Author Archives: RSCA

Redwood City Mayor Alicia Aguirre Selected as “2012 Woman of the Year” by California State Assemblyman Rich Gordon

Posted on by
Reply

Redwood City is proud to announce that its Mayor, Alicia Aguirre, was recently selected by California State Assemblyman Rich Gordon as the “2012 Woman of the Year” for Assembly District 21.

“No one is more deserving of this recognition than Mayor Aguirre, and our entire community is very proud of her” said Redwood City Vice Mayor Jeff Gee. “Mayor Aguirre’s hallmark is her diligent work, her deep compassion, and her profound connection with every segment of our community, making her the ideal recipient of this honor.”

Assemblyman Rich Gordon will formally present Mayor Aguirre as District 21’s 2012 Woman of the Year at a ceremony on the Assembly Floor in the State Capitol on Monday, March 26. “The Bay Area at-large has benefited from Alicia’s tireless involvement in all dimensions of Redwood City,” said Assemblyman Gordon. “Her wit, intelligence, and sincere nature make her a stand-out public servant and community member.”

Mayor Aguirre, the City’s first Latina mayor, has served on the City Council of Redwood City for over six years, and has previously served on the Redwood City Elementary School Board. She is a professor at Cañada College, and is also active in the Redwood City Library Foundation, the Shelter Network, Hispanos Unidos, Redwood City International, the Redwood City – San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, the League of California Cities, and Youth Latino Leaders, among other organizations. This is her first term as Mayor of Redwood City.

The Woman of the Year event was started in 1987 as a celebration of the contributions to society made by remarkable women throughout California. In March of every year (Women’s History Month) Assemblymembers have the opportunity to nominate one woman each for the ceremony, for a total of 80 Women of the Year in the State of California.

Fashion Forward

Posted on by
Reply

“Only Her Hairdresser Knows For Sure.”

When this slogan was first introduced by Clairol in the 50’s, it spoke to the intimate relationship a woman had with her hairdresser.  This relationship remains to this day one of the most personal in a woman’s life.  However the question now is “Does your current hairdresser know “for sure” about you and your needs when it comes to your hair?  

Even though I am not a hair stylist, our hair is an integral part of our overall image. In order for us to look our very best, our hair must reflect who we are at every stage of our life. In order for our stylist to give us the best service and for us to feel like we are spending our “maintenance dollars” in the best possible way, we must be honest with our stylist and/or if our stylist isn’t asking the right questions of us, we must take the initiative and introduce the subject(s) that are troubling us.  With that in mind, here are a few tips and teasers to get you thinking about what you might want to discuss with your stylist at your next appointment.  

1.  Does she ask about your hair?  “How is this cut working for you?”  “Tell me what’s going on with your hair since you were in last.”

2.  Do you have a thorough discussion with her about what’s required in order to achieve the look you think you want? Are you willing to use the proper products and take the time necessary for the style, or is it too much of a bother? She should be willing to honestly discuss whether a style is appropriate for your face shape and lifestyle, as well as whether the color you want is actually achievable and, as important, appropriate for your coloring.

3.  Does your stylist deep condition your hair (not just the quick condition when they are washing your hair?) This is especially important if you are doing any kind of processing on your hair, whether it is color, bleach, permanent or straightening.

4.  Does your stylist allow enough time for the overall treatment of your hair – including color, conditioning and cut? Sometimes it’s easy to feel like we’re being rushed through the salon, and some things (like color, for instance) just can’t be hurried. Likewise, have YOU allowed enough time in your schedule so you’re not pressuring the stylist to hurry through the process?  (Sometimes, we’re our own worst enemy with our over-booked calendars, yes?!)

5.  Are you doing your part?  Just like with our skin, our hair (and nails) reflect our diet.   Don’t forget your vitamins too – besides your multivitamin, both biotin and primrose oil can be a big boost to your hair and nails.  Are you using the proper equipment (like a boar bristle brush?) Are you deep conditioning once a week – putting a shower cap on and heating it up with your dryer for 10 minutes or so, so the conditioner can penetrate?  Maybe your stylist has given you other guidelines to help maintain the condition and style of your hair – are you following them?

