|
Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
Issue #40 ~ December, 2006
 Happy Holidays
from Redwood City E-News!
(Back to index of all issues)
IN THIS ISSUE:
Hometown Holidays is Saturday December 2nd!
This year 's Hometown Holidays will be great holiday fun for adults, kids, and the entire family! It 's a free event, starting at 10 am and continuing into the evening, rain or shine.
 Join the community for a Holiday Boutique, snow play with REAL snow, photos with Santa, music, ice sculpture, parade, fireworks, Caltrain 's Train for Tots, and more!
Visit the Hometown Holidays web page for more details.
**************************
PAL, Police & Fire Announce Annual Toy & Book Drive
Each year, the Redwood City Police Activities League (PAL) Christmas Toy and Book Drive has brought the holiday spirit right to  the doorstep of many needy families. In conjunction with the Police Officers Association and Firefighters Association, and with help from the Fair Oaks Community Center and a corps of volunteers, this annual event has become a welcome tradition in Redwood City. 
Businesses are asked to place donation barrels at their sites; individuals and families are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys and books; and volunteers are asked for their time and energy for ‘wrapping parties’ where everyone takes part in preparing the gifts for the kids, from gift wrapping, to ‘quality control,’ to helping with food and drinks.
To learn how to get involved, call Officer Chris Rasmussen at (650) 556-1650 extension 11.
One big wrapping party is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13th. Children’s groups and business groups are encouraged to participate from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, and all others are welcome from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Of course drop-in volunteers are very welcome. All the wrapping fun takes place at Red Morton Community Center, 1120 Roosevelt Avenue. Volunteers are also needed to pick up food, toys, and books, put together family packages, load up Santa’s ‘sleigh,’ actually help with home delivery, and more. This is a great opportunity to help bring a smile to a child 's holiday season.
**************************
Community Tree Task Force to Make Recommendations to Council - December 4
The Redwood City Community Task Force on Tree Policies will present its report and recommendations to the City Council on Monday, December 4, 2006, at the Council meeting starting at 7 pm at City Hall.
The Council will review the report and recommendations, provide opportunity for questions and answers and public comment, and consider accepting the report and recommendations. If accepted by  Council, staff will be directed to develop a schedule for implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations, for later Council approval.
Interested members of the community are invited to attend the meeting and hear the report by the Task Force, ask questions, and provide comment on the overall report and specific recommendations.
The Task Force’s entire report and the related staff report are available at City Hall or online. To request these documents, or get more information, call 780-7234.
**************************
Second Public Hearing on Downtown Precise Plan Draft EIR
The 45-day public review and comment period for the Downtown Precise Plan’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) began on November 7th, and closes on December 22nd. During this time the community is encouraged to provide comment on any aspect of the Draft Plan and Draft EIR. The DEIR is available online, at City libraries, and at City Hall.
Last month the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this issue as an opportunity for the community to participate in the process of further defining and developing the DEIR and the Draft Plan. A second public hearing is scheduled for:
- Tuesday, December 12, 2006 – 7:00 pm
The public hearing takes place at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road in Redwood City.
This is all part of the ongoing City and community process to create a blueprint for the future of what Redwood City’s Downtown will be – that blueprint is the Downtown Precise Plan, which will set the course for creating and maintaining an exciting, active, and livable downtown community. It outlines our Downtown’s future housing, building design, landscaping, architectural styles, open space, and all other aspects of a prospective development.
As part of the development of the Plan, the Draft EIR has been prepared, to identify and address any potentially significant environmental impacts that may be associated with future implementation of the Draft Plan. The Draft Downtown Precise Plan has been under development for several years, with numerous workshops, public hearings, and community meetings. Be sure to visit the City’s web page dedicated to the Downtown Precise Plan or call 780-7234 for information.
**************************
December Events at the Redwood City Public Library
Free events at the Library:
- Working with Digital Photographs - Tuesday, December 5, 7:30 pm at the Downtown Library - Learn how to download, edit, share, and organize your personal digital photographs.
- Meet the Author: John G. Edmonds - Wednesday, December 6 , 7:30 pm at the Downtown Library – Conversation with this well known local historian and author of Cops, Courts, Jails and Judges: A Historical Perspective of the San Mateo County Criminal Justice System.
- Family Movie Night: “Elf” - Thursday, December 7, 7 pm at
 the Downtown Library, sponsored by the Friends of the Library - Holiday comedy starring Will Ferrell as an overgrown misfit elf.
- Las Posadas - Monday, December 18, 4 to 8 pm - held at the Fair Oaks Library, 2510 Middlefield Road, all activities are free and include a picture with Santa, arts and crafts, story time, and a special guest appearance by entertainer Victor Hugo Santos. A special traditional Las Posadas candlelight procession is scheduled for 7 pm.
