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February 2005 • 1
2 • February 2005
<strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
February 2005<br />
Vol. 1, No. 6<br />
Steve Penna, Publisher<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong>Penna@yahoo.com<br />
John Baker, Graphic Arts/Editor<br />
redwoodcitynews@rcn.com<br />
Nino Marchetti, Michael Fabel and Valerie Harris<br />
Contributing Writers<br />
spectrumtext@yahoo.com<br />
Nick Mukhar, Student Writer<br />
spectrumtext@yahoo.com<br />
Judy Buchan, Contributing Writer/Editor<br />
redexcom@earthlink.net<br />
DJ Design, Adevertising/Cover Graphic Art<br />
James R. Kaspar, Special assignment photography<br />
Damaris Divito, Stylist/Special Assignment Assistant<br />
Table of Contents<br />
Inside <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> ........................................................... Page 3<br />
Hughes’ <strong>Redwood</strong> City spy project ....................................... Page 5<br />
Opinion: Courthouse demolition, legal marraige .................... Page 8<br />
“As I was Saying” by Steve Penna .......................................... Page 9<br />
School Parcel Tax .............................................................. Page 10<br />
Cover Story: “Big Murph,” an RC rapper ............................ Page 14<br />
Youth Sports: Woodside’s winter season .............................. Page 16<br />
Business Spotlight: First National Bank ............................... Page 22<br />
Cultural Events .................................................................. Page 23<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>, PO Box 862, <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94064. Advertising/<br />
Subscription telephone: (650) 368-2434. E-mail: spectrumtext<br />
@yahoo.com.<br />
Published the third week of each month. Periodical rates paid at <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City, California. Subscription rate: $30 per year, $24 for seniors.<br />
Not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.<br />
Welcome to the <strong>Spectrum</strong>!<br />
It seems like we just started but this is <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> magazine’s sixth<br />
edition.<br />
In this edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>, you will learn — among other things —<br />
about a unique youth in our community: Bennett Roth-Newell, or as he will<br />
be known one day, “Big Murph.” We will show you the connection between<br />
this year’s Academy Awards and <strong>Redwood</strong> City and pay tribute to a fine community<br />
member who passed away recently.<br />
Also, we have a business profile we know you will enjoy reading about.<br />
Remember the days of drive-thru banking? Well, it still exists here.<br />
In Steve Penna’s column, “As I was Saying ... ,” he will present the facts<br />
about a very disturbing case involving a former <strong>Redwood</strong> City teacher and<br />
her student. We will also explore the upcoming <strong>Redwood</strong> City Elementary<br />
School District parcel tax.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> staff encourages our readers to do business with our valuable<br />
advertisers. We believe that <strong>Redwood</strong> City residents should shop within<br />
our city to not only support those businesses providing quality services but<br />
to keep our sales tax base solid in these budget challenging times. Please support<br />
community news by subscribing to our publication by completing the<br />
form below.<br />
<strong>The</strong> staff and contributors at <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> look forward to providing<br />
community news for years to come and always welcome your input with story<br />
suggestions, letters to the editor, and comments.<br />
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February 2005 • 3
INSIDE<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
This month <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> is excited to introduce you to one of the<br />
many youths in our community that are doing magical things.<br />
Bennett Roth-Newell is an obviously talented young man, but what<br />
we think you will enjoy most about him is his drive and determination to<br />
do good, not only for himself but his community.<br />
<strong>The</strong> photo shoot took place at the Fox <strong>The</strong>ater on Thursday, Feb. 10. When<br />
making arrangements, <strong>Spectrum</strong> publisher Steve Penna called Roth-Newell and asked<br />
him to meet around 3 p.m., but was informed that he did not drive so arrangements<br />
were made to pick him up at Woodside High School.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>’s special assignment photographer James R. Kaspar arrived after<br />
Penna and Roth-Newell and just before <strong>Spectrum</strong> stylist Damaris Divito. <strong>The</strong>y were<br />
met by Fox owner John Anagnostou and entered the theater and the fun began.<br />
<strong>The</strong> architectural beauty of the Fox was something all wanted to capture while<br />
highlighting our cover subject and the lighting was just perfect to achieve it.<br />
After about an hour, the shoot was moved to the railroad tracks in back of Sequoia<br />
Station where some eye-catching photos were taken with the theme “On the right<br />
track.” Little did we know, it is illegal to be on the tracks for any reason let alone a photo<br />
shoot. So we were asked by police officers to discontinue and remove ourselves and<br />
were then given citations for not knowing the law.<br />
It seems they have a zero tolerance for such behavior even if it is done with innocence.<br />
But nonetheless, we got some great shots to share with you and can inform you of<br />
this law since most do not know.<br />
We applaud Roth-Newell and his drive to achieve all that he knows he is capable<br />
of and then some. Like many of the youth in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City community, we should<br />
be proud to call Bennett one of our own. He is articulate, soft spoken but powerful,<br />
dedicated, talented and most of all modest. So <strong>Redwood</strong> City, stand up and give a big<br />
clap for Bennett Roth-Newell and do it now before you have to start paying to do so!<br />
Inside the <strong>Spectrum</strong>: Our cover photo shoot<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> photographer James Kaspar and cover subject Bennett Roth-Newell soon before<br />
being notified that it’s illegal to stand on the CalTrain tracks. Photo by Steve Penna.<br />
4 • February 2005
‘Aviator’ was secret<br />
‘navigator’ of RCbased<br />
spy project<br />
Howard Hughes’ effort to recover sunken<br />
Soviet nuclear submarine began at local port<br />
As Hollywood braces for one of the tightest Oscar races in<br />
years, the emerging leader, with 11 Academy Award nominations,<br />
including Best Picture, is <strong>The</strong> Aviator, a film about<br />
the life of billionaire Howard Hughes.<br />
But, did you know there is a direct tie between Howard Hughes and<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City?<br />
Born Howard Robard Hughes, Jr., in Houston, Texas, on Christmas<br />
Eve, 1905, to Howard and Allene Gano Hughes, young Hughes was heir to<br />
the Hughes Tool Company’s fortune. Hughes, Sr. amassed a fortune on a<br />
drill bit patent that revolutionized the oil drilling industry. Hughes, Sr. died<br />
in 1924, and after legal family wrangling, a Houston judge awarded Hughes,<br />
Jr. full adulthood, allowing the young Hughes to take over the reins of his father’s company<br />
in December of that year.<br />
Howard Hughes’ paternal uncle, Rupert<br />
Hughes, assisted Hughes, Jr. in the daily operations<br />
of that company. Within two years, and notwithstanding<br />
numerous family quarrels, young Hughes bought<br />
out his family and ran the company on his own, accomplishing<br />
all this at the age of 21.<br />
Over the years, Howard Hughes expanded his<br />
holdings. In the<br />
Howard Hughes<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
1930’s, Hughes ventured<br />
into the film industry.<br />
During the production of Hells Angels, a story<br />
about World War I aviators, Hughes fell in love with<br />
flying, and earned his pilot’s license.<br />
That foray into aviation proved to be pivotal.<br />
In two years, Hughes would form the Hughes Aircraft<br />
Division of Hughes Tool Company. With World War II looming, Hughes and his<br />
company were commissioned to develop military aircraft. It was then that Hughes developed<br />
secret bonds with the precursor of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Presidency<br />
and organized crime.<br />
In the late 1950s the bond between Hughes, the CIA, and Richard Nixon were so<br />
deep that Hughes’ chief of staff, Robert Maheu, was tasked with the plot to assassinate<br />
Cuba’s dictator, Fidel Castro. Maheu operated with the assistance of mobster heads<br />
John Roselli, San Giancana, and Santos Trafficante. Though the plot failed, Hughes’<br />
link with the CIA deepened. Hughes was even given the covert CIA moniker “Stockholder.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hughes Tool Company proved to be a perfect cover for the CIA’s covert<br />
operations. Hughes relished the thrill of dabbling in spy games, and, in turn, Hughes’<br />
corporate finances were hidden from public scrutiny.<br />
On April 11, 1968, a Russian Golf II class submarine sank 600 miles off the coast<br />
of Hawaii. <strong>The</strong> Russians spent weeks conducting a futile search of the Pacific, but the U.<br />
S. Navy, using an underwater sound detection network, knew exactly where the wreckage<br />
was located. <strong>The</strong> CIA wanted to seize the sunken submarine, along with its 3 SS-N-<br />
5 nuclear missiles, codebooks, crypto-gear, and radar and sonar technology. Hughes’<br />
Summa Corporation agreed to fund the entire project.<br />
Dubbed Project Jennifer by the CIA in the early 1970s, an exploratory ship, the<br />
Glomar Explorer, was built. <strong>The</strong> ship was touted as an underwater mining vessel launched<br />
<strong>The</strong> Glomar Explorer. Photo courtesy of www.the-kgb.com.<br />
FEATURE<br />
to retrieve potato-sized globules of manganese oxide mixed with other raw metals residing<br />
on the ocean floor at depths of 17,000 ft. <strong>The</strong> Glomar Explorer was designed with<br />
powerful hoisting capabilities, and an immense internal “moon pool” hangar which provided<br />
open ocean access. Simultaneously, a fully-submersible Hughes Mining Barge (or,<br />
HMB-1) was built to house a massive prehensile claw, and to house the salvaged submarine.<br />
<strong>The</strong> HMB-1 was docked in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, where the claw was built.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Glomar Explorer and HMB-1 with its claw, set sail on June 20, 1974. <strong>The</strong><br />
expedition arrived at the recovery site on July 4, 1974, and began its submarine recovery<br />
operation. About a month into the expedition, the crew had attached the claw to the<br />
3000-ton sunken submarine. <strong>The</strong> wreckage<br />
was slowly hoisted from a depth of<br />
almost 3 miles. <strong>The</strong> entire operation was<br />
proceeding successfully when suddenly part of the claw broke, causing the fragile wreckage<br />
to disintegrate.<br />
Although exact details of the salvaged items are still classified, officials reported<br />
that 38 feet of the bow was recovered, housing the bodies of 8 Russian sailors, two nucleararmed<br />
torpedoes, and some crypto-gear. <strong>The</strong> Russian sailors were buried at sea.<br />
Continued on Page 10<br />
By Valerie Harris, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Hughes Mining Barge 1 docked at the Lockheed facility at the port of <strong>Redwood</strong> City in the<br />
1980s. <strong>The</strong> Lockheed facility was situated on what is now the Pacific Shores office development.<br />
February 2005 • 5
NEWS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
A minute with ... Alicia Aguirre<br />
Alicia Aguirre was appointed to the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Council on Monday, Jan. 24, to fill newly<br />
elected Assemblyman Ira Ruskin’s seat. She then resigned her seat on the <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
Elementary School Board.<br />
California’s Latina community college presidents,<br />
chancellors, and educators will meet at Cañada College<br />
March 11-12 for the annual Latina Leadership Network of<br />
the California Community Colleges Conference.<br />
<strong>The</strong> conference is titled “Latinas: Our Stories, Our<br />
Struggles, Our Successes.” It will be held in the college’s<br />
Main <strong>The</strong>ater, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., <strong>Redwood</strong> City, and<br />
feature workshops on career management skills, technology<br />
in education, leadership development, Latino/Latina culture,<br />
and health and wellness.<br />
But, more importantly, it will offer Latinas involved<br />
in community college education a chance to network. It is<br />
expected to draw approximately 400 Latina educators.<br />
This year’s conference will be attended by all of<br />
California’s Latina community college presidents and chancellors.<br />
It will be the first such gathering.<br />
“California has the largest number of Latina community<br />
college presidents and chancellors in the country. This<br />
is an amazing group of women,” said Rosa Perez, president<br />
of Cañada College.<br />
Perez was named vice president of City College of<br />
San Francisco in 1981, becoming the first Latina community<br />
college VP in California. Perez has been president of<br />
Cañada College since 1999. “This group has had a profound<br />
