The 31st annual National Night Out, a crime and drug prevention event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, will be celebrated Aug. 5.
The purpose of the event is to not only heighten crime and drug prevention awareness but to generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Always held on the first Tuesday in August, the event has been an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program that, when neighbors get to know each other, helps promote Neighborhood Watch programs and assists in our fight for a safer nation.
When National Night Out started in 1984, people were encouraged to turn on their front porch lights between 6:30 to 9 p.m. and get out to meet their neighbors in informal block gatherings. Now, along with the outdoor lights, cities, towns and neighborhoods across the United States hold various activities including barbecues, block parties, contests, cookouts, flashlight walks, ice cream socials, parades and exhibits, visits from local police and sheriff departments, and youth programs.
ADT Corp., Associa, Nextdoor, Kwikset, and FunFlicks Outdoor Movies and Swank Motion Pictures are sponsors of the event.
At the time of this writing, 12 cities throughout our county will be participating: Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo, and South San Francisco.
To learn more about or to register (there is no charge) for National Night Out, go to www.nationalnightout.org or call your local police department.
UC Coop Extension inviting people to train as Master Food Preserver volunteers
The University of California Cooperative Extension is inviting adults interested in helping others learn about safe home food preservation to apply to train as a Master Food Preserver volunteer.
“MFP volunteers learn research-based information and then share that knowledge with our communities in San Mateo, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties through public classes, community events, and newsletters,” Kathi Baxter, environmental science educator, wrote in an email.
To apply, applicants must be:
• Residents of San Mateo, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.
• Available to attend 10 classes: from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18 and 25 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4, 11, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, and 22. There is no class on Oct. 18 due to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.
• Comfortable using a computer and accessing the Internet; quizzes and homework are online and class communication is via email.
Only one class may be missed and the content must be made up by arrangement with the instructor. All classes will be held at the Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center, 1500 Purisima Creek Road, in Half Moon Bay.
To learn more about the Master Food Preserver program, community involvement, and participation requirements, applicants need to attend one of two orientation meetings being held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday or from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center. To RSVP with Kathi Baxter for either session, call 650-712-3151 or email kdbaxter@ucanr.edu.
Applications will be provided at both informational meetings and completed applications are due by Aug. 8.
The Elkus staff will:
• Review applicants. The main criteria for acceptance are: 1) prior community service; 2) experience teaching, either by giving presentations, writing, or in one-to-one situations; and 3) experience and interest in home food preservation.
• Conduct interviews during the week of Aug. 18. Applicants will be contacted by Aug. 29 about whether or not you have been accepted in the program.
• Provide you with forms for a background check, including fingerprinting, which is required to become a certified Master Food Preserver.
• Teach you how to preserve food successfully using scientifically research home processes. Topics include food safety, canning high and low acid foods, pickling, jams and jellies, freezing, and dehydrating.
• Provide you with plenty of volunteer and continuing education opportunities.
If accepted into the MFP volunteer training program, the $300 course fee must be paid by Sept. 12 and you must provide completed LiveScan verification.
As a certified Master Food Preserver, you will:
• Actively participate in the program; answer food preservation questions on the Elkus help line, at the county fair, in public classes, and at other community outreach events; and help with program activities through internal committees.
• Attend monthly MFP meetings in Half Moon Bay as often as possible.
• Complete 50 volunteer hours your first year, then 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours annually, and take an annual food safety certification test.
For questions, call or email Baxter at 650-712-3151 or email at kdbaxter@ucanr.edu.
Assemblyman Kevin Mullin to host ‘Pets 101!’ event in Burlingame
Assemblyman Kevin Mullin is hosting “Pets 101!” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, 1450 Rollins Road, in Burlingame.
The program, which begins at 7:15 p.m., will offer the public an opportunity to:
• Tour the fabulous new Peninsula Humane Society “Center for Compassion.”
• Learn about low-cost veterinarian services, and more.
• Watch agility and K-9 demonstrations starring rescue dog, Enzo.
• Meet Assemblyman Kevin Mullin.
• Enjoy refreshments.
• Adopt a pet!
