Reporters’ notebook

Because the bridge, which serves as a connection for the California Coastal Trail, crosses environmentally sensitive habitat that’s home to several endangered species, the project is being reviewed by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife. Due to the timing and the need for the federal agency to investigate potential mitigation measures for the project, the bridge will remain closed until construction can begin next year at the earliest.

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Burlingame residents have an opportunity to learn more about ways to maintain a beautiful garden that requires limited water consumption.

The “Beautify Your Garden With Drought-Tolerant Landscaping” program will be offered for free to any interested residents in the Lane Room at the Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road, Wednesday, July 22. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

Frank Niccoli, an award-winning gardener who has been recognized by the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, will host the seminar.

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The South San Francisco Public Library has accepted a federal grant worth $49,400 to implement an after school reading program for students ranging between kindergarten and fifth-grade.

The program, known as Reading Circles, develops students abilities to comprehend phonics, enhances their fluency and comprehension, among a variety of other benefits.

Trained staff and volunteers will work directly with small groups of children, between three and five students at a time, to offer the intensive education program.

Residents willing to volunteer between two and four hours a week to assist in running the Reading Circles program should contact Karla Molina Bourdon at 877-8541, or bourdon@plsinfo.org.

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Origami sculpture adorned with LED lights and surrounded by music played through a speaker crafted from recycled materials is one of four programs sharing a $100,000 grant from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and Human Services Agency to give young students hands-on experience with science, technology, engineering and math.

The Out-of-School STEM Grants will fund programs for students in third- through eighth-grade. The grant encourages collaboration between county agencies, cities and schools to build a community of stakeholders supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

For more information on the county’s STEM efforts visit http://hsa.smcgov.org/stem.

The Reporters’ Notebook is a weekly collection of facts culled from the notebooks of the Daily Journal staff. It appears in the Friday edition.