City Playing Active Role in Helping to Shape State Policies

Good morning – below is a news release that I thought might interest you. It’s about the active role that the City is playing in helping to shape State policies, through our participation on policy committees with the League of California Cities. Please read below!

Thanks,

~ malcolm

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For Immediate Release
January 30, 2013

Contact:
Malcolm Smith
Public Communications Manager
650-780-7305

Redwood City Officials Playing Active Role in Shaping State Policies

Redwood City, CA -On January 17 and 18, the League of  California Cities held its first policy committee meetings of 2013, in  Sacramento. Representing the City on the League’s Housing, Community and   Economic Development  Committee is Council member Barbara Pierce, and on the Employee Relations Committee is City Manager Bob Bell. In addition, City Attorney Pamela Thompson serves on the Legal Advocacy Committee.

These   committees are integral to the League’s policy-making process, and help  set the direction and goals in a number of critical areas for the League’s activities on behalf of its member cities. “The League is an important voice for Redwood City in Sacramento,” said Council member Barbara Pierce. “Serving   on these committees gives us the opportunity to weigh-in on issues that  will affect our budgets and shape future policies. We review  legislation and provide local input, giving us an influence on the  state’s decisions that may have a significant impact on the City during the year.”

The League committees   evaluate proposed legislation as it relates to existing policy, as well  as make recommendations for legislation where the League currently does  not have policy. Redwood City’s participation brings the City  right to the table of the League’s policy discussions, and ensures that  local concerns, interests, and ideas are included in the dialog.

“These meetings are the best way for individual cities to have their voices  heard by the League and translated into direct advocacy efforts.” said League Executive Director Chris McKenzie.

The   League’s policy-making process allows the issues facing California  cities to be debated and the organization’s policy directions to be  established. Close to 400 city officials serve on the League’s policy  committees and add their collective expertise, wisdom and opinions   to the policy debate that is the foundation of League policy. The  recommendations from the policy committee are forwarded to the League  board of directors. The League’s policy committees will meet again on  April 4-5 in Pasadena, June 13-14 in Sacramento, and during the League’s   annual conference in Sacramento as needed. The League’s website is http://w.cacities.org.

Established  in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide  association that advocates for cities with the state and federal  governments and provides education and training services to elected and  appointed city officials.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at  www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community,  recreation programs, education, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood  City’s email newsletter and other City documents by visiting  www.redwoodcity.org/newsletters .

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Nonprofit Offers Courses for Small Businesses

Good morning –

I want to share with you some info about the non-profit Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, which is offering classes to help people launch and grow  small businesses. They have a schedule of courses taking place in Redwood City – please read below for more information.

Thanks,

~ malcolm

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Business ownership can be your key to financial independence!

According to the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the median net worth of business owners is nearly 2.5 times higher than non-owners!

If you are a business and ready to take it to the next level or have a great idea to develop, call today to enroll in:

“Start and Grow Smart”

offered by the  Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

Class Dates: February 7, 14, 21, & 28 – 6:30-9:30 PM

Class Location: Sequoia Adult School, 3247 Middlefield Road Redwood City, CA 94063

Click here for the complete schedule of classes.

Our innovative new approach to entrepreneurship training focuses on business modeling to help you launch or expand at your pace. Optional group follow-up sessions and individualized consulting for business owners are designed to support you through the process. Cost is $25.

For information call 650-321-2193 X1101 or visit www.rencenter.org/services/mid-peninsula

Renaissance Mid-Peninsula – Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is a nonprofit small business development organization dedicated to helping women and men who traditionally lack access to resources and information to achieve financial self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship.  Renaissance provides training, support services, resources, and networks for business owners at every stage of business development, from idea feasibility through start-up, growth, and expansion.

www.rencenter.org/services/mid-peninsula

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Culvert Project Concrete Pour This Friday Feb 1

Good morning –

As many of you know, the City is relocating an underground storm culvert on Middlefield Road/Winslow Street (near Theatre Way) as the first phase of work to prepare the way for this spring’s construction of Redwood Tower, a mid-rise building for office and retail, which will be built on the site of the Middlefield parking lot (see the Redwood Tower web page).

I wanted to let you know of a  major construction milestone that’s taking place – a significant concrete delivery is schedule for this Friday, February 1, which may impact traffic in the vicinity.

The concrete pour (to lay the floor and “stem” walls of the very large underground culvert) will begin mobilizing at 5:30 am. By 6:30 am, there will be a regular procession of mixer trucks coming through the site to offload their concrete. The trucks will enter the Middlefield Road work site from the Jefferson side, go inside the construction fencing, pump out their concrete, and exit from the other end of the fenced site, onto Winslow, then out from there.

