Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Storytimes, Crafts, Book Clubs and More Offered Virtually at the Library

As Sidewalk Service continues to provide patrons with new library materials, staff at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries are finding ways to actively connect with members of the community through weekly virtual programs. Patrons can tune in for live storytimes, craft workshops, book clubs and more from the comfort of their homes as we follow guidance from the Public Health Department on staying safe during the pandemic. Virtual programs are offered on a regular basis for all ages, ranging from Baby & Toddler Storytime, to the Teen Graphic Novel Book Club, to the Bring Your Own Book Club for adults. All programs can be enjoyed through Facebook, YouTube, or GoToMeeting, with instructions provided in the Library Events Calendar listing for each program on how to attend.

Community members can also tune in for special programming each week, such as the library’s ongoing Special Guest Storytime project and Book to Action events. Special Guest Storytime is a new program that spotlights members of the community reading their favorite picture books online for children to enjoy. The program launched in May with a wonderful reading from Mayor Paula Perotte of the beloved story Silly Sally by Audrey Wood and has since continued with a wealth of support from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, UCSB Classics Department, and other local individuals and organizations. Book to Action is a community reading program in which members of the community read the same title collectively, participate in programs related to the themes of the book, and join their efforts to take action for a relevant cause through a culminating event at the end of the program. This year’s program focuses on the book Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man & Their Journey Across America by Britt Collins and will conclude with a Donation Drive for Local Animal Organizations held onsite at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries. Weekly Book to Action programming includes themed storytimes, crafts, book discussions and more! Additional information about these programs can be found on the library website on the Special Guest Storytime and 2020 Book to Action Program webpages.

Lastly, the library is offering personalized programs for patrons who would like to chat with a librarian or who are in need of technical assistance through the Check In with a Librarian and Tech Tutoring programs. These programs are designed to provide support to patrons during the closure to ensure that they are still feeling connected and that they can receive the help they need to access information in an increasingly virtual environment. Both programs are available by appointment on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. A form is available on the library’s website where patrons can submit a request and a library staff member will reach out to meet their needs.

The staff at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries miss the wonderful patrons who attend our programs and we look forward to the day when it is safe to hold events in-person once again. Until that time, we look forward to connecting with you virtually! The library staff is working hard to provide an important service during these difficult times. Please be respectful of them and take a moment to let them know you are thankful and appreciative. 

Visit the Library Events Calendar for a full list of virtual programs at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries. For more information go to www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Pictured: Facebook Live videos available at www.facebook.com/GoletaValleyLibrary (above) and Mr. Marcos doing bilingual virtual storytime (top right)

Library Summer Reading Program Concludes with over 8,200 Books Read

This summer, the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries took their annual Summer Reading Program online to encourage local youth, teens and adults to read, learn and explore while the libraries remain closed to the public. Through the generous sponsorship of almost thirty community donors, plus invaluable support from the Friends of the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton Libraries, the libraries were able to maintain the reading incentive format of the in-person program of years past by offering prizes at each reading level. Youth and teens received their prizes in the mail, while all three age groups were entered into drawings for grand prizes awarded at the end of the summer. Almost 900 readers used the online system Beanstack to log their reading, where they could earn badges to chart their progress toward each prize tier. As a community, our readers completed an impressive total of 8,298 books this summer, which helped youth and teens to maintain their critical thinking skills between school years and provided adult participants with an incentive to enjoy the many benefits of reading, including increased knowledge, stress relief, and improved memory.

Although the community could not gather this year to attend the ever-popular Summer Reading Program performances, the libraries were able to host 1-2 weekly virtual shows for patrons to view from home. With concerts, puppet shows, a magician, a bubbleologist, and even the zoo, patrons could tune in through Facebook and YouTube to enjoy a combined total of fifteen virtual programs from June to August. Families watching from home were able to learn about new topics and enjoy entertainment from these spectacular performers, who masterfully adapted their routines to connect with patrons in an online format.

Teens who typically volunteer during the Summer Reading Program to get involved and earn community service hours were sincerely missed this summer, and we were excited to offer them the opportunity to earn community service hours virtually instead by writing Teen Book Reviews to be posted on the library website. Patrons are encouraged to visit this page to hear what our local teens thought about some of the books they read this summer and to get ideas for what books to read next!

