PA L O A LT O W E E K LY
â?‰
��
â?‰
Section 2
D E C E M B E R 10 , 2 0 10 H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
â?‰
Made
Whimsical felt pillows are stocked at The Carriage Stop at Roger Reynolds Nursery in Menlo Park. Photo courtesy Carriage Stop
An owl purse sold by Therapy in Mountain View is crafted out of hand-tooled leather. Photo by Veronica Weber
hand
by
â?‰
by Kathy Cordova
T
Vivian Wong
In a Big Box world, gifts created by artisans and craftspeople offer a more personal feeling
he thought of handmade gifts evokes sweet memories of a child’s finger-painted masterpiece or a great aunt’s knitted sweater. But even for gift-givers who don’t paint or knit, seeking out well-crafted, handmade gifts can lend a personal touch in a world of Big Box stores and mass-produced items. Local shops offer a wide array of handmade items for everyone on your list: For art lovers, multi-color pumpkins in rich hues ($47-$100) from Avolie Glass of Mountain View and hand-blown vases, paperweights and perfume bottles in contemporary and art deco designs ($212-$380) from Davenport’s Lundberg Studios are among the offerings at Shady Lane in downtown Palo Alto. (continued on page 47)
Potter Joy Imai of Allied Arts in Menlo Park has made Japanese “wish� boxes.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE HOLIDAYS! DINNERS, PARTIES & SPECIAL EVENTS
Ă•ĂƒiՓÊ+Ă•>Â?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ,iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€Ăƒ UĂŠ*ÂœĂ€ViÂ?>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠUĂŠ*ÂœĂŒĂŒiÀÞÊUĂŠ >Ă€LÂ?iĂŠ UĂŠ >`iĂŠUĂŠ Ă›ÂœĂ€ĂžĂŠUĂŠ Â?>ĂƒĂƒĂŠ UĂŠ7œœ`ĂŠUĂŠ-ĂŒÂœÂ˜i
A Menlo Park and Palo Alto Favorite for Many Years!
Ăˆx䇙{n‡{Ă“{x
Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner
Gift Cards Available in Any Denomination
www.restorationstudio.com
ÂŁnxäÊ Â?ĂŠ >Â“ÂˆÂ˜ÂœĂŠ,i>Â?]ĂŠ i˜Â?ÂœĂŠ*>ÀŽÊUĂŠÂĂˆxäŽÊÎÓ£‡nÓÓÇ ÎÇ{äÊ Â?ĂŠ >Â“ÂˆÂ˜ÂœĂŠ,i>Â?]ĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠUĂŠÂĂˆxäŽÊn{ĂŽÂ‡Ă¤Ăˆ{ĂŽ ĂœĂœĂœÂ°ViÂ?ˆ>ĂƒĂ€iĂƒĂŒ>Ă•Ă€>Â˜ĂŒĂƒÂ°Vœ“
Ornaments or power tools? Gift wrap or kitchenware? What can we help you ďŹ nd today?
20%
OFF ANY ITEM OF $50 OR LESS*
875 Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA (650) 327-7222 www.paloaltohardware.com *>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 45
Local Deals
Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community. G o t o S h o p P a l o A l t o. c o m t o s e e t h i s w e e k ’s s p e c i a l o f f e r s a n d e v e n t s from these local merchants
When you shop locally, good things happen to make our community stronger:
t Sales tax dollars, which fund schools and local services, stay in the community.
t You help to sustain the unique and diverse businesses that make our shopping areas vibrant.
t You show how much you value the expertise of these businesses and the quality service they offer their customers.
t You reduce your carbon footprint by not driving outside the community to shop.
t And when you shop at locally owned businesses, you also support our friends and neighbors who are running these businesses, donating to community events and causes, hiring our kids and getting involved in making Palo Alto a better place.
Whole Foods University Art Crowne Plaza Cabaña - 4290 Bistro and Bar Sigona’s Farmers Market Hobee’s Restaurant World Centric Country Sun Lux Eyewear California Café Pizz’a Chicago Best Video American Self Storage Dragon Productions Ming’s Chinese Cuisine and Bar House of Bagels Honeys and Heroes Corey Katz Janta Indian Restaurant Verizon Wireless Faulk Cornell & Associates J Salon photograph and frame Palo Alto Hardware Spot A Pizza Place Emerson Cleaners Scott’s Seafood
Learn more about the value of locally owned businesses at ShopPaloAlto.com A community collaboration brought to you by
For more information call 650.223.6509 Available in a mobile version Page 46ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
❉
❉❉
H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
Made by hand
Feel your best this Holiday Season!
