A note from a satisfied, and appreciative, customer:
12/28/07 Hi Barry, I wanted you to know what a fine job that Gary Hogan does in cleaning the bathrooms at Burton Park! He does such a fantastic job of cleaning the bathroom that I always plan my jogs around the time that I know he'll be at Burton Park. I always use the bathroom before I jog and then start running from there. I know that the bathrooms get a lot of use all the time and even with a lot of use the bathroom sparkles when Gary takes care of it. Do you have Guy Wallace's e-mail address as I would like for him to know about Gary? Thank-you! Merry Christmas Jan Rhoades
The Library lobbies received a fresh coat of paint during the Winter furlough. The Park Maintenance and Building Maintenance crew were able to take advantage of the closure and wet weather to collaborate on this project.
The Adult Community Center hosted a number of special programs, trips, and events in January to kick off the new year and keep patrons engaged, learning, and active.Highlights included a New Years Luncheon, Pancake Social, Park View Café Monday Lunches, gambling trip to the Thunder Valley Indian Casino, Travel Club Meeting highlighting the April 08 Branson Musical Getaway Tour, slide show on Croatia & Italy, Driver Safety class, new Line Dancing classes, Caring Cupboard Projects, and the Week of the Family Drop-In Game Day.The Adult Community Center continues to be a growing resource for recreation, relationships, education, and socializing in our city.
The San Carlos City Hall Tree was lit on December 4th to kick off the holiday season at the 19th Annual Tree Lighting & Holiday Traditions event. The community was out in force on a beautiful winter night to share in the spirit and festivities planned by the Parks & Recreation Department. Mayor Brad Lewis did a masterful job of being the MC and lighting the tree assisted by his daughter, Ella. Festive holiday entertainment was provided by The West Bay Community Band, DanceKids, and San Carlos Children’s Theater. City Council members Bob Grassilli, Randy Royce and Omar Ahmad joined in to sing Jingle Bells, which brought Santa on his fire engine sleigh much to the delight of children in the audience. Cocoa and cookies warmed up the crowd and Santa listened intently to the wishes of the believers at the Adult Community Center. The event was supported by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Gold Sponsor) and San Carlos Youth Advisory Council along with Crippen & Flynn of Redwood City and Belmont (Silver Sponsor). The event continues to be a community favorite that brings people together to celebrate a variety of holiday traditions.
Strengthen Safety and Security
The Parks Division was busy assisting the Department of Public Works as high winds and heavy rain hit San Carlos. The crews worked around the clock to keep the creeks and gutters flowing and remove fallen trees and branches. Following the storm, the Parks crews were inspecting the parks for hazardous trees, trees with “hanging” branches, and removing debris throughout the parks.
All City buildings have received new defibrillators (AED’s) and staff orientation training courtesy of Sequoia Healthcare District.The new City Hall defibrillators are located by the elevator on the 1st floor and just outside the HR & Parks and Recreation Offices on the 2nd floor. Additionally Police have an AED in their office area and Fire will have one soon.Sequoia Healthcare District will also pay for up to 20 people to attend a CPR/AED training course they will coordinate. This four (4) hour class will be conducted in City Hall on a Tuesday with specific dates to be determined. Fire Chief Doug Fry has generously offered to provide an additional class in the next couple of months for even more city employees to participate.We are working to also add AED’s at the athletic fields. Sequoia Healthcare District is funded by a portion of property tax dollars from homeowners in Southern San Mateo County. The AED’s and trainings are another example of you tax dollars at work (and potentially saving lives).Thank you Sequoia Healthcare District.
Congratulations to Denise Klapper on successfully obtaining her “Serve Safe Certification from San Mateo County! Denise is the outstanding “Chef” at the Adult Community Center providing nutritious and delicious hot meals and special event menus.
Loren Buddress, Chief Probation Officer, San Mateo County spoke to the Rotary Club of San Carlos on January 25.He noted a 52% increase in gang membership between 1992 – 2006 in San Mateo County.He said prevention and early intervention with support and assistance for juveniles increases their chances of success. We need more social, asset building programs in the community to keep youth engaged in healthy, positive activities. Prevention is the key to success. Rotary Club members commented on the quality and value of our Parks and Recreation youth programs and services.
Promote Health and Wellness
Personal & Family Development’s new Hula Hooping for Fun & Fitness class is a co-sponsored venture with Belmont Parks & Recreation.Everything old is new again! Our unit continues to search out and offer innovative, challenging, and fun classes to get people moving and improve their health.Other new fitness classes that started in January were Hip Hop, Line Dancing, Running for Life, Kickboxing, and Kung Fu.
Foster Human Development
The Youth Advisory Council partnered with Samaritan House to adopt a family during the holidays. By fundraising each month at the YAC dances, the teens are able to donate to less fortunate youth, families and organizations. One council member made the comment that the family the YAC adopted has a teen who attends the same school that he does.It was a soul- searching moment when he read the list of items that our adopted family requested, necessities like shoes, socks, and a warm jacket. A long discussion ensued regarding the importance of priorities in life and the circumstances in which some of our children are born.Caring for others and being a resource in the community are important assets for our youth to learn.
The Youth Center hosted the Tierra Linda Middle School Challenge Day on January 22nd.Challenge Days have become an important part of the middle school curriculum.They focus on addressing the daily challenges of adolescence, academic stress, and negative peer pressure.They work to create an environment in schools where every child feels safe, loved, and celebrated.
