Author Archives: RSCA

Letters to the Editor

Posted on by
Reply

The following are letters written into the editor of The Pilot for the February 2010 issue. Letters can cover a wide range of topic and often are concerning local issues discussed in previous issues of the paper. 

 

A few things occurred this past week that solidified my belief that there should be no additional stop signs or signaled lights on Redwood Shores Parkway.

As I was stopped at a red light on Redwood Shores Parkway, at Market Place, a car went straight through the light without slowing down or with any hesitation. The woman driving the car almost hit a car that was making a left turn across her path. This could have ended with a very serious accident. Fortunately, the car turning left swerved to avoid the oncoming car.

There were three lanes of cars, all stopped, but she was oblivious to this. As luck would have it, a police officer was directly behind my car, so he also saw the entire episode. And he was able to apprehend the driver. This is one time that my wish of “Where’s a police officer when you need one?” came true.

In three additional incidents, this week, I was almost side swiped by cars whose drivers were not paying attention. The narrower lanes, on Redwood Shores Parkway, have been a constant contributor to this when drivers are not alert. I see this on a daily basis.

Today, a woman in the lane to my right literally tried to come into my lane to get to the far left lane. She didn’t care that she had no space to do so as she would have had to run into and over my car to do so. I did honk at her, to advise her that she was going to hit my car, but she only glared at me while gunning her car to race in front of me, while almost hitting another car.

Another point is that cyclists rarely, if ever, stop at stop signs. I witness this all the time, and saw one man do this yesterday. They can’t be bothered; it appears, to heed the posted signs. And, the new bike lanes make it easier to do so. If they were to utilize the paved multi-use paths, they would be more apt to stop, as it places them where they must pay attention to cross traffic.

As I mentioned in my letter in last month’s “Pilot”, there is no need to waste our taxpayer’s money on more stop signs or lights. It is the inattentiveness of people that causes accidents, whether they are walking, biking, or driving. And, the present lights and stop signs on the Parkway, are creating hostility and the need to speed, to make up for lost time when they either stop or “barely” slow down.

The people that are demanding to have a stop sign at Cringle have two great, safe and stress free options to use. They can either drive parallel to Redwood Shores Parkway for only one block, either East or West, to have a safe crossing at Marlin Drive or Bridge Parkway. This is a no brainier and would save them time as well.

That is the safest and most logical solution for everyone!!! WE DON’T NEED MORE LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS ON REDWOOD SHORES PARKWAY!!!

— Linda Drummy, Redwood Shores Homeowner

The only people who want a stop sign at Kringle are the ones who live on Kringle. We already have many, many stop signs on Redwood Shores Pkwy and Marine Parkway (the only access roads to my home).  Why can’t the people who live south of RS Pkwy just make a right turn on RS Pkwy and then make a u-turn at the next intersection?

Why should the majority of people suffer because a few people don’t want a few extra seconds of inconvenience?

— D. Miller

Sign Up Now for PACT

Posted on by
Reply

Registration is now available for the 2010 session of Redwood City’s renowned PACT (Partnership Academy for Community Teamwork) program. The deadline to register is 5:00 pm, March 1st, 2010.

The easiest and quickest way to register is to go online to www.redwoodcity.org/pact, where you’ll also get the details. Registration forms are also available from the City Manager’s office, located in City Hall at 1017 Middlefield Road, or by calling 650-780-7300. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants. High school students are encouraged to participate (waiver must be signed by parent or guardian).

This is a nine-week community academy will provide participants with a hands-on overview of the management and governance of Redwood City, while helping to build relationships that will strengthen our entire community. The 2010 program takes place each Thursday evening from April 1st through May 27th and engages in dynamic and interesting activities illustrating how the City functions. The sessions cover subjects from Public Works to the Police Department, from the City Council to Finance, from the Fire Department to the Library, and more. This is a great opportunity for interested community members to get an insider’s view of where the City is going, become experts on how the City operates, and help to build a great community together.

