Palo Alto Weekly 01.07.2011 - Section 1

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Witnesses recount arguments in Zumot arson-murder trial Page 3

See page 16

Spectrum 14

Movies 22 Eating Out 25

Holiday Fund Drive 32

Puzzles 48

N News Sid Espinosa: Palo Alto’s new mayor

Page 3

N Sports Andrew Luck returns to Stanford

Page 27

N Home Thinking outside the mailbox

Page 37

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital 20th Anniversary

LECTU R E S E R I ES

Innovations in Prenatal Care January 25, 2011 at 7pm From evaluation and diagnosis through treatment and community-based follow-up, the Center for Fetal and Maternal Health provides comprehensive care for complex fetal patients, expectant mothers and families. Join us for an update on the latest innovations in fetal and maternal care.

Susan Hintz MD, M.S.,

This free lecture will be held in the Freidenrich Auditorium at Packard Children’s Hospital.

Pre-registration is required. Reserve your space online at calendar.lpch.org or call (650) 724-3783.

For additional 20th Anniversary Lecture Series offerings, visit anniversary.lpch.org Page 2ĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

Upfront

GOAL $275,000 As of Jan. 6 413 donors $244,338

See who’s contributed to the Holiday Fund on page 32

with matching funds

Donate online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Local news, information and analysis

Zumot murder-arson trial begins Witnesses recount arguments between defendant and murder victim during first week of trial

by Gennady Sheyner and Sue Dremann

S

hortly after Bulos Zumot blew out the candles on his birthday cake at the DishDash Restaurant in Sunnyvale, he found himself arguing with his girlfriend, Jennifer Schipsi, over the bill, according to testimony presented during the

first week of Zumot’s murder-arson trial.

The two were in a car driven by a mutual friend, Victor Chaalan, and were on their way to Zumot’s business, Da Hookah Spot, in downtown Palo Alto on Oct. 14,

2009 — the night before Schipsi’s body was found in the burned cottage she shared with Zumot. During the drive, Zumot began to argue with Schipsi over a collection one of the guests at the party had started to reimburse the couple for the restaurant bill — a gesture that Zumot allegedly opposed.

Zumot was arrested four days after the fire and charged with arson and murder. Police said he killed

Schipsi, a 29-year-old real estate agent, and burned their Addison Avenue cottage to cover up the crime.

Chaalan said Wednesday that he couldn’t remember many of the details from the night of Zumot’s 36th birthday party. Chaalan wavered in his testimony, occasionally contradicting the statements he allegedly made to the Palo Alto police.

Chaalan’s testimony frustrated prosecutor Charles Gillingham,

who persistently pressed Chaalan on whether Schipsi seemed upset after the fight. Chaalan said several times that the relationship between them is none of his business.

Gillingham repeatedly showed Chaalan the transcript in an attempt to refresh his memory about the argument, but Chaalan said he knew little about the fight. (continued on page 8)

CITY HALL

Espinosa selected as Palo Alto mayor Sid Espinosa called both ‘distinguished’ and ‘truly nice’

by Gennady Sheyner alo Alto’s new mayor, Sid Espinosa, is nearly impossible to pigeonhole.

The affable and articulate policy wonk has written speeches for former President Bill Clinton, served as a close personal aide to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and, through his philanthropic efforts, helped Oprah Winfrey build a school in South Africa. But he’s also taken the lead on a range of city issues, including the renovation of the Palo Alto Art Center and the massive reconstruction of libraries.

He grew up on a farm in Gilroy, where he was surrounded by ducks, rabbits and chickens and participated in the local 4-H club. But he is one of very few people who can boast of having lived at the “birthplace of Silicon Valley� — the iconic Addison Avenue home where Bill Hewlett and David Packard founded the company that bears their names.

He is an avowed environmentalist who calls himself a “big proponent of recycling.� But he also on the council minority that opposes the construction of an anaerobic digestion plant at Byxbee Park — a plan city officials are now studying.

He served as a board member at the Chamber of Commerce, both in Palo Alto and Mountain View, but also picked up an endorsement from local labor groups when he decided to run for the Palo Alto City Council in 2007.

Espinosa was praised by his colleagues Tuesday for his intelligence, independence and willingness to help the city make tough decisions during sour economic times. But he was also one of few council mem-

P

Veronica Weber

Ready, set ... pledge Boy Scouts from Troup 57 (from left, Alex Lu, John Liu, Sam Ling, Peter Turnbell and Andrew Jozefov) wait for the special Palo Alto City Council meeting to begin, before presenting the flags and leading the Pledge of Allegiance at City Hall on Jan. 4.

EDUCATION

Castilleja students ponder mind-boggling variety of food, and personal choices School’s ‘Global Week’ brings speakers on global diet, plastic bags

by Chris Kenrick

S

tarvation. Overabundance.

Obesity. Waste.

Students at Castilleja School kicked off the New Year with a week-long study of food and its mind-boggling variety around the world.

With first-semester finals behind them and the entire junior class off

to China, Castilleja observes “Global Week� at the start of each January — a school-wide focus on a single topic meant to engage and educate.

For freshman Monica Taneja, this year’s pick of “Food Justice and Sustainability� was one of the best ever. “This is my fourth global week,

and the theme of food is something we can really connect with,� Taneja said. “It shows us how we can change our own lives, help ourselves in our own environment, locally growing our own gardens, recycling, not using plastic bags.�

Students heard from wife-hus-

band team Faith D’Aluisio and Peter Menzel, who photographed and interviewed families in their kitchens in 80 countries to produce the coffee-table book “Hungry Planet: What the World Eats.�

They questioned Colorado filmmakers Suzan Beraza and Jeb Berrier, who set out to make a short film about plastic bags — and two years later released “Bag It,� an exploration of the cost of disposable plastic products to human health and the environment. The award-winning documentary will be aired on PBS next year.

After showing the film, Berrier took to the Castilleja stage in a body suit made from 500 plastic bags — (continued on page 7)

(continued on page 11)

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Experience community: Come sing, learn, and pray.

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback January 7th and 8th 4161 Alma Street, Palo Alto (650) 813-9094 www.EtzChayim.org

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Upfront 450 CAMBRIDGE AVE, PALO ALTO, CA 94306 (650) 326-8210 PUBLISHER William S. Johnson EDITORIAL Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Jocelyn Dong, Managing Editor Carol Blitzer, Associate Editor Keith Peters, Sports Editor Tyler Hanley, Express™ and Online Editor Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor Chris Kenrick, Gennady Sheyner, Staff Writers Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections Editor Karla Kane, Editorial Assistant Veronica Weber, Staff Photographer Dale Bentson, Colin Becht, Peter Canavese, Kit Davey, Iris Harrell, Sheila Himmel, Chad Jones, Kevin Kirby, Jack McKinnon, Jeanie K. Smith, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Contributors Sally Schilling, Sarah Trauben, Zohra Ashpari Editorial Interns Vivian Wong, Photo Intern DESIGN Shannon Corey, Design Director Raul Perez, Assistant Design Director Linda Atilano, Diane Haas, Scott Peterson, Paul Llewellyn, Senior Designers Gary Vennarucci, Designer PRODUCTION Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager Dorothy Hassett, Samantha Mejia, Blanca Yoc, Sales & Production Coordinators ADVERTISING Walter Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Judie Block, Esmeralda Flores, Janice Hoogner, Gary Whitman, Display Advertising Sales Neil Fine, Rosemary Lewkowitz, Real Estate Advertising Sales David Cirner, Irene Schwartz, Inside Advertising Sales Cathy Norfleet, Display Advertising Sales Asst.

Diane Martin, Real Estate Advertising Assistants Alicia Santillan, Classified Administrative Asst.

EXPRESS, ONLINE AND VIDEO SERVICES Rachel Palmer, Online Operations Coordinator Rachel Hatch, Multimedia Product Manager BUSINESS Penelope Ng, Payroll & Benefits Manager Elena Dineva, Mary McDonald, Susie Ochoa, Doris Taylor, Business Associates ADMINISTRATION Amy Renalds, Assistant to the Publisher & Promotions Director Janice Covolo, Receptionist Ruben Espinoza, Courier

Is There a Future for Christianity?

A Day With Dr. Diana Butler Bass Saturday, January 22, 2011 8:45 am to 2:00 pm The Trinity Conferences Program at Trinity Church in Menlo Park invites you to join us as Dr. Diana Butler Bass, noted speaker and academic, helps us explore whether there is a vital future for Christianity in North America in a cultural climate where “none of the above� and “spiritual but not religious� are the fastest growing religion categories. What do these trends really mean? How do they impact our lives? Can we learn from the spiritual longings of our culture?

Cost is $25 per person including lunch Register at www.trinitymenlopark.org (click on the Trinity Conferences Website link) Dr. Bass will also be the preacher on January 23 at our 10 am worship service.

Trinity Church In Menlo Park, An Episcopal Community 330 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park (Between El Camino and Middlefield) 650-326-2083 Page 4ĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

EMBARCADERO MEDIA William S. Johnson, President Michael I. Naar, Vice President & CFO Walter Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Frank A. Bravo, Director, Information Technology & Webmaster Connie Jo Cotton, Major Accounts Sales Manager Bob Lampkin, Director, Circulation & Mailing Services Alicia Santillan, Circulation Assistants Chris Planessi, Chip Poedjosoedarmo, Computer System Associates The Palo Alto Weekly (ISSN 0199-1159) is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, (650) 3268210. Periodicals postage paid at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for Santa Clara County.

The Palo Alto Weekly is delivered free to homes in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, to faculty and staff households on the Stanford campus and to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 326-8210.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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‘‘

Congregation Etz Chayim

We need to put many more great teachers in front of our kids, working relentlessly. — Emily Bobel, executive director of Teach for America’s Bay Area organization, on advocating for school reform. See story on page 6.

Around Town HISTORIC ‘PARADE OF CHAMPIONS’ ... Saturday will be an historic day for Palo Alto when it honors Palo Alto High School’s football and volleyball teams with a late-afternoon parade through the downtown area. The event begins at Webster Street and University Avenue at 4:30 p.m. and will conclude at King Plaza in front of City Hall. It is the first time in memory that any city high school team has been so honored, much less two teams. Both teams last month captured the school’s first state championships in each sport. The Paly girls’ volleyball team, coached by Dave Winn, got the ball rolling Dec. 4 by winning the CIF Division I state title with a five-set victory over Long Beach at San Jose State, finishing the season with a 41-1 record. The Vikings’ football team, coached by Earl Hansen, followed that Dec. 17 by upsetting heavily favored Centennial-Corona, 15-13, to win the CIF Division I title in Carson, to finish the season 14-0. Both teams established school records for single-season victories, giving Paly four state championships overall. The Palo Alto boys’ basketball teams also won state titles in 1993 and 2006. The parade is sponsored by the city.

HEY COACH! ... Paly’s state title in football also helped earn varsity football coach Earl Hansen the ESPN RISE Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year honor for the 2010 season. The honor, like the Saturday parade to acknowledge the two state-championship Paly teams, is historic for Palo Alto: Hansen is only one of six football coaches from the Central Coast Section to win the honor since 1970.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES ... During his 18-year career in Palo Alto, Glenn Roberts had helped to maintain roughly 35,000 trees. These days, however, many residents remember the recently retired Public Works director for the 63 trees he didn’t save. Roberts took much of the heat for the city’s hasty removal of holly oaks on California Avenue in September 2009 — an action that violated city procedures, infuriated residents and forced Roberts to issue multiple public apologies.

His career ended on a sour note

in October, when the city reached a settlement with Roberts to avoid litigation. Roberts had agreed to retire and to not seek another job in the city in exchange for $130,655 and a special resolution “consistent with proclamations for other employees who have retired voluntarily from City service in good standing.� The City Council is scheduled to discuss this proclamation Monday night.

A draft of the proclamation, released Wednesday, doesn’t mention California Avenue or the large hole in the city’s refuse fund that suddenly materialized a year ago, but focuses on the positives — namely, Roberts’ years of budget oversight, his efforts to improve the city’s storm preparedness, prevent water pollution and encourage waste reduction.

BREAD GETS A BREAK ...

Breads and cakes have gotten a last-minute reprieve. At least at Esther’s German Bakery, which had been scheduled to close Dec. 31 in the San Antonio Shopping Center in Mountain View.

The bakery is still open for business. The shopping center is remodeling, and the bakery location was to be one of the first places for work to begin. “Things change quickly around here,� bakery owner Esther Nio said. “I will now be open for at least another month. And they also offered me another location in the center.

Next to Daiso,� she said. Nio is not sure what she will do yet. “I’m crunching the numbers,� she said.

BOTTOMS UP! ... As any new parent knows, babies go through diapers faster than Dario Franchetti finishes the Indy 500. But an estimated one in three U.S. families finds buying diapers a financial hardship, if a study commissioned by Huggies is to be believed. That factoid prompted Palo Alto health and tech company HealthTap to sponsor a diaper drive, which has successfully brought in more than 14,000 (new) diapers. The drive was organized by TapMommies, the tech company’s online community, with the help of nonprofit Help a Mother Out, and the diapers were handed off to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Friday (Jan. 7). N

Upfront HOLIDAY FUND

LAW

Gunn promotes green goals High school team strives for eco-friendly campus, less waste

by Karla Kane

T

he Gunn High School Robotics Team, 50 students strong, works tirelessly January through March, meeting frequently to create award-winning robots.

Hardworking high schoolers get awfully thirsty and hungry, and those frequent meetings equal a lot of thrown-out plates, cutlery and plastic water bottles — at least in seasons past.

This year, however, thanks to a campus environmental group known as the Gunn Green Team and a grant from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, the robotics team is going green.

‘If they go through 25 or 30 water bottles a day, it really adds up.’ —Uma Seshadri, former parent chair for the Gunn Green Team

“If they go through 25 or 30 water bottles a day, it really adds up,� said Uma Seshadri, former parent chair for the Gunn Green Team, adding that during the robotics team’s intense work period, more than 2,000 pieces of disposable dishes and cups are used.

But for the 2011 robotics-team season, the Green Team will be using part of its $1,000 Holiday Fund grant to purchase compostable and recyclable plates, cups, spoons, napkins, etc., as well as to switch from individual water bottles to large, refillable jugs.

Uma’s daughter Sumana Seshadri, a Gunn senior involved with both the green and robotics teams, said last year the Green Team secured one of the school’s 72-gallon compost bins for the robotics team’s use at their nightly dinners. “We can fill one of those up in half a week,� she said. By switching to compostable utensils that can be tossed in the compost bins with the food waste, “there’ll be a lot less trash to worry about,� she said.

Using eco-friendlier supplies “can really make a huge impact� on the environmental consciousness of the campus, Uma Seshadri said. The team also plans to use any remaining funds to purchase more ecofriendly supplies for the yearbook staff. “Students at Gunn are very supportive and aware of environmental issues so what we’re doing is making sure they follow through,� Green Team co-head and school environmental commissioner Cynthia Hua, 17, said.

The Green Team was first formed in 2006 as a coalition between students, parents and staff, as well as community environmental groups.

The team is now student-run, although parents are invited to attend meetings, Hua said.

The robotics team and yearbook group are just the first step in this year’s focus on waste, which has also seen the school upgrade to bigger bins to increase capacity

To contribute to the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, and support programs such as the Gunn Green Team that raise environmental awareness, please see the ad on page 32.

for recycling and composting, Hua said.

Eventually the Green Team hopes to spread its message of environmental responsibility across the school, reaching all of the more than 80 clubs and groups, making composting commonplace and, ultimately, creating a zero-waste campus. Other goals include starting a hiking club to encourage teens to get away from their energy-guzzling computers, video games and cars and into the great outdoors, as well as making recycling and composting a more regular part of students’ lives on campus. “There are a lot of recycling opportunities at school; people just aren’t always aware of them yet,�

Sumana Seshadri said. “The Green Team is determined to make every member of the Gunn community environmentally conscious,� Uma Seshadri wrote in the team’s grant application — one club at a time. N Editorial Assistant Karla Kane can be e-mailed at kkane@ paweekly.com.

MEDIA

Jocelyn Dong named editor of Weekly Dong’s new job caps a decade of promotions and local news coverage in Palo Alto

P

alo Alto Weekly Managing Dong, 45, was raised in Palo Alto, Editor Jocelyn Dong, who graduated from Palo Alto High was raised in Palo Alto and School and earned a bachelor’s dehas risen through the paper’s edi- gree in music from Pomona College. torial ranks over the last She then received a mas11 years, has been named ter’s degree in mass comeditor of the Palo Alto munication from San Jose Weekly.

State University and beDong will take over for came director of commuJay Thorwaldson upon nications for United Way his retirement at the end in Santa Clara County. of January.

Deciding she wanted “Jocelyn was the obvito move into journalism, ous and easy choice for she took an internship at this position,� Weekly the Palo Alto Weekly in Publisher Bill Johnson 1999 and was offered a Jocelyn Dong said. position as special sec“She is a meticulous, tions editor. She was thoughtful and innovative journal- quickly promoted to assistant ediist with high standards and expec- tor, and then in 2004 covered land tations. She is compassionate and use and other city issues as a senior tough at the same time, qualities staff writer. In late 2005 she was that result in our readers getting ac- promoted to associate editor and curate and insightful coverage of the then a year later to managing editor community.� with responsibility for all newsgath-

ering and the day-to-day operations of the Editorial Department.

She has also led the Weekly’s initiatives to expand multimedia coverage and the use of social media.

Dong is the recipient of numerous journalism awards and has guided the Weekly to an unprecedented six years of receiving the coveted general excellence award from the California Newspaper Publishers Association over the past decade.

As editor, Dong will oversee all editorial operations for the Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Online and Express, the daily news digest distributed by e-mail to more than 13,000 people each morning.

Thorwaldson, who is retiring after more than 10 years as editor, described Dong as “one of the very best all-around journalists� he has worked with during his decades in the newswriting and editing business. N

New DA plans conviction-integrity unit Jeff Rosen announces plans to reinstate cold-case unit and expand review of convictions

by Jay Thorwaldson

C

riminals who never got called Innocence Project that caught for past crimes in Kennedy created a decade ago Santa Clara County should but was named after a similar be looking over their shoulders, unit in Dallas, Texas. Rosen said while others wrongly convicted he felt “conviction integrity� was may have new hope under poli- broader and better described the cies announced this week by Jeff scope of what the unit will do — Rosen, who became the county’s which includes developing bestnew district attorney Monday. practices for police and prosecuRosen was sworn in during a tors to minimize the chances of private administrative wrongful convictions. ceremony Monday in Angel, a graduate of San Jose but will be Harvard Law School, ceremonially sworn in pioneered the creation at a public ceremony of Kennedy’s project, Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in which resulted in three the rotunda of the San exonerations, includJose City Hall at 200 ing someone who had Santa Clara St. been sentenced to life Among Rosen’s first in prison, and two lessacts Wednesday was er cases. Angel resides to create an expanded in San Francisco with Jeff Rosen Conviction Integrity his wife, Jana Clark, Unit that will monitor a deputy city attorney procedures relating to arrests, there, and their three children. prosecutions and convictions Rosen said the integrity unit of persons accused of crimes will work with defense attorneys to safeguard against wrongful and the Northern California Inconvictions. On Wednesday, he nocence Project, based at Santa announced that the unit will be Clara University. headed by David Angel, a deputy He said Kennedy’s creation of district attorney with about 16 such a unit was “a very forwardyears’ experience in a variety of looking, progressive move,� and positions within the DA’s office. a model.

He also announced reinstate“What I’m creating here rement of the Cold Case Unit, ally builds and expands on what which will follow up on unsolved George Kennedy was doing beserious crimes, primarily murder fore,� Rosen said. and rape cases, working with loHe said Angel will have supercal police agencies, Rosen said in visory authority over the office’s an interview with the Palo Alto law-and-motions team, “where Weekly. He said he is currently many issues relating to prosecuevaluating who would best head torial misconduct or police misthat unit. conduct come up.� He said he Both units were disbanded by will also be a liaison with police former District Attorney Dolo- agencies in terms of helping with res Carr, who cited budgetary training and reviewing of how reasons. But she lost a bid for re- cases are handled. election last November to Rosen, Angel will report to Jay Bowho mounted a strong challenge yarsky, recently announced as with support from retired District Rosen’s chief assistant. Boyarsky Attorney George Kennedy and formerly supervised the North others. Kennedy retired in 2007.

County DA’s office in Palo Alto.

Rosen also announced the apRosen also announced that he pointment of Ian Fitch as the new will be eliminating the office’s director of the county Crime Lab, public-information staff and replacing retiring Director Benny shifting much of the responsibilDelRe. Fitch was most recently ity for getting information out the crime-lab director in Colo- via the media to prosecuting atrado Springs and formerly was torneys. a supervisor for the Santa Clara “It’s more efficient, and we County lab. have less kind of telephone tag,�

Rosen said Fitch is “highly re- and the prosecutors know most spected and is known as an expert about the cases, he said of the in DNA,� and that he was chosen move. A weekly summary of sigfrom several “exceptionally well- nificant cases will continue to be qualified candidates� for the po- issued, he said. N Editor Jay Thorwaldson can sition.

Rosen said the Conviction be e-mailed at jthorwaldson@ Integrity Unit is based on a so- paweekly.com.

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Other classes at more advanced levels are also offered. A full brochure is available at Gryphon.

EDUCATION

Paly grad pushes for school equity as leader in Teach for America Bobel: Low-income students can excel if teachers change ‘mindset and conditions’

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A

Veronica Weber

in the New Year!

pproaching her Stanford University graduation in 2003, Emily Bobel was poised to accept a job with a biotech firm when she noticed a recruiting poster for Teach for America on campus.

She answered the ad, spent the next three years teaching science in a bleak South Bronx middle school — and altered a life trajectory that until then had been pointed toward a career in biotechnology and law.

Seven years later, the 29-yearold Palo Alto High School graduate finds herself at the heart of an education reform movement that is shaking up classrooms in low-income areas across the country.

Bobel, the executive director of Teach for America’s Bay Area organization, oversees a “corps� of 400 young teachers on scores of public school campuses, plus an alumni network whose members are occupying principals’ offices, launching their own schools and running for school boards.

The former competitive figure skater expresses a visionary’s zeal for her cause — eradicating educational inequality — and little patience with skeptics. “We think we’re different,� Bobel said of Teach for America, which last year nationally attracted more than 40,000 applications from college seniors — including many from top-ranked universities — for 4,500 entry-level teaching jobs in some of the worst-performing schools across the country. “We think we bring really energetic, vision-driven, deeply passionate individuals, and beyond that it just comes down to effectiveness,� she said.

Often criticized for dropping fresh-faced, inexperienced college grads into some of the nation’s toughest classrooms — and displacing credentialed teachers — Teach for America asserts that, on balance, it achieves superior results.

Academic studies have yielded mixed results on Teach for America’s effectiveness, and a lively debate continues among scholars.

But Teach for America has been embraced by influential big-city school superintendents, including Joel Klein who headed New York City’s public schools from 2002 until last week, and Michelle Rhee, herself a Teach for America alum who led Washington, D.C.’s public schools from 2007 to 2010.

Bobel maintains that the intense summer training, youthful commitment and near round-the-clock work ethic of Teach for America recruits give disadvantaged students a teacher who will go the extra mile to make sure they learn. Corps members are regularly flooded with data

Emily Bobel, executive director of Teach for America Bay Area, helps 6th-grader Isidro Revuelta as he ponders a question at Belle Haven Elementary School during a site visit in December. about how their students are performing, and asked to adjust their approaches accordingly. “Data shows that the average growth in one year for kids in lowincome communities is 0.4 to 0.5 years. They’re mastering about half of the content they should be mastering, so that’s why the achievement gap widens,� Bobel said. “By eighth grade, low-income students on average are three grade levels below more affluent peers. “We’ve got to overcompensate because they’re growing up in poverty. Teach for America aims for 1.5 years of growth in one year — triple the average growth currently going on in our schools. “We need to put many more great teachers in front of our kids, working relentlessly. This is just hard work,� she said.

