Things to Know: John Muir School to Take Part in Cancer Walk

Here are some important things happening around town that everyone should know about this upcoming week.

TODAY through Oct 30. Recology San Bruno is sponsoring the 2012 Coats For Kids” where new or gently used coats for ALL ages are being collected for distribution. Currently drop off containers are available at City Hall, the Management Office at "The Shops At Tanforan", and at the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce at 618 San Mateo Avenue. Additional drop off locations to be advised. Flier attached.

Sunday, Oct. 21  San Bruno Farmers’ Market will be holding its “Urban Farm Day” where you can learn everything you wanted to know about
canning.  “Do you have a bushel of peaches from your tree, a big flat of strawberries from the San Bruno farmers’ market or extra ears of corn and peppers from your neighbor?   What do you do with them? Can it! Canning and preserving is really just one step beyond cooking. It is a method that applies heat to food in a closed glass home canning jar to stop the natural spoilage that would otherwise take place, and removes air from the jar to create a seal. There are two home canning methods – water bath canning and pressure canning. The easiest and most common is the water bath method, used for high acid foods like tomatoes, jellies, jams, and fruits (whole, sauces, chutneys, pie filling, etc.). Pressure canning requires a little more skill and is used for canning low acid foods like meats, poultry, vegetables, chili, fish, and soups. Ashley can give you more details.  SPECIAL EVENT for today:  There will be a raffle for a canning kit that will be for today day only. People can enter the raffle from 9am to 1pm. Ashley will draw a winner on Monday Oct 22 in the PCFMA office, and the winner will be announced at noon Sunday, Oct 28. Ashley will call the winner from the PCFMA office, and hopefully the winner will come to the market on Oct 28th to pick up their prize and get their photo taken.  Find Sunday Market Manager Ashley wearing the yellow shirt or jacket for all of the details.  At 11 a.m. TODAY the winner of the “Guess How Much The LARGE Pumpkin Weighs Contest” will be announced.  Hopefully the winner will be present.  Info:  PCFMA 925-825-9090 or San Bruno Chamber 650-588-0180 www.sanbrunochamber.com

Sunday, Oct. 21. John Muir School and many other local schools and walkers will be participating in the “Strides for Life" Run/Walk at Lake Merced to benefit Colon Cancer. The “John Muir” Family will be supporting “TEAM SARA”.  Info: Erika Royo 650-922-8327 or webbroyo@yahoolcom http://events.getyourrearingear.com/site/TR/SanFrancisco/General?pg=team&fr_id=1411&team_id=3882

Who’s Who and What’s What

1. The San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District reported on October 17th the following: “We have confirmation of two WNV Chronic Positive birds in San Mateo County: 1. Northern Shoveler from Foster City, reported October 2nd and  2. House Sparrow from Burlingame, reported October 9th.  Attached is the updated list of all our positive and chronic positive WNV birds and squirrels for 2012.  As usual, the District will set traps for mosquitoes in the area. All mosquitoes tested this year have been negative for West Nile Virus.  Definitions: WNV+ Indicates a current infection (active viremia) that was acquired this season (primary concern). WNV chronic + Indicates a low level of infection that was not acquired this season (lesser concern). Note: Both levels of infection will trigger deployment of C02 traps at the reported site and immediate neighborhood. In turn, the pool of mosquitoes collected are sent to the Center for Vectorborne Diseases Laboratory in Davis for WNV testing. So far, all mosquito pools tested for West Nile Virus this year have been negative.”  Questions can be directed to 650-344-8592.  Remember to DUMP ALL STANDING WATER and Report freshly dead birds and Squirrels to 1-877-WNV-BIRD.