WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2026
the support of our advertisers.
Please see their ad on Page
and tell them how you appreciate their support.
Flea market announces end
BOIL ORDER LIFTED: After nearly two weeks, Mountain View authorities yesterday lifted the “Boil Water” notice for the remaining 21 homes on Drucilla Drive and Carla Court that impacted by a water main contamination breach. Households are advised to flush their home’s plumbing.
MASSIE DEFEATED: Republican voters in northern Kentucky picked Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein over U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie in yesterday’s House primary to replace Senate leader Mitch McConnell.
MOSQUE SHOOTERS: Authorities [See THE UPDATE, page 4]
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
San Carlos officials are looking at placing a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot to help pay for its plans for downtown, and cover a possible budget shortfall.
The city may have a budget deficit estimated between $500,000 to
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
A Saturday flea market at Palo Alto High School that raises money for music students is shutting down after 37 years.
Founder Phyllis Smith, 82, said she’s dealing with knee problems and is too old to continue.
“I loved doing the flea market. I loved the support of all the people … I’ve just gotten to the point where it’s gotten too hard on me physical-
SCENE FROM THE FLEA — The Palo Alto High School flea market had an ever-changing selection of bargains and collectibles sprawled out on the parking lot once a month. Photo from the market.
$1 million annually over the next 10 years, and a tax measure would help, Administrative Services Director Rebecca Mendenhall told the city’s planning commission on Monday.
If a half-cent sales tax gets approved, it will generate $6 million to support city services such as downtown improvement, road mainte-
ly,” Smith said in an interview yesterday.
Smith started the flea market in 1989, when her daughter was a sophomore at Paly and students needed money to buy instruments.
One of the student fundraisers was a 24-hour music marathon, and parents needed something to do. So they started a flea market, Smith said.
The flea market was supposed to be a one-time event, but Smith kept running the market on the second Saturday of each month in the parking lot at the corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road.
Smith turned the operation over to music boosters in the early 2000s
FLEA, page 26]
nance, parks and public safety for 14 years, Mendenhall said.
“Our costs are exceeding our rev-
Another city is eyeing its own half-cent sales tax, read on PAGE 6.
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
Palo Alto City Council was split 4-2 to move forward with allowing three towers reaching 14 stories in height on top of Mollie Stone’s Market on California Avenue.
The proposal is three stories shorter than developer Chris Friese’s original application but includes less parking and 28 fewer subsidized apartments. The shorter proposal was negotiated by Councilman Ed Lauing and Vice Mayor Greer Stone, who said they did the best they could without any leverage.
“You don’t always get everything you want in a negotiation,” Lauing said on Monday. That’s because Friese invoked the
Accused molester: Teen exposed self
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
A Woodside man accused of molesting boys testified yesterday that one of his alleged victims exposed himself.
Alan Frank Russell, 84, said one of his alleged victims told Russell that he was gay and then exposed himself to Russell, who maintained during his testimony that he never touched any children.
Russell, who is on trial for 14 felony charges for allegedly molesting the children of family friends, took the stand yesterday to defend himself.
Testimony details
During a trip, one of the victims invited Russell to his room, and Russell followed up the stairs, thinking the boy wanted to play a game, Russell said. The boy was 14 years old at the time.
“I have something special I have to tell you,” the boy told Russell. The boy confessed that he was gay, and Russell believed the boy saw him as a confidant because of his sexual orientation, Russell testified. After confessing, the boy started to touch himself and lowered his own pants, Russell said.
“We can’t do this,” Russell said to the boy and went downstairs.
That was not the first time the boy had exposed himself to him, Russell testified. There was another occasion when the boy came over to his house to help him with some yard work, Russell said. The boy had slept over, and in the morning, after Russell left to get some coffee, he returned to find the boy, who was 15 or 16 at the time, with his pants down, Russell said.
Phone threats claimed
A few months later, the boy bombarded Russell with irrational allegations over a phone call, Russell said. The boy told Russell to confess they had sex together when he was 10 years old, Russell said. Russell said he was concerned for the boy because he was talking about suicide and his parents were getting divorced.
The boy threatened Russell to confess to touching him sexually or else he would tell his therapist, Russell said.
“We both know what we did,” Russell said.
Deputies found over 3,000 images of child pornography depicting young boys in the home, according to court documents.
Russell is accused of molesting two other young boys, who were under the age of 16 at the time of the assaults. Russell is accused of molesting the first child from 1995 to 2002, from when the boy was 8 until he was 16.
SAN MATEO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE
Brian Donnellan has spent his career
Carlos Tapia, President, Deputy
RUSSELL
• Elegant Living Room with a Fireplace and High Ceilings
• Chefs Eat-in Kitchen Features Center Island, Inset Cabinetry, and Walk-in Pantry
• Main Level Office, Den, and Half Bathroom
• Primary Suite Retreat Features Double Sinks, Stall Shower, and Walk-in Closet
• 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms
• Upper Level Includes Primary Bedroom, Two Additional Bedrooms, and Laundry Room
• Lower Level Bonus Space That Can Be Used as a Workout Room or Separate Family Room
• Attached ADU Includes Bedroom, Bathroom, Living Room, and a Kitchenette
• Deck with Trellis and Covered Patio
• Lovely Landscaped Yard Features Breathtaking Views
Recall effort fizzles, group to try again
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
The recall effort against Sequoia Union High School Trustee Rich Ginn has been rejected by the San Mateo County Election Office after a paperwork mix-up.
Ginn was served with a “notice of intention” by parents upset by the board’s closure of the small STEM-focused magnet school TIDE Academy. The parents believe he didn’t prioritize the community with his vote to close the small magnet school, but the paperwork didn’t match what the elections office received, Elections Officer Mark Church said.
A draft of the intent to recall Ginn was filed with the county instead of the actual statement that was served to Ginn, parent Johanna Mahal said in a statement.
“We are disappointed that the county did not communicate with us by their deadline. Our sense is that the county rejected the filing a week later because of pressure from the incumbent who would face the recall,” Mahal, leader of the recall efforts, said in a statement.
Plans to restart
Parents will be restarting the recall process for board members Ginn, Mary Beth Thompson and Maria Cruz. The
petitions against Thompson and Cruz previously did not meet the 30-signature requirement, according to Church. Issues included signers not being from trustees’ districts and incomplete residence address information, like missing ZIP codes, Church said. Only registered voters who live in the area represented by the trustee can sign the petition.
The group is not seeking recalls of board members Sathvik Nori and Amy Koo because their terms end this year.
“I’ve never organized a recall before, and all of the people working on this are volunteers doing it in their spare time because they believe we need
FOUCRAULT SAN MATEO COUNTY CORONER
leadership change in the Sequoia Union High School District,” Mahal said. Parents feel that Ginn, Thompson and Cruz didn’t make the best decisions in closing the school with fewer than 200 students, even though the board voted in favor of the closure due to financial constraints.
Parents are also suing TIDE Academy parents have also fought the closure with two lawsuits against the district, one of which was dismissed by a judge because they couldn’t show how students with disabilities wouldn’t be able to get the same education at a larger school.
say the two teenagers who shot and killed three people in an attack on a San Diego mosque had been radicalized online where they first met. Investigators said yesterday that the pair shared white supremacist views and left behind writings showing their hatred toward women, various races and religions. Authorities also found at least 30 guns, ammunition and a crossbow at two residences after Monday’s attack.
PAYING RIOTERS: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not ruled out the possibility of compensating individuals involved in violence during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot from a new $1.776 billion fund. Blanche stated that anyone who believes they were politically targeted can apply for the “Anti-Weaponization Fund.”
