Spectrum June 2013 Issue - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood ...

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As I Was Saying… Publisher | Steve Penna I, like many residents of San Mateo County, was not in favor of changing the election process for the county supervisor seats from “at large” to districts. Voters approved that change last year and, since then, sitting supervisors have been concentrating more on the cities and areas within their boundaries. The main argument to wanting “at large” seats was that supervisors voting on issues outside of their represented area should be held accountable by voters if they are making decisions for all districts. They still vote that way today although elected now by individual districts. I hope that is not too confusing. Anyway, for those of us who are passionate about and have been waiting for a county supervisor to pay some much-needed attention to the North Fair Oaks (NFO) unincorporated area of Redwood City, this change has now been welcomed as Supervisor Warren Slocum is making an attempt to focus on the neighborhood I was born and raised in. Now, I am not saying that Slocum holding regular community meetings, cleanup days or glorified festivals is a large step forward, but it is a step nonetheless and it should be noticed and acknowledged. But let’s take it a step further and not just concentrate on all the touchy-feely good stuff that gets those doing it mentioned in media outlets. Let’s get to work! I always get a real laugh from all the elected officials and wannabes who attend the NFO Community Festival in the summer, where they try to act like they are supportive and a part of the neighborhood when you know that is the only time you will see them in that neighborhood. It is absolutely embarrassing for me to watch them pretend that they care when, in reality, they attend that event to create the illusion that they do. It is actually pathetic and is one of the reasons that the neighborhood continues to cope with the existing problems they have. The ones who can really help don’t spend any time there. There are some unique issues facing that neighborhood, and we should all be concerned and get involved with them because we interact with each other on a daily basis. I would bet most of you probably don’t even realize that our community is split and represented by different governmental agencies. Let me try to break it down in simple terms. Incorporated areas of Redwood City are represented by our City Council and served by the Redwood City Police and Fire departments, water districts, Parks and Recreation Department and so on. Unincorporated areas are represented by county supervisors, the county Sheriff’s Office, county fire services and so on. The areas www.SpectrumMagazine.net of Redwood City that are unincorporated are the NFO and Emerald Hills neighborhoods. Got it? So if you live in the incorporated area and your local tax dollars stay there and vice versa, why should we care about “them”? Well, let me give you a few reasons. In many areas of our city, one side of the street is incorporated and the other is not. That alone should be enough. But if that is not, here are a few others. 1) Students in both areas go to some of the same schools. 2) Crime control information is shared and the involved agencies work together to reduce and control it. 3) We share garbage and recycling services and therefore the same concerns and pricing. I could give a few more examples, but I think you get the idea that we are neighbors regardless of boundaries. We need to communicate and need to interact. The NFO Community Center location on Middlefield is a prime example. Part of the property is unincorporated and part is incorporated. But they work together to provide services like the senior center and the library. So what do we need to concentrate on or give some attention to? Well, I am no expert, but I do keep track of activity in my old neighborhood by shopping there, volunteering there and visiting friends and associates who live there. The issues in that neighborhood are more societal than anything else, and those types of issues are hard to work on. I mean, the federal government cannot even do that. But we must try. I was impressed to read a statement from Slocum that captured the neighborhood: “I have come to learn, however, that in many ways there are two San Mateo Counties. One is punctuated by wealth, software and biotechnology. The other is a place where 40 percent of third-graders don’t read at grade level, 67,000 adults don’t have health insurance, 180,000 are without dental insurance and more than 50,000 cannot afford necessary medications. The percent of families living in poverty has increased significantly countywide, and there is an area between Atherton and central Redwood City where more than 20 percent of the people live in poverty. Government policies that shape our work, families and lives could be better, and we all know it. We also know that government can be more efficient, more responsive and cost less, and I made it my personal responsibility to do just that during my time in office. I like nothing better than rolling up my sleeves, tackling problems one by one and making things work better,” Slocum stated. Low-income families are among the biggest issues facing that area, and those are the issues that need attention. I sometimes wonder who is actually supposed to feel good after the cleanup days, outside office hours and coffee-with-cops type outreach? But gathering information is a vital first step and what those types of activities are supposed to foster. Someone once told me that “most of us are just a paycheck or two away from poverty.” That has always stuck in my mind and is probably the reason I buy the special things I like in bulk. That way, if I can’t afford it next month, I have it. So how do Slocum and others like him address those issues? It sounds clichéd, but it is most definitely “thinking outside the box.” Knowing your community and the existing problems and developing new ways of addressing them is key. All you need to do is look at the violence in East Palo Alto and realize that they need someone to “think outside the box” and try something different. In fact, the Sheriff’s Office or some other law enforcement agency needs to intervene there to assist as they had to do a decade or so ago to reduce the crime and killings that have exploded again recently. How many lives have been lost because of the lack of leadership in finding solutions? That is something a county supervisor might want to take on. In fact, one of the current supervisors, Don Horsley, was county sheriff when they had to assist back then and might