(continued from page 45)
The store features handmade pieces from Bay Area designers as well as artists from other countries, but co-owners Alice Deutscher and Lesley Obermayer especially enjoy supporting artists who live nearby. “Local is fun,” Deutscher said. “That’s what we’re all about.” The University Avenue store was founded more than 35 years ago to sell local designers’ work. The quality and the diversity of the items in the store reflect the owners’ artist roots and creative sensibility. Shady Lane always stocks a few Tiffany-style lamps ($249-$525) from Santa Cruz artist Jim Forsell, who has pieces in the Smithsonian Institution. The lamps feature brightly colored glass and designs such as flowers and butterflies. “The lamps add an ambiance in colors that make you happy,” Deutscher said. For those preferring a more natural aesthetic, Joy Imai, potter in residence at Special Handling Pottery in the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, focuses on earth tones inspired by the garden. Imai’s wheelthrown, soda-fired vases ($50-$95) and mugs ($25$28) display designs of flowers, leaves and birds. Imai expects that her ceramic birdhouses (about $58) will be big sellers this season. “This area has a really big interest in the environment, and there is a big birding population here,” Imai said. Imai’s Japanese wish boxes ($35-$38) might make a whimsical gift for children and adults alike. “I got the idea from a Japanese childfolk tale,” Imai said. The boxes come in rich colors and feature images from nature, such as sky blue, moss green and amber with dragonflies, flowers and gingko leaves. Inside each box is a piece of rice paper for writing a wish. Special Handling Pottery also sells cards, bookmarks and signs by Inja Ink Calligraphy that could make thoughtful stocking stuffers ($2 and up). Bookmarks painted with watercolors or pastels and inscribed with inspirational quotes like, “With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown,” would complement the gift of a book or
AltoSleep
™
Sleep is as important as diet and exercise, only much easier! BRING IN THIS AD FOR A FREE SCREENING
❉
Call us to learn how our doctors and technicians can help improve your sleep. We offer sleep evaluation, at-home and in-clinic diagnostic tests, treatment, and Vivian Wong
comprehensive follow-up care.
A ceramic birdhouse made by Joy Imai. add a special touch to a holiday card. Animal lovers might enjoy the variety of quirky, handmade gifts at the Carriage Stop at Roger Reynolds Nursery in Menlo Park, where Sophie, the fluffy, white dog that belongs to store owner Sally Halstead, greets customers. There are felt pillows decorated with Scotty dogs and bones ($33) and dog angel ornaments — dogs with wings holding hearts and Christmas trees ($12). The Carriage Stop also sells fanciful ceramics and small, decorative boxes created by Southern California artisan Abby Peterson, who grew up on a farm. Her “Chicken Snowman Box” ($25) and red-and-green checkered box topped with a smiling, sweater-clad bear ($25) could be used for
❉
Let us provide daytime care for your aging loved one Daily Health Monitoring Therapies Exercise Gardening Arts Nutritious Lunches Socializing Local Transportation Music . . . and more!
Call for your free tour today!
(continued on page 48)
Call us today at (650) 967-8787 www.altosleep.com
HO HO HO
art supplies canvas & brushes stationery specialty papers custom framing ready-made frames photo albums acrylics & oils unique gifts cards & calendars toys & games ...and more!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! If it’s holiday…it’s here! UArt Palo Alto 267 Hamilton Ave. Also in San Jose / San Francisco / Sacramento
650-328-3500 UniversityArt.com
The family choice for adult day care *> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 47
H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
Experience a real English Victorian Afternoon Tea for people of the 21st Century!
Joyful Holiday Events Christmas High Tea by Candlelight - Dec. 10th & 17th Children‘s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party - Dec. 12th, 14th, 16th, 20th Call (650) 322-5544 for more info and reservations BRING IN THIS COUPON & GET
15% OFF Your Food & Tea
(Does not include holiday or group events.) Exp 1/31/11
1175 Merrill Street, Menlo Park www.lisasteamenlo.com Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am-5:30pm
Vivian Wong
Bring in this ad and get a free balloon! RISTORANTE
Two vases by Lundberg Studios found at Shady Lane in downtown Palo Alto. Prices range from $212 to $280.
Biodegradable Helium Balloons, Party Decor, Home Decor, Party Planning, and Gift Baskets
Made by hand (continued from page 47)
Town and Country Village, Suite 102, Palo Alto acmepartybox.com 650.618.4682.
