COMMUNITY NOTES: Flu clinic, creek planting, holiday events COMMUNITY NOTES: Flu clinic, creek planting, holiday events (December 01, 2004)

Flu clinic at Little House

Senior citizens 65 and older and adults with high-risk health problems are eligible for flu shots on Wednesday, December 1, at Peninsula Volunteers' Little House center in Menlo Park.

Little House is offering the vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon that day after receiving an unexpected supply of flu vaccine. The cost to those without Medicare coverage is $20.

An appointment isn't necessary, but can be made by calling 326-2025, ext. 230. That number may also be called for more information.

Little House is at 800 Middle Ave.
Hazardous waste drop-off

Residents of Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside will be able to drop off household hazardous waste items on Saturday, December 11, in Redwood City.

Acceptable items include: paint, thinner, motor oil, batteries, pesticides, herbicides, pool and photo chemicals, drain openers and cleaning solvents. Business waste, explosives, infectious or radioactive waste will not be accepted.

Appointments are required. Call 363-4718.

'A Christmas Carol' reading at library 'A Christmas Carol' reading at library (December 01, 2004)

Al Jacobs and the Holiday Readers will present a reading of "A Christmas Carol" on Saturday, December 4, at 11 a.m. in the Menlo Park Library.

The event is free, and refreshments will be provided.

Mr. Jacobs' past holiday readings have been lively crowd pleasers, says outreach librarian Roberta Roth. The presentation will feature Dickens' own abridged version of the holiday classic, and is appropriate for older children and adults, she notes.

Free van service is available for Menlo Park seniors and people with disabilities. To schedule transportation or for more information, call 330-2512.

The library is at 800 Alma St.
Planting time for the creek

Folks who want to see San Francisquito Creek restored with the native vegetation that lined its banks before pampas grass, ivy and acacia took over are invited to join a series of Saturday workdays.

Volunteers will gather Saturday, December 4, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at Georgia Lane in Portola Valley to plant natives provided by the Watershed Council's native plant nursery.

Workers should wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. The council will provide work gloves, tools, snacks and drinks.

Planting days will continue on the first and third Saturdays of every month -- except for New Year's Day. Scheduled so far are: ** December 18, the Arastradero Road bridge next to the Alpine Inn in Portola Valley; ** January 15, Upper Alpine Road in Portola Valley; ** January 29, Woodside School in Woodside; and ** February 12, University Drive in Menlo Park.

For information, call outreach coordinator Katie Pilat at 962-9876, extension 305; or visit www.Acterra.org/Watershed.
Toys for Tots

New unwrapped toys may be deposited at Coldwell Banker offices now through December 17. This is the 18th year the firm has taken part in the nationwide Toys for Tots campaign.

Local residents may drop off toys at Coldwell Banker offices in Menlo Park at 1000 El Camino Real, Suite 150, or 930 Santa Cruz Ave. The Coldwell Banker office in Woodside is located at 2969 Woodside Road.

The toys will be picked up and distributed by members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Ever-green gift ideas

In answer to the perennial holiday conundrum -- What do you get for the person who has everything? -- San Mateo County Recycle Works has a few suggestions. How about a $250 buffalo? A $120 goat?

And if that's too pricey, there are also some $30 bees or $20 chicks, ducks or geese.

And best of all, there's no need for gift boxes with air holes, and your lucky recipient doesn't have to pay for feed, vet bills or stabling, as the animals go to needy families in developing countries, via Heifer International.

It's one of several ideas available on the Recycle Works Web site for making the holidays a little less crassly commercial with environmentally friendly gift ideas. If the gift of a farm animal in foreign land is too intangible, Recycle Works suggests a subscription to Planet Organics weekly produce delivery service ($28-$75) or a Save the Bay guided canoe or kayak expedition ($35-$75).

Crafty gift-givers are directed to SCRAP (Scrounger's Center for Reusable Art Parts), a San Francisco-based organization offering low-cost craft workshops. Outdoorsy types might appreciate a donation in their names to the Sempervirens Fund to help preserve redwood groves, or a gift to the county Parks and Recreation Foundation ($50 or more gets the recipient free parking passes).

To check out the list of ideas and link to the sites mentioned, go to RecycleWorks.org or call (888) 442-2666.
Pancakes, Santa at Dec. 4 breakfast

It may not be breakfast at Tiffany's, but Menlo Park's "Breakfast with Santa" could be a better option for youngsters.

The annual event takes place Saturday, December 4, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Burgess Recreation Center at 700 Alma St. A pancake breakfast will be served, and children can also make holiday crafts, visit with Santa "in person" and write letters to Santa.

The breakfast is hosted by the city's community services department, the Menlo Park Protection Fire District, Young Latino Leaders and the Menlo Park Rotary Club. Admission prices are $5, general; and $3 for children ages 12 and under, with $1 off with the donation of an unwrapped toy. Parents are encouraged to bring cameras to photograph their children with Santa.

For more information, call the community services department at 330-2200.
Media in the Internet age

How the Internet is affecting the media will be the subject of a breakfast discussion at the Mindshift Cafe on Saturday morning, December 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Foundation for Global Community, 222 High St. in Palo Alto.

Peter Phillips, chair of the Sociology Department and director of Project Censored, will lead off a general discussion of how the media affect society as "news consumers" become "news providers" in the new world of the Internet.

The $10 ticket includes a continental breakfast and a seat at one of the cafe tables for the discussion.

For reservations, call Samantha 328-7756.

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