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News from the City of Carlsbad | Aug. 14, 2025

On Friday, our TGIF Concerts in the Parks head to Alga Norte Community Park for the final two shows of the summer. It’s been an amazing series so far and we’re excited to finish strong with two more outstanding concerts. I’ll share details about this week’s show below, along with some important back-to-school safety tips and resources for families with students. We want it to be a safe and successful school year for everyone.

Here’s the full lineup:

• TGIF moves to Alga Norte
• Back-to-school traffic safety tips
• Provide input on potential minimum age for e-bike riders
• Homework help at the Carlsbad Library
• Fall recreation classes and programs
• Celebrate our new exhibit at the Cannon Art Gallery
• Community events and activities
• Apply to serve on the city’s Senior Commission
• Upcoming city meetings

Rock out as TGIF moves to Alga Norte Community Park

Our TGIF summer concert series moves to Alga Norte Community Park this Friday, featuring Wayward Sons. This band delivers a high-energy, nostalgia-packed rock show filled with the biggest anthems of the '80s, from Journey and Queen to Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Styx and Guns N' Roses.

Friday, Aug. 15

Field opens at 4 p.m.

Concert starts at 6 p.m.

Concert ends at 8 p.m.

Park site, bike valet and parking lots close at 9 p.m.

Alga Norte Community Park

6565 Alicante Road

3D pop-up art

Craft fun and special tools with our 3D pens from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the pop-up art booth.

Free shuttle and bike valet

• Parking is available at Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane, with free shuttles running continuously from 4 to 9:15 p.m. to transport concertgoers to and from the event.
• Check your bike in for free with our bike valet service at the concert location. This service is similar to a car valet, but for bikes.

Insider tips

• Seating is limited, so please only take the space that you need when setting up for your group. Feel free to set up low-back chairs (which sit lower than 8 inches from the ground).
• Service animals are allowed, but please leave pets at home.
• Here’s a list of the items that are allowed and what to avoid.
• Everyone attending the concert will go through a quick security screening process at the concert entrance. This video shows what you can expect.

Back to school traffic safety tips

Students across Carlsbad are heading back to school soon. If you’re getting kids ready to bike to school, now is a great time to review the rules of the road together to make sure they’re ready to ride.

• Make sure your student knows the importance of always wearing a helmet. This video shows you how to make sure their helmet fits properly.
• Traffic lights, signs and signals apply to everyone, including people riding bikes and e-bikes.
• Bikes and e-bikes should ride to the right side of the road or in a bike lane if one is available. You can leave the bike lane or right side of the road to turn left, pass someone, avoid something in the road or go around a car turning right.
• Consider taking a “test ride” with your student from home to school to help them get familiar with the route.
• In general, the same rules that apply to drivers apply to bikes and e-bikes. Talk to your student about Carlsbad-specific rules.

Changes to Kelly Drive

If you have students at Kelly Elementary school or live nearby, a quick heads up on some changes you will notice at drop-off and pick-up. During the summer, the city removed the yellow ceramic domes that had formed interim traffic circles along Kelly Drive and completed other street improvements, including:

• Enhancing pedestrian crosswalks
• Repaving and restriping intersections to meet current city standards
• Installing all-way stops on Kelly Drive at Park Drive and Hillside Drive

Please give yourself extra time to get where you need to go, especially during school drop-off and pick-up, and bring your patience while people adjust to these changes.

Provide input on potential minimum age for e-bike riders

While we’re talking about e-bikes, remember, the City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. to gather community input on whether Carlsbad should prohibit e-bike use by children under age 12.

• The City Council requested that the commission hold this meeting to receive resident feedback and make a recommendation for City Council consideration.
• When we asked for community input before launching the city’s Safer Streets Together program in 2022, one of the top requests was to require licenses or establish a minimum age for riding e-bikes.
• The city’s legislative team worked with Assemblymember Tasha Boerner to sponsor legislation which allows cities in San Diego County to establish a minimum age of 12 for e-bike riders.

There are two ways to provide input:

• Email traffic@carlsbadca.gov by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16
• Attend the meeting and provide a comment in person

Special Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

All input will be shared with the City Council.

Learn more

Reminders for drivers

As you drive around town the next few weeks, you’ll notice increased traffic in the morning and afternoons as kids travel to and from school. Remember to:

• Eliminate distractions and put your phone away.
• Slow down and look out for people walking or biking, especially near schools.
• Give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go.

If you’ll be picking up or dropping off kids at school and arrive early, please turn off your engine while you wait for the line to start moving. Avoiding idling reduces air pollution, saves fuel and keeps the air cleaner for students and staff. Restarting uses less fuel than idling for long periods.

The city’s construction map shows where city road projects are happening that might affect your commute. The map is updated weekly to help you avoid or minimize traffic delays and detours that often come with construction. It only shows city projects, not work by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.

