Power Surges? Got squirrels?

We have lived in our San Carlos home for over 15 years. Recently we noticed that our lights appeared dimmer (I thought it was my eyes at first) and the power would surge causing a noticable dimming and then brightening all evening long. This continued for over a week. I was nervous as I thought for sure it meant our 70+ year old home needed re-wiring. I could just imagine how much that would cost us and with 3 of our 6 kids in college this year plus the recession, shuddered at the the thought of paying for it. I couldn't take it anymore, and I decided to call PG&E. If the problem was the power coming into the house, it would be their responsibility. They came out the same day I called. (I was very impressed.) They asked me if I knew whether or not the neighbors were experiencing similar problems. I was not, but told them I would check. While he was setting up I visited my neighbors. All were experiencing similar problems: one has lost a PC and a microwave due to the severity of the surges; another had called an electrician and spent a lot of money. I came back and shared my findings with the representative. He kept at his work for awhile longer - checking the connection at our house, along with a coupe of the electrical poles on our block. In the end, it turns out our problem was caused by squirrels!! Yes, squirrels! Apparently they chew through the wires. So, be warned, our lovely San Carlos critters can affect our power. If you notice unusual power surges, check with your neighbors and if they are having similar issues, contact PG&E!

Eaton - Big Canyon Trail

We live off of upper Eaton Avenue.  One of the things my husband and I enjoy is taking a walk up Eaton to the Big Canyon Trail.  It  is so nice to have this available to us without having to get into a car.  We enjoy the solitude and beauty of the canyon as well as the amazing views from the top of the hill.  It is one of the numerous things we love about living here.  I recently found this trail map/guide and thought it was a fun tool.  Happy hiking! ~ Kelly

To enhance your enjoyment of this trail we have noted features at each tenth mile interval.To help you identify the native plants we have noted the tenth mile intervals at which specimens appear.Keep your eyes and ears alert to enjoy the scurrying mammals, reptiles, and singing birds along the way – see the lists of those who live in this area.We hope you’ll return in different seasons to enjoy nature’s ever-changing show!

Mile(s)	Eaton - Big Canyon with Trail
To Start at Eaton Park Trail-Head
0.0	The trail begins at the end of Eaton Avenue.The trail is well marked and easy to follow except where it merges with or departs from jeep roads. Look for orange surveyor’s tape, orange stakes, orange pipes, or orange discs in such places.After 172 feet, the trail bears to the right, away from the main jeep road, which goes to the site of a house which used to stand there.The trail then crosses a little seasonal stream in a shady place with ferns, then crosses over to another drainage with oak trees and Poison Oak.(Don’t touch the Poison Oak which has clusters of 3 green or red leaves.)
0.1	The trail crosses an old road, no longer used, and begins a switchbacking ascent of a grassy slope.
0.2	The trail passes an olive tree, meets a jeep road (fire trail), and turns sharply left onto it.
0.3	At the saddle is a four-way junction.To the right, a recommended side trail takes you to a knoll with a commanding panoramic view of San Francisco, the Bay, and the surrounding mountains, including Mt. Diablo, Mission Peak, Mt. Hamilton, and Loma Prieta.The jeep road to the left goes up the ridge and eventually passes through an easement and connects with Loma Road at its highest point. Our trail goes straight ahead under a low-hanging branch of a big oak tree.Please be careful.
0.4	A shady canyon is entered.What plants do you see?
0.5	A short foot bridge.Watch your step.
0.6	A small stream is crossed.What birds do you hear or see?
0.7	A pair of switchbacks takes you to an open area.Deer are often seen grazing on the hills across Brittan Avenue.This is a good place to look for spring wildflowers.
0.8	A cascading stream during the rainy season.
0.9	When the surrounding homes were built, a deep canyon here was filled.To stabilize the soil, plants were irrigated by sprinklers until they were established.
1.0	An early version of this trail, started in 1973, rough in places, was finished here by the Sierra Club on April 21, 1984.Look for the “Golden” Spike in a tree.After climbing out of a gully, you may rest on a bench in an open area.This was an Eagle Scout project.

