The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has transferred 183-acre Lower Purisima Creek to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) for $2.25 million. It is hoped that the land will one day serve as a critical link in an extensive trail network from Skyline Ridge to the Pacific Ocean.

Rising between Lobitos and Tunitas creeks four miles southeast of Half Moon Bay, the property climbs up wooded valleys and grassy slopes, culminating in a long, narrow ridge with ocean views. The sloping land features scrub-covered knolls, lush meadows, redwood groves, eucalyptus stands and a winding, alder-lined creek. It was purchased from a private owner for $2.25 million in February 2005 as part of POST’s Saving the Endangered Coast campaign.

Wednesday’s morning tie-up on Highway 92 was caused by a serious collision caused major injuiries to a Half Moon Bay man, Neri Noriega, 39, according to the Palo Alto Daily News.

The accident happened at about 4:35 a.m. when a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Michael Iniguez, 25, of Boulder Creek, drifted into oncoming traffic and struck a black Toyota Corolla, California Highway Patrol officials said in a press release. The driver of the Toyota, Neri Noriega, 39, of Half Moon Bay, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Stanford Medical Center.

California Highway Patrol the head-on collision was caused by a drunken driver. The highway was closed for 50 minutes near the Crystal Springs Reservoir so that Noriega could be extracted from his car by paramedics.

The Coastside Community Orchestra’s concert Saturday November 4th at 8 p.m. in Half Moon Bay includes 18-year-old violinist, Kelsey Walsh playing the Spring Violin Concerto from the “Four Seasons.”  The orchestra will also play Haydn’s Symphony #94 in G, nicknamed the surprise symphony.  Other music includes some Vaughan Williams folk songs and a series of songs celebrating San Francisco’s recovery from the 1906 earthquake.  Maxine Schaffer, Soprano and Norman Lancaster, David Behling and Eric Alexanderson, trio, will sing with the orchestra.

When:  Sat. Nov. 4th at 8:00 p.m.
Where:  Community United Methodist Church, 777 Miramontes Street, Half Moon Bay. 
Tickets:  available at the door:  $10 general admission, $7 seniors, students and children free.  Doors open at 7:20.
For info. contact Mr. Kay Raney, conductor, ,408/244-3843, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

On Monday, October 30, the six candidates for three open positions on the CUSD board each answered four questions that they knew ahead of time and then answered several from the audience.  The pre-set questions and times allowed are below. Click to see our videos.

The video is available for both Quicktime and Windows Media Player.

Kathee Tyson of the League of Women Voters moderated the forum. The American Association of University Women organized the event.

• What, in your background, has prepared you to sit on the Cabrillo Unified School District Board of Trustees? (2 minutes per answer)
• In your view, what are the 3 most important issues facing the CUSD in the next 4 years? (1 minute per answer)
• Which of these issues is most important to you and why? (2 minutes per answer)
• What is your plan for addressing this issue which you feel is most important? (2 minutes per answer)
• Candidates answer questions from the audience

There is a gas leak at 2149 Winged Foot Rd in Ocean Colony.  Initial reports indicated a break in the main, but HMB Police are now reporting it as a leak.

Bob Ptacek has declared his candidacy for the board of the Cabrillo Unified School District as a write-in candidate.  Ptacek, a member of the Montara Water and Sanitary District board, is the only candidate in San Mateo county to complete the paperwork to be recognized as a write-in cadidate.

In an email, Ptacek told me: “The reason for running is mainly because I heard folks talk about not exercising all of their 3 eligible votes, And coming from behind the iron curtain (East Berlin), that went against every fiber of by belief system. So I signed up.”

Ptacek will be at tonight’s CUSD candidate forum and we have requested more information about his candidacy, which we’ll make available later this week.

Pacifica is considering widening Highway 1 between Fassler and Reina del Mar Avenues, reports Chris Hunter in the Pacifica Tribune. This is roughly the stretch of road fronting the quarry [Google map]. The project would be paid for with Measure A tax money

“It certainly has complexities,” said [Public Works Director Scott] Holmes. “We need a coastal permit.” He said that hurdles involving wetlands, endangered species and ESHA (Endangered Species Habitat Area) all needed to be handled, but “none of them seem insurmountable. It’s a win-win if we ever do pull it off.” Holmes estimated that $300,000 of Transportation Authority money has already been spent on creating the environmental documents. He said it was nowhere near completion and could still be 18 months out.
...
Critics of the project call it “growth inducing,” which would violate the Coastal Zone Act. “One way or the other, widening is contra-indicated,” said [citizen Bob Pilgrim], pointing out that widening the road to the east impacts local businesses and widening it to the west affects wetlands and endangered species habitat.