Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco is celebrating the first anniversary of its ReStore in San Carlos with an all day shopping event being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 1411 Industrial Road.
The event will offer a number of special discounts throughout the day, kid and family-friendly activities, and a free gift for the first 100 guests.
More then 1,000 volunteers support the home improvement store that accepts and resells donations of new and gently used building materials, appliances and furniture to the public at 50 to 70 percent — and sometimes more — off their normal retail price.
Volunteers are vital to the success of the ReStore and they often screen donations and approve them prior to drop-off; clean, price and place them on the floor for sales; answer questions about merchandise; and ring up sales. Staff can also offer limited pickup service for pre-approved items that are too large for a car.
The proceeds from the sales fund the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes and communities in San Francisco, Marin and the Peninsula to provide affordable housing for working families. Socially responsible, the ReStore also keeps good, reusable materials out of landfills.
During ReStore’s first year, it exceeded revenue targets by more than 50 percent, grossed $850,000, and sold nearly 53,000 items donated by the community. Donations include countertops, doors, flooring, hardware, home décor, insulation, lighting, lumber, mirrors, paint, plumbing, roofing, sheetrock, tools, windows, and more.
Due to the stock changing daily from the donated items, ReStore has developed partnerships with a number of local businesses to keep the inventory fresh and plentiful. Many donors often become customers or volunteers as well.
One of more than 825 Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the United States and Canada, the San Carlos store is regularly open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, go to www.habitatgsf.org/restore.
Housing Hero Awards to honor six who help homeless find housing
The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Change Agent Housing Committee will present the sixth annual Housing Hero Awards on Thursday to honor six individuals who help find stable housing for people with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.
The honorees are Chris Peter and Davina Slusher, Woodland Park Properties; Lee Cates, Telecare Housing coordinator; Michael Lacson, InnVision Shelter Network; John Malilay, landlord, Daly City; and John Heathcoate, MidPen Housing Corporation.
The awards ceremony will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Redwood Shores Library Community Room, 399 Marine Parkway, in Redwood City. Admission is free and open to the public.
“Safe, affordable homes provide people with the opportunity to recover and achieve other important life goals,” said Stephen Kaplan, director of San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, in an email. “This, along with improved health, education, job training, and employment, supports them in continuing on the path to wellness and recovery.” For inquiries, call Mary Taylor Fullerton at 650-573-2306 or email mfullerton@co.sanmateo.ca.us.
Daly City Public Library Associates to hold book sale
The Daly City Public Library Associates is inviting the public to A Fall Bounty of Books from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5-6 at the Westlake Shopping Center, 420 Westlake Shopping Center (next to Beverly’s), in Daly City.
Featuring something for everyone, children’s books to cookbooks and coffee table to fiction books as well as DVDs and CDs will be for sale. Face painting will also be available for children or those who are children at heart.
The mission of the Daly City Public Library Associates is to support Daly City libraries with materials and programs.
To learn more about the book sale and the DCPLA, go to www.dcpla.org or call 650-224-2356.
History Guild of Daly City/Colma holding open house
The History Guild of Daly City/Colma is inviting the public to its Museum Open House and Exhibit Opening — A Walk Through Time — noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Daly City History Museum, 6351 Mission St., in Daly City.
“Enjoy a journey through 10,000 years highlighting local events and their relationship to events on the wider stage of history,” History Guild President Mark Weinberger wrote in a newsletter. “The exhibit is a timeline displayed on custom-made exhibit cases constructed by volunteer carpenter Rob Keil, with Plexiglas installed by Richard and Michael Rocchetta. The project was inspired by the online universal timeline created by Algis Ranikas, and his research was a major source of information along with books published on Daly City history and materials from the History Guild archives, including news clippings, first person histories, and the Chandler Photo Collection.”
Museum curator Dana Smith, who wrote grants and received funding from the Carl and Celia Betra Gellert Foundation and the First National Bank of Northern California, produced the exhibit.