TRUMP’S IRS WOES GONE: The U.S. government has agreed to permanently drop tax claims against President Trump, according to a settlement document that is part of a deal to resolve Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. As part of the settlement agreement, the U.S. is “forever barred and precluded” from examining or prosecuting Trump, his sons and the Trump organization’s current tax issues.
FIRE EVACUATIONS: More than 17,000 people are under evacuation orders as a wildfire continues to threaten homes in Southern California. The Sandy Fire in hills above Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, had consumed more than two square miles of dry brush as of yesterday. The fire is 5% contained, and the cause is under investigation.
WOMAN FALLS DOWN MANHOLE: A 56-yearold woman has died after falling into an open maintenance hole on a busy New York City street.
DEATHS
San Mateo County Coroner: May 18
Andy Chung-Aun Yu, 87, of San Bruno
May 17
Alison Terese Hash, 50, of San Francisco
May 16
James Leonard Dinges, 75, of San Mateo
William Stephen Moyle III, 65, of Belmont
May 15
Travis Purvis, 38, of San Bruno
Fred Goodall III, 76, of Burlingame
BIRTHS
El Camino Hospital in Mountain View: Sept. 19
Damiel Jeremiah Cortez Belong, a boy
Diana Catherine Boeger, a girl
Ada Hong Collison, a girl
Arth Budhbhatti Doshi, a boy
Aki Martinez Dulay, a boy
Liliana Mary Espinoza, a girl
Oliver Yunyou Huang, a boy
Joseph Anthony Jawad, a boy
Jessie Lee, a girl
Jackson Liu, a boy
Zara Ly, a girl
Tobias Hansol Ma, a boy
Alessandra Rae Martin, a girl
Julian Zhang Wu, a boy
Sept. 18
Adaeze Dora Akujor, a girl
Rylan Zhang Cao, a boy
Aiden William Cotten, a boy
Ivaan Parin Dedhia, a boy
Nicholas Timothy Holden, a boy
Kimber Tru Mcallister, a girl
Iman Amira Mohammed, a girl
Kayden Hu Ren, a boy
Serenity Selene Ruizflores, a girl
Liam Shalgi, a boy
Sept. 17
Nisha Ankita Advani, a girl
Isabella Consuelos Bautista, a girl
Maisie Koppanyi Henderson, a girl
Madhvi Narikuzhiyil, a girl
Adam De La Cruz Ngo, a boy
Haran Shankar, a boy
Elliot Abraham Zhou, a boy
Vaidehi Cheelangi, a girl
Agastya Dantrey, a boy
Vy Phuong Tran, a girl
Isabella Zhao, a girl
resolution setting building, planning and other fees and charges to be collected for Fiscal Year 2026/27. The City will consider all oral or written presentations for an against the fee schedule at the public hearing.
Copies of the current fee schedule and the proposed fee schedule, along with the Staff Report, will be available for review in the Office of the City Clerk prior to the public hearing and at the public hearing. Interested parties may obtain a copy by request and are invited to express their opinions.
Melissa Thurman City Clerk
§LAMC Section 3.20.050
Publication: Daily Post Publication Request Date: May 20, 2026
Proponents push for Cubberley tax
BY EMILY MIBACH Daily Post Managing Editor
Proponents of a tax to revamp Cubberley Community Center urged Palo Alto City Council to move forward with plans to OK plans that may lead to a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot to fund long-sought upgrades to the dilapidated center, despite lacking poll numbers.
“I was on council, believe it or not, from 1980 to 1989, and we were talking about Cubberley then,” former Mayor Betsy Bechtel said during council’s meeting on Monday.
Bechtel was one of nearly 40 residents or patrons of the community center who spoke in favor of the revamp plan that’s estimated to cost between $300 to $400 million. That also includes the cost to buy eight acres of the community center from the Palo Alto School District, which owns most of the 35-acre site.
Council action
Council voted unanimously to have City Manager Ed Shikada come back at the June 8 meeting with plans to put a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot. The vote also included council OKing the conceptual plans of the revitalized community center, including renovating the pavilion and the current
theater. The renovated pavilion would be used by TheatreWorks.
Some residents who spoke asked council to reconsider renovating the pavilion to serve as a theater. Members of the ballroom dancing group that has been using the pavilion for 35 years as a place for exercise and socializing for mostly senior citizens in Palo Alto expressed apprehension about moving to a different part of Cubberley as a result of the revamp.
Only two people spoke against the plans Monday. Resident Phil Mast, who is a TheatreWorks subscriber, said the pavilion ought to stay as a gym. He didn’t see the reasoning in using millions of taxpayer dollars to “destroy a vital sports facility for an unnecessary theater.”
Weak polling numbers
Although council chambers were filled with supporters of the Cubberley revamp, polling numbers show an uphill battle.
After poll respondents heard negative comments about the tax, 46% said they would still vote yes to pass the tax. Before hearing the negative spin, 55% of respondents said they’d vote yes. Council is set to further discuss the tax on June 8.
❝ Having worked closely with Jim for more than a decade, I’ve seen firsthand his professionalism, technical expertise, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment to public service. Together, we developed more than 22 nationally and locally recognized award-winning programs focused on innovation, accountability, and service to the public. Jim is fully prepared to lead this award-winning department on day one. ❞
Mark Church
Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Chief Elections Officer
Endorsed by Jackie Speier, Anna Eshoo, Ray Mueller, Marc Berman, Noelia Corzo, Dave Pine, Jerry Hill, Adrienne Tissier, Sandie Arnott, Juan Raigoza and many other trusted community leaders.
Superintendent hopefuls give last pitches
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
The two candidates for San Mateo County schools superintendent tried to win Portola Valley voters over, with both candidates referencing a Post article about candidate Chelsea Bonini’s credentials.
Hector Camacho Jr. told the audience on Monday that his experience working in both a classroom and as a school administrator has prepared him for any obstacle that could come with being the San Mateo County schools superintendent.
“You want to make sure that the person that is leading the education system in this county is aware of all the pieces that matter in terms of education code and how we implement that with fidelity,” Camacho said.
On April 15 the Post published an
article quoting the nonprofit California County Superintendents Association, which represents the 58 county superintendents of schools and county offices of education, saying it is illegal for a candidate who doesn’t have the full credential held by school administrators to appear on the ballot.
Bonini said the questioning of her credentials is a distraction created by the Post.
Bonini said the only difference between her credentials and Camacho’s is that she doesn’t hold an administrative position. She said that, as a business attorney who founded Kiski Law, she has read the education code.
Camacho touts experience
Camacho said there are many challenges administrators face, such as students showing up to school hungry, and years of experience prepare you
for that. Working in a classroom for 16 years has taught him that there is very little time to formulate a plan when students face a crisis.
“You don’t really have very much time to get it wrong, and that comes from experience,” Camacho said.
Camacho, 45, of South San Francisco, is executive director of equity, social justice and inclusion at the San Mateo County Office of Education. He has worked as a teacher and counselor for over 25 years.
Bonini’s resume
Bonini, 53, of San Mateo, who has served on the Board of Education since 2020, says she has the experience to be superintendent. Her work as an attorney and training to be an administrator have prepared her for the job, Bonini said.
Being on the board and working as a second-grade teacher in Los Altos last year has given her a chance to be deeply
involved in the budget process, policy and all things you do as superintendent, she said. If elected, crisis support will be a priority, Bonini said. The county is already working to provide support to families, but she wants measurable goals.
“I will use my personal experience and having to take my own child to the psychiatrists, emergency room or to call 911,” Bonini said.
There is a need for youth crisis spaces in the county, which don’t exist, she said.
Camacho said his time as a high school guidance counselor is an example of how he has helped save lives. He helped coordinate an effort to implement preventive measures with an advisory program to assist students suffering from suicidal thoughts. One of his first assignments as an executive director was to provide grief counseling to a school that had lost one of its administrators, he said.
