15 semi-finalists performing six-minute sets in Preliminary Round One of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition will be at the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society Sunday.

307 Mirada Road, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
$30.  Tickets at the door. Reservations for members
Doors Open at 3 PM, Music from 4:30 to 7:30 PM, with intermission

The county is conducting a study on Coastside parents’ needs for infant/toddler care, preschool programs, and after-school elementary programs.  Your respsonse can help inform child care programs and related services on the Coastside. Please respond to the parent survey at http://tinyurl.com/childcaresurvey.

This survey is being conducted by The Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME) on behalf of the San Mateo County Office of Education, the San Mateo County Human Services Agency and in cooperation with Coastside Children’s Programs.  For more information about the survey, or if you would prefer to answer the survey on paper, please contact Cynthia Jimes, ISKME senior research associate, at (650) 728-3322 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Celebrate the Golden Anniversary of Golden Gate Hostels with a free, summers-end BBQ at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel, on Sunday, September 14, from 1-4 p.m. Presented in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International USA, this community party is the perfect excuse to get away to the coast for an afternoon of free food, live music, and spectacular sights.

No need to pack a lunch for this trip to the shore — the hostel’s grilling up hot dogs and tofu dogs, with snacks and sodas on the side. As you munch, groove to the sounds of Santa Cruz surf-rockers The Mermen, then take a tour through the historic lighthouse grounds, led by California State Parks docents. End your afternoon by indulging in some locally-grown, organic strawberry desserts sold by Swanton Berry Farm, while taking in the stunning ocean views from the boardwalk behind the lighthouse.

After the BBQ, experience more of the beauty of Pigeon Point State Historic Park, with a short walk to Whaler’s Cove, on the south side of the hostel. Climb down the stairway to the beach to feel the sand between your toes, or stroll along the walking trail on the bluffs above the cove to take in the panorama. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, head north from the hostel to explore the tidepools only 100 yards away, and see the starfish, sea anemones, crabs, and other aquatic life that call this coastside home.

LOCATION
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, 210 Pigeon Point Road (off Highway 1), Pescadero, CA 94060

MORE INFORMATION
www.pigeonpointhostel.org, [email protected], 650-879-0633

Holy Family Children’s Center (HFCC) is hosting a vehicle exploration exposition to benefit its Healthy Lifestyle Nutrition Program. This event is recommended for children of all ages and open to the public:

Sunday, September 14, 2008
Shoreline Station
Highway 1 & Kelly Avenue
Half Moon Bay
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Admission is $10 per person or $25 per family

The exposition will include an afternoon of exploring vehicles of various types including:  farming, construction, emergency, recreation, and watercraft.  Just a few of the vehicles present will include: police car, ambulance, dump truck, Harley motorcycle, tractor, sailboat, and more.  A representative will be on hand to discuss what the vehicle is, what it does and why it is needed in our community.  The children will be allowed to climb in, on and around each vehicle. 

This event is being presented by HFCC as an extension of its recent study of transportation.  The preschool children at HFCC are taught in a play-based environment based on the teachings of Emilio Reggio.  In this approach, the children learn through all their senses.  Through the exploration of the vehicles, the children will enhance their knowledge of each vehicle and bring their lessons to life. 

All proceeds from this event will fund HFCC’s Nutrition Program which promotes eating mostly organic foods and living a physical and healthy lifestyle.  The school is in the process of creating an organic garden where the children will help plant, tend, harvest, and eat the fruits—and vegetables—of their labor and learn how their bodies and the environment are linked. 

Featured Sponsors of the Vehicle Expo includeAlifano Technologies, American Medical Response (AMR) via Wendy Ryder , Catie Chase and the Getaways, Coastside Printers, Half Moon Bay Police Department, Half Moon Bay Yacht Club, Law Offices of Charles W. Ott, Pastorino Hay and Farm Supply, Riace Wine Tasting and Deli , Shoreline Station/Franco Carruba, Silva Bodas Construction , Soil Farm/Rice Trucking

For more information regarding the expo, please contact: Corrine Bucher: [email protected]

About Holy Family Children’s Center

Holy Family Childern’s Center is a non-profit pre-school licensed by the state of California and accredited with the National Academy of Early Childhood Education.  Established in August, 1989, we are located at Holy Family Episcopal Church, in a 1907 renovated farmhouse against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.  Our flexible pre-school program accommodates both full-time and part-time schedules for children ages 2 1/2 to 5 years.  For additional information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.holyfamilyhmb.org

At 7:30 pm on Saturday September 13th, in honor of International Peace Day which is September 21st, The Visionary Edge will host a screening of The Singing Revolution, an award-winning documentary by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty at the Ted Adcock Community Center in Half Moon Bay.

Suffering repeatedly from the events of the last century from multiple invasions to unconditional occupations, Estonia is a country quite literally, saved by a song.

The Singing Revolution chronicles the Singing Revolution movement as both history lesson and cautionary tale.  At first glance the story of an extraordinary set of circumstances, The Singing Revolution also stands as an intimate portrayal of people, ordinary, everyday people who refuses to believe that freedom was out of their reach.

When James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty first heard the stories which would ultimately make up their film The Singing Revolution, they were caught up not in a history lesson, but in the retelling of current events.  For the Estonian people, the Singing Revolution was born of their suffering and shaped by their commitment to be masters of their own lives.  To be an Estonian today is to have been a member of the Singing Revolution yesterday.

