SHORT TAKES SHORT TAKES (January 24, 2001)

Energy crisis

Pretty soon traffic signals in the town of Woodside will be doing their part to conserve energy.

Woodside is asking for a $3,000 grant from the California Energy Commission to replace incandescent light bulbs with light emitting diodes (LED) in all of the town's traffic signals.

The LED traffic and walk signals that the town installed at the intersection of Farm Hill Boulevard and Woodhill Drive cut electricity costs by 70 percent, a savings of about $1,420 annually, according to town staff.

The LEDs should also last years longer, be more durable and emit a brighter light than incandescent lights.

Reproductive rights

The League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County will present an update on the rollback of reproductive rights since abortion was first legalized in 1973, at a meeting Tuesday, January 30, at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood City. Stacey Karp, political director of the California Abortion Rights Action League, will describe the increasing difficulty of obtaining a legal abortion in California, where only 5 percent of hospitals provide the service. For information, call the league office at 325-5780.

Surf the Net

People interested in learning to surf the Internet can sign up for a free beginning class taught at the Portola Valley Library by local volunteer, Susan Briggs. Classes are set for Wednesdays, January 24; February 7 and 21; and March 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Classes are small -- two or less -- and can be adapted to the students' interest and skills. To sign up, call the library at 851-0560.

Menlo chorus auditions

Auditions are held at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday evenings for tenor and bass voices in the Menlo Park Community Chorus.

"If you sang in your high school, college or church choir, or can match pitch and sing the 'Star Spangled Banner,' your chances of joining are assured," says director Michael Gibson.

Rehearsals are held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evenings. There is a small fee. For more information, check the Web site at: www.bamusic.org/mpcc.