Calendar of RSCA Events
RSCA Annual Meeting
Tuesday, February 6th at 6:30 PM
Interested in learning more about issues affecting the
Shores? Join us as we host members of the Belmont
Redwood Shores School District, Carlmont High School,
Police and Fire Departments, City Council, and more for
our annual meeting. All are welcome.
Happy New Year to all! RSCA’s Membership Drive still underway
Welcome to 2024! A fresh new year stretches out before us. What are some
Many thanks to all who have renewed their memberships or
goals and resolutions that you hope to achieve this new year? For RSCA,
recently joined! You are helping support community‐building
we hope to welcome new board members to join in our efforts to build
events and advocacy for Redwood Shores! If you haven’t yet
community and advocate for the Shores. We invite new voices and view-
points, so please consider joining the board as you sign up for your annual renewed or signed up, please visit RSCA.org/membership to
membership. You can email
[email protected] for more information. join RSCA online. It only takes $45 to help the Shores remain
a vibrant community. Join today!
The Shores has grown tremendously over the years, and I have pride that
RSCA has been a large part of how this has happened. Working with the Share your holiday decorations and traditions
city, county, school districts, etc., RSCA has helped establish and maintain Send photos of your beloved holiday decorations and
the community we have today. It can be hard, at times, but rewarding. traditions by Friday, Jan. 13, and we may feature them in our
It’s amazing that 2023 is now over. Seems like time has just flown by. It February issue.
[email protected]was only recently that I realized that the Redwood Shores Community You can always find more information about these and other
Association (RSCA) is heading into its 54th year as the advocate for community events on our website at:
Redwood Shores. We weren’t able to celebrate the 50th anniversary due to
COVID, but with 55 years coming up in 2025, we are looking to throw RSCA.org
a big celebration for Redwood Shores!
We would also like to invite all residents of Redwood Shores to the RSCA
Annual Meeting on February 6th at 6:30 in the Sandpiper Community
Center. This community forum will be your chance to talk to the Police
Chief, Fire Chief, members of all the departments in the City of Redwood
City, and City Council board members regarding matters important to
you. There will also be representatives from the Belmont Redwood Shores
School District and Carlmont High School in attendance, as well as
representatives from California Wildlife to answer questions about wildlife
in our neighborhood, including recent coyote migrations. More guests are
being added to the list, so please join us and learn more about Redwood "When we go out, Sumi
Shores and where it’s headed in the future. Hope to see you there! always knows and waits
at the car. She loves car
As always, please email
[email protected] with any questions you may have. rides to go places.
Sincerely, REDWOOD SHORES: We’d love to meet your pets! Send a
photo of your pet(s), and they may be featured here. Email
Sue Nix,
[email protected] with a photo and some fun facts about your
RSCA President pet. Look inside for additional pet photos.
REDWOOD SHORES
Community Association
274 Redwood Shores Pkwy, PMB #603
Redwood Shores, CA 94065 ‐ 1173
www.RSCA.org | [email protected]
Board of Directors
Melanie Baldwin Ed Messinger
Nina Boire Connie Munevar
Kendra Bronstein Sue Nix
Martha Cullimore Ben Ploshay
Carol Ford Bob Slusser
Rona Gundrum Aaron Susman
Anne Hagan Steven Tsujisaka
Don Long Shawn White
(Email us if you would like to become a board member,
serve on a committee, or volunteer for upcoming events.)
RSCA’s Board of Directors meet on the 2nd Thursday of each
month, at the Sandpiper Community Center, or online via Zoom,
depending on conditions.
Our next Board Meeting will be at 6:30pm on:
• Happy New Year to All ..........................................................Page 1
• RSCA Events Calendar ...........................................................Page 1 January 11, 2024
• RSCA Membership Drive ......................................................Page 1
• Redwood Shores Tennis Club ...............................................Page 2 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD (non‐HOA areas): For
CC&R copies & information, email:
[email protected]• Architectural Design Board ..................................................Page 4
• CERT: Creating a Household Emergency Plan .......................Page 4 Deadlines for The PILOT
• Education Corner (BRSSD).....................................................Page 6 Space reservations are due at the end of the first week of each
• RSCA Recap ...........................................................................Page 7 month, with articles and artwork due by the end of the second
week of each month for the following month’s issue. Please
• From the Mayor: Jeff Gee ...................................................Page 8
email
[email protected] for a precise schedule.
