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Redwood City’s Art on the Square goes bling on Friday

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Art on the Square goes bling on Friday

You know this Friday is a Friday the 13th, right?

If you’re looking for something to take your mind off that, or just something fun for a Friday night – head over to Courthouse Square for “Jewelry on the Square,” the night when the usual Art on the Square goes bling.

That means (for the 12th year in a row) local jewelry makers, and their original, distinctive jewelry (with a range of prices for every budget) take over the square from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

And if you happen to be spending your Friday night with someone (young or old) who isn’t a jewelry fancier – there will also be art activities for kids, and as always, Art on the Square is accompanied by Music on the Square:  This Friday, that means reggae with Native Elements (the band once described in the Chronicle as “channeling beams of sunshine”).

“Be sure to stop in the Art in Action booth sponsored by the Redwood City Education Foundation – RCEF, the Kids & Art Foundation booth sponsored by the Redwood City Parks & Arts Foundation, and try some of the art activities in the University Art booth,” organizers said in a Facebook evite. “Also, each of our booths will have 10-percent off coupons for Cyclismo Cafe – just ask and our artists will be happy to give you one.”

Photo: Jewelry on the Square evite.

Redwood City visited during DMV crackdown on illegal use of disabled parking placards

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Redwood City visited during DMV crackdown on illegal use of disabled parking placards

During an enforcement operation in Redwood City last month, DMV investigators cited four drivers for the fraudulent use of the disabled person parking placard.

It was part of a yearlong DMV crackdown on illegal disabled person parking placard use that resulted in 2,485 misdemeanor citations being issued from July 1, 2017 to June 30 this year. Offenders face fines from $250 to $1,000, have their placard confiscated and the violation remains on their driver record.

Investigators went statewide looking for abusers, including at large sporting and music events such as the Los Angeles County Fair, where 477 drivers were cited, and at the Coachella and Stagecoach musical festivals in Indio, where more than 100 drivers were cited at each event.

“Large sporting and music events typically attract offenders who seek prime parking that is often offered at no cost,” according to DMV.

During the year-long crackdown, DMV increased enforcement by holding as many as 24 enforcement operations monthly, totaling 256 statewide. On June 19, the DMV conducted an enforcement operation in Redwood City where 116 drivers were contacted and four cited. Another operation in the city in March led to five citations and contacts with 85 drivers.

“We want Californians to understand that a disabled person parking placard can only be used by the person to whom it’s assigned,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said. “When you illegally use a placard, you disrupt the lives of those with disabilities and interfere with their mobility. I ask you to save the space.”

Here are the results of enforcement operations during Fiscal Year 2017/18:

Fiscal Year 2017/18 Citations Issued Drivers Contacted
July 170 1,596
August 145 1,676
September 555 3,700
October 135 1,622
November 171 2,016
December 150 2,106
January 185 1,822
February 153 1,582
March 167 2,050
April 381 4,951
May 133 1,574
June 140 1,548
Totals 2,485 26,243

The following results are from enforcement operations held in June 2018:

Date City Citations Issued Drivers Contacted
6/5 Delano 3 29
6/6 Oxnard 18 85
6/7 Oroville 12 85
6/12 Livermore 3 85
6/12 Rohnert Park 2 60
6/13 Hawthorne 7 61
6/13 San Diego 9 160
6/14 Northridge 5 40
6/16 Sacramento 8 92
6/19 Alhambra 7 60
6/19 Irvine 4 31
6/19 Redwood City 4 116
6/19 Watsonville/Capitola 1 30
6/20 Chula Vista 7 111
6/20 Mountain View 4 90
6/20 Oceanside 2 82
6/20 Pomona 7 55
6/21 Tracy 8 50
6/25 Fresno 2 73
6/26 Los Angeles 14 60
6/27 Rancho Cucamonga 5 91
6/28 Walnut Park 8 39
Totals: 22 operations 140 1,548

Photo: DMV

Man fatally struck by Caltrain in Redwood City identified

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Caltrain and SamTrans share Fourth of July schedules

Jerome Thomas Reed, 81, has been identified by the San Mateo County coroner’s office as the man who was fatally struck by a Caltrain last week at the Brewster Avenue grade crossing in Redwood City, according to Bay City News.

Reed was struck a little after 5 p.m. by southbound train No. 366. None of the 454 people aboard was injured.

The collision is under investigation by the San Mateo County sheriff’s Transit Police Bureau. In early reports by Caltrain, Reed was trespassing at the time of the collision.

It was Caltrain’s fifth fatality this year.

North Fair Oaks street improvement project touted amid possible SB1 repeal

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While the clanking sound of construction near your home may not be easy to celebrate, an ongoing project to improve 7th Avenue in North Fair Oaks is a victory for county officials wanting to fund long-awaited road repairs.

