Featured User of the Week: Heidi Beck

San Bruno Patch has only been live for about two weeks, and user Heidi Beck has already left five reviews and 10 comments. That is why Heidi is this week's San Bruno Patch user of the week. Here's a roundup of some of her comments.

Aug. 25

Review: Casini's Appliance Sales & Service

4 stars

I first went to Casini's back when it was near the Top of the Hill in Daly City. I haven't bought an appliance in a while, but I do call them now and then for service. Friendly, prompt, responsive and helpful -- I've even been told how to do some minor fixes myself so I could avoid the labor charge. I've recommended them to family and friends and am happy to recommend them here.

Aug. 30

"Caltrain: Proposed Schedule Changes Could Affect San Bruno"

Fortunately, this time the cuts won't affect me, but the last cut added a half-hour to my midday commute. If Caltrain wants more riders, there should be more trains. People won't take the train if it's faster to take a car -- if Caltrain keep cutting trains, more and more people will give up on the train. If trains were running more frequently, people could rely on the train to get them where they want to go. Now, if you miss a midday train by a couple of minutes, tough luck -- you are stuck waiting at the station another hour! This is ridiculous!!! People don't want to chance it. But if you knew that the next train was coming in 15 minutes, then a lot more people would start taking the train.

With all the talk about high-speed rail, I say, first give me a train that can run up and down the Peninsula regularly and frequently!

Aug. 30

Review: Cleo's Brazilian Steakhouse

5 stars

THE place to eat if you like meat and lots of it -- plus there's some pretty good stuff at the buffet. Amazing collard greens, for instance, among all kinds of Brazilian side dishes. I've been more often for lunch than dinner, but one evening was memorable because of the live music -- a gentleman was singing in Portuguese and playing guitar, really lovely music, and then one song, all of a sudden the servers and busboys joined in on the chorus. It was such a great atmosphere with everyone singing along!

Aug. 31

In response to Victoria Lau's column, "Heading Back to School Could Mean Big Headache or More Quality Time"

Well, there's always field trips on the bus -- whoops, no, no field trips either -- no budget for it, the trip doesn't fit the education standards, there's no time because the pacing plans demand you can't get behind a day on math and language arts ...

I'm glad my kids went to school in the "good old days" -- education is in a sorry state these days thanks to the mess our politicians have made and the state of the economy.

Aug. 31

Review: Cafe Grillades

4 stars

Love the couscous dishes, especially the ones that are a little on the spicy side, like the merguez. And who doesn't like crepes? A nice neighborhood spot that makes you feel like you've escaped suburbia, even though it's in Bayhill.

Sept. 1

"Business Owners Give Their Take on City's Special Parking Zones"

A dry cleaner makes a request for a 15-minute green zone (makes perfect sense -- all folks are doing is dropping off or picking up) and a year later gets 2-hour parking! Only in San Bruno ...