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Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
 Issue #59 ~ July, 2008
(Back to index of all issues)
IN THIS ISSUE:
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Celebrate the 4th of July Downtown!
 The Peninsula Celebration Assocation and Redwood City present the annual 4th of July Festival, Parade, Fireworks, and more!
Redwood City's celebration is renowned around the bay for its fun, festive, and family-friendly atmosphere. It's a full day - from a pancake breakfast to a fun run, from live music to an all-day festival, and from an old-fashioned parade to spectacular fireworks over the bay - Redwood City's 4th has it all!
Visit www.parade.org for details, and then get ready for a patriotic day in the sun in Downtown Redwood City.
As you and your families enjoy the 4th of July, the Redwood City Fire Department would like to remind you of the absolute ban on all fireworks throughout Redwood City. Only professional fireworks shows, like the one at the Port, are allowed. This ban includes the so-called "safe and sane" type of fireworks.
This year's fire season is already off to a very bad start throughout the state, and local police and fire staff are going to make an extra effort to enforce this ban on fireworks, and prevent fire, injury, and damage. For more details please click here.
Special note: due to ongoing campus construction, the parking lot at Cañada College will be CLOSED on the 4th of July. This has been a popular spot for people to park and enjoy the fireworks around the bay. This year, the campus will be closed during construction and the college is urging people to make alternative plans. The college adminstration apologizes for this year's prohibition on parking for the 4th - but promises that next year the lots will again be available.
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Save Water with the "10 Gallon Challenge"
As you know, with two straight years of below-average rainfall, low snowmelt runoff, and the driest spring on record for the areas in Northern California that supply most of the state’s water, Governor  Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed a statewide drought.
While mandatory water rationing is a real possibility in the near future, at this time Redwood City's water supplier is asking for a voluntary 10% cutback in water use.
You can do your part by taking the 10 Gallon Challenge! If every person uses just 10 gallons less water per day, we will achieve hugely significant water savings.
The great news is...it's really easy to save 10 gallons a day. Take a look at the chart below, select the things YOU will pledge to do, and you'll get in the habit of using less water every day. And, for more great water-saving ideas visit www.redwoodcity.org/conservation.
This is a great, easy way to do your part to save water right now, and help our community to withstand the drought. We'll officially unveil the 10 Gallon Challenge program soon, but in the meantime tell your neighbors!
Take these simple actions... |
...and save this much water!* |
Run the dishwasher only when full |
2 gallons |
| Don't leave water running while rinsing dishes |
5 gallons |
| Turn off water while brushing teeth (twice daily) |
8 gallons |
| Shorten showers by 2 minutes |
5 gallons |
| Fill the bathtub half full while bathing |
18 gallons |
| Wash only full loads of clothes |
15 gallons |
| Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket (once daily) |
1.6 gallons |
| Fix a leaky faucet |
15 gallons |
| Fix a leaky toilet |
30 gallons |
| Install aerators with flow restrictors on 3 faucets |
14 gallons |
| Use a high-efficiency clothes washer |
10 gallons |
| Use high-efficiency toilets (4 flushes daily) |
8 gallons |
| Use a broom instead of hose to clean driveways and sidewalks (twice weekly) |
22 gallons |
| Water yard before 6 am or after 8 pm |
20 gallons |
| Reduce irrigation cycles by 2 minutes (5 stations, 3 times weekly) |
80 gallons |
| Eliminate one irrigation cycle per week |
30 gallons |
| Adjust sprinklers to avoid overspray onto sidewalks and driveways |
20 gallons |
| Repair pipe leak or broken sprinkler head |
20 gallons |
| Add 2" - 3" of mulch around trees and plants |
25 gallons |
| Install drip watering system |
20 gallons |
| Install "smart" irrigation controller to automatically adjust for weather conditions |
40 gallons |
| Skip washing your car |
25 gallons |
| Replace part of lawn with drought-resistant plants |
40 gallons |
| Repair leaks around pool or spa pumps |
20 gallons |
| Repair leaking hose bibs |
20 gallons |
| Install/replace pool cover |
30 gallons |
| Install/replace spa cover |
5 gallons |
*Actual water savings from these actions depends on a number of factors, including a household’s water pressure, number of residents, age/efficiency of plumbing devices, size of landscapes and irrigation systems, personal behaviors, etc. These daily estimates for an average household are provided solely as an educational guideline to help the the community understand and appreciate the potential of these actions to help the region save water.
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Next "Second Saturday Art Walk" is July 12
What is the Second Saturday Art Walk?
