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JIM<br />
SKINNER<br />
Committed, Professional<br />
& A Very Likable Person<br />
Target<br />
& Students,<br />
Cultural Arts
Let’s Talk Solutions<br />
Can ONE project be a catalyst to help solve many existing local problems like PARKS?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Answer is YES.<br />
Conceptual rendering.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City has a shortage of active park<br />
and recreation facilities. <strong>The</strong> city is below statewide<br />
standards for parks, which has forced youth and<br />
adult sports teams to compete over these limited<br />
fields and facilities.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 50/50 Balanced<br />
Plan will reduce the<br />
shortage of parks and make<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City a leader in<br />
parks and recreation lands<br />
on the Peninsula.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 50/50 Balanced<br />
Plan includes more than<br />
50 acres of sports fields,<br />
featuring more than a<br />
dozen new soccer/football,<br />
baseball and softball fields and more than 240 acres<br />
of parks.<br />
This expansion of city park and recreation lands<br />
“We recently had tryouts and once again we<br />
have more kids who want to play than we can<br />
accommodate effectively due to the shortage<br />
of fields. <strong>The</strong> city understands the need, but has<br />
limited resources. New field space in <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City paid for by a private developer would<br />
really help with the problem.”—Dan Gibson,<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Resident and Baseball Organizer<br />
will be funded by the 50/50 Balanced Plan – with all<br />
costs borne by the project.<br />
So when groups keep arguing that housing<br />
should be built in downtown or along the El Camino<br />
Real corridor (which we<br />
agree with) where will<br />
other important public<br />
benefits, like parks, be<br />
located? What’s their plan<br />
for addressing parks?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Saltworks site,<br />
because of its scale, can<br />
satisfy this important<br />
community need.<br />
But don’t take our<br />
word for it. See for<br />
yourself. Examine the facts. Ask for a thorough<br />
evaluation of our proposal and the opportunities – all<br />
of the opportunities – presented by the Saltworks site.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Saltworks<br />
www.RCSaltworks.com<br />
Follow Saltworks on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong>_ParksAd_Rev2_Final.indd 1<br />
8/1/11 4:52 PM
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>.AUG.2011<br />
Table of Contents<br />
Inside <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> – 4<br />
RCSD Corner – 5<br />
“As I Was Saying...” – 6<br />
Cultural Events – 8<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Students<br />
Preparing for School – 10<br />
Community Interest – 13<br />
Jim Skinner:<br />
Dedicated Fire Chief – 16<br />
Insurance Tips: Top Reasons to<br />
Carry Collision Insurance – 21<br />
Welcome!<br />
Summertime is in full swing and so is the August 2011 edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>. We<br />
have got some great information for you this month.<br />
Our cover story is on <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Chief Jim Skinner. He has been in the firefighting<br />
field for 30 years, and our new contributing writer Julie McCoy will take you on his career<br />
journey and into the future as he shares his “give back” attitude with you.<br />
We continue to bring you our regular features on senior activities, items of community<br />
interest, news briefs, cultural events and entertainment, insurance tips from Hector Flamenco,<br />
information from the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District and the popular feature “A Minute With.”<br />
In Publisher Steve Penna’s column, “As I Was Saying…,” he writes about the selection<br />
process for a new police chief, the November election and retirement. Not his own, of course,<br />
but that of friends around him.<br />
As the November City Council race gets closer, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> will be giving each candidate<br />
the opportunity to have their announcement or kickoff event covered by one of our writers.<br />
This month, the first candidate to be featured is Vice Mayor Alicia Aguirre. We also have a<br />
story on a local retail outlet helping <strong>Redwood</strong> City students and a wrap-up of the Fourth of<br />
July activities.<br />
We want to encourage you, our readers, to support our valuable <strong>Spectrum</strong> advertisers by<br />
using their services when you are out shopping, dining or enjoying yourself in our community<br />
with friends and family. Many of them have special offers for you to cut out and present,<br />
including discounts on services, food and beverages, so please take the time to look over their<br />
ads this month and use their coupons and discounts. And when you visit them, let them know<br />
you appreciate their support of our local community publication.<br />
If you want to keep up with all the up-to-the-day information about our community, please<br />
visit our website at www.spectrummagazine.net. Until next month, thank you, <strong>Redwood</strong> City,<br />
and enjoy our community!<br />
Senior Activities – 21<br />
News Briefs – 22<br />
Shop <strong>Redwood</strong> City – 26<br />
Getting Patriotic in RWC – 28<br />
A Minute With David Kassouf – 30<br />
Steve Penna<br />
Owner and Publisher<br />
penna@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Anne Callery<br />
Copy Editor<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Dale McKee<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Julie McCoy<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Nicole Minieri<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
James Massey<br />
Graphic Designer<br />
007massey@gmail.com<br />
James R. Kaspar<br />
Cover/Cover Story Photography<br />
jkaspar@sonic.net<br />
Contact Information:<br />
Phone 650-368-2434<br />
www.spectrummagazine.net<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 3
Inside <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>: Cover Story Photo Shoot<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> Publisher Steve Penna contacted our cover subject, <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Fire Chief Jim Skinner, and scheduled our cover shoot for Thursday, July 28,<br />
at 2 p.m. at fire station No. 9 on Marshall Street downtown.<br />
Since it is exciting, even thrilling, for any child to meet and interact with<br />
an actual firefighter, Penna took his 5-year-old twin godsons to the shoot. <strong>The</strong><br />
three arrived just before cover subject photographer James Kaspar did, and<br />
after exchanging greetings they all went to the third floor, where department<br />
administration and Chief Skinner’s office is located.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fire station staff warmly greeted the group and made everyone feel<br />
welcome. Skinner was notified that “<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> is here,” and he came<br />
out into the lobby and led everybody to his office. Penna’s godsons, who are<br />
usually very outgoing and curious, seemed a bit shy and awed, hiding behind<br />
their godfather when first introduced to everyone. A few pieces of candy on<br />
the counter seemed to help them ease into the whole experience.<br />
After taking several shots in Skinner’s office, the group was led to the<br />
second floor, where they could take some pictures of Skinner looking down<br />
from one of the four fireman poles in the station. <strong>The</strong>y were then led into the<br />
engine garage, where all the trucks are housed.<br />
After taking a few group photos with other administrators of the department,<br />
they then took some photos of Skinner with the godsons. <strong>The</strong> photo that<br />
appears on the cover was not posed and is indicative of how much children<br />
love firefighters. <strong>The</strong> kids put their arms around each other while keeping one<br />
hand on Skinner. A true symbol of how safe we all feel around firefighters.<br />
<strong>The</strong> entire shoot took about an hour.<br />
While our community looks back with pride at the department’s 150 years<br />
of service and dedication, we also look forward under Skinner’s leadership<br />
to the possibilities of the future. A partnership with San Carlos is forming,<br />
which will no doubt create other similar opportunities.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department and our firefighters have an<br />
impeccable reputation throughout the state of being top-notch, highachieving,<br />
dedicated and progressive. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> is pleased to honor<br />
Skinner and his department for not only being there when needed but also<br />
when we don’t know we need them. Here’s to another 150 years and more!<br />
Proudly serving<br />
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and surrounding<br />
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www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
6/24/2011 11:11:52 AM
RCSD Corner: News From the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District<br />
New Principals Hired for Selby Lane, Kennedy Middle Schools<br />
When students arrive for the first day of school at Selby Lane<br />
School and Kennedy Middle School in August, they will<br />
be greeted by a new principal. Dana McDonald is the new<br />
principal of Selby Lane School and David Paliughi is the new<br />
principal of Kennedy Middle School.<br />
“We are pleased to have found two extraordinarily strong leaders for<br />
Selby Lane and Kennedy schools,” said Superintendent Jan Christensen.<br />
“Principals are the instructional leaders of our schools, and both of these<br />
candidates bring a legacy of strong student achievement and effective<br />
leadership from previous positions. We are delighted that they chose to join<br />
the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District and are looking forward to working with<br />
them in our mission to educate every child for success.”<br />
McDonald joins the district from Aurora, Colo., where she is currently<br />
principal of an elementary school. McDonald brings to Selby Lane extensive<br />
instruction and administrative experience in K–8 education, with particular<br />
expertise in special education and services for English language learners, gifted<br />
and talented students, and students qualifying for free and reduced programs.<br />
In accepting her new position, McDonald said, “I am honored to be given<br />
the opportunity to join Selby Lane as an instructional and strategic leader. I<br />
look forward to meeting students, staff, families and community members<br />
and to continue great partnerships as well as build new ones. I am committed<br />
to improving student achievement through building relationships with<br />
students, staff, families and the community. Even the most challenging goals<br />
can be met when we work strategically together with unwavering purpose.”<br />
Selby Lane School serves more than 700 kindergarten through eighthgrade<br />
students on a tree-studded campus in nearby Atherton. Instruction<br />
at the school has concentrated on the core academic curriculum of English<br />
language arts, social studies, math and science for all grades. Community<br />
volunteers offer a Partners in Reading program, and the Selby Education Foundation<br />
raises money to provide extra support to Selby Lane students and teachers.<br />
Paliughi, the new principal of Kennedy, most recently served as program<br />
manager and principal at Sanger Unified School District, and prior to that he<br />
was the principal at Wilson Elementary School in Sanger. During the time<br />
that Paliughi served as principal at Wilson Elementary, the school moved<br />
Dana McDonald<br />
Principal, Selby Lane School<br />
David Paliughi<br />
Principal, Kennedy Middle School<br />
from a Year 4 Program Improvement School to a California Distinguished<br />
School and won a Title I Academic Achievement Award. Besides serving as an<br />
elementary school principal, Paliughi has been a continuation high principal,<br />
a guidance learning specialist and a nationally certified school psychologist.<br />
In accepting his new position, Paliughi said, “It is with eager anticipation<br />
that I count down the next couple months until the students arrive at Kennedy<br />
Middle School for the 2011–12 academic year. I am honored to be afforded<br />
the opportunity to lead the Cougars and I am committed to ensure that<br />
student learning occurs for every child every day, whatever it takes. I cannot<br />
wait to meet the students, staff, families and community members with<br />
continued partnerships, as well as foster new relationships.”<br />
Kennedy Middle School is the largest comprehensive middle school in the<br />
district and offers a full spectrum of academic options to meet the needs of<br />
all students, such as high school geometry for advanced math students and<br />
intervention classes for students who need extra help in language arts and<br />
math. Kennedy also offers enrichment classes such as orchestra/band, web<br />
