Palo Alto Weekly 03.22.2013 - Section 1 by Palo Alto Weekly

Vol. XXXIV, Number 25 N March 22, 2013

Gunn counseling: Reforms could take three years Page 3 w w w.PaloA ltoOnline.com

Page 19

Neighborhoods 8

Transitions 15

Spectrum 16

Eating Out 30

Shop Talk 31

Movies 32

Puzzles 66

N Arts Remi & Chloe: budding modern blues queens

Page 27

N Sports Pinewood girls play for state basketball title

Page 34

N Home Housing conference: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next for seniors?

Page 41

G U I D E TO 2013 S U M M E R C A M P S F O R K I D S

For more information about these camps, see our online directory of camps at http://paloaltoonline.com/biz/summercamps/ To advertise in a weekly directory, contact 650-326-8210

Academics Early Learning Camp Connection listing

Palo Alto

Write Now! Summer Writing Camps Emerson School of Palo Alto and Hacienda School of Pleasanton open their doors and offer their innovative programs: Expository Writing, Creative Writing, Presentation Techniques, and (new!) Test-Taking Skills. Call or visit our website for details. www.headsup.org

Emerson (650) 424-1267 Hacienda (925) 485-5750

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills

Two Six-Week Summer Sessions Beginning June 10. These sessions are perfect for university students returning from summer break who need to pick up a class; and high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates who want to get an early start. 12345 El Monte Rd. www.foothill.edu

650.949.7362

Harker Summer Programs

San Jose

K-12 offerings taught by exceptional, experienced faculty and staff. K-6 morning academics - focusing on math, language arts and science - and full spectrum of afternoon recreation. Grades 6-12 for-credit courses and non-credit enrichment opportunities. Sports programs also offered. www.summer.harker.org

408-553-0537

iD Tech Camps - Summer Tech Fun

Held at Stanford

Take interests further! Ages 7-17 create iPhone apps, video games, C++/ Java programs, movies, and more at weeklong, day and overnight programs held at Stanford and 60+ universities in 26 states. Also 2-week, teen-only programs: iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy, and iD Visual Arts Academy (filmmaking & photography). www.internalDrive.com

1-888-709-TECH (8324)

iD Teen Academies Gaming, Programming & Visual Arts

Stanford

Gain a competitive edge! Learn different aspects of video game creation, app development, filmmaking, photography, and more. 2-week programs where ages 13-18 interact with industry professionals to gain competitive edge. iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy, and iD Visual Arts Academy are held at Stanford, and other universities. www.iDTeenAcademies.com

1-888-709-TECH (8324)

ISTP’s Language Immersion Summer Camp

Palo Alto

ISTP Summer Camp is designed to give participants a unique opportunity to spend their summer break having fun learning or improving in a second language. Students are grouped according to both grade level and language of proficiency. Our camp offers many immersion opportunities and consists of a combination of language classes and activities taught in the target language. Sessions are available in French, Mandarin, Chinese and English ESL and run Monday through Friday, 8am-3:30pm, with additional extending care from 3:30-5:30pm. www.istp.org

650-251-8519

Stratford School - Camp Socrates 17 Bay Area Campuses Academic enrichment infused with traditional summer camp fun--that’s what your child will experience at Camp Socrates. Sessions begin June 24 and end August 9, with the option for campers to attend all seven weeks, or the first four (June 24-July 19). Full or half-day morning or afternoon programs are available. www.StratfordSchools.com/Summer

Summer at Saint Francis

(650) 493-1151

Mountain View

Summer at Saint Francis provides a broad range of academic and athletic programs for elementary through high school students. It is the goal of every program to make summer vacation enriching and enjoyable! www.sfhs.com/summer

TechKnowHow Computer & Lego Camps

City of Mountain View Recreation Division

Arts, Culture, Other Camps

650.968.1213 x446

Palo Alto Menlo Park/Sunnyvale

Busy Bees & Astro Kids Summer Adventure Camps

Mountain View

Join us for these half-day camps designed for 3-8 year olds as we have fun, participate in games and crafts, and go on fun field trips! Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Avenue http://mountainview.gov

Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA)

Mountain View

50+ creative camps for Gr. K-8! Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Musical Theater, School of Rock, Digital Arts, more! One- and two-week sessions; full and half-day enrollment. Extended care available. Financial aid offered. www.arts4all.org

650-917-6800 ext. 0

DHF Wilderness Camps

Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

Children ages 6-14 can meet the livestock, help with farm chores, explore a wilderness preserve and have fun with crafts, songs and games. Older campers conclude the week with a sleepover at the Farm. Near the intersection of Hwy 85 and Hwy 280 mountainview.gov

Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC)

Palo Alto

PACCC summer camps offer campers, grades kindergarten to 6th, a wide variety of fun opportunities! K-1 Fun for the youngest campers, Neighborhood Adventure Fun and Ultimate Adventure Fun for the more active and on-the-go campers! New this year: Sports Adventure Camp for those young athletes and Operation Chef for out of this world cooking fun! Swimming twice per week, periodic field trips, special visitors and many engaging camp activities, songs and skits round out the fun offerings of PACCC Summer Camps! Registration is online. Open to campers from all communities! Come join the fun in Palo Alto! www.paccc.org

650-493-2361

Theatreworks Summer Camps

Palo Alto

In these skill-building workshops for grades K-5, students engage in language-based activities, movement, music, and improvisation theatre games. Students present their own original pieces at the end of each two-week camp. www.theatreworks.org/educationcommunity

Western Ballet Children’s Summer Camp

650-493-7146

Mountain View

Students attend ballet class and rehearsal in preparation for the recital of either Peter Pan or The Little Mermaid at the end of the two week session. Separate Saturday classes are also offered. Ages 4-9. 914 N. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View http://westernballet.org/documents/summerchildrens.html

City of Mountain View Swim Lessons Rengstorff and Eagle Parks

Mountain View

We offer swim lessons for ages 6 months to 14 years. Following the American Red Cross swim lesson program, students are divided into one of the 11 different levels taught by a certified instructor. Rengstorff Park Pool, 201 S Rengstorff Ave and Eagle Park Pool,650 Franklin St. http://mountainview.gov/

Club Rec Juniors & Seniors

Mountain View

Club Rec Juniors and Seniors is open for youth 6-11 years old. These traditional day camps are filled with fun theme weeks, weekly trips, swimming, games, crafts and more! Monta Loma Elementary School, 490 Thompson Ave. http://mountainview.gov

Foothills Day Camp

Palo Alto

What will you discover? Foothills Day and Fun Camps, for youth ages 8-10 and 5-7 respectively, includes canoeing, hiking, animal identification games, crafts, and more- all for less than $5 an hour. Registration begins February 15th for residents. (February 22nd for non-residents.) Hurry, spaces are limited! cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy

650-463-4900

J-Camp

Palo Alto

Exciting programs for kindergartners through teens include swimming, field trips, sports and more. Enroll your child in traditional or special focus camps like Surfing, Archery, Animal Adventure, Circus Camp and over 50 others! Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way www.paloaltojcc.org/jcamp

Kim Grant Tennis Academy & Summer Camps

650-223-8622

Palo Alto Menlo Park/Redwood City

Fun and Specialized junior camps for Mini (3-5), Beginner, Intermediate 1&2, Advanced and Elite Players. Weekly programs designed by Kim Grant to improve players technique, fitness, agility, mental toughness and all around tennis game. Camps in Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City. Come make new friends and have tons of FUN!! www.KimGrantTennis.com

Nike Tennis Camps

650-752-8061

Stanford University

Dick Gould’s 43rd Annual Stanford Tennis School offers day camps for both juniors & adults. Weekly junior overnight & extended day camps run by John Whitlinger & Lele Forood. Junior Day Camp run by Brandon Coupe & Frankie Brennan. www.USSportsCamps.com/tennis

1-800-NIKE-CAMP (645-3226)

Students obtain high quality training in ballet, pointe, character, jazz, and modern dance, while learning choreography from the classical ballet Paquita. The students dance in featured roles in a final performance. Ages 9-12. Audition required 914 N. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View http://westernballet.org/documents/summerpre-intermediate.html

www. SpartansSportsCamp.com

Western Ballet Advanced Summer Intensive

Spring Down Camp Equestrian Center

Mountain View

Students obtain high quality training in ballet, pointe, character, jazz, and modern dance, while learning choreography from the classical ballet Paquita. The students dance in featured roles in a final performance. Ages 13-23. Audition required. 914 N. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View http://westernballet.org/documents/summer_int_adv.html

Menlo Park

650-638-0500

www.peninsulaschool.org/pensummerschool.htm (650) 325-1584, ext. 39

YMCA of Silicon Valley

Peninsula

Athletics

This is a child’s delight with trees to climb, rope swings, and unpaved open spaces. Our engaging and creative program includes time to play and make friends. Peninsula School, 920 Peninsula Way. Visit website for class listings.

Alan Margot’s Tennis Camps

Atherton

Alan Margot’s Tennis Camps provide an enjoyable way for your child to begin learning the game of tennis or to continue developing existing skills. Our approach is to create lots of fun with positive feedback and reinforcement in a nurturing tennis environment. Building self-esteem and confidence through enjoyment on the tennis court is a wonderful gift a child can keep forever! Super Juniors Camps, ages 3-6; Juniors Camps, ages 6-14. www.alanmargot-tennis.net

Page 2ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

650-400-0464

650-479-5906

Portola Valley

Spring Down Camp teaches basic to advanced horsemanship skills. Ages 6-99 welcome! Daily informative lecture, riding lesson, supervised hands-on ski-ll practice, safety around horses, tacking/untacking of own camp horse, and arts/crafts. www.springdown.com

Stanford Water Polo Camps

Www.techknowhowkids.com

(408) 351-6400

http://mountainview.gov

Spartans Sports Camp

Mountain View

Summer at Peninsula School

www.ymcasv.org

Discover fun with us this summer through the many programs available with the City of Mountain View Recreation Division. From sports to traditional day camps, to cooking camps, dance camps and art camps... we have it all! Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Avenue

Spartans Sports Camp offers multi-sport, week-long sessions for boys and girls in grades 3-6 as well as sport-specific sessions for grades 6-9. There are also strength and conditioning camps for grades 6-12. Camps begin June 10th and run weekly through August 2nd at Mountain View High School. The camp is run by MVHS coaches and student-athletes and all proceeds benefit the MVHS Athletic Department. Lunch and extended care are available for your convenience. Register today!

Western Ballet Intermediate Summer Intensive

Fun and enriching technology classes for students, ages 5-14 Courses include LEGO and K’NEX Projects with Motors, Electronics, NXT Robotics, 3D Modeling, and Game Design. Many locations, including Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Sunnyvale. Half and all day options. Early-bird and multi-session discounts available.

What makes Y camps different? We believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Y campers experience the outdoors, make new friends and have healthy fun in a safe, nurturing environment. They become more confident and grow as individuals, and they learn value in helping others. We offer day, overnight, teen leadership and family camps. Financial assistance is available. Get your summer camp guide at ymcasv.org/summer camp. Youth camps (ages 5 - 17) run June 17 - Aug. 16 . Half-day and full-day options. Fees vary. 1922 The Alameda 3rd Floor, San Jose

Mountain View

650.851.1114

Stanford

Ages 7 and up. New to sport or have experience, we have a camp for you. Half day or Full day option for boys and girls. All the camps offer fundamental skill work, position work, scrimmages and games. StanfordWaterPoloCamps.com

650-725-9016

Summer at Saint Francis

Mountain View

Sports & Activity Camp (ages 6-12): This all-sports camp provides group instruction in a variety of field, water and court games. Saint Francis faculty and students staff the camp, and the focus is always on fun. The program is dedicated to teaching teamwork, sportsmanship and positive self-esteem. After camp care and swim lessons available. www.sfhs.com/summer

650.968.1213 x650

Summer at Saint Francis

Mountain View

Advanced Sports Camps (5th-9th grades): We offer a wide selection of advanced sports camps designed to provide players with the opportunity to improve both their skills and knowledge of a specific sport. Each camp is run by a Head Varsity Coach at Saint Francis, and is staffed by members of the coaching staff. www.sfhs.com/summer

650.968.1213 x650

Upfront

,OCAL NEWS INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS

Gunn counseling reforms could take three years 3CHOOL BOARD PUSHES FOR TIMETABLE ON RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAM by Chris Kenrick UNN (IGH 3CHOOL ADMINISTRA TORS HAVE BEGUN WORK TO RE FORM THE SCHOOL S COUNSELING PROGRAM INCLUDING EMAILING WEEKLY COUNSELING DEPARTMENT UPDATES TO PARENTS AND IMPROVING THE SCHOOL S COUNSELING WEBSITE THEY INFORMED THE 0ALO !LTO "OARD OF %DUCATION

4UESDAY NIGHT -ARCH "UT THERE S NO TIME IN 'UNN S CURRENT SCHOOL DAY TO DELIVER SOME ASPECTS OF COUNSELING INCLUDING REGULAR SMALL GROUP MEETINGS OF STUDENTS WITH ADULTS THAT ARE AT THE HEART OF REFORMS RECOMMENDED THIS MONTH BY 'UNN S 'UIDANCE !D

VISORY #OMMITTEE MADE UP OF PAR ENTS STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS )N ORDER TO FULLY DELIVER A PRO SPECTIVE NEW GUIDANCE COUNSELING CURRICULUM THE SCHOOL S DAILY hBELL SCHEDULEv MAY HAVE TO CHANGE IN ! POSSIBLE CHANGE WILL TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR TO HAMMER OUT ADMINISTRATORS SAID "OARD MEMBERS PRAISED THE WORK OF THE 'UIDANCE !DVISORY #OM MITTEE WHOSE ONCE CONTENTIOUS MEMBERS CAME TO TERMS ON GEN

ERAL RECOMMENDATIONS "UT THEY PRESSED 'UNN OFFICIALS FOR CLEARER COMPARISONS WITH COUN SELING SERVICE LEVELS AT 0ALY 4HEY ALSO ASKED FOR A DEFINITIVE THREE YEAR TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN ALL OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE S RECOMMENDA TIONS WILL BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED 4HEY EXPRESSED UNWILLINGNESS TO VOTE ON !PRIL TO APPROVE 'UNN S YEAR ONE hACTION PLANv WITHOUT A MORE DETAILED CALENDAR FOR FULL IM PLEMENTATION IN THREE YEARS

'UNN PARENT AND ADVISORY COM MITTEE MEMBER !MY "ALSOM SUP PORTED HAVING A LONG TERM PLAN IN PLACE "ALSOM WHO EARLIER HAD BEEN AMONG THE STRONGEST CRITICS OF 'UNN S TRADITIONAL PROGRAM PLEADED WITH THE BOARD TO HOLD THE SCHOOL AC COUNTABLE FOR ALL REFORMS h) DON T WANT TO LOSE MOMENTUM HERE v SHE SAID h7HILE THE FIRST YEAR ACTION PLAN (continued on page 12)

%$5#!4)/.

Peery family revealed as Paly gym donor )T S NOT ABOUT ATHLETICS SO MUCH AS YOUTH FAMILIES PLAYING TOGETHER $AVE 0EERY SAYS by Chris Kenrick HE FAMILY OFFERING TO BUILD A NEW ATHLETIC CENTER FOR 0ALO !LTO (IGH 3CHOOL SAYS IT WANTS TO GIVE BACK IN WAYS THAT ENABLE YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO SPEND MORE TIME PLAYING TOGETHER h7E AIM TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES WHICH NURTURE THE WHOLE CHILD AND PROVIDE SOME BALANCE IN THE FAST PACED WORK OBSESSED ENVIRONMENT WE LIVE IN v SAID $AVE 0EERY A 0ALY GRADUATE 0EERY IS THE SON OF 0ALY GRADUATE 2ICHARD 0EERY WHO ALONG WITH HIS BUSINESS PARTNER *OHN !RRILLAGA MADE A FORTUNE AFTER PROPERTY THEY ACQUIRED IN THE S IN 3ANTA #LARA #OUNTY BECAME VALUABLE 3ILICON 6ALLEY COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 4HE 0EERY FAMILY S OFFER TO BUILD AN ATHLETIC CENTER WITH THE EXACT DOLLAR FIGURE STILL UNSPECIFIED IS CONSIDERED POTENTIALLY THE LARGEST SINGLE GIFT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN ITS HISTORY )T ORIGINALLY WAS TO BE MOD ELED AFTER THE MILLION INDOOR ATHLETIC CENTER THAT OPENED IN AT -ENLO 3CHOOL IN !THERTON 4HE FAMILY S OTHER LOCAL PHILAN THROPY INCLUDES PROJECTS IN %AST 0ALO !LTO S 2AVENSWOOD #ITY 3CHOOL $IS TRICT AS WELL AS PLANS TO BUILD A NEW GYM FOR %AST 0ALO !LTO 0HOENIX !CADEMY A CHARTER SCHOOL 4HE FAMILY ALSO SUPPORTS ANTI POVERTY EFFORTS AROUND THE WORLD AND HAS FUNDED A 3OCIAL %NTREPRENEUR SHIP 0ROGRAM AT "RIGHAM 9OUNG 5NIVERSITY h4HE CORE MISSION OF THE 0EERY &OUNDATION IS TO SUPPORT YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN POVERTY v $AVE 0EERY SAID h2ECOGNIZING THAT 0ALO !LTO IS NOT EXACTLY AN IMPOVERISHED COM MUNITY MY DAD IS AT A POINT IN HIS LIFE WHERE HE S MOTIVATED TO GIVE BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN IN A MEAN INGFUL WAY v

T VIDEO: Remembering the 10th anniversary of the Iraq War +AREN -EREDITH STANDS AMONG THE MORE THAN PAIRS OF SHOES IN FRONT OF 0ALO !LTO #ITY (ALL ON 3ATURDAY -ARCH IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN KILLED IN ACTION DURING THE )RAQ 7AR -EREDITH¤S SON -OUNTAIN 6IEW RESIDENT ST ,T +EN "ALLARD WAS KILLED IN )RAQ IN 4HE SPECIAL PROGRAM HONORED THE FALLEN AND RECOGNIZED THE TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR 4HIS VIDEO AND OTHERS CAN BE VIEWED AT HTTP WWW YOUTUBE COM PAWEEKLY 6IDEO BY 3ANDRA 'ARCIA

/0%. 30!#%

Palo Alto looks to ban smoking at all small parks #ITY #OUNCIL COMMITTEE VOTES TO PROHIBIT SMOKING AT EVERY PARK SMALLER THAN ACRES by Gennady Sheyner ORE THAN HALF OF 0ALO !LTO PARKS WOULD BECOME SMOKE FREE ZONES UNDER A LAW CHANGE THAT A #ITY #OUNCIL COMMITTEE ABRUPTLY PROPOSED 4UES DAY NIGHT -ARCH 4HE COUNCIL S 0OLICY AND 3ERVICES #OMMITTEE WAS SCHEDULED TO CON SIDER A SMOKING BAN IN ONLY THREE PARKS ,YTTON 0LAZA AND #OGSWELL 0LAZA IN DOWNTOWN AND 3ARAH 7AL LIS 0ARK IN THE #ALIFORNIA !VENUE "USINESS $ISTRICT "UT AS SOON AS THE DISCUSSION BEGAN COMMITTEE #HAIR ,IZ +NISS PROPOSED ADDING *OHNSON 0ARK IN $OWNTOWN .ORTH #OUNCIL WOMAN +AREN (OLMAN ARGUED THAT

3COTT 0ARK ON #HANNING !VENUE SHOULD ALSO JOIN THE LIST AND #OUN CILWOMAN 'AIL 0RICE MADE A CASE FOR *UANA "RIONES 0ARK 7ITHIN MINUTES THE CONVERSATION TURNED TO BANNING SMOKING AT ALL PARKS SMALLER THAN ACRES !FTER A BRIEF DISCUSSION ALL FOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS AGREED TO STRETCH THE NEW BAN WELL BEYOND THE THREE PARKS PRO POSED BY STAFF !FTER +NISS REMINDED HER COL LEAGUES OF THE OLD APHORISM h.OTH ING VENTURED NOTHING GAINED v #OUNCILMAN ,ARRY +LEIN PROPOSED THAT RATHER THAN SINGLING OUT SPECIFIC PARKS TO BE BANNED THE CITY SHOULD

CREATE A BROADER BAN AND SPECIFY WHICH PARKS WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED h) M WORRIED WE MAY BE LEAVING OUT PARKS THAT IN THEIR PROFILE DON T LOOK VERY MUCH DIFFERENT THAN "RI ONES AND *OHNSON v +LEIN SAID 4HE COMMITTEE AGREED AND DE CIDED TO APPLY THE NEW POLICY TO ALL CITY PARKS THAT ARE SMALLER THAN ACRES 4HE COMMITTEE ALSO VOTED UNANI MOUSLY TO EXPAND THE EXISTING NO SMOKING BUFFER ZONE AROUND ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES SUCH AS RESTAURANTS AND STORES FROM FEET TO FEET (continued on page 12)

2ICHARD 0EERY ESTABLISHED THE FAMILY S FOUNDATION IN WITH A MISSION TO hSTRENGTHEN YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO BUILD LIVES OF DIGNITY AND SELF RELIANCE v 4HE YOUNGER 0EERY SAID HIS FATHER IS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH PUBLICITY PREFERRING PRIVATE PEOPLE ORIENTED PHILANTHROPY OFTEN DISCUSSED OVER HAMBURGERS AT +IRK S IN 4OWN #OUNTRY 6ILLAGE h4HIS PROJECT AND OTHERS IN THE PIPELINE WILL COMBINE HIS LOVE OF PEOPLE WITH HIS BACKGROUND IN DE VELOPMENT v $AVE 0EERY SAID (E SAID THAT HIS BROTHER *ASON 0EERY HAS DONE MOST OF THE DIRECT WORK WITH 0ALY *ASON 0EERY IS A FOUNDER OF THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FIRM 0EERY 0ARTNERS AS WELL AS A PRINCIPAL AT 0EERY !RRILLAGA $AVE 0EERY MAN AGES THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS AND OVERALL STRATEGY OF THE 0EERY &OUN DATION 4HE 0ALO !LTO (IGH 3CHOOL PROJ ECT TOOK SHAPE AFTER *ASON 0EERY AP PROACHED 0ALY 0RINCIPAL 0HIL 7IN STON h7E BASICALLY SAID @7HAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND HOW CAN WE EXPAND THIS INTO SOMETHING MORE AMBITIOUS SOMETHING THAT WILL OUTLIVE ALL OF US v $AVE 0EERY SAID h)F WE RE GOING TO DO IT WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT AND FOR THE LONG TERM 0ALY AND THE 0ALO !LTO 5NIFIED 3CHOOL $ISTRICT HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH v 4HE "OARD OF %DUCATION 4UESDAY APPROVED CONCEPTUAL PLANS FOR TWO SUNKEN GYMS ON EITHER SIDE OF 0A LY S AQUATIC CENTER TO BE CONNECTED BY A COVERED WALKWAY ARCHITECTUR ALLY ECHOING THAT WHICH CONNECTS 0ALY S 4OWER "UILDING WITH (AY (continued on page 13)

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 3

Upfront QUOTE OF THE WEEK

450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 326-8210

way By the Ba d a o y Presents Br CATS

OLIVER

APRIL 6 - 21

JULY 12 - 21

CABARET

GUYS AND DOLLS

SEPTEMBER 13 - 29

NOVEMBER 8 - 17

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A RADIO PLAY DECEMBER 26 - 29

2215 Broadway St., Redwood City

650.FOX.7770 Tickets are On Sale Today

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @FoxtheatreRWC

w w w.FoxRwc .com

E ASTER

BRUNCH BUFFET SUNDAY MARCH 31st, 2013 10:00AM - 2:00PM

$20/Adult $12/Child (5-11 years) Join us Poolside for a delicious brunch buffet perfect for the whole family! Reservations are recommended but not required

Dinah’s Poolside Restaurant 4261 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Reservations & Inquires - (650) 798-1314

EDITORIAL Editor Jocelyn Dong (223-6514) Associate Editor Carol Blitzer (223-6511) Sports Editor Keith Peters (223-6516) Express & Online Editor Eric Van Susteren (223-6515) Arts & Entertainment Editor Rebecca Wallace (223-6517) Assistant Sports Editor Rick Eymer (223-6521) Spectrum Editor Tom Gibboney (223-6507) Staff Writers Sue Dremann (223-6518), Chris Kenrick (223-6512), Gennady Sheyner (223-6513) Editorial Assistant/Intern Coordinator Elena Kadvany (223-6519) Staff Photographer Veronica Weber (223-6520) Contributors Andrew Preimesberger, Dale F. Bentson, Peter Canavese, Kit Davey, Tyler Hanley, Iris Harrell, Sheila Himmel, Chad Jones, Karla Kane, Kevin Kirby, Jack McKinnon, Jeanie K. Smith, Susan Tavernetti Editorial Interns Rebecca Duran, Ranjini Raghunath ADVERTISING Vice President Sales & Advertising Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) Multimedia Advertising Sales Christine Afsahi (223-8582), Adam Carter (2236573), Elaine Clark (223-6572), Connie Jo Cotton (223-6571), Janice Hoogner (223-6576), Wendy Suzuki 223-6569), Brent Triantos (223-6577), Real Estate Advertising Sales Neal Fine (223-6583), Carolyn Oliver (223-6581), Rosemary Lewkowitz (223-6585) Inside Advertising Sales David Cirner (223-6579), Irene Schwartz (223-6580) Real Estate Advertising Assistant Diane Martin (223-6584) Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan (223-6578) ADVERTISING SERVICES Advertising Services Manager Jennifer Lindberg (223-6595) Sales & Production Coordinators Dorothy Hassett (223-6597), Blanca Yoc (223-6596) DESIGN Design Director Shannon Corey (223-6560) Senior Designers Linda Atilano, Diane Haas, Scott Peterson, Paul Llewellyn Designers Lili Cao, Rosanna Leung EXPRESS, ONLINE AND VIDEO SERVICES Online Operations Coordinator Ashley Finden (223-6508) BUSINESS Payroll & Benefits Susie Ochoa (223-6544) Business Associates Elena Dineva (223-6542), Mary McDonald (223-6543), Claire McGibeny (223-6546), Cathy Stringari (223-6541) ADMINISTRATION Receptionist Doris Taylor Courier Ruben Espinoza EMBARCADERO MEDIA President William S. Johnson (223-6505) Vice President & CFO Michael I. Naar (223-6540) Vice President Sales & Advertising Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) Director, Information Technology & Webmaster Frank A. Bravo (223-6551) Major Accounts Sales Manager Connie Jo Cotton (223-6571) Director, Circulation & Mailing Services Bob Lampkin (223-6557) Circulation Assistant Alicia Santillan Computer System Associates Chris Planessi, Chip Poedjosoedarmo The Palo Alto Weekly (ISSN 0199-1159) is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, (650) 326-8210. Periodicals postage paid at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for Santa Clara County. The Palo Alto Weekly is delivered free to homes in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, to faculty and staff households on the Stanford campus and to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 3268210. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. ©2013 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. The Palo Alto Weekly is available on the Internet via Palo Alto Online at: www.PaloAltoOnline.com Our email addresses are: editor@paweekly.com, letters@paweekly.com, digitalads@paweekly.com, ads@paweekly.com Missed delivery or start/stop your paper? Call 650 223-6557, or email circulation@paweekly.com. You may also subscribe online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Subscriptions are $60/yr.

SUBSCRIBE! Support your local newspaper by becoming a paid subscriber. $60 per year. $100 for two years. Name: _________________________________ Address: ________________________________ City/Zip: ________________________________ Mail to: Palo Alto Weekly, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto CA 94306

Page 4ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

‘‘

PUBLISHER William S. Johnson (223-6505)

We need to be held accountable to achieve this. — Amy Balsom, Gunn High parent and advisorycommittee member, on proposed reforms to the school’s counseling program. See story on page 3.

