...the City of Chula Vista, like many cities throughout the country, is struggling to properly fund infrastructure. The City Council has approved placing a funding measure on the November 2016 ballot with the intent to address high priority infrastructure needs. The ballot question voters will consider is:

The City Council also approved the Intended Infrastructure, Facilities and Equipment Expenditure Plan, which identifies how funds could be spent. The temporary ½ cent sales tax is considered a general tax and can be used for any lawful municipal purpose. See the website for more information on Chula Vista infrastructure.

...you can help support the Chula Vista Firefighters Foundation and the California Firefighter's Memorial by purchasing a specially designed "9/11 Never Forget" t-shirt. The navy blue t-shirts, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001, feature a design on the front with the number "343" - that is the number of firefighters and paramedics killed in the tragic event. The back of the shirt depicts a New York skyline and the twin towers. Cost is $20 per shirt (small extra charge for 2XL and 3XL sizes) and women and youth sizes are available. Please order before August 12, with delivery expected the week of August 29-September 3.  

  

...after school study session, A.S.P.I.R.E., is available on Thursdays in August from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at Salt Creek Recreation Center, 2710 Otay Lakes Road. This time is set aside for students to complete their daily homework with assistance from a recreation staff member. Students should come prepared with assignments for this free program designed for ages 6-13.

...not only can you borrow a book at the Chula Vista Public Library, but you can also borrow a bulb! That's right...an LED light bulb. The Civic Center Branch, located at 365 F Street, is offering a variety of energy efficient LED light bulbs for checkout with your library card. Through the Cities-Local Government Partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric, many different LED bulbs are available for a seven-day checkout. The program is a pilot to evaluate community interest in this service, and if successful, will be expanded to include more bulbs at other City library locations. Bulbs must be checked out and returned to the library's Information Desk.

...congratulations to this quarter's outstanding City employees who were recently recognized at a City Council meeting: Yuen Cheng, Public Works Specialist from wastewater section; Rachelle Barrera, an Accountant from Finance; and the Homeless Outreach Team consisting of Lt. Henry Martin, Sgt. Francis Giaime, David Savage, Sam Alzubaidi, Hugo Martinez, and Armando Ramirez. A collaborative partnership with CVPD and Public Works and other City staff was formed to tackle issues of homelessness and maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for all Chula Vista residents. Operating with the value of human dignity and respect and a commitment to Chula Vista neighborhoods and its residents, these individuals break down barriers for the homeless to take their first steps on a path of recovery. Pictured left to right are CVPD Sgt. Francis Giaime, Public Works staff member Dave Savage, Park Ranger Sam Alzubaidi, and Senior Gardener Armando Ramirez.  

...registration for fall Recreation offerings opens on Monday, August 15, at 8 a.m. for online and 2 p.m. for in-person. View the large variety of recreation classes, activities, camps, special events and aquatic offerings.  For the Chula Vista public schools fall break, check out the Basketball Camps offered at Parkway Community Center! Camp is scheduled for September 19-23, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for ages 5-9, and 12:30-4 p.m. for ages 10-15.

...if you have a budding pianist in your home, consider signing them up for private 30-minute piano lessons now being offered at Salt Creek Recreation Center. Sessions will be held monthly on Mondays from 2 to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. Fee is $105 per month for Chula Vista residents and $131 per month for non-residents. Call (619) 585-5739 for details and to register.

...hundreds of animal shelters across the country came together July 23 for Clear the Shelters day, a nationwide push to place deserving animals in permanent loving homes. All adoption fees were waived that day with 2,641 animals adopted in San Diego County. Our Chula Vista Animal Care Facility placed 33 lucky cats and 24 grateful dogs with their new families!  Nationwide, 21,421 animals were adopted and the day was considered a big success. Still looking for your forever friend? Then visit the ACF at 130 Beyer Way, Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.                

