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Palo Alto
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Fiber coming to the home? Page 3
Simplify the Holidays Local faith leaders suggest ways to add joy, reduce stress and create meaningful celebrations PAGE 39
Eating Out 21
ShopTalk 22
Spectrum 24
Short Story winner 26
Puzzles 59
PAGE 23
N Arts Palo Alto’s got Talenthouse
Page 14
N Sports Paly, SHP play for state titles
Page 26
N Home An inside view of Professorville homes
Page 45
Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Packard Children’s Heart Center
Stanford Hospital & Clinics
Stanford School of Medicine
Packard Children’s Hospital
TOGETHER WE PERFORMED ONE OF THE WORLD’S FIRST PEDIATRIC HEART TRANSPLANTS.
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Upfront
1ST PLACE
BEST LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE
California Newspaper Publishers Association
Local news, information and analysis
Palo Alto eyes expansion of fiber network While city waits for Google’s announcement on a citywide fiber project, staff considers less ambitious options by Gennady Sheyner here’s a chance that Palo Alto’s dream of a citywide ultra-high-speed broadband network will come true later this month, when Google announces which community will host its highly coveted Google Fiber for Communities project. But then again, with hundreds of
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other cities — from Avon, Conn., to Walla Walla, Wash. — vying for the Google prize, the city isn’t holding its breath. Instead, Palo Alto officials are busily exploring other ways to extend and “light up” the city’s existing dark fiber backbone and bring high-speed Internet access to more local customers. In the next two months, the city
plans to receive the results of two different studies evaluating the potential market for a municipal fiber system and ways to attract private investment dollars to the project. The city’s Utilities Advisory Commission discussed the effort at its Wednesday night meeting and lauded staff’s effort to explore an expansion of the fiber network.
The major question staff is wrestling with now is just how big of an expansion the city can handle. The existing 41-mile fiber network, which has 59 customers and 154 licensed connections, has been an economic bonanza, bringing the city about $3 million in annual fees and roughly $2 million in profits. At the Wednesday meeting, Commis-
sion Chair Asher Waldfogel called the fiber ring a “phenomenal asset for the city.” But while staff is enthusiastic about upgrading the system and expanding it to other major commercial and industrial customers, the road to a citywide broadband (continued on page 10)
EDUCATION
Teaching: ‘kid by kid’ In annual review, elementary school heads discuss trends, goals by Chris Kenrick
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Veronica Weber
Palo Alto High School ninth-grader Kimberly Sanchez, left, works on homework with DreamCatchers’ on-site director, Adeva Cha, at Paly Monday.
COMMUNITY
Catching hold of their dreams Nonprofit tutoring program for Palo Alto students teaches more than academics by Jocelyn Dong
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utor Annie Osborn was negotiating with Jordan Middle School seventh-grader Eunice Navarro earlier this week over Eunice’s daily homework
schedule. They’d already sketched out an hour for homework in the afternoon and were now eyeing the after-dinner slot. “Homework twice?” Eunice
asked, her eyes widening. “How long does homework take each day?” Osborne asked. Eunice figured it took two hours. She looked at the schedule again, with homework planned for 7-7:45 p.m. “That’s enough!” Eunice said, hopeful of convincing Osborne. “Why don’t you give it that time, just in case,” Osborne said, smiling. “And if you’re done early, you have free time.” At DreamCatchers, a weekly tu-
toring program held in Palo Alto, about 30 students not only get help with math, reading, social studies and other subjects — they are schooled in how to become better lifelong learners. On Monday, they discussed homework schedules and how to make their study areas distraction-free. In past sessions, they’ve talked about how to set and achieve reasonable goals, concentrate instead of get distracted, take initiative, (continued on page 8)
Palo Alto school principal has suggested that teachers “explode” the traditional parentteacher conference in an effort to achieve more candid conversations with parents about how their children are really doing. The comments, by Hoover Elementary School Principal Susanne Scott, came in a Tuesday gathering in which Palo Alto’s 12 elementary school principals updated the Board of Education on trends at their schools. The principals gave formal presentations about their use of data to customize math and literacy instruction for each child and discussed how the district’s increased attention to student social-emotional health has affected their schools. Scott’s impassioned comments came toward the end of the threehour discussion, in response to a parent’s questioning of whether schools are keeping parents sufficiently informed when their child is in danger of failing. “I’m often really surprised at how little parents seem to appreciate whether their kids are potentially part of this (failing) group,” the parent, Sara Woodham, said. “To what extent are these assessments, and what you are doing, fed back to parents so they understand what they need to do now, what the school is doing, how they feed into it and what the potential impacts are going forward?” Woodham said that even if some of the parents themselves did not achieve high levels of education, “their level of education doesn’t have to be what their children (continued on page 9)
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450 CAMBRIDGE AVE, PALO ALTO, CA 94306 (650) 326-8210 PUBLISHER William S. Johnson EDITORIAL Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Jocelyn Dong, Managing Editor Carol Blitzer, Associate Editor Keith Peters, Sports Editor Tyler Hanley, Express™ and Online Editor Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor Chris Kenrick, Gennady Sheyner, Staff Writers Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections Editor Karla Kane, Editorial Assistant Veronica Weber, Staff Photographer Dale Bentson, Colin Becht, Peter Canavese, Kit Davey, Iris Harrell, Sheila Himmel, Chad Jones, Kevin Kirby, Jack McKinnon, Renata Polt, Jeanie K. Smith, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Contributors Kelly Jones, Sally Schilling, Sarah Trauben, Georgia Wells, Editorial Interns Vivian Wong, Photo Intern DESIGN Shannon Corey, Design Director Raul Perez, Assistant Design Director Linda Atilano, Diane Haas, Scott Peterson, Paul Llewellyn, Senior Designers Gary Vennarucci, Designer PRODUCTION Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager Dorothy Hassett, Samantha Mejia, Blanca Yoc, Sales & Production Coordinators
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ADVERTISING Walter Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Judie Block, Esmeralda Flores, Janice Hoogner, Gary Whitman, Display Advertising Sales Neil Fine, Rosemary Lewkowitz, Real Estate Advertising Sales David Cirner, Irene Schwartz, Inside Advertising Sales Cathy Norfleet, Display Advertising Sales Asst. Diane Martin, Real Estate Advertising Assistants Alicia Santillan, Classified Administrative Asst. EXPRESS, ONLINE AND VIDEO SERVICES Rachel Palmer, Online Operations Coordinator Rachel Hatch, Multimedia Product Manager BUSINESS Penelope Ng, Payroll & Benefits Manager Elena Dineva, Mary McDonald, Susie Ochoa, Doris Taylor, Business Associates ADMINISTRATION Amy Renalds, Assistant to the Publisher & Promotions Director Janice Covolo, Receptionist Ruben Espinoza, Courier EMBARCADERO MEDIA William S. Johnson, President Michael I. Naar, Vice President & CFO Walter Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Frank A. Bravo, Director, Information Technology & Webmaster Connie Jo Cotton, Major Accounts Sales Manager Bob Lampkin, Director, Circulation & Mailing Services Alicia Santillan, Circulation Assistants Chris Planessi, Chip Poedjosoedarmo, Computer System Associates The Palo Alto Weekly (ISSN 0199-1159) is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, (650) 3268210. Periodicals postage paid at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for Santa Clara County. The Palo Alto Weekly is delivered free to homes in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, to faculty and staff households on the Stanford campus and to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 326-8210. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. Copyright Š2010 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Printed by SFOP, Redwood City. The Palo Alto Weekly is available on the Internet via Palo Alto Online at: www.PaloAltoOnline.com Our e-mail addresses are: editor@paweekly.com, letters@paweekly.com, ads@paweekly.com. Missed delivery or start/stop your paper? Call 650 326-8210, or e-mail circulation@paweekly. com. You may also subscribe online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Subscriptions are $60/yr.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Upfront
If there were a heavenly school district, I’ve died and gone to it.
— Jocelyn Garcia-Thorne, Addison Elementary School principal, on the levels of support, collaboration and resources in Palo Alto. See story on page 3.
Around Town FACE OFF ... A college dropout with a reputation for brains and an Ivy League graduate known for folksiness collided at Facebook’s headquarters this week, when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former President George W. Bush took part in a question-and-answer session to promote Bush’s new memoir, “Decision Points.� Though the meeting focused largely on the book, the 43rd president was also subject to some light ribbing from the Silicon Valley crowd. Bush’s folksy smile temporarily faded when he was asked about the Dallas Cowboys, who have a surprisingly dismal 3-8 record, and the Texas Rangers, who lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series in early November. Bush acknowledged that as a Cowboys fan, he is “disappointed� but declined to name his favorite Giants player. “Their pitching was awesome,� Bush said. “I was surprised they beat us.� Bush also gave Zuckerberg props for founding the socialmedia giant and compared it to his own decision to run for president. “You seized the moment here at Facebook, and I congratulate you for it,� Bush told Zuckerberg. “The question is not whether you’ll be dealt a hand but how you play it. I played it as well as I thought it could be played.� A TASTE OF FIBER ... Mayors and technophiles all across the nation have been lobbying Google to select their cities and towns for the company’s Fiber for Communities experiment. Palo Alto is one of hundreds of applicants, with the pool ranging from Chicago and Baltimore to Waterloo, Iowa, and Androscoggin Valley, Maine. The reasons for why residents want a fiber system are as varied as the cities, as Google made clear by publishing snippets from letters on its website. “We could use a ‘city of tomorrow’ today!� a letter from Ashburn, Va., stated. “It would rock to have some Down South Google Lovin’!� a Nashville writer opined. “I want to watch videos of my puppy at light speed,� someone from Lomita, Calif., said. “Because
if you do, I’ll bake you a pie,� noted someone from Bonsall, Calif. The company plans to announce the recipient of a citywide ultra high-speed Internet network by the end of the year. FIRE IT UP ... After a monthlong lull, the subject of staffing in Palo Alto Fire Department is scheduled to flare up again Monday night, when the City Council takes up an ongoing study on the highly contentious subject. The topic of firefighter staffing last came up on Nov. 2, when voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure proposed by the firefighters’ union to freeze staffing levels at the Fire Department and require citywide votes for any staffing reduction or fire station closures. The union, which is in the midst of contract negotiations with the city, has persistently blasted the new study, which is being performed by two different firms, Systems Planning Corporation/TriData Division and ICMA Consulting Services. The city aborted a previous study after learning that the consultant who worked on that study had never recommended a staffing reduction for any other municipalities he’d assessed and concluding that the Palo Alto study was likely to be biased. The new report aims to evaluate the department’s overtime expenditures, analyze the department’s organization and consider the station locations. Consultants are expected to update the City Council on the study on Monday night and return in January with a final presentation. BEST IN CLASS ... State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, who led the effort to require California children to turn 5 years old by Sept. 1 before they could enroll in kindergarten, was named the top legislator of 2010 by a statewide association of school officials this week. The California School Boards Association named the former Palo Alto mayor and school board member its “Outstanding Legislator of the Year� for his efforts to support funding for K-12 education and for his legislative efforts in the educational realm. N
Upfront YOUTH
Reporting bullying is key to stopping problem Under-reporting prevents administrators from taking action, Palo Alto principal says by Chris he hesitance of bullying victims to report incidents leads to a Catch-22 in addressing the problem of school bullying, Jordan Middle School Principal Michael Milliken said this week. Bullying on middle school campuses affects a minority of students, “but for that small percentage it’s an overwhelming and regular occurrence that can really drive them to the point of despair,” Milliken said in a Tuesday panel discussion that was broadcast live on the publicaccess channel of the Midpeninsula Media Center. “The majority of bullying victims don’t come forward,” Milliken said. “With such low reporting rates, sometimes we don’t get access to the incidents as we’d like. Even when they do report incidents, victims and their parents often want guarantees of anonymity, making it harder for officials to impose consequences on alleged perpetrators, he said. “You really can’t approach bullies using generalities and just talk about being respectful with their peers. “If we get over that hump (of reporting), we do have the framework in place so we can provide disciplinary consequences and get fully involved in a situation,” Milliken said. “There have been multiple cases where we’ve used that framework with great effectiveness.” If a bullying incident is reported, administrators typically will try to confirm it with other witnesses before going to the alleged perpetrator. “We try to make sure we’re identifying the issue in a way that protects the reporter’s confidentiality,” Milliken said. In surveys, “most students report not having been bullied in the last year,” he said. “At the same time, a good 4 percent to 5 percent report they’ve been bullied weekly or more.” It’s important to “acknowledge both realities,” he said. Milliken was one of four panelists in the hour-long discussion moderated by Philippe Rey, executive director of the nonprofit Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) of Palo Alto. Other panelists were ACS Director of On-Campus Counseling Roni Gillenson; Mountain View therapist Erin Rosenblum; and Anthony William Ross, program director of Outlet, a Mountain View nonprofit organization aimed at empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Rosenblum said victims sometimes don’t report bullying incidents — even to their parents — because “they think there’s something wrong with them, that they’re being bullied for a reason. They’re ashamed, and they don’t want to tell their parents because they might be judged the
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Kenrick same way.” Signs that a child is being bullied could include missing property, unexplained scrapes, avoidance of school or usual routes to school and withdrawing from friends, panelists said. Milliken said what worries him most are “the bulk of cases” that don’t come to the attention of school officials. “For us, the issue is making sure we have a culture in place and an educated staff who know what to look for and know how to intervene when they see and hear things. The bulk of our work is creating a culture where ‘bystanders’ become ‘upstanders.’” Most of the bullying on middle school campuses is verbal or social rather than the cyberbullying more prevalent in high schools, Milliken said. Bullying among boys tends to be “more physical, more yelling and more aggressive,” Gillenson said. Among girls, it involves “more emotional manipulation and shunning,” she said. Social networks have transformed bullying from a phenomenon limited to the school grounds to something that, “from a target’s vantage point, can feel like bullying 24/7,” Milliken said. “It now can take place at home, on the way home, on the weekends.” Panelists urged victims to confide in an adult at their school whom they trust. “All three of us (Palo Alto middle school principals) take student safety, emotional and physical wellbeing as our top priority,” Milliken said. “Students in this situation (of being bullied) can’t learn. They need to be safe; they need to be in a respectful environment. And it’s something that absolutely needs to be brought to the attention of school administrations.” Milliken said every one of Palo Alto’s 12 elementary schools has some kind of character-education program in place to support student social-emotional well-being and encourage a respectful school culture. “It’s our hope, now that every school has been doing something for at least a year, that over time we’ll see a cumulative effect and a tidal shift in school culture.” Tuesday’s panel discussion was co-sponsored by ACS, Foundation for a College Education, Community Health Awareness Council, Outlet and Youth Community Service. The discussion will be rebroadcast on Comcast Channel 28 as well as streamed live over the Midpeninsula Media Center website (www.midpenmedia.org) concurrently Dec. 9 at 11 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 9 p.m. N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be e-mailed at ckenrick@paweekly.com.
COMMUNITY
Weekly editor to retire in February Jay Thorwaldson will write regular column and explore teaching possibilities by the Palo Alto Weekly staff
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fter a career that included awardwinning reporting and editing for more than 50 years, Palo Alto Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson announced this week that he will retire from his position in February. However, readers will probably see more of Thorwaldson’s writing in retirement than they have while he has Jay Thorwaldson been editor, since he will write a regular online and print column for Palo Alto Online and the Weekly upon leaving the paper. “We are indebted to Jay for his many achievements during his 10-year tenure at the Weekly and will deeply miss his caring and thoughtful approach to covering the news and his mentorship of the many outstanding journalists that have worked under him,” Weekly Publisher Bill Johnson said. Thorwaldson said he finds it difficult to put into words his mixed feelings about stepping out of the center of community action and news, as well as losing daily contact with his colleagues at the Weekly. “I will miss the many rewards of working for the Weekly and with the outstanding staff, whom I will miss terribly — but I hope not to be too far away,” he said. As for the Palo Alto/Stanford area, “Nowhere in the world could you find a more interesting community and people than in Palo Alto. It’s been a true privilege to be a central part of local history and to have developed so many friends along the way.” Thorwaldson has been a prominent figure in the community for more than four decades, first as a journalist and later as director of public affairs at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation for 18 years — during which he also regularly wrote freelance newspaper articles on a variety of topics. At San Jose State University, he served as editor of the Spartan Daily campus newspaper and edited a feature/humor magazine, Lyke. After working briefly at the Los Gatos Times-Saratoga Observer, San Jose Mercury-News and Merced Sun-Star, Thorwaldson began what would turn into a 15-year stint at the Palo Alto Times and then briefly its successor paper, the Peninsula Times Tribune. He covered the Palo Alto city/community beat for more than a decade, reporting on regional transportation and land-use issues; the environment and open space; and many City Council and other meetings. Among his reporting highlights, Thorwaldson helped identify and break up a neo-Nazi terror group that bombed a Palo Alto councilman’s home and made a death threat to Roy Kepler of Kepler’s Books. He became an assistant editor and ombudsman at the Times, writing editorials and columns. In February 1970 he drafted an editorial that suggested creating an open-space district to preserve the Skyline Ridge and foothills, an idea that became the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. In 1979, Thorwaldson left the Times Tribune to work on a community effort to save and revitalize the Stanford Theater, a project that ultimately contributed to David Packard buying the theater, renovating
it and turning it into the beautiful classic movie house it is today. He also spent time working to save Bair Island off Redwood City from a major development by Mobil Land Co. and was involved in a number of community organizations. He served on boards or advisory groups for the Peninsula Conservation Center, the Chamber of Commerce, Adolescent Counseling Service and others. In 1981, he joined the medical foundation and designed and led many community collaborations, including a groundbreaking public-education program on teen stress and family communications. He also was instrumental in the creation of the foundation’s website, one of the first of its kind, in 1994. When the editorship of the Weekly opened up in 2000, Thorwaldson was an easy pick, Johnson said. “Jay’s knowledge of the community, his solid journalism background and the tremendous respect community leaders had for him made him the perfect fit,” Johnson said. Thorwaldson led the Weekly editorial department through many changes, including a steady evolution to online publishing and becoming a 24/7 source of news for the community. In his 10 years as editor, the Weekly won the coveted General Excellence award from the California Newspaper Publishers Association six times, as well as many other awards.
‘Nowhere in the world could you find a more interesting community and people than in Palo Alto. It’s been a true privilege to be a central part of local history and to have developed so many friends along the way.’
—Jay Thorwaldson
During his tenure as editor, the Weekly successfully sued the City of Palo Alto twice to obtain documents it believed were public records. The first case forced the city to begin making public all e-mails between the staff and council members, as well as disclose e-mails relating to a dispute between then City Attorney Ariel Calonne and City Councilmember Nancy Lytle. The second case required the city to release documents relating to improprieties in the city utilities department. Thorwaldson received the 2002 Outstanding Professional Tall Tree Award “for his contributions, continued dedication and commitment to the people of Palo Alto and Santa Clara County.” Thorwaldson is known by his staff as a tireless editor, posting articles on Palo Alto Online at all hours of the night and jumping on breaking news on weekends and weeknights. A stickler on grammar and journalistic writing style, he often engages writers and interns in extensive and detailed editing sessions to sharpen their stories. He considers mentoring younger writers one of his most rewarding responsibilities, an activity he plans on continuing through teaching. He enjoys hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada and the deserts of Southern California and Nevada. N
Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community. *> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 5
Upfront
Online This Week
LIBRARIES
These and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com/news or click on “News” in the left, green column.
Palo Alto shuffles library sites to deal with construction
Bookkeeper pleads no contest to embezzlement
Staff recommends Art Center as temporary branch for Main Library patrons
The woman charged with embezzling $140,000 from Roger Reynolds Nursery & Carriage Stop in Menlo Park pleaded no contest Tuesday (Nov. 30) in San Mateo Superior Court. (Posted Dec. 1 at 3:54 p.m.)
Telephone pole may have saved cyclist’s life A wooden telephone pole probably prevented major injuries to a bicyclist traveling north on El Camino Real near Watkins Avenue in Atherton Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 30) when an 81-year-old Atherton resident fell asleep at the wheel of an Infiniti sedan and veered off the road, police said. (Posted Dec. 1 at 2:13 p.m.)
