At 7:30pm on Saturday April 12th, local viewers will be treated to a screening of The Real Dirt on Farmer John at the Johnson House Depot., hosted by The Visionary Edge.

This is a true story of farming life based on John Peterson, an eccentric writer and artist, yet a traditional farmer trying to keep the family farm going.

This film is truly an original; an award-winning documentary yet creative in every way, a heartbreaking and heartwarming saga all rolled into one unique, interesting and often hilarious tale.

John Peterson inherited the farm while a very young man when his father died at an early age.  John works hard, struggles, has to sell parts of the farm to pay debts, yet ultimately triumphs in bringing the farm successfully into the 90’s by selling seasonal shares in his farm’s production in what is known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  His farm now supports many families, prospers as a business, and provides a place where locals can join in the farm work, reconnecting with the earth and the cycle of life.  It nurtures all who are a part of it, providing organic, local food, building community and educating the CSA members about farming through hands-on experience.

As part of the effort to create the new General Management Plan for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, we invite you to join members of the National Park Service planning team on a couple of short walks to help develop ideas for the future of key sites in San Mateo County. Two walks are scheduled at Rancho Corral de Tierra — 4,200 acres of open space on the slopes of Montara Mountain managed by Peninsula Open Space Trust which will soon become part of the park. The group will observe the conditions and resources in these areas and share ideas about what they might become in the future. These are excellent opportunities to have your ideas shape the emerging plan. Call (415) 561-4930 to RSVP and get meeting locations.

Rancho Corral de Tierra: North – Saturday March 29 , 10:00am to Noon
Meet representatives from the GGNRA and Peninsula Open Space Trust and explore the area along Martini Creek, between McNee Ranch State Park and the town of Montara. Talk about the area’s future as the southern gateway to the park.

Rancho Corral de Tierra: South – Saturday April 5 , 10:00am to Noon
Similar to the walk scheduled for March 29, but this walk will focus on lower San Vicente and Denniston Creeks between the towns of Moss Beach and El Granada.

Opportunities to discuss the park’s future will also be part of two other popular spring hikes: the “Redwood Ramble” at the Phleger Estate (March 8, led by NPS Ranger George Durgerian), and “Sweeney Ridge Saunter” (March 16, led by Nike veteran David Bridgman). Call (415) 561-4323 for information about these longer hikes.

The park’s website is GGNRA website.

The Coastside Mothers’ Club will host “Chinese Medicine and Women’s Health”, a presentation by Lisa Mandelbaum, licensed acupuncturist and Diplomate of Oriental Medicine who will discuss fundamentals of Chinese pattern diagnosis.

Thursday, April 3, 2008, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
The Bell Building, 565 Kelly Street, Half Moon Bay

It’s a movie and it’s a movement and it’s an evening not to miss. Please join us at the I.D.E.S. Hall (735 Main Street, Half Moon Bay) on March 31st for a special screening of the film, “Two Angry Moms,” an inspiring movie that’s as much about life as it is about lunch. Two extraordinary moms skillfully channel their frustration into a positive, motivating message that’s downright infectious. Ultimately, the film is about how schools and communities together can combat the health challenges facing children today. It’s hard to imagine better timing or an area with more potential than our own backyard given its rich agricultural heritage and committed citizenry.

Early birds get first dibs on farm fresh produce which will be available at 5pm under the telltale white tents of the Coastside Farmers Market. At 6:30pm, sit back and enjoy the show which will be introduced by former Coastside resident, Chef Ann Cooper, (the Renegade Lunch Lady and current Director of the Berkeley Unified School District Food Service Program.) After the film, stay tuned for a panel discussion and Chef Ann’s signing of her latest book, Lunch Lessons. (Admission is free and childcare is available during the film.)

This event is brought to you by the generous support of the Half Moon Bay branch of the American Association of University Women and the Health and Wellness Convening which includes the following partners: CUSD Food and Nutrition Department, the Coastside Health Committee, Coastside Farmers Markets, the HEAL Project, Cunha Community Schools, Seton Coastside, Movin’ on the Coast, and the Coastside Family Medical Center.

For more information, please visit http://twoangrymoms.bravenewtheaters.com/

Questions: contact Sonja Myhre at

Who says there’s no nightlife in Montara? The will be an open mike at Caffe Lucca, in the heart of Montara’s entertainment district, this Friday night from 7 to 9:30pm.  In April, open mikes will take place on the second and fourth Fridays, April 11 and 25.

Caffe Lucca
Hwy 1 @ 8th St.
Montara
728-5229

Supervisor Rich Gordon will be holding his regular monthly office hours Thursday at the Sheriff’s substation in Moss Beach from 10am to Noon.  Supervisor Gordon holds office hours there on the fourth Thursday of the month.

