Vallejo Weekly | Vol 11 Issue 31

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2023 RECAP

The City of Vallejo would like to thank the community for hosting National Night Out in your neighborhoods! Police, Fire and City employees had a wonderful time engaging with community members throughout the evening. This helped us form stronger bonds as we work together toward building a positive and bright future for Vallejo!

august EVENTS

Join in the fun with a variety of events for youth and families brought to you by the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD). GVRD offices are now open Saturdays and are temporarily relocated at the Cunningham Aquatic Complex (801 Heartwood Ave). To pre-register for events or for more information on programs, events, classes and activities visit their website at www.gvrd.org, call (707) 648-4600, or email recreation@gvrd.org.

ANGELS WITH HEARTS STORY & ACTIVITY TIME

Every Friday through September 29

August 4, August 11, August 18, August 25 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Children’s Wonderland Park (Parking Lot)

360 Glenn Street

FREE Entry! Discover your next great read at Children’s Wonderland! Enjoy your day with story time, arts & crafts, snack time, games, and more. To learn more check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/Angelswithhearts

DIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHTS @ CUNNINGHAM!

Saturday, August 26, 2023 - Minions (run time: 91 mins)

Saturday, September 23, 2023 - The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (run time: 88 mins)

August:

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Movie begins at 7:45 p.m.

September:

Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Movie begins at 7:15 p.m.

Cunningham Aquatic Complex 801 Heartwood Avenue

BANDS AND BREWS 2023

Friday, August 4, 2023 - Mitch Woods & His Rockin’ 88’s 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Blue Rock Springs Park

650 Columbus Parkway

FREE lawn seating and FREE parking, beer and food available for purchase, reserved seating available for purchase ($140 to purchase a reserved season table/ Chamber of Commerce Member Price is $110)

More info at www.gvrd.org or email jmyers@gvrd.org

Cost: $5.00 pre -registration

$7.00 register at the door

The Aquatics Department introduces their first ever Dive-In Movies! Participants will be able to swim while watching a movie. Two pools are available: the Olympic size pool and the toddler pool. No swimming experience needed. Lifeguards will be on deck. Concessions will be available for purchase.

To register go to www.gvrd.org. For more info call (707) 648-4663 or email rallen@gvrd.org

ABILITY DAYS - TALENT DAY!

Monday, August 21, 2023 - Audition Time!

Monday, October 23, 2023 - Spooky Dance Party!

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Children’s Wonderland Park -360 Glenn Street

Cost: $5.00 per participant. Pre-Registration is required.

Join GVRD for a day of music, fun and snacks at the park. Ability Day sessions are designed for individuals of all abilities who are looking for a safe and fun environment to socialize, build, and create. To pre-register or for more information visit www.gvrd.org, call (707) 648-4600, or email recreation@gvrd.org.

SUMMER FUN DAYS

Every Wednesday through August 19

August 9, August 16

Children’s Wonderland Park- 360 Glenn Street

Cost: Residents: FREE/ Non-Residents: $4.00

Join GVRD each Wednesday for activities, art projects, and science experiments!

STORYTIME AT CHILDREN'S WONDERLAND

Every Thursday through October

August 10, August 17, August 24, August 31 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Children’s Wonderland Park - 360 Glenn Street

This is a FREE event.

Join GVRD and friends from the Solano County Library for storytime!

CAMPING UNDER THE STARS

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Sunday, August 13, 2023

6:00 p.m. (Sat)–8:00 a.m. (Sun)

Childrens Wonderland Park - 360 Glenn Street

Cost: $10.00 per person

Join GVRD for Camping Under The Stars! This event is a family event, and each individual will need to register. The event will include dinner, activities, games, and a light breakfast. To learn more, visit GVRD’s civic rec page, call (707) 980-8001 or email jgatmen@gvrd.org.

FLAVORTOWN TUESDAYS

Second and fourth Tuesdays through September Tuesday, August 8, 2023

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Children’s Wonderland Park - 360 Glenn Street

FREE entry to the park.

Food and drink costs vary by vendor. Bring your family, friends, or come solo to Flavor Town Tuesdays at Children's Wonderland! This is a free community event for the entire family. Food Trucks, Outdoor Games, Live music and so much more!

MOBILE RECREATION-PARKS N’ REC PARTY!

