Author Archives: RSCA

The PILOT: July 2012

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Below is this month’s issue of The PILOT, published in it’s entirety on the RSCA website. To get a complete view of this month’s issue that is easy to read on your screen, please choose the “Fullscreen” option at the top of the viewer — from there, you can click on the left or right of each page to thumb through the various pages.

All of the software needed to view this web-based version of The PILOT should be linked below if it is not already installed on your web browser, and you can also download or print the PDF document for use away from the computer. If you are having trouble viewing this document on your cellphone, tablet or computer, please contact the RSCA website team.

View or Download The PILOT, July 2012 Issue

Click to view full-screen

Redwood City Public Library Launches “Discover & Go” Museum Pass Program

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The Redwood City Public Library is thrilled to announce a great new service, “Discover & Go,” which provides Redwood City library cardholders with FREE and discounted passes to local museums and other interesting and educational cultural institutions.

With the high cost of living in the Bay Area, this program is a way to stretch family entertainment and activity dollars, and provide a wide range of outings that the family will love and remember.

This unique program allows Library cardholders to make reservations online by date or by venue, and immediately print- out passes at home. Those with no Internet access can come to the Library and use the public computers to take advantage of this great new feature.

Anyone without a library card can get one by visiting a library branch, or by going to www.redwoodcity.org/library and clicking on “Get a Card.”

Redwood City Library cardholders can reserve free and discounted passes from a growing list of destinations, including:

  • The Tech Museum
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • The San Jose Museum of Art
  • Museum of Craft and Folk Art
  • Bay Area Discovery Museum
  • Oakland Museum of California
  • Museum of the African Diaspora
  • Cartoon Art Museum
  • Asian Art Museum
  • Contemporary Jewish Museum
  • Exploratorium
  • Lawrence Hall of Science
  • Pacific Pinball Museum

For more information, view the Discover & Go page on the Redwood City Public Library webpage: http://www.redwoodcity.org/library/discoverandgo.html

Here’s To Tennis Weather!

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The Redwood Shores Tennis Club’s tennis season is underway — at last! Rainy days are behind us (fingers crossed.) April Team Tennis was a sweet delight. It felt so good to get some exercise, see some friends, meet new members, and knock a fuzzy little ball around. Either we were ALL ‘that good’ or none of us were really trying that hard but all 4 teams ended up very close in scores and 2 of the teams tied for first place. The prizes were Girl Scout Cookies (Girl Scouts turned 100 this year!) There was some horse trading afterwards so that everyone could get their preferred flavor.

Due to a temporary brain lapse, we scheduled our May tournament for the Memorial Day Weekend.

We’d love socializing and good food — try us out. For more information, visit www.rstc.org

— Karen Brodersen, President of Redwood Shores Tennis Club

Fashion Forward: Toss, Tweak or Keep?

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Here’s a little checklist to help you decide which pieces of clothing in your closet are wardrobe-worthy. Be honest…

Does it fit you NOW or will it take 6 months of dieting before it does? Are you going to lose the weight? Will it even be in style by the time you do? If you think it will work for you, keep and tweak. If not – toss.

Does it flatter your figure NOW? Let’s face it – our bodies change over time. What looked good 10 or even 5 years ago may be a lot less flattering now. Get rid of what doesn’t work for you.

Does it make me feel sexy, attractive or confident? If yes, you’ve got a keeper on your hands. Make sure it’s in regular use or else get rid of it.

Does it bring out my favorite qualities and/or what image I want to project? Is your closet full of clothes that represent things you used to do, but don’t anymore? Make sure your clothes represent the image of who you are NOW. Let the past go and start dressing for the present.

Has it lost its luster? White (and black) tees frequently fall into this category, but there may be other items that are just too “tired” to be worn in public in longer. Toss them and get fresh replacements if they’re something you love.

Would I buy it again? If the answer is no, let it go. If the answer is yes and you love this piece but don’t know how to wear it, it’s time to call your image consultant.

 

— Adena DiTonno

Adena is owner of adenaDesigns, a fashion and wardrobe consultancy in Redwood Shores. Get free tip-sheets and sign up for a monthly newsletter on adenadesigns.net

 

Greeting Other Dogs on the Trail

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When your dog barks at other dogs you pass on the trail, he may be giving the other dog an invitation to play. Dogs are social creatures; and since so many of them live in one-dog households, the chance to interact with other dogs is very exciting. Some dogs bark to say, “Hey, I want to meet or play with you. NOW! NOW! NOW!” Puppy barking frequently falls into this category. These barks are generally high pitched, and are often accompanied by wagging “propeller tails,” loose or wiggly body language, play bows and jumping.

