The Almanac October 2, 2019

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Death at Facebook spurs vigil, questions | Page 8 Menlo Park school district leader to depart | Page 11 Tempers flare over Stanford’s growth plan | Page 18

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Enrollment dip continues in local schools Cost of living cited as reason for the changes

By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer Image courtesy San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority

The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority approved on Sept. 26 the final EIR for its next flood-control project, which includes replacing the Pope-Chaucer Bridge.

Plan to replace Pope-Chaucer Bridge flows ahead San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority approves plan to rebuild connector, widen channel to improve upstream protection

By Gennady Sheyner

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decadeslong regional effort to protect homes from the flood-prone San Francisquito Creek moved ahead Thursday, Sept. 26, when the agency charged with bolstering flood protection approved the environmental study for the next phase of work, including the reconstruction of the PopeChaucer Bridge.

By a unanimous vote, the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority board of directors certified the final Environmental Impact Report for what’s known as the “Upstream of Highway 101 Project,” the second significant effort undertaken by the authority since a February 1998 flood caused severe damage to neighborhoods near the creek in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

Years in the planning, the $9 million project has three distinct elements: the replacement of the Pope-Chaucer Bridge; the removal of concrete from the channel in three areas between Newell Road and Euclid Street; and the replacement of a wooden parapet extension at University Avenue and Woodland Avenue.

The upstream project would not, in and of itself, protect the area around the San Francisquito Creek from the 100-year event (which has a 1% chance of happening in any given year). It would, however, bolster protection sufficiently to protect the areas from a “70-year flood” of the sort that occurred in 1998.

And leaders from the three cities hope they can ultimately achieve 100-year protection through the creation of a detention basin farther upstream, on Stanford University land.

Some residents saw this as a shortcoming. Steve Schmidt, a former Menlo Park mayor who lives in the Willows neighborhood, urged the creek authority to bring the plan up to the 100-year-protection standard.

“My suggestion is that you stop the music and come up with an integrated 100-year plan that includes the upstream retention on Stanford property with their agreement and their commitment to do this,” Schmidt said.

For most others, however, the project is long overdue.

Thomas Rindfleisch, a resident of Crescent Park, recalled the 1998 flood, which he noted caused $28 million in damage and resulted in about 1,400 homes getting f looded. He called the flood-improvement project “urgent” and a “major step toward protecting the neighborhood.”

“We have got to get this project done,” Rindfleisch said.

Palo Alto City Councilwoman Liz Kniss, who represents the city on the creek authority board, wholeheartedly agreed and said the flood-control project is a “long time coming.”

She also disagreed with those who said the agency should take more time to deliberate.

Several residents chafed at the fact that the final version of the document, which contained

comments on the draft EIR, didn’t get publicly released until Monday, Sept. 23 (creek authority officials noted that the draft document has been out since the spring and the final document doesn’t have any new information, aside from responses to comments).

Kniss noted that it’s taken years for the agency to get to this point. She recalled the flood of 1998 and “the effect it had on everyone.”

“People were not only devastated, they were angry,” Kniss said. “They were angry at us as a city. I think this is our opportunity to say ... ‘Finally, after 20 years, we’re going to make this a safe place to be.’”

Other members of the board, which includes elected officials from Palo Alto, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and water districts from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, concurred.

Though they acknowledged that the project falls short of the overarching goal — 100-year protection — the benefits of the project are significant. Menlo Park City Councilman Drew Combs, a member of the creek authority, said it would provide protection for hundreds of homes.

“That’s what this exercise is about. ... This project alone does provide additional protection for hundreds of homes and this, in of itself, is something of great value,” Combs said.

The board’s approval of the upstream project comes just See BRIDGE, page 6

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nrollment has dipped again this year in local elementary school districts, which is mostly attributable to families moving away from the area because they can’t afford to live here, district officials say.

The Woodside Elementary School District saw about a 6.8% decrease in enrollment — from 411 students this time last year to 376 students this year as of Sept. 19.

“I think it’s just really difficult to live here (on the Peninsula) right now,” said Woodside Superintendent Steve Frank. “Quite a few families told me flat-out they can’t afford to live here anymore, so they’re moving.”

The district conducts exit interviews with families leaving the district, and families said they were moving to places such as Europe, Oregon, Los Angeles and the Central Valley, he said.

Frank is not particularly concerned about the turnover, noting that some of the decrease has to do with the fact that the eighth grade class that graduated in the spring was 15 students larger than this year’s eighth grade class. About 17 students in the district moved away, while 14 transferred to private schools, he said. The attrition of students leaving for private school is consistent with past years’ figures, he said.

The Almanac gathered enrollment numbers for the 2019-20 school year that show: Q Menlo Park City School District: Enrollment remained steady, with a slight increase from 2,926 students last September to 2,932 this September.

Q Las Lomitas Elementary School District: down 4.5% from last school year. There are 1,202 students (as of Sept. 16), compared with 1,259 at the same time last school year. Enrollment at both district schools (Las Lomitas Elementary and La Entrada Middle School) is down.

Q Portola Valley School District: down 4.5%. There are 548

students enrolled in the district as of Sept. 16, compared with 574 students at the same time last school year. Numbers are lower than the range of 572 to 612 students demographers projected for this school year, according to a March 2018 presentation to the school board

by Enrollment Projection Consultants, a San Mateo-based demographer.

Previously, the booming regional economy meant more families moved into the area, increasing births and enrollment in local schools, according to a December 2017 report from Enrollment Projection Consultants.

Now, people are moving away once they have children because they can’t afford housing, report author Tom Williams wrote.

The median home value in Menlo Park is $2.2 million, according to online real estate platform Zillow. Menlo Park home values have actually decreased 8.8% over the past year, the group says. Zillow predicts values will fall another 4.8% within the next year.

“The high prices of housing may be pushing young families away from PVSD (Portola Valley School District) and other districts in the Bay Area and California,” said Superintendent Roberta Zarea. “The nature of employment has shifted such that some families live in the area on a temporary basis.”

The Menlo Park district isn’t being impacted in the same way as nearby small school districts because Menlo Park’s housing stock is different, said Ahmad Sheikholeslami, the district’s chief business and operations officer.

“It (the district) allows people to find entry into multi-housing units (such as) townhomes or condos,” he said. “The Encinal (School) boundary area includes the El Camino (Real) corridor, where new housing opened up.”

There is steady enrollment of students who live in the Willows See ENROLLMENT, page 19

October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 5

TOWN OF ATHERTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED INCREASES TO THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Atherton City Council will hold a public hearing to receive public input regarding proposed changes to the Town of Atherton's Master Fee Schedule concerning fees for general government, police, planning, development, engineering, and park services.

Serving Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Woodside for over 50 years

Menlo Park, Atherton councils meet over emergency responses and traffic

By Kate Bradshaw

NEWSROOM

Said Public Hearing will be conducted at a Regular Meeting of the Atherton City Council scheduled to commence at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Atherton Holbrook Palmer Park Pavilion, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, at which time and place all interested parties may appear and be heard. A copy of the WYVWVZLK 4HZ[LY -LL :JOLK\SL PZ H]HPSHISL MVY YL]PL^ H[ [OL 6ѝJL of the City Clerk, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, California, during normal business hours beginning on Friday, September 27, 2019.

Editor Renee Batti (223-6528)

The Town of Atherton must receive any written protest at Town Hall by 5:00 p.m. on October 16, 2019, or the written protest must be presented at the City Council meeting on October 16, 2019 prior to the close of the public hearing on the matter. If you wish to mail a written protest, please send it in a sealed envelope addressed to Master Fee Schedule, City Clerk, Town of Atherton, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027.

Contributors Kate Daly, Maggie Mah, Barbara Wood

/s/ Anthony Suber ___________________________ Anthony Suber, City Clerk Dated: September 25, 2019 and October 2, 2019 Publication: Almanac

N E W S

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Assistant Editor Julia Brown (223-6531) Staff Writers Kate Bradshaw (223-6588) Rick Radin (223-6527) Angela Swartz (223-6529)

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enlo Park and Atherton may share a border, but it wasn’t until the evening of Sept. 24 that the two city councils governing these jurisdictions shared a meeting, at least as far as most can remember.

