Palo Alto Weekly 07.08.2011 - Section 1

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Palo Alto

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City challenges housing goals Page 3

Turning the page Downtown Library reopens, equipped for the future page 16

SUPPORTLOCALJOURNALISM.ORG

Spectrum 12

Eating Out 24

ShopTalk 25

Movies 26

Puzzles 55

N Arts New musical takes ight

Page 21

N Sports Stanford divers make a splash

Page 29

N Home Lovely homes and trees in Crescent Park

Page 37

Perinatal Diagnostic Center

Packard Children’s Hospital

Obstetric Anesthesia

Center for Fetal Health

Stanford School of Medicine

TOGETHER WHAT DREW US HERE AS DOCTORS, DRAWS US BACK AS PATIENTS.

www.lpch.org

Obstetricians Karen Shin and Mary Parman spend their days caring for pregnant patients and delivering babies. Now that each doctor is pregnant with her ďŹ rst child, the choice of where to deliver is clear: right here where they deliver their patients’ babies, at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. “At Packard, every specialist you could ever need is available within minutes, around the clock. When you’ve seen how successfully the physicians, staff and nurses work, especially in unpredictable situations, you instinctively want that level of care for you and your baby.â€? To learn more about the services we provide to expectant mothers and babies, visit lpch.org

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Upfront

Local news, information and analysis

Palo Alto challenges regional growth projections City officials say regional agencies put too great a burden on Palo Alto to build housing by Gennady Sheyner

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regional plan to promote “sustainable communities� is facing a chorus of opposition from Palo Alto and other cities, many of which would have to build thousands of houses to accommodate the latest vision for the Bay Area’s future. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the plan, known as the

“Initial Vision Scenario,� on Monday night and consider the city’s response to the latest projections. The debate over long-term growth and housing projections highlights the challenges facing regional agencies as they try to meet the goals of Senate Bill 375, a landmark 2008 bill that seeks to reduce green-house gas emissions

by promoting development near transportation corridors. The scenario unveiled by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has the goal of reducing per-capita gas emissions by 7 percent by 2020 and by 15 percent by 2035. But while officials from Palo Alto and other cities share the regional agencies’ zeal for transit-oriented developments and traffic reduction, they are far more skeptical when it comes to the details. Council members and planning officials have

consistently argued that the regional housing projections are highly overstated and that the agencies’ methodology is fundamentally flawed. In May, the council slammed the proposed growth scenario and called for the entire plan to be overhauled. Though the planning agencies can’t force cities to build the new housing, they can withhold grants from those communities that don’t try to comply with the planning mandates. This means Palo Alto could potentially lose funding for road improvements and other transportation projects if it ignores the

ABAG/MTC proposal. At the same time, Palo Alto officials say they believe the projections are too inaccurate to be taken seriously. In late May, the city sent a letter to ABAG Executive Director Ezra Rapport, saying that the agency’s plan for sustainable communities is “highly unrealistic and in some ways contrary� to the goal of encouraging housing near transit. The Initial Vision Scenario calls for Palo Alto to plan for 11,990 housing units by 2035. The city currently (continued on page 10)

CITY HALL

Palo Alto may close Recycling Center City considers new refuse fees, Recycling Center closure to balance Refuse Fund by Gennady Sheyner

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Veronica Weber

Buster the pug likes to snuggle right up to patients, including Abby Tudor, in the dentist’s chair at Lori Doran-Garcia’s Palo Alto dental office. Cuddling with Buster ratchets down the anxiety level and helps patients relax, Doran-Garcia said.

HEALTH

Pug brings smile to dental patients Palo Alto office provides canine companionship during exams by Karla Kane

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entist Lori Doran-Garcia’s Palo Alto office is equipped with the usual features: reclining examination chairs, sample toothbrushes, a friendly front-

desk staff. But there’s also a secret weapon: Buster, the 4.5-year-old pug who patients say makes dental checkups something worth smiling about.

Buster takes his job seriously. When his presence is requested, the portly 25-pound canine promptly hops up on the reclining patient’s lap and settles in for a good snuggle as Doran-Garcia goes about her work. Being able to hold Buster during a dental procedure helps distract patients from the otherwise often unpleasant chore of having teeth poked, prodded or even drilled, Doran-Garcia said. And the act of petting an animal has been proven to lower blood pressure, she added. She said Buster is especially helpful for young patients, or anyone who suffers from anxiety during appointments. When Buster was a small puppy,

Doran-Garcia, who has three other dogs at home and has worked from her Middlefield Road office for 20 years, began bringing him to work with her in order to crate-train him in the back room. But, she said, “Every patient kept asking to hold him.� Because of his popularity, he soon got so used to being a part of dental exams that he learned to remain perfectly still while patients hugged and petted him, and to not be bothered by the sights and sounds around him. In fact, he seems to see cuddling patients as his duty. “He will lay still the whole time. (continued on page 6)

alo Alto prides itself on recycling, but residents may soon find it more expensive and less convenient to divert their waste from landfills. The city is considering instituting a new rate for recycling and composting — services that are currently offered for free. At the same time, staff is exploring closing the Recycling Center in the Baylands, a facility that allows residents to drop off such non-recyclable items as fluorescent lamps, anti-freeze and auto batteries. The moves are part of a broader city effort to bring stability to the volatile Refuse Fund, which has been losing money for several years and is facing a $3.7 million deficit in the current fiscal year. City officials are also trying to bring the refuse system in compliance with Proposition 218, a state law that bars cities from setting rates that exceed the cost of providing the services for which these rates are charged. Palo Alto currently charges commercial customers more than the cost of the service provided. Residential customers, meanwhile, get a major subsidy from the city. According to a Public Works estimate, the residential rates would have to be raised by 79 percent and commercial rates lowered by 42 percent for parity to be reached. (continued on page 11)

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Upfront

PUBLISHER William S. Johnson

These are Rainbow Sandals Buy them new. Wear them to perfection

526 Waverley Street Downtown Palo Alto TOYANDSPORT COM s

EDITORIAL Jocelyn Dong, 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 Tom Gibboney, Spectrum 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 Jeff Carr, Janelle Eastman, Aaron Guggenheim, Casey Moore, Editorial Interns Leslie Shen, Arts & Entertainment 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, 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, Cathy Stringari, Doris Taylor, Business Associates

DISCOVER...

The T’enna Preschool Difference

Give your child a joyful early learning experience. Our play-based, family-centered approach builds a strong educational and social foundation for your child. 12 months–five years. We still have Fall 2011 openings for 3-5 year olds. Contact earlychildhood@paloaltojcc.org or call (650) 223-8788 for a tour. Scholarships are provided by the Jim Joseph Foundation in partnership with your local Jewish Federations & Bureau of Jewish Education.

Oshman Family JCC Leslie Family Early Childhood Education Center 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA, 94303 info@paloaltojcc.org | (650) 223-8700

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ADMINISTRATION Amy Renalds, Assistant to the Publisher & Promotions Director Janice Covolo, Receptionist Ruben Espinoza, Courier 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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. Copyright Š2011 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Printed by SFOP, Redwood City. The Palo Alto Weekly is available on the Internet via Palo Alto Online at: www.PaloAltoOnline.com Our e-mail addresses are: editor@paweekly.com, letters@paweekly.com, ads@paweekly.com. Missed delivery or start/stop your paper? Call 650 326-8210, or e-mail circulation@paweekly. com. You may also subscribe online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Subscriptions are $60/yr.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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450 CAMBRIDGE AVE, PALO ALTO, CA 94306 (650) 326-8210

You start with God. — Dr. Rick Schavone, Stanford University diving coach, on why incoming freshman diver Kristian Ipsen is so talented while comparing him to Tiger Woods. See story on page 29.

Around Town NO SNOOPING ... Library patrons concerned about other people snooping through their emails, online chats and computer research could soon have a reason to feel relieved. The state Legislation this week approved a proposal by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to upgrade California’s library-privacy laws, which currently protect only circulation and registration records. The bill was proposed by Cupertino resident Mary Minow, a library-law consultant, as part of Simitian’s annual “There Oughta Be a Law� contest. Senate Bill 445 would change the law to make all user records equally protected. “This simple change ensures that the more than a million Californians who use our public libraries every day will have their personal information protected,� Simitian said in a statement. The bill now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown for approval. FOR THE FOODIES ... The newest addition to University Avenue’s thriving restaurant scene will be half Korean, half French and full of bread, pastries and other baked goods. The Koreabased bakery and restaurant Paris Baguette is planning to set up shop at the prominent intersection of University Avenue and Waverley Street, a building formerly occupied by Jennifer’s Convertibles. The building, which stands next to Cheesecake Factory, is scheduled to undergo a host of renovations, including a metallic-finish storefront, a blue-tinted glass canopy and new aluminum-framed windows. The city’s Architectural Review Board approved the design Thursday morning. The project at 383 University Ave. would also make a contribution to the city’s art scene. The applicant proposed a hand-painted mural on Waverley featuring a “bicycle built for two and a riding couple seated in an alternative fashion, on handlebars.� TAKING CHARGE ... Palo Alto officials expect to decide in the next two months whether to hire a new fire chief or to permanently merge the leadership positions of the Fire and Police de-

partments. City Manager James Keene and Dennis Burns, who currently heads both departments, have been hashing out a proposal and expect to issue a recommendation to the City Council either just before or just after the council’s August break, Keene told the council’s Finance Committee on Tuesday night. The city has been without a permanent fire chief since Nick Marinaro retired in June 2010. Burns assumed leadership of the Fire Department on an interim basis immediately after Marinaro’s retirement. A 100-YEAR BRIDGE ... Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park officials have been brainstorming for more than a decade in hopes of finding a way to protect their cities from the flood-prone San Francisquito Creek. The effort to ward off the “100-year flood� (which, by definition, is expected to happen once every 100 years) could receive a boost in the coming months as the cities launch an effort to replace the old and substandard bridges spanning the creek. The first to go is expected to be the Newell Road Bridge, a 100-year-old structure that connects Palo Alto to East Palo Alto’s Woodland Park neighborhood. The cities, which work together in the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, are expecting a grant from the California Department of Transportation to pay for 89 percent of the cost for the design work, with the balance supplied by the authority. The Palo Alto City Council is scheduled to vote on the project and possibly authorize staff to accept the grant for the Newell Road bridge on Monday night. Staff estimates that it will cost $360,000 to perform the necessary engineering design work and the environmental analysis. Caltrans has already inspected the bridge and has classified it as “functionally obsolete.� Other bridges that could also see major renovations in the coming years are the Middlefield Road Bridge, the Pope/Chaucer Street Bridge and the University Avenue Bridge. N

Upfront EDUCATION

Major construction to greet high school students Long-planned projects will sprout on a half-dozen campuses this fall by Chris Kenrick onstruction projects will be underway when Palo Alto’s high school students return to their campuses this fall. August groundbreakings are likely for new, two-story classroom buildings on both campuses as well as for a new media arts center at Palo Alto High School and a new gymnasium and a second, single-story classroom building at Gunn. For Gunn students, an added bonus may offset the inconvenience of construction: Newly installed airconditioning will blow cool air in old classrooms that students have long complained were stifling. Throughout Palo Alto’s 17 public school campuses, projects that have been on the drawing boards since the passage of a $378 million facilities bond measure in 2008 are finally coming to fruition. The high school project price tags — $37.8 million for Gunn and $37 million for Paly — represent the largest yet under the bond measure, which was backed by 77.5 percent of district voters. The stated goal was to “expand, upgrade and improve� campuses to

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extend their useful lives and accommodate enrollment growth. Gunn and Paly are being prepared for capacities of 2,350 each (current enrollment is 1,879 at Gunn and 1,860 at Paly). JLS and Jordan middle schools are being expanded to accommodate 1,100 students each (current headcount at JLS is 1,007 and at Jordan 983). Terman is slated to remain stable at 675. At the fast-growing elementary level, up to 40 classrooms are being added city-wide to make room for a possible 900 additional students in the next five years. Beyond the projects at Paly and Gunn, the coming school year will see major activity on the following campuses: At Ohlone Elementary School, a new, two-story building with 12 classrooms — under construction since last fall — will be ready for occupancy by winter break. At Terman Middle School, a late fall groundbreaking is likely for renovations that include a complete remodeling of the administration and library wing as well as the cafetorium food area; the addition of a

drama classroom and miscellaneous classroom improvements. At Jordan, JLS and Fairmeadow Elementary School, groundbreaking is likely shortly after the December holidays for various projects. At Jordan, that includes a new, six-classroom wing paralleling the science wing now visible from Middlefield Road, as well as a new cafetorium that will be connected to the old cafetorium. The old cafetorium space will be reconfigured for music classrooms. At JLS, a new, two-story building will contain 10 classrooms, with a new courtyard and amphitheater. Construction at Fairmeadow will include a new two-story classroom building as well as relocation of kindergartners — and their play area — from classrooms facing East Meadow Drive to a wing next to the library. Future rounds of construction will include a new, state-of-the-art performing arts center at Paly as well as a new, two-story classroom building at Duveneck. N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be emailed at ckenrick@paweekly. com.

ENVIRONMENT

New POST head to focus on trail connections Walter Moore takes helm at open space trust following 24-year tenure of Audrey Rust by Chris Kenrick

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reating trail connections in the middle of a preserve, and among open-space parcels now it’s beautiful additional space,� on the Peninsula will be the Moore said. next great focus of local land presMoore spoke in an interview Friervation, says the new president of day in a glass-walled conference the Peninsula Open room at POST’s downSpace Trust. town Palo Alto headquarWalter Moore, who ters. Hanging throughout on July 1 took the the building are photos of helm of the venerable spectacular local scenery nonprofit following from POST-affiliated the 24-year tenure lands. of Audrey Rust, said In addition to Palo cuts in public fundAlto’s Arastradero piece, ing for parks leave it POST had a hand in savto groups like POST ing the popular Windy to finance trails and Hill in Portola Valley, parking so visitors Bair Island in Redwood can get to open-space City and the Phleger EsWalter Moore lands. tate in Woodside, among In its 34-year hismany projects. tory, POST has helped save 64,000 Just last week, the nonprofit sold acres in San Mateo, Santa Clara nearly 100 acres along Skyline and Santa Cruz counties by raising Ridge to the Midpeninsula Regional private funds to facilitate deals be- Open Space District, making way tween private landowners and pub- for a future trail connection between lic agencies. Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve For example, in the case of Palo and Skyline Ridge Open Space PreAlto’s 609-acre Arastradero Pre- serve. serve, POST in 2002 bought “the POST had acquired the parcel for hole in the doughnut� — a 13-acre $3.09 million last December, and privately-owned parcel — and held sold it to the open-space district for it for three years, allowing the city the same price. to raise funds from the California “We are working closely with (the Coastal Conservancy and others to open-space district) to plan a potenbuy it. tial new parking and trails staging “Otherwise you could have had a area at this site to make it easier for very large single-family home right the public to enjoy the phenomenal

trails and views from this beautiful spot along Skyline Ridge,� Moore said. POST also has saved more than 13,000 acres of agriculture and grazing on the San Mateo County coast through buying land that was subject to development, obtaining conservation easements to restrict future land use and then selling or leasing the parcels to farmers. A recent POST project opened to the public just last month is Little Basin, purchased in 1963 by HP founders Bill Hewlett and David Packard and used for decades as a venue for company picnics and retreats. HP transferred ownership of Little Basin to POST and the Sempervirens Fund in 2007 and the property recently was added to Big Basin State Park. The HP facilities — including campsites and picnic tables personally designed by Hewlett — are still there and available to the public, Moore said. Rosemary Young, wife of former HP CEO John Young, was among the local leaders — including venture capitalist Ward Paine, Sand Hill Road developer Tom Ford and Sunset magazine co-owner Mel Lane — who formed POST back in the late 1970s. (continued on page 6)

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Upfront

POST leader (continued from page 5)

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC £™nxĂŠ ÂœĂ•ÂˆĂƒĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠUĂŠ­ĂˆxäŽĂŠnxĂˆÂ‡ĂˆĂˆĂˆĂ“ĂŠUĂŠĂœĂœĂœ°vVVÂŤ>°ÂœĂ€}ĂŠ -Ă•Â˜`>ÞÊ7ÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ-Ă•Â˜`>ÞÊ-V…œœÂ?ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠ£ä\ääĂŠ>°Â“°

This Sunday: Isaiah 55:10-13 Daniel Ross-Jones preaching An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ

Stanford Memorial Church University Public Worship Stanford Memorial Church Sundays, 10:00 am

All are welcome. Information: 650-723-1762

Sermons by the Dean, the Senior Associate Dean and the Associate Dean for Religious Life, as well as occasional guest speakers Music featuring University Organist and Memorial Church Choir Director, Dr. Robert Huw Morgan http://religiouslife.stanford.edu

“They looked at the hills and the setting around them and thought it would be wonderful if there were a private, nonprofit partner to complement the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,� Moore said. “It would be able to raise money and work confidentially with landowners. “And the open-space district thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, in 10 or 20 years, POST could raise $1 million.’ “Well, we’ve raised hundreds of millions,� Moore said. As of June 30, 2010, POST had net assets of about $227 million. It

runs on an operating budget of about $15 million, according to financials posted on its website. POST frequently has partnered with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, which reaps annual revenues of about $15 million from property tax and is governed by an elected board. Moore, a real estate lawyer, joined POST in 1995 as general counsel. Asked about taking over from the nationally recognized Rust, he said simply, “I’m not going to fill those shoes. “Audrey has put POST in a position of strength and shaped our vision for what comes next.� N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be emailed at ckenrick@paweekly. com.

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.

