County’s Free Summer Movies in the Park Season Starts Friday at Waterfront Park

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Party location? Check. Hot box-office movie? Check. Snacks? Check. The County Department of Parks and Recreation kicks off its “Sweet 16” season of “Summer Movies in the Park” on Memorial Day weekend with evening showings on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27.  

The celebration will start with Friday’s showing of the animated comedy “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” at the Waterfront Park. Although the movie starts at dusk, about 15 minutes past sunset, a host of free activities are expected to begin at 6 p.m. Make sure to bring a chair and blankets to cozy up for a night under the stars. 

This year’s schedule includes 150 movies at dozens of parks across the County. Theme weekends have also been scheduled, including Juneteenth (June 16 and 17), Comic-Con (July 21-22), Ladies Night (Aug. 12), International Dog Day (Aug. 25 and 26), Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) and Halloween (late October).

Action fans will love outdoor showings of “Top Gun: Maverick;” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever;” and “Ant-man and The Wasp: Quantumania.” If cartoon heroes and villains are preferred, you won’t want to miss “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “DC League of Super Pets;” “The Incredibles;” or “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”   

If you’re a fan of modern-day classics, “Angels in the Outfield;” “The Goonies;” “The Sandlot;” “Cool Runnings;” “Free Willy;” “Hook;” and “ET the Extra-Terrestrial” may spark your interest. You can even go back in time to see the 1951 version of “Alice in Wonderland!”  

The line-up has something for everyone to enjoy. View the complete schedule and plan to attend movies near you as the Department of Parks and Recreation celebrates 16 years of taking back parks, after dark, through safe and fun nighttime activities. 

Movies, dates and locations are subject to change. For more information, visit summermoviesinthepark.com.   

Starry, Starry Night Events Coming Your Way

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“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream” – Vincent Van Gogh

There aren’t many sights as beautiful or inspiring as a starry night sky! Especially in a place removed from intruding city lights like a County Park. If that sounds good to you, you’re in luck! San Diego County Parks has three nightime events coming up, starting this weekend. All are free to all ages.

Star Party

Friday, May 26, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch, 13898 SR-67, Lakeside, CA 92040 (The event will meet at the Highway 67 Staging Area located at the end of Sycamore Park Drive, which is only accessible from the southbound direction on Highway 67)

Join up with park rangers and the San Diego Astronomy Association for an evening of giant telescopes, stargazing and space education! View seasonal stargazing phenomena with help from local experts. Please call ahead as inclement weather will cancel. Phone: (858) 513-4737

Full Flower Moon Hike

Saturday June 3, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Potrero County Park, 24800 Potrero Park Dr, Potrero, CA 91963 

Come and enjoy an evening stroll while looking for twilight blossoms and creatures that only come out at night. You will be walking to a lookout point in the dark with just the moonlight to guide you, so you are encouragd to bring a flashlight! Please call ahead; inclement weather may cancel. Phone: (619) 478-5212

Nightime Nature Walk

Saturday June 10, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Flinn Springs County Park, 14787 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021

Join Ranger Nate on a short, ¼-mile walk through the park and learn about the native flora and fauna that make up the unique habitats in this East County biodiversity hotspot! Bring water, snacks and wear comfortable shoes and a light jacket. Please call ahead, inclement weather may cancel. Phone: (619) 561-0180

So come out into the night. Feel enormous and tiny and inspired all at the same time!

Rewind: Fireside Chat on Mental Health and Mentorship

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(Content Warning: This video contains emotionally difficult topics. Resources can be found through our Employee Assistance Program and Behavioral Health Services.)

Watch the Rewind video here.

Did you miss the Fireside Chat on Mental Health and Mentorship on May 19? Have a listen to the session now! This event was hosted by the Emerging Workforce Association and featured Behavioral Health Services Director Dr. Luke Bergmann and Sheriff Capt. Nancy Blanco. The two County executives spoke frankly about mental health and wellness.

Watch the video on “rewind” above.

Fireside Chats are held in partnership with the County’s DHR Equity Diversity and Inclusion team and Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council are hosted by an employee resource group and rotate quarterly. Stay tuned for the next one! 

Your View: Talking to Kids About Fire Safety

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Fire Prevention Specialist Tina Rose for San Diego County Fire, submitted this picture of her colleague Fernando Aguirre in the Community Risk Reduction division, talking to a class at Ramona Elementary School on May 18.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a cool worksite, or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.

