T H E H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R F O R M E N LO PA R K , AT H E RTO N , P O RTO L A VA L L E Y A N D W O O D S I D E
A P R I L 3 , 2 0 1 9 | VO L . 5 4 N O. 3 1
W W W. A L M A N AC N E W S . C O M
A growing business Portola Valley’s Brookside Orchids grows, sells and boards the cherished but demanding blooming plants Page 18
Redwood trees to come down | Page 10 Letters to the editor | Page 29 Home + Garden Design | INSIDE
THE ADDRESS IS THE PENINSU THE EXPERIENCE IS A IN PINEL
LOMA MAR $8,888,000
WOODSIDE $7,795,000
PALO ALTO $4,499,000
8140 Pescadero Creek Road | Land Q. Grimm/D. Chesler | 650.400.7879 License # 01405453/# 00675583
308 Olive Hill Lane | 3.3-ac Lot w/Approved Plans Helen & Brad Miller | 650.400.1317 License # 01142061 | # 00917768
2239 Wellesley Street | 2bd/1ba R. Flores/M. Lockwood | 650.434.4318 License # 02027985 | # 01017519
MILLBRAE $3,895,000
MENLO PARK $3,248,000
SARATOGA $2,588,000
241-255 Vallejo Court | 4 Units Nancy Palmer | 650.492.0200 License # 00525350
2240 Avy Avenue | 4bd/2ba Brad Verma | 650.665.0894 License # 02033592 BY APPOINTMENT
13685 Quito Road | 5bd/3ba Sophie Jo | 650.918.8994 License # 02001722 BY APPOINTMENT
SAN CARLOS $2,499,000
MENLO PARK $1,799,000
REDWOOD CITY $1,680,000
10 Shratton Avenue | 4bd/3ba Steve & Julie Quattrone | 650.505.4900 License # 01463726 | # 01519860 BY APPOINTMENT
4411 Fair Oaks Avenue | 3bd/2ba Mary Gilles | 650.814.0858 License # 01789710 OPEN SAT & SUN 1:00-4:00
2740 Carolina Avenue | 4bd/2ba Stephanie Nash | 650.995.3820 License # 01104524
MENLO PARK $1,199,000
REDWOOD CITY $1,195,000
REDWOOD CITY $848,000
150 Alma Street #213 | 2bd/2ba Liz Daschbach | 650.207.0781 License # 00969220 BY APPOINTMENT
102 Nueva Avenue | 2bd/1ba R. Flores/M. Lockwood | 650.434.4318 License # 02027985/# 01017519
1915 Redwood Avenue | 1bd/1ba Steve Korn | 650.208.5425 License # 01726902 BY APPOINTMENT
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Square footage, acreage, and other information herein, has been received from one or more of a variety of different sources. Such information has not been verified by Alain Pinel Realtors®. If important to buyers, buyers should conduct their own investigation.
2 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
PROPERTY S HOWCASE
BY HUGH CORNISH & ASSOCIATES
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY NEAR MENLO CIRCUS CLUB
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236 CAMINO AL LAGO, ATHERTON
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5-bedroom, 4.5-bath main residence; 1-bedroom, 1-bath guest house; ~9,400 total sq. ft.; ~19 acres
Offered at $14,495,000
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Offered at $9,995,000
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PENDING
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880 WESTRIDGE DRIVE, PORTOLA VALLEY
125 LAKEVIEW DRIVE, WOODSIDE
5-bedroom, 5-bath main home; 1-bedroom guest house; pool house, pool, spa, barn; over 9.7 acres
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Offered at $16,500,000
LaQuintaHermosaPV.com
Offered at $7,395,000
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STEPHANIE ELKINS VAN LINGE
650.400.2933 stephanie@hughcornish.com CalRE#00897565
125Lakeview.com
& A S S O C I AT E S HUGH CORNISH
HughCornish.com
650.619.6461 hugh@hughcornish.com CalRE#00912143
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalRE #01908304.
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 3
4 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
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Residents say promises not being kept as city’s bayside plan plays out By Kate Bradshaw
approval, neighborhood residents helped put together a list wo years in, Menlo Park’s of “community amenities” the plan to convert the city’s city should require of developformer light-industrial ers for constructing bigger, taller and warehouse district into buildings than would otherwise a high-density office, hous- be allowed. The final list was ing and biotech hub is hitting a menu-type document that lays out the different priorities, some snags. The plan, known as Connect- ranked according to survey Menlo, was expected to be decid- responses. They include things edly forward-looking, evaluating like improvements to sidewalks, city conditions out to 2040, but lighting and landscaping, a groin the two years since the plan cery store, restaurants, a pharwas approved, much of the macy, an ATM, job opportunew commercial development it nities for residents, improved allows has already been claimed educational opportunities for residents, and tree planting. by developers. Residents say they haven’t The plan permitted new growth in the area of Menlo Park seen any of the benefits they’ve roughly bounded by San Francis- asked for since the plan was put co Bay, University Avenue, U.S. into effect two years ago, even while they con101 and Marsh tinue to bear Road. Of the impacts of new amount of ‘You don’t see what the ever-worsening de velopment permitted in kids go through, what traffic condithe plan, 73 drive-through traffic is tions. These worsening conpercent of the available com- like. It takes 20 minutes ditions aren’t due to the zonmercial space to go one block.’ ing changes, and 69 percent RESIDENT VICKY ROBLEDO. since none of of the available the proposed office space have already been claimed by buildings has been constructed developers, and already develop- yet, as much as to traffic flowers want to build 57 more hotel ing to places to and from Menlo Park, since the neighborhood rooms than the city permitted. In contrast, only 46 percent of is at a key nexus for motorists the available number of housing traveling across the Dumbarton units have been claimed, and bridge across the Bay. This is worsened by the fact only 16 percent of the available square-footage to be dedicated to that the neighborhood is a trilife science use has been claimed, angle with few outlets, accessible only by the major commuter according to a staff report. arteries of Bayfront Expressway and Willow Road. Residents say Congestion a key concern As the city conducts its two- they routinely get stuck waiting year review of the plan, some in bumper-to-bumper gridlock residents in the neighborhood just to travel the few blocks to closest to all of the new planned leave their neighborhood. “You don’t see what kids go development, Belle Haven, are crying “enough.” Some plan- through, what drive-through ning commissioners are also traffic is like,” said resident grappling with how to give their Vicky Robledo. “It takes 20 minblessing to anything new, even utes to go one block,” she added. Mayor Ray Mueller said he developments that aim to minimize new vehicle traffic, given voted against the plan initially because it lacked an infrastructhe hellish traffic in the area. “It feels like the residents have ture plan to address the traffic been scammed,” neighborhood problems so much new developresident Sheryl Bims told the ment would bring. He also directed staff to look at City Council at its March 26 the potential impacts of Senate meeting. As part of the planning process that went into the plan’s See BAYSIDE PLAN, page 26 Almanac Staff Writer
T Photo by Magali Gauthier/The Almanac
Waiting patiently for her cuddles Minnie the poodle displays the calm demeanor that makes her the Palo Alto Humane Society’s ideal “therapy dog.” She and a PAHS volunteer visited a room full of Girl Scouts at Woodside Elementary School last week as part of the society’s classroom visitation program intended to teach children how to care for and bond with pets. After a presentation, the third-graders had a chance to hold and cuddle Minnie. See story on Page 22.
Portola Valley’s fire-danger challenges raise level of urgency among residents By Rick Radin
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ortola Valley residents know there are three roads that lead in and out of town. And they are aware of the escalating danger that fires in rural areas present, with the disastrous Camp Fire in Northern Caliifornia that claimed 71 lives as the latest example. Thus, a standing-room-only crowd showed up at a March 27 Town Council study session on wildfire preparation as part of an ongoing effort to get the jump on a potential emergency. “Fire safety is something the town has been discussing since incorporation (in 1964),” Town Manager Jeremy Dennis said. “It’s a concern of the town that a wildfire could be devastating.” As a result of the threat, many residents have had their fire insurance canceled or their premiums increased, said resident Michael Tomars, who reported that his insurance rates went up 120 percent. The study session discussion brought up removing brush and undergrowth to prevent fires from getting started, creating regulations for new home construction to minimize the fire risk, emergency evacuation planning, and communicating to residents about
how they can protect themselves. Since many Northern California wildfires have been started by sparking from power lines, Councilman Craig Hughes suggested that the town begin working with PG&E to consider undergrounding the lines in Portola Valley, a measure that requires about $20,000 per pole. “Although it is expensive, undergrounding is a cost-effective way of reducing the fire threat,” said Fire Chief Dan Ghiorso of the Woodside Fire Protection District, who pointed to efforts going on statewide to coordinate emergency efforts. The town has an emergency operations plan and an emergency operations center that operates 24 hours a day; it includes regular training for town staff and an emergency preparedness committee, Dennis said. Councilwoman Maryann Derwin emphasized the need for clearing brush from around homes, and suggested forming teams of volunteers to do the work. The town is considering setting up a demonstration parcel to practice brush clearing. “Hopefully we can give people a picture of what their homes would look like to be considered
safe,” Hughes said. Portola Valley is trying to increase evacuation routes on privately held land, and creating a plan that would give residents some idea of what to do if they need to exit quickly. Normal evacuation routes along Alpine, Portola and Arastradero roads have been bolstered by permission from Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve and Fogarty Winery to pass through their properties to safety. Evacuation plans and drills are no panacea, though. In Paradise, the Northern California town that was largely destroyed in the Camp Fire, some residents used a suggested escape route that drove them directly into the fire that was coming from an unexpected direction. “Every fire event is different and a plan isn’t necessarily good for an event that hasn’t been contemplated,” Dennis said. The council may create an ad hoc committee made up people from the community who have backgrounds in such fields as architecture, law enforcement and construction to study the issue, which it will revisit at its April 10 meeting. See FIRE DANGER, page 6
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 5
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Woodside considers how to tackle future pension woes By Rick Radin Almanac Staff Writer
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problem that’s been known as the “pension tsunami” across many California cities over the past two decades is now hitting home, albeit in more manageable proportions, in Woodside. The town has at least $3.5 million — and as much as $5 million — in unfunded liabilities for what it owes toward covering pension costs for its 20 employees who are members of CalPERS, the state employee pension plan for their retirements. “Every city is facing a pension crisis, with increasing costs,” Town Manager Kevin Bryant told the Town Council at its March 26 meeting. Bryant is proposing two options to solve the problem: Contributing reserve funds to a trust fund to augment its current level of support for CalPERS, or simply increasing its contribution to the pension plan directly. “We’re looking for things to cut (to pay for the added contributions), including limiting salaries and negotiating with employees for higher contributions,” Bryant said. Woodside was part of a pool of state towns, cities and agencies that were evaluated on how they were managing their pension costs, he said. However, new regulations require each city to come up with a figure for its own pension liability. According to a San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury report, Woodside was in the danger zone of unfunded liabilities in 2016-17 with a funded portion of 70.5 percent, nearly 10 percent short of the 80 percent that is considered
healthy by state standards. Governments are advised to increase their contributions when the economy is good to create a kind of rainy day fund against future economic slumps. The League of California Cities has predicted that the $3.1 billion in pension costs statewide in 2017-18 will almost double to $5.8 billion by 2024-25. These costs are based on estimates of return on investment for the cities’ funds invested in the retirement system. A survey of 15 California cities showed an average increase of 13.3 percent per year predicted over the same period. “As payments consume a larger share of cities’ budgets, it becomes more difficult to maintain much less improve city services,” according to the league report. The council agreed to move ahead with the adjustments when Bryant presents a specific funding proposal. Overall, the council seemed to be in favor of solving the shortfall through a trust. Sea level rise
Earlier, the council declined to contribute an initial $75,000 over three years to a San Mateo County pilot project that would protect low-lying areas of the coast and San Francisco Bay from sea level rise caused by climate change. San Mateo County public works chief Jim Porter said the effort would help to prevent a potential disaster such as flooding that would make Highway 101 impassible during a major storm. Woodside Mayor Daniel Yost, who voted yes on the proposal, promised that the council will revisit the issue in the future. A
Q Submit Obituaries: www.almanacnews.com/obituaries The Almanac (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) is published every Wednesday by Embarcadero Media, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. Periodicals Postage Paid at Menlo Park, CA and at additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for San Mateo County, The Almanac is delivered free to homes in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Almanac, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. Copyright ©2019 by Embarcadero Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. The Almanac is qualified by decree of the Superior Court of San Mateo County to publish public notices of a governmental and legal nature, as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued October 20, 1969. Subscriptions are $60 for one year and $100 for two years. Go to AlmanacNews.com/circulation.