At its heart, the goal of the Summer Reading Program is to encourage a lifelong love of reading and to celebrate the many important benefits of reading at every age. The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley libraries would like to congratulate all of the children, teens and adults who participated in the 2020 Virtual Summer Reading Program this summer for all of the wonderful reading that they accomplished!

Local Animal Rescue Experts Examine Human-Animal Bonds at August 13 Virtual Library Event

On Thursday, August 13, at 2:00 pm, tune in to watch and participate in “Rescued: Bonds between Humans and Animals” an educational and inspirational panel of speakers from three outstanding local organizations: Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding, Happy Endings Animal Sanctuary, and Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network. The event will be streamed live on Facebook.com/SolvangLibrary, as part of the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley libraries’ Book to Action Community reading program occurring in July and August.

Featured speakers are Robin Serritslev, Executive Director, Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program, C.C. Beaudette-Wellman, Board President, Happy Endings Animal Sanctuary, and Ariana Katovich, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.  “All three of these groups are to be celebrated for their work with both wild and domestic animals, and for the opportunities they offer for healing to both animals and humans.  We can’t wait to hear their individual stories and insights,” said library staff.

The SYV Therapeutic Riding Program’s mission is to provide quality equine assisted activities to children and adults with physical, cognitive, social, emotional and or other life challenges. Happy Endings Animal Sanctuary provides refuge to abused or neglected horses and other domestic animals and uplifts the lives of disadvantaged youth by providing a life-changing rehabilitation experience benefiting both children and horses. The mission of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is to rescue, rehabilitate and return to the wild sick, injured, orphaned, or oil-impaired wild birds, reptiles, and small mammals in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and to educate the public about living in harmony with wildlife.

In August, the Book to Action program will culminate in a donation drive for area organizations (the above, as well as ASAP and C.A.R.E. 4 PAWS), to provide them with essential supplies and materials to continue helping local animals in need. The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries will serve as collection sites for these materials and will present them to the organizations at the end of our Book to Action program.

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ 2020 Book to Action program runs through Friday August 21st, and centers around the moving true story Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man & Their Journey Across America by Britt Collins. Strays describes the incredible journey of Michael King, a homeless man living in Portland, Oregon who befriends a lost cat he names Tabor. As the two travel across several states and overcome many challenges together, they form a healing bond that speaks to the special connection that we share with our animal companions and the impact that rescuing an animal can have in a person’s life. Copies of the book are available for the community to borrow from the print and digital collections at Goleta, Buellton and Solvang Libraries.

Library staff is excited to engage with the community around these impactful themes and to unite for an important cause through the Book to Action programming this summer. Click here to see the full calendar of events for the 2020 Book to Action Program, which include crafts, book discussions, storytimes, a Pet Preparedness Panel, and Virtual Author Spotlight with Strays’ author Britt Collins.

Support Local Animal Organizations with the Library’s Book to Action Donation Drive

There is still time to participate in the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ 2020 Book to Action program which runs through Friday, August 21st and ends with a Donation Drive for Local Animal Organizations. This year’s program centers around the moving true story Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man & Their Journey Across America by Britt Collins. Strays describes the incredible journey of Michael King, a homeless man living in Portland, Oregon who befriends a lost cat he names Tabor. As the two travel across several states and overcome many challenges together, they form a healing bond that speaks to the special connection that we share with our animal companions and the impact that rescuing an animal can have in a person’s life.

Book to Action is a community reading program in which members of the community read the same title collectively, participate in programs related to the themes of the book, and join their efforts to take action for a relevant cause through a culminating event at the end of the program. This year’s program will culminate with a Donation Drive for Local Animal Organizations held onsite at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton libraries. Donations may be dropped off at the libraries during Sidewalk Service Hours from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m on Wednesdays – Saturdays. All donations will be quarantined and provided to A.S.A.P. and C.A.R.E.4Paws at the end of the month. Wish lists for these organizations can be found on the library website Donation Information page.