Deputy City Manager Justin Murphy said that in his 23 years of work with the city of Menlo Park, the joint meeting with Atherton was the first that he’s seen.

Their one-hour study session touched on a number of the two communities’ shared interests. With both sides demonstrating openness to collaboration, they discussed how they could work together to

support emergency responders and make law enforcement efforts more efficient, what to do about El Camino Real, and what some of the impacts of the policymaking by the individual towns are on each other’s communities.

Law enforcement and emergency response

On the law enforcement front, the chiefs of police of both jurisdictions, Atherton Police Chief Steven McCulley and Menlo Park Police Chief Dave Bertini, said they get along well and collaborate often, particularly when it comes to working with schools attended by children from both communities.

See COUNCILS, page 7

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Q Email letters to: letters@AlmanacNews.com Q Advertising: (650) 854-2626 Advertising Fax: (650) 223-7570 Q Classified Advertising: (650) 854-0858 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.

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BRIDGE continued from page 5

months after the creek authority celebrated the completion of its first significant project, which focused on the particularly flood-prone downstream area between the San Francisco Bay and U.S. Highway 101. That project focused on rebuilding levees and widening the channel in the area around East Palo Alto and near the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, which was redesigned to create space for water runoff.

Palo Alto is also moving ahead now with its own flood-control project: the replacement of Newell Road Bridge. That project, which is now going through the environmental-analysis phase, would need to be completed either before the Pope-Chaucer replacement or concurrently with it to avoid further exacerbating flood risks in the Crescent Park neighborhood.

Despite this potential complication, board members recognized Sept. 26 the agency’s remarkable progress in recent years, both in completing the first phase of the flood-control project last year and in advancing the next one. They characterized it a huge turnaround for the creek authority, which had spent the first two decades of its existence banking on federal funds that never came and formulating plans that never came to fruition.

The recent efforts, spearheaded by the creek authority’s Executive Director Len Materman, rely on local funding sources and money from the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

East Palo Alto City Council-

man Ruben Abrica said the creek authority has been under the impression for a long time that the federal government and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would “come and rescue us.”

“I’m so glad that at one point, the JPA made a shift and said, ‘Forget the feds.’ It’s going to be on us to do it collectively,” Abrica said.

Now, he said, the creek authority needs to act and assure people that further improvements are coming.

“Yes, we may not be able to do 100-year (protection) now, but we can do 70 years. And 70 years is better than nothing,” Abrica said.

The East Palo Alto councilman also said he hopes Stanford will join the effort in the coming years and help the creek authority develop a detention basis. The university, he said, will realize that it also has a “moral, ethical responsibility” to work with the communities in the flood zones. Pat Burt, a former Palo Alto mayor who had previously served on the creek authority board, also noted that Stanford had in the past made verbal commitments to address the flood control issues, including a decade ago, when Palo Alto was in negotiations with Stanford over its proposed (and recently completed) hospitals.

“I think it’s in Stanford’s interest and in this body’s interest to pursue this in collaboration, rather than us exercising our rights of eminent domain and easement on their property,” Burt said.

Gennady Sheyner is a reporter with the Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac’s sister paper.

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Bay Area home sales slip to nine-year low

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ome sales in the Bay Area hit a nine-year low during the month of August, according to new data released last month by financial services firm CoreLogic.

In August, 7,247 homes were sold in the Bay Area, the lowest for that month since August 2010 when just 6,698 homes were sold in the region.

“Although Bay Area home sales in August fell nearly 6% from a year earlier, the recent drop in mortgage rates likely

helped temper that decline,” Andrew LePage, an analyst with CoreLogic, said in a statement.

The data also showed that for the past 13 consecutive months, sales have fallen on a year-overyear basis.

“Some buyers no doubt remain parked on the sidelines, concerned about the possibility of buying near a price peak, and affordability remains a huge hurdle for many,” LePage said.

The median price for homes

sold in the Bay Area in August was $810,000, which is down 0.7% from July 2019 when the price was $816,000 and down 2.4% from $830,000 in August 2018, according to the data. “(The) 2.4% annual decline in the median reflects both lower home prices in some areas as well as a shift toward a lower share of sales occurring in some of the region’s more expensive areas,” he said.

COUNCILS

is exploring the possibility of installing license plate readers.

Mueller said Menlo Park has developed a policy with such devices with regulations to protect privacy that limit how long to keep records before they’re destroyed, and offered to share the wording of the policy with Atherton.

Menlo Park alerted Atherton that city staff, led by the police department, is hoping to get council feedback on a potential drone program sometime in November.

if other communities are on board. While Atherton didn’t seem interested in getting rid of its third El Camino lane, Lewis said she believes the lane striping could be narrowed to potentially make room for bike lanes.

DeGolia said he feels that many Atherton residents don’t want to eliminate the third lane because, unlike in Menlo Park, where many residents are close enough to access services by bike or on foot, Atherton has no businesses and many seniors, so people more often have to travel by car to get what they need.

continued from page 6

Atherton also has a robust emergency preparedness program, ADAPT, short for “Atherton Disaster and Preparedness Team.” Members of both communities participate in CERT, a community emergency response team, led in these communities and East Palo Alto by the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

Bertini said the city is studying Atherton’s program and evaluating whether it’s feasible to do something similar in Menlo Park.

Menlo Park Councilwoman Catherine Carlton suggested the possibility of starting a CERT group set up only for the city’s businesses, a concept the city was looking at a few years ago.

An important element of emergency preparedness is having an emergency operations center, the police chiefs noted.

According to Bertini, Menlo Park’s center is a small room he doesn’t consider to be adequate.

Atherton, on the other hand, has plans for a new emergency operations center at its new civic center complex.

Menlo Park Mayor Ray Mueller asked Atherton council members if they would consider the possibility of consolidating resources in the short term, and potentially for the long term, to share the emergency operations center.

“It’ll be a while before we get an EOC up and operating,” he said. “We’d love to use yours in the interim.”

Atherton council members indicated they were open to the idea, but noted that their center is still about two years out from completion.

While Atherton Councilwoman Elizabeth Lewis expressed concern that the space might be too small and a collaboration may benefit Menlo Park more than Atherton, Councilman Rick DeGolia said, “If we can help, let’s talk about it. We’re certainly interested in talking.”

Atherton council members also mentioned that the town

Traffic and El Camino Real

Atherton council member Michael Lempres said he’s interested in talking to Menlo Park further about figuring out which of the two communities’ shared roadways should be more focused on traffic flow, and which should be identified for traffic calming.

“We’d love to have that (conversation) with you,” Mueller responded.

When it comes to El Camino Real, the two communities have different problems, Lewis noted. Traffic speeds through Atherton, but hits a bottleneck because Menlo Park uses its third lane of the “Royal Road” for street parking. Both councils seemed interested in revisiting the concept of the “Grand Boulevard Initiative,” a plan Menlo Park tabled more than three years ago to consider adding bike lanes on El Camino Real.

Menlo Park Complete Streets Commissioner Lydia Lee stated in a public comment that for households like hers, trying to figure out how to travel by bike between, for example, Spruce Avenue near the Atherton border and Trader Joe’s in Menlo Park, El Camino Real really is the most direct route. She said that if there were a safe way to use the road by bike, more people would certainly use it. Plus, she added, people are already using it under current, dangerous conditions.

Mueller said he’s a lot more interested in exploring the idea

—Bay City News Service

Shared impacts

REAL ESTATE Q&A

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that most buyers want conventional homes.

There is a much narrower market for multi-units in a neighborhood of single family homes. You were wise to take the property off the market and convert it to a single unit. When it is in perfect showing condition bring it back on the market and you should have good response.