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FIRE DANGER continued from page 5
“The laundry list is huge, and the challenge is keeping people engaged,” Mayor Ann Wengert said. “Stanford Wedge” housing
Stanford is responding to encouragement from Portola Valley with a plan to develop housing on the Stanford Wedge, an 75-acre parcel that the university owns along Alpine Road between Westridge and Golden Oak drives. The initial plan, to include 29 units of about 2,200 square feet each, with three below-marketrate units, was presented in a study session by Stanford officials at the
council’s March 27 meeting. The plan is for all the units to be moderately priced for the area to make them affordable to Stanford faculty. “The homes will be clustered together to highlight their woodland character and will minimize the visual impact on the landscape,” said Stanford Associate Director of Real Estate Jean Snider. Snider said the university is in the “preliminary stages” of the project. The project will be on 6 acres of the site closest to Alpine Road, which has some of the most level terrain on the property. The majority of the site has slopes exceeding 20 percent. A
N E W S
Councilman who works for Facebook gets answers on political restrictions By Kate Bradshaw Almanac Staff Writer
C
ontrary to some earlier concerns raised during Menlo Park City Councilman Drew Combs’ council election campaign, a letter from California’s Fair Political Practices Commission indicates that Combs may not have to recuse himself from all potentially Facebook-related discussions. Concerns over a potential conflict of interest had been raised because Combs works at Facebook and his wife works for WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook. Facebook is now the largest landowner on the city’s Bay side — the company now owns about 34.5 percent of the land there, and about 6 percent of the city’s total land area, according to the commission’s letter — and has also been a key funder of various city and regional initiatives, including an analysis now underway to explore rebuilding the Dumbarton rail line. According to the commission’s advice letter, Combs should not be permitted to participate in any decisions in which Facebook is the direct applicant, and he will have to disclose his conflict of interest as a company employee. However, when it comes to other projects that may affect Facebook properties or interests, such as the “ConnectMenlo� zoning on the city’s Bay side (where Facebook is planning its
massive “Willow Village� development) and the city’s Transportation Master Plan (which will impact how traffic is managed across the city and how much developers like Facebook will have to pay in transportation impact fees), Combs may be able to weigh in because Facebook would not be a primary party in such decisions, and because such decisions are unlikely to affect the value of Facebook shares. The letter states: “Councilmember Combs may be prohibited from taking part in (a decision) if (it) is limited or directed toward Facebook or its property. However, if another entity, such as the City, initiated amendments to the General Plan or the Transportation Master Plan, and the decisions were not limited or directed towards Facebook or its property, Facebook would not be explicitly involved; and the financial effect of the decision on Councilmember Combs’ interest would be reasonably foreseeable and material only if a prudent person with sufficient information finds it reasonably foreseeable that the effect of the decision would contribute to a change in Facebook’s stock price.� The letter also indicates that Combs would not be allowed to participate in decisions about properties near Facebook if those decisions might affect Facebook’s stock prices. But the likelihood of such land use decisions having an impact on
REAL ESTATE Q&A by Monica Corman
Spring Arrives, IPOs, etc... Dear Monica: I am trying to buy a home and am not sure whether I should wait until Spring when there aren’t so many buyers trying to do the same thing. But then with the IPOs happening, prices may be affected. What would you advise? Karen G.
Photo by Michelle Le
Drew Combs is serving his first term on the Menlo Park City Council.
the value of shares at the sixthfastest growing company in the world (that was in 2018, according to Fortune) is questionable. City Attorney Bill McClure wrote in an email that Combs would have to recuse himself from participating as a council member in a matter involving a city project only if it would affect the value of Facebook’s shares, which are determined based on gross revenues and profits, rather than the value of its assets or an increase or decrease in that value. “So with a market cap of something like $400-500 billion, even if (Facebook) loses development potential on its properties, it would not affect the values of its shares,� he writes. “My conclusion is that any decision (on ConnectMenlo) will not have an impact on (Facebook) shares.� A
Dear Karen: My advice to you would be to continue to look for
a good property and when you ÂżQG LW GRQÂśW KHVLWDWH WR PDNH DQ RIIHU LI LW PHHWV \RXU KRXVLQJ DQG ÂżQDQFLDO QHHGV 7KHUH DUH D IHZ ,QLWLDO 3XEOLF 2IIHULQJV ,32V RQ WKH FDOHQGDU WKLV \HDU DQG ZKLOH \RX VKRXOG NHHS DSSULVHG RI PDUNHW IRUFHV \RX QHHGQÂśW OHW WKLV GLVVXDGH \RX IURP EX\LQJ D KRPH 5HDO HVWDWH LQ WKLV DUHD LV VWURQJ DQG LQWHUHVW UDWHV DUH FXUUHQWO\ YHU\ DWWUDFWLYH
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April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 7
N E W S
Council dedicates $6.7M for affordable housing project loan By Kate Bradshaw Almanac Staff Writer
T
he Menlo Park City Council on March 26 voted unanimously to make a $6.7 million loan to MidPen Housing, a nonprofit housing developer, to build 140 below-market-rate apartments on the 1300 block of Willow Road and replace the 82 units that are there now. The loan will come from the city’s Below Market Rate housing fund, leaving the fund with a remaining balance of about $9.1 million. The apartments are intended to be affordable to households whose incomes fall under 30 and 60 percent of the area median income, according to a staff report. That translates to a maximum income of $44,000 at the 30 percent level and $87,960 at the 60 percent level for a family of four. Most of the apartments would be intended for renters whose incomes are 50 to 60 percent of the area median income. As proposed, the development would include 66 one-bedroom apartments, 50 two-bedroom units and 24 three-bedroom
Image courtesy MidPen Housing/Mithun
MidPen Housing plans to build a new 140-unit affordable housing building on the 1300 block of Willow Road in Menlo Park, replacing the 82 apartments there.
apartments. There would be a community room, a landscaped courtyard, an exercise room, a teen room, an after-school program area, two laundry rooms and some smaller outdoor spaces. During the construction, MidPen Housing plans to relocate current tenants based on each household’s needs. These tenants will be the first invited to move back into a new apartment with the same number of bedrooms as the one they previously occupied. After that,
WEST BAY SANITARY DISTRICT Invitation to Bid-Surplus Vehicle 2009 Ford F550 Utility Truck with Bins ¸=LOPJSLZ HYL ZVSK HZ PZ HUK HSS ZHSLZ HYL ÄUHS š 53,778 miles, Center console, AC, Power Windows, Am/Fm, Tow Hitch, 30gal Built in Water Tank, Generator, Western Mule Fold (^H` *YHUL 3\TILY 9HJR (TILY :HML[` SPNO[Z )PK Z[HY[Z H[ KVSSHYZ Bids accepted in sealed envelopes marked West Bay Ford F550 Utility Truck Bid 4-18-2019 bids are due by 3pm on April 18, 2019 (^HYKLK [V [OL OPNOLZ[ IPKKLY Public bid opening at 4 PM on Thursday April 18, 2019 3VJH[PVU! >LZ[ )H` :HUP[HY` +PZ[YPJ[ 6ɉJL 500 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025 Bidders must provide the following information in the sealed bid: -\SS SLNHS UHTL J\YYLU[ HKKYLZZ WOVUL U\TILY HUK IPK HTV\U[ =LOPJSL TH` IL PUZWLJ[LK MYVT 4 - (4 œ 74 Vehicles must be picked up and payment received within FOUR (4) working days following the bid opening. 6ɉJL OV\YZ HYL 4 - (4 [V 74 7H`TLU[! *HZO *HZOPLYZ VY *LY[PÄLK *OLJRZ HUK 4VUL` 6YKLYZ are only accepted MVYTZ VM WH`TLU[ No personal checks accepted.
Call (650) 321-0384 for more info. (SS ]LOPJSLZ HUK P[LT HYL ZVSK ¸(Z 0Zš ;OLYL HYL UV ^HYYHU[PLZ L_WYLZZLK VY PTWSPLK HKQ\Z[TLU[Z YLWHPYZ YLM\UKZ VY L_JOHUNLZ )` IPKKPUN I\`LY HNYLLZ [V PUKLTUPM` HUK hold harmless the District from any and all damages, injuries, and/or causes of action which may involve any equipment, tools, or other goods occurring subsequent to the KH[L VM [OPZ ZHSL (SS ZTVN YLSH[LK YLWHPYZ HUK JLY[PÄJH[PVUZ HYL [OL ZVSL YLZWVUZPIPSP[` VM [OL I\`LY YLMLY [V *HSPMVYUPH =LOPJSL *VKL KP]PZPVU ZLJ[PVU
8 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
preference at the new belowmarket-rate apartments will given to people who live in, work in or have been displaced from the Belle Haven neighborhood, followed by a preference for people who have been displaced from other parts of Menlo Park. Preference would also go to people who are homeless and living in the Ravenswood City School District. If the project receives funding from San Mateo County, MidPen would also likely be required to
dedicate some units to people who are formerly homeless, according to Jan Lindenthal, chief real estate development officer at MidPen Housing. According to Nevada Merriman, who is director of housing development at MidPen Housing and a Menlo Park housing commissioner, the contribution represents the last discretionary approval needed for the developer to seek further funding from the state and apply for federal tax credits. Final plans for the development will be submitted as part of the building permit review process. Construction is expected to start as soon as spring 2020; leasing is expected to begin in fall 2021, Merriman said in an email. MidPen would pay for the current tenants to be relocated to similar housing at an expected cost of $5.7 million, as well as moving costs, estimated to be $315,000, according to the staff report. The development proposal requires the removal of the frontage road, which would allow the new apartments to be pushed closer to Willow Road, giving neighbors at the rear of the property on Carlton Avenue
more space. The council also approved this step. Currently, the sidewalk cuts inward onto a private frontage road behind a wall on Willow Road, so pedestrian passersby are forced to walk through private residential property, which has caused safety problems in the past, Lindenthal explained. The city sold the bulk of that frontage road to MidPen Housing for $1, and a small piece, about 1,500 square feet, to the owner of the adjacent Soleska Market for $100 per square foot, according to staff. The new development would include a public sidewalk, which would be installed along Willow Road. Affordable housing goals
All of the 58 new apartments that MidPen Housing plans to build — not counting the 82 old ones that would be replaced — would go toward helping Menlo Park meet goals set in what’s called the “Regional Housing Needs Allocation.� The Association of Bay Area Governments oversees the state allocation process that sets a certain number of housing See HOUSING PROJECT, page 27
Locals lament plans to raze Feldman’s By Kate Bradshaw Almanac Staff Writer
A
proposal to build a prefabricated, three-story housing structure with nine apartments at 1162-1170 El Camino Real, the site of Feldman’s used bookstore and SafeSpace, a youth mental health clinic, was met with criticism by fans of the bookstore and the Menlo Park Planning Commission at a March 11 study session. The proposal comes from Chase Rapp of Prince Street Partners, a Palo Alto-based developer, who is also developing the site of the former MidPeninsula Animal Hospital at Santa Cruz Avenue and Merrill Street. Rapp plans to dedicate two of the nine proposed units to be for below-market-rate renters. Fans of the bookstore lamented the plan to eliminate the shop at 1170 El Camino Real. Lily Rose Feldman, daughter of one of the owners, said that she grew up in the store, which has been in operation longer than she’s been alive, and that it has been an important, beautiful place for her. “People have fallen in love in this magical space,� she said. She urged the commission to consider the implications of
Image courtesy city of Menlo Park/Toby Long Design Architects, Inc.
A rendering of the nine-apartment residential building proposed to replace Feldman’s Books and a youth mental health clinic along El Camino Real in Menlo Park.
demolishing the historic building and encouraged consideration of the avocado tree on the property. In an email, Paul Payton, who identified himself as a weekly patron of the store, wrote, “The alarming amount of terraforming being done along El Camino Real is a harbinger of a hastened homogenization into modern ‘warehousing-forpeople’ that is taking place along the Peninsula. “I remember Ed Feldman, the original proprietor of the store. I know Ed’s sons, who have inherited the establishment.