Man awarded $750K in loss of Einstein letters

INSPIRATIONS 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

A man who lost valuable letters from Albert Einstein in a wildfire at Henry W. Coe State Park four years ago was awarded $750,000 in damages in civil court. (Posted July 7 at 9:06 a.m.)

DUI arrests up over Independence Day weekend Drunken driving arrests were up in the Bay Area over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with one fatality, California Highway Patrol officers reported. (Posted July 7 at 8:47 a.m.)

Atherton employees may strike over layoff plan Members of a union representing 16 Atherton employees authorized a strike Tuesday (July 5) after town negotiators, union representatives and a state mediator failed to reach an agreement regarding the town’s plan to lay off 13 employees and outsource public works and building department services. (Posted July 6 at 1:58 p.m.)

Mood disorders subject of Stanford event July 9 A day-long educational event on mood disorders and the latest advances will be held on July 9 at Stanford. (Posted July 5 at 12:27 p.m.)

Two mountain lion sightings reported in Woodside A mountain lion was seen early Tuesday morning (July 5) in Woodside, San Mateo County emergency officials said. (Posted July 5 at 10:39 a.m.)

Chili Cook-off draws thousands to Mitchell Park

july 9 & 10, 2011 10am to 5pm rinconada park embarcadero and newell 175 prestigious clay & glass artists demonstrations free admission valet parking 650-329-2366 www.clayglassfestival.com

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The 30th Annual Palo Alto Summer Festival and Chili Cook-off attracted thousands of people to Mitchell Park Monday (July 4). The annual celebration featured the heated chili competition as well as live music, line dancing, activities for kids and plenty of Independence Day revelry. (Posted July 5 at 9:30 a.m.)

East Palo Alto marks anniversary with festival East Palo Alto officials kicked off the Independence Day weekend Saturday (July 2) with a festival and a fireworks display to celebrate the city’s 28th anniversary. (Posted July 2 at 11:44 a.m.)

Nature lovers applaud expansion of Byxbee Park After years of anticipation, Palo Alto’s nature lovers jubilantly welcomed a new era Friday morning (July 1) when the city opened up a 36-acre swath of Byxbee Park, essentially doubling the park’s size. (Posted July 1 at 3:16 p.m.)

Two injured in crash near Foothill Expressway Two people were injured Friday morning (July 1) when a truck and a van collided off Foothill Expressway in Palo Alto, forcing the van to roll over. The collision happened at about 11 a.m. at the intersection of Hillview and Miranda avenues, near the VMWare headquarters at Stanford Research Park. (Posted July 1 at 12:15 p.m.)

Man dies, girl injured in Menlo Park crash A man died and a girl was injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Menlo Park Tuesday night (June 28), according to the California Highway Patrol. (Posted July 1 at 9:09 a.m.)

Dental pug

(continued from page 3)

Drilling doesn’t bother him. No noise bothers him. There are some kids I’d never be able to drill without Buster,� Doran-Garcia said, recalling that when one young patient started crying in fear, Buster fetched a favorite bone and offered it to the girl, as if to say, “It’s OK.� And when it’s time for his next client, Buster is ready to move on. “He knows when I’m done. He’s ready to go, and he goes to find the next patient,� she said. Mimi Tudor and her children Benjy and Abby are Menlo Park residents and longtime patients of Doran-Garcia’s. The family dropped by on a recent afternoon and said that the addition of Buster to the office roster has made their visits a treat. “This is a really happy place to be,� Tudor said. Describing herself as “majorly phobic� regarding pain and needles, she said Doran-Garcia and Buster’s laid-back vibe help her relax. Benjy, 12, said that unlike most kids, he actually looks forward to getting his teeth checked. As Buster settled on to his lap, Benjy said, “I feel his love.� When scheduling appointments, “We say, we’d like it ‘with,’� Tudor said, and the receptionist knows that means a request for pug assistance. “He’s definitely been an asset. Now I’m getting people who only come because of him,� Doran-Garcia laughed. “I think he’s unique, but other dogs could be trained,� she said, though she stressed that Buster is unusually mellow for his breed. “Patients have purchased pugs because of him and they’re all crazy,� she said. Though he’s not a certified therapy or service dog and has not received any specific training, DoranGarcia said she’s looked into it and is interested in doing more therapy work with Buster, including taking him on hospital and nursing-home visits. She also researched laws, health codes and regulations to make sure it was safe and legal to have Buster present in the office. “I never push him on anybody,� she said. “I’m really careful about allergies, or fears. He stays in the back unless he’s requested.� One elderly patient who didn’t feel it was appropriate to have a dog in the office left and found another dentist, but on the whole, response to Buster has been overwhelmingly positive, she said. “He makes so many people feel so comfortable. I have a lot of anxious patients, but he has really stepped it up� in terms of making them feel at ease, she said. Tudor said she particularly likes how he puts his head on her chest and leans his face right up to hers as if seeking to make eye contact. And luckily, as befitting a dog who works in dentistry, “Buster’s got good breath,� she said. N Editorial Assistant Karla Kane can be emailed at kkane@paweekly.com.

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Upfront BUSINESS

Local retailers feel Internet heat Competition with Internet-based stores changes strategies for independent shops by Casey Moore

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Robert and Marlene Krohn cofounded Robert Krohn Shoes in 1969 and moved the store to 825 El Camino Real, just outside Town & Country, in 1985. In 2001, Robert Krohn retired and sold the store to Riker. The store returned to Town & Country Village in 2008. But customer volume had decreased in recent years, Riker said, as a casualty of bargain-savvy consumer spending. “Brick-and-mortar stores can’t survive when you can buy the same thing online for 20 percent less,� Riker said. “It’s hard to compete with that.� Internet retail giants like Zappos. com are often exempt from the fixed costs that physical stores have to pay. Many Internet stores can afford to offer incentives like free shipping both ways and tax-free sales, thanks to headquarters in sales tax-free states. Online stores are “not paying sales reps, not paying rent,� said Paula Sandas, CEO of the Palo Alto

Heather Lee

he sole of Palo Alto has felt a great loss. Robert Krohn Shoes, a Palo Alto footwear retailer since 1969, closed its doors June 8, according to a sign posted on its brown papercovered windows in Town & Country Village. There are no immediate plans for replacement, said Jim Ellis of Ellis Partners, which manages Town & Country. Two other vacant stores border the space. A member of the Bay Area-based chain Euro Walk Shoes, Robert Krohn Shoes fell victim to the difficult economy and powerful online competitors, according to owner John Riker. “We just really felt the need to downsize to get healthy,� said Riker, who as the president of Euro Walk Shoes currently operates four other stores in Los Gatos, Danville, Rockridge and Davis, under the name Shuz. Euro Walk Shoes previously operated nine stores throughout northern California, according to a 2008 Weekly article.

Bill Burruss, owner of Know Knew Books on California Avenue, pauses while organizing the store’s remaining inventory. The store will be closing in August, after 23 years in business, but Burruss will continue selling used books online. Chamber of Commerce. “And the retailer can pay for shipping. For the customer, it’s a win-win situation.� Customers have certainly noticed. Nielsen reported in 2008 that 94 percent of American Internet users shop online. The highest amount of them had purchased books (41 percent), closely followed by shoes, clothing, and accessories (36 percent).

“People come into stores, try on shoes, and then buy them online at a discount,� Sandas said. But not all is lost to the Internet. Brick-and-mortar shoe stores have one thing that online stores cannot have, according to Alan Miklofsky, chairman of the board of directors of the National Shoe Retailers Association and president of the Tuc-

son, Ariz.-based Alan’s Shoe House chain. “You can’t experience the comfort of footwear just by looking at the product,� Miklofsky said. “We offer full service and sizing. ... We pay attention to the customer. Many people are willing to pay for this.�

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(continued on page 10)

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Art Center groundbreaking set for July 16 The Palo Alto Art Center will break ground on its $7.9 million renovation project with a free public celebration on Saturday (July 16) from 1 to 3 p.m., the city announced Tuesday. The afternoon event will feature official groundbreaking by Mayor Sid Espinosa and other city officials as well as participatory art projects, art tours and free Foster Brothers ice cream. Local artist Judy Gittelsohn will head up the creation of a mural that will decorate the center’s construction fence through the center’s reopening in summer 2012. Community members of all ages will be able to paint sections of the mural. Planned renovations to the Art Center include a new children and youth wing, gallery shop, redesigned classrooms, upgraded lighting and exhibition space, sustainable landscaping designs and access for the disabled. More information is available at the Art Center’s website, www.city ofpaloalto.org/artcenter. N — Casey Moore

Anti-gang coalition targets Nortenos, Surenos Federal, state, county and local law-enforcement agencies have joined East Palo Alto police to dismantle gangs blamed for a 3-month-old infant’s killing, police announced Wednesday (July 6). Vowing justice for Izack Jesus Jimenez Garcia, killed as a result of a feud between the Norteno and Sureno gangs on June 5 in East Palo Alto, the agencies’ officials announced a concerted plan to dismantle the gangs in the Bay Area. More than 70 officials from agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. and California Attorneys General, San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office and County Sheriff, California Department of Corrections and local city police departments took part in the half-day-long conference, which was closed to the media but opened afterward for a press briefing. East Palo Alto police Chief Ronald Davis said the law-enforcement agencies are holding the Nortenos and Surenos responsible for the death of Izack, who was allegedly shot in the head by 17-year-old Fabian Zaragoza, a purported gang member. Zaragoza allegedly mistook Izack’s family for gang members who beat him May 31 in Redwood City. “The murder of a 3-month-old is completely beyond humanity. There has to be a response to it so that every shot caller, every leader — regardless of whether he or she is in prison — has to know when something like that happens, the world comes down on them,� he said. The coalition began identifying key leadership within the gangs during Wednesday’s meeting, he said, and will put pressure on the gangs from Daly City to San Jose. Law enforcement will focus on disrupting the cash flow of gang leaders, whether those leaders are in or out of prison, he said. Many gangs started in prisons, and San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks said roughly 20 percent of the 1,000 prisoners in that county’s jails are validated gang members. There are 58 counties in California with similar problems, he noted. The problem of how to control their activities will only grow as the state realignment of prison populations pours thousands of inmates into the county systems. Many of those prisoners will undoubtedly be gang members still working their outside connections, he said. N — Sue Dremann

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The California Highway Patrol on Monday released a few more details about the emergency landing of a small aircraft on northbound Interstate 280 on Sunday. The pilot, Scott Bohannon, 53, of San Mateo, was forced to land on the highway north of Farm Hill Boulevard after the plane suffered a mechanical failure, according to the CHP. Bohannan had taken off from the San Carlos Airport on a test flight and was on his way back when the mechanical failure occurred, CHP Officer Art Montiel said. Bohannon radioed the airport as he was landing. The CHP began to receive reports at 7:13 p.m. that a small aircraft had landed on the highway. As officers were responding, the airport also contacted the CHP about the incident. The plane’s landing gear struck the roof of a 2009 Mercedes coupe driven by Wendy Kwon, 47, of Sausalito, that was also traveling north directly below the landing aircraft, CHP officials said. Kwon was alone in the car. The rear window of the car was broken, the roof was dented and the car was towed away from the scene, but there were no injuries. The plane, a 1975 Cessna, landed safely and was able to come to a stop on the highway’s shoulder. Traffic was light and was only moderately affected. The plane was towed to the airport. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the plane was conducting a photo mission when it lost engine power. N — Bay City News Service

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Internet sales (continued from page 8)

Miklofsky also cited other pressures that impact sellers including the world economy, heightened exchange rates between China and the United States, and increasing costs of materials, not just the spread of ecommerce. Many small businesses are studying the changes in the retail environment and repositioning themselves accordingly, Miklofsky said. Bill Burruss of Know Knew Books in Palo Alto could be a poster child for this type of repositioning. As owner of his used book store for 23 years, Burruss operates both his California Avenue store as well as an online store on bookseller rival Amazon.com. Amazon’s popular and highly successful model allows everyday sellers to list used books online for free, then pay transaction fees if the book is sold. (Frequent sellers are charged a flat rate of $40 per month.) “You can’t stop progress, so you better learn to live with it and use it

to your advantage,� Burruss said. Still, his expansion online has not saved his bricks-and-mortar business. The Know Knew Books store is scheduled to close “unless some miracle happens,� Burruss said. But his Internet store provides an avenue for him to continue selling used books, if in a less communityoriented forum. “It’s sad because I do think the store is valuable,� Burruss said, recalling the store’s community events that featured everything from break dancing to Stanford student plays. “But I will be able to drop the expense of the store. Actually, I do hope to gain more of a presence on the Internet.� Not all is lost for Robert Krohn Shoes, either. Riker plans to expand Euro Walk Shoes once the economy stabilizes — and even hopes to return to Palo Alto. “We wanted to downsize basically to show we could get bigger in the future,� Riker said. “We’re just going away for a short period of time.� N Editorial Intern Casey Moore can be emailed at cmoore@ paweekly.com.

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Regional growth (continued from page 3)

has 28,216 households, according to the 2010 Census. What’s particularly striking from the city’s perspective is that only 45 percent of these houses would be planned for areas that the city has identified as ripe for growth (mostly areas near major transit centers and corridors). The rest would be scattered in other parts of the city, including single-family neighborhoods. This “puts a significant burden on Palo Alto to provide more housing in areas without sufficient available land and in conflict with goals to provide housing close to transit and services,� Curtis Williams, the city’s planning director, wrote in a report to the council. The planning scenario calls for the city to build about 480 new houses per year, far more than the 200 units it’s been building per year over the past 14 years, according to Williams. “Staff believes this is an unrealistic rate of growth, particularly given the limited land resources and multiple other constraints,� Williams wrote. Other Santa Clara County cities, including Campbell and Mountain View, have expressed similar concerns about the regional projections, Williams wrote. Like Palo Alto, these cities argued in letters that the Initial Vision Scenario doesn’t adequately address job growth, transportation networks or the cities’ “extensive constraints� to new housing. These include school and road capacities and infrastructure. The subject of dense new housing developments is especially thorny in Palo Alto, which has seen a spike in large apartment complexes over the past decade, particularly in the southern part of the city. The city is now revising its Comprehensive Plan and has made it a priority to concentrate new housing near transit centers. Palo Alto is also trying to find ways to address its $500 million infrastructure backlog, which makes it even more difficult for the city to accommodate major growth in housing. At recent discussions, planning officials and council members agreed that there is no way the city could even come close to meeting ABAG’s projections unless the numbers get significantly scaled down. “In our mind, it’s not feasible to do that,� Williams told the Weekly. “We don’t have the infrastructure and support services to make that happen, even though they’re talking about grant funding to help with some of those things.� Williams said ABAG and the MTC are now devising alternative growth scenarios, including ones that would focus more growth in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, put a greater emphasis on placing jobs near transit centers, and concentrate new housing near “growth opportunity areas� identified by the cities. The agencies plan to release these concepts in the coming weeks. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

Upfront

Recycling Center (continued from page 3)

The City Council Finance Committee discussed on Tuesday night a variety of staff proposals for balancing the Refuse Fund’s short- and long-term budget deficits. The committee balked at a staff proposal to raise residential rates by about 13 percent in October and asked staff to instead consider a flat fee that could be added to each residential garbage bill. The fee would help cover the trash, recycling and composting services. The new fee is one of many changes the city is considering for its cash-strapped refuse operation, which depends on traditional trash for sustenance. The city loses revenue every time a customer goes green and switches from the standard 32-gallon trash can to the cheaper 16-gallon minican. So while residents are encouraged to recycle more and throw away less, these green efforts are also expanding the budget hole in the Refuse Fund. To deal with this problem, the city is undertaking a Cost of Service Study that would analyze the costs of each service and allow the city to completely overhaul its rates, possibly adding charges for composting and recycling. The study is scheduled to be completed in November. In the meantime, committee members agreed Tuesday on the flat fee for residential customers. Though a flat fee would not encourage conservation, it would bring the city closer to Proposition 218 compliance. The new fee would go in effect in October. Councilman Greg Schmid and Councilwoman Nancy Shepherd both said Tuesday that adding a fixed fee to customers’ refuse bills would bring the city closer to rate parity. Schmid said Tuesday he was “startled� by the existing disconnect in the Refuse Fund between what the residents pay and the services the city provides. Under the current system, he said, customers could be paying for services they might not get. “How can we be charging garbage

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rates to pay for all the other services?� Schmid asked. Staff also proposed saving money by replacing the existing Recycling Center with a smaller facility that would be open twice a week, four hours per day. It would cost about $525,000 to make the needed site improvements, but the city would save about $300,000 a year when compared to the cost of running the current facility. The committee, however, decided to take it a step further and asked staff to consider a full closure of the Recycling Center. Only about 6 percent of the city’s total recyclable items were deposited at the Recycling Center in fiscal year 2011 — down from about 13 percent in

2008, according to Public Works data. Councilman Greg Scharff said he would rather see the facility close and have the city add three to four “cleanup days� in which trucks would pick up items that would otherwise be bound for the Recycling Center. “I’d like to come up with a plan to eliminate the Recycling Center,� Scharff said. “I think it makes sense.� Residents would also be able to take their fluorescent lamps, cooking oil, CDs, motor oil and antifreeze to the Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station (SMaRT). Staff is scheduled to return to the committee on July 19 with a fee proposal and more thorough analysis of the possible closure of the Recycling Center. N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

CityView A round-up of

Palo Alto government action this week

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Finance Committee (July 5)

Trash: The committee discussed ways to raise revenues and cut expenses in the Refuse Fund and directed staff to return with a proposal for a flat fee for residential customers and analysis of a possible closure of the Recycling Center. Yes: Unanimous

Historic Resources Board (July 6)

Edgewood Plaza: The board held a preliminary review on 2080 Channing Ave., a proposal to renovate three retail structures at Edgewood Plaza, relocate one of the structures and build 10 houses. The board did not vote on the project. Action: None