TFA corps members are measured individually on their students’ progress, with mixed results.

Beyond the two- to three-year teaching commitment required

by Teach for America, Bobel said many Teach for America alumni remain in Bay Area schools as teachers and principals, infusing their reformist mentality into mainstream school systems.

The organization holds a philosophy of “teaching as leadership,� aiming to recruit corps members with leadership potential who will advocate for school reform whether they remain in education or ultimately go into other fields. “What great educators and vision-

ary principals do is similar to what a great CEO would do: set an ambitious goal, invest people around the goal; plan milestones to get to the destination and not just deliver the material, but make sure the kids are where they need to be,� Bobel said.

Of 1,300 Bay Area Teach for America alumni, 54 are now principals in area schools, both traditional and charter schools. Another 300 have continued in long-term teaching careers.

In East Palo Alto’s Ravenswood City School District, two principals are Teach for America alums. “We’ve been in the Oakland Unified School District for 20 years and now 12 percent of the principals in Oakland are TFA alums,�

Bobel said. “We need more leadership at the principal level, great visionaries who know how to develop their teachers.�

Even among the Bay Area Teach for America alums who move on to careers outside of education, more than half contributed their time or money to the organization last year, she said. “When all school districts are challenged by budget cuts, it comes down to the extent to which superintendents and principals see Teach for America as adding value and something that can truly move the needle,� she said. “I have a superintendent (in San Jose) who says, ‘Whatever budget (continued on page 7)

Upfront

Global Week (continued from page 3)

Teach for America (continued from page 6)

decisions I have to make, I’m not going to sacrifice TFA.’�

Bobel’s own three years of teaching in a beleaguered, South Bronx middle school were an eye-opener for her. “It was a stark contrast to Jordan Middle School, where I went. “There were two sets of metal detectors, barbed wire all over the windows, no grass, no blacktop, no joy — it looked like a prison.�

Bobel was one of five Teach for America corps members on the school’s faculty of 50, encountering “a culture of unbelievably low expectations, negativity, lack of organization within the school, with kids literally running up and down the halls. “And our task was to create an island of excellence, high expectations and learning in this sea of chaos.�

Veronica Weber

the number the average American uses in a year, he said. “Is your life a little too plastic?� he asked the girls, to laughter.

Beraza said her goal in making the film was to “inspire people enough that they actually do something. “I don’t want you to feel helpless and hopeless at the end, but to feel like you can do something in your school and in your community.�

Citing author Annie Leonard, Beraza said Americans “have really developed the consumer side of our brain — how to find the best deal on shoes, etc. — but the whole citizen side of our brain has really atrophied.�

Students asked Beraza how she had smuggled her camera into a squalid Chinese facility in which laborers were picking through bales of American trash to salvage anything of value.

The answer: She hadn’t. The footage was purchased from a Mandarin-speaking Australian journalist who had sneaked into the waste facility. “They (Chinese authorities) have become hyper-aware of journalists.

It’s really hard to get in and now it would be almost impossible to get

Miranda Dafoe, left, tries on a hat made of cardboard and a paper plate, with assistance from Asees Waraich at Castilleja School. The hat was an example of “Trashion,� fashion made from food wrappers and packaging, all part of Global Week, which focused on food, justice and sustainability this year. that footage,� Beraza said.

Asked what students can do to make a difference, Beraza advised girls to decide on something they care about — excess packaging, or phthalates in shampoo, for example

— and begin a campaign. “You can form a group that shares your passion and make a Facebook page, start writing letters (to companies), calling and keep pestering.

Sometimes you feel like your voice

isn’t being heard, but it does make a difference,� she said.

Before the December holidays, Castilleja students amassed a collection of more than 1,000 processedfood packaging — cereal boxes,

As an 8th-grade science teacher, Bobel said she became scrappy, borrowing or stealing resources from any source she could find. “At that time in Silicon Valley, a lot of the dotcoms were going under and they had extra supplies. We shipped 150 binders from here to my classroom, so all my kids had binders second semester,� she said.

At one point, Bobel found herself reduced to grabbing handfuls of the small, half-pencils from the plastic boxes at IKEA. “My kids didn’t even have pencils — I didn’t even have chalk.�

She borrowed a module approach used in her undergraduate humanbiology studies at Stanford, teaching units on HIV and substance abuse that were relevant to her students.

She signed up her classes for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minority Outreach Initiative and had students build fuel-efficient model cars in preparation for a visit from a U.S. assistant secretary of energy.

She held after-school hours and Saturday schools. By the end of eighth grade, 123 of her 125 students scored at or above grade level on a comprehensive science test. “It wasn’t easy by any stretch, but my kids were just as talented as any set of kids in Palo Alto. They’re just not given the resources or the attention, and no one has the expectation they can succeed. The minute you change that mindset and conditions, the kids are going to rise to it.�

Bobel said it is “not obvious� — even to her — how she ended up so passionate about education reform.

When she chose Teach for America over the biotech job out of college, she recalls that her parents and friends told her, “‘You’re not cut out for this.’ “The more people told me I was crazy, the more it made me determined,� she said. “I was never the smartest, or the best athlete growing up. But I firmly believed that no matter where you

start from, hard work can land you on top of the heap, and that mindset still continues to drive me. “I grew up confused by the stark differences in education opportunities between Palo Alto and East Palo Alto. “I knew something wasn’t right, and my desire to do the corps stemmed from wanting to impact this and make a positive difference in our country.� N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be e-mailed at ckenrick@paweekly.com.

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This week, the colorful cardboard and plastic items were recycled into a variety of art projects, culminating in a school-wide display today in the school dining room. “It’s been interesting to spend all week focusing on one particular subject,� freshman Rebekah Kirkwood said. “This is my first Global Week.

I’ve learned so much about fast food, and how locally grown food is so much better for us and for the environment because it doesn’t have to be put on a truck. “Before, when I thought about things that were bad for the environment, I thought of trucks and cars, but not about food.�

Head of School Nanci Kauffman said Global Week has been an effort, since its beginning in 2006, to offer “problem-based, interdisciplinary educational experiences that are relevant to girls’ lives and to the real world. “My mailbox and inbox are already full of messages from students inspired by Global Week to take action here on campus, in our local community and around the world,� she said Thursday. N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be e-mailed at ckenrick@paweekly.com.

Corrections Setareh is the correct spelling for the bellydancing instructor mentioned in the Dec. 24, 2010, issue of the Weekly.

To request a correction, contact Managing Editor Jocelyn Dong at 650223-6514, jdong@paweekly.com or P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302.

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Upfront

Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to hold its annual retreat to discuss procedural items and its work plan for the year. The meeting is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Palo Alto Art Center (1313 Newell Road).

CITY COUNCIL ... The City Council plans to discuss the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Process; pass a resolution of appreciation for retired Public Works Director Glenn Roberts; and approve a budget amendment ordinance for replanting trees at Eleanor Pardee Park. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

BOARD OF EDUCATION ... The board will decide whether to change the timing of school-board elections to align with Palo Alto’s recent vote to switch City Council elections from odd- to even-numbered years. Members also will hear an update on the school district’s program to modernize its 17 campuses under the $378 million “Strong Schools� bond passed in 2008. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the board room of school district headquarters (25 Churchill Ave.).

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss the proposed streetscape improvements and lane changes on California Avenue. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

UTILITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss home energy reports, the Water Shortage Implementation Plan, and the city’s Ten-year Gas Energy Efficiency Goals. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to hold a closed session to discuss its process to recruit a new city attorney. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ... The commission is scheduled to discuss its six-month calendar, hear a presentation of the Palo Alto Mediation Program and consider new mediators. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

again and Zumot allegedly gave gos asked. Johnsen said he didn’t him a different version of events. recall smelling cologne. (continued from page 3) This time, Zumot mentioned that Geragos asked: What if comhe made a stop at his house before ponents of some colognes are the Chaalan, an auto mechanic who coming to Da Hookah Spot. same chemically as in gasoline? has known Zumot for about eight “He said he went to Restaurant Had Rosie ever been tested for false years, wasn’t the only friend of Zu- Depot, he went to the domestic vio- positives for cologne? mot who testified Wednesday about lence class, he went home and saw Johnsen admitted she hadn’t. the relationship between Zumot and Jennifer sleeping and then he went Johnsen confirmed that other Schipsi. Joseph Martinez, a deputy to the hookah lounge,� Martinez combustible products, such as tar sheriff at the Monterey County said. paper, contain similar substances Sheriff’s Office, said the relationEarlier in the week, the jury heard as gasoline but there were no such ship was what prompted him to from arson investigators and officers distractors for the dog in the car, he break off his business partnership who inspected the scene of the fire. said. with Zumot. The two were close On Tuesday, Geragos challenged Pressed by Geragos over what friends who invested in the testimony of Den- could cause the discrepancy bea San Jose hookah shop nis Johnsen, Santa Clara tween the dog’s and ATF’s analysis, in early 2008.

County chief fire investi- Johnsen seemed flustered.

Martinez said Zumot gator and handler of Rosie, Something could have happened and Schipsi were often the accelerant-sniffing dog to the evidence after it was repacktogether and that Zumot that detected accelerant on aged and sent to the lab, but he did “cleared his schedule Zumot’s shoes, socks, pants not know what, if anything had ocfor her.� waistband, sweatshirt and curred, he said. “From the time we on the passenger-side floor A Santa Clara County forensic met, they were together mat and rug of his black pathologist also testified Tuesday as much as they could Land Rover. afternoon Palo Alto police forgot to possibly be together,�

Geragos said that Alco- call the Santa Clara County CoroMartinez said. hol, Tobacco and Firearms ner’s Office and delayed examinaBulos Zumot But the relationship and Explosives (ATF) lab- tion of Schipsi’s body for 18 hours. was also characterized oratory testing found acceGlenn V. Nazareno said his examby frequent arguments and “drama,� lerant only on the shoes — a com- ination of Schipsi’s charred remains Martinez said. Schipsi and Zumot mon occurrence given that shoes showed she had died after being broke up in early 2008 but later rec- often contain petroleum products. strangled and was then set on fire to onciled, and Schipsi started to spend Geragos showed the jury an ATF cover up the crime. time at the hookah shop. Martinez report that noted K-9s (sniffer dogs) Nazareno admitted that police had said he was “concerned that (the will sometimes come up first told his office not to relationship) would eventually start with a false positive for come immediately to the back up again� and asked Zumot if accelerants. burned Addison Avenue he could buy him out. Later, when “Lab verification of all cottage to pick up her recross-examined by Geragos, he said positives is necessary,� mains but to wait for the he didn’t want to be around Schipsi according to the report. police to call. That call when she was with Zumot.

Johnsen said he did not did not come until about After several weeks of negotia- agree with ATF’s analy18 hours later, breaking tion, Zumot bought Martinez out. sis. At a training for dogs protocol, because police Zumot and Martinez remained and handlers, several had forgot, he said. friends and on the afternoon of Oct. complained that ATF Nazareno said the de15, 2009, Martinez called Zumot to tests were unable to detect lay did not alter the eviwish him a happy birthday and to talk what dogs can sniff. dence or his conclusion Jennifer Schipsi to him about buying hookah supplies.

Johnsen said he could about how Schipsi died.

During the conversation, Zumot al- not say how many false “Could it have affected legedly mentioned his argument with positives Rosie had produced. In the time of death?� Geragos asked.

Schipsi and told Martinez that she seven years with Rosie, she had done “Given the fact that a fire was crewalked away upset the previous night 60,000 to 70,000 sniffing times, he ated ... all bets are off� in terms of after he told her to shut up. estimated. establishing a precise time of death, Later that day, at about 7:15 p.m., “There’s no way to test those thou- Nazareno said.

Zumot called Martinez and told sands of times� to find which were Geragos continued to press Nazahim his house was on fire. He also false positives, Geragos countered. reno: “None of the protocol was folsaid he hadn’t seen Schipsi since Johnsen said he was confident the lowed in this case?� Geragos asked. that afternoon and went over his ac- dog had correctly identified the ac“Yes, that’s correct,� Nazareno tivities that day. Martinez testified celerant. The dog’s behaviors and said. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner that Zumot told him that he went to actions were strong positive alerts, can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ Restaurant Depot, a supply store for he said. restaurants, and then to his courtGeragos also pointed to chemist’s paweekly.com. Staff Writer Sue ordered class for domestic-violence notes, which Johnsen said he had Dremann can be e-mailed at sdremann@paweekly.com offenders before proceeding to Da not seen.

Editor’s note: Follow the trial Hookah Spot. “Are you aware of a strong smell The next morning, they spoke of cologne on those items?� Gera- on Twitter. Go to twitter.com/#!/ paw_court.

Zumot trial

CityView A round-up of

Support Local Business

Palo Alto government action this week

City Council (Jan. 4)

Election: The council elected Sid Espinosa to serve as the city’s mayor for 2011 and Yiaway Yeh to serve as vice mayor. Yes: Unanimous Appreciation: The council passed a resolution of appreciation to Pat Burt, who served as the city’s mayor in 2010. Yes: Unanimous

Architectural Review Board (Jan. 6)

Stanford Hospital: The board reviewed a proposal by the Stanford University Medical Center for a 185,000-square-foot building for the Stanford University School of Medicine. The project is part of Stanford’s proposal to expand and renovate its medical facilities. The board discussed the design and continued the item to a future date. Action: None

Page 8ĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

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City would complete removal of 10 eucalyptus, continue monitoring of six others

by Sue Dremann ix century-old eucalyptus trees at Palo Alto’s Eleanor Pardee Park that several residents and an arborist have deemed hazardous would stay standing — for now — under a plan that will be reviewed by the City Council Monday night.

The Community Services Department is requesting $37,348 to remove four of the 10 eucalyptus (six others have already been removed) and replace them by midMarch with 12 fast-growing trees of another species that pose less of a danger.

One year ago, a massive eucalyptus branch broke off and nearly clobbered a visually impaired man who was out for a stroll.

The trees line the corner of the Center Drive and Channing Avenue park, where many residents stroll and a children’s playground is located.

A consultant hired by the Public Works department found that the trees slated for removal were diseased or were improperly pruned and could topple or drop large limbs.

Several Crescent Park residents say they are not satisfied that the phased tree removal is adequate, and they point to a rebuttal letter written by Dave Muffly, arborist for the Palo Alto nonprofit urban-forest group Canopy, opposing the phasedtree removal. “It is my professional opinion that it will be a mistake to keep these trees,� he said, noting they are located in an area where many people

S

could be hurt. “At least one of the other trees along Channing shows clear signs of infection by sulfur fungus,� he wrote in a seven-page rebuttal after a Dec. 1 community meeting with city staff regarding the tree plans.

But Greg Betts, director of community services, said the most dangerous trees are being removed on Center, where cars park. The species of eucalyptus on Channing are different from those on Center and are not as likely to have trunk rot and diseases, he said. In addition, no parking is allowed on Channing, so the potential for damage from falling branches is far less.

Betts said consultant Torrey Young, who prepared a 30-page report for the city in August, would be hired to annually monitor the remaining six trees clustered at the corner along Channing Avenue.

Young concluded in his report that none of the trees could be retained indefinitely, since many children, pedestrians and traffic frequent the area. But the trees could be monitored and phased out over time, he noted.

City officials at the Dec. 1 meeting estimated that removing all of the trees at once would cost about $20,000 and a phased plan would eventually cost $65,000. Those figures did not include the additional costs of adding fencing and an additional path residents requested, according to Betts.

Betts said the phased tree remov-

al, while costing more, preserves the aesthetic look of the area while allowing the new trees to grow in height and mature. The Channing trees also provide shade for the playground, which figured into the decision not to do a wholesale removal, he said.

Betts said the current $37,348 cost includes removal of the four additional trees, grinding out 10 stumps, planting the new trees, installing irrigation, adding new concrete-anddecomposed granite pathways and additional costs that are incurred when planning and sending out bids. Young would receive $4,400 annually for his consulting services, Betts said.

The money would come from the city’s Capital Improvements Program general fund.

Trees of various heights that produce minimal pollen and won’t produce hazardous aboveground roots or excessive debris, such as seedpods, would replace the eucalyptus, Young said. Earth berms along the edges of the playground area on the street side will help keep maintenance-vehicle traffic out of the tree area.

The 24-inch-box trees would be planted about 25 feet apart and are expected to grow 20 to 45 feet tall in about eight to 10 years, he said.

The council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. N Staff Writer Sue Dremann can be e-mailed at sdremann@paweekly.com.

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A resource for special events and ongoing religious services. To inquire about or make space reservations for Inspirations, please contact Blanca Yoc at 223-6596 or email byoc@paweekly.com

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Upfront

PUBLIC NOTICE FORMER NAVAL AIR STATION MOFFETT FIELD

Online This Week

These and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com/news or click on “News� in the left, green column.

Restoration Advisory Board Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for former Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field will be held on: Thursday, January 13, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at: Mountain View Senior Center Social Hall 266 Escuela Avenue Mountain View, CA 94040-1813 The RAB reviews and comments on plans and activities about the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities underway at Moffett Field. Regular RAB meetings are open to the public and the Navy encourages your involvement. To review documents on Moffett Field environmental restoration projects, please visit the information repository located at the Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View, CA 94041, (650) 903-6337.

Bus driver’s name released in fatal crash Police have released the name of the bus driver whose bus struck and killed a pedestrian in downtown Palo Alto on Dec. 30. (Posted Jan. 6 at 9:38 a.m.)

‘Friends’ book sale returns to Main Room after fire The “Main Room� for book sales at Cubberley Community Center will re-open this weekend at the Friends of the Palo Alto Library book sale. “After nearly five long months, the Main Room is back in business,� the group announced, referring to a fire in early August. (Posted Jan. 6 at 7:48 a.m.)

Report of mountain lion sighting in Woodside A mountain lion was spotted in Woodside Tuesday night (Jan. 4) in the hills above Interstate Highway 280, emergency officials said.

For more information, contact Mr. Scott Anderson, Navy Base Realignment and Closure Environmental Coordinator at (619) 532-0938 or scott.d.anderson@navy.mil.

(Posted Jan. 5 at 12:10 p.m.)

Visit the Navy’s website: http://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/basepage.aspx?baseid=52&state=California&name=moffett

About 50 people were evacuated from East Palo Alto City Hall Tuesday evening (Jan. 4) after an arson fire filled the downstairs area with smoke and forced cancellation of the City Council meeting. (Posted

Arson fire cancels East Palo Alto council meeting

Jan. 4 at 8:06 p.m.)

Car hits pedestrian, causing El Camino traffic jam A male pedestrian was hit by a Nissan sedan on El Camino Real shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 4) across from Encina Avenue — causing a rush-hour traffic jam. The pedestrian was treated at the scene for head lacerations and taken to Stanford Hospital. (Posted Jan. 4 at 5:32 p.m.)

Stanford student fends off attacker on campus A 21-year-old Stanford student fended off an attacker Monday evening (Jan. 3) after attempting to bite him when he placed his hand over her mouth, Stanford police said. (Posted Jan. 4 at 9:43 a.m.)

East Palo Alto murder trial begins An attorney for an East Palo Alto resident accused of fatally shooting a man said Monday (Jan. 3) that his client was justified in his actions because he was defending himself, his pregnant girlfriend and his family. (Posted Jan. 3 at 4:26 p.m.)

Two injured in collision on El Camino Real Two people were injured in a two-car collision at the intersection of El Camino Real and Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto Monday (Jan. 3).

(Posted Jan. 3 at 12:16 p.m.)

Stanford endowment jumps 10 percent last year Stanford University is working its way back to financial health following devastating investment losses in 2008-09. But Stanford remains “wary� of the volatility of financial markets and the uncertainty around federal research funding and health-care reform, according to the university’s chief financial officer. (Posted Jan. 3 at 9:56 a.m.)

‘Crude’ bombs explode at Palo Alto home Two chemical bombs exploding in front of a Palo Alto home in the 700 block of De Soto Drive woke residents at 12:57 a.m. Friday (Dec. 31) morning. (Posted Jan. 1 at 10:09 a.m.)

Police hunt for crash victims near Foothills Park Palo Alto police searched for nearly two hours using dogs and a helicopter for the occupants of a vehicle that crashed into a 50-foot ravine near Foothills Park on Thursday night (Dec. 30). (Posted Dec. 31 at 9:44 a.m.)

Introducing

Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community.

Page 10ĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

Upfront

News Digest

Mayor

19-year-old man dies on Caltrain tracks Thursday

bers who opposed a business-license tax for Palo Alto — a tax that staff said was badly needed to prevent huge budget cuts.

Espinosa, who at 38 became the fourth youngest mayor in the city’s history Tuesday night, doesn’t speak as often as many of his colleagues and often defies expectations when he does. On the issue of composting, while others on the council stressed the need to keep operations local, Espinosa has constantly urged his colleagues to think regionally and argued that city borders are “very much artificial.� “People don’t know when they drive from Mountain View to Palo Alto and Menlo Park,� Espinosa said at an April meeting. “We should think regionally about our approaches to waste management and recycling.�

Though his colleagues don’t always agree with Espinosa’s positions, they unanimously agreed that he should be the city’s mayor in 2011.

Councilman Larry Klein, who nominated Espinosa for mayor, read through Espinosa’s list of jobs and achievements — including his positions as a trustee at his alma mater, Wesleyan University, his degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and his job as Reno’s aide — and proclaimed him “one of the more distinguished people we’ve ever had on the job.�

Councilman Greg Scharff also applauded Espinosa’s experience and compassion and called him “truly a nice guy.� “Sid really delves into details; he understands what’s going on — and he makes it look so easy,� Scharff said.

Espinosa was born in Santa Clara and moved to Gilroy as a secondgrader. He grew up in Gilroy and says he became interested in public policy as a junior high student. As a senior at Gilroy High School, Espinosa was elected class president.

From Gilroy, Espinosa went on to Wesleyan University, where he studied government, and later to Washington, D.C. After a brief stint in the Democratic National Committee in 1994 — a dark year for Democrats — he went on to the White House and worked in presidential speechwriting. A year later, he went on to work for Reno, a mentor with whom he continues to keep in touch.

Espinosa said Reno “shaped who I’ve become professionally and how I think about public service.� “To have someone, while you’re in your 20’s, mentor you and take you under her wing — especially someone so focused on justice and on doing what’s right, someone who has spent her entire career not focused on fame or recognition, but on making the society a better place — she instilled those qualities into everyone who worked for her,� Espinosa told the Weekly.

He ultimately returned to California and was interviewed for a job at Hewlett-Packard by Gary Fazzino, a former Palo Alto mayor and the city’s unofficial historian (as well as the third youngest mayor in the city’s

Rod Diridon could be on track back to rail board Rod Diridon is philosophical about not being reappointed to the California High Speed Rail Authority board of directors by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who failed to reappoint him in late December.

Part of his generous “I understand� response could be because he has “hope� that he might be reappointed in the near future — by new Governor Jerry Brown, he said in an interview with the Weekly this week.

That would hinge on two things: a vacancy occurring on the board in one of the five governor-appointed seats, and Brown choosing Diridon.

They are longtime friends and Diridon co-chaired Brown’s initial campaign for governor in 1974.

The board vacancy could occur because member David Crane was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents by Schwarzenegger Dec. 30. There has been growing attention to “incompatible� appointments on the authority board, and if this is deemed one of those Crane almost certainly would opt for the prestigious regents.

For a longer interview with Diridon, go to www.PaloAltoOnline. com.

Elarms pleads not guilty in David Lewis killing A man charged with fatally shooting East Palo Alto community leader David Lewis outside a San Mateo mall in June pleaded not guilty to murder in San Mateo County Superior Court Tuesday (Jan. 4) afternoon.

