r/SanMateoCounty

Two years ago, while taking photo classes at the College of San Mateo, I started noticing the architecture: odd roofs, repeating columns, and the formal-looking library. I did some googling and did not find much. When I dug a bit deeper, I found surprisingly little written about it beyond a paragraph here or there.

I’m not an architect, but I spent the past several months researching the campus, its architect John Carl Warnecke, and the delightful short-lived Neo-Formalist movement it belongs to.

Over the months of research, visiting the architect's archives, talking with the now 90-year-old author who wrote the history book about the school, I still found only two significant articles were ever written about the architecture (and those were in 1961 and 1965). But I did find enough to now be able to explain the architecture, how it came to be, and why it's so significant.

Docomomo US/Northern California has now published the article. Article here: https://www.docomomo-noca.org/features/2026/4/24/warnecke-csm

What I found is that CSM's architecture still carries much of its original ambition: to give a public community college the dignity, presence, and sense of purpose usually associated with a university. 

If you have time, go check it out. I think you may fall in love with the campus the way I have.

I’m so upset that I never see a pure blue sky anymore. This is from yesterday. The sky was full of X’s. Suddenly even more chem trails because it’s May and it’s beautiful weather here, everyone wants to go out, so of course they are spraying the sky. To add to the injury, the grass at my favorite park for walks was clearly sprayed. I was going to sit and ground on the grass, but I couldn’t do that. Made me feel so angry and powerless to not be able to enjoy nature and truly connect like we’re supposed to. Poisons in the sky, poisons on the ground. I also keep thinking about how if we all stood up and rioted, they couldn’t keep doing this to us, but most people don’t know what’s going on, and there’s no organized effort. There is no real pushback that the elected officials end this.

I grew up in Foster City, served in the Marines, graduated from UCSD and Harvard, whistleblew on the defense industry, and now I’m running for Congress to continue fighting by giving California’s 15th Congressional District the representation it deserves!

Join me in an AMA right here in r/SanMateoCounty on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Today, we want to take a moment to honor all mothers around the world, including the Sisters of our Lodge who balance motherhood with their Masonic journey.

Motherhood is one of the most important and often underappreciated forms of human labor. Through patience, sacrifice, wisdom, and love, mothers help shape not only their families, but the future itself. They are often our first teachers, showing us compassion, integrity, responsibility, and the courage to think for ourselves.

In Liberal Freemasonry, also known as mixed-gender or co-ed Freemasonry, we believe that every person has the capacity to grow, to learn, and to contribute to the betterment of humanity. Mothers embody this work every day by nurturing curious minds, strengthening families, and helping raise thoughtful and caring human beings.

We are especially grateful to the Sisters of Pacific Moon Lodge who unite the responsibilities of motherhood with a commitment to personal growth, service, and the continual improvement of self and society.

To all mothers everywhere, thank you for the quiet and essential work you do in building a better world.

Happy Mother's Day.

Pacific Moon Lodge, No.2

www.pacificmoonfreemasons.org
https://www.facebook.com/PacificMoonLodge
https://www.instagram.com/pacificmoonlodge

🍓 Discover how beautiful landscapes can also grow food!⁠
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Join us for an online workshop exploring the world of edible landscaping—where fruits, vegetables, and edible plants become part of thoughtful garden design. Led by Urban Agriculture and Environmental Education Consultant Rob Bennaton, this session will introduce plant varieties that are both visually striking and delicious.⁠
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You’ll learn about sustainable growing practices, site planning, soil and water management, and how edible landscapes can thrive in community spaces like affordable housing developments, daycares, and senior centers.⁠
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📅 Monday, May 18⁠
📍 Zoom (Online)⁠
⏰ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM⁠
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🎗️ RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edible-landscaping-paisajismo-comestible-tickets-1983524201281?aff=oddtdtcreator
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🌎 Reimagine landscapes as spaces that nourish both people and communities.