Around Town RECUSE ME ... The issue of not enough parking downtown hits close to home for members of the Palo Alto City Council, and not just because they get an earful from exasperated downtown residents seemingly every week. Several council members live downtown or have interests in downtown property and thus by law can’t participate in any decisions that would impact the area. On Monday night, this almost became a problem. The nine-member council had no legal barriers in its discussion of big picture issues, such as valet parking in downtown garages or incentives for workers to eschew their cars for other transit modes. But things got hairy when conversation turned to zoning restrictions and parkingpermit programs, with one council member after another leaving the room to avoid a conflict of interest. Mayor Greg Scharff and Vice Mayor Nancy Shepherd stepped out of the room because they have interests in downtown properties; Councilwoman Karen Holman had to leave because she lives downtown and has received income from the downtown Palo Alto History Museum; and Councilman Marc Berman ducked out because his house is near the commercial downtown district. City Manager James Keene also had to miss for the second half of the discussion because he lives downtown. By the end of the discussion, only five council members remained behind the dais. At one point, Councilman Larry Klein had to stop talking because Councilwoman Gail Price left the room momentarily, depriving the council of a quorum. At another point, City Attorney Molly Stump advised the council that “there should be no parties going on in the backroom among those who recused.” One downtown resident pointed to the shrinking number of participating council members as evidence of the problem’s urgency and pervasiveness. “If we don’t get to this problem very quickly, the entire council will have to recuse itself,” Michael Hodos told the council. NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND ... In 1965, Lyndon Johnson established Medicare, Bob Dylan went electric and Palo Alto began a massive effort to bury its wires providing electricity underground. All three gifts have gone through transformations but keep on giving. Palo Alto has converted about 46 percent of the city’s overhead lines to underground, and

officials estimate that the expensive effort will take another 70 years to complete. At the City Council level, however, the project seems to be losing momentum. This week, the council nixed a proposal by staff to establish a new citizen committee to gauge community sentiment about the ongoing program. Some council members said the committee could be a valuable means of explaining to the public why a neighborhood’s electricity hasn’t been undergrounded yet. “I think very often it takes our public getting involved to be able to understand and explain to others why something hasn’t happened,” Councilwoman Liz Kniss reasoned. Mayor Greg Scharff alluded to the effort’s “astronomical costs” and said it’s important to have a committee that would engage the greater community on what he called a “lingering issue.” Councilman Larry Klein disagreed and said the council doesn’t need to create a “buffer zone” between itself and the community for the purpose of explaining to constituents that the city doesn’t have the dollars to bury the wires. He also argued that the city has recently become a little too eager in setting up citizen committees, which he said consume staff time and resources. “I’m in favor of birth control on committees,” Klein said. “We’ve been adding them quite rapidly in the last few years.” His argument carried the day and the council shot down the staff recommendation by a 4-5 vote, with Pat Burt, Karen Holman, Gail Price and Greg Schmid joining Klein in opposition. POLLS ... In November 2014, Palo Alto voters will likely head to the polls to vote on a bond measure to fund repairs of the city’s buildings, roads and other infrastructure. More immediately, though, city officials have polls of a different sort on their minds. The City Council on Monday discussed projects that may end up on the bond measure with its pollster, David Metz of the firm Fairbanks, Maslin, Maulin, Metz and Associates. The firm will start polling Palo Alto residents next month to gauge their “initial temperature” about the proposed projects, which range from building a bike bridge over U.S. Highway 101 to repairing sidewalks. The council agreed to drop acquisition of the downtown post-office building and completion of Byxbee Park from the list of potential bond-supported items and to add funding of the new Palo Alto History Museum. N

Upfront 4%#(./,/'9 ,!.$ 53%

Palo Alto reboots its dream of a fiber network !FTER PREVIOUS EFFORTS FIZZLED #ITY #OUNCIL TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT @FIBER TO THE PREMISE by Gennady Sheyner OR MORE THAN YEARS 0ALO !LTO S DRIVE TOWARD A CITYWIDE FIBER NETWORK FLICKERED ON AND OFF LIKE A FAULTY DIAL UP CONNECTION WITH GUSTS OF ENTHUSIASM REPEATEDLY STYMIED BY LONG STRETCHES OF INACTIV ITY FRUSTRATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT 4HIS TIME OFFICIALS HOPE THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT 4HE WORLD HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST DECADE THE REASONING GOES 4HE CITY S FINANCIAL PICTURE HAS CHANGED THE #ITY #OUNCIL S PRIORITIES HAVE CHANGED AND THE CITY S LUCK MIGHT CHANGE AS WELL #ITIES LIKE 3AN ,E ANDRO #HATTANOOGA 4ENN AND +ANSAS #ITY ARE PURSUING CITYWIDE ULTRA HIGH SPEED )NTERNET NETWORK FOR THEIR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES -EANWHILE HIGH TECH 0ALO !LTO HAS AREAS WHERE BROADBAND SPEED IS SLOWER THAN IN 2ANGOON "URMA ACCORDING TO *ON &OSTER A MEMBER OF THE CITY S 5TILITIES !DVISORY #OM MISSION (E SAID HIS FRIEND FORMER PLANNING #OMMISSIONER 3AMIR 4UMA HAD RECENTLY SPENT SIX MONTHS IN "URMA AND HAD hSUBSTANTIALLY GREATERv BROADBAND THAN &OSTER h3OMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT v &OSTER SAID -ONDAY AT THE COMMIS SION S JOINT MEETING WITH THE #ITY #OUNCIL "UT PERHAPS THE BIGGEST CHANGE BETWEEN THE CITY S PREVIOUS STABS AT THE FIBER PROJECT AND ITS CURRENT EX PLORATION HAS TO DO WITH PERSPECTIVE "EFORE CITY OFFICIALS VIEWED THE EF FORT STRICTLY IN UTILITY TERMS WITH LOW COSTS AND NO RISKS BEING KEY REQUIRE MENTS )N THE CITY EXPLORED A PARTNERSHIP WITH AN )NTERNET CONSOR TIUM TO CREATE A MILLION CITYWIDE SYSTEM 4HE GROUP LED BY !XIA .ET MEDIA #ORPORATION WITHDREW FROM THE PARTNERSHIP IN -AY AFTER THE GLOBAL ECONOMY TANKED ONE OF ITS FINANCING PARTNERS WITHDREW AND THE CITY DECLINED TO SUBSIDIZE THE NETWORK WITH A CONTRIBUTION OF MILLION TO MILLION ANNUALLY #OST WAS ALSO THE LEADING FACTOR IN THE 5TILITIES $EPARTMENT S RECOM MENDATION LAST YEAR TO STOP EXPLORING

hFIBER TO THE PREMISE v AS THE PROJECT IS COMMONLY KNOWN )N *UNE THE 5TILI TIES !DVISORY #OMMISSION APPROVED THIS RECOMMENDATION BY A VOTE "UT ON -ONDAY MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION AGREED WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THE TIME IS RIPE TO TAKE YET ANOTHER LOOK #OUNCIL MAN 0AT "URT NOTED THAT THE CITY S EXISTING DARK FIBER NETWORK WHICH SERVES RELATIVELY FEW CUSTOMERS AND WAS ONCE SEEN AS A MAJOR RISK IS A STRONG REVENUE SOURCE WITH ABOUT MILLION CURRENTLY IN THE FIBER S UTILITY FUND 4HAT NUMBER IS EXPECT ED TO INCREASE TO MILLION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR

@)F YOU LOOK AT IT FROM A BROADER PERSPECTIVE IT MAY WELL MAKE A LOT OF SENSE *OHN -ELTON UTILITIES COMMISSIONER 0ALO !LTO "URT SAID THE PROJECT SHOULD BE SEEN AS MORE THAN JUST A UTILITY &IBER TO THE PREMISE HE SAID IS ALSO A COM MUNITY SERVICE AND AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE )T COULD ALSO CARRY A SECONDARY COMMUNITY BEN EFIT OF CREATING FREE CITYWIDE 7I&I (E SAID IT S TIME FOR THE PROJECT TO RETURN TO THE UTILITIES COMMISSION h7HAT THE COUNCIL IS TALKING ABOUT IS SOME VALUES THAT ARE DIF FERENT FROM STRICTLY UTILITY VALUES v "URT SAID #OUNCILMAN ,ARRY +LEIN SAID HE HAD RECENTLY SPOKEN TO A COUNCIL MEMBER FROM 3AN ,EANDRO WHO TOLD +LEIN THAT HIS CITY IS ALSO EXPLORING A HIGH SPEED BROADBAND PROGRAM -OMENTUM FOR SUCH PROGRAMS IS GROWING NATIONWIDE HE SAID !T ITS *UNE DISCUSSION THE UTILITIES COMMISSION VOTED TO ABANDON THE EFFORT AFTER CITY STAFF CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD NOT MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE 4HE STAFF RECOMMENDATION WAS BASED ON REPORTS FROM TWO CONSUL

TANTS WHO SURVEYED LOCAL DEMAND AND POTENTIAL COSTS OF EXPANDING THE CURRENT FIBER NETWORK TO CONNECT TO THE CITY S HOMES AND BUSINESSES 5NDER THE BEST CASE SCENARIO THE ANALYSIS CONCLUDED FIBER SERVICE WOULD COST A RESIDENT UP FRONT FOR THE CONNECTION AND PER MONTH FOR SUBSCRIPTION "UT UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREED -ONDAY THAT THE PROJECT WARRANTS RE EXAM INATION EVEN IF THE ECONOMIC ARGU MENT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE h)F YOU LOOK AT IT FROM A BROADER PERSPECTIVE IT MAY WELL MAKE A LOT OF SENSE v SAID #OMMISSIONER *OHN -ELTON WHO HAD DISSENTED IN THE *UNE VOTE ALONG WITH &OSTER AND !SHER 7ALDFOGEL !LL THREE ENDORSED RENEWED EXPLO RATION OF FIBER TO THE PREMISE PAR TICULARLY GIVEN THAT THE COUNCIL LAST MONTH DECLARED hTECHNOLOGY AND THE CONNECTED CITYv AS ONE OF ITS THREE OFFICIAL PRIORITIES FOR $EXTER $AWES WHO CHAIRED THE UTILITIES COM MISSION AT THE TIME IT WAS CONSIDERING THE EARLIER FIBER PROPOSAL SAID THAT THE COUNCIL S FRAMEWORK FOR LOOKING AT THE PROJECT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMISSION S WORK 4HE COMMISSION hHAS BEEN CHAL LENGED BY HAVING CHAINS ON THEM BY CONSIDERING IT ON A RISK FREE BASIS WHERE THERE WOULD BE NO SUBSIDIES FROM THE CITY v $AWES SAID h)T WILL BE A TOUGH JOB FIGURING THIS OUT BUT ) THINK THIS CAN BE DONE v -AYOR 'REG 3CHARFF WHO IN HIS &EBRUARY h3TATE OF THE #ITYv SPEECH HIGHLIGHTED THE FIBER PROJECT AS AN INITIATIVE HE WANTS THE CITY TO EX PLORE THIS YEAR CALLED THE NEW DIREC TION hVERY EXCITING v #OUNCILWOMAN ,IZ +NISS WHO WAS ON THE COUNCIL WHEN THE DARK FIBER NETWORK WAS IN STALLED IN THE MID S AGREED !T THAT TIME MANY WERE VERY RELUCTANT TO PROCEED WITH THE SYSTEM h) THINK SINCE WE MADE IT A COUN CIL PRIORITY THAT THIS IS THE TIME THAT WE REALLY WANT TO SEE 5TILITIES TAKE THIS UP v +NISS SAID N

Developer offers $13 million for school land 7ITH APPROVAL TO BUILD HOMES AT 3AN !NTONIO 3UMMERHILL OFFERS PREMIUM OVER PRICE by Chris Kenrick HOUSING DEVELOPER HAS OF FERED TO PAY MILLION TO THE 0ALO !LTO SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A ACRE PARCEL AT 3AN !NTONIO !VE THAT IT SOLD TO THE DISTRICT IN FOR MILLION 3UPERINTENDENT +EVIN 3KELLY DISCLOSED THE -ARCH OFFER AT THE "OARD OF %DUCATION MEETING 4UESDAY NIGHT 3UMMERHILL (OMES WHICH IN OBTAINED #ITY #OUNCIL AP PROVAL TO BUILD HOMES ON THE SITE HAS GIVEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT UNTIL -ARCH TO DECIDE ON ITS ALL CASH OFFER FOR THE PROPERTY WHICH IS CONTIGUOUS WITH DISTRICT OWNED LAND AT 'REENDELL 3CHOOL AND #UB BERLEY #OMMUNITY #ENTER 4HE PROPERTY WAS HOME FOR NEARLY YEARS TO THE 0ENINSULA $AY #ARE #ENTER WHICH CLOSED ITS DOORS IN *UNE WHEN THE OWNER RETIRED 4HE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUGHT THE PARCEL IN LATE DISRUPTING A CONTRACT BETWEEN 3UMMERHILL AND OWNERS OF 0ENINSULA $AY #ARE "UT 3UMMERHILL PROCEEDED TO SECURE CITY APPROVAL FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN CASE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PURCHASE FELL THROUGH 4HE DISTRICT HAS BEEN LEASING 3AN !NTONIO ON A SHORT TERM BASIS TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR CHIL DREN WITH DYSLEXIA 4HE PROPERTY COMBINED WITH THE 'REENDELL CAMPUS AT -IDDLEFIELD 2OAD IS UNDER CON SIDERATION BY A CITIZENS COMMIT TEE CURRENTLY EVALUATING POSSIBLE LOCATIONS FOR A TH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4HAT COMMITTEE WHOSE REPORT IS EXPECTED THIS SPRING HAS BEEN TOLD TO WEIGH TRADEOFFS BE TWEEN OPENING A SCHOOL AT 'REEN DELL 3AN !NTONIO OR AT THE FORMER 'ARLAND %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL AT . #ALIFORNIA !VE 3KELLY DID NOT HINT THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS ENGAGED IN ANY

NEGOTIATIONS WITH 3UMMERHILL h) AM PLEASED THAT THE BOARD HAD THE FORESIGHT TO MAKE THIS PURCHASE v HE SAID h7HILE ) DEEPLY WORRY ABOUT WHAT THIS PRICE SUGGESTS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ECO NOMICALLY DIVERSE ) DO FEEL THAT THE INCREASED VALUE REFLECTS WELL ON THE WORK OF THE SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITY v 4HE 3AN !NTONIO PARCEL WAS EXCLUDED FROM CONSIDERATION BY ANOTHER CITIZENS COMMITTEE THAT SPENT THE LAST NINE MONTHS ANALYZING OPTIONS FOR THE ACRE #UBBERLEY #OMMUNITY #ENTER 4WENTY SEVEN OF THOSE ACRES ARE OWNED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EIGHT ARE OWNED BY THE #ITY OF 0ALO !LTO !T THE TIME THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PURCHASED 3AN !NTONIO LEAD ERS WERE WORRIED THAT ENROLLMENT WAS GROWING FASTER THAN EXPECTED 4HEY ALSO WERE MINDFUL OF NOW REGRETTED SCHOOL DISTRICT DECISIONS YEARS AGO TO SELL OFF SPRAWLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUSES CLOSED BECAUSE OF DECLINING ENROLLMENT FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS !T ITS PEAK IN 0ALO !LTO SCHOOL ENROLLMENT STOOD AT BEFORE DROPPING TO A LOW OF ABOUT IN 3INCE THEN IT S BEEN ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY AND CUR RENTLY STANDS AT ABOUT )N THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SOLD /RTEGA %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL FOR MILLION AND 2OSS 2OAD %L EMENTARY 3CHOOL FOR MILLION )N IT SOLD $E !NZA %LEMEN TARY 3CHOOL FOR MILLION )N IT SOLD #RESCENT 0ARK %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL FOR MILLION AND (OOVER %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL THEN ON -IDDLEFIELD 2OAD ACROSS FROM -IDTOWN 3AFEWAY FOR MILLION -OST WERE DEVELOPED INTO HOUSING N

,!.$ 53% As h

d oa ill R eM

he rid an

(continued on page 7)

Kelly-Moore Paints

Pa g

Currently four houses

ino

AT&T Re

Palo Alto Square

ia A ve

Ca m

Ac ac

ve Av e

rA ve

The Animal Doctors

Pe p

SLAMMED BY VARIOUS COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS WITH CRITICS BASICAL LY AGREEING THAT THE PROPOSED HOTEL IS FAR TOO BIG AND DENSE FOR THE SITE 4HE NEW PROPOSAL WOULD ALSO BRING MORE DEVELOPMENT TO THE SITE THOUGH OFFICIALS GENERALLY AGREE THAT THIS IS NOT A BAD THING GIVEN THE SUR ROUNDING AREA AND THE NATURE OF 0AGE -ILL 2OAD AS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE

Map by Shannon Corey

ROW OF DILAPIDATED HOUSES NEAR ONE OF 0ALO !LTO S BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS WILL LIKELY MAKE WAY FOR A THREE STORY DEVELOPMENT WITH RETAIL OFFICES AND APARTMENTS 4HE SQUARE FOOT BUILDING WOULD STAND AT A SITE CURRENTLY OC CUPIED BY FOUR SINGLE STORY HOUSES ON A TRAFFIC HEAVY BLOCK OF 0AGE -ILL 2OAD JUST EAST OF %L #AMINO 2EAL 4HE HOMES WHICH ARE LARGELY IN DISREPAIR LOOK INCREASINGLY OUT OF PLACE ON A COMMERCIAL BLOCK THAT

by Gennady Sheyner INCLUDES +ELLY -OORE 0AINT 3TORE PICIOUS START 4HE CITY HAS ALREADY AND THE !4 4 STORE 4HE SITE IS ALSO REZONED THE SITE AT 0AGE -ILL IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE LARGE !/, 2OAD TO ACCOMMODATE COMMERCIAL OFFICE DEVELOPMENT AT 0AGE -ILL USE !ND ON 4HURSDAY THE BOARD 2OAD HAD MOSTLY POSITIVE THINGS TO SAY 4HE CITY S !RCHITECTURAL 2EVIEW AFTER HEARING A PRESENTATION BY AR "OARD ON 4HURSDAY HAD ITS FIRST DIS CHITECT *OHN .ORTHWAY CUSSION OF THE BUILDING PROPOSED 4HE PROPOSAL AS WELL AS ITS RECEP BY ARCHITECTURAL FIRM 3TOECKER AND TION IS RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE .ORTHWAY ONE THE CITY HAD CONSIDERED FOR THE 7HILE THE FINAL DETAILS FOR THE SITE IN !T THAT TIME 0ALO !LTO NEW DEVELOPMENT HAVE YET TO BE AP OFFICIALS EXPLORED BUILDING A FIVE PROVED THE PROJECT IS OFF TO AN AUS STORY LUXURY HOTEL 4HAT PROJECT WAS

AOL

Av e

0LAN FOR 0AGE -ILL EARNS POSITIVE RECEPTION FROM ARCHITECTURE BOARD

Oli

Page Mill Road houses to make way for mixed-use building

! THREE STORY RETAIL OFFICE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR 0AGE -ILL 2OAD

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 5

Upfront

News Digest City tries to fix parking problems &ACED WITH BOOMING DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND A SEVERE PARKING SHORTAGE 0ALO !LTO OFFICIALS ENDORSED ON -ARCH A WIDE RANGE OF PO TENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS AND COM MUTERS 4HE MOST CONTROVERSIAL SOLUTION INCLUDES TEAMING UP WITH DOWNTOWN DEVELOPER #HARLES h#HOPv +EENAN TO BUILD A PARKING GARAGE ACROSS THE STREET FROM +EENAN S PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT (AMILTON !VE 5NDER +EENAN S PROPOSAL HE WOULD PAY ABOUT MILLION FOR THE NEW STRUCTURE AND THE CITY WOULD CHIP IN ABOUT MILLION )F APPROVED THE NEW GARAGE WOULD STAND ON A CITY OWNED LOT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE (IGH 3TREET GARAGE 4HE OCCUPANTS OF +EENAN S NEW BUILDING WOULD OC CUPY THE TOP TWO STORIES OF THE NEW STRUCTURE WHICH WOULD REVERT TO PUBLIC USE ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS 4HE PROPOSAL RECEIVED A COOL RECEPTION FROM SOME OF THE SPEAKERS AT -ONDAY S #ITY #OUNCIL MEETING WITH SEVERAL RESIDENTS URGING THE COUNCIL NOT TO GIVE UP VALUABLE CITY LAND FOR A PROJECT THAT WOULD BENEFIT A PRIVATE DEVELOPER /THER PROPOSALS PROVED FAR LESS CONTROVERSIAL AND RESULTED IN SWIFT COUNCIL APPROVAL 4HESE INCLUDE INTRODUCING VALET PARKING IN A CITY GARAGE ON (IGH 3TREET SELLING MORE PERMITS FOR THE "RYANT 3TREET AND #OWPER 3TREET GARAGES AND REDUCING THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE SPOTS AT THE #ITY (ALL GARAGE BY GIVING WORKERS INCENTIVES TO TAKE ALTERNATE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION 4HE COUNCIL ALSO AGREED TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT ELIMINATING PARKING EXEMPTIONS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND CONSIDER PARKING RESTRICTIONS AT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AS 0ROFESSORVILLE AND $OWNTOWN .ORTH RESI DENTS HAVE LONG DEMANDED ,AST YEAR THE CITY S EFFORT TO CREATE A RESIDEN TIAL PERMIT PARKING PROGRAM IN A SECTION OF 0ROFESSORVILLE FIZZLED WHEN THE COUNCIL DECIDED THE AREA S PARAMETERS WERE TOO NARROW AND DIRECTED STAFF TO CONSIDER BROADER AND MORE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS 3TAFF NOW PLANS TO PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN RESIDEN TIAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN EARLY 3EPTEMBER N Â&#x2C6; 'ENNADY 3HEYNER

Palo Alto pharma company lays off 230 !FFYMAX A 0ALO !LTO BASED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY ANNOUNCED -ARCH THAT IT WOULD LAY OFF APPROXIMATELY EMPLOYEES Â&#x2C6; PERCENT OF ITS WORKFORCE Â&#x2C6; AND IS CONSIDERING SALE OF THE COMPANY OR BANKRUPTCY 4HE MOVE FOLLOWS A NATIONWIDE RECALL OF /MONTYS A DRUG USED TO TREAT ANEMIA IN KIDNEY DIALYSIS PATIENTS SOME WHO EXHIBITED hHYPERSENSITIV ITY REACTIONS v 4HE NEWS DROVE THE COMPANY S VALUE TO ITS LOWEST SINCE 4HE COMPANY AND ITS /SAKA *APAN BASED PARTNER 4AKEDA 0HARMA CEUTICAL #OMPANY ,TD RECALLED THE DRUG IN &EBRUARY AFTER IT FOUND THAT ABOUT PERCENT OF ITS USERS HAD HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS INCLUD ING ANAPHYLAXIS hREQUIRING PROMPT MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND SOMETIMES HOSPITALIZATION v 4HE &OOD AND $RUG !DMINISTRATION STATED IN &EBRUARY THAT IT FOUND CASES OF SEVERE HYPERSENSITIVITY THREE OF WHICH WERE FATAL 4HE COMPANY LOCATED AT -IRANDA !VE NEAR 'UNN (IGH 3CHOOL STATED THAT IT IS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE WITH THE &OOD AND $RUG !DMIN ISTRATION AND HAS INSTRUCTED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS NOT TO ADMINISTER THE DRUG TO ANY MORE PATIENTS h) WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK ALL OF OUR DEPARTING EMPLOYEES AND RECOGNIZE THEIR IMPORTANT AND VALUED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMPANY v SAID !FFYMAX #%/ *OHN /RWIN OF THE LAYOFFS h7HILE THIS DECISION WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ALIGNING AND MANAGING OUR LIMITED RESOURCES AROUND OUR PRODUCT INVESTIGATION IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY v N Â&#x2C6; %RIC 6AN 3USTEREN

Man arrested for hotel-room sexual assault 0OLICE HAVE ARRESTED A 3AN *OSE MAN FOR AN ARMED ROBBERY AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AT 0ALO !LTO S 'LASS 3LIPPER )NN EARLIER THIS MONTH THE 0ALO !LTO 0OLICE $EPARTMENT ANNOUNCED -ARCH $AVID 9I WAS ARRESTED BY 0ALO !LTO DETECTIVES ON -ARCH ON TWO OUTSTANDING WARRANTS IN THE BLOCK OF #ROPLEY !VENUE IN 3AN *OSE /N THE EVENING OF 3ATURDAY -ARCH 9I ALLEGEDLY CALLED THE VICTIM AFTER FINDING HER ADVERTISEMENT FOR MASSAGES ON AN ONLINE SERVICE 0OLICE SAY HE ARRANGED FOR A MEETING IN A SPECIFIC ROOM AT THE 'LASS 3LIPPER )NN AT %L #AMINO 2EAL /NCE INSIDE THE HOTEL ROOM HE ALLEGEDLY PRODUCED A KNIFE AND ORDERED THE VICTIM TO GIVE HIM ALL OF HER MONEY !FTER SHE COMPLIED HE ALLEGEDLY ORDERED HER TO PARTICIPATE IN A SEX ACT WITH HIM !FTER THE SEXUAL ASSAULT 9I WHO WAS UNKNOWN TO THE VICTIM LEFT THE HOTEL ROOM AND ENCOUNTERED AN ASSOCIATE OF THE VICTIM SITTING ON A CHAIR NEARBY (E ALLEGEDLY BRANDISHED THE KNIFE AT THAT WOMAN AND DEMANDED MONEY FROM HER 3HE HAD NO MONEY TO GIVE HIM AND HE LEFT ON FOOT POLICE SAID !NYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT CAN CONTACT THE 0ALO !LTO 0OLICE $EPARTMENT S HOUR DISPATCH CENTER AT !NONY MOUS TIPS CAN BE EMAILED TO PALOALTO TIPNOW ORG OR SENT BY TEXT MESSAGE OR VOICE MAIL TO N Â&#x2C6; 3UE $REMANN Page 6Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

#/--5.)49

Tough planning, finance challenges ahead for Cubberley &UTURE OF YEAR OLD FACILITY WILL NEED COLLABORATION BY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT by Chris Kenrick FORTUNE COOKIE SET THE TONE FOR A MEETING OF 0ALO !LTO S ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE FUTURE OF #UBBERLEY #OMMUNITY #ENTER LAST WEEK h9OU RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK HARD TO PUSH THIS PROJECT UP TO THE TOP OF THE HILL v STATED THE FORTUNE WHICH WAS SAVED AND READ ALOUD BY ,ANIE 7HEELER A MEMBER OF A #OM MUNITY !DVISORY #OMMITTEE ON THE FUTURE OF #UBBERLEY 7HEELER WHO WAS MAYOR OF 0ALO !LTO IN WAS AMONG THE COM MITTEE MEMBERS WHO PRESENTED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SHARED USE OF #UBBERLEY LOCATED ON -IDDLEFIELD 2OAD IN SOUTH 0ALO !LTO TO A JOINT MEETING OF THE #ITY #OUNCIL AND "OARD OF %DUCATION 4HE COMMITTEE PAINTED A VISION OF A REBUILT #UBBERLEY OR YEARS FROM NOW WHERE EFFICIENT RECON FIGURATION AND SHARED USE OF SPACE COULD ALLOW FOR A COMMUNITY CEN TER AS WELL AS A COMPREHENSIVE HIGH

SCHOOL TO MEET THE GROWING ENROLL MENT IN 0ALO !LTO SCHOOLS 4HE STATUS QUO Â&#x2C6; THE CITY S AN NUAL PAYMENT OF MILLION A YEAR TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO LEASE THE AGING CAMPUS AS A COMMUNITY CENTER Â&#x2C6; IS NO LONGER VIABLE MEMBERS SAID )F AND WHEN THE CURRENT LEASE IS RENEGOTIATED IN IT MUST CON TAIN PROVISIONS FOR LONGER TERM PLANNING AND INVESTMENT THE COM MITTEE SAID #ITY #OUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS PRAISED THE WORK OF THE MEMBER COMMITTEE BUT SAID ACHIEVING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE AN UPHILL TASK #OUNCILMAN ,ARRY +LEIN WHO TWO DECADES AGO HELPED TO CRAFT THE UTILITY USERS TAX THAT CONTINUES TO FINANCE THE CITY S LEASE PAYMENTS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT STRESSED A SENSE OF URGENCY h7E Â&#x2C6; ALL CITIZENS OF 0ALO !LTO Â&#x2C6; ARE SITTING ON A WASTING ASSET v +LEIN SAID OF THE NEARLY YEAR OLD

