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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>.NOV.2012<br />
Table of Contents<br />
Inside <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> – 4<br />
RCSD Corner – 5<br />
“As I Was Saying...” – 6<br />
Recology: Don’t Stop Thinking<br />
About the Future – 8<br />
Cultural Events – <strong>11</strong><br />
Shop <strong>Redwood</strong> City – 12<br />
“Give Her an A…”<br />
Cherokee Cheerleader<br />
Makes Local History – 14<br />
Community Interest – 17<br />
Senior Activities – 24<br />
Insurance Tips:<br />
What Is a Health<br />
Savings Account? – 25<br />
A Minute With<br />
Stacy Morell – 26<br />
Welcome to the November 2012 edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>. This month we have a<br />
story of inspiration and resolve, plus photos of and information about several communityoriented<br />
events. In his award-winning column, “As I Was Saying…,” Publisher Steve Penna<br />
discusses a recent trip to Southern California.<br />
Our cover story this month is on <strong>Redwood</strong> City resident and Sequoia High School student<br />
Angel Gonzalez-Prado. During our lives, we all face obstacles large and small. As you will read<br />
in contributing writer Nicole Minieri’s story, Angel has faced one obstacle after another since<br />
birth and none seems to diminish her drive and spirit. We know that after reading her story,<br />
you will be yelling, “Give me an A!”<br />
Recology of San Mateo County faced many challenges when it took over trash services<br />
last year. We bring you a follow-up to our story by contributing writer Dale McKee on how the<br />
company is facing those challenges and what they are doing to resolve customer concerns<br />
and improve their satisfaction.<br />
We also bring you our regular features on senior activities, items of community interest,<br />
cultural and entertainment events, insurance tips from Hector Flamenco, information from the<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City School District and the popular feature “A Minute With.”<br />
Businesses are an important component of all communities because they create sales tax<br />
revenues that contribute to the overall city budget while providing much-needed services. In<br />
that spirit, we encourage you, our readers, to support our valuable <strong>Spectrum</strong> advertisers by<br />
using their services when you are out shopping, dining or enjoying yourself in our community<br />
with friends and family. Many of them have special offers for you to cut out and present,<br />
including discounts on services, food and beverages, so please take the time to look over their<br />
ads this month and use their coupons and discounts.<br />
We also want to remind you that when you are looking for up-to-the-minute information<br />
about our community, you can visit us online at www.spectrummagazine.net. We are in the<br />
process of updating our website, so look for more interface opportunities in the future.<br />
Steve Penna<br />
Owner and Publisher<br />
penna@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Anne Callery<br />
Copy Editor<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Dale McKee<br />
Julie McCoy<br />
Nicole Minieri<br />
Contributing Writers<br />
writers@spectrummagazine.net<br />
James Massey<br />
Graphic Designer<br />
007massey@gmail.com<br />
James R. Kaspar<br />
Cover/Cover Story Photography<br />
staff@spectrummagazine.net<br />
Contact Information:<br />
Phone 650-368-2434<br />
www.spectrummagazine.net<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 3
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
Corrin Rankin<br />
Inside <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>: Cover Story Photo Shoot<br />
6<br />
368-2660<br />
S 5<br />
0<br />
<strong>The</strong> peninsula’s<br />
professional dance company<br />
nutcracker<br />
December<br />
15, 16<br />
22, 23<br />
Historic<br />
Fox <strong>The</strong>atre<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
PeninsulaBallet.org (650) 369-7770<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> Publisher Steve Penna<br />
arranged this month’s cover photo<br />
shoot with Sequoia High School<br />
cheerleading coach Stacy Morell for<br />
Friday, Oct. 26, on the Sequoia campus at 4 p.m.<br />
Cover photographer James Kaspar showed<br />
up first and was soon joined by Penna in front<br />
of Carrington Hall auditorium on Brewster<br />
Avenue. <strong>The</strong>y went to the “small” gymnasium<br />
next to the pool area to meet Morell and her<br />
squad, including our cover subject, Angel<br />
Gonzalez-Prado.<br />
Feeling comfortable at his alma mater, Penna<br />
interacted easily with the squad members and<br />
students alike. He talked to them about <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> and about attending school there,<br />
and he planted the message to “give back to<br />
the school and community even after you are<br />
gone.” <strong>The</strong> students were very receptive.<br />
It was decided that the photos would be<br />
taken outside, mostly to accommodate the large<br />
number of squad members. Tumbling mats<br />
were moved to a small grassy area next to an<br />
outdoor quad, where the lighting was good and<br />
space was perfect.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme of the shoot was, of course,<br />
overcoming challenges. We determined the<br />
best way to do that was to show Gonzalez-<br />
Prado in her natural element and, once she<br />
had joined the groups, she was. Penna had met<br />
6<br />
5<br />
0<br />
234 Marshall Street #100<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063<br />
Se Habla Español CA Insurance Lic. #1842835<br />
368-2660<br />
her before while working out at Powerhouse<br />
Gym, and he is also friends with her godfather,<br />
local businessman Arnoldo Arreola. <strong>The</strong> two<br />
attended Hoover School together in the 1970s.<br />
During the shoot, Morell and the squad<br />
members were all respectful, enthusiastic,<br />
Corrin Rankin<br />
accommodating and proud to represent Sequoia<br />
High and their teammate and did anything<br />
asked to make the shoot run smoothly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> entire shoot took about one hour.<br />
On a daily basis we all encounter challenges<br />
in life. Some are harder than others and sometimes<br />
seem impossible to overcome. In those times,<br />
we look to examples of courage, those who<br />
have dealt with overwhelming challenges and<br />
exceeded all expectations and defeated them.<br />
Beginning with emergency surgery to repair<br />
a host of life-threatening complications when<br />
Gonzalez-Prado was just a newborn, she has<br />
showed us all that life is what you make it.<br />
“I want to encourage people that they can do<br />
whatever they want, and it does not matter if<br />
they can walk or not. As long as they put their<br />
mind to it they can do it,” she said.<br />
We all know that “walk or not” is a metaphor<br />
for those everyday challenges we all face. In those<br />
times, we hope you will find the inspiration<br />
from our Angel to make it all a bit easier.<br />
Come on, <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Give us an A! We<br />
are so proud of her!<br />
234 Marshall Street #100 • <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063<br />
Se Habla Español CA InsuranceLic. #1842835<br />
Advertise with<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Call Us Today 650.368.2434
RCSD Corner: News From the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District<br />
North Star Academy Named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School<br />
North Star eighth-graders Raúl, Daniel, Nicole and Jessica<br />
When eighth-grader Daniel S. first attended North Star Academy<br />
in sixth grade, it was a challenge.<br />
“It was a lot harder than my other school at first,” said Daniel,<br />
“but in seventh grade I started figuring it out.” Today, Daniel is<br />
excelling in school and credits the school’s emphasis on enrichment for his<br />
academic achievement. Daniel explained that North Star offers enrichment<br />
classes on a wide range of topics, such as sports or drama, that are not<br />
directly related to school subjects.<br />
“Taking enrichment classes relaxes my mind and helps me to do better in<br />
school,” he said.<br />
Daniel’s classmates, Raúl, Jessica and Nicole, agree that North Star is a<br />
place where students work hard but get a lot of support from teachers and<br />
the opportunity to pursue many interests through enrichment classes or<br />
participation in after-school sports programs.<br />
“North Star is a good school,” said Nicole. “You have a lot of homework<br />
and it is challenging, but you learn a lot!”<br />
North Star’s curricula and programs are designed to meet the unique needs<br />
of students identified as gifted and high achieving. <strong>The</strong> school serves about<br />
540 students in third through eighth grade and was recently named a 2012<br />
National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.<br />
North Star uses an instructional strategy called differentiated instruction<br />
to teach state standards and offers a third- through eighth-grade enrichment<br />
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program. Teachers pre-assess students and use the information to determine<br />
the best way to teach state standards, depending on the degree of the students’<br />
mastery. <strong>The</strong> teachers then use the assessment to “compact” the curriculum,<br />
creating time at the end of the day for students to participate in an enrichment<br />
class of their choice. Enrichment classes have included Shakespeare drama<br />
performances, bookmaking, quilt making, multimedia presentations, chess,<br />
the study of art masters, origami, word games, model making, stock market<br />
analysis, science fiction studies, how to prevent global warming, ecology,<br />
participation in musicals and plays, and a host of other classes.<br />
“Our school prides itself on instilling a love of learning not only in our<br />
students but also our teachers,” said former North Star Principal Wendy<br />
Kelly, who was instrumental in completing the extensive application process<br />
involved in winning the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Award. “Students who<br />
are allowed choice in their class programming feel that their voices are<br />
more valued, which supports their emotional well-being as participants in a<br />
learning community.”<br />
North Star was one of only 17 public and private schools in the state of<br />
California to be awarded a National Blue Ribbon Award in 2012. <strong>The</strong> U.S.<br />
Department of Education has bestowed this annual award to about 7,000<br />
schools in the U.S. since 1982, when the program began. <strong>The</strong> program<br />
recognizes those schools exhibiting the highest level of student achievement<br />
or that have made exemplary progress toward bridging the achievement gap.<br />
North Star was also designated a California Distinguished School in 2010.<br />
In the 20<strong>11</strong>–12 school year, the school earned an API score of 990 out of a<br />
total of 1,000, making it the highest-performing school in San Mateo County.<br />
“I’m proud that North Star’s students’ and staff’s accomplishments are<br />
being recognized by the Blue Ribbon Committee,” said Parent Club President<br />
Zeke Mead. “I’ve enjoyed watching kids ask questions and work together to<br />
discover the answers in an environment that facilitates their needs.”<br />
Current North Star Principal Leslie Crane, former Principal Wendy Kelly<br />
and North Star fourth-grade teacher Karen Gaffney will travel to the White<br />
House in Washington, D.C., to accept the award in November.<br />
According to the U.S. Department of Education website, the National<br />
Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary,<br />
middle and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where<br />
significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of academic<br />
achievement. To be eligible for the prestigious nomination, schools must be<br />
in the 85th percentile or above on statewide tests or count among the top 10<br />