6.  Are you willing to adapt your style and color as you age? Just as we have to modify our color palettes for our clothing somewhat as we age, the same is true for our hair and make-up.  The style and color we’ve always worn just may not be appropriate for us twenty years later. Are you open to discussing this with your stylist so that she can use her talents to make suggestions?

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do…

 Lastly, if you’re not satisfied with your current stylist, maybe you should try someone new.  It’s difficult for us women to even think about “cheating” on our stylist, but it’s also important that we feel we’re getting the very best care and advice possible.  Don’t forget our part in this: we have to be honest with our stylist about our needs and limitations, what we are and are not willing to do, what we are and are not willing to pay. When the communication and cooperation is a two-way street, truly your stylist can know you “for sure” and you’ll be all the happier for it.

— Adena DiTonno

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

Finding the Right Pet Sitter

Posted on by
Reply

Last month the headlines in the local newspaper were ablaze with ‘Dog Walker Gets 35 Years to Life’. The so-called dog walker was found guilty of burglary from some clients.

My heart fell because I knew that this news would only serve to put pet sitters in a bad light. From what little research I did on the internet, there was no reference to this dog walker or to their company, telling me this person is what we commonly refer to as a ‘hobby sitter’.

So, you ask, what should you the conscientious animal owner look for when hiring a pet sitter or a dog walker?

At the top of my list, ask if the company is insured, bonded and ask if they have a business license. Do they show you proof of liability insurance and bonding when they meet with you? (Be aware that there is no formal licensing for pet sitters. If you hear of a pet sitter advertising they are ‘licensed’ it is only a business license and nothing more.)

Ask how long the person has been in business.

Do they have a website? While not all pet sitters will necessarily have a website, having a website can be an indication you are dealing with a legitimate company.

Does the company perform background checks on their employees?

Does the pet sitting company belong to any professional pet sitting organizations or local pet sitting network groups?

Does the pet sitting company provide references?

Is their staff trained in pet first aid/CPR?

While your pet sitter may not have all of these items listed, it should serve as a good starting point for clients looking for a pet sitter. At the very least your pet sitter should be bonded and carry liability insurance.

It may seem attractive to hire someone with little or no credentials, but sometimes you get what you pay for. The pet sitters I know are honest, hard-working and ethical. To the pet owning public, please do your due diligence when looking for a pet sitter.


–Jan Brown

Jan is the Owner of Jan’s Pet Sitting and is a Pet Tech Pet First Aid Instructor.

The Therapist’s Corner

Posted on by
Reply

I’m often asked how someone can get rid of anxiety. The answer is simple: we can’t and nor should we try. Anxiety is normal. It helps to protect us, and can optimize our performance in a multitude of situations. Any driver has had this experience: you’re driving on the freeway and suddenly you notice the car next to you coming into your lane. Your heart beats faster; your breathing becomes more rapid. You react quickly, swerve out of the way, and hopefully drive off safely. Without some anxiety propelling you into action, the outcome of such a situation may be very different. There are many other, far less dramatic examples of how anxiety helps us, such as in taking a test, in a job interview, and in playing sports.

There is, of course, a tremendous difference between normal, healthy anxiety and that which warrants being defined as a disorder. While forty million adults are believed to suffer from anxiety disorders, children are by no means immune to it. In fact, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America notes on its website that anxiety disorders affect 1 in 8 children. Left untreated, anxiety disorders in children may contribute to substance abuse, social difficulties, and academic problems.

Kids may not always be able to put words to their feelings, and so as parents it is especially important to be mindful of signs which could indicate the presence of an anxiety related problem. These include: physical symptoms such as persistent headaches, stomach aches and fatigue, as well as concentration problems, avoiding school, shyness, social isolation, sleep disturbance, nightmares, crying spells, and bedwetting. In addition, behaviors such as tapping, nail biting, skin picking, pulling out of one’s own hair, counting and excessive hand-washing all can be signs that anxiety is causing problems.

For most kids these symptoms will be transient and often will go away on their own without any intervention. Just as for adults, however, there is reason for concern when the symptoms persist and begin interfering with normal functioning. In addition, it is important to know that anxiety disorders come in many different forms. These include: separation anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobias (i.e., social anxiety, fear of heights), and posttraumatic stress disorder. Identifying which may be present is often a complicated process and is best explored with a professional, such as the child’s pediatrician, or a mental health clinician.

