Further delay at Blue Rock Shoot
Although the owners originally planned to open in December, the new Blue Rock Shoot coffeehouse and book shop, 14523 Big Basin Way, won't open until at least late January, co-owner Mitch Cutler said.
Cutler has already ordered the needed equipment for the store and purchased loads of historical and period items for decoration. But some interior finishing remains undone, including the parquet floor, a stairway banister and paint in some rooms.
Cutler and wife Tracey also own La Fondue restaurant, across the street from the Blue Rock Shoot.
Dianne McKenna to chair supervisors
Santa Clara County Supervisor Dianne McKenna assumed the chairmanship of the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 9. It is her third and last stint as chair, since she is resigning this year at the end of her term.
McKenna pledged to focus on improving and expanding services for children and families. She proposed installation of an "800" telephone number for children to call for help, a countywide registry for tracking immunizations and improved programs at the Children's Shelter.
Elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1984, McKenna represents the Fifth District, which includes Saratoga. She will also serve as chair of the Santa Clara County Transportation Agency board and is currently the chairwoman of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Red Cross needs blood donations
The San Jose office of the American Red Cross urges people to donate blood to help diminished supplies from the holiday season. People on vacation, bad weather and fewer scheduled blood drives create winter shortages.
The Red Cross must collect 200 pints of blood per day for 18 local hospitals. Anyone who is 17 years old or older, weighs more than 110 pounds and is in good health is eligible to donate blood. For information, call (800) 448-3354.
More than 40 volunteers are needed to support the mobile blood drives throughout Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties. Volunteers are needed to assist and greet donors, label blood bags, seal blood units, drive volunteers to and from blood drives, transport blood, aid nurses throughout the donation process, and coordinate volunteer services.
For information on volunteering, call 577-2032.
State offers help with tax returns
Free tax assistance is just a phone call away for California taxpayers. Answers to state tax questions, information about your refund, and forms for both state and federal taxes can be obtained through F.A.S.T. (Fast Answers About State Taxes), (800) 338-0505. For information not available through the F.A.S.T. service, call the regular toll-free line at (800) 852-5711. This year, information and forms are also accessible via the Internet. Go to the California Home Page at: http://www.ca.gov and access the California Franchise Tax Board under state servers.
Jacobs testifies at state Legislature
Mayor Paul Jacobs testified Jan. 4 before committees of the California Assembly and Senate that are undertaking an investigation of PG&E's response to last month's storm. Power was out for up to six days in some Saratoga homes.
The Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee and the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communication Committee invited Jacobs to attend the hearing after he wrote a letter to PG&E complaining that it took too long for the company to restore power lines knocked out by the storm.
Jacobs told lawmakers that the utility's emergency planning, communications systems and management were inadequate, and he asked them to set higher standards for the utility in those categories and enforce the standards.
Roadwork closes stretch of Prospect
Drivers who use Prospect Road west of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road will face one-day detours in January and February.
Work to upgrade the railroad crossing there will require closing the street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 17 and Feb. 1. Detour signs will direct drivers along Beauchamps Lane, Kreisler Court, Arroyo De Arguello and Via Roncole.
The first day, workers will lay down new metal rails across the road. The second day, they'll pour new concrete panels between the rails.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, Wednesday, January 10, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.