Calendar of RSCA Events

RSCA EGGstravaganza — April 1st, 2023 at 2pm!

Please mark your calendar and join us at Marlin Park
for our annual RSCA’s Egg Hunt event!
City Council Study Session - April 24, 2023 at 6pm!
Save the Date! City Council will be hosting a Study
Session at City Hall and virtually about the proposed
Redwood LIFE development.
Sounds of the Shores - June - August, 2023!
Save the Dates! Sounds of the Shores will be back
Sundays, this summer at Marlin Park.
Spring Has Sprung in the Shores!!
June 11, from 5pm ‐ 7pm
You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “April showers bring May
The Shanks - Classic Covers
flowers”. Well as we all know, our April Showers came a bit
early this year, and those May flowers have joined us for April, July 23, from 5pm ‐ 7pm
creating a beautiful backdrop for all our April celebrations! RJae HAAS Band - Rock/Blues
We’re excited to host our annual RSCA EGGstravaganza on August 20, from 5pm ‐ 7pm
Saturday, April 1st at Marlin Park. Families with Cocktail Monkeys - Rock, R&B, Soul
children of all ages are welcomed to join us for this Don’t have time for a picnic? There will be a food
delightful celebration beginning at 2pm, including a giant egg truck in the Shores!
hunt and photo opportunities with Bunny Backdrops. You can
find more information about it on page 6. You can always find more information about these
and other community events on our
April is a month of many celebrations, including Passover from
website at:
April 5th‐9th, Easter on Sunday, April 9th, Earth Day on
Saturday, April 22rd and more. RSCA.org
If you live in Redwood Shores, we encourage you to join RSCA
to help keep it a beautiful place to live, work and learn. The
EGGstravaganza is just one of RSCA’s annual events, and just
one of the many things we do for our community. RSCA needs
more board members to help support advocacy and liasion
efforts, and all residents are encouraged to be active members
by making their annual dues contribution, volunteering at an
event and by reading The PILOT each month for community
updates.
We wish you a lovely April and hope you enjoy this month’s
edition!
 REDWOOD SHORES
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
274 Redwood Shores Pkwy, PMB #603
Redwood Shores, CA 94065 ‐ 1173
www.RSCA.org | info@rsca.org
Board of Directors
Nina Boire Ed Messinger
Kendra Bronstein Connnie Munevar
Martha Cullimore Sue Nix
Carol Ford Ben Ploshay
Rona Gundrum Bob Slusser
Anne Hagan Aaron Susman
Yvonne Lara Steven Tsujisaka
Don Long Shawn White
(Email us if you would like to become a board member, to
serve on a committee, or volunteer for upcoming events.)
RSCA’s Board of Directors meet on the 2nd Thursday of
each month, at the Sandpiper Community Center, or
• Spring Has Sprung ...............................................Page 1
online via Zoom, depending on conditions.
Our next Board Meeting will be at 6:30pm on: • RSCA Events Calendar..........................................Page 1
• Deadlines for The PILOT ......................................Page 2
April 13th, 2023 • Earth Day 2023 ....................................................Page 2

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD (non‐HOA areas): • Upcoming City Council Study Session .................Page 4
For CC&R copies & information, email: ADB@rsca.org • Architectural Design Board Info ..........................Page 4
• RSCA EGGstravaganza Event................................Page 6
DEADLINES for The PILOT
• Happy Easter ........................................................Page 5
Space reservations are due at the end of the first week of
• From the Mayor: Jeff Gee....................................Page 6
each month, with articles and artwork due by the end of
the second week of each month for the following month’s • BRSSD Updates ....................................................Page 8
issue. Please email ThePilot@rsca.org for a precise • Save the Shores Update ......................................Page 8
schedule.
• Redwood Shores Library Update.........................Page 10
PUBLISHER: Redwood Shores Community Association
• Redwood Shores Tennis Club ............................Page 10
The PILOT is the official monthly publication of the
• Happy Passover .................................................Page 10
Redwood Shores Community Association.
• Astrophotography in the Shores .......................Page 12
CIRCULATION: 6,000 Shores Households & Businesses
• Stanford Rowing in the Shores ..........................Page 12
Opinions published in The PILOT are soley those of the
authors and not the expressions of RSCA unless officially • AYSO Soccer Registration...................................Page 12
and expressly designated. • Silicon Valley Clean Water Updates...................Page 14
• Shores Business Classified Ads ..........................Page 15
https://www.facebook.com/RSCAorg/
Page 2 April 2023 The PILOT

