Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Check-In with a Librarian and Live-Tech Tutoring

The Goleta Valley Library recently launched its new service, Check-In with a Librarian. Library patrons who live alone, are feeling lonely, or just need someone new to talk to, can sign up to receive a phone call from one of the friendly Goleta Valley Library staff members. Suggested topics for discussion include book or movie recommendations, information on online library services, reference questions, or just a general check in to chat! To schedule your Check-In with a Librarian, complete this online form or call (805) 964-7878.

Library Director Allison Gray said, “The Goleta Valley Library wants the community to continue to explore, study, and read, while the library’s doors are closed. We know how important it is to stay connected during these isolating times, so we are doing as much as we can to continue serving our patrons’ needs and to stay close to our community members.”

The library has also recently launched a live tech tutoring program and free craft kits for kids. During this time, it is vital for people to be able to stay in touch using technology, so the Goleta Valley Library has transitioned its in-person tech tutoring to live video chat or over the phone tutoring. Library patrons can receive personalized one-on-one help with their laptop, tablet, cell phone, smart TV, etc… Assistance is available for general usage as well as how to access the library’s numerous downloadable options providing free e-books, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, graphic novels, and magazines to patrons. Anyone who could use a little help with their devices should take advantage of this program.

Live one-on-one Tech Tutoring is available with a trained library staff member Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. by appointment. Sessions are 30 or 60 minutes depending on the help needed. Fill out the Library’s Live Tech Tutoring Request Form and a staff member will confirm your date and time. You can also call (805) 964-7878 to schedule an appointment. Spanish language support is also available; complete the form in Spanish here.

If you don’t have a Goleta Valley or Santa Ynez Valley Library card, and live in those areas, you can still get one that allows you access to downloadable services by going to the Black Gold eCard Registration webpage.

For access to all of the library’s FREE electronic resources, programs, and activities please visit GoletaValleyLibrary.org. For more activities for children, stay in touch with the Goleta Valley Library on its Facebook page (@GoletaValleyLibrary). You will find recorded and live programs such as Wiggly Storytime, Family Storytime, craft programs and more. The Buellton and Solvang Libraries also have programming on Facebook as well: Buellton and Solvang.

The library has also put together a page on their website called “Ideas to Keep Busy at Home for all Ages.” The page is categorized to make it easy to find what you are looking for, and has numerous resources to keep everyone busy. Categories include nature and animal live streams, brain games, writer’s workshops, teen corner, children’s authors and stories, and many, many more.

For more information on programs and services available from the library, as well as digital resources you can access, go to www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Cozy Up with Special Guest Storytime

The Goleta Valley Library is excited to share its newest program, Special Guest Storytime. The library has collaborated with valued community members to record themselves reading a favorite picture book for the library’s young patrons. New readings will be available every Friday on the Goleta Valley Library website at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org and via Facebook (@GoletaValleyLibrary). Listeners will hear stories from City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, members of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Graduate Students in UCSB’s Classics Department, and more. View the first Special Guest Storytime with Mayor Perotte reading “Silly Sally” here: https://youtu.be/3-nHH8Q7LuI.

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “I absolutely love the library and was thrilled that they would ask me to launch their Special Guest Storytime program. I chose one of my favorite books, “Silly Sally,” by Audrey Wood. I read this book regularly to my daughters growing up, and now to my grandchildren. I am honored to now be able to read it to all of you.”

Allison Gray, Goleta Valley Library Director, said, “It’s been so much fun bringing these stories to life with members of the community. It’s hard not seeing all the smiling faces in the library, but I’m glad we can stay connected in other ways as we continue following the Governor’s stay-at-home guidelines. My staff and I hope these readings will lift spirits through literacy and serve as a reminder that we are all in this together.”

While the Goleta Valley Library is closed due to COVID-19, library staff have been finding ways to continue to virtually serve the community. Storytime is one of the library’s most beloved programs, and while people are staying at home, staff have been offering live and recorded readings to the community on Facebook (@GoletaValleyLibrary) to provide literacy support for area families during these challenging times. Learn more about the programs currently being offered at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Pictured: Mayor Paula Perotte with the book “Silly Sally”

Virtual Library Summer Reading Program Begins

The Goleta Valley Library & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are eager to kick off this year’s Summer Reading Program for youth, teens and adults! The program runs Saturday, June 6 – through Saturday, August 1. It will be completely online, but readers will still be able to participate in many of the same aspects of the program they’ve enjoyed for years, including logging books to earn prizes, reporting on their reading, and attending live shows.

