San Mateo Focus: Recent Episodes
Judy Gordon & Peter Radsliff
Whether new to the area or a longtime resident, San Mateo Focus is where to listen and learn about local history, good eats, and things to do—five minutes at a time.
In this special end-of-year episode, Judy showcases the efforts of GROW San Mateo and how they and the Samaritan House’s Food Pharmacy are making a real difference providing nutrition for communities in need.
Judy highlights the efforts that have led to the World Health Organization certifying San Mateo, CA as an Age-Friendly City.
Judy showcases San Mateo resident Eunice Lin Nichols and how her nonprofit Encore.org is helping bring generations together.
Peter uncovers the history of San Mateo’s great drinking water and the impressive Crystal Springs Dam that makes it possible.
Judy takes a virtual peek inside the San Mateo Buddhist Temple and gains some insight into our new normal of sheltering-in-place against COVID-19.
Ever notice the well-kept building named “The Vendome” on 2nd Ave. and South Claremont across the tracks from the Main Street Garage? This historic building is a key part of San Mateo’s solution to the homelessness problem. Judy explores its history and how it became a model for the Bay Area.
Judy showcases a business leader and fascinating retail store that brings vision, art and style to downtown San Mateo.
Have you noticed that now more than ever, crows seem to be everywhere in San Mateo? Judy finds out why.
One of life’s little pleasures in San Mateo is having multiple Farmer’s Markets to choose from, making ‘farm to table’ something everyone can do quite easily. Judy digs into the details of our local pop-up grocers in this week’s episode. (originally aired 12/12/2019)
Today Judy profiles a tremendous asset for new and young parents, the San Mateo Parents Club.
Judy discovers some interesting history about Coyote Point, this gem of a recreation area that every San Mateo family should get to know.
We turn the focus of this week’s show on you, our listeners. You told us who you are and what you like, and in this episode we showcase those results.
Everything old is new again? Judy digs up delicious info in San Mateo’s archives (Originally aired March 5, 2020).
Sometimes it’s the small things in life that make all the difference. For Judy, it’s Sibby’s Cupcakery.
Judy profiles one of San Mateo’s most helpful—and free—resources: our local research librarian.
Judy highlights the Downtown San Mateo Association—what it is, what it does, and what that means to the citizens, visitors, and businesses of San Mateo.
Judy reflects on why and how we got San Mateo Focus started and asks for you to take our first listener survey at: https://bit.ly/smfsurvey1
Judy finds out all about the colonies of feral cats that live on the peninsula and the dedicated volunteers and organizations that care for them.
Judy checks in with the Hillsdale Mall now that it is reopening to let San Mateans know what to expect now and into the future.
Judy discovers a husband and wife team who have chronicled the changes to San Mateo’s downtown over 30 years. Do you know the oldest downtown business still in operation?
Judy provides an overview of San Mateo parks and recreation programs that aren’t well known to residents.
Judy talks with two 2020 high school grads about the impact on their rituals of passage in the time of quarantine.
Judy profiles San Mateo’s own food incubator who provides infrastructure and expert guidance to food entrepreneurs and innovators in order to create new sustainable food systems.
Judy reports on the many changes going on in San Mateo as we transition to an environment with a bit more freedom to move around and interact with businesses.
Hometown girl and guest host Becky Gordon waxes poetic on her memories of growing up in San Mateo.
Judy digs beneath the surface of two local taquerias and finds a family-rich story beneath the delicious food.
Judy discovers an amazing San Mateo company who transformed their software platform almost overnight to enable local restaurants to accept online takeout orders in reaction to COVID-19 restrictions—at no cost to restaurants, or consumers who also get 20% cash back.
Judy continues her exploration of one of San Mateo’s most famous and influential natives, Claire Giannini Hoffman, BofA board member, philanthropist, and daughter of the bank’s founder A.P. Giannini.
Judy explores the history behind one of San Mateo’s most famous and influential residents, Bank of America founder A.P. Giannini.
Peter uncovers the history of San Mateo’s great drinking water and the impressive Crystal Springs Dam that makes it possible.
Peter uncovers the history of San Mateo’s great drinking water and the impressive Crystal Springs Dam that makes it possible.
This week we decided to rerun our last episode of 2019 that profiled Samaritan House who has now become a key force in helping people who are struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Please give it a listen and see if there is somehow you can help.
Judy takes a virtual peek inside the San Mateo Buddhist Temple and gains some insight into our new normal of sheltering-in-place against COVID-19.
To combat the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), six Bay Area counties have instituted self-quarantine and social distancing procedures for over six million people. Judy digs up some ideas for how to survive social distancing while sheltering-in-place.
California Modern architecture permeates San Mateo with the largest contiguous development of Eichler homes—including the experimental X-100 steel house.
Is there anything better than eating an authentic warm croissant with butter? How about seeing it be made right in front of you? If you don’t already know about Backhaus at 32 – E 3rd Ave. in downtown San Mateo, get there before all the croissants are gone!
Ever notice the well-kept building named “The Vendome” on 2nd Ave. and South Claremont across the tracks from the Main Street Garage? This historic building is a key part of San Mateo’s solution to the homelessness problem. Judy explores its history and how it became a model for the Bay Area.
Have you noticed that now more than ever, crows seem to be everywhere in San Mateo? Judy finds out why.
Our listeners help Judy with this episode by contributing their favorite San Mateo Date Night activities.
Judy does it again, unearthing another San Mateo jewel known by some, but surprisingly not by all: the planetarium at the College of San Mateo.
And now for something completely different: podcast host Judy Gordon, and producer Peter Radsliff, introduce themselves and talk about why and how they created San Mateo Focus.
Judy takes us on a tour of where to get information that every San Mateo resident will find useful and important.
It is especially during this time of year that we think about giving of ourselves to others less fortunate. Judy profiles Samaritan House, one of San Mateo’s leading non-profits and the largest food distribution agency in the county. Their free service offerings include shelter and housing assistance, medical and dental clinics, clothes for children, personalized case management, and much more. Please listen to this special episode and see if Samaritan House can help you help others.
Judy contacted the San Mateo Police Department to ask about how safe San Mateo is, what to do about car break-ins, how the homeless are doing, and more.
One of life’s little pleasures in San Mateo is having multiple Farmer’s Markets to choose from, making ‘farm to table’ something everyone can do quite easily. Judy digs into the details of our local pop-up grocers in this week’s episode.
Today Judy profiles a tremendous asset for new and young parents, the San Mateo Parents Club.
Judy discovers some interesting history about Coyote Point, this gem of a recreation area that every San Mateo family should get to know.
Judy explains why San Mateo has such a vibrant and extensive scene for Japanese and other ethnic cuisines.
Judy takes nostalgic trip to when San Mateo’s Hillsdale Mall was new and contrasts that with the renovation that opens later this month.
Judy gives a primer on CalTrain’s rich history and provides an update on the construction going on in San Mateo.
Whether new to the area or a longtime resident, San Mateo Focus is where to listen and learn about local history, good eats, and things to do—five minutes at a time.