Gregory Elarms, 58, has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Lewis, who was gunned down near his car in the parking lot of the Hillsdale Shopping Center on June 9. The district attorney’s office has additionally charged Elarms with illegal possession of a firearm and a special circumstance of lying in wait, which could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. “We’re a long way from making that decision,� Deputy District Attorney Al Giannini told reporters outside the courtroom.

Giannini said the defense would likely bring into question the defendant’s mental state at the time of the shooting. Defense attorney Jeffrey Boyarsky declined to comment.

Elarms was arrested on Dec. 20, two days after he contacted San Mateo police with a tip in the case, which investigators said made him a suspect, according to the district attorney’s office.

Investigators believe Elarms followed Lewis to the shopping center from the San Mateo Medical Center, where Lewis was conducting HIV testing and counseling. Elarms is scheduled to reappear in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m. N — Bay City News Service

Palo Alto receives $1.5M grant for California Ave. Plans to spruce up Palo Alto’s California Avenue retail shopping district got a boost after the city received a coveted $1.5 million VTA Community Design and Transportation grant.

The grant was awarded at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s board of directors meeting on Dec. 9, according to Jaime Rodriguez, Palo Alto’s chief transportation official. The city previously applied for VTA funding in June and was turned down.

The grant will pay the lion’s share of the $1.7 million project; the city will add $500,000 in matching funds. Streetscape improvements would include a European-style boulevard with two lanes, a park/plaza at the east end near the Caltrain station, additional landscaping, kiosks, bicycle parking and a 20-seat mini-plaza near Ash Street. The plan would redesign diagonal parking.

The Planning and Transportation Commission will consider staff recommendations for a negative declaration on an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in late January. N — Sue Dremann

Veronica Weber

A 19-year-old Palo Alto man was struck and killed at 1:20 a.m. Thursday by a southbound Caltrain in Palo Alto in what was possibly “an intentional act,� according to Caltrain spokeswoman Christine Dunn.

The man was not immediately identified, but while he was a Palo Alto resident he had not attended high school in Palo Alto, Dunn said. The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office reported that it had not positively confirmed his identity, as of Thursday afternoon.

Dunn said the man was hit about four-tenths of a mile north of the California Avenue station at a location where there is no vehicle or pedestrian crossing. “A preliminary investigation indicates that this was an intentional act,� she said.

Access to the tracks is restricted by a fence bordering the east side of the tracks and houses with fenced yards lining its west side.

Train 198 continued on to the California Avenue station, where its 30 passengers were disembarked. Another local train was dispatched and picked up the passengers at 2:45 a.m., Dunn said.

It was the first Caltrain fatality of 2011, Dunn said. In 2010, there were 11 fatalities on the Caltrain right of way, down from 19 a year earlier. N — Bay City News Service and Palo Alto Online staff

(continued from page 3)

Newly appointed Palo Alto Mayor Sid Espinosa, left, speaks to members of the public about the upcoming year while former Mayor Pat Burt listens at City Hall on Jan. 4. history). He got the job and went on to serve as director of philanthropy at Hewlett-Packard. He also helped the company restore the venerable Addison Avenue residence with the famous garage.

After the restoration, he was offered a chance to live at the restored house. He happily accepted. “It’s an incredible part of California, Palo Alto, really world history, and it was wonderful to be there,�

Espinosa said. “Every year, I felt like I was living history.�

After more than three years at the famous house, Espinosa was recruited by Microsoft and moved out. He now serves as the company’s “director of citizenship� — a position that includes giving the company a greater presence in Silicon Valley.

At the same time, he remained devoted to local issues and served on the board of the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation. While on the board, Espinosa helped the foundation reach a partnership with the city to rebuild the art center.

He also helped to lead Palo Alto’s effort to rebuild local libraries, which was boosted by the 2008 pas-

sage of Measure N, a $76 million bond for library renovation.

Building libraries seems to be in Espinosa’s blood. While Espinosa was helping to raise money for local libraries in 2008, his mother was doing the same thing in the Dominican Republic, where she was a library volunteer. Meanwhile, his younger sister, Tami, a principal at Brentwood Academy in East Palo Alto, was working to strengthen the library in her school, he said.

Espinosa sees some humor in the parallel between his mother’s library project and the one in Palo Alto, where the planning process is notoriously thorough. He noted that both he and his mother reached their fundraising goals at about the same time in late 2008. “By the next February or March, Palo Alto was just beginning its review and approval process, which will take years,� Espinosa recalled. “My mom’s library, meanwhile, was already built and painted.� N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

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Transitions Deaths Anna K. Berry Anna K. Berry, 86, a resident of Palo Alto, died Dec. 19.

She was born in Marysville, Wash. Loved ones said she was an enthusiastic traveler, artist and longtime member of the Committee for Art at Stanford.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Fraser Mills of San Francisco and her son Richard Berry of Corvallis, Ore. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Barbara Dulik Barbara Neal Dulik, 75, died of a heart attack Dec. 25.

She was born in Los Angeles.

Upon graduating from Los Angeles High School, she attended Stanford

University, from which she also received her master’s degree in education. In 1976, she developed the preschool program at Trinity Parish School in Menlo Park, which in 1978 became The Phillips Brooks School. She continued teaching preschool at Phillips Brooks ashead of its Early Learning Center and in 1986 also became Director of Admissions for the school.

A longtime Peninsula resident, she retired in 2002 and moved with her husband Robert Dulik to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She spent her retirement volunteering at a bilingual bookstore, traveling throughout Mexico and cultivating a close group of friends in the community. During her lifetime she was a voracious reader, avid knitter and enthusiastic world traveler.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she is survived by her

husband of 52 years, Robert; their three children, Gregg Dulik of Palo Alto, Thomas Dulik of Lafayette, Calif., and Ann Elizabeth Gardiner of London, England; and nine grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held in March.

Marian Johnson Marian Faye “Omah� Johnson, 69, a resident of Palo Alto, died Dec. 23 after a 13-year battle with breast cancer.

She was born in Morgan City, La., and married Alvin Johnson, Sr. in 1960.

She was an avid member of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View.

She is survived by her children, Kimberly Johnson Garcia of Palo Alto, Alvin Johnson Jr. of Mesa,

Joan LeFrank Palo Alto, CA - Joan Diane LeFrank, 79, died unexpectedly on Friday November 26th at her home in Palo Alto, CA Born in Maplewood, NJ, Joan lived most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area. Joan graduated from SpringďŹ eld College in Massachusetts and was a retired Physical Education teacher. As a basketball, softball and tennis coach, she passed her love of athletics to her family, particularly tennis. She was a faithful and long-time fan of the Stanford University Girls Basketball team. Joan’s amazing hobbies included playing the ukulele and banjo and singing Ragtime and Honky-tonk blues.

Her artistic talents were many, including painting, stained glass, knitting, ceramic tiling, and home renovations. She enjoyed traveling the coasts of California, New England, and particularly Cape Cod where she once owned and ran summer Day Camps for children. She held close friends dear in every corner of her travels. A life ďŹ lled with passion and a great sense of humor, she spread her laughter, engaging all with a knack for making people around her feel comfortable and happy.

Joan was pre-deceased by her sister, Marian Weise, and her brother, Robert LeFrank. She is survived by her six nieces and nephews and

their families, including Michael Weise, Vienna, VA; Steve Weise, New FairďŹ eld, CT; Billie Ellen Weise, Ocean Grove, NJ; Robert Weise, Wall, NJ; Gretchen Wolff, Little Silver, NJ; and Daniel Weise, Middletown, NJ. To her 16 Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews and 1 Great-Great Niece, Christmas ornaments, specially picked for them throughout their lives, will adorn their Christmas trees with her love forever. She ďŹ lled all of our lives with many happy memories. Joan will be greatly missed by her family and many friends because of her funloving, free-spirited lifestyle.

A celebration of Joanie’s life will be held at the Billy DeFrank Center 938 The Alameda San Jose, California 95126 2pm - 4:30pm Saturday, January 15, 2011 This will be a potluck. In lieu of owers, PWG will collect donations for the center, Rainbow Women’s Chorus, and a permanent memorial. For more information e-mail pwgpenwomen@aol.com PA I D

Ruth (Martin) Johnson, 91, a Palo Alto native and lifelong resident of the Midpeninsula, died Jan. 2 at The Sequoias in Portola Valley of complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The younger of two daughters of former Stanford history professor Percy Martin, she grew up on the Stanford campus and attended Castilleja School, Palo Alto High School and Stanford University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1940. She met her husband of 62 years, Chet Johnson, while both were active in theater at Stanford.

The couple moved to Los Angeles after getting married, but was determined to return to Palo Alto as soon as possible. “Palm Drive in ‘45� became their mantra, and they ended up back in Palo Alto right on schedule.

In 1948, the family moved to Menlo Park and then ten years later

(continued on next page)

Carole Hoffman Carole Hoffman, 72 of Palo Alto died of cancer on December 30, 2010. She was the loving mother of Buddy, Lynda, and Christy and adoring grandma of Zach and Jonah. She had many friends and a wonderful sense of humor. She loved tennis, skiing, reading, music and always drove a convertible. She was an independent world traveler on 5 continents and 38 countries. A single mother with three children, she earned her BS in both Psychology and English (magnum cum laude), plus her Master’s in Social Work, completing those degrees in less than four years. Her amazing energy and courage will be remembered by all that knew her, and she will be missed very much. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or Planned Parenthood.

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O B I T UA RY

Answers to this week’s puzzles, which can be found on page 48

July 13, 1927 – December 19, 2010 Menlo Park Rotary Club, served on the Atherton Town Council, Atherton Civic Interest League, Peninsula Roundtable, the Lindenwood Homes Association and was a member of the San Francisco Golf Club.

Survived by his loving wife, Barbara, his three children Elizabeth, John and Katherine, his sister, Sister Elizabeth Huber BVM and grandchildren: Abigail, John, Caleb, James, Madeline, Michael and Samuel. www.rollerhapgoodtinney.com PA I D

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Ruth Johnson

to a new home the couple designed on Westridge Drive in Portola Valley.

She was a devoted mother and volunteer, supporting the activities of her two children and becoming very active in the American Field Service (AFS) foreign-exchange program.

After her two children were grown, she and her husband traveled extensively and enjoyed several unusual summers exploring the canals of France on a houseboat and at a summer apartment in southern France near St. Tropez.

Her love of Switzerland, which developed when she attended grammar school there while her father was on sabbatical from Stanford, led her to research and organize annual summer hiking trips in the Swiss Alps for family and friends, a passion that evolved into a fullfledged tour business for more than 15 years, until she was well into her seventies.

In 1997, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and began a steady decline. Her husband, Chet, devoted himself almost exclusively to caring for her until his death in 2002.

She is survived by her sons and their spouses, Mark and Becky Johnson of Seattle, and Bill Johnson and Terri Lobdell of Palo Alto; four grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.

The family prefers contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1060 La Avenida St., Mountain View, CA 94043.

OBITUARY

Robert E. Huber

Robert (Bob) Huber passed away peacefully at home with his wife of 57 years, Barbara at his side. Born in Sioux City, Iowa Bob served in the Navy from 1945 to 1947. Bob was President of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Iowa State University and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree in 1951. He began his career with AT&T Long Lines as a student engineer and was awarded a Sloan Fellowship in 1960, graduating from MIT with a Masters in 1961. During his career with AT&T Long Lines, Bob moved all over the country retiring after 36 years as a Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, AT&T Long Lines. Bob was a past president of the

Ariz., Lorri Johnson Santamaria of Oceanside, Calif., and Kelle Johnson LeDuff, of Inglewood, Calif; and 11 grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Memorial donations may be made to Stanford Cancer Center c/o Office of Medical Development, Attn: Pink for Hope Fund, 2700 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, www.pink4hope.org.

OBITUARY

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A weekly compendium of vital statistics

Palo Alto Dec. 28-Jan. 3 Violence related Assault with a deadly weapon . . . . . . . .1 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/major injury . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .5 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .6 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Under influence of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Animal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Misc. penal code violation . . . . . . . . . . .1 Other/misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Outside warrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Probation violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Menlo Park Dec. 28-Jan. 2 Violence related Assault with a deadly weapon . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle related Driving without license . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Abandoned auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .5 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Alcohol or drug related Drug activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Transitions

(continued from previous page)

Kenneth Lawler Kenneth Lawler, 83, a former Palo Alto resident, died in Roseville, Calif., Dec. 31.

Born in Coalinga, Calif., he is survived by his wife, Gladys; daughters Diane and Janet; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services have been held.

Robert Marth Robert Anthony Marth, Sr., 73, a former resident of Palo Alto, died in Sunnyvale of cancer and dementia on Dec. 21.

He was born and raised in Tacoma, Wash. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1964 with a degree in electrical engineering. He went on to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic Insti-

Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Coroner case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Info. case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Mental evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Violation of court order . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Tree blocking roadway . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

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Atherton Dec. 28-Jan. 3 Theft related Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft undefined. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Abandoned vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Code violation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Suspicious vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .1 Alcohol or Drug related Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Animal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Be on the lookout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Citizen assist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Meet citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Pedestrian check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Perimeter check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Property destruction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .3 Suspicious person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Town ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Tree blocking roadway . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Welfare check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

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Palo Alto Palo Alto Avenue, 1/1, 1:10 a.m.; assault with deadly weapon.

4000 block El Camino Real, 1/1, 3:02 a.m.; battery.

Channing Avenue, 12/29, 11:54 a.m.; domestic violence.

El Camino Real, 1/2, 21:49 p.m.; domestic violence.

Cedar Street, 1/2, 20:52 p.m.; domestic violence.

Menlo Park 1300 block Mills Street, 12/31, 2:13 a.m.; assault with deadly weapon.

tute of Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1966, and later obtained a doctorate in 1972.

He worked with Boeing Company, Washington; Bell Labs, New Jersey; SRI International, Menlo Park; and later with ESL/TRW in Sunnyvale, where he retired in 1995. While working for SRI, he proudly served as a member of the Menlo Park Rotary Club and enjoyed working on the many fund raising activities.

He adored his family and lived life full of laughter, compassion and kindness, loved ones said.

He is survived by his wife, Annemarie Marth of Sunnyvale and former wife Legae Marth, of Mountain View. He is also survived by his six children: Robert, GaeAnn, Julie, Teri, Jeffrey and Nichola; and 10 grandchildren.

The Marth family would like to extend appreciation to Tracie Murray and her staff at Cedar Crest Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Sunnyvale for the care they provided Marth during the past two months of his life.

A gathering in his memory will be held at the Mente Residence, 977 Amador Ave., Sunnyvale, Saturday, Jan. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 13

Editorial

A changing generation on Palo Alto council Mayor Sid Espinosa and Vice Mayor Yiaway Yeh represent a continuing shift to younger leadership, facing promise and problems

T

here have been other young mayors in Palo Alto’s history, but never have both the mayor and vice mayor been as young as Sid Espinosa, 38, and Yiaway Yeh, 32. More relevant is that both have just two years behind them on the council.

Both were elected unanimously Tuesday night by their City Council colleagues.

But age is not the core issue at the outset of this decade for a community and city government beset with challenges and blessed with opportunities. The core issues facing both men have to do with leadership and being good, quick learners — for which both have demonstrated a solid facility.

Each has impressive credentials and each has demonstrated an adeptness at listening, sifting good information from bad and reaching their own conclusions, sometimes seeking support from colleagues and sometimes offering support for the ideas of others.

Espinosa especially has an insider’s view of government and politics due to his professional background as an assistant to former Attorney General Janet Reno and in speechwriting in the White House. His education was at Wesleyan and Harvard universities. He currently holds the odd title of “director of citizenship� for Microsoft Corporation, and formerly was director of global philanthropy for Hewlett-Packard Company.

Perhaps more relevant to Palo Alto, Espinosa has been vice mayor under outgoing Mayor Pat Burt, who has demonstrated strong leadership in the past year, with a depth of understanding of both city issues and regional concerns — such as the continuing conflict over high-speed rail on the Peninsula.

Yeh’s credentials are also impressive, including his current position as assistant city auditor for Oakland, his masters degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and his past work as legislative aide to former San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon (just elected to the state Assembly) and legislative intern for retired state Sen. Byron Sher.

Espinosa and Burt both have said publicly that there will be a smooth continuum of city policies and council guidance of city staff. City Manager James Keene and others are striving to streamline city operations, improve relations with the revenueproducing business sector and finish reviewing the rebuilding and expansion of the Stanford Medical Center, Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and related facilities — which combined comprise the biggest and most complex project in the city’s history.

In the past year, the city has begun to see a turnaround in its economic fortunes, particularly in dropping vacancy rates in commercial areas, which the Wall Street Journal recently reported were significantly below those of most communities. The city has at last become proactive with its corporate residents.

Palo Alto still faces serious challenges in revenues and expenses, including exposure in city retirement benefits and a potential huge increase in contributions to the state retirement fund due to irresponsibly high-risk investments by CalPERS. But Palo Alto’s success in trimming more than $13 million from the city budget in the past year needs to be recognized as an achievement, with shared credit for the staff and council.

This hard balancing of needs and resources must continue, and this council — younger and older members alike — must see that it does.

Let’s celebrate our champions Saturday in a great parade

H

istoric state-championship wins by two Palo Alto High School teams — women’s volleyball and varsity football — are well worth a community celebration.

The City of Palo Alto is to be commended for coming up with an appropriate recognition: a gala parade through downtown Palo Alto starting at 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, starting at Webster Street and Univeristy Avenue and winding up in front of City Hall.

Volleyball coach David Winn and football coach Earl Hansen will ride in open cars. Hansen will receive an extra dose of recognition for being named “Coach of the Year� this week for the Central Coast Section by ESPN RISE Cal-Hi Sports, becoming only the sixth CCS coach to win that honor since 1970. This unprecedented combination deserves a celebration.

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Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions

Parkland ‘grab’ Editor, After asking voters two years ago to support high-speed rail, Peter Drekmeier is now asking voters to undedicate parkland to build an industrial composting facility.

He continues to repeat one vendor’s unverified propaganda to support this facility. That vendor did not include millions in costs for site preparation, heavy equipment, proponents’ green roof, or land rent.

Drekmeier asserts that “profits� from this venture could pay for completion of the park.

1. Profits are unlikely.

2. Such profits, if any, would be in Enterprise Funds and could not be used for park improvements.

The only monies that could be used for park improvements would be land rents which were not calculated into all the rosy numbers cited by proponents. Ratepayers would pay that tab.

3. The city has collected more than $100 million in rents from the landfill and precious little has been used for the park.

None of this would have to go to the voters except that Drekmeier et al want to build on Byxbee Park and that does require a vote.

Not only would the project take away the parkland, but its adjacency upwind of the park will severely impact the pastoral open-space experience that this park is supposed to provide.

Do not be misled into signing the petition that misrepresents this parkland grab as green energy.

Emily M. Renzel Baylands Conservation Committee Palo Alto

No on initiative Editor, All initiatives are not good. The initiative promoted by Peter Drekmeier should not be supported.

Here’s why: In these economic times, it is irresponsible to promote this industrial operation. It may cost $30 million. No matter how it’s funded, you and I will pay with ever-escalating monthly refuse charges. Now, Palo Alto has the second-highest refuse rate in the Bay Area.

None of the benefits touted by the proponents has been verified. They come from a digester vendor eager to become the first in the U.S. Placing this industrial operation in our baylands scorns years of Bay planning. Bay cities have closed 44 landfill sites. Palo Alto’s is about to be closed. Forty years of councils, planning and park commissions, baylands and zero-waste committees have rejected any “further industrial invasion in the Baylands.�

Yet, this group feels qualified to reject years of unanimous recom-

mendations.

Contrary to proponents’ representations, the 10 acres of park they want to undedicate are not an insignificant part of Byxbee Park.

Ten acres is equivalent to eight football fields! This is the entrance to Byxbee Park. Present hiking/ biking trails will connect with future regional trails. These 10 acres are a vital entrance to our Baylands Park.

Undedicating 10 acres of parkland is unconscionable. Once undedicated, the park is gone forever. The public has no control over its use. There is no more land in the baylands to acquire.

We lose.

This is a bad initiative. Don’t sign it.

Enid Pearson Former councilwoman Palo Alto

Gift market a success Editor, I am writing to you as a member of the organizing committee of the “Alternative Gift Market� at Trinity Church in Menlo Park on Dec. 5 and 12 last year.

We want to thank the Palo Alto

Weekly and in particular your reporter Chris Kenrick for her article, “Simplify the Holidays� that appeared in the Dec. 3 edition of your paper.

This article was very effective in alerting people to the concept of alternative-gift shopping. At our market, this kind of shopping included making donations to worthy causes rather than buying more stuff for others; buying recyclable products for wrapping or gifts; and buying handcrafted items from local and global artisans to support village businesses in developing countries.

As a result of this positive publicity, we attracted large crowds of people to both days of our market and were successful in donating more than $14,000 to 14 worthy nonprofit organizations.

Thank you for calling attention to the concept of simplifying the holidays and helping others in the process.

Planning has already begun for this year’s market and the dates have been scheduled for Dec. 5 and 12, 2011.

Barbara Newton Trinity Church Menlo Park

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

What do you think? What is the one piece of advice you would give Palo Alto’s new mayor and vice mayor?

Submit letters to the editor of up to 250 words to letters@paweekly.com.

Include your name, address and daytime phone number so we can reach you.

We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, objectionable content, libel and factual errors known to us. Anonymous letters will generally not be accepted.

You can also participate in our popular interactive online forum, Town Square, at our community website at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Read blogs, discuss issues, ask questions or express opinions with you neighbors any time, day or night.

Submitting a letter to the editor or guest opinion constitutes a granting of permission to the Palo Alto Weekly and Embarcadero Publishing Co. to also publish it online, including in our online archives and as a post on Town Square.

For more information contact Editor Jay Thorwaldson or Online Editor Tyler Hanley at editor@paweekly.com or 650-326-8210.

Check out Town Square!

Hundreds of local topics are being discussed by local residents on Town Square, a reader forum sponsored by the Weekly on our community website at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Post your own comments, ask questions, read the Editor’s blog or just stay up on what people are talking about around town!

On Deadline: How young is too ‘inexperienced’ for Palo Alto leaders?

by Jay Thorwaldson uesday evening’s ele ct-a -m ayo rand-vice-mayor meeting turned into a unanimous sweetnessand-light event that was exceeded only by the white-frosting cake in the lobby reception afterward.

The result was the election of the youngest mayor/vice mayor team in city history, mentioned several times Tuesday night.

The sugar rush of the cake — which someone noted was a bit out of step with Palo Alto’s PC image of healthy, “green� eating — gave the reception some juice, but mostly it was quiet chatting in small groups.

The calm reflected many of the discussions at the City Council meetings in the past year under the chairmanship of Mayor Pat Burt.

The new mayor, Sid Espinosa, was vice mayor under Burt, who is recognized as an experienced council member due to many years on the Planning and Transportation Commission — credentials shared by Councilwoman Karen Holman.

Longtime on-again, off-again Councilman Larry Klein still holds the senior-in-experience title on the nine-member council.

Both Burt and Espinosa have said there will be a smooth continuum between their mayorships.

Perhaps it will be as quiet as the election and reception, reflecting Espinosa’s characteristic soft-spoken style. But one thing I’ve learned over many years in journalism, interviewing and observing scores of community officials and leaders, is that softness

T

of speech does not mean softness inside. A velvet-glove voice can cover a steel fist, or at least a firm hand.

One suspects that may be the case with Espinosa in terms of his style of leadership in pushing the agenda and priorities for the council and city staff, and in helping set the tone for community dialogue — and perhaps moving meetings along efficiently.

Ages aside, a valid concern about the Espinosa/Yeh combination is that they have only served on the council since January 2008.

The big danger of relatively short-timers in leadership positions is that they may be unaware of potential land-mine issues that could blow up in their faces on one hand or of dangling strings, vines and ropes that could hang them up.