effect on community college education in California<br />
but also represents a growing influence of Latina leaders at<br />
6 • February 2005<br />
How does it feel to be on the Council? Great!<br />
How does it feel to not be on the School Board? Awful!<br />
When you were appointed someone, a male in the audience, yelled “Yay!” Who was<br />
that? I have no idea.<br />
Where do you work? Cañada College but on special assignment with the Sequoia<br />
Union High School District.<br />
What do you do? Oversee reading and English learners programs.<br />
Who are your role models in life? My Mom, Mother <strong>The</strong>resa and Princess Diana.<br />
In Politics? Anna Eshoo<br />
Favorite music? Oldies<br />
Favorite Television show? CNN News<br />
Favorite Food? Mexican<br />
Are you excited about the new downtown cinema project?<br />
I am! It’s going to be really great for <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Live <strong>The</strong>ater or Cinema? Live theater.<br />
If I had to do it over again I would have? Started in politics earlier.<br />
If I could I would? Sleep more,<br />
Cañada hosts conference about Latina college officials<br />
a national level,” Perez said.<br />
Lydia Ledesma-Reese, president of Oxnard College,<br />
said the most important contribution made by early Latina<br />
administrators is opening the door for others.<br />
“We are usually the ‘first’ Latina to hold the position,”<br />
Ledesma-Reese said. “We are usually the first to have the<br />
authority in the position to really make a difference in<br />
student’s lives. Latina presidents serve as role models for<br />
students of all color and gender.”<br />
Perez said the changing face of California’s community<br />
college students has arrived at Cañada College where<br />
70 percent of the students are women and 43 percent are<br />
Hispanic. Perez said most are low-income, first-generation<br />
college students. <strong>The</strong> college is a federally-designated Hispanic<br />
Serving Institution.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>se are not traditional college students that can<br />
be served by traditional programs,” she said. “As college<br />
administrators we know their needs because they were the<br />
same needs we had when we were students.”<br />
Perez is organizing a private dinner March 10 for<br />
California’s Latina community college presidents and chancellors.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y will also participate in a panel session during<br />
the afternoon of March 11 in the Main <strong>The</strong>ater.<br />
More information on the conference is available at<br />
the Latina Leadership Network Website, http://www.latinaleadership-network.org/<br />
.<br />
I want to live to be? Wiser, more understanding and giving.<br />
Cañada College President Rosa Perez
<strong>Redwood</strong> City news briefs<br />
RCPD seeks suspects in jogger assault<br />
Police are searching for three men suspected of kidnapping and sexually assaulting<br />
a female jogger at gunpoint in <strong>Redwood</strong> City on Feb. 10.<br />
About 11:15 a.m. Thursday, the 23-year-old woman was jogging in the area of<br />
Massachusetts Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas when two men forced her into a white,<br />
full-sized cargo van driven by a third man, police said. <strong>The</strong> woman was sexually assaulted<br />
inside the van and released about one hour later in the same neighborhood,<br />
according to police.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two men who forced the alleged victim into the van are described as Hispanic<br />
men in their mid-20s. One is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 140<br />
pounds. <strong>The</strong> suspect with the handgun is said to be approximately 6 feet tall with a thin<br />
build. <strong>The</strong> driver of the vehicle is described as Hispanic, in his mid-20s.<br />
Anyone who recently witnessed suspicious individuals or activity in the neighborhood<br />
is asked to call Detective Eric Acha at (650) 780-7100.<br />
Fire causes $70K in damage, no injuries<br />
A two-alarm fire in <strong>Redwood</strong> City caused about $70,000 in damage on Jan. 30,<br />
but the blaze did not cause any injuries, according to <strong>Redwood</strong> City Battalion Chief<br />
Steve Krause.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fire at 28 Finger Ave. may have started in a tree or shed around 2:35 p.m.<br />
and then spread to the roof of the main house on the property, according to Krause. It<br />
came under control around 3:15 p.m., and caused about $55,000 in damage to the<br />
property and $15,000 in damage to the contents of the home, Krause said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> house is vacant, and only one person lives on the property in a cottage behind<br />
the house, Krause said.<br />
Applicants sought for Citizens’ Academy<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City is now accepting applications for the spring 2005 session of Partnership<br />
Academy for Community Teamwork (PACT), a nine-week citizens’ academy<br />
to begin in April.<br />
<strong>The</strong> academy will offer citizens a hands-on overview of <strong>Redwood</strong> City management<br />
and governance. <strong>The</strong> goal of PACT is to involve and engage residents in learning<br />
about city government and to improve communication between city government and<br />
those who live or work in <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Sessions include information about the City Council, the Fire Department, library<br />
and other departments. Participants will learn how decisions are made, how city<br />
funds are allocated and how city departments work with each other. Participants will<br />
also have an opportunity to speak with City Council members about issues, projects,<br />
politics and plans for the city.<br />
PACT meets each Thursday evening between April 7 and June 2. Enrollment is<br />
limited to 40 people. High school students are encouraged to apply, with permission<br />
from a parent or guardian.<br />
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on March 11, and can be picked up at<br />
in the city manager’s office at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. Applications<br />
are also available online at http://www.redwoodcity.org. For more information<br />
call the city manager’s office at (650) 780-7300.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
NEWS<br />
Task force makes big <strong>Redwood</strong> City hashish bust<br />
A mysterious Fed Ex box left at an empty home last week in <strong>Redwood</strong> City contained<br />
13 pounds of hashish, the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force reported.<br />
Golan Yakobey, 36, of <strong>Redwood</strong> City, was arrested Tuesday at his residence in the<br />
700 block of Esther Lane. A mysterious package found to contain drugs on Monday was<br />
linked to him, Cmdr. Mark Wyss reported.<br />
San Mateo County Sheriff ’s Deputies received a report of a suspicious package at a<br />
residence on Don Court in unincorporated <strong>Redwood</strong> City on Monday, Wyss reported.<br />
<strong>The</strong> package was a large Fed Ex delivery box that had been left at a vacant house. A note on<br />
the door instructed the deliverer to leave the box outside, according to Wyss.<br />
While the deputies were investigating the box, a suspicious vehicle drove by the<br />
house, Wyss reported. When Deputies questioned the driver, identified as Yakobey, he<br />
claimed he was lost. Deputies obtained his identification and let him go.<br />
Sheriff ’s deputies took possession of the package as found property and opened it<br />
to discover a large suitcase, according to Wyss. Inside a false compartment in the suitcase,<br />
deputies found the 13 pounds of hashish with an estimated street value of $60,000 to<br />
$100,000.<br />
An investigation led back to the suspicious vehicle seen in the area, Wyss reported.<br />
<strong>The</strong> note left on the door of the Don Court residence had left a telephone number that<br />
matched that of the suspicious vehicle’s driver. Based on the information, a search warrant<br />
was issued for a residence in the 700 block of Esther Lane. When the Narcotics Task Force<br />
served the warrant on Tuesday at 5 a.m., they arrested Yakobey for attempting to escape. A<br />
search of his residence also turned up more hashish and $12,960.<br />
Yakobey was charged with possession of concentrated cannabis for sale, importation<br />
of concentrated cannabis, and maintaining a place for the sale of concentrated cannabis.<br />
<strong>The</strong> package originated out of Anjuna, India, according to Wyss, but the hashish<br />
was made in the Middle East. Details of the investigation have been forwarded to the FBI<br />
Joint Terrorism Task Force.<br />
— Bay City News<br />
Fire displaces more than 30 on Hampshire<br />
A two-alarm fire in <strong>Redwood</strong> City on Jan. 26 displaced about 32 people from<br />
their homes and caused about $20,000 in damage, authorities report. <strong>The</strong> residents<br />
live in five units of an apartment building at 629 Hampshire Ave. that were damaged by<br />
the 12:48 p.m. blaze, American Red Cross spokeswoman Sara O’Brien said.<br />
On arrival at the scene, firefighters found a single-car garage on fire, and saw<br />
flames lapping at an apartment directly above the burning garage. Fire personnel<br />
were able to control the blaze by 1:03 p.m., but not before the Pacific Gas & Electric<br />
Co. power line to the building was burned through, causing the live line to drop in front<br />
of the building. PG&E was called to de-energize the power line.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fire caused about $15,000 in damage to the structure of the building, and<br />
$5,000 in damage to the contents, according to the fire department. No injuries to residents<br />
or firefighters were reported.<br />
—Bay City News<br />
February 2005 • 7
OPINION<br />
Courthouse demo plans<br />
as slow as molasses<br />
Gather around, children, for another chapter in the story of <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City — a city more than100 years old ... but its exact age depends<br />
on just who gives the birthday party.<br />
Back in the last decade of the previous century, city fathers were deep in the throes<br />
of figuring out what to do about a downtown district that once was the center of community<br />
life but, with the advent of strip malls, had drifted into hard times.<br />
New sidewalks, a new parking garage, and a few “Climate Best” signs didn’t quite<br />
do the trick, so they hit on a pretty nifty idea: removing the concrete annex to the Old<br />
Courthouse built during the WPA heyday and restoring the entrance and plaza to the grandeur<br />
of the good old days.<br />
<strong>The</strong> County did its part by constructing a new office facility and moving all departments<br />
in the Old Courthouse to a new seismically safe home. <strong>The</strong> City did its part by<br />
encouraging the County History Museum to relocate in the Old Courthouse. A citizens<br />
committee came together to help raise money for restoration.<br />
Architects drew sketches, workshops were held, study sessions droned on, and the<br />
annex still sits there.<br />
According to recent reports, the latest adventure in trying to settle on a final design<br />
for the Courthouse and plaza found the City Council, Planning Commission, and Architectural<br />
Review Committee struggling over<br />
how much shading should be provided by<br />
planned adjacent pavilions, giving the ax to<br />
what was described as an “interactive” water fountain, learning to live with palm trees, and<br />
sending the designers back to the drawing board to spend another $15,000 or so to show,<br />
among other things, how the much needed centerpiece of downtown might look at night<br />
(all lit up, you know).<br />
In a month or so, yet another meeting will be held where these folks will see revised<br />
drawings and try to agree on how to get a project born in the 20th century completed<br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> Letters<br />
Send letters to: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>, PO Box 862, <strong>Redwood</strong> City, CA 94063<br />
or e-mail spectrumletters@yahoo.com<br />
Remove “marriage” from the law?<br />
Editor:<br />
As one who attended a Roman Catholic school K-8 in the 1940’s, I came to<br />
understand the Sacrament known as Matrimony. I understand today that those who<br />
receive that Sacrament enter into a contract known as “marriage.” I also understand<br />
that other “religious” denominations engage in the activity of performing marriages,<br />
some including same-sex unions.<br />
Those who would protect the “Sanctity of Marriage” should question how the<br />
term marriage was introduced into law in this country and demand its removal.<br />
In my opinion, removal of all references to marriage in the laws of the<br />
Government(s) of the United States, would resolve the current conflict regarding civil<br />
unions/marriage. Secular Humanists, whose religion can best be described as “stateist,”<br />
would then have no need to demand marital status for civil unions.<br />
8 • February 2005<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
John J. “Jack” Hickey<br />
Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> invites our readership to participate in community discussion by<br />
corresponding to your community by writing a Letter to the Editor.<br />
You can send letters by e-mail: spectrumletters@yahoo.com or by mail at: <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, P.O. Box 862, <strong>Redwood</strong> City, California, 94064.<br />
By W.M.B. Riggen, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> white Works Progress Administration annex to the downtown courthouse remains ...<br />
