Find out about all of the wonderful virtual activities, programs and more brought to you by the Carlsbad Senior Center. June lunch menu included. View June newsletter

Class Highlights

Location:

CSC – Carlsbad Senior Center

PACC – Pine Avenue Community Center

Healthy Living | Monday, June 5, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

CSC – Free

Presented by the American Alzheimer’s Association. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet, nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. 

Intermediate Ukulele Jam | Friday, June 2 & 16, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

CSC Free 

This jam is for intermediate ukulele players (know basic chords) who are all about having fun! We will be playing and singing popular songs from the 20s and 80s. 

Alignment: Mind, Body, Nature | Wednesdays, June 7–28, 9:45–11 a.m. CSC, $70

Summer Qigong will enhance your personal growth. Learn relaxing exercises (seated or standing), meditations, dietetics and guidance to unite with the majestic energy of nature during this season.

Silver Paddles Pickleball | Thursdays, June 1 – 22

PACC, $70

Level I | 10:30 a.m. – noon. This indoor class will prepare you for skills needed to play this fun and social game.

Level II | 12 – 1:30 p.m. For experienced players with instructor approval. This is a high energy workout that focuses on fast ball rallies and advanced strategies. 

Summer Games | Fridays, June 16 – Aug. 18, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

CSC, Free

Have fun in the sun this summer in the Senior Center Courtyard! Every Friday, join us for outdoor games and music after lunch. All ages welcome! 

Concert in the Courtyard: Mango Jams Steel Band | Monday, June 12, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

CSC, Free

Celebrating the sweet sounds of the Islands with the Mango Jams Steel Band, enjoy some fun in the sun as they perform some of your favorite tropical hits that include calypso, reggae, pop tunes and standards. 

 Carlsbad Senior Center  – 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008

Registration opens on June 1 for Preschool and Toddler programs

Parent-toddler classes for ages 1 – 2 meet once per week to introduce children to socialization and learn through play experiences. Classes include art, singing, group play and other pre-learning activities along with daily parent education opportunities.

Preschool classes for ages 3 – 4 meet two or three days per week and are designed to enhance language development, socialization, problem solving and school readiness in a nurturing environment. Daily activities include music and movement, art projects, story time, cooking, sharing and indoor and outdoor play. Children will learn about the world from teacher developed themes that include sea life, seasons, zoo animals and plant life. Field trips are also taken to enhance these learning experiences.

Enrollment

Classes will start Tuesday, Sept. 5. If you have any questions regarding enrollment, please contact Recreation Supervisor Kevin Gohres at 442-339-5024 or kevin.gohres@carlsbadca.gov.

Register now

News from the City of Carlsbad | May 18, 2023

This week city staff provided an update on our local economy, and next week we will present the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2023-24. I’ll share more on both today, along with these updates:

• Local economic update
• Understanding city finances
• Traffic safety emergency extended
• Avoid the most common type of collision with bikes
• It’s not too late to sign up for summer camps (but it’s close!)
• Get involved: Upcoming meetings

Local economic update- Staff who work on economic development for the city updated the City Council Tuesday on the state of our local economy. We do this every quarter to monitor for changes that could affect city finances and our community. There is a lot of great information in the report, so I encourage you to check it out.

If you are not familiar with the business side of our community, you might be surprised to learn Carlsbad has the second largest economy in the region after San Diego, with a gross domestic product of $15.8 billion. One of the main reasons for our economic strength is the diversity of our business community, which includes a mix of small businesses and five key industries:

• Life sciences
• Information, communications and technologies
• Cleantech
• Sports innovation and design
• Hospitality and tourism

Learn about the city budget– The state of the economy is just one of many factors that play into our annual budget planning. Starting tomorrow, you can see the result of this work by reviewing our proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-24.

The proposed budget invests in the City Council’s highest priorities, sets money aside for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves, while reducing spending to shore up the city’s long term financial health.

We have once again called for all departments to increase efficiency and find new ways to reduce ongoing spending. In addition to lowering base spending by $2.3 million at a time when inflation is 6%, the proposed budget reduces city staffing by the equivalent of 12 positions. 

Although the city remains financially healthy today, with a AAA credit rating, healthy reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region, Carlsbad is facing new fiscal challenges as it transitions from a growing city to one focused on maintaining its high level of service.

City staff will go over the preliminary budget at the May 23 City Council meeting, which is also an opportunity for community members to provide input, either by coming to the meeting and requesting to speak or emailing the City Council in advance of the meeting at clerk@carlsbadca.gov.  

Community budget workshop -On Tuesday, the City Council directed staff to provide an additional opportunity for the community to learn about the budget, but in a more informal setting. As a result, on June 1, city staff will present the budget, answer questions and listen to feedback at a community budget workshop. Here are the details.

Thursday, June 1 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. -1635 Faraday Ave.

The city operates on a fiscal year that goes from July 1 to June 30. The final city budget is scheduled to be approved during a public hearing June 13.

You can review the budget online now or see a hard copy starting tomorrow at the Office of the City Clerk or our Faraday Administration Center.

Traffic safety emergency extended -Earlier this week, the City Council extended the local traffic safety emergency for another 60 days, while we continue to implement programs addressing the “three E’s” of traffic safety – Education, Engineering and Enforcement.

While preliminary data is encouraging, showing a 19% decrease in injury collisions from the start of the emergency through February 2023, we know that trends may change during the busy summer months.

I’ll also keep sharing safety tips in these updates, so you can feel confident that you’re doing your part to stay safe no matter how you get around. More information.

Thanks for sharing the road on Bike Anywhere Day – Speaking of sharing safety tips, you may have noticed more bikes on your commute than normal today. That’s because today was Bike Anywhere Day, a regionwide event that encourages people to consider biking as an alternative to driving.

This morning, the city hosted one of many pit stops throughout the county, offering participants a place to hydrate, grab a snack, talk about some of the city’s transportation projects or even pick up some Safer Streets Together materials.

While Bike Anywhere Day is over, we will continue to see more people out and about on bikes as we approach summer. With that in mind, I want to share some tips that can help us all share the road and avoid the right hook – a common type of collision that happens when a driver turns right, colliding with a bicyclist or pedestrian. WATCH THE VIDEO

Here are a few ways you can avoid this type of collision: 

• Always check your mirror and blind spot for any cyclists or pedestrians before turning.
• If there is a bike ahead of you and you don’t have time to pass, slow down and wait to turn.
• Remember to signal in advance.
• Move to the right as much as you safely can. Hint: When you see dashes in a green bike lane stripe, that’s a good time to move closer to the curb before you turn.

Next city cycling class

More of these tips will be highlighted in the next city cycling class, taught by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. It’s set for June 10 at La Costa Canyon High School.

It’s a great opportunity for beginners and experienced bicyclists who want to brush up on road rules over three parts:

One hour of classroom instruction

One hour of skills practice in the parking lot

One hour of a guided bike ride with a certified instructor (the pace is slow and there are frequent stops)

Saturday, June 10 -9 a.m. to noon -La Costa Canyon High School,1 Maverick Way

Register (only a few spots left) LEARN MORE

Sign up for summer camps – As schools get ready to start summer break, the City of Carlsbad is offering a variety of fun camps to keep kids engaged and active this summer. If you haven’t booked your child’s spot yet, there’s still time to sign up.

Kids 4-16 can choose from sports and fitness camps, creative and performing arts camps, science and exploration camps, aquatic camps and more. Find the full list in the city’s Summer Community Services Guide, available on the city’s website.

Here are just a few of the fun camps we’re offering:

Cooking Round the World: Students will learn about culture, tastes and celebrations while enjoying the foods and flavors from different countries. At each class, they’ll cook one or two different dishes from the country of the day. For kids 6-12.

Cinematography-Filmmaking @ the Ranch: This camp introduces video scene setups and digital photography. Campers will explore the importance of camera angles, shot sizes and movements while grasping the basics of Go-Pros®, gimbals and DJI drones. Separate weeks for kids 7-11 and 12-16.

Minecraft Master Engineering: Bring your favorite Minecraft adventures to life with our enthusiastic Play-well instructors. In a Minecraft world powered by LEGO resources, we will build shelters to keep out creepers, craft mythical items that only true masters can wield and more! Separate weeks for kids 5-7 and 7-12.

Gymnastics Camp: Campers will explore the fundamentals of gymnastics through games, activities and personal instruction. Campers will utilize apparatuses like bars, parachute, beam and two giant tumble tracks. For kids 6-12.

Register soon because space is limited. (Some camps may already be full.)

LEARN MORE

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, May 23, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The topics to be discussed include:

• An agreement for additional furnishings needed to complete the renovation of the Police and Fire headquarters
• Awarding a contract for construction of new bike ramps, sidewalks and traffic safety measures along part of Avenida Encinas as part of the Coastal Rail Trail project 
• Awarding a contract to install new motorized valves on water mains that can be monitored and operated remotely
• Continuing the storm-related local emergency the city declared to swiftly repair a sinkhole on Haymar Drive
• An agreement that will provide the city with a single tool for managing and tracking non-construction projects
• Amendments to the city’s Zoning Ordinance to comply with new state housing laws, including accessory dwelling units
• An appointment to represent the city on the San Diego County Water Authority Board
• Staff’s presentation on the preliminary city budget for fiscal year 2023-24
• Considering approval of a City Council policy statement on the display of flags at City Hall

The full agenda and staff reports are available on the city’s website.

