Things To Know: Coats For Kids Give-Away

FEATURE SUBJECT:  Speak Up – Project Tomorrow Survey –  The results of this survey are very important to the children of the San Bruno Park School District.  PLEASE take the few minutes needed to take the survey AND share the survey with all of your San Bruno friends.  Thanks

“Speak Up” is the annual research project conducted by Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit group that collects and reports on the views of K-12 students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders on 21st education and technology.  This email is to encourage you to participate in this optional, but extremely valuable survey.  The purpose is gather data in the formulation of gaining a greater level of insight from all stakeholders.

The online survey is open to students, educators, parents, and other stakeholders. The survey has been translated for parents into Spanish.  It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.  You will find multiple choice and open-ended questions.  All information is 100% confidential.  Take the survey by following the instructions below:

1.        Go to www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2013

2.       Select the appropriate survey

3.       Select your state

4.       Enter your school name

*5.  If using this activity as a teachable opportunity, students will be required to enter in the “secret” word:  Excellence Together (case sensitive)

“Speak Up” is open for input between now and December 20th. 

Every participating school and district receives free online access to their own participant data in February, 2014 including the national and state data for comparison.  “Speak Up” provides national data for “benchmarking.  Additionally, Project Tomorrow shares the nationally aggregated data with Congress, the US Department of Education, research organizations, and many state governments.

ENTER TO WIN a Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit - To encourage people to be prepared for the next emergency or health related disaster, now through November 16th, the San Mateo County Health System will give away one Eton FRX2 emergency radio with smartphone charger each week and a grand prize winner will receive an American Red Cross Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit. People that live and work in San Mateo County may enter.

Visit the Emergency Preparedness Giveaway at https://www.facebook.com/SMCHealth

Saturday November 9 & Sunday November 10  - MILLBRAE MULTI FAMILY GARAGE SALE

November 9 & 10 • Saturday/Sunday  •  10am – 4pm
•    Baby Items
•    Furniture
•    Household items
•    Exercise Equipment
•    Gardening Tools..and more..

608 Guadalupe Avenue (Sat.Only)

652 Guadalupe Avenue (Sat. & Sun.)

Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day – City Offices Closed

Monday, November 11 – VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE - “A Tribute to Veterans” 10:30 a.m. at GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL CEMETERY 1300 Sneath Lane (Veterans Way), San Bruno.  This program will be held outdoors.

Speakers:

RADM Karl Schultz, U.S. Coast Guard

Quentin Kopp, U.S. Air Force veteran, retired judge

The program will also include the Band of the West, vocalists, Blue Star family wreath presentation & poem, Daly City Police Dept. Color Guard.

After the event, the public is invited to a no-host luncheon at the American Legion Hall, 757 San Mateo Ave. (corner of Huntington & San Mateo Avenues), in San Bruno. The cost is $8; proceeds benefit the Avenue of Flags Committee. To RSVP, call Carolyn Livengood, committee president, 650-355-5533 or by e-mail: carolynlivengood@sanbrunocable.com.

Monday, November 18 -   Senator Hill Calls for Hearing on Safety and the California Public Utilities Commission - New Report Highlights CPUC Weaknesses in Safety Oversight, Questions Agency Priorities

The California Senate’s Subcommittee on Gas and Electric Infrastructure Safety released a report this week criticizing the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC’s) lack of progress on safety since the September 2010 natural gas explosion in San Bruno that killed eight and destroyed 38 homes.  The report, “Slow Progress in Safety Regulation: Improving Priorities and Safety Plans of the California Public Utilities Commission,” finds that the CPUC’s priorities do not include safety, that safety isn’t adequately considered in utility proposals for rate increases, and that the CPUC’s safety enforcement programs are in disarray. Senator Jerry Hill, chair of the subcommittee, has called a hearing on November 18 to discuss the report with the CPUC.

Included in the report are criticisms that the CPUC has:

·        Ignored safety in its recent decision to bill customers potentially billions of dollars for new energy storage projects despite recent high-profile accidents.  

·        Walked away without follow-up after completing safety audits of PG&E, even when PG&E has challenged its conclusions.

·        Not produced an annual report on gas and electric safety for any years after 2009.

·        Dragged its feet in investigating fatal electrocutions, failing to finish investigations in the deaths of a San Mateo man when a power line fell in his front yard a year and a half ago and of three San Bernardino residents when another power line fell in their backyard nearly three years ago.

