The Almanac 02.15.2011 - Section 1

Flash mob comes to Laurel School Dance gets kids to move their bodies page 5

F E B R U A RY 1 5 , 2 0 1 2

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To Belgium, in search of the world’s best beer Section 2

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UP F RONT

Six honored for community service Lifetime of Achievement honorees named

By Eric Van Susteren Embarcadero Media

BOTH FAR AND NEAR

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ix local residents have been named Lifetime of Achievement honorees by Avenidas Inc., the senior services organization based n Palo Alto.

Photos by Veronic Weber The six honorees are Bill Floyd Among the six honorees are these residents of the Almanac of Portola Valley, Phyllis Moldaw circulation area: Bill Floyd of Portola Valley, Phyllis Moldaw of Atherton of Atherton, Kenneth Sletten of and Kenneth Sletten of Woodside.

Woodside, Jean Coblentz of Sunnyvale, and Boyd Smith and Jill Johnson Smith of Palo Alto. supporter of the San Francisco for 27 years, where she served The six were recognized dur- Museum of Modern Art. two terms with Associates of ing a private reception at the She also participated in Com- Stanford Libraries. She is also an Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto munities in Schools, a national honorary member of the PTA. on Feb. 9. network that serves the lowest Boyd Smith and Jill Johnson Each year, Avenidas, a senior- performing schools and the Smith founded the Golden Gate services organization, recogniz- students most vulnerable to Family Foundation and coes members of the community dropping out. She is a former founded the California Family who are older than 65 as Life- president and current trustee Foundation. At Stanford, they times of Achievement honorees of the Contemporary Jewish co-endowed the Housing Assisfor their work as philantance Program for families thropists, community lead(Escondido Family Fund), ers and fundraisers. the Martin Luther King Jr. “It is a thrill for Aveni- The six are honored for their work Centennial Professorship das to shine the spotlight Chair and Martin Luther as philanthropists, community on this group and give King Jr. student scholarleaders and fundraisers. them the recognition they ships. deserve,� Avenidas CEO They both served on Lisa Hendrickson said in an Museum in San Francisco. the advisory board of Stanford’s announcement.

Ken Sletten was a partner, Center for the Study of Families, Bill Floyd’s community efforts founder and CEO of the gen- Children and Youth. range in scale from local to eral contracting firm Rudolph Boyd Smith has chaired the statewide. He has chaired and & Sletten, known for its con- boards of the YMCA of the Midserved on many nonprofits’ struction of such projects as the Peninsula, Avenidas, Silicon boards, including Lytton Gar- Monterey Bay Aquarium, Lucile Valley Community Foundation dens, Community Housing Inc., Packard Children’s Hospital and and Children’s Health Council.

YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula, Skywalker Ranch.

He was on the Board of GovChildren’s Health Council and He serves on the boards of ernors of Stanford Associates, Avenidas.

Habitat for Humanity, Stanford currently serves on Stanford’s He has been a member of Athletics, the Stanford Universi- Hoover Institution Board of Yosemite Conservancy Board ty DAPER Investment Fund and Overseers, and is a member of since 1993, a UC Berkeley Foun- the Palo Alto Club. He received the Lucile Packard Children’s dation trustee since 1994, and a Purple Heart for his service in Hospital Foundation board. chair of the Berkeley Engineer- the Korean War. Jill Johnson Smith has been ing Fund Board since 1996.

Honoree Jean Coblentz’s com- on the board of RoadRunners Phyllis Moldaw financially munity involvement goes back Sports Club for youth at Onetta supports and participates in to 1953, when she co-founded Harris Community Center in charitable and community orga- the board for Stanford Univer- Menlo Park. nizations, particularly those sity’s Cap and Gown Women Avenidas will host a garden focusing on the underprivileged Leaders Honors Society. She has party for the honorees on Sunand underserved. She was a lead been a volunteer and officer of day, May 20, from 3 to 5 p.m., donor for the Moldaw-Zaffaroni the Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary along with its community partclubhouse of the Menlo Park in Menlo Park and raised money ners, the Palo Alto Weekly and Boys and Girls Club, a lead for what became Packard Chil- Palo Alto Online. Proceeds from donor and board member of dren’s Hospital. the garden party help fund the Moldaw Family Residences at She is chair of the Auxiliary’s programs offered at Avenidas.

Palo Alto’s Taube-Koret Campus Development Committee and a Visit avenidas.org or call 289for Jewish Life, and a significant development officer at Stanford 5445 to buy tickets for $75.

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223-6525 223-7525 854-2626 854-3650 854-0858

N E-mail news, information, obituaries and photos (with captions) to: editor@AlmanacNews.com N E-mail letters to the editor to: letters@AlmanacNews.com

To request free delivery, or stop delivery, of The Almanac in zip code 94025, 94027, 94028 and the Woodside portion of 94062, call 854-2626.

Mark Schmidt is an American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners Certified Optician licensed by the Medical Board of California.

He can be easily reached at Menlo Optical, 1166 University Drive, Menlo Park. 650-322-3900.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS BID PROPOSALS SOUGHT FOR WOODLAND AVENUE SIDEWALK PROJECT The City of Menlo Park invites qualiďŹ ed contractors to submit sealed bid proposals for the construction of the WOODLAND AVENUE SIDEWALK PROJECT. Work required as part of this project consists of the installation of concrete sidewalk, curb/gutter, driveways, handicap driveways and access ramps; asphalt concrete roadway and driveways; trafďŹ c signage; pavement striping and a storm drain piping system at ďŹ ve locations along Woodland Ave. within the City of Menlo Park; all as shown in the contract documents. Performance of this work requires a valid California Contractor’s License Class A, C8 or C12.

Project documents and copies of the prevailing rate of wages can be obtained from the Menlo Park Engineering Division, located in the Administrative Building at 701 Laurel St. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held to discuss the project scope of work on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the City Administration Building, 701 Laurel Street in Menlo Park, CA. Sealed bid proposals will be received at the Engineering Division ofďŹ ce until 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at which time they will be opened and publicly read. Additional information can be obtained on the City’s website: www.menlopark.org/cip

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Anyone affected by presbyopia (age-related difficulty with focusing on near objects) who already wears contact lenses may want to consider a treatment technique known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;monovisionâ&#x20AC;?. This term refers to correcting one eye for near vision and correcting the other eye for distance vision. Approximately three-quarters of the people who are fitted with contact lenses in this manner are able to adapt successfully. Because distance vision usually involves the dominant eye (the one

that is consistently used to look through a microscope or telescope, for instance), wearing a contact lens on the non-dominant eye to correct near vision and a contact lens on the dominant eye (if needed) to correct distance vision usually works.

Whether you have an eyewear prescription for contact lenses or eyeglasses, please bring it to MENLO OPTICAL at 1166 University Drive, on the corner of Oak Grove Avenue and University Drive. We carry a variety of contact lenses and provide guidelines on how to handle, clean and store the lenses. A variety of fashion eyewear is also available.

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THE ALMANAC (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) is published every Wednesday by Embarcadero Media, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 940256558. Periodicals Postage Paid at Menlo Park, CA and at additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for San Mateo County, The Almanac is delivered free to homes in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside. Subscriptions for $60 per year or $100 per 2 years are welcome. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Almanac, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. Copyright Š2012

by Embarcadero Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

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MENLO PARK CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

OPEN POSITIONS The Menlo Park City School District is seeking potential candidates to fill open positions on the Bond Oversight Committee. In June 2006, voters within the Menlo Park City School District boundaries approved the Measure U Bond to modernize and provide new school facilities. The Bond was passed per Proposition 39, which requires the creation of a Bond Oversight Committee. This volunteer committee was created in September 2006 and is responsible for performing oversight activities such as review of bond expenditures and preparation of annual reports as set forth by Proposition 39.

The Committee meets at minimum on a quarterly basis. The Committee is comprised of seven people from different segments of the Community. The District is currently seeking to fill three vacant positions. One position for a person active in the business community, one position for a person active in a senior citizens’ organization, and one position for a person active in a bona fide tax payers’ organization. The person must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the School District.

For any further questions, please call Ahmad Sheikholeslami at 650-321-7140. If you are interested in this position, please submit a Letter of Interest as well as background information about yourself and the organization in which you are active to: ahmad@mpcsd.org or to: Menlo Park City School District Attn: Ahmad Sheikholeslami 181 Encinal Ave. Atherton, CA 94027

TOWN OF WOODSIDE 2955 Woodside Road Woodside, CA 94062 INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE REVIEW BOARD

The Architectural and Site Review Board (ASRB) reviews and makes recommendations to the Planning Director on residential, site design and commercial applications.

Meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month, 4:30 p.m. Appointment is for a term expiring in February 2013.

Interested residents may request information and applications from the Town Clerk’s Office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-12 noon and 1-5:00 PM, Woodside Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, by telephone at (650) 851-6790, or through the Town’s web site at www.woodsidetown.org, Residents, Volunteer Opportunities. Deadline for applications is Monday, March 5, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

Support The Almanac’s coverage of our community.

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‘Flash mob’ shows how to move at Laurel School In an era of growing childhood Beyonce’s “Move Your Body.” obesity, second-graders at Laurel Principal Linda Creighton School are learning how much said they had been practicing the fun staying fit dance for sevcan be: They’re eral weeks — moving their The kids entertained a four-minute bodies to highworkout that bake sale goers on energy music. has been a comcampus with a ‘flash ponent of First Thanks to a Jeanie Ritchie Lady Michelle mob’ dance.

Grant from the Obama’s “Let’s Menlo Park-Atherton Education Move” initiative to fight childFoundation, all second-graders hood obesity. are exploring balance, motion, “The ‘Move your Body’ rouand the joy of dance with Deb tine promotes dance as a fun Stevens-Sterling, a hip-hop and way to exercise, stay at a healthy Zumba dance teacher. weight, and keep moving (and On Feb. 9, the kids entertained balancing!) your body,” Ms. bake sale goers on campus with a Creighton explained in an “flash mob” dance to the tune of email.

Two-year investigation nets 26 drug arrests

By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer

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enlo Park police joined federal and local agencies in Operation Phallen Gardens, a task force investigation of drug suppliers and gangs, police announced last week.

More than 900 police officers executed at least 30 search warrants on Feb. 7, rounding up drugs, guns, money, and cars, according to a press release issued by the FBI. The two-year investigation, which targeted people suspected of supplying cocaine and methamphetamine to gangs in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, resulted in 26 arrests.

The FBI said it’s searching for six more people in connection with the investigation: Tony Giovanni Joseph, 30; Derrick Lane, 39; Shawn Curtis McKnight, 49; Charles Edward Menifee III, 20; Jesus Segura, 31; and Joey Earl Williams, 48.

All 33 suspects were indicted by a federal grand jury or charged on drug trafficking charges, the agency said.

“This operation resulted in a significant blow against the scourge of gangs, drugs and violence in our communities,” East Palo Alto

Chief Ronald Davis said in the press release. “As gangs evolve and grow beyond jurisdictional boundaries, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies must collaborate and use our shared resources to effectively disrupt their activities and stem the violence.”

Amid the chaos of helping to execute the search warrants, a local police officer spotted a stolen car.

The Menlo Park officer recovered a gray 2000 Acura ATL, reported stolen out of San Mateo, in the 1200 block of Madera Avenue shortly before 6 a.m., according to police reports.

In addition to a stolen car and 26 suspects, the U.S. Attorney’s office said the multi-agency task force confiscated $100,000 in cash, nine guns, and “a significant amount of drugs.”

FBI spokeswoman Julianne Sohn corrected an initial report that 27 had been arrested Mr. Segurais not yet in custody.

Menlo Park police have recovered 157 stolen vehicles during the past three years — 28 taken from Menlo Park, and 129 reported stolen from other jurisdictions, according to spokeswoman Nicole Acker.

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Almanac photo by Michelle Le

Second-graders at Laurel School, including Ivan Castillo (front left), join dance teacher Deb StevensSterling in a “flash mob” routine on campus last week. They’re dancing to Beyonce’s “Move Your Body,” which she wrote in support of the national “Let’s Move” initiative.

Local organizes all-star benefit Tony Bennett, Joan Baez, Mickey Hart expected at Menlo Park event

By Kate Daly Special to the Almanac

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hen Mikey Hoag of Atherton lost her dad to Alzheimer’s disease five years ago, it was a deep personal loss. But when she started to notice “every third friend has a family member with Alzheimer’s” she realized “this is the time ... to increase awareness” — and do something big.

That something turned out to be a fundraising gala headlining Tony Bennett, Joan Baez, Mickey Hart and Bill Walton.