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PEDESTRIAN SAFETY “SEE AND BE SEEN” BE VISIBLE ~ STAY ALERT

Atherton Mayor Bill Widmer said that there have been instances where he’s felt Atherton is owed more in funding contributions from developers in Menlo Park than the city demands of the developer.

Menlo Park’s interim Public Works Director Nikki Nagaya responded that Menlo Park staff has worked closely with Atherton staff on projects like the Station 1300 development on Oak Grove Avenue to make sure projects factor in potential transportation projects across the city’s border in Atherton when coming up with traffic mitigation strategies.

Mueller said that the city can, in the future, ask for a section on staff reports about big development projects that answers the question “What do our neighbors think?” to make sure other jurisdictions’ concerns are included in council considerations. A

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www.menlofire.org Menlo Park Fire District Public Education October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 7

N E W S

Protesters at Facebook mourn loss of man who died by suicide and demand answers

By Kate Bradshaw Almanac Staff Writer

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week after a Facebook employee died by suicide at company headquarters in Menlo Park, hundreds of people joined in front of the social media giant’s “like” billboard to remember the man who died and oppose toxic work conditions they believe may have led to his death.

The protest and vigil was held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, in remembrance of 38-year-old Qin Chen, who jumped from a building at the campus. It was attended by about 400 people, some Facebook employees and many others who met for the first time at the event to remember Chen and show solidarity with his surviving family members, according to an email from event organizers to The Almanac.

The group is demanding a full investigation into the work conditions the man experienced up until his death.

They’re calling their campaign “We deserve the truth,” because, as they explain, “a

Photo courtesy of Emma Duan

Protesters call for more information relating to the death of Facebook employee Qin Chen, who died by suicide Sept. 19, at a vigil and protest held at Facebook headquarters on Sept. 26.

young employee jumped to death and the (tech giant) only called it passed away and silenced critics inside of the company.”

“We urge full investigation and further action from Facebook to prevent future tragedies,” they added.

They told The Almanac that Facebook has kept all

information about the incident confidential and deleted the man’s Facebook account activities immediately after his death.

The only available information at this point, they say, is from anonymous Facebook employees who may have worked closely with him in the past. There are unconfirmed reports that he

may have experienced workplace bullying and a high-stress environment.

In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson said, “We are saddened by the tragic news that we lost one of our employees, Qin Chen, to suicide last week at our Menlo Park headquarters. And, we are doing everything we can

35TH ANNUAL

to support his family and loved ones during this time.”

“All of our actions are being guided by a world leading external expert in suicide prevention. We deeply care about our people and are providing on-site counseling to our employees and those who work on contract with Facebook, and offering mental health and suicide prevention support for all employees. Lastly, we are bringing the community together by creating safe spaces to openly share through our internal resource groups.”

Facebook declined to comment on whether an internal investigation is being conducted.

The law firm Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP is investigating the suicide and has asked people who have any information to contact Qiaojing Ella Zheng via email at qzheng@sanfordheisler.com or phone at (415) 795-2020.

Any person who is feeling depressed, troubled or suicidal can call 1-800-784-2433 to speak with a crisis counselor. People in Santa Clara County can call 1-855-278-4204. Spanish speakers can call 1-888-628-9454.

People can reach trained counselors at Crisis Text Line by texting 741741.

Additional resources can be found at is.gd/help847. A

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October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 9

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S C H O O L S

Top leader in Menlo Park school district to depart

By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer

A

fter 13 years, the Menlo Park City School District’s chief business and operations officer is leaving, the district announced Sept. 25.

Ahmad Sheikholeslami will leave his role at the end of October to become assistant superintendent of business services in the Pleasanton Unified School District, a larger K-12 district closer to his home, according to a Sept. 25 press release from the district. He begins his new job on Nov. 1. “In Ahmad, Pleasanton Uni-

fied is inheriting one of our community’s best resources,�

Superintendent Erik Burmeister said in a prepared statement. “This is a great opportunity for our friend and we wish him all the best in his new adventure, but he will be missed. His thirteen years in the district in his many different roles will leave a legacy far longer than the time he spent with us.�

Sheikholeslami said in an email that it’s been “a pleasure and honor to serve the Menlo Park/Atherton community and be part of such a wonderful school district that has made positive impacts in the lives of

our children.�

Sheikholeslami joined the district in 2006 to manage and oversee new construction and modernization projects, which included building new Hillview Middle School and Laurel School Upper campuses, according to the district website.

By 2012, most district construction projects were completed. At this time, Sheikholeslami’s role expanded to overseeing the district’s maintenance, grounds, facilities, transportation, technology and emergency planning, according to the district.

In December 2014, he was

promoted to his current role, which includes overseeing all of the district’s finances and operations.

During Sheikholeslami’s tenure, the district’s enrollment grew by about 670 students, or 30%, according to the press release. Sheikholeslami maintained the district’s Triple A credit rating and saved taxpayers nearly $30 million by refinancing bonds over the past decade, the district said.

Sheikholeslami is known to all who work with him for his kindness, attention to detail, and spirit of collaboration, the press release states. A

Photo courtesy of Menlo Park City School District

Ahmad Sheikholeslami

The district will plan the process to fill Sheikholeslami’s position over the next few weeks, said Parke Treadway, the district’s public information officer, in a Sept. 25 email. A

Menlo Park school board appoints new trustee Mark Box is a former school board member, former district parent

By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer

T

he Menlo Park City School District school board chose former member Mark Box as the board’s new member at a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 23. Box takes the seat left vacant by Caroline Lucas, who was elected in 2016

and resigned in August to take a teaching job with the district.

The board voted 4-0 to appoint Box, who said he won’t run for the seat in November 2020 when the term expires, after interviewing four candidates in open session.

Box, who has lived in Menlo Park for 18 years, served on the district’s school board from 2008 to 2011, according to his

application for the board seat.

A startup investor and adviser, he is currently chairman of the district finance committee and is a former district parent.

Board member Stacey Jones said that Box could come up to speed quickly on district issues and contribute immediately, given his past and current experience in the district.

During the next 14 months, the district will evaluate its finances and potentially plan for a parcel tax or bond measure to put on the November 2020 ballot. “Experience rises to the top� for this short-term consideration, she said.

The district will require “addiPhoto courtesy of Mark Box

See SCHOOL BOARD, page 16

Mark Box

Stanford University Development Project and the General Use Permit Application County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors Hearing Tuesday, October 22, 2019 / 6:00 pm City of Palo Alto Council Chambers / 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 At this hearing, the Board of Supervisors will receive testimony from members of the public on the General Use Permit application. This is the only hearing before the Board on the application in Palo Alto. Other hearings will be in San JosĂŠ.

DID YOU KNOW? Stanford University is proposing to add more than 3.5 million square feet of new development and 9,600 people to its campus. The project is the largest ever to be reviewed by the County of Santa Clara in its 169-year history.

The process of the County’s consideration of the General Use Permit Application will be fair, transparent and open. The County is seeking input from the community on this General Use Permit Application.

The County Administration is committed to ensuring that this development, if approved, does not negatively impact the surrounding community by substantially worsening local VTCHĆ‚E GUECNCVKPI FGOCPF QP JQWUKPI RCTVKEWNCTN[ CHHQTFCDNG housing - or endangering our open spaces.

Last Hearing in Palo Alto to Share Your Views with the Board of Supervisors For the latest updates, please visit: CountyStanford.Info October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 11

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October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 13

C O V E R

S T O R Y

on the sidelines M-A welcomes students of all abilities and backgrounds on its cheerleading teams

By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer

kyler Von Lowen shouts, along with the rest of her cheerleading team, “M-A, let me hear you say, M-A!” during a team practice in her high school’s dance room on a Wednesday afternoon.

Skyler, a 14-year-old freshman, is doing something special at Menlo-Atherton High School this school year. She’s one of the first special-needs students — a person with physical, emotional, behavioral or learning disability or impairment that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations — to be a cheerleader at the school since Varsity Cheerleading Coach Nona Ybarra joined the school’s athletic department 16 years ago.