See more of Your View photos.

Jump Start Your Personal Emergency Preparedness

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Photo courtesy of cal fire/San diego county fire

You might not have a flailbot like County Fire, but there are still four simple ways for you to prepare for wildfires.

This year’s higher-than-average rainfall led to an abundance of grasses and brush throughout the region and state, and that is prompting County agencies to clear fire breaks, sometimes with the flailbot, set controlled burns and urge people to start preparing now for a potentially busier peak fire season.

For wildfires and all hazards, the County Office of Emergency Services recommends these four things: make a plan, build a kit, stay informed and get involved.

Make or update your Personal Disaster Plan with the County’s templates available in various languages and tailored for people with who may need assistance. The templates walk you through various hazard planning steps and offer tips such as creating defensible space, making a home evacuation plan and what to do if asked to evacuate or shelter in place. A mobile version of the plan is available on the SD Emergency App.

In an emergency, people may need to rely on emergency supplies and many of these items can  be stored in a grab-and-go bag to take with you if asked to evacuate. A list of supplies is available at ReadySanDiego and in the Personal Disaster Plan templates. The main thing is to personalize your plan to your family so it takes into account factors like food allergies or needed medication. These kits do not have to be expensive with many items available at discount stores.

In any emergency, updated, critical information is vital. The County’s SD Emergency App offers important official information on local emergencies that may affect you. It also has early earthquake warnings, along with before, during and after guidance.

The County also recommends people register their mobile phone numbers for AlertSanDiego, the County’s regional information system which notifies people about an emergency such as a nearby wildfire or other critical incident and has  instructions in the event of an evacuation or road closures.

Finally, the thought of an emergency may leave people feeling powerless, yet there are many ways to help yourself, your family and your neighbors. All of us County employees are Disaster Service Workers and may volunteer to help, or you may be assigned to help.

Even if you are not given an assignment, you can join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) an adult volunteer program that offers basic emergency training--enough to help your family and neighborhood until first responders can arrive and take over during an emergency. You can also help with getting your neighbors prepared before a disaster.

Those under 18 years of age can become a Youth Emergency Readiness Ambassador (YERA) who assist with community disaster preparedness outreach.

Know the Code: Common Conflicts of Interest

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Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics.  The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is to assist in fulfilling the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance. 

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance

Conflicts of interest can have a profound effect on how an employee performs at work, including how they make decisions, and can—both directly and indirectly—impact the County and its success.

The County Code of Ethics, Section 6 addresses conflicts of interest and outlines the types of prohibited or incompatible activities employees should avoid. Most conflicts of interest are due to competing business interests, pressures from personal relationships, desire for influence and status, or inadvertent access and disclosures related to grants/awards/contracts.

Reporting these and other potential conflicts having to do with relatives working in the same department or relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors must be disclosed so they do not compromise the County employee’s objectivity, accountability or judgment.

If It’s Disclosed, It Can be Managed!

Be Proactive – ask before acting. 

  • Maybe you’re thinking starting a business or doing some consulting because you’re an expert, or

  • Maybe you have been invited to join a professional association or board of directors that may ask you to participate in fundraising for the organization, or

  • Maybe you’re a newly assigned COR and you recognize a friend’s name in the list of vendors whose contracts you’ll be managing.

Ask before acting to make sure these activities and changes in circumstances do not create a conflict between your personal interests and professional responsibilities. Remember if it’s disclosed, then it can be managed properly to avoid the conflict.

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics amd Compliance program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos such as this month’s video for conflict of interest.

If you have questions about ethics and compliance training or how to access the training and other Ethics & Compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-531-5174.  HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Agency Compliance team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-338-2807.

Apply for AAACE Scholarships

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The African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) is giving two qualifying high school seniors a $500 scholarship for excellence in the areas of career preparation, leadership, academics and community service.

The AAACE-Leon Williams scholarship is available to high school seniors who reside in San Diego County, currently, have a 2.5 GPA and will attend a two- or four-year college in the United States.

Students or their parent(s) must be a current member of AAACE to apply. For non-members, you can become an AAACE member now.

This scholarship closes on June 02, 2023. Apply now.

If you have any questions or concerns, email us at AAACE@sdcounty.ca.gov.