Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Attention Brisbane Residents & Hikers

The Daly City Police Department reported to County OES this afternoon that a citizen reported a possible mountain lion sighting on the "San Bruno Mountain Trail" today. The exact location of this alleged sighting is unknown at this time. The validity of this report has not been confirmed.

Any sightings of the mountain lion should be followed by immediately calling 911.

Click here for further information related to mountain lion sightings, provided by the CA Dept of Fish & Game.

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Benefits of Being in Brisbane

As you know, they're countless. Adding to them is the Starlight Reading Series, which is kicking off its inaugural season TONIGHT at 7:00 pm at Mission Blue Center. Come and check out the artists that will be coming to our City of the Stars...you will not be disappointed. Don't have a ticket yet? Don't worry! Tickets can be purchased at the door, and tonight, they will be sold at the advance-ticket sale price! That's only $5 for Brisbane residents who show proof of residence, and $7 for non-residents. Proceeds from the Starlight Reading Series support the efforts of the Brisbane Educational Support Team/Parent Teacher Organization. Here's to yet another way to embrace the cultural and artistic talents that are so well fostered in Brisbane.

Another benefit of being in Brisbane is that one has access to their very own Community Pool. Not many cities with populations less than 5,000 can say that have the likes of our aquatic facility. Right now, applications are being taken for Lifeguard, so click here if you or someone you know would like to work at one of the most highly-regarded assets Brisbane has to offer.

And, what could possibly add more to Brisbane's small-town atmosphere more than its annual Brisbane Derby?? Next Saturday (10/4), see San Francisco Ave. be transformed into a straightaway for our young drivers to steer their homemade soapbox cars down. The start time for the Derby is 8:30 am, so grab a spot between Santa Clara & Plumas and cheer them on as they whiz on by!

Afterwards, you'll want to stop off at the Community Park for the Day in the Park Community Festival. Festivities run between 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. See you there!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

SSF Scavenger Truck Breakdown

Unfortunately, one of the trucks for our garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection company, SSF Scavenger, experienced a broken robotic arm and had to be replaced with an old rearloader garbage truck to pick up the remainder of the recycling in town this morning. So it may not have appeared that what had been nicely sorted out would remain that way, but rest assured, your recyclable materials will be properly sorted and recycled as usual by SSF Scavenger.

If you have any questions, you may contact Paul Formosa at SSF Scavenger at (650) 589-4020, ext. 111.

SSF Scavenger will be working diligently today so that the truck can be back on the road by tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding regarding this matter.

And since we're on recycling and trash collection, thank you to the 70+ volunteers who came out this past weekend to help pick up litter at the Lagoon Clean Up! That is a great turnout and we thank you for your stalwart efforts to keep Brisbane looking beautiful!

Friday, September 19, 2008

The City's annual Lagoon Clean Up will be taking place this Saturday (9/20) from 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon at Fisherman's Park. Come early to lend a hand in keeping one of the most-loved and picturesque spots in Brisbane clean & beautiful! And, as an added incentive, the Parks & Recreation Dept. will be handing out a limited number of aluminum water bottles, donated to us by the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program. They're sure to go fast, so be sure to get there early tomorrow!

One of the items discussed at this past Monday's City Council meeting was street-sweeping. Just as a reminder, residential streets are swept the 2nd Monday of each month and commercial streets, the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Please note that the lower part of Visitacion is commercial (the portion above Alvarado is covered on the residential day) and so cars need to be cleared on those Wednesdays to maximize sweeping effectiveness. If, in a residential area and unable to move your car, any debris you want removed should be swept away from the gutter to a location at least 18 inches away from the car's bumper. This will allow adequate room for the sweeper to pick it up.

With school now resuming, limiting the availability of trained staff, the Pool will be discontinuing its Monday - Friday morning session (6:30 AM - 9:45 AM) until further notice. Currently, the City has an open-until-filled Lifeguard recruitment, but to date, there currently aren't any qualified candidates available to assist with this time period. We appreciate your understanding as we look to find adequate, trained staff who are able to work this early morning shift.

Each September for the past 7 years, a handful of city staff step out to participate in the American Heart Association's Heartwalk, held at the EA campus in Redwood Shores. Each participant is to raise at least $100 beforehand. This year, the team raised over $3,000 towards fighting heart disease! From the top left, going clockwise, Team Brisbane consisted of: Albert Duro, Clara Leong, Lisa Macias, Maria Saguisag-Sid, Betsy Cooper, Jeannette Maldonado, Elizabeth Solis, and Caroline Cheng. They are looking forward to being able to raise even more dollars next year towards the cause.

