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JIM 

SKINNER 

Committed, Professional 

& A Very Likable Person 

Target 

& Students, 

Cultural Arts

Let’s Talk Solutions 

Can ONE project be a catalyst to help solve many existing local problems like PARKS? 

The Answer is YES. 

Conceptual rendering. 

Redwood City has a shortage of active park 

and recreation facilities. The city is below statewide 

standards for parks, which has forced youth and 

adult sports teams to compete over these limited 

fields and facilities. 

The 50/50 Balanced 

Plan will reduce the 

shortage of parks and make 

Redwood City a leader in 

parks and recreation lands 

on the Peninsula. 

The 50/50 Balanced 

Plan includes more than 

50 acres of sports fields, 

featuring more than a 

dozen new soccer/football, 

baseball and softball fields and more than 240 acres 

of parks. 

This expansion of city park and recreation lands 

“We recently had tryouts and once again we 

have more kids who want to play than we can 

accommodate effectively due to the shortage 

of fields. The city understands the need, but has 

limited resources. New field space in Redwood 

City paid for by a private developer would 

really help with the problem.”—Dan Gibson, 

Redwood City Resident and Baseball Organizer 

will be funded by the 50/50 Balanced Plan – with all 

costs borne by the project. 

So when groups keep arguing that housing 

should be built in downtown or along the El Camino 

Real corridor (which we 

agree with) where will 

other important public 

benefits, like parks, be 

located? What’s their plan 

for addressing parks? 

The Saltworks site, 

because of its scale, can 

satisfy this important 

community need. 

But don’t take our 

word for it. See for 

yourself. Examine the facts. Ask for a thorough 

evaluation of our proposal and the opportunities – all 

of the opportunities – presented by the Saltworks site. 

Redwood City 

Saltworks 

www.RCSaltworks.com 

Follow Saltworks on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

www.SpectrumMagazine.net 

Spectrum_ParksAd_Rev2_Final.indd 1 

8/1/11 4:52 PM

The Spectrum.AUG.2011 

Table of Contents 

Inside The Spectrum – 4 

RCSD Corner – 5 

“As I Was Saying...” – 6 

Cultural Events – 8 

Redwood City Students 

Preparing for School – 10 

Community Interest – 13 

Jim Skinner: 

Dedicated Fire Chief – 16 

Insurance Tips: Top Reasons to 

Carry Collision Insurance – 21 

Welcome! 

Summertime is in full swing and so is the August 2011 edition of The Spectrum Magazine. We 

have got some great information for you this month. 

Our cover story is on Redwood City Fire Chief Jim Skinner. He has been in the firefighting 

field for 30 years, and our new contributing writer Julie McCoy will take you on his career 

journey and into the future as he shares his “give back” attitude with you. 

We continue to bring you our regular features on senior activities, items of community 

interest, news briefs, cultural events and entertainment, insurance tips from Hector Flamenco, 

information from the Redwood City School District and the popular feature “A Minute With.” 

In Publisher Steve Penna’s column, “As I Was Saying…,” he writes about the selection 

process for a new police chief, the November election and retirement. Not his own, of course, 

but that of friends around him. 

As the November City Council race gets closer, The Spectrum will be giving each candidate 

the opportunity to have their announcement or kickoff event covered by one of our writers. 

This month, the first candidate to be featured is Vice Mayor Alicia Aguirre. We also have a 

story on a local retail outlet helping Redwood City students and a wrap-up of the Fourth of 

July activities. 

We want to encourage you, our readers, to support our valuable Spectrum advertisers by 

using their services when you are out shopping, dining or enjoying yourself in our community 

with friends and family. Many of them have special offers for you to cut out and present, 

including discounts on services, food and beverages, so please take the time to look over their 

ads this month and use their coupons and discounts. And when you visit them, let them know 

you appreciate their support of our local community publication. 

If you want to keep up with all the up-to-the-day information about our community, please 

visit our website at www.spectrummagazine.net. Until next month, thank you, Redwood City, 

and enjoy our community! 

Senior Activities – 21 

News Briefs – 22 

Shop Redwood City – 26 

Getting Patriotic in RWC – 28 

A Minute With David Kassouf – 30 

Steve Penna 

Owner and Publisher 

penna@spectrummagazine.net 

Anne Callery 

Copy Editor 

writers@spectrummagazine.net 

Dale McKee 

Contributing Writer 


Julie McCoy 



Nicole Minieri 



James Massey 

Graphic Designer 

007massey@gmail.com 

James R. Kaspar 

Cover/Cover Story Photography 

jkaspar@sonic.net 

Contact Information: 

Phone 650-368-2434 

www.spectrummagazine.net 

The Spectrum 3

Inside The Spectrum: Cover Story Photo Shoot 

Spectrum Publisher Steve Penna contacted our cover subject, Redwood City 

Fire Chief Jim Skinner, and scheduled our cover shoot for Thursday, July 28, 

at 2 p.m. at fire station No. 9 on Marshall Street downtown. 

Since it is exciting, even thrilling, for any child to meet and interact with 

an actual firefighter, Penna took his 5-year-old twin godsons to the shoot. The 

three arrived just before cover subject photographer James Kaspar did, and 

after exchanging greetings they all went to the third floor, where department 

administration and Chief Skinner’s office is located. 

The fire station staff warmly greeted the group and made everyone feel 

welcome. Skinner was notified that “The Spectrum is here,” and he came 

out into the lobby and led everybody to his office. Penna’s godsons, who are 

usually very outgoing and curious, seemed a bit shy and awed, hiding behind 

their godfather when first introduced to everyone. A few pieces of candy on 

the counter seemed to help them ease into the whole experience. 

After taking several shots in Skinner’s office, the group was led to the 

second floor, where they could take some pictures of Skinner looking down 

from one of the four fireman poles in the station. They were then led into the 

engine garage, where all the trucks are housed. 

After taking a few group photos with other administrators of the department, 

they then took some photos of Skinner with the godsons. The photo that 

appears on the cover was not posed and is indicative of how much children 

love firefighters. The kids put their arms around each other while keeping one 

hand on Skinner. A true symbol of how safe we all feel around firefighters. 

The entire shoot took about an hour. 

While our community looks back with pride at the department’s 150 years 

of service and dedication, we also look forward under Skinner’s leadership 

to the possibilities of the future. A partnership with San Carlos is forming, 

which will no doubt create other similar opportunities. 

The Redwood City Fire Department and our firefighters have an 

impeccable reputation throughout the state of being top-notch, highachieving, 

dedicated and progressive. The Spectrum is pleased to honor 

Skinner and his department for not only being there when needed but also 

when we don’t know we need them. Here’s to another 150 years and more! 

Proudly serving 


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6/24/2011 11:11:52 AM

RCSD Corner: News From the Redwood City School District 

New Principals Hired for Selby Lane, Kennedy Middle Schools 

When students arrive for the first day of school at Selby Lane 

School and Kennedy Middle School in August, they will 

be greeted by a new principal. Dana McDonald is the new 

principal of Selby Lane School and David Paliughi is the new 

principal of Kennedy Middle School. 

“We are pleased to have found two extraordinarily strong leaders for 

Selby Lane and Kennedy schools,” said Superintendent Jan Christensen. 

“Principals are the instructional leaders of our schools, and both of these 

candidates bring a legacy of strong student achievement and effective 

leadership from previous positions. We are delighted that they chose to join 

the Redwood City School District and are looking forward to working with 

them in our mission to educate every child for success.” 

McDonald joins the district from Aurora, Colo., where she is currently 

principal of an elementary school. McDonald brings to Selby Lane extensive 

instruction and administrative experience in K–8 education, with particular 

expertise in special education and services for English language learners, gifted 

and talented students, and students qualifying for free and reduced programs. 

In accepting her new position, McDonald said, “I am honored to be given 

the opportunity to join Selby Lane as an instructional and strategic leader. I 

look forward to meeting students, staff, families and community members 

and to continue great partnerships as well as build new ones. I am committed 

to improving student achievement through building relationships with 

students, staff, families and the community. Even the most challenging goals 

can be met when we work strategically together with unwavering purpose.” 

Selby Lane School serves more than 700 kindergarten through eighthgrade 

students on a tree-studded campus in nearby Atherton. Instruction 

at the school has concentrated on the core academic curriculum of English 

language arts, social studies, math and science for all grades. Community 

volunteers offer a Partners in Reading program, and the Selby Education Foundation 

raises money to provide extra support to Selby Lane students and teachers. 

Paliughi, the new principal of Kennedy, most recently served as program 

manager and principal at Sanger Unified School District, and prior to that he 

was the principal at Wilson Elementary School in Sanger. During the time 

that Paliughi served as principal at Wilson Elementary, the school moved 

Dana McDonald 

Principal, Selby Lane School 

David Paliughi 

Principal, Kennedy Middle School 

from a Year 4 Program Improvement School to a California Distinguished 

School and won a Title I Academic Achievement Award. Besides serving as an 

elementary school principal, Paliughi has been a continuation high principal, 

a guidance learning specialist and a nationally certified school psychologist. 

In accepting his new position, Paliughi said, “It is with eager anticipation 

that I count down the next couple months until the students arrive at Kennedy 

Middle School for the 2011–12 academic year. I am honored to be afforded 

the opportunity to lead the Cougars and I am committed to ensure that 

student learning occurs for every child every day, whatever it takes. I cannot 

wait to meet the students, staff, families and community members with 

continued partnerships, as well as foster new relationships.” 

