AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016 • VOLUME 2 • NUMBER 8
GRAND JURY WANTS CONSOLIDATION OF COUNTY DISTRICTS
02 Publisher’s Corner
TRANSPORT 03 Updated Samtrans Bus Route 280 And New 81 Routes Expected To Enhance Intra Community School Transportation
COMMUNITY CALENDAR 04 What You May Have Missed 05 What You May Want To Attend
TRANSITION 06 Dorothy Neil Lewis 07 Pastor Emeritus Leon Turner
MY STORY 08 The East Palo Alto Incorporation Generation Where Are They Now?
TRANSITION 11 Menlo Park Resident And Navy Hero Karl ‘Carl’ E. Clark Celebrates His Centennial Birthday
GOVERNMENT 13 Belle Haven And East Palo Alto Election Results Mirror County /Districtwide Votes Except For State Assembly District 24 15 Seventeen Seats up for Grabs In November 16 East Palo Alto Residents Pay More For Animal Control Services … The City Uses More Of Those Services 17 What The Peninsula Humane Society Does For You 18 What The Humane Society Does Not Do 19 Things You Should Know About Keeping Pets
20 County Grand Jury Recommends Consolidation Of Sanitary Districts In San Mateo County 21 About The San Mateo Civil Grand Jury
LOCAL ARTIST 22 One On One With - Muisi-kongo Malonga AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016 EL RAVENSWOOD 1
From the Publisher
P.O. Box 50849 Palo Alto, CA 94303 (650) 323-4477 e-mail: info@eastpaloaltoinformation.com www.elravenswood.com Publisher Meda O. Okelo Editorial
Meda O. Okelo, Editor
Barbara Noparstak, Copy Editor Contributors C. Jango, Luke James, M.O. Okelo, Michelle Daher, Rodney Clark, Sarah Hubert, Saree Mading, Shammai Mading, Alejandro Vilchez, Rose Jacobs Gibson. Sid Walton, Sandy Moon Farley, Zalika Sykes, Brother Jaye, Isaac Stevenson Design/Layout George Okello Advertising Meda O. Okelo Business/Administration EPA-Belle Haven Information Inc. El Ravenswood is published monthly by EPA-Belle Haven Information Inc. P.O. Box 50849 East Palo Alto California, 94303. (650) 323-4477. El Ravenswood is delivered free to public offices, businesses and non-profit agency offices in East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven Community in Menlo Park. Copyright © 2016 by EPA-Belle Haven Information Inc. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form, for any purpose, without permission from Jatelo Production, and respective copyright owners. The information in this publication is gathered and carefully compiled in such a way as to ensure maximum accuracy. El Ravenswood cannot guarantee the authenticity of all the information furnished, nor the complete absence thereof. Thus, no responsibility for omissions and errors can be or is assumed. Inclusions of listing or advertising in this publication do not constitute endorsement of products or services provided. The publication is supported by the advertisers on its pages. We encourage you to patronize their places of business and please let them know you saw their name in this publication. El Ravenswood is published once a month. TO SUBSCRIBE: For $40 annually, you can have your
D
id you know that in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park you cannot keep more than two dogs in a single family residence without having a kennel permit? Did you know that you would most likely never get such a permit as long as you live in a residential area? Did you know that if you have a pet you must have it licensed or that most of your neighbors with pets probably do not have them licensed? There is a residence on Holland Street that regularly has about 10 little dogs of various breeds in an enclosure in its front yard. Each time someone or something goes down the street, the dogs, day and night, bark (or perhaps ‘yap’ would be a better description) incessantly. More than three dogs yapping incessantly at the same time can create quite a neighborhood ruckus. Both neighbors and city officials have contacted the resident but to no avail. He accuses neighbors of harassing him and he points to a resident across the street from him with one dog that occasionally barks loudly. The police have been contacted under the assumption of course that it is that department that handles such problems; however, there is some confusion about whose responsibility it is to deal with noise nuisance problems generated by animals. When I contacted the police and an officer came to check out the problem, he suggested that I contact the Peninsula Humane Society. The Peninsula Humane Society however does not respond to calls relating to barking/ yapping dogs. That assignment is relegated to whatever department the local jurisdiction assigns the responsibility for animal control services. For East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, it is the Police Department. After visiting the residence a second time and encountering a hostile response from the occupant who insisted he had a permit to have the dogs there, I contacted East Palo Alto’s Code Enforcement Office and learned that not only has that office visited the residence in question but that the city does not issue animal control permits. I subsequently found out that the cities in San Mateo have an agreement with the County of San Mateo regarding animal control services and that the County in turn has a separate agreement with the Peninsula Humane Society for the direct provision of those services. In addition, the County has an agreement with PetData for the issuance of animal licenses. The City of East Palo Alto collects little in animal licensing fees compared to other cities in the county and consequently all costs relating to animal control services are borne by all including those like myself that do not own a pet. There seems to be no authority within the city that ascertains that pets are licensed or when a resident, like the neighbor on Holland Street, contravenes an existing ordinance that they pay the consequences. In Fiscal Year 2015-2016, East Palo Alto paid $540,607 for animal control services! Given this large cost, it would make sense to have a dedicated Animal Services Division or if such a division would be too expensive perhaps a separate agreement with Peninsula Humane Society for enhanced services.
El Ravenswood magazine delivered to your mailbox/address. Send a check for $40 to the mailing address above.
2 AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016 EL RAVENSWOOD
Meda O. Okelo
TRANSPORT
Updated Samtrans Bus Route 280 And New 81 Routes Expected To Enhance Intra Community School Transportation
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By El Ravenswood Staff
n the first week of August, SAMTRANS will be implementing three changes in the bus services to and from East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven Community of the City of Menlo Park. Beginning August 7, SamTrans bus route 280 which runs between the City of East Palo Alto, the Caltrain station in Palo Alto, and the Stanford Shopping Center will be rerouted to include the Woodland/Newell neighborhood in East Palo Alto. On August 8, SamTrans started a pilot school-day only bus route to serve the Menlo-Atherton High School community. The new Bus Route 81 will serve passengers from Belle Haven in Menlo Park and University Village, the Gardens, and the Willows/Woodland Park neighborhoods in East Palo Alto. Starting in September, the free Caltrain Shuttle which has connected residents to the Palo Alto Caltrain Station will be ending. The 280 bus route, SAMTRANS hopes, will provide better services particularly in terms of connecting the two parts of East Palo Alto divided by the Bayshore Freeway as well as connecting East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven Community in Menlo Park. New bus signs have already been posted in the impacted neighborhoods with Bus Stops in the Gardens neighborhood now located at: o E. Bayshore Rd/Pulgas Ave, o Gaillardia Way/Oaks St/Pulgas Ave
o O’Connor St/Pulgas Ave Hourly service will still be available from 6am until about 10pm, Monday through Friday. Weekend service will be available from 7:30am until 7:30pm Route 280 previously navigated through the Gardens neighborhood, however, due to the narrow streets and street parking along the bus routes, buses as well as other large vehicles found it hard navigating through the neighborhood.
