|
Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
Issue #21 ~ April, 2005
(Back to index of all issues)
IN THIS ISSUE:
**************************
Youth Poetry Contest Finals at the Fox Theater – April 2
From the 650 poems submitted by Redwood City kids, 15 were selected by three judges from Montalvo Arts Center, each of them published poets, to compete in the finals in Redwood City’s First Annual Youth Poetry Contest.
The finals take place on Saturday, April 2, 2004 at 2 pm in the Historic Fox Theater in Redwood City. This FREE family event features each poet reading his or her entry, a performance by Poetry Alive!, the renowned performance artists, and the selection of one grand prize winner from each of five age categories. This is not your grandfather’s poetry – it’s cutting edge, youthful, and sure to be interesting poetry from the young people of Redwood City.
Each of the finalists also gets tickets to that night’s Fox Theater performance by Billy Collins, United States Poet Laureate for 2001- 2003. This performance is part of Montalvo’s Literary Arts series (see www.foxdream.com for ticket information for the Billy Collins show).
Join the young poets and their families to cheer on your favorite at the finals of the First Annual Redwood City Youth Poetry Contest! Call 780-7017 for more information. This event is made possible by the generous participation of the Fox Theater, Montalvo Arts Center, the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, the Redwood City School District, and the Redwood City Public Library.
**************************
The Forum at Redwood City Presents: “The High Cost of Free Parking” – April 6
On Wednesday, April 6th, 6:00 to 7:45 pm, parking expert Doug Kolozsvari will be speaking on “ The High Cost of Free Parking,” which promises to be a fascinating discussion on the latest thinking and cutting-edge research in developing parking policies, especially in downtown areas.
According to Mr. Kolozsvari, the time has come to take a holistic approach to parking policy that treats parking as a valued resource. His talk on April 6 th will examine the theories that “free parking” almost always has an associated cost and can actually hurt businesses, the local transportation system and the environment. In addition, he’ll discuss the opportunities to overcome political obstacles and leverage existing parking supplies through innovative parking policies.
The Forum takes place at the Little Fox Theater, 2209 Broadway, in downtown Redwood City. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. An optional no-host dinner with the presenter and other participants will be held following the Forum for those wishing to continue the discussion.
The Forum at Redwood City brings nationally-known speakers and presenters to Downtown Redwood City for in-depth dialogues on city design issues, providing an on-going venue for professional-level education and dialogue about urban design issues, today’s hottest urban design topics, and most cutting-edge techniques. More information is available by calling 650-780-7363.
**************************
Experience the Civil Rights ”Long Walk to Freedom” Exhibit at the Library Through April 17
"Overwhelming”..."Awesome”…"Impressive”…”Incredible” – these are just a few of the words that visitors to the “Long Walk to Freedom” exhibit in Redwood City have used to describe this overview of our country’s civil rights struggle.
Filled with incredible detail, this large-scale public art and education project takes visitors through a chronological history of the struggle for equal rights and justice among African Americans and minorities in the United States. With a series of personal stories from 26 civil rights activists who changed the face of our nation, historical and contemporary photographic portraits, archival materials, rare historical photos, a graphic timeline, student writing, and video, this display is a truly inspiring look at a difficult part of our history; one which is still unfolding today.
This exhibit will be in place at the Redwood City Downtown Library through April 17th 2005. The Library is located at 1044 Middlefield Road in Redwood City. “The Long Walk to Freedom” exhibit was installed as part of Redwood City’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in January, and helps to bring Dr. King’s and others’ civil rights messages to a new generation, and to carry forward his legacy of seeking equality among all people.
**************************
City Budget Workshop Scheduled for April 19
During these lean fiscal times, it’s crucial that City dialog with and listen to the community as part of its annual budgeting process. Last year, we gained a great deal of significant and valuable community input on the impacts of the proposed budget, which was in turn presented to the entire City Council for their consideration. This year, we ask once again for the community’s thoughtful input, reactions, and perspectives on the proposed budget and the suggested reductions it includes.