• Pets of Redwood Shores .......................................................Page 9
PUBLISHER: Redwood Shores Community Association
• Santa Visits the Shores..........................................................Page 9
The PILOT is the official monthly publication of the Redwood
• Astrophotography in the Shores .........................................Page 10 Shores Community Association.
• Redwood Shores Library Update ..........................................Page 10 CIRCULATION: 6,000 Shores Households & Businesses
• Coyote Education Silver Award ...........................................Page 14 Opinions published in The PILOT are soley those of the authors
• Enrichment Club at RSES.....................................................Page 14 and not the expressions of RSCA unless officially and expressly
designated.
• New Fitness Court in RWS ..................................................Page 14
• Favorite Winter Activities....................................................Page 14
• Scouting for Food Event ......................................................Page 14
• Girls Scouts Operation Holiday Card ...................................Page 15
https://www.facebook.com/RSCAorg/
Page 2 January 2024 The PILOT
Practice:
• Practice your home escape plan using all exit routes.
• Practice earthquake and fire drills. (Twice/year is recommended.)
• Go to your designated meeting places so everyone knows exactly
where they are located.
• Text your out-of-area contact to confirm it works.
• Have a picnic with your emergency supplies, to make it fun for
kids to be involved. (This is a great way to rotate your supplies
to keep them fresh!)
Creating a Household Emergency Plan Having a Household Emergency Plan will give you peace of mind
and aid your family in dealing with an emergency or local disaster
By Ed Messinger
more effectively. Having a plan will also help minimize initial panic,
Redwood Shores CERT Lead knowing that your family members have a plan of action to follow.
With the start of a new year, now is a good time to create a So don’t delay, create your plan today!
Household Emergency Plan, or if you have one, review it and practice
it with your family members.
In the event an emergency or local
disaster, do you have a Household
Emergency Plan in place so members of
your family know what to do and where
to meet, if needed? After a disaster, basic New Year Tidings from ADB!
services may be impacted and unavailable.
Communications may be limited, power The Architectural Design Board would like to wish everyone a
may be out, roads may be inaccessible, wonderful New Year. It’s amazing how time flies! Now that the
and we will likely experience delays from holidays are behind us, remember to schedule some time to take
emergency responders. down your holiday lights. It’s wonderful to see the ornate lights, but
they should be promptly put away once the holiday season is over.
Having a Household Emergency Plan
(and a Home Disaster Supply Kit) will aid your family members in We do have a few reminders to everyone who lives in Redwood
responding to an emergency or local disaster. Shores. Every property in the Shores has CC&Rs (Covenants,
Make a Plan: Conditions & Restrictions)—even the homes which are not in an
HOA, meaning the original homes. This means that the property
• Identify two exit routes from every room in your home. In a owner has a responsibility to maintain their property, including
disaster, the primary route may be blocked. landscaping, paint and fencing.
• Choose two different meeting locations after a disaster. One
Adherence to CC&Rs on properties are neither voluntary nor
should be near your home, in the event of a local emergency,
dependent upon membership in RSCA or RSOA. The ADB is
such as a fire. The other should be outside your neighborhood,
required to enforce the CC&Rs, for the betterment and value of the
in case your entire area is affected by a larger disaster.
community.
• Choose an out-of-area contact. Local phone access tends to be
The Architectural Design Board is currently working on their
overloaded during an emergency, so having an out-of-area
quarterly audit. It’s been noticed that numerous homes still have
contact helps to more easily reconnect your family members via
garbage cans in view from the street. Not only is it a nuisance, but it
the out-of-area contact. Choose someone who lives far enough
can also cause your home and neighbors’ homes to lose value.
away that he or she would be unaffected by the same emergency.
Everyone in your household should keep a copy of the contact Please take a quick look at your home: does it need some work,
information with them. landscaping maintenance, paint or are your garbage cans in view?
• After a disaster, use texting or email, as phone lines get Please remove the cans from view. Submit an application to the ADB
overwhelmed. Texting is more likely to get through due to the regarding painting, landscaping or fences. Remember, anything that
nature of its transmission. you do to the exterior of your home needs to be approved before you
start the project.
Talk about your Plan:
If you are planning an addition to your home, please be mindful that
• Talk with your family members about the specifics of your Plan,
your addition needs to be compatible to the other homes in the area.
and how each member should respond.