Ms. Hoag is chair of “Part the Cloud,” a cocktail, dinner and dancing party that will be held Saturday, May 5, at the Rosewood Sand Hill hotel in Menlo Park starting at 6:30 p.m.

Plans are to set up a tent outside the ballroom and seat some 330 guests for dinner. Tony Bennett will serenade the guests, some speakers will talk about the disease, and then everyone will move indoors to hear former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and his band. The Grammy-award winner has a new album coming out in April.

Ms. Hoag says Mr. Hart has invited his friends to join him,

Mikey Hoag of Atherton has organized the event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease research.

singer/songwriter Joan Baez of Woodside, and basketball star Jim Walton. Other celebrities are expected to attend, as well.

The performers have agreed to pro bono appearances, enabling all of the proceeds to go toward research that the Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring in Northern California.

“We’re hoping for a sellout, to raise $300,000 to $400,000” at this inaugural event, says Ms. Hoag, leaving open the possibility of turning it into an annual

fundraiser.

In a letter she wrote to encourage early sponsors, she writes that Alzheimer’s is “the only disease in the top 10 causes of death without a way to prevent it, cure it, or slow its progression.”

To further illustrate the need for more research, she repeats the Alzheimer’s Association statistics: “The number of Americans who die each year from Alzheimer’s has increased 66 percent since the year 2000. One in eight baby boomers will get the disease after they turn 65.”

The Obama administration has asked for an increase of $156 million in money spent on Alzheimer’s research. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, funding for Alzheimer’s research was at $450 million, compared to $3 billion for HIV/ AIDS, $4 billion for heart and cardiovascular disease, and $5.8 billion for cancer research.

In her attempt to raise more money for Alzheimer’s research, Ms. Hoag has attended fundraising galas for Alzheimer’s in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

When she decided to devote her energy to planning a local See BENEFIT, page 6

February 15, 2012 N The Almanac N 5

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bystanders took away her keys.

Two days later Atherton police arrested Ms. Brill after 63-year-old Atherton finding her staggering through woman who was arrest- a train station parking lot cared for driving under rying a bag containing two the influence during a chaotic bottles of wine, according to exit from a Menlo Park park- the district attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. ing plaza in 2010 pleaded no Represented by defense contest to two charges in San attorney Jonathan McDouMateo County Superior Court gall, Ms. Brill pleaded no on Feb. 3. contest to causing injury while Police said driving under Margaret Brill the influence rammed a car and A man was injured in (DUI) while backing h it- a nd-r u n out of a space her chaotic exit from with injury. in a Santa She admitted a parking lot.

Cruz Avenue two prior DUI parking lot, convictions. causing a chain reaction that Sentencing was scheduled led to two parked cars pinning for April 12. Ms. Brill will not a man between them. Sev- serve more than six years in eral bystanders forced the cars prison, the district attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apart and freed the victim, office said. She has been out according to police. He was on $150,000 bail since April taken to Stanford Hospital.

2011.

Without stopping, Ms. Brill The people who rescued the pulled out onto Curtis Street man pinned between cars later before fishtailing on Santa received commendations from Cruz Avenue, striking two the Menlo Park police departmore vehicles and leaving a ment. Calling the three woman with minor injuries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;heroes,â&#x20AC;? Chief Bryan Roberts Her Mercedes finally stopped thanked Janet Digioia, Alex after leaping the center medi- Raanes and Rob Silano for an into a tree. At that point stopping the rampage.

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Deadline for state Senate fellowships Feb. 22 is the deadline to apply for 18 California Senate fellowships. The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staffers in Sacramento for 11 months, beginning in October 2012.

Applicants must be at least 20 years old and a graduate of a fouryear collect or university by Sept.

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out of the fogâ&#x20AC;? and started talking again.

As for Mr. Hartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in the cause, Ms. Hoag says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He wants to raise money for music therapy because he believes that helps Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patients.â&#x20AC;?

She said she believes the name of the event, Part the Cloud, â&#x20AC;&#x153;gives hope. Your brain is filled with clouds ... with Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stormy clouds, and we want to make it clear clouds.â&#x20AC;?

Right now sponsors are being solicited to buy tables at levels ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Individual tickets will be on sale later in the month for $1,000 apiece.

Visit alz.org/partthecloud or call (312) 604-2453 for more information.

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It was not until 1955 that he tasted his ďŹ rst Burgundy and fell in love with ďŹ ne wine. He vowed that he would one day aspire to make wine as ďŹ ne as that Burgundy. Finally in 1977 Mac realized his dream, producing the ďŹ rst vintage of Vision Cellars.

Here at Roberts we like his wines and celebrate the artistry and success he has achieved as a winemaker and as one of a small, growing, important group of African-American owned and produced wine labels. We are conďŹ dent that with one taste, you too will share Macâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision.

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event, she assembled a steering committee of â&#x20AC;&#x153;women who have Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in their family, and feel itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to do something in this areaâ&#x20AC;? to educate and inspire Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to get involved.

The committee includes Sue Foley and Laurie Lacob of Woodside; Lulu Frye, Anne Lawler, Bren Leisure and Sally Robinson of Atherton; and Liz King and Betsy Matteson of Menlo Park.

Ms. Hoag says Tony Bennett agreed to sing at the event because he has heard some stories from fans that after listening to his songs some people suffering from dementia have â&#x20AC;&#x153;come

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R EAL E STATE Q&A

Howard Daschbach dies at 87 ■

He was a longtime attorney and parishioner at St. Raymond Church.

A funeral Mass for Howard M. Daschbach of Atherton, who practiced law in Menlo Park for 43 years and was a 57-year parishioner of St. Raymond Catholic Church, is set for 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

Mr. Daschbach died Feb. 9 at the age of 87 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

An Army veteran of World War II who fought in Europe, the Philippines and Japan, Mr. Daschbach earned his degree from Stanford University Law School after the war. During his law school days, he met the “love of his life,” Leonore, according to his family.

He was a man of deep faith, attending daily services at St. Raymond, and bringing the sacramental Holy Communion to those who were unable to attend Mass due to physical infirmities,

his family said. He was installed as a Knight of the Order of Malta, one of the oldest of the Catholic orders, in 1982.

He was a member of the Serra Club of Palo Alto-Menlo Park, and Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, where he Howard played tennis Daschbach until his health forced him off the courts.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, Leonore Rooney Daschbach, Mr. Daschbach is survived by his daughters, LeeLee Cusenza of Pleasanton, and Lisa Fuerst and Laura Pitchford of Atherton; sons Rooney Daschbach of Sunset Beach, and Mark Daschbach of Atherton; a sister, Jeanne Miller of San Francisco;

18 grandchildren; and two greatgranddaughters.

His youngest daughter, Michele Fast, was killed last October during a shooting rampage in Seal Beach that left eight people dead.

A rosary will be said in Mr. Daschbach’s memory at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, at St. Raymond Church in Menlo Park.

The funeral Mass the next day is also at St. Raymond.

A reception for family and close friends will follow at Menlo Circus Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions to the donor’s favorite charity, or to organizations close to Mr. Daschbach’s heart: St. Raymond School, the Oakwood Retirement Home of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, the Order of Malta, and SmileTrain.

by Monica Corman

Are Open Houses Good for Marketing? open house can be a very efficient way to market the property because it focuses showings to a three-hour period. It also allows agents to send their clients to see a property even if the agent is not available to accompany them.

Buyers like to explore on their own sometimes and open houses are an excellent way to do this.

Dear Beverly: I am in favor of If you are concerned about secuopen houses in all but the higher rity, you can ask your agent to have end price range. There are so many another agent act as co-host and buyers in the market who have not have visitors sign a visitors log as connected with an agent yet, or they enter. Stow away all valuables who may not even realize that they and personal items during the open are serious about buying, and these house period. Security problems buyers would never see your home with open houses are rare, espeexcept through an open house. An cially if precautions are taken.

For answers to any questions you may have on real estate, you may e-mail me at mcorman@apr.com or call 462-1111, Alain Pinel Realtors.

I also offer a free market analysis of your property. www.MonicaCorman.com Dear Monica: I am about to list my home and my agent wants to hold open houses each weekend until the property sells. I would prefer not to do this but I don’t want to impede the marketing plan. What is your opinion of open houses?

Beverly G.

Top official leaving MP school district Ahmad Sheikholeslami, in charge of renovating four Menlo Park City School District schools since 2006, is moving on to a position with the South San Francisco Unified School District, where he’ll manage its $162 million Measure J bond program.

Starting on Feb. 22, he said, his time will be split 50-50 between South San Francisco and Menlo Park. He plans to leave the Menlo Park district for full-time work in South San Francisco at the end of June.

“I took the position because it was the right challenge for me.

The timing and location were also an important decision factor,” he said.

With the renovation of Hillview Middle School expected to be finished by September, the new opportunity comes at the right time, according to Mr. Sheikholeslami.

Mountain lion report near PV school Someone reported seeing a mountain lion near the back fence of Corte Madera School in Portola Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 8, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The cat was reportedly seen at about 11 a.m. in the area of Alpine Road and Corte Madera Road, said Lt. Larry Schumaker of the Sheriff’s Office.

The middle school, which serves fourth- through eighthgrade students, was not evacuated, he said.

As a precaution, however, the Sheriff’s Office sent two depu-

N BRIEFS

ties to stand by while students were leaving for the day.

Residents are advised to never approach a mountain lion.

Anyone who encounters a mountain lion should face the animal, make noise, and try to appear larger by waving arms and throwing rocks, emergency officials said.

Visit KeepMeWild.org for more information.

Valentine’s Day with the council If you’re a Menlo Park City Council member, how are you spending Valentine’s Day night?

Probably by sitting in council chambers debating labor negotiations, affordable housing, and of course, Facebook.

The agenda for the meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, includes another round of talks with the Service Employees International Union negotiators in closed session and discussion during open session of the proposed development agreement with Facebook for its planned campus expansion, with a focus on benefits and safeguards for the city.

The city will also acknowledge three of this year’s nominees for the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula Youth of the Year Awards —Tajianna Robinson, a junior at Sacred Heart Preparatory High School; and Mark Johnson and Diante Davenport, both seniors at Menlo-Atherton High School.

The regular meeting starts at 7

p.m. in council chambers at the Civic Center at 701 Laurel St. Go to tinyurl.com/7yjcor2 to see the agenda and associated staff reports.

Facebook protests Facebook got a lot of unexpected visitors at its offices around the world Feb. 6, including several dozen at Menlo Park headquarters. Unlike most visitors, these people were not impressed with the social networking giant.

Why? They’re nursing mothers angry at how Facebook chooses to block some photos of breastfeeding babies.

Emma Kwasnica, a mother in British Columbia, inspired the nurse-ins after protesting the way Facebook tagged some of her photos as inappropriate and temporarily froze her account, according to posts on Facebook.

While news accounts report Facebook as saying its policy is to delete photos displaying nudity — such as a shot of a bare breast with no baby attached — protesters commented that they think posting photos of breastfeeding on their pages helps convey that the activity is a normal, healthy part of life rather than something to be ashamed of.

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N E W S

Appeal court halts lawsuit against Encinal PTO volunteers

By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor

A

lawsuit filed by a former Encinal School basketball coach against the elementary school’s Parent Teacher Organization and three of its officers for kicking him off the volunteer coaching squad will be dismissed following a Feb. 9 ruling by the California Court of Appeal.

Parent Lawrence Hecimovich, an attorney, filed the lawsuit

in 2010 after being stripped of his volunteer coaching position, which he had held for two years.

Encinal PTO officers denied him the position as a result of conflicts arising during the 200809 school year, when Mr. Hecimovich attempted to address a fourth-grader’s alleged behavioral problems. He had been coaching his son’s team.

Attorney Robert Muhlbach, who represented the three PTO officers — parents Kelly Perri, Julie Roth,

and Leslie Burke — said the state court granted his appeal of an earlier San Mateo County Superior Court decision to allow the lawsuit to proceed. He filed the appeal in January 2011.

Mr. Muhlbach had argued that the lawsuit violated California’s “anti-SLAPP” law, which prohibits lawsuits brought primarily for the purpose of intimidating others into making concessions rather than face a costly court fight.

The court of appeal directed

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF MENLO PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 2012 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Menlo Park, California, is scheduled to review the following items: PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS Use Permit/Sam Patel (I Bar Inc.)/725 Santa Cruz Avenue: Request for a use permit for personal services on the ground floor of an existing commercial building in the C-3 (Central Commercial) zoning district. Continued from the meeting of February 6, 2012.

