CITY OFEL CENTRO

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERCOMMUNITYN E W S L E T T E R

SUMMER 2016E D I T I O N

CITY OFEL CENTRO

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

CITY OF EL CENTRO1www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

In a new and exciting fashion, Mayor Jason Jackson held his 2016 State of the City address at the Cinemark Theaters at the Imperial Valley Mall. “I really wanted to breakout of our usual routine when it comes to the State of the City Address. It was important to me to make it exciting and something fresh” states Jackson.

• State of the City Address

• Mardi Gras Light Parade& Street Festival

• Le Tour de 8th

• National Youth ProjectUsing Mini Bikes

• 2016 Woman of the Year

• Imagine Awards 2016

• COEC Council Meetings

• Frequently used numbers

• El Centro Adult Center Activities

• Upcoming Events

• Thanks to Our Sponsors

In this Issue State of the City Address1

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Mayor Jackson raised his own funds to pay for his address. Attendees enjoyed plenty of breakfast foods, music, giveaways and watching Reach Air land its helicopter just outside the theater in the parking lot. In past years the State of the City Address has been held at City Hall and most recently at the Community Center.

On February 20th, 2016 the City of El Centro’s downtown area was bursting with people celebrating the Mardi Gras Light Parade and Street Festival. This annual authentic event is attended by people from all over the Imperial Valley as well as San Diego, Los Angeles, Yuma and beyond. There are many decorative and lighted floats that take to the parade route throwing traditional Mardi Gras beads. Although this is considered an authentic event, it is family friendly with plenty to eat and enjoy.

Mardi Gras Light Parade & Street FestivalCOMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

CITY OF EL CENTRO2www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

The City of El Centro participated in the Le Tour De 8th on March 26th, 2016. The event encouraged all residents to get out and walk, bike or even skate around our city. Participants were able to preview planned safety improvements along 8th Street while discovering how easy it is to walk or bike to many neighborhoods. Throughout the event there were many food and refreshment vendors and family fun activities to participate in. Stops included Bucklin Park and the Martin Luther King Sports Pavilion.

Le Tour de 8th

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

CITY OF EL CENTRO3www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

National Youth Project Using Minibikes (NYPUM)The El Centro NYPUM program, has been in existence with the City of El Centro since 1979. The NYPUM program is for youth aged ten to sixteen years old in El Centro in order to promote self-esteem, develop values for daily living and create a strong sense of belonging. The three basic goals are to regain family values, encourage education endeavors, and provide community services to others. This is done to promote regular school attendance, promote environmental awareness, foster community involvement, divert from the juvenile justice system, gang activity and develop responsible citizenship. Participation in NYPUM and the opportunity to ride a minibike is a direct outcome of following NYPUM rules for safe riding and fulfilling the contract that focuses on “keeping kids on track.”

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CITY OF EL CENTRO4www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

The NYPUM program has had a long partnership with the Imperial County Probation Department and the School district. Youth referrals come from these agencies as well as the IVROP Projecto Exito program. The Parks and Recreation Department was very excited to host the very first NYPUM motorcycle safety training here in El Centro during Spring Break. This allowed us to recruit more CNI’s (Certified NYPUM instructors) who will be mentoring and getting kids to become aware of other positive programs available to them.

Mayor Pro-Tem Alex Cardenas states “It’s a great feeling to see young people’s enthusiasm when they are hands-on and learning all about minibikes. I also appreciate how a program like NYPUM can inspire kids and promote their positive development in other area’s aside from sports and music. NYPUM is a unique program that brings enrichment to youth which is aligned with some of the natural settings of our community. I am grateful for our city staff in taking the opportunity to introduce such valuable programing and also sustaining for many years to come. Special thanks goes to Pat Ureña and the entire parks and recreation staff for all their support.”

American Honda, has been the backbone of this program, by providing motorcycles to 34 programs in the United States. El Centro is one of three programs in California and has one of the longest standing commitments to this endeavor. El Centro has been highlighted nationally at the 121st Rose Parade and has had an opportunity to talk with Honda representatives about our focus on family values instilled in the program. We are very fortunate that the City of El Centro has also committed to the program for this many years.

The City of El Centro Parks and Recreation Supervisor and Calexico native, Pat Ureña was recently recognized and received the 56th Assembly District’s 2016 Woman of the Year award for the work she has done for juveniles and people with disabilities.