Earth tones are preferred. Dark or extremely light colors are not colors
• Understand each person’s needs and abilities, and identify any that are approved. Please take this into consideration.
family member’s risks and/or vulnerabilities (pets included.)
The CC&Rs are in place to maintain home values and the quality of
• Review each person’s role and the plan to work together as a life in the Shores. We urge your cooperation in doing your part for
team. the community.
Page 4 January 2024 The PILOT
The Caroline Dinsmore Group:
Your Peninsula Real Estate Experts
Kitchen Before Kitchen Aer
Bathroom Before Bathroom Aer
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(650) 773-2226 The Caroline
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Broker DRE: 01976469
www.carolinedinsmore.com
©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an aempt to
solicit your listing. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act
Education Corner: BRSSD Enrollment Portal opens in January
Dan Deguara, BRSSD Superintendent
Now Enrolling for Fall 2024
The Belmont-Redwood Shores School District (BRSSD) is a wonderful District's home page, www.brssd.org. The parent/guardian will need to
place to teach and learn! With a strong connection to our community and complete the enrollment form online and then print the Enrollment
guided by instructional practices rooted in innovation and critical Confirmation page at the end of the online process. When the enrollment
thinking, our District provides all students with a strong academic period begins, please bring the Enrollment Confirmation pages along with
foundation in a caring and nurturing environment. BRSSD is home to all required supporting documents to our enrollment event at Ralston
award-winning programs and schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Middle School on Jan 24 or to your school’s Administrative Assistant (for
and California Distinguished Schools. sibling priority enrollment only) to complete your enrollment. On any
Now is the time to enroll new students for the 2024–2025 school year. dates after Jan 24, please make an appointment to visit our District Office
The First Enrollment Period is from January 24, 2024–March 15, 2024. to submit your enrollment documents in person.
Dates and times are as follows: What school will my child go to?
January 9: Online enrollment portal opens Students will be assigned to elementary schools based on their homes'
January 15–February 16: TK-K Sibling Priority Only (Enrollment at walking distance to each of the six elementary schools and space availability
sibling's school site) by grade at each school. The algorithm used in the school assignment
January 24: In-Person, New Student Enrollment, for all schools, all grades, minimizes the total walking distance of all the students, given the capacity
will be held at Ralston Middle School from 2 to 6 pm limits at each school. Due to the high student enrollment across the
January 25–March 15: New Student Enrollment by appointment only. District, there is no guarantee a student will be assigned to his/her closest
Make an appointment to submit documents at the District Office. school. Each enrollment period is a self-contained cycle.
Because school assignment is based on the distance from students' Need Help? Have Questions?
residences to schools, there is no need to be first in line. All new TK and Should you have any additional questions or need additional assistance,
Kindergarten students enrolled during the first enrollment period will be please contact Victor Ramirez, our Enrollment Specialist at
assigned to schools during the initial school assignment algorithm run and
[email protected] or by contacting 650-637-4800, x1036.
will be notified of a school assignment on April 1, 2024. All new 1st–8th
grade students enrolled during the first enrollment period will be notified
June 15, 2024.
What is the age-eligibility for enrollment in Transitional Kindergarten
(TK), Kindergarten, and 1st Grade?
• A child is eligible for TK in the 2024–2025 school year if he/she has
his/her 5th birthday between September 2, 2024 and June 2
(inclusive), 2025.
• A child is eligible for Kindergarten in the 2024–2025 school year if
they have his/her 5th birthday on or before September 1, 2024.
• A child is eligible for 1st Grade in the 2024–2025 school year if they
have his/her 6th birthday on or before September 1, 2024.
How do I enroll my student?
The student enrollment ‘form’ will be completed online in our District
online enrollment system. The link to this online system is found on the
Page 6 January 2024 The PILOT
BRET EVANS
282 Redwood Shores Pkwy
Redwood City, CA 94065
Licensed Broker 26 Years Start the New Year with a home that speaks to your dreams!
CalDRE# 01223530 Wishing you joy, prosperity, and a year filled with beautiful
(650) 722-6555 beginnings. As your local real estate Broker, I'm here to help
[email protected] you find the perfect place to create lasting memories.
www.bretevanshomes.com
Whether you are looking to buy, sell, or invest, trust in
personalized service and expertise. Contact me today to
unlock your next chapter in the world of real estate!
With over 26 years experience, Bret is one of the hardest working Brokers out there, and will negotiate the highest possible price for your home.