Wonderful Italian Cuisine excellently served in a stylish romantic atmosphere. Please join us for the Holidays. Table reservations and our Private Banquet Room available. Call us today! {£ÇÊ >Â?ˆvÂœĂ€Â˜Âˆ>ĂŠ Ă›i]ĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠUĂŠĂˆxäÊÎÓLJ™Î™äÊUĂŠĂœĂœĂœÂ°ĂƒÂŤ>Â?ĂŒÂˆÂ°VÂœÂ“ĂŠ
FREE DELIVERY
Christmas! Holiday! Gifts? Unique? Special? Treasures?
(with min. order)
“THE BEST PIZZA WEST OF NEW YORK�
GOTTA B ANTIQUES!!
Addison Antique Palo Alto’s Finest Antique Store
100 Addison Avenue at Alma, Palo Alto at Alma Street Across From Anthropologie
Open 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
s SHOP ADDISONANTIQUE COM
—Ralph Barbieri KNBR 680
880 Santa Cruz Ave Menlo Park
226 Redwood Shores Pkwy Redwood Shores
(650) 329-8888
(650) 654-3333
(Next to Pacific Athletic Club)
(at University Drive)
The Former Oaxacan Kitchen Is Now
ANATOLIAN KITCHEN FUN EASY TO DO s BEAUTIFUL VERY PERSONAL WORD NAME
ART YOU CREATE with photos letters!
This Holiday Season give artwork to treasure for generations to come. Your one-of-a-kind masterpiece of ANY name, word & saying, created from 1000+ A-Z letter shapes discovered all over the world! &UN 4O $O s 4HRILL 4O 3EE s %ASY 3TEPS 3EE 9/52 .!-% IN PHOTOS ./7
alphabetpix.com Page 48ĂŠUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž
Featuring authentic cuisine from central Eastern Turkey Call us to schedule your holiday party! Hosted here in our restaurant or exclusively catered at your location
2323 Birch Street, Palo Alto (Between Cambridge and California)
(650) 853-9700
www.anatoliankitchenpaloalto.com
storing trinkets like spare buttons or paperclips. For those seeking a bit of fun, the University Art Annex in Palo Alto carries playful gifts, such as froufrou-trimmed, fingerless gloves ($25), brightly colored felt hats made by Robin’s Hoods, adorned with flowers and jewelry ($50$150) and “party hats� by Pink Toffee — metallic headbands topped by items such as 3-D decorated Christmas trees and pink cupcakes with ballerinas. For an ecologically friendly gift, the Annex carries Attic Journals, mostly blank books with covers and a first few pages from old books that have been recovered from estate sales and libraries. The one-of-a-kind journals have titles like “Better Homes and Garden Afterwork Cookbook� and “The Custom Look,� which features interior designs from the ’70s. For the best gal pal on your list, how about a hand-tooled, vibrantly colored leather owl purse ($89) by Sunflower, perhaps matched with an owl, cat or pineapple coin purse ($18)? Both are sold at Therapy on Castro Street in Mountain View. Therapy also offers small leather goods ($32-$118) handmade by Hobo Bags. “They come out every season with a unique palette,� said sales associate Nika Clelland. “They are such high quality that everyone who works here owns one. Something like a wallet is the perfect gift for a husband to get his wife because every time she takes it out, she will think of him� — giving new meaning to the phrase: “It’s the thought that counts.� N
â?‰
Kathy Cordova is a Palo Alto freelance writer.
â?‰
��
H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
The (white) elephant in the room
U.S.D.A. Prime Filet Mignon
â?‰
Office gift-giving can be fraught with hazards, but local employers have found ways to foster holiday cheer
1921 El Camino Real Palo Alto 650.321.6798
2010
by Jocelyn Dong
F
368 S. California Avenue
Veronica Weber
WE SPECIALIZE IN HELPING YOU LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE EVERYDAY!
Giving gifts to co-workers takes tact — or a silly sense humor. Some companies host ‘white elephant’ exchanges, in which useless and outrageous gifts are given.
HOLI DAY S PEC I AL: Botox Only $8.75 Per Unit
is randomly assigned a recipient — whose tastes may not be obvious. An attempt at humor might be taken as an insult. A present that is a mite too personal can lead to misunderstandings. Trepidation over office etiquette during the holidays has spurred more than a million articles online offering advice, in-
University Mission Medical Clinic-Joelle Osias MD, Stanford Trained 744 San Antonio Rd., Suite #6, Palo Alto 650.843.0600 | www.osiasmedical.com Call us today to learn about other Holiday Specials on weight loss, aesthetics, Bio-identical hormones and more...
