Carlsbad Marine Operations
Members of the Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division recently responded in Del Mar to assist with the search for up to three people that were not accounted for during a human smuggling operation. At approximately 4 a.m., up to 16 individuals were reportedly thrown from a boat off the coast of Del Mar and told to swim to shore. Lifeguards responded and pulled multiple victims from the water. Carlsbad Fire lifeguards worked with Del Mar, Encinitas and Oceanside lifeguards, as well as the Coast Guard, with in-the-water line searches, diving under water in challenging conditions looking for additional victims. The search eventually transitioned to dive operations where no additional victims were retrieved. This incident provided an opportunity to work with neighboring lifeguard agencies and enhance the marine operations program.
Earthquake Symposium
Carlsbad participated in a National Earthquake Conference this week in San Diego. Carlsbad Assistant Director of Emergency Services, David Harrison, was one of five National Earthquake Conference “Kickoff” Plenary Panel participants discussing the San Diego Earthquake Scenario & its vision for a seismically resilient San Diego by 2050. Harrison and Carlsbad Community Emergency Response Team member Bob Welty provided an introductory briefing for the San Diego Seismic Resilience Stakeholder Insight panel the following day. Their presentation included highlights from the first InfraGardSD Earthquake Symposium they coordinated last October at Qualcomm’s Jacob’s Hall. As an InfraGardSD Board Member, Harrison had the opportunity last week to have dinner with former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and discuss strategic-level security issues, including COVID-19 preparedness and response.
Carlsbad Fire Department Hosts Investigations Summit
The Fire Department hosted Fire Marshals from all North Zone cities for the first Fire Investigations Program Summit. This summit was intended to share information amongst all partner cities regarding how each jurisdiction administers its fire investigation program, who conducts the investigations, and what types of resources are available to effectively and professionally conduct an investigation in the event of a major loss fire incident. There is great enthusiasm in continuing this dialogue, and potentially sharing resources between cities, much like the successful mutual aid process used in fire operation responses throughout the zone. Agencies in attendance included Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista, Escondido and North County Fire.
Kevin Belew Achieves Cisco Certification
Network Engineer Kevin Belew recently earned the Cisco Certified Network Associate. This highly sought industry certification is considered the standard for fundamental skills in configuring and managing computer networks. It covers various topics including LAN switching, IPv4 and IPv6, WAN technologies/protocols and infrastructure security. This achievement demonstrates Kevin’s robust skill set and tremendous growth since joining our team full time in August. Given the magnitude of our upcoming networking projects, these skills will be well utilized.
Welcome Kim Riboni, Senior Accountant
On Monday, March 2, the Finance Department welcomed new Senior Accountant, Kim Riboni. Kim comes to us from 24 Hour Fitness in Carlsbad, where she was a revenue accountant. Prior to that, she was a senior accountant at Cricket Wireless and prior to that Kim was an auditor and forensic accountant with the global firm BDO. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Accounting from San Diego State University and is also licensed Certified public accountant. Now for the fun facts about her. She’s left handed, has completed over 10 half-marathons and is both a dog and a cat person. Her top vacation destination is Maui and favorite food is nachos. She spends her free time lately both camping and hiking.
Academy Graduates
The Police Department congratulated and welcomed three new officers. Officers Travis Brooks, Alex Melendrez and Kyle Davis recently graduated the police academy. They will now begin training with officers at the department. A special congratulation goes to Officer Brooks who was awarded the academy’s Physical Fitness Award.
Read Across America Day
School Resource Officer Julie Martinson reads with the children at El Camino Creek Elementary School to celebrate Read Across America Day. Read Across America Day also marks and celebrated Dr. Seuss’ Birthday.
Carlsbad Children Receive Awards
Two Carlsbad children received awards at the 9-1-1 for Kids Hero Awards Annual Ceremony. 12-year-old Kylie called 9-1-1 when she and a friend were walking on a path toward a store. They came across a man lying on the ground, covered by a blanket and not moving. Suspecting the man needed help, Kylie called 9-1-1 and spoke to Communications Operator Araceli Gonzales. Calmly, Kylie relayed her observations including her exact location. Officers responded to the location, assessed the situation and provided the needed services. 7-year-old Ashton remembered to call 9-1-1 when he became separated from his father at a Carlsbad shopping mall. He too called 9-1-1 and spoke with Communications Operator Araceli Gonzales. Ashton shared his exact location, his father’s name, and a description of his father’s truck. Police officers and mall security used the information to reunite Ashton with his father.
