Reporters' notebook

Burlingame Mayor Cathy Baylock had an interesting good luck omen at Monday’s meeting to approve Safeway — the same dress she wore six years ago when the proposal was denied. Baylock noted the dress before thanking those in attendance who had helped through the six-year process. She had considered bringing champagne, but thought that may be a curse. She joked that people could meet her in the parking lot.

***

If you were thinking the Safeway approval meant it was a good time to call the city about other issues, think again. The city-wide voice mail went down Tuesday. An e-mail to those who subscribe to city notices explained the voice mail would be down through the end of the week.

***

Half Moon Bay’s Downtown Business Association will be around a little while longer while members decide whether to form a Business Improvement District with the city, said downtown business owner Allan Alifano. Alifano is also a Half Moon Bay councilman. The group met yesterday and was to decide whether it should disband due to the association’s inability to attract new members to the 40-business group. Membership fees are $100. "There are up to 500 businesses in this town,” Alifano said. "We are just looking for a vehicle to improve the business district.”

***

The Coastside Land Trust announced the election of Coastside Land Trust (CLT) board member Patrick Ryan as board president and the appointment of Mary Mitchell as the organization’s stewardship coordinator.

***

Want to know why San Carlos Mayor Randy Royce titled his upcoming state of the city address "Why are the Crows Cawing?”  Then come to the annual speech sponsored by the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce. Royce promises an answer, alongside some personally created slides. The address is 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. The $5 prices includes a continental breakfast, not to mention answers about the speech title.

***

Romance will be in the air this Valentine’s Day weekend as students from NDNU’s Department of Music and Vocal Arts perform love songs in "Voci Valentine,” an enchanting concert in the  Ralston Hall Mansion Ballroom, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Students, ranging from freshmen through advanced graduate students, will perform love songs drawn from opera, musical theatre and classical and popular concert repertoire. It includes students in the BFA Musical Theatre program, the summer Music Theatre Conservatory and the new Pocket Opera at Notre Dame Young Artist Apprentice program.

Tickets cost $20 general admission, $10 seniors and students. All funds will benefit NDNU Vocal Programs in Opera and Musical Theatre. For more information call the NDNU Box Office at 508-3729 or concerts@ndnu.edu.

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