To RSVP, call Mullin’s office at 650-349-2200 or go to http://asmdc.org/members/a22/, click on Upcoming Events. If you are able to attend, you will receive a coupon that you can show to the PHS/SPCA if you wish to adopt a pet between Wednesday and Sept. 1.
If unable to attend the event, call Mullin’s office or go to his website to request a coupon be mailed to you. Mullin will pay for the adoption costs — the costs are not paid at taxpayer expense — that will include vaccinations, a vet check, spray and neuter surgery, and microchip identification.
Strides for Life Colon Cancer Foundation donor offers a $10,000 matching gift
A Strides for Life Colon Cancer Foundation donor has offered a $10,000 matching gift challenge until Aug. 1. Every dollar donated will be doubled — up to $10,000.
The Colon Cancer Foundation does not receive any money from government or city funds, so the foundation relies on donors from the community to support its education, prevention, screening and support programs.
“We know that when colon cancer is found early, in the most treatable cases, 90 percent of people live 5 or more years,” Executive Director Barbara Carey wrote in an email. “Currently, less than half of colon cancers are found early. Half is not enough.”
This matching gift challenge is important because every dollar raised helps drive home the importance of screening. Donations to the general fund are eligible for the match; however, gifts to an event, a participant, or a team are not included.
To donate, go to www.stridesforlife.org; click on Donate Now.
South San Francisco Main Public Library to hold event focusing on healthier children, families and communities
The South San Francisco Main Public Library invites the public to its Cooking in the Library program featuring Fresh Approach at 11 a.m. Aug. 1 at the library, 840 W. Orange Ave., in South San Francisco.
Founded in 2008 and based in Concord, the mission of Fresh Approach is to encourage healthier children, families and communities through community education, innovative programming and novel partnerships that promote a stronger local food system and better-informed choices about food and nutrition.
Fresh Approach works in close partnership with the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association to connect healthy food and local food movements in the San Francisco Bay Area through educational outreach and programs, according to its website: http://freshapproach.org/.
This event includes:
• Tips on how to eat healthy on a budget;
• Learning to eat from the color spectrum;
• Watching a cooking demonstration;
• Getting to sample fresh, delicious food.
Please refrain from wearing scented products to public meetings. For more information about this free event, call the library at 650-829-3860.
San Mateo County History Museum continues its ‘Free First Fridays’ program
The San Mateo County History Museum continues its “Free First Fridays” program — sponsored by the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission — on Aug. 1 by giving free admission and also offering two free programs for the public.
At 11 a.m., preschool children will have an opportunity to learn about trains and decorate cardboard trains to take home.
Then the museum staff will conduct a special program in it “Journey to Work” exhibit gallery, which tells the history of transportation on the Peninsula. Here the youngsters will listen to the story, “Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo.” At 2 p.m., museum docents will lead tours of the museum for adults.
The museum, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Monday, is at 2200 Broadway within the 104-year “Old Courthouse” in downtown Redwood City. Exhibits related to the use of natural resources, suburban development, ethnic experience and entrepreneurial achievement on the Peninsula from the times of the Ohlone Indian through today are featured.
To learn more, go to www.historysmc.org or call 650-299-0104.
Three local poets to share work, talk about their processes
Three local poets — San Mateo County Poet Laureate Caroline Goodwin, East Palo Alto Kalamu Chaché, and “Menlo Park Renaissance Man” Jym Marks — will share their work and talk about their processes at a special event being presented by the Friends of the Menlo Park Library on Aug. 2.
The public is invited to hear the poets’ words of inspiration, beauty and truth at “A Poet, a Poet, a Poet,” which will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Menlo Park City Council Chambers, 701 Laurel St., in Menlo Park.
Free van service is available in the Menlo Park area for seniors and people with disabilities. To schedule a pickup, call 650-330-2512.
For program questions, go to www.menlopark.org/library or call the library at 650-330-2530.
Engaging Youth Through Cultural Connections to be held in San Mateo
The Empowering Youth Initiative, under the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, is hosting a one-day interactive training — Engaging Youth Through Cultural Connections — from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6 in the Laurel Room at the San Mateo Public Library, 55 W. 3rd Ave., in San Mateo.