percent of schools serving a largely socioeconomically disadvantaged student<br />
body showing consistent improvement over the past five years.<br />
All second- through seventh-grade students who live within the boundaries<br />
of the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District may apply to attend North Star. This<br />
year, the application period is earlier than in the past, and all applications are<br />
due by 4 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2013. Applications and information on the application<br />
process are available on the school’s website, www.rcsdk8.net/northstar, or by<br />
calling the school office at 650-482-5973.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 5
I recently decided that it was time for me to take<br />
a little alone time. I had been working on a few extra<br />
projects for <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> and had also been involved<br />
with a few charity events while maintaining my<br />
usual day-to-day schedule. Handling it all was<br />
workable, but at one point I went into overload.<br />
You know the feeling when you are trying to do<br />
literally four things at one time and then cannot<br />
find your cell phone? <strong>The</strong>n I have to search for<br />
it while doing so is delaying me from doing the<br />
other things. After an hour of frustration and calling<br />
the cell from the landline to try to locate it, I finally hear<br />
it very faintly and eventually find it under some<br />
files I had put in a closet. Well, it was about that<br />
time I decided to head for Southern California.<br />
I rearranged some meetings and deadlines,<br />
and I just did it. I spent the first night in San Luis<br />
Obispo and had a great dinner with my niece Casey<br />
and her fiancé, Ian. It just so happens we ate at a<br />
restaurant called Fireside Grill. When I arrived,<br />
about 20 minutes before they did, there were dozens<br />
of San Francisco Giants fans cheering the team in a<br />
playoff game, and many were proud to be wearing<br />
orange and black to show their support. Felt right<br />
at home.<br />
After a great night with them and a good night’s<br />
sleep, I was on my way to Palm Desert. I had gotten<br />
a new Samsung Galaxy 4G phone and was still<br />
getting used to all the features. I became fast friends<br />
with the voice navigation system that guided me<br />
everywhere with accuracy.<br />
I was in no hurry, so I took my time and stopped<br />
many times along the way. My favorite stop was<br />
Pepperdine University in Malibu. <strong>The</strong> view from<br />
the football field is amazing! Once closer to Palm<br />
Desert, I stopped for a beverage break and noticed<br />
an all-you-can-eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. Needless<br />
to say, I got my beverage and left that town as soon<br />
as I could. If not, I might have spent the night in KFC.<br />
I followed my navigation voice, arrived at the<br />
Marriott Villas in what seemed like no time and<br />
began my five-day stay. I checked in and almost<br />
before I knew it, I was unpacked and lying by<br />
the pool area with an ice-cold beverage. I have to<br />
admit that is mostly what I did the entire time I<br />
was there. Wake up, eat, go to the pool area, eat,<br />
afternoon nap, pool area, eat, beverages, back to<br />
the pool area until closing and then eat and sleep.<br />
I did, however, work out on three days, so it did<br />
not feel like an absolute waste.<br />
On the second night, I realized there was a presidential<br />
debate. I felt like watching it with others, so I contacted<br />
the local Democratic Club, found out where they<br />
were having a “watching” party and joined them.<br />
It was fun and interesting. <strong>The</strong>y are the same as the<br />
Demos here, but they are in a bloodbath battle of a<br />
congressional race between incumbent Republican<br />
Mary Bono Mack and Democrat Raul Ruiz. <strong>The</strong><br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
As I Was<br />
Saying… Publisher<br />
television ads and the debates (which are actual<br />
debates) were the nastiest and most competitive I<br />
have ever seen. <strong>The</strong> rhetoric was simply amazing<br />
to watch, even for the limited time I did.<br />
<strong>The</strong> entire stay there was enjoyable and very<br />
self-reflective. <strong>The</strong> last night I was there, I met<br />
a woman at the pool/bar area who was from San<br />
Mateo and was glued to the Giants playoff game<br />
on one television and the 49ers game on the other.<br />
Life is good! We had a nice conversation — we<br />
found we even had some friends in common<br />
— and soon went our separate ways. After a<br />
great night’s sleep, I was on my way to Southern<br />
California’s Venice Beach for a five-day stay.<br />
Navigation got me there just fine. I checked<br />
into the Erwin Hotel and rested before meeting<br />
my nephew Nick for dinner. He had just relocated<br />
and got a job in Santa Monica, so we were near<br />
each other and had a great time catching up and<br />
watching the now World Series Giants game at a<br />
local bar and grill. Life is good.<br />
I have fallen in love with Beverly Hills. I feel<br />
so relaxed and comfortable there, like very few<br />
places outside of <strong>Redwood</strong> City make me feel.<br />
<strong>The</strong> streets are clean, people are happy, friendly<br />
and enthusiastic, business diversity is plentiful<br />
and the weather is always great. <strong>The</strong> last time I<br />
had been down there, I met and became friends<br />
with a few people, and I met up with them over<br />
the next couple of days for art fairs, parties,<br />
events and dinners. <strong>The</strong>re is always something<br />
going on in the Hills and I love it all.<br />
I am not the type of person to be impressed by<br />
“celebrities” of any sort, be they athletes, actors,<br />
entertainers or politicians. I think that is why I count<br />
many as my friends. In fact, half of the time,<br />
when I am first around some “celebrity,” I don’t<br />
even know who they are or who they think they<br />
are. I am just interested in the person, not the name.<br />
I recall one time when I had first become friends<br />
with a national television journalist and on-air<br />
personality. She was telling me about a gift she<br />
got from a “fan,” and my response was, “You have<br />
fans?” She laughed and just said it was “so you.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> last night I was in the Hills I had dinner<br />
with some friends and then returned to Santa<br />
Monica to spend some “self” time at a local pub,<br />
watching the Giants destroy the Detroit Tigers.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n I went back to my hotel room for a quiet<br />
night, preparing for the return home in the morning.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n it was, “Navigator, take me home!” Seven<br />
hours later, I rolled up to the Farm Hill exit on<br />
Highway 280 and felt both calm and excited.<br />
Once back in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, I went to a friend’s<br />
house to watch the Giants win another game. One<br />
of the qualities of being single is that we depend<br />
on friends much more to fill that “companion” role,<br />
and I am fortunate to have many I call true friends.<br />
| Steve Penna<br />
So dropping by a friend’s or family member’s home<br />
before returning to my own home is natural for me.<br />
I finally arrived at home to a cat who seemed<br />
not to have missed me, or perhaps she wanted to<br />
let me know she did not appreciate being left in<br />
the care of someone who does not let her sleep in<br />
their bed. Next day, back to work and the same routine.<br />
I found myself feeling bitter about being back.<br />
I was jealous of the guy who had carelessly spent<br />
the past <strong>11</strong> days in what can only be described<br />
as completely spontaneous adventures. I already<br />
missed him, admired him and wanted to be him<br />
again. That is, until Thursday arrived.<br />
I attended an event sponsored by the Peninsula<br />
Conflict Resolution Center. <strong>The</strong> anti-bullying<br />
event was honoring a friend of mine, Paula Uccelli.<br />
To be honest, I did not really want to go and would<br />
not have gone had it not been her being honored<br />
or someone just as deserving or special to me.<br />
I arrived late because I had picked up my<br />
godsons from school and had our usual Thursday<br />
“adventure” time together. It ran longer than<br />
expected but was exactly what I needed as an<br />
attitude adjustment. When I arrived at the event,<br />
I immediately saw faces I was really happy to<br />
see, which is not always the case at events like<br />
this. But, let’s face it, everyone was there to do<br />
something extremely special.<br />
I was honored to be seated at a table that included<br />
Assemblyman Jerry Hill (the master of ceremonies),<br />
keynote speaker Greg Louganis and attorney<br />
Ted Hannig, who introduced Louganis. I mean,<br />
really, I was sitting next to the most successful<br />
Olympic diver of all time and honoring a great friend,<br />
surrounded by a roomful of people I admire and<br />
respect. That’s when I was reminded of the obvious.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are things that connect us all in one way<br />
or another. It could be supporting a local sports<br />
team, loving a particular city or town, enjoying<br />
a good debate, meeting a “celebrity” (whether<br />
it be Katie Couric or Angel Gonzalez-Prado),<br />
being single or, yes, even following the navigation<br />
systems that guide you.<br />
But when it comes down to it, I always want<br />
to be guided back home: the place where I get<br />
inspired, loved, entertained, frustrated, annoyed<br />
and completely fulfilled.<br />
So the next time I start feeling like I just might<br />
want to move to a different area, or I admire<br />
something I don’t have, all I need to do is click the<br />
heels of my size 15 Air Jordan sneakers and say,<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re’s no place like home!”<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, California!<br />
As I was saying…<br />
.…
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 7
Recology: Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow<br />
TMembers of the Recology team volunteering at a local cleanup.<br />
wo years ago, as Recology was on the cusp of taking over the service<br />
contract for <strong>Redwood</strong> City and much of the Peninsula, I sat down to<br />
interview Recology executives about their impending takeover of<br />
service from Allied Waste. Now, after that first year, Public Affairs<br />
Manager Gino Gasparini, General Manager Mario Puccinelli and<br />
Waste Zero Manager Tammy Del Bene took the time to speak with me<br />
and answer questions about the year’s challenges and triumphs, and where<br />
Recology is going from here.<br />
As I write this article, Recology now holds the contract for waste disposal<br />
throughout the Peninsula — 10 cities, as well as two other districts in San<br />
Mateo County. <strong>The</strong>ir single-stream recycling and CartSmart system were a<br />
completely different way of handling waste management. With such a big<br />
change, given that nothing ever goes quite as planned, was it a challenge<br />
when they first took over?<br />
“Well, we went through literally years of preparation,” Del Bene replied.<br />
Gasparini added, “It was the largest transition, with regard to the service<br />
industry. Ninety thousand residential customers, approximately 10,000<br />
commercial customers. A whole change of service, not only in terms of a<br />
provider, but new recycling services, food waste along with yard waste …<br />
new trucks, new carts.” <strong>The</strong>re’s never been anything of this magnitude in<br />
terms of a service changeover in the Peninsula.<br />
<strong>The</strong> change started on Jan. 3 and included holiday tree pickup and the extra<br />
volume of waste that comes with presents and celebrations. Talk about hitting<br />
the ground running!<br />
“We had new routes for our drivers, new equipment and new technology<br />
for our drivers in the form of onboard computers in our trucks,” Puccinelli<br />