As with many psychiatric problems, people with anxiety often experience considerable shame and may suffer in silence without sharing their fears with anyone. This is no different with children. Knowing the warning signs is an important step in identifying a problem before it becomes a more significant issue. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are generally quite treatable, whether through counseling, medication or a combination of the two.

— Scott M. Granet

Scott Granet, LCSW is a long-time resident of Redwood Shores, and is director of the OCD-BDD Clinic of Northern California in Redwood City. He would like to hear your suggestions for future columns, and can be reached at 650-599-3325 or .

Wine Appreciation

Posted on by
Reply

If you are like my wife and I, you enjoy having dinner with friends—no matter who is hosting. Recently, one of our friends, who are part of our multi-family, rotating “Gourmet Club,” invited us to their home. This evening it was just the four of us—not the entire group. As we sat down the husband brought out a couple bottles of wine. One was a Pinot Noir; the other, a minor appellation Bordeaux. I was excited by the variety, but upon closer inspection, I noticed the bottles were less than half-full. I commented that they appeared to be the same types of wines they served us when they hosted one of the recent club dinners.

They informed me that they were not just the same “types” of wines; they were, in fact, the very same bottles left over from the dinner they hosted six weeks earlier! They had re-corked and stored the bottles in a cabinet for the last six weeks! Other than being “pour-able,” or “roto-rooter quality,” I do not know enough wine tasting descriptors to charitably describe them. They were not just “over the hill,” they were comatose, barely on life support. The point being, other than storing them until they are dead, what does one do with left over bottles of wine? One of my brothers used to pour all leftover dinner wines, no matter how varietally different, into one bottle. A sort of Zinfandel/Cabernet/Pinot Noir, “Tailgate Red” as it were. Interesting, but . . . .

If you’re a routine dinnertime wine drinker, put your unfinished wines immediately into the refrigerator, even if it’s red. The cold stabilization slows down the oxidation. If it’s white, and is within several days, uncork it and enjoy a glass. No special treatment needed. If it’s red, uncork it, pour it into a tumbler and “nuke” in the microwave for about five or six seconds and enjoy it with your food of the moment. (Trust me, it works and doesn’t affect the wine.) If, on the other hand you’re concerned about affecting an otherwise special wine by nuking it, then remove it from the fridge and let it come down to your preferred drinking temperature.

If you drink wine infrequently and won’t or can’t do the above, then still initially put it into the fridge, but use it periodically in your cooking. Deglaze the pan in which you’ve roasted that chicken or leg of lamb. Or, add a half cup or so to your purchased or homemade spaghetti sauce. The alcohol burns off but flavor lingers. Or, if you have a near-full bottle and don’t plan to use it sometime soon, chop up some onions, carrots, celery and garlic and sauté them a bit. Add the wine and an equal amount of chicken or beef broth, a pinch or two of thyme and savory, and reduce the mixture by half. Taste the sauce along the way and adjust flavors as needed with salt, pepper, etc. Freeze it for later use. When its time to use it, add some butter to enrich it and pour over your grilled steak or whatever else is on the plate. And then uncork a fresh bottle and pour yourself a glass.


– Tom Barras

www.TomBarrasWineCommentary.blogspot.com/

From Lynn’s Kitchen

Posted on by
Reply

KISS ME, I’M IRISH – PART II

Who doesn’t love St. Patrick’s Day? Great parades, Irish wolfhounds, step dancing Irish lasses and laddies, a pint of Guinness and of course, the traditional corned beef and cabbage (although corned beef is an American, not Irish, tradition)! It always seemed as though the Chicago and New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parades were the most intriguing and colorful. I couldn’t wait to see those elegant and shaggy Irish wolfhounds – it was one of the highlights of watching the parades.

