Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Congrats to the GVGSA 2024 All-Star Thunder Team

What a spectacular Opening Day for the Goleta Valley Girls Softball Association (GVGSA)! The 2025 season kicked off on Saturday, March 1 with a special visit from Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3) who was in attendance to present the All-Star 2024 Goleta Thunder 12U Softball team with Certificates of Recognition for placing second in the 2024 Western National Championship in Salem, OR!

The Thunder, representing GVGSA, finished with a 30-14 summer record, including three tournament victories and second place overall in a tournament with the top 32 teams in the Western United States. A big congratulations to the 2024 All-Star Thunder, a remarkable group of players!

Players on the team are: Evie Bechler, Olivia Carleton, Reagan Cram, Cecily Benes, Karina Huie, Arina Baltadano, Bailey Conway, Sophia Munoz, Cami Weiss, Kylie Buben, Lucy Hendrick and Jasmine Rollman. The team is coached by Eric Buben, Julie Weiss, Chris Huie, Devany Bechler and Dan Carleton.

We wish all the talented softball players and dedicated coaches who are a part of GVGSA a fantastic 2025 season! We also want to thank all the wonderful volunteers, parents, and supporters that work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our Goleta youth have the best experience possible each year.

From the City of Goleta, we wish GVGSA another electric season filled with passion, teamwork, and the joy of softball. Let’s hit it out of the park!


Thunder team at the Western National Championship

Above: Thunder Team at Opening Day with their Certificates of Recognition; also pictured: team coaches and Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3)

Apply for Two Vacancies on City Commissions by March 18

New Opportunity for Public Tree Advisory Commission; Still time to apply for Parks and Recreation Commission

The City of Goleta is looking to fill a vacancy on both the Public Tree Advisory Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission. If you have an affinity for trees and the outdoors and are interested in issues related to Urban Forestry or parks and recreation, we encourage you to apply. Applications can be submitted online here through Tuesday, March 18 at 5:00 p.m. This is a great way to give back and get more involved with your community.

The Public Tree Advisory Commission provides advice to staff and the City Council on matters related to the Goleta Urban Forest. Urban forests encompass the trees and shrubs in an urban area, including trees in yards, along streets and corridors, in watersheds, and more. Urban forests are important because they are the trees right outside our doors providing air, shade, and beauty. The Public Tree Advisory Commission also hears appeals and decisions on the planting and removal of public trees.

The Public Tree Advisory Commission holds four regular meetings per year and may hold additional meetings as needed. Members are compensated $75 per meeting. There is one vacancy, eligible applicants are not required to reside within City limits.

The Parks and Recreation Commission consists of seven members that advise the City Council on issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta. This includes public parks, open spaces, beaches, and indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities in Goleta.

The Commission holds six regular meetings per year and may hold additional meetings as needed. Members are compensated $75 per meeting. Eligible applicants must live in the City of Goleta.

Apply online by 5:00 p.m. on March 18 at www.CityofGoleta.org/BoardsCommissions. Thank you for considering this important role in your community. For additional information, please email cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.

Welcome New Commission and Board Members

The City of Goleta is excited to welcome four new Commissioners who have joined the Planning Commission, Public Engagement Commission and Design Review Board.

Thank you to everyone who applied and congratulations to those selected! Here is a little background on each of them and what drew them to get involved.

Planning Commission

Cary Penniman was appointed to the Planning Commission to fill an unexpired portion of a term ending February 1, 2027. Born and raised in Goleta, Cary believes effective government relies on resident participation. Cary’s goal is to make informed decisions that serve our community.

Cary brings over a decade of experience in land use issues and has presented before various governing bodies including the California Coastal Commission, Goleta City Council, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, and LAFCO. Additionally, Cary actively participated in the creation of the initial General Plan and Local Coastal Program (LCP).

Rita Serotkin was appointed to the Planning Commission with a term ending February 1, 2029. Rita is a 10-year resident of the City, and has served on numerous community and professional boards, commissions, and committees. Rita has been following the City’s developments and is passionate about infrastructure, roads, and how other city interests interact with the need for new housing.

