Weekend Events
The Parks & Recreation Department permitted several events this week, including the Lancer Day Parade on Friday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. The annual parade begins on Pine Street in front of the Senior Center, and circles the Barrio neighborhood. Later in the evening, Carlsbad High School will host a firework display at the end of their Homecoming football game against El Camino High School.
On Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20, approximately 2,000 cyclists are expected to participate in Bike MS: Bay to Bay, a two-day cycling event from Irvine to San Diego to raise funds benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. On Sunday morning, expect delays westbound on Cannon Road from Grand Pacific to Carlsbad Blvd from approximately 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. In addition, the northbound I-5 Cannon on ramp and the southbound off ramp will be closed until 11 a.m.
Celebrating Aviara Community Park Improvements
Please join us on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., to celebrate the grand opening of the new Aviara Community Park gathering area. Located on a 1-acre site at the northwest corner of the park, the new improvements are ideally positioned to take advantage of the outstanding views of the surrounding habitat preserve on three sides. The improvements include a large passive outdoor community gathering space with a stage, individual and group picnic areas, and a community building that contains restrooms and a catering support room. The new outdoor community gathering area will be ideal for hosting weddings, birthdays, small concerts, company or family picnics, and other similar gatherings. It is also envisioned that the area will function as an observation point where residents can come to watch the sunset, see summer fireworks at LEGOLAND, or spot private airplanes landing at the McClellan-Palomar airport.
Poinsettia Park Improvements Debut
On Thursday, Oct. 10 the Parks & Recreation Department held a grand opening celebration at Poinsettia Community Park for three new park components: pickleball courts, playground, and multi-sport arena.
The six lighted pickleball courts are a much-welcomed addition to the park by the many avid community pickleball players. The new playground – at more than twice the size of the old playground – features unique play equipment in separate areas for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12. The playground is designed to encourage inclusive play and create an environment that welcomes kids and families of all abilities to learn, play and grow together. The synthetic turf multi-sport arena field with warm-up areas, bleachers and picnic tables, is sure to be a popular destination for all ages to engage in a variety of sport activities.
A Note of Thanks
To Everyone at the Parks and Recreation Department,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the work you do and how much energy you put into your events. Five months ago our family (4 year old boy and 4 month old girl) moved to Carlsbad from Colorado and so far we have been to: Luau at the pool, 2 concerts in the park, camping in the park, the Super Hero race as well as countless trips to the pool.
You completely outdid yourself with the last Super Hero Race this Sunday. My 4 year old had the time of his life and my wife and I have memories we will cherish forever. Your staff and volunteers made every single kid feel like the race was only for them. I just can't believe how kind and energetic your entire staff and volunteers were. It was hot and I'm sure a long day yet they met every kid with smiles and energy. I particularly remember the commitment and excitement the volunteer at the "Save the world" station put in as my 4 year old son pushed an inflatable world around different obstacles. It is those details and kindness that turn these events from "great" to "epic".
My family and I are forever grateful for all the hard work and dedication you put into your job. There is an entire undercurrent of positivity that you may not realize you are creating. If I feel this compelled to write to you then I am sure there are many, many more people out there that feel the exact same way. The work you do makes our community stronger and better. Thank you.
Sincerely, David Legacki
North County Manufacturing & Engineering Day Shows Off Carlsbad Careers to Local Students
Economic Development Staff participated in North County Manufacturing & Engineering Day at California State University, San Marcos on Tuesday Oct. 1. The expo connected nearly 1,000 local high school and middle school students with tech, manufacturing and engineering careers right in their own backyard. Carlsbad companies like Nordson, Calsense, Walmart Labs, Beckman Coulter, HME, SeaSpine, FormFactor and Argonaut Manufacturing Services were on hand with interactive exhibits to show students the cool things they do every day.
