Click photo to enlarge Abraham Vasquez of JC Smith Band plays at
the 2nd annual of Redwood City PAL Blues Festival.  It's Friday
night in Redwood City. Live mariachi music blares from the
Margaritas Restaurant. Outdoor tables at numerous other eateries
are packed with diners enjoying absolutely perfect weather.
Earlier in the evening, several hundred people filled Courthouse
Square for free live blues music.  By all indications, downtown
"Deadwood City" is getting a life.  "Look at it - it's teeming
with people!" says Joe Ryan, a member of the band Sage.  The
changes can be credited to a collaboration involving city
agencies, business owners and residents, who say the downtown
streets used to be mostly empty of pedestrians, but now
restaurants, movies and live music are drawing people from all
over the Peninsula. Some argue the changes haven't been as good
as they might appear, but all agree the city is no longer stuck
in neutral.  Julie Snaman, an urban recreation specialist who
has lived in Redwood City for