Palo Alto Weekly 12. 10. 2010 - Section 1

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Class Guide 38

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❉ ❉ ❉ Happy Holidays page 45

Reports slam fire-department planning N Arts Capturing mysterious medieval cathedrals N Home A small-town atmosphere in Palo Alto

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Upfront

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Local news, information and analysis

Fire Dept. blasted for poor planning, training Consultants identify flaws, call for a merger of police, fire administrations

by Gennady Sheyner

P

alo Alto’s Fire Department suffers from years of shoddy planning, insufficient training, a “leadership malaise” and a rigid staffing system that makes it nearly impossible for the department to deploy firefighters efficiently, according to consultants who have spent the past several months analyzing its operations.

The scathing findings emerged during Monday night’s study session on the department’s staffing levels — a subject of November’s Measure R. The city’s two consulting firms, TriData and ICMA Consulting Services, presented their preliminary findings to the City Council Monday night.

They are scheduled to release a final

report in February.

The final report is expected to offer a range of bold recommendations, including merging the administration of the city’s police and fire departments, devoting more resources to public education and prevention activities and possibly merging operations of Station 2 on Page Mill Road and Station 5 on Arastradero Road.

Staffing levels in the department have recently emerged as the most contentious topic in the ongoing contract negotiations between the city and

its largest firefighters union, Palo Alto Professional Firefighters, Local 1319.

The two sides have persistently clashed over staffing, overtime and a budget that swelled as other city departments experienced layoffs and service reductions.

Last month, city voters overwhelmingly rejected the union-supported ballot measure that would have frozen department staffing levels and forced the city to hold an election before it could close a fire station or cut staff.

The union pointed to the ongoing

staffing study as evidence that the council is planning to cut staffing to dangerous levels.

But the city’s consultants claimed Monday that the current staffing levels are by and large arbitrary and that the present system hampers efficiency. The city’s contract with the union includes a “minimum staffing” provision that requires the department to always have at least 29 firefighters on duty. This provision keeps the city (continued on page 8)

HOLIDAY FUND

Teachers find big help in small bucks Nonprofit’s microgrants enable East Palo Alto students to learn

by Jocelyn Dong

W

Veronica Weber

Charles Scott spent much of his adult life striving to create a community park in Midtown. Here he sits at the new picnic tables installed at Greer Park at the soon-to-be-opened “Scott Meadow,” named for Charles and his late wife, Jean.

PARKS

‘Scott Meadow’ named for Greer Park activists Midtown residents Charles and Jean Scott to be honored at Saturday dedication

by Sue Dremann harles Scott surveyed the new, green expanse of rolling, hilly lawn at Greer Park in Palo Alto Tuesday, seated at a picnic table he recently helped get the city to install in this corner of the 22-acre park.

It’s been 40 years since he and his late wife, Jean, and other Midtown Palo Alto residents first fought an 1,800-unit residential development and convinced the city to create the

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park along West Bayshore Road instead. They’ve been involved in every phase of its development ever since.

Once a field of 6-foot-high weeds, the park now boasts playing fields, basketball courts, a skate park, children’s playground, dog park and even a hard-fought-for restroom. The final 1.5 acres, Scott Meadow, was built this fall and is being named in the couple’s honor by the city and the

Midtown Residents Association at a dedication ceremony on Saturday (Dec. 11).

The quiet “passive park” is a fitting place for Scott and park advocates to take stock of their legacy. On Tuesday afternoon, Scott modestly assessed his role in the decades-long endeavor.

“I was just an irritant to the City Council and managers. I was not bashful,” Scott, 86, said, laughing.

“It wasn’t really work. It was just everyday living.”

He credited his late wife, Jean, and the many other residents with making the park finally become reality.

At his Midtown home, pictures document the effort: the vacant field before it became a park; Jean digging the first shovel of soil during the Aug. 5, 1980, groundbreaking ceremony.

Scott’s eyes grew moist as he spoke of how it feels to have this last chunk of the park done.

“It means that Jean’s vision is finally realized.”

Greer Park was once home to the Peninsula Drive-In movie theater, later called the Palo Alto Drive-In, which included a parking lot for 750 cars, according to Palo Alto History Project historian Matt Bowling.

The site sat dormant until residents fought a developer’s proposal to build 1,800 apartments in 1973.

“People were up in arms,” Scott recalled.

Members of the West Bayshore Residents Association told city officials they wanted a park.

“Our children did not have a park comparable to Rinconada and (continued on page 8)

ith $500, Sarah Milo was able to buy a projector. Lisa Jordan purchased hands-on educational science supplies. Other teachers have taken their classes on field trips.

A little apparently goes a long way when it’s in the hands of the East Palo Alto Kids Foundation.

At least, that’s the opinion of teachers who have received microgrants from the Palo Alto nonprofit organization, which has been funding field trips, basic classroom supplies and more for East Palo Alto and east Menlo Park schools since 1993.

Jordan, a kindergarten/first-grade teacher at East Palo Alto Charter School, said students have gained a deeper understanding of science through the foundation-funded science supplies. The materials have also helped her integrate science into the students’ writing and reading lessons, she said.

East Palo Alto Kids Foundation is “fabulous,” Jordan said. “They’ve allowed so many opportunities for my students and for me.”

The microgrant program, according to foundation President Laura Roberts, rests upon the notion that teachers are the ones who know best what their students, and classrooms, need. (continued on page 9)

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Upfront

PUBLISHER William S. Johnson

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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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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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450 CAMBRIDGE AVE, PALO ALTO, CA 94306 (650) 326-8210

The report is a black eye for the city.

— Tony Spitaleri, president of Palo Alto’s firefighters union, on preliminary findings of consultants studying the Fire Department. See story on page 3

Around Town MIXED REPORT ... Note to the City of Palo Alto: Your residents apparently do not take kindly to being compared with one another, particularly when they feel the comparison is based on faulty information. This truism was played out this week as a new “Home Energy Report,” devised by the utilities department to show homeowners how their energy use compares with their neighbors’, hit the mailboxes. One person who posted a comment to Town Square, the Palo Alto online forum, complained of feeling insulted and chided in “an unpleasant fashion” by the mailer, which ranked each household against 100 comparable, nearby homes as well as against one’s “efficient neighbors” (the most efficient 20 of the 100). The report spells out how much energy a customer used (“You used 16% MORE energy than your neighbors”) and gives the customer an efficiency number, such as No. 84 out of 100 neighbors, with No. 1 being the best. (The point of the ranking is to spur conservation.) It wasn’t the scolding that triggered complaints, however; it was that customers felt the comparisons were flawed or based on inaccurate information. Noted another Town Square poster: “There are six people living here and that amounts to more showers, more laundry, more dirty dishes and more technology gadgets needing their charge than in a home with two or three people.”

Another person charged that the city got the square footage of his/her home wrong, thus rating the household alongside noncomparable homes. But some homeowners reacted more positively. Mary Hughes, who lives in Old Palo Alto, was “thrilled that we were in the lower end.”

She and her husband use space heaters and electric blankets rather than heating their entire house.

FIRED UP ... Firefighters, much like movie stars and astronauts, have always held a special place in the popular imagination, with millions of American children dreaming of one day riding a fire engine and charging into a burning building to perform heroic

acts. But while this picture still holds true, the Palo Alto Fire Department has been devoting a greater chunk of its time to medical care in recent years.

That was one of the findings unveiled this week by consultants from the firms TriData and ICMA. The two consulting firms found that while the total number of incidents reported to the Fire Department went up by 19 percent between 2000 and 2009, the number of emergency medical service calls jumped by 48 percent. Stephen Brezler, a consultant from TriData, told the City Council this week that this trend isn’t surprising, given the latest demographic trends — namely, the aging of the local population. “It’s not unusual that Palo Alto is really facing the dilemma that most communities are — increasing EMS demand while fire is actually decreasing,” Brezler said. He predicted that by 2020, EMS calls would make up 64 percent of local incidents, while actual fires would only constitute 2 percent (the other 32 percent would be responses to false alarms and miscellaneous service calls).

BOOKS ON THE MOVE ... Palo Alto residents who rely on the Main Library for their literary needs won’t have to stray too far when the popular branch closes for construction in 2012. That’s because the City Council agreed this week to set up a temporary library at the Palo Alto Art Center, which stands next to the library, once construction begins.

The council voted unanimously to support a staff recommendation for the temporary facility.

Councilwoman Nancy Shepherd said the availability of parking at the site make the Art Center an easy and reasonable choice.

“I think the community knows how to get there and that’s also important,” Shepherd said.

Meanwhile, the library system has just unveiled a new tool that makes visiting branches unnecessary for most basic services.

The new program, called Library Anywhere, allows people to use cell phones to search the library catalog and access library services. The service is available at www.libanywhere.com, or through an app download. N

The Harrell Remodeling

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Upfront TRANSPORTATION

Electric cars expected to charge into Palo Alto With new models rolling out, residents prepare to buy electric vehicles and install chargers

by Gennady Sheyner reg Bell is still waiting for his first electric vehicle, but when it arrives he won’t have any trouble charging it up.

Bell is at the vanguard of what Palo Alto officials believe will be the next big trend for the city — a push by residents to install charging systems in their homes. Last month, he became one of the first residents to receive a permit for a residential car charger. City officials believe he’ll be far from the last.

Electric engines aren’t new to Palo Alto, with fleets of Prius sedans constantly flowing through city streets, clusters of environmentalist engineers electrifying their conventional cars, and companies such as Tesla and Better Place leading the worldwide push to wean drivers off gasoline. The rollout of moderately priced sedans such as the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt in the next two months is expected to give this nascent field a major push and transform the niche market into a mainstream one.

Bell, who works as a website designer and shares his household with a wife, two children and a pair of traditional gas-powered cars, said he recently ordered a Leaf because he wanted an affordable and green option for short and mid-range drives.

He noted that the Leaf would allow him to drive around for about 100 miles for just $3 or $4 in electric costs. “People need to have an option other than depending on foreign oil, or any oil for that matter,� Bell said. “I think electric cars are a great way for us to go green and get off oil.�

Palo Alto officials expect their affluent and hyper-green city to be near the front of the pack and are bracing for an influx in applications for charging stations. Larry Perlin, the city’s chief building official, told the Weekly that while the city has received only a handful of applications thus far, the number of inquiries from the community has been picking up in recent weeks and said he expects the number of applications to start rising soon. “There’s no doubt that in Palo Alto electric cars will be in demand,� Perlin said.

It also doesn’t hurt that Palo Alto and its neighbors provide a home for legions of businesses and entrepreneurs specializing in electric vehicles and supporting technologies.

Bell bought his charger — a toastersized device that affixes to the wall and has a nozzle extending from its bottom, much like at a gas pump — from Coulomb Technologies, a Sunnyvale-based firm that specializes in electric vehicle technologies.

For the permitting process, Bell drew on the expertise of Michael

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Veronica Weber

Greg Bell sits beside his new electric car charging station — about the size of a large toaster — at his Palo Alto home.

Mora, a Palo Alto resident who specializes in electric vehicles.

City officials hope its ongoing reforms will soon enable even laymen drivers with few connections in the high-tech world to get their residential chargers with ease. Perlin said the city is revising its applications to allow residents to get their permits after just one stop at the city’s Development Center on Hamilton Avenue. Bell, as a test case, had a slightly more complex process and was forced to go back and forth a few times before he secured his permit.

The new application, Perlin said, would come with a handout that would tell residents exactly what type of information they will need to provide to receive their permits.

The goal is to streamline the process and to remove the element of surprise. “What we’re trying to do is create a standardized, simple permit application form that could be downloaded and then all the information could be filled out and brought to the Development Center,� Perlin said.

“Ideally, for the residential charge stations we’d be able to review and approve those over the counter and people would be able to walk out the door with their permits in hand.�

The simplified process would, however, only apply to basic Level 1 and Level 2 chargers — which would enable residents to completely charge their vehicles in about eight to 10 hours (with Level 1, which is a basic wall outlet) or four to six hours (Level 2). Installing more powerful systems that could charge up a car in an hour or less would require additional hearings and reviews, Perlin said.

Bell, whose charger is Level 2, said it took him about two weeks to go through the process and get his charger installed. Now, he is on to the next step — waiting for his new Leaf to arrive. With his son, David, about to turn 16, the timing for a new vehicle couldn’t be better. “I’m hoping he’ll take his driving test in an electric car,� Bell said. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

Upfront CITY/SCHOOLS

Councilwoman pushes school district on Cubberley Queries reflect mounting pressure on district to decide on preserving site for a third high school or other use

by Chris Kenrick alo Alto City Council member Nancy Shepherd Wednesday sharply questioned school district officials about their plans for the old Cubberley High School site, highlighting mounting pressure on a decades-old pact between the city and school district relating to the 35-acre property.

With tenants of the city-run Cubberley Community Center grumbling about maintenance and the major tenant — Foothill College — possibly planning to vacate, Shepherd said the city is “just trying to think creatively about how to keep the lights on.”

Foothill’s two recent bids to purchase and rebuild eight city-owned acres at Cubberley were rebuffed by city officials as they await guidance from the school district on its potential plans for the site.

Meanwhile, trustees of the FoothillDe Anza Community College District this week hired a property consultant to help in the search for a permanent home for its satellite “Palo Alto Campus” based at Cubberley, which now serves about 4,000 students,

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Shepherd said she would like greater clarity on school plans for the site so she can field questions from tenants and community members.

“Whatever information you guys want to reveal, it would be very helpful to me,” she told school board members Camille Townsend and Dana Tom at a Wednesday-morning meeting of the City-School Liaison Committee.

Faced with steadily rising enrollment that shows no signs of slowing, school officials say they need to preserve their options on Cubberley. Recently, they also indicated an interest in acquiring the 3-acre Peninsula Day Care parcel at 525 San Antonio Ave., which abuts the rear property line of Greendell School adjacent to the Cubberley campus.

But they have been tightlipped about any specific plans.

In a June 16 meeting with the City Council and Foothill-De Anza trustees, school board members expressed deepseated fears about selling any portion of the dilapidated property, which closed as a high school in 1979.

The Palo Alto district is keenly

aware of the need for new classrooms to accommodate growth, but has no specific plan at this point, Tom said in response to Shepherd Wednesday.

“We haven’t really explored a specific set of options for using that site, because there are a variety of ways we could use it,” he said.

Basic maintenance on Cubberley will require at least $8 million between now and 2015, and the city has spent $6.7 million on Cubberley maintenance since 1996, City Manager Jim Keene said in the June meeting.

In a deal to preserve the site, the city pays the school district approximately $4 million a year to lease the campus and run it as a community center. The city took ownership of the 8-acre parcel within Cubberley in 2002 as a consequence of the school district’s need to re-open Terman Middle School.

The district reclaimed the site from its sale to the city and sublease to the Jewish Community Center, resulting in a sequence of events that culminated in the building of a new JCC complex along San Antonio Road.

The current city lease on Cubberley expires in 2014. N

COMMUNITY

As ‘Track Watch’ funds end, incidents spark worry Volunteers, officials call for ‘long-term, pro-active’ patrol of Caltrain crossings

by Chris Kenrick

T

hree recent emergencies at the Caltrain tracks have sparked official worries that the “contagion period” for five Palo Alto student suicides in the past 19 months has not passed.

As city funding for hired security at the tracks is due to expire at the end of December, officials are looking for ways to keep “track watchers” on site at least through the end of the school year next year.

“We’ve had at least three incidents, two of which required police to take someone off the tracks,” city recreation manager Rob de Geus told members of the City-School Liaison Committee Wednesday morning.

“The consensus is that (security) ought to be extended another six months, at least until the end of the school year, so the question is, ‘How do we fund it?’”

De Geus did not answer directly when asked whether track watchers had headed off the recent emergencies, saying each incident was different.

In one case, a staff member for the grief-counseling organization Kara was driving by a Caltrain crossing and noticed something amiss, he said. She circled back and called police, resulting in a 20-year-old being removed from the tracks area, he said.

The incident occurred at 7 p.m. one evening, after dark but before security guards were due to arrive at 8 p.m., he said.

Besides the paid guards, a dwindling number of parent volunteers are attempting to maintain a presence at the tracks. “We’re trying to surround and support those volunteers,” de Geus said.

“It’s a handful of folks. That’s what they do, and they’re passionate about it. We’re asking the community to better support them.”

Track Watch volunteer Marielena Mendoza said parents try to provide coverage as much as possible when paid guards are not on duty.

Track Watch organizer Caroline Camhy Rothstein said the group has shrunk to about four “core volunteers,” including former Palo Alto school board member Ray Bacchetti.

“There will not be adequate coverage when the city’s funding runs out at the end of December,” she said. “The paid guards have helped to prevent two incidents in recent months. We need them.”

Rothstein lauded community initiatives to support teens, such as the 22member Project Safety Net coalition.

But the tracks have become a magnet for a wide spectrum of troubled people, she said.

“The problem is no longer just a

teen issue,” she said in an e-mail to the Weekly.

“People with troubles continue to be attracted to the tracks. ... It is a bit like the Golden Gate Bridge: We need to be very proactive for a long time.”

Rothstein said the crossing areas could be more “self policing” if the city would clear-cut the trees along Alma Street.

She also asked that drivers take a look down the tracks as they pass, and be prepared to call for help if necessary. She can be contacted at hopepaloalto@gmail.com.

Parents and neighbors took matters into their own hands in the fall of 2009 after short-term police monitoring of the rail crossings failed to prevent subsequent suicides.

Following the fourth death that October, they initiated “Palo Alto Track Watch,” organizing volunteers to maintain a physical presence at the tracks during hours trains are running.

In November 2009, the paid security guards were hired by the Palo Alto Police Department to bolster the citizen patrols. That funding, currently set to expire at the end of this month, was the subject of de Geus’s remarks Wednesday. N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be e-mailed at ckenrick@paweekly. com.

CityView A round-up of

Palo Alto government action this week

City Council (Dec. 6)

Airport: The council voted to create a new Airport Enterprise Fund and directed staff to hire consultants to assist with the city’s takeover of Palo Alto Airport management from Santa Clara County. Yes: Unanimous Airport Commission: The council voted not to appoint an airport advisory commission at this time, but to defer the matter to a future date.

Yes: Burt, Holman, Price, Schmid, Yeh No: Espinosa, Klein, Scharff, Shepherd Main Library: The council approved a recommendation to set up a temporary library at the Palo Alto Art Center auditorium while the Main Library is closed for construction. Yes: Unanimous

Board of Education (Dec. 7)

Calendar: The board approved an academic calendar for 2011-12 similar to that of 2010-11, with the first day of school Aug. 23, 2011, and the last day June 7, 2012.

Yes: Unanimous Mandarin Immersion: The board voted to change the status of the three-year-old Mandarin Immersion Program from “pilot” to “ongoing.” Yes: Unanimous

Finance Committee (Dec. 7)

Utilities: The commission discussed and recommended approval of proposed long-term plans for gas and electricity acquisitions. 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 CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations. The council also plans to discuss its 2010 accomplishments; approve a suicide-prevention policy and discuss its process for setting council priorities. The closed session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter on Monday, Dec. 13, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

BOARD OF EDUCATION ... The board will discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding on its relationship with the youth well-being coalition Project Safety Net, and will hear an updated report on school-enrollment projections from demographers Lapkoff & Gobalet. The open session begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, in the boardroom of school district headquarters (25 Churchill Ave.).

POLICIES AND SERVICES COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss proposed revisions to City Council procedures and protocols, including a proposal to bar late submissions of development applications. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss its 2011 priorities and hear an update of Project Safety Net, a community effort for youth well-being. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, in the Palo Alto Art Center (1313 Newell Road).

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to continue discussing its policy regarding contact with development applicants in advance of public hearings. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ... The board plans to hold a preliminary review for 3000 Hanover St., an addition to an existing building at the Hewlett Packard campus. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION ... The commission plans to hold a special meeting to discuss design direction for the Mitchell Park bollards, which will be designed by Brad Oldham; and to discuss the relocation of the Charles Ginnever sculpture from Mountain View to Palo Alto. The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave).

Corrections The CityView section in the Dec. 3 edition misstated the action taken by the Architectural Review Board on the proposed design of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital expansion.

The board voted to continue the item until a future date. To request a correction, contact Managing Editor Jocelyn Dong at 650-223-6514, jdong@paweekly.com or P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302.

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Upfront

News Digest Strong-arm robberies hit Palo Alto streets again Robbers snatched valuables from two people in Palo Alto Saturday and Monday evenings, adding to a string of incidents on city streets in recent months in which pedestrians have been accosted for their wallets or merchandise. Both victims were approached from behind, according to Palo Alto police.

A 31-year-old woman was approached in the parking lot behind Borders Bookstore on Monday, Dec. 6, at 9:34 p.m. by a man described as Pacific Islander and between the ages of 18 and 30, tall and thin and wearing a white or gray hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.

The suspect pushed the woman off balance and pulled her purse from her shoulder. The victim was not injured.

In the incident on Saturday, Dec. 4, a 14-year-old boy was attacked in the Embarcadero Road Caltrain undercrossing at 5:25 p.m.

The victim was holding his bicycle with his left hand while walking and was checking his iPhone with his right hand when the robber approached from behind and snatched the phone out of the youth’s hand and pushed the victim away with his left hand.

The robber ran into Town and Country Village shopping center. Numerous police officers tried to find the suspect but were unable to locate him in the crowded mall, police Sgt. Wayne Benitez said.

The suspect is described as a young Latino male, 5-feet, 6-inches tall and 150 pounds. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt, black ski mask and black pants, Benitez said.

Police are asking for the public’s help in apprehending the suspects. Anyone with information about the two robberies can call the Palo Alto Police Department at 650-329-2413 or make an anonymous tip at Paloalto@tipnow.org. N — Sue Dremann

Palo Alto school calendar stays same in 2011-12 Following mixed and passionate testimony about academic calendars, the Palo Alto Board of Education Tuesday night unanimously approved a 2011-12 district-wide calendar similar to that of the current school year.

However, a majority of board members appeared poised to make a substantial shift the following year — ending the first semester before the 2012 winter break — provided they receive assurances from teachers that program quality would not suffer by having a shorter first semester and a longer second semester.

“This is a split issue in this community,” board member Barb Mitchell said.

“This is the third calendar cycle we’re completing where we’ve had the concept to have a pilot to complete first semester before winter break. In the past, we’ve also arrived at calendar fatigue and then we’ve punted.

“I do want to stick with it this time.”

The board will consider the 2012-13 and 2013-14 calendars in February, after teachers have been consulted on the question of uneven semester lengths. An abbreviated first semester would be necessary in order to complete the semester before winter break while keeping the school start date no earlier than the third week of August.

In addition to polling teachers, Assistant Superintendent Scott Bowers said he will survey parents, students and staff on the calendar issue before bringing the issue back to the board in February.

Nearly all nearby high schools, including Los Altos, Mountain View, Menlo Atherton, Woodside, St. Francis, Castilleja and Menlo, have switched to pre-break finals. N — Chris Kenrick

Mandarin Immersion program now ‘ongoing’ Palo Alto’s once-controversial Mandarin Immersion program was elevated from the status of “pilot” to “ongoing” Tuesday with nary a whimper of complaint from opponents.

The Board of Education voted unanimously to end the pilot status of the three-year-old language-immersion program, but asked for annual check-ins to ease lingering concerns about possible attrition, expenses and student achievement.

The program currently serves 88 K-3 children in four classrooms at Ohlone School. It is scheduled to go through fifth grade, with no provision for continuation into middle school.

English-speaking children comprise roughly two-thirds of the enrollment, while Mandarin-speakers make up one-third.

“There was lots of controversy with this program, but I think we’ve delivered what was needed to the community,” Superintendent Kevin Skelly said.

At the time of its approval, debate over the program centered around resources, with opponents arguing that a new “choice” program drawing students from all over the district would displace other children from their neighborhood schools.

Mandarin Immersion found a home at Ohlone School, where Principal Bill Overton said it has integrated well with the school community.

A $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education has funded start-up costs, including development of curriculum materials through the fifth grade. N — Chris Kenrick LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at www.PaloAltoOnline.com

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CITY COUNCIL

Palo Alto drops EMS study, fires consultant City claims consultant missed deadlines, pays $33,000 for the $47,000 study

by Gennady Sheyner alo Alto’s review of the city’s emergency medical services (EMS) is facing a delay after the city fired the consultant performing a study, citing missed deadlines and inaccurate figures.

The consultant, Phoenix-based Public Safety Research Group, countered that it has already performed the bulk of the work it was commissioned to do and that the data it was analyzing came straight from the city. The firm was hired last fall to analyze the city’s EMS and had presented its preliminary findings to the City Council in April.

P

Scott Meadow (continued from page 3)

Mitchell parks,” Scott said.