The report finds that commissioners must take a greater role in prioritizing safety and ensuring that the CPUC’s actions and operations reflect this priority. Furthermore, the report finds that the commissioners have sent the wrong message by ceding safety responsibility to CPUC management staff. Specifically, the report recommends that the CPUC:

·        Develop plans to implement safety measures that include goals, actions to meet those goals, and metrics to gauge success.

·        Consider safety-related findings, developed through a risk analysis, in making decisions.

·        Develop a system for tracking its directives to utilities so that it can follow up to make sure the utilities follow CPUC orders. 

Hill, in a letter to Senate Energy Committee Chair Alex Padilla, observed that the CPUC “simply is not organized for success” and “appears to be a year behind where it should be.”  Despite the weaknesses in CPUC leadership, Hill finds “reason to be hopeful” in the talent and dedication of the agency’s staff. 

View the report here.

View Hill’s letter to Senator Padilla here.

The report was released Monday following Hill’s subcommittee hearing, “Improving Safety Communication Among Cities, Utilities and CPUC” in which the cities of San Bruno, San Carlos, and Burlingame discussed their concerns with Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s outreach efforts. These concerns were raised anew with the court-ordered shutdown of a high pressure natural gas line running through San Carlos. View a webcast of the hearinghere. Hearing materials can be found here.  

Leslie Guevarra

Office of State Senator Jerry Hill

Office: 650-212-3313

Cell: 415-298-3404

Wednesday, November 13 -  Assemblyman Kevin Mullin will host a Facebook Privacy and Safety Workshop.   6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Aragon High School Performing Arts Theater, 900 Alameda de las Pulgas San Mateo, California 94402

At this Facebook Safety and Privacy Workshop hosted by Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, a representative from Facebook will discuss the Facebook Safety team and their efforts to keep users safe, an overview of Facebook privacy and account settings, and Facebook's partnerships in the broader safety community.

To register for this event:

https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/SurveysDirect.php?district=AD22&survey=25644&

For more information, contact the District Office at (650) 349-2200.

Thursday, November 21, 4:00-7:00pm - Coats for Kids Coat Give Away Day - Sponsored by: Recology San Bruno and the City of San Bruno - National Guard Armory, 455 3rd Avenue

All are Welcome! Limit ONE coat per person. Children MUST be present to receive a coat.

Coats for Kids Program made possible by:

*      California National Guard                                       

*     Our Wonderful Volunteers

*      San Bruno Residents and Businesses                     

*     San Bruno Donation Sites

Volunteer at Coat Give Away Day!

Would you like to help children and their families find a new warm coat for the winter?

Please contact Recology San Bruno at 650-583-8536 for more information.

Friday, November 22nd:  FREE International Business Seminar and Resource Expo

Learn about building a successful business through international trade from experts and exhibitors and discover opportunities in foreign trade at the International Business Seminar and Resource Expo.

Date/Time:
Friday, November 22, 2013
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:
San Mateo Event Center
1346 Saratoga Dr.
San Mateo, CA 94403
Parking: 10 dollars (cash only)

REGISTER NOW! No cost to attend.
Online at: www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/sbf.htm
Or by phone: 1-888-847-9652

To view the full invitation:www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/International_Seminar_11-22-13_web.pdf

For a preview of the agenda:www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/AGENDA_International_Business_Seminar_and_Resource_Expo.pdf

Space is limited. Reservations recommended.

Saturday, November 23 - U. S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier reports:

Dear Friends, 

To this end, I will be holding an event entitled Healthcare 411: Information & Advice about the New Healthcare Law on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 11:00am-4:00pm at the City of San Mateo Public Library.

Saturday, November 23 – Assemblyman Kevin Mullin hosts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Health & Safety Fair.  Come by to receive free health screenings, including blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, dental, glucose, vision and much more.

Get information on health care, family wellness and safety tips, and tell me your thoughts on legislative issues and concerns affecting the community. Here are the details:

The Tanforan Shopping Center
1150 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066
2nd Level near JC Penney

To RSVP for this event

https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/SurveysDirect.php?district=AD22&survey=25785&

For more information, contact the District Office at (650) 349-2200.

