Here’s a short video we created about the opening.
It was really heartwarming to see so many smiling faces and long-lost friends reconnecting today, playing a game of pool, taking a class or having lunch, in person, complete with live entertainment. If you or someone you know is interested in the Senior Center lunch program, you can find out more and make a reservation on the city’s website. The fitness center is also open again, if you’re looking for a low cost and convenient place to work out.
By the way, if you’re interested in volunteering at the Senior Center, that’s a rewarding way to give back to the community. Information about how to sign up is also on the Senior Center website.
More library services resume
Also yesterday, the Carlsbad City Library was able to stop quarantining returned library materials, which had been the practice since COVID-19 first began. Health guidance has changed, and now items that are checked in can be available for use much more quickly. Likewise, we are once again able to provide access to newspapers and magazines.
Dove Library reopened the Exploration Hub to community members yesterday too. If you haven’t seen this unique maker space, I highly recommend it. We have a 3-D printer, video editing equipment and computer kits you can actually assemble yourself. We offer regular classes, including how to digitize old movies, which are very popular.
TGIF concerts return (in your backyard)
One popular event we were not able to bring back now that things have opened up is the very popular TGIF Concerts in the Parks. As you can probably imagine, staging nine concerts at four parts, drawing about 5,000 people each, takes quite a bit of planning, more than we could do in just a couple of months.
But, once again, our creative city staff have found an alternative. Starting this Friday, we will debut TGIF in Your Backyard, a four-concert series that will be streamed on the city’s website. As the name implies, we hope you use these concerts as an opportunity to gather with friends, bring a picnic and enjoy live music (well, in full disclosure, we are recording the live sessions, but we promise it will have that same spontaneous feel).
Email us your backyard or block party pics to communications@carlsbadca.gov for us to share or tag us on Twitter and Instagram with #TGIFinmybackyard.
COVID-19 updates: Variants and vaccines (continued)
Similar to last week, variants and vaccines are dominating the COVID-19 related news.
I don’t have any particular insights to share, other than to refer you to a couple of sources I found helpful. The first is the CDC’s variant tracking page. It says that variants are to be expected, and based on current studies, existing vaccines are effective against the known variants.
Newer variants are more easily spread, with the Delta variant becoming more dominant. Areas with a high percentage of unvaccinated people are reinstituting health restrictions as a result, but here in California and San Diego County, vaccination rates are quite high. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some precautions and be aware that you have a small chance of becoming infected if you are vaccinated. It does mean that health officials have a new reason to urge those who haven’t gotten their shots yet to do so as soon as possible. We are seeing a renewed push and the national, state and local levels. If you or someone you know still needs to get vaccinated, here is a link to the different ways to make an appointment.
This story in the Union-Tribune addresses claims you might have heard that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is somehow less effective against variants. According to the article, the available research shows that it is effective, but since only about 8% of people vaccinated in the U.S. got this vaccine, there is less data available about breakthrough cases. Some people have made assumptions that the single dose J&J vaccine is not effective because they’ve only seen data about the other vaccines.
I think we have all learned by now to take breaking COVID news with a grain of salt, and that continues to be a good idea.
ICYMI
In case you missed it, here are a few updates we put out just before the holiday weekend that might be of interest:
Reducing homelessness: The City Council Homeless Action Subcommittee met June 28 to get an update on current and planned programs and hear the community’s feedback shared during recent Town Hall meetings and an online survey. Read more about this here.
E-bike safety workshop: We held a workshop on e-bike safety geared (no pun intended) toward parents of young riders. City police officers assigned to middle schools, traffic patrol and accident investigations shared the rules of the road and answered questions. Get an overview of what was discussed or watch the meeting video here.
Redistricting commission: We had over 100 applicants to serve on our independent redistricting commission, the group that will ultimately decide on new City Council district boundaries, based on the updated Census numbers. We will conduct a random draw next Tuesday to select the members, according to criteria laid out by the state and our City Council. Informational meetings are being planned for August. Read more about this here.
City Council meetings return in person
Starting next Tuesday, City Council meetings will return to the Council Chamber at City Hall (1200 Carlsbad Village Drive) at the previous start time of 6 p.m. You can still watch online and on the city’s cable channel, but to provide live comments, you must attend in person. Through the end of September, City Council workshops, which are held once a month, will continue to be virtual and provide an opportunity to call in with your comments.
Hot topics
One of our readers asked if I could share information about other hot topics in the community now that COVID-19 is no longer the dominant subject of conversation. That’s a great idea! We created this page on the city’s website to provide links to some of the issues we know have been of interest. If there are other topics you’re curious about, please let me know!
That’s all for today. Keep an eye out for our This Week in Carlsbad e-newsletter later this week for a preview of what the City Council will be talking about next week as well as other city news.
Take care!
Scott Chadwick
City Manager