Architectural Review Board (July 7)

200 San Antonio Road: The board discussed and generally supported a proposal by William Lyon Homes on behalf of Hewlett-Packard to relocate a sculpture. The board recommended a few slight modifications and continued the vote to a later date. Yes: Unanimous 383 University Ave.: The board discussed and approved proposed modifications to the site of Paris Baguette bakery and restaurant. Yes: Lee, Malone Prichard, Wasserman, Young No: Lew

Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to hold a joint meeting with the Utilities Advisory Commission; discuss the Rail Corridor Study; consider the “Initial Vision Scenario� from regional planning agencies; and consider the draft letter to Foothill-DeAnza Community College District regarding a possible sale of an 8-acre portion of Cubberley Community Center. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 11, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). COUNCIL POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss possible changes to the binding-arbitration provision in the City Charter. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The board plans to discuss 711 El Camino Real, a proposed zone change to enable construction of a boutique hotel across from the Westin and Sheraton hotels. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). INFRASTRUCTURE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss the city’s infrastructure backlog and possible ways to pay for the items on the list. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, in the Foothills Interpretive Center (3300 Page Mill Road). COUNCIL POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to conclude its discussion of possible changes to the binding-arbitration provision in the City Charter. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). N

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Editorial

Whither the recycling center? With use of Recycling Center declining and the city facing a budget shortfall, talk of closing center is not environmental heresy

W

hile the primary focus of Tuesday night’s meeting of the City Council Finance Committee was how to address a $3.7 million deficit in the city’s Refuse Fund, the newsworthy discussion focused on the idea of closing the Recycling Center in the Baylands. City staff had included an option of downsizing the center and limiting its operation to only eight hours a week in a list of budget-saving measures, but Councilman Greg Scharff argued that a better solution might be to close the facility altogether. With only 6 percent of the city’s recyclable items now being taken to the Recycling Center and the rest being collected through the curbside recycling program, Scharff is correct in wondering why the city should continue to operate the center. Years ago, prior to curbside recycling and, more recently, the implementation of single-stream recycling, the city’s Recycling Center was a bustling facility essential to serving our environmentally conscious community. But today the Recycling Center’s primary benefit is as a place to take items that cannot be placed curbside, including used florescent lights, large scrap metal, batteries, oil and other hazardous waste. While there is value in that service and its convenience to residents, it is hard to see how it continues to justify operation of a seven-day-a-week center that contributes to the large financial losses associated with trash pick-up and recycling. The bigger picture is a more difficult one to get across to city residents. As the curbside recycling program has become more and more successful at diverting solid waste away from trash, residents are increasingly shifting to the small 16-gallon mini-cans when just a few years ago they more typically used two full-size 32-gallon cans. This laudable shift has created enormous financial instability for the city’s trash operations, since the work required to collect trash and recyclables from homes has only become more complicated and costly while the revenues have declined as the cheaper mini-cans become the norm. In response, like other communities, the city has raised the prices for trash collection to try to keep revenues stable, and put the greater burden on commercial customers. The higher rates have accelerated a shift to fewer and smaller trash cans, putting more pressure on the city to again increase rates. Understandably, that has led some residents to complain that they are being punished financially for cutting back on their trash and doing a better job at recycling. The city staff is proposing another increase of about 13 percent for residential customers for this October, but the Council’s Finance Committee balked at the idea Tuesday night and urged a different approach: a flat fee added to everyone’s garbage bill that tied together the costs of not only trash collection but of recycling and composting services. Adding to the financial puzzle is that the law now forbids cities from charging some users more than the actual cost of services in order to subsidize the costs charged to others. In Palo Alto, commercial rates have been much higher than comparable residential rates compared to the costs of pick-up, and that disparity must be corrected. The staff estimates that residential rates would eventually need to be increased by 79 percent while commercial rates would decline by 42 percent for parity to be reached. A cost-of-service study, due to be completed in November, will determine exactly what shifts must take place. The real answer is in viewing trash and recycling as intertwined byproducts of our daily lives that need to be picked up and removed from our homes and businesses. We should all be striving to maximize what goes to recycling and minimize what goes to trash because we know it is good for the environment, not because of financial incentives. We can no longer expect to only pay for trash pick-up while receiving “freeâ€? pick-up of our recycling. In reality, it’s never been that way, since the cost of recycling has been factored into the overall costs of running the entire refuse operation. Moving to at least a partial flat-fee system that more accurately reflects the high fixed costs of picking up trash and recycling at every home and business and more honestly labels it on our utility bills makes sense. It also makes sense to look at every way possible to reduce the operating costs, including downsizing or eliminating the Recycling Center and reducing street sweeping, a weekly luxury that can no longer be justified. Zero waste is a laudable goal, and we’re making great progress. But as trash levels continue to be reduced and recycling increases we can’t pretend that the cost of collecting and transporting trash and recycling will somehow go anywhere but up. Page 12ĂŠUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions

Petition is misleading Editor, I would like to send this message out to other Palo Alto residents about the marijuana petition. Some of the people representing the initiative are trying to trick residents to sign the petition when they may be opposed to it. These people are going door-to-door or standing outside local grocery stores. I felt that the man who knocked on my door was misrepresenting his cause. He stated that he was “neutral� on the matter and that I needed to sign the petition in order to vote. He urged that even if I was against the initiative, that I should sign the petition. And if I did not sign the petition, then people who were in favor of the initiative would have more signatures and the initiative would pass. He was not upfront in stating that signing the petition would help put the initiative on the ballot in the first place. I eventually sensed what he was saying was rather fishy. However, I am sure that there are others who did get misled. Many of the signatures on the petition likely came from people who do not want the initiative to go to ballot and do not realize that they were actually helping the initiative. I think some of the people working for this initiative are using fraudulent methods of misrepresentation. It is important for Palo Alto residents to know what they are actually signing. And if enough people come forward and state that they were tricked into signing something that was misrepresented to them, the entire petition should be considered invalid. Lynn Huang Cowper Street Palo Alto

Don’t sell to Foothill Editor, Selling the Cubberley land to Foothill would be nuts if most of the classrooms that might ever be needed by the school district passed out of PAPAUSD hands. Also, the whole site serves many purposes, most of which require some parking. An expanded Foothill presence could easily compromise parking area and make the other uses difficult. Control of parking at the college campuses is community un-friendly. Raymond R. White Whitney Drive Mountain View

Waste-to-Resources or Resources-to-Waste? Editor, As Palo Altans consider whether to shut down their incinerator and rededicate 10 acres of capped landfill to make room for a sustainable, waste-toresource energy facility, they need not discuss the proposal in abstract terms — they can simply observe the tremendous success enjoyed by municipalities using the same technology. For almost 30 years, the East Bay Municipal Utility District has been using anaerobic digestion to transform

its sewage into methane gas. This “biogas� is functionally identical to natural gas; it can generate heat, electricity, and transportation fuel. Today, with the addition of local food waste, EBMUD’s plant produces enough biogas to cover nearly all of its own energy costs. Last year this translated into nearly $3 million in ratepayer savings, while dramatically reducing waste and greenhouse-gas emissions. EBMUD is not the only utility employing this technology. Across the country others are achieving similar cost-savings via biogas. This proves anaerobic digestion is not only a superior form of waste management and clean-energy generation; it is also the most cost-effective option available. Meanwhile, Palo Alto residents are spending tens of millions of dollars to incinerate what their neighbors recognize as a source of revenue and renewable energy. The term “incinerator� is little more than an inelegant euphemism for what the device actually is: a pollution-manufacturing apparatus. Why is the home of Stanford University subsidizing pollution when it can earn a return on locally produced clean energy? Residents have the opportunity to transform one of Palo Alto’s worst en-

vironmental liabilities into a profitable model of sustainable development. Isn’t this a worthwhile exchange for 10 acres of landfilled “parkland�? Alex Digiorgio Cortland Avenue San Francisco

Sales-tax bill Editor, For too long, the state of California allowed the online competitors of brick and mortar stores to maintain a tax-free advantage. This has been a big problem for stores like mine and anyone who sells retail items that can be found online. Fortunately, during the budget negotiations, the concept of a sales tax instead of use tax for online shoppers was put into one of the budget bills. Competition in the market place is a basic and essential element to surviving as a small business. This is a huge relief for stores in downtown areas such as Palo Alto and business owners across the state. Thank you to our legislators and Governor Brown for passing and signing this important policy. Faith Bell Bell’s Books Emerson Street Palo Alto

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

What do you think? What do you think should be done with Palo Alto’s Recycling Center? 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 Media to also publish it online, including in our online archives and as a post on Town Square. For more information contact Editor Jocelyn Dong 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: Is Cubberley’s future an insoluble dilemma or a community test? by Jay Thorwaldson first got to know Cubberley High School when I learned how to touch type there one summer — when I was a freshman at Los Gatos High School with a summer job in Los Altos. Cubberley then was a spanking new campus that shined with potential for educating future generations of Palo Alto students as well as teaching typing to out-of-towners. I’d tried to enroll in the Los Gatos High typing class but was informed by the dean of boys that “freshmen are not mature enough to take typing� — a statement I thought was pretty dumb. So I called the Palo Alto Adult School and asked if there was an age limit. No, I was told, anyone can enroll “no matter how old they are.� What about “how young, like 17?� I asked. No problem. By fall I could hit 60 words a minute, tested error-free. In the fall I went back to the dean armed with my test results and asked to be excused from the sophomore beginning-typing class. He informed me a bit crustily that it was a required class. Dumb on dumber, I thought. So I spent a full semester blasting out “asdf jkl;�-type exercises and then sitting in class bored silly while others stumbled along. As I became editor of the student paper and went on into decades of journalism I always felt a loyalty to Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) and an affinity for Cubberley. But times change, student populations fluctuate, buildings that were once shiny with potential have inevitable wear and tear — like us, actually — and get to a point where they need

I

major maintenance, repair and perhaps rebuilding. Cubberley ended its high-school phase in 1979, when school enrollments were plummeting and the district had to cut back to two high schools, Gunn and Palo Alto. Cubberley since has had multiple uses. Those include a “Middlefield Campus� of Foothill College, under lease from the school district and part of the area owned by the City of Palo Alto. The district owns 27 acres and the city 8 acres. Some city offices and a variety of other “community� uses occupy much of the city’s part of the campus not used by Foothill. Among changes of time is that Palo Alto’s student population has exploded in recent years, to the point that parents and others have raised the question of “re-opening Cubberley� as a third high school to alleviate crowding in the other two. Details of the history, alternatives and possible futures can be seen in archives of Weekly stories and last week’s editorial, “The Cubberley conundrum,� on the Weekly’s website, www.PaloAltoOnline.com. The intensity of feeling about Cubberley is in full bloom in readers’ comments, which follow the editorial. It is important for advocates to understand the circumstances relating to how the community got into this dilemma. It has long been said that Palo Alto has its own “Law of Complexity� — that if it’s possible for something to become more complicated in Palo Alto it WILL do so. Thus it is with Cubberley. First, one shouldn’t underestimate the poor condition of the facilities. One community occupant cited several years of problems that included repeated cockroach invasions, leaking roofs, aggressive squirrels entering through unrepaired roof vents, broken bathrooms taking

up to two weeks to get fixed, power outages of up to three days, old phone lines creating static and shorts in Internet connections, a heating system that is shut down during winter vacation periods, and chronic parking and traffic problems. Second, there is a deep conviction among members of the Board of Education that the entire campus is needed for a potential third high school. That would mean rebuilding the campus sometime during the next decade or beyond — involving at least $50 million as a start plus annual staffing and operating costs. Third, there is a strong interest by the Foothill-De Anza Community College District in buying the city’s acreage for a new “Palo Alto Campus,� with ultimate expansion of the approximately 4,000 students now, many from Palo Alto. The district has funding from a voterapproved bond measure to build a new campus. The district is gunshy about leasing but might consider a really long-term lease. Otherwise there are a couple of other sites in the wings, including Sunnyvale. Palo Alto is sending a letter of interest to Foothill. There is the question of what to do about the current inhabitants of Cubberley. The artists and nonprofit organizations there have a huge base of supporters, vociferous in their advocacy of the low-rent tenants, correctly citing the good they bring to the community. So the impending push and pull about the future of the aging campus has plenty of pushers and pullers, most defensively concerned and some really angry. At least one petition drive has already been launched. So what next? Given the multiple stakeholders involved and the fixed positions that have emerged in our vocal and involved community, it may be too late for the community to talk its way out of the

Cubberley mess. In a very real sense, this will be a major test of Palo Alto’s collective ability to work through a perplexing problem. Everyone could do better homework, including learning how to spell “Cubberley� (not “Cubberly�). They might explore the remarkable agreement the city reached with the school district over leasing Cubberley and other schools to provide millions of dollars of funds to keep school programs alive and well. Not all “surplus� schools were sold, as some believe. Also, it has not been explained how the cashstrapped district would pay for a third high school, near- or long-term. Nor has anyone looked at what a “new� high school might look like, given the vast technological changes since my 1957 summer typing class. Would we design a high school following a 1950s pattern? Would we ignore the electronic-communications revolution — in an era when classes with computer-based avatars are actually being held in some places and “Middle College� for many high school students is real? Perhaps now is the time for a summit conference to explore what a “high school for the future� might look like, physically, technologically and educationally. This would be similar to a “design charrette,� an intense session used in land-use or building planning. Participants would include administrators and elected officials of PAUSD, Foothill-De Anza and Palo Alto, at least, with perhaps representation from existing tenants. It would be a real test of a community that some believe gets an A+ in defining problems but deserves an F on collaboration. N Former Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson can be emailed at jthorwaldson@paweekly. com. His blogs are available on www.PaloAltoOnline.com below the Town Square forum.

Streetwise

What do you think of the city’s potential sale of part of Cubberley Community Center? Asked on California Avenue, Palo Alto. Interviews and photographs by Aaron Guggenheim.

Robert Freeman

Teacher Kendall Avenue, Palo Alto “It’s stupid. It is such a beautiful asset.�

Kathleen Foley-Hughes

Executive Director of nonprofit Northampton Drive, Palo Alto “If another organization is going to make better use of it, that’d be great.�

Robert Syrett

Artist Chester Street, Menlo Park “There’s going to be more kids and they are going to need the space for schools.�

Estercita Aldinger

President of an insurance agency California Avenue, Palo Alto “The economy is at a stand-still and if Palo Alto really needs the revenue they might as well sell it now to an eager buyer than to jeopardize the potential income.�

Bette Kiernan

Psychotherapist Sherman Avenue, Palo Alto “I think Palo Alto is very precious and they should hang on to it.�

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Genevieve Marie Berwald January 9, 1921 – July 1, 2011

Genevieve “GiGi� Berwald passed away peacefully on Friday at her Palo Alto home of 57 years surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and her newest great grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John J. Berwald. Genevieve was born in Los Angeles and attended John Marshall High School and Queen of Angels Nursing School where she earned her R.N. After marrying John in 1943, she supported him in his long career at Standard Oil Company/Chevron and the many moves early in his career. The young couple moved from Los Angeles to Nebraska where John was stationed during the war. After the war, the couple moved to San Francisco, then to Seattle and back to Los Angeles before returning to San Francisco. Shortly after their move back to San Francisco, John and Genevieve, now with four young children, bought a home in the Greenmeadow development in South Palo Alto and added two more children for a total of six. Genevieve was the perfect mother to Patricia Jones, Janette Aljian, John R. Berwald (Suzanne), Michael Berwald (Allison), Matthew Berwald (Carla), and Mary Berwald. Genevieve was a loving Grandmother to Christopher Aljian, Michael Jones, Brian Aljian, Mi-

chele Aljian, John Berwald, Sean Berwald, Tessa Berwald, and Max Berwald. She was also a proud GreatGrandmother to Sebastian, Oliver, Kaylee, Joshua, Lucas, and Emmett. Genevieve was also survived by her brother Ray Matthews of Jacksonville, Oregon. GiGi was much loved by all that knew her including an extended family of friends and relatives. Genevieve worked part-time as a Registered Nurse at many area hospitals during the early years to help pay the expense of raising six children. She worked at the original Stanford Children’s Convalescent Hospital, Sequoia Hospital, and Peninsula Hospital. A memorial service was held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, July 7th at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 1095 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, CA. In lieu of owers the family suggests donation to Pathways Hospice of Sunnyvale, CA. PA I D

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Esther Hanson Johnson March 25, 1920-June 25, 2011

Esther Johnson, a lifelong resident of Santa Clara Valley, Calif., passed away in her sleep on June 25, 2011, with her husband and son by her side. Esther, born in 1920 in San Francisco to William and Margaret (Imrie) Wilson, grew up on a fruit and chicken ranch on West Parr Avenue, Campbell, with her sister Muriel. She shared many a fond memory with her grandchildren of raising these chickens for the local boys school near Campbell. Attending Campbell High (Class of ‘38) left her with close friendships that would last throughout her life. The “Campbell Co-edsâ€? met every month for many, many years, sharing memories of youth and proud accomplishments of children and grandchildren. Esther participated in CHS reunions well into her 80s. She was a proud civilian employee of the Department of the Army on Treasure Island during World War II, meeting her ďŹ rst husband, William Hanson, in San Francisco. They married in 1945 and from this union came her ďŹ rst beloved son, Bradley. Bill passed away in 1953 from complications with diabetes, leaving Esther to take care of Brad on her own. Taking a job in the secretarial pool with the then small company Hewlett Packard, Esther caught the eye of a young, newly widowed, east-coast transplant, electrical engineer and that was that. In 1957 Larry and Esther were married. That marriage lasted 54 years, ending just this week, far too soon for Larry. Kids came quickly, DJ and EJ, and travel and beach houses held much fun for all of them. Quietly adventuresome, Esther also traveled to China, Europe and across the U.S. Esther mentored her children in the art of

volunteering by being active in the Palo Alto RCG and Allied Arts Guild. She was gentle, with an engaging laugh, always having a kind word or sage advice for any occasion that needed support or celebration, and was the ďŹ rst one to offer her hand if help was needed. After her love for her family, Esther loved anything artistic. She quilted for decades with close friends from the valley; she excelled in oil, watercolor and pastel artistry; we all felt she could out-cook Julia Child (whom she idolized) if she wanted. Her chili was epic. Many thanks to all the caregivers (Christine, Sen, Sesilia, Negi, Homero, Ariceli, Marlene) who provided her with the kindest of care and support around the house. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry; two sons, Brad of Cobb, Calif.; Doug of Mountain View, Calif.; and one daughter, EJ/Liz of Caldwell, Idaho; three grandsons, Alex, Duncan and Jack; two granddaughters, Victoria and Derrick; preceded in death by her parents, ďŹ rst husband, Bill, sister, Muriel, and many more. We can rest knowing Esther is in Heaven having that cuppa with the rest of the family, watching us all. We miss you, Mom! A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Garden House in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos. PA I D

OBITUARY

CITY OF PALO ALTO RECREATION PRESENTS

27th Annual – Palo Alto Weekly

MOONLIGHT RUN & WALK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2O11

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Transitions Katherine Cutting Katherine “Kaye� Morrissey Cutting, 88, a 45-year resident of Menlo Park, died July 1, 2011, at Stanford University Medical Center following a brief illness. She was born in Connecticut on July 3, 1922. A graduate of Boston College with a degree in nursing, she served in the South Pacific and Japan during WWII as a nurse. Her family moved from the island of Aruba to Menlo Park in 1966. She

worked for the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Raychem and Alza Corp. She was also a volunteer at Treasures Hospice in Menlo Park. She is survived by her daughters Cathleen de los Reyes, Lynn Hansen and Eileen Cutting; son Paul L. Cutting; and five grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Stanford Medical Center, Stroke Center, Office of Medical Development, 300 Pasteur Dr. Palo Alto, CA 94305.

