Contact - Jennifer Schoeneck

Phone - 760-839-4587

Escondido, CA - The City of Escondido is thrilled to announce that Regal Cinemas will remain in the City. Through a joint initiative with the location’s property owners and the support of the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and the Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce, the City worked to encourage the movie theater's continuation within the City.

The initiative included submitting a heartfelt letter of support from the City of Escondido, expressing the community's overwhelming desire to preserve this longstanding asset. Additionally, the DBA and the Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce joined forces in writing letters of encouragement, urging the movie theater, Regal Cinemas, to remain an integral part of the downtown Escondido community.

"We are thankful that Regal Cinemas heard the community through our letters of support and decided to work with the property owners to maintain the theater in the City of Escondido," stated Sean McGlynn, Escondido City Manager. The Ownership made significant concessions to make sure Regal had a profitable future going forward. This collaborative effort showcases the immense dedication of Escondido's residents, businesses, and local government in safeguarding their cherished institutions.

The property owners played a significant role in the endeavor, investing months of collaborative negotiations with Regal Cinemas and the Bankruptcy Court to devise rental terms that would entice the theater to continue operations in Escondido. Their unwavering commitment to the community's interests exemplifies the spirit of cooperation that helped secure the theater's future.

Recognizing the importance of preserving the theater as an essential part of the downtown Escondido community, the City also offered to offset a small portion of the cost of the facade improvement to the property owner. This financial support aims to offset the cost of repainting and repairing stucco within the shopping center, further enhancing the theater's appeal to its patrons.

The movie theater stands as a mainstay of community enrichment, providing not only entertainment but also a gathering place for the community. As it remains an integral part of the City's identity, the City of Escondido, along with its valued partners, encourages residents to show their support by attending more shows in person. Each ticket purchased not only offers an enjoyable experience but also signals a strong message of support, allowing the theater to maintain its presence in Escondido.

As the curtains rise for another act at the only movie theater in town, the City of Escondido extends its deepest gratitude to all those who rallied behind this cause. Together, they have demonstrated the unyielding power of a united community working tirelessly to preserve what is important to this City.

New passes are added at the beginning of each month and are available on a first come, first served basis.

For more information on other Library programs, visit the Library’s website at http://www.escondidolibrary.org or contact the Library’s Information Desk at 760-839-4839. Library programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025.

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Escondido, CA - Escondido Public Library is home to the Pioneer Room, a unique historical archive. Established in 1992 with a bequest from local historian Frances Beven Ryan, the Pioneer Room houses historical documents, photographs, and other reference materials on people, families, and structures local to Escondido.

From June 15 to December 31, the Pioneer Room will host a new photograph exhibition, All Together Now: The Palomar Family YMCA. Beginning with the Hi-Y club in 1911, the Palomar Family YMCA has long since been a place for community and leadership. With images from the YMCA Photograph Collection, the new exhibition highlights the many people, programs, and events at the ‘Y’ from 1965 through the early 1970s and is free to view during Pioneer Room operating hours.

On Thursday June 29, Pioneer Room volunteer and genealogy researcher Beth McIntyre will teach a beginning genealogy workshop in the Pioneer Room from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The program will teach participants how to begin tracing family history using the Library’s database subscriptions from Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.

Participants are encouraged to bring or write down information found in family documents, Bibles, birth certificates, and photo albums. The program is free of charge, but space is limited and participants should register at www.escondido.org/register.

Many of the Pioneer Room collections are available for online browsing at https://cdm17446.contentdm.oclc.org/. Collections are digitized and uploaded frequently, offering a dynamic and ever-growing repository of historic content available 24/7. 

For more information on the Pioneer Room, visit https://library.escondido.org/escondidohistory or contact Archival Specialist Ashley Hays, at 760-839-4612 or ashley.hays@escondidolibrary.org. Pioneer Room programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Pioneer Room. The Pioneer Room is located at 237 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025 in the building just in front of the Library, on the south side of the 3^rd Street parking lot. It is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Michael Thorne - mthorne@escondido.org 

Escondido, CA – Today, City Manager Sean McGlynn announced that Deputy Fire Chief John Tenger has been named Chief for the City of Escondido, after a nationwide search. Chief Tenger will succeed Chief Rick Vogt who will retire on July 15, 2023 after leading the Fire Department for six years and a cumulative 33-year career in fire service.