There are two other city meetings on the calendar next week:

• May 24, 4 p.m. – Library Board of Trustees
• May 25, 4 p.m. – Village & Barrio Design Review Committee

Saturday is Armed Forces Day and before I close, I want to thank those in our community who serve in the U.S. military, as well as their families. We’re so grateful for your service and we’re proud that so many of you call Carlsbad home. Thank you for your commitment and sacrifice.

Scott Chadwick, Carlsbad City Manager

Download our app today

CarlsbadConnects app is an easy way to report things that need repair or attention around town, like potholes, sidewalk cracks, traffic light outages, graffiti and code enforcement issues.

Carlsbad Connects

City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008 www.carlsbadca.gov

Start Your Business in Carlsbad: Pre-venture/Start-up Training Community Room, Georgina Cole Library – Thursday, May 18, 8:30 – 10 a.m. This training covers proof of concept, legal entities, licensing, taxes and financing. Register here.

Start Your Business in Carlsbad: Start Your Business in a Day What it Takes to Succeed, Financing, Taxes & Business Etiquette Community Room, Georgina Cole Library Thursday, May 25, 8:30 – 10 a.m. This training is designed to give you an overview of what to consider before starting a business. Register here.

Memorial Day Holiday Closure

In observance of the Memorial Day Holiday, all three library locations will be closed on Monday, May 29.

Author Events

Cara Black & Kate White Author Event Tuesday, May 23, 2 p.m., Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

If you love a good thriller, make sure you do not make any plans on May 23. Authors Cara Black and Kate White will be discussing their new books. There will be an opportunity for an audience Q&A session as well as a book signing. No registration required.

Lisa See Author Event Friday, June 9, 2:30 p.m. Schulman Auditorium, Dove Library

Best-selling author Lisa See is returning to Carlsbad to discuss her new book, “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women.” Here are a few things that you need to know:

• Books will be available for sale before the start of the event
• There will be time for an audience Q&A
• Book signing after the conclusion of the discussion.

No registration required. We hope to see you at both of these events.

Grow Your Garden

Georgina Cole Library Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m. – noon

Swap crops & socialize: 10 – 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – noon

Workshop: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

This program lets you swap succulents, seeds, fruit, vegetables and herbs with your neighbors. Chef Kyle Dixon will present a gardening workshop “Garden to Table” from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Genealogy FamilySearch Affiliate 

Carlsbad City Library was recently awarded Affiliate status for FamilySearch, the largest genealogy association in the world. There are only a few hundred affiliate libraries in the country; the designation means Carlsbad City Library patrons will now have greater and more convenient access to over 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion images of genealogical records. As you may know, the Georgina Cole Library on Carlsbad Village Drive is home to one of the largest genealogy collections in Southern California. 

These digital records include images and name indexes. Currently, there are about 400 million original records available in a digital format that affiliate libraries have access to. Make plans to come in and explore these newly available records and take advantage of the opportunity to expand your knowledge about your own family’s origin story. 

Focus On: Newspapers Tuesday, June 6, 2 – 4 p.m. 

Library Learning Center   3368 Eureka Place, upstairs computer lab

Learn how to mine our three newspaper databases for historical and genealogical information to add context and color to your family histories. This class will include an overview of Newspapers.com World Collection (aka Library Edition), Heritage Hub and America’s Historical Newspapers.  Register for a session.   

Genealogy Partnership Programs   For a list of free, monthly partnership programs offered by Carlsbad City Library and the North San Diego County Genealogical Society, please view the genealogy programs calendar.   

Save the Date

Make sure you save the date for the following exciting events:

• Tuesday, June 20: Summer Reading Adventure begins (all three library locations)
• Friday, June 23: Writing Workshop (Cole Library)

More details coming soon.

Staff Book Reviews

Get to know our staff members and be introduced to items in the library collection that may be new or unfamiliar.

This review was provided by Lori J., part of our Adult & Teen Services team:

“If you like visiting museums and wonder about what goes on behind the scenes, “The Cloisters” by Katy Hays is a book that will mesmerize you. The story takes readers on a spine-chilling exploration of the public and private spaces of a museum with medieval holdings. The setting is the (real) Cloisters museum and blends reality with the magical throughout the sinister happenings in the story. Intern Ann winds up at the Cloisters through seemingly random events where she works with a renowned young curator. The curator’s area of expertise is medieval tarot cards, but his interest goes beyond the academic. As Ann plunges deeper in the strange world of divination, she makes brilliant connections that challenge the very core of her existence. The hardback book is available in the New Mystery Book section. It is also available in audio, ebook and CD formats. Recommended for adults.”

P.S. Try our free Personalized Reading Recommendation Service for additional reading suggestions.

Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Discover books, films and additional resources about prominent Jewish Americans who have contributed a role in today’s society. Make sure to also check out Kanopy, which offers a collection of films focused on Jewish heritage. Access to Kanopy is free with a Carlsbad City Library card.

Take the Pledge: Safer Streets Together

National traffic safety trends show a dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths, with the first quarter of 2022 showing the highest number of deaths in two decades. Here in Carlsbad, injury collisions involving bikes and e-bikes have increased over 200% since 2019. 

Show your commitment to safer streets together in 2023. Take the pledge to do your part to keep Carlsbad’s streets safe for everyone who drives, bikes and walks in our beautiful community. 

After taking the pledge for safer streets, order a free yard sign or window cling to share your commitment with your friends and neighbors. Learn more at carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets.  

Carlsbad City Library 442-339-2049 1775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011

Georgina Cole Library 442-339-2870 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr Carlsbad, CA 92008

Library Learning Center 442-339-5500 3368 Eureka Place Carlsbad, CA 92008

City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Start Your Business in Carlsbad: Pre-venture/Start-up Training

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library Thursday, May 18, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

This training covers proof of concept, legal entities, licensing, taxes and financing. Register here.

Start Your Business in Carlsbad: Start Your Business in a Day What It Takes to Succeed, Financing, Taxes & Business Etiquette

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library, Thursday, May 25 -8:30 – 10 a.m. This training is designed to give you an overview of what to consider before starting a business. Register here.

Library Hours & Holiday Closure

Carlsbad City Libraries will open at 9 a.m. Monday – Saturday beginning on Monday, May 8 at all three locations. Access public computers, wi-fi, study rooms, print and digital resources, magazines and more at your local library.

Library hours will be:

• Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Closed Sundays

For more information, visit the Carlsbad City Library website.

Memorial Day Holiday Closure – In observance of the Memorial Day Holiday, all three library locations will be closed on Monday, May 29.

Fiesta at the Rancho

Saturday, May 13, 2023, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Leo Carillo Ranch Historic Park

Tickets are now on sale for Fiesta at the Rancho! Guests will enjoy an evening with live entertainment, a hosted bar and a delicious meal set outdoors amidst the tranquil beauty of Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. This special evening benefits the California History & Art Program at Carrillo Ranch. Over 1,200 local 4th grade students will have the opportunity to visit Carrillo Ranch to share in Leo’s vision of early California life and participate in an interactive art lesson. Your support and fundraising proceeds allow this award-winning program to be offered to all 4th grade students in the City of Carlsbad at no cost.

Cara Black & Kate White Author Event

Tuesday, May 23, 2 p.m.

Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

If you love a good thriller, make sure you do not make any plans on May 23. Authors Cara Black and Kate White will be discussing their new books. There will be an opportunity for an audience Q&A session as well as a book signing. Hope to see you there.

Grow Your Garden

Georgina Cole Library

Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m. – noon

Swap crops & socialize: 10 – 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – noon

Workshop: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

This program lets you swap succulents, seeds, fruit, vegetables and herbs with your neighbors. Chef Kyle Dixon will present a gardening workshop “Garden to Table” from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Save the Date

Make sure you save the date for the following exciting events:

• Friday, June 9: Lisa See author event (Dove Library)
• Tuesday, June 20: Summer Reading Adventure begins (all three library locations
• Friday, June 23: Writing Workshop (Cole Library)

More details coming soon.

Exploration HUB

Come in and use the Exploration HUB, Carlsbad City Library’s technology lab and makerspace located at Dove Library!  

Sign up for a free class or club. Try something new! Classes and clubs are for patrons 13 and older unless otherwise indicated. 

Digital Conversion Demo: VHS tapes, Super 8 and more 

Tuesday, May 2, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. -Do you have old home movies on VHS tape, Super 8 or 8mm reels, DV mini tapes or Hi8 tapes? Attend a free demonstration on how to use the various digital conversion equipment and software to convert your home movies to .mp4 files. 

Beginning Arduino 

Thursday, May 4, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. -Interested in doing electronics projects with Arduino? You will write and upload computer code to the Arduino circuit board. No prior experience is necessary. 

Photo Scanner Demo 

Monday, May 8, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Do you have stacks of photos, slides and negatives you would like to digitize? Attend a free demonstration on how to use the Epson V850 scanner and hear about the photo editing software we have available for you to use in the HUB.

Donations Wanted

The Friends Bookstores need your donations of books for all ages, DVDs and current magazines. Instructions on how to donate:

• Cole Library: Leave donations in boxes on the Carlsbad Village Drive loading dock at Cole
• Dove Library: Leave donations in the donation bin on the southwestern corner of the library
• Library Learning Center: Give donations directly to library staff at the Information Desk

We cannot accept donations directly in the bookstores.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Kanopy celebrates these cultures and communities with feature and documentary films.

