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Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
 Issue #48 ~ August, 2007
(Back to index of all issues)
IN THIS ISSUE:
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Community Discussion on Possible Green Building Ordinance
The Redwood City Planning Commission, Architectural Review Committee, and Board of Building Review have scheduled a public workshop to open discussions into a possible “green building” ordinance for the City. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007, beginning at 6:30 pm in the Council chambers at city hall, 1017 Middlefield Road in Redwood City.
 Interested members of the community are encouraged to attend and participate. A special invitation is offered to local builders, architects, and developers, as their knowledge and experience will be most helpful in this discussion. See the agenda here.
A green building ordinance would create the opportunity for new buildings to incorporate more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient design, construction, materials, and operation. This could be accomplished with an ordinance containing building construction guidelines for human and environmental health, including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
This initial discussion/workshop will help the City to take the next steps in the possible development of such an ordinance. Participants will enjoy refreshments, and an opportunity to review a variety of displays and information about green building technology. City staff will present an overview of information that has been gained so far, including state and local green building activity, examples of some typical green building standards, experience from other cities, cost elements involved, incentives, rebates, and more.
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North Fair Oaks "Summer Clean-Up" August 11
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office C.A.R.O.N. Program is happy to announce the third annual North Fair Oaks Clean-Up! It's on Saturday, August 11, starting at the Fair Oaks Community Center (2600 Middlefield Road) at 8:30 am. 
Join neighbors, friends, and family for coffee and pastries at 8:30, then move out to targeted areas for a cleanup that will help our community to shine! Areas targeted include the 2600 - 3500 blocks of Middlefield, Fair Oaks Elementary School, Garfield Charter Elementary School, and Friendship Park. After the clean up, volutneers will be treated to lunch as a small "thank you" for participating.
This is a great community initiative to help tidy-up the streets, school grounds, and parks, and is a wonderful way to show your neighborhood pride. More information is available by calling 650-363-1734.
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North Fair Oaks Community Festival August 19
Don't miss the 6th Annual North Fair Oaks Community Festival on Sunday, August 19th from 11 am to 6 pm!
It's a fun-filled day of family activities, food, music, dancing, parade, exhibits, raffles for great prizes, and a lot more.
And, it's a benefit for the San Mateo County Sheriff's Youth Program Fund, so while you're having fun, you'll be helping this important program.
Join your neighbors, family, and friends on Middlefield Road between 1st Avenue and 5th Avenue on August 19th for this festive day of great fun. Visit www.northfairoaksfestival.org for more information.
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Learn How to Start Organizing Your Neighborhood
Join friends and neighbors for Redwood City's Neighborhood Liaison - Community Organizing class!
Staff from the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center will offer "nuts-and-bolts" tools for how to bring neighbors together. From initial contact, to organizing a neighborhood meeting, and from reaching consensus to examining case studies, you'll gain some basic organizing tools. This will help you and your neighbors organize around an issue, address a neighborhood opportunity or problem, put together a block party, potluck, movie night, or neighborhood watch, or organize for other reasons.
- Wednesday, August 22, 2007
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Community Room, Downtown Library
1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
Light dessert and coffee will be provided, and we ask for your RSVP: call 780-7300 or send an email to let us know how many will be attending.
This is the first in a number of training classes offered as part of Redwood City's Neighborhood Liaison program. Future classes include Meeting Facilitation, Leadership Development, and Conflict Resolution.
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"Are You Ready?" Free Disaster Preparedness Class
"Are You Ready?" is a quick and informative introductory class in disaster  preparedness.
It's perfect for individuals, families, or groups that don't currently have the time to attend our more-intensive Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, and it provides the basics of how to survive after a major emergency. The Redwood City Fire Department provides the training materials and instructors, you provide the interest and enthusiasm!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Fire Station #9
755 Marshall Street
Advance registration is required: Register for this class
Other classes are scheduled for October and December. Click here for information.
This FREE one-to-two hour class covers the basics of what to do before, during, and after a major emergency. You will learn how to:
- Get informed
- Put together a kit
- Make a plan
Sign up today - and bring a friend or neighbor!
