Author Archives: RSCA

Why Does My Dog Trainer Do That!!

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Many people take their dogs to obedience class, spend hours teaching the dog to walk at heel, and promptly abandon the technique. I’ll be told, for example, “my dog is all over the place on walks, sniffing and marking on everything.  If I stopped him from doing that he wouldn’t have any fun.”  Others have told me: ” I prefer that she is in front; that way I have warning that she is going to misbehave”.

We are taught to heel the dog as a way of managing behaviors, not merely to equip us to participate confidently in doggie parades and other. Quite simply, a dog that is even a step in front of you is under the psychological impression that he or she is leading; when you are in front, they are much more likely to defer to your wishes.  This is true even if the dog has learned not to pull.

Keeping the dog in the heel position (and educating your dog) enables you to dissuade dog-aggressive dogs from challenging other dogs you encounter; it assures passers-by who may be leery of dogs despite Fido’s sweet disposition that Fido will neither lunge at them nor jump up on them for attention.

While we still allow opportunity for sniffing and marking (or not), we actually give our dog more stimulation, and she’ll arrive home more tired and happier, when we challenge her to respond to what we ask her to do.  Similarly, if we keep her next to us, and watch for abrupt shifts in her body language as we walk, we will equip ourselves to modify her behavioral choices as opposed to being alerted that she’s ready to lunge and yank our arm from its socket yet again.  Last but not least, if I need to go to a mail box or a waste receptacle, I know that keeping the dog in a psychologically subordinate position will enhance the brevity and harmony of that trip.

— Submitted by Peter Levy, Bark Buster’s Certified Trainer

Fashion Forward: It’s The Holiday Season

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…And haven’t we all been reminded of this now since before Halloween?!  I just saw my first Santa on the street and it isn’t even Thanksgiving as I write this article.  So let’s talk holiday attire – whether you’re going to the office party, a dinner party, or dinner & dancing, this year’s multi-tasking holiday tips (meaning, they work for men AND women) will help you get all spruced-up for the season.

*Add a vest.  Ladies, there are so many lovely choices out there. Maybe you’d like something with sparkle…or a subtle metallic sheen…or in a regal burgundy, royal blue or purple…or how about fur (faux or real)?  Guys, your vest can be done in the traditional holiday plaid, but would be more innovative in a rich velvet, brocade or said regal burgundy, royal blue or purple mentioned above. (However, don’t try to match your lady – that’s just too much!) Any of these options will instantly update your look and add that special touch that says “I’m ready for the party!”

*Speaking of velvet, it’s classic holiday dressing. For us gals, a velvet pant and tunic or cami are luscious (and comfy too!)  Besides the vest mentioned above, guys look so handsome in a velvet blazer (this looks great with jeans too, for a dressy casual home party.)

*Shine on …with touches of glimmer and shimmer.  The operative word here is “touches”. While guys are probably not going to be tempted to overdo it (a shimmery shirt or tie will probably be the extent of it), us gals have to remember not to load it on too heavily.  We have all kinds of choices, from tops to pants to jackets to dresses to shoes to jewels to purses (isn’t it fun to be a girl and have all of these options?!)  Stick to just a couple of statement items so you’ll make the kind of statement that’s flattering, not blinding.

*Add some color…and we don’t mean black!  Yes, traditionally it’s the ‘go-to’ color for dressy occasions, but have some fun with your holiday attire.  Add a pop of bright color – guys in a great tie or bow-tie, or shirt – ladies in a ‘wow’ top or skirt, or maybe some fuschia satin pumps or sandals, for example.  All black is just too ordinary when there are so many other options out there.

‘Tis the season – have fun with your holiday dressing!

— Adena DiTonno is owner of adenaDesigns, a fashion consultancy in Redwood Shores.

Dredging Update

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The dredging will continue until December 18 – dredging will begin in the lagoon closest to Area H, north of Marine Parkway only (Zone 9A)

*Over the next two weeks, the contractor will be installing the floating pipeline that will be used to pump dredge material later from the lagoons around Shorebird Island (Zones 3,4,5) to Area H.

*By mid-December, the contractor will place a booster pump on a small barge, in the main lagoon approximately halfway between Shorebird Island and Area H.

*During the last week of December, and continuing through mid-January, the contractor will be dredging the lagoons around Shorebird Island.

*During January the contractor will complete remaining areas – portions of the lagoon near Area H, but south of Marine Parkway (Zones 8 and 9).

*By January 31, the contractor should be complete, and cleanup/demobilization of equipment will take place.