For Ybarra, good spirit is something the school’s junior varsity and varsity cheerleading teams need at every game.

“She (Skyler) brought an element of just happiness and good spirit, that it was just

something I wouldn’t pass up just because she had special needs,” Ybarra said. “If the person can make me smile, I know they can make other people smile.”

Skyler has mild intellectual and physical disabilities because she was born with a chromosomal abnormality: Distal 8p deletion, said her mother Sandra Von Lowen.

And soon after Skyler joined the cheerleading team, another special-needs student gave it a shot. M-A junior Angelina Mandujano Gonzalez, 16, who is deaf, decided to try out for the squad at the last minute because she was missing a few physical education credits.

“I also wanted to try something new and prove to people in general that any deaf person CAN DO IT/do anything,” Angelina, who recently joined the junior varsity cheerleading team, explained in an email. “They are capable of becoming a cheerleader for ANY sports.”

The school accommodates Angelina’s disability by providing two sign language

14 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q October 2, 2019

Photos by Magali Gauthier/The Almanac

Above: Skyler Von Lowen, a freshman at Menlo-Atherton High School, cheers during a junior varsity football game against Sequoia High School on Sept. 20. Top: Freddie Wynn, a senior at Menlo-Atherton High School, does the splits midair during cheerleading practice.

interpreters at every cheerleading practice and at games, she said.

“They (the other cheerleaders) are all aware that I am deaf and are comfortable around me,” she said. “Some girls were willing to learn a few signs to communicate or learn for fun.”

INCLUSIVE TEAMS Nationwide, the inclusion of students with disabilities in school athletic programs is becoming more widespread.

Some high schools offer a Special Olympics program called Unified Sports,

which unlike traditional high school athletic teams combines students with special needs with those without intellectual disabilities on sports teams. About 260,000 students participated in the program in 2018, an increase of 16% from the previous year, according to Unified Sports. The program helps foster meaningful interactions between students and helps special-needs students feel recognized as contributors, according to program organizers.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires schools to provide “reasonable accommodations” for an individual who can establish that he has a disability and that he is “otherwise qualified” to

C O V E R

participate in the sport or activity in question. The law defines a disability as a “physical or mental impairment limiting one or more major life activities.”

At M-A, Ybarra’s kind and inclusive nature has helped shape the junior varsity and varsity cheerleading teams to be welcoming to everyone, Von Lowen said. This coincides with the school’s “strength in diversity” motto, she noted.

“I have always gone out of my way to make everyone feel welcomed,” Ybarra said in an email.

“I think high school could be so brutal at times and it doesn’t need to be. If I can create an environment that uplifts, and connect students in a positive way, then I AM ALL IN! That is what cheerleading is all about, spreading cheer!”

The team also includes two male students. During Ybarra’s time at M-A, there have been six male cheerleaders at the school.

Just 11.4% of high school cheerleaders in the United States are male, according to a 2019 Sport & Fitness Industry Association sports participation report.

Freddie Wynn, 17, is one of those six male students. Freddie, who enjoys choreography and dance, joined the M-A varsity cheerleading team this school year. He said he has wanted to try out for cheerleading since he was a freshman, but feared judgment and “hate” from his peers.

“Being a new gay kid, I thought people would make fun of me,” said Freddie, who finally went out for the team his senior year, realizing it was his last chance.

“I’m actually enjoying it a lot. My teammates are very supportive and caring.”

BRANCHING OUT Although students at M-A tend to stay within their own social

circles, extracurricular activities bring people from different social circles together, Freddie said.

“We (at M-A) pride ourselves in the strength our diverse student body, representing 37 different home languages, brings to the M-A Community,” said Principal Simone Rick-Kennel in an email. “Our unique diversity is represented in athletics and extracurricular activities. Our instructional program is and always has been a work in progress to make sure all of our students have access to the highest academic rigor with appropriate support as needed.”

Freddie had some initial nervousness before games, especially a performance during an M-A football game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Strong support from his friends and family who attended eased those nerves.

He’s received compliments from classmates who have seen him perform.

“It’s (cheerleading) helping me express myself even further,” he said. “I liked being who I was, but it’s helping me get out there even more.”

At M-A, Skyler mostly interacts with students in her specialneeds class, so extracurricular activities (Skyler also participates in choir) are a way for her to branch out, her mom said.

Although Skyler doesn’t participate in cheerleading stunts, such as building pyramids and memorizing a sequence of movements, she takes part in chants as a sideline cheerleader, Von Lowen explained.

“It’s a great way for her to make a group of friends and not just in her special-needs class,” Von Lowen said. “Aside from choir, everything else she does is kind of isolated to one area.”

Skyler was a cheerleader and performed in the school’s production of “Mary Poppins” as

S T O R Y

a student at Hillview Middle School.

Von Lowen said other specialneeds students who enjoy performing are also coming up through Hillview, and may be inspired by Skyler and try out for

cheerleading at M-A. “We hope to inspire other kids to try,” Von Lowen said. “All we did was ask.”

To students who are afraid they might not fit into the mold of a particular role like a cheerleader,

Freddie said: “Be confident in what you’re doing. If it’s something you love, who cares?” A On the cover: Skyler Von Lowen, a freshman at Menlo-Atherton High School, practices a cheer on Aug. 21. Photo by Magali Gauthier/The Almanac

Photos by Magali Gauthier/The Almanac

Photo courtesy of Sandra Von Lowen

Menlo-Atherton High freshman Skyler Von Lowen took a celebratory photo in the spring after learning she made the school cheerleading team.

From top to bottom: Angelina Mandujano Gonzalez, a junior at Menlo-Atherton High School who is hearing impaired, practices a cheer with her teammates on Sept. 25; Kristin Gunion, an M-A staff interpreter, speaks with Gonzalez during her first appearance as a cheerleader at a junior varsity football game against Sequoia High; Skyler Von Lowen, in a maroon shirt, and Freddie Wynn, in a camouflage print shirt, practice with the M-A cheerleading teams on Aug. 21.

October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 15

N E W S

County earmarks major funds for Flood Park upgrades

By Kate Bradshaw Almanac Staff Writer

P

lans to add sports fields and more active recreation areas at Flood Park are gaining momentum.

San Mateo County aims to revamp the 24-acre park in Menlo Park’s Suburban Park, Lorelei Manor and Flood Triangle neighborhoods to create a soccer and lacrosse field, renovate the baseball field, and add play areas, an amphitheater and a pump track for sports bike riders, among other steps.

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved its two-year budget for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 fiscal years on Sept. 24 that includes nearly $16 million in funding for the project.

Sept. 23 was the deadline for the second round of collecting public input on an environmental review of the plan.

The budget shows funding allocations of $1.7 million for the

Photo by Robert Most

Children enjoy an informal game of soccer on the dry grass at Flood Park in Menlo Park in June 2018. San Mateo County plans to build a formal soccer field at the park in its proposed landscape plan.

2019-20 fiscal year for the work to design the project and $14 million for construction costs, according to county parks department spokeswoman Carla Schoof.

With the close of the envi-

ronmental review process, the next step will be for staff and consultants to respond to whatever unaddressed concerns were brought up, and then to take the matter to the Board of Supervi-

sors for potential approval.

If the project earns approval from the board, then the county will begin its search for a design firm and launch more community outreach, Schoof said. A

Woodside Planning Commission to look at proposed new Glens rules

By Rick Radin Almanac Staff Writer

T

he Woodside Planning Commission will consider recommending some new rules Wednesday, Oct. 2, that would make it easier for residents of the Glens neighborhood, particularly those with smaller lots, to upgrade and enlarge their homes.

Homeowners in the neighborhood have been petitioning the town for relief from restrictive

zoning rules that they say are blocking them from adding more space to their properties.

Some have also said that the rules that are keeping homes in the Glens significantly smaller than most other Woodside properties are also holding down housing prices in the neighborhood and limiting return on investment.

