Vallejo W e e k ly Vo l u m e 9 I s s u e 5 1 December 23, 2021
Photo: Chris Riley - Vallejo Times Herald 2021 Mad Hatter Festival - The Grinch and the Grinchettes
2
3
4
JOIN A BOARD, COMMITTEE, OR COMMISSION TODAY! The Boards, Committees, and Commissions are looking for YOU! • Architectural Heritage and Landmark Commission (2) • Beautification Commission (2) • Economic Vitality Commission (1) • Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee (5 regular vacancies & 3 alternate) • Code Enforcement Appeals Board (4) • Culture & The Arts Commission (3) • McCune Collection Commission (1) • Sister City Commission (1) • *Vallejo Housing Authority Board of Commissioners - Housing Authority Tenant Members (1) • **Greater Vallejo Recreation District (1) • SolTrans Public Advisory Committee (2) To read more about the recruitments and application process, click here.
5
WE’RE HIRING! Start the new year off with a fresh and exciting new opportunity...and join our team as a Water Treatment Plant Operator! We’re looking for a current T3 California Department of Water Resources Board certified Water Operator who has an in-depth working knowledge and understanding of water treatment plant responsibilities, and a willingness to jump in and assist the team with solving operational needs. Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo to learn more and apply! Recruitment closes on Monday, January 10, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
6
7
8
START THE NEW YEAR OFF WITH A HOT AND EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITY...AND JOIN THE VALLEJO FIRE DEPARTMENT AS A FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC. We’re looking to fill three regular, full-time vacancies, and nine limited-term full-time vacancies for firefighter paramedic. Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo to learn more and apply! Recruitment closes on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
9
ARE YOU AN EFFICIENT TEAM PLAYER WHO UNDERSTANDS HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) REGULATIONS, AND THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY? Join our team as a Housing Specialist II! Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo to learn more and apply!
10
11
12
DID YOU KNOW? The City of Vallejo offers a Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP) to income-eligible customers. If you qualify, you could receive a monthly credit on your water bill, of up to $60 a year. Learn more at myvallejo.com/wrap. #Vallejo #CityOfVallejo #VallejoWater #VallejoWRAP
13
SOLTRANS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Be sure you’re up to date on SolTrans’ Holiday Schedule, which is in effect Friday, December 24 through Saturday, January 1, 2022: Weekdays: Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule. Ticket Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Weekends: Saturday, December 25 (Christmas Day): No service Saturday, January 1 (New Year’s Day): No service For more information, click here.
14
15
16
17
18
19
VALLEJO COMMUNITY KWANZAA Vallejo Community Kwanzaa will hold their 21st celebration, which will be held on the fifth day of Kwanzaa, Nia, which is dedicated to the principle of purpose, building and developing community. WHEN: Thursday December 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. WHERE: Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, located at 734 Marin Street, To be honored at this celebration are Ms. Sherry Prewitt, Vallejo’s Queen of the Mad Hatter Parade, Ms. Betty Walker, Dr. Lakethia Lake-Pascua & Greg Carter SEIU, for their constant work behind the scenes. Kwanzaa is a very important, fun, and interactive event to the Vallejo community, and now, more than ever, it is time for all to come together to embrace the richness of African culture as we honor our community participants. Youth will light the Kwanzaa candles, learning the important seven principles that will help them make great decisions with confidence and pride in themselves during their journey in life. This will be a safe indoor environment; it is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Masks are to be worn and shot cards required. 20
21
22
HO HO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
Non-energy-efficient lighting can
Ways to save on your energy bill
severely impact customers’ monthly
Holiday lights brighten the home, but
holiday lights, including mini lights, use
they can also add costs to energy bills and represent a fire hazard if not correctly handled. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides customers with safety and energy efficiency reminders to get into the
energy bills. Standard incandescent more energy and require frequent bulb replacements. LED lights cost more to purchase but use much less energy and produce bright light for up to 20 holiday seasons.
holiday spirit.
Based on PG&E testing, a string of
According to the National Fire Protection
average of $135.08 to operate annually
Association (NFPA), almost onethird of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, they are more likely to be serious when
300 large incandescent lights cost an for 225 hours per year (5 hours/day for 45 days) at the current residential electric non-CARE rate, compared to $0.83 to annually operate a LED 300 count light strand during the same
they do occur.
timeframe.
For a fire-safe holiday season, ensure
Here are additional tips to keep
the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights. Also, purchase flame-retardant metallic or artificial trees. Make sure the tree has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken for real trees. And remember to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them water daily.
customers safe during the holidays: HOLIDAY LIGHTING SAFETY • Check for overhead power lines before hanging outdoor lights, keeping at least 10 feet away from lines. • Make sure lights are approved for outdoor use. Never use indoor lights outdoors. 23
• Follow the manufacturer’s limits for the number of strings that can safely be connected. • Check strands for cracked or broken
décor. • Consider upgrading to smart thermostats to control and change the thermostat remotely.
plugs, frayed insulation, or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires, so discard
To learn more about ways to save this
damaged sets of lights.
holiday season, visit pge.com/saveenergy
• Don’t place cords under rugs, furniture, or other appliances. If covered, cords can overheat or become frayed, increasing the risk of fire. • Always turn off decorative lights— indoors and outdoors—when leaving the house and before going to bed. Set timers for lights to turn on and off automatically. CANDLE AND COOKING SAFETY • Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed. • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. • Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop. Start with a clean oven to reduce the risk of a grease fire. MORE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY • Save up to 30% by using smart power strips to plug in your holiday lights and
24
25
Vallejo W e e k ly WWW.CITYOFVALLEJO.NET Subscribe to the Vallejo Weekly, and other City communications, here. View previous issues of the Vallejo Weekly, here. Submit your positive community story or event for consideration in the Vallejo News section, here.