Copies of Strays are available for the community to borrow from the print and digital collections at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries. Virtual programs including storytimes, crafts, guest speakers and book discussions are scheduled through August 21st. Visit the Library Events Calendar for details.

New Website: 50 Great Public Lands Destinations – Santa Barbara and Beyond

The City of Goleta is proud to share a new Public Lands website created by one of our very own Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Deborah Williams. The 50 public lands featured on the website include numerous Goleta parks and open spaces. 

There has never been a more important and positive time to get out and explore our remarkable federal, state, county and city public lands. The website: “50 Great Public Lands Destinations – Santa Barbara and Beyond” recently launched to help everyone discover new and wonderful places and adventures, all within 300 miles of Santa Barbara,

The website can be accessed at: https://50greatpubliclanddestinations.org

Easy to navigate, and filled with succinct and informative descriptions, links and photos, the website is designed for all to use: including newcomers, students, visitors and people who have lived in the area a long time.

“While teaching the Public Lands class at UCSB, I learned that a lot of my students from throughout the state and nation did not know about the tremendous public land opportunities all around us,” notes Deborah Williams, the author of the website. “I wanted to create a resource for my students and other students; for newcomers to the Santa Barbara area; for visitors; for health care professionals; for parents; and even for people who have lived here for years.”

Each public land destination has numerous useful links, a short description of the location, interesting facts, a location map and photos. Many destination pages also include very brief descriptions and links to “Nearby Public Lands Worth Visiting.” While the new website highlights public land destinations within 300 miles of UCSB, it emphasizes closer ones within and adjacent to Santa Barbara, Goleta and Isla Vista.

“Exploring our public lands is so rewarding,” continues Deborah, noting: “We are the owners of our public parks, beaches, forests and open spaces. Enjoying these extraordinary areas is very important to our physical and mental health, our sense of community, and our happiness.” Especially now, being outdoors during the pandemic — while social distancing and engaging in other safe practices — is a great way to stay fit, connected and proactive.

“I hope this website will help people discover new and special public land areas to explore all around us,” concludes Ms. Williams. Notes Santa Barbara resident, Cathy Newman: “This is incredible! What an amazing resource for everyone. We will be using this website extensively and it will become our Go To for looking for new places to explore in this wonderful place.”

Deborah Williams is a Lecturer in the Environmental Studies Department at UCSB, and specializes in Public Lands. Among other past positions, Deborah served as an Attorney for the National Park Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and as a Presidential Appointee with the Department of Interior. Currently, in addition to teaching at UCSB, Deborah is a Commissioner on the Goleta Parks and Recreation Commission and a member of the Community Environmental Council’s Partnership Council. Deborah’s grandparents lived in Santa Barbara, and some of her earliest memories are associated with playing in the beautiful public sand and waves at Carpinteria State Beach. 

Pictured: Website screenshot (above); Deborah Williams at Lake Los Carneros (top right)

City of Goleta Looking for Two New Parks and Recreation Commissioners Including Student

The City of Goleta is looking for two Goleta residents to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission.  The vacancies include one student position.  Serving the residents of Goleta as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner is a great opportunity to be involved in meaningful projects that have a direct impact on the quality of life in our community.  For the Student Commissioner, it’s also a great college resume builder and community service opportunity.  The Commission advises the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta, including the acquisition, development, maintenance, and improvement of the City’s public parks, recreational services, and open spaces.

Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer said, “Parks and Recreation Commissioners are committed and passionate about what they do because they understand the important role that Parks and Open Spaces have in a community and the benefit they provide to our residents.”

Just some of the rewarding recent projects the Parks and Recreation Commission has been a part of include the creation and completion of the Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, renovation of the athletic field behind the Goleta Valley Community Center, the Parks, Facilities and Playgrounds Master Plan, and the design of the Community Garden to be built next year.

Former Parks and Recreation Student Commissioner Nora Kelly said, “I was able to see the community through a lens that very few people my age are able to experience and that is all because of the Parks and Recreation Commission.  It was a joy to see so many advancements come to life and to see all the plans in place for the future.  I cannot wait to come back one day and see all of the projects this Commission had a hand in creating.”

