Around Town Around Town (November 03, 2004)

GRATEFUL TO THE DEAD . . . In the "No, really!" category of news -- last Saturday was officially "Jerry Garcia Day" in Palo Alto. Apparently, the Grateful Dead leader lived and taught music lessons in the city in 1965, years after being raised in Menlo Park by his grandmother. In late October, Mayor Bern Beecham signed a proclamation "expressing appreciation" for the music master. It was in the city, the proclamation noted, that Garcia (who died in 1995) met and collaborated with Joan Baez, Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. A print of Garcia's rare visual artwork, now on display at Art21 Gallery, as well as the first known photograph of Garcia (from 1964) were both donated to the Palo Alto Historical Association, which has started an archive of the "History of Palo Alto and Rock and Roll." A subtitle could be "From the Dead to The Donnas." The official proclamation was a bit peculiar, ending with the line: "Therefore, I, Bern Beecham, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, do hereby recognize Jerry Garcia and the many contributions he made the community and to the music industry."

HOMER TUNNEL OPENING DELAYED . . . The $5.4 million Homer Tunnel, stretching underneath the Caltrain tracks at the end of Homer Avenue, is practically ready to open, according to the City of Palo Alto. However, there is one catch: the tunnel's handrails are on back order, probably pushing the grand opening back to Thanksgiving. It's the second significant delay to afflict the underpass, according to Mike Sartor, assistant director of the Public Works Department. Earlier this year, the Caltrain Joint Powers Board discovered that contractor installed the foundation's metal piles crookedly, forcing the contractor, Anderson Pacific, to redesign the project and causing three to four months of setback. "Because they were crooked, the JPB was concerned the walls could potentially roll over the when the train goes by, causing the tracks to collapse," Sartor said. Eek! The contractor, not the city, absorbed the cost to redesign the project to make it safe, he noted.

DO THEY COME WITH GUM? . . . Palo Alto's police force has released new baseball cards of its officers, agents, captains and chief. The city will be holding a contest for "young people" -- the first to collect 25 of the 112 cards will win a gift certificate to Palo Alto Sports and Toy World, courtesy of the Friends of the Palo Alto Police Department.

ART AND AVENIDAS . . . They might have to start renaming the Palo Alto First Friday Art Walk, the First Friday Art Walker. On Friday, Nov. 5, Avenidas Fire House Gallery will host an open house, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to inaugurate its participation in the monthly art program. Local artisans, whose works are in display and for sale at the gallery, will be on hand to answer questions about their art. The Avenidas Fire House Gallery, 450 Bryant St., features paintings, ceramics, sculptures, greeting cards, jewelry, scarves, table linens, and other items handcrafted by local artists who are 50 years and older. The Art Walk in Downtown Palo Alto is held on the first Friday of every month, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more Information about the Avenidas Fire House Gallery, contact Gallery Manager Linda Logan at (650) 326-5362.

ELKS AND MARINES . . . How the heck are they going to get all the candles on one cake? The Palo Alto Elks Lodge is hosting their annual luncheon for the 229th birthday of the Marine Corps on Friday, Nov. 5. All who served in the United States Marine Corps and U.S. Navy are welcomed. For more information, call the Elks Lodge at (650) 493-4249.

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