Also in this issue: - The Spectrum Magazine

Also in this issue:
Can rivals become respectable
work mates?
Election time and a new fire chief?
In “As I Was Saying…”
Ed Everett
Dancing through life
and out of City Hall
Will Redwood City become a
“sanctuary city”?

Redwood City Industrial Saltworks
At its peak more than 350,000 tons of salt were
harvested at the Industrial Saltworks site.
Community Input Pours into Saltworks Team
Have you had an opportunity to express your thoughts and suggestions
for future uses for the two-square mile Redwood City Industrial
Saltworks site?
Redwood City residents offer thoughts to the
Saltworks team at a recent open house.
Nearly 6,000 Redwood City residents so far have offered their thoughts
about future plans for the site. We’d love to hear from you too!
After 100 years, industrial salt harvesting operations will soon wind
down at the two-square mile Industrial Saltworks site. We are seeking
input from the community about future uses for this large industrial site.
REDWOOD CITY INDUSTRIAL SALTWORKS, LLC
P.O. Box 5036 · 1700 Seaport Blvd, Suite 200
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650.366.0500 | info@RCSaltworks.com | www.RCSaltworks.com
`CIP39296 SpectrumAd_august.indd 1
8/22/07 10:56:48 AM

The Spectrum.AUG.07
Steve Penna
Owner and Publisher
penna@spectrummagazine.net
Anne Callery
Copy Editor
writers@spectrummagazine.net
Judy Buchan
Contributing Writer
writers@spectrummagazine.net
Valerie Harris
Contributing Writer
writers@spectrummagazine.net
James Massey
Graphic Designer
DJ Design, Dale McKee
Advertising Graphic Art
James R. Kaspar
Cover/Cover Story Photography
Table of Contents
Inside The Spectrum – 4
Cañada College, Destination for Actors – 5
Redwood City PAL Receives $500,00 Grant – 5
“As I Was Saying...” – 6
‘Top Model’ Hopefuls Line Up – 7
Thousands Take Part in Bicycle Tour – 7
Rivals Become Friends – 8
Community Interest – 11
As summer activities wind down and many in our community return to their regular lives as the kids go
back to school, we welcome you to The Spectrum’s August issue.
In our cover story, Valerie Harris profiles City Manager Ed Everett. Everett is retiring after serving our
community for 15 years. During that time he has been instrumental in guiding a great deal of change in
Redwood City. What will the future hold for him as he leaves? Does he have any regrets? You are about
to find out.
The November City Council race is just one of the topics Publisher Steve Penna will touch upon in his
column, “As I Was Saying….” Are you ready to be enlightened?
Many people have rivals as they are growing up. But how many of us end up working with and actually
respecting ours? Contributing writer Dale McKee has the story of two Redwood City police officers who
have done just that.
Contributing writer Judy Buchan writes about the touchy issue of making Redwood City into a
“sanctuary city.” The issue is destined to become a major one in this November’s election, and some of
the comments by current council members might surprise you.
We also have cultural events, community and senior activities, financial advice, news briefs, sports news
and the story of why many saw a group of “Red Hats” in the downtown area recently.
We encourage you to support community news by filling out our subscription form on page 13 so The
Spectrum will reach you directly every month. We also would like to thank our loyal advertisers for
supporting community news, and we encourage you to support them by patronizing their businesses
when you can.
If you have a story idea, please contact us at 650-368-2434 or The Spectrum Magazine, P.O. Box 862,
Redwood City, CA 94064. You can also send comments and view copies of past issues by visiting our
Web site at www.spectrummagazine.net.
Until next month, thanks for reading The Spectrum, and we hope you continue to enjoy summer in the
city — Redwood City style!
Ed Everett on the Move – 16
Nonprofits in Action – 19
News Briefs – 20
Finance – 22
Sanctuary City Debate – 24
Bikers, Skaters Work Out Park Problems – 25
Red Hat Society – 26
Bodybuilder Files $5 Million Claim – 26
Shop Redwood City – 27
Cultural Events – 28
A Minute With Patricia Howe – 30
Canada Soccer in the Hunt – 30
.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

Inside The Spectrum : Our Cover Photo Shoot
Publisher Steve Penna called our cover subject, Redwood City City Manager Ed Everett, and set up the
interview and photo shoot for Monday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m. in Everett’s office at City Hall.
Our special correspondent writer Valerie Harris showed up first, to interview Everett until the photo
shoot was to begin. Cover Story Photographer James Kaspar arrived shortly after 10 a.m., followed
by Penna. As the interview continued, Kaspar took several photos while Penna chimed in on the
interview and took cell phone calls.
Everett’s office, at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Middlefield Road, is spacious and sunlit. It is
decorated with family photographs and keepsakes, lending a very personal touch. The four all seemed
connected in some way.
Everett and Penna, of course, have crossed paths many times over the years and throughout the
shoot displayed a true liking for one another, smiling and even sharing a hug. In fact, the entire shoot
was very lighthearted and full of laughter. Kaspar had worked with Everett’s partner, Mary Welch at
the county offices before they both retired, so that was one topic of discussion.
After about 30 minutes, the group left City Hall and headed toward the Arthur Murray Dance Studio
on Broadway, where Everett and Welch have been taking dance lessons — thus our “dancing out of
City Hall” theme. The group was greeted by studio owner Alice Louise and her assistant, Regina Van
Brunt, and the dancing began.
It was a complete pleasure watching Everett and Louise dance for our cameras, and it led to
reflection on his many accomplishments over the years and how comfortable he feels with himself.
The entire shoot lasted about an hour and a half, and everyone exchanged pleasantries as they left to
continue their busy days.
Everett, like all CEOs, is both liked and disliked for his decisions and views of what our community
should look like and how it should function. During his watch, we have seen downtown revitalization,
new facilities in Redwood Shores, City Center Plaza, various housing projects and, maybe best of all,
balanced budgets.
We salute Everett for his dedication to Redwood City, watching it continue to blossom into not only
the Peninsula’s county seat but also one hell of a great community. Good luck, Ed. You will be missed!
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net

Cañada College Continues on Course to Become a Destination for Actors, Theater Technicians
K
atie Townsend-Merino, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Cañada College, has put the pieces in
place to make the college’s Theater Arts Department a destination for actors and theater technicians.
This summer, Townsend-Merino hired veteran theater arts professor Anna Budd to lead the department
and worked internally to have Mike Walsh return to the Theater Arts Department as events coordinator.
Walsh had been working in the college’s Learning Center.
Budd arrives at the college from the College of the Siskiyous in Shasta, where she had been teaching
drama. She is an accomplished playwright and performer; she also has expertise in choreographed stage
combat and plans to introduce it into future productions.
“There’s no reason Cañada College can’t have one of the premier Theater Arts Departments in the Bay
Area,” she said. “We have a state-of-the-art theater, support of the college, and Mike Walsh’s technical
expertise.”
Walsh, a veteran of Bay Area theater, started teaching drama at the college in 1978. He will provide support
by producing scenery and lighting and in the spring he will teach a course focused on the behind-thescenes
technical aspects that are an essential element of any top-notch theater production.
“I’m very excited about my role,” Walsh said. “Our goal is to make the Theater Arts Department a destination
program for students.”
Townsend-Merino said the vision goes well beyond producing plays with community college actors. This
summer, the college offered a four-day acting intensive program in association with TheaterWorks that
quickly filled with students.
“We want to offer young actors exposure to established, semi-professional actors who can explain acting
techniques, the technical aspects, and the business side of theater,” Townsend-Merino said.
Cañada College President Tom Mohr said the program is important not only for the college but also the
San Mateo County Community College District. “It’s the only community college acting program in the
county. Katie has developed a blueprint for moving the program forward and I can see the pieces coming
together.
Supporters of the Cañada College Theater Arts Department are organizing a fundraiser to be held
Thursday, Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Redwood City Women’s Club, 149 Clinton Street. Tickets
are $20 and include wine, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment by the theater arts students. The event is being
sponsored by Steve Penna and Spectrum Magazine and Capital Mortgage Lending.
“I am very excited about the direction of the program,” said Lourdes Carini, a Redwood City businesswoman
who has supported the program in the past by organizing the annual fundraiser. Katie and Tom have
shown a commitment to the program and I think the pieces they’ve put in place this summer will truly make
the college a destination for young actors.”
For ticket information call Lourdes Carini at 650-362-2700.
Redwood City Police Activities League
Receives $500,000 Grant
T
he Redwood City Police Activities League (PAL) is thrilled to announce that it is received a
$500,000 grant from Stanford Hospital and Clinics. This very generous and much-appreciated
grant will greatly assist PAL with its facility costs, expansion of its teen programming,
installation of a sound studio for youth use, and provision of enhanced youth programs at the
PAL Community Center.
The presentation of this grant took place on Monday, Aug. 20, at 3 p.m. at the PAL
Community Center. PAL board members, law enforcement agents and community members
attended and joined in thanking Stanford Hospital and Clinics for this generous grant.
“Stanford Hospital and Clinics clearly recognizes the importance of being very engaged in the
communities they serve,” said Redwood City Vice Mayor Rosanne Foust. “They are a new and
important neighbor in the Redwood City community, and this generous grant really illustrates
their commitment to helping our youth become responsible adults and creative leaders within
our community.”
PAL is a nonprofit community-based organization providing intervention, prevention and
alternative programs to at-risk and economically challenged youth in Redwood City. PAL
regularly serves over 4,000 children and teens every year, thanks to the great volunteers who
give of their time and energy.
The Redwood City PAL Community Center is at 3399 Bay Road. More information about
Redwood City PAL is available at www.redwoodcitypal.com or by calling 650-556-1650.
Stanford Hospital and Clinics (www.stanfordhospital.com) is known worldwide for advanced
patient care provided by its physicians and staff, particularly for the treatment of rare, complex
disorders in areas such as cardiac care, cancer treatment, neurosciences, surgery and organ
transplants.
Stanford Hospital and Clinics has begun construction of state-of-the-art outpatient and
medical facilities in Redwood City, on Broadway south of Woodside Road. The facilities are
expected to begin serving patients in spring 2009.
.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

AS I
Publisher
Steve Penna
WAS SAYING...
Okay, so we all know that City Manager Ed Everett is retiring
this month, and soon after him is City Clerk Patricia Howe.
Both have served our community well and, in one way or
another, will be missed. My most memorable experience
with Howe was when she first began her position. I called her
to confirm the city was having an election night “counting
party.” You know, where everyone is there at City Hall and
watches the results for City Council. It was the night before
the event and I called to get all the details and thought I would
play one of my practical jokes on her. I asked her what time
the Sequoia High School Band would be performing. She
replied that she did not know they were going to be there.
That’s when I informed her that it had been a city tradition
to have them there — they had done so for the past 30 years
or so — and it was her responsibility to have them there.
Needless to say, I heard nothing but silence for about a
minute, then I could not hold back and broke out into laughter
and told her, “Gotcha.” Welcome to Redwood City, baby. She
has been a great sport ever since and a total professional.
The process for finding her replacement is being handled
in-house by the city’s Human Resources Department. The
new city clerk will be announced sometime in October.
Everett’s departure, on the other hand, has me reflecting
on so many things. He came on board about the same time
that I was getting involved in the political process here. I
have had so many different impressions, opinions and views
about him that I cannot easily express how I feel about
his departure. What sticks most in my mind about him is
his strong conviction that he is doing what is best for our
community. No matter what obstacles he has to face for those
beliefs, he will try and implement them. Whether I agree with
his approach is irrelevant; I respect him and his dedication to
improving the quality of our lives.
The process to replace him is in the works. Thirty
applicants were received and I am being told that none were
from within the city staff — the City Council met in closed
session on Aug. 22 to discuss the applicants. The list will be
shortened and his replacement will be announced toward the
end of September.
Now, besides those two, I am hearing that Fire Chief
Gerry Kohlmann will announce his retirement very soon
and will be moving on to work in the private sector for a
company in San Jose. I, like you, am hoping this is not true
as he is very respected and has brought a great working
environment to our firefighters. I tried to get confirmation
either way but could not by press time, so you will probably
hear an announcement soon after we are out on the streets.
But remember, you read it here first!
. . .
Election time is here — yahoo! And there is going to be a
City Council race! Unlike other districts, where members
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net
of the community do not run because there is so much apathy,
we have two challengers — Joneen Nielsen and Kevin
Bondonno — vying against four incumbents — Alicia
Aguirre, Ian Bain, Rosanne Foust and Barbara Pierce.
Although the signing of a candidate’s nomination papers
does not indicate an endorsement, viewing who signed whose
papers can be enlightening. Aguirre’s was signed by, among
others, colleagues Bain and Foust, Sequoia trustee Lorraine
Rumley, board or commission members Nancy Radcliffe,
Susan Swope, Alex and Cherlene Wright and Alpio
Barbara. Bain’s — Pierce, former Mayor Dani Gasparini,
Radcliffe, Swope, Maria Diaz-Slocum and Mary
Mortenson. Bondonno’s — Jeff Ira and Shawn White.
Foust’s — Ira, Paula Uccelli, Pete and Ginny Hughes,
Glenna Vaskelis, Bill Conklin and Barbara. Pierce’s
— Diane Howard, former Mayors Gasparini and Brent
Britschgi, Warren Dale, Radcliffe, Swope, Mortenson and
Keith and Nina Kadera. Nielsen’s had no current or former
council members or board or commission members. This will
be an interesting race.
Several debates are being planned, with no solid dates yet
except for the Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum on
Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Pacific Athletic Club. Call 650-
364-1722 for details and tickets.
By the way, you might be wondering what happened
to Nick James. He was one of the first people to take out
nomination papers. But he failed to qualify for the ballot
because he is not a registered voter in our community. Yes,
that is a requirement. Oh, I am so biting my lip right now and
don’t think I need to comment on that one.
. . .
Music to the following districts’ ears is being heard. They
will not have to hold elections this year because there are no
challengers to the incumbents. The money they will save is
staggering.
In the Redwood City Elementary School District race, two
incumbents — Shelly Masur and Dennis McBride — will
rejoin the board with newcomer Alisa MacAvoy. The district
budgeted about $50,000 for the election and will now be
able to use it elsewhere. This will be MacAvoy’s first elected
position. McBride is starting his second term on the board.
Masur was originally appointed to the board in 2005. She
succeeded in winning a two-year term later that year after her
only competition bowed out during a debate. This will be her
first four-year term with the board.
In the Sequoia Union High School District, all three
incumbent trustees will be returning to the board. President
Olivia Martinez, and trustees Don Gibson and Lorraine
Rumley were all first elected in 1999. The three, along with
colleagues Gordon Lewin and Sally Stewart, are faced
with figuring out how to come up with the $3.15 million
discrepancy between the total costs of remodeling projects
the school district started and the bond money it will receive
in upcoming years. An estimated savings of $120,000 to
$150,000 for the district because they will not hold an election
might help.
Sequoia has an estimated $54.3 million left from the two
bonds and is committed to $57.4 million in work. Voters have
approved bonds twice since 2001 for a total of $158 million.
But it seems they need more and are considering going back
to voters to approve another bond. I don’t know many that
would support another bond given the fact that many projects
have been considered luxuries for the district instead of
necessities. I mean, why does every campus need a top-notch
performing arts center? And so on.
Also, did you know that in the Sequoia district, out of the
1,915 students in the senior class, about 385 of them have yet
to pass at least one portion of the California High School Exit
Exam? More on that next month. I guess it is fortunate for the
incumbents running for re-election that these types of issues
will not be brought up during a campaign.
The San Mateo County Community College District had
budgeted to pay $383,000 — the bill for the 2005 race. All
three incumbents — Dave Mandelkern, Patricia Miljanich
and Karen Schwarz — will return for another four years.
It will be Mandelkern’s second term and the fourth term for
Miljanich and Schwarz.
Given the number of terms and years all these incumbents
have been around, I have to wonder if these people just die
on their boards? I commend them for their public service, but
come on now — isn’t it time to let others have the opportunity
to make a difference? We all know it is almost impossible
to beat an incumbent because voters are so uninformed and,
unless there is a major issue, just stay the course. No wonder
nobody runs against them.
After an impressive and very time-consuming appeal
process, the City Council approved the Costco expansion but
added some new conditions. I do not know if you attended
or watched the nearly six-hour meeting on the tube, but I
was so proud — even though I did not agree with them — of
the residents in that neighborhood who took a stand and
challenged the “process.” In doing so, they at least make
the corporate giant more accountable to our community.
There will be a 30-day statute of limitations on the council’s
decision, in case a lawsuit is filed within that time frame.
I doubt there will be, so here’s to cheaper gas and more
discounted selections.
But then again, do I really need 52 more rolls of toilet paper?
As I was saying…
. . .
. . .

