Community Notebook: Church program focuses on health issues Community Notebook: Church program focuses on health issues (September 15, 2004)

National health issues and how political candidates are addressing them will be the focus of a discussion at a dinner sponsored by St. Bede's Episcopal Church on Thursday, September 16.

"What You Won't Hear from Any Candidate: National Health Issues that Confront Us All" will be presented by the Rev. John Golenski, executive director of the Institute for Ethics and Health Policy and principal author of a recent study of universal health care prepared for the state.

The event is one of a series of breakfast and dinner programs at St. Bede's focusing on the national elections and the moral and ethical issues relevant to them. They will take place in St. Bede's parish hall, 2650 Sand Hill Road, in Menlo Park.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with social time; dinner and the presentation will follow.

Reservations and a donation are requested. To reserve a spot or learn more about the program, call 854-6555, or see www.stbedesmenlopark.org.

Coastal Cleanup Day

Thousands of volunteers will get wet and dirty Saturday, September 18, as they clean up beaches and waterways in California, across the country, and around the world on the 20th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day.

The main destinations in San Mateo County will be San Francisquito Creek and San Gregorio Beach and Estuary.

The San Francisquito Creek Watershed Council will kick off its new restoration season by cleaning up the garbage that has accumulated over the summer. Volunteers will meet at the corner of Woodland Road and Manhattan Avenue in East Palo Alto at 9 a.m., dressed for dirt, and with hats and sunscreen. Materials, including gloves, bags, snacks and drinks, will be provided. You can go home at noon.

Volunteers at San Gregorio, on Highway 1 just south of Route 84, will work from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For information on the local cleanup, call Katie Pilat at 962-9876, ext. 305. For information on Coastal Cleanup Day and other locations, call 1-800-COAST4U; or see www.coast4U.org.

Politics for breakfast

A discussion of local, state and national politics will be served up with breakfast on Tuesday, September 21, at the Radisson Villa Hotel in San Mateo.

The event, Decisions 2004, will be held from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. at the hotel, 4000 So. El Camino Real. It's being sponsored by an alliance of San Mateo County's 14 chambers of commerce.

Carla Marinucci, chief political writer for the San Francisco Chronicle; Republican political consultant Dan Schnur; and Democratic political consultant Ed McGovern with offer their views of a range of political issues.

The cost is $25 for Chamber of Commerce members and $30 for nonmembers. To reserve a seat, call the Menlo Park chamber at 325-2818.

Fall festival at Filoli

Samples of tree-ripened apples and pears, fresh-pressed apple cider, and tours through Filoli's orchard will be part of the "Autumn at Filoli" festival to be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 2, at the Woodside estate.

The festival will include a fruit cook-off. Entrants should come to Filoli to pick up organic fruits by September 17 to use in quick bread recipes.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $1 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Lunches are $15 for adults, $8 for children, and must be ordered in advance. For more ticket information, call 364-8300, ext. 508.

Harvest Festival

The Harvest Festival fundraiser for the Palo Alto Friends will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, at the Friends Meeting House, 957 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto.

On Sunday at 7:30 p.m., the meetinghouse will host the Novello String Quartet, presenting music by Haydn and Mendelssohn.

An admission donation is suggested at $25 for adults, $10 for children. For more information, call 324-2049.

In the Mood

Big Band music will be featured at "In the Mood," the annual Museum of American Heritage fundraiser to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 18, at 351 Homer Ave. in Palo Alto.

Donia Bencke and the "Double or Nothing" swing dance group will give dance lessons starting at 7:15.

For admission prices and other information, call 321-1004.

A vintage fashion show (1860 to 1960) will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 25, at the museum. Cost is $10 for museum members and $15 for others. Reserved tickets are required. Call 321-1004.

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