Rita brings a diverse and rich background in education, administration, and community engagement. Rita has a BA in History from Douglass College, an MA in Higher & Adult Education from Columbia University, and an EdD in Higher Education Administration from Widener University. Rita is excited to bring her skills in planning and development, marketing, public relations, writing, and research to the Planning Commission. 

Public Engagement Commission

Gareth Kelly was appointed to the Public Engagement Commission to fill an unexpired portion of a term ending November 1, 2027. Gareth has spent nearly two decades working as a self-employed entrepreneur and filmmaker and aims to provide a unique take to the City in the hopes of moving Goleta forward with its goals while also strengthening and developing community engagement.

Gareth is a member of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, an alumnus of the City of San Luis Obispo Leadership program, a volunteer and former player for the Santa Barbara Grunion Rugby Club, active in local non-profits, and is a 2024 graduate of the City’s LEAD Goleta Community Academy.

Design Review Board

Tamesha Schumacher was appointed to the Design Review Board as an At-Large Member for a term ending February 1, 2028. Tamesha has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles working in procurement for capital projects, hiring landscape architects, and interior design firms. Her goal is to guide the City toward a cohesive feel that is sensitive to the beautiful natural surroundings of Goleta.

Tamesha has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a Master of Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s University. Her design philosophy is that work should be done on a human scale, where it is accessible and respectful of the environment where it stands to create a Goleta that is welcoming and considerate of user’s physical abilities. She is also a graduate of the City’s most recent LEAD Goleta Community Academy (January/February 2025).

Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved with the City. Open Board and Commission vacancies can be found on the City website when available: www.CityofGoleta.org/BoardsCommisions. While there are none at this time, check back regularly.

34 Graduates Complete 2025 LEAD Goleta

Watch Highlight Reel of Community Academy

Congratulations to the 34 participants who graduated from the LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy on February 20, 2025. This is the largest class to graduate in the program’s 5-year history and the third bilingual class with Spanish interpretation and translated materials. Former LEAD Goleta graduates, family and friends of the current class, City staff and the entire Goleta City Council gathered at the Goleta Community Center to applaud the group as each walked across the stage and received a Certificate of Completion and a City of Goleta pin. An ice cream social and sparkling apple cider toast followed the ceremony. Watch a video recap of the program here.

Mayor Perotte who had the honor of pinning each of the graduates said, “This is one of my favorite evenings. I really love coming here and seeing and thanking all of you. I hope you will take what you learned and tell your family and friends, but mostly, I hope you had a good time and know that we [Goleta City Council] are accessible. It’s really important to us that we hear from you.”

LEAD, which stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and Discuss, is an award-winning bilingual six-week class that gives participants an up-close look at local government and in particular how the City of Goleta operates. This year, due to the rainstorm on February 13, 2025, the class ended up being five weeks long with a combined final class which took place prior to the graduation. The enthusiastic and attentive group from all walks of life received a lot of information during the course of the Academy but all expressed on the final day that they were glad they took the initiative and signed up for the eye-opening experience.

Terrie Bovaird said, “My sincere thanks to the organizers and presenters at the 2025 Goleta LEAD Academy. I truly appreciated the opportunity to learn through this valuable and educational program. I will use what I learned and the reference materials provided for many years to come.”

David Rachford said, “LEAD Goleta is a great program to introduce you to civic leadership in Goleta the Goodland. It was an opportunity to learn about City programs, issues and challenges, and celebrate the successes with the amazing team that makes things happen. I now feel more connected to our community, and I’ve lived here for 26 years.”

In addition to staff presentations from various departments, participants also toured the Goleta Valley Library, watched a Sheriff’s K-9 presentation, received a tutorial on how to pack a Go Bag in case of an emergency, and also participated in a Mock City Council Meeting. 

Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover said, “We will never forget this dynamic class. They were hungry for information, asked great questions throughout and no matter the complexity of the subject matter, they were on the edge of their seats, engaged the entire time. It is impressive that each of them made sacrifices in their personal lives to attend this class week after week. It says a lot about each and every one of them as people. We hope they will stay connected with the City and each other as a result of this bonding experience. Hats off to my Community Relations colleagues Jaime Shaw and Marcos Martinez who went over and beyond to make this an exceptional learning experience for everyone involved.”

We also want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our Spanish interpreters Viviana Marsano, Hugo Santos, and Regina Santos.

If you are interested in signing up for a future LEAD Goleta class, please email jshaw@cityofgoleta.org to be notified when applications are available.

Photos from the LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy


LEAD Goleta graduates with City Council


Mock City Council meeting participants with City Clerk staff


Goleta Police & K-9 (pictured left-to-right: K-9 Team Deputy James Carovano and Obi, Community Resource Deputy Connor Worden and Sgt. Noel Rivas)


Spanish Interpreters (pictured left-to-right: Hugo Santos, Viviana Marsano, and Regina Santos)


City Manager and Assistant City Manager Presenting

Pictured above: LEAD graduates with their certificates: Boris Grodzovsky (top left), Luz Murillo-Reyes (top right), Caroline Rind (bottom right) and Hansen Huang (bottom left) 

March is Women’s History Month

Please join the City of Goleta in recognizing Women’s History Month this March.

Women’s History Month is an annual observance that recognizes the vital role women have played in shaping our history and society. Originating from International Women’s Day in the early 20th century, it became a formal celebration in the United States in 1987, following a petition by the National Women’s History Project.

Women’s History Month is not just about celebrating the successes of the past but also acknowledging the struggles and challenges women have faced and continue to face today. From the fight for equal rights to ongoing battles for representation and equity, the journey has been long and often difficult.

To learn more about the rich social, political, and cultural impact of women in history, make sure you check out the Goleta Valley Library in-person Women’s History display and explore the library’s online catalog throughout the month of March.

Let’s embrace this month with enthusiasm and gratitude for the women who have shaped our history and continue to influence our present and future. Together, let’s make history by sharing our stories and inspiring each other every day!

CHP Officer Ayala Recognized for Heroic Efforts

California Highway Patrol Officer Ricardo Ayala is a hero in our books. The first responder was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Goleta at the February 18 City Council meeting for his bravery following a small plane crash on January 29.

While conducting a routine enforcement stop on the 101 near Los Carneros in Goleta, Officer Ayala heard an explosion followed by a small plane crashing near Glen Annie Road. He immediately rushed to the crash site, hopped a chain link freeway perimeter fence, sprinted towards the burning plane and pulled the injured pilot from the wreckage. As they pulled a few yards from safety, flames engulfed the plane.

Captain Michael Logie, Ayala’s commanding officer, said “I’m very proud of him, the moment and the acts that he did, without even thinking, just responding and reacting based on his training, who he is as a person, to go and save two people’s lives.”

After a standing ovation from the City Council and members of the public at the meeting, CHP Officer Ayala’s humble nature shone through, “Thank you all. I was just doing my job,” he said.

All of City Council had the opportunity to thank CHP Officer Ayala for his actions. “I bet you think you’re not a hero, but we know you are,” said Mayor Perotte. “You’re my hero. You’re our hero.”

Thank you, CHP Officer Ayala, for your selflessness and dedication. You are a shining example of what it means to serve and protect.


Officer Ayala with the Goleta City Council (pictured left-to-right): Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (District 4), Mayor Paula Perotte, Officer Ricardo Ayala, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3) and Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1)


Captain Logie speaking about Officer Ayala

United Way Offers Free Tax Services for Qualifying County Residents

Fridays at the Goleta Community Center

United Way is celebrating the launch of the 13th annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax filing services to local qualifying residents throughout Santa Barbara County. Households making $67,000 or less can visit a participating location through April 15th to have their taxes prepared and filed for free.

