News Digest News Digest (October 20, 2004)

Fire stations could be made safe havens

Palo Alto's eight fire stations are being designated as "Safe Surrender Sites" for women who want to give up newborn babies without fear of legal consequences.

Once the program is fully unveiled later this month, it will be countywide. The issue has especially strong resonance in Palo Alto since earlier this year police found two dead babies -- in an apartment and an alleyway -- in the city.

Under state law, women can drop newborns off at hospitals and other sites without criminal repercussions.

During the next few weeks, fire personnel will be trained in the correct procedures in the event a baby is dropped off at a fire station, Interim Fire Chief Judy Jewell said.

Palo Alto's fire stations are already designed as "Safe Houses" where runaways can come for protection, Jewell noted.
-- Bill D'Agostino

Palo Alto library hours reduced

Until further notice, Palo Alto's Downtown and College Terrace libraries will close an additional day a week because of unexpected staffing shortages.

The College Terrace branch will be closed on Tuesdays, and will only be open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Downtown Library will be closed on Thursdays and will only be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"We've explored every option to avoid having to close additional days at the branches," said Library Director Paula Simpson. "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience to our library customers."

Two librarians are on extended absences, necessitating the reduction in hours.

Black and White Ball sets donation record

The Palo Alto Black and White Ball, a charity event that was suspended in 2001 due to a tumbling economy and the high cost of putting on the event, has this year raised made a record-breaking profit, organizers announced recently.

Black and White Ball chair Sunny Dykwel stated that the ball, held on Oct. 2 at the Lucie Stern Community Center, drew more than 1,350 attendees and raised $175,000 for the nonprofit Palo Alto Recreation Foundation and Partners in Education, a merger of the Palo Alto Foundation for Education (PAFE) and the All Schools Fund (ASF).

The largest amount previously raised was about $100,000 in the late 1990s.

The theme of the event was "Moonlight Cinema Paradiso" and featured eight venues with theatrical and musical Bay Area groups performing. The event also featured a one-carat-diamond giveaway by Georgie Gleim, owner of Gleim Jewelers.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.