Kennedy Middle School is the largest comprehensive middle school in the 

district and offers a full spectrum of academic options to meet the needs of 

all students, such as high school geometry for advanced math students and 

intervention classes for students who need extra help in language arts and 

math. Kennedy also offers enrichment classes such as orchestra/band, web 

page design and a student-produced morning TV show, and is known for 

producing an outstanding musical each spring. 


As I Was 

Saying… Publisher 

| Steve Penna 

And we have a City Council race. 

Incumbents beware, you have two 

or more potential challengers who 

are hoping to fill your seats after 

the November election. 

Let’s start here: Incumbents Alicia Aguirre, 

Ian Bain, Rosanne Foust and Barbara Pierce 

are all up for re-election and are running. All have 

taken out nomination papers and will file them by 

the Aug. 12 deadline. 

Stating, “I can’t say I expect to win,” Brett 

Garrett has been the first one to officially turn in 

his candidacy papers, complete with nominating 

signatures. Qualifying signatures are “only a 

person who is a registered qualified voter at the 

time he/she signs the Nomination Petition.” There 

appears to have been a slight problem with the 

initial signatures he submitted, so he has until the 

deadline to correct the problem. 

“I’m the dark horse candidate, but I will do my 

best to represent those who oppose the Saltworks 

project,” Garrett stated. OK, so he is obviously 

running on the platform that the Saltworks project 

on the Cargill property should not be reviewed 

or an EIR done to see if it is a good fit for our 

community. That is what most of the extreme 

environmentalists who have weighed in are saying. 

On his website, Garrett states, “Stop Saltworks: 

Run for City Council! The City Council of Redwood 

City should include voices in favor of preserving 

the remaining San Francisco Bay wetlands. If you 

would like to be one of those voices, now is the 

time to step up to the plate.” He goes on to state 

that he “would gladly form a coalition or lend my 

support to others who share these goals.” 

I wonder if that support includes sharing his 

money as well. The self-employed website-hosting 

executive has contributed substantially ($500 or 

more) to the campaigns of Obama for America in 

2008, Kucinich for President 2008, Winograd for 

Congress in 2010 and the political action website 

MoveOn.org. He also endorsed April Vargas in 

her run for county supervisor last year. 

The council should include different voices 

that favor different ideologies. But to suggest, 

as Garrett does, that one should include an anti- 

Cargill stance is not valid. The voices that should 

be on the council are what the majority of the 

voters want and not just because one favors the 

preservation of wetlands. Although the Saltworks 

project is an important one for our community, 


other issues of more importance are facing our 

community right now. 

I have seen candidates who are single-issueoriented 

and they are seldom elected. I have also 

seen candidates run on a platform — let’s say on 

fiscal responsibility — and once elected do little or 

nothing to reduce overhead, or vote against their 

colleagues to make a statement. So I guess it is possible. 

There are incumbents who are running and are 

vulnerable. But to unseat one, there would have to 

be a candidate running who has the funding and 

support to get their message out to voters. Another 

method would be a strong grassroots campaign. 

That takes serious organization over funding, and 

I have seen candidates use it effectively. So it will 

be interesting to see how Garrett campaigns and 

if the speakers at the council meetings and letter 

writers against the Saltworks project deserve a 

voice on the council. 

As we were going to press and I had to finish 

my column, another potential candidate, Paul 

McCarthy, took out papers to run. Until he files, I 

think I will just let it be. Oh, wrong Paul. 

.… 

In other races related to Redwood City voters, all three 

incumbents on the San Mateo County Community 

College District board of trustees — Dave 

Mandelkern, Patricia Miljanich and Karen 

Schwarz — have now filed to run for re-election. 

Only one challenger, Jamie Diaz, has filed to run. 

Sequoia Union High School District trustees 

Lorraine Rumley and Olivia Martinez have filed 

to run for re-election. One seat is up for grabs, 

since Don Gibson doesn’t plan to run for a third 

term. So far, Menlo Park resident Allen Weiner, 

East Palo Alto resident Larry James Moody 

and Carrie Du Bois, San Carlos School District 

trustee, have filed. 

Please note that the candidates for these and all 

races will most likely change, as the deadline to 

file is Aug. 12, which is after we go to press. But I 

will make sure you have all the latest and in-depth 

coverage next month. 

.… 

By the time this column is out on the streets, 

the recruitment process for a new police chief 

will have begun and prospective candidates will 

have started applying. I am expecting that a new 

chief will be chosen soon after the November 

City Council election. To make the selection 

before then would potentially cause a campaign 

issue with incumbents running, so it is a safe 

expectation. 

Wanting to include their voice in the process, 

the Redwood City Police Officers Association 

(POA) board and the Chief of Police (C.O.P.) selection 

committee recently sent out a survey to the POA 

membership, wanting to understand how they feel 

about the process to select the new police chief. 

According to POA President Mike Reynolds, 

the “completely anonymous” survey sent out to all 

members was labeled an “opportunity to have a 

voice in the very critical C.O.P. selection process, 

which will impact all of us one way or another.” 

The survey generally asked its members questions 

like: a) Should they consider only the internal 

candidates or allow any qualified candidate to 

apply? b) What is the biggest problem facing the 

department today? c) What types of qualities, 

virtues or traits should our next chief of police possess? 

The survey then went on to ask the members 

which interim police chief (Chris Cesena or Ed 

Hernandez) they preferred to work under. The 

two are sharing duties as chief until a replacement 

is made. The survey also asked members whether, 

should either interim chief be chosen, the 

department would: a) move ahead, b) fall behind, 

c) stay the same, d) I don’t know. In other words, 

they were polling their membership to see who the 

preferred choice is. 

OK, I am thinking the same thing you are. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all pick our bosses? 

But unfortunately that is not reality. Well, that is 

unless you are self-employed, and even then one 

does not always like their boss. Regardless, in most 

cases that is not a reality, and that includes this instance. 

I know that the survey was designed to give 

the POA membership a voice. But does it really 

work out that way? It seems like a double-edged 

sword. We all know the selection process ends 

with a decision by City Manager Bob Bell. I 

can only assume that when presented with the 

survey results, one evaluating them would either 

take it as fact and support for one of the interims 

or read into that the least favorable one is the 

one that holds them accountable and has higher 

expectations for the department. Thus, what are 

the real effects of the survey results? 

I guess only time will tell. 

.… 

(continues on page 19)

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Cultural Events 

The Main Gallery 

1018 Main St., Redwood City 

650-701-1018 

www.themaingallery.org 

The Main Gallery, an artists’ cooperative with 

23 members, showcases the work of some of the 

best local talent in the Bay Area. The gallery is 

located in the historic yellow Victorian cottage at 

the corner of Main and Middlefield. The gallery is 

open Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

and weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Festive! Celebrate at The Main Gallery 

This year’s celebration theme for The Main 

Gallery’s 11th annual all-gallery show is 

“Festive!” The show will run Aug. 10 through 

Sept. 11. The reception, serving drinks and hors 

d’oeuvres, will coincide with Redwood City’s Art 

Walk — Saturday, Aug. 13, from 6:30 p.m. until 

9 p.m. Come participate in a fun evening filled 

with some extra surprise festivities and meet the 

artists! 

“Festive” means different things to different 

people, and The Main Gallery’s artists have 

translated their view of what celebrating is 

into their own unique visual formats. Here is a 

sampling of what to expect. 

Irene Carvajal states, “Summer in my garden 

attracts all sorts of insects. Flowers bloom, fruit 

ripen and in particular the bees start celebrating. 

The dancing, flying and buzzing inspired me to 

create a series of monoprints entitled ‘The Queen 

Bee’s Coronation.’” The monoprints are done 

in a square format, which Carvajal feels creates 

a symmetry and elegance in their presentation. 

The use of different materials, including using 

glue for a relief effect and pages out of antique 

music books and dictionaries along with royal 

reds, makes for an eye-catching lively series of 

monoprints. 

The ceramics of Doris Fischer-Colbrie relate to 

food as being festive: a bevy of “Birdie” birthday 

candle holders, a party of cups and a gondolainspired 

serving bowl are all on exhibit. Fischer- 

Colbrie exclaims, “Of course, to set the stage for 

food one also needs flowers, so I have created a 

blue sea urchin–like vase, complete with gold 

luster.” 

The anniversary show being a celebration 

theme, Susan Wolf decided to make a set of 

porcelain champagne cups with the top part 

representing a shell, the bottom part a wave 

pattern, calling the cups Fiesta del Mar 

Hula dancers along with a Hawaiian theme 

at The Main Gallery’s previous show, “Aloha, 

Return to Paradise,” inspired Belinda Chlouber 

to create a mixed-media paper piece. Chlouber 

states, “I painted the hula dancers in silhouette 

and then used a photo of jellyfish that I took from 

the Monterey Aquarium for the background, but 

you have to look very hard to see the jellyfish! I 

hadn’t realized until I juxtaposed the hula dancers 

with the jellyfish how similar in feel they were. 

The flowers in the foreground are drawn from a 

photo I took while we visited Hawaii in April.” 

Club Fox 

• Steve Lucky & Carmen Getit (Club Fox Blues 

Jam). 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. 

• An Evening of Brazilian-Inspired Jazz With 

Ed Johnson, Masha Campagne & Caminhos 

Cruzados. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. 

• Lovefool: The Quintessential ’90s Band. 9 p.m. 

Saturday, Aug. 13. 

• Lara Price Blues Revue. 7 p.m. Wednesday, 

Aug. 17. 