years after plans arose for its demolition and the resoration of the original plaza underneath.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Almanac File Photo.<br />
sometime in the 21st century.<br />
And the moral of this story? Legend has it that one the many famous characters of<br />
times past who graced <strong>Redwood</strong> City with<br />
their presence was Wyatt Earp; that’s right,<br />
of OK Corral fame.<br />
Wyatt, wherever you are, come back and light a fire under these “decisionmakers” ...<br />
please.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
COLUMN<br />
As I was saying ...<br />
Former Mayors: Judy Buchan; Bob Bury; Dani Gasparini, elected of<br />
ficials: Pat Milnovich, Dennis McBride,<br />
Memo Morantes, community leaders: Larry<br />
Aikens, Pete and Paula Uccelli, Pete Hughes, Pina<br />
and Vince Trucelli, Susan Keilly, Ralph Nobles, Rudy Luca, Mike Spence,<br />
and Mary Mortenson — all showed up at the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Council Chambers<br />
to watch Alicia Aguirre win appointment to the City Council (oh, did I<br />
predict that?).<br />
It really was a fascinating process to watch, as so many of the candidates were so<br />
impressive and made me feel that we have so many qualified people really to step up and<br />
serve at one time or another in our community.<br />
I thought that the three-minute presentation presented by Janet Borgens was especially<br />
informative and really showed how much she has done in our community and<br />
her thoughts on issues effecting us all. I was pleasantly surprised by the presentations<br />
given by two candidates who are new to the political scene: Mark Martinho, who was<br />
the best speaker of the night in terms of substance and style, and Bruce Codding who<br />
came across as someone whom you could trust and expect honesty from. I liked<br />
Codding’s speech and both will be viable candidates in the future, should they choose<br />
to get involved. But just going into the meeting you could feel that it is was Aguirre’s<br />
night. Her speech was very similar to a campaign speech, but more effective because she<br />
was surrounded by friends and well wishers.<br />
So after a number of voting processes — so many that councilman Ian Bain wanted<br />
to postpone the final vote for fear that they would never come to a majority (but that fell<br />
By Steve Penna, Publisher<br />
on deaf ears) — Aguirre was appointed with<br />
the full crowd in the council chambers applauding.<br />
Considering that four seats will be up<br />
for grabs this November — those of Jeff Ira,<br />
Diane Howard, Jim Hartnett and Aguirre<br />
— it seems that there will be a crowded field<br />
to replace them. Given the quality of the candidates<br />
for the appointment process, there<br />
will be many qualified candidates to choose from and that is good for our community. I<br />
remember Dick Claire once said that the reason he ran so many times was because there<br />
were never qualified candidates to replace him. Some current council members need<br />
not worry about that in this election.<br />
* * * *<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City had another few minutes of fame last week when Jay Leno told his<br />
Tonight Show audience about former teacher Rebecca Boicelli who gave birth to a<br />
baby fathered by a former middle-school student. <strong>The</strong>n he added the punch line about<br />
the good ole’ days when an after school special was something you watched on television.<br />
Continued on Page 26<br />
February 2005 • 9
NEWS<br />
Cari Vallo, mother of a third grader at <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City’s Orion School, shudders at the impact of<br />
$3.5 million in cuts to the <strong>Redwood</strong> City School<br />
District’s 2005-2006 budget.<br />
“We can’t close the library,” she said. “<strong>The</strong> parcel tax has to pass.”<br />
Faced with state mandates and dwindling state resources, the <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City School District has cut some $8 million from its budget in the<br />
past five years. Now, with a shortfall of $3.5 million projected for the 2005-<br />
2006 budget, the district’s Board of Trustees, according to Trustee Chris<br />
Bohl, is “backed into a corner.”<br />
So the Board will let the voters decide in May, with a parcel tax placed<br />
on a mail-in ballot. Ballots will be mailed to property owners on April 5 and<br />
the election is scheduled for May 3.<br />
Without the $3.3 million annual revenue generated by the parcel tax,<br />
the Board contends that filling the projected $3.5 million hole could bring<br />
about a bleak scenario:<br />
• Fifty-seven teaching positions will be eliminated along with the small<br />
class size program.<br />
• Classes in all K-3 classrooms will increase from 20 students per<br />
teacher to 29 students per teacher.<br />
• Half of all librarian positions will be eliminated and library hours<br />
will be reduced by half.<br />
• All District music programs and music teaching positions will be cut.<br />
• Positions for reading and math program specialists who help struggling students<br />
will be reduced. <strong>The</strong>se reading and math specialists help English learners by taking students<br />
out of their class one hour a day for two to three days a week and giving them intensive<br />
one-on-one instruction. Should program be reduced in scope, Bohl doesn’t know<br />
“how some of these kids are going to make it.”<br />
Jack Hickey, Chair of the Libertarian Party in San Mateo County, argues the tax is<br />
nothing but a “greedy money grab,” and suggests that “threats by local school officials ...<br />
are just bad taste, and deceitful besides.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re is no chance whatsoever that District officials would actually fire the best<br />
teachers, adopt an inferior math curriculum,<br />
or throw special needs students out on the<br />
street if you don’t vote for this parcel tax,”<br />
Hickey wrote in his ballot argument against the measure, known as Measure V.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City School District receives approximately $180,000 in revenue<br />
per classroom of 23 students per year, funded primarily by steadily increasing property tax<br />
receipts,” Hickey notes in his argument. “That’s enough to pay teachers very good wages<br />
(averaging roughly $60,000 in salary and benefits for a 10-month year), with plenty left<br />
over (roughly $120,000 per classroom) for overhead, building maintenance, and other<br />
goodies,” he continued. “<br />
Drive by our schools, and you’ll see by the luxuriant lawns and unnecessarily expensive<br />
curved roof lines, that the board’s priorities are those of a pricy country club — not a<br />
struggling school system,” Hickey stated.<br />
Proponents of Measure V point to the fact that all school districts from Burlingame<br />
to Mountain View currently have parcel taxes. Amounts range from $75 in the Ravenswood<br />
School District to $498 in Menlo Park.<br />
Hickey cited a similar measure that was put before the voters in 1993 and “failed by<br />
a wide margin.” “Subsequently, revenue grew from $33 million to $68 million (a 71% increase,<br />
after adjusting for inflation. While the number of students attending District schools<br />
fell by 5%, the number of teachers was increased by 37%,” he wrote.<br />
In their ballot argument in favor of Measure V, supporters stated that revenue from<br />
the tax will not be allocated toward facilities, salary increases, or administrators. <strong>The</strong> tax<br />
will be in place for five years, after which voter approval would be required for renewal.<br />
All residential residential and vacant parcel owners will pay $85 per year. Commercial<br />
parcels will be charged based on square footage: Under 14,999 sq. ft. - $200; 15,000-<br />
10 • February 2005<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
‘Backed into a corner’ or ‘Greedy money grab?’<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City School District<br />
puts parcel tax on May ballot<br />
School district officals state that without added revenue from a parcel tax, children, such as these on the<br />
play equipment at Hawes School, will face reduced library hours and bigger class sizes. Photo by John Baker.<br />
By Judy Buchan, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
24,000 sq. ft. - $750; 25,000-44,000 sq. ft. - $1,000; Over 45,000 sq. ft. - $2,500.<br />
Senior homeowners 65 and older may file for an exemption from the tax with the<br />
school district. In addition, an independent citizens ovesight committee, made up of community<br />
leaders and qualified volunteers, would be formed to monitor and audit parcel tax<br />
funds to be sure they are spent in strict compliance with Measure V.<br />
With time running short for a campaign, word has it that parent groups at District<br />
schools are starting to mobilize. <strong>The</strong> Clifford School parent group has also donated $20,000,<br />
and the parent group at Roy Cloud School Cloud PTA is expected to donate $10,000.<br />
Some 80 percent of the parents at Northstar have voted to have the organization donate<br />
$20,000.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> efforts of the Clifford, Cloud, and<br />
Northstar parent groups have been incredible,”<br />
Bohl said. “<strong>The</strong>y are having to make<br />
the choice of not financing current programs<br />
at their schools in order to help this campaign.”<br />
For supporting information on Measure V, contact Dennis McBride of the <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City School District Board of Trustees at 650-365-2713 or bawsum@earthlink.net. For<br />
opposition information to Measure V, contact Jack Hickey at jackhick@cwnet.com.<br />
Glomar Explorer<br />
Continued from Page 9<br />
Operation Jennifer remained blissfully covert until four burglars broke into<br />
Hughes’ headquarters to steal money. During the robbery, the thieves stole Project<br />
Jennifer files, assuming they were important business documents, hoping to extort<br />
millions for their safe return. <strong>The</strong> FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department<br />
arrested the culprits and recovered most of the documents, hoping to contain any<br />
leaks. However, the LA Times learned of the burglary, and by February 1975, Project<br />
Jennifer was revealed to the world.<br />
Today, the Glomar Explorer is drilling test oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico.<br />
HMB-1 was later used to “mother-ship” the super-secret sonar-defying Sea Shadow,<br />
also docked in <strong>Redwood</strong> City. All covert operations were terminated in <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City in 1994, and moved to San Diego.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
COLUMN<br />
Help us help them • <strong>Redwood</strong> City PAL helps hundreds of kids<br />
We can’t do it without your help<br />
February 2005 • 11
DOWNTOWN<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
businesses are the<br />
place to be!<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City businesses here to serve you now<br />
Isn’t it great to live in a community where businesses not only want your business<br />
but also are truly there to serve you — the customer? <strong>The</strong>re are a lot of <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City businesses that invite our residents to come and see what they have to offer. Restaurants,<br />
retail shops, auto care facilities, financial groups and dry cleaners all say, “We<br />
are the best!” <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> has been out there looking for you and here is our Best of<br />
the Best selections.<br />
Mulligan’s Pub & Grill: 2650 Broadway — Mulligan’s is a favorite spot for<br />
anyone wanting quality large portion meals — and we mean LARGE — at reasonable<br />
prices. <strong>The</strong>y feature burgers, salads, and gourmet pizzas, and also have 24 beers on<br />
tap, a full bar and live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. <strong>The</strong>y are now<br />
accepting private party reservations for 2005, so if you are planning a get-together<br />
with a small or large group, call Jerry at (650) 364-5600 and he will make sure you are<br />
taken care of!<br />
City Pub: 2623 Broadway — We cannot believe that there are any residents of<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City that have not enjoyed “<strong>The</strong> Pub.” A long time favorite of the brewerytype<br />
beer crowd, City Pub features a wide range of American fare items on its menu<br />
including: starters and soups, burgers and sandwiches, pastas and entrees, and 24<br />
beers on tap, plus other beverages and wine. City Pub also has a kids’ menu and serves<br />
breakfast on Saturday and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. <strong>The</strong>y offer daily specials<br />
and feature fish and chips on Fridays.<br />
OK Maguey: 2616 Broadway — Okay, so you want to spend less and get more<br />
in 2005? <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s newest and best Mexican restaurant is now featuring a lunch<br />
menu starting at $5.95, and they have a full dinner menu of reasonably-priced selections<br />
that will keep you coming back for more. <strong>The</strong>y also feature live music every Thursday,<br />
Friday and Saturday evening to enhance your eating experience.<br />
Bluefin Sushi & Teriyaki Grill: 2327 Broadway — <strong>The</strong>ir sushi is made fresh<br />
daily by experienced sushi chefs, which has made this restaurant a favorite downtown<br />
eating spot. This restaurant is a must try! Whether you dine in or take out you will find<br />
their sashimi, Nigiri sushi, donburi, and bento dishes are irresistible! No MSG and no<br />
chemical additives. Low in cholesterol. Low in calories. Low in sodium. <strong>The</strong> chicken<br />
