Around Town Around Town (December 03, 2003)

HER CUPBOARD IS BARE . . . "Mother" Onedia Branch, 85, gave out more than 200 Thanksgiving dinners with all the trimmings last week, leaving her food cupboard bare and the rent due for the land where her four storage and giveaway trailers are located. She has been giving out food on an almost daily basis for 48 years, not counting 10 years she gave out food in Chicago before she moved to East Palo Alto. Christmas season is just around the corner, and Mother Branch expects the seasonal demand to be higher than ever. She said she has long hoped and expected that things would get better. "But it's worse. There are so many people in need. Here we are in a country that is so full of everything with so many who have nothing." A fire burned her out in 1997 "and we lost everything." She quickly rebuilt the operation "with the help of all my many friends." People donate clothing, household articles, food and money to keep her operation going. Donations may be mailed to 2584 Farrington Way, East Palo Alto, CA 94303 -- checks and gift certificates from local supermarkets or food stores should be made out to the EPA Community Center. Drop-offs of frozen turkeys, hams and other food items (non-perishable preferred) can be made at 2584 Farrington Way (east on University Avenue, left on Kavanaugh Street, left on Farrington).

HOUSE HUNTING . . . Blossom Birth Services, a non-profit serving childbearing families, is looking for a new home. The 5-year-old organization is currently operating at 1000 Elwell Court, near the Palo Alto Baylands, but it doesn't see much foot-traffic and the lease is up at the end of December. Elizabeth Green, Blossom's director, would love to move somewhere more centrally located before the new year. Send any tips Green's way. Blossom serves roughly 700 families each year and offers pre-natal and childbirth education classes, postpartum support groups, infant massage classes, and other activities. The families come from cities between San Jose and Burlingame, Green said. And although many of the families Blossom serves come for advice on natural childbirth, Green prides the organization on presenting a variety of options to parents. For more information visit www.blossombirth.com. To pass on housing tips contact Green at 964-7380 or email info@blossombirth.com.

PICTURE PURRFECT . . . Regardless of whether your furry friend has been naughty or nice, they're invited to shake paws with the big man - Santa -- during the Paws on Claus pet event Friday. Your furry pets can hop onto Santa's lap for a $5 Polaroid snapshot. But remember: only good girls and boys get Christmas presents, so no biting or drooling. The photo shoot will be held at Cubberley Community Center Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield Road, from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. All proceeds benefit Palo Alto Animal Services. There will be refreshments, goodie bags, holiday gifts, and information about Animal Services. Bring your own cameras to take extra photos - and don't forget to keep your dog on a leash. Cats and other small animals can come in carriers.

MINIMALIST MAYORAL ELECTION ... Put away your top hats and tails: The election of Palo Alto's mayor will be a bit less formal this coming January. For the past few years, the council's mayoral election had been a catered event kicked off by a skit from a local theatre group. "That had gotten out of hand," said Vice Mayor Bern Beecham, who along with Mayor Dena Mossar proposed the new, minimalist mayoral election. This year, the council will go about business as usual after the mayor election and after new council members are sworn in. The change had more to do with dwindling city finances (and Beecham and Mossar's personal tastes), then with last year's uncomfortable election -- when Councilwoman Nancy Lytle criticized Mossar's morals. The mayor is largely a ceremonial position, rotated through the most senior members of the council, although he or she does appoint council members to serve on various regional boards and commissions. Since Beecham is currently the vice mayor, he is expected to be next mayor. The next vice mayor is likely to be Councilman Jim Burch or Councilwoman Judy Kleinberg.

PAY CUT AT THE TOP . . . Stanford University President John Hennessy is taking one for the team. Hennessy will take a voluntary pay cut as the university continues to tighten its belt during lean budget times. Hennessy, whose annual salary is $566,581, will take a 5 percent pay cut, the Stanford Daily reported last week. The university recorded its first budget deficit in a decade last year, and is looking at further possible deficits.

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