What is San Mateo's symbol?

Why the wheelbarrow? Well, the story goes that young John Studebaker began his career building wheelbarrows for the gold miners in Placerville. His sturdy wheelbarrows made him quite popular amongst the miners, and he quickly acquired enough money to move east. In 1902, the Studebaker Wagon Corporation began making automobiles. But despite all the money and fame, Studebaker never forgot his mining roots. He would often come back to Placerville to visit his old friends. And so, the city now has decorated wheelbarrows adorning the city streets. Welcome home, John!

All of this talk of city pride and symbols has got me thinking. So I have decided to pose a question to you, my dear readers: If San Mateo were to have a symbol that would represent our town's essence, what would that symbol be?

I've bantered about this question within my circle of friends, but none of their answers felt quite right. My favorite suggestion, however, was a two-hour parking meter, a clear jab at the parking problem confronting the downtown area. But a parking meter does not sufficiently represent the beauty, charisma and charm that is San Mateo.

I'll start your thought processes going with an observation: Perhaps the most wonderful features of San Mateo are its beautiful parks and open areas. Although Central Park with its Japanese Garden and Leon the giraffe receives the most praise, areas like Beresford, Shoreview, Fiesta Gardens, Los Prados and Hillsdale have their own playgrounds, dog parks, baseball fields and basketball courts. Arroyo Creek Park has an historic monument marking the De Anza expedition. Ryder Park on East Third Avenue joined the lineup just last weekend and boasts state-of-the-art playground equipment. With summer just around the corner, locals will spend a great amount of their free time frolicking around these picturesque parks. I doubt that I even know all the parks in San Mateo, but it would be a good way to pass free time during the summer, making a list and visiting them all. What a great way to explore our town.

While I was away at school I spent a lot of time walking the concrete canyons of a really big city, and I formed a deep appreciation for open spaces and greenery - living in New York City will do that to a girl. Coming back to San Mateo with a classmate who was seeing San Mateo for the first time, I was reminded just how beautiful our city really is. Her praise made me take a fresh look at the neighborhoods I had taken for granted. We have the luxury of living between San Francisco and San Jose with all their urban attractions, but we are comfortably nestled in a place filled with beautiful gardens, sizable lawns and towering trees.

Parks don't set your heart racing? I have another candidate to consider: The restaurants of San Mateo. No, really. Our neighborhoods, schools, shops, and, yes, parks, are filled with people from all over who have come to make San Mateo their home and this wonderful fact is reflected in all the good places to eat. Sushi, burritos, tapas, tapioca drinks, dim sum and pizza. Yummy. Greek food is dished out just down the block from Salvadorian food and Peruvian dishes are just around the corner from good old American hamburgers and fries. Food from the Philippines, food from India and food from Thailand. San Mateo has it all. One of the best events I have ever been to is the Borel Middle School food fair that takes place each spring in the gym. All the Borel families cook food from their country of origin and bring it to sell as a school fund-raiser. Thirty or more countries are represented. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

But enough with all the sappy stuff about San Mateo. I've made it fairly clear that I love living here and I'm happy to call this place home. But I really need some help figuring out what our city's trademark should be. So here is my challenge to you: Send me your thoughts on what San Mateo's symbol should be. No prize offered, strictly for fun. My e-mail is located at the bottom of the column. This is your mission if you choose to accept it. Good luck!

Grace Kallis is a graduate of Aragon High School. She is currently attending Barnard College in New York City. Her column, Graceland, appears every other Tuesday. If you have some news you'd like to send Grace's way, e-mail her at gkallis5@hotmail.com.