Community Connection is here!

May 2016 (Click HERE to visit the City's Calendar)

Contents: In this issue...

Articles		Every Issue
1 - Check It Out!	3 - Distracted Driving Results	Did You Know...
2 - New Parking Law	4 - Road to Rio: Olympic Spotlight	Events
		Contacts

Check It Out!

Not many cities can claim to feature an official Olympic Training Center... but we can! In 2014, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) contacted the City of Chula Vista to gauge interest in taking title to the Olympic Training Center and continuing to operate it as an official training site.

After a comprehensive negotiation endeavor, the City Council unanimously approved the land transfer and core operating agreement of the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center to the City effective January 2017. Point Loma Trust (PLT) was selected to operate the Center on behalf of the City on this groundbreaking endeavor.

The site will continue to be operated as an official Olympic and Paralympic Training Site for high performance

athletes but also will be used for special events, clinics, and other activities associated with sports. This format will change the current operation to a revenue-generating model which will ensure the site remains a great sports legacy for the City of Chula Vista and the region. A new name for the facility is the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (CVTC), a USOC Olympic and Paralympic Training Site.

Part of the agreement involves the USOC making a minimum annual payment to the City of Chula Vista of $3 million which guarantees the full-time use of 60 beds and related services. An additional 173 beds will be available, programmed and rented to the USOC, National Governing Bodies of various sports, international athletes, and colleges and high school teams for training and sports clinics. In addition, the USOC will continue to fund 11 sport performance employees and the sports medical clinic at the site.

Built in 1995, the Center currently hosts athletes in archery, beach volleyball, BMX, canoe/kayak, cycling, field hockey, rowing, rugby, soccer, tennis, track & field, triathlon, and cross-training activities for winter sports. It is anticipated that these sports will continue to train at the CVTC with additional capacity for other sports.

If you've never been to the site, located at 2800 Olympic Parkway, it's quite beautiful and expansive. Take a drive east and check out this newly acquired City gem! And don't forget to cheer on the athletes - many who are training at the Center right now - during the Summer Olympic games in Rio.

New Parking Law

Got an RV, boat trailer or dune buggy parked on a City street? This month, the City of Chula Vista will be enforcing a new law that restricts recreational vehicle parking on City streets except by permit. The 24-hour permit allows residents to park their recreational vehicle on the street near their residence. After an extensive review process, the permit ordinance was designed to balance the needs of RV owners while addressing the concerns of the community regarding traffic, health and safety. Many RVs were parked on City streets for

extended periods of times and blocked drivers' sight distance, access to driveways and bike lanes. It is illegal to park any of the following vehicles on City streets without a valid City permit: recreational vehicles, camp trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, trailer coaches, folding camper trailers, mobile homes, dune buggies/off-road/all-terrain vehicles, house cars, trailers for equipment such as boats, jet skis, vehicles or animals. Any other motorized or towed vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for recreational purposes is affected by this new enforcement.

Permits will be limited to 72 permits per resident per year with proof of residency or tenancy required as well as proof of vehicle ownership or control. Additionally, permits can be issued for a maximum of three consecutive days. Chula Vista residents may also purchase a permit for guests with recreational vehicles.

Residents can buy a permit online or in person at the Finance Department, located at 276 Fourth Avenue, Building A. Finance is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost of the daily permit is $2 and all other parking restrictions apply to the permitted vehicle. Vehicles without a valid permit will be cited and fined a minimum of $100. Enforcement begins May 16.

Chula Vista Police Officers are providing courtesy notices to recreational vehicle owners as part of the public outreach in advance of the new law. For more information, visit the Parking page on our website.

Distracted Driving Results

Almost everyone has seen a driver distracted by a cell phone, but often you don't realize that distracted driver is YOU! There is no safe way to use a cell phone while driving. Distracted driving takes many forms, but cell phone use is at the top. Research shows the brain remains distracted for 27 seconds after dialing, changing music or sending a text using voice commands.

In an effort to keep our community safe, Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) conducted six Distracted Driving operations during the month of April. In addition, four other Distracted Driving operations have been held since January. Funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the special operations allowed off-duty CVPD to concentrate only on this effort while on-duty officers maintained their regular daily calls of car accidents, burglaries, domestic violence, missing persons and so much more.