page design and a student-produced morning TV show, and is known for<br />
producing an outstanding musical each spring.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 5
As I Was<br />
Saying… Publisher<br />
| Steve Penna<br />
And we have a City Council race.<br />
Incumbents beware, you have two<br />
or more potential challengers who<br />
are hoping to fill your seats after<br />
the November election.<br />
Let’s start here: Incumbents Alicia Aguirre,<br />
Ian Bain, Rosanne Foust and Barbara Pierce<br />
are all up for re-election and are running. All have<br />
taken out nomination papers and will file them by<br />
the Aug. 12 deadline.<br />
Stating, “I can’t say I expect to win,” Brett<br />
Garrett has been the first one to officially turn in<br />
his candidacy papers, complete with nominating<br />
signatures. Qualifying signatures are “only a<br />
person who is a registered qualified voter at the<br />
time he/she signs the Nomination Petition.” <strong>The</strong>re<br />
appears to have been a slight problem with the<br />
initial signatures he submitted, so he has until the<br />
deadline to correct the problem.<br />
“I’m the dark horse candidate, but I will do my<br />
best to represent those who oppose the Saltworks<br />
project,” Garrett stated. OK, so he is obviously<br />
running on the platform that the Saltworks project<br />
on the Cargill property should not be reviewed<br />
or an EIR done to see if it is a good fit for our<br />
community. That is what most of the extreme<br />
environmentalists who have weighed in are saying.<br />
On his website, Garrett states, “Stop Saltworks:<br />
Run for City Council! <strong>The</strong> City Council of <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City should include voices in favor of preserving<br />
the remaining San Francisco Bay wetlands. If you<br />
would like to be one of those voices, now is the<br />
time to step up to the plate.” He goes on to state<br />
that he “would gladly form a coalition or lend my<br />
support to others who share these goals.”<br />
I wonder if that support includes sharing his<br />
money as well. <strong>The</strong> self-employed website-hosting<br />
executive has contributed substantially ($500 or<br />
more) to the campaigns of Obama for America in<br />
2008, Kucinich for President 2008, Winograd for<br />
Congress in 2010 and the political action website<br />
MoveOn.org. He also endorsed April Vargas in<br />
her run for county supervisor last year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> council should include different voices<br />
that favor different ideologies. But to suggest,<br />
as Garrett does, that one should include an anti-<br />
Cargill stance is not valid. <strong>The</strong> voices that should<br />
be on the council are what the majority of the<br />
voters want and not just because one favors the<br />
preservation of wetlands. Although the Saltworks<br />
project is an important one for our community,<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
other issues of more importance are facing our<br />
community right now.<br />
I have seen candidates who are single-issueoriented<br />
and they are seldom elected. I have also<br />
seen candidates run on a platform — let’s say on<br />
fiscal responsibility — and once elected do little or<br />
nothing to reduce overhead, or vote against their<br />
colleagues to make a statement. So I guess it is possible.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are incumbents who are running and are<br />
vulnerable. But to unseat one, there would have to<br />
be a candidate running who has the funding and<br />
support to get their message out to voters. Another<br />
method would be a strong grassroots campaign.<br />
That takes serious organization over funding, and<br />
I have seen candidates use it effectively. So it will<br />
be interesting to see how Garrett campaigns and<br />
if the speakers at the council meetings and letter<br />
writers against the Saltworks project deserve a<br />
voice on the council.<br />
As we were going to press and I had to finish<br />
my column, another potential candidate, Paul<br />
McCarthy, took out papers to run. Until he files, I<br />
think I will just let it be. Oh, wrong Paul.<br />
.…<br />
In other races related to <strong>Redwood</strong> City voters, all three<br />
incumbents on the San Mateo County Community<br />
College District board of trustees — Dave<br />
Mandelkern, Patricia Miljanich and Karen<br />
Schwarz — have now filed to run for re-election.<br />
Only one challenger, Jamie Diaz, has filed to run.<br />
Sequoia Union High School District trustees<br />
Lorraine Rumley and Olivia Martinez have filed<br />
to run for re-election. One seat is up for grabs,<br />
since Don Gibson doesn’t plan to run for a third<br />
term. So far, Menlo Park resident Allen Weiner,<br />
East Palo Alto resident Larry James Moody<br />
and Carrie Du Bois, San Carlos School District<br />
trustee, have filed.<br />
Please note that the candidates for these and all<br />
races will most likely change, as the deadline to<br />
file is Aug. 12, which is after we go to press. But I<br />
will make sure you have all the latest and in-depth<br />
coverage next month.<br />
.…<br />
By the time this column is out on the streets,<br />
the recruitment process for a new police chief<br />
will have begun and prospective candidates will<br />
have started applying. I am expecting that a new<br />
chief will be chosen soon after the November<br />
City Council election. To make the selection<br />
before then would potentially cause a campaign<br />
issue with incumbents running, so it is a safe<br />
expectation.<br />
Wanting to include their voice in the process,<br />
the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Police Officers Association<br />
(POA) board and the Chief of Police (C.O.P.) selection<br />
committee recently sent out a survey to the POA<br />
membership, wanting to understand how they feel<br />
about the process to select the new police chief.<br />
According to POA President Mike Reynolds,<br />
the “completely anonymous” survey sent out to all<br />
members was labeled an “opportunity to have a<br />
voice in the very critical C.O.P. selection process,<br />
which will impact all of us one way or another.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> survey generally asked its members questions<br />
like: a) Should they consider only the internal<br />
candidates or allow any qualified candidate to<br />
apply? b) What is the biggest problem facing the<br />
department today? c) What types of qualities,<br />
virtues or traits should our next chief of police possess?<br />
<strong>The</strong> survey then went on to ask the members<br />
which interim police chief (Chris Cesena or Ed<br />
Hernandez) they preferred to work under. <strong>The</strong><br />
two are sharing duties as chief until a replacement<br />
is made. <strong>The</strong> survey also asked members whether,<br />
should either interim chief be chosen, the<br />
department would: a) move ahead, b) fall behind,<br />
c) stay the same, d) I don’t know. In other words,<br />
they were polling their membership to see who the<br />
preferred choice is.<br />
OK, I am thinking the same thing you are.<br />
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all pick our bosses?<br />
But unfortunately that is not reality. Well, that is<br />
unless you are self-employed, and even then one<br />
does not always like their boss. Regardless, in most<br />
cases that is not a reality, and that includes this instance.<br />
I know that the survey was designed to give<br />
the POA membership a voice. But does it really<br />
work out that way? It seems like a double-edged<br />
sword. We all know the selection process ends<br />
with a decision by City Manager Bob Bell. I<br />
can only assume that when presented with the<br />
survey results, one evaluating them would either<br />
take it as fact and support for one of the interims<br />
or read into that the least favorable one is the<br />
one that holds them accountable and has higher<br />
expectations for the department. Thus, what are<br />
the real effects of the survey results?<br />
I guess only time will tell.<br />
.…<br />
(continues on page 19)
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619 Bradford Street, <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 7
Cultural Events<br />
<strong>The</strong> Main Gallery<br />
1018 Main St., <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
650-701-1018<br />
www.themaingallery.org<br />
<strong>The</strong> Main Gallery, an artists’ cooperative with<br />
23 members, showcases the work of some of the<br />
best local talent in the Bay Area. <strong>The</strong> gallery is<br />
located in the historic yellow Victorian cottage at<br />
the corner of Main and Middlefield. <strong>The</strong> gallery is<br />
open Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.<br />
and weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<br />
Festive! Celebrate at <strong>The</strong> Main Gallery<br />
This year’s celebration theme for <strong>The</strong> Main<br />
Gallery’s 11th annual all-gallery show is<br />
“Festive!” <strong>The</strong> show will run Aug. 10 through<br />
Sept. 11. <strong>The</strong> reception, serving drinks and hors<br />
d’oeuvres, will coincide with <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s Art<br />
Walk — Saturday, Aug. 13, from 6:30 p.m. until<br />
9 p.m. Come participate in a fun evening filled<br />
with some extra surprise festivities and meet the<br />
artists!<br />
“Festive” means different things to different<br />
people, and <strong>The</strong> Main Gallery’s artists have<br />
translated their view of what celebrating is<br />
into their own unique visual formats. Here is a<br />
sampling of what to expect.<br />
Irene Carvajal states, “Summer in my garden<br />
attracts all sorts of insects. Flowers bloom, fruit<br />
ripen and in particular the bees start celebrating.<br />
<strong>The</strong> dancing, flying and buzzing inspired me to<br />
create a series of monoprints entitled ‘<strong>The</strong> Queen<br />
Bee’s Coronation.’” <strong>The</strong> monoprints are done<br />
in a square format, which Carvajal feels creates<br />
a symmetry and elegance in their presentation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> use of different materials, including using<br />
glue for a relief effect and pages out of antique<br />
music books and dictionaries along with royal<br />
reds, makes for an eye-catching lively series of<br />
monoprints.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ceramics of Doris Fischer-Colbrie relate to<br />
food as being festive: a bevy of “Birdie” birthday<br />
candle holders, a party of cups and a gondolainspired<br />
serving bowl are all on exhibit. Fischer-<br />
Colbrie exclaims, “Of course, to set the stage for<br />
food one also needs flowers, so I have created a<br />
blue sea urchin–like vase, complete with gold<br />
luster.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> anniversary show being a celebration<br />
theme, Susan Wolf decided to make a set of<br />
porcelain champagne cups with the top part<br />
representing a shell, the bottom part a wave<br />
pattern, calling the cups Fiesta del Mar<br />
Hula dancers along with a Hawaiian theme<br />
at <strong>The</strong> Main Gallery’s previous show, “Aloha,<br />
Return to Paradise,” inspired Belinda Chlouber<br />
to create a mixed-media paper piece. Chlouber<br />
states, “I painted the hula dancers in silhouette<br />
and then used a photo of jellyfish that I took from<br />
the Monterey Aquarium for the background, but<br />
you have to look very hard to see the jellyfish! I<br />
hadn’t realized until I juxtaposed the hula dancers<br />
with the jellyfish how similar in feel they were.<br />
<strong>The</strong> flowers in the foreground are drawn from a<br />
photo I took while we visited Hawaii in April.”<br />
Club Fox<br />
• Steve Lucky & Carmen Getit (Club Fox Blues<br />
Jam). 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10.<br />
• An Evening of Brazilian-Inspired Jazz With<br />
Ed Johnson, Masha Campagne & Caminhos<br />
Cruzados. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.<br />
• Lovefool: <strong>The</strong> Quintessential ’90s Band. 9 p.m.<br />
Saturday, Aug. 13.<br />
• Lara Price Blues Revue. 7 p.m. Wednesday,<br />
Aug. 17.<br />
• Sinister Dexter With Rebecca Lipon. 8 p.m.<br />
Thursday, Aug. 18.<br />
• Daniel Castro (Club Fox Blues Jam). 7 p.m.<br />
Wednesday, Aug. 24.<br />
• Trikk Baby. 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26.<br />
• Evolution: <strong>The</strong> Ultimate Tribute to Journey. 9<br />
p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.<br />
• An Afternoon of Jazz Fusion With Wally<br />
Schnalle’s Idiot Fish and Joe DeRose With<br />
Amici. 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> Kid Andersen Band (Club Fox Blues Jam).<br />
7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31.<br />
Filoli House<br />
Cañada Road, Woodside<br />
650-364-8300, ext. 507<br />
www.filoli.org<br />
Filoli, designed by California architect Willis Polk<br />
and built in the early part of the 20th century,<br />
is one of the finest examples of country house<br />
architecture in the United States and is one of<br />
the few in California that remains intact in its<br />
original setting. Bruce Porter, with later help from<br />
(continues on page 20)<br />