The city purchased the 5-acre parcel and added it to adjacent open space that was dedicated in 1965 but had not been developed, according to a historical overview by the city.

In 1974, the city and residents created the Greer Park Master Plan; the park was dedicated in 1975. But decreased revenues due to Proposition 13 and the Arastra settlement (a 1975 lawsuit the city lost in a federal-court zoning challenge regarding private land that became Arastradero Preserve) twice froze money to develop the park, Scott said.

The first of four phases of development finally began in 1980. Projects championed by former mayors were incorporated into the park, including the skate park and playing fields, Scott said. The ongoing pressure for more playing fields in the city nearly kept the park only for that use. But residents continued to lobby for spaces to serve other community interests, he added.

And Scott has not let up on his watch during the most recent park plans.

When an ocean-island motif was recently planned for the renovated chil-

Fire dept.

(continued from page 3)

from allocating its staffing efficiently, said Tom Wieczorek, the project manager from ICMA. Wieczorek said he has never before encountered an organization that has “the same workload at 2 a.m. in the morning and at 2 p.m. in the afternoon.

“By setting minimum staffing, you’re never able to adjust your staffing to meet the demand,” he said. “That becomes a real challenge going forward.

“You don’t have the flexibility to adjust and move those people around at those different times.”

The consultants concluded that the city’s firefighters are highly professional and perform an “outstanding job” when it comes to everyday operations. But they also found that the department’s fire-prevention, public education and training efforts have been relatively poor and its plan-

Jon Altmann, owner of the firm, said he was surprised by the city’s termination of its contract last month. His group had already analyzed the data and produced a 278page report with recommendations.

It was in the process of performing the final edits when the city terminated its agreement.

“I thought we had an amicable relationship,” Altmann told the Weekly.

“Certainly, nothing ever came up during the course of business.”

He acknowledged that the study took longer than expected to produce, but said the city contributed to the missed deadlines. For example,

even though the city awarded the project to PSRG in August 2009, it didn’t provide the company with a written contract until November, Altmann said. As a result, the firm couldn’t begin working until December, he said.

“The city dragged out the process and made it longer than we thought it would be,” Altmann said.

The contract termination was the second time in the past year that the city has fired a consultant who was analyzing services in the Fire Department. In April, the city terminated its

dren’s play area, Scott said he put in his two cents in his characteristically unbashful way.

“One of my comments was, ‘Well, where’s the beach?’ They weren’t going to put in a sandbox in this oceanisland play area. You have to think with a child’s mind. I still have that. I haven’t grown up yet,” he said.

Daughter Donna, a naturalist with the National Park Service, contributed advice on appropriate trees for Scott Meadow, he said.

Adding restrooms was one of the greatest challenges, he said. But advocates put forth a convincing argument.

“At a council meeting, we said we were irrigating with uric acid,” Scott said, his eyes twinkling.

The son of an oil-field worker in Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation, Scott was raised in the Indian school system, moving from mission schools to government boarding school, where he had to work half the day in the garden, he said.

The parks he played in were not formal spaces, or even dedicated. “We had the whole countryside,” he said.

When he’s not advocating for the park, Scott works two days each week at Peninsula Hardware. On Mondays and Fridays, he tutors children at Ohlone Elementary School through

the Early Literacy Program. He’s active at Avenidas and at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

On Saturday, his three grown children and five grandkids will attend the ceremony, he said. But the honor will be bittersweet.

“I’m sorry Jean is not here to really enjoy it,” he said. His wife died last year.

During their weekly park walks, the couple used to watch children enjoying the playground, he said. If it seems as though it has taken generations to complete the park, indeed it has.

“I remember I made a speech once. I said, ‘I want the park to be finished so my children can play in it. But it doesn’t look like it is going to happen. Maybe it will be a place for my grandchildren’ — but now they are almost adults.”

Scott grinned in the golden rays of afternoon sunlight, scanning the verdant playing fields.

“Look at the crowd over there today,” he said, gazing around the park. N

ning sorely lacking. They attributed the shortcomings largely to a recent shrinking of the department’s administration, which forced department leaders to focus on day-to-day operations rather than the future.

“There have been a lot of positions eliminated so that planning in the Fire Department is almost nonexistent,” said Stephen Brezler, a consultant with TriData. “Senior staff is too busy trying to put out fires and just kind of reacting to the daily issues — not planning.”

Brezler said the department could improve its operations and data management by merging its administrative functions with the Police Department, which he said does a much better job collecting and analyzing data. The fact that Police Chief Dennis Burns also serves as an interim fire chief creates an opportunity for the city to consolidate the two departments’ human resources, budget, information technology and planning operations — areas where the consultant said the

department is “particularly weak.”

“We think there is an opportunity to merge the organizations into a hybrid public safety organization,” Brezler said.

Tony Spitaleri, president of the firefighters union, had blasted the ongoing study before the November election as a pretext by the city to cut staff. Despite his earlier reservations, Spitaleri told the Weekly after the consultants’ presentation that the report largely confirms what the firefighters have been saying all along — that years of cuts in the department’s administration have severely harmed operations.

Spitaleri was one of more than a dozen union members who attended the Monday hearing. The group assembled for a brief meeting with Burns immediately after the consultants’ presentation.

“The report is a black eye for the city; it’s not for the Fire Department,” Spitaleri told the Weekly after the meeting. “They gutted everything we had at the top.” N

(continued on page 11)

What: Scott Meadow dedication at Greer Park Where: At the corner of Colorado Avenue and West Bayshore Road When: Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m.

Upfront TRANSPORTATION

Palo Alto goes full throttle on airport takeover City Council decides to take control of Palo Alto Airport operations before its lease with the county expires

by Gennady Sheyner alo Alto’s effort to take control of its airport began to lift off the ground Monday night after the City Council started a new fund to pay for airport operations.

The Palo Alto Airport has been operated by Santa Clara County since 1967 under a 50-year lease, which will expire in 2017. The council agreed Monday night that the city should try to take control of the airport even before the lease expires.

County officials decided in 2006 to not renew the airport lease and have kept airport maintenance at a minimal level since.

The council’s decision was bolstered by a recent report from the consulting firm Ralph Wiedemann & Associates, which concluded that the small but busy airport could bring in a hefty long-term profit. This profit, however, would have to be reinvested back into the facility because of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, Wiedemann told the council Monday.

FAA regulations also make it all but impossible for the city to convert airport land to other uses, he said. “The grants that we take from the FAA come with strings and the

strings basically say it has to be an airport for at least 20 years,� Wiedemann said. “Even then, they still have to grant you permission to close it and they may not.�

Councilman Larry Klein championed an early takeover of the airport, noting that the facility is slated to revert to city control by 2017 even if the council does nothing. “The question on the airport is not whether, but when,� Klein said. He is a member of the council’s Finance Committee and served on the 2005 Palo Alto Airport Working Group.

Klein also said that given the county’s lack of investment in the airport the city has “every incentive to get this done earlier rather than later.� “If we delay things all we’re doing is letting things deteriorate,� he said.

Several members of the airport community lauded the council’s decision and said they look forward to seeing renewed investment in the airport.

Ralph Britton, president of the Palo Alto Airport Association, said the county has already stopped doing maintenance work on the airport’s runways. He called for the city to make the airport “the kind of facility that Palo Alto can be proud of.�

The council voted unanimously

Microgrants

learn how to do it better; it’s not a big deal’ ... and learn from it ... and knowing we’re always improving helps them as learners,� Milo said.

Lou Pelosi has volunteered with the foundation for four years and is the liaison to East Palo Alto Charter School. Over the years, he’s seen the disparity between the “well-funded, well-organized PTAs� in wealthier communities versus those in East Palo Alto, where the average household income was $53,500 in 2009, according to Bay Area Economics. “There’s a major funding gap,�

Pelosi said. “We fund what PTAs would in other communities.�

So in a school district where science experiments are uncommon due to lack of materials and field trips depend upon teachers applying for outside monies, the East Palo Alto Kids Foundation ends up funding chemistry beakers, outings to Stanford University’s Green Library, musical instruments and lots of books, reaching about 4,500 students in grades K-12, according to the foundation.

A $500 grant may not seem like much, but the teachers say the support enables much more than tangible items. “East Palo Alto Kids Foundation grants make dreaming big possible,�

Milo said in a video interview posted on www.PaloAltoOnline.com.

Roberts said support from the Weekly Holiday Fund helps the foundation to continue its mission in a time of budget cuts. “The Palo Alto Weekly support has been incredibly important to us. ... Because we’re an all-volunteer organi-

P

(continued from page 3)

“We have a committee that reviews the grants and approves upwards of 95 percent of the applications that come in,� Roberts said of the twice-yearly process. “Teachers are true role models here in this area. They’re the ones that instill the love of learning in the kids and show them that college is possible,� Roberts said.

East Palo Alto Charter School is one of 14 schools that benefit from the microgrants. This past year, the foundation itself received a $7,500 grant from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund.

For many teachers, working in a school district that serves underprivileged children is an undertaking driven by passion. But after working in wealthier school districts, some teachers find the move takes adjustments due to the relative lack of resources. “When I got here I had to rethink how I was going to teach,� said Milo, a fourth-grade East Palo Alto Charter School teacher. “I was using the whiteboard and making posters in a way that was more familiar to how I had learned as a student.�

Milo asked for a grant to purchase a projector, which she then hooked up to a document camera — a device similar to an overhead projector. The combination allows students to show their work in front of other students and get immediate feedback, she said. “Oftentimes the student presenting their work will find a ‘fix-it’ (a mistake). ... To say, ‘Fix-its are a way to

to contribute $300,000 into the new Airport Enterprise Fund, to pay for legal fees and consultants associated with the transition. The council also considered setting up a new advisory commission to assist the city with airport operations, but ultimately decided that such a move would be premature.

The council voted 5-4 to reject a delay in discussing whether to form a new commission, with council members Greg Scharff, Nancy Shepherd, Klein and Vice Mayor Sid Espinosa dissenting.

The council did defer deciding whether the city should operate the airport on its own or hire a third party.

Staff will examine both options in the coming months and make a recommendation by the middle of next year.

The Wiedemann report estimated that the city’s profit from the airport could be as large as $16.2 million by 2037 if it were to take over airport operations in 2012.

Staff plans to hire an airport expert in the next two months and begin negotiations with the county by March 2011. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@paweekly. com.

WATCH IT ONLINE

www.PaloAltoOnline.com Hear from a teacher who has received microgrants; watch the video posted on Palo Alto Online.

zation, you know, it’s hard for us to spend a lot of time doing fundraising.

And fundraising has become more and more involved,� she said. “So for us, it’s been wonderful to have a supporter in the community that we can count on year after year.� N Through the financial contributions of community members, the Weekly Holiday Fund supports programs 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 10.

Online This Week

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.

Bakery manager lauded for saving man’s life On Tuesday (Dec. 7) the Mountain View City Council recognized Costco bakery manager Mike Tyler for using CPR to save the life of a 72-year-old man who had a heart attack inside the Mountain View store on Nov. 1. (Posted Dec. 8 at 2:39 p.m.)

Foothill-De Anza textbook program wins award A program started in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, geared toward encouraging the widespread adoption of “open textbooks,� has grown rapidly since it was founded two years ago and was recently recognized by an interstate educational organization for its achievements. (Posted Dec. 8 at 2:36 p.m.)

Baten Caswell elected Palo Alto board president Former PTA Council President Melissa Baten Caswell was chosen by her colleagues Tuesday night (Dec. 7) to be president of the Palo Alto Board of Education for the coming year. Caswell immediately took the gavel from outgoing Board President Barbara Klausner, who has served since November 2009. (Posted Dec. 8 at 8:56 a.m.)

Atherton woman arrested in hit-and-run A 62-year-old Atherton woman was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence during a chaotic exit from a Menlo Park parking plaza at 1 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 7). (Posted Dec. 8 at 8:51 a.m.)

Body of Mountain View man found in garage A Mountain View man apparently shot and killed himself after police surrounded his home in the 2600 block of Diericx Drive in Mountain View on Saturday (Dec. 4), a police spokeswoman said.

(Posted Dec. 7 at 8:56 a.m.)

Hit-and-run driver sentenced for Menlo accident The driver who hit a motorcyclist with his car in Menlo Park, then fled the scene despite the victim begging for help, was sentenced to two years in state prison and ordered to make restitution in San Mateo County Superior Court on Friday (Dec. 3). (Posted Dec. 7 at 8:44 a.m.)

Teacher pay-raise talks postponed to next year Talks on possible pay raises for Palo Alto teachers will be postponed until after the first of the year because of uncertainties surrounding state and school district revenues, according to tentative agreements between the Palo Alto school district and its labor unions. (Posted Dec. 6 at 5:12 p.m.)

Experts urge ‘thorough reassessment’ of rail plans Potentially fatal flaws are threatening California’s proposed highspeed rail system, according to a new report by a panel of “peer group� experts. The six-member panel called for a “thorough reassessment� of key engineering, financial, economic and managerial issues. (Posted Dec. 6 at 5:12 p.m.)

COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK: Nearly 130 Paly students earn community-service award Nearly 130 students at Palo Alto High School Friday (Dec. 3) earned the President’s Award for Volunteer Service after volunteering 100 hours or more of community service within 12 consecutive months.

(Posted Dec. 6 at 2:01 p.m.)

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Support our kids

CLICK AND GIVE

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 Deadline: 1/7/11

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.

E

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 and the Peer y and Arrillaga family foundations, your taxdeductible 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.

165 donors through 12/9/10 totalling $45,485 with match $90,970 has been raised for the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund Donate online at siliconvalleycf.org/giving-paw.html 18 Anonymous $6,425 Richard & Nancy Alexander 500 Ed & Margaret Arnold ** Greg & Anne Avis ** Jim & Nancy Baer ** Larry Baer & Stephanie Klein ** 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 Lawrence M. Breed 100 Eileen Brennan 100 Dick & Carolyn Brennan ** Allan & Marilyn Brown ** Gloria Brown 200 Steve Brugler ** Richard Cabrera ** Bruce F. Campbell 1000 Barbara Carlisle ** George Cator 100 Miriam Cespedes 25 Ted & Ginny Chu ** Andy & Liz Coe 100 Marc & Margaret Cohen 100 John & Ruth DeVries **

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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 Michael & Elizabeth Fleice/Yasek 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 Hamilton Fund 1000 Phil Hanawalt & Graciela Spivak 300 Margaret Hanks 150 The Havern Family 3000 Walt & Kay Hays ** Marc Igler & Jennifer Cray 75 Susana Im 75 Zelda Jury ** Ed & Masako Kanazawa ** Michael & Marcia Katz 200 Sue Kemp 250 Peter & Lynn Kidder 250

Hal & Iris Korol Mark Krasnow & Patti Yanklowitz Sue Kurtz Patricia Levin Stephen & Nancy Levy Mandy Lowell Gwen Luce & Family Kevin Mayer & Barbara Zimmer Richard L. Mazze MD & Sheil E. Cohen MD Drew McCalley & Marilyn Green W. J. McCroskey John & Eve Melton David & Lynn Mitchell

** Les Morris 200 Richard A. Morris ** 200 Frederic & Kristin Nichols ** 100 Craig & Sally Nordlund 500 100 Scott & Sandra Pearson 500 ** Jim & Alma Phillips 250 ** Helene Pier ** ** Lee Pierce 200 Joe & Marlene Prendergast ** ** Harry Press & Mildred Hamilton 100 200 Nancy Rhea ** Thomas Rindfleisch ** 100 Norman & Nancy Rossen 100 500 Don & Ann Rothblatt ** 500 (continued on next page) 300 Make checks payable to

Enclosed is a donation of $_______________ Name __________________________________________________ Business Name __________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________

Silicon Valley Community Foundation and send to: PAW Holiday Fund c/o SVCF 2440 W. El Camino Real, Suite 300 Mountain View, CA 94040

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________ E-Mail __________________________________________________ Phone ______________________

Q Credit Card (MC or VISA) _______________________________________ Expires ______________ Signature _______________________________________________________ I wish to designate my contribution as follows: – OR –

Q In name of business above

Q In my name as shown above

Q In honor of:

Q In memory of:

Q As a gift for:

_____________________________ (Name of person)

Q I wish to contribute anonymously.

Q Please withhold the amount of my contribution.

The Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund is a fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All donors will be published in the Palo Alto Weekly unless the coupon is marked “Anonymous.”

For information on making contributions of appreciated stock, contact Amy Renalds at (650) 326-8210.

Upfront

EMS studdy (continued from page 8)

Holiday Fund (continued from previous page) Roderick Rowell 100 Ferrell & Page Sanders 100 John & Mary Schaefer 100 Stan Schier & Barbara Klein 300 Ken Schroeder & Fran Codispoti 500 Martha Shirk 500 Richard & Bonnie Sibley ** Jerry & Donna Silverberg 100 Alice Schaffer Smith 100 Andrea B. Smith 100 Art & Peggy Stauffer 500 Lee Swedenborg ** Craig & Susie Thom 100 John & Susan Thomas ** Tony & Carolyn Tucher ** Mike & Ellen Turbow 200 Roger & Joan Warnke ** John & Lynn Wiese 100 Douglas & Susan Woodman ** Lawrence Yang & Jennifer Kuan 1000 George & Betsy Young ** hn & Mary Schaefer 100 Stan Schier & Barbara Klein 300 Ken Schroeder & Fran Codispoti 500 Martha Shirk 500 Richard & Bonnie Sibley ** Jerry & Donna Silverberg 100 Alice Schaffer Smith 100 Andrea B. Smith 100 Art & Peggy Stauffer 500 Lee Swedenborg ** Craig & Susie Thom 100 John & Susan Thomas ** Tony & Carolyn Tucher ** Mike & Ellen Turbow 200 Roger & Joan Warnke ** John & Lynn Wiese 100 Douglas ** In Honor Of Bertha Kalson Dick & Ellie MansďŹ eld Paul Resnick Kathy Schroeder, PiE Director Sandy Sloan Marilyn Sutorius Sallie Tasto In Memory Of Carol Berkowitz Leo Breidenbach A.L. & L.K. Brown Marge Collins Bob Dolan Fred Eyerly

** ** 100 100 100 100 100

** ** ** 500 500 **

Steve Fasani Mary Floyd Pam Grady Marie Hardin Al Jacobs Chet Johnson August King Helene F. Klein Mr. Y.F. Lai Mr. N.C. Lee Charles Bennett Leib Robert C. Lobdell Anna Luskin Betty Meltzer Ernest J. Moore Fumi Murai Thomas W. & Louise L. Phinney Virginia Schulz William Settle Jack Sutorius Tinney Family John F. Warren Dr. David Zlotnick Irma Zuanich Bob Dolan Fred Eyerly Steve Fasani Mary Floyd Pam Grady Marie Hardin Al Jacobs Chet Johnson August King Helene F. Klein Mr. Y.F. Lai Mr. N.C. Lee Charles Bennett Leib Robert C. Lobdell Anna Luskin Betty Meltzer Ernest J. Moore Fumi Murai Thomas W. & Louise L. Phinney Virginia Schulz William Settle Jack Sutorius A Gift For Bailey & Riley Cassidy The Lund Family

100 ** 150 100 100 ** ** ** ** ** 100 ** ** ** ** 90 ** ** 500 100 500 ** ** 100 500 ** 100 ** 150 100 100 ** ** ** ** ** 100 ** ** ** ** 90 ** ** 500 1

50 100

Business & Organizations Harrell Remodeling, Inc. ** Juana Briones 2nd Graders 75 No Limit Drag Racing **

contract with the firm Emergency Services Consulting International, which was looking into staffing levels in the fire department. Members of the City Council said they felt the study would be “biased� after the consultant told them he had never recommended staffing reductions in the past.

News about the latest contract termination emerged Monday night when Assistant City Manager Pamela Antil told the City Council that the anticipated study has been dropped.

She said the city has given PSRG

several deadlines, but the firm failed to meet them. The city paid the firm about $33,000 of the $47,000 in the contract.

Antil also said there were inaccuracies in the data the firm provided to the Fire Department.

Altmann disputed the allegations of inaccuracies. He also said his firm’s analysis largely confirmed the tentative findings it presented to the council in the spring. It concluded that the city’s EMS is doing a good job and the citizens of Palo Alto are getting a “good, prompt service.� “If Palo Alto were a private ambulance company, I’d say it’s perform-

L U C I L E PA C K A R D

ing well,� Altmann said. “I don’t think you can get a much better statement of public operation.�

The service is expected to become more critical in the coming years. Another study, performed jointly by TriData and ICMA, estimated that medical calls would make up more than 64 percent of the incidents the Fire Department will be responding to in 2025. The number of medical calls has gone up by 48 percent between 2000 and 2009, the consultant found. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@paweekly. com.

C H I L D R E N ’ S H O S P I TA L

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C H I L D R E Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S H O S P I T A L V I S I T W W W. L P C H . O R G TO S I G N U P F O R C L A S S E S *>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; iViÂ&#x201C;LiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;£ä]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;ä£äĂ&#x160;U Page 11

'!29 , "!,$7).

Gary L. Baldwin, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died on Nov. 16 after a brief battle with cancer. Gary was born in southern California, but lived and attended schools in several parts of the U.S. before moving to Palo Alto over 30 years ago. Gary received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Gary began his distinguished career at Bell Laboratories in N.J. before joining Hewlett Packard in Palo Alto in 1978. He spent a combined 23 years at HP and Agilent Technologies, including 12 years as Director of the Solid-State Technology Laboratory. In 1999, he followed his dream to return to UC Berkeley, where he spent 11 years encouraging collaboration among university research labs and industry, as well as working to advance projects in sustainable energy. In his various roles at UC, he served as Executive Director of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Gigascale Silicon Research Center, Associate Dean for Industrial Relations at the College of

Engineering, and for the last several years Director of Special Projects on Energy and the Environment at CITRIS. Gary was a Fellow in the IEEE and served in several ofďŹ ces for the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Council, including president.

He was a recipient of the IEEE Third Millennium Medal (2000).

He also was a member of Sigma Xi and Eta Kappa Nu, the electrical and computer engineering honor society.

Garyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest passion was for his family, with whom he spent as much time as possible. He was also an enthusiastic ďŹ&#x201A;y ďŹ sherman, an avid bicyclist, and an accomplished woodworker. Gary loved to sing and participated in the Glee Club and the Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Octet while at Berkeley. He continued this love by singing with a menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s octet weekly for the past 25 years.

Gary will be deeply missed by his family and friends, including his wife of 20 years Virginia Wade Baldwin, his sons Christopher and Bryan Baldwin and their spouses, his former wife Diane Baldwin, mother of his two sons, his stepchildren Trevor and Joel Wade and their spouses, his sister Susan Long, his step-mother Willie Mae Baldwin, his niece Jessica Edwards, and his ďŹ ve grandchildren.

A celebration of Garyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life will be held on Sun., Jan. 16, at 2:30 pm at Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto.

Donations in Garyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory may be made to the Peninsula Open Space Trust of Palo Alto or to Pathways Hospice of Sunnyvale.

PA I D

O B I T UA RY

*%..%&%2 ,,/9$ 7).%-!.

Jennefer was born on May 15, 1931 in Montreal, Canada and died on November 26, 2010, at home in Menlo Park, California. She resided there with her husband, Paul Wineman, whom she married in 2002. Her last days were ďŹ lled with loving visits with family and friends.

She was raised in Carmel, California in the days when children walked along sandy paths through the pine forests to Sunset School.

She graduated from Carmel High School in 1949 and was awarded the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gold Câ&#x20AC;? as the outstanding female graduate.

She was known for her graceful beauty, intelligence, and poise.

She attended Stanford University until her marriage in 1951 to Nathaniel (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Natâ&#x20AC;?) Baylis. They had two sons, Owen and Lloyd Baylis, who were raised in Menlo Park. She was a member of the Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club. Jennefer and Nat divorced in 1972. She eventually returned to Stanford and completed her bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in psychology (1953).

Jennefer taught at the Charles Armstrong School for dyslexic learners when it was located in a small house in Menlo Park. She later served on the board of trustees. Her involvement with the Mid Peninsula Speech and Language Clinic expanded her interest and expertise in learning differences.

She was married in 1974 to Harold Santee, a Superintendent of the Palo Alto UniďŹ ed School District, until his death in 1990. They relocated to the Monterey Peninsula, where Jennefer worked as a researcher for the Stanford Heart Disease Prevention Center.

In the early 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, her volunteer activities at a school for children with learning differences in Seaside developed into an integral role in the establishment of Chartwell School.

She held many titles there, including Interim Executive Director, Development Director, and President of the Board of Trustees. She implemented a vision to expand the school at a new site and promoted a fundraising campaign to build a state of the art â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? facility, the completion of which fulďŹ lled a long held dream.

In the past years, Jennefer was happy in her married life with Paul. They shared homes in Menlo Park and Carmel.