Admission to the event is free and refreshments will be served.
Japanese Culture Festival planned in Millbrae
Millbrae’s Japanese Culture Festival Committee will hold its eighth annual Japanese Culture Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Civic Center Plaza, One Library Ave., in Millbrae. Admission is free.
Live entertainment — taiko (drums), kyudo (archery), dance, singing, anime (animation) performance, and more — as well as displays, demonstrations, food, vendor booths, and activities for all will provide lots of fun.
The Millbrae Chamber of Commerce and the City of Millbrae are the lead sponsors of the event. Other sponsors and partners include Hansen Bridgett, LLP; Comcast; Japanese Chamber of Commerce; Peninsula Healthcare District; Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco; South San Francisco Scavenger Co.; Tokyo Express Co. Inc.; Union Bank; BaySpo; Sports J; Vivendi Navigation Inc.; Mills High School Japanese Culture Club; and JA Insurance Services.
For more details, call 415-602-1660 or go to www.japaneseculturefest@millbrae.org.
Baby Expo returns to Hillsdale Shopping Center
The popular Baby Expo is returning to the Hillsdale Shopping Center, 60 31st Ave., in San Mateo from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Macy’s Center Court in the mall.
Sponsored by the Daily Journal and the Health Plan of San Mateo for new and expecting mothers and also families, the free event will provide expertise about products, gear, and fashion from Bay Area baby experts and services. Tips about financial planning, education and health care will also be included.
A Baby Photo Contest will also be held from noon to 3 p.m. for newborns to 2-year-olds. The winner will be featured in the Daily Journal. All entrants will receive a gift.
San Francisco Bulls hockey team president, coach to speak at Canadian Women’s Club luncheon
Pat Curcio, president, general manager, part owner and head coach of the San Francisco Bulls hockey team, will be the guest speaker at the Canadian Women’s Club’s luncheon being held Oct. 9 at the Old Presidio Golf Club, 300 Finley Road at the Arguello Gate in The Presidio, San Francisco.
Curcio will talk about his love of hockey while growing up in Toronto, Canada, and how his dream of playing and then managing a team brought him to San Francisco.
A social hour begins at 11 a.m. followed by the luncheon at noon.
The cost is $35 per person. Guests and gentlemen are welcome but reservations are necessary.
To learn more, go to www.canadianwomensclub.org or email President@canadianwomensclub.org.
Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County to hold awards event
The Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County welcomes the public to its 40th Anniversary and Leadership Awards being held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, in San Mateo.
“This event celebrates the 4Cs past 40 years as the Peninsula’s resource for child care and early education, and embraces the future as we continue to move forward to achieve quality child care and education for children,” Executive Director Laurie Wishard wrote in an email.
Four awardees will be honored: Congresswoman Jackie Speier will receive the Legacy Award; Angela Miller, director of King Community Center in San Mateo, Mary Elizabeth Griffin Children’s Award; Sobrato Family Foundation, Community Partner Award; and Peninsula Partnership Leadership Council, Mary Petsche Visionary Award.
Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m., and the awards presentation will start at 7 p.m.
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase: one ticket for $5 or five tickets for $20. Event tickets cost $40 per person. Children are welcome and free of charge but must RSVP. All proceeds from the event will benefit 4Cs.
For tickets and information, call 650-517-1400 or go to www.sanmateo4Cs.org. Tickets may also be bought at the door but advance purchase is strongly encouraged.
Bay Area Lyme Foundation to hold benefit concert
The Bay Area Lyme Foundation is holding its second annual benefit concert, Polo for Lyme, from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane, in Atherton.
Don Bleu, morning host of Bay’s 103.7, and CeCe Sammy, celebrity vocal coach and TV personality, will be the masters of ceremony. Angeli VanLaanen, Olympic freeskiing contender and Lymelight Foundation spokesperson, and Paul Jackson, Paralymic gold medallist, are the honorary chairs. Gayle Davey Collat is the event chairwoman.
