The City's Blog has Moved

With the launch of the City's new website in early October (www.brisbaneca.org), we've set up a blog within the site.  So now you stay up-to-date on what's going on in Brisbane by logging onto www.brisbaneca.org/blog.  New posts are added throughout the week.  If you would like to be added to the weekly e-mail blast which tells you what all the new posts and calendar items are, then e-mail Caroline at ccheng@ci.brisbane.ca.us.

Enjoy!

Home Improvement Tax Incentives & Rebates

One of the topics of discussion at this past Wednesdays's Open Space and Ecology Committee meeting was how individuals who may be doing improvements or remodels at their homes can take advantage of the tax incentives and rebates that are readily available.  The Energy Efficiency Subcommittee wanted to provide public information on how the energy efficiency of a home can be improved.  Here are some resources that can help you to reduce your home's energy usage, and how you can qualify for the available tax incentives and rebates.

• www.pge.com/rebates has the latest rebate information, catalogs, and guidance for your next energy efficiency upgrade
• If you're ready to apply for a rebate, you can apply online through eRebates at www.pge.com/erebates.  With PG&E's eRebates, you can also check the status of your rebate application.
• Existing homeowners are eligible for tax credits up to a maximum of $1,500 for making energy-efficient home improvements.  Refer to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) matrix.
• The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) gives consumers and businesses the information they need to take advantage of the federal income tax incentives passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), and extended through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

In addition to tax incentives and rebates, PG&E offers a wide range of ways to save energy, money, and help the environment.  PG&E's SmartEnergy Analyzer can help you understand where your energy goes, pinpoint problem areas, and start you on the path to an energy-efficient home.  Click here to access the SmartEnergy Analyzer for businesses.

Learn more about these programs, tools, and offers at http://www.pge.com/, or contact PG&E's Smarter Energy Line at 1-800-933-9555 or e-mail smarter-energy@pge.com.

Fire Station Update - Modular Trailers On Order

The digging that is going on outside of the Brisbane Fire Station may have caught your eye. Workers are installing the interim water, sewer and gas lines for modular trailers that were ordered yesterday by the City. It will be 1 month on October 16th since severe mold was discovered at Station 81, resulting in the Brisbane firefighters traveling between Station 93 in Daly City (464 Martin St.) where they spend nights, and Station 81 in Brisbane (3445 Bayshore) where they are stationed in a staging trailer during the day. This staging trailer, however, is meant solely for such purposes and not equipped with showers, bathrooms, or sleeping quarters. The mobiles that were ordered yesterday, so that the firefighters can remain in Brisbane around the clock, will be equipped with such, as well as a kitchen for them to once again cook together as a crew. The mobiles are scheduled to arrive October 20th and all of the final connections are targeted for completion by the end of the month, with the firefighters back in Brisbane 24/7 by November 1, 2010.

"The Tempest" Being Performed in Brisbane

The Brisbane Women's Club proudly presents The San Francisco Shakespeare's Festival performance of "The Tempest" on Sunday, October 24th at 2:00pm. The event will take place once again at the Mission Blue Center in Brisbane. Click here to view the complete flyer.

"The Tempest" has been regarded as the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s dramatic output, widely believed to be his final and most autobiographical play. The story captures the essence of the human condition with its compelling and timeless themes. Forgiveness versus revenge, good versus evil, freedom versus captivity, and youthful impetuousness contrasted with aged wisdom are just some of the ideas that Shakespeare illuminates with his powerful and poetic storytelling skills. It's a true delight that the Fall 2010 tour of The Tempest will soon be here in Brisbane!

The production is professionally directed and suitable for elementary students through adults. Five highly-skilled actors in costume, with set, props, and recorded music will be performing a 55-minute production of "The Tempest" in just a couple short weeks here in Brisbane. There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE for the performance, so if you haven't already done so -- mark your calendar now -- we wouldn't want you to miss out on this once-a-year event!

BrisbaneCA.org Has Gone LIVE!

If you haven't already seen it, jump over to http://www.brisbaneca.org/ to check out the City's newly-designed website!  C.J. MacDonald, a Brisbane resident, was the site's web developer and worked long and hard to get the site looking like it does.  And, you can tell how much he CARES about the community as you navigate through some of the site's new features, including an "I Want To..." drop-down menu, rotating photos displaying the unique and picturesque scenery of Brisbane, and actual Vimeo videos which have been embedded onto the webpages themselves, for easy access to City Council and other public meetings, as well as previously-held community workshops in the Baylands section. The Sustainability and Economic Development pages are completely new sections of the website which we foresee growing in content as time goes by.  Also, news items like these Blog posts will be incorporated under the Lastest News and Star section on the homepage, thereby constantly being updated and "rolling".  C.J. is working on a mechanism to be able to push news items out to the community as they're added onto the homepage...but until then, we'll continue to send out timely information from the City out through Blogger as usual.

Photos taken be staff will be incorporated onto Flickr - enjoy this set from last weekend's Derby & Day in the Park Festival!

A reminder that City Hall will be closed on Monday, October 11th in observance of Columbus Day.  With that, have a great weekend!