Use Permit/Gary Ahern for the Menlo Park Academy of Dance/562-564 Oak Grove Avenue: Request for a use permit to allow a dance academy (private recreation) to occupy an existing commercial building that is nonconforming with regard to parking, in the C-4-ECR (General Commercial, Applicable to El Camino Real) zoning district.

Use Permit and Architectural Control/Studio G Architects Inc./200 Middlefield Road: Request for a use permit and architectural control for interior and exterior remodeling of a nonconforming building with regard to its right side setback that would exceed 50 percent of the replacement cost in a 12-month period, for establishing the total number of parking stalls per the use-based guidelines rather than the zoning district requirements, and for exterior building modifications and site improvements, including changes to the driveway configuration along Santa Margarita Avenue, removal of the existing exterior balconies, and installation of new windows, doors, roof, stucco finish and color, and new enclosures for trash and mechanical equipment for an existing building located in the C-1 (Administrative and Professional District, Restrictive) zoning district. As part of the proposal, four heritage trees, one Monterey Pine, one olive, and two eucalyptuses, in fair to good health are proposed to be removed.

Use Permit/Christian Hill for AT&T/314 Constitution Drive: Request for the renewal and modification of a use permit for existing wireless telecommunications panel antennas mounted on a PG&E transmission tower and an associated equipment enclosure under the transmission tower.

Three new panel antennas and six new Remote Radio Units (RRU) are proposed to be added to the existing tower containing three AT&T antennas at the site in the M-2 (General Industrial) zoning district.

Use Permit Revision/DNA2.0/1140 O‘Brien Drive, Suite A: Request for a revision to a use permit, previously approved in July 2010, to modify the types and quantities of hazardous materials used and stored at the site. The subject property is located in the M-2 (General Industrial) zoning district and the hazardous materials are used in association with the manufacturing of synthetic genes. All hazardous materials would be used and stored within the building.

PUBLIC MEETING ITEMS Architectural Control Revision/John Clarke for SusieCakes/642 Santa Cruz Avenue: Request for a revision to a previously approved architectural control permit to modify the paint colors of the exterior façade of a commercial building in the C-3 (Central Commercial) zoning district.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that said Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on public hearing items in the Council Chambers of the City of Menlo Park, located at 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, on Monday, February 27, 2012, 7:00 p.m. or as near as possible thereafter, at which time and place interested persons may appear and be heard thereon. If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Menlo Park at, or prior to, the public hearing.

The project file may be viewed by the public on weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with alternate Fridays closed, at the Department of Community Development, 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park. Please call the Planning Division if there are any questions and/or for complete agenda information (650) 330-6702.

Si usted necesita más información sobre este proyecto, por favor llame al 650-330-6702, y pregunte por un asistente que hable español.

DATED: PUBLISHED:

February 9, 2012 February 15, 2012

Deanna Chow, Senior Planner Menlo Park Planning Commission

Visit our Web site for Planning Commission public hearing, agenda, and staff report information: www.menlopark.org

8 N The Almanac N February 15, 2012

the trial court to grant the defendants’ motion to strike, essentially halting the lawsuit. “The whole case will now go away,” Mr. Muhlbach said.

Mr. Hecimovich could not be reached for comment, and it is unknown whether he will appeal the latest court decision. With his lawsuit, he was seeking reinstatement as a head coach in the Encinal basketball program, punitive damages in an unspecified amount, and attorney fees and costs associated with the suit.

Among the causes of action listed in the lawsuit were libel and slander, negligence, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and fraud.

Under terms of the anti-SLAPP law, Mr. Hecimovich will be ordered to pay all attorney fees.

Mr. Muhlbach said he hasn’t added everything up yet, but “it will not be a small number ... We put in several hundred hours of work ... into this case.”

Mr. Muhlbach said his clients

“are glad it’s over — it was a specter hanging over them.”

“It was a shame it was filed in the first place, and we had to go through this rigmarole to get it resolved,” he said.

In an earlier email exchange with the Almanac, Mr. Hecimovich said it was “never my intention to seek damages (or to sue) based on being denied a coaching slot.

Rather, what I wanted to address was the total lack of a review process for decisions by PTO volunteer administrators.”

His fight with the PTO, he said, has had tangible results. “I think it is significant that, in response to my claims, the PTO has adopted a comprehensive set of policies governing the basketball program ... . The policies, which every parent must sign, provide the kinds of behavioral guidelines (for players, parents and coaches) and right of appeal of administrative decisions, up to the PTO Board itself, that were explicitly denied me.”

A

Armed man with camera protests on Sand Hill Road

By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer

M

enlo Park police are watching the 2800 block of Sand Hill Road for the occasional presence of a man in tan military battle fatigues carrying a camera. Slung over his shoulder is what he says is an unloaded M-14 semi-automatic rifle.

The man, who says he is Los Angeles resident Michael Zeleny, took up his position Feb. 9 on a sidewalk near the entrance to an office complex near the Rosewood Sand Hill hotel at Interstate 280 in Menlo Park. He photographs vehicles entering the complex.

He does this to draw attention to a cold case of rape alleged to have occurred 24 years ago to a former associate, he said. A former business partner of the alleged perpetrator works at an office there, he said.

The protest, which includes signs, is taking place on public land, Menlo Park Police Department spokeswoman Nicole Acker said. “He’s fulfilling all our requirements, so there nothing we can do,” she said.

“I am here to exercise my First Amendment rights and I am very glad that somebody is listening,” the protester said.

“This public protest is in no way associated with the Rosewood Sand Hill hotel,” said hotel Managing Director Michael Casey.

“That entrance is not the entrance to the Rosewood Sand Hill hotel.

Almanac photo by Michelle Le

A man with rifle and camera on Sand Hill Road.

That entrance is the entrance to 12 different addresses; Rosewood is just one of them.”

Police questioned the protester, but made no arrest. “They’re very cooperative and very professional,” the protester said of the police.

In an interview, the protester said he is carrying two clips of ammunition. It’s legal to carry a visible firearm as long as it is unloaded, Ms. Acker, the police spokesperson, said. He said he has fired the rifle at a firing range.

His protest began in 2005, he said, adding that he plans to be at the Sand Hill Road location intermittently.

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Burglars target church parking lot, liquor store

By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer

B

urglars on Sunday smashed car windows in the St. Bede’s Episcopal Church parking lot in Menlo Park and smashed glass in the front door of Sharon Heights Wine & Liquor, making off with personal items valued at around $18,000 and alcoholic beverages with an estimated value of about $30,000, Menlo Park police said.

During Sunday morning services, someone smashed the windows of five vehicles in the church parking lot at 2650 Sand

Hill Road, said Nicole Acker, spokesperson for the Menlo Park Police Department.

The stolen goods included two laptop computers, a notebook computer, a cell phone, a camera, and luggage containing jewelry, clothing and household goods, all of it in plain sight inside the vehicles, Ms. Acker said.

The burglar struck between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., in a parking lot that was more packed than usual, a church spokeswoman said. To accommodate as many parishioners as possible to hear the remarks of the

How’s the Market... visiting bishop of the regional diocese, St. Bede’s officials had combined the 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services, the spokeswoman said.

An investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, earlier that day in the Sharon Heights Shopping Center at 325 Sharon Park Drive, someone smashed the glass in the front door of Sharon Heights Wine & Liquor and stole alcoholic beverages valued at $30,300, police said.

The incident took place sometime between 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, police said, adding that the store alarm did not activate. There were no witnesses who claimed to have seen anything unusual, police said.

The stolen liquor included cognac and “high-end” wines, a store clerk said.

That question can be quickly answered with my one page Executive Summary reports for: Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley and Menlo Park.

The market data used is updated every week so you are always getting the most current local housing data available.

Almanac Staff

T

he manager of a Menlo Park-based hedge fund was charged with alleged insider trading on Feb. 10, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced.

Atherton resident Doug Whitman, 54, of Whitman Capital was arrested by the FBI in connection with an insider trading ring linked to hedge fund advisory firm Galleon Management.

He has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts of securities fraud. The conspiracy counts each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The securities fraud counts each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million.

His attorney, David Anderson of Sidley Austin LLP, issued a statement asserting his client’s innocence and cooperation with the investigation. “The charges are based on claims made by Roomy Khan and Karl Motey,

who have pled guilty to insider trading and conspiracy, and who hope to reduce their prison sentences by accusing Mr. Whitman. Their claims are false and will be proved false,” the statement concluded.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which filed a civil lawsuit against the manager and his firm, alleged that Mr. Whitman illegally traded based on non-public information obtained from friend and neighbor Ms. Khan. In its complaint, the agency stated that Mr. Whitman got confidential information around six years ago about Polycom and Google earnings in 2005 and 2007, estimating that he then allegedly earned nearly $1 million by trading on the information.

“Whitman engaged in what even he termed ‘slimeball’ activity and together with Khan brought new illicit meaning to the maxim ‘help thy neighbor,’” said George Canellos, director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office in a written statement.

According to the SEC’s complaint, filed in a Manhattan

www.PeninsulaSpecialist.com

Or call 650.743.7702 to have the report mailed to you.

Steven Gray, REALTOR DRE# 01498634

A

federal court, the information about Polycom and Google is the same inside information that the SEC previously alleged Ms. Khan provided to other hedge fund contacts.

The complaint alleges that Whitman Capital accumulated 132,263 shares of Polycom stock and then liquidated it after getting the tip from Ms. Khan for a profit of more than $360,000.

On at least one later occasion, in September 2008, Mr. Whitman allegedly asked her for further information and suggested using Skype to avoid detection, the SEC said.

The complaint further alleges Mr. Whitman illicitly earned $620,000 in 2007 from similar information about Google’s quarterly financial results.

Afterward, according to the SEC, Mr. Whitman sent Ms. Khan flowers as a thank you.

The SEC has charged 30 defendants to date in its Galleon-related investigation. The insider trading occurred at more than 15 companies for profits of more than $91 million, according to the agency.

rts ly Repo

Reports can be viewed at...

650-743-7702

Fund manager charged with insider trading

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In a story about the impact of the Facebook IPO on the local real estate market, which ran in the Feb. 8 issue, the Almanac erred in reporting the asking and sales prices of a 1,082-square-foot home in Midtown Palo Alto. According to Realtor Ken DeLeon, the house actually was listed for $1.098 million and sold for $1.3 million. That is 18 percent more than the listing price.

In addition, the story quoted Mr. DeLeon as saying Palo Alto

had 19 home sales in January with all selling for at least $200,000 over the listing price.

He clarified that by “sales” he meant homes that were listed and went into contract in January; not homes that had gone into contract in 2011 and closed escrow in January.

He also clarified that the average sales price of homes listed and into contract in January was more than $200,000 over the asking price, but that one home did sell for less than $200,000 over the listing price.

Three others sold for $400,000 or more over the listing price.

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A community health education series from Stanford Hospital & Clinics

Partnering Robotics and Humans To Perfect Prostate Cancer Care Gilbert Khalil has an enviable air of calm confidence and steady strength. His fitness and bright eyes make it hard to believe that he is 65. “I never smoked and I’ve been a firm believer in exercise—all the way since high school when I fell in love with competitive running—and I’ve worked out with weights,” he said.

“He laid out all the choices. He was very clear, very articulate.”

– Gilbert Khalil, patient, Stanford Hospital & Clinics

All that calm and confidence, however, took a big hit a year ago when his physician gave him the results of his annual PSA test, a measurement of blood proteins that in men signals trouble in the prostate gland. Khalil’s was elevated to a level that prompted his doctor to send him to a urologist, who did a tissue sample test that found a moderately aggressive form of cancer was indeed growing in Khalil’s prostate. “I never thought in my wildest dreams I would have cancer,”

Looking for answers That conversation was the trigger that sent Khalil on a serious search for answers. He had options, he found. Which one to choose was the question. The terrors of prostate cancer surgery, for instance, have long been incontinence and sexual dysfunction, caused by damage to crucial bundles of nerves near the prostate gland.

“I did a significant amount of due diligence,” he said. He had watched his mother endure a double mastectomy and suffer, struggling to come back from a surgery that, in her day, left grueling scars. More than a decade ago, his brother had surgery for prostate cancer and still fights its aftermath. With those examples before him, he said, he resolved he would find a way “to reduce the possibility of getting through this without such consequences.” Khalil was lucky in one respect: the cancer had been caught early.

“If I had been 85,” he said, “I might have just waited it out.” Some prostate cancers are so slow growing that physicians and their patients may choose active surveillance, because of those surgical risks.

It took almost two months of reading.

Khalil and his wife, Stacee, looked at everything from white papers to blogs

to medical journal articles.