‘Top Model’ Hopefuls Line Up at RWC Salon
The line in front of The Beauty Lounge in Redwood City stretched halfway around the
block of Broadway and Winslow Street, but its length didn’t stop a number of glamorous
women from queuing up on Saturday, Aug. 11.
The local salon, owned by Chris Randolph and his wife, Leticia, was the Bay Area
audition site for the ninth season of “America’s Next Top Model.” Tyra Banks hosts the reality
show, which pits 10 to 14 would-be models against each other in a series of elimination
rounds to determine the winner. There are no “rounds” of auditions — contestants are
selected from this week-long, nationwide search or they are not selected at all.
As the morning wore on — auditions began at 10 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. —
nervousness mounted.
Alyssa Sweitzer, of Fairfield, said her biggest worry was “not getting picked.”
“This is my first time really going out,” the 18-year-old said, referring to her relative
inexperience in modeling. “My mamma kept telling me that school was more important
and that I should finish school before I jump into anything else.” Aside from “working on
my mamma’s nerves,” she’d devoted her past weeks to rehearsing for her audition.
To sign up for the audition, aspiring contestants had to preregister online. The actual
auditions consisted of an interview with a camera; the tapes were then sent to the show’s
producers, who will evaluate them and make their selections over the next few weeks.
None of the young women were allowed to hear what questions were being put to their
competitors during the camera interview. Only one candidate was allowed in The Beauty
Lounge at a time. Each candidate was then led to the back of the salon, where she faced
the camera and answered the “Top Model” crew’s questions.
“I was pretty nervous being on the spot and answering questions,” said Marisa Urbina,
21, of Napa, after her audition. Unlike Sweitzer, Urbina has been modeling for a few years,
mostly in hair advertisements. If she is selected, “America’s Next Top Model” would easily
be her biggest showcase.
The auditions were The Beauty Lounge’s biggest showcase, too.
“We spent all week preparing,” said Randolph. “We want to handle these types of events
in the future and we want people to be aware of our location.”
Randolph said The Beauty Lounge was chosen as the Bay Area site when he answered
a general advertisement for those who were interested in hosting “Top Model” auditions.
“This is a brand new salon, so this is excellent publicity,” he said. “It’s been an extremely
exciting process.”
The line outside The Beauty Lounge wrapped around the block as women waited for
their turn to audition for “America’s Next Top Model.”
Thousands Take Part in Bicycle Tour
More than 2,000 bicyclists turned out Sunday, Aug. 5, for the annual Tour de
Peninsula, one of the great summer biking events in San Mateo County.
The tour serves as a popular fundraiser for Bike Sundays, the Sunday
closure of Cañada Road that permits carefree biking, skating, running and
strolling. The 33-mile tour route, which begins and ends at Sequoia High
School in Redwood City, is laid out to highlight two of the San Mateo County
Department of Parks’ premier family biking opportunities — Sawyer Camp
Trail and Cañada Road.
After completing the tour, riders picked up their “Official Tour de Peninsula
Dirty T-shirt” and got a chance to visit post-ride expo booths while they
enjoyed music played by the Chris Ford Band.
The organizer and beneficiary of the tour, the San Mateo County Parks and
Recreation Foundation, was established in 1988 and supports the preservation
and restoration of native habitats and environmental education. The
foundation seeks grants and contributions from individuals, foundations and
businesses and to date has raised $7 million to support 30 different programs
of the San Mateo County Department of Parks.
Supervisor Rich Gordon, honorary chair of the event, said, “I congratulate
and thank all of this year’s participants. The Tour de Peninsula is a great way
to feel the benefits of physical exercise and help all residents of San Mateo
County by raising funds to support the county park department’s Bicycle
Sunday program.”
The San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation is located at 215
Bay Road, Menlo Park. To learn more about Foundation volunteer opportunities,
ranging from being a docent to clearing trails, call 650-321-5812 or visit
www.supportparks.org.
Top left: Mark Simon, founder of the Tour de Peninsula, and Rich Gordon, San Mateo
County supervisor, at the Tour de Peninsula Aug. 5.
.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

From Basketballs to Badges:Riva
R edwood City police Officers Diana Villegas
(left) and Jessica Gray (right) are the best of
friends — but they didn’t start out that way. It’s
the kind of story that, looking back, they can
laugh about. But at that time, it would have been
hard to imagine them ending up as close as they
are now.
Years ago, when both women were playing high
school basketball, they met on the court as opponents,
little love lost between them. Villegas went
“You need to pick on someone your
own size.”
to Burlingame High School and Gray to Woodside.
Villegas was in the class of ’95, a year ahead
of Gray. After one of their games, Gray entered a
verbal confrontation with one of Villegas’ friends.
“I said, ‘You need to pick on someone your own
size,’” Villegas recalled with a smile. “And [Gray]
said, ‘Then I’ll pick on you!’” she laughed.
At 6 feet tall, Villegas still comes in just shy
of Gray’s 6 feet 1 inch, but they were very much
“the same size” — or close to it. In this confrontation,
people had to intercede to break up the pair,
and they maintained a distinct dislike for each
other for some time thereafter — hardly an auspicious
beginning to what would turn out to be a
great friendship!
For Villegas, basketball was a means to an end.
She attended college on a basketball scholarship,
her end goal always being the police force. “We’re
very different,” Villegas said. “I always knew I
wanted to be a police officer. My cousin, Steve
Penny, was a police officer here for 25 years, and I
wanted to follow his footsteps. Six months after I
graduated from college, I was a police officer.”
Gray, however, continued in basketball much
longer, traveling the world to play on professional
teams. It wasn’t until returning from playing
overseas that she encountered Villegas again
— and followed her former rival onto the police
force. Villegas took Gray under her wing during
her training, and the seeds of friendship were
planted.
Villegas is the high school resource officer at
Sequoia. The resource officer is on scene to handle
any problems at the school. If a fight breaks
out on campus, Villegas is already there. She also
works with intervention programs and youth education
programs. “Ever since I was hired, that’s
what I wanted to do,” she said. Before she could
take on that post, though, she had to earn valuable
field experience. “I started so young,” Villegas
said. “Back in the day, they hired officers 21, 22.
They don’t do that anymore.”
When I spoke with Villegas, her enthusiasm for
the job was clearly evident, not only through her
voice but also on her face and in her eyes. It’s refreshing
to see someone with such a joie de vivre
for what she does, who is dedicated and truly happy
where she is. “All the goals I’ve ever wanted
in my life — I wanted to be a cop, I wanted to be
a resource officer, I wanted a basketball scholarship
— for me, life is perfect,” she said. It’s easy
to see why she’s excelled. Not only does she love
what she does, she has a determination to do the
job right. She’s also served as a tactics instructor
and continues to coach youth basketball. “I coach
little guys,” she said, “usually sixth to seventh
grade. For some reason, they really pick things up
at that age.”
While Villegas was on a fast-track, high-focus
career path, Gray traveled more, seeing the
world and exploring after college. It’s a contrast
between the two women, one of many, that
highlights the differences between them. Villegas

ls Become Friends on the Force
describes herself as the more conservative of the
pair, while Gray is more adventurous, having
had many outside experiences and travels that
Villegas lacks. At the same time, Gray admires
Villegas’ police experience and professionalism.
Talking to them, it’s easy to see how the mutual
respect grew between them and how they complement
each other with differing experiences and
temperaments.
When Gray expressed an interest in being an
officer, Villegas was able to guide her. “In the
police department, you don’t ever want to say,
‘Oh, this person would be a great officer,’ because
if it doesn’t work out, it falls back on you,” she
explained. But Gray earned her best recommendation,
working hard toward her own goal once
she’d decided to become an officer, excelling at
the academy and in field training.
Before her travels, Gray played basketball at the
University of San Diego. After graduating, she
moved to England, where she played professionally.
“My main goal after graduating college was
to get to Australia,” Gray explained, “but because
I went to a smaller school, it was hard for me to
get my name out there.”
After moving to New Zealand, she continued
“Then I’ll pick on you.” She laughed.
her pro basketball career, later moving back to
England and then to Australia. While in Australia,
she got to play against the best female player
in the world, Laura Jackson, who stands 6 feet
6 inches tall and is on the Australian women’s
Olympic team. From Australia, Gray moved back
to England to continue her career.
“After my last time in England, I came home
and someone asked me to play on a local league,”
Gray recalled. “And they told me about Diana.”
Remembering her from high school, “I was like,
‘I don’t like that girl!’” she said, laughing.
In the local league, the two women played together
and quickly became friends. Searching for
a new direction in her life, Gray had considered
becoming a nurse but found Villegas’ example
a promising one and decided to become a police
officer instead.
“Diana was a very good mentor for me, from
the time I considered being an officer, through
the academy, and even on. She’s always been
there,” Gray said. “I absolutely love her. She’s
really great! She was my beat partner, so we got
to spend a lot of quality time together and I got
to learn a lot more from her as an officer.” They
were partnered for six months, patrolling from
Whipple to Redwood. On every call they answered,
Gray explained, she felt better knowing
Villegas had her back — a sentiment Villegas
strongly echoed about Gray.
On the force for a little over 18 months now,
Gray finds being an officer “life-changing. The
opportunity to see various parts of people’s
lives, you get to make a difference,” she said. Her
relationships with co-workers are different from
those of a more typical office job. “Every day you
go out there. You never know what could happen.
You have to make decisions that may or may not
impact your partner.” But far from being grim,
Gray finds the work rewarding. “We have a lot of
fun, we laugh,” she added.
“I grew up in Redwood City,” Gray said. “I was
born and raised here. So it’s been very nice for
me to come back and try to make a difference in
the community that I grew up in. I love it. It’s the
“Every day you go out there. You
never know what could happen.”
best.”
Whether it’s working a beat on patrol, or
safeguarding and educating our youth, these
two fine officers are a credit to Redwood City’s
community. From a discordant beginning, they’ve
grown together as great friends and professionals.
“Jessica and I compare Redwood City to a D-1,”
Villegas said. “Division One. In college basketball,
that’s the best you can get. You can’t get any
better.”
Left: Jessica Gray, Right: Diana Villegas
.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