She remained active on the boards of the MorrisseyCompton Educational Center, Inc. (Palo Alto), the Friends of Moss Landing Marine Labs (Moss Landing), and Chartwell School (Seaside). She belonged to Daughters of the American Revolution and the Casa Abrego Club. She and Paul enjoyed their wine group, planning Stanford reunions, travel, annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;honeymoonâ&#x20AC;? trips to Yosemite, and visiting friends.

She possessed a natural and intuitive gift of being a wonderful and caring mother. She was a warm and loving presence to her sons, to the Baylis and Wineman grandchildren, and to her informally â&#x20AC;&#x153;adoptedâ&#x20AC;? children and grandchildren. Her kindness and love touched many.

She is survived by her husband of eight years, Paul Wineman, her two children, Owen Baylis and wife Polly, of Saratoga, California, and Lloyd Baylis and wife Cherie, of Los Altos, California. Also, she is survived by ďŹ ve grandchildren, Morgan Baylis and wife Tracy, of Los Angeles, California, Tyler Baylis, Cole Baylis, Sarah Baylis, and Amy Baylis.

A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Carmel, on December 12, at 2:00 p.m., reception to follow.

It was Jenneferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wish that memorial contributions be sent to Chartwell School, 2511 Numa Watson Rd., Seaside, California, 93955.

PA I D

O B I T UA RY

Introducing

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Page 12Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; iViÂ&#x201C;LiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;£ä]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;ä£äĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news, sports & hot picks

Pulse

A weekly compendium of vital statistics

Palo Alto Dec. 1-6 Violence related Child abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Strong arm robbery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle related Abandoned bicycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Vehicle accident/major injury . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .5 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .6 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Miscellaneous Casualty/fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Misc. penal code violation . . . . . . . . . . .1 Missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Prowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Resist arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Sex crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Menlo Park Dec. 1-6 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle related Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .1 Alcohol or drug related Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Coroner case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Disturbing phone calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Info. case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Juvenile problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Probation violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Resgistrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1 Threats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Atherton Dec. 1-6 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Residential burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .1 Vehicle code violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Miscellaneous Animal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Citizen assist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Flooding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hang-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Meet citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Pedestrian check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Perimeter check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .2 Suspicious person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Town ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Weapons charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

VIOLENT CRIMES Palo Alto

Edgewood Drive, 12/3, 3:10 p.m.; child abuse/physical.

Wilton Avenue, 12/4, 10:35 a.m.; domestic violence.

Embarcadero Road, 12/4, 5:36 p.m.; robbery/strong arm.

Hamilton Avenue, 12/6, 4:41 p.m.; domestic violence/violate court order.

Park Boulevard, 12/6, 7:04 p.m.; domestic violence.

500 block Cowper Street, 12/6, 9:36 p.m.; robbery/strong arm.

Menlo Park 1100 block El Camino Real, 12/2, 8:56 a.m.; domestic disturbance.

1900 block Euclid Avenue, 12/4, 10:31 p.m.; battery.

Atherton Elena Avenue/ValparaisoAvenue, 12/4, 11:18 p.m.; simple assault/battery.

-!2)/. 2!5 Marion Rau, a longtime resident of Mountain View, died Wednesday, November 24, following complications from a heart attack in August. After a career in accounting at several Silicon Valley high tech companies, Marion retired to play golf, and was a member of the West Valley Womens Golf Club (home of the "Rau Trophy"), as well as the women's golf clubs associated with Shoreline, Sunnyvale, and Santa Teresa golf courses. Marion is survived be her son, Walt Rau, and her daughter-inlaw Carol Raymond, as well as her grandson Michael Rau. A memorial service for Marion will be held at St. William Catholic Church, in Los Altos.

PA I D

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Transitions

0!4 2/3%

Births, marriages and deaths

Former Palo Alto Superintendent Don Phillips dies Don Phillips, 62, superintendent of the Palo Alto Unified School District from 1997 to 2001, died Dec. 3.

Phillips, who retired in June after nine years as superintendent of the Poway Unified School District in the San Diego area, suffered cardiac arrest Dec. 2 and died in a hospital the following day.

Kevin Skelly, Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current superintendent and a close friend of Phillips, was in San Diego Friday with the Phillips family. Skelly had worked as an assistant superintendent under Phillips before coming to Palo Alto as superintendent in 2007. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Don was my great friend, my mentor for nearly two decades and a constant source of inspiration and wisdom,â&#x20AC;? Skelly said in a brief e-mail.

Former Palo Alto school board president Mandy Lowell credited Phillips with getting a floundering Building For Excellence, the building program from a 1995 district facilities bond measure, back on track. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He had an audit done when he

Jeanne Abbott Jeanne Hester Hinchman Abbott, 88, a resident of Palo Alto, died Nov. 28.

She was born in Oakland and grew up in San Jose. She graduated from Stanford University, where she was a member of the Gamma Phi sorority and majored in political science, in 1944.

She married her high school sweetheart Richard Edson (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dickâ&#x20AC;?) Abbott in 1945.

During World War II she lived in San Francisco with her girlfriends and worked in the furs department at J. Magnin Co. After the war, her husband obtained a B.S. in electrical engineering from U.C. Berkeley. He pursued a career with General Electric in Schenectady and Detroit before the young family returned to the Bay Area.

In 1952, the Abbotts bought their first home in Menlo Park. In 1962, they moved to Palo Alto, where they raised their four children, and Dick Abbott founded Abbott Engineering, selling electronics components to the growing hightech industries of Silicon Valley.

She was a member of the Stanford Committee for Art and docent at the Stanford Museum. She was active in several civic and arts organizations, including the Palo Alto Garden Club, Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club of Palo Alto, Contemporary Collectors Circle and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She was

arrived and it found they wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to complete construction on all 16 schools, so Don restructured it to create a priority system for getting schools renovated,â&#x20AC;? Lowell recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He really made sure that every school in the district received benefits from the bond program.â&#x20AC;?

Phillips also presided over the re-opening of Terman Middle School, and created an AVID college-readiness program in Palo Alto. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Don was the kind of guy that when somebody walked into his office anxious or angry, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d leave reassured,â&#x20AC;? Lowell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was a very good listener and made careful comments back. He always had a bigger picture in mind.â&#x20AC;?

Phillips, who graduated from Gunn High School, had served as superintendent of the Mountain an avid world traveler and tennis player. She and Dick were among the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magnificent Sevenâ&#x20AC;? founders of the Foothills Tennis and Swimming Club.

Her laugh, her stories, her charm, and her love of people will not be forgotten, loved ones said.

She is survived by her children Carol Abbott Harris of San Francisco, Christine Abbott Stokes of Ashland, Ore., Priscilla Abbott of Sacramento, and Richard Edson (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hapâ&#x20AC;?) Abbott Jr. of Palo Alto; 10 grandchildren; and a greatgranddaughter.

Memorial services, with recep-

Roller

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View-Los Altos High School District before coming to Palo Alto.

A graduate of Whitman College, he began his education career as a social studies teacher in Washington state before earning a doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he wrote a dissertation titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Principal as Effective Leader.â&#x20AC;?

He was a middle- and highschool principal in Massachusetts and California before becoming associate superintendent of the Vista (Calif.) Unified School District.

He was active in professional organizations, writing and public speaking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was very local, and understood Palo Alto better than most superintendents who come into it new,â&#x20AC;? Lowell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;PAUSD searched around the nation to find the best superintendent for us and ended up attracting a local person from a neighboring community whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d grown up in our community.â&#x20AC;?

Phillips left Palo Alto after four years because he wanted to gain experience in a larger, urban school district, which Poway provided, Lowell said. Poway has an enrollment of approximately 33,000 students, nearly triple that of Palo Alto.

Phillips is survived by his wife Robyn and sons Blake and Reid. tion to follow, will be held Friday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. at All Saints Parish, 555 Waverley Street at Hamilton, Palo Alto.

MEMORIAL SERVICE A â&#x20AC;&#x153;celebration of lifeâ&#x20AC;? memorial for Celeste Henzel will be held Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. at Holbrook Palmer Park, Watkins Avenue, Atherton.

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Job Training Counselor Pat Rose, 64, a long term resident of Palo Alto, worked for many years as a job counselor for Opportunities Industrialization Center West now called JobTrain. Pat was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 28, 1946, moved with her family to Palo Alto in 1952, graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1964, San Jose State in 1968, and received a graduate degree from the University of Santa Clara. She had been sick for eight years and died from cancer and complications from two lung transplants. In recent years, she was an active volunteer with the lung transplant group. She died peacefully at home in the care of Pathways Hospice on December 2.

Pat is survived by her long time companion, Charlie Beamon, her sister, Nancy Rose of San Francisco, her brother, Tom Rose of Palm Harbor, Florida, her niece, Hannah Goldstein, her nephew, Aaron Rose, and her grandniece, Irene Goldstein. She is also survived by her many wonderful and loyal friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Edward Rose.

Pat did not wish for there to be any memorial events.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JobTrain or Pathways Hospice.

PA I D

O B I T UA RY

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Faye L. Johnson of Palo Alto, died on Monday, November 15, 2010 at 93 years of age. She passed peacefully at home of old age. She did not have children and is survived by her great niece and nephew and 2 great, great nephews.

Faye was born on July 26, 1917 in Berkeley, California. Her father died when she was very young, so she was raised by her mother in Berkeley, along with 2 brothers, Gayle Lucas, who was much older, and Leigh Lucas, who was younger and whom she took care of and was in close contact with until his death. She attended Chabot Middle School, Berkeley High School and U.C. Berkeley, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Social Work. She married Lester Dechman Johnson in San Francisco in the late 1930â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and worked for the department of Social Services. Les became a diplomat in the U.S. State Department, and Faye took on the role of diplomatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife. They lived abroad in Hawaii, Italy and Japan, where Faye brought together and decorated households suited to diplomatic entertaining. In Hawaii she joined the promotions department of a radio station. Wherever she went she made many longterm friends and collected lovely jewelry and household treasures. After Lesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ eld service in the diplomatic corps, around 1973, they moved to Coral Gables, Florida, where they lived until Lesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death in 1981. While in Florida Faye developed a very special attachment to dogs, especially her Boxer, Angie.

After Les died, Faye moved to Palo Alto, where she established herself with friends and loved ones for the rest of her life. She was a volunteer on the Palo Alto Parental Stress hotline, at the Stanford Museum and with the Greyhound Welfare League. She contributed generously to the San Francisco Zoo, often sponsoring individual animals. She spent many years loving her adopted, abused greyhounds back to health -- ďŹ rst Cleo and then Amber. She could read the trauma they had suffered in their faces and their behavior, and she responded with a deep, healing connection to them. She was very active in the Greyhound Welfare League for many years, attending their â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meet â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Greetâ&#x20AC;?s with her own rescued greyhounds regularly. Faye was always politically aware, concerned and active, donating to the campaigns of her choice regularly. Her last travels included a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula and one to the African jungle where she recounted having slept in tree houses above the jungle ďŹ&#x201A;oor by night and touring the jungle in busses by day.

The week before Faye died, she was actively caring for her friends, expressing her loving concern for their life challenges. She was a delightful, gracious woman who loved animals, cordial entertaining, politics and to share insightful, humorous stories with her friends. As she requested, there has been no service. Fayeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remains have been cremated, and her ashes will be spread over the ocean out beyond the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Funeral Home FD132

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Editorial Palo Alto Airport is a high-risk venture While there is profit potential for city’s airport there’s also risk exposure for taxpayers — city needs a bailout plan if the airport crashes financially

A

city take-back of the Palo Alto Airport from the Santa Clara County Airports Department has a bright financial outlook, according to a new study — a factor that prompted a unanimous City Council to approve such a move Monday night.

The unanimity was due in part to a recent positive business plan

by R.A. Wiedemann & Associates and partly because the city has no choice but to keep the airport open due to Federal Aviation Administration restrictions. The county has said it will not renew its lease when it expires in 2017 because of an “awkward and untenable” lease, high maintenance costs, an inability to expand under current city and other restrictions, and overall risks to the county, detailed in a 2006 business plan.

That plan cited the airport’s highest tie-down and hangar-rental fees of any in the region — even fuel prices that were about 10 cents a gallon higher.

The council, appropriately cautious, will hire expert consultants to augment a stretched-thin city staff. It allocated $300,000 from the general fund to get work started for a possible 2012 takeover.

The county, meanwhile, is planning in 2012 to spend $200,000 to $300,000 to repave some areas that are deteriorating due to an odd situation: The whole airport rises and falls about five inches with the tides, according to county Airports Director Carl Honaker. He said the asphalt lasts only about half as long as in non-tidal areas, and the salty air also accelerates deterioration of facilities.

The county did a $2 million repaving in 2000, using federal grants plus nearly $500,000 in an “outstanding advance” from the airports department, which also oversees the profitable ReidHillview and money-losing South County airports. The same paving job would cost $4 million to $5 million today, Honaker estimates.

The advance has not been paid back, while the grant gives the FAA veto power over closing the airport, which it may have anyway under national “infrastructure” regulations.

Part of the city’s due-diligence should include seeking ways Palo Alto could legally notify the FAA that it might need to close the airport at some future date.

A bail-out provision might be vital should a future sour economy, high maintenance costs, competition from other general-aviation airports (a future Moffett Field addition?) and an exodus of users and businesses add up to a massive drain on city general (taxpayer) funds.

Holiday Fund ‘makes dreaming big possible’

I

t may not seem like much in the big picture of budget crises and political debates, but it’s often the little things in life that truly count.

Like kids.

To fourth-grade teacher Sarah Milo of the East Palo Alto Charter School two small grants have made a big difference: A $200 “new teacher” grant last year bought basic classroom supplies and a whiteboard, and a $500 grant this year bought a projector so children could share and critique their art projects as a class.

The grants “make dreaming big possible,” she says of the benefit to her students, in a short video on www.PaloAltoOnline.com.

Both grants came from the East Palo Alto Kids Foundation, an all-volunteer organization that has received grants from the Weekly’s Holiday Fund for all the fund’s 17 years.

Teachers “are true role models ... that instill the love of learning in the kids, and show them that college is possible,” Kids Foundation President Laura Roberts adds. Being all-volunteer means there is limited time for paperwork-heavy grant-seeking, and sources such as the Holiday Fund are key.

“For us it’s been wonderful to have a supporter in the community that we can count on year after year,” she said, echoing scores of other comments from grant recipients.

This year’s Holiday Fund runs through January. This year’s goal of $275,000 is a stretch from last year’s $240,000 total, especially during a difficult economy.

Yet in terms of value, both human and financial, there is no better investment. All grants benefit children and families, and the Weekly absorbs overhead costs — so 100 percent of every donation goes to grants, and matching funds double the value of the donations. Please stretch with us.

Page 14ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ

Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions

Anti-rail signage Editor, An organization opposing the proposal for high-speed rail through town has placed signs near the railroad tracks reading,: “Here Comes High Speed Rail — There goes the Neighborhood.”

I noticed the signs but didn’t think much about them until reminded that the phrase “There goes the Neighborhood” comes from the 50s or 60s when white residents used it as African-American families began to move into their neighborhoods and they moved out.

I don’t believe the sign makers meant to hurt the feelings of those among us most conscious of and angered by the earlier use of the phrase. However, it does seem clear that consideration of those feeling was missing in choosing the words on the signs.

We have said that we want Palo Alto to be an inclusive city, but while this may not be the biggest deal, this sign’s language has surely caused some feelings of exclusion among our citizens.

This is a good example of where we need to be the change we want to see.

Jim Phillips Ferne Avenue Palo Alto

Meeting policy Editor, I don’t understand the potential policy that would prohibit City Council and commission members from meeting with applicants — be they developers, homeowners or community groups.

It seems to me these City Council and board members are there to gather information and to make informed decisions. I trust them to do that. Last minute two- to five-minute presentations by organized opposition and a staff report are not adequate ways to get good information, especially on a significant project.

These officials are not seated to be judges-on-high, without significant input behind a project or without community contact.

If someone is suspicious and doesn’t trust an elected or appointed member, a simple announcement that a member has talked with someone should do.

“Yes, I met Mr. X at the development site and took two phone calls from Ms. Y and Mr. Z, the neighbors opposed to his project.”

I have often heard members say that they had met with an applicant to look at the site, but never anyone who mentioned contact with a neighbor.

However, if as the potential policy states there can be no contact with a development proponent, then, there should equally be no contact with anyone else: neighborhood groups, neighbors, friends, husbands or

wives who might have an opinion, a position or a fact to provide, especially if discussed over dinner or a glass of wine.

Lets keep political correctness even-handed.

Ken Alsman Ramona Street Palo Alto

Wilderness protection Editor, Dec. 6 marked 50 years to the day since President Eisenhower established what would become one of America’s most beloved natural treasures: the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Big mammals, such as the iconic polar bear, and millions of the world’s birds come here each year, seeking refuge from a world of encroaching hazards to receive their most sacred needs: sustenance and safe harbor for bearing their young.

The Arctic Refuge remains wild, so the cycle of life continues. As Americans, we have a moral and civic duty to ensure that this cycle is not broken.

This anniversary presents an historic opportunity to finally protect this last, vast American wilderness.

I urge our representatives in Washington, D.C., to close the book

on a debate settled by the American people long ago: America’s Arctic is more valuable for what lives upon the land than what lies under it.

Carol Taggart Valparaiso Avenue Menlo Park

Mr. Palo Alto Editor, If anyone deserves the title of Mr. Palo Alto, that person is Jay Thorwaldson, who has just announced his retirement as editor of the Palo Alto Weekly.

He has worked here as a newspaperman for what seems like forever.

He’s an old pro, as we in the news business say, and we are fortunate that he will continue on the paper as a columnist.

In all fairness, I have to admit that I’ve known him for decades, and wrote for him when he handled public affairs for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. But that won’t bother anyone who knows Jay. Palo Alto and the surrounding area are a better place to be live because of Jay and I wish him well in the future.

Harry Press Escobita Avenue Palo Alto

YOUR TURN The Palo Alto Weekly encourages comments on our coverage or on issues of local interest.

What do you think? Do you think the fire and police department administrations should be merged?

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.

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Arts & Entertainment A weekly guide to music, theater, art, movies and more, edited by Rebecca Wallace

Above: Photographer John Eaton.

Left: Eaton’s photo of the cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral.

by Rebecca Wallace oor Peterborough Cathedral. In its early days as a monastery and then as an abbey, it was attacked by Vikings, sacked during a revolt against William the Conqueror, and then destroyed by fire in 1116.

But once again, the building was rebuilt. Today, it stands its ground as a striking example of Norman architecture in England. And to some people, including photographer John Eaton, the cathedral’s tumultuous past makes it all the more attractive.

In his new exhibition at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, Eaton includes a lengthy artist’s statement that is part tribute to England’s phoenix-like medieval cathedrals.

He writes: “Because of their checkered history of building and rebuilding, from foundation in the 11th century through to the Reformation, they exhibit a wide variety of architectural styles, evolution and implementation — both within one building as well as between them — providing great scope for innovation and excitement in the creation of space and vision.”

Eaton’s large black-and-white photos give a sampling of the styles and features at seven cathedrals: Ely, Exeter, Gloucester, Norwich, Peterborough, Salisbury and Wells. Gallery visitors can gaze at the dramatic fan vaulting in the cloisters at Gloucester, admire the sweep of the Salisbury nave, or visually climb the Chapter House steps at Wells.

(The Wells photo is a tribute to the late English photographer Frederick H. Evans, whose image “Sea of Steps, Wells Cathedral” also places the viewer looking heavenward up the staircase.)

Although there are no people in the photos, there are plenty of human touches. A series of dips worn into the Wells steps shows that people have probably been favoring the left side of the staircase for years and years. On a pipe organ at Exeter,

P

CATHEDRALS Photographer delves into the architecture and history of England’s medieval landmarks

CAPTURING Page 16ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ

Top: John Eatonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photo of the Chapter House steps at Wells Cathedral pays homage to a classic image by the photographer Frederick H. Evans. Above: The Chapter House at Wells, photographed by Eaton in 2009. an inscription proudly states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;John Loosemore made this organ 1665.â&#x20AC;?

Persistent Peterborough still feels very much alive and very grand, with a rare wooden nave ceiling and majestic ceiling designs of sunbursts and winged angels. During Eatonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visits to the cathedrals in recent years, he spent much of his time admiring and documenting the intricate design

work on the ceilings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and pondering how difficult the work must have been to do by candlelight. Stainedglass windows may be inspiring, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not always illuminating. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the guys designed this ... they probably, except on a really bright sunny day, couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see much unless they had really good window cleaners,â&#x20AC;? Eaton said in an interview.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You start to appreciate the atmosphere in medieval times.â&#x20AC;?

He added that the cathedrals must also have had a particularly mysterious air to medieval congregants, craning their necks to see the hazy ceilings far above. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you were very lucky, you caught glimpses of beautiful design and beautiful artwork,â&#x20AC;?

Eaton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re probably rather spoiled.â&#x20AC;?

To further illuminate the cathedrals, Eaton has paired the photographs in his exhibition with floor plans of the structures. In his research, he came upon an old English magazine called The Builder, which in the 1880s and 1890s ran articles on the cathedrals together with detailed pen-and-ink floor plans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I scanned them as big as I could, and mounted them on foam core,â&#x20AC;?

Eaton said. Then he hung the plans together with his photos and exhibit cards that he wrote about each cathedral. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People have a little bit of history and they can see the floor plan ... and then they ask lots of questions,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to read lots of books.â&#x20AC;?

Eatonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibit cards are informative and sometimes a bit poetic, as when he describes Ely Cathedral: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cathedral stands on a low hill, on the Isle of Ely, less than 100 feet above sea level but, because of the flatness of the surrounding fens, can be seen for miles around,â&#x20AC;? Eaton writes, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In medieval times when the fens frequently flooded, it was said to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;floatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the water like a great ship.â&#x20AC;?

Architecture is in Eatonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blood: His father, brother and son are architects. Cathedrals, too, have been with him for a long time. Eaton was brought up in Chester, England, where he went to school next to Chester Cathedral.

Still, Eaton didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start seriously focusing on his photography until he retired from a high-tech job in Silicon Valley and moved from Menlo Park to Aptos a couple of years ago.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shot other series, including ones on California missions and industrial landscapes, but the cathedrals were special. For his first solo exhibition, he displayed his cathedral series at the Pacific Grove Art Center last spring, and now has brought it to Palo Alto.

In April, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll head back to England to photograph more cathedrals: Canterbury, Chichester, Rochester.

Eaton doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bring a lot of equipment into the cathedrals, but since he uses a tripod with his digital medium-format cameras he often calls ahead for permission. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also found it best to arrive early in the morning. Nothing ruins a medievalthemed photo like a bunch of tourists in Ugg boots.

Although Eaton sometimes shoots in color, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most moved by blackand-white photos, especially in this series. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cathedrals are much more attuned to black and white than color,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of the starkness of them.â&#x20AC;? N What: John Eaton shows photographs and floor plans of English medieval cathedrals.

Where: Norton Gallery, Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona St., Palo Alto When: Through Dec. 31. The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free Info: Go to johneatonphotography.com or call the art league at 650-321-3891.

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Arts & Entertainment

Amber Davis

Above: Composer Christopher Tin. Left: Cellist Matt Haimovitz.

Local musicians win Grammy nominations Composer and cellist face off in Classical Crossover category

by Rebecca Wallace

T

his year’s Grammy Award competition for Best Classical Crossover Album could be called a Palo Alto playoff. Two musicians with local roots are nominated: composer Christopher Tin for his album “Calling All Dawns,” and cellist Matt Haimovitz for his album “Meeting of The Spirits.”

Tin, a graduate of Palo Alto High School and Stanford University, describes his album as “classical/ world fusion,” with choral pieces in 12 languages and 200 musicians

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from various nations. The bestknown song, “Baba Yetu,” features the Soweto Gospel Choir singing Tin’s setting of the Lord’s Prayer in Swahili.

“Baba Yetu” was also nominated for a Grammy on its own: for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). Tin originally wrote it as the theme song to the video game “Civilization IV,” and it has since become a popular choice for choral groups as well.

Haimovitz lived in Palo Alto for

several years while growing up, playing with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra. He has returned repeatedly to perform with PACO. “Meeting of the Spirits” is an album of jazz classics with new arrangements

by David Sanford, performed by Haimovitz and his cello ensemble.

Haimovitz and Tin are in good company in the Best Classical Crossover Album category; other artists nominated are jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin, opera singer Jessye Norman, and The Silk Road Ensemble, a collective of performers and composers.

The 53rd annual Grammy Awards are scheduled to be shown starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, on CBS. For more information, go to grammy.com. N

Gabriel Hoffman, right, plays a character based on the young Truman Capote; Penny Fuller plays his elderly cousin.

