Social Journal

Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo held its 19th Annual Community Reception Jan. 19, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More than 70 adults and children met in the church hall for the gathering that also served as a tribute to the North Central Neighborhood Association of San Mateo’s 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Essay, Poetry and Art Contest. The association’s officers include Ethel Burnside, Anita Webb, Ethel Batiste and Eleanor Curry.

Honored in memoriam, were community leaders Mary Hollis and Herby Dean Dawkins. In 2006, Hollis, a longtime member of UUSM, received both the NAACP Leonard Houston Carter award and the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame award. Dawkins, the immediate past-president of the NAACP, was committed to social equality, senior concerns and civil rights issues and was the recipient of numerous awards from Pilgrim Baptist church. In 2004, Dawkins received a special proclamation from the city of San Mateo as a "Community Hero.”

The Rev. Vail Weller said, "Our congregation, Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo, is very proud to be associated with this annual celebration. We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and in justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of our prophets — as are the citizens of North Central San Mateo who carry forward his legacy.”

Business ambassadors honored

The Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were named "Person of the Year” at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Awards Recognition Banquet Jan. 24 at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood City.

The Ambassadors serve as official greeters and representatives of the Chamber, attend groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings and assist at various Chamber events from golf tournaments to Membership mixers.

The Ambassadors present to accept the Award were Co-Chief Ambassadors Keith Kadera and Leila Perreras, Jim Massey, David Amann, Grace Shem, Nori Jabba, Kelly Hooker, Dave Karow, Rick Lewis, John Nelson, Norm Gilbert and Steve Penna.

Also honored was Janine McCaffery, named Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce "Business Woman of the Year.” Golden Apple Awards, given to Business Members who have made significant contributions to support Education in the Community, were presented to Costco Wholesale and to Nina and Keith Kadera, 1-800-DryClean.

Outgoing Board chair Cheryl Angeles, SKS Management, welcomed incoming new Chair Jeff Gee, Swinerton Management & Consulting. Accepting the gavel, Gee recognized Angeles for the great job she had done and said he was honored to have the opportunity to lead the Chamber in 2008.