be the one to lead the effort now. As you may remember, cursed by a flourishing drug trade and violent gang wars, East Palo Alto recorded the highest murder rate in the nation during 1992. A partnership of sorts with the Sheriff’s Office quickly reduced crime and the murder rate. At that time, that was “thinking outside the box.” Slocum’s approach in part seems to be gathering information, and he is doing quite well at that. Every Wednesday, he holds weekly evening office hours in NFO. Residents are encouraged to drop in and share their concerns. The hours are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fair Oaks Community Center at 2600 Middlefield Road in Redwood City. In response, he is getting interest. He also has a great communicator of information in his own home. His wife, Maria Diaz-Slocum, attended Hoover School in the NFO area and graduated from Sequoia High School. She currently works at the NFO library and serves on the board of trustees for the Redwood City School District. She has years of knowledge to share. Recently the “Be Seen Keepin’ It Clean” cleanup event in NFO attracted over 225 residents volunteering to help in the effort. The neighborhood is better off because of this collaborative effort with the North Fair Oaks council. The CityTrees organization is currently working with Slocum to try to get a tree pruning and (continues on page 24)
Mobius: A Continuous Path to Better Fitness By Julie McCoy, contributing writer Do you want to get in shape this summer, or simply stay in shape? Mobius Fit, a unique 6,000-square-foot gym at 1709 Woodside Road, can help you do just that. “This is a personal health club,” explained Gordon Bliss, manager/partner at Mobius Fit. “This is a full-blown club that caters to individuals.” RAW classes Specializing in small group personal training, Mobius Fit provides what is known as Real Athletic Workout (RAW) classes, which involve using TRX cables and weights. RAW classes provide a totalbody workout. You can burn approximately 600 to 700 calories for each RAW class you take. There are several different levels, including Vitality RAW for beginners, seniors and people with injuries; Foundation RAW, which provides a great workout and a stepping stone to some of Mobius Fit’s advanced classes; and Active RAW, for those who want to challenge themselves. Class size is limited to 12 people per class. The instructors provide personal training, so when people take the RAW classes, they don’t have to pay for a personal trainer. Kickboxing, stretch and yoga classes too In addition to the RAW classes, Mobius Fit provides kickboxing, spin, stretch/yoga, roller and Zumba classes. Bar Method classes taught by Wicked’s Melissa Chait Mobius Fit also recently began offering classes that use the Bar Method, which helps you burn fat, carve muscle, reshape your body, sculpt your arms, trim your waist and enhance your posture. The Bar Method provides the same training ballet dancers use. Melissa Chait, an accomplished actress and dancer who is most well-known for her performance in the hit Broadway musical Wicked, is leading the Bar Method classes. Managing partners have decades of experience Bliss, who has 40 years of experience in the fitness industry and a degree in human performance from San Jose State, runs Mobius Fit with Ross Headley, who also serves as manager/partner. Headley, who played football in college, holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and has been a personal trainer since 1998. Many members from surrounding areas Approximately 40 percent of Mobius Fit’s members live in Redwood City, while 60 percent are from surrounding cities and towns, according to Bliss. He estimates that 20 percent of the gym’s membership is from Menlo Park, 20 percent is from Atherton and 20 percent is from Woodside. Owners Ross Headley and Gordon Bliss greet members every day! Trainer Ulises Lemus instructs a member in proper workout form. Named after Mobius loop Why is the gym named Mobius Fit? “Mobius loop is an infinite loop,” Bliss explained. “We call it our continuous path to better fitness. Diet and exercise have to be a continuous loop.” Training people to be like athletes DeAnn Teixeira, exercise instructor at Mobius Fit, instructs the RAW classes, runs the Shape of Challenge 12-week weight-loss program and is an on-site nutritionist. As a trainer, nutritionist and wellness coach, she uses her background to help people get set up for success. “I want people to go beyond what they think their limitations are and to surprise themselves,” she said. “People are not looking to be skinny; they’re looking to be fit. Their role models are athletes now, so we train people to be like athletes.” Giving you the tools to succeed Redwood City resident Pam McNair, who walks to Mobius Fit, said, “They give you the tools to succeed. It’s a lot of fundamentals and then you build on those as you move up in class. You’re building on core movements. As you join, you move Different responsibilities While both Bliss and Headley do a little bit of everything at Mobius Fit, Bliss focuses on Mobius Fit’s website, kickboxing classes and spin classes while Headley concentrates on teaching the RAW classes. The two have known each other for 30 years. “We have a good friendship,” Headley said. Like family Mobius Fit is like a family, Headley stressed. “We’re really developing that family feel,” he said. “Everyone knows your name. You’re not just a number.” Goal is to be 500 strong by the end of the year Mobius Fit currently has about 400 members. The goal is to have 500 members by the end of the year, according to Bliss. “By the end of the year, I’m hoping to have a waitlist,” Bliss said. “That’s kind of our goal.” Offshoot of Fitness 101 Mobius Fit, which opened in October 2011, is an offshoot of Fitness 101, a former health club that was in Menlo Park. Prior to opening Mobius Fit, Bliss and Headley worked together at Fitness 101. from Foundation to Active. Your core strength increases.” McNair added, “It’s a very small environment. They’re very motivating. They help you achieve whatever your goal is.” A total-body workout Bonnie Black of Menlo Park participates in the RAW, stretch/yoga, roller and spin classes at Mobius Fit. “I love the trainers,” she said. “It’s just so focused. You get the most excellent workout because of the variety and trainers. What they offer here is a total-body workout. It’s just amazing the results (continues on page 20) The Spectrum 7
Page 1: SUPERINTENDENT JIM LIANIDES ENJOYIN
Page 4 and 5: Inside The Spectrum: Cover Story Ph
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Page 28: Alpio and his team support local yo

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