curry over brown rice is to die for!<br />
American Capital Financial: 2317 Broadway #200 — <strong>The</strong>y make it easy for<br />
you to bid on a house by having your pre-approval letter with you. Treat yourself to the<br />
ultimate Valentine — a new home! <strong>The</strong>se friendly professionals have the right home<br />
loan for you and your family! Competitive rates: <strong>The</strong>y work quickly to get you the best<br />
rates and explore all the options that fit your needs. Fast pre-approvals: <strong>The</strong>y can have<br />
your pre-approval ready for you in 48 hours or less. So when do you want to close?<br />
12 • February 2005<br />
Hair It Is! at Flirts Salon: 2072 Broadway — Mary Mortenson owned the Hair<br />
It Is! Salon on Broadway but recently moved to Flirts Salon when the building she<br />
occupied was sold and is to be remodeled. Now, she is accepting new clients who are<br />
looking to be remodeled with a new image or looking to keep their current beautiful<br />
style. For more than 20 years, Mary has been styling hair for all occasions. Give her a<br />
call and start the year out right!<br />
Little India: 917 Main Street — This stylish Indian cuisine restaurant features<br />
reasonably priced “All You Can Eat” buffets for both lunch and dinner. <strong>The</strong>ir buffets<br />
feature home-style Indian food. Basically, the menu is from the northwest region of<br />
India, but items from other regions are also featured. <strong>The</strong> food is low in fat and sodium.<br />
You can dine in or take out. Senior citizens receive $1 off and children (below<br />
12 years old) dine at half price. Bring your appetite because you will want to try everything!<br />
Try their catering menu for any occasion, and your guests will be talking about<br />
it for months. You will not be disappointed.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire: 1630 Broadway — <strong>The</strong> winter weather is definitely<br />
here and you might need to protect yourself and your family by having your tires checked<br />
and engines serviced, and there is no better place then <strong>Redwood</strong> General Tire. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
business was founded on the premise that good customer service and quality products<br />
at fair prices will help them succeed in the marketplace. <strong>The</strong>y continue to follow this<br />
philosophy today and expect it to guide them into a successful future. Many of their<br />
satisfied customers have been with them since their founding and continue to do business<br />
with them today.<br />
Whether you are looking for a new set of tires, or need to tune your vehicle, this<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City institution has been providing quality vehicle services since 1957. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
proudly serve the third generation of many of their first <strong>Redwood</strong> City customers.<br />
Isn’t it time to start your family tradition of great auto care?<br />
Re:Juvenate Skin Care: 805 Veterans Blvd., Suite 140 — RE:JUVENATE’s<br />
aim is to assist you in choosing the very best options that will find you smiling each<br />
and every time you look in the mirror. <strong>The</strong>ir medical staff is experienced in all of the<br />
known non-surgical aesthetic procedures including: <strong>The</strong>rmage, Botox, Restalyne, sclerotherapy,<br />
laser treatments for hair, vein, brown spot removal and skin resurfacing,<br />
medical microdermabrasion and skin peels. You can have a complimentary consultation<br />
by calling (650) 261-0500 and mentioning <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> magazine.<br />
1-800-DRY-CLEAN: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> staff knows that your time is the most important<br />
commodity you posses. Taking your time to drop off dry cleaning at an out of<br />
the way business is just another errand that takes you away form your family, friends<br />
and life pleasures. 1-800-DRY-CLEAN solves that problem by offering door to door<br />
pick up and return delivery service at reasonable prices. What more could you ask for?<br />
More quality time for you!
RELAX!<br />
Fresh Clean Clothes, Guaranteed<br />
We pick up. We deliver. Free!<br />
Enjoy the timesaving convenience of 1-800-DryClean<br />
and eliminate those last-minute trips to the cleaners.<br />
• Available twice-a-week<br />
• No need to be home.<br />
• No order is too small.<br />
• <strong>Monthly</strong> Billing<br />
• Credit Cards Accepted<br />
• Personal & Friendly Service<br />
Full Dry Cleaning and Laundry Management Service<br />
to your home or office!<br />
We also take care of household items (bedding, duvet covers, sleeping bags, etc), area<br />
carpets, drapery, & cobbler services for Mens’ and Ladies’ shoes!<br />
1-800-DryClean of the Mid-Peninsula<br />
Servicing Atherton, Ladera, Portola Valley, Parts of Palo Alto, Stanford,<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City, <strong>Redwood</strong> Shores, San Carlos, and Belmont<br />
650-679-9774<br />
February 2005 • 13
COVER<br />
Going ‘Big’ in the R-C<br />
Woodside High student gets on the right track by<br />
writing tracks on self-produced hip-hop CD<br />
It’s been said that youth of today are bombarded by more politics, skepticism<br />
and misleading information than ever. Critics state mainstream television<br />
pumps out endless hours of sex-selling videos and gossip, while<br />
breaking news stories highlight tragic accidents, lack of education funding,<br />
unemployment rates, social security and more. Multi-million dollar businesses<br />
target young adults with violent video games and all types of music that advocate<br />
sex, drugs and easy money.<br />
Outspoken young people like Bennett Roth-Newell, a.k.a. “Big Murph,” are able to<br />
see through the media smoke screen and the persuasions of glitz and glamour. Big Murph<br />
isn’t just some ordinary kid; he already knows the meaning of going above and beyond<br />
expectations.<br />
Roth-Newell, who was born in Wisconsin and relocated to <strong>Redwood</strong> City in 1991<br />
at the age of three, has always been interested in music — its melody, rhythm, beat, instrumentation,<br />
lyrics and messages. At the age of eight, with the support of his parents, Roth-<br />
Newell was introduced to an array of instruments and decided that the piano was it for<br />
him. By the sixth grade at John Gill, Bennett was into writing and received creating writing<br />
awards for his efforts.<br />
While attending Kennedy Middle School, Roth-Newell took classes from music instructor<br />
Elena Mori who described him as a “fun kid with a great since of humor, whom<br />
was very creative.” She stated he came from a “great family” and Roth-Newell was one of<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Bennett Roth-Newell in his “BiG Murph” persona.<br />
14 • February 2005<br />
Roth-Newell: “I’m here to stay and I just want to let people know that I’m hungry in this game (<br />
those “super kids.” <strong>The</strong> admiration works both ways, as Roth-Newell says Mori “has a<br />
good spirit.”<br />
Roth-Newell now plays jazz piano for his school band at Woodside High School<br />
while participating in basketball and working part time.<br />
In Fall 2003, Roth-Newell joined <strong>The</strong> Riekes Center for Human Enhancement. <strong>The</strong><br />
Riekes Center is a mentoring-based facility that borders <strong>Redwood</strong> City and Menlo Park,<br />
offering nature studies (nature awareness, expeditions, natural history, etc.), creative studies<br />
(singing lessons, recording services, audio services, etc.), physical fitness programs and<br />
more.<br />
Roth-Newell initially joined the Riekes Center to strengthen and condition himself<br />
for the upcoming basketball season with the Wildcats, but it didn’t stop there. He found<br />
his way to the Riekes Center recording studio where he took interest in the creative arts<br />
program.<br />
“It all started at the Riekes Center. That’s where I met my manager/mentor Shamako<br />
Noble and my executive producer/mentor BJ Alexander, a.k.a. B-Jada. <strong>The</strong>y’re apart of<br />
the hip-hop program. <strong>The</strong>y propelled me and helped broaden my spectrum on things,” an<br />
enthusiastic Roth-Newell said, noting he also attributes his success to long time family<br />
friend and trumpet player, Geechi Taylor.<br />
Roth-Newell admires rappers such as <strong>The</strong> Roots, KRS One, Nas, <strong>The</strong> Game, and<br />
Tupac Shakur.<br />
“I like to listen to any type of music that’s down to earth and touches the community.<br />
Story by Michael Fabel,<br />
Photos by Jam
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
COVER<br />
Roth-Newell then goes onto say, “Where’s the love, not here, it’s been gone for a<br />
while, this town’s got problems, it needs to stop living in denial.”<br />
Big Murph hasn’t had it easy since coming across this new form of expression. He’s<br />
white, an affliction that doesn’t make it easy to be appreciated or respected in the hip-hop<br />
arena. Roth-Newell says he supports people no matter what they do and just wants the<br />
same in return. Roth-Newell has had to deal with racism and has dedicated a few lyrics in<br />
his music to combat it. One verse goes, “I’m stared at, ya’ll look at me funny, I get dissed<br />
and I ain’t hurt nobody, you think I’m a pervert, you think I hate being white, but forget<br />
that, you haters are far from being right.” Roth-Newell also mixes in humor and has fun<br />
with his debut album.<br />
Big Murph knows his music isn’t for everybody and he confirms this by stating, “I<br />
speak the truth,<br />
but I might not be<br />
able to set you<br />
free.” His use of<br />
similes and metaphors<br />
helps bring<br />
a deeper and<br />
“Where’s the love, not here, it’s been gone for a while, this town’s<br />
got problems, it needs to stop living in denial.”<br />
— Bennett Roth-Newell<br />
AKA “Big Murph”<br />
clearer understanding of his everyday situations. Roth-Newell also likes to compare and<br />
contrast, which gives the listener an edge in truly seeing his perspective, that’s if you want<br />
to make the effort.<br />
Roth-Newell anticipates completing another album by the end of 2005 and expects<br />
to have between 10-15 tracks of new material. “ I’ve been writing like crazy lately,” he<br />
exclaimed. He assured his audience that he’s going to stay focused, work harder, and get<br />
better with his word play. Big Murph has received overwhelmingly positive feedback thus<br />
far and is just grateful to be reaching people with his music. He also knows that his critics<br />
aren’t far behind, and that he has to take the good with the bad.<br />
Roth-Newell spends a lot of time at the Riekes Center making beats on the Yamaha<br />
Motif, writing raps, and giving piano lessons. He’s determined to give his fans more this<br />
next time around.<br />
Big Murph knows that education is very important and he currently holds a 3.5<br />
grade point average. He plans on attending <strong>The</strong> University Of <strong>The</strong> Pacific, where he intends<br />
to further his musical studies.<br />
Although music is top priority, Roth-Newell is also interested in broadcast communications<br />
and becoming a radio disc jockey.<br />
hip-hop music).”<br />
I also appreciate spirituality in music,” he said. “I’m here to stay and I just want to let<br />
people know that I’m hungry in this game (hip-hop music).”<br />
Now 16, Roth-Newell released his first hip-hop album, <strong>The</strong> Unexpected, in October<br />
20<strong>04</strong> and has sold more than 70 copies to date. He had a record release party at the<br />
Riekes Center on Jan. 15 and on Feb. 11 he participated in Woodside’s African American<br />
Festival.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Unexpected contains five tracks, and listeners can expect to hear, “a West Coast<br />
Style Delivery (a smooth/easy to hear pace), hard baselines (steady beats) and distinct chords<br />
(such as a piano or keyboard).”<br />
When it comes to his content/messages/lyrics or what he likes to call his “hip-hop<br />
craft,” it’s all about what Roth-Newell sees and what he’s had to deal with thus far in his<br />
life. “Big Murph” isn’t interested in rhyming about jewelry, fast cars, or weak, waste-oftime,<br />
misleading topics. As a matter of fact he’s interested in expressing his outlook on real<br />
issues such as racism, housing costs, and other social problems he sees around <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City.<br />
Big Murph seems to be concentrated on progression and doesn’t focus on trying to<br />
represent <strong>Redwood</strong> City, but more importantly, points out the things that have to change<br />
within it. On track five, “I Hate to Rep it,” he hits you with, “A millionaire can barely afford<br />
a two-bedroom, one-bath, a lot of kids in summer school and the district loves it, so they<br />
can wear-out students and still slash the budget. It’s a shame there’s people waitin’ on the<br />
blocks to be employed, get in a pick-up truck to work on property they can’t enjoy.”<br />
Jr., Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
es R. Kaspar<br />
“Big Nurph’s” first album cover.<br />
February 2005 • 15
SPORTS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Winter Sports coming to close at Woodside<br />
As we wrap-up the winter sports season at Woodside High and look<br />
ahead to the spring, there are teams that are experiencing very exciting<br />
finishes.<br />
As expected, the Wildcats’ boys basketball team is headed into Central Coast Section<br />
playoffs after a sound regular season. However, the Wildcats fate in the post-season<br />
will not lie upon the performance of senior guard Justonn Smith, who is out indefinitely<br />
