What's the Noise All About?

Well, when it comes to aiplanes flying overhead, we'd rather not have heard it in the first place. Unfortuantely, noise generated by airplanes flying over Brisbane has become more frequent than in years past. While the authority to control aircraft movements at airports lies solely with the FAA, airports can recommend the use of certain runways for noise abatement purposes through the development of runway use programs. Therefore, it is imperative that you contact the SFO Aircraft Noise Abatement Office the next time you hear a plane flying overhead, as they are the link between the public and the airline operators. You can do so in one of two ways: 1.) calling the local hotline (650) 821-4736, also Toll Free (877) 206-8290; or 2.) sending an e-mail to sfo.noise@flysfo.com. Thanks for your efforts in helping reduce airport/aircraft noise in Brisbane!

You should have seen the Census 2010 form come through your mailbox in the last week. Have you filled it out and mailed it back? Well if you haven't, or have questions, Roxana Griggs, Brisbane resident, is here to help. For the next month, she will be at City Hall (50 Park Place) sitting at a table in the front lobby to assist residents in filling out the 10-question form. She will be at the Census Questionnaire Assistance Center Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 10am-1pm and Wednesdays 4pm-7pm. Come by and see her, as she's more than happy to help answer all your Census inquiries.

A lot of noise is currently being made about the 2010 Census, as more than $400 billion in federal funds are awarded to states and communities based on Census data. That's more than $4 trillion over the 10 year life of the data! So, you can see why the Census is such a big deal, especially in these times.

To help encourage San Mateo County residents to "Get Out the Count", a special kick-off event is planned for this Saturday, 11am-1pm at the Redwood City Courthouse Square. At "California Be Counted Day", you'll be sure to find music and dancing performances, fun activities for kids, giveaways, and Census information and biligual help tables. This event to mark the decennial Census is sponsored by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, the San Mateo County Complete Count Committee, and the U.S. Census Bureau. Enjoy the weather this weekend by coming to celebrate this special Census kick-off event...cause if you miss it, you'll have to wait another 10 years!

Lastly, there has been interest shown in residents joining the Open Space & Ecology Committee, but we're still looking for more applicants to fill the two open seats. So if you've ever volunteered at a Habitat Restoration Day, or are interested in issues such as natural resource conservation, recycling/solid waste reduction issues, and wetlands preservation, you may want to consider submitting an application to Sheri Spediacci by e-mail at cityclerk@ci.brisbane.ca.us, faxing it to (415) 467-4989, or just stopping in with it at City Hall. Your ideas could really make a difference in Brisbane!

A Time of Transition

Today, we're bidding adieu to our always-knowledgable, always-studious, and always-curious Community Development Director, Bill Prince. In the last seven years, Bill has headed up the General Plan and Housing Element updates, overseen the planning process for the Baylands and Sierra Point, and educated us all by bringing the "University of Brisbane" concept to the community. Bill's unlimited passion to learn and pass on his knowledge will be greatly missed.

Another accomplishment that Bill had during his tenure was recruiting John Sweicki as Principal Planner for the City. John will be assuming the reins as Interim Director upon Bill's departure and we look forward to him bringing his expertise and familiarity with the issues the City is currently faced with to the table. Congratulations to both Bill and John, for your model of leadership and your willingness to step up and on to new things!

Also in transition during this time are the various City Commissions and Committees. For one, the new Planning Commission met this past Thursday, welcoming Karen Cunningham and Dave Reinhardt. They join Commissioners Theresa Maturo, Jameel Munir (Haji), and Carolyn Parker. Cris Hart was appointed to the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission, where he will be serving alongside Renee Marmion (Chair), Linda Almeida, Bonnie Bologoff, and Mike De La Torre.

If you have ever wanted to serve your community in a public capacity, the opportunity can still be yours! The City is looking for residents to serve on the Open Space & Ecology Committee. The City's various Committees and Commissions are integral to the progression of the City, helping move the community's interests and projects forward. For instance, the Open Space & Ecology Committee aids in the acquisition, planning, and monitoring of open space as one of their focus areas.