Saturday November 30 – Holiday Boutique

Date

Saturday November 30, 2013 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Contact

Recreation Division
650 616 7180

Description

Join us from 10am-4pm for our annual holiday boutique at the San Bruno Senior Center (1555 Crystal Springs Road). All vendor spaces are currently sold out, but admission to shop is FREE! Call 616-7180 for more information.

Tuesday, December 3 – Swearing in of candidates elected in November 5th 2013 election.  Time to be confirmed.  To take place at the San Bruno Senior Center.

Thursday, December 5 – 5:30 p.m. Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date

Thursday December 5, 2013 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Contact

Recreation Division
650 616 7180

Description

Join us in front of the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in City Park for the annual tree lighting ceremony. The events begins at 5:30 and Santa arrives around 5:35pm!

Saturday, December 7 & Sunday December 8 Holiday Train Kicks Off Holiday Train Kicks Off the Season Dec. 7 & 8

Caltrain will once again be transformed into Santa’s sleigh on the first weekend in December, as the Caltrain Holiday Train, presented by Silicon Valley Community Foundation, spreads holiday cheer from Santa Clara to San Francisco. Glowing with lights and holiday decorations, the glittering “show train” marks the start of the holiday season for local communities and, in the 11 years since its inception, has become a favorite holiday tradition for the Bay Area community.

In addition, one Caltrain passenger car “wrapped” in the Holiday Train artwork will be in service from early November to the end of December. For a preview this festive train, visit holiday-train.org/train-wrap.php

Decorated with tens of thousands of lights, the Holiday Train will visit nine Caltrain stations on the evenings of December 7th and 8th. At each of the train’s 20-minute station stops, people can join in singing with onboard carolers and a Salvation Army brass band. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their extended family will get off the train to greet kids and pose for pictures.

“The Holiday Train gives us the opportunity to come together with our friends and neighbors and give to those in need during the holiday season,” said Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and president of SVCF.

Carson also announced that SVCF will be extending their support of the  Holiday Train through 2014 and 2015. “We are proud to be a part of this great local tradition,” he said. “The excitement and joy that the Holiday Train brings to people when it pulls into the stations is truly a gift to our local communities.”

“I am happy that the Holiday Train will be chugging down the tracks once again, transporting the spirits of the young and young-at-heart,” said Caltrain Chair Ken Yeager. “We are proud to have the continued support of Silicon Valley Community Foundation in providing this magical experience.”

In keeping with the spirit of the season, the Holiday Train also offers people the opportunity to make a gift to a child in need. Representatives from The Salvation Army and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program will be at every station collecting toys for local children. Since the inception of Holiday Train, generous Bay Area residents have brought more than 49,000 toys to Caltrain stations. People are again encouraged to help make the holidays brighter for local children by bringing a new, unwrapped toy when they visit the Holiday Train.

Santa’s helpers can get into the holiday spirit by donating or becoming a sponsor on the Caltrain Holiday Train website: holiday-train.org

The Holiday Train would not be possible without generous support for everything from decorations and wiring to costumes.

Community Support
Parsons and Whole Foods are Conductor Sponsors. The Nancy H. Handel/Handel Sunrise Foundation, Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation and Linear Technology Corporation are “Trainmaster” Sponsors. 

Media sponsors include Comcast, the Daily Journal, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Magazine 94.5 KBAY, 95.7 THE GAME, 96.5 KOIT, 102.9 KBLX and 102.13/98.5 KFOX.

Bayside Equipment Company of Redwood City donated the use of a generator to light up the decorations. Other in-kind sponsors include Jim’s Handyman Services, Locando Positano Restaurant, McCune Audio & Lighting, Peterson Technical Services, the Subway store located in the San Francisco Caltrain Station and Whole Foods Markets.

Saturday, December 7

Station

Arrive

San Francisco

4:00 p.m.

Burlingame

5:15 p.m.

Redwood City

6:15 p.m.

Palo Alto (California Ave.)

6:50 p.m.

Santa Clara

8:10 p.m.

Sunday, December 8  

Station

Arrive

San Francisco

4:00 p.m.

Millbrae

5:15 p.m.

San Mateo

6:20 p.m.

Menlo Park

7:45 p.m.

Sunnyvale

8:40 p.m.

Monday, December 9 – Caltrain Seeks Volunteers for Bicycle Advisory Committee

Caltrain Seeks Volunteers for Bicycle Advisory Committee

Caltrain is seeking volunteer representatives for the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Applicants who wish to apply must be part of a San Francisco public agency;  part of a San Mateo County public agency; a member of a San Mateo County bicycle advocacy organization; or a member of the Santa Clara County general public.

