Author Archives: RSCA

The PILOT: April 2011

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Below is the April 2011 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 — April 2011 Issue

President’s Memo: April 2011

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In the first of my monthly missives, I want to again thank all of the Redwood City officials and Council Members who took time to be at our Annual Meeting in February. I continue to be impressed with all of those who serve the City, and with their willingness to listen and have a conversation with us about our concerns and theirs. Same for our School District Superintendent and school staffs.

One of RSCA’s primary roles is advocacy for the interests of Shores residents and businesses. But our strong advocacy can sometimes be mistaken for an adversarial role, and I don’t think that describes our relationship with the City or the School District over the past few years. We have found City staff cooperative at all levels in listening to and dealing with our concerns, and we have an ongoing, positive dialog with our School District.

We don’t say “thank you” enough to those who serve us. Let’s change that. If you see any Redwood City employee here in the Shores – whether it is our police, fire, public works, maintenance, or other City staff – walk up and say “thank you for being here.”

Same for our teachers and school personnel. Take the time to say it.

Our Little Island

Redwood Shores is an island. We are surrounded on three sides by water and on the fourth by Hwy. 101.

We live on an island. Although we are part of Redwood City, there is no boundary of the Shores that borders any other part of Redwood City. You have to travel 1? miles on a freeway to get from any part of the Shores to the closest part of Redwood City.

You realize just how isolated we can be whenever there is an accident on either the Dumbarton or San Mateo Bridges or on Hwy.101. Travel to and from the closest part of Redwood City can take 10-20 minutes, and sometimes it can take as long just to get to the other side of the freeway on either Ralston or Holly.

We don’t yet have the 2010 Census data, but the best estimates are that we have over 15,000 residents in the Shores. During the business day we probably have as many people coming into the Shores as leave to work. That means there are 15,000+ people here in the Shores at all times – days, nights, or weekends.

There are only two ways to get in or out of the Shores, and both involve overpasses that could be seriously compromised in a major seismic event. That would leave 15,000+ people stranded without City services or any other service that would need to come from the other side of Hwy. 101.

I make this point because we have a continuing discussion about a permanent public safety presence (i.e., police & fire protection) in the Shores. We have a fire station located in the Shores, and it is fortunate that the station was manned at the time of a recent fire at Lighthouse Cove, a condominium complex with 4-to-12 residence units in each building. (And we have many, many similar multi-family residential buildings in the Shores.) The quick response from the Fire Department’s Station 20, just a few blocks away, limited the damage to a single unit. Had the response come from the other side of Hwy.101, FOUR families might have lost their homes.

(The recent events in Japan have also reinforced the need for each household to be prepared for an emergency on “our little island”. More on that in coming issues of the PILOT.)

RSCA’s 60 Second Survey

We do appreciate all of you who made time for our “60 Second Survey” of issues affecting the Shores, and we especially appreciated those who took time to offer additional comments. I will try to provide some details next month. We will ask for your input on other issues when we open another survey later this spring.

Tree Roots, Street Repairs & Sidewalks

In December, one of our members raised the issue of tree roots damaging the pavement along sections of Marine, Bridge, and Redwood Shores Parkways. The City has responded quickly to repair the pavement along those sections, so you should have a smoother drive now. Weather permitting, most of the work should be completed by the time you read this.

— Harris Rogers, RSCA President

Nominate for Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program

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The 23rd Annual Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program is underway!

You’re invited to nominate your own (or someone else’s!) project to be recognized by the Redwood City Mayor and City Council – categories include best architectural design; best remodel; best historical restoration; most beautiful garden or landscape; best compatible building and garden or landscape; or any other category that you might think of.

Redwood City residents, non-profit organizations, and businesses can show their civic pride by submitting nominations. Individuals, homeowners associations, apartment complexes, businesses, non-profits, and others are all eligible. Applications are available online at www.redwoodcity.org/prideandbeautification, by visiting City Hall (1017 Middlefield Road), or by calling 780-7300. The deadline for entries is May 27th, 2011, and screening/review of all nominations will be completed by mid-August. Recognition Awards will be presented at a City Council meeting in September.

