THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN "LIGHTS OUT, BRISBANE" THIS PAST SATURDAY. THERE WERE PARTS OF TOWN THAT WERE NOTICEABLY DARKER THAN NORMAL. HOPEFULLY, THIS EVENT HAS GIVEN US THE KNOWLEDGE THAT EVERYTHING WE DO, NO MATTER HOW SMALL IT IS, COUNTS.

Turning OUT to Build Community

Just a friendly reminder that this Saturday is “Lights Out, Brisbane” so be sure to turn OUT for this worldwide event by turning DOWN your non-essential lighting from 8:00 – 9:00 PM, and take a stand against climate change. Also, if you have CFL bulbs that you’re using at home, please do NOT throw them out in the trash. Bring them to City Hall! There is a recycling receptacle near the front entrance. Batteries can also be dropped off for recycling, as well.

But if you’re looking for somewhere to head to during the “Lights Out” hour, the fourth season of Live at Mission Blue will be presenting Jory Vinikour, solo harpsichord player. Jory will be playing newly commissioned work by French composer Regis Campo, so it will surely be an enchanted evening in Brisbane. And no, you won’t be sitting in absolute darkness (just be sure to turn off yours before heading over!). This is the penultimate performance of the season, with the pre-concert talk beginning at 7:30. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.

Also, this coming Monday night’s City Council meeting will be a joint meeting with the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission. Come and join the discussion. As you can see, there are lots of ways for you to turn OUT and support your community!

There's No Better Time Than Now

There may only be a handful of people in the world who, for their 90th birthday, would say they’d hope to spend it climbing a mountain. Well, thanks to Roy Peters, Brisbane’s got one of them. For the past 30+ years, since Mr. Peters moved into town in 1972, he has wanted to climb San Bruno Mountain. On July 4, 2007, Mr. Peter’s 90th birthday, his long-time wish finally came true, as evidenced in the photograph below:

Congratualtions on a job well done, Mr. Peters!

Mr. Peters attributes his lasting stamina to walking at least 2 miles each day, with his favorite walking route starting from Old Quarry Road, and heading down to South Hill Drive (the smell of fresh bread wafting from Bakers of Paris is one of the notable highlights!). Given that there is so much beauty to behold in Brisbane, with something as grand as San Bruno Mountain being as easily accessible as it is, the Parks, Beaches & Recreation (PB&R) Commission has formed a Hiking Trail Subcommittee who is currently working on a City Trails Hiking Map, and is in collaborations with San Mateo County on 2-3 routes from the city to the top of the Mountain, along with a plan to how the trail will be maintained.

But going back to Old Quarry Road (and Mr. Peters), let’s remember to keep our dogs leashed and to clean up after them when out walking…there are mutt mitt dispensers along Old Quarry Road and the Crocker Park Trail for this very purpose, so be sure to make use of them. By doing so, you’re helping to keep the trails clear and enjoyable not only for yourselves, but for the likes of Mr. Peters and your fellow dog-walkers too!

Lastly, with Spring having officially arrived this past Thursday, there’s no better way to usher in its arrival than with the 5th Annual Habitat Restoration Day this Saturday. So come on down to the Community Park TOMORROW for free shuttles to the site beginning at 8:30 am and let the springtime cleaning, begin!

What's the Payoff?

Brisbane has always been fortunate in having a dedicated volunteer base, who not only serve as models to the rest of the community, but understand what it really means to sacrifice. Many would say that the work is never easy, but it’s seldom meant to be…as that is where the sense of fulfillment is derived from and what the entire notion of volunteerism circles around -- what once seemed impossible becomes a non-issue due to the dedication of people coming alongside one another and making a huge difference. In more ways than one. Pun intended.

Habitat Restoration Day, 2006

On March 22nd, the City of Brisbane, Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission, and the Open Space and Ecology Committee invite you to attend the 5th annual Habitat Restoration Day. Spend one Saturday morning out of the entire year helping protect and preserve the native habitat on San Bruno Mountain. Meet at San Francisco Avenue at 8:30 am adjacent to the Festival Tree to catch the shuttle to the work site. Pick-ups will occur every 30 minutes throughout the day. Tools, training, lunch, and commemorative t-shirts provided (while they last!). So come early, and come eager to help manage this public land for native species and fire protection. For more info, you can contact Lisa at lpontecorvo@ci.brisbane.ca.us.

Another opportunity to put your best volunteer foot forward lies with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, who is currently taking applications for their Citizens Advisory Committee. If you’ve ever been interested in getting involved and providing input to the TA Board of Directors regarding countywide transportation issues, then consider filling out the application form. What’s the payoff, you ask? None other than the opportunity to be Brisbane’s voice regarding current and potential transit needs and issues! The CAC meets every first Tuesday of each month, at 4:30 pm in San Carlos. Applications are due April 7th by 5:00 pm.

Shifting gears slightly to another area highly concerned with “payoff,” subsequent to the March 3rd City Council meeting, the City has negotiated with the applicant of the Sierra Point Biotech Project to help offset the cost for a solar project to be included in the remodel of City Hall. The payoff here, then, being two-fold: (1) the enhancement of Sierra Point as a public destination with 15,000 sq. ft. of retail, 1,801 parking spaces, and extension of the Bay Trail, and (2) the City able to keep energy dollars locally…all the while setting an example for other communities to follow. The discussion continues this Monday, 3/17, at the next City Council Meeting.

For Earth's Sake

This past Monday, a proclamation was read by Mayor Barnes expressing the City's support of "Lights Out, America" - "Earth Hour."

So on March 29th, join the movement against climate change by turning off your non-essential lighting between 8:00-9:00 PM.

This community-wide event is meant to raise awareness amongst residents and businesses about the need to take action against climate change and gives us an opportunity to demonstrate the City's value of environmental stewardship. Simply switching off the lights for an hour will be no means solve the problem of global warming, but it is a step in the right direction. So turn out for "Lights Out, Brisbane" by turning OFF your lights on March 29th!

Learn more about how you can help reduce your energy usage and carbon emissions (the cause of climate change) by first calculating your carbon footprint. There are many similar carbon footprint calculators out there on the web, but this one is designed specifically for California households and businesses. Click here to get started. Take some time to explore the site...as there is a lot of useful information and energy-saving tips!

Now's the time to start re-evaluating our individual energy consumption levels...because collectively, we can make an impact. Here's to seeing our world in a whole new light!