Saturday, August 12, 2023

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

North Vallejo Community Center

1121 Whitney Avenue

FREE for youth of all ages and abilities

Find GVRD in the community with their new Mobile Recreation Program! Meet GVRD staff in uniform in the parking lot and join them for outdoor games, activities, and fun for the entire family! For special services you can add on the mobile recreation to your next party! Areas are at designated GVRD locations (Centers and park areas only). For more info contact Assistant Coordinator Emely at (707) 980-8002

POOCHELLA

Saturday, August 19, 2023

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

City Park- 425 Alabama Street

FREE entry

Join all your furry friends at the 2nd Annual Dog Festival, Poochella! Poochella features animal friendly vendors from all over the Bay Area. Enter the free Every Day Dog Show where your dog can compete for Best Costume, Best Wag, Best Trick, Best Body Part, Best Bark, and Best Dog & Owner

Look-a-like. Raffles, K9 demo, rescues, adoptions and much more. Vendor applications (10x10 ft booth space) are open. $125 booth space, to purchase a booth visit the GVRD website. OR $75 booth space and a donation of a raffle item, to purchase this option visit the GVRD website.

City of Vallejo Blood Drive – with the North Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross

WHEN:

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Below Library in the Vallejo Room 505 Santa Clara Street Vallejo, CA 94590

WHAT:

To make an appointment please visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code cityofvallejo or use the link below https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/ drive-results?zipSponsor=cityofvallejo

To save time while saving a life please fill out a Rapidpass. For more info, please visit redcrossblood.org/Rapidpass

Thank you for helping to save up to 3 lives with one blood donation!

Appointments and identification are required. Donors will be entered for a chance a chance to win a 3-night trip to New York, a private shark dive at Long Island Aquarium & more.

AUGUST SUMMER NIGHTS

The event of the summer is here! Join your friends, family, and neighbors for August Summer Nights every Thursday in downtown Vallejo. This event is hosted by Vallejo Main Street, a non-profit dedicated to the enhancement of downtown Vallejo. Two live music stages, food trucks, a kid zone, and local artisan vendors will line the streets of downtown Vallejo every Thursday in August from 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Local businesses will stay open late to join in the fun! See you there!

AUGUST SUMMER NIGHTS PERFORMANCE LINE-UP

Thursday, August 3 – Don Caprice/ LJ Bryant & The Lost Art

Thursday, August 10 – Ariel Marin & James Earley Band

Thursday, August 17 – David Bustamante & Bobby Santos / Beau Funk

Thursday, August 24 – Tom Jonesing/ Prieto & Mirage Band featuring Mio Flores

Thursday, August 31 – Guitarist Glenn Snyder/ Papa Joe & The New Deal

BAY AREA MAKER FAIRE MARE ISLAND

The legendary and mind-blowing Maker Faire is back for its 15th time in the Bay Area this October with a new direction, a new location, new makers, and old friends! After a few years’ hiatus, organizers are excited to bring back their flagship Maker Faire to California’s San Francisco Bay Area in Vallejo over two weekends at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard on October 13–15 and October 20–22, 2023. Experience the ultimate showcase of creativity, innovation, and endlesspossibilities at Maker Faire!

Immerse yourself in a world where robots come alive, art defies boundaries, drones soar through the sky, and groundbreaking technology shapes the future. Don’t miss out on this full-throttle event that will leave you awe-inspired and yearning for more! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Maker Faire Eventbrite webpage.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS END ON AUGUST 31, 2023 AT 11:59 P.M. PST. SAVE 30% ON TICKETS NOW!

WHEN:

October 13–15, 2023

Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

October 20–22, 2023

Friday, 11:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Mare Island

850 Nimitz Avenue

Vallejo, CA 94592

Vallejo Sister City Association’s 17th Annual International Dinner & Auction

You’re invited to the Vallejo Sister City Association’s 17th Annual International Dinner and Auction featuring regional foods from each of Vallejo’s six sister cities and four friendship cities. The City of Vallejo is a sister city to Trondheim, Norway; Jincheon, South Korea; Akashi, Japan; Baguio City, Philippines; Bagamoyo, Tanzania; and Le Spezia, Italy. Friendship cities include Muju, South Korea; Rota, Northern Mariana Islands, Parun, Afghanistan; and Ensenada, Mexico. Festivities for the night include dinner, a silent auction, raffles, a no-host bar, door prizes and entertainment. This year’s feature is the 30th Anniversary of Sister Cities with the Philippines with a special performance by Parangal Dance Company and will honor the presence of Baguio City officials and delegation. Learn more about the Vallejo Sister City Association at www.vallejosistercity.com.

