Jul 6, 2008

BRIEFS: Allstate donates van to Serra in contest win

Daily News Staff Reports

Junipero Serra High School will be able to safely transport their student athletes to events and games this fall after receiving a 12-passenger van as part of a teen safe-driving contest sponsored by Allstate Insurance Co. and Cal-Hi Sports. Serra High won the contest after turning in the highest percentage of Allstate Parent-Teen Driving Contracts to Bay Area Allstate agent locations.

"Auto crashes are the No. 1 killer of American teens," said Michael Glazer, Allstate exclusive agent in San Mateo. "Serra High School students are leaders among their peers in promoting safe driving behaviors, and Allstate is proud to reward their efforts with the donation of this van to transport stuents to and from school activities."

The van will be officially awarded to Serra High at the Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area Banquet in Redwood City. The winning school was determined based on the number of contracts turned in as a percentage of the school's overall student body. The contract allows parents and teens to agree on a variety of important safe-driving issues, such as number of passengers in the car, speeding, seat belts and cell phones. An interactive contract can be downloaded at www.allstateteendriver.com.



City board seeks Wall of Fame nominations

The Foster City Community Wall of Fame ad hoc committee is seeking nominations of individuals to be recognized for their significant, long-term service contributions to the city. The names of individuals chosen will be placed on the Community Wall of Fame to publicly acknowledge their contributions. The deadline for nominations is 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1.

Nomination criteria include:

- Minimum 10 years of community service in Foster City;

- Candidate must have been a resident of Foster City during the time he/she provided community service;

- Candidates may be living or deceased;

- Application must include 25 signatures from residents of Foster City supporting the candidate's nomination;

- A representative must present nominee's qualifications (three- to five-minute presentation) to a public meeting of the ad hoc committee and, if the candidate is selected, to the City Council;

- Applicants must submit a 5-inch by 7-inch photograph of the candidate for a Wall of Fame photo archive.

The Application for Nomination forms and required signature sheets are available at the Foster City Library and Community Center, 1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd.; at City Hall, 610 Foster City Blvd.; at the Recreation Center at 650 Shell Blvd.; or online at www.fostercity.org.



Sequoia Healthcare approves grant funding

Sequoia Healthcare District approved funding for 15 programs through its Community Grants Program. The District's Board of Directors approved $1 million in 15 new grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to be funded in the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending on June 30, 2009.

"These grants are a clear demonstration of the district's priorities for funding for the year and addresses the clearly identified needs in the community," said Dev Mahadevan, interim executive director. "We have been able to get local agencies working together to improve their programs for serving the community, especially in times of disaster."

Sequoia Healthcare District pledged $100,000 for
Advocates for Children to provide more culturally sensitive services to foster children in the district. A grant for $100,000 was approved for The Shelter Network to provide nutritionally well-balanced meals for children in after school programs while also teaching them healthy living habits including diet and exercise.

The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County will received $98,000 in funding to continue and expand to help nonprofit organizations prepare for disaster response.

One of the larger grants, for $93,000 is for a credentialed school nurse for the Sequoia Union High School District, which will continue to provide for health services to children in school. Another grant for $95,000 will help the Riekes Center for Human Enhancement provide an After-School Student Fitness Program which provides nutritional counseling, athletic fitness and peer mentoring for students.

Those interested in further information on Sequoia Healthcare District's Community Grants Program can contact the program manager, Diana Haigwood at 650-599-9850.



Main Gallery presents collaborative nature art event

Nancy and Robert Terrebonne of Foster City will present their latest works in a collaborative show at The Main Gallery running from July 2 to Aug. 3. Photographer Robert Terrebonne has a passion for nature and his show, "A Garden of Wonder," promises a rainbow of colors. Mixed media artist Nancy Terrebonne has subtle touch and her favorite subjects are plants and fanciful animals as evidenced in her show, titled "A Sea of Dreams."

Also on exhibit during the show will be metal sculptures by Redwood City artist Tom de Hoog.

There will be a reception for the artists today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Main Gallery is located at 1018 Main St. in an historic Victorian home in Redwood City. For more information, please call the gallery at 650-701-1018 or visit the Web site at www.themaingallery.org.