Daphne Enid Bellairs Daphne Enid Bellairs of Palo Alto, California, passed peacefully at her home at age 88 on June 12, 2011 after a long, valiant battle with breast cancer. Daughter of John Isherwood Bradshaw Bellairs and Violet Enid Downham of Derbyshire, England. Loving mother of Dean Bellairs, who will always remember and love her for her seless devotion to him. Grandmother to Hannah and Zachary of South Lake Tahoe. Services have been held. During WWII, Daphne was a nurse in the Royal Air Force and travelled all over the world. She lived in England, Brazil, Canada and ďŹ nally making Palo Alto her home. She will be remembered and loved forever by her friends and family for her beauty, charm, intelligence, indomitable spirit and thoughtful nature. PA I D

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Robert Mark Lefkowits December 10, 1947 - June 26, 2011 Bob passed away on Sunday June 26th, at the age of 63, from complications of a spinal cord injury sustained in 2006. A graduate of Highland Park High school in 1965, he went on to get a BS from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from the University of Michigan. A true entrepreneur, Bob’s career in marketing spanned four decades and nearly a dozen telecommunications start-ups in Silicon Valley. He had an adventurous spirit and a passion for travel and the outdoors. An accomplished, pilot, mountaineer and scuba diver, throughout his life he explored the tops of mountains, the bottoms of oceans, and everything in between. Traveling both with his family and for work, he enjoyed many destinations including China, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Hungary, and every state except Arkansas. His favorite destination was Crater Lake in Oregon. Many knew him as “Coach Bobâ€? for his involvement with his children’s basketball, soccer, and baseball teams. A dedicated husband, father, brother, son, uncle, cousin and friend, he is remembered by all as a kind spirit who pursued his dreams and lived his life to the fullest, but was never hesitant to put the needs of others in front of his own. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Connie, their sons Jeff and Brad, their daughter Heather and her husband John, and two grandchildren, Elle and Cade, as well as his father Stuart, sister Dee, brother Don and sister-in-law Laura and many adoring uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Elaine. In lieu of owers, donations can be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation (www.christopherreeve.org). A memorial service will be held at Spangler Mortuary (399 So. San Antonio Rd.) in Los Altos on Saturday July 9th at 1:30pm. PA I D

OBITUARY

Pulse

A weekly compendium of vital statistics

Palo Alto June 28-July 6 Violence related Assault with deadly weapon . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Elder abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Commercial burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Residential burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle related Abandoned auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Driving w/ suspended license . . . . . . . . .9 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . 11 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . 11 Vehicle stored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Animal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Annoying phone calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Misc. penal code violation . . . . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .4 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Menlo Park June 28-July 5 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Spousal abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Residential burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Vehicle related Driving with suspended license . . . . . . .9 Driving without a license . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle accident/injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Narcotics registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Miscellaneous Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Disturbing the peace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Graffiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Located missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Meet citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Probation violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Property for destruction . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious circumstance . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Atherton June 29-July 5 Theft related Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Suspicious vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Ticket sign-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Vehicle accident/prop damage. . . . . . . .1 Vehicle code violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Parking problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Alcohol or drug related Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Animal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Be on the lookout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Building/perimeter/area check . . . . . . . .9 Citizens assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Disturbance noise/fight. . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Meet citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1 Town ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Welfare check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

VIOLENT CRIMES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING of the City of Palo Alto Transportation Division Notice of Public Meeting Palo Alto Shuttle Program Public Open House DATE: TIME: PLACE:

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 6:00-8:00 PM Palo Alto City Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto 94306

The Palo Alto Shuttle program has been in operation since the year 2000 with two service routes: Crosstown and Embarcadero. The City is hosting an Open House to solicit public input regarding current routes and operations to ensure that the shuttle program is serving the needs of the community. The Open House will be an opportunity to meet with the City’s service providers, provide input regarding service or route changes for future consideration or general program feedback. For current route maps go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/shuttle. For further information, contact: shuttle@cityofpaloalto.org 650-329-2441.

Palo Alto Maddux Drive, 6/28, 2:23 p.m.; elder abuse. Addison Street, 6/28, 8:03 p.m.; assault with a deadly weapon. Ramona Circle, 7/2, 9:53 p.m.; suicide. University Avenue, 7/2, 11 p.m.; domestic violence. East Bayshore Road, 7/3, 7:33 p.m.; domestic violence.

Menlo Park 1300 block Willow Road, 6/30, 4:20 p.m.; battery. 1100 block Carlton Avenue, 7/5, 4:43 p.m.; battery. 1900 block Euclid Avenue, 7/3, 16:18 p.m.; spousal abuse.

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

Guy Russell Doran, DC Resident of Los Altos

WHAT ARE YOUR KIDS DOING THIS SUMMER? Join the YES FOR CHESS summer camp The camp runs from July 11th to 15th

“We’re a chess program that focuses on creative problem solving and having FUN.

No chess experience? No Problem! We teach beginning to advanced students

510-921-2081 www.yesforchess.com

Sibling discounts offered

(for more info regarding the camp)

Guy Doran left us on June 9, 2011. He was a 32 year resident of the peninsula. He was born in New York on July 29, 1951, and attended school in NYC and Galway, NY. After high school, Guy served in the Navy as a medic in Vietnam. Upon being discharged, he stayed in California, initially in San Diego, and then in the Bay Area. He had fallen in love with the ocean. Guy advanced his education at Foothill College where he also served as a Veteran’s Affairs coordinator. He graduated from Palmer West as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and began a long career as a health practitioner, radio personality and frequent seminar speaker. He is survived by loving friends, family and grateful patients. We remember Guy as a joyful and adventurous person who had an intense love for people and

reached out from his heart in a profound way. He was a constant learner - exploring new approaches for health, technology and treatments. He touched the lives of many people with his special gift and passion for healing. Many of his patients expressed how appreciative they felt for the healing work he did with them, and how deeply he cared about them. For one so full of vitality, he left us too early and leaves a big legacy. We will miss him. A celebration of Guy’s life will be held on Saturday, July 9, at 3pm at the Unity Church, 3391 MiddleďŹ eld Road, Palo Alto. Pot Luck Reception follows. PA I D

O B I T UA RY

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

PUBLIC NOTICE FORMER NAVAL AIR STATION MOFFETT FIELD 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:

LOS ALTOS VAULT & SAFE DEPOSIT CO. A private depository Safe deposit boxes of all sizes 7 ĂŠ , ʛ£t Strict and total conďŹ dentiality /Â…iĂ€iĂŠ ĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂŠÂ›Ă“ Secured and ample parking 6 ĂŠ /t Visit our facilities and judge for yourself. Data bank for important and conďŹ dential records.

SAFE FROM STATE & FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTRUSION IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HACKERS TO PENETRATE OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM. REASON — WE HAVE NO COMPUTERS. WE DO BUSINESS THE OLD FASHIONED WAY.

121 First Stre et , Los Altos, CA 9 4 022 Tel : 6 5 0 - 9 49 - 58 91 w w w.losaltosvault .com

Thursday, July 14, 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. For more information, contact Mr. Scott Anderson, Navy Base Realignment and Closure Environmental Coordinator at (619) 532-0938 or scott.d.anderson@navy.mil. Visit the Navy’s website: http://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/basepage.aspx?baseid=52&state=California&name=moffett *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠU Page 15

Cover Story Below, Joseph Mannino’s “Rock n’ Roll� sculpture can now be seen from inside the library. Top right, librarians hope a new children’s area will attract young families to the library. Lower right, Systems Administrator Martha Walters prepares for the Downtown Library’s reopening.

Right, the renovated library features an S-shaped technology area with color-changing lights overhead. Facing page, Palo Alto Library Foundation President Bern Beecham, Library Director Monique le Conge and Assistant Library Director Cornelia van Aken meet in the Downtown Library.

About the cover: Library Systems Administrator Martha Walters works behind the desk at the newly renovated Downtown Library. Photograph by Veronica Weber.

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Cover Story

Hitting the restart button

DOWNTOWN LIBRARY RE-OPENING RE-ENERGIZES PALO ALTO’S BRANCH SYSTEM

story by Jocelyn Dong photographs by Veronica Weber

Inside Palo Alto’s newly renovated Downtown Library recently, Cornelia van Aken rattled off a list of new programs the staff is planning for kids and adults: weekly family movie nights; technology “petting zoos�; a workshop on knitting scarves as holiday presents; a “Harry Potter� fest. The assistant library director could be forgiven if her voice was tinged with a certain “Field of Dreams� optimism. After 14 months and $3.2 million, the Downtown branch is re-opening July 16 with a host of new features, chief among them a community meeting room that can hold up to 60 people. Much like Kevin Costner’s character in the 1989 movie about a magical ballpark, van Aken envisions a raft of possibilities for the Forest Avenue branch. “We never had the opportunity to provide programming before.

There simply wasn’t the space,� she said of the 9,046-square-foot library. “Now we have a fantastic community room.� Though overlooked by some residents — the larger Main and Mitchell Park libraries attract far more patrons and more of the city’s resources — the Downtown branch has become symbolic of Palo Alto’s effort to hit the restart button on its library system. It is the first of three branches, along with Main and Mitchell Park, whose renovations are funded by Measure N, a $76 million bond passed by voters in

November 2008. Measure N’s approval was regarded as a significant milestone for the five-branch library system, putting to rest a contentious, decades-long debate about consolidating the branches into one central facility. The city is hailing the re-opening as “the auspicious start of a city-wide effort to bring state-ofthe-art library facilities to Palo Alto citizens.� But even with the fanfare and optimism, librarians and library supporters are the first to admit that where libraries are headed is anybody’s guess. “It’s a crystal ball that nobody can read more than two or three years out,� said Bern Beecham, former Palo Alto mayor and president of the Palo Alto Library Foundation, a nonprofit fundraising group. Libraries across the country are facing changing tides, as demand for digital resources such as e-books and databases — even, simply, for Internet access — has grown. More Americans are making greater use of their public libraries, according to a 2009 American Library Association survey, with the number of average in-person visits up, along with circulation of materials. “Public libraries throughout the country are really looking at who they are and what services they need to provide,� Library Director Monique le Conge said in an interview with the Weekly. “I think of the library as sort of the community’s living room. It’s the place where you can do homework, be entertained, read for fun, have a quiet space to relax, interact with your friends and family. Many libraries are adopting that model where its spaces are flexible (and) there are different kinds of seating for different needs, different kinds of tables, different technology.� National trends reflect that notion of the library as a community space. The American Library Association survey showed that, in addition to borrowing materials, 35 percent of library patrons rank (continued on next page)

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Cover Story

Library (continued from previous page)

Palo Alto’s first public library

P

hilanthropist Andrew Carnegie helped fund the first permanent library in Palo Alto, which was built in 1904 on Hamilton Avenue and Bryant Street, where City Hall now stands. Town trustee and later mayor John F. Parkinson had approached Carnegie for the funding during a trip to the East Coast and eventually was awarded a $10,000 grant, about half of what was needed, according to the monograph “Palo Alto and its Libraries — A Long-Time Love Affair� by Tom Wyman. But it was enough to get started. Residents crowded the street as the cornerstone was laid in 1903, with Stanford University president David Starr Jordan giving the keynote address. The new 5,000-volume Andrew Carnegie Library opened in 1904, a modified Florentine Renaissance structure with a red-tile roof and heavy-beam construction. Two years later, the sturdy edifice withstood the 1906 earthquake, but lowered property values from widespread damage reduced library funds. The earthquake brought other

problems to the library. “From our mattresses out on the front lawn, we could see the glare of the fire (in San Francisco) in the sky, and there was trouble at night in the Public Library with some hoodlum refugees from San Francisco,� first City Librarian Anne Hadden wrote. The city wanted to expand the library to add a newspaper room, children’s room and more shelf space in 1910 and again asked Carnegie for funding, but he refused. Subsequent library bonds for the expansion were narrowly defeated in 1912 and 1913, Wyman noted. But strong public support in 1921 resulted in passage of a $40,000 library bond, with a library annex built in 1922 by architects Arthur Clark and his son, Birge Clark. Library circulation topped 100,000 in 1925, Wyman noted. The library came to have additional uses in times of crises. It became a defense information center during World War II, and its basement was declared an emergency station in the event of a disaster, according to Wyman. By 1957 some in the city thought

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Palo Alto Historical Association

Andrew Carnegie Library on Hamilton Avenue preceded current branch downtown

The first permanent Palo Alto City Library opened on Hamilton Avenue in 1904, where City Hall now stands. it was time to shut the old library Library branch temporarily moved down. The city’s branch-library to a commercial storefront at 420 system was well under way: May- Ramona St. After four years and field (on California Avenue), Col- numerous delays, the new Downlege Terrace and Children’s librar- town Branch Library opened on ies had been constructed, and two March 8, 1971, at its present locamore libraries, Main and Mitchell tion at Bryant Street and Forest Park, were in the pipeline. Avenue. Residents protested loudly to The new library housed a senior the downtown library’s proposed center (now Avenidas, located at demolition. Some urged keeping the old police and fire station on the old building as a cultural and Bryant Street) and two large pubrecreation center for seniors; busi- lic meeting rooms, according to ness associations wanted to make Wyman. Decorative wrought-iron room for downtown parking, Wy- grille work — all that remained man said. from the Carnegie Library — was The Carnegie Library was de- incorporated in the new library’s molished in 1967 to make way front and back patio gates. N — Sue Dremann for City Hall and the underground parking structure. The Downtown

entertainment as a top reason to visit the library. Educational purposes — such as a place to do homework or take a class — also ranked high, with 28 percent of people using libraries for that reason. The Milpitas Public Library, a 60,000-square-foot facility, opened in January 2009 with private reading rooms, group-study rooms, a computer-training center, a conference room with a large flat-screen television, and a 200-person-capacity multipurpose room/theater with a stage, where book sales and live concerts are held. At a fraction of that size, Palo Alto’s renovated Downtown Library was nonetheless proposed in a 2009 city report as a place that should combine the characteristics of “(a) a traditional library with large physical collection, (b) modern bookstore and (c) neighborhood coffee shop.� When it re-opens in a week, the branch will have its own groupstudy room with an electronic Smart Board system; the ability to broadcast meetings from the 1,150square-foot community room; fiber-optic Internet connection for 12 public computers and eight laptops; and improved library-wide Wi-Fi access, so anyone with a laptop, tablet or other mobile device can drop in and easily surf the Web.

E

ven as libraries have started morphing into technologyoutfitted gathering spots, some

Cover Story have wondered if the rise of e-books will mean the decline of the value put on print. In Palo Alto, that debate heated up last November, when plans for the renovation of the Main Library showed that its collection of physical books would actually shrink. The Downtown branch will have about 19,000 items, including books, DVDs and CDs, on re-opening day. That’s more than it held in 2010, when the collection totaled about 11,200 volumes, according to the city. Over time, the collection is expected to grow to 21,572 items, le Conge said. And yet, that figure is much lower than the 35,000 that neighbors of the library lobbied for in 2009, gathering a petition with 500 signatures, according to Palo Alto resident Jeff Levinsky. The advocates said a larger collection of books was promised to Measure N voters. Levinsky, former president of the Friends of the Palo Alto Library, a fundraising nonprofit, has measured Downtown’s collection against those of 17 comparable library branches in California. “When you look at them, (Downtown’s) collection per capita is tied for last place,� he said. “It’s a concern.� But le Conge said the library’s collection of physical books will be maintained at capacity. While the rise of interest in e-books “is definitely a trend we need to pay attention to,� both e-books and physical books will be part of the library sys-

tem, she said. In the 2010 fiscal year, e-books and e-music accounted for just 0.5 percent of the Palo Alto library system’s collection. But interest is growing, le Conge said. In the five weeks since she started working for the city, the most frequent comments she’s heard have been about e-books and the need to have more available for library users, she said. A library-space consultant hired by the city estimated in March 2010 that e-books could account for 5 to 10 percent of the new Mitchell Park Library’s holdings. Beecham agreed e-books will play a growing role in public libraries, citing a study showing that 12 percent of American homes have ebook readers. “It’s where people are going. And the library has to adapt,� he said. “If we fail to keep the people who want to read electronically, who want to read their e-books ... then we lose both a lot of the benefit one would get from a library. “So we’ve got to have the programs and the resources and the capabilities people want us to have as we go into the future,� he said.

