Short Takes Short Takes (October 06, 2004)

In memory of Max

Despite the best efforts of vets at Peninsula Equine Group, Maximus, the San Jose Police Mounted Unit's beloved horse, didn't make it. The ailing Belgian draft horse was a favorite of officers, and his gentle disposition won over Peninsula Equine's staff, who donated services to save him.

Sadly, Max's severe intestinal problems proved lethal. Portola Valley's Spring Down Equestrian Center had turned its recent 20th anniversary party into a fundraiser for Max's medical bills, but the horse died from surgical complications two days before the August 29 event, says Spring Down's Pam Bradley.

"(Doctors) discovered an extremely large mass which could not be removed and the decision was made to euthanize him," Ms. Bradley says. "We changed the (party's) theme to Memorial for Max and carried on."

The event raised more than $5,000 for Max's care and to help the cash-strapped Mounted Unit buy another horse, she says.

Best place to get rich and be rich

Forbes Magazine has declared the Menlo Park/Palo Alto area the No. 1 "Best place to get rich," based on proximity to venture capital firms and a major university, the high educational level of the workforce, and the number of billionaires in the area.

And the local billionaires are, according to the magazine's annual Forbes 400, Atherton residents Carl Edwin Berg (No. 260), and Eric Schmidt and John Albert Sobrato (tied for No. 165); Portola Valley's John Morgridge (No. 203); and Woodside's Gordon Moore (No. 49), Scott Cook (No. 260) and Larry Ellison (No. 10).

To protect and serve

Even non-billionaires can make a difference this week, as Menlo Park police officers and staff will be waiting tables on Thursday, October 7, from 8 a.m. to noon at Stacks' restaurant in Menlo Park, at Santa Cruz Avenue and El Camino Real. The volunteer officers' tips go to the San Mateo County Special Olympics.

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