While making the announcement to the City employee team, Sean McGlynn shared “For nearly three decades John has been a tremendous leader in our fire department and our community. He has the trust, appreciation and respect of the department, colleagues and peers. I am thrilled to promote him to Chief effective July 16, 2023.”

Chief Tenger has been in the fire service for nearly 27 years and has served as the Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Escondido for the last three years. His career began as a volunteer firefighter with the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District in 1997. Chief Tenger began his fulltime professional career as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Escondido in January 1999. In December of 2003, Chief Tenger was promoted to Fire Engineer and then to Fire Captain in January 2006. In 2010, Chief Tenger was promoted to shift Battalion Chief where he served as a 24-hour shift commander and oversaw the department’s training and EMS programs. In May 2017, he was promoted to Fire Division Chief and then to Deputy Fire Chief in November 2020, responsible for department operations. Chief Tenger holds a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Studies from CSU Long Beach. In addition, Chief Tenger recently completed the CSU San Marcos “Leadership North County” program in 2022. Chief Tenger shared, “I am humbled and honored to be trusted with the responsibility of leading the City of Escondido Fire Department. I am truly thankful for the support of the city manager, city council and all of my colleagues for their confidence in my ability to maintain the highest standards of excellence and professionalism that the City of Escondido Fire Department exemplifies.”

Chief Tenger’s salary will be $210,000.

Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library’s 2023 Summer Reading Challenge invites children, teens, and adults to read All Together Now this summer! The Challenge runs from Jue 12 to July 30, 2023 and encourages reading for fun and life-long learning for all ages.

The Library will be offering a variety of educational, recreational, and cultural events throughout the Challenge, so stay tuned for more details on upcoming programs! Participants can join the Challenge from home, on a mobile device, or through the Library’s computers by logging reading and event participation online at http://www.escondidolibrary.org/summer. Join in the summer fun to earn prizes donated by local businesses and the Friends of the Library.

Summer Reading Challengeprograms for children, teens, and families include special story times, environmentally-themed craft events, the Arty Loon magic show, a visit from Wild Wonders featuring animals from all over the globe, and Marc Griffiths’ One Voice Many Friends puppet show.

Teens can get artsy this summer with Anime Your Way, Teen Art Studio, and an art display showcasing original teen artwork in the Library

Adult programs and events this summer invite patrons to discover the history of Escondido via a lecture and walking tour and through historic library photos on view in the Pioneer Room. Additional summer events for adults include swapping succulents in a plant program, a learn-to-play Dungeons and Dragons class for new gamers, and so much more.

For additional information on the 2023 All Together Now Summer Reading Challenge including program dates and times, prizes, sponsors, and rules for participation, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/summer. Summer Reading events are free, open to the public, and generously sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library and local businesses. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street, Escondido, CA 92025.

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Escondido, CA - Escondido Public Library is partnering with local author Pete Peterson for a series of classes on writing and publishing short stories. Peterson has had his work published in numerous magazines and literary publications. In addition to writing short stories, Peterson conducts workshops, revealing practical tips and tricks for aspiring short story writers and those looking to improve his craft.     

“Shortcut to Writing and Publishing Short Stories” is a four-class series where participants will learn practical tips on how to create memorable short stories that will appeal to editors and readers alike. Peterson, and participants will also share advice garnered from their own experiences navigating the world of publishing.

The series is designed for adults ages 18 and up and will be held in the Library Board Room on the Library’s second floor. The ninety-minute classes will take place on Mondays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Registration is required for all classes at www.escondidolibrary.org/register.

For more information on other Library programs for adults, visit the Library’s website at http://www.escondidolibrary.org or contact Principal Librarian of Adult Services, Azar Katouzian, at 760-839-48214 or azar.katouzian@escondidolibrary.org. Library programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025.