Fox <strong>The</strong>atre and Club Fox<br />
2209 Broadway, downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Tickets available at www.clubfoxrwc.<br />
com, 650-369-7770 or tickets.foxrwc.com<br />
Fox <strong>The</strong>atre<br />
• KGO All-Star Debate. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12.<br />
Jonathan Butler’s Summer of Soul Featuring<br />
• Eric Darius & Maysa. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19.<br />
• Shine On 2011 Fashion Show. 7 p.m. Saturday,<br />
Aug. 20.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
<strong>Redwood</strong> City’s new SANDWICH SPOT!<br />
Upsize your<br />
LIFE<br />
A choice of floor plans,<br />
elegant dining with<br />
chef-prepared meals,<br />
recreation, clubs and<br />
social activities.<br />
Refreshingly friendly service and outrageously delicious sandwiches are just two reasons<br />
to stop by the SPOT and grab a bite to go, or head out to the streetside enclosed<br />
patio to enjoy your little piece of sandwich heaven in the city that is known for being<br />
“Climate Best By Government Test.”<br />
* Hookah available upon request<br />
on our outdoor patio area *<br />
* Serving Beer and Wine *<br />
* Catering available for all<br />
events, large or small *<br />
* On-site indoor & outdoor areas<br />
available for parties and gatherings *<br />
2420 BROADWAY<br />
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(650) 299-1300<br />
www.thesandwichspotrwc.com<br />
Downtown Events Special:<br />
$7 for a Sandwich Spot combo<br />
includes: any specialty sandwich, chips,<br />
and fountain soda.<br />
5pm til 7pm!<br />
Great retirement living means upsizing<br />
your life without downsizing your lifestyle.<br />
That’s what you’ll find right here. All the<br />
comforts of single-family living without the<br />
hassles of home maintenance. You’ll enjoy<br />
great food, great neighbors and great times<br />
everything you may want today or need<br />
tomorrow to enjoy an Optimum Life ® .<br />
Call now to schedule your personal tour<br />
and ask about our move-in specials!<br />
Independent Living<br />
Personalized Assisted Living<br />
Exceptional Experiences<br />
Every Day sm<br />
485 Woodside Rd.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94061<br />
(650) 366-3900<br />
www.brookdaleliving.com<br />
Exceptional Experiences Every Day is a Service Mark of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Nashville, TN, USA ® Reg. U.S. Patent and TM Office 00835-RES01-0310<br />
587 Canyon Road<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
(650) 369-1646<br />
www.canyoninn.com<br />
Est. 1973<br />
Proud Chamber of Commerce member<br />
Try our Hacksaw and Guacamole Burgers!<br />
◊ Full Menu – Hamburgers,<br />
Sandwiches, Salads, Soups,<br />
Daily Homemade Specials<br />
and much, much more!<br />
◊ Kids Menus ◊<br />
◊ Name that Sandwich or Burger<br />
– Don’t see what you want on our<br />
menu? Don’t worry, you can ask at<br />
the counter and we will make it!<br />
◊ WiFi available ◊<br />
◊ Patio Area Available for Kids’<br />
Birthday Parties/Team Parties/<br />
Adult Special Events!<br />
◊ Flat screen/HD, basketball<br />
package - we get any game!<br />
Head to the hills - Emerald Hills<br />
Celebrate with us!<br />
It’s our<br />
38th Year!<br />
From our family to yours.<br />
Drop by and say “hi!”<br />
10% Discount<br />
with this ad<br />
Hamburgers voted best by<br />
Sequoia High School Baseball Team!<br />
Pizza:<br />
Choose your own toppings<br />
or<br />
make your own sandwich/hamburger.<br />
Thursday Nite SPECIALS:<br />
could be Prime Rib, but always<br />
something special. Call for details!<br />
Sundays are special at Canyon Inn:<br />
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BBQ<br />
featuring:<br />
chicken · tri-tip · chili<br />
potato salad · garlic bread<br />
ONLY $10.60<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 9
RWC Students<br />
Preparing for School<br />
Six-year-old Lucero Perez tries on boots with the help<br />
of Eva Fordham during a back-to-school shopping<br />
spree at the Target in <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
“What is your shoe size?” Eva Fordham asked her<br />
petite shopping companion at the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Target.<br />
“Thirteen and a half,” 6-year-old Lucero Perez<br />
answered. “It’s on my shoe.”<br />
After knowing the size, the hunt was on for<br />
boots that would work with her school uniform.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ladies were paired up Tuesday as part of a<br />
back-to-school shopping spree made possible<br />
through a partnership between the Salvation<br />
Army and Target. About 30 <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
students were chosen to participate. Each was<br />
given an $80 gift card to purchase back-to-school<br />
supplies along with a volunteer chaperone to help<br />
with the shopping.<br />
We wanted to give them the opportunity to be<br />
prepared for education, said Salvation Army Capt.<br />
Maria Espinoza.<br />
Fordham, financial development director for<br />
the Salvation Army Golden State Division, has<br />
participated in the event for three years. She even<br />
helped Perez’s older sister last year.<br />
“It’s really important. As a kid, we just went<br />
back-to-school shopping,” said Fordham.<br />
Many of these children don’t have the<br />
opportunity to otherwise prepare for school with a<br />
back-to-school shopping trip.<br />
Families are identified through social services<br />
networks and outreach already done by the<br />
Salvation Army, said Capt. Andres Espinoza.<br />
“It’s really exciting,” Espinoza said of the day.<br />
“This is an investment in the future.”<br />
Target partnered with 40 of the Salvation Army<br />
divisions nationwide, donating $1 million for the<br />
sprees. About 500 stores had children shopping<br />
Tuesday as part of the program.<br />
Volunteers and children were given a list as a<br />
guide but ultimately were able to work on their<br />
own to meet each child’s needs.<br />
Perez needed a uniform, including boots, and<br />
a number of school supplies. Thankfully for the<br />
little girl, who is about to enter second grade,<br />
Target had a variety of school items emblazoned<br />
with the face of teen heartthrob Justin Bieber.<br />
Perez chose notebooks, folders and a backpack<br />
with Justin’s likeness included.<br />
“I’m good with Justin Bieber,” Perez said of her choices.<br />
To learn more about local Salvation Army<br />
efforts visit www.salvationarmy.org.<br />
Editor’s note: This article, written by Heather Murtagh,<br />
appeared first in the Daily Journal newspaper.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City is Working to<br />
Provide the Community with<br />
Smooth, Safe Roadways<br />
Road Repair and Resurfacing<br />
~ July through September ~<br />
Veterans Boulevard<br />
East Bayshore Road<br />
Various Neighborhood Streets<br />
As part of its Roadway Preventative Maintenance<br />
Program, <strong>Redwood</strong> City is working on several major<br />
street repair and resurfacing projects.<br />
This will result in improved roadways for the<br />
community, but will cause some inconvenience to<br />
motorists and some residents and businesses.<br />
Expect periodic lane closures, detours, some dust,<br />
and temporary parking restrictions during<br />
construction. All roadway users are asked to be<br />
particularly cautious during construction and<br />
observe detour and directional signage.<br />
Please see www.redwoodcity.org<br />
or call 650‐780‐5923 for more information<br />
and a complete list of affected streets.<br />
to residents, motorists,<br />
and nearby businesses for your patience as we work<br />
to improve the community’s roadways – and our<br />
apologies in advance for any inconvenience.<br />
Vet<br />
Run<br />
Bill<br />
“Ro
Advertising space donated by: Steve Penna and the <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>
234 Marshall Street #100<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063<br />
Donate Your Vehicle<br />
Se Habla Español 650-363-2423 CA Insurance Lic. #1842835<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 />
6<br />
5<br />
0<br />
368-2660<br />
Corrin Rankin<br />
234 Marshall Street #100 • <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063<br />
Se Habla Español CA InsuranceLic. #1842835<br />
Never late for the <strong>The</strong>atre<br />
when you eat at Little India.<br />
All You Can Eat Lunch<br />
Mon - Fri 11am - 2pm<br />
Regular $9.95 Vegetarian $7.95<br />
All You Can Eat Dinner<br />
Mon - Sat 5 - 9pm<br />
Regular $12.95 Vegetarian $10.95<br />
Little India<br />
Restaurant<br />
917 Main St., <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
650-361-8737 • www.littleindiacuisine.com<br />
10 % off<br />
with your Parking<br />
Valadation!<br />
• Catering<br />
• In-House Parties<br />
Available<br />
• Takeout<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> Mag AD 4/2/08 4:23 PM Page 1<br />
Thank You<br />
for Supporting the<br />
Uccelli Family<br />
Through the Years<br />
We urge you to contribute<br />
and support our local<br />
non-profits who do<br />
outstanding work in<br />
our community.<br />
Peter and Paula Uccelli Foundation<br />
650-366-0922<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Community Interest<br />
City Celebrates Toddler Playground, Adult Lounge<br />
Spanning the generations, <strong>Redwood</strong> City celebrated both the grand reopening<br />
of the Fair Oaks Community Center toddler playground and the inauguration<br />
of its new adult activity center lounge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new playground was completely redesigned with a new sand area,<br />
a wider area for tricycles, more play space and new play equipment. <strong>The</strong><br />
playground is overseen and operated by the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Child Development<br />
Program and funded with <strong>Redwood</strong> City capital improvement funds.<br />
<strong>The</strong> adult lounge was created by converting several units of offices into<br />
a large space with a “living room” feel for older adults. It contains lounge<br />
chairs and sofas, tables for reading or games, brand-new bookshelves stocked<br />
with books, new lighting, artwork on the walls and plants. <strong>The</strong> lounge<br />
is a partnership between the city, nonprofit Rebuilding Together, Roche<br />
Molecular Systems, Supple Homes Inc., Peninsula Family Service — which<br />
operates the Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center — and a private donor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ribbon cutting featured County Supervisor Don Horsley and <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City Vice Mayor Alicia Aguirre, along with adults and toddlers.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Hires New HR Head<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City has hired Rebecca Burnside as its new human resources<br />
director, filling the vacancy left when Bob Bell was appointed city manager.<br />
Burnside, who most recently served as director of human resources and<br />
risk management for Foster City, begins with <strong>Redwood</strong> City Aug. 22. She<br />
will earn an annual salary of $179,724.<br />
Bell lauded Burnside, who he said has a wide range of experience, talent and<br />
knowledge. “I know she’ll excel as a crucial member of our executive team,” Bell<br />
said in a prepared statement. Burnside called <strong>Redwood</strong> City “a great fit for me.”<br />
Burnside has a law degree from Tulane Law School and a Bachelor of Science<br />
in general management/industrial relations from the University of Minnesota.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Human Resources Department handles recruitment, organization and employee<br />
development, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, performance<br />
management and personnel systems management among other functions.<br />
City Hires Community Development Director<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City has hired a community development director to oversee<br />
several key functions, helping officials manage land use and balance<br />
increased service demands with dwindling resources.<br />
Bill Ekern most recently served as director of special projects/project<br />
management for the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and has more than 25<br />
years of experience in city management. Ekern’s first day was Aug. 1 and he<br />
will earn $185,000 annually plus benefits.<br />
City Manager Bob Bell lauded Ekern’s experience and said officials are<br />
“thrilled” to have him join the city. Ekern returned the accolades, calling<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City “an unprecedented opportunity for me,” in a prepared statement.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Community Development Department includes planning, housing,<br />
redevelopment, building, engineering and transportation. Ekern’s role will be<br />
managing development and land use matters. He will also work with the City<br />
Council and Planning Commission, said city spokesman Malcolm Smith.<br />
Although the city created Ekern’s position, it also moved two director jobs<br />
back to division manager level. One department head, Ekern, will be better<br />
able to oversee and coordinate the functions of different divisions involved in<br />