During the ten operations, consisting of four hours each, a total of 881 drivers were cited for cell phone use while driving. Of these, 416 were using their cell phone and 295 were texting. That's way too many people not paying attention to the road in our City!

Ticketing drivers was not the focus of the "U Drive, U Text, U Pay" campaign, but rather to have drivers understand the importance of focusing on their driving. "As we rely on our cell phones more and more in our everyday lives, we seem to be kidding ourselves in thinking that they don't affect our driving," said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. "Crashes are up. The scientific evidence is solid. The dangers are real, and they apply to all of us. We need to silence the distractions."

In 2014, 3,179 people were killed and an additional 431,000 were injured in collisions involving distracted drivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. That same year, inattention collisions resulted in the death of 104 people and the injury of 11,436 others in California.

CVPD Traffic Officer Brian Carter stated, "the Chula Vista Police Department Traffic Division takes a firm stance on Distracted Driving...especially since one of our Officers was seriously injured in a traffic collision that was caused by a texting driver."

Don't be a statistic! Please put down your devices, concentrate on driving, and help keep the roadways safe for all of us.

Road to Rio: Olympic Spotlight

Rugby Sevens is making its debut at the 2016 Olympics. Played on a standard-sized rugby union field, there are seven players on each side. Rugby sevens originated in Melrose, Scotland, in 1883; today it is played in dozens of countries. Two teams attempt to score tries, moving an oval-shaped ball from player to player by hand, always passing it backwards or sideways - forward throws are not allowed. The game is fast-paced and

action-packed with a rugby sevens match lasting 15 minutes.

Athlete spotlight - Victoria Folayan

Folayan's first time seeing the game of rugby wasn't until her senior year of high school when she was on a recruiting trip at Stanford University. As she watched from the sidelines, one of the girls playing invited her on the field, and that is how Folayan experienced her first taste of rugby! After two years of playing college rugby, Folayan graduated and became a member of the All-Blues, a National Championship winning club. She was invited to play rugby sevens and compete for the National Team in 2013. Victoria's nickname on the team is Vix and she plays the position of hooker, hooking the ball back to a teammate during a scrum (formation of players).

Did you know...

...congratulations to this year's CLEAN Champions who have demonstrated exceptional environmental leadership. These winners have directly contributed to achieving clean air, clean water, and clean land within our community. Resident winner is Tungchinbg Yim who utilizes several sustainable practices; Business is

General Growth Properties (Otay Ranch Town Center) for installing solar panels, a recycled water system, and LED lighting; Organization is Salt Creek Elementary School and Tim Kriss for composting efforts and a school gardening program; Youth is Noelle Watkins from Camarena Elementary School who encourages others to compost, makes public speaking engagements on composting, and gives tours of the school garden; Employee is Rick Rubel from the City's Public Works custodial section who enthusiastically supports recycling by recommending new processes that have improved the City's waste and recycling procedures. Thank you all for being such great role models!

...there has been some exciting construction happening on our City's west side. New developments include the Gateway Marketplace on Fourth Avenue and C Streets which will feature Aldi Grocery Store, Party City, Hobby Lobby and Smart & Final; Third & Moss Shopping Center has so far signed a 99 Cents Only store and Chuze Fitness; Verizon is building a new location on the corner of H and Broadway where a Firehouse Sub will also be housed; and Tacos el Gordo is moving from H Street to 556 Broadway (old Butcher Shop location) providing a larger restaurant with lots of parking! Other new stores opened recently include Vitality Bowls at the Otay Ranch Town Center, across from the Apple store, offering healthy ingredients for an on-the-go meal, and a treatment Center for Autism and related disorders has opened at 891 Kuhn Drive.

...free Summer Movies in the Park are offered by our Recreation Department from May through September at various City parks. Bring your family and friends, chairs, snacks and a blanket and enjoy a nice evening under the stars! All movies begin at dusk. The first movie for the season will be The Good Dinosaur on Saturday, May 21, at Mountain Hawk Park, 1475 Lake Crest Drive. Who's bringing the popcorn? See you there!

...if you can't remember where you vote for the June 7 Primary Election, San Diego County provides a list to find your polling place. Just check their website and get out and make your vote count!