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Escondido, CA - Escondido Public Library is partnering with Annie Delre, a nationally board-certified Health and Wellness Coach, for a workshop on time management for adults. Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Integrative Wellness Coaching, Delre is passionate about helping clients achieve a life of confidence, wellness, and success.

On Wednesday, May 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Library’s Turrentine Room on the second floor, participants will learn strategies and tools to develop better time management skills to increase efficiency and productivity.

For more information on other Library programs for adults, visit the Library’s website at http://www.escondidolibrary.org or contact Principal Librarian of Adult Services, Azar Katouzian, at 760-839-48214 or azar.katouzian@escondidolibrary.org. Library programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025.

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Escondido, CA - Escondido Public Library is partnering with the San Diego Workforce Partnership for three job readiness workshops and a career fair. The Job Readiness series is designed to help community members develop strategies and skills for potential employment opportunities. Workshops will be held in the Mathes Center Classroom and include:  

• Resume Writing Skills Wednesday, May 10, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Job Interview Preparation Wednesday, May 24, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Resume Reviews & Mock Interviews Wednesday, May 31, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Career Fair Tuesday, June 6, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Registration is required for all workshops at www.escondidolibrary.org/register. For more information on other Library programs for adults, visit the Library’s website at http://www.escondidolibrary.org or contact Principal Librarian of Adult Services, Azar Katouzian, at 760-839-48214 or azar.katouzian@escondidolibrary.org. Library programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025.

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 Escondido Public Library is offering fun, Star Wars-themed programs May 1 through May 6, 2023.

• Build Your Own Spaceship Monday, May 2, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Build your own custom Star Wars spaceship from upcycled materials while supplies last (ages 5+ and families).
• BeYOUtiful Nail Art Tuesday, May 2, 4:00-6:00 p.m. The galaxy you want to explore may be far away, but you can create your very own galaxy...on your nails! Supplies are limited, so please register at www.escondidolibrary.org/register (ages 12 and up).
• May the Fourth Be with You Star Wars Day Celebration Thursday, May 4, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Celebrate everything Star Wars with crafts, costumes, and some very special guests from the 501st, Rebel Legion, Mando Mercs, and Saber Guild (all ages).
• All Inclusive Art Club Friday, May 5, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Join Mrs. Garcia during this special Star Wars-themed all ages and abilities storytime featuring a story, songs, and the opportunity to create art from a Star Wars picture book (all ages)!
• Star Wars Week Finale: Free Comic Book Day Saturday, May 6, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Star Wars Week concludes with Free Comic Book Day, board games, a trivia competition, and even more special guests! Get a free comic book courtesy of Knowhere Games & Comics (while supplies last) and take photos with fan favorite Star Wars characters from the 501st, Rebel Legion, and Mando Mercs. Join in the trivia competition at 11:30 a.m. in the Turrentine Room (all ages).

For more information on other Library programs for children, visit the Library’s website at http://www.escondidolibrary.org or contact Principal Librarian of Youth and Literacy Services, Dan Wood, at 760-839-4827 or dan.wood@escondidolibrary.org. Library programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025.

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The City of Escondido, San Diego Foundation and the Escondido Community Foundation, a regional affiliate of San Diego Foundation, announced today the awarding of $1.5 million in grants to 117 nonprofit organizations located in or serving Escondido.

Christopher McKinney, Deputy City Manager and Director of Utilities for the City of Escondido shared, “The City of Escondido worked diligently to ensure that federal relief dollars reached the nonprofit community that was financially impacted by COVID-19. We are thankful to our partners at the San Diego Community Foundation and the volunteers at the Escondido Community Foundation for managing this important grant program.”

The City of Escondido Nonprofit Relief Fund grant awards were presented at the Escondido City Council meeting on April 12, 2023. Funding for the grants was from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide relief funding to nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonprofits were categorized based on the priorities provided by the City of Escondido as follows: located in the city’s Opportunity Zone, targeted service areas of the nonprofit, and other COVID-19 relief received.

