Category: Events

A Redwood City Love Story

Arista and Jeremy

Once upon a time, there was a young girl named, Arista Frick.  Arista was a bubbly little girl who loved gymnastics and set off on a journey to make it her life. From age four she began flipping and tumbling, and by age six, became a full-fledged competitor. Gymnastics WAS the love of her life until an evil knee injury came along and retired the bouncy damsel from her sport.

She persevered, and Arista continued to dance and cheer throughout high school, all the while realizing that this is what made her the happiest. She knew early-on, that a life without movement and fitness, was no life at all. She decided to start her own gymnastics business (Arista’s Jump Start Gymnastics) where she could share this passion with young children and their parents. Arista came to Redwood City Parks & Recreation 10 years ago with her pitch to start this wonderful program. We emphatically accepted, which brings us to this current day.

Over the past decade, Arista has touched the lives of THOUSANDS of local children. She has helped them to embark on their own journeys of movement, fitness, and personal success. But now that she was all grown-up, it was time to focus on something else…finding a Prince (bear with me, it’s Valentine’s Day!)

Here’s the BEST part…

One lovely evening, on the beautiful Courthouse Square, in perfectly temperate Redwood City, our lovely Arista sat enjoying the Michael Jackson tribute band, Foreverland. The band name could not have rung truer for Arista, because moments after the show started, she spotted HIM. There he sat with some of his family members, a young man, destined to meet our story’s star. Their eyes locked and the courtship began.

Fast forward to May of 2011… The Prince, who we will now refer to as “Jeremy,” planned to marry the lovely Arista. How would he propose, you ask? Well, in the exact same place the magic began…on Courthouse Square on a Friday Night (see pic above).  And the rest is history!

And the moral of our story is…

Courthouse Square is truly the heart of our City…and you can find love, right here, in your own backyard.

THE END.

Zoppé Italian Family Circus is Here!


The Circus is HERE! Redwood City is proud to welcome, Zoppé, An Italian Family Circus from October 14th through October 23rd for spectacular two-hour performances that will enthrall the entire family! The Circus tent will be set up next to the Downtown Library at 1044 Middlefield Road in Redwood City and will host matinee and evening performances.

Nino & Julian
Nino and Julian {Photo by RickPurdue}

The Zoppé Family Circus welcomes guests into the intimate 500 seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the best history of the Old-World Italian tradition. Starring Nino the clown, the circus is propelled by a central story (as opposed to individual acts) that feature acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation. Giovanni Zoppé, the sixth-generation circus performer who plays Nino, says the show aims higher than what passes for circuses these days. “We try to touch every emotion during the show,” he says. “They’ll laugh, they’ll cry, and they’ll feel for the characters. It’s more of an event than a show.”

Giovanni revived the Zoppé Family Circus in America four years ago, and has since been building its reputation with audiences and critics as an enchanting exhibition of traditional European circus. The Zoppé Circus evokes something from a picture book: the clown, the trapeze, the dancing dogs, the ring and the tent, created to be reminiscent of the one-ring European family circuses of the last century and will thrill and amaze children and adults alike with its breathtaking stunts and astonishing acrobatics. Plus, Zoppé brings a new thrilling act this year, the Rosales Family from Mexico City, Mexico, a family of acrobats and jugglers including 8 year old twin boys who will melt your hearts. The Zoppé Family Circus is a once-a-year event not to be missed, so get your tickets early!

Official Webpage

Tickets can be purchased Online & at Red Morton Community Center. Call the ticket Hotline for up-to-date information 650.780.7586.

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter for Circus Updates

  @rwcevents

Record-Breaking Turnout for Motorcycle Poker Run!

350 motorcyclists turned out for the 7th Annual Poker Run!

Record-Breaking Turnout for Motorcycle Poker Run – $40,000 Raised for San Mateo County Kids

Redwood City, CA – A record-breaking crowd turned out for the 7th Annual Redwood City Poker Run on Saturday, May 14. An incredible total of 350 motorcyclists and guests showed up on over 300 motorcycles to raise money for Redwood City’s After School Sports Programs, including Redwood City Police Activities League and Redwood City Parks & Recreation, as well as the San Mateo County Sheriffs Activities League. The entire goal of the event is to help children in San Mateo County, and this event really accomplished that, having raised nearly $40,000 for that great cause!

