Summer Reading Club Starts June 9 – Friends of the Redwood City Public Library Invites Families to Join the Fun

The Friends of the Redwood City Public Library  is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to furthering the excellence of the Redwood City Public Library. They raise funds solely to benefit Redwood City’s four libraries, and make significant gifts to expand Library collections, programs, and services. Please read their update below, and visit www.redwoodcity.org/library/friends_of_the_library.html.

Thanks,
~ malcolm

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Greetings from the Friends of the Redwood City Public Library!

It’s almost Summer break from school – which means it’s about time to launch the Library’s Summer Reading Program.

Help your kids to prevent “Summer Reading Loss” – by reading lots of books this summer, they’ll stay on track, and earn great prizes at the Library!

A mountain of research shows that school summer breaks cause the average student to lose up to one month of instruction, with disadvantaged students being affected even more. According to some studies, by the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has accumulated to a two–year lag in reading achievement. REDWOOD CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY TO THE RESCUE!  

Prevent summer reading loss by signing up your child for the library’s Summer Reading Program. Readers, listeners, and parents are invited to read for 600 minutes over the summer to win an array of prizes and a ticket for The Big Raffle!

See all the details online at www.redwoodcity.org/library/friends_of_the_library.html – awesome events this summer including Karen Quest, Cowgirl, Rock Steady Juggling, Crafts Programs, and more!

The Friends fund the Summer Reading Program, investing over $13,000 per year to make it a great summertime reading extravaganza!

In bookstore news, the Friends’ Sales Carts at the Downtown Library feature:

Sale Cart #1:  VCR Movies for 50 cents each or 5 for $2
Sale Cart #2: one side features Computer Books and the other side features health/exercise/nutrition books.  All Price as Marked.

Get over to the Friends Bookstore at the Downtown Library for the best selection!

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Groovin’ in the Grove Day of Music – Redwood City Education Foundation Benefit for Middle School Music Programs

Groovin’ in the Grove: A Community Day of Music

What: 
A full day of live music on Memorial Day Weekend

Why: 
Save endangered band & orchestra classes in Redwood City middle schools
         
When: 
Saturday, May 28
1 to 4:30 p.m. — Band Fest, starting with the Stanford Band
6:30 p.m. — American roots and blues band Jake Jacobs; rock and roll band High ‘n Tight, with vintage light show

Where: 
Woodside High School Performing Arts Center, 199 Churchill Ave.– off Woodside Rd. — town of Woodside

Cost: 
$5 student/$10 general for the daytime Band Fest; $20 for evening concert.
         
Tickets: 
Online at www.rcef.org/groovin and at the door day of the event

Refreshments: 
Available for sale 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sponsor: 
The Redwood City Education Foundation, as part of a community-wide effort to keep band music alive for 800 Redwood City middle school students.

To donate, co-sponsor or volunteer, go to:  www.rcef.org/groovin or email Georgia Jack: georgia@casajack.com.

Discount cards: 
Available at Main St. Coffee, Pamplemousse, The Grind, Canyon Coffee, and Dr. Killen’s office.

For more information:
Visit www.rcef.org/groovin or contact Linda Thomas, RCEF Media Volunteer at lmthom@sbcglobal.net

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This Weekend – Makers Faire, DES Health Fair, Concert, Pet Parade, Town Hall, Farmer’s Market, Relay for Life

Here is yet another fabulous event (although not in Redwood City) which might interest you this weekend: it’s the Maker Faire – Bay Area which, if you haven’t heard of it, is a massive event to celebrate arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset.

It’s this Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22 (10 am – 8 pm Saturday; 10 am – 6 pm Sunday) at the San Mateo County Event Center, 2495 South Delaware Street, in the City of San Mateo. The ticket cost is $10 – $25.

Maker Faire celebrates things people create themselves — from rockets and robots, to DIY biology and hacked everything. The family-friendly event for creative people of all ages and skill levels offers two days of exhibits, activities, instruction and information from over 600 makers. The event is projected to draw 95,000 people from the Bay Area and beyond who want to marvel and be inspired by the world of “making.”

Visit http://makerfaire.com/bayarea/2011/ for more information.