Brisbane Firefighters Update

The firefighters continue to stay at Station 93 in Daly City during the evening hours - returning to Brisbane during normal working hours - as analysis for a more long-term solution is done in response to the severe mold discovered a few weeks ago at the Brisbane Fire Station.  But this back-and-forth scenario will only be for a little while longer.  On Monday night, the City Council approved the rental of a triple-wide trailer which is to be installed by the end of October at the current location of the Brisbane Fire Station (Station 81 is currently located at 3445 Bayshore Blvd).  But to give you an idea of the route the Brisbane Firefighters take from Daly City to Brisbane, see the map below:

They basically take a left at Carter Dr., and another at Guadalupe Canyon Parkway before hanging a right onto Bayshore Blvd. and entering Brisbane.  The total driving distance from Station 93 to Brisbane City Hall is 2.1 miles.

We are glad that our Firefighters will be able to return to Brisbane by the end of the month - the premiere goal of the City Council and staff, and the Firefighters themselves are most definitely looking forward to spending their nights back in town!

Also approved at this past Monday's Council meeting was the launch of the City's new website.  We'll make another announcement here when all the final tweaks have been made.  In the meantime, here's a little teaser for you...

Expect the new website to be available for surfing either later today or early tomorrow!

Don't Forget "Day in the Park" Festival Tomorrow!



We're all set and ready to go for the Brisbane Derby and "Day in the Park" Festival tomorrow!

The festivities begin early tomorrow, but for some, they've been waiting a whole year for this day to come again.  Come to San Francisco & Plumas tomorrow at 8am to get a nice spot along San Francisco Ave. and watch cars be raced down the hill.  This has been a Brisbane tradition since the 1930s - only, the racers were a little bigger in size...(that's because the Brisbane Derby used to be sponsored by the the Volunteer Fire Department!)


Brisbane Derby, circa 1940

While the races are still going on and trophies are awarded to each of the competing age groups, the Community Park will be buzzing with community groups (Women's Club, Mothers of Brisbane, Lion's Club, Eagle's Club, Brisbane Youth Sports Association) telling about the various efforts they've invested in, and City Departments and Committees (Parks & Recreation, Police, Open Space & Ecology Committee) providing useful resources to the community.  There will also be a Public Safety booth to provide residents with critical information in case an emergency should ever take place in Brisbane.  So come and arm yourself with great information, while enjoying some tasty BBQ, corn on the cob, and cotton candy while you're at it!  Oh, and let's not forget baked goods and ice cream.  The event goes until about 5:00pm.

Also, this coming Monday, the City Council will be convening at 7:30pm at City Hall - 50 Park Place.  Come and join for the dedication of the bird signs on Tunnel Ave. Bridge, recognizing Teresa Maturo for her service on the Planning Commission, and swearing in John Swiecki as the new Community Development Director.  After a break for refreshments, the City's new website will be unveiled.  Come and hear what the Council has to say, and share your own thoughts and ideas!  To see what else the City Council will be going over that night, please click here to view the night's full agenda.  And always remember that if you can't make it to a Council meeting, or don't have Comcast, then you can view the City Council meetings on your computer by visiting the live streaming page.

Utilizing Technology in Our Water System

If you were out yesterday in Crocker Industrial Park, passing through North Hill to be exact, you may have noticed some guys in orange safety vests and some with hard hats looking down into a 12' x 6' hole they had dug on the lawn.  They - Redwood Engineering and a couple staff from the Brisbane Public Works Dept. - were assessing the location of the existing facilities (i.e. gas, water) below ground.  They were doing this to see where a future flow control vault station could fit at the water supply turnout location (there are 5 total, in and around Brisbane).  The purpose for installing these flow control vault stations is simply so that the City has better control over the water it receives from San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC).

Wondering how technology is a part of all this?  Well currently, the City cannot monitor in real-time the flow of water as it comes through SFPUC's meter valves.  After the project is completed, City engineers will be able to do this through the SCADA, or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, computer at City Hall.  Inside the vault stations, new valves and pipes will also be installed.  Valves are necessary components of any water system, and these will be specially fitted with sensors which are able to respond to changes in water pressure or flow by opening or closing the valve.

So there you have it.  Technology's playing a part by the SCADA computer being able to "talk" to the valves from a remote location (City Hall), by closing and opening them, and the valves will be able to "talk back" to the SCADA computer by passing along data which the engineers at City Hall will use to closely monitor water quality, flow, and pressure.

There will be 4 more site investigations taking place today, next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to see where the existing facilities are located.  See below for the schedule and the approximate locations of where they'll be digging:

• Thursday September 30th - Friday October 1st | 100 San Francisco Ave.
• Monday October 4th - Tuesday October 5th | 11 San Bruno Ave. @ San Francisco Ave.
• Tuesday October 5th - Wednesday October 6th | 1150 San Bruno Ave. @ Bayshore Blvd.
• Wednesday October 6th - Thursday October 7th | Main Street

For the work taking place next Monday - Wednesday on both ends of San Bruno Ave. (at Bayshore and San Francisco), there will be traffic cones placed along the shoulder where they will be conducting site investigation work.  Additionally, two flagmen will be present at the intersection of Bayshore and San Bruno to help direct traffic.  Please exercise caution when driving through any of the above site investigation locations.  And, once again, thank you for your patience as work on this very important project commences!

