Vallejo Weekly | Vol 11 | Issue 6

Vol 11 | Issue 6 Feb 9, 2023

VAL L E J O

WEEK LY

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Black History Month Honoring Vallejo's First African American Police Officer

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In recognition of Black History Month, the Vallejo Police Department is proud to highlight the City of Vallejo's first African American employee and police officer, Ofc. Alfred Robinson. We are also proud to honor Vallejo Police Departments longest-serving officer, Lt. Herman Robinson, who is also Ofc. Alfred Robinson's son.

Ofc. Alfred Robinson was the first African American employee ever hired by the city of

Vallejo in 1946 as a "Special Officer" and a custodian. A Special Officer is equivalent to a reserve officer. In 1953, Vallejo Police Department Chief Earl Dierking promoted Ofc. Alfred Robinson to a sworn police officer, badge #176.

On September 1, 1973, the City of Vallejo hired Lt. Herman Robinson, badge #331, Lt. Herman Robinson has served the Citizens of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Department for nearly 50 years!

In honor of Black History Month, we recognize Ofc. Alfred Robinson for being a pioneer, and Lt. Herman Robinson for his longevity and dedication to the Vallejo community!

For a list of all current City of Vallejo job openings, please click here, and be sure to subscribe to receive announcements for future recruitments.

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We're Hiring!

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Nestled between the newly constructed Blue Oak Landing Housing Project and Transformation Village is a community garden that hopes to be a catalyst for social change. The Vallejo Unity Garden is completely operated by youth leaders from Vallejo Project and volunteers from the community. The garden started a year and half ago as a collaborative project with Transformation Village, formerly the Renaissance Family Center, and has blossomed into an opportunity for youth and community to come together to use permaculture principles to address issues such as food insecurity, urban gardening, and food forests.

The garden is run by Vallejo Project youth leaders Thomas Silva, Aaron Kim, Sydney Allen, and Xochitl Vargas. Each member brings their unique experience and expertise, as well as hopes for what the garden can mean for future generations. The idea behind the garden is to introduce urban communities to permaculture, or the growth of agricultural ecosystems in a selfsufficient and sustainable way, while providing youth the opportunity to hone their horticulture skills, develop leadership skills, explore advocacy work and receive career preparedness. The

garden features different edible plants such as fava beans, lentils, corn, and potatoes, which was a special request by residents of Transformation Village. The garden also features a chicken coop with about 10 donated chickens and an underconstruction greenhouse that will be used to house native plants. Both Thomas and Aaron assist with the planning and implementation of the food forest by using techniques such as hugelkultur, in which they utilize mounds constructed over logs that act as sponges for water, and planting diverse groups of edible plants that attempt to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature.

Sydney uses her digital media/ film skills to help document the project along with the growth, development, and outcomes of the garden.

The group has expressed more interest in revitalization and sustainability projects aimed at encouraging native planting initiatives. The Vallejo Unity Garden is one of many programs offered to youth through Vallejo Project.

Vallejo Project is a community service center designed to improve student outcomes by connecting youth to multi-generational enrichment and development opportunities in the trades, art, wellness, and culture. They bring together a passionate team of diverse students, educators, artists, and community advocates

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Vallejo Project’s Vallejo Unity Garden

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to offer weekly workshops and live webinars.

They offer leadership and professional training through post-secondary education opportunities for youth ages 16-24 in a variety of fields.

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If you are interested in volunteering at the Vallejo Unity Garden, their open work hours are Sundays between 10 AM and 1PM at 2160 Sacramento Street. Volunteers should wear long pants, closer toed shoes, and clothes that they do not mind getting dirty. Volunteer duties may include feeding chickens, helping in the garden, turning the compost bin and more. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening supplies, but there are also tools available on site. For more information you can check out their website: Vallejo Project.

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• The City of Vallejo • Vallejo Police Department • Vallejo Fire Department • Vallejo Water Department

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company Vallejo MGP Cleanup Project Update

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BACKGROUND: PG&E has a voluntary program to clean up sites impacted by historic PG&E operations. This update is on the work occurring at the Cityowned 26-acre property located south of Curtola Parkway that is associated with the former Vallejo manufactured gas plant (MGP).