Thank you for being patient, slowing down and moving over if you can in construction zones. When you see crews working in our community, know they are completing projects that help keep our streets safe and ensure water and sewer infrastructure below the street operates smoothly. We know construction can cause traffic delays or other inconveniences, so crews work hard to finish quickly and minimize impacts. A little kindness goes a long way—please help keep everyone safe by showing respect in work zones.

Homework help at the Carlsbad library

Students and parents can explore resources at the Carlsbad City Library to support learning, including homework help and research tools.

• Britannica School: Empower students of all grade levels with a comprehensive research tool that spans English and Spanish content. Britannica School offers a rich collection of articles, biographies and videos on both current and historical events, making it a valuable resource for academic exploration.
• Homework Help: Unleash the potential of research projects with our library's Homework Help page. Packed with databases and eResources, students can delve into cultural exploration, locate primary sources and find crucial support for their assignments. It's a one-stop shop for all research needs.
• Reading lists and personalized recommendations: Discover the joy of reading with our tailor-made book suggestions for all ages. Whether you're a curious child or a lifelong learner, our personalized reading recommendations will guide you toward captivating reads that match your interests and preferences. Let the joy of storytelling transport you to new worlds and enrich your reading journey.
• Access in-person or virtual help from librarians through text, email, chat or phone, plus find answers to frequently asked questions on the Carlsbad City Library website.

Fall recreation programs and more  

The City of Carlsbad is also offering a full lineup of classes and programs this fall, including sports lessons, creative and performing arts classes and science and exploration classes. Register early, classes may fill up.

• Sports classes for youth and adults interested in learning tennis, karate, dance and swimming.
• Special interest classes for kids and teens, like babysitting training, ballet and painting.
• Early childhood programs for children ages 1 through 4 to practice hands-on learning, sensory development and social skills.

The complete schedule of programs is available in the city’s Fall Community Services Guide, now online.

Celebrate our new exhibit at the Cannon Art Gallery

If you haven’t had a chance to visit “Printed & Stitched,” our latest exhibit at the city’s William D. Cannon Art Gallery, we have some special events coming up that give you the perfect reason to stop by. The exhibit features 58 original artworks created by members of the California Society of Printmakers and Studio Art Quilt Associates of California & Nevada. You can also watch a video highlighting the exhibit for a preview before you visit.

Public reception

This Saturday, we’re holding a reception to celebrate the new show, with refreshments and live music. Connect with fellow art-lovers and take in the exhibit, which examines the storied overlap between printmaking and textiles.

Printed & Stitched reception

Saturday, Aug. 16

3 to 5 p.m.

William D. Cannon Art Gallery

1775 Dove Lane

Make your own art at our Open Studios

On Aug. 30 and Oct. 18, you’re invited to attend our Open Studios, two art-making events that draw inspiration from the new exhibit. Participants can drop in to explore the art of mono- and gel-printing through hands-on experience with traditional printmaking tools. We will provide the art supplies and you bring the creativity.

Open Studios

Aug. 30 and Oct. 18

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (drop-in)

Ann Kulchin Courtyard

1775 Dove Lane

If you can’t attend one of these events, don’t worry. The exhibition is open through Oct. 28.

Gallery hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: noon to 5 p.m.

Friday: noon to 7 p.m.

Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Community events and activities

Here are some City of Carlsbad events and activities coming up soon at our libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center.

• Cinema Club Friday, "Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable" – Friday, Aug. 15, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Senior Center Library Open House (adults 50+) – Friday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to noon, Carlsbad Senior Center
• Saturday Chess Meet-Up – Saturday, Aug. 16, 2 to 4 p.m., Library Learning Center
• Reel Wednesday, “Stand by Me" – Wednesday, Aug. 20, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library

Find more activities and information in our city calendar, the Senior Center’s Seaside Insider newsletter and our Summer Community Services Guide.

Apply to serve on the city’s Senior Commission

If you’re interested in getting involved and making a difference in our community, we currently have two vacancies on the city’s Senior Commission.

Applicants must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city. You can apply online or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 9 at noon.

Senior Commission

Two vacancies

Meetings: Fourth Thursday of each even-numbered month, 3 p.m.

Upcoming city meetings

There is no City Council meeting next week, but the city’s Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday. You can see the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

You’re welcome to attend any of these city meetings in person and they’re also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve watched my daughter’s friends say their goodbyes and head off to college. For parents going through this white-knuckle moment—or those who’ve already experienced it—I feel for you. I’m fortunate my daughter will be close by at San Diego State, but even with her just moving into the dorms and out of the house, this milestone still brings a tear or two. If your kids are younger and this stage feels far away, savor every minute—it all goes by faster than you think.

Have a wonderful weekend!



Geoff Patnoe

City Manager