with a sprained ankle.<br />
“We’ve played well all season and one player is not going to stop our run,” said<br />
sophomore Matt Pelasasa.<br />
Woodside is 17-5 overall and in first place in their division. Even more impressive<br />
than their near certain No. 1 seed in the playoffs is their current 10-game winning streak,<br />
during which they have won six on the road against Aragon, Hillsdale, Sequoia, San Mateo,<br />
Mills, and Carlmont.<br />
“I think we are so dangerous come playoff time because we have proven that we can<br />
play great basketball away from Woodside and all of our fans,” said head coach Darrell<br />
Barbour. As for the impact of the loss of Smith, Barbour said, “we’ll just have to wait and<br />
find out.”<br />
On the girls<br />
side, it has been a By Nick Mukhar, Student writer<br />
roller coaster of a<br />
season. <strong>The</strong> ’Cats<br />
followed up their season high three-game winning streak with a three-game losing streak<br />
that included home games against Carlmont and Aragon. With an 8-6 record going into<br />
their final four games of the scheduled season, the girls are going to have to make a significant<br />
run if they expect to be playing into late February.<br />
“We understand what is at stake during these final four games, and we are planning<br />
on getting the job done and moving on,” stated senior Jasmine Lewis. <strong>The</strong> rest of their<br />
season entails games on the road against Capuchino and San Mateo, and the final game of<br />
the season at Menlo-Atherton.<br />
With a dismal end to the girls’ soccer season at Woodside, the boys are trying to give<br />
soccer fans something to cheer about. Still, they are going to have to kick things into gear,<br />
literally, if they hope to make their second CCS tournament appearance in as many years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Wildcats have not scored more than 3 goals in a game all season, and had not scored<br />
more than two until their 15 th game of the season.<br />
“We have to be more aggressive and play with more intensity if we are going to score<br />
more and win more games,” said senior Jared Tondino who is a four-year player and leader<br />
on this team. <strong>The</strong>ir final games, at home against Carlmont and their season finale on the<br />
road against El Camino, will determine the fate of this determined group.<br />
Editors note: Nick Mukhar is a Senior at Woodside High School. He is one of the<br />
student writers for <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> this year and will be writing articles about sports each<br />
month.<br />
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16 • February 2005
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
SPORTS<br />
Miracle win by <strong>Redwood</strong> NJB All Net team<br />
With a packed to capacity crowd at Paye’s Place Gym in San Carlos<br />
under a March Madness-type atmosphere, the Silicon Valley’s<br />
two premier 5th Grade NJB All Net (National Junior Basketball)<br />
teams, Palo Alto NJB and <strong>Redwood</strong> NJB squared off for a battle between the<br />
undefeated.<br />
With just over two minutes in the game, Palo Alto had a commanding lead, 45 to<br />
35. But within a 30-second span, a long bucket from the side by Christian Perkins, a steal<br />
for another two points and then a quick jumper off an inbounds play, also by Perkins, cut<br />
the lead to 4 and <strong>Redwood</strong> NJB was back in the game.<br />
A basket and free throw by Cole McConnell, two more free throws that were drilled<br />
by Josiah Paye and two more free throws that were all net by Miles Weiss solidified this<br />
miraculous, come-from-behind win. <strong>The</strong> final score was <strong>Redwood</strong> NJB 50 and Palo Alto<br />
NJB 47.<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> remains undefeated with only seven more games to go before the March<br />
Tournament, where these two teams will no doubt meet again.<br />
Other team members who contributed to this amazing team win were Jesse Perkins,<br />
Ricki Hoffer, Sam Carver, James Shaw, Zachary Thomas and Richard Harris.<br />
<strong>The</strong> games were played in Paye’s Place Gym located at 595 Industrial Road, San<br />
Carlos and the team is coached by local sports icon, John Paye.<br />
RC PAL seeks basketball coaches<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Police Activities League is seeking basketball coaches for its<br />
upcoming season with 7th and 8th grade boys and girls.<br />
Games and practices will be held at Red Morton Community Center, the Peninsula<br />
Boys and Girls Club or Garfield School Monday through Thursday. Most teams will play<br />
two games a week and practice once a week.<br />
Interested citizens must complete a registration form and be cleared through a fingerprinting<br />
process. <strong>The</strong> season runs from March 3 through April 21.<br />
For more information contact Chris Rasmussen at (650) 556-1650 or visit http://<br />
www.redwoodcity.org.<br />
Picture: Pictured here for <strong>Redwood</strong> NJB All Net 5th Grade are (left to right) Cole McConnell,<br />
Christian Perkins, Josiah Paye, Sam Carver, James Shaw, Jesse Perkins, Zachary Thomas and<br />
Richard Harris. Front Row, Ricki Hoffer and Miles Weiss. Back row coaches are David Carver<br />
and head coach John Paye.<br />
North Star Elementary in <strong>Redwood</strong> City is putting on Disney’s “Beauty and the<br />
Beast.” <strong>The</strong> play promises a colorful cast of endearing characters for a fun and uplifting<br />
time. <strong>The</strong> musical is playing at 7 p.m. on March 18, 19, 24 and 25. Tickets are $10 and will<br />
go toward production costs and to the school. For more information call 482-5980 or drop<br />
by the Academy office at 400 Duane St.<br />
School news<br />
Congratulations to Woodside High School for being recognized as a Parent Involvement<br />
School of Excellence by the National Parent Teacher Association. <strong>The</strong> school’s<br />
principal, teachers, parents and students were judged on communicating, parenting, student<br />
learning, volunteering, school decision-making and advocacy.<br />
Woodside has more than 250 parents participating in the PTSA’s Back-to-School<br />
activities and helping in the school’s offices and other events.<br />
Between the Shared Decision Making Council, School Site Council, Parent Advisory<br />
Groups, Drama Boosters, Band, athletics, and Fashion Show groups, Woodside stands<br />
out for its many avenues of involvement.<br />
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February 2005 • 17
EVENTS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City Women’s Club<br />
Luncheon/meeting March 3 at 149 Clinton Street, <strong>Redwood</strong> City. 11:30 AM social,<br />
lunch at noon ($10.00) 12:00 meeting, 1:00 program. Shop for Valentine’s Day and Easter<br />
at “Shop Till U Drop” and bring photos for a hands on, do-it-yourself workshop, “All<br />
About Photos”. For information call: 363-1266.<br />
City Talk Toastmasters Club<br />
Join the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Toastmasters Club to develop your communication and leadership<br />
skills. <strong>The</strong> club meets on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 in City Hall at 1017<br />
Middlefield Road in the Council Chambers. Call Manny Rosas at 650-780-7468 if you<br />
would like to check out a meeting or just stop in. Visit www.toastmasters.org for more<br />
information about the Toastmasters public speaking program.<br />
No-host cocktails start at 6 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m.<br />
<strong>The</strong> HOF inductees are: Patricia “Pat” Ann Giosso, Andrea Jenoff, Barbara Kuehn,<br />
Nancy Torres, and Constance “Connie” Zakos. <strong>The</strong> two Young Women of Excellence are:<br />
Marina Alanna Gatto and Marcella Rose Padilla.<br />
Reservation deadline: March 10. Make check payable to: Commission on the Status<br />
of Women of San Mateo County and mail to same at: 455 County Center, 5th floor, <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City, CA 94063. Invitations can be downloaded from the CSW Web site at:<br />
www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/eps/csw or phone CSW office at 363-4872.<br />
Chamber of Commerce<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting new members<br />
during its membership drive. <strong>The</strong> Chamber is the third largest in Northern California and<br />
currently has over 1,200 members. Benefits include: unlimited networking, monthly connections,<br />
and the ability to join committees that improve our community. If you have a<br />
business and would like to join, call 650.368.2434 for more details.<br />
Optimist Club Crab and Shrimp feed<br />
<strong>The</strong> Optimist Club of <strong>Redwood</strong> City will be hosting their 15 th Annual “All you can<br />
eat” Crab and Shrimp Feed on Saturday March 12 at the Community Activities Building,<br />
1400 Roosevelt Avenue, starting at 6:00 p.m. <strong>The</strong> fundraiser to help community activities<br />
will have dinner, raffle and door prizes. Tickets for this event are only $35.00 and can be<br />
purchased by calling Ralph Garcia at 650.368.2841. <strong>The</strong> event sells out every year so call<br />
ASAP.<br />
Eighth annual Arts and Olive Festival<br />
Cañada College’s annual Arts and Olive Festival will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2,<br />
2005 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.<br />
If you are interested in participating in this outstanding community event, applications<br />
will be available at www.olivefest.org or by contacting Julie Mooney, Vendor Coordinator<br />
at olivefest@smccd.net - Ph: 650.306.3428 or Fax: 650.306.3445.<br />
Celebrate Women’s History Month<br />
<strong>The</strong> first San Mateo County Women’s Day Conference, “Women Seeing Beyond<br />
Today,” is being held March 5 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the South San Francisco Conference<br />
Center.<br />
<strong>The</strong> not-for-profit, all-day event will celebrate Women’s History Month and will<br />
feature speakers and moderators, workshops, and opportunities for an expected attendance<br />
of hundreds of women to meet and learn from each other.<br />
Three keynote speakers already lined up are: state Senator Jackie Speier, San Mateo<br />
County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier, and Dr. Marla Lowenthal, professor of Mass Communications<br />
at Menlo College.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re will be 24 workshops, a raffle for prizes, exhibitors, and a reception will follow<br />
at 5 p.m.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cost of $99 includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and the reception.<br />
To register, visit: www.womenseebeyond.org or e-mail Jane Hillhouse, registration<br />
chair, at registration@womenseebeyond.org or call Pat Obuchowski, conference chair, at<br />
245-0321. You can also pay at the door.<br />
Conference proceeds will benefit the Women’s Recovery Association<br />
(www.womensrecovery.org) in Burlingame. All contributions are tax-deductible.<br />
Sponsorship, raffle prizes, and exhibitor opportunities, which create a high-level<br />
visibility and serve as an excellent marketing tool, are still available. For more details, call<br />
Pat Obuchowski or e-mail: www.womenseebeyond.org.<br />
Women’s Hall of Fame dinner<br />
<strong>The</strong> 21st Annual San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame, presented by San Mateo<br />
County Board of Supervisors and the Commission on the Status of Women, is March<br />
24 at the South San Francisco Conference Center, 255 So. Airport Blvd. Cheryl Jennings<br />
and David Louie, both from ABC-KGO Channel 7 News, are emcees.<br />
18 • February 2005<br />
<strong>The</strong> Brazilian dance troupe Sambão was be featured at last year’s Cañada College Arts and<br />
Olive Festival. This year’s edition of the festival will be onb Sunday, Oct. 2.<br />
KAINOS/PENINSULA SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB<br />
IRISH NIGHT<br />
AT THE VETERAN’S MEMORIAL BUILDING - 1455 MADISON AVENUE - REDWOOD CITY<br />
SATURDAY, MARCH 19<br />
TICKETS - $25 PER PERSON<br />
$30 AT THE DOOR<br />
5:30 - HAPPY HOUR<br />
WITH GREEN BEER & WINE<br />
SILENT AUCTION<br />
6:30 - LIVE AUCTION<br />
7:30 - DINNER<br />
MAJOR EVENT UNDERWRITER<br />
SAN MATEO CREDIT UNION<br />
EVENT SPONSORS<br />
BAY AREA BANK<br />
WELLS FARGO COMMERCIAL BANK<br />
DES ARCHITECTS - PETE’S HARBOR<br />
NORCAL WASTE SYSTEMS<br />
HOSTED BY THE PENINSULA SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB<br />
BENEFITING KAINOS HOME & TRAINING CENTER & OTHER LOCAL CHARITIES<br />
FOR TICKETS CALL KAINOS (650) 363-2423
<strong>The</strong>re will be an odd, hollow feeling this coming fall when youth foot<br />
ball season rolls around in these parts.<br />
Kids will still climb into shoulder pads and put on cleats, but it won’t be the<br />
same. <strong>The</strong> grass will seem a little less green, the air a little less clear, the world a bit less<br />
full of possibilities.<br />
But we’ll soldier on and give it our best, because Frank Guida would have wanted<br />
it that way.<br />
Guida, known as “Coach” to four decades’ worth of youth football players on the<br />
mid-Peninsula, passed away at the age of 85 on Saturday after a short battle with cancer.<br />
It was the only major battle he ever lost.<br />
He was a World War II veteran who won the Purple Heart, escaped from a German<br />
prison camp and met Gen. George Patton. Yet Guida saved his boasting for the<br />
exploits of his youth football teams. He was famous for referring to each of his players as<br />
“champ.”<br />
“I call them champ so I don’t have to remember all those names,” he once said.<br />
“But really it’s to remind me of why I keep coaching year after year. My kids are all<br />