the same projects and initiatives, Smith said.<br />
Ekern has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California<br />
at Davis and a master’s degree in public administration from San Jose State University.<br />
More Street Work Planned for <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Motorists in <strong>Redwood</strong> City should prepare for slowed traffic, detours, parking<br />
restrictions and even a little bit of dust as the city embarks on a slew of<br />
neighborhood street improvements through the rest of summer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city recently announced grant-funded resurfacing projects on<br />
Veterans Boulevard and East Bayshore Road. This second set of preventive<br />
maintenance is scheduled to begin mid-July and run through September.<br />
If possible, drivers should consider alternative routes to minimize or avoid<br />
traffic delays. <strong>The</strong>y should also expect periodic lane closures, detours and<br />
periods during which no vehicles are allowed. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4<br />
p.m., with streets typically reopened by 5 p.m.<br />
While the city will try to minimize the impact, some inconvenience is<br />
unavoidable, spokesman Malcolm Smith said in a prepared statement.<br />
<strong>The</strong> work consists of two phases, preparation and either slurry seal or<br />
overlay. Where slurry seal is used, streets may be closed up to four hours to<br />
let the sand and oil mixture dry. During that time, residents are urged to keep<br />
cars, children and pets away as the material can be difficult to remove from<br />
rugs, clothing and fur.<br />
A 2-inch layer of new asphalt laid on top of the existing road will also<br />
require traffic controls.<br />
Streets scheduled for slurry seal are: Blomquist Street from Maple Street<br />
to Seaport Boulevard, Broadway from Hopkins Avenue to El Camino Real,<br />
Broadway from Woodside Road to Charter Street, Canyon Road (off-street<br />
parking areas only), Charter Street from Middlefield Road to Broadway,<br />
Chesapeake Drive from Seaport Boulevard to Saginaw Drive, Galveston<br />
Drive from Pendescot Drive to Chesapeake Drive, Hudson Street from<br />
Whipple Avenue to Woodside Road, James Avenue from St. Francis Street<br />
to Sequoia Station, Maple Street from Highway 101 to Blomquist Street,<br />
Marlin Court from end to end, Marlin Drive from Marlin Court to <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
Shores Parkway, Marshall Street from Arguello to Main streets, Middlefield<br />
Road from Woodside Road to Pacific Avenue, Pendescot Drive from Saginaw<br />
Drive to the cul-de-sac, <strong>Redwood</strong> Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Hudson<br />
Street, Saginaw Drive from Chesapeake Drive to the cul-de-sac, Seaport<br />
Boulevard from Highway 101 to Seaport Court, Seaport Boulevard (two-lane<br />
section) from Seaport Court to the end, Seaport Boulevard (four-lane section)<br />
from Seaport Court to Pacific Shores Center, and Valota Road from Jefferson<br />
Avenue to Woodside Road.<br />
Streets scheduled for overlay work are: Broadway from Chestnut Street<br />
to Woodside Road, Connecticut Drive from Carson Street to Massachusetts<br />
Avenue, East Bayshore Boulevard from Whipple Avenue to Bair Island Road,<br />
Kentfield Avenue from <strong>Redwood</strong> Avenue to Woodside Road, Laurel Street<br />
from El Camino Real to Hancock Street, McGarvey Avenue from Farm Hill<br />
Boulevard to Roosevelt Avenue, and Westgate Street from Hopkins Avenue to<br />
Alameda de las Pulgas.<br />
Moulton Named New Housing Head<br />
Both the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County and the Housing<br />
Endowment and Regional Trust have named Mark Moulton their new executive director.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two San Mateo County housing groups share staff but have separate<br />
boards of directors. HEART raises money from public and private sources to<br />
meet housing needs. <strong>The</strong> Housing Leadership Council works to increase the<br />
housing supply at all levels of affordability.<br />
Moulton is the founding executive director of <strong>Redwood</strong> City–based Living<br />
City Partners, which builds affordable multi-unit housing for low-income<br />
families, and served more than 10 years as the founding executive director at<br />
Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. While there, the organization grew to a staff<br />
of 15 with a $3.5 million annual budget.<br />
Moulton also volunteers with the Nonprofit Center of San Mateo County,<br />
Sustainable San Mateo County and Concentric Media. He helped found the<br />
Housing Leadership Council in 2001, serving as a past board president and<br />
fund development committee chair.<br />
“[Moulton] combines a deep knowledge of fund development, community<br />
outreach and alliance building with a passion for building affordable housing<br />
for San Mateo County’s young families, workforce and seniors,” said County<br />
Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, HEART board chair, in a prepared statement.<br />
Andrea Papanastassiou and Melissa Platte, co-chairs of the Housing<br />
Leadership Council, echoed the sentiment and said Moulton will add strength<br />
and growth to their organization.<br />
Moulton fills the vacancy left when Chris Mohr left the position after eight<br />
years to relocate his family to Pennsylvania.<br />
(continues on page 19)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 13
Dudley Perkins Company<br />
& the<br />
Peninsula Police Officers’ Association<br />
PPOA Poker Run and BBQ<br />
Date: October 1, 2011<br />
SATURDAY<br />
Start Time: 10:00 AM<br />
Pre-register by: August 31, 2011<br />
_____ $ 25 per Motorcycle ($30 with passenger)<br />
Registration after August 31, 2011 ($30 per Motorcycle, $35 with Passenger)<br />
_____ $ 10 BBQ Tri-Tip lunch only (per guest)<br />
_____ $ 5 Kids Hotdog (per guest)<br />
_____ $ 5 Additional Pin<br />
_____ $ 15 T-Shirt only<br />
_____ $ = TOTAL<br />
Benefiting the spouses and families<br />
of member police officers taken<br />
from our ranks, and PPOA college<br />
scholarship fund for members.<br />
Start Location:<br />
Dudley Perkins Co. ~ 333 Corey Way, SSF<br />
Route:<br />
To Pacifica/Hwy 1 ~ Card Stop at Linda Mar Beach ~ to Hwy 84<br />
End of Ride/BBQ Tri-Tip Lunch (for ALL) at 1:00 PM:<br />
St. Pius Catholic Church and School ~ 1100 Woodside Road, <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION~CALL:<br />
Joe Fava at 415-202-4771<br />
www.PeninsulaPOA.net<br />
Presents<br />
<strong>The</strong> First Annual<br />
Registration: 8:30-9:45am<br />
Ride out: 10am Sharp<br />
Officer Dave Chetcuti Motorcade 1998<br />
Registration<br />
Fee includes:<br />
One Rider<br />
T-Shirt<br />
per bike<br />
Commemorative<br />
Pin<br />
* First 150 to register<br />
are guaranteed a<br />
commemorative pin.<br />
BBQ Lunch<br />
Raffle Ticket<br />
Poker Hand<br />
Passenger<br />
receives<br />
BBQ only<br />
Live Music by<br />
www.abovethelawmusic.com<br />
Make Checks out to PPOA and mail to:<br />
PPOA Poker Run<br />
P. O. Box 1063<br />
San Mateo, CA 94403<br />
Phone: 415-202-4771<br />
Fax: 650-588-7978<br />
E-mail: jmfavasr@gmail.com<br />
Name<br />
Address<br />
City<br />
Phone (Best)<br />
T-shirt Size: S M L XL XXL XXXL<br />
(Circle one)<br />
Name of Passenger<br />
E-Mail<br />
Sign and attach<br />
the Rider’s Waiver,<br />
Registration Form and<br />
Check for $______<br />
Number of additional of guests<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Events Around Town Downtown Business Group <strong>Monthly</strong> Meeting, August<br />
<strong>The</strong> Downtown Business Group held its monthly meeting at Jigsaw Java on Main Street. From top left: Alpio Barbara and Regina Van Brunt before the meeting. Alisan Andrews, Julie<br />
Goodenough, Beth Mostovoy and Stephen Tabler. Nina Kadera honored for her year as president. Now where is that piece? Mary Albitz and Kadera prepare refreshments. Timothy Lease<br />
gives Mostovoy free relaxing services.<br />
Brought to you by<br />
Guitar Player <strong>Magazine</strong> &<br />
Barracuda Networks<br />
Presents<br />
M o n t r o s e<br />
At the Fox <strong>The</strong>atre<br />
Saturday, September 3rd, 2011<br />
Tickets On Sale Now<br />
www.foxrwc.com<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 15
Jim Skinner: Dedicated Fire Chief<br />
& ‘Just a Really Fun Guy to Have Around’<br />
By Julie McCoy, contributing writer<br />
JMembers of the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department administration join Chief Skinner in front of an old <strong>Redwood</strong> City engine.<br />
im Skinner gets up at 4:15 a.m. and by 5 attended the City College of San Francisco’s fire<br />
he’s doing yoga. By 7, the fire chief for the science program. In 1981, he was hired as a fire<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department is already inspector for the South County Fire Authority<br />
at work, ready to tackle whatever may come in San Carlos, now the Belmont–San Carlos<br />
his way. Skinner used to be out in the field Fire Department. He became a firefighter for the<br />
fighting blazes, but now he assumes more of an <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department in 1982 and then<br />
administrative role. During the day, he interacts climbed the ladder within the department. He was<br />
with staff and meets with department heads promoted to captain in 1990 and to battalion chief<br />
(for example, the parks and recreation director, in 1998. He has held his current title as fire chief<br />
city manager, finance director, human resource since September 2008. Skinner says he loves what<br />
director and community services director) in he does so much that he doesn’t consider it work.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City and San Carlos. At night, he<br />
attends community meetings (for example, City<br />
Council meetings). It’s all part of the job for the<br />
Fire Department veteran. “My job is to help other<br />
people do their job, give them the tools, support<br />
and guidance they need,” he said. “Every day<br />
is the same, but every day is different. <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
never a dull moment.”<br />
Following in his relatives’ footsteps<br />
Skinner, who has been in the firefighting field<br />
for 30 years, has always had a deep desire to<br />
give back to his local community. His dad was<br />
a policeman, but he couldn’t really envision<br />
himself doing that. His uncle and his cousin were<br />
both firemen, however, and by following in their<br />
footsteps, Skinner found a great fit.<br />
Climbing the ladder<br />
Right after finishing high school, Skinner<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
An educator, too<br />
In addition to his role at the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire<br />
Department, Skinner has taught in the City College<br />
of San Francisco’s fire science department since<br />
1994. Having come full circle, he currently teaches<br />
in the same classroom in which he was a student<br />
in the fire science program. He also teaches command,<br />
management and prevention classes for California<br />
State Fire Training and is an adjunct instructor for<br />
the National Fire Academy.<br />
Skinner holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science<br />
with a major in fire administration from Cogswell<br />
Polytechnic College in Sunnyvale and is a statecertified<br />
chief officer.<br />
A good sense of humor is key<br />
Being in the firefighting profession isn’t easy, but<br />
Skinner and others in his department maintain a<br />
good sense of humor, which helps reduce stress.<br />
“A good sense of humor helps us get through the<br />
day here,” he said. “We do a lot of laughing. A<br />
good sense of humor helps. It helps with the stress.”<br />
Committed to the city and his department<br />
Armando Muela, former fire chief for the Woodside<br />
Fire Protection District, has known Skinner for<br />
about 20 years. <strong>The</strong> two first met when Skinner<br />
became an emergency medical technician and<br />
Muela taught the EMT program in which Skinner<br />
was enrolled. <strong>The</strong>y also worked together for<br />
about nine years when both were battalion chiefs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two worked on a number of fires together,<br />
including the Main Street fire in 2002.<br />
“He keeps the room very light and jovial but<br />
he has a good balance on what he does,” Muela<br />
said. “Jim has always been a champion of great<br />
relationships and getting the job done. He is able to<br />
analyze the situation and come up with solutions.”<br />
Skinner has been very dedicated to not only<br />
his department but <strong>Redwood</strong> City itself, Muela<br />
stressed. “His dedication to the fire service<br />
has never been unwavering,” he said. “Jim has<br />
been a real avid champion of customer service.”<br />
Skinner worked on a program to put in automatic<br />
external defibrillators in public places and has<br />
also coordinated and presented Public Safety Day<br />
to participants in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City–San Mateo<br />
County Chamber of Commerce’s leadership<br />
program. He also has helped the <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Lions Club raise money.
