Message from the City Manager

June 2022

While it may not be official for a few weeks, the start of June always feels like the start of summer. And between our Father's Day Car Show, the Birthday Bash, and lots of engaging youth programming at our Murrieta Public Library, the City of Murrieta is ready for this season of fun. 

Read on to learn more about the following stories and more in this edition of More Murrieta:

• City celebrates its 31^st Anniversary with Birthday Bash
• New Murrieta PD license plate reader system keeps Murrieta and region safe
• Murrieta Money Match local shopping incentive program launches June 2!
• Murrieta Library kicks off summer programming with free events and take-home kits
• Mark your calendar for upcoming events and meetings

We hope this month is the start of a truly enjoyable summer for everyone. I know it can be a busy time, but hopefully you are able to take advantage of the great community events and programming we have here in Murrieta. They are one reason that here in Murrieta we are Connected by Community. And I would be remiss if I didn't wish all of the fathers (and father figures) a very happy Father's Day. Guiding and nurturing those around you is critical work. May your day be filled with family and fun.

Kim Summers

Murrieta City Manager

Murrieta's Birthday Bash is back!

City celebrates its 31^st anniversary with Annual Birthday Bash

Murrieta is turning 31, and we are throwing a birthday party for the whole community. The City of Murrieta invites residents and visitors alike to commemorate the 31^st anniversary of cityhood at its annual Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 25, from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. at California Oaks Sports Park. Come and enjoy a variety of exciting family-friendly activities including live entertainment, a firefighter’s hose down, delicious food vendors, and the eagerly anticipated fireworks show at 9 p.m.

“This is a true community event and everybody is invited to celebrate the City’s birthday with entertainment and fun. It’s a great way to kick off summer and a great day to enjoy with family and friends,” said Kim Summers, Murrieta city manager.

The event is free and open to the public. It is an entirely outdoor event and visitors are encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets for seating. Umbrellas and shades are allowed until sunset when they will need to come down in anticipation for the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Attendees can check out the non-profit, business, and food vendors at the event. The California Oaks Sports Park is located at 40600 California Oaks Road in Murrieta. 

The schedule of events includes the following:

• 4 p.m. – Firefighter’s Hosedown
• 5 p.m. - Opening band – Rock by Night (classic rock hits)
• 7 p.m. - Headlining band – Kings of Queen (Queen tribute band) 
• 9 p.m. - Fireworks spectacular!

For more information, please see the department's special events page or contact staff at (951) 304-PARK (7275).

51^st Annual Father's Day Car Show

Mark your calendar so you don't miss out on the fun!

The City of Murrieta is excited to host its 51^st annual Father’s Day Car Show Saturday, June 18, from 4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the California Oaks Sports Park located at 40600 California Oaks Road in Murrieta.

The classic Father’s Day Car Show is a great way to celebrate dads, grandfathers, and all family father figures. Thousands of people are expected to attend the annual event that will include music, food vendors, a car competition, and family fun you don’t want to miss.

Interested in having your classic car in the show? Registration is now open by visiting the following website: tinyurl.com/fathersdaycarshow22. Participating vehicles may enter at 3 p.m. The show begins at 4 p.m. Pre-1980 and specialty vehicles will be judged if they are in place by 4:30 p.m. Pre-registration fee is $25 (event t-shirt included). Day of registration fee is $30 (no event t-shirt included).

Summer Fun Continues in July and August

Enjoy the sounds of summer and movies at Town Square Park

Summer Concerts in the Park 

Concerts at Murrieta Town Square Park & Amphitheater will return each Saturday in July from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with live music. Check the events website for the band lineup.

Summer Movies in the Park   

We will host our summer movies in the Park on Saturday evenings throughout the month of August. Movies start at dusk and will be held at Murrieta Town Square Park & Amphitheater. These events are all free admission and family friendly.

For more information about City of Murrieta events taking place throughout the year, visit www.MurrietaCA.gov/events.

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming special events and public meetings

Special Events

• Blood Drive for Cole Haar | June 3 | Event Details
• Father's Day Car Show | June 18 | Event Details
• 31^st Birthday Bash | June 25 | Event Details
• Concerts in the Park | July 2 | Event Details

May Public Meetings

• City Council | June 7 and June 21
• Parks and Recreation Commission | June 2
• Planning Commission | June 22

Meeting times and dates are subject to change. Please visit the City's agenda webpage for meeting details and full agendas.