Jason Pullen Stunt Rider
Jason Pullen, Motorcycle Stunt Rider

The economic situation today is particularly challenging for many kids growing up in San Mateo County, and they need the community’s help more than ever. This annual motorcycle ride fundraiser is a great way a lot of folks to give back to the community, while having a great time. The fundraising ride was assisted by the California Highway Patrol, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, and put together with the dedicated work of many great volunteers. The main sponsors of this fabulous fundraiser are Dudley Perkins Co. and the Golden Gate Harley Owners Group (HOG) Chapter.

It was a beautiful ride up Highway 35 and along the beautiful San Mateo County coastline, and this year included a surprise guest, stunt motorcycle rider Jason Pullen, to add a little more excitement to the day. The prize drawing included fabulous items such as a 42-inch flat screen, and a several of sets of new tires. The entire event was a great success, and most importantly raised significant funds for kids in San Mateo County.

The official event website is redwoodcitypokerrun.com where there is more information about this wonderful annual fundraiser.

WANTED! Have You Seen This…CAT?

Where did my socks go? Sometimes it’s the dryer, but maybe… it’s this little guy!


Dusty the Klepto Cat
Dusty the Klepto Cat's Mug Shot


Dusty the Klepto Cat   is one of our local celebrities and possibly San Mateo County’s Most Wanted Crook! Dusty has appeared on Animal Planet, The David Letterman Show, CNN, KGO and will now be riding through the 10th Annual Pet Parade this Saturday, along with many of the items that he has stolen from his neighbors throughout the years. You can see Dusty in action on You Tube (of course)  stalking his neighborhood for goodies, courtesy of Animal Planet. So if you cannot find your left running shoe, your child’s stuffy or your UNDERWEAR, you may want to rethink… “Did I lose that?” or was it “DUSTY THE KLEPTO CAT!?”


More Information About the Pet Parade…
THIS WEEKEND!
10th Annual Pet Parade
Saturday, May 21 from 11:00am – 3:00pm
on Courthouse Square – 2200 Broadway St. Redwood City (MAP)

The parade itself starts at 12:00 pm, but you should definitely show up at 11 am for this wildly popular annual event. There are going to be over 90 vendor booths and a lot of fun activities – this just might be the biggest Pet Parade event ever! We will be calling the Guinness Book!

Pony rides – petting zoo – Monterey Bay Aquarium virtual aquarium builder –  a Game Truck full of video games and other activities – the performing Sky Dogs – Peninsula Humane Society mobile adoption van – photos with your pets with Posh Pooch Portraits – caricature artists – paw print art projects – a how-to for throwing a party for your pet (!)- food and beverage vendors – lots of booths with great stuff for you and your pet (how about matching outfits?) – a variety of pet rescue groups – and don’t forget the great Downtown restaurants all around!

The entire community is invited – children, adults, and families can enjoy the fun events and festive atmosphere, and sign up (in advance, or by 11:30 that day) to show off their pets, whether furry, feathered, or scaled, vying for a $100 Grand Prize for the top winner.

Get your registration form at RedwoodCityEvents.com, or contact: Jeri Joseph-Hover at 650.369.9010 or brightonrwc@aol.com. There is a $5 entry fee for each pet to be judged in a contest, but there is no fee to walk along and be part of the Pet Parade.

This event is sponsored by Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department, Redwood City Redevelopment Agency, and the Civic Cultural Commission.

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Top 5 Reasons Redwood City LOVES Andy Z!

 
How AWESOME is Andy Z &  The Andyland Band’s, Pumpkin Patch video? Show it to your kids and get them revved up for Saturday’s Concert (see below).
 

If you are saying to yourself…”WHO IS ANDY Z?” our guess is that you do not have a young child.  That aside, Andreas Zamenes, aka Andy Z, has been entertaining children up and down the Peninsula, around the Bay Area, at Birthday Parties galore and more recently over the airwaves of internet radio, Pandora!  Whether he’s gracing us with his repertoire of “Kindie” Rock, with hilarious original songs influenced by the likes of Smashmouth and Bob Marley or leading a group of exuberant little fans around our Courthouse Square akin to a modern day Pied Piper, Andy Z is sure to not only entertain your family, but bring out your inner-child.

Why do WE love Andy Z so much?