• Sinister Dexter With Rebecca Lipon. 8 p.m. 

Thursday, Aug. 18. 

• Daniel Castro (Club Fox Blues Jam). 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, Aug. 24. 

• Trikk Baby. 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26. 

• Evolution: The Ultimate Tribute to Journey. 9 

p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. 

• An Afternoon of Jazz Fusion With Wally 

Schnalle’s Idiot Fish and Joe DeRose With 

Amici. 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. 

• The Kid Andersen Band (Club Fox Blues Jam). 

7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31. 

Filoli House 

Cañada Road, Woodside 

650-364-8300, ext. 507 

www.filoli.org 

Filoli, designed by California architect Willis Polk 

and built in the early part of the 20th century, 

is one of the finest examples of country house 

architecture in the United States and is one of 

the few in California that remains intact in its 

original setting. Bruce Porter, with later help from 

(continues on page 20) 

Fox Theatre and Club Fox 

2209 Broadway, downtown Redwood City 

Tickets available at www.clubfoxrwc. 

com, 650-369-7770 or tickets.foxrwc.com 

Fox Theatre 

• KGO All-Star Debate. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. 

Jonathan Butler’s Summer of Soul Featuring 

• Eric Darius & Maysa. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19. 

• Shine On 2011 Fashion Show. 7 p.m. Saturday, 

Aug. 20. 

www.SpectrumMagazine.net

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RWC Students 

Preparing for School 

Six-year-old Lucero Perez tries on boots with the help 

of Eva Fordham during a back-to-school shopping 

spree at the Target in Redwood City 

“What is your shoe size?” Eva Fordham asked her 

petite shopping companion at the Redwood City Target. 

“Thirteen and a half,” 6-year-old Lucero Perez 

answered. “It’s on my shoe.” 

After knowing the size, the hunt was on for 

boots that would work with her school uniform. 

The ladies were paired up Tuesday as part of a 

back-to-school shopping spree made possible 

through a partnership between the Salvation 

Army and Target. About 30 Redwood City 

students were chosen to participate. Each was 

given an $80 gift card to purchase back-to-school 

supplies along with a volunteer chaperone to help 

with the shopping. 

We wanted to give them the opportunity to be 

prepared for education, said Salvation Army Capt. 

Maria Espinoza. 

Fordham, financial development director for 

the Salvation Army Golden State Division, has 

participated in the event for three years. She even 

helped Perez’s older sister last year. 

“It’s really important. As a kid, we just went 

back-to-school shopping,” said Fordham. 

Many of these children don’t have the 

opportunity to otherwise prepare for school with a 

back-to-school shopping trip. 

Families are identified through social services 

networks and outreach already done by the 

Salvation Army, said Capt. Andres Espinoza. 

“It’s really exciting,” Espinoza said of the day. 

“This is an investment in the future.” 

Target partnered with 40 of the Salvation Army 

divisions nationwide, donating $1 million for the 

sprees. About 500 stores had children shopping 

Tuesday as part of the program. 

Volunteers and children were given a list as a 

guide but ultimately were able to work on their 

own to meet each child’s needs. 

Perez needed a uniform, including boots, and 

a number of school supplies. Thankfully for the 

little girl, who is about to enter second grade, 

Target had a variety of school items emblazoned 

with the face of teen heartthrob Justin Bieber. 

Perez chose notebooks, folders and a backpack 

with Justin’s likeness included. 

“I’m good with Justin Bieber,” Perez said of her choices. 

To learn more about local Salvation Army 

efforts visit www.salvationarmy.org. 

Editor’s note: This article, written by Heather Murtagh, 

appeared first in the Daily Journal newspaper. 


Redwood City is Working to 

Provide the Community with 

Smooth, Safe Roadways 

Road Repair and Resurfacing 

~ July through September ~ 

Veterans Boulevard 

East Bayshore Road 

Various Neighborhood Streets 

As part of its Roadway Preventative Maintenance 

Program, Redwood City is working on several major 

street repair and resurfacing projects. 

This will result in improved roadways for the 

community, but will cause some inconvenience to 

motorists and some residents and businesses. 

Expect periodic lane closures, detours, some dust, 

and temporary parking restrictions during 

construction. All roadway users are asked to be 

particularly cautious during construction and 

observe detour and directional signage. 

Please see www.redwoodcity.org 

or call 650‐780‐5923 for more information 

and a complete list of affected streets. 

to residents, motorists, 

and nearby businesses for your patience as we work 

to improve the community’s roadways – and our 

apologies in advance for any inconvenience. 

Vet 

Run 

Bill 

“Ro

Advertising space donated by: Steve Penna and the Spectrum Magazine

234 Marshall Street #100 

Redwood City, CA 94063 

Donate Your Vehicle 

Se Habla Español 650-363-2423 CA Insurance Lic. #1842835 

Proceeds support Kainos Home & Training Center 

Providing quality residential, vocational and support services to developmentally 

disabled adults, enabling them to become active, contributing members of the 

community. 

Maximum Tax Deductions – We handle paperwork 

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368-2660 

Corrin Rankin 

234 Marshall Street #100 • Redwood City, CA 94063 

Se Habla Español CA InsuranceLic. #1842835 

Never late for the Theatre 

when you eat at Little India. 

All You Can Eat Lunch 

Mon - Fri 11am - 2pm 

Regular $9.95 Vegetarian $7.95 

All You Can Eat Dinner 

Mon - Sat 5 - 9pm 

Regular $12.95 Vegetarian $10.95 

Little India 

Restaurant 

917 Main St., Redwood City 

650-361-8737 • www.littleindiacuisine.com 

10 % off 

with your Parking 

Valadation! 

• Catering 

• In-House Parties 

Available 

• Takeout 

The Spectrum Mag AD 4/2/08 4:23 PM Page 1 

Thank You 

for Supporting the 

Uccelli Family 

Through the Years 

We urge you to contribute 

and support our local 

non-profits who do 

outstanding work in 

our community. 

Peter and Paula Uccelli Foundation 

650-366-0922 


Community Interest 

City Celebrates Toddler Playground, Adult Lounge 

Spanning the generations, Redwood City celebrated both the grand reopening 

of the Fair Oaks Community Center toddler playground and the inauguration 

of its new adult activity center lounge. 

The new playground was completely redesigned with a new sand area, 

a wider area for tricycles, more play space and new play equipment. The 

playground is overseen and operated by the Redwood City Child Development 

Program and funded with Redwood City capital improvement funds. 

The adult lounge was created by converting several units of offices into 

a large space with a “living room” feel for older adults. It contains lounge 

chairs and sofas, tables for reading or games, brand-new bookshelves stocked 

with books, new lighting, artwork on the walls and plants. The lounge 

is a partnership between the city, nonprofit Rebuilding Together, Roche 

Molecular Systems, Supple Homes Inc., Peninsula Family Service — which 

operates the Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center — and a private donor. 

The ribbon cutting featured County Supervisor Don Horsley and Redwood 

City Vice Mayor Alicia Aguirre, along with adults and toddlers. 

Redwood City Hires New HR Head 

Redwood City has hired Rebecca Burnside as its new human resources 

director, filling the vacancy left when Bob Bell was appointed city manager. 

Burnside, who most recently served as director of human resources and 

risk management for Foster City, begins with Redwood City Aug. 22. She 

will earn an annual salary of $179,724. 

Bell lauded Burnside, who he said has a wide range of experience, talent and 

knowledge. “I know she’ll excel as a crucial member of our executive team,” Bell 

said in a prepared statement. Burnside called Redwood City “a great fit for me.” 

Burnside has a law degree from Tulane Law School and a Bachelor of Science 

in general management/industrial relations from the University of Minnesota. 

The Human Resources Department handles recruitment, organization and employee 

development, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, performance 

management and personnel systems management among other functions. 

City Hires Community Development Director 

Redwood City has hired a community development director to oversee 

several key functions, helping officials manage land use and balance 

increased service demands with dwindling resources. 

Bill Ekern most recently served as director of special projects/project 

management for the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and has more than 25 

years of experience in city management. Ekern’s first day was Aug. 1 and he 

will earn $185,000 annually plus benefits. 

City Manager Bob Bell lauded Ekern’s experience and said officials are 

“thrilled” to have him join the city. Ekern returned the accolades, calling 

Redwood City “an unprecedented opportunity for me,” in a prepared statement. 

The Community Development Department includes planning, housing, 

redevelopment, building, engineering and transportation. Ekern’s role will be 

managing development and land use matters. He will also work with the City 

Council and Planning Commission, said city spokesman Malcolm Smith. 

Although the city created Ekern’s position, it also moved two director jobs 

back to division manager level. One department head, Ekern, will be better 

able to oversee and coordinate the functions of different divisions involved in 

the same projects and initiatives, Smith said. 

Ekern has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California 

at Davis and a master’s degree in public administration from San Jose State University. 

More Street Work Planned for Redwood City 

Motorists in Redwood City should prepare for slowed traffic, detours, parking 

restrictions and even a little bit of dust as the city embarks on a slew of 

neighborhood street improvements through the rest of summer. 

The city recently announced grant-funded resurfacing projects on 

Veterans Boulevard and East Bayshore Road. This second set of preventive 

maintenance is scheduled to begin mid-July and run through September. 

If possible, drivers should consider alternative routes to minimize or avoid 

traffic delays. They should also expect periodic lane closures, detours and 

periods during which no vehicles are allowed. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 

p.m., with streets typically reopened by 5 p.m. 