explained. While the new technology is second nature for video-game<br />
players, I know I would be lost initially with such a tech curve. And, at first,<br />
so were some of the older drivers. <strong>The</strong> learning curve was steep, but training<br />
had begun even while they were Allied drivers, after hours, to bring each<br />
driver up to speed on the new systems and technology.<br />
“I don’t know that it was hard,” Gasparini said. “If it was hard, they<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
By Dale McKee, contributing writer<br />
wouldn’t be able to do it well, which they’ve done. <strong>The</strong>y’re doing everything<br />
wonderfully. It’s just a learning curve … not only the drivers, but the customers<br />
as well. It’s been a learning curve for them. Those were the challenges.”<br />
People are generally resistant to change, but the customers have adapted,<br />
Del Bene explained. “We had to teach the customers about the new type of<br />
service. It had to be put out at the curb in a particular way in order for the<br />
[new truck’s] arms to grab the container.” Much of the process is automated,<br />
although there are certain areas where the driver must still operate manually,<br />
especially on older, narrow streets.<br />
“On Dec. 31, which was Allied’s operation, their trucks were leaving the<br />
yard; our trucks were coming in, parking in their former spots,” Puccinelli<br />
said. That’s close to 150 trucks trading places. “<strong>The</strong>n you have to think of the<br />
background, the IT stuff. We had to bring in all of our systems, and they’re<br />
totally different than our predecessor’s. All of the data that Allied actually<br />
gave us … we had to enter into the new format.”<br />
That alone sounded like a hurdle to me, having worked with computer<br />
systems. Was the startup a success?<br />
“Overall, from an industry perspective, this was one of the most successful<br />
rollouts in the history of our business. Even our competitors said, ‘Boy, you<br />
guys pulled it off,’” Puccinelli said. It was a well-planned, concerted effort.<br />
Anyone who’s gone through a home move can understand the logistics<br />
involved in changing just one house; this operation was of a far greater scope.<br />
“Now it’s business as usual,” Gasparini said. But what he calls usual for<br />
Recology seems unusual in the context of today’s service industry. A recent<br />
Joint Powers Authority survey showed an astonishing 92 percent customer<br />
satisfaction rating. <strong>The</strong> JPA oversees Recology’s contract and owns the<br />
transfer stations and recycling facilities.<br />
Puccinelli clarified, “It was difficult for us because these surveys were done<br />
shortly after some rate increases. And so getting a 92 percent satisfaction<br />
rating on top of the surveys being sent out to those jurisdictions that, just a<br />
few days before, just had a rate hike … was truly gratifying.”<br />
(continues on page <strong>11</strong>)
Cultural Events<br />
<strong>The</strong> Nutcracker<br />
Coming to <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Above left: Ellis Spickermann of <strong>Redwood</strong> City dances<br />
as Flower Fairy in Ballet America’s Nutcracker. Above<br />
right: Ballet America’s Nutcracker includes (back row)<br />
Cella Hussanian of <strong>Redwood</strong> City, Nicole Nave of<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, Hayley Jarvis of <strong>Redwood</strong> City, Siena<br />
McMahon of La Honda, (front row) Natalie Finander of<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, Ellis Spickermann of <strong>Redwood</strong> City and<br />
Audrey Fallon of Atherton.<br />
Come see the Bay Area’s most family-friendly<br />
Nutcracker performance! This unique, full-length<br />
production includes a cast of 100 local dancers<br />
twirling alongside professional dancers. This<br />
exciting performance is sure to keep Dad and the<br />
kids awake with action-packed scenes like the<br />
humorous battle between soldiers and a motley<br />
crew of cowboy and pirate mice. Children will<br />
enjoy our new scene that features a gingerbread<br />
dog and a chocolate cat roaming around a childlike<br />
version of heaven. <strong>The</strong> fun abounds as children<br />
are invited to see Nutcracker characters up close in<br />
the lobby during intermission and after the show.<br />
Ballet America’s Nutcracker is an entertaining<br />
and convenient way for the whole family to enjoy<br />
this holiday classic. So come join Clara and the<br />
Nutcracker Prince on a magical holiday journey<br />
as <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s Ballet America presents its<br />
annual production of <strong>The</strong> Nutcracker on Friday,<br />
Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the historic Fox <strong>The</strong>atre, 2215<br />
Broadway St., <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Tickets for reserved seating range in price from<br />
$18 to $39 and are available via the website www.<br />
balletamerica.org, by phone at 650-FOX-7770 or<br />
at the Fox <strong>The</strong>atre box office at 2219 Broadway in<br />
downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Ballet America is a performing group founded<br />
and directed by Julia Ball-Dugan, former professional<br />
dancer and current artistic director of the Academy<br />
of American Ballet in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, whose<br />
mission is to offer family-friendly productions<br />
that promote community and local appreciation<br />
of ballet through quality productions of both<br />
new and classical choreography.<br />
Ballet America is grateful for grant funding<br />
provided by the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Civic Cultural<br />
Commission to make this production possible.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Main Gallery<br />
1018 Main St., <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
650-701-1018<br />
www.themaingallery.org<br />
<strong>The</strong> Main Gallery, an artists’ cooperative with<br />
23 members, showcases the work of some of the<br />
best local talent in the Bay Area. <strong>The</strong> gallery is<br />
located in the historic yellow Victorian cottage at<br />
the corner of Main and Middlefield. <strong>The</strong> gallery is<br />
open Wednesday to Friday from <strong>11</strong> a.m. to 4 p.m.<br />
and weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<br />
Left to right, Katinka Hartmetz, “Girl with Bird,” mixed<br />
media, 5’ x 3’, 2012. Ginger Slonaker, “Miranda,” mixed<br />
media, 36” x 24”, 2012<br />
Left to right, Nina Koepcke, “To Nourish the Souls,”<br />
ceramic, 12” H x 12” W x 6” D, 2012. David Scouffas,<br />
“Angels,” archival inkjet, 16” x 16”, 2012<br />
Please join us for the art exhibition “Day of the<br />
Dead,” named for a Mexican holiday celebrated<br />
throughout Mexico and around the world in other<br />
cultures, at <strong>The</strong> Main Gallery. <strong>The</strong> exhibition will<br />
be on view now through Nov. 18 with Katinka<br />
Hartmetz, Diana Herring, Nina Koepcke, David<br />
Scouffas and Ginger Slonaker presenting their work.<br />
After collecting objects for many years,<br />
Katinka Hartmetz has used these objects to create<br />
box art shrines, which are both freestanding and wall<br />
pieces. <strong>The</strong> shrines include Guadalupe shrines<br />
and tribute shrines, which include a cowboy, a<br />
mermaid and a murderous pianist! Hartmetz also is<br />
showing a large shrine that is a tribute to previous<br />
Main Gallery artists who have passed away.<br />
Ginger Slonaker has created portraits in acrylic,<br />
pastel and colored pencil of friends and family<br />
members who have passed on, whose souls she<br />
wishes would visit her on the Day of the Dead.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se include her two grandmothers and a child<br />
from her community. Slonaker states, “<strong>The</strong> Day<br />
of the Dead theme comes through in my choice to<br />
honor deceased loved ones and the brilliant color<br />
and simple shapes with detailed line work often<br />
used in association with Mexican art.” Slonaker<br />
recently participated in two mural workshops<br />
with Presidio Eyes in the San Francisco Mission<br />
District. “<strong>The</strong> experience was both inspiring to<br />
my art and fun,” she says.<br />
Incorporating three main themes, Nina Koepcke<br />
has included the use of real and ceramic bones in<br />
her multimedia pieces, and butterflies as images of<br />
transformation and remembrance of the Holocaust,<br />
using the poem “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,”<br />
written by a young boy interned at the Terezin<br />
concentration camp. “Last spring I traveled to<br />
Eastern Europe and visited several Holocaust<br />
memorials as well as … the Terezin concentration<br />
camp. I also visited the bone church in Kutna Hora<br />
outside Prague. <strong>The</strong>se visits inspired my work for<br />
the Day of the Dead show,” Koepcke tells us.<br />
In Mexico, calaveras (skeletons) dance, feast,<br />
play music and celebrate “the Day of the Dead.”<br />
Printmaker Diana Herring has reimagined<br />
calaveras as enjoying common San Francisco<br />
Bay Area recreational activities such as biking,<br />
practicing yoga, enjoying a spa. “Rather than<br />
being scary, my calaveras live happily in a world<br />
that imitates our own,” she states.<br />
David Scouffas has been exploring a large<br />
cemetery in the Oakland hills, a kind of city of<br />
the dead, in his photographs. <strong>The</strong>y document<br />
the sometimes weird and surreal ways in which<br />
people remember those who have passed away.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Art Center<br />
and Community Paints<br />
Roosevelt School Mural<br />
<strong>The</strong> mural was conceived to provide Roosevelt<br />
School students visual variety as well as a basis<br />
for history and environmental lessons. This work<br />
was executed as a group effort by the <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City Art Center in conjunction with the teachers,<br />
students and parents, Second Mile and many other<br />
community volunteers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> mural depicts some of the life of President<br />
<strong>The</strong>odore Roosevelt, for whom the school is named.<br />
<strong>The</strong> mural shows Teddy as a Rough Rider in the Spanish<br />
American War and Old Faithful in Yellowstone<br />
National Park, which inspired President Roosevelt<br />
to establish the National Parks System. It also<br />
depicts California’s amazing Yosemite Half Dome,<br />
where Roosevelt conferred with Ansel Adams;<br />
the buffalo and horses of the plains and Dakotas,<br />
where he had his ranch; and the many animals,<br />
birds, flora and fauna indigenous to that region<br />
and <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Roosevelt came to California<br />
and visited the Queen of the Missions in Santa<br />
Barbara (the fourth-graders study mission<br />
(continues on page 18)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 9
empathy<br />
We feel for you. We know that we live in tough times, and we’ve got an institution<br />
designed for these times. We care about you, and that’s not hype.<br />
Some car loans are more than<br />
just transportation. When Irma<br />
Rivera had trouble with her<br />
van, it meant more than just an<br />
inconvenience. It meant that she<br />
would not be able to transport<br />
her daughter Brianna, disabled in a wheelchair. So getting a new van<br />
meant a great deal to this single-parent family.<br />
(650) 363-1725<br />
irma rivera<br />
hairstylist<br />
member since 1987<br />
Take a closer look. You can join!<br />
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“I have been a hair stylist in <strong>Redwood</strong> City since I was young,” said Irma.<br />
“And I deposited my very first paycheck from the salon with San Mateo<br />
Credit Union.” So when she needed new transportation, she knew<br />
who to call.<br />
Funny how goodwill perpetuates itself, because now all of Irma’s nieces<br />
and nephews are members as well as her parents. “My brother is the only<br />
hold out,” said Irma. “But we’re working on him. Ha!”