To be eligible, applicants must live within Goleta’s city limits.  For the student position, the applicant must be between the age of 15 to 21.  Each Commissioner is appointed for a four-year term, with the exception of the Student Commissioner who is appointed for a one-year term.  Meetings are held every two months on the first Wednesday of every even month at 6:00 p.m., and are currently being held virtually.  Parks and Recreation Commission members are compensated at the rate of $50 per meeting.  The Student Commissioner may choose to waive his/her compensation and receive community service credit instead.

Applications can be completed online at https://tinyurl.com/goletaboards-commissions and must be submitted by Monday, August 10.  Additional information can be provided by emailing cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org. 

Residential Solar and Battery Storage 101 Webinar

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting a free webinar this Thursday, August 6, at 12:00 p.m. on “Residential Solar and Battery Storage 101.”  Sign up to learn the financial, technical, and logistical basics of going solar and adding battery storage. CEC’s Solarize Santa Barbara program makes going solar easier and more affordable with vetted local installers and discounted pricing for residents of Southern Santa Barbara County.

The webinar includes:

  • Basics of adding solar panels to your residence
  • Benefits and basics of also adding solar-paired battery storage systems
  • Incentives, tax credits, and other financial considerations for going solar
  • The Solarize program’s discounted prices, vetted installers and equipment

The 2020 Solarize Santa Barbara program is open July 28 – October 31 to residents in Southern Santa Barbara County. Solarize has helped over 800 Central Coast homeowners go solar, working toward a future where 100% of the electricity that powers our homes, businesses, and cars is generated from clean, renewable, and local sources. Learn more about the Community Environmental Council at https://www.cecsb.org/.

City of Goleta Joins National Clean Energy Challenge

The City of Goleta will join thirty communities in five states this August in taking the Sustainable States Community Energy Challenge, which offers tools and support to assess clean energy goals and initiatives. The challenge will compare clean energy achievements across similarly-sized cities, assess future initiatives, and provide project implementation assistance. Additionally, the Goleta Sustainability Program will be a part of an in-state peer cohort along with the Cities of San Luis Obispo, West Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Dublin, and Cupertino. Together these cities will receive technical assistance to complete a pressing clean energy initiative, demonstrating that you don’t need to be a big city to have a big impact.

The project is a partnership of the Sustainable States Network, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and five state-level sustainability programs, including Green Cities California, which Goleta is a member, as well as Sustainable CT, Sustainable Maryland, Minnesota GreenStep Cities, and Sustainable Jersey.

Given the very real financial challenges cities face because of COVID-19, this opportunity helps municipalities promote energy savings for residents, businesses, and local government operations.

Splash Pad Coming to Goleta

The Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park in Old Town made a splash with its grand opening in March 2019. The park has everything children and adults could want: a multi-purpose field, basketball court, handball court, concrete ping-pong table, bocce ball court, pickleball court, perimeter walking path, fitness nodes with exercise equipment, picnic areas, and skateboard plaza. The only thing missing – a splash pad. This was included in the original design of the park, but water restrictions at the time prohibited the City from moving forward.

Shortly after construction of the park was complete, water restrictions were modified, which allowed the City to move forward with this project. At the upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m., Commissioners will consider options for the design of the splash pad. Tune in to watch the meeting live on Channel 19 or on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. The recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission will be carried forward to the Goleta City Council for final direction on design. This project is anticipated to begin construction in early 2021. View the full Parks and Recreation Commission agenda here: https://tinyurl.com/y53jjjye.

Coastal Cleanup Day—Every Saturday in September

Coastal Clean-up Day is still ON for 2020!  There have been some changes to help us stay safe during COVID-19 while keeping our oceans clean.

What is coastal cleanup day? It’s an annual event where communities across the world come together, to protect our coasts by cleaning up our neighborhoods or natural areas. This year, the City of Goleta is still partnering with the County of Santa Barbara, Explore Ecology, and other local jurisdictions. But instead of gathering together at beaches and sites throughout the County on a single day, cleanups will happen every Saturday in September in our local neighborhoods, and we can use technology to collaborate. Even though we are using social distancing, there is a great new app that can help us track how well we are doing as a community, and globally! Use the Clean Swell App to report the different kinds and amounts of trash you find! There are other ways to submit your trash data, find out more at Explore Ecology’s website here.