BONINI CAMACHO
EL CAMINO HEALT H FOUN DAT ION P RESEN TS A Conversation with ATUL GAWANDE, MD
Author of New York Times best seller
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Doors open: pm
Program begins: pm
For more information or tickets, scan the QR code or visit
Mountain View Center
by the Behar Family in loving memory of Drs Don & Elaine Ehrman and Jerry Behar
Parcel tax debate centers on need
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
An investment in stability or an unnecessary surcharge?
Current and former board members on Monday debated an $800 parcel tax measure for the Palo Alto Unified School District.
Board member Rowena Chiu said supporting Measure B on June 2 is a symbolic way for voters to show trust in board members, who are working to make changes amid tumultuous times.
Measure B “is a moral good and a public good” that represents the community’s support for its children, Chiu said.
But former board member Ken Dauber said board members break trust by asking for money the district doesn’t need.
“The parcel tax is not about signaling virtue or support for the schools. It’s a funding question,” Dauber said at the debate.
Strong financial position
The district has over $100 million in reserves. Property taxes are going up as enrollment declines each year, former board member Todd Collins said against Measure B.
“This is the new financial reality,” Collins said. “Let’s give our neighbors a well-deserved break and let the parcel tax lapse.”
Board member Shounak Dharap said it’s better to be safe than sorry, and voters should support Measure B to account for an uncertain economic future.
“For us, the parcel tax is the only
revenue stream that’s not reliant on Washington and Sacramento,” he said. “It’s not enough to say we have enough money now, because we don’t know if we’re going to have enough money in two to five years.”
Dauber said the district is already being safe with its reserves, which could cover about three months of operations and are 10 times the state requirement. The district gets most of its revenue from guaranteed property taxes, and adding $14 million per year from Measure B won’t make a difference, Dauber said.
“The district’s finances are in the best shape in living memory,” Collins said.
Eyes on the future
Dharap and Chiu agreed the district is in a strong financial position, but vot-
ers can’t assume enrollment and revenue trends will continue.
“We want to spend down the reserve, but we want to do it carefully, consciously … slowly,” Chiu said.
Dharap said future board members may reduce the parcel tax, and the current board already went down from $941 per year. But to pull the rug out now would be scary and financially irresponsible, he said.
“That $100 million isn’t going to me. It’s not going to Rowena,” Dharap said.
The one-hour debate was moderated by former board member Terry Godfrey. Teachers’ union president Tom Culbertson, Acting Superintendent Herb Espiritu and board members Josh Salcman, Alison Kamhi and Shana Segal were in the crowd at 25 Churchill Ave.
‘Yes on Measure B’ campaign raises nearly $10K
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer
A campaign supporting a parcel tax for the Palo Alto Unified School District has released its first fundraising report, showing five donations totaling $9,450.
The “Yes on Measure B” campaign has received donations from teachers’ union president Tom Culbertson ($1,000), the Palo Alto Council of PTAs ($950) and Santa Clara County Board of Education member Jessica Speiser ($500).
The largest donations are from two
district contractors: LPA Design Studios ($2,000) and Overwatch Construction Management ($5,000).
LPA Design Studios is an architectural firm from San Jose that’s designed new campuses, including Greene Middle School and Escondido Elementary School.
Overwatch, based in Anaheim, has a $2.6 million annual contract to manage the district’s building maintenance, playground replacements and fire alarm upgrades using voter-approved bonds.
The parcel tax campaign bought 500
lawn signs for $9,000 on Monday, campaign finance forms show.
Support questioned
Former board members Todd Collins and Ken Dauber, who oppose Measure B, criticized the “yes” campaign for its lack of lawn signs and fundraising in late April.
“What we are seeing now is a historic lack of enthusiasm from the very people — parents and donors — who usually provide the backbone of school support,” Dauber said in a statement.
Collins and Dauber said they are intentionally running a bare-bones opposition campaign.
Measure B supporter Sarah Cornwell said the “yes” campaign is a grassroots effort with strong support from parents and teachers.
Ballots went out for Measure B on May 4 and are due on June 2.
While the two sides disagree over how much support there is for Measure B’s $800 annual parcel tax, the district’s voters have routinely approved such taxes in the past.
New homes OK’d
BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
Palo Alto City Council has approved 16 homes on a one-acre lot off Arastradero Road, despite neighbors fearing they’ll get trapped in a wildfire in the semi-rural area.
“You are putting our safety at risk,” neighbor Shailesh Mehra told council on Monday.
State law impact
City Attorney Chris Jensen said state law prevents council from denying the project at 4103 Old Trace Road, unless the city shows an objective risk to public safety
“That is a very narrow exception,” Jensen told council.
The project meets the fire department’s standards for emergency access, Planning Director Jonathan Lait said.
But neighbors said adding parked cars on the road would block fire engines and ambulances from getting into the Esther Clark Park neighborhood. They said housing is better suited near bus stops or train stations.
“There’s probably room for two homes honestly, four homes if you really wanted to slam in there real close,” resident Chris Brosnan said.
The project by the company Steelbridge includes seven single-family houses, each with an attached cottage, and two standalone houses.
Council approved the project 6-0, with Mayor Vicki Veenker absent.
College student accused of raping 12-year-old girl
BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer
A Menlo College student has been arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl, a prosecutor said.
Andres Manuel Aguilar, 19, of San Jose, is being charged with a felony of sexual assault toward a 12-year-old, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
Aguilar met with the girl on May 5 at around 9 p.m., after she sneaked out of her home, Wagstaffe said. They had previously
met at a bus stop near the college on El Camino Real, and Aguilar thought she was 17, according to Wagstaffe.
Alleged incident
That night, they walked to Safeway and bought beer and rum and walked back to Aguilar’s dorm in the college. They both drank and smoked marijuana until Aguilar took off her pants, the DA said. The girl repeatedly told Aguilar no, but he sexually assaulted her before raping the girl, despite her
repeatedly telling him no, Wagstaffe said.
Aguilar was worried she would get pregnant and ordered Plan B on DoorDash, according to Wagstaffe.
The next day, the girl went to school and reported the incident to a school administrator, who then called Child Protective Services and her mom. The girl was then taken to Stanford Hospital for treatment.
Aguilar is in jail on no-bail status. He will be in court on May 21.
You know what makes any party better? Lobster. Whenever you want to indulge your craving and have a blast with family and friends, remember there’s nothing more festive than your own home lobster boil – or more easy.
That’s because New England Lobster Market & Eatery puts the party in one all-inclusive pot, which you can either order for curbside pickup or get delivered straight to your door. Each DIY home lobster boil pot – yes, the pot itself is included – comes with four 1.25-pound live lobsters, four artichokes, a pound of shrimp, four Louisiana hot links, four pieces of corn, potatoes, onion and garlic, along with seasoning and lemon. It also comes with some bibs and two lobster crackers.
A Lobster Party Is the Best Party
All you have to do is follow the included cooking instructions and boil it all up.
Then of course, you lay newspaper all over your table, serve it all up in classic New England style and get that party started. It’s no-fuss, all-fun.
Whatever kind of meal you’re looking for, lobster always makes it better and New England Lobster is always happy to help. They have been a premier supplier of Maine lobsters, Dungeness crab and shellfish locally since 1987. They get live lobsters delivered by air mail from New England year-round, so those crustaceans are as fresh as it gets.
When you feel like getting out and enjoying yourself, check out their restaurant. Inspired by traditional New England lobster shacks, they offer a menu full of succulent seafood like their fresh Maine lobster platters, classic lobster rolls (naked or dressed), Dungeness crab rolls, oysters, lobster tacos, lobster corn chowder, lobster mac and cheese, and more.