And as a reminder, the work hours will be 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, weekdays only. Boaters need to be very aware of the floating pipeline, which will be well-marked. While it’s in place, it will not be possible for boats to cross over the pipeline, as it will be only partially submerged. This may be a particular issue for residents living on parts of Shorebird Island, and along the northern side of the main lagoon, during the period while the Shorebird Island area is being dredged. Once Shorebird Island lagoon is dredged, the pipeline will be removed and boats will have access. The contractor will have floating buoys and markers attached to the pipeline to clearly indicate its location.

Light Up The Shores

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Don’t forget to turn on those Christmas lights Thursday night, December 17th. because the “Light up the Shores” judges will be out in their sleighs looking for the best decorated houses in our neighborhood of Redwood Shores. This year there will be nine awards ranging from the “Grand Prize” through “best house facing the street,” “best condo facing the street,” etc., including some honorable mentions. Each winner gets abeautiful engraved plaque suitable for hanging in the finest living room. The grand prize winner gets a Nob Hill Market gift certificate (donated by the good folks at Nob Hill).  All the others get a gift certificate from Starbucks in addition to a plaque.

Membership Reminder and Goose Update

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It’s Time to Join RSCA

By now you have received RSCA’s membership letter for 2010 and a special memento commemorating RSCA’s 40th Anniversary.  As mentioned in our letter, we take pride in having dedicated ourselves for the past 40 years to making the Shores an even better place to live.  Please help us continue to do so by lending your support.  At $35.00, membership in RSCA is a great deal – please join us by sending in your payment with the card included with our letter.

Goose Update

Many of us in the Shores enjoy living close to wildlife, including our diverse population of resident and migratory birds.  However, RSCA and the Pilot have received many letters and comments expressing concern about the problems caused by our resident population of Canada Geese. We may have too much of a good thing when it comes to these big birds.  Their droppings seem to be everywhere (parks, sidewalks and swimming pools), and they saunter across our roadways as if they own the place. They are also a risk to aviation, as they can collide with and damage airplanes.

In addition to being unappealing, droppings of Canada Geese are a potential health hazard as they are host to dangerous microbes.  For example, recent studies have found Escherichia coli, Listeria and Campylobacter bacteria strains in geese feces.[1] This means that our children when playing in our parks are exposed to the risk of illness should they come into contact with the goose droppings that blanket the area.

As an organization that works to preserve the high quality of life in Redwood Shores, we decided to investigate this problem.  It turns out that there are a variety of ways in which other communities have attempted to fix their goose problem.  Some have engaged dogs to harass the geese in the hope that they would move away (this was actually tried in Redwood Shores a few years ago); others have addled eggs so they would not hatch.  Neither of these solutions is ideal as both are costly and labor-intensive and some would object to them as inhumane.  What we are looking for is a cost-effective solution to reduce the number of geese in the Shores – humanely and safely.

We believe we found such a solution in the form of OvoControl G-Oral bait, which we have asked the City to consider applying on all impacted areas in Redwood Shores.  As reported by the USDA in 2007, OvoControl G “is safe and effective in reducing hatchability of eggs laid by resident Canada geese.”[2] Due to its effectiveness, application of OvoControl G should gradually reduce the numbers of hatchlings and, as a result, goose droppings in the Shores.  Moreover, this should involve little more than setting out the treated bait.

Our desire is to have a community where our children and pets can enjoy our sidewalks, lawns and parks without concern about unhealthy conditions due to excess goose droppings.  This is a public health issue, and we will continue to work with the City to make sure that they do everything possible to solve it.

[1] See USDA article, “Avian Diseases: Carriage of Bacterial Pathogens by Canada Geese and Blackbirds.”

[2] See USDA article, “Nicarbazin OvoControl G Bait Reduces Hatchability of Eggs Laid by Resident Canada Geese in Oregon.”

— Submitted by Doug Crisman, RSCA President

We Need A Stop Sign On Cringle

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Dear Editor

Okay, now that we’ve had a fatality and another injury involving traffic are we ready to seriously address this problem? Yes, we need a stop sign on Cringle at Redwood Shores Pkwy. Drivers are NOT getting it. What is so important that it is worth killing someone? Talking on cell phones, rolling through stop signs, excessive speed, I have witnessed all of this on a regular basis. People are getting ruder and ruder and there seems to be no end. I called our mayor a couple months back to report a semi who had two trailers and rolled through the stop sign on Sandpiper and Marine Pkwy and then proceeded to speed up the road towards the freeway. I needed to go 45 mph to catch up with him to get the appropriate info from his truck. I emailed the mayor with my concern of construction traffic adding to this already dangerous situation and she immediately responded by contacting the RCPD. I got email from her, the chief and the officer who investigated the situation. The driver was reprimanded and the whole construction group was “warned”. Great response from the city. My point is, more citizens who witness incidents need to get involved and we need to demand some action out here. Look at Edgewood road on the west side of the Alameda. They know how to slow people down…………speed bumps. Is that what it’s going to take? I’m tired of the rude behavior by drivers and I think it’s high time we really look for a fix.