The Healthy Cities Tutoring Program has placed 180 students with 170 tutors for the 2007-08 school year. Unfortunately, there are a number of students on waiting lists at each school, so additional tutors are needed to assist students one hour per week with reading, math, and general homework assistance. Studies confirm that children that receive the assistance of an adult mentor are less likely to get into trouble as teens, so everyone’s help is appreciated and valued by the community. In addition, a large study recently confirmed that people who do volunteer work are happier and healthier. The research also tested for links between voluntary activity and overall life satisfaction and happiness. There is a strong link between communities with lots of active citizen volunteers and those where people are very satisfied with their lives. It seems that when we focus on the needs of others, we also reap benefits ourselves. As a current tutor recently shared, “I get great satisfaction from working with the students who need help. I feel Sandy is making real progress this year and I hope I am some help. I think this is a wonderful program and I am always proud to tell people I am part of the San Carlos Healthy Cities Program”.
Increase Cultural Unity
January at the Youth Center, through the Culinary Cultural Adventure, young people learned about Malaysia, “the melting pot of Asia”, and its traditions. Walking into the Center, visitors were immediately greeted with information about Malaysia, the currency, architecture, flag, language, and other facts about the country.Activities Room participants were introduced to traditional Malaysian dress items decorating the walls.Still to come is the sampling of the local delicacy Roti Prata, a Malaysian pancake, which will be served to the participants for sampling!
Protect Environmental Resources
The Youth Center was the first building in San Carlos to receive “Green Building Certification”. Congratulations to Pat Thomasson, Jeri Fujimoto and Mike Becker who were recognized at the January 28 City Council Meeting by County Supervisor Mark Church, Mayor Brad Lewis and the City Council and a California State Legislature certificate from Assembly member Ira Ruskin.Congratulations to all who helped achieve this impressive accomplishment.
One of our important partners, the Community Care Program, provides invaluable assistance to Park Maintenance staff in clearing fire fuel and other shrubbery at our parks, particularly Arguello and Highlands Parks. The program consists of youth offenders as part of a restitution and diversion program in partnership with the County of San Mateo.We have taken steps to recognize their efforts.They are receiving an award from the California Park and Recreation Society, District IV for their valuable contributions on February 7.Even the neighbors have noticed.We recently received a message from an Arguello Park neighbor stating:
I also wanted you to know of the improved views resulting from the clearing operations.The kids were there yesterday (Sunday), too.Although we know they aren't there voluntarily, my wife and I still take the time to thank them, whenever we see them.
Facilitate Community Problem Solving
Counselors at our local middle schools contact Youth Center staff whenever there are issues regarding specific students who are not doing well academically or socially.Parents seek assistance from the Youth Center staff to help in the daily challenges of raising a teenager.Working together as a team, school, family, and Youth Center, staff nurtures our young people to grow into healthy, caring and competent adults.
In the upcoming Burton Park Playground renovation the new picnic tables will be accessible and we will place them on the site so that they provide an accessible picnic experience (an accessible path of travel to and around the tables).The life span of safety surfacing is anticipated to be 5 years or more with our regular maintenance program.Safety surfacing color is very important. You can use darker colors in shaded areas, but we will be using lighter colors (and thereby reducing heat) which is important in children's play areas.
Provide Recreational Experiences
Holiday classes created and staffed by Youth Center Recreation Leaders were very successful again this year.Young participants, aged 4-10 years, learned how to make healthy versions of cookies and cupcakes for the holidays in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, while Rudolph’s Restaurant saw young holiday revelers making their own healthy versions of personal pizzas.The day ended with Frosty’s Crafty Workshop, where children made a variety of ornaments and other holiday gifts for family members.Parents enjoyed a free day to finish their holidaypreparations knowing that their children were safe and engaged in healthy activities throughout the day.
Solar Power Engineering Adventures is a stand-out class this Winter for Personal & Family Development.Fifteen youngsters ages 6-10 are building solar cars and other gadgets with Lego kits.They are learning principals of electricity, using solar panels to create different voltages, and performing experiments, including how to purify water.These classes are not only educational and fun, they promote ‘green’ values and awareness for our youngsters.
Cost Savings / Revenue Enhancements
The current balance needed for the Burton Park Playground renovation is only $106,940 from our goal of $800,000. Special thanks to the Playground Committee for work with the design and fundraising & to the Parks and Recreation Foundation for their work securing naming opportunities and large dollar donations. Recent developments include:
- $10,000 donation from long time resident and business owner Jerry Ernst
- $5,000 donation from Rotary Club of San Carlos with a hopes for more if their January 27 fundraiser was successful
- $200 donation from Harmony Frozen Yogurt at 1226 Arroyo Avenue who will also donate $1.00 for all frozen yogurts sold on President’s Weekend, February 22 & 23
- 252 Children’s Handprint Tiles have now been sold totaling $48,006
“Naming Opportunities” are still available for play structures, sun canopies, landscaping, play houses and much more.Tell a friend!
The Youth Center was awarded a generous grant of $5,000 from the Gellert Foundation for its Academic Enhancement Program in the Homework Lab.Hiring, training and retaining quality staff for the Homework Lab is imperative to the academic success of our students. With this generous grant we will be able to ensure that our tutors are quality staff members.
It’s never too early to plan for summer fun! The Personal & Family Development unit has been hard at work gearing up for the 18th Annual Summer Concert Series starting July 11, 2008. Like everything else in the world, expenses for the concerts have been on the rise. In response, a new sponsorship package has been developed that includes new marketing impressions for the sponsors and options to share a designated evening sponsorship. We are especially excited about the added value for the Presenting Sponsor to be listed with the City on the Silicon View Highway 101 electronic sign. We are in the process of contacting returning sponsors with whom to share the new package information and will be including the opportunities in the January Chamber Newsletter. Bands are already contacting us to be included in the selection process for 2008. The Concert Series is one of the most popular community events in our City and we look forward to increasing attendance, developing a solid sponsorship base, seeking out quality music and achieving higher cost recovery.