Fire District officials have expressed concerns regarding the narrowing of streets due to overcrowding and the resultant parking on the streets and the impact that has to emergency response to that neighborhood. For inquiries about these changes, please contact East Palo Alto’s Community and Economic Development Department at 650-8533185 or mdaher@cityofepa.org
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COMMUNITY EVENTS & MEETINGS
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED! YMCA 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto 6.30 p.m. Friday, July 29 StreetCode Academy Summer Showcase, 763 Green Street, East Palo Alto 6.00 p.m.
Saturday, July 30 EPA-EMP Original 6000’s (OG’S) Community BBQ, Cesar Chavez Academy, 2450 Ralmar Avenue, East Palo Alto 11.00 a.m..-5.00 P.M. 650-387-6388 Wednesday, July 13 Career Readiness Workshop for Adults and High School Students offered by Cisco Human Resource Professionals. East Palo Alto Library- 2415 University Avenue 10.00 a.m.-1.00 p.m.650-323-0362 X224. Thursday July 14 StreetCode Mid-Summer Preview/Showcase. StreetCode HQ 763 Green Street, EPA 1pm - 3pm
Thursday, July 21 Pathways to Success-Boys and Men of Color Career Summit Oakland Convention Center West Hall 660 10th Street, Oakland, 9.00 a.m.3.00 p.m. Friday, July 22 City of East Palo Alto Family Movie Night Series Martin Luther King Park, Daisy Lane, East Palo Alto 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.
Saturday July 16 Celebrating the Poet Within Poet Workshop with Kalamu Chache East Palo Alto Library 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto Monday, July 18 Pre-Summit Training -Pathways to Success-Boys and Men of Color Career, ages 18-29 Summit, City Hall Community Room, 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto 10.00 a.m.-2.00 p.m. Visit mbkalliance.org/Bay Area to register Wednesday July 20 San Mateo County Office of Education Hearing for the Oxford Day Academy, 101 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City 6.30 p.m.-8.30 p.m. KIPP Enrolling Grades TK, K, 1 and 6 in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven for 2017, East Palo Alto YMCA 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto 6.30 p.m.
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Sunday, July 24, 2016 Mrs. Louise Stamper, 92th Community Birthday Celebration, Belle Haven, Menlo Park 2 p.m. 62nd Anniversary and Homecoming Celebration Laurel Avenue Church of Christ 1215 Laurel Avenue, East Palo Alto 11.00 a.m. Wednesday July 27 KIPP Enrolling Grades TK, K, 1 and 6 in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven for 2017, East Palo Alto
Harlem Nights Affair, East Palo Alto Senior Center, 560 Bell Street, East Palo Alto 4.00 p.m.-12.00 a.m. Sunday, July 31 62nd Anniversary and Homecoming Celebration Laurel Avenue Church of Christ 1215 Laurel Avenue, East Palo Alto 11.00 a.m.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
COMMUNITY EVENTS & MEETINGS
Tuesday, August 2 National Night Out Pot Luck BBQ, Kavanaugh/ Gloria Neighborhood, East Palo Alto 5.00 p.m. 650-743-4350 Wednesday, August 3 KIPP Enrolling Grades TK, K, 1 and 6 in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven for 2017, East Palo Alto YMCA 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto 6.30 p.m.
Friday, August 5 San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority Ribbon Cutting-‘Friendship’ Bridge at the end of O’Connor Street, East Palo Alto 10 a.m.650853-3199 Saturday, August 6 Take a Hike San Mateo County-Wunderlich Park, 4040 Woodside Rd. Woodside 9am 650-5991005
The 2016 East Palo Alto Blues Festival, Bell Street Park, 550 Bell street East Palo Alto 12 p.m.-7.00 p.m. Saturday, August 13 EHP’s Annual Community Blockfest, 2411 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto 1.00 p.m.-5.00 p.m.
EVENTS YOU MAY WANT TO ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN Saturday, August 20 Celebrating the Poet Within Poet Workshop with Kalamu Chache East Palo Alto Library 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto
Saturday, September 3 Take a Hike San Mateo County-San Pedro Valley Park, 600 Oddstad Blvd, Pacifica 9am 650-599-1005
Saturday, October 1 Take a Hike San Mateo County-, Edgewood Park 10 Old Stagecoach Road, Redwood City 9am 650-599-1005
Friday, August 26 City of East Palo Alto Family Movie Night Series Jack Farrell Park, Fordham Street, East Palo Alto 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.
Saturday, September 10 Public ceremony to celebrate SamTrans 40th Anniversary featuring historic bus displays and vintage memorabilia and children’s entertainment, San Mateo County Fairgrounds
Saturday, November 5 Take a Hike San Mateo County-Memorial Park, 9500 Pescadero Creek Rd Loma Mar, 9am 650-599-1005
Saturday, August 27 Domestic Violence Awareness Day, Seventh Day Adventist Church, 994 Beech Street, East Palo Alto 9.00 a.m.-7.00 p.m. Call 866-710 8909.
Saturday September 24 Collard Green Festival- 550 Bell Street Park, East Palo Alto 11 a.m. 7.00 p.m.
