San Mateo County dentists will provide free dental services to low-income children, ages 1 to 18, on Give Kids a Smile Day — a one-day event on Friday — in recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Several dentists will donate their services, such as oral exams, cleanings, and fluoride treatments, to families with children, teens, and young adults who may not otherwise be able to afford or access dental care. Assistance with health insurance enrollment will also be available to families.
The San Mateo County Health System and the San Mateo County Dental Society have jointly hosted Give Kids a Smile Day for the past 10 years to provide free dental care to local children and young adults who desperately need dental health education and treatment.
“Nearly one in four children, ages 2 to 11, has untreated cavities in their baby teeth,” wrote Dr. Gracia Cua, of the San Mateo County Dental Society, in an email. “Untreated dental disease is painful and affects a child’s physical, emotional, and social well-being, and yet it is preventable through brushing, flossing, proper diet and regular visits to the dentist.”
To schedule an appointment, residents are encouraged to call the San Mateo Coverage Unit at 650-616-2002.
The San Mateo County Health System ensures that all San Mateo County children, ages 0 to 18, have access to comprehensive health and dental insurance coverage.
To learn about health insurance enrollment for children, call 650-616-2002 or go to http://www.smcchi.org.
Give Kids a Smile Day, a national event, benefits a half million children thanks to dentists donating their time to emphasize the importance of dental care, and helping parents who cannot afford proper dental care for their children.
Samaritan House, United Way of the Bay Area team up to offer free tax preparation services
Samaritan House is partnering with United Way of the Bay Area to offer free tax preparation services for low-income San Mateo County residents now through April 4.
For the third year, Volunteer Income Tax Assistants — who are certified by the IRS — will serve individuals by appointment; the program is open to households with a 2013 income of $52,000 or less.
“We are excited to continue to offer this service to the community,” wrote Saul A. Gonzalez, Samaritan House financial empowerment manager, in an email, stating that last year the agency’s VITA volunteers helped prepare 242 tax returns and returned more than $449,000 in total refunds to local residents.
“This program provides free tax preparation to individuals and families who may not be able to afford a tax preparer, and helps connect low-income earners with the Earned Income Tax Credit,” Gonzalez wrote. “This is a valuable resource for helping families make ends meet.”
Tax preparation appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Samaritan House, 4031 Pacific Blvd., in San Mateo. For more information, call 650-523-0804.
South San Francisco Cultural Arts Commission to hold public reception for photo exhibit opening
The South San Francisco Cultural Arts Commission is welcoming the public to a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7 for the opening of the annual Photography Exhibit at the Municipal Services Building, 33 Arroyo Drive, in South San Francisco.
Light refreshments will be available.
The exhibit will be available for viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8.
To RSVP by Monday for the reception and for questions, call the South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department at 650-829-3800.
Relay For Life San Bruno to hold Kick Off Party
Relay For Life San Bruno is holding a Kick Off Party from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the San Bruno Veterans Memorial Recreation Center, 251 City Park Way, in San Bruno to gear up for its version of the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society.
The fundraiser is held in more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries; helping to raise more than $400 million each year.
San Bruno’s Relay For Life event will start at 10 a.m. April 26 and continue to 10 a.m. April 27 at Capuchino High School, 1501 Magnolia Ave., in San Bruno.
At the party, Laura Baldini, a cancer survivor, will give an inspirational talk at 7 p.m. entitled, “I realized I have a lot. Each day is a gift, to be taken to heart. Each birthday is a big deal.” Free entertainment and food will also be available.
To attend the kickoff party, register online at: www.RelayForLife.org/SanBrunoCA. For more details, either call Ken Ibarra, event chairman, at 650-400-1005 or email SanBrunoRelay@gmail.com.
Department of Theatre and Dance at Notre Dame de Namur University to hold student showcase
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Notre Dame de Namur University is presenting its annual Student Showcase, featuring plays directed by graduating senior students, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Feb. 8 at the Notre Dame Theatre, 1500 Ralston Ave., in Belmont.
This event provides the final experience for senior theatre majors. Each student assumes the overall responsibility for selecting and casting a play, as well as coordinating the design and technical support provided to the production by the Theatre and Dance faculty and staff.
