... you can promote your upcoming holiday craft fair, or the school's community fundraiser and other events for free on the Community Events Calendar on the city's home page.  Events must be held in Chula Vista and open to the public.  Some activities not allowed include private yard sales, real estate open houses and business sales. Check it out, CLICK HERE.

...on September 20, the Chula Vista Police Department held its 5th Annual Shoe & Sock Giveaway at Payless Shoesource in the Chula Vista Center.  In partnership with local schools and South Bay Community Services, 284 local less fortunate students were given new shoes and socks compliments of the Chula Vista Police Foundation, Sycuan and other donors.  Receiving new shoes and socks helps build their confidence and allows them to focus on their studies. The pre-selected children also received a backpack filled with school supplies.  Thanks to all who supported this worthy cause and helped bring a smile to these deserving children.

...our Recreation Department is conducting a photo contest during the month of October.  Amateur and professional photographers of all ages are invited to enter through October 30 and share the fun of Recreation via your pictures!  Photos must be taken of you, your family or friends enjoying any of the City's Recreation facilities or Aquatic Centers.  To enter, post the picture to the Recreation Facebook page, CLICK HERE, and include #cvrec. Then encourage your friends to vote by liking your picture.  The picture with the most likes, wins the contest!  Don't do Facebook?  No problem - just EMAIL the picture with your complete contact information and we'll post it for you.  For more information, contact Gil Contreras, Principal Recreation Manager, at (619) 585-5619 or EMAIL.

...to help make our city infrastructure more energy efficient, we've contracted with Black & Veatch, a world leader in engineering design and construction.  The consultant will advise the City as we plan software, hardware and communications networks, energy, water and other systems.  Black & Veatch will help the City realize our smart city vision, including the development of the Chula Vista Bayfront with the Port of San Diego, while promoting quality and curbing costs.

...although it's October, the Chula Vista Police Activities League (CVPAL), is collecting donations now for needy families during the holidays.  Donations of cash, toys, gift cards and wrapping paper can be dropped off in the lobby of the Chula Vista Police Department now through December 12.  Especially needed are new unwrapped toys for children ages 9 through 13, and gift cards for young teens 14-17 years of age.  Some gift card suggestions are movie theatres, restaurants, Target, Walmart, etc.  No bicycles or electronics are needed.  Checks can be made payable to CVPAL, c/o Nicolle DePriest, CVPD, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA  91910.  Selected families are suggested by the Chula Vista Elementary School District and the Chula Vista Welfare Council.  Last year, CVPAL assisted approximately 300 families and 1,200 children, with hopes to provide gifts to over 1,200 children again this year.  For more information, please call Shelly Robillard at (619) 691-5146.

...fun Fridays are planned at Heritage Community Center this month during the Open Rec & Read program beginning at 3 p.m.  The free Halloween themed activities will be held at the Center, 1381 East Palomar Street, for elementary school aged children, on October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

...an alternative for high school students will open in Chula Vista in November. Designed for those high school students who are having difficulty at a traditional school, are at risk of dropping out, or have already dropped out, Catapult Academy is a  tuition-free option for students in grades 9-12 who want to complete their high school education and earn a diploma. The high school program offers virtual online learning anytime; or students can work online and attend flexible sessions with the added support of small-group instruction led by certified teachers.  It is open to all high school students in San Diego County with enrollment now open for November classes.  The first in San Diego County, Catapult Academy provides laptops and everything else needed to complete work at the resource center, located at 1655 Broadway in the Sommerset Plaza East. Students graduate with a valid high school diploma and a graduation ceremony is held.  Two sessions will be available at the resource center:  7 a.m. to noon and noon to 5 p.m. To enroll or for more information, visit the center or call (619) 363-3782. 
 
...foodies of fine Italian dining will be happy to hear that Via Lago Trattoria is staying in Chula Vista!  Sudberry Properties, Inc., reported the Busalacchi-family restaurant has selected a new, larger location within the Village Walk at Eastlake center and will remain a long-term tenant.  The redesigned layout will feature indoor and outdoor dining areas along with a new menu created specifically for the location incorporating local craft beers and expanded dessert selections.  The current restaurant will remain open during the transition.

   

...a trained dog is a happy dog!  To help you and Fido, our Recreation Department is offering a basic dog obedience course with the goal of having you and your dog live an active, healthy and happy life together.  Open to dogs of any age with proof of current vaccinations, the class will cover the seven basic commands, focus on socialization, training, and responsibility.  Classes will be held Tuesday evenings October 6 through December 15 at Rohr Park from 6 to 7 p.m.  Fee is $75 for Chula Vista residents and $95 for non-residents.  To register, CLICK HERE.

...Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) has held four "Coffee with a Cop" events at various neighborhoods in the City.  The event is an opportunity for you to meet your neighbors as well as the officers who work in your neighborhood, ask questions, and voice your concerns.  It's a great way to get to know each other in a relaxed informal atmosphere!  Plans are underway for another Coffee with a Cop later this year...check the City's Facebook page for details. 

...a new unique class is being offered to teach you and your child how to fish!  Fishing Adventure will be held on Saturdays from October 24 to November 21, at the Lower Otay Lake from 10 a.m. to noon.  For $99, one adult and one youth (at least 8 years of age) are taught basic fishing knowledge and skills including terminology of fish species, boat safety, fish habitat, catch and release, and how to tie knots.  Offered by the Chula Vista Recreation Department, registration is for one adult and one child and the adult must accompany the child at all times.  All equipment and instruction is included but not a fishing license.  To register or for more information, call (619) 409-1999.

...progress continues on the I-805 South Express Lanes Project, a $1.1 billion effort to create a modern new transportation backbone for South County. Since construction began on Phase 1 in summer 2012, eight miles of new carpool lanes - one in each direction - have been constructed between East Naples Street in Chula Vista and State Route 94 in San Diego. Additionally, construction was completed on 10 sound walls along the route to help lower freeway noise and improve the quality of life for nearby residents. Construction is underway on a Direct Access Ramp (DAR), Transit Station, and Park & Ride at East Palomar Street. For updates on the I-805 South Express Lanes Project, please CLICK HERE, call the Construction Hotline at (888) 941-5005, or EMAIL.

...the Otay Ranch Branch Library will be expanding its weekend hours and also will now include Sundays!  Beginning Sunday, October 18, new library hours will be Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.  The branch will celebrate with a "Swing into the Library" free swing dance class and dance on Sunday, October 18.  The class, led by instructors Jack and Carolann Eskridge, will take place at 2 p.m. followed by a dance from 3 to 5 p.m.  Music will be provided by the fabulous Downtown Big Band.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the free class requires no registration.  Stop on by and bring your dancing shoes!

...and thanks to the expanded library hours at the Otay Ranch Branch, the Passport Office also will add hours as follows:  Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday-Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m.  Funding for the expanded hours at the branch is due in part to a $10,000 grant from the Chula Vista Library Foundation.  Plan your trip and pack your bags!

...although there is road construction on Third Avenue, the Downtown Farmer's Market is still open every Thursday!  You can find the fresh, seasonal and healthy market on Center Street, just off Third Avenue, from 3 to 7 p.m. through October, and 3 to 6 p.m. during the winter months.  Can't find a place on Third Avenue to park?  There is plenty of parking available in the free parking garage behind Fuddrucker's across the street, then just use the crosswalk.   Stop by for the freshest fruits, vegetables, and flowers and don't forget the delicious snacks from the food vendors!