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Category: People

From the Blue Gull to Deja Vu: A History of the Recreation Center Restaurant

From the Blue Gull to Deja Vu: A History of the Recreation Center Restaurant

The restaurant facility at the Foster City Community Recreation Center, located at 650 Shell Boulevard, has a storied history that reflects the community’s early efforts to balance commercial viability with public service. When the Recreation Center was originally constructed, the restaurant portion of the building represented a significant investment of $200,000. The Blue Gull Era In its early years, the facility was known as the Blue Gull Restaurant. Despite its prime location, commercial concessionaires struggled to make the restaurant a…

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Hillbarn Theatre: A Foster City Historical Icon Celebrates its 85th Anniversary!

Hillbarn Theatre: A Foster City Historical Icon Celebrates its 85th Anniversary!

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and interview Stephen Muterspaugh, Executive Artistic Director of Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City, and learn a great deal about our local venue. It has brought so much entertainment and lasting memories to so many in our community since 1968. Stephen refers to himself, at heart, as an actor. However, he has accumulated an incredible amount of experience in the management end of the theatre, including having worked in other locales like New…

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Walter Afanasieff: From the Foster City to “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

Walter Afanasieff: From the Foster City to “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

It’s a tale of local talent hitting the big time, and it starts right here in Foster City. While the world knows Walter Afanasieff (@wafanasieff) as the Grammy Award–winning producer, songwriter, and composer behind global hits for superstars like Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, his musical journey was fundamentally shaped by the early 1970s jazz-rock scene in Foster City. Vladimir Nikitich Afanasiev (Russian: Владимир Никитич Афанасьев) was born on February 10, 1958 in São Paulo, Brazil. His father was Russian, while his mother, who…

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Foster City Celebrates Incorporation Day with Pride and Purpose

Foster City Celebrates Incorporation Day with Pride and Purpose

May 8, 1971 – Central Park, Foster City Under sunny skies and a spirit of unity, the city of Foster City celebrated its official incorporation on May 8, 1971, with a joyous and historic ceremony held at Central Park (now Leo J. Ryan Park). The festivities began promptly at 11:00 a.m. and featured a dignified procession of city leaders, Boy Scouts, and members of the U.S. Army Reserve, accompanied by the vibrant sounds of the Boatage Concert Band under the…

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Library Dedication Ceremony

Library Dedication Ceremony

Foster City Progress: April 16, 1997. The dedication ceremony for the new Foster City County Library will take place on Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. in the parking lot of the facility at the intersection of Shell and Hillsdale boulevards. The celebration is open to the public. The short Saturday opening program will include performances by the Foster City Philharmonic/Jazz Band, the Foster City Chorale, soloist Marie Davis, and a presentation of a $250,000 check from the Friends of…

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New Type Fire Hydrant

New Type Fire Hydrant

Listen to the podcast: 1964: ‘Miss Foster City’, Susan Arnell, helped to showcase the innovative “new type” fire hydrants being installed throughout the city by posing daintily atop of one, a fire helmet completing her look. An excerpt from the promotional article reads: “Properly bedecked in fire helmet, Susan tells Foster City patrolman there is no cause for alarm. Susan is also receptionist at ‘The Captain’s House’, model home on Flying Cloud Isle.” Lovely Susan Arnell, who is Miss Foster…

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Bayporte Unveiled During Preview 

Bayporte Unveiled During Preview 

Bayporte Association will turn 50 on January 25th 2024. This article was originally published at “The Argus”, Fremont, California · Sunday, March 31, 1974 FOSTER CITY — Robert H. Grant Corporation will unveil Bayporte, their new $8.2 million waterfront luxury home development during a three-week preview beginning today.  According to Gary O. Brocks, president of Robert H. Grant Corporation, Northern California. Bayporte homes will be among the largest and most luxurious three and four bedroom homes to be built in…

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1973 – PROPOSED CONSTITUTION  FOSTER CITY ASSOCIATION OF BLACK RESIDENTS 

1973 – PROPOSED CONSTITUTION  FOSTER CITY ASSOCIATION OF BLACK RESIDENTS 

The Foster City Association of Black Residents is one of the longest lasting groups in Foster City. The by-laws / constitution original document was found in our archives and we share them with you today. “Believing that men and women of similar ideals of education, character and political bonds should bind themselves together in order to achieve these ideals, we have incorporated ourselves under the name of the Foster City Association Of Black Residents.”