EYI will showcase and share the tools, skills, and resources that have helped them engage and achieve success with the youths they serve. Through this training, you will:
• Become more aware of the positive outcomes and strong impact of ethnic studies-based programming;
• Understand the complexities of the cultures youth identify with;
• Learn specific activities and lesson plans to engage youths and enhance cultural self-esteem;
The tuition for the training is $90. Scholarships, discounts, and payment plans are available.
For more details or to register, go to https://eyisummertraining2014.eventbrite.com or email Rene Castro at rcastro@pcrcweb.org.
New San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission accepting members
Aug. 8 is the deadline to apply for membership on the newly established San Mateo County LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Commission.
Applicants must live in San Mateo County and residents of all ages are encouraged to apply; one seat out of nine will be reserved for a youth. This is an opportunity for members of the public to make history by serving on California’s first county or city commission created to advise the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the LGBTQ community. The board had voted unanimously on June 3 to establish the commission to improve the quality of life and well-being of LGBTQ San Mateo County residents.
To learn about the attributes that candidates should possess and for an application, go to http://bnc.smcgov.org/vacancies or obtain the application from Alicia Garcia, deputy clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 400 County Center, Redwood City, or call 650-363-4634.
To learn more about this Commission, call Honora Miller, director, at 650-363-4872 or email hmiller@smcgov.org.
South San Francisco Cultural Arts Commission to hold summer barbecue
The South San Francisco Cultural Arts Commission invites the public to a Cultural Arts Summer Barbeque from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Joseph Fernekes Building, Orange Memorial Park, 781 Tennis Drive near Orange Avenue, in South San Francisco.
Proceeds from the fun-filled event will benefit South San Francisco cultural arts programs.
Scheduled activities include a silent auction for an array of gift certificates, and art and craft items. A live auction — for San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers tickets with parking — will also be featured. Music will be provided by disc jockey Troy. Enjoy a tasty grilled lunch prepared by J & J Barbeque, and also delicious desserts.
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 16 and younger.
To purchase tickets in advance until Aug. 8, go to http://www.ssf.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1364 or buy in person at the South San Francisco Parks & Recreation Department office, 33 Arroyo Dr., or the Parks Division office, 550 North Canal St., both in South San Francisco. Tickets will also be sold at the door on the day of the event.
For inquiries, go to the Cultural Arts Web page at www.ssf.net or call the South San Francisco Parks & Recreation Dept. at 650-829-3800 or 650-829-3837.
‘Make ’em Bleed’ series of blood drives to be held
Eight Greater Bay Area roller derby leagues are partnering with the American Red Cross and Not-Just-For-Profit ticketing company, Brown Paper Tickets, to save lives by hosting their second annual “Make ’em Bleed” series of blood drives — the most widely attended in California — from Aug. 9 to Oct. 18.
In the inaugural year, the roller derby blood drive series drew record crowds and donations — enough to save 660 lives — by making them more convenient and fun than ordinary community service events.
This year, the roller derby athletes will offer autographs, photo opportunities, free T-shirts, roller skate cookies and buttons, and temporary tattoos to entice high attendance and donations.
“‘Make ’em Bleed’ roller derby drives are more popular than other blood drives, resulting in more donations and lives saved,” said Hanna Malak, American Red Cross representative, in an email. “Most of the roller derby drives have skaters in uniform on hand, and there is just a fun vibe to it. The girls are so welcoming and energetic.” “Donating blood is a generous and selfless act, so by making it fun, we hope more people will come out to donate,” Silver Foxxy, public relations manager for the Bay Area Derby (BAD) Girls, said by email.
“Our league is proud to work with an organization that helps better the lives of people in our community.” “We hope to double the number of lives saved this year,” stated Jerry Seltzer, Sonoma-based son of the inventor of roller derby, former commissioner for the sport, former board member for the American Red Cross of California, and current outreach representative with Brown Paper Tickets, in the email.
He also contributes to the Brown Paper Tickets Doer Program, an advocacy group that offers free assistance and support to derby leagues across the globe.