...nominations for the City of Chula Vista's Ribbons & Shovels Awards are now being accepted to celebrate the best in art, architecture, landscape, historic preservation, environment, and more. Entries are due by September 1, and nominations are for projects that have been completed between 2011 and 2015. The awards highlight outstanding new projects as well as restoration projects in the following categories: new residential construction, new non-residential construction, commercial or residential renovation and restoration, public or private landscaping, improvements in the public realm, art visible to the public, historic preservation, affordable housing, and green building design and improvements.

...you can try a new fitness class at the drop-in classes offered throughout the year at Salt Creek Recreation Center. For a fee of $5 per drop-in class, check out Get Fit with Frances on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Lifting with Frances on Saturday at 8 a.m., Senior Weight Training with Frances on Tuesday at 8 a.m. Or how about Zumba with Tristan on Tuesday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. or Thursday at 9 a.m., Boot Camp with Tristan on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. or Friday at 9 a.m., or Butts and Gutts with Tristan on Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. Yoga with Yolanda is offered Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. There's plenty of opportunity to get in shape at these classes!

...not all school children can afford new shoes and socks at the beginning of the school year. With your assistance, we can help some of these deserving kids start the new school year right. The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) is assisting local students by conducting their fifth annual School Resource Officer Non-Profit Shoes and Socks Give-Away. Monetary donations are requested to provide shoes and socks for 500 boys and girls. School Resource Officers are working closely with school principals, school nurses, and South Bay Community Services counselors to identify boys and girls under 18 years of age who live, go to school or attend counseling services in Chula Vista. The selected children will be invited to a Payless Shoe Store in September to select their new shoes and socks. To help provide footwear to these children, please send your monetary donation to the Chula Vista Police Department, ATTN: Officer Caceres, SRO Unit, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Checks should be made payable to "Chula Vista Police Foundation;" please include "SRO Shoe and Sock event" on the memo section. The Chula Vista Police Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible. 

...thanks to a Community Development Block Grant for Therapeutic Recreation from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, our Recreation Department is offering many programs and classes. Designed for adults ages 18 and up with severe disabilities, the program is intended to build social skills, self-esteem, physical coordination, independence and more. Activities include sports, dance, swimming and exercise as well as special events. Various days and times are scheduled at Heritage Park and Community Center, Norman Park Senior Center and Parkway Pool.

...our Economic Development Department partners with several local agencies to provide free and low cost training for small businesses. Topics include how to start a business, how to access financing, social media marketing, and many more. Check for the latest listing of upcoming events, including a free tax seminar on August 24 for nonprofit and exempt organizations. 

...free movies are offered at Norman Park Senior Center every Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. Stop by at 270 F Street and watch classic movies with free popcorn and punch!

...applications are still being accepted for the annual Christmas in October event to be held on Saturday, October 8. The program helps preserve and revitalize houses of low income, elderly, and/or disabled and military veterans and their families. Projects include painting, carpeting, bathroom repairs and other upgrades (mobile homes are not included in the program). Volunteer workers are needed as well; this is a great opportunity for church groups, community service hours or for your business to participate. To receive an application or to volunteer, call Emerald Randolph at (619) 250-9289.

...Loma Verde Community Center is offering one time, drop-by classes through September 19. Try Urban Line Dancing on Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., a.m. Exercise Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m., Monday Meditation from 9 to 9:45 a.m., Zumba on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. or Saturday Yoga from 8 to 9 a.m.

...congratulations are in order for more sports super stars from the South Bay! As of press time, the following teams have or are advancing to regional and national levels: Park View Little League (yes, Park View again!) who are heading to San Bernardino for the Little League West Regionals this weekend, South Pony COLT team who took the Southern California COLT Division Super Region Championship, and in the 2016 Amateur Softball Association Nationals are three Bonita Valley Gold All-Stars teams who will each begin playing for championship titles this week: 14U Gold all-star team was one of 32 teams competing in its division at the State tournament; the 12U Gold all-star team won its spot in the national tournament after competing against 35 teams; and the 10U Gold all-star team finished second in the District and second in the State with 36 teams competing in the bracket. We applaud all of these outstanding athletes and any others who have represented Chula Vista!