Instead of using paper logs to track their reading this summer, readers will have access to a premier online platform called Beanstack, where they can log their books and complete fun activities to earn exciting digital badges. Participants can sign up at http://goletavalleylibrary.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack app from either the iTunes Store or the Google Play Store. The app is built specifically for mobile devices and even has the capability to scan book ISBNs for quick and easy logging. Prizes from generous local sponsors will be mailed to youth and teen readers once they log a specified numbers of books, and they will even have a chance to win grand prize drawings at the end of the program! Adults who participate in the Adult Summer Reading Program will be entered for a chance to win several prize drawings throughout the summer.

Traditionally, one of the most special and memorable parts of the Summer Reading Program has been the opportunity for young readers to report on the books they’ve read to the fantastic Teen Volunteers who spend their summers at the library earning community service hours. Because the library’s volunteer program is on pause during the closure, this year’s readers will have the opportunity to request a phone call from a librarian at the Goleta, Solvang or Buellton branches to report on their reading.

Teens in search of volunteer opportunities can still earn community service hours by submitting book reviews that will be posted on the library website. Plus, Goleta Valley Library is excited to launch its first-ever Teen Graphic Novel Book Club, which will meet virtually once a month and will focus on exploring the incredible genre of graphic novels. More information on Teen Volunteer Opportunities can be found here, and details about the Teen Graphic Novel Book Club can be found here.

Throughout the summer, members of the community will be able to tune in via the libraries’ Facebook pages to attend over a dozen live-streamed shows by treasured Summer Reading performers. Performances will include concerts, magic shows, puppet and marionette shows, zoo animals, bubble shows, and more! Details about this summer’s virtual performances can be found on the library Events Calendar. The first live show of the summer will be this Saturday, June 6, with a fantastic bilingual children’s concert from singer and songwriter Nathalia Music! Simply log on to Goleta Valley Library’s Facebook page to access the live stream.

Helping community members of all ages get excited about reading is one of the main goals of the Summer Reading Program. Research consistently shows that young people who read over vacations from school demonstrate a much better chance of staying at grade level or even improving their reading skills between school years. Adults who set aside time to read enjoy the many benefits of reading, including stress relief, increased knowledge, and improved memory. During this challenging time, we hope that the Goleta Valley Library & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries Summer Reading Program is a source of enrichment, excitement, and resiliency for our communities.

The Goleta Valley Library & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries would like to express their sincere thanks to their very generous local sponsors, including Bennett’s Toys & Educational Materials, Birkholm’s Bakery, Blenders in the Grass, The Book Loft, California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle, Chomp!, Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, Gino’s Pizza, Golf N Stuff, Kyle’s Kitchen, Mystic Merchant, Nathalie’s Dollhouse, Natural Café, Neighbor Tim’s BBQ, New Frontiers Natural Market, Old Town Coffee, Pattibakes, Pollofino, Samsara Wine Co., Santa Barbara Axxess, Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch, Solvang Bakery, Space VR, Stuart C. Gildred YMCA, Tower Pizza, and Woodstock’s Pizza, as well as our literacy partners Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolate and the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Parks-Janeway Carriage House.

The 2020 Virtual Summer Reading Program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, the Friends of the Solvang Library, and the Friends of the Buellton Library.

For more information on programs at the library, visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Wildfire Season is Here- Be Ready!

Wildfires don’t stop for a pandemic, and Santa Barbara County is now in High Fire Season. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone who lives, works, and plays in Santa Barbara County to be extra vigilant about fire safety this fire season.

Defensible space inspections are also being conducted by the SBCFD. Maintaining defensible space is critical in stopping a wildfire from destroying your home. Defensible space is part of every homeowner’s responsibility. A minimum of 100 feet of defensible space is required around your home in Santa Barbara County. Engine companies will perform inspections and provide homeowners with educational material on how to comply. With the year-round threat of wildfire, the defensible space requirement is enforced at all times in Santa Barbara County. Non- compliant homeowners are subject to be cited.

The SBCFD reminds people that defensible space is the area around a structure, free of flammable plants and objects, that creates a zone in which firefighters can operate safely in order to help protect a home during a wildfire. This space is wide enough to prevent direct flame impingement and reduce the amount of radiant heat reaching the structure. The defensible space for each structure varies and depends on the type of vegetation and topography. Maintaining this defensible space is critical.

The Ready! Set! Go! Program was launched in May 2009 as a new approach to educating Southern California residents about the now year-round threat of wildfire. This public education program seeks to gain active public involvement in reducing life and property loss caused by wildfires.

This program is presented in three steps:

Ready! Prepare yourself, your family and your property.

Set! Monitor fire weather/activity and prepare to evacuate.

Go! Leave early when directed to by public safety officials.

Learn more at www.sbcfire.com.

