Spectrum - The Spectrum Magazine

Transcription

The Spectrum . Redwood City's Monthly Magazine
W
Table of
Contents
NOVEMBER EDITION of the Spectrum
Magazine. We have a real fascinating issue for you
this month.
ELCOME TO THE
Redwood City's Monthly Magazine
November 2005
Vol 2, No. 3
Steve Penna
Publisher
penna@spectrummagazine.net
Judy Buchan
Contributing Writer/Editor
writers@spectrummagazine.net
Valerie Harris
Contributing Writer
Katherine Ehat
Nick Markwith
Student Writers
Dale McKee, Damaris Divito
Graphic Artists
DJ Design
Advertising Graphic Art
James R. Kaspar
Special Assignment Photography
If our first 13 issues have not inspired you to do so, and if
this issue does not do the same, we encourage our readers
to support community news by filling out the subscription
form below. That way you will not miss an issue of The
Spectrum and it will be mailed to your home each month.
INSIDE THE SPECTRUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Last month’s issue on Pete Uccelli seemed to have struck a
chord with our readers because we got dozens of calls,
emails and messages congratulating us on the tribute.
DOWNTON REDWOOD CITY . . . . . . . . . .19-21
This month we bring you another Redwood City treasure
Mrs. Jean Cloud. Although you might not know her, she is
responsible for leading the efforts on many community projects. We know you will enjoy getting to know her.
Next we have a story written by Redwood City resident
Warren Dale. Dale has been traveling the world in recent
years assisting those in troubled situations. In this issue, he
writes about his experiences while traveling and helping
those effected by recent hurricanes.
Everyone is starting to say “Hometown Holidays,” and there
is not a better place to begin the holiday season than in our
own town. The Downtown Business Group is holding its
parade and fantastic firework event on December 3 and
this month’s issue tells you about the entire activities and
celebration schedule.
Publisher Steve Penna’s column “As I Was Saying . . .” will
inform readers of how his election predictions panned-out
and who is our Turkey of the Year. Last year, it was attorney
Gloria Allred; let’s see who will be eating a lot of dressing
this year.
Since the holiday season is coming faster then we want, we
want to remind you to shop local for those special gifts and
make sure that our sales tax dollars stay in our community.
After all, they help fund many of the activities and places
you enjoy year around. So it is kind of like a gift that keeps
giving.
Until next month, The Spectrum staff wishes you all a Happy
Thanksgiving.
THE AFTERLIFE OF HURRICANES . . . . . . . .5-6
CULTURAL EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
LOCAL INTEREST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 27
“AS I WAS SAYING” BY STEVE PENNA . .9, 28
FINANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
SENIOR ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
COVER STORY “THE LADY IS A CHAMP” . . . .16 17
NON-PROFITS IN ACTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
PHOTOS ABOUT TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, PETE . . . . . . . . . . .27
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spectrum
THE
PO Box 862, Redwood City, CA 94064.
Advertising/Subscription telephone:
(650) 368-2434.
E-mail: spectrumtext@yahoo.com
Published the third week of each month.
Periodical rates paid at Redwood City,
California.
Subscription rate: $30 per year, $24 for
seniors. Not responsible for the return of
unsolicited material.
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Inside The Spectrum:
Our cover photo shoot
attorney, he suggested that we rethink our plans. Our February 2005 cover on
the railroad tracks keeps coming back to haunt us, especially after we told him
that Publisher Steve Penna would be picking up Mrs. Cloud.
Penna sought the assistance of Spectrum Sales Associate Clayton Shyne Ramos
and picked up Mrs. Cloud at her Edgewood Park home. The three of them
arrived early and were quickly met by The Spectrum’s special assignment
photographer James Kaspar with stylist Damaris Divito closely behind.
Mrs. Cloud immediately captivated everyone. She is one of those women we call
a “lady.” She is gentle, strong, paternal, everything our mothers taught us to be.
We were all amazed at how cooperative she was doing the shoot, virtually going
along with every suggested theme. Must be her experience in entertaining during her vaudeville days?
The entire photo shoot was exhilarating and took about 90 minutes. To tell the
truth, we all could have stayed a lot longer in the hopes that we could capture
this “lady” and do her justice.
Photographer James Kaspar zooms in on cover subject Jean Cloud
photo by Steve Penna
After last month’s cover subject, we felt the need to introduce our readers to
another individual in our community who has been working hard for us for several years. Do we love anyone more than our cover subject, Mrs. Jean Cloud?
The photo shoot was scheduled for Friday November 11 at 2:00 p.m. at
Powerhouse Gym on Broadway.
Our first idea was to have Mrs. Cloud roller skating, but after consulting our
Whether it is volunteering for the Redwood City Public Library or restoring Union
Cemetery on Woodside Road, Mrs. Cloud pours her heart and soul into each
project. That is why she has been so successful.
Mrs. Cloud had been given many awards in her lifetime, both public and private,
but The Spectrum staff fells incredibly honored to be in the presence of someone who is such an inspiration and role model for the young and old alike.
Thank you Mrs. Cloud; we are sure our readers will feel the same.
THE AFTERLIFE OF HURRICANES
By Warren Dale, D.D.
Special to the Spectrum
His story is not unlike others. As the wind grew in excess of 125 miles, he finally decided that it was time to leave his collapsing house. He escorted his wife and children outside the door to find his car sitting in three feet of water. Hurrying his family into the
flooding car, he drove to higher ground, his church. There he found a single mom and
her two children, two single women, and an elderly man. As the winds continued, the
water continued to rise. Once again he decided to seek higher ground. He herded the
larger group into his vehicle and began to drive the one mile to the fire station.
The mile took an eternity. He drove streets only to find them cut off with downed trees.
On several streets he mobilized the women in the vehicle to help him push and shove the
trees off the roadway… only to see the wind move the huge trees back on the road. After
each clearing, he would continue the move toward his goal of the safer place. There were
times while pushing away the trees, that the strength of the wind broke through his focus
and he would respond with a deep prayer, “Please, don’t let the trees fall on us.”
After arriving at a safe place, he recalled his lessons from the Hurricane Camille that
occurred when he was twelve years old. After his father ascertained that his family was
safe enough, he called his young son… to follow him and find others who needed help in
getting to safety. And so, after he was sure that his family was safe at the fire house, he
dedicated himself to helping others.
In other parts of the county the wind continued to rip off roofs, while the sea continued
to move inland. The sea shattered the scenic road that outlined the once delightful
artists’ town of Bay St. Louis. The tsunami destroyed homes from the beach inland past
Waveland, Mississippi. And with the destruction of homes and dreams came the loss of
life and the sense of safety that so many had enjoyed in these towns an hour away from
the congestion of New Orleans.
Neighborhoods of people left the coast for higher ground. Some left the state for the
sense of comfort and support of families. Some stayed to witness in agonizing detail the
(continued on page 6)
(continued from page 5)
unteer clean-up crews. The husband has now built a volunteer city and is recruiting
teams from churches to come for brief periods to help people re-enter their homes, take
out whatever items they can, bulldoze the devastated homes, and help clear the property for rebuilding.
In another part of the town, a washed-out shopping center parking lot has been converted to a food and water supply area, a medical facility, and a support center to help local
people register for needed benefits. There is a hospital in Goshen, Indiana that has
released crews consisting of a doctor, nurse, and pharmacist to volunteer in the medical
center a week at a time.
Through all these connections, I have been working with local groups to establish places
for people to share their grief and heal their trauma. We have inaugurated a program at
three levels: one, for those who are helping the survivors in supplies or home clearing;
two, for those hosting discussion groups for trauma healing; and three, for those who will
be providing for the most seriously traumatized.
People rebuilding, volunteers helping, and donations that provide support have made
these tragic events a truly remarkable experience of connection and healing.
Editor’s note: Warren Dale is a Redwood City resident and is the director of international
trauma care services for the Center for Changing Systems. Tax deductible donations to
support trauma recovery throughout the world may be sent to the Center for Changing
Systems, 1637 Carleton Court, Redwood City, California 94061.
loss of all they had built. While some seemed stunned by the devastation, others were
too busy helping others. In the aftermath of the devastation came an interesting
response. Firefighters and police sent teams to help extricate survivors and casualties
from the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Local pastors set up tables on what were previously the foundations of their churches to hold the clothes, food, and water for all those
in need. Others came from other parts of the states to help in whatever way they could.
One man sat in his home in Georgia watching the devastation. His mother lived on the
edge of the lake in Louisiana just outside New Orleans. As soon as he determined that
she was safe, he loaded a truck with food and water and headed toward the disaster
area. Unsure of his destination, he stopped in an area just west of Bay St. Louis and
began handing out the food and water. He found a “little old lady” sitting on a chair in
front of her devastated home. He asked if she needed anything. “Water,” she said. And
water he gave her and food and blankets. In gratefulness she offered him some of what
she food she had been saving.
From there this man from Georgia stopped at a church and asked if he could help. From
that connection, he helped obtain a portable saw mill to help turn the destroyed trees
into useable lumber for rebuilding. He arranged to have a small donated bull dozer stay
for the duration of neighborhood cleanups, and negotiated the use of a heater and air
conditioner for volunteer housing.
In another church, a husband and wife team used to working in the military drove from
Alabama and after introducing themselves to a church pastor, offered to coordinate vol-
CULTURAL EVENTS
CALDWELL MEMORIAL GALLERY, COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
“What’s On the Other Side,’’ Nov. 1 through Dec. 30. An exhibit of surrealistic oil paintings by Boris
Koodrin. Free. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 400 County Center, Redwood City.
EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
The 467-acre preserve includes grasslands, chaparral, coastal scrub regions, foothill woodlands
and year-round seeps and springs offering hundreds of plant varieties, many animal habitats and
over 70 resident and migratory birds. Bird Walk, Ongoing. Audubon Society docent Lee Franks leads
a monthly bird walk. Meet at the kiosk in the Day Camp parking lot. Last Sunday of the month, 8
a.m. Free. Edgewood Road and Interstate Highway 280, Redwood City. (650) 361-1218, (866) 4633439 or www.friendsofedgewood.org.
Little Fox in Redwood City.
2209 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063
Info number is 650-369-4119 for all shows at the Little Fox.
Ronnie Montrose Acoustic
Sat. Nov. 26, 2005, 8pm $16 adv./$18 door
One of the first American-bred hard rock groups to challenge British supremacy in the early ‘70s,
Montrose is still remembered as one of the most influential bands of the era. Ronnie Montrose was
a true original of the instrument.. After cutting his teeth as a session musician with the likes of Van
Morrison and the Edgar Winter Group, guitarist Ronnie Montrose decided to form his own, selfnamed band in 1973. Enlisting the help of fellow session pros Bill Church, Denny Carmassi and a
talented, up-and-coming Californian singer named Sammy Hagar, Montrose soon released their
eponymous first album. Montrose eventually went platinum and was arguably the first full-fledged
heavy metal album by an American band (early proto-metal efforts by Blue Cheer and Steppenwolf
notwithstanding). With classics like “Space Station No. 5” and “Bad Motor Scooter” leading the
charge to the nation’s airwaves, it is still considered one of the finest, most influential releases of
the decade. Gamma, early acoustic albums and much more followed. See Ronnie Montrose as you
have never seen him before. Up close and personal and 100% acoustic. The man and his guitar.
