Author Archives: RSCA

Redwood City Sewer Work

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Each year, the City of Redwood City implements projects as part of its Sanitary Sewer Improvement Program. These projects are designed to improve safety, provide maintenance, and enhance operational efficiency and reliability of the community’s sewer infrastructure and service.

This year, the City expects to have its contractor start work on improving or refurbishing 14 pump stations in Redwood Shores. The work will take place from June through August of this year, and the City wanted to be sure that the Redwood Shores community members are well aware of the work that’ll be going on.

Sewer service will not be interrupted during of the construction period, and access to driveways and properties will be maintained at all times for residents, businesses, and emergency services.

The City is requiring the contractor to minimize the impact of construction activity in the neighborhoods. However, as with any construction project of this scope, some inconveniences are unavoidable. Please expect periodic lane closures, detours, some dust, and temporary parking restrictions during construction (look for “No Parking” signs). All motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists are asked to be particularly cautious when near a construction area.

Regular working hours for the project will be between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. If necessary, and depending upon actual field conditions, work may be performed at other hours during holidays, off peak hours, at night, or on weekends as directed and approved by the City Engineer. The City will notify any neighbors who may be impacted by any changes in the work hours.

The City wishes to thank the Redwood Shores community members for their patience during this work. The end result of this work will be a more stable, reliable, safe, and efficient sewer system. Residents may feel free to contact Jimmy Tan of the City’s Community Development Department at (650) 780-7397 if there are questions or concerns regarding the construction.

The PILOT: June 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, June 2012 Issue

Click to view full-screen

“Redwood City Together” Schedules Free Screenings of Thought-Provoking, Inspiring Movies

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“Redwood City Together,” a collaborative coordinated by Redwood City 2020 and the City of Redwood City, announces a series of free monthly movies over the summer, featuring some of the most interesting and thought-provoking films of the last few years. These films will inspire new perspectives on our lives and those of people in other parts of the world, and offer an opportunity for discussions and new insights into our own community. These films are part of the Movies at the Library program, sponsored in part by Friends of the Library, and screened in the Community Room of the Downtown Library, 1044 Middlefield Road.

 

BABEL

Wednesday, June 6 – 6:30 pm

Three intertwining and tragic stories are set in Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan. A series of unintended consequences leads to the shooting of an American wife and an ill fated trip to Tijuana in this film that explores terrorism, immigration and American entitlement. In English, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese and French with English subtitles. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu; Rated R; 142 minutes; 2006.

 

WAITING FOR SUPERMAN

Wednesday, July 11 – 6:30 pm

Renowned filmmaker Davis Guggenheim reminds us that education “statistics” have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of Waiting for Superman. As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying “drop-out factories” and “academic sinkholes,” methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems. Directed by David Guggenheim; Rated PG; 102 minutes; 2010.

 

SIN NOMBRE

Wednesday, August 1 – 6:30 pm

Seeking the promise of America, a beautiful young Honduran woman, Sayra, joins her father and uncle on an odyssey en route to the United States. Along the way she crosses paths with a Mexican gang member who is trying to outrun his violent past and elude his former associates. Together they must rely on faith, trust and street smarts if they are to survive their increasingly perilous journey towards the hope of new lives. In Spanish with English subtitles. Directed by Cary Fukunaga; Starring Henry Paulina Gaytan, Edgar M. Flores, Buillermo Villegas; Rated R; 96 minutes; 2009.

 

Redwood City Together is a collaboration of caring community members and organizations working to build a stronger, inclusive, and welcoming community. Redwood City Together believes we’re most successful when we appreciate our shared values and build on the strength of our diversity. People from all backgrounds want safe streets for our children, neighbors who look out for each other and a thriving community where we can prosper together. The group is coordinated by Redwood City 2020, a collaborative of key public and private organizations in our community working to ensure the health and success of all children, youth and families served by the Redwood City School District. Together, the partners of RWC 2020 identify barriers and then implement collaborative approaches that will open the doors to success. Visit www.rwc2020.org

Free Compost!

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Redwood City residents can now pick up free compost at the Shoreway Environmental Center at 333 Shoreway Road in San Carlos, courtesy of South Bay Recycling (Shoreway Transfer Station & Recycling Center).