Save the Date and Raise Your
Voice for Redwood Shores!
Monday, April 24, 6:00pm
City Hall, Redwood City
Attend the City Council meeting in person at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield
Road, Redwood City, or virtually.
REDWOOD SHORES NEEDS YOU TO URGE CITY COUNCIL: KEEP THE
SHORES A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE AND ENJOY—STAY WITH THE
WESTPORT SPECIFIC PLAN!
On Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6PM, City Council has scheduled a Study
Session where they will consider whether to approve the numerous
entitlements that speculative developer Longfellow Real Estate Partners
(LFREP) seeks for its massive Redwood LIFE bayfront biolabs
redevelopment plan in Redwood Shores.
The existing 980,000 square‐foot Redwood LIFE office park borders the
Belmont Slough at its northern boundary, and is adjacent at its
southern boundary to high density, multi‐family residences and nearby
schools. It also sits on a seismically vulnerable, geotechnically
problematic, flood‐prone, 45‐acre, unlined former toxic landfill.
Speculative developer LFREP plans to demolish the existing 2‐to‐3 story
buildings and redevelop the campus to a massive 3.3 million square‐
foot Life Science center. The plans include 15 buildings, including
130‐foot towering high‐rises of high‐level biocontainment labs up to
BSL3, a 104‐room hotel, amenity center, plus 2 parking garages—all
proposed throughout 20‐25 years of noisy, dust and debris‐filled,
disruptive demolition and construction that will permanently impact
residents, wildlife and sensitive wetland ecosystems.
A brief recap of the proposed redevelopment plan:
• Existing 980,000 square foot office park will increase substantially,
adding over 2.5 million square feet
• Existing 2‐3 story, 53 ft maximum height buildings, which the
Westport Specific Plan intentionally limited to “minimize the visual
impact,” replaced with massive, looming labs up to 130 feet tall.
• Existing building setbacks reduced dramatically so the new towering
buildings would not only be huge, they would be much closer.
• 20‐25 years of demolition, noise, dust, debris, hauling, deep
foundational pile‐driving and construction, projected along the
Belmont Slough and sensitive wetlands, permanently impacting the
Shores residents and vital natural habitats.
• High‐level Biocontainment 3 Laboratories (potentially lethal airborne
pathogens include Risk Group 3 Pathogens such as Anthrax, SARS,
Influenza, Tuberculosis and Hantavirus).
• Vivariums where animals are bred, genetically engineered and
contained for biomedical research.
• Bayfront trail segmented to protect what LFREP considers its
“community” of prospective lab tenants, resulting in a fragmented
trail system that will force resident nature lovers, bikers and joggers
to cross traffic up to 4 times.
• Redwood City Planning department has rejected the proposed
Longfellow plan as incomplete ‐ TWICE! Yet, the incomplete
application is allowed to proceed to a City Council Study Session.
TELL CITY COUNCIL: Stay with the Westport Specific Plan!
Page 4 April 2023 The PILOT
The 1994 Westport Specific Plan established guidelines, including
building setbacks and height limits “no higher than 3 stories (53ft.), as
long as they are set back 260 feet from the southwesterly property line
in order to minimize the visual impact of these taller buildings. Two
story buildings shall be set back at least 175ft. from the southeasterly
property line.” Therefore, the Westport Specific Plan, clearly and
repeatedly emphasized its legislative intent “to minimize the visual
impact of the R and D development on the existing residential
developments.” The surrounding multi‐family residential
neighborhoods have become denser and more established, with the
additions of the Redwood Shores Branch Library, Redwood Shores
Elementary School, and housing developments along Marine Parkway
and Shearwater. The Westport Specific Plan should still be the guiding
principle for any site development plan. In other words, the guidelines
previously established are even more relevant today. Why then, should
the city permit the Redwood LIFE site to expand to over three times as
large, thereby shrinking the residential and bay ecosystem setbacks?
Join the overwhelming number of community members who firmly
believe that the Westport Specific Plan should stand!
The Redwood City Planning Department will present speculative
developer LFREP’s Redwood LIFE project and entitlements requests to
the Redwood City Council, including to Swinerton Vice President and
the Shores’ District 1 Representative, Mayor Jeff Gee.
The City Council Study Session meeting will be held in person and
virtually. Volunteers will be on hand passing out signs in support of the
Westport Plan. The RSCA will email more details, including the virtual
meeting link, as they become available.
Redwood Shores needs you now more than ever to show up and
strongly urge the City Council to keep The Shores a beautiful place to
live and enjoy – PRIORITIZE PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH &
SAFETY OVER HIGH RISK, SPECULATIVE PROFITEERING! PROTECT OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD AND STAY WITH THE WESTPORT SPECIFIC PLAN!
A quick update from The Architectural Design Board.
We hope everyone has been able to keep dry in our extremely rainy
season this year. We can only hope we will be out of the drought come
Spring.
A reminder that every property in Redwood Shores has CC&Rs
(Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions) ‐ even the homes which are not
in a HOA. This means that the property owner has a responsibility to
maintain their property, which includes landscaping, painting and
fencing.
Take a look at the outside of your home and evaluate if it needs
painting or landscaping, or any other type of maintenance. Ensure
garbage cans are placed out of view. The rainy season will be over
soon, so it is an ideal time to give your home a checkup. Please don’t
forget, you need to submit any change made to the outside of any
property in the Shores to the Architectural Design Board for approval
(ADB@rsca.org).
Currently, the ADB is working on their quarterly audit, if you receive a
notice regarding your property, your prompt attention is appreciated.
If you are planning an addition to your home, the addition needs to be
compatible to the other homes in the area.
The CC&Rs are in place to maintain home values and the quality of life
in the Shores. We urge your cooperation in doing your part for the
community.
 FROM THE MAYOR
Jeff Gee
Redwood City
Greetings,
This month, I want to share important updates on two topics:
adoption of the 2023‐2031 Housing Element and the Fiscal Year
2022‐2023 Mid‐Year Budget.
2023­2031 Housing Element
I am pleased to share that the City Council unanimously approved
the 2023‐2031 Housing Element for Redwood City on February 13.
With this approval, Redwood City became the first San Mateo
County jurisdiction to have an approved 6th‐cycle Housing Element
that meets the State’s guidelines, but the work does not stop there.
The next step is to implement the many important programs
outlined in the Housing Element that will help us achieve our goal
of creating equitable housing for everyone in our community. The
Housing Element sets specific timelines for program
implementation that begin this year, and extend throughout the
next eight years.
It is important to note that these timelines represent commitments
we have made to the State Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD). Each year, we are required to submit an
Annual Progress Report to HCD to track our progress towards
meeting our Housing Element obligations. It is crucial that we meet
these obligations in a timely manner, as failing to do so could result
in legal action by the Attorney General or other third parties.
The City Council and our staff is fully committed to meeting our
Housing Element obligations and to working closely with HCD staff You’re Invited to
to achieve our goals together. Our first implementation item will be RSCA’s EGGstravaganza!
zoning and municipal code updates, and we look forward to sharing
Our Redwood Shores Community Association
our progress with the community in the coming months.
looks forward to seeing you at Marlin Park for
Read through the adopted 2023‐2031 Housing Element and learn this delightful celebration, plus photo
more by visiting www.WelcomeHomeRWC.org. opportunities with Bunny Backdrops.
Mid­Year Budget Update RSCA’s EGGstravaganza will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 2
The City Council recently received an update on the current budget pm, weather permitting. The Easter Bunny’s helpers —our
and planning for next year’s budget. Let’s start with the good news. Redwood Shores Girl Scouts — will hide more than 5000 toy and
We are not proposing cuts at this time thanks in part to our long candy‐filled eggs for the children to find. Areas will be separated
history of proactive and strategic financial management. But, as we and marked according to age ranges, and the event will begin
have known for the past several years, we are experiencing budget promptly at 2PM!
challenges. While a budget forecast is not a crystal ball, it is based
on the best information we have at the time. As the year goes on, The EGGstravaganza is just one of RSCA’s annual events, and we
our status may be a little better or worse than we currently project. look forward to having you join us for this family fun celebration!
Unfortunately, like many other cities, our forecast is worse now
than last June because the local economy has softened. As we enter
another economic cycle, this means we may need to increase
revenues or reduce services – or a combination – over the next two
years to return to fiscal stability. There will be other opportunities
for community engagement and input over the next year as we
continue our work to Reimagine City services over the next year, as
well as increase revenues – please stay tuned and get involved!
Stay safe and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at
jgee@redwoodcity.org with comments or concerns.
In service,
Mayor Jeff Gee