For more information about the International Dinner or to buy tickets online, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/638374714957. Tickets can also be purchased directly from Vallejo Sister City Association Board members.

WHEN:

Saturday, September 23, 2023

6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Filipino Community Center

611 Amador Street

Vallejo, CA 94590

COST:

$60 - Advanced

$75 - At the Door

$600 - Table of 10

MINGLE WITH THE SHARKS

Come mix and mingle with community leaders and exotic animals in a unique setting! Admission includes appetizers, two drink tickets, auctions and raffles.

There are limited tickets available for this event and advance purchase is required. Tickets are $65 before August 15 and $75 after August 15. To purchase tickets, visit the Leadership Vallejo website or call (707) 738-6964.

For more information or to donate an auction item, call (707) 738-6964.

WHEN:

Wednesday, August 30, 2023 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Shark Experience

1001 Fairgrounds Drive

Vallejo, CA 94589

Women in Computer Science Workshop

Calling all middle school students (6th-8th grade) for a Women in Computer Science Workshop with Girls Who Code! Participants should bring their personal devices, if possible. Laptops are recommended or mobile phones.

In the workshop, students will gain a foundation on computers, discuss stereotypes and possible reasons why so few women go into computer science. They will participate in discussions about successful women who revolutionized computer science and will have a chance to talk to a guest speaker, a woman currently majoring in computer science. Lastly, the students will be briefly introduced to Python with a very small and easy project they will also be given resources to continue coding on their own.

Participants will:

• Make a computer timeline

• Match computer components

• Code an easy Python game

• Q&A with a guest speaker

To register for the workshop, please complete the online form. For more information, email elech2a@gmail.com or text (925)-494-1320.

WHEN:

Saturday, August 5, 2023 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Vallejo JFK Library

505 Santa Clara Street

Vallejo, CA 94590

VALLEJO PD TO HOST A COMMUNITY TOWN HALL MEETING

WHEN:

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Vallejo Room

505 Santa Clara Street

Vallejo, CA 94590

The Vallejo Police Department cordially invites you to attend our upcoming Community Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Vallejo Room located at 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA 92590.

The department will host a community discussion on “Changes in Response to Alarm

Calls” and the proposed changes to responding to alarm calls for service. Vallejo residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend this upcoming town hall meeting. If you are not able to attend this meeting, there will be an additional town hall meeting held at a late date and time.

We look forward to engaging with you and listening to your questions, comments, and concerns regarding the change in response to alarm calls for service.

For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer, Sgt. Rashad Hollis by email at VallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo.net or by phone at (707) 567-4233.

THE CITY OF VALLEJO BROADBAND SERVICE VALLEJONET IS NOW VIP FIBER

The City of Vallejo is excited to announce that its municipal broadband service, formerly known as "VallejoNet," has been rebranded as "VIP Fiber."

This rebranding initiative is part of the City,s ongoing efforts to position Vallejo as a hub for technological innovation and to reflect its commitment to providing high-quality, reliable internet service to its residents and businesses. With VIP Fiber, Vallejo will continue providing customers with the same fast and affordable internet service they have known and loved, backed by great local customer support and technical expertise.

The new name, VIP Fiber, better reflects the premium level of service and cutting-edge fiber optic technology that Vallejo,s community can expect from this broadband service. Additionally,

please sign up for a service quote today and get added to the alerts and updates for when VIP Fiber service is available in your area of Vallejo. Customers who are Onnet and currently serviceable by the existing fiber network can expect to see up to a 30% saving on their services compared to their current provider. Customers that are Offnet and not currently serviceable will soon be able to access VIP Fiber,s fast and reliable internet service as the City continues its investment in expanding the fiber optic network. Offnet customers who are on our pre-registration list will be notified as soon as VIP Fiber service is available in their area and receive a special introductory offer.

Request a quote today to experience the premium internet service offered by VIP Fiber and join Vallejo in its mission to lead technological advancements in the region while enjoying fast and affordable internet!

