Short Takes Short Takes (August 10, 2005)

Atherton's new concert venue

Move over Shoreline Amphitheater. Stand back, Mountain Winery. The newest entertainment hotspot appears to be Charles Marsala's back yard.

Mr. Marsala, Atherton's vice mayor, has been known to host a shindig in his Emilie Avenue back yard from time to time, but on Saturday, August 13, he's hosting an outdoor benefit concert for the Support Network for Battered Women.

The headliners of the "HOPE on Fire" concert are local singer/songwriters Vienna Teng and Deborah Levoy, and cellist Marika Hughes.

Tax-deductible tickets are going for $35 to $65, and may be purchased at the door or through the Web site of one of the sponsors, Heart of Silicon Valley, at hosv.org.

Mr. Marsala said that recent benefit events he's hosted have drawn crowds of 200 to 300 people on average.
Tightening enforcement at Menlo skate park

Some kids using the new skate park at the Menlo Park Civic Center are not following the rules, and Menlo Park officials say they plan to tighten enforcement.

The problems are with kids riding bikes in the skate park, and not using pads and helmets when they skate.

City staff members are handing out rules and regulations to the skaters, and plan to hold skating classes starting in the fall. Special hours for younger skaters will be created, too, said Dirk Alvarado, recreation supervisor.

Those who don't abide by the rules run the risk of being cited by police, he said.

For more information on the skate park, call the Community Services Department at 330-2245; e-mail dealvarado@menlopark.org; or go to the Web (mentlopark.org).

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