Watch them for free with your Carlsbad City Library card.

New! Staff Book Reviews

Now introducing a new segment to our eNewsletter, staff book reviews! This is a wonderful way for the community to get to know our staff members and be introduced to items in the library collection that may be new or unfamiliar.

This review was provided by Svetlana K., part of our Adult & Teen Services team: “College years are the right time to establish career goals and start looking for opportunities! This book in the best-selling career guide series WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? contains advice on how to select the right courses, land an internship and how to use all available tools (including social media) in the job search. The book offers helpful hints to college students regarding resumes, cover letters, and interviews. It also provides templates for creating job-oriented social media accounts, including LinkedIn. Find this book on the library shelf today!”

P.S. Try our free Personalized Reading Recommendation Service for additional reading suggestions.

Take the Pledge: Safer Streets Together

National traffic safety trends show a dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths, with the first quarter of 2022 showing the highest number of deaths in two decades. Here in Carlsbad, injury collisions involving bikes and e-bikes have increased over 200% since 2019. 

Show your commitment to safer streets together in 2023. Take the pledge to do your part to keep Carlsbad’s streets safe for everyone who drives, bikes and walks in our beautiful community. 

After taking the pledge for safer streets, order a free yard sign or window cling to share your commitment with your friends and neighbors. Learn more at carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets.  

We’re here to help

We’re available to answer your questions over the phone, through our chat service or by email during open library hours.

• Email: librarian@carlsbadca.gov
• Chat with us.
• Para ayuda en español 442-339-5500 o bilingual@carlsbadca.gov

All Carlsbad City Library location hours

Monday – Thursday* 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. • Friday and Saturday* 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. *Beginning May 8, all Carlsbad City Library locations will open at 9 a.m.

Carlsbad City Library 442-339-2049 1775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011

Georgina Cole Library 442-339-2870 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr Carlsbad, CA 92008

Library Learning Center 442-339-5500 3368 Eureka Place Carlsbad, CA 92008

City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

News from the City of Carlsbad | April 27, 2023

As April comes to a close, we are already looking ahead to May activities, including National Bike and Roll to School Day next Wednesday. I’ll share more information about the city’s traffic safety efforts this week along with these updates:

• Committee studying growth completes its work
• Practical tips for recycling and reducing plastic waste
• Our libraries, by the numbers
• Pop Up Art at the Sculpture Garden
• Live music at Front Row Saturday
• Upcoming meetings

Get involved with your Traffic & Mobility Commission -On Monday, the Traffic & Mobility Commission will meet to discuss its work plan for the next fiscal year, as well as upcoming projects. I know I often encourage readers of these updates to consider applying to serve on a city board or commission. A great first step is to check out a meeting or two. Obviously, with the traffic safety emergency, the Traffic & Mobility Commission has been busier than ever.

Like all boards and commissions, the Traffic & Mobility Commission plays a key role in vetting ideas and projects and serving as a forum for community input. Here are the details for next week’s meeting:

Traffic & Mobility Commission -Monday, May 1, 4 p.m. Carlsbad City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue improvements One of the key projects the Traffic & Mobility Commission will discuss is changes to the Tamarack and Carlsbad Boulevard Intersection. The project is needed to:

• Enhance coastal access
• Improve walking and biking infrastructure
• Improve traffic flow along Carlsbad’s busy coastline
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Learn more about the options and see renderings.

The agenda and staff reports are posted on the commission page. Sign up to get notified when future agendas are available. You can watch Monday’s meeting on our website or come in person. Comments can be emailed before the meeting to traffic@carlsbadca.gov.

Commitee studying growth completes its work -A resident-led committee created by the City Council has completed its work and finalized a report to identify issues and standards that will help ensure Carlsbad retains an excellent quality of life as it continues to grow.

The committee process is the first step in the development of a new long-term growth management program.

I want to recognize and thank the 38 Carlsbad residents who volunteered their time to serve on this committee to help lead the way on this very important topic to our community and the future of Carlsbad. The committee represented a diverse range of community perspectives, including residents from each of Carlsbad’s four City Council districts, as well as members of the city’s appointed commissions.

What’s this about? The City of Carlsbad’s Growth Management Program was created in the late 80s and is largely credited with maintaining the city’s excellent quality of life, well-planned infrastructure and financial health over the past 35+ years.

• In recent years, new state laws have been passed that render some parts of the city’s Growth Management Program unenforceable, including putting a limit on how many new homes can be built in the city.
• The state laws are meant to address a critical statewide shortage of housing by making it more difficult for cities to deny new housing projects.
• Affordable housing, which is usually apartments and condos, is a big focus of the new state laws, as is locating new housing close to transit hubs.

Next steps Staff is making the final changes requested by the committee to the report summarizing the committee’s recommendations. I’ll share the report in a future update.

The committee’s recommendations will be presented to the City Council for consideration in July. After the City Council provides direction, the city will need to complete technical studies and potentially update local laws before this work is complete. We expect the process to take about three to four years and will have additional opportunities for public input. LEARN MORE

Practical tips for recycling and reducing single-use plastics We’re wrapping up Earth Month with some recycling tips and a reminder about how important it is to reduce the use of single-use plastics to help protect our environment. In the City of Carlsbad, we’ve made a big difference already with a “Skip the Stuff” ordinance that:

• Keeps 1,196 tons of single-use plastics like straws, utensils and condiment packets out of the landfill each year
• Reduces Carlsbad’s overall waste stream by 3%
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 0.73%, which is the equivalent of 369 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or 6,101 tree seedlings grown for 10 years

Blue bin recycling tips -You can do your part at home by recycling and making sure only these items go in your blue recycling bin:

• Rigid plastics including jugs and containers
• Metal food and beverage cans and clean aluminum foil
• Paper that isn’t soiled, including cardboard, newspaper, catalogs, paperback books, office paper, junk mail, etc.
• Paper food containers like empty cereal and pasta boxes, juice boxes and egg, ice cream and milk cartons
• If you can poke your finger through the plastic, it shouldn’t be recycled. Also, never recycle anything smaller than an ID card

Free sustainability workshop You can learn even more ways to live sustainably at a free, one-hour workshop this Saturday hosted by the City of Carlsbad. Join our partner I Love a Clean San Diego to learn about the city’s ban on single-use plastics, plus practical tips on:

• How to properly recycle or dispose of plastic waste
• What happens to plastic after we throw it in the trash
• How to replace single-use plastics with zero-waste alternatives 
• How to make a reusable shopping bag out of an upcycled shirt

Sustainable Life Workshop Saturday, April 29 10 to 11 a.m. Alga Norte Community Park (Community Center Meeting Room), 6565 Alicante Road

Registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Register here. LEARN MORE

Our library, by the numbers It’s National Library Week and I want to take a moment to share a snapshot of some of our exceptional library programs and services. These numbers really show how the Carlsbad City Library connects our community. If you’ve been participating in the Carlsbad Reads Together programs this month, you know what I’m talking about!

Many thanks to our outstanding library staff and to all of our library patrons who help create a strong sense of community and shared love of learning. LEARN MORE

Pop Up Art at the Sculpture Garden Join arts educator Lauren Bothe and the city’s arts education team for a Pop Up Art event on Saturday, April 29, at the new Fusion: Geometric Art exhibit at the Carlsbad Sculpture Garden.

Pop Up Art: An Interactive Encounter Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.- Carlsbad Sculpture Garden 2955 Elmwood St.

You’ll start with a guided tour of the exhibit, learning all kinds of interesting information about the sculptures on display, and then create your own unique three-dimensional artwork reflecting the geometric shapes, lines and colors all around you.

If you’ve never participated in one of our Pop Up Art events, they’re so much fun for all ages and a great way to experience art in our community. LEARN MORE

Live music at Front Row Saturday -If you’re looking for something fun to do Saturday night, enjoy an evening of live music at this week’s Front Row Saturday concert, featuring Jessica Fichot, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter with an international flair.

Fichot spent much of her youth in and around Paris and her music reflects her multi-ethnic French, Chinese and American upbringing. She takes listeners on a musical journey through the French “chanson” tradition, gypsy jazz, 1940s Chinese swing, international folk and more.

Front Row Saturday – Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m. seating, 7:30 p.m. curtain – Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane LEARN MORE

Get involved: Upcoming meetings The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, May 9, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. A link to the full agenda and staff reports will be available on the city’s website no later than Friday, May 5.

I already mentioned the Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting coming up on Monday, but these city meetings are also taking place next week:

• May 3, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission
• May 4, 3 p.m. – Senior Commission
• May 4, 6 p.m. – Arts Commission

I hope you all get a chance to enjoy the warm weather and take in some of Carlsbad’s natural beauty during the last few days of Earth Month this weekend. See you all back here next week!

Scott Chadwick

Download our app today CarlsbadConnects app is an easy way to report things that need repair or attention around town, like potholes, sidewalk cracks, traffic light outages, graffiti and code enforcement issues.

Carlsbad Connects

City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008 www.carlsbadca.gov

Carlsbad Reads Together –Carlsbad Reads Together is an annual event that connects the entire Carlsbad community through reading. Special programming and events for Carlsbad Reads Together are scheduled throughout the month of April, but you can start reading today! Download the Carlsbad Reads Together Program Guide for more information.