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650 Bair Island Road . Redwood City .(650) 368-3668 . From 101 take Whipple Avenue East
Hours: Tues-Sun 8 AM - 3 pm www.divingpelicancafe.com
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Community Interest
Bring Your Family,
Neighbors and Friends to
Learn From the Youth in
Our Community!
Adults and Youth Coming Together
for the Future, Bridge to a
Better Community
Sequoia High School Multi-Purpose
Room
1201 Brewster Ave.
Friday, Sept. 14, 6–9 p.m.
Door Prizes * Free Parking * Childcare
Provided * Free Food * Fun Activities
Hosted by the City of Redwood City and
Redwood City 2020
You’re invited! If you are a youth between
the ages of 12 and 20 or an adult living or
working in Redwood City, this is the event
for you! Come talk with city leaders and
other community members to learn from
one another in a unique discussion and
find out how we can build an even greater
community. It will take all generations
to make this happen! Did you know that
youth in Redwood City want to be more
involved in our community? If you have
never been on the Sequoia High School
campus, this is a great opportunity to see
it and also find out why it is now one of
the top schools in the U.S.!
Redwood City Costco
Appeal Denied
Plans for a larger Costco warehouse store
and 12-pump gas station on Middlefield
Road are moving forward toward a final
vote after the Redwood City City Council
denied the appeal of a neighborhood
association that argued the environmental
impact report for the project is flawed.
The City Council denied the request
by the Redwood Village Neighborhood
Association, according to the City Clerk’s
Office.
The decision came late in a council
meeting after hours of reports by city
staff, the appellants and Costco itself
along with public comment by those in
the packed chambers.
Costco wants to demolish its existing
120,000-square-foot warehouse at 2300
Middlefield Road and replace it with a
160,000-square-foot version and new gas
station.
Opponents asked the council to reverse
the Planning Commission’s certification
of the EIR in June because some data
on which its approval was based is
wrong, there wasn’t an adequate project
description provided and the city didn’t
consider an alternative site.
The number of trips generated by the
project was a key point of contention,
with opponents arguing the reality far
exceeds the 390 new peak trips estimated
in the EIR. The traffic, they said, will
bring pollution, noise and an increase
of cars cutting through their residential
community.
The homeowners appealing the decision
are not against the idea of a larger Costco
but want the company and city to vacate
plans for the gas station, Kathy Soulard
of the neighborhood association told the
council.
Another problem, according to
opponents, is that the city is not
considering how the Stanford Outpatient
Clinic on Broadway will add to
cumulative traffic impacts. The city is not
required to consider the clinic, Planning
Manager Jill Ekas told the council during
her staff report, which recommended
upholding the EIR certification.
The homeowners group also raised
concerns about the noise and pollution
of a proposed tire center. Opponents did
not ask that the center be eliminated but
moved from its proposed location.
Save the Date!
Veterans Memorial Senior Center
25th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, December 1, 2007
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m
You are invited to celebrate and honor
the legacy of many volunteers,
patrons and staff that have served
the Redwood City community.
1455 Madison Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94061-1549
Event Information Contact
(650) 780-7264
Advertise
with The Spectrum
650.368.2434
11.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

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917 Main St., Redwood City
650-361-8737 • www.littleindiacuisine.com
10 % off
with your Parking
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Call us: 650.368.2434
The Spectrum Magazine

Advertise with
The Spectrum
650.368.2434

Ed Everett on the Move
Valerie Harris
Special to The Spectrum
‘The definition of community is the feeling of not being alone.’
Redwood City’s city manager, Ed Everett, is eyeing a time
in the very near future when the thrills and headaches of
managing a city will end. The actual date is Sept. 21. As the
photo on this page indicates, Everett will be dancing into
retirement.
Everett said, “The baby boomers are getting rid of the old
definitions of retirement. The definition of retirement that
I had in my youth differs from how the baby boomers are
defining it.”
Everett is a third-generation native Californian, born
to Permin and Ellen Everett and raised in Sacramento.
His paternal lines trace back to France. The family later
immigrated to Denmark. The old French family name, Da
Permin, eventually was truncated to Permin, and now every
generation carries that name forward in either a first or
middle name. Everett’s middle name is Permin, and he has
passed that name along to one of his daughters as a middle name.
“I had to figure out a plan of attack.
It was going to take more than
street furniture to revive the
downtown area.”
Everett grew up in Sacramento along with his older
brother, Richard, who lives in Newcastle, near Sacramento.
Richard Everett reminisced: “When Ed and I were in school
together, I was the older brother, and I would make B’s and
C’s. Ed would get mostly A’s with an occasional B. I’d tell
him that my classes were harder because I was older. But
that was never the case for him. I guess he took after my
father. It ran in the family. My father was a college graduate
and worked for the state of California as chief of standards
and surveys. Even our grandfather, Ralph Waldo Everett,
graduated from Stanford in 1901. But Ed was always a leader.
Even when we were in high school, Ed was the one who ran
the Sunday school.”
After graduating from high school, Everett attended
the University of California, Davis, for his undergraduate
degree in economics. “At that time I was trying to stay out of
Vietnam,” Everett said. “I applied to graduate school to get a
draft deferment. The draft board drafted me, so I signed up
for the Navy.”
Everett spent three years in the Navy as an officer. After
exiting the Navy, he joined the Vista Volunteers, where he
spent a year and a half working with urban youth in Philadelphia.
“It was when I was in Philadelphia that I thought about
running a city. Philadelphia was such a poorly run city at
the time, I thought: Any numbskull could run the city better
than this!” Everett enrolled in the Woodrow Wilson School
of Public and International Affairs at Princeton, where he
received a master’s degree in urban affairs.
His first job out of graduate school was in Palo Alto, in
program and management analysis. Everett explained: “The
city manager at the time was a very innovative thinker, and
he wanted me to be a department head, so he made me the fire
chief. I wasn’t a fireman!”
Everett’s next job was assistant county manager in Washoe
County, Nev., around Incline Village and Sparks, where he
stayed five years.
Prior to taking the job as city manager in Redwood City,
Everett served as a city manager for the city of Belmont for
eight years.
During the transitions from California to Nevada,
Everett married and had two daughters: Heather and
Nicole. Although Everett eventually divorced, the family
retained their local roots. Nicole Everett, now 27, lives in
San Francisco with her partner Katie. Nicole is working on
an advanced degree in interior design. Daughter Heather
Ruiz, 31, is married to Roberto Ruiz and they both work for
the county. Heather is a Human Resources manager for the
county hospital, and Roberto is in San Mateo Public Works.
Heather and Roberto share a home in Mountain View with
their five-year-old son, Danny.
Taking over the reins of a new city was not that big a leap
for Everett, with all the experience he had logged. He wanted
to do more.
Everett uses a corporate-based analogy, describing his job
as that of a chief executive officer (CEO) and likening the
elected council members to a board of directors. So what does
the CEO of a city do? A city manager’s function is described
in detail on Wikipedia:
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative
manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city
government.
Typical roles and responsibilities of a city manager include:
• Supervising day-to-day operations of all city departments;
• Supervising the department heads;
• Preparing a draft city budget each year with options the
council votes on;
• Researching and making recommendations about topics of
interest to the council;
• Meeting with citizens and citizen groups to understand
their needs better;
• Providing executive leadership that encourages good
performance by city workers;
• Operating the city with a professional understanding of
how all city functions operate together to their best effect.
Typically, city managers have hire-fire authority over all
city employees, though these decisions may be required to
be approved by the council, and must comply with locally
applicable civil service laws. This authority includes talent
searches for “department heads” who are the managers of the
city departments.
Everett brought a new spin to city management. Once a week,
he had his “quiet time” — an hour of solitude, usually in the
library, where he forced himself to think “outside the box.” It
was during one of these occasions that Everett started reading
“Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American
Community” by Robert D. Putnam.
According to an Amazon.com review: “In the book,
Putnam, a professor of sociology at Harvard, argued that
civil society was breaking down as Americans became more
disconnected from their families, neighbors, communities
and the republic itself. The organizations that gave life
to democracy were fraying. Bowling became his driving
metaphor. Years ago, he wrote, thousands of people belonged
to bowling leagues. Today, however, they’re more likely to
bowl alone.”
That book proved to be a pivotal influence on Everett’s
thinking and on the reshaping of Redwood City’s philosophy
on community-building. Yogi Berra packaged the idea succinctly:
“If you don’t go to somebody’s funeral, they won’t come to
yours.” The message was powerful in its simplicity: To define
yourself as a city, you need to build a community. From that
day forward, Everett set the ground rules, along with the city
council, to make every resident not just a city dweller, but a
cared-for member of Redwood City’s community.
Everett and the various city council members throughout
the years easily embraced community-building. It’s an easy
pitch to make. Redwood City has evolved to the point of truly
involving its community members, from Create-A-Smile,
which organizes fundraising events for families in financial
need, all the way to the Friday concerts downtown.
Everett said, “The definition of community is the feeling of
not being alone, that if I am in need and reach out, someone
will help me, even if I don’t know them. People respond by
feeling attached to the community.”
When Everett first came to Redwood City, he faced some
challenges. Downtown was so dead, it garnered the moniker
Deadwood City. “That was 17 years ago,” Everett explained.
“I had to figure out a plan of attack. It was going to take more
than street furniture to revive the downtown area. That’s why
we started spending the money. A community needs family
room where people can congregate.” Thus the downtown
project was born.
“Now on Fridays we have concerts. A man walked up to
me and told me that he never misses a concert, even though
he doesn’t care for the music some of the bands play. He told
me he goes because he meets all his friends there. It’s become
part of the fabric of the community.”
Another community builder was “Harry Potter night” at
the public library. Everett recounted: “The library stayed
open from 8 p.m. until midnight, and the event was a
framework for kids to socialize and get to know each other.
We gave away around 300 books. The youth is our future, yet
the youth are the most neglected faction of our society. They
are the most ‘left out,’ according to studies.” The public is
welcome to attend a community discussion on the city’s youth
on Sept. 15 in the Sequoia High School cafeteria.
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net

Other community projects include neighborhood disaster
preparedness. Everett envisions having the community selfsufficient
for at least 72 hours after a major disaster, to enable
local emergency services to tackle the really critical issues.
Why is Everett quitting a job he has come to master? “It’s
time. The city plan is at a level where someone can come in
and take it to the next level. I’ve worked 24 years in a job
where I have a target on my back. It’s tough working in such
a fishbowl,” Everett explained. For the reader, it takes only a
few keystrokes to learn about the contentious battles Everett
and his staff have encountered. One incident was so vicious
that he had to hire an attorney with his own funds to have
some personal attacks cease and desist.
The reality may be that Everett wants to spend more time
in his cabin in Truckee, more time with his daughters and
grandson, and more time on the dance floor at the Arthur
Murray Dance Studio with his significant interest, Mary
Welch. Everett says, “I met Mary working on committees
years ago. I was divorced about a year, and I just hated to go
to movies alone. One night, I called Mary and asked her if she
wanted to go to a movie. She accepted.”
The two began taking dance lessons at the popular studio
on Broadway. “Mary recently injured her wrist, so she isn’t
able to be my dance partner today,” he said as I watched him
waltz around the floor with studio owner and instructor Alice
Louise.
“I take it [dancing] as enjoyable and I don’t always do it
well,” Everett said. “But it’s just one of those things that you
have to go in and say: You know, it’s going to be fun, and if I
screw up, so what? One dance class, we had a substitute, and
the dance instructor said, ‘Ed, you lost a step.’ I just stopped,
and started looking around. ‘Has anyone seen my step? I lost
a step! I know it was around here somewhere.’ Look, when
you dance you are going to make mistakes, and it’s sort of
like life: You just have to laugh at it,” he added.
When Everett closes this chapter of his career as a city
manager, he will be far from “retired.” He is eager to share
adventures with his family, work on his cabin and spread his
goodwill to all he encounters in his newest journey. We wish
him well.
“Look, when you dance you are going to make mistakes,
”
and it’s sort of like life: You just have to laugh at it.
17.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

Advertise with The Spectrum
650.368.2434

Nonprofits in Action
Advocates for Children
For as little as 10 hours a month, you could make a lasting difference in the
life of an abused and neglected child.
Each year, 600 to 800 San Mateo County children enter the foster care
system as a result of abuse and neglect. Advocates for Children, CASA of
San Mateo County, is actively seeking caring and consistent adults to mentor
and speak up for the best interests of these children. Over 130 children are
waiting for someone who cares.
If you would like to become a volunteer advocate, or just want to learn
more, please attend an orientation held in their San Mateo office. Visit their
Web site (www.AdvocatesFC.org) or call 650-212-4423 for more information.
CityTrees
CityTrees is a nonprofit working with the Public Works Department to
enhance and care for Redwood City’s urban forest. They usually plant or
prune on the third Saturday of each month. Check their Web site (www.
citytrees.org) for a listing of events and dates.
City Talk Toastmasters
Join the City Talk Toastmasters to develop communication and leadership
skills. The club meets Wednesdays 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road. Call Manny Rosas at 650-
780-7468 if you would like to check out a meeting or just stop in. Visit
www.toastmasters.org for more information about the Toastmasters public
speaking program.
Family Service Agency of San Mateo County
Looking for a dependable source of skilled, reliable workers? Family
Service Agency of San Mateo County provides employers with mature,
ready-to-work, experienced workers who are 55 years and older. Employers
contact the service because they appreciate the superior work ethic and the
commitment to quality that mature workers possess. There are no fees for
hiring candidates. Contact Barbara Clipper at 650-403-4300, ext. 4368, to
place your job order.
For those looking for work, Family Service Agency provides a range of
services for those who are at least 55 years of age, including referrals for
classroom training, vocational counseling, job referrals and on-the-job
training for qualified participants. Contact Connie Tilles at 650-403-4300,
ext. 4371, if you are looking for work.
Friends for Youth
Do you like to play video games, shoot hoops, watch baseball games or just
have fun? Then you have what it takes to be a mentor!
As a mentor, you can hang out with a young person like Reggie. He’s a 12-
year-old who loves pizza, baseball and cars. He lives with his grandmother
and three sisters and would love to hang out with a guy and have fun. There
are 30 boys like Reggie waiting to be matched with a mentor like you. Most
of the boys wait more than a year to meet their mentors.
As a mentor with Friends for Youth, you will have access to group
activities like bowling, miniature golf and camping trips, plus free tickets
to Giants, 49ers, Warriors and Sharks games and more. In just a few hours a
week you can make a difference in the life of someone like Reggie.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, we invite you to attend a onehour
information session in Redwood City. For upcoming sessions, call 650-
482-2871 or e-mail mentor@friendsforyouth.org.
Hearing Loss Association of the Peninsula
Hearing Loss Association is a volunteer, international organization of hardof-hearing
people and their relatives and friends. The nonprofit, nonsectarian,
educational organization is devoted to the welfare and interests of those who
cannot hear well but are committed to participating in the hearing world.
A day meeting is held on the first Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the
Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave. Educational speakers
and refreshments are provided. A demonstration of assistive devices is
held on the first Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in the second-floor
conference room at the Redwood City Public Library, 1044 Middlefield Road.
Please call Marj at 650-593-6760 with any questions.
Nursing Mothers Counsel
Nursing Mothers Counsel, a nonprofit organization since 1955, provides free
breastfeeding education and assistance by highly trained counselors (moms
who breastfed for at least six months). To speak with a counselor (no fee), call
650-327-MILK (327-6455).
NMC also offers free breastfeeding classes. Moms (including babies),
dads, grandmas and friends are welcome. Classes are held the first Saturday
of each month at Mills Hospital in San Mateo from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 650-
327-MILK (327-6455) to RSVP.
NMC also has breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies available for
purchase and rent. Call 650-364-9579. If you’d like to become a trained
counselor, call 650-365-2713. Visit their Web site at www.nursingmothers.org.
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
In addition to sheltering and finding new homes for stray and unwanted
animals (100 percent placement for healthy dogs and cats since 2003!), PHS/
SPCA has vital programs for people. New in 2006 and beginning with the
North Fair Oaks community, the shelter began driving its mobile spay/neuter
clinic into low-income neighborhoods, offering owners free “fixes” for their
pets. PHS/SPCA also provides a free animal behavior help line in English
and Spanish. Call 650-340-7022, ext. 783 or 786. And domestic abuse victims
who wish to leave their abusive situation but are fearful of doing so because
they have pets can receive temporary sheltering for their pets through PHS/
SPCA. Call 650-340-7022, ext. 330.
Peninsula Hills Women’s Club
Peninsula Hills Women’s Club meets the third Wednesday of each month
at the Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave. For more
information, call 650-366-6371.
Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club
The Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club was chartered in April 1988. In the years
since that time, the club has met weekly at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and to hear
a speaker at the Waterfront Restaurant at Pete’s Harbor in Redwood City. The
club, with 22 members, has frequently been honored as an outstanding small
club by Rotary District 5150, which includes San Mateo, San Francisco and
part of Marin counties. For more information or to join, call Marc Manuel at
650-306-9606.
Redwood City Education Foundation
The Redwood City Education Foundation is an all-volunteer, nonprofit
organization dedicated to providing students in the Redwood City School
District with a strong education that lays the foundation for future success.
They raise private money to provide enrichment programs to all students in
the district. Their funding is focused on academic achievement, music and
art, and health and wellness. They are currently seeking new board members.
Board members are responsible for attending monthly meetings, chairing
board committees, participating in fundraising and outreach activities, and
promoting RCEF in the community. If you are interested in the possibility of
serving on the board, please contact Adam Borison at 650-363-7271 or vp@
rcef.org. For more information on RCEF, check out www.rcef.org.
Redwood City Sunrise Lions Club
This group is small but has a growing membership. All members either
live or work in our community and share a common goal of making our
city a better place to live. This club is one of over 44,000 Lions Clubs in
199 nations. Chartered in 1966, the club has been vigorously active helping
eyesight-impaired youth in our schools and seniors who are hearing-impaired.
(continued on page 21)
19.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