The objectives of PACT are to involve and engage people in learning about and understanding the operation of City government, and to improve communication between the City and those that live and work here in order to strengthen and enhance the entire community. Participants will learn how decisions are made, how City funds are allocated, and how City departments operate with each other, and get an opportunity to sit down with City Council members for frank discussions of issues, projects, politics, and plans for shaping the future of our community.

Here’s what Mayor Jeff Ira says about PACT: “Particularly during these tough economic times, it’s important for people to really get engaged with the City and with their communities, to learn how things operate and to bring true partnership to how we address community issues. This is a ‘call to action’ for anyone in our community who wants to be more involved and engaged with the City and with each other.”

If you’re already a PACT graduate, then you know what a fun, interesting, and fulfilling program it is — and if so, please forward this email to invite a neighbor or friend to get involved.

Set the Date: RSCA’s Annual Meeting — February 10 @ 7:30PM

Posted on by
Reply

Please join your Redwood Shores Community Association for the 2010 Annual Meeting held at the Redwood Shores Library on February 10, 2010 at 7:30PM. We will be presenting and opening up discussions on a variety of topics that affect us all here in Redwood Shores.

Planned topics and events at the Annual Meeting include:

  • The State of the Shores
  • The Levee Crisis
  • Our New Elementary School
  • A Presentation by the Mayor, City Manager, School District Superintendent & Others
  • Elections of the RSCA Board of Directors

This is YOUR community, so make sure to show up and be heard!

rsca-300wide

The PILOT: January 2010

Posted on by
Reply

Below is the January 2010 Pilot, published in it’s entirety on the RSCA website. To get a complete view of this month’s issue that is easy to read on your screen, please choose the “Fullscreen” option at the top of the viewer — from there, you can click on the left or right of each page to thumb through the various pages.

All of the software needed to view this web-based version of The Pilot should be linked below if it is not already installed on your web browser, and you can also download or print the PDF document for use away from the computer. If you are having trouble viewing this document on your cellphone, tablet or computer, please contact the RSCA website team.

January 2010 Pilot

Update: Shores Levee Improvement Project

Posted on by
Reply

During the entire month of January, many residents no doubt saw the rapid pace of construction on the levees around Redwood Shores, by the South Bayside System Authority treatment plant, and adjacent to the San Carlos Airport.  These three levee improvement projects have been active around the clock, including weekend and night work, in order to complete construction before January 31. That deadline is due to the start of the endangered species nesting period, and during which construction on the levee is prohibited by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

During the week of January 18th, a series of intense storms forced a complete halt to construction. Despite the significant impact to the construction schedule, if circumstances remain as planned, we can complete construction of the structural elements required for levee certification and move forward with certification to meet FEMA’s flood zone map deadline.

In the meantime, we are requesting a time extension to complete the remainder of the project including surface restoration with asphalt, or aggregate base rock.

The City apologizes for any inconvenience residents may be experiencing during the levee improvement work, and wishes to thank you for your continued support as we finalize the levee certification.

President’s Message

Posted on by
Reply

Christmas Lights

I recently helped to judge RSCA’s annual “Light Up the Shores” Christmas Lights competition.  This involved the pleasant task of touring the Shores with other RSCA Board members and reviewing the efforts of fellow Shores residents to brighten up their neighborhoods during this coldest, darkest time of year.  The results were impressive – you can see pictures of some outstanding displays and the addresses of the winners elsewhere in this Pilot and at RSCA.ORG.  It was difficult, but we picked two winners and named a number of honorable mentions to recognize those who went the extra mile in decorating their homes.  The displays ranged from the traditional (thousands of white lights and winter wonderland themes), to the whimsical (huge, illuminated inflatable snow men and penguins in the front yard), to technically impressive (a 30 foot tall Christmas tree and a yard full of lighted displays blinking in time with songs broadcast by radio) and just plain awesome (a towering, lighted tree shining out over the water for all to see from Marine Parkway and beyond).  At two of the homes, the proud homeowners were dressed like Santa and were handing out candy canes.  That’s attention to detail!