The purpose of this program, sponsored by the City’s Pride and Beautification Committee, 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.

It’s 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.

So … take a look around your neighborhood, and find a property to nominate – or nominate your own!

Pet First Aid Awareness Month

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Here we are in the month of April, which also happens to be Pet First Aid Awareness Month.

Last year in this column I wrote about the need for every pet owner to have a pet first aid kit. With pet first aid awareness month upon us again, I want to ask all the wonderful pet owners reading this…do you have a pet first aid kit? If you do, that’s great!

Now, let me ask those of you who have a pet first aid kit…have you inspected the contents of your pet first aid kit lately? If not, now is the time to do so. Take a few minutes to locate your pet first aid kit. If it has been sitting in the back of your closet longer than you can remember, take a moment to dust the cobwebs off (we won’t tell on you!).

Now open your kit and inspect each item in your kit. Have any of the dates on the antiseptics or ointments expired? Is the individual packaging of every item still intact? Or is the packaging so old it has now become “one” with its contents, and any chance of separating the packaging from its contents is but a wishful yearning? Or has an item been in the kit for longer than you would admit to anyone and you aren’t quite sure what said item originally was (it’s OK, we promise not to reveal your identity!)? If you answered “yes” to any of these it is time to replace these items!

This is also a good time to check your kits contents to remind you exactly what actually is in your pet first aid kit. Maybe there are some items you need to add to your first aid kit? Since you last checked did your son “borrow” all of the bandaging supplies for his scout project? And, I know what you’re going to tell me… despite “juniors” promises to return all of the bandaging supplies to your pet first aid kit, quicker than you could say “abracadabra” those same supplies have vanished into thin air never to materialize again! It’s time to replace those items that have magically disappeared.

If you are reading this and feeling a bit guilty because you still have not put together a pet first aid kit, now is the time to act! You can put together your own pet first aid kit or buy a kit that is ready made. If you decide to purchase a readymade kit do check the contents to make sure you are not buying something that is just a bunch of bandages.

Optimally I recommend you have two pet first aid kits. One kit should be in your home. You should have another kit in your car for when you are traveling with Rover. I also recommend you have a smaller pet first aid kit in a waist pack…take it with you when you and Rover go hiking.

Some items to include in a pet first aid kit are bandages, tweezers, ointments, disinfectants, and a muzzle. Space does not allow me to list every item, however, if you would like me to email you a detailed list of suggested items for your pet first aid kit, please send an email to me and put “Pet First Aid Kit” in the subject line.

Get your pet first aid kit before you need one! You can never predict when you will need such a kit, so make it a priority to get a kit together today. By having a pet first aid kit you have taken steps to become a caring and conscientious pet owner.


–Jan Brown

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

A Letter to the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District

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These two messages were delivered to representatives of the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District on behalf of the Redwood Shores Community Association.

 

 

March 18, 2011

Mr. Andrew Stulbarg, President, &

Members of the Belmont-Redwood Shores Board of Trustees

2960 Hallmark Dr, Belmont, CA 94002

 

Dear Mr. Stulberg & Trustees:

With regard to the resignation of Michael Parker and the resulting Board of Trustees vacancy, I am writing at the direction of the RSCA Board of Directors to strongly urge that your Board fill this vacancy with a resident of Redwood Shores.

The student population from Redwood Shores is about one third of the total enrollment of the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District, and Shores property owners provide nearly half of the tax revenue. Based on these statistics alone, we believe that the Shores community deserves representation of at least two seats on the Board of Trustees. With basic aid districts about to lose funding from the State, it seems likely that the District will inevitably seek increased taxes in upcoming ballot measures. Having another School Board member who is a Shores resident will go a long way in garnering neighborhood support for these measures.

In addition, we intend to publish this vacancy in the April issue of The PILOT. We are also strongly suggesting that you allow sufficient time for interested candidates from this community to apply before rushing to fill this open position.

As always we look forward to working with you on this and other issues that affect our local schools, which are a highly valued part of our community.