This year’s program features Winthrop Parkhurst’s “The Beggar and the King,” directed by Johnny Villar; Arthur Hopkins’ “Moonshine,” directed by Mark Aho; David Ives’ “The Universal Language,” directed by Donald Henderson; and George Bernard Shaw’s “How He Lied to Her Husband,” directed by Audra Batter.
General admission is $10 per person. Buy tickets at the door or call 650-508-3456 to reserve tickets in advance or email boxoffice@ndnu.edu.
San Mateo County Blue Star Moms to hold pancake fundraising event
San Mateo County Blue Star Moms is inviting the public to “enjoy a short stack for a tall cause” at an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser breakfast being held from 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 8 at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1135 Veterans Blvd., in Redwood City.
The ticket cost is $10 per person; 75 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Blue Star Moms so Care Packages can continue to be sent to our deployed military.
For tickets in advance, call Amy O’Campo, president of the San Mateo County Blue Star Moms, at 650-766-1857 or pay at the door.
NFL Alumni Northern California Chapter to host Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center exhibit
The NFL Alumni Northern California Chapter is presenting the inspiring Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center — the largest black history exhibit west of the Mississippi — that will be open from Feb. 8 through Feb. 28 at 190 Independence Street in Menlo Park.
Open to the public, the 17,000-square-foot exhibit hours during the exhibit dates are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays to Fridays; from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Parents, teachers and others who are interested in American history should visit this showcase of black culture and history, inventions, sports, music, religion, slavery, and much more that are included in more than 50 different displays.
Carolyn Hoskins is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center Foundation and curator of the extensive exhibit. The widow of Robert “Bob” Hoskins, a former San Francisco 49er defensive tackle, she is also a member of the NFL Alumni Northern California Chapter executive committee.
“This is very, very passionate for me,” Carolyn Hoskins said about the museum and learning center that is named after her grandson. “Kids in school are just not getting the knowledge about black history and the important roles blacks have held in our country. It’s a lot of work and sometimes I get discouraged.”
Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per student and senior, and free for children younger than 5. Special group rates are also available.
To learn more about special Black History events, go to www.nflalumninocal.org. For more museum and learning center information, call either Carolyn Hoskins at 650-921-4191 or Jeff Bayer at 650-533-4949 or email jbayer4949@aol.com.
City of Redwood City to hold Lunar New Year celebration
The City of Redwood City is observing the Year of the Horse at its fourth annual Lunar New Year Celebration being held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, in Redwood City.
Everyone is welcome to attend this event that recognizes one of the most important holidays in Asian heritage. The Lunar New Year is often celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods, and displays of festive decorations — all centered on bringing good luck for the New Year and recognizing the imminent arrival of spring.
The day’s activities will include opening ceremonies, lion dancers, Red Panda Acrobats, martial arts, kids’ arts and zodiac-themed crafts, taiko performance, food, an inflatable playland, a California Kung Fu and Tai Chi Institute demonstration, and more.
Admission is free. To learn more, either go to www.redwoodcity.org/events/lunarnewyear.html or email recnews@redwoodcity.org.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the San Mateo County History Museum, also at Courthouse Square in the 104-year-old courthouse, will join in the Lunar New Year celebration by offering free admission to the museum, which will include various children’s activities. Children will have a great time making traditional New Year’s red envelopes, writing lucky symbols in Chinese calligraphy, making paper lanterns, learning to use chopsticks, adding with an abacus, and playing folkloric games.
Adults will find exhibits about the use of natural resources, suburban development, ethnic experience and entrepreneurial achievement on the Peninsula from the times of the Ohlone Indian through today of interest to them.
For more museum details, go to www.historysmc.org or call 650-299-0104.
Friends of the Millbrae Library to hold book sale
Friends of the Millbrae Library is holding an Outdoor Bargain Book and Media Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the library, 1 Library Ave., in Millbrae.
Books for children and adults will be available for 25 cents and 50 cents. A $5 bag sale will be held from 2 to 3 p.m.
All proceeds will help support the programs and materials needed for the library.
For more details, call 650-697-7607.