News Briefs
Jail, Counseling for Girl Who Hid Drugs on Sister
The 18-year-old girl who asked her 10-year-old sister to hide heroin in her sweatshirt during a routine traffic stop was
sentenced to nine months in jail and ordered to complete child abuse counseling.
Maria Guadalupe Miranda receives credit for four days against her term, which the court recommended be served through
the work furlough program. Miranda must also spend four years on supervised probation following the sentence and register
as a drug offender, according to court records clerks.
Miranda, who has been free on a $25,000 bail bond, pleaded no contest in April to felony drug possession for sale and
misdemeanor child endangerment. The plea bargain dismissed other charges of drug possession for sale and transporting
drugs.
On March 23, Redwood City police pulled Miranda over and reported she had only a Carlmont High School identification
card. During a voluntary search of Miranda’s wallet, the officer reportedly found two twists of cocaine and heroin. The officer
also reported finding two ounces of heroin in the sweatshirt of Miranda’s 10-year-old sister. The girl allegedly told police
Miranda gave the drugs to her to hide.
Miranda was to take the drugs to somebody at the Hillsdale Shopping Center to earn money for college, according to the
District Attorney’s Office.
Miranda’s 6-year-old cousin was also in the vehicle.
Men Rob Store With Hammer
Two men armed with a gun and a hammer robbed a Redwood City cell phone store and sent an employee to the hospital with
head injuries, police reported.
The men entered the store at 3708 Florence St. The duo had a gun and a hammer. They used the hammer to shatter a
display case and steal the phones inside. They also hit a store employee in the head with the hammer. An employee was
transported to the hospital with unknown injuries, said Sgt. Steve Blanc of the Redwood City Police Department.
Police issued a countywide alert for the two suspects and searched the area. However, the two men were never located,
Blanc said.
Both men are described as Pacific Islanders. One was taller, bald and was wearing a black shirt. He was armed with the
gun. The other was shorter, heavyset and wearing a white shirt. They were last seen fleeing the scene in a gray, older model
PT Cruiser with tinted windows, according to police reports.
Anyone with information about this incident should call the Redwood City Police Department at 780-7100.
Girl, 3, Falls From RWC Bridge
A 3-year-old is in serious condition at Stanford Hospital after riding her bike off a pedestrian ramp in Redwood City.
The girl was riding her bike on the Stambaugh Street bridge over Woodside Road. She was with her mother. The descent
from the bridge to Manzanita Street below is created by two ramps that hit each other at a right angle. The girl was riding her
bike down the top part of the ramp and failed to negotiate the turn onto the second part of the ramp. She hit a cyclone fence
at the turn, but careened through it and fell just short of 18 feet to an empty lot below, said Redwood City police Capt. Chris
Cesena.
The girl suffered abdominal and minor head injuries along with cuts, scrapes and bruises. She was rushed to Stanford
Hospital, where she remains in serious condition, Cesena said.
The girl was not wearing a helmet, Cesena said.
The Redwood City Police Department is collecting evidence and writing a report on the case while the Redwood City
Public Works Department and Caltrans decide who is responsible for the bridge maintenance.
“It is our understanding that Caltrans is responsible for the maintenance,” Cesena said.
The fence was fixed immediately following the accident, according to a police report.
Lomas and Jackson had been married dozens of years and raised four children. The fourth child, however, was allegedly
fathered by another man although raised by Lomas.
Brewer “was thinking it might not be his” but testified he never told Lomas. Lomas treated the boy as his own son and
appeared close to all the children, Brewer said.
He was unaware if Linda Jackson Lomas was unfaithful, and her husband never mentioned suspicions, Brewer said.
Brewer said Lomas had given up the “heavy drinking” of his past but in the weeks preceding the murder acknowledged
getting so drunk at a bar his sister had to take him home.
When Brewer declined to say he was aware of Lomas’ drinking beyond that incident, prosecutor Al Giannini pressed him
to agree he was also unaware of the robberies.
“Isn’t it true for at least four years there was a side of Robert you just never saw?” Giannini asked.
“That’s correct,” Brewer said.
Lomas remains in custody on no-bail status.
Redwood City Man in Custody After Fatal Crash
The California Highway Patrol has identified the driver of a black Toyota Camry that is being blamed for a fiery traffic
accident on Interstate 280 that sent two people to the hospital and killed another.
Redwood City resident Guadalupe Gomez, 68, was allegedly spotted driving the Toyota at speeds estimated by witnesses
to be in excess of 100 mph and using all four lanes of southbound Interstate 280, including the left shoulder.
At least one witness put the erratic driving behavior as far back as Wolfe Road in Cupertino, about seven miles north of
Race Street, where the accident happened.
It was near the Meridian Avenue area north of Race Street that Gomez’s Toyota apparently clipped a Mazda 626 driven by
27-year-old Los Gatos resident Jedidiah Lee Dooley. The Mazda spun into the center divide.
Gomez’s Toyota then struck a Honda in the rear, causing both the Honda and the Toyota to spin out, both eventually
coming to a stop.
The Honda then burst into flames with the unidentified male driver inside. He was later declared deceased.
Dooley was treated for minor cuts to his face at San Jose Regional Medical Center. Gomez was transported to Valley
Medical Center and treated for cuts to his head and a fractured right leg, according to the CHP.
What was left was a scene of carnage. At 11 a.m. the black Camry sat with its front end smashed. The Honda was not
recognizable as it sat facing oncoming traffic. The roof of the Honda was ripped up and open and the interior, melted and
charred, was exposed for passing motorists to see. Plastic and glass debris covered all five lanes and stretched for almost a
hundred yards.
Gomez was arrested at the hospital for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
It is not clear whether there was alcohol involved and the CHP will test the vehicle for any sign of mechanical failure, CHP
Officer Todd Thibodeau said.
The accident was reported around 7:40 a.m. and was finally cleared at about noon. The accident had traffic backed up for
miles in both directions of Interstate 280.
Police Search for Man With Knife
A midday domestic dispute turned into a large-scale search for a bloody man with a knife on the run in the North Fair Oaks
neighborhood of unincorporated San Mateo County.
Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to conflicting reports of gunshots and a stabbing at a residence on the 400 block of
Eighth Avenue in the unincorporated area near Redwood City. When police arrived they were able to determine, through
translators, that no one was shot, said Lt. Lisa Williams of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
Alejandro Acosta, 40, was visiting with his estranged wife and family the previous day. He arrived back at the address
the next day. When the family wouldn’t allow him inside the residence, Acosta punched his arm through a window to gain
entrance. He fled the area on foot with a knife from the residence, Williams said.
Officers tried to track down Acosta in the area and in surrounding cities, but could not locate him. He was last seen in blue
jeans and a bloody white tank top, according to police reports.
He is wanted for charges related to the assault, an outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and a federal
immigration warrant, Williams said.
Anyone with information about Acosta or his whereabouts should call the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office at 363-1536
or the anonymous tip line at 1-800-574-2700.
Friend Says Bank Robber Loved Wife
Law enfoLaw enforcement officials believe Robert Lomas spent weeks as the “Gilligan robber” before stabbing his wife to
death May 21 in their North Fair Oaks home.
To Earley Brewer, however, Lomas is “Bob,” a friend for more than three decades who liked playing dominoes, loved his
wife, Linda Jackson Lomas, and nearly fell apart when she was hospitalized for bypass surgery.
“He loved Linda,” Brewer testified Friday in a conditional hearing. “I just didn’t believe he killed Linda.”
A criminal grand jury indicted Lomas before he even entered an initial plea to one count of first-degree murder and seven
counts of robbery. Once in Superior Court, Lomas pleaded not guilty and was ordered back to court Sept. 18 to set a trial date.
The long lag time left defense attorney Richard Keyes worried Brewer, who has stage-four cancer originating in his
stomach, could die before testifying about the Lomases relationship.
Both sides agreed to Friday’s conditional hearing in which testimony is videotaped and transcribed for future use.
Aside from the murder, Lomas is accused of five bank robberies since April 21. Crimes from Newark and Mountain View
will be combined into the San Mateo County cases because Lomas brought the money back here, according to the District
Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors believe Lomas is responsible for a number of other bank robberies, too, but they fall outside the statute of
limitations.
Lomas’ bank robberies may have been propelled by a mountain of debt due to his wife’s medical conditions and the loss of
his auto store job following the domestic violence conviction, according to the prosecution.
In early April, Lomas was charged with domestic violence and ultimately sentenced to 15 days jail with the option of
serving in the Sheriff’s Work Program. He was supposed to surrender June 19 and enroll in domestic violence class by May
22. However, Lomas was reportedly rejected from the class May 21 for lack of funds to pay the approximate $75 fee.
At 9:55 a.m. that day, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from an unidentified man reporting a
woman dead at 2830B Huntington Ave. in the unincorporated area of Redwood City. Reports Lomas himself made the call
have not been confirmed.
Lomas remained at large until approximately 9 p.m. when he approached officers near the crime scene and turned himself in.
During his police interview, Lomas reportedly said his wife was unfaithful with a number of men. He allegedly believed
his wife was giving the money he stole to these men.
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net

