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How to Plan Your July 4th at Port & City
of Redwood City
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The Port of Redwood City will once again proudly host the popular 4th of July Redwood City fireworks. 
The City of Redwood City is spearheading the 20-minute high aerial fireworks show and will provide entertainment by a band known as The Megatones. The City has arranged corporate sponsors: Port customer Sims Metal Management, Sares Regis, County Consumer Plumbing, and Recology.
The fireworks display will be conducted by PyroSpectaculars, Inc., at the end of the Port's Wharf 4.
The Megatones will play at the Port's public access area adjacent to the Portside offices from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. The City has arranged for four food trucks to be onsite at 6 p.m. Parking will be allowed in the Marina and Portside parking lot and along the westbound curb of Seaport Boulevard from Seaport Court to the entrance of Pacific Shores Center. "Overflow" parking will be directed to the Port's boat launch parking lot on Chesapeake Boulevard. City police will prevent traffic once it deems the parking areas will be full. Public restrooms around the marina will be available.
The fireworks and concert at the Port will be preceded by the 78th
annual Independence Day Parade and the 30th
annual Independence Day Festival in downtown Redwood City. Complete information is at:
http://www.parade.org
This parade, which is the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California, brings entries from across the state to compete for awards and cash prizes. The Festival provides an opportunity for community service organizations to raise funds by selling food, merchandise or giving out information on their organization. There are also arts and craft booths and  entertainment for the thousands of people that attend the festival immediately after the parade.
Highlights:
- Battle of the bands pitting Stanford University against U.C. Davis at 1 p.m. on Hamilton Street.
- Kids Area featuring Skates the Clown along Jefferson, Twinkie Dee Star face painting all day on Broadway by Middlefield, and Paul Ackerley the Magician at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Broadway by Jefferson.
- Benefit pancake breakfast for the RC Firefighters Association at the Redwood City Fire Station at 755 Marshall St. from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- 4th of July Parade Run, a 5-k race/walk at 8:45 a.m. open to all ages. More information: www.paraderun.org Proceeds from Parade Run benefit music programs funded by the Redwood City Education Foundation. The RCEF has been working since 1983 to enrich and advance education opportunities for all students in the Redwood City School District.
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Skates the Clown
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Port Initiates Steps for Wharf 3 & 4 Repairs & Improvements
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The Port of Redwood City has initiated steps to make repairs and improvements to Wharves 3 and 4 that are necessary to handle the large ocean going cargo ships calling at the Port. The concrete wharves were built about 30 years ago and a recent inspection determined that they are in fairly good condition but the fenders are deteriorated and need some repairs or replacement.
The marine fenders are on the waterside of the wharves facing the area where the ships are tied up. Fenders protect the wharves from the lateral force of ships when they are docking or maneuvering to leave the dock. The fenders also provide a safe and secure structure for the ships to berth against when tied up to the wharves.
The project will include removal and disposal of old fenders, installing new steel pile mooring dolphins at Wharf 3; retaining the existing dolphins at Wharf 4 with new mooring panels; and minor repair to both wharves. The steel truss walkways connecting the dolphins at the north end of Wharf 4 to Wharf 3 are damaged from use and weather and are recommended for replacement.
The Port Commission approved hiring the firm COWI, North America, to
do the final engineering, environmental review, permitting and supervise construction. The project, currently estimated to cost $6.6 million, would occur between June 1, 2017, and Nov. 30, 2017.
When completed wharves 3 and 4 will be able to dock dry bulk ships of a size known as "Panamax," the largest ships currently able to pass through the Panama Canal. The system of new fenders will extend the useful life of the wharves for an additional 30 years.
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| Example of a Panamax ship |
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Port Supports Bay Area Water Trail
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The Port Commission has approved a resolution in support of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail. The Redwood City Council is scheduled to consider a similar resolution later this month.
The California State Legislature enacted the Water Trail Act (AB 1296) in 2005 establishing the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail,
a growing network of launching and landing sites that allows non-motorized small boat users to better enjoy the historic, scenic, cultural, and environmental richness of San Francisco Bay.
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he Water Trail is implemented under the leadership of the State Coastal Conservancy, working in close collaboration with the Association of Bay Area Governments, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and the California Division of Boating and Waterways.
The Water Trail benefits the region by improving and increasing recreational access for non-motorized small boat use by persons of all abilities, fosters stewardship of the Bay, and reduces impacts to sensitive wildlife and habitat through education of boaters.
It also provides economic benefits to waterfront and water-oriented businesses by promoting opportunities for single and multi-day excursions on the Bay.
The Port of Redwood City recognizes the benefits of non-motorized small boat recreation on the Bay and wants to encourage this activity as part of a regional trail network. The Port is interested in exploring possible inclusion of the Port's launch ramp and public access area on Chesapeake Drive as part of the regional trail network.
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Port Supports Benefit for Schools
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Port of Redwood City Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop shown with students from Redwood City Elementary District schools, showing image of Port's $10,000 contribution to the Redwood City Education Foundation's "Benefit for a Brighter Future," RCEF's premiere fundraising event for Redwood City schools. The benefit was May 13 at Canada College's "The Grove." Port Commissioner Dick Dodge and Port Executive Director Michael J. Giari also attended the benefit with Commissioner Kastrop.
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| Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop with students |
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Meet Port's New Assistant Manager of Operations and Administrator
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Giorgio Garilli has joined the Port as assistant manager of operations and administrator.
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Giorgio Garilli |
He comes to the Port after six months as project coordinator for Stanford Health Care Property Services Department in Redwood City and 15 years as harbormaster and facility general manager at Pete's Harbor in Redwood City.
A native of Italy, Garilli studied accounting and business management for five years in the Paris area of France. He is fluent in four languages.
Away from the office Garilli enjoys playing music as well as soccer and tennis. He and his wife Marcia live in Redwood City.
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Measure to Restore Wetlands Wins
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Voters throughout the Bay Area approved Measure AA on June 7
,
a first of its kind regional ballot initiative that will generate $500 million for restoration of San Francisco Bay wetlands. The measure captured nearly 70 percent of the vote.
Voters in all nine Bay Area counties have approved the measure to restore of San Francisco Bay wetlands through a small parcel tax of $12 per year. Over the next 20 years, the measure will raise $500 million for critically important Bay restoration projects.
The money raised would be dispensed across the region on an annual basis to projects with measurable environmental benefits in terms of wildlife habitat, public access and "protecting communities from flood."
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Port Again Sponsors Popular Music-in-the-Park Series
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(We published this story in May's newsletter and are repeating again since the concerts are upcoming).
The Port once again is the primary sponsor of Redwood City's popular summer music in the park series, scheduled for 10 consecutive Wednesdays June 15-August 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Stafford Park, at the corner of King Street and Hopkins Avenue.
There will be a concession tent selling hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips and drinks, operated and donated by the Optimist Club of Redwood City. All proceeds benefit the Save the Music program in Redwood City Schools.
The schedule:
The Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, which organizes the Summer Concert series, will also arrange for a major "headliner band" to perform at
PortFest on Saturday, Oct. 1, on the Port's waterfront.
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PORT FEST
Save the Date: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016
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