Well-Spent Time in Brisbane

This Saturday, April 19, marks the final Live at Mission Blue Concert Series event of the 2007-2008 season. The series will be capped with the "Masters of the Romantic," featuring Sharon Grebanier - first violin at the San Francisco Symphony; Michael Grebanier - principal cellist*, also with the SFS (the two met when he joined the Orchestra in 1977); and Eric Zivian - pianist, of the Zivian-Tomkins Duo. So come on out to Mission Blue Center Saturday night, and enjoy a pre-concert talk with the artists beginning at 7:30. Maybe Michael will be using his cello built by Francesco Ruggeri of Cremona...in 1698!



April 21-27 is TURN YOUR TV OFF WEEK. So instead of a night in front of the tube, spend it doing other activities...like reading, exercising, or taking a visit to the Brisbane library (you'll get the first two accomplished!). Click here for a list of the library's special events for the upcoming week.

Also, Brisbane Dance Workshop's Annual Spring Performance this year, "Mountains of Tibet," takes place Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. Mark your calendars early, and look out for the Summer issue of the Star for a synopsis of the production!


* In case you're wondering what the difference between first violin and principal cellist is, principal cellists act as section leaders and therefore may be placed in different areas on the stage. The case does not necessarily ring true for first violins, as they usually are playing the higher parts, most often which is the melody. 'Tis all.

Some Things to be Aware of This Week

In no particular order. However, chronological may be most useful:

1. The heater at the Community Pool will be shut off for a short time period on Monday morning, starting around 9:30 am. This will allow the contractor to complete some work with the boiler. Scheduled swim periods will not be affected, but just expect the pool to be a little cooler in the late morning/early afternoon hours. Also, in case you didn't know about the pool's new Spring Program hours, click here to check them out.
2. Monday night's City Council Meeting has one item on the Agenda - the 2008 Midyear update and an updated financial forecast through June 2012. Come and be informed about the fiscal state of your city and hear staff's recommendations to ensure its fiscal viability.
3. Wednesday, April 16th is National Start! Walking Day. The American Heart Association's goal is to raise $1 mil. online, along with strive to get people in cities and towns across the country to take 1 million-plus steps. Go to www.startwithamillion.org to pledge your support and your commitment to Start! a healthier lifestyle. And don't forget to pack your walking shoes that day!
4. Be READY for the unexpected. On Thursday the 17th, starting at 8:00 pm, the San Mateo Office of Emergency Services and Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services is presenting the premiere of "Get Ready San Mateo County," a 30 min. video focusing on personal disaster preparedness. The video will be followed by a showing of the 1974 classic, "Earthquake" - starring the late Charlton Heston. The event is free for all, and takes place at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Downtown Redwood City. So bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a night on the square - a little preparation could go a long way!

In Hopes of Harvesting the Best for Brisbane

The suggestion of wind power generation at the Baylands has recently been more widely discussed at City Council meetings as a means to help the project achieve energy neutrality. However, utilizing this resource requires for a number of questions to be answered first, namely:

• What is the site’s wind energy potential?
• Given that, what would be the most appropriate form and scale of on-site wind power generation?

To help answer these questions and to provide the City Council with valuable data for decision-making means, E.F. McCarthy Associates has been hired by the City. So far in their research, average wind speeds were reported as being marginal for commercial power generation, but also that further economic analysis would be needed. The study also suggested that a 60-meter tall wind tower be installed on-site to collect data on wind speed and direction. The City is currently working with the property owner, Universal Paragon (who is funding the costs associated with acquiring the tower) to install the wind data collection tower for a one-year period. The tower will be held in place by a series of guy-wires anchored to the ground.

Due to it being less than 200 ft. in height, the tower is exempt from FAA regulations, as well as from environmental review pursuant to Section 15306 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (which allows for basic data collection and resource evaluation activities). The City will also be consulting with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) to ensure that the temporary anchors do not impact the landfill cap integrity of the area. Want to hear more on this issue? Then plan on attending the April 7th City Council meeting at 7:30 pm at the Community Center where Council will be advised of the upcoming installation of the temporary wind tower, tentatively scheduled for mid-April.

Should you have the hankering to hear more about climate change after Monday night’s Council meeting, there is an event taking place the following night in Menlo Park, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Café Scientifique, a monthly forum where the public can listen to and talk with scientists and technologists, will be welcoming speaker Peter Schwartz, who will be presenting on “Climate Change and Global Security.” Click here for more information and event details. Coffee, tea, and biscotti will be complimentary, but B.Y.O.M. if you’d rather not use their provided disposable cups (just in case, that’s bring your own mug).

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.