There were other options besides surgery: Radiation and chemotherapy in various forms were available.

“They all had consequences,” he said. “We decided we wanted to get a second or even a third opinion.”

Then a friend suggested he talk to a surgeon at Stanford Hospital & Clinics. It turned out to be Mark Gonzalgo, MD, PhD, director of Robotic-Assisted Urologic Cancer Surgery Gilbert Khalil’s PSA was elevated to a level that prompted his doctor to send him to a urologist, who did a tissue sample test that found a moderately aggressive form of at Stanford. Not cancer was indeed growing in Khalil’s prostate. only had Gonzalgo trained with one of the field’s most renowned inwith the rest of the surgical team. “We novators, he had more than 600 robotic have greater clarity,” Gonzalgo said, “and procedures to his credit, using the very it’s much more comfortable to work tohigh-tech robotic-assist approach. gether as a surgical team.”

Gonzalgo also has done research on how to train surgeons on the da Vinci surgical system and has served as a mentor to other surgeons.

Gonzalgo explained all this to Khalil and his wife, in addition to discussing the other options, including surgery using a longer incision, without the robotic technology. “We met with him for about 45 minutes,” Khalil said. “He’d read all my reports and I told him about the history of cancer in my family. He laid out the choices. He was very clear, very articulate.”

Mark Gonzalgo, MD, PhD, director of Robotic-Assisted Urologic Cancer Surgery at Stanford. To his right, his robotic assistant. To his left, in the far corner of the room, the console where he sits to remotely operate the technology. He trained with one of the field’s most renowned innovators and has performed more than 600 robotic procedures.

10 N The Almanac N February 15, 2012

Robotic devices are particularly useful for those laparoscopic procedures where angles are awkward and spaces tight.

The robotic arms are only as precise, however, as the surgeon’s hands are sensitive. Gonzalgo physically maneuvers the machine’s long multi-jointed arms to connect them with instruments inserted through three shallow incisions into a patient’s abdomen. Then, he sits down at a console a few feet away and harnesses his thumb and forefinger into a joysticklike controller. He does not look across the room at the patient, but focuses his gaze through a scope that shows him a magnified, 3-D and high-definition quality view of his surgical target. Each exquisitely fine movement of his fingers and thumbs translates into robotic movement. At strategic points around the room are plasma monitors of that view that can be shared

Norbert von der Groeben

Norbert von der Groeben

Robots as surgical partners

Khalil’s surgery took about three hours and he spent just one night in the hospital. “I started to feel good very quickly after the surgery,” he said. In a recent visit with Gonzalgo, he shows off the healing of the small incisions left by the robotic-assisted surgery to remove his cancerous prostate.

Norbert von der Groeben

He also understood that good health required more—managing stress. “That’s one of the things in our life that can really impact our wellness—stress is at the top of the list. It’s more difficult to measure, but I’ve always worked hard and smart so I could walk away from my job on the weekends.”

Khalil said. “My wife and I just sat there, struck by this bad news.”

special feature

What you should know about the prostate The prostate is a gland, about the size of a walnut, just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It produces part of the fluid in which semen travels. It improves sperm motility, survival and genetic integrity.

Prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer death for men over age 75. Since widespread screening began, more than 90 percent of prostate cancers are now diagnosed at an early stage. Some prostate cancers grow and spread quickly; others are so slow that other diseases will cause death before it does.

Risks t A diet high in animal fat t Excessive alcohol consumption t Father or brother with history of prostate cancer t Over 60 years old

Symptoms

t A digital rectal exam to check for bumps or abnormal areas. t A doctor may also recommend a ultrasound, X-ray or cystoscopy. t Finally, a sample of prostate tissue may be removed, usually with a needle. t Risk factors determine when to begin PSA testing and how often to repeat the test. * Medicare covers an annual screening for men age 50 and up.

Treatment t Large incision surgery or robotic-assisted surgery and laparoscopy, conducted through small incisions, now widely accepted as an alternative to the traditional large incision surgery. t Brachytherapy implants small radioactive seeds in the prostate. t Some prostate cancers are responsive to hormonal therapy. t Certain chemotherapy drugs can stop prostate cancer cell growth. t Immunotherapeutic vaccines can work against prostate cancer using a patient’s own immune cells, removed from the body and triggered to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

t Delayed or slow start of urinary stream t Blood in urine or semen t Straining while urinating

For more information about robotic-assisted urology surgery at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, visit stanfordhospital.org/prostatecancer or call 650.725.5544.

Tests

Join us at http://stanfordhospital.org/socialmedia.

t PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test: The higher the level, the higher the chance a cancer has grown. PSA levels are naturally higher in older men, but two conditions—benign prostatic hyperplasia and inflammation of the prostate—can also raise PSA levels. The PSA test alone is not enough to determine the presence of cancer.

Watch the new Stanford Hospital Health Notes television show on Comcast: channel 28 on Mondays at 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. and Fridays at 8:30 a.m.; channel 30 Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. It can also be viewed at www. youtube.com/stanfordhospital.

– Mark Gonzalgo, MD, PhD, director of Robotic-Assisted Urologic Cancer Surgery at Stanford Hospital & Clinics As many as four out of five radical prostatectomies in the United States are now performed with robotic assistance.

“Gil came to me as many do,” Gonzalgo said. “A very healthy patient, very health conscious, who wanted to explore all options. If a cancer is localized or low grade, a patient could be a candidate for active surveillance and that patient would not have to undergo the potential risks of radiation or surgery. But a lot of patients want the cancer removed from the body and robotic surgery can offer the advan tage of less blood loss, less pain and a faster recovery because of the smaller incisions.”

Confidently moving on

Within six weeks of his surgery, the 65-year-old Khalil had begun to jog. He now runs at his former pace. He credits his overall fitness to a lifelong habit of exercise, healthy eating and managing stress.

“There is a pay-off to maintaining your weight and not being sedentary,” he said, “and it’s never too late!”

Gonzalgo also recommends that patients recognize that technology is only as valuable as the experience of those who wield it. “What’s most important is the actual surgeon and the surgical team performing the procedure. They should ask how many surgeries a surgeon has performed, where they trained, what kind of training it was. The art is in how adept the surgeon is in using the technology to remove the cancer and spare the patient side effects.”

Gonzalgo trained with the surgeon whose work brought a new understanding of the importance of how to approach the

Khalil’s surgery took about three hours and he spent just one night in the hospital. “I started to feel good very quickly after the surgery,” he said. “It was almost surreal. I’d been through two months of discovery and painstaking discussion and then it was over. I was blown away at how fast I was able to recover. It’s really a testament to the technology today, to all the research that’s been done on cancer.”

He felt so good he was back at work in three weeks and at six, he was starting to jog. Three months later, new tests showed he was free of his cancer and none of those universally-feared side effects of his surgery took place. “Everything is working!” he said.

“The key is catching the cancer early and doing something about it early,” Khalil said. “Some men say, ‘I’m going to roll the dice,’ and I can understand that. I was

“I started to feel good very quickly after the surgery. I was blown away at how fast I was able to recover.”

– Gilbert Khalil, patient, Stanford Hospital & Clinics just so confident in everything I found at Stanford; I knew the outcome was going to be positive.”

His decades-long dedication to exercise played a big part, too, he said. “There is a pay-off to maintaining your weight and not being sedentary. And it’s never too late!”

Norbert von der Groeben

“Robotic surgery can offer the advantage of less blood loss, less pain and a faster recovery because of the smaller incisions.”

prostate to minimize side effects that can be caused if the delicate neurovascular bundles near the prostate are damaged.

Avoiding those, Gonzalgo said, “is a much safer way to operate,” he said.

Norbert von der Groeben

Khalil had also checked Gonzalgo’s background. “It was stellar,” he said. “I did a significant amount of research on the da Vinci and after that study, it was a no-brainer—we’d go with the robotic technology. It was, of all the procedures, the one I felt gave me the best chance of recovery, of saving the nerve endings.”

When Khalil and his wife, Stacee, first learned that Khalil had developed prostate cancer, they were stricken by the bad news. Then, they began a search for information that lead to Stanford and roboticassisted surgery. “You go through this whole process of discovery,” Khalil said. “I couldn’t have done it without my wife by my side.”

Stanford Hospital & Clinics is known worldwide for advanced treatment of complex disorders in areas such as cardiovascular care, cancer treatment, neurosciences, surgery, and organ transplants. It is currently ranked No. 17 on the U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” list and No. 1 in the San Jose Metropolitan area. Stanford Hospital & Clinics is internationally recognized for translating medical breakthroughs into the care of patients. The Stanford University Medical Center is comprised of three world renowned institutions: Stanford Hospital & Clinics, the Stanford University School of Medicine, the oldest medical school in the Western United States, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, an adjacent pediatric teaching hospital providing general acute and tertiary care. For more information, visit http://stanfordhospital.org/.

February 15, 2012 N The Almanac N 11

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Concerned about your aging spouse or parent?

There are daytime options!

Come discover more at an evening reception: y Learn about our two levels of daytime care y Hear experiences of other families y Enjoy refreshments y Free gift and free parking

Thursday, Feb. 23, 7- 8:30 pm in Mountain View RSVP to (650) 289-5499 www.avenidas.org/care

Photo by Barbara Braun

Quality Daytime Care for Older Adults

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Meadows of daffodils will be in bloom this month at Filoli.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Daffodil Daydreamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Filoli estate With almost a million daffodils set to bloom, Filoli will host â&#x20AC;&#x153;Daffodil Daydreamsâ&#x20AC;? from Friday, Feb. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 26, at the historic Woodside estate.

The event will feature three days of talks, demonstrations, activities for children and families, garden walks, and a fine arts exhibit.

Talks will be given by Jim Salyards, Filoliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greenhouse manager; Bob Spotts, past president of the Northern California Daffodil Society; Lucy Barter, graduate of the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court in England; and botanical art artist Lee McCaffree.

Chef Ursula Gallichotte will give a demonstration on cooking with seasonal foods on Feb. 25. On Feb 26, Melissa Reading, president of the Northern California Daffodil Society, will lead a garden walk.

Flower arranging demonstrations will be held each day.

Artists are invited to photograph and paint in the gardens on Friday, Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 26.

Reservations for the events are not required.

The opening celebration is free with paid admission to Filoli: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $5 for youth, ages 5 through 17.

Visit Filoli.org or call 364-8300 for more information.

Domino tournament The Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Council Auxiliary will present its 50th and final Masters Domino Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane in Atherton.

This is the tournamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finale, says co-chair Nancy Schumacher, due to increased costs and decreased participation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The younger generation has its own activities,â&#x20AC;? she says.

Serving as co-chair with Ms. Schumacher is Charlene Chanteloup.

12 N The Almanac N February 15, 2012

N ARO U ND TOW N

During the past 50 years, the tournament has raised almost $500,000 to support the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Council.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tournament is dedicated to the late John Inglis of Menlo Park, who served on the community domino committee for many years, donating many tournament prizes.

Other longtime committee members are Carlos Tinsley, George Eshoo, Allan Abrams and Tom Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Doud.

Tournament registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with play at 9:30 a.m.

The fee of $150 per advanced player and $75 for novice player includes a continental breakfast, buffet luncheon, tournament play of eight games, and departure gifts.

A golden anniversary cake will be filled with cash and gift certificates.

The raffle will feature an entertainment package, including a high definition big screen television, popcorn machine, and many other gifts.

Reservation deadline is Monday, Feb. 20. To register call the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Council Auxiliary at 617-3916.

Camellia show The San Francisco Peninsula Camellia Society will hold its 51st annual show and sale on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19, at the Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave. in Redwood City.

The show, which is free and open to the public, will feature more than 1,000 camellia blooms, a sale of new and hard-to-find camellia plants, and a workshop on rejuvenating old camellias.

Show hours are noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. There will be free blooms

at the end of the show.

The public may enter blooms in the show between 8 and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Camellia Society members will be on hand to help prepare the blooms, which will be judged later that morning.

Camellia workshops, led by professional gardener Gene Fleet, will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. each day.

Among those entering blooms in the show will be Barbara Tuffli of Atherton, former Camellia Society president. Ms. Tuffli won the Best of Show trophy at the Napa Camellia Society show on Feb. 4, where â&#x20AC;&#x153;competition is incredibly stiff,â&#x20AC;? according to society spokesman Karen Batholomew.

The Redwood City show is sponsored by the Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department.

Tall ships Starting Feb. 23, the tall ships, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, will tie up at the Port of Redwood City for two weeks. The ships will be open to school groups and offer three-hour sailing excursions to the public.

