Mountain View Voice January 15, 2016 by Mountain View Voice

Season of pho WEEKEND | 18

JANUARY 15, 2016 VOLUME 23, NO. 51

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Superintendent calls off cuts to Castro campus LAST-MINUTE CHANGES TO CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION PLANS A ‘MISSTEP’ By Kevin Forestieri

MICHELLE LE

Drivers look for parking during the lunch hour in a parking lot located on Hope Street between Villa Street and Evelyn Avenue on Jan. 12. A split City Council is going forward with plans to develop a hotel, offices and public parking garages at the site.

Split council backs plan for hotel, offices CRITICS DECRY USING CITY-OWNED PARKING LOTS FOR OFFICE SPACE By Mark Noack

y a thin margin, the Mountain View City Council agreed on Tuesday to enter formal negotiations with a developer to transform a pair of downtown parking lots

into a high-end hotel and office complex. If fully realized, the new development would provide the city with a reliable revenue source, but critics blasted the proposal for adding more offices at a time when housing is a

much more pressing demand in the city. The two properties set for redevelopment include two cityowned parking lots along Hope and Villa streets that currently See HOTEL, page 10

ountain View Whisman School District staff are looking to make cutbacks so the $198 million Measure G bond fund doesn’t run out before all planned campus projects are completed. But proposed cuts to the alreadyapproved Castro and Mistral Elementary campus project had parents up in arms Thursday night, Jan. 7. The outcry at the meeting was quickly followed by an email sent out to district parents Monday, Jan. 11, in which Superintendent Ayindé Rudolph said the district dropped all plans to make cuts to the new Castro school design. Rudolph called the cost-saving revisions a “misstep,” and that staff should have given the school community a chance to respond to the changes. Rudolph told the Voice that the about-face was mostly a logistics problem. The board members didn’t clearly support the revisions, he said, and staff didn’t have a lot of time to draw up schematics for a new school

design before submitting it to the state for approval at the end of the month. “At the end of the day, we want to start the project on time,” Rudolph said. The plan proposed by staff would have made drastic changes to the school construction plans, which were approved by the board in November but reviewed at the Jan. 7 board meeting. The original designs called for housing Mistral in renovated, existing classrooms on the campus, and Castro Elementary in new, twostory classroom buildings. But the project’s $43 million price tag troubled district staff, who predicted in October that it could push the district between $14 million and $20 million over the total construction budget. In December, district staff were looking to cut something to bring the budget back in line, and the Castro and Mistral project seemed like the best place to start. The revised campus plans would have put Castro ElemenSee CAMPUS, page 12

Mountain View preps for role on Super Bowl Sunday ROAD CLOSURES, TRANSIT CHANGES IN THE WORKS AS GAME DAY APPROACHES By Mark Noack

n Feb. 7, the eyes of millions of football fans will be squarely on Santa Clara, the host of Super Bowl 50, but Mountain View and a string of other cities will be playing a key backstage role. Mountain View officials are finalizing their plans for having the city serve as a transportation

INSIDE

hub on the big game day. As the last connector between Caltrain and the Valley Transportation Authority’s light rail lines, the city’s downtown transit station is expected to be a key point for moving thousands of people to the event at Levi’s Stadium. Up to 12,000 ticket-holders are expected to take mass transit down the Peninsula, which means they will be transferring

at Mountain View’s downtown station. Caltrain and the VTA are planning to roll out a special service for ticket-holders through the EventTIK smartphone app. To catch a ride, users must have a Super Bowl ticket and register in advance for the app. For Super Bowl Sunday, VTA officials say the light rail system from Mountain View to

VIEWPOINT 17 | GOINGS ON 22 | MARKETPLACE 23 | REAL ESTATE 25

Levi’s Stadium will be reserved exclusively for ticket-holding fans heading to the Super Bowl. Those riders will have to buy a special $20 ticket, which transit officials are urging people to purchase as early as possible. For those who aren’t heading to the game, there will be an alternative. A fleet of VTA buses will be deployed on Feb. 7 that will travel between all

the light rail stations on the line. Riders used to taking light rail should expect the bus service to be about 20 minutes slower than light rail, said VTA spokeswoman Stacey Hendler Ross. “For our regular passengers, we’re apologizing ahead of time that service is going to be See SUPER BOWL, page 8

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HANSEL AND GRETEL 2.0 Catch the West Coast premiere of Matti Kovler’s lively musical “Ami and Tami,” a contemporary twist on the well-known fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, at the Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, on Sunday, Jan. 17. The performance, which follows Ami and Tami as they find their way back home through a dark forest, will feature singers, dancers and a choir orchestra. A few songs will be performed in Hebrew at 4:30 p.m. and the full production will be performed in English at 5:30 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 for members, children and J-Pass holders. Go to paloaltojcc.org/ events/ami-and-tami.

free exhibit at Palo Alto’s Gallery House, 320 S. California Ave. During a reception on Sunday, Jan. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can meet the artists and create a tree. The exhibition, titled “Breathless,” runs through Jan. 30, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Go to galleryhouse2. com or call 650-326-1668.

The last night of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in Memphis in April 1968 will be highlighted in the two-person, Olivier Award-winning play “The Mountaintop” at Mountain View’s Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St. Michael Wayne Rice and Nathalie Autumn Bennett star in the production, which runs through Jan. 31, ThursdaySaturday, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. $10-$35. Go to thepear.org.

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“Ami and Tami,” a contemporary twist on Hansel and Gretel, will feature Lukas Papenfusscline and Tutti Druyan.

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The internationally acclaimed Canadian ensemble (and ensemble-in-residence at Stanford University) will bring works by Haydn, Rachmaninoff, SaintSaens and Vaughan Williams to life at the Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., on Sunday, Jan. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. $15-$45. Go to live.stanford.edu.

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Michael Wayne Rice as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nathalie Autumn Bennett as Camae in the Pear Theatre’s “The Mountaintop.”

SILICON VALLEY ITALIAN FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT CONCERT Pianist Laura Magnani will kick off the Silicon Valley Italian Festival with a concert at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m. After the performance, guests are welcome to admire iconic photographs of Sicily from Sicilian photographer Giuseppe Leone. $25 general admission, $20 for members and J-Pass holders and $30 at the door. Go to paloaltojcc.org/Events/siliconvalley-italian-festival-openingnight-concert. —My Nguyen

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Castro Elementary was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon as police searched for an armed suspect allegedly involved in the kidnapping of his girlfriend. Officers responded to reports of a domestic disturbance on the 600 block of Mariposa Avenue shortly after noon. The victim told police she was confronted by her boyfriend, identified as Orlando Rivera, at her workplace in Los Altos and was forced at gunpoint to drive him back to Mountain View. While in Mountain View, police said Rivera was approached by a tow truck driver. Rivera Orlando Rivera allegedly brandished a gun at the driver and forced him to hand over his cellphone. Officers created a perimeter around the area to search for the suspect, and eventually located him inside the apartment complex at the 600 block of Mariposa Avenue. Students and school staff were ordered to shelter in place at about 12:40 p.m. as police searched the nearby area for the suspect, according to one school facilitator. The man was not connected to the school, police said. “There is nothing scarier than getting a message from your kid in school saying she is on lockdown,” Castro parent Leslie Micetich told the Voice. Castro parents received a call not to pick up their kids until further notice. The suspect was placed in police custody and the lockdown was lifted at around 2:09 p.m., police said. Rivera was arrested on charges of kidnapping, criminal threats and brandishing a weapon. “The safety and security of our residents and children are our utmost priority in incidents like these,” Capt. Chris Hsiung of the Mountain View Police Department said in a statement.

BODY FOUND ON CASTRO STREET A dead body was found in downtown Mountain View late Tuesday morning, according to Mountain View fire officials. Police and fire crews received a report around 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 12 of a dead person at 471 Castro Street near Valley View Dental Care office, according to fire spokesman Lynn Brown. Officers determined that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, and the body was picked up by the Santa See CRIME BRIEFS, page 7

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LocalNews MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE

Q CITY COUNCIL UPDATES Q COMMUNITY Q FEATURES

School board still split on parcel tax MV WHISMAN UNLIKELY TO MAKE DEADLINE FOR SPECIAL MAY ELECTION

ed California law, which allows school districts to enact special he Mountain View Whis- taxes only so long as they “apply man School District is uniformly to all taxpayers.” In a 17-page legal opinion comjust weeks away from the deadline to put a parcel tax mea- missioned by Nelson and Colasure on the May mail-in ballot. donato, attorney O. Shane BalBut the school board is still com- loun argued that a per-squarepletely split on what kind of tax foot parcel tax would survive judicial scrutiny. Balloun noted to levy on property owners. The advice from the district’s that nowhere in the court deciparcel tax consultants is crystal sion does it say a per-square-foot clear: renew the current Measure parcel tax is contrary to state law, C parcel tax by levying a $191 and that the decision specifically tax on property owners in the struck down Alameda Unified’s district, to take effect as soon as it parcel tax because it created two expires in July 2017. The measure classifications of parcels. “So long as a per-square-foot would have good odds of passing, and would continue providing tax is uniformly applied at one $2.8 million in revenue used rate across all property, there is to maintain smaller class sizes, nothing in the decision that indicompensate teachers and pay for cates that the court should strike such a tax down,” Balloun wrote. after-school programs. Nelson, who offered to put But board members Greg Coladonato and Steve Nelson down $50,000 of his own money to fight a legal have dug in battle that would against the flat tax, and say it’s ‘We’re seeing support likely arise from a per-squaretime to levy a per-square-foot levels here that are foot parcel tax, said he agreed parcel tax that charges own- tenuous enough that we with Balloun’s ers of massive, need to rein things in.’ interpretation of the court decimulti-acre propsion, and that erties differently CHARLES HEATH, a half-cent perthan the average PARCEL TAX CONSULTANT square-foot parhomeowner. cel tax in addiIn past meetings, the board was told by the tion to a flat rate would be a district’s parcel tax consultant “defensible” move on the part of and the district’s legal counsel the district. When asked for comment that it would be a risky move, due to a recent court ruling that about the legal opinion, Colapotentially bars any parcel tax donato responded by telling the that isn’t a flat rate for all prop- Voice that he is interested in erties. But instead of acquiescing putting the parcel tax on a later to the advice, Coladonato and ballot, such as the June primary Nelson have since sought out a or the November presidential election. He did not address the second legal opinion. The root of the problem is in a legal opinion question. In order to put the parcel tax recent court decision against the Alameda Unified School Dis- measure on the ballot, the board trict, where property owners suc- needs four members to vote yes cessfully fought to end a parcel on both the language of the meatax that levied different amounts sure and an election date. The based on the size of commer- tentative plan by the majority of cial and industrial properties. the board was to out the parcel Parcels under 2,000 square feet tax on the May 3 special mail-in were taxed a flat $120 annually, ballot election, which means the whereas the larger parcels were board would need to approve taxed at 15 cents per square foot the tax measure language by the up to a maximum of $9,500. An end of January. With only three appellate court eventually ruled See PARCEL TAX, page 6 that the variable tax rates violatBy Kevin Forestieri

T COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW

A longtime office developer, Sobrato is pitching plans to build as many as 800 homes in the North Bayshore area.

Sobrato pitches 800-unit North Bayshore housing project COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PLANS FOR HOMES AND NEW OFFICE PARK By Mark Noack

ountain View city planners are more than a year away from figuring out how to transform the North Bayshore tech hub into a vibrant residential neighborhood, but that hasn’t stopped developers from pitching new housing projects for city review. Later this month, the City Environmental Planning Commission will review the first of what will likely be a surge of new housing proposals in the North Bayshore area. The first project, submitted recently by the Sobrato Orga-

nization, calls for up to 800 new homes to be built east of Shoreline Boulevard in front of the Santiago Villa mobile home park. The homes would be built on a 17-acre parcel and would be coupled with 230,000 square feet of new office development. The proposal comes at a pivotal time for North Bayshore, home of Google’s headquarters and considered one of the hottest spots for tech companies in Silicon Valley. Following the election of three new members, last year the Mountain View City Council signaled a sharp shift in their vision for the area. The new council backed

the transformation of a large swath of the North Bayshore office park into densely packed, mixed-use residential development in hopes of alleviating local traffic congestion as well as addressing the city’s housing shortage. The idea also gained support among local tech firms, particularly Google. About 60 acres of North Bayshore were mapped out as suitable for future housing, and city officials envisioned a new neighborhood with as many as 9,100 new apartments. But specific plans on See SOBRATO, page 11

LASD ditches plan for MV school site VILLAGE COURT SHOPPING CENTER SITE NOW BEING CONSIDERED By Kevin Forestieri

he Los Altos School District has abandoned plans to build a new school at the site of a Mountain View office building in the San Antonio area, as district officials continue an arduous, years-long search for property for a new campus. The board has been in and out of closed session meetings

with the property owners at 201 San Antonio Circle since March of last year, looking to buy the roughly 3 acres of land for a new school. At the Jan. 11 school board meeting, Superintendent Jeff Baier announced that negotiations have fizzled out. Following multiple offers and counter-offers, Baier said district staff had to back out when they found out the owner was

strictly interested in a ground lease, rather than a sale of the property. “We ultimately made a determination that the site is not worth it,” Baier said. The San Antonio site was just one of several locations that remain on the district’s radar in the search for a new school campus, which is expected to See LASD, page 8

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

LocalNews

New ‘Celebration Train’ launches on MLK Day Last January, the Bay Area’s Freedom Train to honor the civil rights legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made its final trip after more than 30 years. The traditional train ride from San Jose to San Francisco featured singing and speeches and gave the community a chance to honor King’s work. The Freedom Train, which was coordinated by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley was started by King’s late widow Coretta Scott King to commemorate the 54 miles marched by her husband and other civil rights activists from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in March 1965, was the last of its kind in the nation. In response to residents’ desires to continue the service, the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation (NorCalMLK) and Caltrain came together to create a new and free commemorative service to “carry on the spirit of the late Corretta Scott King,” according to a Caltrain announcement.