An Evening with Francisco Cantú 

Zoom Virtual Event  Thursday, April 27, 6 p.m. Author Francisco Cantú will discuss his book “The Line Becomes a River” followed by an audience Q&A session. Registration is required for this event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 

My Path to Carlsbad

Stories showcased in the Georgina Cole Library Display Case Now – April 30

Storytelling has the power to change our assumptions, deepen understanding of others’ experiences and connect us as a community. As part of this years’ Carlsbad Reads Together program, the Carlsbad City Library and community members have collaborated to create a special exhibit featuring stories of how local families arrived in Carlsbad. Stories will be showcased in the Cole Library display case and shared on the Carlsbad Reads Together webpage through April 2023. Carlsbad Reads Together is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Carlsbad Library.

Donations Wanted-The Friends Bookstores need your donations of books for all ages, DVDs and current magazines.

Instructions on how to donate: Please leave materials in the donation bins located in front of the Dove and Cole Libraries.

• Cole Library: Leave donations in boxes on the Carlsbad Village Drive loading dock at Cole
• Dove Library: Leave donations in the donation bin on the southwestern corner of the library
• Library Learning Center: Give donations directly to library staff at the Information Desk

We cannot accept donations directly in the bookstores.

Make the Switch to Libby – The OverDrive app will be discontinued effective May 1, 2023. Make the switch to Libby today! The legacy OverDrive app will soon be discontinued. Staff recommends upgrading to Libby today prior to May 1. It’s easy to use and full of fun features. Follow the steps below to access your account in Libby:

1. Download the free Libby app
2. Find Carlsbad City Library and sign in with your library card
3. Your loans, holds and wish list items will be on your Shelf

Save the Date: Cara Black & Kate White Author Event

Tuesday, May 23, 2 p.m. Schulman Auditorium, Dove Library

If you love a good thriller, make sure you do not make any plans on May 23. Authors Cara Black and Kate White will be discussing their new books. There will be an opportunity for an audience Q&A session as well as a book signing. Hope to see you there.

Avenida Music with Guest DJ Josiah Gonzalez -Coachella DJ Josiah Gonzalez of Avenida Music will be centerstage during a three-day guest artist residency in Carlsbad showcasing the art of the disc jockey. 

Dance at the Dove – Saturday, April 22 6 – 9 p.m.

Family Hour 6 – 7 p.m. Free Admission
Gonzalez will spin discs at a first-time ever dance in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane. Enjoy a night under the stars with a soundtrack of familiar hit songs and dance classics.

DJ Workshops with Avenida Music

Workshops will be open to the public on learning how to spin their favorite tracks, explore the history of DJing and how it has evolved over the years.

Thursday, April 20, 1 – 2 p.m. Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Free

Cultural Arts, in partnership with the Senior Center, is thrilled offer a FREE Disc Jockey workshop! Specifically designed for seniors who are interested in learning how to spin their favorite tracks, learn about the history of DJing and how it has evolved over the years. Don’t worry. No experience necessary.

Saturday, April 22 Noon – 1:30 p.m. Gowland Meeting Room Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane Free

Exploration HUB Come in and visit the Exploration HUB, Carlsbad City Library’s technology lab and makerspace located at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane.

Sign up for a free class or club. Classes and clubs are for patrons 13 and older unless otherwise indicated.  

Digital Conversion Demo: VHS tapes, Super 8 and more 

Thursday, April 20, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Do you have old home movies on VHS tape, Super 8 or 8mm reels, DV mini tapes or Hi8 tapes? Attend a free demonstration on how to use the various digital conversion equipment and software to convert your home movies to .mp4 files.  

Tinkercad 3D Design: Empathy Symbol Keychain 

Saturday, April 22, 2:30 – 4 p.m. 

This free class is inspired by the Carlsbad Reads Together selection, “The Line Becomes a River” by Francisco Cantú. The empathy symbol was created in 1973 and stands for people trying to understand the experiences and feelings of others. Get an introduction to 3D design using Tinkercad.com and make an empathy symbol to put on a keychain.  

Photo Scanner and Photo Editing Software Demo 

Monday, April 24, 4 – 5 p.m.  Do you have stacks of photos, slides and negatives you would like to digitize and organize? Attend a free demonstration on how to use the Epson V850 scanner and hear about the photo editing software we have available for you to use in the HUB.

Genealogy Programs & Services

Focus On: Finding Your Mexican Roots -Tuesday, April 18, 2 – 4 p.m. Library Learning Center, 3368 Eureka Place, upstairs computer lab.

Discover how to begin tracing your Mexican roots using genealogy records available in the Ancestry Library Edition database and FamilySearch.org website. 

This hands-on computer class is for ages 13 and older. A Carlsbad City Library card with internet privileges is required. Register for a session. 

Teen Intro to Genealogy – Discover Your Family Tree

For teens in grades 6 – 12

• Dove Library: Wed. April 19, 4 p.m. 
• Cole Library: Thurs. April 20, 4 p.m.  

We invite you to learn how to use Ancestry.com and discover your family roots. Use what you learn to create your own family tree. Materials will be provided.

Ask a Genealogist

Whether you’re just getting started in genealogy, or need help breaking down a brick wall, you can “Ask a Genealogist” during a special one-hour appointment with staff at the Cole Library. Staff will help you navigate the library’s highly regarded print and online resources to answer your specific genealogy questions. Complete the “Ask a Genealogist” form to get started.

Genealogy Partnership Programs 

For a list of free, monthly partnership programs offered by the Carlsbad City Library and North San Diego County Genealogical Society, please view the genealogy programs calendar. 

New! Staff Book Reviews -Now introducing a new segment to our eNewsletter, staff book reviews! This is a wonderful way for the community to get to know our staff members and be introduced to items in the library collection that may be new or unfamiliar.

This review was provided by Michelle W., part of our Literary Services team: “If you love books with a heartwarming drama featuring an animal and interesting characters, Carlsbad City Library has the perfect book for you. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt features a cast of characters including an octopus named Marcellus, a widow named Tova and many others. The narrative connects the characters in unexpected ways and tells a beautiful story about friendship, love and hope. The ebook and audiobook are both available on Libby. The audiobook features different voices and accents. This was one of my favorite novels this year!”

P.S. Try our free Personalized Reading Recommendation Service for additional reading suggestions.

Take the Pledge: Safer Streets Together -National traffic safety trends show a dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths, with the first quarter of 2022 showing the highest number of deaths in two decades. Here in Carlsbad, injury collisions involving bikes and e-bikes have increased over 200% since 2019. 

Show your commitment to safer streets together in 2023. Take the pledge to do your part to keep Carlsbad’s streets safe for everyone who drives, bikes and walks in our beautiful community. 

After taking the pledge for safer streets, order a free yard sign or window cling to share your commitment with your friends and neighbors. Learn more at carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets.  

We’re here to help We’re available to answer your questions over the phone, through our chat service or by email during open library hours.

• Email: librarian@carlsbadca.gov
• Chat with us.
• Para ayuda en español 442-339-5500 o bilingual@carlsbadca.gov

All Carlsbad City Library location hours

Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. • Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library 442-339-2049 1775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011

Georgina Cole Library 442-339-2870 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr Carlsbad, CA 92008

Library Learning Center 442-339-5500 3368 Eureka Place Carlsbad, CA 92008

City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Carlsbad Reads Together

Carlsbad Reads Together is an annual event that connects the entire Carlsbad community through reading. Special programming and events for Carlsbad Reads Together are scheduled throughout the month of April, but you can start reading today!

Carlsbad Reads Together is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Carlsbad Library.

My Path to Carlsbad story showcase

Submissions accepted March 1 – 30

Stories on display at the Georgina Cole Library April 1 – 30

Storytelling has the power to change our assumptions, deepen understanding of others’ experiences and connect us as a community. As part of this years’ Carlsbad Reads Together program, the Carlsbad City Library would like to create a special exhibit featuring stories of how your family arrived in Carlsbad. Stories will be artfully showcased in the Georgina Cole Library display case and shared on the Carlsbad Reads Together webpage through May 2023.

To share your story, use the “My Path to Carlsbad” form online or submit your story in person at any Information desk at our three library locations. Story stations will be available at the Carlsbad Senior Center and Lola’s 7 Up Market & Deli during the month of March to also collect submissions.

Friends of the Carlsbad Library – Spring Silent Auction at the Friends of the Library Bookstore (Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane) March 27 – April 3

The Friends of the Carlsbad Library will be hosting a silent auction at the Friends Bookstore at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane. Items to bid on include the 11th Edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, a collection of books by humorist author Richard Armour (including three inscribed to the Georgina Cole Library), a single volume of the Oxford English Dictionary, Georgia O’Keefe’s “100 Flowers”, “World of Ornament” and more. Auction ends at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 3.

Donations Wanted

The Friends Bookstores need your donations of books for all ages, DVDs and current magazines. 

Instructions on how to donate: Please leave materials in the donation bins located in front of the Dove and Cole Libraries.

• Cole Library: Leave donations in boxes on the Carlsbad Village Drive loading dock at Cole
• Dove Library: Leave donations in the donation bin on the southwestern corner of the library
• Library Learning Center: Give donations directly to library staff at the Information Desk

We cannot accept donations in the Bookstores.

Grow Your Garden -Harold E. Smerdu Community Garden, 1250 Laguna Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 April 1, 10 a.m.

Carlsbad City Library’s Grow Your Garden program lets you swap succulents, seeds, fruit, vegetables and herbs from your garden with neighbors and learn new gardening techniques.

