Short Takes Short Takes (February 04, 2004)

Beautiful, train-free Davis?

Packed with train enthusiasts who are incensed over proposed reductions in Caltrain service, last week's meeting at the Atherton City Council chambers probably wasn't the best venue for a resident who wanted to see -- and hear -- fewer trains.

Nevertheless, one Atherton woman who lives near the tracks stood up and announced that she didn't want more trains or faster trains at the Atherton station -- slower, fewer and farther between would be fine with her.

"Then move to Davis," snapped another woman from the audience, to chuckles and applause.

The snappy retort was marred, however, by the fact that Amtrak trains, including the Coast Starlight, Capital Corridor and California Zephyr, pass through Davis and stop at its historic station.
Mother of invention

Apparently, it's not necessity; it's Portola Valley. Last week Portola Valley was declared the inventor capital of California by the San Jose Mercury News, because the town has the highest ratio of patents to people. Politicians may tout their innovative leadership ideas, but only in Portola Valley do three out of five Town Council members own patents.
Bring your own tent

It's a spot so hot that a 13-by-17-foot plot goes for $51,000. That's what county officials are charging television reporters for tent space on the sidewalk outside the courthouse during the Scott Peterson trial. Worried that the trial could cost county taxpayers millions, officials decided to charge reporters instead. B.Y.O.T.
No good deed goes unnoticed

John Ferrari, eighth-grade basketball coach at Nativity School, called to correct an item in last week's Short Takes column. He didn't stop to rescue a stranded motorcyclist on U.S. 101 near Woodside Road. The real good Samaritan is another Nativity coach, Mark Guillaume. "He deserves all the credit," says Mr. Ferrari.

Short Takes is edited by Andrea Gemmet. Send items to agemmet@almanacnews.com.

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