Vallejo Weekly | Vol 11 | Issue 7

VALLEJO WEEKLY

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 2023 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

WHEREAS, through courage, perseverance, faith, and resolve against incredible prejudice and hardships, Black Americans have positively influenced, enriched, and advanced every aspect of American life; and the continuing fight for civil rights, equality, and respect motivates every American to strive for a more promising, peaceful, and just future; and

WHEREAS, during Black History Month, we honor the extraordinary contributions made by Blacks throughout the history of our Nation including the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and the current Vice-President of the United States, Kamala Harris, and we renew our commitment to liberty and justice for all by supporting freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 theme is Black Resistance.

Since arriving on these shores, Blacks have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings. The resistance has been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just

democratic society in the United States and beyond. The 1950s and 1970s in the United States were defined by actions such as sit-ins, boycotts, walk outs, strikes by Black people and white allies in the fight for justice against discrimination in all segments of society from employment to education to housing. Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Systematic oppression has sought to negate much of the dreams of the griots, like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston and the freedom fighters, like Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Huey P. Newton, and Fannie Lou Hamer fought to realize. Black people have sought ways to nurture and protect Black lives, and for autonomy of their physical and intellectual bodies through armed resistance, voluntary emigration, nonviolence, education, literature, sports, media, politics, and legislation*; and

WHEREAS, the City of Vallejo has benefited from the contributions of African Americans who settled in Vallejo from the early 1800's to present including Alfred Coffey, Johnnie M. Thomas, Alonzo Gholikely, James Owens, Alvin Logan, Sam Brown, Charles A. Toney, James Williams, Charles McGree, Collia Scruggs, Reverend C.H. Toney, Ellsworth Courtney,

Haskell Forte, Bernice McGriff, Sargent Johnson, Walter Freeman, Ernest Gains, B.W. Williams, Dick Bass, Grace Logan Patterson, Jesse M. Bethel, Philmore Graham, Lewis Brown Sr. , Bernard Tyson, Jimmie Jackson, Foster Hicks, Osby Davis, Earl Stevens, C.C. Sabathia, H.E.R. (Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson), and numerous others; and

WHEREAS, This month, we celebrate the cultural heritage, diverse contributions, and resilient spirit of African Americans; and we commend the heroes, pioneers, and common Americans who tirelessly fought for and firmly believed in the promise of racial equality granted by our Creator, enshrined in our Constitution, and enacted into our laws, so let us pledge to continue to stand against the evils of bigotry, intolerance, and hatred so that we may continue in our pursuit of a more perfect America.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that I, Robert H. McConnell, Mayor of the City of Vallejo, and the Vallejo City Council, hereby proclaim February 2023 as Black History Month, and we call upon public officials, educators, and everyone to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities; and we urge all organizations to embrace the spirit of Black History Month yearround by supporting and practicing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

* https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/

Dated: February 14, 2023

ROBERT H. McCONNELL, MAYOR

Vice Mayor Rozzana Verder-Aliga

EdD, District 1

Councilmember Tina Arriola District 6

Councilmember Peter Bregenzer District 5

Councilmember Mina Loera- Diaz District 3

Councilmember Diosdado “JR” Matulac District 2

Councilmember Charles Palmares District 4

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Classic Car Business Opens on Mare Island

On February 9, a festive crowd gathered on Mare Island for a ribbon cutting, celebrating Vallejo's newest business, dropping its anchor in Vallejo, Kindred Motorworks.

Kindred Motorworks, originally from San Rafael, chose to invest in Vallejo, positioning itself for continued growth and success in the industry of classic car restoration.

The company's new space consists of a fully rehabilitated 100,000-squarefoot production facility, which is nearing completion and will support Kindred through its expansion phase, which will take it from a start-up to a national leader in the industry.

Its founder Rob Howard spoke about the rich history of Mare Island, its buildings' reuse opportunities, and being in line with the value of linkages between the old and the new, which Kindred similarly embraces.

Island while respecting the long-established tradition of excellence. Kindred Motorworks is a great blending of the past and the future."

The Kindred facility reflects the firm's innovative spirit around electric vehicle manufacturing and automation. It will house the various tools and trades to streamline the restoration and modernization of vintage cars.

The blueprint-based process will allow Kindred to restore a car in less than half the time it takes most restoration shops while incorporating more modern technology.

Paint, bodywork, upholstery, and machining will all be done out of the facility, offering hundreds of high-quality manufacturing jobs with a career track and upward mobility opportunities.

The facility will also serve as its headquarters for business operations. It will enhance the existing ecosystem of innovative businesses on Mare Island, such as Factory OS and Earthquake Protection Systems.

Vallejo Mayor Robert H. McConnell was present to tour the facility and shared his sentiments, "the City is highly appreciative of Kindred Motorworks bringing their innovative technologies to Mare

Kindred is unique in its approach to restoring and redesigning vintage vehicles. Safety and sustainability are at the forefront of what Kindred does. Their process includes carefully handpicking cars, trucks, or SUVs, tearing them down, and mapping every inch for restoration.