Hillside Repairwork at San Bruno & Annis

With the sun beating down in Brisbane and Spare the Air Days being issued, it's hard to imagine winter rains pelting down.  But such will likely be the case here, in just a few short months.  In an effort to get ahead of any winter rain-related issues, and to ensure the safety of the community, it's imperative that preventative measures are addressed, and acted upon during these more dry times.

During last winter's rains, a landslide occurred on the uphill side of San Bruno Avenue immediately south of the intersection of San Bruno & Annis. The primary cause of the slide appears to be stormwater runoff from Annis. Review of the slide area also indicates that ground-burrowing animals such as gophers may have weakened the slope, making it vulnerable to the impact of the overland flow during heavy rains.

In order to restore that portion of the hillside before winter arrives, repairwork is scheduled to begin this week. Amongst the slope repairs will be the removal of unsuitable material, placement of engineered fill and geogrid material for soil improvement, and the installation of an asphalt concrete curb at the top of the slope (on Annis) to direct water away from this area.

Thank you for your patience as we work quickly on getting this important safety project completed.

Tomorrow is Another Spare the Air Day

As indicated on our Spare the Air widget to the left on our blog, today marks a Spare the Air day and we've been notified by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) that tomorrow, Tuesday Sept. 28th, will be the ninth Spare the Air Day of the summer.  Below are some of the clean air tips they recommend:

• Don't drive your car to work.  Instead, take public transit, join a carpool, telecommute, bicycle or walk.  Go to http://www.511.org/ for transit details.
• Avoid using aerosol household cleaners and personal care products.  Use liquid or gel products instead.
• Don't use gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Cook indoors, not on the barbeque.

Thank you for making clean air choices everyday!  For more information, visit the Spare the Air website at http://www.sparetheair.org/.

Weekend Fun in Brisbane



The Brisbane Lagoon, looking southwest, with Fisherman's Park to the left of the photo.

The 2010 Brisbane Lagoon Cleanup is taking place tomorrow from 9:00am - 12:00 Noon at Fisherman's Park.  This year, the Brisbane Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission, in conjunction with the Brisbane Lions Club, South San Francisco Scavengers, Universal Paragon Corporation, and the California Coastal Commission are sponsoring this annual event.  Our Lagoon Cleanup coincides with the Worldwide Coastal Cleanup Day and gives you a chance to help improve the quality of life in Brisbane.  Bring your family and friends to the Brisbane Lagoon to remove garbage and debris from the shoreline around the Lagoon.  Plan to wear work clothes, bring gloves and sunscreen to assist with this work day.  Volunteers will be honored with a commemorative T-shirt, lunch and our special gratitude for a job well done.  We'll see you there!

After putting in some volunteering hours in the morning, why not join in on the BDW History Adventure Scavenger Hunt and Movie in the Park later that day? The fun starts at 4:00pm at the gazebo in the Community Park.  It's sure to be a fun time for people of all ages as they learn some history about Brisbane, catch a movie in the Park, all while supporting Brisbane Dance Workshop.  Don't forget to come dressed as your favorite 50's character!

The Brisbane annual "Day in the Park" is only one week away!  From 10am - 5pm on Saturday, Oct. 2nd, the Community Park will come alive with musical performances, children's entertainment, carnival games, face painting, bounce houses, and tables to tell you more about City initiatives (the Open Space & Ecology Committee will have a table showing examples of invasive and native plants) and other City-sponsored programs (the Alliance will provide information on the 2 commuter shuttles Brisbane residents may ride for FREE with a shuttle pass, with the first 250 visitors receiving a shuttle pass/ID holder).  There will also be FOOD from the Women's Club (baked goods 'n ice cream), Lion's Club (BBQ), Eagle's Club (nachos), Brisbane Youth Sports Association (sodas/water), Mothers of Brisbane (cotton candy) and Citizens for a Brisbane High School (corn on the cob). 

Also, the Brisbane Derby will be taking place once again at 8:00am at Plumas & San Francisco St. next Saturday as a kick-off to the "Day in the Park" celebration. It always makes for a fun time, watching on the sidelines as the most creatively-designed soap box cars race down San Francisco St., cheered on by on-lookers.  It may be an early start to the day, but boy is it worth it!  Come and witness the community and volunteer spirit that's alive and well in Brisbane!

Firefighters Needing to Return to Station 93 for Time Being

The Brisbane Firefighters, who returned to town this past Sunday after spending three nights in Daly City, will need to return to Station 93 in Daly City (464 Martin St., Daly City) during the evening hours for the time being.  A trailer, located beside the Fire Station on Bayshore Blvd., was originally intended to be used for staging purposes and thus did not contain sleeping quarters, a shower, kitchen, or have proper outdoor lighting.  Additionally, the Brisbane fire engine needed to be parked outdoors at night due to there being mold detected in the bay/garage area of the fire station.  Earlier this morning, fire administration and city management decided that in the interest of the firefighters' safety, the best solution at this point in time was to relocate the firefighters back to Daly City during the evenings, but have them be in Brisbane during the day.  In Daly City, the firefighters will have gotten the rest they need, have ready access to the fire engine and their gear, and be able to shower and cook while concurrently, a longer-term solution is worked upon and investigated.  We will update the community when any other additional information becomes available.  Thank you for your understanding and patience regarding this matter.

