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Around Town

NOT A TASTY PALETTE . . . DR Horton's proposal to build 170 condos for El Camino Real would have passed the city's architectural review last week with flying colors . . . if it had any. The project's "depressing and unsettling palette" of browns especially troubled board member Judith Wasserman, who sighed: "The baby-puke colors really bother me." The Arbor Real project, planned for the spot next to the Elks Lodge, drew other concerns from the Architectural Review Board about the size of the community center and the placement of air conditioners, but the drab hues didn't help. The project passed review, except for those three conditions, and may return a little brighter than before.

ONCE A NINER . . . He's considered the greatest wide receiver in the history of football, and he'll be retiring with the team that became synonymous with his name. Atherton resident and future Hall of Famer Jerry Rice will return to the San Francisco 49ers one last time before he retires from football in November, team officials announced Saturday. Rice will sign a contract with the 49ers on Thursday and will officially retire at a half-time ceremony during the team's Nov. 19 game against the Seattle Seahawks. "This was my home for many years and this is where so many memories were made. I thank the entire 49ers organization for the opportunity to stand on the field to say goodbye," he said. Rice's legendary career, including NFL records of 1,549 catches, 22,895 receiving yards and 197 touchdown receptions, has led most to consider him the greatest wide receiver ever.

OH BABY! . . . Little 8-pound Sammy was delivered at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital back in March, but his baby shower is today. Another case of the successful survival of a troubled newborn? Not exactly. Sammy is a simulation baby -- a mannequin, if one might be so indelicate as to say so -- used by healthcare providers at the hospital's Center for Nursing Excellence as a teaching tool. Since his arrival, Sammy's been the centerpiece of a study on how an infant mannequin can be used for Pediatric Advanced Life Support training. Driven by software, Sammy can simulate a variety of interactive emergencies -- from shock to respiratory distress to life-threatening arrhythmias -- and exhibit the appropriate heart, breath and vocal sounds of an infant in distress. In response, healthcare workers must insert an IV, use a defibrillator or administer the appropriate fluids and drugs to try and save Sammy. "Sammy gives us a realistic way to practice and certify life-saving clinical, technical and decision-making skills without risk to a real baby," said Dr. Lorry Frankel, chief of Pediatric Intensive Care. Lynda Knight, the clinical nurse educator for life support and Sammy's unofficial guardian noted that at the shower, the staff will proudly show off and demonstrate Sammy, amid balloons, banners and a cake. "Hopefully," she added, "Sammy doesn't expect this every day."

TEED OFF . . . Palo Alto Police Sgt. Ron Watson and Officer Duane Tannock were at the top of their game early Saturday morning, catching an Oakland man after he allegedly broke into the golf pro shop at the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course and stole golf clubs. The pair of cops spotted a car leaving the area at 3:24 a.m. and Watson gave chase on northbound U.S. Highway 101. Watson unsuccessfully attempted to stop the car, but it exited the freeway in Belmont. Two people then ran from the car -- which, it turns out, had been stolen from Berkeley earlier that day. A search by Belmont, San Carlos and Palo Alto police resulted in the arrest of Eddie Tam, 33, of Oakland. Tam's haul? About 80 golf clubs were found in the car. He was charged with auto theft, burglary, possession of burglary tools and evading police. More goods stolen from a second golf shop were later found in a search of Tam's Oakland apartment.

STAGING A BURGLARY . . . Speaking of theft, real-estate agents in the Los Altos area are sounding the alarm on a disturbing rash of burglaries. Apparently, thieves are breaking into vacant homes that have been staged and listed for sale. According to the Silicon Valley Association of RealtorsÆ, the criminals have been coming to open houses on the weekends and then returning during the week to take electronic equipment -- TVs, stereos, speakers, and more. Real-estate agents are being warned to be on the alert.