All their lobster and crab meat is freshly picked and cooked daily, and they make every dish from scratch. You can grab a craft beer or soda or a glass of wine to enjoy with your meal, then round out your East Coast experience in Burlingame with a house-made whoopie pie for dessert.
Drop by for lunch or dinner, or during their happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. when you can enjoy $3 beers, $2 oysters and $1 any of their seafood tacos and all wines.
For more information about ordering your own lobster boil party in a pot or anything else seafood-related, call (650) 443-1559 or go to newenglandlobster.net. They’re open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. the best of
$2995 2 Lobster Tails
2 X 3-4 /oz tails with
AbilityPath will celebrates the launch of its new Creative Arts Program at Mitchell Park Place, the affordable housing development that opened to fanfare just last week. While AbilityPath has a long history of elevating artists of all abilities and connecting them with the broader community, the new program and its dedicated space in the ground floor of Mitchell Park Place is a totally re-imagined approach to arts programming, aimed at expanding opportunities for creative expression, skill-building, and social connection.
AbilityPath, an organization that supports people with disabilities and their families, will be offering art programs, computer education, meeting spaces, exercise classes, and more in a community space, a convenient location for residents of Mitchell Park Place and other local community members. Among those services is its expansive Creative Arts Program. As Art Director Taylor Buttrey explains, the program is designed to “spark creativity, unlock
the best of the BAY AREA
AbilityPath Unveils New Creative Arts Program at Mitchell Park Place
skills, and create new pathways toward independence.”
The new program, offered to participants 18 years and older who have graduated from high school, offers structured curricula on three tracks:
• Visual and performing arts, including video recording and podcasts;
• An “Artrepreneurial” path that explores career opportunities, including marketing and branding, for those seeking to earn a living from their talents; and
• Art therapy to support emotional wellness.
The revamped Creative Arts Program is much more than art classes. Buttrey is especially keen on the “artrepreneurial” track. “Employment is a challenge for many of our program participants,” he says. “To help someone take something they love and parlay that into a career opportunity is exciting.” Daniel Arroyo, an AbilityPath artist, agrees: “My hopes and dreams are to make a living out of my art. Dreams are for everybody — no limits on dreams, no limits on people.”
•Ages 0 to 6 •Personalized Instruction •Low Teacher to Child Ratio •Extended Care •Full Time, Part Time, Drop-in Care
Art therapy is another key component of the new program. Buttrey points out that participants often suffer disproportionately from trauma, anxiety, depression, and processing delays. “To be able to process their emotions through a creative outlet can be a game changer,” he adds.
AbilityPath has been a cornerstone of the community for over 100 years, providing a lifespan of support services to people with disabilities in the greater Bay Area. Their mission is celebrating neurodiversity and empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through innovative, inclusive programs and community partnerships. With educational, therapeutic, vocational, and family support services, they are distinctive in providing support to individuals throughout their lifetimes. Visit their website at abilitypath.org to learn more.
Ribbon cutting of the Creative Arts Program at Mitchell Park Place
Taylor Buttrey Art Director
Philip Ma, Artist
Collaborative Piece Artists: Per Maresca and Leo Mancilla
At Caminar’s new Teen and Family Wellness Center Palo Alto, adolescents and their families can find accessible help and support to improve their mental health and emotional well-being.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Caminar knows that teens face more social and academic pressure than ever, making the need for youth-centered therapy paramount. The center helps adolescents ages 12-17 navigate challenges including anxiety, depression, identity development, trauma, family conflict, interpersonal boundaries, victimization, bullying, and body image concerns.
SERVICES INCLUDE:
• A comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment for each teen and treatment plans that reflect their goals, values and strengths.
• Individual therapy tailored to each teen, with weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly sessions offered in person, via telehealth, or as a hybrid. Appointments are available in the late afternoon and early evening to accommodate school schedules.
• Counseling sessions with the teen’s family members, in which licensed clinicians help center each teen’s voice, build trust and support each family’s cultural values, availability and relational dynamics.
And very soon, Caminar will offer age-specific
Caminar: Supporting Teens and Families
group therapy focused on topics like expressive arts, mindfulness and social-emotional learning.
Some families try to find therapy but are kept from getting the care they need by high costs, long waiting lists and/or intimidating insurance challenges. The Caminar Teen and Family Wellness Center offers competitive private-pay pricing at $200 an hour for high-quality therapy with their team of experienced licensed clinicians.
“Growing up today comes with complex emotional and social pressures, and many families struggle to find high-quality mental health care,” said Caminar CEO Mark Cloutier.
“This center provides timely, expert support in a setting designed specifically for teens and their families. Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where young people feel heard, supported in their mental health and identity, and empowered to grow.”
Caminar, a leading Bay Area behavioral health nonprofit, was founded in 1964 and supports thousands of youths and adults across Northern California with comprehensive mental health and
substance use treatment. They bring this wealth of experience as they expand their offerings for middle and high schoolers. Their goal is to break down barriers to get adolescents access to help when they most need it.
“At the Caminar Teen and Family Wellness Center, we have the opportunity for early mental health intervention, to avert a more significant crisis later on,” said Rod Sockolov, mental health advocate and former Caminar Board Member.
With an evidence-based, whole-person approach, Caminar’s therapists help teens build emotional strength and resilience while guiding families to connect through healthier communication, trust and boundaries.
No referral is needed to access their services. To learn more about how Caminar can help your teen and your family, call (650) 543-5403 or visit caminar.org/ teenwellness.
Mark Cloutier Caminar CEO
Jo-Ann Byrne Sockolov, Caminar Board Chair (left), and Mark Cloutier, Caminar CEO (right), receive a commendation from Dr. Elica Rahdar, senior policy analyst with the D3 team at the County of Santa Clara, who represented Santa Clara County Supervisor President Otto Lee.
Breast screening advice can differ
Deciding when to get routine mammograms is confusing. Some health groups recommend women begin at age 40 or 45 while another recently opted for age 50. They also differ on whether yearly or every other year is best.
The conflicting advice is at least partly because guidelines for breast cancer screening are designed for women at average risk and with no possible cancer symptoms. But breast cancer is so common that it is hard to know who is really “average” and how to balance the pros and cons of screening.
“Breast cancer is not one disease,” said Dr. Laura Esserman of the University of California, San Francisco. “So how in the world does it make sense to screen everybody the same when everyone doesn’t have the same risk?”
When to get a mammogram
The newest guidance comes from the American College of Physicians, which recommends that average-risk women ages 50 to 74 get an every-other-year mammogram. For those 40 to 49, the guideline says to discuss pros and cons
with a doctor and if they choose screening, to go every other year.
That advice, issued last month, was a surprise. Most other U.S. health groups have urged women to start earlier, in their 40s. The influential U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently switched its guidance to start every-other-year mammograms at age 40 instead of 50.
The American Cancer Society has long recommended yearly mammograms for 45- to 54-year-olds — but says they can choose to start at 40. For those age 55 and older, the cancer society says women can switch to every other year or choose to keep going for yearly checks.
The new American College of Physicians guidelines also say doctors can ask if women 75 or older wish to stop routine screening. In contrast, the cancer society says there is no reason to stop if they are still healthy.
More than 320,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Death rates have been dropping for decades, thanks largely
Physical & Occupational Therapy
HOLISTIC HEALING FOR
to better treatments. But it is still the second-most common cause of cancer death in U.S. women — and diagnoses are inching up.
Why don’t experts agree?
The higher a woman’s risk of eventually developing breast cancer, the more benefit she will derive from more frequent screenings. But beyond some well-known factors like the cancer-causing BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, it is hard for women to know their true risk. Age has long been a proxy because the risk of breast cancer rises as women get older.
