Vallejo W e e k ly Vo l u m e 9 I s s u e 2 9 July 22, 2021
Photo: Kiim_Bishop Pictured: Bo
A Message from Mayor McConnell
Sideshows
Vallejo Community Members,
recently spoke with a Vallejo resident and combat veteran who mentioned
In the past two weeks, my office has
that the City of Stockton had done such
been inundated with calls regarding
a thing, partnering with the San Joaquin
the ongoing proliferation of sideshows
Fairgrounds for an event. The City of
in Vallejo. Sideshows are equally as
San Diego also engaged with a non-
much nuisance as they are a hazard
profit organization called RaceLegal to
to the safety of our citizens and our
handle and manage their “sideshow”
fragile environment. They also place a
and race events.
tremendous strain on our police and fire resources which are already woefully
There is no complete answer to
shorthanded absent these types of
this menacing issue at the moment.
illegal activities. It also costs the City
Still, I am committed to researching
staff time and supply cost to replace
the options and speaking with the
street signs and road buttons that have
appropriate officials to find the best
been displaced during these unlawful
possible solution for Vallejo.
events. Your Mayor, I am a proponent of identifying and
Robert McConnell
securing a location where these events
robert.mcconnell@cityofvallejo.net
can be sanctioned and monitored. I 2
Check out the latest job openings at the City of Vallejo by visiting www.governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo
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UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 37, STARTING AUGUST 2ND 2021 @ 8 PM Caltrans is scheduled to begin road repairs and resealing broken asphalt along a 9.5-mile stretch of State Highway 37 from Solano County to Sonoma County, beginning at 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, through Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. Most of the work will occur overnight and on weeknights, from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Westbound SR-37 between Walnut Street in Vallejo and the State Route 121 intersection in Sonoma County. During westbound closures, crews will also close the westbound SR-37 on-ramp from Walnut Avenue/Mare Island in Vallejo from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. On various nights, eastbound SR-37 will be closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Caltrans states that only one direction of State Route 37 will be closed at a time, and they will provide more information as it becomes available. Motorists traveling on the highway are encouraged to use State Route 121 and State Route 29 as alternate routes. For more information, your Caltrans contact is: Pedro Quintana, Caltrans District 4 Public Information Officer - Phone: (510) 867-6028 Email: Pedro.Quintana@dot.ca.gov 4
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F O O D - L I V E D J - P E R F O R M A N C E S - R A F F L E S - G I V E AW
S AT U R D AY, A U G U S T 1 4 , FROM 11 AM - 3 PM 6
SOLANO FAMILIES THRIVE Watch Me Grow Inc.’s mission is to strengthen the child, family, and community by partnering with organizations in Solano County to build a bridge between the resources and families in need. The purpose of Watch Me Grow Inc. Solano Families Thrive- ACEs Awareness & Community Resource Fair is to raise awareness about ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). The focus will be ACEs and the impact it has on children and adults and to provide families with resources that will help reduce their stress. This event will take place on August 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Vallejo City Park, 425 Alabama Street. This event will consist of: • Community Resource Booths
• Raffles • Giveaways
• ACEs Presentation
• Face Painting
• Live DJ
• Games/Activities
• Performances
• Food Vendors
Those interested in sponsorship, please click the link and fill out form. Those interested in being a volunteer, please click the link
WAY S - G A M E S
2021
and fill out form. For more information, contact Jameelah by email at jameelah@watchmegrowinc.com 7
GIVE LITTER THE BOOT Join us on Saturday, July 24th, from 9 am to noon at Kyle’s Temple Garden, located at 298 Illinois Street and GIVE LITTER THE BOOT! Just show up - the community cleanup tool trailer will be there will all the tools you’ll need! Be sure to tag us in your photos, and use the hashtag, #GiveLitterTheBoot! *Masks and social distancing are REQUIRED. Interested in hosting a community cleanup? Contact our Community and Volunteer Coordinator at shelee.loughmiller@ cityofvallejo.net or (707) 648-8616 to get started.
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BAY ARE STAGE PRODUCTION CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP To ensure students remain healthy and well, Bay Area Stage (BAS) has decided to separate their standard one workshop into two: the Juniors, children ages 7 to 12, and the Teens, ages 13 to 17. The number per class will be limited to only ten students so that social distancing can be better achieved. All of the BAS instructors are vaccinated and will continue adhering to the mandated restrictions. The BAS theatre workshops run for six weeks, meet twice a week, and conclude with a weekend of performances. Performances allow the young actors to showcase all that they have learned. Tuition is $150.00 plus $20.00 for materials. WORKSHOP #1: PRODUCTION: “Keeper of the Tales” CLASS SIZE & AGE RANGE: Maximum
This workshop will take place on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Performances are September 18 and September 19. WORKSHOP #2: PRODUCTION: “Help Us, Mr. Holmes!” CLASS SIZE & AGE RANGE: Maximum 10 students. BAS Teen (ages 13 to 17) INSTRUCTORS: Stacey Loew and Special Technical Instruction (Lights & Sound), Jeff Lowe. DATES: August 10-September 19 This workshop will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Performances are September 17 and September 19. For a full description of the play choices, visit www.bayareastage.org. Registration closes Friday, August 15, 2021.
of 10 students. BAS Junior (ages 7 to 12) INSTRUCTORS: Jessika Speer and Special Technical Instruction (Lights & Sound), Jeff Lowe. DATES: August 8 – September 19.