Groupon to expand its presence in Palo Alto Groupon, a Chicago-based company that specializes in “daily deal” coupons for groups of consumers, is expanding its presence in Palo Alto, the company announced Wednesday (Dec. 1). (Posted Dec. 1 at 12:36 p.m.)
Palo Alto shortens Development Center hours Palo Alto will reduce hours at its Development Center on Wednesdays while staff brainstorms ways to reform the city’s notoriously cumbersome application process. (Posted Dec. 1 at 9:41 a.m.)
Man withdraws application for marijuana collective A man applying for what would have been San Mateo County’s first licensed medical marijuana collective withdrew his application to operate the business Tuesday (Nov. 30), a spokeswoman with the district attorney’s office said. (Posted Dec. 1 at 9:07 a.m.)
George W. Bush talks up new memoir at Facebook George W. Bush defended his legacy, discussed the rise of China, gave props to Bono and urged the audience to buy his new book during a talk at Facebook’s headquarters in Palo Alto Monday afternoon (Nov. 29). (Posted Nov. 30 at 9:35 a.m.)
Burglar robs Midtown Safeway on Thanksgiving A burglar made off with an undisclosed amount of cash from Safeway in Midtown Palo Alto by hiding in the store and opening the safe after the 6 p.m. closure of the market on Thanksgiving Day. (Posted
by Gennady Sheyner
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he Palo Alto Art Center auditorium could soon house about 10,000 books and other library items as part of the city’s dizzying four-year game of “musical chairs” — a process made necessary by the city’s massive library renovation project. The Art Center auditorium was selected by staff as the best site to serve as a temporary library while the Main Library undergoes its voter-approved renovation and expansion. The City Council is scheduled to vote on this recommendation Monday night. The Main Library is the last of the three branches slated for renovations under a $76 million bond local voters approved in 2008. The branch, which houses a collection of about 130,000 items, will expand by about 4,000 square feet and receive a new community meeting room, four study rooms, a new air conditioning system and other building improvements. Work has already begun on the other two branches. The Downtown Library is undergoing renovations, while the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center are being completely rebuilt. Earlier this year, Palo Alto opened a new temporary library at the Cubberley Community
Center to serve residents until the spacious new Mitchell Park branch reopens in 2012. In finding a temporary home for the Main Library collection, staff considered leasing office space on East Bayshore Road, setting up modular buildings in the Lucie Stern Community Center parking lot on Middlefield Road and shifting books to the Art Center, which is adjacent to Main Library on Newell Road. The Art Center edged the other two options because of its location and the availability of parking. Public Works staff and the city’s consulting architects from Group 4 Architecture presented the three options at a Nov. 16 community meeting and most people in the audience supported the Art Center site. Residents said they were particularly concerned about the lack of space in the Lucie Stern parking lot and the inconvenience of getting to East Bayshore. Under the staff proposal, which the City Council is scheduled to consider Monday night, the Art Center auditorium would be furnished with about 10,000 items, a periodical section and space for residents to pick up and drop off books. Though the collection size
at the temporary library would be a small fraction of the Main Library’s regular holdings, residents would be able to order books from other branches and have them shipped to the temporary location. “One of its key roles is that it’s a place where materials would come in,” Interim Library Director Ned Himmel said at the Nov. 16 meeting. In a new report, Senior Engineer Karen Begard wrote that housing the temporary Main Library at the Art Center would “save automobile trips and help decrease cross-town traffic and maintain a local amenity.” The Art Center, meanwhile, is scheduled to undergo its own renovations next year, when its electrical and mechanical systems get upgraded. Staff expects to complete the upgrades by spring 2012, well in time for the temporary library to be built. The auditorium library will cost the city between $350,000 and $500,000. Construction of the Main Library is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012, once the new Mitchell Park branch is up and running. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.
Nov. 30 at 9:26 a.m.)
BUSINESS
Mob uses bats, chains in Mountain View attack
Facebook looking for new home in Menlo Park?
A group of at least 15 men — wielding bats, chains and metal rods — attacked two men Sunday afternoon (Nov. 28) as they were walking in the 2200 block of California Street in Mountain View. (Posted Nov. 30 at 8:50 a.m.)
Kishimoto named to open space district board Former Palo Alto Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto was named to the board of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Monday night (Nov. 29), following interviews with three finalists. She will replace the late Mary Davey on the seven-member board, representing Ward 2. (Posted Nov. 30 at 8:16 a.m.)
James Franco set to co-host the Oscars Actor and Palo Alto native James Franco will co-host the 83rd Academy Awards on Feb. 27 alongside actress Anne Hathaway, the telecast producers announced Monday (Nov. 29). (Posted Nov. 29 at 4:34 p.m.)
Police arrest suspect in Crescent Park burglary Palo Alto police arrested a homeless man who they said burglarized a house in the city’s Crescent Park neighborhood late Sunday afternoon (Nov. 28). (Posted Nov. 29 at 4:27 p.m.)
McKinsey cites EPA school operator as model Aspire Public Schools, a nonprofit group that operates two charter schools in East Palo Alto, Monday (Nov. 29) was singled out by the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company as one of 20 school systems that are global models for improvement. (Posted Nov. 29 at 3:02 p.m.)
Paly choir brings Renaissance to Stanford Students and graduates of the Palo Alto High School choirs kicked off the holiday season in traditional fashion Friday (Nov. 26), singing their annual “alumni concert” at Stanford Shopping Center. (Posted Nov. 29 at 10:55 a.m.)
Want to get news briefs e-mailed to you every weekday? Sign up for Express, our new daily e-edition. Go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com to sign up.
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Oracle campus a possibility, but not yet vacant by Sandy Brundage
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ocial-networking behemoth Facebook is hoping to connect with larger digs, and Menlo Park’s Oracle campus is one of several sites under consideration. However, contrary to news reports, an afternoon tour showed that the 2.5-million-square-foot Willow Road campus is not yet vacant. Facebook remains mum about its interest in the campus despite a local news story published on Tuesday. Dave Johnson, manager of the city’s business development department, referred all inquiries to Facebook, after sharing this statement: “Facebook is exploring options for a long-term location to fit its growing business needs. They are in the due diligence phase on potential sites, but it would be premature to offer any specifics. They hope to have more to share in the near future once things have been finalized.” Facebook corporate communica-
tions director Larry Yu confirmed there’s not much to report. “Generally we’re looking for a site that can accommodate our growth over the long term,” he said. Menlo Park Mayor Rich Cline suggested not taking the rumors too seriously. “Any rumor about Facebook — given the nature of Silicon Valley
‘Any rumor about Facebook — given the nature of Silicon Valley — is only a rumor until someone actually signs a deal. Facebook, Google and Yahoo! are probably the center of the most rumors in business.’
—Rich Cline, Menlo Park mayor
— is only a rumor until someone actually signs a deal. Facebook, Google and Yahoo! are probably the center of the most rumors in business,” he said. Oracle bought Sun Microsystems in January for $7.4 billion. The San Mateo County Assessor’s office decided three months ago that the sale required a reassessment of the property. Reassessment of the campus, now assessed at $355.4 million, could boost or decrease propertytax revenues for Menlo Park, but that won’t be known for certain until the process is completed by June 2011. However, any increase won’t replenish the city’s general fund since the campus lies within redevelopment agency boundaries, according to city staff. Any increased property tax would funnel back only into redevelopment projects. N Sandy Brundage is a staff writer for the Almanac, the Weekly’s sister’s paper.
Community Health Education Programs Palo Alto Center 795 El Camino Real Mountain View Center 701 E. El Camino Real
Lecture and Workshops 650-853-4873 Anatomy of Healthy Living Presented by Salwan AbiEzzi, M.D., PAMF Internal Medicine Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Lecture and Workshops 650-934-7373 Positive Discipline Presented by Jane Weed Pomerantz, ParentsPlace Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Third Floor Conference Center
Living Well Classes 650-853-2960 Functional Spine Training First Monday of each month, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Nutrition and Diabetes Classes 650-853-2961 New Weigh of Life Begins on Wednesday, Jan. 12 – Mar. 30, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Living Well with Diabetes Tuesdays, 4:30 to 7 p.m., or Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Adult Weight Management Group Thursdays, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Heart Smart Class Third and fourth Tuesday of every other month, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Bariatric Nutrition SMA First Tuesday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Healthy Eating Type 2 Diabetes Third Wednesday of every other month, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Gestational Diabetes Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m. Prediabetes First Monday of the month, 9 to 11:30 a.m., and third Wednesday of every other month, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Also in Redwood Shores, fourth Wednesday of every other month, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
HMR Weight Management Program 650-404-8260 Free orientation session. Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m., and Thursdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Nutrition and Diabetes Classes 650-934-7177 Heart Smart Class Second Tuesday of each month, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Diabetes Class (two-part class) Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Prediabetes Third Thursday of each month, 2 to 4 p.m. Fourth Tuesday of each month, 3 to 5 p.m. Sweet Success Gestational Diabetes Class Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Child Care Classes Baby Care Dec. 1, 7 & 16, Weeknights, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon Infant Emergencies and CPR Wednesday, Dec. 1 & 15, 6 to 8:30 p.m. OB Orientation Wednesday or Thursday, Dec. 2, 15, 21, 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Child Care Classes Preparing for Birth 650-853-2960 Saturdays, Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 8 – Jan. 12, 7 to 9:15 p.m.
Childbirth Preparation Dec. 3, 4 & 9; Thursday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon Breastfeeding Mondays or Tuesdays, Dec. 6 or 7, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Preparing for Childbirth Without Medication Sunday, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 650-853-2960
Feeding Your Toddler/Preschooler Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7 to 9 p.m.
New Parent ABC’s – All About Baby Care Mondays, Dec. 6 & 13, 7 to 9 p.m., 650-853-2960
Introduction to Solids Monday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Raising Healthy & Happy Eaters! 650-853-2961 Introduction to Solids (ages 0 – 1) Feeding Your Toddler (ages 1 – 3) Feeding Your Preschooler (ages 3 – 6) Offered in Palo Alto and Los Altos, please call for dates.
Preparing for Baby Tuesday, Dec 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. What to Expect with Your Newborn Tuesday, Dec. 14, 7 to 8 p.m. For all, register online or call 650-934-7373.
Support Groups Bariatric 650-281-8908
CPAP 650-853-4729
Drug and Alcohol 650-853-2904
Kidney 650-323-2225
Cancer 650-342-3749
Diabetes 650-224-7872
Healing Imagery for Cancer Patients 650-799-5512
Multiple Sclerosis 650-328-0179
Free Appointments 650-934-7373 HICAP Counseling Advance Health Care Directive Counseling General Social Services (visits with our social worker)
Support Groups 650-934-7373 AWAKE
Bariatric Surgery
Breastfeeding
For a complete list of classes and class fees, lectures and health education resources, visit: pamf.org. *> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 7
Upfront
News Digest
TRANSPORTATION
High-speed rail activities to slow down on Peninsula Rail authority votes to start line between Borden and Corcoran, giving Peninsula cities a chance to focus on Caltrain
Emotional intelligence is topic of Wednesday panel Nurturing emotional intelligence in students will be the topic of a Palo Alto PTA-sponsored panel discussion Wednesday, Dec. 8. The discussion, featuring psychologists and counselors, is aimed at parents who want to foster emotional awareness in their children. The event is a follow-up to a PTA-sponsored discussion in March titled “Growing up Asian in Palo Alto.” Organizers stressed that they hope for broad community participation in the event and encourage non-Asians as well as Asians to attend. Panelists will discuss case histories and show video interviews with University of California, Berkeley, students on the subject of student scheduling and talk about what parents can do to nurture emotional intelligence. Panelists include University of Tokyo psychologist and former Stanford University visiting scholar Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu; Terman Middle School counselor Bhavna Narula; and Cupertino Union School District counselor Helen Sung. The discussion will be from 7 to 9 p.m. in the board room of school district headquarters, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto. N — Chris Kenrick
Sutter Health cuts medical foundation staff Fifty-three positions have been eliminated at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), the organization announced Wednesday (Dec. 1). The layoffs are being caused by financial difficulty at the nonprofit health care organization. Those affected included nurses, medical assistants, patient-service representatives and imaging staff from multiple locations in Alameda, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, spokeswoman Cynthia Greaves said. “Health care reform is already bringing reductions in Medicare reimbursement,” Greaves said. “Commercial insurance companies are demanding lower costs, and employers are reducing their contribution to health care benefits for employees.” The changes from the health care reform have affected what Greaves called their “affordability goals,” leading PAMF to terminate the 53 employees. Before letting go any employees, PAMF offered a voluntary early-exit program and eliminated any vacant positions. While terminating positions, the organization also sought to move employees into open positions before laying the workers off. “This action was not easily taken and was pursued only after long and careful review of many options,” Greaves stated. According to a press release, PAMF will support those who lost their jobs through the transition and will keep the former employees informed of new job postings within PAMF when they arise. “This has been a very difficult decision for all of us and a new experience for our organization and its culture,” Greaves said. “We promise to respect and support the people affected by these changes, and we will continue to provide open and honest communication as we address the challenges ahead.” PAMF has approximately 4,600 employees. N — Kelly Jones
Palo Alto teen arrested for Redwood City killing Mario Cazares, 17, of Palo Alto was one of two persons charged with murder Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 1) in San Mateo County Superior Court on suspicion of being involved in a gang-related killing Sunday night in Redwood City. Also charged with murder was Michael Elijah Rodriguez, 18, of Redwood City, according to Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, who said Cazares is being charged as an adult. They are accused of being involved in the shooting of 21-year-old Julio Pantoja Cuevas, who was killed about 8 p.m. Sunday in Redwood City, police said. Both declined to enter pleas Wednesday and requested court-appointed attorneys. A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8, Wagstaffe said. Police arrested Cazares at his home on Midtown Court in Palo Alto just before noon Monday. Officers also searched the house, according to a police statement. Police earlier arrested Rodriguez as he was leaving his home in Redwood City at about 8:45 a.m. Monday, police said. The shooting is being investigated as a gang-related incident, though the shooter’s motive is unknown at this time, police said. The investigation is ongoing. Wagstaffe said the suspects were shouting out that they were members of the Nortenos gang as they confronted the victim. Investigators believe five to eight people participated in the murder and are continuing to search for more suspects, police said. Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 400 block of Madison Avenue in Redwood City at about 8 p.m. Sunday. They found Cuevas with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police were seeking between three and six Hispanic males in connection with the homicide, all in their late teens or early 20s. Anyone with information is asked to call the Redwood City Police Department at 650-780-7100. N — Bay City News and Palo Alto Weekly staff Page 8ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
by Gennady Sheyner alifornia’s high-speed rail project will begin between the small city of Corcoran and the unincorporated community of Borden in the Central Valley, the California High-Speed Rail Authority decided Thursday afternoon despite widespread criticism that the design would result in a “train to nowhere.” The authority’s board of directors unanimously adopted a staff recommendation Thursday to begin the rail line between the two small Central Valley locations — a recommendation that shocked legislators across the state after it was publicized earlier this month. Though the board was widely expected to choose a Central Valley segment as the first stretch of the 800-mile line, its choice dismayed and angered officials from Merced and Bakersfield who thought their regions should have been chosen for the first phase of the project. The rail project, which California voters approved in 2008, has run up against heavy resistance on the Peninsula, with Palo Alto, Atherton and Menlo Park all suing the rail authority over the validity of its environmental analysis. Rod Diridon, member of the rail authority’s board of directors, said Thursday that the decision to start the line in the Central Valley, as opposed to the Peninsula, was based in large part on community feedback. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) earmarked $715 million in its most recent grant for the Central Valley region, though it
did not specify where exactly this money should be spent. The grant all but ensured that the $43 billion project would begin in the middle of the state. “There was abject, overwhelming cooperation coming from Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield on the project,” Diridon said. “And that was, I think, the controlling reason the FRA decided to mandate to us that the funding is going to be spent in the Central Valley.” The decision means that it will likely be years before the rail project speeds to the Peninsula. Officials from Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton and other Peninsula cities have spent the past two years hiring engineering consultants, lobbying state officials for an underground rail design on the Peninsula, scrutinizing the authority’s environmental reports and holding regular meetings to discuss the rail project. Palo Alto Mayor Pat Burt said he expects the Peninsula group’s focus to change now that the line will start in Central Valley. Burt called the rail authority’s decision to begin the line between Borden and Corcoran “somewhat mystifying” but noted that Peninsula cities are more concerned about what happens in their own communities. He said he expects the rail authority to slow down its engineering work on the Peninsula and shift its focus to Central Valley. If that happens, Peninsula cities can attend to another hot rail-related topic — making sure the cash-strapped Caltrain service gets the funding and
the infrastructural improvements it needs to continue operating. The rail authority had already indicated that it would not release its highly anticipated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Peninsula segment of the rail line in December, as previously planned. But Burt said it remains to be seen how long the authority will wait before proceeding with the document, which would evaluate and select the design of high-speed rail on the Peninsula. He noted that the rail authority only has about $4.3 billion in federal and state funds — far short of the project’s estimated $43 billion price tag. “If they proceed to do what I think is foolish, which is drive forward an EIR, we’d probably be obliged to continue to expend resources on something that we think is unlikely to happen,” Burt said. Despite the recent Central Valley decision, Palo Alto officials are proceeding with the city’s Rail Corridor Study, an effort to analyze the Caltrain Corridor and identify opportunities for development around the corridor. The Thursday meeting of the rail authority’s board focused largely on the Corcoran-Borden corridor, with some Central Valley officials lauding the staff recommendation as a sensible choice for the first phase of the 800-mile line and many others blasting this selection as a betrayal of earlier promises. Merced County Supervisor John Perdoza said the
DreamCatchers
is that students can develop their intelligence and talents through hard work and learned skills and strategies. This “growth mindset,” an idea formulated by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, points to potential that is not limited by family circumstances or innate gifts. The mindset stands counter to what Osborne grew up with, one that assumed intelligence is fixed from birth, she said. When she did well as a child, people reinforced that “fixed mindset,” telling her, “You’re so smart.” Now Osborne is learning to encourage Eunice by praising her skills rather than automatically saying, “You’re so smart.” “Figuring out how to do that is hard,” Osborne admitted. Tutor Charlie Read, a software programmer and one of two volunteers who aren’t Stanford students, also appreciates the growth-mindset philosophy. “The ultimate goal is to instill those learning values and abilities that will stick with them forever,” he said. Read himself is learning from DreamCatchers, he said. The tutor training has shown him how to individualize the help he provides, tailoring his approach to account for the student’s unique personality
and thus bringing out the best in his tutee. “That’s what’s different about this program,” Read said. DreamCatchers encourages tutors to consider questions such as: “What kind of student do you have? Are they visually oriented? What’s the best strategy?” Eunice’s mother, Lucia Peguero, said she is grateful for the program, which also serves her son, Diego. Her kids’ grades have improved, and her son is more confident and sociable, she said. “He really likes it,” she said. “We are so lucky.” Student Kimberly Sanchez, who attends Paly, also likes the program and the friends — both adult and teenaged — she’s met there. “It’s helped a lot. DreamCatchers is a good program for kids to raise up their grades. “They wouldn’t give up on you.” N Managing Editor Jocelyn Dong can be e-mailed at jdong@paweekly.com. Through the financial contributions of community members, the Weekly Holiday Fund supports programs, like DreamCatchers, for youth and families in the Palo Alto area. To read more about the campaign and make a contribution, please see the ad on page 23.
C
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keep schoolwork and supplies organized, and more. Their tutors, mostly Stanford University students, work alongside the students, who range from sixth- to 10th-grade and are referred by school counselors based on academic need. Forming a supportive relationship between tutors and students — not just providing an academic brain dump — is a key aspect of the program. “Tutors are not just tutors. They’re mentors and role models,” said Carlos Guzman, DreamCatchers’ tutoring program director, as he helped Monday at Palo Alto High School, one of two program sites. Eunice calls Osborne “very supportive. She checks up on me.” Once, when daunted by an English assignment due the next day, Eunice e-mailed Osborne. “She helped me step by step,” said Eunice, her red hoop earrings swinging under her straight brown hair. The philosophy of the threeyear-old nonprofit, which received a $5,000 grant from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund this past year,
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Upfront
High-speed rail (continued from page 8)
decision to begin the line between Borden and Corcoran “just plain makes me mad.” Atherton Councilman Jerry Carlson attended the Sacramento meeting and asked the board members why they didn’t hold public hearings on this decision before Thursday’s meeting.