Of the 133 eligible applicants, 117 grantees were selected for awards. More than half of the selected grantees included nonprofit organizations focused on health, nutrition and well-being; performing arts; or early childhood education. More than a third of grantees were located in the city’s Opportunity Zone and about 72% of grantees included minority-, women-, or veteran-run nonprofits.

“San Diego Foundation is committed to supporting our local nonprofit community,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO of San Diego Foundation. “Thanks to Escondido Community Foundation volunteers, their neighbors will be better served by nonprofit organizations enabling community solutions to improve the quality of life in Escondido.”

While most nonprofits received grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, the following nonprofits received grants of $35,000 or more:

• Escondido Senior Enterprises - $50,000 to provide senior services
• Escondido Community Child Development Center Inc. - $50,000 to provide early childhood education
• California Center for the Arts - $35,000 to provide performing arts, music and culture programming
• Community HousingWorks - $35,000 to provide affordable housing and resident services at its Escondido properties
• Hope through Housing Foundation - $35,000 to provide health, nutrition and well-being services

Grants were also provided to the three outreach organizations of the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center network that provided program support and who were also eligible for funding. Each outreach organization received a $25,000 grant, including the Asian Business Association of San Diego, San Diego East County Economic Development Council and the Southwestern College Foundation.

The City of Escondido Nonprofit Relief Fund was one of several partnerships with local municipalities to provide nonprofit funding relief to maintain or grow post-pandemic nonprofit capacity. During the 2021 – 2022 fiscal year, SDF partnered with City of San Diego, City of Escondido and City of Chula Vista to provide more than $7 million to local nonprofit organizations located in or serving the residents of each municipality.

Incorporated in 1888, Escondido is a safe, clean and efficiently managed city of over 150,000 residents. Escondido is home to a growing number of businesses and a wide range of cultural, educational, healthcare, tourism and recreation amenities, making the City the ideal destination in which to live, work and play. Learn more at Escondido.org.

The Regional Affiliate Program, including Escondido Community Foundation, was established by San Diego Foundation to create a regional network of affiliate foundations by leveraging local leadership, building endowments, increasing impactful philanthropy and promoting civic engagement. Affiliates reside in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch-Del Sur. The Regional Affiliate program has exceeded 1,000 members, established endowments of more than $5 million overall, and granted more than $6 million in total to nonprofit organizations throughout the region.

San Diego Foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region. Our strategic priorities include advancing racial and social justice, fostering equity of opportunity, building resilient communities, and delivering world-class philanthropy to realize our vision of just, equitable and resilient communities. For more than 47 years, SDF and its donors have granted more than $1.4 billion to support nonprofit organizations strengthening our community. Learn more at SDFoundation.org.

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Contact:

Mike Thorne, City of Escondido, mthorne@escondido.org, 760-839-4009

Lorena Nava Ruggero, San Diego Foundation, lruggero@sdfoundation.org, 619-814-1365

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Michael Thorne, Communications Manager

DATE: April 10, 2023

PHONE: 760-839-4507

Escondido, CA – After leading the Escondido Fire Department for six years and a cumulative 33-year career in Fire Service, Escondido Fire Chief Rick Vogt has announced he will retire on July 15, 2023.

Over the course of his career, Chief Vogt served CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department for fifteen years as a Firefighter, Engineer, and Captain. He served the City of San Marcos as a Battalion Chief for ten years. During this time, Chief Vogt led a newly formed joint Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division that combined Escondido and San Marcos Fire Departments for EMS training, education, purchasing, policy, and procedures. In addition, Vogt was a member of the command staff on a state-wide Major Incident Management Team, and he deployed to dozens of large-scale wildfires and disasters.

Chief Vogt joined the Escondido Fire Department as a Division Chief in 2015, leading the Training and EMS Division. He was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations in 2016 and was appointed Fire Chief in 2017. During his tenure, the Escondido Fire Department has had many accomplishments, including the purchase of five new fire engines and the upgrade of the department’s technology, including radios, mobile data computers, and the fire station alerting system. In addition, Vogt oversaw the implementation of community programs to install free smoke alarms in homes and provide elderly and ill residents with lock boxes that allow paramedics to access homes quickly during medical emergencies.