Recology: Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow (continued from page 8)<br />
How did they achieve such high marks? With dollars tight, it is always<br />
difficult when the cost of anything goes up. We already get pinched at the<br />
supermarket and the gas pump, so nobody enjoys seeing another bill go up.<br />
All three executives truly believe the high rating is due to superior service.<br />
“We’ve got great men and women working for us. <strong>The</strong>y get it. We’ve got a<br />
great team of managers and supervisors and we follow through,” Puccinelli<br />
added. Customer service is clearly a priority. “At the end of the day, people<br />
really like our services and the convenience of the service,” he said.<br />
That kind of success is never an accident. It stems from a very positive corporate<br />
culture, 100 percent employee-owned. Puccinelli explained, “Our employees<br />
have a stake in our success.” <strong>The</strong>y really are a part of the community.<br />
“We like to feel like we’re a part of that community too,” Gasparini said.<br />
And as part of that community, Recology gets involved — not just by picking<br />
up waste and promoting recycling, but also in community projects. CEO Mike<br />
Sangiacomo created a Recology volunteer program in 2008, which tackles projects<br />
in areas serviced. Things like a community garden, landscaping or repainting<br />
a school. Employees from all over the state step in as part of a volunteer project.<br />
“We’ve got great men and women<br />
working for us. <strong>The</strong>y get it. We’ve<br />
got a great team of managers and<br />
supervisors and we follow through.”<br />
“It’s a wonderful program,” Del Bene said. “Drivers, CSRs and managers<br />
all coming together to refurbish a Boys & Girls Club [for example].” And<br />
on such efforts, it’s not unusual to get well over 100 Recology volunteers —<br />
reflecting a corporate culture that cares and is involved in the community.<br />
That goes a long way toward explaining such high customer satisfaction<br />
marks, even in the face of increased rates. But it still leaves the question:<br />
Why the rate hikes in the first place? That alone could be a full article — in<br />
fact, Gasparini wrote just such an article for the Daily Journal last year — but<br />
a few key points can be summarized. One misconception is that Recology is<br />
the driving force behind the rate increases, when in fact they’re merely the messenger.<br />
A large portion is “container migration.” It costs Recology the same<br />
amount to pick up a small container as a larger one, and as more people<br />
recycle, trash volume goes down while pickup costs remain the same. It’s<br />
similar to your water bill, when you conserve water and then the rates<br />
increase — a counterintuitive process that seems to punish good behavior<br />
with higher charges.<br />
But that doesn’t take into account the cost/benefit ratio between the shortterm<br />
and long-term. It’s like having a canteen in the desert. When you ration<br />
your water, the short-term cost is that you’re thirsty. But the long-term cost<br />
for not rationing your water is you run out and you die.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re are various factors that dictate whether a city will have a rate increase on<br />
a year-to-year basis, one of them being the factor of cart migration,” Puccinelli<br />
explained. Because the recycling programs are doing so well, trash volume is<br />
down while expenses don’t always stay flat. <strong>The</strong>re are labor costs, price costs<br />
discounted for smaller carts and the ultimate truth: <strong>The</strong>re is a cost to recycling.<br />
Del Bene said, “We send the bill. But included in that bill is also the<br />
processing. We’re only the collector.” But because the bill comes from<br />
Recology, people associate the increase with them. <strong>The</strong> JPA and South Bay<br />
Recycling are a component as well.<br />
“Last year in Burlingame, there was a pretty significant rate increase.<br />
Recology’s portion of the rate increase was zero. Our costs had no impact,”<br />
Puccinelli said. “Unlike the gas company, we’re unable to recoup our costs if<br />
we have a truck run into the bay. That’s on us. <strong>The</strong> risk is all ours.” Unlike,<br />
say, a refinery fire, the costs of which are passed along to consumers.<br />
So while Recology doesn’t drive up the costs themselves, there are other<br />
components that can. “For instance, we don’t own the landfill. If the landfill<br />
rates were to go up, the costs would be passed back down to the consumer.<br />
Recycling commodities prices — they fluctuate,” Gasparini pointed out.<br />
And if those prices go up, Recology sees none of the benefit. “We do not get<br />
the revenue from the collection of the recycled materials.” Recology is paid<br />
simply to pick it up and drop it off.<br />
<strong>The</strong> goal has been to shift more waste from trash to recycling and<br />
composting. And the shift has worked. A 32-gallon can was considered<br />
“small” in 1990. Now the smallest is 20 gallons because so much more is<br />
going into the recycling cart. This is a good thing, even if it comes with a<br />
financial cost, because the cost of the alternative is far greater in the long run,<br />
for our children and our planet. A short-term savings at a long-term cost we<br />
cannot afford is really no savings at all.<br />
“Always look to the future,” Del Bene said. “What technology do we need<br />
to invest in, because status quo isn’t going to work.” Instead, the corporate<br />
culture at Recology is to be a part of the solution. But she was quick to<br />
point out they haven’t done it alone. “<strong>The</strong> residents have stepped up to the<br />
plate,” she added. Just in the past year, there has been a 30 percent increase<br />
in recycling as well as composting. This translates into thousands of tons of<br />
waste no longer going to the Ox Mountain landfill.<br />
<strong>The</strong> credit, Puccinelli pointed out, goes to the residents, who have made recycling<br />
and composting good habits that help protect the environment for everyone.<br />
Sustainability and foresight. <strong>The</strong>se are important goals that Recology lives<br />
by. And they feel the majority of the population does care, which is why one<br />
of their major focuses remains community education.<br />
“Community is important to us, it really is,” Gasparini concluded.<br />
Fourth of July parade fun! Gino Gasparini helps Santa.<br />
Gasparini at a Recology event with a resident.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>11</strong>
Auto Care:<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire – 1630 Broadway –<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire was founded on the<br />
principles of good customer service and quality<br />
products at fair prices. Many satisfied customers<br />
have been with them since their founding.<br />
Whether you are looking for a new set of tires or<br />
need repair work on your vehicle, this <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City institution has been providing quality vehicle<br />
services since 1957. <strong>The</strong>y even have free Wi-Fi<br />
Internet hookups so you can work while you wait<br />
for your vehicle to be serviced.<br />
Eating and Catering:<br />
Arya Global Cuisine — 885 Middlefield Road<br />
– <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s new “it” restaurant lives up to<br />
its name, serving Italian, American and Persian<br />
food. “We loved the whole concept of Italian and<br />
Persian food. We tried the chicken kabob and Pollo<br />
Firenze. And wow — the food was great. Our server<br />
gave us a good suggestion in white wine to go<br />
with our dinner. Can’t wait to bring my friends in<br />
for lunch!”<br />
Canyon Inn – 587 Canyon Road – Tim Harrison<br />
and the staff at Canyon Inn serve everything from<br />
their famous hamburgers to pizzas, all kinds of<br />
sandwiches and pastas, and South-of-the-Border<br />
specialties while various sports play on the big,<br />
flat-screen TVs. Don’t forget to reserve their<br />
closed patio for your next party — it has heaters,<br />
fans and a big-screen TV (no extra charges). Why<br />
cook when you don’t have to? <strong>The</strong>y do catering<br />
too for all occasions!<br />
Little India – 917 Main St. – “<strong>The</strong>re are good<br />
restaurants. <strong>The</strong>re are bad restaurants. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are OK restaurants. <strong>The</strong>n there are those places,<br />
the magic ones. You come back again and again<br />
because the food doesn’t just taste good and<br />
satisfy hunger, but helps heal the heart and soul.”<br />
Senior citizens receive $1 off and children under<br />
12 dine at half price. www.littleindiacuisine.com<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sandwich Spot – 2420 Broadway – With<br />
a motto promising to change your life “one<br />
sandwich at a time” and a menu and atmosphere<br />
that has already made it a popular spot in<br />
downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City, the Sandwich Spot will<br />
have you wondering where this place has been all<br />
your life, and whether or not you can get some of<br />
their signature Bomb Sauce to go.<br />
Financial Institutions:<br />
San Mateo Credit Union – Three <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
locations – As a member-driven organization,<br />
SMCU does everything possible to ensure that<br />
all of your financial priorities are anticipated and<br />
fulfilled. Offerings include free auto-shopping<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
assistance, members-only car sales, low-rate<br />
home loans and lines of credit. Call 650-363-1725<br />
or 888-363-1725, or visit a branch to learn the<br />
advantages of membership banking.<br />
Home Improvements:<br />
Lewis Carpet Cleaners – 1-800-23-LEWIS – Founded<br />
in 1985, Lewis Carpet Cleaners has grown from<br />
one small, portable machine to a company of six<br />
employees and five working vans. <strong>The</strong> Lewis<br />
family works and lives in <strong>Redwood</strong> City and is<br />
committed to our community. Ask about their<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> special: Get 100 square feet of carpet<br />
cleaned for absolutely nothing. Call today! Get<br />
your home ready for entertaining during the year.<br />
Legal Services:<br />
Hannig Law Firm – 2991 El Camino Real –<br />
Hannig Law Firm LLP provides transactional and<br />
litigation expertise in a variety of areas. <strong>The</strong><br />
professionals at HLF are committed to knowing<br />
and meeting their clients’ needs through long-term<br />
relationships and value-added services, and to<br />
supporting and participating in the communities<br />
where they live and work.<br />
Real Estate:<br />
Michelle Glaubert at<br />
Coldwell Banker –<br />
650-722-<strong>11</strong>93 – Michelle<br />
has been a full-time,<br />
top-producing real estate<br />
agent since 1978. With<br />
a proven track record,<br />
she has helped buyers<br />
achieve their dreams<br />
of home ownership<br />
and sellers make successful moves to their next<br />
properties. <strong>The</strong> majority of her business is garnered<br />
through referrals from her many satisfied clients.<br />
Living in Emerald Hills, she knows the area<br />
well and is involved in the community. Count on<br />
Michelle’s years of experience to guide you through<br />
your next real estate transaction. Visit her online at<br />
www.glaubert.com.<br />
John Nelson at Coldwell Banker – 650-566-5315<br />
– John has been a resident of <strong>Redwood</strong> City for<br />
21 years and has been a real estate agent for 18<br />
years. He is known for doing his clients’ legwork,<br />
keeping them up to date with new listings and<br />
conditions as they impact the market. He will make<br />
the process as pleasurable and stress-free an experience<br />
for you as he can. Let John guide you through the<br />
complexities of buying or selling your home,<br />
eliminating hassles and stress. Visit him online at<br />
www.johnnelsonhomes.com.<br />
Specialty Businesses:<br />
Davies Appliance –<br />
1580 El Camino Real –<br />
“Davies helped me with<br />
my appliance purchases<br />
and they know what<br />
they are doing. All they<br />
carry is appliances; you don’t have to worry about<br />
anything else. Leave it to them to assist you with<br />
your kitchen remodel and you will be very happy.<br />
I recommend Davies to anyone who is interested<br />
in great pricing and even better service. <strong>The</strong> focus<br />
is appliances and service.”<br />
Every Woman Health Club – 6<strong>11</strong> Jefferson Ave. –<br />
A women-only, body-positive fitness center in downtown<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City. Services include classes, weight and<br />
cardio equipment, personal training, therapeutic<br />
massage and skin care. Flexible pricing, with<br />
several options available for members and<br />
nonmembers. Visit www.everywomanhealthclub.<br />
com or call 650-364-9194 to get started.<br />
Hector Flamenco Insurance (State Farm) – 956<br />
Main St. – Hector has been in the insurance<br />
business and with State Farm for 20 years. He<br />
specializes in auto and business insurance. A local<br />
resident, he also provides servicio en español!<br />
Visit his website at www.flamencoinsurance.com.<br />
Saf Keep Storage – 2480 Middlefield Road – <strong>The</strong><br />
friendly and reliable team at Saf Keep is ready<br />
to assist you with a variety of storage products<br />
and services to suit all your storage needs. Visit<br />
their website at www.safkeepstorage.com to see<br />
exactly what products and services are available.<br />
Compare them to other facilities and you’ll see<br />
why their service makes the difference.<br />
St. Regal Jewelers – 850 Main St. – “This is a<br />
great jeweler! Phil, the owner, is amazing. He<br />
crafted a ring on time and on budget. He has an<br />
incredible eye for detail. I can’t say enough. I<br />
would never go anywhere else.” Whether you are<br />
looking for men’s or women’s quality jewelry,<br />
shopping local does not get better than this.<br />
Woodside Terrace – 485 Woodside Road, 650-<br />
366-3900 – Woodside Terrace understands that<br />
in choosing a senior living community, residents<br />
are looking for much more than a comfortable<br />
living environment to call home. Brookdale<br />
Living’s <strong>Redwood</strong> City community delivers<br />
inspired independent living with the promise of<br />
exceptional experiences every day. As residents’<br />
needs change, they are provided with a variety of<br />
ancillary services and a personalized assisted living<br />
environment that encourages them to continue to<br />
live as they please.