1.1	There are so many switchbacks here, it resembles Lombard Street in San Francisco.This route was chosen to avoid unnecessary intrusion on the privacy of the homes nearby. After the switchbacks, you will drop steeply down some big steps made of railroad dies.The upper portion was an Eagle Scout project, and the lower steps were built by the San Carlos Parks and Recreation Department. As you pass between the houses through the narrow easement, please walk quietly and respect the rights of those who live here.
1.2	Cross Brittan Avenue, pass another Eagle Scout bench, and walk up the service road to the place where the stream enters the storm drain system.The Loop Trail starts here.You may go either right or left, but this description assumes you will go ahead to the left – in order to better enjoy the view.
1.3	Cross a bridge and then turn sharply left at a switchback.
1.4	As you cross the next bridge, look for Trillium and ferns in February/March.Then climb up to a trail junction.If you go straight ahead, you will come to an Eagle Scout bench.You may continue past the water tanks, cross Crestview Drive, go through Crestview Park, and connect with Leslie Drive Our trail turns sharply to the right, curves to the left, and crosses a seasonal stream in the shadow of a water tank.
1.5	The trail passes under some big Bay trees and curves left and enters a steep wooded canyon.
1.6	A bridge and 2 switchbacks take you up to a scenic viewpoint with an Eagle Scout bench.Take time to enjoy the view.
1.7	The highest point of the trail is reached.The predominant plant here is Chamise.The trail drops steeply between two switchbacks.
1.8	We urge you to use the trail rather than the bridge.If you can’t resist the bridge, then please limit the load to one person at a time. On your way down the east side of Big Canyon you will have excellent views, since there are few trees.
1.9	Another Eagle Scout bench with a fine view.
2.0	A big Oak tree and five switchbacks.
2.1	The end of the loop.Back to the service road.This narrative ends.We hope you have enjoyed this walk.

High Speed Rail at Hot Harvets Nights, Thursday, September 3rd

High Speed Rail at Hot Harvest Nights
Each month at Hot Harvest Nights, the first Thursday of the month features a booth staffed by a City of San Carlos Department.  

On September 3, 2009, we invite you to join Public Works Director/City Engineer Robert Weil and Mike Garvey, the High Speed Rail Outreach Coordinator from HNTB Engineering for San Mateo County.  They will be at the City Booth at Hot Harvest Nights from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm to hear your thoughts, answer your questions and share information about the Proposed California High Speed Rail project as well as the City's current and proposed Public Works projects.


More Information on These Projects on the Web
In addition to this event, you can find information on the Proposed California High Speed Rail project and the Public Works Department projects on the web.  Click on these links for more information:  

California High Speed Rail

•  California High Speed Rail Web Site
•  California High Speed Rail - San Jose to San Francisco Route Map
•  California High Speed Rail - Teach In - Saturday, September 12, 2009

Town Hall Meeting on High Speed Rail - August 26, 2009

Meeting Announcement

In November, 2008, California voters passed Proposition 1A, the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century which provides funding for the proposed California High Speed Rail Project. How this project will impact local communities in Silicon Valley has been the subject of considerable interest.



On Wednesday, August 26th, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo will host a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the California High Speed Rail Project. Experts from the California High Speed Rail Authority and Caltrain will make presentations and answer questions.





Location

The meeting will be held at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Menlo Park City Council Chambers are located at 701 Laurel Street in Menlo Park. The location is wheelchair accessible and parking is available.





Live Webcast of the Town Hall Meeting

If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, Congresswoman Eshoo has arranged for the Town Hall Meeting to be viewed over the Internet. The live webcast of the Town Hall meeting will be available at http://eshoo.house.gov. Webcast viewers can also submit questions for the panelists via email at AskAnna@mail.house.gov. (This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it.)





For More Information

For more information about the High Speed Rail Town Hall Meeting on August 26th, visit Congresswoman Eshoo’s website at http://eshoo.house.gov or call her District Office at (650) 323-2984 or (408) 245-2339.

Back to School

Most San Carlos schools start the new year next week. Where did our summer go? Just when we start to relax and the weather is nice, school starts again. Whatever happened to starting school after Labor Day? It feels (to me at least) that the summers are getting shorter and shorter. Perhaps with 6 kids in 6 different schools with 6 different schedules has something to do with it! Sigh.

I hope you all have had a wonderful summer and are busy getting in your last trip in. Enjoy!

How to Get First Time Home Buyer Credit

This article is from the Realtor.org Essentials for August, 2009:

You've decided to purchase a home and take advantage of the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. Here's what you have to do to get your benefit:
Close on your home purchase by November 30, 2009,
Ensure that you are a qualified first-time buyer under IRS guidelines,
Decide which year to file under, 2008 or 2009,
File an amended 2008 return or choose to apply the credit to your 2009 tax return.