A total of 330 cubic yards of concrete will be delivered, at about 72 cubic yards per hour (each truck holds 9 cubic yards). That’s about eight trucks coming through per hour, for five or six hours. If all goes well the pour should finish up early Friday afternoon. A similar concrete pour will take place in mid-to-late March, for the walls and roof of the culvert, and the City will advise motorists once we have a more firm schedule.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution if driving in the area of Jefferson/Middlefield, and Winslow/Broadway, be aware of the truck traffic, and be sure to observe any special traffic signage or construction crew traffic direction.
The City would like to thank the nearby businesses for their patience and understanding, and encourage the community to be sure to visit and patronize our Downtown businesses. Please see the Redwood Tower information page at  www.redwoodcity.org/redwoodtower for information on the project, parking, scheduling, and more.

thanks,

~ malcolm

 

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County Offering Gun Buyback Event Tomorrow

Good afternoon – one more item for you today.

San Mateo County, in cooperation with Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Supervisor Adrienne J. Tissier, and Sheriff Greg Munks, is providing a gun buyback event, taking place tomorrow. Please read below for the details – for more information you can call -650-257-3403 ext. 9

Thanks,

~malcolm

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San Mateo county
Anonymous
Gun Buyback

An opportunity to turn in your guns and receive:

• Up to $100 cash for handguns, shotguns, rifles
• Up to $200 cash for assault weapons as classified in the State of California

Saturday January 26th 2013
10 am – 2 pm
San Mateo County Event Center/Fairgrounds
2495 South Delaware Street, San Mateo

Funds are limited and subject to availability. We reserve the right to limit the amount of funds an individual can receive regardless of the amount of firearms surrendered

Please transport your firearms unloaded and in the trunk of your vehicle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 1-650-257-3403 EXT. 9

Program provided in conjunction with Congresswoman Jackie Speier, San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne J. Tissier, and San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks.

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6th Annual Bluegrass on Broadway This Weekend

Good afternoon, and happy Friday!

Did you know that this year marks the 6th Annual Bluegrass on Broadway event in Redwood City? It’s true, and this weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Downtown, visit a few of our wonderful restaurants, and enjoy world-class bluegrass music at a variety of venues. It starts TONIGHT!

Please read below for the details, and go to www.ncbs.us for more info. The Annual Bluegrass on Broadway event is a wonderful tradition in Redwood City, and it’s free.

Thanks,

~malcolm

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Free Bluegrass On Broadway Festival Set For Redwood City This Weekend

The Sixth Annual Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society (NCBS), will bring a weekend of FREE music and fun to Redwood City. The January 25-27, 2013 weekend event includes the Northern California Bluegrass Awards (Saturday) and the NCBS International Bluegrass Music Museum Film Festival (Sunday), plus many other events all around Redwood City.

Bluegrass is acoustic music that originated in the Southeastern United States, but has spread around the world, with one of the most active bluegrass communities here in Northern California. The music is played on guitars, banjos, violins, mandolins, resonator guitars, and double bass instruments, accompanied by soulful vocals.

ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No tickets are needed. More information is on the NCBS website <www.ncbs.us>.

Festival Performance Schedule:
FRIDAY, January 25

An Evening Of Bluegrass Dining In Downtown Redwood City – Reservations Are Recommended:

• A. J. Lee & Friends – 7 – 9 pm, Little India (Indian), 917 Main Street, Redwood City, (650) 361-8737.
• Jean Butterfield – 7 – 9 pm, Buri Tara (Thai), 911 Main Street, Redwood City, (650) 257-7594.

SATURDAY, January 26

Tapestry Church Main Hall, 1305 Middlefield Road, Redwood City

• 9:45 am – Special Film Presentation: Generation Bluegrass: The Next Generation Of Bluegrass Musicians (Corey Smith, NC).
• 11 am – Bean Creek
• Noon – The Abbott Brothers
• 1 pm – Sidesaddle & Co
• 2 pm – The Central Valley Boys
• 3 – 5 pm – Northern California Bluegrass Awards (with additional musical performances by Bean Creek, Jean Butterfield, Dark Hollow, A. J. Lee).
• 5 pm-ish to (?) – Award Winners Jam (ALL Jammers and Listeners are welcome), Little India Restaurant, 917 Main Street, Redwood City. (Jam hosts: Larry Cohea, Kim Elking, Dave Gooding, John Kornhauser, Yoseff Tucker, Lee Anne Welch).
• 6 – 8:30 pm – 27strings, Gourmet Haus Staudt,  2615 Broadway, Redwood City (the pub and restaurant entry is in the rear).

SUNDAY, January 27

NCBS International Bluegrass Music Museum Film Festival, Noon-5:00pm, Community Room, Redwood City Main Library, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City.

