...effective January 1, the City is the new owner of the former Olympic Training Center. The facility will remain as an elite training center for Olympic and Paralympic athletes under the new name of Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (CVTC), a USOC Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. Elite Athlete Services will operate the Center on behalf of the City. It will also be used for special events, clinics, and other activities associated with sports. Stay tuned for more details in the February newsletter.

...we have very generous and giving members in both our Fire and Police Department Foundations who recently had the opportunity to provide happier holidays to local Chula Vista families in need. On December 20, the Chula Vista Police Foundation, Wal-Mart, and Athletes for Education held their annual turkey give-away. Members of the Chargers football team also participated in distributing food for holiday meals to more than 1,000 families. 

The Chula Vista Firefighters Foundation, in collaboration with the Police Activities League, distributed gifts to 35 children from 12 selected Chula Vista families. Toys, clothing, and food were provided to each family and delivered by firefighters from Engine 51. Children were invited to sit in the fire engine which was a big thrill to many.

... here's your chance to learn how to play guitar. Participants, ages 10 to adult, will learn how to hold a guitar and pick, as well as learn the parts of the guitar, a scale, a few chords, and a couple of songs. Guitar lesson class meets on Monday, January 9-March 6, from 5 to 6 p.m., and the fee is $40 for Chula Vista residents and $50 for non-residents.

...the Civic Center Branch Library at 365 F Street is offering two new classes in 2017. Check out the English Conversation Café on Saturday, January 7 and 21, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Non-native English speakers, adults ages 18 and up, can practice English in a relaxed setting and improve their speaking and listening skills. A weekly Sensory Storytime begins January 11, from 11 a.m. to noon each Wednesday for children with autism or with developmental delays. The class provides interaction through various formats such as storytelling, songs, and movement.

...you can take your "walk for a dog," and not just your dog for a walk and benefit the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility (ACF)! Walk for a Dog is a free fitness app for your smart phone that fundraises for your designated shelter every time you walk. Just download the app, choose the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility, and use the app each time you grab for the leash. It's healthy for you, your dog, and our shelter. No cost is involved to you as the shelter receives donations via sponsors and fundraising. Check it out!

... According to the American Heart Association, use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) more than doubles a victim's survival rate when sudden cardiac arrest occurs. Now, it's easier than ever to locate AED units in City facilities. This means that residents, visitors, employees and volunteers can find the exact location of these life-saving devices. All of the City's AED units have been entered into the PulsePoint AED app, which allows users to find AED locations. Simply open the app and click on "search this area." PulsePoint AED app is free from the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about PulsePoint.

AED units can be found at the Civic Center Buildings A, B and C, 276 Fourth Avenue; Civic Center Branch Library, 365 F Street; Chula Vista Police Department, 315 Fourth Avenue; Norman Park Senior Center, 270 F Street; Parkway Community Center, Gym, and Aquatic Center, 385 Park Way; Heritage Recreation Center, 1381 East Palomar Street; Loma Verde Recreation Center and Aquatic Center, 1420 Loma Lane; Montevalle Recreation Center, 840 Duncan Ranch Road; Otay Recreation Center, 3554 Main Street; Public Works Center, 1800 Maxwell Road; Salt Creek Community Center, 2710 Otay Lakes Road; South Chula Vista Branch Library, 389 Orange Avenue; and Veterans Park Recreation Center, 785 East Palomar Street.

... Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten Boot Camp is offered free to children ages 4-5 who will be entering kindergarten. Registration is now open for classes at the Civic Center and South Chula Vista Branch Libraries. At the Civic Center Branch, email, and at South Branch, call (619) 397-5740 to enroll your child. The program, which focuses on motor skills, is offered in partnership with Altrusa International of Chula Vista.
 
... McClendon Jewelers has moved to 275 Third Avenue which is across the street and 1/2 block south of its previous location. The long established business is a great resource for jewelry repairs, or to purchase new and antique jewelry.  JP Motorsports and Marine, 476 Broadway, is open in the former La-Z-Boy furniture store (near H Street) and has a great inventory of new and used vehicles, parts, accessories and apparel to make one stop shopping a reality. They carry motorcycles, scooters, UTVs, boats, and more featuring brands from Honda, KTM, Yamaha, Sea-Doo, Mercury, Kawasaki, and others. There are literally thousands of parts available to the MotorSports enthusiast. Stop by and check them out.

...if you want to find out about the latest development projects in our city, check out the updated map on the City's website. 

...you and your family can start the new year right by joining one of the many classes or activities offered by the Chula Vista Recreation Department. Otay will be hosting Bumble Bee Sports, Me, You, and Fun Too!, and Wiggly Worms Gymnastics for the little ones, while Parkway has Parent & Me Little Gym, Ballet, Hawaiian Dance, Hip Hop, Judo, Karate, Tiny Tots and more. Heritage offers free Therapeutic Recreation classes for those over 18, and Salt Creek has Ballet, Flag Football Skills, Starting Spanish Superstars, drop-in Fitness Classes, and adult indoor Soccer Leagues.

...January is Cat Adoption Month at our Animal Care Facility. Start the new year right with a purrrr-fect resolution to make a cat part of your family! Adoption fee is $25 (regularly $65), but if you adopt a black cat, you will receive a $20 PetCo gift card in addition to a bag of goodies for your new furry friend. Stop by at 130 Beyer Way, Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

...the Otay Ranch Branch Library conducts monthly Passport Fairs and walk-ins are welcome. Stop by Saturday, January 7 or 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Sunday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and start your 2017 travel plans!

...CVPD Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Driver's License checkpoint on December 30. This program is supported by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over 1100 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint with 376 vehicles screened. Two drivers were arrested for DUI, 9 citations were issued for license violations, 5 vehicles were impounded, and 8 citations were issued for other vehicle code violations. Checkpoints have proven to be very effective with 90 percent of California drivers approving of them. Look for more checkpoints during the year from CVPD and remember to call 9-1-1- to report drunk drivers.

...the Direct Access Ramp (DAR) opened January 4 providing carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) users direct access to the I-805 carpool/HOV lanes. Motorists can now enter and exit the HOV lanes from East Palomar Street, improving safety, reducing congestion, enhancing traffic flow, and increasing travel time reliability for all freeway travelers. Carpool/HOV users include carpools (two or more occupants), vanpools, transit, motorcycles, and solo drivers in permitted clean-air vehicles. While only certain motorists can use the DAR, all drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians can use the new pedestrian-friendly East Palomar Street bridge to cross I-805. The DAR at East Palomar Street, as well as the adjacent Transit Station and Park & Ride, are part

of Phase 1 of the I-805 South Express Lanes Project -a $1.1 billion effort to create a modern new transportation backbone for San Diego's South County. The project will provide a connection between East Palomar Street and I-805 HOV for South Bay Rapid when the transit service begins in 2018.