But those who have spent time with either Espinosa or Yeh say they are impressed with how much they know about the community and broader Midpeninsula, Bay Area and statewide issues. They seem to be quick studies of Palo Alto-ology.

In terms of their ages, Espinosa and Yeh are the youngest leadership team at 38 and 32 respectively in Palo Alto’s history.

Espinosa is virtually tied for being the second youngest mayor, with Gary Fazzino.

The youngest is someone virtually no one remembers: Byrl Salsman, who was 33 when he was elected mayor back in 1937, serving for two years. He was later elected to the state Assembly and still later appointed to a judgeship. He died in 1977.

Fazzino, who maintains detailed records on Palo Alto, was first elected mayor when he was 38, after serving on the council several years in the early 1970s. He earlier was the host of the KZSU Stanford student radio

station broadcasts of City Council meetings for three years — the Vince Larkin of his time.

From a fairly regular observer of council meetings, covering them for the former Palo Alto Times for 13 years and following local issues since, my overall observation of the existing council is one of intelligent, caring individuals sincerely trying to do a good job of providing guidance to the city staff.

There seems to be no “bloc voting� split on the council as in past decades. The members state their thoughts or positions (some at greater length than others), listen politely to each other and then vote, aligning green or red lights on a board to the left of and above the council dais. The vertical green-and-red lights line up differently on different issues.

This was not always the case.

There was a bitter split on the council, then at 15 members, reduced to 13 in 1965 and ultimately to the present nine members. The split began in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

It grew into a divisive and deeply personal all-council election in 1967 and finally tapered off in the mid-1970s. Scars of that 1967 campaign remained on both sides for years — still do for some persons.

The split, mostly over growth and traffic issues, divided the community and resulted in the creation of a virtual two-party system of the slow-growth “residentialists� vs. development-minded “establishment� supporters.

At one point, on Halloween night 1966, the split became so personal that two council members, Bob Debs and Bob Cooley, started outside the council chambers to engage in fisticuffs. They were stopped by City Manager George Morgan and his assistant, Cecil Riley, as I scribbled notes a few feet away. I have always wondered who might have come

out ahead, the hefty fighter Debs or compact, pugnacious Cooley.

A truce in the two-party division was declared in 1975, following several years of a “polite 5-4 split� on the council. An actual written agreement was signed in 1975.

The council went through significant turmoil in the early 2000s when former Councilwoman Nancy Lytle began building a bloc of votes. For several years that made meetings pretty interesting, with significant hidden agendas and strategies. The Weekly covered one elect-the-mayor meeting by running a cover story showing overripe tomatoes smushed against a wall bearing the city seal, reflecting an attack by Lytle on new Mayor Dena Mossar at the meeting.

Having observed both bloc-voting councils and individual-voting councils, I will offer two observations.

The first is that bloc voting makes for very interesting meetings, and politics. The give and take and back-and-forth voting becomes almost like watching a sporting event.

But it’s destructive to good leadership and management, leaving staff confused, overly cautious and burned out beyond the point of being effective — creating a cover-yourbackside culture rather than one that fosters open, creative problem-solving.

The second is that councils of individual voters seem to have a greater challenge in defining courses of action, a situation perhaps akin to herding cats, or living in a democracy. Smart, thoughtful cats.

And that situation puts greater importance on clear, transparent, professional management by city administrators.

Welcome to Palo Alto 2011. N Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson can be e-mailed at jthorwaldson@paweekly.com.

Streetwise

What’s your new year’s resolution or hope?

Asked on California Avenue. Interviews by Zohra Ashpari. Photographs by Veronica Weber.

James Biller

Unemployed Wilkie Way, Palo Alto “My New Year’s resolution is to drink less and hopefully find a better job.�

April Fields

Property Manager Park Boulevard, Palo Alto “I hope that more people will find joy and believe in prosperity. I also hope to meet my love this year.�

Cecile Andrews

Writer Oxford Street, Palo Alto “I hope to move more slowly and take my time to enjoy myself. I hope for greater community as well.�

Erica Bustamante

Graduate Student Sheridan Avenue, Palo Alto “I hope to finish my Ph.D., I’m defending January 11th!�

Jason Cieply

Graduate Student College Avenue, Palo Alto “My New Year’s resolution is to take more breaks from studying and explore more hobbies, like photography!�

*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 15

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

G

ood times and tough times, champions and rogues fill this year’s crop of annual “best� and “worst� lists compiled by the Weekly’s three film critics.

Do you like dark tales about Wall Street chicanery or the rivalry of the ballet world? Or would you prefer to weep over plucky little toys overcoming adversity, or perhaps root for a king conquering his stammer?

There was a host of stories to choose from last year.

In a selection of picks and pans, Weekly critics Peter Canavese, Tyler Hanley and Susan Tavernetti look back over 2010 in film. And, in case you need some advice on whom to cheer for or razz, Hanley lists the best cinematic heroes and villains of the year.

FROM KINGS TO COWBOYS

Clockwise from left: Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network,� Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) in “Toy Story 3,�

Russell Crowe in “Robin Hood,� Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech� and Michael Cera in “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.�

TOP FILMS OF 2010 HAVE A WHOLE WORLD OF HEROES

Peter Canavese’s top films

Tyler Hanley’s top films

Susan Tavernetti’s top films

10. Lebanon Israeli filmmaker Samuel Maoz’s deeply personal account of the first day of the 1982 Lebanon War puts us inside a tank with four traumatized soldiers for 90 minutes. This powerful evocation of war as hell is not easy to endure in its “you are there� virtual reality. But if this is pure cinema at its most unnerving, it’s also at its best.

10. Hereafter Watching Clint Eastwood’s metaphysical drama is sort of like taking a road trip to the Grand Canyon. The journey is long and plodding, but the destination is breathtaking. Matt Damon’s likable protagonist leads the viewer through a wave of emotions and Eastwood presents the afterlife in a peaceful light instead of as something morbid or terrifying.

But “Hereafter� requires patience and maturity.

10. Black Swan Ballerinas gone mad. How many times have we seen this story of obsession with one’s art, subservience to an authoritarian ballet impresario and rivalry with another dancer? But director Darren Aronofsky’s lurid drama has the kick of a paranoid fever dream — with one toe shoe delicately performing the role of the White Swan of “Swan Lake� and the other dancing on the grave. Natalie Portman’s

9. The Ghost Writer One of the most purely

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(continued on next page)

(continued on next page)

(continued on page 19)

Palin would like it (zing!).

Peter Canavese’s pans

6. The King’s Speech The good old-fashioned appeal of Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech� is dramatic craft. With a cracking screenplay

by David Seidler that was 70 years in the making, this docudrama of King George VI (Colin Firth) literally finding his voice with speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) entertains and inspires, in no small part due to the brilliant actors’ top-notch tit-for-tatting in a series of dialogue duets.

As usual, the very worst films mostly preyed on the weak: Won’t somebody please think of the children? (Thank you, Pixar ... )

Peter Canavese (continued from previous page)

pleasurable films of 2010, Roman Polanski’s wicked little thriller — derived from Robert Harris’ novel “The Ghost� — brims with paranoia and witty style. The smirky absurdity of Ewan McGregor’s travails as ghost writer to Pierce Brosnan’s ex-prime minister consistently delivered deadpan delights.

7. Dogtooth No film this year was stranger than Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ absurdist allegory, which won top honors in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. At once droll and horrifying, this tale of overgrown children made unwitting captives by their parents functions as a condemnation of doomed parental overprotectiveness and perhaps, symbolically, the folly of a “nanny state.� Hm. Maybe Sarah

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Warning to asthma sufferers: The pop-culture allusions in this kiddie “comedy� are seriously musty. Kids won’t get them and adults will hate them, so ... why?

Tahar Rahim in “A Prophet.� genius reaches a crescendo with the improbably great second sequel to 1995’s “Toy Story.� Along with experiencing the deft comedy and brilliantly choreographed action, kids can still guilelessly delve into the secret world of toys, young to middle-aged adults can feel the hurts-so-good pangs of nostalgia, and the elderly can relate to the terror of social abandonment. It’s a film for all seasons.

Natalie Portman in “Black Swan.�

8. Marwencol In a slew of 2010 political documentaries, Jeff Malmberg’s character study “Marwencol� stood out from the pack. Remarkable outsider artist Mark Hogancamp simultaneously lives in two worlds: ours and the one-sixth-scale World War II-era Belgian town built and photographed in Hogancamp’s upstate New York backyard. Malmberg puts on display the endearingly damaged and heroically resilient Hogancamp and his stunning selftherapeutic art.

When in Rome The horror, the horror. This cheerily bad rom-com is like watching a party clown bomb ... hard.

Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right.�

5. Rabbit Hole David LindsayAbaire adapted his Pulitzer Prizewinning play for the screen under the auspices of director John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch�). Together they found the truth in a shopworn theme (grieving parents) and the thoughtful expression to make unspeakable pain understandable. Fine acting from Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest and newcomer Miles Teller seals the deal.

4. Inception The words “heady� and “blockbuster� rarely go together, but writer-director Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight�) doesn’t care, and we’re better off for it. This action-adventure set mostly (or entirely?) inside minds may not be a perfect “film� or a perfect “movie,� but by combining the two, Nolan gave us something uniquely satisfying at the multiplex.

3. Toy Story 3 Pixar’s populist

2. The Social Network A sly satire about the way people relate today, “The Social Network� definitively acknowledges the genius of Facebook co-creator Mark Zuckerberg, exposes the ruthlessness of modern American capitalism, and anatomizes the disconnect that is the logical (yet ironic) result of both. As Zuckerberg, Jesse Eisenberg leads a strong, young ensemble. David Fincher directs with cool efficiency, and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin delivers the flood of incisive talk.

1. Blue Valentine This master class in acting from the next generation of top talent (Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams) takes the pulse of modern love. With American divorce rates still hovering near 50 percent, few stories could be more wistfully relevant than this intimate look at the birth and death of love. First-time director Derek Cianfrance nails the delicate pastvs.-present structure, while Gosling and Williams do miraculous work playing two people at two discrete times in their lives.

For the Weekly’s review of “Blue Valentine,� go to page 22.

Furry Vengeance Fat, half-naked Brendan Fraser battles anthropomorphized animals. ‘Nuff said.

Remember Me Spoiler alert: This jerks “Twi�-hard tears by killing R-Pattz on 9/11.

The Nutcracker in 3D Nathan Lane as Albert Einstein. Singing Andy Warhol rodent. Proto-Nazi space-ranger rats. Very little ballet.

Tyler Hanley

(continued from previous page)

Those willing to give it are rewarded with a complex, heartfelt and spiritually inspiring experience.

9. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Audacious director Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead�) throws a jolt of energy into the cinematic pantheon with this imaginative romp.

Rock-music, video-game and comic-book sensibilities collide for a refreshingly unique blend of action and comedy. Michael Cera plays the geek/hero role perfectly while arcade-inspired visual effects and wildly inventive transitions add to the picture’s whimsical flair.

8. Robin Hood Ridley Scott’s under-appreciated epic boasts a strong performance by Russell Crowe, admirable production values (costumes, lighting, cinematography, etc.) and a fresh perspective on the bow-wielding adventurer. The storyline is engaging and the action is visceral — although many critics labeled the film a disappointment

(lofty expectations can often lead to mediocre reviews). But an argument could easily be made that this is the most historically accurate and wellcrafted “Robin Hood� film to date.

7. The Town Ben Affleck’s cinematic love letter to the city of Boston is a taut, suspenseful action/ drama in the vein of Michael Mann’s “Heat� (1995). Affleck offers up one of the best acting performances of his career while “Hurt Locker� standout Jeremy Renner threatens to steal the spotlight with another gutsy portrayal. But the film’s overall success — not unlike a heist itself — is all about solid execution. Affleck deserves applause for his directorial vision.

6. The Ghost Writer Kindling memories of his heartbreaking masterpiece “Chinatown,� director Roman Polanski empowers his “Ghost Writer� with the perfect balance of suspenseful atmosphere and intelligent substance. “Writer� is the sort of thoughtful mystery Alfred Hitchcock would have sunk his teeth into.

An admirable script and cast (which includes Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan and Tom Wilkinson) stoke the dramatic fire while the film’s tension steamrolls into a powerful climax.

5. The Fighter Strong acting performances from Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo and especially Christian Bale lend dramatic gravitas to this uplifting true story.

Bale’s wired and wide-eyed portrayal of crack-addicted former pugilist Dicky Eklund is mesmerizing. “The Fighter� is more than just an “underdog boxer beats the odds� tale — it’s about family bonds, independence, cooperation and overcoming adversity.

4. The Social Network There’s a lot to “Likeâ€? about “The Social Network.â€? The riveting film about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg defines a generation (Ă la “Easy Riderâ€? and “The Breakfast Clubâ€?).

Director David Fincher (“Zodiac,� “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button�) helms with a deft touch, Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay is razorsharp and the acting is excellent (continued on next page)

The “Inceptionâ€? crew, from left: Dileep Rao, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page and Ken Watanabe. *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 17

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City of Palo Alto NOTICE OF DIRECTOR'S HEARING To be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 20, 2011 in the Palo Alto City Council Conference Room, 1st Floor, Civic Center, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California. Go to the Development Center at 285 Hamilton Avenue to review ďŹ led documents; contact Alicia Spotwood for information regarding business hours at 650-617-3168.

405 Lincoln Avenue -[08PLN-00195] – Request by Camelo Trindade for a public hearing on the Single Family Individual Review approval of a new two story home replacing an existing one story home in the Professorville historic district. Compatibility of the home design with the historic neighborhood was evaluated in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) reviewed and approved by the City Council.

Mitigation identiďŹ ed in the EIR was subject to review by the Historic Resources Board and by staff for compliance with Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The project complies with R-1 development standards and Single Family Individual Review privacy guidelines. Zoning: Single Family Residential (R-1) District.

Curtis Williams Director of Planning and Community Environment

IF IT’S NOT IN THIS VAULT, IT’S NOT SAFE.

(continued from previous page)

3. Inception Director Christopher Nolan’s (“The Dark Knight�) visually stunning and exceptionally cast “Inception� is a cinematic marvel — a rare film inspired by imagination rather than potential boxoffice return. Although the big-budget flick features persistent and impressive visual effects, it is also thought-provoking and emotionally poignant. In fact, “Inception� is almost hypnotic — a mind-bending experience laced with palpable tension and fueled with drama. Sweet dreams.

2. Toy Story 3 The toys are back in town and they’re better than ever. This third installment in Pixar’s Ăźber-popular “Toy Storyâ€? franchise is witty, heartfelt and thoroughly entertaining. Phenomenal animation, outstanding vocal talent (from the likes of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Ned Beatty and others) and a sentimental climax help elevate “Toy Story 3â€? into the upper echelon of the Disney library. A G-rated film that appeals to both adults and children alike is a rare breed and deserves to be celebrated.

1. The King’s Speech Historical insight, phenomenal acting, top-notch production values: “The King’s Speech� is a royal example of what good filmmaking is all about.

Colin Firth delivers the year’s best leading performance as King George VI (although James Franco of “127 Hours� and Natalie Portman of “Black Swan� are in the argument) and Geoffrey Rush is exceptional as quirky speech therapist Lionel Logue. Costuming, set design and (especially) sound are tremendous and aptly highlight the period and the king’s paralyzing stammer. “Speech� has capably voiced its case to be crowned Best Picture come Oscar time.

Tyler Hanley’s pans Date Night The comedy-gold combo of Steve Carell and Tina Fey looks more like cubic zirconia thanks to a bland screenplay, absurd plot and poor execution. A memorable scene featuring James Franco and Mila Kunis as a low-life couple is one of the few bright spots.

The Expendables This macho vanity project features a way-past-his-prime Sylvester Stallone and a boneheaded script that harkens back to the days when bad action movies were hip. Jason Statham and a cornucopia of familiar manly men help make the film somewhat entertaining, albeit in a gimmicky, sugar-rush-headache sort of way.

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Jonah Hex From John Malkovich’s apathetic performance to a nauseating glut of eye candy and ear-rattling explosions, “Hex� is full of bad mojo.

Repo Men Jude Law and Forest Whitaker make an intriguing tandem, but the majority of the film is a bloody, unrealistic mess that snowballs toward a rotten ending.

Valentine’s Day Director Garry Marshall packs this schmaltzy holiday offering like a clown car, using a bundle of actors known more for their physical appearance than thespian prowess (Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba and Jennifer Garner, to name a few). The result is enough to make your teeth ache.

Artss & Entertainment

Susan Tavernetti

Goodvs.evil

(continued from page 16)

fixation on finding the black swan within should result in her pirouetting to an Oscar nomination.

9. The Tillman Story Amir Bar-Lev’s documentary illustrates that truth is the first casualty of war. The U.S. military and Bush administration used the tragic death of Pat Tillman, the NFL star-turned-Army Ranger killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004, as a propaganda tool. Engrossing and infuriating, the exposĂŠ reveals the extent of the cover-up. Through painstaking research and an iron resolve, the mother of the late San Jose native spearheaded the family’s search for the facts. As her surviving son states, “She hit it out of the park but the government kept moving the fence.â€? The nonfiction film honors Pat Tillman in ways that a fabricated heroism never could.

8. The King’s Speech The subtle artistry of David Seidler’s screenplay and Tom Hooper’s direction makes this blue-blood biopic easy to dismiss as a crowd-pleaser featuring astounding performances. But there’s much more to what you see — and hear. The invention of radio has changed the image game: No longer can a Brit royal appear regal by merely looking respectable in uniform and staying atop his horse. As the man who would become King George VI and lead his subjects through times of crisis, Colin Firth stammers through personal and class conflicts with his speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) until he no longer stumbles over his words. (continued on next page)

The standout heroes and villains from 2010

Chloe Moretz

Geoffrey Rush

Heroes

Villains

Elastic Girl (Julie Ferrier), “Micmacs� Daring was all in a day’s work for the flexible, nononsense lass who helped topple a pair of moneyhungry weapons dealers.

Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter), “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1� Torture, intimidation and murder were only a few of the trespasses wrought by the cackling and maniacal Lestrange. Her gnarled teeth and knotted hair only accentuated the sinister impression.

Hit-Girl (Chloe Moretz), “Kick-Ass� OK, so this adolescent vigilante had the mouth of a sailor.

She also had the moves of a warrior born. HitGirl fought through injury, overwhelming odds and emotional trauma for the sake of justice.

Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), “The King’s Speech� Thanks to unwavering guidance from the quirky and likable Logue, King George VI conquered his longstanding stammer just in time to deliver one of the most important speeches in England’s history.

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World� Love equaled bravery for underdog Scott Pilgrim. The geeky gamer protected (and impressed) the woman of his dreams by courageously battling her seven evil exes.

Michael Cera

Tom Hanks

Last year’s cinematic offerings gave viewers an array of characters to smile or sneer at. “Toy Story 3,� for instance, provided everyone’s favorite cowboy with an outlet for valor, while a wretched witch cast spells of fear in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.�

Here are 10 of the most virtuous and vile characters caught on screen in 2010, chosen by Weekly film critic Tyler Hanley.

Helena Bonham Carter

Hades (Ralph Fiennes), “Clash of the Titans�

The haunting Hades spoke with a heavy tone and moved on a shroud of thick black smoke. Is it too apropos to include the Greek god of the underworld in a top villains list? Nah. Jeremy Renner

Ned Beatty

Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), “Toy Story 3� Woody demonstrated such admirable traits in “Toy Story 3� that it’s difficult to list them all: loyalty, courage, generosity, compassion and resolve, to name a few. He staged a daring rescue of his imprisoned pals and brought joy to a vivacious little girl.

James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), “The Town� Coughlin made a simple Notre Dame “Fighting Irish� tattoo downright intimidating. The trigger-happy Charlestown criminal valued greed and glory well above human life.

Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear (voice of Ned Beatty), “Toy Story 3� Never has a stuffed pink bear been so sinister. Lots-O’s tyrannical reign featured abuse, deceit, kidnapping, threats and, ultimately, cowardice.

Clu (Jeff Bridges), “Tron: Legacy� A misguided despot is dangerous enough, but Clu’s CGIdeveloped facial expressions made the cloned character come across as cold, inhuman and unsettling.

Clu’s Hitler-esque machinations included inciting violence, genocide and foreign invasion. N

Jeff Bridges

Touring Exhibition in the Herbert Hoover Memorial Exhibit Pavilion (adjacent to Hoover Tower) November 30, 2010-January 29, 2011 (closed December 18-January3) Tuesday through Saturday 11am-4pm wwww.hoover.org/hila

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Can higher consciousness be measured?

Arts & Entertainment

More of the best of 2010 Every year, Weekly arts editor Rebecca Wallace also assembles her own Top Ten list, choosing her favorite local arts moments and happenings from the previous 12 months. This year, her list includes a performance by mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke; a show of sleek modernist landscapes by Tarmo Pasto; and perhaps the best scenic design of the year, for TheatreWorks’ “Auctioning the Ainsleys.�

To read the list, check out her blog, Ad Libs, at adlibs.paloaltoonline. com.

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Weekend Explorations just got faster!

Susan Tavernetti (continued from previous page)

7. Un Prophète (A Prophet) Oscar-nominated for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009 (and released in the Bay Area in 2010), Jacques Audiard’s riveting French prison drama traces the troubled life of a young Arab (Tahar Rahim) who reluctantly slashes a snitch in the first reel and then climbs to selfmade crime boss while behind bars.

The Gallic grime-and-crime saga has the sophisticated restraint of a Jean-Pierre Melville gangster classic of the 1960s. Multi-ethnic prison gang wars, startling violence, and a Corsican mobster (Niels Arestrup) channeling Don Vito Corleone are only a handful of reasons to watch one of the most assured French films in years.

6. The Ghost Writer Few can fill every frame with ominous dread and white-knuckle tension like Roman Polanski. And Pawel Edelman’s lensing gives the twisty political thriller a cool gray-blue look with warning splashes of red. As the ghost writer hired to tweak the memoirs of a retired Tony Blair-like prime minister (Pierce Brosnan), Ewan McGregor plunges into paranoid fantasies. Or is he a Hitchcockian “wrong man� in the midst of a real conspiracy? A master filmmaker, Polanski seems to imbue the film with his personal feelings of persecution and inability to rewrite the past.

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5. Inside Job The horror flick of the year, Charles Ferguson’s cleareyed documentary exposes the Wall Street, economist and investmentbanking vampires whose insatiable lust for money triggered the economic crisis of 2008. Ferguson doggedly asks the tough questions to lay bare the manipulations and deceptions that led to massive private gains at public loss. Depicting such activities as the gutting of regulations and the “analyses� of financial practices, the nonfiction film about the culture of greed and corruption should scare us into fighting for change. (It pairs well with Alex Gibney’s “Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer.�)

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4. Toy Story 3 As much fun as a Barrel of Monkeys and as dear as a well-loved teddy bear, the third animated film of Pixar’s “Toy� series has 17-year-old Andy bound for college. What will become of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang? Director Lee Unkrich and his team sustain the perfect tone, balancing the playful power of imagination with serious themes about growing up, change and loss.

Completely accessible yet sophisti-

cated, the bittersweet tale resonates with anyone who has packed away the carefree days of childhood — or who has fought for their dignity and survival in a world that no longer treasures them.

3. The Kids Are All Right Lisa Cholodenko’s high-concept dramedy feels timely and truthful rather than contrived. Everything about the “Mothers Know Best� family seems ordinary — until the two kids decide to track down their sperm-donor biological father. Turns out the anonymous donor-dad is a hip, motorcycleriding restaurateur (Mark Ruffalo), who destabilizes the marriage of the longtime lesbian couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore).

Funny and smart with the year’s best ensemble cast, the irresistible romp addresses the meaning of family in the modern world.

