Your City Council had a very long meeting last week, but monotony was avoided by the absolutely charming Marissa Cordero, Junior Spirit of Fiesta, leading us all in the Pledge of Allegiance and then performing one of her beautiful dances. What a pleasure that was! We have so much talent in the city of Goleta that we are happy to share some of it with Santa Barbara and the gigantic Fiesta celebration.

Someone on the Old Spanish Days Fiesta committee (maybe even fellow council member Roger Aceves) is showering council members with invitations to Fiesta events. What a treat that will be!

The next council meeting is not until Aug. 6, but it promises to have a very full agenda. One of the items will be further study and discussion of future workshops on proposed changes to the General Plan. The staff report on this subject is available now, so citizens will have time to study it thoroughly.

We had hoped to finish up the final phase of Council Chamber remodeling this summer but were not able to do so; it will be finished in the fall. While the work takes place, we will meet at either the Goleta school district’s board room or the Community Center.

Don’t forget that this Sunday and Monday there will be free recycling of electronic items in the West Campus parking lot of Santa Barbara City College. You can take your old and tired TVs, radios, phones, cell phones, etc., and they will be disposed of properly at no cost, saving space in our landfill.

Remember that Goleta Valley Historical Society is hosting “Music at the Ranch” — free summer concerts on the lawn of Stow House every Tuesday in August. The first one, on the 7th, will feature the Henderson Brothers performing jazz and blues. Bring your blankets, a picnic dinner and enjoy!Have a great summer.

Jean Blois is Mayor of Goleta