Mammograms aren’t perfect. Some-
Some
times they miss cancer or an aggressive tumor pops up after a routine mammogram. But guidelines seek to balance the benefits of catching cancer early with possible harms, such as stress and pain from investigating suspicious spots that don’t turn out to be cancerous.
“We’re not saying there’s no benefit” from mammograms in the 40s, cautioned Dr. Carolyn Crandall of the University of California, Los Angeles, who chaired the American College of Physicians report. But “there’s a narrower balance between the benefits you could get and the harms in 40- to 49-yearolds.”
Mysterious skin growth?
Crave | THE EVENT: Sound Bath
Rare Ebola strain spreads in Congo
The head of the World Health Organization yesterday expressed concern over the “scale and speed” of an outbreak of a rare type of Ebola known as Bundibugyo in eastern Congo, where authorities reported 134 suspected deaths and more than 500 suspected cases.
ric masks. “I know the consequences of Ebola, I know what it’s like,” said a worried resident, Noela Lumo.
Crave | THE EVENT: Sound Bath
Crave | THE EVENT: Sound Bath
Friday, May 15 | 7:15pm - 8:15pm
The virus spread undetected for weeks after the first known death as authorities tested for a more common type of Ebola and came up negative, health experts and aid workers said. The Bundibugyo virus has no approved medicines or vaccines.
Vaccine on the way Congo was expecting shipments from the United States and Britain of an experimental vaccine for different types of Ebola, developed by researchers at Oxford, said Jean-Jacques Muyembe, a virus expert at the National Institute of Biomedical Research.
Friday, May 15 | 7:15pm - 8:15pm
Friday, May 29 | 7:15-8:15pm
Join Paitra as she invites you to pause and let your heart be lifted. Through vocals and EarthTones crystal bowls, she’ll weave together sound and stillness to support your nervous system and gently raise your vibration, opening you to the warmth, beauty, and tenderness that are always present, even when they're easy to miss.
Join Jen Acristo for a Friday night reset. This immersive experience is designed to soothe your nervous system and help you release accumulated stress. As you lie comfortably, waves of sound from crystal bowls and other healing instruments will guide you into a meditative state, quieting the mind and easing tension.
Join Paitra as she invites you to pause and let your heart be lifted. Through vocals and EarthTones crystal bowls, she’ll weave together sound and stillness to support your nervous system and gently raise your vibration, opening you to the warmth, beauty, and tenderness that are always present, even when they're easy to miss.
sign-up at craveyoga-mv.com
sign-up at craveyoga-mv.com
In Bunia, the site of the first known death, health workers in protective gear moved among residents wearing fab-
“We will administer the vaccine and see who develops the disease,” he said. Ebola is a highly contagious virus and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen. The disease it causes is rare but often fatal.
Find peace by tidying up
It’s spring cleaning season, and for some people that can mean drudgery or anxiety.
But experts from Zen monks to psychologists say there are mental health benefits to be found in such manual chores as sweeping, mopping and clearing away clutter. These tasks can encourage mindfulness or permit the mind to wander, all while producing a concrete sense of achievement in accomplishing the basic tasks of daily life.
What the monks know
As one famous Zen saying goes: “Before enlightenment, chop
wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”
Zen apprentices, or “unsui” monks, spend much of their time cleaning and tidying.
“We sweep dust to remove worldly desires. We scrub dirt to free ourselves of attachments,”
Shoukei Matsumoto, a Buddhist monk living in Kyoto, Japan, wrote in his book “A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind.” “The time we spend carefully cleaning out every nook and cranny of the temple grounds is extremely fulfilling.”
Rather than needing a perfect result, says Matsumoto, try to em-
brace incompletion without being anxious.
“Peace is found not in the final ‘tidy state,’” he says, “but in the humble, ongoing act of emptying the space and our minds.
Regulating act
Holly Schiff, a clinical psychologist in Greenwich, Conn., confirms that the process of cleaning can be almost meditative.
“Repetitive, physical activities like cleaning can be regulating for the nervous system because they’re predictable, structured and give a clear sense of completion,” she says.
Your participation will help us improve future early detection of aging related brain diseases.
The study may be a good fit for you if you are:
❏ 55-95 years old
❏ Must be able to speak, listen, read, and write Chinese (Mandarin);
❏ Can be bilingual (No requirement for English proficiency; all study visits can be conducted in Mandarin)
❏ Must be willing to have brain MRI
❏ Complete basic questionnaire about your age, race, health, and family history
❏ Visit Locus Center at 1201 Welch Rd, Stanford, CA 94305 for brain MRI (1hr)
❏ Visit CogT Lab at 1070 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304 for memory and thinking test (1.5 hr) and blood draw (20 CC) (30 min)
A $50 check will be awarded for completion of the test, thanking you for your participation
Times shown are when a report was made to police. Information is from police department logs. All of the people named here are innocent until proven guilty in court.
PALO ALTO
APRIL 24
7:12 p.m. — Vijay Chaudhary, 20, of Stanford, arrested for grand theft, Stanford Shopping Center.
MAY 6
9:04 p.m. — Auto burglary, 500 block of Lytton Ave.
MAY 7
12:43 p.m. — Sun Hwan Kim, 53, of Pacifica, arrested for shoplifting, Stanford Shopping Center.
MAY 9
1:13 a.m. — Rodney L. Mullen, 33, of San Jose, cited on a warrant, 200 block of University Ave.
MAY 10
12:03 p.m. — Sage Jack, 31, of Northglenn, Colo., arrested for shoplifting, Stanford Shopping Center.
MAY 12
8:51 p.m. — Sheik Riaz Ali, 44, of Gilroy, cited on a warrant, 400 block of Bryant St.
THURSDAY
4:29 p.m. — Gael Chavez, 19, of Redwood City, arrested for shoplifting, Stanford Shopping Center.
FRIDAY
6:20 a.m. — Franklin Agustin Ruiz, 31, of Oakland, arrested on a warrant at Palo Alto Police Dept., 275 Forest Ave.
9:27 a.m. — Grand theft at the Verizon store, 222 University Ave.
MENLO PARK
SUNDAY
1:58 a.m. — Jesus Romero Rangel, 31, of East Palo Alto, arrested for DUI and driving with a suspended or revoked license, 1400 block of Willow Road.
7:47 p.m. — Tree falls on a vehicle, 100 block of Willow Road.
MONDAY
11:50 a.m. — Bernard Washington, 45, of East Palo Alto, arrested on a warrant, University Ave. at the railroad tracks.
4:51 p.m. — Noah Roland Lee Mallory, 25, of San Francisco, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, Middle Ave. and El Camino.
Criminal History Record Clearing
✓ 50 years legal experience
✓ certificates of rehabilitation
✓ dismissals
✓ expungements
✓ factual innocence
✓ reductions to misdemeanor
✓ sealings
DIAL: (408) PARDONS
11:01 p.m. — Linda Susan Lopez, 61, of East Palo Alto, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, 1500 block of Willow Road.
10:38 p.m. — Barnabas Daru, 42, of Menlo Park, arrested for domestic battery, Campbell Lane.
STANFORD
MAY 11
7:49 a.m. — Auto burglary, 1700 block of Stanford Ave.
7:33 p.m. — Auto burglary, Galvez St. and Campus Drive.
7:46 p.m. — Bicycle stolen, 200 block of Campus Drive.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
APRIL 1
10:45 p.m. — Sang Ma, 43, transient, cited for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia at Safeway, 645 San Antonio Road.
APRIL 5
2:27 a.m. — Jhoiner Mora Torres, 22, of Sunnyvale, cited for DUI, Villa and View streets.
MAY 11
6:14 a.m. — Auto burglary, 100 block of Chetwood Drive.