The VITA program will operate at sites throughout the county (address and times below), including the Goleta Community Center, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Public Library’s Eastside Branch, and Santa Barbara City College. Program volunteers are IRS-certified tax preparers, and can help households prepare, and electronically file their tax returns. VITA volunteers can also assist with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) applications and renewals.

For questions about the VITA program, to learn more about becoming a volunteer, or to find other program details, please contact United Way at 805-965-8591 or visit www.unitedwaysb.org/VITA.

2025 Tax Preparation Sites:

Goleta Community Center
Fridays | 9am-12pm; 1-4pm
5679 Hollister Ave., Goleta, CA 93117

United Way of Santa Barbara County
Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 1-4pm (AARP)
Saturdays | 9am-1pm
320 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101

Santa Barbara Public Library – Eastside Branch
Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 4-7pm
1102 E Montecito St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

SBCC Schott Center
Mondays & Wednesdays | 4-7pm
310 W Padre St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (Room 20)

UC Santa Barbara
Saturdays | 10am-3pm
UC Santa Barbara, Phelps Hall**, Room 1517
*No service Mar 22 & 29
**Feb 15 & Mar 15 Program Located in North Hall

Please visit www.unitedwaysb.org/VITA for up-to-date site information, required documentation and information to bring, and other program details.

Buellton Library Grand Opening

The Buellton Library has officially opened its doors at the historic Willemsen property (202 Dairyland Rd)! The Grand Opening held on Saturday, February 8th drew a lively crowd eager to explore the new space. Former Buellton Mayor and current President of the Friends of the Buellton Library, Holly Sierra, joined current Mayor David Silva and City Manager Scott Wolfe in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

On February 7th Mayor Paula Perotte and Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2) attended the preview night hosted by the Friends of the Buellton Library and enjoyed exploring the beautiful new facility that will serve generations to come.

Neighborhood Services Director JoAnne Plummer and City Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo were also in attendance on Friday and at the historic event on Saturday, which was filled with activities for all ages. The City of Buellton Parks & Recreation team and the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum provided an array of games and family-friendly activities for visitors of all ages that included bounce houses, lawn games, badminton, and even a giant dinosaur puzzle! The Friends of the Buellton Library held a successful book sale to build a community of members and to support the library’s future goals. Inside the library, children enjoyed a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts stations, and catching up with the friendly Buellton Library team, who issued over 50 new library cards.

Congratulations to the Buellton community on the successful launch of the gorgeous new library! We are excited to see all the wonderful and engaging programming to come.

The Solvang and Buellton Libraries are a part of the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Library System, which is managed by the City of Goleta. The City of Goleta first took over direct management of the Goleta Valley Library on July 1, 2018, and subsequently the Santa Ynez Valley libraries—including the Solvang and Buellton Libraries—on July 1, 2019.

Photos from the Grand Opening event:


Former Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra and current Mayor David Silva cut the ribbon to officially open the newly relocated and renovated Buellton Library


Pictured left-to-right: Ethan Bertrand, City of Buellton Mayor David Silva, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, and City of Buellton City Manager Scott Wolfe holding a Certificate of Recognition


Patrons exploring the new library location

Above: Community members gathered outside the library at the Grand Opening

March Programming at Goleta Valley Library

Programs for all ages abound each week at the library this month. Although this is our last month of service at Fairview before closing for temporary relocation during construction, there are many opportunities to engage and connect while supporting your local library. Programming will be offered while we move from April through June and at our temporary site – stay tuned for a full calendar coming soon!

Special Events

Craftapalooza Part 2
Saturday, March 15, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Crafters: go wild! The only limit is your imagination as you get to use all of the craft supplies from the Goleta Valley Library to create and imagine with limitless possibilities! All ages welcome, all supplies provided.

Friends of the Library: Big Book Sale!
Saturday, March 22nd from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 23rd from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
The Friends of the Goleta Valley Library invite community members to their big book sale in the Community Room in preparation for the library’s upcoming move. Browse a selection of donated books, puzzles, calendars, DVDs, CDs, sheet music, and cards. Come support your local library!