The workshop will focus on organic gardening with Richard Wright.

Make the Switch to Libby -The OverDrive app will be discontinued effective May 1, 2023. Make the switch to Libby today!

The legacy OverDrive app will soon be discontinued, and you will need to switch to Libby, OverDrive’s newer reading app. You can still use the legacy OverDrive app for now, but we recommend upgrading to Libby today. It’s easy to use and full of fun features. Follow the steps below to access your account in Libby:

1. Download the free Libby app
2. Find Carlsbad City Library and sign in with your library card
3. Your loans, holds and wish list items will be on your Shelf

Fix-It Clinic at Schulman Auditorium Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane – Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

This Fix-It Clinics will feature live demonstrations and repair classes for electronics, small appliances, bicycles and clothes. Register online to attend this Fix-It Clinic.

Bring your broken things for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. Come participate or watch, learn and get inspired at this free, fun-for-all ages event.

Exploration HUB

Come in and visit the Exploration HUB, Carlsbad City Library’s technology lab and makerspace located at the Dove Library.

Sign up for a free class or club. Classes and clubs are for patrons 13 and older unless otherwise indicated.  

Silhouette Cameo: Baby Onesie with Bunnies

Wednesday, March 29, 5 – 6:30 p.m. – Learn how to use the Silhouette Cameo to design and cut three bunnies and text using heat transfer vinyl to place on a baby onesie. Shapes and fonts have been pre-selected to assist with the design process. 

Photo Scanner and Photo Editing Software Demo 

Saturday, March 25, Noon – 1 p.m. – Learn how to use the Epson V850 scanner and software to digitize your negatives, slides and photos. Hear about the photo editing software available in the Exploration HUB. 

Genealogy Programs & Services

Focus On: New York City Research – Tuesday, March 21, 2 – 4 p.m. Library Learning Center at 3368 Eureka Place, upstairs computer lab

This class will explore ways to find New York City records for genealogy research, focusing on the mid-1800s through the early 20th century.

Focus On: Finding Your Mexican Roots  Tuesday, April 4, 2 – 4 p.m. Library Learning Center, 3368 Eureka Place, upstairs computer lab

Discover how to begin tracing your Mexican roots using genealogy records available in the Ancestry Library Edition database and FamilySearch.org website. 

This hands-on computer class is for ages 13 and older. A Carlsbad City Library card with internet privileges is required. Register for a session. 

Ask a Genealogist – Whether you’re just getting started in genealogy, or need help breaking down a brick wall, you can “Ask a Genealogist” during a special one-hour appointment with staff at the Cole Library. Staff will help you navigate the library’s highly regarded print and online resources to answer your specific genealogy questions. Complete the “Ask a Genealogist” form to get started.

Genealogy Partnership Programs – For a list of free, monthly partnership programs offered by the Carlsbad City Library and North San Diego County Genealogical Society, please view the genealogy programs calendar. 

Celebrate National Poetry Month

Beginning in April, visit your favorite Carlsbad City Library location in-person to find poetry books ranging from Shakespeare to Rupi Kaur and Amanda Gorman.

• Visit Hoopla Digital and view the Poetry Collection
• Check out books, eBooks and eAudiobooks from the Carlsbad City Library collection

Try our free Personalized Reading Recommendation Service to get poetry suggestions.

AARP Foundation Tax Help Offered at Senior Center

Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Schedule an appointment at the Senior Center front desk or call 442-339-2650. Walk-ins accepted from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Now through April 13 

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers provide taxpayers in communities nationwide with free tax preparation and filing services. Volunteers are trained and IRS certified every year to ensure they are familiar with the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. For more information, visit the Senior Center webpage.  

Take the Pledge: Safer Streets Together

National traffic safety trends show a dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths, with the first quarter of 2022 showing the highest number of deaths in two decades. Here in Carlsbad, injury collisions involving bikes and e-bikes have increased over 200% since 2019. 

Show your commitment to safer streets together in 2023. Take the pledge to do your part to keep Carlsbad’s streets safe for everyone who drives, bikes and walks in our beautiful community. 

After taking the pledge for safer streets, order a free yard sign or window cling to share your commitment with your friends and neighbors. Learn more at carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets.  

We’re here to help

We’re available to answer your questions over the phone, through our chat service or by email during open library hours.

• Email: librarian@carlsbadca.gov
• Chat with us.
• Para ayuda en español 442-339-5500 o bilingual@carlsbadca.gov

All Carlsbad City Library location hours

Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. • Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

THREE LOCATIONS

Carlsbad City Library 442-339-2049 1775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011

Georgina Cole Library 442-339-2870 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr Carlsbad, CA 92008

Library Learning Center 442-339-5500 3368 Eureka Place Carlsbad, CA 92008

March 9, 2023

It looks like more rainy weather is on the way this weekend and next week, while we get ready to “spring forward” with the time change on Sunday. With the wet weather and the sun rising later, please remember to take extra care on the road. Leave early, slow down, turn your lights on and remember to never drive through standing water. This week, I am sharing more traffic safety tips plus these updates:

• What parents need to know about traffic safety and kids
• Why all the focus on walking and biking?
• Short term fix in place on Carlsbad Boulevard
• Two close calls, one important warning about battery fires
• Spring forward and take these 5 steps
• Preserving our agricultural heritage
• Experience art in Carlsbad
• Weekend rail closure
• Upcoming meetings

Join the experts to talk about keeping kids safe on Carlsbad streets

When kids are old enough to get around on their own, whether walking, biking or driving, it can be a tough time for parents. On the one hand, experiencing this independence is an important milestone for kids. Other the other hand, it can be very scary to think about all the “what ifs.” If you are in this life stage or know someone who is, we have a one-hour webinar coming up next week just for you!

Keeping our kids safe on Carlsbad streets – What all parents should know

Thursday, March 16 6 to 7 p.m. Zoom Register today

We are teaming up with the Carlsbad Unified School District, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Circulate San Diego to host this important Parent University virtual meeting, where we will address:

• The top causes of local collisions and how to prevent them
• How to talk to your kids about safety
• 3 simple ways to improve safety when walking, driving and biking
• Carlsbad-specific e-bike rules and what happens if you break them
• The very best way to motivate teens to follow traffic rules (It’s not what you think)

Even though Carlsbad Unified School District is a co-host, the webinar is open to students and parents from all school districts. Please help us spread the word!

Join us in promoting our Safer Streets Together pledge

I also want to thank everyone who has taken the Safer Streets Together Pledge so far. I love seeing the yard signs popping up all over town. I also love hearing from folks who have the safer streets window cling on their cars – it really does remind them to be more cautious on the road.

To show your support for safer streets in Carlsbad, you can pick up yard signs and window clings at city libraries and the senior center. If you want to show your support by signing onto our official pledge, you can order these items to come right to your home. It only takes a minute, and you’ll be helping us set the expectation that here in Carlsbad, we care about safety and all do our part.

Enough about biking and walking?

I get it. We have been talking a lot about walking, biking and other ways to get around Carlsbad other than a single person driving in a car. There are a few very important reasons for this, but the takeaway is not that cars are bad. Let me explain:

• Decades ago, when most of our roads were first planned, the focus was almost exclusively on driving.
• Since that time, more people have decided they want the option of biking and walking, especially in places like Carlsbad, with a beautiful environment, near-perfect weather, and a population that prioritizes health and fitness.
• Walking and biking around Carlsbad helps people feel connected to the small-town beach community character that is one of the most important values of our Carlsbad Community Vision.

The beach and Village areas have always been popular for biking. Beyond that, you had to be pretty fit to make it work – we are a geographically large city at nearly 40 square miles, and then there are the hills. Lots of hills.

So, when e-bikes became popular, all of Carlsbad suddenly became bikeable, even for those who thought their bike riding days were behind them. We saw this coming:

• We’ve been monitoring trends in “micro-mobility,” which includes electric bikes, scooters and other similar things.
• We have also listened to our community. The last time we did a major update of our city plans, we first worked with residents to create the Carlsbad Community Vision, which has a heavy focus on living a healthy outdoor lifestyle, feeling more connected as a community and protecting the environment.
• Our City Council adopted new policies back in 2015 that reflect this vision, which includes rebalancing our roadways to better accommodate all the different ways people want to get around. 

Not one size fits all

• The important thing to know about these policies is that they are not one size fits all.
• On major “arterial” streets (major, high-capacity streets, like arteries in your body), cars get a higher priority.
• On coastal streets, we want to maximize room for walking and biking and design vehicle lanes to slow down traffic.
• You can see in the map below how we have put streets in different categories. Each category comes with a set of design guidelines that have already been approved by the City Council.
• With over 350 miles of roads in Carlsbad, it will take time to fully implement the design changes to our streets.

Because of the traffic safety emergency, the City Council has been able to reprioritize and expedite this work, focusing on areas people want to walk and bike. We focus on the walking and biking areas because those road users are the most vulnerable. 

I hope that helps explain why you are hearing about so many changes to city streets lately and why you’re hearing more about walking and biking safety. Learn more. 

South Carlsbad Boulevard 

If you’ve traveled along Carlsbad Boulevard between Palomar Airport Road and Poinsettia Lane recently, you’ve probably seen our crews out cleaning up storm debris from the western-most lane. You might also remember that we are working on a “climate adaptation” grant project to reconfigure a portion of this road to protect against future sea level rise. That project is still in the early stages and will next go the Traffic & Mobility Commission sometime this spring.