Teaching
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achieve — the kids have the potential to achieve way beyond (their parents).” In response, Scott suggested dispensing with old forms to engage parents in more meaningful discussions about their children. “If we do not have open conversations with our No. 1 client base — our parents and children — it really doesn’t matter what we say around this table, or all the piles of data we have,” Scott said. Teachers need to dispense with “ritual engagement” and “have hard conversations with parents in a very respectful way, without blame but with candor, because we are keeping from our parents what cannot be kept from parents.” Woodham’s and Scott’s comments followed presentations by principals on methods they use to track individual student performance and to tailor instruction both for low- and high-achieving children. Principals collaborate regularly with teachers to perform “kid-by-kid” analyses of individual achievement, they said. Every child in the school district has a red “literacy folder” — containing standardized test results and writing samples that go back to first grade — that gets passed from teacher to teacher. Sobered by discouraging statistics published in June about a persistent racial achievement gap in Palo Alto schools, several principals spoke of a new, more proactive approach to remedial education. Data-driven strategies also are enabling schools to provide enrichment to students on the highachieving end, they said. “We’re moving away from the idea of sending kids (out of the classroom) to the ‘fix it’ shop,” Escondido School Principal Gary Prehn said. Instead, Palo Verde Principal Anne Brown said, schools are looking for ways to “help (potentially struggling students) before they fail to achieve, to prevent them from going into special education.” The new approach means changing how reading specialists and resource teachers provide services, more often bringing them into the classroom to offer support rather than sending children across campus to them, Addison School Principal Jocelyn Garcia-Thorne said. “The resource specialists have a dual role — coaching and support (of classroom teachers) and also direct service to students,” Garcia-
“Credibility and public support has continued to decline for this project,” Carlson said. “It needs to be addressed through your actions and not through a PR campaign.” Tom Umberg, vice chair of the board, reminded the audience that the authority’s focus is to build a statewide system and downplayed the importance of where the line begins. “Wherever we begin is not the endpoint,” Umberg said. “Wherever we begin is not the terminus of the
project.” Authority board member Lynne Schenk rejected opponents’ characterization of the Borden-Corcoran segment as a “train to nowhere” and maintained that “Central Valley is not nowhere.” She said she was surprised by the staff recommendation not to start the rail line in more densely populated cities and said she understands “the engineering sense, but not the common sense” behind the recommendation. She
ultimately ended up supporting the staff recommendation. Rail engineers argued that starting construction between Borden (near Madera) and Corcoran (south of Fresno) gives the agency the flexibility to build either north or south when more money becomes available. Rail authority CEO Roelof van Ark did not attend Thursday’s meeting but released a statement Wednesday urging critics of the
staff recommendation to focus on the entire project rather than its starting point. “It is an engineering and projectmanagement decision, not a political one,” van Ark wrote on the blog, Fox & Hounds Daily. “It is an important decision, as it should secure the future success of the program as a whole.” N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.
Thorne said. “They help teachers be better teachers but also are specialists in the needs our ESL (English as a Second Language) or LD (learning disabled) kids have.” The June report on the achievement gap indicated that 41 percent of all African-American students and nearly 25 percent of all Hispanic students in Palo Alto are enrolled in special education, compared to a district-wide average of 10 percent. African-American and Hispanic students enroll in fewer high-level classes and perform significantly
worse than their Caucasian and Asian peers on standardized tests, according to the report, which was prepared by school district officials. In their child-by-child assessments, principals said they are paying close attention to social and emotional factors that influence a student’s readiness to learn. “I’m looking to see if the teacher understands each student and how they’ve developed a relationship with that child,” Walter Hays Principal Mary Bussmann said. “The data is academic, but we cannot leave out the social-emo-
tional side. “I’m really looking at how the teacher is talking to me about their relationship with a child and whether they know that child inherently.” Nixon Principal Mary Pat O’Connell referred to “the interplay between the science and art of teaching that makes for excellent instruction. “One of the dilemmas we have as a nation is a tendency to oversimplify complex things,” O’Connell said. “We tend to reduce things down to the most easily measurable
items, which are not necessarily the most valuable. “I appreciate that within this district we do not oversimplify. We accept that what we’re trying to do is complicated,” O’Connell said. Garcia-Thorne of Addison, who joined the district as a new principal in August, said she was amazed by the levels of support, collaboration and resources here. “If there were a heavenly school district, I’ve died and gone to it,” she said. N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be e-mailed at ckenrick@paweekly.com.
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Upfront “There‘s no place like home.�
Fiber network
Redwood City - San Mateo - San Jose
(continued from page 3)
network is fraught with risks and challenges, the Utilities Department’s Management Specialist Jim Fleming told the commission. The broadband field is evolving rapidly, Fleming said, and remains highly competitive. Companies such as AT&T and Comcast offer their own high-speed Internet services, often through lucrative “triple play� packages (which feature voice, video and data services) and would be loath to lose market share to a municipal fiber system. “It’s a high-risk business,� Fleming said. “The competitive landscape is getting more treacherous.� Nevertheless, the number of
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A round-up of
Palo Alto government action this week
City Council Policy and Services Committee (Nov. 30)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Workplan: The committee voted to recommend that the council adopt a three-year workplan. Yes: Yeh, Price, Holman No: Shepherd
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Parks and Recreation Commission (Nov. 30) 707464
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municipal “Fiber to the Premise� networks (which offer citywide Internet access) has been growing nationwide. Fleming pointed to a June 2010 report in “Broadband Properties� magazine that said the number of such systems in the United States rose from 66 to 88 between 2008 and June 2010. These communities use all sorts of different business models, though in most cases they are located in areas that are underserved by existing telecommunication companies. Some communities have done well, while others less so, Fleming said. “Every community is different, and you have to be mindful of the competitive landscape,� Fleming told the commission. “You may have a very weak cable provider that’s easy to go up against, or a
Capital Improvement: The commission discussed the city’s capital improvement projects and considered opportunities for private funding for these projects. Action: None
Utilities Advisory Commission (Dec. 1)
Fiber network: The commission discussed the formation of a business plan for a citywide ultra-high-speed broadband network and various types of municipal broadband networks currently in use. Action: None
Architectural Review Board (Dec. 2)
Children’s Hospital: The board reviewed and approved the proposed design for the expanded Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, which is part of the Stanford University Medical Center expansion project. Yes: Unanimous
City Council High-Speed Rail Committee (Dec. 2)
Rail: The committee discussed California’s proposed high-speed rail project and recommended approving correspondence from the city to the California High-Speed Rail Authority and to state and federal officials regarding the project. Yes: Unanimous
LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week
TALK ABOUT IT
www.PaloAltoOnline.com Do you think the City of Palo Alto should expand its fiber network citywide? Discuss the topic on Town Square, the online community discussion forum on Palo Alto Online.
very strong incumbent cable customer who will not stand still when you take their customers away.� In the past, cable providers have used legal means to try to stop municipal fiber projects. Fleming also wrote in a report that reaction to such projects from communities has been mixed, with supporters viewing them as “essential infrastructure for a community’s long-term economic survival� and opponents seeing them as “evidence of government overreaching by entering into a business best left to the incumbent carriers and other private-sector telecom companies.� In tech-savvy Palo Alto, the idea of spreading ultra-high-speed Internet access to the masses has been buzzing around City Hall for about 15 years. In 2008, the city entered into a partnership with a consortium of high-tech firms to implement the “Fiber to the Premises� project. But the deal fell through in March 2009, after the consortium lost one of its financing partners and asked the city to contribute between $3 million and $5 million a year for the fiber network. The City Council chose not to do so. Now, Palo Alto is putting together a business plan for a citywide fiber network and working with two consulting firms to evaluate whether and how to expand the existing network. One firm, Tellus Venture Associates, is analyzing the local market for fiber service while another firm, Columbia Telecommunications Corporation, is evaluating ways to attract private investment and considering various engineering scenarios for a citywide system. Utilities staff plans to integrate the firms’ findings into a business plan, which is scheduled to be presented to the commission in February and to the City Council in March. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.
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CITY COUNCIL ... The council is scheduled to hear an update on the Fire Resources, Services and Utilization Study, discuss plans for the city’s takeover of Palo Alto Airport, consider adoption of a new Electric Utility Rate Schedule, discuss Main Library improvements and approve correspondence from the city relating to highspeed rail. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. BOARD OF EDUCATION ... The board will consider, and possibly vote on, a new staff proposal for academic calendars for 2011-12 and 2012-13. The board also will discuss results of negotiations with its three unions, hear an update on district finances and elect officers for the coming year. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, in the board room of school district headquarters (25 Churchill Ave.). CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss changes to the city’s Gas Utility Rate Schedule and discuss the city’s long-term plans for gas and electricity acquisition. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). N Page 10ĂŠUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž
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A weekly compendium of vital statistics
Palo Alto Nov. 24-30 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Child abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Elder abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Sexual assault. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Shoplifting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle related Abandoned auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Auto recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .4 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Miscellaneous Casualty/fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Misc. penal code violation . . . . . . . . . . .1 Other/misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Unattended death. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Baker Avenue, 11/27, 4:44 p.m.; child abuse/neglect. San Antonio Road, 11/27, 1:33 p.m.; domestic violence. University Avenue, 11/29, 1:40 a.m.; battery/simple.
Menlo Park 1100 block Almanor Avenue, 11/28, 8:51 p.m.; robbery. Euclid Avenue and Oconnor Street, 11/28, 9:40 a.m.; battery.
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PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL CIVIC CENTER, 250 HAMILTON AVENUE BROADCAST LIVE ON KZSU, FM 90.1 CABLECAST LIVE ON GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 26 ***************************************** THIS IS A SUMMARY OF COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THE AGENDA WITH COMPLETE TITLES INCLUDING LEGAL DOCUMENTATION CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BELOW WEBPAGE: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/knowzone/agendas/council.asp
Menlo Park Nov. 24-29 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Robbery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Shoplifting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Auto recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Driving without license . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .4 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Miscellaneous Civil problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Coroner case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Info. case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Noise ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Parole arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Atherton Nov. 24-29 Theft related Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle code violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Miscellaneous Animal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Citizen assist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Civil matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Coroner case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Flooding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hang-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Juvenile problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Meet citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Pedestrian check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Perimeter check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
VIOLENT CRIMES
(TENTATIVE) AGENDA-SPECIAL MEETING-COUNCIL CHAMBERS
December 06, 2010 - 6:00 PM 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
CLOSED SESSION: Existing Litigation Presentation on Housing Activities by the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County Fire Resources, Services and Utilization Study Agreement for Golf Professional Services Annual Public Review of Compliance of Development Agreement With Stanford University for the Sand Hill Road Corridor Projects Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application for the Federal Surface Transportation Program Funding for the 2011 Asphalt Overlay Project Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application for Funding for the California Avenue Transit Hub Corridor Project Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application for Funding for the Palo Alto Safe Routes to Schools Project Appeal of the Director’s Individual Review Approval of an Addition to an Existing Single Family Residence at 559 Everett Avenue Appeal of the Director’s Individual Review Approval of New Single Family Residence at 2615 Cowper Street Transfer of Geothermal RECs Resolution Vacating an Easement at 3708 Laguna Avenue Resolution Vacating an Easement at 4140 Old Adobe Road Proposed Partnership Between the City and Friends of Children’s Theatre 2nd Reading Approval of mitigated negative declaration and rezoning to allow mixed use project at 305 Grand Avenue and 2640 Birch Street (First reading on November 22, 2010 – Passed 9-0)
16. Resolution Amending the Conict of Interest Code 17. Contract for Construction Management and Design Services for the Stanford Avenue/El Camino Real Intersection Improvements and Streetscape Project 18. Contract With California Land Management for Park Ranger Patrol Services 19. TMAD Taylor & Gaines Contract for Design of Power Monitoring and Standby Generators Replacement Project at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant 20. KPA Contract for Design Services for the Municipal Services Center Improvements Project 21. HSR LETTERS 22. Airport Budget Amendment Ordinance and Responses to Finance Committee 23. Public Hearing: Consider Adopting a New Electric Utility Rate Schedule and Consider Adopting a Resolution to Amend Utility Rule and Regulation 29 24. Recommendation for a Temporary Main Library Location During Construction and Renovation
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Palo Alto Webster Street , 11/24, 2:29 p.m.; elder abuse/physical. Alma Street, 11/25, 12:30 a.m.; sexual assault/attempted rape. Old Adobe Road, 11/26, 7:55 p.m.; domestic violence/battery.
The Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 07, at 7:00 p.m. regarding 1) Changes to Utility Rates and Charges Pertaining to Gas, 2) Long Term Acquisition Plan, and 3) Gas Utility Long Term Plan
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NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING of the city of Palo Alto Architectural Review Board (ARB) 8:30 A.M.,Thursday, December 16, 2010 Palo Alto Council Chambers, 1st Floor, Civic Center, 250 Hamilton Avenue. Go to the Development Center at 285 Hamilton Avenue to review ďŹ led documents; contact Alicia Spotwood for information regarding business hours at 650-617-3168. 3000 Hanover [10PLN-00383]:Request by Gensler Architects on behalf of Leland Stanford Jr. University for Preliminary Architectural Review Board review for a new 33,000 square foot addition for a new headquarters and lobby area for Hewlett Packard. Zone Dist: RP Amy French Manager of Current Planning
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING of the Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission Please be advised the Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) shall conduct a special meeting at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, December 15, 2010 in the Civic Center, Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California. Any interested persons may appear and be heard on these items. Staff reports for agendized items are available via the City’s main website at www.cityofpaloalto.org. and also at the Planning Division Front Desk, 5th Floor, City Hall, after 2:00 PM on the Friday preceding the meeting date. Copies will be made available at the Development Center should City Hall be closed on the 9/80 Friday. CONSENT CALENDER 1. Colleagues Memo on Quasi-Judicial Matters and Approval of Amendments to Section IV of Planning and Transportation Procedural Rules Regarding Requirements for Quasi-Judicial Hearings. NEW BUSINESS. Public Hearing: 2. Recommendation Regarding Permanent Retention of 3 Speed Humps for the Lincoln Avenue TrafďŹ c Calming Plan. Questions. Any questions regarding the above applications, please contact the Planning Department at (650) 329-2440. The ďŹ les relating to these items are available for inspection weekdays between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This public meeting is televised live on Government Access Channel 26. ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations to access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn more about the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 650.329.2550 (voice) or by e-mailing ada@cityofpaloalto.org. *** Curtis Williams, Director of Planning and Community Environment *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 11
"25#%Âą#,).4² -##,).4)# Bruce “Clintâ€? McClintic was born on August 31, 1929 to Roberta and Raymond McClintic. Bruce attended San Jose State and UC, Berkeley, in Engineering. After graduation he worked for General Electric. He married Nancy Thomas in New York. They returned to San Jose, and had three children: Susan, Emily, and Tom. He worked at General Electric for over 30 years in the nuclear power industry, building and designing power plants in Europe and Asia. He was an avid ďŹ sherman, accomplished sailor, and devoted father. He retired in the early 80s, traveled extensively and was a proliďŹ c artist--drawing and painting throughout India,
Turkey, Russia, Ireland, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand. While living in Big Sur he met Phyllis Sherlock, the love of his life. He joined the Motley Men’s group, which emphasizes open sharing of one’s inner values. He was active in peace activities, including the Peace and Justice Center in Palo Alto. He is survived by his partner, Phyllis Sherlock; son Thomas McClintic, and his wife Caroline; daughter Susan McClintic, and her husband Michael Gilbert; daughter Emily Jacobs; and grandchildren Tessa, Cory, Kevin, Megan, and Katharine. He also loved Phyllis’ children and grandchildren: Liam, Jennie, Jim, John, Bodin and Carmen Sherlock. Memorial contributions may be made to Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center or Penninsula Peace and Justice Center. His art can be viewed at www.clint.com. PA I D
O B I T UA RY
$2 (5"%24 504/. Dr. Hubert Upton died Nov. 16 in Roseville, Calif. He was 85. The memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 12, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Mountain View. He was born in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska to Hubert Allen Upton and Mildred Mabery Upton. After his family moved to California, he received ofďŹ cer training in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a second lieutenant during World War II and then served as a naval medical ofďŹ cer during the Korean War. He attended University of California, Berkeley, for three years in engineering, and in 1945 changed his course of study to medicine. He graduated from the University of Rochester Medical School in 1951. Medicine became his lifelong career. He married Jean Cornell after meeting in Rochester, N.Y. The couple moved to California, and Dr. Upton
set up a family practice in Mountain View, Calif. He was one of the founders of El Camino Hospital, where he served the community until he retired in 1996. Dr. Upton was active in the California Academy and American Academy of Family Practice, the Boy Scouts of America and was a trustee for the United Methodist Church in Mountain View and Nevada City. He had a passion for music and started an Explorer Scout Jazz Band called the Blue Saints, which toured the world between 1964 and 1973. His interests included Japanese gardens, woodworking, boating, model and historical trains, aviation and music. Hugh and Jean had a happy marriage of 62 years and loved raising their family and traveling the world. He is survived by his wife, Jean Cornell Upton; his four children, Hubert Allen Upton, Bruce Arnold Upton, Gary Cornell Upton and Janice Upton Blumer; eight grandchildren; and brother, Dwight Upton. Memorial contributions can be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, 748 Mercy Street, Mountian View, CA 94041.
PA I D
Transitions Births, marriages and deaths
MEMORIAL SERVICE A memorial service for Hazel T. Maga will be held Friday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. at Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, 2440 Leghorn St., Mountain View. The family has requested that attendees refrain from wearing black or red to the service.
Submitting Transitions announcements The Palo Alto Weekly’s Transitions page is devoted to births, weddings, anniversaries and deaths of local residents. Obituaries for local residents are a free editorial service. Send information to Obituaries, Palo Alto Weekly, 450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306, or fax to (650) 223-7561, or e-mail to editor@paweekly.com. Please include the name and telephone number of a person who might provide additional information about the deceased. Photos are accepted and printed on a space-available basis. The Weekly reserves the right to edit obituaries for space and format considerations. Announcements of a local resident’s recent wedding, anniversary or birth are also a free editorial service. Photographs are accepted for weddings and anniversaries. These notices are published on Fridays as space is available. Send announcements to the mailing, fax or e-mail addresses listed above.
-!2)/. "%!2$3,%9 Dear Mom, We all miss you and love you after you have been gone this last year. We miss your vibrant, happy spirit and all the good things you always did for us. Bill, Francine, Nancy and Vic and the rest of your loving family. PA I D
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2!9-/.$ 2/9 /'"52. Raymond Roy Ogburn passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He was 88 years old. A fourth generation Californian, Ray was born and raised in Oakland. As a student at the University of California, he was called up for active duty during World War II and entered the United States Army Air Corps where he became a Second Lieutenant and served as a Navigator on B-29’s. After the war he returned to CAL to complete his degree and met his wife of 62 years, Jeannette Jones Ogburn, who survives him. A long time resident of Atherton where he and Jeannette raised their three sons. Ray was a Vice President, Business Division, of California Casualty Management Company in San Mateo and was a member of the Bohemian Club, San Francisco. He also served on the Board of
Serving all faiths since 1899
Directors of Menlo Park Fire Protection District, the San Mateo Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Poplar House for Disadvantaged Adults in San Mateo. He was an enthusiastic y ďŹ sherman, an expert skier, was on the CAL ski team before military service, raised orchids and vegetables, and was a consummate “Mr. Fixitâ€?. In retirement he and Jeannette traveled throughout the world. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Jeffrey and his wife Debbie and two grandsons, Terence and Dennis; son Stephen and his wife Jo Ann; son Matthew and his wife Brenda and two granddaughters Megan and Hanna and his sister Verna Ogburn Roberts. There will be a family memorial gathering at the Ogburn-Inwood Cemetery in Shasta County later in the Spring. Those who wish may remember him through Pathways Hospice, 585 N. Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel 650-369-4103 PA I D
Page 12ĂŠUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž
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All Beethoven Concert!! Coriolan Overture Violinist Victor
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CHRISTMAS TREES &WREATHS Nativity School will be selling Christmas Trees & Wreaths beginning Friday, November 26th and ending on Sunday, December 12th.