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: JEAN CHERIE

Jean Cherie spent her career in show business creating sculptures for movies, television, and theme parks, in addition to public art. Cherie works with many materials including bronze, stone, ceramics, paper, styrofoam and more.

Now living, working and creating in Vallejo, Jean Cherie is dedicated to supporting her diverse community through art. You can see her large cement sculpture of a mother and child across from the Vallejo Ferry Building. The sculpture is very popular within the Vallejo community and the commuters on the ferries.

To learn more about Jean Cherie, visit the Mare Island Art Studios website, her social media or her studio at the Mare Island Art Studios.

Business Highlight:

Straits of Mare Island Rowing Association (SOMIRA)

BUILDING COMMUNITY – CHANGING LIVES – HAVING FUN

The concept of rowing may be new to the people of Vallejo but this rowing club has been around for over two decades. You might have seen the Whaleboat Regatta during Vallejo’s Waterfront Weekend. That historic race is hosted by the Straits of Mare Island Rowing Association (SOMIRA).

WHAT IS ROWING?

According to SOMIRA’s president, Brenda Plechati, it is one of the best feelings in the world!

“There is nothing like being on the water. The camaraderie of the other rowers is what I love most,” Brenda shared. “I also love that anyone can do it.”

Michael Manner, a member since 2012,added, “Rowing truly is a life changing experience.”

Although rowing is an athletic event, you don’t need athletic ability to row. Each boat has eight rowers working in unison to propel through the water. SOMIRA currently has three fiberglass whaleboats, of which, two were donated to them by Cal Maritime. Historically, wooden whaleboats were used as lifeboats. The modern versions have a wood and fiberglass construction and are designed to float even if capsized!

SOMIRA meets twice weekly on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings to row on the waters of the Carquinez Strait and San Pablo Bay. These rowing enthusiasts have created a

community rowing program that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities. In the past few years, the club has seen membership drop. Not just due to the pandemic, some members are aging out. As a non-profit, SOMIRA’s future depends on membership and donations yet, through the pandemic they were able to stay afloat.

“We’d love to see young people get excited about rowing.” said Brenda. “If people want something more challenging, we do have competitive teams.”

A monthly membership is $20 but you can give it a test run before committing. SOMIRA offers four free lessons to anyone interested in learning how to row. There are a variety of rowing programs for adults, youth, and families. These programs include recreational rowing, competitive rowing, and Learn to Row classes.

Here are some of the benefits of rowing:

• It is a full-body workout that can help you burn calories, build muscle, and improve your cardiovascular health.

• Rowing is a low-impact sport, which means it is easy on your joints. This makes it a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels.

• The rhythmic motion of rowing can be very calming, and the fresh air and sunshine can also help improve your mood and relieve stress.

• It is a great way to meet new people and make friends. SOMIRA has a welcoming and inclusive community, and there are opportunities to row with people of all ages and abilities.

SOMIRA’s racing team has competed all over the world but their participation in our community is what keeps them going. As active volunteers, they are always willing to lend a hand during events and have supported many programs in the past with financial support such as Loma Vista Farms, Watch Me Grow, and the Vallejo High School Robotics team. SOMIRA also welcomes sponsorships and corporate events. Businesses can sponsor a race or book a private event. SOMIRA has hosted competitive races for businesses who want to treat their employees to a nontraditional team building activity. Cost is $250/ team and includes two training sessions. If you are interested in learning more about SOMIRA or getting involved in rowing, please visit the organization’s website at www.somira.org.

photo by billyuen

CITY OF VALLEJO ANNOUNCES Updated CYCLE 8 PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING VOTE RESULTS

The City of Vallejo announced the Cycle 8 Participatory Budgeting (PB) vote results on July 22. When the Cycle 8 PB vote results were released to the public, it was undetermined whether the Wardlaw Skatepark project would be pursued with a reduced scope of work and funding. Per the PB rulebook, the implementing partners will determine if they can still implement the project with partial funding. After a meeting last week with the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) and the proposal authors, it was confirmed that they would still implement the project with partial funding. This means that the $210K will be applied to the sixth top-voted Modernize Vallejo Skatepark Project and will not be passed down to fund any remaining projects on the ballot.

Per the PB rulebook, a minimum of 20% of available project funding is allocated for program & service projects; if/when the 20% minimum has been reached, the remaining budget will fall to the next highest vote-getting project(s).

