August 2021
Birthday Bash is coming back--belated, but better than ever. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 4 and watch our social media pages for all the details.
MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Wrapping up Summer of 2021

Welcome to the August issue of More Murrieta. We have been enjoying seeing many of you since resuming in-person operations and hybrid Council meetings in spring. Please note that City Council will be dark on August 17 and September 7, providing a much-needed break for Council and staff and allowing us to prepare for the fall.

The City has a lot to look forward to over the next few months, including the Belated Birthday Bash. We know that the community genuinely missed this time-honored event last year. We did, too. And you can rest assured that staff is working hard behind the scenes to make this year’s 30th Anniversary Bash better than ever. We hope to see you at California Oaks Sports Park on Saturday, September 4, 2021, for exhibits, live entertainment and fun for the whole family--with a 1990's twist.

Two weeks ago, we held our annual Employee Recognition Ceremony. As City Manager, this ceremony is deeply personal. It highlights how fortunate we are to have such a committed, professional and talented team. I am truly proud of our 375 City of Murrieta employees. They have addressed challenges with grace and ingenuity, keeping service to the community front and center.

And a final note: Don’t forget children will be back in school, and that brings more vehicle and pedestrian traffic, so please build in some extra travel time and watch for little ones while driving.
Kim Summers, City Manager
JULY IS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH
CSD Hosts Movies, Youth Center and Dances!
 
Movies-in-the-Park
The City of Murrieta kicks off its Movies-in-the-Park series beginning Saturday, August 7. All movies take place at Town Square Park beginning about 7:45 p.m. Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and movie snacks. Please refer to our website for additional information www.murrietaca.gov/events for the latest on all our upcoming events or contact Community Services with additional questions at (951) 304-PARK (7275).
 
  • August 7:  Sonic the Hedgehog
  • August 14: Field of Dreams
 
Attention all Parents of Incoming 6th Graders
When registering your 6th grader for middle school, don’t forget to also stop by and complete an application for membership at the Murrieta Youth Center.  You will find a positive, alternate space for youth of Murrieta to socialize, educate, and develop. This focus is achieved primarily through peer-to-peer mentoring, responsible empowerment, educational programming, and through strong positive supervision. 
 
The large outdoor space allows the members to play basketball, football, other sports, or on the NEOS system – an outdoor, multiplayer electronic game that promotes active play. It also provides an opportunity to host special events and day camp programming and allows for café-style conversations in the outdoor seating area. In addition, the inside lounge area is equipped with a 65” flat screen TV, PS4, ping pong table, table-top shuffle board, air hockey, lounge chairs, couches, and belly-high tables.
 
The computer lab is equipped with the latest touch screen PC’s, iMacs, and iPads. With 12 total computer stations and Wi-Fi through the building, there is plenty of connectivity for the tech-savvy youth of today.
 
There is also a 1,000 square foot multipurpose room used for educational programming, movie screenings, youth summits, and guest speakers.
 
Please stop by during operating hours to request a tour from our friendly, knowledgeable staff. The Youth Center is located behind California Oaks Sports Park and the Rite Aid store at the intersection of California Oaks Road and Jackson Avenue.
 
Operating hours during school break are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. or visit the Murrieta Youth Center homepage by clicking www.murrietaca.gov/youth  or contact staff at (951) 304-PARK (7275) for additional information.

Alternative Recreation Program
The City’s Alternative Recreation Program (ARP) offers activities for special needs adults 18 years and older at least once each month. Program activities include dances, potlucks, movies, field trips, and pool parties. Most activities take place at the Community Center on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. There is a fee of $2 per participant, but guardians or caregivers are free except for field trip admissions where prices are to be determined. There are two events for August:

  • Friday, August 13: The Friendship Dance 
  • Friday, August 27: Puzzle n’ Pajamas
YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE FOR AUGUST
Heritage Room Reopens. More Programs Resume in September.

