Reporters' notebook

The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this July.

***

Picking up pet food will soon be one of the options near Burlingame Avenue with Pet Food Express opening at the former Blockbuster video location later this summer. The business is run by two locals — Michael Levy, who has lived in Burlingame for a number of years, and his wife Mia, who grew up in Hillsborough and graduated from Burlingame High School. A grand opening is planned for Aug. 20.

***

Anne Hannigan of Cupertino was recently elected as chair of the Notre Dame De Namur University Board of Trustees, effective July 1. She replaces Marc Desautels, who is retiring from the board.

***

Soon passengers flying out San Francisco International will be able to fly non-stop to Lima, Peru. LAN Airlines will fly the first plane on the new route Thursday, July 1.

***

Congratulations Christopher Lewine, a young educator from Everest Public High School in Redwood City who was awarded the prestigious Teaching Fellowship in mathematics from The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, an advocate for new teachers and the teaching profession. Lewine is part of KSTF’s 2010 cohort of 32 highly accomplished early-career teachers from 15 states committed to teaching science and mathematics in high schools across the nation. Each fellow receives a five-year fellowship valued at up to $150,000 that includes mentoring, classroom materials, professional development and access to a network of like-minded colleagues and educators nationwide.

***

On Monday, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City announced receiving the best percentile for five-year performance in Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) Operative Mortality from 2005-2009, according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database Report. Out of 955 participating sites, Sequoia Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Institute achieved the most favorable performance in the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database national report. This is the fourth semi-annual report in a row Sequoia has achieved the 100th percentile among STS participants in Operative Mortality for Aortic Valve Replacement — 90 percent of hospitals performing adult cardiac surgery participate in the STS National Database.

***

Retired Army staff Sgt. June Moss of East Palo Alto was honored Wednesday at the Third Annual Veterans Recognition Luncheon in Sacramento for advocating mental health services on behalf of fellow veterans. Moss, a decorated 12-year Army veteran, received an Assembly Resolution at the event hosted by the State Assembly Veterans Committee. Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City, selected Moss.

"I am so pleased to recognize Staff Sgt. Moss for all that she has accomplished personally and professionally,” Ruskin said. "She bravely served our country for many years, and then returned home to some overwhelming issues and dark days. She had the courage to reach out for help — when others said she didn’t need to — and successfully changed her life. Now, through experience, advocacy and encouragement, she is helping other veterans change their lives.”

***

The budgets may be grim but the attitude during the county’s hearings was rather jovial. Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Warren Slocum peered at his PowerPoint slides and remarked "At this moment it’s clear I need bifocals.” Tom Huening tripped over all the acronyms used for the county’s computer and payroll systems. Treasurer-Tax Collector Lee Buffington said his cold was actually a blessing for employees. "My staff loves my voice because they can claim they didn’t hear me.” District Attorney Jim Fox said there was no way he could have worn the same suit for each year’s budget hearing as a past county department head was known to do. The sizes are quite different, he said. Sheriff Greg Munks said he won an award last year for longest presentation and was not hoping for a repeat.

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