The ships will host three-hour â&#x20AC;&#x153;Battle Sailsâ&#x20AC;? with booming cannon on Feb. 25 and 26, and on March 3. Tickets range from $60 for adults to $40 for children 12 and under. Family adventure sails will be held Feb. 26 and March 4 at a cost of $35.

Walk-on tours with crews dressed in period costumes will be held throughout the stay. A $3 donation per person is suggested.

Visit historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239 for tour times and to purchase tickets.

N E W S

TOWN OF WOODSIDE

Report: Silicon Valley economy rebounding

manufacturing,” he added.

Venture capital formation in the valley — toward biotechnology, medical devices, energy, industrial energy applications and clean tech — rose by 17 percent in the last 12 months,

By Chris Kenrick news fails to translate into broad with investments in clean tech Embarcadero Media community health because mid- doubling over the prior year, he ith 42,000 new jobs range jobs are disappearing, he said. and other positive said.

Patent registrations by Silicon indicators, Silicon ValJoined by Silicon Valley Valley inventors took a “huge ley’s innovation engine is heating Community Foundation CEO leap,” with 13,310 issued in up again, according to an annual Emmett Carson, Mr. Hancock the past 12 months, a sizeable barometer of the region’s eco- called for an urgent public re- increase from the previous year, nomic and social health. examination of the tax structure he said.

The valley’s employment base supporting public services in And initial public offerings grew by 3.8 percent in the past 12 California, including Proposi- bumped up from 11 in 2010 to months, and the unemployment tion 13.

12 last year, with many startrate dropped to 8.3 perups pursuing alternate cent — compared to capitalization strategies a state unemployment such as merging or getrate of 11 percent, said Positive news fails to translate into broad ting acquired.

Russell Hancock, presicommunity health because mid-range But the good news in dent and CEO of Joint the tech economy masks jobs are disappearing.

Venture Silicon Valley the problem of a declinNetwork, which issues ing median income, Mr. an annual Silicon Valley Index.

“Our tax system is pegged to Hancock said.

The report was issued in part- an earlier economy, with levies “In Silicon Valley we have a nership with the Silicon Valley on property and sales tax that lot of very high earners, and Community Foundation. do not capture Internet transac- the classic ‘Bill Gates problem.’

The document lists hundreds tions and services,” he said.

When he walks into a bar, on of economic and social measures “We have a crisis brewing in average everybody in the bar in 40 cities stretched over Santa the public sector, with rampant becomes millionaires,” he said.

Clara and San Mateo counties, layoffs and investment in public A growing segment of the as well as parts of Santa Cruz services approaching historic region’s households — now and Alameda counties. lows.” about 43 percent — earn more “Silicon Valley does appear to Last year’s Silicon Valley job than $100,000 a year, he said. be mounting a fairly impressive growth was driven by technolBut the “middle group” — recovery. We were the last to ogy companies, including cloud households earning between succumb to the national reces- computing, mobile devices, $40,000 and $100,000 — is stagsion and appear to be the first applications to support mobile nant or declining, he said. to be emerging out of it,” Mr. devices, Internet companies and Hancock said in a Feb. 7 press social media, he said.

Go to tinyurl.com/Silicon-208 to briefing.

“There also was modest growth see the report by the Joint Venture But the positive economic in just about every sector except Silicon Valley Network.

W

A

Spraying moratorium extended by county

By Barbara Wood

mittee, heard from the authors of a Roadside Vegetation Management Study at the meeting.

The supervisors agreed to ask Public Works Director Jim Porter to return to the March 13 meeting of the full Board of Supervisors with a work plan

While the report recommends the county make significant an Mateo County will short- and long-term changes extend a moratorium on in how it treats roadside weeds, spraying herbicides along it does not completely rule out 315-miles of county-maintained spraying of herbicides. Instead it roads until March 13 while figrecommends replacing “broaduring out how to enact recomcast spraying” of wide swaths of mendations for better roadside with “targeted managing roadside vegspraying” of specific etation, a subcommittee plants and areas.

Residents are concerned about toxic of the Board of SuperviSuch targets could effects of herbicide spraying. sors decided Jan. 17. include invasive plants The moratorium will like pampas grass not affect roadsides maintained for putting the study’s recom- that are squeezing out native by the California Department of mendations into effect. In the plants in parts of the county.

Transportation, although Cal- meantime a spraying morato- In fact, the supervisors gave trans does not spray in counties rium that started in July, when county workers permission to that have adopted permanent the consultant’s report was resume spraying on pampas bans on herbicide spraying. authorized, will continue. grass around the Half Moon Bay In November Caltrans broadThe report, prepared by Baef- Airport while the moratorium is cast spraying herbicide along a sky and Associates of Orinda, still in effect.

15-mile swath of Highway 84, recommends the county start County residents are afraid despite protests from nearby following its own Integrated that herbicides end up in their residents and county and Bay Pest Management and Water water supply and soil. Jo ChamArea officials.

Pollution Prevention guidelines berlain of Half Moon Bay said Supervisors Dave Pine and in managing roadside weeds by that many county residents get Don Horsley, who are the two using pesticides as a last resort their drinking water from local members of the supervisors’ and using the least toxic and See SPRAY, page 15 Environmental Quality Com- least risky pesticides available.

Special to the Almanac

S

INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING COMMISSION Districts 5

The Planning Commission participates in the administration of the planning laws and policies of the Town. It is responsible for recommending to the Town Council ordinances and resolutions necessary to implement the General Plan and adopted development policy. The Commission also conducts necessary public hearings to administer the planning laws and policies of the Town and acts upon applications for zoning amendments, conditional use permits, variances, subdivisions and other related functions as may be assigned by the Council.

The Planning Commission meets on the first and third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Commissioners are appointed for a four-year term; one member is appointed from each Council district. A listing of district addresses is provided on the Town’s web site at www.woodsidetown. org, Residents, Volunteer Opportunities.

Interested residents may request information and applications Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-12 noon and 1-5:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, at the Town’s web site, www.woodsidetown.org, Residents, Volunteer Opportunities, or telephone the Town Clerk at (650) 851-6790. Deadline for applications is Friday, February 17, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS BID PROPOSALS SOUGHT FOR HOUSING REHABILTATION PROJECT The City of Menlo Park invites qualified contractors to submit sealed bid proposals for the single family residential Housing rehabilitation of 1382 Hollyburne Avenue in Menlo Park.

Work required as part of this project consists of insulation, sheet rock tape & texture, insulation floors, exterior walls & ceiling, flooring tile/ carpet & laminate, plywood subfloor, new kitchen and bath room, interior and exterior painting, finish electrical, finish plumbing, rain gutter, fencing. All work should be done in accordance with the City of Menlo Park Building Code Requirements and State Standard Specifications. Bidders may obtain copies of the bid documents from the Division of Housing located at 701 Laurel Ave., Menlo Park, CA. Electronic documents may be obtained via email at no charge. Make request to George Starmer at gcstarmer@menlopark.org. (Additionally, you may download this bid document on the City of Menlo Park’s Contracting Opportunities website at http://www.menlopark. org/departments/pwk/bidlist.html.All bidders shall be licensed under the provisions of the Business and Professional Code to do the type of work contemplated in the project. The successful bidder must insure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against on the basis of age, color, race, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual preference, marital status, and shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sealed bid proposals will be received at 701 Laurel Ave. in the City Administration Office until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 29, 2012, at which time they will be opened and publicly read. THIS PROJECT IS SUJECT TO CURRENT LOCAL PREVAILING WAGE DETERMINATION FOR PERSPECTIVE TRADES. IT WILL BE THE CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FULL COMPLIANCE PER CITY OF MENLO PARK POLICY. February 15, 2012 N The Almanac N 13

C O M M U N I T Y

Treachery, piracy and diplomacy animate local author’s debut

By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer

E

ngland is known for moist and misty mornings when cloudy (is) the weather, as the nursery rhyme goes. This was not one of those days.

“The sunlight glistened off the dew on the roadside grass like a thousand diamonds as the coach rumbled along the narrow country road from Bridgwater to Bristol. The two horses shot warm

air from their noses in perfect cadence, as coordinated bursts of steam-like vapor.”

Thus begins the first novel of Portola Valley resident Mike Scandalios, who during the day advises investors on behalf of UBS Financial Services in Menlo Park. A sequel is in the works, Mr. Scandalios said in a telephone interview.

His self-published book, “Privateer,” regales us with the story of Mathew Carrigan, an officer

in King George III’s Royal Navy whose career takes an unexpected turn after he discovers treason in the Admiralty. To settle a score or two, he turns to raiding British supply ships and supporting the war effort of the Americans fighting for their independence.

It’s a work of historical fiction, Mr. Scandalios said, intended to shine a much-needed light on the parts played, albeit to advance their own self-interests, of France, Spain and the Netherlands in helping

Marjorie Gurnett Bothun Aug. 12, 1924-Feb. 7, 2012 Marjorie Gurnett Bothun, a crossword puzzle aficionado, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and 48-year Atherton resident, has died. She was 87.

Marjorie died about 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 7, 2012, after 20 months of declining health.

A native of Aurora, Illinois, Marjorie was the second daughter of George Stuart and Helen Gurnett Bennethum. Her father, who Marjorie said always encouraged her to pursue an education, was a chemist involved in the development and manufacture of carbon paper; her mother was a homemaker. Marjorie graduated Aurora High School in 1942 and earned a degree in economics from Duke University in 1946.

It was as an 18-year-old freshman at Duke in Durham, N.C., where she took up cigarettes, and developed a taste for Salems. She eventually developed bladder cancer in June, 2010, which led to a decline in her health.

After graduating from Duke, Marjorie returned to Aurora and took a job as an economist with Time-Life in Chicago. She used to commute on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad between Aurora and Chicago.

It was at Time-Life where Marjorie developed a lifelong friendship with Eleanor Kohler and Marjorie Dyer. They were three young professional women with careers in a day when many young women were starting families.

In the mid-1950s, Marjorie relocated to Palo Alto and took a job with Stanford Research Institute, now SRI International. Her sister, Eugenie Taylor, was living in Palo Alto with her husband at the time.

At SRI, Marjorie met the love of her life, Richard B. Bothun, an electrical engineer from Wenatchee, Wash.

Marjorie and Richard married in a Saturday afternoon ceremony on Sept. 28, 1957 at St. Marks Episcopal Church in Palo Alto. After honeymooning in Carmel, the couple made their home in a brand new Eichler home on Kenneth Drive in Palo Alto.

After Marjorie’s father died during a 1959 visit to Palo Alto, her mother retired to Palo Alto and purchased a home on Webster Street near Santa Rita Avenue.

In the early years of their marriage, Marjorie and Richard traveled to Europe, visiting England, France and Germany.

Marjorie devoted herself to being a mother after the birth of her son, Brian, in 1962. The family relocated in 1964 to Atherton to be closer to Richard’s work at SRI. Marjorie was involved in the Laurel and Encinal school PTAs and frequently played bridge with other members of the Menlo-Atherton chapter of the American Association of University Women.

An avid reader, Marjorie could often be found

relaxing with a good book, and she encouraged her son to read from an early age. Marjorie often took Brian to the library when he was a child and encouraged him to find something to read.

Marjorie loved the beach, a habit she traced to her childhood. Marjorie, her sister Eugenie and mother would routinely escape Illinois summers and vacation at her grandfather’s farm on Long Island. There, they became regulars at Jones Beach.

The family always rode the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited between Chicago and NewYork City, and Marjorie said she was fond of the deviled ham sandwiches served aboard the train.

Marjorie found California beaches to her liking and vacationed at various locations, including Aptos, Santa Barbara, Coronado and La Jolla. In her later years, Marjorie looked forward to her yearly jaunt to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, where she would spend countless hours reading on the beach and enjoy time with her sister and two nieces.

Marjorie was a member of the Los Altos Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and looked forward to the group’s monthly programs.

She was proud of being a descendant of James Pardee, who fought in the Revolutionary War. Her son and niece, Melinda, were less than thrilled with their middle name of Pardee, but Marjorie always took great pride in the association.

Marjorie was an Anglophile, keenly interested in King Richard III of England. In 1988, Marjorie and lifelong friend Eleanor Kohler visited England and traced Richard III’s life and visited associated castles and points of interest.

Marjorie retired from Allied Brokers in Palo Alto in 1996. In retirement, Marjorie loved a good crossword puzzle challenge and often awoke at 4 a.m. to download that day’s puzzle from the London Times Web site.