Friday, September 12, 2008

A reminder that between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm this Saturday Sept. 13th, the 4th annual Disaster Preparedness Day will be taking place at the San Mateo Event Center. September is National Preparedness Month, so this free expo will sure to have attendess learning how to be ready for the next disaster, enjoying free hot dogs and soda, plus covering a quick overview in basic CPR. And new this year, you'll be able to meet the sheriff's bomb squad robot in person. All that to say, you have very little reason to not be there!

Speaking of being there, you should have seen the Marina last Sunday where rows of antique cars lined the waterfront and entire main parking lot...in celebration of the annual British Car Meet. Many families came to gaze at the shiny collector cars, and enjoy a nice stroll along the Marina...with maybe a Lions Club-prepared banger or burger in hand. The weather was sunny and perfect, too...just another gorgeous and peaceful day in Brisbane!

Leading us to the last weekly update...and that is the announcement that first on the City Council's agenda for this coming Monday's Sept. 15th meeting will be the reading by the mayor of a proclamation for A Day of Peace in the City of Stars. In observance for the past 27 years, the International Day of Peace now includes the the call for a full day of peace and cease-fire throughout the world. Join your fellow community members at the Gazebo in the Community Park on Sept. 21st at 7:00 pm to commemorate this very important day. May we band together, so that the peace we all long for in the world might find a home in our small town, and be evident to all.

Note: If you're looking for an opportunity to see the community do some banding together, you may need not look any further than Monday's Council meeting. As part of that meeting, City Council will be finalizing a water and sewer rate increase. Public input as to how we pay for continuing to supply clean, safe, and reliable drinking water and sewer services is appreciated. Once again, any questions or concerns can be directed to the city's Administrative Services Director, Stuart Schillinger, at either schillinger@ci.brisbane.ca.us or 508-2151.

Friday, September 05, 2008

Activity on and near Humboldt, and the City at Large

The retaining wall at the 900 block of Humboldt has been completed, able to greatly lower the chances of any landslides occurring again at that site, as was the case several rainy seasons ago. Due to those events, this project was able to be funded by FEMA and the State Office of Emergency Services (OES). Construction of the retaining wall has also helped to ease parking-related issues, which had arisen due to the placement of its K-rail predecessor - also having served its purpose as a concrete barrier between the street and the hillside. So not only has more parking been made available with the completion of this new retaining wall, the safety of the homes on Humboldt and in central Brisbane have been further elevated as well...and accomplished in a far more aesthetically-pleasing way!


In mid-September, following the raptor nesting season, a row of 16 eucalyptus trees will be removed on San Mateo Ln. Removal of these trees (between Humboldt and Kings) allows for a non-native species to be replaced by ones that are indigenous to Brisbane, and is also the first step towards restoration of the canyon (San Mateo Ln follows along one of the canyon reserves). It is yet to be determined which Brisbane-native trees will be taking the place of the eucalyptus, but they will undoubtedly be a better characterization of the town's original roots.

The City Council has taken a brief recess but will be resuming their semi-monthly meetings beginning on Sept. 15th. One of the items on the agenda will be a presentation by the City's Administrative Services Director regarding an increase in the City's water and sewer rates. This scarce resource has everyone talking, so come and see what the buzz over the rate increase is all about. If you would prefer, you may also contact the City's Administrative Services Director, Stuart Schillinger, directly at schillinger@ci.brisbane.ca.us or by dialing 508-2151. He would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Tonight marks the FINAL Concerts in the Park, so be sure to come on down for a night of disco. And, you will want to come prepared, as the town this evening will be sure to be experiencing some
FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER!!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

It's sure to be a SUPER SUNDAY...

this weekend at the Marina! The Brisbane Lions Club is holding it's 5th Annual Sierra Point Prowl...a 5K, 10K, or 1 mile children's walk...IN CONJUCTION with the British Car Meet - showcasing both vintage and antique cars. The Sierra Point Yacht Club will also be serving brunch for $8 starting at 9:00 AM when the event takes off (though brunch ends at 11:00, food & festivities continue until 4:oo PM). The Sierra Point Prowl begins at 10:00 (reg. is at 9:00), and the entry fee is only $15 ($50 for families, up to 4 people), which includes a BBQ lunch ticket and a commemorative T-shirt! Your contribution to the Brisbane Lions Club goes right back to the community for scholarship awards for deserving students, so don't let this Sunday pass you by without a visit to the Brisbane Marina for some exercise, food, fun, and fanfare! Live music will be performed by the Herb Gibson Jazz Orchestra. For more information about Sunday's host of events, call the Brisbane Marina at (650) 583-6975. See you at the docks!