A Weekly Message from the Mayor of Your Community published in the belief that it is important for elected leaders to communicate with their constituents and that constituents have a means of hearing from their elected leaders.
Escondido • Mayor Sam Abed HERO Clean Energy Financing Program Officially Launches in Escondido
I had the excellent opportunity to participate in a news conference earlier this week alongside elected officials and clean energy experts from around the region to announce the official launch of the HERO residential clean energy financing program.
The HERO program is now available to Escondido residents as an affordable way to make energy efficient, water efficient and renewable energy upgrades to your home. You can use HERO to finance renovation projects that can increase your property value, lower your monthly utility bills and contribute to making your community more energy independent.
Energy upgrade projects not only create a more sustainable community, they also stimulate economic growth and job creation.
So far, the HERO program has helped finance more than $100 million in energy upgrades across California. Popular energy upgrades include solar panels, energy efficient windows, HVAC, roofing and more.Visit the HERO Web site set up specifically for Escondido at https://www.heroprogram.com/Escondido to find out if you qualify. Escondido contractors who are certified in the HERO program are listed on the Web site, making it easy for you to “shop local” for your project. Business properties can also qualify for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans, working through Figtree Financing www.figtreefinancing.com for commercial energy upgrade projects.
Vista • Mayor Judy Ritter Movie in the Park
Join us on Saturday, July 19, for another Free Summer Movies in the Park series. Take the whole family and head to the Vista Sports Park for “Despicable Me2” (PG). The movie begins at dusk at about 8:00 pm. Come early with a family picnic and get a good seat! The Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey mobile circus will be on hand to entertain children before the movie. The Summer Movies in the Park is a perfect chance to meet new people, relax, and enjoy a safe and special night under the stars. Check online at CityofVista.com for more details or for the full
‘Local News’ Cont. from Page 7
To report any suspicious activities in your neighborhood, you may contact the Police Department directly, or you may make an unidentified call on our Anonymous Tip Line at 760-743-TIPS (8477) or via our Web site at www.police.escondido.org. Oceanside Man Killed After Hitting Tree with Car
California Highway Patrol has reported the death of a 52year-old Oceanside man who was killed last Saturday morning when his car crashed headon into a tree off southbound Interstate 5 in Carlsbad.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was driving a 1996 Ford Mustang about 5
summer series schedule across visit County, the SummerMoviesInthePark.com.
If you enjoy helping seniors in the community and have a few hours to spare this summer or even once a month – consider becoming a volunteer driver at the Senior Center. Drivers provide door-todoor transportation assistance for shopping, medical appointments and other necessary activities for seniors unable to drive or who are homebound. Interested? Please call the Gloria McClellan Senior Center at 760.639.6161 for volunteer information. The program enhances the lives of many seniors and volunteer drivers receive mileage reimbursement and supplemental auto insurance.
a.m. when his vehicle drifted off the right shoulder of the freeway just north of Tamarack Avenue, said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Curtis Martin. The Carlsbad Fire Department pronounced the man dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.
Martin said the driver was wearing a seatbelt and his airbags went off, but CHP is still investigating to find out why he did not brake before hitting the tree. Interfaith Community Services Receives $470,000 in Grants
Interfaith Community Services is the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the office of San Diego
San Marcos • Mayor Jim Desmond San Marcos Family Camp Out
Set for Saturday, Aug. 2 at 4 pm to Sunday, Aug. 3 at 9 am, the annual San Marcos Family Campout is just around the corner. Offering a convenient, closeto-home camping experience, the campout is complete with outdoor games, arts and crafts, a flashlight hike, campfire songs, a hot dog cookout, s’mores and breakfast the next morning.
Participants will have a chance to sleep under the stars on the grasses of Walnut Grove Park located at 1950 Sycamore Drive. Each family will be assigned a ten by
ten space to pitch their tent and set up camp. Upon arrival, the city’s recreation leaders facilitate field games and arts and crafting activities will also be available. Whether you are a first-time camper or an outdoor enthusiast, tickets are just $17 per person so bring your camping gear and get ready for an overnight adventure. Be sure to register online by Friday, July 25 for a camping experience without all the hassle. All ages are welcome. For more information and a detailed packing list, visit www.san-.marcos.net or contact Jennifer Overman at (760) 7449000, ext. 3506.
Oceanside • Mayor Jim Wood Oceanside Parks and Recreation
July is National Recreation and Parks month with the theme “Out is In.” This year the focus is on setting trends instead of following them, making 2014 the year people go outside, change their outlook and get involved in the community through parks and recreation. During the Month of July, thousands of cities nationwide thank their citizens for their year-round participation in recreation and park programs. Parks and Recreation services provide many benefits to the community such as enhancing neighborhood safety, strengthening health and well-being and promoting community togetherness. In addition to encouraging the County Supervisor Bill Horn to bolster technology at its veterans services center in Oceanside. The money will be used to purchase laptop computers and monitors for use by veterans at the agency's new office in the Veterans Assistance of North County facility at 1617 Mission Ave.
"We've been looking for funds to outfit a computer lab. This will get that started," said Dean Dauphinais, director of veterans services for Veterans Assistance of San Diego, a division of Interfaith Community Services. "Having good equipment is essential for veterans to conduct Internet searches for jobs, housing, training, and all we do to help veterans achieve self-sufficiency." The grant is the second piece of good news for Interfaith's veter-
public to be involved in National Recreation and Parks month, Oceanside’s Parks and RecDivision is offering a free Bicycle Traffic Skills Course once per month in 2014. This class is designed for people who enjoy bicycling recreationally or for those who commute to work on a bike. The class meets twice, offering riders a classroom session and a practical road session. The classroom session meets from 6:00 pm. to 9:00 pm. The road session generally meets from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. All classes meet at the Oceanside Library Community Rooms, located at 300 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054. While classes are free, pre-registration is necessary. To view class dates and see more information or to register, please go to: www.oceansiderec.com, click on “Register Now”, set up a free ActiveNet account and search: Bicycle. ans department, which recently was informed that it was awarded the first option years of two other grants totaling $450,000 to assist veterans in receiving needed training to pursue civilian careers.
The grants include $300,000 for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project and $150,000 for the Homeless Female Veterans and Veterans with Families program. The programs help veterans upgrade their job skills, while providing career counseling, assistance with life skills and help in finding housing. Interfaith Community Services provides a wide range of programs to help hungry, homeless, and low-income people in North San Diego County. You can reach North County Interfaith at 760.489.6380.