If the above interests you at all, then consider applying for a seat on the Open Space & Ecology Committee. It's easy to apply - just fill out and return the application to Sheri Spediacci, City Clerk at 50 Park Place, Brisbane, or e-mail it to her at cityclerk@ci.brisbane.ca.us.

Hoping for your home to undergo a little transition or two? Well then you won't want to miss the Home Show Expo, coming to the Cow Palace March 26-28. The Home Show is an event designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping, and decorating their homes. There will be hundreds of exhibits on-site with merchandise, product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior vignettes. One of the exhibitors will be the Countywide Stormwater Program, which will be hosting a booth (and giving away two free rain barrels!). So come with ideas, photos, and an open mind...and walk away inspired and excited for your next home improvement project! Click here for more information about the event, and here to see about getting in for free!

Keeping Tabs, and Keeping Score

In the coming weeks, work will begin on the thinning and cutting of a eucalyptus grove located north of Lupine Valley Court in the Northeast Ridge. Seeing that this is still the rainy season, the stumps will not yet be removed so as to mitigate any erosion-related issues from taking place on the Mountain. Once finished working in that project area, contractors will move west to do the same in two other areas where eucalyptus trees are prolific. Again, stumps will not be removed until after the rainy season.

When the rainy season concludes around May, contractors will return to remove the stumps and the erosion control blanket. This is a composite blanket consisting of a core composed of coconut fibers and surrounded by two non-synthetic nets for shear strength. The erosion control blanket will be used in any disturbed areas, as qualified by the Public Works Inspector and Engineering staff from the City who will be on-site during the course of the limbing and cutting of the trees. Also, a site activity review has been approved by the County and a site inspection is being done to ensure that the tree is not being used as a nesting site for raptors or other bird species found on San Bruno Mountain before it’s removed. Once cut down, the trees will be loaded onto trucks to be hauled and chipped off-site (none of them will be sent to the landfill but will be re-used for other purposes). Some areas can only be reached by dirt roads, and will require the contractor to first remove trees using small crews with chainsaws, rather than with equipment driving up the Mountain. In addition, all vehicle traffic will be limited to the gravel access road. A truck-washing station will be on-site to ensure that no dirt is tracked onto Guadalupe Canyon Parkway. All of these activities will be closely monitored by the City to ensure a smooth and efficient project, with as little impact to the residents as possible.

The Brisbane Parks and Recreation Dept. is currently seeking a scorekeeper for its adult softball league. Games are played at Mission Blue Field on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 6:30, 7:45, and 9:00pm and last approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. Previous experience is preferred but not required. The pay is $13 per game. For more information, please call Recreation Supervisor Russ Carmick at (415) 508-2143.

With summer not too far off, now is the time for students to start searching out and applying for summer internships. This year, the City is offering 3 internships for students completing their undergraduate or graduate coursework and 1 for high school students, which the City received funding for from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Interested applicants can apply on CalOpps.org and high school students interested in civil engineering or transportation can apply for the MTC internship at their site, by clicking here. The MTC internship is a great way for students to "test drive" possible careers, as Nykka found when she interned with the City of Brisbane's Public Works Dept. in 2008. Click here to read how she enjoyed getting to know her community better during her summer interning with the City.

"(Our) Survey said!"

Well in order to be able to report the results of the Community Survey through a new performance measurement system, the City is hoping to gather as much feedback from the community as possible! In the last STAR, a 21-question survey was included...which, when completed and returned to City Hall, the water bill account of the respondent would be credited $10 (reflected in their May-June water bill). So be sure to fill out the survey and bring it back to City Hall by next Monday, March 1st. If you've already recycled the STAR, have no fear, the survey can also be found by clicking here!