As a short-term solution, we have changed the striping on southbound Carlsbad Boulevard from Manzano Drive to Island Way, including:

• A shoulder on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard that can be used by pedestrians. Previously there was no place to walk, so walkers used the bike lanes.
• One vehicle lane and one buffered bike lane between Solamar Drive and Island Way.
• This reconfiguration also allowed us to create 13 new beach parking spaces and a place for bike parking.

We also added green paint to highlight potential conflict points between drivers and cyclists at the following intersections along Carlsbad Boulevard:

• Solamar Drive
• Island Way
• Lanikai Lane
• Breakwater Road
• Poinsettia Lane
• Ponto Road
• Avenida Encinas

We will have crews out next week to put the finishing touches on the project. Please keep an eye out for temporary lane closures and crews.

Be careful with your lithium-ion batteries

Fire departments across the country are reporting an alarming increase in serious fires linked to lithium-ion batteries. This trend appears to have arrived in Carlsbad, with two fires in the past 10 days or so, one initially reported to be related to an electric scooter battery and the other suspected of being from an e-bike charger. Investigations are still underway.

You might not recognize the name lithium-ion battery, but I can guarantee you have several in your home right now. They are used for cell phones, computers, tablets, gaming devices and power tools, in addition to e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and the like.

When they overheat, they can catch fire and even explode. Our Fire Department urges you to follow these safety tips and share them with your friends and family:

• Look at your device to make sure it has a label from qualified testing laboratory. UL is a common one.
• Avoid purchasing after-market batteries and charging devices that are not listed or made for the device.
• Take the manufacturer’s instructions seriously.
• Check your batteries often for an odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises. Stop using them if you notice any of these things.
• Store e-bikes, e-scooters and batteries outside of your living space and away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch fire.
• Only use the battery and the charger that it was designed for and came with the device.
• Don’t exceed the recommended charging time.

Learn more.

Spring forward and take these 5 steps 

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 12. While you’re setting your clocks forward an hour, making a few other quick changes can help keep you and your home safe.

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 12. While you’re setting your clocks forward an hour, making a few other quick changes can help keep you and your home safe.

1. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Test smoke detectors monthly to make sure they work. (Smoke detectors should be replaced every 8-10 years, so check your unit for the purchase date.)
• P.S. our Fire Department has a program with the Red Cross where they’ll come to your home and help you install your smoke and CO2 detectors. Call 442-339-2665 or email firepreventionpublic@carlsbadca.gov to sign up. 
• Recycle old batteries by putting them in a plastic bag and setting them on top of your recycling cart on trash day.

2. Make sure your home emergency kit is up to date. If you don’t have one, put one together this weekend.

3. Adjust the automatic timers that are controlling lights inside and outside your home. This will help save energy, too, as the days get longer. 

4. Check your irrigation timer to make sure you’re watering between dusk and dawn, which saves water lost to evaporation. 

5. If you’re walking or biking, wear reflective strips, bright colors and carry a light (make sure your bike has front and back lights if you’re riding in the dark). Learn more.

Preserving our agricultural heritage

On Tuesday, the City Council awarded $374,000 in grants to support agricultural, coastal and wetland restoration projects that enhance quality of life in Carlsbad, including a “living shoreline” project that will restore a section of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

Funding for the grants comes from fees paid by developers when former agricultural land in the city’s coastal zone is used for development. A seven-member citizens committee appointed by the City Council reviews the grant applications and recommends projects for funding.

• The largest grant, $230,000, was awarded to Carlsbad Aquafarms to create a living shoreline project on 11,483 square feet of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, east of I-5 near the strawberry fields.
• Living shorelines use natural materials such as plants, sand or rocks to stabilize a coastal edge. Unlike concrete seawalls or other hard structures, which inhibit plant growth, living shorelines grow over time.
• The aquafarm project will install native Olympia oyster reefs and Eelgrass meadows to provide foraging and a habitat area for a diverse community of fish, invertebrates and birds. This will all help improve water quality and stabilize the shoreline.
• The project will take about three years to complete, including planning, restoration and post-restoration monitoring.

Other grants awarded include:

• $62,000 to the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation for improvements to its Discovery Center.
• $50,000 to the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch for a pilot project in a controlled area to test whether recycled water mixed with drinking water can be used in flower production. (Recycled water on its own has too much salt for certain flowers.)
• $30,687 to the Buena Vista Audubon Society for making improvements that increase energy efficiency at its nature center.

Read the staff report.

Art all around us

The City of Carlsbad has a very high-quality cultural arts program that provides so many different ways for residents to experience different kinds of art. Here are two coming up:

Pop Up Art: An Interactive Encounter – Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Dove Library

Showtime @ The Schulman Soto Six Jazz Sextet Saturday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.

New downtown mural

Speaking of art, next time you’re in the Village, head over to the Coaster Station to see our newest city mural on the west facing wall of the newly renovated New Village Arts building.

• Last year, artists submitted proposals for a Carlsbad-centric mural at the downtown site. The winning design was eventually selected by a panel of representatives from the Carlsbad Village Association, the North County Transit District and New Village Arts.
• The 97-foot-by-16-foot mural, titled “Passengers,” is considered temporary public art, meaning it can remain on the building for up to five years.
• The artist was inspired by the location in Carlsbad Village and some of the things that make Carlsbad unique, including the arts, travel, Carlsbad’s agricultural history and the ocean.
• It depicts a performer in a theatrical pose (a theater arts student served as the model) pointing toward the entrance to New Village Arts. Ocean-like colors are layered throughout the painting.
• Glass vases with flowers are a nod to Carlsbad’s Flower Fields. One of the vases shows a reflection of the Village COASTER Station roofline and palm trees. That part of the mural is also interactive – you can take a selfie that looks like you’re holding the vase.
• The artist also incorporated the structural features of the building into the mural, which actually hides a working loading dock.
• The mural is the latest example of the city’s temporary public art program and just one of the ways we support arts and culture in our community.

Heads up – Weekend rail closure

Another agency we work with often is the North County Transit District. They asked us to help get the word out about this weekend’s planned rail service closure.

• All coastal rail line service will be suspended between the Oceanside Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot in San Diego this weekend for routine maintenance and rail infrastructure work.
• The North County Transit District schedules these closures periodically so crews can work safely while making improvements and doing maintenance along the rail line.
• Regular service will resume on Monday, March 13.
• Because the weekend rail work could require speed restrictions afterward, COASTER passengers may experience delays of up to 10-15 minutes on Monday.

You can learn more on the transit district website by clicking on the COASTER tab.

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, March 14, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council chamber. Topics scheduled to be discussed include:

• An agreement with SDG&E to install and maintain the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations at a city parking lot on State Street  
• Awarding an agreement to inspect and maintain the roofs of city-owned buildings
• Authorizing bidding on a project to complete part of the Coastal Rail Trail along Avenida Encinas, with new bicycle lanes, pedestrian ramps, sidewalks and other measures to improve traffic safety
• Approving an agreement with a landscape architecture firm to review landscape plans for private development projects
• Considering applying the city’s policy on equal employment opportunity and workplace civility to elected and appointed officials 
• Modifying the city’s order for 40 police patrol vehicles because manufacturers will not have the city’s preferred hybrid models available 
• Authorizing city staff to negotiate with the owner of The Shoppes at Carlsbad over the possible sale or lease of the parking lots the city owns around the shopping center 
• Creating a policy for the city and the Carlsbad Municipal Water District on setting fees in relation to the city’s actual costs as well as the related community benefits
• Appointing a new member to the city’s Senior Commission

A link to the full agenda and staff reports will be available on the city’s website no later than Friday. You can watch the meeting live on the city’s website or cable TV channel.

These city meetings are also taking place next week:

• March 13, 6 p.m. – Historic Preservation Commission
• March 14, 9 a.m. – Legislative Subcommittee
• March 15, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission

That’s all I’ve got (I know, it was a lot this week). Thanks for making it to the end. I hope you have a nice weekend and can sneak in some outdoor time between rainstorms. Stay dry, stay safe, and thank you for continuing to #Care4Carlsbad.

Scott Chadwick, Carlsbad City Manager

CarlsbadConnects app is an easy way to report things that need repair or attention around town, like potholes, sidewalk cracks, traffic light outages, graffiti and code enforcement issues. Submit service requests anonymously or create a free account where you can track progress and see what other people have reported.

Read more

City of Carlsbad | Website

City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Carlsbad City Library

Announcing the 2023 Carlsbad Reads Together book selections!

Carlsbad Reads Together is an annual celebration connecting the entire Carlsbad community through reading. Special programming and events for Carlsbad Reads Together begin in April, but you can start reading today!

Carlsbad Reads Together is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Carlsbad Library.

My Path to Carlsbad story showcase

Submissions accepted March 1 – 30

Stories on display at the Georgina Cole Library April 1 – 30

Storytelling has the power to change our assumptions, deepen understanding of others’ experiences and connect us as a community. As part of this years’ Carlsbad Reads Together program, the Carlsbad City Library would like to create a special exhibit featuring stories of how your family arrived in Carlsbad. Stories will be artfully showcased in the Georgina Cole Library display case and shared on the Carlsbad Reads Together webpage through April 2023.

To share your story, use the “My Path to Carlsbad” form online or submit your story in person at any Information desk at our three library locations. Story stations will also be available at the Carlsbad Senior Center and Lola’s 7 Up Market & Deli during the month of March to collect submissions.

