The Bay Area LEGO Users Group and Train Club (BayLUG/BayLTC) and the Museum of American Heritage present the 8th Annual “Living LEGO-cy” Holiday LEGO Creation and Train Exhibit at the Museum in Palo Alto.

The Exhibit features a wide variety of amazing and innovative LEGO Creations and LEGO trains running through familiar city, farm, and suburban scenes.  All ages welcome!

This local event is on Friday, January 13th at 11am and is very affordable at  $2 Exhibit/Show Admission and Museum Admission is Free!

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There will be a book discussion of “When Things Fall Apart- Heart Advice for Difficult Times” by Pema Chodron on January 9th from 6-7:45pm in the Cedar Room at the Main Library.

Through reflections on the teachings of mindfulness, Pema Chodron orients readers and gives them language with which to shape their thinking about the ordinary and extraordinary traumas of modern life. Connect with others who are seeking to become more aware of themselves and the world around them. Read Chapters 7-8 in advance and come ready to discuss them. For more information call (650) 522-7847 or email dscheifler@cityofsanmateo.org.

Meet like minded people in San Mateo and enjoy checking a goal off of your 2012 New Years Resolution list!

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4 live bands, 3 rooms, 3 atmospheres, Brazilian carnival at midnight, 7 of the best Dj’s in the Bay Area, Free masks, Hats, Balloons, Pisco Bar and more! Live Samba dancers and Batucada drummers, masks, confetti, hats, streamers and more!

The party will be held at the San Mateo Marriott Hotel, 1770 S. Amphlett – San Mateo 94402 – Doors open 7pm
Pre-Sale tickets $35. 

Main room: Live Salsa with Pepe y su Orquesta
Dj Jazzy Jez & Dj Mambo playing the best salsa and Bachata

Second room: Live Cumbia, Merengue and Bachata with Orquesta Son & Sabor
Dj Carty and DjMGD with the Best latin mixes, Rock en español, 70′s & 80′s music and more

Third room: Live Timba and Cubaton with Dos/Four Band
Dj Dominican, DjDavid the King with the best of Reggaeton and Top 40.
Dj Antonio playing the best Cuban Salsa

Special Brazilian Carnival style performance at midnight with “Amor Do Samba”
Live Samba dancers and Batucada drummers, masks, confetti, hats, streamers and more

Marriott offers you doubles or singles rooms rate at $99 (Includes free breakfast for 2 plus free Parking) You can buy tickets here.

San Mateo locals know this is one of the best places to ring in the New Year!  Have a safe and Happy New Year!

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The artist Angela Michelle  is a bay area native and has this to say about the gallery:

“This art show will be very unique, unlike what most have seen! The photographs for this show, where taken from a rundown, warped shed, and the sides of vandalized trucks, in an industrial area in the East Bay. This abstract work creates art from what some would see as garbage or decay. In the prints, you will find layers of paint, graffiti, cracked, and warped wood. These qualities allowed me to capture interesting textures and shapes. Every person who looks at these pieces, discover their own hidden images, experience different emotions, and make unique connections. In addition to the fine art prints, there will be calendars available featuring all of the abstract pieces from the show.”

Closing Reception on Sunday, November 27^th, 12-4pm at 3 Bees Coffee House,  224 East 3rd Avenue, San Mateo, Ca 94401

You  can enjoy lots of snacks and café drinks while you browse the gallery and shop at this San Mateo local event!

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Living in San Mateo County

Thanksgiving: Tips for Hosts and Guests
Hosting the big Thanksgiving dinner is a huge responsibility. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with cooking, cleaning, decorating, and maintaining the guest list. (And let’s not even begin to think about the clean-up afterwards!) Here are some tips on how to make Thanksgiving in your San Mateo home a wonderful event for the whole family:

1.  Remember, people will take your food- So, plan for leftovers ahead of time. Have some extra Styrofoam containers, paper plates, aluminum foil, and plastic grocery bags available for guests so they can take a little morsel or two home at the end of the evening. This will prevent the loss of your favorite Tupperware, plates, or bowls from your own cabinets
2.  Prepare for clean-up- Be sure to keep some extra cleaning supplies nearby just in case an accident happens, and it is also a good idea to always keep some soapy dishwater in the sink for used cutlery and plates as guests finish eating.
3.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help-As the host or hostess, it’s easy to assume that it’ your responsibility to do everything. This isn’t true! Asking for help with cooking, decorating, or cleaning will be a fun, easy way to get things done efficiently.
4.  Don’t leave out the specialty foods-Make sure that there is a variety of things for all of your guests to eat. It’s usually good to have a few dishes that are vegetarian, vegan, low-fat, and/or low-carb.