Feldman’s is a generational institution; it possesses an intangible and invaluable bond to the city. It should not be demolished without a thought. It should be evaluated as a key aspect of a city seeking to balance modern-day conveniences with tradition. With Feldman’s gone, where is the seeker of knowledge to go?� Christine Kalaveshi also opposes the plan, writing in an email to the council: “Please don’t demolish the great historical building Feldman’s Books is See FELDMAN’S, page 27
ATHERTON
/ Cul-de-sac location / Private gated lot of ~.78 acre / 5 bed, office, 5.5 bath Upper-level rec. room / Temp-controlled wine-cellar / 1+ mile to downtown Menlo Park and Caltrain 3-car garage / Excellent Menlo Park schools / 1odell.com
COMING SOON 2-ACRE PARCEL IN WEST ATHERTON
RANKED THE #18 TEAM IN THE NATION IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORT OF THE TOP RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS (Published in June 2018). SINCE THESE RANKINGS WERE INITIATED THE GULLIXSONS HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN IN THE TOP 20, EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR BY TEAM.
gullixson.com MARY GULLIXSON
BRENT GULLIXSON
650.888.0860 mary@gullixson.com
650.888.4898 brent@gullixson.com
DRE# 00373961
DRE# 01329216
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 9
N E W S
Despite protests, commission upholds removal of redwoods By Kate Bradshaw Almanac Staff Writer
S
even prominent redwood trees near the intersection of El Camino Real and Ravenswood Avenue in Menlo Park are closer to facing the ax after a city commission voted March 27 to uphold a decision that permits the property owner to cut them down. Menlo Park’s Environmental Quality Commission voted 4-3
to uphold a previous decision by the Planning Commission to allow the trees to be cut down. Commissioners Deborah Martin, Janelle London, and James Payne were opposed. Matt Matteson, owner of the Cornerstone Research building at 1000 El Camino Real, requested a permit to remove the trees because they are on top of a waterproof barrier that is protecting a parking structure beneath it. The waterproof
barrier is damaged, and to fix it the trees must be removed, he and arborist reports argue. The proposal includes plans to replace the seven trees with 14 new trees of different species. The Planning Commission had previously approved the tree removal request, but outraged community members appealed the decision in January. At a meeting held then, residents urged the city to explore alternatives to cutting down the trees.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ADOPT THE 2019 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION and THE 2019 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Atherton Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider recommending City Council adoption of an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and recommending City Council adoption of an amendment to the Atherton General Plan consisting of the 2019 General Plan Update described below. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Atherton City Council will hold a public hearing to consider the Planning Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendation concerning the adoption of an Initial Study and Negative Declaration and adoption of an amendment to the Atherton General Plan consisting of the 2019 General Plan Update described below. Description: The Project is an update of the Atherton General Plan Land Use Element, Circulation Element (including Scenic Highways), Open Space and Conservation Element, Community Safety Element and Noise Element. Key revisions and additions proposed include: â&#x20AC;˘ Land Use Element â&#x20AC;&#x201C; discussion of the new Civic Center, proposed Greenways, Silicon Valley Clean Water treatment facilities, solid waste disposal and recycling, the Town Climate Action Plan, and policies supporting these changes and additions. The basic land use pattern, designations and areas delineated are unchanged from the 2002 Land Use Element. â&#x20AC;˘ Circulation Element â&#x20AC;&#x201C; discussion about the San Mateo County Congestion Management Program, the Grand Boulevard Initiative and Greenway Concept, Complete Streets Policies, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Safe 9V\[LZ [V :JOVVSZ .YLLU :[YLL[Z [OL 5LPNOIVYOVVK ;YHŃ?J 4HUHNLTLU[ 7YVNYHT [OL ;YHŃ?J *V\U[Z 7YVNYHT [OL Transportation Demand Management Program, and the Climate Action Plan. Updated discussions were included about 9HPS ;YHUZWVY[H[PVU [OL *HS[YHPU ,SLJ[YPĂ&#x201E;JH[PVU 7YVQLJ[ /PNO :WLLK 9HPS )\Z ;YHUZWVY[H[PVU HUK :JLUPJ 9VHK^H`Z ;OL 3VJHS :[YLL[ *SHZZPĂ&#x201E;JH[PVU :`Z[LT ^HZ \WKH[LK HUK H 3L]LS VM :LY]PJL NYHKPUN Z`Z[LT ^HZ HKKLK [V KLZJYPIL [OL VWLYH[PVUHS Z[H[\Z VM [OL SVJHS YVHK^H` UL[^VYR 3L]LS VM :LY]PJL :[HUKHYKZ VM :PNUPĂ&#x201E;JHUJL \UKLY *,8( ^LYL proposed. â&#x20AC;˘ Open Space and Conservation Element â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An inventory of open space lands was added. New text was added expanding the description of open space for natural resources, managed production of resources, outdoor recreation, public safety, military and tribal resources in the Open Space Element. The Conservation Element was updated to PUJS\KL H KPZJ\ZZPVU VM :HU[H *SHYH HUK :HU 4H[LV 7SHPU .YV\UK^H[LY :\I IHZPUZ HUK .YLLU 0UMYHZ[Y\J[\YL" JVHZ[HS VHR ^VVKSHUK" ([OLY[VU *OHUULS ;V^U ^PKL +YHPUHNL :[\KPLZ :HU 4H[LV *V\U[`^PKL >H[LY 7VSS\[PVU 7YL]LU[PVU Program, erosion and sedimentation control, the Bayfront Canal/Atherton Channel Flood Protection and Restoration 7YVQLJ[ HUK H :[VYT^H[LY *HW[\YL 7YVQLJ[" OPZ[VYPJ I\PSKPUNZ Z[Y\J[\YLZ HUK HY[PMHJ[Z" HUK [OL ;V^U *SPTH[L (J[PVU Plan. Â&#x2039; *VTT\UP[` :HML[` ,SLTLU[ Âś ;OL ZLPZTPJ OHaHYKZ KLZJYPW[PVU ^HZ \WKH[LK PUJS\KPUN (SX\PZ[ 7YPVSV ,HY[OX\HRL -H\S[ Zones, surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, dam failure, slope instability, land subsidence, HUK SPX\LMHJ[PVU 5L^ ZLJ[PVUZ ^LYL HKKLK KLZJYPIPUN Ă&#x2026;VVKPUN OHaHYKZ HUK WV[LU[PHS \YIHU HUK ^PSKSHUK Ă&#x201E;YL WV[LU[PHS A section was added describing the emergency operations plan administered by the Atherton Police Department and the Menlo Park Fire Protection District. A section was added related to climate change. Emergency evacuation routes were updated. â&#x20AC;˘ Noise Element â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Atherton noise environment description was updated, including new measurements of existing noise levels and mapping of existing noise contours and projections of future (2040) noise levels and mapping of future UVPZL JVU[V\YZ ( KPZJ\ZZPVU ^HZ HKKLK YLSH[LK [V UVPZL MYVT HPYJYHM[ V]LY Ă&#x2026;PNO[Z *HS[YHPU LSLJ[YPĂ&#x201E;JH[PVU HUK /PNO Speed Rail. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Initial Study and draft Negative Declaration have been prepared for the above KLZJYPILK WYVQLJ[ W\YZ\HU[ [V [OL WYV]PZPVUZ VM [OL *HSPMVYUPH ,U]PYVUTLU[HS 8\HSP[` (J[ ( JVW` VM [OLZL KVJ\TLU[Z PZ H]HPSHISL MVY W\ISPJ YL]PL^ VU SPUL VU [OL ;V^U ^LIZP[L H[ O[[W! ^^^ JP H[OLY[VU JH \Z .,5,9(3 73(5 <7+(;, HUK H[ [OL ([OLY[VU ;V^U /HSS (ZOĂ&#x201E;LSK 9VHK ([OLY[VU *( ;OL W\ISPJ YL]PL^ WLYPVK PZ MYVT (WYPS to April 24, 2019. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that said application is set for hearing by the Planning Commission at its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall of the Town of Atherton, at which time and place all persons interested may appear and show cause, if they have any, why the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration should not be recommended to the City Council or why the 2019 General Plan Update should not be recommended to the City Council. IF YOU CHALLENGE the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration or 2019 General Plan Update in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission or the City Council at, or prior to, the Public Hearing. -VY M\Y[OLY WHY[PJ\SHYZ YLMLYLUJL PZ THKL [V [OL HWWSPJH[PVU VU Ă&#x201E;SL (U` H[[LUKLL ^OV ^PZOLZ HJJVTTVKH[PVU MVY H KPZHIPSP[` ZOV\SK JVU[HJ[ [OL )\PSKPUN +P]PZPVU H[ H[ SLHZ[ OV\YZ WYPVY [V [OL TLL[PUN Date Posted: April 4, 2019
ATHERTON PLANNING COMMISSION /s/ Lisa Costa Sanders Lisa Costa Sanders, Town Planner
10 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
Prior to the commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting, staff researched eight different alternatives to save the trees, but determined that none were both feasible and reasonable. According to Menlo Park Sustainability Manager Rebecca Lucky, the problem has to do with the fact that the waterproof barrier separating the parking structure from the trees is at the end of its useful life, has become degraded, and needs to be replaced to prevent further water damage to the parking garage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Water makes canyons,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even with a waterproof barrier, waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to wear it down.â&#x20AC;? In addition, the tree roots have started to penetrate the barrier in places where it is
weak or vulnerable, she said. The majority of the 14 people who spoke publicly at Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting favored keeping the trees. There was even a song presented by the Raging Grannies, a local advocacy group, in opposition to removing the trees. Protests were also held in front of the trees the weekend before the hearing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was definitely a hard appeal for everybody involved,â&#x20AC;? Lucky said. The permit applicants and the community have grown very attached to the trees, she added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think that sentiment was felt deeply in the room.â&#x20AC;? The Environmental Quality Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision may be appealed within 15 days. If an appeal is made, the City Council would have the final say, according to Lucky. A
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 11
G U I D E TO 2019 S U M M E R C A M P S FO R K I D S • V I S I T PA LOA LTO O N L I N E .CO M/C A M P_CO N N E C T I O N
ATHLETICS
n n o e C c t p i on m a C
Dance Connection Palo Alto
TTo advertise d ti in i this thi weekly kl directory, di t callll (650) 326 326-8210. 8210
ACADEMICS Harker Summer Programs
ARTS, CULTURE, OTHER CAMPS San Jose
The Harker School’s summer programs for children K - grade 12 offer the perfect balance of learning and fun! Programs are led by dedicated faculty and staff who are experts at combining summer fun and learning. Strong academics and inspiring enrichment programs are offered in full day, partial and morning only sessions.
www.harker.org/summer
(408) 553-5737
i2 Camp at Castilleja School
Palo Alto
i2 Camp offers week-long immersion programs that engage middle school girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The fun and intimate hands-on activities of the courses strive to excite and inspire participants about STEM, creating enthusiasm that will hopefully spill over to their schoolwork and school choices in future years.
www.castilleja.org/i2camp
(650) 470-7833
iD Tech
Stanford/Bay Area
The world’s #1 summer STEM program held at Stanford, Palo Alto High School, and 150+ locations nationwide. With innovative courses in coding, game development, robotics, and design, our programs instill in-demand skills that embolden students to shape the future. iD Tech Camps (weeklong, 7-17), Alexa Café (weeklong, all-girls, 10-15), iD Tech Academies (2-week, 13-18).
idtech.com/locations/california-summer-camps/ stanford-university (844) 788-1858
STANFORD EXPLORE: A Lecture Series on Biomedical Research Stanford EXPLORE biomedical science at Stanford. Stanford EXPLORE offers high school students the unique opportunity to learn from Stanford professors and graduate students about diverse topics in biomedical science, including bioengineering, neurobiology, immunology and many others.
explore.stanford.edu
explore-series@stanford.edu
Summer at Sand Hill School
Palo Alto
June 26 to July 23. If you’re looking for a great summer learning plus fun option for your child and you want them to be ready for fall, please join us at Sand Hill. The morning Literacy Program (8:30 to noon) provides structured, systematic instruction for students with learning challenges entering grades 1-8 in the fall. The afternoon Enrichment Camp (Noon to 4) focuses on performing arts, social skills and fun. Choose morning, afternoon or full day.