Just go to the scale house through Gate 1, provide proof of residency (a utility bill or ID card), and you’ll be provided with up to two empty paper bags for the compost. Each bag holds about 3 cubic feet. From there, you’ll be directed to the Transfer Station to get the compost. It’s self-serve – you fill the bags yourself (they do provide shovels). There is a limit of two bags per visit, and it’s for residents only – not for commercial use.

Visit the South Bay Recycling website for hours of operation and other info. More information on these and other services is available at www.rethinkwaste.org .

Climate Corps Bay Area

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Climate Corps Bay Area is looking for 30 passionate, committed individuals who want a unique opportunity to work on community climate change projects in the SF Bay Area. Applications are currently being accepted for service starting in September. To learn more or apply visit www.climatecorps-bayarea.org

Climate Corps members have the opportunity to spend 10 months learning cutting edge, and valuable skills while helping Bay Area communities reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Benefits of participation include:

  • Access to highly skilled community leaders
  • In-depth emissions reduction experience
  • Networking with other emerging leaders
  • Contribute to important community change
  • Stipend, health care, and educational award
  • Participation in AmeriCorps – the largest Community Service Program in the country.

— Susan Wright

Resource Conservation Specialist

County of San Mateo, Department of Public Works

(650) 599-1403

www.smcenergywatch.com

Presidential Primary Election — Earn a Hundred Bucks!

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This is a unique opportunity to contribute to our democracy and make a difference. We’re looking for some good people to fill some important Election Day jobs.

For more information:

(650) 286-2810 • www.shapethefuture.org

Position – Election Officers

Hours – 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Duties – Serve as a member of a Precinct Board that is staffed with a team who ensure the integrity of the election process at an assigned precinct.

Money – $100/day; a $25 training stipend

Training – Procedures Class (3 hours for first time Election Officers)

 

Sign up online at www.shapethefuture.org

 

— Office of Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

Info Meeting on Joint Regional Desalination Project

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Since 2003, five of the Bay Area’s major water agencies – the Contra Costa Water District, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Santa Clara Valley Water District and Zone 7 Water Agency — have been exploring the potential for a joint regional desalination project that could provide an additional water source, diversify the area’s water supply, and foster long-term regional sustainability.

A public meeting and open house to learn about this project is being held on May 29th at 6 pm. Information will include the results of studies conducted by the agencies, what the next steps in the project are and how you can become involved.

A presentation and question and answer period will be followed by an Open House featuring agency representatives who can address any particular questions or concerns:

May 29, 2012

6 – 8 pm

Redwood City Hall Council Chambers

1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City

 

AGENDA:

6 – 7 pm: Presentation on the project background, current status, planned activities, followed by Q&A

7 – 8 pm: Open house format so you can speak to agency representatives and talk more specifically about different aspects of the project including environmental impacts and the project planning process

 

Additional information can be found at the project website at: www.regionaldesal.com

Sequoia Big Picture High School: Information Night

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Parents, students and community members are invited to learn about the Sequoia Big Picture High School (SBPHS), an exciting new charter school option coming to the Sequoia Union High School District!

Tuesday, May 29, 7:00 p.m.

Fair Oaks Community Center

2600 Middlefield Road, Redwood City

FREE Admission and Refreshments

Big Picture Schools are based on individualized learning, where each student explores his/her own passions and affinities (“one student at a time”). Parents play a key role in the Big Picture School experience, and students experience real-world learning through internships in the community.

SBPHS is part of a national network of Big Picture Schools (www.bigpicture.org). There are now more than 100 Big Picture Schools in the United States and abroad. President Obama has called Big Picture Learning a “model for educating students.” Big Picture Learning works!

To learn more about the Sequoia Big Picture High School: http://www.sequoiabigpicture.org/

For more information about the event, email: or call 650.868.0590 (Charlene Margot).

Report from the ACTIONS in Redwood Shores

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Sports in Action

Sports in Action, tennis for K-8, takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Preserve Park courts (Wed at 1, 2, 3, 4 pm; Mon at 3, 4 pm; Fri at 3, 4 pm). The two coaches are certified by the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), each played competitively in high school and college. Twelve children can be accommodated each hour. We are doubling capacity by adding 4-5 pm on Wednesdays and 3-4 and 4-5 pm on Mondays and Fridays. We are excited that the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) has certified our courts for USTA sanctioned matches.

