The Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee announced $100,000 in grants and donations to Coastside non-profit groups, educational organizations and city agencies. Funding comes from proceeds from the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, which has been operated and managed by the Beautification Committee since 1971.

In its 35-year history, the Beautification Committee has contributed more than 2.2 million dollars to coastside non-profit organizations and civic causes. "The Beautification Committee’s mission is rooted in our partnership with community-based organizations and initiatives," said Cameron Palmer, President of the Beautification Committee Board of Directors.  "Today’s grant awards support the efforts of organizations and agencies that help to build and strengthen our community."

The largest single contribution ($26,500) went to the on-going maintenance and beautification of the Main Street downtown core. Among the efforts are seasonal planting of flowers, installation and repair of old-fashioned wooden benches, litter removal, cleaning, and year-round maintenance of Main Street. "When we started the festival in 1971, the idea was to raise money to refurbish Main Street," said Bev Ashcraft, member of the committee. "Many people don’t know it, but for 35 years now, the Pumpkin Festival has been funding the little things that give Main Street its unique character and charm," she said.

Additionally, $5,000 in college scholarship money will be awarded to Half Moon Bay High School students. The scholarships are named in memory of founding festival members Dolores Mullin, Patsy Dutra and, for the first time this year, Melvin Mello.

Click below to see the full list of recipients.

Public intoxication in Moss Beach and El Granada, domestic violence in Moss Beach, possession of marijuana in Pillar Point Harbor, a warrant arrest in a traffic pullover in Pescadero, a woman in La Honda punches her sister in the face, and drunk driving and possession of a machete in La Honda.

Click to see the details.

Caltrans crews are preparing today for rock scaling and clearing debris from Devil’s Slide beginning Tuesday.  "Mechanical, and possibly explosive, clearing will begin tomorrow," said John Cunliffe, Caltrans spokesperson.  Today, the team is assembling, reviewing safety and the scope of work so they’re ready when they get to the Slide.  The process of clearing debris is expected to take three to four days. Currently, no rain is forecast until Saturday.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Caltrans will appear to update the community next at Tuesday’s Half Moon Bay City Council meeting. They are the first item on the agenda at 7pm. Topics to be taken up by the city council include traffic control plans, busing plans and opportunities, state/federal funding possibilities, economic impacts, public safety issues, and rideshare and carpool incentives. Local officials will be on hand to answer questions and take feedback.

We’re getting reports from commuters that the traffic into Half Moon Bay is flowing well today.

Remember:  Cunha starts 30 minutes late during the Slide’s closure, at 9am. Seacrest’s schedule is unchanged. Cunha is running a school bus that starts in Montara.

Adam Butcher plays fourteen-year-old Ralph Walker who is told that his comatose mother won’t recover without a miracle. So he decides to create one by winning the Boston Marathon!  The story develops via nine segments over the months between September 1953 and May 1954, and each part is designated to a particular saint. For instance, Michael the Archangel is the Saint of Temptation; and Jude Thaddeus is the Saint of Impossible Causes.  Literally and metaphorically, they correspond to the narrative content.

"Saint Ralph is the kind of well-acted, genuine heart-warmer that some people complain Hollywood doesn’t bother making anymore.  And in this case, Hollywood didn’t. This low-budget Canadian-made film doesn’t stoop to Hollywood clichés or formulaic plot devices."—Caludia Puig, USA TODAY

"This deliciously offbeat Canadian comedy gets its charm from marvelous acting and from a screenplay bursting with ideas."—David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and partial nudity

7:30pm   Short: Amore Family Style, a family tribute film honoring a local coastside Mom and Dad, Italo and Angie Lucchesi.(32 mins)

8:05pm  Feature: SAINT RALPH (1 hr, 38 mins)

Friday, April 21, 2006 7:30pm
Community Methodist Sanctuary
777 Miramontes, Half Moon Bay
Corner of Johnston & Miramontes
$6.00 donation per person For more information see: www.hmbfilm.org

Roller hockey signups [PDF of form] open at Cameron’s on April 22 from 11am to 2pm. There will be a second sign-up April 26 at Round Table Pizza from 6 to 8pm.  Evaluation Day is May 21 at 2pm at the HMB Airport and features an appearance by SJ Sharkie, the Sharks’ mascot. The season runs June 4-July 30, with games on Sundays.  See NCHL website for details.

The big news was an attempted murder by machete in La Honda. The rest was routine:  a tailgate stolen from a pickup at Gray Whale Cove (before the Slide was closed), a break-in the HMB Yacht Club, graffiti on highway railings in Pescadero, auto burglary in Montara, a mental health evaluation in Montara, a warrant arrest in Princeton, and a missing hiker on Montara Mountain.

Gary Bartz appears with bassist David Certain, drummer Greg Bandy and pianist Roger Friedman. With over 30 recordings as a leader and more than 100 recordings as a guest artist, Gary Bartz has taken his rightful place in the pantheon of jazz greats. This expressive altoman’s career from hard bop and electric funk through the acoustic avant-garde is a  testimonial to a steadfast belief in the power of music to soothe, challenge, spark a crowd to full freak, or move one person to think.

Parking is in the back of the building. Doors open at 3 pm for buying tickets and saving seats. Music starts at 4:30, goes to 7:30 with an intermission. Reserved priority seating for members. $30, with a $5 discount for those under 25.