Events Around Town Night of Stars – Fresh Takes<br />
Supporters of the Fresh Takes Digital Arts Center in <strong>Redwood</strong> City gathered to honor local filmmaker Kenny Ortega. Top row: Guests enjoy the outdoor buffet. Sue Sanchez, Jeannie Lutticken,<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> Publisher Steve Penna, Bob Lutticken, Councilman Jeff Gee and Nancy Radcliffe enjoy the event. Penflick Challenge winner Toren Fronsdal and family celebrate. Bottom row: Ted Hannig<br />
and Paula Uccelli. Lilia Ledezma and Jim Hartnett present the show on the Fox <strong>The</strong>atre stage. Debra Ortega accepts an award for her brother Kenny. For more information, visit www.freshtakes.net.<br />
THREE DAY PASS<br />
1709 Woodside Rd 365-3300<br />
mobiusfit.com<br />
First time Guest Only, Limit 1 per person, Expires <strong>11</strong>/30/12<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 13
When 16-year-old Angel Gonzalez-Prado was<br />
just a little girl, she held on tightly to her largerthan-life<br />
dream of becoming a cheerleader despite<br />
feeling discouraged time and again. But when<br />
Angel was in second grade, her hopes suddenly<br />
seemed possible the day her mother bought her<br />
a patriotic-colored cheerleading outfit complete<br />
with matching pompoms at a local mall. Besides<br />
filling Angel with excitement from head to toe,<br />
the purchase gave her the push and drive she<br />
needed to be up for the physical demands of her<br />
passion. Angel knew she had to “bring it on” the<br />
very moment she tried on the authentic threads<br />
because not every girl who has a deep desire to be<br />
a cheerleader actually gets to be one, particularly<br />
one in a wheelchair. Now, after many years of hard<br />
work and with a positive outlook, Angel, who was<br />
born with a serious spinal condition that left her<br />
paralyzed in both legs since birth, has officially<br />
made this year’s final cut for the Sequoia High<br />
School cheerleading squad, and she’s also made<br />
local history by being the first to cheer from a wheelchair.<br />
Angel nearly missed her opportunity to make<br />
history. She procrastinated with understandable<br />
reservations, but she finally decided to try out<br />
after she received encouragement from her friend<br />
Bertha Coronado. “My friend was captain of the<br />
team at that time and told me I should try out after<br />
I told her I had always wanted to cheerlead,” said<br />
Angel. “So I went to see the coach after getting<br />
the flier for the audition. During the audition,<br />
we had to do cheers and dance. I made it to the<br />
final audition. And at the final, the judges were<br />
like, ‘<strong>The</strong>re is a girl in a wheelchair,’ and were<br />
surprised. Stacy Morell, the team’s coach, had a<br />
big smile on her face. I guess I made her happy.”<br />
Angel was both shocked and excited when she<br />
learned she had made the team. “<strong>The</strong> whole cheer<br />
team came up to me to show me their support.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
“Give Her an A…”<br />
Cherokee Cheerleader Makes Local History<br />
By Nicole Minieri, contributing writer<br />
<strong>The</strong>y were all very happy I auditioned and gave<br />
me a bracelet with my name on it for inspiring them!”<br />
Although Angel will not be able to do any of<br />
the intense field or risky aerial stunts, she will<br />
perform all of the rhythmic upper-body cheer<br />
movements from the sidelines. Angel is expected<br />
to practice alongside her fellow cheermates after<br />
school about four times a week and two to three<br />
hours at a time to build endurance, acquire new<br />
skills for drills, practice choreographic forms<br />
and simply share in team comradeship. “Practice<br />
is very physically demanding and I do feel tired<br />
when it’s over,” said Angel. But practice definitely<br />
makes perfect, because Angel is nailing all of the<br />
dance routines and is physically excelling in a<br />
relatively short amount of time.<br />
“She has a lot of confidence and is a very strong<br />
girl,” said her mother, Cynthia Gonzalez-Prado,<br />
who has been Angel’s pillar of strength since birth.<br />
“She is amazing! I never thought Angel would<br />
grow up to be the young lady that I always wanted<br />
her to become. She had a lot of complications at<br />
birth and had to have surgery right away. <strong>The</strong> doctors<br />
said she may not make it, and she is still here.”<br />
Unfortunately, the emergency surgery needed<br />
to repair a host of life-threatening complications<br />
for Angel when she was just a newborn was<br />
only the beginning. Over the years, Angel has<br />
had to endure multiple back surgeries to address<br />
common problems associated with her spinal<br />
condition and various procedures geared toward<br />
improving her quality of life and comfort level. In<br />
July 20<strong>11</strong>, Angel underwent a seven-hour invasive<br />
back surgery to correct a 75-degree spinal<br />
curvature she developed from scoliosis. Given<br />
that parts of Angel’s spine lacked the normal<br />
amount of bone, orthopedic surgeon Larry Rinsky<br />
had to temporarily shift her heart and lungs in<br />
order to fasten metal bracing rods from the front.<br />
“Angel was hospitalized for two weeks and her<br />
recovery at home was really hard and summer<br />
long,” recalled Cynthia. “When Angel came<br />
home from the hospital, we had to sleep in her<br />
room so we could help her with her every move.<br />
It was like having a newborn all over again. At<br />
first we didn’t want to do the surgery because<br />
we didn’t know what it would entail, plus Angel<br />
already had so many prior surgeries. But it was<br />
all worth it: Angel healed quicker than expected,<br />
we got through it and now she can sit up straight<br />
and support herself better.” Angel also has much<br />
more mobility in her arms than before, making<br />
it possible for her to persevere while performing<br />
basic to complex cheerleading moves.<br />
Angel is no stranger to perseverance when it<br />
comes to sports challenges, thanks to her mother.<br />
“When she was born, they told me she was going<br />
to be in a wheelchair. I was like, that’s OK, but at<br />
least she will be smart and active,” said Cynthia.<br />
“I didn’t really think anything of it, so I just tried<br />
to put her in everything that I could think of that<br />
would make her feel like she wasn’t any different<br />
than any other kid while she was growing up.<br />
When she was really little, she went to CAR<br />
[Community Association for Rehabilitation,<br />
now called Abilities United] in Palo Alto, and<br />
they provided sign language, computer classes,<br />
speech therapy and swimming. When she started<br />
kindergarten, she started Girl Scouts, and when<br />
she was in the first grade I enrolled her in Wheels<br />
on Fire, a wheelchair basketball program in San<br />
Jose. Angel was always a happy kid willing to<br />
try new things, and if she didn’t want to, I would<br />
always push her to do so.”<br />
Other sports that Cynthia has encouraged<br />
Angel to play in the past include slide hockey,<br />
tennis, rugby, rock climbing, jet skiing and scuba<br />
diving in pools, as well as in the Monterey Bay.<br />
“ I just tried to put her in everything that I could think of that would make her feel like she<br />
wasn’t any different than any other kid while she was growing up. “
Though Angel totally enjoyed dabbling in all of<br />
the above activities, her most adrenaline-pumping<br />
sporting moment was when she got to embrace<br />
her fearless side while co-piloting a small aircraft<br />
as a participant in “A Day in the Sky” in Santa<br />
Cruz. “<strong>The</strong> plane went up and down and side<br />
to side,” said Angel, laughing as she mimicked<br />
similar maneuvers with her hand. “My mom got<br />
scared, but I thought it was fun!”<br />
Cynthia may have had a real fear of flying on<br />
that day, but she certainly hasn’t been afraid to<br />
take the bull by the horns on any other day when<br />
it comes to her only child’s health and future. “Angel<br />
is very independent and I instilled that in her. I<br />
make her do everything herself so she does not<br />
have to rely on anyone,” said Cynthia. “I want her<br />
to go to college and I want her to be a role model<br />
to other girls [Latinas], because you don’t hear<br />
about other Latina women in history books that<br />
had a disability and accomplished great things. I<br />
think she can do anything, and that is awesome<br />
for any girl in a wheelchair. And I always tell her<br />
you can’t be OK with being OK; you have to try<br />
to be 100 percent. Don’t be fine with just getting by.”<br />
Well, apparently mother knows best because<br />
Angel is already active in a couple of high school<br />
ventures that are giving her the discipline and tools<br />
needed to succeed in the working world: BUILD and<br />
HEALTH. “BUILD is a four-year entrepreneurial<br />
program,” explained Cynthia. “<strong>The</strong> first two years<br />
are focused on the business and the other two years<br />
are focused on academics, applications for college<br />
and getting scholarships. It’s really interesting.”<br />
Angel’s business is centered on an edible called<br />
Drizzle Pop, a rice treat that is dipped in rich chocolate<br />
and, according to Angel, “It’s doing good!” But<br />
HEALTH is where Angel’s heart is because she<br />
is learning CPR, first aid and getting exposed to<br />
different avenues in the medical field. A perfect<br />
endeavor for a bright girl who has aspirations of<br />
being a pediatrician someday. “I always liked babies<br />
and I really want to help babies that have the same<br />
condition as me,” said Angel. She is also looking to<br />
volunteer some of her free time at local hospitals<br />
since meeting the minimum age requirement.<br />
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that when your prime<br />
purpose in life is to move others in such a way that<br />
their lives are forever changed for the better, your<br />
name happens to be Angel! “I want to encourage<br />
people that they can do whatever they want, and it<br />
does not matter if they can walk or not. As long as they<br />
put their mind to it, they can do it,” said Angel.<br />
“And my name defines me because I’m friendly<br />
with everyone. I’m just a very kind person!” Not<br />
to mention a huge inspiration — so give her an<br />
“A,” give her an “N,” give her a “G,” give her an<br />
“E,” give her an “L,” because she certainly has<br />
been one to us all!<br />
“She is amazing! I never thought Angel would grow up to be the<br />
young lady that I always wanted her to become.”<br />
Upcoming Sequoia High School<br />
Cheerleading Squad Games<br />
Friday, Nov. 2, @ Sequoia High School<br />
Friday, Nov. 9, Carlmont @ Sequoia High School<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 15
Donate<br />
to our<br />
Second<br />
Harvest<br />
Food Drive<br />
and save when you join!<br />
Every Woman’s<br />
Place for Fitness<br />
! Classes for all fitness levels<br />
! Personal training<br />
! Spa services<br />
! Friendly, helpful staff<br />
Pay no enrollment fee!<br />
Minimum donation of ten cans of food. Offer expires 12/10/12.<br />
VIP Pass<br />
5 days<br />
FREE!<br />
Simply bring in this<br />
coupon to get started.<br />
First-time visitors only.<br />
650-364-9194 6<strong>11</strong> Jefferson Ave., <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063 www.everywomanhealthclub.com
Community Interest<br />
Involved, Engaged, Informed Community Members Invited<br />
to Apply for Seat on Architectural Advisory Committee<br />
<strong>The</strong> City of <strong>Redwood</strong> City is offering a great opportunity to serve the<br />
community: One seat is available on the city’s Architectural Advisory<br />
Committee, expiring May 31, 2016. Members of the Architectural Advisory<br />
Committee are required to be licensed architects or landscape architects<br />
residing or working in the City of <strong>Redwood</strong> City or its sphere of influence (as<br />
described in the city’s general plan). Qualified community members with a<br />
strong desire and willingness to work diligently on behalf of the community<br />
are encouraged to apply.<br />
<strong>The</strong> application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12. Applications are<br />
available online at www.redwoodcity.org/clerks or may be requested by<br />
calling 650-780-7220.<br />
Appointment to the Architectural Advisory Committee will be made by the<br />
Planning Commission (which is appointed by the City Council). Applicants<br />
meeting the professional qualifications will be invited for oral interviews.<br />
Serving on a <strong>Redwood</strong> City advisory committee is an important way to<br />
offer new perspectives and ideas, and contribute to the city’s discussions and<br />
decisions on a variety of substantial matters. Members of these committees<br />
serve an essential function in helping to manage the significant issues our<br />
community faces — and being appointed requires a commitment to carrying<br />
out the responsibilities of serving. Applicants’ ability to build consensus,<br />
their willingness to offer thoughtful, productive recommendations and their<br />
motivation to be prepared, informed and engaged in their committee’s work<br />
are all critical factors contributing to being appointed.<br />
Typical basic requirements are that applicants must have a strong interest<br />
in civic involvement and must be 18 years of age or older. Applicants for the<br />
Architectural Advisory Committee must be licensed architects or landscape<br />
architects.<br />
Visit <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s website at www.redwoodcity.org for information<br />
about the city and its services. Subscribe to <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s email newsletter<br />
and other city documents by visiting www.redwoodcity.org/newsletters.<br />
Cañada College Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2013<br />
<strong>The</strong> Cañada College Athletic Department is proud to announce the inductees<br />
for the June 1, 2013, Hall of Fame ceremony.<br />
Harold Reynolds, Baseball — Reynolds will receive the Harold Reynolds<br />
Colts Lifetime Achievement Award. First-round draft pick out of Cañada by<br />
the Seattle Mariners in 1980. Twelve-year MLB player. Two-time All-Star.<br />
Three-time Gold Glove winner. Led the American League in stolen bases in<br />
1987. MLB Network analysis.<br />
Jerry Drever, Basketball, Golf — Head basketball, golf coach. Drever was<br />