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016 EL RAVENSWOOD 5
TRANSITION
DOROTHY NEIL LEWIS (1939 -2016)
By El Ravenswood Staff
W
e all need guidance. Through it, we develop a moral compass, learning what is right and what is wrong. Through it, we also learn when and how to make the right choices. To the extent that guidance implies mentoring, it may allow for the learning of skills that may help one later in life. Ms. Lewis believed in the importance of guidance. In her younger life, as a single mother, she saw fit to go back to school for two reasons, one, to assure herself and her family a better future and two, equally important, was to ‘guide’ her two children showing them that learning never stops, and that even adults can and should reinvent themselves as their life journey may dictate. Outside her family life, her counsel and guidance was sought by many. By the City, in appointing her to the Community Services Commission, the Senior Advisory Commission and several staff interview committees; by The East Palo Alto Senior Center, who welcomed her to their board of directors as well as their advisory board; by the Kiwanis Club of the Bayshore Community-East Palo Alto, who admired her sense of community service; by the Ravenswood Little League and the Community Services Department, who valued her strong support for youth development; and by Pastor Purdy, who when he established Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Ms. Lewis one of the few stepped forward to
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be one of the founders. With her perpetual beaming smile, tasteful attire, open demeanor, softspoken nature and a disarmingly quite personality, Ms. Lewis carried herself with quiet dignity. She was never the most vocal in a room, but her presence screamed quietly ensuring that most knew she was there. She smiled at you even when she disagreed with your perspective. She held her own however when she believed she was right and eagerly conceded whenever she was convinced that she was wrong. On both the Community Services Commission and the Senior Advisory Committee, she was a natural peacemaker, no wonder she was eagerly assigned the responsibility of Parliamentarian. When discussions got out of hand and nerves were frayed, the chairperson could always count of Ms. Lewis’ smile, firm reminders of the rules and encouraging comments to restore calm. Her knowledge of accounting was highly valued and she served in most organizations as the Treasurer. She believed in exercising her voting rights and probably voted in every election. After her retirement she worked at the polling station in her precinct facilitating the exercise of democracy. Even when her health was in doubt (she was a cancer survivor), Ms. Lewis would not shy away from spending hours volunteering for a worthy cause. She continued to serve on several bodies even when her voice had been reduced by sickness to a raspy whisper. Dorothy Neil Lewis was born July 28, 1939 and grew up in Hooks, Texas in
a family of eight brothers and sisters: Tommy Paxton, Melvin Banks Sr., Orlandus Lewis, James Lewis, Annie Johnson-Ray, Janice Lewis Morris, Roy D. King and Ora Lewis. She attended Hooks Colored High School, graduating in 1956. In high school she loved basketball and baseball and was rather regretful that girls never had opportunities to pursue a strong interest in sports beyond high school. She moved to California in 1960, a young single mother with two children, Marilyn and Edward ‘Eddie’ Paul. Determined to earn a living that would allow her to support her family, Ms. Lewis worked multiple jobs while she took classes in accounting at Cañada College in Redwood City. Following her graduation from Cañada with an AA degree in Accounting, she worked for several local companies, ending her professional career with both the Veterans Administration in Menlo Park and the Ravenswood City School District. She died June 28, 2016.
TRANSITION
PASTOR EMERITUS LEON ‘DAD’ TURNER
(1921 - 2016)
By El Ravenswood Staff
I
n 1940, at age 19, Leon Turner came to San Francisco. He had served in the post-depression Civilian Conservation Corps for two years, but, unable to find work, he headed west from his hometown in McKinney, Texas. In San Francisco, he found lodging in a community that housed the likes of Bishop Charles Mason, the founding father of Church of God in Christ and while living there, according to friends and family members, he became wellknown for his “praying spirit.” He worked with and served under a number of pastors in the Church of God in Christ evangelical movement, most notably, Bishop Clever, Elder Hopkins, Elder Hines, Bishop Stewart and Elder Delancy, eventually becoming pastor of Lakeview Church of God in Christ. In 1962, he moved to East Palo Alto with his family and promptly started a small mission on Beech Street. His congregation grew rapidly and in 1964 he became pastor of the Friendly Church of God in Christ on Jervis Avenue in East Palo Alto. The church’s name was changed to its current name, Calvary Temple Church of God in Christ. He is credited for launching the remodeling of the church building, inspiring the congregation to contribute enough money to the building fund to complete a major foundation and other work. The entrance of the church was changed from Jervis to Newbridge during this renovation. Active in the larger family of the
Church of God in Christ ministry, he was one of the ‘Big Four’ pastors along with Superintendent Virgil Robinson, Pastor Bains Sr. and Pastor Rigmaiden, all credited for the founding of the Peninsula District of the Church of God in Christ. He is also credited, along with Elder A.C. Macklin, Pastor J.W. Macklin and Pastor Swindell, with the founding of the Sweet Unity District where he served as Assistant Superintendent for over 15 years. As a pastor he believed in love for mankind as well as helping everyone with whatever need they may have. He helped to provide food, shelter, jobs and financial assistance. He was known for his singing and dancing Many referred to him as the ‘Dancing Preacher’ for when the spirit hit him, according to his parishioners and those who knew him, he danced! He was married to the late Dorothy Douglas and had six children: Patsy, Leon Jr., Martha (Cookie), Joyce, Bernice and Michael Sr. He was versatile in his skill sets as well as his hobbies. He was adept at crane operation, roofing, carpentry and real estate investing. He loved to fish, hunt and attend animal auctions. Dad Turner, as he was fondly known, continued to serve as pastor of the Calvary Temple Church of God in Christ until 2009 when at age 88 he officially became Pastor Emeritus. Pastor Leon Turner was born March 19, 1921 and was the 11th of 12 children. He was nicknamed “Preacher” by his parents, Julius and Libby Turner, sharecroppers who struggled to make a living. Little did they know that he would grow up to fulfil the meaning
of his nickname. Despite eventually owning their own farm, Julius and Libby Turner’s circumstances barely changed and the entire family had to be engaged in cotton picking as well as doing myriads of odd jobs. “Preacher” was barely able to attend school. Cotton picking took up seven to eight months of the year. He did however go to school and left school after ninth grade. In school he ran track as well as played football and his excellence in those activities were clearly borne by the number of trophies and awards he accumulated. His parents were what was called “Holy Ghost filled Believers” and worshipped regularly in members’ homes, since the congregation did not own a church. Family lore narrates that early in his youth, he was ill with a heart condition that weakened him to the point that he had to use crutches to walk, but on the day he was filled with the Holy Ghost he was liberated of his crutches ‘jumping high off the ground and shouting and speaking in tongues.” Pastor Emeritus Turner passed away on the morning of Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at age 95.
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COMMUNITY
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COMMUNITY
Year: 1990 Activity: YMCA Summer Camp at the Bell Street Gymnasium Your Challenge: To provide any information about where these individuals are. Are they still living in East Palo Alto/Menlo Park? What are they currently doing? Call us and leave the information at: 650-323-4477 or e-mail us at: info@eastpaloaltoinformation. com or send us a note via our Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/El-Ravenswood These children were born in the late seventies, early eighties and have probably lived their entire lives in an incorporated city. They probably provide the best evidence of the impact of the various programs and services, both public and private that were available to them and their families.