Page 6 April 2023 The PILOT


B R E T E VA N S
282 Redwood Shores Pkwy
Redwood City, CA 94065
Licensed Broker 25 Years
CalDRE# 01223530
(650) 722-6555
bretevans480@gmail.com
www.bretevanshomes.com
With over 25 years experience, he is one of the hardest working Brokers out there, and will negotiate the highest possible price for your home.
Bret is a native of the SF Peninsula and has a wealth of knowledge of the neighborhood.
NEW LISTING!
55 Vasilakos Way, Menlo Park, CA 94404
5 bedroom, 5.5 bath
3960 sq. ft.
$6,325,000
This expansive, 5 bed, 5.5 bath traditional home in the highly desirable West Menlo boasts a combination of
horizontal siding and stone masonry for a crisp and clean exterior. Make your way inside to find a spacious formal
dining room off the entry, perfect for hosting dinner parties and gathering with friends and family.
Across the hall is a secondary bed with en suite bath, great for overnight guests or a home office. A powder room is
conveniently situated off the entry for easy access. Continue on to find the spacious great room with fireplace and
stacking doors to the patio for seamless indoor/outdoor entertainment. Home chefs will love the gourmet kitchen
with an island with bar seating that faces the dining nook, a perfect area for casual meals. Behind the kitchen is a
drop zone with built-ins, and a large walk-in pantry.
Make your way upstairs to find a light and bright loft, ideal for gaming or getting some down time in, 3 secondary
beds and full baths, and a laundry room with sink and storage. Retreat to the grand suite, whose grand bath with
barn doors boasts a freestanding soaking tub, dual vanities, a walk-in shower and massive walk-in closet.
The PILOT April 2023 Page 7

