Category Archives: News

President’s Memo: June 2011

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Our “Extra” Special Members

Along with our winter letters for 2011 RSCA Membership, we provided the opportunity for Shores residents to volunteer a little “extra” to help fund our activities. We want to acknowledge these Shores neighbors who thoughtfully made that “extra” contribution:

  • Anacelis & Michael Adams
  • Lou & Bud Bailey
  • Judy Chiasson
  • Jerry Stout & Sarah Elder
  • Saad Saleem & Nosheen Faruqui
  • Dr. Edda Gomez-Panzani
  • Naomi & Robert Hernandez
  • Keith Hunter
  • Kent & Helen Lee
  • Andrew & Lesli Leong
  • Andrew Koch & Mahalyn Lu
  • Vincent Mason
  • Richard & Jessica Millard
  • Karen Siu & Joon Moy
  • Ana & Oleg Nickolayeva
  • Rick O’Connor, Jr.
  • Mirella & Alex Stefan
  • James M. Walker
  • Kristen Sze & Jason Wong

Our special thanks to all of these people for their generosity and additional support of RSCA’s activities.

 

What We Do

If you want details of what RSCA tries to do in Redwood Shores, you can go to the RSCA.org web site and, under “Your Community Association,” there is a link to “RSCA Documents”. On page 1 of the original Articles of Incorporation you can read the purpose for which the Association was originally formed in 1970. Also under “Your Community Association” there is a link to our current Bylaws with more detail about our “mission” (Article III).

But I think all of this can be summed up in two words: “Communicate” and “Advocate”.

RSCA communicates by printing and distributing this monthly PILOT magazine. The PILOT is the only magazine, focused entirely on our local community that goes to every residential household and many businesses in Redwood Shores. We also communicate about events of local interest through our roadway signs on Marine Pkwy and Redwood Shores Pkwy. When needed, we send postal mail to every Shores residence on issues of larger importance (like the levees). And we now are expanding our ability to communicate by email to those who join our list.

Our goal is to be informative (without being intrusive) about events and issues specific to the Shores.

As the advocate for Redwood Shores, RSCA has for over 40 years actively supported the shared interests of all Shores residents, including homeowners and renters. We also support the interests of our local businesses who share with us this wonderful community. At its Annual Meeting RSCA provides an opportunity each year for the community to meet and hear from our local elected officials and those city & county employees who serve us. When needed, RSCA provides other forums for united community action.

RSCA is dedicated to preserving the highest quality of life by also promoting activities and events for “our little island.” We work to keep the Shores a GREAT place to live and work.

 

We Could Use Some Help

RSCA is entirely a volunteer organization. And the list of things that we “could” be doing – things we would like to be doing – continues to grow.

If you have areas of specific interest in the Shores that YOU would like to see improved, and you have 1-2 hours a week to work with RSCA, let’s talk about how we might help each other. RSCA can provide support and a platform for action that you might not have as a single individual.

There are also specific skills which we could put to good use. We can always use help with publicity, art/graphic design, finance/accounting, and architecture/construction. We can find a way to use any skills you might have that you could spare for 1-2 hours a week.

Right now we manually keep track of the 5400+ residences and 700+ businesses in the Shores. We need a better system. If you have experience with CRM or “membership management” systems, especially “cloud-based” systems, please contact me. We can always use some fresh thinking as we look for new technology to help RSCA stay in touch with all our Shores neighbors.

Last Chance To Enter The Mayor’s Beautification Program

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Here’s a reminder that the 23rd Annual Redwood City Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program is underway, and the deadline for nominations is quickly approaching!

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!

Marlin Park Playground Renovation Plans are Underway!

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A newly renovated playground area for school age and tots is coming shortly to Marlin Park in Redwood Shores. Two community meetings were held in Redwood Shores (one at the Sandpiper Community Center on January 8th and the other at Marlin Park on April 9th) to gather input into what residents and users would like in the renovation of the existing playground at Marlin Park. Staff, and the Landscape Architect on the project (Abey Arnold Landscape Architects), received excellent comments, suggestions, and onsite requests to help us put together the final concept plan that is shown.

We’re excited that in addition to refurbishing the large playground structure with new slides and climbable equipment, we will be adding an “Aero-Net” for more climbing fun, two saddle spinners, a shade canopy (over section of the play structure), new trees, and more seating areas. And, we will be creating a new, separate tot only play area that will be fenced in for safety; a request we heard loud and clear throughout the input process. In this new area, we will place a playhouse slide, a “daisy bouncer”, a dune buggy bouncer, safari play panel, and toddler swing.

Through our community input process, residents, by consensus, decided to spend the majority of the renovation budget on main playground area rather than the beach area. We will remove all of the old equipment to form an open viewing area of the beautiful lagoon.

Right now, we are finalizing the construction plans and hope to award the project by early July. Once a contractor and a construction schedule is determined, the renovation project could begin near the end of August. A similar sized project typically has an approximately 120-day construction period (with additional days added due to any weather or other unforeseen issues).