I’d also like to laud the residents of Davit Lane between Cringle and Marlin, nearly all of whom put up lights, and many of whom did such a spectacular job that three properties there received honorable mentions.  This is a great example of what neighbors can accomplish when they work together towards a common goal.

Of course, it’s not just the winners who deserve our appreciation.  We were happy to see scores of decorated homes throughout the Shores, and the RSCA Board wants to thank every one of those residents for Lighting Up the Shores.  Please join them next year.

New Year’s Notes

I’d like to call your attention to some Shores events and issues of interest in the New Year.  Number one is our levees.  The city is working to upgrade the levees that ring the Shores and we will post status updates on the project at RSCA.ORG.  As you are probably aware, if the levees aren’t certified by fall 2010 Redwood Shores will be declared a flood zone, which will hurt property values.  This is an issue to pay attention to, and we will continue to do just that on your behalf.

On a happier note, our new elementary school, officially named “Redwood Shores Elementary School,” will welcome its first group of students in September 2010.  I recently toured the school with other community members and was impressed.  We can all be proud of the accomplishment of building this school, which will provide a great learning environment for our kids and be an asset to all of Redwood Shores.

Finally, plan on attending RSCA’s annual meeting, which will be on February 10, 2010 at the Redwood Shores Branch Library.  We’ve planned a full agenda with reports from City and School representatives on these and other important issues.

Submittd by Doug Crisman, RSCA President

Girl Scout Cadette Troop 724 Community Service Projects

Posted on by
Reply

Ralston Middle School 7th graders from Cadette Troop 724, alumni of Sandpiper, have teamed up with the Sandpiper PTA Green Team to help make a difference. At Sandpiper’s Fall Festival in October, the girls helped Sandpiper collect 150 pairs of athletic shoes for donation to the Nike Re-Use-A-Shoe Program. The shoes will be ground up and made into sport surfaces like running tracks, basketball courts, playgrounds, and soccer fields.  SAVE your athletic shoes and there will be another collection in May, 2010.

The girls also joined with Ecophones, an electronics recycling group, to collect old cell phones, iphones, ink jet cartridges, MP3 players and old laptop computers.  We are continuing our collection of these small electronic items throughout the school year. Starting in Jan.,2010, there will be a collection bin for Ecophones/Sandpiper PTA in the Sandpiper Community Center.  Please help Girl Scout Troop 724 and Sandpiper students GO GREEN with recycling your old and unused small electronic items.

— Submitted by Fran & Laura, Green Team Co-Chairs

Informational Meeting Scheduled:

Posted on by
Reply

Redwood City is proposing to build a small concrete boat ramp at the end of Davit Lane, at the far end of Shannon Park.  This ramp will be for City use only, in order to provide access for a small barge that cuts and collects widgeon weed for lagoon maintenance, as well as access for debris removal and for small craft for water testing. Currently, because there is no viable boat access to the lagoon east of Shell Boulevard, very little maintenance takes place in that area. Consequently, the widgeon grass is rampant, and water quality is poor. This access ramp will allow for regular maintenance in that part of the lagoon, and will improve water quality and appearance. The ramp will be fenced with the same style of fencing that is currently in place along the shoreline, and will be accessed through a locked gate.

In order to provide interested members of the Redwood Shores community with full information about the City’s selection of this particular site for a maintenance access boat ramp, the Redwood Shores Community Association is hosting a community information meeting. At this meeting, the City will present an overview of the research into possible locations, the rationale for selection of this site, and the precise elements of the ramp and maintenance activities. Staff will also be prepared to answer questions or concerns that any resident may have about this proposal.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26th at 7 pm in the Community Room of the Redwood Shores Library, 949 Marine Parkway.

