Short Takes Short Takes (February 25, 2004)

Too long to fit on a Buck's menu

Jamis MacNiven, the merry prankster of the high-tech zeitgeist, has penned a book about his adventures during Silicon Valley's boom years called "Breakfast at Buck's: Tales from the Pancake Guy."

Available sometime this week, it's described as a "screwball memoir-cum-diatribe" about the puckish purveyor of the power breakfast and the restaurant's glory days, when "everyone from Warren Buffett to Mike Tyson was vying for a seat and a stack of pancakes." Readers can decide for themselves whether the dot.com madness really started at the Woodside restaurant, while digesting tales about everyone from Zsa Zsa Gabor to the Sultan of Brunei. Readers of the epic anecdotes that decorate the menu covers at Buck's may recognize some of the stories.

Giving until it hurts

There have been some big checks coming into the state's Franchise Tax Board as part of an amnesty for residents who've squirreled away funds in illegal tax shelters. State controller and Atherton resident Steve Westly announced last week that more than $100 million has been received so far from people undoubtedly anxious to avoid the big fines that kick in when the amnesty expires April 15.

Although an Atherton resident reportedly sent in $8.7 million, the largest single check so far was for $17 million in back taxes and interest, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Find the way to fitness

After 55 years, Marianne Crowder's Menlo Park exercise class is still drawing faithful fans -- as well as curious first-timers.

A February 11 Almanac story on Ms. Crowder's class, held in the Burgess Recreation Center since 1949, sparked reader requests for further details.

The next series of "Forever Fit-Crowder Exercise," taught by Ms. Crowder's daughter Sue Chiappone, is scheduled to begin March 29, with classes on Monday mornings, Monday evenings and Tuesday evenings.

Call Menlo Park's Community Services Department at 330-2200 or go to www.menlopark.org and click on the Activity Guide.

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