Sincerely, Harris Rogers.

 

 

March 19, 2011

 

Dr. Emerita Orta-Camilleri, Superintendent, &

Members of the Belmont-Redwood Shores School Board of Trustees

2960 Hallmark Dr, Belmont, CA 94002

 

Dear Superintendent Orta-Camilleri & Board Members:

As a longtime supporter of our local schools, Redwood Shores Community Association (RSCA) was happy to learn that the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District has been awarded $8.75 million in matching funds for use at Redwood Shores Elementary School.

We understand that that are legitimate needs at Redwood Shores Elementary to which these funds can be applied. For example, we think it would be reasonable to use a portion of these funds to build additional classroom space to accommodate future growth and to install an artificial turf field to save water and lessen the students’ exposure to goose feces.

However, we cannot imagine that Redwood Shores Elementary has $8.75 million of such needs.

Accordingly, we urge the District to use a substantial portion of these matching funds to pay off a significant amount (e.g., millions) of the $25M in outstanding Measure C Bonds. By using a portion of this windfall to repay bond principal, you would show Shores residents that you are prudent managers of our property taxes. This is an especially important message right now given that the School District is likely to ask voters to pass additional parcel tax measures in the near future.

Further, if for some legal reason the matching funds can’t be used to pay off Measure C bonds, we feel strongly that any matching funds – other than those needed for essential capital projects – should be spent on facilities that will benefit the community as a whole in addition to the school. Should this situation arise, we ask that you work with RSCA to engage the community in discussing and prioritizing various projects at Redwood Shores Elementary that would provide benefits to the entire community.

In the interest of keeping our community informed, we are happy to provide space in our monthly publication, The PILOT, and on our web site (RSCA.org) for District communications related to use of the bond funds and, of course, other District news of interest.

 

We look forward to working with you on this and other issues that affect our local schools, which are a valued contributor to our high quality of life.

Best regards,

Harris Rogers, President Doug Crisman, Past President

Redwood Shores Community Association Redwood Shores Community Association

Sandpiper Spotlight: April 2011

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As many of you may be aware, our school district will be unable to provide funding for some critical technology needs at our school:  (i) much needed upgrades for student computers in the Sandpiper computer lab (cost $30,000), and (ii) a system upgrade to Sandpiper’s wireless infrastructure (cost $10,000). In order to address these technology funding needs, we are holding a technology fundraiser through the sale of Neighborhood Savings Books (see details below).

On a lighter note, the Sandpiper Multicultural Celebration was held on March 4. Much appreciation to the amazing committee who organized this fantastic event! Over 300 folks enjoyed the diverse food, family fashion show, arts and crafts, and entertainment. It was very exciting to see the debut of the Sandpiper Show Choir! Also, many thanks to the Sandpiper School Garden Committee! The new garden plantings near Rooms 3, 4, and 5 are a reflection of the “seeds of knowledge” and “continuing growth” here at Sandpiper.

Finally, please come to the next PTA General Association Meeting  on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. in Room B, at which time the election of PTA officers for the 2011-2012 school year take will place (see slate of officers listed below). Also, we are honored to have School-Force President Ardythe Andrews as our our guest speaker at our meeting. I hope to see you then!

 

— Suzanne K. Pritchard

— Sandpiper PTA President

School Sciences Spotlight

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Math and Science Innovation entered a new stage on March 23 when all fourth graders and a few third graders in a split class at Redwood Shores Elementary School were treated to live demonstrations of principles of flight and aerodynamics.

Mike Nadler (a former helicopter pilot) and his colleagues, Pete Johnson and Ray Squires first used scale models to teach students the proper nomenclature of various parts of an aircraft. Students in Mr. Mullins’ and Ms. DeStefani’s classes learned the names and functions of fuselage, empennage, aileron, elevator, flap, rudder, etc. in the classroom. They then moved into the spacious multipurpose room and watched Mike using radio controlled aircraft to demonstrate how airplanes take off, fly, and land.

COMING SOON!