Murrieta City News

Primary election ballot drop off, Murrieta's seed library, and blood drive

Ballot Drop Off Update

There is a primary election taking place this month. The City has sites where people can drop off their ballots and/or vote in person. City Hall has a vote-by-mail drop box so feel free to bring your vote-by-mail envelopes with you to City Hall to drop off. Fire Station 4, which is on Baxter Road, is a vote-by-mail drop-off site and an in-person vote center. The Murrieta Public Library is also a vote-by-mail drop off and an in-person vote center.

For details about voting location dates and hours, please visit the County's Registrar of Voters website.

Seed Library (free seed packets and cuttings)

The Seed Library’s goal is to support the community by providing free access to seeds. Seed Libraries foster community resilience, self-reliance, biodiversity, and a culture of sharing. We are also looking for cuttings to share with the community, as well as non-GMO seeds. Find more information at bit.ly/murseedlibrary or come and pick out seed packets.

Blood Drive in Support of Cole Haar

A blood drive is scheduled for Friday, June 3, to support Cole Haar and will be held at the Murrieta Community Center (41810 Juniper St, Murrieta, CA 92562). Cole has a personal goal of collecting at least 100 pints of blood during his blood drives so kids like him are not waiting for blood in pain. You can help Cole reach his goal and save up to three lives with a single donation. 

Economic Development Updates

Unemployment rate drops, Costco and Crumbl Cookies grand opening, and Murrieta Money Match launch

Murrieta's Unemployment Rate Drops Below 3%

Murrieta's jobless rate in April, based on preliminary Employment Development Department estimates, was just 2.9%, compared to 3.4% in March.

Costco and Crumble Cookies Opening Soon

Costco announced it will be opening August 3. The opening of the new 151,000-square-foot store and its eight-lane gas station will be located at The Vineyard at Clinton Keith Road near Interstate 215.

Crumbl Cookies is set to open on Friday, June 3, from 8 a.m until midnight. The new gourmet cookie shop is located right next to Albertson’s in the shopping center off of California Oaks Road and Monroe Avenue. 

Murrieta Money Match, Get Paid to Shop Local

Murrieta Money Match launches this week! The City of Murrieta is proud to implement an exciting shop local incentive program to support the Murrieta community and help local businesses overcome some of the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. With your purchase of a $25, $50, $100, or $250 gift card, you will receive a matching amount to spend at participating local stores! Purchase gift cards on our special Murrieta Money Match website.

Participating in the Murrieta Money Match program means supporting the heart of what makes our community unique. The purchase of a Murrieta eGift card creates a pool of cash that local businesses in Murrieta can rely on. Studies have shown that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, while only 14% of national chains’ revenue stays in the community. More dramatically, local restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community, versus 30% for national chains.  

If you are a Murrieta business and would like to participate, email Scott Agajanian at SAgajanian@MurrietaCA.gov to be added to the business interest list.

Murrieta Police Department

Murrieta PD debuts first Pink Patch, Flock camera system update

Murrieta PD Debuts Their First Pink Patch

The Murrieta Police Department is proud to be going PINK! The Murrieta Police Department is officially participating in the Pink Patch Project. Murrieta PD is now selling the patch featured in this photo to raise funds to support breast cancer efforts. The funds raised from our police department will go to Michelle’s Place. Michelle’s Place provides over 10,000 free services a year to individuals and families impacted by all types of cancers. Donations allow Michelle’s Place to continue to provide the necessary support to individuals and their families impacted by cancer throughout our community.

The “Pink Patch Project” originated in 2013 with the Seal Beach Police Department. Additional agencies joined in the cause and began selling their patches and donating the profits towards breast cancer support and research. This project has been recognized as an innovative public awareness campaign to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support breast cancer research organizations in combating this devastating disease. Currently, over 750 agencies throughout the country participate in the Pink Patch Project. More women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer than any other type of cancer. The disease accounts for one in three new female cancer diagnoses annually. This year alone, approximately 287,850 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and approximately 51,400 women will be diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer.

The special pink patch will be worn by Murrieta PD as their shoulder patch during the month of October to help support the Pink Patch Project.

Would you like a patch or know someone who would? Everyone can support this effort by purchasing a pink patch in person at the Murrieta Police Department. Patches are sold at the PD front counter. These are the first patches Murrieta PD has ever made available to the public and each patch will sell for $10.