At the beginning of every year, it's always a good idea to take stock of what your priorities are so you know how to direct your efforts. In January, the City Council did just that, convening for a Council Goal Setting Workshop. The workshop provides an opportunity for City Council to work together outside of a regular City Council meeting where they can discuss broader issues facing the City and the citizens. Many concerns and issues were discussed. Eleven items were identified by Council as requiring their attention and consideration this year. Staff has already begun the leg work to provide information to Council as they now juggle the normal load of City Council meetings along with achieving these designated City Council goals for 2010:

• Housing - Community Meeting to review Project for Public Spaces, bring back Fred Kent, Consultant
• Rebuilding Together - Housing Rehabilitation Business Attraction Strategy
• Plastic Bag and Styrofoam Ordinance
• Broadband within Crocker Industrial Park
• Performance Standards for the Baylands
• Review Various High School Issues

More information will be forthcoming as items come up for deliberation during City Council meetings. The next one will be taking place on Monday, March 1st. Click here for the night's agenda.

Lastly, the weatherman, not the survey, said that it would be raining come this afternoon. With that, we wanted to remind the community that sand bags are available at the Fire Station (3445 Bayshore Blvd.) for the taking. They are a simple, but effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage. So, if you have had any experience with this in the past when the rains come down, you may want to come down to the Fire Station 81 and pick up a few while it's still dry out!

Spareribs...spare time?

At this past Monday's City Council meeting, Mary Parisi was presented with this year's Mayor's Art Achievement Award for her work as a visual artist. The purpose of this award is to first honor Brisbane Residents, or those that work in Brisbane who have achieved recognition through an exhibition, performance, or publication of their words of art. Mary has long had her studio in our industrial park, where she worked on pieces that have been shown around the world. Mary has had shows in Canada and Spain, a solo exhibition in Germany, and more recently, Lishui, China. In the United States, Mary’s work has shown in New York, New Jersey, Wyoming, Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, and many locations in California.

Mary's photograph above, entitled Spareribs, was part of the "10 x 10 x 10" exhibition that filled the ground floor corridor walls of San Francisco's City Hall last September. The exhibition came about when the San Francisco Arts Commission and PhotoAlliance invited 10 local curators and artists each to choose one Bay Area photographer to be represented by 10 pictures.

Here Mary is with her recognition plaque, which was presented to her earlier by Mayor Conway. Mary's husband, Ed, standing beside her, has supported his wife through the years, even serving as the main subject for a body of work that spanned seven years. (Click here to go to Mary's website and then click on "Sleep" to be taken to a series of photographs Mary took of Ed which she found to be both humorous and poignant.)

Congratulations, Mary, on your very accomplished career in the arts. Your recognition serves as a definite reminder that the Brisbane community is surrounded by a rich and diverse depth of talent.

It's always nice to see these types of recognitions made in person, but if in case you can't make it down to City Hall for a Council meeting, remember that you can always tune in online at home! Just go to the City's website, http://www.ci.brisbane.ca.us/, and click on the first hyperlinked item, "Channel 27 Live Video Streaming". On that page, you'll also see a calendar to view when public meetings and other programs are scheduled. An easy way to stay up-to-date with what's going on in your city!


And in your spare time this weekend, preferably Sunday between the hours of 12pm and 5pm, you'll want to head over to the Joseph A. Fernekes Recreation Building in Orange Memorial Park (781 Tennis Dr., SSF), where the County will be administering FREE H1N1 flu vaccinations for all San Mateo County residents age 6 mos. and older. The County also made calls to all residents yesterday to inform the community about Sunday's free clinic. No documentation or appointment is needed, so if you haven't yet gone to get the vaccine, take advantage of this opportunity to do so! For more information, please view the flyer or call (650) 573-3927.

Brisbane's "Don't-Miss" Happenings & Events

Mission Blue Center was packed last Saturday, as many in the community turned out for an inspiring evening of Brisbane residents sharing their passion for art. The pictures that follow only represent a snapshot of the talent that resides in Brisbane, culminating in this year's winner of the Arts Advocate of the Year award.

Event organizer, emcee and artist Beth Grossman with filmmakers Keith and Sam Moreau (Sam's also a vocalist for the Luna Tunes).

Dancer Kelly Bowker (middle) along with Leah Samson and Laura Blakely. Kelly teaches the modern dance classes for BDW.

