Demolition of Shoreway Recycling Plant in San Carlos Underway

Demolition of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority’s (SBWMA) Shoreway Recycling and Disposal Center in San Carlos began on November 9, 2009. This marks the beginning of the major construction planned at the facility to transform it into the Shoreway Environmental Center, California’s Greenest Recycling Center and Transfer Station. The public can view the demolition and construction of the MRF through webcams hosted on the SBWMA’s website athttp://www.rethinkwaste.org/shoreway-facility/construction-webcam.

The building that is currently being torn down is an existing 48,000-square-foot materials recovery facility (MRF) where the recyclables from the SBWMA’s residential and commercial customers were being processed. In its place, a new 70,200-square-foot MRF will be constructed to handle an increase of over 20,000 tons of recyclables.

Once building construction is completed, the new MRF will house state-of-the-art processing equipment specially designed to process and separate single stream recyclables, where bottles, cans and paper products are mixed together.

“We are now making tangible progress towards fulfilling our vision for state-of-the-art, cost-effective collection services for local residents and businesses,” said Kevin McCarthy, Executive Director of the SBWMA. “Once construction activities are complete at the Shoreway facility, we will have the most technologically advanced recycling systems in the country.”

In addition to the MRF construction, the SBWMA will be expanding the existing 62,000-square-foot transfer station by an additional 14,780 square feet to increase unloading space for public customers. It will also allow for a 30,000-ton-per-year increase in plant materials and food scraps collected from local residents and businesses. The transfer station construction is expected to begin in August 2010. All construction activity is expected to be completed in the spring 2011.

Other key features of the future facility include a relocated buy-back center and free recycling drop-off to provide the public a safer and more convenient access to the area, major traffic improvements for customer safety, “Green Building” features, and a new environmental education center.

The public areas at Shoreway, including the transfer station, buy-back center and free recycling drop-off remain open during the MRF construction. The public is encouraged to visit RethinkWaste.org for up-to-date construction information and any changes to services offered.

About SBWMA
Formed in 1982, the SBWMA is a joint powers authority comprised of 12 member agencies (Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo, the County of San Mateo and the West Bay Sanitary District) in San Mateo County and is a leader in implementing innovative waste reduction and recycling programs.

The SBWMA also owns and manages the Shoreway facility in San Carlos consisting of a permitted solid waste transfer station and a recycling processing facility. For more information on the SBWMA, please visit our website at www.RethinkWaste.org.

City of San Carlos Joins Facebook!

San Carlos, CA - October 21, 2009 - The City of San Carlos announced that it has joined Facebook and now has a Facebook page that provides information on City Projects and Events. The City of San Carlos Facebook page debuted on October 20th, and was formally announced at the Pulse of Business Social Media Workshop sponsored by the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce and held at the San Carlos Library this morning. The page is available on the Internet at http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Carlos-CA/City-of-San-Carlos/159914270431?v=wall&ref=nf

San Carlos residents, businesses and visitors can find the city's Facebook page by entering "City of San Carlos" in the search box on www.facebook.com. The initial information on the City of San Carlos Facebook section includes today's Pulse of Business Social Media Workshop, this weekend's Citywide Garage Sale sponsored by San Carlos Together and San Carlos Green and the upcoming Goblin Walk sponsored by the San Carlos Parks and Recreation Department, San Carlos Chamber of Commerce and Miller & Associates. Even though the San Carlos Facebook is barely 24 hours old, it already has 30 "fans" (Facebook members that are watching the City's Facebook page).

The City's of San Carlos section on Facebook can be reached from any standard web browser including Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. In addition, there is software to reach Facebook from cell phones and smart phones including the recently released Facebook 2.0 program that was written for Apple iPhone users by the developers at Facebook.Com.

Social Media and Economic Development in San Carlos
An interesting twist of the San Carlos approach to social media is the City's program of following local businesses that also use social media. San Carlos firms with a current business registration on Facebook and Twitter are linked to the City's pages on these services. This creates a virtual San Carlos Business Guide on each service and helps to leverage the traffic that both the City and the local business firms receive.

According to Assistant City Manager Brian Moura, this is another way that the City is stimulating economic development and the success of businesses located in San Carlos. A check of the two social media sites shows 30 San Carlos businesses linked to the City Twitter site and 11 San Carlos businesses linked to the City's Facebook site. The City anticipates expanding these virtual business guides as more San Carlos companies join Facebook and Twitter.

Smile - you may be on camera

As you may already be aware, San Carlos, like many of our neighboring cities, has started installing cameras at stop lights to catch any of us who may try and sneak through a yellow or red light. They send you your ticket along with a picture of you running the light. Tickets are costly, so if you have developed a habit of pushing it at the lights, you may want to think twice.

Vote on November 3rd!

2009 Municipal Election - Local Measures U and V - Information & Ballot Arguments
There will be two measures proposed by the City Council of the City of San Carlos on the November ballot.  They are as follows: 

• Measure U: City of San Carlos Vital Services Measure
• Measure V: Shall the office of City Clerk be appointive?

Also, don't forget to vote for the Sequoia Union High School District Board as our schools are important and good schools will keep the quality of our community and the value of our homes up.

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