Bret is a native of the SF Peninsula and has a wealth of knowledge of the neighborhood.
RSCA Recap: A look back at 2023 and a call for new board members
By Rona Gundrum from the newly formed district will occur in November 2024; stay
Happy New Year, Shores Neighbors! We hope you had a wonderful tuned for more information.
holiday season. As we embark on 2024, we would like to share recent In 2024 we will continue advocating for additional community
and upcoming additions to and activities for the Shores. RSCA’s on- improvements, along with levee improvements to address sea-level rise.
going advocacy and endeavors have resulted in improved safety and And, of course, we plan to continue our social events such as the
recreation amenities for the community. Halloween Parade, Spring Eggstravaganza, Santa Visits the Shores,
We worked with the police department and City to bring a police Summer concerts in Marlin Park, and annual Levee Cleanup!
substation housed at the library and, after working with the We cannot do this alone. We welcome community involvement! Please
Marketplace management on the successful introduction of license consider joining the board, or signing up to help with our activities
plate readers to help stop vehicle break-ins, license plate readers are and endeavors. If you are unable to volunteer your time, joining or
being installed at the Marine and Redwood Shores Parkways renewing your RSCA membership directly supports RSCA’s social
intersections leading into the Shores to further deter potential crime. activities, The Pilot, and continuing service to the community.
We also advocated for and worked with the City on restoration of the Stay tuned via the Pilot and our website for updates on the Redwood
Dolphin Park playground and the installation of an outdoor fitness area Life development project; community outreach and engagement will
at the library to replace the removed outdoor par courses along several begin early in the year.
of our walking paths. Mark your calendar for Saturday Jan. 13 for the We appreciate your support and partnership and look forward to a
official grand opening of the fitness area; city staff will be on hand to productive year as we head toward our 55th year of service to the
demonstrate the use of the equipment. community.
This past fall the Belmont/Redwood Shores school district was For more information or to sign up online, please
considering new district election maps as required by law. As a result scan the QR code with your smart phone or visit
of RSCA’s advocacy, the school district board voted on a map rsca.org/membership.
guaranteeing that at least one member of the school board would be
elected from Redwood Shores. The election of a Shores board member Rona Gundrum serves as a board member on RSCA.
The PILOT January 2024 Page 7
From The Mayor adaptation strategies will be presented for different portions of the shoreline
according to the specific conditions of these areas. Mark your calendar
Jeff Gee today and check www.RedwoodCity.org/SeaLevelRise for more
information. We will update the web page to include meeting logistics and
Redwood City location once set.
Greetings, Adapting to Rising Coyote Population: The Shores continues to attract
Happy New Year! I extend my hopes and wishes for a prosperous 2024 to coyotes, including along the Bay Trail. Warning signs have been placed,
each of you, and for peace in our communities, our country and urging residents to be aware that coyotes are in the area. Coyotes play an
throughout the world. This month, I am pleased to provide you with important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under
several updates. control and are, by nature, fearful of humans. If you encounter a coyote,
Is Fitness Part of Your New Year’s Resolution? You’re in luck! We recently make loud noises (e.g., yell, clap, blow a whistle), make yourself look bigger
completed a brand new outdoor Fitness Court next to the Redwood Shores (e.g., wave your arms), and keep small children and pets close to you. In
Branch Library. This state-of-the-art gym caters to all fitness levels, most cases, the coyote will leave the immediate area on its own. Coyotes
featuring easy-to-use equipment with on-site instructions accessible via QR are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
codes for personalized workouts. Alternatively, you can download the Please remember that coyotes are wild animals, not pets. Please visit
FREE app (available on Android and Apple)—it’s like having a coach in www.KeepMeWild.org for more information and tips on human-wildlife
your pocket. You can also check out the stunning mural along the back safety.
wall! For more info about The Fitness Court, its features, and to download Automated License Plate Reader Program Update: In support of the
the app, visit: https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/fitness-court. Council-approved Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, all 25
Save the date for a grand opening celebration on Saturday, January 13 at cameras have been installed at major thoroughfares into the City, including
11 a.m. Let’s make 2024 your healthiest year yet. Marine Parkway and Redwood Shores Parkway. As a reminder, the
Upcoming Sea Level Rise Community Meeting: Mark Your Calendar collected data is owned by the City and is accessible only to authorized
for February 7. The City is conducting a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability police personnel and select allied agencies in California. The data will not
Assessment of the entire city, building on prior regional studies. The goal be shared with out-of-state or federal agencies, including Immigration
is to develop sea level rise adaptation strategies that will advance flood Enforcement. Collected images are stored for 30 days and do not contain
protection and help protect ecosystems and the built environment along personal information.
the Bay. We want to hear from you! We are planning a community meeting Stay safe and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at
for February 7 (exact details to come), where recommendations for
[email protected] with comments or concerns.