Chief Vogt is recognized as a regional fire service leader. He has been an active member of the North Zone Fire Chiefs and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association, serving on the board of directors and as President from 2020 to 2022. Vogt said, “The level of collaboration and cooperation amongst the federal, state, local, and tribal fire agencies in San Diego County is outstanding. Seamless emergency response is the result of trustbased relationships from constantly training, meeting, and planning together. A great example of how this benefits the community was how the fire service in San Diego County implemented ‘operation collaboration’ during the pandemic and provided vaccinations to the public, especially the most vulnerable in convalescent and elderly care facilities.”

During his time as Fire Chief, Vogt is most proud of the enhancements made to the education, experience, and training of the members of the Escondido Fire Department. The department implemented the ‘Blue Card’ incident command certification program through the use of an onsite simulation lab that prepares firefighters for actual emergency incidents. Investments in the Fire Explorer program have provided Escondido youth with an opportunity to learn about and prepare for a fire service career. Facilitating formal education and incident management training and deployments has equipped members for advancement. Vogt said, “The development of our team is one of the highest priorities so that we will always have people with the experience and preparation to step into higher leadership roles.”

City Manager Sean McGlynn shared, “Chief Vogt has served the public for over three decades, providing guidance, ensuring safety, and sharing his fire expertise with his team. Our community has benefitted greatly from his leadership and dedication to Escondido. I wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Vogt said, "I have been blessed with a long career as a firefighter, and the highlight has been leading the men and women who serve the City of Escondido and working with the City’s executive leadership team and elected officials.” In his retirement, Chief Vogt plans to enjoy more time with his wife, who is a middle school teacher, and his fifteen-year-old twins and two adult children. A nationwide recruitment for the next Escondido Fire Chief recently began with the goal of naming a replacement by June 2023.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Maureen Hogan, 760-839-5458

Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library invites the community to go “Around the World in Many Ways” in its four-program celebration of different cultures, funded by the California Humanities Library Innovation Lab Grant.

• Mid-Autumn Festival: Thursday, September 8, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Local author Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan will tell a story about the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, followed by an all-ages lantern-making craft. Chinese mooncakes will be provided while supplies last.
• South American Adventure: Thursday, September 29, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Bilingual storyteller Georgette Baker will perform an interactive musical storytime about South American countries. Cultural artifacts will be available for show and tell.
• Danza Xinaxtli: Saturday, October 15, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Escondido-based Aztec dance group Danza Xinaxtli will perform traditional Aztec dances and discuss Aztec culture. Atole and champurrado will be provided while supplies last.
• Tradición Mexicana USA: Saturday, December 3, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Local Baile Folklorico group Tradición Mexicana USA will perform several dances and share the stories behind them. A presentation will be given in English and Spanish. Participants will be invited to make a piñata craft and enjoy traditional Mexican snacks, while supplies last.

Now entering its sixth year, the Library Innovation Lab program supports the design and delivery of responsive and relevant public humanities programming in California’s public libraries. The program provides a nine-month practice-based professional development experience and cash grants of up to $5,000 to participating library programmers. The creative and innovative programs that library staff develop will respond to the needs and circumstances of today’s immigrants and foster more inclusive communities within our state.

For more information on Around the World in Many Ways, contact Children’s Librarian Maureen Hogan at 760-439-5458 or maureen.hogan@escondidolibrary.org. For a calendar of Library events, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/events. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street, Escondido, CA 92025.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       

CONTACT: Michael Thorne

PHONE: 760-839-4009

The City of Escondido City Council voted to place a local funding measure to maintain Escondido’s public safety and essential City services on the November ballot. 

In a recently completed professional community survey, as much as 64% of respondents indicated they would support a funding measure that only requires a simple majority for adoption.

“Currently nearly all the sales tax funding generated goes to the State, County or SANDAG,” said Escondido Director of Finance Christina Holmes.   “The proposed measure will provide Escondido with local control over local revenue for the services residents have told us they want to be prioritized.”