2. Winter’s Bone Regional filmmaking meets riveting conspiracy thriller in co-writer/director Debra Granik’s spare adaptation of Daniel Woodrell’s novel about a Missouri girl trying to find her meth-cooking, bail-jumping father. The indie gem about hardship and codes of silence in the crank-addicted backwoods of the Ozarks features complex characters in a taut screenplay. As a teenager shouldering the responsibilities of adulthood, Jennifer Lawrence gives a raw performance that cuts straight to the bone.

1. The Social Network What may be the defining film of the decade, David Fincher’s drama about the founding of Facebook intrigues, enthralls and reflects on the socialmedia site that has forever changed the world. A sharp look at the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurial acumen and ethics, and the nature of friendships, the movie has potent content to match its dark visual style. Whether spewing Aaron Sorkin’s brilliant dialogue or brooding intensely, Jesse Eisenberg boldly plays Mark Zuckerberg, the Harvard student-turned Palo Altan who invents the digital-era phenomenon.

Definitely share this with your friends.

Note: Susan Tavernetti decided not to write a pans list this year. She was fortunate enough not to be assigned any films bad enough to qualify for a “Worst Five� list,� she said. N

About the cover: A spectrum of film photos recalls the best movies of 2010.

Design by Gary Vennarucci.

Arts & Entertainment

Worth a Look Opera

‘La Fanciulla del West’ Opera and the Wild West don’t always go together, but they’re stuck like glue in Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West).� Throw in a barroom brawl, a blizzard and the American soprano Deborah Voigt, and you’ve got an opera.

This Saturday, the Metropolitan Opera in New York City is transmitting a live broadcast of a “La Fanciulla� performance to movie theaters in many states, including California. Locally, the curtain goes up at 10 a.m. at the CineArts at Palo Alto Square, 3000 El Camino Real; and at the Century Redwood City 20, 825 Middlefield Road.

The production also features tenor Marcello Giordani and is conducted

by Nicola Luisotti. It’s sung in Italian, with subtitles. Tickets are $24 general, $22 for seniors and $16 for children. For more information, go to fathomevents.com.

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Ken Howard

Marcello Giordani plays Dick Johnson and Deborah Voigt is Minnie in the Puccini opera “La Fanciulla del West.� The Metropolitan Opera production will be shown live at the Palo Alto Square movie theater this Saturday at 10 a.m. the show then runs through Jan. 30 with performances ‘No Good Deed’ Playwright Paul Braverman has had many short plays Thursday through Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2. Tickets produced and performed at the Pear Avenue Theatre in are $15-$30. Go to thepear.org or call 650-254-1148.

Mountain View. Next week, his first full-length play, “No Good Deed,� opens at the Pear.

The script centers on Frankie Payne, who was once a pioneering female Boston police detective and is now a private eye, “gin-soaked but not washed up.� It all takes Firebird Dance Theatre Ballet and ballroom dance cheek to cheek with modplace in 1962 in tough East Boston in the middle of an Irish gang war. The cast features Palo Alto’s Diane ern, folk and lyrical dance when the Mountain Viewbased Firebird Dance Theatre performs this Sunday in Tasca, artistic director of The Pear.

The show previews at 1220 Pear Ave. next Thursday, Palo Alto. A family show called “Imaginarium� features Jan. 13, at 8 p.m. Opening night is Friday at 8 p.m., and bright costumes and global stylings, and the program also includes pieces from past seasons that company members call their signature dances.

The 5 p.m. performance is dedicated to the memory of Firebird founder Roza Lysaya and is a benefit for the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, where the event takes place. Tickets are $22 general, $17 for students and JCC members, and $15 for children ages 14 and under.

The JCC is at 3921 Fabian Way. For more information, go to firebirddance.com or call 650-996-9305.

Theater

Dance

Music Robert Dick

Anibal Pella

Flutist Robert Dick, pictured playing the contrabass flute.

When flutist Robert Dick performs, it’s the art of the unexpected. His music blends the blues with rock and classical sounds. He plays alto flute, bass flute, stand-up contrabass flute, piccolo and his invention, the “Glissando Headjoint,� which lets him “smear notes.�

Tonight, Jan. 7, he’s playing an 8 p.m. concert at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto. The program includes several pieces he composed, including “Lookout� and “The Fish Are Jumping.� He’ll also perform as a soloist with the Areon Flutes quartet.

Also at the church, on Jan. 8, Dick is scheduled to present a public workshop on extended flute techniques from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a master class from 2 to 5:30 p.m.

The church is at 505 E. Charleston Road. Concert tickets are $20 general and $10 for students. Admission to the workshop is $25/$15, and auditing the master class also costs $25/$15. (The deadline has passed for auditioning to take part in the class.)

For more information, call 650-961-1566. *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 21

Movies

OPENINGS

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

Blue Valentine ----

(Aquarius) Playwright Arthur Miller once had a fictional surrogate say for him: “I am bewildered by the death of love. And my responsibility for it.� With his debut film, “Blue Valentine,� Derek Cianfrance dives into the bewilderment about the shared responsibility of a broken relationship.

The unflinching, unerringly truthful results of this divorce-era dissection of love and marriage compose a rare and most welcome grown-up romantic drama.

Ironically, “Blue Valentine� is itself a labor of love, birthed from a 12-year development process on the part of Cianfrance and oversized commitment from stars Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, who respectively stuck with the project for six and four years.

The commitment extended to “Method�-style preparation, with the couple and their screen child living together (by day) for a month to populate an empty house with the appropriate physical and emotional clutter. Though the expression “It’s all there on the screen� usually refers to film budgets north of $100 million, “Blue Valentine� earns the remark with but a sliver of that number.

At the film’s present-day outset, we find youngish couple Dean (Gosling) and Cindy (Williams), along with kindergarten-age daughter Frankie (Faith Wladyka), living in that house in rural Pennsylvania. The early scenes show a functional family with everyday tensions, little fissures that eventually erupt. Dad’s

NOW PLAYING The following is a sampling of movies recently reviewed in the Weekly:

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Black Swan --(Century 16, Century 20) Longtime ensemble dancer Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) covets the leading dual role in a high-scale New York ballet production of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.� Though she has the attention of artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) — or is that the “attentions�? — he questions her ability to play both the innocent White Swan and the sinful Black Swan. Still, Leroy takes the leap of casting Nina. “Perfection is not just about control,� he purrs. “It’s also about letting go.� Letting go is, of course, dangerously close to coming unhinged, as Nina steadily does over the course of the film. Rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use. One hour, 48 minutes. — P.C. (Reviewed Dec. 10, 2010) The Fighter --1/2 (Century 16, Century 20) Christian Bale plays a crackhead in mid-’90s Lowell, Mass. Ex-boxer Dicky Eklund milks his status as “The Pride of Lowell� as he struts the streets, crowing, “Making my comeback!�

Walking a half-step behind Dicky, younger half-brother Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) wears a weary smile. Co-dependency zigzags through Micky’s extended family as he pursues his own light welterweight boxing career Micky trusts Dicky’s boxing instincts, but Micky’s no fool. When a promoter dangles a deal with the condition of “no crazy-time nonsense,� Micky recognizes

attentive but a little too buoyant; Mom’s wearily responsible but nearly humorless. The point is pressed when the family dog goes missing, with an emotional fallout that sends Frankie to the grandparents for a spell and forces Dean and Cindy to deal with each other.

In a clumsy bid for romance, Brooklyn-bred Dean insists: “We have to get out of this house. Let’s go get drunk and make love.� So the couple repairs to a honeymoon hotel and encamps in the cheesily decorated (and pointedly chosen) “Future Room.� “We’re going to the future!� Dean enthuses, but the film has already begun making trips into the couple’s past. As structured by Cianfrance and co-writers Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis, the story unfolds in two timelines: the present day and six years earlier, when the couple meet, court and marry.

The structure isn’t an innovation, but it’s handled with exceptional gracefulness and poignancy, with scenes from each timeline informing and deepening scenes from the other. In this way, “Blue Valentine� artfully evokes life rhythms and the seasons of a relationship. Doing heroic, miraculous work, Gosling and Williams use every weapon in the actor’s arsenal. Though their greater skill is in their contrapuntal emotional depth, external appearances and gestures add to the effect: Gosling added pounds and thinned his hair for present-day scenes, and Williams’ body language speaks volumes about Cindy’s sense of self across the years. In one particularly thoughtful choice, her younger Cindy likes to run her fingers through Dean’s hair.

Andrij Parekh shoots skillfully on the fly, using soft, natural light and finding visual poetry in the mundane (at one point, the marrieds literally find themselves in the weeds). But it’s the consistently revealing characters that make “Blue Valentine� so special, a postmodern tragedy of two people at odds who are both right and both wrong in their argument, sharing responsibility for the birth and death of love.

Rated R on appeal for strong graphic sexual content, language and a beating. One hour, 52 minutes.

the opportunity, though it takes the moral support of new girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams) to take a leap. Rated R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality. One hour, 54 minutes. — P.C. (Reviewed Dec. 17, 2010) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ---1/2 (Century 16, Century 20) The boy wizard who has captivated audiences since his literary introduction in 1997 is ready for his final curtain call. Harry Potter is officially a young man in this film (“Part 2� is due out in July 2011). From the onset it is clear “Hallows� is a darker, more intense offering than past installments. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his best friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), are still reeling from the death of their beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. But there is little time for grief. Dark wizards led by the serpentine Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) have seized control of the wizarding world, casting an ominous shadow on all things magical. Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action and frightening images. 2 hours, 27 minutes. — T.H. (Reviewed Nov. 19, 2010) The King’s Speech ---1/2 (Palo Alto Square, Century 20) Colin Firth stutters, sweats and swears his way through British history — and to a certain Oscar nomination for best actor — in director Tom Hooper’s blue-blood biopic of the man who would be King George VI. Firth conveys the man’s resolve and his unwavering sense of duty and service to England. Public speaking is a requirement, so he and his wife (Helena Bonham

— Peter Canavese

Carter) seek a stuttering cure. The heart of what could have been a too-proper period piece comes in the form of the relationship between the prickly prince and a congenial Australian commoner, the unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue, played to perfection by Geoffrey Rush. Rated R for some language. 1 hour, 41 minutes. — S.T. (Reviewed Dec. 10 2010) Made in Dagenham --1/2 (Guild) “We are the working classes, the men and the women.� So goes the rallying cry in the quivering-lip climax of “Made in Dagenham,� a dramatization of the pivotal 1968 Ford autoworkers’ strike that led to the 1970 Equal Pay Act in the United Kingdom. Sally Hawkins plays Rita O’Grady, a chipper machinist for Ford’s Dagenham plant. Having languished under unfair treatment for years, the women begin to feel that the times may be on their side, and Rita finds herself the popular choice to be their spokeswoman. Rated R for language and brief sexuality. One hour, 53 minutes. — P.C. (Reviewed Dec. 24 2010) The Social Network ---1/2 (Century 20, Guild) This riveting film about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg defines a generation. Director David Fincher helms with a deft touch; the screenplay by Aaron Sorkin is beautifully crafted; and the acting is exceptional. In fact, the only thing missing from “The Social Network� is a likable protagonist. Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) wasn’t always the world’s youngest billionaire. In 2003, the computer whiz was a Harvard undergrad, more interested in dating than status updates. Harvard students

MOVIE TIMES Made in Dagenham (R) ((1/2 Guild Theatre: 2 & 4:30 p.m.

Black Swan (R) (((

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 11:40 a.m.; 2:20, 5:05, 7:40 & 10:25 p.m.

Century 20: 11:50 a.m.; 2:25, 5, 7:35 & 10:15 p.m.

The Metropolitan Opera: Century 20: Sat. at 10 a.m. Palo Alto Square: Sat. at 10 a.m.

La Fanciulla del West (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

Blue Valentine (R)

Aquarius Theatre: 2, 3, 4:30, 5:30, 7, 8 & 9:30 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 10:30 p.m.

Season of the Witch (PG-13) Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 11:35 a.m.; 2, 4:45, 7:45 & 10:30 p.m.

(Not Reviewed) Century 20: 12:05, 1:20, 2:45, 4, 5:15, 6:40, 8, 9:15 & 10:45 p.m.

Burlesque (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

Century 20: 3:40 & 10:05 p.m.; Sat. also at 9:55 a.m.

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

Century 20: 12:10, 5:25 & 10:40 p.m. Guild Theatre: 7 & 9:45 p.m.

Casino Jack (R) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 11:05 a.m.; 1:55, 4:40, 7:20 & 10:10 p.m.

Tangled (PG) (((

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

The Tourist (PG-13) (1/2

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 2:15, 4:55, 7:25 & 10 p.m. Century 20: Noon, 2:35, 5:05, 7:40 & 10:10 p.m.

Tron: Legacy (PG) ((1/2

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

True Grit (PG-13) (((

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 11 a.m.; noon, 1:35, 2:35, 4:30, 5:10, 7:10, 8, 9:50 & 10:35 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 12:20, 3, 4:45, 5:55 & 8:45 p.m.; Fri., Sat., Mon., Wed. & Thu. also at 1:55, 7:25 & 10:15 p.m.; Sun. also at 7:25 & 10:15 p.m.; Tue. also at 1:55 p.m.

Yogi Bear (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 12:10 p.m.; In 3D at 11:15 a.m.; 1:20, 3:30, 6:10 & 8:20 p.m. Century 20: 1:20, 5:40 & 9:55 p.m.; In 3D at 11:15 a.m.; 3:25 & 7:50 p.m.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 2:05 & 10:20 p.m.; In 3D at 11:25 a.m.; The Voyage of the Dawn 4:50 & 7:35 p.m. Century 20: 2 & 10 p.m.; In 3D at 11:25 a.m.; 4:40 & 7:20 Treader (PG) (Not Reviewed) p.m.

Country Strong (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 11:05 a.m.; 1:50, 4:35, 7:30 & 10:15 p.m.

Century 20: 11:40 a.m.; 2:20, 5:10, 7:55 & 10:40 p.m.

The Fighter (R) ((1/2

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 12:30, 3:40, 7 & 9:45 p.m. Century 20: 11:30 a.m.; 2:10, 4:50, 7:30 & 10:20 p.m.

Gulliver’s Travels (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 11:30 a.m.; 1:45, 4, 6:50 & 9:15 p.m.

Century 20: 1:30, 6 & 10:30 p.m.; In 3D at 11:20 a.m.; 3:45 & 8:15 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Century 16: Fri., Sat., Mon., Wed. & Thu. at 2:50, 6:20 & 9:35 p.m.; Tue. at Hallows: Part 1 2:50 p.m. Century 20: 12:25 & 6:50 p.m.

(PG-13) (((1/2 Hood To Coast Event (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Tue. at 8:30 p.m. Century 20: Tue. at 8:30 p.m.

How Do You Know (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

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

The King’s Speech (R) (((1/2

Century 20: 11:20 a.m.; 2, 4:55, 7:45 & 10:25 p.m. Palo Alto Square: 1:30, 4:20, 5:55 & 7:15 p.m.; Fri. also at 3, 8:45 & 10 p.m.; Sat. also at 8:45 & 10 p.m.; Sun. also at 3 & 8:45 p.m.; Mon.-Thu. also at 3 p.m.

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

LA Phil Live: Dudamel Century 16: Sun. at 2 p.m. Century 20: Sun. at 2 p.m.

Conducts Beethoven (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed) Little Fockers (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. at 11:10 a.m.; 1:40, 4:10, 7 & 9:30 p.m.

Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 2:10, 3, 4:35, 7:10, 8:15 & 9:35 p.m.

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer and Josh Pence) and a colleague approach Zuckerberg to enlist his help with the development of a MySpace-esque site for Harvard students. Zuckerberg enlists the support of his best friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), to create his own site. Rated PG-13 for language, drug and alcohol use and sexual content. 2 hours, 1 minute. — T.H. (Reviewed Oct. 1, 2010) The Tourist -1/2 (Century 16, Century 20) Depp and Jolie essentially play themselves in this hapless attempt at a romantic romp: the former a goof itching to take on new roles, and the latter an unearthly creature who makes every sidewalk her runway. Jolie puts her inaccessibility to work for the part of Elise Clifton-Ward, a person of interest to police tracking her boyfriend, Alexander Pearce.

As part of his plan to keep breathing, Pearce sends missives to Elise, directing her how to throw Scotland Yard and Shaw’s Russian thugs off his trail. His latest scheme forces Elise to pick out a suitably

STANFORD THEATRE

built stranger and convince her observers that the stranger is Pearce. Elise lights on Frank Tupelo (Depp). Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language. One hour, 44 minutes. — P.C. (Reviewed Dec. 10 2010) Tron: Legacy --1/2 (Century 16, Century 20) Released in 1982, the original “Tron� film boasted groundbreaking graphics and established a techsavvy fan base. But “Tron: Legacy� arrives about 15 years too late. Leading the foray this go-round is Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the 20-something son of video-game guru Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). When family friend Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) tells Sam that he’s received a cryptic message

Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (2669260)

Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (2669260)

Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264)

Stanford: 221 University Ave., Palo Alto (3243700)

Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood City (800-326-3264)

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

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

from Kevin — who vanished some 20 years earlier — Sam goes to visit his dad’s old arcade to find clues. After reckless computer use, he’s transported to “the grid,� a digital world where gladiatorial games and luminous attire are the norm. Rated PG for sci-fi action violence and brief mild language. 2 hours, 7 minutes. Rated PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language. 2 hours, 7 minutes. — T.H. (Reviewed Dec. 17, 2010) True Grit --(Century 16, Century 20) The Coen brothers place their indelible stamp on this impressive remake of the classic John Wayne western. Assertive young lass Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is determined to track

GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEE ÂŽ

BEST ORIGINAL SONG “You don’t have to be a country fan

TO LOVE THIS MOVIE.�

Judi Diamond – WIL-FM/St. Louis

down her father’s killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), who is hiding out deep in rugged Indian territory. Mattie is headstrong and defiant, and seeks to hire only the very toughest bounty hunter to bring in Chaney.

Enter Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a no-nonsense U.S. Marshal who speaks with a gruff voice and sports an eye patch.

Also on Chaney’s trail (for a separate crime)

is cocky Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon). After considerable dissention, the three odd companions elect to travel together in hopes of hunting down Chaney.

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images. 2 hours, 8 minutes. — T.H. (Reviewed Dec. 24, 2010)

more than any film in HISTORY

12

WINNER!

CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARD NOMINATIONS INCLUDING

BEST PICTURE

4

WINNER!

GOLDEN GLOBE

ÂŽ

N O M I N AT I O N S I N C L U D I N G

BEST PICTURE

(DRAMA)

((((

The Stanford Theatre is at 221 University Ave. in Palo Alto. Go to www.stanfordtheatre.org or call 650-324-3700.

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Judy Garland stars in this family musical set in 1904. Sat.-Mon. at 7:30 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. also at 3:15 p.m.

Apartment for Peggy (1948) A young couple rents an attic apartment from a retired professor. Sat.-Mon. at 5:20 & 9:35 p.m.

The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15, 10:00 The Kings Speech 3:00, 5:55, 8:45 Sat ONLY 1/8 The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15, 10:00 The Kings Speech 5:55, 8:45 Sun ONLY 1/9 The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15 The Kings Speech 3:00, 5:55, 8:45 Mon thru Thurs The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15 1/10-1/13 The Kings Speech 3:00, 5:55 Fri ONLY 1/7

SOUNDTRACK INCLUDES NEW RECORDINGS BY

TRACE ADKINS RONNIE DUNN TIM McGRAW & GWYNETH PALTROW CAST ALBUM COMING SOON

SCREEN GEMS PRESENTS A MATERIAL PICTURES PRODUCTION “COUNTRY STRONG� SUPERVISIONMUSICBY RANDALL POSTER WRITTEN AND MUSIC EXECUTIVE PRODUCED

BY MICHAEL BROOK PRODUCER MEREDITH ZAMSKY

BY JENNO TOPPING & TOBEY MAGUIRE DIRECTED BY SHANA FESTE

STARTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 7

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

" " "

"

" " " " " " !

BlackSwan2010.com *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 23

PIZZA

Pizza Chicago 424-9400 4115 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

of the week

This IS the best pizza in town

Spot A Pizza 324-3131 115 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto Voted Best Pizza in Palo Alto www.spotpizza.com

AMERICAN

CHINESE

Armadillo Willy’s 941-2922

Peking Duck 321-9388

1031 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos

151 S. California Avenue, Palo Alto

Range: $5.00-13.00

We also deliver.

POLYNESIAN Trader Vic’s 849-9800 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Hobee’s 856-6124 4224 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Also at Town & Country Village, Palo Alto 327-4111

Su Hong – Menlo Park

Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm;

Dining Phone: 323–6852

Sun 4:30 - 9:30pm

To Go: 322–4631

Available for private luncheons

Winner, Palo Alto Weekly “Best Of�

Burmese Green Elephant Gourmet

8 years in a row!

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-6 pm

INDIAN SEAFOOD

(650) 494-7391 Burmese & Chinese Cuisine

Darbar Indian Cuisine 321-6688

3950 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto

129 Lytton, Downtown Palo Alto

(Charleston Shopping Center)

Lunch Buffet M-F; Open 7 days

Dine-In, Take-Out, Local Delivery-Catering

CHINESE Chef Chu’s (650) 948-2696

Janta Indian Restaurant 462-5903 369 Lytton Ave., Downtown Palo Alto

751 El Camino Real, Menlo Park Seafood Dinners from

650-849-9800 Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-10 pm Fri-Sat 5-11 pm Available for private luncheons

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-6 pm Lounge open nightly

$6.95 to $10.95

Scott’s Seafood 323-1555

ITALIAN

2008 Best Chinese MV Voice & PA Weekly

Cook’s Seafood 325-0604

4269 El Camino Real Palo Alto

Lunch Buffet M-F; Organic Veggies

1067 N. San Antonio Road on the corner of El Camino, Los Altos

Lounge open nightly

Trader Vic’s

Spalti Ristorante 327-9390

#1 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto Open 7 days a week serving breakfast,

417 California Ave, Palo Alto

lunch and dinner

Jing Jing 328-6885

Ă?ÂľĂ•ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒiĂŠ œœ`ĂŠUĂŠ"Ă•ĂŒ`ÂœÂœĂ€ĂŠ ˆ˜ˆ˜}

Happy Hour 7 days a week 4-7 pm

443 Emerson St., Palo Alto

www.spalti.com

Full Bar, Banquets, Outdoor Seating

Authentic Szechwan, Hunan Food To Go, Delivery www.jingjinggourmet.com

JAPANESE & SUSHI Fuki Sushi 494-9383

Ming’s 856-7700 1700 Embarcadero East, Palo Alto www.mings.com

www.scottsseafoodpa.com

STEAKHOUSE

4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Open 7 days a Week

Sundance the Steakhouse 321-6798 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

New Tung Kee Noodle House

MEXICAN

520 Showers Dr., MV in San Antonio Ctr.

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2:00pm Dinner: Mon-Thu 5:00-10:00pm

Voted MV Voice Best ‘01, ‘02, ‘03 & ‘04

Palo Alto Sol 328-8840

Prices start at $4.75

408 California Ave, Palo Alto

Fri-Sat 5:00-10:30pm, Sun 5:00-9:00pm

947-8888

Ă•}iʓiÂ˜Ă•ĂŠUĂŠ œ“iĂƒĂŒĂžÂ?iĂŠ,iVÂˆÂŤiĂƒ

www.sundancethesteakhouse.com

Page 24ĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

Search a complete listing of local restaurant reviews by location or type of food on PaloAltoOnline.com

Eating Out

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Stanford University Research Study is offering: TREATMENT AT NO COST for Binge Eating Disorder.

Eligible participants (men and women between the ages of 18-75) will receive 10 free group therapy sessions. Our next groups are currently forming and will start soon.

Please call 650-724-9251 or email pajarito@stanford.edu for more information regarding eligibility and to be placed on our waiting list.