The new “Celebration Train” will make its debut ride up the Peninsula on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18. The train will provide free service to those attending the MLK2016 celebration event in San Francisco. There will be onboard activities during the ride, according to Caltrain. “The concept of the MLK special train service is the same (as the Freedom Train),” Caltrain spokeswoman Tasha Bartholomew said. “The difference between the Celebration Train and the Freedom Train are the host organizations.” The new Celebration Train, which is being sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric, is being hosted by NorCalMLK and Caltrain is partnering with the organization to provide the special service, Bartholomew said. “At the request of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley, Caltrain agreed not to use the Freedom Train branding because it was See MLK DAY, page 11

PARCEL TAX

Continued from page 5

members now supporting the proposed language by the parcel tax consultants, it appears the election will be delayed. Little support for bigger parcel tax School board members said they were “disappointed” in recent polling that suggest Mountain View residents would shoot down a parcel tax high enough to increase annual funding. Poll results from October showed residents in the Mountain View Whisman School District may be receptive to a parcel tax above $200 if the measure and the arguments could convince likely voters. But at the Jan. 11 meeting, school board members got a clear, sobering message from polling consultant Gene Bregman that the district could barely pass a measure maintaining the current level of funding at $191 per parcel. In polling 404 district residents, Bregman said parcel tax increases beyond $191 did not garner support from at least twothirds of the respondents, meaning there’s a high chance a more ambitious parcel tax could fail at

the ballot box. Of those polled, 68 percent said they would vote for a $191 parcel tax. A parcel tax requires a twothirds yes vote to pass. “It seems rather clear that if you decide that you want to go anywhere with this, it’s going to probably be at the lowest level to maintain where you are right now,” Bregman said. The lack of support for a big parcel tax all boils down to money, Bregman said, as many would-be voters said they weren’t interested in paying significantly more than they already are. Since most property owners currently pay $127 for the parcel tax, with larger property owners paying at a higher rate, many respondents said they were unwilling to nearly double what they already pay for local schools. Arguments against the parcel tax related to governance and management of the district had a less prominent affect on the willingness to support a higher tax. In general, long-time residents and property owners in the city were less likely to support a parcel tax increase, and are disproportionately represented in the polls because they are more likely to vote in elections, Bregman said. An estimated 58

percent of Mountain View residents are renters, but 73 percent of those polled were property owners. Charles Heath, the district’s parcel tax consultant, said he agreed that there’s not enough support for a higher tax rate, and advised the board to move forward with a $191 parcel tax measure for the May mail-in ballot election. Because polls showed the district is facing a very slim margin for passage even at $191, Heath advised against a parcel tax that would kick in prior to the expiration of Measure C. “We’re seeing support levels here that are tenuous enough that we need to rein things in and make sure we’re giving ourselves every advantage to help us hit that two-thirds mark,” Heath said. Board member Bill Lambert said he was very disappointed with the results of the survey, while Coladonato said the district might want to dial it back and actually cut the current level of funding in order to guarantee the measure doesn’t fail. He said the board should consider a tax rate of $181 or $171 in order to bolster the chances of it passing. Email Kevin Forestieri at kforestieri@mv-voice.com

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LocalNews CRIME BRIEFS

Continued from page 4

Clara County Medical ExaminerCoroner’s Office, Brown said. On Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the coroner’s office said the identity has not yet been released, pending notification of the next-of-kin. No additional details are being released, Brown said. Ben Dodson, who works at a nearby office, told the Voice he believes it was a homeless man who frequently slept in that location. Dodson said he often saw an older man who would sleep in a sleeping bag in the courtyard area just outside of the dentist office, tucked away in a corner behind a tree. Around 9:30, Dodson said he heard “upset yelling” from the area where the homeless man slept, and later found that a number of police officers gathered in the courtyard area. That’s when he noticed the man in the sleeping bag was still lying there, he said. “He was a respectful guy,” Dodson said. “We never had problems with him. We gave him his space and he gave us ours.”

SECURITY GUARD ARRESTED Police arrested a security guard over the weekend after he allegedly posed as a police officer and sexually battered a 22-year-old Mountain View woman. Just after 3 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, the woman and her friend were driving down El Camino Real when their car Luis Diaz broke down. When they parked in a nearby school parking lot to check the car, they were approached by a man in a security guard uniform who identified himself as a police officer, according to Mountain View police. He pulled up to the woman’s vehicle in what

appeared to be a patrol car. The security guard, identified as 31-year-old Luis Diaz of San Jose, drove the woman back to her home while her friend rode with a tow truck driver. While on the road, Diaz allegedly sexually battered the woman in the car, according to police. Mountain View police found the Bayside Security car in the area and later located Diaz walking through the apartment complex. Police identified Diaz as the suspect and arrested him on charges of sexual battery. He was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail. Police are seeking information about the case and any victims of a similar incidents, who are asked to call Detective Mason Motomura at 650-903-6364. Plain-clothed detectives and uniformed police officers in Mountain View have identification badges, and anyone unsure of an officer’s identity can call the Mountain View Police Department at 650-903-6395 to verify.

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TWO ARRESTED IN FIGHT Police arrested two men following a fight that broke out over the weekend in Mountain View. Around 2 a.m. on Jan 9, police received a report of a fight in progress at the intersection of Villa Street and Shoreline Boulevard. The two men, identified as 25-year-old Justin Kyle Nini from Palo Alto and 23-year-old Jesus Amador-Cerrillo from Mountain View, allegedly kicked and punched the victim, a 28-yearold Mountain View man, while he was on the ground, according to police spokeswoman Leslie Hardie. The victim suffered minor injuries, Hardie said. It was unclear who had started the fight, Hardie said, as none of the men involved were willing to talk to officers. Officers arrested Nini and Amador-Cerrillo on charges of assault with a deadly weapon. They were booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail. —Kevin Forestieri

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LocalNews LASD

Continued from page 5

Give your sprinklers a break, and let El Niño do the work! El Niño-generated storms have ﬁnally arrived, bringing welcome rain and snow throughout much of California. We remind our customers to turn off all irrigation when it rains and for 48 hours after receiving at least 1/10” of rain. And, please be safe when out and about! With winter upon us, saving water indoors is also important. California Water Service (Cal Water) has multiple tools, programs, and rebates to help you conserve. To learn more about these programs and keep up with the latest drought news, please visit calwater.com. And, Cal Water is offering an additional incentive: Through the February bill cycle, we will give $50 gift cards to 25 lucky customers in each district each month whose names will be drawn from those customers who stayed at or below their water budget. To learn more, please visit calwater.com/reward.

Quality. Service. Value.

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

alleviate overcrowding amid growing enrollment across the Los Altos. The district passed the $150 million Measure N school bond in 2014 with the intent to improve facilities and add capacity as enrollment steadily increases in the coming years. The Los Altos School District includes a portion of Mountain View and enrolls approximately 600 students who are Mountain View residents. And just as the district gave up on the San Antonio Circle property, another opportunity opened up. The school board recently began closed session negotiations with the property owners at the Village Court Shopping Center, located at 4546 El Camino Real in Los Altos. The board is also in negotiations with the property owners of a parking lot across the street at 32 Loucks Avenue. The closed session item lists that “prices and terms of payment” are under negotiation. Baier emphasized at the meeting that they haven’t acquired property from any private owners, and that there’s a “lot of stuff going on in the background” to figure out which locations are affordable and available for purchase. Board member Sangeeth Peruri chimed in, saying there’s no guarantee anything will come of the Village Court negotiations. “There should be no certainty ascribed to any opportunity we’re considering,” Peruri said. Concurrent with those negotiations, board members have

SUPER BOWL

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slower than normal.” she said. “They should prepare to take an earlier bus than normal.” The Super Bowl is certain to bring other changes to regular services. Organizers say that federal law enforcement officials are requiring a 300-foot security perimeter around Levi’s Stadium and the event staging area. That cordon will block some transit lines, and VTA officials say they will operating a special “bus bridge” to bring riders around the vicinity of the stadium. Other transit routes could also be affected. In a public meeting last week, Walter Dobrowolski, vice president of the Super Bowl Host Committee, said he was expecting at least 20,000 people to drive and park near Levi’s Stadium. His team is urging Caltrans to

With the start of the near year, school district staff also plan to put together a list of priorities for new facilities at each of the schools — something that was supposed to happen early last year. The district’s Facilities Master Plan Committee spent the first few months of 2015 trying to come up with a list of priorities for new school construction, working

closely with a district architect who met with staff at each of the school sites, according to Associate Superintendent Randy Kenyon. But the committee got “hung up” on trying to prioritize projects, Kenyon said, and many of the members felt they were missing key information. District staff are now trying a different approach. The new plan is to create a committee at each school, including Bullis Charter School, with the task of coming up with an individualized list of priority projects using Measure N money. Once those lists are created, the Facilities Master Plan Committee can be reconvened, and a finalized master plan can be brought to the board for approval. Board members generally agreed with the strategy, but were concerned about whether the priority lists coming out of each school will keep in mind cost constraints. Board president Pablo Luther said the committees need to be mindful that the cost of a tenth school site will have a big effect on what the district will be able to afford at the existing schools . “Once they’ve come up with their priorities, we do need to assign cost factors to those,” Luther said. Peruri said district staff should make it clear from the outset which options are off the table because of costs, and suggested each school could be given three theoretical price ranges. What school communities want could be very different if the school is allocated $500,000 versus $10 million, he said. Email Kevin Forestieri at kforestieri@mv-voice.com

reserve lanes of Highway 101 exclusively for those heading to the Super Bowl. Caltrans officials say they have no plans to cede any part of the highway for the Super Bowl; however they may post signs urging drivers heading to the game to use the leftmost lanes. Due to heightened safety concerns, government officials are being tight-lipped about many details of the security plan for the Super Bowl. The scenario also remains uncertain for Mountain View. At a City Council meeting in November, police officials warned that as many as 1.7 million people would be coming to the Bay Area to take part in the Super Bowl and its associated events. To deal with the crush of football fans, they indicated they could close the downtown Caltrain parking lot and nearby streets. Mountain View police also reneged on a

offer to provide extra security at Levi’s Stadium out of concern that those officers could be needed to manage traffic and incidents in Mountain View. City Council members asked for an update on the Super Bowl plans and how the event would impact the Sunday downtown Farmers Market. That discussion will likely take place at the Jan 19 council meeting. City officials say they are finalizing plans for possible road closures downtown and expect to release more information sometime next week. Officials could not specify what impacts local residents should expect. “As things progress, we’ll be releasing more information shortly,” said Katie Nelson, Mountain View police spokeswoman. Email Mark Noack at mnoack@mv-voice.com

been meeting with Los Altos city officials since May to discuss possible use of public lands for a new school site. Those meetings may look a little different going into 2016, as the city’s own plans for rebuilding the civic center and adjacent park were shot down in the November election. The city proposed a $65 million bond measure to rebuild the 70-year-old building, but the measure received less than 29 percent of the vote.

‘We ultimately made a determination that the site is not worth it.’ SUPERINTENDENT JEFF BAIER

Although none of the new school options on the table are in Mountain View, the prospects for a school north of El Camino Real remain bright. In July last year, Mountain View’s City Council voted in favor of using dedicated park funds to help purchase park land adjacent to a school site in Mountain View. Getting priorities straight

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

LocalNews HOTEL

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provide about 150 spots for cars. Starting early last year, Mountain View officials put forward a plan to lease the sites for a luxury hotel under the condition that the developer also build garages providing even more public parking spaces. Through a competitive process, the City Council decided last October to go with the Encinitas-based Robert Green Company, which pitched a $110 million, 180-room Joie de Vivre hotel. But while officials agreed to begin talks with the Robert Green firm, the city’s three newest council members — Lenny Siegel, Pat Showalter and Ken Rosenberg — warned that they disliked the developer’s desire to build a 53,000-square-foot office building as part of the project. They urged city staff and the developer to find some way to make housing work on the property instead. But housing advocates received no good news on Tuesday. Speaking before the council, company principal Robert Green Jr. said his team couldn’t find any way to make housing financially viable for the property. If the city

insisted on housing, it would be a deal-breaker, he said. “To us, this is math and the realities of financing. We’d love to build housing in Mountain View if it made economic sense,” Green said. “We can’t do it, and I’m being very honest with you.” There are plenty of examples of profitable housing developments currently underway in Mountain View, but in this instance, Green pointed out that a residential project would be difficult due to site’s small size and the city’s desire for free public parking garages. City staff reported that full residential development would be about $13 million more expensive than comparable office space, and it would generate a fraction of the profits. Green hinted that this outlook could change if the city agreed to add a third city-owned parking lot, which city officials had proposed for affordable housing, into the development package. Nevertheless, a large number of public speakers told the council it would be better to take the matter back to the drawing board rather than agree to another office development. “Building more offices pushes the needle in the wrong direc-

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

tion,” said former council candidate Greg Unangst. “It’s a similar logic to what’s been going in Silicon Valley for the last 50 years and that’s put us in the situation we’re facing.” As the matter came back to the council, it soon became clear it would be a close vote. Council members Chris Clark, John

‘We’d love to build housing in Mountain View if it made economic sense.’ DEVELOPER ROBERT GREEN JR.