The nine-member committee is not a policy board but serves as the primary venue to express the interests and perspectives of Caltrain bicyclists. 

The BAC meets one evening every other month in San Carlos, just one block from the San Carlos Caltrain Station.  All meetings are open to the public.

Applications are due Monday, Dec. 9. Individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Members will be selected by the Staff Coordinating Council of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board.  The council is made up of representatives of the three partner agencies. 

Interested persons can download an application by clicking here or call 650.508.6223.

CONTINUING EVENT NEEDING YOUR SUPPORT:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties

Who We Are

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger. Since its inception in 1974, Second Harvest has become one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month. The Food Bank mobilizes individuals, companies, and community partners to connect people to the nutritious food they need. Nearly half of the food distributed is fresh produce. Second Harvest also plays a leading role in promoting federal nutrition programs and educating families on how to make healthier food choices.

What We Do

In fiscal year 2013 (July 2012 - June 2013), we distributed nearly 52 million pounds of nutritious food to low-income people in need in every zip code of our service area from Daly City to Gilroy, and from the ocean to the bay.

We provide food efficiently through our innovative direct-service programs (see below) and by collaborating with a network of more than 300 partner non-profit agencies operating at 740 different food distribution sites. Partner agencies include shelters, pantries, soup kitchens, children's programs, senior meal sites, and residential programs.

Throughout the fiscal year, volunteers contributed nearly 310,000 hours of service, which saved us $6.2 million in equivalent personnel costs.

Who We Serve

During the fiscal year, we served an average of more than 253,000 people per month. The majority of people we serve are seniors and low-income families with children.

Food Bank Programs

Second Harvest operates direct service programs for seniors, families with children, and individuals:

·        Family Harvest provides monthly food assistance to low-income families with children.

·        Brown Bag provides weekly food assistance to low-income seniors.

·        Kids NOW (Nutrition on Weekends) provides children ages 6-18 with an assortment of food items to take home every Friday.

·        Partners in Need (PIN) provides weekly food assistance to low-income Food Bank volunteers.

·        Produce Mobile delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income households with limited access to community markets.

·        Mobile Pantry delivers food to geographically-isolated communities and those with limited services.

We also help individuals find food assistance programs, learn about proper nutrition, and gain access to resources available to them:

·        Food Connection Hotline connects callers to multilingual operators who refer them to local food assistance programs.

·        Nutrition Education provides nutrition, health, and food safety workshops to agencies and clients.

·        Food Stamp Outreach helps eligible households apply for food stamps and receive benefits within days.

Curtner Center

750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose CA 95125
Using a GPS? Be sure to choose SAN JOSE when you type in the address!
Printable Directions | Google Maps

Phone: (408) 266-8866
Fax: (408) 266-9042

Regular Business Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Cypress Center

4001 North 1st Street, San Jose CA 95134
Printable Directions | Google Maps

Phone: (408) 266-8866
Fax: (408) 266-9042

Regular Business Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bing Center

1051 Bing Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Printable Directions | Google Maps

Phone: (650) 610-0800
Fax: (650) 610-0808

Regular Business Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CONTINUING EVENT NEEDING YOUR SUPPORT:

Mosquitoes breed in San Mateo County 12 months of the year!

San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District:

The San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District continues to remind all residents to continue to dump all standing water, so there are fewer possible locations where mosquitoes may breed.

Questions or concerns about how the District is working to prevent mosquito breeding and to curtail the possible spread of WNV can be obtained by contacting District Manager Robert Gay at 650-344-8952.  Additional info:  http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html   The District’s Monthly Report is posted here: http://www.smcmad.org/entomology_reports.htm  Select the month of interest.  The reports are usually uploaded the month after the cover date.  Usually there is no August report and sometimes there is no November report.  Questions on items in the reports should be directed to District Manager Robert Gay 344-8592.  Mr. Gay is available to speak to your group or organization on the District’s programs.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:

The San Bruno Chamber of Commerce sponsored their 1st blood drive with the Blood Centers of the Pacific and as part of their Sunday Farmers’ Market on San Mateo Avenue.  The Chamber is pleased to report that on Sunday September 1st 2013 shoppers donated 10 units.  Blood is always needed and donors can always goto www.bloodcenters.org to schedule YOUR next appointment.  Once you sign up, now you can even schedule your donations on line out into the future.  Consider scheduling a donation, say every 3 months.  For more information or for answers:  415-567-6400.