Aeronautics Club: Mike and his colleagues are scheduled to return on April 6 to do similar presentations and live demos for all third graders in Mrs. Lo and Mrs. Norman’s classes. They will return on April 13 to sign up students who wish to join the aeronautics club as an extracurricular activity on Wednesdays after dismissal. The official launch of the club is scheduled for April 27 after spring break.

Yuri’s Day at NASA: One hundred third and fourth grade students at Redwood Shores and Sandpiper Elementary Schools are invited to NASA Ames in Mountain View on April 8 to celebrate the golden anniversary (50th) of first human space flight by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. They will see exhibits on astrobiology, hypersonic aircraft design, search for life in space, etc. All exhibits have been correlated to California Content Standards by a parent in Redwood Shores so the teachers can prepare the students in advance and review the concepts afterwards.

Parade of Planes: Details of this event were presented to Redwood City Council on March 7. Principal Linda McDaniel of Sandpiper Elementary School, Mark Larson, Manager of San Mateo County Airports, Carol Ford, President of San Carlos Airport Pilots Association, and Donna Marie Baldwin of Coldwell Banker attended the presentation to demonstrate their support. Redwood City Police Department subsequently granted permission to hold the event on Saturday, May 21. On that day, aircraft based at San Carlos Airport will taxi on their own power on Redwood Shores Parkway to Sandpiper with police escort in front and back and “wing walkers” next to each moving aircraft to keep spectators at a safe distance. The aircraft will be on static display at Sandpiper all day. Pilots will be on hand to inspire children to learn math and science so they can make their dreams come true. Please look for details of this exciting event here in the May issue of The Pilot.

AIM HIGH. SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT!

Helping Your Parents Stay in Their Home Longer

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The most common reasons that a person can no longer live alone or that they have to move into a care facility is that they can no longer access their kitchen appliances for meal preparation or they can’t maneuver in the confines of their bathroom. Their poor balance or decreased mobility may also prevent them from accessing their own bedroom if it is on another level. The good news is that there are several adaptations that can be made to the home to allow many more years of independent living. With adjustable height counters, sinks, and cook tops to advances in appliances, the kitchen can be adapted for anyone to do meal prep. Bathroom tub/shower inserts can be done quickly and don’t require total demolition of the bathroom just to allow access the space with a walker or a wheelchair. Attractive chrome, bronze or brushed nickel grab bars match other fixtures in the bath and eliminate the institutional look so many people dread. Stair elevators, which provide access to another level of the house, can be installed even on stairs that have an angle. Finally, to greatly reduce the risk of falling in the dark, add vacancy/occupancy sensors to the light controls of the bathroom, the stairs and hall.

For a consultation on how to make your home a safe sanctuary for any person any age, call Jean Cary to schedule a universal design consultation.

She can be reached at (650)-593-9622 or

 

From the The Palo Alto Medical Foundation — Local Color You Should Eat

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How many colors did you eat today? March was National Nutrition Month, and the American Dietetic Association introduced the theme “Eat Right with Color.” Colorful foods are loaded with “phytonutrients,” or plant substances that can protect us against cancer, heart disease and other unhealthy effects of aging. The brighter and more intense the colors, the stronger the phytonutrients are in foods. Each color group provides us with different, important nutrients.

We’re fortunate to live in the Bay Area, where it’s easy to get a variety of fresh, colorful produce all year round. Fruits and vegetables that grow locally are usually picked ripe, and they have more color because they don’t have to be shipped long distances. I get my rainbow of produce by shopping at a farmers’ market and subscribing to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSA enables you to purchase seasonal produce grown at a local farm. Visit www.localharvest.org for more information.