T

hat the 40-year-old Downtown branch is re-opening at all is a minor miracle. For decades, it has been one of the most embattled branches in Palo Alto. As city staff has bandied about the idea of consolidating the library system, Downtown has repeatedly been identified for closure, a reduced

collection or shorter hours. In 2004, then-Library Director Paula Simpson recommended establishing a single, full-service library at either Mitchell Park or Main, while turning the College Terrace and Downtown branches into facilities for other community services. The City Council rejected the controversial proposal, and in 2006 and 2007, council members made library improvements one of their top priorities of the year, which eventually led to Measure N in 2008. The bond’s passage ensured that the Downtown branch would survive for the foreseeable future. And so it opens its doors again. Three separate staff areas have been consolidated into one administrative office, allowing for an open central space. The dimly lit interior has given way to bright overhead lights and even a rainbow of LED lights embedded in an oval above the computer stations, with the tiny pinks, greens and purples cheerfully pulsating in patterns along the ceiling. The branch’s square angles have been softened with curved ceiling treatments, and the traditional shelving has been augmented with orange-and-blonde-wood “gondolas� — short, movable units that will enable librarians to reconfigure space as needed. The community room has retractable walls so the space can become a reading area when not in use. And the collection of books that (continued on next page)

Rediscovering Downtown

What:ĂŠ,iÂ‡ÂœÂŤi˜ˆ˜}ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŒÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠ ˆLĂ€>ÀÞ When:ĂŠ->ĂŒĂ•Ă€`>Ăž]ĂŠ Ă•Â?ĂžĂŠÂŁĂˆ]ʙ\ĂŽäĂŠ>°Â“°ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂˆĂŠ°Â“° Where:ÊÓÇäĂŠ ÂœĂ€iĂƒĂŒĂŠ Ă›i° What:ĂŠ,ˆLLÂœÂ˜ĂŠVĂ•ĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}]ĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂ“Ă•ĂƒÂˆV]ĂŠvÂˆĂ€iĂŠi˜}ˆ˜iĂŠĂ›ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒ°ĂŠ*iĂ€vÂœĂ€Â“iĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`iĂŠ >}ˆVĂŠ ˆŽi]ĂŠ ÂœĂœ}ÂˆĂ€Â?ĂŠ >Ă€iÂ˜ĂŠ+Ă•iĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠ Ă•ViĂŠ*Ă•ÂŤÂŤiĂŒĂŠ-Â…ÂœĂœ]ĂŠ >ÞÊ ÂˆĂ€`Ăƒ]ĂŠÂ?Ă•}}Â?iÀÊ /…œ“>ĂƒĂŠ/ÀՓ>Â˜ĂŠ œ…˜]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ >ĂžÂœĂ€ĂŠ-ˆ`ĂŠ ĂƒÂŤÂˆÂ˜ÂœĂƒ>½ĂƒĂŠ-ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂžĂŒÂˆÂ“i°ĂŠ,ivĂ€iĂƒÂ…Â“iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ `œ˜>ĂŒi`ĂŠLÞÊÂ?ÂœV>Â?ĂŠĂ€iĂƒĂŒ>Ă•Ă€>Â˜ĂŒĂƒ° Traffic impact:ĂŠ ÂœĂ€iĂƒĂŒĂŠ Ă›iÂ˜Ă•iĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠLiĂŠVÂ?ÂœĂƒi`ĂŠLiĂŒĂœiiÂ˜ĂŠ,>“œ˜>ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÀÞ>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ streets during the event Sponsors:ĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ ˆLĂ€>ÀÞÊ ÂœĂ•Â˜`>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Ă†ĂŠ Ă€Âˆi˜`ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ ˆLĂ€>ÀÞ Info:ĂŠĂœĂœĂœ°VÂˆĂŒĂžÂœvÂŤ>Â?Âœ>Â?ĂŒÂœ°ÂœĂ€}ÉÂ?ˆLĂ€>Ă€ĂžĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂˆxä‡Îә‡Ó{ĂŽĂˆ

Downtown details

Circulation: 76,104 ** Customer count: 99,644 ** Number of staff: 2 full time and 7 part time Original architects: Spencer, Lee and Busse Architects Renovation architects: Group 4 Architecture, Research and Planning, Inc. Renovation contractor: W.L. Butler Construction, Inc. Sustainability: Renovation is expected to get LEED Silver designation Funding: UĂŠ iĂƒÂˆ}Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŒĂ€Ă•VĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ­ i>ĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠ ĂŠpĂŠfĂ“°nÇxĂŠÂ“ÂˆÂ?Â?ˆœ˜Ž UĂŠĂŠ Ă•Ă€Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂ•Ă€iÉvˆĂ?ĂŒĂ•Ă€iÉiÂľĂ•ÂˆÂŤÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ­*>Â?ÂœĂŠ ˆLĂ€>ÀÞÊ ÂœĂ•Â˜`>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠpĂŠfÓÇx]äääÆ ĂŠ Ă€Âˆi˜`ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ ˆLĂ€>ÀÞÊpĂŠfÂŁ]äääŽ UĂŠ ÂœÂ?Â?iVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ­ Ă€Âˆi˜`ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ ˆLĂ€>ÀÞÊpĂŠfxä]äääŽ

Palo Alto library system by the numbers: Total collection:ĂŠĂ“n{]n{™I Number of e-books/e-music:ĂŠÂŁĂŽ]nÓÇI Uses of online databases:ĂŠÂŁxä]n™x]IĂŠĂ•ÂŤĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠÂŁÂŁÂŁ]Ă“Ă“nĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂˆÂœĂ€ĂŠĂži>Ă€ Percentage of Palo Alto residents with library cards:ĂŠx™°ĂˆI Budget (FY 2012):ĂŠfĂˆ°Â™{ĂŠÂ“ÂˆÂ?Â?ˆœ˜

* In fiscal year 2010 ** In fiscal year 2009, the most recent full year of operation Source: City of Palo Alto

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Cover Story

Library (continued from previous page) was criticized by some in the neighborhood as small and outdated is refreshed, according to van Aken, with old volumes replaced by updated ones. To aid in the task, the Friends of the Palo Alto Library recently gave funds to “enhance� the Downtown collection.

I

n spite of all the changes, the “Field of Dreams� question persists: Now that the city’s renovated it, will they come? The Downtown Library has always attracted the most eclectic mix of patrons of the five city branches,

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according to librarians — from unhoused men and women who use the computers to future billionaires employed by nearby startups to older adults who live in downtown condos. “It’s a microcosm of what Palo Alto is,� Library Specialist Dave Sigua said recently, gesturing to City Hall and downtown on one side of the branch and the University South and Professorville neighborhoods on the other. But missing from that mix have been the young families who live in the area and the teenagers who go to Palo Alto High. To see if the library can draw in those groups — along with more of the tech-savvy singles

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employed downtown — the librarians are planning outreach with programming, books, technology and new space. A cheerful children’s room has been added, complete with its own computer station amid the green and blue M&M-shaped cushions, magnetic walls for displaying kids’ artwork and shelves of books on dinosaurs, space ships and other topics. Before, the kids’ area “was, like, a shelf at the end,� Sigua said, only half-joking. Van Aken envisions baby storytimes in the community room, with 60 babies at a time being entertained by staff. To draw in teens, the library has added a young adults’ books collection. And librarians expect to host a “Breaking Dawn� party in November to celebrate the most recent film adaptation of the Twilight book series. As for the young entrepreneurs? Van Aken has already considered one idea: a 20s-30s singles’ book club. Those in the community who have battled to save the branch are glad to see it re-open. Jim Schmidt, president of the Friends of the Palo Alto Library, which has donated $2 million to the library system over the past 10 years, was one of those who fought to keep the branch alive. “My wife and I are big fans of the downtown library,� he said. “It’s a continuation of tradition that goes back to 1903. (See sidebar on the original Carnegie Library.) ... We’re glad to have the 100-plus-year tradition renewed. “It’s functionally and aesthetically pleasing,� Schmidt said. Le Conge knows that adjustments will be necessary to ensure that the library provides what the public is looking for. She said she welcomes feedback from the community through the library’s online suggestion form and in person. “As we continue to go forward, libraries will find ways to proactively respond or be just-in-time with all of the services that the community needs. More and more we’ll be asking all of the people in Palo Alto: ‘What do you want from us? What do you want to see? Are there certain collections you think we need more of? Are there programs you would like us to offer?’ And we’ll find ways to respond to the trends and the ideas we hear about in the community,� she said. While not dismissing past debates over Downtown, le Conge hailed the results of the renovation project. “The Downtown Library is a beautiful example of how the needs of the community were incorporated with all of the community’s needs in mind, whether it was for books, technology, programs, or a welcoming space for learning and entertainment. We will continue to use best practices so that we offer the most pro-active on-time services we possibly can,� she said. N Editor Jocelyn Dong can be emailed at jdong@paweekly.com.

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2011

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A musical in motion ‘Fly By Night’ continues to evolve as playwrights prepare for its TheatreWorks world premiere

Above: James Judy, left, playing Mr. McClam, sings a poignant song about his late wife as Wade McCollum (the Narrator) watches during a rehearsal for “Fly By Night.� story by Rebecca Wallace | photographs by Veronica Weber

I

Clockwise from top left: “Fly By Night� director Bill Fennelly gestures during a rehearsal; the show’s writers, Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick and Kim Rosenstock; Kristin Stokes playing Miriam and Ian Leonard as Harold.

magine that Chekhov suddenly decided his “Three Sisters� weren’t that keen on Moscow, and really they’d rather go to Khmelnitsky. If you were an actor at that rehearsal, you’d better hope you had a pencil with your script. Today’s TheatreWorks rehearsal is kind of like that. Maybe a bit less drastic. In a black-floored practice room in an industrial neighborhood of Menlo Park, cast members from the indie-rock musical “Fly By Night� are working on a scene. The 1965 New York City blackout has just hit. James Judy, playing the sad widower Mr. McClam, stumbles out of his bathtub. Michael McCormick, as the sandwich-shop owner Mr. Crabble, shouts at the tangled traffic. Soon, Mr. McClam gets lost in a reverie of his late wife. He sings a tender song about how they met. Smiling, he recalls how she invited him to “La Traviata,� and when he said he hated opera, she responded: “Who cares what you are listening to? It’s who you’re listening with.�

The song is lovely, and its words even rhyme with the wife’s name, Cecily Smith. The script, too, is lyrical. But “Fly By Night� is a new show, set for a world premiere next month. Its creators, who sit behind a long table with the director and stage manager, are not yet finished. “Can I make some changes?� asks Kim Rosenstock, who conceived the musical and is one of its writers, along with fellow playwright Michael Mitnick and musician Will Connolly. Everyone already has a pencil out. As the rehearsal proceeds, Rosenstock cuts and adds lines. The actors jot down changes on yellow script pages. One asks for clarification on a line. “Use the word ‘ripped’?� Rosenstock is thoughtful. “No. I like ‘pulled.’� At one point, the team tries to work out the proper farewell from one character to another. Rosenstock wonders aloud: “Should we have him say ... what do we want him to say?� “How about ‘Ciao?’� someone suggests.

(continued on next page)

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Arts & Entertainment

‘Fly By Night’

(continued from previous page)

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Page 22ĂŠUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

Rosenstock likes that. In fact, she decides to put in an extra “Ciao� earlier in the musical. “So he can be saying it three times in the show.� Lines and comedy work well in threes. Local theatergoers may have already seen “Fly By Night,� the tale of awkward sandwich maker-songwriter Harold McClam and his relationship with two sisters: aspiring actress Daphne and winsome waitress Miriam. While still in development, the musical was performed in Palo Alto as part of TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival last summer. The creators continually made changes, while reading comments handed in by audience members. Since then, the show was performed in a workshop series at Northwestern University, where “we did a lot of overhauling,� Mitnick says. Now it’s back for its official premiere. Three members of the cast are the same as last summer. Ian Leonard — who just played composer Jeff in TheatreWorks’ “[title of show]� — is back as the hapless Harold. Kristin Stokes returns as Miriam, and Wade McCollum will again portray the shape-shifting Narrator, who sometimes jumps in to play a role in the story. Judy and McCormick are new, along with Rachel Spencer Hewitt as Daphne and Keith Pinto as Joey, a theatrical producer with whom Daphne gets entwined. What remains the same are the musical’s themes. In an interview after rehearsal, Connolly notes that all the characters in this show of many storylines are “in between places; they all have shadows of doubt.� Miriam repeatedly sings, “I trust stars.� But she’s anxious and uncertain over a disturbing prophecy told to her by a fortune-teller (also played by the Narrator). Harold is lost, having no direction after the death of his mother, and his father is consumed by grief. While the show has humor and romance, there is darkness, and there is foreshadowing of the coming New York City blackout. Miriam’s storyline in particular highlights the question of fate versus free will, a conflict that Connolly says is woven throughout the story. “We hope that our audience members will be questioning where they themselves stand,� he says. Playing Miriam for the second time, Stokes says she feels she understands her character more — in part because she’s helped to create her. “Miriam hadn’t been developed that much. We got to develop her together,� says Stokes, whose previous TheatreWorks credits include “Doubt� and “The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue.� This year, Miriam remains someone who trusts in fate, who “sits back and lets things happen� at first, Stokes says. But the actress is also clearer on her character’s background, how devastated Miriam was when her father died, and how introverted she became afterward, she says. The “Fly By Night� writers are also seeing their vision of the show

get clearer. As they edit and refine, they question whether the story is being told in the best way, whether the characters’ motivations are clear, whether every song serves the story. This is something that the trio has experience with. Rosenstock and Mitnick have developed shows with many theater groups, and Connolly is also an actor and musician, who played guitar and bass in the New Works production of “Fly By Night.� Connolly will be watching from the audience this time. But he won’t hear all the songs he played last summer. One number that has been cut is a cheeky show-within-a-show tune in which Daphne and Joey portrayed accented tailors talking about a torn pair of pants (“Euripides, you pay for these�). Bits of the song remain elsewhere in the show, but “Euripides� as a whole does not, Connolly says. One reason was that Joey’s character wasn’t introduced until this Act Two number; now he has his own, earlier song, “It Can’t Fail,� in which he proposes his show to Daphne. Also, Mitnick adds, “Euripides� was a funny “charm song,� but it didn’t reveal more about a character, or move the plot along, which is key in a story with so many characters and storylines. Every moment counts. “It was a show-stopper in the wrong sense,� he says. Other changes have been made. The closing number is now the opening song. Various music and lines have been cut and added. On this very day, the writing team axed a comic monologue of Mr. Crabble’s that had been in since the beginning. These changes aren’t always easy to make, especially when a speech consistently gets laughs. “But you have to be rigorous,� Mitnick says, adding that the monologue ultimately felt “extraneous.� “It was very funny,� he adds, “but it went.� During the process, Mitnick and Connolly say, TheatreWorks has been very helpful. Being part of the New Works program gave the writers the opportunity to work on the show in residence last year, for starters. “TheatreWorks gave us the time and the space and the permission. We’ve thrown out a zillion failures along the way,� Connolly says. “They let us make changes on the fly. ... We’re dealing with a web of plots. It is a very delicate process. “The very first line of the show is ‘It’s hard to know where to begin.’ And it is hard to know.� N What: “Fly By Night,� a new musical by Kim Rosenstock, Michael Mitnick and Will Connolly, presented by TheatreWorks Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto When: The show previews July 13 through 15 at 8 p.m., then runs July 16 through Aug. 13: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. Cost: Tickets are $19-$69. Info: Go to theatreworks.org or call 650-463-1960.

PIZZA Pizza Chicago 424-9400 4115 El Camino Real, Palo Alto This IS the best pizza in town

of the week

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

POLYNESIAN AMERICAN

CHINESE

Armadillo Willy’s 941-2922

Su Hong – Menlo Park Dining Phone: 323–6852 To Go: 322–4631 Winner, Menlo Almanac “Best Of� 8 years in a row!