CityView A round-up of

Palo Alto government action this week

City Council (March 18)

Downtown: The council approved a series of measures to create more parking downtown, including an attendant-parking program at one garage, more permits sold at two garages and reduction of parking spaces allocated to employees at City Hall. Yes: Unanimous Garage: The council directed staff to explore construction of a new garage on High Street, between University and Hamilton avenues, in conjunction with developer Charles â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chopâ&#x20AC;? Keenan. Yes: Berman, Burt, Holman, Klein, Kniss, Price, Scharff, Shepherd No: Schmid Infrastructure: The council voted to remove Byxbee Park from its list of projects to be considered in polling for a possible 2014 infrastructure bond measure. Yes: Berman, Burt, Holman, Klein, Kniss, Price, Scharff, Shepherd No: Schmid History museum: The council voted to add funding for the Palo Alto History Museum to a list of projects that would be included in polling for a possible 2014 infrastructure bond measure. Yes: Berman, Burt, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd No: Klein Recuse: Holman Absent: Kniss

Board of Education (March 19)

Construction: The board approved â&#x20AC;&#x153;conceptual designsâ&#x20AC;? for a new indoor athletic center at Palo Alto High School to be financed by a private donor. Yes: Unanimous Guidance counseling: The board heard presentation from the principals of Gunn and Palo Alto high schools about efforts to improve their guidance-counseling programs. Action: None

Council Policy and Services Committee (March 19)

Smoking: The committee voted to recommend banning smoking at all city parks smaller than 5 acres. Yes: Unanimous

Council Finance Committee (March 19)

Sweeping: The commission supported a staff recommendation for a pilot program to reduce the frequency of street sweeping for residential streets in non-leaf season to once every other week and to contract out some of the work. Yes: Burt, Schmid, Shepherd Absent: Berman Water rates: The commission voted to support a staff recommendation to raise water rates by 7 percent starting July 1. Yes: Burt, Schmid, Shepherd Absent: Berman

Architectural Review Board (March 20)

611 Cowper St.: The board held a preliminary review for a proposed 50-foot-tall, four-story office building with one residential unit at 611 Cowper St. Action: None 441 Page Mill Road: The board held a preliminary review for a proposed mixed-use building at 441 Page Mill Road featuring 32,524 square feet of commercial space and eight residential units. Action: None

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com

FORMER HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS h4HIS COMMUNITY PRIDES ITSELF ON DOING THINGS RIGHT AND HAVING OUR CITIZENS Â&#x2C6; EVERYONE FROM LITTLE BABIES TO SENIORS Â&#x2C6; USING A FACILITY THAT S FALLING APART ISN T SOMETHING ANY OF US WANT TO BE A PART OF v +LEIN SAID hSIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEYv MUST BE SPENT IN THE SHORT TERM TO MAKE SURE THAT #UBBERLEY DOESN T hFALL APART v h) THINK WE HAVE A SHORT TERM TIMETABLE NOT A LONG TERM ONE v "EFORE THE CITY S DEADLINE FOR NO TIFICATION ON LEASE RENEWAL AT THE END OF THE COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD HAVE hMANY ISSUES DEALING WITH FINANCES IN PARTICULAR TO WORK OUT v +LEIN SAID 4HE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT ANY LEASE RENEGOTIATION CONTAIN A RE QUIREMENT THAT THE CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN ONE YEAR DEVELOP A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO DETERMINE STEPS FOR A #UBBERLEY MASTER PLAN AND A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT 7HEELER WHO CHAIRED THE ADVI SORY COMMITTEE S FINANCE SUBCOM MITTEE SAID FINANCING OPTIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT hWILL DEPEND ON DECISIONS THE ELECTED BODIES MAKE AND THE TIMING OF THOSE DE CISIONS v -ANY OPTIONS UNDER DISCUS SION COULD LEGALLY BE FINANCED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT LED BOND MEASURE THAT WOULD REQUIRE APPROVAL BY PERCENT OF VOTERS SHE SAID "EYOND THE COMPLICATIONS OF NEED ING SEPARATE ELECTED BODIES TO PLAN JOINTLY IS THE FACT THAT THEIR JURISDIC TIONS ARE NOT COMPLETELY ALIGNED 4HE 0ALO !LTO SCHOOL DISTRICT IN CLUDES RESIDENTS OF 3TANFORD 5NI VERSITY AS WELL AS SOME PARTS OF ,OS !LTOS (ILLS !ND RESIDENTS OF 0ALO !LTO S -ONROE 0ARK NEIGHBORHOOD WHO PAY THE UTILITY USERS TAX THAT FINANCES THE #UBBERLEY LEASE ARE IN THE ,OS !LTOS SCHOOL DISTRICT !LEX 0ANELLI AND *IM /LSTAD WHO BOTH SERVED ON A CITIZENS COM MITTEE THAT EXAMINED 0ALO !LTO S IN FRASTRUCTURE NEEDS SAID THE FINANC ING OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THROUGH THE CITY S UTILITY USERS TAX DESERVES GREATER TAXPAYER SCRUTINY h) DON T Â&#x2C6; AND ) THINK A LARGE NUMBER OF THE POPULATION OF THE CITY WON T Â&#x2C6; THINK WE SHOULD JUST CONTINUE THE ADVOCACY OF SUBSI DIZATION WHETHER IT S THROUGH THE UTILITY USERS TAX OR OTHER DOLLARS OVER TO THE DISTRICT S COFFERS v SAID /LSTAD WHO NOTED HIS CHILDREN ALSO HAD GONE THROUGH 0ALO !LTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS N

TALK ABOUT IT

www.PaloAltoOnline.com What do you think the future of Cubberley should look like? What combination of school district and community use would be ideal? Share your opinion on Town Square, the community discussion forum on Palo Alto Online.

Upfront

REAL ESTATE TRENDS by Samia Cullen

%$5#!4)/.

To stick, anti-bullying lessons must be imparted early and often, principals says &AIRMEADOW S @3TEPS TO 2ESPECT IS ONE OF MANY PROGRAMS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS by Chris Kenrick HERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS AND BULLYING !S PART OF A PUSH TO TRAIN CHILDREN EARLY AND OFTEN STUDENTS AT &AIRMEADOW %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL THIS WEEK SHOWED OFF THEIR HAND MADE ANTI BULLYING POSTERS IN THE SCHOOL S MULTI PURPOSE ROOM h9OU CAN ALWAYS DO SOMETHING AND DON T LET BULLYING HAPPEN v WROTE A FIFTH GRADER h)T S NOT COOL 3TAND UP TO BULLIES AND ALWAYS BE ASSERTIVE v !CCOMPANIED BY A STICK FIGURE DRAWING OF A CHILD SAYING h3TOP v A KINDERGARTNER WROTE h)F YOU GET BULLIED YOU SHOD TEL THE TECHER v 0RINCIPAL 'ARY 0REHN WHO HAS LED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS FOR YEARS SAID THE SOCIAL CLIMATE OF ANY SCHOOL PALPABLY AND MEASURABLY IMPROVES WHEN ANTI BULLYING LESSONS ARE EM BEDDED IN THE CURRICULUM AND REVIS ITED ON A REGULAR BASIS h7HEN EVERYONE IS WORKING ON IT IT S LIKE THE ANXIETY OR THE ANGST OF MANY KIDS DROPS AND THERE S A SENSE OF CALM v 0REHN SAID h) CERTAINLY SEE IT HERE )T S DRAS TICALLY REDUCED THE NUMBER OF KIDS WE DEAL WITH AFTER RECESS OR LUNCH TIME v .EWER PROACTIVE ANTI BULLYING EFFORTS WORK BETTER THAN TRADITIONAL APPROACHES THAT TREAT BULLYING AS A BEHAVIOR PROBLEM HE SAID 4HE NEWER CURRICULA TEACH EMPATHY NOT JUST FOR THE BULLIED CHILD BUT ALSO FOR THE BULLY Â&#x2C6; AND ENCOURAGE OTHER CHILDREN TO BECOME hUPSTANDERSv AGAINST BULLYING RATHER BYSTANDERS )T WORKS BETTER THAN THE OLDER MODEL OF HAVING CHILDREN hTALK OUTv THEIR DIFFERENCES WHICH WAS PROB LEMATIC BECAUSE OF AN IMBALANCE OF POWER BETWEEN BULLY AND VICTIM SAID 3IGRID 0INSKY A &AIRMEADOW PARENT AND 04! LEADER INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM &AIRMEADOW S CURRICULUM OF CHOICE IS h3TEPS TO 2ESPECTv Â&#x2C6; ONE

Page Mill Road (continued from page 5)

.ORTHWAY SAID THE BUILDING S FAĂ&#x20AC;ADE IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT ARCHITECTS AND CITY PLANNERS ENVISION FOR THE INCREAS INGLY URBAN FUTURE OF 0AGE -ILL 2OAD WHICH RUNS THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY BETWEEN 5 3 (IGHWAY AND 5 3 (IGHWAY h0ROBABLY IN FIVE YEARS THIS WILL BE REGARDED AS A CHARMING LITTLE BUILDING SITTING ON 0AGE -ILL 2OAD v .ORTHWAY SAID 4HE PROPOSAL IS THE LATEST IN A LARGE PILE OF MIXED USE BUILDINGS CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH THE CITY S PLANNING PROCESS "UT WHILE MOST OF THESE Â&#x2C6; INCLUDING PLANNED FOUR STORY DEVELOP MENTS AT (AMILTON !VE AND #OWPER 3T Â&#x2C6; CONSIST LARGELY OF OF FICE SPACE AND SMALL RESIDENTIAL COM PONENTS THE (AMILTON PROJECT WOULD

Katie Brigham

3TUDENTS AT &AIRMEADOW %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL IN 0ALO !LTO THIS WEEK SHOWED OFF THEIR HAND MADE ANTI BULLYING POSTERS IN THE SCHOOL S MULTI PURPOSE ROOM h9OU CAN ALWAYS DO SOMETHING AND DON T LET BULLYING HAPPEN v WROTE A FIFTH GRADER h)T S NOT COOL 3TAND UP TO BULLIES AND ALWAYS BE ASSERTIVE v &OURTH GRADER 2ORY #ANNON POINTS TO A DRAWING HE MADE 7EDNESDAY OF A VARIETY OF hSOCIAL KINDNESSv PROGRAMS USED IN 0ALO !LTO S EL EMENTARY SCHOOLS &AIRMEADOW S PROGRAM INCLUDES A DEFINITION OF BULLYING WHICH AP PEARS ON BRIGHT YELLOW LAMINATED CARDS ATTACHED TO h"ULLYING 2EPORT &ORMv CLIPBOARDS h"ULLYING IS REPEATEDLY HURTING FRIGHTENING THREATENING OR LEAVING SOMEONE OUT ON PURPOSE v THE CARDS SAY h"ULLYING ALWAYS INVOLVES A POWER IMBALANCE v 4HE YELLOW CARDS INCLUDE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR TEACHERS OR PLAY GROUND HELPERS ON HOW TO REPORT IN CIDENTS INCLUDING WHAT HAPPENED DATE TIME AND NAMES OF THE BULLIED BULLIES AND BYSTANDERS !SKED WHETHER ALL 0ALO !LTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SHOULD USE THE SAME ANTI BULLYING CURRICULUM SO CHILDREN LEARN COMMON TERMS FOR USE IN LATER GRADES 0REHN SAID HE PREFERS THAT EACH SCHOOL COMMUNITY ADOPT THE PROGRAM IT THINKS IS BEST h7HATEVER YOU RE DOING THE CON

CEPTS ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME IN MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS v HE SAID "ACK IN THE MULTI PURPOSE ROOM &AIRMEADOW STUDENTS EXPLAINED THEIR POSTERS ON DISPLAY h-INE SAYS @) STAND UP FOR PEOPLE GETTING BULLIED SAID !RMANI A FIFTH GRADER h4HAT MEANS IF SOME ONE S BEING BULLIED ) WALK UP TO THAT PERSON AND SAY ITS NOT RIGHT AND THEY SHOULD STOP h!LL THEY RE DOING IS HURTING OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY WON T END UP HAVING ANY FRIENDS v !CROSS THE ROOM A RECIPE FOR h2E SPECT ,ASAGNAv BY A SECOND GRADER NAMED %MMA WAS POSTED ON THE WALL 4HE hRECIPE FOR RESPECTv INCLUD ED hONE SCOOP OF HUGS A SPRINKLE OF NON ARROGANCE TWO CUPS FRIENDSHIP A DASH OF APOLOGY FIVE TABLESPOONS OF RESPECTFUL WORDS TWO TEASPOONS OF HONESTY A HALF CUP OF SMILES AND A QUARTER CUP OF ATTENTION v N 3TAFF 7RITER #HRIS +ENRICK CAN BE EMAILED AT CKENRICK PAWEEKLY COM

INCLUDE TWO UNITS AND THE #OWPER ONE WOULD INCLUDE ONE THE 0AGE -ILL BUILDING WOULD INCLUDE EIGHT RESIDEN TIAL UNITS ON THE THIRD FLOOR 4HE FIRST FLOOR OF THE THREE STORY FOOT TALL BUILDING WOULD BE DE VOTED TO RETAIL AND THE SECOND FLOOR TO OFFICES 4HREE OF THESE UNITS WOULD BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WHICH THERE IS A GAPING NEED IN 0ALO !LTO 4HE NEW PROPOSAL IS THE LATEST STEP IN THE ONGOING INTENSIFICATION OF THE AREA AROUND THE #ALIFORNIA !VENUE "USINESS $ISTRICT 4HE CITY IS TARGET ING THE AREA FOR GREATER DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION NEAR THE #AL TRAIN STATION AND NEAR THE #ALIFORNIA !VENUE COMMERCIAL STRIP !MONG THE MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECTS THAT THE CITY IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT IS A PRO POSAL BY *AY 0AUL TO BUILD TWO OFFICE BUILDINGS TOTALLY SQUARE FEET NEAR THE !/, BUILDINGS 4HE PROPOSAL BY .ORTHWAY ON

BEHALF OF PROPERTY OWNER .ORM 3CHWAB IS NOWHERE NEAR THE SCALE OF THE *AY 0AUL S "UT ACCORDING TO A RE PORT FROM 0ALO !LTO S PLANNING STAFF NEIGHBORS HAD EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC LOSS OF PRIVACY AND THE BUILDING S DENSITY .ORTHWAY RESPONDED BY PLACING THE BUILDING FARTHER FROM THE REAR PROP ERTY LINE PLANTING A ROW OF TREES AS A BUFFER AND SETTING THE BUILDING S THIRD STORY FURTHER BACK 4HE BOARD HAD A FEW SUGGESTIONS ON THE DESIGN OF THE FAĂ&#x20AC;ADE AND PLACE MENT OF THE BALCONY WITH MEMBER !LEX ,EW URGING .ORTHWAY TO REPO SITION THE BALCONIES SO BUILDING RESI DENTS COULD SEE THE FOOTHILLS "OARD MEMBER ,EE ,IPPERT ALSO SUGGESTED .ORTHWAY CONSIDER A MORE hBOLDv DE SIGN POSSIBLY WITH GREATER HEIGHT N 3TAFF 7RITER 'ENNADY 3HEYNER CAN BE EMAILED AT GSHEYNER PAWEEKLY COM

The Danger of Overpricing your Home I received a call from a buyer who was surprised to read online about a price reduction for a house on a desirable street in Palo Alto. I conďŹ rmed that the property had recently experienced a price reduction. The fact of the matter is that even in Palo Alto and in our competitive market, a home typically will not sell unless the list price is in line with the fair market value. While some sellers are tempted to list their property at a high price to test the market and then negotiate down the price, this strategy often is counterproductive. As the house stays longer on the market, it can develop a stigma that the house is not selling because there is something wrong with it. The seller will start getting lowball offers and may end up eventually selling at a price

below fair market value. Sellers, ask your agent to prepare a market analysis and then price your home in line with the mid-range of the comparables. In this market it is safer to underprice than overprice your home. By visiting open houses, you can get a reality check about what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up against and see how your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strengths and weaknesses compare with those of other homes that potential buyers will see. If your home is well-priced you will most likely end up receiving multiple offers, thereby driving up the sale price of the home. This strategy works very well when, like now, the market is hot. By avoiding the temptation to overprice your home, you can sell your home quickly and increase the amount you receive for your home.

If you have a real estate question or would like a free market analysis for your home, please call me at 650-384-5392, Alain Pinel Realtors, or email me at scullen@apr.com. For the latest real estate news, follow my blog at www.samiacullen.com

TRUNK SHOW Saturday March 30th

2012

Lux Eyewear ÂŁnĂ¤xĂ&#x160; Â?Ă&#x160; >Â&#x201C;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;,i>Â?Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153; Ă&#x2C6;xĂ¤Â&#x2021;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;{Â&#x2021;Ă&#x17D;Â&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2021;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°Â?Ă&#x2022;Ă?ÂŤ>Â?Â&#x153;>Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Â°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;U Page 7

Upfront

Neighborhoods

! ROUNDUP OF NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS EDITED BY 3UE $REMANN

AROUND THE BLOCK MAKING A BIG SPLASH ... The second annual Greenmeadow Association Big Splash event, a group jump into the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pool at 303 Parkside Drive, will take place Saturday, March 23, at exactly 10:15 a.m. The event marks the opening of the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pool and is followed by hot chocolate, coffee and doughnuts.

-)$4/7. 34!.&/2$

Small wonders 0EOPLE ARE USING BOOKS FRONT YARDS TO FOSTER NEIGHBORLINESS by Jocelyn Dong

EDGEWOOD EATS RETURNS ... The popular food-truck gathering displaced from Edgewood Shopping Center returned on March 18, just blocks away at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto parking lot. The City of Palo Alto granted Edgewood Eats a one-time specialuse permit for the event, which featured eight food trucks. Event organizer Susie Hwang said residents who would like Edgewood Eats to continue as an ongoing event can drop an email of support to edgewoodeats.paloalto.ca@gmail.com or post support at facebook.com/ edgewoodeats. Future events will be posted on the Facebook page. NEIGHBORHOOD TREE PRUNING ... City of Palo Alto Urban Forester Walter Passmore has announced that contractor West Coast Arborists is pruning street trees this month in the area bounded by Embarcadero and Middlefield roads and San Francisquito Creek. Neighborhoods include Crescent Park, Community Center and Duveneck/St. Francis. Pruning can initially make the tree look different, but trees will recover quickly, he said. To contact Urban Forestry, residents can call 650-496-5953.

3END ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS MEET INGS AND NEWS TO 3UE $REMANN .EIGHBORHOODS EDITOR AT SDREMANN PAWEEKLY COM /R TALK ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS ON 4OWN 3QUARE AT WWW 0ALO!LTO/NLINE COM

O CHECK OUT A COPY OF THE NEW BESTSELLING MEMOIR h7ILDv FROM THE 0ALO !LTO ,IBRARY ONE HAS TO GET IN LINE /N 7EDNESDAY THERE WERE HOLDS PLACED ON IT "UT IN FRONT OF *OE AND "ON NIE "ROCK S HOUSE IN THE -IDTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD THE #HERYL 3TRAYED BOOK SAT IN A ,ITTLE &REE ,IBRARY AVAILABLE FOR THE TAKING ! BLOCK AWAY h4HE 3NOWY $AYv AND h4HE 7ONDERFUL 7ORLD OF 0EA NUTSv WERE SHELVED IN ANOTHER TINY OUTDOOR LIBRARY WAITING FOR CHILDREN TO WHISK THEM AWAY IN THEIR BACKPACKS ,ITTLE &REE ,IBRARIES Â&#x2C6; IMAGINE GIANT BIRD HOUSES Â&#x2C6; ARE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE RESIDENTS WHO VE ERECTED THEM &ULL OF A FEW DOZEN TO A HUNDRED OR MORE BOOKS DEPEND ING ON EACH LIBRARY S SIZE THEY ARE PART OF A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT IN SHARING 'ENERALLY THEY RE PLACED IN PEOPLE S FRONT YARDS 0ASSERSBY ARE WELCOME TO BORROW A BOOK AND RETURN IT Â&#x2C6; OR JUST TAKE IT AND BRING A DIFFERENT ONE BACK h)T S A GREAT WAY TO MEET YOUR NEIGH BORS ESPECIALLY IN 0ALO !LTO WHERE THERE S A LOT OF BIKING AND WALKING v SAID !NNE (ORGAN ADMINISTRATIVE DI RECTOR OF THE &RIENDS .URSERY 3CHOOL ON #OLORADO !VENUE WHERE A LIBRARY IN A BOX IS STOCKED WITH CHILDREN S BOOKS h)F YOU RE WALKING YOUR DOG YOU CAN GO TO A ,ITTLE &REE ,IBRARY AND PICK SOMETHING UP v 4HE MOVEMENT STARTED IN 7IS CONSIN IN WITH THE AIM OF TURNING BOOKS INTO SOCIAL ICE BREAKERS AND CONVERSATION PIECES Â&#x2C6; THREADS WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE .OW OFFICIAL ,ITTLE &REE ,IBRARIES ARE LOCATED IN PLACES AS FAR FLUNG AS ,ITHUANIA AND THE 2EPUBLIC OF #ONGO 0ALO !LTO S FIRST ONE WAS BUILT LAST SPRING BY *OE "ROCK WHO HEARD ABOUT THE CONCEPT ON .02 ! HOB BYIST WOODWORKER WHO S MADE GUI TARS AND FURNITURE HE CONSTRUCTED THE LIBRARY FROM WOOD LEFT OVER FROM OTHER PROJECTS h)T WAS USED IMMEDIATELY v HE SAID RECALLING HOW NEIGHBORS HAD SEEN HIM WORKING ON THE LIBRARY FOR MONTHS AND ANTICIPATED ITS COMPLETION "OOKS THAT HIS WIFE PUT IN WERE QUICKLY BOR ROWED AND CHILDREN ON HIS BLOCK STARTED BRINGING THEIR OWN USED BOOKS BACK Â&#x2C6; TALES OF THE "ERENSTAIN "EARS AND STORIES BY $R 3EUSS 4HE &RIENDS .URSERY 3CHOOL S LIBRARY WHICH "ROCK ALSO BUILT ELICITED THE SAME REACTION WHEN IT DEBUTED LAST /CTOBER !FTER ITS FIRST

Page 8Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

Jocelyn Dong

!BOVE !NNE (ORGAN ORGANIZES THE BOOKS IN THE ,ITTLE &REE ,IBRARY AT THE &RIENDS .URSERY 3CHOOL IN 0ALO !LTO -ARCH ,EFT *OHN /GHALAI AND SON +EVIN BUILT THIS ,ITTLE &REE ,IBRARY LAST FALL AND IT NOW STANDS IN FRONT OF THEIR 3TANFORD HOME

Veronica Weber

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS ... The College Terrace Residents Association will hold its annual meeting Saturday, March 23, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Escondido Elementary School Multipurpose Room, 890 Escondido Road, Stanford. Topics will include the election of CTRA board members, â&#x20AC;&#x153;State of the Terraceâ&#x20AC;? by CTRA President Brent Barker and a presentation by Palo Alto Mayor Greg Scharff. The Midtown Residents Association will hold its general meeting on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at Friends Meeting Hall, 957 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto, to discuss the proposed Matadero Creek bike and pedestrian path. Neighborhood associations wanting a free public notice in the Weeklyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly Neighborhoods section can email information by the second Friday of each month to Sue Dremann at sdremann@paweekly.com.

WEEK ALL THE BOOKS WERE GONE 4HE NEXT WEEK SOME OF THE ORIGI NAL BOOKS CAME BACK ALONG WITH SOME DIFFERENT ONES (ORGAN SAID 3HE CREDITS THE POPULARITY TO THE LOCATION 4HE LIBRARY LIES ALONG A DESIGNATED PATH TO /HLONE %LEMEN TARY 3CHOOL AND ABOUT CHILDREN WALK BY EACH DAY 3TILL IN A CITY WITH NO LACK OF AC CESS TO BOOKS h) WAS SURPRISED KIDS HAVE USED IT SO MUCH v (ORGAN SAID /N 7EDNESDAY SHE THUMBED THROUGH THE EVER EVOLVING COLLECTION h) WOULD THINK THERE S MAYBE v SHE SAID COUNTING THE ASSORTMENT WHICH NOW INCLUDES THE BOARD BOOK h(AND (AND &INGERS 4HUMBv AND THE HUMOROUS h#LICK #LACK -OO #OWS THAT TYPE v .OT ONLY ARE THERE CHILDREN S BOOKS BUT SOMEONE LEFT A #$ OF h4REASURE )SLANDv AND TWO PARENT ING BOOKS AS WELL h)T TAKES ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN BE CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS GOING TO USE IT v (ORGAN SAID )N BETWEEN THE INSTALLATIONS OF "ROCK S TWO LIBRARIES ANOTHER LOCAL

FAMILY HEARD ABOUT THE BOOK PROJECT THIS TIME FROM AN ARTICLE IN A 5NIVER SITY OF 7ISCONSIN ALUMNI NEWSLETTER *OHN /GHALAI IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD PROJECT TO WORK ON WITH HIS ELDER SON 4HEIR REDWOOD LIBRARY STANDS IN FRONT OF THEIR HOME ON A STEEP WINDING ROAD IN 3TANFORD A POPU LAR ROUTE FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RUN NING TO THE $ISH h) HOPE THAT IT S THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WILL WALK UP TOv AND FIND A REWARD HE SAID h4HEY DE SERVE IT AFTER GETTING UP THE HILLS v !S IF ON CUE 7EDNESDAY A YOUNG WOMAN JOGGED BY h)T S SO COOL v SHE CALLED OUT /GHALAI LAUGHED h4HE COMMUNITY BUILDING IS THE KEY THING FOR US v HE SAID #HILDREN S BOOKS AND ROMANCE NOV ELS HAVE BEEN THE MOST POPULAR *UST LAST WEEKEND A WOMAN WHO LIVES SEV ERAL HOUSES AWAY STOPPED BY AND WAS HAPPY TO FIND A DINOSAUR BOOK FOR HER YEAR OLD GRANDCHILD HE SAID 7ITH SON +EVIN A VORACIOUS READER /GHALAI SAID THERE ARE ALWAYS OLD BOOKS AVAILABLE TO FILL UP THE LIBRARY h)T S JUST A NICE WAY TO SHARE v /GHALAI SAID "ROCK HAS FOUND THAT IN HIS CLOSE KNIT NEIGHBORHOOD THE LIBRARY EN COURAGES PEOPLE TO SHARE SPACE AS WELL AS BOOKS h)T S A COMMON MEETING AREA v HE SAID 4HE BENCH HE S PLACED IN THE YARD NEXT TO THE LIBRARY HAS FURTHER BLURRED THE LINE BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPACE h-ANY TIMES ) COME HOME FROM WORK AND THERE S A PERSON ) DON T KNOW SITTING ON THE BENCH PERUSING

THE BOOKS v "ROCK SAID h4HAT S THE FUN PART FOR ME h/N WEEKENDS ) VE COME OUT IN THE AFTERNOON AND THERE S BEEN A GENTLEMAN SITTING ON THE BENCH READING ) SAY @(I AND GO ABOUT MY BUSINESS )T S VERY NATURAL v !LTHOUGH THE "ROCKS INITIALLY FILLED THE LIBRARY IT S SELF SUSTAINING NOW STOCKED WITH BOOKS FROM THE PUBLIC 4HAT S ALSO PART OF THE FUN "ROCK SAID (ALF THE TIME HE SEES PEOPLE LEAVE A BOOK ONE DAY AND THEN CHECK UP ON IT THE NEXT HOPE FUL IT APPEALED TO SOMEONE ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN SNATCHED UP "ROCK THINKS PEOPLE ENJOY THE LIBRARY FOR TWO REASONS )T S CONVE NIENT AND THERE S A hBOOK CLUBv ELE MENT TO IT .EIGHBORS DON T HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET THERE !ND PEOPLE END UP HAVING LIVELY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY "OTH /GHALAI AND (ORGAN SAY THEY HOPE TO DO MORE WITH THEIR LIBRARIES SUCH AS PUTTING IN STEPPING STOOLS SO EVEN THE TINIEST KIDS CAN REACH THE BOOKS AND ADDING BENCHES OR A BOUL DER FOR PEOPLE TO SIT ON 3O FAR THE THREE ,ITTLE &REE ,I BRARIES IN 0ALO !LTO AND 3TANFORD AND ONE IN -ENLO 0ARK ARE THE ONLY ONES ON THE -IDPENINSULA "UT THAT COULD CHANGE IF THE PACE OF BUILDING AND REGISTERING ,ITTLE &REE ,IBRARIES NATIONALLY IS ANY INDICATION "ROCK S FIRST LIBRARY WAS REGISTERED AS .O LAST SPRING AND THE SECOND ONE INSTALLED A MERE SIX MONTHS LATER AT THE PRESCHOOL BECAME .O 7HAT S MORE "ROCK SAID HE S RECEIVED REQUESTS FROM FRIENDS TO BUILD MORE N %DITOR *OCELYN $ONG CAN BE EMAILED AT JDONG PAWEEKLY COM

Upfront NOTICE OF TRANSPORTATION SURVEY

5.)6%23)49 3/54(

Of the City of Palo Alto

One drop at a time

The City of Palo Alto is releasing its ﬁrst ever Transportation Survey to help better understand the travel mode and patterns of the community. Residents and persons travelling into Palo Alto to work are encouraged to complete the survey.