Homespun holiday â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Christmas Memoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conjures up Capoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childhood

by Jeanie K. Smith

T

heatreWorks has a mission to foster new musicals and bring them to production, providing support and development, early stagings and dramaturgy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Memoryâ&#x20AC;? is its latest project, a collaboration among Duane Poole (book), Larry Grossman (music) and Carol Hall (lyrics), all Broadway veterans.

The book is based on Truman Capoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s semi-autobiographical reminiscences of his youth in a small Southern town, originally published in 1956. Main characters Buddy (the young Capote figure, played by Gabriel Hoffman) and his elderly cousin Sook (Penny Fuller) spend all their time together, spinning adventures out of making fruitcake, acquiring moonshine whiskey and preparing for Christmas in spite of mean funds. Their relationship is sweet and joyful, made poignant by the hue of memory when related by the adult Buddy (Joshua Park).

Buddy and Sook live with two more adult cousins, Jennie (Eileen Barnett) and Seabon (Richard Farrell), who look on the antics with skeptical eyes, leading Jennie to suggest military school for Buddy.

The only real conflict in the story comes when Sook and Jennie face off regarding Buddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future.

Also in the home is faithful housekeeper Anna Stabler (Cathleen Riddley). Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only one left to greet and reminisce with the adult Buddy when he returns to deal with his inheritance of the home.

Young Buddy is also tormented by the neighborhood tomboy, Nelle Harper (Jenni Chapman), until adventures and adversity effect a tentative friendship.

Sook, young Buddy and adult Buddy carry the message of the

THEATER REVIEW piece, as the now-sophisticated New Yorker remembers the simple pleasures and country life of his youth, and the life lessons learned from big-hearted Sook. The musical is very faithful to Capoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story, capturing the warmth and glow of a loving look back at innocence and familial love.

The actors are all quite adept in their roles, but the true standout of the show is Hoffman. He may have captured your heart as Dill in the recent production of â&#x20AC;&#x153;To Kill a Mockingbird,â&#x20AC;? but here he steals it outright. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a veritable wunderkind of acting, singing and dancing. His performance in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Buddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Midnight Adventureâ&#x20AC;? in Act Two is almost worth the price of admission alone,

GET IN SHAPE and he totally holds his own in the male trio â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing But Stars.â&#x20AC;? Definitely a performer to watch.

Park does a great job as the adult Buddy, keeping it just this side of schmaltzy, and pumps lively energy into his few solos. Chapman makes a believable bully, handling her role with aplomb, and doing a thoroughly professional turn in â&#x20AC;&#x153;This and That.â&#x20AC;?

Riddley basically reprises Calpurnia from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mockingbirdâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the roles are so similar â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but here gets to show her singing and dancing chops in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mighty Sweet Musicâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Detour.â&#x20AC;?

Fuller acts the role of Sook expertly enough, but the music presents a different challenge. The difficulty of this musical overall is that it calls for three mature performers as the three cousins, and, while these performers are clearly veterans doing credible work, their voices simply arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as strong as they once were.

As audience members we sometimes feel weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re watching a tightrope act, hoping the performer wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall.

As new musicals go, this one feels relatively complete, but it needs something more in Act One to keep our interest; if not compelled to stay, one might well leave at intermission, which would be a shame, since Act Two is much more lively and engaging, and basically makes the show worthwhile. Most of the music is not that remarkable â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cute, folksy and familiar â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and is too contextual to become solo standard material.

Joe Rageyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s set is beautifully evocative, and costumes by Allison Connor nicely say volumes about the characters and period. Lighting

by Steven B. Mannshardt bathes the set in a warm, nostalgic glow, equally capturing moonlight and a glorious beach day.

Despite its shortcomings, the show wraps the audience in a bright holiday mood, generating the requisite goodwill and cheer. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tired of yet another â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Carol,â&#x20AC;? this oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an enjoyable change. N What: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Memory,â&#x20AC;? a new musical based on the story by Truman Capote, presented by TheatreWorks Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto When: Through Dec. 26, with various evening and matinee shows Tuesday through Sunday.

Cost: Tickets are $24-$56.

Info: Go to www.theatreworks.org or call 650-903-6000.

Answers to this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzles, which can be found on page 64

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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

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Movies

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(Palo Alto Square) God save the King â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from his stammering.

Colin Firth stutters, sweats and swears his way through British history â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and to a certain Oscar nomination for best actor â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in director Tom Hooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blue-blood biopic of the man who would be King George VI. His accomplished performance as the Duke of York has tremendous range, from a tender moment spinning a bedtime tale to young daughters Elizabeth and Margaret to profanity-laced outbursts that unleash a lifetime of pent-up anger and anguish.

Firth combines the understated style of his role in â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Single Manâ&#x20AC;? with the showiness that Jeff Bridges unleashed in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Crazy Heartâ&#x20AC;? to steal the golden statuette away from him last year.

From the opening moments, screenwriter David Seidler (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tucker: The Man and His Dreamâ&#x20AC;?) and Hooper (â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Damn Unitedâ&#x20AC;? and HBOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;John Adamsâ&#x20AC;?) create tremendous sympathy for the secondborn son of the gruff ruling monarch King George V (Michael Gambon). Prince Albert (Firth), called Bertie by his family, must deliver a radio address at Wembley Stadium in 1925. Like the proverbial elephant in a room, the massive radio microphone looms menacingly.

The new wireless invention has changed the image game: No longer can a leader appear regal by merely looking respectable in uniform and staying atop his horse. Now voice matters. And the terrified Albert is tongue-tied. He stutters. He stops. He spits out another word, each amplified and reverberating throughout the packed arena. His British stiff upper lip quivers in close-ups before Danny Cohenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camera captures down-turned faces among the crowd, looking away in pity and embarrassment for the humiliated speaker.

But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to Bertieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character than meets the ear. Firth conveys the manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolve and his unwavering sense of duty and service to England. Public speaking is a requirement, so he and his wife (Helena Bonham Carter) seek a cure. The heart of what could have been a too-proper period piece comes in the form of the relationship between the prickly prince and a congenial Australian commoner, the unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue, played to perfection by Geoffrey Rush.

As soon as Logue insists upon â&#x20AC;&#x153;My game, my turf, my rules,â&#x20AC;? the interpersonal drama begins. Seidlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cheeky dialogue crackles as the two men test each other. Firth gives royal attitude as though to the palace born. Rush counters with his strong sense of self and human dignity. Soon grappling with the royal speech impediment goes beyond diaphragm exercises and singing words to the tune of â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Way Down Upon the) Swanee River.â&#x20AC;? Class issues surface, and the line blurs between private and public lives.

With the exception of Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill (perhaps carrying too much Wormtail baggage from the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harry Potterâ&#x20AC;? franchise), the supporting cast is stellar. Guy Pearce plays Bertieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s older brother Edward, who abdicates the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Eve Best), with a convincing blend of smitten suitor and sibling tormentor. Claire Bloom, Derek Jacobi, Anthony Andrews and Jennifer Ehle lend to the Masterpiece Theatre air.

Poignant and sure to please mainstream audiences, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speechâ&#x20AC;? becomes an inspirational story of an individual who must stop stumbling over his words so that his subjects will hang onto every one of them in a time of crisis.

You can bet that Colin Firth will have plenty of chances to use his voice during the awards season.

Rated: R for some language. 1 hour, 41 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Susan Tavernetti

OPENINGS

The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speech ---1/2

% & ' & $ $ ( & ! $ # )

Black Swan ---

(Century 16, Century 20) With his psychological thriller â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Swan,â&#x20AC;? director Darren Aronofsky (â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Fighterâ&#x20AC;?) again concerns himself with a performerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driving need to be in the spotlight, and its corresponding psychic toll.

No one can be blamed for finding â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Swanâ&#x20AC;? overwrought or ridiculous: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s both. But those who meet Aronofsky halfway can get off on this exercise in dichotomy: the ballet film wedded to Grand Guignol, an exploitation picture granted a big star (Natalie Portman), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Showgirlsâ&#x20AC;? transplanted to Lincoln Center.

Dichotomy is the heart of the problem for longtime ensemble player Nina Sayers (Portman), who covets the leading dual role in a high-scale New York ballet production of Tchaikovskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Swan Lake.â&#x20AC;? Though she has the attention of Balanchine-inspired artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or is that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;attentionsâ&#x20AC;?? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; he vocally questions her ability to play both the innocent White Swan and the sinful Black Swan.

Leroy takes the leap of casting Nina, seemingly to stroke his own ego as he creates a star, and to take advantage of her gratitude. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Perfection is not just about control,â&#x20AC;? he purrs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also about letting go.â&#x20AC;?

Letting go is, of course, dangerously close to coming unhinged, as Nina steadily does over the course of the film. Screenwriters Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz and John J. McLaughlin (working from a story by Heinz) paint Ninaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issues in the broadest of strokes: Ninaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jealously protective, smothering stage mother (Barbara Hershey, enjoying her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mommy Dearestâ&#x20AC;? moment) has made her daughter dangerously repressed, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take only a few choice shoves to send the dancer over the edge.

In the 21st century, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to swallow that such a delicate flower has made it into the ballet elite with her sensibilities as yet unchallenged. And the film flirts with sexism, in part by suggesting that Ninaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambition dooms her to bipolar mania: Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s either sexually frigid or vamp, victim or victimizer, snapping as easily as her brutalized dancerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet.

Ironically, Aronofsky also casts a sympathetic gaze on the well-documented punishment of the ballerina: the physical deterioration, the not-uncommon endurance of sexual harassment, and the inevitability of being discarded for the latest model. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;All About Eveâ&#x20AC;? model recurs as prima ballerina Beth Macintyre (a cleverly cast Winona Ryder) must yield to Nina, who in turn fears her sexy understudy Lily (Mila Kunis).

Where â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Swanâ&#x20AC;? most succeeds is in Aronofskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-flying style, his approach to the story as a fever dream blurring the fine line between a performer playing a role and a psychotic succumbing to delusion. Though crack cinematographer Matthew Libatique (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Requiem for a Dreamâ&#x20AC;?) shoots roughly in handheld 16 mm and digital, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a refinement to the projection of Ninaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fears in visual terms: One swooping shot simulates the depth of 3D. The camera has a more intimate relationship with Nina than any character in the story. Aronofsky holds in close-ups Portmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perpetually anguished look, a weak, overwhelmed demeanor that gradually morphs into one of feral, predatory ambition. The director also grabs hungrily at dreamlike effects: dopplegangers, reflections and the freaky suggestion that Ninaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self-improvement requires molting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Swanâ&#x20AC;? is, by definition, a male fantasy about a woman, territory that has been trod more skillfully and empathically by filmmakers like David Lynch and even the socially unpopular Roman Polanski.

Still, designed as the passion of Natalie Portman, Aronofskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s film takes us on a visceral wild ride, scored to Tchaikovsky.

(continued on page 23)

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Movies MOVIE TIMES 127 Hours (R) (((

Aquarius Theatre: 5:15, 7:30 & 9:45 p.m.; Fri.-Wed. also at 3 p.m. Century 20: 11:25 a.m.; 1:50, 4:15, 6:55 & 9:25 p.m.

The Metropolitan Opera: Century 20: Sat. at 9:30 a.m. Palo Alto Square: Sat. at 9:30 a.m.

Don Carlo (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

Black Swan (R)

Century 16: Fri.-Sun. at 10:30 a.m.; 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 8:10, 9:55 & 10:45 p.m.; Mon.-Thu. at 11:05 a.m.; 1:45, 4:25, 7:10, 8:10, 9:55 & 10:45 p.m. Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 2:15, 3:35, 4:50, 7:35, 8:50 & 10:15 p.m.; Sat. also at 10:15 a.m.

Morning Glory (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

Century 20: 1 & 6:10 p.m.

The Next Three Days (PG-13) (((

Century 20: 11:05 a.m. & 5:45 p.m.

(((

Burlesque (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) Stanford Theatre: Fri. at 7:30 p.m.

Century 16: 12:10, 3:40, 7:05 & 9:50 p.m. Century 20: 11:40 a.m.; 2:20, 5:10, 7:55 & 10:40 p.m.

The Philadelphia Story (1940) Stanford Theatre: Sat.-Mon. at 5:25 & 9:50 p.m.

Stanford Theatre: Thu. at 7:30 p.m.

Random Harvest (1942)

Stanford Theatre: Sat.-Mon. at 7:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. also at 3:05 p.m.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Noon, 3, 6:10 & 9:20 p.m.; In 3D at 1, 1:40, 4, 4:40, 7, 7:50 & 10 p.m.; Also in 3D Fri.-Sun. at 10 & 10:50 a.m. & 10:35 p.m.; Also in 3D Mon.-Wed. at 11 a.m. & 10:35 p.m.; Also in 3D Thu. at 11 a.m. Century 20: Noon, 2:50, 5:30 & 8:15 p.m.; In 3D at 11:05 & 11:30 a.m.; 12:50, 1:45, 2:15, 3:45, 4:25, 5, 6:30, 7:10, 7:45, 9:15 & 9:55 p.m.; Also in 3D Fri-Wed. at 10:30 p.m.; Also in 3D Sat. at 10:10 a.m.

The Social Network (PG-13) (((1/2

Century 16: 12:40, 4:05, 7:15 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 7:50 p.m.; Fri. & Sun.Thu. also at 2:35 p.m.

Tangled (PG) (((

Century 16: 2:55 & 5:20 p.m.; Fri.-Sun. also at 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.; Mon.-Thu. also at 12:05 p.m.; In 3D Fri.-Thu. at 11 a.m.; 1:30, 4:15, 7 & 9:25 p.m. Century 20: 12:45, 3:15, 5:40, 8:05 & 10:35 p.m.; In 3D at 11:20 a.m.; 1:55, 4:35, 7:15 & 9:40 p.m.

Due Date (R) (Not Reviewed)

Century 20: 11:45 a.m.; 4:45 & 9:30 p.m.

The Tourist (PG-13)

Fair Game (PG-13) ((1/2

Century 16: 11:30 a.m.; 2:10, 5, 8 & 10:40 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 2, 4:40, 7:20 & 10 p.m.

Century 16: 11:20 a.m.; 12:50, 1:50, 3:30, 4:30, 6:40, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sun. also at 10:20 a.m. & 10:30 p.m.; Mon.-Thu. also at 10:25 p.m. Century 20: 11:10 a.m.; 12:20, 1:40, 2:55, 4:20, 5:35, 7, 8:10, 9:35 & 10:40 p.m.

Charulata (1964)

(1/2(Not Reviewed)

Tron: Legacy (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Thu. at 12:01 a.m. Century 20: Thu. at 12:01 & 12:03 a.m.

The Girl Who Kicked Guild Theatre: 1:45, 5 & 8:15 p.m. the Hornet’s Nest (R) ((((

Unstoppable (PG-13) ((

Century 16: 11:40 a.m.; 4:55 & 10:15 p.m. Century 20: 12:35, 3:05, 5:35, 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sat. also at 10:05 a.m.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 (PG-13) (((1/2

The Warrior’s Way (R) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: 2:20 & 7:45 p.m. Century 20: 2:20 & 7:05 p.m.

Faster (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 20: 5:20 & 10:35 p.m.; Fri. & Sun.-Thu. also at 12:10 p.m.

Century 16: 11:50 a.m.; 3:20, 6:50 & 10:10 p.m. Century 20: 12:25, 2:25, 3:40, 7, 8:45 & 10:15 p.m.

( Skip it (( Some redeeming qualities ((( A good bet (((( Outstanding

The House on 92nd Street Stanford Theatre: Fri. at 5:50 & 9:20 p.m.

(1945) I Love You Phillip Morris (R) (((

Aquarius Theatre: 2, 4:30, 7 & 9:15 p.m.

Inside Job (PG-13) (((1/2 Century 16: 11:10 a.m.; 2, 4:50 & 7:40 p.m.; Fri.-Sun. also at 10:35 p.m.; Mon.Thu. also at 10:30 p.m.

Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (266-9260) Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264) Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood City (800-326-3264)

The King’s Speech (R) (((1/2

Palo Alto Square: 1:45, 4:30, 6 & 7:15 p.m.; Fri. & Sun.-Thu. also at 3 p.m.; Fri.Sun. also at 8:50 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 10 p.m.

Love & Other Drugs (R) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Fri.-Sun. at 10:40 a.m.; 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 & 10:05 p.m.; Mon.-Thu. at 11:15 a.m.; 1:55, 4:35, 7:20 & 10:05 p.m. Century 20: 11:45 a.m.; 2:25, 5:05, 7:45 & 10:25 p.m.

CinéArts at Palo Alto Square: 3000 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (493-3456)

Mahanagar (1963)

Stanford Theatre: Thu. at 5 & 9:40 p.m.

Stanford: 221 University Ave., Palo Alto (324-3700)

Megamind (PG) ((1/2

Century 16: In 3D at 12:20, 3:10, 6:20 & 8:50 p.m. Century 20: In 3D at 12:05, 2:30, 4:55 & 9:50 p.m.; In 3D Fri.-Wed. also at 7:25 p.m.

LARGE LIVE

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Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (266-9260)

Internet: For show times, plot synopses, trailers and more information about films playing, go to PaloAltoOnline.com.

Movies (continued from page 21)

Rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use. One hour, 48 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Peter Canavese

I Love You Phillip Morris ---

(Aquarius) Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funny because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the idea behind the mad-love story â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Love You Phillip Morris,â&#x20AC;? which gets its kicks by being much stranger than fiction.

In one of his patented larger-thanlife performances, Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, a churchgoing deputy police officer in Virginia leading a seemingly â&#x20AC;&#x153;straightâ&#x20AC;?-forward suburban life with his wife Debbie (Leslie Mann). In fact, Steven is gay on the downlow, taking a string of lovers behind his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back. After a disastrous search for his biological mother and a yet greater shock to his system, Steven determines to stop living a lie, relocates to Miami, and begins living high on the hog with a new boyfriend (Rodrigo Santoro).

Steven quickly becomes a swindler to support his expensive new lifestyle. Adept at working the system and even more adept at lying, Steven talks his way into a corporate corner office and parlays the job into a lucrative embezzlement scheme. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all prologue to his first stretch in jail, where he falls in love at first sight with fellow inmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).

Gentle and sincere, Phillip compli-

ments the confident, go-getting Steven. In short order, Steven arranges for them to be cellmates. Suddenly, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the very un-P.C. comedy version of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brokeback Mountain,â&#x20AC;? with the couple tenderly slow-dancing to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chances Areâ&#x20AC;? as, within earshot, guards brutally beat a prisoner.

That kind of perverse joke is the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bread and butter, so if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re already offended, take a pass. But in adapting Steve McVickerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nonfiction book, screenwriters Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad Santaâ&#x20AC;?) understandably adopt an audacious tone. Like â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Informant,â&#x20AC;? this story just gets weirder as it goes along, with Russell pulling jawdropping legal chicanery and multiple prison escapes, all in the name of love for Morris. The narrative bite and twisted, even cruel humor suit the true-crime elements, but also balance whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at heart a story of the extremes to which people will go for all-consuming love.

Ficarra and Requa make their directing debut here, and they have a keen comic instinct, enabling funny details that, while hardly realistic in style, make the story feel â&#x20AC;&#x153;lived in.â&#x20AC;?

One early scene finds Carrey and Mann vigorously drinking milk, both a character quirk and a symbol of something being off in their seemingly conservative life. Liveaction cartoon Carrey proves smart casting, since heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equally capable of mining laughs and conveying Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong, dark emotional undertow. McGregor wisely chooses to be Carreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s subtle counterpart.

The tragedy in this cruelly funny tragicomedy comes from Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self-destructive inability for his happiness â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that of Morris â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ever to be enough. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care about the money,â&#x20AC;? Morris tells his sugar daddy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All I want is you.â&#x20AC;?

The pathological liarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would never lie to you.â&#x20AC;?

One thing is certain: Russell chose freedom and never looked back. They can lock him up, but his heart is free for good.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY!â&#x20AC;?

-Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A NERVY COMEDY! MR. CARREY HAS RARELY BEEN MORE-Stephen CHARISMATIC ON THE SCREEN!â&#x20AC;?

Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES

Rated R for sexual content including strong dialogue, and language.

One hour, 34 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Peter Canavese

The Tourist -1/2

(Century 16, Century 20) Saying what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all thinking, Johnny Depp turns to Angelina Jolie and sighs, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are the least down-toEarth person I have ever met.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the precious few notable moments in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Tourist,â&#x20AC;? a talentsquandering â&#x20AC;&#x153;comicâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;adventureâ&#x20AC;? positioned as a shopping-break movie for the holidays.

Depp and Jolie essentially play themselves in this hapless attempt at a romantic romp: the former a goof itching to take on new roles, and the latter an unearthly creature who makes every sidewalk her runway. Jolie puts her inaccessibility to work for the part of Elise CliftonWard, a person of interest to police tracking her elusive boyfriend, Al(continued on next page)

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ROLLING STONE

(continued from previous page)

exander Pearce. Pearce owes $744 million in back taxes to the British government, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing; he also stole $2.3 billion from gangster Reginald Shaw (Steven Berkoff).

As part of his plan to keep breathing, Pearce sends missives to Elise, directing her how to throw Scotland Yard and Shawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Russian thugs off his trail. His latest scheme forces Elise to pick out a suitably built stranger and convince her observers

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that the stranger is Pearce. Strutting and pouting her way from train car to train car (another runway), Elise lights on Frank Tupelo (Depp) and immediately begins schooling him in flirtation: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You read spy novels.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a mysterious woman on a train.

You tell me what my story is.â&#x20AC;? (Call it a confession that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Touristâ&#x20AC;? is the worst of paperback travel reads.)

The train is bound for Venice, so Elise sweeps Frank off his feet and into the poshest of suites at the famed Hotel Danieli. Before you can say â&#x20AC;&#x153;mistaken identity,â&#x20AC;? a barefoot, pajama-clad Frank is scampering across the old tile roofs of Venice, Russian gangsters in hot pursuit.

Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lives of Othersâ&#x20AC;?) shows no particular knack for staging action and even less for stoking laughs, which makes this chemistryfree romantic action comedy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if not a chore â&#x20AC;&#x201D; dispiritingly, dully familiar.

Since â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Touristâ&#x20AC;? is a remake of the 2005 French film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anthony Zimmer,â&#x20AC;? originality is perhaps not to be expected. Make no mistake: Money has been thrown, at great quantities, onto the screen, in no small part to gather an international cast that includes Rufus Sewell, Raoul Bova and Paul Bettany and Timothy Dalton, and to purchase a flop-sweatily sprightly score by James Newton Howard.

But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reason the production was troubled from the get-go: anxiety about a senseless, very nearly witless script (credited to Henckel von Donnersmarck and, bafflingly, two Oscar winners: Christopher McQuarrie and Julian Fellowes) that will have even the most casual viewer scoffing, particularly at plot twists that would be wholly obvious were they not so absurd. As shot by Oscar-winner John Seale, Venice is pretty all right, but like its namesake (or, for that matter, like a kidney stone), â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Touristâ&#x20AC;? is just passing through.

Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language. One hour, 44 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Peter Canavese

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The coaching commitment involves two afternoons a week (after school), one hour a week for practice and 1-2 hours for pregame practice/game day. Those interested can contact Mr. Lopez at rlopezcjs@yahoo.com.

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Member of the Palo Alto High football team celebrate their 21-14 win over Valley Christian to win the Central Coast Section Open Division title last Friday and improve to a school-record 13-0. The Vikings will find out on Sunday if they will be playing for a state championship next week in Southern California.

Historic seasons for Palo Alto Football wants one more win

Volleyball wins first state title

by Tim Goode n the 99 years that Palo Alto High has been playing football, no season has been like this one.

All the Vikings need is one more game to make it official.

That game should arrive on Friday, Dec. 17 at the Home Depot Center in Carson. The opponent likely will be Centennial High of Corona. At stake will be the Division I title in the CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games.

Palo Alto head coach Earl Hansen will discover whether his team is invited to represent Northern California sometime Sunday afternoon.

The bowl game lineups will be announced on Facebook following a press conference at 3:30 p.m. Go to www.Facebook.com/CIFstate for the pairings.

“I’m hoping we get a shot,” said Hansen. “We’ve done what we had to do. Now it goes behind closed doors.”

When it’s Palo Alto’s turn to be discussed, there’s no doubt they will talk about the public school’s manhandling of some of the top private

by Keith Peters t began with a practice and ended with one. In between were 42 matches and the most remarkable season ever achieved by the Palo Alto High girls’ volleyball team.

The Vikings won their first-ever Central Coast Section (Division I) title, captured their first Northern California crown and upended one of the top teams in the nation to claim their first CIF Division I state championship to finish the season with a 41-1 record.

The season officially ended last Saturday when Palo Alto pulled off a thrilling 25-17, 20-25, 25-21, 1125, 17-15 victory over Long Beach Poly, which came in ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation and as low as No. 7.