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Cecile Schmutz Terry, age 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Palo Alto, California, on November 25, 2010. Cecile was born in New Harmony, Utah, on March 7, 1920, to Andrew Schmutz and Cecil Taylor. She attended Dixie Junior College in St. George and graduated from the LDS Hospital School of Nursing in Salt Lake City, earning a degree as a Registered Nurse. She was the Covered Wagon Days (now Days of ‘47) Queen in Salt Lake City in 1942 and worked as a ight attendant for United Airlines during World War II. She married U.S. Navy Lieutenant Donald Morgan Terry at “The Little Church Around the Cornerâ€? in New York City on June 23, 1944. After the war Cecile and her husband moved to San Francisco, California, then settled in Palo Alto, which became her permanent home. Cecile worked for many years as a geriatric nurse at The Sequoias retirement community in Portola Valley, California. She served in various roles in the Palo Alto First Ward of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an active member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Cecile had a passion for education, travel, music, golf, and family history. She was a devoted mother who took great pride in her children and grandchildren. Cecile is survived by her brother, Gardner Schmutz, two children, Donald Terry and Teresa Judd, four grandchildren, David Terry, Rachel Terry, Rebekah Stay, and Sarah Porter, and three great-grandchildren, Kathryn Terry, James Stay, and Clara Terry. Another grandson, Jeremy Price, preceded her in death. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 pm on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at the New Harmony Cemetery, followed by burial alongside her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Interment will be under the direction of the Southern Utah Mortuary. In lieu of owers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011,Washington, DC 20090-6011, or via the website www. alz.org, or by calling 1.800.272.3900. Arrangements entrusted to Roller & Hapgood & Tinney Funeral Home in Palo Alto, CA. www.rollerhapgoodtinney.com PA I D
O B I T UA RY
*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 13
Arts & Entertainment A weekly guide to music, theater, art, movies and more, edited by Rebecca Wallace
Composing connections TALENTHOUSE HELPS MAKE LINKS BETWEEN MUSICIANS, DESIGNERS AND OTHER ARTISTS by Kelly Jones I photographs by Veronica Weber
W
alking through the Talenthouse doors on High Street in downtown Palo Alto, visitors get an enthusiastic greeting from Bear, the company dog and office mascot. After only a couple of months in the lofty brick building, the Talenthouse staff has personalized the space in other ways as well, with pieces of art lining the walls and a drum set stationed in the corner. Two logo banners hang from the ceiling, marking the space as Talenthouse territory. Talenthouse, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in business, is an online hub for creative communication (at talenthouse.com), where artists can showcase their work and collaborate on projects. The company seeks to promote talent by helping unknown artists make significant connections with the right people. For example, a filmmaker might be looking for a new musician to compose a movie score, or an apparel company might need a ski-goggle designer. To date, Talenthouse has helped launch projects with a variety of industry icons such as Nokia, Adi-
das, Rihanna, Montblanc, Glamour Magazine, Island Def Jam and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. “We provide a sort of life-changing experience for artists,” Frederik Hermann, vice president of marketing, said in an interview at the Palo Alto office. “We’re helping them take a huge step in their careers.” By posting “creative invites” on the Talenthouse website, companies or artists invite Talenthouse users to submit samples of their work for a particular project, and then choose winners from the submissions. The site connects all manner of creative types, such as singers and producers, actors and filmmakers, or graphic designers and corporate companies. The site is available in six languages. “We have winners from Africa, Mongolia and other places around the world,” Hermann said. “Without Talenthouse they wouldn’t have the chance to work with these Hollywood producers.” Companies who want to promote their projects on the site can view hundreds of potential applicants, and if the numbers become too great Talenthouse offers a public vote to help narrow down the best choices.
Page 14ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
Above: Frederik Hermann, vice president of marketing at Talenthouse, sits in the company’s new Palo Alto office. Above left: Bear is the office dog at Talenthouse. For a company to advertise its project, it must be able to provide for all the winners’ travel expenses and find them a place to stay where the project requires, Hermann said. One recent creative invite was posted by the Stan Lee Foundation, which supports literacy, the arts and education and was started by Lee, the comic-book writer and former head of Marvel Comics. The foundation was seeking an official logo.
Designer AJ Marti won the competition, and was flown to New York City from the Dominican Republic to receive his award on stage at New York Comic Con pop-culture convention. Lee and others at the foundation were impressed and decided to use Talenthouse again, according to a “success story” posted on the Talenthouse website. The foundation is currently in search of a graphic designer to create a new
superhero. Another success story focuses on Blair Taylor, a young New Orleans music producer who was named the winner of an invite by producer Ryan Leslie, who has worked with Mary J. Blige and other big names. Taylor assisted Leslie in the studio, and said on the Talenthouse website that Leslie still contacts him to work as a producer for various artists. “Other artists and record compa-
Real Estate Matters Talenthouse’s large brick Palo Alto office previously housed Jungle Digital. nies across the states have noticed my accomplishments with the contest and have reached out to me as well,” Taylor said. He has also been working on his own music, and will soon release his second album, “Taylor Made II.” He credits Talenthouse for giving him the opportunity to work with Leslie and opening up his work to a larger fan base.
The Talenthouse team also hopes to install a recording studio for musicians who cannot afford to pay for studio time. Originally located in Mountain View, Talenthouse started in 2009 with five employees and a small engineering team. Over the past year the company outgrew the Mountain View space and decided to move to the larger Palo Alto location. That
office now has 20 employees and is the largest of four Talenthouse offices; the others are in Los Angeles, New York and London. Company founder Amos Pizzey created the idea for an artist socialnetworking business while working as a musician and producer in England. After being discovered by Boy George at the age of 13, Pizzey signed on to his band, Culture Club. Over the next two decades Pizzey built his career producing and remixing artists, including Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and George Michael. “Coming up first as an artist then as a producer in the music industry, I saw so many talented young people that had no way of being seen and heard. For us the Internet is the ultimate tool for them to create, collaborate and liberate their art for all time,” Pizzey said in a press release. “This is why we built Talenthouse.” Pizzey teamed up with entrepreneur Roman Scharf and the two created talenthouse.com, the
beginnings of their international networking site. Scharf had previously co-founded a communications company called JAJAH. As a selfdescribed “early-stage guy,” Scharf worked with Pizzey to build the Talenthouse technology and the team from scratch, he said in an interview at the Palo Alto office. Their site has brought about 150 projects to life in the past year. With the increased office space, the members of the Talenthouse team hope to expand their future opportunities for artists by installing a recording studio for musicians who cannot afford to pay for studio time. The wide building also offers plenty of wall space for potential art shows, which Hermann believes the team will host in the future, along with performances by local bands. “Life is exciting at Talenthouse,” Scharf said. N Info: Talenthouse’s Palo Alto office is at 542 High St. in Palo Alto. For more information, go to talent house.com or call 650-930-9813.
DOWN PAYMENT SOLUTIONS One way to get the best mortgage terms is to make a down payment of at least 20%. That not only gets you a lower rate and monthly payment, but you'll also avoid additional PMI fees, and have instant equity in your home. But what are your options if you can't manage 20% down? There are many federal, state and local programs that provide first-time homebuyers with assistance and great loan terms. One popular FHA loan is the HUD 203 (b), which requires just 3% down and rolls the closing costs into the financed amount. If you're starting with a fixerupper, you might consider the HUD 203(k) loan. Traditionally, lenders don't provide a mortgage until repairs are completed, but buyers can't start repairs until they own the home. This FHA loan provides the entire purchase and the improvements amount based on an estimate of the home's value after repairs.
Young first-time buyers could also get great terms if your parents can make the investment and down payment for you. Their good credit will guarantee the best terms, and you can buy them out over time or they can forgive a percentage of the loan each year. If the federal programs aren’t for you, then the bank of Mom and Dad may be the best. Jackie Schoelerman is a Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors and a Real Estate Specialist for Seniors. Call Jackie for real estate advice.
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Arts & Entertainment
Michelle Le
Jason Cirimele plays guitar as Tara Priya sings at Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View.
Two old souls Local musicians channel retro soul on recent release
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by Nick wo local musicians are following in the footsteps of contemporary artists such
Veronin as Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse by turning back the clock, with a sound that conjures im-
32nd ANNUAL 2011 TALL TREE AWARDS Call for Nominations The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and the Palo Alto Weekly are proud to announce the 32nd Annual Tall Tree awards, presented in four categories, recognizing exceptional civic contributions and service to the Palo Alto community. Current elected ofďŹ cials are not eligible. s /UTSTANDING #ITIZEN 6OLUNTEER s /UTSTANDING 0ROFESSIONAL s /UTSTANDING "USINESS s /UTSTANDING .ON 0ROlT .OMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW PALOALTOCHAMBER COM OR AT THE 0ALO !LTO #HAMBER OF #OMMERCE AT (AMILTON !VENUE 0ALO !LTO
Nomination deadline January 7, 2011 at 5pm
ages of beehive hairdos and doowopping backup singers. Tara Priya, a singer and pianist from Los Altos, and her songwriting partner, Mountain View multi-instrumentalist Jason Cirimele, have just self-released an EP of retro soul tunes, titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tara Priya.â&#x20AC;? Priya grew up in Los Altos, where she first picked up piano at age 4, and began training to be an opera singer when she was 11 years old. In high school she took a liking to jazz and frequently dreamed of a career in music. She is currently living in Los Angeles. Some of Jasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earliest memories are of his tiny hands pounding on a piano and clutching drumsticks. These days his main instrument is guitar, although he can play bass, drums and keyboards, and is familiar with music-production software. When he isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t playing he teaches music at Peninsula School in Menlo Park. On Nov. 15, the duo performed stripped-down versions of two tunes from their new six-song debut at Red Rock Coffee in downtown Mountain View. Old friends, other open-mic musicians and coffee-shop patrons listened intently as Cirimele wove jazzy chords and bluesy pentatonic flourishes together with the gritty earth-tone of his Fender Stratocaster. Priya demonstrated a wide range, jumping easily from deep and sultry soul up to a trembling, frail falsetto coo, all the way back down to an assertive Aretha-esque growl. Hoop bracelets jangled on her thin arms. The 22-year-old singer and 23year-old guitarist began writing the album in February and began recording in April. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long before Priya began touring â&#x20AC;&#x201D; around the Bay Area, New York, Los Angeles and Miami â&#x20AC;&#x201D; bringing along Cirimele when he had time, and using Craigslist
Arts & Entertainment and friends of friends to pull together the rest of the band. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I still feel like it happened too slowly,â&#x20AC;? said Priya, whose goal is to make a living as a touring musician. Both Priya and Cirimele are fans of a variety of genres, but said that soul particularly resonates with both of them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love old soul,â&#x20AC;? Cirimele said, noting that he learned to play the guitar listening to soul, blues and classic rock records. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love the way it feels. I love the textures: the grit.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no other sound that makes me feel as deeply,â&#x20AC;? Priya said.
Priya also has a contingency plan: Before she started pursuing music full time she worked in finance. However, while she acknowledged the challenges of being a full-time musician, she said her plan is to continue forging on as a singer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wake up all the time with a song in my head,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What am I going to do if I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t write that and perform it?â&#x20AC;? N Info: Tara Priya and Jason Cirimele are scheduled to perform this Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8:30 p.m. at Red Rock Coffee at 201 Castro St. in Mountain View. Call 650-967-4473 or go to tara priya.com.
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DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS Israeli-American Cultural Differences as Reflected in In Treatment/BeTipul
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7HAT SCHOOL IS MEANT TO BE
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Movies
THEATER ADDRESSES Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (266-9260)
Palo Alto (493-3456)
Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264)
Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (266-9260)
Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood City (800-326-3264)
Internet: For show times, plot synopses, trailers and more information about films playing, go to PaloAltoOnline.com.
Stanford: 221 University Ave., Palo Alto (324-3700)
CinĂŠArts at Palo Alto Square: 3000 El Camino Real,
NOW PLAYING
MOVIE TIMES
127 Hours (R) (((
Aquarius Theatre: 2, 3, 4:30, 5:30, 7, 8 & 9:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:25 a.m.; 1:50, 4:25, 7 & 9:25 p.m.
Burlesque (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)
Century 16: 12:30, 2:05, 3:40, 5, 6:50, 7:50 & 10 p.m. Century 20: 11:25 a.m.; 12:30, 2:10, 3:20, 4:50, 6:15, 7:35, 9:05 & 10:20 p.m.
Due Date (R) (Not Reviewed)
Century 16: 11:50 a.m. & 6:20 p.m. Century 20: 12:20, 2:45, 5:25, 7:55 & 10:15 p.m.
The following is a sampling of movies recently reviewed in the Weekly:
Tangled (PG) (((
Century 16: 11:30 a.m.; 1:55, 4:20, 7 & 9:30 p.m.; In 3D at 12:50, 3:20, 5:50 & 8:30 p.m. Century 20: 12:45, 3:15 & 10:40 p.m.; Fri.-Tue. & Thu. also at 5:40 & 8:10 p.m.; In 3D (Fri.-Thu.) at 11:20 a.m.; 1:55, 4:35, 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.
Unstoppable (PG-13) ((
Century 16: 11:40 a.m.; 2:25, 4:55, 7:25 & 9:50 p.m. Century 20: 12:35, 3:10, 5:35, 8:05 & 10:40 p.m.
Waiting for Superman (PG) (Not Reviewed)
Century 16: 11:30 a.m.
Fair Game (PG-13) ((1/2 Century 20: 11:30 a.m.; 2, 4:30, 7:05 & 9:40 p.m. Palo Alto Square: 1:55, 4:30 & 7:15 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 9:50 p.m.
The Warriorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Way (R) (Not Reviewed)
Century 16: 11:55 a.m.; 2:20, 4:50, 7:40 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 11:50 a.m.; 2:15, 4:40, 7:10 & 9:35 p.m.
Faster (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: 11:45 a.m.; 2:15, 4:40, 7:15 & 9:40 p.m. Century 20: 12:25, 2:50, 5:20, 8 & 10:35 p.m.
( Skip it (( Some redeeming qualities ((( A good bet (((( Outstanding
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest (R) ((((
Guild Theatre: 5 & 8:15 p.m.; Fri.-Tue. & Thu. also at 1:45 p.m.
Glenn Beck Encore: Broke (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)
Century 16: Wed. at 7:30 p.m. Century 20: Wed. at 7:30 p.m.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 (PG-13) (((1/2
Century 16: Noon, 1, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 8 & 9 p.m.; Fri.Tue. & Thu. also at 7 & 10:10 p.m.; Wed. also at 10:15 p.m. Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 12:40, 1:35, 2:55, 3:30, 4, 4:55, 6:10, 7:20, 8:15, 9:40 & 10:35 p.m.
Inside Job (PG-13)
Palo Alto Square: 2, 4:40 & 7:20 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 9:55 p.m.
(((1/2
Love & Other Drugs (R) (Not Reviewed)
Century 16: 12:05, 1:05, 2:45, 4:05, 5:25, 7:05, 8:20 & 10:05 p.m. Century 20: 11:45 a.m.; 2:25, 5:05, 6:40, 7:45, 9:20 & 10:25 p.m.
Megamind (PG) ((1/2
Century 16: In 3D at 12:35, 3:35, 6:30 & 9:10 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 1:40 & 4:05 p.m.; In 3D at 12:05, 2:30, 5, 7:25 & 9:50 p.m.
Morning Glory (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)
Century 16: 11:35 a.m.; 2:10, 4:45, 7:20 & 9:55 p.m. Century 20: 11:40 a.m.; 2:20, 4:50, 7:35 & 10:10 p.m.
The Next Three Days (PG-13) (((
Century 16: 12:45, 3:45 & 7:10 p.m.; Fri.-Tue. & Thu. also at 10:15 p.m.; Wed. also at 10:10 p.m. Century 20: 1:05, 4:10, 7:30 & 10:30 p.m.
Paranormal Activity 2 (R) (Not Reviewed)
Century 20: 9:30 p.m.
Red (PG-13) (((
Century 20: 2 & 7:40 p.m.
STANFORD THEATER The Stanford Theatre is at 221 University Ave. in Palo Alto. Go to www.stanfordtheatre.org or call 650-324-3700.
The Big Heat (1953) A cop takes on a powerful crime syndicate. Friday at 7:30 p.m. Secret Beyond the Door (1947) A young woman marries a man who keeps something mysterious locked up in his house. Friday at 5:40 & 9:10 p.m. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) Three treasure hunters go on a quest through the wilds of Mexico. Sat.-Mon. at 7:30. Sat. and Sun. also at 3:25 p.m. In a Lonely Place (1950) A woman provides an alibi for her neighbor, but wonders if heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually innocent. Sat.-Mon. at 5:45 & 9:50 p.m. Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) Racial tensions erupt among gang members planning a bank robbery. Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Rocky Horror Picture Guild Theatre: Sat. at midnight. Show (R) (Not Reviewed) Secretariat (PG) ((1/2
Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 4:45 & 10:20 p.m.
The Social Network (PG-13) (((1/2
Century 16: 12:40, 3:50, 7:30 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 12:10 & 6:50 p.m.
The House on 92nd Street (1945) A man becomes a double agent for the FBI in a Nazi spy ring. Thursday at 5:50 & 9:20 p.m.