champs to me.”<br />
His devotion to the community is legendary. In addition to co-founding youth<br />
football in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, he was involved in Little League baseball, Indian Guides,<br />
Cub Scouts and the PTA — the latter organization which named him “Mother of the<br />
Year” in 1967. He was President of the Board of Realtors, won <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s Outstanding<br />
Citizen Award in 1996, and was named National Pop Warner Coach of the<br />
Year in 20<strong>04</strong>. He<br />
coached youth<br />
football for 41<br />
years (retiring in<br />
20<strong>04</strong>), and is a<br />
member of the<br />
Pop Warner National<br />
Hall of Fame.<br />
“What makes Frank Guida special?” asked longtime friend and fellow youth coach<br />
Larry Howard. “What makes people go to New York and see the Statue of Liberty? He’s<br />
a landmark.”<br />
Guida raised threes sons and a daughter,<br />
all three boys having played football for<br />
him in the Pop Warner program, which he helped organize in 1963. Coaching primarily<br />
at the junior midget level (11-13 year-olds), his teams collected 30 division titles, 15<br />
conference crowns, eight regional titles and one national championship (the Ray Lockettled<br />
1985 team). Former players include<br />
Milo Lewis (University of Alabama)<br />
Ronald Nunn (USC), Charles Tharp (Illinois)<br />
and Chris Ricardi (University of<br />
Hawaii).<br />
His coaching secrets were a passion<br />
for the game, attention to detail and an insistence<br />
on discipline. His players learned<br />
to work hard and not back down to anyone<br />
— traits that were evident in Guida<br />
even as a young man.<br />
When World War II broke out and<br />
the U.S. seemed to be too slow getting involved,<br />
the Cleveland-born Guida enlisted<br />
in the army in Canada, which had already<br />
entered the fray. Fighting in North Africa,<br />
he was wounded and captured by the German army.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Germans looked at his papers and asked why an Italian-American was in<br />
the Canadian army,” recounts Guida’s son, Jim. “As my dad tells it, he looked the officer<br />
in the eye and said, ‘So I could go kick Hitler’s ass sooner.’ And knowing him, I believe<br />
he said it.”<br />
During a prisoner transfer to Milan, Italy, Guida escaped, roaming the Italian coun-<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
OBITUARY<br />
Longtime <strong>Redwood</strong> City youth football coach dies at 85<br />
“What makes Frank Guida special? What makes people go to<br />
New York and see the Statue of Liberty?<br />
He’s a landmark.”<br />
— Larry Howard<br />
Friend and fellow youth coach<br />
By Rick Chandler, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
Frank Guida<br />
Frank Guida wearing his trademark coaching hat<br />
tryside until he was taken in and hidden by a local family. Eventually he made it to an<br />
American base, where, bedraggled and unshaven, he got into a chow line for his first hot<br />
meal in days.<br />
That’s when Patton entered the mess hall for an inspection.<br />
“It didn’t take Patton long to find me,” Guida once recalled. “He looked at me<br />
and yelled, ‘Hey! Who let that Arab in here?’”<br />
Returning to <strong>Redwood</strong> City after the war, he opened Guida Realty and was active<br />
as a realtor/broker for more than 25 years. Frank Pasquale Guida is survived by his four<br />
children, Carol, Edward, Jim and Bob,<br />
daughters-in-law Pam, Teri and Wendy<br />
Guida, sister and brother-in-law Luisa and<br />
Tudor Bogart, sister Maria Ryskiewicz, sisters-in-law Greta and Frances Guida, many<br />
nephews and nieces, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.<br />
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mid-County Youth Football, c/o<br />
Marianne Pignati, P.O. Box 3541, <strong>Redwood</strong> City CA 94064, or St. Anthony’s Padua<br />
Dining Room, 3500 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park CA 94025.<br />
A private family service was held last week. An open celebration of Frank’s life<br />
will be held Feb. 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red Morton Community Center, 1400<br />
Roosevelt Ave., <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
Encore Performance Catering<br />
Celebration Holiday Catering of Life<br />
Large and small occasions<br />
More than 17 years of full-service catering<br />
Dave Hyman (Owner)<br />
(650) 365-3731 • www.epcatering.com<br />
February 2005 • 19
SPEAKERS<br />
Barbara Becnel to speak<br />
on death penalty at<br />
Cañada College<br />
Oakland community activist Barbara<br />
Becnel will speak on “What’s Wrong With<br />
the Death Penalty: <strong>The</strong> Stan ‘Tookie’ Williams<br />
Case,” from noon to 2 p.m., March 9<br />
in the Cañada College Main <strong>The</strong>ater, 4200<br />
Farm Hill Blvd., <strong>Redwood</strong> City.<br />
<strong>The</strong> lecture is free and open to the<br />
public.<br />
Becnel has argued that Williams, the<br />
co-founder of the notorious Los Angeles<br />
Crips gang, is innocent and points to his case<br />
as an example of why the death penalty is<br />
wrong. Williams has spent 24 years on death<br />
row at San Quentin after being convicted of<br />
the fatal shooting of Albert Owens, a store<br />
clerk, and the killings of motel owners<br />
Thsai-Shai and Yen-I-Yang and their daughter<br />
two weeks later.<br />
Williams maintains his innocence and<br />
points out that he was convicted by an allwhite<br />
jury; Williams is African American.<br />
His request for a new trial was recently denied<br />
by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals,<br />
despite the objection of nine of the judges,<br />
and his last appeal could be before the U.S.<br />
Supreme Court.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Back by popular demand!<br />
Dr. John Gray and Marilyn Territo<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City businesswoman and Wellness Lifestyle Coach, Marilyn Territo,<br />
will host an encore presentation by Dr. John Gray, the world-renowned author of the<br />
Mars-Venus book series. Gray will share the latest breakthroughs in wellness, anti-aging,<br />
nutritional supplements, and weight loss featured in his current bestselling book,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Mars-Venus Diet & Exercise Solution. Learn how to reclaim your energy, vitality,<br />
passion for life, and optimum weight with the easy to follow methods presented by Dr.<br />
Gray during this enlivening lecture.<br />
John Gray, PhD<br />
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2005<br />
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.<br />
(Check-in Noon to 1 p.m.)<br />
Location:<br />
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster City<br />
Early Bird Special (through March 15):<br />
$20/person<br />
After March 15:<br />
$25/person (while tickets last)<br />
Three or more people:<br />
$15/person<br />
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED<br />
CALL TODAY TO PURCHSE<br />
TICKETS<br />
(650) 365-7917<br />
Marilyn Territo, W.E.L. C.E.<br />
Creator of<br />
Wellness Without Limits“<br />
20 • February 2005
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
SPORTS<br />
Cherokees retire<br />
Johnson’s jersey<br />
When Charles Johnson stepped on the basketball court at Sequoia<br />
High School, he was known as the “<strong>The</strong> Little Big Man of Penin<br />
sula Hoops.” Johnson was the best basketball player to ever come<br />
out of Sequoia High School.<br />
“CJ” helped Sequoia to three winning seasons in the late 1960s. In his senior year,<br />
the Cherokees reaching the Tournament of Champions.<br />
Johnson’s high school accomplishments will be acknowledged when his number 11<br />
was retired Feb. 11 during the Sequoia/ Carlmont game.<br />
“It is an honor and pleasure, to have something designated as yours. It means something<br />
to me,” Johnson said. “You have a short time on this planet and if you can do something<br />
that leaves a legacy it is amazing.”<br />
Pete Simos, Sequoia’s current head coach, believes Johnson’s jersey retirement is<br />
long overdue.<br />
“When I first came here, I wondered why was his jersey was not retired,” Simos<br />
said. “I know that I have talked to the team about his exploits here and all of the great<br />
things he has done and they will be looking forward to the ceremony.”<br />
After graduating Sequoia, Johnson went to University of California at Berkeley on a<br />
basketball scholarship,<br />
where he<br />
By Lee Hubbard, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
played guard for the<br />
Golden Bears.<br />
Johnson was a three-year starter and captain 1969 through 1971. He was drafted by the<br />
Golden State Warriors in the sixth round and he played with the Warriors from 1972-<br />
1978, including the 1974-75 championship team.<br />
“Charles was quite an athlete,” said Joe Ellis, his teammate on the Golden State<br />
Warriors from 1971-1972. “He was able to do whatever he wanted to do on the court, as<br />
he had a nice jump shot and he was excellent defensively.”<br />
After playing for the Warriors, Johnson played his final two years in the NBA with<br />
the Washington Bullets, including the 1977-78 championship team.<br />
Johnson was raised in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, attended Washington Elementary School,<br />
McKinley Junior High School and Sequoia High School, graduating in 1967. Johnson<br />
was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in both basketball and track and field. He was named<br />
all-Central Coast Section in the long jump, setting a mark of 24 feet, 7 1/2 inches.<br />
It was on the hardwood, however, where he made a name for himself. Starting out,<br />
he did not realize how good he was until he moved up to the varsity team as a sophomore.<br />
“When I was a sophomore they came to me and told me that they wanted me to play<br />
varsity basketball,” Johnson said. “... I did not think I was ready for varsity until I got<br />
involved in the competition. <strong>The</strong>n I realized that I could compete.”<br />
Once on the team, he excelled. He was a lights-out shooting guard who could defend.<br />
As he got better, his teams got better. His sophomore year, the team tied for third<br />
place in league play. His junior year, the team tied for second and in his senior year, the<br />
team tied for first.<br />
“Each year was like a stepping stone,” Johnson said. “During my senior year, when<br />
we came in first, we played our rivals, Palo Alto, in a one-game playoff. We beat them and<br />
then we moved on to the TOC.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> TOC, or Tournament of Champions as it is called, was the precursor to the<br />
state championship. Sequoia was matched up against a tough Bishop O’Dowd team from<br />
Oakland. Sequoia lost the game, but Johnson’s play earned him a 10-minute standing ovation.<br />
“It was completely unexpected and it was humbling,” Johnson recalled. “I did not<br />
really understand it at the time or what was going on. I just went out and played the game<br />
as it should be played. I did not even know that these people were appreciating me. But<br />
after that happened, I realized what they were doing.”<br />
Today, Johnson lives in the East Bay, working with various charities.<br />
Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Daily Journal on Feb. 10.<br />
February 2005 • 21
BUSINESS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
First National: ‘Doing<br />
Right’ by their clients<br />
<strong>The</strong> team at First National Bank, including branch manager Brian Palter (far left), believes in going the extra mile for customer service. Photos by Steve Penna.<br />
Emphasis on personal and<br />
community service puts El<br />
Camino bank into top tier<br />
Brian Palter believes in doing right by his clients. Palter, branch man<br />
ager for the past three years at the <strong>Redwood</strong> City location of First<br />
National Bank of Northern California, believes in the philosophy of<br />
treating each customer with the utmost attention. This individualized approach<br />
is a hallmark of the 11 San Mateo County locations of First National<br />
and has gone a long way in helping keep the bank healthy.<br />
"When we have a new client and do right by them," he said, "they tell others."<br />
Doing right by a client, whether old or new, requires taking extra steps in situations<br />
which nationwide chains might not choose to take. In one particular case Palter cited, a<br />
woman who had difficulty writing a check at a local retailer came into First National upset.<br />
She was comforted by a customer service representative and the issue was resolved. She<br />
later returned with a potted tulip plant and presented it to the bank as a gift of gratitude.<br />
By Nino Marchetti, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
ness, can also open checking accounts, obtain credit cards and do their banking online.<br />
First National also offers options like commercial refinancing, construction loans, and business<br />
lines of credit.<br />
None of these services mean anything, however, if the bank doesn't see customers<br />
continuing to come through the doors. First National Bank of Northern California works<br />
Continued on Next Page<br />
First National Bank of Northern California offers a variety of personalized services<br />
for both consumers and businesses. On the consumer side, services include free checking,<br />
debit cards, home equity loans, certificates of deposit, online banking and bill pay.<br />
Business owners, which constitute roughly half of the bank's current overall busi-<br />
22 • February 2005<br />
First National Bank is one of the few locally that still offer drive-through banking.