Palo Alto coach Dave Winn, however, couldn’t let it end on the floor of the San Jose State Event Center.

So, on Wednesday night, the team met for a final time in the Paly gym.

“Last night was really just a celebration for the girls rather than a

I

(continued on page 30)

I

Keith Peters

READ MORE ONLINE

Bob Drebin

SWIM CHAMPS . . . Setting two age group national records in relays and clocking the fastest time in history in another, Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics successfully defended its girls’ 15-18 age-group team title at the AT&T Short Course National Championships this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio. PASA, which won the 2009 championship on the very last relay, secured the title much sooner this time with record-breaking performances and 314.5 points — well in front of runnerup Fullerton Area Swim Team (FAST). The PASA contingent of seven swimmers included Gunn junior Julia Ama, Woodside junior Alicia Grima, Sacred Heart Prep freshman Ally Howe, Paly senior Sarah Liang, St. Francis senior (and Stanford-bound) Maddy Schaefer, Burlingame junior Naomi Thomas and Palo Alto junior Jasmine Tosky. Among the highlights: PASA finished third in the 200-yard free relay with the team of Schaefer, Howe, Liang and Tosky clocking the fastest 18-under club relay in history (1:30.15). The time, however, can’t be considered the 15-18 national record because Howe is still 14 years old. PASA did set a 15-18 national record in the 400 free relay as the team of Schaefer, Ama, Grima and Tosky clocked 3:16.58 for third place. The national record also fell in the 800 free relay where Grima, Tosky, Ama and Schaefer went 7:13.98 while taking fifth. The meet was a solid tuneup for Tosky, who will leave Saturday for the World Short Course Championships next week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Head coach Dave Winn and his Palo Alto volleyball team celebrate the school’s first-ever state championship in the sport.

(continued on page 28)

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Sports CCS FOOTBALL

SHP gains section title after refusing to lose

by Rick Eymer acred Heart Prep senior offensive lineman Brian Moran kept his promise. Quarterback John Geary said all the seniors decided enough was enough. Junior Duke Moran was willing to do whatever it took to get the win.

Senior running back Colin Terndrup, who stands an inch under six feet and has a heart the size of a watermelon, scored three secondhalf touchdowns and Sacred Heart scored four unanswered touchdowns to beat Carmel, 39-32, and claim the Central Coast Section Division IV championship, the school’s first in football, Saturday at Westmont High in Campbell.

The Gators (11-2), however, could only watch and mumble to themselves as defending champion Carmel built a seemingly safe lead early in the second half.

Brian Moran, who took a lesson from SHP grad Chris Gaertner, a walk-on at Stanford, went from silent meditation before the game to a bellowing, emotional young man when the chips were falling off the Gators’ wagon.

Geary and the rest of the seniors merely drew a metaphorical line in the sand and said, in effect, this is where we make our stand.

Duke and his inside linebacker partner Hunter Shaw were busy pumping each other up, the younger Moran yelling “Hunter, let’s go all out. I’m going to break my neck if I have to.” He didn’t, thanks to a de-

S

fense that refused to budge.

Carmel’s dynamic junior quarterback Devin Pearson raced 83 yards on the first play of scrimmage in the second half to give the Padres a 32-11 advantage. He rushed for 207 yards and passed for another 83 yards while the Padres combined for 342 total yards.

The Padres had four more possessions before the game would end with Geary taking a knee on Carmel’s 10-yard line. The Gators stopped Carmel on downs twice, and Adam Cropper and Robert Ojeda each intercepted a pass to not only stop drives but set up the tying and go-ahead touchdowns.

“I know they have a good quarterback and we had to keep him contained,” Duke Moran said. “Once we were able to do that we knew we could pick it up.”

Senior Bo Sakowski had tears forming when the Gators scored the go-ahead score. Minutes later he showed off his speed by racing for the bucket of ice water that would eventually be overturned on members of the coaching staff.

Pete Lavorato, in his eighth year at the school, received the CCS coaches’ plaque, then turned around and raised his arms, eliciting another loud roar from his team.

Microseconds after the awards ceremony was completed, the team raced toward the stands to slap hands and exchange goodwill with family and friends.

“All I could think about was four

Guy Kawasaki

Gators rally from 32-11 deficit in third quarter to win first crown

The Sacred Heart Prep football team basks in their first-ever Central Coast Section Division IV championship following a thrilling 39-32 come-from-behind victory over top-seeded Carmel last weekend. years of the hardest work in my life paid off,” Geary said. “It’s been eight years for coach Lavorato. I just want to thank him and all the coaches who helped us reach this point.”

Geary threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with senior Tomas O’Donnell eight times for 108 yards, including scores of three and nine yards.

Terndrup, who rushed for 102 yards on 23 carries, also caught a touchdown pass of 62 yards. He scored the Gators’ final two touchdowns on runs of 13 and six yards.

Senior Jack Odell converted four extra points and kicked a 23-yard field goal. Geary ran for a two-point conversion.

“We were not going to get blown out,” Geary said. “We couldn’t lose like that. All we could do was fight.

All the seniors kept making sure we would battle.”

Brian Moran, who settles himself with a pre-game prayer, reminded his teammates in no uncertain terms that Menlo beat Carmel earlier in the year.

“He’s really the emotional leader of this team,” Geary said. “If we ever get down he’s yelling at us to get back up.”

“If a guy gets down you just want to make sure he lets that go and gets back into it,” said Moran, who has verbally committed to Stanford. “I just can’t lose. When I was a sophomore, I promised a senior that we

would win a CCS title. Even when we got down, I knew we would come back.”

As did Terndrup, especially once the Gators tied it at 32.

“At that point, I think we had gained pretty much all the momentum in the game and felt we were going to win the game,” Terndrup said.

And the Gators did just that, making good on something one of the coaches said the night before.

“One of our coaches said at the team dinner the night before that they’ll always remember the first one (CCS title),” Terndrup recalled.

“So, it feels great to be a part of the first Sacred Heart championship football team.” N

STATE VOLLEYBALL

by Keith Peters t was a good news-bad news kind of day for the Sacred Heart Prep girls’ volleyball team at the CIF Division IV State Championships at the San Jose State Event Center.

The bad news? The Gators dropped a 25-10, 25-15, 25-13 decision to nationally ranked and defending state champion La Jolla Country Day last Saturday.

“It was pretty bad on our part,” SHP coach Damien Hardy said of the final result.

And the good news? Well, Hardy can provide that, as well.

“We got here,” Hardy said of the Gators reaching the state finals for the first time since 1998. “There are only nine other teams playing in December. Our team fought hard.

The girls did the best they could.

“We lost eight seniors from last year,” added Hardy. “Everyone thought we would be in a rebuilding year. If this is a rebuilding year, I can’t wait for next year.”

The NorCal champion Gators

I

(24-11) will lose only setter Hanna Elmore and defensive specialist Vivian Wu to graduation. The rest of the starters — juniors Jesse Ebner, Olivia Bertolacci, Sarah Daschbach, Amelia Alvarez (who split setting duties with Elmore), plus sophomores Sonia Abuel-Saud and Ellie Shannon — all return along with junior Natalie Friel and sophomores Payton Smith and Helen Gannon.

“Like Damien said, if this is a rebuilding year, I can’t wait to come back and see this team next year,” said Elmore. “Watch out for this team.”

Saturday’s championship match was perhaps a dress rehearsal for next season for the Gators, who didn’t even win their West Bay Athletic League title this season but progressed to win Central Coast Section and NorCal titles, nonetheless.

“I don’t think any of us were discouraged after not winning league,” Elmore said.

Page 26ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ

Guy Kawasaki

Great experience for SHP girls despite loss in finals

Sacred Heart Prep’s (L-R) Vivian Wu, Olivia Bertolacci ,Natalie Friel, Jesse Ebner (holding trophy), Hanna Elmore and Sarah Daschbach learned a great deal despite losing in the Division IV state finals last Saturday.

“We definitely gained experience that will help us out next year,” added Daschbach, who led the Gators with six kills and 10 digs on a day where SHP hit a minus .064 as a team.

“That team (La Jolla) was good,” Hardy said in the understatement

of the day. “It was like playing an NCAA Division II team.”

Actually, the Torrey Pines (33-3) may have as many as four NCAA Division I prospects, including Stanford-bound Lauren Birks, who had four kills and eight digs. Gillian Howard, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker

who dominated the net with 10 kills and six blocks, is headed to Pacific.

Senior setter Chloe Mathis, who had 33 assists, is ticketed for Arizona and 6-1 Mollie Rogers, who led La Jolla with 11 kills and 11 digs, is go(continued on next page)

Sports STANFORD FOOTBALL

Win or lose, Luck will enjoy experience Cardinal QB in New York for Heisman ceremony

by Rick Eymer really pouring themselves into ndrew Luck, still months whatever they are doing. It inaway from his high school spires you to give everything graduation, sat with two you’ve got as well.” other prep quarterbacks and lisStanford grad Toby Gerhart, tened to Bill Walsh, a special now with the Minnesota Vikings adviser to the Stanford athletic in the NFL, finished second in department at the time. last year’s Heisman Trophy race.

“He was talking about some“It speaks volumes to where thing very specific, throwing this program is headed,” Luck while rolling to the said. “And it speaks volleft,” Luck said. “I umes for where the prothought that was kind gram is. I did call Toby, of odd at the time. He first to congratulate him said you can’t throw to on scoring his first NFL a receiver going away touchdown, and then for from you because the what to expect. He told defensive back would me what clothing to always undercut it.” bring to New York.”

Luck was on his offiLuck will be joined at cial visit to Stanford at the ceremonies by his the time and the meet- Andrew Luck parents, two younger ing stayed with him. He siblings and Cardinal still remembers the advice. That coach Jim Harbaugh. His younger may have been the beginning of sister Mary Ellen Luck, a freshLuck’s transcendence from high man on the Stanford women’s school All-American to Heisman volleyball team, will be in DayTrophy finalist. ton, Ohio for the third and fourth Luck joins Auburn’s Cam New- rounds of the NCAA tournaton, Oregon’s LaMichael James ment. and Boise State’s Kellen Moore Stanford enjoyed a record-setas finalists for college football’s ting season with Luck at the helm, top individual honor. who accumulated some sparkling Luck was named the Pac-10 statistics. The one that stands out, Offensive Player of the Year on though, is the school’s 19-5 record Tuesday. when he starts.

Luck, and the three other finalLuck could become the 19th ists, will be on hand for the tele- Heisman Trophy winner to play vised (ESPN, 5 p.m.) presentation in the Orange Bowl when fifthof the Heisman Trophy in New ranked Stanford (11-1) meets VirYork City on Saturday. ginia Tech (11-2) on Monday, Jan. Stanford’s two-way starter 3 in the BCS game.

Owen Marecic (fullback, lineLuck, who is also on pace to set backer) is in New York on Tues- Stanford single-season records day night for the presentation of for passing efficiency and comthe Campbell Award. pletion percentage, will became “I’m very honored to be here,” the seventh Cardinal quarterback Marecic said. “To be included to finish among the top seven in with a group of guys like this is balloting. something very special and I am “I’d win it for Stanford,” said humbled by it.

Luck, who plans a visit to the “I’d like to thank my Stanford Heisman museum. “If I won teammates,” he added. “Every the award, I hope it’s because I day when we show up to work, earned it on the field and not for there’s a group of guys who are something off the field.” N

A

State volleyball (continued from previous page)

ing to Yale.

Despite the lopsided but expected result, Hardy kept it positive afterward.

“No other NorCal team got a chance to play them,” he said of the Torrey Pines, ranked as high as No. 10 nationally in one poll (prepvolleyball.com).

Daschbach said the Gators didn’t come out nervous, but did play a bit tentative. Too many hitting and serve-receive errors didn’t help, either.

“It was more of us trying to hit around them,” she said. “Trying to overcome that block, which was big.”

La Jolla was able to put two blockers on SHP hitters most of the afternoon, which forced the Gators to try to hit through or hit at odd angles.

The result was just 14 kills in 78 attempts with 19 hitting errors. Sacred Heart hit .000 in the first set, a minus-.148 in the second and a minus.036 in the third.

“I think that was a great learning experience,” Daschbach said. “If had played them before, we would have had a better idea. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect. We did not play teams like this in our league.”

Nor will the Gators next season.

Sacred Heart Prep, however, will be more experienced and better prepared for a return trip — all the while knowing what to expect.

Said Ebner: “We’re going to take it all.” N

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City of Palo Alto Landfill 2380 Embarcadero Road

Beginning December 1, 2010, commercial garbage generated in Palo Alto will be accepted for disposal at the landfill.

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*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 27

Sports

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Maddie Kuppe

Colin Terndrup

Palo Alto High

Sacred Heart Prep

The junior had 12 kills (.353 hitting) and 11 digs in the NorCal volleyball finals and added 10 kills with nine digs in addition to serving aces on the final two points as the Vikings won the CIF Division I state championship.

The senior rushed for 102 yards on 23 carries, caught a 62-yard touchdown pass and ran for the final two TDs as the Gators won their first CCS title by rallying for a 3932 win over No. 1 Carmel in the Division IV finals.

Honorable mention Megan Coleman Palo Alto volleyball

Sarah Daschbach* Sacred Heart Prep volleyball

Jesse Ebner Sacred Heart Prep volleyball

Caroline Martin

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Palo Alto volleyball

Melanie Wade* Palo Alto volleyball

Kimmy Whitson* Palo Alto volleyball

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Palo Alto football

B.J. Boyd Palo Alto football

John Geary* Sacred Heart Prep football

Tomas Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell Sacred Heart Prep football

Maurice Williams* Palo Alto football

Solomone Wolfgramm Pinewood basketball * previous winner

To see video interviews of the Athletes of the Week, go to www.PASportsOnline.com

Paly volleyball (continued from page 25)

practice,â&#x20AC;? Winn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We sat in a circle and talked for almost 45 minutes about the journey we all went through together, starting from the first dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal-setting session all the way to winning a state title. It was tremendously fun to recount all the funny stories, and give thanks to everyone who did their jobs so well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We watched some video from the state title match, and I think everyone (especially me) got choked up a little bit when Maddieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last ace fell in and the whole team mobbed each other on the court. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but feel extremely proud of setting such lofty goals and then achieving

Vikings finish No. 10

Member

Christoph Bono*

Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first-ever state championship in girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; volleyball earned the team a No. 10 national ranking on Thursday by prepvolleyball.com, the noted authority in the sport. This is the highest ranking ever achieved by the Vikings (41-1). State champion St. Francis was ranked No. 27.

them.â&#x20AC;?

Then the girls just played some volleyball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always enjoy that during our last get together of the year,â&#x20AC;? said Winn, â&#x20AC;&#x153;because it reminds me why they play this game â&#x20AC;&#x201D; simply because they love the game and they love each other.

Palo Alto senior Megan Coleman echoed those sentiments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overall, the season was amazing,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We set a lot of goals at the beginning of the year, including winning league, winning NorCals, winning state and being the most-improved team in our league.

We not only achieved them all, but we had so much fun doing it. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have asked for a better senior season.â&#x20AC;?

Paly 6-foot-2 junior Maddie Kuppe clinched things for Paly in the fifth set, after the Vikings had to rally from a 12-9 deficit. The Vikings cut their deficit to 14-12 before junior Jackie Koenig made a solo block and Kuppe ripped a kill off a block to tie it at 14.

Facing match point again at 1514, a kill by Long Beach Poly sailed long. It then came down to Kuppe, (continued on next page)

Keith Peters

Sports

Keith Peters

Paly junior Maddie Kuppe served two aces for the final points in a 17-15 final set to clinch the CIF Division I state volleyball title.

Paly volleyball

(continued from previous page)

Keith Peters

who served back-to-back floating serves that found the court for aces.

“This is the biggest thing that I’ve ever been involved in,” Kuppe said.

“It’s a great feeling.”

Remarkably, Kuppe had suffered a fractured left pinky finger on just the fourth point of the match. She didn’t know it at the time, however.

“Our trainers did a nice job taping her up, but there was no way she was going to let me take her off the court,” Winn said. “Imagine that, winning a state title with a fractured finger?”

Kuppe finished with 10 kills, nine digs and the two biggest aces of her life. Paly junior Melanie Wade produced 15 kills, hit .375 with two digs and two blocks and was named the Most Valuable Player of the state Division I finals. Coleman and junior Caroline Martin (seven kills, 11 digs) joined Wade on the all-tournament team. Paly junior setter Kimmy Whitson, who had 34 assists and 15 digs, won the sportsmanship award for her team.

On Sunday, Palo Alto was elevated to No. 2 nationally in one poll behind St. Francis (35-5), which won the state Division II title on Saturday.

Palo Alto started off the state finals quite the contrary with its seemingly easy first-set victory.

After Long Beach took the second, the Vikings knew they were in for a battle. Winning the back-and-forth third set was crucial as Paly trailed by 21-19 before Wade, Whitson and Kuppe took over.

Long Beach, however, charged back in the fourth set and pulled away from a 9-8 lead by scoring 11

Palo Alto coach Dave Winn rushes onto the court to celebrate with his players after they beat Long Beach Poly for the state title. of the next 12 points to take a 20-9 lead. The Vikings committed too many errors and couldn’t get a block on USC-bound Bria Russ, who finished the match with a game-high 16 kills and 20 digs.

That set up the winner-take-all fifth set, which saw the teams trade points until the Jackrabbits grabbed a 12-9 lead. Winn called time at that point to steady his team. Paly came out and scored the next two points to get back in it and setting up Kuppe’s heroics to win it.

“It’s unbelievable,” Kuppe said of the title. “More than anything . . . it’s about focusing on the next point.

So really, it was nothing. It was just another point. I had to go up knowing that if I didn’t give it everything, I’d have regrets. And more than anything in those situations, it’s about

no regrets — leave everything on the court.”

The final point by Kuppe set off a wild celebration by the Vikings, who at first almost didn’t realize they had won.

“When we won the state championship I was so surprised,” said Coleman, “and it took a while to sink in what actually had happened.

The game itself was so much fun because we all competed really hard and we worked really well together. It was awesome to have so many fans there, and the fact that they were cheering so loudly really helped us play well. The atmosphere was amazing and it was such a neat feeling to know that we could do something really special that night.

Even though we were the underdogs, we all know that if we played well,

Paly senior Trina Ohms jumped for joy after she and her teammates won their first-ever state title.

there was no stopping us.”

Senior Trina Ohms said she gained inspiration from Palo Alto’s football team, which overcame favored Valley Christian the night before to win the CCS Open Division title.

“What really fired us up was our football team winning CCS,” she said. “That showed us that anything is possible.”

Winn said winning the state championship now elevates the program to a special height.

“Now, every year when the players come back, they know what they can build on,” Winn said. “Anything is possible.”

Winn will return a strong nucleus of veterans in Martin, Whitson, Koening, Kuppe, Wade and Shelby Knowles, all of whom played in all five sets on Saturday. The only losses are Ohms and Coleman.

“Repeating as state champs is definitely going to be one of our outcome goals,” Winn said. “But, all returners are going to work really hard to get better and help pick up for where Trina and Megan left off.

The challenge, as always, will be to treat each season uniquely and not compare it to the prior. I’d say we did that very well this year and have every expectation we’ll do a great with that next year.”

Winn thought that last season’s total of 36 wins would be tough to top and trying to exceed this year’s 41 triumphs is virtually impossible.

“But, aren’t records made to be broken?” Winn asked. “If we do things the right way, then I’ll always feel better about how we’re raising these student-athletes to be great women and leaders, more than how many wins we can amass in a season. I truly don’t know the impact of my coaching until they return as alumni. Only then can I find out if

Keith Peters

Keith Peters

Paly juniors Melanie Wade (19) and Kimmy Whitson sense a state title coming on.

Paly coach Dave Winn with his team’s first state trophy. they’ve retained the key lessons I’m trying to teach.”

Coleman, for one, can’t wait to return.

“I love playing for the Paly volleyball program and it feels so good to make history this season,” she said.

“It’s nice to know that every time I come back to the Paly gym, I can see the banners and remember all the amazing things we have achieved this season. It is sad to think that I will never play another volleyball game for Paly, but I cannot think of a better way to go out!” N

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Sports

Paly football (continued from page 25)

Bob Drebin

Palo Alto junior B.J. Boyd (9) gained 113 yards on 14 carries and scored the game-winning TD on a 66-yard run in the fourth quarter.

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schools in Northern California.

“We are very proud of that,” Hansen said.

The Vikings certainly left no doubt about which is the best team in the Central Coast Section as they beat Valley Christian, 21-14, in the CCS Open Division championship and improved to 13-0 last Friday night at San Jose City College.

Paly sliced through the heart of the West Catholic Athletic League to earn the trophy, beating Mitty, Bellarmine and Valley, in order while compiling the most wins and best record in school history.

The previous record for most victories was 12, accomplished in 2006 when the Vikings reached the Division II state finals and lost to Orange Lutheran to finish 12-2. Palo Alto also went 10-0 in 1950 and 9-0 in 1963.

In order to be considered as one of best Paly teams ever, the Vikings have to reach the state finals. Their impressive run in the postseason,

however, is expected to earn the Vikings that berth in the state finals.

Palo Alto has two opportunities to advance.

Should De La Salle (12-0) beat California High (12-1) of San Ramon to win the North Coast Section title, it’s expected the Spartans will represent Northern California in the Open Division and Paly will play for the Division I title.

Should De La Salle get upset, Palo Alto would be considered for the Open Division along with Folsom (13-1), which upset state ranked No. 1 Grant last weekend. Folsom, however, is a Division II team and reportedly has been informed (via reports in the Sacramento Bee) it will be playing in the Division II finals.

A win by Cal High over De La Salle, however, would move Folsom ahead of Cal High in the rankings and create a discussion for the Open Division.

No matter what happens, Palo Alto appears a lock for one of the two bowl berths. Paly, after all, is the first unbeaten CCS team to be eligible since the state playoffs be-

gin in 2006.

The victory over Valley was emphatic, despite the Vikings never gaining a rhythm on offense.

Paly opened the game with a drive to the Valley 19 that stalled because of an offside penalty and ended on a fourth down sack. Other drives were stalled because of momentum-interrupting penalties and the Vikings were fortunate to survive a threeyard punt that gave the Warriors the ball at Paly’s 46.

“We were moving the ball in the first half but we’d get sacked or have a penalty. Something kept breaking our rhythm,” Hansen said.

The difference was Valley could not contain Maurice Williams and B.J. Boyd and Valley’s offense couldn’t solve Paly’s defense.

Williams hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Christoph Bono in the first quarter, converting a fourth- and-15 situation. Bono lofted the ball high and Williams made a burst at the end zone that separated him from his defender and earned the score.

Williams scored again in the third quarter when he caught a five-yard out, shook a tackle and sprinted 78 yards. The scoring play served a crushing blow to the Warriors because it came on the heels of their second-half opening drive that took seven minutes and came up a yard short at the Paly 23 on a fourthdown pass attempt. The driveending tackle was delivered by T.J. Braff and Gabe Landa.

Two plays later, Williams scored.

Williams had four catches for 130 yards. Bono completed 12 of 17 passes for 214 yards.

Valley made it interesting with another long drive that resulted in a touchdown with 10 minutes left.

Paly answered immediately. Boyd went off tackle into a pile before bouncing outside and galloping 66 yards to cap a three-play drive.

Boyd was the game’s leading rusher with 113 yards on 14 carries.

“I felt someone hit me but Spencer (sophomore tackle Spencer Drazovich) pulled me through and cleared the way,” Boyd said. “I saw that opening and was happy to take it.”

Valley scored again with 20 seconds remaining, but Braff caught the ensuing onside-kick attempt and Bono took a knee on the final play.

Paly registered five sacks and its pressure up front prevented Valley from getting its passing game going. Tory Prati and Nathan Hubbard both had a pair of sacks. The defense also prevented VC star running back Byron Marshall from getting outside, limiting one of the top backs in the CCS to just two runs longer than 10 yards and only 74 yards total. He had been averaging 136 per game.

Defensive back Bill Gray made a fourth-quarter interception on a pass deflected by Williams into the end zone to prevent a Valley touchdown. Moments later, Palo Alto was celebrating.

It was business as usual for Palo Alto this week as the Vikings returned to practice, despite the rainy weather. They know their season is not over. No Paly team has ever advanced to the postseason and won the final game. These Vikings, however, want to be the first. N

Cover Story YOUNG ADULT

O

Illustration: Gary Vennarucci

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 first-place entries in the child, teen and young-adult categories, which cover such topics as a rivalry between two young writers, a forbidden friendship between a princess and a servant, and a look at an average Monday from multiple perspectives. The adult first-place story was published last week.

A video of the Dec. 9 reception at Kepler’s Books and Magazines is online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com, along with more notable stories and author information.

