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S t a b i l i t y .<br />
P u r p o s e .<br />
D i s c i p l i n e .<br />
P a s s i o n .<br />
L e a d e r s h i p .<br />
<strong>Morgan</strong> <strong>Marchbanks</strong><br />
Leaving Sequoia a better place!<br />
Also in this issue:<br />
Ice Cream for All! Crabs,<br />
Corned Beef and “Stuff”<br />
In “As I Was Saying…”<br />
Bizzarro’s — Believing in<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City in More<br />
Ways Than One
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Saltworks is a 1,433-acre industrial site located in <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
BRITTANIA SEAPORT CENTRE<br />
PACIFIC SHORES CENTER<br />
101<br />
STANFORD MEDICAL CENTER<br />
San Francisco Bay<br />
101<br />
DID YOU KNOW?<br />
• <strong>The</strong> Saltworks site is similar in size to <strong>Redwood</strong> Shores or the Presidio in San Francisco.<br />
• Salt has been produced on the site for more than 100 years.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> Saltworks site is immediately adjacent to major employment centers, like Pacific Shores<br />
Center, Britannia Seaport Centre, and the new Stanford Medical Campus.<br />
• Noted companies such as Dreamworks, Openwave and Protein Design Labs are located in<br />
the Pacific Shores Center.<br />
To learn more about the Saltworks site, please visit www.RCSaltworks.com or call us at 650-366-0500.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Saltworks<br />
1700 Seaport Blvd., Suite 200 | <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063<br />
650.366.0500 | info@RCSaltworks.com | www.RCSaltworks.com<br />
SW_<strong>Spectrum</strong>Ad_Full.indd 1<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
2/19/09 3:47:46 PM
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>.MAR.09<br />
Steve Penna<br />
Owner and Publisher<br />
penna@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Anne Callery<br />
Copy Editor<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Judy Buchan<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Michael Erler<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Nicole Minieri<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
James Massey<br />
Graphic Designer<br />
James R. Kaspar<br />
Cover/Cover Story Photography<br />
jkaspar@sonic.net<br />
Valerie Harris<br />
Internet Maintenance<br />
Contact Information:<br />
Phone 650-368-2434<br />
E-mail addresses listed above<br />
www.spectrummagazine.net<br />
Welcome to the March issue of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
Last month we highlighted gang issues, which proved to be very popular with our readers and the<br />
community. We have never before received so many e-mails, phone calls and comments on a single<br />
issue. Ironically enough, just after our issue came out, the city staff released a report that stated concern<br />
about gangs was the number one “social” issue among residents surveyed in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Your positive<br />
comments were appreciated.<br />
In our cover story this month, contributing writer Judy Buchan profiles Sequoia High School Principal<br />
<strong>Morgan</strong> <strong>Marchbanks</strong>. She recently announced that she will be leaving her position at the end of this<br />
school year, and we thought it was the right time to take a look back at some of her challenges and<br />
accomplishments throughout the years. As you will read, she is leaving quite an impressive legacy.<br />
We are excited to bring you this month’s business profile on Bizzarro’s Auctions. This versatile business<br />
offers many services to our community, including charity auctions, donate-your-vehicle fundraisers,<br />
appraisal services and, of course, auto auctions. But more than all that, the owner, Frank, and his staff<br />
are all community-minded and contribute in so many positive ways. Contributing writer Nicole Minieri<br />
will tell you just how much they do.<br />
Publisher Steve Penna throws out a few topics — including Miss <strong>Redwood</strong> City judging, council<br />
candidates, crabs, corned beef and county “misinterpretations” — for our readers in his column, “As I<br />
Was Saying….” What will you think after you read his opinions?<br />
We also bring you our regular features on community interests, senior activities, financial advice by<br />
David Amann, information from the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District, parties around town, news briefs,<br />
community cultural events and popular feature “A Minute With.”<br />
We encourage you to support our advertisers by using their services when you are out shopping, dining<br />
or enjoying yourself with friends and family. Many of our advertisers have special offers for you to<br />
cut out and present, so please take the time to look over their ads this month and use their coupons and<br />
discounts. That is what they are there for, and by using them, you show you appreciate their offers.<br />
Thank you to all of our readers for your support. We want you to know we will keep striving to bring<br />
you real community information worth waiting for!<br />
Contents<br />
This Month’s Photo Shoot – 4<br />
RCSD Corner – 5<br />
“As I Was Saying...” – 6<br />
Survey Shows More Concern About<br />
Gangs, Economy – 7<br />
Cargill Site Comes<br />
Before Bay Commission – 8<br />
Cultural Events – 11<br />
Through the Years – 14<br />
Community Interests – 15<br />
<strong>Morgan</strong> <strong>Marchbanks</strong> Looks<br />
Back and Ahead – 18<br />
Nonprofits in Action – 21<br />
Shop <strong>Redwood</strong> City – 23<br />
It’s Not a Job, It’s a Profession – 26<br />
News Briefs – 30<br />
Finance: 5 Reasons to be Bullish About<br />
Financial Markets – 33<br />
Senior Activities – 33<br />
A Minute With Diana Johnson – 34<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 3
Inside <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>: Cover Story Photo Shoot<br />
Publisher Steve Penna arranged this month’s photo shoot with Sequoia High School<br />
Principal <strong>Morgan</strong> <strong>Marchbanks</strong> after the cover story interview was completed by<br />
contributing writer Judy Buchan. It was one of those months when everyone and<br />
everything was running late and deadlines were being pushed back, so the shoot was<br />
scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, at 2 p.m., a mere one-and-a-half<br />
days after Penna and <strong>Marchbanks</strong> corresponded by e-mail.<br />
Cover story photographer James Kaspar was waiting on the front steps of the front<br />
entrance to the main building when Penna arrived, and the two proceeded to the<br />
principal’s office. Once they arrived, they were greeted by Dottress Rollin, who is<br />
Marchbank’s senior school secretary. Penna has known Rollin for several years, so<br />
the two quickly exchanged a friendly hug and she led them into the office, where an<br />
administrative meeting was wrapping up.<br />
Penna first met <strong>Marchbanks</strong> when he was chairman of the Sequoia Education<br />
Foundation and she had just been appointed principal, coming from <strong>Redwood</strong> High, so<br />
they have a long history and demonstrated a mutual respect as they greeted each other.<br />
Once the meeting broke, Kaspar began taking pictures in her office.<br />
After many shots, the three went to Rollin’s outer office, where they took some<br />
photos of the “dynamic duo,” then to the entrance hallway, the main building entrance<br />
and finally the small vehicle pathway that leads around the front of the school. <strong>The</strong><br />
entire shoot took just about one hour.<br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong> has faced many challenges during her years at Sequoia. Her first was the<br />
Cherokee mascot controversy. It was apparent after that resolution that she was on her<br />
way to proving herself a strong leader for a school in transition.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> salutes <strong>Marchbanks</strong>’ perseverance, dedication and commitment to our<br />
students and community. Because of her efforts, many who once might not have had<br />
the opportunity will now move on to college, trades, employment and quality lives. We<br />
can’t wait to see what she will do when she returns!<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
RCSD Corner: News From the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District<br />
School District Libraries Provide Services Beyond Reading<br />
<strong>The</strong> RCEF, in partnership with Oracle and the<br />
Westly Foundation, provided $100,000 in teacher<br />
SMART grants in the 2008–09 school year to<br />
bring innovation into <strong>Redwood</strong> City classrooms<br />
in the areas of science, math, technology and<br />
the arts. <strong>The</strong> visit by Gomez was one of several<br />
programs Hoover was able to implement as a<br />
result of the grant money offered by the RCEF.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> visit by Elizabeth Gomez is exactly the<br />
type of program we had in mind when we worked<br />
with Oracle and Westly Foundation to set up the<br />
SMART grants,” said Jo-Ann Sockolov, president<br />
of the RCEF. “It’s exciting to see this kind of<br />
community partnership bring new opportunities<br />
to our students in <strong>Redwood</strong> City.”<br />
“In the midst of<br />
budget cuts and<br />
our dire economy,<br />
students still need<br />
opportunities to think<br />
creatively.”<br />
Local artist Elizabeth Gomez works with Hoover students.<br />
Rice looks like ants. Meatballs are like<br />
basketballs. Beans look like spiders. Tacos look<br />
like boats. Hot dogs are like big fat caterpillars.<br />
Second-graders at Hoover School came up<br />
with these analogies during a recent art workshop<br />
with <strong>Redwood</strong> City artist and book illustrator<br />
Elizabeth Gomez. Students were challenged to<br />
identify their favorite food, complete the sentence<br />
“My favorite food is like …” and then draw a<br />
picture to illustrate the analogy.<br />
Gomez visited Hoover to give an art lesson<br />
to first- and second-graders, and talk with them<br />
about how her art gets made into storybooks<br />
for children. <strong>The</strong> focus of the lesson was not<br />
on artistic technique as much as it was on the<br />
imaginative process. Gomez challenged the<br />
passions,” said Hoover Principal Amanda<br />
Neborsky. “In the midst of budget cuts and our<br />
dire economy, students still need opportunities<br />
to think creatively. Students can create a work of<br />
art with materials as simple as paper, pencil and<br />
a few crayons, as our second-graders learned this<br />
morning.”<br />
This was not the artist’s first visit to Hoover.<br />
Earlier in the year, she gave children and their<br />
families an evening presentation about how she<br />
became an illustrator, and all pre-kindergarten<br />
through third-graders received a free copy of<br />
her bilingual book, “<strong>The</strong> Upside Down Boy,”<br />
courtesy of the Sobrato Foundation and Friends of<br />
the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Library. <strong>The</strong> teachers at Hoover<br />
have been reading Gomez’s books to students, so<br />
“Art can inspire students to pursue their passions.”<br />
students to take something very familiar to<br />
them — their favorite food — and imagine it as<br />
something fanciful.<br />
<strong>The</strong> student who saw beans as spiders drew a<br />
big bowl of spiders on a table. <strong>The</strong> student who<br />
thought meatballs looked like basketballs drew a<br />
picture of a flower in a shoe-shaped vase shooting<br />
a meatball into a basketball hoop centerpiece on<br />
a table.<br />
Gomez went on to explain how her drawings<br />
start as doodles, then turn into a series of penciled<br />
illustrations. “After doodling, I take the pictures<br />
I like and do many fancy drawings, many times.”<br />
She told students that it takes one to two years to<br />
turn a series of drawings into a book.<br />
“Art can inspire students to pursue their<br />
the children participating in the art lesson were<br />
already familiar with Gomez and her illustrations.<br />
Hoover does not have an art teacher on staff,<br />
so the opportunity to learn from a real artist<br />
was a new experience for many of the students,<br />
according to Neborsky. “Besides being a local<br />
artist who does beautiful work, Gomez is<br />
bilingual, and her stories and her history really<br />
connect with many of our students who are<br />
learning English.”<br />
Gomez’s art lesson to first- and second-grade<br />
students was paid for by a SMART grant from<br />
the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Education Foundation,<br />
a private organization that raises money<br />
specifically for K–8 student programs at the<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City School District’s 16 schools.<br />
Hoover student creates illustration with help of local artist.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 5
As I Was<br />
Saying…<br />
Publisher | Steve Penna<br />
I recently was invited and accepted the<br />
opportunity to be a judge for the Miss <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City scholarship pageant. Let me tell you, this<br />
event is back in our community and back in a big<br />
way. <strong>The</strong> new organizers, Chris Cheshire and her<br />
daughter Krista, have done a fantastic job getting<br />
contestants and sponsors and creating a buzz<br />
around the county again. <strong>The</strong>y have really made<br />
a superb effort in providing an opportunity for<br />
young women to get much-needed scholarships<br />
and life experience.<br />
As I quickly learned, judging is a big<br />
responsibility and should not be taken lightly —<br />
scholarships are on the line here, and it is clearly<br />
apparent that education is important to all the<br />
young ladies involved.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are a total of six judges — three<br />
“celebrity” judges from the community and three<br />
“official” judges who are involved in the pageant<br />
world. <strong>The</strong>y also run their own pageants in other<br />
areas, and that makes you wonder whether they<br />
should be judging pageants where the winners<br />
will be competing against their title-holders in the<br />
future. Haven’t any of these people seen the movie<br />
“Miss Congeniality”? It is, after all, a competition.<br />
<strong>The</strong> day starts out with breakfast and the official<br />
interviews at 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning. We<br />
are on a controlled timeline, so everything must<br />
go as scheduled. Of course, one of the judges was<br />
late and makes no excuses, telling us she overslept<br />
because she forgot to set her alarm. Oh well, so<br />
much for setting a good example.<br />
We are all given instructions on the judging and<br />
interview process and the day’s activities. We are<br />
then shown an informational video on the pageant,<br />
and we are ready for the first set of contestants.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are actually three pageants in one. <strong>The</strong><br />
Miss <strong>Redwood</strong> City (all girls from <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City), Miss San Mateo County and San Mateo<br />
County’s Outstanding Teen (13 to 15 years old).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are a total of 13 young ladies competing,<br />
ranging in ages from 13 to 23 years old.<br />
As the first group enters, I am instantly<br />
impressed by each girl’s uniqueness, intelligence<br />
and attractiveness. We really have some bright<br />
young ladies in our community. <strong>The</strong> judges run off<br />
questions, none prearranged, ranging from “What<br />
would your friends say about you?” to “Favorite<br />
hobbies?” “Is Miss America ready for a lesbian<br />
title holder?” (I am sure there has been one, but we<br />
just did not know it). “Is Barack Obama’s policy<br />
of taking from the rich and giving to the poor<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
going to work?” Etc., etc.<br />
Some of my favorite answers included “<strong>The</strong>y<br />
would say I talk too much,” “Spending Saturday<br />
nights with my grandparents,” “Whale watching,”<br />
“My sister is bisexual,” “My best friend is gay,” “I<br />
worked at a wine bar, as a hostess, even though I<br />
was not 18 years old” and “Huh?”<br />
Almost toward the end of all the interviews<br />
walked in my breath of fresh air — a 17-yearold<br />
ray of sunshine who lit up the room with<br />
a personality that could have given Alicia<br />
Silverstone a run for her money in the movie<br />
“Clueless.” But this girl proved to be anything but.<br />
She was a contestant competing for the Miss San<br />
Mateo County title. Her smile, her walk, her odd<br />
confidence just made you want to scream, “I love<br />
this girl!”<br />
When asked the Obama question, she replied,<br />
“I think it is neat and stuff,” and then looked at us<br />
like we were supposed to know what all “stuff”<br />
includes. Were we the ones not getting it? I could<br />
not help but think.<br />
We learned she was going to sing the song<br />
“At Last” — and “not the Beyoncé version, but<br />
the original by Etta James” — for her talent.<br />
Impressive and “stuff.” Can’t wait.<br />
After all the interviews were completed, we<br />
were given a two-hour break and asked to come<br />
back for a prepared dinner at the Lathrop House,<br />
then on to the Cañada College Main <strong>The</strong>atre for<br />
the 7 p.m. pageant start.<br />
As we entered the theater, I was instantly<br />
impressed by the enthusiasm of the almost-soldout<br />
audience. Many were holding signs and<br />
posters encouraging their favorite contestants.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were other title-holders from other pageant<br />
areas, plus dignitaries including Vice Mayor Diane<br />
Howard and sponsors including <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
businesses American Coast Mortgage, Mayers<br />
Jewelers, Paula Uccelli (another “celebrity” judge<br />
along with Jackie Rice and myself), Studio S<br />
Broadway Academy of Dance, Hannig Law Firm,<br />
Sequoia Chiropractic Clinic, attorney William<br />
Morris, Lourdes Carini, Bangkok Bay Thai, Key<br />
Market, the Saddle Room, Roosevelt Nail Salon,<br />
Wells Fargo Bank, Clean N Press, Broadway Auto<br />
Service and Charles Carter, DDS.<br />
As the competition began, the show was<br />
actually entertaining to watch. <strong>The</strong>re were<br />
production numbers, a Mistress of Ceremonies<br />
(she was good, but next year it should be someone<br />
local, and maybe a publisher. Ha!), the farewells<br />
by last year’s title holders and on and on.<br />
<strong>The</strong> competition itself was divided into<br />
categories of (1) onstage questions — one girl<br />
named London as her favorite country — oops,<br />
(2) swimsuit for the “Miss” contestants and fitness<br />
clothes for the “Teens,” (3) talent — Wow! Some<br />
great performances, and (4) evening gown.<br />
Okay, so you are probably wondering how<br />
the contestant I was mentioning above, who was<br />
going to sing “At Last,” did. Let me tell you,<br />