EDUCATION CORNER
BRSSD SUPERINTENDENT
Dan Deguara
We are exceptionally proud of our Middle School students who recently
participated in the San Mateo County National History Day and STEM
competitions.
National History promotes historical thinking,
project management, and communication
skills. Students conduct in‐depth research in
line with an annual theme and create a
documentary, website, exhibition,
performance, or report to students to share
their learning. National History Day is an
excellent way to promote history education
and inspire future generations to be engaged
with and appreciate the lessons of the past.
This year's theme is Frontiers in History;
People, Places, Ideas. Two Sandpiper School students have advanced to
the State competition. Josephine Murmann created an exhibit titled
From Sacramento to Omaha: The Frontier Known as the Transcontinental
Railroad. Roxie Purnell produced a documentary titled Regina Jones, The
First Who Was Almost Forgotten.
STEM education, which stands for
Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics, is an essential
component of modern education. It is a
comprehensive approach that focuses
on educating students in these critical
disciplines to develop their analytical,
problem‐solving, and critical thinking
skills. STEM education helps students to develop a deep understanding
of the natural world and technological innovations that drive society's
progress. As such, it is vital to the growth and development of future
generations and plays a crucial role in shaping the world's economic,
social, and technological landscape.
To be among the top projects of the District, students had to explain the
science behind their work, confidently present their ideas to a panel of
judges, and be able to field questions from the judges. Of the amazing
projects presented, 14 projects from Sandpiper, 4 from Nesbit and 2
from Ralston advanced to the San Mateo County STEM Fair. We
congratulate our San Mateo County STEM Fair winners!
Judges were chosen from the community. Anyone interested in judging
at next year’s fair should contact Teri Robinson at trobinson@brssd.org.
Page 8 April 2023 The PILOT
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON
REDWOOD LIFE
The Redwood City City Council Study Session
to review the Redwood LIFE development
proposal will take place on Monday April 24,
at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, at 6:00 PM. The
meeting will be held in person and virtually.
Save the Shores is committed to fighting for Redwood Shores’
environment, wildlife, and community well‐being by advocating for
preserving the Westport Plan in its current form.
Replacing the Westport Plan with Longfellow’s Redwood LIFE Precise
Plan is a critical factor City Council will need to decide to enable the
project to move forward.
Say “NO” to:
• Destroying our peaceful bayfront community with:
• Massive 100+ foot tall buildings built close to residential
properties.
• Loud rooftop generators and HVAC systems adding to the height
of buildings.
• Decades of noise pollution from construction and construction
traffic.
• Potential BSL3 labs that study infectious agents or toxins that may
be transmitted through the air and cause potentially lethal
infections adjacent to residences, schools, and sensitive
ecosystems.
• Lack of comprehensive regulations and enforcement for private
BSL3 labs.
Negative infrastructure impacts:
• Safety during natural disasters and emergencies, especially with only
two main roads into and out of Redwood Shores.
• Burden on overstressed personnel and services.
• Fire and emergency crew responses are impacted by using
hazardous materials in BSL3 labs.
• Increased power and water use, and burden on sewer capacity.
Harmful environmental impacts:
• Increased waste generation from single‐use plastics.
• Gas battery back‐ups contribute to greenhouse gasses.
• The increased carbon footprint from heavier commute traffic and
increased frequent deliveries.
• Construction that will break through the clay cap, releasing toxic
chemicals into the bay waters and air.
• Negative impacts on our wildlife from prolonged construction
noise and light pollution at night.
Your support will be needed at the City Council Study Session in the
form of Public Comments and by attending and displaying the
handheld sign distributed at the RSCA meeting. Signs will also be
available at the meeting from the Save the Shores volunteers.
• While the City Council will not make any decisions at a study
session, we encourage the community to:
• Print a Stay With the Westport Plan sign from our website at
SaveRWS.org to place in your windows ‐ especially windows facing
heavily‐trafficked streets ‐ to show your support.
• Voice your opposition to the Redwood LIFE proposal via in-person,
phone-in, or written comments at the 4/24 meeting until these
concerns are adequately addressed.
Community presence and comments will significantly affect the
Council’s decision process.
To receive the latest breaking news, sign up for our newsletter at
SaveRWS.org/newsletter.
The PILOT April 2023 Page 9
By Monique Seibel
The weather kept everyone in suspense as our annual season kick‐off
approached. It had rained all week, and storms were predicted into
the following week. Yet, on the day before Membership Mania, a
glimmer of hope appeared. On Saturday, March 11, a weak sun
peeked through the clouds, and the courts were dry!

Considering the weather forecast, we had a decent turnout—a

combination of new and lapsed members as well as some current
ones. Alas, half‐way through the event a fine drizzle recommenced,
but a couple of hardy souls persevered until the 1:00 P.M. end time.
Nevertheless, reports were that “a good time was had by all.”
A big thank you goes to the dedicated new board who worked so hard
to make this event happen: President Amanda Chen, VP Robin
George, Treasurer Lan Duncan, Social Directors Barb Urrutia and
Sundar Venkateswaran (both continuing in their roles), Tournament
Director Rick Chiu, Tournament Coordinators Bob Evans and Penny
Chin, and IT Director Raju Krishnamoorthy.
The first tournament of the season is scheduled for April 15. Until
then, everyone is welcome to participate in our twice‐weekly drop‐ins
at Dolphin (“Quay”) Courts, one on Wednesday evenings from 6:00‐
8:30 P.M. and one on Saturday mornings from 8:00‐10:30 A.M. It’s
free for the public to try, though membership is encouraged. No
registration is required; just bring your own tennis balls and water
bottle, and sign a waiver if you’re not a member of the club.
For more information, or to join, go to www.rstc.org.
Let’s play tennis!

