Carolyn Livengood column: "Fun Day" at Serra Bowl serves up a strike

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 12, 2008 | by Carolyn Livengood

The 15th Annual Fun Day, hosted for developmentally disabled children and adults Aug. 13 at Serra Bowl in Daly City, provided an exciting day for a record 802 attendees, including 99 volunteers and 189 staff.

The Bay Area Knights of Columbus Foundation, Daly City Host Lions Club, 14 other District 4C-4 Lions clubs, and Serra Bowl cosponsored the day's activities, which featured bumper bowling, arcade games, karaoke, lunch, and an awards ceremony where each proud participant received a memento.

"This is a great program," said 85-year-old Rex Golobic, owner of Serra, Bel Mateo, and Palo Alto bowling centers. "We started Fun Day 15 years ago with 10 or 12 lanes of participants; now our 44 lanes have a full house. It's very gratifying to see all these smiling faces, and I hope Fun Day will continue for many years to come. We'll stay here as long as we can."

"This is my first time participating," said Alan Levine of South San Francisco, a Family Housing and Adult Resources client who bowls Wednesday nights at Bel Mateo Bowl, carries a 165 average, and also bowls in the Special Olympics. "I want to do it next year, as it's really nice."

Among the organizations that donated time, effort and money to the event were Act One Productions; the Broadmoor, Colma, Daly City, and Foster City police departments; Dono the Clown; First National Bank of Northern California; Krispy Kreme Donuts of Daly City; Safeway of Daly City; and Starbucks Coffee at Westlake Shopping Center.

Other participating agencies included Community Gatepath, Genesis Development Center and Parca, all of Burlingame; St. Vincent Services of Foster City; Hope Services of Half Moon Bay; Parca Cedar House of San Carlos; Family Housing and Adult Resources Inc. of San Mateo; The Arc, Archdiocese, Bethel Center, Edgewood Center, Janet Pomeroy Center, Toolworks, and Worklink, all of San Francisco; and Milestones of Vallejo.

Cindy Blackstone of the Janet Pomeroy Center and Marian Mann of the Daly City Host Lions were the event co-chairs.

To donate to this worthy program, call the Knights of Columbus Foundation at 415-810-2957.

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Skyline bestows honors -- Skyline College President Dr. Victoria Morrow has announced the two winners of the third annual "Skyline Shines" Award: Tiffany Reardon, director of Skyline MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Center, and Genentech Inc., of South San Francisco, one of the world's leading biotechnology firms.

Morrow made the announcement at the Aug. 15 opening day celebration at the college in San Bruno.

The award recognizes individuals or groups who help Skyline shine in terms of the quality of the college's programs and services and its reputation for quality. Each year, two awards are presented: one to a Skyline employee or employee group and the other to a community member or group.

"Tiffany has spent numerous hours counseling students in the MESA Center on a very personal level, always putting the students first, and encouraging them to be comfortable in their diverse cultural, socioeconomic and academic backgrounds," said Dr. Morrow.

"Under her leadership, more than 300 students have transferred to four-year institutions, and more than $70,000 in scholarships was awarded this year to MESA students.

"Tiffany was selected MESA Community College Director of the Year in May 2007," Morrow added. "She has also received multiple grants that provided opportunities to introduce undergraduates to scientific research."

"Genentech has been a strong supporter of the Skyline College mission, particularly as it relates to science education," said Morrow. "It has been a major participant in promoting both access for underrepresented students in science careers and in helping the college ensure student success.

"Genentech has been the primary sponsor of Expanding Your Horizons, our yearly conference with workshops for middle and high school girls encouraging their consideration of careers in science, health and technology," Morrow continued. "The company was also in the forefront in the development of the Skyline College biotechnology technician program, with curriculum creation and internship placement."

Several faculty members were given Faculty Service Awards at the event for their length of service to the college. Julia Hansen, associate professor of music; Eric Larson, counselor and instructor; Eve Lerman, English teacher; Virginia Padron, professor and career counselor; and Mike Williamson, dean of the Science, Math, Technology Division, were honored for 30 years of service.

John C. Frank, telecommunications instructor; Suzanne Newcome Cowan, adjunct business teacher; and Judith West, a college nurse, were recognized for 25 years of hard work. Tom Hewitt, director of library services, was honored for 20 years of service.

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Sequoia alumni recognize service -- The Sequoia High School Alumni Association honored its Purple Patriot Award winners -- Sequoia High School principal Morgan Marchbanks and retired math teacher Wilma Hoffmann -- at the association's second annual picnic held recently at the beautiful campus in Redwood City.