7:56 a.m. — Auto burglary, 1900 block of Latham St.
9:04 a.m. — Paul Pichulo, 59, arrested for grand theft, money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime, 1300 block of W. Middlefield Road.
11:47 a.m. — Steven Windes, 32, transient, arrested on a warrant. Location not disclosed.
3:34 p.m. — Omar Torres, 45, of San Jose, arrested for being under the influence of drugs, drug possession and theft of someone else’s lost property, 200 block of Escuela Ave.
3:34 p.m. — Robbery, Morning Sun Court.
7:59 p.m. — Sex crime, 900 block of Solana Court.
9:59 p.m. — Battery, 400 block of N. Shoreline Blvd.
LOS ALTOS
MAY 8
12:30 p.m. — Eileen Sistoza, 42, of San Bernardino, cited on a warrant at Los Altos Police Dept., 1 N. San Antonio Road.
SUNDAY
1:55 p.m. — Sohrab Zokaei, 66, of
Gold: Your Best Insurance
Trade Wars and Currency Wars are accelerating worldwide.
The old monetar y system is failing. Indebted national currencies are depreciating in a see-saw race to the bottom. So much worldwide debt is in default or is being masked with more debt. Politicians posture at each other, but they all created the situation by buying power and favors while mor tgaging your children’s future.
Stocks and bond markets, long suppor ted by Central Banks, may be challenged going for ward as governments have exhausted their debt expansion tools. Recent new highs in equities, due to some promising companies, may be more post-election hope than substance. Cr yptocurrencies had their run, but the hope for a sounder and more private fiat system remains challenged while a past price bubble for the majority has been costly. Bitcoin is an example of those still per forming among the thousands of currencies & tokens in this young experiment.
Wise and calm obser vers know that longterm, gold is money, not debt, not paper promises. For thousands of years it has protected families from currency depreciation, paper defaults, and cer tain political abuses.
If you have been waiting to buy gold, or buy it “cheaper,” reconsider. Gold bottomed near $1040 at the end of 2015. We are in a new multi-year uptrend reconfirmed by the current strength just below all time highs. Monetar y scientists understand that the repricing of gold is just getting star ted. Each crisis seems to become more pronounced as the debt monetar y system disintegrates towards failure. Gold is best accumulated, not speculated. Star t saving in gold, and make it a habit.
Come visit Mish International and find out what probabilities lie ahead for gold and related commodities. Learn why gold must be a necessary par t of your assets.
Since 1964, the wisest advice and best prices for gold
Police Blotter
Altos, cited on a warrant, 600
ATHERTON
MONDAY
10:29 a.m. — Assault, Middlefield Road.
1:42 p.m. — Credit cards stolen, Park Lane.
NORTH FAIR OAKS
THURSDAY
12:51 a.m. — Patrice Clare Harrold, 73, of Redwood City, arrested for drug possession and on a warrant, Fifth Ave. and Bay Road. A charge is added later for bringing drugs into a jail.
2:44 a.m. — Nicholas Alexis Zarich, 45, of Redwood City, cited on a warrant, 3100 block of El Camino.
REDWOOD CITY
MAY 13
9:05 p.m. — Woman says she was tricked into sending $17,000 in cash, $2,000 in gift cards and about $1,000 in Bitcoin to a scammer, 100 block of Nimitz Ave.
THURSDAY
1:23 a.m. — Two men reported to be hitting each other, Redwood City Caltrain Station. Police are unable to find the men.
5:36 a.m. — Hard top stolen off of a Honda convertible, Foothill St.
8:12 a.m. — Phone stolen, Middlefield Road.
8:17 a.m. — Rental vehicle shop says a customer is a week late on returning the vehicle and is not responding to calls, El Camino.
8:34 a.m. — Two-vehicle accident blocking the roadway, Winslow St.
11:49 a.m. — Elderly woman says a man tricked her while she was at the ATM and withdrew money from her account, Woodside Road.
12:11 p.m. — Vandalism, 10th Ave.
12:15 p.m. — Counterfeit bills used to pay for a purchase at a business, Woodside Road.
2:08 p.m. — Carlos Sepulveda Contreras, 22, arrested on a warrant at San Mateo County Jail, 300 Bradford St.
WOODSIDE
MAY 10
3:45 p.m. — Vehicle tampering, 100 block of Runnymede Road.
THURSDAY
1:10 p.m. — Jesus Manuel Lopez, 32, of San Mateo,
arrested for possession of cocaine for sale, possession of narcotics while also having a loaded gun, being a felon in possession of a gun and carrying a concealed and loaded gun in a vehicle, Woodside and Canada roads.
SAN CARLOS
MAY 8
11 a.m. — Thief steals a check, alters the payment amount to $14,409, and cashes it, 800 block of Laurel St.
THURSDAY
12:55 p.m. — Sam Vi Huynh, 45, of San Francisco, arrested on a warrant, 1100 block of Old County Road.
8:46 p.m. — Modesto Gonzalez Sanchez, 43, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, Sylvan Drive and Old County Road.
9:26 p.m. — John Edward Linderer Jr., 42, of Fairfield, cited on warrants, 1100 block of Old County Road.
BELMONT
SUNDAY
7:41 p.m. — Resident says a neighbor’s dogs came onto his property and killed his chickens, Monte Cresta Court.
News coverage
The Post won national awards for its coverage of the:
• controversy surrounding San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus
• the opioid crisis
• the slow release of after-action reports on the Covid outbreak
• coverage of a massive fire that destroyed a housing development in North Fair Oaks
Advertising
The Post’s advertising and graphics staff won first place national awards for:
• Best Advertising Idea •
Series Ad Using Color
Real Estate
The Post prints the latest real estate transactions.
PALO ALTO
200 Sheridan Ave. #207, 94306, 2 bedrooms, 1342 square feet, built in 1997, Sheridan Plaza LLC to Vera and Noel Kenehan for $1,175,000, closed April 20
674 Bryson Ave., 94306, 1801 square feet, built in 1949, Ward Family Trust to Qingyi and Bailong Jin for $2,578,000, closed April 24
331 Carolina Lane, 94306, 3 bedrooms, 1374 square feet, built in 1950, Mark Roberts to Jung and Eugene Hyun for $2,600,000, closed April 22
EAST PALO ALTO
128 Grace Ave., 94303, 3 bedrooms, 1020 square feet, built in 1954, Jiang and Miao Fam 2017 Trust to Lydia Navarrete for $925,000, closed April 10 (last sale: $260,000, 0625-09)
2548 Hazelwood Way, 94303, 4 bedrooms, 1720 square feet, built in 1956, Maria Gomez to Jumana and Mansoorali Companywala for $990,000, closed April 8
MENLO PARK
675 Sharon Park Drive #245, 94025, 2 bedrooms, 1098 square feet, built in 1968, Belle Living Trust to Mag and Boda Chen for $899,000, closed April 10 (last sale: $900,000, 1110-23)
300 Sand Hill Circle #301, 94025, 3 bedrooms, 2160 square feet, built in 1974, Itskovitz Family Trust to Crawford Trust for $2,180,000, closed April 6
MOUNTAIN VIEW
400 Ortega Ave. #313, 94040, 2 bedrooms, 995 square feet, built in 1975, Sunset Trust to Leda Sari for $820,000, closed April 22 (last sale: $420,000, 01-25-13)
426 Hillwood Court #303, 94040, 2 bedrooms, 1240 square feet, built in 1988, Tensuan Trust to Holly and Wesley Claiborne for $1,180,000, closed April 24 1993 Plymouth St. #11, 94043, 3 bedrooms, 1401 square feet, built in 1982, Miyahara Trust to Sommer Trust for $1,225,000, closed April 20 (last sale: $535,000, 04-07-00)
ATHERTON
53 McCormick Lane, 94027, 7 bedrooms, 5410 square feet, built in 1933, Sonia Survivors Trust to 53 McCormick Lane LLC for $13,132,000, closed April 9
LOS ALTOS
805 North San Antonio Road, 94022, 3 bedrooms, 1086 square feet, built in 1995, Mark and Lynn Bednarski Trust to Zuomin and Hui Xu for $1,740,000, closed April 20
3003 Marcelli Circle, 94022, 3 bedrooms, 1429
square feet, built in 2014, Henry Pang to Hanna and James Yi for $1,889,000, closed April 21 (last sale: $1,910,000, 08-11-22)
PORTOLA VALLEY
15 Bear Paw, 94028, 4 bedrooms, 2910 square feet, built in 1978, Hannan-Olzak Family Trust to Dowd Trust for $3,660,000, closed April 10 (last sale: $725,000, 06-01-91)
REDWOOD CITY
1105 Oak Ave., 94061, 2 bedrooms, 930 square feet, built in 1946, Mario and Nohemi Krell to Carolyn Fairman for $1,100,000, closed April 1 (last sale: $1,040,000, 05-14-20)
852 Lakeshore Drive, 94065, 2 bedrooms, 1412 square feet, built in 1989, Massing Living Trust to Li Trust for $1,250,000, closed March 30 (last sale: $347,500, 05-01-89)
SAN CARLOS
2 Calypso Lane, 94070, 2 bedrooms, 1350 square feet, built in 1979, Corso Trust to Patel Family Trust for $1,500,000, closed April 1 (last sale: $1,460,000, 07-26-24)
BELMONT
1243 Talbryn Drive, 94002, 3 bedrooms, 1390 square feet, built in 1961, Pamela Schloss to Pol Ruiz for $2,183,000, closed April 3 (last sale: $525,000, 09-13-99)
Memorial Day Deals at
Honor the Moment. Upgrade Your Home.
