Fireworks - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's Monthly ...

As I Was
Saying… Publisher
| Steve Penna
Let’s get you caught up on a few issues I have
been writing about for a while. First, the issue of
the “option two” choice on the downtown parking
meters. You may remember the City of Redwood
City took away that option because they said users
were confused by having so many options (there
were only two). Option two has now been restored.
Option two makes it more convenient for
seniors, teens and those using cash to add time
and also use existing time left on the meter from
previous users (which I appreciate so much).
This is great news and will eliminate some of the
frustration many people have with the meters, and
this definitely makes them more user-friendly.
Hopefully those who have been discouraged by
not having that option and have started shopping
elsewhere out of that frustration will return and
enjoy downtown again.
Kudos to city officials for listening to us.
.…
Second, a few years back I started writing about
the Fourth of July activities (parade, festival,
carnival and fireworks) and the organization
that sponsors them, the Peninsula Celebration
Association (PCA). There was great concern
when the parade route was changed during the
construction of the cinema complex and then not
moved back once it was complete.
The concern was because the new route went
around the downtown area and, in parts, even out
of the area on Veterans Boulevard. The festival
and carnival were also moved, relocated to the
east side of Middlefield Road backing up to
Veterans Boulevard and around County Center.
This did not sit well with residents, the City of
Redwood City and businesses alike because
activities like this bring visitors to the downtown
area and foster commerce for all.
Well, after much debate, Councilwomen
Rosanne Foust and Barbara Pierce along with
City Manager Bob Bell were instrumental in
working with and creating communication with
members of the PCA that has resulted in big
changes for this year. You are hearing it here first.
The parade will be moved back to the original
route, which starts on Arguello Street, goes west
on Middlefield Road, east on Main Street and
Marshall Street and ends on Warren Street. The
festival (arts and crafts, etc.) will run completely
down Broadway from Main Street to Winslow
Street. Courthouse Square will be full of
activities too. The city is working with member
of the Kiwanis Club of Redwood City to move
the carnival to where it was before, which was
in the parking lot on Middlefield Road, backing
up to the railway. The complete map of all
activities can be viewed on our website at www.
www.SpectrumMagazine.net
spectrummagazine.net.
All this is great news for our business
community. Main Street has gone though some
tremendous positive changes, and new businesses
there and all over downtown have been working
hard to bring customers into their respective retail
shops and restaurants. The route being changed
back to travel down there will be a huge boost to
revenues and exposure. Which is exactly what
special events like the Fourth of July activities are
supposed to do.
Moving the route back makes it literally
encompass all of the downtown area. No
activities, however, are planned for the 2600
block of Broadway, but, with the exception of
one year, they never have been. That block and
the restaurants there do very well on the Fourth
and they attract a more local crowd. Remember,
there are estimates of up to 100,000 visitors to
our community on that day. City Pub celebrates
its anniversary on the Fourth, so many stop by to
enjoy the food and discounted beverages.
Now, are you sitting down? The annual
fireworks display will most definitely be coming
back after a two-year absence. An unofficial
group of residents and business owners is working
with the city to raise the money needed (there is a
plan to start outreach to businesses and residents
alike to contribute) and is also working on the
logistics to make sure our city shines once again
and provides the spectacular show that is enjoyed
by our community and so many surrounding
communities. It may not — and I use the word
“may” strongly — be the big show we are used to,
but it should be something similar to the fireworks
seen during Hometown Holidays in December.
It is really up to us all to step up and contribute
to make the fireworks return.
This is all great news and is an opportunity
for our community to rally around the PCA and
help them to make this the biggest Independence
Day celebration our community has ever seen.
The group has been organizing this event for our
community since 1939, and I am sure they need
volunteers for something. We have to step up
and help. I have done so on many occasions and
have participated in activities from setting up
trash receptacles to being a parade announcer. I
have also participated in, and even ridden in, the
parade. I plan on doing so again this year. Please
join me.
There are plenty of individuals and groups
in our community that can step up and offer to
help. If you are interested in volunteering or
contributing, contact the PCA at 650-365-1825,
463 Brewster Ave. # 4, Redwood City, CA 94063-
1724. They also have a website: www.parade.org.
Come on, Redwood City! Our Fourth of July
activities are the envy of all other communities,
and this year we will all work harder to make it
so once again. What better way to celebrate our
independence than by helping and then enjoying
our community with family and friends.
.…
These two changes come on the heels of Mayor
Alicia Aguirre taking the helm. Whether or not
this is a coincidence, it looks good for her. She
plans to do things a bit differently and concentrate
partly on more human-interest issues. These types
of results fall within her plan.
One change Aguirre has already made is in
regard to the State of the City address. The annual
event, which informs our community of where we
are on all fronts and where we are going, is held
with sponsorship from the Redwood City–San
Mateo County Chamber of Commerce. Many feel
that although the chamber is a good outlet for the
event, one should not have to pay a fee to attend.
The chamber charges a fee to cover the cost of the
facility rental and a light breakfast for attendees.
It is also filmed and can be seen on the city’s
website and local Comcast cable channel 27.
This year the chamber event was held on
Friday, Jan. 20, at the Oracle Business Center. But
before that, Aguirre decided to give the address
at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, inviting
residents to attend without having to pay to do so.
Great idea! It must be noted that, as mayor a few
years back, Foust held a similar event at the senior
center, but it was after the chamber event. This
definitely is a welcomed change for our residents.
In her speech this year, Aguirre was optimistic
about our city’s future regardless of the
elimination of redevelopment funds on Feb. 1
($7.8 million in Redwood City). She pointed to
projects in the works like the projects at 640
Veterans Blvd. (264-unit apartment complex on
the old Dodge dealership site), 240 Marshall St.
(116 units) and Depot Circle (the 2.3-acre area
consisting of the 2-acre “Block 2” bordered by
Jefferson, Middlefield and the Caltrain tracks, and
the 0.3-acre Winslow parking lot).
She also talked about building partnerships,
collaborations, contracting out for services,
all the usual political rhetoric. An interesting
potential cost-saving collaboration in the works
she mentioned is talks with the Sequoia YMCA
to build a new facility that could be used by
that organization and the citizens of Redwood
City. The Red Morton Center is in dire need of
renovations, and this potential partnership could
be very helpful as funds will be hard to come by in
the next few years.
(continues on page 25)