For general information regarding participants’ rights, contact 866-680-2906

Art classes teens & kids. . .

Glass fusing, stone carving, cartooning, fashion drawing and more. Winter classes start January 10. Join the Pacific Art League and get a 10% discount!

. . . & adults too!

PACIFIC

LEAGUE

668 Ramona Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

650.321.3891 PacificArtLeague.org

City of Palo Alto ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Michelle Le

Yulong fish and leek dumplings also contain ginger and Chinese chives.

Plenty to savor Huge selection, generous portions and modest prices at Cafe Yulong

by Ruth Schechter

W

ith the zillions of Chinese restaurants on the Peninsula, how do you go about finding the place that makes the mark? When your criteria include huge portions of traditional Mandarin and Szechuan dishes at very reasonable prices, you might want to put Cafe Yulong on your list.

Located just off Castro Street, the 9-year-old restaurant is basic and casual, with a large fish tank at one side and an entryway divider of greenery at the door. About 15 tables fill the open dining room, and a counter toward the back of the room remains busy with people ordering takeout meals. All menu items are available to go.

A big selling point is how affordable the meals are, particularly in light of the generous portions. Most dinner entrees cost less than $10, and in most cases you get enough food for at least two meals.

RESTAURANT REVIEW Cafe Yulong has a very impressive menu with pages and pages of traditional dishes organized by main ingredients. There’s a fowl section, with such established favorites as Kung Pao chicken and General Tso’s chicken, as well as some more unusual offerings like vinegar chicken, fermented black

bean chicken and tea-smoked duck.

There’s a vegetable section, with fresh spinach and garlic, sweet and sour tofu, and spicy garlic eggplant.

And there are long listings for seafood, noodles, soups, dumplings, appetizers and pork.

Pay attention to the entrees marked with a pepper. These dishes are spicy, and the restaurant isn’t kidding about the heat. Our servers were quite diligent about asking us about the level of intensity we could handle, and medium was about our limit.

After sipping tea and sampling the complimentary kimchi, we (continued on page 26)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Draft Negative Declaration has been prepared by the Palo Alto Department of Planning and Community Environment for the project listed below. In accordance with A.B. 886, this document will be available for review and comment during a minimum 20-day inspection period beginning January 7 through January 26, 2010 during the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. at the Development Center, 285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California.

This item will be considered at a public hearing by the Architectural Review Board, Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 8:30 PM. in the Palo Alto City Council Chambers on the ďŹ rst oor of the Civic Center, located at 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California. Written comments on the Negative Declaration will be accepted until 5:00 PM on September 23, 2010 in the Planning and Community Environment Department Civic Center ofďŹ ces on the ďŹ fth oor of City Hall.

524 Hamilton Avenue [10PLN-00419]: Request by Steve Reller of R & M Properties for Major Architectural Review Board review to allow a new 10,818 sq. ft. mixed use three-story building with commercial ofďŹ ce on the ďŹ rst and second oors and a residential unit on the third oor in the CD-C (P)Zone District. Environmental Assessment: A Draft Negative Declaration has been prepared for public review and comment.

Curtis Williams Director of Planning and Community Environment In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, listening assistive devices are available in the Council Chambers and Council Conference Room. Sign language interpreters will be provided upon request with 72 hours advance notice. *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 25

S TANFORD PRESCHOOL BILINGUAL MONTESSORI

Eating Out

IS NOW REGISTERING STUDENTS

656 Lytton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 617-7384 INDEPENDENT SUBSIDIZED SENIOR HOUSING WAITING LIST TO OPEN MONDAY, JANUARY 24TH, 2011 THROUGH FRIDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 2011.

Lytton Gardens is pleased to announce the opening of our Single & Couple Waiting Lists for our Lytton I and Lytton II Facilities.

Lytton Gardens offers subsidized housing for extremely low and very low-income seniors and mobility impaired applicants.

TO BE ELIGIBLE: Single and couple applicants one must be 62 years of age or older, or 18 years of age or older and mobility impaired.

Maximum annual income for single applicant must be less than $36,250.00 Maximum annual income for couple applicants must be less than $41,400.00 Rent will be 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Assets (Real Estate, CDs, Stocks, and Bonds, etc.) will be converted to income at 2% or actual % of income.

You or a close family member *must live, or work, in the designated area of Palo Alto, Redwood City, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Stanford, Portola Valley, Woodside, Atherton, Mountain View, Los Altos or Los Altos Hills.

TO APPLY: Applications will be distributed at Lytton Gardens Senior Communities, 656 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, on January 24th, 26th, and 28th, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on January 25th, and 27th, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Applications must be returned by mail to Lytton Gardens, P.O. Box 51907, Palo Alto, CA 94303, no later than February 18th, 2011. Applications postmarked after February 18th, 2011 cannot be considered and will be returned to sender.

Waiter George Phang serves lunch at Cafe Yulong.

Cafe Yulong (continued from page 25)

started our dinner with spring rolls ($5.95 for four) and crab Rangoon ($5.95 for eight). The rolls were crisp, delicate and flaky, and the minced cabbage, mushrooms and celery were a wonderful contrast to the deep-fried wrappers. The deepfried turnovers seemed to be lacking crab, although the cream cheese encased in crunchy pastry had a nice textural balance.

Do try one of the mu shu entrees, which come with beef, pork, chicken, shrimp or lamb ($8.95-$11.95).

Our shredded pork was mixed with scrambled eggs, mushrooms, scallions and cabbage in a soy-and-hoisin sauce mixture, which we then rolled up in thin steamed pancakes.

This was one of our favorite dishes: tasty, refined and well balanced.

We also savored the Yulong shrimp ($11.95), a house specialty of stir-fried shrimp in a tangy tomato-based sauce. Another winner was the clay pot ma por tofu, a steaming bowl of minced tofu blended with cabbage, mushrooms and spices. This dish was too zippy for my dinner companions, which left all the more for me to enjoy over a mound of well-made brown rice.

The lunch menu is also extensive, with dozens of traditional dishes served with steamed rice, egg roll and a small bowl of soup ($7.95-$9.95). An enormous bowl of chicken and black mushroom noodle soup ($7.95) needed a good dose of tabletop soy sauce and chili to give it some bite, but the house-made noodles were a delight. A weekend brunch special ($10), with two plain buns, a bowl of porridge and a hot-dish selec-

Michelle Le

4232 El Camino Real, Palo Alto • 650-739-3545 www.stanfordpreschool.com Please Join Us At Our Open House Saturday and Sunday • January 29th & 30th • 3-5 pm

Michelle Le

• Mandarin Chinese and English for children 2-6 years of age • Fees include nutritious hot lunch and professionally-taught art and dance classes • Brand new facility and learning center

Yulong shrimp features stir-fried prawns, minced ginger and tomato sauce. tion of calamari, however, was beige and innocuous. The brunch has been temporarily discontinued since our visit in late October.

Service throughout was exemplary. The restaurant remains a family affair, run by James and Miya Pei (and helped out by their sons), and the personal touch shows in their welcome attentiveness to their patrons. Servers were friendly and prompt, and stopped by often to see how we were doing. Dishes were staggered so that everything didn’t arrive at the table at once, and water glasses and teacups were filled constantly and unobtrusively.

Although Cafe Yulong is not the first place you’d pick for special occasions or a romantic night out, it will certainly hit the spot when you are in the mood for Chinese and want a lot of variety without denting your wallet. N Cafe Yulong 743 W. Dana St., Mountain View.

650-960-1677

Selection will be made by a lottery process to determine applicants’ order on the waiting list. Names will be chosen between March 14th, 2011 and March 18th, 2011.

Copy of your Social Security card must be attached to your application.

APPLICANTS’ AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION, SECTION 214, AND HUD FORMS 9887 & 9887A, MUST BE FILLED-OUT, SIGNED AND ATTACHED TO YOUR APPLICATION, OR WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT YOUR APPLICATION. *Family Member includes: Grandparent, Parent, Children & Siblings.

Grandparent in Law, Parent in Law, Children in Law & Siblings in Law.

Michelle Le

Lytton Gardens Senior Communities does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, handicap, ancestry, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, AIDS, AIDS related condition (ARC), in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. Gery Yearout, Executive Director and HUD Housing Administrator, 656 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 617-7372 has been designated to coordinate compliance with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s regulations implementing Section 504 (24 CFR Part 8 dated June 2, 1988). TDD/TYY 1-800-735-2922

Garlic Buo Tsai Noodles combine house-made spinach noodles with minced garlic, chopped green onions and black mushrooms.

Page 26ĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

1ST PLACE

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

BEST SPORTS COVERAGE

Stanford has Luck after all

California Newspaper Publishers Association

Sports Shorts

LIN RETURNS . . . Palo Alto High graduate Jeremy Lin’s stay in the NBA Development League is over for the time being. After playing just just four games with the Reno Bighorns, Lin returned to the Golden State Warriors in time for Wednesday’s 110-103 win over host New Orleans. The Warriors will be at home Friday to host Cleveland. Lin reportedly is being recalled from the Bighorns to replace Acie Law, who has an injured wrist. “I did talk to Jeremy, but he doesn’t know how long he’ll be up,� said Peter Diepenbrock, who coached Lin in high school and now is the head men’s basketball coach at Canada College. “He did very well in DLeague. (Warriors’) General Manager Larry Riley went to watch him in one of those games when he played very well.� Lin last week was sent down to Reno, the Warriors’ affiliate in the Development League. Since making his debut on Dec. 28 with 10 points, Lin has been solid while starting two of four games. Lin was averaging 18 points, four rebounds and 2.8 assists in those four outings. His best statistical game came Sunday in a 110-103 loss to Idaho, where Lin scored 26 points in 37 minutes with four rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Saturday Women’s basketball: Arizona St. at Stanford, 2 p.m.; KZSU (90.1 FM) Men’s basketball: Stanford at Arizona, 3:30 p.m.; CSNBA; XTRA 860 (AM); KZSU (90.1 FM)

Thursday Men’s basketball: Washington at Stanford, 7 p.m.; XTRA 860 (AM); KZSU (90.1 FM)

READ MORE ONLINE

www.PASportsOnline.com For expanded daily coverage of college and prep sports, please see our new site at www.PASportsOnline.com

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck received a warm welcome upon returning to the team’s hotel following a 4012 win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on Monday. Luck announced Thursday he’ll return next season.

(continued on page 30)

State coaching honor just icing on the cake for Palo Alto’s Hansen

by Keith Peters his has been quite a season for Earl Hansen, Palo Alto High’s athletic director and football coach. In fact, during his 23 years at the school, there hasn’t been anything quite like 2010 for the Vikings.

It perhaps started last spring when the Paly baseball team compiled the best record in school history (29-4) and just missed winning a Central Coast Section title. In continued this past fall when the Paly girls’ volleyball team put together the best season in school history by going 41-1 and winning the CIF Division I state championship, the program’s first.

Still, the year was not over. Hansen’s own football team finished a remarkable 14-0, bestever in school history, while capturing the CIF Division I state title with a shocking upset over heavily favored Centennial-Corona just two weeks after volleyball had brought home the big prize.

When all that was accomplished, Hansen and his wife, Marilyn, needed a little down time.

T

They visited some friends in New Orleans on their way to Florida, where they watched Stanford dominate Virginia Tech in the Discover Orange Bowl this past Monday night.

Stanford, of course, was coached that night by Jim Harbaugh, one of Hansen’s former players.

Thus, things just couldn’t get much better for Hansen. But, they did.

On Monday evening, while Hansen was watching the game, Hansen was named the ESPN Rise Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year for the 2010 high school football season.

Hansen, however, had no idea he had received the honor until receiving a phone call Tuesday morning while he was packing his bags around 11:30 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “No, I haven’t heard,� Hansen said upon being told of the honor. “That will make my flight go a little faster.�

Hansen, 59, is the sixth CCS coach to win state coach-of-the-year honors since 1970. The (continued on page 35)

Bob Drebin

ON THE AIR

by Rick Eymer he Stanford football program somehow survived without Walter Camp, James F. Lanagan, Andrew Kerr, Pop Warner, Tiny Thornhill, Clark Shaughnessy, Chuck Taylor, John Ralston, Jack Christensen, Bill Walsh and Tyrone Willingham.

That picture of Jim Harbaugh being carried off the field on the broad shoulders of some of his players following Monday’s victory in the Orange Bowl? Put it in the archives because that’s a snapshot you’ll never see again. The Cardinal will move on without its dynamic leader, apparently on the verge of joining the top one percent of wage earners in the country with his blue-collar image.

The same man who hired Willingham as a relative unknown also hired ‘proven’ coaches Buddy Teevens and Walt Harris. Now the same man who hired Harbaugh has a chance to keep things rolling. Bob Bowlsby’s next football hire can set the stage for success or lead the Cardinal downward.

After Willingham left campus, on his own volition, for greener pastures at Notre Dame, Stanford fell into a seven-year slump, its longest stretch of losing seasons in school history.

Harbaugh leaves in much the same manner, cashing in at the peak of his success, and that’s the American Way after all. Can he do in the NFL what he did for San Diego and Stanford? That’s his challenge and his goal and the reason to coach.

T

John Todd/stanfordphoto.com

SAILING HONOR . . . Palo Alto resident Stan Honey has been named U.S. Sailing’s 2010 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. Established in 1961, the annual presentation of U.S. Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award is considered the sport’s ultimate recognition of an individual’s outstanding on-the-water achievements for the calendar year.

Honey, previously nominated for the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Award in 2006 as the Volvo Ocean Race winning navigator aboard ABN Amro One, was cited as “one of the most outstanding offshore sailors known worldwide� by a member of the award’s selection panel. Honey becomes the second American in the history of the award to receive the honor for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe.

Harbaugh all but gone, but Cardinal will return its MVP quarterback

Assistant coach Chris Foug hugged Earl Hansen (right) after Paly’s CCS title-game win. *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 27

Sports

A LOOK BACK AT THE 2010 HIGH SCHOOL SEASON

Paly’s two state titles top the list

by Keith Peters he 2011 high school sports season has some big shoes to fill, given the historic performances recorded during the past school year that saw something never before achieved locally.

For the first time in school history, which began when the Vikings played their first football game in 1897, Palo Alto High won two state championships in the same year.

Perhaps even more impressive, the historic feats came just two weeks apart this month.

Add to that the CIF Division V state championship won by the Pinewood girls’ basketball team last March, and you have a Triple Crown of triumphs in one year that may never be duplicated.

As far as the top prep stories of 2010, however, the honor is shared by the Paly girls’ volleytball and football teams.

Palo Alto made history in volleyball when the Vikings captured the CIF Division I state championship with a five-set win over heavily favored Long Beach Poly at San Jose State. Less than two weeks later, on Dec. 17, the Vikings shocked the prep football world by upending nationally No. 4-ranked Centennial-Corona, 15-13, for the Division I state crown.

Palo Alto became the only school in California to win two state titles during the year, and nearly had two perfect seasons to brag about as the Vikings’ volleyball team finished 41-1 while the gridiron guys went 14-0. Both marks are school records.

For the first time in school history, both Paly teams finished the year ranked among the top 20 in the nation. Volleyball finished No. 10, according to prepvolleyball.com while football checked in at No. 13 on MaxPreps.com.

The Vikings, in both sports, achieved success through hard work and teamwork and under the guidance of their knowledgeable coaches — Dave Winn (volleyball) and Earl Hansen (football). This week, Hansen was named ESPN Rise CalHi Sports State Coach of the Year for the 2010 high school football season.

The Vikings’ volleyball team defeated a Long Beach Poly team that was ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation in one poll and was a legitimate No. 7 according to prepvolleyball.com. Paly was no where close to either ranking and thus carried the underdog role into the finals.

Despite having only two seniors on its roster — Megan Coleman and Trina Ohms — Palo Alto battled the nation’s best on even terms and emerged with a well-deserved state crown after junior Maddie Kuppe served back-to-back aces to clinch.

Keith Peters

Jim Anderson

T

Palo Alto football players Spencer Drazovich (78) and Michael Lyzwa (79) had plenty to celebrate after winning the CIF Division I state championship while Paly volleyball players Kimmy Whitson (9) and Caroline Martin (behind Whitson) celebrated a CIF Division I state championship, as well.

The Paly football team also took on one of the nation’s finest, a team that became the most prolific offensive squad in state history with more than 8,000 total yards gained.

Centennial-Corona, however, had to settle for a 14-1 record after the Vikings’ came up with a brilliant defensive effort while holding the Huskies to their lowest point total of the season and 41 points under their season average.

To qualify for its second appearance in the state finals (Paly also made it in 2006), the Vikings swept aside WCAL powerhouses Mitty, Bellarmine and Valley Christian to win the CCS Open Division crown.

The performances of the Palo Alto volleyball and football teams not only signal a reason to usher in the new year, but to celebrate the one just concluded.

Winning state titles wasn’t exclusive to the Vikings, however. The Pinewood girls’ basketball team claimed the Division V state title in March. While the Panthers had won three previous state crowns, this one was special for head coach Doc Scheppler.

Pinewood started the season in no shape to win a state title, having four players sidelined with knee injuries.

The Panthers eventually would get three of the players back, one of whom (junior Jenna McLoughlin) made a huge difference.

The Panthers went 16-1 after McLoughlin returned, topped by a 62-44 victory over St. Anthony’s (Long Beach) in the state finals in Bakersfield in March. The victory gave Pinewood a 27-6 record while

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avenging a 43-42 loss to St. Anthony’s in December. Since that defeat, the Panthers went 21-2 and completed one of the more remarkable seasons in local prep basketball history.

Pinewood overcome the injury problems, put the end of its 149game league winning streak behind it and won a state title with only two available seniors. Thus, the future is very bright for the Panthers heading into the 2010-11 season.

The future also is very bright for the Sacred Heart Prep girls’ volleyball team, which won the NorCal Division IV title and advanced to the state finals for the first time since 1998 before losing to nationally ranked La Jolla Country Day (33-3) in three sets and finishing 24-11.

The Gators had lost eight seniors to graduation and had only seniors — Hanna Elmore and Vivian Wu — on the court in 2010. Despite his youthful team, coach Damien Hardy made it all work.

Speaking of making it all work, that pretty much summed up the season compiled by the Menlo School boys’ tennis team in 2010.

The Knights wept the Grand Slam of the sport and took it a step further with a perfect 27-0 season.

Menlo, with only two senior starters in singles (Jamin Ball and Patrick Chase), made local tennis history by winning the National High School All-American Boys Invitational Team Tournament, the CCS and NorCal titles in addition to finishing the season undefeated.

No team in NorCal history ever had pulled off such a feat. “You can’t do better than we did

this year,� said Menlo coach Bill Shine. “If you’re talking about the best teams in the country, Menlo has to be in that conversation.�

The Knights toppled a very good Saratoga team three times during the season, once in the national tourney in addition to the CCS and NorCal finals. That in itself was quite a feat.

While tennis topped the list of accomplishments at Menlo this school year, it was just the best of many highlights by a small school that produced big results.

The Menlo baseball team won the CCS Division III championship with an 8-2 victory over Hillsdale just a few weeks after tennis finished up.

The Knights went 25-6, captured the fourth section crown in school history and concluded the year on a 14-game winning streak.

Also in the spring, the Menlo girls’ lacrosse team successfully defended its league title with a 16-14 overtime victory over Burlingame to finish a solid season at 17-4. The Knights also had the best golfer in the CCS in junior Patrick Grimes, who won individual honors in the section tournament — his 64 was the lowest round ever in the finals — and advanced all the way to the state finals where he finished sixth.

This winter, the Menlo boys’ water polo team returned to the top by winning the CCS Division II crown with an impressive 11-5 victory over three-time defending champ Sacred Heart Prep.

The Sacred Heart Prep girls, meanwhile, captured their fourth straight section title with 12-4 vic-

tory over Castilleja in the Division II finals to finish 26-3 — none of the losses coming against CCS teams. The Menlo-Atherton girls also picked up a CCS crown, edging St. Francis, 6-5, in the Division I finale.

Speaking of CCS titles, the Sacred Heart Prep football team captured its first ever by defeating No. 1 seed Carmel, 39-32, in the Division IV finals after rallying from a 32-11 deficit in the third quarter. The Gators finished 11-2 while giving Pete Lavorato the highlight of his prep coaching career.

In a year filled with highlights, here are a few of the best: In the winter . . * The Sacred Heart Prep boys captured the WBAL basketball crown and went on to defeat Palma for the CCS Division V title while Pinewood reached the Division V finals before falling. * The Eastside Prep girls’ basketball team ended one of the longest winning streaks in local history by beating Pinewood, 46-38, to snap Pinewood’s streak of 149 straight league victories. * The Menlo-Atherton girls reached the CCS finals, as did Castilleja, before both teams lost tough decisions. Castilleja went on to host its first-ever NorCal playoff game. * Sacred Heart Prep defended its WBAL girls’ soccer title, but couldn’t win a second straight CCS crown as the Gators fell in the Division III semifinals. SHP, however, (continued on page 34)

Sports

A LOOK BACK AT THE 2010 STANFORD SEASON

Worst to first was the best

by Rick Eymer

Marc Abrams/stanfordphoto.com

J

eremy Lin did not attend Stanford but he played basketball in Maples Pavilion against the Cardinal, so the Palo Alto High grad gets a special mention in this year’s review. A year ago he was Harvard’s starting point guard.

He’s ending 2010 with the Reno Bighorns, an NBA Development League team.

In between has been anything but ordinary for the Lin family and friends. Jeremy led the Crimson to its best season in school history, played for the Dallas Mavericks’ summer league team in Las Vegas and wound up signing with and playing for the Golden State Warriors, creating quite a stir among fans and media. He averaged 1.9 points in 8.5 minutes over the 17 games in which he appeared.

In honor of Lin’s “Top 10 attitude,� herewith another successful year in Stanford athletics, it is an honor to present our version of the Top 10. Please don’t take us literally, though, as we slyly sneak in an extra subsection or two.

The overwhelming pick for No. 1 involves good times, poignant moments, rough going and finally, jubilation. The Stanford men’s volleyball team set out on a mission four years ago and patiently worked toward its goal of “worst to first,� coined by long-time Cardinal assistant coach Al Rodrigues, who ultimately lost his battle with cancer this past March but not before inspiring his boys to the achievement of the year.

Stanford got knocked around early in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation season and reaching the playoffs was in doubt for a few anxious days. The Cardinal rallied, always believing in its destiny.

Senior Kawika Shoji, later named National Player of the Year, led Stanford to the NCAA national championship at Maples Pavilion.

The Cardinal beat Penn State, 3025, 30-20, 30-18, and as the final point hit the court, emotions poured out from the hearts and souls of the players, fans and coaches alike. “It’s been a fairy tale,� Stanford senior Evan Romero said. “We wanted to end this the right way.�

It may have ended on one plane, but it was just the beginning on another plane. The journey will long be remembered in Stanford athletic lore as something so special it could not be spatially contained.

No less dramatic was the accomplishment of Stanford’s women’s tennis team, practically written off at the beginning of the season. This was supposed to be the year ‘the streak’ ended and yet, through sheer force of will and drive, the Cardinal remain one of the greatest tennis dy-

The Stanford men’s volleyball team provided the top college story of 2010 after it concluded its mission of going from worst to first by capturing the NCAA championship in the spring. Senior Kawika Shoji was named National Player of the Year and John Kosty was the National Coach of the Year. nasties in the nation.

Four Pac-10 teams were ranked ahead of Stanford when the balls were first tossed out on the court.

The Cardinal was the last team standing, winning the national title with a 4-3 victory over Florida on the courts of Georgia in Athens.

Stanford was invincible at home again, like it has been since 1999.

The Cardinal takes a 164-match consecutive home winning streak into its next season.