Local Purple Heart recipients invited to meeting for re-establishment of Woodrow Wilson Chapter 15, Military Order of the Purple Heart
Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients and live in the San Francisco area are being invited to attend a meeting for the re-establishment of the Woodrow Wilson Chapter 15, Military Order of the Purple Heart.
One meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Feb. 13 at 205 13th St., Suite 3300, in San Francisco, and the other meeting starts at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 at 757 San Mateo Ave., in San Bruno.
For more information, call Nicolas Gauthier at 530-559-5955 or email nic@gauthier.us.
Filoli to open 2014 season with ‘Branches, Buds and Blossoms — Romance of the Winter Garden’
Filoli will open the 2014 season with “Branches, Buds and Blossoms — Romance of the Winter Garden” from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (last admission 2:30 p.m.) Feb. 14-15 at its historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 86 Canada Road, in Woodside.
All ages will enjoy the garden’s spectacular early spring floral display and two days of talks, demonstrations on both flower arranging and decadent chocolates, hands-on activities for children and families, and guided walks of Filoli’s camellia collection of more than 250 varieties.
Filoli’s Café and Garden Shop will also offer new seasonal items.
On Feb. 14 only, a free demonstration on camellia pruning and care will be held from 12:15 to 1 p.m., and a Japanese Tea Ceremony will be featured from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for a $10 charge for members and $15 for nonmembers.
On Feb. 15, a greenhouse visit and a demonstration on repotting camellias will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a talk and visual presentation on the history, care, and culture of camellias from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Held during regular hours, this event is free to members, except where noted. Parking is free.
Non-members cost is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 65 years and older, $10 for students ages 5 through 17 or with valid student identification, and free for children 4 years and younger.
For groups of 12 or more adults, the rate is $15 per person. Call Visitor Services from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 650-364-8300, ext. 507, regarding group rates or ext. 508 for any other questions.
General admission includes self-guided or docent-led guided tours of the House and Garden; access to the Café, Garden Shop; an art exhibit, “Filoli Instructors and Their Students” that will be on display from Feb. 11 to March; and docent-led nature hikes at 10 a.m. on Saturdays with advance reservations.
For complete event activities and other upcoming events, nature education programs, and classes at Filoli, go to www.filoli.org.
San Mateo Police Officers’ Association to holde crab feed, casino night
The San Mateo Police Officers’ Association will hold its fifth annual Crab Feed and Casino Night on Feb. 21 at San Mateo Elks Lodge No. 1112, 229 West 20th Ave. in San Mateo.
“Money raised from this event will benefit the Autism Society of the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Association secretary Jeanine Luna, coordinator of the Crab Feed with board member Lupe Mejia.
No-host cocktails are from 6 to 7 p.m.; the crab dinner begins at 7 p.m.; and dancing to the music of disc jockey Jerry McNeil of Jerry Mac Productions, raffle prizes, and the Casino Night will be from 8 p.m. to midnight.
“We’re looking to sell out for our fifth year in a row at 380 people,” Luna said. “Tables of 10 sell out fast, so get your tickets early. There are also sponsorship opportunities available and we always accept donations for our raffle.”
Tickets are $60 per person or $550 for a table of 10. For tickets, sponsorship, or to donate raffle prizes, either email Jeanine Luna at: jluna@cityofsanmateo.org or call 650-522-7522, ext. 5511, or email Lupe Mejia at gmejia@cityofsanmateo.org.
To purchase tickets by mail, make check payable to: SMPOA (include name, address, phone number, and e-mail address) and mail to: Attn: Jeanine Luna, c/o SMPOA, 200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, Calif., 94403. No tickets sold at the door.
Redwood Symphony to open 2014 with Brahms’ First Symphony
Redwood Symphony will open 2014 with Brahms’ First Symphony — one of the most emotionally powerful and cathartic musical statements ever — at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Main Theatre of Canada College, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., in Redwood City.
Brahms was trying to update Beethoven’s symphonic writing with some of the latest techniques of the late 19th century and, according to Maestro Eric Kujawsky, founder and music director of the Redwood Symphony he succeeded brilliantly.
The symphony will record the Brahms’ symphony for its next CD release.