Dreame, a consumer electronics company most Americans know for its robot vacuums, is hosting a Memorial Day Sale from May 19–24 only. The promotion includes a variety of smart home appliances, such as robot vacuums, lawn and pool care equipment, and beauty must-haves. For more details, please scan the QR code.
winning attorneys Michael Gilfix and Mark Gilfix will present. Space is limited, register now to reserve your free spot at gilfix.com/seminars.
Poll Seminar. Today, May 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto; Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Delta Hotels Santa Clara Silicon Valley in Santa Clara. Award-
HEAD WEST RETURNS TO LOS ALTOS this Sunday, May 24, at 11 a.m. HEAD WEST creates a neighborhood marketplace experience that brings together the spirit of the modern maker with the energy of the traveling vagabond, providing a space for our community of Makers, Crafters, Designers and Artists to connect with friends, neighbors and travelers. HEAD WEST has free entry, is kid- and pet-friendly, and all are welcome! Patrons can enjoy live music all day from local Bay Area musicians. Return engagements are scheduled for the fourth Sunday of every month through October.
MEDICINE HAS COME A LONG WAY—but when it comes to aging and end-oflife care, are we focusing on what truly matters? El Camino Health Foundation invites you to join Dr. Atul Gawande, author of the New York Times bestseller “Being Mortal,” in conversation with Dr. Mark Adams of El Camino Health for an important discussion on patient-centered care, meaningful conversations, and quality of life. Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://tickets. mvcpa.com/ECHAG. Learn how healthcare can better support what matters most.
KALOS, CO-FOUNDED BY HEALTH ENTHUSIAST Callum Parker, inspires individuals to take charge of their well-being. Their second location at 195 Forest Ave. in Palo Alto offers DEXA
Scans—the most accurate method to measure body fat, muscle, and bone density. In just six minutes, the scan provides detailed, data-driven insights. Unlike other providers, KALOS includes an in-person analysis and a personalized plan tailored to help you build muscle, lose fat, or improve long-term health. The entire process takes only 30 minutes and is HSA/
FSA eligible through TrueMed. You can book your appointment at livekalos.com. Use the code “DAILYPOST” to receive 50% off your first scan.
ACNE TREATMENT. Acne primarily affects teenagers due to hormonal changes during puberty, and Palo Alto Dermatology Institute (PADI) offers customized treatments featuring the advanced TheraClearX acne laser. These treatments target breakouts at the source, calm inflammation, and promote clear, healthy skin to help teenagers gain the confidence they need. Call (650) 606-7234 to book an appointment. PADI is located at 301 High St. in Downtown Palo Alto.
A NEW ERA IN WOMEN’S INTIMATE HEALTH. Shockwave therapy is redefining women’s sexual wellness with a cutting-edge, non-invasive solution. This treatment uses low-intensity sound waves to enhance blood flow, promote tissue repair, and restore natural function. While applied externally, its effects reach beneath the surface—helping identify and address the underlying causes of discomfort or change. Women may experience improved sensitivity, increased lubrication, enhanced comfort, and reduced pain. Unlike medications or surgical options, these treatments are fast, require no downtime, and focus on long-term healing rather than temporary relief.
Call (650) 360-9373. Shown in the photo is Exec. Dir. Kim Gladfelter, MPT, OCS, FAAOMPT. PhysioFit_KimGladfelter
NEED A LITTLE TLC FOR your vacuum? The Vacuum repair shop is here to give your old vacuum a fresh new lease on life. Simply drop it off and Steve will give you a call when it’s ready. The Saget family has two Steves, Alex and Steve, who are expert repair people. They also sell new and refurbished vacuums and sewing machines. This
is a traditional family-owned fix-it repair shop for anything electrical. Feel free to call Steve or Alex at (650) 968-6539 or drop by 1446 W. El Camino Real in Mountain View. You can also browse the showroom for new and refurbished sewing machines and vacuums.
FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANT STILL GOING strong for over 50 years. Galen Fletcher continues to operate one of the finest steakhouse restaurants in the Bay Area. Galen’s dad Bob Fletcher opened the doors in 1974 and the Fletcher family has been serving mouth watering prime rib ever since. It’s pure classic American cuisine. They’ve never closed the doors and they have never changed the slow roasting style of preparing their award winning prime rib. They offer lunch and dinner in
the beautiful main dining room or the historic sports lounge. Award winning prime rib, fresh seafoods and a world class wine list await you. So take your choice, lunch or dinner. Sundance
The Steakhouse is located across the across the street from Stanford University at 1921 El Camino Real in Palo Alto. Check the website for the menu and call Galen Fletcher at (650) 321-6798 make a reservation.
PAUL HOBSON, A PHOTO RESTORATION expert, says, “Invest in your family’s future by preserving its past.” With his expertise in image manipulation, he breathes new life into old, faded, and damaged photos, creating cherished keepsakes for future generations. This rewarding service comes from his long career in graphic design and photography, where he advocated for digitizing all
precious memorabilia. Give Paul a call at (650) 272-1019.
and you can discuss how to become the
member of your family.
FLEA –––––––––
and returned to the market around June 2011. She said it’s difficult for parents to keep organizing the market because they stop when their students graduate.
The market has about 125 spaces and many of the same vendors who return every month.
“I can’t even think about how far back they go,” she said.
The market exploded in popularity after Covid, Smith said.
Vendors can pay $25 for two parking spaces or $35 for three spaces, with a $5 discount for seniors. Smith said she raises about $2,000 each month for the music program.
Finding treasures
Smith has found some treasures herself at the market, like a bowl that happened to fit her mixer that just broke. Her grandson in third grade asked her for a unicycle, and she happened to find one a couple months later.
“You never know what you’re going to find,” she
94022
said. There will be construction at Paly in August, so Smith decided to wrap up before then. The last markets will be June 13 and July 11.