the head basketball coach from 1969 to 1976. He then started the men’s golf<br />
program and won a state championship in 1988.<br />
Javier Sanchez, Golf — State medalist in 1988, shooting a 71 to help lead<br />
the men’s golf team to the state championship. Sanchez then began the PGA<br />
Tour qualifying school. He is currently a member of the Champions Tour.<br />
Gordon Gray, Division Dean, Athletic Director, Head Women’s Softball<br />
Coach, Assistant Coach Baseball — Highly respected by athletes, coaches<br />
and faculty, Gray helped shape the Athletic Department from 1968 to 1985.<br />
He was a co-founder of the Fitness For Life Institute.<br />
John Hursh, Tennis — A former Woodside High School standout (won<br />
1971 CCS Doubles with <strong>11</strong>-year NBA player Rich Kelley), Hursh helped put<br />
Cañada tennis on the map. He won the 1972–73 conference singles titles and<br />
also helped the tennis team to its first state championship while winning the<br />
state singles title. He then played at San Jose State, where he won the 1975<br />
Big West No. 4 Singles title.<br />
Keith Comstock, Baseball — A former San Carlos High School product,<br />
Comstock played six years in MLB. Played with the Minnesota Twins,<br />
Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. In 1976,<br />
Comstock struck out 22 batters in a game against Marin College while<br />
pitching for the Colts. He was a fifth-round draft pick of the California<br />
Angels in 1976. Comstock is a member of the San Mateo County Sports Hall<br />
of Fame. Currently the Texas Rangers’ pitching rehab coordinator.<br />
Mike Legarza, Basketball — <strong>The</strong> former athletic director and basketball<br />
coach was honored in 20<strong>11</strong> by induction into the California Basketball<br />
Coaches Hall of Fame. From 1989 to 2000, the Colts basketball program<br />
compiled a record of 259-59 under Legarza’s leadership while winning<br />
multiple conference championships and one Final Four appearance. As a<br />
player, Legarza was an All-State performer for the legendary Bud Presley at<br />
Menlo Junior College. Legarza then played at University of Nevada, Reno.<br />
He led the state in free throw percentage (91%) and was second in the state<br />
in field goal percentage (66%). Recognized as one of the top youth sports<br />
experts in the country, Legarza is the founder, president and CEO of Legarza<br />
Basketball and Volleyball Camps.<br />
Mike Garcia, Baseball — Current athletic director and former head<br />
baseball coach (1984–2002) played basketball and baseball at Cañada. All-<br />
Conference basketball player in 1976. All-State in 1976 and All-American<br />
in 1977 in baseball. Member of the 1979 NCAA Champion Cal-State<br />
Fullerton baseball team. Compiled a record of 451-220 with six conference<br />
championships, 14 straight state playoff appearances (1988–2001) and a Final<br />
Four berth in 1998. Inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame<br />
and the California Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003. Played five years<br />
in the Atlanta Braves organization.<br />
Celebrate the Colts<br />
<strong>The</strong> HOF Committee will be hosting a Celebrate the Colts/HOF Social on<br />
Friday, Dec. 14, 5–8 p.m. to kick off the start of the June event! All faculty,<br />
staff and administration, along with last year’s inaugural HOF class family<br />
and friends are welcome. Local media, businesses and alumni are also invited.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Colts men’s basketball team will be playing the same night in the Stable<br />
Center, so show up early! For more information please call 650-306-3212.<br />
San Mateo Credit Union’s Ninth Annual Backpack Drive<br />
Sets New Record<br />
Nine years ago, San Mateo Credit Union (SMCU) began collecting backpacks<br />
and filling them with school supplies for local students. This noble effort was the<br />
work of credit union staff, management and members, all of whom dedicated<br />
their time to help brighten the lives of the area’s school-aged children.<br />
As the result of the 2012 Back2School Backpack Drive, a total of 103 backpacks<br />
were donated, setting a new record for all previous drives. <strong>The</strong> fully stocked<br />
backpacks — representing the hottest kids’ design trends and loaded with a<br />
variety of classroom essentials — were given to students at Fair Oaks Elementary,<br />
Hoover Elementary, and Garfield Elementary.<br />
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” stated Richard Villareal,<br />
SMCU’s financial education representative. “<strong>The</strong> kids are always so excited<br />
to see the huge assortment of backpacks, and the energy just builds when<br />
they discover all the supplies and surprises inside. We’re delighted to help<br />
them start the school year off in such a positive way.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong>se children are our future,” added Barry Jolette, SMCU president and<br />
CEO. “Providing them with some of the simple tools they need to succeed<br />
academically is the least we can do to start them on the right path. It’s a<br />
pleasure and an honor to lend a hand.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> SMCU Backpack Drive is just one of the many ways the credit union gives<br />
back to the communities it serves. Throughout the year, the organization<br />
supports numerous nonprofits within San Mateo County through monetary<br />
contributions and volunteerism.<br />
About San Mateo Credit Union (SMCU)<br />
Founded in 1952, SMCU is a member-owned financial institution that currently<br />
serves over 73,000 individuals and manages more than $700 million in assets. <strong>The</strong><br />
credit union, headquartered in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, currently has eight branches<br />
throughout San Mateo County and in the City of Palo Alto. <strong>The</strong>se locations,<br />
alongside online and mobile banking, and an expansive ATM and shared<br />
branching network bring a full range of financial services to members.<br />
Recology San Mateo County Collecting Used Coats for Kids<br />
Recology San Mateo County is launching its annual Coats for Kids program<br />
(continues on page 23)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 17
Cultural Events (Continued from page 9)<br />
history), and the Native American people are also<br />
represented with traditional feathers and conch.<br />
Mount Rushmore is also shown in all its glory!<br />
<strong>The</strong> original concept drawing was done by<br />
Alisan Andrews, an SWA signature artist, and<br />
further developed with Tom Chapman, a retired<br />
jockey and famous artist of horses and animals.<br />
Catherine Delfs, who is affiliated with the Sequoia<br />
Art Group, contributed her expertise with the<br />
drawing and painting of small animals and birds.<br />
This mural will be a long-lasting, beautiful<br />
representation of a community of people coming<br />
together in support of our local schools and the<br />
education of our children.<br />
<strong>The</strong> mural was completed on the weekend<br />
of Oct. 6 and 7, while 300 volunteers spent the<br />
time painting, planting, cleaning and otherwise<br />
beautifying the grounds, classrooms, library and<br />
offices. <strong>The</strong> work was funded by Second Mile.<br />
<strong>The</strong> group of volunteers from the Art Center<br />
and the community is as follows: Tom Chapman,<br />
Alisan Andrews, Carolyn Jones, Lindsay Hogue,<br />
Lisette Lugo, Barbara Britschgi, Amy King, Laurie<br />
Johnson, Duke Collins, Sadie Rhen, Anna DeVitis,<br />
Michaela Vellono, Arya Mason, Juan Perez,<br />
Yahaira Varga, Zoe Mason, Michelle Bejarano, Lara<br />
Elcavage, Diana Klendrick, Karen Johnson, Beth Lau<br />
and Cheryl Vistnes from North Star, Brentwood,<br />
Sequoia High School, Roosevelt and Gunn High School.<br />
Fox <strong>The</strong>atre and Club Fox<br />
2209 Broadway,<br />
downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Tickets available at<br />
www.clubfoxrwc.com,<br />
650-369-7770 or tickets.foxrwc.com<br />
Club Fox<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Bring It Karaoke with Anthony. 8 p.m. Monday,<br />
Nov. 5. No cover.<br />
R.J. Mischo (Club Fox Blues Jam). 7 p.m.<br />
Wednesday, Nov. 7. $5.<br />
Hot for Teacher: <strong>The</strong> Van Halen Experience and<br />
Ozzy Alive. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9. $22.<br />
A Tribute to Peter Green. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov.<br />
10. $17.<br />
Bring It Karaoke with Anthony. 8 p.m. Monday,<br />
Nov. 12. No cover.<br />
Men of Many Shades: A Male Revue. 7 p.m.<br />
Tuesday, Nov. 13. $20.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
Ladies, afraid that your inner voice will never be<br />
heard? Put aside the steamy 50 Shades and the<br />
movie screen’s pumped-up Magic Mike actors.<br />
Peppy Dee Productions serves it up LIVE!<br />
While Patty laments on and on about the male<br />
species, she reveals her desires, her heartaches and<br />
her deep, dark and sometimes whimsical fantasies.<br />
Scene after scene brings out your not-so-averagehot<br />
guy! <strong>The</strong> tasteful but erotic choreography is<br />
sure to get your heart racing and Patti’s, too!<br />
Oh, and ladies, save your dollar bills for a theme<br />
drink at the bar. <strong>The</strong>se guys are too hot to touch!<br />
Ladies’ night out: Club Fox in <strong>Redwood</strong> City,<br />
Nov. 13 @ 7 p.m. $20 advance, $25 door.<br />
Cold Feat (Club Fox Blues Jam). 7 p.m.<br />
Wednesday, Nov. 14. $5.<br />
Kim Baker Band and Eva Cassel. 8<br />
p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17. $15.<br />
Bring It Karaoke with Anthony. 8<br />
p.m. Monday, Nov. 19. No cover.<br />
Daniel Castro (Club Fox Blues Jam).<br />
7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21. $5.<br />
Windy Hill Bluegrass. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23. $10.<br />
Bring It Karaoke with Anthony. 8 p.m. Monday,<br />
Nov. 26. No cover.<br />
Mike Schermer (Club Fox Blues Jam). 7 p.m.<br />
Wednesday, Nov. 28. $5.<br />
Led Zeppelin Live Starring Heartbreaker. 9<br />
p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. $18.<br />
Broadway By the Bay Presents<br />
Some Enchanted Evening:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Songs of Rodgers and<br />
Hammerstein Live in Concert<br />
Thursday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m.<br />
Friday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.<br />
Saturday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.<br />
Sunday, Nov. <strong>11</strong>, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.<br />
Music by Richard Rodgers<br />
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II<br />
Concept by Jeffrey B. Moss<br />
Broadway By the Bay presents Some Enchanted<br />
Evening: <strong>The</strong> Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein<br />
from Nov. 8 through Nov. <strong>11</strong> at the historic Fox<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre in <strong>Redwood</strong> City (2215 Broadway St.).<br />
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the golden age<br />
— a time when music was felt and not just heard.<br />
<strong>The</strong> brilliance of Rodgers and Hammerstein, two<br />
of the most respected musical geniuses of our era,<br />
has redefined the art form and challenged musical<br />
theater as a whole. <strong>The</strong>ir flawless, timeless style<br />
has set musicals on a new course, shaping and<br />
molding all other talent that has followed in their<br />
paths. Come to the Fox <strong>The</strong>atre and be a part of<br />
an enchanted evening of true classics that will<br />
leave you with a song in your heart and a smile in<br />
your soul. Tickets for Some Enchanted Evening:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein range<br />
from $30 to $50 and are on sale now at www.<br />
broadwaybythebay.org or by phone at 650-369-7770.<br />
Some Enchanted Evening will feature Victoria<br />
Morgan (Tracy in Hairspray), Alex Rodriguez (Al<br />
in A Chorus Line), Kerie Darner Moss (Marian<br />
in <strong>The</strong> Music Man), Amie Shapiro (Missy in<br />
<strong>The</strong> Marvelous Wonderettes) and newcomer<br />
David Mister. <strong>The</strong> creative team also includes<br />
Amanda Folena (director), Dolores Duran-Cefalu<br />
(musical director), Michael Ramsaur (lighting<br />
designer), Allie Bailey (stage manager), Daniel<br />
Cadigan (production manager) and Dave LeBlanc<br />
(technical director).<br />
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Fox<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre box office located at 2219 Broadway St. in<br />
downtown <strong>Redwood</strong> City. <strong>The</strong> box office is open two<br />
hours prior to the start of each show and remains<br />
open for 30 minutes following the start of the show.<br />
Tickets may be purchased by phone at 650-369-<br />
7770 or online at www.broadwaybythebay.org.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> Symphony Presents<br />
Bad@ss Bassoonists and<br />
Beethoven’s Seventh<br />
Saturday, Nov. 17, 8–10 p.m.<br />
Cañada College Main <strong>The</strong>atre<br />
4200 Farm Hill Blvd.<br />
www.canadacollege.edu<br />
$25, $20, $10 students, free for children<br />
New delights and variations on old ones: Maestro<br />
Eric Kujawsky conducts Beethoven’s Seventh<br />
Symphony in the Bay Area premiere of Gustav<br />
Mahler’s “retouched” version of the score.<br />
<strong>The</strong> program opens with Strauss Jr.’s popular<br />
“Perpetuum Mobile,” which gradually morphs<br />
into H.K. Gruber’s comic/menacing parody<br />
“Charivari.” Bassoon quartet Infernal Fagotti will<br />
don motorcycle jackets and a lot of attitude when<br />
they play Michael Daugherty’s “Hell’s Angels”!<br />
Kujawsky will deliver a preconcert lecture, complete<br />
with the latest comic offerings from online, at 7 p.m.<br />
About <strong>Redwood</strong> Symphony: <strong>Redwood</strong> Symphony<br />
is an all-volunteer orchestra dedicated to the<br />
performance of ambitious, contemporary repertoire,<br />
as well as the orchestral classics. <strong>The</strong> innovative<br />
programming and emphasis on education are two<br />
reasons so many of the most talented musicians<br />
from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area<br />
volunteer their time to play and why our audience<br />
and local critics are so enthusiastic. More<br />
info at www.redwoodsymphony.org, info@<br />
redwoodsymphony.org, or 650-366-6872.
