AROUND THE BLOCK AROUND THE BLOCK (August 25, 2004)

NEW HERITAGE ... A groundbreaking ceremony for the city's newest park -- Palo Alto Heritage Park -- will take place at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the park's site on Homer Avenue between Bryant and Waverly streets. Among the notables, Mayor Bern Beecham will be on hand to commemorate the event.

MITCHELL RENOVATIONS ... Sorry, Palo Alto residents, there will still be no bocce ball for you. Although $1.2 million worth of renovations are poised to begin at Mitchell Park this October, the city budget doesn't have any extra money to fund proposed bocce ball or sand volleyball courts, according to project manager Chris Rafferty. However, work on the south Palo Alto park will include new picnic areas; pathway renovations, concrete skateboard bowl and stage; a centralized location for dumpsters; rebuilt arbors; and other work. Rafferty doesn't expect the work, which is planned to last through the end of January, will impact use of the fields, tennis courts or children's play area.

PREP TIME ... "Plan ahead," the saying goes, "it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Whether from floods or earthquakes, the Palo Alto community continues to face the threat of natural and man-made disasters. So the American Red Cross, together with other community groups, is sponsoring a "Day of Preparedness" on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Palo Alto Family YMCA, 3412 Ross Road. Emergency supplies will be on sale, and guest speakers Capt. Torin Fisher and Reserve Officer Ken Dueker of the Palo Alto Police Department staff will speak at 10:30 a.m., followed by the new Red Cross presentation "Together We Prepare." A special session for kids will be held from 1-2 p.m. For information, call the Red Cross at (650) 688 0415.
MORE REASONS TO PARTY ... Ever wonder who that guy is who walks his poodle around the block every day? Or who is giving violin lessons around the corner? Wonder no more -- September is block party month in Palo Alto, the perfect excuse to be neighborly and satisfy your curiosity. For the entire month, permits to close off streets for the block parties are free. Normally they're $30. Neighbors can get permit applications online through the Palo Alto Police Department at www.papd.org. Just make sure you get those applications in 10 days before the event.

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