Port Registers Record Month for Number of Cargo Ships

The Redwood City Port Commission has approved plans by Sims Metal Management for $1.3 million in enhancements to the facility at 699 Seaport Blvd., Redwood City. The Port owns the land.

The company before year's end plans to enclose two structures - one relating to the shredder and one to its materials recovery plant. The enclosures will provide a safer environment for equipment and operations. They will reduce noise and steam emissions and improve fugitive dust emissions from the equipment that is currently exposed to the environment.

Sims recycles more than 200,000 vehicles and other metal products per year, and is the Port's largest exporter to Asia.

The structures will be erected by AM Star Construction, Inc., which has constructed several successful projects in Redwood City.

 Port Names New Manager of Finance & Administration 

 Rajesh C. Sewak has joined the Port of Redwood City as manager of finance and administration after spending the last nine years with the City of Redwood City's Finance Department.  He succeeds Cynthia Hampton, who retired last month    after 15 years with the Port of Redwood City.

"Rajesh has a proven track record of successfully working as an accounting manager and controller for small to mid-sized businesses in varied industries as well as almost 10 years in municipal finance," Executive Director Michael J. Giari said.

Sewak joined the City of Redwood City in March 2005 as revenue services manager and senior accountant after 18 years in industry, during which he held various positions with Qantas Airways Limited, Western Multiplex Corp, Care on-Call, Inc., and Loncar Enterprises Inc.

He earned his MBA in finance at Golden Gate University and his BS in accounting and finance from San Francisco State  University. Sewak and his wife and two teenage daughters live in San Mateo.  

The 4th of July fireworks will be launched from the Port of Redwood City again this year, capping a day of festivities in Redwood City that includes the traditional downtown parade.

The fireworks extravaganza will start at approximately 9:30 pm. Before that a rock n' roll band, Jokers and Thieves, will perform at the Port waterfront stage starting at 7 pm and going until about 9:20 pm.

The fireworks can be seen from areas where there is a clear view of the skies above the Port, and can also be seen from high points all over the Peninsula. For those coming to the Port, early arrival is highly recommended because this area is mostly private property with very limited public parking.

The Port is providing a public viewing area along the waterfront off of Seaport Court. Once all of the very limited public parking spaces are filled, Seaport Boulevard will be closed to all vehicle traffic at the intersection of Seaport/Blomquist. Once the intersection has been closed, no vehicle access to the Port area will be available. This traffic control restriction could occur as early as 7:30 pm - so be sure to plan accordingly.

Alcohol is prohibited on-site at the fireworks show.

The 76th annual 4th of July Parade by the Peninsula Celebration Association - a Family 4th - is the premier holiday parade in the region, and the entire community is invited to join the fun right in the heart of downtown Redwood City. Get 4th of July details at

The parade begins at 10 am, and the route starts on Marshall Street at the corner of Winslow Street, and continues on Marshall, Main Street, Middlefield Road, Winslow Street, Broadway, and onto Arguello Street where it ends near Alden Street.

The 28th annual Independence Day Festival will cover several blocks in the heart of downtown Redwood City, starting at 9 am (parts of Broadway, Hamilton, Middlefield, Jefferson, and in Courthouse Square). Filled with arts and crafts, food and beverages, kids' activities, and a whole lot of good old fashioned family fun, the festival is the place to be on the 4th of July. Plus the annual 4th of July carnival, coordinated by the Woodside Terrace Kiwanis Club, will be in the parking lot at Veterans Blvd. and Middlefield Road.

Families can also enjoy a special Pancake Breakfast benefiting the Redwood City Firefighters Association at the Downtown Redwood City Fire Station #9, 755 Marshall Street, and join the 4th of July Parade/Run fundraising 5K run/walk, to benefit the Redwood City Education Foundation. Plus, the 4th of July "Go For It!" Car Show and Celebration takes place on the 2600 block of Broadway.

The Port of Redwood City is again a sponsor of Redwood City's Popular Music in the Park series that starts June 18 for nine consecutive Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stafford Park at the corner of King Street & Hopkins Avenue.

The lineup:

June 18 * Top Shelf: Performing Classic Soul, R&B, Motown, Funk, Doo-Wop, Top Shelf has opened, performed, or recorded with some of the industry's g

Top Shelf

reatest icons.    

Mighty Mississippi

July 23 * Mighty Mississippi: A popular acoustic Blues trio from the San Francisco Bay Area.

August 6 * Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums: They are a highly entertaining band from San Francisco featuring Steve Lucky's soulful piano and vocals, and the vivacious Miss Carmen Getit's vocals and acclaimed guitar.

August 13 * The Soul Section: A Bay Area band with its primary focus on the great funk and soul music of the 60's and 70's. They also draw favorites from the deep well of music of the entire Rock era. 

This link provides the schedule of entertainment, some with pictures: http://www.redwoodcity.org/events/musicinthepark.html

Also, Redwood City's popular Music on the Square series starts tonight, June 6, for successive Fridays through August 29 (except July 4th), at the Courthouse Square in downtown.The lineup can be seen at http://www.redwoodcity.org/events/musiconthesquare.html