Cleaning up in North Central

The cleanup effort is the second in the course of a year and another one is planned in the coming months. The idea, according to Amourence Lee, past president of HANCSM, is to galvanize the neighborhood against trash. Not only will it get the neighborhood cleaner, but it will allow neighbors to get to know each other. And the more they know each other, the stronger the community will be.

That’s the thinking at least. While HANCSM has been around for decades, it was largely carried by Bertha Sanchez for a number of years. Sanchez was a dynamo and was the epitome of leading by example. After her death in 2016, new leadership emerged and the association is back thriving. Sanchez would be most pleased to see the effort, especially the clean streets.

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Speaking of Sanchez, word is that the new garden in front of the Cal Water site on Delaware Street has been named after her. There is a plaque with a dedication to Sanchez at the spot, but there might be a larger announcement during the April cleanup. In the meantime, be sure to check out the garden and the interesting art piece of a water drop coming out of a tap. You can also get a look-see of the whole facility yourself during an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. The new Bayshore District Customer and Operations Center is at 241 N. Delaware St. Email infoBAY@calwater.com for more information.

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Downtown San Mateo has been noticeably cleaner in recent months after stepped up efforts by the city to give it a scrubbing. It’s not perfect, but better. A little effort goes a long way when it comes to cleanliness. And it’s good to lead by example — as members of HANCSM are doing. Know of anyone making a difference? Let me know!

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Anyone who has encountered Mission Hospice and Home Care knows what incredibly important work it provides our community. Being present and assisting during the dying process is a tremendous gift to families and loved ones. And it’s been doing it now for 40 years.

Since its founding, it has served more than 15,000 patients. The organization recently celebrated its anniversary and introduced Lisa Deal as the new CEO. She replaces outgoing CEO Dwight Wilson.

In 2018, Mission Hospice served more than 1,700 patients and families.

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The San Mateo Public Library Foundation eighth annual author’s gala this April will feature former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. The author’s gala raises money for the library and also its technology lending services, which are becoming a vital resource for the community.

McFaul is the author of the New York Times best-seller “From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia.” Think he might have insight on certain current events?

Go to bidpal.net/authorsgala for more information.

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On a final note, there was quite the hullaballoo about the pronouncement of J. Kenji López-Alt that his restaurant Wursthall in downtown San Mateo would not serve anyone wearing a MAGA hat. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that this week — and then it became a thing with opinions all around.

Here is mine. On one hand, it is best not to discriminate against people for their political beliefs or their attire, or to make generalizations about them. That’s an extremely dangerous practice and questions can arise over where to draw the line. On the other hand, anyone can say whatever they want at any time. That’s called freedom of expression. López-Alt is outspoken, so what? Lots of people like that about him.

But a random tweet can make it across the nation and the world pretty quick, become a big thing, then disappear. It’s that becoming a big thing part that can be painful, especially for staff.

But lost in all this, someone pointed out to me, is that Wursthall is now serving Pliny the Elder. Now that’s news you can really use. No matter your political beliefs.

Jon Mays is the editor in chief of the Daily Journal. He can be reached at jon@smdailyjournal.com. Follow Jon on Twitter @jonmays.