Page 8 January 2024 The PILOT
Want to see your pet featured here? We’d love to meet your bonus family
The Pets of Redwood Shores members! Send pet photos to
[email protected], and remember to include
a few fun facts about them, too.
Kirby, 11 Brasil, 7
Her bark is definitely worse than her bite, He likes watch futebol with me, very
since she has no teeth! She loves her attentive and friendly.
family, but "dad" is her favorite. When ~ Walter Brito
not sleeping or enjoying a walk to the
library, she can be found at the dinner
table, waiting for random tasty bits that
might drop.
~ Debbie Miller
Chewbacca Lilly
Chewbacca patrols the Shores for Lilly loves to play with her dozens of
cursed squirrels and jackrabbits that toys. She also enjoys meeting new
haunt his dreams. He likes other dogs friends, playing at the dog park and
and greets them with his signature walking around Redwood Shores.
move: manically scratching the
~ Kathy, Michael & Belinda
ground with his hind legs, revving up
like a cartoon character.
~ Zabel Family
Oban Rooney, 9
Oban is a fun loving Keeshond who He’s an English gentleman that loves to
you can find every morning/afternoon go for walks in the Shores. He’s an expert
walking along the Bay Trail. He likes to squirrel hunter and ball chaser. His
play fetch, roll on his back, and tote favorite things are cuddles and cheese.
around stuffed animal toys.
~ Liz Dulcich
~ Christopher M. Dundas
(Cover) Sumi’s photo was submitted
by Yi Chin
Santa Visits the Shores 2023 Did you see him? Thanks to all who came and joined us in
welcoming Santa to the Shores! While most were excited to
meet him and came ready with lists, some might still need an
extra year to grow into their appreciation for the magic of
Santa. We hope that your holidays were joyful and we look
forward to Santa’s next visit to the Shores!
The
JANUARY 2 0 2 4
LEGO Robotics League
Build and program robots with LEGO Spike™
Prime kits at Redwood Shores Branch Library!
Par琀cipate in team challenges! Space is limited,
registra琀on required at h琀p://bit.ly/47SQipG
Astrophotography in the Shores Free four-week session
By Kumar Srinivasan SESSION 1 JAN 18—FEB 8
Happy New Year! If you are planning to begin the New
Year with some new resolutions in mind, I’d encourage
SESSION 2 FEB 15—MAR 7
you to add “look at the night sky more often” to the list! Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm
Moreover, there’s no better time than winter to begin
star-gazing since the long, dark nights of winter are also Students in 3rd-6th grade may apply
some of the most enticing with brilliant constellations of No experience is necessary
stars glittering the sky from horizon to horizon! Of course, please All materials provided
remember to bundle up & dress warmly as what starts as a quick 15-min
star-gazing exercise can easily turn into an hour- or two hour- long affair!