Nonprofits in Action : continued from page 19
Join them for breakfast! The Lions meet every Wednesday at Bob’s Court
House Coffee Shop, 2198 Broadway, beginning at 7:15 a.m. Call Bill Gibbons
at 650-766-8105 for more details.
Redwood City Women’s Club
Redwood City Women’s Club meets at the clubhouse, 149 Clinton St., the
first Thursday of each month September through June. Social at 11:30 a.m.
and lunch at noon, followed by meeting and program. For information call
Loretta at 650-368-8212 or visit the group’s Web site at rwcwc.com.
Redwood City Rotary
Redwood City Rotary performs many service projects, provides college
scholarships and donates to international relief efforts. The 50-member club
meets in a spirit of good fellowship and fun each Tuesday at 12:15 at the
Sequoia Club, 1695 Broadway, to hear speakers and plan community benefits,
including the annual July 4 raffle that raises $80,000 for 12 local charities.
For more information about joining, contact President Alpio Barbara at 650-
369-0351.
Sequoia High School Alumni Association
The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Sequoia District
Board Room, 480 James Ave., at 7 p.m. All alumni and friends of Sequoia
are welcome to attend. For more information call Nancy at 650-592-5822,
visit the Web site at sequoiahsalumniassoc.org or e-mail sequoiaalumni@
earthlink.net.
Sequoia Stamp Club
This club was established in 1947 and invites community members to visit.
The club meets at the Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave.,
every second and fourth Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. There is a program every
meeting and refreshments are served. The dues are only $3 per year. Contact
Hank at 650-593-7012, e-mail sequoiastampclub@yahoo.com or visit the
group’s Web site at www.penpex.org. Sequoia Stamp Club sponsors a free
stamp show at the same location on the first weekend in December.
Soroptimist International of South Peninsula
The Soroptimists invite you to become a member of Soroptmist International,
the world’s largest service organization for business and professional
women, where “improving the lives of women and children” has been their
mission since 1921. Soroptimists work through service projects to advance
human rights and the status of women locally and abroad. Soroptimist
International of South Peninsula needs and wants you as a member. While
helping women’s and children’s causes, you will enjoy fellowship and lasting
friendships. They meet the second Thursday of every month. For more
information, please call their president, Maria, at 650-366-0668, Monday–
Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Optimist Club of Redwood City
The Optimists invite you to become a member of Optimist International,
one of the largest service organizations in the world, where “bringing out the
best in kids” has been their mission for over 80 years. Whether you’re a club
officer or a club member who enjoys the fellowship and friendship of others
with a common greater good, Optimist International needs and wants you as
a member.
The Optimist Club of Redwood City meets every Tuesday at 12:15 p.m.
at Bob’s Court House Coffee Shop at Middlefield and Broadway. For more
information please call their president, Steve, at 650-365-8089 or their
secretary, Ted Cole, at 650-366-1392. Or come join them for lunch to learn
more about how you can make a difference.
Woodside Terrace Optimist Club
This is a unique club made up of senior citizens who want to stay involved.
Most, but not all, come from the residence at Woodside Terrace. The club is
open to all of the community and provides an opportunity for seniors to be useful.
The club’s funds are raised by a card, candy and necklace sale held on
the fourth Wednesday of each month in the main lobby at 485 Woodside
Road, open to the public. All greeting cards are a dollar each. They sell See’s
and other candy bars and hold a See’s fundraiser for holidays. One of their
members makes beautiful necklaces and sells them for $10 or more if one
wishes to make a larger donation to the club.
The club has a tutoring project at Taft School and has contributed to school
libraries, the Children’s Cancer Campaign, the Optimist Volunteers for
Youth Camp near La Honda for needy children, the Optimist Jr. World Golf
program, Challenge Day and many other programs for kids.
Lunches/meetings are at 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays
of each month in the Assisted Living Dining Room at Woodside Terrace.
Guests are welcome. Please call President Jack Murphy at 650-780-9891 or
Millie Cole at 650-366-1392 for reservations.
Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club
Since October 1956, the Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club has been
devoted to community service in Redwood City. Through the decades,
the club has provided funds to help many worthy community programs
and continues to add more community projects. The Key Club of Sequoia
High School, sponsored by the Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club, was
chartered in 1994 and has been involved in raising money and donating time
and effort to many programs.
The Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club meets every Wednesday
morning 7:15–8:30 a.m. at the Waterfront Restaurant, 1 Uccelli Blvd. (at
Pete’s Harbor). They invite you to come to their meetings and check out the
club’s Web site at www.agencyinfo.org/kiwanis.
Editor’s note: If you are connected with a nonprofit organization and want your information printed in The Spectrum, send
it to writers@spectrummagazine.net or The Spectrum Magazine, P.O. Box 862, Redwood City, CA 94064. Let our community
know your contributions and maybe they will want to join you.

Finance : The Right ‘Papers’ — at the Right Time — Can Protect Your Family
David Amann
Special to The Spectrum
T
o protect your family, you need more than the best intentions — you need
the right “paperwork.” And you’re going to need it during two distinct phases
of your life — your working years and your retirement.
Let’s take a look at these time periods, along with some of the key
documents you may need.
Working years
While you’re working, your most valuable asset is your income. Without
it, your family might not be able to pay off the mortgage or send the kids
to college, and that’s why you need to put the appropriate insurance and
protection policies to work.
You can typically purchase a surprising amount of term insurance — which,
as the name suggests, covers you for a specified number of years — for relatively
modest premiums. In fact, due to longer life expectancies and other factors,
term insurance premiums, in general, have actually gone down in recent years.
Most term insurance policies offer only a death benefit with no cash
value. So, if you don’t die before your policy expires, you will get nothing
back from the premiums you paid in. However, when you buy “permanent”
insurance — such as whole life, universal life or variable universal life
— your premiums pay for both a death benefit and an investment component,
and any earnings have the potential to grow on a tax-deferred basis.
Apart from life insurance, you may need another important document
— a disability insurance policy. An injury or illness that prevents you from
working can seriously erode your savings and investments, so you’ll want to
protect your income. Your employer may offer some type of group disability
plan. But if this plan doesn’t pay at least 60 percent of your income, doesn’t
pay benefits to age 65 and has a waiting period longer than your savings can
last, you may need to look at supplemental private disability insurance.
Senior Activities
The following activities provided by the Veterans Memorial Senior Center,
1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City, are open to the public.
National Senior Week
Sept. 10–14
Monday, Sept. 10, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m., Sunset Room — Panel discussion and
a chance to experience a healing body treatment from a reiki, acupressure,
massage or chiropractic practitioner.
Tuesday, Sept. 11 — Grandparents Day! Join us in celebrating the wonderful
relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m., Goldstar Room — Lecture on the myths
and realities of hospice, from Mission Hospice.
Thursday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m., Sunset Room — Lecture on how to find help at
home, from Home Instead.
These events are free, and all are welcome. For more information, call
Merrylen Sacks at 650-780-7320.
Gilroy Gardens Community Services Trip
Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Let us take you on an adventure to Gilroy Gardens, which has whimsical
gardens, unique rides and one-of-a-kind exhibits. Cost of $60 includes roundtrip
transportation, entrance into the park and lunch. Please call 650-780-
7344 to reserve your spot today.
Tax Rebate: Homeowner and Renter Assistance
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Homeowner and Renter Assistance is an annual payment made by the
state of California to qualified individuals. Payment is based on your total
household income and a percentage of the assessed value of your home.
Retirement years
When you retire, you’ll still need to protect your family, but at this stage of
your life, your focus may be on leaving a legacy. Toward that goal, you will
have some estate planning considerations. And estate plans can be complex,
so you will need to work with an attorney.
Of course, everyone’s situation is unique, but here are two of the most
common documents associated with estate planning:
Will. If you don’t have a will, your wishes may never be fully honored,
because state law will dictate how your assets are divided. And if you
have no living relatives and you die intestate (without a will), your estate
will go to the state.
Living trust. If you have only a will, your assets may have to pass through
probate, which can be time-consuming and expensive. But with a
properly established living trust, your assets can pass directly to your
beneficiaries without court interference, legal fees, lengthy delays and
public disclosure. Also, a living trust can give you more precise control
over how — and when — you want your assets distributed. You could,
for example, have money distributed to your children or grandchildren in
installments over a period of years.
As you can see, you need to have your “papers” in order to properly take care
of your family — no matter where you are on life’s journey.
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners
and cannot provide tax or legal advice.
Renters may also qualify for assistance. Your income must be $42,770 or less,
and you must be 62+. No walk-ins; by appointment only. Call 650-780-7272,
beginning Sept. 4, to make an appointment.
AARP Driving Course — Renewals Only
Friday, Sept. 28, 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
This course is especially designed for drivers age 50 and over. No walkins;
by appointment only. Please call 650-780-7270 or sign up at the main
building. Bring a check for $10 payable to AARP to the class on Friday. The
instructor is Glenn Behm. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.
AARP Driving Course — Newcomers Only
Saturdays, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
This course is especially designed for drivers 50 and older who have not
taken this course before. Taking this course might allow you to qualify for
auto insurance discounts in most states. Must make an appointment. Please
call 650-780-7270 or sign up at the main building. Bring a check for $10
payable to AARP to the class on Friday. The instructor is Glenn Behm. Space
is limited, so reserve your spot today.
To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, call 650-780-7270.
Redwood City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department
provides recreational facilities and activities for all ages and interests, and
supplies building and custodial services for city buildings. Redwood City
Parks also operates the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and the Fair Oaks
Community Center, providing social, educational and cultural activities as
well as information, referral and counseling services to persons living in
Redwood City and neighboring communities. Redwood City Parks is more
than you think! Its Web site is located at www.redwoodcity.org/parks.
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net

Add ICE and Shake: Sanctuary City Debat
Judy Buchan
Contributing Writer
I
t all started with ICE.
Earlier this year, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement agents came to Redwood City and
detained a number of suspected undocumented
immigrants. That action sparked community
meetings, pleas to the City Council to condemn
the ICE activity, questions about the Police
Department’s policy toward undocumented
immigrants and concerns that formal action to
become a sanctuary city is in the works.
A “sanctuary city” is one where police and
other city employees are not permitted to ask
about the immigration status of those within
the city limits or to cooperate with federal
immigration officials in most circumstances.
Leaders of San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose,
Boston and New York have designated their cities
as sanctuary cities.
The question now is whether the Redwood City
Police Department’s policy means Redwood City
is a sanctuary city. Adopted in 1995, the policy
states: “The Redwood City Police Department
will not stop, detain or arrest an individual
solely on the suspicion that he or she is an
undocumented immigrant.”
“No, we are not a sanctuary city,” said Mayor
Barbara Pierce, citing her extensive research
of the current policy. “It is important to take
this in the context of community safety,” Pierce
said. “People must be able to communicate with
the Police Department to report crime or as
victims of crime without fear of questions about
immigration status. We need to build trust. It’s
a good policy and we need to stay with it,” she
concluded.
Council Member Ian Bain also agreed with
the policy, noting that “it’s not our job to enforce
federal laws; we enforce local laws.” When
asked about formal legislation to make Redwood
City a sanctuary city, Bain responded, “While
I can’t speak for my colleagues, no one on the
council has interest in doing that. I won’t vote for
Council Members Rosanne Foust and Alicia Aguirre
legislation that conflicts with federal law.”
Does the policy indicate that Redwood City is
a sanctuary city? “Not at all,” said Vice Mayor
Rosanne Foust. “This is a very sensitive issue
within our community.” Should the City Council
enact a policy directing the Police Department
to check immigration status? “No. We don’t set
immigration policy; the federal government does.
Other cities around the country have adopted
restrictive ordinances regarding immigration,
only to have them struck down by the courts,” she
added.
“I would not support any type of resolution
making Redwood City a sanctuary city,” Foust
said. “I was elected to uphold the United States
Constitution, the constitution of the state of
California, and all local laws.”
Foust added, “You know, my family came from
Czechoslovakia and Ireland. They came though
Ellis Island, worked in Pennsylvania coal mines
and became citizens. That’s the way you do it.”
Erin Lucien and Art Bush of the Redwood City
Coalition for Immigration Control take a different
view. “Redwood City is a sanctuary city already,”
Lucien said. “Our elected officials took an oath
of office to enforce the laws; they can’t pick and
choose which laws they will enforce.”
Art Bush agrees. “Unofficially it is [a sanctuary
city]. They have said they will not ask,” he said.
Lucien and Bush have become active in the
immigration debate, both taking part in recent
demonstrations at the corner of Jefferson and El
Camino. Lucien is a general contractor who feels
the effects of illegal immigration are “pervasive
— in professional life, finances and personal life.”
He contends that, while he and Mayor Pierce are
good friends, she may have a “political agenda” in
the immigration debate.
Lucien is concerned about the upcoming
immigration forums sponsored by the League of
Women Voters, particularly one agenda item that
he said is to include community services available
to undocumented workers. He also said that his
wife is worried about retaliation in response to his
activity.
Bush has participated in demonstrations
against illegal immigration and made contact
with Minutemen groups in the East Bay. He chose
not to formally join one group in Castro Valley,
due to what he saw as “racist overtones” on the
part of some members. Bush recalled being in a
“peaceful” march in Fremont last July, only to
be met by people he described as Hispanic gang
members. After the physical confrontation, Bush
said he needed $3,000 in dental work.
Bush talked about Friendly Acres, his ethnically
diverse neighborhood. Citing neighboring
families of different racial backgrounds, he said
quite simply, “My neighbors came here to be
Americans, not to stay in the third world.”
Both men noted a community meeting held
at the Fair Oaks Community Center soon after
the ICE immigration action. “There were very
few Anglos there,” Bush said. “The meeting
was all done in Spanish. They told people what
their rights were and that they didn’t have to
volunteer information,” he continued. He added
that Chief of Police Louis Cobarruviaz told the
audience that the Police Department would not
“hassle” them for documentation but would
look for documentation only if a crime had been
committed.
At one point, Bush and Lucien said, the chief
asked the audience, “How many of you are from
Mexico?” When people raised their hands, they
continued, the chief pointed to the audience
and said, “We told you not to tell.” Both men
expressed frustration with that incident.
Was the chief trying to “coach” the audience?
“He was just restating the policy to the people,”
said Council Member Alicia Aguirre.
“We in Redwood City do care about safety,” she
continued. “We want people to be comfortable
communicating to the Police Department. If
crime is not reported, that makes it more difficult
to get help to the people.”
Sanctuary city resolutions, Aguirre said, “are
just pieces of paper that make people feel good.
They don’t address the issue.”
“We are trying to educate the community
through activities such as the League of Women
Voters forums,” she added. “When there’s a
meeting like the one at Fair Oaks, then the
Minutemen gather at Jefferson and El Camino.
People on both sides are fearful.”
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net
Mayor Barbara Pierce