And don’t forget these other great events lined up starting today:

• Friday, May 20, DES Architects/Engineers 5th Bi-Annual Health & Fitness Fair, 11 am, 399 Bradford Street
• Friday, May 20 Music on the Square, 6 pm, Courthouse Square
• Saturday, May 21, Redwood City’s 10^th Annual Pet Parade, 11 am at Courthouse Square
• Saturday, May 21, Assemblyman Rich Gordon’s Budget Town Hall meeting, 10:30 am at the County Center
• Saturday, May 21, Redwood City Kiwanis Farmer’s Market, 8 am, Winslow at Hamilton
• Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, Relay for Life, Sequoia High School, 10 am  Saturday through 10 am Sunday

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Saturday-Redwood City Pet Parade 11–3, Courthouse Square-vendors, fun activities, famous Dusty the Klepto Cat

Don’t forget – Redwood City’s 10^th Annual Pet Parade is THIS SATURDAY, May 21^st from 11 am – 3 pm, at Courthouse Square!

The parade itself starts at 12:30 pm, but you should definitely show up at 11 am for this wildly popular annual event. There are going to be over 90 vendor booths and a lot of fun activities – this just might be the biggest Pet Parade event ever!

Pony rides – petting zoo – Monterey Bay Aquarium virtual aquarium builder –  a Game Truck full of video games and other activities – the performing Sky Dogs – Peninsula Humane Society mobile adoption van – photos with your pets with Posh Pooch Portraits – caricature artists – paw print art projects – a how-to for throwing a party for your pet (!)- food and beverage vendors – lots of booths with great stuff for you and your pet (how about matching outfits?) – a variety of pet rescue groups – and don’t forget the great Downtown restaurants all around!

Leading the Parade as the official Grand Marshall we have “Dusty the Klepto Cat,” the celebrity cat who’s appeared on Animal Planet, The David Letterman Show, CNN, and KGO. Dusty will be riding through the Parade along with many of the items that he has stolen from his neighbors throughout the years. There is video of Dusty in action available online – search YouTube to find it!

The entire community is invited – children, adults, and families can enjoy the fun events and festive atmosphere, and sign up (in advance, or by 11:30 that day) to show off their pets, whether furry, feathered, or scaled, vying for a $100 Grand Prize for the top winner.

Get your registration form at www.redwoodcity.org/events, or contact: Jeri Joseph-Hover at 650.369.9010 or brightonrwc@aol.com.. There is a $5 entry fee for each pet to be judged in a contest, but there is no fee to walk along and be part of the Pet Parade.

This event is sponsored by Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department, Redwood City Redevelopment Agency, and the Civic Cultural Commission.

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Assemblyman Rich Gordon Invites Community to State Budget Town Hall Meeting in Redwood City, This Saturday

I want to pass along to you this invitation to join Assemblyman Rich Gordon for a Budget Town Hall Meeting this Saturday at the County Center in Redwood City. At this discussion, the Assemblyman will bring you up to date on the state budget deficit, proposed tax extensions, state program cuts, and more.

 When: Saturday, May 21

Time:  10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon                                       

Where: County Center, Room 101
455 County Center
Redwood City

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, you can call (650) 691-2121, or visit Assemblyman Gordon’s website at http://asmdc.org/members/a21/

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Two events: Free Health/Fitness Fair May 20; Relay for Life for Cancer Cure, May 21-22

Here are two great events coming up that might interest you.

One is put on by one of our local corporate neighbors, DES Architects/Engineers – it’s their free health and fitness fair on May 20. The other is the annual Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society on May 21 & 22. Please read on to see how you can participate in either or both of these activities!

Thanks,

~ malcolm

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DES Architects/Engineers  – 5th Bi-Annual Health & Fitness Fair

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Friday, May 20th / 11am-1:30pm

Onsite blood drive and blood pressure – over 30 vendors, with lots of giveaways!

399 Bradford Street
(corner of Allerton and Bradford)

 For more information call 650.364.6453

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Relay For Life of Redwood City

May 21 and 22, 2011, 10 am Saturday to 10 am Sunday
at Sequoia High School, Redwood City

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.  We hope you will consider participating by forming a team, making a donation or just stopping by to visit!  There will be free entertainment and health info thru the day.

For more information on starting a team, volunteering, or how you can get involved please go to our website at http://www.relayforlife.org/redwoodcityca or  contact our staff partner Sarah Jackson @ (650) 207-9905 or Sarah.Jackson@cancer.org

 Relay for Life helps us all to:

CELEBRATE the lives of people who have battled cancer.  The strength of survivors inspires others to continue their fight.

