County Supervisor Jerry Hill hasn’t been formally elected yet to the state Assembly but talk is already brewing about who will fill his void on the Board of Supervisors. The latest possibility is Ric Silver, former county clerk. Silver, who now lives in Sacramento and works on railway issues, hasn’t committed yet to running for the seat but is currently exploring the possibility and investigating potential new homes in San Mateo. Already interested in the seat is San Mateo Councilwoman Carole Groom.
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Those eagerly awaiting the new playground at Burton Park in San Carlos don’t have much longer. With the exception of two items, construction is set to be done by Oct. 1 with the opening scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25. The only lingering items will be a large shade cover over the school area and a plant establishment maintenance period. The road to the new playground has been full of creative fundraising, including the online auction of the old equipment and even a lemonade sale at a birthday celebration.
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The Kiwanis Building closure in San Carlos, due to budget constraints, brought sadness to many in the community but the facility is now once again filled with people. The facility is the new home of Smart Tots, the city’s 3- to 4-year-old preschool program formerly at the youth center.
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Don’t call downtown San Mateo dead. We spied dancing in the streets — OK, on the sidewalk — in front of the new Acqua Pazza restaurant Sunday evening. The restaurant, which name means “crazy water” in Italian, serves up Napolitan food and occasionally hosts guest singer Pasquale. The Italian crooner was belting out old country favorites and pop standards. The hostess was forced to turn people away at the door, but that didn’t stop them from dancing on the sidewalk outside the restaurant at the corner of Third Avenue and San Mateo Drive.
And the food is pretty good too!
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Speaking of food, Sunset Magazine recently rated pastrami and wine pub The Refuge in San Carlos the “best pastrami in the Bay Area.”
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Congrats to recipients of the 2008 People Who Care Awards handed out by the Board of Supervisors and the Commission on Disabilities. The honors recognize individuals and organizations who enhance the lives of those with disabilities. The awards will be handed out Friday, Oct. 3 to the following: Volunteer Award — Mary Beaudry of Second Harvest Food Bank in South San Francisco; Professional Award — Janel Astor of Abilities United in Palo Alto; Educator Award — Linda Gulas of the Jefferson Union High School District in Pacifica; Business Award — Kohl’s Department Store in Colma; and, Agency/Program Award — REACH Program at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.
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In light of recent mountain lion sighting around the Bay Area, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public to stay safe and hosting community meetings to discuss the issue. The meetings are 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Portola Valley Town Hall and 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at Independence Hall in Woodside. In the meantime, experts recommend removing plants or other vegetation that attract dear, don’t leave pet food outside and do not run if you see a mountain lion.
The reporters’ notebook is a weekly collection of facts culled from the notebooks of the Daily Journal staff. It appears in the Thursday edition. |