Hungarian-born Gyorgy Ligeti’s 20th century masterpiece, Concert Romanese, an early, Bartok-influenced work that Kujawsky called “rollicking good fun!” will also be on the program.
Finally, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is a lyrical and perfectly constructed work balancing the classical world of Mozart and the new Romantic language. Violinist Jassen Todorov will return to the Redwood Symphony as a soloist.
Kujawsky will hold a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.
Tickets, ranging from $10 to $30, are available at www.RedwoodSymphony.org.
Redwood Symphony, an all-volunteer orchestra, is dedicated to the performance of ambitious, contemporary repertoire as well as the great orchestral classics. Its August 2012 performance of the Berlioz Requiem at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco was critically acclaimed.
InnVision Shelter Network awarded Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating
For the sixth year in a row, InnVision Shelter Network has been awarded Charity Navigator’s highest distinction — the coveted 4-star rating — that is awarded to nonprofits showing sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Headquartered in Menlo Park, InnVision Shelter Network helps homeless families and individuals regain permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
“In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient, ethical and open charities,” Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, wrote in a letter dated Dec. 20. “Our goal in all of this is to provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.
“Only 3 percent of the charities we rate have received at least six consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that InnVision Shelter Network outperforms most other charities in America. This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates InnVision Shelter Network from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.” “Forbes,” “Business Week,” and “Kiplinger’s Financial Magazine,” and others have profiled Charity Navigator’s unique method of applying data-driven analysis to the charitable sector. The company evaluates 10 times more charities than its current competitor, which currently results in it attracting more visitors to its website that all other charity rating groups combined. Users of the website gave more than they planned to before checking Charity Navigator’s findings, which are free. It is estimated that last year Charity Navigator helped influence about $10 billion in charitable gifts.
San Francisco Giants’ reporter Amy “Amy G” Gutierrez a hit at book discussion
San Francisco Giants’ Emmy-winning reporter Amy “Amy G” Gutierrez and her first children’s book — “Smarty Marty’s Got Game” — were a big hit when she held a Book Talk and Signing on Jan. 11 to benefit the Daly City Public Library Associates.
Paula Stillman, president, Daly City Public Library Associates board of directors, welcomed nearly 40 adults and 10 children to the fun event held at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City.
“Smarty Marty’s Got Game,” written by Gutierrez during the Giants off-season in 2012, is already appearing on Copperfield’s Books’ list of 10 top selling children’s books. Copperfield’s Books is located in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties.
Gutierrez read, and showed the pictures in her book illustrated by Adam McCauley, much to the delight of the audience, especially the children.
“Smarty Marty’s Got Game” is an inspiring story about a girl named Marty, who tries to teach the game of baseball to her younger brother Mikey who is not interested. Marty was nicknamed “Smarty Marty” by her friends at school because she loved and knew more about the game than most adult fans. When Marty and Mikey attend a real baseball game together, she gradually teaches Mikey about the game and before long, Mikey grows to love the game and is cheering along with his sister.
“My childhood revolved around sports because of my family’s involvement,” said Gutierrez. “We attended many games for my brother. My grandmother was a big Dodger fan and listened to ever game. “Marty” in my book is named after my grandmother who encouraged me to write this book.”
Following a question and answer session, Gutierrez announced that all four Daly City libraries would be donated one of her books.
Gutierrez and her husband, Paul Gutierrez, who covers the Oakland Raiders for ESPN.com, live in her hometown of Petaluma and are the parents of a son, 9, and daughter, 5. “My husband and I encourage reading at home,” Gutierrez said. “Reading is a big part of our lives.”
“Smarty Marty’s Got Game” may be purchased at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.
The sponsors of the Book Talk and Signing were First National Bank of Northern California and Planet Fitness, Grand Slam level; Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Triple; Duggans Serra Mortuary and Donna Lowe, Double; Carol Conway, San Mateo County Supervisors Adrienne J. Tissier and Carole Groom, and Bryan Kingston, Single.
To learn more about the Daly City Public Library Associates, go to http://www.dcpla.org/.
If you have any news tips about our county communities, call or fax Carolyn at 650-355-5533 or e-mail her at: carolynlivengood@sanbrunocable.com.