The public is invited to participate in a Budget Workshop on Tuesday, April 19 th from 6 to 9 pm in the Community Room at the Downtown Library, 1044 Middlefield Road.
The evening includes dinner, background information on the budget and process, and then discussion of the proposed reductions for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. From this community participation process, the Council will be provided with comments that illustrate the public’s concerns, perspectives, opinions, considerations, and ideas related to the proposed budget and reductions.
You must RSVP to this invitation by April 15th to participate in this joint examination of our budget proposal and to help creatively develop a portrait of community input for presentation to the City Council. Please call 780-7300 to RSVP or for more information.
**************************
Community Workshop on Water Rate Increase - April 21
Redwood City is seeking the community’s input to help determine how best to administer upcoming water rate increases in a manner that is consistent with community values and equity. Several broad scenarios for water rate increases will be discussed at a community input workshop on Thursday, April 21 at 6:45 pm. This workshop takes place in the Community Room of the Downtown Library at 1044 Middlefield Road.
Redwood City’s only source of drinking water is from the Hetch Hetchy system, and the price of that water, which we buy for our community, is anticipated to nearly triple in the next 10 years. That cost increase needs to be passed along to the City’s water customers.
Additionally, the City already uses millions of gallons more than our annual allotment of water. While today we can buy extra water from other cities, in the future that water is going to be more and more scarce and expensive as other cities’ water needs increase - not to mention the lack of water when the next drought hits. To address that issue, Redwood City has embarked on an aggressive water conservation campaign and a program for providing recycled water for industrial and irrigation use. Proposed rate increases will also pay for those efforts, which will result in bringing our community back into compliance with our annual water supply, and preserve water quality for the future.
Historically, Redwood City has enjoyed water bills significantly lower than the average for similar cities – and even with the necessary rate changes due to wholesale cost increases and the costs of our conservation and recycled water programs, Redwood City will still be able to provide water at rates that are among the lowest on the Peninsula.
You’re invited and encouraged to participate in this vital discussion and offer your perspectives and ideas on the possible impacts of water rate increases, and on how the City can proceed most fairly with this necessary step. The resulting comments and input will be included in a report to the City Council for their consideration in making water rate increase decisions. More information is available by calling 780-7464.
**************************
17th Annual Mayor’s Beautification Awards Underway
Redwood City residents, non-profit organizations, and businesses are showing their civic pride by applying for a Mayor 's Beautification Award. Individuals, homeowners associations, apartment complexes, businesses, non-profits, and others are invited to participate.
Applications are available by calling the contact number below, or by visiting City Hall ( 1017 Middlefield Road). The application is also available online where applicants can fill it in, print it, and send it in. The deadline for entries is June 30, 2005, and judging will be completed by the end of July.
These awards help foster civic pride in our community, beautify our entire City, and, of course, recognize people and organizations for their work to make Redwood City a better, more attractive place to live and work.
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 prescreen the entries, and the final selection process will include a site visit to the top entries. Categories include best architectural design, remodel, historical restoration; most beautiful garden or landscape; best compatible building and garden or landscape; and more. If an entry doesn 't exactly fit into one of the categories, you can create your own! Call 780-7300 for information on the Mayor’s Beautification Awards.
**************************
eBooks now available from Redwood City Public Library
What are eBooks? They’re books online that you can “check out” into your Internet-connected computer (or smartphone or PDA), read at your leisure, and which are automatically “returned” electronically. And now, you can get a great variety of eBooks and AudioBooks through the Redwood City Public Library!
The portable digital format of eBooks and Audiobooks offers countless advantages for not only home use, but also business travelers and students. It 's a valuable tool for those learning to read and gives the visually impaired even greater access to materials, with complete control over text size. Users also love the convenience; when the loan period is over the file expires and the materials are automatically checked back in.