Brisbane Firefighters Back in Town

Last Thursday, we blogged how the Brisbane firefighters were being relocated in the evenings to Station 93 in Daly City due to severe mold being detected at the Brisbane fire station (Station 81). We are happy to report that as of Sunday night, the Brisbane firefighters were back to spending evenings in Brisbane in temporary trailers. They will continue to do so as City staff works in conjunction with North County Fire Authority to provide more permanent living quarters for our firefighters. In the meantime, we are just thrilled to have them back not only for the daytime, but 24/7!

PG&E Gas Transmission Line Information Released

Earlier this afternoon, a PG&E representative informed the City that they had just developed an online tool that provides helpful information about their natural gas transmission system. The webpage can be found at: www.pge.com/pipelineplanning. Maps showing the gas transmission pipelines within PG&E's service territory can be downloaded (see right-hand column of the page, halfway down -- select 'San Francisco'). It's able to be seen from the map that none of the blue gas lines run under residential Brisbane. In efforts to stay on top of the issue, however, City staff will be meeting with PG&E regarding the maintenance status of their gas transmission lines within Brisbane. As we are updated, we will pass this information on to the public through City Council meetings, the website, here on the blog, and in the City News.

Events in and Around Brisbane - Not to be Missed!

The recent events in San Bruno have pointed out the need for personal preparedness. This makes Disaster Preparedness Day all the more pertinent, and necessary.

There will be local agencies and organizations in attendance that will be able to assist you and your families become better prepared. Don't miss this important opportunity. It only comes around once a year!

Speaking of annual events, the Brisbane Marina Sports & Import Car Festival is only 2 days away!

Sponsored by the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce, the day also features the Brisbane Lions Club "Sierra Point Prowl" - a fun run and walk along the Bay Trail. Walkers and Runners will receive a T-shirt and a meal ticket for only $15 per person or $50 for a family or group of 4. Registration begins at 9am and race starts at 10am. 100% of the entry fees go directly to scholarships, presented by the Chamber to aspiring, academically-strong, students in Brisbane. And what's a car festival without some outdoor barbecuing? Leave that to the Lions Club, who will be firing up the grill at 11am (this is where your meal ticket comes in handy!)and serving up their famous tri-tip hoagies. Thank you to the Brisbane Chamber for coordinating this great event, and to the 17 Brisbane businesses that are helping to make it happen!

Also, tomorrow is the last day of advance registration for your team to participate in the Brisbane History Scavenger Hunt and Outdoor Movie, sponsored by the Brisbane Dance Workshop. Click here for more information. Proceeds from next Saturday's scavenger hunt and movie will go towards BDW's ability to continue offering quality dance classes, instructors, and spring performances for Brisbane's littlest ones to enjoy and thrive in.

And lastly, a word of caution regarding traffic. On Monday night, 9/20, there will be a 49ers game at Candlestick Park starting at 5:30pm. With the high volume of cars that will be traversing Bayshore Blvd. and 101, you may want to plan your commute around the game.

Firefighters Temporarily Spending Evenings at Station 93

On Tuesday, we received a report that Brisbane Fire Station 81 had a severe case of mold within the facility. For the safety of our firefighters, they will be relocated to Station 93 in Daly City (464 Martin St.) during the evening hours, but be here in Brisbane still responding to calls, conducting fire inspections, and performing routine maintenance on the truck during daytime hours, 8am – 5pm. The City is currently considering ways for bringing our firefighters back into Brisbane during the evening hours. This may involve setting up temporary quarters next to the fire station. With the goal being for our firefighters to be able to respond to Brisbane incidents from within the City, staff is working quickly to determine how best to move forward. Our current time frame for this is 2 months. More information will be included in the October edition of the City News publication, due out by Oct. 1st.

The safety and health of our firefighters is of top concern to the City. It’s something we take very seriously, as it’s necessary for them to continue doing what they do best – protect Brisbane, the residents, and the business community!

Looking Back to Begin Anew

San Bruno residents from nearly 300 evacuated homes were allowed to return home yesterday for the first time since Thursday's fire and explosion. This undoubtedly will be a time of rebuilding, not only their homes in some instances, but their lives. The City of San Bruno has suffered a terrible tragedy, but has gained the unrelenting support of its neighboring communities these last 4 days. Brisbane's own Police Chief Lisa Macias was on site at the Staging Command Post Thursday evening, with a police sergeant, 3 officers, and 3 firefighters also responding to the initial call. The 3 firefighters were relieved at 7:30am Friday morning, with a 3-person crew that helped put out the remaining hot spots until 6:30pm. Between Friday and Sunday, 3 police officers were sent to assist with perimeter security for 12-hr. shifts. Starting today through at least the end of this week, 2 police officers will be on-site to continue to provide their assistance where needed. Public information assistance was also provided yesterday from 4:30pm - 11:30pm from Brisbane, as the San Bruno Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was still being inundated with media requests over the weekend. With the tragedy that's taken place in San Bruno, every city within the county has been exposed to the fact that local assistance from neighboring jurisdictions is necessary so that residents can start putting their lives back together, and for the rebuilding process to begin. This is what staff is committed to, and this is what will allow local communities to thrive.