AUGUST -MAY SEPTEMBER 2016EL ELRAVENSWOOD RAVENSWOOD 99 - JUNE 2016
Circle the words listed below, in the grid. The words are situated left to right, right to left, up to down, down to up, and diagonally in both directions. A X E T S I D R U O L E U Q S A C A G N O L A M
T E S R A M Y N O S E C K A R L C L A R K O M I
A S A E R A L D N O N G N O I T A D N E M M O C
D F E W A L I Y Q U G O O W J A Y C A B R E R A
T U I C L T N L M E A S U R E H S Y F F O N K R
E P D R A W A D I A C O P E T T Y U S A N Q U E N C E V E K E E A E I R C K T L A C I I E E R L V P R N P E E I E T N M D A U T S E D J S Q T I E U S U E Y H Y R A R E S R M A X E I S A S T E U D R P O S G R C I R L N U B E T Y I D E D Y U T A R E O N S L M O L A I S E N A T D E N A S A
N N B L I L E K R S O L D O R A T E V Q G N E K
O G A N C G R A I O P C P Y F S A S I R U I D A
R O S C K R L C E V L O L E L F T O K Y E K I R
A A S L I A I N B S C E H E R A N D S U Y T D E O A V K L Y E I N S E T N H N A S V R N I B M O I M I T C E E Y E O V L L O R A T H S T R V A L
S U R E H M O N T E B E R N G O K A S Y E N N I R P T D U M S R R I O J U R Y O L R R I U C C I O Y S Y H N B Y E I A A O A H S K E N I T Y D O N G T N N I N I B A U E I G N Y V O I K O L E R C L C E E V E C L B U R O S A E I L L Y N C W T T I P O I I S Y A T C L S R S O R Y B O D N A W E U R O R E T E P Y I C T Y N E O S I R E T F E
1.Dorothy Neil Lewis
11.Fua Dia Congo
21.Commendation
2.Karl Clark
12.Cardenas
22.Conservation Corpsd
3.Marc Berman
13.Jay Cabrera
23.Malonga Casquelourd
4.Peter Ohtaki
14.Barry Chang
24.Kennel Permit
5.Vicki Veenker
15.USS Aaron Ward
25.PetData
6.Measure AA
16.Petty Officer
26.Grand Jury
7.Measure H
17.Alisha Stokes
27.Public Accountability
8.Assembly District
18.Distinguished Device
28.Fiscal Responsibility
9.Senate District
19.Lefteris Lavrakas
29.Operational Competence
10.Muisi Kongo
20.Sheila Dunec
30.Hooks Texas
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P E V E N O L U P E T I L Y E K E V E R Y U N L
TRANSITION
Menlo Park Resident And Navy Hero Karl ‘Carl’ E. Clark Celebrates His Centennial Birthday By El Ravenswood Staff
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handwritten note posted on the garage door at his residence in the Belle Haven community of Menlo Park reminded guests that the event was by invitation only. Another sign directed guests as to how to get to the backyard where Mr. Clark stood, clad in a t-shirt that said it all, greeting each guest, hugging and exchanging pleasantries with those he knew. On his left hand he held, tightly a sheet of paper with clearly visible notes written in black and blue ink. Around him, sitting and standing were throngs of friends, admirers, photographers and other media folk. A DJ behind him and to his right piped soft soul music. Carl (Karl) E. Clark the decorated World War II Navy veteran was celebrating his Centennial birthday. “Do not carry grudges. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Flood your mind and soul with positive thoughts. That is my recipe for longevity!” he advised recently. “I eat whatever I want but moderately. I drink sparingly and I let the Veterans Administration hospital take care of the rest”.
“My dad, who died when I was 11 years old made me understand racism, prejudice and how to deal with both” he said recently when asked how he survived the indignities of working as a mess attendant in the US Navy in the Jim Crow era. “He cautioned me against letting it (racism) beat me down and assured me that I could be as big as anybody else in this world.” His twenty-two-year stint in the navy was to test that lesson.’ “African Americans during my stint with the Navy could not be anything else but ‘servants’ to other sailors and officers. It was made clear to us on every occasion that we were anything but equal. We were the last to board the bus on our way to boot camp and when our ships docked at any port, we were never allowed to disembark before our white counter parts.” “For twenty-two years, my dad’s advice held, towards the end however, being called ‘boy’ and being mistreated in unbecoming ways took a toll on me and I began to feel bitter. That was the sign for me to leave the Navy, and I did” “I left service on a Friday. Received a call about a job in the Menlo Park Post Office on Saturday and I was at work
“Do not carry grudges. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Flood your mind and soul with positive thoughts. That is my recipe for longevity!”.
the following Monday as a Mail Carrier. I worked for the Post Office for twentyone years” “I moved to Menlo Park in 1954, purchasing a house on Hollyburn for $10,500.” Karl (Carl) E. Clark was born on July 30 1916 in Denver Colorado during what has been known, rightfully or wrongfully as the 1st World War. He was delivered at home with the help of Dr. Justine Ford a Black Woman doctor who was also a close friend to his mother. His parents named all their children with names starting with the letter ‘K’- Kenneth, Keith, Karl, Katherine and Korea. In 1936 he joined the Civil Conservation Corps and it was while there that he got introduced to the navy through movies that were shown
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TRANSITION
Chief Petty Officer Lisha Stokes presents a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Presient Obama to Mr Clark.
weekly. While in the corps, he decided to join the navy and persuaded a close Hispanic friend to join the Navy with him. One Friday they both went to the Navy Recruiting Office in Denver but to his chagrin his friend was denied the right to join the Navy. In his application to join he had checked ‘electrician’ however when he got accepted into the Navy he was ordered to be a ‘mess attendant, a person that would be taking care of the officers, making their beds, serving their meals and shining their shoes. At age 28, on May 3, 1945, he was on the U.S.S. Aaron Ward, the navy ship that he acknowledges in his book as the “ship that took the most hits during World War II and refused to sink”. Hit by six of Japan’s Kamikaze suicide pilots and rendered disabled, Carl Clark
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despite being injured aimed a fire hose that normally took four men to control at a smoldering ammunition locker thereby preventing an explosion that would have probably sunk the ship. After putting out the fire, Carl Clark carried injured sailors to safety, braving enemy fire. For his bravery and dedication to his fellow men, Captain Sanders the ship’s Captain, assured him that as soon as they got back to the United States, he would ensure that his bravery would be acknowledged appropriately. That possibility of acknowledgement was never to come until 1999, when through the efforts of a local community instructor Ms. Sheila Dunec , working on an oral history project on World War II, interviewed several veterans including Mr. Carl Clark and came
across the story. One of the only survivors of the U.S.S. Aaron Ward, Lt. Lefteris Lavrakas, then 91 pleaded in an interview following the screening of Ms. Dunec’s Video ”You go get justice for Carl” The video and the remark set in motion the efforts that led Congresswoman Anna Eshoo to first obtain a Congressional decree and at age 95, finally have awarded to Carl E. Clark the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the Combat Distinguished Device. At his birthday celebration, Chief Petty Officer Alisha Stokes travelled from Mississippi to award him a Certificate of Appreciation and a congratulatory message from President Barack Obama.