2012 Holiday Collection Schedule<br />
<strong>The</strong>re will be no CartSMART Recycle, Compost and Garbage collection services on Tuesday, December 25, 2012<br />
and Tuesday, January 1, 2013. If your regular collection day falls on or after the holiday, your service will be<br />
delayed by one day. Your regular collection service schedule will resume the week of January 7, 2013.<br />
MoN TuES WED ThurS Fri SAT<br />
DEC 24 DEC 25 DEC 26 DEC 27 DEC 28 DEC 29<br />
Regular Christmas Day Service for Service for Service for Service for<br />
service No SErviCE è Tuesday è Wednesday è Thursday è Friday<br />
Office Closed Customers Customers Customers Customers<br />
DEC 31 JAN 1 JAN 2 JAN 3 JAN 4 JAN 5<br />
Regular New Year’s Day Service for Service for Service for Service for<br />
service No SErviCE è Tuesday è Wednesday è Thursday è Friday<br />
Office Closed Customers Customers Customers Customers<br />
Questions? Call 650.595.3900 or visit RecologySanMateoCounty.com<br />
Tree Cycling Think Green This Holiday Season!<br />
2012-Holiday-Insert-changes.indd 1 9/20/2012 1:19:44 PM<br />
Recology San Mateo County will collect holiday trees to be<br />
composted between December 26th and January 31st, on your<br />
regular collection day.<br />
Please remove all decorations and tree stands (flocked trees are<br />
accepted) before placing next to your green Compost Cart. Trees may<br />
be up to 8 feet in length. If your tree is longer than 8 feet, please cut<br />
the tree before placing the pieces next to your Compost Cart. After<br />
January 31st, please cut the tree to fit inside the Compost Cart.<br />
Apartment Managers/Owners<br />
& Commercial Customers:<br />
Please call to arrange for collection of<br />
trees. Trees can be collected in piles or in a<br />
drop box for no additional charge. For more<br />
information, please call a customer service<br />
representative at 650.595.3900 or visit us<br />
online at recologySanMateoCounty.com.<br />
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY<br />
TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY!<br />
ONE SEAT AVAILABLE ON THE<br />
REDWOOD CITY<br />
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY<br />
COMMITTEE<br />
<strong>The</strong> City of <strong>Redwood</strong> City invites Licensed Architects<br />
or Landscape Architects who are knowledgeable,<br />
motivated, committed, and collaborative to apply for<br />
one open seat on the Architectural Advisory<br />
Committee. You’ll bring fresh perspectives and<br />
ideas, and contribute to the City’s discussions and<br />
decisions on a variety of important issues affecting<br />
the community.<br />
Statistics show that during the holidays, household<br />
waste increases by 25%, or nearly 1 million tons<br />
of additional garbage a week! To help reduce the<br />
amount of waste generated this holiday season, we<br />
have the following waste reduction tips:<br />
s Consolidate your purchases into one bag, or<br />
better yet, bring your own reusable tote bags<br />
when shopping!<br />
s Consider sending electronic holiday cards this year.<br />
s Reuse gift bags and gift boxes. <strong>The</strong>y can be<br />
flattened for easy storage and reusing them will<br />
save you money too.<br />
s Be sure to recycle your wrapping paper this<br />
year! If your recycling containers are full, place<br />
extra paper (placed in paper bags) and flattened<br />
cardboard next to your recycling container on<br />
your recycling service day.<br />
2012-Holiday-Insert-changes.indd 2 9/20/2012 1:19:45 PM<br />
APPLY AT:<br />
WWW.REDWOODCIITY.ORG/CLERKS<br />
APPLIICATIION DEADLIINE:<br />
5 PM MONDAY<br />
NOVEMBER 12 TTH<br />
, 2012<br />
(NOTE: DEADLINE MAY BE EXTENDED - PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM)<br />
650--780--7220<br />
IINFORMATIION::<br />
WWW.REDWOODCIITY.ORG/CLERKS<br />
CALLLL 650--780--7220 MOREE<br />
ION<br />
FFOR<br />
IINFFORMATTI
film premier<br />
Being the Difference<br />
a documentary film premiere<br />
Teens take action on their dreams of making the world<br />
a better place. As they serve both locally and<br />
globally, their lives change… and so will yours.<br />
December 9 th – 3:30 P.M.<br />
fox theatre, redwood city<br />
suggested donation of $10 for adults & $3 for students<br />
Presented by Spotlight Story Productions & Young Dreamer Network
ThaNK yOU<br />
reDWOOD CiTy<br />
VOLUNTeers<br />
aND DONOrs<br />
seQUOia yMCa<br />
as a volunteer or donor, you’re the backbone of the y. Because of your support, we can<br />
nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the health, well-being and fitness<br />
of individuals and families, and give back to our neighbors.<br />
This year...<br />
• We have addressed the achievement gap, enriching<br />
nearly 200 children with skills, confidence and character<br />
in our after school programs.<br />
• We have helped thousands of people experience greater<br />
well-being and prevent chronic disease through our health,<br />
fitness and wellness programs.<br />
• We have taught hundreds of kids the life skill of water<br />
safety through swim lessons.<br />
• We have enabled 400 children to get more active at school<br />
through our Fit Kids program.<br />
• We have supported hundreds of individuals and families with<br />
financial assistance for Y programs that meet critical needs.<br />
• We have connected dozens of seniors with people of all ages<br />
and from all walks of life, so they feel supported and valued.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no other nonprofit quite like the Y. Every day,<br />
we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that<br />
everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the<br />
opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.<br />
seQUOia yMCa 1445 Hudson Street, <strong>Redwood</strong> City CA 94061<br />
650 368 4168 • sequoiaymca.org<br />
Thank you for taking an active role in helping us<br />
strengthen community through long-term support from:<br />
• Frank & Kathy Bartaldo<br />
• Alyn Beals &<br />
Daniela Gasparini<br />
• Bohannon Foundation<br />
• Cargill Salt<br />
• Yueh-Hsiu Chien<br />
• Comcast<br />
• Danford Foundation<br />
• Marti DeBenedetti<br />
• Shirley & Phil DeMartis<br />
• Dignity Health<br />
• Friends of Kids<br />
• Innisfree Companies<br />
• Kaiser Permanente<br />
• Kirven Foundation<br />
• Roland & Audrey Lampert<br />
• Lyngso Garden Materials<br />
• Frances & John Morse<br />
• Scott Neely<br />
• Peninsula Sunrise Rotary<br />
• Ray & Sonia Picone<br />
• Provident Credit Union<br />
• Recology<br />
• RWC Industrial Saltworks<br />
• RWC Rotary Foundation<br />
• San Mateo Credit Union<br />
• Dave & Jerilyn Schricker<br />
• See’s Candies<br />
• Anne Seipp<br />
• Sequoia Health Care District<br />
• Sequoia Y Board Members<br />
• Sims Metal America<br />
• Stanford Medicine<br />
• Stanford University<br />
• Janet Thomas<br />
• Uccelli Foundation<br />
• Kyle & Kimberly Vogel
Community Interest (Continued from page 17)<br />
to collect new and gently used coats to donate to those in need of a warm coat<br />
during the cold weather season. From Monday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov.<br />
9, drivers from Recology will collect coats curbside from residential homes<br />
on their collection day in Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto,<br />
Foster City, Menlo Park, <strong>Redwood</strong> City, San Carlos and San Mateo.<br />
“Recology has been providing our Coats for Kids program for many years<br />
in the communities we service. It has proven to be a great program helping<br />
those individuals and families in need,” says Recology San Mateo County<br />
General Manager Mario Puccinelli.<br />
Residents in the participating communities are asked to place coats in a<br />
clear plastic bag marked “Coats for Kids” and to then place the bag next to or<br />
on the top of their blue recycle cart on their regular collection day during the<br />
week of Nov. 5 to Nov. 9.<br />
Collection containers labeled “Coats for Kids” will also be placed at<br />
various locations throughout participating cities noted above and Recology’s<br />
offices, where residents can drop off coats. <strong>The</strong> drop-off locations can be<br />
used by anyone interested in making a donation, even if their city is not<br />
participating in the program this year.<br />
At the end of the drive, Recology will deliver all of the donated coats<br />
to local nonprofit agencies for distribution to those in need. <strong>The</strong> Coats<br />
for Kids program is held annually by Recology and has hopes of having<br />
more communities participate each year. Last year, Recology collected<br />
approximately 750 gently used coats that were donated to families in need<br />
through St. Anthony’s and Samaritan House.<br />
For more information or a list of drop-off locations, please visit www.<br />
RecologySanMateoCounty.com.<br />
Advertise with<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Call Us Today 650.368.2434<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 23
Senior Activities<br />
<strong>The</strong> Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison<br />
Ave., <strong>Redwood</strong> City, is providing the following activities<br />
that are open to the public during the month of November.<br />
Friday Movies for Everyone<br />
Every Friday, 1:15 p.m. (unless otherwise announced)<br />
Come to the Veterans Memorial Senior Center for a free feature movie in our<br />
state-of-the-art movie theater! Please note: Movies may be changed at any<br />
time due to availability.<br />
Nov. 2: “FDR: American Badass”<br />
Nov. 9: “Peace, Love & Misunderstanding”<br />
Nov. 16: “Moonrise Kingdom”<br />
Nov. 23: Center closed — no movie shown<br />
Nov. 30: “Madea’s Witness Protection”<br />
4th Annual Veterans Celebration<br />
Friday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> Room<br />
$10/person<br />
Dinner and dessert buffet with all the trimmings. <strong>The</strong>re will be a special<br />
guest performance, a documentary film and opportunity drawings. RSVP by<br />
calling 650-780-7259 by Monday, Nov. 5.<br />
Veterans Day Closure<br />
<strong>The</strong> center will be closed Monday, Nov. 12.<br />
Adaptive PE Speakers Series:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Power of Positive Thinking<br />
Wednesday, Nov. 14, <strong>11</strong> a.m.–noon<br />
Adaptive PE Room, Wellness Building<br />
Free<br />
Speaker David Hollingshead is a lawyer and Vietnam veteran who has<br />
survived multiple injuries. He will give us his unique and heartwarming<br />
thoughts on the power of positive thinking from the perspective of a<br />
paralyzed veteran.<br />
Thanksgiving Gathering Luncheon<br />
Thursday, Nov. 15, noon<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> Room<br />
$7/person<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
Spend the afternoon with your friends at the VMSC and celebrate the art of gratitude<br />