Brisbane Dance Workshop has been a great community "knitter" in the past and continues to be to this day. They will be hosting a special fundraising event this year, different from their annual silent auction that usually takes place in the Fall. Instead...

Join in on the fun, racing through town discovering some Brisbane history and performing tasks which will uncover clues revealing the next location! After the race is finished, an outdoor movie will be featured in the Community Park. It's sure to be both a fun and relaxing time! Register today (2-6 people per team, with at least one adult per team) by e-mailing BDWhunt@pacbell.net or calling (415) 297-6255. Advance registration goes through Saturday, Sept. 18th, at $25.00 per team, $30.00 if teams are registered the day-of.

The Concerts in the Parks Summer 2010 Series was closed out Friday, Sept. 3rd, by the highly-entertaining, Big Bang Beat. Enjoy the photos below which capture the night's mood and atmosphere:

Families lay on blankets, kids ran around, while the band played on...

The crowd grew larger, as more residents came and settled down in lawn chairs.

The Brisbane Women's Club (PB&R Commissioner Bonnie Bologoff is shown above) faithfully procured steaming cups of hot chocolate and other goodies to all who came by.

Some even came out to the concert as part of their birthday celebration!

Thank you to all the businesses who helped sponsor this year's Concerts in the Park, and the Parks & Recreation and Public Works staff who made each Friday these past 2 months a fabulous time in Brisbane!

Get ready for the 2010 Brisbane Marina Sports & Import Car Festival happening this coming Sunday, Sept. 19th. This event is being hosted by the City, in conjunction with the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce. Click here to see more information about the event, how you can register to show your classic car, or even help to sponsor the event!

If you've driven over Tunnel Ave. Bridge these last couple weeks, you may have noticed the bird signs that have gone up. There have been a total of 19 installed so far, with a 20th being made. The signs were made possible by the donations from 20 individuals and/or families. Brisbane resident Alison Bruce volunteered her time to design the signs. So when you get a chance, take a walk over the bridge and check out the signs...and you may be able to spot the birds themselves!

Lastly, today marks the first day the City Council will begin their regular bi-weekly meetings after their summer recess. The meeting starts at 7:30pm at City Hall - 50 Park Place. Click here to view the night's agenda and to read the staff reports. Hope to see you there!

Our Hearts Go Out

For the families and those affected by the explosion and fire in San Bruno/Glenview yesterday, our thoughts and sympathies are with you today. In one blink, lives were changed forever by this horrible tragedy. Though we do not know why events like these need to happen, we can be grateful that the ones who put their lives on the line every day were out there doing their jobs to prevent the devastation from getting any worse. Fire crews all across San Mateo County responded in a moment's notice, including North County Fire Authority and our Brisbane firefighters, who fought the flames throughout the night (they returned to Station 81 this morning at approximately 7:00am). We are grateful for your service, courageous spirits, and perseverance in the midst of these great tragedies. May we go forward today doing all that is within our capacity to help, even if that includes stopping and remembering all that we have. If you would like to donate towards the relief efforts of the Glenview Fire, please call 1-800-RED-CROS ( 1-800-733-2767 ) and state that you are donating to the San Bruno fire. For volunteer support, please visit the Volunteer Center link for more information.

Falling into Good Hands

A program by the name, "Paws for Tales", has recently been getting much acclaim. Especially at the Brisbane Library. Paws for Tales is a monthly program geared towards children who have a difficult time reading, or are nervous about making mistakes when reading in front of people. But dogs? They offer unconditional love, are often referred to as "Man's Best Friend", and have been found to make the perfect reading companion. Later this month, the world will be catching wind of this. The Oprah Show crew was in town last Sunday filming a segment that will being airing in late September (broadcast date to come).

Jonny Justice has come a long way. He, along with 50 other pit bulls were seized from Michael Vick's kennel. You can read about Jonny's story in Parade by clicking here. Now a therapy dog with the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA's "Paws for Tales" program, Jonny is making his rounds at libraries around the Peninsula. Click here to see the 2010 Paws for Tales schedule. So if you have a child (age 5 and up) who loves dogs and may benefit from this program, visit the Brisbane library every fourth Wednesday of the month between 6:30pm - 7:30pm...you may just catch Jonny!

Pets can do a lot to ease the stress of the day, but there is something to be said of the human touch, as well. With veterans returning home everyday, it's important they receive the special support and care many of them need. For this reason, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided a grant to the Department of Veterans' Affairs which supports the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Lifelife. Click here for more information and check out the video below, featuring Gary Sinise (aka Lieutenant Dan from "Forrest Gump").