,OCAL MUSICIAN BUILDS COMMUNITY WITH @RAIN MAKING EVENT by Sue Dremann

Katie Brigham

ERB -OORE SAYS HE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE RAIN EVEN ON A SUNNY DAY 3ITTING IN (ERITAGE 0ARK IN 0ALO !LTO ON 7EDNESDAY MORNING -OORE A MUSICIAN DISPLAYED AN AR RAY OF INSTRUMENTS MADE FROM FOUND OBJECTS AND SCRAP MATERIALS 7ITH THEM HE CAN SIMULATE A RAIN STORM A FOOT LONG PLASTIC DRAIN PIPE FILLED WITH PEBBLES THE TUMBLING STONES MAKE A SOUND LIKE TORRENTIAL RAIN OLD TUNA CANS RUBBER BANDS PLINKING AGAINST JAR LIDS AND SHEET ALUMINUM WHICH SOUNDS LIKE CLAPPING THUNDER 7ATER IS -OORE S FAVORITE ELEMENT !QUARIUS IS HIS ASTROLOGICAL SIGN ! SEMI RETIRED TECHNICAL WRITER HE IS A LIFELONG MUSICIAN WHO HAS PLAYED INSTRUMENTS FROM FOUND MATERIALS SINCE THE S (E CALLS THE ART OF MAKING MUSIC WITH FOUND OBJECTS 3CRAPOPHONY 7ATER FASCINATES HIM BECAUSE IT IS SOOTHING 0HILOSOPHICALLY AND PHYSICALLY HE FEELS ALIGNED WITH WATER HE SAID h)T IS A BIG PART OF OUR BODIES WE NEED IT TO LIVE )T IS TREMENDOUSLY POWERFUL METAPHORICALLY THE WA TERCOURSE WAY v HE SAID OF THE 4AOIST PHILOSOPHY OF ADAPTING LIKE FLOWING WATER TO LIFE S PROBLEMS /N &RIDAY -ARCH HE PLANNED TO GATHER WITH RESIDENTS TO CREATE A hRAIN ORCHESTRAv IN THE PARK 4HE PLINKING AND PLUNKING OF WATER DROPLETS THE CRASH OF THUNDER AND EVENTUAL DOWNPOUR OF SOUND WOULD BE PART OF "E A $ROP IN THE "UCKET A COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENT THAT CO INCIDED WITH THE TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 5NITED .ATIONS 7ORLD 7ATER $AY WHICH ADVOCATES SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES 2AIN MUSIC IS A METAPHOR FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY TO SOLVE LIFE S PROBLEMS HE SAID !S INDIVIDUALS IN A FAST PACED SOCIETY MANY PEOPLE FEEL OVERWHELMED BY THE PROBLEMS AT THEIR DOORSTEP "UT hINDIVIDUALLY WE ARE LIKE ONE DROP BUT TOGETHER WE CAN FILL A BUCKET v HE SAID

The survey is comprised of 12-15 questions and takes only a few minutes to complete. Please provide your input before May 5th, 2013 by taking the survey online. Data from the survey will be used to develop future transportation programs, projects and policies.

(ERB -OORE PLAYS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS THAT HE MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS AT (ERITAGE 0ARK ON -ARCH -OORE SAID HIS PHILOSOPHY OF hMU SIC AS COMMUNITYv IS MEANT TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO FIND WAYS WITH IMPROVISATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD MUSI CAL EVENTS TO EXPLORE IDEAS AND NEW APPROACHES TO PROBLEMS (E ALSO SOUGHT NEW APPROACHES TO MAKING MUSIC (E STARTED PLAYING A TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENT A GUITAR WHILE A YOUTH IN -C,EAN 6A )N THE PARKING LOTS WHERE MEN HUNG OUT TO JAM -OORE PICKED UP THE hREAL ORALv TRADITION OF #ARTER &AMILY STYLE 3COTCH )RISH MUSIC HE SAID "UT HE STARTED MAKING MUSIC WITH SCRAP MATERIALS INCLUDING A XYLO PHONE WHEN HE COULDN T AFFORD MORE EXPENSIVE PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENTS HE SAID (E SOON BECAME INTERESTED IN EXPLORING ALL KINDS OF SOUNDS -OORE SPENT FIVE YEARS RECORDING THE SOUNDS OF WATER FROM RAINDROPS TO RUSHING RIVERS (E TRAVERSED "AY !REA MOUNTAINS AND WENT INTO THE 3IERRAS TO EXPAND HIS AURAL CANVAS &ROM HIS COLLECTION OF SOUNDSCAPES HE CREATED A #$ ENTITLED h( /VERTURE v (E ALSO COLLABORATED WITH 0ALO !LTO ARTIST 3TEVE #URL ON A SLIDESHOW CALLED h7ATER #OLOR -USIC v WHICH CAN BE VIEWED AT -OORE S WEBSITE WWW MELOSYNC COM h) THINK OF MUSIC AS BEING LIKE A COSMIC RIVER THAT IS ALWAYS THERE &ROM TIME TO TIME WE SCOOP UP A BIT OF THE RIVER AND PUT IT INTO BOTTLES OF DIFFERENT SHAPES AND COLORS WHICH WE CALL SONGS SYMPHONIES OPERAS OR WHATEVER /R MAYBE WE CREATE A MORE FREE FLOWING FOUNTAIN IMPRO VISATION v HE NOTES ON HIS WEBSITE -OORE CREATES A TAPESTRY OF SOUND TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION AMBIENT SOUND AS THE CANVAS FOR THE COMMU NITY SOUND PAINTINGS HE SAID 3INCE LANDING IN 0ALO !LTO IN

HE HAS PERFORMED SCRAPOPHONY AT 3TANFORD -ENLO 0ARK S 0ENINSULA 3CHOOL 0ALO !LTO NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY VENUES THAT INCLUDE FARM ERS MARKETS DANCE CLASSES AND #OM MON 'ROUND S GARDEN SHARE EVENTS (E PERFORMED AT 3TANFORD AT THE LATE COMPOSER *OHN #AGE S h-U SICIRCUSv EVENT AND CREATED MUSIC FOR THE *ULY DANCE PERFORMANCE h!LONG THE 2IVERv BY +ARIN #ABELLO -ORIARTY 4HE LATTER EVENT TOOK PLACE AT !NDY 'OLDSWORTHY S 3TONE 2IVER SCULPTURE OUTSIDE 3TANFORD 5NIVER SITY S #ANTOR !RTS #ENTER $URING SEVERAL DAYS THAT YEAR HE RECORDED THE VOCALIZATIONS OF 3OPHIA 3ACHS A 0ALO !LTO TODDLER WHO HAD A RARE GENETIC DISORDER CALLED .EIMANN 0ICK 4YPE ! (E WROTE MUSIC BASED ON THE NUMERICAL SEQUENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENZYME THE CHILD LACKED INCORPORATING HER VOICE 3OPHIA WAS SAID TO PULSE HER HANDS TO THE MUSIC -OORE HAS ALSO USED HIS MUSIC AT CORPORATE WORKSHOPS AND TEAM BUILDING EVENTS h)T S A GOOD METAPHOR FOR TEAM WORK v HE SAID (E SEES HIMSELF AS THE CATALYST FOR CONVERSATION BUT HE DOESN T HAVE A BIG AGENDA HE ADD ED "UT SOMETIMES CONVERSATIONS DO COME OUT OF PLAYING THE MUSIC h)T IS A WAY IF NOTHING ELSE FOR PEO PLE TO JUST HAVE A GOOD TIME ) THINK MUSIC IS WONDERFUL )N OUR CULTURE WHAT WE VE DONE IS WE VE TENDED TO MAKE MUSIC A SPECIALIZED ART FORM WHERE WE HAVE STARS AND WE THINK ONLY A FEW PEOPLE CAN PLAY MUSIC 7E VE LOST A LITTLE BIT OF THAT SENSE OF MUSIC AS A PARTICIPATORY ACTIVITY v HE SAID N 3TAFF 7RITER 3UE $REMANN CAN BE EMAILED AT SDREMANN PAWEEK LY COM

Survey is available at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/ts2013.

For further information regarding the survey please contact: Ruchika Aggarwal – ruchika.aggarwal@cityofpaloalto.org or (650)617.3136.

Thursday March 28, 2013 7:00 - 8:30 pm

A free “How To” workshop for Family Caregivers

at Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center 270 Escuela Avenue Mountain View

How to Understand Depression in the Elderly

Please RSVP to 650-289-5499 Light refreshments will be served.

with Richard Winetzky, LMFT Senior Program Therapist OATS Program El Camino Hospital

Free professional care for your loved one is available so you can attend the workshop—just call us 48 hours in advance to make arrangements.

Quality Daytime Care for Older Adults

Enjoy the ride.

171 University Ave., Palo Alto

650.328.7411

www.paloaltobicycles.com

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10am - 7pm, Sat. 10am - 6pm, Sun. 11am - 5pm ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 9

Peninsula Easter Services Journey to Easter You Are Invited Sunday, March 24th Sunday, March 31st

11:00a.m. 11:00a.m.

Palm Sunday Easter Service

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST

470 Cambridge Ave (one block off California) Rev. Jerry Fox

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PALO ALTO . #ALIFORNIA AT "RYANT s s WWW FBC PALOALTO ORG March 28, 6PM Maundy Thursday Soup Supper followed by Service March 29, 12-3PM 7:30PM

Good Friday, Sanctuary Open for Prayer and Meditation Tenebrae Service at Covenant Presbyterian, 670 E. Meadow

March 31, 6:30AM 10AM 11:30AM

Sunrise Service and Pancake Breakfast at Mitchell Park EASTER WORSHIP CELEBRATION Brunch & Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Easter Egg Hunt

ST. MARKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EPISCOPAL CHURCH PALO ALTO Maundy Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; March 28 V 6:15pm

Monastic Supper & Liturgy of the Word followed by Holy Eucharist & Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday â&#x20AC;&#x201D; March 29 V Noon to 2:00pm Stations of the Cross with Reflections V 2:00 to 3:00pm

Labyrinth Stations: A Walking Meditation

V 7:30 to 8:30pm

Tenebrae: The Office of Shadows

V 5:30am

Easter Vigil, Eucharist & Baptism

Easter â&#x20AC;&#x201D; March 31 V 8:00 to 9:30am

Festive Breakfast & Family Easter Activities

V 10:00am

Festive Holy Eucharist

600 Colorado Ave, P.A. (650) 326-3800 www.saint-marks.com

Holy Week & Easter

Join Us For Holy Week & Easter

St. Bedeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Episcopal Church 2650 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park

! ! 12 noon Foot Washing & Holy Eucharist 6:30pm Agape meal & Holy Eucharist 8:00pm-midnight Vigil in the church

12 noon Communion from reserved sacrament & music approx. 1 hr 7:30pm Tenebrae approx. 1Âź hr 7:30pm Great Vigil of Easter approx. 1Âź hr 8:00am Eucharist with Hymns 10:15am Sung Eucharist w/choir 11:30am Easter Egg Hunt Nursery available 10-11:30am

The great question of Easter is about us: where are the tombs in our life that God is inviting us to leave and where is new life rising in us? Join us at Trinity as we celebrate the promise and possibility of new life. Palm Sunday, March 24: 10:00 am* Maundy Thursday (The Last Supper) March 28, 6:00 pm* (with simple meal) Good Friday, March 29 7:00 am, Noon, 7:00 pm The Great Vigil of Easter Baptisms & First Easter Communion Saturday, March 30, 7:00 pm* Easter Sunday, March 31 6:30 am in the Memorial Garden 8:30 am* & 10:30 am* in Church with Festival Choir *Indicates child care available. 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park (650) 326-2083 www.trinitymenlopark.org

Page 10Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

ST. ANN ANGLICAN CHAPEL A TRADITIONAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 541 Melville Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301 650-838-0508

The Most Reverend Robert S. Morse, Vicar Reverend Matthew Weber, Assistant March 31 Easter Sunday 11am Choral Eucharist & Sermon Child Care Provided

Peninsula Easter Services

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC

Covenant Presbyterian Church

1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto (650) 856-6662 www.fccpa.org

Maundy Thursday, March 28th

March 24 Palm/Passion Sunday 10:30 a.m. Worship Procession of the Palms

Soup Supper & Communion, 6:30pm, Service of Tenebrae, 7:30pm

Good Friday, March 29th Service of Contemplation, Noon

March 28 Maundy Thursday 6:00 p.m. Dinner and Worship at First Baptist Church 305 N California Ave, Palo Alto

Easter Sunday Celebration Worship at 9:30 am & 11:00 am Oxford Street Brass & The Hallelujah Chorus Easter Egg Hunt 10:30am

’

March 29 Good Friday 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae Scripture readings, music, and the extinguishing of lights comprise this powerful service of remembrance

An open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ

March 30 Holy Saturday 10:00 a.m. Children’s Easter Egg Hunt Activities to celebrate Easter

Holy Week Services March 28 6:00 pm

Seder Dinner

March 29 Noon & 7:00 pm Good Friday Services

Join us for EASTER March 31, 2013 10:30 AM Worship 1140 Cowper St.

11:30 AM Easter treats 650-325-5659

www.fprespa.org

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH HOLY WEEK 2013

March 31 9:30 am

Easter Festival Service

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt after the service!

Bethany Lutheran Church 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park 650.854.5897 www.bethany-mp.org

March 31 Easter Sunday 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service at Mitchell Park Bowl Sunrise meditation. Breakfast follows. 10:30 a.m. Worship A Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with music, scripture, proclamation of the Word and Communion. Bring fresh ﬂowers for the Easter Cross. Rev. Dr. Margaret Boles Covenant Presbyterian Church, 670 E. Meadow Dr., Palo Alto 94306 (650) 494-1760 www.CovenantPresbyterian.net

HOLY WEEK AT ALL SAINTS’ ALL ARE WELCOME March 24 PALM SUNDAY 8am Holy Eucharist 10am Palm Procession & Eucharist

8:00 PM EASTER VIGIL SAT. MARCH 30, 2013

St. Albert the Great 1095 Channing Ave.

EASTER SUNDAY MARCH 31, 2013: ST. ALBERT THE GREAT 1095 Channing Ave. 9:00 AM (English) OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY 3233 Cowper St. 9:00 am (Spanish) 10:30 am (English) ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 751 Waverley St. 7:30 am (English) 8:45 am (English) 10:30 am (English) 12:00 noon (Gregorian)

March 28 MAUNDY THURSDAY Celebrant: Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves 6pm Light Supper 7pm Eucharist with Mandatum

Peninsula Easter Services is a resource for

March 29 GOOD FRIDAY Celebrant: Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves Noon Veneration of the Cross & Holy Communion 6pm Solemn Evensong of the Burial of Christ

March 30 HOLY SATURDAY 8pm Great Vigil of Easter followed by Champagne Reception

Let’s Celebrate Easter Together

March 31 EASTER SUNDAY 8am Eucharist 10am Festival Eucharist Special Music – The Whole Noyse Brass Egg Hunt & Easter Brunch

ongoing religious services and special events. To inquire about or to reserve space in Peninsula Easter Services, please contact Blanca Yoc at 223-6596 or email byoc@paweekly.com

All Saints’ Episcopal Church Palo Alto 555 Waverley @ Hamilton www.asaints.org

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 11

Upfront

Smoke

(continued from page 3)

3TAFF HAD PROPOSED THE MORE LIMITED BAN BECAUSE OF COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS AND DOWNTOWN BUSI NESSES !CCORDING TO A STAFF REPORT THESE COMPLAINTS MAINLY INVOLVED hENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY LITTER FIRE SAFETY OR A COMBINATION THEREOF v ! PROHIBITION AT THE DOWNTOWN PARKS THE REPORT STATED IS EXPECTED TO hREDUCE LITTER AND ENHANCE THE EN JOYMENT OF THE PARK FACILITIES FOR SHOPPERS VISITORS AND RESIDENTS OF THE DOWNTOWN AND #ALIFORNIA !V ENUE COMMERCIAL AREAS v "UT THE MAIN REASON FOR THE BAN

IS THE IMPACT OF SMOKING ON PUBLIC HEALTH 4HE 5NITED 3TATES $EPART MENT OF (EALTH AND (UMAN 3ERVIC ES #ENTERS FOR $ISEASE #ONTROL AND 0REVENTION ESTIMATED THAT DEATHS IN THE 5NITED 3TATES ARE AT TRIBUTABLE TO TOBACCO EVERY YEAR AND OF THEM ARE ATTRIBUTED TO SECONDHAND SMOKING +NISS SAID THAT WHILE SHE ISN T AWARE OF COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUB LIC ABOUT SMOKING DOWNTOWN THE PUBLIC HEALTH ARGUMENT IS COMPEL LING ENOUGH TO WARRANT THE NEW BAN WHICH THE FULL COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON BEFORE IT BE COMES OFFICIAL h4HE COUNCIL IS A GUARDIAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY AND

) D SAY THIS IS APPROPRIATE v +NISS SAID OF THE BROADER BAN (OLMAN SAID SHE WOULD SUPPORT BANNING SMOKING IN EVERY PARK LARGE AND SMALL THOUGH NEITHER SHE NOR ANY OF HER COLLEAGUES WERE PREPARED TO EXPAND THE ITEM THAT FAR 4UESDAY NIGHT 4HE COMMITTEE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE MEETING AGENDA AND THE STAFF REPORT ONLY TALKED ABOUT IMPOSING THE BAN AT THREE PARKS !S IT IS THE BAN WOULD APPLY TO MORE THAN HALF OF THE CITY S PARKS #OMMUNITY 3ERVICES $IRECTOR 'REG "ETTS SAID 0ALO !LTO HAS PARKS AND FOUR OPEN SPACE PRESERVES 3OME OF THE LATTER HAVE THEIR OWN RESTRICTIONS &OOTHILLS 0ARK FOR EX

Thank you

AMPLE PROHIBITS SMOKING ON TRAILS BUT ALLOWS IT IN THE MEADOWS AND PICNIC AREAS "ETTS SAID 4HE COMMITTEE S VOTE WAS JUST THE LATEST IN THE CITY S MULTI YEAR CON SIDERATION OF NEW SMOKING LAWS )N /CTOBER THE 0ARKS AND 2ECRE ATION #OMMISSION VOTED NOT TO CHANGE THE LAW REASONING THAT THE EXISTING ORDINANCE IS FINE THE WAY IT IS !ND LAST YEAR THE 0OLICY AND 3ERVICE #OMMITTEE DIRECTED STAFF TO CONSIDER A BROADER SMOKING PRO HIBITION DESPITE A STATEMENT FROM +LEIN AT THAT TIME THAT SMOKING HAS BECOME A NON ISSUE IN 0ALO !LTO IN RECENT DECADES 3INCE OTHER NEIGHBORING CITIES HAVE PROCEEDED WITH THEIR

to all the local restaurants who

joined together to make a difference in the lives of children and families at Lucile Packard Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital at Stanford!

Palo Alto Ace of Sandwiches Anatolian Kitchen Asian Box Baja Fresh CalaďŹ a CafĂŠ and Market A Go Go California CafĂŠ California Pizza Kitchen Celiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mexican Restaurant Campo Pizzeria Crepevine Curry Up Now Good Earth CafĂŠ & Bakery Gordon Biersch Gravity Bistro

Hobeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant House of Bagels Il Fornaio La Morenita Restaurant Lotus Thai Bistro Lyfe Kitchen Mango Caribbean Moniqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chocolates Nola Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill Downtown Palo Alto Creamery Stanford Panda Express Patxiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza PF Changâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s China Bistro Pinkberry Pizzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a Chicago

Page 12Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

Pizza My Heart Plutoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poolside Grill Reposado Restaurant Soleil Round Table Pizza Quattro Siam Orchid Organic Fine Dining Sprinkles Tacolicious Thaiphoon The ProliďŹ c Oven 3rd Door Trellis Restaurant Tootsieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at the Stanford Barn Village Cheese House Yogurtland

Menlo Park Amiciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s East Coast Pizzeria Annâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coffee Shop Celiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mexican Restaurant Luttickenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Menlo Grill Bistro and Bar Philâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen Quiznos Round Table Pizza Rubioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fresh Mexican Grill Los Altos Armadillo Willyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baskin-Robbins Bumble Chiliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

OWN SMOKING RULES !CCORDING TO THE STAFF REPORT #AMPBELL #UPER TINO -OUNTAIN 6IEW 3ARATOGA AND ,OS 'ATOS HAVE ALL ADOPTED ORDI NANCES THAT BAN SMOKING IN CERTAIN PUBLIC AREAS /N 4UESDAY THE COMMITTEE HAD FEW RESERVATIONS 7ITHIN HALF AN HOUR MEMBERS AGREED THAT THE SMALL PARKS SMOKING BAN IS THE WAY TO GO AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE FULL #ITY #OUNCIL PASS THE ORDINANCE h)N PRINCIPLE ) LIKE THE IDEA OF BEING A LITTLE MORE ASSERTIVE ON THIS ITEM v 0RICE SAID MINUTES BEFORE THE VOTE N 3TAFF 7RITER 'ENNADY 3HEYNER CAN BE EMAILED AT GSHEYNER PAWEEKLY COM

Counseling

(continued from page 3)

WAS APPROVED BY 'UNN DEPARTMENT HEADS ) M WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SECOND YEAR AC TION PLAN MEETS RESISTANCE WITHIN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY h7E RE NOT GOING TO GET COMPARABLE SERVICES AND OUTCOMES WITH 0ALY UNLESS WE GO THE FULL DISTANCE 7E NEED THE BOARD AND DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TO REALLY HOLD 'UNN ACCOUNTABLE AND ) M TALKING VERY COLLECTIVELY h7E CAN T TAKE THE EASY STUFF AND LEAVE THE HARD STUFF 7E NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS v "ALSOM SAID $IRECTOR OF 3ECONDARY %DUCATION -ICHAEL -ILLIKEN STRESSED IT WAS NO SMALL TASK FOR THE WIDELY DIVER GENT MEMBERS OF 'UNN S 'UIDANCE !DVISORY #OMMITTEE TO REACH CON SENSUS AS WELL AS TO EARN THE hFULL SUPPORTv OF 'UNN S ACADEMIC DE PARTMENT HEADS 4HE ADVISORY COMMITTEE INCLUDED STAUNCH DEFENDERS OF 'UNN S TRADI TIONAL STYLE COUNSELING PROGRAM AS WELL AS HARSH CRITICS OF THE PROGRAM WHO FOR TWO YEARS HAVE URGED 'UNN TO ADOPT A 0ALY STYLE hTEACHER ADVISORYv MODEL 4HAT MODEL USES MORE THAN TEACHERS TO AUGMENT A SMALL FULL TIME COUNSELING STAFF ENABLING MONTHLY SMALL GROUP MEETINGS WITH ADVISEES !T 4UESDAY S MEETING 'UNN AND 0ALY ADMINISTRATORS TOLD THE BOARD THEY VE SHARED IDEAS ON HOW TO IM PROVE THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNSELING PROGRAMS "UT BOARD MEMBER -E LISSA "ATEN #ASWELL SUGGESTED THEY GO FURTHER CREATING A SHARED WEB SITE IN THE AREA OF COLLEGE AND CAREER INFORMATION AND ALSO POSSIBLY IN THE AREA OF PARENT EDUCATION 3TUDENTS AT 'UNN AND 0ALY ARE LIKELY TO HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME QUES TIONS IN THOSE AREAS SHE SAID N 3TAFF 7RITER #HRIS +ENRICK CAN BE EMAILED AT CKENRICK PAWEEKLY COM

Corrections The Feb. 22 article â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plans to transform California Avenue win praiseâ&#x20AC;? incorrectly stated the year the streetscape project officially began. The streetscape plan was proposed in 2006 by the California Avenue Area Development Association. Also, in the March 15 cover story on robots, the general manager for RoboteX was misidentified. His name is Eric Ivers. The Weekly regrets the errors. To request a correction, contact Editor Jocelyn Dong at 650-223-6514, jdong@ paweekly.com or P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302.

Upfront

Online This Week

These and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com/news or click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Newsâ&#x20AC;? in the left, green column.

HP increases dividends to stockholders (EWLETT 0ACKARD TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL RAISE THE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND IT PAYS OUT TO SHAREHOLDERS BY PERCENT TO CENTS PER SHARE (Posted March 21, 9:55 a.m.)

