Peninsula Moves!

By Will Reisman, @WillReisman

Tree Lighting in San Francisco: As we all know, it’s never too early to get into the Holiday spirit, which is why this weekend is a perfect time to attend the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Pier 39 in San Francisco. The 60^th edition of the event will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and families will have plenty of things to see and at the site on Fisherman’s Wharf. There will be musical performances from local signing groups from San Francisco, Oakland and Marin, guest appearances from special Disney characters, readings from children’s letters to Santa Claus and more. Attendees coming from the Peninsula can take Caltrain to the San Francisco station and transfer to Muni’s E-Embarcadero historic streetcar line for a direct trip to the event.

How Would You Spend $6 Billion? The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is asking residents how they would spend $6 billion for potential transportation and infrastructure improvement projects in the South Bay. The survey, part of the Envision Silicon Valley Transportation Challenge, poses the question based on a ½-cent sales tax measure in 2016 that could potentially bring $6 billion to the region over the next 30 years. The tax revenue could be used to increase investment in Caltrain, expand BART service in the region, improve pedestrian and bike thoroughfares, help fund  VTA’s transit operations, among many other possibilities. Not only will local residents have a chance for their voices to be heard, but if they register with the survey site, they’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $20 Clipper card.

Help Stuff the SamTrans Bus at the Shops at Tanforan on Saturday: Bay Area residents looking to help out those in need will have a chance to make a difference this weekend at the Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno. SamTrans will be participating in a “Stuff the Bus” event on Saturday by lending one of its vehicles for display, with the aim of filling the bus with non-perishable food items that will be donated to struggling families. Attendees can also write checks to the Second Harvest Food Bank as part of the event, which is hosted by the local radio stations 96.5 KOIT.  The event will take place at the shopping mall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and the all-day gathering will also include opportunities to win prizes, including tickets on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train.  A of list of SamTrans buses that serve the mall can be found here.