Ronnie Montrose will be bringing his talents on acoustic guitar out in full force. Ronnie’s Don
Quixote’s show will consist of many songs from his acclaimed CD Bearings as well as stylized
acoustic versions of many of his previous electric instrumental hits. Accompanying Ronnie will be
two of his long-time musical associates, the very talented Edward Roth on keyboards and equally
impressive Jimmy Paxson on percussion. www.ronniemontrose.com
Best of the San Francisco Comedy Competition
Sun. Nov. 27, 2005, 7:30pm $13 adv./$15 door
Contemporary impressionist Dave Burleigh will conclude his first tour since earning the runner-up
spot and $5,000 in the recent 30th Annual San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition. It will be
a night of local hilarity as along with Dave will be Ken Koskella from Hillsborough and Randy Harken
from San Mateo, all performing under the title “Best of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy
Competition”. Yes, it’s true, Dave Burleigh grew up “on the mean streets of Los Altos.”
He quarterbacked the high school football team and went on to study broadcasting at Cal Poly, all
in preparation, as it turned out, to become one of the most engaging new presences on the Bay Area
comedy scene. And speaking of new faces, one of the most weathered around is worn by Ken
Koskella, a retired finance executive who says of himself, “this is what Ken looks like after 30 years
of having to pay for Barbie’s stuff.” Picture a tanned and dapper Henny Youngman. www.sanfranciscocomedycompetition.com
Blue Coast Records Holiday Party
Thurs. Dec. 1, 2005, 8:30pm $30 adv./$45 door
A celebration of music, magic, fun and friends to announce the formation of the Bay Area’s newest
label of exceptional acoustic recordings. Join the party with featured performers Keith Greeninger
(winner - Telluride Bluegrass Festival Singer Songwriter award 2005), Rob Ickes (Nashville’s premier
Dobroist), Jason McGuire & Jose M. Blanco (new stars of flamenco), Jane Selkye & Chris Kee
(extraordinary song stylings), Garett Brennan (from Portland on tour with his new CD sponsored by
Clif Bars), and other special guests.
A portion of the proceeds go to Art Into Action, an organization utilizing art as a catalyst to engage
the public in environmental conservation.
The night includes free dessert, goody bag and Blue Coast Records ringtone. Register for a free
download online at bluecoastrecords.com and receive a free advance CD of the Blue Coast
Collection with ticket purchase. www.bluecoastrecords.com/party
San Francisco Summer Of Love Revue
Fri. Dec. 2, 2005, 9pm $14 adv./$16 door
Tribute Performances of The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf, Janis Joplin, and The Mamas & The
Papas.
San Francisco’s Summer of Love revue will take you back to a “Dance Concert” in the late 60’s and
feature live replica performances of any number of psychedelic bands that might have taken the
stage at either the Avalon Ballroom or the Fillmore Auditoriums. Talented young musicians and
actors are learning the most popular songs from these legends and will recreate their colorful attire,
famous vocal melodies and soaring guitar licks! Guided by the director’s own musical experiences,
these players are quickly becoming comfortable in their roles emulating some of history’s most
renowned Rock pioneers.
A multi-media collage featuring the infamous liquid lightshows and historical footage and images
that shaped the era will enhance this fast moving and highly entertaining revue. www.sfsummeroflove.com
Coco Montoya
Sat. Dec. 3, 2005, 9pm $14 adv./$16 door
Coco Montoya 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, 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.
“Blistering contemporary blues...piercing attack, funky, shivery guitar tones and aggressive, soulful
vocals” ~ Blues Revue
“In a world of blues guitar pretenders, Coco Montoya is the real McCoy. Be prepared to get
scorched.” ~ Billboard www.cocomontoya.com
Laurence Juber
Sun. Dec. 4, 2005, 7pm $14 adv./$16 door
As a young working musician in London, England in the 1970s, Laurence Juber got an extraordinary,
life-changing break when Paul McCartney hand-picked him to become Wings’ lead guitarist. Juber
spent three years recording and touring with the band. During that time he won a Best Rock
Instrumental GRAMMY® Award for the track “Rockestra” from the Wings album Back To The Egg .
After Wings disbanded in 1981, Juber embarked on a career as a solo artist, composer and
arranger, and soon developed a reputation as a world-class guitar virtuoso, recently being voted #1
by Fingerstyle Guitar magazine. He has released 10 critically acclaimed solo albums, including “LJ
Plays the Beatles” and his latest, “ One Wing “.
As a studio and touring musician he has worked with such artists as George Harrison, Ringo Starr,
Paul Williams and Al Stewart. His guitar playing is featured on films such as “Dirty Dancing”,
“Pocahonatas”, “Good Will Hunting” and many TV shows including “Home Improvement” and
“Seventh Heaven”. “One of the most gifted and versatile fingerstyle guitarists on the scene” ~
Acoustic Guitar Magazine www.laurencejuber.com
Dave Meniketti Annual Birthday Bash
Sat. Dec. 10, 2005, 9pm $25 adv./$27 door
Dave Meniketti—the name is synonymous with music—raw, hard-edged, melodic, soulful. His first
solo CD ON THE BLUE SIDE received worldwide acclamation—particularly in Europe and Japan. His
sophomore solo CD, the self-titled Meniketti revisits, as Dave says, his “melodic, rock-based roots.”
From its first churning note on Messin’ with Mr. Big, Dave’s music grabs you. This is not background
music. It pins your ears to the speakers and kicks you in the butt. It’s infectious, delicious rock and
roll that satisfies the soul. In other words MENIKETTI is pure Meniketti.
As the lead singer/lead guitarist with Bay Area Rockers Y&T, Meniketti has sold over 4 million
records worldwide, recorded 17 albums and toured across the United States and around the world.
His style has influenced some of the major stars in rock and over the years he’s been asked to join
many top bands including Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake. www.meniketti.com
Elvin Bishop plus Good Medicine
Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Elvin Bishop has been singing and recording his rollicking brand of
electrified down-home blues for almost 40 years. Bishop’s history-making tenure as a founding
member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the 1960s, his chart-topping hits in the 1970s, and
his emergence on Alligator Records in the late 1980s and into the 1990s place him at the forefront
of electric blues guitarists. Elvin’s music is a mix of his blues roots with contemporary funk and rock
flavors spiced with a touch of country and the laid-back feel of his Northern California home. Rolling
Stone referred to Bishop’s music as “a good-time romp...raucous blues with high-energy soloing,
mixtures of careening slide and razor-edged bursts, all delivered with unflagging enthusiasm and
wit.”
Bishop’s newest CD, entitled Gettin’ My Groove Back, was released by Blind Pig Records on August
16, 2005. Long time fans will find what they’ve come to expect from a Bishop recording - that “let’s
have a good time” party vibe! www.blindpigrecords.com/artists/Bishop,+Elvin.html
Good Medicine is about great music performed with the traditional GM Pholkadelic twist that puts
the band outside of all music boxes. No two songs sound alike and no group has such an uncanny
ability to lift spirits and captivate crowds like Good Medicine. Good Medicine is a band that transcends time and reaches audiences of all ages who appreciate amazing guitar and bass licks,
accompanied by the strongest vocals gifted to any group. www.goodmedicinemusic.com
Gypsy Soul
A Special Holiday Concert
Thur. Dec. 15, 2005, 8pm $15 adv./$17 door
Gypsy Soul’s lush and sensual, acoustic based music has been called “Gourmet Music”, by K-LOS
Radio in LA. Their unique blending of Americana, Celtic and Roots influences heard both live and on
their original CDs, has earned this independent band legions of devoted fans internationally and
over 100 placements on national TV Shows and Films. Their eclectic sound has been compared to:
Loreena McKinnett, Sarah Mclachlan, Fleetwood Mac and Eva Cassidy, among others.
www.GypsySoul.com
Tommy Castro
Tommy Castro is respected by many as a firmly established and highly acclaimed force in the
American Roots/Blues arena. His prowess as a recording artist is reinforced by a charismatic and
powerfully charged stage performance. Years of touring, writing, and recording have resulted in a
masterful blend of the musical genres that he loves: blues, soul and rock.
Carlos Santana, who’s invited Castro to share the stage with him, said of Tommy, “The blues is in
good hands. This is the person who has the voice, the sound, and the right intentions to touch everybody’s heart.” www.tommycastro.com
Incumbents win in RWC
A trio of incumbents plus one candidate whose election was assured
retained their Redwood City council seats, beating out a current
planning commissioner and a political newcomer.
From the moment the first absentee ballots were announced, the
council race was headed by
Councilwoman Diane Howard,
Mayor Jeff Ira and Councilman Jim
Hartnett.
Alicia Aguirre retained her seat
with 100 percent of the vote but
her victory was never in doubt. She
ran unopposed for the two-year
seat after being appointed in
January to replace outgoing councilman Ira Ruskin. Ruskin, who
made an appearance at the incumbents’ party, won a state Assembly
seat the previous year.
Rounding out the race were Hilary
Paulson who ended the night with 14.41 percent of the vote and Adrian Brandt who finished with 14.50 percent.
Term limits will force the three
winners out of office in four years.
Both Brandt and Paulson were
endorsed and received financial
backing from the Friends of
Redwood City. The political action
committee formed from the remnants of the No on Q group, a
grassroots effort that defeated the
proposed Marina Shores development.
The proposal, passed by the council before voters shot it down,
remained an issue at numerous
forums prior to the election.
However, most candidates said
just before Election Day that traffic, schools and gangs were more
pressing issues for the average
voting resident.
“The [results] show that Measure
Q was not the divider that people
said it was. Many said we made a
mistake but you learned from it and they’re content to let us go forward,” Ira said.
As the evening progressed, the final percentages varied slightly but the standings never
swayed. Howard garnered 25.54 percent followed by Ira with 23.52 percent and Hartnett
with 22.03 percent.
Hartnett, too, thought the challengers’ campaigns focused intently on the development
with the underlying idea of “throw the bums out” — a theme soundly rejected by voters.
Howard, the biggest vote-getter, is happy for another four years in which to finish pet projects, like downtown revitalization and a shuttle service.
Celebrating together at Hartnett’s law office, the three challenged incumbents all agreed
the win shows unwavering support by residents for the current regime.
“I am just very pleased,” she said. “I think all of the candidates worked very hard but I’m
very happy with the outcome. I’m in the middle of so many things I want to continue.”
“Each of us have different qualities and experience but having everybody win means the
voters think we’re in touch with the community and their broad values,” Hartnett said.
Hartnett wasn’t surprised by the three leaders but by the wide margin between them and
the two challengers.
The hoopla over Marina Shores did prove the council must really outreach to communities for input before making any decisions, she said.
Paulson was “very disappointed” by her loss but believes it shows the difficulty in unseating incumbents.
“It is very hard to do the fundraising necessary to go against incumbents that are wellfunded by developers,” Paulson said.
Paulson, twice the former chair of the Planning Commission, will continue serving out her
term on the board and doesn’t rule out a future bid for the council.
The council will see the opening of the long-anticipated downtown cinema and retail project and will likely review new plans for the Marina Shores area, all the winners agreed.
Gang suppression is also high on the agenda and Hartnett said he’d like to see more
done with parks and playgrounds.
