PG&E to Perform Natural Gas Pipeline Testing Friday, Sept. 30, at Edgewood and I-280

PG&E has informed the County it is performing a hydrostatic pressure test on a section of natural gas pipeline at Edgewood Road and Interstate 280 on Friday, September 30. The section of pipeline to be tested is being temporarily removed from service and will be safely vented of all natural gas.  Outlined below is PG&E’s update on the testing process:

Tentative Date:  Friday, 9/30/11
Approximate Start Time:  Between 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Approximate Duration of Work:  3 hours
Work Location:  Edgewood Road and Highway 280
Work to be completed:  Releasing of natural gas to the atmosphere.   
 
These dates and times are subject to change.  
 
From PG&E: Depending on the location of gas venting and weather patterns, there may be a smell of natural gas.  We want to assure you that this situation is safe. The pipeline is cleared of gas utilizing a safe and common technique.  As part of our normal protocol, we have notified the appropriate public safety agencies of this work.  While gas odors are likely from the work being done nearby, safety is our top priority and we encourage any resident who has questions or concerns about the smell of gas to call us 24 hours a day at 1-800-743-5000 or call 9-1-1 immediately.

Students will celebrate Walk to School Day on Oct. 5

SAN MATEO, Calif. — On October 5, San Mateo County families, teachers and communities will join people from around the world to walk, skateboard and bike to school in celebration of International Walk to School Day 2011.

Over one third of elementary and middle schools in San Mateo County plan to participate, including schools from Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Daly City, East Palo Alto, Hillsborough, La Honda, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Pacifica and Redwood City, Redwood Shores, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, and Woodside.

Walking to school is a great way for children to be active daily; and physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today, including the rise of childhood obesity seen nationally. Walk to School Day highlights the importance of making streets safe to pedestrians – young and old – and benefits the environment by reducing the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles.

In the United States, more than 3,000 schools plan to participate in International Walk to School Day this year. Events in San Mateo County are organized by local school districts and supported by the Get Healthy San Mateo County School Wellness Committee and the San Mateo County Office of Education.

For additional information about Walk to School Day events in San Mateo County, contact Doris Estremera at (650) 573-2208 or destremera@co.sanmateo.ca.us.

For more information about International Walk to School Day, visit:

International Walk to School in the USA www.walktoschool.org

National Center for Safe Routes to School www.saferoutesinfo.org

International Walk to School www.iwalktoschool.org

PG&E to Perform Natural Gas Pipeline Testing, Wednesday, September 28

PG&E has informed the County that it will perform hydrostatic pressure testing on a section of natural gas pipeline at Edgewood Road and Interstate 280. From PG&E: The section of pipeline to be tested is being temporarily removed from service and will be safely vented of all natural gas.  Outlined below are the next steps in the testing process:
 
Date:  Wednesday, 9/28/11
Approximate Time:  10:00 a.m.
Work Location:  Edgewood Road and Highway 280
Work to be completed:  Releasing of natural gas to the atmosphere.  

Date:  Wednesday, 9/28/11
Approximate Time:  7:00 a.m. to midnight
Work Location:  Edgewood Road and Highway 280
Work to be completed:  Air movers (compressors) will be used to push out the remaining natural gas from the lines.

(Additional work may be scheduled on Thursday.)
 
We want to ensure you are provided with the most up-to-date information but please note, these dates and times are subject to change.  We will inform you of any scheduling changes as they occur. 
 
Depending on the location of gas venting and weather patterns, there may be a smell of natural gas.  We want to assure you that this situation is safe. The pipeline is cleared of gas utilizing a safe and common technique.  As part of our normal protocol, we have notified the appropriate public safety agencies of this work.  While gas odors are likely from the work being done nearby, safety is our top priority and we encourage any resident who has questions or concerns about the smell of gas to call us 24 hours a day at 1-800-743-5000 or call 9-1-1 immediately.

South San Mateo County Foreclosure Resource Fair on Oct. 1

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Homeowners facing foreclosure are invited to meet with loan representatives from banks, learn about their rights and discover ways to avoid foreclosure at the second annual South San Mateo County Foreclosure Resource Fair on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The free fair will be held at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St., Menlo Park. The fair is sponsored by San Mateo County Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson.

Tenants living in homes or apartment buildings facing foreclosure are also invited to learn about their options and rights.

Loan representatives from Wells Fargo Bank, Chase Bank, PNC Mortgage, and Bank of America will be available to meet with clients. For those who have mortgages though other banks, HUD-approved housing counselors will be on hand to help them find solutions to their housing issues and discuss assistance programs, including President Obama’s Making Home Affordable Program.

Non-profit attorneys will also be there to offer free legal advice. Translators (Spanish, Tongan, Mandarin, Hmong, Vietnamese, and more) will be available to assist.

The fair will include free information sessions and panel discussions on predatory lending and loan modification, foreclosure rescue scams, surviving foreclosure, seniors and reverse mortgages, transitional housing and developing a crisis budget.

