John Jeavons, the world’s preeminent expert on biointensive gardening will be presenting an introductory workshop at Pacifica Gardens on Sunday, March 13, 2011 from 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

In this exciting afternoon workshop, John will present the essential principles of the Grow Biointensive method with focused discussion on backyard food growing, small-scale farming and long-term sustainable soil fertility.

John Jeavons has been the Executive Director of Ecology Action since 1972. He is known internationally as the leading researcher, developer, teacher, and consultant for the small-scale, sustainable agricultural method known as GROW BIOINTENSIVE mini-farming.  He is the author of the best-selling book How to Grow More Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops Than You Ever Thought Possible On Less Land Than You Can Imagine, now in its 7th Edition. He has authored, co-authored or edited over 30 publications on this high-yielding, resource-conserving Biointensive approach. Jeavons’ food-raising methods are being used in 141 countries and by such organizations as UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Peace Corps.  John holds a B.A. from Yale University and is the recipient of the Boise Peace Quilt, Santa Fe Living Treasure, Giraffe, and Steward of Sustainable Agriculture awards for public service.

Those who are interested in learning more about growing their own fresh, organic vegetables with less space, water, and fertilizer while increasing soil fertility are encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

To register, contact Loretta at [email protected] or 650-296-9502. The cost is $30 per person. Workshop will be held at Pacifica Gardens, 830 Rosita Road, Pacifica, behind the Linda Mar Education Center.

For more information visit www.johnjeavons.info and www.pacifica-gardens.org.

The Review is reporting that the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee is unable to account for $130,000 in checks signed by “beloved civic leader” and board member Jack Olsen. Olsen, the executive director of the San Mateo County Farm Bureau died in May, 2010.  The Beautification Committee operates the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival.

Palmer said the organization’s policy requires two signatures on any checks drawn from the nine-member committee’s bank accounts. But, he said Olsen wrote a number of checks from the committee’s First National Bank account, totaling about $130,000. Those checks were written out to other Peninsula banks. Palmer said he didn’t know whether the banks cashed the checks directly to Olsen or transferred the money to other accounts or what Olsen might have used the money for. [...]

Sources familiar with the private Farm Bureau say the organization has investigated the loss of thousands of dollars that Olsen controlled. Farm Bureau officials have repeatedly declined to discuss the matter. Palmer said the Beautification Committee began its investigation in the spring of 2010, shortly before Olsen died, after hearing rumblings of financial mismanagement within the Farm Bureau.

The Beautification Committee says it still has about $150,000 in the bank and has asked its bank to require two signatures on all checks in the future. It hopes to get as much as $100,000 from its directors and officers insurance.

The San Mateo County Association of REaltors is now accepting applications from seniors who would like a team of Realtors and affiliates to come to their home and perform services such as washing windows, changing furnace filters, turning over mattresses, vacuuming, changing light bulbs, replacing smoke detector batteries and other similar household tasks.

Applications can be downloaded from the SAMCAR website or picked up at the SAMCAR offices at 850 Woodside Way in San Mateo. The deadline is March 24.

Seniors will be placed with teams on a first come, first served basis. For questions, please contact Nasreen Wills, Special Events Manager at SAMCAR at 650-696-8221 or email [email protected].

RSVP is an annual week-long community outreach program that takes place each May during ?Adopt-A-Senior? Week. The program provides free assistance to qualified seniors who cannot otherwise perform certain household tasks due to physical or financial constraints.

Meth, vandalism at Pescadero HS, a stolen horse trailer in Moss Beach, and another unleashed dog in Princeton:

Deputies were dispatched to a report of a pit bull biting another dog. A female was walking her dog on a leash in the area of Yale Avenue in Princeton when a pit bull ran up and grabbed her dog and started shaking it. The owner of the pit bull came to secure his dog that was not on a leash. The injured dog received minor injuries. PHS was informed of the bite.

Half Moon Bay Library will be hosting another one of their Lawyers in the Library sessions this Sunday, March 6th, from 11AM to 1PM.  This is an opportunity for a one-on-one 20 minute meeting with a lawyer.  This month’s topics are Family Law and Real Estate.  There are still three slot opens.  To make an appointment call the Half Moon Bay Library, 726-2316.

In addition to a cold front and locally heavy rain, the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory beginning at 9pm tonight and ending 6am on Wednesday.  Winds are expected out of the south at 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50.