Dancing is a great way to get energized, and what better way than doing so tonight in Brisbane, with Big Bang Beat leading the charge? Join us for the final Concerts in the Park, which starts at 6:30pm tonight. The picture below is from a Concerts in the Park a couple years ago when Big Bang Beat was last in Brisbane...so don't miss them as they make a pit-stop here tonight!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend. City Hall will be closed on Monday Sept. 6th, in honor of the day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Click here to view a video from the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, and to read about the history and significance behind Labor Day.

Big Bang Beat Performing at the Last Concerts in the Park this Friday!

Each Friday, for the last 5 weeks, we've told you about the band that will be playing at that night's Concert in the Park. This week, we wanted to let you know earlier that Big Bang Beat will be performing at the last concert this Friday, beginning at 6:30pm. Big Bang Beat is a dynamic 12-piece stage extravaganza featuring non-stop dancing and the best party songs from the big bang era to today. We are fortunate to have them joining us again, so make sure you make your way to the Community Park this Friday, for a night of high-energy, rock 'n soul tunes with Big Bang Beat!

A Little Something for Everyone

The school year may be in full swing, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of rewarding and fun-filled entertainment soon coming down the pipeline.

It's become a tradition a Shakespearean play comes to Brisbane. This year marks the 6th annual performance by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, sponsored by the Brisbane Women’s Club. This year’s performance, The Tempest, has been regarded as the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s dramatic output. Widely believed to be his final and most autobiographical play, it utilizes the wisdom and understanding gained from a career as a highly regarded dramatist.

The story captures the essence of the human condition with its compelling and timeless themes. Forgiveness versus revenge, good versus evil, freedom versus captivity, and youthful impetuousness contrasted with aged wisdom are just some of the ideas that Shakespeare illuminates with his powerful and poetic storytelling skills. It's a true delight that the Fall 2010 tour of The Tempest will soon be here in Brisbane!

The production is professionally directed and suitable for elementary students through adults. Five highly-skilled actors in costume, with set, props, and recorded music will be performing a 55-minute production of The Tempest at Mission Blue Center on Sunday, October 24th at 2pm. There is NO ADMISSION CHARGE for the performance, so mark your calendar now...you don't want to miss this once-a-year-only event!

If you haven't already checked out the farmers' market at the Cow Palace, this Saturday may be a good time to do so.

There will be a free bag giveaway and at approximately 9am, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma will be conducting a press conference on the benefits of buying from your local farmers' market. Take this opportunity to pick up some fabulous, fresh produce and perhaps even a bag of freshly-popped kettlecorn!

In the market for buying a new house? They say now is the best time to do so, but it's important you get your research done first. And on Saturday, Sept. 11th, there's a way to do just that. The Bay Area Homebuyer Agency (BAHBA), in conjunction with the cities of Brisbane, Daly City, Pacifica, and South San Francisco, invite you to attend a Free Homebuyer Seminar at Terrabay Recreation Center in SSF. The event starts at 9am and goes until 2pm; reservations are required. To learn more about the event and to register online, please click here.

The heat wave has passed, but the Community Park may become slightly ablaze with the music of the Unauthorized Rolling Stones...who look like the original, strut like the original, and rock like the original! Formed by Rudy Colombini who embodies Mick, he has created a true phenomenon with Dave Garcia as Keith Richards, Mark Banning as Ron Wood and Kenny Crampton as Bill Wyman. Don't miss them rocking out tonight at the Community Park as the penultimate band playing at this year's Concerts in the Park Series. The performance starts at 6pm, and lasts until 9pm. Enjoy the show, and ROCK ON!!!

Where Do We Go From Here?

One only needs to flip on talk radio or tune in to the nightly newscast for just a few minutes before a piece on the dreary state of the economy is broadcast. We probably have seen and heard more than we'd like, so the next question becomes, "Where do we go from here?"

For one, the California Department of Insurance has developed a new program - the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) - to help ensure all Californian drivers are properly insured. CLCA has helped thousands of Californians comply with state laws by providing eligible drivers an affordable option to keep their vehicles insured for less than $400 a year. Take a look at this video to see if CLCA can be of assistance to you or members in your family. If you have any specific questions about the program, please contact crb@insurance.ca.gov.



Low cost is always good, but free is even better. This Saturday, from 10am - 1pm, Assemblymember Jerry Hill is sponsoring free child safety workshops at the Hillsdale, Serramonte, and Tanforan shopping centers.

These child fingerprinting "Kid Print" events will give parents an opportunity to create an identification packet for their children including a fingerprint and other safety information. Check out the flyer for more event details (if you're going to the Tanforan location, the event will be taking place outside Old Navy in the center court area). Parents, this is a great way to ensure you have the information and tools needed to ensure your kids remain safe and protected.

Now on to a piece about a kid in Brisbane who has done an amazing job at protecting himself! Charlie Sheehy, a soon-to-be 7th grader at Lipman Middle School, won the World Championship in Boxing in the 85 lb. division earlier this month in Kansas City, MO.

Charlie fought five fights in five days which culminated in his big win on Saturday, August 7th. Kudos to you, Charlie, on this spectacular achievement! You are a great example to us all, in that no matter what obstacles lay before us, we need to keep fighting the fight and doing what we do best...and before long, the end will be in sight!

