Girsh Park, a thriving hub of activity in Goleta, is celebrating its Silver Anniversary this month on May 23rd! We hope you will join us for the May 7th Council Meeting at 5:30 p.m. when the City will issue a proclamation recognizing the Foundation for Girsh Park for 25 years of community excellence.

This well-loved park, which welcomes an upwards of 500,000 visitors per year, has been a staple of community engagement for Goleta. It has provided a safe, fun, and affordable space for families, athletes, and nature lovers of all ages.

The park, located at 7050 Phelps Road, first opened in 1999 as a requirement included with the construction of the Camino Real Marketplace. Originally 12 acres, Girsh Park now spans an impressive 25 acres. The expansion allowed the park to add multiple baseball fields, basketball courts, become a permanent home for over 700 Dos Pueblos Little League kids, 1,500 AYSO kids, and hosts the community-favorite annual Lemon Festival.  

“As we reflect on the remarkable journey of Girsh Park over the past quarter-century, we are filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of the Girsh/Hochman Families, the City of Goleta, and the community,” said Ryan Harrington, Executive Director of The Foundation for Girsh Park. “This milestone not only celebrates our achievements but also symbolizes the boundless potential for growth and innovation in the years to come. Girsh Park belongs to the community, and together we will continue to create lasting memories and build a brighter future for generations to come.”

Congratulations to Girsh Park on 25 years of success, and here’s to many more!

Girsh Park is a cooperative community effort that is owned and operated by The Foundation for Girsh Park nonprofit organization. They develop, maintain and enhance the property to provide the community with affordable, high-quality park and recreational facilities available to rent. If you’d like to make a donation or find out other ways to support the park, please visit: https://girshpark.org/donate

The Girsh-Hochman Family pictured left to right: Daniel Hochman, Ruelene Girsh-Hochman and Mandy Hochman celebrate at Girsh Park in 2013.

Thousands of AYSO children play at Girsh Park each year.

There are several holidays and observances this month that we want to highlight.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The origins of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month date back to 1978, and in 1990, the observance was expanded to a month-long celebration.

Jewish American Heritage Month: The month is a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Jewish Americans to the United States. This celebration was first established in 2006 by President George W. Bush as a way to recognize the rich history, culture, and traditions of Jewish Americans.

Mental Health Awareness Month: First began in 1949 as Mental Health Week. In 1955, it was expanded to a month-long observance by the National Association of Mental Health (now known as Mental Health America). The month is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues. It is an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the importance of mental health and to encourage individuals to seek help when needed.

Older Americans Month: This is annual celebration highlights the contributions and achievements of older adults in the country. The tradition first started in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy declared May as Senior Citizens Month and was later renamed to Older Americans Month by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. It is a time to celebrate their achievements, recognize their contributions, and come together as a community to support them.

Cinco de Mayo: Spanish for May 5th, this day commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, and is widely celebrated in many parts of the United States. It’s a time to enjoy delicious Mexican food, music, and dance, and to honor the resilience and strength of the Mexican people.

International Day Against Homophobia: This day is observed annually on May 17^th and was created to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. It encourages individuals, regardless of gender or orientation, to reflect on the progress that has been made towards equality, and to remind them of the work that must continue in the fight for equality and acceptance.

Memorial Day: Observed annually on the last Monday in May, this holiday honors and remembers the men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the United States military. Memorial Day has been observed since the end of the Civil War and serves as a time to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

The City of Goleta encourages all community members to celebrate the holidays and practices they observe and to also learn more about the ones they may not be familiar with.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s never too early to start planning for that special mother figure(s) in your life. Why not help support our local businesses by buying your Mother’s Day gifts from a local business. Go to GoodLandGoodShopping.com, the City of Goleta’s online business directory to see more than 850 businesses that call Goleta home. The businesses range from boutiques to restaurants and everything in between.

GoodLandGoodShopping.com is an online, interactive business directory designed to encourage residents and visitors to shop, dine, and spend locally. The free resource includes businesses located within the city, a map view to see where the business is located, a search feature and filter options to easily find what you are looking for.

If you are a business located in the City of Goleta with a business license, you are automatically included on the website. You can customize your free listing by going to www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com and adding details such as: logo, social media links, promotions, photo galleries, and more. City staff will review and approve the listing before it is published.

Thank you in advance for shopping Goleta and supporting our local economy. Visit www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com today!

Looking to improve your computer skills? Whether it’s to learn the basics or to help grow your business, there is something for you in our next round of free bilingual digital skills training classes. The City of Goleta is pleased to partner with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) once again to offer two training courses to Santa Barbara County residents through the Upskill Training Program. Even better, the cohorts are located at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue), so don’t hesitate, spread the word and sign up today!

Here are the classes being offered:

New to Tech Computer Basics (English and Spanish cohorts) – A 6-week course that teaches adult learners essential computer skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world. View the flyer here. A flyer in Spanish is also available here.

To sign up, contact Fabi Torres at (805) 275-1508. Encourage your friends and family to attend as well.

• Saturdays May 4 – June 8, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (English instruction with Spanish interpretation available)
• Tuesdays & Thursdays May 7 – June 13, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Spanish instruction only)

Learn more at https://www.digital-upskilling.edcollaborative.com/new-to-tech/. 

Get Your Small Business Online (Spanish cohort) – A 9-week course that teaches business owners and entrepreneurs essential digital skills needed to get online. Participants will learn how to set up an effective website, identify the best digital marketing channels, and increase their online presence. View the flyer here.

• Wednesdays May 15 – July 8, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Spanish instruction only)

Sign up now at https://www.wevonline.org/es/classes-resources/pon-tu-pequeno-negocio-en-linea/ and click the “Now Enrolling” blue circle.

Pictured: Photo from the current “Get Your Small Business Online” English cohort at the Goleta Community Center

There is nothing more impactful than hearing a real-life story to inspire you to take action. That was the case on April 16th when two local transplant survivors, Scott Burns and Priscilla Marchus, visited City Council to accept a proclamation for DMV/Donate Life Month.

The two, as they have done many times throughout the past decade, shared their powerful stories of survival and encouraged everyone to consider becoming an organ donor.

Scott, a kidney transplant survivor, expressed his gratitude for his donor, Vivian Buetel. He said, “I’ve been here for 10 years, and today I’m here to honor Vivian Buetel, my kidney donor.” Vivian was also honored at the Donate Life float at the Rose Bowl Parade earlier this year.

Priscilla, a liver transplant recipient 16 years ago, shared how her bonus years have allowed her to spend time with her granddaughter and new grandson. “I was a liver transplant recipient 16 years ago,” said Priscilla. “I call these my bonus years – I’ve gotten to be with my granddaughter who is now 11 and a new grandson that’s just over one year old.”

Their experiences shed light on the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on individuals and their families. Currently, there are more than 110,000 individuals nationwide and over 23,000 in California on the national organ transplant waiting list. Last year, organ donors saved more than 46,000 lives – the highest number ever recorded.

The City of Goleta’s proclamation was one of many on display at the Donate Life Run/Walk on April 27^th in Azusa.  Thank you Scott for taking it there to show the City’s support of this effort to help save lives.

You can become an organ donor by indicating interest when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or I.D. card at the DMV, or by visiting: https://register.donatelifecalifornia.org/register/lifesharingdmvdonatelifemonth.

Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes–Martín (District 1), Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Mayor Paula Perotte, Priscilla Marchus, Scott Burns and Councilmember Kyle Richards

Priscilla Marchus holding the proclamation and Scott Burns with a t-shirt that has his donor Vivian Buetel on it