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Parks Department Wants to Hear From You
What does the future hold for our parks and recreation facilities? What are your needs and desires for paths and trails, what are your parks priorities, and where do you want to see the City focus its efforts on our parks and recreation facilities?
The Redwood City Parks, Recreation & Community Services  Department wants to hear your answers to those and other key questions! It's all part of a community-based
planning process to help guide the next 10-15 years of our parks and recreation facilities.
Join in and make sure your voice is heard! For the month of August there's an online survey (www.redwoodcity.org/parks)
that includes questions about which parks and recreation functions and facilities are most important to you, where you think the City should focus its parks and recreation efforts, what kinds of facilities you desired, what types of trails or paths you prefer, and more. Paper copies of the survey, in English and Spanish, are available at all Parks offices.
There will be other opportunities for the public to participate through the Parks and Recreation Commission, City Council, and Parks-sponsored community meetings. This survey is the first step in gathering the general scope of needs that the community has for its  parks facilities. The outcome of this community process will be a study presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council, which will include recommendations for priorities and funding for parks and park facilities.
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Try "Cell Phone Parking" & Get 2 Hours Free in August
For the entire month of August, whenever you park Downtown and use one of the new "pay-by-space" meters, be sure to use the cell phone option, and get two hours of free parking!
With a one-time, quick and easy free set up process (either by phone, or from your computer at home: www.verrus.com), you can use your cell phone to feed your meter remotely - that's right, you can just open your phone, add time to your meter, and continue your Dowtown meal, entertainment, strolling, or shopping.
 Once you set up an account you don't even have to visit a meter at all - just use your cell phone. And when your time is almost up you'll receive a reminder call!
No matter where you are Downtown, you can use your cell phone to add time to the meter - and for the month of August each time you use this service, you'll get two hours of free parking.
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Safety First - Safe Drop Off & Pick Up at School
As the 2007-2008 school year begins in late August, the City of Redwood City and the Redwood City School District are joining forces to encourage Safety First when it comes to getting kids to and from school.
Redwood City City and the School District have created an informational web page designed to give parents and caregivers clear guidelines for the most safe and efficient ways to drop off and pick up their kids. The web page, which also contains a wealth of other links and information, is located at www.redwoodcity.org/schools.
By encouraging safe practices, we also aims to decrease the impact that back-to-school traffic has on neighborhood residents.
The beginning of each school year brings new parents into Redwood City Schools. Often, it takes parents several weeks to become familiar with the best locations and times to drop off/pick up their children. This confusion can create dangerous situations in which children cross the street at unsafe locations, walk between cars, or face increased risks even when crossing at designated crosswalks. Additionally, parents in a hurry sometimes park in bus zones, and in front of private driveways, creating problems for neighbors of the school.
Please take a look and learn the best, safest way to drop off and pick up kids at school, and minimize disruption to the school's neighbors.
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Music, Movies, Art, Dancing on the Square
Downtown is alive all summer, with movie nights, art, concerts,  dancing, and family entertainment!
There is so much happening, be sure to go to www.redwoodcity.org/events for the entire schedule.
