News Notes News Notes (January 28, 2004)

Senate candidate forum Tuesday in Los Altos

Candidates for the 11th State Senate District seat being vacated by Byron Sher will appear at a candidate forum on Tuesday, January 27, at 3 p.m. at Pilgrim Haven retirement community in Los Altos.

The candidates are Joe Simitian and Ted Lempert, Democrats; Jon Zellhoefer, Republican; and Allen Rice, Libertarian.

Mr. Simitian, currently serving in the state Assembly, said that he will try to attend, but that he may have to send a representative, according to a Pilgrim Haven spokesperson. The other three candidates have said they will attend, she said.

The forum, which will be held in the Fellowship Hall, is open to the public. Pilgrim Haven is at 373 Pine Lane in Los Altos. For information, call 948-8291.

Honors for Byron Sher at Friday dinner

A dinner honoring state Sen. Byron Sher is set for Friday, January 30, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco International Airport Hotel in Burlingame.

State Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsboro, will be mistress of ceremonies for the event, hosted by the San Mateo County Democratic Party.

Mr. Sher, a Democrat whose 11th District includes Menlo Park and Atherton, was elected to the Senate in 1996 after serving in the Assembly for 16 years. He has reached his term limit in office.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $135 for individuals, and $1,250 for a table of 10. Proceeds support the San Mateo County Democratic Party.

For more information, call 344-1714; e-mail april@montara.com; or log on at www.sanmateodemocrats.org.

Pedestrian robbed in Menlo Park

Two men robbed a pedestrian of $100 cash and a cell phone in the 500 block of Hamilton Avenue in Menlo Park at about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, January 20.

The pedestrian, a man, was grabbed by the neck, pushed up against a parked truck and told "Don't move or we'll shoot you," said Sgt. Paul Kunkel of the Menlo Park Police Department. The pedestrian saw no weapon, police said. The men fled via Hamilton Avenue.

The suspects are both African-American, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and with beards of a few days' growth, police said. One wore a beanie and a black hooded sweatshirt, the other a black jacket, police said.

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