I don’t know quite where to start. Actually a re-run of the January Pilot would work very well. So if you still have it handy, do read it again! Firstly, I have received e-mails relating to the RSCA President’s article on me, for which I heartily thanked him. These past 25 + years have had many ups and downs, but most were good ones. Most of the calls were again about our seemingly thoughtless drivers, but after Tuesday evening this message is for both drivers and pedestrians. I was returning from a Reception at the County Center and was in the northbound exit lane from Whipple up the 101. Since I would be exiting at Holly I stayed in that lane, but just where it makes the right side exit was where the “problem” started. Because of some work being done on the Dumbarton Bridge, all northbound drivers were being sent up to the San Mateo Bridge, and the traffic was truly horrendous. Because of this I was watching for the cars turning into the exit lane from the main 101 and just as I was making my right turn a pedestrian literally stepped out to cross the exit lane directly in front of me. My problem was the person did not have any type of light that could really be seen or at least that he was showing. Fortunately my passenger saw him “flipping” some type of light and told me he was there. He scurried across and I braked and the others with him waited until it was clear before they started across. So the moral of this is to look carefully BEFORE you try to cross a very busy exit, and CARRY and SHOW a light that can be seen. It is difficult for a driver to slow down that fast when in an exit lane.

Some very pleasant calls were about an abundance of the Cedar Waxwing birds in the trees along Shell Blvd. between RWShore Pkway and the main water channel. It’s very nice to know they are back and that the trees there are blossoming so well for them.

Again a number of the calls were about “reminders” for those walking their dogs and not picking up their feces. When you take your dog out for your stroll, do please remember that it is illegal here in the Shores, and any other part of Redwood City, to just leave them.

Yes, I am the one changing the signs on our two medians – RWS Parkway and Marine, and your “toots” and a wave as you drive by are noticed and I do thank you. But I will tell you this, when I am doing the sign on Marine, I am always amazed at the speed the drivers are doing when they come around the curve by the library and heading to the 101. It is certainly not the posted 35 ! As I have said many times, and also while at some DMV Seminars I have attended, it may be the right time now to require a physical driving test every four years or so, when renewing your license. It is because of the excessive speed I keep ‘harping’ on this subject and also suggest that you should set your clocks ahead a bit so that you do not have to race. If you were requested to take a physical driving test the next time you renew your license, do you think you could do it AND PASS? Please call and leave a yes or a no. What really scares me the most is the speed when our kids are on their way to school – walking, not being driven.

As a final, think about the others out there driving, do your best to follow our speed limits, avoid a ticket, AND REMEMBER: if RAINING HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE ON IF YOUR WIPERS ARE … that’s a law !! See you next month and have a Good and Careful One until then !!

— Pat Dixon, the Swan Lady

(Note that Pat’s phone number for calls to contribute to “On My Soapbox” are usually included in The Pilot; the number has been omitted from the website version of this article. You can send a message to Pat by emailing  with the words “For Swan Lady” in the subject line. )