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News from the City of Carlsbad | Dec. 12, 2024

With Thanksgiving a little later this year, the holidays are coming up quickly. Today I’ll tell you about three upcoming events to help you get into the spirit, along with these updates:

• Carlsbad part of regional DUI enforcement crackdown
• Special workshop for small business owners
• One step closer to choosing an artist for Barrio art project
• New smoke-free law to take effect in new year
• Couple’s gift will help others enjoy library
• City construction map
• City meetings next week
• Signing off … and leaving you in good hands 

Holiday carolers with a twist

The Rockin’ Cranberries will be spreading holiday cheer by caroling at all three library locations on Tuesday, Dec. 17. This upbeat quartet has a modern, jazzy style with some awesome four-part harmonies.

Festive Carolers Tour with The Rockin’ Cranberries

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Library Learning Center, 11 a.m.

3368 Eureka Place

Cole Library, 12:30 p.m.

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Dove Library, 2:15 p.m.

1775 Dove Lane

Rockabilly concert at Dove Library

See a rockabilly take on holiday classics with Blame Betty, a San Diego-based rockabilly band performing Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard at Dove Library. This high-energy trio is inspired by 1950s legends like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, so bring your dancing shoes.

Seating is limited, but you’re welcome to bring your own chair. Chapters Cafe will be open during the event for purchase of food and drinks.

Rockin’ Dance Party featuring Blame Betty

Saturday, Dec. 21

5 to 6 p.m.

Ann Kulchin Courtyard

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve”

Celebrate the new year with an exploration of New Year’s traditions around the world, including dancing, crafts and a New Year’s Eve countdown to noon. Children of all ages are welcome, with activities geared toward those ages 4 to 10.

Noon Year’s Eve celebration for families

Tuesday, Dec. 31

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Regional DUI crackdown

The Carlsbad Police will conduct a DUI checkpoint this Friday, Dec. 13, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city as part of a major regionwide crackdown on impaired driving. It started yesterday and will run through New Year’s Day.

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is a national campaign focused on increased DUI enforcement and education. To fund these efforts, Carlsbad got a $201,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Remember, it’s always better to plan your rides in advance when you’re headed to holiday festivities.

• Consider not taking your car at all. Get a ride to your destination so you’re not even tempted to drive home if you’re not sober.
• Remember, impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products and other drugs can also cause impaired driving.
• If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.

Preventing DUIs is part of the city’s comprehensive Safer Streets Together program, which is making a measurable difference. Thank you for helping to keep our streets safe for everyone.

Small business workshop: Negotiating your lease

If you are a small business owner or know someone who is, then our next small business workshop might be of interest. The topic is how to negotiate commercial lease agreements.

• The City of Carlsbad, Carlsbad Village Association and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce are presenting the free event (registration is required but there is no charge).
• You’ll hear from North County real estate professionals, gain an overview of commercial real estate trends, understand key factors to consider in lease agreements and network with peers. Registration is required, however there is no charge to participate.

Small business workshop: How to negotiate your lease

Tuesday, Dec. 17, noon

Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Register

Barrio artist selection down to final three

A week from today, the city will hold a public meeting to hear presentations from the three finalists in our search for an artist for new public art in the Barrio, Carlsbad’s oldest neighborhood.

Public Art Advisory Subcommittee meeting

Thursday, Dec. 19, 5 p.m.

Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

We’ve been working with the community over the past year to gather feedback about how the new art can best reflect the Barrio’s identity and cultural and historic heritage, and now we’re ready for the next big step. A Public Art Advisory Subcommittee will hear presentations from the three artists selected as finalists:

Mario Torero

Roberto Salas

Sijia Chen Studio

• You can come to the meeting or watch the livestream.
• If you’re there in person, you can weigh in by speaking during the public comment part of the meeting. You can also send your comments in advance via email.
• The new artwork will go in the middle of a traffic circle planned for the intersection of Pine Avenue and Harding Street, one of the main gateways into the Barrio.
• The artists have not proposed a specific style or theme for the artwork. They’re being evaluated based on their qualifications, past work and approach to working with the community on the design.

The committee is made up of two community members, an arts professional and two members of the city’s Arts Commission. On Nov. 13, the committee reviewed applications from nine qualified artists and narrowed the field to the final three. 

Next steps

• Once an artist is selected, the community will have an opportunity to provide input to the artist directly as designs being to take shape.
• Sign up for email updates to learn about opportunities to get involved.

Reminder: New smoke-free housing law to take effect in new year

Smoking and vaping will be banned in and around Carlsbad apartments, condos, care facilities and other multi-unit homes, under a new city law taking effect Jan. 1.

• The law, which includes exceptions for certain designated outdoor spaces, is based on one of the programs in the city’s state-required housing plan (also known as the Housing Element).
• California cities are required to update their housing plans to outline how they will meet future housing needs and promote the production of “decent housing and a suitable living environment” for people of all income levels.

The new law was approved a few months ago, but did not go into effect right away. This way, we could help make sure everyone was aware of the changes and what they mean.  

Couple’s gift will help others enjoy the library

George Krell knows a thing or two about libraries. He and his late wife, Connie, spent a lifetime living in different parts of the country. No matter where they landed, they became regulars at the local library, with our very own Dove Library becoming their most recent stop. In fact, George calls the Carlsbad City Library system one of the finest in the nation.

George and Connie wanted to make a difference for other library lovers and decided to donate $100,000 to be used to create a new reading area at Dove Library and purchase large print books.

The new reading area furniture was recently installed at the library along with a plaque honoring the Krells. Library staff have already purchased 175 large-print books, and more are on the way.

Thank you to the Krells for your generosity, which will help spread the joy of reading for generations to come. 

Next week's road construction

Whether it’s maintenance on our sewer pipes, road repaving or some other type of city work, there are times when city projects can impact traffic in your area. Be sure to check our weekly construction map so you can plan an alternate route. Remember, the map only shows city projects and doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.

City meetings next week

In addition to the Public Art Advisory Subcommittee meeting, the city’s Planning Commission is also scheduled to meet next week.

You can see the full meeting schedule on our city calendar. Board and commission meetings are livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. 

Signing off … and leaving you in good hands.

This is my last update, as I wrap up my time with the City of Carlsbad. It has been an honor to serve this community, and I have truly enjoyed connecting with you each week to share the incredible work that goes on here.

Several of you have asked if this newsletter will continue, and it absolutely will. Geoff Patnoe (pronounced Pat-no) officially takes over as City Manager a week from today, but he has been by my side for almost five years now. In fact, he read almost every edition of this newsletter before it went out to make sure I had my facts straight and didn’t miss any major issues you’d want to know about.

In other words, Geoff won’t miss a beat. I am excited for you to get to know him.

So, one last time, please stay safe, be kind and continue to #Care4Carlsbad.

Scott Chadwick

City Manager