Marjorie is survived by her son, Brian; sister Eugenie Taylor of Atherton, brother-in-law E. Hugh Taylor of Atherton, nephews Jeff and Bruce; nieces Cynthia and Melinda, two grand-nieces and one grand-nephew. She is also survived by caretaker Lincoln Hancock, who helped keep Marjorie comfortable in her final months. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Richard, who died in 1973.

At her request, there were no funeral services.

She was buried next to her husband, Richard, at the Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto.

Marjorie was an independent, feisty, and interesting woman, She will be greatly missed.

Online at: http://web.me.com/walstib/ Marjorie_Bothun,_1924-2012/Welcome.html PA I D

14 N The Almanac N February 15, 2012

O B I T UA RY

the fledgling United States get out from under the British thumb.

S p a i n served a harassing role in try- Michael Scandalios ing to wrest Gibraltar from British control, while France sought to expand its colonial holdings at the expense of the British, Mr. Scandalios said. “American diplomats convinced France and Spain to join the war and Holland to give us money,” he said.

“It took several years to get them in (and) it was more self-serving than people think,” he said “I think the American leaders knew at that time that (their participation) is what it would take to win.”

“People don’t really appreciate the amount of risk and sacrifice and dedication (taken) for a cause with such dramatically long odds.

There was so much to lose,” he said. “We could never have done this alone.”

His novel distinguishes itself

by looking at the conflict from a European point of view. Standard treatments show George Washington “like a god and he’s wonderful. This is a different picture,” he said.

Mr. Scandalios, 48, said he is aware of other works of historical fiction about this era — the Horatio Hornblower series, Sharpe’s Rifles, the Patrick O’Brien books — but his reading habits tend toward non-fiction, mostly history, including works by American historian David McCullough.

He and his wife Kathy Scandalios live in the Westridge neighborhood and have three daughters.

He grew up in Atherton and went to Encinal School and MenloAtherton High School, graduating in 1981.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in business from the University of Chicago.

The book is available for $5 as an e-book through Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and Sony. At Amazon and Smashwords, you can review the first chapter before buying it.

A

Notice from Woodside School Registration packets for the 2011-12 school year will be available at the Woodside School Office starting Feb. 7, the school has announced. Children who will be 5 years old on or before Dec. 2, 2011, are eligible to attend kindergarten in September 2011.

A birth certificate, proof of residency, immunization records and a physician’s report will be required before a child enters school in the fall.

Visit woodside.k12.ca.us or call 851-1571 for more information.

Serving the community for over 22 years

Are you getting the service you deserve? We answer our phones.

Charlie Porter Farmers Agency ® License # 0773991

671-A Oak Grove Ave Menlo Park 650-327-1313 cporter2@farmersagent.com

C O M M U N I T Y

Services set for Stephen Koster A celebration of the life of Stephen Michael Koster will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29 at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park.

Born and raised in Woodside, Mr. Koster died Jan. 24 at his home in Stephen Koster Rancho Mirage with family and friends at his side. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer.

He graduated from Woodside High School (1973) and Humboldt State University. After earning his registered nurse certification, he spent 20 years as a surgical nurse at Stanford University Hospital.

Mr. Koster was a published author, artist and poet, the family said. In 2006, he moved to Rancho Mirage, where he established “Pandemonium,” an artists’ colony and SPRAY continued from page 13

creeks.

“Everything that hits the roadway and the roadsides ends up in these people’s drinking water,” and in the water they use on their gardens, she said.

Ms. Chamberlain said she favors another of the reports’ recommendations, encouraging low-growing native grasses on roadsides to replace invasive weeds. “Put out seed and grow these beautiful grasses,” she said.

In June of 2010, the Board of Supervisors voted to try to reduce the use of pesticides (herbicides are considered a pesticide as the plants they kill are unwanted) by using integrated pest management techniques in all county operations. They cited concerns about water quality and the effects on wildlife, including some endangered species.

A plan to phase out the use of herbicides and move toward mowing only over a period of 10 years was suggested. But residents of unincorporated county areas where broadcast spraying takes place protested that 10 years was too long to wait. The report was commissioned in response to those complaints.

Local roads

Among the 315 miles of county-maintained roads that had areas viewed and analyzed as part of the report are many in the Almanac circulation area, including Alpine Road, Sand Hill Road, Whiskey Hill Road,

N OBITUARY

workshop. In addition to his paintings, he had a large body of work in furniture and boxes that incorporated jewelry, semi-precious stones and found objects, family members said.

A consummate prankster, Mr. Koster was known for his wit and humor, the family said.

He is survived by his mother, Ruth Koster; father, Dr. Ronald Koster; stepmother Carol Stephens Koster; former partner Larry Wells; brothers John and David Koster; sisters Dr. Virginia Freckelton and Kimberly Evans; and several nieces and nephews.

Visit tinyurl.com/Koster-229 for more information and to leave remembrances on the Almanac’s Lasting Memories website.

He requested donations to Bat Conservation International (batcon.org).

La Honda Road, Old La Honda Road, Kings Mountain Road, Canada Road and Skyline Boulevard.

Half of the county roads are currently mowed only with no herbicide spraying; the other half are sprayed, with some sprayed and mowed.

The report concluded that while the county currently does a good job of maintaining sight lines and keeping roads fire safe, it has room for improvement in several areas, including drainage, keeping plants from growing into the roads, and getting rid of invasive or noxious weeds.

The county needs to also improve its relationship with residents concerned about use of herbicides and make sure it is following state, federal and its own regulations, the report says.

The report recommends “implementing an Integrated Pest Management program for roadside weeds that incorporates the best elements of the current Spray-Mow program and more precisely targets specific weeds, modifies where, how and with what spraying and mowing occurs, uses alternative treatment methods, improves communication and takes the next steps towards licensing, implementing best management practices, increasing safety measures for roadside users and improving communication between staff and residents of unincorporated San Mateo County.”

A

Visit tinyurl.com/Spray-193 to view the full report (PDF document).

Nancy Kuhn Woodward October 2, 1927-February 4, 2012 Nancy Kuhn Woodward passed away peacefully on February 4, 2012 in San Francisco after a long and graceful battle with cancer. She experienced the final days of her life with her extended family at her bedside. They can never thank her enough for the guidance, encouragement and values she instilled in them. To her family and those fortunate enough to have spent time with her, she was an effervescent presence full of life and love for those around her.

She was born in Kansas City, one of two daughters raised by Henry and Josephine Kuhn. Her father, Henry, was a senior executive at the Kansas City Power and Light Company. Early memories included crisscrossing the West on summer vacations, weekends on their farm outside Kansas City, and learning to camp, fish and hunt. Little did her parents know that they were really just preparing her for a life raising four rambunctious boys. In 1945, she graduated from Sunset Hill School, an all girls’ day school and boarded a train for Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Following graduation from Smith in 1949, she moved to New York City, lured by the excitement of the Madison Avenue advertising world. Excitement she found, once even appearing on the cover of Mademoiselle magazine, “The Girls of Smith College”. On a weekend visit to Nantucket, she was briefly introduced to Dr. Sheldon “Woody” Woodward, who later would become her husband.

In 1952, Nancy took a “leave of absence” from her job with J Walter Thompson to join her sister, Jane, in San Francisco. At a party in Menlo Park that included hopping over fences and a midnight swim at the Menlo Circus club, she again reconnected with Woody, who had started his medical practice in Menlo Park. She never returned to New York. In September 1953, they married and over the course of the next 6 years had four boys.

In 1960, they settled in Portola Valley, where she and Woody would remain a fixture in the community for almost 40 years. Portola Valley in 1960 was still quite rural and many of her peers could not possibly imagine why anyone would ever want to live so far from town, “You have a vacant lot in Atherton, why don’t you just build your house there?” In Portola Valley she would help her four boys oversee a menagerie of farm animals. There were goats to milk, horses to feed, and as always, sheep to shear in anticipation of the 4-H county fair in San Mateo.

Raising four boys was never easy, but she always managed to juggle a million tasks with a firm hand and rarely a sharp word.

Trying to get four recalcitrant boys dressed and ready for Sunday School was a challenge and inevitably, they always sat at the back of

the church. Little league baseball, soccer, braces, and frequent visits to the emergency room for stitches, casts and crutches occupied most of her day. Somehow the family survived reasonably unscathed, which is a true testament to the balance she showed throughout her life.

Nancy loved getting people together, especially her extended family. She would host an annual weeklong dude ranch trip to Montana or Colorado for 18 or more family members. She rarely missed her daily horseback ride, even if it occasionally meant getting bucked off, which she did at the tender age of 78.

Nancy was an avid reader and traveler throughout her life. The family took summer vacations camping throughout the west and traveled in Europe. She and Woody spent two years in Santa Fe, NM, and returned often. Later in life she began to take more exotic trips including Laos, Vietnam, The Middle East, Turkey, Belize and Africa.

To her friends Nancy was always cheerful and up for a visit or activity, she had a gift of hospitality and loved to know what interested others. She cared deeply for the lives and happiness of family and friends and she was enthusiastically engaged in the pursuits of others. She had a great ability to keep track of the people, travel, events and details in her extended family and friends.

Her beloved husband, Sheldon “Woody” Woodward passed away in April 1994.

She remained in Portola Valley for several years and then moved to the San Francisco Towers. Although she missed the green open spaces and many friends on the Peninsula, she remained an active resident of the San Francisco Towers until her death.

She loved the ballet, symphony and culinary opportunities afforded by the City. She always had a passion for the underprivileged, and enjoyed tutoring and helping children with the San Francisco Boy’s and Girl’s Club and Family Services of Palo Alto.

Her four sons Victor (Woodinville, WA), David (Ketchum, ID), Chris (Atlanta, GA) and Tim (Mill Valley, CA), eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild survive her. She also leaves behind seven nieces and nephews that will remember her fondly. A service in celebration of her life occurred at the Woodside Priory in Portola Valley, California on Saturday the 11th of February. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, 55 Hawthorne Lane, #600, San Francisco, California 94105 or to your favorite charity.

PA I D

OBITUARY

February 15, 2012 N The Almanac N 15

N E W S

RESOLUTION NO. 1791 (2012) RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO ANNEX CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE WEST BAY SANITARY DISTRICT ON-SITE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL ZONE

Tennis coach at Kepler’s

Lands of Geenen The District Board of West Bay Sanitary District finds and determines as follows:

Marcus Cootsona of Menlo Park, a tennis coach for 30 years, will talk about his new book, “Occam’s Racquet: 12 Steps to Smarten Tennis,” at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real in Menlo Park. General admission for the evening requires purchase of Mr. Cootsona’s book or a $10 gift card, admitting two. Members get in free.

A. This Resolution of Intention is adopted pursuant to the District’s “Zone Master Annexation Resolution” (“ZOMAR”), which was adopted by the District Board August 12, 1996. The provisions of ZOMAR are incorporated by reference into this Resolution of Intention.

B. The District has received an application to annex a parcel of real property (the “Parcel”) to the District’s On-Site Wastewater Disposal Zone (the “Zone”). The Parcel is described in Exhibit “A” attached to this Resolution of Intention and the description contained in the Exhibits are incorporated by reference. The name and address of the applicants and the number, type, volume and location of on-site wastewater disposal systems which are proposed to operate on the parcels to be annexed are described in Exhibit “B” attached to this Resolution of Intention and the information contained in the Exhibit are incorporated by reference.

C.

The applicants have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the District Board that the Parcel constitutes “real property” for the purposes of Section 2(b) of ZOMAR in that:

X

All of the conditions described in Subsections i., ii., iii., iv. and v. of ZOMAR Section 2(b) are satisfied; or Other conditions exist which demonstrate that the Parcel will benefit directly or indirectly from the activities of the Zone. If applicable, those conditions are also set forth in Exhibit “B” and are incorporated by reference.

D.

All of the conditions and requirements of ZOMAR Sections 2(a), 2(c), 2(d) and 2(e) have been fully satisfied.

In consideration of the foregoing findings and determinations, IT IS RESOLVED by the District Board as follows: 1.

It is the intention of the District Board to annex the Parcel to the Zone pursuant to the provisions of ZOMAR and applicable provisions of law.

2.

In conjunction with a meeting of the District Board to be duly and regularly called and conducted, the Board will conduct a Public Hearing for the purpose of considering all matters pertaining to this Resolution of Intention.

The time, date and place of the Public Hearing are: Date: Time: Place:

March 14, 2012 7:00 PM West Bay Sanitary District Offices 500 Laurel Street Menlo Park, CA 94025

At the Public Hearing, all interested persons will be heard.

3.

This Resolution of Intention shall be published and copies shall be delivered to the persons and entities as specified in ZOMAR Section 2(e)(i.).

4.