Carlsbad Oaks North Trail Event
It seemed the spirit of Valentine’s Day was extended a bit last Saturday, as over 40 volunteers demonstrated a tremendous labor of love to maintain and improve the Carlsbad Oaks Trail North Trail. One team repaired erosion and filled ruts with decomposed granite, while the other team trimmed vegetation protruding into the trail. Many of the volunteers partnered with Center for Natural Lands Management to plant 500 native plants at a restoration site along the trail. All work was completed, and everyone parted ways feeling great sense of accomplishment. This successful event would not happen without the passion and commitment of people who participated and eagerly worked side by side serving the community.
Rocking the Vote Dove and Cole libraries served as mail ballot drop-off locations from Feb. 24 through Election Day. The Register of Voters staffed tables during the library’s open hours and hundreds of community members took advantage of the convenient service. Both libraries also served as polling locations on Election Day, getting a steady stream of voters all day long!
New Public Art Coordinator Community Arts Coordinator Robyne Robinson is the newest addition to the Cultural Arts team. She is the city’s first public art coordinator and will be focusing on developing and maintaining the city’s public art projects. As the former director of arts at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Robyne generated millions for the Minnesota arts community through commissions, exhibitions and programming at the nation’s 16th largest airport. Robyne is also well-known as an Emmy-winning news broadcaster in the Twin Cities and as the first African American prime time anchor in Minnesota. Robyne is located in the Cultural Arts Office at the Dove Library. Please join us in welcoming her to the city.
Libraries Celebrate Read Across America
The library celebrated Read Across America Day with Carlsbad’s own, beloved children’s author Janell Cannon. During her visit to Dove Library, Janell read her favorite Dr. Seuss book and then her own classic book, Stellaluna, about a young bat. Kids then enjoyed learning about the science of bats. Next up is a Read Across America event with guest reader Shelley Moore Thomas, author of Good Night, Good Knight, at Cole Library on March 10 at 3:30 p.m.
An Evening of Argentinian Music and Dance
On Friday, Feb. 28, library patrons visited Argentina without leaving Carlsbad. Camarada, a group of musicians specializing in Latin and Spanish music, performed at the library with a Grammy Award-winning tango master, tango singer and two tango dancers. The full auditorium of more than 200 people raved about the show and seeing a high-caliber of international talent right here in Carlsbad.
Library Supports Census 2020
This week, Carlsbad library staff as well as staff from California State University, San Marcos, Oceanside Public Library and Escondido Public Library, attended training to become designated Census Assistance Centers for the 2020 Census. Each of the three Carlsbad library locations will have at least one computer dedicated to census takers between March 13 and April 30. The library also has shared languages spoken by staff for the census database so that those needing help in other languages, Cantonese and Russian, for example, can call the library to coordinate a time to receive help in their native language. Census Bureau staff are also utilizing the libraries to recruit additional census workers.
AMPED Music & Arts Throwdown
The 2nd annual AMPED Music & Arts Throwdown had Pine Avenue Community Center rocking and rolling last Saturday. Over 200 teens, and friends and family attended the rock concert lineup which included six local high school bands showcasing their musical talents. The six bands featured were: 33North, Doll Riot, Wack?, Homebase, Raintree Drive and Dead Rosetta. Three music industry judges were challenged to select the top band and first-time competitors Raintree Drive took the prize! First place prize package included one original song produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Till Paris from Fame Studios then distributed to Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify and 150 more platforms. Raintree Drive’s professionally produced song will debut on the 91X radio show “Loudspeaker” hosted by Tim Pyles. In addition to the music, over 20 high school artists and photographers displayed their work in the arts showcase. Carlsbad teens have amazing artistic ability and we hope to see them all return next year for AMPED 2021!
Speedo Swimming Sectionals
Last weekend, Alga Norte Aquatic Center was honored to be selected as the location for Speedo Swimming Sectionals. This meet is the first national level exposure for many of the 950 athletes who competed, some of whom have the Olympics in their sites. Our own local swim team, North Coast Aquatics, proudly hosted the prestigious meet, which welcomed the CEO of USA Swimming, Tim Hinchey, as one of its many spectators!