However, there are reasons why development in the Glens needs to be controlled, according to Woodside Planning

Director Jackie Young.

The neighborhood was originally developed to provide summer vacation cottages for San Francisco residents and for yearround primary residences.

According to a staff report, the lots vary enormously in size, setbacks from the street in many cases are minimal, the sewer system is at capacity and the streets are narrow and may not be able to accommodate heavy traffic in an emergency.

After months of Planning

Commission review and debate and a series of Saturday neighborhood tours by residents and town staff, the planning department has come up with proposed rules that would: Q “Progressively increase” maximum residence sizes for smaller lots, subject to design review by the planning department.

Q Provide incentives for building garages on smaller lots by not including them in calculations of the total floor area of the home.

Q Reduce required setbacks for “constrained” lots, subject to design review.

Q Count parking within the street right-of-way and off the paved street toward on-site parking requirements.

Q Allow tiered landscaping for homes on slopes of greater than 35% when it is considered safe by the town geologist and town engineer.

If the Planning Commission recommends the proposed new rules, they will go to the Town Council, which will consider approving them at a later date. A

LEHUA GREENMAN

"Be thankful for the struggle. It makes you stronger."

650.245.1845 16 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q October 2, 2019

SCHOOL BOARD continued from page 11

tional funds that are not part of the current budget planning,” to support its recently passed teacher compensation philosophy, according to a district staff report. The philosophy is part of the district’s efforts to hire and retain the “most qualified and exceptional teachers and staff” given that the district is located in an area of “extreme” high cost of living and has a budget dependent on local revenue sources, according to the district.

The three other candidates were: Q Jonathan Carpenter: Carpenter’s five children attend district schools, according to his application for the board seat. After 22 years of public service, he returned to the Bay Area, so his children could attend district schools. He is a guest teacher and plans to run for the seat in November 2020.

Q Eunyun Park: A district parent, Park is a human resources consultant and organizational development and analytics expert, according to her application for the board seat. She is not certain whether she will run for the open seat next year.

Q Francesca Segre: A district parent, Segre serves on the site councils at Encinal School and Hillview Middle School, according to her application for the board seat. A former journalist, Segre worked as an education policy specialist for former state Assemblyman Rich Gordon. Segre now works in communications at LinkedIn. She plans to run for the seat next year, she said.

Board President David Ackerman argued that Box was the safe choice, given that he “was one of the best board members” the district has ever had. Yet the district’s strategic direction states that taking the safest choice doesn’t lead to innovation, he said.

“Francesca just impressed the heck out of me,” he said. “Her journalistic career, research on educational issues, working with Rich Gordon with the public. I think she would bring a whole lot to the board about understanding issues and being able to work with the public.”

Ultimately, the four board members agreed to appoint Box, with board member Scott Saywell noting that Box was qualified for the specific job and that there will be an election for the seat next year to fill a four-year term.

Box served on the school board until 2011, when he resigned to move with his family to Barcelona, Spain, for the 201112 school year. He formerly served as president of the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation. A

C O M M U N I T Y

Community invited to ‘Rise Against Hunger’ Valley Presbyterian Church is hosting a “fun and handson service activity to reduce world hunger” on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 945 Portola Road in Portola Valley.

Participants will work together to assemble rice-based meals to ship to Southeast Asia to deliver to those in need as part of a project of the nonprofit Rise Against Hunger.

“Anyone aged 4 through adult can get involved, so entire families can participate, as well as friend groups, individual neighbors, athletic teams, or school and corporate organizations,” a spokesperson for the church wrote in an email.

Last year, the church provided 20,000 fortified meals, “and this year the church plans to do the same, supporting a larger goal for 2 million meals

coming from Silicon Valley,” the spokesperson said.

The church welcomes dropins, but requests that, if possible, participants pre-register online at tinyurl.com/pvp-hunger.

For more information about the event, call the church at 851-2848, or email cathyp@ valleypreschurch.org.

For information about the nonprofit, go to riseagainsthunger.org.

Photo courtesy of Rise Against Hunger

Volunteers package meals at an event sponsored by Rise Against Hunger.

PURPLE FOX AND THE HEEBIE JEEBIES SING-A-LONG Creating a vibrant community Saturday, October 5 1:00–3:00 pm Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton

Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies is a fun, funky, upbeat Reggae, Rockin’ and Rollin’ Band based in Silicon Valley.

FOR MORE INFORMATION •

menlopark.org/events

•

650-330-2220

•

Purchase online at: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/purple-fox-andthe-heebie-jeebies-sing-a-longtickets-69063237001

ENJOY •

•

A FUN, interactive experience for all ages—a celebration of kindness and sharing, bringing kids and adults together.

Upbeat Reggae tunes with catchy melodies, nostalgic horns, funky bass & sweet guitar solos.

ADMISSION •

$12.00 per person

October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 17

N E W S

Tempers flare as Stanford’s growth plan hits critical phase Supervisors at odds over proposed development agreement, which university claims is necessary for its application to proceed

By Gennady Sheyner

W

ith Stanford University’s bid to dramatically expand its campus entering a critical phase, the university doubled down Tuesday, Sept. 24, on its demand for a development agreement with Santa Clara County and suggested that it would not accept the county’s approval of its growth plan without such a deal.

Stanford made the bold announcement during last week’s meeting of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, which is scheduled to review Stanford’s proposed general use permit over a series of three hearings between October and early November.

The Sept. 24 workshop on the permit gave the supervisors and the community a chance to gather some background about Stanford’s growth proposal before the formal public hearing begins on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

If approved, the permit would allow Stanford to construct 2.25 million square feet of new academic development along with facilities for 2,600 student beds, 550 housing units for staff and faculty, and 40,000 square feet for child care centers and tripreducing facilities. In June, the Planning Commission recommended approving the growth plan but with one key and controversial provision: a requirement for Stanford to build at least 2,172 new housing units, which roughly quadruples the number the university outlined in its proposal.

One major sticking point between Stanford and the county was whether or not the two sides should move ahead with talks of a development agreement — a negotiated contract that would allow both sides to propose requirements and community benefits that go beyond the county’s regulatory requirements. The county agreed last year to authorize two of its supervisors — Joe Simitian and Cindy Chavez — to enter into negotiations with Stanford over such an agreement. The negotiations fell apart last April, however, when Stanford reached a separate agreement with the Palo Alto Unified School District on a package of benefits worth an estimated $138 million.

That deal hinged, however, on the county’s approval of a broader development agreement with Stanford — a condition that Simitian and Chavez saw as Stanford’s attempt to get leverage over the county. Once news of the school deal broke, the two supervisors abruptly halted the negotiations over the development agreement. Since then, the

county has continued to review Stanford’s application through its typical process, which involves certifying the Environmental Impact Report, imposing conditions of approval and going through public hearings in front of the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.

But while the Board of Supervisors wasn’t planning to discuss the aborted negotiations over the development agreement Sept. 24, the topic returned to the board with a vengeance when Supervisor Dave Cortese attacked county staff for failing to negotiate with Stanford in good faith. After learning that the developmentagreement negotiations were led by the ad hoc committee of Simitian and Chavez with little participation from county staff, Cortese accused County Executive Jeff Smith of “running a rogue operation.”

“That’s about as derelict as anything I’ve ever heard from anyone in government that I’ve ever been in a governance position to supervise ... or keep on my payroll,” Cortese said.

Cortese said he was frustrated by the fact that the board hasn’t been updated about the negotiations with Stanford since it appointed the committee to negotiate with the university.

“I don’t like being in the position of being in the dark as to what’s going on,” Cortese said.

County staff, for its part, has consistently held the position that while it is authorized to negotiate a development agreement, it is not required to do so. Stanford’s prior general use permit, which the county approved in 2000, did not require a development agreement and neither has any other development that the county has ever reviewed.

The development agreement, which Stanford strongly hopes to achieve, would dramatically change the dynamic in the tense negotiations between the university and the county, shifting the county’s role from that of a regulator to that of a partner.