(continued on page 50)
Concierge Family Medicine Specialist FULL-TIME ACCESS, FULL-TIME CARING “The heart, the Art, of medical practice lies in the strength of the doctor-patient relationship. The time spent listening to my patients is the most important aspect of the care I provide. Having a physician who knows you well can help to guide your care in directions that might otherwise be overlooked in this era of depersonalized, ‘by-the-numbers’ medicine.� F. Marland Chancellor, III, M.D.
s !DULT AND 0EDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE s 3AME DAY APPOINTMENTS s (OUSE CALLS s DIRECT ACCESS s #ONVENIENT DOWNTOWN LOCATION s &AMILY RATES AVAILABLE
Contact Dr. Chancellor by email or phone to schedule an Introductory Consultation
DOCTOR CHANCELLOR IS BACK IN PALO ALTO!
F. Marland Chancellor, III, MD, 512 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 s WWW DRCHANCELLOR FAMILYMED COM s INFO DRCHANCELLOR FAMILYMED COM
YOUR “HOLIDAY CHEER HEADQUARTERS� HAS A NEW HOME WE MOVED JUST ACROSS THE STREET
SPIRITS New location New rethink
F. Marland Chancellor, III, MD
THIS COUPON MUST BE PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE
or the holidays one year, Diana Turner got a box of cat litter-box liners from a coworker. And she loved it. Turner, group wellness director for the Palo Alto Family YMCA, explained that the Y’s leadership team used to engage in a little gift-giving tradition: After a holiday lunch at Pizz’a Chicago, everyone would choose a fellow team member’s name out of a hat, receive $5, and go across the street to shop at the Palo Alto Goodwill. There, they’d have to stealthily find and purchase just the right item, hiding it from the intended recipient, who was also trying to sneakily buy a gift for someone. “It was a fun and endearing tradition,� Turner said of the practice that also benefited another nonprofit. (For the record, Turner does own two cats.) Turner was one of the lucky ones. As many company employees have experienced, gift exchanges among co-workers don’t necessarily turn out merry and bright. Whether one is on the receiving or giving end, office gift-giving can be fraught with hazards. It’s especially so when participating in a “Secret Santa� exchange, in which the gift giver
Smirnoff 175 .................. $1799 Cazadores 175 ............... $4999 Malibu Rum 175 ............ $1899 Chivas 750 12 years .......... $1899 Jameson 750 .................. $1899 Zaya Rum 750 ................ $1999 Courvoisier VS 750 ........ $1999
New location: 3866 El Camino Real
BEER
Corona Familiar 32oz...... $399 New Castle 12(P) ............ $1295 Heineken 12(P) ............... $1399
WINE
Mark West Pinor Noir.... $899 BV Coastal Estates ........ $699 Kenwood Merlot ........... $998
Phone: (650) 493-4743
***Second Harvest Food Bank Donation Point*** “Like� Ernies Wine & Liquors on Facebook...Friend us on Four Square...and Follow us on Twitter@Ernies Wines
*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 49
palo alto’s gourmet micro creamery
H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
Don cre ’t forg am et coo , cak our ic kie es, e hol s and logs, ida y tr other eat s Delight your clients, family and friends with our own
Fresh Holiday Fudge Porcelain Jewelry by Jayne Thomas
We have many holiday packaged gifts ready to give in addition to our cut-to-order fudge. We have gift fudge boxes with slits to insert your business cards plus many more styles of boxes and tins. The prices start at under $6.
Fine Crafts U HOLIDAY
FAIR U Local Artists
December 11, 12, 13, 2010 Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10-5 Hoover House (aka “The Girl Scout House”) 1120 Hopkins, Palo Alto for information:
White elephant (continued from page 49)
ricksicecream.com or ricksfudge.com
650-625-1736 or TheArtifactory@aol.com
Three French Hen Krinkles by Patience Brewster
dog ornaments, reindeers, stars & fairies
BK Collections
342 State Street, Los Altos 650-948-0198
Happy Holidays from
Downtown Los Altos
yum yum tree CONTEMPORARY CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
Our specialty is helping you find an easy, contemporary look for the Holidays.