While the city will try to minimize the impact, some inconvenience is 

unavoidable, spokesman Malcolm Smith said in a prepared statement. 

The work consists of two phases, preparation and either slurry seal or 

overlay. Where slurry seal is used, streets may be closed up to four hours to 

let the sand and oil mixture dry. During that time, residents are urged to keep 

cars, children and pets away as the material can be difficult to remove from 

rugs, clothing and fur. 

A 2-inch layer of new asphalt laid on top of the existing road will also 

require traffic controls. 

Streets scheduled for slurry seal are: Blomquist Street from Maple Street 

to Seaport Boulevard, Broadway from Hopkins Avenue to El Camino Real, 

Broadway from Woodside Road to Charter Street, Canyon Road (off-street 

parking areas only), Charter Street from Middlefield Road to Broadway, 

Chesapeake Drive from Seaport Boulevard to Saginaw Drive, Galveston 

Drive from Pendescot Drive to Chesapeake Drive, Hudson Street from 

Whipple Avenue to Woodside Road, James Avenue from St. Francis Street 

to Sequoia Station, Maple Street from Highway 101 to Blomquist Street, 

Marlin Court from end to end, Marlin Drive from Marlin Court to Redwood 

Shores Parkway, Marshall Street from Arguello to Main streets, Middlefield 

Road from Woodside Road to Pacific Avenue, Pendescot Drive from Saginaw 

Drive to the cul-de-sac, Redwood Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Hudson 

Street, Saginaw Drive from Chesapeake Drive to the cul-de-sac, Seaport 

Boulevard from Highway 101 to Seaport Court, Seaport Boulevard (two-lane 

section) from Seaport Court to the end, Seaport Boulevard (four-lane section) 

from Seaport Court to Pacific Shores Center, and Valota Road from Jefferson 

Avenue to Woodside Road. 

Streets scheduled for overlay work are: Broadway from Chestnut Street 

to Woodside Road, Connecticut Drive from Carson Street to Massachusetts 

Avenue, East Bayshore Boulevard from Whipple Avenue to Bair Island Road, 

Kentfield Avenue from Redwood Avenue to Woodside Road, Laurel Street 

from El Camino Real to Hancock Street, McGarvey Avenue from Farm Hill 

Boulevard to Roosevelt Avenue, and Westgate Street from Hopkins Avenue to 

Alameda de las Pulgas. 

Moulton Named New Housing Head 

Both the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County and the Housing 

Endowment and Regional Trust have named Mark Moulton their new executive director. 

The two San Mateo County housing groups share staff but have separate 

boards of directors. HEART raises money from public and private sources to 

meet housing needs. The Housing Leadership Council works to increase the 

housing supply at all levels of affordability. 

Moulton is the founding executive director of Redwood City–based Living 

City Partners, which builds affordable multi-unit housing for low-income 

families, and served more than 10 years as the founding executive director at 

Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. While there, the organization grew to a staff 

of 15 with a $3.5 million annual budget. 

Moulton also volunteers with the Nonprofit Center of San Mateo County, 

Sustainable San Mateo County and Concentric Media. He helped found the 

Housing Leadership Council in 2001, serving as a past board president and 

fund development committee chair. 

“[Moulton] combines a deep knowledge of fund development, community 

outreach and alliance building with a passion for building affordable housing 

for San Mateo County’s young families, workforce and seniors,” said County 

Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, HEART board chair, in a prepared statement. 

Andrea Papanastassiou and Melissa Platte, co-chairs of the Housing 

Leadership Council, echoed the sentiment and said Moulton will add strength 

and growth to their organization. 

Moulton fills the vacancy left when Chris Mohr left the position after eight 

years to relocate his family to Pennsylvania. 

(continues on page 19) 


Dudley Perkins Company 

& the 

Peninsula Police Officers’ Association 

PPOA Poker Run and BBQ 

Date: October 1, 2011 

SATURDAY 

Start Time: 10:00 AM 

Pre-register by: August 31, 2011 

_____ $ 25 per Motorcycle ($30 with passenger) 

Registration after August 31, 2011 ($30 per Motorcycle, $35 with Passenger) 

_____ $ 10 BBQ Tri-Tip lunch only (per guest) 

_____ $ 5 Kids Hotdog (per guest) 

_____ $ 5 Additional Pin 

_____ $ 15 T-Shirt only 

_____ $ = TOTAL 

Benefiting the spouses and families 

of member police officers taken 

from our ranks, and PPOA college 

scholarship fund for members. 

Start Location: 

Dudley Perkins Co. ~ 333 Corey Way, SSF 

Route: 

To Pacifica/Hwy 1 ~ Card Stop at Linda Mar Beach ~ to Hwy 84 

End of Ride/BBQ Tri-Tip Lunch (for ALL) at 1:00 PM: 

St. Pius Catholic Church and School ~ 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION~CALL: 

Joe Fava at 415-202-4771 

www.PeninsulaPOA.net 

Presents 

The First Annual 

Registration: 8:30-9:45am 

Ride out: 10am Sharp 

Officer Dave Chetcuti Motorcade 1998 

Registration 

Fee includes: 

One Rider 

T-Shirt 

per bike 

Commemorative 

Pin 

* First 150 to register 

are guaranteed a 

commemorative pin. 

BBQ Lunch 

Raffle Ticket 

Poker Hand 

Passenger 

receives 

BBQ only 

Live Music by 

www.abovethelawmusic.com 

Make Checks out to PPOA and mail to: 

PPOA Poker Run 

P. O. Box 1063 

San Mateo, CA 94403 

Phone: 415-202-4771 

Fax: 650-588-7978 

E-mail: jmfavasr@gmail.com 

Name 

Address 

City 

Phone (Best) 

T-shirt Size: S M L XL XXL XXXL 

(Circle one) 

Name of Passenger 

E-Mail 

Sign and attach 

the Rider’s Waiver, 

Registration Form and 

Check for $______ 

Number of additional of guests 


Events Around Town Downtown Business Group Monthly Meeting, August 

The Downtown Business Group held its monthly meeting at Jigsaw Java on Main Street. From top left: Alpio Barbara and Regina Van Brunt before the meeting. Alisan Andrews, Julie 

Goodenough, Beth Mostovoy and Stephen Tabler. Nina Kadera honored for her year as president. Now where is that piece? Mary Albitz and Kadera prepare refreshments. Timothy Lease 

gives Mostovoy free relaxing services. 

Brought to you by 

Guitar Player Magazine & 

Barracuda Networks 

Presents 

M o n t r o s e 

At the Fox Theatre 

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 

Tickets On Sale Now 

www.foxrwc.com 


Jim Skinner: Dedicated Fire Chief 

& ‘Just a Really Fun Guy to Have Around’ 

By Julie McCoy, contributing writer 

JMembers of the Redwood City Fire Department administration join Chief Skinner in front of an old Redwood City engine. 

im Skinner gets up at 4:15 a.m. and by 5 attended the City College of San Francisco’s fire 

he’s doing yoga. By 7, the fire chief for the science program. In 1981, he was hired as a fire 

Redwood City Fire Department is already inspector for the South County Fire Authority 

at work, ready to tackle whatever may come in San Carlos, now the Belmont–San Carlos 

his way. Skinner used to be out in the field Fire Department. He became a firefighter for the 

fighting blazes, but now he assumes more of an Redwood City Fire Department in 1982 and then 

administrative role. During the day, he interacts climbed the ladder within the department. He was 

with staff and meets with department heads promoted to captain in 1990 and to battalion chief 

(for example, the parks and recreation director, in 1998. He has held his current title as fire chief 

city manager, finance director, human resource since September 2008. Skinner says he loves what 

director and community services director) in he does so much that he doesn’t consider it work. 

Redwood City and San Carlos. At night, he 

attends community meetings (for example, City 

Council meetings). It’s all part of the job for the 

Fire Department veteran. “My job is to help other 

people do their job, give them the tools, support 

and guidance they need,” he said. “Every day 

is the same, but every day is different. There is 

never a dull moment.” 

Following in his relatives’ footsteps 

Skinner, who has been in the firefighting field 

for 30 years, has always had a deep desire to 

give back to his local community. His dad was 

a policeman, but he couldn’t really envision 

himself doing that. His uncle and his cousin were 

both firemen, however, and by following in their 

footsteps, Skinner found a great fit. 

Climbing the ladder 

Right after finishing high school, Skinner 


An educator, too 

In addition to his role at the Redwood City Fire 

Department, Skinner has taught in the City College 

of San Francisco’s fire science department since 

1994. Having come full circle, he currently teaches 

in the same classroom in which he was a student 

in the fire science program. He also teaches command, 

management and prevention classes for California 

State Fire Training and is an adjunct instructor for 

the National Fire Academy. 

Skinner holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science 

with a major in fire administration from Cogswell 

Polytechnic College in Sunnyvale and is a statecertified 

chief officer. 

A good sense of humor is key 

Being in the firefighting profession isn’t easy, but 

Skinner and others in his department maintain a 

good sense of humor, which helps reduce stress. 

“A good sense of humor helps us get through the 

day here,” he said. “We do a lot of laughing. A 

good sense of humor helps. It helps with the stress.” 

Committed to the city and his department 

Armando Muela, former fire chief for the Woodside 

Fire Protection District, has known Skinner for 

about 20 years. The two first met when Skinner 

became an emergency medical technician and 

Muela taught the EMT program in which Skinner 

was enrolled. They also worked together for 

about nine years when both were battalion chiefs. 

The two worked on a number of fires together, 

including the Main Street fire in 2002. 