127 Hours --(Aquarius, Century 20) Danny Boyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;127 Hoursâ&#x20AC;? dramatizes the survivalist story of hiker Aron Ralston, as told in his book â&#x20AC;&#x153;Between a Rock and a Hard Place.â&#x20AC;? In the process, James Franco positions himself for a Best Actor Oscar nomination. The title refers to the time that lone mountain climber Ralston (Franco) spends trapped in Utahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blue John Canyon, where a boulder pins his arm to a rock wall. Rated R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images. One hour, 34 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; P.C. (Reviewed Nov. 19, 2010) Fair Game --1/2 (Palo Alto Square, Century 20) Beltway power couple Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts) and Joe Wilson (Sean Penn) find themselves under attack after diplomat and consultant Joe pooh-poohs what George W. Bush called â&#x20AC;&#x153;the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloudâ&#x20AC;?: Saddam Husseinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purported purchase of uranium. Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investigation finds no threat, but the war machine doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop, leading Wilson to poison-pen the New York Times op-ed â&#x20AC;&#x153;What I Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Find in Africa.â&#x20AC;? Somewhere in the shadows, senior Bush adviser Karl Rove decides â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife is fair game,â&#x20AC;? precipitating the outing of Plame as a CIA covert operations officer. With her operations burnt (and her contacts in danger), Plameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career implodes. And thus begins â&#x20AC;&#x153;the war at homeâ&#x20AC;? on two fronts: in the media and in the house of Plame and Wilson. Rated PG-13 for some language. One hour, 48 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; P.C. (Reviewed Nov. 12, 2010) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest ----
(Guild) Lisbet Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo, the girl who played with fire, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t literally kick any nests in this last installment of Stieg Larssonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Millennium trilogy. In fact, Lisbet, again played by Noomi Rapace, spends the first half or more of the film in a hospital bed. Though
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the target of various killers, Lisbet is not as much the center of this film as is investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist). After a violent pre-credits sequence, the action becomes more political than physical. Mikael, together with his editor and occasional lover Erika Berger (Lena Endre) and the rest of the staff of their magazine, digs deep to get the goods on the corrupt officials and shrinks who put Lisbet into a mental hospital at age 12. Rated R for strong violence, some sexual material and brief language. Two hours, 28 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; R.P. (Reviewed Oct. 29, 2010)
anne Ritchi (Tina Fey) fills the Lois Lane role. Metro City goes topsy-turvy when Megamind appears, almost accidentally, to vanquish Metro Man. What is a supervillain without his hero? This question, at times addressed seriously in the pages of comic books, gets a comic treatment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or, rather, a ĂŹromantic comedyĂŽ treatment as Megamind attempts to win over Roxanne, for whom heĂs long carried a torch. The storyĂs loose parameters of good and evil put forward the ideal that everyone is capable of redemption. Rated PG for action and some language. One hour, 36 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; P.C. (Reviewed Nov. 5 2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ---1/2 (Century 16, Century 20) The boy wizard who has captivated audiences since his literary introduction in 1997 is at last ready for his final curtain call. Harry Potter is officially a young man in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1â&#x20AC;? (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Part 2â&#x20AC;? is due out in July 2011). From the onset it is clear â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hallowsâ&#x20AC;? is a darker, more intense offering than past installments. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his best friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), are still reeling from the death of their beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. But there is little time for grief. Dark wizards led by the serpentine Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) have seized control of the wizarding world, casting an ominous shadow on all things magical.Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action and frightening images. 2 hours, 27 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; T.H. (Reviewed Nov. 19, 2010)
The Next Three Days --(Century 16, Century 20) A remake of Fred Cavayeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s French thriller â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pour Elle,â&#x20AC;? this film deals with a literal escape, as Croweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s John Brennan plots to spring his suicidal wife, Lara (Elizabeth Banks), from a Pittsburgh lockup. Early scenes establish how this middle-class woman finds herself sent up the river on what may or may not be a trumped-up murder charge. The audience has doubts, but John wills himself past those doubts. As he says of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Don Quixote,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;What if we choose to exist solely in a reality of our own making?â&#x20AC;? So John parks his young son with the grandparents (Brian Dennehy and Helen Carey, both sharp) and begins in earnest to make his own reality: that he will escape the country with his family intact. John begins the process by plying frequent escapee Damon Pennington (guest star Liam Neeson), who explains that the prison break is the easy
Inside Job ---1/2 (Palo Alto Square) Sometimes a good documentary is one for the history books. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inside Jobâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; written, produced and directed by Charles Ferguson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; may end up being that sort of film. The wounds recounted may be too fresh just now for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inside Jobâ&#x20AC;? to be broadly appreciated, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cogent synthesis of the factors leading to, defining and resulting from the global economic crisis of the last couple of years. Even the most casual observers of the economic crisis will have to consider much of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inside Jobâ&#x20AC;? to be old news, but Ferguson delivers it doggedly and without succumbing to blatant emotional appeal. Rated PG-13 for some drug and sex-related material. One hour, 49 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; P.C. (Reviewed Oct. 22, 2010)
part; escaping the post-9/11 rapid-response cordon is hard. And so begins an odyssey that presses a man to his limits. Rated PG-13 for violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements. Two hours, 13 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; P.C. (Reviewed Nov. 19, 2010) Tangled --(Century 16, Century 20) The familiar Disney princess formula gets a contemporary rinse and perm with this delightful adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rapunzel.â&#x20AC;? Impressive CGI animation (3D in many theaters) and a company of incredibly appealing characters help make â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tangledâ&#x20AC;? easily one of the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best family films. Kidnapped as a baby by the devious and manipulative Mother Gothel and isolated from the world, Rapunzel wants nothing more than freedom when her 18th birthday dawns. Gothel hungers for the rejuvenating effects sung (literally) from the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magical golden hair and forbids her from trimming her ever-growing locks. The hide-and-seek games Rapunzel plays with her pet chameleon Pascal can entertain for only so long, and a desire to see beyond her walls quickly consumes her. Fate intercedes when charming thief Flynn Rider happens upon Rapunzelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tower after escaping from the kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s castle with a valuable object. Let the adventure begin.Rated PG for brief mild violence. 1 hour, 32 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; T.H. (Reviewed Nov. 26, 2010)
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Megamind --1/2 (Century 16, Century 20) Will Ferrell plays the dastardly doofus Megamind, the perpetual loser of epic matches with superhero Metro Man (Brad Pitt, amusingly channeling buddy George Clooney). Always drawn into the middle, reporter Rox-
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PIZZA
Pizza Chicago 424-9400 4115 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
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Spot A Pizza 324-3131 115 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto Voted Best Pizza in Palo Alto www.spotpizza.com
AMERICAN
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Armadillo Willy’s 941-2922
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1031 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos
151 S. California Avenue, Palo Alto
Range: $5.00-13.00
We also deliver.
POLYNESIAN Trader Vic’s 849-9800 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Hobee’s 856-6124 4224 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Also at Town & Country Village, Palo Alto 327-4111
Su Hong – Menlo Park
Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm;
Dining Phone: 323–6852
Sun 4:30 - 9:30pm
To Go: 322–4631
Available for private luncheons
Winner, Palo Alto Weekly “Best Of”
Burmese
8 years in a row!
Green Elephant Gourmet
INDIAN
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-6 pm
SEAFOOD
(650) 494-7391 Burmese & Chinese Cuisine
Darbar Indian Cuisine 321-6688
3950 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto
129 Lytton, Downtown Palo Alto
(Charleston Shopping Center)
Lunch Buffet M-F; Open 7 days
Dine-In, Take-Out, Local Delivery-Catering
CHINESE Chef Chu’s (650) 948-2696
Janta Indian Restaurant 462-5903 369 Lytton Ave., Downtown Palo Alto
751 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
ITALIAN Spalti Ristorante 327-9390
Lunch Monday-Friday 11 AM - 2 PM Dinner Monday-Sunday 5 PM - 9 PM
Seafood Dinners from $6.95 to $10.95
Scott’s Seafood 323-1555
2008 Best Chinese MV Voice & PA Weekly
Cook’s Seafood 325-0604
Lunch Buffet M-F; Organic Veggies
1067 N. San Antonio Road on the corner of El Camino, Los Altos
Lounge open nightly
408 California Ave. Palo Alto 328-8840
#1 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto Open 7 days a week serving breakfast,
417 California Ave, Palo Alto
lunch and dinner
Jing Jing 328-6885
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Happy Hour 7 days a week 4-7 pm
443 Emerson St., Palo Alto
www.spalti.com
Full Bar, Banquets, Outdoor Seating
Authentic Szechwan, Hunan Food To Go, Delivery www.jingjinggourmet.com
JAPANESE & SUSHI Fuki Sushi 494-9383
Ming’s 856-7700 1700 Embarcadero East, Palo Alto www.mings.com
www.scottsseafoodpa.com
STEAKHOUSE
4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Open 7 days a Week
Sundance the Steakhouse 321-6798 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
New Tung Kee Noodle House
MEXICAN
520 Showers Dr., MV in San Antonio Ctr.
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2:00pm Dinner: Mon-Thu 5:00-10:00pm
Voted MV Voice Best ‘01, ‘02, ‘03 & ‘04
Palo Alto Sol 328-8840
Prices start at $4.75
408 California Ave, Palo Alto
Fri-Sat 5:00-10:30pm, Sun 5:00-9:00pm
947-8888
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www.sundancethesteakhouse.com
Page 20ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
Search a complete listing of local restaurant reviews by location or type of food on PaloAltoOnline.com
Eating Out
Commitment To Excellence
$500
Discount C oupon (with purchase of
Original Ownership Since 1975
new roof)
All Types of RooďŹ ng & Gutters Residential & Commercial S.C.L#785441 1901 Old MiddleďŹ eld Way, Mtn.View 650-969-7663
FREE DELIVERY
RESTAURANT REVIEW
(with min. order)
â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE BEST PIZZA WEST OF NEW YORKâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Ralph Barbieri KNBR 680
880 Santa Cruz Ave Menlo Park
226 Redwood Shores Pkwy Redwood Shores
(650) 329-8888
(650) 654-3333
(at University Drive)
(Next to Pacific Athletic Club)
Veronica Weber
Buy 1 entree and get the 2nd one
with coupon (Dinner Only)
Toshio Akabori at work in the Tokyo Subway kitchen.
Japanese on the fast side Tokyo Subway treats customers to comforting cuisine, kitchen wizardry by Dale F. Bentson
T
oshio Akabori and wife Sakiko are culinary performance artists: peeling, grilling, battering, steaming, deep-frying, rolling, squeezing, sautĂŠing, simmering, shaping, slicing, dicing, mincing, stirring, ladling, dipping and, finally, skillfully plating â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all in their diminutive restaurant, Tokyo Subway. The best part, aside from the quickly prepared but tasty Japanese cuisine, is that the open kitchen is an armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-length away from diners sitting at the long counter. No secrets here: just cozy homemade Japanese edibles with friendly prices. There are a half-dozen or so tables but only a couple of them can accommodate more than two diners. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OK, because the fun part is watching the Akaborisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ever-pirouetting performance from the counter. The production isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as razzle-dazzle as Japanese steakhouses; it is just the way the Akaboris navigate their kitchen. Toshio Akabori grew up in Tokyo and always had a hankering to cook. It was his lifelong dream to have his own restaurant in America. He worked in hotel kitchens in Japan, eventually transferring
to Guam, where he cooked while learning English. Six years later, he transferred again, this time to Missouri, where he completed his culinary apprenticeship. Twenty-five years ago, he took the plunge, opening Tokyo Subway in Menlo Park near the busy intersection of El Camino Real and Santa Cruz Avenue. The long narrow space reminded him of the many subterranean restaurants that flourish in the vast Tokyo underground system â&#x20AC;&#x201D; hence the name. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, many people confuse us with Subway sandwich shops. We are not related in any way,â&#x20AC;? Akabori said. The space is simply decorated with brightly colored Japanesque banners, lanterns and textiles. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the food here, and every dish is cooked to order and artfully presented, from the piping-hot ramen bowls to crispy tempura. The menu can be overwhelming, especially if one is unfamiliar with Japanese cookery: sushi rolls, nigiri sushi, sashimi, bento-box lunches, udon and soba (noodle-soup bowls), don (also known as donburi: meat, eggs or vegetables over rice in a bowl),
various combinations, a dozen side dishes and daily specials. For the uninitiated, the menu can cause the eyes to cross. I suggest going slow, reading thoroughly and asking questions even though the answers might be brief. The prices quoted are lunch prices. The menu is the same but prices are a little higher for dinner. On a recent visit, yosenabe ($15.50) was a steaming bowl loaded with chunks of salmon, shrimp, oysters, scallops, chicken, vegetables, tofu, yam noodles, etc., cooked in a fragrant, flavorful miso broth. It took a good five minutes for the bowl to cool enough to dig into. Meanwhile, subtle flavors wisped upwards, firing the appetite. The tofu was wonderfully fluffy, almost marshmallow-like minus the sweetness. The fish was fresh, but the oysters had that intense, overly briny jarred taste. Still, they were easy enough to push aside. The sushi roll combo ($7.25) included a hot bowl of miso soup and mini rice cakes stuffed with beans. I chose two each of the California rolls (crab, avocado and cucumber), kappa rolls (cucumber) and tekka rolls (tuna). Sauces, wasabi and pickled ginger accompanied. Overall, Tokyo Subway offers about 20 sushi rolls to choose from. The ingredients for the various sushi rolls were assembled and quickly shaped, stuffed into (continued on next page)
,UNCH "UFFET - & s /RGANIC 6EGGIES s 2ESERVATION !CCEPTED
369 Lytton Avenue Downtown Palo Alto 462-5903
Family owned and operated for 15 years
w w w. j a n t a i n d i a n r e s t a u r a n t . c o m
Ecole internationale de la PĂŠninsule
Ě˝ ŕŁ&#x2018; ੢ á&#x201E;&#x2018; á&#x2039;&#x2022; ŕ¤&#x201C; PRE-SCHOOL Outstanding fullday program.
LANGUAGE Longest running bilingual immersion school in the area. Experienced native-speaking faculty.
ACADEMICS Established English curriculum. Rigorous program in a nurturing environment. Low student-to-teacher ratio.
WHEN ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOUR CHILD, EXPERIENCE MATTERS. TEACHING MANDARIN CHINESE IMMERSION FOR 15 YEARS. A LEADER IN FRENCH IMMERSION IN PALO ALTO. ACCEPTING PRE-SCHOOL APPLICATIONS. REGISTER FOR A TOUR TODAY. TOURS & OPEN HOUSES
INFORMATION NIGHTS
UPCOMING TOURS November 19, 2010
FRENCH INFO NIGHT December 7, 2010
OPEN HOUSES/INFO SESSIONS November 13, 2010 January 8, 2010
CHINESE INFO NIGHT December 6, 2010
RSVP FOR ADMISSIONS TOURS AND INFO NIGHTS ON OUR WEBSITE
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE PENINSULA 7%" 777 )340 /2' s 0(/.%
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Eating Out
ShopTalk by Daryl Savage
Support quality child care for low-income families
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Armadillo Willyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palo Alto Creamery-Stanford ASAP California Pizza Kitchen Peninsula CreameryStanford The Dairy Store Baja Fresh Mexican Grill Reposado Bistro Maxine Round Table Pizza (2 locations) Celiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seafood Country Gourmet Su Hong Eatery CPK Stanford Subway (3 locations) Green Elephant Gourmet Sundance The Steakhouse Hobeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (2 locations) Thai City Indochine The Ace of Sandwiches Mingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chinese Cuisine The Counter Mountain Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza Trellis Palo Alto Creamery-Downtown Additional sponsors: Almaden Press, Anderson Honda, Chancellor Homes, Henderson Strategic Financial Insurance Services, Kawakita Graphics, Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto, Lucile Packard Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital at Stanford, Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, Palo Alto FireďŹ ghter Charitable Fund, Presidio Bank, Private Bank of the Peninsula, Robins and Pasternak LLP, Al and JoAnne Russell
Save the date for the 8th Annual Dine For Kids .OVEMBER th Find participating restaurants and auction details at: www.paccc.com/dine.php
For more information contact Cory Ervin-Stewart CERVIN PACCC COM s X
MIDTOWN GETS EYES ... More than 600 eyeglass frames are on display at Midtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest shop, Uber Eyes, at 2750 Middlefield Road. The optical boutique opened last week in a renovation that shouts out sophistication, modernism and simplicity. Owned by veteran optometrist Dr. Joanne Hu, the space features frames from Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and France. Prices start in the $300 range and can exceed $800. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We carry frames that are pretty exclusive. Many are one-of-akind pieces and are handmade,â&#x20AC;? Hu said. The 1,900-square-foot space, which also has a flatscreen TV and a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s section, is the former home of Best Video, and before that Harmony Bakery. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Business has been pretty good so far. We get a lot of walk-ins,â&#x20AC;? Hu said. A grand opening, which includes a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, is scheduled Dec. 8. NOLA GETS ALLIGATOR ... The Nola restaurant at 535 Ramona St. in Palo Alto just completed the biggest renovation in its 14(continued from previous page)
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC ÂŁÂ&#x2122;nxĂ&#x160; Â&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;,Â&#x153;>`]Ă&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;ÂĂ&#x2C6;xäŽĂ&#x160;nxĂ&#x2C6;Â&#x2021;Ă&#x2C6;Ă&#x2C6;Ă&#x2C6;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;°vVVÂŤ>°Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;}Ă&#x160; -Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;`>Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;7Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2C6;ÂŤĂ&#x160;>Â&#x2DC;`Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;`>Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;-VÂ&#x2026;Â&#x153;Â&#x153;Â?Ă&#x160;>Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;£ä\ääĂ&#x160;>°Â&#x201C;°
This Sunday: The Peaceable Kingdom Rev. Dr. Eileen Altman preaching An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ
seaweed sheets (nori), compressed with a bamboo mat and then sliced with surgical precision by Akabori. The sushi rolls were colorful, mouthwatering, clean and distinctive. I loved the tempura that showed up in many of the combination plates. The deep-fried batter crisped the vegetables without leaving an oily residue. Some of the vegetables melted in the mouth; others needed minimal chewing. The near-weightless shrimp and scallop tempuras were my favorites. The Subway combo lunches ($8.95-$10.25, depending on choice of ingredients) came with miso soup, a crisp but undistinguished salad and Velcro-sticky
year history. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only was it the biggest, it was the fastest,â&#x20AC;? general manager Shiraz Qadri said. The popular New Orleans-style restaurant reopened Nov. 26 after a six-week shutdown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell anyone we were opening last week. It was very quiet. We wanted it that way,â&#x20AC;? Qadri said. Some of the changes in the remodeled three-story historic building include transforming one of the dining rooms into a lounge with several large plasma TVs, and ripping out the courtyard and replacing it with a fountain and historic tile. There is also a new bar and a new kitchen. Another change is the addition of alligator on the menu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re offering alligator dumplings. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand new,â&#x20AC;? Qadri said. Six alligator dumplings go for $8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a lot of interest.â&#x20AC;?
gifts that are billed as environmentally sound. Another store that recently opened at T&C is CoCo-luxe Confections, which sells locally made chocolates, truffles and caramels. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think of it (chocolate) as comfort food in a high-end form,â&#x20AC;? said chocolatier Stephanie Marcon, who owns another confections shop in San Francisco. T&C is also the new home of Trunk Show Couture, a consignment fashion boutique that sells vintage and used clothing, shoes and handbags. Word is that top-name designer labels can be had for a song. LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CALL IT A DAY ... A few recent goners in Palo Alto: Jennifer Convertibles, the stylish sofa store at 383 University Ave., is dark. So is Dan Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Bar at 4141 El Camino Real, which closed after a six-year run. It had a farewell blast last weekend and served its final beer on Nov. 29. Also gone is View From the Terrace, the cutesy home decor shop at 444 Kipling St. It has been transformed into Be Yoga, an exercise studio that offers classes and workshops.
THREE NEW STORES ... Two Palo Alto moms, Cathy Keyani and Lisa Fulker, have combined their talents and opened Acme Party Shop at the Town & Country Village shopping center in Palo Alto. The lively shop offers favors, creative ideas and party
Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business moving out, or in, down the block or across town? Daryl Savage will check it out. She can be e-mailed at shoptalk@paweekly.com.
rice. I chose the chicken cutlet ($8.95), which was panko-crusted and feather-light. Panko breadcrumb makes superior fried foods, especially chicken. Other choices included pork, chicken teriyaki, beef, salmon and fried-oyster variations. My favorite repast was the Deluxe Bento Lunch ($14.95). Bento is, simply, a complete meal for one. There are different types of bento and Tokyo Subway serves the meal in the most traditional way: in a compartmentalized lacquerware box. Each bento order comes with miso soup, salad, rice, shrimp and vegetable tempuras. Then, one chooses among sashimi or sushi rolls, chicken, beef, pork, salmon, fried oyster or gyoza (pot stickers).
Whatever the choice, it is a charming meal, beautifully presented and delicious to eat. The restaurant offers a half-dozen sakes, chilled or warm; Japanese beers, red, white and plum wine and the usual assortment of beverages. Tokyo Subway is not intended as elegant dining but the food is fresh and vibrant with a comforting homemade appeal. With 25 years at the same location, there is a loyal following. Orders are quickly and skillfully prepared, and watching the Akaboris in action adds bonus pleasure. My wish is that they would reorganize the menu, making it easier to understand and to better define some of the dishes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially for those unfamiliar with the nuances of Japanese cuisine. N
Answers to this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzles, which can be found on page 59
INSPIRATIONS
A resource for special events and ongoing religious services. To inquire about or make space reservations for Inspirations, please contact Blanca Yoc at 223-6596 or email byoc@paweekly.com
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Tokyo Subway 605 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park 650-325-9399 Hours: Lunch: Weekdays 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner: Saturday-Thursday 5:30-9 p.m.; Friday 5:30-9:30 p.m. Reservations
Banquet
Credit cards
Catering
Lot Parking Sake, beer,
Outdoor seating
wine
Takeout
Highchairs
Wheelchair access
Noise level: Low Bathroom Cleanliness: Good
CLICK AND GIVE
Support our kids with a gift to the Holiday Fund.
