Mayor Excited about Obama's Visit

President Barack Obama will be returning to the Bay Area Wednesday to raise more money for his re-election campaign with three events on the Peninsula.

Before the finale in Redwood City's at 6 p.m., Obama will first attend a fundraising dinner at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Atherton home of philanthropists Lisa and Doug Goldman. Tickets for the event cost $35,800 per person.

Redwood City Mayor Alicia Aguirre said the president's visit has generated much enthusiasm in her city.

"We're really excited that he's coming," Aguirre said. "It really elevates Redwood City and puts it on the map."

Aguirre said she has been contacted by people from various communities within the city who are interested in attending the event.

"No matter what side you're on in your beliefs and politics, it's always a special treat to have the president visit your city," she said.

Downtown businesses had mixed feelings on the president's arrival. Some restaurants were upset about the loss of potential business because of the mandatory closing time at 3 p.m.

Others, like owner Fera Hashemi, were pleased with the exposure it would bring Redwood City. Rather than closing early at 3 p.m., she said the restaurant would be closed all day.

"It's just one day," Hashemi said. "And in the long run, it will give [the city] more publicity. You just have to look at this optimistically."

Arya employees will get the day off, Hashemi said, which they were very happy about.

The rally is expected to attract protesters from , who plan to assemble outside the theater to protest what they say are civil liberties abuses abroad and collusion with corporate interests at home.

The last of Obama's three fundraising events in the Bay Area is a campaign roundtable with the Asian-American/Pacific Islander community scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto. Tickets for that event also cost $35,800 per person.

Obama last visited the Bay Area in February, when he attended a small fundraising dinner and a larger rally, both in San Francisco.

--Bay City News, Stacie Chan contributed to this report.

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