The connections between food quality & health, local food production and the ”Edible Schoolyard Project” are the subject of the fourth event in the Coastside Livability Series from NeighborShare and The Livability Project. The speaker is Jeffrey Bruno Ph.D.

The event is Thursday April 21st at 7:30 PM at the historic Johnston House Depot Building, 1/4 mile east of Highway 1 on Higgins Purisima Road. Admission is $10 with a 20% discount for Livability Project members.

Click “read more” to see the press release.

The Green Party of San Mateo County will celebrate Earth Day Saturday, April 23 at Francis Beach at the end of Kelly Avenue in Half Moon Bay. The celebration will begin with Native plant restoration from 10am to 1pm, a Picnic Potluck at 1pm, and speakers at 1:30 pm. Speakers will be Keith Mangold of Save our Shores on Pilarcitos Creek Restoration, and Gary Deghi at the Audubon Society on Shore Birds.

You’re admonished to look for the Green Party signs to meet at picnic area; bring beverages and a dish to share, beach chairs, blankets; and to dress in layers, gardening gloves, closed-toed shoes, prepared for rain & fun. Francis Beach parking is $6. For more information Contact Jo Chamberlain, 726.1949,

Seussical the Musical is a brand-new broadway musical based on at least fifteen of Dr. Seuss’s books and performed by Coastside kids. According to Michelle McDonald of Gotta Dance Studio, the show features Coastside children from ages 2 (elephant bird) to teens. The show is a theatrical dance recital with ballet, jazz, and tap dancing:  “Traveling to the jungle of Nool, McElligot’s Pool, Palm Beach, and the circus, the characters have colorful adventures together. Even a small speck of dust floats through the air to show us the tiny world of Whoville.”

There will be two performances at the HMB High School auditorium, Saturday, April 16th at 5pm and Sunday, April 17th at 3pm. Tickets are Adults $15, Seniors $10, Kids $5. Info: Michelle McDonald, 726-1489.

This Friday, the HMB FIlm Society is showing Paloma de Papel (Paper Dove). Set in the Peruvian Andes during the chaotic 1980s, this tense drama follows a group of paramilitary guerillas trying to survive in the midst of a bloody civil war. It’s an incredible coming-of-age story of a young boy who is forcibly recruited into the Shining Path movement.

Film begins at 7:30pm at the Community United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 777 Miramontes (corner of Johnston), in Half Moon Bay. Admission $6.  From Main Street in Half Moon Bay turn east on Miramontes to Johnston (just one block).
   

Here’s a great chance to lear more about our local natural, historical, cultural resources.  Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association are presenting
Sanctuary Exploration:  Lectures and Excursions Along the San Mateo Coast, a series of evening lectures and daytime field trips.

April 21, 7pm to 9pm

Maritime History—Shipwrecks, Whaling, lighthouses and more: Local maritime historian David Hirzel will discuss the coast’s age of discovery and exploration. Pt. Montara Lighthouse Fog Signal Building.

April 22

Sunset Cruise aboard the Ka’iulani (86’ schooner) Sailing on the Sanctuary-- $35 per person Call for details.

May 19, 7pm to 9pm

Native American Life ways of San Mateo Coast and SF Peninsula: Mark Hylkenma, CA State Parks Archeologist will highlight Native American coastal culture south of the Golden Gate. Pt. Montara Lighthouse Fog Signal Building.

May 21, 10 am to 1pm

Discover Archeological sites of the Sanctuary: Visit Ano Nuevo State Reserve to explore ancient native archeological sites.  Join Mark Hylkenma, CA State Parks Archeologist for a natural history tour of the ancient Native American middens and archaeological sites. (Walk is free; parking fee at the reserve, space is limited) All lectures are free.  Some excursions have fees.

For reservations and registration for all events please contact or 561-6625, ext 511.

Coastside children will be presenting a talent show to benefit the Naisula Education Project ”Keeping Hope Alive”. The program supports education for Kenyan orphans of AIDS victims.

Date:  Friday, April 1st, 2005 Time:  7:00 - 9:30 pm

Place:  Mariner’s Church, 255 S. Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay

Click “read more” to see the rest of the press release.

Once again the La Honda Educational Foundation & Pescadero Education Foundation are joining together to present the 3rd annual Gardens of the South Coast Garden Tour, Plant Sale, and Wine & Cheese Tasting on Saturday & Sunday, May 14 & 15.  The Garden Tour will begin at 10 am and continue to 4 pm both days, with the Wine & Cheese Tasting on Saturday, from 4 - 6 pm at Harley Farms on North Street in Pescadero.

Imagine, what a wonderful Mother’s day gift it would be...tickets to the Garden Tour (a week after Mother’s Day!) Perhaps bring along a gourmet picnic lunch, a nice bottle of her favorite wine, and treat Mom to some of the best kept secret gardens she has ever experienced!  Finish up Saturday’s tour in Pescadero and enjoy the Wine and Cheese Tasting in the rustic old barn at Harley Goat Farm, included in the premium ticket price of only $35.  Maybe even attend an entertaining and informative lecture by Sunset Magazine’s expert gardener Jack McKinnon.  Just think, a day (or two) of quality time to enjoy and remember for a long time!

La Honda Elementary School’s after school drama club performs “El Nino” this Friday and Saturday night.  The play is handwritten and “sculpted” by Jessica Abbe, (a school board member and parent of 2 La Honda students), with the rich history and colorful nature of La Honda and it’s surrounding communities combined in a medley of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” intermingled with music, events and characters of La Honda in the 1960’s. Current-day issues and technologies are blended in for some good laughs.  The cast consists of 32 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders with parent volunteers Bruce Krempetz directing, his wife Heather McAvoy doing stage-lighting, and Michael Shaff as sound engineer.

The curtain opens at 7 pm sharp on Friday Mar. 18 and Sat. Mar. 19 in La Honda Elementary School’s Multi-Purpose Room, at 61 Sears Ranch Road in La Honda.  Adult tickets are $7 and children are $5.  All proceeds go to La Honda PTA and to fund more drama at La Honda Elementary.  More info: 650.747.0051

Cunha and HMB High’s environmental clubs screen four documentary films about the oceans Friday night at 7pm.  As one of the five spheres of the global environment the oceans play a dominant role in stabilizing life on Earth. Attendees will learn about the ocean’s role as a major and distinct source for biodiversity, natural resources, food and recreation, and how daily human activities are affecting this remarkable natural realm.

Click “read more” for information about these films

This may be the best year for wildflowers in nearly fifty years, because of our equally spectactular rains, according to the Merc.  Among the tours they recommend is on at Montara Mountain on Saturday

The annual Spring Wildflower Walk, sponsored by the Northern California Branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society, is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Montara Mountain, north of Half Moon Bay. The walk will be led by Bay Area botanist and author Glenn Keator. Cost is $10. Space is limited. Call Sue Ann at (925) 254-0226 for directions and to reserve a spot.