For more information, please contact Claudia Olalla, Project Manager, ; or Chris Beth, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services at

— Chris Beth, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services

San Carlos Children’s Theater presents “The Sound of Music”

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Choreographed by Daina Block. Musical Direction by Larry Rice. Presented in cooperation with Belmont Parks and Recreation. The Sound of Music is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com

 

May 5-15, 2011.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM.

Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM.

Barrett Community Center, 1835 Belburn Drive, Belmont, CA 94002

 

Tickets are $12 in advance online at www.sancarloschildrenstheater.com and $14 at the door if still available. Seating is first come first serve.

 

Short synopsis: When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern captain.

Police Service Award & Police Heroism Award

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The Redwood City Police Department congratulates Officer Perry Garcia and Officer Ryan Adler for being the 2010 recipients of the Police Service Award and Police Heroism Award sponsored by the Peninsula Council of Lions Clubs.

The Awards were presented on Friday, April 1st at the 46th Annual Police and Firefighter Awards Banquet which celebrates the outstanding work of these officers for the benefit of the citizens of the City of Redwood City.

 

Peninsula Council of Lions Service Award Recipient – Officer Perry Garcia

Officer Perry Garcia has been a dedicated volunteer instructor for the Redwood City Police Activities League (PAL) Karate Program since 1999. During his 11-year tenure, Officer Garcia volunteered over 2,400 hours and helped to mentor over 700 at-risk and potentially at-risk youth in the program. Officer Garcia believed the study of Karate could instill concentration, focus, confidence, respect and humility in local youth who might otherwise not have the opportunity to develop these valuable qualities. Many of his students competed in both local and regional tournaments, and the program successfully graduated 8 black belts along with numerous brown belts. Officer Garcia’s personal commitment to at-risk youth in Redwood City is a positive and lasting connection not only him, but also to the Redwood City Police Department.

 

Peninsula Council of Lions Heroism Award Nominee – Officer Ryan Adler

On April 14th 2010, Officer Ryan Adler responded to a call of a 9 year-old child choking and not breathing. When Officer Adler arrived at the scene, he found the child had gone into a state of unconsciousness. Officer Adler administered the Heimlich maneuver and was ultimately able to expel the obstruction to the child’s airway which restored the child’s breathing. The child was transported to the hospital, but made a full recovery thanks to Officer Adler’s quick actions that helped save the life of this 9 year-old child.

Historic Preservation Month

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People in Redwood City will join thousands of individuals around the country as part of a nationwide celebration of the annual National Historic Preservation Month, during May, 2011. “Celebrating America’s Treasures” is the theme of the month-long celebration that is sponsored annually by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and locally by Redwood City’s Historic Resources Advisory Committee. This special event spotlights grassroots historic preservation efforts in America, celebrates the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states, and enables more Americans to become involved in the growing historic preservation movement.

Here in Redwood City, Historic Preservation Month 2011 is observed by a proclamation by the Mayor, a Union Cemetery Historic Site tour, a Downtown historic walking tour, and historic field trips for 700 seventh graders to three downtown buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The community is invited to join in the celebration of Redwood City’s history!

  • Union Cemetery Historic Site Tour, Saturday, May 14th 10 am: tour meets at the 1859 cemetery, located on Woodside Road, near El Camino Real. The Union Cemetery serves as a permanent archive of San Mateo County’s history. Recorded on stone are the rich and colorful lives of many pioneer families – including more than 40 Civil War veterans who are buried in the old soldiers’ plot established by the Grand Army of the Republic.
  • Downtown Historic Walking Tour, Sunday, May 15th, 10:30 am: tour meets in front of Lathrop House at 627 Hamilton Street. The tour will last approximately one-and-a-half hours and will include most of Redwood City’s historic commercial buildings as well as some historic residential properties. Walking tour participants will see where Wyatt Earp occasionally came for a drink, where President Hoover once slept, where a Wells Fargo Express Office operated in 1875, Redwood City’s first new car showroom salon and auto repair garage, the finest theater on the peninsula in 1896, the former homes of prominent pioneer citizens and much more.
  • New this year – Path of History: Redwood City’s new Historic Informational Kiosk and Commemorative Sculpture/Plaque, located at the corner of Main Street and Broadway near the site of the Wells Fargo express service. Here, visitors can see displays and photos, and read about Redwood City’s rich history. Brochures for a self-guided tour of historic landmarks in Downtown Redwood City – the “Path of History” – are available at City Hall, and will soon be available right at the kiosk display. Future phases will add plaques and more historic information throughout the Downtown area.

The seventh grade field trips, led by local volunteers, will bring students to the restored 1863 Lathrop House, the Old County Courthouse (home of the San Mateo County Historical Association and Museum), and the historic Fox Theatre.

Business, community and civic sponsors, and participants for the school tours include Redwood City’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Department, Fox Theatre owners Eric and Lori Lochtefeld, the San Mateo County Historical Association, the Redwood City Heritage Association, Attorney Michael Bursak, and the Redwood City Optimist Club.