The films:

• The Porchlight Sessions (Anna Schwaber, TN)
• The Mountain Music Project (Tara Linhardt & Jacob Penchansky, VA)
• Child Of Troubled Times (Paula & Dwayne Lane and Dave Richardson, CA) Special appearance by Paula & Dwayne Lane.
• Bill Evans: Distance Between Two Points (Sarah Fisher, Blue Lotus Films, CA)
• Bill Bollick Of The Blue Sky Boys (International Bluegrass Music Museum, KY)
• Rollin’ On (James Reams, Redbird Mountain Music, AZ)  Special appearance by James Reams.
• 6:30 – 8 pm – Bluegrass Gospel and Spirituals Concert with Dark Hollow, Woodside Road Youth Choir, Woodside Road United Methodist Church, 2000 Woodside Road, Redwood City.

Lifetime Achievement Awards will honor four pioneering women of the Bay Area bluegrass community: Kim Elking, Kathy Kallick, Laurie Lewis & Beth Weil.

The Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Bluegrass On Broadway Festival receives principal financial support from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, the Redwood City Public Library, and the Tapestry Church.

For more information, call Michael Hall of the Northern California Bluegrass Society (650) 596-9332.

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Redwood City Together / Library Present Free Screening of “Welcome to Shelbyville”

Good afternoon –

The collaborative group Redwood City Together, along with the Redwood City Library, present a free screening of the thought-provoking and fascinating film, Welcome to Shelbyville. It’s next week, on February 6. Please read below for the details – I hope you can plan on attending, and bring a few friends along! It includes an after-film discussion as well.

Thanks,

~malcolm

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Redwood City Together and the Redwood City Library Present a Special FREE Screening:

Welcome to Shelbyville

Co-Sponsored by Friends of Redwood City Library and Redwood City 2020

• Wednesday February 6, 2013 * 6:30 PM
  Downtown Library Community Room
  1044 Middlefield Road 

Welcome to Shelbyville – Directed by Kim A. Snyder. 67 Minutes; 2010.

WELCOME TO SHELBYVILLE is a glimpse of America at a crossroads. In one town in the heart of America’s bible belt, a community grapples with rapidly changing demographics. Longtime African-American and White residents are challenged with how to integrate with a growing Latino population and the more recent arrival of hundreds of Somali refugees of Muslim faith. Set on the eve of the 2008 Presidential election, the film captures the interaction between these residents as they navigate new waters against the backdrop of a tumultuous year.

For more information about this film please visit: www.welcometoshelbyvillefilm.com

Redwood City Together: a collaboration of caring community members and public/private organizations working to build a stronger, inclusive, and welcoming community, building on the strength of our diversity and appreciation of our shared values: safe streets for our children, neighbors who look out for each other, and a thriving community where all can prosper. The group is coordinated by Redwood City 2020, working to ensure the health and success of children, youth, and families served by the Redwood City School District. Visit www.rwc2020.org

For information about all the great events, programs, and activities at your Redwood City Public Library, visit www.rcdwoodcity.org/library or call (650) 780-7018.

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Redwood Shores Friday Farmers Market is Year ‘Round

Good morning –

I wanted to remind you that the Redwood Shores Farmers Market is our City’s only year ’round farmers market, so you can always get great, fresh produce and other products, even in the middle of winter!

The Redwood Shores Farmers Market is open every Friday from 3 pm – 7 pm, in the parking lot of the Redwood Shores Branch Library, 399 Marine Parkway. This is a great market with a really nice mix of vendors, so I hope you can check it out.

Thanks,

~malcolm

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Reminder: Neighborhood Workshop Tomorrow Night

Good afternoon –

This is a quick reminder about a neighborhood workshop taking place TOMORROW NIGHT – it’s all about how to bring people together around your issues, and organizing for positive change. The program is provided by the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, which has done some great neighborhood training workshops for our community in the past, and which people have really enjoyed and found quite valuable – and fun! Please read below for the details.

thanks,

~ malcolm

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Please join in this Redwood City Neighborhood Workshop:

Building Community in Your Neighborhood:  
The Value of Face-to-Face Networks and Community Relationships 

It sometimes feels as if there’s not much we can do about the pressures of a tight job market, the high price of housing, overcrowded schools, and an increasingly loaded political debate. These pressures can cause friction between neighbors, with friends and coworkers, and even among families.

But that friction can be harnessed as a tool for change! Together, we can build a shared sense of community by harnessing the energy of our conflicts, turn our differences into a pathway forward, and collectively produce positive change.

You’re invited to join in this special neighborhood workshop, hosted by Redwood City and conducted by the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, where we will explore the value of face-to-face networks and how those networks and community relationships can be turned into a tool for change.

Wednesday, January 23^rd – 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Veterans Memorial Senior Center- Sunset Room, 1455 Madison Avenue

This workshop is FREE. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVPs requested. Please send to srandazzo@pcrcweb.org 

Using interactive and relevant examples attendees will learn:

• How to get people to participate in a group effort
• How to bring people together so they have a say in the decisions that affect their lives
• Tips for developing an agenda and leading an effective community meeting
• Tools for establishing a climate which promotes full participation

This workshop will offer a great way of building community through communication, and will develop participants’ skills so that the next time someone says, “Hey, why does it have to be that way?” you can say, “It doesn’t!” – and you’ll have the tools to do something about it, together.

