Do You Know About Redwood Cityʼs “CodeRED” Emergency Notification System?

This system lets the City deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification messages to targeted areas or to the entire City. It’s used to notify neighbors and businesses in the event of a major fire, flood, earthquake, missing person, or other emergency.

Your home phone number is probably already in the system, but you’ll want to include your cell phone, work phone (even if out of the area), or other alternate number. Then you’re sure to be called when a CodeRED alert is activated near your home or business.

Please go online to www.redwoodcity.org/codered and update your information or add an alternate phone number. During a CodeRED alert, both the primary and alternate number will be called. This free 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.

This system will be critical in the event of a major disaster such as an earthquake or major flooding when quick notification of the community about emergency procedures or other emergency information is required.

The CodeRED system (www.coderedweb.com) is a geographical-based notification system, which means street addresses are required so that emergency operations staff can select which areas’ phone numbers will receive emergency notification calls. The system works for cell phones as long as they’re associated with a street address. People who have recently moved but kept the same listed or unlisted phone number will benefit by updating their address in the CodeRED database. Information in the CodeRED database remains completely private and will only be used to notify community members of critical emergency situations.

From the The Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Running On Empty
The Truth About Children and ADD

Do teachers and family members comment on your child’s inability to follow directions or sit still? Is your child impulsive or disorganized? Do you feel your child is ignoring you, even when you try multiple times to get his or her attention? If so, your child may have attention deficit disorder (ADD). If the child has these symptoms plus hyperactivity, the culprit may be attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

Most people are familiar with the terms ADD and ADHD, but the disorders are misunderstood. For example, many people believe they are not real medical disorders and are caused by poor parenting. Another misconception is that the disorders are limited to boys or that children always grow out of it. Girls also suffer from ADD and ADHD, and the disorders can plague individuals into adulthood – making it difficult to perform daily activities and responsibilities.

Children with ADD and ADHD are less likely to perform well in school, leading to higher dropout rates. Impulsive behavior can also lead to accidents, trouble with the law, sexual activity at a young age and other serious problems. Self esteem often suffers. For these reasons, the disorder should be taken very seriously.

One of the primary problems children with ADD and ADHD have is that they’re unable to focus on something they don’t f ind interesting. We all focus better for longer periods of time when we’re interested in a topic, and people with ADD or ADHD can often focus when they’re interested. It’s when things aren’t so interesting that they have bigger problems than others.

Children with ADD or ADHD don’t automatically focus in a classroom setting. They may see the teacher, but the teacher is no more important to their brains as 12 other thoughts at that time. Their brains don’t prioritize “teacher” over “other things,” such as “What will I have for lunch?” or “That picture is crooked.” Some may argue this thought process is evolutionarily adaptive – such as a hunter paying attention to many things in the environment at one time. Even if this is true, it makes school difficult.

Fortunately, ADD and ADHD are usually quite manageable and treatable. You and your child’s teacher may be able to manage symptoms with a positive reinforcement program in the class-room and at home. For example, it may help the child to sit close to the teacher, or wherever there are fewer distractions. At home, you can help your child focus on homework by establishing a clutter-free desk. While medications have sometimes received a bad reputation in the press, they can be quite effective. I’ve seen “F” students turn into “A” students when placed on medication.

Many parents fear labeling their child. But if your child does have ADD or ADHD, ignoring it will not make it go away. Untreated children are more likely to have problems at school and put themselves in dangerous situations. If you suspect your child has ADD or ADHD, please educate yourself on the symptoms and schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor right away.

Endnote: The Palo Alto Medical Foundation and column editor Arian Dasmalchi provide this monthly column.

SamTrans Installing GPS System

Sam Trans is going to install GPS’s so riders can track buses. People waiting for a bus in San Mateo County will soon be able use their cellphones to find out exactly when their bus will arrive.

The San Mateo County Transit District, which operates SamTrans buses, is spending $1.2 million to have a global positioning system trackers installed on its buses. The GPS system will track the location of a bus as it proceeds along its route.

Passengers who ride the district’s buses will be able to use their cellphones or the Internet to check the arrival and departure time of buses.

A SamTrans spokeswoman says the GPS project is expected to be completed by March 2010.

Veterans Memorial Senior Center Activities

The Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City, is providing the following activities that are open to the public during the month of November:

FRIDAY MOVIES FOR EVERYONE
1:15PM (Unless Otherwise Announced) / Every Friday
Come to the Veterans Memorial Senior Center in November for a FREE featured movie in our state of the art movie theater!