www.sandhillschool.org/summer
Summer@Stratford
(650) 688-3605
Palo Alto/Bay Area
Stratford infuses its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum into an innovative and enriching summer camp experience. Younger campers learn, explore, and engage in hands-on learning projects, while Elementary-age students collaborate to tackle real-world problems by utilizing academic principles and concepts in a fun and engaging way. At the Middle School level, individual subject-based enrichment classes are offered and tailored for each grade level.
stratfordschools.com/summer
Write Now! Summer Writing Camps
(650) 493-1141
Palo Alto Pleasanton
Castilleja Summer Camp for Girls Palo Alto
Palo Alto
Casti Camp offers girls entering gr. 2-6 a range of age-appropriate activities including athletics, art, science, computers, writing, crafts, cooking, drama and music classes each day along with weekly field trips. Leadership program available for girls entering gr. 7-9.
www.castilleja.org/summercamp
City of Mountain View Recreation
(650) 470-7833
Mountain View
Come have a blast with us this summer! We have something for everyone – Recreation Camps, Specialty Camps, Sports Camps, Swim Lessons, and more! Programs begin June 4 – register early!
www.mountainview.gov/register
City of Palo Alto Summer Camps
(650) 903-6331
Palo Alto
A wide array of camps, from theater and tennis to ceramics and coding. Kids in kindergarten through high school can participate in camps during week-long sessions from June 3 to Aug 9.
www.cityofpaloalto.org/summercamps (650) 463-4949
Community School of Music
Mountain View
Community School of Mountain View Music and Arts (CSMA) Mountain View 50+ creative camps for Gr. K-8! Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Musical Theater, Summer Music Workshops, more! One and two-week sessions; full and half-day enrollment. Extended care from 8:30am-5:30pm. Financial aid offered.
www.arts4all.org
(650) 917-6800 ext. 0
Oshman Family JCC Camps
Palo Alto
Camps at the OFJCC introduce your child to new experiences while creating friendships in a fun and safe environment. We work to build confidence, stretch imaginations and teach new skills.
www.paloaltojcc.org/Camps
Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC)
(650) 223-8622
Palo Alto
PACCC summer camps offer campers, grades 1st to 6th, a wide variety of engaging opportunities. We are excited to announce all of your returning favorites: Leaders in Training (L.I.T.), PACCC Special Interest Units (S.I.U.), F.A.M.E. (Fine Arts, Music and Entertainment), J.V. Sports and Operation: Chef! Periodic field trips, special visitors and many engaging camp activities, songs and skits round out the variety of offerings at PACCC Summer Camps. Open to campers from all communities. Register online.
www.paccc.org
Stanford Jazz Workshop
(650) 493-2361
Stanford
World-renowned jazz camps at Stanford. Week-long jazz immersion programs for middle school musicians (July 8-12), high school (July 14-19 and and July 21-26), and adults (July 28-Aug. 2). All instruments and vocals. No jazz experience necessary!
Improve your student’s writing skills this summer at Emerson School of Palo Alto and Hacienda School of Pleasanton. Courses this year are Expository Writing, Creative Writing and Presentation Skills. Visit our website for more information.
www.stanfordjazz.org
www.headsup.org
Art, cooking, tinkering, yoga and mindfulness. We celebrate multiple perspectives and recognize the many ways for our children to interpret their world. Summer Unplugged! is appropriate for ages 6-11 years. Located at Walter Hays School.
April 1 - 5, June 3 - August 2. Kids have fun, create a character, and learn lifelong performance skills at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s Theatre Camps. TheatreWorks offers camps during spring break (offered in Palo and Menlo Park, April 1 - 5) and summer camps (six sessions offered in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Los Altos between June 3 - August 2) for children and youth in grades K-6. Professional teaching artists lead students in activities including acting, dance, play writing, and stagecraft skills. Sibling discounts and extended care available.
www.artandsoulpa.com
www.theatreworks.org/education
Emerson: (650) 424-1267 Hacienda: (925) 485-5750
ARTS, CULTURE, OTHER CAMPS Art and Soul Camp
Palo Alto
(650) 269-0423
12 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
(650) 736-0324
Palo Alto Menlo Park
(650) 463-7146
Palo Alto
Share the joy of dance with us! Our studio is an extended family and a “home away from home” for our community of children and teens. At Dance Connection, we value the positive energy and atmosphere that we continuously strive to provide. Summer Dance Camps include all styles of dance for ages 4 and up and features our new “This is Me!” Empowerment Camp along with Teen Jazz and Hip Hop Camps. A Summer Session for ages 3 to adults will be offered from June 3-August 2.
www.danceconnectionpaloalto.com/danceconnection-event-calendar/summer-dance-camps (650) 852-0418 or (650) 322-7032
Kim Grant Tennis Summer Camps
Palo Alto Monterey Bay
Fun and specialized Junior Camps for Mini (3-5), Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, High Performance and Elite tennis levels. Weekly programs designed by Kim Grant to improve player technique, fitness, agility, mental toughness and all around game. Weekly camps in Palo Alto and Sleep-Away Camps in Monterey Bay. SO MUCH FUN!
www.KimGrantTennis.com
Text: (650) 690-0678 Call: (650) 752-8061
Nike Tennis Camps
Bay Area
Junior overnight and day tennis camps for boys and girls, ages 9-18 offered throughout June, July and August. Adult weekend clinics available June and August. Camps directed by head men’s coach, Paul Goldstein, head women’s coach, Lele Forood, and associate men’s and women’s coaches, Brandon Coupe and Frankie Brennan. Join the fun and get better at tennis this summer.
www.ussportscamps.com
(800) NIKE-CAMP (800) 645-3226
Run for Fun Camps
Bay Area
Run for Fun’s mission is to provide creative and engaging play for all youth by getting kids active in an inclusive community centered around outdoor fun! We pride ourselves on hiring an enthusiastic, highly trained staff who love what they do. Summer 2019 features four weeks of Adventure Day Camp and two weeks of Overnight Camp High Five. Adventure Day Camp is a new discovery every day filled with sports, crafts and nature, including explorations to Camp Jones Gulch, Capitola Beach, Foothills Park, Shoreline Lake and Great America. Camp High Five is six days and five nights of traditional overnight camp mixed with challenge-by-choice activities, campfires, friendships and lots of laughter.
www.runforfuncamps.com/summer-camps-andschool-holiday-camps/camp-overview (650) 823-5167
Stanford Athletics & Youth
Stanford
Stanford Youth Programs brings you Camp Cardinal! Week-long day camp programs on campus for kids (grades K – 10) from June 3 – August 9. Space is limited so register online now.
campcardinal.org
(650) 736-5436
Stanford Baseball Camps
Stanford
At Sunken Diamond on the campus of Stanford University. A variety of camps are offered to benefit a wide range of age groups and skill sets. Campers will gain instruction in several baseball skills, fundamentals, team concepts, and game play.
www.stanfordbaseballcamp.com
Stanford Water Polo Camps
(650) 725-2054
Stanford
New to water polo or have experience, we have a camp for you. Half day or full day options for boys and girls ages 7 and up. All camps provide fundamental skills, scrimmages and games.
www.stanfordwaterpolocamps.com
Wheel Kids Bike Camps
(650) 725-9016
Addison Elementary, Palo Alto
Adventure Riding Camp for rising 1st - 8th gr, Two Wheelers Club for rising K - 3rd gr. Week-long programs from 8:30 - 4, starting June 3rd. Join us as we embark on bicycling adventures for the more experienced rider or help those just learning to ride.
www.wheelkids.com/palo-alto
(650) 646-5435
YMCA of Silicon Valley Summer Camps
Silicon Valley
At the Y, children and teens of all abilities acquire new skills, make friends, and feel that they belong. With hundreds of Summer Day Camps plus Overnight Camps, you will find a camp that’s right for your family. Sign up today, camps are filling up! Financial assistance is available.
www.ymcasv.org/summercamp
(408) 351-6473
JUST SOLD
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Prime central Westridge location Extensive remodel with chic designer style Approximately 7,935 total square feet Main residence has 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 2 half-baths • 3 family rooms, crafts room, loft play room, temperature-controlled wine cellar • 2-bedroom, 1-bath guest house
• • • •
;\]LQW JI\P O]M[\ PW][M XWWT KIJI}I WٻKM /I\ML MV\ZIVKM _Q\P \ZMUMVLW][ W\[ ٺZMM\ XIZSQVO Heated and covered pool and spa 0MI\ML LQVQVO TW]VOM ÅZM XQ\ IVL XTIaOZW]VL Owned solar array for electricity Approximately 2.81 acres Open meadows and western hill views
Thinking of selling your home? Let The Miller Team help you.
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650.400.3426 | 650.400.1317 helenhuntermiller@gmail.com bradm@apr.com License # 01142061 | License # 00917768
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 13
C O M M U N I T Y
Kiwanis Club donates $5,000 to M-A Football Association The Kiwanis Club of Menlo Park donated $5,000 to the Menlo-Atherton Football Association, according to a Kiwanis press release. The club presented the association — a nonprofit that supports Menlo-Atherton High School’s football team — with a check on March 18. The the club chapter also donates $50,000 a year in academic scholarships to M-A students, the press release states. “Our donation to the Football Association played a small role in helping support athlete and coach travel that resulted in the awarding of four fulltime athletic scholarships for M-A players at Division-1 universities,” said Ned Moritz, the
At the drop of a
hat...
club’s president. “Our aim was to help the Football Association provide these student-athletes opportunity. The results this year have been fantastic.” The association assists M-A football players through academic support, character development, financial support and new equipment. This includes some equipment replacement, food during games away from home, and covering out-of-state travel for athletes visiting college programs or participating in summer camps. For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Menlo Park, go to menloparkkiwanis club.org A — by Angela Swartz
Employment Sr SW Engineer Personalis, Inc. has an opening in Menlo Park, CA. Sr SW Engr (Backend/APIs): design, develop & maintain platforms & products. Submit resume (principals only) to: gail.stanley@personalis.com & include recruitment source
To place an ad or get a quote, call 650.223.6582 or email digitalads@ paweekly.com.
+ job title in subject line. EOE
C O N TAC T M E TO DAY
That’s how quickly we can arrange in-home care for a loved one – for as long as you need us to be there!