The Library completed its online Summer Reading Challenge and the results were awesome: We had over 1,300 participants with over 4,000 books read and almost 500 free books given out at our Book Fair! Our DIY kits were tremendously successful - all ages had a craft to work on at home every week - over 2,000 kits were handed out throughout the summer. Almost 10% of these were handed out to senior organizations as part of our summer senior outreach program. Due to the great response, we will be offering more kits in the fall months along with in-house programming, which will return in September. That’s right – live storytimes and informative presentations will resume in the next month!
 
Last month, after being closed for over a year, the Library’s Heritage Room re-opened fully. With historical research and image requests again being fulfilled, and the City of Murrieta recently celebrating its 30th birthday, we would like to reintroduce our community to the Heritage Room’s unique holdings which include over 2,000 photo images, hundreds of rare journals, and dozens of historical local history books. Additionally, we have now created many transcripts of our oral histories, all of which are available on the Library’s YouTube channel. If you would like to read or photocopy one of the Library’s oral histories, please speak to a staff member at the Adult Reference Desk. We anticipate all transcripts will be available at the end of August.
 
To stay current with what’s happening at the Murrieta Public Library and have a chance to win a prize every month, sign up for the Library’s monthly newsletter. Please go to bit.ly/murlib to sign up. As always, the staff is available to answer questions via phone Monday through Saturday, during regular hours, by calling (951) 304-BOOK. 
POLICE CITIENS ACADEMY IS BACK
Get a Hands-On Look at Murrieta PD

Our Citizens' Police Academy is back! The 12th Academy will begin on September 1, 2021 and conclude on November 17, 2021. Classes will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

The 12-week Citizens Police Academy is designed to increase public awareness and understanding of the Police Department's operations. Citizen students will be taught by an expert panel of department personnel in the topics of patrol tactics, criminal investigations, S.W.A.T., police canines, narcotics, crime free multi-housing, neighborhood watch, dispatch, traffic enforcement, use of force and many other related fields. Students will ideally participate in practical demonstrations, simulations, and attend a ride-along with a patrol officer during the academy.

Enrollment opens on August 1, 2021. Prospective participants for the Citizens Police Academy must meet the following criteria: 
  • Live or work in the City of Murrieta
  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have no felony convictions, outstanding warrants, or pending criminal cases
  • Successfully complete a background check and possibly an interview

Even though the subject matter is similar to that of a traditional police academy, the purpose of the Citizens' Academy is for public education and to enhance and foster a strong relationship with the community. All citizens over the age of 21, who are in good physical condition to sit in a classroom setting, participate in simulation exercises, and reenact tactical scenarios, are encouraged to apply. 

For further information please email Corporal Matt Mozingo or call 951-696-3615.
NEWS FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Downtown to Gain Award-Winning Brewery, Health Fast Food Coming to Costco Plaza.

Downtown Murrieta continues to expand, with Belching Beaver Brewery now in escrow for the Joannie’s Cantina site on Washington Ave. This award-winning company offers quality craft beer, while also being whimsical and fun to inspire good times.

The Vineyard has announced some new restaurants coming in to go along with Costco and Aldi and many other retailers. The first is Plant Power, a 100% Plant Based quick-service restaurant serving burgers, fries and shakes and even their tables are made from renewable bamboo. Their food has no cholesterol, no high fructose corn syrup and no hydrogenated oils, so this is a unique healthy twist on fast food. 

We are also getting a second Chipotle, and this one is a “Chipotlane” which is their new Drive-Thru model where Customers will be able to place their order through the Chipotle mobile app or via website, then pick it up in the Chipotlane, all without ever having to leave their car.
Through December 31, 2021, we will be honoring 30 years of cityhood with weekly #throwbackthursday posts and a growing collection of photos and stories at www.MurrietaCA.gov/30th.

Check-in often for a trip down memory lane.
Shortcuts to Stay Connected with the City of Murrieta
Please forward this email and help us connect with Murrieta residents and businesses.
If you were forwarded this email and wish to receive More Murrieta directly to your inbox each month, please visit our sign-up page.