Menlo Park VA celebrates 100 years
On Aug. 19, the Veterans Affairs Health Care System celebrated 100 years of serving veterans in a celebration in Menlo Park that included speeches by Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Kevin Mullin.
“I will always work to not only support the VA but all it represents, the veterans and their families,” said Eshoo. “I believe that every American that has worn a uniform to defend our country should have the health services, the opportunities, and the care that they have really truly earned.”
The event to celebrate the centennial of the health care system, which provides primary care and specialty health services to veterans, featured live music, activities and an air show by the California National Guard’s 129th Air Rescue Wing, which is stationed at Moffett Field. Overall there were about 750 guests in attendance, according to a press release.
-Michaela Seah
Fixin’ San Mateo County receives grant from Grove Action Fund
Local grassroots organization Fixin’ San Mateo County (FxSMC) announced on Aug. 21 that it was the recipient of a grant from the Grove Action Fund.
The Grove Action Fund is a social welfare nonprofit — affiliated with the Grove Foundation — that provides financial support for organizations involved in advocacy work.
Fixin’ San Mateo County aims to enact civilian oversight of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, and said that the grant funding will help it with both its operating costs and community outreach efforts, according to a press release. “We are grateful for the Grove Action Fund’s commitment to independent oversight of the (county) Sheriff’s Office,” said FxSMC Board Chair Jim Lawrence.
The grant funding was part of a notable week for Fixin’ San Mateo County, which was highlighted by its Fixin’ SMC summer celebration. The fundraising event at the Half Moon Bay Brewery brought together over 60 people and raised more than $2,500 through its auction.
FxSMC is endorsed by 50 local elected officials, the city councils of East Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, Portola Valley, Redwood City and San Mateo, and the North Fair Oaks Community Council, which together represent a third of the county population, as well as by a coalition of 28 community organizations.
Back in September 2022, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of establishing a subcommittee to research oversight models, and in November of the same year, the board voted to proceed with an ordinance that would incorporate both a civilian board and an inspector general — all of which were recommended by FxSMC.
Learn more about Fixin’ San Mateo County at fixinsmc.org.
-Embarcadero Media staff