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the Daily Journal.
As I was saying...
T
he November Election results are all counted, and of the 14 races I predicted the outcomes for, I only got one incorrect – the San
Mateo Community College District’s Measure A
bond. Quite impressive, if I do say so myself. Now
to what happened.
By
S t e v e Pe n n a
P u bl i s h e r
In the City Council race, Diane Howard was the big
winner in more ways then one. She was not only the
highest vote getter at 10,067 votes but did so without
newspaper or the Police Officers Association’s
endorsement. She campaigned as she always does –
hard – and attracted the senior vote heavily. Several
of her supporters were concerned that she was facing a defeat, but as we now know, do not underestimate her tenacity in getting her message across to
voters.
I was surprised that Jim Hartnett did not finish with
the highest vote total. I guess some people still don’t
trust attorneys, let alone vote for them.
Another big winner was challenger Adrian Brandt who
managed to come in fourth place and ahead of
Planning Commissioner Hilary Paulson. How did he
come out of now where to place just 2,983 votes
away from being elected? He did it the old-fashioned
way – he earned it by walking, meeting, talking and
listening. Look for him to run again in 2007.
In the Redwood City School District race, challenger
Catherine Fraser spent next to nothing to finish just
2,341 votes away from upsetting incumbents Maria
Diaz Slocum and Patricia Wright. Fraiser is well
known in the business community and recently
adopted a son with her husband Steven Hall. For her
to garner that many votes without a full-blown campaign speaks highly of her backing and reputation.
All the other races and issues were quite unexciting
and not even worth mentioning so I won’t.
Despite a last-minute hit piece on Paulson and
Brandt in the council race, which was unneccesary
and tacky, this election season was quite calm. We
did not even hear that much from Jack Hickey. Go figure.
Redwood
Redwood City
City businesses
businesses are
are
here
here to
to serve
serve you!
you!
If you are looking for a place to dine, bank, invest, shop, work out, or treat yourself, The
Spectrum staff has been out doing just that, using businesses that not only provide excellent service but those who contribute to our community. Check out our Best of the Best
selections.
Calories. Low in Sodium. Their sushi is made fresh daily by experienced sushi chefs which
has made this restaurant a favorite Downtown eating spot, this restaurant is a must try!
Personal Improvement
First National Bank: 700 El Camino Real - In the ever merging world of the banking industry it’s hard to find places where the consumer or small business owner’s voice still matters. Independent banks and small local banking chains, which would take the time to
listen, are slowly becoming a thing of the past. This is not the case luckily at First National
Bank of Northern California, according to Brian Palter. Palter is the branch manager of
the Redwood City location, which is currently housed at 700 El Camino Real. “When we
have a new client and do right by them,” said Palter, “they tell others.” Doing right by a
client, whether old or new, requires taking extra steps in situations which nationwide
chains might not do. Give Brian a call and see what he means!
Redwood Massage & Sauna: 797 Arguello Street - First opened in 1964 by two Finnish
women, this professional facility is now under the management of Beverly and Harold
May. Ms. May is a full time massage therapist with almost thirty years of experience. They
pride themselves on having exceptionally talented massage therapist to care for you,
trained in a variety of specialized techniques to improve your circulation, mental clarity
and creativity as well as optimizing your overall physical health. Your experience as
Redwood Massage & Sauna will enhance your health and well being naturally in the true
Finnish tradition of therapeutic massage and sauna - amidst a clean, comfortable and
serene surrounding.
Powerhouse Gym: 2075 Broadway - With the winter blues upon us, why not take advantage of their current new member rates and get out of the house and work out? Since
1995 thousands of fitness enthusiasts and professionals have joined this fitness center
in their quest for a healthier lifestyle. Their facility is not overcrowded and is the largest
gym on the peninsula. But they still know the secret to success is the one-on-one service. They are known for their friendly, inviting atmosphere. To spice things up a little, they
also offer Aerobics, Spinning, Kickboxing, Cardio Funk, Step, Yoga and Pilates. They also
provide several other amenities including a full Service Pro Shop, Showers and Day Care.
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 healthcare industry and over ten 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. You can call 650.261.0500 and mention The Spectrum
Magazine.
Eating and Catering:
Canyon Inn – 587 Canyon Road – You will find everything at this Redwood City favorite.
The Canyon Inn is nestled in the small quiet neighborhood of the Emerald Hills region bordering Woodside and Redwood City. It is a popular stop for bicycle touring clubs, and
local sports celebrities such as members of the San Francisco Forty Niners football team.
But the reputation draws celebrities and personalities from all over the world. The restaurant is noted for its burgers and beers, most notably the Hacksaw Burger, a big double
cheeseburger named after Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds. The Canyon Inn also offers hot and
cold sandwiches, hot dogs, fish and chips, spaghetti, ravioli, lasagna, Mexican tacos and
quesadillas. If you use their coupon in this month’s Spectrum, you can get 10% of all
meals, now that’s an offer you can not pass up!
Encore Performance Catering - 2992 Spring Street – Owner Dave Hyman’s menu goes
on for 8 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 community-oriented
events. He participates in the City Trees program helping to plant and maintain greenery
around the area and works with other local organizations such as the Peninsula Sunrise
Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, and Rebuild Together. He participates in the San
Mateo County Civil Grand Jury. Additionally, Hyman is proud of the fact that his business
products are nearly 100% recyclable, and, they contribute their leftovers to Saint
Anthony’s Dining Room in Redwood City. Need a caterer for that Holiday gathering? Call
Dave at 650.365.3731.
Bluefin Sushi & Teriyaki Grill: 2327 Broadway – WOW! This place is popular. Whether you
dine in or take out everyone is discovering their sashimi, Nigiri sushi, donburi, and bento
dishes are irresistible! No MSG/No chemical additives added. Low in Cholesterol. Low in
Financial Institutions:
Edward Jones: 702 Marshall Street #515 - For decades, Edward Jones believed in building relationships through face-to-face interaction, and adhering to a strategy of recommending quality investments that have proven themselves over time. So does Investment
Representative David Amann who manages their 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.
Real Estate:
Vicky Costantini - RE/MAX Dolphin Real Estate: 601 Marshall Street - Are you looking for
a home? Would you like to hear about new properties as soon as they are listed? Vicky
works hard to make sure that her clients are the first one to know about new listings. She
has 10 years of customer service. Vicky has a starong Lending and Banking background,
remodel and building experience, she is up to date on City and County standards and had
in depth knowledge of Redwood City neighborhoods and schools. Her objective in real
estate is simple: using her work experience in lending and banking, together with her
experience renovating and building should be a resource above and beyond the real
estate transaction. Another Redwood City individual working hard in our community.
Retail:
Mayers Jewlers: 2303 Broadway – Redwood City’s oldest family owned jewelers still
sparkles like it did the first day they opened in 1969. They have a large selection of necklace’s, rings and watches. If you can not find exactly what you want – they have personal designs that have kept Redwood City residents frequenting this fine business for years.
Auto Care:
Redwood General Tire: 1630 Broadway –Whether you are looking for a new set of tires,
or need to tune your vehicle, this Redwood City institution has been providing quality vehicle services since 1957. Redwood General Tire was founded on the premise that good
customer service, quality products at fair prices will succeed in the marketplace. They
continue to follow this philosophy today and expect it to guide them into a successful
future. Many of their satisfied customers have been with them since their founding and
continue to do business with them today. They proudly serve the third generation of many
of their first Redwood City customers. Winter is coming, maybe you should give them a
call.
Home Improvements:
Lewis Carpet Cleaners: 1.800.23.LEWIS - Rick Lewis, Founder, Lewis Carpet & Upholstery
Cleaners 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, lives and
resides in Redwood City and have truly made this town their home. The Lewis family is
committed to the vision and success of our community and with relentless effort will continue to support the community devoting time, efforts, energy and services today and in
the future. Lewis has built his company on a foundation of integrity, loyalty and communication. Call and ask about their Spectrum special. You can get 100 sq. ft. of carpet
cleaning for absolutely nothing $0.00. Call today!
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS
RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN
by Judy Buchan
Contributing Writer
As Mayor in late November 1992, I
received an invitation to come to
Downtown on the first Saturday in
December and watch the children’s holiday parade. A long-standing tradition
from decades past, the event was being
revived by community volunteers.
“Business people have found this way to do something special for families as a holiday
gift,” she continued. “Most importantly, the kids all seemed to have a great time, and
since it’s free, it is available to everyone.”
“And it’s a great collaborative effort
between the downtown businesses and
other business sponsors, the Civic
Cultural Commission, many City departments, Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club,
and youth groups,” Kastrop added. “Last
year the CBS news affiliate announcer
proclaimed on their TV broadcast “Way to
go Redwood City!” and that’s exactly the
reaction we want.”
So I made my way to Downtown that
morning and joined a small group of folks
in front of what was then Bob’s Court
House Coffee Shop near the Fox Theater.
The parade began and proceeded up
Broadway toward our location, and I
turned for a few moments to acknowledge a greeting from a person standing
behind me.
Fred Ganjei, of Mayers Jewelers and the
Downtown Business Group, agreed that
collaboration is key. “It’s great working
with the merchants, the city, and the City
Council,” he said. He also spoke about an
interesting discovery from last year’s
event: “We were surprised that half the
kids at the snow lot last year had never
seen snow.”
When I turned back to see the parade, it
had already passed me by.
Fortunately, Virginia Ball and Jeff Filippi of
the Civic Cultural Commission, along with Lorretta Knight and other dedicated volunteers, stepped in the next year. A particularly tenacious member of the Civic Cultural
Commission, Ball along with her colleagues worked long and hard to develop “Tis the
Season,” a holiday event that included a children’s parade, fireworks, and information
about other yuletide events throughout Redwood City.
Last year, Virginia’s wish for a true holiday festival grew into the “Hometown Holidays”
Children’s Parade and Fireworks Festival presented by the Redwood City Downtown
Business Group and Peninsula Sunrise Rotary. Spearheaded by Fred Ganjei of Mayers
Jewelers, Lorianna Kastrop, and many volunteers, last year’s event saw snowballs fly in
Downtown as kids and parents played in the snow lot provided by the Downtown
Business Group. Families lined up for a city block to have free photos taken with Santa
in front of the San Mateo County History Museum.
The parade had some 800 participants, and included floats, mariachis, twirlers, guide
dogs, Miss Redwood City, Studio S dancers, just to name a few. Resplendent in their holiday attire, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were the highlight of the parade and helped to usher
in the holiday season.
All of the above
and
more
awaits you and
your
family
w h e n
Hometown
H o l i d a y s
returns
to
Downtown
Redwood City
this year on
Saturday,
December 3,
featuring the
traditional children’s parade
and a dazzling
fireworks display.
“To me, this festival reflects the spirit of our community and our downtown Renaissance,”
said Lorianna Kastrop of The Kastrop Group, Inc., Architects, located in Downtown
Redwood City, and Peninsula Sunrise Rotary.
Hometown Holidays is for “the kids, we’re doing it for them,” Ganjei said. “We want to
make it bigger and better next year, with more floats and activities for the kids and families. This is our gift to the community.”