GOVERNMENT
Belle Haven And East Palo Alto Election Results Mirror County /Districtwide Votes Except For State Assembly District 24 By El Ravenswood Staff
T
here seemed to have been very little vote seeking activity in Belle Haven and East Palo Alto leading up to the June 2016 Primary election by candidates and supporters of measures. The exception, of course, was local School District Measure H where community meetings were held and arguments were presented to support the measure. Banners promoting the school district measure peppered the community at various strategic locations. There were, however, very few yard signs or other kinds of signs for candidates running for other offices. There were even fewer or no events held by candidates running for office in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven. Marc Berman, running for the 24th Assembly District, was hosted at least at one event in East Palo Alto. Additionally, on June 2, a forum/ rally was hosted by Innovate Public Schools to get candidates in the 24th Assembly District to outline their positions on education and charter schools. Bernie Sanders 2016 was also represented at several festivals in East Palo Alto. It is not surprising that with such littly activity, voter turnout in the Belle Haven and East Palo Alto was less than the turnout for the whole County. Countywide, 52 percent of the registered voters cast their ballots. In Belle Haven only 35 percent did and in East Palo Alto only 37 percent. The voting however for candidates as well as the various
Table 1: US Senate Race
measures on the ballot, except for the Assembly District 24 vote, mirrored the county wide vote. Voters in Belle Haven/ East Palo Alto chose Vicki Veenker as the second most preferred candidate after Marc Berman and Barry Chang was their third choice. Districtwide Peter Ohtaki came out second. Thirty-four candidates sought to replace Sen. Barbara Boxer, a four term Democrat, in office since 1992 who was not running for reelection. Two candidates, both Democrats, emerged as the top contenders and will face each other in November. Although most (over 67 percent) East Palo Alto and Belle Haven voters supported the State Attorney General Kamal D. Harris, 33 percent supported Loretta L. Sanchez. County-wide, Kamala Harris was favored by 81 percent versus Loretta Sanchez’s 19 percent. Table 2: Measure AA
The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority sponsored a measure authorizing a parcel tax of $12 per year in the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma and the City and County of San Francisco. The measure sought to “protect San Francisco Bay for future generations by reducing trash, pollution and harmful toxins, improving water quality, restoring habitat for fish, birds and wildlife, protection communities from floods and increasing shoreline public access.” The Measure expects to raise $25 million annually for 20 years.
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COMMUNITY
Table 3: Measure H-Ravenswood City School District
Table 5: Presidential Primary-Democrat
This measure sought to authorize the Ravenswood City School District to issue $26 million in bonds “to maintain warm, safe, and dry schools; repair aging facilities; upgrade school safety; create student centered 21st Century classrooms; improve technology, computer and science labs; increase energy efficiency; and repair, construct, acquire, and retrofit school facilities, sites, and equipment.� School bonds require 55 percent voter approval. Table 4: Proposition 50
While the county went decidedly for Hilary Clinton (59 percent to Bernie Sanders 41 percent), East Palo Alto and Belle Haven voters gave 6 percent of their votes to the other miscellaneous candidates although the majority of votes (52 percent) still were cast for Hillary Clinton. Table 6: Presidential Primary-Republican
Proposition 50 was a legislative constitutional amendment that authorizes the California Legislature to suspend Members, specifically without salary and benefits. It further prohibits suspended Members from using powers of office or legislative resources. It also provides that the suspension may end on specified date or by vote of the Senate or Assembly, whichever house the Member belongs to. 14 AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016 EL RAVENSWOOD
Donald Trump barely got 50 percent of the total votes cast by local Republican voters with John Kasich and Ted Cruz together garnering 42 percent of the vote. Countywide his win was more resounding at 67 percent.
Table 8: State 13th Senate District
Seventeen Seats up for Grabs In November Seventeen seats in the cities of Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, the Ravenswood City School District, the San Mateo County Harbor District, the San Mateo County Board of Education and the Midpeninsula Open Space District are up for election this November. Agency
Seats
Incumbents
City of Menlo Park
2
Catherine Carlton, Ray Mueller
City of East Palo Alto
3
Larry Moody, Lisa Gauthier Carlos Romero
Ravenswood City School District
2
Sharifa Wilson Marco Chavez
San Mateo County Harbor District
3
Tom Mattusch Pietro Parravano Sabrina Brennan
San Mateo County Board of Education
6
Rod Hsio Hector Camacho Beverly Gerard Jim Cannon Ted Lempert Joe Ross
Midpeninsula Open Space District-Ward 5
1
Nonette G. Hanko
Table 9: State 24th Assembly District
Peter Ohtaki took fifth place amongst voters in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Districtwide, however, he came in second and will be pitted against the first choice with local as well as districtwide voters, Marc Berman.
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GOVERNMENT
EAST PALO ALTO RESIDENTS PAY MORE FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES … THE CITY USES MORE OF THOSE SERVICES
E
By El Ravenswood Staff
ast Palo Alto spends more than twice as much per capita than the City of Menlo Park for animal controls services. According to the most recent figures, each person in East Palo Alto, pet owner or not, child or adult, pays $19.43 annually for animal control services. In Menlo Park it is $9.10! Animals are wonderful as pets and human companions. You would probably find a dog, a cat, a bird, some kind of rodent, or something as dangerous as a snake in most households. Communities regulate the keeping of animals in homes through legislation enshrined in their municipal codes. Not many however, may be aware of these laws. In some communities for instance, people need to annually register their pets. Few may know that you cannot keep more than two dogs in a household and, by doing that, one would essentially be operating a ‘kennel.’ In East Palo Alto, information about how many pets people may have in their homes or even what kinds of pets is unavailable. What is clear however
is that East Palo Alto collects the least in terms of pet license revenue and it contributes the most per capita in terms of animal control services needed. In fiscal year 2015-2016, the city of East Palo Alto paid $540,607 for animal control services according to city officials. In the same year, it projected collecting only $8,774 in animal license fees. In the same year, the city of Menlo Park spent $291,408. East Palo Alto, at $19.43 per-capita expenditure annually, spends the most on animal control services in the County of San Mateo. Menlo Park is 10th at a projected cost per capita of $9.10. In San Mateo, since the early fifties, animal control (field and sheltering) services are provided by the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) to cities through the same contract between each respective city and the county. The county, in turn, contracts with the San Mateo Peninsula Humane Society to provide a variety of services. Each city’s annual cost is based on the animal control services that each city is provided and is based on a three year average of usage in terms of both service calls and shelter visits. Actual sums paid annually are however offset by revenues
“It is unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept or to assist in keeping more than two dogs at any one premises within one-half mile of any adjoining residence in the city, unless in conformance with this chapter. “Kennels” means the keeping of or causing to be kept more than two dogs at any one premises.”
