The 23rd Tour de Peninsula Family Bicycle Ride — the largest, urban-based, organized Bay Area bicycle ride whose slogan is “It’s not a race, it’s a ride” — will start and finish at the Eucalyptus picnic area, Coyote Point Park, in San Mateo on Aug. 3.
Presented by Whole Foods Market, the event proceeds benefit the San Mateo County Parks Foundation, and Bicycle Sunday (car-free biking on Canada Road). San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom is honorary chairwoman and Dirty Shirt legend Mark Simon is honorary tour host.
Everyone is welcome to take part in one of four fully supported route options on scenic courses. The routes and start times are: 63-mile (or 56-mile shortcut) Metric Century for advanced cyclists (7 a.m.); 31-mile Long Route for intermediate to experienced cyclists (8 a.m.); 20-mile Short Route for beginners to intermediate cyclists (8 a.m.); and 2- to 6-mile Young Kids Loops within Coyote Point Park (noon).
After the ride, enjoy a day of family activities, including a children’s playground, barbecuing (bring your own food and beverages or buy from on-site concessions), socializing, and visiting the CuriOdyssey Environmental Education Center, beginning at 10 a.m. in the park. Entertainment will start at 11 a.m.
Online registration cost until July 31 is: Adults 18 years and older, $50; 12-17 years, $25; 11 years and younger, free. The fee for 12 years and older includes a Tour de Peninsula T-shirt. Ride-day registration begins at 6 a.m. with an additional $5 fee for adults.
To register in advance, go to http://supportparks.org/. For inquiries, email tdp@supportparks.org or call 650-321-1638.
To volunteer (receive a Tour de Peninsula T-shirt, and San Mateo County Parks Foundation hat), go to www.supportparks.org/tdp/volunteers.html or click on the volunteer tab on TdP pages at www.supportparks.org or email volunteer@supportparks.org or call 650-321-5812.
Christmas by the Cove holding anniversary celebration
Christmas by the Cove is inviting the public to the 18th anniversary celebration of the delightful shoppe from now through Aug. 31 at 205 Rockaway Beach Ave., Suite 2, in Pacifica.
A special event will be held the weekend of July 25, 26 and 27 to showcase the new 2014 Annalees, and Christopher Radko ornaments, for Halloween, Fall, and Christmas that will be for selection and purchase. Door prizes and refreshments will also be available.
During the anniversary celebration, select and purchase new 2014 Jim Shores and Old World decorations; Pacifica candles and body products; Halloween items; new greeting cards; antique and vintage china; Mark Roberts’ collectibles, and more.
Also visit the new nautical and mermaid corner. Store hours during the summer are 10 a.m. to 5:30 or 6 p.m. daily. To confirm store hours, call 650-355-2683 or email xmascove@mindspring.com. To learn more about Christmas by the Cove, go to www.ChristmasbytheCove.com.
Belmont to be host of Bel-Mateo Babe Ruth Northern California State Championship Tournament
For the first time, Belmont is host of the Bel-Mateo Babe Ruth Northern California State Championship Tournament, which is from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 3:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Belmont Sports Complex, 550 Island Parkway, in Belmont.
If you have a few hours to spare (shifts are 31/2 hours), want to meet a lot of people, and would enjoy watching some great youth baseball, your help would be appreciated to manage gate admission at the sports center.
To volunteer, call Michyle LaPedis at 408-504-1769 or email mlapedis@cisco.com or signup online at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084aa8a62e5-babe.
Blood Drive to be held at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame
The Blood Centers of the Pacific is partnering with San Francisco Firefighter Union Local 798 and California Firemen’s Athletic Association to hold a special Blood Drive — two donors will win a $250 VISA gift card — from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, 1333 Bayshore Highway, in Burlingame.
To donate, bring a photo identification and donor card (if you have one). Every donation receives a free cholesterol testing. This is a wonderful opportunity to find the hero in you and save lives.
To make an appointment, go to www.bloodheroes.com, sponsor code: cfaa.
For questions, call Christina Mihalas at 415-793-9261.
“The blood drive is part of the 2014 California Firefighter Olympics, a fundraiser being hosted by Local 798 for the CFAA from Saturday to July 25 to benefit both the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program and San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation,” said Mike Day, of San Francisco Fire Department, chairman of the 2014 CA Firefighter Olympics. “Firefighters from all over California will be participating in 32 Olympic events being held throughout the Bay Area. The Hyatt Regency is serving as the host and hub of the weeklong event.”
The public is welcome to watch the Olympic competitions and to attend other planned activities. For more event information, go to www.cfaa.org or call Mike Day at 650-303-0227.
Bay Area Knights of Columbus Foundation holding Hawaiian Luau Dinner
The Bay Area Knights of Columbus Foundation is holding a Hawaiian Luau Dinner fundraiser to benefit individuals with disabilities from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at St. Anne of the Sunset Church, 850 Judah St. at Funston Avenue, in San Francisco.
The fundraiser will help support the 21st annual “Fun Day” — a special free bowling day for children and adults with development disabilities from throughout the Bay Area — being held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Classic Bowling Center, 900 King Drive, in Daly City.
Luau tickets cost $50 per person. For tickets, make checks payable to Bay Area KOC Foundation and mail to Knights of Columbus, 2810 Taraval St., San Francisco, Calif., 94116 by July 25.
For additional information, call Marian Mann at 650-991-9386.
Burlingame Lions Club to hold 10th Cars-in-the-Park event
The Burlingame Lions Club’s 10th annual Cars-in-the-Park car show and barbecue will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26 under the trees in Washington Park, corner of Burlingame Avenue and Carolan Drive, in Burlingame.
More than 200 car entries — antiques, hot rods, customs, vintages, funny cars, unique cars, and even cars from the “muscle” era — will grab your attention.
Check out all the cars, talk to the owners, take pictures, and purchase a tasty barbecue lunch that is prepared by the Burlingame Lions Club.
All lunch proceeds will benefit the Burlingame community.
This free admission event will provide a fun and interesting day for the whole family.
“If interested in becoming a member of the Burlingame Lions Club, call Glenn Mendelson at 650-348-0799,” Dan Anderson, secretary, wrote in an email.
“Weekly luncheons are held every Thursday in the Burlingame Lions Hall, 990 Burlingame Ave., next to the main recreation center. Lunch begins at 12:10 p.m., with a speaker beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m.”
Millbrae Library holding Summer Musical Open House
The Millbrae Library is inviting the public to its Summer Musical Open House that will feature The Sun Kings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 29 at the library, 1 Library Ave., in Millbrae.
The Sun Kings are in their 14th year as the premier Beatles tribute band in the country. With a repertoire of more than 150 songs spanning the entire Beatles era, the band is paying special tribute this year to the Beatles’ arrival in America at their “50th Anniversary — 1964” concerts.
The program is being held to honor the memory of former Millbrae Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Councilwoman Nadia Holober who died in May 2013. Holober was a longtime supporter of the library and was also the mayor of Millbrae when the new library opened in 2004.
All ages are welcome to enjoy the music, dancing, light refreshments, and activities for children.
For more information, call the library at 650-697-7607.
Multi-Chamber business expo to be held in South San Francisco
The Brisbane, Foster City, Millbrae, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Mateo, and South San Francisco chambers of commerce have partnered to present a business-to-business event — a Multi-Chamber Business Expo — from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 7.
The free event, being held at the South San Francisco Conference Center, 255 S. Airport Blvd., in South San Francisco, is open to the public who will enjoy learning about various businesses and meeting their owners or representatives.
Great networking, food and drinks, and raffle prizes will also highlight the mega mixer.
Exhibitors are urged to reserve a booth no later than Aug. 1 for selling merchandise or services. The exhibitor cost is $250 for chamber member; $150 for nonprofit and home-based businesses; and $350 for non-member. Space is limited; reserve now.
Sponsorships are also available at $100, $200, $500, and $2,000 levels.
To be an exhibitor or a sponsor and for more details, call one of the chambers:
Brisbane (415-467-7283), Foster City (650-573-7600), Millbrae (650-697-7324), Pacifica (650-355-4122), Redwood City (650-364-1722), San Bruno (650-588-0180), San Mateo (650-401-2440), and South San Francisco (650-588-1911).
Hillbarn Theatre to open season with ‘Funny Girl’
Hillbarn Theatre is opening its 74th season with “Funny Girl,” the heartwarming tale of Vaudeville star Fanny Brice, and nominated for 10 Tony awards, which will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 21 at 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd. in Foster City.
“Raised in Brooklyn, Fanny grows up in a community where her dreams are nothing more than fantasy,” according to the Hillbarn mailer. “Using her passion and determination to navigate the drama on and off stage, Fanny finally finds her place in the spotlight as Ziegfield Follies star.”
The season will also include “The 39 Steps,” Oct. 16 to Nov. 2; Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Dec. 4-21; “Amadeus,” Jan. 22 to Feb. 8; “Proof,” March 12-29; and “Curtains,” May 7-31.
Ghirardelli Chocolate, Penelope’s Coffee & Tea, and Foster City Islander are the major sponsors of the 2014-15 season.
For season tickets ($72-$192), single tickets ($23-$42) or more information, either go to www.hillbarntheatre.org; call 650-349-6411, ext. 2; fax: 650-349-6412; email boxoffice@hillbarntheatre.org; or mail or purchase in person at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, Calif., 94404.
Ninety bicycles donated to children of low-income, disadvantaged families
As part of Genentech’s “Giving Back to the Community Week (June 16-20),” the South San Francisco Fire Department, South San Francisco Firefighters Union Local 1507, San Mateo County Human Services Agency, Genentech, and Turning Wheels for Kids donated 90 bicycles to children of low-income or disadvantaged families on June 28 at Fire Station 61 in South San Francisco.
To date, 120 bicycles have been given away to South San Francisco youths — the same participants had already given 30 bicycles away on June 18 and June 20 at the Genentech campus.
Primarily sponsored by Genentech and Turning Wheels for Kids, the event was a great collaboration between all entities involved. The firefighters administered the event and inspected and distributed the brand-new bicycles, Turning Wheels provided the new bicycle parts, Genentech employees assembled the bicycles, and the Human Services Agency arranged appointments with low-income or disadvantaged families within the city of South San Francisco.
As part of Turning Wheels for Kids’ ongoing vision to provide bicycles to children who would otherwise not have their own, the nonprofit organization raises money to provide the brand-new bicycles for disadvantaged children. The goal of Turning Wheels for Kids is to partner with sponsors year-round to purchase, assemble, and distribute bicycles to kids in an effort to encourage lifelong habits of exercise and outdoor activity.
Families with children whom are low-income, in foster care, on food assistance, in shelters, or are receiving mental health services are the primary beneficiaries of this organization. To learn more about Turning Wheels for Kids, go to http://turningwheelsforkids.com/.
“The City of South San Francisco will host future bicycle events as part of continuing efforts to promote healthy-living and eco-consciousness,” City Manager Mike Futrell wrote in an email.
Community engagement process established to address enrollment issues in San Mateo-Foster City School District
Appointed by the San Mateo-Foster City School District, the Next Steps Advisory Committee decided at its June 23 meeting to partner with the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center and former District administrator and longtime consultant Tish Busselle, to create a community engagement process to address the District’s increasing enrollment.
Concerned about the increasing enrollment impact on school capacity and equity, the committee discussed various strategies and challenges the committee faces with PCRC Executive Director Michelle Vilchez and Busselle. Their goal is to bring as many voices as possible into the conversation to talk about the increasing enrollment dilemma.
The San Mateo-Foster City School District operates 20 elementary and middle schools serving more than 12,000 students from preschool through eighth grade; however, each year, about 250 more students join the District’s schools that serve the cities of San Mateo and Foster City.
Experienced at connecting constituents around issues for many city, county, and school agencies, the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center will help coordinate community engagements involving outreach and education of various stakeholders. The stakeholders will include, but will not be limited to, faith-based groups, homeowner associations, service clubs, parents, teachers, and community members.
PCRC and the committee hope to hear from hundreds of community residents in one-on-one meetings, small group settings, social media, online outreach, and ultimately town hall forums, to gain their input in guiding the next steps the District should take to address the school capacity and equity challenge.
To observe the capacity issues firsthand, the Next Steps Advisory Committee and members of the public took a tour of the schools on June 28. Members of the public are also welcome to attend the meetings of the committee, which are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first and fourth Mondays of the month (except in July) at the District Office, 1170 Chess Drive, in Foster City. For updates, meeting schedules, agendas, and meeting highlights, visit the District website at www.smfcsd.net. For questions about the initiative, email Superintendent Cynthia Simms, Ph.D., at csimms@smfcsd.net.
Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City enlists telemedicine robot for stroke diagnosis
Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City is the first hospital on the Peninsula to add a cutting-edge technology to its Emergency Room team to combat stroke: a telemedicine robot designed to quickly diagnose patients with stroke symptoms.
Called RP-VITA and nicknamed “Rosie” after the robot on “The Jetsons” cartoon, the robot connects to a remote neurologist who can help diagnose the patient within 10 minutes. The physician can see both the patient and the patient’s documentation, including medical imaging, due to two-way audiovisual capabilities. This results in immediate, real-time decision-making any time day or night before the Sequoia neurologist arrives. Sequoia was also re-certified in May as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations and programs in the United States.
“Patients experiencing stroke symptoms must be treated as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms,” Eleanor Vigilante, RN, director of the Sequoia Hospital Emergency Department, said in a statement from the hospital. “This is why being able to quickly connect with a neurologist who can examine our stroke patients is so important.”
The 5-foot-tall robot has a flat-screen computer monitor “face” that lets patients and family members see and interact with a neurologist in real time. Via the robot, the neurologist can examine and talk directly to the patient, consult with on-site doctors, and make recommendations about the patient’s neurological care. Additionally and conjointly, an on-site neurologist will also evaluated the patient.
Controlled using an iPad App, the RP-VITA is equipped with an autonomous robotic navigation system that allows the robot to create a digital map of the Emergency Department and “see” people and objects to avoid bumping into them.
Food and Drug Administration-approved and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant, the robot’s Cloud-based infrastructure ensures a reliable connection even in variable work conditions. The RP-VITA was developed in partnership with InTouch Health, a leader in acute care remote presence telemedicine, and iRobot, a leader in robotic technology-based solutions.
“We know that ‘time is brain’ when dealing with stroke,” Glenna Vaskelis, Sequoia Hospital president, stated in a statement from the hospital. “Enhancing our stroke-certified ER team with this robot ensures that our community is receiving the most advanced stroke care available.”
Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation announces Tapia Family Award of Excellence
The Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation announced a new award — the Tapia Family Award of Excellence — at its eighth annual Student Recognition Dinner & Fundraiser held June 28 at the Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto.
Georgina Corral, a Sequoia High School graduate who will attend California State University of Long Beach, and Giselle Guadalupe Mendoza, a single mother transferring from the College of San Mateo to the University of California Santa Cruz, were the first winners of the award, which provides them an additional $1,000 towards their education.
Corral and Mendoza were also among the 20 students who were each presented a $1,500 check for their achievements.
The 20 awardees are Adriana Guadalupe Jose, of San Leandro; Alondra Varela, of Oakland; Andrea Lara Alvarez, Carol Joselyn Murgula, Georgina Corral, Paula Andrea Garcia, and Rogelio Mata Venegas, all of Redwood City; Cinthia Cristal Magana Moreno, of Sunnyvale; Cristine Jane Dela Torre Sidela, Jennifer Estefany Sotz, Lisa Au, Michelle Xie, Miriam Janet Alvarenga, and Vincent Do, all of San Francisco; Damont Hardnett and Erika Villaseñor, both of San Jose; Giselle Guadalupe Mendoza, of Half Moon Bay; and Mayra Lyzette Alcantar-Garibo, Rosa Varga, and Rosamia Del Carmen Morales Valdez, all of East Palo Alto.
Univision anchorwoman Maria Leticia Gomez, master of ceremony, and BAGF President Ramiro Maldonado welcomed about 230 people to the event.
Rose Guilbault — journalist, TV personality, magazine publisher, corporate executive, author and president of a foundation — was the keynote speaker. Since moving from Mexico to the United States with her mother as a young child and unable to speak English when she started first grade, she has earned an Emmy, been named one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, was inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame, and received numerous other awards for her myriad achievements.
Guilbault shared four of her own life lessons:
1. Find a passion in life; like what you do. It takes as much work to try and fail as it does to succeed.
2. Learn to face your fears; you are only competing with yourself.
3. Find time to be involved in your community. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.
4. Be your authentic self; embrace your heritage. Define your own success. Trust yourself.
“What I learned is summed up in this quote by Winston Churchill –‘Success is not final, failure is never fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts,’ ” Guilbault said.
Lisa Au and Alondra Varela were student speakers.
“Being involved in the community allowed me to learn about my community and to step out of my comfort zone and develop self-confidence,” Au said.
“I knew what would allow me to escape poverty: education,” Varela said. “I will always reach for the unreachable and I encourage everyone to keep donating to the Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation as everyone deserves an education.”
Rene Rivera, BAGF board member and past scholarship recipient, gave the closing remarks. Rivera, who had lived in a bad neighborhood with an uncle who was into drugs, and, as result, got into trouble himself, was guided to the Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation through a counselor.
“Catalino Tapia made me feel someone cared,” Rivera said. “He gave me hope and that’s why I joined the BAGF board.”
Catalino Tapia founded the Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation in 2002. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded 152 scholarships to students attending private and public universities throughout the United States.
The foundation’s motto, “With Scholarships We’ll Form a Better Future,” describes its mission to provide college support for students from low-to-moderate income communities who demonstrate intelligence, initiative, and a commitment to community service. Students are also offered enrichment workshops and forums to learn about the information and skills necessary to succeed in college.
Wells Fargo, major sponsor of the event, has donated $65,000 to the Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation since 2008. Chavez Supermarket, Miracle-Gro, Union Bank of California, and Martha Mejia, M.D., were also sponsors.
For inquiries or to donate, call 650-631-1200, go to www.bagf.org, or make check payable to BAGF and mail to BAGF, P.O. Box 3446, Redwood City, Calif., 94064.
Rotary Club of Millbrae celebrates 90th birthday of 45-year member
The Rotary Club of Millbrae celebrated the 90th birthday of Louis Attilio Arata, a 45-year member of the Rotary club, at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held July 8 at the El Rancho Inn in Millbrae.
Born in San Francisco on July 8, 1924, Arata first lived in Daly City where he attended kindergarten at General Pershing School State Preschool, Our Lady of Perpetual Help elementary school, and graduated in 1943 from Jefferson High School.
Drafted into the U.S. Army, Arata served from 1944-1947 and was stationed in Alabama, Europe, and the Philippines. When he returned to the United States, he enrolled in University of California Berkeley to study civil engineering and surveying, with the goal of obtaining his license as a professional engineer.
Arata also started dating Jeannine, who lived down the street from him in Daly City; they married in 1950.
While studying for his license, Arata worked for Wilsey & Ham in their Millbrae office; one of his projects was Millbrae Meadows Subdivision numbers 1 to 5, where he worked on designing the subdivisions and naming the streets. Arata picked out one of the lots and customized the house that his family moved into in 1956; where he and his wife still reside.
The couple first lived in San Francisco where their first child, Beverly, was born. They moved to Daly City when their second child, David, came along. After their third child, Michael, arrived, the Aratas moved to Millbrae where their fourth child, Diane, joined the family a little while later — the Aratas now have 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
In 1961, Arata left Wilsey & Ham and became a partner until 1965 in the civil engineering company owned by Carl E. Kirker in South San Francisco and San Francisco. He then became a partner with Jay Hammond in Hammond & Arata, Civil Engineers & Surveyors, in Millbrae and Palo Alto until 1968 when he went into business for himself in Millbrae.
In behalf of the Rotary Club of Millbrae, Tom Dawdy, a past president, also recognized eight community members, who have helped the Rotary club with various community projects.
The honorees are Chris Co, a San Mateo County sheriff; Ken Crosetti, Millbrae parks superintendent; Harry Herpe, owner, Nob Hill Pizza Co.; Lorianne Richardson, Millbrae Chamber of Commerce CEO; this San Mateo County Times columnist; and Jeff Bayer, Sue Garrison, and Ray Gier, community volunteers.
If you have any news tips about our county communities, call or fax Carolyn Livengood at 650-355-5533 or e-mail her at carolynlivengood@sanbrunocable.com.