Short Takes Short Takes (July 13, 2005)

What Menlo wants

Peek between the pieces of butcher paper on the windows at 700 Santa Cruz Ave. and you'll see light bulbs, cheese graters and batteries.

If all goes according to plan, by next month you'll be able to buy them.

The new Ace Hardware store is set to open around the end of July, which should be bang-up news for residents who have wanted a new store since Menlo Park Hardware closed in 2001.

Will the shop have a particular specialty? That depends on what people want, owner Vasile Oros says: "We open it and we find out."

Deals they couldn't refuse

What if you held a Fourth of July party and no one came?

The empty Anderson Chevrolet truck center lot in Menlo Park had that feeling last week, its red, white and blue awning looking sad and alone.

But general manager Joe Hood said the El Camino Real dealership isn't closing. It's just that "a ton of vehicles" got sold recently, he said, thanks to General Motors offering the public the employees' discount, he said.

Your girl Friday -- and Saturday, and Sunday

What Woodside landmark do you think of when you hear the phrase "you can get anything you want"?

Probably Alice's Restaurant. But don't forget the community message board outside Roberts market.

Fliers and cards advertise any service you can think of. There's bee removal, pet bird boarding, drama coaching and window washing. People will come to your house and cook you Chinese food, organize your desk, or drive you around in your own car.

But the prize goes to a go-getter calling herself "Your Personal Assistant." She'll babysit, clean, cook and do minor household repairs, she says.

Still not convinced? She also promises to put together your photo albums, set up a home earthquake-preparedness plan and assemble your Ikea furniture.

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