Last Year’s Grant Recipients Adolescent Counseling Services ..........$10,000 All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Palo Alto ....$7,500 California Family Foundation ....................$2,500 CASSY (Counseling and Support .............$5,000 Cleo Eulau Center.......................................$2,500 Collective Roots..........................................$5,000 Community Legal Services in EPA ..........$5,000 Downtown Streets Team ........................$15,000 DreamCatchers ........................................$5,000 East Palo Alto Children’s Day Committee ..................................................$5,000 East Palo Alto Kids Foundation ................$7,500 East Palo Alto Youth Court ........................$5,000 Environmental Volunteers ........................$3,000 EPA.net.........................................................$2,500 Foothill-De Anza Foundation ....................$5,000 Girls To Women .........................................$2,500 Gunn High School Green Team................$1,000 InnVision ......................................................$5,000 Jewish Family and Children’s Services ....$5,000 JLS Middle School PTA.............................$3,500 Jordan Middle School PTA.......................$3,500 Kara ..............................................................$5,000 Mayview Community Health Center .....$10,000 Music in the Schools Foundation ............$5,000 New Creation Home Ministries ...............$5,000 Northern California Urban Development ....$7,500 Nuestra Casa ..............................................$5,000 Opportunity Health Center .......................$7,500 Palo Alto Art Center Foundation ..............$5,000 Palo Alto YMCA ..........................................$5,000 Palo Alto Library Foundation .................$50,000 Palo Alto PTA Council Arts ......................$2,000 Quest Learning Center of the EPA Library ..................................................$5,000 Reading Partners .......................................$7,500 St. Elizabeth Seton School .......................$5,000 St. Vincent de Paul Society ......................$5,000 West Meadow Track Watch Patrols.......$5,000 Youth Community Service .........................$5,000 Youth United for Community Action (YUCA) .............................................$2,500 CHILD CARE CAPITAL GRANTS Children’s Center .......................................$3,000 Palo Alto Community Child Care ..............$3,000 PreSchool Family .......................................$3,000 The Children’s Pre-School Center ...........$3,000
Non-profits: Grant application and guidelines at www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Give to the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund and your donation is doubled. You give to non-profit groups that work right here in our community. It’s a great way to ensure that your charitable donations are working at home.
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ach year the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund raises money to support programs serving families and children in the Palo Alto area. Since the Weekly and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation cover all the administrative costs, every dollar raised goes directly to support community programs through grants to non-profit organizations ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. And with the generous suppor t of matching grants from local foundations, including the Packard and Hewlett foundations, your tax-deductible gift will be doubled in size. A donation of $100 turns into $200 with the foundation matching gifts. Whether as an individual, a business or in honor of someone else, help us reach our goal of $275,000 by making a generous contribution to the Holiday Fund. With your generosity, we can give a major boost to the programs in our community helping kids and families.
133 donors through 12/2/10 totalling $37,020 with match $74,040 has been raised for the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund Donate online at siliconvalleycf.org/giving-paw.html 12 Anonymous $3,775 Richard & Nancy Alexander 500 Ed & Margaret Arnold ** Brigid Barton 100 Richard A. Baumgarter & Elizabeth M. Salzer 350 Lovinda Beal ** Vic Befera 100 Lucy Berman 1500 Roy & Carol Blitzer ** Steven & Linda Boxer ** Faith Braff 250 Eileen Brennan 100 Dick & Carolyn Brennan ** Allan & Marilyn Brown ** Gloria Brown 200 Richard Cabrera ** Bruce F. Campbell 1000 George Cator 100 Ted & Ginny Chu ** Andy & Liz Coe 100 Marc & Margaret Cohen 100 John & Ruth DeVries ** Tony & Jan DiJulio ** Ted & Cathy Dolton ** Attorney Susan Dondershine 200 Eugene & Mabel Dong 200 Diane Doolittle ** Joe & Lynn Drake 100 Hoda S. Epstein ** S. & D. Finkelstein 100 Debbie Ford-Scriba ** John & Florine Galen ** Gerry Gilchrist 25 Dena Goldberg 100 Catherine Gowen ** Harry & Diane Greenberg 500 Eric & Elaine Hahn ** Michael & Nancy Hall 1000 Phil Hanawalt & Graciela Spivak 300 Margaret Hanks 150 The Havern Family 3000 Walt & Kay Hays **
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Editorial
Ban on ‘late’ project changes is long overdue Palo Alto City Council also considering ‘strongly discouraging’ individual meetings between developers and council or planning commission members
U
nder the banner of increasing “transparency” in Palo Alto’s consideration of proposed developments or projects, the City Council will soon be taking up several issues of vital importance to the public’s right to know what’s going on in their community or neighborhood. The policies are in line with goals Mayor Pat Burt outlined when he took office last January, which the Weekly editorialized on in its Jan. 8, 2010, issue. The first policy would require staff reports and colleagues’ memos to be submitted one to two weeks before a meeting where they are to be considered. It would also essentially ban late submissions of significant plan changes. Such changes would have to be submitted at least five working days before a meeting at which they are to be considered. Late submittals will cause a delay to a future agenda — a policy that stems directly from a late-submission pattern in the Alma Plaza project. The second policy would “strongly discourage” members of the City Council and advisory boards or commissions from meeting individually with developers to discuss details of a project. Such a policy currently applies to members of the Planning and Transportation Commission but not to council members, resulting in what some commissioners believe causes developers to ignore the commission and head for the council. The catch is, as Councilman Larry Klein pointed out, is that an outright ban on solo meetings might also apply to neighborhood leaders and citizens. Thus this “transparency” issue might be more complex than it might seem at first glance, with nuances such as whether council members could meet with developers before, or after, a proposal is officially filed with the city. Until such questions can be fully vetted, perhaps a “full disclosure” policy should be enforced relating to any individual contact with developers or others relating to specific projects, as has often been the practice of council members. The other aspect of transparency, timely release of information, also dates back years, including a significant but fruitless effort in 2001 to move up the release of council agenda packets to a week before a meeting rather than late Thursdays. The try failed due to logistical issues of compiling the paper-based packets. But the past decade has seen vast improvements in digital communications. Today, online release of council agendas and reports as soon as they are approved to go to the print shop is an obvious next step. To his credit, City Manager James Keene on his own moved the packet release forward by a full day, to Wednesday afternoons — a good first step, but a baby step. Now comes the bigger proposal, already approved in concept by a unanimous council Policy and Services Committee. Details will be considered by the committee on Dec. 14, and the matter is expected to return to the full council in January. Under the proposed policy the release of packets would remain on Wednesdays, but with a big exception: “For major, complex projects and policies, the City will make every effort to distribute these reports two weeks prior to the meeting when the item will be considered.” That is an outstanding policy, demonstrating a commitment to vastly improved public awareness while building in a degree of flexibility. But it will take supervisory oversight to make the policy a real vs. “paper” policy. The new policy would require plan changes by developers to be submitted by noon five working days prior to the meeting “to allow for adequate staff review and analysis and to ensure public access to materials.” A similar early deadline would apply to colleagues’ memos by council members. But perhaps the most important policy facing the council — at least for city staff, journalists and anyone who has ever waited for hours to speak on an issue — could mean shorter meetings. Too often city meetings become grueling endurance tests, hence: “Consideration in building the agenda should be given to the potential length of the meeting and at what point items of significant public concern may be heard.” All in all, the package of “transparency” represents a solid positive effort to increase civic engagement in the community at points early enough to avoid last-minute blow-ups when people are caught by surprise. It’s worth a trial run. Page 24ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions
Turkey Trot thanks Editor, We represent the three foundations that are recipients of the Applied Materials Silicon Valley 2010 Turkey Trot and we wish to thank Applied Materials, Inc., the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the many other sponsors, and the friends, families and individuals that walked or ran the 5K or 10K course this year. The race grew by a third this year, from 10,600 participants last year to 14,500 this year. The race, the dream child of Carl and Leslee Guardino and Mike Splinter, helps three area charities to provide food, housing and health care — the race’s ideal of “Health, Hope and a Home.” We hope you had as much fun as we did, whether you ran the Perkins Coie CEO/Celebrity Challenge, Fairchild’s Fittest Firm Challenge, Fry’s Electronics’ Quickest Cop/ Fastest Firefighter, Westinghouse/ Solar’s Mayor’s Cup, your kids ran in the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital’s Fun Run, wore a costume for the Virgin America Competition, watched the El Camino Hospital Women Championship, or brought food to the Synaptics “Can Do” Challenge. We would also like to thank many of the other sponsors: San Jose Sharks, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, KPMG, the San Jose Mercury News, DLA Piper, Pacific Gas and Electric, KLA Tencor, SVB Financial Group, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, KLIV and KRTY, NBC Bay Area, Safeway, Vantge Point and Bally Total Fitness. Again, we want to thank all of you that came out on Thanksgiving Day to help the families in our county realize their dream of “Health, Hope and a Home” Kathy Jackson CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties Kathleen King Mayor of Saratoga Executive Director, Santa Clara Family Health Foundation Kevin Zwick Executive Director, Housing Trust of Santa Clara County
Fruit thievery? Editor, Once again we have had our Fuyu persimmon tree stripped of all the fruit. The squirrels were getting two to three a day but now neither the squirrels or ourselves have any! We place a net over the tree but apparently this only slows down the theft. Does anyone have a suggestion for deterring such late-night boldness? Jean Garrett California Avenue Palo Alto
This week on Town Square Posted Dec. 1 at 11:36 a.m. by Harriet Chessman, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood: I’m so heartened that bullying is receiving attention. Based on my children’s experience, and the experience of their friends, bullying is at a minimum in the elementary schools (at Addison, for sure), because those communities are smaller and more hands-on, and the teachers know their own bunch of students so well, and can nip problems in the bud. Paly is also fairly calm, especially as the students become juniors and seniors, developing more nuanced social skills and maturity. Jordan Middle School has a serious problem, however, in my view, and I have to say that in a small handful of instances, teachers can also become part of the problem in their aggressive attitudes toward students. However, most of the teachers and certainly all of the guidance staff work very hard to create a safe environment. In spite of this, Jordan’s culture seems to me to give too much space or implicit permission for bullying — the kind that involves “pretending” to bump into a younger student
in the open breezeways or hallways, for instance, or calling other students “gay.” If a child is a little overweight, or sensitive, or shy, or marginal to a perceived norm, the very largeness of this school can be daunting, and teachers can’t be omnipresent, overseeing every social interaction. I am not an expert on the breakdown of girls’ and boys’ bullying, but I agree (with one Town Square poster’s comment), about boys being more physically aggressive and verbally abusive, and girls being sometimes more subtle. In both cases, appearance and popularity appear to be big factors. The less athletic or “popular” a child is, the more open she or he is to bullying, whether of the physical variety or the shunnedby-clique variety. As for wealth, I think it’s unclear how this plays into the mix. Some bullies I’ve known at Jordan have been quite wealthy, and some have been quite poor. I wish now that I had moved my middle school student into a private school for 7th and 8th grades. I should add, it does get better the older all of the students grow.
YOUR TURN The Palo Alto Weekly encourages comments on our coverage or on issues of local interest.
What do you think? Do you believe that Palo Alto will ever get fullfiber online access? (Story on page 3) Submit letters to the editor of up to 250 words to letters@paweekly.com. Include your name, address and daytime phone number so we can reach you. We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, objectionable content, libel and factual errors known to us. Anonymous letters will generally not be accepted. You can also participate in our popular interactive online forum, Town Square, at our community website at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Read blogs, discuss issues, ask questions or express opinions with you neighbors any time, day or night. Submitting a letter to the editor or guest opinion constitutes a granting of permission to the Palo Alto Weekly and Embarcadero Publishing Co. to also publish it online, including in our online archives and as a post on Town Square. For more information contact Editor Jay Thorwaldson or Online Editor Tyler Hanley at editor@paweekly.com or 650-326-8210.
Check out Town Square! Hundreds of local topics are being discussed by local residents on Town Square, a reader forum sponsored by the Weekly on our community website at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Post your own comments, ask questions, read the Editor’s blog or just stay up on what people are talking about around town!
On Deadline: A decade of editing ‘a newspaper worth the reading’ by Jay Thorwaldson s a story in today’s Upfront news section conveys, I’ll be retiring from the Weekly’s editorship at the end of January. The departure comes after 10 1/2 years of helping produce what I believe is a quality publication, primarily through the efforts of terrific staff members, present and past, and much hard work and dedication. Reviewing past issues on our website shows a huge diversity and creativity and commitment to depth reporting on local issues. Along the way I have picked up many friends and some non-friends, and sadly even lost a few friends due to what was published. Yet journalism shouldn’t be about writing to impress friends, or officials. There always should be some distance even with people you really like and respect — an arms-length relationship that can be a touch lonely. My retirement also coincides with my 50th year of professional (meaning paid) writing and editing in the journalistic style, in addition to high school and college student-paper work at Los Gatos High School and San Jose State. I got to know the principal in high school over things we published, with the support of a terrific teacher, Elizabeth Girdler, who had a professional background and defended the right of student journalists to go after real stories. We covered a suicide of a young woman student after she had been rejected for a part in the senior play, then followed up with an
A
investigative article on how few students actually got to be in the student performances from freshman through senior productions — mostly the same kids, in a pretty exclusive clique. The article was discussed at a school board meeting. At San Jose State, the Spartan Daily wrote about the poor treatment the hundreds of foreign students were getting in circa 1960 and how a number of them were going home with anti-American feelings. And we exposed a great failure of America’s high schools when we wrote about the many hundreds of freshmen who had to take remedial English. In the post-Sputnik pre-beatnik years, there was huge emphasis on engineering, physics and science. We moved from the conformist 1950s era into the Beat Generation flip-flops-and-beard period, which flowed quickly into the hippie and antiwar generation of the 1960s and early 1970s. I developed friendships with local San Jose Mercury reporters, including a veteran who said working for the monopoly paper was turning him into a coffee-drinking slacker. Stories he’d submit would often sit around for a week or two, so why push? He taught me a valuable lesson: When there is no real competition a newspaper gets lackadaisical and lazy. Competition sharpens and hones a staff, pushes us to a sharp edge. And it’s just plain fun to get a solid scoop — getting scooped isn’t as much fun, but it’s part of the job. A decade ago, when I became editor at the Weekly, I wrote a column that recounted my greatest lesson in journalism and life, from which I offer the following excerpt:
The question, “What is good journalism?” has occupied some part of my mind most of my life, through high school and college classes, editing student and real-world papers, being a beat reporter, writing editorials and serving as ombudsman (reader advocate) and teaching for a time at Stanford. Definitions abound. Take your pick. But my most memorable lesson in community-based journalism was from a summer job I got after high school in Los Gatos: I was hired to research and write the local paper’s 75th-anniversary issue. For week upon week I sat in a darkened side room of the town library (pre-air conditioning) and read from endless reels of microfilmed issues of Los Gatos area newspapers from the 1880s on. One publisher wrote that he had to move “Frank, our compositor,” from his front-window location because Frank was getting a crick in his neck from turning to watch young ladies in spring frocks walk down the board sidewalks. Composition then was letter-by-letter handset type. Slowly, decade after decade, I became aware of a pattern. A new editor/publisher (usually one in the same) would come to town and write an introductory column in which he (always a “he” in those early days) would pledge sincerely to do an honest, forthright, vigorous, balanced, fair and compassionate job of covering the news of the community. Years passed in front of my eyeballs, bloodshot from the bright microfilm im-
ages in the dark room. There was a gradual and subtle shift of tone and attitude. The editorials became more strident. There would be scoldings of town officials for actions taken, or not taken. And some curmudgeon-sounding insults, such as “fools,” would show up from time to time. After 10, 15, 20 or more years there would be a farewell editorial, rich with often blunt advice about shaping the future of the town. And in the very next issue the new editor/publisher would write of his enthusiasm for the community’s bright future and pledge to provide fair, balanced, forthright, honest and energetic coverage of the town. These multiple cycles impressed me deeply. Unearthing them in my summer of celluloid archeology, seeing the patterns, gave me at a young age a telescoped vision of the past that is also the future. I saw vividly the repetitive cycles of life, generation to generation. I was awed by the “nowness” of the past and future, all intertwined with the individuals striving to live as a community — and those striving to produce a newspaper that is interesting and honestly worth the reading. To help produce “a newspaper worth the reading” is the best pledge I can make to the “Palo Alto area” community, a region rich with stories well worth the telling. I hope we have kept that pledge. N Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson can be emailed at jthorwaldson@paweekly.com.
Streetwise
Should Palo Alto’s libraries make more room for e-books even if this requires reducing space for print books? Asked at the Palo Alto Library, main branch. Interviews by Sarah Trauben. Photos by Vivian Wong.
Alison Dailey
Community College Instructor Midtown, Palo Alto “There’s something special about printed books. E-books would be nice, but not a huge priority.”
Dennis Upton
Unemployed Homeless, Palo Alto “I hope they don’t. It’s more important to have printed literature that is durable.”
Lillian Hom
Homemaker Old Palo Alto “E-books have copywriting issues and providing them in a library muddies up the waters further. Plus, the people who are reading e-books can likely afford them, so to me, book content is the most important thing about the library.”
Judy Fagerholm
Library Branch Manager Near Grant Road, Mountain View “We shouldn’t overdo the transition, as it’s always easier to diminish shelving space than to make it. The user community is the group that needs to be polled.”
Jia Li
Homemaker The Greenhouse, Palo Alto “I like physical books. I don’t always like to look at screens and computers, and we spend enough time doing that already.”
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Special Section
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Illustration: Scott Peterson
g n i n n i Wwords Short Story Contest celebrates local writers
nce again the Palo Alto Weekly honors some of the best fiction writers in the community with its 25th annual Short Story Contest. This week we’ve published the winning entry in the adult category — a dark tale that considers issues of vengeance, guilt and justice. Next Friday we will publish the winners in the child, teen and young-adult categories. A reception for Short Story Contest entrants will be held Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. at Kepler’s Books and Magazines in Menlo Park. The Weekly thanks each of the writers who entered this year’s contest as well as Ann Hellesland and Judy Clement Wall, who chose the top entries in each category to send on to the judges. Thanks also to our judges, and to contest co-sponsors Bell’s Books of Palo Alto, Kepler’s of Menlo Park and Linden Tree of Los Altos. N
Short Story Contest Winners Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Palo Alto Weekly Short Story Contest, listed below. Winners receive gift certificates to local bookstores or, for adults, cash awards. The stories and author biographies of the winners in the adult category will be published online at www.paloaltoonline.com Dec. 3. The young-adult, teen and child biographies and stories will be published online Dec. 10.
Adults, 18 years and older 1st place: “The Harrow” by Ross Peter Nelson 2nd place: “Solitaire” by Dawn Wood 3rd place: “2012” by Kevin Sharp
Young adults, 15-17 years old 1st place: “Monday” by Caitlin Colvin 2nd place: “Leonard” by Shreya Ramachandran 3rd place: “Escaping Utopia” by Alessandra Occhiolini
Teens, 12-14 years old 1st place: “The Kitchen Maid’s Apprentice” by Grace Yukiko Kuffner 2nd place: “The Folder” by Esmee Morris 3rd place: “Once Upon A Homework” by Caitlin Crosby Honorable mention: “Human” by Patricia Lin
Children, 9-11 years old 1st place: “Double Identity” by Brittany Nguyen 2nd place: “Hawk Lover and Golden Horizon: A Story of Friendship” by Zoe Weiss 3rd place: “An Itchy Adventure” by Emily Wang Honorable mention: “Maggie Finn’s Incredible Escape” by Caroline Hallee Page 26ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊÎ]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
M
by Ross Peter Nelson
Editor’s note: This story contains strong language and adult content that is not suitable for younger readers.
cKimmon’s eyes jerk open. Despite the haze shifting through his mind, despite the ache of muscles shrieking for relief, despite the dimness of the room, some dormant part of his training has kicked in with a word to the wise. Intruder. Indifference comes to his rescue. Maybe today is the day. Some fellow junkie hungry for a few bucks will cut him. Let him float away on a river of blood. Float away to a more permanent oblivion. He turns into the mattress, then retches as the scent of urine reaches into the back of his throat. He spits back at it and grimaces. Almost laughs as the voice of Corporal Kemp fills his head. “God I love it when they piss themselves. Cap’s a f---ing genius with those dogs. He waits outside the cell and lets them bark and bark. Then bang, the door’s open and the dogs are f---ing inches from their throats. Then Cap snaps his fingers and they’re back at his side panting like little puppy dogs and Abdul’s lying in a puddle of piss. He’ll do it to the same guy four times running and every time he’ll piss himself. Cracks me up.” McKimmon hears the dogs barking. He snaps his fingers. No dogs. No Kemp. Something sweet is in the air. Almost sweet enough to chase away the piss. He opens his eyes again. A man in white. Some loose shirt or smock that hangs down almost to his knees. Baggy white pants. No junkie. Tea. That’s what he smells. The man holds out a cup smelling of flowers. “I thought I was in Delta camp,” McKimmon rasps as he sits. “It’s closed.” “National disgrace he calls it. Whiny liberals.”