East Palo Alto schools seek new superintendent Courtesy of the Peery family

3OME MEMBERS OF THE 0EERY FAMILY IN A PHOTO TAKEN IN

Donor

(continued from page 3)

MARKET 4HEATRE 4HE GYM PROJECT WOULD INCLUDE AMONG OTHER FEATURES A NEW WRES TLING MULTI PURPOSE ROOM POOL LOCKER ROOMS AND A NEW DANCE AND YOGA ROOM h4HIS WILL CHANGE NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE BUT THE FEELING ON THE CAMPUS AT 0ALY FOREVER v 7INSTON SAID h)T IS SOMETHING WE NEED AND COULD NOT BE MORE THRILLED ABOUT v $AVE 0EERY SAID THE LEASE LEASE BACK ARRANGEMENT Â&#x2C6; A LEGAL ALTER NATIVE TO COMPETITIVE BIDDING UNDER THE #ALIFORNIA %DUCATION #ODE Â&#x2C6; WOULD FACILITATE A HIGH QUALITY AND SPEEDY COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT 0LANS CALL FOR GROUNDBREAKING IN *UNE AND OCCUPANCY BY !UGUST WITH ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES OPERATING OUT OF PORTABLE CLASSROOMS DURING CON STRUCTION h7E FELT THAT SINCE WE ARE CONTRIB UTING THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDS TO THIS PROJECT THAT IT MADE THE MOST SENSE TO TAKE THIS APPROACH AND MAKE SURE IT GETS DONE RIGHT v 0EERY SAID OF THE LEASE LEASEBACK METHOD "UT HE SAID h7E DON T HAVE ANY PRICING YET AND THE SIZE OF THE CON TRIBUTION AND HOW IT WILL ALL COME TOGETHER IS STILL UNDER DISCUSSION v 0EERY FAMILY MEMBERS WERE AMONG THOSE WHO RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH 0INEWOOD 3CHOOL IN ,OS !LTOS (ILLS TO BUILD A GYMNASIUM ON &ABI AN 7AY IN 0ALO !LTO FOR USE BY 0IN EWOOD FROM WHICH TWO OF 2ICHARD 0EERY S FOUR CHILDREN GRADUATED .EITHER 2ICHARD 0EERY NOR HIS TWO CHILDREN WHO WENT TO 0ALY PLAYED VARSITY ATHLETICS ALTHOUGH HIS GRANDSON PLAYS 0ALY BASKETBALL A GRANDDAUGHTER PLAYS LACROSSE AND HIS SISTER WAS A 0ALY CHEERLEADER h)T S NOT REALLY ABOUT SPORTS OR ATH LETICS PER SE v $AVE 0EERY SAID h4HIS IS MUCH MORE ABOUT PROVID ING BALANCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR BUSY YOUTH !DDITIONALLY THESE FACILI TIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY v 4HE 0EERY FAMILY S HISTORY IN 0ALO !LTO DATES TO WHEN $AVE 0EERY S GRANDFATHER 4AYLOR 0EERY ARRIVED AT 3TANFORD 5NIVERSITY RUN NING AN ORANGE JUICE COMPANY TO SUPPORT HIS STUDIES

(E LATER BUILT A CAREER IN BANKING AND REAL ESTATE SCOUTING FOR LAND ON FOOT AND BY MOTORCYCLE ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITE OF THE 0EERY &OUNDA TION h7E BELIEVE THAT HARD WORK WITH REAL PEOPLE AWAY FROM A DESK CAN MAKE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS HAPPEN IN PHILANTHROPY v THE WEBSITE STATES !MONG THE LOCAL PROJECTS THE 0EERY &OUNDATION FUNDS IS 0ALO !L TO S $OWNTOWN 3TREETS 4EAM WHICH PUTS HOMELESS PEOPLE TO WORK AND IS EXTENDING ITS METHOD TO 3AN *OSE 3UNNYVALE AND 3AN 2AFAEL 4HE FOUNDATION ALSO IS SUPPORTING

THE 2AVENSWOOD %DUCATION &OUN DATION THE PLANNED -AGICAL "RIDGE 0LAYGROUND AT -ITCHELL 0ARK THAT ACCOMMODATES CHILDREN WITH DIS ABILITIES AND !DA S #AFÂł AT THE NEW -ITCHELL 0ARK ,IBRARY AND #OM MUNITY #ENTER WHICH WILL EMPLOY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO PREPARE AND SERVE FOOD N 4HIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST POSTED ON 0ALO !LTO /NLINE ON -ONDAY -ARCH &OR ALL THE LATEST BREAK ING NEWS VISIT WWW 0ALO!LTO/N LINE COM OR SUBSCRIBE TO THE 7EEK LY S DAILY EMAIL %XPRESS AT WWW PALOALTOONLINE COM EXPRESS

! SEARCH FIRM IS SEEKING A REPLACEMENT FOR 2AVENSWOOD #ITY 3CHOOL $ISTRICT 3UPERINTENDENT -ARIA $E ,A 6EGA WHO HAS ANNOUNCED SHE WILL RETIRE IN *UNE 4HE + DISTRICT EDUCATES CHILDREN ON SEVEN CAMPUSES IN %AST 0ALO !LTO AND EASTERN -ENLO 0ARK (Posted March 21, 9:50 a.m.)

East Palo Alto police bust duo for gun arsenal %AST 0ALO !LTO AND -ENLO 0ARK POLICE ARRESTED TWO MEN IN CONNEC TION WITH A GUN ARSENAL POLICE SPOKESWOMAN /FFICER 6ERONICA "ARRIES SAID 4UESDAY -ARCH (Posted March 20, 4:14 p.m.)

Baby born on El Camino Real in Palo Alto 4HE PARENTS OF A BABY GIRL GOT A SURPRISE WHEN THE CHILD WAS BORN AS THEY DROVE DOWN %L #AMINO 2EAL IN 0ALO !LTO ON 4UESDAY AFTERNOON 0ALO !LTO &IRE "ATTALION #HIEF $OUG #ONN SAID (Posted March 20, 11:40 a.m.)

ShareThis raises $23M, acquires Socialize 3HARE4HIS THE 0ALO !LTO BASED MAKERS OF THE UBIQUITOUS hSOCIAL SHARINGv BUTTONS ON THE WEB TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT IT SECURED MIL LION IN 3ERIES # FUNDING AND ACQUIRED 3OCIALIZE WHICH HELPS TO MAKE MOBILE APPS SOCIAL (Posted March 20, 9:48 a.m.)

Police arrest East Palo Alto man for cocaine $RUG ENFORCEMENT UNITS FROM -ENLO 0ARK AND %AST 0ALO !LTO POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRESTED A MAN IN %AST 0ALO !LTO ON -ARCH AFTER ALLEG EDLY FINDING COCAINE IN HIS RESIDENCE (Posted March 19, 9:45 a.m.)

Suit claims high-speed-rail officials â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;misledâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; public

Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week CITY COUNCIL ... The council has no meetings scheduled this week. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss the renovation of the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, the redesign of El Camino Park and the new report from the Cubberley Community Advisory Committee. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss the Urban Forest Master Plan and a colleagues memo urging the City Council to direct staff to explore options for prioritizing and monetizing community benefits associated with planned-community zones. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). COUNCIL RAIL COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to hear updates about recent meetings of the California High-Speed Rail Authority board of directors and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. The committee also plans to hear a report from its Sacramento lobbyist and discuss possible changes to the California Environmental Quality Act. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

*UST WEEKS AFTER #ALIFORNIA S HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT WITHSTOOD A COURT CHALLENGE FROM A GROUP OF 0ENINSULA CITIES THE AGENCY IS FACING ANOTHER SUIT FROM PROJECT CRITICS WHO ARGUE THAT THE AGENCY BUILDING THE TRAIN SYSTEM HAS MISLED THE VOTERS AND IS ACTING IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW (Posted March 18, 4:56 p.m.)

City Council wants public opinion on infrastructure 7HEN IT COMES TO 0ALO !LTO S AGING BUILDINGS AND OTHER INFRASTRUC TURE THERE APPEARS TO BE NO SHORTAGE OF PROJECTS THE CITY COULD TACKLE FIRST (Posted March 18, 9:57 a.m.)

Palo Alto startup sells for as much as $100 million /RCHESTRA THE 0ALO !LTO BASED MAKER OF -AILBOX A POPULAR I0HONE EMAIL APP WAS BOUGHT BY $ROPBOX FOR AS MUCH AS MILLION (Posted March 18, 9:38 a.m.)

EPA orders NASA to clean up contaminated soil 4HE 5 3 %NVIRONMENTAL 0ROTECTION !GENCY ON &RIDAY ORDERED .!3! TO TAKE IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM ACTIONS TO CLEAN UP CONTAMI NATED SOILS AT !MES 2ESEARCH #ENTER AT -OFFETT &IELD ACCORDING TO THE %0! (Posted March 18, 9:36 a.m.)

Simitian sworn in as county supervisor 3ANTA #LARA #OUNTY 3UPERIOR #OURT *UDGE *OSEPH (UBER OFFICIALLY SWORE IN FORMER STATE 3EN *OE 3IMITIAN AS 3ANTA #LARA #OUNTY SUPER VISOR AT A CEREMONY IN 0ALO !LTO 3UNDAY -ARCH (Posted March 17, 12:42 p.m.)

COUNCIL INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss reports summarizing objectives for the 2013 baseline infrastructure survey and outlining the infrastructure communication plan and messaging concepts. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

County grows, with international migrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help 3ANTA #LARA #OUNTY S POPULATION HAS GROWN PERCENT SINCE AND MORE THAN HALF THAT GROWTH CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO PEOPLE WHO MIGRAT ED TO THE COUNTY INTERNATIONALLY ACCORDING TO THE 5 3 #ENSUS "UREAU (Posted March 16, 2:33 p.m.)

LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss the 2013 Performance Report from the Office of City Auditor, hear an update on Library Foundation fundraising activities and room dedications; discuss the library privacy policy; and plan for its joint meeting with the City Council. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, in the Downtown Library (270 Forest Ave.). SCHOOL/CITY LIAISON COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Service Efforts and Accomplishments report and hear an update on the school budget. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 29, in the school district headquarters, Conference Room A (25 Churchill Ave.).

Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community. Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;U Page 13

779 ORANGE AVENUE, LOS ALTOS

SA C AF T & S UN Ă&#x2030;L AT T , 1: Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 30â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SER VED 4:30

ATTRACTIVELY PRICED AT $2,595,000

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

w w w. 7 7 9 O r a n g e Ave . co m ED GRAZIANI

Broker Associate (650) 867-5566 christy@serenogroup.com www.ChristyYing.com DRE # 01275770

(650) 947-2992 (408) 828-1579 ed@serenogroup.com www.EdGraziani.com DRE # 01081556

"#, #' (+& -#(' 0 , ,.))%# 2 + %# % ,(.+ , % , ,,( # - %# / , -"#, #' (+& -#(' -( (++ - .- " , '(- / +#5 -"#, #' (+& -#(' ' ,,.& , '( % ! % + ,)(',# #%#-2 (+ #-, .+ 2 .2 +, ,"(.% #'/ ,-#! - -" , #,,. , -( -" #+ (0' , -#, -#('

Page 14Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

Transitions Maxine Nathanson

-AXINE %LSTON .ATHANSON OF -ENLO 0ARK DIED ON -ARCH AT THE AGE OF "ORN IN +IRKS VILLE -O SHE AND HER FAMILY MOVED TO A FARM NEAR 0IERRE 3 $ DURING THE $E PRESSION BEFORE MOVING TO 3PO KANE 7ASH )N SHE MARRIED .ORMAN *ESSE .ATHANSON WHOM SHE MET IN 3AN &RANCISCO WHERE HE WAS PRESIDENT OF A BANK )N HE BECAME THE MAYOR OF #UPERTINO WHERE THE TWO OWNED AND OPERATED A RANCH FOR YEARS GROWING CHERRIES AND APRI COTS )N THE MID S THE LAND WAS SOLD TO BUILD THE (OMESTEAD 3CHOOL AND THEY MOVED TO -ENLO 0ARK 3HE ENJOYED SOCIALIZING WITH HER FRIENDS TRAVELING AND WATCHING GOLF ON TELEVISION 3HE IS PREDECEASED BY HER FATHER *AKE !NDREWS %LSTON MOTHER #ASSIE %LIZABETH %DDY OF +IRKSVILLE -O HER BROTHER #E CIL %LSTON OF 3POKANE 7ASH HER HUSBAND .ORMAN * .ATHANSON OF -ENLO 0ARK HER STEP DAUGHTER "AR BARA .ATHANSON #ONNOLLY OF ,A *OLLA #ALIF FAMILY MEMBERS &RIEDA h&RITZIEv *OEST OF /MAHA .EB AND ,OIS 3CHANK OF #ENTRAL #ITY .EB 3HE IS SURVIVED BY HER GRANDSON 7ILLIAM .ORMAN -ILLER HIS WIFE

.ANCY "ALS AND SON 7ADE *ESS -ILLER OF (UNTINGTON -ASS FRIEND AND FAMILY MEMBER 0ATRICIA 3CHANK AND HUSBAND ,ARRY (AMEL OF -ENLO 0ARK AND FRIEND OF YEARS %LEANOR 4IFFANY -ILLER OF -ESA !RIZ 4HE FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THEIR GRATITUDE TO /LIVIA $UNHAM FOR THE CARE AND ATTENTION SHE SHOWED -AX INE DURING HER LAST YEARS

Albert P. Dadian !LBERT 0 $ADIAN A RESIDENT OF 0ALO !LTO FOR MORE THAN YEARS AND LONGTIME 3TANFORD 5NIVERSITY EMPLOYEE DIED ON 3UNDAY -ARCH (E CELEBRATED HIS TH BIRTHDAY ON /CT (E WAS THE FOURTH OF FIVE CHILDREN BORN IN &RESNO #ALIF IN TO 0E TER AND !NNIE $ADIAN ON A SMALL ACRE FARM (E ATTENDED ,OWELL (IGH 3CHOOL WHERE HE PLAYED BASEBALL (E JOINED THE 0ALO !LTO #AMERA #LUB IN AND WAS AWARDED MUL TIPLE TIMES IN SEVERAL PHOTO CATEGO RIES OVER THE COURSE OF SIX DECADES 7ORLD 7AR )) BROUGHT HIM TO THE 3OUTH 0ACIFIC TO CATALOG THE WAR FOR THE .AVY !FTER RETURNING FROM THE WAR HE CONTINUED WITH HIS WORK IN BOOK BINDERY AND OFFSET PRINTING IN 3AN &RANCISCO !FTER MARRYING .ETHA 0ARIS IN -AY HE MOVED FROM 3AN &RANCISCO TO 0ALO !LTO WHERE HE REMAINED UN TIL -AY (IS WIFE .ETHA OF YEARS DIED IN !UGUST

PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES CIVIC CENTER, 250 HAMILTON AVENUE BROADCAST LIVE ON KZSU, FM 90.1 CABLECAST LIVE ON GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 26 ********************************** THIS IS A SUMMARY OF COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEMS. THE AGENDA WITH COMPLETE TITLES INCLUDING LEGAL DOCUMENTATION CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BELOW WEBPAGE: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/knowzone/agendas/council.asp

STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS The City Council Rail Committee will meet on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. to discuss: 1) CEQA Changes, 2) Rail Committee Guiding Principles Revisions, 3) Grade Separation Issues, and4) Below Grade Alternatives. The Council Infrastructure Committee will meet on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 4:00 P.M. to discuss: 1) April 2013 Baseline Survey, 2) Interim Communication Plans and Messaging Concepts, and 3) Project Update and Grant Applications that may offset the cost of Infrastructure Projects. The School/City Committee will meet on Friday, March 29, 2013 at 8:30 A.M. at the PAUSD OfďŹ ces to discuss: 1) City Annual SEA Report.

6ISIT

,ASTING -EMORIES !N ONLINE DIRECTORY OF OBITUARIES AND REMEMBRANCES 3EARCH OBITUARIES SUBMIT A MEMORIAL SHARE A PHOTO 'O TO WWW 0ALO!LTO/NLINE COM OBITUARIES

Inspirations

a guide to the spiritual community

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC

4HOUGH HE WORKED A MAJORITY OF HIS LIFE AT 3TANFORD 5NIVERSITY S OFF SET PRINTING FACILITY HE CONTINUED WORKING AT 3TANFORD PART TIME IN THE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT UNTIL HE WAS YEARS OLD AT WHICH TIME HE RETIRED 4HROUGHOUT HIS LIFE HE AND HIS WIFE WERE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE 3ECOND #HURCH OF #HRIST 3CIENTISTS IN 0ALO !LTO INCLUDING VOLUNTEER WORK AS A CHURCH USHER WATCHING OVER TODDLERS IN 3UNDAY DAYCARE AND WORKING IN THE CHURCH GARDEN (E IS SURVIVED BY HIS SON $AVID DAUGHTER IN LAW "ESSIE STEP DAUGH TERS "ARBARA 0ARIS AND .IKKI 0ARIS OF 3AN &RANCISCO GRANDCHILDREN 3HANNON #OLETTE *EREMY *ILL +EN DAL #HAD AND %LENI NEPHEWS *OHN 2OBERT AND ,ARRY AND NIECES -AR JINE AND *ESSAMA (E IS PREDECEASED BY HIS FOUR BROTHERS #HARLES (ARRY ,EO *OHN AND SISTER 2OSE

ÂŁÂ&#x2122;nxĂ&#x160; Â&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;,Â&#x153;>`]Ă&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;ÂĂ&#x2C6;xĂ¤ÂŽĂ&#x160;nxĂ&#x2C6;Â&#x2021;Ă&#x2C6;Ă&#x2C6;Ă&#x2C6;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°vVVÂŤ>Â°Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;}Ă&#x160; Sunday Worship and Church School at 10 a.m.

This Sunday: Singing and Shouting Required Rev. David Howell preaching Easter Worship at 9:30 and 11:00 on March 31 Egg Hunt for children between services

ST. ANN ANGLICAN CHAPEL A TRADITIONAL E PISCOPAL

CHURCH

x{ÂŁĂ&#x160; iÂ?Ă&#x203A;Â&#x2C6;Â?Â?iĂ&#x160; Ă&#x203A;iÂ°]Ă&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;]Ă&#x160; Ă&#x160;Â&#x2122;{Ă&#x17D;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x2C6;xĂ¤Â&#x2021;nĂ&#x17D;nÂ&#x2021;Ă¤xĂ¤n The Most Reverend Robert S. Morse, Vicar Reverend Matthew Weber, Assistant -Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;`>Ă&#x17E;\Ă&#x160;ÂŁÂŁ\Ă¤Ă¤>Â&#x201C;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026;Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;>Â?Ă&#x160; Ă&#x2022;VÂ&#x2026;>Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;EĂ&#x160;-iĂ&#x20AC;Â&#x201C;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160; 7i`Â&#x2DC;iĂ&#x192;`>Ă&#x17E;\Ă&#x160;ÂŁÂŁ\{x>Â&#x201C;Â&#x2021; Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;*Ă&#x20AC;>Ă&#x17E;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;ÂŁĂ&#x201C;\Ă¤Ă¤\Ă&#x160; Ă&#x2022;VÂ&#x2026;>Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160; Ă&#x2021;\Ă¤Ă¤ÂŤÂ&#x201C;\Ă&#x160; Â&#x2C6;LÂ?iĂ&#x160;-Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2022;`Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2C6;Â?`Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;iĂ&#x160;*Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x153;Ă&#x203A;Â&#x2C6;`i`

Births -ATTHEW AND #ATHERINE 3TEIGER 0ALO !LTO -ARCH A BOY *OHN 0ETTIT AND !NNE (ALKE DIS -OUNTAIN 6IEW -ARCH A BOY -ICHAEL AND #ANDACE 2OB ERTSON -ENLO 0ARK -ARCH A BOY

Inspirations is a resource for ongoing religious services and special events. To inquire about or to reserve space in Inspirations, please contact Blanca Yoc at 223-6596 or email byoc@paweekly.com

Jon R. Stephens

May 26, 1942 - February 15, 2013 My father, Jon Stephens, died on February 15, 2013 at his new home in PaciďŹ ca, California. Born in Great Falls, Montana in 1942, he was 70 when he died. He lived in Palo Alto for 42 years. It seemed that dad hurt his back in the move to PaciďŹ ca and so he lived most of his last two months in his new master bedroom. His bed room view of an unimproved hillside reminded him of Ryan Dam, his beloved childhood home on the Missouri river some 15 country miles outside of Great Falls, Montana (his father, Oscar Stephens, was an engineer at the damâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power plant). The back pain, we later learned, was actually caused by small cell carcinoma, a rare and brutal treatment-resistant cancer. Two of dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite activities as a child were pushing large rocks off the cliffs below the falls at Ryan Dam and searching for Native American artifacts. At the time there were eleven small residences at the dam. He grew up in the tenth, but it and several others have since been destroyed. Memories of the tiny home live on in myriad form in the powerful artwork of his older brother Keith E. Stephens, a San Diego artist. Dad graduated from Great Falls High School in 1960 then got his BA in mathematics and philosophy from the University of Chicago. He moved to Palo Alto to pursue a career in educational publishing and later studied graduate

statistics at UC Berkeley. After semi-retiring from a career in publishing he both volunteered and worked tutoring children, teens and adults in all levels of math. He had a gift for simplifying the complex, and occasionally, when working with teens or adults, would teach an entire course in geometry or calculus with just a notepad and pen. Dad loved math, coffee good and bad, Joan Jett, sharp writing, Nero Wolfe mysteries, and all things Montana. When I was a boy he coached several of the soccer teams that I was on, and though he probably wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a very good coach I never cared and have always loved him dearly for his efforts. When I attended law school he took a semester or two himself through an online school so that he could better understand what I was learning and experiencing. Dad served in the Vietnam War, and was able to return to Vietnam as a tourist last year. He had no religion but found camaraderie in the Palo Alto Humanist Community. Until he died he was the editor of the Humanist Communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly newsletter. Jon Stephens is survived by Marie, his dear wife of nearly 43 years; his only child Mike, an attorney, and Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife Tala; two grandchildren whom he adored, Jezreale and Casandra; his 80-year-old brother Keith; and Keithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extended family. PA I D

OBITUARY

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;U Page 15

Editorial High school counseling reforms inch forward Lack of district leadership continues to impede progress on bringing high school guidance programs to ‘comparability’ or those who don’t have kids in the schools or don’t carefully follow the nuances of school policy and governance, it must seem surreal that the subject of high school counseling is still an unresolved and controversial topic in this community.

Surely, after establishing it as a district priority two years ago, and then agreeing last June to give Gunn the time to form a committee of parents, staff and students to develop recommendations for its program, there would be a clear understanding of goals, metrics and the lens through which high school counseling options would be evaluated. But sadly, we are still mired in a leadership vacuum that persists in spite of the school board’s growing frustration and impatience. As one board member after another asked Tuesday night in various ways, how can proposed changes to the high school counseling programs be evaluated by the board and community if there is not yet an overall common mission, goals and metrics for the district? And if the one firm requirement that the board agreed to almost a year ago was “comparability” of counseling services between the two high schools, how is it possible that the district staff has not yet developed a definition of comparability to guide the work being done? The astonishing answers, proferred Tuesday by Associate Superintendent Michael Milliken and Superintendent Kevin Skelly, were that they decided to defer that work until after Gunn had developed its recommendations, and that, according to Skelly, the staff is “struggling with defining comparability.” It is but another indication of a disconnect between the expressed wishes of the school board and the actions of the superintendent and his lieutenants, and the result is a process that is upside down, grossly inefficient and a set-up for frustration and further discord. Teams at both Gunn and Paly have been working hard to analyze and develop plans and tactics for improving their counseling program without knowing what the overarching common strategy is for the district other than a still-to-be-defined concept of “comparable services and outcomes.” District administrators seem as determined as ever to deflect responsibility and accountability for policy development to the school sites, even when the board takes the unusual step of directing the formulation of common, district-wide policy and goals. No well-functioning organization develops tactics, programs or products without having first determined strategies and goals, yet that is exactly what has been taking place regarding high school counseling for the last two years. Administrators told the school board this week they wouldn’t be able to return with proposed common district counseling goals and metrics until early fall. Yet by then the Gunn and Paly staffs will be well on their way to implementing changes to their counseling programs. Regardless of what one thinks about the different counseling models at the high schools, this is an absurd way to operate a unified school district, and we are pleased to see board members express their frustrations more openly than they have in the past. The community owes thanks to the Gunn counseling advisory committee, which worked hard and under the challenges of a consensus decision-making model came up with 40 recommendations aimed at giving students expanded counseling opportunities. These recommendations, if fully implemented, should increase the number of connections Gunn students have with an adult on campus, one key goal expressed by many in the community. The Gunn staff, put under severe time pressure to report this week for no apparent reason, drafted an implementation plan that all agree needs more work and that wasn’t ready for board discussion. Over the next few weeks, at the request of the board, the Gunn staff will develop a clearer presentation on how and when it proposes to implement the recommendations over a three-year time period, the metrics for success and an outline for who will be accountable for the work. To its credit, the board made clear that it doesn’t want a rushed, partial plan from Gunn, but one that makes clear to the community exactly how the Gunn counseling system will be changing. In the continued absence of a clear district policy on counseling, that is, unfortunately, about the best we can hope for. Page 16ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions

Sidewalk trip hazards Editor, We have a rental unit in San Francisco. Last year we had a notice from the city that trip hazard heights had to be under a half inch. This year the city modified the trip factor height to a quarter inch. What is our objective for trip hazard height for Palo Alto? I’ve had two falls on sidewalk trip hazards in Old Palo Alto in the last year. I decided to do a little study on the trip factors in my neighborhood. I used the more lax half-inch measurement to identify trip hazards for the blocks where I take my daily walks between Emerson Street, Churchill Avenue, Cowper Street and Seale Avenue. That area contained a total of 31 blocks and, testing both sides of each block, 62 sidewalk segments. I found 10 (about 16 percent) segments with NO trip hazards, and 52 (about 84 percent) segments WITH trip hazards. It’s not only dangerous for walking, it’s incredibly difficult for people with walkers or wheelchairs. I tried going on walks with my mother who was using a walker two times, and concluded that it was way too risky for her. Is this what we want for walkers and people using walkers in Palo Alto? Is the city prepared for the liability that this situation will create? I don’t think so. Laura Cory Emerson Street Palo Alto

Address parking issues Editor, I am writing to urge the Palo Alto City Council to further consider the Palo Alto parking situation. I believe it is at a stage that is starting to affect public safety. This goes beyond the intrusions of business employees parking in our neighborhoods. The neighborhoods and the downtown are now full with irate drivers hunting for nonexistent spaces and pedestrians trying to avoid being hit by those drivers as they compete for a shrinking number of spaces. Please consider what I believe to be an issue that is affecting Palo Alto as a whole. Chris Pickett Ramona Street Palo Alto

What schools need Editor, I am appalled that the president of the Santa Clara Board of Education and the board appear to be biased against public education and for the expansion of charter schools. I also found no evidence that the president has credentials, experience or training in the field of education. Free public education was first established in the 17th century in this country and has continued to educate all our children to this day. Every child is accepted, regardless of his/her condition or circumstance. None are excluded. It is the

genius of this concept that has made our country great, leading to countries around the world seeking to copy our methods and success. No large institution is without problems, nor the necessity to work to solve them. Nevertheless, the current effort to privatize public education is not the answer. Clearly, studies have shown that charter schools as a whole are no better, and are often worse, at improving performance. Public education is increasingly underfunded in our state. If billionaires and others are truly interested in better educational results, they should see to it that underperforming public schools get the resources, including new methods and techniques, and the highly trained teachers they need to accelerate progress. I hope that both the president and the board will work to see that all the children have what is needed to succeed. Mae Stephen Sand Hill Road Palo Alto

A phone-less future Editor, As the parent of a phone-less, Facebook-less eighth grader, I would like to thank Marc Vincenti for his heartbreaking description of life at Gunn

(“Hidden bruises, safe schools”). I applaud his courage in even proposing a phone-less school day. I think it would be liberating, for all the reasons he details. Sadly, I bet that this would be a rare issue on which parents and teens would unite – they will never agree to a day without a phone. No matter how numerous or how deep the wounds are that Mr. Vincenti so poignantly describes. Suzanne Jacobs South Court Palo Alto

Where are the flowers? Editor, We support the California Avenue beautification project, but see no mention of flowers. Every beautiful town in the world has one or more live flower displays decorating their roadways. Mountain View’s Castro Street has them, as do many restaurants, retail stores and industries. Sculpture success depends on the taste of the beholder but everyone loves flowers. I know flowers are more trouble to maintain, but in our view they’re definitely worth it. Gary Breitbard Jena Rauti San Jude Avenue Palo Alto

WHAT DO YOU THINK? The Palo Alto Weekly encourages comments on our coverage or on issues of local interest.

How would you fix downtown parking problems?

Submit letters to the editor of up to 250 words to letters@paweekly.com. Submit guest opinions of 1,000 words to editor@paweekly.com. Include your name, address and daytime phone number so we can reach you. We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, objectionable content, libel and factual errors known to us. Anonymous letters will generally not be accepted. Submitting a letter to the editor or guest opinion constitutes a granting of permission to the Palo Alto Weekly and Embarcadero Media to also publish it online, including in our online archives and as a post on Town Square. For more information contact Editor Jocelyn Dong or Editorial Assistant Eric Van Susteren at editor@paweekly.com or 650-326-8210.

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

On Deadline When ‘bullying’ in a Palo Alto school became a federal civil-rights case by Jay Thorwaldson ince “bullying” recently became a federal case in Palo Alto schools, with a scorching indictment under a “denial of civil rights” report last December, there has been an eruption of commentary on the topic in the Town Square forum at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Everyone seems to have an opinion, many conflicting, on the topic. News stories reported in detail on the 10page report from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Region IX (California) late last year — once the report became public through no action by the Palo Alto Unified School District or Board of Education. The report, oddly, was dated Dec. 26, 2012 — the day after Christmas. Someone worked long hours on it. It is a compelling read, available at www.PaloAltoOnline.com/ pivot/?CivilRightsReport. Also available is an agreement quietly signed by Superintendent Kevin Skelly in mid-December, outlining steps the district will take to tighten its anti-bullying/harassment efforts, training and overall response: www.PaloAltoOnline.com/ pivot/?CivilRightsAgreement. It took the initiative of the student’s parents and the Weekly to dig out the agreement, of which school board members weren’t aware when it was signed. It raises last year’s question of “transparency is as transparency does,” at the time relating to non-public emails between Skelly and board members.