Two conductors bring the Coastside Community Orchestra (CCO) back to its roots for the 2008-2009 season.  Robert Smith and Sara Lomax will share conducting duties.  Robert Smith was one of the original conductors and Sara Lomax founded the orchestra with two other musicians in 1983. 

The CCO board coaxed these retired music teachers into taking on the job together.  The job-share allows flexibility in rehearsing (each will fill in for the other during vacations) and each will conduct a concert. Robert Smith will lead the CCO for the February 7th concert and Sara Lomax will conduct in May.

The orchestra is currently recruiting string players, especially violinists.  Coastside Orchestra members come from Pacifica to Pescadero and some from over the hill in San Mateo, Redwood City and Palo Alto.  With no auditions and open to members of the broader community (it’s an on-going class set up through Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation) the CCO has a wide range of players.  Some people pick up instruments again after a long hiatus, others switch to a new instrument and others play at a professional level.  Students are welcome. 

The program for Feburary 7 will include Slavonic Dances; 1,2,3, Dvorak; Piano Concerto in C Major #21, Mozart, with Michaele Benedict at the piano and Symphony #8, by Dvorak.

Rehearsals start Wednesday September 17th from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Ted Adcock Community Center in Half Moon Bay, 535 Kelly Avenue.  For additional information see www.coastsideorchestra.com or contact CCO president Anne Pearlman, (650) 245-9845, [email protected].

Surfrider San Mateo County Public Meeting
this Thursday, September 11, 2008
7:00 PM
Pacifica - Pedro Point Firehouse

Learn the latest on the Marine Life Protection Act from former Fitzgerald Marine Reserve ranger Bob Breen. Bob will advise us how we can influence the outcome of one of the most significant acts of environmental protection legislation in years. Planned legislation is a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for the North Central Coast stretching from Pigeon Point north past Point Arena. Help gain protection for our wonderful coast! Bob has long experience with implementing and enforcing protected areas.

Bob will inform us on upcoming initiative aimed at realizing goals of the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) directing the state to design and manage a network of marine protected areas that protects marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage. It also improves the recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems.

Join us and learn about the next steps for putting these MPAs ‘‘in the water’’ and learn how you can make your voice heard at the upcoming Fish and Game hearings in Santa Rosa on October 2 & 3.

Also at the September 11th meeting:
$1 Raffle
Membership Renewal   Drive

The County Times has a good story on the upcoming test of the water in Princeton Harbor, as the county continues its search for the source of fecal bacteria in the water.

The harbor circulation study is one of several state-of-the art techniques Wuertz’s team is using to test out its hypotheses as to where the bacteria is coming from. Two creeks flow into the harbor via culverts near Capistrano Beach, and with them the possibility of fecal contamination from broken sewer lines and horse waste. Alternately, birds and dogs could be causing the bulk of the problem right at the beach itself. Then again, the live-aboards — boats with full-time occupants anchored in the inner harbor — might not be disposing of their waste in violation of the law, in which case it could be washing up on shore.
...
Recent studies have shown that certain kinds of fecal bacteria can survive out in the atmosphere on their own by latching onto seaweed at the water’s edge, where it multiplies. That raises the possibility that it can turn up on beaches anywhere without first entering the water column, and suggests it will be harder to defeat, said Wuertz.

In the meantime, pay attention to the signs in Princeton Harbor. To volunteer for the Sept. 27 study, contact the Resource Conservation District at (650) 712-7765.

Join us for a Taste of the Coast—a chance to sample the fare of more than 17 local restaurants and the music of the Rip Tides. This event benefits Senior Coastsiders’ programs for seniors and adults with disabilities here on the coast. Last year, the event drew some 200 people and rave reviews for a evening of fun great food, great wine, great people and lively music.

Second Annual Taste of the Coast
Sunday, September 21, 2008
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sea Crest School Auditorium
901 Arnold Way, Half Moon Bay

$50/person before September 20th
$60/person at the door
$30 for Seniors 60 years and over
Includes two raffle tickets; extra tickets available for $5 each

A raffle will be held every half hour at the event with exciting prizes. A No Host Bar will be available.

Tickets are available at:

* Senior Coastsiders, Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay
* Senior Coastsiders Thrift Store, 515 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay
* Online: www.seniorcoastsiders.org (PayPal, credit cards accepted)

All proceeds benefit Senior Coastsiders.

Participating Restaurants (so far):
• Barbara’s Fish Trap • Cafe Gibraltar • Cameron’s • Casey’s Cafe & Catering • Cetrella • Chez Shea • El Gran Amigo • Happy Taco •  HMB Coffee Co. • It’s Italia •  Ketch Joanne •  MCoffee • Mezza Luna • Mullin’s Bar & Grill • Navios • Peet’s Coffee • Sam’s Chowder House • Starbucks Coffee • Tres Amigos

This year on September 28 at 11 am to 3 pm the 21st Teddy Bear Clinic will happen at Seton Coastside, 600 Marine Blvd., Moss Beach. The event focuses on helping children not be afraid of the hospital. Ages 2-12 are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal to the Clinic for "treatment".

This year, memories throughout the years are being sought for a pamphlet from those who have attended, either as a child, a volunteer or a parent. Please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) at 650-563-7121 or to contribute memories. All attendees at the event will receive a pamphlet on September 28th. Don’t let these memories fade away!