The Cardinal, seeded eighth in the NCAA team tournament, upset top-seeded Baylor in the quarterfinals, got past No. 6 Notre Dame in the semifinals and then faced No. 3 Florida for the title. “This was just an epic performance by our entire team,� Stanford coach Lele Forood said at the time.

She won’t get any argument here, which defines this as the No. 2 Stanford accomplishment of the year. The Cardinal, which captured its sixth national crown since 2001, won its last 19 consecutive matches, three by the slimmest of margins.

Hilary Barte and Lindsay Burdette combined to win the NCAA doubles title. Burdette’s younger sister, Mallory, clinched the team title.

By the way, they live in Georgia.

On the men’s side, Bradley Klahn won the NCAA singles title, giving Stanford, which reached the Round of 16, another handful of tennis trophies.

If 2009 was the year of Toby, then this season belongs to Andrew Luck, who guided fifth-ranked Stanford to a record 12 regular-season wins this fall. The football success got

knocked down to No. 3 in our polling because the Cardinal’s seasonending 40-12 victory over Virginia Tech came on Jan. 3.

On a campus with such excellence though, third becomes the new No. 1B. After all, Stanford qualified for a BCS game and there’s no precedent for that.

Luck threw for 3,051 yards and 28 touchdowns, finishing second to Cam Newton in Heisman Trophy balloting.

Two-way player Owen Marecic also deserves some accolades for his 10th-place finish in Heisman voting.

Of course, any individual mention is also a nod to the entire team, which will long be remembered in Stanford football lore.

Jayne Appel was as tough as she was talented on the basketball court.

An assortment of injuries kept her from playing at full speed much of the year and she still managed to help carry the Cardinal to a second straight appearance in the NCAA championship game last April.

The All-American and WNBA all-star ended her collegiate career as the Pac-10’s all-time leader in rebounds, with 1,263. She also blocked a Stanford record 273 shots and was third all-time with 2,125 career points.

Appel made .565 of her shots, fourth all-time. She is one of only three Cardinal players to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

Roz Gold-Onwude also fought through injury and pain to produce her finest season. She was named the Pac-10 co-Defender of the Year and helped carry Stanford through

the tournament.

Christen Press was soccer’s answer to Appel and she produced a record-setting season of her own in helped the Cardinal reach its second consecutive NCAA title match.

Press had an outstanding season for Stanford (23-1-2) to earn Soccer America’s Player of the Year honors.

She led the nation in goals (26) and points (60), and broke every Stanford career scoring record.

For her career, she has scored 71 goals, had 41 assists and recorded 183 points, all Stanford records.

The women’s swimming team added a second-place finish at the NCAA championships, recording four individual titles and a team relay title. Julia Smit won the 200 IM and 400 IM and finished her Stanford career with 26 All-American honors. Elaine Breeden won the 100 fly and 200 fly and holds five of the top-nine times in NCAA history in the 200 fly. She leaves with 24 AllAmerican honors.

Stanford won the 400 free relay with a team of Kate Dwelley, Samantha Woodward, Betsey Webb and Smit.

The Stanford men’s gymnastics team also produced a national runnerup finish, with Ryan Lieberman (parallel bars) and Eddie Penev (vault) earning individual NCAA titles.

Eugene Godsoe and Chad La Tourette each won individual national titles and the Cardinal men’s swimming team finished fourth at the NCAA championships.

Godsoe won the 100 back and La Tourette became Stanford’s first 1,650 national champion in 23

years.

The Stanford men’s cross-country team also finished fourth in the NCAA championship, its best finish since running third in 2008. Chris Derrick and Jacob Riley placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

The women’s gymnastics team also finished fourth at the NCAA championships, with Carly Janiga (uneven bars) winning a national title.

Nick Amuchastegui finished fourth at the NCAA wrestling championships at 165 pounds. He became Stanford’s first All-America in two years and recorded Stanford’s highest finish in six years.

Seniors Alix Klineman, Cassidy Lichtman and Gabi Ailes were each named to the women’s volleyball All-American team. Stanford reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.

Menlo School grad Kenny Diekroeger earned freshmen All-American honors for the baseball team, which reached the NCAA tournament.

Alissa Haber was named an AllAmerican as the Stanford softball team qualified for the NCAA tournament.

Arantxa King, Jake Riley and Stephanie Marcy each received AllAmerican status at the NCAA track and field championships. King was the runnerup in the women’s long jump.

The fencing team recorded a ninth-place finish in the national meet and the women’s squash fin(continued on page 31)

*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 29

John Todd/stanfordphoto.com

Sports

“Ever since I’ve been a freshman here, his name has been mentioned for every job that’s been open,�

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck said when the team arrived home following the Orange Bowl. “We’re used to it. It’s just part of life.�

What does the future hold for junior Andrew Luck? The young, smart, savvy and even-tempered quarterback could have cashed in on his magnificent year of success, which culminated in fifth-ranked Stanford’s 40-12 victory over No. 12 Virginia Tech in Monday night’s Orange Bowl.

Luck instead chose to announce his intention to remain at Stanford well ahead of any news regarding Harbaugh and instantly angered Carolina Panther fans. “I am committed to earning my degree in architectural design from Stanford University and am on track to accomplish this at the completion of the spring quarter of 2012,� Luck said in a statement released by the school.

The guy is a nonconsensual celebrity and spotlights make him uncomfortable. “It’s not much news to us,� Stanford wide receiver Richard Sherman said. “We knew a long time ago, October-November. He’s kind of a humble kid. He’s a great guy. He just deflected it (the fact he was coming back). .....He didn’t want to be the center of attention. He didn’t want it (the news) to interfere with playing football.�

Junior linebacker Thomas Keiser, however, will declare for the NFL draft, foregoing his final year of eligibility. That suddenly makes linebacker a position of concern. Owen Marecic and Chike Amajoyi are

also gone, leaving Chase Thomas, Shayne Skov and Max Bergen as the top returners. Skov, of course, had a brilliant Orange Bowl.

Luck, meanwhile, threw for 3,338 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. He completed nearly 71 percent of his passes and earned an efficiency rating of 170.2 (average is 100).

Can he do it again? “It’s a huge deal for everybody,�

Sherman said. “It’s huge for Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah . . . because they have to deal with it. There’s a game plan for Andrew Luck and then there’s a game plan for every other quarterback.�

Luck already has proven himself as one of the top quarterbacks, college or pro, in the nation. There’s no question Harbaugh helped him become a better football player. Luck probably thinks there’s still a lot of room for improvement.

Can Stanford overtake Oregon for Pac-12 domination? Well, if Luck has anything top do with it (yes, he obviously does), the Cardinal will be one of the favorites.

Offensively, he’ll have Stepfan Taylor, Anthony Wilkerson, Tyler Gaffney and Usua Amanam in the backfield and receivers Chris Owusu, Griff Whalen, Drew Terrell and Jamal-Rashad Patterson.

The offensive line, which protected Luck like no other Stanford team has protected a quarterback, should remain in decent shape despite the loss of three starters, including AllAmerican center Chase Beeler.

Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro will enter their third-year as a starter while Tyler Mabry also saw a lot of action.

Coby Fleener and Zach Ertz make tight end one of the strongest positions on the field next year. Having Ryan Hewitt and Levine Toilo around to play there hurts not at all.

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The defense should be in better shape even with the loss of Keiser, Marecic, lineman Sione Fua and defensive backs Richard Sherman, Austin Yancey and Taylor Skaufel.

Delano Howell and Michael Thomas are all-Pac-10 type players in the secondary and Johnson Bademosi and Barry Browning each gained experience.

Matt Masifilo, Ben Gardner and Terrence Stephens will fill the gap left by Fua on the defensive line.

Kicker Nate Whitaker graduates, but younger brother Eric Whitaker has a chance to take over. Punters Daniel Zychlinski and David Green return.

There’s a group of redshirt freshmen waiting to make an impact and Stanford’s recruiting class, should it hold, is one of the top 10 classes in the country.

As a final look at the Orange Bowl, Ertz and Fleener caught all four of Luck’s touchdown passes as Stanford ends the year on an eightgame winning streak.

Fleener caught six passes for 173 yards, including TDs of 41, 58 and 38 yards as Stanford broke the game wide open with 27 unanswered points in the second half.

Taylor led all rushers with 114 yards on 13 carries while Jeremy Stewart had 99 yards in five carries, including a 60-yard touchdown run.

Marecic also scored for the Cardinal.

Stanford lived up to its billing as one of the top offensive teams in the nation, compiling 528 yards of total offense, 341 in the second half. The Cardinal defense limited the Hokies’ potent offense to 288 yards, including sacking Tyrod Taylor eight times.

It is the first time in FBS history a team has won 12 games after losing 11 games five years earlier. N

Don Feria/stanfordphoto.com

(continued from page 27)

Don Feria/stanfordphoto.com

Stanford football

John Todd/stanfordphoto.com

John Todd/stanfordphoto.com

Sixth-year senior Richard Sherman (right) helped his teammates lift the championship trophy after the Cardinal romped past Virginia Tech, 40-12, on Monday night in the Discover Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla.

Highlights from the 2011 Orange Bowl (top to bottom): Andrew Luck (12) threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns (a Stanford bowl game record) and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player; Stepfan Taylor (33) broke off a long run to set up the first of four TDs in the second half; head coach Jim Harbaugh was carried off the field by his players in what, most likely, was his final game at Stanford; and Luck received congratulations from fans after leading Stanford to its best record (12-1) in school history and first bowl game win since 1996.

Sports

Defending NCAA champion Stanford volleyball team picks up where it left off

by Rick Eymer rad Lawson was a first team All-American last year an Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year, two-time All-American Erik Shoji is considered one of the finest liberos in the land, Spencer McLachlin returns as a fourth-year starter and Gus Ellis is back as a three-year starter.

Stanford is the defending national men’s volleyball champion, returning 13 lettermen and four starters under reigning national Coach of the Year John Kosty. Yet the Cardinal, which beat visiting UC Santa Cruz, 28-26, 25-17, 25-14, Wednesday night in its season opener, was picked to finish third in the MPSF. That’s just how competitive the MPSF teams are compared to the rest of the collegiate universe. USC and UC Irvine, both members of the MPSF, are picked ahead of the fourth-ranked Cardinal. MPSF

B

Stanford 2010 (continued from page 29)

ished seventh.

The men’s golf team reached the national quarterfinals before falling. David Chung and Sihwan Kim earned All-American honors.

The Stanford field hockey team qualified for the NCAA tournament and senior Xanthe Travlos was named Stanford’s first All-American in 12 years.

The women’s crew finished fourth in the NCAA meet and the synchronized swimming team was the national runnerup.

We’d like to end the year in review by honoring three Stanford grads.

Men’s basketball Landry Fields actually belongs as he achieved All-American status before he was drafted by the New York Knicks and, ultimately, earning a starting spot.

Lauren Fleshman nearly retired after suffering a front foot injury.

The Cardinal grad chose to stay with her sport and won the 5,000 meter title at the USA Outdoor Track and Field championships.

As 2010 ended, perhaps the next great story of 2011 begins. The Stanford women’s basketball team shocked top-ranked Connecticut last week, 71-59, to end the Huskies’ all-time NCAA Division I winning streak (for men and women) at 90.

Whether the Cardinal go on and become the top story of this new year remains to be seen. Stanford will host the NCAA men’s and women’s tennis championships this season and anything can happen at the Taube Family Tennis Center.

The Stanford baseball team has the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, so good things could happen this spring for coach Mark Marquess.

Nonetheless, 2010 is in the books and what a great read it has been.

One can only hope that 2011 will be just as enthralling. N

member Pepperdine ranks third nationally.

Stanford opens MPSF play next Friday with a pair of home matches against BYU, and the Cougars are ranked fifth in the nation.

Such is life without national Player of the Year Kawika Shoji, the remarkable setter and emotional leader during last year’s run to the championship. Also gone are AllAmerican Evan Romero and Garrett Werner.

Both the Trojans and Anteaters are legitimate contenders for the national crown and have the history to prove it. “It comes down to this: We need to mentally prepare for each match and learn how to focus,� Kosty said. “The bottom line is it’s a long season and we need to continually get court time to prepare for MPSF play.�

The returning players, which also includes junior setter Evan Barry,

senior outside hitter Ian Connolly, junior opposite Garrett Dobbs, senior middle Max Halvorseon, junior middle Charley Henrickson, senior libero Jordan Inafuku, sophomore outside hitter Jake Kneller, junior setter Dylan Koridc and junior opposite Jake Vandermeer, were all part of a team that learned how to win and what it takes to become champions.

Wrestling Stanford takes a break from its long and winding road expedition, traveling a few mile north on El Camino Real to meet host Menlo College Saturday.

The 25th-ranked Cardinal (3-5) received several quality efforts last week at the Midlands Championships in Evanston. For the first time in program history, Stanford had two wrestlers place in the top four at the event. N

Feel your best this Holiday Season!

AltoSleep

™

8:30 A.M., Thursday, January 20, 2011 Palo Alto Council Chambers, 1st Floor, Civic Center, 250 Hamilton Avenue. Go to the Development Center at 285 Hamilton Avenue to review filed documents; contact Alicia Spotwood for information regarding business hours at 650-617-3168.

524 Hamilton Avenue [10PLN-00419]: Application by Steven Reller for Major Architectural Review for a new 10,818 square foot three-story mixed use building with commercial office on the first and second floors and one residential unit on the third floor. Environmental Assessment: A Negative Declaration has been prepared. Zone District CD-C (P).

340 University Avenue [11PLN-00003]: Request by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson on behalf of Elizabeth Wong for Minor Architectural Review of exterior building improvements including a new front facade, roof, and minor changes to the rear facade of an existing retail building. No new floor area will be added to the building. Environmental Assessment: Exempt from the provisions of CEQA, 15301 (Existing Facilities. Zone District: CD-C(GF)(P).

Amy French Manager of Current Planning

PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL CIVIC CENTER, 250 HAMILTON AVENUE BROADCAST LIVE ON KZSU, FM 90.1 CABLECAST LIVE ON GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 26 ***************************************** THIS IS A SUMMARY OF COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THE AGENDA WITH COMPLETE TITLES INCLUDING LEGAL DOCUMENTATION CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BELOW WEBPAGE: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/knowzone/agendas/council.asp (TENTATIVE) COUNCIL AGENDA-COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 10, 2011 - 6:00 PM

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NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING of the city of Palo Alto Architectural Review Board (ARB)

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1.

Update on Sustainable Communities Strategy and Regional Housing Needs Allocation Process 7:00 PM or as soon as possible thereafter 2. Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Glenn Roberts Upon His Retirement 3. Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Annette Coleman Upon Her Retirement CONSENT CALENDAR 4. Acceptance of Annual Status Report on Developers' Fees for Fiscal Year 2010 5. Adoption of a Storm Drainage Enterprise Fund Budget Amendment Ordinance, Channing Avenue/Lincoln Avenue Storm Drain Improvement Project and Approval of a Contract with Bay PaciďŹ c Pipeline, Inc. 6. Finance Committee Recommendation to Approve the Proposed Gas Utility Long-Term Plan Objectives, Strategies and Implementation Plan 7. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract C10135713 with K. J. Woods Construction, Inc. for Asbestos Cement Pipe Removal and Disposal 8. Utilities Department Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2011 9. Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Patrick Valath Upon His Retirement 10. Appointment of 2011 Emergency Standby Council Members 11. Authorization to Continue Participation in and Funding for the LINK+ Resource Sharing Library Consortium 12. 2nd Reading Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 16.11 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code Pertaining to Storm Water Pollution Prevention Measures ACTION ITEMS 13. Adoption of a Budget Amendment Ordinance for the FY to Allocate Funds to Capital Improvement Project PG-09002 from the Infrastructure Reserve for Replanting of Trees at Eleanor Pardee Park 14. Public Hearing: Objections to Weed Abatement (TENTATIVE) COUNCIL SPECIAL AGENDA-COUNCIL CHAMBERS JANUARY 13, 2011 - 6:00 PM

CLOSED SESSION 1. City Attorney Recruitment *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÇ]ÊÓ䣣ÊU Page 31

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Last Year’s Grant Recipients Adolescent Counseling Services ..........$10,000 All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Palo Alto ....$7,500 California Family Foundation ....................$2,500 CASSY (Counseling and Support .............$5,000 Cleo Eulau Center.......................................$2,500 Collective Roots..........................................$5,000 Community Legal Services in EPA ..........$5,000 Downtown Streets Team ........................$15,000 DreamCatchers .........................................$5,000 East Palo Alto Children’s Day Committee ..................................................$5,000 East Palo Alto Kids Foundation ................$7,500 East Palo Alto Youth Court ........................$5,000 Environmental Volunteers ........................$3,000 EPA.net.........................................................$2,500 Foothill-De Anza Foundation ....................$5,000 Girls To Women .........................................$2,500 Gunn High School Green Team................$1,000 InnVision ......................................................$5,000 Jewish Family and Children’s Services ....$5,000 JLS Middle School PTA.............................$3,500 Jordan Middle School PTA.......................$3,500 Kara ..............................................................$5,000 Mayview Community Health Center .....$10,000 Music in the Schools Foundation ............$5,000 New Creation Home Ministries ...............$5,000 Northern California Urban Development ....$7,500 Nuestra Casa ..............................................$5,000 Opportunity Health Center .......................$7,500 Palo Alto Art Center Foundation ..............$5,000 Palo Alto YMCA ..........................................$5,000 Palo Alto Library Foundation .................$50,000 Palo Alto PTA Council Arts ......................$2,000 Quest Learning Center of the EPA Library ..................................................$5,000 Reading Partners .......................................$7,500 St. Elizabeth Seton School .......................$5,000 St. Vincent de Paul Society ......................$5,000 West Meadow Track Watch Patrols.......$5,000 Youth Community Service .........................$5,000 Youth United for Community Action (YUCA) .............................................$2,500 CHILD CARE CAPITAL GRANTS Children’s Center .......................................$3,000 Palo Alto Community Child Care ..............$3,000 PreSchool Family .......................................$3,000 The Children’s Pre-School Center ...........$3,000

Non-profits: Grant application and guidelines at www.PaloAltoOnline.com Deadline: 1/7/11

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ach year the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund raises money to support programs serving families and children in the Palo Alto area. Since the Weekly and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation cover all the administrative costs, every dollar raised goes directly to support community programs through grants to nonprofit organizations ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

And with the generous support of matching grants from local foundations, including the Packard and Hewlett foundations and the Peery and Arrillaga family foundations, your tax-deductible gift will be doubled in size. A donation of $100 turns into $200 with the foundation matching gifts.

Whether as an individual, a business or in honor of someone else, help us reach our goal of $275,000 by making a generous contribution to the Holiday Fund.

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Thank you to our 2010 Moonlight Run Corporate Sponsors: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Borel Private Bank & Trust

413 donors through 1/6/11 totalling $154,338 with match $244,338 has been raised for the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund Donate online at siliconvalleycf.org/giving-paw.html 47 Anonymous .................. $24,745 Richard & Nancy Alexander ... 500 Ed & Margaret Arnold .............. ** Tom Ashton .............................. 50 Annette Ashton ......................... 50 Bob & Corrine Aulgur .............. ** Greg & Anne Avis..................... ** David & Karen Backer ............ 250 Jim & Nancy Baer ..................... ** Larry Baer & Stephanie Klein ... ** Bob & Linda Balint................. 100 Gail Barklow ............................. 10 Rick & Lisa Barr ..................... 200 Bob Barrett & Linda Atkinson. 200 Dave Fischer & Sue Bartolo .... 250 Brigid Barton .......................... 100 Richard A. Baumgarter & Elizabeth M. Salzer .............. 350 Lovinda Beal ............................. ** Vic Befera ............................... 100 Sherie L. Berger ....................... 100 Lucy Berman ......................... 1500 Al & Liz Bernal ........................ ** Gerry & Harriet Berner ............. ** Roy & Carol Blitzer .................. ** Dan Bloomberg & Irene Beardsley .................... 100 John & Olive Borgsteadt ........... ** Steven & Linda Boxer............... ** Faith Braff ............................... 250 Lawrence M. Breed .................. 100

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Eileen Brennan ........................ 100 Dick & Carolyn Brennan .......... ** Rick & Eileen Brooks ............... ** Allan & Marilyn Brown ............ ** Gloria Brown........................... 200 Chet & Marcie Brown ............... ** Gaynor & Tim Brown ................ ** Steve Brugler............................. ** Richard Cabrera ........................ ** Bruce F. Campbell.................. 1000 Robert & Mary Cardelli ............ ** Theresa Carey ......................... 200 Barbara Carlisle ....................... ** Brian & Marjorie Cassingham ... 100 George Cator ........................... 100 Miriam Cespedes ...................... 25 George & Ruth Chippendale ..... 25 Gavin & Tricia Christensen ...... ** Ted & Ginny Chu ...................... ** Keith & Linda Clarke ................ ** Andy & Liz Coe ...................... 100 Marc & Margaret Cohen ......... 100 Jean Colby................................. ** Michael & Jean Couch ............ 150 Daniel Cox .............................. 100 Constance Crawford................ 500 Isabella E. Davis .................... 1200 Ed & Linda DeMeo................. 100 John & Ruth DeVries ................ ** Paul & Carol Diamond............ 100 M.M. Dieckmann .................... 200

Tony & Jan DiJulio ................... ** Jean Doble................................. ** Ted & Cathy Dolton .................. ** Attorney Susan Dondershine ... 200 Eugene & Mabel Dong ........... 200 Diane Doolittle .......................... ** Joe & Lynn Drake ................... 100 Darrell DufďŹ e & Denise Savoie . ** Marie Earl ............................... 100 Steve Eglash & Susan Elgee .... 500 Tom & Ellen Ehrlich ................. ** Jerry & Linda Elkind .............. 250 Leonard Ely Family ................. 100 Hoda S. Epstein.......................... ** David & Charlotte Epstein ........ ** Leif & Sharon Erickson ......... 250 Stanley Evans ........................... ** Russ & Alice Evarts ................ 300 David & Diane Feldman ......... 300 S. & D. Finkelstein.................. 100 Herb & Alice Fischgrund .......... 50 Jerry & Ruth Fisher................... ** Michael & Elizabeth Fleice/Yasek ........ 100 Debbie Ford-Scriba ................... ** Win & Barbara Foster ............. 100 Carolyn Frake............................ 50 Jan & Freddy Gabus.................. ** John & Florine Galen ............... ** Gregory & Penny Gallo .......... 500 Robert & Betsy Gamburd ......... **

Betty W. Gerard ....................... 100 David & Carol Gilbert............. 100 Gerry Gilchrist .......................... 25 Matt Glickman & Susie Hwang ........................ 250 Dena Goldberg ........................ 100 Wick & Mary Goodspeed ......... ** Catherine Gowen....................... ** Werner Graf............................. 800 Harry & Diane Greenberg ....... 500 Richard & Lynda Greene ........ 250 Eric & Elaine Hahn ................... ** Michael & Nancy Hall .......... 1000 Jack & Myllicent Hamilton...... ** Hamilton Fund ..................... 1000 Ben & Ruth Hammett ............... ** Phil Hanawalt & Graciela Spivak .................... 300 Margaret Hanks ....................... 150 Stuart & Carol hansen ............... ** Harry & Susan Hartzell............. ** The Havern Family ................ 3000 Walt & Kay Hays ...................... ** Bob & Jan Hermsen .................. ** Maie & Tracy Herrick ............... 50 Victor & Norma Hesterman ...... ** Richard & Imogene Hilbers .... 250 Jane Holland.............................. ** Roland Hsu & Julie Noblitt........ ** Mahlon & Carol Hubenthal ...... ** Joe & Nancy Huber ................. 100

