Reporters' Notebook

***

Matthews, by day an architect, has a townhome project moving through the planning process in San Mateo.

A neighborhood meeting will be held Jan. 24 to discuss a proposed 51-unit apartment building at 106-120 Tilton Ave. in San Mateo. The project will consist of 51 units organized in three stories around an open-air courtyard. It will have two levels of below-ground parking. The architect is officially listed as John Matthews Architects, but associate John Lucchesi will be the project’s representative.

This isn’t the first time Matthews has had to recuse himself from a vote. When he was on the Planning Commission, Matthews had to sit in the audience while the commission was faced with a decision to allow him to put his office downtown. Doing so would go against a city ordinance enacted in late 2001 that banned downtown offices on the ground level which sought to protect against dot-coms. However, the commission granted Matthews the exception since it was on the fringe of downtown and difficult to rent and he’s happily occupied his spot downtown since.

The Tilton project isn’t expected to go in front of the City Council.

***

The Fiesta Gardens Homeowners Association created the Expo Center Noise Abatement Committee in response to what members say is an increase in noise, traffic and parking problems over the last several years. A growing number of auto and motorcycle shows, as well as an unruly rap awards show in December, often result in noisy announcements, gunned engines and music, particularly in the newer section of the neighborhood, said association Vice President Kathy Meeks. Attendees also park on residential streets rather than paying for on-site spaces, making it difficult for homeowners, she added.

"It used to be the only problem was the fair and Bay Meadows when races let out in the afternoon or evening. Nobody really minded but as they’ve started wanting to make more money, the situation has gotten worse at all hours,” Meeks said.

San Mateo police met with Carpenter and the event center board Wednesday to discuss the rap show fallout and both sides say they want to coordinate better for future events.

To help scrutinize ongoing security and specific event plans, Carpenter and the board are turning to a familiar face for consulting: former sheriff Don Horsley.

***

Put away your personal tape recorders. The Peninsula Health Care District is revisiting a decision made last year to do away with audio taping its meetings. The board decided to do away with the tapes to become more efficient and save the trouble of having an audio-visual employee on hand, but took some heat from San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill.

The board meets at 5:45 p.m. today in the Sierra Room at Peninsula Medical Center.

***

San Mateo County children have something to smile about. On Feb. 2, children from local low-income families will receive free dental services, ranging from exams and cleanings to fillings and crowns, as part of national Give Kids A Smile Day. Last year in San Mateo County, 20 dentists and staff provided dental exams and treatment to approximately 92 children from 1 to 18 years old.

***

San Mateo-based law firm O’Reilly & Danko has joined Stewarts, the leading aviation law firm in the United Kingdom to represent families in air disasters worldwide. The first of these complex aviation cases is AdamAir Indonesia, an Indonesian flight that crashed Jan. 1 with 96 passengers and six crew members. The case involves 20 families wanting to determine the cause of the accident, according to a release from Terry O’Reilly.

***

Approximately 500 people showed up at Ma Pinkie’s BBQ and Soul Food Restaurant at 207 N. Amphlett Blvd. for a final bite before the business closed its doors for good on Saturday. So many people showed up at the hole-in-the-wall gem that the party was moved to the King Center just a few blocks away. Owner Angela Miller was prepared for the crowd. She had enough to feed the mob and offer seconds. The best part about closing, said Miller, is not having to work on weekends and being able to see her niece.

But don’t rule out ribs in the future. Miller sounds like she’s still got some soul left in her and may go back into business in the future.

The reporters’ notebook is a weekly collection of facts culled from the notebooks of the Daily Journal staff. It appears in the Thursday edition.