Partners in the event include Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, North California Urban Development (NCUD), Project Sentinel, Keep Your Home California, City of East Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park and City of Redwood City.

For more information, please call (650) 363-4570 or visit www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/housingfair.

Contact:
Rebecca Irwin
Legislative Aide
Office of Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson
rirwin@co.sanmateo.ca.us
(650) 363-4801

September 29 Meeting on Lower Alpine Trail Canceled

Dave Holland, San Mateo County’s assistant county manager, announced today that a public meeting on the Lower Alpine Trail scheduled for September 29 has been canceled.

The meeting scheduled for October 4 will be held as planned.

The cancellation will allow Holland and staff additional time to review community input on a proposal by Stanford University to pay for improving the Lower Alpine Trail. The trail runs along Alpine Road from Portola Valley to Menlo Park in unincorporated San Mateo County.

More than 200 people attended recent meetings to learn about the proposal and to provide feedback to County officials. The County has also received more than 150 comments by e-mail.

After reviewing all of the community input, Holland will draft a recommendation that will be posted on the County’s website and available to the public before the October 4 meeting.

The recommendation will focus on whether the County should proceed in working with Stanford to design trail improvements or reject Stanford’s offer.

Holland expects to have a draft recommendation available by Monday, October 3. The recommendation will be posted at www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/alpinetrail

Additional comments should be sent to alpinetrail@smcgov.org

Contacts:

Dave Holland
Assistant County Manager
(650) 363-4131

Marshall Wilson
Communications Director
(650) 363-4153

Sawyer Camp Trail One-day Closure on Thursday, September 22

The entire six-mile Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed on Thursday, September 22, as construction crews work on the water pipeline next to the trail. The trail will reopen on Friday.   

The work is part of the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Transmission System Upgrade that continues through 2013. The work is being done by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

For more information, visit www.sfwater.org/SCT

Updates are also available on Twitter: @SawyerCampTrail or by calling the project’s 24-hour line (866) 973-1476. 

Sawyer Camp Trail, which stretches from western San Mateo to Millbrae, is normally open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Please do not enter the trail after hours.

In order to keep the trail open as much as possible during the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Transmission System Upgrade, work is routinely scheduled very early in the morning and after hours.

Take A Hike on Saturday, September 24: San Pedro Valley Park

Take a free, guided hike on Saturday, September 24, at 9 a.m. at San Pedro Valley Park in Pacifica. The hike is part of the Take A Hike series that encourages residents to explore their County parks.

Rangers and volunteers lead the hikes and provide information about park history and the local habitat. Bring water, dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. We supply the beauty and fresh air courtesy our San Mateo County parks.

The hike will last approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Visit the Take A Hike website for more information.

Community Meetings on Lower Alpine Trail

The Lower Alpine Trail extends from the Menlo Park border through unincorporated San Mateo County along Alpine Road to the Portola Valley border. The trail is used by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Stanford University has offered San Mateo County up to $10.2 million to improve the trail along Alpine Road from the Menlo Park border to the Portola Valley border.

The County is hosting community meetings on Thursday, September 15, and Tuesday, September 20, to hear from the public. Other meetings and a walking tour are also scheduled.

To learn more, visit www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/alpinetrail

 

 

Board Jail Planning Workshop Tuesday, September 13

The Board of Supervisors will hold a jail planning workshop on Tuesday, September 13, at 3 p.m. in 455 County Center, Redwood City. (This building is located across the courtyard from 400 County Center.)

Supporting documents from the County Manager’s Office and Sheriff’s Office are available online under agenda item 11 on the Board’s website.

Moment of Remembrance for Victims of 2001 Attacks

A message from Board of Supervisors President Carole Groom:

In little more than an hour, terrorists hijacked four aircraft, leveled the twin towers of the World Trade Center and a destroyed part of the Pentagon. Heroic passengers on a flight bound for San Francisco International Airport stopped terrorists aboard their aircraft from inflicting more destruction. On that tragic day nearly 10 years ago more than 3,000 people died, including 343 firefighters and peace officers.

Countless government workers, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel and volunteers heroically responded to the tragic September 11 events. First responders from our own community were among those who spent weeks at Ground Zero aiding with search and rescue efforts.

Ten years later, I ask that we as a community, come together to join people across our nation at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2011, in a solemn moment of remembrance for the thousands of innocent lives that were lost in the devastating 2001 terrorist attacks.

As we reflect, let us remember not only those who were lost, but let us also honor the rescue workers and survivors who continue to inspire us today.

To demonstrate our unity as a nation, I ask that all municipalities, firehouses, police stations, churches and other institutions in the County join those across the country in sounding station sirens and ringing bells for at least 20 seconds to initiate this moment of remembrance.

Additionally, a San Mateo County Public Safety Memorial Service will be held at the Notre Dame de Namur University, Cunningham Memorial Chapel, 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont beginning at 10 a.m.

All are welcome to attend.