“He keeps the room very light and jovial but 

he has a good balance on what he does,” Muela 

said. “Jim has always been a champion of great 

relationships and getting the job done. He is able to 

analyze the situation and come up with solutions.” 

Skinner has been very dedicated to not only 

his department but Redwood City itself, Muela 

stressed. “His dedication to the fire service 

has never been unwavering,” he said. “Jim has 

been a real avid champion of customer service.” 

Skinner worked on a program to put in automatic 

external defibrillators in public places and has 

also coordinated and presented Public Safety Day 

to participants in the Redwood City–San Mateo 

County Chamber of Commerce’s leadership 

program. He also has helped the Redwood City 

Lions Club raise money.

City Manager Bob Bell, who has worked with 

Skinner on variety of issues, said, “He’s very 

committed to Redwood City and the [Fire] Department. 

He’s a very intelligent, very likable person. He has 

a good sense of humor and is very easy to work 

with. He’s very highly regarded in his industry. 

He is open to new ideas and new ways of doing 

things. He’s just a real enjoyable person to be 

around. He’s just a really fun guy to have around.” 

A vital role in the community 

Skinner stressed that his department plays a vital 

role in the community. “We are part of the fabric 

in the community,” he said. “We take great pride 

in that. When people are in crisis, we help them. 

When they’re not in crisis, we provide public 

education. We’re your neighbor. We’re the Fire 

Department. You know us and recognize us, and 

that’s what it’s all about.” 

A rewarding yet challenging career 

What are some of the rewards of leading the 

Redwood City Fire Department and what are 

some of the challenges? It’s rewarding being able 

to touch individuals and help them be better at 

what they are doing, Skinner said. The challenges, 

on the other hand, are keeping current with 

the needs of the community and trying to get 

everything done within budget constraints, he 

said. The Redwood City Fire Department has a 

budget of $15 million. 

Time of transition 

Skinner is leading the Fire Department during a 

time of great transition. The Belmont–San Carlos 

Fire Department is dividing, and Belmont will be 

on its own while San Carlos will partner with the 

Redwood City Fire Department. 

The Redwood City Fire Department will provide 

administrative duties, fire prevention, and battalion 

chief coverage and supervision to San Carlos. 

Later, San Carlos will hire its own working staff 

to fill vacant positions at its two fire stations. 

“We just really want people 

to recognize our 150th 

anniversary and come out 

and have a good time,” 

“It’s a great opportunity for both cities,” Skinner 

said, noting that the change should not affect the level 

of service. “The goal is that the service delivery 

level will remain the same,” he said. “It’s a winwin 

for everybody, especially the community.” 

While the goal is to make the transition as 

seamless as possible, Skinner acknowledged there 

may be some challenges and glitches. Most people 

will keep their jobs, but some jobs may be shed. 

Both cities will save a significant amount of 

money. In fact, Skinner estimates that Redwood 

City and San Carlos will each save $1 million 

annually. The money saved has already enabled 

Skinner to hire a deputy fire chief. 

The transition comes as the Redwood City Fire 

Department celebrates its 150th anniversary, 

which will be marked with a fundraiser gala 

featuring hors d’oeuvres and dancing at the Fox 

Theatre on Oct. 22. The hors d’oeuvres will 

(continues on next page) 


Events Around Town Campaign Kickoff for Alicia Aguirre, Sunday, July 24 

Redwood City Vice Mayor Alicia Aguirre kicked off her re-election campaign for City Council at her Redwood City home. More than 80 people attended. State Assembly member Rich 

Gordon introduced Aguirre as someone who reaches out to the community and beyond, as was apparent by the number of elected officials and community members from throughout 

the county who attended her kick-off campaign. “Alicia is not only a leader for Redwood City, but a leader for our region,” Gordon said. 

Others in attendance included Council Members Jeff Gee and Ian Bain, Redwood City; Pam Frisella, Foster City; Gina Papan, Millbrae; Bob Grassilli, San Carlos; Kirsten Keith, Menlo 

Park; Shelly Masur, Redwood City School District; and Lorraine Rumley, Sequoia Union High School District. Also in attendance were many campaign supporters, including Redwood 

City Planning Commissioners Nancy Radcliffe and Ernie Schmidt and community leaders Georgi LaBerge, Hector Flamenco, Melanie Seybert, Paula Uccelli, Warren Dale, Margie 

Carrington and Tom Mohr, former president of Cañada College. 

Jim Skinner: Dedicated Fire Chief & ‘Just a Really Fun Guy to Have Around’ 

(Continued from previous page) 

start around 7 p.m. and the band, Pride and Joy, will kick off around 9 p.m., 

according to Paul Sherwood, engineer paramedic for the Redwood City Fire 

Department. 

“We just really want people to recognize our 150th anniversary and come 

out and have a good time,” Sherwood said. “We’re definitely encouraging the 

public to buy tickets.” 

Proceeds from the event, which is open to the general public, will go to 

the Create-A-Smile Foundation, which was established by Redwood City 

firefighters in 1993 to help people who are victims of tragedy, violence and 

misfortune and have little to no income. The foundation focuses on helping 

children in particular. 

In the past, money raised by the foundation has gone toward providing 

surgery for children who have a cleft palate, after-school activities, bone 

marrow for children and adults, sports equipment, horseback riding lessons 

for children with disabilities, and helping families who have lost a spouse in 

public service, among other things. 

Free time filled with yoga, golf and Giants games 

Skinner, who was born and raised in San Francisco, has lived in Millbrae for 

13 years. When the 51-year-old isn’t busy running the Redwood City Fire 

Department, he enjoys Bikram yoga, which he does three times per week. 

He also likes to play golf and attend San Francisco Giants games at AT&T 

Park. He and his wife, Becky, also are wine aficionados and make trips to 

Napa Valley. The couple have two children, Kristina, 24, who lives in San 

Francisco and works for a public relations firm, and Kellie, 22, a recent San 

Diego State graduate who works for Marriott Hotels. 

While running a fire department can be a very tough, stressful job, at the 

end of the day, Skinner can look back and realize he has made a difference. 

“I try to mentor people,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who have helped me 

throughout the years. I want to be able to give back.” 


Community Interest (Continued from p13) 

Electronic Arts Q1 Net Income More Than Doubles 

Electronic Arts Inc. more than doubled its fiscal first-quarter net income 

thanks to higher sales of video games such as “Portal 2,” “Crysis 2” and the 

soccer title “FIFA 11.” 

The company said that it earned $221 million, or 66 cents per share, in the 

three months that ended on June 30. That’s up from earnings of $96 million, 

or 29 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier 

Revenue rose 23 percent to $999 million from $815 million. 

Adjusted, it had a loss of $123 million, or 37 cents per share, the higher end 

of its guidance. Its adjusted revenue was $524 million, down 3 percent from 

last year. On this basis, analysts expected a larger loss of 40 cents per share, 

on revenue of $510 million, according to FactSet. 

EA’s adjusted results account for the effects of deferring revenue and the 

related cost of sales for games with online components. Like other video 

game publishers, the company spreads these out on its books over time, while 

the game is played, rather than all at once. 

“This was another solid quarter driven by both digital and packaged 

goods,” said CEO John Riccitiello in a statement. “We saw strong digital 

revenue growth over the prior year. On packaged goods, ‘NCAA’ is off to a 

great start and preorders for ‘Battlefield 3’ are tracking extremely well.” 

“Battlefield” is EA’s answer to rival Activision Blizzard Inc.’s wildly 

popular “Call of Duty” series of military shooters. The company is also 

planning to launch a multiplayer online game, “Star Wars: The Old 

Republic,” later this year. Like Activision’s “World of Warcraft” games, “Star 

Wars” players will pay monthly subscription fees to play. 

For the current quarter, EA expects an adjusted loss of 13 cents to 3 cents 

per share and adjusted revenue of $925 million to $975 million. Analysts are 

expecting EA to break even, on adjusted revenue of $896.8 million. 

The company recently announced that it plans to buy PopCap Games, a 

maker of casual games such as “Bejeweled” and “Plants vs. Zombies,” for at 

least $750 million. EA has been making an effort to grow its digital offerings, 

including mobile games and games on Facebook, as more people flock to 

playing these types of games. 

PopCap will be EA’s largest acquisition to date, but the company said the 

deal won’t affect its earnings in the current fiscal year. In fiscal 2013, which 

begins next spring, the acquisition will add at least 10 cents to adjusted 

earnings per share. 

EA expects full-year adjusted earnings of 70 cents to 90 cents per share 

and revenue of $3.9 billion to $4.1 billion, up from its previous guidance of 

$3.8 billion to nearly $4.03 billion. Analysts expect earnings of 85 cents per 

share and revenue of $3.95 billion. 

Riccitiello said EA is pleased to see that the NFL lockout has been 

resolved. The company makes the popular “Madden” football game series, 

which are licensed by the NFL and try to be as realistic as possible. The latest 

game launches on Aug. 30. 

As I Was Saying… (Continued from p6) 

I have just celebrated my birthday and look forward to many more. But as 

I do, I can’t help but notice the changes in the lives of some of my close 

friends. Well, at least three of them. I recently celebrated, via videotape, the 

retirement of one of my closet friends from high school, Dan Horton. He has 

left the Redwood City Fire Department after 32 years of service. This comes 

approximately a month after another friend (John Coleman) retired from 

Key Market and about two years after yet another one (Gary Markwith) also 

retired from Key Market. 