Marc Igler & Jennifer Cray ........ 75 Susana Im .................................. 75 Robert & Joan Jack ................... ** Kingsley Jack .......................... 100 Ted & Frances Jenkins .............. 50 Jon & Julie Jerome .................... ** Zelda Jury.................................. ** JoAnn Kahn .............................. ** Ed & Masako Kanazawa ........... ** Michael & Marcia Katz .......... 200 Charles Katz& Gina Signorello 600 Eric Keller & Janice Bohman .. 250 Sue Kemp ................................ 250 Peter & Lynn Kidder ............... 250 Kieschnick Family ................. 1000 Ellen M. King........................... 500 Bob & Edie Kirkwood .......... 1000 Larry Klein .............................. 500 Larry Koran ............................... ** Hal & Iris Korol ........................ ** Tony & Judy Kramer................. ** Mark Krasnow & Patti Yanklowitz ................... 200 Jan Krawitz ............................... ** Mark & Virginia Kreutzer ......... ** Karen Krogh.............................. ** Frank & Deborah Kurland ...... 300 Sue Kurtz ................................ 100 Donald & Adele Langendorf .. 200 Samuel S. & Jean Monma Law ................ 100 Elgin Lee ................................. 250 Patricia Levin .......................... 100 Roy Levin & Jan Thomas ........ 250 Stephen & Nancy Levy ............ ** Dick & Sue Levy...................... ** Robert & Constance Loarie ...... ** Chris & Kris Loew .................. 100 Mandy Lowell ........................... ** Gwen Luce & Family................. ** Hal & Lori Luft ......................... ** Mark Lurie ................................ 50 Jonathan MacQuitty .............. 1000 Dick & Ellie MansďŹ eld ............ ** Mimi Marden ............................ ** John & Maureen Martin ............ ** Kevin Mayer & Barbara Zimmer ** Richard L. Mazze MD & Sheil E. Cohen MD .............. 200 Drew McCalley & Marilyn Green ...................... 100 W. J. McCroskey ...................... 500 Patrick & Nancy McGaraghan 250 Jack & Martha McLaughlin .... 100 Joe & Lynnie Melena ................ 50 John & Eve Melton ................. 500 Sara Michie ............................... ** Elizabeth Miller ........................ ** David & Lynn Mitchell ........... 300 Stephen Monismith & Lani Freeman ......................... ** Diane Moore ........................... 300 Morgan Family Fund ............. 5000 Les Morris ............................... 200 Richard A. Morris ...................... ** Nancy Moss .............................. ** Thomas & Isabel Mulcahy ...... 200 Merrill & Lee Newman ........... 200 Frederic & Kristin Nichols........ ** Craig & Sally Nordlund .......... 500 Joan B. Norton ......................... 100 Boyce & Peggy Nute................. ** Kim Orumchian ...................... 250 John & Barbara Pavkovich...... 200 Scott & Sandra Pearson .......... 500

Joseph’s Journey Fund ............. 200 Conney Pfeiffer ......................... 25 Jim & Alma Phillips................ 250 R. Phillips.................................. ** Helene Pier ................................ ** Lee Pierce................................ 200 Denise Pitsch........................... 500 Deborah Plumley ...................... ** David & Virginia Pollard ........ 200 Joe & Marlene Prendergast ....... ** Harry Press & Mildred Hamilton ................ 100 Don & Dee Price ....................... ** Nan Prince............................... 100 Bill Reller ............................. 1000 Don & Kay Remsem ................. ** Nancy Rhea ............................... ** Jerry H. Rice ............................ 100 John & Ally Richter .................. ** Thomas Rindeisch .................. ** Teresa Roberts ......................... 250 Mitchell & Sandra Rosen .......... 50 Dick & Ruth Rosenbaum .......... ** Peter & Beth Rosenthal............. ** Steve & Karen Ross .................. ** Norman & Nancy Rossen ....... 100 Don & Ann Rothblatt ................ ** Roderick Rowell ..................... 100 Dan & Lynne Russell .............. 100 Al & JoAnne Russell .............. 200 Ferrell & Page Sanders ........... 100 George & Dorothy Saxe .......... ** John & Mary Schaefer ........... 100 Stan Schier & Barbara Klein.... 300 Ken Schroeder & Fran Codispoti...................... 500 Scott & Kathy Schroeder ........ 150 Irene Schwartz .......................... 50 A.Carlisle Scott ......................... ** Elisabeth Seaman ...................... ** Ed & Linda Selden .................... ** Rosalie Shepherd ...................... ** Martha Shirk ........................... 500 Richard & Bonnie Sibley .......... ** Jerry & Donna Silverberg ....... 100 Bob & Diane Simoni............... 200 Alice Schaffer Smith ............... 100 Andrea B. Smith....................... 100 Hershel & Helen Smith ........... 100 Roger Smith & Judy Kay ......... 200 Ann J. Sonneberg ....................... ** Art & Peggy Stauffer .............. 500 Charles & Barbara Stevens ....... ** Craig & Susie Thom ............... 100 John & Susan Thomas .............. ** Carl & Susan Thomas ............. 500 Jean Thompson ......................... ** Tony & Carolyn Tucher ............ ** Mike & Ellen Turbow ............. 200 Scout Voll .................................. ** Alan & Cathy Wachtel .............. ** Jerry & Bobbie Wagger............. ** Roger & Joan Warnke ............... ** Anna Wu Weakland ................ 100 David R. Wells ........................... ** Stephen Westfold .................... 200 Ralph R. Wheeler .................... 350 John & Lynn Wiese ................. 100 Douglas & Susan Woodman ..... ** Gil & Gail Woolley ................. 500 Lawrence Yang & Jennifer Kuan ..................... 1000 George & Betsy Young ............. **

Donate online at siliconvalleycf.org/giving-paw.html Enclosed is a donation of $_______________

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In Honor Of Julia, Elissa & Will Chandler .....500 Mary Dawey ..............................250 Dedicated teachers in East Palo Alto .........................200 Joe Ehrlich ....................................** The teachers of El Carmelo ..........** Bertha Kalson ...............................** Dick & Ellie MansďŹ eld ................** The Maser Kids ............................** Nicholas ......................................500 PALA ............................................** Sandra Pearson .............................** Paul Resnick ...............................100 Kathy Schroeder, PiE Director ...100 Sandy Sloan ................................100 Marilyn Sutorius .........................100 Sallie Tasto..................................100 Darla Tupper .................................** Richard Van Dusen & Kaye H. Kelley .......................250 In Memory Of Clara & Seb Abel ....................... ** Adele .......................................... ** Carl W. Anderson ....................... ** Carol Berkowitz ......................... ** Jane “Jillâ€? Bloodgood Bigwood. ** John Davies Black.................... 300 Willie Branch ............................. ** Leo Breidenbach ........................ ** A.L. & L.K. Brown .................... ** Edward & Elizabeth Buurma ..... ** Gerard Charboneau .................... ** Marge Collins........................... 500 Jack Davoren .............................. ** Patty Demetrios ...................... 1500 Bob Dolan ................................ 500 Bob Donald ................................ ** Fred Eyerly................................. ** Steve Fasani ............................. 100

Linda Ferzoko .......................... 100 Mary Floyd................................. ** Fred & Annabelle....................... ** Pam Grady ............................... 150 Marie Hardin ............................ 100 Florence Kan Ho ........................ ** Al Jacobs .................................. 100 Chet Johnson .............................. ** Al & Mae Kenrick.................... 500 August King ............................... ** Katharine Rogers King .............. ** Helene F. Klein .......................... ** Helene F. Klein .......................... 25 Richard Krasnow........................ ** Mr. Y.F. Lai ................................ ** Bill Land .................................... ** Mr. N.C. Lee .............................. ** Charles Bennett Leib................ 100 Dr. James Lester ......................... ** Harry Lewenstein ................... 1000 Robert C. Lobdell....................... ** Emmett Lorey ............................ ** Anna Luskin ............................... ** Igor Malik ................................ 100 Bob Markevitch.......................... ** Betty Meltzer ............................. ** Ernest J. Moore .......................... ** Fumi Murai ................................ 90 Jacques Naar & Wanda Root ..... ** Aaron O’Neill ............................ ** Joan Paulin ................................. ** Our dad Al Pellizzari ................. ** Thomas W. & Louise L. Phinney .................. ** Sue Pulisci, Becky Schaefer & Sheila Hunter ......................... ** Sonya Raymakers....................... ** Nancy Ritchey ............................ ** Betty Rogaway ........................... 25 Sally ........................................... **

Becky Schaefer .......................... ** Virginia Schulz........................... ** Mary Fran, Joe Scroggs, Kelly Flanagan, Katharine King, Jill Bigwood, Debbie Kirk Rihn & Stephen Scroggs..................... ** Maria Serpa ................................ 25 William Settle .......................... 500 Diane Simone ............................. ** Derek Smith ............................... ** Don & Marie Snow .................... ** George & Arline Sobel .............. ** Robert Spinrad ........................... ** John Plummer Steward ............ 100 Jack Sutorius ............................ 100 Tinney Family .......................... 500 Hattie E. Tokar ........................... ** Smokey Wallace ......................... ** John F. Warren ........................... ** Yen-Chen Yen .......................... 250 Dr. David Zlotnick ..................... ** Irma Zuanich ............................ 100 A Gift For Bailey & Riley Cassidy .............. 50 Jim & Ro Dinkey ....................... 75 Andrew & Cait Louchard......... 100 The Lund Family...................... 100 Paul & Barbara Madsen ............. 25 Joan Mullen.............................. 100 Marjorie Smith ........................... 50 Business & Organizations Carl King-Absolute Mortgage ... ** Harrell Remodeling, Inc............. ** Juana Briones 2nd Graders ........ 75 No Limit Drag Racing ............... ** Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run ..................... 40000 Thoits Bros Inc......................... 500

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Sports

Preps 2010

(continued from page 28)

did gain a big prize when junior Abby Dahlkemper was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of California. She also won her second straight MVP award in the WBAL while leading the Gators to a 14-5-3 record with 16 goals and eight assists.

In the spring . . . * Palo Alto put together the best baseball season in school history (29-4) while setting a school mark with a 24-game winning streak that ended in a loss to Burlingame in the CCS Division II finals. MenloAtherton won its second CCS playoff game in school history and it was a huge one, a 9-5 shocker over St. Francis in the second round of Division I play. Senior outfielder Joc Pederson earned first-team allstate honors from Cal-Hi Sports and later signed a pro contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a reported $600,000 while turning down a chance to attend USC. * Palo Alto played its first-ever season of boys’ lacrosse, but didn’t show a lack of inexperience as the Vikings won the SCVAL playoffs with a 10-9 overtime victory over Mountain View. Paly also knocked off No. 1 seed Menlo in overtime in the semifinals. * The Paly girls, in their third season of playing lacrosse, also gained their first-ever league title with a 10-9 overtime triumph over

St. Francis. The two league titles came back-to-back on the Vikings’ own field. Palo Alto opened the season with a shocking victory over St. Ignatius, one of the top teams in Northern California. * Castilleja senior pitcher Sammy Albanese tied a national record with 10 straight no-hitters and tied a state mark with 22 strikeouts in a seven-inning game during another remarkable season. She also struck out 17 in a 2-0 win over R.L. Stevenson, only the second Sammy Albanese CCS victory in school history and the first section win during Albanese’s career. She finished with 395 strikeouts during an 18-9-2 campaign. She was named first-team all-state by Cal-Hi Sports and was the Player of the Year in the Small Schools division. * Menlo-Atherton senior Alec Haley became the first boys’ tennis player in school history to win the CCS singles title as he won the rain-delayed event by winning three matches in the same day. Menlo’s Andrew Carlisle and Justin Chan swept the doubles crown. * Palo Alto sophomore Jasmine Tosky and Sacred Heart Prep sophomore Tom Kremer each won a pair of CCS individual swim titles, with Tosky breaking section records in the 200 free and 100 fly while Kre-

mer lowered school marks while winning the 200 free and 100 back.

Tosky helped the Vikings take second in the girls’ team race while Kremer helped SHP finish third in the boys’ race. * Pinewood senior Angela Gradiska overcame a mid-season foot injury to successfully defend her 100 and 200 titles at the CCS track and field finals. Palo Alto senior Philip MacQuitty didn’t win a section crown, but he did reach the state finals in the 1,600 meters and brought home a third-place medal after running state-leading times earlier in the season in the 800 and 1,600. Gunn junior Erin Robinson captured the girls’ 3,200 title at the CCS championships.

In the fall . . * A total of 29 local runners qualified for the CIF State Meet in cross country in 2010, with Priory junior Kat Gregory leading the way by successfully defending her Division V title at the CCS championships. She helped the Priory girls qualify as a team while the Priory boys also made it to state, marking the first time in school history that both teams qualified. * Castilleja finished second at the CCS girls’ golf championships and qualified for the NorCal tournament for the first time in school history.

Senior Brenna Nelsen led the Gators during their successful season.

So it’s on to 2011, which has plenty of hard work to do in order to measure up to 2010. The job starts right now. N

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Natasha von Kaeppler

Will McConnell

Castilleja School

Sacred Heart Prep

The senior center had 60 points, 55 rebounds, 18 blocks, 11 steals and nine assists while leading the Gators to a 3-0 basketball finish and the championship of the Dons Club Holiday Tournament while earning MVP honors.

The senior forward scored 59 points and grabbed 24 rebounds, including 22 points and nine boards in the finale, as the Gators went 3-0 and captured the annual Surf ‘N Slam basketball tournament championship.

Honorable mention Takara Burse

Lydell Cardwell

Eastside Prep basketball

Hailie Eackles

Mid-Peninsula basketball

Richard Harris

Pinewood basketball

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Sports

Earl Hansen

Hansen’s guidance while winning four CCS titles and reaching the state championship game twice since the bowls began in 2006. No other five are Ed Buller of Oak other CCS team has done that and Grove (San Jose) in 2007, Norm Paly is the first CCS team to win Dow of Live Oak (Morgan Hill) in one.

1988, Charlie Wedemeyer of Los While Palo Alto had been undeGatos in 1985, Ron Calcagno of St. feated in football five times prior to Francis in 1983 and Benny Pierce of this season, 2010 turned out to be Saratoga in 1976. the best of all-time since the Vikings After watching Harbegan playing the sport baugh coach the Cardinal in 1897. Paly completed to its first bowl game vica 10-0 regular season, tory since 1996, Hansen which included capturjoined the team celebraing the SCVAL De Anza tion at the hospitality room Division title, then made around 2 a.m. (Florida a remarkable run through time). He chatted with his the section playoffs with son, Peter, a Stanford devictories over West Cathofensive assistant, and Jack lic Athletic League powHarbaugh, Jim’s father. ers Mitty, Bellarmine and “I got to bed about Earl Hansen Valley Christian to wrap 4 a.m.,� Hansen said. up its second Open Divi“That’s way past my bed time.� sion crown in five years.

Thus, Hansen was almost in a The Vikings also reached CCS dreamy state when informed of the title games in 2003, ‘05 and ‘08. state coaching honor. “Coach Hansen is a great coach,� “It’s just great,� he said. “This is Paly senior quarterback Christoph for our whole coaching staff. It’s not Bono told Cal-Hi Sports. “I’ve heard just me. We accomplished some- players say that Palo Alto footthing that’s never been done before ball wouldn’t be the same without at Palo Alto High. You have to have Hansen. He has been there a long great assistants, which I have. You time. He presides over the whole have to have great athletes, and thing like at father figure. A lot of we’ve got the athletes. And you have people don’t realize how much time to create an atmosphere where you he spends in preparing for games. can be successful.�

He studies film eight to 10 hours on Hansen has done just that during the weekend, getting us prepared for his 23-year coaching stint at Paly, games.� where he has compiled a 174-85-3 Hansen was named Paly’s head record. Over the past 10 years, the football coach in 1981 and coached Vikings have gone 92-29-3 under Harbaugh for two seasons. Hansen (continued from page 27)

left Palo Alto to take over the football program at San Lorenzo Valley from 1983-87, returning to Paly in 1991. Hansen and Harbaugh, however, have remained friends throughout the years. Hansen was on hand when Harbaugh was introduced as Stanford’s head coach in 2006.

After Palo Alto won its first state football title on Dec. 17, Harbaugh took time at his own press conference to praise Hansen. “Coach Hansen is a great coach, a great man and a great teacher,� Harbaugh said on Dec. 22. “He cares about people and makes you feel that when you’re with him, whether you’re on the frosh-soph, a junior or senior. He’ll always ask about a family member or your biology class.�

So when Palo Alto won the state title game over the weekend, Harbaugh was ecstatic. “Talk about a coaching job,� Harbaugh said. “There’s the best coach on the Peninsula, in the Bay Area.

He did a phenomenal job and this is his finest season.� “He keeps in contact with a lot of people,� Harbaugh continued. “You never really leave an Earl Hansen program. It feels like you’ve never left high school. His passion for the game remains and he’s still as intense as the day I met him. That’s a rare quality. Those are the qualities I try to emulate and see if I can measure up to him. If you’re a Palo Alto Vikings alumni, or a Stanford alumni, or both, then these are tremendous days.�

Earl Hansen would have to agree. N

Palo Alto’s state championship teams will be feted in parade Paly football, volleyball teams honored Saturday t will be a historic day for the City of Palo Alto when it honors the Palo Alto High football and volleyball teams with a parade on Saturday through the downtown area.

The event begins at Webster and University avenues at 4:30 p.m. The teams will travel west on University until reaching Centennial Lane, where the procession will turn left and head directly to King Plaza in front of City Hall. There, the athletes and coaches will be recognized by community leaders. Some “special guests� are likely to be present to greet the teams at the end of the parade.

The parade will mark the first time any city high school has been so honored, following the historic performances by both teams last month when they captured the school’s first state championships in each sport.

The Paly girls’ volleyball team, coached by Dave Winn, got the ball rolling by winning the CIF Division I state title with a fiveset victory over Long Beach Poly on Dec. 4 at San Jose State, finishing the season with a 41-1 re-

I

cord. The Vikings’ football team, coached by Earl Hansen, followed that by upsetting heavily favored Centennial-Corona, 15-13, to win the CIF Division I title on Dec. 17 in Carson, to finish 14-0.

Both teams established school records for single-season victories with their historic victories, giving Palo Alto High four state championships overall. The Palo Alto boys’ basketball teams also won state titles in 1993 and again in 2006.

The state title in football also earned Hansen the ESPN RISE Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year honor for the 2010 season. He is only one of six football coaches from the Central Coast Section to win the honor since 1970.

Hansen also has been selected to be the Grand Marshall of the parade, which is being sponsored by the Palo Alto Unified School District.

The parade and rally will be held in “football weather� (rain or shine).For more information on the parade route and street closures, please visit w w w. c i t y o f p a l o a l t o . o r g / paradeofchampions. N

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Community Health Education Programs Palo Alto Center 795 El Camino Real Lecture and Workshops Anatomy of Healthy Living Presented by Salwan AbiEzzi, M.D., PAMF Internal Medicine Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m., 650-853-4873

Living Well with Arthritis Health Lecture Series Presented by Christine Thorburn, M.D., PAMF Rheumatology Monday, Jan. 24, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

San Carlos Library, 650-591-0341 x237

Your Baby’s Doctor Wednesday, Jan. 19, 7 to 9 p.m.

Taking Charge of Your Body Six-week class starting on Jan. 24, 6 to 8 p.m.

Bariatric Nutrition Orientation Every second Tuesday of the month, 4 to 6 p.m.

Living Well with Diabetes Tuesdays, 4:30 to 7 p.m.; Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Bariatric Nutrition Pre-Op Every second Tuesday of the month, 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Living Well with Prediabetes First Monday of the month, 9 to 11 a.m., and third Wednesday of every other month, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Heart Smart Class Third and fourth Tuesday of every other month starting February, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

New Weigh of Life Begins on Wednesday, Jan. 12 – Mar. 30, 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Sweet Success Program (Gestational Diabetes) Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m

Post-Stroke Caregiver’s Workshop 650-565-8485 Thursday, Jan. 13, 4 to 6 p.m.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Child Care Classes Breastfeeding – Secrets for Success Saturday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m. to noon New Parent ABC’s – All About Baby Care Mondays, Jan. 17 & 24, 7 to 9 p.m.

Positive Discipline Dr. Marvin Small Memorial Parent Workshop Series Presented by Jane Weed Pomerantz, ParentsPlace Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Free orientation session. Tuesdays, noon to 1:30 p.m., and Thursdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

LifestepsÂŽ Weight Management 650-934-7373 Thursday, Jan. 6, 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Ash Kickers Smoking Cessation Six-week course on Tuesdays starting on Jan. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

MindBody Stress Management Mondays, three-session class starting on Jan. 10, 7 to 9 p.m.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Orientation, Monday, Jan. 31, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Nine-session program, Mondays starting on Feb. 7, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Nutrition and Diabetes Classes 650-934-7177 Diabetes Management Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays, dates vary by referrals and registrations, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Monday & Wednesday, or 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Tuesday) Healthy eating. Active living.

Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m.

Heart Smart Class Mondays or Tuesdays, dates vary by referrals and registrations, 2:30 to 6 p.m.

Living Well with Prediabetes Tuesdays or Thursdays, dates vary by referrals and registrations, 1:30 to 5 p.m.

New Weigh of Life Mondays, 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Sweet Success Gestational Diabetes Class Wednesdays, dates vary by referrals and registrations, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Preparing for Childbirth Without Medication Sunday, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Child Care Classes

Preparing for Birth – A Refresher Sunday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Breastfeeding Your Newborn Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 10 & 11 and Feb. 7 & 8

Baby Safety Basics Thursday, Jan. 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

PAMF Partners in Pregnancy Mondays, Jan. 10 & Feb. 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Preparing for Birth/Fast Track Three-session class starting Wednesday, Feb. 2, 7 to 9 p.m.

Preparing for Birth Saturdays starting Jan. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Prenatal Yoga Thursdays, Jan. 6, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

Childbirth Preparation Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Jan. 6, 7, 8, Feb. 3, 4 & 5, 6 to 9 p.m. (Thursday & Friday), 9 a.m. to noon (Saturday)

For all, register online or call 650-853-2960.

Feeding Your Young Child Tuesday, Jan. 18, 7 to 9 p.m.

Support Groups Bariatric 650-281-8908 Cancer 650-342-3749 CPAP 650-853-4729

Type 2 Diabetes: Basics and Beyond For Your Health Lecture Series Presented by Todd Kaye, M.D., PAMF Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Wednesday, Jan. 19, 7 to 8 p.m.

Living Well Classes 650-934-7373

Nutrition and Diabetes Classes 650-853-2961

Healthy Eating Type 2 Diabetes Third Wednesday of every other month, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Lecture and Workshops 650-934-7373

HMR Weight Management Program 650-404-8260

Living Well Classes 650-853-2960 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Orientation on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Eight-week session starts on Mondays & Tuesdays, Jan. 17 & 18, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Mountain View Center 701 E. El Camino Real

Diabetes 650-224-7872 Drug and Alcohol 650-853-2904

Healing Imagery for Cancer Patients 650-799-5512 Kidney 650-323-2225 Multiple Sclerosis 650-328-0179

Infant Care Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Jan. 4, 26, 29 & Feb. 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (weekdays), 10 a.m. to noon (Saturdays)

Infant Emergencies and CPR Wednesday, Jan. 5, 19 & Feb. 2, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Infant and Child CPR Monday, Jan. 10, 6 to 8 p.m.

OB Orientation Wednesday or Thursday, Jan. 12, 20 or 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Sibling Preparation Sunday, Jan. 16, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Tools to Active Birth Sunday, Jan. 16, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

What to Expect with Your Newborn Tuesday, Jan. 18, 7 to 8 p.m.

For all, register online or call 650-934-7373.

Free Appointments 650-934-7373 HICAP Counseling; Advance Health Care Directive Counseling; General Social Services (visits with our social worker)

Support Groups 650-934-7373 AWAKE

Bariatric Surgery

Breastfeeding

Chronic Fatigue

For a complete list of classes and class fees, lectures and health education resources, visit: pamf.org.

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