The Historic Resources Advisory Committee is an advisory committee to the Redwood City Planning Commission regarding the implementation of the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Committee recommends historic designation of local landmarks and districts, performs design review of changes to historic buildings, and is involved in other historic preservation related activities.

Visit Redwood City’s website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, City government, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City’s email newsletter or other documents by visiting www.redwoodcity.org/egov

— Charles Jany
— Community Development Services
— (650) 780-7239

NASA Ames Exploration Center Hosts 3rd and 4th Graders From Redwood Shores Schools

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Over one hundred students from Redwood Shores and Sandpiper Elementary Schools participated in the golden anniversary celebration of first human space flight at NASA Ames on April 8, 2011. The unique learning opportunity commemorated cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s orbit around Earth on April 12, 1961. Students spent four hours to see over fifty exhibits about aerodynamics, aquaponics, astrobiology, cryogenics, fluorescent spectroscopy, gyroscopes, hyper velocity aircraft design, inflatable planetarium, microbial ecosystems, lunar exploration, nanotechnology, robots, search for life on other planets, search for transiting planets in the Milky Way, rocketry, seismology, space walk, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), superconductivity, etc.

Many students also earned posters of STS 133 the 133rd space shuttle flight and the final flight of Discovery that launched on February 24, 2011 and landed on March 9, 2011 (less than 30 days prior to their visit to NASA Ames). Now that Discovery is retired from service, someday those posters may become a collectors’ item. “Maybe some of these third and fourth graders will become the engineers to design the replacement of the space shuttle or the astronauts on future missions into space,” said Andrew Young, who has been responsible for the initiation of this program.

— Andrew Young, Redwood Shores resident

Wine Appreciation

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The purpose of wine tasting is to assess its various properties—its appearance, aromas, flavors, and overall structure. That is, to determine what’s it’s all about, if it’s well made and, most importantly, if it’s appealing, and why. And, pretense has nothing to do with it, though some may think so. So, let’s review the steps involved in tasting: See, swirl, sniff, sip, swallow, and savor.

Color is a leading indicator of a wine’s condition, and the goal in the “see step” is to get an inkling of that. If you see brown, there’s trouble ahead. White wines darken when something is wrong or if they’re over the hill, and reds, as they age, lose their color and develop a brownish tinge. For the professional critics there’s much more to be gleaned from the nuances of color, but for the rest of us, just be sure it’s bright and clear.

Swirling, the next step, is a must. It unleashes all those pleasing aromas. If you’re insecure about swirling, practice the motion with some water. A couple swirls will do, this is not a centrifugal force test.

Next, take a couple quick sniffs. No long inhalations, otherwise you’ll fatigue your nasal receptors. So, what do you detect? Wine, you say? But if you detect other goodies like flowers, fruits, herbs, or spices, then you’re closing in on wine descriptors—the terms tasters use to characterize particular grape varieties. Hint: each grape variety has its own unique aromas, and with a little practice, you will quickly learn to distinguish the more popular varietals.

Now take a generous sip. Roll it around to all parts of your tongue. Savor it Some people close their eyes to eliminate visual distractions. Others suck air in over their tongue (think hot soup) to propel aromas into the back of their mouth and into their nasal passages. The point is to go slow and get your taste buds and receptors working. Now swallow and think about it. So, what do you taste? Still wine, eh? But just like in the “sniff step,” if you taste something that mirrors those wine descriptors mentioned above, then you’re well on your way to being a journeyman wine geek.

So, you’ve looked at it, sniffed it, tasted it; now it’s time to opine. Did you like the color, flavor, and aroma? Did it taste too dry, or do you prefer it sweeter? Was that white crisp and lively? And that red, was it fruity and smooth, or coarse and tannic? Would you buy it? And can you tell someone, anyone, why?


– Tom Barras

www.TomBarrasWineCommentary.blogspot.com/

Give Your Stuff Away Day

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Recycling is a wonderful activity. Donating to a non-profit is even better. But if this is just too much hard work after you’ve spent all your energy de-cluttering, why not simply give things away?

Saturday, May 14 is Give Your Stuff Away Day, which means you should be able to place a few unwanted things at the end of your driveway and watch them magically disappear. As the organizers of the event say, this is an easy way to help those in need, keep things out of landfill, and reduce clutter in your home. If you can, pencil in some time a few days before the 14th to identify anything you’d like to wave farewell to.

Check out the website, www.giveyourstuffaway.com for more information and guidelines on acceptable items. You should also plan to take responsibility for removing any leftovers which are not spirited away by eager treasure-hunters.

And a final note of caution: if you don’t intend to give stuff away, this would be a good weekend to make sure bikes, toys and garden tools are not lying around outside your house… someone might get over-enthusiastic and transport them to a new home.

— Pauline Wiles,
— Redwood Shores resident and owner,
— The English Organizer — www.englishorganizer.com