The day kicks off with playing in the snow at the San Mateo Credit Union parking lot, 411
Middlefield, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; the “Discover Downtown” beverage walk from 11 a.m.4 p.m.; free photos with Santa at Washington Mutual, 2400 Broadway, from 12 p.m.-4
p.m., an ice sculpture demonstration, musical entertainment, and entertainment at the
San Mateo County History Museum and the Redwood City Public Library.
Event programs and maps will be available at City Hall and also at the information booth
located at Marshall and Middlefield.
Led by the Woodside High School Wildcat Marching Band and the Redwood City Twirlers,
this year’s parade will kick off at 4:30 p.m. at Hamilton and Marshall. In addition to the
band and the twirlers, this year’s current list of entries is a cross section of the community. A partial list of entries includes: the Peninsula Symphony, San Mateo Guide Puppies,
Open Gate Nursery School, Peninsula Christian School, Redwood City Mothers Club,
Redwood City
Girl
Scouts,
San
Mateo
Gymnastics, El
C
o
n
cilio/Alianza
Comunitaria
Latina,
the
Redwood City
Fire
Department/Police
Activities
League Toy and
Book
Drive,
Salvation Army
Redwood City
Corps,
Miss
Redwood City
Scholarship
Association,
Citywide Children’s Chorus, Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, Ballet America, and the
return of Bethlehem A.D. from Peninsula Christian Church.
(continued from
page 11)
The parade will
wind its way on
Marshall
to
Jefferson,
Jefferson
to
Broadway,
Broadway
to
Main, and Main
to Middlefield
by City Hall and
the
Library.
There the official City Tree
Lighting
will
take place at
5:45 p.m., with
the
fireworks
spectacular ushering in the joy of the holidays. The festival ends at the Redwood City train
station, where the Caltrain Train for Tots arrives at 6:15 p.m. Be sure to stop by and bring
an unwrapped toy for a needy child.
After the Caltrain event, take time to enjoy dinner at one of Downtown’s many restaurants. You can also check out the Fox marquee for the latest show, do the Electric Slide
at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, and more.
On a bittersweet note, Virginia Ball passed away last year before seeing her holiday wish
bring joy to Redwood City. This year, I suspect she’s somewhere in a civic group meeting
telling her committee members about how a five-minute parade has grown into a fullblown festival, thanks to people working together for the community.
Merry Christmas, Virginia, and to all a wonderful, joyous season of peace.
Editor’s Note: For more information on Hometown Holidays, call 650-361-0538 or visit
www.hometownholidays.org.
Saturday, December 3, 2005
Downtown Redwood City
Fun, Free Holiday Event, Rain or Shine!
Event schedule - maps available at City Hall - Snow Play Lot the day of the event.
For more information, call 650-361-0538 or visit www.hometownholidays.org
Play in the Snow! (11:00 - 4:00) San Mateo Credit Union, 411 Middlefield
Photos with Santa! (12:00 - 4:00) Washington Mutual 2400 Broadway
“Discover Downtown” Walk (11:00 - 4:00)
Ice Sculpture Demonstration (1:00 - 2:00)
Musical Entertainment (1:00 - 4:15)
Children’s Parade (4:30 - 5:30)
City Tree Lighting (5:45) City Hall
Fireworks Spectacular (5:45 - 6:00)
Caltrain Train for Tots (6:15 - 6:30)
Presented by the Redwood City Downtown Business Group
Sponsored by the Redwood City Cultural Commission
Schedule subject to change
Non-Profits in Action
THE WOODSIDE TERRACE A.M. KIWANIS CLUB
Since 1956 The Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club has devoted itself to community
service and is one of three Kiwanis Clubs in Redwood City. Through the decades, they
have provided funds to help many worthy community programs.
The Key Club of Sequoia High School, sponsored by The Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis
Club was chartered in 1994 and has been actively involved in raising money and donating time and effort to many of our programs such as the Special Game Day, Christmas
Wrap, Car Show and even taking pledges for KQED.
They currently meet every Thursday mornings at 7:15 a.m. at The Waterfront
Restaurant,1 Uccelli Drive. Come join them for breakfast. Listen to interesting speakers
from our community. Share in the fun, the laughs, the strength, the drive, and the generosity that makes up the camaraderie of The Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis Club.
Sunrise Rotary Club
The Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club was chartered in April, 1998. In the 16 years since
that time, the Club has met weekly at 7:30 a.m. at Pete’s Harbor for breakfast, which features various speakers on a wide range of subjects.
It has been named the “Best Small Club: in Rotary District 5150, comprised of Marin, San
Francisco, and San Mateo counties.
The Club’s major fund raising activity is its annual Irish Night, held at the Senior Center
on Madison Avenue, on a date near to March 17. Another Club fund raising activity is the
Club’s beverage booth at the annual Vertical Challenge air show at Hiller Aviation
Museum in San Carlos. Funds raised this past year by the 20-member club provided
nearly $46,000 in contributions for community, youth, international, and vocational projects.
This club meets every Tuesday at the Waterfront restaurant. For more information or to
join them, call Lorianna Kastrop at 650-299-0303.
OPTIMIST CLUB OF REDWOOD CITY
The Optimist’s 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/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 PM at Bob’s Court
House Coffee Shop at Middlefield and Broadway. For more information please call:
President Steve — 365 8089 or Secretary Ted Cole — (650) 366 1392 or come join them
for lunch to learn more about how you can make a difference.
SHHH-P
Peninsula (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
SHHH is a volunteer, international organization of hard of hearing people, relatives and
friends. SHHH is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, educational organization 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 Building, 1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City. We have provide educational
speakers and refreshments.
A demonstration of assistive devices is held on the first Wednesday of the month at
10:30 a.m. at the Redwood City Public Library, 2nd floor conference room, 1044
Middlefield Road, Redwood City, California.
An evening meeting is held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the
Redwood City Public Library, 2nd floor conference room, 1044 Middlefield Road,
Redwood City, California.
Please call Marj at 650-593-6760 for any questions.
SHHH is the nationâ ˜s voice for people with hearing loss. Our members include people
with hearing loss, their families and friends, and caring professionals.
City Talk Toastmasters Club
Join the Redwood City Toastmasters Club to develop your communication and leadership
skills. The club meets on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 in City Hall at 1017 Middlefield
Road in the Council Chambers. 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.
REDWOOD CITY WOMEN’S CLUB
(A Community Service Organization) meets the first Thursday of each month at 149
Clinton Street. Social at 11:30 a.m., lunch ($10.) at noon, general meeting at 12:30 p.m.
Program at 1 p.m. Visitors welcome.
Public invited on Dec. 1 to enjoy a Holiday Brunch and Boutique. Information call: (650)
363-1266.
“Holiday Giving Project” Provides Holiday Visits & Gifts to the Homebound and Children
in Need.
Every holiday season, while many of us are celebrating with friends and family, there are
homebound seniors and children in need who don’t get the chance to participate in holiday festivities. For these people, the “Holiday Giving Project” provides a holiday visit and
a gift bag, to help share the spirit of the holidays with one and all.
Redwood City’s Veterans Memorial Senior Center is seeking contributions of time and
money in order to provide these gifts and visits to the homebound and children in need.
Funds are needed to help buy items for the gift bags, and volunteers are sought to put
them together, decorate them, and deliver them to the homebound. All donors and volunteers will have their names added to the Senior Center’s “Holiday Giving Wall” as
recognition of their holiday spirit.
People wishing to contribute funds can make a check payable to VMSC Advisory Council,
and mail it to Holiday Giving Project, Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison
Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061. Those who wish to volunteer their time to help others
enjoy the holiday spirit should call Redwood City Senior Services at 650-780-7274 for
information.
Let’s all chip in and help!
Editor’s note: If you are connected with a non-profit organization and want your information printed in The Spectrum – email it to: writers@spectrummagazine.net or The
Spectrum Magazine mailing address at: 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.
Sequoia Students
A Woodside Athlete
Commemorate Memorial Day
Who’s Testing His Limits
Katherine Ehat
Student Writer
By Nick Markwith
Student Writer
On Thursday November 10, Sequoia High School held a memorial service at the recently erected Veteran’s Memorial on campus. The memorial was opened in a beautiful dedication service on
September 17, 2005,
which was attended by
hundreds of people
from the community
and the school, as well
as Veterans, family
members and members of the military.
There were guests in
attendance that traveled from other states
in order to be a part of
the day’s events. The
event on Thursday was
held to honor the
Veterans of Redwood City and past Sequoia students in honor of Veterans Day.
Two, the number of touchdowns Zack Test has made for Woodside High School this
year. Eight, the number of interceptions he has made this season. Nine, the number of
sports he has played in his life. Twenty-two, the number of completed passes he has
caught. Seven, the number of times he had to rewrite his essays because of his dyslexia. These are only a few numbers of his sports and school career.
Zack Test, a junior at Woodside High School, has been playing sports throughout his
life. The first sport he played was soccer at age seven, and ever since, he has continued to play a diverse variety of them. Other than soccer, Test has experience in other
sports such as basketball, baseball, rugby, football, hockey, racquetball, tennis, swimming, and water polo. With such a wide range of talent, it is not surprising that he
excels at two specific sports: football and rugby.
With three years of high school football under his belt, Zack Test, has only begun to show
enormous talent on the football field. This is Test’s second year on the varsity football
team and as Woodside’s starting wide receiver and free safety, he has twenty-two catches and is leading CCS (Central Coast Section) with eight interceptions. He has also gained
an impressive two hundred and ninety-five yards for the Woodside Wildcats. Although he
may be a key player on the varsity football team, Test shows even more talent on the
rugby field.
Outside Woodside High School, Test plays rugby for the Peninsula Green Beavers along
with other Woodside students. On the rugby field, he plays wing and side center. This is
only his second year and yet he has been chosen to play for the under nineteen development Eagles, a national team that prepares for the Junior World Cup.
“Scouts were at a tournament at Stanford and they thought I had some talent and they
invited me to there high performance team,” said Test.
In December, Test goes to a training camp in Arizona and in April, he flies to Washington
D.C. to play in a tournament. If he gets picked, he then joins the junior world cup team.
There will be two hundred athletes who will go to the camp in December and out of them,
eighty make the first cut. Out of the first eighty, forty make the second cut to make the
team.
“It’s an honor to have a chance to be on this team,” added Test.
Although it might seem at a glance that a starting wide receiver and star rugby athlete
has a lot going for him, Zack Test has problems of his own to deal with. He is dyslexic. For
those who do not know, dyslexia is a learning disorder that impairs the ability to read or
comprehend written words. At his middle school, Charles Armstrong School, their main
priority is to treat dyslexia by teaching different methods to overcome their disorder. Test
has picked up little tricks to deal with his dyslexia, either by sounding out words or being
made to rewrite his essays six or seven times to make sure there wasn’t any mistakes. It
might not seem that big of an issue for an athlete, but there is more to football than
shown on the field
“I have to visualize the plays in my head in order for me to understand what I have to do
on the field,” said Test.
Even after finding out he had a disorder, Test has never given up and always puts forth
his best effort. He is living proof that even if you might have a disadvantage to others that
you can achieve your goals through determination and hard work. Test also tries to teach
others what he has
learned.
“In my RSP classes, I
help other kids with
their homework and
help them understand,
“ said Test. “I try to do
that in all my classes.”