“My achievements and accomplishments have been working with people with disabilities, by providing them an opportunity to showcase their competitive abilities through year-round competitions, through Special Olympics, and working with youth who are having issues with truancy and school behaviors. We offer a specialized program called NYPUM (National Youth Project Using Mini-bikes) that helps put them back on track by providing them opportunities to work with mentors and other special programs that help them getting to school.” said Pat. Ureña is also known for

working long hours to bring many different programs to the general public for sports, physical activities and healthy living. Pat Ureña was unaware of the nomination until she received a phone call from Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia’s office asking for a bio and a picture. She traveled to Sacramento on Monday March 14th to receive her award and stated “I am truly humbled by this award and grateful. It’s an honor being here today alongside many other amazing women who are committed to their communities”.

“As women we often work harder to show others that we are equal and that we can do good work in our community. We tend to give of ourselves more because it's in our nature to nurture, protect, care for and believe that we can make a difference”, Pat stated.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

CITY OF EL CENTRO5www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

2016 Woman of the Year • Pat UreñaPARKS & RECREATION SUPERVISOR

IMAGINE 2016 Business RecognitionAs the City of El Centro continues its mission to better serve the business community, they desire to give special recognition to those businesses which truly exemplify the meaning of the award acronym IMAGINE: Innovator, Motivator, Architect of Change, Genius, Industrious, Noble, and Entrepreneur. The competitive criteria for selection for one of seven awards include the attribute of each individual category, as well as a special emphasis in one of the seven categories. These unique efforts create a prestigious award that showcases the highest accolade for business acumen and talent.

The IMAGINE Business Recognition Program started in March, 2008 and is a premier event for the business community! The IMAGINE awards are announced through a personal video for each business that highlights their business, employees, and products and services. The nomination process is open to the public each year from November through January. Nominations can be submitted online at www.cityofelcentro.org, or nominations may be mailed or delivered to the City of El Centro. The IMAGINE award selection committee is comprised of private sector business owners and managers that review all the nominations and select the top seven awards. For more information, please visit www.cityofelcentro.org

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CITY OF EL CENTRO6www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

Innovator • El Centro Pharmacy

Motivator • Credit Bureau of Imperial County

Noble • Desert Trails RV Park and Golf Club

Entrepreneur • Tacos De Pescado Marlyn

Architect of Change • Spectrum Creative Services

Genius • Dr. Vishwa M. Kapoor

Industrious • Celia’s Restaurant

City of El Centro City Council MeetingsAugust 16, 2016 - No Meeting

September 6, 2016

September 20, 2016

October 4, 2016

October 18, 2016

November 1, 2016

November 15, 2016

December 6, 2016

December 20, 2016

Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each Month at 11:30 a.m. for closed session and reconvening at 6:00 p.m. for open session, unless otherwise noted. Please check the City’s website for any changes to the schedule. Meetings are held at the City Council Chambers, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.

Frequently Used Phone NumbersAnimal Control: (760) 336-8980

Building Permits: (760) 337-4508

Business License: (760) 337-4573

Code Enforcement: (760) 337-4266

Customer Service/Water Bill: (760) 337-4510

Graffiti Hotline: (760) 337-4543

Parks & Recreation: (760) 337-4555

Police Department: (760) 352-2111

Public Library: (760) 337-4565

To report pot holes, signal lights, etc.Contact Public Works (760) 337-4505

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CITY OF EL CENTRO7www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

For inquiries regarding City Council meetings, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (760) 337-4515 or via e-mail at dcaldwell@cityofelcentro.org

El Centro Adult Center ActivitiesThe El Centro Adult Center is located at 385 S. First Street in El Centro. It is open Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Adults and senior citizens are welcome to come in and participate in the different activities held each day.

The Health Benefits Of Tai Chi and Qi Gong The ancient Chinese practices of tai chi and qi gong (pronounced CHEE-gung) combine slow, deliberate movements, meditation, and breathing exercises.

The routines were not designed to burn calories or raise your heart rate. Instead, both tai chi and qi gong are martial arts that can help your circulation, balance, and alignment. They can also help restore your energy, called chi or qi (pronounced "chee").

The low-impact moving meditations include standing and balancing. Although qi gong and tai chi are excellent fitness activities for beginners and people with health conditions, elite athletes also benefit from doing the slow movements, because everyone needs better balance and muscle control.

The postures flow together without pause, making qi gong and tai chi look like slow, graceful dances that keep your body in constant motion. You can take a class or do the exercises outdoors, on your own, or with a group.

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CITY OF EL CENTRO8www.cityofelcentro.org /ElCentroCA

Art & Other Programs

Arts & Crafts

Crochet

Senior Nutrition

Piano Classes

Music Therapy, Karaoke

Jewelry Making Classes

English Conversational Classes

Computer Classes

Exercise Classes

Zumba Gold

Tai Chi

Yoga DVD

Basic Exercise

Dancing Classes

Walking Club

385 S. First Street El Centro, CA 92243Phone: 760-370-0160 or visit

www.cityofelcentro.org/parkandrec under Facilities