Page 10 April 2023 The PILOT

Astrophotography in the Shores
by Kumar Srinivasan
Have clear skies been spotted yet? With all the incessant rains we
have been having since the beginning of the year, it’s been a case
of “wait and watch” for even a hint of an opportunity to set up the
telescope and imaging equipment. I did get that opportunity
sometime back in February when there was a lull, and while it was
only for a couple of nights, it was sufficient to take the
accompanying pic of M81. Messier 81 (also known as M81 or
Bode’s galaxy) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa
Major (the “Great Bear”), approximately 11.8 million light‐years
away from Earth. It was first discovered by Johann Bode in 1774
and was later catalogued by Charles Messier in 1781.
M81 is one of the brightest galaxies in the sky, with a total
luminosity of about 70 billion times that of the Sun. It has a
diameter of about 90,000 light‐years and contains an estimated
250 billion stars. The central region of the galaxy is dominated by a
large and bright nucleus, which is thought to contain a
supermassive black hole with a mass of around 70 million times
that of the Sun. M81 is also known for its spiral arms, which are
lined with bright knots of hot, young stars and large clouds of gas
and dust where new stars are forming. The galaxy has been the
subject of many studies and observations, including detailed
studies of its structure and dynamics, as well as searches for
exoplanets and other objects within the galaxy.
M81 is often studied in conjunction with its close companion
galaxy, M82, which is undergoing a burst of star formation and is
one of the brightest infrared sources in the sky.

More information on this pic as well as other pics are at my

website www.thestarryknight.net. Clear skies & Peace on Earth!
Kumar Srinivasan is a cutting-edge Materials Scientist by day and
ancient photon hunter by night. While he was peripatetic during his
youthful years, he is happy to report back to the Galactic Federation that
his cosmic address is now firmly entrenched in Redwood Shores on Planet
Earth 😉

Stanford Rowing is back in the Shores this Spring!

Stanford University and various other university rowing teams are back rowing in the lagoon this year. Dates are below,
so you can make plans to go out and cheer them on!
April 1 & 2 ‐ Stanford, Santa Clara, Temple and Oregon State (men)
April 8 & 9 ‐ Stanford, California, Syracuse and Northeastern (men)
April 15 ‐ Stanford vs. California (women)
April 22 ‐ Stanford vs. California (men) and Stanford, California, St. Mary's and Iowa (women)

Page 12 April 2023 The PILOT

Page 14 April 2023 The PILOT
Redwood Shores

REDWOOD SHORES CLASSIFIED ADS

Redwood Shores
Certified Public Accountant
Providing tax preparation and planning,
accounting and bookkeeping services
Call Kerman at 650-291-4219
Redwood Shores Handyman Silvia’s Housecleaning Service
No job too small, can do almost anything. License #22085 ‐ Bonded and Insured
Redwood Shores Resident References available on request
Call Scott 650-464-3276 Serving the Shores 25 years
or email shenderson4@aol.com 650-722-6556
The Rotary Club of Belmont and Redwood
Shores invites all interested Shorebirds to our REDWOOD SHORES, BELMONT,
weekly luncheons at noon every Monday at BURLINGAME & WOODSIDE YELLOW CAB
Divino in Belmont (in person or on Zoom). Winery Tour Available, Maximum 6 People
Interesting speakers and new friendships! (Van Available)
650-921-2038
To learn more, just email: brsrotaryclub@gmail.com

Mathematics Teacher/Tutor Does Your Ad Belong Here?

Matthew T. Lazar, Ph.D.
Resident of Redwood Shores for over 20 years! Contact: ThePilot@RSCA.org
https://expertmathematicstutoring.com/
to advertise with us!
Call or text Matt at 650-208-5303
The PILOT April 2023 Page 15