Wine Appreciation

Posted on by
Reply

When it comes to marketing wines to retail buyers, producers must consider what criteria are important to them.  While I often poke fun at it, the “prettiest label” phenomenon is clearly an effective motivator.  Surely, if the bottle’s label is appealing to the eyes, its contents should also be pleasing to the palate. Right?  I recently spoke with a young woman who spoke proudly about having just completed a wine appreciation course.  Her final exam was to buy any wine of her choice and then make a written assessment of its qualities and attributes.  I was curious as to how she selected the wine-what criteria she used to make her purchase.  Price?  A well-known producer?  Her favorite wine?   Her response:  “I picked the prettiest label.”  She was serious.

Price is quite important to consumers when buying wines.  Depending on the wine, both very low, as well as very high prices can effectively segment wine buyer types.  Charles Shaw (“Two Buck Chuck”) proves theformer and Cult Cabernets confirm the latter. My wife and I recently attended a “Wine Expo” at which dozens of wines were available for tasting (and subsequent buying at discounted prices).  Prices varied from under $10 per bottle to well over $40.  Most of the least expensive wines were from a family owned, Sonoma County winery that has thrived for decades.  Under normal circumstances, and particularly in light of today’s economic climate, I would have expected their tasting table to be crammed with people.  It wasn’t, and very few were at their table during the two-hour tasting event.

Lastly, the debate still rages on how “wine bottle closures” affect the consumer’s perception of wine’s quality.  I’m speaking of corks (real), imitation corks and metal screw top caps.  Recent market research revealed, what everyone has known or at least suspected.  That is, if a wine has a screw top cap, then consumers perceive its quality as not any better than those inexpensive, supermarket, faux-appellation jug wines of yesteryear (think Burgundy and Chablis) that were topped with metal screw caps.  Personally, I rather enjoy pulling corks and anticipate hearing that “pop” as an prelude to the forthcoming pleasures.  However, having said that, I should also relate that I’ve also purchased many wines, both New World and Old World, which were topped with metal screw caps, and they were flavorsome and reasonably well structured.  Also, and most importantly, there was no issue of struggling to re-cork an unfinished bottle.  I simply re-screwed the cap tightly and put the bottle into the fridge.  As one retail wine clerk recently offered, “Who cares if it has a cork or not, as long as the wine tastes good.”

Submitted by Tom Barras

Selling Your Home Quickly

Posted on by
Reply

In this current sluggish real estate market, sellers are wondering whether it is necessary to bother staging their home prior to putting it on the market. Actually, staging is a very affordable way to increase the competitive advantage of the home to attract top price offers. Staging a home will make it appeal to the broadest market segment, thereby assuring a quicker sale.  Since very few buyers are able to visualize the full potential of a property, staging can transform an “ordinary house” into a “desirable home”. Some buyers in the $1million dollars plus bracket refuse to look at a property unless it is staged. They know that is the only way to see the full potential of the property.

Staging uses space planning, color selection and rental furniture to play up the architectural features of the house to make it more appealing to a greater number of buyers. Many homeowners have furniture that is too large for the room, which makes the space seem smaller.  Sometimes the condition and quality of the homeowner’s furnishings are incompatible with the high asking price of the home.  In these cases, staging the home with rented furniture and accessories increases the perceived value of the home, and the buyer is more likely to offer the full asking price. The stager’s skill with props can also make your home more unique than its competition.

Staging is particularly valuable when the house is vacant. Rental furniture can project the lifestyle of the prospective buyers into the home. Now the buyers can imagine themselves enjoying that lifestyle when they buy that particular home. Giving the buyers an emotional attachment to the property makes them more excited and motivated to make the offer. Many vacant homes that have languished on the market for several months are sold within a few days after they are staged.

Staging in any market condition eliminates the buyer objections, increases the number of offers and increases the price of the offers.

Written by Jean Cary of Jean Cary Interiors: 650-593-9622