Short Takes Short Takes (March 17, 2004)

Great apes get along great

Koko the gorilla, one of Woodside's many celebrity residents, is starring in a new public service announcement with Robin Williams that aims to raise public awareness about threats to wild gorillas' survival. The comedian/actor/owner-of-simian-amounts-of-arm-hair reportedly hit it off with Koko and is now the honorary co-chair of the Gorilla Foundation's campaign to create an ape preserve on Maui. "As Koko showed me, we're all great apes," Mr. Williams said.

Koko's PR agents wouldn't allow the Almanac to run a photo of Mr. Williams and the gorilla's monkeyshines, but a preview of the video of Koko kibitzing with Mr. Williams can be viewed at www.Koko.org.

Wandering lonely as a cloud

Longing to see a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils? Last week, the display at Woodside Town Center near Independence Hall rivaled the annual sea of daffodils at Larry Ellison's place on Mountain Home Road. With the current heat wave, however, the cheerful yellow blooms won't last long.

It must be a guy thing

If there's ever a contest for tackiest store window display, surely the tableau at Guy Plumbing & Heating on El Camino Real in Menlo Park would be a contender. Its display of various bathroom fixtures inexplicably features a raven-haired mannequin in a black miniskirt, long legs elegantly crossed, sitting regally upon a porcelain throne.

Back to school

Stories and photos from past events are being sought for a Founders Day celebration at the end of the month for former members of Woodside Elementary School's PTA and foundation. For information, call 851-1571, extension 291.

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

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