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from animal licensing and vaccinations. For pet licensing, the county has contracts with PetData Inc., a company that, according to its website has processed over 6 million licenses for more than 60 cities, counties and animal agencies since 1994. Pet owners can register their pets online, by mail or in person. Cities in the county handle the animal licensing requirement differently. According to Lori Morton-Feazell, Health Services Manager with the county, Half Moon Bay, for instance, aggressively promotes the requirement through various communication channels citywide. Acknowledging the importance of having information about pets in the County, particularly in regards to the prevention of rabies, Ms. Morton-Feazell said that the county is contemplating sending out notices with the property tax bill regarding animal licensing requirements. “Money collected for licenses in every jurisdiction,” she said, “would offset its annual animal control services costs.” Few in East Palo Alto however take out licenses for their pets and therefore the revenue offset of animal control costs in East Palo Alto is limited. In the last five years, East Palo Alto residents have taken only 1,210 licenses compared to Menlo Park’s 5,459! Ms. Morton-Feazell continued, “Pet owners also have a personal benefit. Should their pet get lost or injured, a license tag on the pet will help reunite you with your pet. A microchipped pet without a tag will not necessarily ensure that you get reunited with your pet.” “Without a license tag, anyone who
GOVERNMENT
Animal Licenses By City Year
East Palo Alto
Menlo Park
2011
204
1,068
2012
230
1,086
2013
239
1,039
2014
248
1,091
2015
289
1,175
TOTAL
1,210
5,459
finds your pet may keep it, or take your pet to a shelter where it may be sent to a rescue organization, put up for adoption or even euthanized.” A call to both the City of Menlo Park and East Palo Alto revealed little about who was responsible for animal control services in either City. Menlo Park’s City Manager’s Office referred me to their Police Department who referred me to the County Animal Control. Marie McKenzie, the East Palo Alto Assistant City Manager, indicated that the City of East Palo Alto was in the process of evaluating animal control services in an effort to understand the costs to the city and how the public could be more informed about the services offered and their part in ensuring a healthy city.
Population And Service Level Comparisons By City
WHAT THE PENINSULA HUMANE SOCIETY DOES FOR YOU • • • •
Rescue injured animals Capture of at-large or stray animals Investigate animal bites and attacks. Removal of dead animals from public property except from freeways or highways (1, 35 - Skyline Boulevard, 82 - El Camino Real, 84 - Woodside Road, 92, 101, 109, 114, 230, 280, 380). Freeways and highways are maintained by CALTRANS. • Removal of dead or living wildlife from private property if such wildlife has direct contact with humans and/or animals that involves a bite or attack. • Enforce leash laws and local ordinances
• • •
• •
(report barking dog complaints to local police). Euthanize severely injured animals. Investigate reports of animal cruelty. Provide shelter services, including the impounding, receiving of unwanted animals, housing, redemption, treatment, sale and adoption of animals. Provision of treatment services to injured animals. Conduct administrative hearings for Dangerous and Vicious Animal designations under the guidelines of the applicable city’s ordinance.
• Conduct mandatory spay/neuter permit administrative hearings under the guidelines of the applicable city’s ordinance, if any. • Provide in-person customer service at a minimum of two County locations that are open during normal business hours to enable residents the ability to obtain animal licenses and/or permits for all dogs and cats. • Work with San Mateo County veterinarians to ensure anti-rabies vaccination reporting is carried out as required by the County.
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GOVERNMENT
WHAT THE HUMANE SOCIETY DOES NOT DO • Enforcement of regulations regarding the number of animals per household. • Removal and/or disposal of dead marine animals. • Pick up of baby birds. • Pick up of dead animals (deer, wildlife or domestic) from freeways or highways (1, 35 - Skyline Boulevard, 82 - El Camino Real, 84 - Woodside Road, 92, 101, 109, 114, 230, 280, 380). Freeways and highways are maintained by CALTRANS. • Respond to barking dog complaints or animal noise nuisance complaints.
• Enforce state law and regulations related to the prevention of cruelty to animals including, but not limited to, animal abandonment. • Respond to marine mammals/fish whether dead or alive. • Respond to pest-control issues (e.g., infestations, perceived or real, of rats, mice, insects, gophers, wasps or spiders). • Respond to mountain lions and any wildlife incidents that could constitute a violation of the PHS’s California Department of Fish and Wildlife permits.
• Respond to incidents involving dangerous escaped exotic animals. • Investigate dog versus dog incidents at County and/or city or other approved off-leash dog areas including dog parks, beaches, public parks, etc. • Routine patrol of leash-law enforcement in parks, beaches and other public places. PHS will respond to complaints, calls and observed violations regarding off-leash dogs in parks, beaches and other public places, but not complete routine patrols.
Fee Schedule
Dogs (Unaltered)
Dogs-Altered-(spayed or neutered)
One Year License
Cats (Unaltered)
Cats (Altered)
$50.00
$20.00
$15.00
$7.00
Three year License
$145.00
$55.00
$45.00
$17.50
One Year License for Seniors*
$18.00
$9.00
$7.00
$5.00
Three Year License for Seniors*
$54.00
$23.00
$21.00
$11.25
*Seniors: Licensing fee for people 60 and over.
Replacement Tag $8.00
Replacement Tag $5.00
WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR AN ANIMAL LICENSE:
• A copy of your pet’s rabies certificate, • A copy or proof of your pet’s spay/neuter status, and • Proof of your pet’s age.
To Apply for a license: • Online visit Pet Data’s website at: www.petdata.com • By mail, download the Animal License Application from the above website and send your application, a copy of rabies certificate, a copy of proof of spay/neuter age documentation, and payment to: San Mateo County Animal Licensing c/o PetData, Inc. P.O. Box 141929 Irving, TX 75014-1929
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GOVERNMENT
Dog licenses
An annual license fee shall be paid for every dog over the age of four months owned and harbored in the City.