All three started their careers early. In fact, two while still in high school. 

All stayed at the same job and profession for their whole career, and 

apparently all reaped the rewards of doing so. Although I wish them all well, I 

cannot help but feel a bit envious that they already enjoying retirement when I 

can barely enjoy a weekend away. What did I do wrong? 

I am not sure that it’s fair to ask myself that since I consider my job one of 

the best one could have. Meeting and interacting with the most fascinating 

people in our community, and even those who are not, is a complete pleasure 

for me. It also gives me the freedom and opportunity to spend time with 

family and friends when I want to because I am the boss. But if I had to 

choose between the two, I of course would retire. No thought needed. Any 

work at all takes one away from the most important things in life. 

So what does one do in retirement? Everyone seems to go in different 

directions considering what is going on around them. Are they married? Is 

their spouse retired too? Do they have younger or older children? Do they own 

or rent their home? Of course, how much income you have available and what 

you can spend each month can determine your path more than anything else. 

I can only fantasize, hope and wish that my own retirement includes plenty 

of family, friends, exercise, volunteerism, health, love, sleep, wine and 

happiness. So, even as I envy my friends and their new position in life, I look 

at mine and what I would want in retirement and realize that the only thing 

that is different is that I need the income each month to do what I enjoy. Come 

to think of it, I am not in such a bad place at all. 

Here’s to retirement. And not! 

As I was saying… 

.… 

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Cultural Events (Continued from p8) 

Isabella Worn, laid out the 16 acres of gardens. 

Both guided and self-guided tours of the house and 

grounds are available from February through October. 

Tours (ongoing) 

• Guided House and Garden Tour – This twohour, 

docent-led tour includes both the house 

and the gardens. Reservations required. 

• Self-Guided Tour – No reservations required 

for this tour. A map is available for the selfguided 

tour and volunteers are posted in both 

the house and the gardens to answer questions. 

There is also a continuous 14-minute video on 

the history of Filoli available in the Visitor and 

Education Center. 

• Nature Hike – This hike is available by 

reservation only on Saturdays at 10 a.m. 

The hike covers roughly three miles of trails 

and takes approximately two and a half 

hours. Nature docents describe wildlife, 

plants, endangered species and the historical 

background of the area. Visitors may not hike 

without a docent. 

• Orchard Tour – This tour is available on 

selected days throughout the open season. With 

a docent tour of the unique heirloom orchard, 

learn about the tradition of the gentleman’s 

orchard, and how Filoli is conserving not only 

rare fruits but also this defining landscape feature 

of the country estate. Reservations required. 

San Mateo County 

History Museum 

2200 Broadway St. 

650-299-0141 

www.historysmc.org 

Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 

$5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, 

free for children 5 and under 

The History Museum is housed inside the historic 

1910 County Courthouse. Over 50,000 people 

visit the museum each year, and the number of 

local residents who hold memberships is growing. 

The History Museum teaches approximately 

14,000 children each year through the on- and 

off-site programs. The museum houses the 

research library and archives that currently hold 

over 100,000 photographs, prints, books and 

documents collected by the San Mateo County 

Historical Association. 

Victorian Days in the Museum 

Sunday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 

Live theater performances: 12:30 p.m. and 3 

p.m. (free) 

Return to the age of gilded elegance and luxurious 

refinement as the San Mateo County Historical 

Association hosts Victorian Days in the Museum, 

located inside the 101-year-old courthouse. 

The Victorian Era was named for Queen 

Victoria, who ascended the throne of the United 

Kingdom in 1837 at the age of 17 and reigned 

until her death in 1901. In America, it was a time 

of industrialization: in California, the Gold Rush 

and railroad construction; on the Peninsula, the 

building of the great estates. 

Activities include: 

• Create Victorian-Era crafts such as a Victorian 

hat, build a steamship, design a piece of stained 

“glass” or play with an optical toy called a 

thaumatrope. 

• Learn about the following historical groups, 

which will be on-site: 

• Colma Historical Association, Pacifica 

Historical Society, San Andreas Lake Chapter 

DAR, San Carlos Heritage Association, 

San Carlos Villagers, South San Francisco 

Historical Society Museum and historic Union 

Cemetery. 

• In Courtroom A, watch a live theater group 

perform “Love & Marriage: Victorian Style.” 

It is a play about the marriages of Victorian 

millionaires, based on research conducted in 

the San Mateo County Historical Association’s 

archives. While the characters in the play are 

fictional, the couples they discuss actually 

lived on the Peninsula in the late 1800s. All 

re-enactors in the play volunteer their time to 

bring these historical characters to life. Two 

show times: 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

• Explore the exhibit “Living the California 

Dream” to learn more about the homes in San 

Mateo County during the Victorian Era. 

• As a keepsake, purchase a set of earrings made 

from silver spoons in the Museum Store. 

‘First Fridays’ Storytime 

From the Garden: Stories From the Past 

Friday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. 

Included with museum admission 

Come listen to a story about a family tending 

to their garden. Listen to the story “From the 

Garden” and create your vegetable print to 

take home. Then, explore the exhibit “Nature’s 

Bounty” to learn about crops that are grown in 

San Mateo County. 

New Exhibit Opens at History Museum 

“Peninsula Landmarks” 

Saturday, Sept. 10, 6–9 p.m. (free) 

The exhibit features four murals by artist Lois 

White that highlight buildings, parks and 

businesses of historic significance to San Mateo 

County. The exhibit opening coincides with 

Redwood City’s Second Saturday Art Walk. 

The museum will be open free to the public that 

evening. “Peninsula Landmarks” will remain on 

view through March 31, 2012. 

Hiller Aviation Museum 

San Carlos Airport, 601 Skyway Road, 

San Carlos 

650-654-0200, www.hiller.org 

Daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 

$6-$9, free for children 4 and under, with 

a paid adult 

This museum covers the history of airplanes in 

Northern California, from an 1869 unmanned 

plane to today’s jets, and also looks ahead to 

possible future designs. The museum features 

full-sized models, a restoration shop where new 

museum acquisitions are being repaired and 

preserved for later display, hands-on displays and 

an aviation library. 

Ongoing Special Events 

“Young Eagles.” Kids between ages 8 and 17 fly 

free every third Saturday of the month 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 

“Soar With Books.’’ A preschool reading program 

offered the fourth Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. 

Art on the Square 

Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, 


www.redwoodcityevents.com 

For the fifth straight year AOTS will showcase the 

best in original fine arts and crafts at Courthouse 

Square in downtown Redwood City. Discover 

unique paintings, photography, jewelry, glass, 

ceramics and more at prices for every budget. 

• Friday, Aug. 26, 5–8:30 p.m., with Springsteen 

tribute band The Rising 

• Friday, Sept. 23, 5–8:30 p.m., with salsa band 

Mazacote 

• Saturday, Sept. 24, 12–8 p.m. with the Redwood 

City Salsa Festival 

Artists: There are still spaces available. Go to 

www.redwoodcityevents.com to download an 

application now! 


Insurance Tips: Top Reasons to Carry Collision Insurance on Your Vehicle 

By Hector Flamenco, Special to The Spectrum 

Collision insurance is an important form of auto insurance coverage 

that provides a payout when the policyholder’s vehicle is damaged in an 

accident. Despite the fact that this essential form of car insurance coverage 

offers valuable protection that can save a driver thousands of dollars, many 

policyholders opt out of carrying collision insurance. 

One of the most important reasons to carry collision insurance is that it 

may be required, especially if a vehicle is being purchased through a bank 

loan. Banks require collision insurance because it protects their interests; 

they’re lien holders, so they need a way to ensure that if a driver’s car is 

totaled in an accident, the bank or credit union will still receive the required 

funds to pay off the loan. Collision insurance is required by every bank and 

credit union that offers auto loans, along with comprehensive insurance 

coverage equal to the value of a vehicle. Keeping collision insurance as part 

of auto insurance coverage ensures that a driver is keeping up with the terms 

of his or her loan agreement, and if a driver doesn’t provide regular proof of 

this coverage, the bank has the option to buy the coverage for the driver. This 

is usually far more expensive for a driver, as banks don’t look for the best 

rates when buying insurance to fulfill the terms of a loan agreement. 

Some drivers don’t purchase collision insurance because they drive 

infrequently and, as such, they assume that the possibility of a claim is fairly 

low. However, most accidents occur within three miles of a driver’s home, 

and regardless of the value of a vehicle, collision coverage can save a driver a 

tremendous amount of money. A totaled car can stop a driver from getting to 

work and earning; a single accident can prevent drivers from making enough 

money to get by, leading to a host of financial issues. Liability coverage 

isn’t enough. Drivers also sometimes confuse collision coverage with 

comprehensive coverage, so they buy only one or the other. Comprehensive 

coverage is a separate form of coverage that provides payout when a car is 

damaged by something like a falling tree limb or a theft attempt. It’s not the 

same as collision insurance, and both forms of coverage are necessary to 

keep a vehicle fully protected. 

The cost of collision coverage can be high for some drivers, especially 

drivers who have made a claim on their auto insurance coverage or drivers 

in high-risk groups. Nevertheless, drivers should look into ways to make this 

coverage affordable. By checking prices from a few insurance providers and 

getting discounts, any driver can afford this essential coverage. 

Editor’s note: This article is for general information only and is not a professional 

consultation. Always seek specific information from a licensed insurance professional. Hector 

Flamenco is an agent with State Farm Insurance. Visit his website at www.flamencoinsurance.com. 