 

Comments from our tennis students:

Caleb Ahn (grade 5) explained to us how the class works. There are warm ups, games, rallies and tennis matches. One of the games is called “jail” in which the Coach passes the ball, someone hits it, forehand or backhand. If they miss, they go to “jail”. That means they are on the coaches side and if they catch a ball they will go back into the game. Also Caleb told us, there are two teachers one for the younger students and one for the upper level students. He recommends tennis for committed students.

Emna Sellami (4 grade) after warm up we do tennis and divide into two groups. “We play “around the world” with cones setup at different places on the tennis court.” Then they practice forehand or backhand volleys. Emna started tennis last year and she has been doing it ever since. She said it is a lot of fun and you can learn a lot. She has friends from school, friends from aftercare (CCLC) and neighborhood friends who attend with her. Emna says the teachers are really nice even the substitutes and that if you get tired and sweaty it’s still a lot of fun.

Sammy Wong (4th grade ) thinks “tennis is fun, the coaches are nice and you learn a lot of stuff”. She says they do a warm up in class and practice foot work moving tennis balls from one cone to another. She urges other students to try it because it’s fun and you compete in little games like rallies. Two summers ago she had attended a summer camp for tennis, so when her mother asked her if she would wanted to take tennis lessons she was willing to try it.

Claire Crowder (2 grade) Claire says in tennis you move around a lot and on cold days it warms you up. She likes being outdoors. Therefore, when she thinks of her tennis lesson she says, “Oh, tennis! It’s outdoors!” and is pleased to go. Claire is also a swimmer and does a lot of gymnastics. She thinks it’s important to participate in other sports “because they all help each other”.

Clara encourages other students to attend because “you learn a lot of things especially the techniques for forehand and backhand and its fun”.

 

USTA is also sponsoring CLUB USA / USTA Ten and Under Play Day. On June 2nd CLUB USA and USTA will co-host a terrific tennis event for children 10 years and under. No experience is necessary. USTA will donate free tennis rackets to the first ten children who register online. Every registered child will receive a free one year membership in the USTA. CLUB USA will provide two hours of free coaching and its professional photographer will take photos from 1:45 to 3:15 pm.

Contact

 

Music in Action

Music in Action will start with concert pianist Alex Davis performing and teaching pre school kids on Yamaha keyboard (not the grand piano) at Redwood Shores Library (Wed between 11 and 2 pm). Contact

 

Look for ACTION from The PILOT every month for details on valuable learning opportunities for 94650 kids.

— Carol Ford

Fashion Forward: Amaze with Accessories

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“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” Clairee in Steel Magnolias.

This may or may not be true, but it’s still one of my favorite quotes. Regardless, one of the easiest ways to update your wardrobe each season is with accessories. Here’s how you can make your Spring/Summer wardrobe “pop” with some key accessories:

SHOES – flats, loafers, espadrilles, wedges, peep-toes, platforms – there truly is something for everyone this season. Whether you like a floral pattern, color block, metallic, lace detailing, neutrals, brights or pastels, even transparent – you can find them all. Metallics and animal prints tend to endure as footwear trends, along with classic espadrilles and ballet flats. Find one (or two) that capture your imagination and they will up-to-date your look instantly.

HANDBAGS are also an easy wardrobe update. Again, there are so many choices: brights, pastels, neutrals, color-blocked, plus the prints (florals, tribals, animal prints). Don’t forget canvas and straw for your more casual looks.

BANGLES are still wildly popular this year. Combine them in varying widths, colors, and textures, or go for one dynamic statement bracelet. Experiment – spring/summer fashion is all about having some fun!

HATS AND HEADWEAR are all the rage (thanks to last summer’s Royal wedding, in large part.) Consider a wide-brimmed straw hat tied with a colorful scarf or maybe just the scarf itself, tied turban or headband style. Speaking of headbands – how about a bejeweled or feathered one?

Are you ready to explore accessories? Give me a call if you’re ready to jump in!

— Adena DiTonno

Adena is owner of adenaDesigns, a fashion and wardrobe consultancy in Redwood Shores.