First National Bank<br />
Continued from Previous Page<br />
hard to build its client base by offering personalized service and! participating in a good<br />
deal of community outreach, which Palter says the upper management encourages and<br />
openly supports.<br />
Palter is very involved in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce.<br />
He serves as a Chamber Ambassador, greeting new business owners and helping<br />
them become acquainted with the local business community. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Redwood</strong> City branch<br />
and others in the First National Bank family have contributed financially to help support<br />
various chambers of commerce on the Peninsula.<br />
<strong>The</strong> annual American Heart Walk is one of First National's community projects;<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City employees raised $12,000 for this cause last year. Moreover, the <strong>Redwood</strong><br />
City branch was a float sponsor in last year's Hometown Holidays parade and is teaming<br />
with Sequoia High School Alumni Association to hand out two scholarships this year to<br />
hard-working students who struggle with financial hardships.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
CULTURE<br />
Palter said that in addition to the financia! l work his bank does in the community,<br />
funds have been directed inward toward modernizing the bank facility. A new color scheme<br />
and signage provide a more pleasant viewing experience for customers as they enter the<br />
building.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new look doesn't forget the past. Customers will notice a staffed drive-up window,<br />
an extreme rarity in today's banking world these days. And the landmark clock on the<br />
roof has returned.<br />
"It's been here since the building was built in the mid-1970s" said Palter.<br />
When he became manager, the clock had been taken down. When the building was<br />
remodeled, a similar-looking clock which tells the accurate time and temperature was installed.<br />
"People thanked us for putting it back up," said Palter. "It ís a big <strong>Redwood</strong> City<br />
thing."<br />
<strong>The</strong> small touches like the clock are another example of First National Bank of Northern<br />
California being true to its mission as a community bank, a place where long-term<br />
relat! ionships are made and respected.<br />
First National Bank of Northen California is located at 700 El Camino Real.<br />
Cultural events in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City area<br />
Cañada College<br />
“Civil Rights, <strong>The</strong>n and Now: A Work in Progress,’’ through March 15. A series<br />
of events exploring how the struggle for civil rights has evolved in the United States and<br />
continues today. Feb. 23, 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: A slide show by photographer and<br />
photojournalist Matt Herron about his work in the South in the 1960s. In Building 22,<br />
Room 114. March 3, 11:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.: “Bruised But Not Broken: <strong>The</strong> Cynthia<br />
Foreman Story.’’ A one-woman performance about the life of the former wife of boxing<br />
champion George Foreman. In the main theater, Building 3. March 15, 11:10 a.m. to<br />
12:25 p.m.: “<strong>The</strong> Meeting.’’ A play about a fictional meeting between Martin Luther<br />
King Jr. and Malcolm X. In the main theater, Building 3.<br />
Free. 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., <strong>Redwood</strong> City. (650) 306-3476.<br />
Edgewood Natural Preserve<br />
Friday Weeding, ongoing. <strong>The</strong> weeding to remove invasive, non-native plants is<br />
done regularly throughout the year. Meeting places vary, so call for information. Bring<br />
sturdy gloves, water and sunscreen. Friday, 8:30 a.m. Bird Walk, ongoing. Audubon<br />
Society docent Lee Franks leads a monthly bird walk. Meet at the kiosk in the Day Camp<br />
parking lot. Last Sunday of the month, 8 a.m.<br />
Free. Edgewood Road and Interstate Highway 280, <strong>Redwood</strong> City. (650) 361-<br />
1218, (866) 463-3439 or www.friendsofedgewood.org<br />
San Mateo County Historical Museum<br />
<strong>The</strong> museum is located in the Old Courthouse with its historic dome. Its collections<br />
include horse-drawn carriages, models, railroads from Caltrans and the Ocean Shore<br />
Railroad, relics from San Mateo’s past, and lithographic art dating from 1875. EXHIB-<br />
ITS — “Landmarks of San Mateo County: An Artist’s Perspective,’’ through March 4.<br />
An exhibit featuring over 60 paintings and photographs by Bay Area residents. “Judge<br />
Louis B. Dematteis: An Italian-American Story,’’ ongoing. An exhibit of photographs,<br />
video and legal memorabilia telling a story of his life. In the Lower Rotunda and Hallways.<br />
“Walter Moore Badge Collection,’’ ongoing. On display is the collection of over<br />
300 badges of one of San Mateo County’s most famous lawmen, Walter Moore, including<br />
rare badges like Ocean Shore Railroad and the town of Lawndale. Moore began with<br />
the police department at the age of 28 as the constable of Tunitas Creek. Other historical<br />
pieces belonging to the Sheriff ’s Department will also be on display. “Charles Parsons’<br />
Ships of the World,’’ ongoing. An exhibit of meticulous miniature recreations of 18 ships<br />
of historical note by Charles Parsons including the San Carlos, the first ship to enter San<br />
Francisco Bay.<br />
“Horse and Buggy Days,’’ ongoing. <strong>The</strong> six carriages on display reflect the variety<br />
of vehicles used by upper-class residents of the county. “Journey to Work,’’ ongoing.<br />
<strong>The</strong> story of commuter transportation on the Peninsula, why this history was unique in<br />
a variety of ways and how this history helped to shape the built environment of the San<br />
Francisco Peninsula. “<strong>The</strong> Lure of the Coast: 65 Years of Surfing in San Mateo County,’’<br />
ongoing. San Mateo County is the home of Maverick’s off the coast of Half Moon Bay,<br />
one of the premier surfing locations on the planet. <strong>The</strong> museum’s new exhibit is a history<br />
of the sport of surfing, its practitioners and their equipment. <strong>The</strong> exhibit also shows<br />
developments in equipment technology and display artifacts representing seven decades<br />
of surfing. “Historical Lithographs from the Robert Desky Collection,’’ ongoing. An<br />
exhibit of hand-painted lithographs depicting noted sites throughout San Mateo County<br />
from the 1870s, including hotels, private homes and government buildings. In the Rotunda<br />
and First Floor Halls. “Nature’s Bounty,’’ ongoing. Featuring murals of how people<br />
used the local natural resources during California’s early history.<br />
$4 general; $2 seniors and students; free children ages 5 and under. Tuesday<br />
through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 777 Hamilton St., <strong>Redwood</strong> City. (650) 299-01<strong>04</strong>,<br />
(650) 359-1462 or www.sanmateocountyhistory.com<br />
<strong>The</strong> Little Fox<br />
Bonnie Hayes Band, Acoustic Son, Feb. 19, 8 p.m. $10 to $12. Mickey Joseph,<br />
Feb. 20, 7 p.m. $16 to $18. Gypsy Soul, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. $15 to $17. Tainted Love, Feb.<br />
25, 9 p.m. $16 to $18. Mikey Dread, Dub Wise, Feb. 26, 8 p.m.<br />
$14 to $16. 2209 Broadway, <strong>Redwood</strong> City. (650) 369-4119 or<br />
www.foxdream.com<br />
HOJ Art Gallery named for photographer<br />
<strong>The</strong> art gallery at the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Hall of Justice is now the Susan Jean<br />
Caldwell Memorial Art Gallery, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously<br />
voted on Feb. 15.<br />
Caldwell, a longtime photojournalist on the Peninsula, and her daughter Nina<br />
Garrison were killed in a car accident on Jan. 30.<br />
Supervisors Jerry Hill and Adrienne Tissier proposed the dedication as lasting<br />
tribute to Caldwell’s work.<br />
“She froze moments in time for us. She took the present and made it a gift to<br />
keep forever,’’ Hill said. “She did this with a grace that we should not and cannot<br />
forget.’’<br />
Tissier added, “I’m very pleased that we can do this for the family.’<br />
<strong>The</strong> gallery that lines the courthouse halls exhibits paintings and artwork<br />
from local artists or groups. Tissier suggested the county collaborate with the Peninsula<br />
Press Club to create a display of Caldwell’s work for the gallery.<br />
Speaker Nancy Mangini, who years ago worked with Caldwell, praised the<br />
supervisors’ decision.<br />
“I’m only sorry that she won’t be here in person to photograph the dedication,’’<br />
Mangini said.<br />
— Bay City News<br />
February 2005 • 23
REAL ESTATE<br />
During the past four years, America has experienced a real estate market without<br />
precedence. Yes, there were hot markets in the past (for example the mid-1980s) — but<br />
this one seems to be stronger than all others.<br />
Many areas of the country have seen home prices rise more than 10 percent annually<br />
year-after-year. Though some have predicted a “bursting of the bubble,” many economists<br />
feel that the real estate market will stay strong for years to come because of strong demographic<br />
trends.<br />
Many areas in the country cannot keep up with the demand of the growing population,<br />
much of which has come from accelerating immigration. This immigration is coming<br />
from all areas of the world — Asia, Africa, the Middle-East, Europe and Latin America.<br />
<strong>The</strong> unstable world political situation continues to contribute to this influx as does low<br />
living standards within many countries. As long as the American economy stays strong,<br />
people will want to move here. And there is<br />
nothing that makes our economy stronger<br />
than a robust real estate market. <strong>The</strong>refore,<br />
one reinforces the other.<br />
What has been especially unique with regard to this real estate market is that it has<br />
become an ordeal to purchase a home in many areas of the country. <strong>The</strong> demand is so high<br />
that sellers are besieged with multiple offers — with many over the asking price. In essence,<br />
the homes are sold through bidding wars. It is hard to believe that 10 years ago listings<br />
were languishing on the open markets.<br />
So, the question we will discuss today is — how do you get your offer accepted when<br />
others are bidding against you? While there is no one magical answer, we do have a few<br />
suggestions that may help:<br />
•Start with a pre-approval. Gone are the days when it was acceptable to put a contract<br />
in on a home and then go about applying for financing. Sellers are insisting that their<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Presenting an offer .... and getting it accepted<br />
Tips for a hot real estate market<br />
By Lourdes Carini, Special to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong><br />
buyers have financing in hand before they make their offer. In this regard, do not confuse a<br />
“pre-qualification” letter with a “pre-approval” letter. A pre-qualification is simply an opinion<br />
offered by a loan officer. A pre-approval is a commitment to lend money which will be<br />
subject to at least three things all of which happen after you find your home: A valid sales<br />