During the rebuild, they apply the latest technology by replacing items such as brakes, windows and adding electric engines, along with multiple creature comforts and safety features. These technologically advanced additions make the vehicles more efficient, powerful, and reliable without breaking their original classic spirit.

The company expects to build around 50 cars in 2024 and increase production to an annual capacity of 1,000. Kindred's finished vehicles range in price from $139,000 to $199,000.

Learn more about what Kindred offers, including employment opportunities at www.kindredmotorworks.com.

Are you looking for a fulfilling career in public service?

JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

For a list of all current City of Vallejo job openings, please click here, and be sure to subscribe to receive announcements for future recruitments.

Vallejo to Honor Women Veterans

Undeservedly, women Veterans continue to experience lack of recognition and worse, they face significant barriers and challenges in accessing necessary health care and other services. Also, because they are usually overlooked by everyone, they frequently struggle to even consider themselves as Veterans.

SAVE THE DATE:

Join us on March 18 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, for a ceremony honoring Vallejo’s Women Veterans. Veterans will be honored with a brief ceremony and presented with various certificates of appreciation at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum located at 734 Marin Street, Vallejo.

Are you or someone you know a woman (Vallejo) Veteran who deserves the recognition they have earned?

Submit the following information to be honored in the upcoming ceremony NO LATER THAN MARCH 1, 2023 to Col. Nestor Aliga at Nestor.Aliga@comcast.net

• Vallejo Veteran’s Name

• Mailing Address

• Phone number

Vallejo Symphony Concert –

Fairy Tales

The Vallejo Symphony continues its 90th Season with the second concert Fairy Tales, Saturday, February 25, at 8 pm and Sunday, February 26, at 3 pm in the historic Empress Theatre, Vallejo.

Julia Perry’s Short Work for Orchestra was written by an African-American woman living in the mid-20th century, whose brilliantlycrafted music is a unique expression of neoclassical sensibilities.

Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto was to prove highly influential to impressionists such as Ravel and will be performed by soloist Elizabeth Dorman.

Maurice Ravel’s Ma mère l’oye (Mother Goose) Ballet began its life as a group of piano miniatures, which later were brilliantly orchestrated, and then finally expanded into the ballet score that will be presented.

Tickets ($45 to $75) (online or at the door) https://vallejosymphony.org/

All seats are reserved.

ALSO!!! Join Maestro Marc Taddei for a preconcert conversation one hour before the performance.

Visit Vallejo Spirit of the Bay

Have you been looking for something to do in our fair city of Vallejo? Are you hungry for adventure and looking for the perfect place to dine afterwards? The Visit Vallejo website has just the answer you’re looking for!

Check out the Visit Vallejo website where you’ll find great outdoor activities for those on the move to fun times with the family.

Supporting our local businesses and outdoor attractions is good for your Spirit and celebrates the History of Vallejo in a very special way.

Calling all Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) Artists!

THE VALLEJO ARTS FUNDING MICROGRANT APPLICATION PERIOD IS OPEN!

Applications Due February 28, 2023, 3:00 pm

The Vallejo Arts Fund (VAF) emerged from listening sessions and convenings with Vallejoans and is grounded in the belief that the city’s art is urgent and that resources need to be prioritized for communities that have historically been excluded from these types of funding opportunities.

The Vallejo Arts Fund (VAF) will distribute $500,000 to support arts & culture in Vallejo by beginning to address structural inequities that have impacted BIPOC artists, culture bearers, arts organizers, and their communities. The Fund seeks to support artistic and cultural work within the performing, visual, digital, and media arts, as well as traditional folk art and oral/written storytelling. VAF deeply values the healing aspects of all art for artists and their communities.

INDIVIDUAL ARTIST MICROGRANT APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

• Due Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 3:00 pm

PROGRAM GRANTS SUPPORTING YOUTH ARTS GRANTS, BIPOC-CENTERED ARTS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE GRANTS, ARTS CULTURAL SPACE GRANTS, AND NEXT LEVEL ARTIST GRANTS

• Due Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 3:00 pm.

Every Friday until March 17, 2023, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm, a Vallejo Arts Fund team member will be available at LaDell’s Shoes to answer your questions in person.

The VAF ambassadors will also be holding events and oneon-one sessions to support Vallejo artists and culture bearers in submitting their applications for grant funding.

Find

GOT QUESTIONS?

Email

sermarinluna@3palmsgroup.com

vafoutreachkerby@gmail.com

vafoutreachmeja@gmail.com

Plant roots in Vallejo

This Saturday!

This is the best time of year to put native plants in the ground! Join the Vallejo Watershed Alliance on FEBRUARY 18 FROM 9-12, at Glen Cove Waterfront Park, along with the Solano Resource Conservation District, GVRD, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, to plant native grass and other plugs in the soft ground.

To RSVP, please email Info@ VallejoWatershedAlliance.org