Natalia Aguilar, a community educator with Universidad Popular, told the San Marcos City Council on Sept. 23 that the organization sponsored the Big Shaker earthquake simulator at an Emergency Preparedness Fair on Sept. 13 and will co‑host Clean Energy Alliance workshops and several October community events.

Why it matters: Universidad Popular’s events aim to build community preparedness, provide energy‑program outreach for renters and homeowners, and support small business and cultural programs that reach Spanish‑speaking residents.

What Aguilar reported
- Emergency Preparedness Fair: Universidad Popular sponsored the Big Shaker Earthquake Simulator at the San Marcos Community Center on Sept. 13 and plans to collaborate with the city and fire department to return next year.
- Clean Energy Alliance workshops: Universidad Popular is partnering with the Clean Energy Alliance to host workshops in Escondido, San Marcos, Carlsbad and virtually; a virtual workshop on Sept. 24 will include a Spanish‑language session from 5–6 p.m. and an English session from 6–7 p.m. Aguilar said the organization had about 80 attendees at a Sept. 16 San Marcos workshop.
- Entrepreneur Fair: Universidad Popular will support outreach for an Entrepreneur Fair on Oct. 8 from 5–7 p.m. at the San Marcos Senior Center.
- Day of the Dead series: Starting Oct. 8, Universidad Popular will host workshops (papel picado, sugar skulls, ofrenda) and conclude with a Day of the Dead celebration on Oct. 30.

Discussion and next steps
Aguilar offered printed flyers and encouraged residents to scan a QR code to sign up for workshops. No council action was required; the briefing was informational. The mayor thanked Universidad Popular for sponsoring the Big Shaker simulator and for the organization’s outreach to Spanish‑speaking residents.

Ending
Aguilar closed by distributing flyers and reminding residents about the virtual Clean Energy Alliance workshop on Sept. 24.