165 Main Street Los Altos 650.917.8900 Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
We gift wrap and send. Fine Gifts and Jewelry from Around the World
Holiday Hours: Sun 12-5pm on 11/28-12/19
Find the Perfect Holiday Gift
On The Blue Comet Candlewick Publishing
G OURM M ET C H EF F K IT T CH H EN FOR TH H E B UD D DING G C HE E FS IN N THE F AM M I LY !
cluding Forbes.com’s “Office gift giving: Proceed with caution.” Some workplaces seek to find a happy medium — fostering camaraderie but avoiding awkwardness — by hosting a “white elephant” gift exchange. In that tradition, coworkers bring wrapped “white elephant” gifts, a term used to describe an unwanted and often outrageous item that isn’t supposed to please. The gifts are chosen one at a time, and the recipient is allowed to trade
Home Care by Seniors for Seniors
There’s a huge difference in the kind of home care you can receive from someone who really understands what your life is like as a senior. The concerns you have. The need for independence. Someone who like you, has a little living under his or her belt. Our loving, caring, compassionate seniors are there to help. We offer all the services you need to stay in your own home, living independently.
UÊ «> Ê >Ài UÊ ÕÃi ii« }Ê-iÀÛ Vià UÊ i> Ê«Ài«>À>Ì ÉV } UÊ*iÀà > Ê >Ài UÊ"ÛiÀ } ÌÊ> `ÊÓ{ ÕÀÊ >Ài UÊ/À> ë ÀÌ>Ì ÊUÊ- «« } UÊ VÌ ÀÊ «« Ì i ÌÃÊ UÊ9>À`Ê7 À UÊ > `Þ > Ê-iÀÛ ViÃÊ UÊ> `Ê Àit
Call or email today!
650-964-4112 650-391-6275
tomschwartz@shsmidpeninsula.com
Cranberry Scoop
295 State Street Downtown Los Altos www.thecranberryscoop.com (650) 948-2554 Page 50ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
LINDEN TREE CHILDR EN'S R ECOR DS & BOOK S
www.lindentreebooks.com
(650) 949-3390
170 State Street, Los Altos
New Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9:30am-5:30pm Holiday Hours: Sun 12-5pm on 12/5-12/19
173 Main Street, Los Altos 650.941.6043
www.seniorshelpingseniors.com/ MidPeninsula
â?‰
��
H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
the gift for one already opened by someone else. Bob Cable, public relations manager for Stanford Lively Arts, calls his department’s annual whiteelephant gift exchange “a nice morale builder for the staff. It’s fun. It gets people in the mood for the holidays.� “One of the (gifts) I remember is the Blooming Onion Maker — ‘As Seen On TV,’� Cable said. “They bring it back every year. It recirculates.� Another popular gift that made the rounds: the “High School Musical� alarm clock. By far the most unusual gift — though one might argue the most appropriate, given the “white elephant� name — was given last year: a journal made from elephant dung. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it came back this year,� Cable said. Cable himself brings what he calls “silly� gifts — a cute pen or something with a bit of originality.
When it comes to non-whiteelephant gifts, Cable has advice on what not to give a co-worker: “Nothing that veers toward sexuality or politics; there’s awkwardness that lingers on. No lingerie.� Still, the luckiest employees may be those who pick the name of an easy-going recipient like Turner, who has appreciated more than one item someone’s bought her. On her desk at the Y, she has a picture of a little boy in shorts with his chubby tummy sticking out. Where did it come from? Goodwill, of course. N Managing Editor Jocelyn Dong can be e-mailed at jdong@paweekly.com.
Enjoy our new patio and our new menu!
Modern Restaurant with Casual Elegance Michelin Recommended Hours of service: Tuesday - Saturday Lunch: 11:30am to 2:00pm Dinner: 5:30pm to 9pm Closed: Sunday and Monday Happy hour: Tuesday to Saturday #(/#/,!4)%2 s 0!4)33%2)% from 5:30pm to 6:30pm s 2%34!52!.4 s "!2 in The Patio and Bar 516 University Ave, Palo Alto 650.289.0719 www.shokolaat.com
Tuesday - 2 for 1 Chocolates!
!"#$ % $ & '( # )) *++* , -.'
!"#$ % $ & '( # )2 *++* , -.'
/
'
#
'
! 0 1 0
. 0 '
'
*+ + , +)
!! " #
! ! $
! % & ' " (
! !
! )
*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊUĂŠ iVi“LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊU Page 51
Sutter Health congratulates
Palo Alto Medical Foundation on being among the top performing medical groups in California. Sutter Health. Award-winning care. Recently, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, a member of the Sutter Health network, was recognized as one of the top performing physician organizations in California by the Integrated Healthcare Association, a leadership group that promotes quality in the health care industry. This award recognizes the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, as well as four other medical groups within the Sutter Medical Network, for excellence in clinical quality, patient experience, coordinated diabetes care and more. When choosing a doctor, quality should be at the top of your list. Make sure you choose a Sutter-affiliated doctor. sutterhealth.org
Page 52ÊUÊ iVi LiÀÊ£ä]ÊÓä£äÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