The report details a difficult case of a student who was subjected to repeated and long-term harassment by other students, whose names were known. It outlines some of the efforts made by school officials to respond and ease the situation. It reflects the frustrations of the student’s family that ultimately led them to transfer the student to another school. But what hasn’t been covered, other than in some indirect references, is the serious and long-lasting damage bullying can do to someone, the emotional and psychological scarring that literally can alter the person’s life. Setting aside some of the “just get over it” sentiments expressed in the mostly anonymous online-forum comments (hmm, from a former bully?), the effects can be real and last for decades. They are not just hurtful and cruel passing jabs. Bullying isn’t new. It was around when I was in grade school in Los Gatos more than a half century ago. And it’s been a topic in Palo Alto for well over a decade. In 2001, Jonathan Angel, a former communications student of mine at Stanford University circa 1977, wrote a candid guest opinion for the Weekly detailing his Palo Alto ordeal as something of a different kind of kid. It’s worth reading, at www.paloaltoonline. com/weekly/morgue/spectrum/2001_Mar_14. GUEST14.html. His column followed announcement in February 2001 of a new anti-bullying program in schools, spearheaded by the Northern County Juvenile Officers Association. “I appreciated reading about this training program, but I must confess that my first reaction was selfish, as in: ‘Where were you guys 30 years ago?’ “That’s because I was bullied throughout my Palo Alto childhood. It started at Walter Hays,

reached a peak at Jordan and continued on at Paly. It changed my life, just as San Jose Police officer Curtis Reeves warned attendees at his February training session. “At Walter Hays, I merely paid the price for being a fat, bookish, unathletic boy who was often put in charge of the film projector or the ‘science closet.’ “At Jordan, however, the abuse was as constant as a hailstorm, and went way beyond the usual ‘don’t pick him for our team’ jibes. From day one, I was reminded that I was subhuman,” he wrote. “Only those who have been the victim of bullying truly understand the feeling of ‘having no place to go.’ ... I withdrew from classes I had really enjoyed taking, such as art and journalism, because there was no protection there from my abusers. My lack of interest in sports and physical expression was compounded. Only in Latin and advanced-placement courses could I find the safe company of fellow misfits.” Teachers were mostly unaware of the situation, except for one: “Jordan’s extraordinary coach, Mark Christine, tactfully tried to protect me and develop my limited skills in P.E.” Bullying waned in college, but by then “I’d learned to become invisible. The message I’d absorbed was: ‘Put your head up, raise your hand, ask someone out, be remembered in any way and you will be hurt.’ These feelings of being apart from, and less than, other people took a lot of time and therapy to shake. “If this sounds like a litany of self-pity, it’s not meant to. The kids who bullied me weren’t bad; they merely took their own insecurities out on an easily identifiable victim.” Now, more than 40 years hence, Jonathan sees a broader perspective, and recognizes his own role in the complex dynamic between bul-

lies and bullied. “Each of us can be our own strictest jailer and critic,” he said of his acute sense of apartness, in a telephone chat this week. He said it took until his late 40s before he felt completely free of the effects of childhood bullying, long after his graduation from Stanford and after a career in written communications. He also notes that it “really speaks to our luck and our privilege (in Palo Alto) to be able to even speak about bullying, when there are districts where all the kids are gang members.” “It’s part of an unfortunate mix. But I will emphatically say bullying leaves a mark much longer than it’s generally recognized.” Yet, he adds, “I still do not forgive the bullies and I do not forgive the system for bullying being more tolerated then.” In 2004-05, Barron Park Elementary School implemented an anti-bullying program based on the “Steps to Respect” curriculum of Seattle-based nonprofit Committee for Children. Several other Palo Alto schools have followed. Now Skelly and school administrators are busy responding to the civil rights case: training staff and implementing numerous steps to improve the district’s response. Can bullying be eradicated? I’m doubtful, but it can be minimized through prompt intervention and coordinated, consistently enforced policies — sparing future generations of “different” kids. N Former Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson can be emailed at jthorwaldson@paweekly. com with a copy to jaythor@well.com. He also writes blogs posted on the Weekly’s community website, www.PaloAltoOnline.com (below Town Square).

Streetwise

What is your opinion of the proposed ban on smoking in public parks? Asked on Cambridge Avenue, Palo Alto. Interviews and photographs by Ranjini Raghunath.

Charlotte Jacobs

Medical oncologist Stanford campus “From a health perspective, the more places you can ban smoking in, the better.”

Jacinta Bouwkamp

Studio coordinator Ash Street, Palo Alto “I think it will be effective; it will definitely keep smokers out of the parks.”

Jeff Frick

Tech executive Old Palo Alto “Smoking is already banned in so many places, I don’t think this will have a significant impact.”

Carolyn Caligiuri

Retiree Menlo Park “I don’t like people smoking in parks, especially dropping their cigarette butts where toddlers can pick them up. I support the ban.”

Taylor Johnson

Swim coach Barron Park, Palo Alto “The ban is understandable; people go to parks to get away from civilization and go back to nature. But without proper enforcement, it will end up just being ‘lip service.’”

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 17

Do you Snore? Are you Often Tired? Find out your Risk for Sleep Apnea! Dr. Gerald Reaven and associates at Stanford University are seeking volunteers for a research study on pre-diabetes and risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Volunteers must: s "E BETWEEN AND YEARS OF AGE s "E IN GENERAL GOOD HEALTH s "E OVERWEIGHT TO MODERATELY OBESE s ./4 HAVE DIABETES AND ./4 HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED treatment for sleep apnea %LIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE s $IABETES SCREENING INSULIN RESISTANCE TEST CHOLESTEROL PANEL SCREENING questionnaires for sleep apnea 1UALIlED PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE s /VERNIGHT SLEEP STUDY s MONTHS OF STUDY MEDICATION OR PLACEBO TO TEST EFFECT ON DIABETES RISK AND SLEEP apnea

Monetary compensation for study participation available

&OR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT $R !LICE ,IU

0HONE

For general information about participant rights, contact 1-866-680-2906.

Pulse

! WEEKLY COMPENDIUM OF VITAL STATISTICS

POLICE CALLS Palo Alto March 14-20 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Theft related Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Shoplifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle related Abandoned auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Bicycle theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Driving with suspended license . . . . . . .3 Lost/stolen plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .8 Vehicle accident/property damage . . . .5 Vehicle impound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Drunken driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Sale of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous

Animal call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Misc. penal code violation . . . . . . . . . . .2 Other/misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Casualty/fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Menlo Park March 14-20 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle related Abandoned auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Auto recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Driving with suspended license . . . . . . .2 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/property damage . . . .2 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Accident/no injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Alcohol or drug related Drunken driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Drug activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Miscellaneous Found property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Info. case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Other/misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Possession of stolen property . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Warrant arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Atherton March 14-20

Introducing Your Style, Your

NEIGHBORHOOD Our Apartment Homes.

Welcome to Webster house, Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most gracious senior living community, now a member of the not-for-proďŹ t organization that owns and operates Canterbury Woods, Los Gatos Meadows, Lytton Gardens, San Francisco Towers, Spring Lake Village, and St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Towers. Here, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy the rare combination of ideal location, dedicated staff, amenities, and services, all within walking distance of downtown Palo Alto, where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ďŹ nd a mix of shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also ďŹ nd peace of mind and a welcoming community offering the advantages of continuing care. To learn more, or for your personal visit, please call 650.838.4004.

Theft related Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle related Abandoned auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Bicycle recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Suspicious vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Vehicle code violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Accident/no injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle/traffic hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Alcohol or drug related Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Distutrbing/annoying phone calls . . . . .1 Found property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Probation violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Property for destruction . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .3 Suspicious person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Town ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .2

VIOLENT CRIMES Palo Alto Unlisted block El Camino Real, 3/14, 1:02 a.m..; domestic violence. Unlisted block El Camino Real, 3/16, 4:42 p.m.; domestic violence/battery.

Menlo Park 1100 block Carlton Ave., 3/14, 11:29 p.m..; domestic battery.

Your style, your neighborhood.

401 Webster Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301

websterhousepaloalto.org

A non-denominational, not-for-profit community owned and operated by Episcopal Senior Communities. License No. 435294364 COA #246. EPWH645-01AA 091412

Page 18Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

Join today: SupportLocalJournalism.org

Cover Story

City’s quest for health care reform stokes tensions with labor unions

PALO I ALTO’S PAINFUL DILEMMA

n 2009, Palo Alto’s elected leaders and top management responded to the financial walloping of the Great Recession by embarking on

a path toward benefit reform. Despite a worker protest in front of City Hall, a one-day strike by the city’s largest union and a brief legal skirmish, the city succeeded in imposing a new contract on the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), 521, which represents about half the city’s workforce. Under the new conditions, union members were forced to chip in for their pensions and health care costs — expenses for which the city had traditionally picked up the tab. Over the next three years, the city negotiated similar concessions with all other labor groups, with the police union last year becoming the latest to adopt a cost-sharing contract. Palo Alto’s economic fortunes have flipped since then, with vacancies in downtown buildings now below 2 percent and sales-tax revenues rising steadily. But the city’s effort to further curb benefits continues. Pension and health care costs are rising at an alarming rate all around the state, recently pushing cities such

by Gennady Sheyner

(continued on page 22)

City of Palo Alto health care expense (medical, dental & vision) $40M

$30M

$27.4 $1.7

$25M

$23.7

$22.9 $21.6 $4.7

$20M

$15.4

$15M

$10M

$5M

$0M

$14.1 $10.0 $1.9

$11.5 $2.4

$12.5

$3.2

$3.6

$16.4

$4.9

$13.2

$3.5

$6.5

$8.2

$10.8

$10.9

$17.3 $15.9 $14.9

$8.1

$9.1

2002Actual

2003Actual

2004Actual

$12.0

$4.2

$2.8

$9.7

$2.3

$2.1

$24.1 $1.6

$2.7 $5.4

$29.0 $1.7 $1.9

$31.8 $1.8

$34.8 $2.0

$10.9

$11.8

$12.2

$13.3

$13.5

$13.7

2005Actual

2006Actual

2007Actual

2008Actual

2009Actual

2010Actual

ACTIVE EMPLOYEES

RETIREE MEDICAL

RETIREE LIABILITY

$14.3

2011Actual

2012Budget

$14.5

201520132014Budget Projected Projected

EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 19

Page 20ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 21

Cover Story

What percentage workers pay of their premiums

Percentage of firms offering retiree health benefits*

30%

28% 27%

63% 60%

25%

50%

23% 20%

70%

20%

40%

18% 30%

25%

23%

15%

14%

20%

18%

12% 10%

10% 0%

Public All Non-Profit Private Employers Employers Employers Employers

*Employers with more than 200 workers that offer health benefits to employees

Source: Kaiser/HRET Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits, 2012

Single Coverage

PRIVATE EMPLOYERS

PUBLIC EMPLOYERS

Family Coverage NON-PROFIT EMPLOYERS

ALL EMPLOYERS

Source: Kaiser/HRET Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits, 2012

Easter Brunch at Allied Arts

Benefiting Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford EASTER BRUNCH BUFFET >ÀV ÊÎäÌ ÊUÊÊ££> ÊÌ ÊÓ\Îä« `Õ ÌÊf{xÊUÊ `Ài ÊÕ `iÀÊ£{Ê ÊfÓx Tickets include a photo booth with Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt throughout the property and a delicious brunch buffet.

MENU -i>Ã > Ê ÀiÃ Ê ÀÕ ÌÊ Ã« >Þ ÃÃ ÀÌi`Ê ÀiÃ ÞÊ > i`Ê*>ÃÌÀ iÃ]Ê >}i ÃÊ> `Ê ÃÃ ÀÌi`Ê-«Ài>`ÃÊ - i`Ê-> ÊÜ Ì Ê >«iÀÃ]Ê/ >Ì Ê> `Ê" >`iÊÌ Ê À`iÀÊ-VÀ> L iÊEÊ" i iÌÊ-Ì>Ì ]Ê V Õ` }\ " Ã]Ê ÕÃ À Ã]Ê*i««iÀÃ]Ê >V ]Ê/ >Ì ]Ê > ]Ê iiÃi]Ê-« >V Ê> `Ê Ã«>À>}ÕÃ° «« iÜ `Ê- i`Ê >V Ê> `Ê->ÕÃ>}iÊ Ã iÞÊ >âi`Ê* ÌÊ > ÊÜ Ì Ê >À> i âi`Ê* i>«« i , >ÃÌÊ/ÕÀ iÞÊÜ Ì Ê «« iÊ*i>ÀÊ ÕÌ iÞÊEÊ À>ÛÞ Õ }>ÀÊ-> >`ÊÜ Ì Ê7>ÌiÀVÀiÃÃ]Ê À i`Ê ÀÕ ÌÊ > `Ê ÌÀÕÃÊ ÀiÃÃ } 7>vyÊiÃÊÜ Ì Ê >« iÊ-ÞÀÕ«Ê> `Ê ÀÕ ÌÊ « Ìi }}ÃÊ i i` VÌ Ê ÃÃ ÀÌi`Ê iÃÃiÀÌÃ

,iÃiÀÛ>Ì ÃÊ>ÀiÊÀiµÕ Ài`° Call Èxä nÎn ääÓ or email Ûi ÌÃJ i` ÀÌÃ Õ `° À} Page 22ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

Health care

(continued from page 19)

as Stockton, Vallejo and San Bernardino into bankruptcy. Palo Alto is nowhere near that point, and the city intends to keep it that way, City Manager James Keene said in a recent interview. “The reality is out there in the world when you look at the bankrupt cities around the state and their inability to pay their bills,” Keene said. “We keep coming back to the fact that we’re not in that position and we’re not anywhere close to it. That’s because we keep focusing on how to manage these long-term costs and how we will get more savings or more cost-sharing.”

Today, bringing down the city’s health care costs is the highest and most contentious financial priority. Though the city has achieved some concessions since 2009, the City Council remains committed to a broader overhaul of benefits for the hundreds of workers who are covered. Some of the changes may start surfacing by the end of this year, when the SEIU’s contract expires, and next summer, when the police and fire unions are up for new contracts. The topic of employee benefits has been recurring since last July, when four council members — Pat Burt, Karen Holman, Greg Scharff and Greg Schmid — released a memo (continued on page 24)

Cover Story

Veronica Weber

Catherine Elvert, from left, Peter Pirnejad, Khashayar “Cash” Alaee, Brenna Rowe and Tori Anthony stretch before beginning their weekly run with fellow city employees on March 13.

‘Wellness’ E revolution comes to Palo Alto City looks to motivate workers to adopt healthy habits by Gennady Sheyner

very Wednesday, just after work, Palo Alto City Manager James Keene and a group of employees gather in front of City Hall for a little stretching, some casual chitchat and a brisk run through the Stanford University campus. Keene, a marathon runner, instituted the group event about a month ago. Last week, about a dozen workers from different corners of the City Hall bureaucracy turned out: planning, human resources and utilities. Though the run is breezy, casual and open to all, so far it is largely preaching to a choir of established runners. Most of the workers trailing Keene on the sunny afternoon look like they know their way around a marathon course, a weight bench and a winding trail. City leaders hope this will soon change. Like other agencies around the state and across the nation, Palo Alto is now in the midst of designing a broad wellness program geared to provide incentives and opportunities for employees to pick up healthy habits. The City and County of San Francisco has had a citywide wellness program called “Shape Up San Francisco” since 2006. The program includes a walking challenge for employees in the spring, and representatives from all departments

participate. In 2010, the city partnered with organizations such as Weight Watchers and UCSF on health initiatives that include weight loss, stress management and smoking-cessation programs. The city also offers workers biometric-screening events and classes on yoga and Zumba, according to a presentation offered by the city last November. State departments are also ea-

rein in health care costs, which are expected to rise by more than 7 percent annually in the coming years (see main bar). The CalPERS system, which administers the city’s plan, aggregates health care costs among all agencies and does not provide individual cities with information about its employees. Even so, the city is plowing forth out of a belief that promoting wellness is a

‘In the same way we’ve been pushing on how we can be innovative as a city, because that’s the culture, we believe in having a healthy organization.’ — JAMES KEENE, CITY MANAGER, PALO ALTO

gerly pursuing wellness plans, particularly ones targeting preventable chronic conditions, which accounted for 22 percent of the state’s health care spending in 2008, according to Ruth Holton-Hodson from the state Comptroller’s Office. Even a 5 percent reduction in these conditions would save the state $18 million annually, she said at a recent Town Hall meeting on wellness programs. In Palo Alto’s case, the drive for wellness will do little to

noble end with probable benefits. After its Feb. 4 discussion of health care, the City Council passed a motion that directs staff to “identify best wellness practices and health plan benefits that emphasize, teach and reward wellness.” “We plan to proceed with developing wellness programs for their own good and for the benefit of our employees regardless of whether or not we can capture direct cost savings through our health care provid-

ers, which we can’t right now,” Keene said. Wellness programs would include the “whole gamut” of components promoting physical and mental health, Keene said in an interview with the Weekly. The program will be put together in collaboration with employees and will be completely voluntary. “We want to have a healthy organization. We want to have a healthy community,” Keene said. “In the same way we’ve been pushing on how we can be innovative as a city, because that’s the culture, we believe in having a healthy organization.” The Palo Alto Police Department has had such a program since 2004. The voluntary program couples officers with Sequoia Hospital physicians who administer annual tests of fitness, blood pressure, strength and lipid profile; identify risk factors; prescribe exercises; and hold counseling sessions. Officers who participate are allowed to take one hour of onduty time a day for exercise. It appears to be working. In 2003, before the program took effect, participating officers used 897 hours of sick leave in the first and second quarters of the year, according to a city (continued on page 26)

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 23

Cover Story

City of Palo Alto workers in CalPERS health plan ACTIVE EMPLOYEES Health care

(continued from page 22)

sounding alarms about this trend in costs. The council members noted that employee benefits amounted to just 23 percent of salaries in 2002 and to 54 percent in 2010. Today, they account for 63 percent, and in 2022, they are expected to exceed salaries. The city’s benefits, the memo stated, are “reducing the funds available for our community’s necessary and valued services and infrastructure.” Since then, the city has been holding regular meetings to discuss further reforms, with the most recent one, centered on health care, taking place last month. The problem is a sizable one even during financial good times. In 2012, the rising cost of benefits largely wiped out any savings the city had hoped to get through staff cuts and the recent employee concessions. According to employee-compensation data that the city released last month, the city’s spending on employee benefits jumped by 8 percent between 2011 and 2012, canceling out the city’s 3 percent decrease in salary expenditures and leaving the overall spending on employee compensation mostly flat. While pensions and medical costs both contribute to this trend, it is the latter that will likely take center stage in contract negotiations that will kick off later this year. With pensions, the city already took giant strides when it negotiated new contracts with more cost sharing by employees and additional tiers with less generous pension formulas for newly hired workers. The measures seem to be working. According to the new salary data, workers chipped in nearly $1 million toward their pensions in 2012, a balance that would have been picked up by the city in years past. In October, Keene suggested that the city has already “maxed out” on the actions it can take to reduce pension costs under the restrictions of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the mammoth fund that administers Palo Alto’s pension and health care programs. Health care, meanwhile, remains a sore subject for budget officials, a painful one for employees and a puzzling one for the council, which is trying to strike the delicate balance between attracting top talent and keeping costs down. The city’s health care costs per employee have

risen from $609 in 2004 to $901 in 2009 to $1,080 in 2012, according to the latest Long Range Financial Forecast, an annual snapshot of the city’s financial situation. The figures are expected to increase by an even faster rate in 2014, when new mandates from the federal Affordable Care Act kick in, raising premiums for the city by an estimated 9 to 10 percent. While formal negotiations with the SEIU are yet to kick off, the city’s early efforts to launch informal conversations with workers about health care reforms have not gone well. After two informal forums on the subject, employees submitted a letter accusing management of ignoring their concerns. The city, the union leaders claimed, “has clearly pre-engineered” the forums so it can “check the box on employee engagement.” The unions also claimed that the city has failed

RETIREES of benefits in the future, we’re going to have to manage costs better and have better cost-sharing or else the results would be much worse,” Keene said in an interview last week. “We can’t just pretend that we can continue on this path that has led a lot of cities toward bankruptcy.”

he idea of reforming Palo Alto’s health care system isn’t new. Fresh ideas resurface every few years and typically involve tense bargaining and incremental progress. The city’s last effort, in 2009, resulted in a cost-sharing arrangement for the city and its employees, an agreement under which the city would pay 90 percent of the health care costs and employees (including new retirees) would pay 10 percent (the city had previously footed the entire bill). The contentious reform helped push dozens of

looked attractive when compared to the one offered by the city. When the city chose CalPERS in 1993, its driving philosophy was “providing employees with choice and stabilizing cost,” the Human Resources report states. But the switch came at a price. Agencies participating in CalPERS are governed by the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act, which requires agencies to provide contributions to active employees and retirees on an equal basis. Information the city can obtain about its workers’ health care needs is far more limited now because costs and risks are aggregated among all participating agencies. And the number of health care plans employees can choose from has shriveled from 12 to six since the city joined. In recent discussions, council members have frequently voiced concerns about the many limitations

Health care, meanwhile, remains a sore subject for budget officials, a painful one for employees and a puzzling one for the council, which is trying to strike the delicate balance between attracting top talent and keeping costs down. to answer its questions about how the changes will impact long-term workers and retirees. “All the employee groups question the wisdom and productivity of moving forward with even further changes in benefits when we can’t even get a straight answer about the past change and what they mean for long-term employees,” the union leaders wrote. “Collectively, we believe it will be difficult for any of us to gain support from our members for new benefit changes unless the inequity in retirement medical that was created by the last round of changes is resolved.” But from management’s perspective, health care reform is the only option for keeping the city’s finances in order. Last year, the council kicked off a series of meetings aimed at exploring options for reducing benefit costs. With pension reforms already in effect, health care is next. The city is exploring a range of options, including raising the employee portion of the burden and creating new plans that give the city more flexibility in managing costs. “To really protect the availability

Page 24ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

midlevel managers and other senior employees to retire to avoid the reduced benefits and prompted a protest and a one-day strike from SEIU, the city’s largest union and the first to deal with the benefit concessions. The city ultimately imposed the reduced benefits unilaterally. These reforms, however controversial, were far less drastic than the ones the city had considered in the more distant past and the one it plans to explore in the near future. For many decades, Palo Alto administered a self-funded health plan that provided retirees (though not their dependents) with medical coverage. According to a recent report from the Human Services Department, this changed in the 1980s, when the cost of providing this coverage shot up by about 50 percent over a threeyear period, forcing the city to seek alternatives. That’s when Palo Alto joined dozens of other California cities in signing up for CalPERS, the fund that now provides health care coverage to 1.3 million people. At the time, CalPERS rates were rising by about 6.2 percent annually, a relative bargain, and its 12 different plans

that the CalPERS system imposed on the city, with Larry Klein saying that the system in some ways “straight jackets” the city. And Liz Kniss, a leading proponent of wellness programs, bemoaned the fact that CalPERS doesn’t provide cities with information on offering incentives for wellness programs. She called these programs “one of the most promising areas in the whole sphere” of health care. “I’m disappointed that CalPERS doesn’t provide that kind of information. This is the kind of thing that makes an enormous difference in employees and in costs over the long run,” Kniss said at the council’s Feb. 4 discussion of health care reform. Even so, CalPERS remains the only viable alternative for the city. An attempt by Palo Alto and other cities to start a health care cooperative about five years ago fizzled when costs proved too high. Today, buying insurance on the open market remains cost prohibitive because of the city’s large number of expensive retirees. And the city’s risk is compounded by the fact that if it leaves CalPERS, it would not

be allowed to return to the system for five years. Faced with these limitations, Palo Alto has spent the last decade babystepping toward reform. In 2006, it switched from a five-year vesting schedule for retiree benefits to a 20year vesting schedule, which gradually increases health care benefits based on tenure (after 20 years, the city would pay 100 percent of the cost). Recent cost-sharing measures, which now apply to all unions (though the police union is rebuffing the city’s attempt to apply it to retirees), have also had some effect. In the current fiscal year, Palo Alto’s per-employee cost is expected to actually dip to $1,075 (a decrease of $5 from 2012). But the council and top management all agree that this is not nearly enough. For one thing, medical costs are expected to escalate far faster than the city’s revenues, with estimates ranging from 7 percent to 10 percent. For another, more than half of the city’s health care recipients are now retirees rather than active workers, which means that they get benefits without making any contributions. And while the number of retirees grows every year, the number of active employees stays largely static, making the situation even worse. “We’re in many ways carrying a whole shadow organization that is significantly larger than our active organization,” Keene told the council on Feb. 4, alluding to the retirees.

he most significant, and controversial, reform proposal currently on the table is one that would scrap the existing “defined benefit” system, which includes six bulky packages from which employees can choose and which keep the benefits steady even in the face of rising costs. Workers and retirees can currently choose to get their health care through one of two HMOs (health-maintenance organizatoins) — Blue Shield of California and Kaiser — or four PPOs (preferred provider organizations) — PERSCare, PERS Choice, PERS Select and the Peace Officers Association of California, which is only available to public-safety members. What CalPERS lacks, and what the city hopes to offer one day, is a low-cost or high-deductible option for employees who are healthy and would rather not pay for a fullservice plan. This option would be part of what

Cover Story

Health care choices The state’s CalPERS fund offers public employees and retirees plans for health care under a system known as “defined benefit.” The City of Palo Alto is considering offering additional options, called a “cafeteria” plan.

