.

About Central Coast Community Energy

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is a public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. 3CE is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. Revenue generated by 3CE stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. 3CE provides service to approximately more than 1 million people throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties. Goleta joined 3CE in August 2019. More information can be found at www.3CEnergy.org.

Pictured: Mountain View Wind project, Palm Springs, California, delivers wind power to 3CE customers under a 20-year power purchase agreement

Goleta Crime Stats Released

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has released the 2023 crime statistics for the communities it serves, including Goleta. Reports are broken down into two major categories: Part 1 crimes, which are the most serious in nature, and Part 2 crimes, which include a number of lesser criminal offenses and some juvenile status offenses.

Part 1 crimes are further broken down into two subcategories: violent crimes and property crimes. Part 1 violent crimes are offenses that involve force or a threat of force and include criminal homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Part 1 property crimes are theft-related offenses that do not involve threats or force against the victim, including burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.

“We in the Sheriff’s Office are pleased to report a significant decrease in Part 1 crimes in those areas of the county that are served by the Sheriff’s Office, including all unincorporated areas and the contract cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, Buellton, and Solvang.  These overall Part 1 crimes, which include both violent and property crimes, decreased from 2,679 in 2022 to 2,225 in 2023, a reduction of 16.9%.  I am immensely proud of the many contributions the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office have made during 2023 that helped keep the peace and that made our communities safe” said Sheriff Bill Brown.  “The overall Part 1 crime total was the lowest it has been during the past 10 years.  That is a remarkable accomplishment given the challenges that have been faced this past year, including the proliferation of fentanyl in our communities and the related surge in overdose deaths.”

In Goleta, crime statistics from 2022 to 2023 indicate a decrease in overall crime. Part 1 crimes decreased from 601 incidents in 2022 to 533 in 2023, representing an 11.3% reduction.

Violent crimes saw an increase, rising from 49 incidents in 2022 to 56 in 2023, a 14.3% increase. This includes a slight increase in aggravated assaults, which went from 36 incidents in 2022 to 37 in 2023, and rape, which increased from 3 to 6. Robbery incidents also increased from 9 in 2022 to 12 in 2023.

Property crimes showed a significant decrease, with totals dropping from 552 incidents in 2022 to 477 in 2023, a reduction of 13.6%. This category includes a decrease in burglary, which fell from 88 incidents in 2022 to 65 in 2023, and larceny-theft, which dropped from 422 incidents in 2022 to 362 in 2023. However, motor vehicle thefts increased from 33 incidents in 2022 to 46 in 2023.

For the full report for all of Santa Barbara County, click here.

Be Prepared for Public Safety Power Shutoffs

The National Weather Service has forecasted a likely transition from El Niño to La Niña within the coming months. Southern California has been influenced by El Niño conditions since Spring 2023, which means that the ocean water temperatures have been higher and the weather is cooler and wetter. The transition to La Niña (and warmer, dryer temperatures) could occur as early as June and as late as September.

What does this mean? It’s not going to be as gray anymore (yay)!  What else does this mean? Wildfire conditions will become a concern again (boo).

The City of Goleta would like to remind its residents of the potential for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) should extreme wildfire conditions emerge; an example of these conditions are hot temperatures, high wind speeds, and low humidity in the area. A PSPS is a tool of last resort for electric power providers, like Southern California Edison (SCE), where the power is intentionally turned off for a large area to prevent the electrical system from becoming a source of wildfire ignition. The power could be turned off in your neighborhood for over 72 hours. If you have backup power generators at your home or business, it’s a good idea to test them each month to ensure they are ready in case of a power interruption.  

Why so long? It’s because SCE personnel have to inspect all of the vulnerable parts of the electrical system before turning the power back on. If there is a downed power line and the power is immediately turned on without inspection, then SCE would ignite the same wildfire that was being prevented. The inspections can take time, especially when high wind conditions prevent helicopters from being used in the area.

Goleta urges its residents to prepare in case of emergency. You can find out more about PSPS by visiting SCE’s website here, and begin to make an emergency kit by going to Ready.gov here. You are also encouraged to schedule a free Community Disaster Education Course with the City’s Emergency Services Coordinator, and here you can learn the first steps of how to prepare you and your family for an emergency.

A little bit of preparation now can go a long way later. Don’t wait, prepare now.

Online Recreation Booking Platform Available Now

Have you tried the City of Goleta’s new online recreation booking platform? You can now book a picnic spot or use of a multi-purpose field directly online at www.CityofGoleta.org/GroupPicnic, making it easier for you to see what’s available and when.

This new online platform also allows you to check availability of space at the Goleta Community Center, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/RentGCC. Please note, you will still need to complete a rental inquiry form. For more info on the Goleta Community Center, including senior programming, a rate sheet and GCC rules, visit the GCC webpage.