Innovate78 Hosts Startup78 Quarterly Meetup at TaylorMade Golf
Economic Development as part of the Innovate78 initiative hosted the Startup78 Quarterly Meetup on Oct. 2 at The Kingdom, TaylorMade Golf’s world famous club fitting and swing analysis facility. Over 100 attendees were on hand to network and help build the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem in North County. The theme of the night was sports & active lifestyles, featuring a panel of leaders from Carlsbad companies like Blast Motion, Light Helmets and Stact. Local sports & active lifestyle startups were also on hand to display their products and connect with other entrepreneurs. Startup78 is an initiative of the Innovate78 economic development collaboration between the five cities along the 78 Corridor: Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido.
Reading Comes to Life
The library partnered with the Carlsbad Unified School District on Saturday to present a book signing with Salva Dut, founder of waterforsouthsudan. Salva discussed and signed copies of A Long Walk to Water, the true story based on his life. Carlsbad 6th grade students have been reading the book in school and were thrilled to hear from and meet Salva, who entertained the audience of more than 200.
Tech Help at the Library Pacific Ridge students from the school’s technology club volunteered to help library patrons with technology such as cellphones and other devices at the library on Tuesday. The 12 students answered questions about Snapchat, apps and downloading to one’s phone. Library patrons appreciated the service and look forward to the student’s next visit on Oct. 29.
Fire Department Partners with CUSD Robotics Team
The Carlsbad Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau received a request from the Carlsbad Unified School District’s Robotics Team to sit in on a presentation by 7th and 8th grade students that are trying to make the world a safer place. The presentation was part of the FIRST LEGO® City Shaper Challenge. The Challenge requires that students think like scientists and engineers to solve a real-world problem through innovation and creativity, to create a more sustainable future. The problem selected by the students was to create a natural flame retardant that could be applied to the walls of senior citizen care homes, to provide more time to shelter in place until they are rescued by first responders. The students studied the growing concerns that current flame-retardant treatments can expose the public and first responders to materials that may cause cancer.
The students proposed utilizing the sap from the banana plant as a natural byproduct that can be harvested and then applied to wall coverings and wood to create a fire resistive barrier. The students presented their idea and research to Carlsbad’s Fire Marshal, Randy Metz, to get some insight into the problem, and what the fire code requires currently in these occupancies. The fire department was asked to oversee a burn test of small bird houses that have been treated with the banana plant sap to see if their research would prove effective.
On Oct. 16, the students performed their burn test at Fire Station 3 with the assistance of fire suppression and prevention staff. The testing was successful and allowed the students to see their research in action while also learning valuable lessons on fire behavior. Test results cannot be shared until the challenge is complete... standby for updates and additional photos. Good Luck to Robotics Team Nh2!
Fire Department Assists with Agriculture Project
The Fire Department partnered with a local high school student who is working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. This student chose a civic project, adding a hydroponic rain system for growing agriculture, and requested assistance from Fire Station 6.
The student developed his project, gathered the funding, and acquired a team to assist with implementation. The project was completed in early October and is successfully growing herbs and vegetables out at Station 6. The Fire Department is proud to partner with Carlsbad’s youth in community innovation and education.
Carlsbad Emergency Management Leads Earthquake Symposium
Carlsbad Emergency Management, in support of InfraGard San Diego, coordinated, led and presented at a day long earthquake symposium on Oct. 9 focusing on recently published research related to off-shore fault hazards. This first-of -its -kind event was held at Qualcomm’s Jacobs Hall and drew over 350 attendees including subject matter experts, regional first responders and critical infrastructure sector representatives. Carlsbad Fire Department’s Heavy Rescue apparatus and CERT team contributed to the event.
Emergency Preparedness Workshop
Carlsbad Emergency Management coordinated and presented at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Ready Carlsbad Business Alliance Emergency Preparedness Plan development workshop. Representatives from 20 local business left the workshop with City of Carlsbad-style preparedness plan templates ready for implementation.
Preparation for Weather Conditions
During last week’s Santa Ana conditions, Carlsbad’s Carlsbad Emergency Management coordinated was virtually activated to monitor the fire potential index and be prepared for incident response support operations. Similar practices will be implemented for the potential Santa Ana conditions forecasted for later this weekend and early next week.