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RIBBON CUTTING CHILDREN’S WONDERLAND Greater Vallejo Recreation District hopes you’ll join them for the official dedication and ribboncutting ceremony for the new Pumpkin Carriage and Pirate Ship play structures! WHEN: Friday, August 6, 2021 @ 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Children’s Wonderland Park 360 Glenn St, Vallejo, 94590 COST: FREE ENTRY ALL DAY! For more information, please call Kimberly Pierson 707-648-4604
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VALLEJO FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FUNDED BREATHING APPARATUS Recently, the Vallejo Fire Department received 90 new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs), paid for by an “Assistance for Firefighters Grant“ through FEMA. The new SCBA’s have updated technology compared to their 12-13-year-old predecessors, creating safer working conditions for Vallejo’s firefighters. Most notably, the new breathing apparatus allowed for clearer comunications between firefighters during fireground operations and improved ‘Personal Alert Safety Systems,’ which can aid in locating lost, downed, or trapped firefighters. The new breathing apparatus also came with a feature that allows them to be used as particulate respirators in post-fire scenarios. This will lead to future savings as previously, each firefighter would need two separate masks, one to wear during active fires and a separate mask for post-fire overhaul operations. The $625,000 grant alleviated a future cost to the department as the former SCBAs were nearing the end of their 15-year service life. 15
WEST COAST BLUES SOCIETY FUNDRAISER The West Coast Blues Society and Vino Godfather Winery have teamed up to present “The Blues Is Back – Southern Fried Fundraiser”. This concert will raise funds for West Coast Blues Society Programs such as: • The Music They Played on 7 • 7th Street Oakland Walk of Fame Maintenance • The Blues in The Schools Program • The Russell City History Project • Russell City the Town That Lost The Blues Documentary This event will take place on August 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Vino Godfather Wine Tasting, 500 Walnut Avenue. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To purchase tickets, click here.
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NEW MANAGEMENT AT THE VALLEJO MUNICIPAL MARINA
community, tentatively scheduled
Earlier this year, the City of Vallejo
NEW MARINA MANAGER:
entered into an agreement with
Travis Lund is a lifelong sailor,
F3 Marina for managment of the
powerboater and sailboat racing
Vallejo Municipal Marina. F3 began
enthusiast. He has worked as a
operations in July and there have
sailing instructor, race professional,
some signifcant changes and
and charter captain. He also
updates to the day to day operation.
managed charter bases for the
for August 6, 2021. More details to come.
Moorings and Sunsail. Most recently, STAFFING/LOCAL HIRES:
he was the Executive Director for a
Seven new F3 employees began
large-scale sailing-based non-profit
working at the Marina. Four
in San Francisco, where he spent
employees are locally hired Solano
six years developing programs for
County residents, including 3
underserved children and expanding
Vallejoans. One additional position
access to water for adults while
will be filled in the coming weeks.
maintaining a fleet of over 100 vessels.
CHANGE IN HOURS: The Marina will be open seven days per week. Weekends now have dedicated staffing to assist boaters and visitors, and support special events. WELCOME EVENT: F3 will be hosting a Welcome Event to introduce themselves to the 19
VALLEJO FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES AWARD FROM PETA Vallejo Fire Department Engine 22 was recently presented with a “Compassionate Fire Department” award from PETA for their actions that saved the lives of two young kittens. Engine 22 responded to a small vegetation fire in South Vallejo on the evening of June 27. After extinguishing the blaze, Apprentice Firefighter Scott Barger heard the faint sound of whimpering. After thoroughly searching the area, he was able to locate the two felines hiding beneath debris. While both suffered some minimal burns from the fire, but they appeared to be in good health overall. Engine 22’s crew then helped clean the animals and provided care for them while waiting for Solano County Animal Control to arrive. The kittens are currently being cared for by a foster family. Firefighter Barger has contacted Solano Animal Control to adopt the kittens once they are mature enough. The PETA award came with a framed certificate, a box of vegan cookies, and a vegan-friendly cookbook written by a former Austin, Texas firefighter.
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A TRIBUTE TO LINDA RONSTADT AT THE EMPRESS Looking for something to do on Friday night? Sit in on a tribute to Linda Ronstadt! When: Friday, July 23 - Doors @ 7 PM Where: 330 Virginia St, Vallejo, CA 94590 Ronstadt Revival is the premier tribute to Linda Ronstadt, bringing the songs you love and remember from this legendary artist. From Linda’s 1967 beginnings with The Stony Poneys to her amazing renditions in the 70s of songs by beloved songwriters like Smokey Robinson, Warren Zevon, Lowell George, The Eagles, and The Rollings Stones to her 80s smash album Mad Love with its New Wave vibe. Ronstadt Revival will take you on a timeless journey of all your “You’re No Good,” “When will I be Loved,” That’ll be the Day,” Blue Bayou” and many more. Come out and revel in the songs that Linda Ronstadt brought to life. Reserve your tickets by clicking here. Guidelines for Empress Lounge and Empress Theatre All attendees must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in order to enter the Empress Lounge or Empress Theatre. If you are vaccinated, you are not required to wear a mask, although wearing a mask is encouraged. Please have a copy of your vaccine card with you when you attend. The Empress thanks you for your cooperation.
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