For additional information about purchasing a patch, please contact:

Claudia Vega at 951-461-6320 or CVega@MurrietaCA.gov or Hiba Diaz at 951-461-6319 or HDiaz@MurrietaCA.gov. 

Flock Camera System Update

Murrieta PD is excited to announce the current installation of 20 Flock license plate reader camera systems. These automated cameras provide vital real-time information to Murrieta Police Department Support and Patrol Divisions related to vehicles involved in a variety of criminal offenses.

Visit the Murrieta Police Department website for more Murrieta PD news.

Community Services Department Updates

Creating community through people, parks, and programs

National Trails Day

National Trails Day is June 4! Did you know that Murrieta has 16 trails with more than 30 miles worth of beautiful hiking? So, let’s get outside and enjoy some fresh air, see some wildlife, and get our bodies moving! While out, be mindful of your surroundings and leave the trails better than how you found them. A map of all city trails can be found here. If you are interested in adopting a trail, please visit the City's Adopt-a-Trail webpage and contact us at 951-304-PARK (7275) for more information. Happy Trails!

Feeding America Offering Seniors Free Meals

Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Their mission is to advance change in America by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all in partnership with food banks, policy makers, supporters, and the communities they serve. The program will be a once-a-month distribution, taking place at the Senior Center parking lot on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Feeding America volunteers will be on hand to assist seniors in receiving food kits and filling out the needed paperwork. The Feeding America organization handles all details for the distribution and it will not interfere with any of the scheduled programming taking place at the Senior Center.

Alternative Recreation Program

Murrieta’s Alternative Recreation Program (ARP) is a social program for adults, 18 years and older, with intellectual and developmental challenges. The City's next event will be held in partnership with the Rotary Club of Murrieta on June 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Murrieta Community Center. Dust off your dancing shoes and dance the night away at Hollywood Prom Night! Dinner will be provided. All attendees must RSVP by June 6. There is only room for the first 120 participants. For registration and additional information please refer to our recreation program listing here. For more information call 951-304-PARK (7275).

Public Library Activities

Library kicks off Summer Reading Challenge and offers multiple day-use State Park Passes

Summer Reading Challenge

Summer is nearly here! Beginning June 6, the Library will officially kick off its six week 2022 Summer Reading Challenge! The Library will offer a variety of spectacular events: mobile museum exhibits at Town Square Park, fun activities for children in the Garden of Verses, Community Room programs, and take-home kits for teens, plus artistic, in-house presentations, take-home kits and contests for adults. All patrons will receive a summer “passbook” when they sign up and will receive a free book after they have read five books. Adults will also have the opportunity to win prizes in weekly opportunity drawings.

Complimentary State Park Passes Available 

The Murrieta Public Library is offering fabulous items through several California State Grant partnerships. We have received three more State Park Passes for vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating State Parks. Patrons can check out these passes at the Children’s Services Desk. Additionally, the Library now has home-connectivity kits, Chromebook laptops and Wi-Fi mobile hot spots available for check-out at the Adult Reference Desk. Please note: these items cannot be placed on hold.

Sign Up for the Library Newsletter to Stay Up-to-Date

To stay current with what’s happening at the Murrieta Public Library, sign up for the Library’s Newsletter at bit.ly/murlib. As always, staff are available to answer questions Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and via phone at (951) 304-BOOK. Please email circ@murrietaca.gov for account questions and reference@murrieta.gov for general questions.

Murrieta Fire & Rescue

Neighbors helping neighbors

Preparing for Summer and High Temperatures

This is a great time to double check your "go bags" for fire season. Make sure that you are packing these essentials:

• Money: ATM and credit cards, checkbook, cash
• Medical items: Medical and dental records
• Personal belongings: Clothing for all family members
• Food: Snacks with a long shelf life
• Documentation: Passports and visas
• Personal belongings: Small toiletry kit
• Medical items: Small first aid kit; prescriptions
• Water: Reusable water bottle/water

Join the Murrieta team!

Check out jobs at the City of Murrieta

The City of Murrieta is consistently ranked one of the best places to work in the Inland Empire and has a strong organizational culture and dedicated workforce.

Have you considered looking for the next step in your career by serving your community? Check out the City's jobs website and learn more about current openings. Make sure to check back often, as new positions are listed frequently.

Visit Murrieta's Jobs website today!