Port Hosts 77th Annual South Bay Opening Day of Sailing Season May 2
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The 77th annual South Bay Opening Day of the sailing season, featuring a decorated boat parade and free public activities, is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at the Port of Redwood City. This year's theme is "Pirates of the South Bay." The decorated boat parade and blessing of the fleet starts at 11 a.m. and is best viewed from the observation deck at the Port of Redwood City. Spectators can vote for their favorite decorated boat to determine which one will receive the coveted "Spectators Choice Award." The public viewing experience will be enhanced in wake of last month's completion of improvements to the public access and landscape areas between Seaport Center and the Fishing Pier. Improvements include:
- Reconstruction of the sidewalks, parking areas, benches, and ADA access long the waterfront promenade to improve views and connectivity.
- New landscaping with palm trees, reduced-size lawn, and plantings that discourage Canadian geese.
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Opening Day from Port file |
The public can enjoy the many exhibits in the Sequoia Yacht Club parking lot area from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., including booths by Marine Science Institute, police and fire departments, West Marine, Dock-walkers, Power Squadron, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Water activities also include: Coast Guard cutter Friday evening and Saturday, rowing club and kayaking demonstrations, and the Sea and Mariner Scouts vessels. Parade grand marshal will be Captain Gregory Stump, Commander Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, which is comprised of nearly 800 active, reserve and civilian personnel whose area of responsibility spans from the Oregon border south to San Luis Obispo and includes over 2,500 miles of shoreline. Stump was a Coast Guard waterborne operations officer during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
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Grand Marshal Capt. Stump |
Lunch will be available for purchase at the Sequoia Yacht Club. A band will perform from noon to 2 p.m. |
Port of Redwood City's $519,700 Public Access Improvements
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Improvements to the Port's public access and landscape areas between Seaport Center and the Fishing Pier were recently completed. (These improvements are highlighted here with pictures). Improvements included:
- Reconstruction of the sidewalks, viewing areas, and parking to improve the connectivity and views of the waterfront.
- Reconstruction of the wooden boardwalk adjacent to the shoreline overlooking the guest dock with a concrete sidewalk and viewing area with an American Disabilities act (ADA)-compliant seating bench.
- New landscaping which reduces water consumption, discourages flocks of Canadian geese, and adds new palm trees.
- Installation of bicycle racks, picnic tables, and informative signage.
The $519,700 project was performed by Munoz Engineering Construction, Inc., of Hayward. |
County History Museum Unveils Two New Paintings Depicting Historic Scenes at Port |
The San Mateo County History Museum on April 11 unveiled two new murals depicting historic scenes at the Port of Redwood City as part of its "Ships of the World" exhibit that depicts the maritime history of San Mateo County, including the Port, using historic model ships, paintings, maritime artifacts, videos, and murals.
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Catalog Ships of the World front & back cover depicting the 2 new paintings by Fred Sinclair, Jr.
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The new 12-minute video on the Port of Redwood City features pictures from the historic Port through present day activities at the Port. The paintings unveiled by Burlingame artist Fred Sinclair Jr. during ceremonies are these: One painting depicts the Port in its former downtown location and is titled "Port of Redwood City, 1896 by Fred Sinclair, Jr., 2015." The other painting is the "Port of Redwood City during World War II by Fred Sinclair, Jr., 2015," depicting a liberty ship loading cargo at the Port.
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Fred Sinclair, Jr. unveiling one of two new Port paintings
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Port Commission Chairman Ralph Garcia spoke at the ceremonies. He said, "The Port is very pleased to be included in the exhibit that includes the maritime history of San Mateo County. The original Port was on Redwood Creek less than two blocks from where we are at the Old County Courthouse and County History Museum, and the City grew up around it." The original SHIPS OF THE WORLD catalog, sponsored by the Port of Redwood City, the Seaport Industrial Association, and the Sequoia Yacht Club, will be presented to the Port Commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.
Visit the museum at
http://www.historysmc.org/
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An interactive story of the Port is in the middle of the two paintings. (l to r) Port Executive Director Michael J. Giari, Port Commission Vice Chairman Dick Claire, Chairman Ralph Garcia, and Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop
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Port of Redwood City, 1896 by Fred Sinclair, Jr., 2015
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Artist Fred Sinclair, Jr.
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Port Saves Estimated $655,222 by Refinancing Bonds |
The Port of Redwood City is saving money by refinancing bonds issued in 1999 to remediate hazardous waste left in petroleum storage tanks on Port property by a prior tenant. It is essentially like homeowners who refinance their house when interest rates drop. By refinancing the current outstanding $7.75 million balance, the Port will save an estimated $655,222 over the bonds' remaining 15 year life. This savings is 8.45 percent of the amount of refunding bonds sold, nearly triple the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommended "best practices" of three percent minimum savings. The precise savings will be determined when the refinanced bonds are sold this summer. |
Assemblyman Kevin Mullin Visits Port |
Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, recently took a tour of the Port of Redwood City with Port Executive Director Michael J. Giari and Port Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop. Mullin's 22nd District includes Redwood City as well as 11 other cities in San Mateo County. Mullin was re-elected in November 2014 and shortly thereafter was sworn in as the Speaker pro tempore for the 2015-16 legislative session. In his new role he presides regularly over floor sessions.
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Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, right, tours Port with Port Executive Director Michael J. Giari and Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop |
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Mike Giari Marks 20th Anniversary as Port Executive Director |
Port Executive Director Michael J. Giari will mark his 20th anniversary in the post in May.
He joined the Port in 1988 as manager of trade development and was promoted to executive director in May 1995. Prior to joining the Port, he worked for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as assistant manager of a major waterfront development project and as a marine transportation planner. Prior to that position, he was with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) at their headquarters in Washington, D.C. Giari's port-related career began with the U.S. Maritime Administration in San Francisco. He is past president of the Bay Planning Coalition and the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA). He also is past chairman of the Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce where he has been an active member for 20 years, chairing various committees and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Giari holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from St. Mary's College, California and a Master's Degree in Marine Affairs and Maritime Policy from the University of Rhode Island. |
Port Again Sponsors Popular Nine-Week Music in the Park Series
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The Port of Redwood City and the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission are again bringing the popular Music in the Park concert series back to Stafford Park starting on June 24 for nine consecutive Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stafford Park is at the corner of King Street & Hopkins Avenue. The announced lineup:
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June 24:
Snap Jackson & The Knock on Wood Players
, a Stockton-based award winning acoustic quartet playing Americana, bluegrass, soul, and old time music.
http://www.knockonwoodplayers.com/
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July 1:
Sinister Dexter
, a 10-piece soul machine that brings the unique sound of the great funk horn bands.
http://sinisterdexter.net/index.php
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July 15:
Andre Thierry
, playing Zydeco, a musical genre evolved in southwest Louisiana French Creole speakers which blends blues, rhythm and blues, and music indigenous to the Louisiana Creoles and the native people of Louisiana.
http://andrethierry.com/
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Andre Thierry (picture by Dorothy Brown)
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July 22:
Lara Price
, playing blues.
http://www.laraprice.com/home.html
- July 29: The Famous ,led by guitarist/vocalists Laurence Scott and Victor Barclay, playing rock, punk, Americana. http://www.thefamous.net/
- August 5: Native Elements, comprised of 10 seasoned musicians with decades of experience in reggae, rock, metal, blues, jazz, r&b and hip hop. http://www.reverbnation.com/nativeelements
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- August 19: Top Shelf, consisting of four male vocalists, various featured female vocalists or dance troupes, and a four-piece rhythm section playing Motown, smooth jazz, and funky soul. http://www.topshelfclassics.com/
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. |
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