One of the bewitching jewels of the winter night sky is the Andromeda
Galaxy. I have photographed and written about Andromeda before in this
column but like an old friend who never strayed too far, feel the urge to
return to this magnificent galaxy every season. Did you know that the
Andromeda galaxy is a naked eye object? Though you’d need to be in dark
skies away from city lights to spot it with unaided vision, nevertheless you
can spot Andromeda even with simple bird-watching binoculars. To find
Sponsored by the Redwood City Library
Andromeda, start with the constellation of Cassiopeia—that’s the M or W Founda琀on and the Saga Founda琀on
shaped pattern of stars in the northern dome of the night sky—and look
eastwards towards the “Great Square” of Pegasus. Andromeda lies between PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
these two constellations and can be rather easily located with binoculars
as a “fuzzy patch that does not quite come into focus.” Art Salon
Since it has been visible to the naked eye sine antiquity, the Andromeda TUE JAN 9 & 23 3pm Redwood Shores Branch Library
galaxy cannot be said to have been “discovered” by any one individual. Beginning Readers Book Club
Around the year 964 CE, the Persian astronomer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi SAT JAN 20 11am Redwood Shores Branch Library
was the first to formally describe the Andromeda Galaxy in his “The Book Families can sign up at the library and pick up the free
of Fixed Stars.” It was rediscovered in 1612, shortly after the invention of book, Dazzle Makes a Wish, beginning on January 8
the telescope, by the German astronomer Simon Marius, who said it
resembled “the light of a candle seen through a horn.” For centuries, STORYTIMES
astronomers regarded Andromeda as a component of the Milky Way TUESDAYS 6:30pm Pajama Time Stories All Ages
Galaxy, i.e., as a so-called spiral nebula much like other glowing masses of
THURSDAYS 10:30am Toddler/Preschool Storytime Ages 1-5
gas within the local galactic system. Only in the 1920s did the American
astronomer Edwin Powell Hubble determine conclusively that the THURSDAYS 11:30am Tiny Tales Ages 0-12 months
Andromeda was, in fact, a separate galaxy beyond the Milky Way. All Redwood City Libraries will be closed
Nowadays, it is well established that Andromeda is a barred spiral galaxy. Monday, January 1, 2024, Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and
At a distance of about 2.5 million light-years, it is the nearest major galaxy. Monday, January 15, 2024
More info on this pic included an annotated version can be found at my
website www.thestarryknight.net. Clear skies & Peace on Earth! To register and learn more, visit
www.redwoodcity.org/libraryevents
Kumar Srinivasan is a cutting-edge Materials Scientist by day and ancient photon
hunter by night. While he was peripatetic during his youthful years, he is happy to report
back to the Galactic Federation that his cosmic address is now firmly entrenched in LIBRARY PROGRAMS SPONSORED BY
Redwood Shores on Planet Earth.
THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE
Page 10 January 2024 The PILOT
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The PILOT January 2024 Page 11
Coyote Education: a Girl
Scout Silver Award Project
Last Spring, Shreya and Cassie,
9th grade Girl Scouts in Troop
62554 led by Shannon S. Moon,
embarked upon a project to bring
coyote awareness and education to
the Redwood Shores Community. Environmental Action Enrichment Club at
Coyotes are a part of the wildlife
landscape in many communities,
RSES teaches students about sustainability
which also includes all manner of Editor’s note: We want to know what’s happening in our local publc schools. Send us
insects, birds, rodents, squirrels, stories about your events, clubs, games, etc. Please email
[email protected] for info.
and racoons, to name a few. In
Redwood Shores Elementary School’s Environmental Action
recent years coyotes have started
Enrichment Club was started in 2022 and is open to all grades. The
appearing in Redwood Shores.
goal of the club is for kids to feel empowered and to learn about
After speaking with Garrett Allen, actions they can take to help the environment. Some activities we’ve
Wildlife Biologist with the done or plan to do are:
California Department of Fish and • students educating each other about compost and recycling
Wildlife, and the Redwood Shores Community Association Board, • plastic clean-up events
Cassie and Shreya created an Educational Brochure to hand out at • collecting broken crayons for repurposing
community events as well as a Community Survey to gather • learning about and helping endangered species
information to help guide the Board and City regarding people’s • learning about environmentally friendly ways of farming and
concerns. gardening
Survey results indicated that our community wanted more • gently used toys & clothes drive/swap
information about what to do when they see a coyote and how to • collecting unwanted socks: pairs in good condition were
haze it properly, as safety is a big concern. Shreya and Cassie attended donated, and unusable socks were sent for textile recycling to
two more community events and also updated their brochure with make pet beds
resources residents could use to educate themselves about coexisting • making solar ovens with recycled and donated materials and
with coyotes. To learn more, please visit: bit.ly/rwscoyotebrochure “cooking” s’mores in them (pictured above)
and wildlife.ca.gov/HWC/Coyotes. In November, the Environmental Action Club had a special guest
In November, Cassie and Shreya learned that their Silver Award and RSE graduate, who is studying nutrition, Samantha Dahlberg.