Funding from the measure would be used to address priorities identified by the community through The Escondido Discussion community survey and engagement effort that the City has been conducting for several months.   With thousands of community responses, City service needs and priorities identified include addressing homelessness;  police patrols and crime prevention; repairing and maintaining local streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure; keeping parks and public facilities safe, clean, and well maintained; providing quick responses to 911 emergencies; providing fire protection and paramedic services; and cleaning up trash and litter in public areas.

Said City Manager Sean McGlynn, “Funding generated by this Measure will allow the City to address the priorities identified by community members and a variety of other City services that are essential to the quality of life of our residents.”

If enacted, the proposed measure would be a ¾ cent sales tax measure to expire in 15 years and include built-in fiscal accountability including citizen’s oversight, independent audits, and public reporting of expenditures.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            

CONTACT: Michael Thorne

PHONE: 760-839-4009

Escondido, CA - Escondido Chief of Police Ed Varso has been selected to be the next Chief of Police for the City of Menifee, CA. Chief Varso’s last day with the City of Escondido will be Tuesday, June 28, 2022. The City will appoint an internal Interim Chief from the Department’s command staff to ensure that community safety and internal operations remain unimpacted.

Chief Varso served the City of Escondido for 21 years, and served as Chief of Police since January 2020. Chief Varso said, “While I am excited for the opportunity to lead the Menifee Police Department, it is sad to say goodbye to Escondido. Day after day I witness a level of dedication and professionalism from all members of the Escondido Police Department that is second to none. I wish to thank the Escondido community for all of the support it has shown not only to me, but to the entire Escondido Police Department. EPD is an outstanding police department and I know that it will continue to provide exceptional service for years to come.”

City Manager Sean McGlynn said, “While this is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Chief Varso to help build a new police department and bring his leadership to a new community, it is truly a loss for Escondido. We will work quickly to engage in a national recruitment to find a replacement who will continue to advance the mission and values of our organization.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dan Wood, 760-839-4827

Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library’s 2022 Summer Reading Challenge invites babies, children, tweens, teens and adults to plunge into “Oceans of Possibilities.” The Challenge encourages reading for fun and life-long learning for all ages and runs from June 18 to August 7, 2022.

Educational, recreational and cultural events are offered throughout the Challenge. Anyone can take part in the program from home, on a mobile device or by using Library computers. Participants can log reading and event participation online at http://www.escondidolibrary.org/summer to earn prizes donated by the Friends of the Library and local businesses.

Summer Reading Challenge festivities kick off on Saturday, June 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Library’s front patio. Sign-up for the Challenge and receive a free slice of Rock-On Pizza, while supplies last.

Summer Reading Challenge programs for babies, children, tweens, teens and families include special story times, STEAM-themed craft events, traveling tidepools, a visit from rainforest animals and Marc Griffiths’ Oceans of Possibilities puppet show.

Teen events include a chance to explore table-top and virtual reality games, attend art-based events such as Anime Your Way and Sanrio Pom Poms and attend film showings by the “Walt Disney of Japan,” Hayao Miyazaki. Learn how to compost with worms, discover the haunted past of the Queen Mary and Star of India, make a beachy photo frame and more at adult-oriented events throughout the summer.

For more information on the 2022 Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Challenge including program dates and times, prizes, sponsors and rules for participation, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/summer. Summer Reading events are free, open to the public and generously sponsored by Friends of the Escondido Public Library and local businesses. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street, Escondido, CA 92025.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Azar Katouzian, 760-839-4814

Escondido, CA – The Escondido Writers Group at Escondido Public Library is hosting Once Upon a Book Fair on Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grape Day Park.

Local San Diego authors will be on site to sell and sign their books, and signed copies will be raffled off to attendees.

Grape Day Park is located at 321 N. Broadway in Escondido. For more information about Once Upon a Book Fair, contact Escondido Writers Group Facilitator Tanya Ross at tanyarossauthor@gmail.com.

To learn more about other Library programs for adults, visit www.escondidolibrary.org or contact Azar Katouzian, at 760-839-4814 or azar.katouzian@escondidolibrary.org. Library programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
CONTACT: Dan Wood, 760-839-4827

Escondido, CA – Celebrate Star Wars Week with the Escondido Public Library and enjoy fun, Star Wars-themed programs May 2 through May 7, 2022.