CalPERS defined benefit Includes six packages employees can choose from that keep the benefits steady even in the face of rising costs: two HMOs (health maintenance organizatoins) — Blue Shield of California and Kaiser — and four PPO (preferred provider organizations) — PERSCare, PERS Choice, PERS Select and the Peace Officers Association of California (available only to public-safety members).

are known as flexible “cafeteria plans,” which allow workers to pick the coverage of health care services they need rather than simply choosing a full-service plan. They would also give the city more power to buy only the services its employees need, rather than the ones selected by the CalPERS board of directors. These flexible plans, the thinking goes, would give employees more control over benefits and give the city more control over costs. The latter point is a particularly poignant one for Human Resources officials. During the detailed Feb. 4 discussion, Chief People Officer Kathryn Shen projected that health care will continue to increase at a rate that is 2 to 5 percent above the inflation level. She called this a “sobering thought.” “From a retiree perspective, you’re on a smaller income and your health care costs are going up more than inflation — that’s a problem,” Shen said. “It’s also a problem for the city because that same inflation-plus plan impacts our ability to provide health care.” Liliana Salazar, senior vice president for compliance for Wells Fargo Insurance Cities, the city’s insurance broker, predicted health care costs are expected to rise nationwide by 9 percent on the “lowest end of the scale” and most likely by about 10 percent in 2014, when new mandates from the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) kick in. Salazar recommended the “flexible plan” as one action the council can adopt to manage these costs. She said many other agencies in California and elsewhere are now working through such changes. “Most agencies are transitioning from a defined structure to a much more flexible structure,” Salazar told the council. The council indicated at the meeting that it supports such a switch and directed staff to consider this option as well as others that “may be considered for negotiation with represented employees and discussion with management employees.” The main barrier for the city is getting employees to buy in, both literally and figuratively. A switch from a defined-benefit plan to a

Cafeteria plan The City of Palo Alto could allow workers to pick and choose coverage of the health care services they need rather than choosing a fullservice plan. That might involve a low-cost or high-deductible option for employees who are generally healthy. The city would buy only the services its employees need, rather than the ones selected by the CalPERS board of directors. These flexible plans would give employees more control over benefits and give the city more control over costs.

flexible plan would be subject to collective bargaining, and so far, employees have been opposed to seeing their recently reduced benefits pared down further. While formal negotiations are still months away, the unions have already made their positions clear. Rather than attend the Feb. 4 discussion, as they were scheduled to do, leaders from the main labor unions sat out the meeting, instead submitting letters that voiced frustration and hinted at future litigation. Employees, in a letter signed by most of the major labor groups, charged the city with ignoring their concerns and proceeding with a predetermined and largely unpopular outcome. Recent efforts by Human Resources officials to discuss the pending changes at forums did little to alleviate these concerns, according to the unions. At two meetings, workers were given a list of benefits and asked to place dots next to those they deem most valuable. Some were allegedly surprised that the issue of “retiree medical,” for many the hottest button, wasn’t on the list until employees requested it. Union leaders also claimed that staff “refused to answer questions” about how long-term employees would be affected by the cafeteria

plan. The forums, the letter stated, “ended with employees overwhelmingly expressing their desire to protect active and retiree medical benefits and leaving employees with no answers to their questions on retirement medical.” “Based on the outcome of recent prior collaborative efforts and the HR statement of a current desire by a very small number of city staff (in leadership positions) to implement a flexible benefit plan, the employee groups are frustrated by the lack of true engagement and lack of willingness to work with us or answer key questions about our promised benefits long-term employees are already vested in,” the letter stated. “Moving forward with a cafeteriatype plan for active employees has the potential to decimate the retirement medical coverage for longterm employees.” Shen and Keene both called the unions’ characterization of staff’s position unfair. Shen told the Weekly that the city hasn’t really started the cafeteria-plan discussion and isn’t sure this is the direction in which the city is going. “No doubt we talked about this as a possibility,” Shen said. “But we don’t have a cafeteria plan in our back pocket. We absolutely know it’s something that would be dis-

cussed in bargaining.” Keene said the initial meetings were an “invitation that HR offered to folks to describe some of the challenges we have and to talk about some of the alternatives.” “Nothing in the process is designed in that setting to drive to solution,” Keene said. Unions, for their part, say they remain committed to helping the city save costs and noted in recent correspondence with the Weekly that they are not currently in negotiations and that there are no formal “proposals” from the city at this point. Brian Ward, one of the SEIU leaders, said that all labor groups have joined together and “have proposed cost savings solutions in the past that were not given serious consideration by the city.” He also said labor groups have “recently requested to begin discussions with the city on ways to reduce expenditures to preserve city services. “We have not received a response from the city to date,” Ward said. He also criticized the city’s early attempts to introduce health care changes at the two employee meetings. “Labor groups did not feel this was productive or collaborative, and we have not heard back from the City on the outcome of those meetings,” he wrote. Sgt. Scott Savage, president of the Palo Alto Police Officers Association (PAPOA), said the union has not received any proposals from the

city for a cafeteria plan but remains “open to exploring any cost-saving opportunities in the area of employee health care costs.” “The PAPOA has supported proposals in the past that would have resulted in significant short- and long-term health care cost savings to the City,” Savage said in an emailed statement on behalf of the union. City officials maintained on Feb. 4 and in recent interviews that no decisions have been made and that nothing will happen until the two sides meet at the bargaining table. Both Keene and Shen said the unions had mischaracterized the city’s early attempts at informal talks about benefit changes. But in a recent interview, Keene made it clear that some change is inevitable. “We’re either going to do some course of looking at greatest costsharing — whether it’s 90-10 becoming 80-20 or whatever — or we can look at something like flexible benefits that give employees more choice and allow cities to focus on how much incremental cost we can provide on our side as a way to manage costs. “I think flexible benefits will have to be a big part of the discussion but not the only thing,” Keene said.

alo Alto officials often boast about the progress the city has made toward a balanced budget since 2009, when the Great (continued on page 26)

CITY OF PALO ALTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Palo Alto City Council will hold a public hearing at the special Council meeting on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. or as near thereafter as possible, in the Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, to Consider Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map to add the Ground Floor Combining District Overlay to the CD-C and CD-S Zoned Properties fronting the 600 Block of Emerson Street. The Planning and Transportation Commission recommend that the Ground Floor Combining District be added to these properties as speciﬁed above.

DONNA J. GRIDER, MMC City Clerk ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 25

Cover Story

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wellnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

aim to teach, not to punish, Shen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more about getting educated about chronic illnesses and how you can live a lifestyle thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more healthy,â&#x20AC;? Shen said. While exploring the broader program, staff is also taking a softer approach to promoting healthier habits. Shen leads a walking group every Wednesday at the same time that Keene leads his running group. Newly hired Recreation Manager Lacee Korsten is preparing to launch Tuesday afternoon aerobics classes for employees at Lucie Stern Community Center. And Catherine Elvert, a Utilities Department accounts representative who took part in last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City Hall run, is organizing a 5K run in the Baylands on April 27 to promote water conservation. The primary goal is to raise awareness about water resources. But city officials see promoting running as a good secondary goal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not an ice-cream social,â&#x20AC;? Elvert said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting out to enjoy the outdoors, do something healthy and do some walking and running with family and friends.â&#x20AC;? N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@paweekly.com.

(continued from page 23)

report. The number dropped to 794 hours in the first two quarters of 2004, when the program was first instituted, and to 518 hours in 2006. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basically preventive maintenance, but instead of a car, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body,â&#x20AC;? Police Chief Dennis Burns said in a recent interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try to help people be productive and enjoy their experience here, working for the city. We want them to not only stay here, but we want them to be healthy and illness-free.â&#x20AC;? Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief People Officer Kathryn Shen said the city has just started working with the League of Cities, an association of city officials, on setting up a broader program for the entire workforce. It has recently surveyed employees on wellness and hosted its first meeting on the subject last week. Shen, who worked for Kaiser before joining the city, said one major goal is to help people afflicted with obesity, diabetes and other chronic conditions. And while other agencies have mandatory programs and fines for unhealthy habits such as smoking, Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s would

Meditation for Modern Life One Day Course ,-%( /+ ((%! -/. 0%( !*(+ -' 0#$/ 4 ( %)! 0

$%./ ) ./!-

!#40 %*,+ $! /$%. +0-.! 2%(( "+ 0. +* $+2 /+ )! %/ /! * /$! !*!5/. +" )! %/ /%+* ! 2%(( (! -* * ,- /% ! )! %/ /%+* * %*/-+ 0 ! /$! "+0- 0%( %*# (+ '. +" 0

$%./ /- %*%*#

! %/ /%+* ( * %*# )+/%+*. +), ..%+* * %. +) +/$ !#%**!-. * !3,!-%!* ! )! %/ /+-. -! 2!( +)! +./ %* (0 %*# (0* $ +- )+-! %*"+-) /%+* * /+ -!#%./!- ,(! .! 1%.%/ 222 &0*%,!-, /$ +-# +- ((

0*%,!- | 0

$%./ /- %*%*# "+- )+ !-* (%"!

Page 26Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

Health care

(continued from page 25)

Recession took a heavy bite out of local tax revenues. But the reforms had one significant unintended effect: They prompted a wave of retirements from some of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-serving employees and put further pressure on the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already precarious health care picture. Today, there are 860 retirees and 844 employees enrolled in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CalPERS health care plans, according to a recent report from the Human Resources Department. The high number of retirees puts the city in a difficult quandary, driving up costs and making a switch from CalPERS to the open market even less feasible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ratio of early retirees to actives is so high that it is a barrier to obtaining coverage quotes from the open market, based on input from insurance representatives,â&#x20AC;? the report states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Early retirees incur higher health care costs compared to active employees, which insurers specify as a reason to charge higher insurance premiums.â&#x20AC;? What makes matters worse is that many of these retirees have just left and remain too young to qualify for

Schmid said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scary.â&#x20AC;? Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy of generous medical benefits has helped fuel this trend. According to Kaiser Family Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 Employer Health Benefit Survey, public employers generally contribute more and require their employees to contribute less than their counterparts in the private sector. An average employer contribution in the private sector for covered workers with families is $10,704. In the public sector, it is $12,381. Workers in the public sector also tend to use plans with higher premiums, according to the survey, with the employer picking up the lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share. For public employers, the average premium in 2012 was $5,997, with the employee paying $698 and the employer paying the rest (in the private sector, the average premium was $5,297, with workers paying $1,053). It is perhaps significant that up until three years ago, Palo Alto footed the entire medical bill, which made it a particularly attractive destination for new employees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cities that have the most generous retiree medical benefits act as magnets for employees late in their career, whether theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ones coming from other jurisdictions or ones coming from the private sector,â&#x20AC;?

the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90/10 plan.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? The biggest concerns come from the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest-serving employees, who have long been banking on having the city fund their health care after retirement. Many are concerned that if active employees accept concessions on health care, these concessions would trickle down to retirees. Hoffman took issue with a recent report from the city, which states that â&#x20AC;&#x153;a few active employees under the 90/10 plan have expressed concern that in the future, the city benefit may be renegotiated to a lower employer contribution, which would flow to retiree medical as well.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Contrary to the city managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suggestion, there are more than â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a few active employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that have expressed their concerns,â&#x20AC;? Hoffman wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indeed the number would be much closer to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;all of themâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; particularly among the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longesttenured employees who stand to see their promised retirement benefits eliminated, just as they approach the end of their careers.â&#x20AC;? Hoffman called the report â&#x20AC;&#x153;little more than a feeble attempt to begin preparing for the anticipated legal challenge.â&#x20AC;? Management has disputed the unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claims about predetermined

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;From a retiree perspective, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on a smaller income and your health care costs are going up more than inflation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a problem. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a problem for the city because that same inflation-plus plan impacts our ability to provide health care.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; KATHRYN SHEN, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER, PALO ALTO Medicare, a factor that further ups the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s costs. Of the 860 retired employees, 377 are â&#x20AC;&#x153;early retirees,â&#x20AC;? according to the report. Things are likely to get worse before they get better. According to Shen, about half of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce is set to retire in the next decade, further expanding what Keene called the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;shadow organization.â&#x20AC;? This demographical trend and its grim financial implications pose a particularly tricky challenge for the city council and top management. Councilman Schmid spoke at length about this topic Feb. 4, when he criticized the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tendency to hire workers who acquire experience in other cities, join the city at 35 or 40, work for a few years and then retire, saddling the city with retirement benefits for many years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we have younger workers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; more younger workers who stay active for longer in the city or go somewhere else to retire?â&#x20AC;? Schmid asked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our financial outlook would be much better.â&#x20AC;? Schmid observed that as the council proceeded to trim its payroll by cutting positions, it has actually, in a way, made things less efficient. Now, he said, there are fewer active employees who contribute toward health care and more retirees who collect benefits without chipping in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So if we meet our efficiencies by cutting employees, we are increasing our per-employee costs,â&#x20AC;?

Councilman Burt said Feb. 4. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be able to retire with great medical benefits is a real attraction.â&#x20AC;? Getting retirees to chip in for health care has proven difficult for management. While most unions agreed, after long negotiations, to apply the 90/10 cost-sharing arrangement to new retirees, the police union has resisted this measure. Last year, when the PAPOA signed a new contract with the city, this issue was left conspicuously unresolved. The city and the union are now going through a process to determine whether the city has the right to reduce medical benefits for police retirees â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a subject on which the two sides have clashed. Savage said in a statement that when it comes to cost-sharing on health care, the police union believes that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The city is contractually obligated to provide retiree health coverage to those hired before 2006.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are currently involved in a fact-finding mediation on this issue,â&#x20AC;? Savage wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are optimistic that the neutral fact-finding panel will reach the same conclusion.â&#x20AC;? The unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney had a more vehement reaction to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent reform proposals. Peter Hoffmann of the San Francisco-based firm Rains, Lucia, Stern, PC, claimed in a Feb. 1 letter that the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus on employee concessions â&#x20AC;&#x153;raises significant legal challengesâ&#x20AC;? and will â&#x20AC;&#x153;likely perpetuate the gross inequity established under

outcomes and insufficient engagement. At the Feb. 4 meeting, Keene was adamant about the fact that no decisions have been made and that staff has been approaching the unions in good faith and with the understanding that any deals would have to be made through the bargaining process. But he also said that the city is committed to having more cost-sharing between the city and its employees â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both active and retired. The drama will play out at the bargaining table in 2013 and 2014. While council members have encouraged staff to hold forums and conduct more outreach in hopes of easing the pain for employees, staff acknowledged at a recent discussion that when it comes to health care concessions, there really is no easy way to have a conversation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the difficulty is going to be that consideration of greater contributions by employees, or sacrifices, are difficult conversations for people to have,â&#x20AC;? Keene said Feb. 4. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To sort of say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I like that meeting. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s do that againâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not that pleasant.â&#x20AC;? N Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

About the cover: Illustration by Shannon Corey.

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

Chloe Day Zilliac and Remi Wolf doing some of their songs at the Riekes Center for Human Enhancement near Menlo Park.

Brand-new blues Paly musicians Remi & Chloe give a fresh spin to classic tunes while crafting original songs Story by Rebecca Wallace. Photographs by Veronica Weber.

ou’d never expect “Billie Jean” to sound so crazy-good sung by two high school girls. Yet here are Remi Wolf and Chloe Day Zilliac wailing away on the old Michael Jackson number, fingers pounding on their guitars. These sweet Paly juniors have a way of breathing brave new soul into a 30-year-old song about a paternity dispute. In between intense playing sessions, the two turn back into regular teens with matching long curls, exclaiming about the

bands their teachers have introduced them to: Deerhunter, Lake Street Dive, Pearl Jam. They’re all youthful enthusiasm, and at the same time they’re all poise. Most of the time, they finish each other’s sentences. “Everybody thinks that we’re like telepathic,” Wolf says. “Having good chemistry on stage is, I think, one of the most important things.” This mixture of talent and chemistry is already getting the pair gigs. They perform sometimes as the acoustic duo Remi

& Chloe, and sometimes with an electricguitar-fueled band called The Extracts. Today, they’re sitting in a recording studio at the Riekes Center for Human Enhancement near Menlo Park, alternately playing and talking about their budding music careers. They’ve been taking classes at the center, studying songwriting, guitar, harmony and theory. They need their enthusiasm to get them through this schedule of music classes, private voice lessons and performances. Oh, and being high

school juniors on the Palo Alto collegeprep track. The two met at Escondido Elementary School. By middle school, they were fast friends, singing for a while in a group called Citrus. Guided by a teacher, they sang upbeat, buttercuppy barbershop songs. They got their first taste of singing harmonies, but they were definitely beginners. (continued on next page)

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 27

Arts & Entertainment

Brand-new blues (continued from previous page)

“Listening back on it now is —” Zilliac begins. “Is kinda painful,” Wolf finishes. By their sophomore year of high school, they were ready to go their own way and formed Remi & Chloe. They’re still young, but their music has a distinct character. Wolf’s powerhouse vocals, all flinty soul, blend deftly with Zilliac’s gentle voice. The use of many distinct changes in dynamics adds drama to their renditions. They both play guitar, and together they have written several original songs to go with their covers, which include Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning,” Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and Young the Giant’s “Cough Syrup.” Even they find it tough to classify their music. Indie, definitely. Often acoustic, a little bit blues. Some funk, some roots, some jazz. “We started out covering songs that we liked on the radio. Then we decided to write an original song,” Zilliac says. Their first original song, “Carou-

OSHMAN FAMILY OFJCC

DON’T MISS

act at an open-mic, and they have continued to play there. Other venues have included the Britannia Arms in Cupertino and Angelica’s Bistro in Redwood City. They have another concert scheduled at the bistro on May 11. Remi & Chloe have also played at the Awaken Cafe in Oakland, where they thoroughly impressed Sarah Sexton, who books music for the cafe. In her blog, she described them as “confident,” “poignant” and “roaring with the voices of modern blues “Everybody thinks that we’re like telepathic,” says Remi Wolf, right, of her friendship queens.” with music partner Chloe Day Zilliac, left. Earlier this month, the pair performed sel,” seemed to just flow. They wrote song about body image, inspired at the opening of a it together without a lot of effort, and in part by a friend’s sister who had youth art exhibit at the Palo Alto Art it clearly resonates with them. It’s a an eating disorder. “You poor little Center. The girls are always lookchild, afraid to run wild, avoiding ing for new musicians to collaborate your own eyes,” the lyrics go. with, and they were surprised to see “Body image, that’s a really big two guys from school display an unpart of high school,” Zilliac says. expected rapping talent there. WINTER/SPRING “Carousel” was tapped for the “One of them sits behind me in soundtrack of a Castilleja student my history class! We had no idea film, and also drew applause at Red they could rap,” Zilliac says. Rock Coffee at Mountain View, the Besides hoping to collaborate with first place the friends played as a the newly discovered rappers, the duo. That was at an open-mic ses- two aspire to record a six-song EP, sion in September 2011. Red Rock and then a full album. They hope to soon booked them to be the featured keep working together even if they

An Evening with Authors Amy Tan & Louann Brizendine The beloved author of The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God’s Wife joins us in a lively interview with Louann Brizendine, M.D., author of The Female Brain and The Male Brain.

D A N C E

don’t go to the same college. “If we don’t go to the same school, we hope to go to ones within 100 miles of each other,” Wolf says. “Boston would be good,” Zilliac says, and Wolf nods. For now, they keep singing and writing, and covering their favorite tunes. At the Riekes recording studio, they break into “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” Wolf starts out singing in a low, bluesy voice, accompanied by a simple guitar part from Zilliac. Then suddenly she jumps up the octave, and the song breaks wide open, with fierce strumming on the guitar. Zilliac chimes in with a soft, endearing “Sittin’ here resting my bones ... ” It’s decades-old, but at this moment, the tune is fresh, bold and brand-new. N Info: Remi & Chloe are scheduled to play an hour-and-a-half set starting at 6 p.m. on May 11 at Angelica’s Bistro, 863 Main St., Redwood City. Tickets are $12 online and $17 at the door (dinner or two drinks also required). Go to angelicasbistro. com or call 650-365-3226.

WATCH IT ONLINE

www.PaloAltoOnline.com To watch a Weekly video of Remi & Chloe playing some of their original and cover songs at the Riekes Center near Menlo Park, go to PaloAltoOnline.com. The video was shot and edited by staff photographer Veronica Weber.

Transforming lives, one dance at a time. One of the most popular ballrooms in Northern California, this Mountain View studio is open seven days a week Dance Parties on four nights, Thursday - Sunday.

Celebrating four years of great dancing in Silicon Valley! Studio Anniversary - Two Nights! Thursday, March 28

Thursday, April 11 7:30 PM OFJCC Schultz Cultural Arts Hall For more information and to purchase tickets, visit

www.paloaltojcc.org/tanbrizendine. Oshman Family JCC 3921 Fabian Way | Palo Alto, CA | (650) 223-8700 www.paloaltojcc.org/arts

Page 28ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

8-9pm: Night Club Two Step Class Dancing until 11pm

Saturday, March 30

8-9pm: American Rumba Class Dancing until 1am

$15 in advance on each night. $20 at the door. Buy tickets @ 650.864.9150 or visit www.cherylburkedance.com and click on “Special Events” to pay by PayPal. Guest Instructor Steve Rebello will teach classes for all levels, beginning to advanced dancers. Cheryl Burke Dance Mountain View 1400 North Shoreline Blvd. #A-1, Mtn View © 2010-2013 Cheryl Burke Dance.

Arts & Entertainment

Worth a Look Art

Stanford Art Spaces A New Yorker with a background as a competitive gymnast, a poet, a samba teacher and a Japanese-print enthusiast: That’s painter Nicole Lomangino. After growing up in New York, Lomangino lived in São Paulo and then in the Sunset Dis-

Peninsula artist Nicole Lomangino finds inspiration in the woodblock prints of Japan’s Edo Period. Pictured is “Uzume,” a watercolor painting on paper.

trict of San Francisco. She had long created art to illustrate her poems, but living in an Asian neighborhood led to a new fascination with the Japanese woodblock prints of the Edo Period. She now crafts layered portraits of watercolor, gouache, ink and Japanese yuzen paper. Lomangino’s mixed-media paintings are among the works that will be featured this spring in a three-artist exhibit at Stanford Art Spaces. The show also contains paintings by Michelle Sakhai, whose landscapes can be misty, dreamy and pleasantly surreal. Her “Umbrella Bonsai II,” for example, is a work of oil, gold and copper leaf depicting a tree composed of bright umbrellas. Ink paintings by Chun-Hui Yu will also be on display, filled with calligraphic brush strokes and abstract landscapes. The free exhibit will be up March 29 through May 23 at the Paul G. Allen (C.I.S.) Art Spaces Gallery at 420 Via Palou at Stanford University. Exhibit hours are weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a reception set for April 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Go to cis.stanford. edu/~marigros or call 650-725-3622.

Music

St. Lawrence String Quartet Stanford University’s resident St. Lawrence String Quartet marks Good Friday for the third year in a row in church — performing

a concert in the grand Memorial Church on campus, that is. Starting at 5 p.m. March 29, the foursome will play Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross.” The meditative hour-long work, which is broken into seven sections, traces the last hours of the life of Christ. The piece is praised for its tone painting and unusual musical juxtapositions. Haydn originally wrote it as an orchestral work, then reportedly wrote versions for string quartet and piano, and an oratorio adaptation with choral voices. The Stanford performance will be interspersed with readings from the Good Friday service, given by Rev. Scotty McLennan, the dean for religious life at the university. Admission is free. First violinist Geoff Nuttall, violist Lesley Robertson, cellist Christopher Costanza and violinist Scott St. John make up the St. Lawrence String Quartet, which has been in residence at Stanford since 1998. For more about the concert, go to live.stanford.edu.

Cello Joe Call him a beat-boxing cellist, a classicalhip-hop musician or a bicycling tunesmith. He responds to any of those, but mainly to his stage moniker, Cello Joe. Also known as Joey Chang, the rambling musician likes to record himself playing cello right there on the spot with a looper, and then produce what he calls “intergalactic tapestries of harmony, melody and rhythm.” Call it beatboxing, dubstep, folk-rock, throat-singing or all of the above. Then mix it with plucking and bowing the cello, and you’ve got the man’s signature sound. It comes from his days with Palo Alto’s El Camino Youth Symphony, or perhaps from attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. It travels far and wide on his bicycle.

Cello Joe is set to perform a free gig this Saturday, March 23, at Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View. The show starts at 8 p.m. at 201 Castro St. For more, go to redrockcoffee. org or call 650-967-4473.

Books

‘Creative Writing at Stanford’ Stanford University’s creative-writing program has been around since 1946, when the environmentalist writer Wallace Stegner founded it. Thousands of undergrads and Stegner fellows have passed through the program since then, with many locals taking classes from these writers through the university’s continuing-studies program. On April 2, the continuing-studies program presents a panel talk by four luminaries who have been closely involved with creating writing at Stanford. Nancy Huddleston Packer, who was profiled last year in the Weekly, will moderate. The former director of the creative-writing program is also a former Stegner fellow and Stanford professor of English; her fourth collection of short stories, “Old Ladies,” was published last year. Also scheduled for the program is Eavan Boland, the Stanford English professor who currently directs the creative-writing program. Boland will be joined by former Stegner fellows Philip Levine, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. poet laureate; and Scott Turow, the best-selling author of nine novels and two nonfiction books on the law. The free event starts at 7:30 p.m. in Cubberley Auditorium at Stanford’s school of education. Go to continuingstudies.stanford. edu for more information.

BETTER BANKING WITH GREAT RATES | FOR A LIMITED TIME

$30,000 AND OVER

75 1

Financing up to 100% with terms up to 7 years. Auto loans less than $30,000 as low as 1.95% APR*†

*YOUR ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE (APR) MAY BE HIGHER BASED ON CREDIT QUALIFICATIONS. THE RATES SHOWN INCLUDE A 0.25% DISCOUNT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSFER, AND A 0.50% DISCOUNT WITH DIRECT DEPOSIT. ADDITIONAL 0.20% RATE DISCOUNT FOR AUTO LOAN AMOUNTS $30,000 OR OVER THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2013 (DOES NOT APPLY TO EXISTING STAR ONE AUTO LOANS). THE RANGE OF APRS IS 1.95% TO 8.45% WITH DISCOUNTS FOR LOANS $30,000 AND UNDER; AND 1.75% TO 8.25% WITH DISCOUNTS FOR LOANS OVER $30,000. A SAMPLE PAYMENT ON AN 84-MONTH LOAN AT 1.95% APR IS $12.75 PER $1,000. A SAMPLE PAYMENT ON AN 84-MONTH LOAN AT 1.75% APR IS $12.66 PER $1,000. RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. †A $75 FEE WILL BE ASSESSED TO REFINANCE OR MODIFY A STAR ONE AUTO LOAN.

ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊU Page 29

Eating Out FOOD FEATURE

Hometown chocolate !LEGIO #HOCOLATE OPENS A SECOND LOCATION IN 0ALO !LTO TO BE CLOSER TO 0ENINSULA CUSTOMERS INCE RECENTLY OPENING !LE GIO #HOCOLATE IN 0ALO !LTO CO OWNER 0ANOS 0ANAGOS HAS WELCOMED CUSTOMERS WHO ARE AL READY FAMILIAR WITH THE BUSINESS "ERKELEY LOCATION h-OST OF THE PEOPLE WHO COME NOW THEY KNOW THE PLACE AND TOLD US THAT WE ARE COMPETING WITH OUR SELVES v HE SAID WITH A LAUGH 3EVEN YEARS AFTER OPENING IN "ERKE LEY 0ANAGOS AND CO OWNER 2OBBIN %VERSON OPENED THE DOORS TO THE 0ALO !LTO SHOP IN LATE &EBRUARY TO SERVE ALL THE 3ILICON 6ALLEY RESIDENTS WHO WOULD GO UP TO "ERKELEY TO BUY CHOC OLATE FROM THEM HE SAID h7E HAD TOO MANY PEOPLE FROM 0ALO !LTO A LOT v HE SAID 4UCKED AWAY ON "RYANT 3TREET DOWNTOWN THE SHOP GREETS PEOPLE WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC AND RED WALLS ADORNED WITH PHOTOS AND SHELVES OF

HIGH END CHOCOLATE BARS 4HE STORE CARRIES SINGLE SOURCE CHOCOLATE MADE BY #LAUDIO #ORALLO AS WELL AS CHOCOLATES AND TRUFFLES MADE BY "ARCELONA S %NRIC 2OVIRA 0ANAGOS CALLS IT hHONEST CHOCOLATEv THAT IS PURE CACAO WITH ONLY THE ADDITION OF NUTS FRUIT AND ORGANIC SUGAR 4WO OF THE MORE POPULAR OF FERINGS ARE THE PERCENT AND THE PERCENT CHOCOLATE #ORALLO WHO PRODUCES THE CHOCO LATE IN 3AO 4OME E 0RINCIPE IN 7EST !FRICA WILL ATTEND THE STORE S AS YET UNSCHEDULED GRAND OPENING CEL EBRATION h7E DON T FEEL WE RE READY YET v 0ANAGOS SAID OF PLANS FOR A GRAND OPENING h7E NEED EVERYTHING TO FUNCTION PERFECTLY v 0ANAGOS SAID HE HOPES THAT WHILE HE S HERE #ORALLO WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE A LECTURE AT 3TANFORD 5NIVER

Veronica Weber

by Rebecca Duran

0ANOS 0ANAGOS NAMED HIS !LEGIO #HOCOLATE SHOP AFTER HIS TWO SONS !LEXANDER AND 'IORGIO SITY ABOUT HIS IDEAS AND PHILOSOPHY h#LAUDIO IS A VERY DIFFICULT MAN TO WORK WITH BUT ) FEEL PRIVILEGED TO BE WORKING WITH HIM v HE SAID h(E S A

GREAT GUY (E S A PERFECTIONIST v #ORALLO INITIALLY LEFT %UROPE FOR !FRICA INTERESTED IN GROWING COFFEE BEANS RATHER THAN COCOA )T WAS WHEN

HIS FAMILY MOVED TO 0RINCIPE THAT HIS INTEREST IN COCOA BEANS GREW 0ANAGOS SAID HE MET #ORALLO IN

Celebrate Easter at Cucina Venti!