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2 items from Friends of Edgewood – Take a Hike Tomorrow; Learn to Lead a Hike

Good afternoon –

I wanted to let you know about two items from Friends of Edgewood – first is a free hike tomorrow, and second is an opportunity to “Learn to Lead a Wildflower Hike.”  Please read on!

thanks,

~ malcolm

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Rainy Revival: Free, Docent-led Nature Hike

Ferns, Bryophytes & Early Blooms – Free, Family-Oriented, Docent-led Nature Walk – Third Saturday Nature Walk at Edgewood Natural Preserve

TOMORROW Saturday, January 19, 2013, 10 AM to 1 PM

6  Old Stage Coach Rd, Redwood City, CA 94062 Just off Edgewood Road, 1  mile east of I280. The parking lot can fill up early. Use extreme care  when parking along Edgewood Road. Watch for new “No Parking” signs on  Edgewood Road.

Goldback, Maidenhair, and Polypody ferns unfurl with the winter rains. Enjoy the beauty of mosses, liverworts, and early blooms. Botanist and educator Mary Wilson leads this walk to discover Edgewood’s rain-loving organisms. Adults, seniors and families with interested children are welcome. We’ll teach parents and children to identify poison oak, common along the trails. Visitors can complement their docent-led walk by visiting the Bill and Jean Lane Education Center located near the main entrance. Interactive exhibits explain Edgewood’s connection to the surrounding landscape and its history. Heavy rain cancels this walk.

• Where to meet: Walks start from the Bill and Jean Lane Education Center at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve at 10am.
• What to bring: Bring water, a hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a snack if you wish. We don’t stop for lunch, but picnic tables are usually available after the walks in the Old Stage Day Camp area. Restrooms and water are available only at the main entrance.
• Reservations: No reservations are needed unless you have a group of 10 or more. For group reservations, please email events@friendsofedgewood.org.

Friends of Edgewood’s trained docents guide free nature hikes at 10am on the third Saturday morning of each month. The 3 – 4 mile walks vary according to the docent and the current happenings in the Preserve.

More Information from Friends of Edgewood – (866) 463-3439  (866) Go-Edgewood events@friendsofedgewood.org / www.friendsofedgewood.org

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Edgewood Park’s Redwood City neighbors can join the Friends of Edgewood in their goal to Preserve, Educate and Restore at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve:

Lead Wildflower Walks at Edgewood!

Once a year Friends of Edgewood offers an excellent docent-training program on local geology, plant communities, and wildflowers.

From January 30 through April 20, 2013, on alternate weeks, we offer seven topics. Each Wednesday evening class in Redwood City is followed by a hike in Edgewood Park on the next Saturday morning. A $30 fee covers a book about wildflowers at Edgewood, and a binder full of information.  Graduates join FoE’s corps of trained docents who lead free wildflower walks on weekend mornings in the spring, and may host at the Bill and Jean Lane Education Center at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve.

To REGISTER, please email Mary at docent-trainer@friendsofedgewood.org .  More information or questions? Visit www.friendsofedgewood.org or email  docent-trainer@friendsofedgewood.org.

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Electronic Waste Recycling Event Jan 25 – 26

Good morning, and happy Friday!

Many of you will be pleased to know that there is an electronic waste recycling event coming up soon, being put on by the Woodside Road United Methodist Church, in the parking lot at 2000 Woodside Road in Redwood City. It takes place on Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26, from 9 am – 4 pm.

Please note that this is a private fundraising e-waste event, and is NOT City-sponsored. The City provides this information as a courtesy only and is not responsible for any aspect of this event. For more information on this e-waste collection event, please call the Woodside Road United Methodist Church (650) 368-3376.

This is a great opportunity to help our community get rid of e-waste the right way by diverting it from the landfills into a proper recycling process.

E-waste is defined as any consumer electronic equipment that has reached its ‘end-of-life,’ ‘end-of-usage,’ whether in full or non-working condition. Most electronics or electronic equipment with a cord or circuit board are accepted such as: Computer Monitors, Television sets, Printers, PC Systems, Laptops, Copiers, Scanners, Fax Machines, Toner Cartridges, UPS & PDAs, Tower Supplies, Main Frame Units, Networking Equipment, Mother Board Systems, VCR/VCD/DVD Players, Home Entertainment Systems, Landline and Cellular Phones, & Small Portable Devices. Car batteries are also accepted.

Again, if you have any questions on this e-waste collection event, please call the Woodside Road United Methodist Church (650) 368-3376.

thanks,

~ malcolm

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