• Build Your Own Droid Monday, May 2, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Build a custom Star Wars Droid from upcycled materials (ages 8-12).
• PJ Storytime Tuesday, May 3, 6:00-6:30 p.m. Wear your PJS and bring your favorite stuffed animal to this Star Wars evening storytime (ages 5-12).
• May the Fourth Be with You Star Wars Day Celebration Wednesday, May 4, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Celebrate everything Star Wars with crafts, costumes, a trivia competition, and some very special guests from the 501st, Rebel Legion, Mando Mercs, and Saber Guild (all ages).
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Thursday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Special showing of Rogue One, starring Felicity Jones and Diego Luna. Children under 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (ages 13 and up).
• Inclusive Art Club Friday, May 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Special Star Wars story time for all ages and abilities featuring story, songs and art (all ages).
• Star Wars Week Finale: Free Comic Book Day & Jedi Padawan Lightsaber Training Saturday, May 7, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Free Comic Book Day, Board Games, Jedi Padawan Lightsaber Training, and even more special guests! Come by to pick up a free comic book courtesy of Knowhere Comics (while supplies last), play games and take photos with fan favorite Star Wars characters from the 501st, Rebel Legion, and Mando Mercs. At 11:30 a.m. take part in an all ages family lightsaber training with representatives from the Saber Guild (all ages).

For more information on other Library programs for children, visit http://www.escondidolibrary.org or contact Dan Wood, at 760-839-4827 or dan.wood@escondidolibrary.org. Library programs are free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of the Escondido Public Library.  Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, CA 92025.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
CONTACT: Katy Duperry, 760-839-4601

Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library invites all Escondido residents to share their thoughts and opinions about the Library’s future by participating in a virtual or in person focus group. Sessions will be offered:

• Tuesday, January 11, 8:30 a.m., East Valley Community Center 2245 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92027
• Tuesday, January 11, 6:30 p.m., Park Avenue Community Center 210 E Park Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
• Wednesday, January 12, 6:30 p.m., VIRTUAL
• Wednesday, January 19, 5 p.m., VIRTUAL

To register for a focus group, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/strategicplan

Focus group data will help the Library develop a strategic plan that meets community needs. For questions or assistance, please contact Assistant Library Director Katy Duperry at 760-839-4601 or katy.duperry@escondidolibrary.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Katy Duperry, 760-839-4601

Escondido, CA – The Escondido Public Library invites all Escondido residents to share their thoughts and opinions about the Library’s future by participating in a focus group. Sessions will be offered:

• Tuesday, January 11, 8:30 a.m., East Valley Community Center 2245 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92027
• Tuesday, January 11, 6:30 p.m., Park Avenue Community Center 210 E Park Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
• Wednesday, January 12, 6:30 p.m., Library Board Room 239 S. Kalmia St, Escondido, CA 92025

To register for a focus group, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/strategicplan

Focus group data will help the Library develop a strategic plan that meets community needs. For questions or assistance, please contact Assistant Library Director Katy Duperry at 760-839-4601 or katy.duperry@escondidolibrary.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 
CONTACT: Katy Duperry, 760-839-4601

Escondido, CA –Beginning September 1, 2021, Escondido Public Library is no longer charging daily fees for items returned late. All items, including DVDs and books on CD, will check out for 21 days with up to three automated renewals as long as no one is waiting for the item.

“We are excited to remove barriers to access for the patrons in our community,” said Dara Bradds, Library Director. “We hope this will encourage more people to come in and use the Library.”

While patrons will no longer be charged daily overdue fees, they are still responsible for paying for lost items. At 30 days overdue, checked out items will be marked as "lost" and the patron will be unable to check out or renew any additional physical items until they return the lost item, or pay for its replacement cost plus a $5 re-processing fee. Patrons with lost items on their account will still be able to check out eMaterials and use Library computers. Patrons are still responsible for overdue fines accrued prior to September 1, 2021.

