By PATRICIA MOONEY
Both of my parents, and San Carlos Area Council (SCAC) President Mark Schulze’s dad served their country in the Army (WW2 and Korean War). But they would be the first to explain how there are more ways than one to serve your country. You can do it by volunteering within your community.
San Carlos is a wonderful community and opportunities abound here. Mission Trails Regional Park is always seeking volunteers, and so is the San Carlos Branch Library. The Second Sunday Concert series folks would love for someone to help them with their social media. SCAC welcomes thoughtful, curious people who care about San Carlos to join us at our monthly meetings on the first Wednesday evening of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the San Carlos library. It’s free!
A shout-out to our new secretary, Ariel Voss, who is the perfect example of how one person can make a difference as a volunteer. We’re happy to have you, Ariel.
Community, city and state representatives attended our June SCAC meeting. Police Liaison John Steffen reported on crime in San Carlos — nothing violent over the last month, but people are still leaving valuables in their unlocked cars when hiking at Mission Trails. These are crimes of opportunity. Lock your cars and keep your valuables out of sight.
Assembly member Shirley Weber’s Police-Use-Of-Force Bill AB 392 will move to a critical floor vote after law enforcement removed opposition. Assembly member Brian Maienschein has introduced two new bills: AB 845, which requires the California Medical Board to make available continuing medical education training for obstetric providers; and AB 565, which will broaden eligibility for debt relief for psychiatric students.
Special guest speaker, Roberto Garcia, gave a presentation about the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census. One good reason for everyone living in the U.S. to stand up and be counted is that the census number dictates how much money is allocated to cities and states by the government. When people don’t fill out the census form, that translates to a loss of public funds to help finance infrastructure, etc. All information gathered by the census is completely confidential. And for anyone seeking employment, the Census Bureau will soon be hiring.
Representatives from the fire department have not been able to join us at any meetings over the last several months due to lack of manpower for community outreach. But now that fire season is upon us, homeowners and renters, too, should make sure they have managed the brush around their homes, and that attics are safe from potential embers. Embers can fly unhindered for up to six miles and enter into attics or nearby flammable trees and brush and set fire to an entire neighborhood. Stay safe.
Allied Garden, kicked off its Summer Concert Series on June 7 with Classic Buzz. The opening-night concert was a thrill for all attendees. How can you beat a free concert a few miles from your home, featuring free hot dogs courtesy of Ideal Plumbing?
President Schulze and I attended the Padres game at Petco Park on June 2 against the Marlins, which was delayed for half an hour due to swarming bees. The game had been approaching critical status with the Padres unable to fend off several home runs. And then came the extermination of the bees via a generous dousing of poison. The sounds of the deadly spray were amplified by a microphone on which the bees had settled.
Scientists have been warning that bee populations are on the decline and that the situation is critical. There is a direct line to be drawn from pollinating bees to our food source. The Padres can and must do better. Next time, get a beekeeper to remove the bees and not a bee exterminator.
We are on hiatus during July due to the holiday. The next SCAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 7. Council member and mayoral candidate Barbara Bry will be our speaker.
— Patricia Mooney is vice president of the San Carlos Area Council. Have a San Carlos story to tell? Interested in SCAC Board membership? Email [email protected].