Test hopes to take
rugby and football to
the college level, and
some day make it professionally. With all his
determination, hard
work, and natural talent, it is obvious he will
be able to do just that.
Students from the Sequoia Leadership class participated in the ceremony that took place
at lunch time. Catherine Keithley sang the National Anthem, Anna Borden read “On
Flanders Fields”, and Alisha Chavez read a letter from former Sequoia student David
Callis which was published in a book called Letters from Vietnam. David Callis was also
the son of former
Sequoia faculty member George Callis.
Haneen Saideh, Anna
Borden,
Mary
McDonald,
Niveeta
Sharma and Shanika
Badoya-Mulkerin read
the names of the men
on the Gold Star list.
Ben Southward played
Taps, and an antique
canon was fired in
memory of the soldiers
that served for our
country. A purple and
white floral wreath was
placed in front of the monument. There were students, staff and community members
present to honor the men and women who gave their lives for this country while members of the Armed Services.
It was once a long standing tradition at Sequoia
High School to hold a Memorial Day Program to
honor former Sequoia students who had given
their lives in war. The tradition was stopped during the Vietnam era. During its time, the ceremony was attended by the entire student body
and included participation by staff, student
body and class officers, the school’s A Cappella
choir and the school band. Hopefully this tradition will be revived with the building of the new
memorial. This year’s event was a new beginning and a step in the direction of bringing traditions back to Sequoia.
Jean C
J
ean Cloud is the kind of lady that makes you believe anything is possible. Born in
1906, Jean just celebrated her 99th birthday at a surprise party at the library's community room. She impressed me with her charm and engaging manner. She was
keenly curious about changes to Redwood City and the world around her, and had a
delightful laugh when she would generously share stories of the City's past - and her role
in it.
Jean was born in San Jose. Her father, a locomotive engineer, quit smoking and invested in a phonograph when Jean was born. She grew up listening to "high-class music" and
opera. Music was part of her life. After graduating from San Jose High, she went on the
stage. Jean was a true showgirl at heart.
"As a little girl, if anyone would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd always say
'an opera singer'," Jean said.
The Lady i
by Dale McKee, Special to the Spectrum
"But after I did “Carmen” in San Jose, I could see that an opera singer lived a very disciplined life. You had to save your voice always, had to spend hours vocalizing to keep your
voice in tone. And I thought, well, they had these kind of stage shows in those days with
a stage show and a movie. We did five shows a day," Jean recalled. The show traveled they started in Los Angeles and went up the coast as far as Canada. From there, it was
across to Chicago and finally into New York. They played New York for six weeks
before moving on to D.C. and Atlanta. The last stop was at New Orleans; the
entire itinerary took 11 months. Jean made the circuit twice.
"In New York, we worked every day. You were doing something you loved to
do. But the last time, I had to sing a solo. Then, I had to learn to tap
dance and work with a chorus. On the last act of the chorus, it was all
on roller skates - I had to learn to roller skate. Sometimes if the girls on
the end were too far, I'd be jumping over the footlights," she laughed.
During her travels, Jean got to know a lot of famous performers of the
time. "I've had a wonderful life. Not many people get to do what they
really, all their life, wanted to do," she added.
She also got to know Roy Cloud, and his son, "Little Roy" - whom Jean
would later marry. It was "Big Roy" who set Jean on the path of education.
The county superintendent of schools, he urged Jean to go to college. "I
went to San Mateo Junior College. I came up on the train every day, because
San Jose didn't have one. It was in the old Kohl Mansion. The college was just
starting at the time. I never thought I could go to college. Only the 'smart kids'
went," she laughed. "I truly thank San Mateo for starting a junior college. Because it
was unheard of then."
"Life, it tricks you. You have something happen that makes you think, yeah, I'd like that.
You have to be challenged."
"When I met Roy Cloud up at Big Basin, he had just graduated from Sequoia, and I had
just graduated from San Jose High. His father was intent on making him a schoolteacher.
And if that wasn't the last the last thing he wanted to be, it was next to the last thing,"
she laughed. "When I told my mother I was going to get married, she said, 'don't get married and have some old man bossing you around!'. But he never bossed me," she
laughed. "He never gave up on me. We didn't marry until about 7 years after we met.
We had a wonderful marriage. So, your folks don't always know what's best for you. I
never wished for one second that I hadn't married [Roy]."
"We were living in Albany, and I
taught school there. Big Roy
made a schoolteacher out of me,
because I knew I was going on
the stage, but he said, 'You might
as well get your certificate.' I was
having fun, and I thought well,
yeah, I'll get my teacher's certificate, and then when I get old, and
can't be on the stage anymore, I'll
be a schoolteacher."
"After three years on the stage, I
was ready. I taught in Albany, and
I loved to teach school. All my
experiences on the stage gave
me little operettas for my kids. I
loved doing that as much as I
loved being on the stage."
"When we moved down here, we
were renting a house in Albany.
Our house was sold, so we had to
get out. 'I'll go down there, but I
want to move back,' I told Roy. He
said, 'I promise you we'll move
back as soon as the war is over'.
So
I came
down
here,
and I was working,
volunteering for Red Cross
down on Broadway and at the Library. I
went down to General Hospital down on Middlefield
Road. I loved working with them. They had a lot of shell-shocked soldiers that were
down here. I loved helping them write - they wanted to write letters home."
"I never got back to Berkeley," she laughed. "It was the luckiest day in my life when I
came to San Mateo County. I wouldn't have left for a million dollars."
In addition to her volunteer work
at the Red Cross and an avid
involvement in the PTA, Jean
started the Archive at the
Redwood City Library. She'd
been doing geneology at the
time.
"Life goes on. You never know
where it's going to take you," she
added. "I don't know of anything
that I wanted to do, that I haven't
done."
How many of us can make that
claim?
Jean has literally seen Redwood
City grow, very nearly from the
ground up. "To me, Redwood City
was a little one-horse town. And
San Jose had 40,000 people."
Her husband, "Little" Roy Cloud,
worked in the salt business. He
"liked golf, and dancing, and all
the fun things. He would not
Cloud:
"When I got back to the library committee, I said, 'I've been to the East Coast and seen
what they do with cemeteries there'. We talked about it at the Archives meeting and
decided to do something about it. Nita Spangler was interested, and began doing
research and finding out that it was one of the first public cemeteries in the nation."
s a Champ
"And so we began researching on it. And agitating about it. When I first wrote to them,
they said they don't put cemeteries on the National Register. Well this is so historic, that
we finally got enough evidence that it was the kind of a cemetery with Civil War veterans
in it, that it was eligible. We worked hard and finally it was accepted in the National
Register."
Photos coutesy of Jean Cloud
"I never go out there where I don't think of what would have happened to it if we hadn't
rallied all those people," Jean said.
"We had lots of people say 'Well that old cemetery is a disgrace'. They wanted to level it
and make it into a park. But there's been loads of research on people that are buried
there. That is something that proves that when you get something that's worth saving,
there are enough people that can rally to help you."
The Historic Union Cemetery Association keeps track of the cemetery although it was
born from the Archive Society. "It was an old broken down cemetery," Jean said.
"It is something that people had saved. But if Mr. Vollmayer hadn't told me the
park and recreation were going to talk about it, it'd be gone."
"It pays to attend a meeting," she said with a wry laugh. Of her efforts to
save the cemetery, Jean commented, “I loved every minuted of it.”
Jean was one of the founders of the Archive, the primary source of historical inventory for the city, along with Karl Vollmayer, the city librarian. Mary Spore-Alhadef of the Redwood City Library said, "She's been
the font of so much good stuff - started it, pushed it, promoted it and
beavered away working at it in this town."
"You know, she's got the intellectual curiosity of a young person. Which
is what keeps her a young person," she added. "She gave a huge gift to
this library, because she started and helped create all the stuff that is this
wonderful archive and local history collection. That's a huge gift. This is a
town with a real history - it's not the nice anonymous suburbs of San Jose. This
place had a rollicking history in the 19th century. Young people that come in here
can keep rediscovering the history of Redwood City. The gift that keeps on giving.
Jean Cloud… galvanized a lot of other people into helping out. She was a real leader and
managed to charm everybody into doing all kinds of things."
have
made a
good
school
teacher," she laughed.
"He was with Leslie Salt. They
don't make that anymore - the big pile was
down here at the harbor. There used to be just fields of little
boxes where they were drying the water to make the salt. It's a changed world."
"Change is inevitable. You can't stop change. You have to go with it; you can't buck it.
You want to accept the things that are worthy; but you don't want to accept the things
that aren't," she added.
A change Jean found unworthy
was the proposed demolition of
Union Cemetery. "I got interested
in the Cemetery because my
boyfriend's family had some
uncles buried there. And always
on Memorial Day we'd want to
put flowers on the graves. Mr.
Vollmayer (the city librarian) one
day called me and said, 'I see
that the park and recreation
commission is having their meeting on Monday night, and they've
got Union Cemetery on their
agenda. Why don't you go and
see what they're planning?' So I
went. And when they got to that
part of the agenda, one member
said, 'You know that old cemetery
is a disgrace to the city, and if we
could only knock off those old
tombstones that are broken, we
could make nice picnic tables
and a little league baseball field.'
I almost feel off of my chair," Jean
said.
John Edmonds of the Cemetery Association said, "She started the cemetery association
- that's how I got involved. She is, more than any other person, responsible for this
Archive's history. Jean was also instrumental in getting the cemetery to mean more to
people, by involving Boy Scouts in Eagle projects. And that continues."
"How many people do you know at that age that would stand up and give an impromptu
speech at her own birthday party?" Edmonds mused.
Tim Orazem of the library's history room commented, "I want to relate Cloud like David
and Goliath - the city was really bent on putting a ball field in, and she had to fight, I mean
she had to rally. She did get a blackened name for it. So it's just amazing to see someone that you'd think would just
kick back, but she continued on.
She still wanted Redwood City to
be something she was proud of.
She had that gumption."
"It's a strange thing to outlive
your generation," Jean said wistfully. Of course, even Jean has
had to slow down a bit now.
"When you can't drive anymore,
you have limited freedom." Jean
finally had to give up her driver's
license last year - at age 98.
"Just don't get old," she laughed.
"There's no part of my life that I'd
take out," she amends. "They
were good days. I hope my
grandkids have as happy memories as I have."
A true champion and a grand lady
in the finest sense of the word,
Jean has given Redwood City a
lifetime of gifts - and a living history that continues to unfold.
Chamber Presents
$30,000 to Kainos
A $30,000 check was presented to Redwood City based Kainos Home & Training Center
for Adults with developmental disabilities. The proceeds come as a result of the success
of the 2005 Wells Fargo Benefit Golf Tournament held in May, which is sponsored by the
Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce.
This check represents the largest one time donation that Kainos receives the entire year.
Although the Chamber of Commerce benefits equally, it is very unusual that one non-profit would contribute such a large amount to another. “The Chamber is proud of the relationship that they have with Kainos. It’s a great cause and one that we as the Chamber
really believe in and feel motivated to help as much as we can” said Chamber Chairman
of the Board Mike Giari.