Deciding When to Apply the Credit
If you want the benefits of your credit as soon as possible:
You might choose to file under your 2008 tax year. Since April 15 has already passed, you would have to file an amendment to your return. However, if you've already filed for an extension of your 2008 return, then you can simply claim the credit when you submit your return.

If you anticipate a drop in income next year:
You can wait to claim the credit as part of your 2009 filing. In some cases the value of the credit might be higher, particularly if in 2008 you qualify for only a partial credit because your income is over $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (joint).

Your Next Steps
Once you have determined which year to apply the tax credit, you will need to do two things to claim the credit:
1. Fill out Form 5405 to determine the amount of your available credit, and
2. File an amended return for your 2008 taxes, or wait and apply to credit when you file your 2009 tax return.

Ahhhh...Avant Gard Spa in San Carlos

AvantGard Spa Takes the Traditional Spa Experience to the Next Level
By Clarissa Stahl

When the one-floor warehouse at 1151 Greenwood Avenue in San Carlos became available for sale, AvantGard Spa owner, Blanca Caballero, knew it was time to put into motion her vision of creating a new AvantGard Spa with ancient eastern influence at its core. After two years of planning and extensive remodeling, the facility was transformed into a sanctuary using three elements: fire, earth and water. Walking through curved-walled hallways and staircases, guests are able to follow the ebb and flow of softness that the building exudes. From the 6-foot waterfall in the hallway to the glass fireplace in the lounge, every turn is soothing, warm and inviting.

Blanca Caballero was early to decide that the spa industry was the place for her. At the young age of 20, Blanca became a receptionist at a local hair salon. Even though she studied interior design, she was drawn to the beauty industry and to providing people an experience that pulls them away from their daily lives.  Soon enough Blanca opened the only spa in town in 1995.

As a single mother and CEO of the Bay Area’s top Spa, Blanca explains how her children understand and appreciate her world, “My daughter Jessica is very artistic and joined the family business when she was only 16 years old.  Not only is she our expert makeup artist, she was also monumental in creating the spa’s makeup line, Shanti, meaning peace in Hindi. On the other hand, my son Eduardo, what he knows about my business is that massages feel great and he loves getting them.”

Among the many influences that helped Blanca realize her vision of the new spa, her travels to Bali were paramount. It is clear that as she reminisces she is instinctively drawn to Balinese culture, “Balinese people are very spiritual and one of the kindest and gentlest I have ever met. I was able to go directly to the artists, watch them work and pick up some pieces, which I am very proud to display.” One piece in particular is an intricate pencil drawing that was purchased from an artist in the village of Kaeliki. Instead of profiting from his work, the artist chooses to preserve Balinese art traditions and use the money he makes to teach the children of his village a new trade.

Blanca also traveled to her native country Mexico, which she left at just five years of age, to purchase some finishing touches for several treatment rooms. Guests will be delighted to see how she has transformed ordinary sinks into marvelous eye catching works of art. The sinks, made by local Mexican artisans, are beautifully lined with copper, tile, or marble.  Each art piece was hand selected, holds its own story and is tied to the community from which it was created.

There are ten culturally enhanced, uniquely named treatment rooms that bring guests to another country and practice. The Zen room displays an elegant 60-year old Japanese Kimono on the wall and is used exclusively for massages. Soft Japanese cushions line the floor taking your mind and body to another place for your treatment. Some of the other rooms include a Moroccan duet massage suite (Inspired), an Indian massage room (Mystical), a Balinese facial room (Abundance) and a Moroccan bath haven (Meditation). The bath room easily is a favorite room in this palace of relaxation for two reasons: 1) It is an alter – like bath that literally requires you to take a few steps up before you are able to sink back into it and 2) It is adorned with Moroccan lamps, orchids and soft candles that help any visitor realize they are worth a solitary soak of indulgence.

Superior customer service is the foundation of every treatment. All members have the hospitality spirit and  make sure guests leave looking and feeling more relaxed, restored and rejuvenated. AvantGard Spa offers the most advanced products and progressive therapies to care for skin, body and total wellness. With over 40 team members that rank among the most talented in the industry, the two San Carlos locations pledges advanced spa services like no other.  

For over 20 years AvantGard Spa has been committed to offering superior spa services that beautify, relax and replenish. While its core philosophies remain the same, AvantGard takes the traditional spa experience to the next level. As Bay Area residents look for something new and spectacular in the way of spa-ing, AvantGard Spa is able to offer spa-goers a choice in the way they decide to experience, pamper, and relax.