We'll end this week's blog post with the wonderful news that a 6th Summer Concert has been added. Thanks to the generous support of local businesses, Big Bang Beat will be returning to Brisbane on Sept. 3rd. Click here to view the updated Summer Concerts in the Park schedule, and the businesses in Brisbane that made it all possible!

The free Summer Concerts series continues tonight with SOUL POWER. Soul Power plays a wide variety of soul, funk, and R&B by artists' such as Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, Maceo, Steely Dan, The Average White Band, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.

Soul Power blends the sophisticated sound of the East Side Horns with a funky rhythm section that hails from New York, Louisiana, and the SF Bay Area. Together, they are large horn band that you just can't find these days! Soul Power is guaranteed to get you dancing, or at least dancing in your chair. See you there at 6:00pm!

Making the Cut

It’s no longer where stand-alone buildings will be scored for their environmental progressiveness – it could very well be the building along with its entire surrounding areas. A couple weeks ago, representatives came to Brisbane to see whether or not our Marina would make the cut and be awarded the California Clean Marina Certification. They scoured pollution prevention methods, including oil, battery, zinc, paper, plastic, and materials recycling programs; evaluated and scored the Marina on their boater education (think sewage pump-out, vessel maintenance, pollution prevention on the docks, even pet restrictions!); analyzed the Marina’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, landscaping practices, use or lack of pesticides and fertilizers; reviewed the Marina’s procedures for emergencies (i.e. sinking or sunk boats, haz mat and oil spills on water and land, fire, earthquake, tsunami, you name it); combed over the Marina’s daily, monthly, and yearly maintenance check sheets, employee training files on emergencies, safety, spills, and haz mat; and examined how the trash, hazardous materials, and solid waste are collected and handled, including the cleanliness condition of the dumpster enclosures.

As you can see, much of all this requires the constant, diligent oversight of Marina staff to keep records, policies, educational materials, and plans current. However, in order to maintain the type of cleanliness at the Marina these representatives are looking for, boaters and visitors to the Marina need to pitch in. And pitch in they did! The week prior to the representatives coming was declared Clean Marina Week, where boaters helped to keep the docks clean from debris and other possible water pollutants. All this to say, after the Marina underwent a 4 hour inspection, the Brisbane Marina scored 90% and was awarded the California Clean Marina Certification, which is good for the next 5 years. Thank you to all who help to keep the Marina looking the beautiful area it is, so that accomplishments like this can be realized!

Susie and Ted display the Clean Marina banner they proudly helped earn.

North County Fire Authority has been hard at work within the City as well. On July 23rd, they, along with Cal Fire’s California Department of Correction Hand Crews, completed cutting a 100 ft. fire break which gives the residential homes located near the top of San Bruno Mtn. a defensible space. This last phase of cutting began on the existing fire break at the end of Trinity Road and travels up to the intersection of San Mateo Drive and Kings Road.

The 2010 Concerts in the Park series continues today with Lava, the 3rd (and 3rd to last) summertime concert being performed at the Community Park. Come and enjoy a free 3-hour concert, with a band that plays different styles of Latin music such as Latin Jazz, Cha-Cha-Cha, Latin Rock, Latin Funk, and Salsa. The fiesta begins at 6:00pm. See you there!

Touring Around

Many of you may be familiar with the following two shuttles that serve Brisbane residents and those who work in town. The Brisbane-Bayshore Caltrain shuttle runs Monday - Friday between the Bayshore Caltrain station and Crocker Industrial Park, making a few residential stops as well. See the route map below, and click here for shuttle times. The Brisbane-Crocker Park BART shuttle runs Monday - Friday between the Balboa Park BART station and Crocker Park during commute hours (the shuttle serves Caltrain during the afternoons). To ride this shuttle, you must have a valid shuttle pass. To get one, come to City Hall with proof of residency and see Debra or Lyn behind the Finance Counter. See the route map below for the stops, and click here for shuttle times, as well as a list of businesses in Brisbane that generously support this program. But, did you know about the Bayshore/Brisbane Senior shuttle? This shuttle runs Monday - Friday between the Bayshore Caltrain Station and Airport/Linden in South San Francisco. It follows the route below, but also will pick up residents from their home, if needed, to bring riders to Tanforan Mall in San Bruno Mondays - Fridays and Serramonte Mall in Daly City on Mondays and Fridays only. Just call (415) 740-9458 between 9:00am - 9:30am to request a pick-up (you may also wait at one of the stops). You will have your call returned between 9:30am - 10:00am. The last pick-up from Tanforan (Sears side) is at 3:30pm. This shuttle is sponsored by Caltrain and is wheelchair-accessible. Click here for more information. Also, we wanted to make you aware of the fact that samTrans bus 292 serves Hillsdale Shopping Center, San Mateo, Burlingame, San Francisco International Airport, United Airlines Maintenance Base, South San Francisco, Brisbane, and San Francisco. Click here for more information and route times for this multi-city bus. Maybe knowing all this will lead to opportunities for you to tour around the Bay Area!

Speaking of which, The Houserockers will be touring through Brisbane tonight for the second Concerts in the Park, beginning at 6:00pm.