California Wildfire Symposium
Carlsbad Emergency Management was one of four panelists at the day-long symposium California Wildfires: Reducing Risk by Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Building Statewide Resilience, moderated by Los Angeles County Fire.
Public Safety Open House
The City of Carlsbad held its annual Public Safety Open House on Saturday, Oct. 12, in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week and Crime Safety Month. This year’s event, hosted at the Safety Training Center, was well attended by Carlsbad and neighboring communities and provided valuable safety information, training, and fun activities for adults and kids of all ages. Carlsbad Police, Fire, Public Works and other public safety agencies provided an inside look at the daily operations of public safety and the inter-agency partnerships necessary to successfully manage large-scale events.
Live demonstrations included residential fire suppression, SWAT scenario, and K-9 presentation. Police and Fire Explorers assisted youth and adult attendees with activities such as hose pulling and spraying, Sidewalk CPR, and Stop the Bleed demonstrations. Other activities included fingerprint analysis, environmental demonstrations, and fire extinguisher training.
The annual Public Safety Open House is a fun, interactive opportunity for employees to engage with residents and share valuable prevention and safety information.
Officers Travel to NYPD Officer’s Memorial Services
Officers lateral to Carlsbad from all over the United States, but that does not mean they forget where they have come from. Recently, Officer Wang, who came to the Police Department from the New York Police Department’s Highway Patrol and Officer Guerrero, traveled to New York to represent the Department at the memorial services of Brian Mulkeen, a NYPD officer that was tragically killed in the line of duty.
Police Department Welcomes Three New Officers
Officer James DeRose grew up in Victorville and comes to the department from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Conrad Page-DeMorst is from Imperial Valley. He is a veteran that started his Law Enforcement career with the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department and next the El Cajon Police Department. Finally, Officer Seth Thomson is from Vista and attended El Camino High School. Seth comes to the department from the San Diego Police Department.
Walk Like MADD
Members of the Police Department participated in the Walk Like MADD Event. The event's goal is to raise awareness and eliminate drunk and drugged driving. It was anticipated that thousands rallied together in over 90 cities around the nation to help create a future of no more victims.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
If you see a police officer wearing pink patches, the patches are in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Crime Fighter of the Quarter
Congratulations to Officer Andre Ramirez, awarded “Crime Fighter of the Quarter.” Andre was a member of our Homeless Outreach Team and is currently a member of our Crime Suppression Team. Andre received this award for his hardworking and persistent crime-fighting work ethic.
City of Carlsbad Earned the Achievement Award for Excellence
The City of Carlsbad earned the Achievement Award for Excellence in Information Technology Practices awarded by the Municipal Information Systems Association of California. The Excellence in Information Technology Practices Award is intended to foster and recognize outstanding governance and operation practices. The award examines practices across ten different subject areas:Budget and Strategic Planning, Purchasing Operations and Staffing, Customer Satisfaction, Internet Project Management and Application, Development, Professional Development and Training, Disaster Preparation and Recovery Security Level of Services.
The city was also recognized with a Visual Information Award for our Citywide Parks and Trails Map. Congratulations to the Information Technology team for all their hard work.
Educating Students, Watershed Protection
During the first three weeks of October, staff from Watershed Protection presented at several different school groups in Carlsbad, including the LEGO robotics teams and sustainability clubs. Students from Kelly Elementary, Pacific Ridge Middle School, Calavera Hills Middle School, and Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle Schools met with Watershed Protection to learn about watershed science, water quality and pollution prevention. The students’ projects ranged from trash capture devices, decorating campus storm drains, and composting, and the students were excited to meet with environmental specialists. These outreach opportunities not only help the students in their projects, but also help the city meet storm water permit requirements such as enhanced education and collaboration with Carlsbad Unified School District.
Carlsbad Municipal Water District Earns Award for Excellence
The Carlsbad Municipal Water District recently received the 2019 Excellence in Resourcefulness award from Frost & Sullivan for the implementation of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure technology to improve meter reading efficiency and reduce water loss. The award ceremony was held on Oct. 14 in conjunction with Itron Utility Week.