Ask those dog owners who would like to interact with your dog to wait for calm, quiet behavior from your dog before greeting to avoid reinforcing the behavior. If your dog strains at the leash when you pass other dogs and barks non-stop at the dog, you are probably pulling the leash taut and transferring your tension, stress and fear down the leash to the dog. Now the dog feels he is the pack leader and has to defend both of you. The barking ramps up even more; and soon you find yourself dreading walking or meeting other dogs. A dog who knows you are the pack leader and who walks beside you — not in front will be less likely to have fear or defensive barking at other dogs.

You need to train your dog to look at you with the “watch me” command to distract your dog as you approach another dog. First encounters with a friendly dog should just be “walk-bys” several times with the emphasis on getting your dog to look at you and away from the other dog with a treat lure and sounds. Once you consistently have your dog’s attention, you can advance to having your dog sit quietly at your side as the dog passes. After this stage you can allow your dog to sniff and greet the other dog while keeping the leash loose.

Enjoy a well-mannered dog that is an asset to your family. Invest in training to transform your dog into the best friend you have always wanted.

Call Jean Cary for an evaluation and a customized training program for your dog.

— Jean Cary, Jean Cary Interiors

To find the solutions to your home dilemmas, give Jean a call: of (650) 593-9622

Sounds of the Shores 2012: Rock & Roll — Stealing 3rd

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It’s that time of year again! The 2012 Sounds of the Shores concert series kicks off Sunday, June 24th with a performance by Stealing 3rd, a Northern Californian rock band. The event runs from 5:00 – 7:00pm in Marlin Park, and is free to all residents.

Everybody who was there for the Sounds of the Shores last year knows what a fun time it is on the green here in our Shores, and this year, it’s even easier to make a night of it since top-quality food services will be offering dinner and snacks at affordable prices during performances. This Sunday is Bar-B-Que night, with Capelo’s Hill Country Barbecue offering everything from hot dogs & sliders to full BBQ plates & ribs. For more info, check out https://www.facebook.com/hillcountrybbq or click this link for a complete menu & price guide.

We’re excited to have Stealing 3rd perform for the first time in Redwood Shores. Here’s what the band has to say about itself:

Stealing 3rd is a zany, fun loving six-piece lineup that brings the power of a modern rock-n-roll band to a club near you.  Featuring our sensational showman Craig Nieves and funky rhythm section, we are “Rockin’ Dads” with way too much 80‘s influence.  We present an entertaining show that keeps everyone engaged and singing late into the night!

More info about Stealing 3rd can be found on the official website: http://www.stealing3rd.net/

So bring along a lounge chair or blanket, your friends and family, and a hearty appetite!

And don’t forget, two more shows are coming — set your calendar for the complete Sounds of the Shores schedule:

From Lynn’s Kitchen

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JUNE STRAWBERRIES

My friends tease me that I was born with a whisk in one hand and a rolling pin in the other. From the time I was 5 years old I begged my Mom to teach me how to cook. I haunted her kitchen – she had no choice but to make me her little sous chef de cuisine! I loved my Dad’s vegetable garden, the raspberry bushes, his fruit trees, the grapevines and even the compost pile in the corner of the backyard that grew the largest and best squash! This early passion for baking and cooking, using fresh organic produce and healthy ingredients, remains to this day.

Our family always looked forward to June – Dad’s Birthday was the first week, and this also meant the strawberries were ripe! Dad would load all of the kids into the station wagon and we take a short ride from Wethersfield down the Connecticut River Valley to the local strawberry farm. After several hours of filling our baskets, the kids would collapse into the back seat of the car and we would head for home, sunburned, tired, and with clothes and hands stained bright strawberry red. And of course, we insisted that we have Strawberry Shortcake that night for dessert before helping Mom make Strawberry Jam the next day.

In honor of Father’s Day and one of my Dad’s favorite desserts, here is our family recipe for Shortcake Biscuits. It’s quick and easy to make, and the warm flaky shortcake biscuits just call out for fresh seasonal strawberries, whipped cream and a big glass of icy-cold milk.

SHORTCAKE BISCUITS

(Serves 6) – 400º F

  • 2 Cups sifted white unbleached All Purpose Flour
  • 4 Teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons White Sugar (I use Bakers superfine sugar)
  • 1 Large Egg
  • ½ Cup unsalted cold butter
  • ½ Cup whole milk

 

1. Mix dry ingredients together into medium mixing bowl.

2. Whisk egg and milk together in a separate bowl. Set aside.

3. Cut butter into very small pieces, and add to dry ingredients. Blend with pastry cutter, and then mix with your fingers, rolling pieces of butter into the flour. Do this quickly to keep the butter cold.

4. Add egg/milk mixture to dry ingredients and stir together with a fork. The batter will be a bit sticky.

5. Pour shortcake mixture onto lightly floured pastry cloth or floured marble rolling surface. Dust with a sprinkle of flour, and knead gently a couple of times into a round ball. Roll out to a ½ inch thickness. Flour bottom of biscuit cutter (I use a 2 inch diameter cutter, but have been known to make Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear sizes!) and cut out biscuits.