...two budget workshops are scheduled to solicit public input on budget priorities for the Fiscal Year 2017 City budget. The first workshop will be held on Monday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m. in Chula Vista Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, and the second will be on Wednesday, May 18, at 6 p.m., at the Otay Ranch Town Center Library HUB community room, 2015 Birch Road, Suite 409 (near the Food Pavilion).

...Chula Vista Fire Department (CVFD) will soon have all of its Fire units Paramedic certified. That means that all 11 units (eight engines, 2 trucks and one Urban Search and Rescue or US&R) that are on duty every day of the year will have a Paramedic on board. This allows responding units to quickly render life-saving

medical aid if they arrive on a scene prior to the ambulance crew. Pictured left to right are US&R crew: Fire Engineer Erik Nelson, Firefighter/Paramedic Barrett Davenport, Captain Charles Kuniyoshi, and Captain Brendan Barahura.

...register now for the annual Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 20, to celebrate May as Bike to Work month. Whether you are an avid cyclist or have never biked at all, National Bike Month is meant to increase bicycling awareness and ridership! Bicycling provides many rewards to riders such as exercise, lower stress levels, an increased connectivity to the community, and a smaller carbon footprint. Chula Vista has more than 123 miles of dedicated bike paths, lanes, and routes connecting neighborhoods, shopping centers, and schools with another 40 miles proposed. From 6 to 9 a.m., Chula Vista will host six pit stops with refreshments and more.

...the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) will hold its 24th Annual Awards & Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 5, to honor our local heroes. Both officers and civilians will be recognized for their outstanding contributions and efforts to our local community. Congratulations to all the recipients!

...if you are planning to use a City park for a graduation party or maybe a family reunion this summer, be sure to make your gazebo and picnic area reservations early as the popular City parks fill up quickly!

...May is Cinco de Gato at the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility (ACF). For a special adoption fee of $25

(normally $65), you will receive a wonderful new family member, a $20 Petco gift card, and a bag full of goodies for your new pet. The ACF is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 130 Beyer Way. Call (619) 691-5123.

...the Living Coast Discovery Center is offering a Master Composter Program from May 3-June 14 on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

...the Civic Center Library at 365 F Street now hosts office hours for the San Diego Law Library on the second and fourth Mondays. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., assistance is provided for those with legal informational questions. Also, the Veterans Resource Center in the library helps veterans with benefit questions, home loans, fee waivers, disability-related issues and more.

...Sleep Train Amphitheatre kicks off its concert season on May 13 with a great variety of artists lined up through October. Some highlight acts include: The Cure, Dixie Chicks, Kenny Chesney, Journey and Luke Bryan. Concert goers are reminded that absolutely no professional cameras and no weapons - even for off-duty peace officers - are allowed in the venue. New changes this year include a designated area for Uber and Lyft so look for the signs for easy entrance and exit if you use those services! For more information on concerts and what is and isn't allowed in the venue (changes per artist), visit their website.

...Sweetwater Authority has been busy around the City preparing five new wells which will deliver additional groundwater to the Desalination Facility for treatment. These new wells offset the cost of purchasing imported water. In addition, the water company has begun a water main replacement project affecting several City streets. We love progress!

... mark your calendars for the annual Chula Vista Police Foundation (CVPF) Evening with Heroes cocktail reception and Luau dinner to be held on Saturday, July 16. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for

the event to be held at the Olympic Training Center beginning at 4 p.m.. Please contact Captain Roxana Kennedy at (619) 691-5218, or Jonathan Alegre at (619) 476-2570. More details on the event will be featured next month - stay tuned to hear about the fabulous online auction! Or to get your tickets now; check the website for ticket information.

...Chula Vista is currently ranked 15 out of 50 in the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition, Chula Vista could win $5 million! Help us get to #1 by saving energy. To date, as a community, we have saved more than 65 million kWh of electricity or the annual usage of 10,800 homes and almost 3 million therms of natural gas equal to gas usage of 7,250 homes.

...the kids won't have time to get bored this summer thanks to our Recreation staff who have scheduled super fun and interesting classes, programs and events! Registration opens May 9. Choose from several different camps, summer basketball league, drop-in fitness classes, and much more. Let us entertain them!

Mark Your Calendar!

State of the City
Mayor Mary Casillas Salas will deliver her second State of the City address on Tuesday, May 3, at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the event held in Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue. A brief reception will follow.