1031 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos Range: $5.00-13.00

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

Burmese Green Elephant Gourmet

INDIAN Darbar Indian Cuisine 321-6688 129 Lytton, Downtown Palo Alto Lunch Buffet M-F; Open 7 days Janta Indian Restaurant 462-5903 369 Lytton Ave., Downtown Palo Alto Lunch Buffet M-F; Organic Veggies

(650) 494-7391 Burmese & Chinese Cuisine 3950 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto (Charleston Shopping Center) Dine-In, Take-Out, Local Delivery-Catering

ITALIAN Spalti Ristorante 327-9390 417 California Ave, Palo Alto Ă?ÂľĂ•ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒiĂŠ œœ`ĂŠUĂŠ"Ă•ĂŒ`ÂœÂœĂ€ĂŠ ˆ˜ˆ˜} www.spalti.com

CHINESE Chef Chu’s (650) 948-2696 1067 N. San Antonio Road

Pompeii 949-2400 100 State St, Los Altos Lunch, Dinner, Catering and Take Out www.pompeiiristorante.com

on the corner of El Camino, Los Altos 2010 Best Chinese MV Voice & PA Weekly

Jing Jing 328-6885

JAPANESE & SUSHI Fuki Sushi 494-9383 4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Open 7 days a Week

Trader Vic’s 849-9800 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm; Sun 4:30 - 9:30pm Available for private luncheons Lounge open nightly Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-6 pm

SEAFOOD Cook’s Seafood 325-0604 751 El Camino Real, Menlo Park Seafood Dinners from $6.95 to $10.95 Scott’s Seafood 323-1555 #1 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto Open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Happy Hour 7 days a week 4-7 pm Full Bar, Banquets, Outdoor Seating www.scottsseafoodpa.com

THAI Thaiphoon Restaurant 323-7700 543 Emerson St., Palo Alto Full Bar, Outdoor Seating www.thaiphoonrestaurant.com Best Thai Restaurant in Palo Alto 5 Years in a Row, 2006-2010

Voted Best Thai Restaurant 2010

543 Emerson Street, Palo Alto

650-323-7700 (Between University and Hamilton in Downtown Palo Alto)

www.thaiphoonrestaurant.com

443 Emerson St., Palo Alto Authentic Szechwan, Hunan Food To Go, Delivery www.jingjinggourmet.com

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

New Tung Kee Noodle House 520 Showers Dr., MV in San Antonio Ctr. Voted MV Voice Best ‘01, ‘02, ‘03 & ‘04 Prices start at $4.75 947-8888

MEXICAN Palo Alto Sol 328-8840 408 California Ave, Palo Alto Ă•}iʓiÂ˜Ă•ĂŠUĂŠ œ“iĂƒĂŒĂžÂ?iĂŠ,iVÂˆÂŤiĂƒ Oaxacan Kitchen Mobile 321-8003 2010 Best Mexican We have hit the Road! Follow Us twitter.com/oaxacankitchen Become a Fan facebook.com/oaxacankitchenmobile Find Us www.OaxacanKitchenMobile.com

Siam Orchid 325-1994 496 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto Organic Thai Free Delivery to Palo Alto/Stanford/Menlo Park Order online at www.siamorchidpa.com

STEAKHOUSE Sundance the Steakhouse 321-6798 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2:00pm Dinner: Mon-Thu 5:00-10:00pm Fri-Sat 5:00-10:30pm, Sun 5:00-9:00pm www.sundancethesteakhouse.com

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

*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠU Page 23

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING of the City of Palo Alto Architectural Review Board (ARB) 8:30 A.M., Thursday, July 21, 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 Diana Tamale for information regarding business hours at 650.329.2144. 180 El Camino Real [11PLN-00182]: Request by Limited Brands for Bath and Body Works on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University for Architectural Review Board of a new storefront and one new LED halo illuminated wall sign, one externally lit blade sign and two pedestrian wall plaques at the Stanford Shopping Center. Zone District CC. Environmental Assessment: Exempt from the provisions of CEQA, 15301 (Existing Facilities).

Eating Out RESTAURANT REVIEW

2875 El Camino Real [11PLN-00128] –Request by Ken Hayes of Hayes Group Architects on behalf of Ehikian and Company for Architectural Review Board review of a new one-story, 3,250 square foot retail building. Zone District: CS (Service Commercial). Environmental Assessment: An initial study and mitigated negative declaration have been prepared.

Veronica Weber

Amy French Manager of Current Planning

The Swedish tartine sandwich at Birch Street contains plentiful radishes atop smoked salmon, bay shrimp, egg, cucumber, asparagus and dill. Waffle chips accompany the sandwich.

One door closes, another opens Owners shutter Bistro Elan, but open the sparkling Birch Street restaurant just a stroll away by Dale F. Bentson

A

fter operating the highly regarded Bistro Elan on Palo Alto’s California Avenue for 16 years, Andrea Hyde and husband/chef Ambjorn Lindskog closed the restaurant on July 2. Fortunately for diners, they didn’t travel far; they shifted their business just a stroll away to their new, smaller Birch Street location. “It was all about rent and the relationship with our landlord,â€? Hyde said of the move. “Many of our patrons met their partners on first dates at Bistro Elan; we watched families and kids grow; it was an extension of our living room. We hope we brought those sentiments with us.â€? I found that everything sparkled Page 24ĂŠUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

at Birch Street, including the food. The stainless steel of the kitchen was mimicked in cool gray walls and a shiny hardwood floor. The large front window and side transoms flooded the space with midday light. The drawback is the size: a dozen tables inside, a dozen more outdoors when the weather cooperates. As of this writing, the restaurant is open only for lunch. Dinner service is scheduled to commence on July 15. Diminutive Birch Street might be the only sit-down restaurant I have been in where the kitchen is larger than the dining room. Despite the nook size, it took the couple nine months to get through

the permit process and start construction on Birch Street. The end results were worthwhile, though. During my visits, patrons were lined up when the doors opened for lunch. By noon, getting a seat involved a short wait. Service was ever-prompt and the kitchen necessarily fast — people needed to get back to work. For starters, both soups were packed with flavor. The creamy corn chowder with red potatoes and leeks ($5 cup/$7.50 bowl) contained kernels of just-shucked corn, finely diced potato and ringlets of leek, all very fresh tasting. The chilled cucumber soup with yogurt, onion and dill ($5/$7.50) was rich and tangy; even a cup quelled the pangs of appetite. This soup was well-balanced and the dill used sparingly enough to taste the sweet/sourness of the yogurt. I loved the arugula salad ($11) with cara cara navel orange segments, Meyer lemon, lime, dates, hazelnuts and parmesan cheese. The salad was peppery, citrusy, crunchy with hints of sweetness. Of the main dishes, the panseared albacore tuna ($15.75) sat atop a bed of roasted burgundyred beets, avocado and snap peas, all dressed with a spicy paprika dressing. Flavors tumbled off the fork. Orecchiette (little ears) pasta ($15.75) was tossed with a slightly piquant house-made chili sausage (red pepper flakes, cumin, fennel) fresh English peas and pecorino cheese. The generous portion was long on flavor and satisfaction. The veal shank-stuffed cannelloni ($15) was packed with forktender meat and mushrooms under a blanket of roasted tomato sauce. A pile of crisp greens made a nice accompaniment. Birch Street features BN Ranch beef. BN are the initials of naturalmeat pioneer Bill Niman, founder of Niman Ranch meats. Niman left that business in 2007 and now raises superb grass-fed cattle on his own ranch in Bolinas. Niman makes a special all-beef hot dog exclusively for Birch Street ($7.50) with house-made waffle chips. Another superb sandwich was the Swedish tartine ($13.50) on toasted pain de mie (similar to a pullman, long and narrow) piled with smoked salmon, Oregon shrimp, cucumber, asparagus, hard-boiled egg, dill and mayo all covered with paper-thin radish slices. The sandwich was as pretty as it was delicious: a mini smorgasbord on an oversized flat of toast. It came with house waffle chips. Lindskog and Hyde have long

championed the Sunday California Avenue farmers market, where they buy all their seasonal produce. Several of the farms make supplemental deliveries during the week to maintain the freshest product. Finally, I’m not much of a fan of strawberry ice cream, but this one turned my head. The strawberries had been roasted before being churned into the cream. Roasting the berries evaporated the water and intensified the flavor. It was like eating strawberry-jam ice cream. Also available was a delicious chocolate-chip ice-cream sandwich and various tartlets including a lipsmacking caramel-chocolate tartlet. All desserts were $5, required no prep time and were delivered quickly to the table. The beverage list was more than adequate. Wines were offered by the glass, carafe and bottle. While we lament the passage of Bistro Elan, we can celebrate that Lindskog and Hyde have just relocated to a smaller venue a block away. Like its predecessor, Birch Street delivers an appealing seasonal menu and chic ambiance, at appetizing prices. N

Birch Street 2363 A Birch St., Palo Alto 650-853-0667 and 650-3270188 www.bistroelan.com Hours: Tue.-Sat.: Lunch: Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner: 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (starting July 15)

Reservations

Banquet

Credit cards

Catering

Lot Parking

Outdoor seating

Beer & wine Takeout Highchairs

Wheelchair access

Noise level: Loud Bathroom Cleanliness: Excellent

ShopTalk

PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL

MOROCCO’S IN MOUNTAIN VIEW ... Brothers Jay and Sham Essadki are busily sharing their native Moroccan culture with Castro Street these days. On July 1, they opened their second Morocco’s Restaurant in downtown Mountain View, expanding from their first San Jose location. Their fare reflects the “international influence in Morocco’s traditional dishes�: Berber, Moorish, Turkish, European and Arab, they said in a press release. The restaurant is located at 873 Castro St., at the address that previously housed the Vietnamese restaurant Savory. Morocco’s periodically features live music and belly dancing, including Moroccan music, flamenco guitar, jazz and blues. Menus are at moroccosrestaurant.com.

— Rebecca Wallace MORE PIZZA FOR PALO ALTO ... Pizza delivery and take-out chain Papa John’s is opening a location at 3898 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, in the vicinity of Stanford Driving School and Happy Donuts. The space, once filled by a rug store, is part of a low-key yellow building that also houses a laundromat, a kung fu studio, a dry cleaner and a Hawaiian barbecue restaurant. Final touches on the store appear to be underway and pizza should be forthcoming by around mid-July, saving any Papa John’s fans in Palo Alto a trip to the Mountain View branch, previously the closest.

— Leslie Shen TOY TRANSITION ... PlanToys, an international toymaking company that sells wooden toys billed as “eco-friendly,� recently opened its flagshop store at 508 University Ave. in downtown Palo Alto. Before, the site was home to The Playstore, which sold some PlanToys products. PlanToys was established in 1981 and for many years has sold its items online and at various retailers, including Palo Alto Sport Shop & Toy World. Puzzles, dollhouses, stacking rings, matching games and other toys are made from reclaimed wood from rubber trees in Thailand. In a press release, PlanToys USA president Kosin Virapornsawan called the company “carbon neutral� and said that it distributes its products in about 59 countries.

— Rebecca Wallace Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business moving out, or in, down the block or across town? Shop Talk will check it out. Email shoptalk@paweekly.com.

CITY OF PALO ALTO RECREATION PRESENTS

27th Annual – Palo Alto Weekly

MOONLIGHT RUN & WALK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2O11

Register now at PaloAltoOnline.com

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) AGENDA-SPECIAL MEETING-COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 11, 2011 - 6:00 PM STUDY SESSION 1. Joint Meeting With the Utilities Advisory Commission 2. Update on the Palo Alto Rail Corridor Study SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 3. Community Partners Non-ProďŹ t Presentation Friends of the Palo Alto Library CONSENT CALENDAR 4. Approval of a Gas Enterprise Fund Contract With HydromaxUSA, LLC for the Cross-bore Investigation and Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to Utilities Rule and Regulation 23 (B and C) 5. City Council Priorities Quarterly Report for the Period Ending June 30, 2011 6. Approval of a Renewed Public/Private Partnership Agreement with West Bay Opera for the Cooperative Use of the Lucie Stern Community Theatre 7. Adoption of a: 1) Budget Amendment Ordinance Creating a New General Fund Capital Improvement Program Project for Replacement of the Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek; 2) Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Program Supplement with the California Department of Transportation to Receive Highway Bridge Program Grant Funds; 3) Acceptance of Local Matching Funds in Approximate Amount of $42,000 from the Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority; and 4) Approval of the Scope of Work for Engineering Design/Environmental Planning Consultant for Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project 8. Approval of Amendment No. 4 to Service Order S07121018 for the Purchase of an Automated Pool Vehicle Reservation/Key Manager System ACTION ITEMS 9. Update of SB 375/Initial Vision Scenario for a Sustainable Communities Strategy and Direction on City’s Preliminary Response to Regional Agencies, and Update of Regional Housing Needs Assessment Process 10. Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Reorganization of an Approximately .65 Acre Territory Designated “Major Institution/University Landsâ€? Located in the County of Santa Clara and Second Reading for the Adoption of Two Ordinances: 1) Amendment of Title 18 of the PAMC to Add a New Chapter 18.36 (Hospital District), Adding Section 8.10.95 (Tree Removal in HD Zone) to Chapter 8.10 (Tree Preservation and Management Regulations) of Title 8 (Trees and Vegetation) and Amending Section 16.20.160(a)(1) (Special Purpose Signs) of Chapter 16.20 (Signs) of Title 16 (Building Regulations) and Amending Section 18.08.010 (Designation of General Districts) and Section 18.08.040 to Chapter 18.08 (Designation and Establishment of Districts); and 2) Approval of a Development Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and Stanford Hospital and Clinics; Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford; and the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University; and Update on Efforts to Address Comments Made by Parents of Students at the Stanford Arboretum Children’s Center 11. Council Consideration of Draft Letter of Interest to Foothill DeAnza Community College Including Options to Sell or Long Term Lease and a Request to Palo Alto UniďŹ ed School District Support and Possible Collaboration of Partnerships with Foothill College (TENTATIVE) AGENDA-SPECIAL MEETING-COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM JULY 12, 2011 - 6:00 PM 1) Interviews of the Utilities Advisory Commission Applicants STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Policy and Services Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m. regarding 1) Further Review & Discussion Regarding Possible Charter Amendments to; a) Repeal Binding Interest Arbitration Provision in City Charter for Public Safety; b) Substantially Modify Binding Interest Arbitration Provision in City Charter for Public Safety, 2) Discussion and Recommendation Regarding IPAD’s for Council and Approval of a Policy, 3) Capital Projects Percent for Art Policy Exemption and Planning Procedures, and 4) Discussion and Recommendation on the Proposed Implementation Plan for the Employee Hotline The Policy and Services Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m. Regarding: 1) Further Review & Discussion Regarding Possible Charter Amendments to; a) Repeal Binding Interest Arbitration Provision in City Charter for Public Safety; b) Substantially Modify Binding Interest Arbitration Provision in City Charter for Public Safety *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠU Page 25

Movies

MOVIE TIMES

OPENINGS Horrible Bosses ---

Movie times for the Century 16 are for Friday through Tuesday only, unless noted. Times for the Century 20 are for Friday through Monday unless noted. Midnight in Paris (PG-13) (((1/2

Century 20: 11:45 a.m.; 2:20, 4:50, 7:10 & 9:35 p.m. Guild Theatre: 2, 4:30, 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.

Monte Carlo (2011) (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: 10:45 a.m.; 1:20, 3:55, 6:40 & 9:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:05 a.m.; 1:45, 4:40, 7:25 & 10 p.m.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: 10:35 a.m. & 1 p.m. Century 20: 11:55 a.m.; 2:35, 5:05, 7:35 & 9:55 p.m.

Super 8 (PG-13) ((1/2

Century 16: 12:30, 3:30, 6:50 & 9:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 2:15, 5, 7:40 & 10:25 p.m.

A Better Life (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

Century 20: 12:30, 3, 5:30, 8 & 10:30 p.m. Palo Alto Square: 2, 4:45 & 7:20 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 9:45 p.m.

Bad Teacher (R) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: 10:55 a.m.; 1:40, 4:30, 7:15 & 9:35 p.m. Century 20: 10:45 a.m.; 1:05, 3:25, 5:50, 8:15 & 10:35 p.m.

Beginners (R) ((( Bridesmaids (R) (((1/2

Aquarius Theatre: 1:45, 4:15, 7:10 & 9:30 p.m.

Cars 2 (G) ((1/2

Century 16: 10:40 a.m.; 1:25, 4:10, 7 & 9:45 p.m.; In 3D at 11:40 a.m.; 2:50, 6:10 & 9 p.m. Century 20: 10:35 & 11:10 a.m.; 1:25, 4:15, 7 & 9:40 p.m.; In 3D at noon, 2:45, 5:40 & 8:30 p.m.

Transformers: Dark of the Century 16: 10:30 a.m.; 12:20, 2, 4, 6:10, 7:50 & 9:40 Moon (PG-13) p.m.; In 3D at 11:20 a.m.; 1:30, 3, 5, 7, 8:40 & 10:30 p.m. (Not Reviewed) Century 20: 10:25 a.m.; 12:05, 1:55, 3:35, 5:25, 7:05, 9 & 10:25 p.m.; In 3D at 11:20 a.m.; 1, 2:50, 4:25, 6:20, 8:05 & 9:45 p.m.

Casablanca (1942)

Stanford Theatre: Sat.-Thu. at 7:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. also at 3:40 p.m.

The Tree of Life (PG-13) ((((

Giselle in 3D (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 20: Tue. at noon & 7:30 p.m.

The Trip (Not Rated) ((( Aquarius Theatre: 2:15, 4:45, 7:30 & 9:55 p.m.

Green Lantern (PG-13) ((1/2

Century 16: In 3D at 10:30 a.m. & 1:15 p.m. Century 20: 1:50 & 7:20 p.m.; In 3D at 4:30 & 10:05 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 (PG-13) (((1/2

Century 16: Thu. at 12:01 a.m. (double feature with “Har ry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2�) Century 20: Thu. at 12:01 a.m. (double feature with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2�)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2 (PG-13) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: Thu. at 12:01, 12:02, 12:03, 12:04, 12:05 & 12:06 a.m.; In 3D Thu. at 12:01 & 12:02 a.m. Century 20: Thu. at 12:03, 12:10, 12:12, 12:14, 12:16, 12:18, 12:19, 12:20, 12:21, 12:22, 12:23, 12:24, 12:25 & 12:26 a.m.; In 3D Thu. at 5:30 p.m.; 12:01 & 12:05 a.m.

Century 16: 3:40, 7:10 & 10:10 p.m. a.m.; 2, 4:55, 7:45 & 10:40 p.m.