When: Fri. March 28 2008, 7:30 pm

Where: Methodist Sanctuary, 777 Miramontes, Half Moon Bay (Corner of Johnston & Miramontes)

Donation: $6.00 for adults; $3 for kids

Two shorts by a beloved Half Moon Bay Film Team

Short: Symphonic Meditations (18 mins)
The latest collaborative effort by composer George Roumanis and poet/photographer Lou Solitske, both of Half Moon Bay.  As Lou’s shots of coastside beauty transition one into another, George’s hauntingly beautiful music weaves a magical spell. World famous alto saxophonist, Dale Underwood is the featured artist of this innovative opus.

Short: Ragtime Dogs (4 mins)
Lou’s pictures of a wide variety of local dogs, some funny, some cute, some beautiful, but all our best friends; keep perfect time to George Roumanis’s bouncy ragtime rhythms. If you love dogs, you’ll love this fun filled video.

Feature : A Seal’s Life (46 mins)
For hundreds of thousands of years an extraordinary journey has taken place in the sea.  Twice a year along the west coast of North America, elephant seals set out alone on a nearly impossible round trip migration across vast expanses of the North Pacific.  For months they remain at sea, swimming thousands of miles while diving relentlessly to unimaginable depths in search of food.  By journey’s end they’ll have traveled farther in a year than any other mammal on Earth.

From the rugged, wave-swept shorelines of Northern California to the cold dark depths of the North Pacific, this is the incredible story of one of the greatest migratory marine mammals ever to inhabit the sea, a remarkable creature living a life of extremes and their species never-ending struggle for survival.

Come enjoy this great film with Drew Wharton, the Santa Cruz-based filmmaker behind this project and ask him questions about the two years he spent filming, writing, directing and producing this wonderful documentary.  Chances are you will recognize many of the places he shot at including our own Año Nuevo State Reserve, Farallon Islands, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

(Warning - If you have been to Año Nuevo during breeding season you know that the short battles between bulls over females can be quite intense, and that a pup’s first day in the water can be risky. Young kids may find these scenes too intense - otherwise these are all films kids will love as much as adults.)

Please note—The Film Society is raising money to bring filmmaker Drew Wharton to Half Moon Bay though sales of A Seal’s Life DVDs. They need to sell 25 DVDs at the discount price of $15.00 to break even.  If you can’t make it to the screening, but want a DVD, send the Film Society email at “filmclub@armadillosoft.com” and they will arrange to get you a DVD.

Video preview of A Seal’s Life available at: http://www.whartonmedia.com

More info at: http://www.hmbfilm.org

Join us at Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana - where all the ladies who are “anybody” get their hair done - for a play that has become an American classic.  Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser ("I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years."), an eccentric millionaire with a raging sweet tooth, Miss Clairee, and the local social leader M’Lynn, whose daughter Shelby is about to get married to a “good ole boy”.  Billed as the “funniest show to ever make you cry”, this lovely exploration of friendship is rated G. Box office: (650) 569-3266

Curtain times: Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m.  Sun. 2 p.m.
Ticket prices: $15 - $30

Coastal Repertory Theatre
1167 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Join Coastside Land Trust for native habitat restoration, Saturday, March 29 at Francis Beach, Half Moon Bay 12:30 to 3 pm. After an introduction to native plant habitat by a biologist, you will spend a couple of hours removing non-native plants and restoring native habitat at the Trust’s open space adjacent to Francis Beach.

Check in at the Francis Beach parking lot kiosk (at the end of Kelly Ave.) for directions to the work site. Parking is free for volunteers. Refreshments provided. All ages welcome.

In honor of International Women’s Day, The Visionary Edge will host Paolo Gianturco as a quest speaker and presenter of her recently released fourth book entitled Women Who Light the Dark. The event will be held on Saturday, March 29th at the Johnson House Depot.  Doors will open at 7:00pm, event begins at 7:30.  Moon News will provide books for a book-signing after Ms.Gianturco’s presentation.

Since her retirement from the marketing and advertising business over 10 years ago, Paolo has dedicated her life to documenting the work of women in third world countries around the world.  She has published 4 exquisite full color photography books to date, donating all royalties to carefully chosen organizations that empower women in the countries in which she works. 

All proceeds go to The Global Fund for Women, a San Francisco based non-profit which provides grants to women in third world countries so they can take charge of their destiny by starting their own businesses.  Over the past twenty years The Global Fund for Women has provided over 5,000 grants in 164 countries.  Suggested donation at the door is $15, more if you are able.  No one turned away for lack of funds. Call 650-560-0200 for information and reservations.