project was approved and they are honored to join the ranks of Silver She spoke about food waste, how much you should eat and what
Award Girl Scouts! Congratulations, Shreya and Cassie! foods are good for you. We learned about using our hands to figure
If you’d like to learn more about the Girls Scout Silver Award, you out serving sizes of different food groups. The size of your fist is fruit
can do so here: https://bit.ly/gshigherawards. If you’d like to learn and veggies, a cupped hand is how much carbs we should have,
more about our local Girl Scouts, you can email protein is the palm of the hand, and the thumb is healthy fats. We
[email protected] or check out the website: learned that when we waste food, it can go to the trash dump and
www.diamondcrest.org. If you’d like to learn more about the Coyote cause greenhouse gases (methane), which contribute to global
Education project, you can email
[email protected]. warming. d
Page 12 January 2024 The PILOT
RWS Schools: Congratulations to
Sandpiper Robotics teams
Gloria Higgins, Principal, Sandpiper School
Matthew Nagle, Principal, Redwood Shores Elementary
Thanks to amazing volunteers and leader Rick
Taylor at Sandpiper, we have a long history of
fostering a strong robotics ethos at our school and in
New Fitness Court now open our community. We’re excited to recognize some
recent achievements for our teams at robotics
Join us for the opening celebration on Saturday, Jan 13 competitions in the Bay Area and even as far away as
Indianapolis.
The City of Redwood City proudly announces the completion of a
brand-new outdoor Fitness Court, located adjacent to the Redwood Mark your calendars to cheer on these and all the
Shores Library. This state-of-the-art facility is a testament to the city’s other fantastic Shores teams as they compete in the
commitment to public health and wellness, made possible through a Sandpiper Robotics Tournament on January 20th in
collaborative effort with the National Fitness Campaign (NFC). the Sandpiper Community Center. d
Thanks to a significant grant from the NFC, residents now have access
to a new fitness experience. The new Fitness Court is an innovative
outdoor gym that includes various stations designed for all levels of
fitness. From body-weight exercises to strength training and stretching 2014D For the Win
areas, the court is equipped to cater to a wide range of fitness needs. (Grade 6‐8)
One of the most exciting features of the Fitness Court is its user-
friendly design. Onsite instructions provide clear guidance on how Design Award
Dec 2, East Palo Alto)
to use each piece of equipment effectively. Additionally, the inclusion
of a QR code offers users the opportunity to access videos and fitness Sysha T., Lyra B., Helena
routines directly on their smartphones, enhancing their workout B., Parker K., Rhys R.
experience with professional guidance.
As of now, the Fitness Court is open to the public, inviting everyone
to start or continue their fitness journey in this new, dynamic
environment. In the coming weeks, the Parks Department will further 2014J BentoBots
enhance the area with landscaping around the perimeter of the Fitness (Grade 5)
Court, adding to its aesthetic appeal and creating a more welcoming
space for workouts. Excellence Award
(Dec 2, East Palo Alto)
To celebrate this significant addition to the city’s recreational facilities,
a formal opening celebration is scheduled for Saturday, January 13th, Karia S.L., Addison T.,
at 11:00 am. This event is perfectly timed to align with New Year’s Olivia L., Kaylin C., Ava X.
resolutions, offering the community an ideal start to a healthier and
4028X Extreme
more active new year. Further details about the January 13th event Axolotls (Grade 5)
will be shared closer to the date.
For more information about the Fitness Court and other recreational Design Award
opportunities in Redwood City, visit www.redwoodcity.org/parks. (Nov 19, Indianapolis)
Excellence Award
(Nov 4, East Palo Alto)
Excellence Award
(Dec 2, Dublin)
Maho S., Vasilisa D.,
Aria T., Atlas W.
2014A Sandpiper
Axolotls (Grade 5)
Innovate Award
(Dec 2, Dublin)
Kaycee H., Scarlett Y.,
Emily W., Claire C.
The PILOT January 2024 Page 13
Our most favorite winter activities
By Callie and Taitym Hernandez
Happy New Year! We hope you all enjoyed
the holiday season. One of our favorite
winter activities is building snow forts,
slides and snowmen when we go to Tahoe.
We love to dig a cave in the snow large
enough for us to play in. We create steps
that lead to the cave and let them freeze
overnight so they are easy to walk on. When
the cave is carved out large enough, we
work to make it sturdy by collecting any
fallen tree branches that can lay across the Thanks for supporting the Scouting for Food event!
top like a roof. The Scouting for Food event in Redwood Shores on November 18 was
Last season, we created a teepee out of huge branches and fallen pine extremely successful. We set a new record in terms of donations,
tree pieces and made chairs and tables inside out of stumps we could despite the rain and impending holiday!