Enter 

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Senior Activities 

The following activities are open to the public during 

the month of August at the Veterans Memorial Senior 

Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City. 

Friday Movies for Everyone 

Every Friday, 1:15 p.m. (unless otherwise announced) 

Come to the Veterans Memorial Senior Center in August for a free feature 

movie in our state-of-the-art movie theater! 

Friday, Aug. 5: “The Lincoln Lawyer” 

Friday, Aug. 12: “No Strings Attached” 

Friday, Aug. 19: “The Conspirator” 

Friday, Aug. 26: “Kung Fu Panda” 

SamTrans Mobility Program 

Tuesday, Aug. 16 

Join the Mobility Ambassadors for a trip to the San Francisco Airport on a 

public SamTrans bus. While at the airport, you will visit the International 

Terminal, the Airport Museum and the new American Airlines Terminal 2. 

Call Donna at 650-369-6650 for information and to sign up. Space is limited. 

AARP 746’s Luau Luncheon 

Wednesday, Aug. 17 

Wear your muumuu or a wild Hawaiian shirt and join the fun. We have 

a great meal and entertainment planned. You may even go home with a 

pineapple. Call 650-780-7259 for reservations. 

Computer Classes for PC Users 

We have a selection of computer classes beginning in September. Please 

call 650-780-7274 or go online at www.redwoodcity.org/parks/adults50/ 

computers. Sorry, not for Apple or Mac users. 

Adaptive PE Classes 

Weekly: Mondays through Fridays 

A fitness program for you! Our program is designed for individuals at all 

levels of ability, including those with limitations and disabilities. The longterm 

goal is to increase the level of function and wellness of all participants. 

Come join a great group of people in a great program. Call 650-368-7732 or 

visit www.adaptivepevmsc.org for more information. 

Save the Date! 

Our Annual Italian Dinner 

Friday, Oct. 7 

This terrific dinner is being held to benefit important programs here at the 

Veterans Memorial Senior Center. Watch this space next month for more 

information about the night! 

To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, call 650-780-7270. 

Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department provides 

recreational facilities and activities for all ages and interests, and supplies 

building and custodial services for city buildings. Redwood City Parks also 

operates the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and the Fair Oaks Community 

Center, providing social, educational and cultural activities, as well as information, 

referral and counseling services to persons living in Redwood City and neighboring 

communities. Redwood City Parks is more than you think! Its website is 

located at www.redwoodcity.org/parks. 


News Briefs 

Kennedy Boys Admit to Sex Attack 

Three middle school boys admitted to sex-related crimes related to a March 

attack on two 12-year-old girls during a school field trip to a Redwood City 

park. 

Two boys, 13 and 14 years old, admitted to lewd and lascivious conduct, 

which could mean up to eight years in a state juvenile detention facility, said 

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. A 12-year-old boy admitted to sexual 

battery, which could mean one year in custody. Two other boys were involved 

in the incident. All of the boys will be in court again Friday, Aug. 5. 

Names of the boys were not released because they are minors. 

Four remain in custody while one, one of the three who entered a plea, is 

under house arrest. 

School district officials said the alleged attack occurred March 4 when 20 

Kennedy Middle School students went to the park, chaperoned by a teacher 

and an aide. The girls didn’t share details of the assault until June while 

talking to a school counselor. 

The Redwood City School District is conducting an internal investigation 

of the incident and the safety procedures in place. 

Attempted Burglar Hit With Bear Spray 

A residential burglar hiding in a master bedroom closet of a home on the 

3500 block of Bay Road in unincorporated Redwood City fled the scene after 

the resident hit him with bear spray, according to police. 

The resident found the man hiding and sprayed him. The man then dove 

out the window, climbed over the backyard fence and hid. Sheriff deputies 

arrested the man, identified as Edgar Aguiniga, 30, of East Palo Alto, 

according to police. 

Suspected Burglar Arrested 

A Redwood City man was arrested for stealing from lockers at the Pacific 

Athletic Club in Redwood Shores, according to police. 

Redwood City police detectives arrested Jared Beltramo, 39, for burglary, 

grand theft and possession of stolen property. A search warrant was served at 

his residence on the 600 block of Arlington Road, and stolen property from the 

club, along with a residential burglary, was discovered, according to police. 

Two Reported With Gun on Sequoia Campus 

Redwood City police are on the lookout for two boys, approximately 15 to 16 

years old, who were reportedly spotted on the Sequoia High School campus 

with a firearm. 

A resident reported seeing two white juveniles walking onto the campus 

and seeing one pull a firearm out of his backpack and show it to the other 

one. The resident also saw the boy take the magazine out of the gun and put it 

back, according to police. 

The resident followed the two to Broadway and Clinton Street while calling 

police. The two could not be located, according to police. 

Teen Gets Nine Years for Stabbing 

A teen who prosecutors say was urged by two older gang members to stab a 

man near the Redwood City train station to “earn his dots” was sentenced to 

nine years prison for attempted murder. 

Vladmir Ernesto Santos, 17, also admitted six special allegations, including 

the use of a knife and committing the crime for the benefit of a street gang. 

He was immediately sentenced with credit for 1,012 days earned while in 

custody without bail. 

He will begin his term at the California Youth Authority and transfer to 

prison after turning 18, said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. 

At the time of the Feb. 9, 2009, attack, Santos was 14 years old, which gave 

him the dubious distinction of being the second-youngest person ever charged 

with a violent crime as an adult in San Mateo County. 

According to prosecutors, Santos met up with Norteños Edgar Palomares 

and Victor Joseph Sanchez near the downtown movie theater in Redwood 

City and was told he could earn his dots — gang tattoos — by attacking a 

rival Sureño. The trio spotted the 19-year-old victim walking alone near 

Winslow and Hamilton streets at approximately 10:17 p.m. and whistled a call 

specific to the Norteño gang. When the man, who isn’t a gang member, didn’t 

respond, the three attacked. The older teens, 18 and 19, respectively, kicked 

and beat the victim while Santos stabbed him several times with a knife in the 

torso, pelvic area and across his face and hands. The man’s lung collapsed. 

Two witnesses called Redwood City police, who captured the three 

suspects. After the victim, who was laying on a gurney with an oxygen mask, 

identified Sanchez, he tried to kick the wounded man and yelled at him not to 

speak with police, according to prosecutors. 

In July 2010, both Palomares and Sanchez accepted negotiated plea deals 

for felony assault with a deadly weapon. Palomares also admitted acting to 

benefit a street gang and committing a serious felony. He received four years. 

Sanchez also pleaded no contest to making threats against a witness and was 

sentenced to seven years in prison. 

Santos has been in custody without bail. 

Transient Accused of Raping 19-Year-Old Pleads Not Guilty 

The transient accused of beating and sodomizing a 19-year-old acquaintance 

inside a van parked near the Redwood City library pleaded not guilty to 

sexual assault charges that could send him to prison for life. 

Corey Lee Bell, 32, returns to court Aug. 17 for a preliminary hearing 

on the charges of sodomy causing great bodily injury, assault by force and 

making criminal threats. 

Bell, who is deemed a habitual sex offender under the law, faces life 

imprisonment if convicted because of the state’s one-strike sentencing rule. 

Prosecutors say the teen joined Bell to drink in his van May 10 but was 

attacked by the defendant and another man. 

Bell and the other man, who remains unidentified, allegedly held the teen 

down and sodomized him until he passed out. The teen said when he awoke 

Bell was the only man with him and the other suspect remains at large. 

Hospital staff reported the alleged assault days later after Bell sought medical care. 

Bell’s previous convictions, all in 1993 in Santa Clara County, include 

forced penetration with a foreign object, forced oral copulation with a minor 

under 14, lewd and lascivious act with a child under 14 and forcible sodomy 

with a child under 14. He was last released from prison in 2008, according to 

the Megan’s Law database. 

He remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail and a no-bail parole hold. 

Man Robs 76 Station at Gunpoint 

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who robbed a 

Redwood City gas station. 

The man entered the 76 gas station at 1603 Broadway, Redwood City police 

Sgt. Kevin Dolezal said. He brandished a silver handgun and demanded that 

the attendant hand over money from the cash register, he said. 

The attendant gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash, and the robber 

ran away and got into a small green car, Dolezal said. 

Police described the suspect as a Hispanic man in his early 20s who is 

about 5 feet 3 inches tall. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked 

to call the Redwood City Police Department at 650-780-7100. 

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WWW.RWCTHEATRE.ORG 

TICKETS•TICKETS•TICKETS

Auto Care: 

Redwood General Tire – 1630 Broadway – 

Following the principles of good customer service 

and quality products at fair prices, Alpio Barbara 

and the crew at Redwood General Tire keep 

satisfying customers year after year. Whether 

you are looking for a new set of tires or need 

repair work on your vehicle, this Redwood City 

institution has been providing quality vehicle 

services since 1957. 

Eating and Catering: 

Canyon Inn – 587 Canyon Road – Tim Harrison 

and the staff at Canyon Inn serve everything from 

their famous hamburgers to pizzas, all kinds of 

sandwiches and pastas, and South-of-the-Border 

specialties while various sports play on the big, 

flat-screen TVs. Don’t forget to reserve their 

closed patio for your next party — it has heaters, 

fans and a big-screen TV (no extra charges). Why 

cook when you don’t have to? They do catering 

too for all occasions! 

D. Tequila Lounge and Restaurant – 851 Main 

St. – “We went there and it was fabulous! We were 

impressed by their food menu, and the burger I 

had was tasty. They have 21 big-screen TVs for 

watching your favorite sports team, having a 

drink with friends or dancing the night away.” 