REMEMBER loved ones lost to the disease.  At Relay, people who have walked alongside others battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

FIGHT BACK because you have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.  Join us for 24 hours of celebration and remembrance.

Schedule: 

• OPENING CEREMONY AND SURVIVOR LAP, Saturday, 10 AM
  All cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to participate in the opening ceremony and survivor lap.  Please arrive by 9:45 AM to receive your special gift.
• LUMINARIA CEREMONY, Saturday, 8 PM
  At dusk the Luminaria Ceremony will begin – to honor those with cancer and to remember those that have lost their battle to cancer.
• FIGHT BACK CEREMONY, Sunday, 9:30 AM
  The Relay is nearing an end, but the fight against cancer is not over until there is a CURE.

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South Bay Opening Day – “Wild Life on the South Bay” Saturday May 14

Here is information on the celebration at the Port of Redwood City for South Bay Opening Day! Please read below, and check out the great schedule of fun stuff happening tomorrow, Saturday May 14.

 ~ malcolm

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You’re invited to join the fun at the 73rd Annual

South Bay Opening Day – “Wild Life on the South Bay”
Boating Festival and Decorated Boat Parade!

There are events around the south bay throughout this weekend, featuring a lot of fun on Saturday May 14, in Redwood City. Come see the fabulous Decorated Boat Parade and the Blessing of the Fleet, plus enjoy Fun Family Activities, Live Music, and Exhibits. Come to the Port on Saturday, May 14 for fun on South Bay Opening Day!

Get all the details at www.southbayopeningday.org. For information about the Port of Redwood City, and directions to the Port, visit www.redwoodcityport.com.

Here is the schedule for SATURDAY’S events in Redwood City:

Saturday 5/14

• 9 am – 2 pm – enjoy exhibit booths from the Port, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Coast Guard vessel tours, live music, cannon fire, trumpet fanfare, Miss Redwood City, Assembly Member Jerry Hill, and more.
• 9 am Outrigger Race
• 10:30 am Decorated Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet (followed by live music by The Motivators, approximately 11:30 am)
• 2 pm Decorated Boat Parade Awards presentation

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National Historic Preservation Month–Tour of Historic Union Cemetery, Downtown Historic Walking Tour, and more

May is National Historic Preservation Month –  “Celebrating America’s Treasures” – sponsored annually by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and locally by Redwood City’s Historic Resources Advisory Committee.

Redwood City is participating with a proclamation by the Mayor, a Union Cemetery Historic Site tour, a Downtown historic walking tour, and the Path of History information kiosk/sculpture (plus walking tours of historic sites for 700 school kids!). The community is invited to join in the celebration of Redwood City’s history! 

• Union Cemetery Historic Site Tour, Saturday, May 14th 10 am: tour meets at the 1859 cemetery, located on Woodside Road, near El Camino Real. The Union Cemetery serves as a permanent archive of San Mateo County’s history. Recorded on stone are the rich and colorful lives of many pioneer families – including more than 40 Civil War veterans who are buried in the old soldiers’ plot established by the Grand Army of the Republic.
• Downtown Historic Walking Tour, Sunday, May 15th, 10:30 am: tour meets in front of Lathrop House at 627 Hamilton Street. The tour will last approximately one-and-a-half hours and will include most of Redwood City’s historic commercial buildings as well as some historic residential properties. Walking tour participants will see where Wyatt Earp occasionally came for a drink, where President Hoover once slept, where a Wells Fargo Express Office operated in 1875, Redwood City’s first new car showroom salon and auto repair garage, the finest theater on the peninsula in 1896, the former homes of prominent pioneer citizens and much more.
• New this year – Path of History: Redwood City’s new Historic Informational Kiosk and Commemorative Sculpture/Plaque located at the corner of Main Street and Broadway, near the site of the Wells Fargo express service. Here, visitors can see displays and photos, and read about Redwood City’s rich history. Brochures for a self-guided tour of historic landmarks in Downtown Redwood City – the “Path of History” – are available at City Hall, and will soon be available right at the kiosk display. Future phases will add plaques and more historic information throughout the Downtown area.