“It always was a disgrace.” “Who are you?” “Sleep.” “I can’t sleep. Not without...” McKimmon checks himself. Probably some f----t from the rehab. Better not get myself in trouble. He looks around the room to see if anything will give him away. No needles, just some takeout rotting on the dusty table. When did he eat last? “Perhaps some tea.” “I can still smell it. S---, baked into dust, mixed with blood and sweat and fear, and baked into dust again.” The light outside is so dim, is it morning or evening? “What time is it?” “What does fear smell like?” He takes the cup calmly, even though his muscles have begun to tense. This is no rehab nurse. “Watered down death. Less like raw meat, more like a backed-up sewer.” “Liquid.” “Yes.” The man’s voice takes on a dark timbre. “It stains people. Soaks into their flesh. They’re never rid of it.” McKimmon turns his face into the tea cup and shuts his eyes, letting his eyelids bathe in the warmth. “Cowards. Fear is for cowards.” “It is cowardice to fear for a wife and child? That was my father’s fear. Not for himself, but for his family.” “Who are you?” “My father’s son.” McKimmon searches the man’s face, looking for a hint. “Did I know your father?” “You shaved his beard; an insult to an elder of my clan.” Clan. The word sends ice skittering down McKimmon’s back. Vengeance. Someone has come for him after all. “Delta camp?” “Block four. Cell six.” In the city
streets a siren wails. “You were his interrogator. Not that you ever knew him.” McKimmon’s mind returns to Gitmo. He paces out the steps to block four. Peers into the cages wondering who fathered this assassin who provides him tea before death. “There were four men in cell six.” “Rabani Zahir. Daoud Akbari. Hamid Shah. Rasul Sayyaf.” “162. 591. 540. 604.” “Daoud Akbari. 591. I am called Shabir.” “Taliban.” McKimmon growls. He drinks from the teacup, then spits. “Poison? Is that how you take your revenge, Shabir, son of 591?” “The poppy is a bitter plant. It stirs up memories.” Memories. McKimmon’s thoughts drift back to Corporal Kemp. How he sneered when the Bureau had come through. “I thought those pansy-ass FBI s---s would never leave. I’d hate to be their kids. — What did you do in the war, daddy? —I wrote memos, son. Whiny f---ing memos.— Only eight percent of these prisoners have any connection to Al Qaida. For f---’s sake, haven’t they been in a prison before? Everybody’s f---ing innocent.” McKimmon closes his eyes again. “I don’t need any more memories, I have enough memories.” “Countless are the handwritings which have inscribed themselves on the palimpsest of your brain, like the annual leaves or undissolving snow. Light falling on light. Endless strata, covered up; but by death, by fever, by the searchings of opium, all these can revive in strength. They are not dead, but sleeping,” Shabir recites. “I am my father’s son. Come to peel back the layers of your memory.” (continued on next page)
Special Section (continued from previous page)
Shabir begins to remove his kurta, and McKimmon briefly wonders again. Is this some ritual. The killer bears himself before the victim? Damn Abdul. Damn all of them. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong with his chest? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a scroll from some museum, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those tattoos. I saw them on...â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My father.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;591 did this? To you?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand. But I did this. I forced her to copy every word, every syllable, every letter that was on his body before I would let her bury him.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dead then.â&#x20AC;? His hunch was correct. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kill me, if thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;More tea?â&#x20AC;? Shabir towers above him. McKimmon wants to get up, to prove heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no pushover. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still tough, despite the dingy room, despite the disheartening streets outside, despite the tracks on his arm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get any satisfaction. I had no power to damn nor to save. An interrogator. A cog in the machinery of war.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not a cog, but a harrow. A steel pen, carving away my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and writing lies in its place.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;All I did was ask questions.â&#x20AC;? Shabir stamps his foot. No. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What you did to him was to rewrite him. For five years you whispered. For five years you shouted and swore. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You are Al Qaida. You are a terrorist. You are an assassin. You came from Kunar to kill Americans. You are working for the Taliban.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Every day your stories became more real. Every day his memories of life outside became fainter. Obliterated by the monotony and petty violence of the camp.â&#x20AC;? McKimmonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thoughts stray once again to Kemp. Kemp with his six foot speakers. Metalica. AC/DC. Eminem. Pounding out metal. Inflicting wakefulness on the prisoners for days on end. Sleep tight, Abdul. Sweet dreams, Mr. Taliban. Shabir is still talking. McKimmon turns his face back to the man in white. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To save himself, he began to tattoo his life story onto his very skin to keep it from being obliterated.â&#x20AC;? He spreads his arms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So it is written.â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a surprise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always
thought it was the Koran. That he was inscribing holy verses,â&#x20AC;? McKimmon admits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So they were. The holy verses of his memory. After he filled his chest, legs and arms, he dictated to his cell mates so that they could tattoo his back. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d save fragments of broken glass, smash pencils to find splinters sharp enough to pierce flesh.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t approve of that sort of thing.â&#x20AC;? McKimmon wants to puncture manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reserve. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He confessed, you know.â&#x20AC;? Again, heat blazes up in Shabirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You mean he repeated your stories.â&#x20AC;? McKimmon gloats. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He gave us names, locations. It was my job to find the truth.â&#x20AC;? Shabir lowers himself to the floor, and crosses his legs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You deal in truth, I deal in stories. Once upon a time ... this is how stories begin, is it not? Once upon a time there was a man from my village. One day, two things happened, several of this manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighbors disappeared and the man was found to possess a small fortune. Perhaps in America, $40,000 is not a fortune, but when you work an entire month for $40, it is significant.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to say.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are familiar with this story?â&#x20AC;? Shabir smiles, then his face hardens into accusation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because you heard him say it, over and over. And you had confirmation. The boy in cell five was turned in at the same time by the same bounty hunter. You imprisoned a 12-year old boy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come with birth certificates!â&#x20AC;? What kind of fool is this Shabir? He claims to know war? Claims to know Afghanistan? Some 12-year olds are deadlier than men three times their age. Shabir rises over him again. Sarcastically asks what it takes to make a 12-year-old confess. An angry pride fills McKimmon. He rises to meet the accusation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We fed that boy better than heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d ever been fed in his life.â&#x20AC;? Shabir does not relent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dogs? Icy blasts of air so cold he shivered for hours? The pounding of your socalled music?â&#x20AC;? Trying to focus in the dull light, McKimmon spots the duffel bag that
Ross Peter Nelson As a fiction writer, Ross Peter Nelson was a late bloomer. When the 53-year-old Montana native moved to Silicon Valley in 1979 to work as a software engineer, he never thought about writing. He got his start as a scribe a decade later while reviewing a technical book he thought was not well written. When the publisher asked Nelson if he knew anyone who could write a better book, he responded, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can.â&#x20AC;? So write he did, although his early efforts were strictly technical in genre. He authored two programming books in the early 1990s, as well as some articles for technical magazines, but eventually found such writing limiting. In the early 2000s, Nelson wrote for Playground, a San Francisco-based incubator for dramatists, and in 2006 he won their â&#x20AC;&#x153;Emerging Playwright Awardâ&#x20AC;? for his piece on the mating habits of elephant seals, called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sexual Perversity in AĂąo Nuevo.â&#x20AC;? In writing this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winning short story â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Harrow,â&#x20AC;? Nelson crafted a historical vignette with a dialogue-driven encounter between a former Guantanamo
will vindicate him. He roots through it with burning eyes. He finds the paper, kneels, and smooths it on the floor. He knows the words by heart but needs to see them, just to make sure, before he shows Shabir. That was the best day of my life, he tells himself. The day Enam was released, hugging the bright orange basketball McKimmon had given him. Triumphant, he hands over the page. Each word on it echos in his head as he sees the document reflected in Shabirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pupils. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will laugh, but sometimes I am dreaming of the hamburger. Once, my family traveled to Kandahar and I found a shop selling hamburgers. But they were not like the ones in Guantanamo. My father is still angry. He thinks that I am a traitor, that with your gifts you turned my head from my people. You will forgive me, but I sold the Nikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to help buy kerosene for my family, but I still have the basketball. I practice every day, just like on the base. I know four languages now, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, and English. I think I would like to be a translator for the United Nations. Perhaps one day we will meet again.â&#x20AC;? Shabir lets the page drop. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even he you rewrote. Made him over in your image. Hamburgers and basketball.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saved him. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take that away from me.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;And what of the others? The suicides, the shattered, the hollow men?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re home now, if their countries will have them.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life was stolen.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Only five years. It was five years of my life, too. Rotting on that island. Anyway, we sent him back.â&#x20AC;? Shabir snorts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sent home, pale and weak, to a farm grown barren in his absence. My mother sold the donkeys to buy food while he was away, so he plowed the fields by hand. His heart straining against five years of inactivity. Five years of fattening like a bird to slaughter. Wrestling against the land with a body no longer fit for it. He died before he could claim his first harvest.â&#x20AC;? Shabir becomes very still and when he speaks again, his voice is hushed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I took my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place in the fields only to plow up a land mine.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;A land mine?â&#x20AC;? McKimmon grabs
prison guard and the son of a former Guantanamo inmate. He wrote the story after reading a 2005 Seton Hall University of Law study on Guantanamo detainees, which found less than half of Guantanamo detainees have connections to military activity, and only 10 percent of such detainees have been involved in combat. By having his protagonist prison guard meet the son of one of his former detainees and discover the manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innocence, Nelson encourages his audience to question the appropriateness and efficacy of Guantanamoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about getting people to understand that justice isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t being served. It can haunt us, because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what our country was built on,â&#x20AC;? he said. The former prison guard turned to heroin to cope with his guilt, Nelson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are a lot of people who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel guilt, because they see the world in black and white. Which makes them less interesting.â&#x20AC;? In the future, Nelson intends to seek an MFA in playwriting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really enjoy writing, but feel I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet have the background.â&#x20AC;? N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Georgia Wells
Adult story judges Ellen Sussman Ellen Sussman is the author of three critically-acclaimed books, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia Of Sex,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehaveâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;On a Night Like This.â&#x20AC;? She teaches writing classes at her home in Los Altos Hills. Her website is www.ellensussman. com.
Keith Raffel Keith Raffel grew up in Palo Alto where he watched local orchards filled with cherry and apricot trees being replaced by tilt-up buildings filled with software engineers and MBAs. His â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dot Dead: A Silicon Valley Mysteryâ&#x20AC;? was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;without question the most impressive mystery debut of the yearâ&#x20AC;? by Bookreporter. com. His second Silicon Valley-set thriller, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smasher,â&#x20AC;? was published this year. Keith still lives in Palo Alto with his wife and four children. His website is www.keithraffel.com.
Tom Parker A well-known, local writing teacher, Tom Parker is an O. Henry Prize-winning short story writer and author of the best-selling novels, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anna, Ann, Annieâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Small Business.â&#x20AC;? He has taught at Stanford, the University of California Berkeley, and Foothill and Canada community colleges. N
for a leg to feel for the prosthesis. He catches only air. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I became a shadow, no, a memory of a shadow.â&#x20AC;? Shabirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frame is now as murky as the lackluster light from the window. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Visible only in the light of the opium poppy. The poppy that is your harrow.â&#x20AC;? McKimmon stares into the empty room. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re talking about.â&#x20AC;? He turns back to his duffle bag and pulls out a needle and the rubber tubing that he uses to tie up his arm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saved that boy. Enam is alive because of me.â&#x20AC;? Outside, the beat of a basketball on the pavement accompanies the shake in McKimmonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands as he lights
a candle to heat the hard candy. Six thousand miles away, a similar steady dribble irritates a soldier with an AK-47 who sprays bullets in the direction of the sound. It ends.N
Judges Comments â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gritty, terrifying and unrelenting, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Harrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a needle-sharp and penetrating 21st century evocation of Kafkaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In The Penal Colonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; made all the more powerful by its unflinching look at todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tools and tricks of the jailersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trade and the punishments that frequently render both captor and captive casualties.â&#x20AC;?
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1ST PLACE
PREP VOLLEYBALL
BEST SPORTS COVERAGE
Paly and SHP girls all set for big stage
California Newspaper Publishers Association
Sports Shorts
ANOTHER CCS FINAL . . . The Sacred Heart Prep football team will play in its second Central Coast Section championship gamed in three years when the No. 2-seeded Gators (10-2) take on No. 1 Carmel (11-1) in the Division IV finals on Saturday at Westmont High at 3 p.m. Carmel’s only loss this season came at the hands of Menlo School (34-29), a team the Gators defeated, 28-14, last weekend in the semifinals. The championship game will be a battle of offensive powers, with Carmel averaging 47.3 points a game and SHP averaging 34.1. Carmel won the division title last season, over Menlo, while the Gators lost in the Small School Division finale in 2008 to Sacred Heart Cathedral. Pedro Robinson of SHP was a sophomore that year. This season he has been a big part of a rushing attack that is averaging 298.5 yards per game. Last Saturday against Menlo, Robinson rushed for 177 yards and scored twice.
By Rick Eymer and Keith Peters hen Dave Winn was riding home from Stockton on the bus with his Palo Alto High girls’ volleyball team from its NorCal Division I championship match on Tuesday night, he was in almost a dreamlike state. He couldn’t believe that his team actually had defeated top-seeded St. Mary’s (Stockton) and earned its first trip ever to the state finals. Someone pinch me. Did it really happen? “I still am hoping CIF doesn’t call me to say that there was a problem with last night’s match and we have to do it over,” Winn said Wednesday. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet that we just won NorCal.” Believe it, the Vikings did. Not only that, so did the Sacred Heart Prep girls’ volleyball team on the same night. Thus, Palo Alto (40-1) will play for the CIF Division I State Championship and Sacred Heart Prep (24-10) will compete for the Division IV title on Saturday at the San Jose State Event Center. The Gators will take the floor at noon against defending state champion La Jolla Country Day (23-4), which is ranked as high as No. 5 in the state in one internet poll. The Vikings will play in the marquee match at 7 p.m., facing Long Beach Poly. The Jackrabbits (38-2) are ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation in one poll and a legitimate No. 7 by prepvolleyball.com, which has Paly as No. 49 nationally. Palo Alto and Sacred Heart Prep are the first two local teams appearing in the state finals since 2001, when Menlo School (Division IV) and then-Woodside Priory (Division V) both lost. No two local teams have ever won state titles in the same year. “We are excited to play Long Beach,” said Winn, who is 163-38 in his fifth season at Paly. “I know we are facing an uphill challenge against Poly, since they have more ‘marquee ‘ players. But, we have just
W
Keith Peters
KNIGHTS ON ROAD . . . The Palo Alto Knights’ Jr. Pee Wee football team will be departing the Bay Area on Friday for a trip to Orlando, Fla, where the AYF Under Armour National Championships begin this weekend. Palo Alto will begin play on Sunday. The unbeaten Knights qualified for their eighth trip to the nationals in 12 years by toppling the Oak Grove Rattlers, 18-12, in the NorCal Championships two weeks ago. Members of the Knights competing in Florida are: Alton Julian, Josh Brigel, Jack Devine, James Cullen, Ethan Stern, McKinley Kalar, DaVion Cox, Brandon Norman, Mason Corey, Fredrick Alexander, Cole Hechtman, Ryan Mitra, Lee Howard, Sione Latu, Garrett Gavello, Travis Almand, Wes Walters, Colby Cheung, Jake Varner, Mitchell Mertz, Matthew Ozgen, Christopher Kawakami, Max Kelmon, Zeke Coxe, Jordan Schilling, Salvador Ibarra, Jackson Dahl, Louie Marzano and Alexander Daw.
Playing in the state finals seems fitting way to end championship seasons
Sacred Heart Prep sophomore Ellie Shannon (10) and junior Jesse Ebner helped block Notre Dame-Belmont from advancing to the state finals on Tuesday night.
(continued on page 30)
CCS FOOTBALL
Paly playing for a berth in state finals by Keith Peters
I
ON THE AIR Friday Women’s soccer: Stanford vs. Boston College in NCAA College Cup semifinals, 3:30 p.m.; ESPN2/ESPNU Women’s volleyball: Albany at Stanford, 7 p.m., KZSU (90.1 FM)
Saturday Women’s volleyball: Cal State Fullerton-Colorado St. winner at Stanford, 7 p.m.; KZSU (90.1 FM)
Sunday Women’s soccer: NCAA College Cup finals, 9 a.m., ESPN2 Bob Drebin
READ MORE ONLINE
www.PASportsOnline.com For expanded daily coverage of college and prep sports, please see our new site at www.PASportsOnline.com
Palo Alto senior Kevin Anderson (58), who has 11 sacks this season, made life miserable for Bellarmine backup quarterback Grant Vermeer (8) last weekend as the Vikings improved to 12-0 with a 35-0 victory.
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t all began for Kevin Anderson in 2006. He was an eighth-grader at Jordan Middle School and had no idea that his football career was only a year away. “I wasn’t playing then,” Anderson recalled. So he attended every Palo Alto High football game that season. Anderson’s older brother, Michael, was a member of Paly’s special teams that season so the Anderson family, and friends, made weekly trips to watch the Vikings. As it turned out, they had plenty to see that year. Palo Alto went 12-1 while winning the Central Coast Section Open Division title, advancing to the Division II state championship game before losing to Orange Lutheran to finish 12-2. Kevin Anderson attended that fi(continued on page 31)
WOMEN’S SOCCER
NCAA VOLLEYBALL
A final shot at the NCAA title
Stanford in the hunt in wide-open tourney Cardinal women begin quest for national crown at home Friday by Rick Eymer
Stanford seniors are hoping to do more than just reach national championship game
T
by Rick Eymer he Stanford women’s soccer team has been in this situation before. Heading into the Women’s College Cup (a.k.a. Final Four) as the top overall seed, the top-ranked and unbeaten Cardinal hopes to take the extra step to the national title.
