'A-Files' Allow Asian Americans to Connect to the Past

The records created for the millions of immigrants residing the United States since 1944 will be released to the public on Tuesday at the San Bruno-based National Archives.

The National Archives on Tuesday will for the first time be making available records for millions of immigrants that date back to the early 20th century. The documents, known as the Alien Files or "A-Files," include thousands of immigration records for Asian Americans that were previously headed for destruction. Some of the files are 100 years old. According to the National Archives office in San Bruno, "these alien case files document the famous, the infamous, the anonymous and the well-known. They are an historical and genealogical goldmine with information about immigrants from more than 100 countries." A news release from the office also said: "They will be of particular interest to the Chinese American community because a large number…

• Photos (4)

Things to Know

Things to Know: Farmers Market Opens at the Mall

Also, don't forget about emergency preparedness classes, AYSO signups and the upcoming Posy Parade.

Here are some important things happening around town that everyone should know about this upcoming week. Sunday, May 20. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The grand opening for the new farmers market will take place in front of The Shops at Tanforan. Join Mayor Jim Ruane and others at about 10 a.m. for the grand opening ceremonies. About 40-plus vendors are expected, and they will be selling fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers as well as other goods. Special events are also being planned for each day the market is open. There will be special booths each Sunday featuring various San Bruno Chamber members, and on many Sundays one of the city's committees, commissions or local nonprofit groups will be manning an informational booth. For more …

• Photos (2)
• Documents (9)

Asian Vote Split Evenly for Presidential Contenders

The first-ever poll from the National Asian American Coalition, a San Bruno-based nonprofit organization, suggests the final votes among Asians could go either way.

School Board to Debate Forming S.O.S. Committee

The idea was recently brought up to form another advisory committee that would figure out how to prevent future school closures. However, there are different opinions about whom should be allowed on the committee and what role it will play.

The San Bruno Park School Board has called a special meeting today to finish discussing several items that were tabled last week. The board members were supposed to consider taking action on creating a Save Our Schools committee, which was proposed after the school board voting against closing any schools in April. The committee's purpose would be to figure out how to prevent future school closures. But the board decided to delay having the discussion after last week's meeting lasted for four hours. Today's discussion will focus on how the committee would work if the board decided to create it. Outside of the school district, parents have already begun to meet to figure out how they would want to committee to be run. When schools trustee …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Should We Charge More for Guests Staying at County Hotels?

A June 5 ballot measure would raise the transient occupancy tax paid by guests at hotels in unincorporated areas from 10 percent to 12 percent.

San Mateo County voters will consider several business-related taxes and a handful of school parcel tax and bond measures in the June 5 primary. Among the most contentious measures on the ballot are a proposed transient occupancy tax increase and business license taxes for commercial parking and car rental businesses in unincorporated areas of the county. Proponents of all three measures include Board of Supervisors President Adrienne Tissier, Supervisor Carole Groom and San Mateo County Schools Superintendent Ann Campbell. Opponents include the citizens' group Taxpayers for a Strong Economy and the general managers of the Best Western Grosvenor and San Francisco Airport Marriott hotels. Measure U would raise the transient occupancy tax …

• Photos (1)

Bill Aims to Tie Utility Executive Bonuses to Pipeline Safety

Assemblyman Jerry Hill plans to introduce the new legislation on the day PG&E holds its annual shareholders meeting in San Francisco.

Assemblyman Jerry Hill is expected to introduce a new bill Monday looking to require utility executives to return their bonuses if their companies are fined for safety violations. According to Hill's office, he plans to introduce the bill on the day when PG&E holds its annual shareholders meeting in San Francisco. Hill, D-San Mateo, said he is trying to stop practices such as what happened in 2011 when former PG&E Corp. CEO Peter Darbee left the company amid the San Bruno pipeline explosion aftermath with a $38 million severance package. Hill's legislation would: Representatives of The Utility Reform Network, a consumer advocacy group, will join Hill at a news conference at 10 a.m. at PG&E's headquarters, 77 Beale Street, in San Francisco…

• Photos (1)

Things to Know

Things to Know: Police Day Comes to Tanforan

Also, don't forget about San Bruno AYSO signups, a landscaping demonstration and lifeguard training.

Here are some important things happening around town that everyone should know about this upcoming week. Saturday, May 12. 9 a.m.-noon. The Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) will be holding its first of two Landscape Education Program workshops at Fire Station No. 51. The subject of this hands-on workshop will be to teach you how to install and convert to a drip irrigation system. Registration is required. Visit www.bawsca.org or call 650-349-3000.  For more information, visit www.sanbrunowater.ca.gov. Saturday, May 12. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Now is the time to sign up for the 2012 season if you are a new or returning San Bruno AYSO player. Sign up at the league's pancake breakfast at the rec center from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The cost …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (7)

Feds Urge Pipeline Companies to Heed Recordkeeping Laws

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issed an advisory notice to all pipeline operators this week warning them of new mandates to keep up-to-date records to prove they are running the nation's aging pipelines at safe pressures.

School Board to Consider Laying Off Teachers, Parcel Tax

The agenda for Wednesday's San Bruno Park School Board meeting also includes a discussion about forming an advisory committee tasked with preventing future school closures.

The San Bruno Park School Board will meet at 7 p.m. today at Parkside Intermediate School for its monthly board meeting. Here's what is on the agenda. Highlights include: Check back on the site later. We are going to attempt to live-stream the meeting on San Bruno Patch since the meeting won't be broadcast on San Bruno Cable.

•  20 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)