Century 20: 11

Harry Potter Marathon 3D Century 20: Thu. at 12:01 a.m. (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed) Horrible Bosses (R) (((

Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG) ((1/2

Palo Alto Square: 1:15 p.m.; Fri.-Tue. & Thu. also at 4:15 & 7:15 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 10:15 p.m.

X-Men: First Class 13) (((1/2

Century 16: 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. Century 20: 7:50 & (PG10:45 p.m.

Zookeeper (PG) (Not Reviewed)

Century 16: 10:30 & 11:30 a.m.; 1:10, 2:10, 3:50, 4:50, 6:30, 7:30, 9:20 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 10:50 a.m.; 12:10, 1:35, 2:40, 4:10, 5:15, 6:55, 7:50, 9:25 & 10:20 p.m.

( Skip it (( Some redeeming qualities ((( A good bet (((( Outstanding Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (266-9260) Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264)

Century 16: 10:30 a.m.; 12:55, 3:20, 4:10, 5:45, 7, 8:20, 9:50 & 10:45 p.m. Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 12:45, 2:15, 3:15, 4:45, 5:45, 7:15, 8:15, 9:50 & 10:45 p.m.

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

Century 16: 10:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.; In 3D at 12:45 & 5:15 p.m. Century 20: 10:40 a.m. & 3:20 p.m.; In 3D at 12:55 & 5:35 p.m.

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

Larry Crowne (PG-13) (( Century 16: 10:50 a.m.; 1:30, 4:20, 7:20 & 10 p.m. Century 20: 10:55 a.m.; 1:40, 4:20, 6:50 & 9:20 p.m. The Maltese Falcon (1941) Stanford Theatre: Sat.-Thu. at 5:35 & 9:25 p.m. The Metropolitan Opera: Century 16: Wed. at 6:30 p.m. Century 20: Wed. at La Fille du Regiment 6:30 p.m. Palo Alto Square: Wed. at 6:30 p.m. (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (266-9260) Stanford: 221 University Ave., Palo Alto (324-3700) Internet address: For show times, plot synopses, trailers and more information about films playing, go to Palo Alto Online at PaloAltoOnline.com.

“

THE CINEMATIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR.� M I C K L A S A L L E , SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

(Century 16, Century 20) Every so often a film about bumbling wannabe criminals comes around and bowls us over. “Horrible Bosses� follows the precedent set by such earlier crime-gone-awry comedies as “Ruthless People� (1986), “Throw Momma from the Train� (1987) and “Bottle Rocket� (1996) with gut-busting gusto. An exceptional cast led by Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development�), Charlie Day (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia�) and Jason Sudeikis (“Saturday Night Live�) helps keep the madcap antics entertaining and unpredictable. But a strong dose of very R-rated dialogue may turn off certain viewers. Nearly everyone can relate to working under an abusive or intrusive boss, but few employers can rival those depicted in this aptly titled chuckler. Tight-knit buddies Nick (Bateman), Dale (Day) and Kurt (Sudeikis) are suffering the transgressions of their three truly loathsome higher-ups. Nick’s boss, Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), is the bane of the bunch, a cruel and callous egomaniac who treats Nick worse than a dirty doormat. Kurt’s boss, Bobby Pellitt (Colin Farrell), is a selfish and irresponsible cocaine addict; and Dale’s beautiful dentist boss, Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston), makes sexual harassment an obscene norm at the workplace (“Yours doesn’t sound as bad,� the guys quip to Dale). Bubbling frustration and a night of drinking lead Nick, Dale and Kurt to hatch an ill-advised murder plot. Soon they are turning to advice from a shady ne’er-do-well (Jamie Foxx) and strategizing ways to off their bosses with all the intelligence of a throw pillow. As they get further immersed in their quickly unraveling scheme, all hell-arity breaks loose. The phenomenal cast shines in a film that is much more jovial than the title would suggest. Bateman plays it straight and keeps the film from veering into the overtly absurd. Spacey is at his most despicable and Farrell sleazes it up, while Aniston impresses as the consistently inappropriate Julia. But Day serves up the best laughs with his frenetic,

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live-wire performance. The film moves at a terrific pace thanks to its charismatic cast and unapologetic script. Although the adult language — especially Julia’s sexually explicit remarks — would likely make anti-cursing advocates fume, it feels perfectly apropos with the film’s theme and story. “Horrible Bosses� does not try to offend, but rather entertain and incite laughter, and in that regard it succeeds wonderfully. Who knew “Horrible� could be so hilarious? Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material. 1 hour, 40 minutes.

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Sports Shorts

DIVING

Talent of a Tiger

OF LOCAL NOTE . . . Atherton resident Jonathan Garrick will represent the West team at the 2011 Wyndham Cup golf tournament, set for July 2528 at Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, N.C. Garrick is one of 20 players selected to the West team, which will face the East in the American Junior Golf Association event. The rosters are made up of 10 boys and 10 girls. The West has won the past six showdowns . . . Palo Alto High girls’ volleyball will host open gyms on Mondays and Thursdays in July in the main gym from 7-9 p.m. Student athletes and incoming freshmen are welcome.

Stanford freshman Ipsen hopes to make a splash at Worlds by Keith Peters

K

CARDINAL CORNER . . . Stanford’s Coby Fleener has been named to the 2011 John Mackey Award preseason watch list, which was released Wednesday by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The award is given annually to the best tight end in college football. A fifth-year senior, Fleener has appeared in 38 games, including 11 starts, over the past three seasons. He is coming off his most productive season to date last year, when he caught 28 passes for 434 yards and seven touchdowns. He hauled in a career-high six receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns in Stanford’s Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech . . . Stanford’s 2011 football season opener against San Jose State on Sept. 3 at Stanford Stadium will be televised by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Kickoff time has been set for 2 p.m. For ticket information regarding the 2011 season, contact the Stanford Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-STANFORD or visit GoStanford.com . . . Stanford men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him on The Farm through the 2015-16 campaign. ON THE COURT . . . Men and women at least 18 years of age who want the chance to earn free tickets to one of the premier professional women’s tennis tournaments on the West Coast, can become a volunteer at the Bank of the West Classic, July 23-31 at the Taube Family Tennis Stadium at Stanford University. Volunteer positions are currently available in several areas including transportation, ushers, guest services, hospitality, and tournament administration. For more information please go to www.bankofthewestclassic.com and click on “Volunteers� to apply online. Volunteers will receive complimentary tickets to the tournament, a parking pass, and an official tournament shirt. They will be asked to work a minimum of four shifts during the event in order to qualify for these tournament benefits.

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

Incoming Stanford freshman Kristian Ipsen, regarded as the nation’s top high school male diver, has plenty of big goals once he becomes a Cardinal but first will compete at the FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China.

Keith Peters

READ MORE ONLINE

Photo illustration Paul Llewellyn

COACHING CORNER . . . Palo Alto Knights Youth Football is seeking experienced head and assistant football coaches for the 2011 season. Contact: Mike Piha 269-6100 or mike@ in2change.com.

ristian Ipsen isn’t a household name like Tiger Woods, at least not yet. The two, however, have something very much in common when it comes to athletic accomplishments. Both headed to Stanford University as prodigies. Woods started playing golf at age 2 and won every junior golf tournament imaginable before arriving on The Farm in 1994. In 1991 he was the youngest ever U.S. Junior Amateur champion and went on to win it twice more. He followed that with three U.S. Amateur titles, the first golfer to accomplish the feat. Ipsen started diving at age five. At age 8, he was the youngest diver to final on all three boards at the Junior National Championships and later became the youngest ever to win a junior national title. He has been featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd� and in 2008 was the youngest diver, at age 15, to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Ipsen, who will be a Stanford freshman this fall, is the most accomplished diver ever to attend the school. Most likely, he and Woods are among the select few who were so accomplished on the national level before arriving at Stanford. So, why is Kristian Ipsen so good? “You start with God,� said Stanford diving coach Dr. Rick Schavone. “You do that with every great athlete . . . He’s like a Tiger Woods; like a (Greg) Louganis . . . he’s been a star since he was 9 years old.� Ipsen, who won four straight North Coast Section titles at Concord’s De La Salle High and is arguably the No. 1 high school diver in the nation, was on Stanford’s campus this past weekend as a member of USA Diving’s World Championship team that had a two-day training camp at the Avery Aquatic Center. The team departed on Tuesday for Shanghai, China, where it will compete at the FINA World Championships. The diving runs from July 16-24, with swimming going from the 24th through the 31st. Ipsen, 18, will compete on the 3-meter springboard and join with 31-year-old Troy Dumais in the 3-meter synchro, where they dive together. “This is the most important meet there is for the U.S., outside of the Olympics,� Schavone said. The results at the World Championships will determine how many (continued on page 34)

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Future Hooper Camp Future Hooper camps are a fun way for kids grades K-4th to get early exposure to basketball. The camps teach basic skills and offer fun ways to practice through drills and games. Participants: K-4th Grade boys and girls Date: July 9th Time: 9:00am-12:00pm Parent Camp Bay Area Basketball Academy Parent Camps offer an exciting learning experience for both the player and the parent. Often the parents are the day-to-day coaches, and at this camp they can receive individualized feedback and instruction on how to best help their child. Participants: 5th-8th Grade Boys and Girls Date: July 23rd Time: 9:00am-12:00pm To register for an event or for more information about these and other Bay Area Basketball Academy programs, please go to

www.babasketballacademy.com

Sports

Local teams playing a game of survival in District 52 Majors Little League tourneys by James Huber

F

or the next few days, it’s all about survival for local Little League all-star teams in District 52 Majors tournament action. Squads from Palo Alto, MenloAtherton and Alpine-West Menlo all are on the brink of having their respective seasons come to an end. One more loss will do just that for three teams in the 11-12 tournament at Palo Alto’s Middlefield Ballpark. In fact, only one of the three is guar-

Can higher consciousness be measured?

anteed to survive Friday’s consolation-bracket games. Menlo-Atherton and Alpine-West Menlo will face each other at 5 p.m., with Palo Alto National taking on Foster City at 7:30 p.m. The Alpine/ M-A winner will face the Palo Alto-Foster City winner on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. That survivor will play Sunday (5:30 p.m.) against the loser of Hillsborough and San Carlos American. The District 52 11-12 championship game will be Monday at 7 p.m. A challenge game, if needed, will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. The district champion will advance to the Section 3 tournament in Danville. Palo Alto National was the last of the three local teams to be knocked into the consolation bracket. That

happened Tuesday night in a showdown with defending champion Hillsborough. According to a baseball adage, good pitching always beats good hitting. Hillsborough sure proved that bit of wisdom true as it rode pitcher Blake Marcus to a convincing 5-1 victory over Palo Alto National. After outscoring its opponents by a combined score of 26-2 in the first two games of the tournament, Palo Alto National was handcuffed by the hard-throwing Marcus and scored its only run on a sacrifice fly. “My control was better than usual. I’m usually pretty wild,� said Marcus, who didn’t have any walks on (continued on page 32)

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MENLO PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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July 16-17, 10am-6pm Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park s Contemporary Fine Art & Crafts s Fabulous Food & Wine s Refreshing Margaritas & Mojitos s Home & Garden Exhibits s Artisan Specialty Food Purveyors s Green Products Showcase s Health & Wellness Displays s Microbrew & Wine Tasting Tent s The Popular Chefs’ Demo Tent s Hang Out In The CUDA LOUNGE: Couches, Flat Screen TVs, Free Swag Natural Balance... “We create magniďŹ cent landscapes providing a sustainable natural balance between work and life. Presidio Bank‘s partnership with us reects a similar holistic approach, working with us to shape the growth and evolution of our business.â€? –John Vlay and Quang Trinh

Page 30ĂŠUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

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s Stellar Lineup of Rock’n Roll, Blues, Jazz & Party Music OTR, Wally’s Cocktail Combo, Brian Ho Trio, SF Bay Jazz, HeartStrings Music, Bob Culbertson, Jeffrey Michael

s Free Saturday After-Hours Concert David Martin’s House Party 5:30 – 8 p.m. in Fremont Park s Action-Packed Kids’ Fun Zone s AutoVino Collector Car Show s Experience the FORD DRIVE ONE TOUR: Browse, Compete, Win!

Info-line: 650-325-2818 | www.miramarevents.com

Sports

Palo Alto soccer team earns No. 1 ranking in the nation Boys’ 18-U team heads to nationals as the nation’s best by Keith Peters

G

Photo courtesy Palo Alto Blue 93

The Palo Alto Soccer Club’s Blue 93 Panthers will have an opportunity to play for a national championship later this month after earning gold medals by winning the Far West Region title on June 26 in Idaho. That triumph elevated the Panthers into the nation’s top spot among boys’ 18-U club teams.

unn High graduate Daniel Tirosh was only eight years old when he joined the Palo Alto Soccer Club’s Blue 93 Panthers. Every year the team made steady progress, from being ranked among the top 50 in the nation to the top 10. And now, to an even loftier status — No. 1. “It’s been a long time coming,� Tirosh, now 18, said of his boys’ 18-U club team’s latest ranking by gotsoccer.com. “It’s very cool. We’ve just slowly moved up over the years. It’s quite a journey.� The Blue 93 Panthers earned the nation’s top spot in their division after capturing the Far West Region tournament title on June 26 in Boise, Idaho. That gave them enough points to vault them past defending national champ Alpharetta Ambush 93 Red of Georgia. “The ranking is based on points, but we’re tying to prove it on the field,� Tirosh said. “We need to win the national championship to prove ourselves.� The Blue 93 Panthers will get that opportunity when it competes in the (continued on page 33)

CITY OF PALO ALTO PRESENTS – 27TH ANNUAL

PALO ALTO WEEKLY MOONLIGHT RUN & WALK Friday, September 9, 2O11

TIME & PLACE 5K walk 7:00pm, 10K run 8:15pm, 5K run 8:45pm. Race-night registration 6:00 to 8:00pm at City of Palo Alto Baylands Athletic Center, Embarcadero & Geng Roads (just east of the Embarcadero Exit off Highway 101). Parking — go to PaloAltoOnline.com to check for specific parking locations. COURSE

5K and 10K loop courses over Palo Alto Baylands levee, through the marshlands by the light of the Harvest Moon! Course is flat, USAT&F certified (10k run only) on levee and paved roads. Water at all stops. Course map available at www.PaloAltoOnline.com.

REGISTRATIONS & ENTRY FEE Pre-registration fee is $25 per entrant (postmarked by September 2, 2011) and includes a longsleeve t-shirt. Late/race-night registration is $30 and includes a shirt only while supplies last. Family package: Children 12 and under run free with a registered parent. A completed entry form for each child must be submitted with adult registration. Please indicate on form and include $15 for t-shirt. No confirmation of mail-in registration available. Registration also available online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Refunds will not be issued for no-show registrations and t-shirts will not be held. SPORTS TEAM/CLUBS: Pre-registration opportunity for organizations of 10 or more runners; e-mail MoonlightRun@paweekly.com. MINORS: If not pre-registered Minors under 18 MUST bring signed parental/waiver form (online) on race night to participate. DIVISIONS Age divisions: 9 & under; 10-12; 13-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69, and 70 & over with separate divisions for male and female runners in each age group. Race timing provided for 5K and 10K runs only; not 5K walk.

COMPUTERIZED RESULTS by A Change of Pace Chip timing by A Change of Pace. Race results will be posted on the Internet at www.PaloAltoOnline.com by 11pm race night. Registration forms must be filled out completely and correctly for results to be accurate. Race organizers are not responsible for incorrect results caused by incomplete or incorrect registration forms. You must register for the event you plan to participate in.

AWARDS/PRIZES/ENTERTAINMENT Top three finishers in each division. Prize giveaways and refreshments. DJ Alan Waltz. Pre-race warmups by Noxcuses Fitness, Palo Alto PALO ALTO GRAND PRIX Stanford

Road Race Series — Moonlight Run, 9/9; Marsh Madness, 10/23; Home Run, 11/13, for more information

go to www.paloaltogp.org.

BENEFICIARY Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund. A holiday-giving fund to benefit Palo Alto area non-profits and charitable organizations. In April 2011, 45 organizations received a total of $240,000 (from the 2010-2011 Holiday Fund.)

MORE INFORMATION Call (650) 463-4920, (650) 326-8210, email MoonlightRun@paweekly.com or go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com. For safety reasons, no dogs allowed on course for the 5K and 10K runs. They are welcome on the 5K walk only. No retractable leashes! Please bring your own clean-up bag. Jogging strollers welcome in the 5K walk or at the back of either run.

Flashlights/head lights recommended. First aid service and chiropractic evaluations will be available.