In the meantime, here's the scoop for August:
Wednesday, August 1
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"ET - The Extraterrestrial" outdoor movie 8:45 pm |
Thursday, August 2
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Salsa dancing 6 pm |
Friday, August 3
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Art on the Square 5 pm
& Ben Marcato and his Mondo Combo concert 6 pm |
Saturday, August 4
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Short Attention Span Circus - noon |
Wednesday, August 8
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"Over the Hedge" outdoor movie 8:45 pm |
Thursday, August 9
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Hip Hop, Funk, and Salsa dancing 6pm |
Friday, August 10
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California Cowboys concert 6 pm |
Saturday, August 11
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Skyhunters Raptor Show - noon on Theatre Way |
Saturday, August 11
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"Romeo and Juliet" live performance 6 pm |
Sunday, August 12
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"Julius Caeser" live performance 6 pm |
Wednesday, August 15
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"Back to the Future " outdoor movie 8:45 pm |
Thursday, August 16
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Argentine Tango dancing 6 pm |
Friday, August 17
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Men of Worth concert 6 pm |
Saturday, August 18
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Community Drum Circle - noon on Theatre Way |
Wednesday, August 22
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"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" outdoor movie 8:45 pm |
Thursday, August 23
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Country dancing 6 pm |
Friday, August 24
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Tito Garcia Band concert 6 pm |
Saturday, August 25
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Short Attention Span Circus - noon on Theatre Way |
Wednesday, August 29
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"Chronicles of Narnia " outdoor movie 8:45 pm |
Thursday, August 30
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Salsa dancing 6 pm |
Friday, August 31
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Joe Escobar concert 6 pm |
Plus, Lunchtime on the Square live music each weekday at 11:30 am!
This summer, join family, friends, and neighbors and enjoy all the free activities and events that are coming alive downtown. Visit our great new events page for the schedules - and be sure to spread the word! Tell someone about www.redwoodcity.org/events, and then meet them on the square!
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New! Find Your Neighborhood Association
Redwood City now makes it simple to find out which Neighborhood Association you're in! Just go to our new Neighborhood Association Finder page and enter your address - you'll automatically be shown  which association covers your area, and the contact and meeting information. Online maps of all the association areas will soon be available, too.
Your neighborhood association is an easy way to get involved, meet your neighbors and fellow community members, and help to build community. Take a look!
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Citizens Police Academy Applications Available
From forensics to narcotics, auto theft to SWAT teams, and juvenile crime to K9, the 16th annual Redwood City Citizens Police Academy offers an in-depth, “real life” look at the day-to-day experience of police work.
The Academy is a rigorous and exciting 11-week program that is modeled after the State’s curriculum for actual police academies. Applications are still available for the 2007 session, which starts on  Thursday, September 6th. It takes place each Thursday night from 6:30 - 9:30, through November 15, at the Police Department.
Class size is limited, so interested community members are encouraged to get their applications in right away! Call 780-7104 to have an application sent to you, or go online, print the application, and send it in. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and live or work within San Mateo County. This Academy is not intended to train participants for certification as law enforcement officials.
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Climate Protection Starts in Your Home!
Did you know that the average American generates about 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year from personal transportation, home energy use and from the energy used to produce all of the products and services we consume? It's our responsibility to try and reduce that carbon dioxide output!
Here are 10 easy things you and your family can do - and just think of the great positive impact if you get several neighbors to take these steps as well!
1. Change a Light
Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
 2. Drive Less
Walk, bike, carpool, or take mass transit more often. You'll save one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile you don't drive.
3. Recycle More
You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste.
4. Check Your Tires
Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
5. Use Less Hot Water
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water by installing a low-flow showerhead (reducing carbon dioxide output by 350 pounds per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (reducing carbon dioxide output by 500 pounds per year). Go to our water conservation web page for many water-saving ideas!
6. Avoid Products With a Lot of Packaging
You can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you cut down your garbage by 10%
7. Adjust Your Thermostat
Moving your thermostat down just 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer saves about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
8. Plant a Tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
9. Turn off electronic devices
Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer when you're not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
10. Tell Others How to Reduce Energy Use and Carbon Dioxide Emissions!
 
Visit Redwood City's Climate Protection web page for lots of links to information on how you can make a difference in your home, neighborhood, and community.
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Save September 22nd for Our Town, Downtown Event
 The 2nd Annual “Our Town - Downtown ” event is a fun-filled day of great activities, music and entertainment, food, beverages, and a wonderful time for the entire family. Noon to 8 pm at Courthouse Square, on Broadway, on Theatre Way, and on Main Street - in Downtown Redwood City!
More information is coming soon - watch this space!
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 Register and subscribe to any of a variety of City periodicals, including news releases, agendas and minutes, Parks and Recreation news, Library events, and more! Go to www.redwoodcity.org/egov now!
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