A true copy of this Resolution of Intention shall promptly be filed for record in the office of the County Recorder of the County of San Mateo.

5.

The District Manager shall cause the matters set forth in Sections 3 and 4 of this Resolution of Intention to be completed as directed.

EXHIBIT “A”

DESCRIPTION LANDS OF GEENEN 255 GOLDEN OAK DRIVE, PORTOLA VALLEY

ALL THAT REAL PROPERTY SITUATE IN THE TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: ALL OF LOT 16 OF BLOCK 1 AS SAID LOT IS SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN MAP ENTITLED ”TRACT NO. 711 ALPINE HILLS UNIT 2” BEING A SUBDIVISION OF A PORTION OF THE RANCHO EL CORTE MADERA FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF THAT SAID COUNTY AND STATE, ON MARCH 17, 1955 IN VOLUME 41 OF MAPS ON PAGES 40, 41 AND 42.

16 N The Almanac N February 15, 2012

N CALENDA R Go to AlmanacNews.com/calendar to see more calendar listings

On Stage ‘Don Giovanni’ West Bay Opera’s production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” performs Feb. 17-26. Friday/Saturday performances at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m. . $40-70. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

Call 650-424-9999. www.wbopera.org ‘All Shook Up’ Foothill Music Theatre presents a musical featuring songs made famous by Elvis Presley and a book by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro. Feb. 23-March 11. $10-$28. Lohman Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. www. foothillmusicals.com

Talks/Authors Brian Appleton The author discusses his book “Tales from the Zirzameen,” short stories about Iranian culture and society as well as the American expatriate culture there in the 1970s. Feb 23, 7 p.m. Buy event book or $10 gift card to admit two. Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321.

David Agus speaks on “The End of Illness,” in which he argues that people must embrace a new way of looking at their health. Feb. 21, 7-8 p.m. $20 general, $12 members, $7 students. Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Call 408280-5530.

Meg Rosoff speaks on her book “There is No Dog.” Her debut novel, “How I Live Now,” was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Free. Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321.

Patricia Schultz discusses the latest edition of her book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” Feb. 18, 6 p.m. Attendees must buy the event book or a $10 gift card (admits two).

Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.

Reuven Glick of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco discusses “The U.S. Economic Outlook in a Global Economy: Challenges and Prospects” at a free public meeting. Feb 15, 7:30-8 p.m. Free. Los Altos Youth Center, 1 South San Antonio Road, Los Altos.

Classes/Workshops ‘Chronic-Disease Management’ Tuesdays through Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m.-noon.

Free. Little House Activity Center, 800 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park. Call 650-326-2025, EXT. 222. www.penvol.org ‘Facebook Computer Class’ Joe Saba shows how to navigate the popular socialmedia site. Feb. 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free.

Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 650-851-0147. www.smcl.org ‘Solid State Electronics and Integrated Circuits’ Introductory course. For ages 10 and above. Sundays from Feb. 19 through March 11, 1-3:30 p.m. $85 general, $75 museum members. Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. Call 650-321-1004. www.moah.org/education Advanced French Tuesdays from Feb. 14 through March. 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $60/$65 plus materials. Little House Activity Center,

800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-3262025, ext. 222. www.penvol.org First Aid with Adult CPR/AED American Red Cross course meets OSHA guidelines and combines lecture and interactive video demonstrations featuring emergency scenarios likely to occur in a workplace. Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $90. American Red Cross Silicon Valley, 400 Mitchell Lane, Palo Alto. www.siliconvalley-redcross.org

Dance Caliente Latin Dancing Students will learn the style, steps, timing and music of cha cha, swing, samba and merengue. Wednesdays through Feb. 29, 7-7:45 p.m. $40 per 5-week session/$12 drop-in. Little House Activity Center, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park.

Call 650-326-2025, ext. 222. www.penvol.org International Folk Dance Class Classes taught by Marcel Vinokur. Mondays through April 2, with beginning at 7 p.m. and intermediate at 7:45. Request dancing at 8:45. No partners necessary. Featuring dances from the Balkans and Israel. Monthly parties 1/28, 2/25, 3/24, 8 p.m.: $9 with free refreshments. (No class 1/16, 2/20.) $58 ($44 for Menlo Park residents), $7 drop -ins. Arrilaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St., Menlo Park. Call 650-327-0759.

Family and Kids ‘Dad and Me at the Library’ The Puppet Art Theater Company will present a “Hansel & Gretel” puppet show. This event is sponsored by the Fatherhood Collaborative and the San Mateo County Library. Feb. 18, 11 a.m.-noon.

Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www. smcl.org ‘Juggling, Magic & Storytelling’ Bob Kann juggles his skills of magic and storytelling in a performance. Feb. 16, 3:30-4:15 p.m. Free. Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 650-851-0147. www. smcl.org

Et Alia Alateen Support Meetings Alateen is a community of young people (12-20 years) whose lives have been affected by someone elseís drinking. Participants focus on learning how to help themselves. Confidential, anonymous, non-religious and based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Sponsored

by Al-Anon. Wednesdays, 7-8:15 p.m. Free.

Trinity Parish Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Tierney Room, Menlo Park. Call 650-4641925. midpeninsula.org Portola Valley Library Non-Fiction Book Club The club discusses “Zeitoun”

by Dave Eggers. Drop-ins welcome. Feb. 16, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-8510560. www.smcl.org ‘Growing Up Asian in America’ Essays and artwork from 2011 by K-12 students are featured with the theme of “Lost and Found.”

Feb. 4-29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside.

Call 650-851-0147. www.asianpacificfund.org

C O M M U N I T Y

USGS opens volcano observatory Most people think “earthquakes” when they hear “California.” The U.S. Geological Survey, however, also thinks “volcanoes.” CalVO, their new volcano observatory, opened Feb. 9 at the Menlo Park branch of the USGS. The list of volcanoes currently on CalVO’s watch list includes Mount Shasta, Medicine Lake Volcano, Clear Lake Volcanic Field, and Lassen Volcanic Center in Northern California; Long Valley Caldera and Mono-Inyo Craters in eastcentral California; Salton Buttes, Coso Volcanic Field, and Ubehebe

Craters in Southern California; and Soda Lakes in central Nevada, according to the USGS. CalVO replaces the former Long Valley Observatory, established in 1982 to monitor the Long Valley Caldera and Mono-Inyo Craters region of California, the agency said in a press release.

Mapping flood before it happens How to predict when the floodwaters will rise is the topic of a public lecture at the U.S. Geological

N BR IEFS

Survey in Menlo Park on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Hydrologist Marijke van Heeswijk will talk about the agency’s new FloodPath mapping system, designed to forecast floods three days in advance.

The lecture starts at 7 p.m. in the Building 3 conference room at 345 Middlefield Road in Menlo Park.

Go to tinyurl.com/6nb2yvz to watch the live lecture online.

Achievement gap a focus at board meeting The achievement gap — the difference in academic performance between students with socio-economic advantages and students without them — comes up for an extended discussion by the board of the Sequoia Union High School District on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The board meets at 5:30 p.m. in the district office at 480 James Ave. in Redwood City.

A Sequoia board retreat in January produced four priorities: address the achievement gap, enhance teacher effectiveness, systematically examine career technical education (CTE) courses, and

re-examine the district’s resources as they relate to these priorities.

A staff report notes board member Chris Thomsen proposing seven “essential questions” to be considered in Wednesday’s achievement-gap discussion and for the board going forward.

Among them: ■ What activities are specifically meant to address the gap? Which have met with the most success?

■ What are the best achievementgap-reducing practices out there?

What does the research show?

■ What are the goals for the board as apart from teachers

and staff?

Another question on the agenda: Does the board feel a need to have such sets of essential questions for the district’s other three priorities?

N PO LI C E C A L L S This information is from the Atherton and Menlo Park police departments and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Under the law, people charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted.

MENLO PARK Commercial burglary report: Loss estimated at $1,500 in break-in and theft of computer, Blackberry Partners Fund at 3000 Sand Hill Road, Feb. 8.

Residential burglary report: Fernando Calvazuniga, 36, of East Palo Alto arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with theft of bicycle from open garage, followed by chase by bike’s owner and arrest after victim flagged down passing police officer, Laurel Ave., Feb. 8.

Theft reports: ■ Loss estimated at $5,000 in theft of cash from victim’s purse, Constitution Drive, Feb. 6.

■ Loss estimated at $700 in theft of locked bicycle, San Antonio St., Feb. 4.

■ Loss estimated at $400 in theft of locked bicycle, University Drive, Feb. 4.

■ Loss estimated at $350 in theft of purse from unlocked vehicle, Sharon Road, Feb. 5.

■ Loss estimated at $125 in theft of vehicle cover from open carport, Oakdell Drive,

Feb. 8.

Fraud reports: ■ Loss of $1,998 in funds wired to Belgium bank after unauthorized access to victim’s bank account, Sharon Road, Feb. 6.

■ Loss estimated at $350 in unauthorized use of credit card, Laurel Ave., Feb. 3.

■ Loss of $248 in unauthorized use of credit card, Laurel St., Feb. 8.

PORTOLA VALLEY Assault report: Bullet hole found in wall about 14 feet beyond shattered glass door in house unoccupied at time of incident, Golden Oak Drive, Feb. 9.

WEST MENLO PARK Residential burglary report: Unknown losses in side-window entry and front-door exit with theft of TVs, jewelry and computers, Barney Ave., Feb. 8.

ATHERTON Theft reports: ■ Bike stolen, Menlo-Atherton High School at 555 Middlefield Road, Feb. 3.

■ Purse stolen, Menlo Circus Club at 190 Park Lane, Feb. 6.

Atherton city attorney wants raise

By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor

A

therton’s legal costs have greatly decreased since the April hiring of Bill Conners as city attorney, and if the trend continues, the town should still come out ahead if the City Council approves a proposal to pay him an additional $36,000 annually.

Mr. Conners stated his own case for a raise — from $9,800 to $12,800 per month — in a staff report. The council will vote on the proposed increase and an extension of his contract when it meets on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

In his report, Mr. Conners said that, based on budgets of the four years before his appointment, legal costs averaged about $440,000 per year. “The projected annual cost for (legal) services this year will result in a saving of over $300,000 over the average and almost $200,000 over the best year during that span,” he said.

Also on the agenda is a recommendation by Interim Police Chief Ed Flint to reorganize the police department’s dispatch center, which would lead to a small cost savings to the town.

The move would mean the demotion of communications supervisor John Mattes, whose annual compensation with benefits is now $144,406. With coun-

cil approval, Mr. Mattes’ position would be scaled back to that of dispatcher, with an annual compensation package of $114,673.

In a staff report, Chief Flint said his recommendation is based on a recently completed job classification study by consultants and a staff review of the communication center’s organizational structure.

The reviews found that not only was a communications supervisor not needed for dispatching services, but that having one created functional difficulties. Among them: “It is a source of unintended employee conflicts, frustration, and mixed messages from supervisors,” the report said.

The chief is recommending that the on-duty patrol supervisor provide supervision of dispatch services once the position now held by Mr. Mattes is eliminated.

In addition to the savings of close to $30,000 in compensation, there would be a potential savings from eliminating the communication supervisor’s overtime and the expense of “dispatcher backfill” resulting from the supervisor completing routine tasks, the report said.

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 94 Ashfield Road, in the Town Center.

BE GOOD

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A

February 15, 2012 N The Almanac N 17

Serving Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Woodside for 44 years.

Editor & Publisher Tom Gibboney

Newsroom Managing Editor Richard Hine News Editor Renee Batti Lifestyles Editor Jane Knoerle Staff Writers Dave Boyce, Sandy Brundage Contributors Marjorie Mader, Barbara Wood, Kate Daly Special Sections Editors Carol Blitzer, Sue Dremann Photographer Michelle Le

Design & Production Design Director Raul Perez Designers Linda Atilano, Lili Cao, Shannon Corey, Diane Haas, Paul Llewellyn, Scott Peterson

Advertising Vice President Sales and Marketing Tom Zahiralis Display Advertising Sales Adam Carter Real Estate Manager Neal Fine Real Estate and Advertising Coordinator Diane Martin Classified Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan Published every Wednesday at 3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Menlo Park, Ca 94025 Newsroom: (650) 223-6525 Newsroom Fax: (650) 223-7525 Advertising: (650) 854-2626 Advertising Fax: (650) 854-3650 Email news and photos with captions to: Editor@AlmanacNews.com Email letters to: letters@AlmanacNews.com The Almanac, established in September 1965, is delivered each week to residents of Menlo

Ideas, thoughts and opinions about

local issues from people in our community. Edited by Tom Gibboney.