Public Safety Power Shutoff Preparation

The community should also be ready for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff.  Even during the COVID-19 crisis, Southern California Edison (SCE) crews continue to perform ground and aerial inspections and install hi-tech tools to help make communities more resilient and to protect communities from the threat of wildfires. Learn more about SCE’s wildfire mitigation activities and its response to COVID-19

As in past years, when there is a high risk for a wildfire, SCE may declare a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and temporarily shut off power to your neighborhood to prevent our electric system from becoming the source of an ignition. SCE says it will make every effort to reduce the number and length of PSPS and will continue to use these outages as required to protect public safety.

To learn how to be prepared for PSPS outages, you can join a SCE virtual community meeting where you will hear more about PSPS, wildfire safety efforts, customer care programs and resources.  You can also attend a PowerTalk meeting to learn more about the different types of outages, including PSPS. To see upcoming meetings and to register, visit sce.com/wildfiresafetymeetings.

You can also sign up for PSPS Alerts at sce.com/pspsalerts. If you depend on electrically-powered medical equipment, you may be eligible for SCE’s Medical Baseline program. Learn about the program and how to apply at sce.com/medicalbaseline.

Photo courtesy of photographer Mike Eliason with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Adopting Sustainability in the New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic and safer at home mandate have brought their fair share of difficulties, but they are also giving us and our earth a chance to take rest and recharge. There have been reports of fewer vehicle miles traveled, improved air quality, and a drastic decrease in CO2 emissions around the world. Above all, it has proven that the world can band together to face a crisis and when each individual does their part we can make actionable change. As we slowly assimilate back into “normal” life, there are many ways that we can integrate lessons learned during quarantine that benefit our health and the planet:

  1. Ration your use of household items or transition to their reusable counterpart. Paper products and cleaning supplies have been scarce in the stores, but instead you can use smaller portions of what you have, use reusable towels, and make your own cleaning products.
  2. Promote the use of compostable to go containers and reject single-use plastics when possible. With new regulations, restaurants are forced to put food in to-go containers and more plastic bags are being used at grocery stores. If your local grocery store allows you, bag your own groceries in your reusable bag to prevent the spread of contaminants. You can also recommend compostable containers to your favorite restaurants, skip the plastic utensils, and ask for no straw with your drink.
  3. Continue working from home if possible. Many workplaces and employees have seen the benefits of remote work. On top of productivity and mental health, not going into the office removes the commute and the greenhouse gas emissions that come with it.
  4. Support local farmers and businesses. Several shops and businesses have been forced to close their doors during this time. As they reopen it is important to support the local economy and make sure these establishments can stay open. Additionally, by shopping locally you reduce the amount of emissions it takes to get your products to your house! You can find a list of local businesses that are open here and support a certified Green Business here.

Goleta’s Green Room

Do you know about the City’s Environmental Services Division? It has many programs aimed at stormwater and water protection, recycling, reuse, and reducing solid waste. The City’s new Environmental Services Coordinator, Melissa Nelson, will be sharing information monthly in the Monarch Press on the City’s programs as well as some helpful tips. This month’s topics are bulky items pickup and storm drains.

Bulky Items Pickup…Spread the Word! Leaving items on the street without contacting Marborg for collection is illegal. Luckily, Marborg provides 2 FREE bulky items pick-ups per property at your curb/driveway per year. All you need to do is call and schedule a pick-up service. Then leave your items outside for the scheduled day and MarBorg will come to collect on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Spread the word and help to keep your neighborhood and community clean! To schedule your bulky item pick-up, contact MarBorg at 805-963-1852.

Did you Know Storm Drains Flow Directly into Creeks and the Ocean? Oceans begin on your street! Contaminating storm drains can cause illness in aquatic life, wildlife, and humans. You can help to keep our waters clean by:

  • Washing cars at a commercial car wash where water is treated. Or wash your car on an unpaved surface (lawn) and do not let the water reach the street.
  • Never pour motor oil down storm drains, on the ground, or in the street. Recycle used oil by taking it to an authorized auto parts store, gas station, or hazardous waste collection center.
  • Use organic gardening techniques and avoid herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers as much as possible.
  • Pick up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in the trash.
  • Never dump chemicals down storm drains, in gutters or streets, or in creeks.
  • Reduce runoff: use permeable pavement, soil amendments, and other methods of stormwater capture.

Thanks for all you do to keep our water and community clean!

Pictured: Melissa Nelson, Environmental Services Coordinator

Public Input Requested for Future Goleta Train Depot

The City of Goleta Train Depot project is chugging along even during these challenging times. Three potential designs have been selected and now we need your help to select what design or aspects of the designs you like best.