Last month, San Mateo County touted the local construction as one of the first 10 projects in the county to be funded by Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which raised gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to fund a backlog of roadway repair and transit improvements statewide. The county’s statement came just a few days after an effort to repeal SB1 qualified for the November ballot.

In the face of a possible repeal, San Mateo County is among jurisdictions across the state exhibiting to the public how SB1 dollars are benefiting local communities. The effort comes as polls are “showing most California voters want to kill the new tax,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

In San Mateo County’s statement, Public Works Director Jim Porter said SB1 “nearly doubles the amount of money that we have for roadway maintenance and repairs.”

“Maintaining and repairing our roads has posed a challenge due to the limited funds dedicated to these projects,” said Dave Pine, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, who said residents will ultimately benefit from SB 1 funding.

The new funding stream, county officials said, has helped address priority projects like 7th Avenue, which is receiving $1.5 million to fund improvements from Middlefield Road to Edison Way. The project’s construction, which began in May and is expected to be finished in August, includes repaving the street and installing concrete valley gutters and chicanes, among other work. You can receive regular updates on the project’s progress by clicking here. The other nine county projects to initially benefit from SB1 revenue include pothole repairs and maintenance work in La Honda, El Granada and Montara, and road improvements in Emerald Lake Hills, the San Mateo Highlands, Burlingame Hills and West Menlo Park, according to the county.

With SB1, the county says it will receive about $3.3 million in new revenue for the 2017-18 fiscal year and about $9.6 million in the 2018-19 fiscal year, which will be the first full fiscal year new gas taxes will be in effect.

In Redwood City on July 15, you can learn to save a life

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In one day, you can learn to save a life.  Really.

That would be by taking the Heartsaver CPR class, from the American Heart Association.  Three hours, and you’ll walk out knowing how to give lifesaving CPR to an adult, a child, even an infant – and how (and when) to use a defibrillator, in a case of cardiac arrest.

This class is open to anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency, but it is recommended especially for parents and babysitters, teachers and coaches, summer camp staff and fitness instructors.

Class meets Sunday, July 15th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Redwood City CPR Classes, 777 Woodside Road, Suite A-1.  The cost is $70, and you can sign up online:  https://bit.ly/2KEjk5Z.

 

Mike Callagy named as San Mateo County Manager John Maltbie’s successor

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San Mateo County Assistant County Manager Mike Callagy was named to succeed John Maltbie as county manager by the Board of Supervisors on Thursday.

Callagy will fully assume his new post when Maltbie retires in November, according to a statement by the county. At its July 10 meeting, the Board of Supervisors will vote on Callagy’s contract. His compensation will include a base salary of $332,800 plus transportation allowance and other benefits, the county said.

Maltbie served as county manager from 1989 to 2008 and returned in December 2012 at the request of the Board. Callagy was selected to succeed him after a nationwide recruitment and several rounds of interviews, the county said.

A lifelong San Mateo County resident who lives in Foster City, Callagy joined the county in 2013 as one of three deputy county managers. He previously had a 23-year career with the San Mateo Police Department, where he retired as deputy chief.

He was named assistant county manager in 2016.

As the new county manager, Callagy is prioritizing public safety and health, fiscal responsibility, innovation and goals and policy objectives as determined by the Board, according to the county.

“Mike is a collaborative leader with deep roots in the community and a passion for public service,” Board President Dave Pine said in the statement. “In the last five years, he’s proven that he is able to get the job done, and he has the skills and vision to build on the strong foundation put in place by John Maltbie.”

Callagy said the new position “offers the unique chance to really see the difference it makes in daily lives and I consider myself lucky to serve the community I call home.”

He expressed gratitude for learning under Maltbie, calling him “an outstanding mentor and role model.”

Maltbie said he’s “pleased that San Mateo County residents will remain in such capable and thoughtful hands.”

Callagy will oversee a $2.75 billion budget and a workforce of more than 5,500 delivering services to about 760,000 residents.

In addition to having a law degree from Santa Clara University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree in public administration from the College of Notre Dame and a Master’s degree in homeland defense and security from the Naval Postgraduate School, according to the county.

Political Climate with Mark Simon: New RWC council candidate adds to one of Peninsula’s hottest races

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Political Climate with Mark Simon: Controversial districting process will change status quo

The Fourth of July is about the three Ps — patriotism, parades and politics — and all three were on ample display yesterday.

Since this column, by definition, is political we’ll start there.

Redwood City Planning Commissioner Ernie Schmidt announced via Facebook yesterday that he is running in the increasingly crowded race for Redwood City Council. His announcement was quite brief and included the promise of a campaign website and Facebook page to follow.