Kainos Executive Director,
Andy Frisch in accepting the
check on behalf of Kainos
thankedthe Chamber and the
golf committee profusely. He
said that the contribution
means so much to Kainos in
enabling them to continue to
Pictured left to right Tournament Committee codo the work they do to serve
chair Gino Gasparini, Chamber Chairman of the
adults with developmental disBoard Mike Giari, Kainos Executive Director Andy
Frisch and Wells Fargo Title Sponsor and
abilities by helping them to live
Committee co-chair John Adams.
fulfilling lives as independent
and contributing members of
their community. Frisch particularly expressed his appreciation to John Adams, Executive
Vice President, Northern Division Area Manager and Wells Fargo for their Title
Sponsorship of the tournament.
The $30,000 check was presented at the Chamber’s Board of Directors meeting this
month.
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PICTURES AROUND TOWN
Board members of the Horses to Horsepower
Committee presented a $5,000 check to Sequoia
High School Principal Morgan Marchbanks and Vice
Principal David Reilly. The funds were raised from
the car show event held Oct 2 on campus.
The unusual summer like weather brings out these
residents to the Farmers Market on Broadway. The
weekly event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of
Redwood City. Top-bottom, Farmer’s Market.
Assembyman Ira Ruskin watches
totals come in during a party held
by the incumbants in this month's
City Councuil election.
Having Twice the Fun...
News Briefs
REDWOOD CITY MAN PLEADED NO CONTEST TO ANIMAL CRUELTY
A Redwood City man faces a year in jail when he is sentenced in January after pleading
no contest to hacking his friend’s dog to death with an axe while pet sitting, according to
the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office. Mark Merjil, 41, was convicted of one
count of animal cruelty after the brutal attack on March 29, prosecutor Morris Maya said.
Merjil fatally attacked the dog, a brindle-colored Mastiff named Titan, after the dog bit his
girlfriend, Maya said. Merjil and his girlfriend were staying at the dog owner’s mobile
home in Redwood City. Titan’s owner was out of town and the pair agreed to watch the
dog, Maya said. According to Maya, Merjil and his girlfriend were having an argument
when the dog bit the woman on the head, causing a minor head wound. Following the biting incident Merjil took an axe to the animal and killed him. Animal abuse of this nature
is “so distasteful that many people don’t engage in it thankfully,” Maya said. “People in
general are very respectful of animals, and they treat their animals well.” Merjil is the second Redwood City man to plead no contest to felony animal abuse charges in the last two
weeks. Joshua Allen Emert, 30, faces more than six years in prison after he admitted to
committing animal abuse, residential burglary, auto theft and assault with a deadly
weapon on June 16, the district attorney’s office reported. Emert strangled his grandmother’s dog Benji, a terrier mix, with a length of wire, according to Maya. Unable to kill
the dog with the wire, Emert then proceeded to hit Benji over the head with a mallet, and
then buried the dead dog in his grandmother’s backyard, Maya said. Of all the crimes
Emert committed on June 16 “the most distasteful and most offensive conduct he conducted was what was done to the animal,” Maya said. “There was a certain sadistic
pleasure that he took in torturing this dog.” According to Maya, though felony attacks of
this nature on animals are not common, some animal owners do treat their pets like
property and not actual living beings. “There’s always a concern that a person will view
their animal as something that falls outside the penal code,” Maya said. “Fortunately the
laws of the state of California view that there is value to life for both animals and
humans.” Peninsula Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals spokesman Scott Delucchi agreed stating more often cases of neglected animals are seen than attacks like Merjil’s and Emert’s. “It’s not often where someone
deliberately goes out of their way to maliciously kill an animal,’’ Delucchi said. “What we
usually see are people who neglect an animal.’’ Maya said cases like Emert and Merjil’s
will “send a strong message to people.” “If the dog is being aggressive call the Peninsula
Humane Society,” Maya said. “You can’t decide to take matters into your own hands.’’
Emert is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on Jan. 17 at 9 a.m., and Merjil will
be sentenced on Jan. 20 at 8:45 a.m.
REDWOOD CITY RAPIST SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
San Mateo County Superior Court Judge John Runde sentenced Raymond Lewis to 130
years to life in prison after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting a Redwood City
woman in June. Lewis, 35, was found guilty on Oct. 12 on all five felony counts he was
facing including rape, false imprisonment and terrorist threats for the June 16 incident
at the Garden Motel at 1690 Broadway St. in Redwood City. Lewis was found to be eligible for both a one-strike life in prison case and a three-strike life in prison case by Runde
because of the severity of the attack, according to prosecutor Melissa McKowan. “It’s
nice to know (Lewis) can’t do this again,” McKowan said today. “He is a horrible, violent
and dangerous person who deserves to be put away for the rest of his life.” The victim
and her husband own and manage the motel, which they had purchased in 1981, according to testimony. According to McKowan, Lewis lived at the motel off and on for several
months at a time, from 2001 until the time of the incident. According to the victim’s
brother-in-law and motel employee Kiran Patel, the motel was known to rent its 15 rooms
to various parolees. Lewis at the time had a 1991 conviction for rape and forcible oral
copulation in San Mateo County, and was reportedly set to be off parole on Aug. 16. The
victim, whom Lewis called “sister,’’ reported that on the night of the attack, Lewis rang
for her at the motel manager’s office at 11 p.m. claiming he had been given dirty sheets.
“He complained about not having clean linen, and he wanted me to look at the dirty linen
in his room,’’ she said. The woman retrieved clean linen for Lewis and followed him to his
room, where he grabbed her arm and forcibly dragged her into his room, according to the
prosecution. She “said that Raymond had pushed her onto the bed and put something in
her mouth like a sock or a towel to keep her from screaming,’’ Patel said. Lewis held the
woman captive in his room for four hours, repeatedly assaulting and threatening her until
she was released at 3:30 a.m. on June 17. Patel said his sister-in-law knocked on his door
at 3:30 a.m., immediately after she left Lewis’ room. “I asked her what was wrong,’’ Patel
said. “Her whole body was shaking and her whole face was red and puffy and there was
blood coming from her mouth.’’ After talking to his sister-in-law for about an hour, Patel
said he tried to telephone the police, but she wouldn’t let him. “Raymond told (the victim)
that if she called the police, because he knew all her family, that he would kill them and
her,’’ Patel said. The prosecution reported that it wasn’t until 8 a.m. on June 17 that Patel
was able to contact Lewis’ parole officer, who subsequently contacted the Redwood City
Police Department. Lewis, who remains in custody on $1 million bail, was made to
appear in court today for the sentencing after his continued refusal to attend the trial.
REDWOOD CITY LIBRARY TO GIVE LIBRARY CARDS TO NEWBORNS
In an effort to encourage more parents of newborn babies to read to their children at an
early age, the Redwood City Public Library is giving all babies born at Sequoia Hospital
their first library card. In addition, the hospital will also send each baby home with their
first book entitled “I Kissed the Baby” by Mary Murphy, hospital spokeswoman Joanie
Cavanaugh said. “We thought, what a great tie-in this program would be,” Cavanaugh
said. “It benefits the library and the families of new babies.” Cavanaugh, who helped
spearhead the partnership, said the book was chosen mainly because its characters are
animals, which helps prevent the alienation of any one person, and it’s primarily in black
and white, making it easier for the babies to see. “As a community hospital, our goal is
to promote strong, healthy families,” Sequoia president and administrator Glenna
Vaskelis said in a statement. “Childhood reading affects not only how successful children
are in school but how well they do throughout their lives.” Library director Dave Genesy
said, “reading to children from birth has been proven to ensure strong literacy skills,”
which helps build healthy communities. According to Cavanaugh, the hospital, which usually helps deliver 1,400 babies a year, has purchased enough books to last the first year
of the program. The first book will be presented on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. at the Sequoia
Hospital, located at 170 Alameda de las Pulgas in Redwood City.
CITY NOW ACCEPTS PASSPORT APPLICATIONS
The City Clerk’s Office of Redwood City is pleased to announce that it is now accepting
passport applications on behalf of the United States Department of State. The City has
been designated as an official Acceptance Agency for passport applications. To best
serve the community, the City Clerk’s office will accept passport applications Monday
through Friday, between the hours of noon and 4:00 pm. No appointment is necessary.
U.S. citizens needing a passport for international travel may call 650-780-7588 or go
online for more information. The Clerk’s office does not provide passport photos - these
must be obtained from an appropriate passport photo vendor (call the Clerk’s office or
visit the website for a partial list of locations). For complete passport application information, prospective applicants are encouraged to visit www.travel.state.gov, which is the
only official website for passport information. At this site are downloadable passport
application forms, current requirements and applicable fees, travel warnings, consular
information sheets, and a wealth of other international travel more.
Letters to the Editor
We Got To Get Paid
Dear Editor,
As a long time business partner and resident of Redwood City and San Carlos, I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and parent in relation to the murder of Tim Griffith of
Redwood City. Tim was murdered following a SF Giants game last year on September
17th 2004.
I recently attended the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation benefit this year on October 1st
and saw a video presentation of Tim’s life. In this video, Tim was giving an 8th grade
graduation speech and he paused to thank Mayor Jim Hartnett of Redwood City for introducing him to his classmates and helping him with his speech. It was evident to me in
hearing this that Mr. Hartnett was a mentor to Tim and influential in his life.
When attending the most recent hearing in support of Tim’s family in this murder case, I
was shocked to hear that one of Tim’s accused killers, Jeffrey Skivitch, is being defended by Jim Hartnett’s partner, Chuck Smith of Redwood City. I was even more shocked to
find out that Chuck Smith and Jim Hartnett were both involved in Tim’s young life not only
as coaches and managers of his Little League baseball team but as parents at Tim’s middle school. Mr. Hartnett’s son and Tim attended 8th grade together. Again, both of these
men were influential in Tim’s young life. After further conversations, I found out that not
only did they coach the little league team, but Mr. Hartnett’s son was part of a carpool
with Tim’s mother to and from those games. Incidentally, these two men were also
coaches and managers of Tim’s brother’s little league team.
Did Mr. Smith take this case to further his own publicity? He was in the public eye
through the recent high-profile Peterson case and now, agreeing to defend Tim’s murderer, also a high profile case, I find is an act of greed and lack of moral fiber on Mr.
Smith’s part. How could Mr. Smith and Mr. Hartnett defend this case and not think
about the history they have with the murder victim?
I find it inconceivable that two people who were part of the community that raised Tim
and had such a personal connection with him could defend the men that murdered him.
As a mother of two boys that grew up in Redwood City, I am bewildered that Chuck Smith
and Jim Harnett would not have referred this case to other counsel.
Beautification Committee’s non-political community efforts. Now she is using clean-up
press to publicly express her own political views about Redwood City’s gang war, stating
that, “neighborhood residents were the missing link in crime prevention efforts”.
However, many of us who have been involved with this committee over the years, know
that the “missing link” in Redwood City is not its residents but disconnected leadership.
Mayor Ira just publicly stated that in spite of several years of meeting with the Police Chief
on a daily basis, they did not see the increase in gang activity coming. A 68% increase
in gang related activity over the past thirteen years reflects more upon the level of inaction by our Police Department and City Council, than the implied non-involvement of
Redwood City residents or activity in any particular neighborhood.
We fully support the so-called “war on gangs”, but do not understand the need for our
city leadership to unnecessarily stigmatize particular neighborhoods, or misdirect any
blame or responsibility for gang problems toward its residents.