Per this rule, the first $200K will fund the following program and service projects:

• Animals Matter Spay/Neuter, Vaccine And Microchip Project $75,000

• Basic Needs for Warming and Cooling Centers $74,982

• Removing Barriers for Foster Youth Success

$48,989

The remaining $810k will fund the following highest-voted projects which include:

• HSNB Facilities Retrofit, Reroof & Repave Capital Project HSNB Facilities $300,000

• Complete Our Streets! Safety First at 5th Street $300,000

• Modernize Vallejo Skatepark Project $210,000 (partial funding)

After discussing with GVRD the reduced budget, they proposed a reduced scope of work and increase in their in-kind contribution by $40k to reduce the funding gap for a total of $250k towards the skatepark project.

Per the PB rulebook, if the available funds do not cover the cost of the Modernize Vallejo Skatepark Project, subject to available resources and the discretion of

the City or other agencies, the City Council may attempt to secure additional money to complete the project(s). According to the PB Rulebook council holds the discretion for what projects are funded and the City council could attempt to secure additional funding to complete the original $300k request for the skatepark project. Historically, Council support for projects always aligns with vote results.

To learn more about the individual projects, visit www.myvallejo.com/pb8 and stay tuned for the upcoming Cycle 9 Idea Collection phase announcement, where we want to hear your thoughts and ideas for potential projects to make Vallejo an even better place.

For more information, contact Flor Magallanes at Flor.Magallanes@cityofvallejo.net.

Leadership Vallejo - BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE

Leadership Vallejo (LV) is excited to announce that this past month we have 19 new graduates from the Year 15 program, bringing the Leadership Vallejo alumni membership to over 235 members! We are proud of our participants taking the initiative to complete the 9-month program, enabling them to acquire an in-depth overview of the City of Vallejo while enhancing their leadership skills, knowledge, and a clearer understanding of how to develop their skills as a leader within their own businesses and community!

Now it’s your turn! Leadership Vallejo’s Year 16 program begins this September. We are looking for individuals who care about their community and want to be a catalyst for positive change. LV offers an opportunity to learn about our diverse, vibrant community—even for those who have lived here all their lives.

If you are interested in learning about the history of Vallejo, understanding behind-thescenes details about our City’s operation, and/ or want to expand your network of contacts with connections that will help drive change for the better, join us for LV’s Year 16 class.

Leadership Vallejo offers a nine-month program that educates and trains future business, government, and volunteer leaders to gain the skills and experience need to make the change they want to see in Vallejo and the world. This program includes a broad range of informative interactions with leaders in city government as well as sessions which include insights into our history, education opportunities, arts community, economic development, and other areas of interest, providing a well-rounded overview of this historic community. Participants also receive training in a variety of personal and professional development skills to help equip them for leadership roles in their community, business and personal lives.

For applications and additional information, visit our website at www.leadershipvallejo.org or contact Lisa Gannon at (707) 738-6964.

Deadline for registration is September 1 for the Year 16 class.

Youth Programs with Camp Fire Golden Empire

On July 10, young Vallejoans between the ages of 11-16 went to resident camp for the first time. They experienced outdoor activities, community, and accountability in an environment of independence and choice.

The kids who were provided the opportunity were rock stars! Our older youngsters showed leadership skills that were highly valued by the camp staff, and it is our goal to continue the development of those skills as related to outdoor education and recreation. The younger campers were amazing at adapting to the unique environment at Camp Gold Hollow as they were provided with a long list of choices for STEAM special interests.

Our next and biggest challenge will be to sustain the effort. The one-time grant allowed for 10 campers to be sponsored for the opportunity. With parents and community members keen to help sustain this opportunity, we are searching for an Americorp person to

manage the task. In fact, if you know of anyone who might be interested, please feel free to send out the following announcement.

Camp Fire Golden Empire is searching for a qualified applicant for our 2023/24 Americorps VIP full-time position. The objective is to recruit, train and track volunteers to initiate and oversee Camp Fire youth programs, including Counselors-In-Training (CIT), yearround clubs, and even office administrative support.

The position is based in Vallejo and will include occasional trips and activities at Camp Gold Hollow in Nevada City, CA.

The position has two available service terms with the first being August 16, 2023 – June 28, 2024, and the second being September 20, 2023 - July 19, 2024. For more information and to apply, visit the Napa County Office of Education website.

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