“Just like every roller derby league in the world, Brown Paper Tickets has a community service mission.”
In San Mateo County, you can join the Peninsula Roller Girls from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following date and location:
• Aug. 23 at the Red Cross bus parked at the Redwood Roller Rink, 1303 Main St., in Redwood City.
Blood drives are also being held at the following dates and cities throughout the Bay Area; each is being held by one of the other seven roller derby teams:
• Aug. 9, Antioch, Undead Bettys;
• Aug. 15, Livermore, Quad City Derby Bombshells;
• Aug. 29, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Derby Girls;
• Sept. 20, Hollister, Faultline Derby Devilz;
• Sept. 20, San Francisco, Bay Area Derby (BAD) Girls;
• Sept. 20, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County Roller Derby;
• Oct. 18, Rohnert Park, Resurrection Derby Girls.
For locations and times in each city and for an appointment at any location, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: DERBY.
Sequoia High School Alumni Association to hold annual picnic
Sequoia High School Alumni Association is holding its eighth annual Picnic, “Celebrate Sequoia: Remember the Past …Look to the Future,” from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 on the Sequoia campus, corner of El Camino Real and Broadway, in Redwood City.
Anyone connected with Sequoia now or in the past, San Carlos High School alumni, and the public are welcome to attend this fundraiser, which benefits alumni association projects that primarily support the students, faculty, and school.
The 1964 “Golden Grads” will be honored for their 50th anniversary.
Purple Patriot Awards for service to the school will be presented to Redwood City 2020 and Sequoia Healthcare District HeartSafe Program.
A barbecue will be served from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. only by Emergency BBQ of San Carlos. Also, take a campus tour, watch the Sequoia’s national champion cheerleaders perform, purchase Sequoia merchandise, and participate in an auction featuring several valuable items.
Cost: $30 for adults; $20 for children 10 and younger. The reservation deadline is Aug. 11. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door for $40.
Make check payable to SHSAA and mail to “Celebrate Sequoia,” c/o Marian Wydo, 833 Clinton St., Redwood City, Calif., 94061. If an alumnus, note your graduation year, spouse’s name, and, if an alumna, also note your maiden name.
Inquiries? Call Nancy Lebkicher Oliver at 650-592-5822, nancy1oliver@earthlink.net; Sally Coelho Newman at 650-369-1938, San1938@gmail.com; Marian Aragon Wydo at 650-465-5833, Mwydo@aol.com; or email sequoiahsalumni@earthlink.net or go to www.sequoiahsalumniassoc.org.
Broadway by the Bay is to present ‘Dreamgirls’
Broadway by the Bay is presenting “Dreamgirls” at 8 p.m. Aug. 15, 16, 23, and 30 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 17, 23, 24, and 31 at the historic Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway St. (between Middlefield and Winslow streets), in Redwood City.
“Based upon the aspirations and successes of rhythm and blues acts such as The Supremes and The Shirelles, the musical ‘Dreamgirls’ follows a young trio of Motown singers from Chicago, Ill., as they catch their big break and start singing for James ‘Thunder’ Early,” Sarah Dunn-Rankin, Broadway by the Bay patron service director, wrote in an email. “Things begin to spin out of control when their agent, Curtis Taylor Jr., makes Deena, and not Effie, the star of what will become known as ‘The Dreams.'”
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Choreography and Best Leading Actress, since “Dreamgirls” opened at the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Ga., in 1981, it was adapted into a major motion picture in 2006.
The audience is invited to a question and answer session with Artistic Director Amanda Folena 45 minutes before curtain time for the matinee performances on Aug. 17 and Aug. 23. On Aug. 17, a talk-back session will be held with Director Angela Farr, the cast, and the creative team after the show.
Tickets, ranging from $35 to $55, may be purchased by phone at 650-579-5565 or by visiting: www.broadwaybythebay.org. They many also be bought in person at the Fox Theatre box office, 2219 Broadway St., in downtown Redwood City from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The box office is open 90 minutes prior to the start of each show and will stay open for 30 minutes following the start of the show.
