Thanks to everyone who took time out of their Saturday morning, September 6, to join us for the City’s 3^rd Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad event of 2025. The gathering was held at Anna’s Bakery at the Camino Real Marketplace located in District 4, which was bustling with locals, including many families headed to and from neighboring Girsh Park for the first American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) games of the season. Thanks to Anna’s Bakery for setting aside an area with free coffee and delicious donuts.

The gathering was a great opportunity for community members in western Goleta to connect and talk about issues impacting their neighborhoods. While it was a casual event, there was a short segment of the morning emceed by Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin who represents District 4. He welcomed the attendees and introduced Mayor Paula Perotte, several Goleta staff members in attendance, Santa Barbara Airport Executive Director Chris Hastert, and Gina Fisher from County Supervisor Joan Hartmann’s office. Residents who had questions were able to ask them in front of the group or one-on-one.

Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdin said, “I look forward to these events as they are a great way to get out into the community and hear directly from our residents. It provides a setting for City staff to brief the public on critical issues and allows residents to have their individual concerns addressed.” 

Topics varied from Ellwood Mesa, public safety, airport noise, pavement, homelessness, and more.

If you missed the event, don’t worry, the final Coffee & Community of the year is planned for Sunday, November 2^nd at Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Road) from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. The event also coincides with Stow House’s Sundays at the Ranch which begins at 11:00 a.m. and includes tractor rides, barnyard animals and outdoor fun. Stay tuned for more details. The gathering is led by Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1) and will also be attended by Mayor Perotte and City staff. We hope to see you there.

The City holds Coffee and Community events throughout the year in Goleta’s four districts. To find out what district you live in go to https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap. 

Photos from Coffee & Community:

Group photo, pictured left-to-right: Public Works Director Nina Buelna, Santa Barbara Airport Executive Director Chris Hastert, Mayor Paula Perotte, Assistant City Manager Jaime Valdez, Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (District 4), Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson, Homelessness Services Coordinator Chuck Flacks, Neighborhood Services Director JoAnne Plummer, and Gina Fisher representing County Supervisor Joan Hartmann’s Office

Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin emceeing Coffee & Community

Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdin speaking with community members

Kids with their coloring page at Coffee & Community

Lisa Boelter, owner of Anna's Bakery, with complimentary donuts for attendees