Schmidt said back in February that he was “50-50” about running for the City Council in this November’s election. It appears the scales have shifted.

That makes the seventh candidate to announce in what is going to be one of the hottest races on the Peninsula. Also running: incumbents Diane Howard and Jeff Gee and challengers Diana Reddy, Giselle Hale, Christina Umhofer and Rick Hunter.

All this before the candidate filing period has begun – it opens July 16. There could be even more candidates in the race by the time the period closes August 10.

Schmidt told Political Climate in February that he was decidedly uneasy about running because of the high cost of a race that coincides with a statewide election. For a City Council candidate to be heard among all the other campaigns, it could cost as much as $90,000, Schmidt said.

He also said the upcoming election is taking place in a “weird climate. The race is going to be very noisy. I don’t know if I have ear muffs strong enough for all the noise.”

Apparently, he does.

Or maybe, instead of ear muffs, he’ll opt for the red chili pepper costume Schmidt wore during yesterday’s Redwood City Fourth of July parade. He said he was pressed into service at the last minute to help out the float publicizing the annual city Salsa Festival. The original chili pepper was a no-show.

POLITICAL DOTS ON PARADE: The large crowd on hand for the annual Fourth of July parade and festival was a tempting opportunity for candidates and all of the City Council candidates to try to make their presence known. … Council members Gee and Howard were in the parade, each in a separate vintage automobile, waving to the crowd and enjoying the benefits of incumbency. … Hale volunteered at festival-related events and rode on the float of the Downtown Improvement Association. … Reddy supporters could be spotted throughout the crowd in distinctive blue T-shirts. … Hunter also volunteered at the parade. … Umhofer might have made the biggest splash. Her team passed out red, white and blue pinwheels with a campaign postcard attached and they seemed to hit almost every person who staked out a spot on the parade route.

ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT: Redwood City Councilwoman Shelly Masur Miller last week announced via social media what had been widely regarded as likely: she is running for the state Senate that will be vacated in 2020 by incumbent Jerry Hill, who is termed out. … Still undecided: San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine, who has yet to be heard from on the race. … Miller and Pine share some political advisors and it was thought she opt not to run if the higher-profile Pine got into the race. It appears she decided not to wait any longer.

A GRAND DAY: Congratulations to the Peninsula Celebration Association and all its volunteers for a wonderful parade and festival.

Many cities put on Fourth events, but Redwood City, with its Courthouse Square and Main Street USA-style downtown, really is the setting for these kinds of events.

There were two moments, among many, that stood out.

The chalk art that covered Courthouse Square was dazzling and kudos to the artists.

For sheer entertainment, it was hard to beat the Cal Aggie Marching Band from University of California, Davis, and the Incomparable Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band, who gathered together for a battle of the bands that lasted well over an hour. It was joyous.

AND SOME PATRIOTISM: As we were setting up for the parade, my son asked me what I think about on this day, knowing that it’s my favorite holiday.

It’s this: I love my country. I love what it aspires to be. I love the virtues it represents. I love that we come from all over the world – often with nothing in our pockets but dreams in our hearts – seeking the chance for a better life. I love that we’re messy and argumentative and complicated and that we disagree and that freedom is difficult. I love that we are a people and place of hope.

I also love fireworks, summer, parades and watermelon.

Contact Mark Simon at mark.simon24@yahoo.com.

*The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Climate Online.

Person fatally truck by Caltrain Thursday afternoon

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Person struck by Caltrain at Main Street

A person was fatally struck by a Caltrain while trespassing on the tracks in Redwood City on Thursday, according to the transit agency.

Southbound train No. 366 struck the individual a little after 5 p.m. near Brewster Ave., the transit agency reported.

As a result of the incident, Brewster Avenue between Arguello and El Camino Real was closed in both directions for an investigation. The closure was expected to last about 90 minutes, police said.

Follow Caltrain on Twitter for updates on impacts to transit.

Despite prevention efforts, Redwood City police inundated with fireworks-related calls

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Despite the city’s recent efforts to increase fines and conduct public outreach to curb illegal fireworks, the Redwood City Police Department was still inundated by calls for service regarding the problem on Independence Day.

A few people wrote to the RCPD Facebook page complaining about the lack of police response to calls about fireworks use, with one stating, “my poor dogs are terrified.”

RCPD noted it was a very busy July 4, with over 480 calls for service. Of them, more than 100 were for fireworks-specific calls, police said.

In city documents, Redwood City Fire Department Chief Stan Maupin cited an average of 176 reported incidents from July 1 through July 6 annually over the past decade. We don’t know right now how many incidents total have occurred since July 1.

The highest number of reported incidents during the period of July 1-July 6 was in 2013 with 236, while the lowest was in 2017 with 125 reported incidents, city documents showed.

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