contract; An appraisal validating the sales price; and Locking in a rate on a mortgage program.<br />
<strong>The</strong> message is clear—meet with your lender well before you start looking for a<br />
house. Get all obstacles out of the way. Doing this will also have the secondary benefit of<br />
making the closing process much easier and less stressful.<br />
• Do your homework up-front. Don’t go looking and then decide what you want.<br />
You must pinpoint your criteria for a new home, including sales price range, size, location,<br />
amenities, style and more. This will make your search much easier and help you eliminate<br />
wasted effort. A good real estate agent should be able to survey your needs so that you are<br />
not guessing at the criteria.<br />
• Make a Decision Ahead of Time. <strong>The</strong>se days you may not have three days — or<br />
even three hours — to make a decision. You<br />
must be decisive. How much are you willing<br />
to bid if the home meets your criteria? You<br />
can see that having the loan and your requirements ahead of time are essential. Now you<br />
must act. Forget the game of negotiating back-and-forth with the owner. You must be decisive<br />
to succeed.<br />
Following these rules may very well mean the difference between home shopping<br />
and home owning!<br />
Editor note: Lourdes Carini is one of the <strong>Redwood</strong> City community members who will<br />
be contributing to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong>. If you have any questions regarding home loads please send<br />
them to: spectrumtext@yahoo.com or <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, P.O. Box 862, <strong>Redwood</strong> City,<br />
CA 94062.<br />
24 • February 2005
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
BUSINESS<br />
Three senior principals from BKF Engineers — Gary Wincott, Dave<br />
Evans and Max Keech — retired in January and were honored at a<br />
reception at the San Mateo County History Museum on Feb. 3. Wincott has<br />
been with BKF for 46 years, Evans for 32 years and Keech for 22 years.<br />
Evans and Keech worked in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Corporate Headquarters office while Wincott was<br />
the principal at the firm’s Walnut Creek office at the time of his retirement.<br />
BKF Engineers celebrates its 90th Anniversary of civil engineering in the Bay Area and Silicon<br />
Valley this year.<br />
Wincott Evans Keech<br />
Nothing helps a community<br />
like teamwork.<br />
When the people around here work together,<br />
there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. We’re proud<br />
to be part of the local team.<br />
Northern Division Commercial Banking<br />
John C. Adams, EVP • 415-396-2391<br />
© 20<strong>04</strong> Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. wellsfargo.com Member FDIC<br />
February 2005 • 25
COLUMN<br />
As I was Saying ...<br />
Continued from Page 9<br />
With rumors spreading around our community like wildfire, let’s take a factual<br />
look at this disturbing case and see how it has developed.<br />
Boicelli, a former teacher in the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Elementary School District, faces<br />
up to five years in prison for having a baby with her 16-year-old student. She has been<br />
charged with, and pleaded not guilty to, one count of statutory rape and three counts of<br />
lewd behavior with a minor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> case was first called to the attention of the <strong>Redwood</strong> City Police Department<br />
several years ago — they attempted to investigate claims of unusual behavior by Boicelli<br />
and the middle school student in question and that<br />
they were spending an inordinate amount of time together<br />
at Roy Cloud School, where she was teaching<br />
at the time.<br />
Boicelli reportedly met the boy at Fair Oaks<br />
Children’s Center in <strong>Redwood</strong> City and a love affair<br />
began to blossom. A fellow teacher alerted police to her suspicions in 2002, but there<br />
wasn’t enough evidence to charge Boicelli with a crime. Instead, “they both got a talking<br />
to” (oh, gee, and a slap on the wrist?).<br />
<strong>The</strong> boy later left for high school and Boicelli moved to Roy Cloud School, one of<br />
<strong>Redwood</strong> City’s most prestigious schools.<br />
In March 20<strong>04</strong>, police received a tip from a fellow teacher there about the inappropriate<br />
relationship. <strong>The</strong> teacher learned from a custodian who became suspicious<br />
after finding the two together one evening while cleaning rooms.<br />
<strong>The</strong> police department attempted to investigate, but was not able to develop any<br />
evidence until ultimately Boicelli became pregnant and they were able to obtain search<br />
warrants to do DNA testing for her, the baby and the student.<br />
It is not clear what Boicelli’s professed relationship is with the victim because she<br />
has not spoken to investigators. <strong>The</strong> victim however, was infatuated with Boicelli and<br />
believed at the time of the search warrant that he was in a relationship with her. He is<br />
reportedly not a willing participant in the prosecution and is not eager to go further with<br />
the prosecution.<br />
She is being held on $500,000 bail and the baby is under the custody of Boicelli’s<br />
parents in Menlo Park. <strong>The</strong>re was also a no-contact order issued between Boicelli and<br />
the victim. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 1.<br />
For credibility purposes, I do have to inform you that I have met Boicelli, her<br />
parents and sibling. All appeared to be fine people, especially her parents. This whole<br />
situation is shocking to me as well. Having said that, let’s take a look at where this case is<br />
going to go — to trial.<br />
Even though the victim in this case is not willing to testify, there is overwhelming<br />
evidence with the DNA and there is no possibility that he is not the father of the child<br />
which was conceived while he was a minor. Case closed!<br />
That is very strong evidence that she was violating the law by having unlawful<br />
intercourse with a minor. Regardless of the silly excuses we will all hear from the defense,<br />
this is an easy case because they have the DNA. Guilty!<br />
I am hearing credible attorneys say that this is a jury nullification case. <strong>The</strong> kid is<br />
now 18 years old, not a minor and has a kid. What is best for that child? Putting his<br />
mother in jail? Does that not sound crazy to you?<br />
<strong>The</strong> jury is going to look at this case as a teacher who picked out a kid, had an<br />
affair with him for a couple of years and ended up messing up this kid’s head so badly<br />
that he doesn’t know top from bottom or that it’s wrong for a adult teacher to have a<br />
sexual relationship with a student (or for that matter any minor at all).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are some saying Boicelli is a sick woman (you think?) who needs treatment<br />
not incarceration. Anybody who molests a kid needs treatment. I DON’T CARE if you<br />
molest a kid because you are sick in the head, you should have gotten treatment beforehand.<br />
Hopefully you will get treatment once you are incarcerated and can not victimize<br />
more once you are released. Take the treatment and enjoy your life later, girl.<br />
What has to happen in this case and others similar, is that a message must be sent<br />
to those persons of authority (such as teachers, priests, law enforcement agents, doctors)<br />
that if you cross the line with a child to unethical and immoral behavior, you are<br />
26 • February 2005<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
“(I remember) ... the good ol’ days when an ‘After-School Special’<br />
was something you watched on television.”<br />
—Jay Leno<br />
On former <strong>Redwood</strong> City teacher Rebecca Boicelli<br />
going to jail for a long time.<br />
It is disgusting that a child can not feel safe attending and parents can not feel safe<br />
in sending their kids to school. Unfortunately, I have seen the direct effects of similar<br />
situations and it is no badge of honor for a male child to have a sexual relationship with<br />
an adult, even his teacher.<br />
Oh by the way, there are two words that the defense in this case should be fearful<br />
of: Elizabeth Raffaelli, who is prosecuting this case for the District Attorney’s office.<br />
She has a solid reputation for her diligence and high conviction rate. She is the best of<br />
the best. Do I hear plea bargain?<br />
* * * *<br />
Maureen Borland, director of the San Mateo County Human Services Agency<br />
for 13 years, has announced that she will retire in July. If you will remember, Borland<br />
faced severe criticism following the death of an 8-<br />
month-old ward of the county who was killed by his<br />
father during an unsupervised visit over Christmas<br />
2002. Judge Marta Diaz, who handled the case, said<br />
Borland had tried to cover up the facts of the case to<br />
protect the agency’s reputation. <strong>The</strong> San Mateo<br />
County Board of Supervisors failed to take any substantial<br />
action against Borland and she continued in her job. I guess her announcement<br />
will do what should have been done months if not years ago. Good luck and don’t let the<br />
door hit you on the way out!<br />
* * * *<br />
I want to take this opportunity to say “Thanks” for all the messages, cards, e-mails<br />
etc. sending condolences about my Mom’s passing. <strong>The</strong> past two months have been<br />
very devastating to my family and I but the support we have been blessed with has made<br />
it more comforting.<br />
* * * *<br />
Be thankful for the past, no matter how bad it may seem now and move forward —<br />
if nothing else but to make Mom proud!<br />
As I was saying . . .
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> • <strong>Redwood</strong> City’s <strong>Monthly</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
NATURE<br />
Last chance to catch Año Nuevo bus and see the elephant seals is Feb. 27<br />
If this is the year you promised yourself that you would make the trip to the Año Nuevo State<br />
Reserve to see the wild and wonderful Northern Elephant Seals, you are running out of time.<br />
<strong>The</strong> SamTrans Año Nuevo package, which includes round-trip transportation to the reserve<br />
and a reservation for a three-mile guided walk, is only available until Feb. 27. Ample space is available<br />
on Saturday, Feb. 19, and on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 21.<br />
SamTrans leaves from two locations for this special service: Hillsdale Shopping Center in San<br />
Mateo and Albertson’s shopping center in Half Moon Bay.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two-and-one-half hour walk is conducted rain or shine. <strong>The</strong> entire trip, including the<br />
ride to the reserve, takes approximately six-and-one-half hours. Visitors traveling to the reserve by<br />
private car cannot use tickets purchased from SamTrans for their tour.<br />
For more information or to request a reservation form, call the SamTrans Año Nuevo hotline<br />
at 650-508-6441. People with hearing impairments may call (TDD only) 650-508-6448. Reservation<br />
forms also are available online at www.samtrans.com<br />
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28 • February 2005