Entries sought for San Bruno Beautification Awards
The entry deadline for the 18th annual San Bruno Beautification Awards, sponsored by the City of San Bruno Beautification Task Force, is 5 p.m. Aug. 29.
The awards are designed to recognize the efforts of residents and businesses to improve and maintain the physical appearance of San Bruno. Focusing on exterior improvements, all San Bruno residential properties (single and multi-family), schools, and commercial/industrial properties are eligible. You may nominate your own property.
The categories are:
• Single-family residence (curb appeal).
• Group project.
• Commercial/Industrial.
• Improved (“before” pictures encouraged) residential property (completed between August 2013 and August 2014).
• Xeriscape (low water use and/or drought resistant landscaping).
Properties may not win in the same category two consecutive years. Beautification Task Force members will judge the entries.
For an application, with instructions, go to www.sanbruno.ca.gov and click on the application form. Fill it out and submit it online or make a copy and submit it in person or mail to the City Clerk’s Office at San Bruno City Hall, 567 El Camino Real, San Bruno, Calif., 94066. You can also fax the form to 650-589-5941.
For questions, call the City Clerk at 650-616-7058 or Councilwoman and Beautification Task Force chairwoman Irene O’Connell at 650-589-9985.
Awards will be presented at the Oct. 14 City Council meeting at the San Bruno Senior Center, 1555 Crystal Springs Road.
Masterworks Chorales looking for advertisers for 2014-2015 programs
Masterworks Chorale is looking to local businesses or organizations to advertise in its four 2014-2015 (51st season) programs, which are each seen by approximately 2,000 local concert-goers.
This is a great way to reach local people who love music and the performing arts, and who like to support those who donate to performing arts groups, such as Masterworks Chorale.
Below are a few ideas that you can use for your ad:
• Promote your business or organization;
• Support a cause you admire;
• Pay memorial tribute;
• Congratulate Masterworks for its fabulous run of 50 years.
The ad sizes and prices available are:
• Full page, 4 5/8 x 7 ½ inches, $700;
• Half page, 4 5/8 x 2 3/8 inches, $325;
• 1/3 page (business card size), 4 5/8 x 3 5/8 inches, $200 Ad formatting is an additional charge of $50.
Ad specifications are:
• Electronic files only: supported files include PDF with all fonts embedded;
• Grayscale;
• 300 dpi resolution minimum;
• Ad must be sized with dimensions corresponding to your purchase, including outside borders.
The deadline for artwork orders, ads, and payment is Sept. 15. For questions or to receive a Program Ad Application form, email ads@masterworks.org. After completing the form, send the form and grayscale camera-ready art to Masterworks Chorale at ads@masterworks.org or mail to Masterworks Chorale, P.O. Box 5465, San Mateo, Calif., 94402-5465.
Founded in 1964 by Artistic Director Emeritus Galen Marshall, and recognized as one of Northern California’s finest choral ensembles, Masterworks Chorale performs sacred and secular choral literature from the Baroque period to today. Bryan Baker, Ph.D., has been artistic director since the fall of 2002.
Each season, Masterworks performs three to four pairs of concerts that include instrumental ensembles comprised of the Bay Area’s leading professional musicians. The concerts also feature professional vocal soloists, whose credits include appearances with leading symphony orchestras and opera companies throughout North America and Europe.
Masterworks Chorale has had numerous guest appearances that include the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, San Jose Symphony, the Festival of Masses, and the Cabrillo Festival.
The Peninsula Arts Council awarded Masterworks Chorale a Diamond Award for Artistic Excellence in 2010, and honored Bryan Baker, Ph.D., with a Diamond Award for Individual Artist in 2012.
The ensemble has also received critical acclaim during seven European tours, a tour of the People’s Republic of China, a performance at Avery Fisher Hall, and their 1989 debut at Carnegie Hall, featuring the Verdi Requiem.
For more information about Masterworks Chorale, go to www.masterworks.org.
If you have any news tips about our county communities, call or fax Carolyn Livengood at 650-355-5533 or e-mail her at carolynlivengood@sanbrunocable.com.