City Manager Bob Bell, who has worked with<br />
Skinner on variety of issues, said, “He’s very<br />
committed to <strong>Redwood</strong> City and the [Fire] Department.<br />
He’s a very intelligent, very likable person. He has<br />
a good sense of humor and is very easy to work<br />
with. He’s very highly regarded in his industry.<br />
He is open to new ideas and new ways of doing<br />
things. He’s just a real enjoyable person to be<br />
around. He’s just a really fun guy to have around.”<br />
A vital role in the community<br />
Skinner stressed that his department plays a vital<br />
role in the community. “We are part of the fabric<br />
in the community,” he said. “We take great pride<br />
in that. When people are in crisis, we help them.<br />
When they’re not in crisis, we provide public<br />
education. We’re your neighbor. We’re the Fire<br />
Department. You know us and recognize us, and<br />
that’s what it’s all about.”<br />
A rewarding yet challenging career<br />
What are some of the rewards of leading the<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department and what are<br />
some of the challenges? It’s rewarding being able<br />
to touch individuals and help them be better at<br />
what they are doing, Skinner said. <strong>The</strong> challenges,<br />
on the other hand, are keeping current with<br />
the needs of the community and trying to get<br />
everything done within budget constraints, he<br />
said. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department has a<br />
budget of $15 million.<br />
Time of transition<br />
Skinner is leading the Fire Department during a<br />
time of great transition. <strong>The</strong> Belmont–San Carlos<br />
Fire Department is dividing, and Belmont will be<br />
on its own while San Carlos will partner with the<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department will provide<br />
administrative duties, fire prevention, and battalion<br />
chief coverage and supervision to San Carlos.<br />
Later, San Carlos will hire its own working staff<br />
to fill vacant positions at its two fire stations.<br />
“We just really want people<br />
to recognize our 150th<br />
anniversary and come out<br />
and have a good time,”<br />
“It’s a great opportunity for both cities,” Skinner<br />
said, noting that the change should not affect the level<br />
of service. “<strong>The</strong> goal is that the service delivery<br />
level will remain the same,” he said. “It’s a winwin<br />
for everybody, especially the community.”<br />
While the goal is to make the transition as<br />
seamless as possible, Skinner acknowledged there<br />
may be some challenges and glitches. Most people<br />
will keep their jobs, but some jobs may be shed.<br />
Both cities will save a significant amount of<br />
money. In fact, Skinner estimates that <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City and San Carlos will each save $1 million<br />
annually. <strong>The</strong> money saved has already enabled<br />
Skinner to hire a deputy fire chief.<br />
<strong>The</strong> transition comes as the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire<br />
Department celebrates its 150th anniversary,<br />
which will be marked with a fundraiser gala<br />
featuring hors d’oeuvres and dancing at the Fox<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre on Oct. 22. <strong>The</strong> hors d’oeuvres will<br />
(continues on next page)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 17
Events Around Town Campaign Kickoff for Alicia Aguirre, Sunday, July 24<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Vice Mayor Alicia Aguirre kicked off her re-election campaign for City Council at her <strong>Redwood</strong> City home. More than 80 people attended. State Assembly member Rich<br />
Gordon introduced Aguirre as someone who reaches out to the community and beyond, as was apparent by the number of elected officials and community members from throughout<br />
the county who attended her kick-off campaign. “Alicia is not only a leader for <strong>Redwood</strong> City, but a leader for our region,” Gordon said.<br />
Others in attendance included Council Members Jeff Gee and Ian Bain, <strong>Redwood</strong> City; Pam Frisella, Foster City; Gina Papan, Millbrae; Bob Grassilli, San Carlos; Kirsten Keith, Menlo<br />
Park; Shelly Masur, <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District; and Lorraine Rumley, Sequoia Union High School District. Also in attendance were many campaign supporters, including <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City Planning Commissioners Nancy Radcliffe and Ernie Schmidt and community leaders Georgi LaBerge, Hector Flamenco, Melanie Seybert, Paula Uccelli, Warren Dale, Margie<br />
Carrington and Tom Mohr, former president of Cañada College.<br />
Jim Skinner: Dedicated Fire Chief & ‘Just a Really Fun Guy to Have Around’<br />
(Continued from previous page)<br />
start around 7 p.m. and the band, Pride and Joy, will kick off around 9 p.m.,<br />
according to Paul Sherwood, engineer paramedic for the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire<br />
Department.<br />
“We just really want people to recognize our 150th anniversary and come<br />
out and have a good time,” Sherwood said. “We’re definitely encouraging the<br />
public to buy tickets.”<br />
Proceeds from the event, which is open to the general public, will go to<br />
the Create-A-Smile Foundation, which was established by <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
firefighters in 1993 to help people who are victims of tragedy, violence and<br />
misfortune and have little to no income. <strong>The</strong> foundation focuses on helping<br />
children in particular.<br />
In the past, money raised by the foundation has gone toward providing<br />
surgery for children who have a cleft palate, after-school activities, bone<br />
marrow for children and adults, sports equipment, horseback riding lessons<br />
for children with disabilities, and helping families who have lost a spouse in<br />
public service, among other things.<br />
Free time filled with yoga, golf and Giants games<br />
Skinner, who was born and raised in San Francisco, has lived in Millbrae for<br />
13 years. When the 51-year-old isn’t busy running the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire<br />
Department, he enjoys Bikram yoga, which he does three times per week.<br />
He also likes to play golf and attend San Francisco Giants games at AT&T<br />
Park. He and his wife, Becky, also are wine aficionados and make trips to<br />
Napa Valley. <strong>The</strong> couple have two children, Kristina, 24, who lives in San<br />
Francisco and works for a public relations firm, and Kellie, 22, a recent San<br />
Diego State graduate who works for Marriott Hotels.<br />
While running a fire department can be a very tough, stressful job, at the<br />
end of the day, Skinner can look back and realize he has made a difference.<br />
“I try to mentor people,” he said. “<strong>The</strong>re’s a lot of people who have helped me<br />
throughout the years. I want to be able to give back.”<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Community Interest (Continued from p13)<br />
Electronic Arts Q1 Net Income More Than Doubles<br />
Electronic Arts Inc. more than doubled its fiscal first-quarter net income<br />
thanks to higher sales of video games such as “Portal 2,” “Crysis 2” and the<br />
soccer title “FIFA 11.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> company said that it earned $221 million, or 66 cents per share, in the<br />
three months that ended on June 30. That’s up from earnings of $96 million,<br />
or 29 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier<br />
Revenue rose 23 percent to $999 million from $815 million.<br />
Adjusted, it had a loss of $123 million, or 37 cents per share, the higher end<br />
of its guidance. Its adjusted revenue was $524 million, down 3 percent from<br />
last year. On this basis, analysts expected a larger loss of 40 cents per share,<br />
on revenue of $510 million, according to FactSet.<br />
EA’s adjusted results account for the effects of deferring revenue and the<br />
related cost of sales for games with online components. Like other video<br />
game publishers, the company spreads these out on its books over time, while<br />
the game is played, rather than all at once.<br />
“This was another solid quarter driven by both digital and packaged<br />
goods,” said CEO John Riccitiello in a statement. “We saw strong digital<br />
revenue growth over the prior year. On packaged goods, ‘NCAA’ is off to a<br />
great start and preorders for ‘Battlefield 3’ are tracking extremely well.”<br />
“Battlefield” is EA’s answer to rival Activision Blizzard Inc.’s wildly<br />
popular “Call of Duty” series of military shooters. <strong>The</strong> company is also<br />
planning to launch a multiplayer online game, “Star Wars: <strong>The</strong> Old<br />
Republic,” later this year. Like Activision’s “World of Warcraft” games, “Star<br />
Wars” players will pay monthly subscription fees to play.<br />
For the current quarter, EA expects an adjusted loss of 13 cents to 3 cents<br />
per share and adjusted revenue of $925 million to $975 million. Analysts are<br />
expecting EA to break even, on adjusted revenue of $896.8 million.<br />
<strong>The</strong> company recently announced that it plans to buy PopCap Games, a<br />
maker of casual games such as “Bejeweled” and “Plants vs. Zombies,” for at<br />
least $750 million. EA has been making an effort to grow its digital offerings,<br />
including mobile games and games on Facebook, as more people flock to<br />
playing these types of games.<br />
PopCap will be EA’s largest acquisition to date, but the company said the<br />
deal won’t affect its earnings in the current fiscal year. In fiscal 2013, which<br />
begins next spring, the acquisition will add at least 10 cents to adjusted<br />
earnings per share.<br />
EA expects full-year adjusted earnings of 70 cents to 90 cents per share<br />
and revenue of $3.9 billion to $4.1 billion, up from its previous guidance of<br />
$3.8 billion to nearly $4.03 billion. Analysts expect earnings of 85 cents per<br />
share and revenue of $3.95 billion.<br />
Riccitiello said EA is pleased to see that the NFL lockout has been<br />
resolved. <strong>The</strong> company makes the popular “Madden” football game series,<br />
which are licensed by the NFL and try to be as realistic as possible. <strong>The</strong> latest<br />
game launches on Aug. 30.<br />
As I Was Saying… (Continued from p6)<br />
I have just celebrated my birthday and look forward to many more. But as<br />
I do, I can’t help but notice the changes in the lives of some of my close<br />
friends. Well, at least three of them. I recently celebrated, via videotape, the<br />
retirement of one of my closet friends from high school, Dan Horton. He has<br />
left the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Fire Department after 32 years of service. This comes<br />
approximately a month after another friend (John Coleman) retired from<br />
Key Market and about two years after yet another one (Gary Markwith) also<br />
retired from Key Market.<br />
All three started their careers early. In fact, two while still in high school.<br />
All stayed at the same job and profession for their whole career, and<br />
apparently all reaped the rewards of doing so. Although I wish them all well, I<br />
cannot help but feel a bit envious that they already enjoying retirement when I<br />
can barely enjoy a weekend away. What did I do wrong?<br />
I am not sure that it’s fair to ask myself that since I consider my job one of<br />
the best one could have. Meeting and interacting with the most fascinating<br />
people in our community, and even those who are not, is a complete pleasure<br />
for me. It also gives me the freedom and opportunity to spend time with<br />
family and friends when I want to because I am the boss. But if I had to<br />
choose between the two, I of course would retire. No thought needed. Any<br />
work at all takes one away from the most important things in life.<br />