VMSC VETERANS CELEBRATION
Friday, November 13th, 2009 6PM-9PM / $10 General Admission.
Join us for a special evening honoring our United States Military Veterans. Program will consist of a no-host bar to benefit the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, appetizers and a special USO presentation by the Singing Blue Stars of the USS Hornet. For more information or to sign-up, please call Christina at (650) 780-7343.

THANKSGIVING GATHERING LUNCHEON
Thursday, November 19th: Noon-1:15PM / Redwood Room
Spend an afternoon at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and celebrate the blessings in your life with your VMSC friends. This special luncheon will provide a full thanksgiving feast, along with entertainment and a few surprises. Cost is $8 per person.

BEFORE & AFTER: THE LIFE OF A SOLDIER,
PRESENTED BY HENRY HENSLEIGH
Thursday, November 19th: 1PM-2PM / Redwood Room / FREE.
Join us for a fascinating and inspiring presentation from a decorated WWII Veteran who will share his story of fighting in 5 major battles and his life after the war.

SENIOR CENTER DECORATION DAY
Friday, November 30th: 10AM-Noon / Redwood Room / FREE.
Get into the holiday spirit by decorating the Veterans Memorial Senior Center with your friends and family. A winter themed extravaganza will take over the room and lobby of the VMSC! Complimentary pizza lunch will be provided for those who volunteer. No sign up required!

SAVE THE DATE!
HOLIDAY GIFT BAG ASSEMBLY
Monday, December 7th: 9:30AM-11AM / Redwood Room / FREE.
Celebrate the holiday season by helping seniors and children in need throughout the community. Volunteers are needed to assemble gift bags that will be delivered to home-bound seniors & a local children’s center! Coffee, hot cider and breakfast goodies will be complimentary to all who volunteer. No sign up required.

BEATING THOSE HOLIDAY BLUES
Thursday, December 10th: 1PM-2PM / Sunset Room / FREE

WEST BAY COMMUNITY BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT
Saturday, December 12th, 7PM-9PM / Theater / $10 early bird reservations / $15 at door.
The VMSC is happy to welcome back the West Bay Community Band for a very special holiday concert. Enjoy a no-host bar from 7PM-7:30PM, with the concert starting at promptly 7:30PM.

Redwood Shores Library Dates and Information for November

Art Gallery Display:
“Inner Landscapes – Outside Spaces” by Gina Louise
Through November 2009

Hindi Storytime
Saturday November 14 @ 11:00 AM

Family Program with Phil Ackerly
Saturday November 21 @ 11:00 AM
Join us for a fun program with the magic guy!

Chinese Storytime
Saturday November 28 @ 11:00 AM
Join us for stories told in Chinese.
Tuesdays @ 7:00 PM
Bedtime Stories • Ages 3-8
Thursdays @ 10:00 AM

Russian Storytime
Thursdays @ 10:30 AM

Preschool Stories • Ages 3-5
Thursdays @ 11:30 AM

Tiny Tales • Ages 0-18 months
Second Saturdays @ 11:00 AM
Hindi Storytime
Fourth Saturdays @ 11:00 AM
Chinese Storytime

Teen Activities and Gaming Wednesdays

Horizons Deli Café is now open at the Redwood Shores Branch Library! Café hours are Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Saturday – Sunday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Meeting Space Available at the Redwood Shores Branch Library.

Redwood Shores Branch Library • 399 Marine Parkway

650.780.5740

www.redwoodcity.org/library

The New Café At The Redwood Shores Library Is Now Open

Horizons Deli Café, presented by Fresh & Natural Food Service Group, will be open Monday through Thursday, 8:00am until 8:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am until 5:00pm. The 8:00am opening time will allow the café the opportunity to cater to people that are walking the Bay Trail in the back of the library and the Redwood Shores neighborhood. There is a separate entry to the café in the back area of the library.

Horizons Deli Café will feature a variety of menu selections, such as salads, sandwiches and wraps, soups, gourmet baked goods and desserts, healthy breakfast options, coffee, espresso, tea,  juices, and more…

The opening of the café in the Redwood Shores Branch Library is certainly another element that makes the library a special destination.

Redwood City Downtown Library Temporarily Closed

The Redwood City Downtown Library will be closed for approximately 35 days for the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system, beginning Monday, November 30th, 2009, with an expected reopening on Monday, January 4th, 2010. This is a major construction project, and so in the interest of public safety the Library must be closed while it is in progress. The new system will be significantly more efficient, saving the City energy, reducing the building’s carbon footprint, and saving money on power bills.