The Houserockers are a Rock & Soul band out of Los Gatos, CA that plays for you the greatest songs ever recorded. The band is known for their high energy, fun performances that gets everyone up dancing and singing to the music of The Rolling Stones, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Springsteen, Van Morrison and much more. Bringing together elements of rock, swing, blues, 60's soul and R & B - the band turns every venue into a house party. Get ready for the best Rock & Soul show in town - and rock the night away with The Houserockers!

We'll leave you this week with some pictures from last week's Concert in the Park, which, along with the California Cowboys, featured free bike tune-ups and safety checks from Sports Basement, a Bike Rodeo for kids which Brisbane residents Nancy Lacsamana and Susan Maynard Sullivan coordinated, bike-friendly giveaways from Commute.org, and police officers Dominic Javellana and Lester Vega handing out free bicycle helmets. Enjoy the pictures, and the weekend!

Mid-week FYI's

All parents of high schoolers attending either Terra Nova or Oceana high schools in Pacifica have by now received a letter with school bus information for the 2010-2011 school year. Please note that students should be dropped off at the same location as before (corner of San Francisco Ave. & Visitacion, on the Community Park side). Please ensure they arrive by 6:55am, as the bus will leave promptly at 7:00am. Should you have any questions related to your child's lunch or transportation costs for the bus, please call (650) 550-7969.

Also, if you have tried viewing the Ch. 27 live video streaming page on the City's website and saw only a black screen, we are aware of the problem and are on it. The router that connects the server which operates the live stream to the Internet is needing to be replaced. This will happen as soon as possible. Please click here for Ch. 27's broadcast schedule -- fortunately, your television viewing of Ch. 27 will not be affected.

Also, all residents and businesses should be receiving, if not already, an issue of the latest STAR publication. This is the City's quarterly news publication and can also be found online by clicking here. We wanted to highlight on page 8 of the Activity Guide that the Brisbane Dance Workshop (BDW) is offering a Performance Session III class, from April 4 - June 4, 2011 for continuing BDW students only. No new students will be accepted for this session. There will be a Spring Performance on May 21st and 22nd of 2011 (taking place during the session, with students continuing their studies afterwards until June 4th). This is a very popular program, so make sure to register your child early! You may register online by clicking here, or by calling (415) 467-6698.

Just Remember to...

With summer quickly coming to an end, there is a lot to keep track of. We hope to help you remember some important events and dates with this post!

The first Concerts in the Park starts tonight! It's a great time to catch up with friends and neighbors while taking in some catchy tunes and, not to mention, enjoying a picnic on the lawn. Just remember to layer up!

Tomorrow, make the 2.4 mile drive over to the COW PALACE FARMERS' MARKET where there will be a GREAT selection of fresh, quality fruits, vegetables, seafood, flowers, pastries, and even kettle corn! Just remember to bring your own bag!

A new school year will soon be underway, so if you have high schoolers attending either Terra Nova or Oceana High School and would like them to utilize the bus to get to/from school, payment is due by September 3rd. Please see this letter and accompanying registration form and bus rules, posted on the City's website, for more information. Just remember to send your payment to the school account clerk at your child's high school who will continue to administer bus passes by Sept. 3rd!

And last but not least...an invitation to the Brisbane Community~

You have a choice of either grilled salmon, marinated tri-tip beef, or chicken picatta. The cost is $45 per person, and is payable by Visa, Mastercard, or check, made out to the City of Brisbane. It should be a wonderful night of celebrating Chief Hitchcock's 39 years dedicated to public safety and law enforcement. Just remember to RSVP to Sheri by Friday, August 20th!

Concerts in the Park Starting this Friday!

It hasn't felt very much like summer lately, partially due to the cool weather, but mostly because...there haven't been any concerts in the park yet!

Well that is about to change. Starting Friday, July 30th, from 6pm - 9pm, we invite you to join us as we kick off the summer concerts series with the California Cowboys, who are being welcomed back to sing their hearts out in Brisbane!

Gary, Robert, Cary, and Hal have performed all over the United States and Canada, and will likely leave you stomping your feet along to their original songs. To read and see more, check out their website, http://www.californiacowboys.com/.

And if you're coming to the concert this Friday, you may want to CONSIDER BIKING TO THE CONCERT. This Friday’s event is being billed as “Bike to the Concert”, with there being several activities and prizes offered to those who bike to the park. For instance,

- 50 bike bags, filled with safety tips and useful accessories from the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance, will be given to the first 50 families in attendance. Current and future shuttle riders are also encouraged to visit the Alliance table.

- Free bike tune-ups and a safety check will be conducted by the Sports Basement. Take this opportunity to get your bike seat adjusted, and the bike brake and gears checked.

- Free Bike Rodeo for Kids! Children under 15 can take a short bike/trike and helmet safety test – plus a chance to win additional prizes!

This Friday will definitely be T-G-I-F for Brisbane bicyclists, and for fans of the California Cowboys! See you there!

Take a look below for the line-up of concerts coming to the Community Park, and the sponsors who made it all possible. We thank you immensely for your generous donations!