— Kathleen S.

Dear Ms. Mertens.

I read, with interest, your article in the November Pilot, “Stop Sign on Cringle Dr.

I have lived at my current address near the corner of Cringle and Barkentine for 30 years. Until 2006 when I retired I had to make it somehow to 101 to get to work. I almost never went to Cringle to make the left hand turn onto Redwood Shores Parkway,

It was nearly impossible to find an opening during peak traffic times. If I ever decided to try it there, hoping for a miracle, I almost always just turned right and made a U-turn at Marlin Drive. Less hassle and safer. Most of the time, I made the left hand turn from Bridge Parkway onto Redwood Shores Parkway, because it has a 4-way stop. Even with that, I had to be very aggressive and make sure I made a move the instant it was my turn (not always easy to discern when everyone hits the stop at nearly the same time.). I always had a feeling that regulars at that corner came to recognize my orange VW Beetle and gave me the benefit of the doubt. I made that turn going to work for several decades and it kept getting harder to find that opening.

I have since retired and can choose the time that I leave in the morning. I do go walking and biking and find that few cars ever stop at Cringle & RWS Parkway when the sign blinks. It is a gamble for pedestrians. I just stay back until all cars have passed and it is safe without the sign. I have talked to other pedestrians and many have the same concerns.

Most RWS citizens never have to turn left onto RWS Parkway, so the majority do not want to have a stop sign placed at Cringle. Citizens to the South of the Parkway are definitely a minority. I am for a 4-way stop sign at Cringle and RWS Parkway. Not only would it make it safer for pedestrians, but it would make it safer for autos. More people could make the left turn at Cringle, freeing up traffic at Bridge Parkway. Also the pause required at Cringle would break up the bottleneck at Bridge parkway and allow a smoother flow of traffic.

— P. R. Mc Gowan, Redwood Shores resident

Dear Editor,

We live on Cringle Drive and support to have a stop sign for safety purposes. It is very difficult for us to cross onto Redwood Shores Parkway during traffic time. There is a big increase in the volume of cars since we moved here 25 years ago. Please continue the efforts for a stop sign. We would really appreciate it.

— Sincerely, Cynthia and Bob Fabianski

P.S.We know many of our neighbors support a stop sign too.
We will be happy to petition if that would help.

Dear Editor,
I would like to voice my support for a stop sign at Cringle and Redwood Shores Parkway. I can tell you first hand that when I ride bikes with my children, that the intersection is not safe.

Cars can be traveling quite fast and even with the pedestrian crossing lights on they don’t always slow down. Also I see children trying to cross while riding to school in the morning. It makes me nervous because it seems like an accident is waiting to happen. I hope if enough people voice their support that

something will be done about this.

— Submitted by Deborah Parker, RWS resident and parent

RSCA NEEDS YOUR VOICE.

Thanks so much for the feedback as shown in your letters, which RSCA will bring to the attention of Redwood City officials in the hope that a stop sign will be installed at the corner of Cringle and Redwood Shores Parkway. It is important that residents continue to express their opinions when there are issues such as this.

— By Carol Mertens, Editor

Update From New Shores School Bond Oversight Committee

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As construction of the new Shores elementary school is well underway, the citizens’ bond oversight committee has been monitoring expenditures of the Measure C bond fund – the $25 million in monies approved (November 8, 2005) and funded solely by Shores taxpayers. This report is one of the ways the committee fulfills its primary responsibility to communicate regularly to Shores taxpayers and community.
On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, the Measure C citizens’ bond oversight committee held its regular quarterly meeting to review fund expenditures for the period of July 1 through September 30, 2009, at the San Mateo County Office of Education in Redwood Shores.

