Welcome New Mayor and Deputy Mayor!
The City of Escondido extends a warm welcome to its new Mayor, Paul “Mac” McNamara and Council Member for District 1, Consuelo Martinez, who was also appointed as Deputy Mayor. The Installation Ceremony took place on December 12 in Council Chambers, where both were sworn in along with re-elected Council Member John Masson. We would like to thank Sam Abed and Ed Gallo for their dedicated years of service to the City of Escondido.

2018 Employee Holiday Drive
Each year City employees organize a Holiday Drive to give back to the community. This year’s drive has come to a close, and a total of 414 Souper Sacks and 457 sets of pajamas were collected! Souper Sacks are bundles of nonperishable food items and holiday surprises that are distributed to Seniors at the Park Avenue Community Center during the holiday season. The pajamas are donated to various agencies that provide them to children in need. Thank you to everyone who participated in making the Employee Holiday Drive a success!

2020 Census Count
The U.S. Census happens every ten years and Census data informs how $675 billion is distributed annually among local, state, and tribal governments for programs like:

• Transportation
• Job training centers
• Schools (Title 1 Grants, National School Lunch Program, Head Start/Early Head Start)
• Senior and Foster Care Centers
• Housing (Section 8 housing choice vouchers)
• Medical Assistance Programs (Medicaid, Medicare) 

Escondido stands to gain up to $2,000 in federal funds for every counted resident so an accurate count is essential to maintaining some of the key programs described above.  The 2020 U. S. Census is right around the corner and the federal government is now recruiting for part-time jobs to help get the count underway.  Interested parties can apply online at:  www.2020census.gov/jobs 

Escondido Based Company Renovates Roundhouse Aquarium
Last month, the iconic Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier celebrated its grand reopening after a $4M renovation. Why is a Manhattan Beach destination being featured in the Escondido Weekly Activity Report? Because the aquarium’s water filtration and exhibit renovation was done in large part by Escondido-based Integrated Aqua Systems. IAS is a local aquatic systems integrator and equipment supply company that has been in Escondido since 2011. Located in the industrial area on Progress Place, they specialize in the design, fabrication and supply of advanced water filtration and life support systems in aquatic research, aquaculture and commercial aquatic exhibits.  All of the filters used in the Roundhouse Aquarium renovation were built at IAS’s facility in Escondido, then expertly installed by IAS on site in very tight quarters.
https://abc7.com/roundhouse-aquarium-in-manhattan-beach-reopens-after-remodel/4636634/ 

Digital Petting Zoo at the Library
Showcasing some of the new technology available at the library, the first ever Digital Petting Zoo had a great turnout of 77 people of all-ages. The virtual reality gaming console and the 3D printer drew people in, but they were dazzled by the library's new language learning database, Prounciator, and how computer coding words with simple "raspberry Pi’s." Guests included local educators, and the library is planning targeted technology-centric outreach to this demographic.