Public protection from dogs
Every owner or possessor of a dog shall at all times prevent such dog from biting or physically harassing any person engaged in a lawful act and from interfering with the lawful use of public or private property.
Prohibited conduct
No owner or possessor of any animal shall cause or permit it to: 1. Suffer or permit such animal to habitually bark or meow or act in such a manner as to continuously disturb the peace of any citizen or to be a public nuisance; 2. To be without proper and adequate food, water, shelter, care and attention
Penalties
Every animal kept or found by an animal control officer or peace officer under conditions which constitute a violation of this chapter or other state or local law may be impounded or caused to be impounded by an animal control officer or peace officer. The animal’s owner shall be charged with all costs incurred or fees applicable with respect to such impoundment. With certain exceptions, any violation of the provisions of Title 6 (East Palo Alto and Title 9 (Menlo Park), including those provisions relating to required fees, shall be punishable as an infraction, the penalty for which shall be as follows: • A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first violation; • A fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second violation of the same ordinance within one year; • A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) of each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year.
Animal Bites
It is the duty of every person having knowledge that any animal has bitten a human being to report that fact immediately to the County Department of Health Services, animal control program or to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
Keeping of dogs
It is unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept or to assist in keeping more than two dogs at any one premises within one-half mile of any adjoining residence in the city, unless in conformance with this chapter. “Kennels” means the keeping of or causing to be kept more than two dogs at any one premises.
Location of kennels
Kennels may be maintained in any allowed district as heretofore set forth, subject to the following general requirements: A. The minimum distance of any kennel from any neighboring residence shall be five hundred (500) feet. B. The minimum distance of any commercial kennel from any district classified as residential by the zoning laws of this city shall be five hundred (500) feet.
GOVERNMENT
COUNTY GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS CONSOLIDATION OF SANITARY DISTRICTS IN SAN MATEO COUNTY By El Ravenswood Staff
T
he San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury (SMCCGJ) in its 2015-16 Report boldly suggested that Sanitary Districts in the County of San Mateo consider consolidation into one entity to ensure public accountability, fiscal responsibility and operational competence. The report further recommended that “The boards of Bayshore Sanitary District, East Palo Alto Sanitary District, Granada Community Services District, Montara Water & Sanitary District, West Bay Sanitary District and Westborough Water District form (joint) committees to develop plans for the consolidation and or assumption of services provided by the district.” The Grand Jury, acknowledging that consolidation may likely take some time, further recommended that the boards of the six sanitary districts, establish term limits for the members of their board of directors; phase out all benefits for board directors over a period of time not to exceed three years, develop plans for coordinating resources in the event of a local or regional emergency The report observed that in most urban areas in California, there is a single large sewage collections and treatment provider with the average single residential annual sewer rate considerably lower than the average in
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San Mateo County. In its findings, it concluded that there was little “public accountability” amongst the special districts serving the residents of San Mateo County particularly because their elections generated little public interest and consequently incumbents enjoyed the advantages and benefits of incumbency and get unquestionably re-elected to office. The East Palo Alto Sanitary District’s most recent election had only a 14.1% voter turn-out. West Bay Sanitary District’s most recent election in November 2013 was uncontested so the two incumbents were automatically re-elected. “Most elections are not even contested and when they are voter turnout is low” the report noted. “It is questionable” the report continues, whether most county residents are able to identify their sewer system provider” While acknowledging that there was no evidence of fiscal improprieties, the Grand Jury’s findings led it to conclude that there was ‘overlap in board costs, audit, legal and other functions” The Grand Jury noted the wide disparity in board compensation. East Palo Alto Sanitary District and West Bay Sanitary Districts lead the pack with $18,360 and $11,081 per Director respectively. The SMCCGJ based its report on six districts including the East Palo
Alto Sanitary and West Bay Sanitary Districts. Both districts serve portions of the cities of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. The other Districts under scrutiny included the Bayshore Sanitary District, Granada Community Services District, Montara Water and Sanitary District, and the Westborough Water District. There are however, according to the report, 42 agencies managing the collection of and disposal of sewer in the County of San Mateo. This includes County and city sewage collections systems. On operational competence SMCCGJ accused many of the District’s senior staff, who they interviewed, of being unaware of the new sewer and waste water management technologies that have emerged in the last two decades. Sewer collection systems, the report noted, are old ‘yet plans to maintain and upgrade them are lacking, exposing citizens to steep rate increased as capital improvements become imperative. As a final indictment of the Districts’ operational incompetence the SMCCGJ observed that the Districts were ill prepared to handle large scale emergencies such as earthquakes, landslides or flooding. “There was no evidence that the Districts’ plan for emergencies more serious than a call from the public about odors or a sewer spill” the report concluded. The City of East Palo Alto is served by two Sanitary Districts. The East Palo Alto Sanitary District serves East Palo Alto excluding areas north of Menalto and East of Bay Road, excluding The Cesar Chavez Campus. In addition it boundaries extend into Menlo Park Willows neighborhood. The Westbay Sanitary District serves the rest of the City and the rest of Menlo Park including the Belle Haven community.
GOVERNMENT
Table 1 Board Compensation by District
The Civil Grand Jury in San Mateo County is an independent investigative judicial 19-member body created by the California Constitution. It is charged with the responsibility of acting as an “arm of the court,” an ombudsperson and watchdog for citizens of the county, a voice of the people and conscience of the community. The jury may receive and investigate complaints by individuals regarding the actions or inactions the performance on nonperformance of county or local elected and appointed public officials. The statutory requirements to be a member a Grand Juror: • Be a citizen of the United States; • Be at least 18 years of age; • Reside in San Mateo County for at least one year before being selected; • Have ordinary intelligence and good character; • Possess a working knowledge of the English language; • Not presently serving as a trial juror; • Not having been a Grand Juror within one year of being selected (jurors may be held over for a second year); • Not having been convicted of a felony or of malfeasance in office; • Not presently serving as an elected official.