The committee was at quorum and three of its seven members reported having reviewed the district’s accounts payable reports, invoices, contracts, and bimonthly reports of the independent inspector of record.
As of September 30, 2009, approximately $17.3 million (out of the revised budget of $24.9 million) have been expended or accrued to date. As of this report, there are several items of good news. First, the revised budget is approximately $926K below the original estimate of nearly $25.9 million. Second, there is about $460K remaining of unallocated bond monies. Third, during October, the district reviewed the contingencies embedded within the budget and further revised the remaining unallocated funds upwards to nearly $615K. Fourth, with a project “not-to-exceed” estimate from Blach Construction and Meehleis Modular of $798K
for two additional day care rooms, the school board voted to approve use of monies from the district’s General Fund to supplement the Measure C bond fund. As a result, the new school will be able to open with day care facilities and provide equity between the Shores schools.

Progress in construction continues at a good pace. The independent Inspectors of Record (in plant and on site) also continue to report “no issues.” Both the school and the day care facilities are projected to be “on schedule” for completion in February, 2010. Cherie Ho, principal of the new school, reported that grades K through 4 will open in August, 2010.

Activities for the bond oversight committee included: (1) a field visit and meeting with the on-site inspector and representatives of Blach Construction, Stafford King Weis Architects, and Meehleis Modular on Friday, December 4th: (2) review of the independent financial audit for FY’08-09 and performance audit for the period up to June 30, 2009 (by Patel and Associates, the district’s financial auditor) at the end of December; and, (3) review of Q2 bond fund expenditures and inspectors’ reports in January.

The next meeting of the bond oversight committee will be on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 6:30 pm at San Mateo County Office of Education (101 Twin Dolphin Drive).

Members of the public are encouraged and welcome to attend! If you are at least 18 years old and
interested in serving on theMeasure C bond oversight committee, please contact DianeMasetti at Belmont-Redwood Shores School District offices (650-637-4800, x1022) or email her at for an application form. Submit your application during December, 2009. In January, 2010, the Board of Trustees will re-appoint members for terms that begin February, 2010.

— Submitted by Carole Wong, Chairman
— Measure C Bond Oversight Committee

Welcome New Businesses To Redwood City

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Our economy is still struggling through these difficult economic times.  However, there may be signs that we may be near the bottom as businesses take advantage of opportunities, especially with regards to the cost of land and construction.  With foresight, diligent planning, good timing, and some luck, a number of new businesses have opened, or are on their way to Redwood City.

The Brick Monkey is a custom furniture store located at the corner of Broadway and Winslow.  I attended the grand opening on August 22.  It’s a great store with something for every room in your home. I recommend that you take a look.

On October 21, the new COSTCO on Middlefield Road opened.  The new COSTCO is currently their largest store in California at over 144,000 square feet.  The evening before the opening, a VIP reception was held and the parking lot was completely full!  It must be the roasted chickens!

In-N-Out Burger is also on their way to Redwood City.  On October 20, the Planning Commission approved the CEQA documents for In-N-Out, and the next day, the Zoning Administrator approved their application for a Use Permit.  If all goes well, In-N-Out should be open in the Spring on Veterans Blvd. at the former site of Baker’s Square.  In-N-Out is so confident about the market on the Peninsula; they are also looking to open a store at Holly and 101.

The Preserve at Redwood Shores continues moving ahead.  KB Homes has started construction on the first phase of townhomes.  Completion of construction of the new school and the model homes should be competed by early next year.  KB has had a major presence in Redwood Shores as the builder of the Cove, Seacrest, Harbor Court and The Shore.  The Preserve at Redwood Shores is the first market-rate housing project under construction in Redwood City in the past several years.

Please join me in s welcoming these businesses to Redwood City!

— Submitted by,  Jeff Gee, Chair, Planning Commission

GID Ends After Almost 50 Years

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On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, General Improvement District 1-64 saw is last sunset as it is presently constructed. The facilities fee management committee met for the last time and left the remaining uncommitted funds available for levee maintenance and certification. (about two million dollars.) The GID  committee is make up of three votes from the district developer (Max Keech Properties) two votes from the city staff and one vote  from RSCA (I have been the representative of RSCA for many years since the city allowed us the use of one of their votes.)

After a short business meeting the rest of the time was spent in a trip down memory lane. Don Warren, one of the original development persons who had the most to do with its actual development was present as were several of  the engineers and residents who had a significant amount to do with the existence of Redwood Shores. Don said that the GID was the glue that held together the whole project and in all his years in the development business he has never seen a better bunch of city employees, elected officials and residents who  always kept focused on the successful completion of the project. This is why Redwood Shores turned out to be the beautiful residential /commercial area that it has become. Mayor Foust, who was also one of the instrumental person in the Shores development commended the GID structure with its part in building the Shores

This is probably the last of GID 1-64 although the shell of the district remains. In case there is a need for further bonds there remains a means to more easily facilitate the financing.

— Pete Hughes, 594-0783