For more information, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/fines, or contact Assistant Library Director Katy Duperry at 760-839-4601 or katy.duperry@escondidolibrary.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Katy Duperry, 760-839-4601

Escondido, CA –The Friends of the Escondido Public Library Book Shop will re-open Tuesday, July 6.

“We are delighted to resume service to the Escondido community after a 15-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Linda Parker, Friends of the Library president.

The Friends Book Shop is located on the first floor of the Escondido Public Library on South Kalmia Street. Beginning July 6, the book shop will be open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All items will be half price Tuesday, July 6 through Saturday, July 10.

The book shop will begin accepting donations on Monday, August 2. Donations can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Due to space limitations, only two boxes per donor will be accepted at this time. For more information on what types of donations are accepted, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/donate.

The shop sells used books, DVDs, VHS tapes, books on CD, magazines, and music CDs. All proceeds from the shop fund Escondido Public Library programs and events. The Friends of the Escondido Public Library are a volunteer-led 501(c)3 organization. To learn more about the Friends of the Escondido Public Library, visit www.escondidolibrary.org/friends

For questions or assistance, please contact Assistant Library Director Katy Duperry at 760-839-4601 or katy.duperry@escondidolibrary.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Katy Duperry, 760-839-4601

Escondido, CA – The Escondido Public Library Foundation commissioned artist Julia Anthony to create a mural on the west exterior wall of the Kalmia Street Library building. Two mural design options are under consideration; the Foundation encourages community members to share their opinions at www.escondidolibrary.org. The opinion poll will be active May 26-June 7, 2021.

Julia Anthony created the Wild Beauty of the Savannahs mural in the Library’s upstairs Children’s area in May 2010, as well as a fresh and salt water ocean mural at Oceanside Public Library in April 2011. Anthony’s business, Creative Palette Interiors, is located in Escondido.

For questions or assistance, please contact Assistant Library Director Katy Duperry at 760-839-4601 or katy.duperry@escondidolibrary.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Eveleen Crouthamel, 760-839-5457

Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library offers special programming for children in the month of May. All events are virtual, free and open to the public.

• Virtual Tea Time for Kids for children ages 5-12 years old on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Enjoy English tea and snacks, learn about tea etiquette, do a craft, and listen to stories on Zoom with The Grand Tea Room. Registration is required online at www.escondidolibrary.org/register. Once participants receive confirmation, craft and snack kits can be picked up at The Grand Tea Room beginning Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The Grand Tea Room is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 145 West Grand Avenue in Escondido.
• The San Diego Poetry Annual hosts its annual workshop, Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual for children ages 6-12 virtually on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Registration is required online at www.escondidolibrary.org/register. Francisco Bustos and Ying Wu will lead writing activities that stimulate creativity and self-expression. This workshop is free and open to young poets (ages 6 - 12) that reside in San Diego County. Children's poems and artwork can be submitted via email for consideration in the 2021 KSDPA anthology. Ying Wu is a poetry editor of Writers Resist and the Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual. More examples of her work can be found online at writersresist.com and poetryandartsd.com, as well as in the material world at the San Diego Airport (arts.san.org/portfolio-item/before). Francisco Bustos is poet, musician and member of the spoken work/music collective Frontera Drum Fusion. He is a professor of English composition at Southwestern College (SWC) and hosts SWC Guest Writers Series.

All programs are generously sponsored by Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 S. Kalmia Street in downtown Escondido. For more information about these programs visit www.escondidolibrary.org or contact Outreach Coordinator, Eveleen Crouthamel, at 760-839-5457 or eveleen.crouthamel@escondidolibrary.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Katy Duperry, 760-839-4601

Escondido, CA – Escondido residents and non-resident users of the Escondido Public Library are asked to share their opinions on the future of the Library by participating in an online survey available through April 30. To take the survey, visit www.escondidolibrary.org. The survey is available in English and Spanish.

Developments in technology and changes in the soon-to-be post-COVID world, have drastically changed the needs of library users. Survey data will help the library best meet these community needs.

For questions or assistance, please contact Assistant Library Director Katy Duperry at 760-839-4601 or katy.duperry@escondidolibrary.org.

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