te in the Mix
Bikers, Skaters Work Out Park Problems
Aguirre doesn’t believe that Redwood City
should become a sanctuary city at this time. “I’m
not saying that we won’t; I haven’t asked the rest
of the council.”
So what’s ahead in all this?
“We are looking at things we can do that will
… help our community to understand issues, such
as the forums sponsored by the League of Women
Voters, and we will urge our citizens to attend and
communicate to federal legislators,” said Pierce.
Bush and Lucien say they asked to speak at these
forums, and their request was denied.
“The federal government doesn’t want us to be
in the midst of this,” Pierce added. “There is no
need to try and set our own policy; the federal
government should do it.”
City Council challenger Joneen Nielsen sees the
issue a bit differently. The Police Department’s
policy is “better than most police departments.
Some in Southern California are actually helping
with ICE raids,” Nielsen said.
“It sounds like they’re trying to play both sides;
pulling people over [on a traffic stop] to look for
some technicality, looking for some loophole. The
options are there,” she added.
“The real problem is the lack of cohesive
federal immigration policy, which means
communities have to cobble together policy on
immigration,” she said.
Nielsen would support a formal sanctuary
city resolution, even at the risk of losing federal
funding. “I don’t want us to be sticking out like
a sore thumb,” she said. “I’m concerned that ICE
will look to make examples of sanctuary cities. I
don’t want the federal government coming in.”
And the debate continues. With Congress
now at a 25 percent national approval rating, the
immigration cocktail will continue to be shaken
and stirred until some sort of resolution comes to
the surface — some day.
T
he Phil Shao Memorial Skate Park in Redwood City is drawing BMX bikers who are complaining about the $50 tickets they
receive while skaters for whom the park was built complain that the bikers are creating a safety hazard.
“The main problem is that the bikes are really dangerous,” said John Davidson, a local skateboarder. “Two boards colliding
is one thing; it is just some body contact. A bike, on the other hand, is a lot of metal coming down on you. The park is made
for skateboarding for a reason.”
Skateboarders and bikers met to discuss the riding conditions at the Phil Shao Memorial Skate Park in Redwood City.
Despite city code that prohibits bikers from using the skate park, bikers continue to ride. The meeting, held at the Veterans
Memorial Senior Center, brought together nearly 50 skaters and bikers from 10 to 21 years of age. Councilwoman Alicia
Aguirre, Redwood City police officers and members of the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center were also present.
With BMX growing as a sport, more bikers are using the 13,000-square-foot haven. When the park opened in 2003, there
were only a couple of bikers using the park. Now there are up to 20 bikers trying to use the park at one time along with the
skateboarders, said Chris Beth of the Redwood City Department of Parks and Recreation.
The biggest problem, Beth said, is with beginning skaters not understanding the flow of the park.
“Most times when there is a biker, they are with one of their buddies taking turns using the bowl. When there are problems
with the bikes getting in the way, it is usually with beginning skaters not knowing when to go or dropping in the bowl without
waiting until the biker is done,” said Beth.
A majority of skateboarders don’t mind the bikers. Many of the riders are friends and use the park as a refuge to meet
people that share the same interests.
Sean Sieling, 17, of San Carlos is a regular.
“It is the perfect place to go to stay out of trouble. I love the park and I love the people. Biking is like a way of life. The
park gives me a chance to hang out with people that do the same thing as me,” said Sieling.
Other bikers were concerned about the lack of community that comes with banning bikers from the park.
“This is a community for riders. The law doesn’t allow bikes to be part of the community because it is illegal for us to be
there. The city needs to legalize bikes or create another park that the biking community can use,” said Mikey Clark, a 16-
year-old biker who uses the park almost every day.
A common theme among the bikers and skaters was skate park etiquette. The riders noted experienced nonlocals
unfamiliar with the park’s routine. There are certain spots along the bowls that are safe entry spots. Collisions happen when
an experienced rider does a high-flying trick at the wrong place and time. The riders urged each other to be more aware of
their surroundings and help riders who do not understand the park’s flow.
Unsupervised children running around the park was another common concern. They use the bowls and ramps as slides and
are in the way of the riders.
Many riders suggested ways to improve the park outside of the biking/skating problem. Lights and a net that catches the
balls from the neighboring softball field were desired commodities. Riders also wanted to reduce the amount of smoking,
whether cigarettes or marijuana, that takes place within the park.
The riders agreed that collisions are inevitable but that communication was needed to improve the riding conditions. Some
skaters were not open to allowing bikers until the problem is resolved.
“If I get hurt by a bike that is there illegally, is Redwood City going to pay for my medical bills?” asked one skater.
Aguirre said it is the council’s priority to find a solution.
“I see that you all have a passion for this. We all want to make this better. We want to build a community. Our job is to
make this coexist. This is the council’s number one issue,” said Aguirre.
Council Member Ian Bain
25.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

Bodybuilder Files $5 Million Claim
he diabetic bodybuilder clubbed and arrested in April by Redwood City police who allegedly mistook
Tinsulin shock for intoxication filed a $5 million civil rights claim against the city.
Doug Burns, the reigning Mr. Natural Universe, claims a loss of $2 million in economic damages and $3
million noneconomic damages, according to the July 24 claim filed with the Redwood City city clerk.
“This man lost out of speaking engagement and training, not to mention the lingering pain he has,” said
attorney Don Galine.
Burns, 43, claims violation of his civil rights, battery, assault, Americans with Disabilities Act violations,
false imprisonment and invasion of privacy.
The city has 45 days to accept or deny the claim. If the claim is denied, Burns can file a lawsuit.
The claim is not a surprise and neither is its dollar amount because claimants seeking anything greater
than $25,000 do not have to state a specific figure, said Redwood City City Attorney Stan Yamamoto.
The City Council will agendize the claim by its Sept. 10 meeting, Yamamoto said, adding that the
outcome is up to the members.
“My sense is that we will take a hard look at it,” Yamamoto said.
Burns did not rule out civil action against Redwood City after prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor
criminal charges lodged following the police tussle but said he hoped instead to work with law enforcement.
Galine was uncertain what propelled Burns to consider a lawsuit but said his ongoing physical ailments
are likely a factor as well as a desire to push diabetes training for officers.
“He had no alcohol on his breath and I’d hope the police would know how to recognize a drunk over a
diabetic,” Galine said.
As first reported in the Daily Journal April 3, Burns was at the new Century Theatres in downtown
Redwood City two days prior when he felt his blood sugar dropping. Burns has been diagnosed with type I
diabetes for 35 years, is a board member of the American Diabetes Association and frequently speaks as a
health and fitness expert at diabetes and medical conferences. He normally wore a 24-hour insulin pump but
was transitioning to a new medication.
Burns said his vision grew so blurry he couldn’t read, and he headed to the snack bar for food. A security
guard later told police Burns was wobbly and unstable on his feet and wouldn’t reply to his questions.
Thinking Burns was intoxicated, the guard walked him outside and told him to leave. When Burns didn’t,
the guard called police to report his loitering.
Burns’ last memories of the evening were of being on the sidewalk in front of the theater, wrestling with
four officers and hearing police dogs. He regained consciousness at the San Mateo Medical Center with
mace on his shirt and glucose paste on his face.
Redwood City police reported a slightly different version with Burns lunging at one officer, pushing him
to the ground with both hands and taking a fighting stance. One officer cut a finger and a sergeant hurt his
right shoulder. The injury is expected to keep him from work for six months.
Burns has a MedicAlert bracelet but it was not on his wrist. A medical test confirmed Burns’ low blood
sugar, but he was cited by police and released on his own recognizance after being taken to the hospital.
“The fact is Mr. Burns assaulted our officer,” Redwood City police Capt. Chris Cesena told the Daily
Journal following the arrest. “If he had just stood there and let us help him maybe they would have called the
medics if he didn’t seem to fit the description of being under the influence. All that changes when the subject
wants to attack an officer.”
Cesena conceded uncertainty of what training officers receive to identify and handle diabetic individuals.
Prosecutors followed through with the arrest, formally charging Burns days later and setting a trial date.
The District Attorney’s Office never discounted the possibility of dropping the case but wanted sufficient
proof of his “viable unconsciousness” in hand first.
On May 30, prosecutors formally dismissed the charges after an endocrinologist evaluated the medical
records and could not rule out diabetic shock.
Burns met the decision with relief and a sense of vindication.
Redwood City’s ‘Sequoia SweetTarts’ is a
Ginny Ebert
Red Hat Society President
I
had never heard of the Red Hat Society until my husband, Doug, came home from a Reno convention
toting a gift for me — a purple T-shirt that sported a blazing red logo across its chest with the words “Red
Hat Society.” While in Reno, he had noticed three or four women playing the quarter slots who were dressed
in purple and wearing red hats, laughing noisily and enjoying themselves immensely. Curious, he asked the
ladies why they were dressed in purple and red. They responded that they belonged to the Red Hat Society.
Oh. So, he asked, what is the Red Hat Society? Friendly and helpful, they told him it was an organization for
“women of a certain age,” i.e., for those whose vintage was 50 years of age and over. (For those hatters-inwaiting
who are under 50, pink hats and lavender clothing are in order.) The Red Hat Society’s philosophy is
heavily based on a poem by Jenny Joseph titled “Warning”:
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
acquaintances expressed interest in starting our very own chapter, we decided to go for it. Thus, the Sequoia
SweetTarts chapter was born on Feb. 11, 2006, at a luncheon at Marie Callender’s in Los Altos. And, as the
saying goes, the rest is history. I began to live and think like a quote from Mae West: “Too much of a good
thing is wonderful.” All it actually takes to start a chapter is three or four fun-loving women. When other
ladies see you decked out in your red and purple and having a great time, word will spread faster than jungle
drums.
Each Red Hat chapter is different. Some prefer to meet over lunch every month. The SweetTarts are an
eclectic, energetic bunch who thrive on variety. Our activities have included some luncheons but are not
restricted to them. We have also enjoyed a tea, bowling, facials (given by one of our members who just
happens to be an acupuncturist), flea marketing (or shall I say “glee marketing”?), miniature golfing, wine
tasting, a play in the city, an Elvis party and a visit to Filoli Gardens, and have delighted in the adventure of
learning how to play bocce ball. Like mutant flamingos, we strut our stuff with our purple clothes, red hats,
rhinestones, sequins and feather boas. It’s our time to shine, and we’re just girls who wanna have fun. As a
certain Red Hat saying goes, “There’s no such thing as too much bling.” To commemorate our first birthday,
we threw ourselves a party to celebrate the wonderfulness of being us. We’re off to Bay Meadows in early
August, and later in the month we’ll be getting together for a potluck. Our chapter has no rules other than to
wear the colors and to exercise simple etiquette — RSVPs to events are mandatory.
The Red Hat Society is the perfect retreat for women who have been there and back. This is the “back”
part. Sort of like dessert. We have raised children, endured hardships, suffered losses and worked hard.
We have given. We now feel entitled to reserve the time to luxuriate in our own laughter, allow ourselves
to giggle, blow soap bubbles, play dress-up, have slumber parties, eat fried peanut butter and banana
sandwiches Elvis style (as well as lots of chocolate), chew bubble gum and start our meals by eating dessert
first if we so please. We’re all about relishing a second childhood — and for those who never really had the
joy of truly experiencing a first one, being able to finally do it now. It’s all about rekindling old friendships,
cultivating new ones, being old enough to know better and still young enough to do it anyway. It’s a solace
from every day worries and problems, a respite from the humdrum, a social “happening.”
Our very own special SweetTarts recipe: Mix friendship, frolic and fun until well blended; stir in
generous amounts of laughter, camaraderie, mischief and affection. Bake with TLC in a warm atmosphere.
Top it off with as much chocolate as you want, and serve.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
After listening to his story, my interest was piqued. These ladies sure sounded like my kind of women! Upon
browsing the Internet I found the RHS Web site, www.redhatsociety.com, and read the history of how, why,
when and where it all started. This search segued into yet another one on the Web site itself for a chapter to
join. I found a wonderful chapter in San Carlos, of which I’m still a member to this day, and signed up for a
luncheon and wine tasting party. I went in “cold,” not knowing anyone, but my discomfort was soon thrown
to the wind once we all started to chat. After attending a second “hoot,” I was hooked. I wanted more Red Hatting.
I searched for more open chapters but was discouraged to find that either my inquiries were met by dead
silence or most of the other chapters in my area were closed to new members. When some of my friends and
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net