County staff has been loath to make that shift, arguing that it would be important to first determine the requirements that Stanford would have to meet before deciding what other benefits and concessions the county should consider in a development agreement negotiation.

Smith said Sept. 24 that he believes development agreements are “only useful and good where it’s fairly clear exactly what other requests are being made outside the normal process going through planning.”

“In this situation, we have a

18 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q October 2, 2019

complex and very complete planning document with lots of conditions of approval. It already went through the Planning Commission and is coming to the board for action. Trying to superimpose the development agreement on top of that is a formula for confusion and not a good approach, in my opinion,” Smith said.

After hearing Smith’s response, Cortese said he thinks it’s “absolutely absurd,” given the Board of Supervisors’ direction from a year ago, for staff not to take a more proactive approach on the development agreement and by not making a counterproposal to Stanford.

Stanford has also consistently pressed the county to negotiate an agreement, which university officials argue is the best way to provide the community with “front-loaded benefits” and provide Stanford with long-term certainty that it will be able to grow.

On Sept. 24, Catherine Palter, Stanford’s associate vice president for land use and environmental planning, suggested that such an agreement would be a necessary component of whatever gets approved.

“Since many of these community benefits will need to be provided upfront, we have concluded that it will not be possible to accept a new general use permit without a corresponding development agreement,” Palter said. “Such an agreement will enable us to satisfy the county’s requests and provide the kinds of significant benefits our neighbors seek.

“In return, Stanford receives the predictability that a development agreement affords. We see a permit and the development agreement as a package.”

While some residents touted Stanford’s academic reputation and argued that the university shouldn’t be treated like other developers, Simitian pointed out that Stanford already gets special treatment. The general use permit process, which effectively allows the university to build any project it wants within a 10- to 20-year period without getting the county’s approval (provided the project is consistent with the permit), is a tool that exists only for Stanford, he noted.

Stanford has always been able to get the approvals it’s been seeking from the board. The county, he said, has a “128-year history where every single application (from Stanford) has gotten a yes.”

“It seems to me there’s a pretty good track record and a case to be made for pretty responsive if not generous spirit by folks here at the county with respect to the

mission of the organization and the development requests,” Simitian said, referring to Stanford.

The board’s discussion followed comments from a few dozen public officials and residents, most of whom urged the board to make sure Stanford’s expansion doesn’t aggravate the area’s already considerable housing and traffic problems.

‘Menlo Park residents, like others in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, are fed up with the (housing and traffic) situation, and they elected us to do something about it.’

B ETSY NASH, MENLO PARK COUNCILWOMAN

East Palo Alto Vice Mayor Regina Wallace-Jones lauded Stanford as an educational institution but warned about the traffic and housing challenges her city is already experiencing.

She said her city would like to see Stanford contribute $20 million for construction of affordable housing in her city and another $15.5 million to help fund necessary transportation projects.

“As we delved into the plan for housing, a lot of the workers, some of which are part time, some of which are faculty, are not accounted for in the housing.

And many of those housing units are sought in the city of East Palo Alto.”

Menlo Park City Councilwoman Betsy Nash said her city, like others, “struggles every day with two large and growing issues: One is inadequate housing availability and housing affordability, and the other is traffic congestion that chokes our streets.

“Menlo Park residents, like others in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, are fed up with the situation, and they elected us to do something about it,” Nash said.

Mountain View Mayor Lisa Matichak lauded the proposal in her letter to the Board of Supervisors. Providing on-campus housing, she wrote, “would be a leading step by Stanford to help address our region’s housing crisis and reduce potential transportation impacts by allowing faculty, staff and students to walk or bike to work.

“If new housing is not constructed on campus, then there would be greater housing and transportation impacts to the City of Mountain View and other

nearby cities,” Matichak’s letter states. The City appreciates Stanford providing all of its housing on-campus to fully mitigate the significant residential impacts from its proposed academic facility expansion.”

Palo Alto Mayor Eric Filseth focused on the potential traffic impacts of Stanford’s expansion and suggested that the university be required to make significant contributions to big-ticket transportation projects.

“There is no dispute that the City of Palo Alto will be significantly burdened by the addition of nearly 3.5 million square feet of new development,” the letter signed by Mayor Eric Filseth states. “Most acutely, the City will experience an increase in commuter congestion on its roadways and multi-modal networks that will extend travel times and exacerbate commuter frustrations.”

The letter argues that to fully mitigate its impacts, Stanford needs to provide “fair share” payments toward separating the Caltrain corridor from streets at intersections (the city estimates that Stanford’s share in the project should be $159 million), improving the downtown transit center ($99 million) and performing roadway maintenance on city streets that serve the campus ($1.2 million).

School impacts are also an area of concern in Palo Alto.

School board President Jennifer DiBrienza and Vice President Todd Collins both stressed the importance of having Stanford contribute to local education, given the number of new students that the university’s expansion would bring to the district.

“We need to make sure the expansion of one great educational institution doesn’t drag down another,” Collins told the board. “Please, please insist on an agreement that protects Palo Alto schools.”

The topic of school impacts is expected to take center stage at the Oct. 22 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, which will take place in Palo Alto. In preparation for that meeting, Simitian and Chavez issued a memo asking staff to determine the expected enrollment increase in the Palo Alto Unified School District associated with Stanford’s expansion, the impact of the expansion on per-pupil funding in the school district and other information.

The board’s next review of Stanford’s GUP application is scheduled for Oct. 8.

Gennady Sheyner is a staff writer with the Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac’s sister paper.

N E W S

Atherton to host study session on license plate readers, security cameras

By Angela Swartz Almanac Staff Writer

I

n response to a rash of residential burglaries that plagued Atherton late last year and earlier this year, town staff is in the final stages of researching the impacts of installing license plate readers and security cameras around town, according to Atherton Police Cmdr. Joe Wade.

At a Wednesday, Oct. 2, town study session, police will review for the City Council the advantages and disadvantages ENROLLMENT continued from page 5

neighborhood, while in West Menlo Park, Oak Knoll School has seen declining enrollment, he said.

In two to three years, the district could actually experience enrollment growth as new housing projects open along El Camino Real, he said. This could impact capacity at Hillview Middle School, he said. “(Enrollment is) always complicated and fascinating because we live in a pretty dynamic community,� he said. “There’s a lot of movement and it’s hard to tell if the movement is going to be people looking for work somewhere else or coming in.�

Staffing and financial impacts

These local schools are all “community funded,� which means they receive most of their revenue from local sources, including property taxes, parcel taxes and donations. Little of their funding depends on enrollment, so decreasing enrollment actually means there are more funds available per student.

Dips in enrollment affect staffing needs, superintendents noted. For example, in Woodside, a grade level dropped from three sections down to two, so the district shifted people to different grade levels. The district is not at a point where it needs to cut staff, Frank said.

Decreased enrollment impacts fundraising efforts in the district, said Las Lomitas Superintendent Beth Polito. Monetary donations from fundraisers, primarily from district families, account for about 10% to 20% of the district’s operating budget. Less families in the district means less money from fundraising, she said.

School districts’ final enrollment numbers are submitted to the state in early October. A

of different types of license plate reader and security camera systems. They will also recommend locations for camera placement in town and provide information about other communities that currently have (and don’t have) these systems, Wade said in an email.

The discussion will also include a review of the town’s current resident security camera registration program and the level of resident participation.

If the town purchases security cameras, staff would look to place them on the periphery of town, Wade said. Specifically, they would be located at entrances and exits into and out of town such as Atherton Avenue/Alameda de las Pulgas; Alameda de las Pulgas/Stockbridge Avenue/ Middlefield Road/Marsh Road;

and Middlefield Road/Ringwood Avenue.

During a March 20 meeting, the council voted 4-0, with Elizabeth Lewis absent, to direct staff to research installing license plate readers and safety cameras around town, working with the police department to identify safeguards to ensure that there aren’t information leaks from the reader databases if the devices are installed.