Grow Your Garden

Harold E. Smerdu Community Garden -1250 Laguna Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 April 1, 10 a.m.

Carlsbad City Library’s Grow Your Garden program lets you swap succulents, seeds, fruit, vegetables and herbs from your garden with neighbors and learn new gardening techniques. The April 1 workshop will be focused on Organic Gardening with Richard Wright.

Fix-It Clinic

Schulman Auditorium Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

This Fix-It Clinics will feature live demonstrations and repair classes for electronics, small appliances, bicycles and clothes. Register online to attend this Fix-It Clinic.

Bring your broken things for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. Come participate or watch, learn and get inspired at this free, fun-for-all ages event.

Crafty St. Patty’s Day Take & Make Kits 

March 1 – 17  Adults Ages 18+

Explore your creative side and celebrate St. Patty’s Day by making wearable flair!  Pick up a take-and-make kit from any of the three locations, while supplies last.  

Kits include all the materials needed to create a boutonnière and instructions to access Creativebug, your ticket to a world of online arts and crafts courses through eResources. 

Exploration HUB

Come in and visit the Exploration HUB, Carlsbad City Library’s technology lab and makerspace located at the Dove Library.

Sign up for a free class or club. Classes and clubs are for patrons 13 and older unless otherwise indicated.  

Silhouette Cameo: Paper Quilling  Monday, Mar. 13, 3 – 4:30 p.m. 

Paper quilling is the art of cutting, rolling, pinching and gluing long, thin strips of paper into different shapes to create a piece of art. Learn how to make your own quilling supplies using the Silhouette Cameo and create a piece of art. 

Intermediate Arduino: Fun with RGB (Red Green Blue) LEDs  Saturday, Mar. 18, Noon–1 p.m. 

Tired of using the same old single-color LEDs? Learn how to connect and control RGB LEDs with Arduino and add some color to your electronics projects. 

Genealogy Programs & Services

Focus On: New York City Research 

Two March sessions to choose from:  Tuesday, March 7, 2-4 p.m. & Tuesday, March 21, 2-4 p.m. 

Library Learning Center, 3368 Eureka Place, upstairs computer lab

This class will explore ways to find New York City records for genealogy research, focusing on the mid-1800s through the early 20th century. This hands-on computer class is for ages 13 and older. A Carlsbad City Library card with internet privileges is required. Register for a session. 

Ask a Genealogist

Whether you’re just getting started in genealogy, or need help breaking down a brick wall, you can “Ask a Genealogist” during a special one-hour appointment with staff at the Cole Library. Staff will help you navigate the library’s highly regarded print and online resources to answer your specific genealogy questions. Complete the “Ask a Genealogist” form to get started.

Genealogy Partnership Programs 

For a list of free, monthly partnership programs offered by the Carlsbad City Library and North San Diego County Genealogical Society, please view the genealogy programs calendar. 

Celebrate the Academy Awards

Love movies? Learn more about Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony before Sunday, March 12.To view some of this year’s nominees, join us in the Schulman Auditorium at the Dove Library during the Wednesday Night Film Series. Seating begins at 5:30 p.m., with films starting at 6 p.m.Watch even more movies with the Kanopy and Hoopla streaming services, free with a Carlsbad City Library card.

Celebrate Women’s History Month

Beginning in March, visit your favorite Carlsbad City Library location in-person or online and find displays and digital resources celebrating the historical and modern-day achievements of women.

• Visit Hoopla Digital and view the Women’s History Collection
• Discover Kanopy’s Women’s History Month collection
• Check out books, eBooks and eAudiobooks from the Carlsbad City Library collection

Try our free Personalized Reading Recommendation Service to get book suggestions tailored to your interests.

AARP Foundation Tax Help Offered at Senior Center

Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Tuesdays and Thursdays  8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Schedule an appointment at the Senior Center front desk or call 442-339-2650. Walk-ins accepted from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Now through April 13 

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers provide taxpayers in communities nationwide with free tax preparation and filing services. Volunteers are trained and IRS certified every year to ensure they are familiar with the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. For more information, visit the Senior Center webpage

Take the Pledge: Safer Streets Together

National traffic safety trends show a dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths, with the first quarter of 2022 showing the highest number of deaths in two decades. Here in Carlsbad, injury collisions involving bikes and e-bikes have increased over 200% since 2019. 

Show your commitment to safer streets together in 2023. Take the pledge to do your part to keep Carlsbad’s streets safe for everyone who drives, bikes and walks in our beautiful community. 

After taking the pledge for safer streets, order a free yard sign or window cling to share your commitment with your friends and neighbors. Learn more at carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets. 

We’re here to help

We’re available to answer your questions over the phone, through our chat service or by email during open library hours.

• Email: librarian@carlsbadca.gov
• Chat with us.
• Para ayuda en español 442-339-5500 o bilingual@carlsbadca.gov

All Carlsbad City Library location hours

Monday – Thursday – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. • Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library 442-339-20491775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011

Georgina Cole Library 442-339-2870 1250 Carlsbad Village Dr Carlsbad, CA 92008

Library Learning Center 442-339-5500 3368 Eureka Place Carlsbad, CA 92008

City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Today is National Pizza Day, and if you make it to the end of this week’s update, I will share a fun pizza-related fact about Carlsbad’s history. Here’s what you’ll learn along the way:

• How one local principal is saving lives, one e-bike rider at a time
• More traffic safety projects moving forward, and the questions they’re raising
• Special meeting next week on District 2 appointment to the City Council
• Update on programs to address homelessness
• Clean Energy Alliance has grown, rates 8% lower
• Preparing for an earthquake
• New sculptures ready for their close up
• Get involved: Upcoming meetings 

“Filling the heads of middle schoolers”

The city has been making an extra effort to reach middle schoolers and their parents about the importance of e-bike safety. This is because at that age kids haven’t had driver’s ed, yet are operating bikes that go as fast as cars on city streets.

Aviara Oaks Principal Rose Flowers is one step ahead of us, doing individual safety checks every afternoon as students leave on their e-bikes and pedal bikes. Watch Rose in action and hear why she took our Safer Streets Together pledge:

We were at Aviara Oaks Middle School this afternoon handing out yard signs and window clings as we promoted the pledge drive. If you haven’t taken the pledge yet, it’s very easy and here is the link. All you need to do is agree with this statement:

P.S. If you HAVE taken the pledge and requested a yard sign and window cling, rest assured we have not forgotten about you. We were simply overwhelmed with the response! If you don’t want to wait, you can pick up these items at city libraries and the Farmer’s Market. Otherwise, they should be delivered to you shortly (along with a few extras you can share with friends and family).  

Traffic safety fundamentals

The city’s new and newly accelerated projects to redesign city roads are spurring important conversations at the city’s Traffic & Mobility Commission and City Council meetings. Here’s a synopsis:

• Speed is one of the biggest factors in deaths and serious injuries from traffic collisions.
• Speed is largely a function of road design, not speed limits, as many people believe.
• People tend to drive as fast as conditions allow.
• By law, we can’t set the speed limit much lower than people actually drive or else it’s considered a speed trap.
• So, the way to slow down traffic is to first redesign the road so people naturally drive more slowly.
• Then, once we can establish people are driving more slowly, we can officially reduce the speed limit.

As we narrow more lanes of traffic, people are noticing it feels uncomfortable. So, hopefully this explains the rationale. We are using road design to change the way people drive. If you’re used to driving fast down a wide lane, you’re hopefully going to drive a little more slowly when the lane is narrowed. We’ve added some information about street design to our website, including examples of different ways street design works to change the behaviors of people who use our streets.

Some of the specific projects discussed this week include:

• Adding speed tables and raised crosswalks to Tamarack Avenue between Adams and Skyline.
• Reconfiguring the lanes on major east-west corridors streets to manage speeds and provide a better balance for all modes of travel (like walking and biking).
• Reconfiguring the intersection of Tamarack and Carlsbad Boulevard.

I’ll tell you more about these projects in the coming weeks, but in the meantime you can click on the links for details.

I know I’ve shared this before, but I want to emphasize that many, many different considerations go into redesigning streets.

• Some have expressed concerns that we are favoring bikes over cars. 
• I can understand why people could think this – we have been focusing on bikes because of the dramatic increase in bike collisions, which was the impetus for our traffic emergency.

The overall plan for city streets, which the City Council approved in 2015, calls for rebalancing the use of our streets based on their locations and primary use.

• Streets like El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Road will always be heavily traveled by cars. Other streets, like Carlsbad Boulevard, should be designed for slower travel to encourage favorable conditions for driving, biking and walking. 
• City staff shared the images below at this week’s Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting to show two different approaches to street design, based on the location and function of the road.

Not one size fits all

Sidewalk improvements

Speaking of sidewalks, part of the City of Carlsbad’s commitment to safer streets is creating and maintaining sidewalks that help pedestrians move around the city safely. On Tuesday, the City Council awarded a project to build new sidewalks at three relatively busy locations where there are now gaps.

• The east side of Garfield Street, between Tamarack Avenue and Redwood Avenue
• The west side of Tamarack Avenue, from approximately 700 feet south of Kirkwall Avenue to 550 feet north of Edinburgh Drive
• The east side of Monroe Street, between Marron Road and the driveway entrance to The Shoppes at Carlsbad

These locations were identified in our Sustainable Mobility Plan, adopted by the City Council in January 2021.  

