Around Town Around Town (March 13, 2002)

THERE OUGHTA BE A WINNER . . . Actually, there is. Three, at last count. State Assemblyman Joe Simitian's "There Oughta Be a Law Contest" officially came up with the winning suggestions for proposed new laws. The first group of winners are from Acterra in Palo Alto. Employees David Coale, Cindy Russell and David Smernoff suggest reducing the number of toxic chemicals used by the state. The second winning entry belonged to Andrea Leiderman of Mountain View. Her idea requires bankrupt stores and restaurants to continue to honor gift certificates. The last winner is Lauren Ward of Cupertino who wants to require antifreeze manufacturers to alter the sweet taste of antifreeze by adding a "bittering" agent. This would help prevent accidental poisonings of children and pets. The top three ideas for proposed laws were culled from more than 100 entries, according to Simitian. "These are all significant bills and I look forward to working with the winners to get them to the Governor for his signature," he said.

PROMISES, PROMISES . . . Will a Palo Alto City Councilwoman step up to the plate in fighting for women's rights? Hard to say... Last month, women's rights activists urged Judy Kleinberg to support passing in Palo Alto a U.N. treaty called Convention to End Discrimination Against Women , ratified by all industrialized nations except the U.S. Kleinberg said she doubted there was city-wide support for such action, but promised to find out why Palo Alto's own anti- discrimination ordinance had been held up so long in the city attorney's office. Kleinberg said she has been talking about CEDAW with the city's Human Resources Committee, which drafted the ordinance. But she was also ready to apparently pass the buck to Councilwoman Hilary Freeman , who is now the liaison to the HRC. "I don't want to interfere with her involvement," Kleinberg said, adding, "I've encouraged her to contact the city attorney."

PALO ALTO PROWLER . . .At least two different residents in North Palo Alto encountered a prowler last weekend. Palo Alto Police have issued a warning reminding residents to keep doors and windows locked, especially at night. They also encourage residents to call 911 to report any suspicious activity.

ROTARY SCHOLARSHIPS . . . Attention: College students and grads. There are just two weeks left to get your application in for the 2003-04 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships . The prestigious awards are offered to those who want to study abroad. The period of study is from three months to two years. To get an application, go to www. rotary.org, then enter "scholarships" in the search command. For more information, call 408-930-0199.

201 ITEMS. . . and still counting. That's the latest number of auction prizes for this Saturday's benefit for Palo Alto schools. The Palo Alto Foundation for Education's event, which will be held at Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel on El Camino, is bigger than organizers anticipated. The 200-plus auction items were compiled from more than 300 individual donations. "We are shocked at the response. This is only our first time out doing this," auction co-chair Mary Haverstock said. All 400 tickets have been sold for the $100 dinner. Several local dignitaries will be on hand, including Palo Alto City Council members, school board members, new school Superintendent Mary Frances Callan and State Assemblyman Joe Simitian , who has taken on the role of auctioneer. Word is that Joe is pretty good with a gavel. In addition to PAFE, other sponsors of the benefit include the Crowne Plaza, Goldman-Sachs, Mid-Peninsula Bank, Stanford Shopping Center, Mayfield Mortgage and the Palo Alto Weekly .

MUSICAL MONTH OF MARCH . . . If this is March, it must by "Music In Our Schools Month." Stanford Shopping Center has already kicked off its month-long musical celebration. The fete will feature a youth orchestral performance on March 24 at 1 p.m., as well as a musical instrument drive. The shopping center is accepting donations of used or new trumpets, violins and other instruments to benefit Music In Schools Today , a nonprofit that funds creative arts in Bay Area schools. Drop-off is at the mall's concierge office. "It's important to encourage youth to learn more about music, not only for the enjoyment it brings, but for...self-esteem, discipline...and focus," said the mall's director, David Longbine .