You can provide input by reviewing the slide deck on our website featuring the design concepts, site plan, building floorplan layout and three roadway designs, and then taking our survey; both are available at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaTrainDepot. The survey will be available to take until June 19. The City held a Zoom presentation on June 3 to review and discuss the three concept designs. If you missed the meeting, you can watch a recording here.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Goleta’s new train station will be an important gateway to our city for both residents and visitors. Community participation in the design will help ensure that our station will be beautiful, safe, and functional.”

The Goleta Train Depot will be a full-service multi-modal train station next to the existing Amtrak platform on South La Patera Lane. By creating a full-service station, the City hopes to increase train ridership, improve connections to bus transit, accommodate transit service to/from the Santa Barbara Airport and UCSB, and add new bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This project will also allow accommodation for future additional train storage, supporting increased commuter rail needs.

The City of Goleta was awarded a $13 million grant for the Goleta Train Depot in partnership with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) in 2018. The City and SBCAG sought grant funds from the Transit & Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to meaningfully improve passenger experience. The project centers around the City of Goleta’s purchase of the old Direct Relief International warehouse, which allows the City to redevelop the property to create a welcoming train station for travelers to the region.

Summer Free Food Distribution

Goleta Union School District’s (GUSD) free meal distribution continues for anyone 18 and under for the duration of the summer break. Free food is available daily Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at El Camino, Ellwood, La Patera, Isla Vista, and Goleta Valley Community Center (in the back). Starting June 8th, frozen entrees will be sent home that can be heated up or thawed and served; instructions will be provided. There will be limited ability to heat up entrees for those unable to do so at home (a microwave will be on-site). GUSD will continue to have free & extra fresh produce throughout the month of June as they were able to secure funding for this program. Follow GUSD on Instagram (@gusdfood) for updates and information on what is being provided.  

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is also continuing to provide groceries and fresh produce at specific locations around the County, including Goleta. View the complete list here. The food at these sites is prepared and distributed in a way that utilizes social distancing and follows CDC recommendations.  Many locations offer a drive-thru option to minimize contact, and others are scheduling food pick-up appointments for individuals to prevent crowds. You may be asked to wear provided hygienic gloves. No documentation/registration required. Everyone is welcome. For more information visit FoodbankSBC.org.

Please DIAL 211 for after-hours support, senior home delivery or other questions.  Or visit the County of Santa Barbara’s 211 website.

Pictured: GUSD meal service from Instagram @gusdfood

City Assist is Here for You: Staff Spotlight on Shanna Dawson

You are the eyes and ears of Goleta. If you see a problem or concern out in the community, you can report it to us through our online tool, City Assist. Types of problems or concerns include abandoned vehicles, broken or fallen tree limbs, elevated sidewalks, construction work without permit, and many more. By using City Assist, the City is able to track the most common problems and concerns and make sure everyone receives a response.

You may not know this, but the City is fortunate to have a staff member who is dedicated to making sure that your request or concern is handled appropriately. Shanna Dawson in the Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Department oversees City Assist. She reviews requests as they come in, ensures that they are routed to the correct department and staff person, and monitors the length of time it takes to close a case. City Assist is monitored Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and is constantly evolving to meet the City’s needs. A new request type of “COVID-19” was created to allow citizens to report non-compliance with masks or social distancing, ask questions about opening certain businesses or recreational facilities, and to communicate with our City Council on suggestions for a safe transition to opening back up. Submit a problem or concern to City Assist at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaCityAssist.

Shanna was hired by the City in 2019 to take on this first-time position. The City created the position to ensure that its residents are receiving timely responses to concerns and questions.  Shanna comes to Goleta from Texas and is doing a great job for us. Be sure and say thanks to Shanna if you get a chance in your City Assist correspondence.

Pictured: Shanna Dawson, who manages City Assist

COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant Funds

The City is doing what it can to help non-profits and residents recover from the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19. The City will receive an additional $132,676 allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under the federal CARES Act specifically to help address needs created by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Regular CDBG funds are awarded every year and traditionally go to local non-profits serving low-income residents, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness in Goleta. Council approved the City using these new additional funds to provide Goleta-specific assistance to nonprofits and residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds will be distributed through a partnership with the established COVID-19 Joint Response Effort led by the Santa Barbara Foundation, Hutton Parker Foundation, and United Way of Santa Barbara County with no funds going towards their administration costs. This partnership will allow for quick and efficient assistance to both nonprofits serving Goleta residents and also individual Goleta residents facing hardship due to COVID-19, requiring only one application for assistance, preventing duplication of support, and encouraging a regional approach. Read the full staff report here: https://tinyurl.com/yd46sbu4.