for the blessings in your life. This special luncheon will provide a full Thanksgiving<br />
feast. <strong>The</strong> Ron Borelli Band will provide music for you to dance to.<br />
Annual Holiday Decorating Party<br />
Friday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m.<br />
Come join in with a fun group of people and decorate your Senior Center.<br />
Pizza will be provided for those who sign up to volunteer for this event. Call<br />
Christina at 650-780-7343 to sign up.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Arbor Gift Shop<br />
Tuesday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.<br />
1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month, 4–8 p.m.<br />
Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.<br />
Resource Building<br />
We have homemade articles such as scarves, comforters, baby blankets and<br />
numerous seasonal items as well as greeting cards, jewelry, crystal items,<br />
purses, handmade items and much, much more at very good prices. <strong>The</strong><br />
holidays are not too far away and getting closer every day. Start your gift<br />
shopping early and support your center at the same time!<br />
SAVE THE DATES<br />
West Bay Community Band Concert<br />
Saturday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.<br />
$7/person<br />
<strong>The</strong>ater<br />
Come enjoy an evening of wonderful holiday music. Refreshments will be<br />
available during intermission. High school music students will be admitted<br />
free with a valid student ID card.<br />
Annual Gift Bag Assembly<br />
Monday, Dec. 3, 9:30–<strong>11</strong> a.m.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> Room<br />
Celebrate the holiday season by helping seniors throughout the community.<br />
Volunteers are needed to assemble gift bags that will be delivered to homebound<br />
seniors. Coffee, hot cider and breakfast goodies will be complimentary to all<br />
who volunteer. Sign up by calling Christina at 650-780-7343.<br />
Holiday Luncheon<br />
Thursday, Dec. 20, noon<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> Room<br />
$7/person<br />
Please join us for a holiday luncheon. We will have a lovely meal to bring a<br />
smile to your heart. Come join your fellow seniors to celebrate the holiday<br />
season. Please call 650-780-7259 to make your reservation.<br />
To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, call 650-780-<br />
7270. <strong>Redwood</strong> City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department<br />
provides recreational facilities and activities for all ages and interests, and<br />
supplies building and custodial services for city buildings. <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Parks also operates the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and the Fair Oaks<br />
Community Center, providing social, educational and cultural activities, as<br />
well as information, referral and counseling services to persons living in<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City and neighboring communities. <strong>Redwood</strong> City Parks is more<br />
than you think! Its website is located at www.redwoodcity.org/parks.<br />
Advertise with <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Call Us Today 650.368.2434
Insurance Tips: What Is a Health Savings Account?<br />
By Hector Flamenco, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Shopping for health insurance is not like shopping for any other consumer<br />
product, and it is easy to get lost in all the terminology and specialized<br />
jargon. <strong>The</strong>re are so many things to consider when shopping for health<br />
insurance, from the potential for out-of-pocket costs to the price of the<br />
monthly premiums. Whether you get your health insurance from your<br />
employer or get it on your own, it is important to do your homework and<br />
understand your options.<br />
It is no secret that the price of health insurance premiums has been on<br />
the rise and that annual increases have far outpaced the rate of inflation.<br />
With traditional health insurance becoming all but unaffordable for<br />
many shoppers, there has been a move toward so-called consumer-driven<br />
health care options. <strong>The</strong> health savings account plays a central role in that<br />
consumer-driven health care initiative.<br />
What is a health savings account?<br />
As the name implies, a health savings account is designed to help people<br />
defer the cost of medical care. Individuals can put money aside in a health<br />
savings account, then use that money to pay for medical expenses like<br />
prescription drugs, doctor visits and co-payments.<br />
One of the advantages of a health savings account is that the money set aside<br />
can be tax deductible. That tax deductibility reduces the real cost of funding<br />
the account and makes it easier to set money aside for future medical expenses.<br />
Health savings accounts are similar to the flexible spending accounts offered<br />
by many employers, but they have some important differences as well. One<br />
of the most significant differences is that the money in a health savings<br />
account does not have to be spent by the end of the calendar year. Any money<br />
left over in the account at the end of the year simply rolls over to the next,<br />
allowing individuals to build up a great deal of money over the years.<br />
Who qualifies for a health savings account?<br />
Not everyone is eligible for a health savings account, and it is important for<br />
anyone considering such an account to examine the qualifications before<br />
signing up. In order to contribute to a health savings account, you must first<br />
have a high-deductible health plan, also known as an HDHP, in place first.<br />
Many employers now offer those HDHP plans as a way to save their<br />
workers money on health insurance premiums, so you may be able to get<br />
a health savings account even if you get your insurance at work. Highdeductible<br />
health plans tend to be less costly than traditional fee-for-service<br />
plans, providing a significant up-front savings. By coupling that HDHP with<br />
a health savings account, individuals can protect themselves by prefunding<br />
that higher deductible, essentially self-insuring themselves against<br />
unpredictable medical expenses.<br />
A health savings account is not the right choice for everyone, but it can be a<br />
good solution to the problem of high health insurance premiums. If you have<br />
never before considered an HSA, it may be worth your while to check out this<br />
innovative health plan.<br />
Editor’s note: Please note that this article is for general information only and is not a<br />
professional consultation. Always seek specific information from a licensed insurance<br />
professional. Hector Flamenco is an agent with State Farm Insurance. Visit his website at<br />
www.flamencoinsurance.com.<br />
Advertise with <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Call Us Today 650.368.2434<br />
1952 2012<br />
Pete’s Harbor<br />
Celebrating Our 60 th Anniversary<br />
Thank you for supporting us through the years.<br />
We urge you to contribute and support local<br />
non-profit organizations that do outstanding<br />
work in our community.<br />
Berths & Dry Storage<br />
One Uccelli Boulevard, <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063 • 650-366-0922<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 25
A Minute With Stacy Morell<br />
Cheerleading is?<br />
Important!<br />
Cherokees or Ravens?<br />
Cherokees!<br />
Something few know about you?<br />
Everyone knows everything.<br />
Whom do you most admire?<br />
Cissy, my dance teacher at Capuchino High. She<br />
was my mentor.<br />
What phrase do you most overuse?<br />
Cool.<br />
www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
Stacy Morell was born in San Bruno and attended local schools there, graduating from<br />
Capuchino High School in 2001.<br />
She received a bachelor’s degree in dance and a teaching credential from San Francisco<br />
State University. She started a wildly successful and popular competitive hip-hop program<br />
at Rebels Elite in South San Francisco (ages 4 through adults) and led them to many national<br />
titles and awards from 2005 through 2010.<br />
Currently Stacy teaches dance at Sequoia High School in <strong>Redwood</strong> City while coaching<br />
cheer and creating performance opportunities to share her love and knowledge of dance.<br />
Stacy enjoys dancing to all types of music and particularly enjoys studying hip-hop, jazz,<br />
musical theater dance, modern/contemporary and cultural dance forms. She is excited to be<br />
directing unique projects not focused on competition that will allow people of all ages and<br />
abilities to learn and grow as performers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sequoia district superintendent and board recognized Stacy and the cheer team she coaches<br />
for their year-long commitment to breast cancer awareness and other community service<br />
activities. She also works as a dance team coach at Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley.<br />
Her hobbies include shopping, dining out and dancing.<br />
Favorite song?<br />
“Gangnam Style.”<br />
What is your motto?<br />
Don’t make decisions when you are angry and<br />
don’t make promises when you are happy.<br />
You are inspired by?<br />
Technology.<br />
Memorable moment?<br />
Graduating from college.<br />
What is a dream you have or something you’d<br />
like to accomplish in your life?<br />
Have children — two of them.<br />
What is your idea of perfect happiness?<br />
Meeting all the goals I set for myself.<br />
Anyone you got on your mind?<br />
My boyfriend, Ronnie.<br />
At this time next year you will be?<br />
Still coaching and teaching.<br />
Anyone disappoint you lately?<br />
No.<br />
If you’re happy and you know it?<br />
Clap your hands.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City is?<br />
United.<br />
Donate Your Vehicle<br />
650-363-2423<br />
Proceeds support Kainos Home & Training Center<br />
Providing quality residential, vocational and support services to developmentally<br />
disabled adults, enabling them to become active, contributing members of the<br />
community.<br />
Maximum Tax Deductions – We handle paperwork
Saturday, December 1, 2012 - 10:<strong>00am</strong> - 6:<strong>00pm</strong><br />
City of <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Cultural Commission<br />
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE<br />
10:<strong>00am</strong><br />
10:<strong>00am</strong> - 4:<strong>00pm</strong><br />
<strong>11</strong>:<strong>00am</strong> - 4:<strong>00pm</strong><br />
<strong>11</strong>:<strong>00am</strong> - 4:<strong>00pm</strong><br />
4:30pm - 5:30pm<br />
5:45pm<br />
5:50pm - 6:<strong>00pm</strong><br />
Arrives at 6:15pm<br />
Throughout the day<br />
Throughout the day
Alpio Barbara<br />
and the team<br />
Supports Youth<br />
activities in our<br />
community!