The Weekly thanks each of the writers who entered this year’s contest as well as Ann Hillesland 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 from our sponsoring bookstores or, for adults, cash awards. The stories and author biographies of the winners are published online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com.

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

Caitlin Colvin

M

onday. The young child hoisted himself over the chipped, wooden bars of his crib and maneuvered his soft, sturdy legs onto the cold linoleum floor. From his seat on the kitchen floor, he inspected his surroundings with big, curious eyes.

He saw a man, his father, passed out on the worn-down, uncomfortable sofa with an open bottle of beer in one hand and a remote control in the other. The young child was comfortable and familiar in these surroundings, much to the dismay of the aggressive and worried social workers. Mystified by his freedom and driven by his curiosity, the young boy grabbed hold of the nearest counter ledge and hoisted himself to his feet. He slowly moved over to the small, multi-colored, ridged footstool, where he attempted to jump onto the unstable landing. The young boy immediately lost his balance and plummeted to a painful fall on the hard surface.

Uncontrollable shrieks of pain and tears of fear were released from the young, helpless boy. All at once, a social worker knocked on the door of the small apartment, and the angry father arose from his comatoselike sleep to discipline his disobedient, troublesome young child.

On Monday, tears of fear streamed down a young child’s cheek, and hit a cold, linoleum kitchen floor, making a harsh sound like nails on chalkboard. And this was only the beginning of the week.

Monday. She considered herself privileged, creative, different, spontaneous, lucky, knowledgeable, well-traveled, friendly, organized.

Her life was easy and the same, but today there was the potential for change. She casually woke up on her own and dressed for school. Her hair was naturally straight, so there was no need for her to spend an extensive amount of time on it. At school, her classes were too easy for

her and too hard for all others. Her morning routine, her school routine, her field hockey practice routine were familiar and comfortable, but each day she counted on her drive home to be different and, perhaps, uncomfortable. Everyday after field hockey, she met her neighbor in the back parking lot of the school, so they could carpool home together.

Her neighbor, a senior at her high school, was able to make her feel uneasy and extremely relaxed at the same time. She slid into the passenger seat of the car and carefully shut the door. As they drove down, the same familiar tree-lined streets, they shared stories about their days, their thoughts, and their feelings.

The girl sighed as they pulled onto their street and her neighbor parked the car between their houses. She quickly thanked him and attempted to open the car door. All at once, he leaned over and lightly kissed her on the cheek, while she fumbled to find the unlock button and keep the tears of happiness from spilling onto her cheeks. The car doors unlocked, and she bounded out of the car and into her house without saying a word.

On Monday, tears of happiness streamed down a girl’s face and hit the polished, wooden floor in the entryway of her house, as she stood in astonishment. And this was only the beginning of the week.

Monday. Her dirty fingernails gripped the steering wheel of the used, rickety, brown van as she sped through the neighborhood to her son’s school. When she pulled up, two hours late for pickup, she strained her eyes to see the silhouette of her son sitting on the playground swing, slowly pumping his legs back and forth, against the hot, setting sun. Her heart broke at the sight of her lonely, neglected child as she made her way across the school lawn, littered with balls and ropes and other remnants of the liveliness of school-aged children. “Benjamin,” she called out in a shaky, tired voice. “I’m sorry.

They really needed me at the hospital today. There was an emergency.” In response, her son casually and meaningfully shrugged his bony shoulders and tilted his head to the right, which he knew would reassure his mother that everything was alright, and that even at his young age, he understood. As Benjamin and his mother pulled into the driveway of their quaint, well kept, single-story adobe-clay home, her cell phone rang, interrupting the peaceful quiet. Looking at the caller id, she sighed, and warned Benjamin to go inside and start his homework. She watched as he picked up the pile of mail on the front step and carefully maneuvered the opening of the creaky, wooden front door.

Finally, she answered the ringing cell phone. “Hello?” she seemed to question. After a couple “I understand” and several dozen sighs, she clicked her cell phone shut and went inside. Benjamin was sitting at the kitchen table, with his back towards his mother, when he asked, “Mom, what does E-V-I-C-T-I-O-N mean?” She slowly walked over to the kitchen table and held the pristine, white envelope stamped with “Notice of Eviction” on the bottom corner. On Monday, a woman stood with a white envelope in one hand, not knowing what to do or what to say. And this was only the beginning of the week.

Monday. Albert’s finger slid gracefully over the sticky keys of the grand piano in the auditorium of the high school that he was desperately trying to escape. He focused on hitting every note of Beethoven’s First Movement with precision and comfort. The notes, swirling from his brain to his fingers and from his fingers to his brain, were familiar and wonderful to Albert. Upon conclusion of his performance, Albert stood and bowed; his classmates stopped chatting with their friends for a few seconds to applaud. These (continued on next page)

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Cover Story TEENS

Th e Kitchen Maid’s Apprentice C Grace Yukiko Kuffner

Monday

(continued from previous page)

classmates were part of the reason that he wanted to escape. More specifically, he wanted to escape to college. Albert yearned for the freedom from his strict, oppressive parents and the freedom to choose his courses and professors. After his performance, no classmates personally praised him, but that was expected and accepted. They all continued walking the halls between class discussing irrelevant gossip, and Albert’s performance became an unmentioned irrelevancy. Albert sighed a breath of relief at the harmonious sound of the sharp, highpitched bells, signaling the end of the day, and began walking home.

Albert walked along the familiar, tree-lined streets, while simultaneously reading piano sheet music. He repeated the notes to himself, over and over, until he was home. He stopped at the end of the driveway to check the mailbox. He saw three large, white envelopes addressed to him from his top three college choices. His heart started beating at an uncontrollable, random rhythm as he started tearing open the envelopes on the sidewalk in front of his house. He read each letter over and over. Albert then said aloud, “Accepted. Accepted. Accepted.”

On Monday, a smart, talented boy stood with three white envelopes in his hand, knowing that his escape was possible. And this was only the beginning of the week.

Monday. The fluorescent lights

My eyes quickly flew open as Cook burst through the door again.

“Ava! Keep stirring!” she commanded. I obeyed, longing for this dinner to end, for the royalty to finish eating, as I passed the long spoon round and round the pot.

In my chamber, I lay on my pallet, listening to the gentle snores of the other servants and pretending to doze myself. When I was sure that they were all truly sleeping, I carefully pulled myself up. Creeping across the floor, my bare feet lighter than feathers, I stole out the door. I glided through the castle, cloaked in shadow. There was no sound except for my breathing. When I got outside, I took a deep breath of cool night air that slid down my throat like silk. It was a clear night; the sky was covered with endless stars that filled up the indigo. Climbing up my favorite apple tree, I sat on a low branch, my toes barely brushing the blades of grass. I let my imagination take hold of me. I was not nine-yearold Ava, but a rich duchess, riding a pure gold carriage drawn by seven snow-white horses...

I awoke later in the night. Dis-

of the hospital room illuminated her father’s wan face. Other than the lights’ soft, gentle creaking as it swung from side to side and the inconsistent beat of her father’s EKG machine, the room was silent.

Despite her father and her interlocking fingers and deep gaze into each other’s similar, tired, watery blue eyes, she felt 100 miles away from him. As she stared into his eyes, she remembered when he would wait in his great grandmother’s rocking chair for her to come home every time she left. She remembered how his eyes looked then, worried and large, but never upset when she was late for curfew or came home reeking of teenage rebellion. However, with each slowing beat of his EKG machine and each recalled memory, she felt closer to him, until she was as close as possible to him. No longer 100 miles away, or even 100 centimeters away. On Monday, after six months of being side-by-side, a daughter and her estranged father reunited as the EKG machine went blank. And this was only the beginning of the week.

Monday. Like every Monday, Alice drove her younger sister to swim practice at the local fitness center.

She memorized the shortcuts and which stoplights to avoid for the quickest route to the fitness center.

Each turn was made with comfort, perhaps too much, and success, except for a sharp left turn near the end of the drive. Alice over swung her parents’ station wagon into the opposite lane of traffic and collided with a large, white SUV. Alice’s heart beat loud in her hollow

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Illustration: Paul Llewellyn

ook told me to mind the potato soup. I didn’t know Cook’s name, and for all the years that I had been her apprentice in the castle, I had never called her anything else.

“Of course,” I told her, wiping my hands on my stained apron. Cook’s thick eyebrows arched sternly across her ruddy forehead, and she strode out, banging the wooden door importantly. I sighed, tucking a loose strand of my black hair behind my ear and noticing, embarrassed, that there was a streak of red sauce in it. That’s how my hair always was: untidy and messy. I took the longhandled, slotted spoon off its hook on the wall, and slid it into the creamy white broth, careful not to singe the hem of my dress in the licking flames under the great iron cauldron. I had to use both hands to move the thick soup. The sweet smell of potatoes filled the kitchen, and I let myself close my eyes briefly, forgetting about the other kitchen maids and the bustling room, imagining that I was a lady, being served piping hot soup by my own servant.

oriented, I had to sit dazedly for a minute to separate my dream from reality. Jumping down, I noted that a chilly breeze had picked up, and pierced through my thin nightdress.

I shivered. It was much darker now; the moon had slid behind the tangled branches of a tree. Now everything was painted in impenetrable shadow. Squinting, I found the faint outline of the castle in the inky black, and started towards it, knowing that chest and her breath quickened as she forced herself to open her eyes and look to the passenger seat where her sister had been sitting. She saw her sister, motionless and unresponsive to her fearful, blood curdling screams. The next hour was a blur of red and blue siren lights, insurance papers, phone calls, all set to the steady soundtrack of the rhythm of her sister’s heartbeat on the EKG machine. Alice, guilt-ridden and anxious, shook in her chair, placed beside her sister’s hospital bed with each rise and fall of the lines on the EKG machine. Just as she was imagining her sister’s rising and falling arms swimming back and forth at swim practice, her sister blinked her eyes open and stared directly at Alice in a calming, hopeful, and forgiving way. Alice’s parents, standing around the hospital bed, rushed to find doctors, but Alice’s gaze never left her young, vibrant sister. On Monday, an EKG machine reiterated to a guilty older sister the survival of a younger sister. And this was only the beginning of the week.

On Monday, everyone holds their breath and waits for Tuesday. N

Judges’ comments “In a series of sketches that glow with originality and perception, the author gives insight into a single day’s victories and disappointments for a cast of a dozen characters. In just a few pages the author manages to deal in a subtle and intelligent fashion with themes that range from healing and guilt to loving and escaping. Bravo.”

it would be dawn in a few hours. I quickened my pace, then, suddenly, bumped into something.

“Oh!” I cried, stumbling back.

What is it? I thought panicking. I frantically ran through all the possibilities I could think of with my still-tired mind. An animal? No, too large. A statue? No, too soft. A...a person? I felt as though I had swallowed a cupful of snow. I backed away slowly. What if it was Cook?

I could just picture the look on her face if she found out about my nightly routine.

“H-hello?” a voice called. It was a timid, female voice. Not Cook. But then who? The figure stood slowly.

“Who’s there?” I said, trying not to let my voice waver. The person came closer, and I caught sight of a simple golden circlet, glinting in the darkness. I gasped as she replied, “Princess...Aurora.”

Caitlin Colvin Castilleja student Caitlin Colvin built her story “Monday” from a writing prompt that her sophomore English teacher, Rebecca Sherouse, assigned.

“The assignment was to write about running water,” Colvin said. “I picked tears because they can have so many different meanings.”

“In the first vignette, I wrote about the little boy’s tears, and I built on that to write the rest of the pieces.”

Colvin, now a junior, was convinced to submit her story by her parents.

She only made one change in editing the story for the contest but it was a large one: The original story connected each character to the others.

“I thought it would be more powerful if they didn’t have meaningful connections to one another,” she said.

Colvin focused on writing telling details about her characters. A motif running through her work is contrast, both between characters and inside the experience of each individual person.

“In general, each story contradicts the others, and so I thought it would be interesting to have the characters be contradicting themselves.”

She added that some of the characters simultaneously experience two emotions.

“For this story, I wanted to create a diverse spectrum of characters to show that on any certain Monday, even in one community, people are having such completely different experiences based on their circumstances,” Colvin said.

“Behind closed doors, you can never really know what’s going on.”

In addition to writing, Colvin is on the Palo Alto Youth Council and the JSA (a student debate organization), does relays and high jumping for the school’s track team, and has played soccer competitively since the fourth-grade.

She said she’s looking forward to an upcoming school trip to China, as well as the solace of winter vacation.

“With winter break coming up I can read what I want, and it won’t be required reading that I have to annotate,” Colvin said. N — Sarah Trauben

Cover Story I knelt, my heart pounding, and began to address her, “Your maj—” She cut me off. “That’s okay, you can call me Aurora. And please, skip the formalities. It gets so tiresome after awhile.” I cautiously stood. Would she get me in trouble?

She moved closer, and I saw her face. She had long, brown hair, encircled by a simple golden crown, framing a pleasant, pretty face. The princess’ emerald eyes sparkled in the darkness. She was wearing a white silk nightgown, embroidered with flowers around the laced neckline. I suddenly felt shabby in my old nightdress.

“Hello, your m—...Aurora,” I said, feeling strangely calm in the midst of royalty. “I’m Ava, and I am an apprentice of the kitchen cook.”

I was shocked when the princess didn’t send me away. Instead, she gave a half smile, and commented, “It is such a pleasant day out. Shall we take a stroll?” I laughed. Playing along, I replied, “Of course. I hear that nightgowns are the new fashion.” We both burst into laughter at that. It was absolutely unthinkable: her highness the princess and a lowly kitchen maid. But, somehow, we were both completely fine with it.

I found the princess the next night.

She was waiting where we had first bumped into each other, clothed in a long, lemon-yellow nightdress with birds beaded onto it. I looked down at myself. I was wearing one of my better nightclothes, but I still felt very self-conscious. “Hello, Ava,” she called cheerily as I approached her. “Hello, Aurora,” I replied, remembering to call her by the name she preferred. Aurora smiled at me, saying, “Do you have any plans for tonight?” Curious, I shook my head.

She smiled mischievously. “I’ll be right back,” she promised, already taking off for the castle at a run.

I had never known of such fashion. Aurora had brought out two of her most beautiful dresses I had ever seen, and I hadn’t hesitated to try mine on. It had a deep blue, tightfitting bodice the color of the night sky, with a pretty frill on the chest.

The sleeves reached to my wrist, with a slit on the outside of the cuff, closed by a delicate pearl button.

The thick golden belt flowed gracefully into an floor-length, sky-blue skirt, embroidered with a rose and studded with rubies and silver buttons. I also had on a white fur-lined jacket over my dress. I felt beautiful, and Aurora and I played in her dresses until the moon sank behind the mountains in the west. When I returned to the servants’ sleeping chamber to finally sleep, I was already coming up with a plan to repay Aurora for all of her kindness.

Two evenings after donning Aurora’s luxurious dress, I decided to show her my magic place. Aurora followed me just past the grape orchard, into a loose ring of white firs.

Their entwined tree branches all but blocked out the sky, and dragonflies flitted in and out of the thick trunks. The air smelled fresh and crisp, seeming to sparkle. Sometimes, I caught sight of a glimmer in the edges of my vision, but when I would look straight at it, it would disappear. When we both stepped into the place, Aurora stared around,

Short story judges Children and teens Nancy Etchemendy Nancy Etchemendy’s novels, short fiction, and poetry have appeared regularly for the past 25 years, both in the United States and abroad. Her work has earned a number of awards, including three Bram Stoker Awards (two for children’s horror), a Golden Duck Award for excellence in children’s science fiction, and most recently, an International Horror Guild Award for her YA horror story, “Honey in the Wound.” Her fourth novel, “The Power of Un,” was published by Front Street/Cricket Books in March 2000.

“Cat in Glass and Other Tales of the Unnatural,” her collection of short, dark fantasy for young adults, was published in 2002, also by Front Street/Cricket Books and appears on the A.L.A. Best Books for Young Adults list for 2002. She lives and works in Northern California, where she leads a somewhat schizophrenic life, alternating between unkempt, introverted writer of weird tales and requisite gracious wife of Stanford University’s Provost.

Katy Obringer Katy Obringer spent 22 years with the Palo Alto library system, which included serving as the supervisor of Palo Alto’s Children’s Library.

Obringer also worked as an elementary school teacher for 10 years and an elementary school librarian for five years. Her love of introducing children to books continues in her retirement.

Caryn Huberman Yacowitz Caryn Huberman Yacowitz writes both fiction and nonfiction for young people. Her awardwinning picture books, “Pumpkin Fiesta” and “The Jade Stone, A Chinese Folktale” have been widely anthologized and adapted for the stage.

She writes plays for adults and is a member of Pear Avenue Writers as well as the local Suburban Squirrel, Door#3 Comedy Sketch group where she writes, acts and directs as part of this ensemble. She also plays the role of Jane Lathrop Stanford at Stanford University functions. Her website is www.carynyacowitz.com.

Young adults and adults Ellen Sussman Ellen Sussman’s new novel, “French Lessons,” will be published by Ballantine in May 2011. She is the author of the novel “On a Night Like This,” a San Francisco Chronicle Best-Seller, and two anthologies, “Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia Of Sex” and “Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave,” which was a New York Times Editors Choice and a San Francisco Chronicle Best-Seller. She teaches writing classes at her house 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 “Dot Dead: A Silicon Valley Mystery” was called “without question the most impressive mystery debut of the year” by Bookreporter.com. His second Silicon Valley-set thriller, “Smasher,” was published last 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, “Anna, Ann, Annie” and “Small Business.” He has taught at Stanford, the University of California, Berkeley, and Foothill and Cañada community colleges. N

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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 (TENTATIVE) AGENDA-SPECIAL MEETING-COUNCIL CHAMBERS DECEMBER 13, 2010 - 6:00 PM CLOSED SESSION 1. Labor 7:00 PM or as near as possible thereafter 2. Selection of Candidates to be Interviewed for the Library Advisory Commission 3. Approve an Extension of the 960- Hour Limit for an Hourly Police Management Specialist 4. Approval of the Acceptance of Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Funds to Purchase Police-Related Equipment 5. Resolution Declaring Weeds to be a Nuisance 6. Approval of Amendment No. Four to Agreement with the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County 7. Approval of Agreement With Association of Bay Area Governments for Local Agency Participation in Grant-Funded Bay Area-Wide Trash Capture Demonstration Project 8. Approval of a Vesting Final Map to Create Five Condominium Units on a 6,000 Square Foot Lot at 420 Cambridge Avenue 9. Ordinance Amending Chapter 16.11 Pertaining to Storm Water Pollution Prevention Measures; and a Resolution Amending the FY 2011 Municipal Fee Schedule 10. Resolution Re-Naming A Public Street in the Vicinity of the 700 Block of Matadero Road a Packard Court 11. 661 Bryant Street: Council review of a minor change to the amount of on-site use of previously approval bonus floor area 12. Resolution Supporting the California Air Resources Board’s Leadership 13. Cancellation of December 20, 2010 Council Meeting 14. 2nd Reading Adoption of Green Building Ordinances to be Consistent With CalGreen State Building Codes (First reading November 8, 2010 - Passed 9-0) 15. Approval of a Resolution Declaring the Results of the Special Municipal Election Held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 16. Approval of the Agreement for the Transfer of Renewable Energy Certificates 17. Ordinance Amending the Budget for FY 2011 to Accept a Donation in the Amount of $275,000 From the Palo Alto Library Foundation 18. Recommendation From Policy & Services Committee Regarding 2011 State Legislative Initiatives 19. Recommendation From Policy & Services Committee Regarding Council Priorities and Retreat 20. Two Resolutions: (1) Supporting the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan; and (2) Adopting the Developmental Assets Framework for Youth Development 21. City Council Year in Review STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Policy and Services Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 14, at 7:00 p.m.

(continued on next page)

*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 33

Cover Story

Kitchen maid

(continued from previous page)

awed. I knew she could feel the magic of the space as well. “How did you find this place?” Aurora whispered, her voice a murmur. “I was supposed to be picking grapes,” I replied, matching my tone to hers.

Something about this circle of trees called for silence, and we didn’t resist it. We sat there together, hand in hand. The cool, long grass blades, felt good on my outstretched legs.

After a time, Aurora sighed, “How often do you come here?”

“When I’m feeling a strong emotion. I come here on my birthdays, when Cook is being strict, when I need to think.”

“This place is magical.”

“I know.”

“Does it have a name?”

“No, I guess not.”

Aurora smiled, her green eyes twinkling in the darkness that shrouded the clearing. “Let’s name it,” she proclaimed, still keeping her voice quiet. I nodded once, looking around. I imagined that the

ivory-colored firs were watching us, keepers of the fragile tranquility and stillness. A breath of a breeze touched my face, rustling the leaves that seemed to touch the faraway stars. “How about...” Aurora looked at me expectantly. I shook my head.

“You’ll laugh.” I muttered. “No I won’t, Ava,” replied Aurora. I looked up into her trusting face, glowing in the crescent moon. “Well...” I began hesitantly, my voice dropping lower than usual. “How about...the Guardians’ Place?” Aurora nodded, eyes widened in interest, signaling me to go on. “I think that these trees look like they’re protecting something... maybe...I don’t know, the silence?”

I watched my friend’s reaction carefully. She looked impressed, and then whispered, “I love that...but could we change it to the Guardian’s Ring? I think that sounds more...”

Aurora trailed off, glancing at me hopefully. “More elegant?” I suggested quietly. We both grinned, then turned back to face the compelling, magical Guardian’s Ring.

We both agreed to sleep that next evening, to catch up on the sleep we had missed. But I found myself

awake after only a short time. I felt no sleepiness, so, after awhile, I gave in, and crept into the night. Instinctively, I walked towards the grape orchard, into the Guardian’s Ring. I sat there for a time, losing myself in the calm and serenity. I was amazed when Aurora glided into the circle behind me, her golden circlet glittering. We exchanged a knowing glance, and she sat down next to me.

I sighed contentedly: my new friend was beside me, and I was with her in a place of magic. We were both feeling so tranquil; maybe that’s why we were taken by surprise.

“Ava!” Cook shouted, her face a strange shade of purple, as she leaped out of the trees. I felt hurt that she had shattered the perfect silence of the Guardian’s Ring.

“Why are you here? You should have been in bed ages ago, young lady—” Cook’s eyes came to rest on the princess. She very nearly exploded, or so it seemed. Her eyes bugged out, and her face became even more purple. She gave a low and clumsy curtsy. “Forgive me, your majesty,” she said, sounding stunned. She shot me a glare,

part furious, part astounded. She straightened suddenly, and, grabbing my arm roughly, shoved me out of the Guardian’s Ring. Aurora called out, “Come to the Guardian’s Ring tomorrow and—” But I was too far away to hear the rest.

Cook roared at me in the kitchen until my ears rang and tears streamed down my face, leaving tracks on my grimy cheeks. She forbid me from ever seeing the princess again, and informed me that the king and queen were telling the same to their daughter. I was a commoner, she yelled over and over, and it was a disgrace to the kingdom to interact with royalty in any way. I felt as though part of me had gone along with Aurora, never to be seen again. I was not whole; I was incomplete. The next day, I was given extra chores. I had to go out into the castle orchards and pick the ripe peppers. There were so many of them! The sun burned down on the back of my bare neck, but I hardly noticed. I was too overcome with an overwhelming sense of loneliness. I used to have my time with the princess to look forward to, to keep me working hard in the kitchen. Now I was working simply to please Cook.

I stooped to pick yet another sunripened pepper. I felt hot and itchy in my old dress. I missed Aurora so much it hurt. Her twinkling emerald eyes, her crown, her bell-like laughter, her kindness . . . I recalled her parting words: “Come to the Guardian’s Ring tomorrow and—” And what? I supposed I would go to the Guardian’s Ring. There couldn’t be any harm in that, as long as I was careful not to let Cook see me. A fierce loyalty filled me up like a flame. Of course I would follow Aurora’s instructions. No matter what, she was my friend!

I carefully walked into the Guardian’s Ring. Tonight’s dinner had

been very nerve-wracking. There she was, only a room away. I could just picture her, in her usual beautiful attire, sitting in her princesslike manner. Did she miss me at all? I walked into the clearing, allowing the usual magic to envelope me. I glanced around. Tucked into a branch, in a place only she and I could have see, was a rolled-up scroll. I skipped towards it, eagerly unrolling it, and noting that the royal crest was painted on the top. Written in russet-colored ink in a loopy, slanted handwriting, it read: Dear Ava, I miss you so much! You were are the best friend I ever had. We are still friends. I hope this letter reaches you. Our guardians may have forbid us from seeing each other, but they mentioned nothing of exchanging notes! If we visit this place on alternating days, we will never see each other, but will be able to read the words written by the other. In this way, I hope we will be able to become “letter friends,” even if we won’t be able to play together in the normal way. Best wishes and hoping to hear from you soon!