McAlister and Mike Kasperzak each supported the development as envisioned. Since the proposed offices would be just a short walk from the transit center, it would allow workers to easily commute to work without driving, they reasoned. Meanwhile, the project would bring dozens of new free parking spaces and possibly as much as $292 million in total hotel-tax revenues over its 55-year lease. It was too good to pass up, Clark argued.

“I really care about the jobshousing imbalance, but we have to solve a lot of other problems,” he said. “This is a really nice way to solve a lot of those problem in a way that’s fiscally responsible.” That point was debatable, as other council members warned there would be long-term costs that the city would face if it signed off on more offices. With limited public land available for development, these parking lot sites presented a rare opportunity for affordable housing, said Councilman Siegel. By passing on this now, he warned the city could end up paying more by having to buy more land for a future subsidized housing project. He pointed out that the nonprofit MidPen Housing, which now has a $40 million sum provided by LinkedIn, had expressed interest in a downtown affordable housing development. “We need to rethink this whole thing — it was a good idea, but it won’t work,” Siegel said. Councilman John Inks joined in opposing the plan, but for different reasons. He criticized the city’s development plans for jumping ahead of a downtown parking study that in progress and for imposing too many

demands. Instead, he favored selling the property to a private developer. Ultimately, the deciding vote fell to Councilman Rosenberg, who said he agreed with all the arguments others had made. But he came out in opposition of housing at this site, saying it would be a trapped “island” of housing amid a larger commercial area, which wouldn’t be conducive to a good neighborhood. The city is already spearheading enough residential growth elsewhere, he said. But he admitted this probably wasn’t what his supporters wanted to hear. “I’m sitting next to my colleagues that were elected with me on the premise of a balanced Mountain View — but I never signed up to say no to commercial development,” he said. “I don’t believe this spot is ideal for housing.” With the council voting 4-3, with Inks, Showalter and Siegel opposed, city staff will begin formal negotiations with the Robert Green Company on the deal’s specifics. Those talks are expected to be finished within 150 days. Email Mark Noack at mnoack@mv-voice.com V

LocalNews

County opens first LGBTQ affairs office Santa Clara County has become the first county nationwide to establish an Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Affairs, county officials announced last Thursday. “I am proud to say that Santa Clara County is now the first county in the nation with an office exclusively dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community,” a statement from Supervisor Ken Yeager, the first openly gay official elected in the county, said. “While our country and this County have come a long way in recent years, it is clear we can be doing more to serve LGBTQ individuals and ensure improved outcomes for this community.” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. have their own offices that address concerns of the LGBTQ community, but Santa Clara County is the first to represent them at a county level, county officials said. Many jurisdictions across

the country have staff liaisons and advisory commissions comprised of people from the LGBTQ community. There is no dedicated office at the state level, according to county officials. The Santa Clara County’s new office will provide training and guidance in serving the LGBTQ community, county officials said. The office will also make sure county departments use best practices in serving LGBTQ people and identifying needed services to serve them, among other duties, county officials said. Maribel Martinez and Ashley Scarborough will serve full-time in the office as manager and management analyst. They will start their jobs on Jan. 19, county officials said. Martinez has been the founding director of San Jose State University’s Cesar E. Chavez Community Action Center for the past eight years. She also worked with nonprofits on issues including health care, education reform, mental health services

and neighborhood safety, county officials said. “Access to resources and a responsive government are essential to the longevity and well-being of LGBTQ communities, especially those whose identities intersect multiple areas of marginality,” Martinez said in a statement. “Over the years, the County has led efforts to address the needs of many communities, including the LGBTQ community,” county Executive Jeff Smith said in a statement. “Under Maribel’s leadership, we are confident the new office will support the needs of the LGBTQ community.” Scarborough is coming to the county from the California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center in Oakland where she helped raise awareness on health issues in order to avert and deal with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, according to county officials. —Bay City News Service

SOBRATO

housing is a work in progress? At this point, both reviews are going to be “high-level” conceptual discussions, Alkire said. “It’ll be a concurrent process, and both projects are going to be informing each other,” he said. “We haven’t really dug into (Sobrato’s) plans at all yet, so we hope to have more answers soon.” The early plans propose six apartment complexes that would be built next to two existing office buildings. The apartment buildings would be five- or sixstories high and would replace a cluster of one-story office buildings in the area. As part of the project, the development firm is also seeking approval for a new six-story office building. As a major incentive for city

officials, the new Sobrato project also promises to include as many as 130 below-market-rate homes that would go in a separate apartment building located off Space Park Way. As to whether these homes will allow Sobrato to build more offices, that remains to be determined, Alkire said. The city has not fully analyzed how to measure any traffic offsets that might be provided by housing. The Mountain View Environmental Planning Commission will review the Sobrato project at a public meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the City Hall Plaza Conference Room, 500 Castro St. Email Mark Noack at mnoack@mv-voice.com

Continued from page 5

how to accomplish this remain a long way off. Last year, council members approved spending $1.2 million for a major revision of the area’s precise plan, which would study housing growth and the plethora of impacts associated with it. The city’s Community Development Department is expecting that precise plan won’t be complete until early 2017, said principal planner Martin Alkire. And this complicated scenario begs a question: How can Mountain View officials review Sobrato’s housing proposal when the city’s roadmap for reviewing

EBRATING CE L

MLK DAY

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bestowed upon them by the late Coretta Scott King, and we respect that,” she added. “As a new partnership with the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation ... we all thought it best to rebrand and use the new name.” The train will depart from the San Jose Diridon Caltrain Station at 9:45 a.m. It will make stops in Palo Alto at 10:05 a.m. and San Mateo at 10:22 a.m. before arriving in San Francisco by 10:55 a.m. There is no special southbound service, but Celebration Train tickets will be accepted on southbound

trains departing San Francisco after 1 p.m. that day, according to Caltrain. For ticket registration, visit eventbrite.com. The theme of the MLK2016 event in San Francisco is The Reality of the Dream and “focuses on the progress made with the civil rights movement, examination of the present reality and the commitment to a brighter future,” according to the NorCalMLK website. There will be a march and parade as well as all-day festivities at Yerba Buena Gardens. For more information, visit sfmlkday.org. All of the day’s events are free and open to the public. —My Nguyen

LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at MountainViewOnline.com

COMPANION UNIT REGULATIONS UPDATE COMMUNITY MEETING THURSDAY JANUARY 28TH 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Council Chambers, City Hall 500 Castro Street Please join us to discuss the City’s Companion Unit regulations and ideas for how they can be modified to encourage more Companion Units in the City. Following this meeting, staff will develop draft regulations and will present these at Environmental Planning Commission and City Council meetings in 2016. All are welcome to attend this community meeting.

MORE INFORMATION Contact: Diana Pancholi | 650.903.6306 | diana.pancholi@mountainview.gov.

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LocalNews deadline. The designs need to be approved by the end of the month in order for the district to send them to the state architect for approval. Rudolph said he did not envy the board’s job in ultimately deciding what to do with Castro, but said it would be remiss of district staff not to bring this cost-savings opportunity to the board. Getting back on budget

CAMPUS

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tary in renovated, existing buildings on the west side of the campus. Mistral would be housed in cheaper, modular buildings along the eastern side of the campus. The revisions were expected to save the district roughly $5.3 million. Parent objections At the Jan. 7 board meeting, board member Greg Coladonato was quick to show his support for modular buildings at Castro, and said it was an effective costsaving measure that takes into account the overall Measure G budget — something he believes the district has neglected to do in the past. Board member Steve Nelson also said he supported the revised plan. But the proposal didn’t sit well with many parents at the school, who argued the new plans had serious flaws. The Mistral school office wouldn’t be in the front of the school, and would instead share space with the Castro front office on the other side of the campus. The shift to the east side of the campus would also mean Mistral parents, many of whom commute to the choice program from other areas of the city, would all be funneled down narrow and congested Toft Street. Mistral parent Kristen McGuire-Husky said she has been forced to walk and bike to school because of the heavy traffic around the campus. She said Toft Street is more or less a one-way street that can barely handle traffic for the current kindergarten classes. “It barely works right now for kindergarten drop-off for onesixth of the school population,” McGuire-Husky said. “I have trouble seeing how it would work for half or more of the school to be back there.” Parents also felt short-changed by the district staff, who took the project and made radical changes

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE MOUNTAIN VIEW WHISMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT.

New school designs to house Mistral Elementary in modular buildings were thrown out by district officials after an outcry from parents.

over the holiday break without allowing for parent and community feedback. In the past, Castro community members have worked closely with the district’s architect, Mark Quattrocchi, on adjustments and cuts to the plans. But this time around, Mistral parents argued, the district made “hasty” changes, giving them no opportunity to voice their concerns. Mistral PTA President Sarah Livnat said the school community has been open to ideas for cost savings, but they were disappointed to see the project altered significantly at the “very last minute.” Parent Joey Mercer told the board that the district appears to lack a long-term vision for the school in favor of searching for a quick way to fix the Measure G budget. “Things are being changed

in knee-jerk reactions for nearterm issues, and it doesn’t really give me any confidence for the future,” Mercer said.

‘This is a perfect example of what we should not do for the future of the rest of the school sites.’ BOARD MEMBER JOSE GUTIÉRREZ

Board member José Gutiérrez criticized district staff for making sweeping changes to the school design over the winter break without input from parents. He said the board made the right decision in November

when it voted 3-2 for the original, $43 million plan, and urged the board to honor that vote and move forward. “This is a perfect example of what we should not do for the future of the rest of the school sites,” Gutiérrez said. Time limits at the meeting also strained the patience of parents and board members. The agenda allocated only 20 minutes for discussion on the new construction plans, and board president Ellen Wheeler restricted community comments to one minute each. On several occasions, Nelson demanded public speakers stop speaking as soon as their allotted time ran out. The agenda item stretched well beyond an hour and prompted a special meeting to be scheduled at a future date. The rushed construction changes are based on a looming

Intern with us this winter Join the Voice’s busy newsroom as a part-time intern this winter! We’re accepting applications from aspiring journalists and photojournalists looking for hands-on experience at our thriving community newspaper and online news service. Contact Editor Andrea Gemmet at editor@mv-voice. com for details. Application deadline is Jan. 20.

The cuts to the Castro campus were supposed to be a significant step towards getting back on budget with Measure G spending, and could have brought the school construction budget back in the black, according to a staff report. Chief Business Officer Robert Clark told the board late last year that cuts to future construction would be essential. Clark also made clear that the district would need to tap into millions of dollars in outside funds in order to make ends meet. In one scenario, the board could choose to house Mistral Elementary in modular buildings and pare back construction on the district office to save roughly $7 million. On top of that, the district could drain all $6 million of its developer-fee revenue, $1 million in deferred maintenance and $7.5 million in tax money from the Shoreline Regional Park Community. By taking all these measures, the district will end with a positive balance of $1.6 million. One of the underlying questions that remained unanswered at the Jan. 7 meeting was whether the board was willing to downsize the district’s choice programs, including Dual Immersion at Mistral, to 350 students. Doing so would save even more of the Measure G funding, but some board members worried it would negatively affect the program. Coladonato said the school likely needs three kindergarten classrooms to support the program’s upper grades, which won’t be possible in a school of only 350. “We’re setting ourselves up to do something wrong if we try to mess with the current plan at Mistral,” Coladonato said. Board member Bill Lambert was hesitant to throw his support behind a larger school at Mistral. By approving a new school at Slater Elementary, Lambert said, the district is setting itself up to overbuild capacity. If too many kids flock to Mistral and Slater, Lambert said, other schools might struggle with enrollment. “What I want to do is ensure that we are able to fill our neighborhood schools so we have viable and healthy neighborhood schools,” Lambert said. Email Kevin Forestieri at kforestieri@mv-voice.com V

ONLINE

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

As of Dec. 30 2015 165 donors have donated $70,207 to the Mountain View Voice Holiday Fund

Thank you for supporting the Mountain View Voice

Holiday Fund Your gift helps children and families in need Every dollar donated to the 2015 Holiday Fund will benefit these local nonprofits: Day Worker Center The Day Worker Center of Mountain View provides a secure place for workers and employers to negotiate wages and work conditions. It serves an average of 60 workers a day with job placements, English lessons, job skills workshops or guidance. Mentor Tutor Connection Mentor Tutor Connection matches adult volunteer mentors with at-risk youth in the Mountain View, Los Altos and the Los Altos Hills area and offers tutoring to many students, including some in high school and beyond. Community School of Music and Arts The Community School of Music and Arts provides hands-on art and music education in the classrooms of the Mountain View Whisman School District. Nearly 45 percent of the students are socio-economically disadvantaged, and 28 percent have limited English proficiency.

30 Anonymous ............... $10,040

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Mountain View RotaCare Clinic The RotaCare Free Clinic provides uninsured local residents with primary care and many specialty care services. The clinic is frequently the last resort for this underserved demographic group.

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YWCA Support Network for Domestic Violence This group operates a 24-hour bilingual hotline and a safe shelter for women and their children. It also offers counseling and other services for families dealing with domestic violence.

