|
Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
Issue #29 ~ January, 2006
(Back to index of all issues)
IN THIS ISSUE:
**************************
Redwood City/East Palo Alto Join Together to Celebrate MLK Day
For the first time in its 20-year history, the Redwood City Martin Luther King Celebration Committee will partner with Public Allies Silicon Valley (PASV) and East Palo Alto (EPA) to host a multi-day celebration honoring the legacy of the slain civil rights leader. This groundbreaking partnership brings together both cities as well as a variety of community partners including the East Palo Alto Boys and Girls Club, the Community Development Institute (CDI), Opportunities Industrialization Center West (OICW), Redwood City Fair Oaks Community Center, and the Redwood City Boys and Girls Club.
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2006: A Call to Conscious Action," begins on Saturday, January 14th at the East Palo Alto Boys and Girls Club, 2031 Pulgas Avenue in East Palo Alto, from 10am to 3pm. Respected author, lecturer, radio host and Hip Hop journalist, Adisa Banjoko, will deliver the keynote address. Banjoko is known for his work on Hip Hop culture, eastern philosophy, martial arts, Islamic culture and African American social issues.
A highly sought after speaker, Banjoko, who has lectured at prestigious universities including Harvard University, Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley and San Francisco State, is also an author. His appearance precedes the January 15th release of his second book, Lyrical Swords Volume 2: Westside Rebellion, the follow-up to the successful Lyrical Swords Volume 1: Hip Hop and Politics in the Mix. Other activities that day include dynamic bilingual and youth centered workshops, cultural performances, and a special panel discussion featuring youth and elders, for a widely diverse view of the civil rights and community issues of the past, today, and the future. In addition, civil rights pioneers in East Palo Alto and Redwood City will be honored for their work.
Then, on Monday January 16th, the community is invited to join the Freedom Train to San Francisco – tickets will be available at the Saturday event.
Finally, on Thursday January 19th, a Candlelight Vigil will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Redwood City.
More information is available by calling 650 327 5846 or 650-780-7510. The event is presented by Public Allies Silicon Valley, the Redwood City Martin Luther King Celebration Planning Committee, Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, The City of East Palo Alto, Opportunities Industrialization Center West (OICW), the City of Redwood City, and the San Mateo Credit Union.
**************************
Community Invited to Help Council Set Priorities
Each year the City Council reviews and revises a set of two-year priorities. These priorities help provide the City’s overall direction, and contain specific programs, projects, policies, and processes that are used in developing work programs for the various City departments. As part of this year’s review and revision process, the City is inviting the public to participate in a Community Input Workshop on City Council Priorities.
Two identical workshops are scheduled, and you are encouraged to attend and participate in one of them:
Wednesday, January 18, 6 – 8:30 pm
Community Activities Building
1400 Roosevelt Avenue, Redwood City
OR
Thursday, January 19, 6 – 8:30 pm
Veterans Memorial Senior Center
1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City
Dinner will be provided at each workshop, followed by an overview of the priority-setting process, and a facilitated discussion designed to gain your ideas, opinions, and suggestions, and incorporate your community and neighborhood values regarding City Council priorities. This is not a City Council meeting; rather, it is a great opportunity for the community to work together to develop their own concepts of what the City’s priorities should be.
The results of this workshop will be provided to the City Council for them to utilize during their deliberations on priorities, to take place at a public meeting on February 6th. You can see the current set of City Council Priorities on the City’s website at www.redwoodcity.org, by clicking on “City Council” and selecting “Council Priorities.”
If you’d like to attend, please RSVPs to 780-7300 so that the appropriate number of dinners can be provided.
**************************
January Events at the Library
Meet the Authors - Wednesday, January 11, 7:30 pm at the Downtown Library features Jane Ganahl, Wendy Merrill and Jean Gonick reading selections from “Single Woman of a Certain Age: 29 Women Writers on the Unmarried Midlife-Romantic Escapades, Heavy Petting, Empty Nests, Shifting Shapes and Serene Independence.” Edited by San Francisco Chronicle Relationship Columnist Jane Ganahl, “Single Woman” features an outstanding collection of writers and personalities.
Rose Pruning Demonstration - For those who are wondering how to get roses to rival those of their neighbor, Barry Johnson, President of the Peninsula Rose Society offers the insider’s secrets to getting lovely spring blooms in a Rose Pruning Demonstration on Thursday, January 12 at the Downtown Library, starting at 7:30 pm.