Your friend forever, Aurora There was a lot of space after the note. I felt sorrow and excitement burn in my chest in equal parts. I wouldn’t be able to see Aurora, but I would be friends with her. Laying next to the note was a long, silverand-grey quill and a bottle of russetcolored ink. With a half smile on my lips, I unscrewed the top of the ink bottle and picked up the quill.

Dipping it into the ink, I began to write. N

Judges’ comments “This is a very well-crafted story, rich in language with effectively chosen historical details.”

Grace Yukiko Kuffner In Grace Yukiko Kuffner’s winning story, “The Kitchen Maid’s Apprentice,” protagonist Ava, a lowly and lonely domestic servant, strikes up a forbidden friendship with a sassy young princess, Aurora, whose family Ava serves. Though the oppressive adults in the kingdom prohibit the two from spending time together, the girls ultimately find a way to keep their BFF status intact — through the magic of writing.

Kuffner, 12, said she was inspired by Gail Carson Levine’s “Ella Enchanted” and other modern re-workings of classic fairytales.

And though this is her second time entering the Weekly’s annual contest, she said she’s not yet a prolific writer, although she does have ideas brewing in her imagination.

“I have a lot of unwritten stories in my head,” said the Terman Middle School seventh-grader.

Her favorite school subjects include Spanish and social studies but the sci-fi fan is also interested in becoming an inventor.

“That would give me a lot of freedom so I could still be an author, too,” she explained.

Another potential venture is illustrating her own stories.

“I like to read and draw. I’d like to do that,” she said.

Kuffner said she’s not interested in basing any characters on herself or her own, real-world life. “That gets boring,” she said.

However, her favorite character from her story is the princess Aurora, whom she based on her younger sister.

“They’re both strong-willed and creative.”

Her next story may be based on an idea that came to her in her sleep.

“I had a dream I was 1-inch tall. That’s under construction,” she said. N — Karla Kane Page 34ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ

Cover Story CHILDREN

Double Identity S

by Brittany Nguyen

teased, but her tone didn’t change.

“Good. You just might get second.”

“So who’ll get first?” I questioned.

“What kind of a question is that?” she smirked, “The same person who’s won first for the last five years. ME. You trying out won’t change anything.” We began talking, giving writing a wide berth, but our conversation hung in the air like thick smog, creating strings of tension, just waiting to break. At that moment, I decided to beat her at her very own game.

I worked hard: from the beginning of school, I threw myself into schoolwork, and every spare second was spent typing away on my laptop. Every night we would eat dinner with Aunt Laura’s family, and Ava would encourage me with a little smirk in her tone that said clearly, “You think you can beat me? Think again.”

But I was running out of steam. I hadn’t picked up a book in months.

My salvation was the textbooks and book reports for school. So it was only natural that one day, I gave up.

I just couldn’t do it anymore.

I slammed shut my laptop, where I had been typing pathetic attempts at my short story. What had I been thinking? I couldn’t do this! I’m a reader, not a writer! What was I doing? Impulsively, I grabbed “Double Identity” off the shelves, and flopped onto my bed. I love the book for the bond between the two cousins, but now the very thing I loved most about the book mocked me, as if it were saying, “You weren’t friends with Ava the way I was friends with Elizabeth.”

I quickly finished that book and picked up a new one, reading late into the night. My mother wouldn’t care. That night, I had finished most of the books on my bookshelf, carefully shelving them when I was done. I finally fell asleep around one, dropping straight into a dream.

“You’re dropping out of the contest? Giving up? Just like that?”

Bethany, from “Double Identity,” looking just as I had imagined, reproached me. “If you just give up, then you’ll never find out answers.”

“I thought you had learned to take risks,” Harry, from the “Harry Potter” series, said sorrowfully.

“I did. But I just can’t do this anymore.” My dream self defended herself.

When I woke up, I couldn’t say exactly who said what, but I had an honest-to-God good idea. I rushed to my laptop, opened up a fresh document, and started typing.

A week later, I fidgeted in the loud auditorium as the principal, Mr. McGregor, and the judging committee read the stories. Then, I listened to third place’s touching story about soldiers in the war, and sweated as Mr. McGregor read out a slip of paper with second place on it.

“And the second place is ... Ava Stoker! Come on up, Ava! Give her a round of applause, folks.” Ava came up with a smile that probably fooled

Illustration: Shannon Corey

usan was a mediocre girl with a whole lot of potential. All of her teachers agreed on this. Another thing they all agreed on was that she excelled only in reading because this was the one thing she focused on. But that all changed when she moved to the States.

Our gray Mercedes sped through the freeway of California. We were here. We’d been talking about moving ever since my father had found out that he was being relocated to Palo Alto, California. I opened “Double Identity,” and settled in for another half hour of driving.

When we got to the house, I had just finished my book. I carefully opened the door, walked out, and took the box that I had marked Susan’s Books up to my calm ocean blue room. I opened it and slowly began stacking the books in alphabetical order on the bleached white bookcase made of driftwood. Then I went down to the car, took my box of clothes, walked back up and unpacked. I had just finished unpacking my stuff when my mother yelled, “Susan, come down to go to Aunt Laura’s for fish and chips!”

As we walked next door to Aunt Laura’s big white house, I thought about Ava, her daughter — a prodigy writer. Ava and I had been friends when we were children, but had slowly grown apart as we became older. But when we were young, we would support each other in things from stealing biscuits to breaking Mother’s favorite blue lamp.

But then I had moved to England, she had moved to California, gained fame in her writing, and won her school’s writing contest year after year after year. We had kept in touch until last year, when I finally realized from her exasperated tone in her e-mails and our quick, short conversations, that my friendship was a burden, and we had finally lost contact.

However, my little brother had enthusiastically emailed her brothers, and our families were still close.

When we reached her house, Aunt Laura opened the door, and Ned was immediately swept away in a crowd of Pokémon fanatics, and my parents began catching up, as they were led to the sitting room, and Ava and I were awkwardly standing there. Finally, after five minutes of silence, she blurted out, “Pig.” I stared at her for two seconds before we dissolved into laughter.

“That’s what you say after an awkward silence,” she explained as we climbed the stairs to her bedroom. I didn’t answer, too busy staring at the many writing awards that adorned the staircase walls. When she saw me staring at the awards, her tone changed.

“Yeah, those are my awards for winning the school writing competition,” she said nonchalantly, but her expression was guarded, wondering how I would react. I looked at her and smiled.

“I just might try this year,” I

anybody else, but I knew better than that. She was furious that she had slipped into second place, furious at herself, and furious at the person she had lost to. She was probably also kind of sad, but the main component was self-pity. And just like that, I knew that I could not have possibly gotten first.

How could you possibly think that you could win? Haven’t you learned from kindergarten that you’re just good for background? You’re not meant to be a star. Just give it up and spare yourself the embarrassment, why don’t you? I mentally kicked myself. I was so occupied in telling myself off, that I missed first place’s name. They called again.

“Susan? Come on up here. Don’t be shy!”

As I walked up, I heard whispers.

“Susan?”

“The new girl?”

“From England?”

“Showed up Ava.” “Cousins?”

When I finally got to the stage, Mr. McGregor handed me the microphone to give my speech, as was customary.

“I’d like to thank my mom, my dad, all those great authors that inspired me, and...” I trailed off, sneaking a sideways glance at Ava, whose eyes had filled with tears.

Even without a word, I could tell she was thinking that I wouldn’t say her name, even though I would’ve, once upon a time, a long, long time ago. But this was Ava. Ava, my best friend since kindergarten; Ava, who had been there for me until very recently; Ava, who had been all but glued to my side; Ava, my built-in best friend, cousin, and who was as good as my sister; who had, in fact, been mistaken many times for my

identical twin.

“And Ava, for being more than the hardest competitor to beat; for being my best friend.”

Applause rang from the auditorium. A whole bunch of my peers had confused looks on their faces. But I didn’t care, because I knew that even if they didn’t believe me, Ava and I were friends, because our re-

semblance didn’t just run skin deep; it ran bone deep, because we were family, like it or not.

Family, forever. N

Judges’ comments “A perceptive and beautifully written story of persistence, good character and friendship.”

Brittany Nguyen In her story “Double Identity,” Brittany Nguyen, a seventh-grader at Jordan Middle School, takes on a new identity of her own. She writes about a young girl named Susan who competes in a writing contest.

Susan, who loves to read and write, competes against her cousin (and former best friend) in the school contest.

Author Nguyen too shares a love of writing with her own cousin.

“My cousin and I play this game where we write stories about whatever pops into our heads and then we compare them and critique them,” she said.

In “Double Identity,” Susan struggles to find enough motivation and confidence to write her story, until she gets some encouragement from some familiar faces from favorite books, who visit her in a dream.

The story ends with a touching moment of maturity for Susan, when she speaks kindly about her rival at the awards ceremony for the writing contest.

Just like Susan, Nguyen, 11, loves to read and write. She said her favorite subjects in school are reading and English.

This is only one of the many stories that she’s written.

“I write a mixture of fantasy and real life, but my real-life stories turn out better,” she said.

When asked if “Double Identity” was a true story from her own life, she said, “the story is kind of a true story, but I exaggerated a few parts.”

Nguyen hopes that people will learn something from reading “Double Identity.”

“The message of my story is that you can’t compare yourself to anybody else because everybody is special,” she said. N — Sally Schilling *> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 35

Christmas Services

Peninsula

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Christmas Eve at Bethany 5:00 p.m. Family Christmas Children tell the story of Jesus, as shepherds, angels, wisemen, and the holy family.

Join us between services and enjoy wonderful food and Christmas cheer!

7:00 p.m. Christmas with Horns â&#x20AC;&#x153;Friends of Quadreâ&#x20AC;? will create the music of Christmas, as we celebrate the birthday of Jesus.

10:00 p.m. Candlelight Christmas

All Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Episcopal Church

A quiet and contemplative time to listen, sing, and reďŹ&#x201A;ect on the birth of Jesus Christ.

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Join Us for a Glorious Christmas Celebration

1095 CLOUD AVENUE MENLO PARK at the corner of Avy & Cloud

www.bethany-mp.org

Christmas Eve 5:00 pm 10:30 pm 11:00 pm

Family Worship with Choir & Blessing of the Crèche Musical Prelude with Choir Festive Candlelight Worship

Christmas Day 10:00 am

Communion & Carols

Sunday Worship 8:00 am & 10:00 am 555 Waverley Street at Hamilton, Palo Alto (650) 322-4528 www.asaints.org

St. Bedeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Episcopal Church

Celebrate Christmas With Us!

2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, 854.6555 www.stbedesmenlopark.org

Wherever you are in your journey, whether church is familiar or not, we welcome you to join us for one of our Christmas services. Whether you prefer a simpler childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service or a more traditional one with the Church Choir, infused with a sense of the sacred that fills Christmas Eve night, we invite you.

Celebrate the Season of Promise Fulfilled!

Sunday, December 19th

4:00pm Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols We proclaim the good news of Christmas, in story and song, from the ancient prophets through the joy and wonder of the nativity.

Friday, December 24th Christmas Eve

4:00pm Christmas Pageant & Holy Eucharist The Sunday School enacts the good news of Christmas, and we are all fed!

10:00pm Candlelight Choral Eucharist We celebrate Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birth, in sacred story and song, accompanied by musical instruments.

Saturday, December 25th Christmas Day 9:00am Holy Eucharist with Carols, Rite I

Sunday, December 26th 1 Christmas 9:00am Holy Eucharist with Carols, Rite II

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Christmas Eve (All services will be about an hour) 4:00 pm 6:00 pm 9:30 pm 10:00 pm

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Communion Service with Pageant Christmas Communion Service with the Festival Choir Carol Sing Christmas Communion Service with the Festival Choir

Christmas Day 10:00 am

Christmas Day Communion with Hymns

Trinity Church In Menlo Park, An Episcopal Community 330 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park (Between El Camino and Middlefield) 650-326-2083 www.trinitymenlopark.org

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;­Ă&#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;° Sunday, Dec., 12thâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Christmas Pageant Sunday

Dec., 19thâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Festival Worship with Brass and Choir Christmas Eve, December 24th 3:30 & 5:00 pm Family Services 10:00 pm Candlelight Service

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PALO ALTO . #ALIFORNIA AT "RYANT s s WWW FIRSTBAPTIST PALOALTO ORG

Sunday, December 19, 10:00 AM: Family Worship, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making Room for Loveâ&#x20AC;? followed by a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Los Posadasâ&#x20AC;? Celebration and Christmas Brunch Friday, December 24, 5:30 PM: Christmas Eve Family Service

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Friday, December 24

ST. MARKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EPISCOPAL CHURCH PALO ALTO CHRISTMAS EVE V 4:00 pm Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Pageant & Communion V 10:00 pm Festive Choral Christmas Eve Holy Communion beginning with Carols

$ISJTUNBT &WF 4:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 11:00 pm Candlelight Worship & Communion

Saturday, December 25

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Carols & Lessons

www.gracepa.org

CHRISTMAS DAY V 10:00 pm Holy Communion with Carols 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto (650) 326-3800 www.saint-marks.com

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St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish, Palo Alto Our Lady of the Rosary, 3233 Cowper Street St. Albert the Great, 1095 Channing Avenue St. Thomas Aquinas, 751 Waverley Street

CHRISTMAS EVE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24TH 5:00 pm Family Mass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Our Lady of the Rosary (Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Pageant during Mass) 5:00 pm Family Mass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Albert the Great (Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Pageant during Mass) 6:00 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Thomas Aquinas 7:00 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Our Lady of the Rosary (Spanish) Midnight Mass 12:00 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Thomas Aquinas (Gregorian)

CHRISTMAS DAY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25TH 7:30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Thomas Aquinas; 9:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Albert the Great; 10:30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Our Lady of the Rosary; 10:30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Thomas Aquinas; 12:00 Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Thomas Aquinas (Gregorian)

Valley Presbyterian Church in the Redwoods 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 650-851-8282 www.valleypreschurch.org

Christmas Eve Worship 5:00 pm

Family Candlelight Service

10:00 pm

Candlelight Service Lessons & Carols

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Progressive, constructivist education for the gifted child.

Accepting applications K thru 4 Space available now for current school year Check our website for dates to attend tours and information nights.

Learn about our innovative, child-centered program, including Chinese, French, music, art & social-emotional learning.

www.heliosnewschool.org Phone: 650 223-8690 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303

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$MBTT (VJEF Make the most of winter by taking a class in something youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always wanted to learn. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late to pick up a paintbrush or learn to say â&#x20AC;&#x153;helloâ&#x20AC;? in a foreign language. Try yoga or put on some tap shoes. All the classes listed below are local, so go for it!

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Challenger School

Math Edge

3880 Middlefield Road Palo Alto 650-213-8245 ChallengerSchool.com Celebrating 45 years of learning and fun, we are an independent private school that focuses on academic excellence, individual achievement, critical thinking skills, and self-reliance. Our uniquely structured classes yield astonishing results. Challenger students achieve scores on average in the 90th percentile on the national Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). Come tour our campus to learn about our preschool through eighthgrade programs.

505 E. Charleston Road, Rm. 9 Palo Alto www.mathedge.org mathedge@gmail.com Want to learn valuable problem solving skills, critical reading, logical math, written and oral presentation skills-all in one package? Come join one of our small, interactive, dynamic classes. Emphasis is on the understanding of fundamental math concepts and approaches and how to apply them effectively in solving complex problems. An assessment is required before joining. Program runs from September till June. Sign-up is either by whole year or by semester.

AJ Tutoring,

Palo Alto Adult School

30 Cambridge Ave. #110 Palo Alto 331-3251 www.ajtutoring.com J Tutoring, LLC helps students conquer the SAT, ACT and SAT Subject Tests.

Our 1-on-1 tutoring is the most efficient and effective way to improve your score, while our small group classes provide students with a positive, dynamic and collaborative learning environment that fits your budget.

50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto 650-329-3752 650-329-8515 www.paadultschool.org Hands-on computer, language, test preparation, writing, investment and certificate courses available starting at $19. Hundreds of online classes are offered by the Palo Alto Adult School in conjunction with Education to Go.

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Council

Peninsula School

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Open House â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Nursery, Kindergarten, First Grade Saturday, November 6, 10-11:30 a.m. Children welcome.

School Tours Oct. 14, Nov. 4, Jan. 6 & 13 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Dec. 2 & 9 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Parents only please. registration not required

For an appointment, please call (650) 325-1584, ext. 5.

921 Colorado Ave. Palo Alto 856-1419 Individual private tutoring in Midtown Palo Alto home for grades 7-12, college and adults. Subjects include English grammar and composition, English as a second language (ESL), French, Latin, mathematics, history and social studies, and humanities in general. Also: test preparation for all standardized tests (including S.A.T.), and manuscript writing and editing. Stanford graduate with 40 years of experience as a tutor. Fees from $18 per hour.

College Goals

QWERTY Education Services

PO Box 18777 Stanford 401-247-2629 www.collegegoals.com andrea_van_niekerk@collegegoals.com Private college admission counseling by highly experienced ex-Ivy League admission officer and freshman academic advisor. Counsel high school students across all levels of college selectivity and preparation and on all aspects of a thoughtful, ethical and appropriate college-application process. Work both in person and through e-mail.

1050 Chestnut St., #201 Menlo Park 650-326-8484 650-326-8030 www.qwertyed.com info@qwertyed.com Academic tutoring and diagnostic educational evaluation for K-12 and college.

Our professional educators and diagnosticians work with students to build understanding of their learning, resulting in improved confidence and academic progress. Professional education services since 1976. Contact Michael Perez, director, for a no-cost phone consultation.

Emerson School

Photo: Marc Silber

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Learning Strategies 650-747-9651

Brazilian Dance

Lucie Stern Community Center Ballroom 1305 Middlefield Road Palo Alto 650-463-4940 www.cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy Brazilian dance for ages 16-99 with Anita Lusebrink. Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Thirteen-week session for $130. Drop-in cards available.

Dance Connection 4000 Middlefield Road, L-5 Palo Alto 322-7032 www.danceconnectionpaloalto.com cindy@danceconnectionpaloalto.com Dance Connection offers graded classes for ages 3 to adult with a variety of programs to meet every dancerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs.

Ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, boys program, lyrical, Pilates and combination classes are available for beginning to advanced levels. Find information and download registration from the Web site.

DanceVisions 4000 Middlefield Road L3 Palo Alto 650-858-2005 www.dancevisions.org info@danceaction.org DanceVisions, a unique nonprofit community dance center, offers classes from age 3 to adult. Classes range from modern to hip hop, lyrical, Pilates, jazz, ballet, and contact improvisation, as well as providing a performance showcase.

Check Web site for details about classes and schedules.

Randall Millen Registry

650 Clark Way Palo Alto 688-3625 www.chconline.org help@chconline.org For struggling learners, getting the right kind of attention to enjoy learning can make all the difference in how your child feels about himself and school. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Learning Center offers a range of services for struggling learners: Evaluation, individual support/ coaching, assistive technology, schoolplacement services and more.

2800 W. Bayshore Road Palo Alto 650-424-1267 650-856-2778 www.headsup.org tbootz@headsup.org Emerson School, a private, non-sectarian program for grades 1-8, operates on a year-round full-day schedule providing superior academic preparation, international courses (Chinese, Spanish) and individualized Montessori curriculum.

Visit Web site for details.

920 Peninsula Way, Menlo Park, CA | 650.325.1584 | www.peninsulaschool.org

www.creative-learning-strategies.com victoriaskinner@creative-learning-strategies.com A highly qualified Learning Strategies tutor will come to the home, work around vacation schedules and set up individual learning programs curtailed to the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs.

DANCE Bayer Ballet Academy 2028 Old Middlefield Way Mountain View 988-9971 www.bayerballetacademy.com info@bayerballetacademy.com Classical ballet instruction in the Russian style (Vaganova) age 3 through pre-professional with semi-annual performance opportunities and exceptional results. Excellent ballet training in a warm and friendly environment with extraordinary attention to detail.

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ecole de Danse Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road Palo Alto 650-365-4596 www.lecolededanse.net Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ecole De Danse (School of Ballet) -Vaganova and Cecchetti styles. Creative dance, pre-ballet and full curriculum for all levels starting at age 5. Adult classes include beginning, intermediate and advanced. Please call for more information.

Sequoia Adult School Little House Community Center Menlo Park 306-8866 www.adultschool.seq.org nashwa@nashwabellydance.com Belly dance classes in Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Community sponsored means only approx. $8 per class. Palo Alto Adult School/Sequoia Adult School.

Mondays in Menlo Park in studio at Little House Community Center. Tuesdays in mirrored, well-floored Palo Alto High School dance studio. All welcome. Have fun at any weight or age learning the art of Middle-Eastern belly dance. Develop grace, gain strength, burn calories and laugh.

Western Ballet 914 N. Rengstorff Ave., Unit A Mountain View 650-968-4455 www.westernballet.org/ info@westernballet.org Western Ballet has a welcoming, caring place to study ballet. We offer adult classes for absolute beginners to professionals, providing the largest selection of drop-in classes in the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay. For children through teens preparing for careers in ballet, we have a graded youth program with 13 pre-professional levels. Our highly experienced faculty consists of

current and former professional dancers.

Cost of a single adult class: $15. For the youth program, see www.westernballet. org for tuition rates.

Zohar Dance Company 4000 Middlefield Road, L4 Palo Alto 494-8221 www.zohardance.org zohardance@aol.com Founded in 1979, Zohar is unique in that it offers classes to adults in jazz, ballet and modern dance. Under the direction of Ehud & Daynee Krauss, the studio is known for its professional instructors and inspiring classes.

HEALTH & FITNESS AlaVie Fitness 777 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto 415-567-7411 www.alaviefitness.com info@alaviefitness.com Join PowerVie Boot Camp and give your body a fabulous spring cleaning.

As AlaVie Fitnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature program, PowerVie is different from other military-style boot camps. Visit www.alaviefitness.com or call for more information and to register.

Andreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boot Camp (ABC) Stanford 724-9872 www.andrestraining.com andre@andrestraining.com No two sessions are the same but every session will offer either circuit training or interval training. ABC is designed for those who enjoy multi-sport activities.

A variety of athletic â&#x20AC;&#x153;toysâ&#x20AC;? are used to make the classes both fun and challenging. Call, e-mail or visit the Web site for more information.

Betty Wright Swim Center @ Abilities United 3864 Middlefield Road Palo Alto 494-1480 www.abilitiesunited.org/ swim@c-a-r.org Improve your health and wellness through aquatic exercise and therapy in the fully accessible, public, warm-water (92 degree), in-door pool. Classes include aqua aerobics, aqua arthritis, back basics, body conditioning, Aichi yoga and prenatal. Physical therapy, personal training, Watsu and land massage by appointment. Group and private swim lessons. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday, 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon.

Be Yoga Be Wellness 1923 Menalto Ave. Menlo Park 650-906-9016 www.be-yoga.com lisamariehaley@gmail.com Friendly community yoga studio. Small class sizes, excellent instruction, reasonable prices. We also house a wellness center in our studio, so offer workshops on ayurveda, reiki, and mediation.

California Yoga Center (Palo Alto) 541 Cowper St. Palo Alto 947-9642 www.californiayoga.com info@californiayoga.com The California Yoga Center offers classes for beginning to advanced students.

With studios in Mountain View and Palo Alto, classes emphasize individual attention and cultivate strength, flexibility and relaxation. Ongoing yoga classes are scheduled every day and include special classes such as prenatal, back care and pranayama. Weekend workshops explore a variety of yoga-related topics.

Darshana Yoga 654 High St. Palo Alto 325-YOGA www.darshanayoga.com

info@darshanayoga.com Fresh and inspiring yoga classes in Palo Alto. A blend of alignment and flow.

Great teachers, beautiful studio. Director Catherine De Los Santos has taught yoga in Palo Alto more than 25 years.

Elite Musketeer Fencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club 160B Constitution Drive Menlo Park 353-0717 408 317 0480 www.emfc.net valerie@emfc.net Fencing programs for kids and adults, recreational and competitive. Summer camps, birthday parties, private lessons and group classes.

Jackiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aerobic Dancing 890 Church St. Mountain View 941-1002 www.jackis.com joanier@pacbell.net Jackiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aerobic Dancing offers a wellbalanced hour of abdominal work, weight training and safe, easy-to-follow aerobic routines.

We also offer free child care. Classes meet M-W-F 9-10 a.m. at Mountain View Masonic Temple. Our new session begins Jan. 5.

GISSV

German International School of Silicon Valley

The Best of two Worlds - Learning in German and English

â&#x20AC;˘ Preschool and Grades K-12 with dual immersion language programm (German and English) â&#x20AC;˘ WASC accredited High School Program â&#x20AC;˘ German International Abitur & SAT/AP exams â&#x20AC;˘ Safe and nurturing learning environment â&#x20AC;˘ German language classes for all ages 310 Easy Street, Mountain View, CA 94043

email office@gissv.org

Visit our n use o e Op n Ho 0 r 11, 201 Decembe m 10am to

1p

web www.gissv.org

Can higher consciousness be measured?