We always celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with the traditional boiled New England dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots, yet even as a youngster, it seemed to me that everything tasted the same, i.e. of boiled corned beef. I longed for more distinctive flavors. It wasn’t until I moved to Mill Valley, CA that I started my quest to discover more flavorful presentations. I longed for succulent corned beef, but finished off with a little more pizzazz and distinction. Hence discovery of a few ingredients to make a tasty glaze to cover the cooked corned beef for a few minutes in a hot oven to set the meat and give it a little more sophisticated taste. Boiled cabbage bored me to tears, but sautéed red and green cabbage with red onions, olive oil, butter, salt & pepper, a few caraway seeds, fresh egg noodles (precooked), a splash of vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar livened up the taste and presentation. I adore fresh baby carrots, and whole carrots with their trimmed green stem, sautéed with a little butter, brown sugar, as splash of Guinness and freshly chopped dill enhance their delicious sweet flavor. Ho-hum on the mashed potatoes, or even Colcannon – I opted instead for a potato casserole that could be prepared ahead, with grated russets, butter, sour cream or crème fraiche, Dubliner cheddar cheese, sprinkled throughout with freshly chopped chives and green onions for that touch of green. And Maureen’s Irish Soda Bread, of course. All of these ideas finally came together beautifully with the start of the traditional Adams Annual Irish Dinner.

ADAMS’ FAMOUS CORNED BEEF WITH SPECIAL GLAZE

  • 2 3-Pound Corned Beef Briskets
  • 1 Tablespoon Pickling Spice
  • 2 12 Oz. Bottles Guinness Stout

Rinse corned beefs under cold running water. Place them into large stockpot and cover with cold water; bring to a boil and continue rolling boil under medium high heat for 5 – 7 minutes. You’ll see a cream colored “scum” forming on the top of the water. Remove corned beefs and set aside. Dump out the boiling water, and wash and rinse pot. Place hot briskets into pot, add cold water to cover, 1 Tablespoon of pickling spices, and put back onto burner. Again, bring to boil, being careful not to let pot boil over. Reduce heat to low and add two (2) bottles of Guinness Stout (and yes, it is OK to taste the stout!), bring heat up to medium for a slow rolling boil, then cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. You will need to simmer approximately 1 hour per pound, so two briskets should be fork tender after 3 – 3 1/2 hours. Turn the briskets over a few times during their simmer, and make certain they remain covered with the cooking liquid. When done, remove briskets and place into large roasting pan. Preheat Oven to 375 degrees, and make glaze (recipe below).

ADAMS SPECIAL CORNED BEEF GLAZE

  • 1/2 Cup Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2Cup Honey
  • 1/3 Cup Sherry Wine Vinegar
  • 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil

Combine all ingredients into small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce heat to simmer while whisking glaze, and continue simmering for approximately 8 minutes. Pour glaze over briskets, cover with foil, and pop into preheated oven for approximately 15 – 20 minutes until glaze has caramelized. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes, then carve against the grain and drizzle a little of the glaze over the corned beef. Serve with your favorite St. Patrick’s Day side dishes or try the suggestions above for a yummy and satisfying dinner.

And now those Irish eyes are smiling!

— Lynn Kathleen Adams
 — RSCA Board Member since 1994

24th Annual Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program Honors Community Building Efforts in Making Redwood City More Attractive

Posted on by
Reply

For the 24th consecutive year, Redwood City residents, non-profit organizations, and businesses are showing their civic pride by submitting nominations for the Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program. Applications are available online, or by visiting City Hall (1017 Middlefield Road), or by calling 780-7300. The deadline for entries is May 25th, 2012, and screening/review of all nominations will be completed by mid-August. Recognition Awards will be presented at a City Council meeting in September.

Individuals, homeowners associations, apartment complexes, businesses, non-profits, and others are invited to participate by nominating their own or others’ projects in a variety of categories, including: best architectural design; best remodel; best historical restoration; most beautiful garden or landscape; best compatible building and garden or landscape; and more.

The purpose of the Recognition Program is to encourage the efforts of community members in beautifying and improving their homes, buildings, and properties, and to publicly acknowledge and recognize their pride in being part of the Redwood City community. The Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program helps to promote and enhance a positive community image both within Redwood City, and beyond its borders. The awards show our neighbors and visitors that Redwood City recognizes the importance and value of keeping our City beautiful.

The Program is sponsored by the City’s Pride and Beautification Committee, and encourages attractive structural and landscaping improvements in our community. Single- or multi-family residences, apartment complexes, home owners associations, and non-profit or commercial properties are eligible. A panel of volunteer judges will review all entries, including a site visit to the nominated properties. “Before” and “After” photos of all nominated projects are required.

The Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program is an easy and fun way to foster civic pride in the Redwood City community, beautify the entire City, and, of course, honor people and organizations for their work to make Redwood City a better, more attractive place to live and work.

The PILOT: March 2012

Posted on by
Reply

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, March 2012 Issue

Click to view full-screen

A Letter to the School Board

Posted on by
Reply

 (This message was sent by the Redwood Shores Community Association to the Belmont-Redwood Shores School Board of Trustees on February 2, 2012.)

February 2, 2012

Superintendent Dr. Emerita Orta-Camilleri and

Members of the Belmont-Redwood Shores Board of Trustees

2960 Hallmark Dr

Belmont, CA 94002

 

I am writing at the direction of RSCA’s Board of Directors to address the School District’s plans for the use of the more than $8.7 Million in matching State grant funds recently awarded to the District.

As long time supporters of the School District, the Redwood Shores Community Association has a strong interest in how the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District plans to use funds provided by the State of California as a match to the bond funds raised for use in the Redwood Shores SFID by Measure C.

Given that:

  1. When the School District was unable to come up with funds to build the much-needed second elementary school in the Shores, a separate funding district (‘the Redwood Shores SFID’) was created, and Shores residents voted to approve Bond Measure C to provide $25 Million to purchase land and cover building costs for the new Redwood Shores Elementary School.
  2. Funding for land and construction of the new school was paid entirely by the residents of the Shores.
  3. The grant of State funds was to match funding for construction for the new school, again those Measure C bond funds provided entirely by the residents of the Shores.

Therefore we believe strongly that the matching State grant funds should be used ONLY for new construction or improvements at Redwood Shores Elementary and Sandpiper Elementary, or to pay off Measure C bonds.

In the past we asked the School District to provide relief to Shores taxpayers by paying off a portion of the Measure C bonds with matching funds not used for school projects in the Shores. We still favor this plan.

However, should the School District decide to retain the Measure C bond funds for present and future school projects, we feel quite strongly that those funds should be maintained solely for use in the Redwood Shores SFID (i.e., at Sandpiper Elementary or Redwood Shores Elementary).

We were surprised to read yesterday that the School District is planning to spend potentially millions of the Measure C matching dollars at Ralston Middle School, arguing that this would be acceptable because Shores students also attend Ralston. While this may be true, it is also true that the School District recently passed a bond measure within the entire School District (including the Shores) for those Ralston improvements. Rather than spending Measure C matching funds at Ralston, it would be more appropriate for the School District to apply for additional matching funds for Ralston based on the District-wide Ralston bond measure.

We can only hope that the School District will exercise its fiduciary responsibility in the use all bond and SFID Measure C matching funds both prudently and appropriately. You should expect that the support of RSCA and the Shores community for any future School District bond measures and/or parcel taxes will be quite dependent upon the District’s decision in this matter.

Sincerely,

Harris Rogers, President

270 Redwood Shores Parkway, PMB 205, Redwood City, CA 94065-1173

RSCA is a proud member of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce

In Memory of Connie Morgan

Posted on by
Reply

In memory of Connie Morgan, beloved Belmont Redwood Shores School District teacher for over twenty years, the Sandpiper PTA is accepting donations to purchase a mosaic tile bench to be placed in the school garden. The hand crafted bench will represent some of Mrs. Morgan’s passions in life: gardening, art, and children.

It has been said that a teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart. Connie Morgan did all these with exuberance. She had an in incredible gift for being able to bring out the best in every child who crossed the threshold of her classroom door. All those who were lucky enough to be taught by Mrs. Morgan will remember her as a teacher who believed in them and prepared them for success in life. She always went above and beyond her teaching duties to ensure the happiness of not only her students and their parents, but also her colleagues.

She could often be seen on the Sandpiper campus in her paint splattered smock with a smile on her face as she prepared to teach the children about artists such as Van Gogh or Monet. Teaching brought her great joy.

Donations can be sent to:

Sandpiper School

c/o Lana Ferguson

801 Redwood Shores Parkway

Redwood City, CA 94065

Please make checks payable to Sandpiper PTA. The deadline to contribute is Friday, April 14, 2012.