So what does one do in retirement? Everyone seems to go in different<br />
directions considering what is going on around them. Are they married? Is<br />
their spouse retired too? Do they have younger or older children? Do they own<br />
or rent their home? Of course, how much income you have available and what<br />
you can spend each month can determine your path more than anything else.<br />
I can only fantasize, hope and wish that my own retirement includes plenty<br />
of family, friends, exercise, volunteerism, health, love, sleep, wine and<br />
happiness. So, even as I envy my friends and their new position in life, I look<br />
at mine and what I would want in retirement and realize that the only thing<br />
that is different is that I need the income each month to do what I enjoy. Come<br />
to think of it, I am not in such a bad place at all.<br />
Here’s to retirement. And not!<br />
As I was saying…<br />
.…<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 19
Cultural Events (Continued from p8)<br />
Isabella Worn, laid out the 16 acres of gardens.<br />
Both guided and self-guided tours of the house and<br />
grounds are available from February through October.<br />
Tours (ongoing)<br />
• Guided House and Garden Tour – This twohour,<br />
docent-led tour includes both the house<br />
and the gardens. Reservations required.<br />
• Self-Guided Tour – No reservations required<br />
for this tour. A map is available for the selfguided<br />
tour and volunteers are posted in both<br />
the house and the gardens to answer questions.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is also a continuous 14-minute video on<br />
the history of Filoli available in the Visitor and<br />
Education Center.<br />
• Nature Hike – This hike is available by<br />
reservation only on Saturdays at 10 a.m.<br />
<strong>The</strong> hike covers roughly three miles of trails<br />
and takes approximately two and a half<br />
hours. Nature docents describe wildlife,<br />
plants, endangered species and the historical<br />
background of the area. Visitors may not hike<br />
without a docent.<br />
• Orchard Tour – This tour is available on<br />
selected days throughout the open season. With<br />
a docent tour of the unique heirloom orchard,<br />
learn about the tradition of the gentleman’s<br />
orchard, and how Filoli is conserving not only<br />
rare fruits but also this defining landscape feature<br />
of the country estate. Reservations required.<br />
San Mateo County<br />
History Museum<br />
2200 Broadway St.<br />
650-299-0141<br />
www.historysmc.org<br />
Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.<br />
$5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students,<br />
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 />
Victorian Days in the Museum<br />
Sunday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.<br />
Live theater performances: 12:30 p.m. and 3<br />
p.m. (free)<br />
Return to the age of gilded elegance and luxurious<br />
refinement as the San Mateo County Historical<br />
Association hosts Victorian Days in the Museum,<br />
located inside the 101-year-old courthouse.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Victorian Era was named for Queen<br />
Victoria, who ascended the throne of the United<br />
Kingdom in 1837 at the age of 17 and reigned<br />
until her death in 1901. In America, it was a time<br />
of industrialization: in California, the Gold Rush<br />
and railroad construction; on the Peninsula, the<br />
building of the great estates.<br />
Activities include:<br />
• Create Victorian-Era crafts such as a Victorian<br />
hat, build a steamship, design a piece of stained<br />
“glass” or play with an optical toy called a<br />
thaumatrope.<br />
• Learn about the following historical groups,<br />
which will be on-site:<br />
• Colma Historical Association, Pacifica<br />
Historical Society, San Andreas Lake Chapter<br />
DAR, San Carlos Heritage Association,<br />
San Carlos Villagers, South San Francisco<br />
Historical Society Museum and historic Union<br />
Cemetery.<br />
• In Courtroom A, watch a live theater group<br />
perform “Love & Marriage: Victorian Style.”<br />
It is a play about the marriages of Victorian<br />
millionaires, based on research conducted in<br />
the San Mateo County Historical Association’s<br />
archives. While the characters in the play are<br />
fictional, the couples they discuss actually<br />
lived on the Peninsula in the late 1800s. All<br />
re-enactors in the play volunteer their time to<br />
bring these historical characters to life. Two<br />
show times: 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.<br />
• Explore the exhibit “Living the California<br />
Dream” to learn more about the homes in San<br />
Mateo County during the Victorian Era.<br />
• As a keepsake, purchase a set of earrings made<br />
from silver spoons in the Museum Store.<br />
‘First Fridays’ Storytime<br />
From the Garden: Stories From the Past<br />
Friday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m.<br />
Included with museum admission<br />
Come listen to a story about a family tending<br />
to their garden. Listen to the story “From the<br />
Garden” and create your vegetable print to<br />
take home. <strong>The</strong>n, explore the exhibit “Nature’s<br />
Bounty” to learn about crops that are grown in<br />
San Mateo County.<br />
New Exhibit Opens at History Museum<br />
“Peninsula Landmarks”<br />
Saturday, Sept. 10, 6–9 p.m. (free)<br />
<strong>The</strong> exhibit features four murals by artist Lois<br />
White that highlight buildings, parks and<br />
businesses of historic significance to San Mateo<br />
County. <strong>The</strong> exhibit opening coincides with<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City’s Second Saturday Art Walk.<br />
<strong>The</strong> museum will be open free to the public that<br />
evening. “Peninsula Landmarks” will remain on<br />
view through March 31, 2012.<br />
Hiller Aviation Museum<br />
San Carlos Airport, 601 Skyway Road,<br />
San Carlos<br />
650-654-0200, www.hiller.org<br />
Daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.<br />
$6-$9, free for children 4 and under, with<br />
a paid adult<br />
This museum covers the history of airplanes in<br />
Northern California, from an 1869 unmanned<br />
plane to today’s jets, and also looks ahead to<br />
possible future designs. <strong>The</strong> museum features<br />
full-sized models, a restoration shop where new<br />
museum acquisitions are being repaired and<br />
preserved for later display, hands-on displays and<br />
an aviation library.<br />
Ongoing Special Events<br />
“Young Eagles.” Kids between ages 8 and 17 fly<br />
free every third Saturday of the month 11 a.m.–1 p.m.<br />
“Soar With Books.’’ A preschool reading program<br />
offered the fourth Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.<br />
Art on the Square<br />
Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway,<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
www.redwoodcityevents.com<br />
For the fifth straight year AOTS will showcase the<br />
best in original fine arts and crafts at Courthouse<br />
Square in downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Discover<br />
unique paintings, photography, jewelry, glass,<br />
ceramics and more at prices for every budget.<br />
• Friday, Aug. 26, 5–8:30 p.m., with Springsteen<br />
tribute band <strong>The</strong> Rising<br />
• Friday, Sept. 23, 5–8:30 p.m., with salsa band<br />
Mazacote<br />
• Saturday, Sept. 24, 12–8 p.m. with the <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City Salsa Festival<br />
Artists: <strong>The</strong>re are still spaces available. Go to<br />
www.redwoodcityevents.com to download an<br />
application now!<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
Insurance Tips: Top Reasons to Carry Collision Insurance on Your Vehicle<br />
By Hector Flamenco, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Collision insurance is an important form of auto insurance coverage<br />
that provides a payout when the policyholder’s vehicle is damaged in an<br />
accident. Despite the fact that this essential form of car insurance coverage<br />
offers valuable protection that can save a driver thousands of dollars, many<br />
policyholders opt out of carrying collision insurance.<br />
One of the most important reasons to carry collision insurance is that it<br />
may be required, especially if a vehicle is being purchased through a bank<br />
loan. Banks require collision insurance because it protects their interests;<br />
they’re lien holders, so they need a way to ensure that if a driver’s car is<br />
totaled in an accident, the bank or credit union will still receive the required<br />
funds to pay off the loan. Collision insurance is required by every bank and<br />
credit union that offers auto loans, along with comprehensive insurance<br />
coverage equal to the value of a vehicle. Keeping collision insurance as part<br />
of auto insurance coverage ensures that a driver is keeping up with the terms<br />
of his or her loan agreement, and if a driver doesn’t provide regular proof of<br />
this coverage, the bank has the option to buy the coverage for the driver. This<br />
is usually far more expensive for a driver, as banks don’t look for the best<br />
rates when buying insurance to fulfill the terms of a loan agreement.<br />
Some drivers don’t purchase collision insurance because they drive<br />
infrequently and, as such, they assume that the possibility of a claim is fairly<br />
low. However, most accidents occur within three miles of a driver’s home,<br />
and regardless of the value of a vehicle, collision coverage can save a driver a<br />
tremendous amount of money. A totaled car can stop a driver from getting to<br />
work and earning; a single accident can prevent drivers from making enough<br />
money to get by, leading to a host of financial issues. Liability coverage<br />
isn’t enough. Drivers also sometimes confuse collision coverage with<br />
comprehensive coverage, so they buy only one or the other. Comprehensive<br />
coverage is a separate form of coverage that provides payout when a car is<br />
damaged by something like a falling tree limb or a theft attempt. It’s not the<br />
same as collision insurance, and both forms of coverage are necessary to<br />
keep a vehicle fully protected.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cost of collision coverage can be high for some drivers, especially<br />
drivers who have made a claim on their auto insurance coverage or drivers<br />
in high-risk groups. Nevertheless, drivers should look into ways to make this<br />
coverage affordable. By checking prices from a few insurance providers and<br />
getting discounts, any driver can afford this essential coverage.<br />
Editor’s note: This article is for general information only and is not a professional<br />
consultation. Always seek specific information from a licensed insurance professional. Hector<br />
Flamenco is an agent with State Farm Insurance. Visit his website at www.flamencoinsurance.com.<br />
Enter<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Trivia Sweepstakes<br />
on Page 29<br />
Senior Activities<br />
<strong>The</strong> following activities are open to the public during<br />
the month of August at the Veterans Memorial Senior<br />
Center, 1455 Madison Ave., <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Friday Movies for Everyone<br />
Every Friday, 1:15 p.m. (unless otherwise announced)<br />
Come to the Veterans Memorial Senior Center in August for a free feature<br />
movie in our state-of-the-art movie theater!<br />
Friday, Aug. 5: “<strong>The</strong> Lincoln Lawyer”<br />
Friday, Aug. 12: “No Strings Attached”<br />
Friday, Aug. 19: “<strong>The</strong> Conspirator”<br />
Friday, Aug. 26: “Kung Fu Panda”<br />
SamTrans Mobility Program<br />
Tuesday, Aug. 16<br />
Join the Mobility Ambassadors for a trip to the San Francisco Airport on a<br />
public SamTrans bus. While at the airport, you will visit the International<br />
Terminal, the Airport Museum and the new American Airlines Terminal 2.<br />
Call Donna at 650-369-6650 for information and to sign up. Space is limited.<br />
AARP 746’s Luau Luncheon<br />
Wednesday, Aug. 17<br />
Wear your muumuu or a wild Hawaiian shirt and join the fun. We have<br />
a great meal and entertainment planned. You may even go home with a<br />
pineapple. Call 650-780-7259 for reservations.<br />
Computer Classes for PC Users<br />
We have a selection of computer classes beginning in September. Please<br />
call 650-780-7274 or go online at www.redwoodcity.org/parks/adults50/<br />
computers. Sorry, not for Apple or Mac users.<br />
Adaptive PE Classes<br />
Weekly: Mondays through Fridays<br />
A fitness program for you! Our program is designed for individuals at all<br />
levels of ability, including those with limitations and disabilities. <strong>The</strong> longterm<br />
goal is to increase the level of function and wellness of all participants.<br />
Come join a great group of people in a great program. Call 650-368-7732 or<br />
visit www.adaptivepevmsc.org for more information.<br />
Save the Date!<br />
Our Annual Italian Dinner<br />
Friday, Oct. 7<br />
This terrific dinner is being held to benefit important programs here at the<br />
Veterans Memorial Senior Center. Watch this space next month for more<br />
information about the night!<br />
To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, call 650-780-7270.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department provides<br />
recreational facilities and activities for all ages and interests, and supplies<br />
building and custodial services for city buildings. <strong>Redwood</strong> City Parks also<br />
operates the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and the Fair Oaks Community<br />
Center, providing social, educational and cultural activities, as well as information,<br />
referral and counseling services to persons living in <strong>Redwood</strong> City and neighboring<br />
communities. <strong>Redwood</strong> City Parks is more than you think! Its website is<br />
located at www.redwoodcity.org/parks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 21
News Briefs<br />
Kennedy Boys Admit to Sex Attack<br />
Three middle school boys admitted to sex-related crimes related to a March<br />
attack on two 12-year-old girls during a school field trip to a <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
park.<br />
Two boys, 13 and 14 years old, admitted to lewd and lascivious conduct,<br />
which could mean up to eight years in a state juvenile detention facility, said<br />
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. A 12-year-old boy admitted to sexual<br />
battery, which could mean one year in custody. Two other boys were involved<br />
in the incident. All of the boys will be in court again Friday, Aug. 5.<br />
Names of the boys were not released because they are minors.<br />
Four remain in custody while one, one of the three who entered a plea, is<br />
under house arrest.<br />
School district officials said the alleged attack occurred March 4 when 20<br />
Kennedy Middle School students went to the park, chaperoned by a teacher<br />
and an aide. <strong>The</strong> girls didn’t share details of the assault until June while<br />
talking to a school counselor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District is conducting an internal investigation<br />
of the incident and the safety procedures in place.<br />
Attempted Burglar Hit With Bear Spray<br />
A residential burglar hiding in a master bedroom closet of a home on the<br />
3500 block of Bay Road in unincorporated <strong>Redwood</strong> City fled the scene after<br />
the resident hit him with bear spray, according to police.<br />
<strong>The</strong> resident found the man hiding and sprayed him. <strong>The</strong> man then dove<br />
out the window, climbed over the backyard fence and hid. Sheriff deputies<br />
arrested the man, identified as Edgar Aguiniga, 30, of East Palo Alto,<br />
according to police.<br />
Suspected Burglar Arrested<br />
A <strong>Redwood</strong> City man was arrested for stealing from lockers at the Pacific<br />
Athletic Club in <strong>Redwood</strong> Shores, according to police.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City police detectives arrested Jared Beltramo, 39, for burglary,<br />
grand theft and possession of stolen property. A search warrant was served at<br />
his residence on the 600 block of Arlington Road, and stolen property from the<br />
club, along with a residential burglary, was discovered, according to police.<br />
Two Reported With Gun on Sequoia Campus<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City police are on the lookout for two boys, approximately 15 to 16<br />
years old, who were reportedly spotted on the Sequoia High School campus<br />
with a firearm.<br />
A resident reported seeing two white juveniles walking onto the campus<br />
and seeing one pull a firearm out of his backpack and show it to the other<br />
one. <strong>The</strong> resident also saw the boy take the magazine out of the gun and put it<br />
back, according to police.<br />
<strong>The</strong> resident followed the two to Broadway and Clinton Street while calling<br />
police. <strong>The</strong> two could not be located, according to police.<br />
Teen Gets Nine Years for Stabbing<br />
A teen who prosecutors say was urged by two older gang members to stab a<br />
man near the <strong>Redwood</strong> City train station to “earn his dots” was sentenced to<br />
nine years prison for attempted murder.<br />
Vladmir Ernesto Santos, 17, also admitted six special allegations, including<br />
the use of a knife and committing the crime for the benefit of a street gang.<br />
He was immediately sentenced with credit for 1,012 days earned while in<br />
custody without bail.<br />
He will begin his term at the California Youth Authority and transfer to<br />
prison after turning 18, said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.<br />
At the time of the Feb. 9, 2009, attack, Santos was 14 years old, which gave<br />
him the dubious distinction of being the second-youngest person ever charged<br />
with a violent crime as an adult in San Mateo County.<br />
According to prosecutors, Santos met up with Norteños Edgar Palomares<br />
and Victor Joseph Sanchez near the downtown movie theater in <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City and was told he could earn his dots — gang tattoos — by attacking a<br />
rival Sureño. <strong>The</strong> trio spotted the 19-year-old victim walking alone near<br />
Winslow and Hamilton streets at approximately 10:17 p.m. and whistled a call<br />
specific to the Norteño gang. When the man, who isn’t a gang member, didn’t<br />
respond, the three attacked. <strong>The</strong> older teens, 18 and 19, respectively, kicked<br />
and beat the victim while Santos stabbed him several times with a knife in the<br />
torso, pelvic area and across his face and hands. <strong>The</strong> man’s lung collapsed.<br />
Two witnesses called <strong>Redwood</strong> City police, who captured the three<br />
suspects. After the victim, who was laying on a gurney with an oxygen mask,<br />
identified Sanchez, he tried to kick the wounded man and yelled at him not to<br />
speak with police, according to prosecutors.<br />
In July 2010, both Palomares and Sanchez accepted negotiated plea deals<br />
for felony assault with a deadly weapon. Palomares also admitted acting to<br />
benefit a street gang and committing a serious felony. He received four years.<br />
Sanchez also pleaded no contest to making threats against a witness and was<br />
sentenced to seven years in prison.<br />
Santos has been in custody without bail.<br />
Transient Accused of Raping 19-Year-Old Pleads Not Guilty<br />
<strong>The</strong> transient accused of beating and sodomizing a 19-year-old acquaintance<br />
inside a van parked near the <strong>Redwood</strong> City library pleaded not guilty to<br />
sexual assault charges that could send him to prison for life.<br />
Corey Lee Bell, 32, returns to court Aug. 17 for a preliminary hearing<br />
on the charges of sodomy causing great bodily injury, assault by force and<br />
making criminal threats.<br />
Bell, who is deemed a habitual sex offender under the law, faces life<br />
imprisonment if convicted because of the state’s one-strike sentencing rule.<br />
Prosecutors say the teen joined Bell to drink in his van May 10 but was<br />
attacked by the defendant and another man.<br />
Bell and the other man, who remains unidentified, allegedly held the teen<br />
down and sodomized him until he passed out. <strong>The</strong> teen said when he awoke<br />
Bell was the only man with him and the other suspect remains at large.<br />
Hospital staff reported the alleged assault days later after Bell sought medical care.<br />
Bell’s previous convictions, all in 1993 in Santa Clara County, include<br />
forced penetration with a foreign object, forced oral copulation with a minor<br />
under 14, lewd and lascivious act with a child under 14 and forcible sodomy<br />
with a child under 14. He was last released from prison in 2008, according to<br />
the Megan’s Law database.<br />
He remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail and a no-bail parole hold.<br />
Man Robs 76 Station at Gunpoint<br />
Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who robbed a<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City gas station.<br />
<strong>The</strong> man entered the 76 gas station at 1603 Broadway, <strong>Redwood</strong> City police<br />
Sgt. Kevin Dolezal said. He brandished a silver handgun and demanded that<br />
the attendant hand over money from the cash register, he said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> attendant gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash, and the robber<br />
ran away and got into a small green car, Dolezal said.<br />
Police described the suspect as a Hispanic man in his early 20s who is<br />
about 5 feet 3 inches tall. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked<br />
to call the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Police Department at 650-780-7100.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 23
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WWW.RWCTHEATRE.ORG<br />
TICKETS•TICKETS•TICKETS
Auto Care:<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire – 1630 Broadway –<br />
Following the principles of good customer service<br />
and quality products at fair prices, Alpio Barbara<br />
and the crew at <strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire keep<br />
satisfying customers year after year. Whether<br />
you are looking for a new set of tires or need<br />
repair work on your vehicle, this <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
institution has been providing quality vehicle<br />
services since 1957.<br />
Eating and Catering:<br />
Canyon Inn – 587 Canyon Road – Tim Harrison<br />
and the staff at Canyon Inn serve everything from<br />
their famous hamburgers to pizzas, all kinds of<br />
sandwiches and pastas, and South-of-the-Border<br />
specialties while various sports play on the big,<br />
flat-screen TVs. Don’t forget to reserve their<br />
closed patio for your next party — it has heaters,<br />
fans and a big-screen TV (no extra charges). Why<br />
cook when you don’t have to? <strong>The</strong>y do catering<br />
too for all occasions!<br />
D. Tequila Lounge and Restaurant – 851 Main<br />
St. – “We went there and it was fabulous! We were<br />
impressed by their food menu, and the burger I<br />
had was tasty. <strong>The</strong>y have 21 big-screen TVs for<br />
watching your favorite sports team, having a<br />
drink with friends or dancing the night away.”<br />
Little India – 917 Main St. – “<strong>The</strong>re are good<br />
restaurants. <strong>The</strong>re are bad restaurants. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are OK restaurants. <strong>The</strong>n there are those places,<br />
the magic ones. You come back again and again<br />
because the food doesn’t just taste good and<br />
satisfy hunger, but helps heal the heart and soul.”<br />
Senior citizens receive $1 off and children under<br />
12 dine at half price. www.littleindiacuisine.com.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sandwich Spot – 2420 Broadway – With<br />
a motto promising to change your life “one<br />
sandwich at a time” and a menu and atmosphere<br />
that has already made it a popular spot in<br />
downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City, the Sandwich Spot will<br />
have you wondering where this place has been all<br />
your life, and whether or not you can get some of<br />
their signature Bomb Sauce to go.<br />
Financial Institutions:<br />
San Mateo Credit Union – Three <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
locations – As a member-driven organization,<br />
SMCU does everything possible to ensure that<br />
all of your financial priorities are anticipated and<br />
fulfilled. Offerings include free auto-shopping<br />
assistance, members-only car sales, low-rate<br />
home loans and lines of credit. Call 650-363-1725<br />
or 888-363-1725, or visit a branch to learn the<br />
advantages of membership banking.<br />
Home Improvements:<br />
Lewis Carpet Cleaners – 1-800-23-LEWIS –<br />
Founded in 1985, Lewis Carpet Cleaners has<br />
grown from one small, portable machine to a<br />
company of six employees and five working vans.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Lewis family works and lives in <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City and is committed to our community. Ask<br />
about their <strong>Spectrum</strong> special: Get 100 square<br />
feet of carpet cleaned for absolutely nothing.<br />
Call today! Get your home ready for entertaining<br />
during the year.<br />
Legal Services:<br />
Hannig Law Firm – 2991 El Camino Real –<br />
Hannig Law Firm LLP provides transactional<br />
and litigation expertise in a variety of areas. <strong>The</strong><br />
professionals at HLF are committed to knowing<br />
and meeting their clients’ needs through longterm<br />
relationships and value-added services,<br />
and to supporting and participating in the<br />
communities where they live and work.<br />
Real Estate:<br />
Michelle Glaubert at Coldwell Banker<br />
– 650-722-1193 – Michelle has been a fulltime,<br />
top-producing real estate agent since<br />
1978. With a proven track record, she has<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net
helped buyers achieve their dreams of home<br />
ownership and sellers make successful moves<br />
to their next properties. <strong>The</strong> majority of her<br />
business is garnered through referrals from<br />
her many satisfied clients. Living in Emerald<br />
Hills, she knows the area well and is involved<br />
in the community. Count on Michelle’s years<br />
of experience to guide you through your next<br />
real estate transaction. Visit her online at www.<br />
glaubert.com.<br />
John Nelson at Coldwell Banker – 650-566-5315<br />
– John has been a resident of <strong>Redwood</strong> City for<br />
21 years and has been a real estate agent for 18<br />
years. He is known for doing his clients’ legwork,<br />
keeping them up to date with new listings and<br />
conditions as they impact the market. He will<br />
make the process as pleasurable and stress-free an<br />
experience for you as he can. Let John guide you<br />
through the complexities of buying or selling your<br />
home, eliminating hassles and stress. Visit him<br />
online at www.johnnelsonhomes.com.<br />
Specialty Businesses:<br />
Davies Appliance – 1580 El Camino Real –<br />
“Davies helped me with my appliance purchases<br />
and they know what they are doing. All they<br />
carry is appliances; you don’t have to worry about<br />
anything else. Leave it to them to assist you with<br />
your kitchen remodel and you will be very happy.<br />
I recommend Davies to anyone who is interested<br />
in great pricing and even better service. <strong>The</strong> focus<br />
is appliances and service.”<br />
Every Woman Health Club – 611 Jefferson Ave.<br />
– A women-only, body-positive fitness center<br />
in downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Services include<br />
classes, weight and cardio equipment, personal<br />
training, therapeutic massage and skin care.<br />
Flexible pricing, with several options available<br />
for members and nonmembers. Visit www.<br />
everywomanhealthclub.com or call 650-364-9194<br />
to get started.<br />
Hector Flamenco Insurance (State Farm) –<br />
956 Main St. – Hector has been in the insurance<br />
business and with State Farm for 20 years. He<br />
specializes in auto and business insurance. A local<br />
resident, he also provides servicio en español!<br />
Visit his website at www.flamencoinsurance.com.<br />
Saf Keep Storage – 2480 Middlefield Road – <strong>The</strong><br />
friendly and reliable team at Saf Keep is ready<br />
to assist you with a variety of storage products<br />
and services to suit all your storage needs. Visit<br />
their website at www.safkeepstorage.com to see<br />
exactly what products and services are available.<br />
Compare them to other facilities and you’ll see<br />
why their service makes the difference.<br />
Schoenstein Physical <strong>The</strong>rapy – 363A Main<br />
St., 650-599-9482 – <strong>The</strong> clinical approach of<br />
this independent, community-based physical<br />
therapy practice focuses on thorough physical<br />
therapy assessment, specific treatment strategies<br />
and patient education. Individualized treatment<br />
programs are designed to help meet patient<br />
goals of restoring function, returning to sport or<br />
occupation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.<br />
St. Regal Jewelers – 850 Main St. – “This is a<br />
great jeweler! Phil, the owner, is amazing. He<br />
crafted a ring on time and on budget. He has an<br />
incredible eye for detail. I can’t say enough. I<br />
would never go anywhere else.” Whether you are<br />
looking for men’s or women’s quality jewelry,<br />
shopping local does not get better than this.<br />
Woodside Terrace – 485 Woodside Road, 650-<br />
366-3900 – Woodside Terrace understands that<br />
in choosing a senior living community, residents<br />
are looking for much more than a comfortable<br />
living environment to call home. Brookdale<br />
Living’s <strong>Redwood</strong> City community delivers<br />
inspired independent living with the promise of<br />
exceptional experiences every day. As residents’<br />
needs change, they are provided with a variety<br />
of ancillary services and a personalized assisted<br />
living environment that encourages them to<br />
continue to live as they please.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 27
Getting Patriotic in <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Children pointed as patriotically<br />
dressed people danced, sang,<br />
waved and celebrated during the<br />
74th annual Independence Day<br />
parade in <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Nearly 200 groups followed fire trucks from<br />
around the state through the streets of downtown<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City. Onlookers came just as festively<br />
dressed as the performers, donning red, white and<br />
blue clothing and waving flags.<br />
Firefighters were center stage during the annual<br />
parade as this year’s theme was “<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Fire Department: 150 Years of Service.” This<br />
year’s parade started with a variety of vintage<br />
fire trucks, dating back to the 1930s, representing<br />
departments from San Mateo County and beyond.<br />
Although there was a delay after the trucks<br />
before much of the rest of the parade started,<br />
people in the audience kept busy.<br />
Eight-year-old Annie Stephens from <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City got to the parade an hour early to set up her<br />
lemonade stand. For 50 cents, those watching the<br />
parade could indulge in a glass of her homemade<br />
lemonade. It’s the third year that Stephens has set<br />
up her stand. She sold out last year.<br />
Stephens kept the business a family affair with<br />
her parents, Maureen Kelly and Jack Stephens, as<br />
her employees.<br />
Many politicians were in <strong>Redwood</strong> City for the<br />
annual celebration of America.<br />
Vinnie Vierra and 4-year-old Chase Affrunti<br />
drove an exact replica of the Ford Thunderbird<br />
carrying <strong>Redwood</strong> City Mayor Jeff Ira just behind<br />
them during the annual Fourth of July parade.<br />
As the parade continued, children became<br />
commentators.<br />
“Look, it’s a decorated car. Look, it’s a clown.<br />
Look, it’s a fire truck,” a little girl said to anyone<br />
who would listen.<br />
Those in the parade were jovial, especially the<br />
Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band.<br />
<strong>The</strong> eclectic group of individuals donned red,<br />
white and blue in unique combinations.<br />
Music was a big part of the event, with jams<br />
being pumped out of float speakers and played<br />
by the bands, like the one from the University of<br />
California at Davis, who informally wore T-shirts<br />
and funny hats.<br />
And, luckily for 7-year-old Maia Poltizer, there<br />
were lots of people moving. Dancers in the parade<br />
are Poltizer’s favorite part.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were square dancers, ladies twirling<br />
batons and little girls from San Mateo Gymnastics<br />
doing flips throughout the <strong>Redwood</strong> City streets.<br />
<strong>The</strong> event truly was a community gathering as<br />
Little League teams, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts<br />
and even the Shriners participated.<br />
Editor’s note: This article, written by Heather Murtagh,<br />
appeared first in the Daily Journal newspaper.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 29
A Minute With: David Kassouf<br />
David Kassouf was born in the city of Zahle, Lebanon. He attended college in Ukraine,<br />
studying computer engineering. He has a master’s degree in computer engineering.<br />
After moving to the United States on April 4, 2001, David worked for a family<br />
business, managing a paint and body shop. All the while, he learned English<br />
through Cambridge University courses. He then worked at various jobs in the<br />
Los Angeles area.<br />
David moved to <strong>Redwood</strong> City in January 2008 and lives in the Farm Hill neighborhood.<br />
On May 2, David opened the new eatery the Sandwich Spot, on Broadway<br />
downtown. It is his first business venture.<br />
He is a member of both the Downtown Business Group and the Chamber of<br />
Commerce.<br />
David’s hobbies include skiing, camping and basketball. He is also an avid cook.<br />
Why <strong>Redwood</strong> City?<br />
Reminds me of home. A very small city within a<br />
large city.<br />
I love it! It is my hometown now.<br />
<strong>The</strong> future for downtown is?<br />
Amazing.<br />
If you were stuck on a desert island, which one<br />
book, movie or person would you want to take along?<br />
My mom.<br />
What talent would you most like to have?<br />
Being patient.<br />
Something few know about you?<br />
I lived in a seminary in Lebanon.<br />
What phrase do you most overuse?<br />
Thank you.<br />
What is your favorite book?<br />
Any book on cars.<br />
Favorite movie?<br />
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”<br />
What is your motto?<br />
I will survive.<br />
Anyone you got on your mind?<br />
Family.<br />
Memorable moment?<br />
First landed in the United States. It was a dream<br />
come true.<br />
You still can’t believe?<br />
That I have my own business. God bless America!<br />
What is a dream you have or something you’d<br />
like to accomplish in your life?<br />
To open more Sandwich Spots.<br />
When you die, you want to come back as?<br />
As myself — and relive my childhood.<br />
What would life be like if you had wings?<br />
Disaster.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 31
Alpio Barbara and<br />
the team at<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> General<br />
Tire are involved<br />
in our community<br />
and urge all to be.