Short Takes Short Takes (January 14, 2004)

No laughing matter

And yet, Almanac staffers couldn't suppress giggles at news of the FBI's recently issued warning about people carrying almanacs. Law-enforcement officials were warned to be on the lookout for suspicious people carrying almanacs, as they may be terrorists using the reference volumes as tools for planning attacks. The warning did include the following caveat, according to the Associated Press: use of almanacs may be innocent, "the product of legitimate recreational or commercial activities."

And might we add, the legitimate reading of local news, opinion and feature stories.
Wrestling with democracy

Politics does make for strange bedfellows. The good people at the League of Women Voters have partnered with World Wrestling Entertainment in a campaign to reach out to young voters. Bracingly entitled "Smackdown Your Vote! A Million More in 2004," the campaign will produce televised public service announcements to encourage voting among 18 to 30 year-olds, a large percentage of whom, apparently, enjoy watching burly men in spandex pretend to beat the stuffing out of each other.
And now for something completely different

Anyone looking for a peaceful retreat from the stresses of daily life, what with its worries about terrorism, pro wrestling and the state of politics, Menlo College in Atherton has invited the community to relax and enjoy its new meditation room and garden. The recently completed garden is the result of a gift from Bill Mein, a Menlo College trustee who passed away in September.
Buff up your history

Members of the San Mateo County Historical Association are taking a field trip and visiting the Atherton Heritage Association on January 18. President Marion Oster lured the history buffs, as they call themselves, to Atherton with promises of local history tales enlivened by a timeline, a map of the old estates, and little-known tales of colorful residents, including legendary racehorse Phar Lap.

Send prospective items to Short Takes editor Andrea Gemmet at agemmet@almanacnews.com.

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