It also asked staff to identify security and privacy concerns and how they might be addressed, and to determine the cost of the devices and where they could be installed.

The meeting takes place in Holbrook-Palmer Park’s Jennings Pavilion, 150 Watkins Ave. in Atherton, at 4 p.m. A

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY NOTICE OF A TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council of the Town of Portola Valley will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., in the Historic Schoolhouse, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley, California on the following: ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY AMENDING 15.04.20 [AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING CODE], AND 15.04.030 [ADMINISTRATION OF THE BUILDING CODE] OF CHAPTER 15.04 [BUILDING CODE] OF TITLE 15 [BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION] OF THE PORTOLA VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT AN UPDATED BUILDING CODE OF THE PORTOLA VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE The Town periodically amends Chapter 15.04 of the Municipal Code to incorporate the most recent edition of the model building code that has been adopted by the California Building Standards Commission. Adoption of the California Building Code, (with modPÄJH[PVUZ PUJS\KLZ" 2019 California Administrative Code – CCR Title 24 Part 1 2019 California Building Code – CCR Title 24 Part 2 2019 California Residential Code – CCR Title 24 Part 2.5 2019 California Electrical Code – CCR Title 24 Part 3 2019 California Mechanical Code – CCR Title 24 Part 4 2019 California Plumbing Code – CCR Title 24 Part 5 2019 California Energy Code – CCR Title 24 Part 6 2019 California Historical Building Code – CCR Title 24 Part 8 2019 California Fire Code – CCR Title 24 Part 9 2019 California Existing Building Code, – CCR Title 24 Part 10 2019 California Green Building Standards Code Title 24, Part 11 2019 California Referenced Standards Code – CCR Title 24 Part 12

Information pertaining to the proposed ordinance may be viewed at Town Hall Planning and Building Department, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For further information, please Laura Russell, Planning & Building Director at lrussell@portolavalley.net VY L_[ Public Hearings provide the general public and interested parties an opportunity to provide testimony on these items. All interested persons are invited to appear before the Town Council to be heard at the time and place mentioned above. If you challenge H WYVWVZLK HJ[PVU Z PU JV\Y[ `V\ TH` IL SPTP[LK [V YHPZPUN VUS` [OVZL PZZ\LZ `V\ VY ZVTLVUL LSZL YHPZLK H[ H 7\ISPJ /LHYPUN Z described above, or in written correspondence delivered to the ;V^U *V\UJPS H[ VY WYPVY [V [OL 7\ISPJ /LHYPUN Z Publication Date: September 26, 2019 Sharon Hanlon, Town Clerk

Public Notices 995 Fictitious Name Statement MANDY MONTOYA FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282384 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Mandy Montoya, located at 1000 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025, San Mateo County.

Registered owner(s): AMANDA MONTOYA 2060 Sterling Avenue 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 N/A. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on August 27, 2019.

(ALM Sep. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 2019) M&M HARDWOOD FLOORS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282445 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: M&M Hardwood Floors, located at 928 B Willow Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025, San Mateo County.

Registered owner(s): M&M HARDWOOD FLOORS,INC. 928 B Willow Rd. Menlo Park, CA 94025 CA This business is conducted by: A Corporation.

Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on September 5, 2019.

(ALM Sep. 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 2019) LAW OFFICE OF ALISON MADDEN FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282411 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Law Office of Alison Madden, located at 2995 Woodside Rd., #620650, Woodside, CA 94062, San Mateo County.

Registered owner(s): ALISON M. MADDEN 1548 Maple St., #52 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 August 15, 2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on August 30, 2019.

(ALM Sep. 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 2019) TRUSTED BUSINESS INSURANCE PARTNER FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282394 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Trusted Business Insurance Partner, located at 182 Poplar Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066, San Mateo County.

Registered owner(s): JEFFREY PAUL JOHNSTON 182 Poplar Avenue San Bruno, CA 94066 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 Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on August 28, 2019.

(ALM Sep. 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2019) GREGORY LYNN WINE COMPANY FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282528 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Gregory Lynn Wine Company, located at 1681-1697 Industrial Rd., San Carlos, CA 94070, San Mateo County; Mailing address: 101 Hartstene Dr., Redwood City, CA 94065.

Registered owner(s): B & G PROPERTY VENTURES, LLC 535 Ramona St., Ste. 4 Palo Alto, CA 94301 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 Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on Sep. 16, 2019.

(ALM Sep. 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2019) HOPEFUL CARDS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282546 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Hopeful Cards, located at 1175 Park Pl. #301, San Mateo, CA 94403, San Mateo County.

Registered owner(s): ECE GEZER 1175 Park Pl. #301 San Mateo, CA 94403 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 Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on September 17, 2019.

(ALM Sep. 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2019) USMCA FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282587 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: USMCA, located at 806 Coleman Ave. Apt. #9, Menlo Park, CA 94025, San Mateo County.

Registered owner(s): ALEXANDER KATZ 806 Coleman Avenue, Apt. #9 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 09/01/2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on September 20, 2019.

(ALM Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2019) EMILY’S FINDS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 282610 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Emily’s Finds, located at 281 S. Balsamina Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, San Mateo County.

Registered owner(s): EMILY McDONOUGH 281 S. Balsamina Way 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 9-24-19.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on September 24, 2019.

(ALM Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2019)

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.: 19CIV04931 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: JOAN RINGSTAFF filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: JOAN RINGSTAFF to JOAN RAVIER. 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: October 11, 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: August 27, 2019. /s/ Jonathan E. Karesh JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT (ALM Sep. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 2019)

October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 19

Calendar

Submitting items for the Calendar

M E E T I N G S , M U S I C , T H E AT E R , F A M I LY A C T I V I T I E S A N D S P E C I A L E V E N T S Visit AlmanacNews.com/calendar to see more calendar listings

Theater Âś0DUN 7ZDLQ¡V 5LYHU RI 6RQJ¡ TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 50th anniversary season with the West Coast premiere of “Mark Twain’s River of Song.â€? Oct. 2-27; times vary. $30-$100; discounts available, pricing subject to change. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. theatreworks.org/201920-season/ mark-twains-river-of-song/

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Talks & Lectures 0LFKDHO .DW] œ)DU $ZD\ DQG &ORVH WR +RPH¡ Storyteller Michael Katz shares folktales of other lands while reflecting on stories at home. Program content is suitable for ages 8 and up. Oct. 2, 7-8 p.m. Free. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. menlopark. org/calendar.aspx?CID=14,28,33,32 )UHH 6HPLQDU +ROLVWLF 6HQLRU &DUH Author and administrator at Motherhealth LLC, Connie Dello Buono, shares holistic methods and tips for caring for seniors. Oct. 2, 1-2 p.m.

Free. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton. /LWHUDWXUH %RRN &OXE 7RQL 0RUULVRQ¡V Âś%HORYHG¡ The Menlo Park Library Literature Book Club will discuss the late Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Beloved.â€? Oct. 8, 7:15-8:30 p.m. Free. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. menlopark.org/ calendar.aspx?CID=14,28,33,32 +HQU\ :LQNOHU DQG /LQ 2OLYHU Emmy Award-winning actor Henry Winkler and children’s book author Lin Oliver discuss their new middle-grade series, “Alien Superstar,â€? about an alien who somehow lands in Hollywood and becomes a teen sensation. Oct. 5, 3-4 p.m. $10 or $20 with book; discount for students. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. keplers. org/upcoming-events-internal/2019/10/5/ henry-winkler-and-lin-oliver

Family )DPLO\ 6FLHQFH 'D\ $VWURQRP\ )HVWLYDO DW &60 Family Science and Astronomy Festival at College of San Mateo is a day of free learning, featuring planetarium shows, family-friendly science workshops, astronomical observations, public safety demos and more. Oct.5-6, 1-11 p.m. Free.

