Teachers and classified employees protested outside Daly City's Jefferson Elementary School District offices Monday after it was revealed that a new Kaiser Health Plan offered would increase some families’ costs by several hundred dollars. The district and the teachers’ union will hold their first state-mediated meeting today after they went to impasse during negotiations for a new contract. The sticking point for the two sides is health benefits. The union would like the district to increase the portion it pays monthly for each teacher by $50 to ease the burden.

REDWOOD CITY

Lawyers to assist residents at ‘community law night’

Free legal advice will be available Thursday when the San Mateo County Superior Court hosts a “community law night” at the Redwood City Hall of Justice. During the event, volunteer attorneys will give each visitor 15 minutes of time to discuss a legal issue of their choice.In addition, visitors can sit in on workshops such as “How to represent yourself in court” and “Family law.” The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.sanmateocourt.org.

SAN MATEO COUNTY

Atherton, Burlingame will offer free compost Saturday

Aspiring gardeners will have the opportunity to pick up free compost Saturday, as long as they can prove they live in the city providing the material. Atherton and Burlingame offer compost from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Hillsborough from 9 a.m. to noon; Menlo Park from 9 a.m. to sunset; and Redwood City, San Carlos and San Mateo from 8 a.m. to noon. Locals can take up to 1 cubic yard (about six full garbage fans) while supplies last. For complete details, visit www.rethinkwaste.org and click on “compost giveaway.”