Table 2: West Bay Sanitary District Directors Years of Service
Table 3: East Palo Alto Sanitary District Directors’ Years of Service
Table 4: Sewer Rate Comparisons across Jurisdiction for Single Family Homes
Table 5 Rate Comparisons: East Palo Alto and West Bay Sanitary Districts 2009-17
Applications for service are received by the Jury Commissioner and reviewed by the Grand Jury Judge. By court policy, and at the discretion of the Grand Jury Judge, up to seven members of the previous year’s jury may serve a second term to provide continuity. San Mateo County jurors are sworn in and begin their one-year term commencing the first day of July. Source: http://www.sanmateocourt.org/ Source: San Mateo County 2015-16 Civil Grand
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I was fortunate enough to catch this vibrant, busy woman while she was attending to her very active two year old, after having multiple suggestions to interview her for the ‘Artist’s Page.’ And no wonder—hers is a rich tale of an immensely creative, industrious family harkening back to African roots in the Congo. Woven into the musical fabric of her dynamic character, is the affection and respect she has for the East Palo Alto community and her desire to integrate the artistic culture of the Congo into it. Muisi-kongo is a dynamic force---acclaimed dancer, choreographer, teacher, mother, artistic director and ardent community activist.
El Ravenswood (ER): I understand you grew up here in East Palo Alto---what was that like for you? Muisi-kongo Malonga (MM): For me it was a warm and vibrant environment, a close-knit community that had a strong, supportive creative foundation, which was why I was able to grow and thrive as a child of the arts here. ER: When did you start dancing? Well, I have been around dancing
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and music all my life. I was always exposed to it, and even performed as early as 3 years old, but my passion for it really started when I was 12 years old. Before that dancing just felt like a chore, something I had to do, but by 12 years old, it got more exciting, and I became more involved. A few years later my dad formed a youth arts group, Ballet Kizingu. He understood the importance of youth needing to dance with peers. This is where I got to experiment with choreography and develop
leadership skills. We had a core group of 10-15---mostly girls and we performed for about 7years. The purpose was to train a new generation to transition into the adult company---to develop our artistry. I eventually became the lead dancer and assistant director. ER: Tell me about your parents. My father, Malonga Casquelourd, was from the Congo and was a master Congolese drummer and dancer. He had a strong political background and when he came to
community leader and currently the director of One East Palo Alto (OEPA) ---she’s one of the reasons I still have the philosophy of serving and giving back to the community. Both of my parents were educators, community servants and also passionate about preserving African culture, which is a value that guides me in all that I do.
East Palo Alto in 1976 he saw a lot of activism happening in this community, a lot of affirmation of African heritage and saw the importance of involving the arts in the movement. He formed the group Fua Dia Congo (which means “Congolese Heritage”) from classes he was teaching at East Palo Alto’s Nairobi College. My mother (Dr. Faye McNair-Knox) was a teacher and administrator at Nairobi College and one of the founding members of the group. She is a scholar, distinguished
ER: Fua Dia Congo is now based in Oakland, how did it end up there? My father moved to Oakland in the 80s---EPA was devastated by a number of forces which influenced his decision to move to Oakland and set up there. So, the homeland moved, but there was still a strong connection to East Palo Alto for me. When my dad passed away in 2003, I assumed a leadership role in both companies at 22 years old. My siblings—there are six of us---and I have all been involved in the company to varying degrees, sharing the responsibility of carrying forward this profound legacy. We are all artists and performers: my brother Kiazi, is a master drummer and dancer and teaches classes; Boueta, my youngest brother, also drums; my sister Lungusu is a dancer and choreographer; my youngest sister, Josi, is a flourishing dancer; my eldest sister, Halili Knox, is an actor and amazing singer; and my sister Rashida Knox is a gifted vocalist, composer, dancer and allaround creative. ER: Wow, that’s quite a family of artists and creativity! Yes, I feel grateful to have been raised in the creative environment I was. And now everyone is involved in carrying out the legacy that we are rooted in. ER: What made you move back to EPA?
Well, part of me has always wanted to come back here. Now that I have a two year old, I want him to grow up in this community, which I love--there’s just no other place like it. I want him to be connected to the special story that East Palo Alto has---a special story of triumph. I want to plug into its history and keep it pregnant and alive. I want to connect with people through the arts in this community, to expose people to the cultural traditions from the Congo---this is how I come alive and I want to bring that to others. ER: So what are you up to here in EPA? Anything coming up? Most recently, we held a cultural arts festival, ‘Malonga Fest’, that featured workshops, performances, and lots of music, ---giving people opportunities to study and experience dance from all over the world. We’re planning on doing it again November 4-7, 2016 at the One EPA Community Center.
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ABOVE ALL INSURANCE 907 NEWBRIDGE STREET # B
NUGENT SQUARE 2361 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
BELLE HAVEN LIBRARY 415 IVY DRIVE
ASSAMBLEA APOSTOLECA CHURCH 721 DONOHOE STREET
PENINSULA PARK APARTMENTS 1977 TATE STREET
EPA SHOP 900 WILLOW ROAD
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB-EPA 2031 PULGAS AVENUE
PGA STORE 1751 E. BAYSHORE ROAD
ESQUIRE BARBER SHOP 830 NEWBRIDGE STREET
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 1960 TATE STREET
RAVENSWOOD FAMILY HEALTH CENTER 1807 BAY ROAD
JOB TRAIN 1200 O’BRIEN DRIVE
COUNTY SERVICES BUILDING-LOBBY 2415 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
SAMOAN ASSEMBLY OF GOD 962 RUNNYMEDE
DAVID LEWIS CENTER 2277 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
SAN MATEO CREDIT UNION 1735 BAY ROAD
EAST PALO ALTO SANITARY DISTRICT 901 WEEKS STREET
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 994 BEECH STREET
EAST PALO ALTO SENIOR CENTER 560 BELL STREET
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI 1425 BAY ROAD
EAST PALO ALTO YMCA 550 BELL STREET
ST JOHNS BAPTIST CHURCH 1050 BAY ROAD
ECUMENICAL HUNGER PROGRAM 2411 PULGAS AVENUE
STANFORD COMMUNITY LAW CLINICS 2117 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
FIESTA EXPRESS LAUNDROMAT 1800 BAY ROAD FREE AT LAST 1796 BAY ROAD JONES MORTUARY 660 DONOHOE STREET
STARBUCKS-EAST PALO ALTO 1745 EAST BAYSHORE ROAD
JONATHAN’S FISH & CHIPS 840 WILLOW ROAD MARKSTYLE BARBER SHOP 828 WILLOW ROAD MENLO PARK CITY HALL 701 LAUREL STREET MENLO PARK SENIOR CENTER 100 TERMINAL AVENUE MT OLIVE AOH CHURCH OF GOD 605 HAMILTON AVENUE PROJECT READ-MENLO PARK 800 ALMA STREET TONY’S PIZZA 820 WILLOW ROAD TUTTI FRUTTI 888 WILLOW ROAD WILLOW CLEANERS 824 WILLOW ROAD