Painter Jeri Sulley (she also made the paper which that San Francisco skyline is painted on!).

Writer Diane Glazman reading an except from her novel, The Altar of Dead Pets.

Socio-political artist Beth Grossman with her rendition of "Jacob's Ladder".

Concert performer Amy Dondy accompanied by Jerry Kuhel (guitarist and vocalist for Luna Tunes).

Lynne Grant was this year's recipient of the Arts Advocate of the Year. Here she is with Mayor Pro-tem Cy Bologoff who read through 4 pages of Lynne's accomplishments (they stem from the 70s!).

Lynne has worked on many theatre productions, whose costume designs enable the characters in the play to truly come to life. In the photo above, kids from a past BDW play appear to be looking on in awe and wonder.

Congratulations, Lynne!! You have touched many lives with your talent and eye for costume design. Thank you for faithfully serving the youth in Brisbane with your creative passion!

Don't miss the community survey that's included within the latest STAR, the City's monthly newsletter publication. Along with a bit of history about the City, current events and issues, and classes and programs available through the Parks & Recreation department, you'll find a 21-question survey in the middle of this latest issue. By filling it out and returning it to City Hall, you'll receive $10 off your next water bill! So tell us how we're doing, and in return, we'll make sure your next water bill isn't as steep as it could be.

And speaking of the Parks & Rec department, they're currently taking sign-ups for Spring Camp, which runs Monday - Friday, March 29 - April 9. Come and see Nancy on the 2nd floor of City Hall to sign up! Space is limited. If you're looking for other options, a new Sign Language class as well as an Arts & Crafts class are being offered to BES students. Would rather them run around outdoors? Then sign them up for baseball - there's still space for all teams! Click here to view the flyer.

Lastly, due to the holiday, the next City Council meeting will be held next Tuesday, Feb. 16th. Click here to view the night's agenda. A reminder that City Hall closes at 1p today. We'll be back on Tuesday the 16th to serve you!

It's Time to Survey the Stars

Brisbane artists have been working hard to ready themselves, and their art, for when it's presented to the public at this Saturday's 9th Annual Artist's Evening of Sharing. The event starts at 7:30pm at Mission Blue Center, where Brisbane artists will showcase their works of music, theater, dance, literary reading, singing, visual artwork, photography and film...in what is sure to be a delightfully artistic atmosphere. So come on over to Mission Blue Center this Saturday and join us to meet and honor these talented artists and advocates living and working in town. Admission is free and refreshments will be served during intermission...adding to the perfect setting of celebrating Brisbane's creative spirit and artistic stars!

Be an environmentally-progressive star and support the Brisbane Blast Girls Soccer Team by dropping off any qualifying e-waste at the Community Park this Saturday between 9:00am - 3:00pm. Items they are able to collect are: computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones, cameras, speakers, stereo equipment, microwaves, fax machines, laptops, DVD players, printers, wire/cable/printer circuit boards, and rechargeable batteries. Surely you have something that makes the list?

But if you don't, surely you can offer your feedback in the City's Community Survey. You should have found it inside the Spring edition of the STAR which was mailed to each resident and business the first week of February. By bringing your completed survey back to City Hall and slipping it in the survey drop box, or dropping it off in one of the City Hall drop boxes located throughout town, you'll receive $10 off your next water bill! And isn't that a relief...(by the way, water bills are due TODAY!)

April 1st is Census Day, and it's not too late to apply for employment opportunities with the 2010 Census! If you or someone you know would be interested in a temporary position which offers good pay, is close to home, flexible hours, and paid training, then call the Census Bureau Regional Office, located in Palo Alto, at (650) 641-8310 to be signed up for the employment qualifying exam. And if you're a Brisbane resident, you'll likely be taking the test at Mission Blue Center right here in town during this month, and starting work in April. More information is available at http://www.2010censusjobs.gov/.

Lastly, we wanted to make you aware of the hours City Hall will be open starting Monday 2/8 through Friday, 2/19. Take a look below, and we look forward to serving you during these next two (albeit short) weeks!