During this temporary closure, the Library will also be building a new teen center, adding three new study rooms, expanding the area used by the Project READ literacy program, and upgrading the technology lab. All of this work is designed to create a more comfortable, inviting, usable, and improved experience for the tens of thousands of library patrons who visit each year.

Even though this will be a temporary inconvenience, library visitors are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to fully explore Redwood City’s three branch libraries, including the newest library at Redwood Shores where a new café has just opened. Two branch libraries (Schaberg and Fair Oaks) will have extended hours to help accommodate more customers.

All public programs that normally take place at the Downtown Library will be suspended for the construction period, but the library’s collection of books and other materials can still be accessed online – items placed on hold for library patrons can be picked up at the Schaberg Branch Library instead of the Downtown Library. The book drops at the Downtown Library will remain open for returning materials.

Redwood City and the Redwood City Public Library apologize for this inconvenience, but remind patrons that these improvements will make their “Five-Star” Downtown Library even better, and help to save a lot of energy too!

People are encouraged to visit one of the three branch libraries in the Redwood City Public Library system:

* Downtown Library,1044 Middlefield Road, 780-7018, CLOSED 11/30/09 – 1/3/10

* Redwood Shores Branch Library, 399 Marine Parkway, 780-5740; Hours are Monday – Thursday: 10-8; Closed Friday; Saturday: 10-5; Sunday: 12-5

The Redwood City Public Library offers many free programs for children, adults, and families, and is the learning center of our community. For more information about library events and services you may access the library’s home page at www.redwoodcity.org/library  or call 780-7026.

Save The Music

Sunday, October 4th, 2009, 11:00am – 5:00pm
The Belmont Chamber of Commerce and School-Force, the Belmont-Redwood Shores public school education foundation, are please to announce that we have joined together to present the 7th Annual Save the Music Festival. Together we will create a signature event for the City of Belmont to showcase our community businesses and the musical talents of school district students.

October Editorial And News

How Safe Is Our Neighborhood For Joggers and Walkers

Having always felt that Redwood Shores was haven of safety in the Bay Area, a fellow jogger’s experience in the past week gives me pause to consider.  While on her usual morning jog, she noted a older car coming toward her and slowing down.  The driver was obviously scoping out this lone woman on an asphalt path around Shearwater.  Immediately concerned, she increased her pace and the driver drove away.  In less than 3 minutes he came back again and did the same thing.  Still running she pulled out her cell phone and made it clear that a call was being made – and increased her pace.  He sped away.  911 was called, a local policeman came and the incident was reported.

Submitted by A Concerned Resident

Jail Site Update

The County Motorpool in Redwood City is not the likely choice for the new jail.  The motor pool is now a bad choice because it is immediatly adjacent to two high density housing site, and is a valuable piece of property that could bettr generate revenue for the county, blocks a planned new street connection and doesn’t help the city’s image. 

A new site hasn’t been selected yet and hopefully it won’t be 345 Shoreway in San Carlos.

Submitted by A Concerned Resident

Levee Cleanup Day: A Huge Success

The  fall Levee Clean up Day of 2009 was a huge success  thanks to all the Shores Residents (and even a few from mainland Redwood City  and San Carlos) who braved a very hot day and cleaned up our beloved Shores  neighborhood.  Ninety people showed up to work including a troop of boy scouts, a  troop of girl scouts and a troop of cub scouts. NorCal Waste Co. who  picked up the trash estimated sixteen cubic yards of waste had been  collected.The waste included several tires, two grocery carts , hundreds of  tennis ball near the dog park (the balls the dogs couldn’t catch??) and a couple  pairs of swimming glasses. The committee wishes to particularly acknowledge the  San Mateo Credit union for a great continental breakfast  served at Mariner  park forall the workers and an equally fabulous lunch of hot dogs and  hamburgers. And hats off to the City of Redwood City for providing a truck  and pick up tools to our workers. It was a fine time for our neighborhood of  RedwoodCity named Redwood Shores. The event was sponsored by the Redwood Shores  Community Association.

Submitted by Pete Hughes

First Marine Science Institute At The RWS Library Has Higher Enrollment Than Expected

 The enrollment at the first class led by Marine Science Institute for 5th and 6th graders were so many that there was a waiting list to attend the class and some kids had to be turned away (my 6th grade son didn’t get in!) I don’t think it was an issue of facility space — there were still plenty of seats — I think they probably just had limits based on teacher-student ratios. I think the fact that the Ralston science teachers were offering “extra credit” for attending the classes added extra motivation for the 6th graders to show up. Maybe next time they can do a class for 5th graders and another class for 6th graders!

Submitted by Bonnie Wolf