Short Takes Short Takes (December 15, 2004)

Size matters

Portola Valley resident Jacques Littlefield and his enormous Soviet 2S7 tank are featured in a documentary airing on the National Geographic Channel on Wednesday, December 15, from 9 to 10 p.m. "Tycoon Toys: Tanks" proves that Mr. Littlefield is not alone in his passion for collecting military vehicles. According to the Wall Street Journal's recent TV review, "This is a show that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'weekend warrior.'"

Mr. Littlefield, identified as a Utah mining heir married to a former Miss Guatemala, is just one of a number of "tankies" interviewed in the documentary.
Do-si-do, anyone?

Or allemande left with your partner?

Residents of The Sequoias in Portola Valley would love to have their neighbors join them as guests for holiday square dancing on Monday nights, December 20 and 27. Dancers and guests will "bow to your partners" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Hanson Hall, at the retirement community at 501 Portola Road, at the corner of Willowbrook Drive.

And don't worry about getting lost among swirling dancers. The caller is very clear, and Sequoians dance at the basic level.

And it's free. So promenade on over.
Chilly chambers, Part 2?

After getting word about the Arctic climate at a recent Menlo Park City Council meeting, due to a mechanical problem, the Almanac's Woodside reporter was troubled to hear that this year's gifts for Woodside commission and advisory committee volunteers were green stadium blankets emblazoned with a Town of Woodside logo. The cozy souvenirs were handed out at last week's volunteer receptions, raising the question: Are there frosty days ahead in Independence Hall?

Town Manager Susan George is known to run a tight ship, but we're pretty sure that any town that throws such swell parties wouldn't penny-pinch when it comes to the heating bill.

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