Good news and birth announcements

Army Pvt. Ryan P. Montenegro has graduated from the Direct Fire Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training.

Montenegro is the son of Pablo Montenegro of Shoreview Avenue, San Mateo.

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Army Reserve Maj. Constantine J. Zachos has been mobilized and activated at Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., in preparation for deployment to serve in support of either Operation New Dawn in the Iraqi Theater of Operations or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Southwest Theater of Operations. The soldier is a member of the 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Buckeye, Ariz.

The major is a civil affairs officer, and has served in the military for 20 years.

Zachos graduated in 1986 from Serra High School in San Mateo and received a bachelor’s degree in 1991 from the University of San Francisco.

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The Board of Directors of the Redwood City Police Activities League announced that the 2010 PAL Citizen of the Year Award has been conferred upon Perry Garcia, an officer with the Redwood City Police Department. This award is in recognition of Officer Garcia’s many contributions to PAL, and his high standards of community involvement.

Officer Garcia’s volunteer service with PAL is exemplified by his mentoring of over 700 youth who have participated in the PAL karate program over the years.

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MidPen Housing Corporation is the recipient of the "2011 Mayor’s Choice Award,” one of nine awards presented by the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce and the city of San Mateo. Awards were presented last week at the Annual Business Awards and Chamber of Commerce Dinner held at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club.

Since 1989, MidPen has developed over 250 affordable homes for the residents of San Mateo. Several MidPen communities in San Mateo have won awards for excellence and sustainability.

Birth announcements:

Timothy Williams and Chae Soo Ja Shin, of Belmont, gave birth to a baby girl at Sequoia Hospital Jan. 22.

Corey Sotelo and Desiree Escalante, of Redwood City, gave birth to a baby girl at Sequoia Hospital Jan. 22.

John and Christina Figura, of Belmont, gave birth to a baby boy at Sequoia Hospital Jan. 24.

Paul and Elaine Bacio, of Foster City, gave birth to a baby girl at Sequoia Hospital Jan. 24.