Community members are encouraged to clean up their neighborhood or favorite open space every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on September 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th.

Your cleanups should be self-guided and close to home. Local parks, shores, creeks, streets, drainage areas, sidewalks, natural areas, and trails are great choices. Practice physical distancing and strictly follow both local ordinances and the set of guidelines provided on the California Coastal Commission website to make this a safe cleanup for you and your community.

Guidance for Neighborhood Cleanups

To protect your health and slow the spread of the coronavirus, please follow the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, available here. We also include guidance from the Coastal Commission in the steps below. Here’s how you can get started:

PREPARATION

  • If you have a smartphone, download the CleanSwell app (from Ocean Conservancy, available for free on all platforms) to keep track of what you pick up and how many people participated with you. You can download it ahead of time. Create an account and you are ready to go.
  • Enter in “Explore Ecology-Goleta” in the “group,” and we can track our progress as a city and regionally. Learn more at Explore Ecology’s website here.
  • Stay tuned for useful tips on social media: Facebook (@CityofGoleta), Twitter (@GoletaPIO), and Instagram (@CityofGoleta).
  • If you are sick in any way, DO NOT go out for a cleanup.
  • Assemble your own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): face covering, gloves, and make sure to wear close-toed shoes to protect against sharp objects. Don’t forget hand sanitizer, water and sunscreen!
  • To reduce waste, bring your own buckets and other reusable cleanup supplies to lessen the plastic footprint. We recommend separate buckets or bins for trash and recyclables.

CLEANUP

  • Maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from everyone you encounter, even if you are wearing a face covering.
  • ALWAYS wear gloves – disposable if available – and dispose or wash them immediately after your cleanup.
  • Avoid touching any surfaces like railings, benches, etc.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Do not pick up sharp objects, especially syringes!
  • If you clean up a local beach or waterway, be mindful of the conditions (such as high tide, sneaker wave warnings, etc.), and be careful near the water’s edge.
  • Keep a safe distance from all wildlife!
  • Use the CleanSwell app to enter in your trash items as you pick them up. Be safe! It’s advised that you dedicate one household member to using the app, and the others to collecting trash. If you’re on your own, it’s best to enter in information after you’ve completed pickups and sorted your items.
  • Unfortunately, you may find used gloves, face coverings, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) among litter. DO NOT PICK UP ANY PPE without a grabber. Put all PPE litter in a separate disposable bag. 
  • Show us your cleanup! Post your pictures using our “Protect Your Happy Place” filter on Instagram and Facebook and see how your community is participating. You can even post through the CleanSwell app. Use the hashtags #protectyourhappyplace and #coastalcleanupmonth. Although we can’t meet in person this year, we can stay connected virtually. Tag the City of Goleta and Explore Ecology: @CityofGoletaGovernment and @SBCoast (Facebook) and @GoletaPIO and @ExploreEcology (Instagram), in your posts!
  • Email us your best pictures for a chance to be on Goleta’s facebook page and Environmental Services web page! Send you pictures to PIO@cityofgoleta.org.

AFTER CLEANUP

  • If possible, weigh or estimate the pounds of trash and recyclables you collected during your cleanup to report to your local coordinator or the Coastal Commission. If you don’t have a scale, that’s ok, the CleanSwell app will estimate weight for you as you collect.
  • Submit your data! If using the app, tally up the different items, then click “Done collecting,” and follow the prompts. If not using the app, then report data on Explore Ecology’s website under “Submit Data”.
  • Separate into trash and recycling. Dispose of trash in your home debris bin.
  • Dispose or wash gloves immediately after your cleanup. To properly remove disposable gloves, grab the glove opening near your wrist and pull towards your fingers, then turn the glove inside out before disposing. 
  • Wash your hands thoroughly as soon as possible, and use hand sanitizer in the meantime if soap and water are unavailable.

For more information, visit the Explore Ecology website.

Have fun and remember, safety first!