Peninsula Journal

The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno was crowded March 29 with young girls and their families drawn by the Ms. Quince event sponsored by Quinceañeras y Novias magazine.

Four hundred people came to learn about planning a Quinceañera and stayed to enjoy a performance by Magda and her Mariachi of Los Altos and a fashion show emceed by Radio DJ Charo Martinez of 93.3 FM La Raza. The delighted spectators watched a traditional Vals Waltz dance as would be performed by the Quinceañera and her court. Evangelin Nasious of Belmont won the drawing for the afternoon’s grand prize of essentials for a Quinceañera celebration, including a birthday cake courtesy of Red Ribbon Bakeshop, a gift card from ULTA for beauty products or salon services, a gift certificate from Vital Sounds for DJ services and a $300 The Shops at Tanforan gift card towards a purchase of a ball gown.

The smiling faces of the crowd reflected the good spirit of the occasion and the interest in the party-planning theme.

"A Quinceañera is important to me because it is part of a tradition to do one and it is one day that you get to shine and spend time with the people that you love to celebrate your special day,” said Vaness Morales who came from San Leandro to take part.

Outstanding African Americans recognized

It was standing room only March 27 at the old courthouse in Redwood City for a reception saluting Outstanding African Americans in San Mateo County.

Mitch Postel, president of the San Mateo County History Museum, welcomed the assembly, which included schoolchildren who sat in the jury box. Mistress of Ceremonies Gloria R. Brown presided over the presentation of certificates of commendation to the occasion’s distinguished honorees, Patti Cathcart, Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, Dr. Charlie Knight, Claire Cullen Mack, Gertrude Wilks, James C. Harris, Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. James Hutchinson, Charles Jones, Dr. Andrew White, Jr. and St. James A.M.E. Church. Les Williams, a local attorney and highly decorated Tuskegee Airman, accepted an honorary award on behalf of his father, San Mateo restaurateur and businessman Noah Williams.

The reception was held in conjunction with the San Mateo County History Museum’s current exhibit, "African Americans in San Mateo County.” The exhibit, curated by Everett Thomas, uses photographs and artifacts to tell the stories of individuals and families in areas as diverse as business, medicine, politics, entertainment, education and community activism. The San Mateo County Historical Association’s African American Advisory Committee includes Larry Atwater, Odie Cook, Rev. George Grant, Surline Grant, James Harris, Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, Don Laws, Hon. Donna Rutherford, Hon. Patricia Foster, Mary Evans, Everett Thomas and Carmen Blair.

The San Mateo County History Museum is located at 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. "African Americans in San Mateo County” runs through Oct. 5, 2008. For more information about this and other museum programs call 299-0104 or visit www.historysmc.org.

Dentists receive recognition

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors presented awards of recognition to dentists who participated in "Give Kids A Smile Day” Feb. 1.

On that day, 29 dentists throughout San Mateo County provided low-income children with an estimated $63,400 worth of free dental care, ranging from exams and cleanings to treatment. The dentists who donated their services were Alice Fermin, Ron Fermin, Anne Lee, Bradley Parker, Bruce Newman, Gracia Cua, Gregory Loomis, Hermes Soto, Jamie Lau, Zachary Held, Peter Lam, Kevin Consni, Lerida Lipumano-Picazo, Lucila Takla, John Takla, Luis Meza, Luisa Diaz, Luisa Salvador, Lunsu Yee, Marjorie Garcia, Botia Dela Rama, Myriam Tawfik, Diane Jacobs, Nicholas Bronzini, Rene Yabar, Ricci Chan, Tom Nichols, Valerie De Leon and Yvonne Wong.

"It was wonderful meeting the kids and getting to work with a segment of the population that we don’t normally have the opportunity to treat. This program has tremendously benefited the children of our community,” said Dr. Ricci Chan, one of the participating dentists.

The San Mateo County Health Department Dental Program and the San Mateo County Dental Society work collaboratively to promote good oral health practices and health insurance enrollment. For more information about "Give Kids A Smile Day” or other San Mateo County Dental Society programs, call 637-1121 or visit www.smcds.com.

To send us information on upcoming events, please e-mail us at social@smdailyjournal.com.