roll inside. I like to drape a blanket over the door to the cave or bring Members of the Redwood Shores Community were incredibly
a blanket inside where we can sit in the snow. It is so much fun to build generous and donated a wide range of important non-perishable
and it is really fun to hang out with my family outside! goods. Some of you were kind enough to donate cash for Samaritan
In addition to playing in the snow, we also love sitting by the fireplace House to buy more food as well!
cuddled up with blankets and either reading or playing charades or In addition to knocking on doors, we had some scouts outside of Nob
Monopoly. One of my favorite winter treats to have is hot cocoa with Hill Foods this year and received many kind donations from
marshmallows and if I’m being more crafty, I crush up a peppermint community members there, too.
candy cane to sprinkle on top. My sister Callie loves warm ginger tea In case the scouts missed you today, Samaritan House would still love
and she eats her candy cane on the side! Winter season is super your donations. Visit samaritanhousesanmateo.org to donate
enjoyable because we have time in the mountains to hang out as a directly! Food insecurity is a huge issue in Silicon Valley due to
family. inflation and job losses, so anything you can give would help greatly.
Callie and Taitym Hernandez are sisters who have grown up in the Shores and currently With much appreciation,
attend Ralston Middle School. They like going on adventures with with their parents, Naomi
Gable Hernandez and Bobby Hernandez.
Troop 27 and Pack 301 | Scouts BSA | Pacific Skyline Council
R E D W O O D S H O R E S C L A S S I F I E D A D S
Silvia’s Housecleaning Service
License #22085 | Bonded and Insured
References available on request
Serving the Shores for 25 years
(650) 722-6556
Mathematics Teacher/Tutor Redwood Shores Handyman
Matthew T. Lazar, Ph.D. No job too small, can do almost anything.
Resident of Redwood Shores for over 20 years! Redwood Shores Resident
https://expertmathematicstutoring.com/ Call Scott (650) 464-3276
Call or text Matt at (650) 208-5303 or email
[email protected] Redwood Shores The Rotary Club of Belmont and Redwood Shores invites
Certified Public Accountant all interested Shorebirds to our weekly luncheons at
Providing tax preparation and planning, noon every Monday at Divino in Belmont (in person or
accounting and bookkeeping services on Zoom). Interesting speakers and new friendships!
Call Kerman at (650) 291-4219 To learn more, just email: [email protected]
Page 14 January 2024 The PILOT
Celebrating the Spirit of Giving: Girl Scouts Unite for ‘Operation Holiday Card’
By Anthony Cerna
In the heart of our beloved community, a group of local Girl Scouts
has once again proven that the season of giving is alive and well. This
year, they spearheaded an extraordinary initiative called “Operation
Holiday Card,” a heartwarming community service project aimed at
bringing a touch of home to our military personnel serving overseas
during the festive season.
This year’s effort was nothing short of remarkable, with 82 carefully
curated boxes sent across the seas to areas of operations in Europe, the
Middle East, and the Pacific. These boxes weren’t just filled with warm
wishes. They also carried the heartfelt sentiments of 3,280 beautifully
crafted holiday cards, each one a small token of gratitude for the gestures can have when multiplied across the nation.
sacrifices our brave men and women in uniform make to ensure our None of this would have been possible without the support of parent
safety and freedom. volunteers and companies like The Postal Annex and Deploy360. Postal
But that’s not all. The Girl Scouts also wanted to ensure that the holiday Annex handled all the paperwork to get these packages on their way
season was extra sweet for our deployed heroes. In addition to the cards, and Deploy360’s generous donation played a pivotal role in ensuring
they included an impressive 1,000 boxes of their iconic cookies and a that the Girl Scouts had the resources needed to organize and ship these
whopping 150 pounds of candy. It’s safe to say that our troops will be heartwarming care packages to our deployed troops.
enjoying a taste of home, thanks to the thoughtful generosity of our As we gather with our loved ones to celebrate the holiday season, let us
local scouts. take a moment to reflect on the selflessness and compassion exhibited
What makes this initiative even more special is the widespread by our local Girl Scouts and their volunteers. For more information on
collaboration that went into making it a reality. Holiday cards were the Girl Scouts or to volunteer, visit https://www.girlscouts.org/. Join
collected from Girl Scout troops all over the United States, from the Girl Scouts and make a lasting impact on both yourself and the
California to New Jersey. The sheer scale of this collective effort incredible girls you’ll have the privilege to guide on their journey to
showcases the power of unity and the impact that small, thoughtful success. d
The PILOT January 2024 Page 15