Aside from the beautiful weather, beaches, and great places to live, work, shop and dine, there is a lot going on in the wonderful city of Carlsbad, California. Here is the latest:

Carlsbad wins $1.25 million in active transportation grants. The city of Carlsbad has combined $600,000 in local taxpayer funds with the winnings, received from the San Diego Association of Governments, to total $1.85 million. These funds will be used to improve various means of transportation around the city, including walking and biking paths, new bike racks and corrals, traffic roundabouts, and other projects to improve the city and contribute to an even more livable community.

Construction at Alga Norte Park is well under way! Carlsbad residents are excited for the new park, which we have been anticipating for many years. Construction is well under way on the olympic swimming pools, play areas and skate park. You can visit the web cams to see the progress here , or stop by and peek through the cutouts in the fence. The park is scheduled to open in late 2013, and will be a welcome addition to the community.

Several Carlsbad beaches will get more sand in November. Here come the dredgers! Ponto Beach and the beach just north of Pine Avenue will receive new sand in mid to late November. Other county beaches have already or are in the process of receiving new sand. For more  information on the dredging schedule click here.

Halloween Activities: There are several Halloween activities throughout the city this month. To make sure you don’t miss anything, click here to download the latest version of Carlsbad Currents. Also, visit www.Legoland.com for information on Brick-or-Treating events, which take place several times this month.

Oktoberfest. Join friends and neighbors for the 30th annual Oktoberfest at Holiday Park, October 6, from noon until 10:00 p.m. There will be lots of food (dinner tickets are $10 each), bands, dancing, face painting and jumps for kids, a pumpkin patch and a pumpkin decorating contest.

For more information and to purchase advance tickets, contact the Carlsbad Rotary at 760-443-0482, or visit their website.