Lyle & Sally Sechrest ............... 100

Community Health Awareness Council CHAC serves Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and seven school districts. Among other things, it offers school-based programs to protect students from high-risk behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Wesley and Molly Smith ............. *

Somersille Sibley Family.......... 100

Patricia Hamak .......................... *

Community Services Agency CSA is the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety-net providing critical support services for low-income individuals and families, the homeless and seniors in northern Santa Clara County, including Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

Dorothy Meier ........................... *

Lawrence Rosenberg .............. 250 Derrick Carter .......................... 20 Ron Stephens ......................... 100 Jerry & Renee Hinson ................. * Robert & Lois Adams .............. 500 Judith Manton .......................... 50 Karl Schnaitter ....................... 700

In Memory Of Kate Wakerly ............................ * Jewell Silvestrini ..................... 100 Leo Petti .................................. 50 Dusty Topol ........................... 100 Sally Corely ............................ 50 Ernesto Alejandro ...................... * Evan C. Rauch ........................... * Herbert E. Rauch ........................ * Henry C. Hennings Jr................. * William Rogge ...................... 300 Nick Bagar ........................... 200 Daisy W. Morris ........................ *

Rosanne Cejna ...................... 175

In Honor Of

Elisabeth Seaman....................... *

Glen & Linda Eckols ............... 200

Maryellen Wolfers.................. 100

Jeanette Motumalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retirement .... 50

Rose Han .................................. *

Jane & Jerry King ................... 500

Michael Kahan ...................... 100

Ed Petros and Thalia............... 125

Susan Tenney......................... 500

Organizations

Kevin Chiapello ..................... 250

Wakerly Family Foundation 25,000

Sally B. Evans ........................ 200 Beverly Smolich ..................... 100

Mountain View Moms Annual Party.......................... 970

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

List with DeLeon Realty b ef o r e Ja n u a r y 2 2 , 2 01 6 f o r t he Spring 2 016 ma r k e t a n d y ou wi l l r e ce ive : • a $1,000 gift card to The Home Depot. • 25 hours of handyman time. • a special pre-marketing plan* for your home, including: - exposure on DeLeon Realty’s Spring Showcase website. - inclusion in newspaper inserts (64,500 copies).

• our industry-leading marketing plan, including: - full-page newspaper ads. - Google & Facebook ads. - Chinese newspaper & radio ads. - 2 or 28-page custom brochures. - a professional-quality video. - a 3-D tour.

This is in addition to the complimentary services we provide to all our sellers, including: free property inspection | free pest inspection | free staging** *Pre-marketing for Spring Showcase will roll out the second week of February 2016. * *Includes all fees associated with design, delivery, set-up, de-staging, and the first month of furniture rental. Disclaimer: This offer applies to listings with a signed listing agreement, entered between Nov. 1, 2015 and Jan. 22, 2016. This is a limited-time offer for homes that will be listed on the MLS by May 1, 2016. Past listings and transactions are excluded from this offer. This offer applies to select single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes in San Mateo County and Santa Clara County.

650.48 8 .7 325

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

www.d eleon rea lty.com

C a lB RE # 0 19 0 3 224

108 Avon Terrace, Sunnyvale Offered at $1,488,000 Pristine Home in Perfect Location Built in 2013, this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home of 1,831 sq. ft. (per county) has a lot of 3,101 sq. ft. (per county) and enjoys a location moments away from local shopping, dining, and recreation. Presenting a breezy, open floorplan and fine finishes like plantation shutters and hardwood floors, the home includes a private setting, a luxurious kitchen, an attached two-car garage, and a drought-tolerant backyard. Sunnyvale Community Center, local parks, and exceptional Cupertino schools are all nearby (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

w w w . 1 0 8 Av o n .c o m

OPEN HOUSE

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Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

LocalNews

Inspirations

Q COMMUNITYBRIEFS

a guide to the spiritual community LOS ALTOS LUTHERAN Bringing God’s Love and Hope to All

Children’s Nursery 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:10 Sunday School 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Pastor David K. Bonde Outreach Pastor Gary Berkland 460 South El Monte (at Cuesta) 650-948-3012 www.losaltoslutheran.org

To include your Church in

Inspirations Please call Blanca Yoc at 650-223-6596 or email

byoc@paweekly.com

MOUNTAIN VIEW CENTRAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m. Saturday Services: Worship 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Study Groups: 10-11 a.m. Pastor Kenny Fraser, B.A.M. DIV 1425 Springer Rd., Mtn. View - Ofﬁce Hrs. M-F 9am-1pm www.mtviewda.adventistfaith.org Phone: 650-967-2189

Join our team! We’re looking for talented, highly-motivated and dynamic people

Embarcadero Media is a locally-owned and independent multimedia company based in Palo Alto for over 35 years. We produce the award-winning Palo Alto Weekly, Mountain View Voice and The Almanac on the Midpeninsula. In each of these markets our print publications and award-winning websites are the best-read and most respected news source in the area. We are currently looking for talented and outgoing Multimedia Advertising Sales Representatives to join our team. In this position, you will work with local businesses to expand their brand identity and support their future success using our marketing platforms: print campaigns, website and mobile advertising and email marketing. The ideal candidate is an organized and assertive self-starter who loves working in a team environment to achieve sales goals. Be sure you have strong verbal, written and persuasive interpersonal skills — and you thrive on exceptional customer service and hard work. Sales experience is a plus, but we will consider well-qualiﬁed candidates with a passion to succeed. Please email your resume and a cover letter describing why you believe you are the right ﬁt with Embarcadero Media. No phone calls, please.

Submit your resume and cover letter to: Tom Zahiralis, Vice President Sales and Marketing tzahiralis@embarcaderopublishing.com

450 Cambridge Avenue | Palo Alto, CA 94306 | 650.326.8210 PaloAltoOnline.com | TheAlmanacOnline.com | MountainViewOnline.com

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

NEW INSPECTORS FOR HOUSING VIOLATIONS

CITY SETTLES WITH INJURED CYCLIST

Mountain View is committing $57,000 to hire a team of contractors to handle hundreds of recently discovered building violations associated with illegal construction. The new violations, which were discovered mostly over the last year, stem entirely from construction work performed on multi-family housing, which includes buildings with three or more dwelling units. The city has 680 such properties on record, about half of which are allowed to “self-certify,” meaning they aren’t regularly inspected by city officials. Over the last 14 months, city officials say they found a “myriad” of construction violations as they began examining about 380 of these properties. Inspectors found homes with illegal water heaters, kitchen and bathroom remodels, new stairways and various repairs that lacked city permits. In total, Mountain View Fire Department officials estimate they would need to issue about 440 permits to bring the work into compliance. “This was throughout the city, there wasn’t one specific neighborhood,” said Fire Chief Juan Diaz. “I would say that folks might need some kind of education program ... perhaps this was something they weren’t aware of.” To help bring these properties into compliance, fire officials asked for an extra $57,000 for a contract building inspector and assistant through the municipal services firm Shums Code Associates. The council approved the allocations in a 7-0 consent agenda vote on Jan. 12.

Mountain View officials on Tuesday announced they are signing off on a $55,000 settlement deal with a cyclist who in 2013 was struck by a city police car. The plaintiff, Zachary Platt, was riding across the intersection of San Antonio Road and Leghorn Street when a patrol car hit him while making a left turn. The collision reportedly left Platt with injuries to his head, neck, shoulders, knees and feet. At the time, Platt was riding his bike in the crosswalk of the street, and city officials initially indicated this exonerated the officer from responsibility. City officials later rejected a claim filed by Platt seeking to recoup about $52,000 in medical bills as well as about $1,500 for his wrecked bike. Platt later hired an attorney and filed suit in 2014. Discussing the case in closed session on Tuesday, Jan. 12, the City Council voted unanimously to settle the case for $55,000. Platt has agreed to the settlement deal, according to City Attorney Jannie Quinn.

ROTACARE REOPENS The Mountain View RotaCare clinic is once again seeing patients, but the nonprofit free clinic remains in limbo as to whether it will continue to operate. Officials from El Camino Hospital, which provides the bulk of the clinic’s funding, indicated this week they had retained enough staff to continue RotaCare’s operations temporarily. In the coming days, they plan to deliver options to the hospital’s board of directors for keeping the clinic open.

“We’re remaining steadfast,” said hospital spokeswoman Chris Ernst. “Once we have formal decision, we can provide the full update.” Mountain View’s RotaCare is a unique service providing free health care for anyone lacking insurance. Unlike similar clinics around the Bay Area, the local RotaCare is open most days of the week and is staffed by a complement of El Camino Hospital employees. Much of the clinic’s medical staffing is provided by more than 200 volunteer doctors, nurses and other helpers. In recent days, all the volunteers were put on hiatus while hospital administrators grappled with a sudden lack of an in-house physician and nurse practitioners, staff that’s legally required. El Camino officials have said that the clinic was becoming obsolete since fewer people lack health insurance following the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act. In an update to the Bay Area RotaCare board last week, El Camino Hospital officials said they would keep the clinic open through April before deciding on the potential closure. “They’re making sure every patient in the clinic has a new medical home,” said RotaCare board president John Thomas. “They’ll keep us informed as they progress.” —Mark Noack

twitter.com/mvvoice

Saint Simon Parish School

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, January 31, 2016

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 10:30 AM Preschool Presentation 11:00 AM Kindergarten Presentation Guided Tours 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM 650-968-9952 school.stsimon.org

1840 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA 94024

No Appointment Necessary

Located at the intersection of Foothill Expressway and Grant Road

Viewpoint

Q EDITORIAL Q YOUR LETTERS Q GUEST OPINIONS

Q EDITORIAL THE OPINION OF THE VOICE Founding Editor, Kate Wakerly

Q S TA F F EDITOR Andrea Gemmet (223-6537) EDITORIAL Associate Editor Renee Batti (223-6528) Arts & Entertainment Editor Elizabeth Schwyzer (223-6517) Special Sections Editor Brenna Malmberg (223-6511) Staff Writers Kevin Forestieri (223-6535) Mark Noack (223-6536) Photographer Michelle Le (223-6530) Contributors Dale Bentson, Trevor Felch, Mimm Patterson, Ruth Schecter DESIGN & PRODUCTION Marketing and Creative Director Shannon Corey (223-6560) Design and Production Manager Kristin Brown (223-6562) Designers Linda Atilano, Diane Haas, Rosanna Leung, Paul Llewellyn, Nick Schweich, Doug Young ADVERTISING Vice President Sales and Marketing Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) Advertising Representative Adam Carter (223-6573) Real Estate Account Executive Rosemary Lewkowitz (223-6585) Published every Friday at 450 Cambridge Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 964-6300 fax (650) 964-0294 Email news and photos to: editor@MV-Voice.com Email letters to: letters@MV-Voice.com News/Editorial Department (650) 964-6300 fax (650) 964-0294 Display Advertising Sales (650) 964-6300 Classified Advertising Sales (650) 964-6490 • (650) 326-8286 fax (650) 326-0155 Email Classified ads@MV-Voice.com Email Circulation circulation@MV-Voice.com The Voice is published weekly by Embarcadero Media Co. and distributed free to residences and businesses in Mountain View. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 9646300. Subscriptions for $60 per year, $100 per 2 years are welcome. ©2016 by Embarcadero Media Company. All rights reserved. Member, Mountain View Chamber of Commerce

Q WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters will also appear on the web site, www.MountainViewOnline.com, and occasionally on the Town Square forum. Town Square forum Post your views on Town Square at MountainViewOnline.com Email your views to letters@MV-Voice.com. Indicate if letter is to be published. Mail to: Editor Mountain View Voice, P.O. Box 405 Mountain View, CA 94042-0405 Call the Viewpoint desk at 223-6528

School district has road map; what’s next?

he superintendent, high-level staff and elected board members of the Mountain View Whisman School District have some fairly high hurdles to clear if they hope to fix problems identified in the recently completed “quality review” audit by an outside firm hired to evaluate the district’s performance. The review by Cambridge Education highlights a number of systemic problems at the staff level, including the district’s lack of a strategic plan that would identify a common vision and goals to guide its educational programs, and the general lack of communication and collaboration among staff — a situation that results in the district’s functioning, in the words of Cambridge, “as a system of schools rather than a school system.” And the school board? The report offers no surprises for board observers. Among its conclusions: Q “The board’s inability to function as a group of leaders and to work collaboratively with the District office has established barriers that directly impact the students, employees and families” in the district. Q “ ... (C)ommunications and relationships between board members are strained, which also impedes progress. When debates about any issue arise, they often descend into prolonged arguments that ultimately arrive at no consensus.” Q “Parents, community members, and district employees are especially distressed by the behaviors displayed during board meetings, which they deem as unprofessional and unproductive. ... Parents are disheartened and have lost faith in the ability of the board to lead the district to be high performing.” The report emphasizes that the district’s systemic problems and the school board’s dysfunction have led to an educational program that shortchanges many students and widens the district’s dismaying achievement gap. Some of the students most affected by problems identified in the report are those in special education classes and English language learners. Q LETTER VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY

COUNCIL SOLUTION IS ONLY A ‘BAND-AID’ I loved your editorial in the Dec. 11 Voice, “Urgent action needed to protect city’s renters.” Thanks a lot for stating in such a clear way the facts about the profound suffering of thousands of tenants in our city due to the frequent and greedy high rent increases. Unfortunately what the City Council approved last Dec. 1 is just a little “band-aid” that will do almost nothing to stop the profuse bleeding in our low-income community due to the high-rent

crisis. The six- or 12-month lease is just that — six or 12 months. Then at the end of the lease, the landlords have the door open to freely increase the rent as they have been doing it. The little temporary help some tenants would get from the Community Services Agency (CSA) would only temporarily help some tenants to satisfy the greediness of many landlords — especially corporate ones — because most council members have refused to be brave enough to face those landlords by not approving an urgency ordinance, by not approving a just-cause eviction,

Superintendent Ayindé Rudolph, who began his tenure as chief administrator last July, demonstrated welcome leadership and wisdom by bringing in an outside evaluator as one of his first steps. The $275,000 review, paid for by Google, gives him and other district leaders the information they need to overhaul a school system that lacks cohesion and direction, and improve the education of all students. The report recommends specific measures to address problems at both the staff and the school board levels. It notes that the superintendent already “is leading the way to move the district forward in a very strategic and purposeful manner,” and lists examples of his initiatives. Fixing what’s broken at the school board level may prove to be more of a challenge — at least as the board is configured now. As a Jan. 8 article in the Voice noted, behind-the-scenes interactions between some board members and district staff have resulted in strained relationships and additional burden being placed on staff members responding to “arbitrary requests” by those board members. The Cambridge Education report also criticizes the board for devoting a disproportionate amount of time and energy to school construction planning, at the expense of addressing the district’s systemic problems that are hampering student achievement. Some of the board’s most embarrassing behavior at recent meetings, in fact, has involved seemingly endless debate about details of the campus reconstruction projects. The district and its board now have a road map forward in the form of the auditor’s recommendations. The superintendent appears to have begun to address identified problems. Will the board also respond? As a first step, board members might stop spending so much time trying to micromanage the rebuilding of school campuses and focus instead on rebuilding the school community’s trust in their leadership and determination to improve the education for all students in the district. V

by not stating what fair percentage (not higher than 7 percent for example) landlords will be allowed to use to increase rents after the six- or 12-month lease expires, by being so reluctant to even consider rent stabilization. But those council members who have so far been afraid or unwilling to act to really help those most in need, and who are a basic part of our city’s diversity of which they feel so proud, still have a good chance to do what they are morally obligated to do. If they don’t, shame on them. We voters will keep them in mind if they run for higher state office or want to get re-elected to the council. Job Lopez McCarty Avenue

Support Mountain View Voice’s coverage of our community. Memberships begin at only 17¢ per day Join today: SupportLocalJournalism.org

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

Weekend MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE

Q FOOD FEATURE Q MOVIE TIMES Q BEST BETS FOR ENTERTAINMENT

Pho tai at Hometown Noodle starts with slices of flank steak over rice noodles before being topped with broth.