she nailed it. One of the best performances of<br />
the night! It was neat and “stuff.” Her evening<br />
gown, flawless; swimsuit, her athleticism was<br />
perfection; her onstage question, very composed.<br />
I hope she competes in this pageant in the future,<br />
because I think she could win and may even be<br />
a strong Miss California possibility — she has<br />
that much potential. Funny how when you are in<br />
that environment, you realize how different the<br />
maturity is between girls just a few years apart,<br />
but experience makes such a difference in those<br />
few years. She finished first runner-up in the Miss<br />
San Mateo portion.<br />
<strong>The</strong> three girls in the Outstanding Teen<br />
competition were so close in talent, poise and<br />
speaking, I don’t know how we made a decision.<br />
I could not help but think what talented and<br />
composed young ladies they all were and what<br />
bright futures they all have. <strong>The</strong>ir parents and/or<br />
guardians should be so proud of them all.<br />
Who were the crowned ones? Nineteen-yearold<br />
Anna Lisa Matias was named Miss San<br />
Mateo County. Sandra Robles, 17, of Woodside<br />
High School, was named Miss <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Both women will go on to compete in the Miss<br />
California pageant this summer. Thirteen-year-old<br />
Elyse Vincenzi was named San Mateo County’s<br />
Outstanding Teen. She will continue to the<br />
California’s Outstanding Teen competition.<br />
To be perfectly honest, I did not have Robles<br />
high on my point sheet. <strong>The</strong>re were two other<br />
contestants whom I gave higher scores, and I did<br />
not feel that her talent — a cheer about herself<br />
— was up to par with the other singers, dancers<br />
and monologues. Plus, when she was asked her<br />
onstage question, “If you could be mayor for a<br />
day, what would you do?” she replied, “Free ice<br />
cream for everyone!” A cute answer, but if you<br />
come from a high school like Woodside, with<br />
so many social and economic issues, one would<br />
expect a more community-oriented and concerned<br />
(continued on page 32)
Celebrating All Things Square<br />
03-03-09<br />
04-04-16<br />
Greg Mack, left to right, Yasmina Teal and Rodney McMenomy eat root beer floats out<br />
of square glasses to celebrate Square Root Day early while at Our Common Ground in<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Is it hip to be square? Maybe not, but it could be lucrative.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City teacher Ron Gordon is searching for the most unique idea<br />
that includes the most participants celebrating Square Root Day — 03/03/09.<br />
Feb. 2, 2004, or 02/02/04, was the last such day. It will not occur again for<br />
seven years, one month and one day on 04/04/16.<br />
Being square can be fun, Gordon explained. “In October, I’ll turn 8<br />
squared. And that doesn’t even sound that bad. Take the federal stimulus at<br />
$787 billion. That’s about $887,130 squared. That sounds manageable,” he said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rules are simple: Be safe, be clever, have friends root for you, have fun,<br />
think square and, of course, be square. Winners are participating for a shared<br />
prize of $339.<br />
Some ideas for celebration include drinking root beer in square mugs,<br />
rooting for the underdog, eating a square meal or square dancing.<br />
Gordon’s students at Our Common Ground — a treatment program in<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City for adolescents and adults with substance abuse and addiction<br />
problems — celebrated to demonstrate the original idea.<br />
Rodney McMenomy, 17, was confused about the concept at first, he said<br />
while scooping ice cream into square plastic cups. “I thought it would be boring.”<br />
Instead, McMenomy joined with Greg Mack, Jesse McGill and Yasmina<br />
Teal to take a few minutes and enjoy root beer floats. McGill made square<br />
knots with rope — a skill he recently learned from Gordon.<br />
“He’s a goofy but awesome teacher,” he said.<br />
Teal was considering wearing a box to school to celebrate the holiday.<br />
On the last Square Root Day, Gordon and his family chopped vegetable<br />
roots — like carrots and beets — into squares. <strong>The</strong>y then shipped the food<br />
to Punxsutawney, Penn., for groundhog Phil. Square Root Day falls on<br />
Groundhog Day only once in a century.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>se days are like calendar comets. You wait and wait and wait and wait<br />
for them, then they brighten up your day and — poof — they’re gone,” he said.<br />
Contestants had a 339-hour window — between 9 p.m. Feb. 16 and 3 a.m.<br />
March 18 — to complete or make their square entries. <strong>The</strong> entry must have<br />
been submitted within three squared days of the March 18 deadline — in<br />
other words, entries were due by Friday, March 27, at 3 a.m. to be considered<br />
for the big prize.<br />
It’s not the only number-based holiday Gordon celebrates.<br />
Odd Day, like 01/03/05, 03/05/07 or the next one on 05/07/09, pays homage<br />
to the rare occurrence of consecutive odd numbers in a date — an occurrence<br />
that happens six times at the start of a century.<br />
Gordon doesn’t encourage celebrating Even Day, however — he doesn’t<br />
want to be held responsible for people getting even.<br />
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the Daily Journal newspaper.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Resident Survey Shows More Concern About Gangs, Economy<br />
A new survey shows <strong>Redwood</strong> City residents are<br />
largely satisfied with the quality of life in their<br />
hometown, although concerns about the economy<br />
and gang presence have increased, city officials<br />
said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first such survey since 2003, this document<br />
reflects a city of 58,400 adult residents who<br />
interact frequently with their neighbors and<br />
enjoy their redeveloped downtown. Nine out of<br />
10 residents are “very satisfied” or “somewhat<br />
satisfied” with life in <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
<strong>The</strong> survey was conducted by phone during<br />
December 2008, spokesman Malcolm Smith<br />
said. Pollsters took efforts to ensure the<br />
400 participants were selected at random<br />
and represented a variety of ethnicities and<br />
neighborhoods.<br />
No single issue emerged as an overwhelming<br />
problem in the city, Smith said. While the<br />
economy topped the list of resident concerns,<br />
only 11 percent identified it as an important<br />
issue. Concerns about gangs received a 9 percent<br />
response, and 7 percent of residents are concerned<br />
about affordable housing. Smith said these results<br />
were “not a surprise, but a confirmation.”<br />
Prior surveys indicated concerns about<br />
affordable housing, education and traffic<br />
congestion. <strong>The</strong> city uses this document to gauge<br />
where services need improvement, Smith said.<br />
Data is cross-tabbed by respondents’ location so<br />
city employees can detect trends. If residents from<br />
a particular neighborhood express dissatisfaction<br />
with sidewalks or street sweeping, for example,<br />
the Public Works Department can work to<br />
improve these issues.<br />
In tough budget times, Smith said, the<br />
document will help the city “use our resources<br />
where they’re needed the most.” Of the eight city<br />
services listed in the survey, disaster preparedness<br />
and affordable housing received the lowest marks,<br />
while the city’s efforts to draw people downtown<br />
topped the list.<br />
Overall, 86 percent of respondents said<br />
their sense of community is “very strong” or<br />
“somewhat strong.” Nine out of 10 interact with<br />
their neighbors. Half the respondents give their<br />
time or money to a local organization, although<br />
80 percent of residents have never seen a city<br />
council meeting.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city aims to conduct surveys every few<br />
years, Smith said, but other budget priorities<br />
resulted in a five-year gap since the last one. He<br />
was not sure whether the program would survive<br />
future budget talks.<br />
Other survey results include:<br />
• 92 percent reported being either “very satisfied”<br />
(59 percent) or “somewhat satisfied” (33 percent)<br />
with the quality of life in <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
• 59 percent reported feeling a “very strong” (22<br />
percent) or “somewhat strong” (37 percent) sense<br />
of community, while 27 percent felt a “somewhat<br />
weak” (22 percent) or “very weak” (5 percent)<br />
sense of community.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> issues most frequently mentioned as<br />
important were the economy and gangs.<br />
• More than four out of five residents are satisfied<br />
with city services.<br />
• Approximately three out of four residents feel<br />
either “very safe” (39 percent) or “somewhat safe”<br />
(37 percent) walking downtown after dark, while<br />
four out of five residents feel “very safe” (46<br />
percent) or “reasonably safe” (34 percent) walking<br />
alone after dark in their own neighborhoods.<br />
• Only a little more than half are happy with city<br />
staff and leaders.<br />
<strong>The</strong> entire survey results are available online at<br />
www.redwoodcity.org/survey.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 7
Cargill Site Comes Before Bay Commission<br />
Having triumphed over a ballot battle that could have killed development on<br />
the former Cargill Salt site, developer DMB Associates is now turning to the<br />
Bay Area commission whose approval it still needs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission<br />
(BCDC) must issue a permit for development of the site. Although that end<br />
is still quite far away, DMB offered up a briefing of conceptual plans before<br />
BCDC.<br />
“At this point, any suggestions or comments can still be incorporated<br />
within the application,” said DMB spokesman Jay Reed. “This lets us know<br />
what they want and gives them a chance to hear background about the site and<br />
the planning efforts.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> briefing also provided Save <strong>The</strong> Bay Executive Director David<br />
Lewis the chance to argue why the salt ponds should be restored rather than<br />
developed into housing.<br />
Lewis and other opponents addressed the commission, but Lewis did not<br />
return a call for comment on his specific points. Lewis spearheaded the effort<br />
to defeat development of the land during last year’s contentious election<br />
battle, and Save <strong>The</strong> Bay Political Director Stephen Knight said he planned to<br />
echo the sentiments.<br />
<strong>The</strong> property is considered important in the San Francisco Bay. At one<br />
time it was part of a plan fostered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein for the federal<br />
government to purchase and restore endangered salt flats. That plan eventually<br />
dropped the <strong>Redwood</strong> City salt flats from preservation and instead was to<br />
preserve some land in the South Bay for a price tag close to $100 million.<br />
<strong>The</strong> BCDC has jurisdiction over any development on San Francisco Bay<br />
waters but Cargill, as successor to Leslie Salt, claims it is exempt. However,<br />
the California Attorney General’s Office decided Cargill falls in BCDC’s<br />
“salt pond” jurisdiction, according to Will Travis, BCDC executive director.<br />
Historically, the commission has had authority over the entire salt pond<br />
system of the bay but not the refining and processing facilities. <strong>The</strong> two<br />
groups are now agreeing to disagree but working on ensuring the site’s use is<br />
consistent with the current BCDC laws and policies.<br />
Applicable salt pond policies include the caveats that development be<br />
guided by maximum access to the bay without adverse effects on wildlife,<br />
permanent dedication of some of the water surface area and providing for<br />
resource conservation.<br />
BCDC policy also requires every effort be made to sell the land for public<br />
use before OK’ing development — a requirement BCDC Commissioner Rich<br />
Gordon said is challenging.<br />
“At the end of the day, in this climate, I don’t know where those dollars<br />
would come from,” said Gordon, also a member of the San Mateo County<br />
Board of Supervisors.<br />
BCDC also tackled the need for transportation if the site is developed, even<br />
though that issue is not in the commission’s jurisdiction, Gordon said.<br />
“Although we cannot rule over that, it lets the developer see here’s a set of<br />
public officials raising those concerns,” Gordon said.<br />
DMB has committed that any plans will be fully consistent with the<br />
commission’s bay plan policies, Travis has said. But absent any final plan,<br />
Travis said it is impossible to predict whether it would be approved.<br />
DMB is pushing what it calls a 50-50 plan, providing 50 percent for<br />
wetlands restoration, recreation and open space uses and 50 percent for<br />
mixed uses including housing. DMB accompanied its plan with a list of 10<br />
commitments to the community, including flood control issues, creating a<br />
transit-friendly development and ensuring the project is self-sufficient.<br />
Reed said DMB anticipates a development plan will be submitted in the<br />
next month, but currently nothing definitive is on the table.<br />
Despite the absence of a development plan, the briefing was scheduled<br />
because of the proposal’s large-scale scope, the policy issues raised and<br />
the controversy of using the site for something other than salt production,<br />
according to BCDC staff.<br />
<strong>The</strong> saltworks site is a 1,433-acre parcel of land — the largest untouched<br />
area in the Bay Area outside the Presidio in San Francisco — whose potential<br />
development has long been debated in the community. Last year, the dispute<br />
erupted into a full-out war between organizations like Save <strong>The</strong> Bay, <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City and a smattering of grassroots groups who took no sides other than<br />
opposing a ballot measure that would have significantly changed the city charter.<br />
Measure W, initially known as the Open Space Vote, would have altered<br />
the charter so voters rather than councilmembers would decide the fate of<br />
development on land zoned open space. Proponents said the measure did not<br />
preclude development, instead giving voters a direct input in the decision and<br />
forcing proposed projects to be better. Opponents worried some homeowners<br />
would be forced to ask the city as a whole for every home improvement or<br />
change.<br />
In response, the <strong>Redwood</strong> City City Council proposed Measure V, which<br />
would have changed the charter so any decisions on only the Cargill Salt land<br />
would require a vote.<br />
Ultimately, both failed and the issue returned to square one.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City is currently updating its general plan and recently decided to<br />
use the current designations for the saltworks site. If DMB proposes changing<br />
the general plan to accommodate its development proposal, the developers<br />
will need to push a future amendment. Current estimates suggest that could<br />
happen in 2010.<br />
Editor’s note: This article appeared first in the Daily Journal newspaper.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 9
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Cultural Events<br />
<strong>The</strong> Main Gallery<br />
1018 Main St., <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
At the corner of Main and<br />
Middlefield, in the historic yellow<br />
Victorian cottage<br />
650-701-1018<br />
W–F 11–4, Sat.–Sun. 10–3, and by<br />
appointment<br />
www.themaingallery.org<br />
Ellen Chong, “Beau Brownie”<br />
Oil on canvas, 8” x 10”<br />
Nina Koepcke, “Masquerade,” monotype<br />
24” x 20” framed size, 12” x 10” image size<br />
Two artists with many ideas come together to<br />
present “Divergent Views” at <strong>The</strong> Main Gallery.<br />
Painter Ellen Chong and ceramic and mixedmedia<br />
artist Nina Koepcke will collaborate on the<br />
show, which runs from March 25 to April 26, with<br />
a reception on Sunday, March 29, from 2:30 to 6 p.m.<br />
Chong paints what strikes her fancy and finds<br />
results in colorful tangents of the imagination.<br />
For “Divergent Views,” she gathers an eclectic<br />
selection of images into a collective representation<br />
of her work. A camera collection, objects on her<br />
kitchen windowsill, local landscapes and general<br />
paraphernalia go into the mix. Her work endeavors<br />
to bring personality, humor and/or character into the<br />
everyday-object scenes that she paints.<br />
Koepcke asks the questions “Inward looking or<br />
outward looking; what does the viewer see and<br />
what does he or she interpret when viewing an<br />
image? What is in front of the image and what is<br />
behind it? How does one’s view mask or reveal<br />
the artists’ intentions?” <strong>The</strong>se are all views to<br />
consider in new works by Koepcke and Chong.<br />
Drawing inspiration from African Makishi<br />
masks, Koepcke explores the idea of<br />
masquerading in a series of monotypes and<br />
ceramic works.<br />
San Mateo County<br />
History Museum<br />
2200 Broadway St., <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
650-299-0104<br />
www.historysmc.org<br />
Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.<br />
$2–$4; free for children 5 and under<br />
<strong>The</strong> History Museum is housed inside the historic<br />
1910 County Courthouse. Over 50,000 people<br />
visit the museum each year, and the number of<br />
local residents who hold memberships is growing.<br />
<strong>The</strong> History Museum teaches approximately<br />
14,000 children each year through the on- and<br />
off-site programs. <strong>The</strong> museum houses the<br />
research library and archives that currently hold<br />
over 100,000 photographs, prints, books and<br />
documents collected by the San Mateo County<br />
Historical Association.<br />
Ongoing Exhibits<br />
<strong>The</strong> Great Rotunda. <strong>The</strong> stained-glass dome<br />
of the rotunda, thought to be the largest in a<br />
Pacific Coast public building, is the architectural<br />
highlight of the museum building.<br />
Courtroom A. <strong>The</strong> oldest courtroom in San<br />
Mateo County has been restored to its appearance<br />
in 1910.<br />
Nature’s Bounty. This exhibit gallery explores<br />
how the earliest people of the Peninsula used<br />
the natural resources of the area and how those<br />
resources were used to help build San Francisco<br />
after the discovery of gold in 1849.<br />
Journey to Work. This exhibit gallery shows<br />
how transportation transformed San Mateo<br />
County from a frontier to suburbs.<br />
Carriage Display. An exhibit of the museum’s<br />
30 horse-drawn vehicles.<br />
Charles Parsons Gallery. An exhibit of the 23<br />
historical model ships created by Charles Parsons<br />