Little India – 917 Main St. – “There are good 

restaurants. There are bad restaurants. There 

are OK restaurants. Then there are those places, 

the magic ones. You come back again and again 

because the food doesn’t just taste good and 

satisfy hunger, but helps heal the heart and soul.” 

Senior citizens receive $1 off and children under 

12 dine at half price. www.littleindiacuisine.com. 

The Sandwich Spot – 2420 Broadway – With 

a motto promising to change your life “one 

sandwich at a time” and a menu and atmosphere 

that has already made it a popular spot in 

downtown Redwood City, the Sandwich Spot will 

have you wondering where this place has been all 

your life, and whether or not you can get some of 

their signature Bomb Sauce to go. 

Financial Institutions: 

San Mateo Credit Union – Three Redwood City 

locations – As a member-driven organization, 

SMCU does everything possible to ensure that 

all of your financial priorities are anticipated and 

fulfilled. Offerings include free auto-shopping 

assistance, members-only car sales, low-rate 

home loans and lines of credit. Call 650-363-1725 

or 888-363-1725, or visit a branch to learn the 

advantages of membership banking. 

Home Improvements: 

Lewis Carpet Cleaners – 1-800-23-LEWIS – 

Founded in 1985, Lewis Carpet Cleaners has 

grown from one small, portable machine to a 

company of six employees and five working vans. 

The Lewis family works and lives in Redwood 

City and is committed to our community. Ask 

about their Spectrum special: Get 100 square 

feet of carpet cleaned for absolutely nothing. 

Call today! Get your home ready for entertaining 

during the year. 

Legal Services: 

Hannig Law Firm – 2991 El Camino Real – 

Hannig Law Firm LLP provides transactional 

and litigation expertise in a variety of areas. The 

professionals at HLF are committed to knowing 

and meeting their clients’ needs through longterm 

relationships and value-added services, 

and to supporting and participating in the 

communities where they live and work. 

Real Estate: 

Michelle Glaubert at Coldwell Banker 

– 650-722-1193 – Michelle has been a fulltime, 

top-producing real estate agent since 

1978. With a proven track record, she has 


helped buyers achieve their dreams of home 

ownership and sellers make successful moves 

to their next properties. The majority of her 

business is garnered through referrals from 

her many satisfied clients. Living in Emerald 

Hills, she knows the area well and is involved 

in the community. Count on Michelle’s years 

of experience to guide you through your next 

real estate transaction. Visit her online at www. 

glaubert.com. 

John Nelson at Coldwell Banker – 650-566-5315 

– John has been a resident of Redwood City for 

21 years and has been a real estate agent for 18 

years. He is known for doing his clients’ legwork, 

keeping them up to date with new listings and 

conditions as they impact the market. He will 

make the process as pleasurable and stress-free an 

experience for you as he can. Let John guide you 

through the complexities of buying or selling your 

home, eliminating hassles and stress. Visit him 

online at www.johnnelsonhomes.com. 

Specialty Businesses: 

Davies Appliance – 1580 El Camino Real – 

“Davies helped me with my appliance purchases 

and they know what they are doing. All they 

carry is appliances; you don’t have to worry about 

anything else. Leave it to them to assist you with 

your kitchen remodel and you will be very happy. 

I recommend Davies to anyone who is interested 

in great pricing and even better service. The focus 

is appliances and service.” 

Every Woman Health Club – 611 Jefferson Ave. 

– A women-only, body-positive fitness center 

in downtown Redwood City. Services include 

classes, weight and cardio equipment, personal 

training, therapeutic massage and skin care. 

Flexible pricing, with several options available 

for members and nonmembers. Visit www. 

everywomanhealthclub.com or call 650-364-9194 

to get started. 

Hector Flamenco Insurance (State Farm) – 

956 Main St. – Hector has been in the insurance 

business and with State Farm for 20 years. He 

specializes in auto and business insurance. A local 

resident, he also provides servicio en español! 

Visit his website at www.flamencoinsurance.com. 

Saf Keep Storage – 2480 Middlefield Road – The 

friendly and reliable team at Saf Keep is ready 

to assist you with a variety of storage products 

and services to suit all your storage needs. Visit 

their website at www.safkeepstorage.com to see 

exactly what products and services are available. 

Compare them to other facilities and you’ll see 

why their service makes the difference. 

Schoenstein Physical Therapy – 363A Main 

St., 650-599-9482 – The clinical approach of 

this independent, community-based physical 

therapy practice focuses on thorough physical 

therapy assessment, specific treatment strategies 

and patient education. Individualized treatment 

programs are designed to help meet patient 

goals of restoring function, returning to sport or 

occupation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

St. Regal Jewelers – 850 Main St. – “This is a 

great jeweler! Phil, the owner, is amazing. He 

crafted a ring on time and on budget. He has an 

incredible eye for detail. I can’t say enough. I 

would never go anywhere else.” Whether you are 

looking for men’s or women’s quality jewelry, 

shopping local does not get better than this. 

Woodside Terrace – 485 Woodside Road, 650- 

366-3900 – Woodside Terrace understands that 

in choosing a senior living community, residents 

are looking for much more than a comfortable 

living environment to call home. Brookdale 

Living’s Redwood City community delivers 

inspired independent living with the promise of 

exceptional experiences every day. As residents’ 

needs change, they are provided with a variety 

of ancillary services and a personalized assisted 

living environment that encourages them to 

continue to live as they please. 


Getting Patriotic in Redwood City 

Children pointed as patriotically 

dressed people danced, sang, 

waved and celebrated during the 

74th annual Independence Day 

parade in Redwood City. 

Nearly 200 groups followed fire trucks from 

around the state through the streets of downtown 

Redwood City. Onlookers came just as festively 

dressed as the performers, donning red, white and 

blue clothing and waving flags. 

Firefighters were center stage during the annual 

parade as this year’s theme was “Redwood City 

Fire Department: 150 Years of Service.” This 

year’s parade started with a variety of vintage 

fire trucks, dating back to the 1930s, representing 

departments from San Mateo County and beyond. 

Although there was a delay after the trucks 

before much of the rest of the parade started, 

people in the audience kept busy. 

Eight-year-old Annie Stephens from Redwood 

City got to the parade an hour early to set up her 

lemonade stand. For 50 cents, those watching the 

parade could indulge in a glass of her homemade 

lemonade. It’s the third year that Stephens has set 

up her stand. She sold out last year. 

Stephens kept the business a family affair with 

her parents, Maureen Kelly and Jack Stephens, as 

her employees. 

Many politicians were in Redwood City for the 

annual celebration of America. 

Vinnie Vierra and 4-year-old Chase Affrunti 

drove an exact replica of the Ford Thunderbird 

carrying Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira just behind 

them during the annual Fourth of July parade. 

As the parade continued, children became 

commentators. 

“Look, it’s a decorated car. Look, it’s a clown. 

Look, it’s a fire truck,” a little girl said to anyone 

who would listen. 

Those in the parade were jovial, especially the 

Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band. 

The eclectic group of individuals donned red, 

white and blue in unique combinations. 

Music was a big part of the event, with jams 

being pumped out of float speakers and played 

by the bands, like the one from the University of 

California at Davis, who informally wore T-shirts 

and funny hats. 

And, luckily for 7-year-old Maia Poltizer, there 

were lots of people moving. Dancers in the parade 

are Poltizer’s favorite part. 

There were square dancers, ladies twirling 

batons and little girls from San Mateo Gymnastics 

doing flips throughout the Redwood City streets. 

The event truly was a community gathering as 

Little League teams, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts 

and even the Shriners participated. 

Editor’s note: This article, written by Heather Murtagh, 

appeared first in the Daily Journal newspaper. 

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A Minute With: David Kassouf 

David Kassouf was born in the city of Zahle, Lebanon. He attended college in Ukraine, 

studying computer engineering. He has a master’s degree in computer engineering. 

After moving to the United States on April 4, 2001, David worked for a family 

business, managing a paint and body shop. All the while, he learned English 

through Cambridge University courses. He then worked at various jobs in the 

Los Angeles area. 

David moved to Redwood City in January 2008 and lives in the Farm Hill neighborhood. 

On May 2, David opened the new eatery the Sandwich Spot, on Broadway 

downtown. It is his first business venture. 

He is a member of both the Downtown Business Group and the Chamber of 

Commerce. 

David’s hobbies include skiing, camping and basketball. He is also an avid cook. 

Why Redwood City? 

Reminds me of home. A very small city within a 

large city. 

I love it! It is my hometown now. 

The future for downtown is? 

Amazing. 

If you were stuck on a desert island, which one 

book, movie or person would you want to take along? 

My mom. 

What talent would you most like to have? 

Being patient. 

Something few know about you? 

I lived in a seminary in Lebanon. 

What phrase do you most overuse? 

Thank you. 

What is your favorite book? 

Any book on cars. 

Favorite movie? 

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” 

What is your motto? 

I will survive. 

Anyone you got on your mind? 

Family. 

Memorable moment? 

First landed in the United States. It was a dream 

come true. 

You still can’t believe? 

That I have my own business. God bless America! 

What is a dream you have or something you’d 

like to accomplish in your life? 

To open more Sandwich Spots. 

When you die, you want to come back as? 

As myself — and relive my childhood. 

What would life be like if you had wings? 

Disaster. 



Alpio Barbara and 

the team at 

Redwood General 

Tire are involved 

in our community 

and urge all to be.

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