Recurring Events

Writers Workshop         
Saturday, March 1, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.            
A monthly gathering for writers to share work, exchange feedback, and discuss the tools of the trade.

Senior Happy Hour       
Thursday, March 6, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.              
Make spring flowers out of felt at this month’s Senior Happy Hour.  We will create colorful felt blooms that you can use to decorate a box or package or fill a vase.  All supplies provided.

Mystery Book Club       
Tuesday, March 25, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
This month’s pick is the Agatha Christie classic, And Then There Were None.  Description from publisher: “1939. Europe teeters on the brink of war. Ten strangers are invited to Soldier Island, an isolated rock near the Devon coast. Cut off from the mainland, with their generous hosts Mr. and Mrs. U.N. Owen mysteriously absent, they are each accused of a terrible crime. When one of the party dies suddenly they realize they may be harboring a murderer among their number. The tension escalates as the survivors realize the killer is not only among them but is preparing to strike again… and again…”

Wiggly Wednesdays
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Join us for storytime with Miss Nicole! We’ll do a short story, songs, a dance party, and bubbles. Best for ages 15 months-5 years old.

Goodland Yarn Works
Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
This fun group knits and crochets useful items for local and national charities. If you know how to knit or crochet, this group is for you! No registration required. Join us for fun and friendship!

Homework Help
Thursdays from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Kindergarten – 6th grade students can receive free, one-on-one help with their homework after school at the library. Service is provided on a drop-in basis, so no appointment is needed ahead of time. Our volunteer tutors are excited to help our local students succeed this school year.

Baby & Me Storytime
Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a relaxed storytime with happy songs, lap bounces, a short story, fun bubbles, and parachute play. This calm program has a focus on bonding with your child and building community. Best for ages 0-12 months / pre-walkers.

Tech Tutoring
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesdays from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Are you looking for more information about GVL’s online resources? Do you need assistance with your electronic or mobile device? All you have to do is fill out the form below and one of our friendly staff will reach out to meet your needs! You will be contacted by a staff member to schedule a 30-minute in-person appointment at the library. 

For a full calendar of events and to stay informed about what’s happening at Goleta Valley Library, go to www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Zip Book Program Resumes

Beloved Program Boosts Access to Titles at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Zip Books are back! The popular program allows patrons with a Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries card in good standing to request books or audiobooks to be mailed directly to their home from Amazon. Zip Books are purchased with grant funds made available through the California State Library. For the 2024/2025 fiscal year period, the City of Goleta’s Library Services Division was awarded $15,327 in California Library Services Act funds to purchase books in print, large print, and audiobook CD formats.

Sharon Nigh, Library Assistant and Zip Books Coordinator, said, “The Zip Books program is a well-loved resource because it helps patrons access the books they want, even if they are not currently in our collection.”

To be eligible for the Zip Books Program, requests must meet these criteria:

  • Title is not already owned by the Goleta Valley Library, Solvang Library, Buellton Library, Bookvan, or other Black Gold Cooperative member libraries.
  • Title must be available from Amazon or an Amazon bookseller for less than $50 in Print or Large Print formats, or less than $75 in Book on CD format.
  • Requests are limited to two books per household per month.
  • If the requested title is already in the Black Gold system, a courtesy hold will be placed on the item.

A recent update to the program is that Zip Books now have a due date of three months from the date they are requested. When you’re finished with your Zip Books, simply return them to your home library in-person at the service desk so that they can be checked in. Please note that Zip Books returned in the book drops will not be checked in and the cost of unreturned Zip Books will be charged to borrowers’ accounts. The library welcomes returns of Zip Books from prior program years, as well.

The Zip Books Request Form is available here. You’ll surely fall in love with this great program!

Questions may be sent to zipbooks@cityofgoleta.org. Explore GoletaValleyLibrary.org for up-to-date information about our services, programs, and events.

This Project is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.