Around Town Around Town (February 20, 2002)

BIBLES FOR STUDENTS? . . . Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School parents were up in arms last week when their children came home with tiny orange Bibles. Students said a pair of well-dressed men waited on the sidewalk just outside the Palo Alto middle school, passing out bibles as they headed home from school. The men in question were members of Gideons International, an association of Christian business and professional men. Irv Rollins, assistant superintendent of student services, said there is little the district can do to prevent such activities since the sidewalks are outside the district's jurisdiction. "We have our influence, that's it . . . Frankly," Rollins said, "I find proselytizing offensive, but that's as a citizen. Clearly, we don't permit proselytizing of any sort in the public schools." He added, "If parents are troubled, I would urge them to do as I did with my daughters when they were younger, and that is to talk about our family religion and the importance of knowing what to say or what to do if they're ever confronted by proselytizers or advocates of another faith."

STANFORD CLOWN HONORED . . .Stanford Hospital's very own clown was recently honored with the Health and Mental Health Services Award. The annual award, which is jointly given by the Junior League of Palo Alto and the Volunteer Center of San Mateo, went to "Papa The Clown," otherwise known as Dr. Allan Rosenberg. The 81-year old retired psychiatrist, who has been clowning at Stanford Hospital for three years, said he was happy and honored to receive the award. "We take whatever praise we can get. We don't mind the spotlight," Rosenberg said. When he first started, it took Rosenberg an hour to apply his makeup for his clown face. "Now I've got it down to 20 minutes," he said. Another five minutes for the clown clothes and he's ready to entertain with his puppet, Rodney. "I've had so many gratifying experiences doing this," he said. Teresa Reyna, who is Rosenberg's boss, and director of the Arts Program at Stanford Hospital, said that the visual presence of the clown provides uplifting moments for patients. "The recognition he received was a big deal," Reyna said.

ECONOMIC TURNAROUND?. . . It was just a year or two ago when houses were being sold for incredibly high amounts with an even more incredibly high number of offers. If the recent sale of a Midtown house is any indication, those days may be back. In late January, the house on Rosewood in Midtown was listed in the mid-7s (that's about $750,000 for those that don't speak Realtor-ese). It reportedly sold for way over the asking price with a rumored 37 offers.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE . . .Have you ever thought that you could actually make a difference in your community? You can. The Palo Alto Human Relations Commission has two openings for three-year terms. The commission is responsible for investigating charges of unfair treatment due to race, sex, religion or socioeconomic class, to name a few. And as a result of the perceived unfairness, that person or group does not benefit from a community opportunity, such as a job, a housing rental, or education. For further information on the Human Relations Commission, call (650)329-2571. Deadline for applications is March 8.

MEOW . . .Are you in great shape and want to purr about it? Tryouts for the San Jose SaberKittens take place in Palo Alto next month. The female cheerleading squad is looking for dancers, models and aerobics instructors and others for the 2002 season of the SaberCats, the San Jose arena football team. If you want to audition, go to www.sanjosesabercats.com for a form. Caution: one of the questions on the application is, "If you were wearing a two-piece bathing suit, would any tattoos or body piercings show? If yes, please explain." Tryouts start at 8 a.m. at Fry's Electronics Gym, 382 Portage Ave. in Palo Alto on March 2. Callbacks are March 3. Sorry, no spectators allowed. Only those who want to audition may attend.

A VICE-PREZ VISIT . . . Look for your vice president in the South Bay tomorrow. Dick Cheney will be in town to speak at Parkside Hall in downtown San Jose. Early word is that the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and a lobbying group called TechNet will be hosting the affair. Cheney is expected to talk on economic policy, including regional issues. Invited guests only will have a chance to attend the event.