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Common Sense Supply?

So here's a sillier than life true story.  Imagine you're going away on vacation and you need someone to take care of the dogs and look in on the house. Where do you turn? You don't want to bug your friends or neighbors, so you decide to place an ad on Craig's List. 
Doesn't sound too crazy?  Well here's what happened.  The lady came by, seemed nice enough, apparently loved the dogs, and probably paid rapt attention about what lights to leave on, and picking up the mail and so forth, and then, she robbed them.  That's right, while the family was away, the dogwalker/crook had all the time in the world to check things out, decide what was most worthwhile, and make off with it.   So please, if you need someone to walk your dogs, talk to a friend, a neighbor, or call my kids.  Don't place an ad and end up with a lovely, smooth talking thief!

Town Council gets an earful.

It's not often that you see the TV trucks parked out in front of Town Hall.  It was standing room only for a presentation by Dr. Konnilyn Fieg and her growing citizens group protesting the new Barnes and Noble mega store at the Town Center.  The Town Council seemed responsive to the request for some kind of protection against the "chaining" or "malling" of Corte Madera.  The most gratifying speaker was David Moore, who came to oppose the protest, but changed his mind after hearing the presentation. I understand that San Anselmo was successful in keeping out a Borders bookstore. I also heard there's another group begging Marshall's to take a look at the old Barnes and Noble space across the highway at the Cost Plus Plaza.  To answer another FAQ around town, PF Chang's, a Chinese restaurant chain, is going into the old Good Guys location, according to Stan Hoffman.

Good riddance to the mud hole!

While the conservationists are set upon protecting the man made pond between US 101 and the Corte Madera Inn, many of the best thinkers in town think it's a good idea to fill it in.  This is a manmade pond that was originally used for flood control in Corte Madera, but it is now no longer needed.  In addition, the existence of the huge and beautiful Shorebird Marsh right across the highway gives birds a very nice alternative home, and the Corte Madera Inn has already committed to mitigating the loss of wetlands by setting aside even more land further north where it is genuinely needed. So while I am usually all for conserving bird habitats, this old mud hole just isn't needed any longer, and some additional parking would be a good thing.  This will be coming up on the Town Council agenda on February 21.

Medicare mess to be unraveled.

Speaking of muddy messes, seniors who are eligible for Medicare part D, the prescription drug plan, can get clarification of the many options and benefits of this confusing new federal government offering.  A free information session will be held at the Corte Madera Recreation Center at 7:30 pm on February 23.  Linda Barry, a professor of the economics of pharmacology at Toro University, is volunteering her time and expertise for this worthy cause.  The evening, complete with refreshments, is sponsored by the Corte Madera Community Foundation, the Lions Club and the Women's Improvement Club.

Spring Flea Market Date Set

April 1st is the date for the next Women's Improvement Club Flea Market at the Corte Madera recreation center.  We'll be getting word out soon about table reservations, so just mark your calendar for now.

Career Day for Middle Schoolers.

I am thrilled to be invited to participate in the upcoming Career Day at Hall Middle School, but I sure hope someone shows up for me.  I mean, how many kids grow up thinking they want to be a real estate agent?  I'm up against sports broadcaster Barry Thompkins, television producer and personality Doug O'Connel, rockstar Mary Cary,  SF Chronicle columnist Joan Ryan, toy inventor Dan Klitsner (our family calls him the "Bop It Guy") and an FBI special agent who I better not even name.  Oh well, I've talked to walls before.  And hey, kids, I'm going to bring some cool slides of fabulous mansions, like Andre Aggassi's house, so be there.  And you will also learn a little about a great job that lets you help people, set your own hours, be your own boss, while you stay close to home and have time to stir things up by writing a weekly column in your local newspaper!

Until next week,
Neighbor Pat Ravasio
Write me! pravasio@fhallen.com