Display Your Art at the Redwood City Public Library - Local artists are invited to submit work to be considered for exhibit at the Downtown Library located at 1044 Middlefield Road. To be eligible, artists must live within the boundaries of the Sequoia Union High School District, or be members of the Sequoia Art Group.
The Sequoia Art Group hosts the art jury selection on Friday, January 20th in the Sunset Room of the Veterans Memorial Building, 1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City. Artists are invited to drop off two or three samples of their work that evening between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Art should be picked up at 9 p.m. that evening.
Art must be easily wall hung, such as paintings, photographs, textiles or drawings, and must be framed, mounted, or otherwise ready to hang. Pictures should be at least 16" by 20". All artwork should have a tag with the artist's name, address and telephone number attached.
Artists will be notified of the jury results by mail, and if accepted, the schedule for showing. For more information, contact the Sequoia Art Group at 369-6456.
**************************
Funding Available for Organizations Serving the Community
Redwood City is seeking proposals from organizations to provide certain community programs for the residents of Redwood City. These programs include affordable housing, non-housing community development activities, economic development activities which create jobs, and supportive service programs. The available funding is for the 2006-2007 program year.
An estimated $1.3 million in funding for such programs is available, which comes from three sources: Community Development Block Grant funds; HOME Investment Partnership funds (both from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development); and the Human Services Financial Assistance Program (from the City of Redwood City, subject to approval of the City’s 2006-2007 budget).
The City will allocate these funds to organizations providing activities which meet mutual City and local community goals. The objective is to provide services to assist those Redwood City residents with the greatest need to move toward self-sufficiency and reduce the need for ongoing governmental assistance, including permanent affordable housing and job training and creation.
Those organizations wishing to submit proposals must attend one of the scheduled technical assistance workshops. They are Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 2:00 pm and Friday, January 13, 2006 at 10:00 am. Each workshop will be held in the City Council chambers at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, and will last approximately 1.5 hours. Attendance at one of these workshops is mandatory, as updated information will be presented on the City’s plans for addressing housing and supportive services needs in light of budget reductions. Applications will not be accepted from organizations that do not attend one of these workshops.
Complete information is available online. Applications are available only at one of the mandatory technical workshops.
**************************
City Seeking Applicants for Boards, Commissions, and Committees
This is your chance to apply for a Redwood City Board, Commission, or Committee seat and play a role in helping to build a great community!
These appointed advisory bodies are an important and valued part of City government, where public involvement is actively encouraged and supported. Members of these boards, commissions, and committees represent Redwood City’s diverse community and bring new ideas to the City Council and staff, helping them to make the best, most informed decisions possible for the benefit of everyone living and working in Redwood City.
The City is currently seeking applicants for the following boards, commissions, and committees:
- Architectural Review Committee
- Board of Building Review
- Civic Cultural Commission
- Historic Resources Advisory Committee
- Home Improvement Loan Committee
- Housing and Human Concerns Committee
- Library Board
- Park and Recreation Commission
- Planning Commission
- Senior Affairs Commission
Basic requirements are that applicants have an interest in civic and community improvement, are 18 years of age or older, are a United States citizen, and are a resident of incorporated Redwood City (some board or commission positions may have additional requirements or preferred areas of expertise).The deadline for submitting applications is March 17, 2006.
Further information and applications are available by calling the City Clerk’s office at 650-780-7220, on our website, or by visiting the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City.
**************************
Small Grants Available for Neighborhood Improvement Projects
Grants of up to $300 are available for community engagement projects, beautification, neighborhood participation activities, or other projects that bring people together and build community.
The purpose of this grant program is to help people to implement their own creative ideas for making their street, block, neighborhood, or community a better place to live and work. Eligible projects will have a positive impact and will offer an opportunity for neighbors to get to know one another and work together toward a common goal of community improvement and engagement. This program is one way the City is helping people to strengthen the foundation of the entire community.
More information and applications are available on the City’s website, at the Office of the City Manager at 1017 Middlefield Road, or by emailing or calling the City Manager's office (ctuifua@redwoodcity.org; 650-780-7300). Applications will be reviewed once a month and applicants can expect to hear from the City within 45 days of receipt of the application.
This grant program is for small projects - but many small projects together can offer big, positive changes for our community. Anyone with an idea for a community-building neighborhood project is urged to apply for a Redwood City Community Improvement Grant.
|