Volunteer opportunities at the Library include the Traveling Storytime program, Project READ tutoring, book selection for the homebound, assisting the public in using Library computers and in locating requested items on the shelves. What a great way to give back to the community during the holidays!
Current job openings include part-time Library Pages to stock Library shelves, retrieve books, and perform other important duties as part of the Library team. For job details, go to www.redwoodcity.org/hr.
December Library Schedule : On Friday December 1, the Downtown Library and the Fair Oaks Library will be open only from 2 to 5 pm to accommodate staff training. All Librarys will be closed on December 24, 25, and 26.
More information about library events and services, and the Redwood City Library Foundation, is available at www.redwoodcity.org/library, by calling 780-7026, or by picking up library information in any Redwood City public library.
**************************
December/January Events at the Senior Center
Join the fun at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue, for these great activities:
Deck the Halls Decoration Party - Monday, December 4, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Deck the halls with holiday cheer.Decorate the Senior Center with the delightful sounds of holiday music in the background. Cider and cookies provided. Free for all. Call 650-780-7320 to volunteer your time at this event.
“The Holidays Are Here, Now What?” Lecture - Wednesday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. Goldstar Room, Veterans Memorial Senior Center. The holidays can be a roller coaster of highs and lows, joy and stress, happiness and sadness. Guest speaker is Jenny Warner from Family Service Agency. She will give the audience hands-on tips on how to survive the ride! This free lecture is open to the public.
“A Christmas Carol” Opening Night at Notre Dame de Namur University - Friday, December 8, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy opening night of “A Christmas Carol” followed by a wonderful gala reception. Cost is $55 per person, includes reserved tickets and round trip transportation. Call 780-7244 for your ticket. Very limited supply!
Holiday Gift Bags Giving Project - Monday, December 11, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Redwood Room, Veterans Memorial Senior Center. The best part of the holiday season is the giving of gifts, and you can give the greatest gift of all. . .your time! Help assemble and deliver holiday gift bags for homebound seniors and children on this very special day. Call Kim Morosi at 780-7320 to volunteer.
Senior Affairs Commission Meeting - Thursday, December 14, 1:00 p.m. The City of Redwood City Senior Affairs Commission is holding its December 14 meeting at Fair Oaks Community Center, 2600 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. The objectives of the Senior Affairs Commission are to encourage, foster, facilitate, establish, and maintain programs for the enhancement of all matters relating to the social, economic, and personal well being of the City’s senior population. The public is invited to attend.
Holiday Sing-Along - Thursday, December 21, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Redwood Room. Enjoy an afternoon of holiday music and sing-along spirit while enjoying hot cider and cookies. Cost is $2. No reservation required.
Toast to the Town Afternoon Dance - Saturday, January 6, 1 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Redwood Room. Start 2007 off with an afternoon of music, compliments of the Bob Saul Orchestra. Chocolate and champagne will be served. Cost is $10 per person. For tickets, leave a message at (650) 780-7264 by Wednesday, January 3.
Older Driver Safety Seminar - Thursday, January 18, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Sunset Room. Join us for this popular seminar on older driver safety. Topics will include a confidential self-analysis of driving skills, the importance of nutrition and exercise, age-related changes and how to adjust to be a safer and more alert driver. This class is sponsored by volunteers from the California Highway Patrol. To register, call 780-7270. Class size is limited. There is no charge.
To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, call 780-7270.
**************************
Project READ Recruiting Staff with AmeriCorps Grant
Through a generous grant from AmeriCorps, Project READ will be hiring four new team members – people who want to help break the  cycle of illiteracy, promote education, and encourage a lifelong love of reading and learning. Interviews are being scheduled, so interested members of the community are encouraged to immediately contact Pam Patek at Project READ, 650-780-7077 or via email. Visit Project READ’s website for details about this great organization. 
There are two full-time and two part-time positions available, and the jobs will be ongoing from January 4, 2007 until December 7, 2007. A living expenses allowance of $11,000 / $5,770 (full / part time) will be paid, in addition to an education voucher for $4,725 / $2,326. The full time position will also receive health and childcare benefits. A high school diploma or GED is required, as is U.S. citizenship or national or lawful permanent resident status. The ability to speak Spanish is a plus, but not required.
**************************
Redwood Shores Community Association Matching Shores Library Donations
The City of Redwood City, the Redwood City Library Foundation, and the Campaign for the Opening Day Collection are pleased to announce that the Redwood Shores Community Association (RSCA) has generously agreed to match, dollar-for-dollar, funds donated by Redwood Shores residents to the opening day collection, through December 31 st, up to a total of $50,000 (individual personal gifts will be matched up to $1,000). 
The RSCA will match individual gifts in the donor’s own name, and donors of $500 or more, plus the RSCA match, will qualify for recognition on the planned Library donor wall. Homeowners Associations and Neighborhoods are challenging each other, and the top donating areas will also be recognized by the Library.
