Around Town Around Town (April 27, 2005)

THE FINER POINTS OF PUGNENT ODORS ... Since Paula Simpson became Palo Alto's library director last year, she's been producing monthly "Customer Feedback" reports for the Library Advisory Commission and the public. According to this month's report, a customer recently made the following request: "Please control the attendance of people that use library spaces for extended hours of sleep and are not in a proper state of hygiene." "Response: This is a very delicate and difficult situation," a library administrator wrote back. "We agree that pungent body odors (or strong perfumes, for that matter) can be very disruptive to others' use of the Library. Please notify a member of the staff and we will deal with the situation. But we encourage you to consider the finer points of this issue. Should someone sleeping in the Library for two hours be asked to leave, but not someone gazing into space? Libraries are public spaces, and are open to all, and the people who use them are a reflection of society."

AT LAST ... Palo Alto's infamous Homer Tunnel is finally receiving its grand opening next week. The undercrossing was originally scheduled for a summer 2004 unveiling, but hit delay after delay. It's probably most well known for being a "tunnel to nowhere" for bicyclists, who have to ride onto the fast-and-furious Alma Street while traveling toward downtown. Last year, the City Council rejected a proposal to place a bike lane on Homer Avenue or on Alma Street to ease the trip. For bicyclists and pedestrians, the tunnel connects the area around the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Palo Alto High School with downtown. Its grand opening -- May 5 at 11:15 a.m.-- will coincide with the start of May Bike Month. Mayor Jim Burch and other council members will attend.

FUNDS GROWING FOR FALLEN OAK... Who says money doesn't grow for trees? Wait, they say money doesn't grow ON trees. Oh well, here's a news update: So far, friends of the Palo Alto Chapter of the Red Cross have donated approximately $1,270 to help preserve a heritage valley oak precipitously "kneeling" on the group's headquarters. The goal is to raise $2,400 for "therapeutic trimming" plus $500 for protective fencing, signage and a plaque recognizing donors, according to Executive Director Patricia Bubenik. Contributions to save the tree may be sent to the Palo Alto Area Red Cross, 400 Mitchell Lane, Palo Alto, Calif., 94301 or made online at www.paarc.org. "Heritage Tree" should be written in the memo line.

DIMES IN THE DOZENS? ... Palo Alto City Manager Frank Benest will unveil his draft city budget this week. Last week, Benest released a list of dozens of suggestions residents gave him for how to best cut $5.2 million, the projected general fund shortfall for 2005-2006. Among the ideas: "Raise taxes, fees and revenues;" "Clean up downtown in order to attract more shoppers and sales tax;" "Cut traffic calming budget dollars;" "Minimize tree trimming;" "Get donations for use of shuttle;" "Reduce pensions for city employees;" and "Spend less on consultants." The entire list can be viewed at www.cityofpaloalto.org/budgetcrisis/ResidentIdeas.html.

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