Reporters' Notebook

During the unforgettable weightless escapade, Newsom and Siebel flew like Superman, flipped like Olympic gymnasts and enjoyed 10-times more hang-time than the world’s best basketball player. The newly engaged duo floated on cloud nine as they danced mid-air in the rare and exalted state of weightlessness.

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San Carlos business is getting a double boost this week with ribbon cuttings at two new retail options. On Tuesday, children’s shoe store Ten Toes opened up shop at 641 Laurel St. Thursday night, Bassett Furniture at the San Carlos Marketplace is holding a grand opening party and ribbon cutting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its 1287 Industrial Road location. San Francisco 49er Roger Craig is scheduled to appear at the festivities.

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If spending money on students rather than goods is more your thing, consider donating to the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Committee with a raising scholarship funds for local high school students. Howard Girdlestone is challenging others to match or beat his recent $3,000 donation. The chamber is handing over $5,000 from its Art & Wine Proceeds. Checks can be sent to the chamber but don’t forget to mark "scholarships” on the memo line.

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There’s a department receiving praise for its juvenile program.

The San Carlos Police Department and its award-winning juvenile diversion program was featured this week on a radio show entitled "Your Legal Rights” on KALW 91.7 FM.

The first half hour is taped and is then sent out to a number of stations across California which air the program one week later.

Officer Ron Albertson, Psychologist Marian Ellette, a local defense attorney, and Police Chief Greg Rothaus were guests on the program and discussed the benefits of our program that offers alternatives to incarceration for young and first time offenders.

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Let our love of San Carlos continue.

The San Carlos Chamber of Commerce is holding a retirement party for Membership Representative Dick Cox on Feb 27th. Cox is retiring to engage "in his pursuit of watercolor artistry," according to the Chamber announcement.

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And now for something for something completely different.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared February as "Grand Jury Awareness Month” and at least one teenager is celebrating the cause. A Hillsdale High School student will be awarded a $300 San Mateo County Association of Grand Jurors Scholarship at a special ceremony next week.

The student wrote a winning 300 word essay about what he learned by visiting the SMCAGJ Web site at www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smcagj.

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