The “Campaign for the Opening Day Collection,” the fundraising effort to raise the $500,000 required to purchase materials to fill the new library, is in full swing. In this campaign, businesses and residents are being provided contribution information by campaign volunteers, through scheduled events and activities, and through special mailings.
Donations can be made by visiting the campaign’s special website dedicated to the Redwood Shores Community Library and the “Campaign for the Opening Day Collection.” This web page is also linked from the Redwood Shores Community Association website, and from the Redwood City Public Library website.
**************************
CityTrees Awarded Grant for More Trees in Redwood City 
Local non-profit CityTrees is pleased to announce that it has received a substantial grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) through the Green Trees for the Golden State Grant program.
This $22,233 grant will fund the planting of over 200 new street trees during six planting events scheduled for 2007. The grant also provides funds for a special Pruning Training seminar, as well as continuation of CityTrees’ existing volunteer program offering pruning of trees CityTrees has planted, after a two-year period of growth. All of the planting events, the training programs, and tree pruning work will be coordinated in partnership with the City of Redwood City.
With this grant, CityTrees volunteers will plant a total of 210 trees during monthly events in March, April, May, June, September, and October 2007. New volunteers are always welcome and can get involved by visiting the CityTrees website or calling (650) 556-9380, extension 4.
New trees will be placed in public planting strips along selected streets in Redwood City. A pruning and maintenance seminar will be hosted by CityTrees, with the City’s Public Works Services Department providing the trainers and field instruction. Graduates of the training seminar participate in pruning trees previously planted by CityTrees. Several pruning events will then be held to prune 150 trees planted by CityTrees in the past two-to-four years.
**************************
State Grant Pays for 16 Electronic Speed Signs
Sixteen special radar-activated speed enforcement signs are now being installed on streets near eight schools throughout the community, as part of Redwood City’s efforts to make the streets safe for students, families, bicyclists, and motorists.
A $141,000 grant paid for these very visible signs, which electronically display the speed of an oncoming vehicle - if the vehicle exceeds the speed limit, then the sign starts flashing the speed. Such signs have been shown to be effective in getting the attention of motorists and thereby reducing the incidence of speeding. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As these signs are installed, the Redwood City Police Department is increasing its speed enforcement in the same areas. This is a “saturation” approach to identifying and stopping speeding vehicles, and officers will be paying particular attention to violations in the vicinity of pedestrians. In conjunction with the new speed enforcement signs, turn violations and parking violations within school zones are also being strictly enforced.
Some of the new electronic speed enforcement signs have already been installed, while others will be installed shortly – locations include streets near the following schools:
- Roosevelt
- Taft
- Sandpiper
- John Gill
- Hoover
- Roy Cloud
- Hawes
- Kennedy
In addition to these electronic signs, the Redwood City Police Department purchased 300 bicycle helmets that are being distributed to students by police officers, as another way to help ensure safety on the roads.
The City of Redwood City and the Redwood City Police Department wish to thank the California Office of Traffic Safety for making it possible to provide these signs for the safety of the entire community of Redwood City.
**************************
Latino Film Festival a GREAT Success in Redwood City!
The City of Redwood City and the Latino Leadership Council offer a big “Thank You” and “Muchas Gracias” to the community of Redwood City and local sponsors for making the  10th International Latino Film Festival a great success! Hundreds of film lovers came downtown to the gala reception and the 6 award-winning films on November 16, 17, & 18.
A special thanks to these sponsors who helped put Redwood City on the Film Festival map by supporting three spectacular nights of the 10th International Latino Film Festival in Downtown Redwood City:
- Bay Imaging
- Beals Martin Inc.
- Coldwell Banker
- DES Architects and Engineers
- El Mercadito Latino
- Elmer G. Martinez - Realtor
- FASTSIGNS of Redwood City
- First National Bank
- Golden Glaze Bakery
- Guillermo "Memo" Morantes
- Hannig Law Firm LLP
- Hofbrau Catering
- Jaime González & Mary Vera
- Kainos Home-Training Center
- La Fuente Financial Services
- LaNebbia Winery
- Larry A. Graves
- Maria Carmen Smith - Allstate Agent
- NAHREP of Silicon Valley
- Nimbus Design
- PG&E Company
- Peter and Paula Uccelli Foundation
- PruLatino
- Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission
- Redwood City International
- Redwood City Redevelopment Agency
- Redwood General Tire
- San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
- San Mateo County History Museum
- San Mateo Credit Union
- Sandy Ramirez - Realtor
- Seaport Industrial Association
- Sequoia Hospital
- W.L. Butler Construction Inc.
- Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Foundation
The 10th International Latino Film Festival exhibited a total of 85 films at seventeen venues from November 3rd through November 19th. The entire Festival spans nine Bay Area cities including Redwood City, San Francisco, San Jose San Rafael, Mill Valley, Larkspur, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Bruno.
|