Jazzercise at Little House 800 Middle Ave Menlo Park 650-703-1263 www.jazzercise.com meredithstapp@hotmail.com Jazzercise blends aerobics, yoga, Pilates, and kickboxing movements into fun dance routines set to fresh new music.All fitness levels welcome! Classes are on-going, go directly to class to register.

Private Yoga Instruction

by Eyesha 650-224-0150 Sivananda-certified yoga instructor with extensive experience in both private and group class settings. First class is free.

Subsequent classes are $50/ hour.

Palo Alto Adult School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto 650-329-3752 650-329-8515 www.paadultschool.org Hike for Fitness or empower yourself with Tai-Chi. Join Jeanette Cosgroveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pilates class. Bring balance back to your life with Yoga. Our fitness classes start at $48.

At ITP we are asking the important questions. Join us and earn your degree.

Ps y.D. | Ph .D. | M. A . | Cer tif i cate Onl ine and On Ca mp us Learning Spi r itual ly-or i en t ed Cl i n ical Ps ychology Tr ansper sonal Psychology r Counsel i n g ( M F T ) Wo m en â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spi r itual it y r Educat ion and R e se arch Coach i n g r Spi r itual Gui dan ce r Cr e at i ve E x pr e ssion

Ĺ&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2026; ÄśĹ&#x201A; Ä˝ IJĹĹ&#x192; r Gr aduat e Educat ion at t h e Front i er of Psychology and Spi r itualit y

Red Star Soccer Academy 248 Walker Drive #8 Mountain View 380-0099 www.redstarsoccer.com Red Star Soccer Academy is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to youth player development. We offer world class training for eager young athletes who aspire to reach their full potential in soccer. We are affiliated with the US Soccer Federation and US Club Soccer. Red Star teams compete in Nor Cal Premier League and US Club Soccer sanctioned tournaments. Please check the Red Star website at www.redstarsoccer.com for specific tryout times and to pre-register online.

Studio Kicks 796A San Antonio Road Palo Alto 855-9868 www.studiokickspaloalto.com info@studiokickspaloalto.com Studio Kicks is a family fitness center offering high-energy cardio kickboxing classes and fun martial-arts training for kids 2 and up. Taught by owner/ instructor Richard Branden, six-time world champion and original stunt cast member for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power Rangers.â&#x20AC;? Get the whole family healthy and fit. Stop by for a free class. (continued on next page)

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Class Guide (continued from previous page)

Taijiquan Tutelage of Palo Alto

Art classes teens & kids. . .

Glass fusing, stone carving, cartooning, fashion drawing and more. Winter classes start January 10. Sign up by January 3 and get a 10% discount!

. . . & adults too!

668 Ramona Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

650.321.3891 PacificArtLeague.org

Ecole internationale de la PĂŠninsule

-PENINSULA MIDIGH H SCHOOL

Choose a small, caring, innovative high school

Outstanding fullday program.

LANGUAGE

IS ACCEPTING STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12

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(/.%

s Small class sizes (7-15) s Individualized attention and support s A strong, accepting community s An environment that supports creative thinking

HELP YOUR STUDENT GET INTO COLLEGE. CALL AJ TUTORING TODAY! 650.331.3251

t

ajtutoring.com

Higher SAT/ACT scores in less time.

1340 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 321-1991

www.mid-pen.com

Introducing

Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community.

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Workout IQ 278 Hope St., Ste. C Mountain View 814-9615 962-9793 www.workoutiq.com info@workoutiq.com Workout IQ Boot Camp. Small group fitness training where everyone gets a custom workout. Learn Russian kettlebells, improve posture, lose inches, make friends.

Cost: $195 per month.

Yoga at All Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Episcopal Church

Ě˝ ŕŁ&#x2018; ੢ á&#x201E;&#x2018; á&#x2039;&#x2022; ŕ¤&#x201C; PRE-SCHOOL

3790 El Camino Real #185 Palo Alto 327-9350 www.ttopa.com Taijiquan Tutelage of Palo Alto. Established in 1973. Learn the classical Yang Chengfu style of Taijiquan (Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ai chi châ&#x20AC;&#x2122;uan). Beginning classes start monthly. Classes are held at the Cubberley Community Center.

Our 1-on-1 tutoring is the most efficient and effective way to improve your score, while our small group classes provide students with a positive, dynamic and collaborative learning environment that fits your budget.

Personalized approach with proven results.

Over 10 years of rapid growth thanks to the enthusiastic word of mouth from thousands of clients from Paly, Gunn, Menlo, Menlo Atherton, Sacred Heart, Castilleja, Woodside Priory, St. Francis, Mountain View and Los Altos. Charismatic, professional and flexible tutors.

555 Waverley St. Palo Alto 322-4528 www.asaints.org Kundalini-style yoga, combining asana (physical poses), breathing exercises and meditation. Practice is best done on an empty stomach. Please bring a mat and blanket and wear comfortable, easy-tomove-in clothes. If floor work is difficult, exercises can be modified to be done in a chair. All ages. No registration necessary. Every Saturday, 8-9 a.m., in the Parish Hall. $5/person.

LANGUAGE International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) 151 Laura Lane Palo Alto 251-8519 www.istp.org beatricebergemont@istp.org ISTP offers extensive adult language classes and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s after-school language classes. For preschool students, ISTP offers classes in Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. For elementary and middle-school students, ISTP offers classes in Arabic, Farsi French and Mandarin Chinese.

For adults, ISTP offers separate classes for varying proficiency levels for each language: Arabic, English ESL, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

German Language Class 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto 650-329-3752 650-329-8515 www.paadultschool.org adultschool@pausd.org Willkommen! (Welcome!) Learn to speak, read, and write German, with an emphasis on conversation. Basic grammar and Germanic culture are also covered. The instructor, a college-credentialed teacher, lived and studied in Germany through Stanford, from where she later received a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree.

Istituto Educazione Italiana 650-868-5995 www.italybythebay.org Italian Language for adults in the evening on the campus of Menlo College.

Courses in Italian cooking in Redwood City. Workshops in painting Tuscan and Venetian landscapes/cityscapes using acrylics in collaboration with the Pacific Art League (668 Ramona St., Palo Alto).

Workshops in Florentine silversmithing at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park.

Full fee and schedule information can be found online.

Class Guide MISCELLANEOUS Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Council 650 Clark Way Palo Alto 688-3625 chconline.eventbrite.com parented@chconline.org More than 20 parent education classes offered every semester for parents of children from birth to age 18. Classes offered by Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professionals. Getting to Sleep, Children & Technology, Positive Parenting for the Strong-Willed Child, and more.

Lucy Geever, Flight Instructor and Advantage Aviation 1903 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto 650-533-4018 http://www.advantage-aviation.com/ Offering learn-to-fly seminars, private pilot ground school and flying lessons, along with free seminars for pilots.

The Talking Playhouse 595 Price Ave., Suite A Redwood City 650-678-9769 www.talkingplayhouse.com info@talkingplayhouse.com Social-learning and social-skills classes and activities for all age groups, including theater games and writing groups.

See website for timetable and more information.

Elite Musketeer Fencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club 160B Constitution Drive Menlo Park 353-0717 408 317 0480 www.emfc.net valerie@emfc.net Fencing programs for kids and adults, recreational and competitive. Summer camps, birthday parties, private lessons and group classes.

Studio Kicks is a family fitness center offering high-energy cardio kickboxing classes and fun martial-arts training for kids 2 and up. Taught by owner/ instructor Richard Branden, six-time world champion and original stunt cast member for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power Rangers.â&#x20AC;? Get the whole family healthy and fit. Stop by for a free class.

MUSIC & ART Art For Well Beings 2800 West Bayshore Road Palo Alto 776-8297 855-9067 artforwellbeings.org me@judyg.com Art for Well Beings (AFWB) offers art classes especially welcoming people with special needs. AFWB is open to the public. Drop-in or 6-8 week sessions are available. All materials provided.

Please call to register or visit website for more information.

Art with Emily 402 El Verano Ave. Palo Alto 856-9571 www.artwithemily.com info@ArtWithEmily.com Emily Young teaches mixed-media, multi-cultural art lessons for children at her fully equipped studio in Palo Alto.

Individual lessons or small group classes available.

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music Workshops P.O. Box 60756 Palo Alto 306-0332 www.Alisonsmusiclessons.com Kids music classes and private lessons for guitar, piano and voice. Locations in Palo Alto and Mountain View. Music for special-needs children too.

Chinese Brush Painting Lip reading/managing hearing loss 450 Bryant St Palo Alto 650-9497-999 foothill.edu mastmanellen@foothill.edu Lip reading/managing hearing loss.

Classes start quarterly and meet weekly but you can join anytime. Learn ways to cope with hearing loss and improve lip-reading skills. Pay per quarter, register in class. Beginning class meets on Mondays 1:30-2:50 p.m.

Little House Senior Activities Center 800 Middle Ave. Menlo Park 326-2025 www.peninsulavolunteers.org tpuckett@peninsulavolunteers.org Computer workshops, health lectures, investments, travel, self-improvement, movies, opera previews, ballroom dancing and weekend trips for people over 50. Costs range from free to $40. Register in person or by phone.

Palo Alto Adult School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto 650-329-3752 650-329-8515 www.paadultschool.org Are you curious about birds you often see but have trouble identifying? Learn about â&#x20AC;&#x153;swimmersâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;shorebirdsâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;perching birdsâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;birds of prey.â&#x20AC;? Sign up for one of our birding classes. Monday, Tuesday or Thursday classes (7-9 p.m.) with weekend field trips.

Studio Kicks 796A San Antonio Road Palo Alto 855-9868 www.studiokickspaloalto.com info@studiokickspaloalto.com

Palo Alto 948-1503 Chinese brush painting with master calligrapher and painter Anna Wu Weakland. Class meets eight Tuesdays, 2:304:30 p.m. Classes held at the Cubberley Studio in Palo Alto. Learn to paint with minimum strokes and achieve maximum results. The techniques of all the popular subject matters will be taught.

Beginners and advanced students welcome.

Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center 230 San Antonio Circle Mountain View 917-6800 917-6813 www.arts4all.org info@arts4all.org The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) offers classes year-round in music, visual and digital arts for ages 18 months to adult. Vacation and summer camps, one- and two-day arts workshops offered throughout the year.

Private music lessons offered, taught by international faculty. Financial assistance available. Spring and summer catalong available online in December.

Private lessons also offered.

International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) 151 Laura Lane Palo Alto 251-8519 www.istp.org beatricebergemont@istp.org Join ISTP for after-school programs for preschool, elementary and middleschool students. Classes include French cooking, Asian cooking, chess, science, robotics, Chinese dance, art and craft, watercolor, gymnastics, soccer and multi-sports. For a complete list of classes, visit the Web site.

Kindermusik with Wendy

Mountain View 968-4733 www.kindermusik.com wendymusikmom@aol.com Group music classes for children ages birth to 7 and their caregivers. All classes include singing, instrument play, movement, musical games, and home materials, and aim to develop the whole child through music. Five levels of classes as well as a multi-age class.

Cost per class session ranges from $100 to $225 depending on class and session length (8-15 weeks per session).

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Manzana Music School Barron Park Neighborhood, private home Palo Alto 799-7807 ManzanaMusicSchool@yahoo.com Private and group lessons for kids over 6 and adults on guitar, violin, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, vocal, arranging, and music theory.

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Midpeninsula Community Media Center 900 San Antonio Road Palo Alto 494-8686 www.communitymediacenter.net The Media Center offers classes every month in a wide range of media arts, including publishing media on the Web, pod casting, digital editing, field production, TV studio production, Photoshop for photographers, citizen journalism, and autobiographical digital stories.

One-on-one tutoring is also available.

Biweekly free orientation sessions and tours. Web site has specific dates, fees, and scholarship information.

Mountain View-Los Altos Adult School 2483 Old Middlefield Way, Suite 150 Mountain View 650-325-2194 www.themusicwithinus.com info@themusicwithinus.com The Music Within Us offers self-exploration experiences to help you realize your own potential to create and offer something truly unique to the world.

Dr. Lisa Chu offers classes, workshops, and individual sessions using techniques drawn from the fields of life coaching, mindfulness-based meditation, yoga, deliberate practice, group facilitation, sound healing and music improvisation.

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Music Within Us 333 Moffett Blvd.

Mountain View 940-1333 www.mvlaae.net The MV-LA Adult School has a long history and commitment to adult education.

Improve your skills. Offering: Beading, ceramics, chorus, digital photography, drawing, guitar, Ikebana, orchestra and painting (watercolor, oil, acrylic). Olderadult classes (55+, $18).

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New Mozart School of Music 305 N. California Ave. Palo Alto 650-324-2373 www.newmozartschool.com info@newmozartschool.com New Mozart provides private lessons on all instruments and excellent early childhood music classes for children 2-7 years of age.

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Opus1 Music Studio 2800 W Bayshore Road Palo Alto 408-821-5080 musicopus1.com musicopus1@gmail.com Opus1 Music Studio is offering private & group music lessons for all kinds of instruments to aged 1.5 and up. Beginners to advanced level.

SCHEDULE A SCHOOL TOUR OR STUDENT SHADOW TODAY! Contact Marissa Lockett, Admissions Assistant 408.481.9900 x4248 or Marissa.Lockett@tka.org UHDW

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562 N. Britton Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 www.tka.org & ACSI AND WASC ACCREDITATION

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Courage - Community - Kindness - Love of Learning

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Pacific Art League

Come find out what PBS is all about!

Call us to schedule a campus tour!

650.854.4545 Preschool to 5th Grade Tuition Assistance Available 2245 Avy Avenue - Menlo Park - CA Amanda Perla, Director of Admissions www.phillipsbrooks.org

Schedule a Tour: (650) 324-8617 275 Elliott Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 324-8617 | www.gais.org

The Bowman program builds confidence, creativity and academic excellence. + "#' $ ) $$ "#' $ )

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ACCEPTING A P P L I C AT I O N S

688 Ramona St. Palo Alto 321-3891 www.pacificartleague.org gallery@pacificartleague.org Art classes and workshops by qualified, experienced instructors for students from beginners to advanced and even nonartists. Classes in collage, oil painting, portraits and sketching, life drawing, acrylic or watercolor and brush painting.

Sculpture. Registration is ongoing.

Palo Alto Art Center 1313 Newell Road Palo Alto 329-2366 www.cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy lynn.stewart@cityofpaloalto.org Classes and workshops for children and adults in ceramics, painting, drawing, jewelry, book arts, printmaking, collage and more. Register online or stop by the Art Center for a class brochure.

Private Piano Instruction by Eyesha.

The German-American International School

650.688.3605 info@sandhillschool.org www.sandhillschool.org

Class Guide

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650-224-0150 ainan@stanfordalumni.org Private piano teacher, with an emphasis in classical music, beginner to intermediate levels. First class is free. Subsequent classes are $50/ hour.

Village Heartbeat 883 Ames Ave. Palo Alto 493-8046 zorina@villageheartbeat.com Village Heartbeat is an organization dedicated to building and educating a rhythmic community. The organization facilitates classes in African drumming, dancing, and TaKeTiNa. Classes offer the opportunity to learn adapted traditional music of the African Diaspora, as well as modern trance grooves.

Violin and Music Studio of Mid-town Palo Alto 2862 Bryant St. Palo Alto 650-456-7648 linglingviolin.blogspot.com linglingy@gmail.com Group music classes for children aged from 3 to 7. This â&#x20AC;&#x153;Intro to Musicâ&#x20AC;? includes singing, music note reading, movement and other activities that can help children learn and enjoy music at the same time. It will also give them a solid foundation when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to learn any music instrument later. Yearround enrollment. Taught by professionally trained music teacher. Director: Lingling Yang.

SCHOOLS Action Day/Primary Plus

For young minds, one size doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ t all.

At Sand Hill School, we ďŹ nd what ďŹ ts best for your child. Partnering with parents, teachers create the path for each studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successful transition to a traditional classroom.

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Classroom support from Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Council professionals

C H I L D R E N â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H E A LT H C O U N C I L

650 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304 Page 42Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; iViÂ&#x201C;LiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;£ä]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;ä£äĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;

333 Eunice Ave. Mountain View 967-3780 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Providing quality infant, toddler and preschool programs for more than 33 years. We offer on-site dance and computer classes. Fully accredited staff & Facilities.

Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center 230 San Antonio Circle Mountain View 917-6800 917-6813 www.arts4all.org info@arts4all.org The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) offers classes year-round in music, visual and digital arts for ages 18 months to adult. Vacation and summer camps, one- and two-day arts workshops offered throughout the year.

Private music lessons offered, taught by international faculty. Financial assistance available.

Class Guide Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pre-School Center (CPSC) 4000 Middlefield Road Palo Alto 493-5770 www.cpsccares.org info@cpsccares.org Open arms, Open hearts â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Opening minds together. Every day at CPSC holds new adventures for your children from the youngest infant to the oldest preschooler. Your child will experience the joy of finger painting, the thrill of dancing, the pleasure of building towers, and the satisfaction of mastering pre-literacy and pre-math skills with the support and guidance of a dedicated, loving, multicultural teaching staff.

Circle of Friends Preschool Alameda de las Pulgas Menlo Park 854-2468 cofpreschool@gmail.com We offer a well-rounded curriculum in a warm personal environment. Our goal is to promote the development of the whole child: physical, emotional, social, language and intellectual. Detailed assessment of each child helps us to build partnerships with families to support emerging competencies. All this in a play-based program where children have opportunities to create, explore, problem solve, learn concepts, and integrate knowledge in a hands-on environment.

Helios New School 3921 Fabian Way Palo Alto 650-223-8690 www.heliosnewschool.org Constructivist K-4 secular program for gifted children on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life. Curriculum includes French, Chinese, music, socialemotional learning - plus access to JCC afterschool programming/recreational facilities. Accepting applications. Email admissions@heliosnewschool.org or check website www.heliosnewschool. org for dates/times of tours/information nights.

International School of the Peninsula 151 Laura Lane Palo Alto 251-8504 www.istp.org admissions@istp.org ISTP offers extensive after-school language classes at its two Palo Alto locations. Classes offered in French, Mandarin and Spanish to preschool students (3 to 5 years old). Additional classes taught in Arabic, Farsi, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese and Russian for elementary and middle school students.

Jim Gorman Swim School 3249 Alpine Road Portola Valley 854-6699 ext. 100 laura@laderaoaks.com Patient, professional instructors and warm, clean pools make it fun to learn to swim. Private and small group lessons for all ages and abilities, from water babies (3-30 months) to national champions. Weekday and weekend lessons available for sign-ups now.

Kirk House Preschool 1148 Johnson St. Menlo Park 323-8667 mppc.org khp@mppc.org We are a half-day preschool with both morning and afternoon classes for children 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds (Young Fives class). Kirk House Preschool is a Christian, play-based school which offers a development-oriented curriculum in a park-like setting.

1148 Johnson St., Menlo Park

Mountain View-Los Altos Adult School 333 Moffett Blvd.

Mountain View 940-1333 www.mvlaae.net The MV-LA Adult School has a long history and commitment to adult education.

Improve your skills. Offering: Arts and crafts, computers, digital-camera techniques, ESL, foreign languages, genealogy, high school programs and GED, memoirs, motorcycle-safety training, music and dance, needlework, orchestra, parent education, physical fitness and vocational education. Older-adult classes (55+, $18).

Phillips Brooks School 2245 Avy Ave. Menlo Park 854-4545 www.phillipsbrooks.org The Phillips Brooks School, an independent co-educational day school for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, prepares each student to live a creative, humane and compassionate life, and to be a contributing member of society. The curriculum emphasizes the basic academic disciplines and their integration into everyday life, while developing the foundation for individual scholastic excellence and inspiring an enthusiasm for life-long learning. The overall school experience weaves the intellectual, spiritual, social and physical areas of growth into the fabric that is the Phillips Brooks School community.

Sand Hill School 650 Clark Way Palo Alto 688-3605 www.sandhillschool.org info@sandhillschool.org For young minds, one size doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit all.

At Sand Hill School, we find what fits best for your child. At Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Council. Grades K-3. 6:1 student/teacher ratio. Classes begin Feb. 1.

www.woodland-school.org Preschool-8th grade. Woodland Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus is a challenging academic program with a strong enrichment program of art, music, drama, computers, gymnastics and physical education. Science, math and technology are an integral part of the 5th-8th grade experience. Extended Care is offered 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Please call for a brochure or to set up a tour.

Yew Chung International School (YCIS) 310 Easy St. Mountain View 903-0986 www.ycef.com/sv YCIS provides multi-cultural and bilingual, English and Mandarin Chinese, education to children from preschool to 5th grade. Yew Chung education aims to liberate the joy of learning within each child. No prior Chinese experience is required.

St. Joseph Catholic School 1120 Miramonte Ave. Mountain View 967-1839 www.sjmv.org St. Joseph Catholic School offers a comprehensive curriculum with an emphasis on religion, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. In addition to the core curriculum, St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also offers a fine arts program, computer instruction and physical education.

Trinity School 2650 Sand Hill Road Menlo Park 854-0288 www.trinity-mp.org admission@trinity-mp.org Early childhood through grade 5. Trinity School encourages preschool to grade 5 children from all backgrounds to love learning. Trinity fosters rigorous academics grounded in child-centered content. The legacy of a Trinity education is a curious mind and a discerning heart.

Woodland School 360 La Cuesta Drive Portola Valley 854-9065

Higher Education and College Admission Consultants

ANDREA VAN NIEKERK Former Associate Director of Admission at Brown University

Andrea is now located in Palo Alto and consulting with clients regarding all aspects of the college search and application process.

For more information, contact us at Andrea_van_Niekerk@collegegoals.com or visit our website at www.collegegoals.com College Goals, PO Box 18777, Stanford, CA 94309 Tel (401)247-2629 or (401)454-4585

Class Guide The Class Guide is published quarterly in the Palo Alto Weekly.

Descriptions of classes offered in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Stanford, Atherton, Los Altos Hills, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto and beyond are provided. Listings are free and subject to editing. Due to space constraints, classes held in the above cities are given priority.

To inquire about placing a listing in the Class Guide, e-mail Editorial Assistant Karla Kane at KKane@ paweekly.com, call 650-326-8210 or visit www.PaloAltoOnline.com.

To place a paid advertisement in the Class Guide, call our display advertising department at 650-3268210.

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School for Independent Learners 909 North San Antonio Road Los Altos 650-941-4350 www.sileducation.com Private WASC-accredited high-school.

One-to-one and small-group instruction.

FT and PT enrollment. UC-approved college prep, honors, and AP coursework. Individualized curriculum. Selfpaced, and mastery-based: failure is not an option. Also: tutoring, test prep, and college counseling. Open every day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Start anytime.

COLLEGE GOALS

Check out the Weeklyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Calendar for the Midpeninsula.

Instantly ďŹ nd out what events are going on in your city!

Go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com/calendar Parent Workshops Distinguishing Two Types of Reading DifďŹ culty : What Parents Need to Know Does your child read well but you suspect does not understand enough of what he or she reads? Our workshop helps parents identify warning signs related to comprehension. We also give you some activities to do with your child to bolster comprehension skills.

Building Your Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Vocabulary: Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Talk A childâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s speaking skill lags when it comes to range and quality of vocabulary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and holds back growth in reading comprehension. This workshop shows you language-based activities to bolstering your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vocabulary and speaking skills.

Your Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Writing : The Link with Comprehension Some children appear to have strong writing basics. Yet, their written work may pose signiďŹ cant difďŹ culty from a readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective. Parents learn activities to help your child write in a way that a reader can visualize and understand your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s writing.

Multisensory Math: Capitalizing on Your Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Strengths â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hate math!â&#x20AC;? Have you heard that before? Identify your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issues with math and discover his or her hidden strengths and motivations. This workshop gives you some tools to help your child enjoy math.

The Reading Clinic 800.790.5302 www.TheReadingClinic.com #AMPUSES 0ALO !LTO s 3ARATOGA s 3AN -ATEO s &REMONT

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TOUCH THE FUTURE When you provide for Stanford Hospital & Clinics through your estate plan, you do much more than simply give a gift. You make an impact on patient care for future generations.

By including Stanford Hospital & Clinics in your will or trust: 9

You make medical care in this community the best it can be

9

You receive invitations to lectures and events featuring world-leading physicians and researchers

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You help build and sustain the hospital of the future*

*Rendering of The New Stanford Hospital

Become a Legacy Partner Today TO LEARN MORE CONTACT Angela Kalayjian Office of Hospital Development 650-721-6933 | hospitalpg@stanford.edu http://stanfordhospital.org/giving/gift/

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