Read more at www.redwoodcity.org/manager/news/2011/pr_phed_NHPMonth.html, and join in the fun this weekend to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month!

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Nomination Deadline for Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program is May 27 – Nominate Now!

Here’s a reminder that the 23^rd Annual Redwood City Mayor’s Beautification Recognition Program is underway, and the deadline for nominations is quickly approaching!

You’re invited to nominate your own (or someone else’s!) project to be recognized by the Redwood City Mayor and City Council – categories include best architectural design; best remodel; best historical restoration; most beautiful garden or landscape; best compatible building and garden or landscape; or any other category that you might think of.

Redwood City residents, non-profit organizations, and businesses can show their civic pride by submitting nominations. Individuals, homeowners associations, apartment complexes, businesses, non-profits, and others are all eligible. Applications are available online at www.redwoodcity.org/prideandbeautification, by visiting City Hall (1017 Middlefield Road), or by calling 780-7300. The deadline for entries is May 27^th, 2011, and screening/review of all nominations will be completed by mid-August. Recognition Awards will be presented at a City Council meeting in September.

The purpose of this program, sponsored by the City’s Pride and Beautification Committee, is to encourage the efforts of community members in beautifying and improving their homes, buildings, and properties, and to publicly acknowledge and recognize their pride in being part of the Redwood City community.

It’s an easy and fun way to foster civic pride in the Redwood City community, beautify the entire City, and, of course, honor people and organizations for their work to make Redwood City a better, more attractive place to live and work.

So…take a look around your neighborhood, and find a property to nominate – or nominate your own!

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Two events this weekend: Second Saturday Art Walk (Saturday), and Immigrants Day Festival (Sunday)!

The Second Saturday ART WALK gets rolling this weekend in Downtown Redwood City!

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 nine locations in Redwood City, compiling over 75 local artists bringing inspiration, culture, and entertainment this spring and summer to the entire Peninsula.

This great event – now in its 3^rd remarkable season – takes place every second Saturday of the month from May through September, from 6 – 9 pm – the very first Art Walk of the year is this Saturday, May 14^th!

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 beautiful Downtown Redwood City. The following nine galleries are participating in this year’s Art Walk:

Look for the free Art Walk Trolley to help you get around the galleries, or just wander and discover art in Redwood City:

 Angelica’s Bistro – 863 Main St.; Redwood City Art Center – 2625 Broadway; Café La Tartine – 830 Middlefield Rd.; Mayers Jewelers – 2323 Broadway;

San Mateo County History Museum – 2200 Broadway; The Living Room – 2048 Broadway; The Society of Western Artists Gallery – 2625 Broadway; Broadway Barista – 2088 Broadway; Jigsaw Java – 846 Main St.; The Main Gallery – 1018 Main St. Precise Moves – 838 Main St.

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 Immigrants Day Festival  – Honoring Our Heritage
Sunday May 15^th, noon to 5 pm

Free Admission Day at the San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway

You’re invited to explore the history of San Mateo County with a visit inside the San Mateo County History Museum at its 6^th Annual Immigrants Day Festival on Sunday, May 15^th between noon and 5:00 pm.  Join us in celebrating living in a culturally diverse community! Families will enjoy:

The Immigrant Experience Exhibit 
Climb the stairs into the double doors to enter a world of the past where the whole family can explore the History Museum’s exhibit, Land of Opportunity: The Immigrant Experience in San Mateo County.  The exhibit tells the stories of the diverse people who came to this area by highlighting the experiences of the early immigrant groups of the late 1800s.  It also explores the recent immigrant experiences of other cultures. Add your own immigrant story to the exhibit at the Immigrant Stories video kiosk.         

Cultural Performing Groups
This year the Immigrants Day Festival features music and dance performers representing Japan, Portugal, Ireland, Philippines, Greece, Spain, Russia, China, Mexico and Pacific Islands. They will perform on the Courthouse Square Stage from noon until 5 pm.

Ethnic Food Tasting
The whole family can take a “taste” of ethnic food stations by purchasing a food tasting card for $5 per person.  Two distinct tasting times are offered 12 noon-2 pm and 2:30 – 4:30 pm.

Major sponsors for the annual Immigrants Day Festival are Redwood City and its Redevelopment Agency, Safeway Stores, and Pacific Gas & Electric. For more information call 650-299-0104 or visit  www.historysmc.org.

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