Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Old Town Open for Business

The City’s Old Town Open for Business campaign continues. Every day on our social media platforms (Facebook, X [formerly Twitter], and Instagram) we are highlighting a business in Old Town. We encourage you to look daily and see if we are featuring one of your favorites, or maybe you will discover an awesome business you have never heard of before! If you know of an Old Town business that you recommend we highlight, please let us know by sending an e-mail to PIO@cityofgoleta.org. Thank for supporting our wonderful Old Town businesses during Project Connect construction. They are open and ready to serve you!  Watch our Old Town Open for Business video promo here in English and here in Spanish.

Don’t let the construction discourage you from coming down to Old Town. Public parking is available for free at three designated public parking lots: Community West Bank (corner of Pine Avenue and Hollister Avenue), Orange Avenue Lot, and Carson Street (between Orange Avenue and Fairview Avenue).  

Project Connect is the largest capital improvement project in the history of the City. The multi-year project 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.

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.

Meet Me in Old Town August 15

Join us for the third and final “Meet Me in Old Town” summer event series! Taking place on Thursday, August 15 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., this event gets better each time. Grab some food from an Old Town eatery and come on down to Magnolia Avenue between Hollister Avenue and Gaviota Street for live music, games, refreshments, and commemorative merchandise. This month’s event will be lemon-themed in advance of the Goleta Lemon Festival on September 28 & 29 at Girsh Park.

Here are the details:

  • Entertainment: Tequila Mockingbird
  • Activities: Live music, local business specials, food trucks, refreshments, games, merchandise, and community vendors
  • Vendor Booths: City of Goleta, Community Environmental Council, Special Olympics – Santa Barbara Region, Megan’s Organic Market, CrossFit Santa Barbara, Children’s Resources and Referral of Santa Barbara County

Community members are invited to join their neighbors in interactive and family-friendly activities and visitors from neighboring areas can explore the distinctive attractions that Old Town Goleta has to offer. Local businesses will showcase specials and unique offerings through tastings and promotions.

Previous events were held May 16 and July 18 (view photos here). The events are put on by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Goleta as a way to boost local business visibility and showcase Old Town Goleta’s charm.

Public parking for the event is available in the Yardi parking lot at 430 S. Fairview Avenue or the public parking lot next to Community West Bank at 5827 Hollister Avenue.

We hope to see you there!

Pictured: Goleta City Council at the July 18 “Meet Me in Old Town” event

Parks & Rec Month Recap

Parks and Recreation Month just wrapped up! Thank you to everyone who participated in our free clinics which included pickleball, disc golf and tennis. There are so many great parks and open spaces here in Goleta – we hope to see you outside!

Parks and Recreation Month is made possible by our Parks and Recreation and Parks and Open Space Divisions. Our Parks team works together to deliver high-quality experiences and keep our parks and open spaces clean, safe, welcoming, inclusive, and ready to use. We want to show our appreciation for all they do, and July 19, Parks and Recreation Professionals Day, was the perfect occasion. Parks and Recreation Professionals Day is a nationwide celebration to recognize and thank all the dedicated professionals who build strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. 

Please join us in thanking them for the great benefit they provide to our community all year long!


Parks & Rec and Parks & Open Space staff with their Parks & Rec Month Proclamation at the June 18, 2024, City Council meeting

Save-the-Date 2024 Lemon Festival

The Goleta Lemon Festival is set for September 28 & 29 at Girsh Park, proudly sponsored by Rusty’s Pizza. This eagerly awaited annual event attracts 40,000 regional visitors, residents, community leaders, non-profits, and elected officials, embodying the essence of Goleta.

You’ll find wonderful food, a fantastic family atmosphere, and a variety of entertainment and activities that have made this the most anticipated event on the Goleta coast. This weekend also includes the Goleta Fall Classic Car and the ever-popular ‘Safety Street.’ Don’t miss our pie-eating contests, and the arts and crafts vendors.

Food vendors, vendor booth applications, and car show registrations are now open! For food and vendor booths go to lemonfestival.com/vendorapplications, and for the Classic Car Show go to lemonfestival.com/goleta-fall-classic.