By simply logging in with your library card number, you have immediate access to an ever-increasing number of eBooks and Audiobook titles. The online collection is available through the Library’s website, by clicking on “Online Materials” and then “eBooks.” The digital library contains popular fiction, self-help, business, reference titles, and more.
Those with a library card are urged to try out eBooks today, and they’ll be amazed at this new resource for Redwood City. For those without a library card, now there’s even more to gain from joining the Redwood City Public Library. Just fill out the library card application online, or go to any branch library and ask to obtain a card. Call 780-7045 for more information.
**************************
Project READ Benefits When You Buy from Kepler’s Books
Project READ, Redwood City’s renowned literacy program, is pleased to announce a partnership with Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park – every time customers request it, the independent book store will donate a percentage of their purchase to Redwood City Project READ.
Kepler’s, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will donate a percentage of the net total of sales each quarter to local organizations under its Community Partnering and Donation Program, and customers can specify Redwood City Project READ as their organization of choice. That quick, simple, and generous decision will ensure that their donation through Kepler’s will benefit a program serving the educational needs of small children through seniors in our community.
Kepler’s is located at 1010 El Camino Real near the corner of Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Menlo Park, and sells books, magazines, cards and related items. Visit Kepler’s Books’ website at www.keplers.com.
The award-winning Redwood City Project READ is a library-based nonprofit organization providing tutors, small groups, and other enrichment services dedicated to ending illiteracy in Redwood City through intergenerational literary services. For further information call Project READ at the Redwood City Public Library at (650) 780-7077 or visit the Project READ website at www.projectread-redwoodcty.org.
Shop at Keplers, mention that you’d like Project READ to be the organization you’d like to benefit, and know that you are helping people to learn the joy of reading! Call 780-7077 for more details.
**************************
City Studying Silt Buildup in Redwood Shores Lagoons
A great deal of silt has been accumulating for many decades in the Redwood Shores Lagoons, and as a result the lagoons are not in the prime condition that is desired. Redwood City is hiring a consultant to map the lagoons’ underwater contour through a process of hydrographic surveying, to help determine the level and quantity of silt on the floor of the lagoons.
Water in the lagoons needs to be periodically replaced through tidal action at least once every seven days to avoid potential problems associated with lack of proper water movement. Some parts of the lagoons meet that standard, but there are other areas that are flushed considerably less-frequently. When silt builds up on the floor of the lagoons, it can prevent the water from flushing with the tides. When that natural flushing doesn’t occur, the result is a serious overgrowth of bacteria and algae (propagated in part by an accumulation of fecal matter from the local fowl population). It also causes an increase in the stubborn widgeon grass, which reduces the natural flow of water and leaves an accumulation of debris when it dies out.
These elements contribute to lagoon water that is cloudy and unclean, that can have bacteria and algae at higher-than-desired levels, which may have an unpleasant odor, that is unsightly, and which in general does not reflect the value and pleasant appearance of the surrounding Redwood Shores homes.
From that mapping, the City staff can calculate the total amount of silt involved and identify possible solutions and costs. One option is a combination of installing pumps to force the water from certain areas, and removal of large amounts of the silt from other areas. The City is NOT considering draining the lagoons as that could cause problems with the sensitive slopes on the shoreline of the waterway, nor would any traditional dredging occur (i.e., a barge-mounted shovel system). The current technology for silt removal of this nature consists of pumping the silt out through large hoses for deposit elsewhere.
The City’s hydrographic surveying consultant is expected to be complete by the end of April. For a period of about two weeks, residents in Redwood Shores may see one or two small boats moving very slowly throughout the lagoons as they map the floor. The consultant’s report should be completed by early summer, and with that information City staff can begin work to determine the most effective way to proceed, depending on silt quantity, location, and overall costs associated with cleaning out the lagoons.
More information is available by calling 780-7219.
|