Held in association with Heart of Silicon Valley, a nonprofit organization that gathers people together through music for important causes, the fundraiser will feature a gourmet luncheon, fine wines, live and silent auctions, polo, and a live music concert by Pride & Joy with world-renowned violinist Carlos Reyes.
Following polo traditions, a hat parade and competition judged by TV personality Jan Wahl, a champagne divot stomp, and an awards ceremony will also highlight the event.
Ticket cost is $125, general admission; $1,250, table of 10; $200, VIP; $1,500, VIP, table of 10; and $75, youth. For tickets or to learn more, go to www.bayarealyme.org/polo.
Sponsorships are also available by contacting Kate Misskelley, event director, at kate@bayarealyme.org or 650-530-2439.
The Bay Area Lyme Foundation was formed in 2012 when a group of Portola Valley friend realized that an alarming number of community members had been affected by Lyme disease.
The Foundation’s mission is to spread awareness, educate the Bay Area community, and make the disease easy to diagnose and simple to cure by raising funds for groundbreaking research. Ana Thompson is the Foundation’s executive director.
Woodside-area Horse Owners Association plans fall event
WHOA!, the Woodside-area Horse Owners Association, welcomes everyone to its ninth annual Woodside Day of the Horse being held Oct. 12 at the Woodside Town Center, between the town hall and Wells Fargo Bank, and on town trails. Admission is free.
A fun-filled event is made possible by a public-private partnership created to keep alive the unique equestrian heritage of Woodside and the surrounding communities.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Trail Ride — one of the largest in the Western United States — draws horses and riders from all over California in costumes reflecting this year’s theme, “Riding Around the World.” From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Horse Fair will feature free rides on the Wells Fargo stagecoach; information on local riding programs at the BITS — Back In The Saddle — booth; equestrian fun, music and information as well as hands-on activities for both children and adults.
Books on riding, horse breeds, and horse care — donated by local horse clubs — can be purchased at the Woodside Public Library booth; proceeds will benefit the library.
Raffle tickets will also be sold at the event for great prizes, including artwork by Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey. The drawing will be held the day of the event; entrants do not need to be present to win.
To date, WHOA! has donated more than $100,000 to community projects that benefit all ages. For rider entries and fees, go to www.whoa94062.org.
Millbrae Man and Woman of the Year dinner planned
The Mayor’s Civic Coordinating Council and the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce are inviting the public to the 41st annual Millbrae Man and Woman of the Year Dinner to honor Joe Teresi and Janet Fogarty on Oct. 18 at the Green Hills Country Club, 500 Ludeman Lane, in Millbrae.
No-host cocktails begin at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.
The event cost is $45 per person if paid by Oct. 11 and $50 per person after Oct. 11 or if paid at the door.
For a formal invitation, call Jack Gardner at 650-777-0061 or email kingdiddly@att.net.
Pumpkin Weigh-Off coming to Half Moon Bay on Oct. 14
The 40th annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off —- the Super Bowl of weigh-off events — will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. Oct. 14 at the IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, in Half Moon Bay.
A $25,000 bonus mega-prize will be offered to any grower who sets a new world record at Half Moon Bay. The current world record — 2,009 pounds — was established last year at a weigh-off in Topsfield, Mass. The California record — 1,775 pounds — was also set in 2012 at Half Moon Bay.
The grand champion gourd, along with the top five overall, will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19-20 on Main Street at the 43rd annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival held between Miramontes Avenue and Spruce Street. Have your picture taken with the mega gourd for $15, which will benefit the Cabrillo Education Foundation.
San Francisco Giants J.T. Snow will be the grand marshal of the Great Pumpkin Parade, which starts at noon Oct. 19.
Three stages of lively entertainment; a bone-chilling Haunted House; street performers; live music performed by some of the Bay Area’s top bands; pumpkin carving; festive food and drinks; a pancake breakfast; pumpkin pie-eating; and Halloween costume contests; and the 5k and 10k Pumpkin Run will excite all ages.