PAUL SKRABO Residential Real Estate Specialist
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35+ Years of Local Real Estate Experience Lifelong Resident of Menlo Park & Portola Va Valley
PAUL SKRABO Call for a free in-home consultation (650) 285-2373. 2 0 18 & 201 9
www.familymattershc.com
B R O K E R AS S O C I AT E
(650) 619-8092 (65
paul.skrabo@cbnorcal.com paul.skra Zh[9 FFLLKMHM
Family owned since 2002. Serving Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties HCO #434700005 14 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
Freshly Updated in Suburban Park
224 HEDGE ROAD MENLO PARK
Open House Saturday & Sunday April 6 & 7, 1:30 – 4:30pm • 3 bedrooms and 1 bath • Approximately 1,400 sq. ft. of living space • Freshly painted interiors and hardwood ddop Wb adps oddap • Living/dining room combination has zddMøJtobWbU oOl_BKO BbM MWbWbU BoOB • Family room with paneled walls • Private rear yard with lawn and mature foliage • Attached 2-car garage with outside entrance • Lot size of approximately 5,500 sq. ft. • Excellent Menlo Park schools
Quality Custom Home on a Premier Street
$1,798,000 | lemieuxRE.com
1646 STANFORD AVENUE MENLO PARK Available by appointment • Custom-built by renowned local builder, Laurel Homes • Premier central Menlo Park street • 2VoOO _OyO_p zWsV JOModdapÛ dT KOÛ recreation room, and 3.5 baths • Approximately 3,574 sq. ft. of living space plus 441 sq. ft. garage • OBtsWTt_ VBoMzddM ddop Wb sVO aBWb living areas • Lower-level recreation/media room with projector and screen • Private rear yard with built-in barbecue center & children’s play structure • Lot size of approximately 10,000 sq. ft. • Excellent Menlo Park schools
$4,995,000 | lemieuxRE.com
Tom LeMieux, MBA
Jennifer Bitter, MBA
650.465.7459 tom@lemieuxRE.com
650.308.4401 jennifer@lemieuxRE.com
License #01066910
License #01847627
A Wall Street Journal Top Producing Real Estate Team 2018 Over $2.5 billion in sales since 1998 l lemieuxRE.com @lemieuxRE Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 15
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C O V E R
S T O R Y
A growing business Portola Valley’s Brookside Orchids grows, sells and boards the cherished but demanding blooming plants BY BARBARA WOOD | PHOTOS BY MAGALI GAUTHIER
J
ust off Alpine Road, where Menlo Park meets Portola Valley at Interstate 280, is one of the Peninsula’s hidden treasures, open to the public six days a week. Behind the doors of the 36,000 square feet of greenhouses at Brookside Orchids, located just behind and up the hill from the old Webb Ranch fruit stand, are hundreds of orchids of every size, shape, variety and color. With conditions designed to meet the natural growing needs of different orchids, stepping into each greenhouse is like stepping into another world, ranging from the lush, wet tropics to the drier and cooler conditions preferred by orchids that naturally grow at higher altitudes. The nursery offers almost everything the orchid lover could want: retail and wholesale plant sales, custom-made orchid arrangements, and repotting or dividing of customers’ overgrown orchids. Brookside also serves as a home away from home for the collections of orchid
18 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
owners who are too busy, too spacedeprived or just lack the green thumb needed to keep their orchids healthy. About 40 percent of Brookside’s greenhouse space is devoted to boarding orchids and related plants for more than 600 clients from as far away as Petaluma and San Jose. The company, which has been in Portola Valley as a grower and wholesaler of orchids since 1979, has been boarding and making retail sales since 1996. Owner Jim Heierle now lives in Cove, Oregon, but started the business after owning a plant shop in the Fashion Island shopping center called “Fancy Plants.” In addition to offering optimal greenhouse conditions for boarded orchids, Brookside, and another nursery under the same ownership in Pacifica, White Oak Orchids, provide water, fertilizer, pest control and even repotting or dividing See ORCHIDS, page 20
C O V E R
S T O R Y
Opposite page, from top: manager Mark Pendleton has been caring for orchids at Brookside for 18 years; a Phalaenopsis, or “moth orchid,” hybrid cared for at Brookside; a Paphiopedilum hamana spice orchid. Clockwise, from top left: The sap from a boarded orchid’s leaf is tested for Cymbidium mosaic virus and Odontoglossum ringspot virus, the two most common orchid viruses; manager Mark Pendleton examines a sick plant with Concepcion Cabrera at the nursery; a Paphiopedilum, or “venus slipper,” hybrid; an Anacheilium cochleatum, more commonly called a “clamshell orchid”; Pendleton pollinates a Phalaenopsis taisuco anna. On the cover: Mark Pendleton, manager of Brookside Orchids, checks an orchid in the nursery’s boarding department.
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 19
C O V E R
Barbara Lou Huber
S T O R Y
June 3, 1931 – March 25, 2019 Barbara Lou Huber (née Ritchie) was born on June 3, 1931 in Council Bluffs, IA. She attended Omaha Central High School. She met Robert Huber, a waiter at her sorority while at Iowa State. Bob and Bobby were married for 57 years. Bob’s career with AT&T moved them around the country many times. Their children, Elizabeth, John and Katherine and grandchildren (Abigail, John, Caleb, James, Madeline, Michael, Samuel) were always their first priority. Bobby loved watching her kids and grandkids play sports, and was a Giants fan. Bob and Bobby shared a life long love of both the San Francisco and New York Operas. She also loved to dance. They resided in Atherton for almost 40 years. After Bob’s death, Bobby moved to the Carlisle in San Francisco where she lived with her dog, Buddy, until her death on March 25, 2019. PA I D
O B I T U A RY
At top: Inside one of Brookside Orchids greenhouses. On the left are boarded plants, and on the right, a mix of boarded plants and others grown for sale. Below: a Bulbophyllum daisy chain orchid.
ORCHIDS
Kenneth Green
continued from page 18
January 23, 1939 – March 20, 2019
if needed. When the orchids come into bud or bloom, the owners are notified by email or phone, and can either pick up their plants or arrange for delivery. Once the bloom has ended, for some types in as little as a week and for others up to six months, the orchids are returned to the nursery. For the privilege, orchid owners pay a monthly fee of $5.50 per square foot, with a minimum of 10 square feet which is about the size of a card table. Pick up and delivery are extra. The company also grows orchids from seed and sells orchids online as well as in Portola Valley. The minimum order for wholesale purchases is $200 at the greenhouse and $300 if shipped. Mark Pendelton is one of 11 employees at Brookside and seven at White Oak, and has been working there for 18 years. He’s the manager, but also responsible for hybridizing more than 300 named varieties of orchids. On the company’s website (brooksideorchids.com) individual orchids sell for $10 to $50, but Pendelton says he once sold a $20,000 orchid to a collector from Taiwan. The plant was a hybrid that had recently been given the American Orchid Society’s highest ranking, a first-class certificate. Pendelton says the nursery didn’t really want to sell the orchid, so had set the price high enough to make it unlikely anyone would buy it. Pendelton, who says he wanted to be a collector (think fossils, butterflies and beetles) all his life, grew up in Southern California and now lives near the border of San Jose and Campbell. He started at the University of California-Los Angeles as a zoology major, but found that wouldn’t allow him to take the field biology classes he was really interested in, so he changed his major — first to English and later to physical anthropology. But orchids drew him. He worked as a carpenter, a mason, and “whatever I could to make a living and have a hobby of orchids,” he says, until going to work in orchid greenhouses. Pendelton seems to know everything that could be known about orchids, from the fact
Ken passed away at age 80 on March 20, 2019 after a lengthy illness. He was born in New York City in 1939. The family then moved to Kansas City where Ken attended elementary and high school. He attended University of Kansas and graduated from Chapman College in southern California with a BA degree. He always loved the sea and ships and wanted to go into the military so he joined the U.S. Navy. He attended officer candidate school in Rhode Island, became a lieutenant, and served aboard the U.S.S. Whetstone. After completing four years in the Navy, he moved to the Bay Area and went to work for Sutro and Company in San Mateo. After working as a financial advisor for a couple of years, he went into management. He worked in San Jose in that capacity for thirty-five years. He had a very successful office because he offered his brokers many opportunities to succeed and he made it a fun place to work. He also was very dedicated to doing volunteer work. He visited veterans at the Veterans’ Administration Offices in Menlo Park every week and taught veterans how to fill out job applications and how to apply for jobs. He also volunteered at a school in San Jose and taught children life skills in a program called Project Inspire. Ken was very devoted to his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. For relaxation, Ken and his wife, Susan, enjoyed many vacations at their condominium in Palm Desert. They also made trips to the British Virgin Islands to go bareboating. They have enjoyed living in Woodside for forty-five years. Ken loved to sail and shared a sailboat in San Francisco with his friend Hank. They spent many Friday afternoons sailing to Angel Island to hike and have lunch. Ken is survived by his wife, Susan, three children, Else, Julie and Ardis (Misti), granddaughters, Summer, Maddie, Sophie, Maybel, Morgan, Sureya and Esteanna, his sister, Eleanor, and his nephews Jeff and Bill Moller and their families. Ken will be greatly missed and will be remembered for his vibrant, fun, loving and generous spirit. We would like to thank Kelela Finau and Gordon Manor for their devoted care. Please make donations to your favorite veterans’ organization. PA I D
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O B I T U A RY
that “orchids are now considered the numberone-selling potted plant in America” to being able to tell at a glance when an orchid seedpod is ready to be harvested. “A seed pod can hold upwards to a million seeds,” he says, taking a small tooth-flossing tool to gently open an orchid flower to show pollen nestled inside. Orchid seeds lack any type of nutrition for a growing seed, and are also very susceptible to disease, so must be grown in a sterile environment on a seaweed-based agar solution for the first year of life, Pendelton says. It can take from three to seven years for an orchid grown from seed to bloom. After decades of working in orchid nurseries, does Pendelton have a huge collection in his home? “Not a one,” he says. Brookside Orchids is open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 2718 Alpine Road in Portola Valley. It sells at farmers’ markets in Menlo Park (Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Old Oakland (Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Berkeley (Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and San Rafael (Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) For more information go to brooksideorchids.com, email orchidsbrookside@gmail. com, or call 650-854-3711. A
S C H O O L S
Attorney, mother of four is new PV school board member By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer
T
he Portola Valley School District school board chose district parent Kimberley Morris Rosen as the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new member at a public meeting on March 27. Morris Rosen takes the seat of Michael Maffia, who resigned in early March. The board voted 4-0 to appoint Morris Rosen, an attorney at KMR Law, after interviewing four candidates and discussing the interviewees, all in open session. No one came forward to speak during the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public comment section on the topic. Morris Rosen took her new board chair for the remainder of the meeting after taking the oath of office. Morris Rosen, who holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Princeton University and law degree from Stanford University, has four children, the oldest of which is a kindergartner at Ormondale School. At KMR Law, Morris Rosenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clients include The Primary School, an East Palo Alto-based tuition-free private school. The school strives to integrate education and health care to better serve low-income children and families. Priscilla Chan, wife of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, founded the school. School board member Karyn
Bechtel said it would be valuable to have a new board member with a background in education. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to have someone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worked in this realm before,â&#x20AC;? Bechtel said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;How many times do you get a potential board member (like Morris Rosen) who has experience with Ed Code?â&#x20AC;? California Education Code, or Ed Code, is the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of laws that dictate how K-12 public schools are run. During the interview, Morris Rosen noted that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a key moment for the district, as it chooses a new superintendent and implements Measure Z, a $49.5 million facilities bond measure. A strong board is needed during these changes, she said. Morris Rosen was associate general counsel for AltSchool, a San Francisco-based education and technology company, prior to her role at KMR Law. She is also co-chair of the Ormondale Book Fair, a kindergarten reading helper, a Girl Scout troop leader and a member of Lucile Packard Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Ambassadors Board of Directors. Board member Brooke Day said Morris Rosen stood out to her as someone who is â&#x20AC;&#x153;very calmâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;warm,â&#x20AC;? and seems to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;very approachable.â&#x20AC;? Morris Rosen gave â&#x20AC;&#x153;very clear-headedâ&#x20AC;? responses, she said. Six people applied for the position. Applicants Terry Lee and Christopher Lyle withdrew their
Adriana Klas
Kimberley Morris Rosen will fill the seat vacated by Michael Maffia.
