Notebook: Polly wants a good home: local workshop on cockatoos Notebook: Polly wants a good home: local workshop on cockatoos (August 17, 2005)

The Peninsula Humane Society is offering a workshop open to anyone who wants to know "All About Cockatoos" on Friday, August 19. The program runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the society, 12 Airport Blvd. in San Mateo.

The workshop will deal with differences between members of the cockatoo family and other parrots, as well as focus on common behavior issues such as feather-plucking and self-mutilation.

Every year, PHS takes in several dozen exotic birds whose owners are no longer willing or able to care for them, said spokesman Scott Delucchi.

The cost to attend the workshop is $15 in advance or $25 at the door, and is being presented in conjunction with the Companion Parrot Connection. For information, contact Coleen Doucette of Companion Parrot Connection at educate@parrotconnection.org or (530) 237-6283.
Free compost for Menlo Park residents

Menlo Park residents are invited to pick up free compost on Saturday, September 10, beginning at 9 a.m. just inside the entrance to Bayfront Park, near the intersection of Bayfront Expressway and Marsh Road, where BFI will deposit a large pile of compost.

Residents should bring shovels and containers and be prepared to help themselves to the material, say city officials.
Rebuilding Together seeks applicants

Rebuilding Together Peninsula, a Menlo Park-based volunteer organization, is accepting applications for free home repairs and renovations on community centers and homes owned by low-income people.

Application deadline is October 15.

To qualify for Rebuilding Together's free services, you must live in your home and be low-income. Able-bodied residents or their friends and families are expected to work alongside the volunteers.

To apply for assistance, call the Rebuilding Together office at 366-6597 or e-mail info@rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org.
Donovan Cook takes post at Shelter Network

Donovan Cook brings experience raising funds for international organizations such as Save the Children and CARE USA to his new job as director of development for Shelter Network, San Mateo County's organization that helps homeless families and individuals.

Shelter Network runs Haven Family House in Menlo Park, and other facilities for homeless in the county.

Mr. Cook, a graduate of Stanford University, lives on campus with his wife Karen, an associate dean and professor of sociology.

Shelter Network provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and counseling for 3,000 homeless people. Eighty percent of those completing its programs return to permanent housing, officials say.

For information, call Shelter Network at 685-5880, or check shelternetwork.org.
Sewer service charges up $12

Residents of the West Bay Sanitary District will be paying $290 per year on their November tax bills for the district to collect their sewage, pipe it to Redwood City, and treat it.

On July 11, the district board approved the sewer service charges for 2005-2006. The district serves 55,000 people in parts of Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley and unincorporated San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

The increase represents the second phase of a $36 increase over two years, said General manager Tim Clayton.

This year rates are rising $12 from $278 to $290; last year they rose $24.

Costs are going up, Mr. Clayton said. "It's still one of the best deals on the Peninsula."
Similar job, new county for transit spokeswoman

Jayme Kunz, public information officer for SamTrans and Caltrain for the past four years, left the job July 19 to take a similar post with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. She is now spokesperson and manager of media relations, public outreach and other communication-related activities for the VTA.

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