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From January 26 to February 1, PG&E has: • Removed impacted soil and debris for off-site disposal.

• Backfilled excavations with clean fill and compacted the fill.

• Stabilized soils in place with a specialized cement mixture.

• Cleanup activities are being conducted inside tents in some areas to limit off-site impacts.

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Continued construction of a new City storm drainpipe that crosses the site.

Upcoming Work includes: • Removal of impacted soil and debris for offsite disposal, backfill excavations with clean fill and compact the fill.

• Continuation of stabilizing soils in place with a specialized cement mixture.

• Continuation of construction of a new City storm drainpipe that crosses the site.

Air monitoring results confirmed that air quality remained at levels protective of the health of the surrounding community. Air monitoring is conducted during all soil cleanup activities in accordance with a Perimeter Air Monitoring Plan approved by DTSC. For additional information, please contact the PG&E toll-free response line at (866) 247-0581 or remediation@pge.com. Hablan español

Bay Area Stage Productions presents Ken Ludwig’s "The Game’s Afoot" Opening February 17th at the BAS Theatre in Vallejo, and runs for 3 weekends, closing on March 5th. A comedic whodunit set in December 1936, The Game's Afoot follows the attempted murder of Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes.

Gillette, (a real-life actor by-the-way) invites his cast-mates to his elaborate home in Connecticut to celebrate Christmas with him as he recovers – and seeks to discover who the culprit might be. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous.

It is then up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop, and no one is as they seem.

SHOWTIMES: Friday & Saturday evenings – 8:00pm and Sunday matinees – 3:00pm TICKET PRICES: General - $22.00 and Senior/ Student - $20.00 LOCATION: 515 Broadway Street, Vallejo (inbetween Redwood & Tennessee) *RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: (707) 649-1053

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To Purchase Tickets, visit: www.bayareastage.org

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Californians Against Retail & Residential Theft (CARRT)

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On Feb 15, 2023, at 1:00 PM, the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce proudly joins Californians Against Retail and Residential Theft (CARRT), a broad-based coalition calling for needed changes in California's criminal justice system, for an important zoom update with CHCC members and other small business owners to discuss collaborative efforts over the last year to raise awareness about the rise in property crimes and find long-term solutions.

Speakers will include: • Julian Canete, President and CEO, California Hispanic chambers of commerce • Matt Ross, Californians against retail and residential theft (CARRT) • Ariel Pe, Vice Mayor, City of Lakewood • Bismarck Obando, League of California Cities • Jim Cooper, Sheriff, Sacramento County To register for this meeting, please click here.

For additional questions, please call or email: 916-444-2221 Magali@cahcc.com

Join the Vallejo Peoples Garden and Sustainable Solano organizations in building a pollinator habitat!

Vallejo People's Garden will expand its Garden, transforming the front lawn of the global center for success into a native plant and pollinator garden.

WHERE: Global Center for Success 1055 Azuar Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592 (Mare Island)

The pollinator pathway Garden will provide a habitat for pollinators, including monarch butterflies. It will also be a beautiful alternative landscape that requires less water than a lawn.

WHEN: February 11 and February 18 10 AM to 4 PM RSVP: sustainablesolano.org/events

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Native plant and pollinator installation

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Solano Transportation Authority Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) is looking for YOU!

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Are you a Bicycle fanatic? Have you thought about joing the Bicycle Advisory Committee?

The BAC updates and monitors the progress of the Solano Countywide Bicycle Plan and make

funding recommendations for countywide bicycle priority projects to the STA Board of Directors, the seven cities and the County.

The Committee meets the first Thursday of every odd-numbered month in the STA office conference room at 6:00 PM. To apply, visit https://sta.ca.gov/work-with-sta/ citizen/

CONTACT 555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA 94590 Facebook.com/cityofvallejo Instagram.com/cityofvallejo cityofvallejo.net For maintenance emergencies, please call: (707) 648-5235