Information Technology Completes Wireless Overhaul
The Information Technology Department recently completed an overhaul of the citywide WiFi system to remediate long standing service issues while ensuring security, reliability, manageability and performance. This was accomplished by reconfiguration of existing network components; no new hardware was purchased. Users can now move anywhere throughout the libraries without loss of service while maintaining full connection speed. Behind the scenes, Information Technology can now manage all the infrastructure from a single console, streamlining the maintenance and troubleshooting processes. All WiFi connectivity is now completely contained in an isolated, dedicated network, further protecting city assets from potential intrusion from external threats.
Crime Fighter of the Quarter
Congratulations to Crime Fighter of the Quarter, Officer Michael McKinney. McKinney is actually a two time recipient of this award. Besides McKinney’s daily work ethic and crime-fighting expertise, McKinney organized several community outreach programs including the distribution of care packages to those experiencing homelessness and toys to children on Dec. 25.
Care Packages for Community Members Experiencing Homelessness
The Homeless Outreach Team was invited to Kelly Elementary School to collect and distribute care packages designed to assist community members experiencing homelessness. The children’s school project was the result of the Great Kindness Challenge and the Great Kindness Week.
Exploration HUB Upgrade
The Exploration HUB, located at the Dove Library, is a technology center offering free classes, creative opportunities and access to free equipment and software. The HUB was recently upgraded with eight new iMacs that have the full Adobe Creative Suite, Premiere Elements, Photoshop Elements, Final Cut Pro, Silhouette Studio and GameMaker Studio 2. The HUB also features a 3D printer and a Media Conversion Station for transferring VHS tapes and Super 8/8mm to MP4 files. We offer family, tween and teen classes as well as classes for adults. City staff are invited to visit the HUB during Open Lab hours or take a class. Special thanks to IT for the help with the upgrade!
Library Learning Center First Time Saturday Event
The Library Learning Center held its first time Saturday event on Jan. 25, in honor of Lunar New Year. Children and adults celebrated Year of the Rat with stories explaining the origin of Lunar New Year and crafts. The San Diego Chinese Cultural Association North County entertained attendees with a traditional lion dance at nearby Holiday Park as part of the celebration. The Learning Center is proud to now serve the community on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. thanks in part to support from the Carlsbad Library and Arts Foundation.
Authors Galore at the Library
The library held three recent author events. On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 27, author Meeg Pincus read her children’s book Miep and the Most Famous Diary, which tells the story of Miep Gies, the woman who rescued Anne Frank’s diary and sheltered the Franks in her attic. On Jan. 30, two local crime fiction authors and long time friends spoke about being on “Opposite Sides of the Law” as a former cop and recovered criminal. On Feb. 2, the library held the “Super Bowl of Authors” featuring eight local authors on a panel, followed by a book signing.
Wildlife Tracking Workshop
On Jan. 24, Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park hosted the San Diego Tracking Team for its first Wildlife Tracking Workshop. Nearly 50 Carlsbad residents of all ages learned to identify wildlife tracks native to San Diego County. Several participants took to the Rancho Carrillo trail after the workshop, and were able to spot coyote and racoon tracks.
Chad Kanter Joins Parks & Recreation Department
On Monday, the Parks & Recreation Department staff welcomed our new management analyst, Chad Kantner. Chad comes to us from the Community Outreach Foundation, where he was a budget/finance analyst and prior to that Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. LLP where he was a staff auditor, and the City of Los Angeles where he was a fiscal administrative intern. Chad has a bachelor’s degree in business accounting from Cal Poly Pomona, and recently obtained his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Sam Houston State University. Chad’s next step is studying and taking the Chartered Financial Analyst exam. He is married and has a “devil’ dog named Bowser. Chad will be responsible for the department’s budget, contracts and software data analysis.
California Parks & Recreation Society Directors Academy
Congratulations to Tracy Stayton and Kyle Lancaster, who recently completed the California Parks & Recreation Society Directors Academy. This two day intensive academy was held in El Cajon and was offered to Parks & Recreation department directors and staff wishing to become directors. The academy curriculum included sessions on the following topics: Employee Relations, Leadership and Change Management, Risk Management and Budgeting, Professional Ethics and Political Constraints, Resource Planning and Management, and Maintenance and Operations. Continuing education units for these sessions were available to those graduates who had also been distinguished as Certified Parks & Recreation Professionals by the National Recreation and Parks Association.
The Great Kindness Challenge
Fire Department personnel joined city staff members and leadership in kicking off the Great Kindness Challenge at Jefferson Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 27. Initiated in Carlsbad, The Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative aimed to improve school atmosphere and increase student engagement. Practiced in over 110 countries, this annual event devotes one week to performing acts of kindness on campus.
Statewide Bluff Collapse Committee
The Fire Department’s Lifeguard Program represented the City of Carlsbad at a statewide meeting held in Laguna Beach regarding bluff collapses. Lifeguard Supervisor Mike Burke attended the meeting with 11 other agencies, to help formulate a statewide plan for bluff collapse response and rescue operations as well as appropriate signage informing beach goers of the risks of bluffs at various California beaches.
North Zone Urban Search and Rescue Team Meet and Greet
The Fire Department coordinated the first Meet and Greet of our partner agencies for the proposed North Zone Urban Search and Rescue Team. The meeting was held at San Marcos’ Fire Training Facility and was attended by numerous members of the four agencies spearheading the program: Carlsbad Fire, San Marcos Fire, Escondido Fire and Cal Fire. The Meet and Greet entailed presentations on local vulnerabilities, training standards, specialist position requirements and a familiarization of Carlsbad’s and CalFire’s Heavy Rescue units. Once established, the goal of the multi-agency team will be to deploy 29 highly trained people with specialty equipment to assist in variety of rescue related incidents ranging from earthquakes, mudslides, building collapses, terrorist attacks, swiftwater, confined space or trench rescues.
Resource Fair
Fire Prevention personnel recently attended a Resource Fair located at the Villa Loma Apartment Community Center. Villa Loma Apartments are a 342 unit affordable housing complex equipped with electric cook tops in all the units. According to the NFPA Home Cooking Report, households that use electric ranges have a higher risk of cooking fires and associated losses than those using gas ranges. About 30 community members enjoyed pizza while learning fire prevention tips. Children and adults practiced prevention techniques, such as testing a smoke alarm and creating escape plans. Fun was had by all in attendance.