Money Matters
Several free financial wellness programs are offered at two City libraries this month by the San Diego County Credit Union. All programs begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, is "Ten Steps to Financial Success" at the South Chula Vista Library, 389 Orange Avenue; "Financial Literacy for Teens" will be offered on Wednesday, May 11, at the Otay Ranch Branch Library; "Understanding Your Credit Report" will be held Wednesday, May 18, at the South Branch; and Wednesday, May 25, is "Family Budgeting" at the Otay Ranch Branch.

To Mom From Me
Children ages 5-12 are invited to a Mother's Day craft workshop at the Otay Recreation Center, 3554 Main

Street, on Wednesday, May 4. The free event will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sign up at the center's front counter or call (619) 409-1999. Remember, Mother's Day is May 8!

More for Mom
Veteran's Recreation Center, located at 785 East Palomar Street, will host a free Mother's Day craft event on Friday, May 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. Children ages 4-13 are invited to make a special gift for mom. Space is limited so sign up today!

Viva Musica
On Saturday, May 7, from 1 to 4 p.m., enjoy a community celebration that marks the end of the Community Opus Project year. This event, held at Memorial Bowl, 373 Park Way, will feature numerous performances by Opus musicians, orchestras and band. The special youth symphony program is an expansion of music education in the Chula Vista Elementary School District.

Princess Project Round 2
Back by popular demand, the South Chula Vista Branch Library is hosting another prom dress give-away on Saturday, May 7, for financially challenged teens. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., young ladies will have an opportunity to select a beautiful donated prom dress. Appointments are required by registering on the library's website, and students must bring their high school ID to the event.

Movie Screening at Library
An informative documentary, "The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation," is scheduled to be shown in the Civic Center Library on Wednesday, May 11, at 6 p.m. The film explores questions such as: Why are so many children in America faring so poorly? What are the consequences for the nation's future? And how might we, as a nation, do better? The free event is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control, the California Endowment and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Crafts for Little Sprouts
Want your child to learn art in a fun way with paint, markers and more? Children ages 2-5 will create a different project every week in this four-week class beginning Thursday, May 12. Classes will be held on Thursday through June 2, from 4 to 4:40 p.m. at Parkway Community Center, 373 Park Way. Fee for Chula Vista residents is $20 and $25 for non-residents.

Skateboarding at Salt Creek
Beginning skateboarders can learn how to skate in a safe and healthy environment at

Salt Creek Skate Park, 2710 Otay Lakes Road, by professional instructors. From Friday, May 13, through June 10, students will learn the fundamentals of skateboarding through balance and coordination exercises. The class, held from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., will include skateboarding safety instruction, skate park etiquette, and trick tips! Cost is $70 for Chula Vista residents and $86 for non-residents.

Fun Times at Fun Run
There's still time to register for our Chula Vista Fun Run set for Saturday, May 14, at the magnificent Olympic Training Center! Run, walk or stroll the 5K event through the exclusive Olympic Village. Gates open at 6:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 8. After, there is a community expo, silent auction, and a $5 pancake breakfast!

Behavioral Health Fair
Sharp Healthcare and more than 60 community partners will present a free Behavioral Health Resource Fair at Chula Vista High School Gymnasium, located at 820 Fourth Avenue. On Saturday, May 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the fair will include workshops on Adult Behavioral Health, Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, Dementia, and Depression Evaluations.

Historic Home Tour
Five historic homes are featured in this year's Chula Vista Historic Home Tour on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The self-guided tour will begin at the City Hall parking lot on the corner of Fig and Davidson where guests may purchase tour and tea tickets for $25 and obtain a tour book and map. Tea and refreshments in the William Sallmon house garden are included in the ticket price. Tickets may also be purchased online before May 9.

Avenue Amps & Ales
Get ready for Chula Vista's first craft beer and musical festival, Avenue Amps & Ales! Rocking Third Avenue

Village on Saturday, May 14, Avenue Amps & Ales will host over 20 local breweries, live bands and artisans in and around Memorial Park. Held from from 12 to 6 p.m., taste unlimited samples of over 50 craft beers while enjoying the tunes. For ages 21 and up, tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door

Archery Paralympic Team Trials
The second round of U.S. Paralympic Team Trials in Archery will be held at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center with competition taking place on Sunday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. Admission is free, so come cheer on these Paralympic hopefuls!