Champagne Breakfast Brunch 10am-2pm Easter Sunday Chef’s Special Italian Supper Menu – All Day/Weekend **Indoor/Outdoor Patio Seating Available**

RSVP on Opentable.com 1390 Pear Ave. Mountain View, Ca. 94043 *(650) 254-1120* www.cucinaventi.com Page 30ÊUÊÊ >ÀV ÊÓÓ]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V

(continued on next page)

(continued from previous page)

"ARCELONA ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS LOOKING FOR A JOB THAT WOULD ALLOW HIM ENOUGH TIME TO SPEND WITH HIS KIDS WHEN HE MOVED TO THE 5NITED 3TATES 4HE NAME OF THE SHOP IS A COMBINATION OF 0ANAGOS TWO SONS NAMES !LEX ANDER AND 'IORGIO %VERYTHING USED TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE IS FROM THE ISLAND OF 3AO 4OME E 0RINCIPE #ORALLO S PHILOSO PHY AND REFUSAL TO COMPROMISE ARE THE REASON THAT 0ANAGOS SAID HE IS SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THE BUSINESS )T S IMPORTANT HE SAID GIVEN THE STATE OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY h4HERE S ONLY THREE MAJOR COMPA NIES CONTROLLING EVERYTHING WE EAT v HE SAID h7E ALL HAVE TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH 7E CAN T BUY ALMONDS WITHOUT HAVING SOMETHING ADDED TO IT v (E SAID VANILLA A COMMONLY ADD ED INGREDIENT THAT PEOPLE ASSOCIATE WITH THE TASTE OF CHOCOLATE IS A FLA VOR THAT COVERS UP EVERYTHING ELSE )T MIGHT BE COVERING UP THE TASTE OF A

BAD BEAN HE SAID 0ANAGOS SAID THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH !LEGIO BECAUSE THERE IS NO BIT TERNESS TO THE BEANS WHICH #ORALLO ROASTS OVER WOOD FIRE WITHOUT BURN ING THEM USING A SPECIFIC Â&#x2C6; AND SECRET Â&#x2C6; KIND OF WOOD 4HE PERCENT CHOCOLATE IS WHAT HE CALLS A hNAKEDv CHOCOLATE AND CONTAINS NO OTHER INGREDIENT BUT THE COCOA BEANS h4O ME IT S IMPORTANT TO TASTE AN HONEST CHOCOLATE TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND BUY CHOCOLATE THAT S JUST CHOCOLATE v HE SAID %XPERIENCE HAS SHOWN HIM THAT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY FOR HIS CHOCOLATE (E GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF A MAN VISITING 0ALO !LTO FROM #ANADA WHO DROVE UP TO THE "ERKELEY SHOP AND A REGULAR CUS TOMER WHO BOUGHT WORTH OF CHOCOLATE BEFORE LEAVING THE COUN TRY (E FOUND THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DRIVE OR HAVING TO RENT A CAR TO GET THERE h2OBBIN SAID ME @7E RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT v HE

ShopTalk

SAID h7E LOOKED AND WE HAPPENED TO HAVE FOUND THIS PLACE HERE JUST BY ACCIDENT v 0ANAGOS WHILE GRATEFUL FOR THE STORE S FOLLOWING IN "ERKELEY HAS FOUND THAT PEOPLE IN THE 0ALO !LTO AREA ARE MORE WILLING TO PAY A HIGH ER PRICE FOR GREAT CHOCOLATE h) HAVE A COMMUNITY THERE THAT SUPPORTS ME GREATLY BUT "ERKELEY IS A DIFFERENT THING v HE SAID h4HEY WANT FAIR TRADE ORGANIC AND CHEAP (ERE PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE WILL ING TO DO IT v %VEN THOUGH HE WISH ES ALL THREE Â&#x2C6; CHEAP ORGANIC AND FAIR TRADE Â&#x2C6; COULD BE POSSIBLE IN A CHOCOLATE THEY AREN T HE SAID 0ANAGOS SAID IT S NOT ALWAYS THE EASIEST MESSAGE TO CONVEY h)T S DIFFICULT TO SELL THE MESSAGE TO PEOPLE HERE WITHOUT HAVING THEM TASTE IT TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE THAT THIS IS HIGH END CHOCOLATE v HE SAID h0EOPLE ARE GETTING CONFUSED 4HEY DON T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BE TWEEN THE PRICE AND THE VALUE 7E RE JUST SURVIVING v !LEGIO OFFERS A CHOCOLATE TASTING TOUR THAT TEACHES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY AND ISLAND WHILE OFFERING SAMPLES OF AN ASSORTMENT

Veronica Weber

Eating Out

#HOCOLATE TRUFFLES AT !LEGIO #HOCOLATE IN 0ALO !LTO OF TYPES OF CHOCOLATES 4HE CHOCO LATES !LEGIO CARRIES NEVER HAVE LESS THAN PERCENT COCOA 4HE MOST EX PENSIVE CHOCOLATE THEY SELL THE PERCENT COCOA WITH GINGER WAS THE FAVORITE CHOCOLATE OF THE LATE 3TEVE *OBS HE SAID /THER POPULAR OFFER INGS ARE AN PERCENT WITH CRYSTAL LIZED SUGAR ONE MADE WITH ORANGE AND ONE WITH hDRUNKEN RAISINS v RAI SINS MACERATED IN LIQUOR 0ANAGOS SAID HAS SEEN MANY PEO

PLE SWITCH TO !LEGIO AFTER THEY HAVE TRIED ITS CHOCOLATE h! LOT OF PEOPLE COME BACK AND SAY @9OU RUINED MY LIFE v HE SAID h/NCE THEY HAVE TRIED THE CHOCOLATE THEY DIDN T WANT GO BACK TO OTHER CHOCOLATES v N Info: Alegio Chocolates is at 522 Bryant St. in Palo Alto. Call 650324-4500 or go to alegio.com.

PENINSULA

by Daryl Savage

PIAZZA EXPANSION COMPLETE ... A sigh of relief has swept over Piazzaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fine Foods at 3922 Middlefield Road in Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charleston Shopping Center. The nearly $2 million, year-long expansion has finally come to an end. The remodel added 4,000 square feet to the grocery store, putting the finished product at 24,000 square feet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The job turned out to be much bigger than we thought,â&#x20AC;? said store owner Gary Piazza, who shares ownership with his two brothers, John and Rick. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We moved walls, added refrigeration; we got new freezers (and) new milk cases; and we remodeled our two bathrooms,â&#x20AC;? he said. The aisles in the store were also transformed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People were angry about the size of our aisles; they said they were too narrow. So we made them bigger. They are now 6 feet wide, even more in some places,â&#x20AC;? Piazza added. Another brand-new feature is the burrito bar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got the idea from our Hispanic cooks. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re using their family recipes for some of the items like chicken mole and barbacoa. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a great response so far and we only opened two weeks ago,â&#x20AC;? he said. But the success of the grand remodel is bittersweet for Piazza. His father, Sicilian-born John Piazza Sr., who founded the grocery store in 1987, passed away last September. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I only wish my dad was here to see this,â&#x20AC;? he said. CONTAINER STORE AT STANFORD ... The Container Store has signed on to take over the former Andronicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market space at Stanford Shopping Center. The 37,500-square-foot site has been vacant since July 2011 when the highend grocer closed its doors after 14 years. The Container Store, a chain that offers large and small storage and organizational items for its cus-

tomers, is anticipating a fall opening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re about to kick off our grand opening season. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got six new stores opening this year, with the first three in Florida,â&#x20AC;? spokesperson Nina Smith said. The company has 58 stores in the country. NEW RETAIL AT SAN ANTONIO ... On time and on budget. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what spokesman Greg Geersten says when asked about the construction of Safeway in the new Village at San Antonio Center in Mountain View. Scheduled for an April 19 opening, Safeway is the first of about 20 new retailers that will occupy the center, located at the intersection of San Antonio Road and El Camino Real. At 65,000 square feet, â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the largest store Safeway does,â&#x20AC;? said Geersten, who is managing director of the project being developed by San Francisco-based Merlone Geier Partners. In addition to upgraded departments and a large outdoor-seating area, there will be rooftop parking, with space for more than 160 cars. Other retailers that have signed on include Paul Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s American Grill, which serves contemporary American classic dishes; The Counter, which has a nearby burger location on Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s California Avenue; Jared Jewelers; Fidelity Investments; Sleep Number Bed; Starbucks; and a four-star boutique hotel, with a swimming pool and conference-room facilities; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;an eight- or nine-screen movie theater,â&#x20AC;? said Geersten. He added that three more restaurants â&#x20AC;&#x153;with well-known chefsâ&#x20AC;? will be announced in the next few weeks.

(EARD A RUMOR ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE STORE OR BUSINESS MOV ING OUT OR IN DOWN THE BLOCK OR ACROSS TOWN $ARYL 3AVAGE WILL CHECK IT OUT %MAIL SHOPTALK PAWEEKLY COM

Discover the best places to eat this week! AMERICAN

CHINESE

Armadillo Willyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Chef Chuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

941-2922 1031 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos www.armadillowillys.com

948-2696 1067 N. San Antonio Road www.chefchu.com

The Old Pro

Mingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

326-1446 541 Ramona Street, Palo Alto www.oldpropa.com

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

STEAKHOUSE

New Tung Kee Noodle House

Sundance the Steakhouse

947-8888 520 Showers Drive, Mountain View www.shopmountainview.com/luunoodlemv

321-6798 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto www.sundancethesteakhouse.com

INDIAN

Janta Indian Restaurant Read and post reviews, explore restaurant menus, get hours and directions and more at ShopPaloAlto, ShopMenloPark and ShopMountainView

462-5903 369 Lytton Ave. www.jantaindianrestaurant.com

Thaiphoon 323-7700 543 Emerson Ave, Palo Alto www.ThaiphoonRestaurant.com

AN ADRENALINE SHOTâ&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

TO THE CEREBRAL CORTEX! â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Marshall Fine, HUFF INGTON POST

Movies OPENINGS

MUSIC BY

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

COPRODUCERS PRODUCED BY WRITTEN BY

DIRECTED BY

DO NOT DISTURB THE FAMILY. EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENTS

" # # $ % & ! NOW PLAYING " ' (

TINA F PAUL RUDD EY AND ARE A MATC MADE IN MO H VIE HEAVEN Filled with he ! artfelt laughs .A â&#x20AC;&#x153;

real gem.â&#x20AC;?

ET.com

DEVILISHLY C ENTERTAINMLEVER ENT! Tina Fey an â&#x20AC;&#x153;

d Paul Rudd Elle

sparkle.â&#x20AC;?

! #ADMISSIONM

OVIE

FACEBOOK.CO

M/ADMISSIO NM

OVIE

WWW.ADMI

SSIONMOVIE.C

! ! CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATRE LOCATIONS AND SHOWTIMES

MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Text ADMISSION with your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549). Msg & data rates may apply. Text HELP for info/STOP to cancel.

For a look behind the scenes of Admission, visit www.iTunes.com/FocusFeatures

Like us on

www.facebook.com/paloaltoonline Page 32Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x201C;]Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă¤ÂŁĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*>Â?Â&#x153;Ă&#x160; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;7iiÂ&#x17D;Â?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°*>Â?Â&#x153; Â?Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;"Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

The Crood family may not always play it safe, but the (apparently heavily market-tested) movie does.

The Croods --1/2

(Century 16, Century 20) Monty Python alum John Cleese once co-wrote a book called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Families and How to Survive Them.â&#x20AC;? Given that, I suppose my jaw shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have dropped, then, to see his co-story credit on the animated adventure â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Croods,â&#x20AC;? in which a bickering modern Stone Age family daily enthuses, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Still alive!â&#x20AC;? Nevertheless, Cleeseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name comes as a surprise after an hour and a half, given the degree to which â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Croodsâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; though set in a world of mortal danger â&#x20AC;&#x201D; plays it safe. Writer-directors Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders (the latter best known for â&#x20AC;&#x153;How to Train Your Dragonâ&#x20AC;?) carry the rock over the finish line with enough slapsticky action and mild gags to hold kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attention. But discerning audience members will wish for more in the plot department and greater courage in convictions. The Croods inclood Grug (Nicolas Cage) and Ugga (Catherine Keener), daughter Eep (Emma Stone), son Thunk (Clark Duke) and feral baby Sandy (Randy Thom). Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also Grugâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother-in-law, Gran (Cloris Leachman), and, yes, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something meta about telling Stone Age mother-in-law jokes. Grug protects his family with brute strength and, more importantly, reinforcement of â&#x20AC;&#x153;routine and darkness and terror.â&#x20AC;? His mantra of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never not be afraidâ&#x20AC;? leads credulous Thunk to say things like â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will never do anything new or different.â&#x20AC;? Naturally, the curious Eep wants a whole new world, a new fantastic point of view, no one to tell her â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;? or where to go or say sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only dreaming. So one night she steals out of the family cave and, lo and behold, meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds), whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be a teen pin-up were it not still a time of cave paintings. Not only because he is a guy, the literally evolved Guy represents everything Eep feels she has been sheltered from: ideas, innovation and, in short, â&#x20AC;&#x153;tomorrow.â&#x20AC;? (The hottie also comes with a cutie, his belt being a live, meep-meeping pet sloth voiced by Sanders.) When it becomes apparent that a fiery extinctionlevel event will soon tear through their homeland, the Croods hitch their survival to fire-bearer Guy, much to Grugâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dismay. Off they go in the direction of a verdant lost world of wonderment, an opportunity to animate crazy-colorful flora and fauna to supplant the rocks and dirt of home. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an obvious message here about parental overprotectiveness and a need to step out of that shadow and not allow oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life to be defined by fear.

The irony is that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Croodsâ&#x20AC;? appears to have been market-tested to within an inch of its life, so despite a theme of finding the capacity to evolve, the picture remains mired in the tar pit of formula. At a key turning point, the picture misses a climactic opportunity to address real-world consequences and inititate some conversation that runs deeper than â&#x20AC;&#x153;I liked the part where they played football with the egg!â&#x20AC;? Even as it panders to kids, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Croodsâ&#x20AC;? takes care not to offend parents too badly for being behind the times, as thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a theme of parental sacrifice and unspoken love, rewarded with hugs all around at the end. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just disappointing that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Croodsâ&#x20AC;? feels an obligation to be reassuring and noncommittal, wrapping up with the thought â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anyone can change. Well, sort of.â&#x20AC;? Rated PG for some scary action. One hour, 38 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Peter Canavese

Admission --1/2

(Century 16, Century 20) Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the inside track to the brutally competitive college-admission process? At its best, director Paul Weitzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uneven comedy skewers students, parents and the Ivy League alike over the fat-envelope frenzy endured by so many. But like an applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal statement gone awry, the Tina Fey vehicle veers from an amusing College Confidential to a judgmental take on single women who choose to have children. The uneasy shift in tone places â&#x20AC;&#x153;Admissionâ&#x20AC;? in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;maybeâ&#x20AC;? stack, instead of on top of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;acceptanceâ&#x20AC;? pile of must-see movies. Adapted from Jean Hanff Korelitzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s novel of the same title, the narrative focuses on admissions officer Portia Nathan (Fey). Armed with her share of orange folders representing 22,150 hopeful teen applicants â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from whom the evaluators will select 1,008 for the Class of 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Portia routinely says that the secret to getting into Princeton is â&#x20AC;&#x153;just be yourself.â&#x20AC;? And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t send champagne or baked goods, or call. Portia and colleague Corinne (Gloria Reuben of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lincolnâ&#x20AC;?) are also competing to replace the dean of admissions (Wallace Shawn) upon his impending retirement. Fey excels at character-driven comedy, whether portraying the quirky â&#x20AC;&#x153;30 Rockâ&#x20AC;? heroine Liz Lemon, whom she created, or stepping into the more sensible shoes of a woman who has spent 16 years recruit-

Movies ing students and reviewing heaps of paperwork. But even Fey canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overcome the awkwardness of Karen Cronerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s screenplay when Portia sleeps with former Dartmouth classmate John Pressman (Paul Rudd of â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Is 40â&#x20AC;?), who contends that the most gifted student (Nat Wolff) at his alternative high school might be the biological son that she secretly gave up for adoption while in college. What becomes the big reveal at the end of Korelitzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s novel changes the course of the movie at its midpoint. Portiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orderly life starts to fall apart, particularly when John pushes her to give his prodigyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s application to Princeton an advantage. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing wrong with the chemistry between Fey and Rudd â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and everything is more than right about Lily Tomlinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showstealing performance as Portiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no-nonsense, feminist mother. Yet the comedy feels surprisingly flat, considering Weitzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comic chops as the director of â&#x20AC;&#x153;American Pieâ&#x20AC;? and the more nuanced â&#x20AC;&#x153;About a Boy.â&#x20AC;? But Weitz has perfect timing when portraying Portia mulling over an application, envisioning the eager high school senior who subsequently plummets through an imaginary trapdoor near her desk when she stamps â&#x20AC;&#x153;rejectâ&#x20AC;? on the folder. Thousands of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and brightest lead fulfilling lives, despite once being denied entry into the ivy-covered universities of their choice. Nor will the disappointing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Admissionâ&#x20AC;? define the future of its talented ensemble cast. Rated PG-13 for language and some sexual material. 1 hour, 57 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Susan Tavernetti

On the Road --

(Aquarius) Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it: Making a film of Jack Kerouacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Roadâ&#x20AC;? is something of a foolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s errand, which explains a half-century of aborted attempts. A two-hour movie must conflate the sprawl of the novelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mileage (and that of the social history it has come to represent), as well as Kerouacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dense description and singing prose. Under the auspices of executive producer Francis Ford Coppola, screenwriter JosĂŠ Rivera and director Walter Salles at last cinematically retell the tale from Kerouacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thinly veiled autobiographical novel, published in 1957. In it, Kerouac surrogate Sal Paradise comes to know rule-breaking, drug-taking sexual lightning rod Dean Moriarty as the pair travel with, to and from each other, be-bopping around America and Mexico in the late 1940s. The novel has not so many significant plot points but plenty of personalities based on real people, including Moriarty (Neal Cassady), Carlo Marx (Allen Ginsberg), Old Bull Lee (William S. Burroughs), Marylou (LuAnne Henderson) and Jane (Joan Vollmer). Cumulatively, they help to define a time of shifting social and cultural mores, with men determined to feel (and sow) their oats and women forced to the background, looking for autonomy wherever they can get it in a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world.

Rivera and Salles previously collaborated on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Motorcycle Diaries,â&#x20AC;? itself based on a famous memoir (that of Ernesto â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cheâ&#x20AC;? Guevara), and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re about as credible a team as one could hope for at the present moment, though certainly more tasteful than Kerouac himself would have liked. With all due respect, Salles made his own pilgrimage following the burnt-rubber tracks of Kerouac and organized a Beat Generation seminar for the actors before hopscotching around Canada, America, Argentina, Chile and Mexico to shoot the picture. The results are hopelessly mixed. Sallesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; understated style remains appealing, but it can also be at odds with Kerouacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s romantic vision of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like roman candles across the night.â&#x20AC;? This â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Roadâ&#x20AC;? has more of a dispassionate â&#x20AC;&#x153;fly-on-the-wallâ&#x20AC;? feel. All those who have ever been on a guided tour that went faster than they would like will recognize the frustration of the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elision, which necessarily forces the story into unnatural rhythms. With his jazz-influenced approach, Kerouac could make it all right on the page, contracting and elaborating at will, but Rivera and Salles must keep plunging onward. Sam Riley as Sal and Kristen Stewart as Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s horny sort-of wife Marylou come off as credible if dull, while Tom Sturridge adds some much-needed passion as pining poet Carlo. Cameos by well-known actors (Amy Adams, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Steve Buscemi, Terrence Howard) distract, but Garrett Hedlund convincingly holds the pictureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s center as Dean, whose high-on-life demeanor here masks an existential panic of aging out of youthful irresponsibility and into adult oblivion. Sallesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Roadâ&#x20AC;? arrives at a handsome but reductive decorousness. This pretty period-pictorial companion piece to the novel fatally misses out on the brain-firing raw buzz that Kerouac felt and passed on to his readers, succeeding much more at capturing the novelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emotional disappointments than its evocation of freedom through sex, drugs, jazz, the written word and unscheduled road-trip adventure. Rated R for strong sexual content, drug use and language. Two hours, four minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Peter Canavese

MOVIE TIMES All showtimes are for Friday through Sunday only unless otherwise noted. For other times, as well as reviews and trailers, go to PaloAltoOnline.com/movies. Admission (PG-13) ((1/2 Century 16: 11:05 a.m. & 1:55, 4:45, 7:40 & 10:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:10 a.m. & 1:45, 4:55, 7:40 & 10:15 p.m. Argo (R) (((1/2 Century 16: 12:10 & 6:30 p.m. Century 20: 7:45 & 10:30 p.m. The Call (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: 11:45 a.m. & 2:30, 4:50, 7:50 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 11:20 a.m. & 12:40, 1:50, 3:10, 4:15, 5:30, 6:50, 8, 9:15 & 10:25 p.m. The Croods (PG) ((1/2 Century 16: 11:40 a.m. & 2:25, 3, 5:10, 8, 9 & 10:30 p.m. In 3D 11 a.m. & 12:20, 1:40, 4:10, 6:10, 7 & 9:40 p.m. Century 20: 11 a.m. & 12:35, 1:30, 4, 5:35, 6:30 & 9 p.m. In 3D 12:20, 1:20, 3:20, 4:25, 6:25, 7:30, 9:35 & 10:30 p.m. Dial M for Murder (1954) (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed) Stanford Theatre: 5:30 & 9:50 p.m. Emperor (PG-13) (1/2 Century 20: 2 & 7:10 p.m. Escape from Planet Earth (PG) (Not Reviewed) Century 20: 11:40 a.m. & 4:40 p.m. In 3D 2:10 p.m. G.I. Joe: Retaliation (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: Tue 7 p.m. Wed 10:50 p.m.; In 3D 10 p.m.

Century 20: Tue 7 p.m.

The Gatekeepers (PG-13) (((1/2 Century 16: 11:30 a.m. & 2:10, 4:40, 7:25 & 10:05 p.m. Ginger & Rosa (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: noon & 2:40, 5, 7:55 & 10:20 p.m. Identity Thief (R) ((1/2 Century 20: 11:25 a.m. & 4:35 & 9:55 p.m. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (PG-13) (( Century 16: 11:20 a.m. & 1:50, 3:30, 4:20, 7:20, 9:30 & 10:10 p.m. Century 20: 12:30, 3, 5:35, 8:05 & 10:35 p.m. Jack the Giant Slayer (PG-13) ((( Century 16: 9:10 p.m. In 3D 6:20 p.m. Century 20: 11:30 a.m. & 5 p.m. In 3D 2:10 p.m. Life of Pi (PG) (((1/2 Century 20: 1:25 & 7:15 p.m. In 3D 4:20 & 10:10 p.m. No (R) (((1/2 Aquarius Theatre: 2:30, 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. Olympus Has Fallen (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: 11 a.m. & 12:30, 2, 3:40, 5, 7:15, 8:20 & 10:25 p.m. Century 20: 12:50, 3:45, 6:40 & 9:35 p.m. In XD 11:25 a.m. & 2:15, 5:05, 7:55 & 10:45 p.m. On the Road (R) (( Aquarius Theatre: 1, 4, 7 & 9:45 p.m. Oz the Great and Powerful (PG) ((1/2 Century 16: 11:15 & 11:50 a.m. & 2:20, 3:10, 6:05 & 9:20 p.m. In 3D 12:15, 3:20, 7:05 & 10:15 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m. & 2:30, 5:25 & 8:25 p.m. In 3D 12:20, 1:20, 3:20, 4:25, 6:25, 7:30, 9:35 & 10:30 p.m. Quartet (PG-13) ((( Guild Theatre: 1, 3:30, 6 & 8:30 p.m. Silver Linings Playbook (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: 11 a.m. & 1:45, 4:30, 7:30 & 10:25 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m. & 1:55, 4:50, 7:35 & 10:20 p.m. Snitch (PG-13) ((1/2 Century 20: 7:50 & 10:40 p.m. Spring Breakers (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 20: noon & 1, 2:25, 3:25, 4:45, 5:50, 7:05, 8:15, 9:30 & 10:40 p.m. Palo Alto Square: Sun 2, 3:30, 4:30, 6, 7:15 & 8:30 p.m. Fri & Sat also at 9:45 p.m. Stoker (R) ((1/2 Century 16: 11:10 a.m. & 1:35, 4, 7 & 9:50 p.m. Century 20: 11:35 a.m. & 2, 4:30, 7:20 & 9:50 p.m. Vertigo (1958) (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed) Stanford Theatre: Fri 7:30 p.m. Sat-Sun 3:10 & 7:30 p.m.

( Skip it (( Some redeeming qualities ((( A good bet (((( Outstanding Internet address: For show times, plot synopses, theater addresses, trailers and more information about films playing, go to PaloAltoOnline.com/movies

WINNER

ONE OF THE 10 BEST

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE ÂŽ

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;AMAZING.â&#x20AC;?

INDEPENDENT FILMS

OF THE YEAR

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK TIMES

NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW

THE GATEKEEPERS

Kenneth Turan

ACHINGLY ROMANTIC.

A FILM BY DROR MOREH

NOW PLAYING

WWW.SONYCLASSICS.COM

CENTURY CINEMAS 16 1500 North Shoreline Blvd, Mtn View (800) FANDANGO

VIEW THE TRAILER AT WWW.GATEKEEPERSMOVIE.COM

ACADEMY AWA RDÂŽ NOMINEE BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM â&#x20AC;&#x153;WEIRDLY FUNNY AND ROUSING, BOTH INTELLECTUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.â&#x20AC;?

Century Theatres at Palo Alto Square

-Manohla Dargis, THE NEW YORK TIMES

WINNER CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

Fri and Sat 3/22 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3/23

Spring Breakers 2:00, 3:30, 4:30, 6:00, 7:15, 8:30, 9:45 Sunday thru Thursday 3/24 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3/28

Spring Breakers 2:00, 3:30, 4:30, 6:00, 7:15, 8:30

Tickets and Showtimes available at cinemark.com

C.I.C.A.E. AWARD

EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT STARTS FRIDAY, MAR 22 LANDMARK THEATRES AQUARIUS THEATRE 430 EMERSON STREET (650) 327-3241 PALO ALTO

WWW.THEMADONES.US

WINNER BEST PICTURE

HHHHH HIGHEST RATING

-Joshua Rothkopf, TIME OUT NEW YORK

SAN PAULO FILM FESTIVAL

Gael GarcĂa Bernal A film by Pablo LarraĂn

NOW PLAYING

CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES OR CALL FOR SHOWTIMES

VIEW THE TRAILER AT WWW.NOTHEMOVIE.COM

Sports Shorts

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

A family affair for Tinkle

OF LOCAL NOTE . . . Palo Alto High graduate Allison Whitson, a member of the UC Davis women’s volleyball team, was named one of her school’s two Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year. She received her honor last week in Anaheim. Whitson was among the male and female representatives from the other nine Big West schools who were recognized for outstanding academic and athletic achievements during the 2012, calendar year. Whitson, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter who completed her senior season this past fall, earned All-Big West first team accolades three times as an Aggie and is ranked among the top five all-time UC Davis players in four career categories. Whitson is majoring in managerial economics, is ranked in the top 15 percent of her class and plans to pursue an MBA after playing professional volleyball in Europe. Besides the Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year, UC Davis was well-represented on the Big West’s Scholar-Athlete roll. A total of 121 student-athletes, representing all the conference sports, were named to the list for outstanding academic achievement . . . Another UC Davis senior, Kevin Meisel of Atherton and a Sacred Heart Prep grad, was a recipient of Western Water Polo Association’s Men’s All-Academic honors for the past fall season.

ON THE AIR Friday College baseball: Utah at Stanford, 7 p.m.; KZSU (90.1 FM)

Saturday Men’s basketball: Stanford at Alabama, 9 a.m.; ESPN; KNBR (1050 AM) College baseball: Utah at Stanford, 2 p.m.; KZSU (90.1 FM)

Sunday