Watch the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce web page for information on when and where they will be holding their next BCP Blood Drive.  www.SanBrunoChamber.com

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:

Transit Corridor Pedestrian Connection (Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements)

Description

This project aims to improve sidewalk conditions for pedestrians along El Camino Real, San Bruno Avenue and Huntington Avenue. Work includes the installation of street trees, as-needed irrigation systems, bus benches, pedestrain way finding signage, and recycling/trash receptacles; the construction of accessible curb ramps and pedestrian crossings; landscape improvements near the I-380 over crossing of Huntington Avenue; and lighting and public art improvements near the I-380 over crossing of El Camino Real. This project will be completed in two phases. Phase II construction is not scheduled to begin until after the completion of the Caltrain Grade Separation Project.

Click here for full project description from the 2012-17 CIP Budget Book

Status

Construction for Phase I was completed in early 2013. Grant funding for the second contract will be in the amount of $850,000. Bicycle and pedestrian improvements are currently under design and construction will commence upon the completion of the Grade Separation Project. Additional landscape improvements (deferred from the initial contract) is expected to be completed by 2015.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:  Master Plan Executive Summary - The Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan Booklet is available for review at the San Bruno Recreation Center, San Bruno Library and the Senior Center.

We have prepared this executive summary of the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan (CPRFMP) as a brief, yet clear approach to understanding and addressing the immediate and long-term future of the City of San Bruno’s Parks and Recreation Facilities

The Master Plan described within the following document details how through a process that involved site analysis, historical data, public comment, City staff input and project research, a base of knowledge was assembled.  This information was then applied to the entire Parks and Recreation Facilities system to create a vision or program for the next 10-15 years.  The program identifies the fundamental goals and objectives of the Master Plan; however, the Master Plan does not provide all the answers.  The CPRFMP is a living document which needs to be strong, yet flexible and will require attention from time to time as the City, citizens and their needs change.

The San Bruno Parks and Recreation Facilities were generally introduced to the City in the current form during the late 1950’s and except for some improvements, which occurred in the early 1980’s, has generally been maintained as the status quo.  The result of this long period use with little capital improvements taking place has created the need for substantial reinvestment into the Parks and Recreation Facilities as the City looks toward the future.  The capital requires to implement the Master Plan would most assuredly necessitate organizing a bond measure for public approval, based on current funding levels to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Departments and the quantity of modernization required.

The three areas identified as the most important priorities for the San Bruno Parks and Recreation Facilities in the CPRFMP are first, addressing the number of public health, safety and welfare issues present in all of the parks and recreation facilities.  Second, removal and development of the entire city playground system to reflect current national safety and accessibility standards while utilizing current trend in playground design.  Third would be to bring a level of equality to the Parks and Recreation Facilities.  This would include developing programs for currently underrepresented user groups such as senior citizens and teens, providing quality athletic equipment throughout the park system for all organized sports, and modernizing systems that take advantage of technologies that can reduce man hours and other resources to create a more efficient and cost effective system.

While a bond measure would be the most effective approach to gaining necessary capital needed for the park and recreation facility recommendations contained herein, that process is a timely and complex one requiring important decisions to be made by the city and its citizens.    

If the City chooses to not pursue a bond measure as the primary source of capital required for major modernization, our recommendation would be to develop a plan to modernize all of the pocket parks and neighborhood parks in terms of safety, accessibility, playground redevelopment and site infrastructure improvements.  This course of action would bring the park system back to the neighborhoods by encouraging public recreation at the neighborhood level and re-establishing the parks most accessible to all the citizens of San Bruno.  This strategy communicates an immediate forward movement in reestablishing the parks into the community through tangible improvements.

However, another direction in the City may choose to pursue would be to concentrate all available resources into redeveloping some of the larger parks located throughout the city.  These parks could include Pacific Heights, Monte Verde, Lions Field, Commodore and the City Park.  This approach would create five community parks offering an improved level of service throughout the city.

In conclusion, the City of San Bruno’s Park and Recreation Facilities are a vital and integral part of community fabric.  As you look into the future, though many tough decisions will need to be made regarding evolution of the aging currents system into an operationally efficient, forward thinking, modern Parks and Recreation Facilities Department.