Shop Redwood City : It’s All Right Here!
The Spectrum Magazine has been out in our community, using businesses that not only provide excellent
service but also contribute to our community. This month, we’ve added comments from actual clients of our
Best of the Best businesses.
Auto Care:
Redwood General Tire – 1630 Broadway – “Been using these guys and gals for a couple years now; they are a
winner to me. Their personal service is a rare find.
“In the space of two months, about a year ago, I had to fully re-tire both cars, and they were very helpful
and not condescending in reviewing my preliminary choices. In one case they recommended a different tire
that I went with, and in the other case they special-ordered the tires I wanted. I’ve been very happy with both
sets of tires.
“I’ve since been back for tire repairs; one they could fix and another that had to be replaced. (Yep, it was
the special-order one.)
“Installation is completed as promised. If it’s a same-day job, I love to kill time at Big Lots kitty-corner, so
I have no problem hanging around. They also have a comfortable waiting area and lots of 49ers memorabilia
to ogle. (I wish they’d use UV-resistant cases for their footballs. It pains me to see signatures of the greats
fading away!) “They will be my first and only stop when I need to re-tire again!”
Eating and Catering:
Canyon Inn – 587 Canyon Road – “We ate there last night after a decent hike, so we had built up our appetites!
Lots of different burgers to choose from, as well as other sandwiches, daily specials, pizzas, etc. Good place
to go when you are hungry. Not so good if trying to diet. Everything just sounds yummy.
“I had the mushroom burger and it was very good. And the fries were incredibly delicious. Four of us shared
two baskets and there was not a fry left safe. Could be some of the best fries I’ve had in a long, long time
and I love french fries.
“And I love all of the 49ers and football stuff they have everywhere. Probably an awesome place to watch
a game, but two words: bigger TVs! Would definitely go back here. Oh, and the bathroom was clean and wellstocked
— girls like that!”
Diving Pelican Cafe – 650 Bair Island Road, Suite 102 – “The one word that describes the Diving Pelican is
this: comfortable. There are not many restaurants where I feel comfortable dining alone — this is one. Grab
a book, order a salad and a cup of coffee, and sit on the patio overlooking the water. Depending on the time
of year, you’ll see pelicans, ducks, grebes and all sorts of other waterfowl. A few weeks ago, I saw about 200
cormorants hit the water and begin diving — amazing sight! I once saw a young, curious harbor seal not far
from me.
“I prefer their salads for lunch. My favorite is the Mediterranean — three or four kinds of greens in season,
a nice light dressing, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, crispy croutons, freshly grilled chicken and green chiles.
For breakfast I usually have an omelet — cheddar cheese, spinach, sometimes onions.
“Another great breakfast is the Eggs Bennett. (Bennett and Jancy are the owners.) Eggs Bennett is their
version of Eggs Benedict, using a freshly made Hollandaise sauce over two poached eggs with smoked ham
on whole wheat English muffins. Breakfasts are served with home-fried potatoes, which I don’t care for
— you can substitute sliced tomatoes or fruit.
“I have also enjoyed their turkey hash, topped by a poached egg, with a small salad on the side. This is
truly a very comfortable, laid-back, warm and friendly place to enjoy a meal.”
Encore Performance Catering – 2992 Spring St. – Owner Dave Hyman’s menu goes on for eight pages
of mouthwatering suggestions for everything from continental breakfasts to formal dinners. Despite an
entire page devoted just to warm appetizers, these are mere suggestions, and Hyman is quick to offer additional
possibilities to fit any occasion. He also has a strong sense of community and participates in many communityoriented
events. Additionally, Hyman is proud of the fact that his business products are nearly 100 percent
recyclable, and they contribute their leftovers to St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room in Redwood City. Need
a caterer for that party or event? Call Dave at 650-365-3731.
Little India – 917 Main St. – “There are good restaurants. There are bad restaurants. There are okay restaurants.
Then there are those places, the magic ones, those extra-special kinds that have an intangible special something,
a convergence of food, personality and vibe that can never be created or forced; it just happens because it does,
and you always come back again and again because the food doesn’t just taste good and satisfy hunger, but
helps heal the heart and soul. Manoj Chopra’s Little India is one of those places. I’ve tried a number of other
Indian restaurants in the area, and some are better than others, but this place has The Vibe. I can’t really describe it
any other way, the food doesn’t just taste good, it feels good.
“Practical specifics: The appetizers are great (the spicy wings especially are fantastic and will definitely
wake you up). The dal is uniformly excellent. The various curries are always good (Manoj varies the specific
recipes from day to day, always offering different variations). The tikka masala chicken is an all-time favorite.
Heck, what can I say; it’s all good! And don’t forget the mango lassi! “Go. Eat. Be happy.”
Lutticken’s Deli and Catering – 3535 Alameda – “Near the Dutch Goose, on Alameda de las Pulgas, a
short jaunt away from Sand Hill/Junipero Serra/Alpine Road area in Menlo Park.
“Absolutely delicious and generous sandwiches. I tried their turkey and avocado, and boy, was I excited
when they used a whole half of an avocado and carved up an actual oven-roasted turkey for my sandwich! In
terms of volume, think maybe 30 percent more than what you’d get at Subway, and in terms of quality, think
100 percent better. For about the same price of $6.
“Eat inside or at the tables outside; just a nice, straight-up family place for a good lunch. You can also
get drinks and sides, though I stuck with water and skipped the french fries/mozzarella stick offerings. Will
have to try them next time.”
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant – 2098 Broadway – “Margaritas is a solid Mexican restaurant on the
corner of Broadway and Jefferson, and they just added an outdoor eating area, which will be really great
once construction wraps up in the downtown area. Their chips and salsa are great, and their agua fresca
selections vary and are usually really good. Margaritas became one of my favorites this summer simply
because their taco salads are so ginormous and tasty. But the true standout on their lunch specials menu is
the huevos rancheros. Words can’t do it justice. Huevos en fuego. It’s phenomenal!”
New Kapadokia – 2399 Broadway – “I came here with my co-worker for lunch, and I was amazed at the
quality of the food and reasonable pricing. The service is 5 stars — the host was very friendly and attentive,
educating us about the different types of food they have and even the symbolism of the food.
“I decided on a big cup of delicious lentil soup and the lunch wrap: a doner sandwich with tahini sauce,
onions, tomatoes and parsley wrapped in lavas bread. My co-worker, a vegetarian, had the eggplant on a
sizzling platter. The food was excellent — flavorful, and you can taste that the chef put time in preparing
and making the food.
“It was also very relaxing to have Turkish coffee after the food — a small cup of very strong and good
coffee. The waiter also gave us a taste of the baklava (two pieces) — layers of flaky filo dough filled with
crushed walnuts, baked and brushed with a homemade simple syrup flavored with lemon. Delicious.
“I would definitely come back here — such a charming place. It reminded me of the lazy summers in Italy.”
Entertainment:
Arthur Murray Dance Studio – 2065 Broadway – Put a little fun in your life; try dancing! Whatever your
goal — meeting people, gaining confidence or preparing for the first dance at your wedding — the expert
instructors can design a customized program that’s just right for you! One strength of the Arthur Murray
system is the wide variety of dances you can choose from: foxtrot, merengue, waltz, swing, hustle, rumba,
cha-cha, tango, salsa and many more. You can hire genuine Arthur Murray professionals to teach and dance
at your special event. For weddings, hire dance hosts to come and dance with your guests. For birthday
parties, have a group lesson. Go with the era of your choice for anniversary parties. At business parties, they
will teach your group with fun and flair. For holiday parties, they will prepare your crowd for the festivities.
Hire someone to teach at your ’50s party, ’70s party or at the theme party of your choice. Take the first step
to years of fun and confidence on the dance floor. Contact Arthur Murray to get started today. And your first
lesson is always complimentary!
Financial Institutions:
Capital Mortgage Lending – 805 Veterans Blvd., #202 – Lourdes Carini is still closing loans, although
it has become a bit challenging. The real estate market is not going away; it is simply correcting as it goes
through a reality phase. Now more than ever you need an experienced and reliable mortgage broker who
understands what is taking place in the market. Unlike a traditional bank, Carini is able to quickly resubmit
your packages as bank guidelines tighten and they cannot accommodate your needs.
Her commitment to you is as follows: She will shop for the best pricing from many different sources; she
will re-submit your client’s loan if necessary; she will offer excellent customer service; she will keep you
well informed of any changes; and she will close your loan on a timely basis. Carini’s ability to place loans
with over 50 lenders is the edge you need in this changing market. So if you have a mortgage loan need or
question, please pick up the phone and call 650-362-2700.
Edward Jones – 702 Marshall St., #515 – For decades, Edward Jones believed in building relationships
through face-to-face interaction and adherence to a strategy of recommending quality investments that have
proven themselves over time. So does Investment Representative David Amann, who manages the Redwood
City office. He understands that this approach might be considered unfashionable. But if it means helping
his clients achieve their goals, whether for retirement, education or just financial security, it’s an approach
he plans to stick to. Create your financial portfolio now!
Personal Improvement:
Redwood Massage & Sauna – 797 Arguello St. – “I found that the massage therapists were knowledgeable
and able to address my aches and sore muscles effectively. It is different from the light, cookie-cutter
massages that sometimes appear in so many spas. The place itself is clean and unassuming. The establishment had
a homey feel. I would recommend this place for anyone who wants a good therapeutic massage.”
Re:Juvenate Skin Care – 805 Veterans Blvd., Suite 140 – Treat yourself, you deserve it! Re:Juvenate is
owned and operated by Sherna Madan, M.D., and Linda S. Moore, R.N. Together they have more than 50
years in the health care industry and over 10 years in the field of aesthetics. Both have lived and worked in
the community for the majority of those years. When a consumer is looking for a facility that offers a list of
services that are so personal, name recognition and reputation are of the utmost importance. Relationships
are formed quickly, and trust is a huge part of the equation. Whether you are seeing a Re:Juvenate clinician
for acne, sun damage, skin tightening, wrinkle reduction or laser hair removal, the process starts with a
complimentary consultation with a member of the aesthetic staff. Call 650-261-0500 and mention The
Spectrum Magazine.
Warren Street Chiropractic – 520 Warren St. – Warren Street Chiropractic Wellness and Injury Center
was formerly Lease Chiropractic Offices, owned and operated by Timothy H. Lease, D.C. Dr. Lease is
beginning his 22nd year of practice and has a very broad patient base, from infants to folks in their 90s.
Cases include work injury (workers’ compensation), personal injury (car accidents, slips and falls, bicycle
and pedestrian accidents), carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, headaches, neck pain, back pain and
leg and arm pain. He has a working network of other doctors and therapists, so he is able to refer for second
opinions or other therapy if appropriate. The office has six spacious exam rooms, including a massage room.
Retail:
Lulu’s – 846 Main St. – Lulu’s is the latest and most unique gift store to open in downtown Redwood City.
Owner Nancy Radcliffe has taken 24 years of design experience to create a collection of cards and gifts
intermingled with eclectic antique pieces, all affordably priced. In addition, Lulu’s carries everything from
baby gifts that put a smile on your face to whimsical candles. Pamper your dog or cat or find that perfect
hostess gift.
St. Regal Jewelers – 850 Main St. – “This is a great jeweler! Phil, the owner, is amazing. He crafted a ring
on time and on budget after I had a horrible experience at another local jeweler. He has an incredible eye for
detail. I can’t say enough. I would never go anywhere else.”
Home Improvements:
Lewis Carpet Cleaners – 1.800.23.LEWIS – Founder Rick Lewis started his business in 1985 out of
his home, using a small, portable machine. Today, Lewis successfully operates and manages an office/
warehouse of six employees and has five working vans, with future plans for expansion and growth. Lewis
moved his business from San Mateo to Redwood City in 1995. The Lewis family works and lives in
Redwood City and has truly made this town their home. They are committed to the vision and success of our
community and with relentless effort will continue to support the community, devoting time, energy and
services today and in the future. Call and ask about their Spectrum special. You can get 100 square feet of
carpet cleaned for absolutely nothing. Call today and make your house or living space luxurious!

Cultural Events
Music on the Square
Free concerts on Friday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. in
downtown Redwood City’s beautiful new Courthouse Square
on Broadway.
Sept. 7 • Freesound (reggae, funky grooves, rock ’n’ blues)
Their original music covers rock, soul, blues, funk and roots.
The music draws from the masters of the past — like Led
Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley — and sounds of
today, like Ben Harper and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Sept. 14 • Garrick Davis (blues, funk, folk)
A masterful guitarist with a powerful baritone singing voice.
Experience Garrick’s great stage presence as he sings songs
of wisdom, songs of dues-paying, songs of experience and,
ultimately, songs of winning the struggle.
Sept. 21 • La Ventana (salsa rock)
Latin rock doesn’t get any better then La Ventana.
Originating from the arts waterfall and cultural explosion of
San Francisco, La Ventana cruise to a Spanish-flavored mix
of pop, rock and soul.
Sept. 28 • Jessie Turner Band (contemporary folk rock)
Smoothly gliding back and forth between comparisons to Tori
Amos and Bonnie Raitt, Jessie Turner shapes a niche of her
own, blending tight four-piece grooves, trip-hop sensibilities,
delicious harmonies and sharp songwriting.
Dancing on the Square
Join in the downtown dance party every Thursday night
this summer, as professional dancers demonstrate and
teach a variety of cool (and hot!) dances. It’s all right here
in Courthouse Square from 6 to 8 p.m., where everyone is
invited!
Sept. 6 — Swing dancing with Joe Ferrari Big Band
Sept. 13 — Salsa dancing with Orquestra Pacheco and Vera
Quijano
Redwood City’s First
Friday Art Walk
Art walks are the first Friday of every month, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Next featured day: Oct. 5
The art walk is an initiative to further bring culture and
festivities to Redwood City. Art walks feature a wide
range of art including watercolor, oil, glass work, plaster
cast, drawing, Chinese calligraphy, murals, mixed media,
assemblage, photography, book arts, jewelry design, dry
leaves mural, banana fiber and recycled cardboard plates, and
paintings on recycled coffee filter canvas.
Bazaar Brazil brings over 30 projects from different artisans
in Brazil. Gallery 2611 will have a group show of local
artists, featuring musican Garrick Davis. Redwood City Art
Center features 33 artists, along with guest artists in the front
gallery. The Main Gallery has a cooperative of 22 members.
Skateworks will feature local skateboarding art. Together,
we are bringing life and culture to Redwood City. For more
information please contact Joyce Faulknor at 650-364-2611.
Redwood City’s Second
Annual Our Town –
Downtown Community
Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 22, 12 to 8 p.m.
At Courthouse Square, on Broadway, on Theatre Way and on
Main Street
The second annual Our Town – Downtown event is a funfilled
day of great activities, music and entertainment, food,
beverages and a wonderful time for the entire family.
www.TheSpectrumMagazine.net
16th Annual Artistry in
Fashion
Professional Designer Sale and Student Fashion Show
Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cañada College
4200 Farm Hill Road
www.ArtistryinFashion.com
Fashion Show is at 1 p.m. in the Main Theatre (no late
seating). Refreshments available throughout the day.
$8 donation at the door benefits our fashion design students
with scholarships. Free parking.
This is a fun, inspiring event where you meet professional
designers and shop through an array of one-of-a-kind pieces,
including clothing, hats, handbags, jewelry and more.
San Mateo County History
Museum
2200 Broadway
650-299-0104
www.historysmc.org
$2–$4; free for children ages 5 and under
Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The museum is located in the Old Courthouse with its historic
dome. Its collections include horse-drawn carriages, models,
railroads from Caltrans and the Ocean Shore Railroad, relics
from San Mateo’s past and lithographic art dating from 1875.
Ongoing Exhibits
The Great Rotunda – The stained-glass dome of the rotunda
thought to be the largest in a Pacific Coast public building is
the architectural highlight of the museum building.
Courtroom A – The oldest courtroom in San Mateo
County has been restored to its appearance in 1910.
Nature’s Bounty – This exhibit gallery explores how the
oldest people of the Peninsula used the natural resources of
the area and how these resources were used to help build San
Francisco after the discovery of gold in 1849.
Journey to Work – This exhibit gallery shows how
transportation transformed San Mateo County from a frontier
to suburbs.
Carriage Display – An exhibit of the museum’s 30 horsedrawn
vehicles.
Charles Parsons Gallery – An exhibit of the 23 historical
model ships created by Charles Parsons of San Carlos.
Politics, Crime and Law Enforcement – The Atkinson
Meeting Room includes the Walter Moore Law Enforcement
Collection of historic badges.
San Mateo County History Makers: Entrepreneurs Who
Changed the World – The exhibit chronicles the entrepreneurs
who made San Mateo County internationally known.
Land of Opportunity – The exhibit tells the story of the
diverse people who came to the area and explores how
different groups faced hardships and discrimination.
Living the California Dream – The exhibit depicts the
development of the suburban culture of San Mateo County.
Special Exhibits
The Celtic Tiger: The Irish Economic Miracle (ongoing)
– The exhibit explores how the Bay Area has participated in
Ireland’s current economic boom.
Service Before Self: 100 Years of Rotary (through Oct.
13) – Items on display include memorabilia, photography
and videos related to the activities of local Rotary clubs of
District 5150.
Little Fox
2209 Broadway, downtown
Info and tickets 650-369-4119
Tickets also available at foxdream.com and at the Fox Theatre
Box Office
Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands
Thursday, Sept. 6, 8 p.m.
$16 adv./$18 door
Legend is not always loud. Particularly in the beneath-theradar
substreams of American folk music and bluegrass, it
is bestowed more by whispered word-of-mouth, over years
and decades, than by the hurried hype and ballyhoo of the
pop mainstream. You can’t measure Laurie Lewis’ 30-year
career with the usual commercial yardsticks. She has won
a Grammy (“True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe,”
1997) and twice been named Female Vocalist of the Year by
the IBMA.
Dance! The Cheeseballs
Friday, Sept. 7, 9 p.m.
$18 adv./$20 door
The Cheeseballs. The name says it all: groovy, funky,
danceable fun! Just ask the tens of thousands of fans who
have already experienced them. They will tell you stories of
standing on the bar singing “I Will Survive” at the top of their
lungs or dancing so hard to “We Are Family” that getting
out of bed the next day was quite an event. That’s what the
Cheeseballs do; they make you “Shake Your Booty” like it
hasn’t been shaken in years.
CD Release Party! Hot for Teacher
— A Tribute to Van Halen plus
Generation Swine — A Tribute to
Mötley Crüe
Saturday, Sept. 8, 8 p.m.
$12 adv./$14 door
The San Francisco Bay Area’s premier Van Halen tribute
band, Hot for Teacher, is ready to rock hard in 2007! Formed
in 1999 to showcase Van Halen’s David Lee Roth–era hits,
Hot for Teacher has been relentlessly performing throughout
the western United States, generating a following of
dedicated fans and amazed concert-goers wherever they
showcase with their nonstop, high energy, kick-ass rock ’n’
roll circus!
Sponsored by Gelb Music
Redwood City Blues Jam
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.
Free admission!
Join John Boutell for an evening of quality blues music from
the area’s best musicians, where audience blues musicians
are invited to “jam” on stage. The music is real, the mood
collegial and the doors open to the community to enjoy this
uniquely American music. Thanks to its huge success, the
Jam now meets every Wednesday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring
your friends!
Herb Ohta Jr. with David Kamkahi
and Jon Yamasato
Thursday, Sept. 13, 8 p.m.
$16 adv./$18 door
Herb Ohta Jr., ukulele master, composer, instructor, producer
and entertainer, has recorded and performed with Hawaiian
music’s best. Touring to promote his long-awaited seventh
solo release, he is well anticipated in ukulele and Hawaiian
music circles both in the U.S. and in Japan. As his last awardwinning
project, Herb will feature original compositions as
well as contemporary and Hawaiian favorites.
Destroyer — Tribute to Kiss,
Children of the Damned — Tribute
to Iron Maiden, Ry Kihn Band, Terry
Lauderdale
Friday, Sept. 14, 8 p.m.
$12 adv./$14 door
Ruling over San Francisco for over 13 years, Destroyer has
opened for the real Kiss and Gwar, and has also been written
(continued on the next page)