Carlsbad Boulevard resurfacing

We are continuing work to resurface southbound Carlsbad Boulevard from Manzano Drive to Island Way. We resurface streets on a regular basis to keep them in good shape and help extend their useful life.

Impacts Feb. 9 – 10

• North Ponto Beach parking lot, the dirt parking lot just south of Palomar Airport Road (known as Turnarounds) and parking just south of Solamar will be closed on Thursday and Friday.
• The shoulder and bike lane from Manzano Drive to Island Way will be closed to cyclists and walkers.
• Drivers and cyclists should use caution to share the road. Signs will direct traffic.

Filling the District 2 vacancy

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the City Council will hold a special meeting to consider applicants for the District 2 seat left vacant when Keith Blackburn was elected Mayor. The term ends in 2024.

• Eight residents submitted applications by the Feb. 2 deadline. The applications have been posted to the city’s website in the order they were submitted.
• Each applicant will be invited to make a four-minute oral presentation at Wednesday’s meeting, which starts at 3 p.m. District 2 residents were asked to submit topics by Feb. 8 that they wanted applicants to address.
• A simple majority (three of the four current City Council members) is required to make an appointment.
• The appointment must be made by Feb. 24. Otherwise, the seat would be filled by a special election on Nov. 7.
• Under the Carlsbad Municipal Code, the City Council had the initial option of holding a special election or using an appointment process to fill the seat.
• Had the City Council decided on a special election, it could not have been held until Nov. 7 at an estimated cost of $275,000 to $475,000.
• The code also specifies that a person appointed to a City Council position may not run for that same office until one year after the appointment ends.

If a new member is appointed at the meeting, the swearing-in would take place at the meeting. Once the full City Council is seated, the City Council may consider the other item on the agenda, regarding the organization of the City Council, including appointments to various regional agencies, boards and committees.

This meeting, like all City Council meetings, will be livestreamed on our cable channel and website. The agenda packet has the topic suggestions submitted by the public. You can find that on our meetings and agendas page of the website. 

New progress on efforts to reduce homelessness and its effects on the community

On Tuesday, the City Council approved actions that will continue the city’s progress on reducing homelessness and its effects on the local community. All support the city’s overall strategy of directing resources where they will have the biggest impact on Carlsbad while leveraging regional programs already in place.

The actions taken by the City Council Tuesday include:

• Approving an updated Homelessness Action Plan, which includes the programs and initiatives the city plans to carry out over the next five years and the measures that will be used to track success.
• Approving agreements to accept a $2 million grant the city secured from the County of San Diego to expand Carlsbad’s only homeless shelter to be able to serve women and families for the first time in the shelter’s 30-year history. The La Posada de Guadalupe emergency shelter is operated by the nonprofit Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego through a long-running partnership with the City of Carlsbad.

What are we doing – If you’re not familiar with what the city has been doing to address the local effects of this regional, statewide and national problem, here’s a recap:

• In 2017, the City of Carlsbad was one of the first in the region to develop a plan to combat homelessness at the city level
• A specially trained Homeless Outreach Team in the Police Department is focused on compassionate enforcement
• Contracted social workers, benefits specialists, rapid rehousing specialists and other resources focus on transitioning people successfully into long-term housing and preventing new people from becoming homeless
• Expanding Carlsbad’s only homeless shelter will allow women and families to stay there for the first time
• Cleaning up encampments so they don’t pose a health and safety concern to the community
• Creating more affordable housing options can help prevent homelessness
• A special program with the Humane Society temporarily cares for the pets of people experiencing homelessness so they can qualify for short-term programs that may not allow pets
• Updates to the city’s municipal code address the quality-of-life impacts of homelessness for local residents and businesses

In the last fiscal year, the city successfully placed 62 people into permanent housing and 110 into temporary shelters where they could receive needed services. 

Energy prices and what’s happening in Carlsbad

I know energy prices have been top of mind, especially with the recent spike in natural gas. On the electricity front, we got some welcome news this week when the head of our community choice energy joint powers authority, the Clean Energy Alliance, gave an update to the City Council.

• 
  Since May 2021, the Clean Energy Alliance has been providing local residents and businesses with the option of buying power from cleaner sources.
• Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach were the founding cities in November 2019. Since then, four more cities – Escondido, San Marcos, Vista and Oceanside – have joined.
• SDG&E still delivers the energy, but the alliance purchases the power first and builds in renewable energy sources to provide a minimum 50% renewable energy supply for customers.
• Through the program, we’ve reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 50%.
• We’re also meeting our goal to provide competitive rates, saving customers an average of 2% on their power generation costs compared to SDG&E.
• In 2023, the savings will be even bigger. Carlsbad customers will pay about 8.7% less on their monthly energy bills than they would have under SDG&E.
• We don’t expect this kind of savings as a rule, but we are pleased to be on track to meet the 2% goal over the long run.

Learn more on the Clean Energy Alliance website. 

What to do with leftover paint

Another way the City of Carlsbad is caring for the environment and our natural resources, which is a key part of the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, is by making it easy to dispose of items safely.

This week I have tips on what to do with old paint. It might not seem like it, but paint is considered household hazardous waste, meaning that it cannot be placed in the trash. Luckily there are several easy recycling or disposal options available to you.

• The state offers a PaintCare program that accepts water and oil-based paints at many local paint retailers. Most paints come with a fee at purchase that pays for this program, so drop-off is at no additional cost. Find a location.
• Carlsbad residents can also drop off used paints at the CleanEarth Facility at no cost, or you may schedule a pickup for a $10 fee by calling 800-714-1195.
• Never put old paint in your trash can.

Learn more on our Reduce, Reuse, Recycle webpage or email us at reducereuserecycle@carlsbad.gov. 

Preparing for an earthquake

The photos coming out of Turkey following Monday’s earthquake are heartbreaking. And, they show how quickly a natural disaster can strike.

When we see something like this happen, it’s a good time to check our own emergency preparedness. The city has invested heavily in our emergency response capabilities. For our community to be truly prepared, we need residents to also get ready.

This page on the city’s website has links to a Carlsbad-specific emergency preparedness guide and a link to sign up your mobile phone for Alert San Diego, which is like a reverse 9-1-1- system that notifies you in case of an emergency. Another quick way to get prepared is to download the County of San Diego’s emergency app, also linked on that page.

Here is some information specific to earthquakes.

New exhibition at Sculpture Garden  

If you’d like to experience a little art this weekend, we have just installed a new exhibition at the Carlsbad Sculpture Garden.

Fusion: Geometric Garden

Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Carlsbad Sculpture Garden

2955 Elmwood St.

The new exhibit focuses attention on the beauty of angular lines, shapes and connectedness through geometric forms.

Supporting the arts is one of the nine core values that make up Carlsbad’s Community Vision and an important component to community character, another key goal in the city’s new strategic plan I mentioned earlier. Learn more.

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, Feb. 14, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council chamber. Topics scheduled to be discussed include:

• An economic and financial update for the second quarter of the current fiscal year 
• Approving a workers’ compensation settlement for a retired police sergeant 
• Amending a construction agreement for improvements to our Police and Fire Headquarters building
• An agreement with other water districts that will enable the Carlsbad Municipal Water District to receive federal grants to help pay for water reclamation projects 
• Adopting an ordinance that will make the rules governing the city’s Arts Commission consistent with those of the other commissions 
• Updating the city’s list of fees to include a way for people to list their properties as historic buildings and receive a property tax break for restoring and maintaining a historic property
• The annual work plan for the city’s Housing Commission 
• Amending an agreement to develop construction plans for the renovation of the Monroe Street Pool so an updated cost estimate can be completed
• Deciding whether to put a discussion on a future agenda about how projects in the Village and Barrio are approved
• Appointing a new member of the city’s Senior Commission

Here’s a link to the agenda and staff reports. You can watch the meeting live on the city’s website or cable TV channel.

In addition to the special City Council meeting happening next Wednesday, these city meetings are taking place next week:

• Feb. 13, 3:30 p.m. – Economic Development Subcommittee
• Feb. 14, 9 a.m. – Legislative Subcommittee

Tonight was our first safe driving virtual workshop, one of several we will be hosting for Carlsbad residents. You can sign up for future workshops on the city’s website.

Finally, our new Citizens Police Academy still has a few open spots. The next session starts Feb. 23 and runs for seven weeks. The academy’s goal is to foster strong relationships with the community and is a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at our city Police Department. Find out all of the dates and how to apply on the city’s website.

Before I sign off, just a quick traffic safety reminder for Super Bowl Sunday. Please be sure to plan ahead if you’re hosting or attending gatherings with alcohol. Our Police Department will have extra patrols out with a specific focus on drivers who may be under the influence. Designate a driver or take a ride-sharing service if you need to.

Okay, if you made it all the way to the end, here is my bit of Carlsbad history with a pizza connection: does anyone recognize this building?* Extra points if you can name the street (as it was named back then). Many thanks to our staff who manage the history collection at the library, who provided this photo. 

Have a great weekend.

Scott Chadwick, Carlsbad City Manager

*This building, located on Carlsbad Village Drive (which used to be called Elm Avenue) is now home to Pizza Port.  

CarlsbadConnects app is an easy way to report things that need repair or attention around town, like potholes, sidewalk cracks, traffic light outages, graffiti and code enforcement issues. Submit service requests anonymously or create a free account where you can track progress and see what other people have reported. Read more