Mike Spence
Redwood Oaks Resident
To submit Opinions & Letters: Email: letters@spectrummagazine.net
Or mail to: The Spectrum Magazine, P.O. Box 862, Redwood City, CA 94064
Letters to the Editor should be no longer that 300 words. Perspective
columns should be no longer than 750 words. Illegibly written and anonymous letters will not be accepted. Please include a daytime phone number
where we can reach you.
THANK YOU
REDWOOD CITY!
The preliminary hearing was scheduled for 9:00am on November 21st 2005 at the San
Francisco Court House on Bryant street, Department 20 (2nd floor). The family welcomes any support. You can also visit the website established for the Tim Griffith
Memorial Foundation at www.remembertim.com.
Concerned Parents for Tim
Not My Neighborhood
Dear Editor,
A recent “Daily News” headline entitled “Gang areas to be cleaned up” describes three
“gang areas” that the City designated for its fall cleanup. My neighbors and I were
shocked to see our “Redwood Oaks” neighborhood being publicly identified by a Council
Member as a “gang area.” In this article, Council member Diane Howard publicly
describes how “neighborhood gang activity is making people afraid to come out of their
homes.” This intentional classification appears to be based on some graffiti on a wall
and a single beating incident that occurred in a public park. We find these damaging
generalizations to be offensive, since our own personal residences could be said to be
included in the suspect area. Such statements are not only damaging to property owners but have unfairly stigmatized our entire residential neighborhood. We do not see
Council candidate Howard calling “Woodside Plaza” a “gang area” because of the shooting that occurred at nearby Red Morton. Nor is she labeling “Farm Hill” as a “gang area”
because of beatings and graffiti in Stulsaft Park.
The 3-hour Pride & Beautification cleanup was a laudable community effort needlessly
linked with political issues surrounding a re-election campaign. Diane Howard has
always chastised others for connecting individual political opinions with the Pride &
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Time to Think About Year-e
end Tax Tips
By David Amman
Special to the Spectrum
Now that December is looming, you’re probably busy with family gatherings and
holiday celebrations. Still, try to find some time to think about a non-holiday
topic: taxes. You may have until April 17, 2006, to file your taxes, but you only
have until the end of the year to make some moves that could benefit your tax
situation - so you’ll need to take action soon.
Here are some suggestions to consider:
Maximize your retirement account contributions. If you haven’t “maxed out” on
your 401(k), see if your employer will allow you to make additional contributions
before year-end. For 2005, you can contribute up to $14,000 (or $18,000 if
you’re over 50 years old). You typically fund your 401(k) with pre-tax dollars, so,
the more you contribute, the lower your taxable income.
Donate appreciated securities to charities - If you have stocks that have appreciated greatly over the years, you might want to donate some shares to charitable organizations. Suppose, for instance, that you bought shares of XYZ stock for
$250, and that they are now worth $1,000. If you were to give these shares to
a charitable group, and you are in the 28 percent tax bracket, you would get a
$280 tax deduction, based on the shares’ current market value. Furthermore,
because you are not selling the shares, you will avoid having to pay any capital
gains taxes on your $750 profit.
Sell your “losers” - Did any of your stocks lose value in 2005? If so, you may want
to sell some of them to take the tax losses. If these losses exceeded your capital gains from selling appreciated stocks, you can deduct up to $3,000 (or
$1,500 for married couples filing separately) against your other income, reduc-
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you can carry over the excess into subsequent years. o Consider buying “big-ticket” items now - If you are planning on buying a car, boat or other “big-ticket”
item, you may want to do so before the end of the year. If the total sales tax is
more than your state or local income taxes, you can choose to deduct any of
these taxes on your 2005 federal tax return - but this is the last year in which
this benefit will be offered.
Defer income when possible - If you’re self-employed, defer billing until late
December. If you work for a company, and you’re scheduled to get a year-end
bonus, see if you can put it off until January.
Delay exercising non-q
qualified stock options - You will be taxed on any non-qualified stock options you exercise, so you may want to delay exercising them until
next year. (Before you make this decision, though, you’ll want to evaluate the
price and prospects of the stock on which you hold an option. If you hold an
option too long, you will eventually be forced to exercise it; if the stock price is
down at that point, you might not make much of a profit - and, in a “worst-case”
scenario, your option could become worthless.)
If you are unsure about which of these suggestions may be appropriate for your
individual situation, see your tax adviser. But don’t wait too long - 2006 will be
here before you know it.
Editor’s note: David Amann is one of the Redwood City community members
who contributes to The Spectrum. If you have any questions regarding investments please send them to: writers@spectrummagazine.net or The Spectrum
Magazine – P.O. Box 862 – Redwood City – California – 94064.
And Now It’s Their Turn!
When Marnie and Nicole decided to have their first solo concert "Beautiful, From Our
Heart and Soul " in Redwood City, the first one they approached to sponsor them was
Peter Uccelli. Peter and Paula did not know the twins that much but no questions asked,
they handed them a check to start their mission. The twins were not given a hard time by
the Uccellis. The first and the last time that Peter saw the twins sing was at the July
Fourth Northern California Parade Celebration in Redwood City. You could tell that Peter’s
heart belongs to the community. He went to see the twins sing even though he was not
well. The presence of Peter has touched the lives of the twins, their older sister and their
mother who is a single parent. This is the second time, that when no one was there for
the twins, again Peter was there to make a difference. To Pete, financial support is not
enough, he wants to be there with you in person. And now it is their turn to remember
Peter by dedicating the Holiday Presentation-- For YOU PETE (" It’s Christmas with Marnie
and Nicole.") According to Marie (the twins’ mother), “We were all hoping that Peter could
come to the upcoming event this holiday because he missed the first one in June.
However, it is sad he passed away before Christmas. The twins told me that they will just
dedicate their presentation to him instead. However, it was not easy for me and for the
girls, because we have to tell Paula Uccelli about the plan. I was hesitant because I know
she and her family are still grieving. This time, I asked Peter's help again. In October 22,
2005, I went to church to pray for this intention. After the Mass, I saw Paula Uccelli right
in front of me where the candles are placed. I told her about the musical presentation
which we are going to dedicate to Pete and to the community he loves. I did not realize
that it was Peter’s first month anniversary since he died. To the twins, even if Peter
Uccelli is gone, he will always be a part of the twin’s dream. He is always their hero. The
twins will also remember their avid fan, Mr. Charlie Galdez from Menlo Park, Mrs. Nancy
Mengel, their Kindergarten Teacher, and their Grandparents Mirando and Flor. "For You
Pete -It’s Christmas Presentation" is made possible by the generosity and kind heart of
some sponsors. Part of the proceeds from their most awaited holiday presentation will
go to Mr. Peter Uccelli's Community Causes (Peter Uccelli's Foundation), MNC Kids
Charity, Hurricane Katrina Victims and Pakistan Earthquake Survivors (c/o American Red
Cross).
The Molano Twins have rendered countless of services in a form of healthy family entertainment to the communities that appreciated and welcomed them. Few of the places
they have performed to were the After Fifty Club in Redwood City, Widow and Widowers
Club in San Mateo County, Doelgers Senior Center in Daly City, Hopkins Manor Home in
Redwood City, San Carlos Senior Center, Mayor Green's Oath taking celebrations as
mayor in South San Francisco, Seton Medical Center Volunteer Award Day and Hospital
Christmas Party, Agnew Development in Santa Clara, Sports Event in Stanford University,
Redwood City School District Sports Events, Northern California Parade Celebration,
Redwood City Library talent shows, Northern California Parade Celebration (three years
now), Meet The Mayors in Atherton, Celebrando America in Santa Rosa, San Mateo,
Alameda, and Orange County Fairs, Grand National Rodeo at Cow Palace, Disneyland
Music Magic in Anaheim and more. During election time in 2004, the twins were busy
singing some patriotic songs to both GOP and Democratic camps. They performed before
some White House officials, Secretary of State McPherson, Secretary of Labor Elaine
Chao, and to the GOP and Democratic Chairpersons. They are the VIPS of US President
George W. Bush on his sixth visit in California at the United Defense in Santa Clara. They
also helped out the John Gill School KI and K2 Productions. They have traveled all over
California, Nevada and to Washington DC just to share their time and talents. Marnie and
Nicole began singing at age two and a half way before they can even read or right. They
memorized 16 songs at age six. When they turned seven years old, they asked their
mother, who is a single parent to record their songs into one CD and share them to other
kids. In 2001, Lucky Stars Production of Marnie and Nicole became a reality. Their family business started in a studio apartment of their late grandparents. The twins themselves market their own products. When invited to sing in many occasions in different
places, the twins went to audiences without their mother’s approval and started selling
their musical CDs. Their small income from donations and from their CDs just went back
to the community. However, the twins had fun and their experiences have taught them
many things. At a very young age, they have learned to know their business by heart.
They sing with admirable confidence, innocence, freedom, and style.
Entertaining others is all that matters to them. Their oldest sister Louise claimed that her
sisters can change many hearts when it comes to entertainment. Their achievements as
self starters are very admirable. Their self earned popularity soared in some parts of the
country. They grabbed the media's attention and sometime steal the spotlight. They performed before hundreds of national and local officials. They are the recipients of many
awards and commendations from former Governor Gray Davis, US Senator Fienstien and
Senator Boxer. They emerged among many other talents and grabbed the media’s attention wherever and whenever they perform. The twins got their first working permit from
Hollywood provided by Warner Brothers when they performed in national TV at Steve
Harvey’s Big Time Show as "Little Big Time Guests." Madeline Smithberg, the Producer of
David Lettermen Night Show and Steve Harvey’s Big Time aired every Sunday at WB20
was so impressed with the twins performances. As Award Winners, the twins also joined
for the first time a talent show competition in the South Bay and won First Place (Nicole)
and Second Place (Marnie). They were the recipients of "America’s Rising Stars Award "
in Nevada. However they were unable to get the award in person because they were in
San Diego performing. They continue to share their talents, time and revenue to their
charitable causes in spite of struggling to survive on their own. After their national
appearance at Steve Harvey, a mainstream producer Mr. Franklin Grant from New York
who also has worked with some famous stars to name a few such as Jennifer Lopez,
Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and Aaliyah is excited to produce their first mainstream
musical CD. According to Grant, "The Molano Twins are blessed with vocal capabilities
that could make a vast impact in the music industry. They possess the two most important requirements needed to be in this lucrative field, looks and talents." Today, the
Molano Twins would like to welcome angel investors who are interested to help them. The
twins potentials are overwhelming and their venture is a "sleeping giant." No matter what
the future will bring, the Molano Twins will always perform for a cause. Regardless of talent fees and if their schedule will allow, Marnie and Nicole will always be there for the
community.
For you PETE "It’s Christmas With Marnie and Nicole " Presentation is slated on
December 16, 2005, 7:30 PM Friday, at John Gill School Auditorium, 555 Del Ora Ave (by
Jefferson in Redwood City). Admission is free to all kids from ages 1 to 102.