Smith said she won’t miss the paperwork, emails and phone calls.
“But I love the day of the flea market when I meet with all the vendors and collect the money and talk to them and everything. It’s fun,” she said.
TAX –––––––––
enues,” Mendenhall said. If the city decides not to place the measure on the ballot, it will have to look at reducing services in the future, such as its police services.
San Carlos is one of the cities in the county that contracts the sheriff’s office for police services, and it has saved them $2 million yearly, according to Mendenhall.
The city gets revenue from sales taxes, but it receives only 11 cents of each dollar, while the rest goes to the state, county and transit agencies, Mendenhall said. The city also gets property taxes, under which it
receives about 13 cents of every dollar collected, with the rest going to schools, Mendenhall said.
What it will pay for
The proposed tax will help the city with projects such as the bicyclist bridge at Highway 101, which has increased in cost from $62 million to $112 million, Mendenhall said.
The city is looking to make improvements after Andrea Vallebueno, 31, of Palo Alto, died after colliding with a car on Holly Street near the Highway 101 overpass on Nov. 16, 2024.
The tax measure would just add a few pennies per purchase, Mendenhall said. For example, with a $10 purchase, the tax would add five cents, she said. The tax would not be added to groceries, medicine, diapers or feminine hygiene products, according to Mendenhall.
65% support
A survey the city conducted in October showed that 65% of residents would support a local sales tax to help the city, according to Mendenhall.
Commissioner Twisha Anand supported the tax,
but the city needs to be mindful of how it can affect small businesses, Anand said.
The city must take initiative now before any other agency decides to also place a sales tax measure on the ballot because of the county’s cap of 9.875%, Mendenhall said.
Facing BART tax
The proposed tax would be on the same ballot as the bailout half-cent sales tax measure for public transit in the Bay Area, such as BART, Muni and Caltrain, Mendenhall said. But the transit tax doesn’t count for the county’s cap, according to Mendenhall.
If both taxes pass, that will raise San Carlos’ sales tax to 10.37%, among the highest in the Bay Area.
Council previously supported the idea of the tax to help fund projects, such as turning the 700 block of Laurel Street into a promenade.
Community wants a lot
“Our community wants a lot of things. We keep hearing a lot of big projects ahead of us, and we do need to prepare and think ahead to support all of these community requests,” Councilwoman Sara McDowell said at a Nov. 10 meeting.
Council will hear the proposed tax measure on June 22 to decide whether to place it on the ballot, according to Mendenhall.
TOWERS ––––––
Builder’s Remedy, a provision in state law that requires cities to approve housing developments when they were late on their housing plan.
Previous iteration
Friese’s Builder’s Remedy proposal had 17-story, 11-story and seven-story buildings with a total of 382 apartments, including 77 subsidized units and 290 parking spaces.
Stone said the proposal was a hot topic during his 2024 campaign, and he heard residents wanted to re-
duce the height. So Friese’s negotiated proposal has a 14-story and two 12-story buildings with 390 apartments, including 50 subsidized units and 266 parking spaces.
“This helps the surrounding residents with shadows,” Lauing said.
Less subsidized housing
Councilman Pat Burt said he doesn’t like that the negotiated proposal results in less subsidized housing.
Friese said he could get “considerably higher” rents on upper floors, according to similar projects in San Francisco.
Friese and his team at Redco Development were good negotiators, Burt said.
“And I don’t blame them for it, but I don’t think we came out with a net (gain) for the community with that tradeoff,” Burt said.
Councilman Keith Reckdahl agreed with Burt that the Builder’s Remedy proposal “is the lesser of the two evils.”
How the vote shook out
Councilwoman Julie Lythcott-Haims agreed with Stone and Lauing. Mayor Vicki Veenker was absent, and Councilman George Lu, who was initially on the fence, was the swing vote.
The property at 156 California Ave. will be added to the city’s housing plan. Freise will go through a courtesy review with the Architectural Review Board before coming back to council later this year, Planning Director Jonathan Lait said.
Those for, against
Residents of the Evergreen Park neighborhood said they’re worried about parking overflow and traffic on Park Boulevard.
“It is still a huge, massive structure which looms over the neighborhood,” resident Michael Eager told council.
Housing advocates Steve Levy and Scott O’Neill said they support the development.
The negotiated project peaks at 144 feet. The tall-
est structure in the area is a 135-foot communications tower on top of the city’s new police headquarters at 250 Sherman Ave.
Palo Alto’s tallest building is a 15-story, 237-foot office center at 525 University Ave. City Hall is 122 feet.
ADOPT BRODY
Brody is a 9-year-old, 60-pound sweetheart with a loyal heart and a love for the outdoors. Whether he’s exploring a favorite trail, strolling through the neighborhood, or relaxing in the backyard, Brody is happiest simply spending time with his people. He has a calm, comforting presence that makes every moment feel a little softer and more peaceful. Brody has lived with kids and other dogs, so he’s familiar with the everyday rhythm of family life. He enjoys meeting new friends, hanging out with his pack, and being part of the little routines that turn a house into a home. After his family could no longer care for him, Brody came to us ready for a fresh start and a family to love again. If you’ve been looking for a gentle, easygoing companion to share life’s adventures and quiet moments with, Brody would love to meet you. Visit petsinneed. org/dogs or call (650) 367-1405 to set up an appointment with Pens In Need to meet Brody.
Easy SudokuDifficult Sudoku
Guard sentenced for inmate attack
A Santa Clara County jail guard was sentenced yesterday to 45 days in jail after helping a pair of inmates attack another inmate and then covering it up, prosecutors said.
Francisco Izayas Castillo, 42, of Morgan Hill, provided rubber gloves to one attacker, opened the victim’s cell and watched as the 30-second beating took place on Sept. 21, 2022.
Several minutes later, the victim hit
his cell’s emergency call button, but Castillo silenced the notification.
On the next shift, another guard discovered the inmate was injured and launched an investigation.
Two attackers and an inmate who stood guard were charged and convicted of the beating. Castillo was fired.
Castillo will go to jail for a misdemeanor on June 9, Deputy District Attorney Jason Malinsky said.
Massage worker jailed
A man who worked in a spa in San Carlos was arrested for touching four patrons inappropriately, a prosecutor said yesterday.
Enli Feng, 72, of San Bruno, is being charged with two felonies of sexual battery after the sheriff’s office opened an investigation in February, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
History of complaints
A woman who went to Happy Feet Massage at 1136 El Camino Real reported Feng for rubbing her private parts, the DA said. Another woman reported Feng after he rubbed his pri-
vate parts against her during a massage, Wagstaffe said.
The sheriff’s office took complaints about Feng in 2021 and 2022, when he worked at Water Lounge Spa in Millbrae. During the 2021 assault, Feng allegedly touched the woman inappropriately during a massage. She complained to the front desk and the police took a report.
A year later, at the same spa, Feng placed his erect penis in a man’s hand, Wagstaffe said. The man called the police and Feng claimed it was consensual, according to Wagstaffe.
Feng is in jail on $130,000 bail. He was in court yesterday and pleaded innocent. He will be in court again on June 1.
Road, Los Altos, CA 94022 at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Agenda, reports, and additional public participation details will be posted June 4, 2025, please visit https://www.losaltosca.gov/642/Agendas-and-Minutes Response to this Notice may be made verbally at the Public Hearings and/or in writing before the hearings. Written comments may be made to the City Council by email at or letter (for mail or hand delivery) to:
Melissa Thurman, City Clerk City of Los Altos 1 North San Antonio Road Los Altos, CA 94022
Publication: Daily Post, Published on May 20, 2026
Melissa Thurman, MMC City Clerk
FENG