  1. He takes our children away from our their iPads and Televisions and into the imaginary world of Andyland.
  2. He gives us songs that can bridge the gap between classic childrens music and something we actually might CHOOSE to listen to!
  3. Getting into an Andy Z show is much easier than landing tickets to American Idol…oh and did I mention…usually FREE!
  4. Andy z and The Andyland Band don’t just sing songs, but put on a REAL INTERACTIVE SHOW, complete with kids in costume and dare I say Mob Dances? Well maybe that is a little extreme, but his Rendition of Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum sure gets those kids up and moving!
  5. And lastly…HE’S FROM REDWOOD CITY!

Not to worry! The word on the street is that he is expanding his reach to “Tweeners” (kids ages 8-12) with his newest Halloween Adventure themed album, due out on October 1, 2011. You can look forward to many many more years with Andy Z!

See Andy Z and the Andyland Band this Saturday, May 7,  from 11am-1pm on Courthouse Square in Redwood City! Families will enjoy a fun kid’s concert, an inflatable playland, and can also create a Mother’s Day Gift in the craft area. Bring sunglasses for you and the kids, it is sure to be a bright and beautiful day on the Square!

This concert is sponsored by the Redwood City Mother’s Club, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, and the Redwood City Redevelopment Agency.

Sandpiper Kids Bake for a Cause

collage of kids and bake sale

Last year, the children of the Sandpiper Youth Club Program in Redwood Shores, wanted to do something for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake. They of course did what they knew best…have a bake sale! A goal of $1000 was set, and in less than 3 hours, they accomplished it! The recent devastation in Japan prompted our program’s fearless leader, Telisha “I came to teach you” Brent to embark on a repeat performance.  Armed with homemade flyers and enthusiasm, the staff and children promoted their sale for Tsunami/Earthquake Relief on the Monday prior to Friday’s sale. They informed the community and the school, and asked for donations of baked goods or cash to support their endeavor. Our staff also agreed to bake cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc. in the name of charity, on their own time.

cupcakes!Over 25 parents brought baked goods from home and Telisha “I reach out to my friends” Brent tapped into her  network and was able to secure 100 more cupcakes from a friend of hers who was interning at a bakery! They had over 500 cupcakes alone!  Our kids were somewhat saddened on the day of the main event, when the weather became extremely uncooperative which unfortunately added some poetic justice to the cause. Gale force winds, sheets of rain and even a TORNADO WARNING (what???) stood in the way of their hopes, but did not discourage their efforts in the least. The Bake Sale had less exposure to passers-by, as it had to be relocated indoors.  Surprisingly, the act of charity prevailed and approximately 300 people purchased or just made a donation to the cause.

yummy cupcake!This time, the children had set a goal of $1500 and were recognizably excited about donating, and at times, buying a couple of items and paying with a $20 and donating the change. The outcome? They raised a whopping $1042 for Japan Relief Efforts.

Besides raising money to help those in need, Telisha  feels strongly, that “events like these are important to involve children in to teach them a sense of compassion. The children were willing and eager to help, and to be honest…that was just as important as the money they raised.”  They had a sense of pride and a strong feeling that they too have made a difference.

Ready…Set…RUN!

Ahhh… the wind in their hair, the smell of fresh air, getting their hearts pumping while keeping their fingers from texting… such great benefits can be attained through the extremely accessible sport of running! Running doesn’t require expensive equipment, just a pair of good shoes and a desire to get out there and do one’s best!

Ready, Set, Run is a “character building” running program for Boys and Girls, ages 8-13, that will prepare kids to participate in a 5K (3.1 mile) run—The Redwood City 4TH OF JULY FUN RUN!

  • Participants will receive 12 weeks of running instruction, a training manual, t-shirt, and enrollment into the Redwood City, 4th of July Fun Run.
  • COST: $25.00
  • Topics Covered: Proper physical training and nutrition, goal-setting, confidence, peer pressure, self-esteem, respecting authority, etc.
  • MANDATORY PARENT ORIENTATION: MARCH 24TH @ 6PM RED MORTON CENTER.

Program Days/Dates: April 4th-July 4th Mondays & Wednesdays
Times: 4pm-5:30pm (No class 4/18-2/22)
Location: Kennedy Middle School (Stulsaft/Sequoia HS)

Registration Deadline: March 16th, 2011. Click here for a registration form!

We are very excited about offering this new program to the youth of Redwood City! If you have any questions, please contact Erin Niemeyer at 650.780.7335.