The Midpeninsula’s best options for Vietnamese noodle soup STORY BY ELENA KADVANY

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE LE

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

Q F O O D F E AT U R E

here’s not yet a study to back it up, but I’m convinced there’s a strong correlation between cold, rainy weather and cravings for pho. There’s just something about the traditional Vietnamese soup on a cold day — the nourishing, aromatic broth; the comfort of a warm noodle-soup; the reassuring familiarity of something simple yet incredibly satisfying. It’s a medically unproven cure for many ailments (including the common cold, hangovers and loneliness). Pho (pronounced “fuh”) starts with a base of broth, made over several hours from bones of meat — typically beef, but sometimes chicken. It’s served with different cuts of meat, long, thin rice noodles and spices and herbs. Meat added after the soup typically includes steak, brisket, tripe, tendon, meatballs, oxtail and chicken as well as seafood. Some restaurants have vegetarian options.

Weekend The soup comes with toppings like sliced white onion, green onion and cilantro. Traditional pho garnishes, always served on the side for the diner to customize to his or her liking, include bean sprouts, sprigs of Thai basil, jalapeno slices and lime wedges. Garnishes wield the most f lavor impact when ripped up and sprinkled throughout, rather than added in whole. Bowls can be jazzed up further with condiments like fish sauce, Siracha and hoisin, which can always be found at a Vietnamese restaurant table. Pho purists warn against oversaucing; instead, dip just your protein in a side dish of your preferred sauce, then mix in your mouth with noodles and both. In Vietnam, pho is a staple meal at any time of the day — breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Midpeninsula, located in the pho desert north of San Jose (home to the largest Vietnamese population in the nation), is admittedly not well known for pho. But a closer look at the Vietnamese restaurants in the area turns up some competitive options that make it well worth dining on the Peninsula.

Jenny Ha Nguyen, owner of Hometown Noodle in Redwood City, ladles broth into a bowl of pho on Jan. 12.

Best in town: Hometown Noodle, Redwood City Redwood City is best known for its taquerias, but it’s also home to a handful of Vietnamese restaurants. Top of your list should be Hometown Noodle, a hidden gem sandwiched between a beauty salon and shoe store on Middlefield Road in the North Fair Oaks neighborhood. It doesn’t look like much from the outside (ignore

the bars on the windows and giant food photos), but its kitchen is turning out some of the best pho on the MidPeninsula. Owner Jenny Ha Nguyen said they cook their broth from beef bones over 10 hours with ginger and yellow onion, controlling the temperature carefully to ensure a consistent product. When it’s ready to be served, the cooks drain all the liquid and add to a separate

bowl with the noodles and already cooked meat. The pho tai chin with flank steak and slices of brisket is aromatic and flavorful. For an authentic Vietnamese experience, ask for a side order of soup fat — the leftovers from what is drained before serving. Nguyen said in more than a decade of business at Hometown, only Vietnamese customers have ever asked for it.

Other local restaurants’ pho ga (pronounced “yeah”), or chicken pho, pale in comparison to Hometown’s, which comes packed with juicy, shredded chicken breast. Maybe it’s so good because it’s still made with the same beef-bone broth; Nguyen said they ditched a chicken-only broth some years ago after customers started asking for the beef broth. Bowls come in three sizes: small ($7.95), medium ($8.95) and large ($9.95). The small is enough for a satisfying lunch. Like most pho joints, service at Hometown is quick with no frills. There are numerous meat combinations, and while Nguyen said it’s not quite create-your-own-bowl, customers can always ask for whatever mix of proteins they prefer. 3151 Middlefield Road, Redwood City; hometownnoodle.com. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Crowd favorite: Pho Vi Hoa, Los Altos This longtime Vietnamese restaurant on El Camino Real attracts big crowds, and despite the massive dining Continued on next page

DINNER BY THE MOVIES AT SHORELINE’S

Live Music in Mountain View at Cucina Venti! Award Winning Guitarist Kenya Baker will perform this Thursday from 5:30–8:30pm Great Music, Great Food, Great Times!

Cucina Venti 1390 Pear Ave., Mountain View (650) 254-1120 www.CucinaVenti.com

The Voya Restaurant

Make your reservation on For information on future events, follow us on

1390 Pear Ave., Mountain View (650) 386-6471 www.TheVoyaRestaurant.com

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

Weekend

Pho tai at Pho Vi Hoa in Los Altos comes with eye of round steak and traditional garnishes of Thai basil, bean sprouts, serrano peppers and lime slices. Continued from previous page

room, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually a line out the door for weekday lunch. Show up before noon to snag a spot if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to wait for a table. Pho Vi Hoa

is one of several business at the Village Court shopping center in Los Altos; if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wait, head into Teaspoon for a refreshing milk tea or peruse the meat options at Dittmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gourmet Meat & Wurst-Haus.

The pho tai chin with an eye of round steak and lean brisket has rich, deep f lavors; the pho ga doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint either, with heaping portions of al-dente noodles and shredded chicken. Pho Via Hoa also distinguished itself by serving the traditional garnish suitable for chicken pho: cilantro. Their soup, however, left me feeling dehydrated for several hours â&#x20AC;&#x201D; like my veins were running with sodium rather than blood. My VietnameseAmerican dining companion wondered whether the size of the restaurant, much larger than many others in the area, means compromised quality (and too much salt) when it comes to the broth. Pho Via Hoa offers two sizes of bowls, small ($9.50) and large ($10.50). 4546 El Camino Real, A12, Los Altos; phovihoa.com. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bargain meal: Pho to Chau, Mountain View Get your pho fill at lunch for only $6.70 at Pho to Chau in downtown Mountain View. The restaurant, clean, quiet and friendly, is located on Villa Street, about a block removed from the weekday hubbub of Castro Street. Pho to Chau recently changed ownership and, diners say, its soup improved significantly. There are more than 20 meat combinations on the menu, from rare steak (served on the side and dropped into the hot soup at the table to cook) to brisket and meatballs. There are also seafood options (shrimp, tilapia, calamari and salmon). Pho to Chauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pho ga comes with thin and pliant noodles and quality broth, but the sliced white chicken meat was not as moist and fresh as other restaurants. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling adventurous, opt for the tai gan, which

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comes with thick, f lavorful chunks of beef tendon and paper-thin slices of brisket. Pro tip: Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay for lunch? Pho to Chauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bowls also travel well via takeout containers. Just make sure you have your own Siracha on hand at home. A small goes for $6.70 (and is plenty for a full meal, though not available for takeout), medium for $8.95 and large for $9.95. Each size has the same amount of meat, according to the menu. 853 Villa St., Mountain View; photochau.net. Open MondayThursday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight. Upscale bowl: Tamarine, Palo Alto Those seeking a higher-end bowl of pho with a full-service dining experience could opt for Tamarine in downtown Palo Alto. Tamarineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pho is made from a ginger-beef broth, served with noodles and slices of Kobe beef blanched with star anise and cinnamon ($15). For a less-traditional take, minus the broth, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the wokflashed rice noodles tossed with Chinese broccoli, flank steak, eggs and soy sauce ($17). 546 University Ave., Palo Alto; tamarinerestaurant.com. Open for lunch, Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner, Monday-Thursday, 5:30â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5â&#x20AC;&#x201C;10 p.m. and Sunday, 5â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9 p.m. Staff Writer Elena Kadvany can be emailed at ekadvany@ paweekly.com.

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Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

Larissa MacFarquhar Reading

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FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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Weekend Q MOVIEOPENINGS

Q MOVIETIMES 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (R) Century 16: 10 a.m., 1:15, 4:30, 7:45 & 11 p.m. Century 20: 11 a.m., 12:35, 2:20, 3:55, 5:40, 7:15, 9:05 & 10:35 p.m. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (PG) Century 16: 10 a.m. Century 20: 4:35 p.m., Fri. & Sun. 11:15 a.m., 2 p.m. Anomalisa (R) +++1/2 Aquarius Theatre: 1:30, 4:40, 7:20 & 10 p.m. The Big Short (R) +++1/2 Century 16: 10:20 a.m., 1:25, 4:25, 7:40 & 10:40 p.m. Century 20: 10:25 a.m., 1:25, 4:25, 7:25 & 10:30 p.m. Brooklyn (PG-13) +++1/2 Palo Alto Square: 1:15, 4:15 & 7:15 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 9:55 p.m. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) (R) Century 16: Sun. 2 p.m. Century 20: Sun. 2 & 7 p.m. IMAGE COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES

The stop-motion animated feature “Anomalisa” features voices by David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Tom Noonan.

No strings attached EXISTENTIAL ROMANCE “ANOMALISA” ASKS, MAN OR PUPPET? 0001/2 (The Aquarius Palo Alto) Depression can take the form of going through motions like an unfeeling automaton, virtually checked out of life. Near the outset of Charlie Kaufman’s “Anomalisa,” the protagonist checks in to a Cincinnati hotel that just might hold the key to his salvation — if he can overcome his ennui. One of cinema’s most uncompromising artists, Kaufman made his name with the headtrippy screenplays for “Being John Malkovich,” “Adaptation,” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” In adapting his play “Anomalisa” for the screen, Kaufman shares directing credit with animator Duke Johnson. They have crafted this dramedy in mesmerizing stop-motion puppet animation that challenges conventions of subject matter and style for bigscreen animated features. The film’s “hero” is Michael Stone (David Thewlis), a married-with-kids motivational speaker who travels from city to city to deliver customer-service advice. As per the archetype of advice peddlers, this one badly needs some guidance of his own in escaping his dispiriting rut. Restlessness leads Michael to consider enlisting an extra-

Q MOVIEREVIEWS

THE HATEFUL EIGHT 001/2

Those with a Quentin Tarantino fetish are likely to like the writer-director’s latest tribute to ‘60s and ‘70s film and TV in “The Hateful Eight.” As the title promises, the post-Civil War potboiler has scoundrels circling each other and, eventually, pouncing and bleeding. The film has its selling points: the cast having a ball; knowingly overripe dialogue and unfolding-narrative trickery; and photography of epic Colorado scenery and fron-

marital bedmate, and he finds a candidate in Lisa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), one of a pair of groupies impressed by Michael’s work. Lisa, too, vibes loneliness and a longing for happiness, which she expresses through a humble, tender a cappella rendition of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Kaufman’s intentions prove similarly humble, as noted in the cautionary line “Sometimes there’s no lesson — that’s a lesson in itself.” The film, then, avoids un-ironic motivational lecture and offers a deadpanfunny slice-of-despairing life. That said, Kaufman and Johnson score thematic points on the natures of depression and desire. The puppets are as much message as medium, particularly in a reverie that finds Michael going to pieces in a mirror. And, albeit counterintuitively, the silicone figures give us the healthy distance to allow an anthropological self-study. The hotel where Michael stays, the Fregoli, alludes to the Fregoli delusion, a rare neuropsychiatric syndrome by which paranoid sufferers mistakenly believe that different people are a single person; indeed, every character Michael meets, male tier squalor. But for all its amusements, “Hateful Eight” noticeably flounders in patches of bald exposition and clunky narration. Rated R for strong bloody violence, a scene of violent sexual content, language and some graphic nudity. Three hours, 7 minutes. — P.C.

THE REVENANT 001/2

Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s “The Revenant” frontlines Leonardo DiCaprio as a man who must battle nature and his fellow man to survive. In a faultless if unmoving performance, he plays Hugh Glass, a member of a fur-trapping expedition set upon by native Arikara in Louisiana Purchase territory, circa 1823. With

and female, apart from the singular Lisa (an anomaly, hence the title’s “anoma”Lisa), shares the same facial features and speaks with the voice of actor Tom Noonan. This gambit serves as a source of humor as well as a neat expression of the great grayness of depression, only broken through by the colorful, extraordinary individual who becomes a candidate for friendship or romance. There’s humor, too, in Seinfeldian absurdities (shopping for a child’s gift in a sex-toy shop), conversational crossed wires, and everyday fumblings, from the hotel shower to sex acts. The brilliant vocal performances employ subtle sensitivity to enable the laughs and even a wee bit of sympathy for Michael despite being yet another midlife-crisis white guy on the big screen. “Anomalisa” may have no lesson to push, but it’s undeniably an artful rendering of the postmillennial man adrift, in search of any port other than the one he’s made for himself. Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language. One hour, 30 minutes. — Peter Canavese the group scrambling to make it back to an outpost, Glass has an unscheduled encounter with a grizzly bear. Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) leaves him in the care of a smaller party, headed up by merciless John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Glass is left for dead, but he survives to journey across harsh terrain to exact his revenge. Ultimately, the film offers little to chew on in terms of themes, and the flashy cinematographic staging ultimately plays less as lyricism and more as poetry slam. Rated R for strong frontier combat and violence including gory images, a sexual assault, language and brief nudity. Two hours, 36 minutes. — P.C.