of San Carlos.<br />
Politics, Crime and Law Enforcement. <strong>The</strong><br />
Atkinson Meeting Room includes the Walter Moore<br />
Law Enforcement Collection of historic badges.<br />
San Mateo County History Makers:<br />
Entrepreneurs Who Changed the World. <strong>The</strong><br />
exhibit chronicles the entrepreneurs who made<br />
San Mateo County internationally known.<br />
Land of Opportunity: <strong>The</strong> Immigrant<br />
Experience in San Mateo. <strong>The</strong> exhibit tells the<br />
stories of the diverse people who came to the area<br />
and explores how different groups faced hardships<br />
and discrimination. It highlights the experiences<br />
of the early immigrant groups — Chinese,<br />
Japanese, Irish, Italians and Portuguese — in the<br />
late 1800s.<br />
Living the California Dream. <strong>The</strong> exhibit<br />
depicts the development of the suburban culture<br />
of San Mateo County.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Celtic Tiger: <strong>The</strong> Irish Economic Miracle.<br />
<strong>The</strong> exhibit explores how the Bay Area has<br />
participated in Ireland’s current economic boom.<br />
Angelica’s Bistro<br />
863 Main St.<br />
Downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
650-365-3226<br />
Marty Atkinson<br />
West Coast Songwriter Celebration to Honor<br />
Jennifer Addan<br />
Dinner and live performance<br />
Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m.<br />
Dinner starts at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.<br />
Call 650-365-3226 for reservations<br />
(continued on page 12)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 11
Cultural Events<br />
(Angelica’s Bistro, continued from page 11)<br />
Brett Reeves and Jason Powers<br />
Dinner and live performance<br />
Friday, April 3, 8 p.m.<br />
$5 cover charge<br />
Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.<br />
Red Desert Dancers<br />
Saturday, April 11, 8 p.m.<br />
$5 cover charge<br />
Nancy Gilliland Trio<br />
Dinner and dancing<br />
Saturday, April 18, 8:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m.<br />
$10 advance, $15 door<br />
Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., music starts at 8:30 p.m.<br />
County Line Trio<br />
Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.<br />
$20 cover charge plus dinner<br />
Dan Schneider<br />
Dinner plus folk, rock and country<br />
Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.<br />
$5 cover charge<br />
Dinner starts at 6 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir last show was sold out! <strong>The</strong> Red Desert<br />
Dance Company, back by popular demand, is<br />
based in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. <strong>The</strong>y bring fun, fusion<br />
and fabulous energy to the dance floor with a<br />
variety of props and dances ranging from candles,<br />
swords, veils, drum solos, tribal, cabaret and<br />
more. Winners in the local Fourth of July parade<br />
several years in a row, they perform at a variety<br />
of functions, including the three-day festival,<br />
Rakassah, in Vallejo in March.<br />
Whiskey Hill Band<br />
Dinner and dancing<br />
Friday, April 17, 8 p.m.–11 p.m.<br />
$5 cover charge<br />
Dinner starts at 6 p.m., music starts at 8 p.m.<br />
<strong>The</strong> South City Blues Band<br />
Dinner and dancing<br />
Friday, April 24, 8:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m.<br />
$10 cover charge<br />
Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., music starts at 8:30 p.m.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Valerie Jay Band<br />
“Country rock”<br />
Dinner and dancing<br />
Saturday, April 25, 8:30 p.m.<br />
$5 cover charge plus dinne<br />
Advertise With <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Give Us a Call 650.368.2434<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Donate Your Vehicle<br />
650-363-2423<br />
Proceeds support Kainos Home & Training Center<br />
Providing quality residential, vocational and support services to developmentally<br />
disabled adults, enabling them to become active, contributing members of the<br />
community.<br />
Maximum Tax Deductions – We handle paperwork<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 13
REDWOOD CITY<br />
THROUGH THE YEARS<br />
<strong>The</strong> Alhambra <strong>The</strong>atre (Opera House)<br />
By Darold Fredricks, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Alhambra ca 1890 (San Mateo County<br />
Historical Association)<br />
Grand opening poster (San Mateo<br />
County Historical Association)<br />
1906 earthquake damage Gevert and William (age 5) Plump<br />
ca 1870<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Democrat,<br />
Aug. 20, 1895:<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Alhambra of <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
may never rival in grandeur and<br />
historic association the famous<br />
place of Granada, but it will give<br />
to the progressive dwellers in the<br />
capital of San Mateo County all<br />
the comforts of a modern opera<br />
house. It is wholly in harmony with<br />
the spirit of esthetic progress on<br />
the Peninsula that A. Page Brown<br />
should plan and Charles Josselyn<br />
build an opera house worthy of the<br />
City. <strong>The</strong> house is of the mission<br />
type of architecture with the<br />
blending of the Moorish. <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
a series of ornamental windows<br />
across the front, heavy cornices<br />
project and the tiled roof lends<br />
poetry to the structure. <strong>The</strong> building<br />
is to be of brick, sand finished.<br />
Seating capacity for 800 people<br />
will be provided. A spacious stage<br />
and fine dressing rooms will delight<br />
the actors and singers. <strong>The</strong>n the<br />
auditorium is so picturesque with its<br />
quaint timbers overhead instead of<br />
the finished ceiling.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> desires of the young people<br />
of <strong>Redwood</strong> City have not lacked<br />
consideration; dancing in the<br />
Alhambra is sure to be a delight,<br />
for the floor is laid on lines to<br />
make dancing agreeable. Below<br />
will be stores and a café. Electric<br />
lights, gas jets and fire escapes<br />
are to be provided for the building.<br />
Contractor Robert Brown, who built<br />
the Burlingame Country Club, will<br />
construct the new opera house.”<br />
Charles Josselyn did not hold back<br />
on his investing when building the<br />
Alhambra <strong>The</strong>atre. He wanted it to<br />
be the most glamorous and dramatic<br />
building on the San Francisco<br />
Peninsula. He also wanted it to be a<br />
proud partner to the courthouse just<br />
several blocks west. Employing A.<br />
Page Brown, one of the most famous<br />
and well-respected architects in<br />
California and throughout the<br />
country, is evidence of Josselyn’s<br />
intent to make this structure equal<br />
to the architect’s and the owner’s<br />
characters for grandness and beauty.<br />
<strong>The</strong> grand opening was on the<br />
evening of Jan. 20, 1895. <strong>The</strong><br />
performance was “Men and<br />
Women” and was performed by<br />
the troupe of T. Daniel Frawley<br />
Company. <strong>The</strong> company had<br />
appeared at the Columbia <strong>The</strong>ater,<br />
in San Francisco, the Saturday night<br />
preceding and received excellent<br />
reviews. <strong>Redwood</strong> City turned out<br />
in droves, purchasing all 800 of the<br />
tickets. Grand scenery and elegant<br />
costumes were the order of the day<br />
for this magnificent production. A<br />
nine-piece orchestra supplied the<br />
music introducing the play and at<br />
intermission. <strong>The</strong> orchestra also<br />
played for the dance that followed<br />
the play, making the evening a very<br />
special social occasion. Twenty-five<br />
percent of the gross receipts were<br />
donated to <strong>Redwood</strong> City so the<br />
town could purchase a grand clock,<br />
which was placed in the new school<br />
building across from the courthouse.<br />
<strong>The</strong> San Francisco Chronicle<br />
ran a long story about the grand<br />
opening. <strong>The</strong> reporter was<br />
obviously impressed with the<br />
theater and the troupe, as his review<br />
was again excellent. His prediction<br />
for the theater was that it would be<br />
a part of a circuit of the best in the<br />
country. He commented especially<br />
on the curtain drop and the painted<br />
scenery of a Venetian setting.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theater was more than just a<br />
playhouse; it was a place of social<br />
significance as well. It served as<br />
a community gathering spot even<br />
when no performance was planned.<br />
<strong>The</strong> great earthquake in April<br />
1906 did substantial but not fatal<br />
damage to the Alhambra. <strong>The</strong><br />
inside was damaged, as well as the<br />
external walls. <strong>The</strong> San Francisco<br />
Call commented on June 10, 1906,<br />
“It has been given out that Charles<br />
Josselyn, after several careful<br />
inspections, has decided to have<br />
the Alhambra <strong>The</strong>atre restored<br />
and the interior of the playhouse<br />
reconstructed along new lines. It is<br />
designed to have the stage removed<br />
to the rear portion of the building<br />
and to extend the building in that<br />
direction. <strong>The</strong> auditorium will<br />
thus be enlarged, the long entrance<br />
hallway dispensed with, and better<br />
and safer entrances and exits provided.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> theater gradually was used<br />
less and less, and by World War<br />
I, the only activity was a dance<br />
company academy that was used<br />
primarily to entertain the soldiers<br />
training at Camp Fremont in Menlo<br />
Park. William Plump, the son of the<br />
well-known early pioneer Gevert<br />
Plump, purchased the building in<br />
the mid-1910s and opened a saloon<br />
on the ground floor that was very<br />
popular for quite a period of time.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Lodge No.<br />
168, F. & A.M. (Free & Accepted<br />
Masons), bought the property<br />
in 1921. <strong>The</strong>y did a great deal of<br />
renovation and held a dedication<br />
of their new meeting place on<br />
Aug. 23, 1923. This is the oldest<br />
Masonic Order on the Peninsula.<br />
<strong>The</strong> adjoining structure, owned<br />
by the International Order of Odd<br />
Fellows, was given a common<br />
facade. <strong>The</strong> internal wall structures<br />
were changed during this period as<br />
well. Later, a kitchen was added to<br />
the back of the building. Many of<br />
the old-timers will remember those<br />
steep steps both in the front and the<br />
back of the building.<br />
Following a fire several years<br />
ago, John Anagnostou decided to<br />
restore the building to, as closely<br />
as possible, its original appearance.<br />
He is still looking at what would<br />
be the best way to use the ground<br />
floor that was the saloon. <strong>The</strong> upper<br />
floor, however, will be again part<br />
of the entertainment industry. We<br />
all hope it will return to one of the<br />
community’s favorite places to rub<br />
shoulders and meet friends.<br />
Editor’s note: <strong>The</strong> Alhambra<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre is on Main Street 60 yards<br />
south of Broadway and has recently<br />
been beautifully restored as an<br />
office building and pub/restaurant.<br />
Its mahogany front gives it all the<br />
appearances of a place where Wyatt<br />
Earp would have spent his hardearned<br />
money. <strong>The</strong> restoration<br />
process was continuing at the time<br />
this article was written.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Community Interests<br />
Grand Jury Says Green-Light More Red-Light Cameras<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City should green-light more red-light cameras because the use of<br />
one at the intersection of eastbound Whipple Avenue at Veterans Boulevard<br />
increased safety in its first six months of use, according to a San Mateo<br />
County Civil Grand Jury report.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city installed traffic enforcement equipment at the intersection in 2007<br />
based on five years of <strong>Redwood</strong> City Police Department data of collisions<br />
caused by drivers running red lights. <strong>The</strong> police found that during that time,<br />
there were 76 crashes of which 64 involved vehicles traveling eastbound on<br />
Whipple Avenue.<br />
<strong>The</strong> camera went live in February 2008, and in the first half-year, 527<br />
citations were issued. <strong>The</strong>re was only one collision, compared to an average<br />
of six accidents every six months between 2001 and 2005.<br />
While the grand jury looked favorably at the camera, it did offer some<br />
suggestions for improvement. Signage does not include warnings for drivers<br />
headed east, and the city should place a link on its home page offering<br />
general information to the public about the program, the jury recommended.<br />
<strong>The</strong> full report is available at www.sanmateocourt.org/grandjury.<br />
Governor Appoints <strong>Redwood</strong> City Resident<br />
Marlon Evans, 34, of <strong>Redwood</strong> City, has been appointed to the Commission<br />
on Teacher Credentialing by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Since 2006, Evans<br />
has served as the executive director for All Stars Helping Kids. Prior to that,<br />
he served as a director at the Knowledge Is Power Program Foundation from<br />
2003 to 2006 and was a major gifts officer for Stanford University Office of<br />
Medical Development from 2002 to 2003.<br />
Evans was the assistant director of undergraduate admissions at<br />
Stanford University from 1998 to 2001 and was a free agent with the NFL’s<br />
Indianapolis Colts in 1998 and the Carolina Panthers in 1997. He is a member<br />
of the Sports4Kids Bay Area Advisory Board of Directors.<br />
Cañada College Receives $600,000 Grant<br />
Cañada College in <strong>Redwood</strong> City has received a $600,000 grant from the<br />
National Science Foundation that will help students majoring in fields such as<br />
science, math and engineering.<br />
<strong>The</strong> National Science Foundation will provide the scholarships to students<br />
of the community college during the next five years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> grant provides $3,000 to students eligible for trigonometry and $4,000<br />
annually to students ready for calculus. Each student could receive as much<br />
as $15,000 over three years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> scholarship is open to community college students and graduating<br />
high school students. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.<br />
Fair Oaks Children’s Clinic Remodel Completed<br />
<strong>The</strong> ribbon cutting ceremony and reception held at the Fair Oaks Children’s<br />
Clinic Jan. 22 marked the completion of a major remodeling of the medical<br />
home to more than 4,000 area children. <strong>The</strong> clinic provides health care that<br />
includes physicals and exams, asthma care, immunizations and mental health<br />
services.<br />
<strong>The</strong> $400,000 refurbishing of exam rooms was underwritten by the San<br />
Mateo County Health Foundation, an independent community foundation<br />
supported solely through donations and managed by a volunteer board of<br />
directors. <strong>The</strong> San Mateo County Health Foundation raises funds to address<br />
health care concerns facing residents of San Mateo County. Most of its<br />
support goes to programs located at the San Mateo Medical Center and<br />
affiliated community health clinics.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Foundation recognized the outstanding care provided to children at<br />
the clinic. We were pleased to do our part in making this remodel possible,”<br />
said Lee Michelson, executive director of the foundation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Fair Oaks Children’s Clinic is located at 603 Laurel St. in <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City on the grounds of Hoover School. Financial assistance is offered to those<br />
who do not have insurance. For information about hours of operation and<br />
appointments call 650-261-3710.<br />
Five Stars for <strong>Redwood</strong> City Library<br />
Congrats to the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Public Library, which received the coveted<br />
“five-star rating” from the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, a<br />
new rating system. <strong>The</strong> honor makes the library the top-rated of its size in the<br />
Bay Area and one of two top-rated mid-size libraries in all of California.<br />
Rite Aid Winner From <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Christina Granato of <strong>Redwood</strong> City won first prize in Rite Aid’s “Win a Day<br />
With Denise Austin” sweepstakes. Granato and a guest will be escaping to<br />
the Lansdowne Resort in Lansdowne, Va., for a free three-day, two-night<br />
luxury spa getaway, including spa treatments and a workout session with<br />
fitness expert Denise Austin. Way to go, Christina!<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City District Put New $91 Tax on Ballot<br />
A $91 annual parcel tax would mean an estimated $2.3 million per year for<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City schools if voters approve the ballot measure in June.<br />
Faced with $4 million to $6 million in budgetary cuts, the <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to put a parcel tax<br />
before residents during a special election in June. <strong>The</strong> five-year levy will<br />
require a two-thirds yes vote to pass. School officials were optimistic the<br />
measure could pass, but only with the support of volunteers helping spread<br />
the word of the district’s needs.<br />
“This is about our kids. We can save jobs and, while saving jobs, make a<br />
better educational experience for our kids,” said Trustee Dennis McBride.<br />
<strong>The</strong> key to success will be education, said Alisa MacAvoy, who added that<br />
once people understand the need, they are ready to help. But first, they need<br />
to know what the district is facing.<br />
A $91 parcel tax, if passed, would generate $2.3 million in revenue for<br />
five years. Currently, the district is facing $3 million in mid-year cuts and $4<br />
million to $6 million in reductions for next year. As a result, the board voted<br />
to release staff.<br />
“If we don’t have people there who care about kids, our kids are not going<br />
to get what they need. I just feel that we have to take this risk,” said board<br />
President Shelly Masur. “We have to do something.”<br />
Those in attendance showed excitement and support for the parcel tax prior<br />
to the board’s vote.<br />
For parent Ray Dawley, there were many reasons to move ahead with the<br />
parcel tax. One major reason was that children within the elementary school<br />
district funnel into the Sequoia Union High School District. All neighboring<br />
districts that also go to the Sequoia district have parcel taxes and spend more<br />
money per student, he said.<br />
Last week, the board heard results of a 400-person phone interview<br />
conducted by Godbe Research regarding a potential parcel tax.<br />
Support for such a measure was at 69 percent when respondents were<br />
initially asked about a $91 annual parcel tax. Those polled were more likely<br />
to support a measure aimed at maintaining science programs, attracting<br />
and retaining quality teachers, keeping school libraries and services open,<br />
maintaining technology in classrooms, maintaining music and art programs,<br />
continuing electives in middle schools and providing reading and math<br />
tutoring programs for students.<br />
After hearing information about the potential tax, support for a $91 levy<br />
grew to 73 percent.<br />
A 2008 survey showed similar support and resulted in a suggestion of a<br />
five-year term.<br />
In February, the district sent out 24,000 fliers with a survey to registered<br />
voters within the city. <strong>The</strong> mailer was sent out in English and Spanish. <strong>The</strong><br />
survey was also available online. About 800 surveys were returned by mail<br />
and 80 were conducted online. Out of the surveys returned, only 5 percent<br />
were opposed to a parcel tax.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City previously attempted a parcel tax in 2005 but only earned<br />
61.69 percent support.<br />
Jefferson, San Carlos and Woodside elementary school districts all put<br />
parcel taxes on an all-mail ballot in May.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 15
GREAT gifts for Mother’s and Father’s Day<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Parties Around Town Kainos/Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club Irish Night, Saturday, March 14<br />
Top left: Attorney Ted Hannig, Councilman Ian Bain, Paula Uccelli and Marilyn Territo. Top right: Connie Guerrero, Lilia Ledezma and Nori Jabba. Bottom left: Councilman Ian<br />
Bain, Paul and Jane Taylor, Cheri and Kevin Bondonno and Marc Manuel. Bottom middle: Rotary President Brandy Navarro and husband Danny, Cañada College soccer coach<br />
Kurt Devlin and Jennifer. Bottom right: Mayor Rosanne Foust and Councilman Jim Hartnett with former Mayor Jack Greenalch and his wife, Barbara.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 17
Changing the Face of Sequoia High:<br />
<strong>Morgan</strong> <strong>Marchbanks</strong> Looks Back and Ahead<br />
By Judy Buchan, Contributing Writer<br />
S t a b i l i t y .<br />
P u r p o s e .<br />
Discipline.<br />
P a s s i o n .<br />
Leadership.<br />
Ask Sequoia High School grads and<br />
colleagues about Principal <strong>Morgan</strong><br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong>, and you’ll hear those<br />
words and many more.<br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong> is stepping down from her post<br />
as principal at the end of the current school<br />
year. She has been accepted into the doctorate<br />
program at the University of California, Berkeley,<br />
where she will work toward a doctorate degree in<br />
educational policy and organizations research.<br />
As she comes to the end of her career at<br />
Sequoia, <strong>Morgan</strong> reflected on how she found<br />
Sequoia when she became principal in 2000, how<br />
she leaves Sequoia in 2009 and much more.<br />
“When I was appointed to Sequoia as interim<br />
principal in June 2000, there were multiple<br />
issues to address, as was explained to me by<br />
the superintendent, Dr. Jo Ann Smith, and the<br />
district’s board of trustees,” she recalled.<br />
She listed the challenges waiting for her when<br />
she assumed the principal’s role. “<strong>The</strong>re was the<br />
issue of low staff morale as a consequence of the<br />
constant turnover of principals and the lack of<br />
consistent leadership. <strong>The</strong>re was also an issue<br />
with inconsistent handling of disciplinary matters<br />
with students related to the constant turnover of<br />
site leadership. <strong>The</strong>re was declining enrollment<br />
at Sequoia due to open enrollment and the<br />
perception of Sequoia in the larger community as<br />
a ‘failing school.’ <strong>The</strong>re was the very real problem<br />
of the low Academic Performance Index (API)<br />
score, which was the lowest in the district and<br />
among the lowest in the county. And, there was<br />
the debate raging in the community and the media<br />
about whether the Cherokee Indian should be the<br />
school’s mascot.”<br />
And she was off and running.<br />
“My goals, as set by the district upon hire, were<br />
to improve the academic performance of Sequoia<br />
High School, reverse the trend of declining<br />
enrollment with the implementation of the<br />
International Baccalaureate program and facilitate<br />
the resolution of the Cherokee mascot debate,”<br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong> said.<br />
Her personal goals were equally as daunting.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> goals which I set for myself as a leader were<br />
to retain and hire the most qualified faculty to<br />
address the diverse needs of the Sequoia student<br />
body, to respond to staff concern that students<br />
could address their academic issues without first<br />
addressing health and mental health issues, and to<br />
prove what I have felt as a novice teacher and then<br />
English department chair at Sequoia in the early<br />
’90s: that it was the best school for its positive<br />
climate, the spirit of ‘unaliyi’ (a Native American<br />
Cherokee word) and its focus on equity and<br />
achievement for all students.”<br />
Did it work? Ask Lorraine Rumley, president of<br />
the district board of trustees. “I’m glad both my<br />
girls went through Sequoia during the <strong>Morgan</strong><br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong> era,” she said. “<strong>Morgan</strong> is very<br />
passionate about education and access for all<br />
students, no matter their socioeconomic status,”<br />
she continued. No roadblocks kept students from<br />
learning, but they had to challenge themselves,<br />
Rumley told me. <strong>The</strong> International Baccalaureate<br />
program did not require an entrance exam, only<br />
the willingness to work. “I am very appreciative<br />
of <strong>Morgan</strong>’s work. She brought discipline to<br />
Sequoia, made it a comfortable place for students<br />
to learn and develop,” Rumley added.<br />
Ken Rolandelli, president of the Sequoia High<br />
School Alumni Association, agrees. “I believe<br />
that <strong>Morgan</strong> has done nothing less than an<br />
outstanding job at Sequoia. She brought Sequoia<br />
from the doldrums, both in terms of academics<br />
and morale, to a position of stature in academic<br />
circles and in the community in which it serves.<br />
It became obvious to me about two years ago<br />
that <strong>Morgan</strong> would be moving on to even greater<br />
achievement. So I am not surprised about her<br />
leaving. I wish her the best and thank her for all<br />
she has done. She leaves big shoes to fill, but I<br />
believe she has set a foundation and created a<br />
mindset where Sequoia will carry on successfully<br />
in her absence.”<br />
“She was great for Sequoia, providing a sense<br />
of stability for students,” said Paul Sanfilipo,<br />
former councilmember and chair of the alumni<br />
association’s scholarship committee. “Sequoia’s<br />
academic scores went up, thanks to <strong>Morgan</strong>. As<br />
chairman of the scholarship committee, I found<br />
<strong>Morgan</strong> to be very helpful.”<br />
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. In November 2007,<br />
an incident at the football game between Sequoia<br />
and Half Moon Bay thrust <strong>Marchbanks</strong> into the<br />
forefront of dealing with racial issues.<br />
According to the Half Moon Bay Review,<br />
“Students and officials at Half Moon Bay High<br />
School have issued three written apologies in the<br />
wake of charges of racial insults and documented<br />
bad behavior during a football game pitting Half<br />
Moon Bay and Sequoia high schools.<br />
“All agree the game was marred by streakers,<br />
that eggs were lobbed into the Sequoia section<br />
of the stands and rocks later thrown at the team<br />
bus as Sequoia students left the Nov. 2 game.<br />
Allegations that someone leveled a racial epithet at at<br />
least one Sequoia player remain under investigation.”<br />
News coverage at the time was widespread.<br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong> was quoted as saying that she<br />
received a good deal of feedback because she<br />
responded to press queries.<br />
“Rather than let the CCS (Central Coast<br />
Section) investigate the matter and decide<br />
sanctions, I, as principal, along with our student<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
ecords officer, the <strong>Redwood</strong> City police and our<br />
vice principals, decided to take our own actions,”<br />
she said at the time.<br />
Also in 2007, the San Mateo Daily Journal<br />
published a story on allegations of recruiting<br />
violations and questions about two varsity<br />
basketball players’ residency. <strong>Marchbanks</strong><br />
subsequently fired coach Peter Simos and<br />
forfeited the remainder of the team’s South<br />
Division leading season.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re was very little evidence that the students<br />
in question lived at the address provided,”<br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong> told the Daily Journal. “<strong>The</strong>re was<br />
nothing that was credible that (indicated) they<br />
lived at the address in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. <strong>The</strong>re was<br />
also admission they were riding the train (Caltrain)<br />
two to three days a week (to get to school).”<br />
<strong>The</strong> school decided to forfeit its final three<br />
games of the regular season, as well as the 20<br />
wins the Cherokees had already earned.<br />
“Even if it was with best intentions, it is still by<br />
definition recruiting,” she said at the time.<br />
And there was more. Would she have done<br />
anything differently during the Cherokee mascot<br />
debate? “I was directed upon hire to facilitate the<br />
resolution of the Cherokee mascot issue with a<br />
broad-based and representative committee and<br />
to maintain neutrality in the matter. That is what<br />
occurred. And as I am still a district employee<br />
who is going on leave to pursue my further<br />
education, I feel I must maintain that promised<br />
neutrality. So, the directive was addressed as<br />
given by the board of trustees. Hence, I am<br />
satisfied that I did what was directed.”<br />
Another bubbling issue is that of cheerleader<br />
uniforms. “First, we are exceedingly proud<br />
to have an award-winning, nationally ranked<br />
cheerleading team. <strong>The</strong> matter of their uniforms<br />
during the school day has been addressed to<br />
the mutual satisfaction of the school and the<br />
cheerleaders’ parents. In order to address the<br />
equity concerns brought forth by students and<br />
faculty, the cheerleaders at Sequoia now wear<br />
outfits during the school day on game days which<br />
are compliant with the school dress code. In fact,<br />
they may wear their competition uniforms with<br />
leggings during school time. On cold days, we’ve<br />
noticed that they wear their warm-up uniform.<br />
During games, rallies and competitions, they<br />
wear their uniforms, unfettered by additional leg<br />
covering that would impede their movement. We<br />
are quite proud of our cheerleading squad, and we<br />
are proud of the shared decision-making process<br />
that brought forth this resolution.”<br />
And gangs. “<strong>The</strong>re isn’t gang activity at<br />
Sequoia per se,” <strong>Marchbanks</strong> said. “<strong>The</strong>re has<br />
never been a gang fight on campus during the<br />
13 years that I have worked there as a teacher<br />
or principal. <strong>The</strong>re are individuals on the<br />
campus who may be flirting with gang life<br />
or have been involved in gang life. This is so<br />
throughout our state and our nation. However,<br />
Sequoia disciplinary policy and mental health<br />
interventions we have on campus prevent any<br />
‘gang issue’ on the Sequoia campus. I am quite<br />
proud of the way Sequoia High School addresses<br />
the matter with laser-like focus to campus safety<br />
as well as the mental health issues of the students<br />
who are being courted by older gang affiliates and<br />
members. We work to empower students to discover<br />
their strengths, academically and in their characters,<br />
so the gang life doesn’t offer any attraction.”<br />
When asked to describe her worst day at<br />
Sequoia, she told me that “<strong>The</strong> worst days have<br />
all been associated with addressing the fallout<br />
from making hard decisions about matters to<br />
which the public or the press does not have all<br />
of the information, and the information is most<br />
often of a nature that I cannot fully disclose. I<br />
am the decision-maker, and those days when I<br />
take a beating have to do with making the best<br />
decision possible with confidential matters, so I<br />
am unable to disclose fully all of the facts so that<br />
the community can understand the reasons for my<br />
actions. Those are always the hardest days.”<br />
And the best days? “<strong>The</strong> best days are those in<br />
which our school receives recognition for the data<br />
which prove that we are doing the right things for<br />
kids. Period.”<br />
Looking back, <strong>Marchbanks</strong> saw that she<br />
achieved her goals. “I believe that I, and the<br />
Sequoia staff and Sequoia community, have<br />
achieved the goals set. I cannot claim credit for<br />
what the school has achieved; that would be<br />
counter to my educational philosophy as a leader.<br />
I couldn’t have gotten buy-in from the Sequoia<br />
staff if I hadn’t incorporated their goals into my<br />
own. Due to the reciprocity of respect and buyin<br />
at Sequoia, we have all achieved the goals<br />
that we set for the school. And, we have created<br />
programs that have improved the school’s success<br />
that were not in the vision of anyone when I<br />
began at Sequoia. <strong>The</strong>y were created out of our<br />
examination of our weaknesses and research into<br />
effective programs. We have created Personalized<br />
Learning Communities at the 9th and 10th grade<br />
levels. We are in the process of constructing a<br />
full offering of Interest Pathways for 11th and<br />
12th graders. We successfully installed a Teen<br />
Resource Center and a Teen Wellness Center<br />
that address the emotional and social issues that<br />
students confront that impede their academic<br />
progress when left untended.”<br />
“I believe the data are quite clear that the situation<br />
at Sequoia had changed immensely. We are a California<br />
Distinguished School which has received Title I Academic<br />
Achievement Award status.”<br />
Is she leaving Sequoia a better place?<br />
Absolutely. “I believe the data are quite clear that<br />
the situation at Sequoia had changed immensely.<br />
We are a California Distinguished School which<br />
has received Title I Academic Achievement<br />
Award status; this dual award was earned by<br />
only 16 middle and high schools in the state of<br />
California in that year, 2007. Add to that, we<br />
have twice appeared in the last two years among<br />
<strong>Morgan</strong> <strong>Marchbanks</strong> and school secretary Dottress Rollin<br />
(continues on next page)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 19
Parties Around Town<br />
Changing the Face of Sequoia High: <strong>Morgan</strong> <strong>Marchbanks</strong> Looks Back and Ahead<br />
(Continued from 19)<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
Newsweek magazine’s top 1,200 schools in the<br />
nation. Our International Baccalaureate (IB)<br />
exam-passed rate of 97 percent exceeds both the<br />
national and worldwide IB pass rates. We have<br />
more national board–certified teachers than any<br />
district school. And for the first time, Sequoia<br />
has drawn in the most students who live outside<br />
our attendance area than any other school in the<br />
district. This is an area, as I mentioned in the<br />
goals given to me by the board previously, where<br />
Sequoia has consistently been dead last. That<br />
reversal from declining enrollment to functioning<br />
as a magnet program for outlying areas within the<br />
district is proof positive that Sequoia’s perception<br />
in the community has changed dramatically.<br />
Again, the data speaks clearly as to the status of<br />
Sequoia High School since my arrival in 2000.”<br />
On March 20, <strong>Marchbanks</strong> will be inducted<br />
into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of<br />
Fame. Hall of Fame inductees are selected by<br />
impartial judges outside the county who make<br />
selections without knowing the identity of<br />
nominees. <strong>The</strong> Hall of Fame is sponsored by the<br />
county’s Commission on the Status of Women.<br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong> is now set to move forward to a<br />
new part of her life, in what else but education. “I<br />
now have the opportunity to pursue my lifelong<br />
dream to teach at the university level. I would be<br />
happy to teach either teachers or administrators,<br />
even both. And I fully intend to contribute to<br />
the body of research that examines the effect<br />
of equity-based policies in education and,<br />
conversely, to expose those programs and policies<br />
which run counter to the needs of students who<br />
have historic and predictable patterns of academic<br />
performance that prevented these groups from<br />
realizing full participation in our larger society.<br />
I hope to complete my Ph.D. in policy and<br />
organizations research at UC Berkeley within<br />
three to four years so that I can begin that aspect<br />
of my career.”<br />
“Sequoia will be losing a true leader in <strong>Morgan</strong><br />
<strong>Marchbanks</strong>,” said former coach Mike Mancini.<br />
“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working<br />
for <strong>Morgan</strong> for over 15 years. Her dedication and<br />
commitment to excellence at Sequoia will be truly<br />
missed. As the principal at Redeemer Lutheran<br />
School, I have enjoyed sending our graduates to<br />
Sequoia as part of the International Baccalaureate<br />
program that <strong>Morgan</strong> developed. Her constant<br />
care and concern for the school environment has<br />
been awesome and her continued drive to make<br />
Sequoia a better place has been noticed by many<br />
throughout the <strong>Redwood</strong> City community. Having<br />
been a resident of <strong>Redwood</strong> City for over 40 years,<br />
I have enjoyed watching the positive growth that<br />
has taken place under <strong>Morgan</strong> over her years as<br />
administrator. I wish her God’s richest blessings<br />
as she embarks on her new journey.”<br />
You go, girl!
Nonprofits in Action<br />
Advocates for Children<br />
For as little as 10 hours a month, you could make<br />
a lasting difference in the life of an abused and<br />
neglected child.<br />
Each year, 600 to 800 San Mateo County<br />
children enter the foster care system as a result of<br />
abuse and neglect. Advocates for Children, CASA<br />
of San Mateo County, is actively seeking caring<br />
and consistent adults to mentor and speak up<br />
for the best interests of these children. Over 130<br />
children are waiting for someone who cares.<br />
If you would like to become a volunteer<br />
advocate, or just want to learn more, please attend<br />
an orientation held in their San Mateo office. Visit<br />
their Web site (www.AdvocatesFC.org) or call<br />
650-212-4423 for more information.<br />
City Talk Toastmasters<br />
Join the City Talk Toastmasters to develop<br />
communication and leadership skills. <strong>The</strong> club<br />
meets Wednesdays 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the Council<br />
Chambers at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road.<br />
Call Manny Rosas at 650-780-7468 if you would<br />
like to check out a meeting, or just stop in. Visit<br />
www.toastmasters.org for more information about<br />
the Toastmasters public speaking program.<br />
CityTrees<br />
CityTrees is a nonprofit working with the Public<br />
Works Department to enhance and care for<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City’s urban forest. <strong>The</strong>y usually plant<br />
or prune on the third Saturday of each month.<br />
Check their Web site (www.citytrees.org) for a<br />
listing of events, dates and how to join.<br />
Family Service Agency of San<br />
Mateo County<br />
Looking for a dependable source of skilled,<br />
reliable workers? Family Service Agency of San<br />
Mateo County provides employers with mature,<br />
ready-to-work, experienced workers who are 55<br />
years and older. Employers contact the service<br />
because they appreciate the superior work ethic<br />
and the commitment to quality that mature<br />
workers possess. <strong>The</strong>re are no fees for hiring<br />
candidates. Contact Barbara Clipper at 650-403-<br />
4300, ext. 4368, to place your job order.<br />
For those who are looking for work and are<br />
at least 55 years of age, Family Service Agency<br />
provides a range of services, including referrals<br />
for classroom training, vocational counseling,<br />
job referrals and on-the-job training for qualified<br />
participants. Contact Connie Tilles at 650-403-<br />
4300, ext. 4371, if you are looking for work.<br />
Friends for Youth<br />
Do you like to play video games, shoot hoops,<br />
watch baseball games or just have fun? <strong>The</strong>n you<br />
have what it takes to be a mentor!<br />
As a mentor, you can hang out with a young<br />
person like Reggie. He’s a 12-year-old who<br />
loves pizza, baseball and cars. He lives with his<br />
grandmother and three sisters and would love to<br />
hang out with a guy and have fun. <strong>The</strong>re are 30<br />
boys like Reggie waiting to be matched with a<br />
mentor like you. Most of the boys wait more than<br />
a year to meet their mentors.<br />
If you are interested in becoming a mentor,<br />
you are invited to attend a one-hour information<br />
session in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. For upcoming<br />
sessions, call 650-482-2871 or e-mail mentor@<br />
friendsforyouth.org.<br />
Funders Bookstore<br />
If you haven’t wandered into the Funders<br />
Bookstore, you have missed one of <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City’s hidden treasures. This project is a<br />
volunteer effort by a group of dedicated people<br />
interested in supporting the San Mateo County<br />
History Museum and simultaneously providing a<br />
community bookstore for everyone’s pleasure. A<br />
large collection of hardback first editions, trade<br />
paperbacks, children’s books, cookbooks and an<br />
entire room of $1 paperbacks are featured.<br />
Bookstore hours are Tuesday through Saturday,<br />
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is on the lower level of the<br />
San Mateo County History Museum at 2200<br />
Broadway, with the entrance facing Hamilton<br />
Street. Stop by for a browse!<br />
Hearing Loss Association of the<br />
Peninsula<br />
Hearing Loss Association is a volunteer,<br />
international organization of hard-of-hearing<br />
people and their relatives and friends. <strong>The</strong><br />
nonprofit, nonsectarian, educational organization<br />
is devoted to the welfare and interests of those<br />
who cannot hear well but are committed to<br />
participating in the hearing world.<br />
A day meeting is held on the first Monday of<br />
the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial<br />
Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave. Educational<br />
speakers and refreshments are provided. A<br />
demonstration of assistive devices is held on the<br />
first Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in the<br />
second-floor conference room at the <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Public Library, 1044 Middlefield Road. Please call<br />
Marj at 650-593-6760 with any questions.<br />
Nursing Mothers Counsel<br />
Nursing Mothers Counsel, a nonprofit<br />
organization since 1955, provides free<br />
breastfeeding education and assistance by highly<br />
trained counselors (moms who breastfed for at<br />
least six months). To speak with a counselor (no<br />
fee), call 650-327-MILK (327-6455).<br />
NMC also has breast pumps and breastfeeding<br />
supplies available for purchase and rent. Call<br />
650-364-9579. If you’d like to become a trained<br />
counselor, call 650-365-2713. Visit their Web site<br />
at www.nursingmothers.org.<br />
Optimist Club of <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
<strong>The</strong> Optimists invite you to become a member of<br />
Optimist International, one of the largest service<br />
organizations in the world, where “bringing out<br />
the best in kids” has been their mission for over<br />
80 years. Whether you’re a club officer or a club<br />
member who enjoys the fellowship and friendship<br />
of others with a common greater good, Optimist<br />
International needs you and would like you as a<br />
member.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Optimist Club of <strong>Redwood</strong> City meets<br />
every Tuesday at 12 p.m. at Alana’s Cafe, 1020<br />
Main St. For information, visit www.optimist.<br />
org or call President Ed Rosen at 650-366-7589 or<br />
Membership Chair John Butterfield at 650-366-<br />
8803. Or just come join them for lunch to learn<br />
more about how you can make a difference to the<br />
youth in our community.<br />
Peninsula Hills Women’s Club<br />
Founded in 1960, Peninsula Hills Women’s Club,<br />
a member of the General Federation of Women’s<br />
Clubs and the California Federation of Women’s<br />
Clubs, is a philanthropic organization serving the<br />
community through charitable, educational and<br />
service programs. Meetings are held the third<br />
Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. For additional<br />
information, contact PHWC, P.O. Box 1394,<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94064.<br />
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA<br />
In addition to sheltering and finding new homes<br />
for stray and unwanted animals (100 percent<br />
placement for healthy dogs and cats since 2003!),<br />
PHS/SPCA has vital programs for people. <strong>The</strong><br />
shelter drives its mobile spay/neuter clinic into<br />
low-income neighborhoods, offering owners free<br />
“fixes” for their pets. PHS/SPCA also provides<br />
a free animal behavior help line in English and<br />
Spanish. Call 650-340-7022, ext. 783 or 786.<br />
And domestic abuse victims who wish to leave<br />
their abusive situation but are fearful of doing<br />
so because they have pets can receive temporary<br />
sheltering for their pets through PHS/SPCA. Call<br />
650-340-7022, ext. 330.<br />
Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club<br />
<strong>The</strong> Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club was chartered<br />
in April 1988. In the years since that time, the<br />
club has met weekly at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and<br />
to hear a speaker at the Waterfront Restaurant at<br />
Pete’s Harbor in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. <strong>The</strong> club, with<br />
22 members, has frequently been honored as an<br />
outstanding small club by Rotary District 5150,<br />
which includes San Mateo, San Francisco and part<br />
of Marin counties. For more information or to<br />
join, call Brandy Navarro at 650-367-9394.<br />
Rebuilding Together Peninsula<br />
RTP is a <strong>Redwood</strong> City nonprofit that provides<br />
free home repair and renovations for lowincome<br />
families, seniors and people living with<br />
disabilities throughout the Peninsula. RTP’s<br />
mission is to promote independent living in safety<br />
and warmth through volunteer partnerships<br />
with individuals and groups in the community.<br />
All repair work is completed during National<br />
Rebuilding Day, an annual event that takes place<br />
on the last Saturday of April. For this one-day<br />
rebuilding event, thousands of volunteers and<br />
sponsors unite to rehabilitate the homes and<br />
community facilities of our low-income neighbors<br />
and revitalize communities across the Peninsula.<br />
RTP is currently seeking skilled volunteers and<br />
construction captains. Come see how one day of<br />
your time can make a difference in someone’s<br />
life. If you are interested in volunteering, call<br />
650-366-6597. For more information, visit<br />
rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org.<br />
(continues on page 24)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 21
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Shop <strong>Redwood</strong> City: Now More Than Ever — Shop <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Shouldn’t you make the commitment to shopping locally? When you are shopping, dining or enjoying<br />
some entertainment, check out our Best of the Best selections below — businesses that not only<br />
provide excellent service but also contribute to our community. You will benefit because your sales tax<br />
dollars stay local and help us all.<br />
Auto Care:<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire – 1630 Broadway – <strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire was<br />
founded on the principles of good customer service and quality products<br />
at fair prices. Many satisfied customers have been with them since their<br />
founding. Whether you are looking for<br />
a new set of tires or need repair work<br />
on your vehicle, this <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
institution has been providing quality<br />
vehicle services since 1957. <strong>The</strong>y now<br />
have a free WiFi connection while<br />
you wait for your car to be serviced.<br />
Eating and Catering:<br />
Angelica’s Bistro – 863 Main St. –<br />
Located in the back of an antiques<br />
emporium, Angelica’s Bistro feels like<br />
it has been here since the 18th century.<br />
Sit in a cozy alcove and listen to<br />
romantic live music as you enjoy your<br />
meal. Lean at the counter and order a<br />
microbrew beer. Or sit in the garden among<br />
fountains and sculptures for afternoon tea. Visit www.angelicasbistro.com for<br />
menu and live entertainment offerings.<br />
Canyon Inn – 587 Canyon Road – “<strong>The</strong> Canyon Inn has had the same owner<br />
for over two decades, and every year it just keeps getting better. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
everything from their famous hamburgers to pizzas. <strong>The</strong>y also serve all kind<br />
of sandwiches and pastas, and they even have a South of the Border menu!<br />
<strong>The</strong>y now do Sunday breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Don’t forget to<br />
reserve their closed patio for your next party. <strong>The</strong>y have heaters, fans and a<br />
big screen TV (no extra charge). <strong>The</strong>y do catering, too!”<br />
Encore Performance Catering – 2992 Spring St. – No matter the<br />
occasion, owner Dave Hyman’s catering menu goes on for eight pages of<br />
mouthwatering suggestions for everything from casual to formal events.<br />
Despite an entire page devoted just to warm appetizers, these are mere<br />
suggestions, and Hyman is quick to offer additional possibilities to fit any<br />
occasion. He also has a strong sense of community and participates in many<br />
community-oriented events. Additionally, Hyman is proud of the fact that<br />
his business products are nearly 100 percent recyclable, and leftovers are<br />
contributed to St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Need a<br />
caterer for that party or event? Call Dave at 650-365-3731 or visit his Web site<br />
at www.epcatering.com.<br />
Little India – 917 Main St. – “<strong>The</strong>re are good restaurants. <strong>The</strong>re are bad<br />
restaurants. <strong>The</strong>re are OK restaurants. <strong>The</strong>n there are those places, the magic<br />
ones. You come back again and again because the food doesn’t just taste good<br />
and satisfy hunger, but helps heal the heart and soul.” Senior citizens receive<br />
$1 off and children under 12 dine at half price. www.littleindiacuisine.com.<br />
Financial Institutions:<br />
San Mateo Credit Union – Two <strong>Redwood</strong> City locations – As a memberdriven<br />
organization, SMCU does everything possible to ensure that all<br />
of your financial priorities are anticipated and fulfilled. Some of the more<br />
popular offerings include free personal auto shopping assistance, membersonly<br />
car sales, low-rate home loans and lines of credit. Contact them at 650-<br />
363-1725 or 888 363-1725, or visit a branch for additional information. Learn<br />
the advantages of membership banking.<br />
Legal Services:<br />
Business Profile of the Month<br />
Michelle Glaubert, Realtor at Coldwell Banker – 650-722-1193<br />
– Michelle doesn’t want to be one of the real estate agents that<br />
pass through your life; she wants to be the only Realtor in your<br />
life! When you work with Michelle once, she will do everything<br />
in her power to make you want to come back to her the next<br />
time you need real estate assistance. Since she works mainly<br />
on referral and repeat business, that strategy must be working!<br />
“People like my honesty and my follow-through,” says Michelle.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y know they can count on me and I absolutely refuse to let<br />
them down.” Visit her online at www.glaubert.com.<br />
Hannig Law Firm – 2991 El Camino Real – Hannig Law Firm LLP provides<br />
transactional and litigation expertise in a variety of areas. <strong>The</strong> professionals<br />
at HLF are committed to knowing and meeting their clients’ needs through<br />
long-term relationships and valueadded<br />
services, and to supporting<br />
and participating in the communities<br />
where they live and work.<br />
Personal Improvement:<br />
Every Woman Health Club – 611<br />
Jefferson Ave. – A women-only, bodypositive<br />
fitness center in downtown<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City. Services include<br />
classes, weight and cardio equipment,<br />
personal training, therapeutic massage<br />
and skin care. Flexible pricing, with<br />
several options available for members<br />
and nonmembers. Visit www.<br />
everywomanhealthclub.com or call<br />
650-364-9194.<br />
Re:Juvenate Skin Care – 1100 Laurel St., Suite F, San Carlos – Whether<br />
you are seeing a Re:Juvenate clinician for acne, sun damage, skin<br />
tightening, wrinkle reduction or laser hair removal, the process starts with a<br />
complimentary consultation with a member of the aesthetic staff. Call 650-<br />
631-5700 and mention <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
Home Improvements:<br />
Lewis Carpet Cleaners – 1-800-23-LEWIS – Founded in 1985, Lewis<br />
Carpet Cleaners has grown from one small, portable machine to a company<br />
of six employees and five working vans. <strong>The</strong> Lewis family works and lives<br />
in <strong>Redwood</strong> City and is committed to our community. Ask about their<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> special: Get 100 square feet of carpet cleaned for absolutely<br />
nothing. Call today!<br />
Specialty Businesses:<br />
Bizzarro’s Auto Auction – 2581 Spring St. – Owner Frank Bizzarro has<br />
a unique business that offers auto auctions, consignment vehicle sales,<br />
appraisal services and even ways to donate your vehicle to needing charities.<br />
If you are thinking of holding an event with a live auction to increase your<br />
fundraising efforts, Frank and his staff are also a one-stop auction team with<br />
spotters, clerks, sample catalogs, bid numbers, etc. Just give Frank a call at<br />
650-363-8055 and get details on all of their services.<br />
Castle Insurance – 643 Bair Island Road, #104 – Castle Insurance is an<br />
independent insurance agency. <strong>The</strong>y do not work for an insurance company;<br />
they work for their clients to ensure fair, prompt payment. <strong>The</strong>y represent a<br />
carefully selected group of financially sound, reputable insurance companies,<br />
and they place each client’s policy with the company offering the best<br />
coverage at a competitive price. Visit www.insurancebycastle.com or call<br />
650-364-3664 for a free quote.<br />
Saf Keep Storage – 2480 Middlefield Road – What is the Saf Keep<br />
advantage? Safe. Clean. Secure. At Saf Keep, they want you to know that you<br />
and your belongings are safe and secure. <strong>The</strong>y have a friendly and reliable<br />
team that is ready to assist you. Saf Keep offers a variety of storage products<br />
and services to suit all your storage needs. Visit www.safkeepstorage.com to<br />
see exactly what products and services are available. Compare them to other<br />
facilities and you’ll see why their service makes the difference.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 23
Nonprofits in Action (Continued from page 21)<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Art Center<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Art Center promotes creativity<br />
and community by providing art education,<br />
exhibitions, studio space for artists and outreach<br />
to the local community and schools.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Art Center has recently been involved with<br />
local events such as Target Family Day events, the<br />
Fair Oaks Middlefield event, the Pet Parade, the<br />
Salsa Festival and more. <strong>The</strong>y offered fun, creative<br />
art projects for children who were visiting the events,<br />
and the center hopes this is just the beginning of<br />
their involvement with the community.<br />
For scheduling or donation, contact artreach@<br />
redwoodcityartcenter.org. For more general<br />
information, visit www.redwoodcityartcenter.org<br />
or call 650-369-1823. Or visit in person at 2625<br />
Broadway, <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Eagles #418<br />
<strong>The</strong> Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international<br />
nonprofit united in the spirit of liberty, truth,<br />
justice and equality. <strong>The</strong> organization attempts to<br />
make human life more desirable by lessening its<br />
ills and promotes peace, prosperity, gladness and<br />
hope. For more than a century, the Eagles have<br />
had a major positive influence on our region, nation,<br />
world and, most importantly, our communities.<br />
It was the Eagles who pushed for the founding<br />
of Mother’s Day. <strong>The</strong>y support our police,<br />
firefighters and others who protect and serve. <strong>The</strong><br />
Eagles have provided support for medical centers<br />
across the country to build and provide research<br />
on medical conditions including heart disease,<br />
cancer, spinal cord injuries, kidney disease,<br />
diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. <strong>The</strong>y raise<br />
millions of dollars every year to help handicapped<br />
kids, uplift the aged and make life a little brighter<br />
for everyone.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y meet on the second Tuesday of each<br />
month at the Eagles Hall, 1575 Marshall St., at 6<br />
p.m. for a social hour and dinner meeting. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
play cards on the third Thursday and would love<br />
to have you join them. For more information,<br />
call President Ryan Herbst at 408-489-6582 or<br />
Secretary David Tomatis at 650-575-3225, or<br />
check out their Web site at www.foe418.org.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Education Foundation<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Education Foundation is an<br />
all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated<br />
to providing students in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
School District with a strong education that lays<br />
the foundation for future success. <strong>The</strong>y raise<br />
private money to provide enrichment programs<br />
to all students in the district. <strong>The</strong>ir funding is<br />
focused on academic achievement, music and<br />
art, and health and wellness. <strong>The</strong>y are currently<br />
seeking new board members. Board members<br />
are responsible for attending monthly meetings,<br />
chairing board committees, participating<br />
in fundraising and outreach activities, and<br />
promoting RCEF in the community. If you are<br />
interested in the possibility of serving on the<br />
board, please contact Adam Borison at 650-363-<br />
7271 or vp@rcef.org. For more information on<br />
RCEF, check out www.rcef.org.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Rotary<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Rotary performs many service<br />
projects, provides college scholarships and<br />
donates to international relief efforts. <strong>The</strong><br />
50-member club meets in a spirit of good<br />
fellowship and fun each Tuesday at 12:15 at the<br />
Sequoia Club, 1695 Broadway, to hear speakers<br />
and plan community benefits, including the<br />
annual July 4 raffle that raises $80,000 for 12<br />
local charities. For more information about joining,<br />
contact President Bob Doss at 650-368-3900.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Sunrise Lions Club<br />
This group is small but has a growing<br />
membership. All members either live or work<br />
in our community and share a common goal of<br />
making our city a better place to live. This club<br />
is one of over 44,000 Lions Clubs in 199 nations.<br />
Chartered in 1966, the club has been vigorously<br />
active helping eyesight-impaired youth in our<br />
schools and seniors who are hearing-impaired.<br />
Join them for breakfast! <strong>The</strong> Lions meet every<br />
Wednesday at Bob’s Court House Coffee Shop,<br />
2198 Broadway, beginning at 7:15 a.m. Call Bill<br />
Gibbons at 650-766-8105 for more details.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Women’s Club<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Women’s Club meets at the<br />
clubhouse, 149 Clinton St., the first Thursday of<br />
each month September through June. Social at<br />
11:30 a.m. and lunch at noon, followed by meeting<br />
and program. For information, visit the group’s<br />
Web site at rwcwc.com.<br />
Sequoia High School Alumni<br />
Association<br />
<strong>The</strong> group meets the fourth Tuesday of each<br />
month at the Sequoia District Board Room, 480<br />
James Ave., at 7 p.m. All alumni and friends<br />
of Sequoia are welcome to attend. For more<br />
information call Nancy at 650-592-5822, visit the<br />
Web site at sequoiahsalumniassoc.org or e-mail<br />
sequoiaalumni@earthlink.net.<br />
Sequoia Stamp Club<br />
This club was established in 1947 and invites<br />
community members to visit. <strong>The</strong> club meets<br />
at the Community Activities Building, 1400<br />
Roosevelt Ave., every second and fourth Tuesday<br />
at 7:45 p.m. <strong>The</strong>re is a program every meeting and<br />
refreshments are served. <strong>The</strong> dues are only $3<br />
per year. Contact Hank at 650-593-7012, e-mail<br />
sequoiastampclub@yahoo.com or visit the group’s<br />
Web site at www.penpex.org. Sequoia Stamp Club<br />
sponsors a free stamp show at the same location<br />
on the first weekend in December.<br />
Soroptimist International of South<br />
Peninsula<br />
<strong>The</strong> Soroptimists invite you to become a member<br />
of Soroptmist International, the world’s largest<br />
service organization for business and professional<br />
women, where “improving the lives of women<br />
and children” has been their mission since 1921.<br />
Soroptimists work through service projects to<br />
advance human rights and the status of women<br />
locally and abroad. <strong>The</strong>y meet the second<br />
Thursday of every month. For more information,<br />
please call their president, Maria, at 650-366-<br />
0668, Monday–Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.<br />
Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club<br />
Since October 1956, the Woodside Terrace A.M.<br />
Kiwanis Club has been devoted to community<br />
service in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Through the decades,<br />
the club has provided funds to help many worthy<br />
community programs and continues to add more<br />
community projects. <strong>The</strong> Key Club of Sequoia<br />
High School, sponsored by the Woodside Terrace<br />
A.M. Kiwanis Club, was chartered in 1994 and<br />
has been involved in raising money and donating<br />
time and effort to many programs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club<br />
meets every Tuesday evening 6–7 p.m. at Harry’s<br />
Hofbrau, 1909 El Camino Real (one block north<br />
of Woodside Road). <strong>The</strong>y invite you to come to<br />
their meetings and check out the club’s Web site at<br />
www.wtamkiwanis.org.<br />
Woodside Terrace Optimist Club<br />
This is a unique club made up of senior citizens<br />
who want to stay involved. Most, but not all, come<br />
from the residence at Woodside Terrace. <strong>The</strong> club<br />
is open to all of the community and provides an<br />
opportunity for seniors to be useful.<br />
<strong>The</strong> club’s funds are raised by a card, candy<br />
and necklace sale held on the fourth Wednesday<br />
of each month in the main lobby at 485 Woodside<br />
Road, open to the public.<br />
Lunches/meetings are at 12:30 p.m. on the<br />
second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in<br />
the Assisted Living Dining Room at Woodside<br />
Terrace. Guests are welcome. Please call President<br />
Jack Murphy at 650-780-9891 or Millie Cole at<br />
650-366-1392 for reservations.<br />
YES Reading<br />
This local organization is dedicated to<br />
empowering students through literacy and<br />
investing community members in underserved<br />
public schools. YES Reading recruits and trains<br />
community volunteers to provide one-on-one<br />
tutoring for elementary and middle school<br />
students reading below grade level.<br />
YES Reading operates several reading centers<br />
on the Peninsula and in the South Bay, including<br />
a site at Selby Lane School in Atherton. If you<br />
are interested in becoming a reading tutor for a<br />
child who needs your help, please call 408-945-<br />
9316 or email info@yesreading.org. Visit the YES<br />
Reading Web site at www.yesreading.org.<br />
Editor’s note: If you are connected with a<br />
nonprofit organization and want your information<br />
printed in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>, send it to writers@<br />
spectrummagazine.net or <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>,<br />
P.O. Box 862, <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94064. Let our<br />
community know your contributions and maybe<br />
they will want to join you.
San Mateo<br />
County<br />
HISTORY<br />
MUSEUM<br />
presents<br />
Honoring our Heritage:<br />
IMMIGRANTS DAY<br />
FESTIVAL 2 0 0 9<br />
SAVE<br />
THE<br />
DATE<br />
S a t u r d a y,<br />
M A Y 1 6<br />
N O O N - 5 P M<br />
Music & Dance Performance<br />
Groups representing African-Americans,<br />
Basque, Chinese, Croatians, Filipinos, Irish, Italians,<br />
Japanese, Mexicans and Portuguese.<br />
O N<br />
C O U R T H O U S E<br />
S Q U A R E<br />
S T A G E<br />
Food Tasting Card $ 5<br />
Above, Mexico Vivo performing<br />
San Mateo County History Museum<br />
2200 Broadway Street<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063<br />
CONTACT: 650-299-0104 or<br />
info@historysmc.org<br />
Thank You to our<br />
Sponsors<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 25
“It’s Not a Job, It’s a Real Profession”<br />
By Nicole Minieri<br />
“Going once, twice, three times, sold to the<br />
gentleman all the way in the back of the room,”<br />
is something you might hear being pitched by<br />
professional auctioneer Frank Bizzarro at the<br />
biweekly Bizzarro’s Auto Auction. <strong>The</strong> multiauction<br />
business includes public auto auctions,<br />
charity auction fundraisers and car donation<br />
auctions at three <strong>Redwood</strong> City locations: at 2581<br />
Spring St., on Edison Street and at Angelica’s<br />
Bistro on Main Street downtown. <strong>The</strong> Spring<br />
Street location is home to most of the auto<br />
auctions. Bizzarro, who is fully bonded and<br />
registered as a commercial fundraiser in the state<br />
of California, remains at the top of his game.<br />
Active in the auction industry since 1973, he has<br />
sold over 43,000 cars to date.<br />
Bizzarro was an Equity actor in New York<br />
for a number of years in the early ’70s and<br />
transitioned to auctions after responding to an<br />
ad for an apprentice auctioneer in New York. He<br />
pursued that avenue for a couple of years before<br />
entering the wholesale perfume industry. In 1983,<br />
Bizzarro and his wife moved to the Bay Area,<br />
and he eased his way back into working as an<br />
auctioneer. In 1989 he opened an antiques house,<br />
and in 1996 he launched Bizzarro’s Auto Auction.<br />
“It is quite enjoyable to do, especially if you like<br />
to perform,” said Bizzarro. “<strong>The</strong>re are a lot of<br />
people in auction, but only 20 percent of them<br />
are able to do it full time. And it is because that<br />
20 percent find a way to make it work.” Bizzarro<br />
most certainly has found a way to make it work,<br />
because he has the passion, will and drive to do<br />
so. In 2001 Bizzarro closed the antiques portion<br />
of his business but kept building upon his charity<br />
and auto auctioning enterprises.<br />
Today, how Bizzarro’s Auto Auction works is<br />
quite user-friendly. In return for selling their cars<br />
at the auction, patrons receive a cash advance,<br />
advertisements in newspapers and on Bizzarro’s<br />
Web site, comprehensive detailing services<br />
available right on the premises, DMV paperwork<br />
processing and secured storage. Usually, more<br />
than 100 cars are offered to the general public<br />
at an auction. All of the autos are available for<br />
previewing the day before the auctions, which are<br />
held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. For those who wish<br />
to donate their cars, boats, RVs or motorcycles in<br />
the auction, all of the IRS and DMV paperwork<br />
is processed for free. Vehicles are accepted<br />
regardless of running condition, smogged or not<br />
and with or without car titles. Parties donating<br />
vehicles have the opportunity to select the charity<br />
or school of their choice from among those that<br />
Bizzarro’s Auto Auction represents.<br />
Vehicle donation is highly encouraged and<br />
can benefit the donor in several ways. <strong>The</strong> donor<br />
experiences no problems in selling a used car or<br />
truck and receives the maximum tax-deduction<br />
benefit. Bizzarro’s also offers free pickup and<br />
towing services for the vehicle and handles all of<br />
the paperwork. Vehicles are then reconditioned on<br />
an as-needed basis before being sold.<br />
For those who wish to sell their vehicles on<br />
consignment through Bizzarro’s public auctions,<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Bizzarro’s Auctions – More Than Just Cars<br />
that procedure is quite easy as well. Interested<br />
parties must have proper registration and at<br />
least two forms of ID with a matching name<br />
and address in order to generate a valid bidder<br />
number. <strong>The</strong> vehicle must also pass the smog<br />
inspection. Because this is a public auction, there<br />
are absolutely no guarantees on the vehicles, and<br />
they are sold in “as is” condition.<br />
In addition to the auto auction, Bizzarro also<br />
heads Bizzarro’s Gala Event Auctions. This<br />
branch of the business specializes in charity<br />
fundraising auctions and is responsible for<br />
the success of more than 100 charity events<br />
throughout the Bay Area per year. In this forum,<br />
Bizzarro is able to utilize his entertainment<br />
roots and years of training as an actor. His<br />
formal training was at the American Academy of<br />
Dramatic Arts, and he also performed stand-up at<br />
New York’s legendary comedy spots, such as the<br />
Improv and Catch A Rising Star. It is Bizzarro’s<br />
talent as an actor that gives him a leading edge<br />
as a unique auctioneer and has made him one of<br />
the best in the industry for 25 years. Since 1984,<br />
Bizzarro’s has been a one-stop auction squad<br />
at the UCSF Neiman Marcus event. We netted<br />
$145,000.” And a statement released by the<br />
Sequoia Hospital Foundation said, “Your team<br />
helped make Celebrate the New Sequoia Ball and<br />
Auction extremely successful. <strong>The</strong> event netted a<br />
record breaking $1.2 million.”<br />
But what makes Bizzarro and his auto auctions,<br />
charity fundraising and car donations even more<br />
engaging is that he does it all within <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City. “We think <strong>Redwood</strong> City is great,” said<br />
Bizzarro. “I stayed in <strong>Redwood</strong> City and have<br />
invested in the downtown area because I believe<br />
in it. <strong>Redwood</strong> City is still the best focal point<br />
for any business. Not only have I invested the<br />
business aspect here, but also have invested in<br />
the real estate aspect. I want to continue to live<br />
in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. And I certainly still have a<br />
strong belief that in 10 to 15 years from now, that<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City will still be the focal point of many<br />
businesses to come.”<br />
As for Bizzarro’s thoughts on being a frontman<br />
in the auction scene, “It is not just a job; it’s<br />
a real profession. <strong>The</strong> idea of working with a<br />
live audience is very similar to doing a live<br />
“I stayed in <strong>Redwood</strong> City and have invested in the downtown area because<br />
I believe in it. <strong>Redwood</strong> City is still the best focal point for any business.”<br />
for gala events and has provided exceptional<br />
consultations and state-of-the-art technology.<br />
<strong>The</strong> incomparable auction team is renowned<br />
for taking auctions to the next level. Because of<br />
Bizzarro’s appealing character as an auctioneer in<br />
charity fundraising, he has caught both local and<br />
national attention and has appeared repeatedly on<br />
television and in magazines.<br />
Bizzarro’s has worked with hundreds of<br />
local schools and nonprofit agencies, and the<br />
impressive roster of clients includes Sequoia<br />
Hospital Foundation, Woodside High School,<br />
San Francisco Zoo, March of Dimes, Menlo-<br />
Atherton Education Foundation, San Francisco<br />
AIDS Foundation, Junipero Serra High School,<br />
Special Olympics, California State Parks<br />
Foundation, <strong>Redwood</strong> City PAL and Public<br />
Interest Clearinghouse. Most recently, Bizzarro’s<br />
orchestrated the Fremont Opera’s Gala “Springs<br />
in Seville” auction on Sunday, March 15. This<br />
event featured Bizzarro as auctioneer, musical<br />
performances by the Fremont Opera and the<br />
Nichols Party Band, and authentic Spanish tapas.<br />
With a full agenda always scheduled in the<br />
calendar, Bizzarro’s Gala Event Auctions is<br />
already booked well into 2010. Some of their<br />
upcoming auctions include those for Immaculate<br />
Heart Church and El Carmelo in April, Seton<br />
School in May, Rebuilding Together Peninsula<br />
in June, March of Dimes in October, Peninsula<br />
Symphony in November and Mercy High School<br />
in March 2010.<br />
For gala events, Bizzarro’s is truly the best<br />
in the business. Bizzarro has been praised as<br />
“entertaining and one who will make a live<br />
auction engaging and fun!” <strong>The</strong> Wheelchair<br />
Foundation stated, “Your auctioneer skills<br />
brought the highest prices at the live auction,<br />
and you and your staff kept the pace lively and<br />
fun.” From UCSF: “I can’t begin to thank you for<br />
the outstanding job you did for us as auctioneer<br />
performance on stage. And being an auctioneer<br />
is a great place to use a lot of things that I have<br />
learned along the way!” As to his durability as an<br />
auctioneer, Bizzarro certainly hopes to be around<br />
for another 25 years. Hmm… Doesn’t sound like<br />
there will be a “curtain call” on this performance<br />
anytime soon!<br />
If you are interested and would like to learn<br />
more about Frank Bizzarro, Bizzarro’s Auto<br />
Auction and Bizzarro’s Gala Event Auctions, as<br />
well as the services he provides through public<br />
auctions, charity fundraisers and car donations,<br />
please visit www.bizzarrosauctions.com or call<br />
650-363-8055.<br />
Bizzarro (center) at a community event with Frank Bartaldo and Phil Bucher.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 27
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www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
News Briefs<br />
Assault Trial Ordered in Fatal<br />
Stabbing<br />
<strong>The</strong> 21-year-old <strong>Redwood</strong> City man arrested for<br />
his alleged role in a fatal attack on a group of boys<br />
who threw rocks at a vehicle carrying him will<br />
stand trial for felony assault, a judge ruled after a<br />
preliminary hearing.<br />
Luis Antonio Herrera Jr., 21, has pleaded not<br />
guilty but was held to answer on the charge after<br />
the hearing in which the prosecution called a police<br />
officer and detective to testify. <strong>The</strong> hearing was<br />
held after a defense request for more time was denied.<br />
Herrera did not stab 15-year-old Matthew<br />
Johnson but did participate in the associated<br />
beating, according to the District Attorney’s Office.<br />
At approximately 1:20 a.m. Jan. 3, according<br />
to <strong>Redwood</strong> City police, Johnson and three other<br />
boys were throwing rocks at vehicles in the<br />
100 block of Franklin Street. A group of males<br />
left a red or orange compact car and reportedly<br />
confronted the boys. <strong>The</strong> encounter turned<br />
physical and Johnson was stabbed multiple<br />
times. He was taken to a local hospital and later<br />
pronounced dead.<br />
Authorities are still looking for others involved<br />
in the melee, including the person who did the<br />
actual stabbing.<br />
Herrera remains in custody in lieu of $25,000<br />
bail and a probation violation no-bail hold. He<br />
returns to court March 27 to enter a Superior Court<br />
plea and set a trial date.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Deemed AIDS<br />
Prevention Hot Spot<br />
Organizers of a female-targeted HIV/AIDS<br />
screening fair said more women than expected<br />
attended the event in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, where rates<br />
of AIDS infection are higher than in most of San<br />
Mateo County.<br />
Women, who comprise 12.5 percent of reported<br />
AIDS cases in San Mateo County, respond well<br />
to female-specific events like the recent HIV<br />
Awareness Health Fair for Women and Girls, said<br />
Danielle Castro, the education and prevention<br />
coordinator for the county’s AIDS program.<br />
“Often times women have a hard time discussing<br />
sexual ideas in a group with men,” she said.<br />
Castro said women’s risk of contracting HIV or<br />
AIDS often stems from “being on the receiving<br />
end if it’s having sex with a man.” Events like<br />
the health fair encourage women to be more<br />
aggressive with “condom negotiation,” or being<br />
empowered to require a partner to practice safe<br />
sex, she said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> event at the Fair Oaks Community Center<br />
in <strong>Redwood</strong> City offered free one-on-one<br />
counseling and HIV tests, with results available<br />
within 20 minutes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fair drew 30 attendees, 17 of whom<br />
got tested. This number exceeded Castro’s<br />
expectations.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
Former Lawyer to Trial on<br />
Embezzlement Charges<br />
<strong>The</strong> former <strong>Redwood</strong> City attorney accused of<br />
taking nearly $1 million from his clients through<br />
unpaid loans and forged documents will stand<br />
trial on seven charges of embezzlement and grand<br />
theft, a judge ruled after a preliminary hearing on<br />
the evidence.<br />
After the three-hour hearing, one misdemeanor<br />
and one felony were also dismissed against<br />
Edward Duff Hume. Hume, 60, of Solvang, was<br />
to return to court March 18 to enter a Superior<br />
Court plea and set a date for trial on charges of<br />
embezzlement by the executor of an estate, grand<br />
theft, forgery and second-degree burglary.<br />
Hume has already forfeited his license to<br />
practice law, but conviction on the charges could<br />
also hand him prison time.<br />
While practicing law in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, Hume<br />
allegedly took the money between July 6, 2004,<br />
and May 2006. Hume, who was a licensed<br />
attorney in <strong>Redwood</strong> City since 1975, represented<br />
Frederick Helversen in the family trust. After<br />
Helversen’s 2002 death, Hume acted as the trustee,<br />
and prosecutors say he embezzled $824,361.28<br />
over the course of 18 months.<br />
In 2006, Hume allegedly asked two other clients<br />
to loan him $100,000 for home improvements<br />
on the condition the money was repaid by the<br />
end of the year. Hume did not repay the funds<br />
and is accused of presenting a forged document<br />
to one victim’s Menlo Park bank in 2006 asking<br />
for $6,000 from her personal account. <strong>The</strong> bank<br />
would not honor the document after learning from<br />
the woman she didn’t approve the transfer.<br />
Hume resigned from the California Bar in<br />
September 2007. <strong>The</strong> request took effect in April<br />
and disciplinary proceedings are pending.<br />
After his initial arrest and charges, the District<br />
Attorney’s Office tacked on charges to more<br />
alleged victims, although those were dropped due<br />
to insufficient evidence.<br />
Hume remains in custody on $500,000 bail and<br />
must show any money posted did not come from<br />
ill-gotten means.<br />
Driver Guilty of Assault on<br />
Pedestrian<br />
A female motorist accused of intentionally hitting<br />
and dragging a woman in a <strong>Redwood</strong> City parking<br />
lot after the pair argued was sentenced to five<br />
years’ prison after pleading no contest to felony<br />
assault and felony hit-and-run.<br />
<strong>The</strong> plea change spared Gail Nora Mason, 54,<br />
trial on the greater charge of attempted murder.<br />
<strong>The</strong> District Attorney’s Office sought nine years<br />
and eight months in state prison, but the court<br />
countered with a straight five-year term. Mason<br />
was immediately sentenced and receives credit<br />
for 209 days against the term. She returns to court<br />
April 28 for a restitution report.<br />
Mason turned herself in to <strong>Redwood</strong> City police<br />
Sept. 2, the day after the alleged altercation.<br />
Mason and another woman, both transients,<br />
already knew each other and ran into one another<br />
in the parking lot across from discount retailer Big<br />
Lots. <strong>The</strong> pair argued over the victim’s boyfriend,<br />
according to the District Attorney’s Office.<br />
Angry, the victim reportedly broke the side<br />
mirror on Mason’s van. Mason, according to<br />
prosecutors, drove the van directly at the woman,<br />
who was standing in a curbed planter with her<br />
back to the vehicle. <strong>The</strong> van struck the woman,<br />
dragging her several feet before Mason reportedly<br />
fled. <strong>The</strong> victim sustained compressed vertebrae<br />
and serious lacerations.<br />
Mason has been in custody on no-bail status.<br />
Manager Charged With<br />
Embezzlement<br />
A former general manager at a <strong>Redwood</strong> City car<br />
dealership took $835,000 by writing himself<br />
unauthorized checks to spend on gambling, according to<br />
prosecutors who charged him with embezzlement.<br />
Cesar Emilio Caceres, 34, took the money from<br />
Putnum Lexus over a span of approximately eight<br />
months beginning last June, said Chief Deputy<br />
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.<br />
Caceres had the office manager cut checks from<br />
business accounts by saying they were authorized<br />
by two of the three necessary people, Wagstaffe said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> loss was reportedly discovered by the owner<br />
while reviewing the auto dealership’s books. <strong>The</strong><br />
money was used by Caceres for gambling, said<br />
Wagstaffe, although he did not know what type.<br />
Calls to Putnum Lexus went unanswered.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City police arrested Caceres Feb.<br />
26. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of felony<br />
embezzlement and an allegation of theft of more<br />
than $200,000. He did not waive his right to<br />
a speedy trial. He asked for a court-appointed<br />
attorney and was ordered back to court March 4<br />
for a Superior Court review conference and March<br />
9 for a preliminary hearing.<br />
Bail was set at $850,000 and Caceres remains in<br />
custody.<br />
He has no prior criminal history in San Mateo<br />
County, according to court records.<br />
Cops Close Case on Bomb Threat<br />
Police have given up looking for what they believe<br />
was a jaded, laid-off employee who called in bomb<br />
threats to a <strong>Redwood</strong> City company.<br />
On Jan. 22, a manager or owner at NeoPost,<br />
located at 3400 Bridge Parkway in <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
Shores, received repeated messages from an<br />
unidentified caller warning him of a bomb in the<br />
building, according to court documents.<br />
“Steven, this is the only time I’m going to tell<br />
you this. <strong>The</strong>re’s a bomb in the building,” the man<br />
(continues on page 32)
MAY 7<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 31
As I Was Saying…Continued from p6<br />
answered. But that is where maturity and experience come in.<br />
Nonetheless, she is a very impressive young lady and will be a fantastic<br />
representative of our community for the year to come. Robles has lived in<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City most of her life. <strong>The</strong> Woodside High School senior is currently<br />
a cheerleader (go figure) and previously played for the school’s volleyball<br />
team. She has attended Middle College at Cañada College. <strong>The</strong> program<br />
allows students to concurrently take high school and college level classes.<br />
As a result, students earn college credits while in high school. Robles is in a<br />
position to finish her general education at Cañada in a year, which is her plan.<br />
I told you, these young ladies are very impressive, as is the pageant. Next<br />
year, if you are asked, try to support it. It’s another way to help a student with<br />
educational goals and “stuff.”<br />
.…<br />
March is always a time when those in our community who work so hard<br />
volunteering and trying to raise money also give it away. Here are some of the<br />
highlights: <strong>The</strong> Sequoia Awards held their annual dinner at the Hotel Sofitel<br />
and gave away over $142,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors. <strong>The</strong><br />
Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club’s Irish Night raised over $23,000 to support<br />
local activities and had over 125 supporters eating a lot of corned beef and<br />
cabbage and drinking green beer. <strong>The</strong> Kiwanis Club’s “all-you-can-eat” Crab<br />
Cioppino Night was a real treat and netted the group over $9,000 to support all<br />
the community activities they fund. <strong>The</strong> community volunteer event Kaboom<br />
Build was held on Saturday, March 7, at Mezes Park (the “Tank Park”) and<br />
had over 300 community members helping to clean, paint, repair and build<br />
new playground equipment for the entire park. It was truly an exciting event<br />
to participate in and to watch. Could we live in a more giving community?<br />
.…<br />
This November’s City Council election is getting more competitive as the<br />
weeks go on, and we still have more than seven months to go. Here is a brief<br />
update on some of the candidates’ activities. Candidate Janet Borgens has<br />
gained new endorsements from Mayor Rosanne Foust, port Commissioners<br />
Ralph Garcia and Lorianna Kastrop and former Mayor Georgi LaBerge.<br />
Candidate Cherlene Wright has announced the endorsements of County<br />
Sheriff Greg Munks, Undersheriff and former <strong>Redwood</strong> City Police Chief<br />
Carlos Bolanos and Sequoia Healthcare District board member Art Faro.<br />
Candidate John Seybert recently held his campaign kickoff party at his<br />
Farm Hill home, and it was attended by Mayor Rosanne Foust; Council<br />
Members Alicia Aguirre, Jim Hartnett, Diane Howard and Barbara<br />
Pierce; planning Commissioners Jeff Gee (also a candidate) and Nancy<br />
Radcliffe; former Mayor Jack Greenalch; former City Manager Ed Everett;<br />
county Supervisor Rich Gordon; Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve<br />
Wagstaffe; school board members Alisa MacAvoy, Lorraine Rumley<br />
and Don Gibson; former school board member Chris Bohl; former county<br />
Sheriff and Sequoia Healthcare District member Don Horsley and former<br />
Assemblyman Ted Lempert. Also attending were business and community<br />
leaders Marc Manuel, Steve Howard, Max Keech, David Amann, Jeri<br />
Richardson, Paula Uccelli, Stacey Wagner, Bob Lutticken, Keith and Nina<br />
Kadera and Jack Castle.<br />
Candidate Kevin Bondonno is scheduled to have his kickoff event on<br />
Sunday, March 29, at the Red Morton Community Center.<br />
Not surprisingly, all six candidates are scheduled to attend the Chamber of<br />
Commerce’s 40th annual Progress Seminar to be held in Monterey on April<br />
17, 18 and 19.<br />
.…<br />
Godbe Research recently announced the results of a survey they conducted<br />
for developer David Bohannon of 400 Menlo Park residents on a project his<br />
company is trying to get approved that includes three eight-story towers on the<br />
east side of Highway 101 just south of Marsh Road. Sixty-five percent of the<br />
surveyed residents said they would support the project, noting that traffic was<br />
the main concern.<br />
Those results have to be sweet music to the ears of the No Additional Jails<br />
in <strong>Redwood</strong> City Coalition advocates who have suggested that area as a<br />
potential site for a new seven-story county jail. Considering the jail would<br />
be only one tower and have far less of a traffic impact, it seems like a perfect<br />
match. Hey, and a survey is already paid for. What more could you ask for?<br />
.…<br />
I know that you were all waiting on the edges of your seats to see what county<br />
Supervisor Rich Gordon was going to do next, right? Well, you can sit back<br />
now, because he has ended weeks of speculation about his political future and<br />
formally announced his plans to run for the 21st District State Assembly seat,<br />
trying to replace termed-out Ira Ruskin in 2010. As you may remember, I<br />
predicted that would happen in my January column.<br />
In declaring, he stated, “<strong>The</strong> bottom line is the state is so broken that I just<br />
feel somebody’s got to step up and fix it.” OK, do I really need to comment on<br />
this? Because I am sure you are thinking the same thing as I am.<br />
Expected to be challenging Gordon for the seat will be Palo Alto<br />
Councilwoman Yoriko Kishimoto, Foothill-De Anza Community College<br />
District board member Hal Plotkin and possibly fellow county Supervisor Rose<br />
Jacobs Gibson (who has not said whether she will run or not). <strong>The</strong> 21st District<br />
includes parts of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and the city of San Jose.<br />
It will be interesting to see if any of those candidates feel they are<br />
egotistical or naive enough to think they can single-handedly solve the state’s<br />
broken problems, especially if they have been part of the system for the past<br />
12 years and “stuff.” Was that a comment or a thought?<br />
.…<br />
In other 2010 election news, former county Sheriff Don Horsley, who will be<br />
running for Gordon’s seat, has already raised an impressive $125,000 toward<br />
his campaign, and there is really no formidable candidate who is considering<br />
challenging him. Given his qualifications, support and respectability<br />
throughout the county, political watchers feel there will not be anyone to step<br />
forward and do so.<br />
In another county supervisor seat that is already being talked about, Rose<br />
Jacobs Gibson will not term out until 2012, but possible candidate names<br />
have already been floating around. County Board of Education trustee Memo<br />
Morantes is one, <strong>Redwood</strong> City Council Members Alicia Aguirre and Diane<br />
Howard are two more, as is John Bostic from East Palo Alto, who ran<br />
against Jacobs Gibson in last June’s election. That race is really too far out to<br />
speculate about, but the potential candidates are interesting, and it will be fun<br />
to watch over the next few years.<br />
.…<br />
I had so much more “stuff” to write about this month, like San Mateo County<br />
agreeing to pay $6.8 million to the U.S. government and holding no one accountable<br />
for having to do so, and the possible end to the Joe and Roberta Carcione<br />
lawsuit against the City of <strong>Redwood</strong> City, but I am running out of space and ink.<br />
But then, there is always next month. Isn’t there?<br />
As I was saying…<br />
News Briefs: Continued from page 30<br />
said in the first message, according to a search warrant filed by the <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City Police Department.<br />
<strong>The</strong> manager received two more calls threatening of a bomb in the building.<br />
Each call came from a different number. <strong>The</strong> last call came from a cell phone<br />
that was traced to a cellular phone purchased with stolen personal information.<br />
<strong>The</strong> phone was in service for only four days, said <strong>Redwood</strong> City police Sgt.<br />
Steve Blanc.<br />
Police believe the bomb threat came from a former employee recently laid<br />
off by the manager. That manager gave all departing employees his cell phone<br />
number, Blanc said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> company is now closed or will soon be closed. It has not received any<br />
additional threats and the case is considered closed, Blanc said.
Finance: Five Reasons to be Bullish About Financial Markets<br />
By David Amann, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
During a long downturn in the financial markets,<br />
it’s hard for some people to be cheerful about their<br />
prospects for investment success. And that’s not<br />
surprising, because a daily diet of bad news can<br />
take its toll on investors’ outlooks. Yet if you look<br />
beyond the headlines, you can actually find some<br />
reasons to believe that brighter days lie ahead.<br />
Here are five of these potential causes for optimism:<br />
1. Recovery may be near. <strong>The</strong> financial markets<br />
obviously are connected to the overall U.S.<br />
economy, so it makes sense to keep an eye on how<br />
the economy is doing. As you know, we’ve been<br />
in the grip of a long and painful recession, but that<br />
may change fairly soon. In fact, the recession is<br />
likely to end in the second half of 2009, according<br />
to a majority of the economists surveyed by the<br />
influential National Association for Business<br />
Economics. And since the stock market has<br />
historically anticipated an economic recovery<br />
by about six months — and begun responding<br />
favorably — now may not be the time to abandon<br />
your long-term investment strategy. Of course,<br />
past performance is not a guarantee of future results.<br />
2. Market rallies can happen quickly. No one<br />
can predict the exact moment a sustained market<br />
rally will begin, but history has shown that rallies<br />
can start quickly and take off sharply. Consider<br />
this: In the first year of a recovery, investors have<br />
recouped an average of 82 percent of what they<br />
lost in the entire prior bear market, according<br />
to Standard & Poor’s. And since 1932, the S&P<br />
500 has gained an average of 46 percent in the<br />
year after stocks have hit bottom. Keep in mind,<br />
though, that we have experienced a largerthan-usual<br />
drop in the market, so you shouldn’t<br />
necessarily expect a rally to produce these results.<br />
Still, if you are out of the market when it does rally,<br />
you are likely to miss some of the strongest returns.<br />
3. Low prices may mean good opportunities.<br />
By almost any traditional measure of value,<br />
investments are now very attractively priced.<br />
And when prices are low, returns over the<br />
long term tend to be higher. Keep looking for<br />
quality investments — like other investments,<br />
they’ve been hurt by the downturn, but if their<br />
fundamentals are still sound, they could offer the<br />
greatest potential for long-term rewards.<br />
4. <strong>The</strong> Treasury and Fed are working overtime<br />
to support the U.S. financial system. While the<br />
problems of resuscitating our financial system<br />
are enormous, and the solutions are not clear-cut,<br />
the Department of the Treasury and the Federal<br />
Reserve are working hard to support the credit<br />
markets, boost liquidity, lower mortgage rates and<br />
take other steps that can ultimately benefit the<br />
economy and the investment markets.<br />
5. Low inflation can help boost “real” returns.<br />
Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price<br />
Index, is currently close to zero. As an investor,<br />
you have reason to welcome a low inflation rate,<br />
because when inflation is high, it can erode the<br />
“real” returns of your investments. Consequently,<br />
you may be rewarded by investing in vehicles that,<br />
for the moment, are producing only modest returns.<br />
Keep the above factors in mind when you make<br />
investment decisions. Remember, if you’re going<br />
to help achieve your long-term goals, you will likely<br />
need to keep investing in even the gloomiest of<br />
markets — and, as we’ve discussed, there might be<br />
more than a few rays of light ready to pierce the clouds.<br />
Senior Activities<br />
<strong>The</strong> Veterans Memorial Senior<br />
Center, 1455 Madison Ave.,<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, provides the<br />
following activities that are open to<br />
the public during the month of April.<br />
Monday Morning Movie Madness<br />
(MMMM)<br />
Every Monday, 10 a.m.–noon<br />
Come to the VMSC every Monday in April and<br />
enjoy your classic favorites on the big screen<br />
again! After the movie, enjoy a hearty lunch for<br />
only $4.50. Call our lunch desk at 650-780-7259<br />
for menu selections and reservations.<br />
April 6: “Rebel Without A Cause”<br />
April 13: “Jailhouse Rock”<br />
April 20: “A Streetcar Named Desire”<br />
April 27: “Citizen Kane”<br />
Friday Movies for Everyone<br />
Every Friday, 1:15 p.m. (unless otherwise<br />
announced)<br />
Come to the VMSC in April for a free featured<br />
movie in our state-of-the-art movie theater! Call<br />
650-780-7270 for the most current movie listing.<br />
April 3: “Passengers”<br />
April 10: “W.”<br />
April 17: “What Just Happened”<br />
April 24: “Quantum of Solace”<br />
Earthquake Preparedness<br />
With Kathleen Jacobi<br />
Thursday, April 2, 1–2 p.m. Free<br />
It’s not a matter of if, but when the next<br />
earthquake will come, and it could be a big one.<br />
Being prepared will be crucial to your safety and<br />
survival. You will receive lifesaving information<br />
and an earthquake survival kit. <strong>The</strong>re will be an<br />
opportunity to get your questions answered. Even<br />
if you have attended one of these lectures in the<br />
past, it never hurts to refresh your memory and<br />
update your response plan.<br />
“Grease” <strong>The</strong>ater Trip<br />
Saturday, April 4, 12:30 p.m. $65<br />
An excursion to see, hear and enjoy Time<br />
<strong>Magazine</strong>’s 2007 pick for “No. 1 Musical of<br />
the Year” at the Golden Gate <strong>The</strong>atre in San<br />
Francisco. Price includes transportation to and<br />
from this live show. We will meet at the VMSC<br />
at 12:30 p.m. Reservations required. Please call<br />
Michele at 650-780-7344 to reserve your spot.<br />
Space is very limited.<br />
Why Can’t I Lose Weight?<br />
With Dr. Simia McCully<br />
Thursday, April 23, 1–2 p.m. Free<br />
Why is it so difficult not only to lose weight,<br />
but to keep it off? This lecture will be very<br />
informative and helpful. Dr. McCully studied at<br />
the world’s leading school for natural medicine,<br />
Bastyr University. She has a private practice in<br />
Menlo Park.<br />
Save the date:<br />
Mother’s Day Tribute Lunch<br />
Friday, May 8, 12–2 p.m. $15<br />
Join the VMSC as we pay tribute to the women in<br />
our lives. Mothers, daughters and granddaughters<br />
are encouraged to join us for this special<br />
luncheon. All mothers will receive a special gift.<br />
Individuals are also encouraged to send us photos<br />
and stories of their mothers for a special display<br />
in the VMSC lobby. Please contact Michele<br />
Venneri at 650-780-7344 for lunch reservations<br />
and/or to submit your photos and stories.<br />
To learn more about the Veterans Memorial<br />
Senior Center, call 650-780-7270. <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Parks, Recreation and Community Services<br />
Department provides recreational facilities and<br />
activities for all ages and interests, and supplies<br />
building and custodial services for city buildings.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Parks also operates the Veterans<br />
Memorial Senior Center and the Fair Oaks<br />
Community Center, providing social, educational<br />
and cultural activities, as well as information,<br />
referral and counseling services to persons living<br />
in <strong>Redwood</strong> City and neighboring communities.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Parks is more than you think! Its<br />
Web site is located at www.redwoodcity.org/parks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 33
A Minute With: Diana Johnson<br />
Diana Johnson was born in San Diego. She graduated from high school<br />
and attended college there. She has a son, Kenneth, 47, and a daughter,<br />
Lynne, 43, and eight grandchildren ranging in age from 10 to 28. She also<br />
has one great-grandchild.<br />
She moved to <strong>Redwood</strong> City in 1971 for a relationship that did not work<br />
out. Her community involvement started in 1984 when she joined the<br />
Friendly Acres (East Bayshore) Neighborhood Association.<br />
She has worked on the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Pride and Beautification<br />
Committee and the state organization of mobile-home parks (where she<br />
lobbies state officials), and has lobbied for rent control in <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Should <strong>Redwood</strong> City be proud?<br />
Yes!<br />
<strong>The</strong> proposed development at the Cargill site is<br />
in your backyard. Are you excited?<br />
Yes, I am!<br />
Still believe that rent control is needed in<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City?<br />
For mobile homes, yes.<br />
Which living person do you most admire?<br />
I can’t think of anyone I admire more than anyone<br />
else.<br />
What is your most treasured possession?<br />
My life.<br />
What talent would you most like to have?<br />
I have never wanted to be talented. I am boring.<br />
Something few know about you?<br />
I am very quiet at times.<br />
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?<br />
Why not?<br />
What is your greatest regret?<br />
That I did not finish college.<br />
What is your motto?<br />
Let live.<br />
Why do you get up in the morning?<br />
’Cause it is the thing to do.<br />
In 100 years, what will you be remembered for?<br />
Working on mobile-home issues.<br />
Anyone you got on your mind?<br />
No.<br />
Memorable moment?<br />
Fiftieth class reunion.<br />
First word that comes to mind?<br />
What?<br />
What or who is the love of your life?<br />
My grandchildren.<br />
What is your idea of perfect happiness?<br />
To be alive and well.<br />
You currently feel?<br />
Happy.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 35