People who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Here’s a sampling of what colorful foods that you can find in the local market today:

  • Go green: Green fruits and vegetables are colored by a natural plant pigment called “chlorophyll,” which contains nutrients “lutein” and “zeaxanthin” believed to help keep your eyes healthy and reduce risk of cataracts and age-related eyesight degeneration. “Indoles,” chemicals found in the cabbage family, may help protect against some types of cancer. Some good green options are Romanesco cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, dinosaur kale, collards, rapini, kiwis and avocados.
  • Red rules: Red fruits and vegetables are colored by natural plant pigments called “lycopene” or “anthocyanins.” Lycopene may reduce your risk of several types of cancer, especially prostate cancer, and it may slow the development of atherosclerosis. Anthocyanins can act as powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage and help keep our hearts healthy, too. Try painting your plate red with strawberries, blood oranges, ruby grapefruit, guavas and beets this week.
  • Bright news about orange and yellow: Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are usually colored by natural plant pigments called “carotenoids.” Beta-carotene, a well-known carotenoid, is converted to vitamin A, which can help maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. Carotenoid-rich foods may help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and benefit your immune system. Some orange and yellow citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, another powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancers and heart disease. Add a splash of orange and yellow to your diet with carrots, winter squash, oranges, tangerines, and Meyer lemons.
  • White earns its colors: White fruits and vegetables are colored by pigments called “anthoxanthins,” which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce the risk of stomach cancer and heart disease. Some white fruits and veggies are good sources of the mineral potassium, too. A few good white choices are parsnips, potatoes, onions, green garlic, crimini mushrooms and pears.
  • Try true blue (and purple): Blue and purple fruits and vegetables are colored by natural plant pigments called “anthocyanins,” which may act as powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage. They can help reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease, and have been associated with boosted memory function and healthy aging. Try adding more blue and purple to your plate with red cabbage, radicchio, purple cauliflower and purple potatoes.

When it comes to the produce you put on your plate, go local and diverse with an emphasis on colorful intensity. I hope you’ll use these tips to improve your diet and reap the health rewards offered by colorful fruits and vegetables.

 

— Darcie Ellyne, M.S., R.D., CDE

— The Palo Alto Medical Foundation and column editor Arian Dasmalchi provide this monthly column.

Wine Appreciation

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Somehow, this red wine has fallen from grace. And why is that, since it’s soft, gentle and enjoyable to drink? It doesn’t require cerebral discussions to appreciate it, and its attributes assure that it will seldom be astringent or overly tannic. As such, it’s an ideal wine for aspiring wine enthusiasts starting their journey into the savory delights of red wines. On the other hand, this wine is also favored by savvy wine consumers who seek a wine that has a reliable character, and one that pairs readily with a wide variety of meat and poultry recipes.

With one notable French exception, it typically makes no pretense or leap toward greatness. What you see and sniff is what you get, and “smooth” is the best adjective that describes it. As one friend said, “It tastes like a red wine should .” It hints at black fruit flavors and aromatics, and occasional smoky, toasty nuances. That profile is why it became the red wine of choice in the early 1990’s when the TV newsmagazine 60 Minutes announced red wine as the key variable in the French Paradox—why in spite of their seemingly unhealthy diet, the French seemed to have fewer cardiac issues than beer drinking, Cola-loving Americans.

Wines geeks know I speak of Merlot, the wine of choice for many years until most recently, when many consumers changed to Pinot Noir. Notwithstanding that, Merlot remains the primary grape underlying most wines produced in the Bordeaux appellations of Pomerol and St. Emilion. With their concentrated, fruit forward, low tannic profiles, these regions have been for years red hot, international best sellers. At release date, the finer ones sell in the three-digit range and become more costly as supplies diminish. Chateau Ptrus, one of the world’s most coveted wines is primarily, if not totally, made from Merlot. According to one Internet site, the 2000 Ptrus is currently fetching up to $5000 per bottle—yep, per bottle!

In addition to its Right Bank supremacy, Merlot is the primary blending grape used to counterbalance the harshness of the Cabernet Sauvignon in most Left Bank Grand Crus, and, as such, without Merlot, the fame of Bordeaux would be alternately defined. In the New World models, Merlot is typically made as a stand alone, varietally labeled wine, and is available from as low as $10 to $90 or more per bottle. And the good news is that there are numerous, attractive wines from well-known producers in the $12 to $20 range. Your local retailer should be able to advise what style and price is just right for you.


– Tom Barras

www.TomBarrasWineCommentary.blogspot.com/