Carol (R) Century 16: 10:30 a.m., 1:20, 4:10, 7:15 & 10:10 p.m. Century 20: 10:50 a.m., 1:55, 4:45, 7:35 & 10:25 p.m. Concussion (PG-13) Century 16: Fri. & Sat. 7:20 p.m. Sun. 7:35 p.m. Century 20: Fri. 4:50 p.m., Fri. & Sun. 10:55 a.m., 10:45 p.m. Sat. 4:55 & 10:50 p.m. Creed (PG-13) +++ Century 20: 3:25 & 9:55 p.m. Daddy’s Home (PG-13) Century 16: 11:30 a.m., 2, 4:35, 7:10 & 9:45 p.m. Century 20: 11:45 a.m., 2:20, 5:10, 7:50 & 10:20 p.m. The Danish Girl (R) Aquarius Theatre: 2, 4, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:05 a.m., 2:45 p.m. The Forest (PG-13) Century 20: 10:30 a.m., 12:50, 3:15, 5:40, 8:10 & 10:45 p.m. The Good Dinosaur (PG) ++1/2 Century 16: 10 a.m. Century 20: 11 a.m., 1:30, 4:20, 6:50 & 9:35 p.m. The Hateful Eight (R) ++1/2 Century 16: 11:15 a.m., 3:10, 7 & 10:45 p.m. Century 20: 6:30 & 10:10 p.m. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (PG-13) ++1/2 Century 20: Fri. 1:45 & 7:40 p.m., Sat. 1:50 & 7:45 p.m. Joy (PG-13) ++1/2 Century 16: Fri. & Sat. 4:05 p.m. Sun. 10:05 a.m., 4:40 p.m. Century 20: 7:20 & 10:15 p.m. Met Opera: Les Pecheurs de Perles (Not Rated) Century 16: Sat. 9:55 a.m. Century 20: Sat. 9:55 a.m. Palo Alto Square: Sat. 9:55 a.m. Nannaku Prematho (Not Rated) Century 16: 11 a.m., 2:45, 6:30 & 10:20 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11:30 p.m. Norm of the North (PG) Century 16: 10:10 a.m., 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30 & 9:50 p.m. Century 20: 11:30 a.m., 2, 4:30, 7:05 & 9:30 p.m. The Revenant (R) ++1/2 Century 16: 10:45 a.m., 12:25, 2:15, 3:55, 5:45, 7:25, 9:15, 10:15 & 10:55 p.m. Century 20: 10:25 a.m., 11:55, 1:50, 3:30, 5:20, 7, 8:50 & 10:25 p.m. Ride Along 2 (PG-13) Century 16: 11:55 a.m., 2:35, 5:15, 7:55 & 10:35 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 12:01 a.m. Century 20: 10:40 a.m., noon, 1:20, 2:40, 4, 5:20, 6:45, 8, 9:20 & 10:40 p.m. Sisters (R) Century 16: 10:15 a.m., 1:05, 4, 7:05 & 10:05 p.m. Century 20: 11:25 a.m., 2:15, 5, 7:55 & 10:40 p.m. Spotlight (R) +++1/2 Palo Alto Square: 4 & 7 p.m. Fri. & Sun. 1 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 10 p.m. Sat. 10:15 a.m. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (PG-13) +++ Century 16: 10:50 a.m., 2:10, 4:40, 5:30, 8 & 8:50 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m., 1:20 p.m. In 3-D at 11:40 a.m., 12:30, 3, 3:50, 6:20, 7:10, 9:40 & 10:30 p.m. Fri. 11:30 a.m. Century 20: 10:35 a.m., 12:10, 1:45, 5, 6:40 & 8:15 p.m. In 3-D at 11:20 a.m., 2:30, 5:50 & 9:10 p.m. In X-D 3-D at 4:15 & 10:40 p.m. In X-D at 1 & 7:30 p.m. In D-BOX at 10:35 a.m., 1:45, 5 & 8:15 p.m. In D-BOX 3-D at 11:20 a.m., 2:30, 5:50 & 9:10 p.m. Trumbo (R) +++ Guild Theatre: 1:15 & 7 p.m. Youth (R) +1/2 Guild Theatre: 4 & 9:45 p.m. AQUARIUS: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (327-3241) CENTURY CINEMA 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264) CENTURY 20 DOWNTOWN: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood City (800-326-3264) CINEARTS AT PALO ALTO SQUARE: 3000 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (493-3456) STANFORD THEATRE: 221 University Ave., Palo Alto (324-3700) For show times, plot synopses and more information about any films playing at the Aquarius, visit www.LandmarkTheatres.com 0 Skip it 00 Some redeeming qualities 000 A good bet 0000 Outstanding

For show times, plot synopses, trailers and more movie info, visit www.mv-voice.com and click on movies.

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

M O U N TA I N V I E W V O I C E

Q HIGHLIGHT ‘THE MOUNTAINTOP’ Pear Theatre will present the two-person, Olivier Award-winning play “The Mountaintop,” which re-imagines the last night of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in Memphis in April 1968. Michael Wayne Rice and Nathalie Autumn Bennett star in the production. Jan. 14-31, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $10-$35. Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View. Call 650-254-1148. www.thepear.org

ART GALLERIES ‘Photographic Impressions’ Highlighting form, space and color, this exhibit of photography by Dave Massolo shares works that present landscapes and other subjects from a unique and tranquil perspective. Jan. 5-31, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Free. Gallery 9, 143 Main St., Los Altos. Call 650-948-2961. gallery9losaltos.com ‘Small Works’ Viewpoints Gallery is hosting an exhibit called “Small Works,” in which 16 local artists present their oil and watercolor paintings, pastels, mixed media work, jewelry and ceramics. On each Saturday throughout the month, gallery artists will give demonstrations. Visit the website for more info. Jan. 1-30, Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Viewpoints Gallery, 315 State St., Los Altos. www. viewpointsgallery.com

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS Instant Harmony with Daniel Steinberg and the World Harmony Chorus This Instant Harmony event will include both a performance by the World Harmony Chorus and a singing workshop by Director Daniel Steinberg. All levels and abilities are welcome to either sing along or just listen. Jan. 16, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View. Call 650-903-6882. mountainview.gov/librarycalendar Ireland Summer Field Study Information Session This event will share information about Foothill College’s field study archaeology program in Ireland. The presentation will cover the application procedure, curriculum, fees and travel details. Two times are offered, and those interested

in the program only need to attend one session. Jan. 20, noon and 6 p.m. Free; $3 parking. Foothill College Archaeology Lab (Room 3102), 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Call 650-949-7197. www.foothill.edu/anthropology/ireland.php Midpeninsula Media Center Orientation The Midpeninsula Media Center will offer orientation sessions, where community members can learn the basics about the public access TV channel and its available resources. Information will be shared about opportunities to produce programming, and there will be a studio tour and time for questions. First and third Thursdays of the month, Jan. 7-Feb. 18, 6-7 p.m. Free. Midpeninsula Media Center, 900 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto. Call 650-494-8686. www.midpenmedia.org The Art of Memoir Writing Presented in conjunction with the Los Altos History Museum exhibit “Spirits Return,” this two-hour workshop led by Sylvia Halloran will help participants tap into their creative juices for memoir writing. Jan. 23, 2-4 p.m. Free. Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View. Call 650-903-6882. mountainview.gov/librarycalendar Zoom In Video Production Workshop Offered by the Midpeninsula Media Center, this 16-hour intensive video workshop will cover all aspects of creating a digital video, including using a camera, lighting, audio, producing, editing, uploading to YouTube and producing a DVD. Jan. 18, 20 and 22, Feb. 1 and 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $180. Midpeninsula Media Center, 900 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto. Call 650-494-8686. www. midpenmedia.org/workshops

CLUBS/MEETINGS American Rhododendron Society: ‘More About Japanese Maples’ At the next

ALICE WATERS

WHY EATING GOOD FOOD MAKES FOR GOOD ECOLOGY

meeting of the De Anza Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, Arnie Cornez will give a presentation called “More About Japanese Maples.” He will offer his expertise on the selection, care and pruning of maples. Jan. 20, 7 p.m. Free. Hillview Community Center, Room 12, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. www.deanza-ars.com California Native Plant Society: Members’ Night Slide Show In this annual tradition, members of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will share photos taken during 2015 of notable plants and places they visited. Those interested in participating should visit the website for more info. Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. Free. Los Altos Library, Program Room, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. www. cnps-scv.org Step Up for Pro-Choice The Los Altos/ Mountain View chapter of the American Association of University Women and other groups will commemorate the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade with a program featuring Linda Williams, CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. There will also be an opportunity to be part of a social media support event. Jan. 22, noon-1:30 p.m. $2 registration fee. Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. lamv-ca.aauw.net

CONCERTS Bluegrass Duet: Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick Bay Area bluegrass artists Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick will perform a set of bluegrass duets associated with California as a tribute to Vern Williams and Ray Parks, a West Coast bluegrass duo in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Community members can join in a pre-show jam at 5 p.m. Jan. 23, 7:30-10 p.m. $22 adult; $20 senior; $12.50 teen, student (tickets also available at the door). Mountain View Masonic Lodge, 890 Church St., Mountain View. Call 650-793-0720. rba.org Jeff Sanford’s Cartoon Jazz Septet Inspired by music from cartoons, Jeff Sanford’s Cartoon Jazz Septet will present a fun-filled show with jazz music by Raymond Scott, Jelly Roll Morton, John Kirby, Lenny Carlson and others. Jan. 19, noon-1:30 p.m. $20 general. Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. paloaltojcc. org/Events/jeff-sanfords-cartoon-jazz-septet USAF Band of the Golden West Chamber Players The Band of the Golden West Chamber Players, composed of Airmenmusicians, will offer a program featuring a variety of musical styles and talents, including soloists and small ensembles. The doors will open at 7 p.m.; seating is limited. Jan. 23, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Community School of Music and Arts, Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. www.arts4all.org/attend/concerts.htm

DANCE Winter Traditions Day of Dance Mad Molly Morris, a group performing English molly and border dancing, will travel throughout the downtown Mountain View area sharing its traditional dancing. The group will make stops at the Caltrain station (11 a.m.), the Mountain View Performing Arts Center Plaza (1:15 p.m.), the Mountain View Public Library Plaza (2:30 p.m.) and Tied House (4 p.m.). Jan. 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Downtown Mountain View, on and near Castro Street, Mountain View. www. facebook.com/MadMollyMorris/

EXHIBITS

JA N UA RY 19, 7PM AT MENLO ATHERTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

P U RCH A SE T I CK E T S O N L I N E AT OPENSPACETRUST.ORG/GETINVOLVED/LECTURE OUR SPONSORS Embarcadero Media, Noble & Lorraine Hancock, Pie Ranch, Sand Hill Global Advisors, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Sereno Group, TomKat Ranch and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

‘Beyond Space and Time’ The Oshman Family JCC has on display an exhibit of work by Chagit Ofir, a Bay Area-based artist who is inspired by her daily experience, family and friends, and Israeli history. Born in Israel, Ofir mainly works in the medium of oil painting, but she has recently branched out into sculpture. Dec. 7-March 21, regular facility hours. Free. Goldman Sports & Wellness Complex and Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. paloaltojcc.org/ Events/beyond-space-and-time-by-chagit-ofir ‘The Sum of Parts’ Students and faculty from the Community School of Music and Arts’ visual arts classes will share their work in a collaborative art exhibition. Dec. 11-Jan. 18, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.10 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-7

p.m. Free. Community School of Music and Arts, Mohr Gallery, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. www.arts4all.org/attend/mohrgallery.htm

LIVE MUSIC Singer-songwriters Lars and John Brazell Lars, a singer-songwriter from the Northwest, will kick off a night of soulful acoustic pop music on the second level of Red Rock Coffee, followed by a set from Napa-based musician John Brazell. Jan. 15, 8-10 p.m. Free. Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View. Call 650-9674473. larsmakesmusic.com

ON STAGE ‘Ami and Tami’ The Oshman Family JCC will host the West Coast premiere of Matti Kovler’s “Ami and Tami,” a contemporary twist on the story of Hansel and Gretel. The lively production includes singers, dancers, an orchestra and a choir and will appeal to both kids and adults. At 4:30 p.m., there will be a few songs performed in Hebrew, and then at 5:30, the full production will be performed in English. Jan. 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m. $15 general; $10 member, child, J-Pass holder. Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. paloaltojcc.org/ Events/ami-and-tami ‘Death of a Salesman’ Palo Alto Players will stage the acclaimed 1949 drama by Arthur Miller, “Death of a Salesman,” which follows traveling salesman Willy Loman as he chases the American Dream and grapples with failing hopes for his family’s future. Gunn High School educator Kristen Lo will direct the production. The Jan. 15 performance is a preview. Jan. 15-31, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $32-$46. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Call 650-329-0891. www.paplayers.org ‘Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin’ TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will kick off the New Year with the regional premiere of a new work by performer and playwright Hershey Felder, in which he inhabits the persona and story of “America’s Composer,” Irving Berlin. See the website for specific times, dates and pricing. The Jan. 13-15 performances are previews. Tuesday-Sunday, Jan. 13-Feb. 14. $25-$74. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. www.theatreworks.org EnActe Arts: ‘A Nice Indian Boy’ EnActe will stage a dramatic and comedic play by Madhuri Shekar called “A Nice Indian Boy,” about an Indian family’s struggle to accept their son’s relationship with a blonde, blue-eyed Caucasian man who had an Indian upbringing. Jan. 22, 8 p.m.; Jan. 23, 2 and 6 p.m. $25 general; $35 VIP (group discounts and other options available). Cubberley Community Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Call 408-306-2251. www.enacte.org