The Lemon Festival is put on by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce. Learn more here: lemonfestival.com.

NatureTrack Film Festival & Poster Reveal

This year’s NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF) poster, revealed at a special event on July 11 at the Camino Real Cinemas, will feature artwork by the late renowned local artist Chris Potter with a portrait of ‘Potters Point’, the bluffs recently renamed in Potter’s honor by the City of Goleta. The poster was revealed by Potter’s wife, Julie Beaumont Potter alongside NTFF Managing Director Gareth Kelly and notable VIPs from the Goleta Community. 

“Chris and I have always loved to support local non-profits,” said Beaumont Potter. “When the NatureTrack Film Festival reached out to me, it was an honor to have them use the portrait by Chris of his favorite spot for their poster. What Chris cherished the most was Nature!”

“We couldn’t think of a better image for this year’s poster than Potter’s point,” Kelly added. “We know Chris meant so much to the local community and we’re thrilled to honor his life and his work in this way”.

The 6th edition of the NatureTrack Film Festival takes place October 11 – 13th at the Camino Real Cinemas and promises to be the biggest and best yet with a record number of film submissions received from over 30 countries including World, US & California premieres. The full film program will be announced in late August. Early Bird All-Access VIP Passes are on sale now here.

Notable sponsors for this year’s festival include the Natalie Orfalea Foundation, Yardi, UCLA Health, El Rancho Marketplace, the City of Goleta, Go Goleta, Visit SB, Cox Communications, the Santa Barbara Zoo, and Mechanics Bank. 

With the goal to Ignite Passion for Nature Through Film, the 2024 festival will showcase over 50 films from around the world that focus on nature, share a passion for environmental stewardship, and celebrate outdoor adventure. The festival will feature an opening night party, filmmaker panels, tributes, special guests, and more! 

For more information about the festival, including film submissions, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket sales, please visit the newly revamped website: www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org.


Pictured left-to-right: Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, NTFF Managing Director Gareth Kelly, Julie Beaumont Potter, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2) and Councilmember Kyle Richards


Group photo at poster reveal on July 11

 

Job Opportunities with #TeamGoleta

The City of Goleta is hiring! We are looking for passionate, hardworking people to join our team. Current open positions include:

  • Director of Public Works
  • Project Manager (Environmental Services)
  • Project Manager (Public Works)
  • Recreation Technician (part-time)

Learn more about each position and how to apply here. Check back regularly for new opportunities.

Meet Goleta’s New Police Chief

Lt. Frank Vasquez Brings Wealth of Experience to Assignment

The City of Goleta is pleased to introduce its new Chief of Police Services. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Frank Vasquez has taken on the new assignment and brings more than 27 years of law enforcement experience to the position. In this role, Lt. Vasquez will oversee the Goleta Police Department which includes a Motor Traffic Unit and two Community Resource Deputies, as well as the unincorporated areas of the Goleta Valley.

Goleta’s City Manager Robert Nisbet said, “This is an important position for the City and we are pleased to have such a seasoned and dedicated law enforcement professional to help maintain a safe community and continue to provide the high level of service our residents expect.”

Lt. Vasquez said, “I am excited to be here and to embark on this important new assignment. I know public safety is of upmost importance to the community and it is my honor to serve Goleta in this incredible leadership position.”

Lt. Vasquez was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Southern California. He started his career in the U.S. Air Force where he spent eight years rising to the rank of a Sergeant. Through this experience he was able to travel the world and work as a canine handler. He has served the past 19 years at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office where he has held a variety of assignments, most recently as the Bureau Lieutenant for Northern Stations Patrol. His previous assignments included patrol in Goleta, Central Stations and in Santa Maria. He has also supervised the county-wide Criminal Investigations and Special Investigations Bureaus and has been a member of a variety of collateral and specialty duties within the Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Vasquez possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from the University of La Verne and is close to finishing his graduate degree.

If you would like to meet Lt. Vasquez in person or watch virtually, he will be formally introduced at the August 20th Goleta City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. It will also be an opportunity to thank Lt. Rich Brittingham who served as our Chief for four years and is now the Chief of Police Services in Carpinteria.