applications in the days before the board meeting, according to the district. The board interviewed the remaining four applicants: Morris Rosen, Virginia Bacon, Anne Faziloi-Khiari and Helen Wolter. In a March 6 email to the board, Maffia announced he was stepping down from his post effective immediately, citing increasing work demands that made continuing his role on the board unrealistic. Maffiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term was to end in December 2020. The board voted at a March 6 meeting to fill the vacancy by appointment. In a district statement in early March, Superintendent Eric Hartwig thanked Maffia for â&#x20AC;&#x153;his dedication to the improvement of the district,â&#x20AC;? especially the development of the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities program. A
Portola Valley School District receives credit rating upgrade to AA+ By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer
T
he Portola Valley School District has received a double upgrade in its bond credit rating from financial services company Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, according to a March 8 district press release. Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upgraded the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general obligation bond credit rating two levels, from â&#x20AC;&#x153;AA-â&#x20AC;? to â&#x20AC;&#x153;AA+,â&#x20AC;? the secondhighest possible rating an issuer can achieve, according to a March 6 letter to the district from Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The new rating is the result of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;strong property tax baseâ&#x20AC;? with high resident wealth; â&#x20AC;&#x153;robustâ&#x20AC;? supplementary revenue from sources like the Portola Valley Schools Foundation; good financial management practices; and a low debt burden relative to property values, Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s said.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are ecstatic to have our rating upgraded two notches,â&#x20AC;? Superintendent Eric Hartwig said in the press release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was particularly impressed with the level of support we receive from the community, and we are so proud to report this result back to our constituents.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;very rareâ&#x20AC;? for a school district to receive a double rating upgrade, district financial adviser Chris Hiatt said in the press release. The districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating was updated as part of its recent $10 million Measure Z general obligation bond issuance to fund district projects. Measure Z, a $49.5 million bond measure, passed in November 2018. The measure is intended to fund repairs, renovations and new buildings on the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two campuses. Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generally reviews four factors in assessing a bond issuerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credit rating:
finances, management, debt and pension obligations and the local economy. A copy of Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter to the district can be found on the district website, pvsd.net. A
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James R. Estep February 6, 1926 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 17, 2019 A long time resident of Woodside passed away peacefully at home. He was 93 years old. Native of California. He spent most of his youth in Merced County. He worked in the family business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Snelling Gold Dredging Company until he enlisted in the Army Air Corp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; WWII. Graduated University of California on the G.I. Bill. He worked as a geologist for Standard Oil before joining American Forest Product which became Inland Containers of Newark. He was a Rotarian, joining the Niles Club in 1952. He was a Charter member of the Newark Rotary Club where he was President 1966-1967. He had attended weekly meetings until 2018. In the Town of Woodside, Jim was active in the horse community. Jim joined the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County in 1972 and served as an officer and board member over the years. His last Free Ride was in 2018. He was a member and served as President 1979 and 1980 for the San Mateo County Horsemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association. He was also a member of the Woodside Trail Club. He served two communities, always involved in the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s numerous service endeavors. His mind was clear and his fine sense of humor remained to the end. During reminiscing, one of his last statements was â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am happy in the Lordâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank You.â&#x20AC;? The family thanks everyone for their notes of support and tales of times with Jim. PA I D
O B I T U A RY
Elsie O. Jacobson June 23, 1927 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 19, 2019 Elsie Olivia Jacobson, age 91, of Menlo Park, California, died on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at Providence Medical Center in Wayne, Nebraska. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel, Nebraska. Private committal services will be in California at a later date. Elsie Olivia Jacobson was born on June 23, 1927 to Danish immigrants Magnus and Olivia (Vorum) Hansen on a farm north of Laurel. Elsie graduated from Laurel High School in 1944. Shortly after graduation she went to Palo Alto, CA and lived with her sister Ruby Merriam and family. She returned to Laurel a year later to help with the operation of the Hansen Dairy. In 1946 she returned to California and began employment at the California Water Service in Menlo Park where she retired after 45 years of service. Elsie met Albert Carl (Jake) Jacobson at the water company. They married on July 25, 1948. They lived their entire lives together in Menlo Park where they both continued working at the water company and enjoying their home and park like setting. In May 2016 Elsie came to Laurel to be near her Nebraska family while retaining her residence in Menlo Park. She was surrounded with love from family in Nebraska and California. Elsie will be remembered for her friendliness, big smile, cheerful spirit and generous heart. She was preceded in death by her husband Jake in 2000, her parents, brothers Peter and William Hansen, sisters Kaja Gade, Ruth Crandall, Ruby Merriam, Anne Kathol, Viola Wilson, Joyce Galvin Rath and nephew Thomas Merriam. Those left to cherish her memory are brother James Hansen of Pleasant Prairie, WI, sisters Betty Niceswanger of Fort Dodge, IA and Jacqueline Burns of Grand Island, NE, nieces and nephews and special friend Michael Garibaldi. PA I D
O B I T U A RY
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 21
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Meadow and Alice admire Minnie, the Palo Alto Humane Society’s resident therapy dog, at Woodside Elementary School.
Woodside Girl Scouts huddle and cuddle with Minnie the therapy dog By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer
G
iddy Girl Scouts lined up in Woodside Elementary School’s library on March 27 to meet the Palo Alto Humane Society’s resident therapy dog Minnie, a 6-year-old white poodle. Leanor Delgado, the Humane Society’s education manager, talked to Girl Scout Troop 61714 about how to be responsible pet owners and the society’s animal advocacy work. She covered topics such as microchipping pets so they can be scanned and returned to their owners if they get lost, and the importance of spaying and
neutering pets. After the discussion, the third-graders took turns petting and holding Minnie. The poodle joined the Humane Society with her owner Arlene Esquivias, the organization’s head of social media and office manager, when the two moved from Southern California to the Bay Area earlier this year. Minnie had previously served as a therapy dog for children with cancer at a hospital in Southern California, Esquivias said. The meet-and-greet with the dog helps children learn how to bond with, and care for, an
animal, Delgado said. The visit was part of the Humane Society’s PAWS 2 PAHS community visits program, in which volunteers visit classrooms with companion dogs, or trained therapy or service animals. The Palo Alto Humane Society is a nonprofit that strives to “alleviate the suffering of animals, increase public sensitivity to animal issues, and elevate the status of animals in our society,” according to its website. For more on the nonprofit’s educational work, go to paloaltohumane.org/educationprograms. A
PASTORAL PORTOLA Beautifully landscaped country estate 518 Cresta Vista Lane
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April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 23
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Transportation master plan inches forward ollowing a lengthy latestage discussion over what the goals of the Transportation Master Plan should be, the Menlo Park City Council on March 26 unanimously adopted a new goal for the plan: managing traffic congestion. The new goal states that the plan will aim to manage traffic congestion, reduce travel times on city streets, and minimize cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets, in conjunction with the other goals of improving safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting transportationmode options for people of all ability levels. Development of the Transportation Master Plan began in June 2017 after the council approved new zoning allowances for growth on the Bay side of Menlo Park. So far, the plan-development process has identified more than 170 desired transportation-related projects throughout the city. Which should be prioritized, however, is an ongoing question that the plan’s oversight and outreach committee says warrants more community discussion. Staff had proposed a pointbased rubric for weighting the list of the plan’s proposed projects based on each project’s ability to improve safety, reduce greenhouse gases, promote alternatives to driving, and improve access to schools, among other factors, but not all council members agreed with the strategy. Councilman Drew Combs argued that the method should be more “holistic,” and regarded as a “political decision” rather than relying on a scoring mechanism. The council agreed to refer the matter to the plan’s oversight and outreach committee to be hashed out further. Under the master plan the city will put in place a transportation impact fee that a developer will be charged to compensate for the added toll on the city’s infrastructure a new development would generate. A
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Rescued kitten and siblings thriving The kitten that was rescued from a drain pipe in Atherton by firefighters on March 15 — and named Ryle after the firefighter credited with saving him — is thriving, along with his three litter mates. The kittens will be available for adoption after they are weened and domesticated in about a month to six weeks, according to Marilyn Anderson, who lives in the home on Selby Lane where the kitten was rescued. It was Anderson who called the Menlo Park Fire Protection District after hearing Ryle’s cries from the pipe for several hours. Firefighters called animal control authorities, but returned to the scene after those officers were unable to rescue the kitten. The fire department used a cell phone camera to take video inside the drain pipe to spot
Photo courtesy Menlo Park Fire Protection District
The rescued kitten was named Ryle after firefighter Ryle Fitzgerald, shown here.
Ryle, but struggled at first to bring him up. They were about to give up when probationary firefighter Ryle Fitzgerald caught the kitten around his neck and a leg using twine tied in a loop, and pulled him up.
Anderson named the kitten after Fitzgerald, who was dubbed “the cat whisperer” by his colleagues. The next morning, Anderson saw the mother cat carrying another kitten by the scruff of its neck across her property, and when she followed it, she found two other kittens. She bottle-fed them until she was able to catch the mother in a trap and reunite her with the kittens. “I used Ryle as bait in one trap and caught the mother in a second trap,” Anderson said. She later took the feline family to a friend, who transported them to the Humane Society of Silicon Valley in Milpitas, where they are in foster care. “Ryle is doing great,” Anderson said. “I can see how he got caught in the pipe. He is very curious, very sturdy, very vocal.” — By Rick Radin
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Housing, offices proposed for Koma Sushi site A flood of emails has arrived in the City Council inbox expressing opposition to a new housing and medical office project proposed at the corner of El Camino Real and Cambridge Avenue, where the Koma Sushi restaurant, a parking lot and an apartment building are now, near the former Oasis Beer Garden. The proposal comes from property owner Yihan Hu; Environmental Innovations in Design Architects is the project designer. Hu proposes to build a new three-story building with retail and medical office space on the first floor and housing on the second and third floors, atop two levels of underground parking. The project would also include two separate single-family townhouses. According to Community Development Director Mark Muenzer, the proposal is tentatively scheduled for discussion by the Planning Commission sometime in May, pending
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the completion of an analysis of what public benefits the developer might be expected to provide to the city. Muenzer noted that the
proposed development contains “retail space that a restaurant could conceivably be a part of.” — By Kate Bradshaw
Half day or full day option for boys and girls. All the camps offer fundamental skill work, position work, scrimmages and games. Perfect for beginners and those with limited experience
650-725-9016 STANFORDWATERPOLOCAMPS.COM
STANFORD EXPLORE
A Lecture Series on Biomedical Research Sunday Worship | 8:30 and 10:45 am Sunday School | 9:30 am for ALL AGES! (limited summer schedule)
Life Together Wednesdays | Something for everyone! 4:30 pm Confirmation (afternoon option) 5:30 pm Youth Choir (grades 4+) 6:15 pm Life Together Dinner $5/person; $20/family 7:00 pm Confirmation (evening option) High School Youth Group Adult Choir Taizé Evening Prayer | Second Sundays at 7:00 pm
DATES:
JULY 8 - AUGUST 2, 2019 from 9am-12pm daily Mon. - Fri. for 4 weeks, or 1 week at a time
PLACE:
Stanford University (School of Medicine campus)
ELIGIBILITY: High School Students (9th-12th grade) TOPICS:
WEEK 1: Immunology/Neuroscience WEEK 2: Stem Cell/Cardiovascular WEEK 3: Bioengineering/Bioinformatics/Genetics WEEK 4: Cancer/Careers in Science and Medicine
REGISTRATION: Online registration will begin on March 1, 2019 INFORMATION: Visit explore.stanford.edu
Summer Camps FOR GRADES K–6 REGISTER NOW!
June 3–August 2 Six sessions in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, & Los Altos Tuition is $640 per session Minimum age 5. Sibling discounts and need-based scholarships are available. Information at:theatreworks.org/education
650.463.7146 April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 25
N E W S
8
2 10 9
SUMMER
at
SAND HILL
6
1
• June 26 – July 23 •
7
(No session on July 4-5)
4
3
Make sure your child is ready for fall! Join us for three weeks of great summer learning and fun afternoon options. Academics, performing arts and thought-provoking classes for parents too. 650.688.3605 info@sandhillschool.org
Sand Hill School
650 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA
For application and more details, visit:
sandhillschool.org/summer
5
Data and map courtesy city of Menlo Park
There are 10 developments proposed in Menlo Park’s newly rezoned, former light-industrial area. Numbers correspond to the map above. 1. Willow Village: 1,500 housing units, 250 hotel rooms and 975,035 new square feet of office and commercial space. Status: pending. 2. 111 Independence Drive: 108 housing units and a loss of 15,100 square feet of office space. Status: pending. 3. 1490 O’Brien Drive: 519 new square feet of life science space. Status: approved. 4. 1605 Adams Drive/1505 Adams Court: 9,463 new square feet of life science space. Status: approved. 5. 1105 O’Brien Drive: 66,404 new square feet of life science space. Status: pending. 6. 151 Commonwealth Drive/164 Jefferson Drive: 249,500 new square feet of office space. Status: pending. 7. 1350 Adams Court: 260,400 new square feet of life science space. Status: pending. 8. 3723 Haven Ave., or “Hotel Moxy”: 167 hotel rooms, loss of 13,700 square feet of office space. Status: study session. 9. 1 Facebook Way: 40 hotel rooms. Status: pending. 10. 172, 180-186 Constitution Drive/141 Jefferson Drive: 483 new housing units, and a loss of 108,411 square feet of office space. Status: study session. On the map, blue indicates a pending project; purple, projects under study session review; and green, approved projects.
BAYSIDE PLAN continued from page 5
2019
Learning, Playing, Growing Together
SUMMER CAMPS
AT PACCC
Create. Discover. Inspire
Weekly camps for entering 1st - 6th graders
June 3 - August 2 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT PACCCREGISTRATION.ORG
JOIN THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE OF THE SUMMER! Providing quality care with innovative & trained staff! • Biking Expeditions • Cooking Lessons • Leadership Development
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F.A.M.E (Fine Arts, Music & Entertainment) 1st - 6th grade Ohlone Kids’ Club
Chef Junior 1st - 3rd grade Walter Hays Kids’ Club
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Junior Varsity (JV) Sports 1st - 3rd grade Palo Verde Kids’ Club
Leaders In Training (L.I.T.) 4th - 6th grade Besse Bolton Kids’ Club (at Fairmeadow Elementary School)
3rd - 6th grade Duveneck Kids’ Club
After Summer School Adventures
Life in the Bike Lane
For children enrolled in Summer School through PAUSD El Carmelo Kids’ Club
1st - 3rd grade Walter Hays Kids’ Club
26 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
IT’S TIME FOR THE BEST SUMMER EVER The Y provides quality summer programs for children of all ages and abilities to • • •
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bills 330 and 50, both of which could restrict cities’ ability to curtail housing development. The council’s discussion was considered a study session, so no decisions on the topic were made. Vice Mayor Cecilia Taylor said she wants to see other conditions enforced with developers in development agreements, such as a requirement to hire local residents. Councilwoman Catherine Carlton said she wants to make sure new developments are held to the “highest standards possible” for environmental sustainability, and that she isn’t interested in expanding the number of new hotel rooms the plan permits. Councilman Drew Combs said he takes issue with the city calling the “ConnectMenlo” rezoning a “general plan update” because it applies only to one part of the city. Councilwoman Betsy Nash said she is interested in reconsidering the amenities on the list, and asked questions about what a development moratorium could mean for the proposed projects. City Attorney Bill McClure explained that a developer doesn’t have vested rights in a project until construction has started, unless a development agreement has been reached — though that wouldn’t prevent litigation. Feedback brought forward from the public and council members is expected to be reviewed and brought back to the council for more discussion at a future date. A
N E W S
Summer Dance Camps
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at
HOUSING PROJECT continued from page 8
Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical/Contemporary, Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Combination, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Is Me!â&#x20AC;? Empowerment Camp
in. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a great and rare store that brings the joy of reading to so many people of all ages.â&#x20AC;? Adam Brosamer urged the council, in an email, to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Build housing without destroying important cultural landmarks.â&#x20AC;? Some planning commissioners criticized the architectural plans for being too modular. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re replacing a dear old friend,â&#x20AC;? said Commissioner John Onken, describing how some of the bookstore supporters feel about the space, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it better be better than anything else on the block â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see that at the moment.â&#x20AC;? A
* Expository Writing 7/8-7/12
* Creative Writing 7/15-7/19
* Presentation Skills 7/22-7/26 6/3-6/7:
SUMMER DANCE CAMPS ~ JUNE TO AUGUST 7/8-12: Teen Hip Hop Camp Beg/Int.
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Intermediate Hip Hop Camp Super Mini Dance Camp
6/17-21: 6/24-28:
Teen Jazz Dance Camp Beginning Dance, Design & Shoot Camp This Is Me! Empowerment Camp This Is Me! Half Day options Junior Dance Camp
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7/22-7/26: Teen Jazz Dance Camp Beg/Int. Junior Dance Camp Princess/Prince Cinderella Ballet Camp Princess/Prince Sleeping Beauty Ballet Camp
7/29-8/2: Dance Camp Session Beg/Int. Jumpstart Dance Camp
Go to: Events/Summer Dance/Camps ~ Summer Session for Ages 3 - Adults 650-852-0418 | 650-322-7032
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Free extended care available
Cost: 1 week: $500; 2 weeks: $950; 3 weeks: $1,350.
2800 West Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto (650) 424-1267
For applications and information: writenow@headsup.org www.headsup.org
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FELDMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S continued from page 8
Summer Writing Camps
FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
units, based on income categories, as a goal that cities should strive to meet to keep up with demand. Since 2015, when the most recent allocation cycle started, Menlo Park has had a mixed success rate, depending on affordability category. According to a staff report, the city permitted 775 housing units intended to be affordable to households earning more than 120 percent of the median income between 2015 and 2018, five times more than what the plan called for. On the other hand, the city granted permits for only four housing units intended for moderate-income earners in the same period, compared with the 143 such housing units the state called for. Menlo Park has granted permits for 29 percent of the 129 housing units that should be dedicated for low-income renters under the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan, and for 46 percent of the 223 housing units intended for very lowincome people. Menlo Park is one of only 24 jurisdictions in California that is meeting its goals for lowerincome and above moderateincome housing production, according to a state report. The city gave out building permits for 44 new housing units in 2018. These included 24 townhomes at 133 Encinal Ave., 15 secondary dwelling units, and assorted single-family and multifamily residences. The city is also reviewing building permits for about 407 proposed new housing units. Relying on the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing permitting rates from 2017, Next 10, an independent, nonpartisan group that works with California data, calculated that it could take the city until 2444 to meet the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moderateincome housing goals. A
2019
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Space is LIMITED! Register Online Today! April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 27
Public Notices 995 Fictitious Name Statement A & A BROTHERS LANDSCAPING FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280581 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: A & A Brothers Landscaping, located at 2921 Westside Ave., Apt. #1, Redwood City, CA 94063, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): MARCO RANGEL RODRIGUEZ 2921 Westside Ave. Apt. 1 Redwood City, CA 94063 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 3-4-19. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 4, 2019. (ALM Mar. 13, 20, 27; Apr. 3, 2019) COMPASS CONSULTANTS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280382 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Compass Consultants, located at 1195 Los Trancos Rd., Portola Valley, CA 94028, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): JULIA PETERS 1195 Los Trancos Rd. Portola Valley, CA 94028 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on February 13, 2019. (ALM Mar. 13, 20, 27; Apr. 3, 2019) CUCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BURRITOS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280614 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Cucoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Burritos, located at 2855 Middlefield Rd., Redwood City, CA 94063, San Mateo County; Mailing address: 1140 17th Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063. Registered owner(s): MARIA G. PERALTA 1140 17th Ave. Redwood City, CA 94063 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 7, 2019. (ALM Mar. 20, 27; Apr. 3, 10, 2019) BAR DOE BUD INVESTMENT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280672 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Bar Doe Bud Investment, located at 2059 Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): DAVID T. NELLIGAN 2059 Goodwin Avenue Redwood City, CA 94061 DORAINE V. COUILLARD 2059 Goodwin Avenue Redwood City, CA 94061 BARRON A. VAUGHT 2059 Goodwin Avenue Redwood City, CA 94061 This business is conducted by: A General Partnership. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 13, 2019. (ALM Mar. 20, 27; Apr. 3, 10, 2019) LARA STRONG FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280561 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Lara Strong, located at 512 Warrington Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): ADRIAN A. LARA 512 Warrington Ave. Redwood City, CA 94063 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on February 28, 2019. (ALM Mar. 27; Apr. 3, 10, 17, 2019) BioCellection FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280778 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: BioCellection, located at 3475 Edison Way Ste. Q, Menlo Park, CA 94025, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s):
BioCellection Inc. 3475 Edison Way Ste. Q Menlo Park, CA 94025 DE Corporation This business is conducted by: A Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on May 05, 2015. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 22, 2019. (ALM Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019) SEQUOIA APPLIANCE REPAIR FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280805 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Sequoia Appliance Repair, located at 2793 Spring St., Redwood City, CA 94063, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): JOSE RAMIRO ROSALES 887 15th Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 03-26-2019. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 26, 2019. (ALM Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019) MEDICAL AESTHETICS OF MENLO PARK FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280732 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Medical Aesthetics of Menlo Park, located at 885 Oak Grove Ave., Ste. 101, Menlo Park, CA 94025, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): NIKKI MARTIN MD INC. 1405 Addison St. Berkeley, CA 94702 CA This business is conducted by: A Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 1/1/14. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 19, 2019. (ALM Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019) ECO-HOT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280689 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: ECO-HOT, located at 367 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA 94062, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): HAROLD WILLIAM WESTRICH 367 Alameda De Las Pulgas Redwood City, CA 94062 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 15, 2019. (ALM Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019) THE MAIDS RWC FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 280722 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: The Maids RWC, located at 593 Woodside Rd., Suite D, Redwood City, CA 94061, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): EMPRESAS MINERVA LLC 3137 Castro Valley Blvd., Suite 203 Castro Valley, CA 94546 California This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County ClerkRecorder of San Mateo County on March 19, 2019. (ALM Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019) STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME File No. 267655 The information given below is as it appeared on the fictitious business statement that was filed at the County ClerkRecorderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office. Registered Owner(s) abandoning the use of the fictitious business name(s): JUAN PALOMINOS TORRES REGISTRANTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NAME(S): JUAN PALOMINOS TORRES 450 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94085 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): THE MAIDS RWC 1270 Marshall St. Redwood City, CA 94063 FILED IN SAN MATEO COUNTY ON: 12/31/15 THIS BUSINESS WAS CONDUCTED BY: Individual This statement was filed with the County Clerk Recorder of San Mateo County on March 19, 2019. (ALM Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019)
28 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019
C O M M U N I T Y
997 All Other Legals ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Case No.: 19CIV00983 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: NIKKI VILLABROZA filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: NIKKI YEE VILLABROZA to NIKKI YEE. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: April 12, 2019, 9:00 a.m., Dept.: PJ of the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, located at 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063. A copy of this ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: THE ALMANAC Date: February 27, 2019 /s/ Jonathan E. Karesh JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT (ALM Mar. 13, 20, 27; Apr. 3, 2019) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Case No.: 19CIV01386 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: ALISANDRA VASQUEZ filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: A.) SANDRA J. CASTILLO VASQUEZ to SANDRA J. VASQUEZ B.) ALISANDRA ELISEMA VASQUEZ to ALISANDRA ELISEMA AMBROCIO VASQUEZ. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: April 25, 2019, 9:00 a.m., Dept.: PJ of the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, located at 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063. A copy of this ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: THE ALMANAC Date: March 14, 2019 /s/ Jonathan E. Karesh JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT (ALM Mar. 27; Apr. 3, 10, 17, 2019) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Case No.: 19CIV01489 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: VIKTORIIA TAGIROVNA KAMALOVA filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: VIKTORIIA TAGIROVNA KAMALOVA to VICTORIA KAMALOVA FIFIELD. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: May 1, 2019, 9:00 a.m., Dept.: PJ of the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, located at 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063. A copy of this ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: THE ALMANAC Date: March 19, 2019 /s/ Jonathan E. Karesh JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT (ALM Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019)
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Q C A L E N DA R Visit AlmanacNews.com/calendar to see more calendar listings
Theater A Visit with Audie Murphy: Actor Duffy Hudson In this one-man show, Maj. Audie Murphy, who went on to a 21-year career in Hollywood after serving in World War II, will be portrayed by Broadway-trained actor Duffy Hudson. April 6, 11 a.m.-noon. City Council Chambers, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park. Search eventbrite.com for more info. Âś0DFEHWK¡ E\ :LOOLDP 6KDNHVSHDUH Dragon Theatre presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Macbeth,â&#x20AC;? William Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tragic tale of all-powerful ambition and consuming conscience. Through April 7, 8-10 p.m. $37; discounts for students, seniors. Dragon Theatre, 2120 Broadway St., Redwood City. dragonproductions.net Âś6RMRXUQ¡ Pear Theatre presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sojourn,â&#x20AC;? a futuristic play written by Evan Kokkila Schumacher and directed by Caroline Clark. Through April 7; times vary. $32; discounts for seniors, students. The Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View. thepear.org 7KHDWUH:RUNV 6LOLFRQ 9DOOH\ 3UHVHQWV ´+HUVKH\ )HOGHU $ 3DULV /RYH 6WRU\Âľ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Storyâ&#x20AC;? chronicles the personal journey of virtuoso Hershey Felder while also exploring the life and music of impressionist composer Claude Debussy. April 3-May 5; times vary. $60; discounts for seniors, adults under 35. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. theatreworks.org
