.
Feedback

Obama Gains Early Crowd of On-lookers

Hours before his scheduled arrival, observers had already begun to crowd around the Fox Theatre.

By 3 p.m. when all the surrounding streets had closed down in anticipation of President Barack Obama’s visit to and observers had to exit , residents began camping out at nearby tables and even brought their own lawn chairs.

Lee Kasten, a Redwood City resident, said he couldn’t afford a ticket and was instead observing from a side table outside .

“This is a once in a lifetime event,” Kasten said. “And this is a very unique venue.”

Former Redwood City resident Mimi Perez, who now lives in Redwood City, said, "It is such an honor to be visited by the President. There are so many places in the country and he chose here." 

"I'm so proud to tell all my family and friends," she added. "My heart belongs to Redwood City."

Another observer, Nelson Randick, said he was eagerly anticipating the President’s arrival. Though he is a Republican, he plans to vote for Obama in November.

“His book, Letters to My Father, was very inspirational,” Randick said.

He added that the visit would help the downtown area retailers.

“I heard Obama likes truffles,” Randick said, referencing the book. “So maybe he’ll stop by Young’s Ice Cream & Candy Bar.”  

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us

 

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from San Mateo Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Loading comments ...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Bren May 19, 2013 at 06:49 pm
I see that I meant to type "...that connect us to the past," but I accidentally typedRead More "...and connect us to the past." I think my meaning came through, though. Yes, the world does not need another national chain retail store or restaurant, which is surely what they're planning to put in there.
CP May 19, 2013 at 02:22 pm
Yes Bren, agree with you....good point.....really what it seems to come down to is money vs. theRead More good of the community and richness of traditions. And all despite the Master Plan for that site in San Mateo that seems to require an ice skating rink or similar recreational facility AT THAT SITE, and all despite the fact the Ice Chalet would like to continue operations there. The Developer has made it difficult to impossible for any ice rink to operate there (tricky it seems)....so they can get a cookie cutter retail outlet in ? .....very, very sad for the youth of the community.
Bren May 17, 2013 at 10:09 am
I think the issue is much larger than whether children will experience stress. That ice rink is aRead More local institution, dating back at least to when Fashion Island was there. It's terrible for communities to lose so many landmarks and connect us to the past.
Anita Reimann April 29, 2013 at 11:43 am
Dear Ari, Thank you for your service to our community. It's wonderful that you are already making aRead More difference.