FYI FYI (January 26, 2005)

CAFE SOPHIA TO RELOCATE . . . Mayor Jim Burch apparently isn't one to stand idly by when a beloved Palo Alto business is threatened. When Burch heard Cafe Sophia was being forced out of its location in the Charleston Center to make way for a branch of the Peets Coffee chain, the mayor stepped forward to help. "I couldn't believe Mayor Burch came in here and asked what he could do for me. That means a lot," said Sophia Omar, who has owned the cafe for 14 years. "The idea of her being squeezed out disturbed me," Burch said. "I can't stop what's going on but I can make it easier for her to get her plans through the city process" He quickly put together a meeting at Cafe Sophia on Thursday with Landee Lopez from Palo Alto's Economic Development Agency. The Peets deal was struck by Village Properties in San Francisco. The current plan is to close down Cafe Sophia on Feb. 10 and bring in the moving vans the next day. Although the plans are not yet finalized, it looks likely that Cafe Sophia will reopen in late spring in Midtown, at 2723 Middlefield Road, taking over the vacancies left by University Florist and Midtown 1-Hour Photo and making the area even more coffee-shop rich with the longtime Creme de Cafe and a Starbucks .

AVOID CHARITY FRAUD . . . With the outpouring of aid for tsunami victims, it's important for residents to ensure their money is donated to legitimate causes rather than falling prey to scams. Attorney General Bill Lockyer recently offered the following suggestions on how consumers can avoid becoming victims in charity fraud: (1) Gather as many facts as you can about both the solicitor and charity, including exact name, address and telephone number. (2) Find out if your town has ordinances that require charities to register, obtain a license to solicit, and file an accounting of fundraising proceeds. Failure to register violates California law. (3) If solicited in person, ask for identification. If solicited by phone, asked to be mailed information about the charity before making any donation. (4) Don't be fooled by names that closely resemble the name of a familiar organization. There are phony organizations using law enforcement names. (5) Ask how money will be used. Ask how much money will actually reach the charity and whether the solicitor is being paid. (6) Don't give in to pressure to donate on the spot. Take the time to become informed. (7) Don't accept offers to send a messenger to your home to pick up your contribution. (8) Hang up on aggressive solicitors. For more information, contact the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts at P.O. Box 903447, Sacramento, CA 94203-4470.

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