Concerts
'HQQ\ %HUWKLDXPH -XOLHW *UHHQ Pianist Denny Berthiaume and vocalist Juliet Green will perform. April 9, 7:15 p.m. Angelicas, 863 Main St., Redwood City. awin1.com 5HGZRRG 6\PSKRQ\ 2SHUD Âś3ULGH DQG 3UHMXGLFH¡ Redwood Symphony Opera in Concert performs Kirke Mechemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pride and Prejudice.â&#x20AC;? The Bay Area composer provided libretto and score for a musical retelling of Jane Austenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story of manners, education, marriage and money during the British Regency period. April 6-7; times vary. $30; discounts for students, seniors; under 18 free. Canada College Main Theatre, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City. redwoodsymphony.org
Talks & Lectures 7KH $UW RI /LIH $ 3DQHO &RQYHUVDWLRQ ZLWK 0HUHGLWK 0RQN )UHG /XVNLQ Musician, composer and creator Meredith Monk will discuss the nuances of life with Stanford Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forgiveness expert Dr. Fred Luskin. April 3, 6-7:15 p.m. Cemex Auditorium, 655 Knight Way, Stanford. Search facebook.com/ events for more info. 'DYH (JJHUV Dave Eggers returns to Keplerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for the release of his latest fiction work, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Parade,â&#x20AC;? a story about two very different men attempting to lay a roadway in an unnamed country long rent by civil war. April 3, 7:308:30 p.m. $20 or $40 with book; discount for students. Keplerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Search eventbrite.com for more info. /DLOD /DODPL Author Laila Lalami will discuss her new novel, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Other Americans,â&#x20AC;? a story told through nine different narrators whose accounts interweave. April 4, 7:30 p.m. Keplerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Search eventbrite.com for more info. 0DUJDUHW 'XPDV Local author Margaret Dumas will discuss the first book in her humorous mystery series, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Murder at the Palace: Movie Palace Mystery #1.â&#x20AC;? April 3, 7-9 p.m. Books Inc. Palo Alto, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. booksinc.net Âś2FHDQ :RUOGV LQ WKH 2XWHU 6RODU 6\VWHP¡ Dr. Kevin Hand from NASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jet propulsion lab will give an illustrated, nontechnical talk on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ocean Worlds of the Outer Solar System.â&#x20AC;? April 10, 7-8:30 p.m. Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Search foothill.edu/events for more info. Rhys Bowen Crime writer Rhys Bowen shares her new novel, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Victory Garden,â&#x20AC;? about a young woman named Emily Bryce who is determined to contribute to the Great War effort. April 4, 7-9 p.m. Books Inc. Palo Alto, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. 6WRU\ 7LPH ZLWK &KULV 9DQ 'XVHQ Authorillustrator Chris Van Dusen presents his new work in collaboration with Kate DiCamillo, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Piglet Named Mercy,â&#x20AC;? a picture book prequel to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mercy Watsonâ&#x20AC;? series. April 6, 11 a.m. Keplerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Search eventbrite.com for more info. 7DQQHU /HFWXUHV RQ +XPDQ 9DOXHV The McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society
presents the 2019 Tanner Lectures on Human Values. The theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lectures is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism.â&#x20AC;? April 10-12; times vary. Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford. ethicsinsociety. stanford.edu 'LVQH\ DW :DU An educator from the Walt Disney Family Museum will talk about the films Walt Disney produced for the government during World War II. April 8, 7-8 p.m. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. menlopark. org
Museums & Exhibits
$QGHUVRQ &ROOHFWLRQ 3XEOLF 7RXU The Anderson Collection features modern and contemporary American paintings and sculptures assembled by a Bay Area family who built the collection over the last 50 years. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, 12:30 p.m. Anderson Collection, 314 Lomita Drive, Stanford. events.stanford.edu 'R +R 6XK Âś7KH 6SDFHV LQ %HWZHHQ¡ In this exhibition, artist Do Ho Suh uses a chandelier, wallpaper and a decorative screen to focus attention on issues of migration and transnational identity. Through May 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu )UHH )LUVW )ULGD\ Admission to the history museum is free and includes a preschool activity hour at 11 a.m. and an hourlong tour at 2 p.m. of the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term exhibits. Ongoing, first Fridays of the month, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway St., Redwood City. Search historysmc.org/events for more info. 3RUWROD $UW *DOOHU\ 3UHVHQWV $ODQ 0F*HH¡V Âś:RRGODQGV¡ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Woodlandsâ&#x20AC;? by photographer Alan McGee of Portola Valley features photographs from the last half century of his explorations in the landscape adjacent to his home in Portola Valley. Through April 30, 10:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. portolaartgallery.com 7UDLQV 3ODQHV A number of large-scale modular railroads will be on display. Through April 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos. Search facebook.com/events for more info.
Film
&DQG\ 6XVKL DQG 7RRQV This event, for youth in grades 5-12, includes making candy sushi for a chance to win prizes and watching â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ralph Breaks the Internet.â&#x20AC;? April 8, 4-6 p.m. Belle Haven Library, 413 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park. menlopark.org .HUU\ 7ULEH Âś7KH (OXVLYH :RUG¡ Los Angeles-based visual artist Kerry Tribeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Critical Massâ&#x20AC;? (2013) features a re-enactment of a coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heavily edited argument taken from Hollis Framptonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experimental 1971 film by the same name. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu
Lessons & Classes
(6/ &RQYHUVDWLRQ &OXE Non-native and native English speakers talk together with the aim of developing English speaking and listening skills. No registration required. Free. Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. menlopark.org/ projectread :DWHUFRORU RQ 5LFH 3DSHU This multiday beginners course teaches watercolor painting techniques using different washes and application of paint on wet and dry paper. April 11, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $290; discounts for members. Filoli Gardens, 86 Old Canada Road, Woodside. filoli.org
Outdoor Recreation
6SULQJ :LOGIORZHU +LNH Grassroots Ecology hosts a light hike around Hawthorns Open Space looking at wildflowers and plants. The majority of this hike will be off trail, on hills and uneven ground. April 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Hawthorns, Corner of Alpine Road & Portola Road, Portola Valley. Search eventbrite.com for more info. :RRGVLGH 3XULVLPD &UHHN &URVVRYHU This event offers runners and hikers scenic trails with distances of 10K, half marathon, 35K and 50K. April 7, 8:30 a.m. Woodside/Purisima Creek Crossover, 1100 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside. trailrunner.com
How to add events to calendar Go to AlmanacNews.com and see the Community Calendar module at the top right side of the page. Click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Add your event.â&#x20AC;?
V I E W P O I N T
L E TTE R S Our readers write
Gender not a factor in Woodside leadership Editor: Your recent articles about the Woodside Town Council, Architectural and Site Review Board (ASRB) and Planning Commission have been interesting, and generally well written. However, in your most recent article “Where have all the women gone?” (Feb. 27), I found the focus/conclusion incorrect. The more interesting and relevant question is: Has there been a change in focus from Woodside voters towards planning and what residents want for their town? I believe that there has been a shift. Personally, I do not mind whether the people who are representing me are male or female; what I care about is whether they will do a good job and most accurately reflect what I want to see happen or not happen. I welcome fresh blood on the ASRB, which has historically had a reputation of making seemingly arbitrary decisions. For example, a couple of years ago one friend went to the ASRB for
approval of a plan for a new gate. The ASRB made them partly redesign it to make the posts a few inches smaller, not because it broke any specific building codes but for undefined aesthetic reasons. It cost my friends several thousand dollars and a lot of time. Another example is, why should the ASRB care what color someone’s front door is if no one can see it from the street and the neighbors can’t see it and it isn’t against specific building code? In a recent election a former, longtime ASRB member, who happened to be female, was running unopposed for the council but lost the election by a significant margin to a write-in candidate, who happened to be male. Gender did not factor into my voting; it was simply ideology. The majority of the council have children at the elementary school and I know them, some as friends, and find it very hard to believe that they would be “dazzled by the shiny new ‘Apple’ before them,” as your anonymous volunteer said. I strongly suspect that the voting, especially for ASRB, was based on who the council members thought were qualified and would best represent what the citizens of Woodside want for their town, as opposed to gender
considerations. It is important to have women in politics and local government. The other major elected board in Woodside is the school board. It is predominately female (three out of five members). However, in my opinion, gender, race, etc. are less relevant than whether voters feel the elected officials are qualified to represent them. I for one am currently happy. Alyson Huey-Weaver Patrol Road, Woodside
Support Green New Deal Editor: I am 16 years old, and as a young person I understand the urgency and motivation with which a group of children recently entered Sen. Feinstein’s office, asking for her support of Sen. Markey and Rep. OcasioCortez’s resolutions for a Green New Deal. Sen. Feinstein’s told us she “has been doing this for 30 years,” implying that she need not listen to the voices of the young people she was addressing. However, these same young people are acutely aware of the undeniable and urgent threat that climate change poses to our generation and those that will follow. Sen. Feinstein’s
statement illustrates a lack of this same understanding — if she and her colleagues truly knew what they were doing for the last 30 years, we wouldn’t be in the midst of a full-blown crisis to which UN scientists have now given 10 years to address. The children who entered her office are not “media props” — they are desperately fighting for their lives and the lives generations that will follow. Young people of America will relentlessly demand that the leadership in Congress treat the climate change crisis with the urgency necessary, and we will continue to denounce those elite who have sold themselves to Big Oil. Any representative who claims to care about our generation — or about our world — needs to support the resolutions for a Green New Deal. Jason Hwong Stockbridge Avenue, Atherton,
Town’s solar system would be unnecessary expense Editor: Few Woodside citizens are aware that their Town Council is close to approving a solar system to be installed at either Town Hall or the library for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A report has already been prepared to endorse it. Since the town already buys 100 percent solar energy from Pacific Clean Energy (PCE), this would be an unnecessary expense and an eyesore in the midst of our rural buildings. The town should continue to support PCE, which is the greenest and cheapest way to get to 100 percent solar use according to most national solar experts like Severin Borenstein, an energy economist at UC Berkeley. That’s because PCE buys solar from large-scale solar farms that have the economies of scale to drive solar prices down and keep up with technology. It makes no sense for the town to lock into solar technology that is changing rapidly. Five years ago PCE wasn’t on the radar. Solar panels will double their capacity in two years and in five years solar prices will fall significantly and the town’ s solar system will be 100 years old in “technology years.” Ed Kahl Whiskey Hill Road, Woodside Q TOW N S QUA R E Post your news and views on TownSquare at: www.AlmanacNews.com
Are You Prepared? Create a Plan – Build a Supply Kit www.menlofire.org
Menlo Park Fire District Public Education
April 3, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 29
Silicon Valley Homes
784 Alester Ave, Palo Alto Offered at $3,998,000 Susan Tanner · 650.255.7372 Lic. #01736865
240 Ringwood Ave, Menlo Park Offered at $4,388,000 Annette Smith · 650.766.9429 Lic. #01180954
15 Susan Gale Ct, Menlo Park Offered at $3,499,000 Penelope Huang · 650.281.8028 Lic. #01023392
2190 Avy Ave, Menlo Park Offered at $3,725,000 Michael Dreyfus · 650.485.3476 Lic. #01121795 Noelle Queen · 650.427.9211 Lic. #01917593
44 La Loma Dr, Menlo Park Offered at $3,198,000 Brian Ayer · 650.242.2473 Lic. #01870281
1546 San Antonio St, Menlo Park Offered at $1,395,000 Lisa Keith · 650.703.8644 Lic. #00882247
6 Woodleaf Ave, Redwood City Offered at $3,488,000 Dulcy Freeman · 650.804.8884 Lic. #01342352
8 Arch St, Redwood City Offered at $1,198,000 Brian Ayer · 650.242.2473 Lic. #01870281
1260 Payne Dr, Los Altos Offered at $2,695,000 Annette Smith · 650.766.9429 Lic. #01180954
1909 Ray Dr, Burlingame Offered at $2,848,000 Todd Zebb · 650.823.3292 Lic. #01324423
2738 Montavo Pl, Campbell Offered at $1,150,000 Daniela Haaland · 650.980.8866 Lic. #02045462
5180 Rhonda Dr, San Jose Offered at $1,895,000 Tom Martin · 408.314.2830 Lic. #01272381
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COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 414911SFSV_07/18 CalRE #01908304.
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Mountain View | Price Upon Request Remodeled Italian-style home w/extensive basement and bonus space in DT Mountain View. The fully remodeled basement doubles the living space of the house. Living/dining area w/fireplace and arched doorways leading to eat-in kitchen w/upscale appliances, tile, granite counters and maple cabinets. Enjoy crown molding, master bay window, hardwood, fresh paint, Spanish patio, etc. Garage. Near Castro Street. Mar Andres Keehn 650.468.6900 marsellshomes@gmail.com CalRE#01771753
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COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. Š2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 414911SFSV_07/18 CalRE #01908304.
32 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q April 3, 2019