SENIORS Advanced Directives workshop Peggy Ginsburg, a registered nurse, will lead a workshop on advance directives, covering what they are, the advantages of completing one, how to approach thinking about end-of-life care choices and choosing a health care agent to speak on one’s behalf. Jan. 21, 1-2 p.m. Free. Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View. Call 650-903-6330. mountainview.gov/seniors CSA Referral: Housing Senior Case Managers from the Community Services Agency (CSA) will share resources on handling landlord-tenant disputes, information on low-income housing and instructions for drafting lease agreements. Jan. 19, 10-11 a.m. Free. Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View. Call 650-903-6330. mountainview.gov/seniors Functional Aging Fitness Class Evolution Trainers is offering a class taught by Hartmut Broring specifically designed for boomers and seniors. The program aims to help students develop lower and upper body strength, core stability and posture, range of motion and balance. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 5-March 3, 2-3 p.m. $200 twice a week, $120 once a week, per month. Evolution Trainers, 2044 Old Middlefield

Way, Mountain View. Call 650-965-8991. evolutiontrainers.com/contact-us/ Learn to play Pickleball Held next to the tennis courts at Rengstorff Park, this event will teach seniors how to play pickleball, a growing sport in the U.S that is easy on the joints. All equipment will be provided; participants should wear court shoes. Wednesdays, Dec. 9-Jan. 27, 1-3 p.m. Free (donations accepted). Rengstorff Park, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View. Call 650254-1041. www.usapa.org Setting Up Email Accounts This Mountain View Senior Center workshop will assist participants in setting up a free email account, organizing an address book and beginning to write emails to friends and family. Space is limited. Jan. 20, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Free. Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View. Call 650903-6330. mountainview.gov/seniors

LECTURES & TALKS ‘Elections 2016: Dog Whistles, Walkbacks and Washington Handshakes’ CNN Politics editor David Mark will give a talk discussing how political language is affecting the 2016 presidential race, as well as evaluating the nomination fights. Jan. 19, 8-10 p.m. $15 general; $12 member, J-Pass holder. Oshman Family JCC, Conference Room F401, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. www.paloaltojcc.org ‘Thinking Big—Ada Lovelace: Mathematician and Visionary’ As part of its bicentennial celebration of Ada Lovelace, the Computer History Museum will offer a discussion with experts on the life, accomplishments and legacy of the mathematician and visionary. Online registration is requested. Jan. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Computer History Museum, 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. www.computerhistory.org ‘Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship in the Silicon Valley’ Hadassah of Silicon Valley invites the public to attend a luncheon with global entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers and medical professionals that will feature guest speaker William Henry Draper III — one of the United States’ original venture capitalists. RSVP is requested. Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $50 (includes lunch and a $10 donation). Michaels at Shoreline, 2960 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. www.eventbrite. com/e/venture-capital-and-entrepreneurship-inthe-silicon-valley-tickets-19902860993 Audubon Speaker Series: Photographer Brent Paull For the next event in the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society’s lecture series, Brent Paull will share “A Photo Tour of Wildlife Behavior in the American West.” The Audubon Speaker Series features scientists, photographers, authors, international travelers and others speaking on various topics related to birds and their environment. Jan. 20, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Cubberley Community Center, Room H1, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Call 408-252-3747. www.scvas.org

VOLUNTEERS Community-Wide Mitzvah Day: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Community members are invited to join hundreds of others in a community-wide day of ‘tikkun olam’ (or ‘repair of the world’) to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteers of all ages can take part in hands-on service projects addressing issues of hunger, housing and homelessness, aging, the environment and more. Visit the website to learn about specific service projects. Jan. 18, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Various locations, including in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Mountain View. paloaltojcc.org/ Events/date/18-1-2016 Tree planting at Cuesta Park Mountain View Trees volunteers will celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary and plant 12 sapling to replace recently lost trees. There will also be an arboristled tree walk. No experience is needed, and instructions, trees, tools and refreshments will be provided. Attendees should wear gardening clothes and gloves. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-noon. Free (donations accepted). Cuesta Park, tennis center parking lot, 685 Cuesta Drive, Mountain View. Call 415-4121127. www.mountainviewtrees.org

Marketplace PLACE AN AD ONLINE fogster.com E-MAIL ads@fogster.com PHONE 650.326.8216 Now you can log on to fogster.com, day or night and get your ad started immediately online. Most listings are free and include a one-line free print ad in our Peninsula newspapers with the option of photos and additional lines. Exempt are employment ads, which include a web listing charge. Home Services and Mind & Body Services require contact with a Customer Sales Representative. So, the next time you have an item to sell, barter, give away or buy, get the perfect combination: print ads in your local newspapers, reaching more than 150,000 readers, and unlimited free web postings reaching hundreds of thousands additional people!!

INDEX Q BULLETIN

BOARD 100-199 Q FOR SALE 200-299 Q KIDS STUFF 330-399 Q MIND & BODY 400-499 Q J OBS 500-599 Q B USINESS SERVICES 600-699 Q H OME SERVICES 700-799 Q FOR RENT/ FOR SALE REAL ESTATE 800-899 Q P UBLIC/LEGAL NOTICES 995-997 The publisher waives any and all claims or consequential damages due to errors. Embarcadero Media cannot assume responsibility for the claims or performance of its advertisers. Embarcadero Media has the right to refuse, edit or reclassify any ad solely at its discretion without prior notice.

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fogster.com is a unique website offering FREE postings from communities throughout the Bay Area and an opportunity for your ad to appear in the Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac and the Mountain View Voice.

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Hope Street Music Studios Now on Old Middefield Way, MV. Most instruments, voice. All ages and levels 650-961-2192 www.HopeStreetMusicStudios.com

115 Announcements Pregnant? Considering adoption? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 1-877-879-4709 (CalSCAN) Pregnant? Thinking of adoption? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6293. Void in Illinois/ New Mexico/Indiana (AAN CAN) Beginning Tai Chi Class

Piano Lessons Quality Piano Lessons in Menlo Park. Call (650)838-9772 Alita Lake

140 Lost & Found Found: Metal Vice Large, heavy, metal vice found on Shoreline Blvd. end of Dec. To claim, call (650) 969-1551. Trumpet Found

Learn Banjo, Mandolin, Bluegrass

145 Non-Profits Needs

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130 Classes & Instruction Medical Office Assistant Medical billing skills in demand! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training can get you job ready! HS Diploma/GED and PC/Internet needed! 1-888-424-9412. (Cal-SCAN) NEW YEAR, NEW AIRLINE CAREERS Get training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Career placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 800-725-1563 (AAN CAN) NEW YEAR, NEW AVIATION CAREER Get FAA approved Aviation Technician training. Financial aid for qualified. Career placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-231-7177. (Cal-SCAN) Learn to Square Dance! Great way to Socialize and Exercise Classes begin Monday Jan. 18 7:30 p.m. Loyola School 770 Berry Ave., Los Altos Register January 18th or 25th January Classes are FREE! Adult Singles/Couples/Solo’s (partners not required) http://www.bowsandbeaus.org Info: 650-390-9261; 408-250-7934 Bring your friends!

WISH LIST FRIENDS OF PA LIBRARY

150 Volunteers ASST SECTION MGRS FOR FOPAL Become a nature volunteer! Fosterers Needed for Cats FRIENDS OF THE PALO ALTO LIBRARY JOIN OUR ONLINE STOREFRONT TEAM

For Sale 202 Vehicles Wanted

Christina Conti Private Piano Instruction Lessons in your home. Bachelor of Music. 650/493-6950

FOGSTER.COM

CPAP/BIPAP Supplies at little or no cost from Allied Medical Supply Network! Fresh supplies delivered right to your door. Insurance may cover all costs. 800-421-4309. (Cal-SCAN)

Want Cash for Test Strips? Want cash for extra diabetic test strips? I Pay Top Dollar Since 2005! 1 Day Fast Payment Guaranteed Up To $60 Per Box! Free Shipping. www.Cashnowoffer.com or 888-210-5233. Get Extra $10: Use Offer Code: Cashnow! (Cal-SCAN)

245 Miscellaneous AT&T U-Verse Internet starting at $15/month or TV and Internet starting at $49/month for 12 months with 1-year agreement. Call 1- 800-453-0516 to learn more. (Cal-SCAN) Dish Network Get MORE for LESS! Starting $19.99/ month (for 12 months.) PLUS Bundle & SAVE (Fast Internet for $15 more/ month.) CALL Now 1-800-357-0810 (Cal-SCAN) HOME BREAK-INS take less than 60 SECONDS. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets NOW for as little as 70¢ a day! Call 855-404-7601 (Cal-SCAN) SAWMILLS from only $4397. Make and Save Money with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/ DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N (Cal-SCAN) Switch to DirecTV and get a FREE Whole-Home Genie HD/ DVR upgrade. Starting at $19.99/mo. FREE 3 months of HBO, SHOWTIME & STARZ. New Customers Only. Don’t settle for cable. Call Now 1-800-385-9017. (Cal-SCAN) Charming 1960’s Tin Doll House - $75.00

CASH FOR CARS We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Nationwide Free Pick Up! Call Now: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car.com (AAN CAN) Donate Your Car, Truck, Boat to Heritage for the Blind. FREE 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care of. Call 800-731-5042 (Cal-SCAN)

N-Scale Model Train Cars - $12.00 Each

I Buy Old Porsches Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes and others. op $$ paid. Any condition. Finders’ Fee. Call 707-965-9546 (Cal-SCAN) Older Car, Boat, RV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-800-743-1482 (Cal-SCAN)

210 Garage/Estate Sales

215 Collectibles & Antiques Charming 1960’s Tin Doll House - $75.00 / B N-Scale Model Train 3 Buildings - $22.00 each N-Scale Model Train Cars - $12.00 Each Nice Repo Antique Wood Radio - $30.00

133 Music Lessons

425 Health Services

DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $35/Box! Sealed & Unexpired. Payment Made SAME DAY. Highest Prices Paid!! Call Juley Today! 800-413-3479. www.CashForYourTestStrips.com (Cal-SCAN)

COMMODE In Good Condition - $22.00

RWC: 1228 Douglas Ave. Fri. 1/15, 11-2; Sat. 1/16, 9-1 BIG RUMMAGE SALE benefits Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford. (Just south of Woodside Rd., bet. Broadway and Bayshore Fwy.) CASH ONLY. (650) 497-8332 or during sale (650) 568-9840

Pilates Cardiocamp Are you ready for better posture, firm muscles, more energy and flexibility? Take a FREE WEEK on us! Visit: www.PilatesCardiocamp.com NEW Woodside:7amT,Th,F 9am M,W Los Altos: 6am M-Fri, 9am M,T,Th,Fr

235 Wanted to Buy

Sweet Antique Bisque Doll + - $40.00

fogster.com Think Globally, Post Locally.

Fun! Ring! Toss! - $6.00 N-Scale Model Train 3 Buildings - $22.00 each Nice! Like New! Transport Chair - $150.00

Kid’s Stuff

ELIMINATE CELLULITE and Inches in weeks! All natural. Odor free. Works for men or women. Free month supply on select packages. Order now! 844-703-9774. (Cal-SCAN) ELIMINATE CELLULITE and Inches in weeks! All natural. Odor free. Works for men or women. Free month supply on select packages. Order now! 844-244-7149 (M-F 9am-8pm central) (AAN CAN) Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a painrelieving brace -little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 800-796-5091 (Cal-SCAN) Life Alert 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 800-714-1609.(Cal-SCAN) Safe Step Walk-In Tub! Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch StepIn. Wide Door. Anti-Slip Floors. American Made. Installation Included. Call 800-799-4811 for $750 Off. (Cal-SCAN)

Jobs 500 Help Wanted Dry Cleaners Experienced counter person needed immediately for Drycleaners in Palo Alto. Full time. Call (650) 329-0998.

