Notebook: Governor signs parks bill Notebook: Governor signs parks bill (October 12, 2005)

Prospects for more money to support parks in San Mateo County got a big boost October 7 when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 203.

The bill carried by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, will allow voters in San Mateo County, by a two-thirds majority, to increase the sales tax by 1/8 cent to help struggling parks in San Mateo County and its 20 cities.

Park supporters were elated. They have been working for several years to find a way to get more money to maintain and improve under-funded parks.

"We're delighted," said Julia Bott, executive director of the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation and a leader in Parks for the Future. "The next step is taking our presentation to city councils and parks commissions around the county."

Over the next couple of months, she said, park supporters should think about what the parks need, and then join the effort to craft a proposal that will appeal to more than two-thirds of the county's voters.
Housing conference set for October 21

"Creating Homes; Building Community" will be the theme of the fourth annual Housing Leadership Day on Friday, October 21, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Oracle Conference Center, 350 Oracle Parkway in Redwood Shores.

Sponsored by the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, the event will feature a morning panel and luncheon speaker, afternoon workshops, a housing exhibit and fair, and training for housing advocates.

The morning panel will focus on "Overcoming Barriers to Development in the El Camino Corridor." Speakers will include county Housing Director Duane Bay, assemblymen Gene Mullin and Leland Yee, and Caltrain Chair Mike Nevin.

Keynote Speaker Orson Aguilar is executive director of the Greenlining Institute and author of a controversial op-ed piece in the San Francisco Chronicle titled "Why I am not an Environmentalist."

Afternoon workshops will include meeting the new housing director, green building, condo conversion, environmentalism and smart growth, housing for people with disabilities, and infill redevelopment and eminent domain

For information or tickets, at $35 for members and $50 for non-members, call 872-444, or visit hlcsmc.org.
Hearing this week on mental health plan

The San Mateo County Mental Health Board is holding a public hearing Tuesday, October 11, on a three-year mental health program. The hearing is set from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors' chambers at 400 County Center (corner of Hamilton Avenue and Bradford Street) in Redwood City.

A draft three-year program and expenditure plan was prepared under the Mental Health Services Act, which was approved as Proposition 63 in 2004.

For information or a copy of the plan, call the Mental Health Services Division at 573-2541, or go to sanmateo.networkofcare.org.
Venture Van focuses on children

The Venture Van program of the Institute for Venture Philanthropy will kick off this year with a visit to the Belle Haven Elementary School in Menlo Park for a look at programs preparing children to be ready and eager to learn when they reach kindergarten.

"On the Road to Kindergarten" on Wednesday, October 19, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. is one of five tours this year designed to inform interested people and potential philanthropists about exemplary social services in the area.

Other free tours over the next five months will deal with affordable housing and helping disadvantaged students prepare for college and jobs.

For information, call 854-5566, ext. 250, or go to www.pcf.org/venturevan.
World Affairs Council views the UN at 60

"The United Nations at 60: The Challenge of Reform" will be Stanford Professor Stephen Stedman's subject before the World Affairs Council on Wednesday, October 19, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Los Altos Public Library at 12 South San Antonio Road.

Professor Stedman, an expert on civil wars, mediation, and peacekeeping at Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation, is research director of the United Nations' High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.

He has been asked to stay on at the United Nations as special assistant to the secretary-general to help gain support around the world for the panel's recommendations.

The free program will be preceded by refreshments at 7 p.m. For information or to make reservations, call 948-7683 or go to itsyourworld.org.
Save the Bay holds two events

Bay lovers can sign up for two events sponsored by Save the Bay in the Palo Alto Baylands.

On Saturday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., nature lovers and bird watchers can paddle around the Baylands in canoes to watch nearby wildlife and the fall migration along the Pacific Flyway. The canoe trip is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.

On Wednesday afternoon, October 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., volunteers can help transplant native marsh seedlings and do regular maintenance at the native plant nursery in preparation for winter planting projects along San Francisquito Creek. For information or to sign up, call Save the Bay at 510-452-9261, ext. 109, or go to savesfbay.org.

Identity theft talk

Peter Lynch, San Mateo County deputy district attorney, will talk about how to prevent identity theft at a brown bag lecture at noon Thursday, October 20, at the San Mateo County Law Library, 710 Hamilton St. in Redwood City. For more information about the lecture series, call Karen Lutke at the San Mateo County Law Library, 363-4913.
Fair fights obesity

Getting fit -- eating the right stuff and exercising -- will be the theme of a health fair Saturday, October 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cesar Chavez Academy, on Bay Road at Ralmar Road in East Palo Alto.

Fitness will be promoted by games, contests, music, dancing and demonstrations. Olympic volleyball star Ogonna Nnamani and other sports figures will be there.

Get Fit EPA is a fitness movement to combat obesity and its unhealthy consequences in East Palo Alto and neighboring communities. It is sponsored by the city of East Palo Alto, the Boys and Girls Club and other groups. For information, call Kathleen Alexander at 330-7418.

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