Register online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com GOT OLD SHOES? Change someone’s world with a pair of your shoes. Bring your gently worn shoes to the Moonlight Run and they will be sent to Djibouti, Africa. *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠU Page 31

Sports City of Palo Alto

NOTICE OF DIRECTOR’S HEARING To be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 21, 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 filed documents; contact Alicia Spotwood for information regarding business hours at 650-617-3168. 524 Hamilton Avenue 11PLN-00030: Request by Stephen Reller on behalf of Palo Alto Real Estate Investors for a Preliminary Parcel Map to create two commercial condominiums and one residential condominium. Environmental Assessment: A draft Initial Study and Negative Declaration have been prepared and circulated for public comment. Curtis Williams, Director of Planning and Community Environment

City of Palo Alto Notice of Hearing on Report and Assessment for Weed Abatement NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 10, 2011 the Fire Chief of the City of Palo Alto ďŹ led with the City Clerk of the City of Palo Alto a report and assessment on abatement of weeds within the City of Palo Alto, a copy of which is posted on the bulletin board at the Palo Alto Downtown Library. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that on August 1, 2011 at the hour of seven p.m. in the Council Chambers of Palo Alto City Hall, The Palo Alto weed abatement report and assessment list will be presented to the City Council of Palo Alto for consideration, conďŹ rmation, and order that costs of abatement to be a special assessment on the respective properties described therein, and that any and all persons interested, having any objections to said report and assessment list, or to any matter or thing contained therein, may appear at said time and place and be heard. Dated: July 8th and July 15th 2011 City Clerk of the City of Palo Alto

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING of the City of Palo Alto Transportation Division Public Meeting Notice Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan and Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Crossing Feasibility Study Public Open House DATE: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 TIME: 6:30-8:30 PM PLACE: Council Chambers, City Hall 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto 94301 This public meeting will be an opportunity for all interested parties to provide input on the project, programs and areas most important to improving walking and biking conditions in Palo Alto. At the meeting, Staff will review the Draft Report of the Palo Alto Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan and provide an update on the Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Crossing Feasibility Study in the vicinity of Adobe Creek. For additional information related to the project, please visit the City’s project website at: www.cityofpaloalto.org/bike or www.cityofpaloalto.org/101. For further information contact: transportation@cityofpaloalto. org or call (650) 329-2520. Page 32ĂŠUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊn]ĂŠĂ“䣣ĂŠUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž

Little League (continued from page 30)

the night. “I just went out there and did everything normally.� If “normal� means striking out 10 batters and only allowing three hits, then the rest of the District 52 all-star teams are in trouble as Hillsborough looks in prime position to defend its title. “Sometimes you’ve just got to tip your hat because that guy is tough,� said Palo Alto National manager Alex Byer. “That’s one of the better pitchers you’ll ever see in Little League.� Hillsborough set the tone early and was never really threatened the rest of the way. Michael Adams homered to start the game and left fielder Peter Love pushed the lead to 4-0 with a three-run home run later in the first inning. “What was great about today’s game was that we came out firing on all cylinders,� said Hillsborough assistant coach Brian Farr. “We hadn’t been hitting very well as a team lately and our bats really came alive.� The four-run lead proved to be more than enough support for Marcus, who only gave up one unearned run. The inning when Palo Alto scored its only run started off with Alec Olmstead reaching on an error to lead off the fourth inning. He later moved to third on Riley Schoeben’s double and was driven in by Eric Maser’s sacrifice fly to left field. Marcus snuffed out the rally, though, with a heads-up defensive play on Maser’s fly ball, cutting off the throw home and catching Schoeben trying to advance to third on the throw. Prior to Thursday night’s game with San Carlos American, Hillsborough had won its three games by a combined score of 9-2. It’s first two games were 3-1 and 1-0. Hillsborough manager Gary Goodman attributed his team’s close

games so far this tournament to the quality of play in the area. “District 52 is a superior district. We all have fun, but we all excel,â€? said Goodman of the local all-star teams. “I think (District 52) is one of the best Little League districts in the nation.â€? In the other winners’-bracket game on Tuesday night, San Carlos American beat Alpine/West Menlo, 6-4. San Carlos American scored three times in the third inning to take the lead and then escaped from jams in the last three innings without giving up any runs. In the top of the fourth, Alpine seemed to be on the verge of breaking the game open with the bases loaded with just one out. Two outs later, the score remained 5-4 as San Carlos escaped. In the top of the fifth, Alpine once again left the bases loaded while failing to score. Alpine had 10 hits and led by 4-2 after two innings. Ryan Klapper led Alpine with three hits while Harrison Armsby added two. On Wednesday, Menlo-Atherton remained alive with a 3-1 win over San Mateo American but Palo Alto American was eliminated following a 14-0 loss to Foster City in four innings. PA American trotted out three different pitchers to no avail, as Foster CityĂ­s hitters continually pounded out singles and doubles. Foster City scored eight runs in the first inning and six more in the third. “All credit to them,â€? said PA American manager Joe Adams. “Their hitting was just incredible and they played fantastic defense, too.â€? Foster CityĂ­s R.J. Teijeiro, Nicky NuĂ’ez and James Halpin combined to shut out PA American and only allowed two hits, with no Palo Alto runner getting farther than second base. Foster City had four consecutive hits in the eight-run first inning, with Joe Veglak collecting two of his game-high three RBI on a double that scored Halpin and Sam

NOTICE OF DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared by the Palo Alto Department of Planning and Community Environment for the project listed below. This document will be available for review and comment during a minimum 30-day inspection period beginning July 8, 2011 through August 8, 2011 during the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Development Center, 285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California. Application 11PLN-00128 will be considered at a public hearing by the Architectural Review Board on Thursday (July 21, 2011 ) at 8:30 a.m. in the Palo Alto City Council Chambers on the first floor of the Civic Center, located at 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, 2875 El Camino Real [11PLN-00128]: Request by Ken Hayes of Hayes Group Architects on behalf of Ehikian and Company for Architectural Review Board review of a new one-story, 3,250 square foot retail/office building. Zone District: CS (Service Commercial). Environmental Assessment: an Initial Study and Negative Declaration have been prepared.

Jacobson. Kyle Roux, Foster CityĂ­s nine-hitter, brought home two more runs with a line-drive single up the middle and in his second at-bat of the inning, Austin Mah had a tworun double down the left-field line. After escaping unscathed in the second inning, PA American wasnĂ­t so fortunate in the next frame. Foster CityĂ­s first three hitters all walked to lead off the third inning and scored on hits by Teijeiro, Halpin and Jacobson. “They just kept hitting and hitting,â€? PA American catcher Jake Rittman said. “Some of the (the Foster City players) already had facial hair, which was a little scary.â€? Despite the decisive loss, PA AmericanĂ­s players were in high spirits after the game. “Last year we went ĂŤone-two barbecueĂ­ and this year we came back and did really well and got three wins,â€? left fielder Matt Knowles said. “There was also a good atmosphere this year because we got to play Palo Alto National.â€? Adams had nothing but praise for his squad that defeated Ravenswood, Redwood City American and Belmont in the tournament after losing both of its all-star games last year by mercy rule. “I couldnĂ­t be prouder of the boys,â€? Adams said. “We knocked two teams out of the tournament and surprised a lot of people with our play, including myself.â€? Menlo-Atherton played in Wednesday’s early game and received solid pitching from Clay Prosser while advancing in the double-elimination tournament. Menlo Atherton scored one run in the bottom of the first on back-toback singles by Cole Hagerman and Blake Henry. San Mateo American tied the game in the top of the second on an RBI hit by Gabe Campos. The wheels came off the bus for San Mateo American in the bottom of the second when four walks, an error and a pass ball resulted in two runs for Menlo. The 3-1 score held up through six innings. In the District 52 Majors 10-11 all-star tourney in Belmont, all the local teams have been eliminated. Palo Alto American was the last remaining one until dropping a 9-8 decision to Foster City on Tuesday night despite a three-run homer by Bradley Smith. In the District 52 Majors 9-10 all-star tourney at Lakeshore Park in San Mateo, Alpine-West Menlo was knocked out of the winners’ bracket following a 3-1 loss to San Mateo National on Tuesday. Alpine next will play Friday against either Hillsborough or Pacifica American on the North Field at 5:30 p.m. Alpine would have to win Friday, Saturday and Sunday to reach Monday’s championship game (5:30 p.m.) and then win that to force a challenge game on Wednesday. N

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.

Join today: SupportLocalJournalism.org

Sports

Youth soccer (continued from page 31)

national tournament that runs July 27-31 in Phoenix, Ariz. The Panthers will be tested right away by No. 2-ranked Alpharetta Ambush 93 Red in the opening round. “We kind of like that because our team gets up for the big games,� Tirosh said. “We figure we have to play them sometime, so why not right away?� Tirosh, who will head off to UC Santa Cruz in the fall, said the national tournament will be like ending a chapter in his life. “The national championship game is kind of like the climax of my childhood,� he said. “After the tournament, our family will be going on vacation (to Hawaii) and then I’ll be going off to college. Hopefully, we can end this chapter with a national title.� Palo Alto, the Northern California champion, qualified for the national tourney by winning the Far West Region title by beating state champs from Hawaii, Nevada and Utah in addition to beating the Southern California champ twice. The second win over the SoCal team came on penalty kicks in the regional championship match. “Our coach (Rob Becerra) has always had two expectations before any game,� said Gunn High senior Sam Hayward, one of only two current high school players on the team. “One, that we give 100 perfect effort and, two, that we win. We have all bought into our coach’s system and it has worked to perfection. “Before the regional final, our assistant coach B.J. Noble, who has helped us tremendously over the years, reminded us before that game that a leader is only as strong as the pack. To understand how our team operates, you could sort of compare us to a tightly knit mob, in that we know that the group’s strength is far more important than any individual

talent.� Hayward said the team had some extra motivation heading into the regional finale. “We were all inspired to win at regionals, not only because we wanted that first-place prize, but because a few of our players had been injured recently and we all wanted them to play another game wearing a Palo Alto jersey.� The tourney title gave the Panthers a 33-2-3 record this season and a winning percentage of 86.8. Palo Alto has 21,187 points while the second-place Alpharetta Ambush 93 Red has 20,054. Those are the only club teams in the nation, in the 18-U division, that have won over 71 percent of their matches. The Panthers have scored 103 goals in 38 matches while allowing 22. The team has won four major tournaments since last August — the Santa Clara Sporting Invitational, NorCal Cup, California North State Cup and the Regional IV championship. Palo Alto also was a finalist at the San Diego Surf College Cup. “Basically the core of the team has been together since middle school and they play very well as a team, said John Raftrey, one of two team managers. “Nine different players scored at regionals; we don’t really have a superstar.� Some of the players will be playing in college this fall: Riley Hanley (Mountain View) at St Mary’s; Mackie Kelly (Mountain View) and Zac Hummel (Palo Alto) at UC Santa Cruz; Mark Raftrey (Palo Alto) at Pomona College; Grahame Fitz (Summit Prep) at University of Redlands; and Miguel Vazquez (Half Moon Bay) at Notre Dame du Namur. Jose Mendoza is already at UNLV and Fernando Salazar at Foothill. Other team members include Trevor Assaf (Crystal Springs grad), Cameron McElfresh (current Gunn), Andrew Wohl (Gunn grad), Yatam Kasznik (Gunn grad), Juan Gamez

(Mission, S.F., grad), Ian Leung (St. Francis grad), Even Coutre (St. Francis grad), A.J. Beloff (Carlmont grad) and Ricky Minno (Palo Alto grad). “To be on this team for nine years, and to have most of our success come at the very end of our team’s run, could not feel any sweeter,� Hayward said. “Our motivation to improve has always been very high and, although we went through a real rough patch a few years back, we never had any doubt that we could one day be the best team in the country.� In addition to the talented coaches the team has had over the years, team managers John Raftrey and

Gal Tirosh also have made a big contribution. “John Raftrey and Gal Tirosh have always been there for the team and are really the two architects behind everything that we have accomplished,� said Hayward. “Nothing would be possible today without these two masterminds working the strings behind the scenes.� The Panthers will spend the next few weeks training at the Cubberley Community Center while preparing for the national championships. “All of us are proud to represent the City of Palo Alto, a city a lot of us have grown up in our whole life,� Hayward said. “We have not always been the most athletic, the strongest,

or the most technically skilled team but our commitment to one another has always been there. We all back one another up and, more importantly, believe in one another. “Looking at most of our players you wouldn’t expect us to ever reach this far,� continued Hayward. “Lots of us were not recruited heavily and no one really stands out on the team as a superstar. But, combine our strengths, competitive attitudes, and desire to be the best, and you have one unstoppable team. To be No. 1 in the nation is a stellar feeling. But, it doesn’t mean much at this point since we still have four games to go to prove to everyone that we deserve it.� N

A great bike ride! SUPPORT LOCAL KIDS NON-PROFITS

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mile routes with a few hills Ride Day Registration

Public Meeting Notice Channing Avenue Striping and Bicycle Facility Options Public Open House

8 to 1O a.m. Menlo-Atherton High School

DATE: TIME: PLACE:

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 6:30-8:30 PM Community Room, Lucie Stern Community Center 1305 Middlefield, Palo Alto 94301

This public meeting will be an opportunity for all interested parties to provide input on the resurfacing options including improving bicycle facilities on Channing Avenue east of Middlefield. Resurfacing could begin as early as this fall after the completion of the storm drainage system improvement project currently in progress. For further information contact: transportation@cityofpaloalto.org or call (650) 329-2520.

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Sports

Real Estate Matters A LESSON IN EDUCATION If you're a parent, or plan to have children, then you already understand the advantages of a good school system. Any real estate professional will also tell you that a home in a good school district is a gem when it comes to resale value. As you scope out locations for your next move, there are some basic barometers for judging the quality of education near your home. Begin by checking out test scores. All you have to do is ask for the results. Closely tied to test scores is school attendance. High attendance indicates good teachers and suppor-

tive parents. Also look into the student-teacher ratio, the lower the better. You might also inquire about the average number of years teachers have been in the classroom. Another huge aspect of education, especially in high schools, is athletic performance. Your athletically inclined student may be eyeing sports scholarship opportunities, so those schools with very strong programs may be more appealing. Educating yourself about local schools before you make your move can pay off handsome dividends, not only for your children but also for the appreciation in the home you choose. Resale value increases in tandem with the quality of area schools, so do your homework.

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(continued from page 29)

berths the United States gets for the 2012 Summer Games in London. If Ipsen and Dumais finish among the top 12 on the 3-meter board in Shanghai, the USA gets two berths in that event for London. Ipsen and Dumais also need to finish among the top eight in synchro in order for the U.S. to have a team in that event. The Olympic Trials next summer will determine which U.S. athletes and teams fill whatever spots are available. “We’re expecting them (Ipsen and Dumais) to bring back two spots for the 3-meter and one spot for synchro,� Schavone said. Ipsen is more than ready for the challenge, even though he’ll be competing in an individual event at the World Championships for only the first time. At the 2009 World Championships in Rome, Ipsen and Dumais were second in the 3-meter synchro competition. “It would be great to have a medal,� Ipsen said. “I’m hoping to dive well, post some great scores and see what happens. If I dive poorly, I have no chance.� This will be Ipsen’s second trip to China in as many years. He competed in the 2010 FINA Diving World Cup in Qingdao, taking sixth on the individual 3-meter board and second (with Dumais) in synchro. That’s a long way from when Ipsen got started at age five while

growing up in Clayton, just south of Concord. Ipsen started off in gymnastics (for about three months) before gravitating to swimming, which proved repetitive. “I got bored just going back and forth,� he said. When a diving club opened in his neighborhood, Ipsen got hooked. “It was a perfect combination (of gymnastics and swimming),� said Ipsen, who now dives for veteran coach Phil Tonne and the Diablo Divers. While he also played baseball, tennis, golf and basketball, the 5-foot-7 Ipsen gave them all up

before heading off to De La Salle High. There, he dominated the NCS four straight years, breaking his own section record on the 1-meter springboard this past spring with a score of 708.60. During his 11 dives, he received a half-dozen perfect 10s from the judges. Despite being the nation’s top male prep diver and competing internationally during his high school career, Ipsen felt it was important to compete for his school, as well. “The school did so much for me, juggling my schedule when I had to (continued on next page)

Keith Peters

www.schoelerman.com

Diving

Incoming Stanford freshman Kristian Ipsen will dive at the FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China, starting July 16.

Start-Up Memberships Begin At $19

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(continued from previous page)

travel,� he said. “I thought it was important to dive for my school whenever possible.� “He’s just a great kid,� Schavone said of his incoming recruit. “His parents (Kent and Yvette) have done a great job. He’s probably had pressure on him since he was 10. The parents made sure that he wouldn’t put diving ahead of the family.� Both his parents also made it clear that Stanford was the choice for their son. For Kristian, it was an easy sell. “It’s absolutely beautiful,� he said of the Stanford campus. “It’s a great place to train and great for academics. And, I’ve been coming here since I was eight. I didn’t have a platform at my school, so I’d come down here during the summer a few days a week.� Ipsen looked right at home on Sunday as he and his USA Diving teammates tested the waters of the Maas Diving Center. Schavone can’t wait until Ipsen makes his Cardinal debut, which won’t include the platform right away. “We’ll hold off on the platform (his freshman year) because we don’t want him to get injured (before the 2012 Olympic Trials),� Schavone said. “But, his goal is to be NCAA champion on platform.� (as well as on the 1- and 3-meter boards). “I’m sure he wants to be the best NCAA diver ever,� Schavone said. Right now, Ipsen wants to continue his steady climb among the world’s best divers. The World Championships will provide him with the kind of experience he gained from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials as he learned to deal with his nerves in the pressure-packed competition. “It’s always nerve-wracking when you compete, but, I’m a lot more comfortable,� Ipsen said. “It would have been nice to make the team . . . I set pretty high goals.� Ipsen has plenty of reasons why he should expect the best. He won the 2007 Junior Pan Am Championships on the 3-meter board and placed first at the 2006 Junior World Championships on the 1-meter board. Ipsen has traveled to China, Italy and Germany and gained a wealth of experience from the veteran Dumais while the two have elevated themselves as this country’s top synchro diving team. “My own personal drive toward perfection keeps me going,� Ipsen said. “When something is wrong at practice with one of my dives, I get extremely frustrated and won’t be able to get out of the pool until it is fixed. “I love the adrenaline rush that I get when I am in the competition. Competing against different countries and going to different places around the world is the most fun part of my sport. Diving has influenced my life through all of the people I have met all around the world and all of the amazing places and adventures I have seen and had because of it.� The trip to the World Championships in Shanghai is just another grand experience for Ipsen, who hopes he can add London to that list in 2012. N

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