(Cultural Events — continued from previous page)
about in Rolling Stone, Spin and even Metal Edge magazines! The exciting and thrilling tribute
show to the greatest rock ’n’ roll band in the world is a show not to miss. Even Peter Criss’ first
wife flew from New York to see these guys do their show.
Led Zeppelin LIVE! starring Heartbreaker plus Modern
Day Cowboy — A Tribute to Tesla
Saturday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m.
$14 adv./$16 door
There are other tribute acts who attempt to replicate Led Zeppelin’s music, but only
Heartbreaker can perform the full range of Led Zeppelin LIVE! on stage, including the most
complex and challenging songs that Led Zeppelin themselves recorded in the studios and
performed for a live audience. No other rendition of Zeppelin’s music rivals this level of
performance.
32nd San Francisco Stand-up International Comedy
Competition
Round 1
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2 p.m.
$13 adv./$15 door
Round 1 of the most prestigious comedy competition on the planet. Comedy producers Anne
and Jon Fox have dedicated their lives to discovering talented young comedians who they
believe will be the stars of tomorrow. Alumni of their event include legendary names like San
Carlos native Dana Carvey, Ellen DeGeneres and Robin Williams. More recent participants
who are currently seen on television include Carlos Alazraqui of “Reno 911” and Dane Cook of
“Tourgasm.”
Sponsored by Wette Music
Redwood City Blues Jam
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.
Free admission!
Join Dave Workman for an evening of quality blues music from the area’s best musicians,
where audience blues musicians are invited to “jam” on stage. The music is real, the mood
collegial and the doors open to the community to enjoy this uniquely American music. Thanks
to its huge success, the Jam now meets every Wednesday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your friends!
Coco Montoya
Friday, Sept. 21, 9 p.m.
$14 adv./$16 door
Coco Montoya is among the most recognized modern blues guitarists playing today. He was
introduced to the blues by the great guitarist Albert Collins, who hired him as his drummer.
Collins taught the youngster guitar and, armed with his experiences, Montoya has gone on to
become one of the strongest modern blues talents touring today. Montoya has developed his
own style, which fits in somewhere between Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Big Daddy Sunshine, Tin Man, Sweet Talk
Saturday, Sept. 22, 8 p.m.
$14 adv./$16 door
Big Daddy Sunshine was formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2005 with the mission to
entertain crowds with a high-energy show playing live modern rock covers from the 90s and
today. When you come to a show you’ll hear music from INXS, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the
Cure, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox 20, Incubus, Fuel, Bush, Cake, REM, Nirvana, Stone Temple
Pilots and more. Also some classic, serious dance/funk music thrown in to get you up and
moving.
32nd San Francisco Stand-up International Comedy
Competition
Round 2
Sunday, Sept. 23, 2 p.m.
$13 adv./$15 door
Round 2 of the most prestigious comedy competition on the planet. Comedy producers Anne
and Jon Fox have dedicated their lives to discovering talented young comedians who they believe
will be the stars of tomorrow. Alumni of their event include legendary names like San Carlos
native Dana Carvey, Ellen DeGeneres and Robin Williams. More recent participants who are
currently seen on television include Carlos Alazraqui of “Reno 911” and Dane Cook of “Tourgasm.”
Jeff Scott Soto
Tuesday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m.
$16 adv./$18 door
Jeff Scott Soto is an American rock singer best known for being vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen’s
first two albums, his involvement providing the lead voice for the movie “Rock Star” and more
recently his tenure with the legendary Journey. Jeff replaced Steve Augeri in 2006 when Augeri
went down with a throat infection. Eventually Jeff became the official singer, but earlier this
year the band and he parted ways due to both parties heading different directions.
Sponsored by Wette Music
Redwood City Blues Jam
Wednesday, Sept 26, 7 p.m.
Free admission!
Join Steve Gurr for an evening of quality blues music from the area’s best musicians, where
audience blues musicians are invited to “jam” on stage. The music is real, the mood collegial
and the doors open to the community to enjoy this uniquely American music. Thanks to its
huge success, the Jam now meets every Wednesday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bring your friends!
Zoo Station — The Ultimate U2 Experience, Sing Blue
Silver — Tribute to Duran Duran, Japanese Baby —
Tribute to the Cure
Friday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m.
$12 adv./$14 door
The mountains of Red Rocks give way to the fields of Slane Castle, where U2 has been building
musical monuments for decades. At the heart of the U2 phenomenon is the power and energy
of their live performances. This same passion can now be found in the live shows of the Bay
Area’s own Zoo Station, the complete U2 experience! Founded in January 2002, Zoo Station
has been steadily making a name for itself in the Bay Area music scene.
Advertise
with
The Spectrum
650.368.2434
29.TheSpectrum.AUG.07

A Minute With Patricia Howe
Patricia Howe was born in Union City and currently lives in Fremont. She and her husband,
Tom, have been married for eight years. They have two children: daughter Chris and son
Marcus. They also have six grandchildren.
She is our current city clerk, a position appointed by the City Council. The city clerk is
responsible for facilitating the business proceedings of the City Council and fulfilling legal
requirements as set forth in the city charter, city codes and state law. The Office of the
City Clerk conducts all city elections and administers campaign and financial disclosure
laws. She is set to retire this December after serving our community for nine years.
What is the best part of being the city clerk?
Working with people.
Will you miss Redwood City?
Yes! Feeling more and more like that as the time ticks
away.
Excited for this November’s City Council race?
Yes. I am excited about every council race.
One word to describe your experience in Redwood City?
Gratifying.
What historical figure do you most identify with?
Rosa Parks — speaking up and taking a stand.
Which living person do you most admire?
Hillary Clinton — her determination.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My father, Joe. I respect him more and more each day.
Favorite song?
“Imagine” by John Lennon.
What is your most treasured possession?
A letter I received from a friend years ago. It has huge
personal meaning and I read it from time to time.
What talent would you most like to have?
To sing. I am lousy; I have heard myself.
Something no one knows about you?
I was very shy as a child.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what
would it be?
To wake up every morning on a positive note and carry
it through each day.
What words or phrases do you most overuse?
Exactly and perfect.
If you could choose what to come back as, what
would it be?
A star in the sky.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Good health for loved ones and those I care about.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Raising my two children to be responsible adults.
What is your greatest regret?
I don’t have any. Why would one if they are happy?
What or who is the love of your life?
My husband.
What is your motto?
Do the best you can — don’t beat yourself up.
Any last words to Redwood City?
It has been a wonderful ride. I hope the person that
takes my place has the values and respect for the position
that I do.
New Year, New Team - CaÑada Soccer in the Hunt for the Top Spot
I
n a perfect world, the Cañada men’s soccer team would build off last
year’s 13-5-5 record, a third-place finish in the Coast Conference and an
appearance in the northern California playoffs, where the Colts lost on
penalty kicks in the second round of the tournament.
But with community college sports being what they are, that is not
the case. In fact, the Colts will essentially start over for the 2007 season.
Despite losing the team’s top six scorers from last season — several
of whom are ineligible — and returning only one starter, coach Kurt
Devlin doesn’t see why his team can’t compete for a playoff spot this
year.
“We’ll be right in the hunt,” Devlin said. “We have the guys to
compete for the top spots.”
The cupboard is not as barren as it looks. Yes, the Colts have only
one returning starter — midfielder Dima Wyman (Hillsdale) — but
a handful of other players saw significant playing time last season.
Defenders Eric Cortez (Hillsdale) and Alex Alvarez (Sequoia), along
with midfielders Yvan Trevino (Hillsdale) and Michael Pleitez
(Hillsdale) and forward Manuel Padilla (Half Moon Bay) were all
part of the Colts squad last season and should see even more time on
the field this year. Devlin won’t say they will be sure-fire starters but
acknowledges they’ll definitely be in the mix.
“They should have the inside track [to start],” Devlin said. “Either
way, they’ll see significant playing time.”
A few players are also making their return following a sabbatical
from the game. Christian Lyssand, a Woodside graduate, played for a
year with the Colts in 2004, went off to a four-year school and is now
back for his second year with Cañada. Joining him is older brother Sven,
who was an all-conference place kicker for the College of San Mateo
football team in 2003. California community college rules state that
students have two years of eligibility in any sport they have not played
at the college level. Sven Lyssand saw an opportunity to play with his
younger brother.
Better yet, both can play. The Lyssand family and soccer are
synonymous on the Peninsula.
“They should provide some good, wide play for us,” Devlin said.
“Those guys are into it. They want to work and they want to play. With
their work rate and attitude, the other players will feed off it.”
Former Carlmont standout Mike Pessah is another of those older
players who is returning to the Colts after a two-year hiatus. He played
outside fullback in his first year with the Colts but now he wants to play
up top as a striker.
“He’s been finishing [scoring] in practice. We have to give him a
hard look up top,” Devlin said. “The good thing is, he’s interchangeable
[with another position].”
That’s precisely what Devlin is looking for — flexibility. He said if
players want to move on to a four-year school to play soccer, they need
to be willing to play other positions than the ones they’re used to —
unless they are a complete stud, and in that case they probably wouldn’t
be at the community college level to begin with.
“The goal for these guys is they should look to play at a higher level.
To do that, they should be able to play at least two positions,” Devlin
said. “They have to look to be complete players.”
While the returning players give the Colts a solid foundation, Devlin
is looking to a handful of key newcomers to really help the team out.
Leonardo Renderos (Westmoor) and his club team recently won the
national championship and Devlin is excited about his play.“He’s a
freakin’ stud,” Devlin said. “He knows what’s going on.”
Joining Renderos are two players from the East Bay — Juan Carlos
Estrada (Oakland) and Jesus Lopez (San Lorenzo). Both play for Club
America in Redwood City — a satellite academy for one of the strongest
teams in the Mexican league.
Other key newcomers include center midfielder George Mendoza
(Sequoia) and forward Marko Brekalo (Hillsdale). The goalkeeping
duties fall to Joey Gomez (Carlmont), who has big shoes to fill
following Jorge Rosales, who is on scholarship at San Diego State.
Devlin’s only question is what kind of team he has. Devlin admits
Cañada teams have never been super strong defensively, and he would
rather play a wide-open style anyway.
“For us to have any success, we need to be a good ball-possession
team,” Devlin said. “We try to be the team that’s not on our heels all the
time and be the team that presses the attack.
“I’ve always liked the wide-open game. I’d rather see a 5-4 game
than a 1-nothing game. It’s more attractive and more fun for the kids.”
Above: Sophomore midfielder Dima Wyman, left, is the
only returning starter for Cañada this season. He should
be a focal point of the offense this season.
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