(continued from page 9)
****
This month’s Chamber of Commerce business connection was held at the First
National Bank on El Camino Real. In attendance were: Councilman Ian Bain, former Mayor Georgi La Berge, Port Executive Director Mike Giari, Board members
Cheryl Angeles, Alyn Beals, Gino Gasparini, Barry Jolette, Glenna Vaskelis,
Planning Commissioner Jeff Gee, community leaders Brian Palter, Catherine
Fraiser, Memo Morantes, Jim Massey, and Frank Bartaldo. A fun time was had
by all.
****
After that event, I attended the retirement party for Keith Bautista – yes, he has
retired - at the County Museum. He has been with DES Architects for 35 years
and has been deeply involved in our community for much of that time. Spotted
there were: Vice Mayor Barbara Pierce, former Mayo’s Dick Claire and Dani
Gasparini, Port Commissioner Jack Castle, community leader Paula Uccelli, and
Cheryl Angeles (she gets around). Bautista has been instrumental in planning
many projects throughout our community, including Carrington Hall, and the new
theater at Woodside High. One of my fondest memories of Keith’s community
service was when he spoke at a Council meeting and played Patula Clark’s hit
“Downtown” in its entirety. He wanted to get the message across that the redevelopment of the downtown area was vital – he succeeded. Best of luck and I
am sure we will be seeing him still active although not as visible. I heard that
Keith’s wife is now considering going back to work.
****
The Downtown Business Group Board has appointed Alice Louise of Arthur
Murray Dance Studio as President and Alpio Barbara from Redwood General
Tire as Vice President. Congratulations!
****
The Dancing with the Stars television show is sending a producer and cameraperson to a studio on Broadway next week for filming. The plan is to shoot
some film and get background to take to another producer who will decide if
they do the filming in Redwood City. Rumor has it that former professional football player Jerry Rice is the person who will be dancing with the stars.
****
Former Port Commissioner and Sequoia High School teacher and administrator
George Dragan passed away earlier this month. He taught for some 32 years.
One reader, upon hearing of his passing, commented to me: “Given how we all
drove him crazy, I’m surprised he lived this long.” All the community and the
many children he served so competently will miss him.
****
The rumor mill is saying that the City of Redwood City is 1) planning to take the
Wells Fargo property on Broadway for housing, 2) that two big power lines and
some heretofore unknown tile work have been discovered in the front area of
Court House Plaza and the go ahead has been given to the architect to do a
redesign with the trees being removed due to the power lines.
****
Downtown Cinema project developer Dave Irmer says the cinema complex will
be opening in March, Dan Zack in City Hall says it’s opening in April, either way
residents and business owners are gearing up to see if this is going to be the
project that will return our Downtown area into the cash-cow it once was attracting visitors from other areas. Here are some changes happening now.
Powerhouse Gym just got its facade improvements approved and has begun its
work. Pizza Parlor’s (dine in and take out) will be locating on Middlefield Road
and Main Street. The owner of Izzy’s Steaks & Chops restaurant by the San
Carlos Airport will be opening up something in the former Mulligans Pub location
on the 2600 block of Broadway down the block from where Peet’s Coffee just
opened. Mimi’s Café reopened after a renovation and a business will be opening in next door to them and they will be serving beer and wine. The Little Fox
Theater has gotten new signage and a plan between the Federal government
and Tarboosh restaurant on Jefferson is in the works for them to use the grass
area next to the Post Office for nighttime dining. I just hope they clean it up a little better then they have been lately, ever seen it after a weekend?
****
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, I did some research and once again
came up with my annual list of the Redwood City Turkeys of the Year. Now
turkeys come in all different shapes and sizes, but the one thing these turkeys
have in common is that they provoke conversation and affect our lives in one
way or another.
So here we go. Number 5) – The Redevelopment Agency for the Middlefield
Road renaming fiasco. Seems plans were to rename the road Theater Way. That
is until local businesses got wind of it and faster than you can say – “let’s all go
to the movies” - a decision was made to leave it just the way it is.
4) Although he might not have intended it to come across as supporting a convicted child molester, Jack Hickey sent a “letter to the editor” to all the local
media outlets asking for respect for “mother” Rebecca Boicelli. Bad decision.
3) Elected officials, school board members, superintendents, teachers, business owners, parents and all were stunned as they watched the Redwood City
School District’s Parcel Tax, Measure V go down in defeat. The five year $85 a
year tax would have raised $3.3 million a year for the school district. But lowand-behold, the district came up with the funds needed to save projected cuts.
2) It was a foregone conclusion that the Redwood City School Board of Trustees
would appoint Catherine Fraser to fill the seat vacated by Chris Bohl. But as in
love, politics are unpredictable. Fraser applied but was not appointed – talk
about not taking the opportunity to listen to 7,724 your constituents who voted
for her and giving someone their just dues. They felt they needed someone who
could step right in and know the issues and contribute right away. Go figure.
1) The San Mateo Board of Supervisors – for continually making decisions without giving its constituents the opportunity to voice their opinions and thus taking away rights from us. 1) They gave themselves a raise even though voters said
not to. 2) They are trying to eliminate smoking in all county public areas. 3) They
backed a moratorium on state executions even though voters overwhelmingly
want the death penalty. 4) They failed to take any substantial action against
Maureen Borland, director of the San Mateo County Human Services Agency,
and she continued in her job. 5) They voted to make our residents pay a special
“fee” of $4 per vehicle tacked on to registration fees. And on and on.
All the while - San Mateo County employees are getting higher pensions. The
County has seen a surge in youth gang violence, and as arson and theft, vehicle
theft, property crimes have increased more than five percent county wide, not
to mention that the new Juvenile Hall is behind schedule and over budget.
For all the above the County Board of Supervisors are this year’s Turkey of the
Year!
****
I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with family, friends and happiness and that
our Turkeys did not steal your stuffing.
As I was Saying . . .
Senior Activities
Activities at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center
The Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City, will
be providing lectures and activities during the month of December that are open
to the public.
Holiday Giving, Monday, December 5, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
he Veterans Memorial Senior Center is sponsoring our annual “Holiday Giving”
project. We will be providing gift bags for the elderly who are homebound and
children in need. If you would like to volunteer to help with this project, please
contact Senior Services, 780-7274. Donations can be mailed to Holiday Giving
Project, Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City,
CA 94061.
“The Holidays” Free Lecture, Wednesday, December 7, 10:30 a.m., Goldstar
Room. Come and share your favorite holiday stories, and learn helpful tips to
make your holidays more enjoyable.
Holiday Sing Along, Thursday, December 15, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Redwood Room.
Join us for two hours of joy, friendship and memories of holidays past! Sing the
old holiday songs with your friends and enjoy cookies and hot cider. Family and
friends are welcome. For tickets, call 780-7270. Cost is $2.
Holiday Jolly Follies, Friday, December 16, 7:00 p.m., Veterans Memorial Senior
Center Theater.
If you missed last year, you’ve got to see them this year! This holiday variety
show, with holiday songs, classic radio parodies, and crazy skits is sure to get
you in the holiday spirit. Light appetizers, homemade chocolates and holiday
spirits will be served. For more information call 780-7270. Tickets cost $10.
WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, Saturday, December 17th Noon6PM :.
Join Redwood City Community Services as we enjoy the Bay Area’s newest holiday tradition, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” in San Francisco. The classic holiday movie is now a Broadway musical the whole family can enjoy. Trip includes
round-trip transportation on a luxury shuttle and orchestra seating. Cost is $75
per person. To purchase tickets, please contact Michele Venneri at (650) 7807344 or email Mvenneri@RedwoodCity.org. Limited tickets available, so sign up
soon!
To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, call 780-7270, or for
Accessible Recreation Activities, call 780-7313 or 780-7344 or visit our website
at www.redwoodcity.org. The Veterans Memorial Senior Center is located at
1455 Madison Avenue, Redwood City.
Visit Redwood City’s
website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City
and its services, the
community, recreation
programs, education,
City government, and
local business.
County swaps land for housing
San Mateo County will swap a small remnant of land in Redwood City to a developer planning a multi-story housing complex in return for two affordable housing units.
Supervisors voted 3 to 1 in favor of the agreement with Tuscan Tower, LLC, over the objection of both board President Rich Gordon and neighboring property owner Joe Carcione.
Carcione, an attorney whose land abuts the 3,000-square-foot Winslow Street site in
question, asked the county to sell him the land at a higher cost instead as a way for him
to prevent what he believes to be a 10-story building and an unnecessary trade.
“We do not need to give away county assets ... It’s worth [$400,000]. I’ll write you a check
right now,” Carcione said.
Carcione suggested the county take his offer and leverage the funds in a way that can
provide for more than the two below-market units afforded in the 80-space proposal.
However, all fair market prices associated with land trades like this must be deposited in
the road fund rather than used for housing, said County Counsel Tom Casey.
If the land at 490 Winslow St. is not developed within four years, the agreement requires
it be given back to the county or bought for $600,000.
Supervisor Adrienne Tissier supported the trade, but expressed some concern that the
county has no control over the project’s ultimate design. She warned developer Mike
Sayer the county will offer insight to Redwood City planners and members of the City
Council and urged him to be a good neighbor by setting back the building.
“It doesn’t have to be invasive to the neighbors next to you,” Tissier said.
Carcione also worries that another tall building near the county jail on Winslow will create a cold, windy corridor.
Sayer said he is working with Redwood City on a final high-rise design and no plans are
solidified.
Eminent domain guidelines passed
Redwood City leaders hope to stave off future squabbles over eminent domain by unanimously
adopting property acquisition guidelines similar to those a civil grand jury suggested earlier this
year.
The guidelines are not mandatory but the ad hoc committee in charge of their creation hope it
pushes city staff and officials toward greater sensitivity and respect when contemplating land
grabs. After the eminent domain policy used in connection with the downtown cinema project
came under fire, the City Council began brainstorming better methods, said Councilwoman
Rosanne Foust.
Unfortunately, according to Foust, the civil grand jury delivered its scathing report on the city’s
eminent domain use without first consulting the officials involved or asking what was being
done. If they had, she added, the jurors would have found that the city was already creating recommendations similar to those later issued in the report.
“The grand jury never ever called any of us sitting up here. They didn’t bother to. That’s sort of
an interesting statement,” Foust said.
In April 2004, Judge Quentin Kopp ruled the city unlawfully seized private property and razed a
building to make room for the 20-screen cineplex and parking garage on land bound by
Broadway, Jefferson Avenue and Middlefield Road. James Celotti’s two-story building was taken
on the grounds that a public parking lot would be built on the land but Kopp ruled it was in fact
being used to benefit a private developer.
The city declared the block a blighted area and acquired it using eminent domain. Celotti later
received a $3 million settlement.
Eminent domain does have it’s place, said Mayor Jeff Ira, as long as it is “not done in a way that
would embarrass the city.”
Foust, who served on the committee with councilmembers Barbara Pierce and Jim Hartnett, said
the key component to the new guidelines is recognizing the uniqueness of each property owner
and the land parcel. While city interests may be benefited by taking private land, it is important
to be sensitive to the intangible impacts on a person’s connection to the community, she said.
The guidelines help residents realize the city is “not just a faceless bureaucracy that is going to
take people’s land,” said Councilman Ian Bain.
The adopted guidelines also establishes the mayor as the point person for any future land acquisition issues. City Manager Ed Everett will spearhead the distribution of the recommendation to
city employees.

Spectrum - The Spectrum Magazine

Transcription

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