As a guest, it is important to remember that you have many responsibilities as well when it comes to showing good manners.

1.  Be thankful for the invitation – after all, it is Thanksgiving! A thank-you note or small gift (such as candles or box of chocolates) is a great way to show appreciation to your host or hostess. Also, it is a good idea to offer to bring a dish, even if it is not a potluck dinner.
2.  Keep your host/hostess informed- If you have special food needs (such as vegetarian, low sodium, sugar free), you need to make sure your host or hostess is aware of the situation and can make necessary accommodations for you.
3.  Timing really is everything- Simple concept: if dinner starts at 7p.m., be there at 7p.m.! It is always a good idea to arrive on time or no later than half an hour after the scheduled time.
4.  Be available to help- Remember, your host/hostess has gone through a lot of work to accommodate you. It is of utmost importance that you do as much as you can to lend a helping hand when you have the opportunity.

The quickly approaching holiday is sure to bring your friends and family plenty of good times.  If you have any questions about living on the California Coastside area, or if you’d like to see some California homes in Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, and Montara, contact us today. We’d love to hear from you! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Santa also will make his first appearance at the mall for the kids!  

This free San Mateo event will take place at the Hillsdale Shopping Center located at 60 31st Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403 starting at 5:30. Come watch stories of three literary holiday classics unfold around Santa. With the press of a button, the legendary tales of, “The Night Before Christmas,” “A Christmas Carol” and “The Nutcracker” come to life, all season long!

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Make plans this  Friday,  November 4, 2011 from  11am-8pm, Saturday, November 5, from 11am-7pm, and Sunday,   November 6, from 11am-5pm.  The  cost of admission is Adults ( 13-64)  $10, Seniors 65+ is only $7, and children (12 & under)  FREE when accompanied by an adult!

The location is 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, CA  94403

Click here for online discounts and more information.  If you like antiques then make plans this weekend for a browsing and buying experience that is enjoyable!

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This year, King Center’s Halloween Happenings event will feature “Andy Z.”  Kids will sing and dance to his magical and entertaining performance. There will also be a costume contest, prizes, games, and crafts.

Be sure to visit our FUN Haunted House designed for kids 1-8 years.  But kids of all ages in San Mateo will enjoy this Halloween event!

This event runs on Halloween, Monday, October 31st from 6pm-8pm and is located at King Community Center, 725 Monte Diablo Ave.San Mateo, CA 94403.

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San Mateo County residents

Acceptable E-Scrap: camcorders, cell and desk phones, computers, computer monitors, connectors/cables, DVD players, fax machines, keyboards, lab equipment, laptops, main frames, mice, optical drives, PC boards, PDAs, printed circuit boards, printers, radios, scanners, servers, stereos, storage discs, tape and ZIP drives, televisions, UPS power supply units, video game consoles, and VCRs. Maximum of 3 standard size banker boxes (10″x12″x15″) per household for document shredding; proof of San Mateo residency required. 

This event is sponsored by “Rethink Waste” and this would be a great opportunity for parents and teachers to teach the younger generation about the importance of E-Scap. Local events in San Mateo like these will help keep our community green and beautiful! For more information call:  650-802-3500.

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Held in the Pumpkin Capital of the World, the festival includes pumpkin carving and pie-eating contests, a Halloween costume contest, haunted house, Great Pumpkin Parade, giant weigh-off champion pumpkins, homestyle foods, harvest-inspired arts and crafts, and three stages of blockbuster entertainment.  The festival is presented by the non-profit Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee.

If you are a fan of arts and crafts you will love this event! Here you can purchase one of a kind unique works of art directly from its creator. Over 250 artists and craftspeople from throughout the West will display their creations in the beautiful autumnal atmosphere of the San Mateo coast.  This world-famous festival showcasing works in media ranging from wood, stone and metal to clay, leather and textiles features everything from masks and moccasins to mobiles and musical instruments

This great family friendly event in our community is on October 15th and 16th from 9am-5pm! Admission is free.  Hope to see you there!

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