Also, browse among 275 booths to shop for one-of-a-kind handcrafted items created by some of America’s finest artists; meet the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders; and visit the Comcast Take 5 Lounge with a giant LED screen; and watch expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpt a more than 1,200 pound pumpkin into a original masterpiece.
A Locals’ Artist Block with fine art, crafts, live music, a book and author booth, and a haiku contest will debut on Oct. 20 only.
The nonprofit Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee, which has raised several million dollars for community service organizations and civic improvement in its 43-year history, is presenting the gala. Admission is free. Pets are not allowed. For inquiries, call 650-726-9652 or go to www.miramarevents.com.
Peninsula Humane Society, SPCA’s Pick of the Litter holding tea, fashion show
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Pick of the Litter is presenting Secondhand Chic — an afternoon tea, fashion show, and silent auction — from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Lantos Center for Compassion, 1450 Rollins Road, in Burlingame.
Models will wear fashions from Pick of the Litter, a resale store at 1127 Chula Vista in Burlingame. The clothing will be available for purchase after the show. Animals that are up for adoption will also walk the runway.
The silent auction items are also from the thrift shop, which features various secondhand treasures including a children’s department, art, books, clothing, electronics, furniture, household items, jewelry, and vintage and costume clothing. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
All proceeds will benefit the PHS/SPCA Hope Program, which gives injured, ill, unweaned and behaviorally challenged animals an opportunity to be made well and ready for adoption.
Tickets for the fundraiser cost $35 per person and are available online at PHS-SPCA.org or at Pick of the Litter.
If questions, call Brian Probst, director of PHS-SPCA Volunteer and Retail Services, at 650-340-7022, ext. 328, or email Bprobst@PHS-SPCA.org.
San Bruno American Youth Soccer Organization holds Soccerfest
The San Bruno American Youth Soccer Organization Region 249 — composed of 950 players and 79 teams — kicked off its 39th annual Soccerfest on Sept. 6 with a homemade team banner contest and a parade at the San Bruno soccer complex at Peninsula High School in San Bruno.
The winning teams and their sponsors are:
• U6 and VIP Divisions: 1st place, Purple Power Kicking Butterflies, Peninsula Television; 2nd place, Blue Sharks, Shari’s Restaurant; 3rd place, Sharks, Foley Construction; and 4th place, The Ladybugs, MAG Management.
• U8 Division: 1st place, Blue Sharks, Marcus Orthodontics; 2nd place, Blue Sharks, San Bruno Municipal Cable TV; 3rd place, San Bruno Minons, La Laguna Taqueria; and 4th place, The Meteors.
• U10 Division: 1st place, Pink Pirates; 2nd place, Octostrikers; 3rd place, San Bruno Vipers, The Patio Café; and 4th place, Pink Bombers, SD Plumbing.
• U12 Division: 1st place, Orange Juicers; 2nd place, Celtic Force, Carl Wind Photography; 3rd place, The Hornets; and 4th place, Sirens.
The teams lined up at 5:30 p.m. for judging by the San Bruno mayor and city council members; San Mateo Union High School District superintendent and representatives; Rotary Club of San Bruno president; San Bruno Chamber of Commerce executive director; and San Bruno Patch and San Mateo County Times columnists. The parade followed at 6:30 p.m.
The next day, the opening day games began at 8 a.m. at the San Bruno soccer complex and continued until 6 p.m. with a barbecue lunch provided for every player, coach, and referee.
“San Bruno AYSO Region 249 is one of five regions that make up Area 2-B, which encompasses the northern Peninsula and includes Region 145, Millbrae; Region 146, Daly City; Region 157, Pacifica, and Region 1344, Brisbane,” Greg Pierce, AYSO volunteer whose wife Heidi is an Area 2-B director, wrote in an email.
“AYSO is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the United States — it was started in Torrance, Calif., in 1964.”
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.