In advance of the June 6 vote on a $91 million school bond measure, the public is invited to tour the four schools in the Menlo Park City School District on Thursday and Friday, May 11 and 12.
Board President Laura Rich and Superintendent Ken Ranella will conduct the tours and answer questions, including about anticipated enrollment growth, facility needs, and problems with school operations.
The bond measure would allow the district to borrow up to $91 million over 35 years to upgrade and expand school facilities.
The four scheduled tours are:
• Hillivew Middle School, 9 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at 1101 Elder Ave. in Menlo Park.
• Oak Knoll School, 11 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at 1895 Oak Knoll Lane in Menlo Park.
• Laurel School, 9 a.m. Friday, May 12, at 95 Edge Road in Atherton.
• Encinal School, 11 a.m. Friday, May 12, at 195 Encinal Ave. in Atherton.
People interested in taking a tour are advised to allow extra time before the tours start because parking is limited.
Walk and learn at Bayfront Park
For information about wetland restoration, head out to Bayfront Park in Menlo Park on Saturday morning, May 20, and join members of the environmental organization, Save The Bay, for a walk from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.Members of the group will discuss the South Bay salt pond restoration project, the Blair Island restoration project, and opportunities to protect open space along the Bay.
Participants should meet at the parking lot adjacent to the restrooms. Bayfront Park is off Marsh Road at Bayfront Expressway.
Election official talks on technology
Warren Slocum, San Mateo County’s chief elections officer, will speak at the annual meeting of the League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County, on Thursday, May 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ten Fu Restaurant, 1352 El Camino Real in Menlo Park.Mr. Slocum will talk on the changing voting technology, and what it means to safety and accuracy of voting. Dinner is $20. For reservations, call 325-5780 by May 18.
Bike to work
If helping the environment and getting fit aren’t reason enough to ride your bike, the city of Menlo Park is providing a little more incentive.Thursday, May 18, is Bike to Work Day, and the city will set up three stations around town with free bananas, bagels, energy bars and bicycle accessories for people aboard their bicycles.
The stations will be at the Willow Place bike bridge, the San Mateo Drive bike bridge and the city’s Caltrain station. The stations will be open from 7 to 9 a.m.
Bags needed
Volunteers at the Menlo Park Senior Center sort and bag groceries for seniors in need every week, but the center is running short on bags. To help, drop off new or used paper grocery bags at the Burgess Recreation Center at 700 Alma St. or the Senior Center at 110 Terminal Ave. For more information call 330-2283.‘Deeelish’ meal-preparation debuts
An open house for Deeelish — a new Menlo Park meal preparation outlet — is set for Tuesday, May 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.Jeff and Jami Stevens opened their enterprise at 700 El Camino Real, Suit 170, earlier this month. The business offers customers prepared ingredients for meals they’ve chosen in advance; the meals are assembled on location by customers.
Reservations for the open house can be made by calling 325-6325, or e-mailing info@deeelish.com. For more information, log on at deeelish.com.
Coast garden tour
Lovely gardens along the southern part of the San Mateo County coast will be open for touring on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as a fundraiser for the La Honda and Pescadero Educational Foundations.Ticket prices range from $20 for a one-day garden tour to $50 for a two-day garden pass that includes a wine and cheese tasting reception at Harley Goat Farm in Pescadero on Saturday. For information and tickets, call 879-9033.
Countywide Swap Meet on Saturday
Got stuff to get rid of, like old wedding presents, outgrown clothes, or used sports equipment? Not into garage sales? Think Swap Meet.San Mateo County RecycleWorks and recycling partners are sponsoring the first countywide Swap Meet on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Event Center, 2495 South Delaware St. in San Mateo.
Local residents can clean their closets or excavate their garages and bring unwanted items to sell or swap at the Swap Meet. “The event focuses on reuse and the importance of keeping salvageable goods out of the landfill,” said Tammy Del Bene, recycling coordinator for Norcal Waste Systems, and coordinator of the Swap Meet.
This is a particular opportunity for residents of condos and apartments who want to get rid of stuff but can’t hold garage sales, Ms. Del Bene said.
For information or to reserve a space at $40, call RecycleWorks at 1-888-442-2666, or go to RecycleWorks.org.
Maritime Day this weekend in Redwood City
Ahoy! Belay! Sea lovers and history buffs.Maritime Day will celebrate San Mateo County’s nautical past on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with family activities at the Port of Redwood City and the San Mateo County History Museum.
The historic scow schooner Alma will dock at the Port of Redwood City on Saturday and Sunday as the centerpiece of the weekend.
The Alma, which used to carry shingles, hay and other cargoes around the Bay, will be open Saturday for tours, accompanied by sea chanties performed by the musical group “Starboard Watch.”
Visitors will be able to touch the past by loading cargo with a frame and pulley, and cutting redwood shingles like those the flat-bottomed boats used to carry to build San Francisco.
Sea Scouts and Mariners will demonstrate skills such as tossing buoys and tying knots. The Marine Science Institute invites visitors to explore marine life in an exhibit, “Discover the Bay.”
On Maritime Day, a free shuttle will carry visitors between the Port of Redwood City, at 675 Seaport Boulevard, and the History Museum at 750 Middlefield Road.
The museum’s collection of 23 intricate model ships built by master model-maker Charles Parsons will be on display. Visitors can design a ship model and create a cargo, such as willow china or metal goods that might have passed through the port, and load it on their ships.
Visitors can also learn about the International Code of Flags used by ships in the 1800s, and craft their own flags.
History Museum activities are free with the $1.50 admission. Activities at the port are free.
For information, call 299-0104.
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