We hope to see you on August 20th to help us give Lt. Vasquez a warm welcome and show our appreciation to Lt. Brittingham.

Music at the Ranch

Tuesdays at Stow House

It’s not a Goleta summer without Music at the Ranch. Be sure to catch the last few concerts before it ends on August 20. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs and head over to Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road) from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. for an outdoor concert. You can bring your own food or purchase from the onsite food trucks.

Upcoming schedule:

  • August 6 – The Nombres* / AR Catering & Mony’s Food Trucks
  • August 13 – Doublewide Kings / Elubias Kitchen & AR Catering Food Trucks
  • August 20 – Spencer the Gardener / Elubia’s Kitchen and Sassafrass Food Trucks

*Military Appreciation Night

For more info go to https://goletahistory.org/music-at-the-ranch/.

 

There is No Earthquake Season

Summer is a time for relaxation, but in the event of an unexpected earthquake emergency, will you be prepared? Whether you are relaxing on the coast, camping in the woods, or enjoying the latest thrill ride at an amusement park, Cal OES encourages Californians and visitors alike to take the time now to update their emergency plans, including having a plan for when you are on vacation. Take a moment to get familiar with the local evacuation routes and emergency shelters.

Stay informed about earthquake risks at your vacation destination and be mindful of local regulations, share emergency preparedness lists with friends and family, and activate advanced warnings on your devices to know when to take protective life-saving actions. Download the free MyShake app now for your smart phone. If you experience an earthquake, drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.

Follow any instructions from local authorities and be ready to evacuate if necessary. By taking proactive steps to prepare for earthquakes while on vacation, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of yourself and your loved ones, turning a potential disaster into a manageable situation. Many things in life may catch us off guard, but earthquakes don’t have to!

Get more tips and resources from Earthquake Warning California at https://earthquake.ca.gov/.

Prepare for Heat and Wildfire Threat

By Southern California Edison

Summer Heat Preparation

Summer is in full swing and so is the heat. Southern California Edison (SCE) is poised and ready. SCE crews have installed or upgraded critical electrical equipment and are prepared to quickly respond to possible power outages in all weather conditions.

SCE’s weather team recently warned of potentially dangerous fire conditions associated with the early season heatwave. Although it takes much more than high heat to spark a fire, the combination of high temperatures, dry conditions, and gusty winds can raise the fire danger.

 To further mitigate wildfire risk, SCE’s crews are also:

  • Conducting additional inspections of electrical equipment, prioritizing the highest-risk structures in targeted areas based on emergent fire conditions. These include both ground inspections by field crews and aerial inspections using drones and helicopters.
  • Implementing new technology. One example is adding remote-controlled reclosers on power poles. A recloser can detect when a foreign object (e.g., palm fronds, metallic balloons, or wildlife) contacts a power line and disconnect the line to reduce the risk of a more hazardous condition.

Wildfire Mitigation

SCE updated its Wildfire Mitigation Plan in April. The 2023-25 plan focuses on grid hardening primarily through installing covered conductor (or coated wire), enhanced vegetation management, and advanced monitoring/alert systems. Through proactive practices like these, SCE has reduced the probability of wildfires associated with utility equipment by 85%-88% since 2018.

The plan also focuses on reducing the effects of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) on customers. It continues SCE’s partnership with county fire agencies to provide year-round aerial fire suppression from the Quick Reaction Force of helitankers.

To learn more about SCE’s wildfire efforts, PSPS and customer resources, visit www.sce.com/wildfire. For stories and videos about SCE’s wildfire efforts, visit energized.edison.com/wildfire-safety.

Customer Preparation

Customers are also encouraged to be fire ready. They can:

  • Clear brush from around their properties, which helps protect their homes during a fire. Best practices call for clearances up to 100 feet of defensible space, increasing beyond 100 feet in more hazardous areas.
  • Install fire-resistant doors, double-paned windows, and ember-resistant screens and vents.
  • Call 800-655-4555 or email safetrees@sce.com if vegetation is growing near or around power lines. SCE will conduct an inspection at no cost to the customer.

To report outages, customers can call 800-611-1911 or email sce.com/outage.