Facebook fairy tale rubs off on city

E

ver since Facebook moved into its Willow Road headquarters, the world has waited for the stars of Social Network to cash in on the incredible value the company has created in just a few short years.

And now that the Internet giant with more than 800 million users will go public, the impact of having a company that could be valued at $100 billion in our backyard is beginning to come clear. From the $5 billion CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to receive to the nearby venture capital firms that were smart enough to bankroll the Harvard drop-out, untold amounts of money will flow from Facebook and some of it will land in Menlo Park and other nearby communities. And don’t forget the hundreds of early Facebook employees who will EDI TORI AL pocket millions of dollars when The opinion of The Almanac they convert their stock to cash.

Local real estate brokers have made the news recently in stories speculating about Facebook’s impact on the local market. Of course, house prices are bound to increase, which is good for homeowners but could be bad for anyone paying more rent every year for housing. Some brokers believe the company’s impact will be felt gradually and that the buyers will be very aware of price inflation.

In other words, sellers might not succeed if they raise prices too high to cash in on the trend.

But beyond the Facebook gold dust that will be sprinkled over this region in the coming months, Menlo Park officials are continuing to wade through the massive draft environmental impact report (more than 150 megabytes) that attempts to assess what will happen if they grant the company’s request to add 3,000 employees to its east campus and another 4,000 to its yet-to-be-built west campus across the street on the Bayfront Expressway.

For the most part, the draft EIR suggests there will be some

impact on police and fire services, as well as schools and housing, but not enough to warrant major action. The touchiest issue may be the discussion of traffic impacts, which will be considerable along Willow, Marsh and Middlefield roads. Certainly the Marsh and Willow freeway interchanges — already plugged at rush hour — will suffer as well. It will not be an easy job, and it must be completed by April when the City Council is scheduled to hold hearings on granting the necessary permits.

Council members will have to decide if the impact of about 10,000 employees will warrant requiring Facebook to pay for selected public improvements at nearby venues like Belle Haven, for example, or provide ongoing funding for services like the Belle Haven library or even a Wi-Fi system, as suggested by one planning commissioner.

The company already has agreed to help improve bike lanes on Willow Road and the Bay Trail bicycle path that connects to the Facebook campus. Both would further the goal of convincing Facebook employees to reduce their use of automobiles to get to work. Another way to lower car trips is to fund or somehow support housing opportunities for employees, particularly in Belle Haven, where one or two sites have been identified.

All of this is being considered amid the backdrop of the city’s loss of $3 million in redevelopment agency funds due to a change in policy on REAs by Gov. Jerry Brown. Virtually all the city’s RDA funding was connected in some way to east Menlo Park, including all of Belle Haven and the east Facebook campus.

Community centers and playing fields and other public facilities in Belle Haven could lose funding unless the city of Menlo Park steps in. Certainly the council will be thinking about how Facebook’s newfound wealth could somehow help Belle Haven preserve some of its public services and facilities. The question is how much of its newfound wealth will the company want to share.

Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside and adjacent unincorporated areas of southern San of the Superior Court of San Mateo County to

L ET TERS

publish public notices of a governmental and

Our readers write

Mateo County. The Almanac is qualified by decree

legal nature, as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued December 21, 1969.

Subscriptions are $60 for one year and $100 for two years.

■ WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters will also appear on the web site, www.TheAlmanacOnline.com, and occasionally on the Town Square forum.

TOWN SQUARE FORUM Post your views on the Town Square forum at www.TheAlmanacOnline.com EMAIL your views to: letters@almanacnews.com and note this it is a letter to the editor in the subject line.

MAIL or deliver to: Editor at the Almanac, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

CALL the Viewpoint desk at 223-6507.

Food trucks won’t work in downtown Menlo Park Editor: I read with amazement that the Menlo Park City Council plans to bring food trucks to the streets of downtown Menlo Park. Someone must be dwelling on another planet, disconnected from reality.

Is it me, or is it the City Council?

From my planet, it is impossible to understand why the City Council would sponsor this. Don’t we already have plentiful places where one can walk in and buy a sandwich to go?

What’s the aim? To destabilize the businesses of existing, taxpaying providers of quick meals?

To make parking more difficult? To make streets dirtier?

On whose behalf is the City Council promoting this measure, which from my planet appears incomprehensible?

Alexander Kugushev San Mateo Drive, Menlo Park

18 N The Almanac N February 15, 2012

Continued on next page

Woodside Historical Association

Our Regional Heritage

This private theater near Kings Mountain Road was part of a 50-acre estate belonging to socialite George Whittell Jr. and his wife, Elia Pascal. Connected to a carriage house via an underground tunnel, it was used during Prohibition so guests could attend parties where liquor was served. The theater has been restored by the estate’s current owner, Apple entrepreneur Mike Markkula.

V I E W P O I N T

L ET T ER S Our readers write

Continued from previous page

The horrors of paseos and food trucks Editor: What do you get when you hire upscale boutique consultants regarding city planning?

Menlo Park got a hefty price tag — over $1 million and counting — and suggestions that are utterly out of place for our city and which would be ruinous for our downtown.

In the first place, the part of the city that is “broken” and needs “fixing” is not the central business district, but the El Camino corridor, with a number of vacant businesses and the possible need for rezoning.

However, that wasn’t sexy enough for our hip consultants: after all, to justify a fee of over a million bucks, you need to at least appear to be offering something pretty spiffy.

And so they have come up with the farcical idea of a “paseo” for our downtown. A fancy Spanish word to go with the fancy price tag, but which actually means closing down a street to cars. In our tiny downtown? Removing access and parking spaces?

And if that weren’t bad enough, the consultants recommend filling that now pristine, car-free street with, get this: food trucks.

Huge, lumbering diesel trucks with motors left on idle, spewing carcinogenic particulates into the air — surely a great way to attract visitors to our downtown. I can hear it now — people from Burlingame to San Jose saying, “Let’s hurry over to Menlo Park. Have you heard?

They’ve got food trucks!”

The consulting firm overshot the mark in recommending a “paseo.”

Menlo Park is not Buenos Aires, or even Santa Monica; and they undershot the mark with their recommendation of food trucks: our city is not a construction site or a theme park.

Our downtown is a precious commodity. It is the jewel of our community. We can’t afford to despoil its village-like character with loud, polluting diesel food trucks. Nor can we afford to allow even one of our beloved downtown restaurants, markets or shops to go out of business due to the lack of convenient parking spaces, noxious diesel fumes, and persistent engine idling noise that the food trucks and “paseo” would inflict on our downtown.

Just say No. Cherie Zaslawsky Menlo Park Downtown area

Beware of enticements to support Saltworks project Editor: A Stanford research group recently reported that for decades many doctors were paid handsomely to

tout the health benefits of smoking tobacco.

That led me to think of how Cargill and DMB Associates are currently spreading their money around Redwood City to show how much they “care” about the city.

I urge those who take that money to think carefully about whether to believe their claims about the benefits to their proposed Saltworks development: Can adding 30,000 residents really reduce traffic congestion? Is the solution to current flooding and future sea level rise really to put more residents and businesses below the level of the high tides? Is paving restorable wetlands really the best way to restore them?

I don’t think so. Please don’t be deceived by their money.

Karen Davis Redwood City

Something to think about in meadow zoning decision Editor: How many of us moved to Portola Valley because of the natural environment, open spaces, lack of commercial development?

Assured by our general plan, which states that the first major goal for the town is: “To preserve and enhance the natural features and open space of the planning area because they are unusual and valuable assets for the planning area, the Peninsula and the entire Bay Area.”

And, this plan supports our own property values. Today we value open spaces even more, preserving it through donations to the Peninsula Open Space Trust, by paying a small tax to support the Midpeninsula Open Space District, through careful town zoning, and our collaborative efforts to design our new Town Center in such a way that we have open vistas through that center to the distant hills.

Driving through Portola Valley from Woodside, our town’s designated “Scenic Corridor” reveals the distant hills through the small orchard by Christ Church, then our new community center, followed by the new area purchased from the riding stable. This scenic corridor would continue on by the Neely meadow, if only some of the trees, shrubs, and lower branches of the roadside oaks were trimmed away.

But now we face a major change.

Vineyards and a barn on that meadow. The addition of several new structures above the meadow.

How many residents understand that this is about to happen? That our precious General Plan no longer is protecting our open spaces?

If you care, if you think this is important, get involved; attend a Town Council meeting, write or e-mail a member of the Town Council and let them consider your opinion as they vote on allowing these changes.

Think about it.

Marilyn Walter Coyote Hilll, Portola Valley

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND STUDY SESSION CITY OF MENLO PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2012 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Menlo Park, California is scheduled to review the following item: Use Permit, Architectural Control, Major Subdivision, Below Market Rate Housing Agreement, and Environmental Review/389 El Camino Real, LLC/389 El Camino Real: Request to demolish the existing single-family house at 612 Partridge Avenue and residential triplex at 603-607 College Avenue and construct 26 residential units and associated site improvements on the subject parcels in the C-4(ECR) (General Commercial Applicable to El Camino Real) and R-3 (Apartment) zoning districts. The application includes the following requests: 1. Use Permit. A use permit to construct three or more residential units in the R-3 zoning district, and to construct residential units and increase the floor area ratio (FAR) from 55 percent to 75 percent in the C-4(ECR) zoning district.

2. Architectural Control. Design review for the proposed residential buildings and site improvements.

3. Major Subdivision. Tentative Map for seven existing legal lots to be merged into two lots; the public street easement for Alto Lane would be abandoned; and 26 residential condominium units would be created.

4. Below Market Rate Housing Agreement. A Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Agreement to provide for the development of three on-site low-income BMR units in accordance with the City’s BMR Program and the provisions of Government Code Section 65915, the State Density Bonus Law. 5. Environmental Review. The project would be analyzed for potential environmental impacts in the focused EIR. The application is being submitted subject to the State Density Bonus Law, Government Code Section 65915 and relevant amendments, which permits exceptions to the City‘s Zoning Ordinance requirements.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the project identifies a less than significant impact in the following categories: Land Use and Planning Policy, Public Services and Utilities, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Mineral Resources, Population and Housing, and Recreation. The Draft EIR prepared for the project identifies potentially significant environmental effects that can be mitigated to a less than significant level in the following categories: Air Quality, Noise, and Aesthetics. The Draft EIR identifies potentially significant environmental effects that are significant and unavoidable in the following category: Transportation, Circulation and Parking. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires this notice to disclose whether any listed toxic sites are present at the location.

The project location does not contain a toxic site pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.

Copies of the Draft EIR will be on file for review at the City Library and Community Development Department, located at the Civic Center, 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025, as well as on the City’s website at http://www.menlopark.org/projects/comdev_389ecr.htm, as of Friday, February 17, 2012. The review period for the Draft EIR has been set from Friday, February 17, 2012 through Monday, April 2, 2012. Written comments must be submitted to the Community Development Department no later than 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2012. Comments may be submitted by email (dmchow@menlopark.org), letter (Community Development Department, 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park CA 94025), or fax (650-327-1653).

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Draft EIR in the Council Chambers of the City of Menlo Park, located at 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, on Monday, March 19, 2012, 7:00 p.m. or as near as possible thereafter, at which time and place interested persons may appear and be heard thereon. If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Menlo Park during the public review period for the DEIR or at, or prior to, the public hearing.

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Planning Commission will hold a study session on this item in the Council Chambers of the City of Menlo Park, located at 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, California, on Monday, March 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. or as near as possible thereafter, at which time and place interested persons may appear and be heard thereon.

Documents related to these items may be inspected by the public on weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with alternate Fridays closed, at the Community Development Department, 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park.

Please call Deanna Chow, Senior Planner, if there are any questions or comments on this item. She can be reached at 650-330-6733 or by email at dmchow@menlopark.org. Up-to-date information on the project can be found on the project webpage: http://www.menlopark.org/projects/comdev_389ecr.htm. To receive future email bulletins from the City, please subscribe to the project page.

Si usted necesita más información sobre este proyecto, por favor llame al 650-330-6702, y pregunte por un asistente que hable español.

DATED:

February 9, 2012

PUBLISHED:

February 15, 2012

Deanna Chow, Senior Planner

If there are any questions, please call the Planning Division at (650) 330-6702.

February 15, 2012 N The Almanac N 19

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20 N The Almanac N February 15, 2012

www.HughCornish.com 650.566.5353 hcornish@cbnorcal.com DRE# 00912143

#1 Agent, Menlo Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (O &DPLQR 2IILFH Ranked #53 Nationally E\ The Wall Street Journal, 2011 Over $1.4 Billion in Sales