6. Place biscuits onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper, about 1 inch apart. Put another biscuit round on top of the first, so you have two rounds to make one biscuit.

7. Brush a little milk on top of each biscuit with pastry brush. I sprinkle the tops with a little sparkling sugar for garnish.

8. Bake on middle shelf in pre-heated oven (I do not use my convection oven) for 12 – 18 minutes (depending on size of biscuits) or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on a rack.

 

Serve with fresh sliced strawberries between the biscuits, and on top of the biscuit, with whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Enjoy !

— Lynn Kathleen Adams
— RSCA Board Member since 1994

Wine Appreciation

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Much like yours, I’m sure, my palate has evolved over the years. And in the case of white wines—California Chardonnay in particular—I’ve moved away from those whose overall style is formed and fashioned by the use of oak. It was not always so, for I clearly remember years ago being particularly irked when I overheard a wine store clerk murmuring sarcastically that the evening’s Chardonnay tasting class “was filled with a bunch of beginners.” We were put down because the group’s favorite wine of the session was a golden-hued, viscous, oak-infused California Chardonnay that tasted, as I now recall, more like an alcoholic fruit drink than real wine.

That nasty clerk was, of course, correct. We preferred it because it tasted somewhat sweet, with a buttery-smooth, vanilla-like, palate-coating richness, and an in-your-face tropical fruit flavor. Given those alluring, sensual qualities, what wasn’t there to like? Interestingly, what others and I didn’t prefer or rank well that night, was the Chardonnay style that had little or no contact with oak, of which France’s crisp, mineral-laden Chablis is the reference point. That style—which I now favor—finished dead last. However, judging by the company I keep, and the stores and wine reviews I browse, it seems that Chardonnays without oak (unoaked) still rank at the lower end of consumer preferences.

Oak’s effect on wine, like many of food’s serendipitous discoveries, was observed after winegrowers began using barrels to handle, store and transport the finished product. An oak barrel was never intended to modify wine’s basic character, but it did. Also, once oak’s salutary effect was fully embraced, it was only a matter of time before winemakers began to experiment with their various “oak options.” Just as chefs used herbs, spices and additives to improve the aroma, color, flavor and texture of basic food products, so did winemakers use oak—in its variety of options—to also modify and elevate wine to a new and improved state. (They can, as well, use a whole bunch of other additives and techniques with which to “craft” wines, but that’s another story.)

If you like soft (less acidic), full-bodied, deeply hued Chardonnays (and other whites) that are rich, ripe and highly aromatic, then look for those that have been barrel fermented and barrel aged. If that seems like too much of a good thing, then stainless steel fermentation followed by barrel aging should offer a lighter touch. (Be sure to check wine bottle labels for those details.) However, if you only want a much slighter effect, then look for those labels that use the words reserve, barrel select or aged. They, most likely, have been treated—either during or after fermentation—to a tea-bag-like steeping of large, porous bags of oak chips and/or chunks; or even more creatively, a dollop or two of a “tincture of oak essence.” (I doubt, however, if those options would ever be disclosed on the bottle.)

Lastly, one of my reasons for avoiding oaky Chardonnays is their relative lack of food friendliness. I may be overly analytical (or critical) in this respect, but I feel that, on balance, a wine’s inherent and unencumbered natural profile—aroma, flavor, acidity and body style—tend to yield more food pairing options than those whose character have been masked and/or re-crafted with oak seasonings.

President’s Memo: June 2012

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Membership Reminder

If you haven’t yet joined RSCA for 2012 you probably received a reminder in the mail recently. If by chance you didn’t receive your reminder, or if you misplaced it, just fill in the information on the form at the bottom of this page, and mail it to us along with your check.

Your $35 membership supports most of our community events like Eggstravaganza, the Halloween Walk, community meetings, and other Shores activities.

Be a member, and help us keep the Shores a GREAT place to live and work.

Meet RWC’s Police Chief on October 9th

Redwood City’s new Chief of Police, J.R. Gamez, will be joining us on Tuesday, October 9th for a conversation with the Shores community about our law enforcement concerns.

GET THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Tuesday, October 9th, 6:30pm at the RWS Library.

Chief Gamez is an avid listener, and this will be a great opportunity to exchange information and have a dialog about issues that may seem unique to the Shores.

BIG Changes in our Summer Concerts!

In response to your many comments and suggestions, we are making some big changes this year in our summer Sounds of the Shores concerts in Marlin Park.