Amgen Tour
The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California's iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate in the event have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions. Scheduled for Sunday, May 15, the first leg of the race finds the athletes cycling through Chula Vista, San Diego, National City and Imperial Beach. Riders will be in Chula Vista by 12:30 p.m., racing along Fourth Avenue and parts of Otay Lakes Road. See the website for the official route and more information.

Senior Health Fair
A free mini health fair for seniors is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Otay Recreation Center. Featuring vendors such as Kitchen Logic, Southern Caregiver Resource Center, Mental Health America, SDG&E and more, the event is geared for those age 60 and up. Sponsored by the City and South Bay Health & Insurance Services, no registration is needed.

Older Americans and Volunteers Luncheon
A special lunch is planned to honor those volunteers and older Americans who contribute to the success of the Norman Park Senior Center on Wednesday, May 18. Awards will be presented as well during the lunch set from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Center, 270 F Street. Cost is $5 for Chula Vista residents and $6 for non-residents.

Fiesta de Mayo for Kids
Parents can enjoy a few hours out while the kids (ages 5 and up) enjoy a fun and free celebration for Fiesta de Mayo on Friday, May 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Games, dancing, crafts and refreshments will be included at Heritage Park and Community Center, 1381 East Palomar Street.

Parents Night Out
Want to enjoy a quiet dinner without the little ones? Or maybe go watch a non-kid movie? Parents can drop off the kids ages 5-12 on Friday, May 20, at Montevalle Community Center, 840 Duncan Ranch Road, and have an evening out. Trained Recreation staff will entertain the youngsters from 6 to 9 p.m. with arts and crafts, an activity, a movie and even a light dinner for their own evening of merriment! Registration is $10 for Chula Vista residents and $13 for non-residents.

To Honor Our Heroes
You may have seen on the news or heard about a group of motorcyclists who escort fallen veterans who have been killed in action to their final resting place. In honor of Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, the Civic Center Library will show the film, "Patriot Guard Riders: Soldier Down, Kickstands Up," on Saturday, May 21, at 1 p.m. This award-winning film illustrates the solemn ride to funerals by the Patriot Guard, a 250,000-strong motorcycle group made up of mostly armed services veterans from throughout the United States. The group was formed to honor the fallen and protect grieving families from any harassment. There is no charge to view the film.

Cycle EastLake
It's that time again, Cycle EastLake is back on Saturday, May 21, at Eastlake Middle School! You don't want to miss out on the fun, so register today. Explore the hills, lake and phenomenal views with these fantastic bike rides and runs. This is a family fun day that promotes healthy living and supports our local schools. The event begins at 7:30 a.m.

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Plunge into Aquatica SeaWorld at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 22, to raise funds for local Special Olympics athletes! Event participants will receive an official Plunge T-shirt and bragging rights over everyone else who just couldn't brave it. After the plunge, stay and play in the park with family, friends and neighbors. Plungers and their spectators can experience the Splash & Play Festival and participate in the annual Lazy River Duck Race all while supporting a great cause.

Culture Potluck
Put your best cooking skills to the test and bring your favorite dish to share at the Culture Potluck set for Wednesday, May 25, at the Norman Park Senior Center. From 12 to 2 p.m., enjoy a chance to socialize, win a prize for your special dish and test your knowledge in a multicultural themed game of trivia.

Planning Ahead for When You're Gone
While many of us don't like to talk about it, there's never been a better time to plan ahead. A recent nationwide survey found 80 percent of Americans believed funeral pre-arrangements is a good idea. Attend this free seminar by Greenwood Memorial on Thursday, May 26, at 10 a.m. at the Norman Park Senior Center. Come learn the benefits of planning ahead.

VIP Dates
Mark your calendars for Friday, May 27, when Aquatica SeaWorld opens for the season. This year, the fun will last even longer with a new feature! The park will remain open two weeks longer

into the fall to accommodate our warm fall weather.

Monday, May 30 is Memorial Day with all City offices and facilities closed while we honor those no longer with us. Emergency services will not be affected. Trash pick up in the city will bedelayed one day all week. Monday's pick up will be Tuesday and so forth for the week. Enjoy the three day weekend and drive safe!