T
Rick Bale/Stanfordphoto.com
Christen Press, the nation’s top goal scorer, and her fellow upper classmates made their way to Cary, N.C. for a second time. The first trip resulted in a 1-0 national semifinal loss to Notre Dame. Last year in the Final Four in College Station, Texas, Stanford lost to North Carolina, 1-0, in the national championship match. Press, with seniors Kira Maker, Allison McCann and Morgan Redman, would love to make this trip about winning it all. Stanford (22-0-2) meets 18thranked Boston College (17-6-1) in the national semifinal Friday at 3:30 p.m. (PT) while No. 7 Notre Dame (19-2-2) and No. 17 Ohio State (174-1) meet in an earlier match at 1 p.m. The two winners advance to Sunday’s 9 a.m. championship match. For the seniors, it’s a final chance to bring home Stanford’s first-ever soccer title. It’s also another chance for the university’s athletic department to win its 100th NCAA title. Only UCLA has won more. “It’s a little nostalgic sitting with my team,” Press said. “But we’re all getting excited about going to the College Cup.” The Eagles are no strangers to Stanford and worked a 1-1 tie in the first game of the season. “We all felt disappointed with that result,” junior midfielder Camille Levin said. “I think we’re definitely playing much better as a team now.” For one team, it will be the last game. The Cardinal ended Boston
he times might be changing for women’s volleyball. At least, that’s what the numbers seem to be suggesting. That may be good news for second-ranked Stanford, which embarks on yet another journey through the NCAA tournament on Friday night. The Cardinal (24-3) opens the postseason at home against Albany (22-8) at 7 p.m. Colorado State (25-4) and Cal State Fullerton (26-5) also play at Stanford at 4:30 p.m. The winners will meet Saturday in Maples Pavilion, also at 7 p.m. For the first time since 2004, there is no real clear-cut favorite for the national title. From preseason to the current rankings, the ebb and flow is unlike any other season. Six different schools were ranked first in the nation six years ago, the NCAA record. It’s also been that long since more than two teams have reached the top. This year, Penn State, Stanford and Florida have shared the top spot, with the Gators owning the penthouse the past eight weeks. They gained their first No. 1 ranking since the 1996 season. There’s an important message to be gained from that 2004 season. Stanford went on to win the national title with a 30-6 record, the secondmost losses by a volleyball champion since the first NCAA tournament in 1981. Don’t count anyone out just yet. “The field is very deep and very equal,” Stanford coach John Dunning said. “The Pac-10 was extremely competitive this year and it’s the same through the whole country. Among Florida, Nebraska, Texas, Penn State, Hawaii, you can’t really call them upsets.” The Gators only loss was to Texas, in the same tournament in which Stanford ended Penn State’s 42-week run as the top team in the nation. Florida has won 22 straight since. The Gators, which opened the season ranked 13th, deserve their overall No. 1 seed. Stanford was given the No. 3 overall seed, while eighth-ranked Penn State, the threetime defending national champion, is the fourth seed. California, ranked fourth, was awarded the seventh seed. An upset loss to Arizona State last weekend
Stanford’s (L-R) Allison McCann, Lindsay Taylor, Mariah Nogueria and Teresa Noyola had plenty to celebrate in a 5-0 win over Florida St. College’s season last year, beating the Eagles, 3-1, in the national quarterfinals. BC goaltender Jillian Mastroanni has seen Stanford’s attack a few times now. The Cardinal knows what to expect from the Eagles, making their first trip ever to the Final Four. “Knowing the opponent, I think, makes the game more even,” Press said. Press remains the face of Stanford’s explosive offense, although eight others have scored goals during the postseason run. “We attack from all angles,” Press said. “Even when teams play defensive, we try to get around them, over the top, and try different things.” Stanford has a 13-1 goal advantage over its first four opponents, including last Friday night’s 5-0 victory over visiting Florida State. Boston College, which beat Washington, 1-0, in overtime to advance, has outscored its opponents by a 10-2 margin. Against the Seminoles, Press recorded an assist and goal, overtaking Marcie Ward for the career assists mark and matching Kelley O’Hara for the most goals (26) scored in a single season. Mariah Nogueira, Lindsay Taylor and Teresa Noyola each scored their first postseason goals “Our entire team is top quality and I think that any of them are capable of scoring at any time,”
Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe said. “I’m proud that the whole team is stepping up and making a difference, and each player is making an impact.” Stanford has not lost a home game in which it has scored at least one goal since 2003. The Cardinal also extended a variety of other streaks, as the team is unbeaten at home in 39 straight matches, has won 35 straight at home, and has won 12 consecutive home NCAA tournament games. The Cardinal has recorded multigoals in the first four rounds of the tournament for the first time in school history. “Apart from experience, we’re getting goals from a lot of different players,” Noyola said. “That didn’t happen in past years. We’re more dangerous and you can’t shut us down by stopping one player.” It may also be difficult to penetrate Stanford’s defense, third in the nation with a 0.448 goals against average. Freshman Emily Oliver, who played in the United States youth developmental program, seems unfazed by the national scene. Stanford is the lone No. 1 seed remaining. Washington eliminated Portland in the second round on penalty kicks. Georgetown upset Maryland on penalty kicks, also in the second round. Notre Dame knocked off two-time defending champion North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen. N
cost the Bears, who lost to sixthseeded USC twice, a top-four national seed. “Arizona State did us a big favor,” Dunning said. “We’re lucky.” Stanford can’t get too comfortable though. Cal swept the season series from the Cardinal and ninth-ranked UCLA, unseeded in the tournament, also took a match. Other seeding oddities: sixth-ranked Texas is the No. 9 seed, 10thranked Northern Iowa is the fifth seed and seventh-ranked Hawaii, which reached last year’s Final Four, is the 15th seed. The Rainbow Wahine also were hurt by a late loss, dropping the WAC title match to Utah State (which meets Cal in the first round). Sometimes history matters, and sometimes it doesn’t matter one whit. A roundabout way of introducing a wide-open competition in which the Cardinal is not even guaranteed an easy trip into the Sweet Sixteen. Should Stanford get that far, they get to travel to Dayton for its regional. “I’ve never been there,” Dunning said. “My youngest daughter played there and my wife has been there to watch her. But there’s a lot to do this week. Albany has established a consistent level of success in its area. Lots of teams never get there, so it’s amazing for their program.” Stanford, which has never lost a first-round match, beat the Great Danes in the first round of the 2008 tournament. “Colorado State and Cal State Fullerton are also very good, solid teams,” Dunning said. Stanford enters the weekend with renewed energy and excitement. The three seniors, outside hitter Alix Klineman, setter-hitter Cassidy Lichtman and libero Gabi Ailes, are as good as it gets at their respective positions and all have achieved AllAmerican status. “They’ve continued to do what they’ve started here,” Dunning said. “They have been successful and won four straight Pac-10 titles. The best thing is they are continuing to do it.” Of Stanford’s top nine players, six are freshmen and sophomores. The key to a successful run lies in how they respond to the added pressure of a tournament. So now the fun begins. N
Stanford football will discover Sunday to where it’s bowl bound by Rick Eymer ome time after 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, the Stanford football team will discover the bowl game to which they will travel. Much speculation has focused upon seemingly outside forces that could factor into the final decision. Perhaps it would be proper to let the final weekend of the college season play out and remember that the
S
fifth-ranked Cardinal (11-1) already has produced one of its finest years in school history. A bowl game beckons. That should be enough for now. The possibilities that continually circulate can only lead to dangerous conspiracy theories or unwarranted bias. Yes, there are millions of dollars at stake, with corporate sponsors vying for attention, and yes the line
between amateur and professional has been blurred. But it is still a game and beautiful to watch when it is played with such precision and enthusiasm as it has been by Stanford this year. “We’re not done yet,” Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh said. “The players have done something remarkable and it has caught the attention of the world. They deserve
all the credit.” Until this year, the BCS was nothing more than a bunch of letters that meant nothing to Stanford players and fans. It used to be humorous to watch Pac-10 teams get overlooked time and again in the past. The whole system, with a handful of people at the controls, can swing on a single vote. Odd because, as Harbaugh sug-
gested, it used to be the best teams were decided on the field of play, not where they are arbitrarily ranked by man and machine. “I feel like I’m educated on the way it works,” Harbaugh said. “It’s disturbing to hear how Stanford ‘travels.’ I keep hearing that in the media, but I didn’t notice that in any (continued on page 31)
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Sports
Keith Peters
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
The Palo Alto High girls’ volleyball team will take a school-record mark of 40-1 into the CIF Division I state championship match on Saturday against Long Beach Poly at the San Jose State Event Center at 7 p.m.
Melanie Wade
Christoph Bono
Palo Alto High
Palo Alto High
The junior sparked a pair of NorCal volleyball wins, getting 17 kills in an openinground sweep of Lincoln (SF) before adding 22 kills (.531 hitting) with two blocks to beat St. Francis (Sac.) and earn a berth in the title match.
The senior quarterback completed 10 of 16 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns in addition to running for two scores and accounting for 29 points in a 35-0 romp over Bellarmine to reach the CCS Open Division championship.
Honorable mention Sarah Daschbach* Sacred Heart Prep volleyball
Hanna Elmore Sacred Heart Prep volleyball
Caroline Martin Palo Alto volleyball
Trina Ohms* Palo Alto volleyball
Sonia Abuel-Saud* Sacred Heart Prep volleyball
Kimmy Whitson* Palo Alto volleyball
Kevin Anderson Palo Alto football
B.J. Boyd Palo Alto football
T.J. Braff Palo Alto football
Pedro Robinson Sacred Heart Prep football
Colin Terndrup Sacred Heart Prep football
Luke Thomas Sacred Heart Prep football * previous winner
To see video interviews of the Athletes of the Week, go to www.PASportsOnline.com
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Volleyball
(continued from page 28)
enough belief to get it done. I really like our chances, if we execute well and don’t get freaked out being on the big stage.” The fact that Palo Alto only has to drive to San Jose State should help, along with Tuesday’s 25-21, 2624, 25-22 sweep of top-seeded St. Mary’s (31-9) in the NorCal Division I championship match in front of a hostile crowd in Stockton. “We played a very solid match last night, not a great match,” Winn said on Wednesday morning. “But, solid was good enough to rattle St. Mary’s.” St. Mary’s focused on stopping 6-foot-5 Paly junior Melanie Wade, and pretty much did while limiting her to just six kills, four blocks and one ace. “It was clear St. Mary’s was trying to stop Melanie Wade,” said Winn, “as they had two blocks committing to her all night. They were able to hold Melanie to only six kills, but our OHs were not stopped.” Senior Trina Ohms stepped up with 11 kills while 6-2 junior Maddie Kuppe also contributed in a big way with 12 kills (.353 with no errors) plus 11 digs, three aces and a block. Junior Caroline Martin added four kills and 10 digs. “Our tough serving was a big differentiating factor as we never allowed St. Mary’s to get into the rhythm of their offense,” Winn said. Junior setter Kimmy Whitson had another solid all-around game with 30 assists, two kills, four aces, two blocks and seven digs while senior Megan Coleman added 14 digs and three aces as the Vikings won 40 matches for the first time in school history. Only seven other teams in the nation have records better than Paly. Surprisingly, perhaps, was that St. Mary’s had beaten St. Francis (Sacramento) in the Sac-Joaquin Section finals. Paly lost the first game in its semifinal win over St. Francis, but swept past St. Mary’s with relative ease. “I think St. Mary’s and St. Francis are actually very similar in their approach to offense and defense, so it surprised me that St. Mary’s was able to sweep SF,” Winn said. “But,
that’s the thing about high school volleyball, it’s about who executes better that night . . . not necessarily who is the better team. We had a tone of resolve last night, and that got us through any rough spots or pressure-filled situations.” It’s the same kind of resolve that Palo Alto will need on Saturday, as it goes after the first state title in program history. Sacred Heart Prep also should have plenty of resolve heading into their championship match. On Tuesday night, junior Jesse Ebner took a look at the all the championship banners adorning the walls inside the school’s gymnasium and felt something was missing from the girls’ volleyball banner — no state championship appearances since 1998 and no state titles since 1996. The Gators took the first step in rectifying the missing data when they beat visiting Notre Dame of Belmont, 19-25, 14-25, 25-14, 25-16, 15-9, to claim the NorCal Division IV championship. The next step could come as soon as Saturday in the state finals. Sacred Heart Prep is looking forward to the challenge after a thrilling victory. “Last year’s team ended the CCS (losing) streak,” Ebner said. “It was our time to get back to the state tournament.” Sacred Heart went 11 years between CCS titles from 1998 to 2009. The late ‘80s and ‘90s were kind to the Gators as they won 10 of 11 CCS titles between 1988 and 1998, missing only in 1989. Then came the 10year drought. The Gators also ended a sevenmatch losing streak to Notre Dame last year, which dated to 2000. Sacred Heart is 4-3 in its past seven meetings with the Tigers. Sacred Heart Prep won Division V state titles in 1995 and 1996, and was the NorCal champ on four other occasions (1991, ‘92, ‘93 and ‘98). “We talked a lot about that this week in practice,” Ebner said. “We take so much pride in our team and our school that we wanted to come back from last year and do something amazing.” It was only fitting that the Gators and Notre Dame met for the chance to play for a state title. The Tigers and Sacred Heart Prep also dueled for the Central Coast Section title about 10 days ago at Independence High in San Jose.
The Gators prevailed in five sets in that contest. Notre Dame won two previous nonconference matches during the season. This time Sacred Heart made it a little more difficult on itself, dropping the first two games in excruciatingly frustrating fashion. After dropping the second game, the Gators fled the gymnasium for the brief three-minute intermission and pulled themselves together just in the nick of time. “I knew after that meeting in the hall we could turn it around,” said SHP junior Sarah Daschbach. “We were almost embarrassed with our effort. Our motivation mostly came from our coach, Damien (Hardy). He believed in us and we believed in each other.” The Tigers took a quick 4-0 lead in the third game before Daschbach’s service ace, two blocks from sophomore Ellie Shannon and sophomore Sonia Abuel-Saud’s kill put an end to that. The burst seemed to mark an irrevocable shift in momentum. “I think we just came out too tight,” Ebner said. “We weren’t talking to each other. We came back with more energy in the third set and that made a lot of difference.” The Gators took advantage, building on their lead until it became an 11-point edge by the time a hitting error gave Sacred Heart the thirdgame win, which carried over into the fourth game. Notre Dame took a 6-4 lead in the final set before the Gators rallied for nine straight points. The only drama afterward was who would get to loft the NorCal trophy overheard first. Daschbach led Sacred Heart with 16 kills and 18 digs. Abuel-Saud added 14 kills and 17 digs. Ebner had 11 kills and recorded 4.5 blocks while Shannon had five blocks and seven kills. Junior libero Olivia Bertolacci added 23 digs while senior setter Hanna Elmore finished with 32 assists. Sacred Heart Prep heads into the state finale with only two seniors, Elmore and Vivian Wu, on the roster. Clearly, this is a team of the future. The same could be said for Palo Alto, which also has only two seniors — Ohms and Coleman — on its roster. For those four seniors, however, the future is now. State titles certainly would be the perfect way to finish up. N
Sports
CCS football
Stanford football
nal game, with the trip and experience proving special. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I realized that going down wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an every year thing,â&#x20AC;? he recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appreciate that until I started playing . . . I saw that it was pretty special, and how hard you had to work to get there. That jumpedstarted my yearning to play football.â&#x20AC;? Anderson has done a good job tackling the challenges since putting on the pads for the first time in 2007 and being called up to the varsity for the 2008 postseason. He has blossomed into a 6-foot-4, 245pounder, playing offensive tackle on a unit averaging 30.9 points a game and playing defensive end on a squad allowing just 9.0 points an outing. Moreover, he has never forgotten his experience from the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;06 state finals and pictured himself some day having that opportunity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was definitely a goal, a place I want to be sometime,â&#x20AC;? said Anderson, who has made a verbal commitment to Stanford. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal every year is to play as many games as we can.â&#x20AC;? Palo Alto has played 12 games thus far and won them all. Only one more victory is separating Anderson from a return trip to the state finals. The top-seeded Vikings need to beat No. 3 seed Valley Christian (11-1) on Friday night in the CCS Open Division finals at San Jose City College. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Should Paly win and finish 13-0, the Vikings stand a very good chance of being invited to represent Northern California in the Division I state b owl championship game at the Home Depot Center in Carson on Dec. 18. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone coming in (this season) thought we could be good, but not this good,â&#x20AC;? Anderson said. It has been a season where everything seemingly has gone right for the Vikings, who have tied a school record for most single-season wins and set one for perfection, having surpassed the 10-0 mark from 1950 and a 9-0 record by the 1963 squad. Palo Alto has improved from last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7-2-2 mark through hard work, dedication and preparation under head coach Earl Hansen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We come in and watch film every day at lunch,â&#x20AC;? Anderson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, before and after practice. We probably watch 1 1/2 hours of film a day. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely how we do so well â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing that surprises us.â&#x20AC;? Palo Alto certainly was ready for No. 5-seeded Bellarmine last Friday night in the CCS Open Division semifinals. The Bells came in averaging 217 rushing yards per game, but the Vikingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; defense allowed just 74 rushing yards total. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We played more physical,â&#x20AC;? Anderson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone played their best game.â&#x20AC;? Paly continued its impressive playoff run, taking down its second West Catholic Athletic League powerhouse in two weeks after stunning Mitty, 13-10, with a lastsecond touchdown last week in the
criteria. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the way it is, if the almighty dollar is at play here in determining the best teams, then count me in favor of playoffs.â&#x20AC;? Did it matter that last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stanford-Oklahoma matchup in the Sun Bowl set a record (53,713) for highest attendance? Each school took home the tidy sum of $1.9 million dollars for their appearance in the contest. Argue that the Sooners â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;travelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; better and were the main attraction, but Stanford was involved with its Heisman Trophy runnerup Toby Gerhart. There are those who feel Stanford and Oklahoma could once again be paired in a major bowl game â&#x20AC;&#x201D; say, for example, the Fiesta Bowl. With Texas-bred Andrew Luck at the helm of the Cardinal offense, it could get interesting. Luck, one of three finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, has certainly drawn Heisman Trophy attention his way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m convinced Andrew is the best player in the country,â&#x20AC;? Harbaugh said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been the best football player Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been around and equally one of the finest young men Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been around.â&#x20AC;? Luck has completed 245 of his 349 passes for 3,051 yards, while throwing for a school single- season record 28 touchdowns this year. He led Stanford to its highest offensive output in school history.
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Jim Anderson
Paly senior Kevin Anderson (58) watched his brother play in the state finals in 2006 and wants a chance to play there, as well. quarterfinals. On Friday, the top-seeded Vikings didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until the last minute. Using two first- quarter special teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mistakes by the fifth-seeded Bells (9-3), the Vikings took an early lead and never looked back. Anderson provided a spark on Belllarmineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first series, which ended in a punt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one that richocheted off his helmet. The Vikings recovered the ball at Bellarmineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30 and, on the first play from scrimmage, Paly junior running back B.J. Boyd danced around the right tackle and burst into the open field for a touchdown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The offense got into a rhythm after the first possession,â&#x20AC;? said Paly senior QB Christoph Bono. Led by senior linebacker Michael Cullen and Anderson, both of whom had a sack, along with senior safety T.J. Braff, Palyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense limited Bellarmineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top offensive threat and leading rusher, Kris Olugbode to 80 yards on 16 carries. The rest of the Bells contributed a minus-six yards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We watched a lot of film,â&#x20AC;? Braff said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We looked at their tendencies and swarmed the ball.â&#x20AC;? Bono was 10 of 16 for 186 yards and two interceptions and two touchdowns. Palyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power running game also was productive with Boyd rushing for 104 yards on 10 carries, while junior fullback Dre Hill pounded out 53 yards on 15 tough carries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We knew it was going to be a tough game,â&#x20AC;? Anderson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted a little vengeance for last year. We played unselfish defense and came out on topâ&#x20AC;? Anderson said the Vikings will need a similar kind of game to beat Valley Christian on Friday night. The Warriors are averaging 38.6 points a game while rushing for 251.7 yards per contest. Byron Marshall averages 136 rushing yards per game and will draw the attention of Anderson and his defensive teammates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We schemed well for Olugbode,â&#x20AC;? Anderson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This week weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to do the same, trying to stop Marshall.â&#x20AC;? Anderson is looking for a defensive battle, with he, Cullen and fellow linebackers Will Glazier and Morris Gates-Mouton joining tackles Nathan Hubbard and Chris Martinez along with defensive end
Tori Prati in stopping VC. Should the Warriors go to the air, Braff will be waiting along with Maurice Williams, Davante Adams and Gabe Landa, with Bill Gray filling in at corner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we play our best, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we can lose,â&#x20AC;? Anderson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride and effort. Everyone puts in the extra time and has the desire to be better.â&#x20AC;? Anderson said he read somewhere that it has been a dream season for Palo Alto. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a dream season,â&#x20AC;? he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;if you end it with a loss.â&#x20AC;? N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ken Wattana contributed
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll deny it but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a photographic memory,â&#x20AC;? said Harbaugh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has total command of the offense.â&#x20AC;? Luck is also in the running for the Manning Award, the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Award and the Maxwell Award. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Andrew Luck is pure excellence out on the field and has the same excellence in the classroom,â&#x20AC;? Harbaugh said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has the utmost integrity and extraordinary character. He has the ability with the game on the line to perform at an even higher level. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the thing that separates great quarterbacks and good quarterbacks. He has a blend of confidence and focus; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost like a happy confidence. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cold-blooded, calm and even more focused all the same time.â&#x20AC;? Or, as Stanford receiver Doug Baldwin said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one is perfect but Andrew is pretty close. His character is amazing both on and off the field. As a motivator or as a friend you can always go to him and talk about anything.â&#x20AC;? Stanford will practice lightly every other day through at least Dec. 10 as the school enters dead week and finals week. Harbaugh said it was to â&#x20AC;&#x153;stay limber and get some work for the young guys.â&#x20AC;? Harbaugh also praised the seniors for their efforts through his tenure at Stanford. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as good as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen in my 50 years,â&#x20AC;? Harbaugh said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to take time to thank the seniors. You can talk about a four-year span and what this group of seniors has done, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarkable.â&#x20AC;? N
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Sutter Health congratulates
Palo Alto Medical Foundation on being among the top performing medical groups in California. Sutter Health. Award-winning care. Recently, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, a member of the Sutter Health network, was recognized as one of the top performing physician organizations in California by the Integrated Healthcare Association, a leadership group that promotes quality in the health care industry. This award recognizes the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, as well as four other medical groups within the Sutter Medical Network, for excellence in clinical quality, patient experience, coordinated diabetes care and more. When choosing a doctor, quality should be at the top of your list. Make sure you choose a Sutter-affiliated doctor. sutterhealth.org
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