Short Takes Short Takes (November 16, 2005)

Don't curse the darkness

One person's rural character can be another's obstacle course.

At about 11 p.m. Monday, November 7, after a meeting of Portola Valley's Architecture & Site Control Commission, a low unlit curb jutting into a dark section of parking lot between the Historic Schoolhouse and Town Hall tripped up Town Administrator Angela Howard, sending her purse flying and her crashing to the pavement.

A brief noise and the vague shape of Ms. Howard's purse were the only clues to a night-blind Almanac reporter who had just come from the brightly lit schoolhouse. The parking lot is dimly lit at best and not lit at all in that area.

The reporter and a resident helped Ms. Howard to her feet. She said she was unhurt.

But, it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness, or in this case, better to get rid of the curb. Portola Valley Assistant Town Administrator Barbara Powell called the Almanac a few days later to say that the town engineer is removing the curb that tripped up Ms. Howard.

As is evident in the town's design guidelines, Portola Valley residents treasure their pitch-black nights.
Helping hurricane victims help themselves

Atherton Councilman Charles Marsala, a native of New Orleans, reports that he recently served as a go-between for a philanthropic Athertonian who wanted to help a victim of Hurricane Katrina.

Mike Derylo wanted to do more than just write a check, so when he ran into Mr. Marsala in Safeway, he asked for help, Mr. Marsala says.

He wanted to buy a truck and give it to a carpenter or an electrician -- someone who relies on a truck for work.

Mr. Marsala says he found Brian and Rebecca Santiny of Grand Isle, Louisiana, and helped deliver the truck.

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