San Mateo Wins Award for Sustainability Efforts 

We’re thrilled to announce the City of San Mateo has received the Trailblazer Award from the nonprofit Sustainable San Mateo County! We were awarded for adopting strong, local building codes that aim to reduce carbon emissions while making new construction safer and more sustainable. The City of San Mateo is a leader in sustainability and we were one of the first in California and the first in San Mateo County to adopt local Reach Codes that go beyond the state’s minimum requirements during the recent building code cycle update. Our codes encourage building electrification, require solar installation and enhance electric vehicle readiness.

We look forward to celebrating these accomplishments alongside other sustainability champions at the 21^st annual Sustainability Awards Dinner on April 2, 2020. The public is invited to join and tickets for the celebration are available at sustainablesanmateo.org.
A huge congratulations to the other communities and recipients of this year’s awards!

Air Quality Alerts, Burn Ban

We all know wildfires have plagued California, especially in recent years where they’ve increased in frequency and become more catastrophic. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is committed to helping the Bay Area prevent, prepare for and respond to future wildfires by implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce the impacts of wildfire smoke.

As a key part of this strategy, the Air District has extended its wood burning rule year-round by banning wood burning during Spare the Air Alerts when fine particle pollution reaches unhealthy levels. Previously, wood burning was banned during Spare the Air Alerts from November through February. Not allowing wood burning when we already have unhealthy air quality, especially when our air is impacted by wildfire smoke, is necessary to protect public health. You can sign up for Spare the Air alerts by texting text the word “START” to 817-57 or visit www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov

Parking Track Enhancement Feedback Wanted

Do you live or work in Hayward Park? We want to hear from you. A new survey on our Speak Up San Mateo platform welcomes feedback from residents near Caltrain’s replacement parking track location in Hayward Park. The City is proposing enhancements on the east side of Railroad Avenue between 10th and 14th Avenues to replace the existing chain-link fence.
 
Take the online survey: www.cityofsanmateo.org/SpeakUpSanMateo
Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2020
 
Once you take the survey, mark your calendar for April 7 from 6–7 p.m. for an open house on the survey results. We’ll meet at our City Hall Atrium, 330 W. 20th Ave., where survey results will be shared, along with renderings of the neighborhood’s preferences. Neighborhood feedback at this open house will help determine which enhancement is selected. A second open house on April 28, 2020 will allow neighbors the opportunity to view and comment on the draft design and rendering.
 
Have questions? Contact Caltrain at 1-800-660-4287 or construction@caltrain.com, or Public Works at 650-522-7300 or publicworks@cityofsanmateo.org. 

Welcoming Soldiers to
San Mateo - Anniversary Event

We’re hosting a special anniversary event as we welcome troops from our adopted Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne division to San Mateo on Saturday, March 21. San Mateo is celebrating the 52nd anniversary of becoming the first city in America to adopt a unit of the armed forces, which led to the creation of America Supporting Americans’ adopt-a-unit program. The festivities include a live concert by a quintet from the famed 101st Airborne Division Band, speeches, and public reception with hors d’oeuvres.

• When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020
• Where: Main Library Oak Room, 55 W. Third Ave., San Mateo.

Author Linda Patterson, founder of America Supporting Americans, will join to talk about the evolution of the adopt-a-unit program and share her new book “A Dove Among Eagles.” Her story begins in 1967 when her brother Sgt. Joe Artavia was serving in Vietnam. Concerned about the morale of his troops and the lack of mail they were getting, he asked his sister to work toward getting a city to adopt his unit. On March 4, 1968, the City of San Mateo unanimously adopted Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327 Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division; also known as a unit of the Screaming Eagles. Joe Artavia was killed in action on March 24, 1968, but prior to his death he learned of the adoption and wrote to his sister saying that the morale of his fellow soldiers was raised as high as the clouds. The City continues to maintain a close relationship with its adopted unit.

Please RSVP for this free event. at: Visit the City’s 101^st Airborne web page for more information and history.

Don't Miss the Main Event!

The nonprofit Samaritan House invites you to an evening of fun and philanthropy! Fight poverty and help lift lives of those in our community by joining their annual fundraiser The Main Event: A Roaring 20s Gala. This year’s festive fundraiser begins 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the San Francisco Airport Marriot Waterfront. Festivities include a live auction led by the Golden State Warriors hype man, Franco Finn, and an inspirational program emceed by former KTVU and NBC Bay Area news anchor Diane Dwyer. Themed attire is encouraged, so fish out your best Roaring 20s outfit and matching dance shoes. Don’t go home early that night, as there will be a Speakeasy After Party with live Jazz music that’s sure to be the bees knees.

The nonprofit is based in the City of San Mateo and is the leading anti-poverty organization on the Peninsula, we are committed to improving lives, promoting self-reliance, and preserving dignity. For tickets, visit The Main Event web page or call 650-523-0809 for questions. Get your tickets before they sell out! 

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