College of San Mateo, 1700 W. Hillsdale

Blvd., San Mateo. eventbrite.com/e/familyscience-day-astronomy-festival-at-csmtickets-72628821761?aff=ebapi

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/events/806/80688 Âś,Q +LJK 3ODFHV¡ The Portola Art Gallery presents “In High Placesâ€? — watercolor paintings by Yvonne Newhouse of San Mateo. The exhibit highlights the artist’s paintings from her many treks though the high Sierra. Oct. 1-31, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Reception Oct. 5, 1-4 p.m. Free. Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. portolaartgallery.com/ event/127604/in-high-places-watercolorpaintings-by-yvonne-newhouse Âś5HWXUQLQJ WKH *D]H¡ Featuring paintings made in the last five years, Jordan Casteel’s large-scale portraits of Harlem community members are intimate portrayals of often overlooked members of society. Sept. 29-Feb. 2, 2020, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.

Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford. museum.stanford. edu/exhibitions/jordan-casteel-returning-gaze .DKOLO -RVHSK Âś%/.1:6¡ Kahlil Joseph, a visiting artist in the new Presidential Residencies on the Future of the Arts program, presents his work “BLKNWS,â€? a two-channel video projection that blurs the lines between art, journalism, entrepreneurship and cultural critique. Through Nov.25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford. museum. stanford.edu/exhibitions/kahlil-joseph-blknws

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Go to AlmanacNews.com and see the Community Calendar module at the top right side of the page. Click on “Add your event.� If the event is of interest to a large number of people, also e-mail a press release to Editor@AlmanacNews.com.

œ:HVW [ 6RXWKZHVW¡ (GZDUG :HVWRQ DQG $QVHO $GDPV This exhibit features landscapes, still lifes, nudes and portraits created by Edward Weston in Mexico and Ansel Adams in the American southwest. Sept.

26-Jan. 6, 2020. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford. museum. stanford.edu/exhibitions/west-x-southwestedward-weston-and-ansel-adams

Comedy .0/ 3UHVHQWV œ0RGHO 0LQRULW\ 5HSRUW¡ Set in a dystopian world where Asians have had their racial privilege revoked, KML’s first all-Asian sketch comedy show dives headlong into the hilarious world of bigotry and stereotypes. Oct. 4, 8-9:15 p.m. and Oct. 5, 7-8:15 p.m. $16-$50. Dragon Productions Theatre Company, 2120 Broadway St., Redwood City. eventbrite.com/e/kml-presents-model-minority-report-tickets-64633968941?aff=ebapi

Film

Middle School, 1100 Elder Ave., Menlo Park. mpcsdspeakerseries.com/events.html

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. Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. Free. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. menlopark.org/calendar. aspx?EID=4972

Health & Wellness %XLOGLQJ 5HVLOLHQFH DQG -R\ LQ D 6WUHVVIXO :RUOG :HHNO\ 0HGLWDWLRQ In this weekly program, Segyu Rinpoche will introduce the Vajrayana system in the form of the healing practices of the Medicine Buddha and the meditations and philosophies that underline those practices. Wednesdays through Dec. 18, 7-9 p.m. $25 per week. Guild Hall, Woodside Village Church, 515 Hillside Drive, Woodside. eventbrite.com/e/building-resilience-andjoy-in-a-stressful-world-weekly-meditationtickets-66737201767?aff=ebapi

Âś7KH %LJJHVW /LWWOH )DUP¡ Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), Patagonia Palo Alto, Kitchen Table Advisors, Slow Food South Bay and Hidden Villa host a screening of “The Biggest Little Farm,â€? which chronicles the quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland. Oct. 8, 6-8:45 p.m. Free. Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. facebook.com/events/ hammer-theatre-center/free-screening-of-thebiggest-little-farm/505774296886306/

7KH 3HRSOH RI )LOROL This 90-minute tour of the house and garden uncovers new stories about the community of people who created and sustained Filoli. Friday-Sunday, Aug. 23-Nov. 17, 2-3:30 p.m. Filoli Gardens, 86 Old Canada Road, Woodside. filoli.org/event/ the-people-of-filoli/

Âś(LJKWK *UDGH¡ 6FUHHQLQJ DQG 3DQHO 'LVFXVVLRQ The Menlo Park City School District’s Speaker Series program is screening “Eighth Grade,â€? a movie about the struggles of navigating eighth grade in today’s tech-savvy and social media environment. Discussion will follow the film. Oct. 2, 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Hillview

$GXOW %RDUG *DPH 0HHWXS The Menlo Park Library hosts board game night for adults.

Attendees are invited to choose from the games provided or bring their own. Oct. 6 and Nov. 3, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St, Menlo Park. menlopark.org/calendar.aspx?CID=14,28,33,32

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20 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 21

SILICO N VALLE Y H O M ES

129 Lowell Ave, Palo Alto Offered at $4,550,000 Gloria Young · 650.380.9918 Lic. #01895672 John Young · 650.862.2122 Lic. #02036387

555 Byron St #303, Palo Alto Offered at $2,550,000 Lucy Berman · 650.208.8824 Lic. #01413627

2951 Bryant St, Palo Alto Offered at $5,125,000 Susan Tanner · 650.255.7372 Lic. #01736865

177 Ramoso Rd, Portola Valley Offered at $6,900,000 Alex Bouja · 408.489.0025 Lic. # 01744054

2165 Ward Way, Woodside Offered at $2,795,000 Omar Kinaan · 650.776.2828 Lic. #01723115

103 Hillside Dr, Woodside Offered at $2,500,000 Chris Iverson · 650.450.0450 Lic. #01708130

240 Glenwood Ave, Woodside Offered at $2,400,000 Chris Iverson · 650.450.0450 Lic. #01708130

Portola Valley Offered at $12,000,000 Lisa Keith · 650.703.8644 Lic. #00882247 Michael Dreyfus · 650.485.3476 Lic. #01121795

310 Kings Mountain Rd, Woodside Offered at $11,000,000 David Gray · 650.773.1271 Lic. #01363266

757 Brewster Ave, Redwood City Offered at $1,595,000 Brian Ayer · 650.242.2473 Lic. #01870281

627 Spring St, Redwood City Offered at $1,300,000 Susan Tanner · 650.255.7372 Lic. #01736865

1104 Vailwood Way, San Mateo Offered at $1,995,000 Chris Iverson · 650.450.0450 Lic. #01708130

People have looked to Sotheby’s to discover the best in life for more than 250 years.

Ask your Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty agent about opportunities around the world or around the corner.

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22 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019 Q AlmanacNews.com Q The Almanac Q 23

COLDWELL BANKER

San Francisco | $2,850,000 Profitable Mission Revival Edwardian Duplex and Garden Studio in a tranquil section of Haight Ashbury with four immaculate and well-maintained levels. 1388 Upper Flat offers 6br/2ba, a kitchen, a living/dining room and a den.1386 Lower Flat has 3br/1ba, a kitchen/living room and a laundry closet. The garage level has a common laundry, a workroom, a studio, a shared backyard and more. Cap rate 4.81 GRM 15.

Liz Kraus 415.370.3203 liz.kraus@cbnorcal.com CalRE#01965448

Menlo Park | $1,998,888 Beautiful cul-de-sac home, wonderful atmosphere of rustic elegance. Entry, dining room, living room: soaring beamed ceiling. Menlo Park School District.

Kathy and Colleen 650.704.6572 knicosia@cbnorcal.com | colleen.cooley@cbnorcal.com CalRE#01269455

Portola Valley | $2,995,000 Enjoy the sunny setting, open spaces, & trails surrounding this approx.

2-acre view property.

Moss Beach | $1,749,000 3br/2ba exquisite home with stunning views overlooking the Marine Reserve that has extensively remodeled.

Andrea Kraemer 415.408.1091 CalRE#02002761 Jean Isaacson 650.387.8427 CalRE#00542342

The Rain Team 650.888.6903 TheRainTeam@Coastal-RealEstate.com CalRE#01169588

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.

24 Q The Almanac Q AlmanacNews.com Q October 2, 2019