 It's a multicultural, socially responsible, and eco-friendly event that brings a fabulous array of art to the community. Fair trade crafts are being promoted at the five main art galleries in Redwood City, compiling over 75 local artists, bringing inspiration, culture and entertainment this spring and summer to the entier Peninsula.
Art Walk takes place every second Saturday of the month from April through September, starting at 7 pm. The next one is Saturday, July 12th.
Bring the family for an Art Walk - wander from gallery to gallery, take in the art and culture, and enjoy the new dining and entertainment options in our revitalized downtown.
The following five galleries are participating in this year’s Art Walk:
- bazaarbrazil brings over thirty projects of artisans from Brazil
2662 Broadway
- Gallery 2611 combines 5 local artists
2611 Broadway
- Art on Broadway Gallery and the Redwood City Art Center Studios are formed by 29 artists
2625 Broadway
- The Main Gallery is a cooperative of 24 artists
1018 Main Street
Visit www.redwoodcityartwalk.com for more information. This event is sponsored by The Redevelopment Agency of Redwood City.
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Help Save a Life - Donate Blood
Every day, hundreds of people in our communities need blood - and there is no substitute for it. When you donate blood, you 're not only helping to save one life , you'll help save three since a pint of blood is separated into three life-saving components that go to three different patients.
Blood Centers of the Pacific, a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides blood and blood components to 40 Bay  Area hospitals throughout Northern California, will have their Donor Coach/Bloodmobile at Redwood City 's Music on the Square on Friday, July 11th - what a great and easy opportunity to be a hero, and give blood.
If you are coming to enjoy some great music downtown at the concert on July 11th, please consider coming at 5 pm to give blood - it's painless, it's fast, and you 'll be making a difference in someone 's life.
Visit Blood Centers of the Pacific online for information (www.bloodheroes.com, click on "Find a Location", enter Sponsor Code "RWCMusic"), or contact JoEllen Myslik at 650-652-4124.
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Target Family Days - Something for Everyone!
Redwood City and Target Stores are proud to present Target Family Days, a series of FREE family activities in Downtown Redwood City from noon to 4 pm, centered on Courthouse Square and Theatre Way.
The next Target Family Day is Saturday July 13, featuring:
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición
Cuban Music finds its roots in Europe and Africa. The two most  influential strains of Cuban Popular Music can be roughly categorized into two groups: the Son and the Danzón. The most common Afro-Cuban music in Cuba are Yoruba or Santaria, Abakua, and Palo. Orquesta la Moderna Tradición specializes in the Danzón and its descendents.
Jest in Time Circus
Since 1982, Jest In Time Circus has entertained over 2 million people with live stage performances around the world! Juggling, Clowning Around and More!
Plus these great activities:
The surrounding streets will be closed to through traffic, making a family outing in Downtown an even more safe, fun, and gratifying experience for everyone.
Put these summer Target Family Days on your calendar:
- July 13 - Latin Theme
- August 10 - Hawaiian Theme
- September 14 - Caribbean Theme
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Annual PAL Blues Festival is July 19 Downtown
Pre-festival fun starts Friday night July 18 at Music on the Square!
Redwood City is becoming a Blues mecca!
 Each year Redwood City Police Activities League (PAL) hosts a fabulous array of renowned blues artist, both local and national. This year's FREE event is happening on July 18-19 at Courthouse Square, brought to the community by San Mateo Credit Union.
Here is the line up, but be sure to visit www.palbluesfestival.com for all the details so you can enjoy a great time with the blues in Downtown Redwood City:
Pre-Festival Blow Out
- Friday, July 18, 6 pm - 8pm
Madison Blues Band
Part of Redwood City's
Music on the Square Concert Series at Courthouse Square
Redwood City PAL Blues & Art on the Square Festival
Saturday July 19, Courthouse Square
- Noon - Bart Shea Blues Band featuring Freddie Roulette
- 1 pm - Andre Thierry (Zydeco )
- 2 pm - Jan Fanucchi with Steve Freund
- 3 pm - Ron Thompson (acoustic)
- 4 pm - Craig Horton
- 5 pm - Frank Bey
Fabulous After-Festival Party
Saturday, July 19, 7 - 11 pm
Dave Hytie Trio
Angelica 's Bistro, 863 Main Street
(No cover charge)
And, Art on the Square will be happening at the same time - see local artists and have the chance to purchase their creations both Friday night during Music on the Square and Saturday during the Blues Fest from 11 am - 7 pm!