First, all our concerts this year will be on SUNDAY afternoons. Second, we’ve moved the time up an hour to 5-7pm. This will hopefully keep us in the warm part of the afternoons before the sun starts to go down and the evenings starts to cool off. We believe these changes allow more people to attend and in a more enjoyable (i.e., “warmer”) time of the day.

We are trying to arrange a few other new things for our summer concerts. If you are on our email list we’ll let you know what’s happening about a week before each concert. If you want to be on our list, go to RSCA.org, on the web and under the “Feedback” tab, just click on the yellow “Join our email list” button.

Be a VOTER !

By the time you receive this month’s PILOT we are just past this year’s primary elections. But many expect a record number of voters to be a part of the national, state, and local elections this fall, Nov.6th.

Shores residents are among the most civic-minded people in this local area. Being a voter is one of the most basic ways each of us exercise our most fundamental right to express our opinions about the politics of our nation, our state, and our local governance.

Being a voter also increases the importance of the Shores with local government officials. They look closely at how many eligible voters actually vote, and the higher that percentage the more influence we have as a community.

 

Join Our Email List

With over 5,400 residents and 700 business in the Shores, we use our email list to keep you informed about our community events during the year. If you would like to be on our email list, simply click on the “Join Our Email List” button in the Feedback section of RSCA.org to sign up.

Our Privacy Policy:

Your information is for use only by Redwood Shores Community Association in contacting you. We do not share, sell, or provide our contact list to any other person or organization.

— Harris Rogers, RSCA President

4th of July Parade & Fireworks

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The 74th annual 4th of July Parade by the Peninsula Celebration Association – a Family 4th – is the premier holiday parade in the entire region. And for 2012, the parade moves back to the heart of Downtown Redwood City, bringing thousands of excited spectators to see an incredible array of parade participants, floats, and festivities! The parade and festival returns to be part of the wonderful renaissance of our Downtown core, with its great array of restaurants, shops, theaters, and more. Plus, fireworks return for the 4th of July, launched from the Port of Redwood City!

A map of the new parade route is online at www.parade.org or www.redwoodcity.org/parade2012.pdf . The parade begins at 10 am, and the route starts on Marshall Street at the corner of Winslow Street, and continues on Marshall, Main Street, Middlefield Road, Winslow Street, Broadway, and onto Arguello Street where it ends near Alden Street. The theme of the 2012 parade is “Salute to Agriculture” and it offers a great look back at some of Redwood City’s past, as it winds its way throughout our historic Downtown. The 26th annual Independence Day Festival will cover several square blocks in the heart of Downtown Redwood City, starting at 9 am (parts of Broadway, Hamilton, Middlefield, Jefferson, and in Courthouse Square). Filled with arts and crafts, food and beverages, kids’ activities, and a whole lot of good old fashioned family fun, the festival is the place to be on the 4th of July! Plus the annual 4th of July carnival, coordinated by the Woodside Terrace Kiwanis Club, will be at its usual location, in the parking lot at Veterans Blvd. and Winslow Street.

The 4th of July fireworks are back, and will be launched from the Port of Redwood City! This wonderful show is brought to the community by Redwood City with Red, White, and Blue Sponsorship by Sims Metal Management, and generous support from:

 

Lyngso , CEMEX , Cargill, Recology San Mateo County , Sares Regis , Informatica, One Marina – New Redwood City Housing , Kaiser , Two Anonymous Donors, The Pete and Paula Uccelli Foundation, The Port of Redwood City , The City of Redwood City

 

  • The fireworks extravaganza will start at approximately 9:15 pm.
  • The fireworks can be seen from Downtown and anywhere west of Highway 101 where there is a clear view of the skies above the Port. They can also be seen from high points all over the Peninsula.
  • For those coming to the Port, early arrival is highly recommended! This area is mostly private property with very limited public parking.
  • The Port is providing a public viewing area along the waterfront off of Seaport Court. Once all of the very limited public parking spaces are filled, Seaport Boulevard will be closed to all vehicle traffic at the intersection of Seaport/Blomquist. Once the intersection has been closed, no vehicle access to the Port area will be available. This traffic control restriction could occur as early as 7:30 pm – so be sure to plan accordingly.
  • Alcohol is prohibited on-site at the fireworks show, and personal fireworks are illegal at all times in Redwood City.
  • The Peninsula Celebration Association’s Family 4th is also an opportunity to volunteer and be part of making this event a great success – go to www.parade.org and click on “Volunteer!”

 

The entire community is invited to join in the Family 4th by the Peninsula Celebration Association, in cooperation with the City of Redwood City! Get all the details at www.parade.org

  • Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station #9 – 7:30 am (benefits the Redwood City Firefighters Association)
  • 4th of July ParadeRun – 8:45 (www.paraderun.org – benefits the Redwood City Education Foundation)
  • Festival – 9 am
  • Parade – 10 am
  • Fireworks – 9:15 pm