Here are some features of this new platform:

  • Online Picnic Site Booking: Easily secure your preferred picnic site, date, and time.
  • Goleta Community Center Availability: Instantly check real-time availability and schedule your activities accordingly.
  • Multi-Purpose Field Booking: Making plans for camps, classes or practices has never been easier. Available fields include: Stow Grove Park, Evergreen Park, and Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park this summer.
  • Mailing Lists: Sign up to learn more about programs offered at the community garden, classes offered through our senior program, or to learn more about improvements being made in our parks and open spaces.
  • Effortless Management: Seamlessly handle your bookings, modifications, and cancellations from anywhere.
  • User-Friendly Design: Designed with simplicity in mind, ensures a smooth booking experience for all Goleta residents. Available areas are show in blue with the word “reserve.”

Please note: Currently, only picnic sites at Stow Grove Park are available to rent. Picnic sites at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park are closed during construction. Please stay tuned for information on a new picnic site located at Armitos Park!

Don’t wait, book your space today! To book a picnic spot or multi-purpose field, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GroupPicnic and follow the directions on the webpage. For questions or assistance, please contact Leonel Mendoza-Diaz at lmendoza-diaz@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-7558.

Check availability of the Goleta community center at www.CityofGoleta.org/RentGCC. The rental inquiry form is available there as well. For questions or assistance, reach out to Kelsey Hamilton at khamilton@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-1237.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our facilities!

Meet Me in Old Town

A series of Meet Me in Old Town block party events held on Magnolia Avenue are off and running.  If you missed the first one, held on May 16, don’t worry there are two more coming up (July 18 and August 15). The events are put on by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce and the City of Goleta. The gatherings are a great way to enjoy a summer night listening to live music, to see familiar faces and meet new friends too. Check out photos here from the first Meet Me in Old Town event.

Excitement is already building for July’s block party, promising an even bigger celebration. For more information, click here.

Upcoming Dates & Entertainment:
Thursday, July 18, 5-7 PM – Mezcal Martini
Thursday, August 15, 5-7 PM – Tequila Mockingbird

Parking is super easy and free in the Yardi parking lot off of Fairview. Hope to see you in Old Town for another fun night!

Pictured: Photos from the May 16 event – above: City Council


City staff


City staff with Go Green Goleta items


City table

Old Town Open for Business

Watch Promo Video and Show Your Support During Project Connect Construction

Construction may be going on in Old Town, but the businesses there want you to know they are open and ready to serve you. The City of Goleta launched its Old Town Open for Business (#OTOB) campaign recently as a way to encourage the public to support Old Town businesses during construction of the City’s largest capital improvement project – Project Connect. Watch the promo video here in English and here in Spanish. Also, look out for our Old Town Open for Business signs and light post banners up throughout the Hollister Avenue corridor.

2nd District Councilmember James Kyriaco says in the video, “If you haven’t discovered it yet, this historic area, located in the heart of the City is full of unique and many long-standing small businesses. Now is the time to come on down to Old Town and show them your support.”

Project Connect, which broke ground in March of 2024, is a multi-year project that when complete will enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions and build critical linkage throughout Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge.

During construction, expect traffic delays, reduced lanes, and limited street parking. Please follow posted signs and plan for additional travel time.

All businesses along the project alignment will remain open. Don’t let the construction discourage you from coming to Old Town. There are two free public parking lots, one at Community West Bank (5827 Hollister Avenue) and another on Orange Avenue.

To stay updated on project milestones, traffic impacts, and other important Project Connect information, go to the City’s website: www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect.

For additional information or questions, please contact: Connect@CityofGoleta.org or 805-690-5116.

Thanks for doing your part to keep Old Town thriving while we work to build a better future for Goleta.


Old Town Open for Business A-Frame sign on Hollister Avenue


Graphic of Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2) who does the video in English


Graphic of Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1) who does the video in Spanish

 

Bicycle & Motorcycle Safety Month

May is National Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety Month, and the Goleta Police Department encourages everyone to be on the lookout for people biking, walking and riding a motorcycle.

“Everyone deserves to reach their destination safely,” Sergeant Noel Rivas said. “Unfortunately, there has been an increase in bicycle fatalities and injuries over the last few years. Bicyclists do not have the same protections as people in a vehicle so if you see a bicyclist — please slow down.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022, and an estimated 46,195 bicyclists were injured. In 2021, 976 bicyclists were killed (a 1.9% increase from 2020) and an estimated 41,615 bicyclists were injured (a 7% increase from 2020).

To help keep people safe while biking or walking, the Goleta Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations on May 8th and 21st focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way, and stop sign/red light running. They will continue to enforce these violations on a daily basis.

The Goleta Police Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:

Drivers

  • Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.
  • Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.
  • Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space.
  • Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

  • Use lights at night.
  • Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.
  • Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
  • Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, the Goleta Police Department would like to remind drivers to always look twice for motorcycles.

“Motorcycles can be difficult to spot, so be extra careful before changing lanes,” Sergeant Noel Rivas said. “A simple double check could mean the difference between a safe journey and a tragic crash. Motorcycle riders do not have the same protections drivers and passengers do. Let’s all do our part to keep each other safe out there.”

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022. Motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and four times more likely to be injured.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

  • Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. Lane sharing or splitting traffic lanes is legal as long as it’s done safely.
  • Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
  • If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before moving ahead.

Motorcyclists

  • Always wear a U.S. DOT- compliant helmet with eye protection.
  • Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
  • Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot.
  • Always keep your lights on, even during the day.

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office provides police services for the City of Goleta.