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Psychadelic Sufi Trance Rock? Check it Out July 20
Find out what it's all about on Sunday, July 20 from 6 - 8 pm at Courthouse Square!
Performer Haale  is a Bronx-born woman of Iranian descent whose name means 'halo around the moon.' Her songs are trance-inducing, rhythmically propulsive, and lyrically engaging tapestries that draws on both Persian mystical and American psychedelic musical traditions. Visit her website at www.haale.com.
This performance is part of Redwood City's incredible variety of themed performances to Downtown Redwood City, showcasing music and dance from around the world. Once a month through September 27th, you can revel in the discovery of a unique
culture through its music and movement, including African, Sufi, Russian and
Balkan. More info on this series is online.
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Shakespeare on the Square July 26 - 27
 Looking for some classic live theater that includes excitement, love, tragedy, battles, comedy, treachery, mix-ups, and cunning wordplay? Look no further than Redwood City's Shakespeare on the Square!
Sit back and enjoy the Shakespeare classics "Macbeth" on July 26 (also August 23), and "Taming of the Shrew" on July 27 (also August 24). Both plays start at 7 pm, right at Courthouse Square.
More info is available online!
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Small Grants Available for your Community Improvement Project
Redwood City wants to help jump-start your neighborhood and community improvement projects and events, and encourage you to get together with your neighbors to plan and implement a great community-building activity!
There are two ways to get a grant:
- For a smaller neighborhood gathering (for example a block party or a pot-luck dinner) you can get a grant of up to $100.
- For a more ambitious neighborhood event (for example a community garden, community clean-up project, large multi-street block party, or a neighborhood newsletter or website) you can get a grant of up to $300.
Of course you have a lot of other, great ideas for how to build community in your own neighborhood, so go online for all the details and start planning your neighborhood project today!
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Project READ Wins Prestigious Award, Gains National Recognition
Congratulations to Redwood City's Project READ for gaining some  significant recognition of its fine programs!
In collaboration with Canada College, Project READ received the J. Russell Kent Award, sponsored by the San Mateo County School Boards Association, as well as a Certificate of Recognition from the California Senate and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives. These wonderful accolades are in recognition of Project READ’s outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
The Kent Award was presented in honor of Project READ’s Inmate Peer Tutor Program, offering college credit to inmates who successfully complete the specialized literacy program implemented with Project READ volunteer tutors. And, through a collaborative partnership with Cañada College, a tutor-training course is offered – Literacy Tutoring in the Community – which provides another avenue for students to gain new skills and abilities in order to help improve the community through enhancing literacy. The State Senate and Congressional Certificates honor Project Read and Canada College for their exemplary efforts on behalf of the community, in achieving the Kent Award.
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New Redwood Shores Library to Include Environmental Interpretive Center
The Redwood Shores Library, scheduled to open this fall, nestles into a curve of Belmont Slough, making it the perfect location for the planned Environmental Interpretive Center!
This Center will highlight the life in the sloughs, wetlands, and Bay, offering a community destination for interactive and fun environmental education. Among its elements will be larger-than-life models of mud  and water life, a 200-gallon aquarium, and many hands-on and interactive educational activities emphasizing the benefits of wetlands, the interconnected food web, the diversity of microscopic life, and our connection to the environment. There will also be classes, weekend “ Seaside storytimes,” birding walks, family activities, and other environmental programs hosted by Marine Science Institute and the Sequoia Audubon Society.
The Environmental Interpretive Center has gained some very signficant grant support, but still needs an additional $145,000 to be fully funded. Contributions can be made to the Redwood City Library Foundation, and donors of $1,000 or more will be recognized on an outdoor Interpretive Center supporter wall. More information on the program and funding is available from Jacky Averill at (650) 780-7016 or javerill@redwoodcity.org.
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Update Your Emergency Notification Info for City's CodeRED
Redwood City’s emergency high-speed telephone notification system, CodeRED, lets the City deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification messages to targeted areas or the entire City at a rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour. Its database of phone numbers is significant, but many people would benefit from including their cell phone, work phone (even if out of the area), or other alternate number. By doing so, they are sure to be called when a CodeRED alert is activated in the area of their home or business.
Members of the community are encouraged to go online to update their information or add an alternate phone number to ensure timely notification.
During a CodeRED alert, both the primary and alternate number will be called. This service is available to all Redwood City addresses, as well as those outside the City limits in the North Fair Oaks, Emerald Hills, or other unincorporated areas directly adjacent to Redwood City.
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