560 Employment Information Drivers - $2K Sign-On Bonus! Make $55k a Year. Great Benefits + 401K. Paid Orientation + Tuitiion Reimb. CDL-A Req - (877) 258-8782 drive4melton.com (Cal-SCAN) Drivers: OTR Drivers Federal Government Delivery Services is looking for exceptional OTR drivers. 2 years experience. Great employee benefits and 0.60/loaded, 0.40/unloaded. Call (574) 584-7253 x1110 (Cal-SCAN)

330 Child Care Offered child care offered

345 Tutoring/ Lessons Did you know 7 IN 10 Americans or 158 million U.S. Adults read content from newspaper media each week? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For a free brochure call 916-288-6019 or email elizabeth@cnpa.com (Cal-SCAN)

Mind & Body 417 Groups Did You Know 144 million U.S. Adults read a Newspaper print copy each week? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For a free brochure call 916-288-6019 or email elizabeth@cnpa.com (Cal-SCAN) To place a Classified ad in The Mountain View Voice call 326-8216 or visit us at fogster.com

PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 A Week Mailing Brochures From Home! No Experience Required. Helping home workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www.TheIncomeHub.com (AAN CAN) New Year - New Career

Business Services 624 Financial Owe $10K+ to IRS? Do you owe over $10,000 to the IRS or State in back taxes? Our firm works to reduce the tax bill or zero it out completely FAST. Call now 855-993-5796 (Cal-SCAN) Social Security Disability benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800-966-1904 to start your application today! (Cal-SCAN)

Structured Settlement Sell your structured settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don’t have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1-800-673-5926 (Cal-SCAN)

636 Insurance Health & Dental Insurance Lowest Prices. We have the best rates from top companies! Call Now! 888-989-4807. (CalSCAN)

640 Legal Services DID YOU KNOW Information is power and content is King? Do you need timely access to public notices and remain relevant in today’s hostile business climate? Gain the edge with California Newspaper Publishers Association new innovative website capublicnotice.com and check out the FREE One-Month Trial Smart Search Feature. For more information call Elizabeth @ (916) 288-6019 or www.capublicnotice.com (Cal-SCAN) Xarelto Users have you had complications due to internal bleeding (after January 2012)? If so, you MAY be due financial compensation. If you don’t have an attorney, CALL Injuryfone today! 1-800-425-4701. (Cal-SCAN)

Home Services 701 AC/Heating Every Business Has A Story to tell! Get your message out with California’s PRMedia Release â€” the only Press Release Service operated by the press to get press! For more info contact Elizabeth @ 916-288-6019 or http://prmediarelease.com/california (Cal-SCAN)

715 Cleaning Services Orkopina Housecleaning Celebrating 30 years cleaning homes in your area. 650/962-1536

748 Gardening/ Landscaping J. Garcia Garden Maintenance Service Free est. 21 years exp. 650/366-4301 or 650/346-6781 LANDA’S GARDENING & LANDSCAPING *Yard Maint. *New Lawns. *Rototil *Clean Ups *Tree Trim *Power Wash *Irrigation timer programming. 19 yrs exp. Ramon, 650/576-6242 landaramon@yahoo.com R.G. Landscape Drought tolerant native landscapes and succulent gardens. Demos, installations, maint. Free est. 650/468-8859

751 General Contracting A NOTICE TO READERS: It is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project valued at $500.00 or more in labor and materials. State law also requires that contractors include their license numbers on all advertising. Check your contractor’s status at www.cslb.ca.gov or 800-321-CSLB (2752). Unlicensed persons taking jobs that total less than $500.00 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.

To place a Classified ad in The Almanac, The Mountain View Voice call 326-8216 or visit us at fogster.com

GO TO FOGSTER.COM TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

MARKETPLACE the printed version of

fogster.com

754 Gutter Cleaning

781 Pest Control

Palo Alto, 3 BR/2 BA - $4350/mo

Roofs, Gutters, Downspouts cleaning. Work guar. 30 years exp. Insured. Veteran Owned. Jim Thomas Maintenance, 408/595-2759.Â

Portola Valley - $5,200.00

757 Handyman/ Repairs

Redwood City, 3 BR/2 BA - $4,800.00

Redwood City (emerald Hills), 4 BR/3.5 BA - $5500 Redwood City, 3 BR/2 BA - $5,500

AAA HANDYMAN & MORE Since 1985 Repairs â&#x20AC;˘ Maintenance â&#x20AC;˘ Painting Carpentry â&#x20AC;˘ Plumbing â&#x20AC;˘ Electrical All Work Guaranteed

Redwood City - $4,500.00

Lic. #468963

(650) 453-3002

759 Hauling

Attic Clean-Up & Rodent Removal Are you in the Bay Area? Do you have squeaky little terrors living in your attic or crawlspace? What you are looking for is right here! Call Attic Star now to learn about our rodent removal services and cleaning options. You can also get us to take out your old, defunct insulation and install newer, better products.

809 Shared Housing/ Rooms ALL AREAS ROOMMATES.COM Lonely? Bored? Broke? Find the perfect roommate to complement your personality and lifestyle at Roommates.com! (AAN CAN)

845 Out of Area

Call (866) 391-3308 now and get your work done in no time!

J & G HAULING SERVICE Misc. junk, office, gar., furn., mattresses, green waste, more. Lic./ins. Free est. 650/743-8852 (see my Yelp reviews)

771 Painting/ Wallpaper Glen Hodges Painting Call me first! Senior discount. 45 yrs. #351738. 650/322-8325 STYLE PAINTING Full service. Interior/exterior. Insured. Lic. 903303. 650/388-8577

775 Asphalt/ Concrete

Real Estate 805 Homes for Rent Menlo Park - $5,000.00 Menlo Park, 3 BR/2 BA - $5,200.00 Menlo Park, 3 BR/2 BA - $5,000.00 Mtn View Townhome For Rent, 2 BR/2.5 BA - $3495 / mo

Roe General Engineering Asphalt, concrete, pavers, tiles, sealing, artificial turf. 36 yrs exp. No job too small. Lic #663703. 650/814-5572

N. Los Altos, 3 BR/2 BA Excellent school districts. Very flexible with ability to show. (650)941-9122. Palo Alto - $5,500

THE PENINSULAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITE TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO WWW.FOGSTER.COM 850 Acreage/Lots/ Storage Great Investment Opportunity !

855 Real Estate Services DID YOU KNOW Information is power and content is King? Do you need timely access to public notices and remain relevant in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly competitive market? Gain an edge with California Newspaper Publishers Association new innovative website capublicnotice.com and check out the Smart Search Feature. For more information call Elizabeth @ (916) 288-6019 or www.capublicnotice.com (Cal-SCAN)

890 Real Estate Wanted Housing Wanted Landscape designer, installer & garden maint provider for 39 years on Peninsula seeks long-term, quiet, secure living space in exchange for services or pay housingwanted5@gmail.com

4 homes on 30 acres Vacation where you live in Nevada City!! Looks like Disneyland with rock walls, manicured gardens, private lake, HUGE outdoor entertaining area and even its own mining museum!! 15 car garages for all your toys!! Priced to sell only $2M!! Seller financing. Call Edie 530-913-0150 cell

To place a Classified ad in The Almanac, The Palo Alto Weekly or The Mountain View Voice call 326-8216 or visit us at fogster.com

Fogster.com is a unique website offering FREE postings from communities throughout the Bay Area and an opportunity for your ad to appear in The Almanac, the Palo Alto Weekly, and the Mountain View Voice.

Public Notices 995 Fictitious Name Statement SK2X, INC. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 611684 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: SK2X, Inc., located at 1185 Bordeaux Drive, Suite C, Sunnyvale, CA 94089, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): SK2X, INC. 1185 Bordeaux Drive, Suite C Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/15/15. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on December 3, 2015. (MVV Dec. 25, 2015, Jan. 1, 8, 15, 2016) SHAZAMBA LLC FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 611857 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Shazamba LLC, located at 803 Killarney Court, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Limited Liability Company. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): SHAZAMBA LLC 803 Killarney Court Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on December 9, 2015. (MVV Dec. 25, 2015, Jan. 1, 8, 15, 2016) FILING YOUR FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT? We Offer Professional Help. THE MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE â&#x20AC;˘ 223-6578.

THINK GLOBALLY POST LOCALLY THE PENINSULAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITE Fogster.com is a unique website offering FREE postings from communities throughout the Bay Area and an opportunity for your ad to appear in The Almanac, the Palo Alto Weekly, and the Mountain View Voice.

NATEA NATEA-SV FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 612034 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1.) Natea, 2.) Natea-SV, located at 943 Hillsboro Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94087, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): NORTH AMERICA TAIWANESE ENGINEERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ASSOCIATION 943 Hillsboro Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/1/1992. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on December 14, 2015. (MVV Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 2016) STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME File No. 612390 The following person(s)/ registrant(s) has/have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name(s). The information given below is as it appeared on the fictitious business statement that was filed at the County Clerk-Recorderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): BABY NURSE SERVICES 1030 El Monte Ave. #104 Mountain View, CA 94040 FILED IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY ON: 06/20/2014 UNDER FILE NO.: 593376 REGISTRANTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NAME(S): FERESHTEH AFKHAMI 1030 El Monte Ave. #104 Mountain View, CA 94040 THIS BUSINESS WAS CONDUCTED BY: An Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk Recorder of Santa Clara County on December 28, 2015. (MVV Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 2016)

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To respond to ads without phone numbers Go to www.Fogster.Com 24

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

, THPS! HZHU[PSSHU'WH^LLRS` JVT

SOLD

ew Ye N y p p ar a H

25727 Carado Court, Los Altos Hills

SOLD

13781 Ciceroni Lane, Los Altos Hills

116 Verona Court, Los Gatos

SOLD

661 Montara Terrace, Sunnyvale

101 Higgins Avenue, Los Altos

SOLD

Wishing You & Your Family a Wonderful & Prosperous 2016! Pam

146 E. Portola Avenue, Los Altos

1136 Carlos Privada, Mountain View

SOLD

710 Berry Avenue, Los Altos

SOLD

150 W. Edith Avenue #41, Los Altos

150 W. Edith Avenue #31, Los Altos

505 Cypress Point Drive #272, Mountain View

1119 W. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale

SOLD

11662 Par Avenue, Los Altos

11650 Par Avenue, Los Altos

12012 Adobe Creek Lodge Road, Los Altos Hills

13384 Pastel Lane, Mountain View

NOW IS THE TIME to start planning if you are going to sell your home in 2016.

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preparation is the ﬁrst step. Call, text, or email Pam to learn more about PAM.™

650.823.0308 Pam@PamBlackman.com www.PamBlackman.com CalBRE# 00584333

January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

WE MEASURE QUALITY BY RESULTS Is Quality Important to You?

r of Powe

Two!

Yvonne Heyl

Direct (650) 947-4694 Cell (650) 302-4055 yheyl@interorealestate.com BRE# 01255661

Jeff Gonzalez

Direct (650) 947-4698 Cell (408) 888-7748 jgonzalez@interorealestate.com BRE# 00978793

1503 FORDHAM COURT MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA OFFERED AT $1,850,000

496 First St. Suite 200 Los Altos 94022

YvonneandJeff@InteroRealEstate.com www.yvonneandjeff.com

One of the best locations in Mountain View!

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

Perfect Opportunity to Remodel or Build Your Dream Home! 3 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

1,335 Square feet of living space

8,218 Square foot lot

Excellent Los Altos Schools

ALICIA NUZZO

(650) 504-2394

alicia@serenogroup.com

CalBRE # 01127187

ALICE NUZZO

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(650) 504-0880

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JERYLANN MATEO Broker Associate Realtor Direct: 650.209.1601 | Cell: 650.743.7895 jmateo@apr.com | www.jmateo.com BRE# 01362250

apr.com | LOS ALTOS 167 S. San Antonio Road | 650.941.1111

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estled in a newly developed luxury community, this home is surrounded by serene rolling hills & breathtaking views. Luxury & elegance mix with a contemporary feel. Enjoy the experience of a new home that is perfectly designed for easy living, emitting a feeling of warmth & charm. As you come in the entry way the large living room ďŹ&#x201A;ows into the dining area. This property boasts a bright & open ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan with a spacious kitchen & center bar. Relax & enjoy the private patio, perfect for entertaining. â&#x20AC;˘ 5 BR | 6 BA â&#x20AC;˘ 3 car garage â&#x20AC;˘ Balcony/patio â&#x20AC;˘ Kitchen/Family Combo â&#x20AC;˘ Den/Study/OfďŹ ce

â&#x20AC;˘ Laundry Room â&#x20AC;˘ Schools: Stonebrae Elementary Bret Harte Middle Hayward High

â&#x20AC;˘ Hardwood/tile ďŹ&#x201A;ooring â&#x20AC;˘ Stonebrae Country Club HOA Fee $239

Offered at $1,750,000 Graeham R Watts

Agents: Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to explore our unique online advertising opportunities. &RQWDFW \RXU VDOHV UHSUHVHQWDWLYH RU FDOO WRGD\ WR Ă°QG RXW PRUH

Explore area real estate through your favorite local website: TheAlmanacOnline.com MountainViewOnline.com PaloAltoOnline.com And click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;real estateâ&#x20AC;? in the navigation bar.

(408) 504-8772

graeham@martinsalesteam.com BRE#01466876

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

TheAlmanacOnline.com

MountainViewOnline.com

PaloAltoOnline.com

6 7 2 W E S T R E M I N G TO N D R , S U N N Y VA L E $1,399,000 O P E N S AT U R DAY & S U N DAY 1 - 5 P M • • •

4 BEDROOMS + BONUS ROOM 2 B AT H R O O M S 2 C A R AT TA C H E D G A R A G E

•

HOUSE: 1,755

S F.

• • • •

L O T: 7, 2 4 5 ± S F. MID-CENTURY MODERN AT R I U M E I C H L E R P R O F E S S I O N A L D E S I G N E D B A C K YA R D

FOR MORE INFO & PICTURES, PLEASE VISIT

W W W. 672 R E M I N GTO N .CO M

Adam Touni | Wendy Kandasamy ࠗ̂ಽ

License# 01880106 | 01425837

650.336.8530 | 650.380.0220

atouni@pacunion.com | wendyk@pacunion.com January 15, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

TH E TROYE R DIFFE R E NCE

David’s homes sold for an average of 11.3% over list price in 2015! On average, homes in Santa Clara County sold for 5.3% over list price. And that’s just the beginning of THE TROYER DIFFERENCE.

A T R OY E R T R A N S F O R M AT I O N !

A Recent Mountain View Sale

SOLD IN 13 DAYS! Before

After

Before

After

Call us to

learn more! Before

After

650 • 440 • 5076 david@davidtroyer.com davidtroyer.com CalBRE# 01234450

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q January 15, 2016

A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate