Palo Alto Weekly October 9, 2015 by Palo Alto Weekly

Palo Alto

Vol. XXXVII, Number 1

October 9, 2015

District rebukes Paly teacher Page 7

w w w. P a l o A l t o O n l i n e.c o m

Palo Alto or bust?

Millennials: City needs to build more housing Page 5 Pulse 21 Spectrum 24 Eating Out 33 Tidbits 34 Movies 36 Puzzles 70 Q Arts Anna Deavere Smith tells Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories at Stanford Page 26 Q Home Nine tips on how to turn a living room Zen

Page 40

Q Sports Stanford football gets a bye after four straight wins Page 72

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Upfront

Local news, information and analysis

Residents call for more housing in Palo Alto City Council urged to expand housing options during hearing on Comprehensive Plan

will probably have to leave, too. “I guess maybe I mistakenly thought it would be a goal to live in my hometown,” Brackenbury said during a Monday night hearing on the city’s long-term goals for land use. “That’s just not possible, and I’ve come to accept that.” Ten of his friends, all Paly graduates, struggle with the same dilemma, Brackenbury told the council.

by Gennady Sheyner

ndrew Brackenbury graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1995. He works in high-technology marketing in Palo Alto and makes what he calls a “decent salary.” But merely “decent” won’t get you a house in Palo Alto any-

more. So, like many in his cohort, Brackenbury faced a tough choice: live with his parents or move elsewhere. He chose the former, though it’s a temporary solution. His parents, he said Monday, will probably move in a not-too-distant future, and he

“All of us went to great colleges, great grad schools, and not one of us can live in the city,” Brackenbury said. Jane Huang, who graduated from Gunn High School in 2005, was one of about 20 speakers Monday who expressed similar concerns. She currently shares housing in Barron Park with three other former Gunn students, but she knows plenty of other alums who are “living at

home with parents and finding it very difficult to establish themselves as independent adults.” “I think our right to live here is as good as anyone else’s,” Huang told the council Monday. “A lot of us work in tech, and we can’t really leave because this is where the tech is.” The theme of inadequate housing dominated the public (continued on page 17)

EDUCATION

Committee: Elementary enrollment in Palo Alto is stable, not growing Committee presents draft proposals to school board, community by Elena Kadvany

Veronica Weber

Former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner, left, heads to a preliminary hearing at the Palo Alto Courthouse on Oct. 5. The next day, a judge ordered him to stand trial on sexual-assault charges.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Former Stanford student to stand trial on sex-assault charges Brock Turner faces three felony counts related to alleged assault by Sue Dremann and Elena Kadvany

ormer Stanford University all-star swimmer Brock Turner will stand trial for three felony counts related to an alleged sexual assault that took place on the Stanford University campus in January, a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge ruled at a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Judge Aaron Persky said

there is adequate evidence to hold Turner for trial in the alleged assault of “Emily Doe,” which occurred Jan. 18 following a party at the Kappa Alpha (KA) fraternity. (The Weekly has changed the name of the woman to protect her privacy.) Turner will face three counts: assault with the intent to commit rape, sexual penetration of an intoxicated person and

sexual penetration of an unconscious person. Turner pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a speedy trial. Prosecutors dropped two more serious charges: rape of an intoxicated person and rape of an unconscious person. Turner was arrested early in the morning of Jan. 18 after two (continued on page 18)

he chair of a Palo Alto school district subcommittee told the school board Monday night that enrollment in the city’s public elementary schools, contrary to long-held perception, is not growing. This is a marked shift for a community that for years has eyed the opening of a 13th elementary school as a necessary next step, albeit one that hasn’t happened despite a previous committee’s recommendation. “We’re no longer the district that always grows,” said Todd Collins, a district parent and member of the superintendent’s Enrollment Management Advisory Committee. “Continuous growth is not the mantra or the framework for thinking about enrollment in Palo Alto. It’s really, at least for the time being, flat or declining growth.” Collins presented the work that the elementary subcommittee has completed during the past few months, including a look at the district’s historical enrollment dips and rises, research on ideal school size, a survey of district parents, the most pressing enrollment-related issues in the district and the top three factors that drive enrollment growth in Palo Alto (birth count, housing developments and the economy). The overall enrollment-management committee convened in April to evaluate Palo Alto’s enrollment and come up with creative recommendations for how to manage it, both in the short

and long terms. Monday’s study session was an update to the board and community on the elementary subcommittee’s work and draft proposals. The proposals are not final and the board took no action on Monday night. The subcommittee has sought to answer many challenging questions, from “How many elementary students should the district expect in the coming years?” to “What is the ideal school size?” and “Do we need a new elementary school now?” Preliminarily, the subcommittee — with two members who disagree — is not recommending that the district open a new elementary school. Collins pointed to the fact that K-5 enrollment in Palo Alto has been down for the past three years, mainly because of a new state law requiring that children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 instead of Dec. 2, meaning for the past three years, instead of enrolling 12 months’ worth of kindergarteners, the district enrolled 11 months’ worth. Kindergarten enrollment was lower this year than in every year since 2010, according to the subcommittee. And though overall district growth has been consistent during the past 25 years — the district has grown every year except one since 1989 — Collins cautioned that there have (continued on page 20)

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Choice has a cost. Todd Collins, a Palo Alto parent and Enrollment Management Advisory Committee member, on the school district’s specialized “choice” programs. See story on page 5.

Around Town

OF OWLS AND MEN ... From a sleek 14-foot-tall water sculpture recently installed on California Avenue to a parliament of shiny owls guarding the new Mitchell Park Library and Community Center, Palo Alto has plenty of examples of public art that pleases, intrigues and at times enrages the local populace. With the city’s recent adoption of a “percent for public art” program for all major private developments, the array of artwork is set to greatly expand in the coming years. In the meantime, officials and consultants are working on a new master plan that would establish what types of art the city should encourage, and where this art should be placed. On Monday, the City Council weighed in on the effort, with members expressing enthusiasm and offering some suggestions. Councilman Pat Burt said the city should look for ways to honor Palo Alto’s rich history through art. Councilman Marc Berman said that, in addition to making people stop, think and enjoy areas that they hadn’t enjoyed before, public art can have the more practical purpose of making “something that can be a little bit ugly a little less so.” He pointed to the affordable-housing project on Alma and Homer streets, which has been criticized for its “fortresslike” facade. Berman said he and many other folks would support a “mural-type project that could turn something that is big blank walls into something that can be aesthetically appealing.” Councilman Greg Scharff observed that certain cities have iconic art pieces that visitors go to see. “I’m not sure that happens in Palo Alto,” Scharff said. “I think the owls near the Mitchell Park Library — they can easily achieve that status. They’re wonderful. The rusting metal sculptures around town — not so much.” ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? ... What can you do with $25? The City of Palo Alto is giving residents a chance to help its planning team determine how the city should prioritize improvements and investments in its parks, facilities and recreation program during the next 20 years. The Community Prioritization Challenge gives participants $25 — of virtual funding — that can be allocated across seven areas of focus, including increasing the variety of things to do in existing

parks, improving spaces and options for off-leash dogs, and integrating nature into Palo Alto parks. The challenge provides analysis and review of the parks and recreation system for the preparation of the city’s master plan, which guides the city “regarding future renovations and capital improvement needs for parks, trails, open space and recreation facilities,” according to the City of Palo Alto website. Take the challenge at paloaltoparksplan.org. BYE BYE MONKEY, HELLO A9 ... Software company SurveyMonkey announced its plans to leave downtown Palo Alto to open a bigger headquarters in San Mateo in August. The move isn’t happening until 2016, but the property, at 101 Lytton St., has already secured a tenant. Amazon’s A9 division, which already occupies a couple of places in downtown Palo Alto, has signed a lease at the roughly 50,000-square-foot building, according to the Silicon Valley Business Journal. The search and ad-tech company, an independent subsidiary of Amazon, is headquartered at 130 Lytton St. as well as at 265 Lytton. The company will also be moving into 611 Cowper St., which is under construction. According to the Business Journal, the lease is for nearly $10 per square foot. TRACK SAFETY ... A dramatic increase in the number of vehicles hit by Caltrain commuter trains this year has transit police working to increase enforcement efforts, Caltrain spokeswoman Tasha Bartholomew said Thursday. Caltrain trains have hit six vehicles since Aug. 1, most recently on Wednesday night near Bayswater Avenue in Burlingame. On Sept. 13, a train struck an unoccupied car at the East Meadow Drive crossing in Palo Alto. According to Caltrain, the accident happened after the driver made a turn on to the tracks while following a GPS. In a Feburary incident, a woman died on Ravenswood Avenue in Menlo Park when her car was struck, the only driver killed this year, according to Bartholomew. Caltrain officials are not sure why there’s been such an increase, but police are taking action to prevent future crashes, she said. Bartholomew said agency officials are talking about bringing rail safety education back to local driving schools. Q

Upfront

A question of boundaries Convoluted sexual-harassment case against Paly teacher lingers on, more than a year later by Elena Kadvany zano Smith, would within weeks arrive at the opposite conclusion from Graff and issue Sharp a stinging disciplinary letter. The district’s “Notice of Unprofessional Conduct,” dated July 21 and signed by Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Scott Bowers, stated that it was more likely than not that Sharp engaged in “grooming” activities with the student that “facilitated the consummation of a sexual relationship soon after graduation.” “The evidence leads us to conclude,” the two-page notice said, “that the allegations have greater credibility than your denial.” “You have failed to meet your obligations to provide students with a safe educational environment and have exploited your position of power to establish the basis for a sexual/romantic relationship with a former student. Moreover, your behavior may have created a hostile environment for this and other students, negatively impacting students and may constitute a violation of the District’s prohibition of sexual harassment.” The letter went on to direct Sharp to cease the conduct and comply with five “directives,” including behaving professionally, maintaining a professional distance when interacting with students, not meeting female students off campus, limiting meetings with female students on campus to visible settings and not engaging in inappropriate relationships with students and/or former students. “Should you fail to comply fully with the directives detailed above, the District may take other disciplinary actions against you, up to and including dismissal,” the letter said. Sharp, who was listed in district

records last year as an 80 percent time teacher, did not return to the classroom with the start of school in August, and sources say he is currently on a paid leave of absence. Superintendent Max McGee confirmed Sharp is still on the district payroll but declined to characterize the current status of his employment. The confusion created by the conflicting conclusions reached by the district’s two law firms is but one of many twists and turns of a case that included a police investigation, two uncoordinated district inquiries and internal disagreements about how the matter should be handled. A three-month investigation by the Palo Alto Weekly also has revealed basic internal misunderstandings of the district’s legal obligations, district policies and appropriate standards of proof. It has also raised questions as to the actions and impartiality of Graff and the Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost law firm, which, according to the district, was paid approximately $50,000 for an investigation whose key conclusions the district appeared to reject in its statement of findings in the disciplinary letter. Graff and his firm have been at the forefront of the district’s controversial dealings with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, including two Title IX OCR investigations that remain open, one at Paly that OCR initiated in the wake of student-publication Verde Magazine’s 2013 series on a “rape culture” and one at Gunn in response to a parent complaint about the school’s handling of a sexual harassment case there. Graff was also the attorney who worked most closely with the

school board in June and July 2014, to research and prepare a letter, resolution and supporting documents that strongly criticized Office for Civil Rights investigative practices. The Weekly obtained copies of documents relating to the Sharp matter through a series of Public Records Act requests of the school district beginning on June 19, after being contacted by the former boyfriend of the student. Before the district provided the primary documents, including the Graff report and investigative notes of Bowers, it gave Sharp and the student time to seek a court order blocking their release. Neither took such action. According to Walsh, however, Sharp had no idea at the time that a Notice of Unprofessional Conduct was in the offing.

Shawn Fender

une 11 was a day of relief and closure for Palo Alto High School English teacher Kevin Sharp. Or so he thought. Almost nine months since being accused of having an improper relationship with an 18-yearold former student by the girl’s parents and later by her former boyfriend, Sharp met with thenAssociate Superintendent Charles Young, school district attorney Chad Graff of the firm Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost and a union representative to hear the results of a three-month long investigation conducted by Graff on behalf of the district. In a four-page summary of the probe, the law firm said it was “unable to conclude by preponderance of the evidence that any sexual harassment occurred at any point in question.” And, the summary concluded, “We found the District complied with its responsibilities concerning the allegations.” To Sharp, a teacher in his mid40s who has taught at Paly since 2004, it was a complete exoneration, according to his attorney, Jim Walsh. (Sharp declined to be interviewed for this story.) “Mr. Sharp, a well-respected and experienced teacher at Palo Alto High School, has been the victim of false rumors and accusations. Baseless accusations of a former student’s ex-boyfriend led to an unnecessary investigation, which then exonerated Mr. Sharp,” Walsh wrote in an email to the Weekly on Sept. 9. Walsh added in an email this week that Sharp was told on Jun 11 by both Graff and Young that it was then a closed matter. But what Sharp couldn’t have known that day was that the district’s other primary law firm, Lo-

Kevin Sharp

he allegations against Sharp were first brought to the district’s attention on Sept. 22, 2014, by the parents of “Lauren” (the student’s name was changed to protect her privacy), who turned 18 during her senior year. They informed Paly Assistant Principal Kathie Laurence that Lauren had told them of her consensual sexual relationship with Sharp, which had commenced a week after her graduation, according to documents provided by the district. The parents later told Graff that Lauren said she disclosed the relationship to them because her former boyfriend, “Sean” (the student’s name was changed to protect his privacy), with whom they were still friendly, had “threatened to tell them if she did not,” according to the Graff report. The parents said they wanted the matter addressed with as much sensitivity for their daughter as

Students at Palo Alto High School chat during lunch in this file photo.

Veronica Weber

possible while still trying to prevent future similar instances of teachers becoming involved with students, Bowers’ notes state. They also asked that Lauren not be contacted and that they be notified if it was necessary to interview her. In Lauren’s senior year, the parents said, Sharp had become her mentor. She had started spending time with him outside of school to “work on various things” before the school year ended, Bowers’ notes state. Through interviews with Sharp, Lauren, her parents and Lauren’s former boyfriend by Bowers and attorneys with Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost, a conflicting picture emerges of the relationship that eventually led to Sharp’s discipline. Sharp denied that a sexual relationship with Lauren had ever transpired. He said that Lauren had been in his classes twice and he had worked with her on her writing, as he does with other students. He also shared his own writings with her, according to Bowers’ notes from an Oct. 13 meeting of Sharp, Paly Principal Kim Diorio, Bowers and a representative from the California Teachers Association. Sharp said he and Lauren had met a few times over the summer and had socialized in public — meeting for meals and coffee, he said — but there was “no inappropriate relationship,” and contact between them had since ended. To Graff, whose investigation was conducted earlier this year, Sharp recalled Lauren as “outgoing” and as having a “lively personality,” according to Graff’s 13page report, which was released by the district to the Weekly. Sharp recalled the subject matter she was interested in in his classes and what she excelled in but said he did not remember specifics about her work, the report notes. Her parents and one other student also recalled that Sharp gave Lauren feedback that they described as “distinctively glowing,” according to the report. (continued on page 10)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 7

Upfront HEALTH

Stanford Children’s Health begins to offer transgender care Multidisciplinary clinic to open in Santa Clara County in eight to 12 months

tanford Children’s Health has begun to offer medical and other services to transgender children and adolescents, with an eye toward opening a more comprehensive multidisciplinary clinic within the next year to support what health providers say is a growing population. Stanford began offering hormonal treatments to transgender children and adolescents for the first time about six months ago, filling a void in the Peninsula. Families in the area seeking this care typically go to the Child and Adolescent Gender Center at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), which offers comprehensive medical and psychological care, as well as advocacy and legal support, to transgender and gender nonconforming

by Elena Kadvany youth and adolescents. Families who previously approached Stanford for care would typically be referred to the UCSF center, said Tandy Aye, a Stanford pediatric endocrinologist who started treating transgender children and adolescents about six months ago. She said she saw an “increasing need” and felt compelled to support local families. Aye is currently seeing nine patients and receives several referrals per month. One family drove from as far away as six and a half hours because they couldn’t access the services they needed where they live; another lives in Palo Alto, Aye said. Her patients are as young as 4.5 years old and as old as 15 years old. “We’re assessing the need, but it seems like the need is there and

growing,” Aye said. In addition to providing medical services, Aye is also working with mental health providers and social workers to guide and advise families throughout their personal processes, which vary greatly from family to family and also with the age of the child. A younger child who has yet to enter puberty might be a candidate for puberty blockers, a set of medications that are prescribed by an endocrinologist to suppress or inhibit the production of sex hormones. A teenager who has already gone through puberty, however, might opt for cross-sex hormone treatment, which can induce the physical and psychological characteristics of the sex that matches the patient’s gender identity. Patients must be evaluated by a

mental health professional before receiving these treatments. Though controversial, recognizing a child’s gender dysphoria early — before puberty — and opting for puberty blockers can change the course of his or her transition drastically. The treatment is fully reversible, but can give “young people time to achieve greater self-awareness of their gender identification,” according to the UCSF center’s website. “People are noticing, also, that if these children get the treatment they need even from an earlier age and not wait so long, the depression and suicide and other comorbidities ... are improved,” Aye said. “Kids are happier.” Teenagers with persistent gender dysphoria experience a high rate of psychiatric conditions, including depression, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, according to UCSF. Transitioning during puberty can also mean “less corrective surgery down the road,” Aye said. A patient of any age might be in the process of deciding whether or not to socially transition at school, a decision that Aye and other professionals also work to support. “That’s all, to me, part of the treatment,” she said.

This approach is a preview of what’s to come at Stanford within the next year: a multidisciplinary clinic that would bring all of the subspecialties transgender children and adolescents need to access — pediatric endocrinology, adolescent medicine, psychiatry, psychology, social work, OBGYN and urology — under one roof. This increases access for both patients and their providers, who can then more easily collaborate with each other, Aye said. Stanford Children’s Health plans to open this clinic somewhere in Santa Clara County in the next eight to 12 months. Aye, along with Stanford child and adolescent psychiatrist David Hong, is also in the midst of a pilot study that will follow children with and without gender dysphoria for two to three years as they go through puberty. The study aims to examine the physiological effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, an area Aye said has not been studied before in the United States. They are currently accepting study participants. Q Staff Writer Elena Kadvany can be emailed at ekadvany@ paweekly.com.

Palo Alto seeks greater voice in regional transportation projects City Council to devote Oct. 13 meeting to high-speed rail, Caltrain and VTA tax by Gennady Sheyner

alo Alto takes great pride in being a worldwide leader in technology and conservation, but when it comes to transportation improvements the city has always relied on the kindness — or mercy — of strangers. The rule is particularly true today, with Caltrain preparing to go electric, with the California High-Speed Rail Authority shifting its focus back to the Bay Area and with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) approaching a decision on Bus Rapid Transit, which would dedicate two lanes on El Camino Real exclusively to buses between Palo Alto and San Jose. In all three cases, the project pursued by outside agencies would have a profound, if not transformational impact, on Palo Alto. Yet in each case, the city has struggled to find a voice in the decision-making process and has found plenty of reasons for concern, if not alarm. On Tuesday night, in a special meeting devoted to transportation, the City Council will consider the rapidly changing transit landscape and mull its options for influencing these projects. Over the course of the discussion, the council is scheduled to re-evaluate its heretofore

adversarial stance toward highspeed rail; discuss the prospect of building a trench for Caltrain; and consider — for the first time — the prospect of a local tax measure for transportation improvements. Councilman Greg Scharff, who suggested exploring a local tax measure, told the Weekly that the main reason why he thinks the city should consider the tax is to make sure the city has funding for local transportation projects. The proposed VTA measure has been causing some consternation among local officials and residents, with many pointing to a recent analysis by the office of county Supervisor Joe Simitian, showing that about 80 percent of the funds from the last two countywide measures were absorbed by the BART-to-San Jose project. Scharff said the city has several options if it wants to pursue a local measure. It could go for a 1/4 cent tax that would supplement the countywide effort. It could also pursue a 1/2 cent tax, which could pre-empt and potentially derail the VTA proposal for November 2016. Scharff said he would favor the former approach. “You’d hate to mess up a

Correction

The Oct. 2 article, “Senior Focus,” incorrectly identified the brain-fitness company. It is Lumosity. The Weekly regrets the error. To request a correction, contact Editor Jocelyn Dong at 650-223-6514, jdong@paweekly. com or P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302.

Page 8 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

countywide transportation measure for things that need to be done,” Scharff told the Weekly. “However, if all the money is going to BART, that would be unacceptable to us.” Another local alternative that Palo Alto can pursue is a business-license tax, which most cities in California have but which Palo Alto does not. In 2009, the city tried to impose such a tax based on gross receipts before voters rejected the proposal. Burt has suggested on several occasions in recent months that the city needs to once again consider a businesslicense tax, though this time specify that the revenue would be used exclusively for funding transportation programs. During last month’s discussion of the proposed VTA measure, council members stressed the importance of making sure that a good share of funds is allocated to the northern part of the county. Council members have also repeatedly called for some of the funds from the measure to be used for grade separation (an under- or overpass) on the Caltrain tracks. According to an engineering analysis that the city commissioned last year, digging a trench for Caltrain in the southern half of the city would cost between $500 million and $1 billion, depending on the elevation. Despite the steep price tag, council members have been adamant about the need to pursue grade

Courtesy California High-Speed Rail Authority

TRANSPORTATION

Palo Alto officials favor separating the train tracks from roadways, especially given plans to add high-speed rail trains. In this image, high-speed rail trains and Southern California MetroLink trains are depicted along the same rail line. separation by digging a trench for Caltrain. Tom DuBois called grade separation “an opportunity to improve Palo Alto in a way that no other option really offers.” Councilman Pat Burt argued at the Sept. 15 discussion of the VTA measure that grade separation is not an expensive perk so much as a lifeline. “On the horizon, we don’t have a choice or a preference for grade separation,” Burt said. “It’s a necessity. And if we don’t have it, we’re going to choke off the cities that are the crown jewels of the valley and destroy not only our communities but our economies. ” So far, the city has not taken an official position on the VTA tax measure, which is yet to be finalized. The council has, however, been critical of the process used by the VTA to come up with a list of projects that would be funded through the measure. The agency had asked all of the cities in the county to submit a list of projects they want to see funded. It plans to narrow down that list in the coming months, before making a decision on the ballot measure. The Tuesday discussion will also offer the City Council its first

chance in nearly four years to reconsider the city’s opposition to the high-speed rail project and the “no confidence” position that the council adopted toward the controversial project in 2011. The discussion will come at a time when the High Speed Rail Authority is preparing to move ahead with an environmental analysis for the Peninsula segment of the San Francisco-to-Los Angeles line. The council’s hearing on highspeed rail could signal another change of direction for the city on a project that has received significant scrutiny and opposition in the Midpeninsula. While the council encouraged voters in 2008 to support Proposition 1A, which approved $9.95 billion for the San Francisco-to-Los Angeles rail line, local opinions about the project shifted the following year. Council members and residents specifically objected to the rail authority’s proposed four-track design, which would have high-speed rail occupy the two inner tracks on the corridor and Caltrain run on the two outer tracks. They also blasted (continued on page 14)

See if your favorite auto shop is a 2015

CLEAN BAY BUSINESS More than 90 percent of vehicle service facilities in our communities are making special efforts to protect local creeks and San Francisco Bay. Their routine shop practices keep pollutants away from both storm drains and the sewer system. EAST PALO ALTO A-1 Auto Service Cavallino Collision Repair CSI Chevron East Palo Alto Shell Infinity Auto Salvage Parking Company of America(PCA) Touchatt Trucking

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Look for the green emblem in East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Stanford

Driven Auto Care, Inc. Edge Motorworks, Inc. El Monte 76 Service #253686 Enterprise Rent-A-Car Euro Auto Center Euro Quattro Expert Auto Care Family Thrifty Car Wash (Bay Street) Family Thrifty Car Wash (El Camino) Felix’s Auto Service, Inc. Fortes Bros. Tow Yard Garage One Subaru Workshop Grant Road Gas & Auto Care, LLC Griffin’s Auto Repair GTS Auto Center, Inc. Helming’s Auto Repair Herlinger Corvette Repair Hertz Rent-A-Car Local Edition Heyer Performance Ignightus Enterprises, Inc. Independence Auto Body Independence Car Service Israel’s Tire & Alignment J & M Motorsports Jiffy Lube #2342 Joe’s Foreign Car King’s Body Shop KML Machining Larry’s AutoWorks, Inc. Lou’s Automotive Lozano Car Wash, Inc. Magnussen Toyota of Mountain View Mark Merrill Mercedes Doctor Mercedes Service of Mountain View Mercedes Werkstatt Metropolitan Van & Storage, Inc. Midas Miramonte Shell #141 Modderman Service, Inc. Moffett Valero Mountain View Alliance Mountain View Arco #07020 Mountain View Auto Repair, Inc. Mountain View Collision Center Mountain View Flyers Mountain View Radiator Mountain View Shell #143 Mountain View Smog Check Mountain View Valero #7542 MPG Auto Service MV/Whisman School District O’Grady Paving, Inc. Pacific Smog Tech Pan American Collision Center Parker Automotive

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Heinichen’s Garage Hengehold Truck Rental Hertz (San Antonio) Jiffy Lube #1283 (Middlefield) Jiffy Lube #1297 (El Camino) Jim Davis Automotive/Valero KMAS, Inc Magnussen’s Toyota of Palo Alto Mathews-Carlsen Body Works Mechanica Automotive Meissner Automotive Nine Minute Oil & Lube Oil Changers Palo Alto Airport Palo Alto BMW Palo Alto Fire Station #1 Palo Alto Fire Station #2 Palo Alto Fire Station #3 Palo Alto Fire Station #4 Palo Alto Fire Station #5 Palo Alto Fuel Service Palo Alto German Car Corporation Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club Palo Alto Municipal Service Center Palo Alto Shell Palo Alto Speedometer Service Palo Alto Unified School District Palo Alto Unocal Service Park Automotive Service Park Avenue Motors Rossi Aircraft, Inc. Say Ray Auto Service Sherman’s Auto Service Smog Pros/Arco Stanford Auto Care StreetFX Customs Tesla Motor, Inc. The Car Doctor Valero USA (El Camino) Valero USA (San Antonio) Valley Crest/Palo Alto Golf Course Maintenance Yard Volvo of Palo Alto/McLaren West Valley Aircraft Services West Valley Flying Club

STANFORD

PALO ALTO Advantage Aviation Akins Body Shop (Park Blvd.) Akins Body Shop (El Camino) Anderson Honda Arco (San Antonio) Art’s Bodycraft Audi Palo Alto Auto Pride Car Wash Avis/Budget Rent-A-Car Barron Park Shell Service Brad Lozares Golf Shop Chevron USA (El Camino) CMK Automotive D & M Motors Dave’s Auto Repair E-Car Garage Elite Auto Performance Embarcadero Shell Enterprise Rent-A-Car (San Antonio) European Asian Auto Center 4Less Smog Check Fimbres’ Brothers

Campus Service/Valero Facility Operations Fleet Garage Peninsula Sanitation Services Stanford Golf Course Maintenance Facility

The Regional Water Quality Control Plant is operated by the City of Palo Alto for the East Palo Alto Sanitary District, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Stanford

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 9

Upfront SURVEILLANCE

New cameras to count Palo Alto bikers, pedestrians City to install 45 low-resolution cameras on prominent school corridors

ozens of cameras will be installed on utility poles throughout Palo Alto as part of the city’s latest attempt to gauge the comings and goings of local bicyclists and pedestrians. The City Council approved on Monday night a contract with the firm VIMOC Technologies to install 45 low-resolution cameras, which will count bicyclists and pedestrians. Once the video is taken and the data is collected, the footage will be deleted, according to a report from the Department of Planning and Community Environment. In addition, the company will be installing 100 additional sensors in downtown to count the turnover in parked cars. The council unanimously supported the $100,000 contract with VIMOC, despite some initial concerns about privacy from Councilman Cory Wolbach. As part of the approval, City Manager James Keene said staff will add “explicit language” to the contract that will result in a “full privacy policy to ensure both the

nature of recordings and how they’re transmitted and how long they’re kept are spelled out in the contract.” Keene also assured the council Monday that the videos will not violate the privacy of the individuals along the routes where the cameras will be installed. “The imaging technologies that we have through this contract will be incapable of identifying individuals, and record keeping is very limited,” Keene said. According to the city’s report, the cameras will be mounted on streetlights and traffic poles throughout the city, with particular attention to school sites. Several cameras will go up on Arastradero Road, near Gunn High and Terman Middle schools. Cameras will also be installed around Palo Alto High School; Jordan and JLS middle schools; and Duveneck, El Carmelo, Escondido and Palo Verde elementary schools. The report makes no mention of the lifespan of the surveillance work. According to the city, 80 per-

Sharp

actions that took on greater meaning in hindsight, according to the Graff report. According to Lauren’s parents, their daughter and Sharp had “colluded in keeping [the alleged relationship] a secret,” Bowers’ notes state. What was concerning to the parents was that “they were told that there have been other instances in previous years. Don’t want it to happen again,” state Bowers’ notes, which also included a Sept. 26 meeting of the parents with Diorio and Bowers.

(continued from page 7)

Sharp did remember helping Lauren carry bagels from her car to a lunch-time club meeting on multiple occasions but said he had no memory of personally emailing her while she was a student or spending time alone with her in either his classroom or off campus, according to Graff’s report. For her part, Lauren was insistent that nothing ever occurred while she was a student to make her feel “threatened, objectified or unsafe,” and she stated unequivocally that “at no time did Sharp act inappropriately toward her while she was a student,” the report said. Lauren would neither “admit nor deny” that she and Sharp had a sexual relationship after graduation and also “strongly and repeatedly objected to this line of questioning as beyond the District’s interest and an invasion of her personal privacy,” Graff’s report stated. A friend of Lauren told the lawyers that she saw Lauren and Sharp get coffee together, Sharp touch her arm lightly during an interaction at school, heard Lauren “inquiring as a friend about a potential relationship with an older person near the end of senior year” and saw her reviewing guidelines on sexual harassment “that seemed to be in the context of reviewing when such a relationship may be permissible” — all

‘We believe that the evidence leads us to conclude that the allegations have greater credibility than your denial.’ — Scott Bowers, associate superintendent for human resources, Palo Alto Unified School District In her interview with Graff, Lauren expressed frustration at her parents’ and former boyfriend’s involvement, especially at the former boyfriend’s and other students’ roles in allegedly spreading rumors about the relationship, the report notes. She asked the lawyers to “consider the source of the rumor-making and the allegations.”

Page 10 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Veronica Webe

by Gennady Sheyner

Charles Gaters guides people as they cross El Camino Real at Maybell Avenue on May 13. Surveillance cameras will be added near Palo Alto schools to count bicyclists and pedestrians. cent of the $100,000 cost for the new cameras will come from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority as part of the county’s Safe Routes to School program. The car sensors, meanwhile, will focus on downtown Palo Alto. The installation will be the latest phase of a pilot program that the city launched last year with VIMOC on Hamilton Avenue. They will track parking occupancy and parking turn-

over and provide the city with information that “can be used to inform the creation of parkingmanagement policies,” according to the staff report. The parking counters consist of in-ground sensors that detect parking occupancy and send information to computing nodes that are mounted on poles within 100 meters of the sensor. The car sensors will be installed at no cost to the city, according to the report. Q

Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

part because Lauren was over 18 at all times of the alleged relationship, according to police spokesman Lt. Zach Perron. Even before Bowers contacted Sharp for the personnel investigation, Sharp emailed Diorio — on Sept. 26, 2014, the same day Lauren’s parents met with Diorio and Bowers. He wrote that he “heard a story about” himself that she had also heard from a parent, according to emails released to the Weekly by the district. “The only problem is that, like a game of telephone, it’s not accurate,” Sharp wrote, asking to talk further with Diorio in person. Sharp expected he would meet with Diorio alone, but Diorio set up a meeting that included Bowers. According to an Oct. 7, 2014, email to Diorio, Sharp indicated his discomfort at Bowers’ inclusion. He then asked a representative of the California Teachers Association to join him at the meeting. During this time, emails provided to the Weekly indicate, Diorio repeatedly asked for Sharp to be placed on paid administrative leave while Bowers’ investigation moved forward, but she was rebuffed by Bowers. “Still feeling like this teacher should be on paid leave, but I guess that’s Scott’s call,” she emailed McGee on Oct. 7. (Diorio declined to speak with the Weekly about Sharp or the investigation.)

Bowers, Diorio, Sharp and a representative from the California Teachers Association finally met on Oct. 13, 2014. Sharp denied acting inappropriately. “Kevin feels he is extending himself to treat kids as people,” Bowers wrote in his notes from the meeting. “Would never have extended himself for students as he did with (Lauren) if the to (sic) help was going to be misconstrued.” A month later, in November, Diorio reached out to Bowers for an update. “Can we touch base quickly during the principals meeting tomorrow?” Diorio emailed Bowers on Nov. 3. “Do you have an update on KS?” She also alluded to concerns of Shirley Tokheim, the English department Instructional Supervisor and Sharp’s immediate supervisor. On Dec. 12, Diorio emailed Bowers to report on a call from a parent expressing concern about an unspecified “inappropriate movie” Sharp allegedly showed in class. She also asked Bowers if he had talked to Sharp and “put something in his file.” Bowers response later that day suggested that the personnel investigation was closed. The “district is not in a position to put anything in his file. We only have hearsay to go on. Sharp denied it and the former student will not talk with us,” Bowers said in his email. Lauren told the Weekly, however, that she became aware of

nder the law and district policies called Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) (see sidebar), the parents’ complaint should have been handled within a detailed investigative framework that requires an impartial investigation, written findings of fact and conclusions that must be completed in 60 days and shared with the complainant (in this case Lauren’s parents). If the investigation finds a need for it, trainings of staff and/or students can also be required. UCP policies also require that complaints be logged in a public file (without identifying details). These procedures were not followed in this case when the parents made their complaint, according to McGee, because the parents asked that Lauren not be contacted. State and federal law and district policies, however, do not contain such an exception even in cases where a complainant prefers there not be an investigation because policies are intended not simply to protect victims but also to ascertain if others might have been harmed or if a hostile environment was created, and if trainings may be necessary. Instead, McGee said, the district treated the complaint as a personnel matter and had Bowers investigate. The district notified police, which conducted an investigation that was closed last month after finding no evidence of a crime, in

TALK ABOUT IT

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Upfront ship and urged the creation of a “publicly stated policy change regarding what sorts of interactions between students and teachers the district condones.” Sean’s email seemed to reignite Diorio’s concerns about having Sharp on campus. The same day, she emailed Bowers, McGee and Young to repeat her desire to put Sharp on administrative leave and “conduct a formal investigation by an outside party.” Two days later, on Feb. 25, according to legal billing records, Bowers and Young held a conference call with Fagen Friedman attorney Graff that appeared to set in motion another investigation of Sharp, this one apparently designed to meet the requirements of the district’s Uniform Complaint Procedures and of federal civil-rights law Title IX.

‘We do not have sufficient direct evidence to conclude that a sexual relationship occurred.’ — Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost Title IX report

Co u r tesy Fa Fulfro st

ne of the bigger mysteries in the school district’s reporting on the allegations against Sharp is the lack of any mention of the text messages between Lauren and Sean — messages that strongly suggest that Lauren had more than a mentormentee relationship with Sharp. The texts are striking because Sharp had denied to Bowers and, later, to Graff, that a romantic relationship had developed with Lauren. Sean gave Bowers copies of the screen shots on March 10, after meeting with Bowers and Young a week earlier, emails show. Bowers told the Weekly that he forwarded them on to Graff. Among the texts, which Sean provided to the Weekly and the Weekly authenticated by examining them on Sean’s cellphone and confirming that the other phone number was that of Lauren’s cellphone: In June 2014, just after Sean said he found out about the alleged relationship, he texted Lauren: “Normal 43 year old men do not want to pursue a relationship with an 18 year old woman.” Lauren wrote back: “It’s a weird situation and I’ve acknowledged it ... I’m being cautious and taking into full consideration all the possible negative consequences.” The next day, June 23, she

an &

As Graff and another Fagen Friedman attorney, Maria Asturias, geared up to conduct interviews and a full investigation, Bowers provided them with all of his notes as well as something that inexplicably was never referenced in Graff’s final report: screen shots of text messages between Lauren and Sean that Sean had saved on his cellphone.

wrote to Sean to tell him it was OK if he wanted to talk to someone about what was going on. “It’s Kevin’s own choice to f--his life over, and I just want you to feel better,” Lauren wrote. The next day, on June 24, she wrote that she was seeing Sharp that night. O t he r t ext s showed Sean and Lauren messaging each other about telling their parents about Lauren’s relationship with Sharp and their mutual feelings about it and concern for each other. The text messages were significant because they constituted the only physical evidence in an investigation that was otherwise made up entirely of conflicting statements of Sharp, Lauren, Lauren’s parents and Sean. Growing impatient with what he described as a “lack of momentum” in the case, on March 22 Sean took his story directly to McGee and all five school board members. He wrote that current Paly students had approached him to ask whether or not the rumors circulating were true “because they want to know if they should feel safe in his class.” He reiterated that friends with information — whose names he’d previously given to the district — had not been contacted. “Is the district really attempting to gather all the information it can?” he asked. Only the board’s newest members, Ken Dauber and Terry Godfrey, responded to Sean’s email, he said. Dauber also eventually met with him in person. “No student should feel any trepidation about stepping onto campus to take full advantage of the education available to her,” Godfrey wrote in an email the next morning. “I really appreciate that you’re willing to step up and speak out.” In addition to the text messages, another missing piece from the Graff report was any mention of an allegation against Sharp made to Paly administrators by a student in 2007. Evidence of any past instances of unlawful discrimination or other misconduct are among the factors that the district’s Uniform Complaint Procedures indicate may be considered in a subsequent matter. Bowers’ notes and documents from the 2007 matter, provided to the Weekly by the district, include a memo from then Dean of Students Jerry Berkson stating the student reported that Sharp had acted inappropriately with two other students. The student’s report raised sufficient concerns that the police were contacted. Included in the documents was a summary of a telephone conversation with Perron, the detective who investigated the case at the time,

gen F riedm

the investigation in October 2014 from friends and actively tried to give a statement. She recalls sending emails, she believes, to Diorio and McGee, at least once in October 2014 stating that Sharp “had done absolutely nothing wrong” and offering to talk further. She said she was “horrified at the district’s failure to look into my side of the story.” She eventually gave her version of events in April or May in a phone conversation with an attorney with the Fagen Friedman law firm. Bowers prepared no written summary report of his findings and conclusions, nor did Lauren’s parents receive a report on the outcome of their complaint, as required by the district’s Uniform Complaint Procedures policy (until finally presented with one on June 23 by Graff). (See sidebar outlining the requirements of the UCP.) In February, Bowers’ notes indicate he re-opened his investigation and interviewed three English teachers and two counselors between Feb. 10 and Feb. 25. He told the Weekly this was prompted by a former student’s reports of rumors and concerns about Sharp after winter break. Then, on Feb. 23, Diorio received a lengthy email about Sharp from Sean — also a 2014 Paly graduate and a current college student, like Lauren — an email that would change the course of the district’s handling of the case. Sean alerted Diorio to what he “perceive(d) as a severe failure of Paly’s administration” — namely, keeping Sharp in the classroom despite being aware of the sexual-harassment allegations made against him months before. Sean recounted the evolution of the relationship from his point of view, describing what he saw as Sharp’s efforts to “groom” Lauren beginning in January 2014 while Sean and Lauren were still dating. Grooming behavior is defined by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights as “a desensitization strategy common in adult educator sexual misconduct.” (See sidebar.) Sean expressed frustration that the adults in the situation, in his eyes, failed to take prompt and effective measures to address the allegations. “It seems to me that when a sexual/romantic relationship is alleged to have occurred just a week after a student’s graduation, it is very likely that that teacher was fostering an inappropriate relationship well beforehand with the intent for it to turn into something more,” he later told the Weekly. In his email to Diorio, Sean wrote that “from an outside perspective the district’s response to this distressing revelation seems more like an effort to keep things quiet than to create a healthy environment for students.” He asked if there are policies in place that prohibit a post-graduation student-teacher relation-

A 13-page Title IX investigative report into Palo Alto High School English teacher Kevin Sharp’s behavior found “a credible strong suspicion” Sharp had a romantic relationship with a former student but also stated the firm could not “reach a definitive conclusion.”

CityView A round-up

of Palo Alto government action this week

City Council (Oct. 5)

Comprehensive Plan: The council approved goals for the Community Services and Facilities chapter of the updated Comprehensive Plan and deferred discussion of the Land Use and Community Design chapter to a later date. Yes: Unanimous Parking: The council passed an ordinance that permanently eliminates several types of parking exemptions for downtown developments. Yes: Unanimous Trafficking: The council passed a resolution against human trafficking. The resolution calls for increased training for staff in identifying potential victims of human trafficking and commits the city to advocating for legislative anti-trafficking measures. Yes: Unanimous

Board of Education (Oct. 5)

Enrollment: The board held a special study session to discuss enrollment data, research and draft proposals from the Enrollment Management Advisory Committee’s elementary subcommittee. Action: None

Council Policy and Services Committee (Oct. 6)

Procedures: The committee approved proposed modifications to the council’s policies and procedures and agreed to refer to the council a discussion or additional bylaws pertaining to board and commissions. Yes: Burt, DuBois, Wolbach Absent: Berman

Utilities Advisory Commission (Oct. 7)

Solar: The commission approved a staff recommendation to continue the PV Partners program until the funding requirements from the Million Solar Roofs Bill were completed. Yes: Unanimous

LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com

(continued on page 13)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 11

Stay in the home you love

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Learn more at an informal “COFFEE CHAT” on 10/8 at 2pm, 10/15 at 2pm, and • Simplify your life 10/29 at 10am. Space is limited so RSVP today!

Special-education review launches

are leading the way in efforts to elevate

A longtime special-education advocate and Harvard University Graduate School of Education professor is visiting Palo Alto this week to kick off a review of the school district’s practices, programs and culture around students with disabilities. The school district has brought in Dr. Thomas Hehir, a professor of practice in learning differences, to evaluate its historically embattled special-education department. There are two new special-education coordinators serving beneath new Director Chiara Perry and a new hire dedicated solely to handling anything related to students’ 504 plans (which refer to Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which guarantees certain rights in public schools to students with disabilities and their parents). The special-education department was also recently under a verification review conducted by the California Department of Education (CDE), which found the district to be in full compliance in June. Chief Student Services Officer Holly Wade, who until this year served as the district’s director of special education, said the external review conducted by Hehir was prompted both internally — the change in leadership in the special-education department — and externally. Special-education advocacy group Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which is led by parents in the district, requested last year that the district assemble a task force to collect more parent input and better “understand outcomes associated with receiving services within special education,” Wade wrote in an email. Hehir and two researchers, Monica Ng and Kevin Mintz, will be visiting school sites, meeting principals, teachers and staff; conducting classroom observations; interviewing students and parents and reviewing student data to assess the quality of “educational opportunities for children with disabilities in Palo Alto,” Hehir told a group of more than 30 parents and some school staff at a meeting Tuesday night. He stressed that the scope of the review will reach beyond special education to assess the experiences of children with disabilities in the district. The Tuesday discussion was the first of several events that will be hosted to gather parent input for the review. There will also be a parent gathering on Thursday, Oct. 8, 8:30-9:45 a.m., at JLS Middle School, 480 E. Meadow Drive. In a later phase of the review, parents, students and staff will also have the opportunity to provide written input “to support a clear, balanced and intentional perspective of how we are supporting all students,” Wade wrote in an email to parents. The budget for the first phase of the review is $32,900, according to Wade. The budget for the second phase will be later determined. Q — Elena Kadvany

the promise of education for children,

Edgewood Plaza developer faces growing fine

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The Stanford Graduate School of Education is pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural

Alumni Excellence in Education Award: Jonathan Jansen PhD ’91 – SIDEC, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa, is an internationally recognized scholar and proponent of intellectual freedom. In 2010, Jansen initiated a process for racial integration and harmonization of his student community that was later recognized as a model in higher education.

Helen Kim ’92, MA ’93 – STEP, Vice Principal, Eastside College Preparatory School in East Palo Alto, California, has dedicated her life’s work to addressing issues of equity and social justice by advancing the futures of under-resourced students. A gifted educator and administrator, Kim co-founded Eastside in 1996 with eight freshmen. Now serving 330 students in grades 6-12, 98% of who will be the first in their families to attend college, the school attracts delegations from TFA, the KIPP charter network, and others across the country eager to observe how Eastside has beaten the odds.

Carla Pugh MD, PhD ’01 – CTE, Vice Chair, Education and Patient Safety, Clinical Director, University of Wisconsin Clinical Simulation Program, works to improve teaching methods for medical students and physicians by leveraging technology to change the way we learn hands-on skills. Pugh developed a simulator that is now used in 200 medical and nursing schools around the world and which has the potential to revolutionize the future of medical teaching.

Upfront

THIS AWARD PROGRAM was led by a group of dedicated Stanford GSE alumni and faculty who sought to honor the many ways in which GSE alumni are advancing the field of education as practitioners, leaders, and scholars. Dean Daniel Schwartz: “GSE alumni

families and nations. This award marks a critical step in our drive to highlight the transformative work of our alumni.” The award recipients will be formally recognized during Reunion Homecoming Weekend at the Alumni Awards Reception on Friday, October 23rd at the Center for Educational Research at Stanford.

To learn more about these education leaders: ed.stanford.edu/alumni To attend the awards reception: Susan Mastroianni at smastro@stanford.edu or(650) 725-3787

Page 12 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

The developer of Edgewood Plaza is now facing a fine of $1,000 per day for not replacing the vacant grocery store formerly occupied by Fresh Market, which departed on March 31. In August, the City Council added pressure on Sand Hill Property Co. to replace Fresh Market by the end of September by imposing a fine of $500 per day. That fine increased to $750 on Oct. 1 and $1,000 each day after Oct. 1 until the property is brought into compliance with an ordinance that requires the continued operation of a grocery store at the once-dilapidated Edgewood Plaza, located at 2080 Channing Ave. The grocery store is a key component of a “planned-community” zone change that the city granted to Sand Hill in 2012. The zone change allowed the developer to construct a development that, in addition to the grocery store, includes two commercial buildings and 10 homes. Residents have been calling for the city to take action against Sand Hill for the zoning violations. At an August council meeting, a group of residents and land-use watchdogs from the nearby neighborhoods of Crescent Park and Duveneck/St. Francis submitted a letter calling for the city to impose a financial penalty against Sand Hill, and to prevent the developer from selling the new homes at Edgewood until a new grocer is found. Three weeks after the City Council’s decision that Sand Hill would have to pay $500 per day if the vacant grocery space isn’t filled by Sept. 30, Sand Hill’s John Tze announced the news about Bay Area-based Andronico’s Community Markets’ interest in moving into Edgewood. If Andronico’s does enter into an agreement for the site, it would occupy a space only slightly smaller than the 25,000-square-foot store it operated at Stanford Shopping Center until 2011. The $1,000-per-day fine is the largest allowed under the city’s ordinance for zoning non-compliance. Q — Palo Alto Weekly staff

Upfront

Sharp

Responding to sexual harassment: What the law says

(continued from page 11)

dated March 18, 2007. The summary, whose author is not identified but Perron remembered as being either Berkson or Principal Scotty Laurence, describes Perron’s conclusions that while there was behavior that raised concerns, there was no evidence of a crime. According to the summary, police determined that at about 8 p.m. Sharp watched two movies with current and past humanities students. After midnight, according to the notes, Sharp went to a student’s house to watch a third movie and then “drove some students to a student’s house,” “went inside house with kids” and “left after 10 to 15 minutes.” A list of 11 items under a section entitled “Boundaries/Concerns” included “did not run it by supervisors,” “did not invite all of the students,” “appearance and perceptions of impropriety,” “giving the kids a ride home,” “has taken kids to a Buddhist temple in Mountain View to meditate” and “some of the kids smoked pot before the movies.” Palo Alto police eventually closed its investigation into the 2007 allegations, Perron told the Weekly, and Bowers said that no personnel action was taken with Sharp.

he Graff report’s conclusions, written up in early June, were far from clear. On the one hand it stated: “A credible strong suspicion that a sexual relationship may have occurred soon after graduation, and a credible strong suspicion there may have been behavior or interactions that desensitized the student while she was a student to the potential of a future sexual relationship, raise serious concerns that justify continued proactive and preventative work by the District in this area.” But in making its judgment on whether it was more likely than not that these things transpired (the “preponderance of evidence standard”), the report says: “...it is not possible for us to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the nature of (Sharp’s) relationship with (Lauren) after graduation. (Lauren’s) strong reactions to our questions concerning the relationship between them, and her lack of denial of a sexual relationship after graduation, coupled with Parents’ and (Sean’s) credible and concerned reports that (Lauren) admitted a sexual relationship to them, create strong suspicions that an apparently consensual relationship may have occurred after graduation. (Sharp’s) descriptions of their relationship seemed overly formal, and he denied even friendly interactions that were credibly observed by students and reported by Parents and students. (Lauren) however, would not confirm or deny that a sexual relationship ever happened, and (Sharp) denied that a romantic relationship ever formed. Accord-

Guidelines, rules provide framework for school investigations by Terri Lobdell Editor’s Note: Below is a summary of a longer article that has been posted, along with authoritative source material, on PaloAltoOnline.com.

Prohibited sexual harassment: Q Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in education, including sexual harassment of students by other students or by employees, and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Q OCR defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Q OCR states that sexual activity between a school employee and any student under 18 will be viewed as unwelcome and nonconsensual; for students over 18, there is a strong presumption that such activity is nonconsensual. Q Sexual harassment under Title IX may include employee conduct called “grooming,” a desensitization strategy common in adult educator sexual misconduct, which uses the teacher’s position of power to form the basis for a subsequent inappropriate relationship with a student.

The Palo Alto school district’s Board Policy 5145.7 prohibits sexual harassment of students at school, using OCR’s above definition, but it does not specifically address “grooming.” A proposed policy on this topic is scheduled to come before the board’s policy review committee later this year, which would prohibit grooming “regardless of the student’s age” and create a “strong presumption that such contact is unwelcome and nonconsensual even where a student is over 18.” Q

Required school investigative response to sexual harassment allegations: Title IX requirements Q Under Title IX, a school that knows, or reasonably should know, about possible harassment must promptly investigate to determine what occurred and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation, including acting to prevent recurrence and to address any hostile environment for all students affected, as appropriate (regardless of whether a harassed student, his or her parents or a third party bring the matter to the school’s attention and even if the harassed student or the parents do not want the school to investigate/take action). Q OCR requires that all schools adopt their own procedures for “prompt and equitable” resolution of sexual harassment allegations, consistent with minimum standards set by OCR, including “prompt, thorough and impartial” investigations overseen by a properly trained and knowledgeable district Title IX Coordinator; provision for immediate interim remedies, if needed, to protect the student and/or eliminate a hostile educational environment; specified timeframes for completing investigations (60 days is standard); use of the “preponderance of the evidence” standard (“more likely than not that harassment occurred”) for weighing evidence gathered; and written notice to parties regarding an investigation’s outcome.

Palo Alto’s Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) Q Palo Alto school district’s procedures for investigating and resolving allegations of sexual harassment (and other forms of discriminatory harassment based on disability, race, gender identity, etc.) are known as the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP), or BP/AR 1312.3.

ingly, we do not have sufficient direct evidence to conclude that a sexual relationship transpired.” “...we are left with a credible strong suspicion that behavior between (Sharp) and (Lauren) was more friendly than either admitted during interviews, but the pre-

ponderance of the evidence does not support a conclusion that any behavior rose to a level of sexual harassment of (Lauren) or unwelcome behavior during the time she was a student.” The Graff report also contained criticism of Paly principal Diorio,

Q Anyone who believes that s/he or another student or group has been subjected to sexual harassment initiates a UCP investigation by making a report or complaint to a school administrator or employee. An impartial investigation (overseen by the district’s compliance officer) must commence within five days (or 10 days if optional informal resolution is sought first), and must be completed, along with a report of findings/conclusions, within 60 days. Q “Factors in reaching a determination” may include: the details/ consistency of each person’s account; evidence of past misconduct by the accused; the ages of the allegedly harassed student(s) and the accused, and the relationship between them; and other harassment incidents at school. Q All reports/complaints regarding sexual harassment and the district’s response thereto must be documented and records maintained by the compliance officer (including the district’s “UCP log”). Q Staff members found to have engaged in sexual harassment towards students shall be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal.

Requirement of investigator impartiality: Q Impartiality is a cornerstone of Title IX investigations; per OCR, fair process leads to sound and supportable decisions. Q Because some complaints may raise issues as to whether or how well the school has met its Title IX obligations, designating the same employee to serve both as the Title IX Coordinator and general counsel (which could include representing the school in legal claims alleging Title IX violations) pose “a serious risk of conflict of interest,” per OCR. Q According to some legal experts, when a district hires its outside law firm (whose duties include advising/advocating for the district) to also conduct an impartial Title IX investigation — as occurred in the Kevin Sharp case — similar questions may arise about bias or appearance of bias in the investigation due to potentially conflicting or incompatible job responsibilities. Q Legal experts suggest that best practice in these matters features investigators who are independent and unbiased both in fact and appearance. According to Andrea Kelly Smethurst, a Bay Area attorney specializing in workplace investigations: “It is best to refrain from conducting investigations for advice-and-counsel clients because of the perceived bias.” Q Other lawyers with expertise in Title IX agree that it seems to create a conflict of interest to have a law firm that is representing a school in OCR administrative proceedings regarding Title IX compliance issues to also be the one to conduct a Title IX investigation at the same school. Senior Counsel for the National Women’s Law Center and Title IX expert Neena Chaudhry provided this rationale: “You want this process to be fair; these are serious allegations that are coming up here and in all places around the country. ... Schools have to do everything they can to have a very clear, transparent, fair, thorough process.” Q Legal experts agree, however, that under the California Rules of Professional Conduct (CRPC), ethical rules are not violated when a lawyer engages in different roles (including as an impartial investigator) for the same client; conflicts under the CRPC apply instead to situations in which a lawyer represents different parties with adverse interests. Wearing more than one hat for the same client is permitted under these rules, experts say, and is not an uncommon practice. Q In fulfilling duties of impartiality, legal experts agree that the investigator’s report needs to be objective and discuss and weigh all material evidence, whether or not that evidence supports the investigator’s conclusions.

although it did not mention her by name. “Based on the initial allegation, administrators considered a very serious consequence — paid leave — that ultimately was not warranted by available factual evidence, and additional steps were available, such as increased

observations and communications with the teacher.” “Paly and the District must be prepared to take proactive, responsive steps to address and short-circuit rumors and enhance (continued on page 15)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 13

Upfront

Party for CHC kids Saturday night 6:30-10:30 October 17, 2015 at NCEFT, Woodside

Online This Week

These and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAlto Online.com/news.

Police: Palo Alto peeping Tom arrested A Palo Alto man who police said used a cellphone to photograph a woman in her bathroom in July was arrested earlier this week, according to a police department press release. (Posted Oct. 7, 8:35 a.m.)

City scraps downtown parking exemptions In their latest attempt to solve downtown’s parking frustrations, Palo Alto officials on Monday night agreed to strike from the books several provisions that offer developers parking exemptions.

Join our California twist on Oktoberfest! Great wine, beer & food Dance to the amazing PopRocks 21 and over, please.

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(Posted Oct. 6, 4:49 p.m.)

Rocktoberfest 2015 Host Committee Rahela Abbas & Calla Grifﬁth, Co-Chairs Lynn Cullen, Hope Daly, Angela Espinosa, Carson Eltoukhy, Bruce Fielding, Zara Fritts, Anne-Marie Gambelin, Katherine Glass, Liz King, Wendy Kinstler, Heather Koch, Laura Krane, Cate Krensavage, Jenny Lewman, Stephanie Oshman, Melinda Osterloh, Heather Pietsch, Gina Preston, Brooke Puleo, Patty Schinzing, Becca Schnitt, Lauren Sims, Gina Skinner, Lisa Tayeri, Debra Winston Honorary Committee: Stefanie Beasley-GENTRY Magazine, Merrilee Harris, Mary Johnson, Bren Leisure

A special thanks to our sponsors at the Rockstar and up level:

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www.chconline.org/rocktoberfest Page 14 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Murder charges dropped in drive-by shooting The case of East Palo Alto resident Eric Barragan, who had been in San Mateo County jail for more than 10 months on charges of attempted murder in Menlo Park, has been dropped for a lack of evidence, according to prosecutors with the District Attorney’s Office. (Posted Oct. 6, 2:04 p.m.)

VIDEO: On last week’s Behind the Headlines On last week’s half-hour webcast, “Behind the Headlines,” Weekly Editor Jocelyn Dong and reporters Elena Kadvany and Sue Dremann discuss a just-released Stanford University report on sexual violence on campus and talk about the increasing student activism around the topic. (Posted Oct. 2, 7:40 p.m.)

Transit (continued from page 8)

the rail authority’s plan to build elevated tracks for the new rail line, a design that many referred to as a “Berlin Wall.” And with the projected price of the system ballooning from an initial estimate of $33 billion to more than $90 billion, the council voted unanimously in December 2011 to take a “no confidence” stance on the project and to call for its termination. Since that time, however, the project has undergone several key changes. The four-track design is now off the table and rail authority officials stressed at a public meeting last month that they are fully committed to the more palatable two-track alternative known as the “blended system.” First proposed by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, former state Sen. Joe Simitian and Assemblyman Rich Gordon, the design calls for the new rail system to operate exclusively on Caltrain’s existing tracks. As a result, the project’s price tag has gone down to $68 billion from $90 billion, though the rail authority is scheduled to revise that figure in its new business plan next year. Now, the project is returning to the Bay Area and the council is preparing to consider its next move. Last month, the rail authority began to host outreach meetings in preparation of putting together an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the line’s Peninsula segment. Under the newly adopted timeline, the agency hopes to have the draft of the report completed by the end of 2016 and the final report to be certified in late 2017. At a Sept. 15 meeting, City Manager James Keene voiced some concerns about the new

timeline. The rail authority, Keene said, had “previously implied that they would not begin high-speed rail (on the Peninsula) until Caltrain modernization was complete or close to it.” By setting a late 2016 target for a draft EIR, the rail authority makes it very difficult to pursue the “context sensitive solution” model, which entails extensive collaboration between the transportation agency, residents, city leaders and other stakeholders in designing a project. “We are concerned that it will provide very limited opportunities for community review and input,” Keene said. Some of the council’s concerns from 2011 still apply, including questions about where the money to fund the line will come from. Rail authority officials told the Weekly last month that they are still planning to tap into private investments (which to date have not materialized) and grant funding to make the $68 billion project possible. And while the council remains largely skeptical about the project, Scharff noted that some good things have already come out of it. These include the new “blended” design and the rail authority’s commitment of $705 million to support Caltrain’s electrification. “A lot of the reasons we opposed it is because we wanted the blended system,” Scharff said. At the same time, he said he remains concerned about the potential for gridlock around the tracks if grade separation does not become a reality. Would he support high-speed rail today? “I think it depends,” Scharff said. “If high-speed rail was to pay for the trench, where we would trench the tracks, I’d support it.” Q Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

Upfront

Sharp (continued from page 13)

efforts to educate students and staff on the prevention and potential damage of rumors.” It is not clear how or when district officials decided to reverse the Graff report’s conclusions and instead adopt a position that the preponderance of the evidence showed that Sharp did exploit his “position of power as a teacher to establish the basis for a sexual/romantic relationship with a former student.” According to Graff’s billing records, he finalized his full 13-page report, labeled as attorney-client privileged, on June 2 and a shorter four-page summary on June 4. He briefed the school board on the results of his investigation via telephone at a closed session board meeting on June 9. Two days later, he met with Sharp to present him with the findings and two weeks later, on June 23, did the same with Lauren’s parents. Meanwhile, the district’s primary law firm, Lozano Smith, prepared the July 21 Notice of Unprofessional Conduct to be issued to Sharp containing conclusions that conflicted with those of the Graff report. McGee, Bowers and Louis Lozano, the partner overseeing his firm’s work with the district, all declined to comment on when, how, why or who made the decision to issue the findings in the Unprofessional Conduct letter to Sharp. Bowers told the Weekly the “assessment of that didn’t come through my office” and was done by the Lozano firm. What is clear is that there was lit-

tle or no communication or coordination between the two law firms. Lozano told the Weekly he didn’t know about the Graff investigation or report until June 19, when the Weekly made its first Public Records Act request for all investigative documents. That was after the report had been completed and the results communicated to Sharp. McGee told the Weekly this week that Lozano wasn’t told about the Graff investigation because it wasn’t a personnel matter and “it’s not common practice to tell one law firm about another law firm’s work.” He said the Graff report was shared with Lozano once he was asked to help write the discipline letter to Sharp. McGee and Bowers had no explanation for why the text messages were not mentioned in the report prepared by Graff. Graff and the Fagen Friedman firm declined to answer any questions about the investigation, referring inquiries to McGee. Even though Bowers had received the text messages from Sean in March, McGee told the Weekly he personally didn’t learn about them until shortly before school started in August, and emails suggest the school board first saw them at their Aug. 25 meeting. On Sept. 16, Dauber emailed McGee to urge him to amend the Graff report to include the text messages, a request McGee rejected. “In my view,” Dauber wrote, “your decision not to amend the Graff (Title IX) Report to consider all the evidence and weigh it accordingly leaves the district vulnerable to the charge that there is an unaddressed hostile environment at Paly that may violate Title IX,” Dauber wrote. “This is be-

cause the district has concluded in the discipline letter that (Sharp) likely engaged in grooming, which clearly constitutes sexual harassment.” Dauber also expressed a “deep concern” that the discipline notice to Sharp “contradicts” the conclusions of the Graff report.

‘It’s not “either or,” it’s “both and.” ... We stand by both. I think both were important.’ — Superintendent Max McGee, on the conflicting conclusions in district’s two investigations “The disciplinary letter concludes by a preponderance of the evidence (‘the allegations have greater credibility than your denial’) that (Sharp) did engage in grooming behavior of a student at Paly and that this grooming behavior ‘facilitated the consummation of a sexual relationship soon after graduation,’” Dauber wrote. “That letter further concludes that (Sharp) “failed to meet (his) obligations to provide students with a safe educational environment.” “This conclusion (which seems to me well-supported) directly contradicts the Graff (Title IX) Report, which concludes that there is a not a preponderance of the evidence that (Sharp) either groomed the student prior to graduation, or had sex with her afterwards.” Dauber also criticized the district’s initial response to the parents’ complaint last fall, noting that there was no Title IX investigation at the time, and “no steps

were taken to determine whether a hostile environment was created or whether any individual or systemic remedies might be required.” Within a few hours, McGee responded, writing that he “respectfully” disagreed with several of Dauber’s conclusions. He declined Dauber’s request to amend the report because “a majority of the Board has not directed me to do so.” In an interview with the Weekly, McGee said he didn’t see the conclusions in Graff’s Title IX report conflicting with the district’s disciplinary letter to Sharp. “It’s not ‘either or,’ it’s ‘both and,’” McGee said. “I think the Title IX report had some valid recommendations and the disciplinary (letter), there was a rationale for that and that’s word for word in the letter there. I don’t think you have to pick either or.” “We stand by both,” he added. “I think both were important.”

aly Principal Kim Diorio said in light of the bigger picture at Paly in the last few years — the publication of Verde Magazine’s “rape culture” series, the termination of former principal Phil Winston following a sexual harassment investigation, the opening of an Office for Civil Rights investigation into sexual harassment — the school is due for more Title IX training and education. “We just need to do more as a system and have hard conversations,” she told the Weekly. Diorio said she is currently working with McGee to develop specific Title IX training for Paly teachers and classified staff. She said they’re considering an online course or using new “learning

strands” — monthly meetings for teachers to dive deeper into campus issues ranging from homework to Title IX. The school district as a whole is beginning to implement this fall increased training and education for staff around sexual harassment and assault, appropriate conduct between teachers and students and grooming behavior. On Sept. 24, Dora Dome, an Oakland attorney who provided the district’s sexual-harassment training last year, led a training with the district’s entire administrative team titled “Investigating Discriminatory Harassment Complaints,” according to McGee. This Tuesday, Oct. 6, Dome led a second session with all K-12 administrators called, “Talking to Staff about Appropriate Boundaries with Students.” McGee said one of the high school principals suggested doing the same training with all high school faculty. In a Sept. 23 meeting with high school principals, assistant principals and all of the instructional supervisors from the middle and high schools, McGee also spent time talking about sexual-harassment prevention, unbalanced sexual relationships, desensitizing behavior and the Office for Civil Rights’ code of conduct, he said. An opening address that McGee is set to give at a districtwide professional development day today (Oct. 9) will also address these issues, McGee said. At the start of this school year, Paly students received brief information about appropriate studentteacher boundaries during a Pow(continued on page 16)

Timeline of the investigation School district responds to allegations against Palo Alto High School English teacher Kevin Sharp This timeline is based on emails and other documents released to the Palo Alto Weekly by the district under Public Records Act requests. Sept. 22, 2014: The school district is first notified of the allegations against Kevin Sharp by “Lauren’s” parents, who meet with Palo Alto High School Assistant Principal Kathie Laurence. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Scott Bowers soon begins a personnel investigation and notifies the Palo Alto Police Department. Oct. 13, 2014: Sharp meets with Bowers, Paly Principal Kim Diorio and Christal Watts, a California Teachers Association representative. Sharp denies any inappropriate relationship with Lauren. Dec. 12, 2014: Bowers tells Diorio that the district is “not in a position to put anything in his file. We only have hearsay to go on. Sharp denied it and the former student will not talk with us.” February 2015: Bowers re-opens his investigation after hearing reports of student rumors. Feb. 23, 2015: The former boyfriend of Lauren, “Sean,” emails Diorio a letter detailing his concerns about Sharp and criticizing how the district has handled the allegations. Diorio emails Superintendent Max McGee, Bowers and thenAssociate Superintendent Charles Young, reiterating: “Again, I’d like to put this teacher on administrative leave and conduct

a formal investigation by an outside party.” Feb. 26, 2015: Sean meets with Diorio and Laurence. March 2, 2015: Sean meets with Bowers and Young. March 10, 2015: Sean emails Bowers screenshots of text message conversations with Lauren in which she acknowledges a relationship with Sharp after graduation. March 22-25, 2015: Sean emails McGee and all five school board members, detailing his concerns. Board member Terry Godfrey responds that this was the first she had heard of the allegations. McGee responds saying he read Sean’s email to Diorio and saying the district “launched a second investigation immediately that is still ongoing.” McGee asks for contact information for Lauren, whom he says the district hasn’t been able to reach. April 2, 2015: Attorneys from Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost meet with Sean. May 5, 2015: At a school board policy-review committee meeting, board Vice President Heidi Emberling and member Ken Dauber propose modifying the school board’s Professional Standards policy to prohibit all employee-student romantic and sexual relationships for a period of four years after graduation. June 2, 2015: Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost attorney Chad Graff sends Young a report detailing the findings of the firm’s Title

IX investigation, which concludes based on a preponderance of the evidence that Sharp did not engage in grooming behavior nor have a sexual relationship after graduation, “although there are strong and supported suspicions of such a relationship.” The firm also concludes that the school district complied with its Title IX responsibilities concerning the allegations. June 6, 2015: The school board is briefed on the results of the Title IX investigation in a closed session. June 11, 2015: Graff meets with Sharp, a union representative and Young regarding the results of investigation. June 23, 2015: Graff meets with Lauren’s parents to share his report’s findings. July 21, 2015: Sharp is sent a Notice of Unprofessional Conduct, signed by Bowers, that states it is more likely than not that Sharp engaged in “grooming” activities with Lauren that “facilitated the consummation of a sexual relationship soon after graduation.” Aug. 17, 2015: First day of the 2015-16 school year. Sources say Sharp goes on a paid leave of absence. Early September 2015: Palo Alto Police closes its investigation into the Sharp case, finding no evidence of a crime. Sept. 29, 2015: The school board places “resignation of certificated employee” on its agenda but takes no action. Q

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 15

Upfront

Public Agenda

Sharp (continued from page 15)

A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week CITY COUNCIL ... The council will consider the city’s position on highspeed rail; next steps for considering grade separation for Caltrain; the city’s position on a proposed Santa Clara County transportation tax; and a potential Palo Alto transportation-tax measure. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. BOARD OF EDUCATION ... The school board will discuss the latest Strategic Plan survey results, board policy updates, reporting structure for a new general counsel position, board policy review committee procedures and the Palo Alto High School library renovation project. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the district office, 25 Churchill Ave. CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to meet in a closed session to review the performances of the city clerk and the city manager. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the community meeting room at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to review a request by the Greer Park North neighborhood for a single-story overlay. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ... The board plans to review and consider a conditional use permit for True Food Kitchen at Stanford Shopping Center, 180 El Camino Real; conduct a review and consider a sign exception for Vineyard Vines, also at Stanford Shopping Center; consider a request on behalf of Bowman International School to demolish two houses at 693 Arastradero Road and build a new 17,200-squarefoot private school; and consider a request by Crown Castle on behalf of Verizon Wireless for a review and conditional use permit of a distributedantenna system comprised of 19 pole-mounted wireless-communication facilities. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. PUBLIC ART COMMISSION ... The commission will be meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave.

erpoint presentation from Eric Bloom, the school climate TOSA (teacher on special assignment). One slide, titled “Student/Adult Sexual Harassment,” included four bullet points on the subject, including, “creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.” The presentation, sandwiched by other presentations on emergency preparedness and academic integrity, also covered student-tostudent sexual harassment, rape myths, bullying and information about how to be upstanders. “It’s just one lesson out of the 180 days they’re here with us,” Diorio said. “We’ve done a lot of work with trying to help teachers feel more comfortable having these kind of courageous conversations in their classes and, if not through regular classroom curriculum, finding those teachable moments,” she said. The school board’s policyreview committee will also this year consider a new, stricter policy around teacher-student relationships. The two board members who serve on this committee, Dauber and Vice President Heidi Emberling, first proposed at a May 5 meeting that the district amend its professional standards policy to prohibit all

romantic or sexual relationships between teachers and students for a period of time after graduation to address the potential creation of a hostile educational environment for classmates or friends of an involved student. Harold Freiman, one of the district’s attorneys, attended the May meeting via speaker phone. He responded that there could be some “constitutional issues” around limiting relationships after graduation but noted that “there is always a concern about relationships that suddenly blossom immediately after somebody graduates.” Dauber asked at the board policy-review committee’s Sept. 28 meeting that the committee consider at its next meeting two changes to the district’s sexual harassment policy: an “antigrooming” policy and a policy to ensure that the district’s Title IX coordinator and related staff have training in Title IX’s requirements and investigation procedures. One of his proposed amendments would be to add grooming to the existing policy’s list of prohibited behaviors that may constitute sexual harassment. Emberling said at the same meeting that she and McGee will consider Dauber’s proposals for the committee’s next agenda. School board President Melissa Baten Caswell and her other col-

leagues declined interview requests for this story.

here the Sharp case goes from here is unclear. Neither McGee nor board members will say whether Sharp will resume teaching, and if so, at what grade level. Emails show he was granted a reduction to 60 percent time for this school year, but that was prior to the issuance of the discipline letter. OCR recently asked the district for documents pertaining to the case, according to a oblique announcement made by McGee at the Sept. 28 board meeting, so further scrutiny is possible. Meanwhile McGee and the board are in the middle of a search for a newly created position of inside general counsel, with the intention of having that person oversee all compliance matters and manage the more limited use of outside legal firms. Q Publisher Bill Johnson and Editor Jocelyn Dong contributed to this report. Staff Writer Elena Kadvany can be reached at ekadvany@paweekly.com.

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Upfront

Housing (continued from page 5)

comments during the Monday night hearing on Palo Alto’s official land-use bible, the Comprehensive Plan. The City Council is in the process of updating the document, which will guide the city’s zoning policies and land-use decisions until 2030. The current plan was adopted in 1998 and was intended to guide the city until 2010. While the council’s long lagging update of the Comprehensive Plan will probably stretch until at least 2017, the Monday night hearing offered an early chance for the public to comment on one of its most important chapters: Land Use and Community Design. (Council members themselves, though scheduled to discuss housing, ultimately voted to defer the discussion until the end of this month, or possibly early November, after spending more than two hours setting the goals for the Community Services and Facilities chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.) The public testimony offered an early preview for what will surely be one of the council’s premier challenges: building more housing in a city with sky-high property values and a shortage of vacant land. According to the city’s Housing Element, a statemandated document that the city adopted last year and that lays out local housing strategy, Palo Alto has made plans to add 1,998 new units between 2015 and 2023. More than half of these units could be accommodated at commercially zoned sites as part of mixed-use projects, according to the document. The city’s actual achievements have been far more modest. Since 2014, 440 housing units have either been built or are going through the planning process. Seventy-eight percent of these units targeted residents of “above moderate” incomes (greater than 120 percent of the county’s median of $93,500). The remaining 96 units were all designated for “low” income, with not a single unit targeting “very low” or “moderate” incomes. The income gap between Palo Alto and the rest of Santa Clara County is also widening. According to the U.S. Census, the city’s median household income in 2012 was $118,936, compared to a countywide figure of $89,445 — a 33 percent disparity. In 2000, the gap between the city and the county was 22 percent.

LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com

The city’s Housing Element notes that despite having just 26,426 households in 2012 (compared to roughly 600,000 across the county), Palo Alto had almost twice as many households with incomes greater than $200,000 that year than the rest of the county. Even attorneys and high-tech workers are now having a hard time affording housing. Steve Downing, who works at Palantir, told the council that one of his colleagues, a man in his 40s, recently announced his plan to leave. Downing said he could muster no response when the employee cited housing as the reason he was leaving. “He told me he wanted to own a home someday, and I had nothing for him,” Downing said. A.C. Johnston, a partner at the law firm Morrison Foerster, said his company is also losing talent because of Palo Alto’s housing shortage. Just last week, he said, a young lawyer made the decision to quit. “It’s important both for the continued health of our community, for diversity of community, that there be a broader range of options available, so that young

people can live in Palo Alto, hopefully closer to their jobs, so that city employees who serve our community can live in the community, and so seniors who live in Palo Alto and want to downsize can do so without having to move out of our community,” Johnston said. Palo Alto’s shortage of affordable housing has long been widely acknowledged. In the last National Citizens Survey, only 27 percent of the survey respondents gave the city the two highest grades when it comes to a “variety of housing options.” When asked about “availability of affordable quality housing,” the number fell to 11 percent. The Housing Element lists the average rental rate for a twobedroom apartment in Palo Alto at $3,332 (based on research performed in April 2014), roughly twice the countywide average of $1,649. According to the firm RealFacts, the average rent for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in Palo Alto rose from $2,555 in 2010 to $3,955 in the second quarter of 2015. The median home price, meanwhile, has jumped from $1.44 million

in 2010 to $2.67 million in 2015, according to the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. Judy Kleinberg, a former mayor who now serves as CEO of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, urged the council to carefully consider the living habits of the millennial generation as it comes up with “creative policies and incentives that encourage the kind of housing and transit and parking and schools and parks that you know will attract the kind of people that give Palo Alto its incredible residents and employees.” She noted that two of her children, one an executive at Twitter and the other an executive at Google, now live in Singapore and have no plans to move to Palo Alto because the cost of living here is so “ridiculous.” The lack of housing options for seniors who may wish to downsize further exacerbates the housing crunch, she added. “Seniors can’t leave their homes and go down into something smaller because it’s all too expensive,” Kleinberg said. “So they stay in their homes. That means that supply is smaller and

that means prices go up. It’s a vicious cycle and not a healthy one.” Some residents encouraged more “infill” development such as in-law apartments, or “granny units” as they are popularly known. Arthur Keller — a former planning commissioner who currently serves as co-chair of the Citizen Advisory Committee, which is advising on the Comprehensive Plan update — noted that less than 4 percent of the city’s housing stock are studio units and less than 17 percent are one-bedroom units. At the same time, more than half of the city’s households are one- and two-person units, he said. “So there are a lot of seniors and no places for them to go; a lot of young people and no place for them to go, except sharing larger units,” Keller said. “That’s something to think about when we’re deciding what kind of housing might be appropriate and what kind we might encourage.” Q Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

HOUSING

What they’re saying on Town Square People are talking about the housing issue on PaloAltoOnline.com’s discussion forum, Town Square. Here’s an excerpt of what people think. Posted by YSK, a resident of Community Center, Oct. 6 I earn $27 dollars an hour AND I CAN’T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. I’m only still here because I live with my mother. The most colossal part of the joke is that I know 28-year-old ADMINS who earn 80k a year for a job I could do with a partial lobotomy. The only thing working against me landing a similar job is my age. Apparently I’m too old for Converse and lava lamps. So, the punishment I get for being unfashionably old is that I’m living in a 10x10 room in my mommy’s house while 28-year-old admins with 20 percent of my skills are saving money from their considerable salaries to purchase homes in Silicon Valley. What makes this really awful is that it’s not just happening to me, it’s happening to a LOT of people I know. Posted by resident 1, a resident of Adobe-Meadow, Oct. 6 At the PACC meeting people vented their wants, needs and desires concerning housing. One person did not want the 4-story rule broken. Logic says

that if you cannot go horizontal than you have to go vertical. If anyone thinks it is a good idea to turn PA into a tiny sardine can filled with a bunch of sardines squished into the can, then think again. You all need to look at ECR from Oregon to East Meadow — that is an ancient strip mall of one-story buildings, some of which are unoccupied. Half are ready to fall apart from age and rot. Focus on who owns those buildings and what needs to be done to turn that into additional housing. Posted by NO Granny Units, a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis, Oct. 6 Palo Alto does have a housing shortage, but this should not be solved by allowing granny units. This would drastically negatively impact the quality of life in Palo Alto. We live in a suburban/urban environment with small backyards and a few trees to divide our houses from each other. Our peace and harmony is dependent on the kindness and respect of our neighbors and how many feet their home is from our little deck or patio. Granny units come with real live people living a full life in them, noise, social life, their friends visiting, air conditioning units and all. These

units can be built abutting the next yard by just a few feet. ... There goes the serenity found in these affected neighbors’ small yards. Posted by Jane Huang, a resident of Barron Park, Oct. 6. So to all those people saying that tech workers can live “anywhere” in the Bay Area. That is simply not true because communities all over the Bay Area are experiencing surges in rent and home values. Part of the reason I took the time to go to city council and express my concerns is because Palo Alto needs to build more housing and not simply export its problems to other parts of the Bay Area. The refusal to build housing here contributes to gentrification in San Francisco. Like it or not, Palo Alto’s problems are the Bay Area’s problems. Every town needs to build housing. Considering that only 3.5 percent of Palo Alto is zoned for multi-tenant housing as it is, Palo Alto could stand to build a bit more around the Caltrain stations. Posted by Paly Alum, a resident of Palo Alto High School, Oct. 6 I helped plan our 30-year Paly reunion recently. I can tell you that most alums are not liv-

ing in Palo Alto. Of those who are, some are living in their parents’ house that they grew up in. Others made it big or married well. Even the ones who grew up in huge houses in Old Palo Alto are living elsewhere. Only about 10 of our class of 500 are living in Palo Alto, and even less own a home they purchased themselves. No one has the right to live here simply because they grew up here. Posted by No more housing, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, Oct. 6. Palo Alto is not exporting its problems to other parts of the Bay Area, it is desperately trying to maintain some quality of life. Tech companies that keep importing people into this area, instead of growing in other areas that could use the jobs, are the ones causing the problems. No, every town does not need to build housing, tech companies need to provide jobs where people already live. How about the “community feel” of all the places these people come from? Wouldn’t they rather stay in their home towns, near family, etc.? Why aren’t they angry that they have to relocate to the Bay Area to get a job? Stop building and they will stop coming. Q

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 17

Upfront

Turner (continued from page 5)

Stanford graduate students saw him allegedly assaulting Doe outside a fraternity house, chased him when he ran away and detained him until police arrived. Turner, then 19, denied the allegations to police. Doe appeared in court in Palo Alto on Monday on the first day of the two-day hearing, giving sometimes emotional testimony about what she recalls happened that night. Deputy District Attorney Alaleh Kianerci, who works with the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sexual-assault unit, on Monday questioned her as well as two other witnesses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Doeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister, Tiffany, and one of the graduate students who intervened that night, Peter Jonsson. Kianerciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s questions walked Doe through her activities earlier that day; her plans to attend the party at the KA fraternity with Tiffany and Tiffanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend, who

is a Stanford student; events leading up to their arrival at the party; and Doeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions at the party. Doe described how, as an older college graduate who had never attended a fraternity party at her own college, she was reluctant to attend the party in the first place but wanted to spend time with her younger sister, who was visiting for the weekend. She recounted the amount and kind of alcohol she drank at her home before leaving for the party with her younger sister and two of her sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends. She remembered becoming â&#x20AC;&#x153;buzzedâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;sillyâ&#x20AC;? after drinking but not feeling out of control, she said. Once at the party, she said one of Tiffanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends found a handle of vodka from which they drank. Doe described her level of intoxication as â&#x20AC;&#x153;so drunk that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I was drunk.â&#x20AC;? She and her sister also drank beers that three men gave them, they said. Both Doe and her sister identified Monday one of those three men as Brock Turner, who

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sat in front of each of them in the courtroom, next to his attorney, with his head down throughout the sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; testimonies. Doe said she never interacted directly with Turner. Tiffany, however, testified that at some point in the night, after they met, Turner grabbed her waist and tried to kiss her. She said she laughed nervously and joked about it with her friends afterward. She did not feel unsafe, she said, and it simply â&#x20AC;&#x153;(felt) like what can happen at a college party.â&#x20AC;? She said she never said anything directly to Turner, nor did he speak to her. Tiffany testified that later, when she was talking with a friend, Turner again approached her, cut in between them and tried to kiss her. She said she turned her face away and he kissed her cheek. She, again, joked about it with her friends, thinking it was just â&#x20AC;&#x153;weirdâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;strangeâ&#x20AC;? but not feeling unsafe for any reason, she said. Doe said that she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember talking to anyone or going back inside after drinking part of her beer with Turner and the other two men. Tiffany had left briefly to take care of a friend and said she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find her sister when she returned to KA, calling her multiple times, searching for her for an hour and a half and opening the door to every room in the house. Tiffany eventually went home for the night with two other friends. The next thing Doe remembers, she said, is waking up in a bed in a San Jose hospital hallway several hours after the party. In court on Monday, Kianerci pressed Doe, asking her again if she remembered anything that happened in between those two events. Doe responded, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No,â&#x20AC;? and started to cry. When she first woke up in Valley Medical Center, Doe said that she saw blood on her hands and a loose Band-Aid on her hand and elbows. She thought she had fallen down and perhaps been taken somewhere on campus, until a Stanford administrator and police officer approached her and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have reason to believe youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been sexually assaulted.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought maybe they had the

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wrong person,â&#x20AC;? Doe said Monday. She consented to a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) exam, a medical exam administered following a potential sexual assault. Kianerci also asked Doe to identify two items that she did not have once she woke up at the hospital â&#x20AC;&#x201D; her cellphone and underwear â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in a photograph of an area near KA. Kianerci also questioned the two graduate students who stopped the alleged assault: Jonsson on Monday and Carl Fredrik Arndt on Tuesday. Biking to the KA party, Jonsson said he saw a â&#x20AC;&#x153;coupleâ&#x20AC;? on the ground near KA, with one person on top of another person in what appeared to be a consensual sexual interaction. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t at first seem alarming until Jonsson and Arndt got closer and Jonsson noticed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the person below wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t moving at all.â&#x20AC;? Jonsson said the person on top started â&#x20AC;&#x153;thrusting,â&#x20AC;? and this movement â&#x20AC;&#x153;intensified,â&#x20AC;? while the person below lay motionless. He approached the two individuals and said something to the effect of, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is everything alright here?â&#x20AC;? He said at that point he saw the face of the woman, lying below a man, and noticed that she looked asleep. Her eyes were closed, he said. Kianerci asked Jonsson if she looked â&#x20AC;&#x153;lifeless.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes,â&#x20AC;? he replied. Jonsson said Turner got up, made eye contact with him and backed away. Jonsson said he asked Turner, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What the f--- are you doing? Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unconscious.â&#x20AC;? Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney, Michael Armstrong of Palo Alto firm Nolan, Armstrong & Barton, later asked why the second part of this comment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unconsciousâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; had not been reported to police in previous interviews. Jonsson said he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember whether he told them that specifically or not. Jonsson said Turner didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t respond to his question and started running away. While Jonsson chased Turner, Arndt tried to awaken the woman, but she never opened her eyes, Arndt said. Then Ardnt went to help Jonsson detain Turner.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peter was lying on top of the guy. The guy was fighting back,â&#x20AC;? Arndt said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I sat on him with my knees. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Let me go. Let me go. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do anything.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I asked him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Do you think this is OK what you did?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Arndt said. Turner didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t respond, Jonsson said. Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Paul Taylor of the Stanford Department of Public Safety was the first officer on the scene and found Doe lying on her side behind a Dumpster between KA and Jerry House, another student residence, at 658 Lomita Court. Her underwear was wadded up on the ground about half a foot away, according to the police report. Taylor checked Doeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pulse, and she began to snore, but she remained unconscious, he testified on Tuesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was yelling at her several times, loudly. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Who are you? Are you OK?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Taylor said, but she did not answer. Police detained Turner, who smelled strongly of alcohol, according to the police report. Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;pants seemed to be disheveled around his crotch area. ... He had dirt on his face and shirt as if he had been in a physical struggle,â&#x20AC;? the report states. In police custody, Turner told police that he had met Doe outside KA by the patio. They walked behind the Dumpster and were kissing, and he removed her underwear. Turner admitted that he had fondled and fingered Doe, and he claimed they were both enjoying the encounter, Stanford police detective Mike Kim testified Tuesday. But Turner told Kim that he never took his pants off nor exposed himself. A SART nurse who examined Doe reported she had abrasions on her chest, shoulder, buttocks and mid and upper back, and a small abrasion to her genitals, Kim said. Armstrong, Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney, asked Kim if he had any other evidence that Turner had attempted to rape the victim. Kim said he did not. Armstrong asked the judge to drop the charge of assault with intent to rape and also to combine the other charges, arguing that they were essentially two of the same counts when only one act allegedly took place. But Persky let the charges stand. Turner watched the proceedings but did not speak. His attorney entered his not guilty plea for him on Tuesday. When the hearing ended, Turner left the courtroom with his parents. A trial setting conference will take place Oct. 20. Turner withdrew from Stanford shortly after the Jan. 18 incident and is not allowed to re-enroll or return to campus. Q Staff writers Elena Kadvany and Sue Dremann can be reached at ekadvany@paweekly.com and sdremann@paweekly.com.

Upfront HOUSING

Mayor commits to eradicating homelessness among veterans County has the highest number of homeless vets in the U.S.

iting the deaths of two unhoused women in Palo Alto parks two years ago as emblematic of the need to end homelessness in the city, Palo Alto Mayor Karen Holman announced on Oct. 2 that as a first step she will sign the White House Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. So far, 629 mayors and nine governors have signed the Challenge. Holman spoke at the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission’s Homeless Veteran Summit on Oct. 2, which brought together U.S. Veterans Affairs officials, nonprofit service providers, county and city officials, residents and White House officials to discuss housing for Palo Alto and Santa Clara County homeless veterans. The county has the highest number of homeless veterans in

by Sue Dremann the nation despite Silicon Valley’s vast resources and wealth, said Col. Nicole Malachowski, director of Joining Forces, an initiative to support military families. An estimated 718 veterans are homeless in the county, according to a 2013 county study. “Everyone who has worn a uniform has a right to have a home. How we treat our vets is a readiness issue. How we treat them affects our ability to recruit people,” said Malachowski, a U.S. Air Force colonel who flew combat missions in Iraq. Holman spoke to the broader issue of homelessness. The deaths of two women in city parks two years ago was deeply affecting, she said. “It’s just not acceptable. It’s not acceptable,” she said emphatically. “There’s no issue; there’s

no concern that we together cannot solve.” The Bay Area’s high housing costs continue to be the biggest barrier to veterans finding housing. In 2014, the VA Palo Alto Health Care System gave out 853 Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers in Santa Clara County, but only 604 veterans used them. The remaining veterans could not find affordable housing, Malachowski said. A survey of veterans in Santa Clara County found the top reasons they became homeless were job loss (32 percent), substance abuse (19 percent), chronic health conditions (18 percent) and divorce or relationship breakup (14 percent), said Janbir Sandhu of HomeFirst, a nonprofit. Underemployment continues to be one

of the greatest concerns, she said. One way to get more permanent, supportive housing for veterans is through “Pay for Success” programs, said David Wilkinson, director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. Pay for Success does not release public money until a proposed program is implemented and proves successful. Under the program, a provider or organization wins a government bid, and private sector philanthropists and other investors initially fund the program or project. Once the program is evaluated and deemed successful, the government pays for the project. That money is used to pay the investor, sometimes with a small amount of interest. The investors take the risk if the project does not succeed, he said. Santa Clara County developed the first Pay for Success program in California in August 2013, with support from the Sobrato Family Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, to address housing for the chronic homeless and those suffering from acute mental illness. The county is dedicating nearly $2 million annually to developing and implementing programs that

provide supportive housing to these populations. Santa Clara County’s initial Pay for Success projects would target the county’s top most costly individuals who are chronically homeless and have frequent interactions with medical services and law enforcement. The project would also provide 100 units of permanent supportive housing over the next six years. The projected budget is $12-$13 million, with largest portion, $9 million, covering the cost of housing. The county’s initial non-recoverable investment will be $2 million. The program would also develop intensive coordinated care for the most seriously mentally ill and move them into supportive housing. In December, Palo Alto’s Human Relations Commission plans to discuss Santa Clara County’s Community Plan to End Homelessness, a comprehensive roadmap for addressing and eliminating homelessness for the next five years. Their recommendations on how Palo Alto could proceed would be considered by the City Council. Palo Alto will host a Veterans Day recognition ceremony on Nov. 9, 4-5:30 p.m., at King Plaza, 250 Hamilton Ave. Q

PRIVACY

Houzz Inc. settles privacy-violation case Palo Alto company illegally recorded customers and businesses

ouzz Inc., an online platform for home remodeling and design headquartered in Palo Alto, has settled a lawsuit with the State of California after violating state wiretapping and eavesdropping laws, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced. Houzz’s Irvine office secretly recorded calls that were intended for training and quality-assurance purposes, but it did not notify people that it was making the recordings nor obtain their consent, according to an injunction filed by Harris on Oct. 2 in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Court records show the company settled the lawsuit on the same day it was filed. The number of recordings the company made are unknown, but the state’s injunction asked for $2,500 per violation. Although most of the secretly recorded calls were with home improvement and remodeling professionals, Houzz also recorded customers’ and employees’ personal calls, according to Harris’ office. The recordings occurred between March and September 2013. After being notified by the California Attorney General’s Office in September 2013, Houzz stopped recording calls and voluntarily cooperated with the in-

vestigation, Harris’ office noted in the settlement. The agreement requires Houzz to appoint a chief privacy officer within 60 days to oversee the company’s compliance with privacy laws. Houzz must also conduct a privacy-risk assessment addressing its efforts to comply with privacy laws governing its U.S. operations within 12 months. The assessment would evaluate any issues in Houzz’s business processes, use of technology, and processes related to business partners with whom Houzz shares personal information, and the company’s efforts to correct or avoid any adverse effects on people in the U.S. The Attorney General’s Office agreed to keep the privacy-risk assessment confidential except when enforcing compliance with the judgment or in support of any other legal action by the state office or as required by law. Houzz also agreed to pay $175,000, including civil penalties and attorney’s fees. “Houzz violated the trust of its professionals, customers and employees by recording calls without permission. This settlement holds Houzz accountable for violating state privacy laws and ensures that the company will stop recording calls without per-

My Nguyen

by Sue Dremann

Houzz Inc., a home-design and remodeling website headquartered in Palo Alto, has reached a settlement in a privacy lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Kamala Harris on behalf of the State of California. mission,” Harris said in a press release. Houzz claimed it never shared the recordings with third parties and only a small number of employees had access. The employees reviewed only a few recordings, according to the settlement. The company does not admit wrongdoing nor liability as a result of the settlement. “We are pleased to have reached a mutually acceptable

agreement with the State of California about an isolated incident involving a small number of calls during a short period of time in 2013,” the company stated in an email. “Houzz values the privacy of its employees and its community, and we have since enhanced our compliance efforts to meet all applicable legal requirements.” Houzz may retain any copies of the recordings in a secure location with restricted access in the

“due course of business” until the company determines that it is no longer appropriate to retain the recorded calls. The calls must not be copied nor distributed unless through a court order. The company must notify the California Attorney General’s Office in writing when the calls are destroyed. The settlement applies to all of Houzz’s subsidiaries and associated businesses and contractors. Q

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 19

Upfront

Enroll (continued from page 5)

been “major discontinuities” in past enrollment before and questioned if more could be on the horizon. “Is this a blip and temporary slowdown in enrollment ... or is this a new trend and something that will be with us for awhile and that we have to adjust to?” Collins asked. “This is probably the most fundamental question to answer as we think” about whether to open a 13th elementary school. Collins offered as a cautionary tale five new classrooms the district recently built at Duveneck Elementary School in anticipation of continued growth and overcrowded. These five classrooms, he said, are now used as “spare” rather than established classrooms. The district spent $9 million to build them, he noted. Collins also noted that birth rates are down across the state

(2013 was the lowest since 1933), there are fewer housing projects coming down the pipeline in Palo Alto and the economy has rebounded. “It seems likely that our K-5 student counts will continue to shrink, at least for the next several years,” the subcommittee’s presentation states. The subcommittee also determined — through research, survey results and comparison to other school districts — that enrollment of 300 to 500 students is a “reasonable target size” for an elementary school in Palo Alto. Currently, the district’s largest elementary school, Ohlone, enrolls 607 students, and its smallest, Barron Park, 288 students, according to the district’s 11th day enrollment report. In its parent survey, the subcommittee found that satisfaction with school size in Palo Alto is high. Sixty-two percent of parents with a child currently in elementary school said they are

either satisfied or strongly satisfied with their school’s size. Satisfaction with elementary school size was also “meaningfully higher” than that for middle or high schools, the subcommittee said. The subcommittee tentatively recommended that the district adopt a target school size as one of three guidelines for the consideration of adding a new school in Palo Alto. The subcommittee also sought to answer the question, “How can we support both choice programs and neighborhood schools?” Collins said that choice programs — like Spanish and Mandarin immersion and the programs at Hoover and Ohlone — and neighborhood schools are valued in the community but “the way they’ve been implemented, they conflict with each other.” Choice programs in Palo Alto are very popular, and Ohlone, in particular, is oversubscribed with 166 students applying for

74 spots in the English-only program this year. Sixty-one percent of parents the committee surveyed also indicated they would likely send their children to a choice program if it was offered. But “choice has a cost,” Collins said — primarily in taking up space in schools that would ordinarily be filled by neighborhood children. The three schools from which the most students are sent away

‘Our children are not, in fact, “elephants moving through schools of snakes.’” —Kimberly Eng Lee, parent, Nixon Elementary School are Escondido, El Carmelo and Palo Verde, which either house or are located near a choice program, Collins said. These schools accounted for 61 percent of overflows in 2015 and 51 percent in 2014. Collins noted that other school districts

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Jo Join o Dr. Joel Moskowitz, Director of the Center for Family a Community Health, U.C. Berkeley School of Public Health, and along with other experts to learn about the current scientiﬁc a re e research regarding electromagnetic frequencies and their im m impact on biological systems. We will hear why 200 international sc c scientists recently called for safer wireless radiation standards. Pa Panelists will discuss links to autism, cancer, infertility, effects on wildlife, as well as best practices with cell phone safety and wi-ﬁ w p precautions. Refreshments served.

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Victoria Dunckley, MD, award-winning child psychiatrist and author of “Reset Your Child’s Brain,” will discuss the identification and management of screen-time’s physiological effects on mood regulation, cognition, sleep, and behavior in children. Toril Jelter, MD, Pediatrician and General Practitioner who treats children and adults with electrohypersensitivity will discuss her clinical experience with autism and behavioral changes related to electromagnetic radiation. Loretta Lynch, One of California’s most influential lawyers and former President of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). She served the CPUC through California’s energy crisis fighting manipulation of energy sellers. She will discuss corporate influence in government, profiteering and the smart

meter issue at the CPUC. Martin Pall, PhD, Professor Emeritus School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, author of numerous scientiﬁc papers on oxidation and inﬂammation, will discuss the cellular mechanisms of action that explain the adverse biological effects of wireless devices on the human body. Katie Singer, Author of An Electronic Silent Spring, will report on the impact of EMRexposure on wildlife. Peter Sullivan, founder of Clear Light Ventures, Silicon Valley computer scientist who will discuss his personal family experience with autism spectrum disorder and how he improved the health of his family through EMF reduction.

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set aside a certain percentage of choice program spots for neighborhood children to control the overflow problem. Several parents who live in Los Altos Hills turned out Monday night to speak to the board about one of the subcommittee’s draft recommendations in particular: to re-assign the approximately 113 elementary students who live west of Foothill Boulevard in Los Altos Hills and the

Palo Alto Foothills from Nixon Elementary to Barron Park or Juana Briones to accommodate up to 150 new elementary students who will be coming to the district from new Stanford University housing currently under construction in the area. “I ask that you hear the nonnumeric considerations along with the reports of the demographer because our children are not, in fact, ‘elephants moving through schools of snakes,’” said Los Altos Hills resident and Nixon parent Kimberly Eng Lee, referencing a description that Collins made earlier in his presentation about large bubbles of students moving through schools. Board members urged the subcommittee to consider and consult with the city on the effect any potential recommendations could have on traffic in the neighborhoods around schools. Member Ken Dauber called the proposal to move the students living west of Foothill Boulevard to Juana Briones a “nonstarter” due to the probable traffic problems. A series of specific questions the board asked Monday night will be answered by the committee in the coming weeks. Both Collins and board President Melissa Baten Caswell noted that the subcommittee is still in the early stages. Baten Caswell suggested that more public outreach — town-hall style meetings, community forums and surveys — be done. “It’s really, really important that we have a process that is transparent, open to community input, allows everyone to get engaged and have their say and for you guys (on the board) to be able to hear it and for the community to have a conversation,” Collins said. “This is meant to get the conversation started.” The entire enrollment management committee will next meet on Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at the district office, 25 Churchill Ave. Its secondary subcommittee will also be scheduling a board study session for this or next month, Superintendent Max McGee said. The earliest a final report would be issued is December, he said. Q

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Pulse

A weekly compendium of vital statistics

POLICE CALLS Palo Alto

Sept. 30-Oct. 6 Violence related Arson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Child abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sexual assault attempt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Suicide attempt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Credit card fraud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Embezzlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Shoplifting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vehicle related Bicycle theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Driving with suspended license . . . . . 10 Driving without license . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lost/stolen plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . 13 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . 3 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Alcohol or drug related Drinking in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Driving under influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Open container. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Possession of paraphernalia . . . . . . . . 1 Smoking in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Under influence of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Miscellaneous Education code/misc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 False info to police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Leaf blower violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Illegal lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Misc. muni. code violation . . . . . . . . . . 1 Prohibited solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Public nuisance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Resisting arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . 2 Terrorist threats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Violation of court order . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Menlo Park

Sept. 30-Oct. 6 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

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Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Theft related Credit card fraud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Identity theft attempt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Vehicle related Auto burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Auto recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bicycle theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Driving with suspended license . . . . . 10 Driving without license . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Throwing substance at vehicle . . . . . . . 1 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . 1 Vehicle accident/no injury. . . . . . . . . . . 4 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Alcohol or drug related Driving under influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Possession of paraphernalia . . . . . . . . 3 Under influence of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Miscellaneous Concealed weapon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Domestic dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Info case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Located missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Parole arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Psychiatric evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . 1 Threats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Violation of court order . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

VIOLENT CRIMES Palo Alto

Kellogg Avenue, 9/30, 1:32 a.m.; domestic violence/battery. 2680 Middlefield Road, 9/30, 12:55 p.m.; battery/simple. Cowper Street, 9/30, 7:53 p.m.; sexual assault attempt/rape. 355 El Dorado Ave., 10/1, 3 a.m.; battery/simple. 300 University Ave., 10/1, 7:42 a.m.; arson/misc. Waverley Street, 10/3, 6:35 p.m.; child abuse/physical. El Camino Real, 10/4, 5:59 p.m.; domestic violence/assault. Forest Avenue, 10/4, 10:04 p.m.; suicide adult attempt/misc. Emerson Street, 10/5, 12:16 a.m.; domestic violence/battery. Embarcadero Road, 10/5, 3:13 p.m.; domestic violence/battery.

Menlo Park

400 block Market Place, 10/1, 12:57 a.m.; spousal abuse. Location undisclosed, 10/2, 11:19 a.m.; battery.

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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 21

Elizabeth McCroskey 1937 – 2015

Resident of Palo Alto Helen Elizabeth (Betty) McCroskey died peacefully on October 3, 2015, following a long struggle with a progressive brain disease. She was 77. Betty was born and raised in Dallas and Sherman, Texas, and she graduated from Woodrow High School in Dallas in 1956. She attended the University of Texas, where she met her husband, Jim McCroskey. She obtained a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Texas, a Masters degree in American History from Rutgers University, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Santa Clara University School of Law. Betty and Jim lived in Princeton, New Jersey, for 5 years, where their two daughters, Nancy and Susan were born. They moved to California in 1966, and settled in Palo Alto in 1973. They also lived one year in Brussels and one year in Paris during their marriage. Betty practiced family and elder law in Palo Alto from 1981 until her retirement in 1998, including 12 years at Gilfix and La Poll Associates, LLP. Betty enjoyed reading, traveling, politics, and home decorating, but most of all she enjoyed her family and their friends. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, William James McCroskey; daughters Nancy Elizabeth McCroskey of Pescadero and Susan Carol Kresin (Vitaly Kresin) of Santa Monica; and granddaughters, Madeline Elizabeth Kresin and Lydia Elizabeth Kresin. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on November 14, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1140 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, California. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the nonprofit Brain Support Network, P.O. Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026. PAID OBITUARY

Robert M. Huff

February 19, 1921 - October 2, 2015 Robert Milton Huff died peacefully October 2 at the age of 94. Born February 19, 1921, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Thomas B. Huff and Cecil Drinkard Huff, Robert attended Stanford University. He was a successful contractor, building many custom houses in Atherton that were known as “Huff Houses.” He had a long working relationship with Jack Stafford and Thomas Church, renowned landscape architects. Robert sold real estate with his wife Beverly for many years after his building career. He and Beverly loved to travel, and they spent every Christmas in Hawaii and made many trips to the family avocado ranch in Carpinteria, CA. They lived and traveled for a year in France and Spain. Robert was a member of the Menlo Circus Club and The Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club where he played golf and tennis. Robert was a passionate fan of the local sports scene, following Stanford, the 49ers, and the Giants. Robert is survived by his son, Phillip Huff, daughters Martha Smiland and Melissa Tereshchuk, two granddaughters, Lisa Sailor and Kelly Huff, and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Emery Rogers, Meredith Callahan, Anne Wager, and their families. In keeping with his wishes, the family will not be holding a memorial service. Remembrances in the form of donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America http://www.alzfdn. org/ContributetoAFA/makeadonation.html. PAID

OBITUARY

Page 22 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Transitions Births, marriages and deaths

George Liddicoat George Liddicoat, a longtime Palo Alto resident and businessman, died on Sept. 15 at his home. He was 90. He was born on April 13, 1925, in Palo Alto to George Liddicoat of Cornwall, England, and Mary Lennon of San Mateo. He grew up in Palo Alto with his five siblings and graduated from Palo Alto High

School in 1943. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 18. After his service, he attended University of Southern California and upon graduation began working in sales in New York. In July 1948, he married Mary Jo Lucas, whom he had become acquainted with during his high school and college years. Following graduate school at

William H. Benz

September 15, 1942-September 30, 2015 William Howard Benz, a Palo Alto resident since 1972, died unexpectedly at his home in Palo Alto on September 30. He was 73. Born in East Cleveland, Ohio, Bill was a graduate of Shaw High School. He attended Allegheny College in Meadville Pennsylvania, received his Masters degree in chemistry from Case Western Reserve University, and later obtained a law degree from the University of San Francisco. As an undergraduate at Allegheny, Bill met his future wife, Ruth, whom he married in 1967. Bill began his career at the Shell Chemical Company in Houston as a chemical engineer, while also studying law. He eventually transferred to the Bay Area to work in Shell’s San Francisco patent division. In the years that followed, Bill moved his family to Palo Alto and ventured into the growing biotechnology industry as one of the early employees of both Alza and Dynapol. This began a 30-year journey for Bill as a leader in several prominent intellectual property and general law firms, working with biotech and medical products companies as well as many universities. A long time member of the Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Law Association, Bill served as its co-president in 1989-90. A competitive runner in both high school and college, Bill loved running at the Stanford track with a group known as the Angel Field Ancients. He also loved to work on his cars. A lifelong fan of Porsche, he restored and raced model 356 speedsters, conquered the track in his red hot racer, and even traveled to Germany to pick up his very first new car in 1992. He is a past president of the Golden Gate Porsche Club, which he joined in 1972 serving on the board for many of those years. Bill loved to sing and cherished his time with the Stanford Symphonic Chorus. One of his greatest joys the last few years was singing in the Memorial Church Choir. Most of all, he loved to spend summer vacations in Ontario enjoying the Georgian Bay with his family. Bill’s family, friends, and law partners will remember him as humble, generous, hilariously funny, intelligent, and unfailingly ethical. He was a loving family man, a trusted and loyal friend, and a wise and patient mentor. He will be deeply missed. Bill is survived by his wife Ruth, two sons George and Alec, and numerous grandchildren. George resides in Manhattan Beach with his wife Molly, and their children Megan, Alex, and William. Younger son Alec resides in Chico with his wife Mele and their children Jasper and Hadley. Bill is also survived by his siblings Robert, George, and Virginia who all live in Ohio. A memorial service for Bill will be held on Saturday, October 17, at 10 A.M. in the chapel at Woodside Priory School, 302 Portola Rd., Portola Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Ecumenical Hunger Project and Avenidas. PAID

OBITUARY

the American Institute of Foreign Trade, he began an overseas career with Standard Oil of California, which relocated his family to Panama, Puerto Rico, Peru and then back to the East Coast — a period when they made many new lifelong friends. George left the oil business in 1972, and the family returned to Palo Alto so he could manage the family grocery store on University Avenue, Liddicoat’s. His family remembers him as a curious and adventurous man, who enjoyed pranks during his childhood and made use of opportunities throughout his life to help on the family’s commercial fishing vessels. He was predeceased by his son, George Matthew Liddicoat, and his siblings, Jack Liddicoat and Mary Ellen Smith. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Jo Liddicoat of Palo Alto; his children, Amy Keohane of Palo Alto, John Liddicoat of Seattle and Jody Liddicoat of Girdwood, Alaska; and his grandchildren, Julian and Andrew Manos, Bryan and Sean Keohane, and Merrill and Ella Liddicoat. A memorial service was held at Alta Mesa Chapel in Palo Alto on Sept. 21. Memorial donations can be made to the American Red Cross or the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).

Paul Weiss Paul Edward Weiss, a Palo Alto resident and retired Chevrolet car dealer, died on Aug. 25 of heart failure while on vacation in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 90. He was born on Oct. 6, 1924, in Chicago to Morton and Edna Weiss. He studied and graduated at the University of Chicago Laboratories High School, before enlisting at age 18 in the U.S. Navy. He served during World War II on a Landing Craft Infantry Flotilla Flagship in the Pacific Ocean, and he earned five distinctions as radar man second class, including a Bronze Service Star. With the help of the G.I. Bill, he attended the University of Chicago, earning a degree in business. After working briefly as a door-todoor salesman, he joined Midway Chevrolet, an agency in Chicago co-founded by his father. In 1953, he married Barbara, with whom he had three children. The family moved west in 1968 so Paul could start a Chevrolet franchise in Cupertino. After residing in Saratoga, they moved to Los Altos Hills in 1974. Paul

Transitions operated Key Chevrolet for 20 years before retiring and selling the dealership. In 2004, Paul and Barbara relocated to downtown Palo Alto. For over 40 years, Paul participated actively in the Rotary Club of Cupertino as a Paul Harris Fellow, and in 2011, he went with the group to Mexico to provide wheelchairs to the needy. In his retirement, he and Barbara traveled together, played golf and became involved in a variety of causes and activities. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Weiss of Palo Alto; his daughter, Linda (Mark) Moulding of San Carlos; sons, Richard (Nancy) Weiss of Los Altos Hills and Mark (Terry) Weiss of Palo Alto; and two grandsons, Jon and Aaron Lipinski. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Blumfield of Sarasota, Florida, and several cousins, including Mark Levi of Los Altos and Victor Levi of San Rafael. A memorial service for friends and family will be held on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cupertino Rotary Endowment Foundation, P.O. Box 1101, Cupertino, CA 95015; the Weiss Family Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Anna Gallant

June 3, 1928 - September 24, 2015 Anna Gallant passed from this life on September 24, 2015. Anna and her twin sister, Bessie, were born in Chicago, IL, on June 3, 1928. Their parents, Emil and Anna Becka, were immigrants from Czechoslovakia. Anna received her schooling in Chicago, and graduated as an RN from Presbyterian Hospital Nursing School in 1949. Soon thereafter, she and several of her nursing school friends packed up a car and drove across country to find nursing work in the Los Angeles, CA, vicinity. It was there she met John Gallant, a handsome Navy man, and they were married in 1954. They enjoyed nearly 50 years together before John’s passing. Anna and John settled in Palo Alto, CA, while he attended Stanford University and remained in the area the rest of their lives. Anna worked for many years as a nurse in pediatric ICU at Stanford Hospital. She loved children, and while they never had any of their own, she would frequently “borrow” the children of her friends and her nieces and nephews, taking them on special outings to the zoo, museums, and other fun activities. Anna’s other love was animals, and after her retirement, she was a volunteer docent at Deer Hollow Farm and the San Francisco Zoo. She was frequently seen hiking the paths in the Bay Area and her neighborhood in Palo Alto. Her energy was boundless and she relished being outdoors in nature. Anna was preceded in death by her sister, Bessie Becka, and her husband, John Gallant. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Albert Eberhart. A private memorial reception will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Deer Hollow Farm or Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health; http:// deerhollowfarmfriends.org/; http://www.lpfch.org/ PAID

OBITUARY

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Jerome “Jerry” Feeley July 6, 1953-October 1, 2015

Jerome “Jerry” Terence Feeley died peacefully surrounded by his family on Oct. 1, following a 14year battle with leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Louise, and daughters, Kelsey and Jennah. Also by his three sisters, Judith Cribbins, Margret “Peggy” Rupp, Barbara Feeley and their families. Born July 6, 1953, to Jerome W. Feeley and Helen Stanley Feeley, Jerry grew up in Palo Alto and Los Altos, graduating from Homestead High School in 1971 and then moving to San Diego for college and law school. He later moved back to Palo Alto, where he met and married Louise and then welcomed two daughters. Jerry’s health deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, and he passed away at Kaiser Santa Clara Hospital on the evening of Oct. 1. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Jerry’s name. Link: https://donate.lls.org/ lls/donate PAID

OBITUARY

William R. Morrill 1938 – 2015

Bill Morrill (77) passed away on September 26, 2015. He is survived by his daughter Christina (“Tina”) Morrill, son Michael (“Mike”) Morrill and his wife Kim, granddaughter Sophie, sisters Lynette Berri, Teresa Chavez, Marcella Morrill, Mary Alves and his companion, Theda Ann Harbour of Oklahoma. Bill was preceded in death by his mother Viva Lucille Snow Wood, father Louis Rudolf Morrill, brother Raymond Morrill, his aunt Mary Edith Snow, and cousin Jack Milton Snow. Bill proudly served his community with over thirty years in the Palo Alto Fire Department and retired as Battalion Chief. He raised his family in the communities of Palo Alto and Los Altos. He returned to Oklahoma after retirement. He was loved and respected by those that knew him. He was an avid fisherman who loved the Sierras and getting away to spend time in what he called “PQT” (peace, quiet, and tranquility). We like to think he has now gone to that great fishing hole in the sky; catching the big ones. A memorial service is planned for October 17, 2015; 10AM at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, 695 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto. (650) 493-1041. Those wishing to share their memories at the service are invited to do so. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the GBS/CIDP Foundation. http://www.gbs-cidp.org/ PAID

OBITUARY

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 23

Editorial A tortuous school inquiry Many failures and missteps make a sad mess of sexual-harassment investigation

alo Alto school district officials had the perfect opportunity last fall to demonstrate they had learned from their past mistakes and, after trainings mandated by its 2012 agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, were well-prepared for the next, inevitable complaint involving sexual harassment or discrimination. Last September, the concerned parents of a recently graduated 18year old Palo Alto High School student reported that their daughter and one of her teachers had commenced a sexual relationship right after graduation, and they wanted the school to be aware and take steps to prevent it from happening in the future to anyone else. It was an especially important time for the district to respond carefully because the district was, and still is, under investigation by the OCR to determine if it responded appropriately to previous incidents at both Paly and Gunn involving potential sexual harassment. It was also a great chance for then-new Superintendent Max McGee to model how such issues would be handled differently under his administration, with strict adherence to the district’s policies, especially the legally mandated and recently updated Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP), which spell out exactly how reports of possible sexual harassment should be investigated. Instead, as this week’s story in the Weekly outlines, the district not only failed to follow those policies but over the course of a year involved two of its law firms in uncoordinated and siloed work that ultimately led them to different legal conclusions and left the district with bills in excess of $50,000. As soon as the parents met with Paly Principal Kim Diorio and shared their information, district policies (and both state and federal law) required that a UCP investigation be conducted and completed within 60 days. Among other requirements, the investigator is to be impartial, conduct interviews and gather evidence, make a determination on the credibility of witnesses, make findings of fact and arrive at a conclusion as to what steps need to be taken to correct any problems with the school’s response or school climate through trainings or new policies. A written report must be shared with the complainant. Instead of following these steps, the school district decided to treat the issue as a personnel matter and turned it over to the human resources department to investigate. After interviewing the parents and the teacher, but not the girl, no report was written and the matter was eventually dropped because of conflicting witness statements. Then five months later, around the time the former boyfriend of the girl came forward and challenged the adequacy of the investigation that had been done, the district decided to ask the same law firm that is defending the district in the OCR cases to conduct a UCP/Title IX investigation into the allegations and whether the district had responded properly. The Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost firm concluded that it was more likely than not that no sexual relationship or harassment occurred between the teacher and student and that the district had fully complied with its responsibilities under the law. Meanwhile the district’s other primary law firm, Lozano Smith, which was not made aware of the Fagen Friedman investigation until after it was completed, came to the opposite conclusion — that it was more likely than not that the allegations were true and that teacher had “exploited” his position of power “to establish the basis for a sexual/romantic relationship with a former student.” Within a six-week period last summer, the teacher was informed by one district law firm that he had been exonerated and by another law firm that he had engaged in unprofessional conduct and could be terminated if the behavior recurs, both firms using the same standard of proof called “preponderance of the evidence.” It is especially disturbing that the Fagen report criticized Paly Principal Diorio for urging her superiors to place the teacher on paid administrative leave during the initial investigation, calling leave a “very serious consequence” that was “ultimately not warranted.” In fact, Diorio may be the only district employee who showed the appropriate concern and correctly advocated for an independent investigation. Sadly, the district has shown it still does not have its house in order on how to respond to serious complaints in spite of extensive trainings of teachers and administrators. If nothing else, this latest mess clearly demonstrates why the district badly needs a high quality in-house general counsel to quarterback compliance matters and manage the work of outside lawyers. We hope McGee and the Board of Education will move quickly to fill this position and insist that all harassment or discrimination complaints be immediately turned over to that person for proper handling under district policies. Students, parents, teachers and the public all deserve better. Q

Page 24 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions

Bartering broken Editor, While we were pleased when City Council deferred a decision on the “planned-community” (PC) zoning, we are also deeply concerned that the consideration of “exceptions” to zoning laws is back on the table. Zoning laws exist for very good reasons, and if they are not adhered to, deterioration of the city environment will follow. The Aug. 21 Palo Alto Weekly article explains that the PC zoning process allows developers to barter with the city, to propose projects that exceed zoning regulations in exchange for “public benefits.” No agreement exists as to what these benefits might be, or where, within the city. Therefore, if a MegaMansion is allowed on a north Palo Alto street — stealing daylight, spoiling views, impacting property values and upsetting the community — residents may learn they are to be “compensated” by a children’s play structure in another part of the city entirely! Even worse, the council seems complacent that cash could be considered among the “benefits.” The failure of this process is clearly demonstrated by the fiasco at Edgewood Shopping Center, where local residents agreed to “exceptions” in return for a commitment that a quality grocery store would be included. Fresh Market moved in but soon closed all four of its California stores. Local residents continue to drive miles to find a quality grocery store, increasing smog and traffic congestion. A clear example of how an exchange/barter can go wrong: We have the extra houses but not the grocery store. We cannot be completely closed to exceptions, if they are truly warranted. We need a proper process to consider valid cases, one that involves in any exception the folks who will most be affected by it. We made zoning laws for our own protection. Let us not invalidate them for the convenience of the few. John and Jennifer Kelly University Avenue, Palo Alto

Not just a privilege Editor, How much longer must the citizens of Palo Alto wait? This letter is in regards to the story in the Weekly of Oct. 2 on the latest installment about Internet access to every home in the city. Man, the wheels of governmental bureaucracy do turn slowly. Palo Alto prides itself as a home of silicon technology. Like telephones, the Internet has become a necessity for communication and also for our community to stay informed.

It is no longer just a privilege. It thus makes sense for Palo Alto to be progressive on Internet access as it does on other community improvements. So come on Palo Alto, get with it. Lorin Krogh Encina Avenue, Palo Alto

Around the clock Editor, Saving the trees should be easy. We have tons of irrigation water from the sewage treatment plant. A bit on the salty side and definitely not the best for continual watering of our East Coast style of landscaping, but it will do in a pinch. Palo Alto’s watering truck is only operated 60 to 70 hours a week. I worked my way through college as a steel worker in a mill that ran 20 eight-hour shifts a week. Maximize the water truck by operating it 160 hours a week with four eight-hour shifts: days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; afternoons from 4 p.m. to midnight; night shift from midnight to 8 a.m. and a “swing shift” employee to work the days off for the other three. That leaves one shift a week for truck maintenance. Watering street trees at night is not going to be any additional disturbance over the train whistles and low-flying heavy aircraft. Twenty percent of this town are seniors who don’t sleep through the night anyway. The gushing purr of a water truck will reassure them we are saving trees, many of which were planted in the 1930s by a city council with foresight and most probably not a lot of “process.” As

a stunningly talented Palo Altan genius said, “Just do it.” Richard Alexander Santa Rita Avenue, Palo Alto

Zoning worsens traffic Editor, There is an action that the City Council can take immediately that will add to the quantity and diversity of housing stock in downtown Palo Alto. The council can change the zoning ordinance that requires every house to have a garage and every apartment to have a parking space. Current zoning forbids an apartment to be built without at least one parking space; and no garage can be legally converted to an apartment if it leaves a house with no garage. These ordinances are the legacy of days when land was plentiful and climate change was unknown. By keeping these archaic rules, the City Council is limiting housing options, especially for young people and the elderly who are forced to rent or own a parking space for a car they may not need. In this way, Palo Alto encourages automobile use over alternative means and adds to our traffic woes. There is no need to wait for the Comprehensive Plan to be approved, nor lengthy negotiations with developers. Just bring our zoning ordinances in line with the values expressed by the citizens who spoke at the City Council meeting Monday night. Elaine Haight Cowper Street, Palo Alto

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

How important is it for Palo Alto to build higher-density housing? Submit letters to the editor of up to 300 words to letters@paweekly.com.

Check out Town Square! Hundreds of local topics are being discussed by local residents on Town Square, a reader forum sponsored by the Weekly at PaloAltoOnline.com/square. Post your own comments, ask questions or just stay up on what people are talking about around town!

Off Deadline

Personalizing the ‘urban forest’ by Jay Thorwaldson

he current dialogue over northern Palo Alto’s historic “urban forest” may mean that residents need to take more personal initiative to assure it’s a full-habitat forest, not just a collection of trees. The emergence of an “Urban Forest Master Plan” will add an official stamp on the long-used term. The plan, first proposed nine years ago, finally began to take shape under the guidance of the city’s first “urban forester,” Walter Passmore, who was selected after an exhaustive search that included two interview panels of non-city professional and state arborists. Passmore grew up in San Francisco, is a certified arborist, and has a bachelor’s degree in forestry/natural resource management from California Polytechnic State University. At the time of his hire in mid-2012 he was completing a master’s degree in public administration at Texas State University. The 206-page draft master plan, with extensive data on Palo Alto’s existing trees and the overall forest, is available online at tinyurl.com/PA-Forest. It is an interesting, well-designed and jam-packed plan, well worth the reading. The term urban forest means both the city’s street trees — estimated at well over 100,000 — and trees on private properties, both residential and commercial. As outlined in an earlier column — tinyurl.com/

PAW-trees9-26 — the plan was initially suggested by Canopy, the nonprofit created by the city to count, monitor and educate about trees and their well-being. The council adopted the plan last month, subject to possible revisions due to a latebreaking opposition from three significant environmental groups: the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club and the California Native Plant Society. Canopy and the Palo Alto-based Acterra supported adoption of the plan. Discussions have been underway to resolve any differences for a final version. Over the years as a journalist covering Palo Alto, I was well-acquainted with many of those who had a hand in creating today’s forested streets, among them George Hood. He was the near-legendary city tree arborist who is best known for saving the life of El Palo Alto, the city’s “living landmark,” nearly 80 years ago after he was named the city’s park-maintenance foreman in 1938. He served for just under 40 years and was credited with growing more than 50,000 trees in the city’s former nursery, behind Eleanor Pardee Park. That nursery replaced an earlier nursery near where El Palo Alto still stands, at the Caltrain bridge over San Francisquito Creek. The venerable tree, once a double-trunk landmark for Spanish explorers in the 1600s, still has the pipe Hood had installed up its side so it could be misted, like coastal redwood trees, in what he termed a “fool the redwood” maneuver. He also nursed its shallow roots and reversed its potentially terminal decline.

As a reporter for the Palo Alto Times, one of my assignments well into the 1970s was to cover the annual “physical exam” for El Palo Alto. The city would back its then-new tall snorkel fire truck back to the tree and lift a climber from Davey Tree Company up into its branches. One year there was great concern when the climber found an invasion of airborne termites in its upper branches and wood, requiring surgical removal and trimming the tree’s height back some feet. Hood took the branches, cut them into diagonal sections, and gave them out as light paperweights, with termite holes visible. Somewhere I still have one of his early slices. Hood also propagated what he called “El Nino Palo Alto” trees from seeds, often requiring a thousand or more seeds to produce a handful of seedlings. One El Nino was planted at Mitchell Park in south Palo Alto, and others were given out as awards or sent to cities internationally that wanted redwoods of their own. He also grew redwoods from seeds that had orbited the earth 126 times, in a challenge by astronaut Loren Acton of Palo Alto — trees later planted at Piers Park — and is also credited with saving many non-redwood street trees, which were showing signs of distress over the years. But those who love fall colors in their urban forest can thank Hood, who created his own variety of sweet-gum liquidambar to replace an ailing tree in the 1300 block of Pitman Avenue. The trademarked “Palo Alto liquidambar” has been adopted in cities internationally. Hood also specialized in growing trees that thrive in the alkaline-clay soil of Palo

Alto, with seedlings from Asia, South America and India — perhaps the roots of today’s concern about non-native species that don’t support native habitat. An excellent summary of Hood’s contributions, by local writer JudyAnn Edwards, was published in the Nov. 15, 2006, Weekly, and is online at PaloAltoOnline.com. Hood followed the path of others in expanding the urban forest. In the 1920s, Charles Miller created the city’s first tree nursery using wood salvaged from the former Palo Alto Hospital, near the site of El Palo Alto. Members of the Palo Alto Women’s Club distributed his seedlings of the trees from the nursery, vastly expanding the canopy coverage of what grew into the urban forest from its earlier beginnings of about 120 years ago. The future of the forest is now being framed. Its expansion farther into south Palo Alto to correct a long-noted tree imbalance is being planned, while making the forest into a stronger habitat for birds, animals and insects is being actively discussed. Here’s a suggestion: If even a portion of the homeowners planted a tree or critterfriendly shrubs (information available from the California Native Plant Society, Canopy, the Audubon Society and other sources, including the city), it would mean that hundreds, even thousands of new habitat sources would be added to the existing supply. It would round out the forest into a full-range urban forest. Q Former Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson can be emailed at jaythor@well.com. He also writes periodic blogs at PaloAltoOnline.com.

Streetwise

What do you think of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bus Rapid Transit proposal? Asked on California Avenue. Interviews and photos by Muna Sadek.

Mary Cambridge

Alina Wright

Patience Young

John Biddick

Ginger von Wening

Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto Social media specialist

Avery Lane, Los Gatos Registered nurse

California Avenue, Palo Alto Retired art history curator

Bayview Court, Aptos Retired school teacher

Barbara Drive, Palo Alto Musician

“It just seems that with the volume of cars that try to get across town it would make travel much worse. Though it might incentivize riding the bus.”

“There isn’t a lot of space already.”

“I’ve rode these buses before. The 522 is still faster than driving, and you don’t have to park.”

“Anything that supports public transportation is convenient. ... We need more bike lanes before bus lanes.”

“I would probably consider riding (a bus) if I needed to travel during rush hour. ... We’ve got to get out of our cars.”

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 25

Through

my ears

Anna Deavere Smith on the music of language and the fallacy of separateness by Elizabeth Schwyzer kevinberne.com

In her latest play, “Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education,”Anna Deavere Smith portrays many characters, among them a videographer who shot footage of the Freddie Gray beating.

he Rodney

King riots.

T he A mer ica n health care crisis. The schoolto-prison pipeline. Writer and performer Anna Deavere Smith doesn’t have a single area of interest. Instead, she listens for the stories America needs to tell. And then she tells them. For much of the month of October, Smith will be in residence at Stanford University, where she taught in the drama department between 1990 and 2000 before moving to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. It was during her time on the Stanford faculty that she catapulted her way into the public eye with her one-woman play, “Fires in the Mirror,” a show based entirely on first-person interviews conducted after the racially-motivated Crown Heights riots of 1991. During her Stanford visit, the MacArthur Fellow and National Humanities Medal honoree will give live performances, show films of her work and participate in a range of public discussions about race, education, religion and the arts. Last week, Smith spoke to the Weekly about her creative process, her way of listening to language and her belief in the enduring relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message.

Your most recent play, “Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education,” tackles the idea of the “school-to-prison-pipeline.” What have your learned through the process of creating this show? I would probably now revise the notion of “school-to-prison” to “poverty-to-prison.” What I’ve learned so far is that the environment in which kids are born makes it very, very difficult for them to make it through schools as we know them to be right now. If anything concerns me about that phenomenon, it’s that I fear we’re blaming schools for something for that’s larger than just schools. It’s almost as if we need a revision of what schools are if we expect them to provide the intervention we seem to expect. I don’t think we can even imagine what we would need schools to be to address this issue. Tell me about some of the people you’ve met in researching this topic. I visited a juvenile facility outside Baltimore in Maryland, and talked to two young people. This was the first time I talked to two kids who were incarcerated. One of them, at end of interview when I thanked him for giving me his time, he sat forward and asked

Page 26 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

me if he could tell me why he was afraid not to be committed. It was because if he were released he wouldn’t be able to get any of the services that he gets inside. That was really something. There was also a young woman at a facility in California. I was really interested in how smart she was. A the young age of 12, she had pimped off her brother’s girlfriend. To think of a 12-year-old girl pimp; it does something to your brain. When you enter a new community to conduct interviews, how do you gain trust initially? I guess people know if you’re listening; that’s number one. I try not to ask too many questions. After a catastrophe, many people are willing, eager and excited to talk. Given that I’m a dramatist, I take myself to dramatic places. Even my piece on health care: Once you walk into hospital you have the fear of death, the worry that it could happen. People are facing the reality, “Life may end,” or “I am incapacitated in some way that keeps me from the full realization of my life.” I mean, even if you cut your finger and someone asks you about it, you generally have a bit of gusto to talk about it. I’m interested in people who want to go to the top of a mountain and scream their truth. What

you need in order to be on stage is a very, very strong desire to communicate. So first I have to find people who really, really want to talk. Inside of that, I look for the story. Tell me about collaborating with musicians, as you do in a number of newer projects. How does it affect you as a performer to have live music in your shows? Right now I’m working on a few different projects that use musicians. One is my new play, “Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education,” where I collaborate with a Bay Area jazz musician: Marcus Shelby, the bass player. With “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” I work with Bobby (McDuffie, violin) and Anne (Epperson, piano). First of all, I think it adds a house around what I’m doing. It certainly gives the audience an opportunity to access themselves emotionally. It evokes something in them that is not intellectual and non-verbal. As an actress, my medium is words and ideas, and music is something else entirely, although when I listen to language, I’m listening to its music more than its contents. Can you say more about that? What does it mean to listen to the music of language?

If you try to teach a child how to say, “Thank you,” most likely you’ll say, “Say THANK yooo,” or you’ll refer to its mother as, “MAH mahhhh.” Children learn through nursery rhymes and songs. Music comes as a primary and natural state for us, and the wonderful thing about music is that it’s absolutely global. It doesn’t need the intrusion of language in order to be understood. I come from an oral tradition: the African American oral tradition. I grew up in the African American church, which had lots of music and oratorical mixed together. So I listen to the rhythm of speech. I’ve made about 19 plays that way. Also, I spend so much of my time listening to people’s voices. It’s very different from looking at words on a page. The only way I can learn this thing that I do is through my ears. When you perform MLK’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” today, does its resonance feel historical or contemporary? Oh, I think it’s more relevant than ever, unfortunately. I happen to be a person who grew up in a segregated town — de facto segregation — in Baltimore. And it’s much worse off now than when I was living there. (continued on page 28)

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Arts & Entertainment

kevinberne.com

Bay Area jazz musician Marcus Shelby composes music for and performs in Anna Deavere Smith’s latest show, “Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education.”

Through my ears (continued from page 26)

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We talk about a moral imagination. Dr. King was certainly trying to spark a moral imagination in this country. He was also preaching love, counting on love. He was asking us to think about what great thinkers have suggested in the past, among them Martin Buber, who asked us to think about I and Thou and to think about the danger of seeing the world that way, or the writer Paul Tillich who says our tendency to separate ourselves is a tragic matter that’s not really what we should be headed toward. Or this awful, inadvertent film festival we’ve been watching all year of cops killing young black males: It could not be more obvious that there is something the matter. We have forgotten. We are now living in an I and Thou world. So I think it makes sense to go back to the genius of King and to ask that some of his letter’s resonances inspire us. In Palo Alto there are so many things that people can do. It’s one of the wealthiest areas in the world with a lot of imaginative people with resources, people who will have many more ideas than I could ever possibly have about what to do. I’m just an actor. Q Arts & Entertainment Editor Elizabeth Schwyzer can be emailed at eschwyzer@paweekly. com.

What: Anna Deavere Smith in residency Where: Stanford University When: • Conversations on Compassion, CEMEX Auditorium, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 6 p.m. • Screening of “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” followed by a Q&A, Cubberley Auditorium, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. • Performance of “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” Memorial Church, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. • Talk with Anna Deavere Smith, Clark Center Auditorium, Friday, Oct. 23, noon. • University Public Worship: An Interfaith Service of Remembrance, Memorial Church, Sunday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. • Art, Race and Citizenship: Anna Deavere Smith in conversation with Frank Rich, Bing Concert Hall, Monday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. • Storytelling and Healing, Memorial Auditorium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. • Performance of “The Pipeline Project,” Bing Concert Hall, Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. Cost: Varies Info: Go to events.stanford.edu.

SEE MORE ONLINE www.PaloAltoOnline.com Watch videos of Anna Deavere Smith in the online version of this story at PaloAltoOnline.com.

Arts & Entertainment

Lance Huntley

In “Or,” Kathryn Han plays 17th-century English playwright and spy Aphra Behn; Michael Wayne Rice plays both King Charles and double-agent William Scot.

REVIEW THEATER

In His Majesty’s service “Or” explores the fascinating life of playwright, spy Aphra Behn by Karla Kane

a window into Behn’s adventuresome existence. Behn gained fame as one of the first Englishwomen to succeed as a professional writer. She lived in the Restoration era, when King Charles II ushered in a new age of artistry and glamour after the bleak, brief Republican period. An accomplished and prolific poet, playwright and novelist,

bious assassination plot against the sovereign. Meanwhile, King Charles wants her to deliver Scot to him as a traitor. The fact that both men are played by the same actor adds an extra layer of pleasing complexity to the already convoluted plot. Little is known about the real Behn’s backstory, and Adams’ play doesn’t purport to be historically accurate, but the world described and presented by the

vivacious Gwyn is irresistible — a golden age of free love and fluid sexual orientation, a flourishing of fashion and fun and new-found opportunities for women. Unabashedly ambitious Behn and frivolous Gwyn seemingly aren’t concerned with progressive ideals or social justice. Nevertheless, one can’t help but see them as feminist trailblazers. (continued on next page)

Lance Huntley

phra Behn led a dramatic life, in several senses of the term. To quote Virginia Woolf, “All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn ... for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.” In her 2009 play, currently presented by Redwood City’s Dragon Theatre, Liz Duffy Adams offers

Behn was a post-Renaissance women ahead of her time. But in addition to her literary prowess, she worked as a spy in His Majesty’s service, reporting on the dealings of those in foreign lands who would plot against the king. “Or,” is a cheeky, delectable peach of a play that mainly takes place over the course of one evening. As a reward for her underpaid years of expensive, dangerous work as a spy as well as for her own personal charm, Behn (Kathryn Han) has been given the secret patronage of the king (Michael Wayne Rice). This allows her to live in comfort in her posh London home of the late 1660s and to work toward achieving her dream of becoming a professional playwright. She’s also the king’s mistress — one of many, it seems — but lives a happily independent life, aided by her faithful longtime servant, Maria (Doll Piccotto). Behn is even hooked up, both romantically and theatrically, with toast-of-the-town actress/ courtesan/social butterfly Nell Gwyn (Naomi Evans), for whom she also plays matchmaker with King Charles (in real life, Gwyn and the king were indeed in a long-term relationship). Best of all, Behn has been hired to provide a play to a newly restored theater company, led by the daffy, ebullient Lady Davenant (Piccotto again). The only trouble is, while the king and Gwyn frolic in the boudoir and Behn struggles to finish her play on a tight deadline, a shady character from her past turns up to complicate matters. William Scot (also Rice, in the show’s second dual role) was Behn’s former lover and a fellow spy but got himself into trouble as a double agent. He wants Behn’s help in exposing an alleged, du-

Doll Picotto, left, plays the ebullient theater company director Lady Davenant; Kathryn Han plays playwright Aphra Behn in Dragon Theatre’s production of “Or.”

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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 29

Arts & Entertainment

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Orâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (continued from previous page)

Since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a play about a playwright, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Or,â&#x20AC;? contains some winking nods to the overlap between Behnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;realâ&#x20AC;? life and her work. (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just write me one of those clever servant parts,â&#x20AC;? clever servant Maria declares.) Adams also mixes period language in the style of Behnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Restorationera prose (or, as the case may be, rhymes), with modern, conversational dialogue. The actors switch back and forth between the styles seamlessly. Speaking of switching, Rice is excellent as both the smoothly charming monarch and the jittery, down-on-his luck Scot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Or,â&#x20AC;? is partly a farce, with characters bursting in and out of rooms while Behn tries to keep things from unraveling, and Riceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quick changes between his two roles heightens the comic aspect nicely. The other actor doing double duty, Piccotto, has one of the best scenes in the show as

Lady Davenant, whose few moments on stage are among the most memorable. Evans is appealingly saucy as Gwyn, and Han is plenty capable in her leading role. Puritans take heed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Or,â&#x20AC;? is full of â&#x20AC;&#x153;adultâ&#x20AC;? language and situations, much like Behnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own works. But for those who like their farces with a dash of lit-class flair, this relatively brief production (90 minutes, no intermission) is a smart and sexy look at a fascinating figure, whose life was certainly stage-worthy. Q Freelance writer Karla Kane can be emailed at karlajkane@ gmail.com. What:â&#x20AC;?Or,â&#x20AC;? by Liz Duffy Adams Where: Dragon Theatre, 2120 Broadway, Redwood City When: Through Oct. 25. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Post-show discussion Sunday, Oct. 18. Cost: $27-$35 Info: Go to dragonproductions. net or call 650-493-2006.

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FOR INFORMATION OR TO APPLY: *VU[HJ[ [OL *P[` *SLYR»Z 6ɉJL H[ (650) 329-2571 or David.Carnahan@CityofPaloAlto.org

Film

REEL ROCK From Budapest to Birmingham, Santiago to St. Louis, the 2015 REEL ROCK film festival is touching down around the world this month to thrill audiences with a touch of vertical fever. One of the premiere rock climbing film fests, REEL ROCK will bring a curated collection of climbing films to the Mountain View Center of the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., on Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. This year’s lineup features films of big walls, big boulders and big moves from world-class climbers, including Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson, Alex Honnold and Daniel Woods. But you don’t have to know a thing about these guys to get an adrenaline rush off their bodacious high-ball bouldering, free climbing feats and epic journeys up jagged Alpine routes. Plus, it’s not just screenings: Come prepared for prize giveaways, athlete and filmmakers appearances and a party-like atmosphere. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the ticket office, over the phone or online. Go to goo.gl/sdvAF2 or call 650-903-6000.

Dance ‘Esencia Flamenca’ Siblings Rosario, Ricardo and Jose Castro Romero were born and raised in Andalusia, Spain: the heartland of the art of flamenco. Their acclaimed flamenco company, Suite Española, comes to Redwood City this Sunday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. They’ll perform their latest show, “Esencia Flamenca,” at the Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway. Tickets are $49$95. Go to goo.gl/o1OYIB or call 650-369-7770.

Comedy Oddball festival Comedians Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation”) and Amy Schumer (“Inside Amy Schumer,” “Trainwreck”) headline the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival at Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Ampitheatre Parkway, this Tuesday, Oct. 13. The laughs starts at 5 p.m. Tickets are $31.75$150.75. Go to oddballfest.com.

Books ‘The Martian’ From programmer and software engineer to novelist and author of the sci-fi novel that’s been made into a feature film starring Matt Damon, Mountain View’s Andy Weir has been on a galactic journey of his own. Weir will appear at Stanford Bookstore on Thursday, Oct. 15, to read from, discuss and sign copies of “The Martian.” The event is free. Go to goo.gl/ O8w6Oi or call 650-329-1217, ext. 320.

SEE MORE ONLINE

PaloAltoOnline.com

Watch videos of REEL ROCK, the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival and more in the online version of this story at PaloAltoOnline.com.

Music Nancy Cassidy For a mellow evening of family-friendly folk music, head to a house concert held by singer-songwriter Nancy Cassidy on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. The show takes place at 2297 Harvard St., Palo Alto. All ages are welcome. A $10 donation is requested. Go to nancycassidymusic.com or call 650-888-8270.

Film Jewish film fest From the opening night festivities on Saturday, Oct. 10, featuring Israeli recording artist David Broza to closing night’s gala on Sunday, Nov. 8, the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival returns to Palo Alto this month. Many screenings take place at the Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way. For a full festival schedule, go to svjff.org or call 408-498-0904. Q — Elizabeth Schwyzer

Above: Among the stars of this year’s REEL ROCK film festival are climbers Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell, pictured here on the Fitz Roy Traverse in Patagonia, Argentina. www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 31

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Eating Out

Turn

RESTAURANT REVIEW

me on Upscale comfort food is hit-and-miss at Turn Bar & Grill by Trevor Felch / photos by Michelle Le

uisines evolve over time. Still, the popularity of American comfort food gone upscale hasn’t faded away since the Recession a decade ago. Remind me, how many “neighborhood bistros” with bacon-heavy plates, “Neapolitan” pizzas and spruced-up burgers are there in the Bay Area? Lots, but not many in quiet downtown Los Altos. It has always been hard to park at noon in Los Altos, but the area gets sleepy after sunset. There is some buzz now on Main Street when happy hour rolls around, thanks in large part to threemonth-old Turn Bar & Grill. Bacon? At Turn, it appears in mac and cheese with Gorgonzola and aged white cheddar, and also in the excellent, lunch-only chicken avocado club that curiously doesn’t have the typical stacked layers of a club sandwich. Burger? Of course. Pizza? Seven different pies, but New York-style, not Naples. Fried chicken? It’s the most frequently ordered item. Turn doesn’t shy away from checking off every trend of the of the moment. It goes without saying that everything at Turn is homemade, and the kitchen strives to be seasonally appropriate with fresh ingredients. All of this leads to a borderline overwhelmingly extensive menu where baby lamb chops are a starter and the quinoa salad is in the same category as the burger. Bone marrow with sriracha jam, short rib sliders, burrata with tomatoes — yes, all the social

media generation’s greatest hits are there. It’s great to have abundant choices, especially for a restaurant geared toward being accessible to discerning eaters and to families. But as often happens in cases like this, more choices mean most dishes don’t quite fulfill their potential. The pizzas ($14-$17) from the clearly visible stone oven encapsulate exactly where Turn is at the moment. Choices range drastically from a basic margherita to cured salmon to pork belly and figs. I was enthralled with the portobello mushroom, roasted pepper and artichoke pie that effortlessly balanced the primary toppings with the not-so-subtle additions of manchego cheese and truffle oil. Unfortunately, a pizza is only as good as its crust. The dense, flabby texture and bland taste of Turn’s need help. Order the kale salad ($16). Seriously. The ever-hip yoga cuisine favorite basks in its bowl with sherry vinaigrette, almonds, corn, tomatoes and grilled shrimp. Yet it falls in the no-man’s land of being too small for an entree salad with just three little shrimp, yet a bit too substantial for a starter. An ahi tuna poke ($16) small plate boasts gorgeous diced rubyhued fish begging for more seasoning next to a pool of wasabi sauce. The sauce is needed, but it’s too ferocious even for most spice-lovers. Entrees come with the same mixed results. The braised short

ON THE WEB: Hundreds of restaurant reviews at PaloAltoOnline.com

Among the New York-style pizzas on the menu at Turn Bar & Grill are jamón ibérico topped with mozzarella, arugula, plum tomatoes and olive oil.

Turn Bar & Grill in Los Altos features a lively horseshoe-shaped bar and a stylish warehouse-industrial dining room. ribs ($26) cry out for a robust supporting element, though a garnish of Gorgonzola helps a little. The lone fish entree, Alaskan halibut ($34) is perfectly cooked, the accompanying red pepper puree serviceable but the dollop of corn-tomato-fava bean succotash too skimpy to play much of a role. And no, that price is not a misprint. The halibut is priced in the big leagues with some seriously ambitious kitchens around the Bay Area. Interestingly, the same halibut, sans succotash, is $19 at lunch.

For sweets, a chocolate ganache tartlet was irresistible with a sprinkle of sea salt, while the berry cobbler reminded me too vividly of the mundane pizza crust (Salt! Sugar! Something to give flavor!). Drinks are also a weakness. The standard California wines, familiar cocktails and vaguely interesting craft beers are the type that would have been exciting a decade ago. Apparently, the cocktail menu is getting a revamp soon, as is the food menu with a new chef, Mark Laverty, taking over this week.

Despite the initial menu missteps, the place fulfills the vision of husband-and-wife owners Jim and Julie Otis. Jim is a lifelong Los Altos resident who has been involved with the restaurant industry for years, while Julie works in the hightech sector. Turn really is the all-ages gathering spot for good times that the couple intended to create. Everyone is having fun. It gets loud at prime time in the 135-seat space with numerous (continued on next page)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 33

Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto 4th Annual Angel Award an award evening and cocktail party honoring

Barbara Sih Klausner Executive Director of DreamCatchers Emcee: County Supervisor Joe Simitian

October 22, 5:30 - 7:30 pm Sheraton Palo Alto

Eating Out (continued from previous page)

wood elements and high ceilings. Conversation mixes with noise from the plasma TVs flanking the lively horseshoe-shaped bar. There are even TVs in the bathroom so you don’t miss a pitch. The primary dining room boasts a warehouseindustrial character: bare black tables, comfortable leather booths, and dangling Edison lights. Locals

may hardly recognize that this is the former A.G. Ferrari Italian market. For lunch or a rare balmy evening, or if you’re freezing (as I was on every visit, due to the powerful air conditioning), the patio seating on Main Street can’t be beat. Servers pace meals well, quickly offer recommendations when asked and were kind enough to offer a free iced tea when the kitchen was closed by

dessert time at lunch. Turn Bar & Grill won’t transform Los Altos into an international dining destination, but with a bit of attentive adaptation in the kitchen, it stands to become a neighborhood favorite as the years turn. Q Freelance writer Trevor Felch can be emailed at trevorfelch@ yahoo.com.

625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

BUY TICKETS: $50 until Oct. 16, $55 afterwards: www.KiwanisAngelAward.org www.facebook.com/KiwanisAngelAward Event proceeds will go to the Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto Charitable Foundation to support community organizations serving children and youth in the Palo Alto area. In-Kind Sponsors: Gleim the Jeweler • Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel Media Sponsor: Palo Alto Weekly Sponsors: bbTTech, Inc. • Patrick Farris Realtors Fidelity Investments - Mountain View Center Fidelity Investments - Palo Alto Center Nancy Goldcamp, Realtor • Irvin, Abrahamson & Co. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford • Mayﬁeld Advisors, Inc. Palantir • Palo Alto Medical Foundation • Palo Alto University Presidio Bank • Stanford Federal Credit Union • Wells Fargo

YVONNE FAISAL Yvonne is the Coordinator of Systems and Innovation at the Priory. She is an honors graduate from Drury University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Physics, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Washington University. She loves to teach, acting as a guide to the world of science and critical thinking. She is heartened to see students grow and become enthusiastic learners. She has developed two new Tinker Labs at the Priory. When asked about awards and accomplishments, Yvonne says, “My daughters are the greatest gift or award I could ever receive.” ONE OF THE MANY REASONS TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO:

Woodside Priory School Admissions Ofﬁce 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 650.851.8223 Q www.PrioryCA.org

OPEN HOUSE For prospective students and families Middle School Program (Grades Six to Eight) Saturday, November 14, 2015 – 10 AM Saturday, December 5, 2015 – 10 AM Upper School Program (Grades Nine to Eleven) Saturday, November 14, 2015 – 2 PM Saturday, December 5, 2015 – 2 PM For information and to R.S.V.P. contact Admissions at 650.851.8223

Tidbits by Elena Kadvany

MAKING LEMONADE … Lemonade, a fast-casual healthy restaurant chain based in Southern California, announced last week a forthcoming expansion into the Bay Area, including a new location in downtown Palo Alto. Lemonade will be opening in 2016 what it plans to be its flagship Bay Area location at 151 University Ave., the former home of La Boulange. Lemonade CEO and co-founder Alan Jackson said his company has been eyeing Palo Alto, and University Avenue in particular, for the past year and a half. Walk into a Lemonade and you can choose cafeteria-style from 20 fresh, seasonal dishes like cauliflower with golden raisins, almonds and curry; soba noodles with kimchimarinated vegetables, toasted peanuts and sesame seeds; and couscous with mushrooms, Parmesan cheese and lemon truffle. There are also hot dishes including mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, buttermilkbaked chicken breast and citruspoached salmon.

FAREWELL, SU HONG MENLO … Su Hong To Go in Menlo Park, the takeout Chinese-food favorite of generations of customers, is no more. Owner Bee King, who has been at the helm of the to-go outpost as well as a now-shuttered sit-down restaurant for more than three decades, has decided to retire and sell the restaurant. After 38 years of working seven days a week, she’s ready to “reserve some time” for herself, she said. King sold the at 630 Menlo Ave. restaurant to a longtime local restaurant owner, Jason Kwan, who will keep the venerable Su Hong menu but change the name to Chef Kwan’s. Most employees will stay on with the new owner, King said. She said some customers cried after hearing the news, and people flooded in for Su Hong’s General’s Chicken, pot stickers, Chinese chicken salad and more in the last few days of business. A Palo Alto Su Hong location is still in operation, though under independent ownership.

LOBSTERS, OYSTERS, MUSSELS, OH MY! ... Downtown Mountain View has a new seafood restaurant with the late September opening of Drunken Lobster at 212 Castro St. Drunken Lobster is the brainchild of Brian Langevin, a longtime Bay Area chef who for the last several years has “been going around opening restaurants for other people,” he said, among them Artichoke Basille’s Pizza in Berkeley and Pizza Rock in Sacramento. When he recently got the opportunity to open his own restaurant in Mountain View, he jumped at it. “Downtown Mountain View is just booming right now,” he said. Drunken Lobster serves allthings seafood, from fresh Maine lobsters flown in live every day to local rock cod fish and chips to West Coast oysters, mussels and chorizo served in a white-wine sauce. Everything is made from scratch and will be locally sourced as much as possible, Langevin said. The space itself, formerly the home of Pita Bite and Gyros House, has been redone to look like an East Coast lobster shack with reclaimed wood and other rustic touches, said Langevin, who did all the construction himself. Check out more food news online at Elena Kadvany’s blog, Peninsula Foodist, at paloaltoonline. com/blogs.

Turn Bar & Grill, 295 Main St., Los Altos; (650) 559-8876 turnbarandgrill.com Hours: Lunch daily 11:30 a.m.– 2 p.m. Dinner Mon.-Thurs. 4–10 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 4–11 p.m. Outdoor Seating: Yes, around 20 seats Parking: Street and lots nearby Alcohol: Full bar Wheelchair access: Ramp at Main St. door entrance Noise Level: Loud at peak dinner hour, especially near bar. Comfortable at lunch and early or later in the evening. Bathroom cleanliness: Very clean

Credit cards

Take-out orders

Catering

Reservations

Outdoor seating: Yes, around 20 seats Parking: Street and lots nearby Alcohol: Full bar

Page 34 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Wheelchair access: Ramp at Main St. door entrance Noise level: Loud at peak dinner hour, especiallly near bar. Comfortable at lunch and early or later in the evening Bathroom Cleanliness: Very clean

GRADE A. ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR!”

“

Chris Nashawaty,

“

BRIGHT-SPIRITED AND PROFOUNDLY MOVING!” Joe Morgenstern,

FOR GROUPS OF 25 PEOPLE OR MORE, BOOK YOUR GROUP TICKETS TODAY EMAIL MALALAFILMGROUPSALES@FOX.COM OR CALL ( 310 ) 488-6003

STARTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 IN THEATRES EVERYWHERE CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATRES & SHOWTIMES

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 35

Movies OPENINGS

‘Meet’ market Doc goes inside Indian-American matchmaking 000 (Aquarius) long-term relationship with redhaired Audrey, who he has long kept a secret from his parents Vasant and Champa. He’s always seen himself settling down with a nice Indian girl, though he has yet to find one in the Los Angeles dating scene. As soon as he starts showing signs of weakness to the idea (in the wake of breaking it off with Audrey), Ravi’s parents pounce, promising he can leave it to them to take care of everything. And so begins an often hilarious journey through the world of Indian and Indian-American matchmaking. A family trip to the homeland fizzles, but Vasant and Champa put their trust in the “biodata” system, an international database of eligible Indians that offers up plenty of potential

Four in a Billion Pictures

Single and pushing 30, Ravi Patel is feeling the heat from his parents to marry and provide grandchildren. His parents are an arranged marriage success story, and they cajole him to give that Indian tradition a try. OK, “cajole” isn’t quite the right word ... more like “berate.” Ravi’s sister Geeta does what any loving sibling does: she grabs the nearest camera and starts recording. Thanks to her, America gets a chance to “Meet the Patels” in a documentary that superficially resembles reality TV, but for being warmly personable and heartfelt. At the story’s outset, angsty actor Ravi is already tired of his parents’ nagging, but they’re beginning to get through to him. He doesn’t see the future in his

Comic documentary “Meet the Patels” takes an up-close look at one Indian-American family’s attempt to find a suitable bride for their adult son. matches. Like a thoroughbred being put through his paces, Ravi gets entered into date after date, some more promising than others. He also attends a Patel convention (in a cultural proviso the film amusingly attempts to explain, Patels would ideally match with other Patels) and, later, blitzes

through wedding season, which, as everyone knows, is a great time to find other desperate singles whose biological clocks have begun to tick a little louder. Vasant is a wisecracking machine, a font of hilarious viewpoints and practical philosophies, while Champa, if a hair quieter,

is hardly a bottler. The two make world-classes noodges, playful bickerers and a demonstrably great team: proof that arranged marriages can work like a charm. And although the laughs come fast and furious, “Patels” avoids the pitfall of being obviously canned, rigged or staged. While it’s possible that the whole marriage chase is a red-herring romp, it doesn’t seem that way, and the Patels’ personalities come through with clear and present authenticity. It’s also to the film’s credit that it doesn’t shy away from Ravi’s feelings on racial and cultural identity in variations on selfnurturing pride and squirmy embarrassment. Discomfort is the movie’s bread and butter (or, rather, nan and ghee), and it’s here in just enough proportion to give this light romantic-comedy-style doc — a crowd-pleaser if ever there was one — some satisfying substance. Rated PG for thematic elements, brief suggestive images and incidental smoking. One hour, 28 minutes. — Peter Canavese

DINNER BY THE MOVIES AT SHORELINE’S

Breakfast is Served at T he Voya! THE PERFEC T DESTINATION FOR WEEKEND BRUNCH Open Tuesday - Sunday, with breakfast served daily.

Join us for Live Music at Cucina Venti, our sister restaurant Every Thursday from 5:30-8:30pm The Voya Restaurant 1390 Pear Ave., Mountain View (650) 386-6471 www.TheVoyaRestaurant.com Page 36 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Make your reservation on For information on future events, follow us on

Cucina Venti 1390 Pear Ave., Mountain View (650) 254-1120 www.CucinaVenti.com

Movies

Fox Searchlight

“He Named Me Malala” combines news footage with reenactments and animation to tell the inspiring story of young Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai.

An important, inspiring story ‘He Named Me Malala’ is not well told 001/2 (Palo Alto Square, Century 20) According to folklore, an Afghan woman named Malala rallied fleeing Pashtun fighters back into battle and to victory against British invaders in 1880. Like her namesake in the animated sequence that opens director Davis Guggenheim’s documentary, Malala Yousafzai is a rousing activist. The youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize found her voice as a teenager, using powerful words to speak out against the

Taliban. Targeted and shot in the head for advocating that females everywhere have the right to an education, the Pakistani heroine not only survived the October 2012 attack in her native Swat Valley but also continues to personify the lesson of the parable: “It is better to live like a lion for one day than to live like a slave for 100 years.” Whenever Malala speaks, the nonfiction film soars. If only

the director of “An Inconvenient Truth” and “Waiting for Superman” had found a storytelling approach of equal eloquence. Guggenheim constructs a character portrait, painting his incredible subject in very different types of strokes. Crisp news footage contrasts with out-of-focus, overexposed reenactments. Interviews offer a more objective perspective than the voice-over narration provided by Malala and her father,

referring to them as “one soul in two different bodies.” When Ziauddin pours over the family tree, he notes that the ancestral names go back three hundred years — but males only. Taking pen to hand, he breaks from tradition and adds his daughter’s name. Her father may have named her Malala, but she clearly chose the life that she leads. Despite the shortcomings of Guggenheim’s storytelling, teens should see this film to learn the power of an education and the difference one courageous person can make to change the world — turning history into “herstory” in the process. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements involving disturbing images and threats. One hour, 27 minutes. — Susan Tavernetti

Ziauddin. Jarring images of reality — blood smeared on the white upholstered seats of the school bus in which Malala took a bullet to her forehead — vies against sequences of impressionistic hand-drawn animation designed by Jason Carpenter. Events do not unfold in chronological order. As a result, the narrative lacks drive and the film seems long and repetitive. Most oddly, the end credits roll as some of the best moments of the film occur in small windows of footage presented as afterthoughts instead of highlighted achievements and speeches. Nevertheless, the many faces of Malala emerge: smart, wise beyond her years, loving, playful, funny, fearless and a fighter. At the same time, it’s clear she’s also an ordinary girl who has risen to accomplish the extraordinary, whether recovering from the injuries that left her with some facial paralysis and hearing loss, inspiring school girls in Kenya or addressing the United Nations. Ziauddin, too, gets much screen time. Devoted to two passions — his family and education — Malala’s father was a role model for speaking up and taking action against the Taliban despite the constant threat of violence. He lovingly describes his close relationship with his daughter, Lily

TOMLIN

Julia

GARNER

Century Theatres at Palo Alto Square Friday & Saturday 10/9–10/10 He Named Me Malala – 1:00, 2:20, 3:30, 4:40, 5:50, 7:00, 8:10, 9:20, 10:25 Sun, Mon, & Tue 10/11–10/13 He Named Me Malala – 1:00, 2:20, 3:30, 4:40, 5:50, 7:00, 8:10 Wednesday 10/14 He Named Me Malala – 1:00, 2:20, 3:30, 4:40, 8:15 BBC Last Night of the Proms 2015 – 7:00 Thursday 10/15 He Named Me Malala – 1:00, 2:20, 3:30, 4:40, 7:00

Tickets and Showtimes available at cinemark.com

Marcia Gay

HARDEN

Laverne

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“LILY TOMLIN IS FUNNY, ACERBIC, TOUCHING – AND ULTIMATELY, EXHILARATING.”

MOVIE TIMES

-David Lewis, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

All showtimes are for Friday to Sunday only unless otherwise noted. For reviews and trailers, go to PaloAltoOnline.com/movies. Movie times are subject to change. Call theaters for the latest. Oklahoma! (1955) (Not Rated) Stanford Theatre: 7:30 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. 99 Homes (R) Century 20: 11:35 a.m., 2:15, 5, 7:50 & 10:30 p.m. Black Mass (R) ++1/2 Century 16: 1:15 & 7:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:05 a.m. & 10:40 p.m., Fri & Sat 2 p.m., Fri & Sun 4:55 & 7:50 p.m. Bolshoi Ballet: Giselle (Not Rated) Century 20: Sun 12:55 p.m. Everest (PG-13) Century 16: 1:45 & 7:45 p.m. In 3-D at 10:45 a.m., 4:45 & 10:40 p.m. Century 20: 10:50 a.m., 4:40 & 10:25 p.m. In 3-D at 1:50 & 7:35 p.m. Fox Sports 1 Presents: USA vs. Mexico (Not Rated) Century 16: Sat 6:30 p.m. Century 20: Sat 6:30 p.m. Grandma (R) +++

Guild Theatre: 1, 3, 5, 7:15 & 9:30 p.m.

He Named Me Malala (PG-13) ++1/2

Century 20: 11 a.m., 1:20, 3:40, 6, 8:20 & 10:40 p.m. Palo Alto Square: 1, 2:20, 3:30, 4:40, 5:50, 7 & 8:10 p.m., Fri & Sat 9:20 & 10:25 p.m. Hotel Transylvania 2 (PG) Century 16: 9:05, 9:55 & 11:25 a.m., 12:15, 1:55, 2:45, 4:35, 5:15, 7:05, 7:50, 9:30 & 10:15 p.m. In 3-D at 10:35 a.m., Fri & Sun 6:15 & 8:40 p.m., Sat 1:05 & 3:35 p.m., Sun 3:45 p.m. Century 20: 10:40 & 11:30 a.m., 1:05, 1:55, 3:30, 4:20, 5:55, 6:50 & 9:15 p.m. In 3-D at 12:20, 2:45, 5:15, 7:40 & 10:05 p.m.

The Intern (PG-13) ++ Century 16: 10:05 a.m., 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 & 10:15 p.m. Century 20: 11:10 a.m., 12:35, 6:30, 7:45 & 10:35 p.m., Fri & Sat 2 & 4:50 p.m., Sun 4:55 p.m. Ladrones (PG-13) Century 16: 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:35, 5:05, 7:40 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 12:25, 2:55, 5:25, 8 & 10:40 p.m.

The Martian (PG-13) +++ Century 16: 10:40 a.m., 3:40, 5:20, 7:50 & 8:40 p.m., Fri & Sat 12:01 a.m., Sat & Sun 2 p.m. In 3-D at 9, 9:50 & 11:30 a.m., 12:20, 1:10, 2:50, 4:30, 6:10, 7, 9:30 & 10:30 p.m., Fri & Sat 11:20 p.m. Century 20: 10:35 a.m., 1:45, 4:55, 6:35, 8:10 & 9:50 p.m. In 3-D at 11:15 a.m., noon, 2:30, 3:15, 5:50 & 9:05 p.m. In X-D 3-D at 12:50, 4:05, 7:20 & 10:35 p.m. In 3-D D-BOX at 11:15 a.m., 2:30, 5:50 & 9:05 p.m. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (PG-13) Century 16: 10:10 a.m., 4:20 & 10:40 p.m. Century 20: 1, 4:10, 7:25 & 10:30 p.m. Meet the Patels (PG) +++ Aquarius Theatre: 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 9:55 p.m. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Quote-Along (PG) Century 16: Sun 2 p.m. Century 20: Sun 2 p.m. Pan (PG) Century 16: 9 & 11:45 a.m., 2:30, 5:30 & 8:30 p.m., Fri & Sat 11:15 p.m. In 3-D at 10 a.m., 1, 4, 7 & 10 p.m. Century 20: 10:55 a.m., 1:40, 4:25, 7:10 & 9:55 p.m. In 3-D at 12:15, 3, 5:40 & 8:30 p.m. In 3-D D-BOX at 12:15, 3, 5:40 & 8:30 p.m. Pawn Sacrifice (PG-13) ++1/2 Aquarius Theatre: 2 & 7:10 p.m. Rudrama Devi (Not Rated) Century 16: 6:45 p.m. In 3-D at 11:15 a.m., 3 & 10:25 p.m. Sicario (R) Century 16: 10:20 a.m., 1:15, 4:15, 7:15 & 10:10 p.m., Fri 11:15 p.m. Century 20: 2:10, 3:35, 5:05, 7:55, 9:25 & 10:45 p.m., Fri & Sat 11:20 a.m. Sleeping with Other People (R) ++1/2 Aquarius Theatre: 4:40 & 9:40 p.m. The Visit (PG-13)

Century 20: 8:15 & 10:45 p.m.

The Walk (PG) Century 16: 1:20 & 7:25 p.m. In 3-D at 10:15 a.m., 4:25 & 10:35 p.m. Century 20: 12:10, 3:05, 6 & 9 p.m. In 3-D at 10:45 a.m., 1:35, 4:35, 7:30 & 10:25 p.m.

+ Skip it ++ Some redeeming qualities +++ A good bet ++++ Outstanding

Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (266-9260) Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264) Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood City (800-326-3264)

CinéArts at Palo Alto Square: 3000 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (493-0128) Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (266-9260)

GRANDMA WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

PAUL WEITZ

NOW PLAYING

WWW.SONYCLASSICS.COM

CALL THEATRE FOR SHOWTIMES

VIEW THE TRAILER AT WWW.GRANDMATHEFILM.COM

NOTICE OF HEARING ON REPORT AND ASSESSMENT FOR WEED ABATEMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 13th, [OL -PYL *OPLM VM [OL *P[` VM 7HSV (S[V ÄSLK ^P[O [OL *P[` *SLYR VM ZHPK JP[` H YLWVY[ HUK HZZLZZTLU[ VU HIH[LTLU[ VM ^LLKZ ^P[OPU ZHPK JP[` H JVW` VM ^OPJO PZ WVZ[LK VU [OL I\SSL[PU IVHYK H[ [OL LU[YHUJL [V [OL City Hall. 56;0*, 0: -<9;/,9 .0=,5 [OH[ VU 6J[VILY H[ [OL OV\Y VM ! W T VY ZVVU [OLYLHM[LY PU [OL *V\UJPS *OHTILYZ VM ZHPK *P[` /HSS ZHPK YLWVY[ HUK HZZLZZTLU[ SPZ[ ^PSS IL WYLZLU[LK [V [OL *P[` *V\UJPS VM ZHPK *P[` MVY JVUZPKLYH[PVU HUK JVUÄYTH[PVU HUK [OH[ HU` HUK HSS WLYZVUZ PU[LYLZ[LK OH]PUN HU` VIQLJ[PVUZ [V ZHPK YLWVY[ HUK HZZLZZTLU[ SPZ[ VY [V HU` TH[[LY VM [OPUN JVU[HPULK [OLYLPU TH` HWWLHY H[ ZHPK [PTL HUK WSHJL HUK IL OLHYK

Stanford: 221 University Ave., Palo Alto (324-3700)

ON THE WEB: Additional movie reviews and trailers at PaloAltoOnline.com/movies

BETH MINOR City Clerk www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 37

A new choice for senior health care is here

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Attend one of our seminars or schedule a personal appointment.

StanfordHealthCareAdvantage.org

Stanford Health Care Advantage has a contract with Medicare to offer an HMO plan. You must reside in Santa Clara County to enroll. Enrollment in the Stanford Health Care Advantage plan depends on contract renewal. This information is available for free in other languages. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 1-844-778-2636 (TTY 711). H2986_MM_108_Accepted 2015

Page 38 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Learn about Stanford Health Care Advantage (HMO) at one of our informational seminars in your area Stanford Primary Care, Hoover Pavilion 211 Quarry Rd Palo Alto, CA 94304 Mondays: 2pm–4pm* Wednesdays: 2pm–4pm* Fridays: 10am–12pm* Stanford Health Library at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center 3921 Fabian Way Palo Alto, CA 94303 Tuesdays: 10am–12pm* Tuesdays: 1pm–3pm* Thursdays: 10am–12pm* Stanford Primary Care, Los Altos 960 N. San Antonio Rd, Ste 101 Los Altos, CA 94022

Los Altos Senior Center 97 Hillview Ave Los Altos, CA 94022

Collaborative Primary Care 14251 Winchester Blvd, Ste 200 Los Gatos, CA 95032

Mondays: 10am–12pm*

Fridays: 10am–12pm*

Stanford Primary Care, Santa Clara 2518 Mission College Blvd Santa Clara, CA 95054

Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center 208 East Main St Los Gatos, CA 95030

Mondays: 2pm–4pm* Wednesdays: 10am–12pm*

Wednesdays: 2pm–4pm* Thursdays: 2pm–4pm*

Samaritan Internal Medicine 2410 Samaritan Dr, Ste 201 San Jose, CA 95124

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Mondays: 10am–12pm* Tuesdays: 2pm–4pm*

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Or, you can schedule a personal appointment.

8am–8pm, seven days a week

StanfordHealthCareAdvantage.org

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 39

Home&Real Estate

OPEN HOME GUIDE 62 Also online at PaloAltoOnline.com

Home Front VEGGIE DINNER ... Nibble on steamed kale and almond crunch cake at Monday Night Vegetarian Dinners, including this Monday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 305 N. California Ave., Palo Alto. Anyone is welcome to come and dine for $18. For Monday’s Warming Autumn menu, guests must register by Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. Info: 650-599-3320 or bit.ly/VegetarianDinnerOct12 GARDEN LIBRARY ... Learn about cool-season vegetables from Master Gardener Candace Simpson on Thursday, Oct. 15, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto. During the free course, participants will receive information on how to care for a vegetable garden in the fall to ensure a big, tasty harvest. There will also be a short plant clinic after the event, so guests are invited to bring along samples or photos pertaining to their gardening questions. This course is part of an ongoing series offered by the Master Gardeners and the library. Info: mastergardeners.org/ upcoming-events FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS ... Watch a flower arrangement demonstration at the Peninsula Rose Society meeting on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City. Arrangements will be raffled off at the meeting that is open to guests. Info: peninsularosesociety.org CITY HALL REPLANT ... Help relandscape the main planter area at Palo Alto City Hall’s King Plaza and learn how to create healthy soil on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 250 Hamilton Ave. The city’s landscape architect Peter Jensen will teach participants about topics such as drip irrigation installation and rain barrel water harvesting. The event is free, but because of limited space, preregistration is required. Info: cityofpaloalto.org/workshops

The kitchen of Christina Pahl uses Zen design techniques, such as eliminating clutter.

tips

on how to turn a

Zen

living room

Local designer gives advice on creating calming interiors by Sevde Kaldiroglu photos by Veronica Weber

CALL FOR GARDENS ... Submit your garden by Saturday, Oct. 31, for inclusion in the Going Native Garden Tour 2016. To qualify, you must live in San Mateo or Santa Clara counties and have a garden that is comprised of 50 percent or more of California native plants. For a full list of considerations, people can visit the Going Native Garden Tour website. If selected, your garden will be included in the tour which will take place on April 9 and 10, 2016. Info: bit.ly/SubmitGarden Send notices of news and events related to real estate, interior design, home improvement and gardening to Home Front, Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302, or email bmalmberg@paweekly.com. Deadline is one week before publication.

Page 40 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

n today’s hurried times, a home’s living space is often the only, and quickest, escape from the stress of daily life, according to interior design specialist Christina Pahl. And to turn that space into a calming interior is possible by applying Zen principles to home design. “In Zen, you don’t look for beauty in the same way that you look for it in Western art or in Western interiors,” Pahl said as she explained the Japanese idea of Zen and its design principles. “(Zen design) is about being selective, being quiet, highlighting what is inherently there. ... There is nothing superfluous; it’s simple, it’s clean, it has every part of that for its function.” Pahl, who has worked with implementing Zen design in interiors through multiple projects, explains through nine pieces of advice how readers can turn their living rooms Zen.

1. Get rid of clutter As unexpected as it may sound, Zen design is often not about what is added to a place to make it perfect but what is taken away, according to Pahl. “We reach perfection when there is nothing else to remove. So that sets the tone. It’s elimination, not adding,” she said. Pahl noted that usually the most challenging part of this principle is stopping household clutter because it means reducing possessions and not having everything out. However, that is the overriding element in Zen, she said. “The biggest thing is to get rid of clutter,” Pahl said. “Leave the things that have the most meaning or ... that add to the room in an important way and everything else goes. Just that will transform the space.”

2. Use natural and authentic materials Christina Pahl stands in the living room of her Zen designinfluenced house in Palo Alto on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Naturalness comes in many forms; one of them is using natural and authentic materials such as wood, clay and metal, Pahl said. The opposite case occurs with foil finishes in which “you’re pretending it’s wood when it’s cluster, you’re pretending it’s marble when it’s not,” she explained.

3. Achieve stillness with horizontals Pahl believes that being selective with what to include and leaving out excessive drama are crucial in Zen design. (continued on page 42)

Finding a Bargain in Silicon Valley Real Estate Thursday, October 15, 2015 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Please join DeLeon Realty at our October Seminar. Gain insight from Ken DeLeon, the founder of DeLeon Realty, on how to find a bargain in Silicon Valley and optimize your home. Plus get the latest market update and learn how Ken handles his personal Real Estate.

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Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Ballroom 3000 Alexis Drive, Palo Alto Seminar is for prospective clients only, no outside real estate professionals permitted. 650.543.8500 | info@deleonrealty.com | www.deleonrealty.com | CalBRE #01903224 www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 41

Home & Real Estate

Pahl, interior design specialist, sits in the living room of her Zen design-influenced house in Palo Alto on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Living room Zen (continued from page 40)

“Let’s say in a traditional setting you get drama by putting in big red drapes, but here we’re getting drama by the white wall and we’re so struck by its emptiness that it’s dramatic and it’s calming,” she said. Horizontals are often very useful in creating a still and peaceful atmosphere, according to Pahl. Horizontal figures, such as a long dark table in a white living room, add tranquility to the space. People would want to avoid vertical structures of tradi-

tional English design, such as paintings stacked up vertically one on top of another on a wall, she added. “Horizontals are very calming. ... It’s the feeling of horizon, it’s the feeling of a wave; it’s soothing because it’s the flat line. So, strong horizontals in a room bring everything kind of quiet. You can do that with paint, furniture (or) color,” Pahl said.

4. Wabi-sabi: Appreciate imperfection Imperfect may not sound astounding at first, but Pahl invites readers to imagine

Open Sat & Sun 1:30-4:30

Page 42 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Accents of color stand out, such as the blue chair and bowl of orange fruit, against the room of blacks and whites. an old, weathered farm table with marks of work and life on it. “We look at it and we go, ‘it’s just wonderful,’ because it’s aged and it’s an antique, and the wear on it is a good thing; it’s not detracting from its value or its beauty,” she noted. “Some objects lend themselves really well to imperfection.” The idea behind using imperfect objects — coming from the Japanese school of thought Wabi-sabi — is to make the space “feel human” rather than mechanical. Therefore, Zen-inspired interior design differs from certain minimalistic approaches where the space might feel cold

or lacking naturalness and imperfection. “If we’re in something that’s super perfect, we don’t want to mess it up, ... we feel like we’re invading the space,” Pahl added.

5. Out of ordinary: Change the context “Take things kind of out of their ordinary use and make something a little unexpected,” Pahl suggested. One example is taking a handmade pitchfork from a farmhouse and displaying it up on the living room wall. “You change the context for something,

Home & Real Estate you’re taking nature but you’re selective, and you’re showing nature in a different way ... so it’s nature but it’s nature that is selected, described, articulated — not this random (thing).”

7. Use natural colors but throw in accents The coloring in Zen design tends to be natural (such as white, brown or tan) but with punctuations of color every now and then, according to Pahl. Among natural colors, “maybe we throw in some red as an accent,” she added. What people would want to avoid, however, is “an exuberant play of color and pattern,” including colors like neon or gaudy pink. The accent color in Zen-inspired rooms should be “understated, subtle and put in just for a little bit of drama,” Pahl said.

8. Sit on the floor Left: Natural colors help Pahl create a Zen home. Right: Simple, peaceful decor rests on the wall and shelf in Pahl’s home. you’re showing its beauty,” she said. “So that’s a little bit of surprise, a little bit of unexpected, changes your preconceived ideas of what belongs on a wall, what’s worthy to look at, so you’re changing the perception or feeling of that kind of space.”

6. Bring in plants but be selective Plants and other elements from nature are definitely an important component in

Zen-inspired living rooms; however, their use is “not haphazard,” Pahl noted. So the idea is not a fern in a pot sitting on the floor; it requires “a little more selectivity,” she said. “Look at (the plant) for its movement, for its color of green, for how it captures the light, ... the scale of the leaf,” she said, adding that some favorite plants in Zen are orchids, bamboo and bonsai. “Another thing people can do is ... just cut off one leaf as opposed to the whole thing. So

HOME SALES

Home sales are provided by California REsource, a real estate information company that obtains the information from the County Recorder’s Office. Information is recorded from deeds after the close of escrow and published within four to eight weeks.

Atherton

89 Almendral Ave. C. & H. Ho to Almendral Limited for $11,088,000 on 09/02/15; previous sale 03/05/2003, $3,200,000 3 Elizabeth Way Jones Trust to Dubovoy Trust for $3,730,000 on 09/04/15; previous sale 01/05/1996, $717,500 97 Juniper Drive N. & J. Vansomeren to CS Pacific for $11,500,000 on 09/08/15; previous sale 06/14/2010, $2,900,000 10 Mount Vernon Lane Jel Trust to Zrelm Limited for $9,000,000 on 09/01/15; previous sale 11/18/2011, $4,735,000 128 Toyon Road Pao Trust to Bonkenburg Trust for $7,000,000 on 09/08/15; previous sale 07/18/2011, $2,850,000

East Palo Alto 1982 W. Bayshore Road, #117 G. & H. Hart to U. & A. Bellary for $740,000 on 09/04/15; previous sale 04/06/2007, $569,000 1982 W. Bayshore Road, #130 J. & N. Jacobs to M. Horst for $850,000 on 09/09/15; previous sale 10/03/2006, $540,000 2496 Illinois St. H. & A. Ayarza to J. & C. Britton for $230,000 on 09/04/15 480 E. O’Keefe St., #309 J. Kautz to J. Saberi for $304,000 on 09/02/15

Los Altos Hills

26303 Esperanza Drive Farber Trust to M. Singh for $4,000,000 on 09/08/15 26895 St. Francis Road Mayle Trust to M. & T. Minkevich for

Leaving the comfort of a couch may seem daunting but sitting on the floor makes a person feel more grounded — literally. This is what Pahl advises homeowners: if they are comfortable, sit as close to the ground as possible. If cushions do not work, lower Italian sofas might be a better alternative.

9. Insert water and fire features The calming effect of a babbling water fountain is undeniable; however, not everyone may have the space or resources to implement one in their living room. Pahl

SALES AT A GLANCE Atherton

Mountain View

Total sales reported: 5 Lowest sales price: $3,730,000 Highest sales price: $11,500,000

Total sales reported: 1 Lowest sales price: $2,205,000 Highest sales price: $2,205,000

East Palo Alto

Palo Alto

Total sales reported: 4 Lowest sales price: $230,000 Highest sales price: $850,000

Total sales reported: 3 Lowest sales price: $2,500,000 Highest sales price: $4,150,000

Los Altos Hills

Woodside

Total sales reported: 2 Lowest sales price: $3,730,000 Highest sales price: $4,000,000

Total sales reported: 2 Lowest sales price: $1,650,000 Highest sales price: $2,650,000 Source: California REsource

Menlo Park Total sales reported: 8 Lowest sales price: $660,000 Highest sales price: $3,000,000 $3,730,000 on 09/08/15; previous sale 05/07/1976, $138,000

Menlo Park

1937 Camino A Los Cerros Laraway Trust to Woodside Trust for $1,900,000 on 09/08/15 2323 Eastridge Ave., #523 D. Levy to W. & J. Faulkner for $660,000 on 09/04/15 1020 Henderson Ave. Richardson Trust to J. Lee for $1,550,000 on 09/02/15; previous sale 08/24/1976, $61,000 1207 Hollyburne Ave. C. Washington to B. Han for $800,000 on 09/09/15 145 Pineview Lane Pak Trust to G. & I. Smith for $3,000,000 on 09/03/15; previous sale 09/10/2010, $1,926,000 2409 Sharon Oaks Drive McMills Trust to R. & S. Arthofer for $1,425,000 on 09/04/15; previous sale 09/10/1976, $84,500 2437 Sharon Oaks Drive Real Trust to Baugh Trust for $1,601,000 on 09/04/15; previ-

ous sale 11/05/2002, $775,000 21 Willow Road, #8 D. & H. Corral to D. David-Rice for $935,000 on 09/04/15; previous sale 10/28/2004, $475,000

165 Old Ranch Road K. Levy to L. & K. Sanderson for $1,650,000 on 09/04/15; previous sale 11/28/2005, $1,150,000

Mountain View

BUILDING PERMITS

2541 Fairbrook Drive K. & H. Scheier to O. Garbe for $2,205,000 on 09/09/15; previous sale 08/05/1992, $448,000

Palo Alto

380 Colorado Ave. K. Zhao to V. Hsiun for $3,400,000 on 09/09/15; previous sale 11/09/2010, $945,000 221 Santa Rita Ave. Trask Trust to Green Trust for $4,150,000 on 09/08/15 2558 Webster St. Forsythe Trust to Bowling Trust for $2,500,000 on 09/08/15

Woodside

320 Hillside Drive S. & S. Trattner to Rozzi Trust for $2,650,000 on 09/04/15; previous sale 07/16/2014, $2,575,000

Palo Alto

3360 Cork Oak Way residential roof-mounted PV system, $n/a 715 Garland Drive furnace and duct replacement in attic, $n/a 3371 Park Blvd. trenchless sewer line replacement, no work in the public row, $n/a 3454 Ashton Court 1500000863: foundation replacement due to soils engineer recommendations, $n/a 878 Chimalus Drive partial reroof, $10,500 2135 Alma St. re-roof, $2,500 339 Kellogg Ave. re-roof, $17,070 339 Kellogg Ave. garage re-roof, $2,667 354 Tennessee Lane kitchen

‘In Zen, you don’t look for beauty in the same way that you look for it in Western art or in Western interiors.’

– Christina Pahl, interior designer

suggests bringing in small-scale features such as a portable mini-fountain to the living room. “It changes the environment and calms you right away,” Pahl said. If possible, incorporating a fireplace also tends to have a similar impact. According to Pahl, turning a living room Zen will not necessarily put a hole in a homeowner’s wallet. “You can find a lot of this everywhere,” she said. “You could be on the beach and find a beautiful driftwood piece and put it on your table by itself so that you can see it not as a piece of driftwood but for its asymmetry and its beauty. Or you could bring in some rocks and put a rock on top of your napkins.” Q Sevde Kaldiroglu is an editorial intern at the Palo Alto Weekly. She can be emailed through Associate Editor Brenna Malmberg at bmalmberg@paweekly. com.

READ MORE ONLINE

PaloAltoOnline.com

For more Home and Real Estate news, visit PaloAltoOnline.com/real_estate.

and two-bathroom remodel, replace one window, $80,000 3401 Hillview Ave. VMware: build a conference room on the second floor and add a rooftop HVAC unit, $82,948 2300 Geng Road Suite 150: interior non-structural demolition, $n/a 425 Alma St., Unit #311 new bathroom, $15,000 1160 California Ave. red-tagged gas line leak repair, $n/a 305 Emerson St. install roofmounted PV system, $n/a 663 Lowell Ave. emergency gas leak repair, $n/a 3045 Cowper St. commercial re-roof, $87,367 675 Greer Road roof cleaning and coating, $6,127 3585 Bryant St. roof cleaning and coating, $8,851 1745 Webster St. two new furnaces and two new air conditioners, $n/a 180 El Camino Real Building H: re-roof, $89,938 230 Kellogg Ave. relocated gas meter, $n/a 362 Channing Ave. new basement below existing residence, involves lifting house to build new basement, taking the existing house down to the studs and rebuilding, re-roofing, adding new shear walls and siding and a boiler for radiant heating., $352,775 1031 Fife Ave. addition and remodel, $97,183 659 Glenbrook Drive re-roof, $12,000 447 Oxford Ave. re-roof, $7,000 2227 Greer Road kitchen/bath remodel and other remodel, including new electrical throughout house, $117,000 362 Channing Ave. temporary power, $n/a 3105 Louis Road 15000-01094: revise note on plans to show exterior guardrails went from being wood and iron to just iron, $n/a 3500 Deer Creek Road Tesla:

tenant improvement, coffee station employees, includes new millwork, plumbing and electrical, $120,000 221 Kingsley Ave. 15-70: revised structural at basement and field structural clarification, $n/a 2466 Tasso St. 15000-01890: add a tankless water to the detached accessory structure, $n/a 2768 Byron St. emergency gas leak repair, main gas line, $n/a 150 Hamilton Ave. geological hazard test, $50,000 135 Kellogg Ave. 14000-02130: relocated DC inverter to inside the garage, revised electrical to single line tap, revision cannot be issued until reactivation has been approved, $n/a 299 California Ave. repair dry rot at existing facade, $12,000 92 Churchill Ave. 15000-00892: add an AC unit and service upgrade, $n/a 651 Kendall Ave. 15-1756: revision to replace slab at front porch., $n/a 3001 Ross Road re-roof, $10,520 150 Hamilton Ave. test, $50,000 2998 Waverley St. re-roof, $13,405 4015 Laguna Way re-roof, $20,480 150 Hamilton Ave. test, $50,000 859 Garland Drive kitchen and family room addition, remodel garage into laundry room and bathroom, $179,977 1745 Fulton St. re-roof, $8,000 2450 W. Bayshore Road, Unit #10 condo bathroom remodel, $9,000 450 Sequoia Ave. residential roof-mounted PV system, $n/a 800 California Ave. 15:2286 : revised downgrade panel service, $n/a 512 Thain Way subpanel change out, $n/a 2815 South Court addition and

(continued on page 45)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 43

Home & Real Estate

Real Estate Matters

Property price and public schools by Xin Jiang oung families, both local and international, are attracted to Palo Alto for its excellent public schools. However, not everyone understands what exactly good school means. Moreover, how big is the premium on homes we are paying for good public schools, and how do good schools tend to affect property price in the long run? As for school evaluation, it’s convenient to rely on school ratings quoted by popular home-searching websites. It is nevertheless, far more critical to understand the evaluation criteria behind these ratings and come to one’s own conclusion. Fortunately, many facts, such as the number of students, enrollment by student ethnicity and student-to-teacher ratio, are publicly available, and not difficult to find through a few web searches. To measure academic strength, while the state of California is shifting to a more balanced assessment system, past academic performance index (API) data are still available as a quick reference. When referring to API, we need to look at the most recent results, as well as the trend. With all the data on hand, it is not difficult to find out that the schools with the highest APIs in the Bay Area are actually not in Palo Alto. However, Palo Alto is the city that has excellent schools (most 900-plus API) across all different neighborhoods and grades — the fact of its excellence across the board is unique. Student enrollments in Palo Alto public schools are also generally

well diversified among ethnicities. Moreover, teacher-tostudent ratio, one measure of school resources, of Palo Alto schools is often lower (better) than those high API schools in the East Bay or the South Bay. Furthermore, another highly appreciated aspect of public schools in Palo Alto is its choice programs, including language immersion and those based on non-traditional educational philosophy and methods. There are increasing demands on the latter, for schools that focus on critical thinking and problem-solving through project-based learning. How does a good public school affect property price then? Palo Alto is not the area that has the most expensive

However, as Palo Alto homes become increasingly expensive, some buyers, especially those welleducated young professionals, have recently started to question whether the premium is worthwhile. homes in the Bay Area, especially compared to Atherton, Los Altos Hills and even Los Altos. However, Palo Alto does have the highest per-square-foot price among neighboring cities. For instance, during the first half of 2015, average sold price per square foot of living area in Palo Alto was $1,479. This is 29 percent higher than Los Altos, 36 percent higher than Menlo Park, 43 percent

higher than Mountain View, and 60 percent higher than Cupertino. In other words, in exchange for good schools, for the same price, one ends up in a much smaller home in Palo Alto compared with other areas. Another proven factor worth mentioning is that property price in Palo Alto tends to decline the least during an economic down cycle, but rebound the most during overall economic recovery. For instance, during the recent financial crisis, the median Palo Alto home price in 2009 declined by 13 percent from its 2008 peak, but rebounded more than two times that since. One the other hand, property prices in some neighboring cities have been more sensitive to overall economic cycles, which matters to people who have to buy or sell during those near-term peaks or troughs. Considering a home is the biggest lifetime purchase for most families, this is actually relevant to everyone in the long run. Both the resistance of Palo Alto property price in bad times and the strong momentum in good times are, to a big extent, supported by the depth of real demands because of good public schools. Based on the full understanding of the correlation between good public schools and property price, there’s no doubt that Palo Alto will continue to be the ultimate choice for young families. However, as Palo Alto homes become increasingly expensive, some buyers, especially those well-educated young professionals, have recently started to question whether the premium is worthwhile. After all, public schools are shaped around communities and parent involvement, thus are constantly evolving. It may just be a matter of time before public schools in other areas catch up with Palo Alto schools. Q Xin Jiang is a Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors in Palo Alto. She can be reached at xjiang@apr.com.

3527 Arbutus Avenue, Palo Alto O P E N H O U S E S AT U R DAY & S U N DAY 1 : 3 0 - 4 : 3 0 P M

A gem of a home in a jewel of a neighborhood

This one-owner, Eichler-built home is

your opportunity to enjoy the casual indoor-outdoor architecture popularized in the 50’s and 60’s. This home exhibits hallmarks of the Eichler design – a garage facing the street, living areas opening toward the rear, exposed beam ceilings, natural wood walls and expanses of plate glass. Natural wood walls and gleaming oak floors provide a backdrop for many styles of décor. A large lot with wide patio and mature landscaping complete the property.

List Price $2,250,000.

www.3527Arbutus.com

Nancy Goldcamp CRS Certiﬁed Residential Specialist / SRES Seniors Real Estate Specialist with Coldwell Banker since 1985

Direct: (650) 400-5800 nancy@nancygoldcamp.com www.nancygoldcamp.com CAL BRE# 00787851

Page 44 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Home & Real Estate Building permits (continued from page 43) interior remodel, $67,000 2100 El Camino Real 1400001125: field clarification to modify the rebar specification at the ramp, $n/a 218 N. California Ave. sewer spot repair, all work on private property, $n/a 200 Fulton St. remodel includes remodeling one bathroom, demolishing an interior non-load bearing wall, adding a pocket door, infilling one window and adding another window, $15,000 51 Jordan Place R15-953: revised plans to eliminate three tankless water heaters and install furnace and tank water heater at closet in basement entertainment room, $n/a 888 Ames Ave. re-roof, $28,880 888 Ames Ave. garage re-roof, $9,000 422 Webster St. two-bathroom remodel, $23,000 875 Blake Wilbur Drive 1500000714: interior changes to finishes and lighting, adding an interior auto-door opener, $n/a 2334 Santa Ana St. re-roof, $10,340 1501 Page Mill Road 1500000993 - HP: new partial height media wall and interior door changes, $n/a 2139 Wellesley St. residential red-tagged gas line leak repair, $n/a 3948 Bibbits Drive service upgrade, $n/a 1751 Park Blvd. service upgrade, $n/a 1057 Ramona St. install conduit for future overhead to underground electric service conversion, $n/a 500 University Ave. temporary power, $n/a 720 Montrose Ave. temporary

power, $n/a 380 Portage Ave. interior nonstructural demolition $n/a 541 E. Crescent Drive re-roof, $74,900 1143 Greenwood Ave. temporary power, $n/a 558 Jackson Drive 1400002980: revised architectural and structural, eliminated window above garage entrance, revise foundation design, new cantilevered overhang at rear patio, remove a skylight, $n/a 2650 Birch St. 14000-03261: relocated break room, $n/a 222 Oxford Ave. addition and remodel, $130,000 410 Oxford Ave. 14000-03220: revision to the basement floor plan, $n/a 966 Elsinore Drive re-roof, $18,750 41 Kent Place re-roof, $n/a 625 El Camino Real 1400003248: revise site plan to address accessibility upgrades, $n/a 1501 Page Mill Road 1500000993: add lobby, $n/a 4202 Suzanne Drive add threecoat stucco on existing sheathing for entire house, $15,000 655 Saint Claire Drive re-roof, $18,000 1359 Martin Ave. kitchen and laundry remodel, add new trellis and two windows, and replace the family room sliding door, $41,918 2194 Louis Road re-roof, $12,750 357 Kellogg Ave. re-roof, $24,800 918 Cowper St. install NEMA 14-50 outlet outside of garage, $n/a 4154 Park Blvd. 15000-02069: remove center post from scope of work for patio cover, $n/a 183 Ferne Ave. remove/replace water heater, $n/a 200 California Ave. commercial re-roof, $24,999 424 Seneca St. replace water heater, $n/a

Real Estate Matters A little inventory breathing room in Palo Altoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing market month in more than two years, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s somewhat of an anomaly. In the six months following January, up through July 2015, the average MSI was 1.03. Compare that with the average MSI of 1.36 between August 2013 and January 2015.

by Hadar Guibara n looking at trends in the Palo Alto real estate market during the past six months, we see a lot of consistency with little fluctuation across most categories. One area thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made a noticeable shift recently is that of months supply of inventory, or MSI.

Days on the market lowest in 17 months

Inventory supply rises The MSI here for August was 1.4. That translates to about 42 days. In July, it was 1.0, and it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t climbed above 1.4 since January, when it was 2.2. Months supply of inventory is a helpful statistic in understanding supply-and-demand trends. MSI tells us how long it would take to deplete the current inventory of homes based on the pace of sales and assuming no new homes were put on the market. While a 0.4 (40 percent) month-to-month jump in MSI wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t raise many eyebrows in cities where the typical MSI is four or five months, in Palo Alto, where inventory levels are very low most of the time, a rise in this stat is significant. This doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that supply is outstripping demand â&#x20AC;&#x201D; yet. But it means the market is heading toward an MSI that would reflect a more balanced market, which hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been the case here in recent years. Whether or not supply will keep gaining isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t certain. The 2.2 MSI in January was the highest for any

In August, the average days on the market (DOM) for sold single-family homes was 12. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s down from 20 in July, but that 20 represented a jump from 13 in June and other â&#x20AC;&#x153;lowâ&#x20AC;? numbers prior. If you take the â&#x20AC;&#x153;unusualâ&#x20AC;? July out of the picture, the average DOM for the past five months was 13.8. To find a figure below 12, you have to go back 17 months to March of 2014, when the DOM averaged eight days.

Recap of August 2015 numbers â&#x20AC;˘ Median sold price: $2,600,000 ($2,602,500 in July) â&#x20AC;˘ Single-family homes sold: 33 (34 in July) â&#x20AC;˘ Properties listed: 70 (73 in July) As we head into fall and winter, it will be interesting to see the direction our inventory of homes takes. Will the MSI keep rising gradually, or will it head back to 1.0 or below, as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen it do eight times since August 2013? Q Hadar Guibara is a Realtor with Sereno Group of Palo Alto. She can be reached at hadar@serenogroup.com.

GINNY KAVANAUGH Open Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 PM

2 SIERRA LANE, PORTOLA VALLEY

$5,500,000

3 Bed | 3.5 bath | 1+ acre | Pool & Spa | Windy Hill & Western Coastal Range Views | 2SierraLane.com GINNYKAVANAUGH.COM | CALBRE# 00884747 | 650.400.8076 | GKAVANAUGH@CAMOVES.COM ÂŠ2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell BankerÂŽ is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential %URNHUDJH 2É?FH LV 2ZQHG E\ D 6XEVLGLDU\ RI 157 //& 5HDO HVWDWH DJHQWV DÉ?OLDWHG ZLWK &ROGZHOO %DQNHU 5HVLGHQWLDO %URNHUDJH DUH LQGHSHQGHQW FRQWUDFWRU VDOHV DVVRFLDWHV DQG DUH QRW HPSOR\HHV RI &ROGZHOO %DQNHU 5HDO (VWDWH //& &ROGZHOO %DQNHU 5HVLGHQWLDO %URNHUDJH RU 157 //& &DO%5( /LFHQVH

www.PaloAltoOnline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Palo Alto Weekly â&#x20AC;˘ October 9, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 45

MENLO PARK 2015 SALES VOLUME YEAR TO DATE

300 200 100 0

$383.8 Million

ALAIN PINEL REALTORS

400

$237.8

$67.7

$66.8

$54.8 $48.0 $9.4

ALAIN PINEL REALTORS

The #1 Real Estate Firm in Menlo Park Year After Year

APR.COM Volume shown in millions of dollars Source: TrendGraphix

Page 46 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Alain Pinel Realtors

HOME STARTS HERE

PALO ALTO $14,288,000

HILLSBOROUGH $7,800,000

LOS ALTOS $3,195,000

890 Robb Road | 6bd/7.5ba S. Gavande/J. Law | 650.323.1111 BY APPOINTMENT

20 Bridle Court I 6bd/5+ba Charlene Chang I 650.323.1111 BY APPOINTMENT

1595 Morton Avenue | 5bd/4.5ba Denise Welsh | 650.941.1111 BY APPOINTMENT

PALO ALTO $2,995,000

MOUNTAIN VIEW $2,695,000

REDWOOD CITY $2,695,000

803 Guinda Street | 5bd/3ba Sherry Bucolo | 650.323.1111 BY APPOINTMENT

3364 Shady Spring Lane I 4bd/2.5ba Kathy Bridgman I 650.941.1111 BY APPOINTMENT

542 Live Oak Lane | 5bd/3.5ba Estela Freeman | 650.462.1111 OPEN SAT & SUN 1:30-4:30

ATHERTON $2,358,000

REDWOOD CITY $1,650,000

LA HONDA $898,000

1 Park Drive | 3bd/2ba Judy Citron | 650.462.1111 OPEN SAT 2:00-4:00, SUN 1:30-4:00

205 Yarborough Lane | 3bd/2.5ba Tim Anderson | 650.941.1111 OPEN SAT & SUN 1:30-4:30

9111 Alpine Road | 3bd/1ba K. Bird/S. Hayes | 650.529.1111 OPEN SUNDAY 2:00-4:00

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See it all at

APR.COM

/alainpinelrealtors @alainpinel

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 47

3316 WOODSIDE ROAD WOODSIDE Open House Sun`>Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160; 1:30pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:30pm Located in the heart of downtown Woodside Beautifully remodeled cottage Spacious, open ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan with ďŹ ne hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors 3 bedrooms, ofďŹ ce or playroom, and 2 baths Approximately 2,125 square feet Large rear deck and private yard with sprawling lawn area Over one-third acre (approximately 15,000 square feet) Woodside School (buyer to conďŹ rm) Offered at $2,695,000 www.3316WoodsideRoad.com

650.740.2970

Top 1% Nationwide Over $1 Billion Sold Top US Realtor: The Wall Street Journal

edemma@cbnorcal.com erikademma.com

ERIKA DEMMA CalBRE#01230766

425

Walsh Road Atherton

OPEN HOUSE Sat. & Sun., 2:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:00pm

t &YUFOTJWFMZ SFOPWBUFE BOE FYQBOEFE CZ Lencioni Construction completed in 2002 t CFESPPNT PGmDF MJCSBSZ GVMM CBUIT QMVT 2 half-baths in the main home t 1PPM DBCBĂ&#x2014;B XJUI GVMM CBUI BOE PVUEPPS TIPXFS t $PNNFSDJBM RVBMJUZ NFEJB SPPN XJUI FYDFQUJPOBM BDPVTUJDT t "QQSPYJNBUFMZ UPUBM TRVBSF GFFU t 4FQBSBUFMZ GFODFE QPPM BOE TQB t -PU TJ[F PG BQQSPYJNBUFMZ BDSFT t "DDMBJNFE -BT -PNJUBT TDIPPMT Offered at $11,336,000

www.425Walsh.com

JUDY CITRON " 650.543.1206 jcitron@apr.com " judycitron.com

#73 Agent Nationwide, per The Wall Street Journal

Page 48 â&#x20AC;˘ October 9, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Palo Alto Weekly â&#x20AC;˘ www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

28001 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills Spacious and Convenient Custom Residence >-:0 ?<-/1? C5@4 @4;A34@2A8 01@-58? 01Ĺ&#x2039; :1 @45? <>5B-@1 <>;<1>@E C45/4 5:/8A01? - /A?@;9 .A58@ Y .10>;;9 Y Y .-@4>;;9 4;91 of 6,025 sq. ft. (per county) and a lot of 1.07 acres (per county). Rich elements like plantation shutters, intricate skylights, and oak 4->0C;;0 Ĺ&#x152; ;;>? C588 59<>1?? E;A> 3A1?@? C4581 - /1:@>-8 B-/AA9 ?E?@19 9A8@5 F;:10 41-@5:3 -:0 /;;85:3 -:0 /;:?501>-.81 ?@;>-31 1:-.81 /;:B1:51:@ 1B1>E0-E 85B5:3 &41 ;<1: 8-E;A@ 5:/8A01? - @C; ?@;>E 3>1-@ >;;9 -:0 - ?<-/5;A? 05:5:3 >;;9 C4581 @41 5991:?1 5?8-:0 75@/41: ;<1:? @; @41 2-958E >;;9 &1>>5Ĺ&#x2039; / ?<-/1? 8571 - 4;91 ;Ĺ&#x2018; /1 -: 1D@1:?5B1 9-?@1> ?A5@1 -:0 @C; 8;2@? 1:4-:/1 @41 4;91 C45/4 -8?; <>;B501? @C; ?@-5>/-?1? @C; C1@ .->? @4>11 Ĺ&#x2039; >1<8-/1? -:0 -: -@@-/410 @4>11 /-> 3->-31 &41 ?5F-.81 3-@10 3>;A:0? ;Ĺ&#x160; 1> - 21:/10 @1::5? /;A>@ -:0 - 41-@10 8-< <;;8 C5@4 - ?<- )5@45: 9;91:@? ;2 "-8; 8@; 588? ;82 -:0 ;A:@>E 8A. @45? 4;91 5? -8?; :1-> 1D/1881:@ ?/4;;8? 8571 5D;: 8191:@->E I " ]YYJ &1>9-: 50081 I " ]Z\J -:0 A:: 534 I " ]U[J I.AE1> @; B1>52E 18535.585@EJ For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.28001Arastradero.com Offered at $4,998,000

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday & Sunday 1:00 - 5:00

Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | m i c h a e l r @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r ewww.PaloAltoOnline.com a l t y. c o m | C a l Bâ&#x20AC;˘ R E Alto # 0Weekly 1 9 0 3 â&#x20AC;˘2October 24 Palo 9, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 49

Bay Area Collection Menlo Park. Palo Alto. Burlingame 650.314.7200 | paciﬁcunion.com

APPOINTMENT ONLY

MODERN FARMHOUSE

SOLD

OPEN SAT & SUN 1:30-4:30

1 Faxon Road, Atherton

650 Berkeley Ave, Menlo Park

1845 Oakdell Drive, Menlo Park

415 Olive Street, Menlo Park

$20,700,000

$5,950,000

$3,250,000

$2,495,000

5+ BD / 5+ BA

5 BD / 5.5 BA

4 BD / 3 BA

7 BD / 3 BA

Custom gated estate in premier Menlo

Stunning newly constructed modern

West Menlo Park, spacious, light and

Prime west Menlo Park. Move in today,

Circus Club location on 1.7+ acres with

farmhouse with 2-level ﬂoor plan including

bright ranch home on idyllic tree line

remodel, or build new, lot size of

solar-heated pool, golf practice hole.

5 ensuite bedrooms and an elegant mix of

street. Thoughtfully landscaped for

approximately .27 acre (12,100 square feet)

1faxon.com

modern and rustic details throughout.

outdoor enjoyment, w/ patio and ﬁre-pit.

Tom LeMieux, 650.465.7459

David Weil, 650.823.3855

Tom LeMieux, 650.465.7459

tom@tomlemieux.com

david@davidweilhomes.com

tom@tomlemieux.com

AMAZING VIEW

MODERN-VINTAGE STYLE

WIDE WATER VIEWS

Tom LeMieux, 650.465.7459 tom@tomlemieux.com

SALE PENDING

101 Alma Street #903, Palo Alto

163 Somerset Street, Redwood City

267 Shearwater Isle, Foster City

57 N. Gate, Atherton

$1,995,000

$1,798,000

$1,749,000

3 BD / 3 BA

3 BD / 2 BA

4 BD / 2.5 BA

2 BD / 1 BA

Enjoy sweeping views from your

Updated home with modern-vintage style

Wide water views, tastefully updated home,

Charming cottage in Central Atherton,

living room’s ﬂoor-to-ceiling windows.

located in desirable Edgewood Park.

enclosed deck, master suite with walk-in

updated interiors, inviting venue for

closet and balcony.

outdoor living.

Adam Touni, 650.336.8530

Tom LeMieux, 650.465.7459

Wendy Kandasamy, 650.380.0220

tom@tomlemieux.com

24hr Security and doorman, on-site management, gym, pool and more.

Nick Granoski, 650.269.8556 nick@granoski.com

Amy Sung, 650.468.4834 amy@amysung.com

NEW PRICE

NEW LISTING

SALE PENDING

201 Ballard Lane, Menlo Park

101 Alma Street #805, Palo Alto

134 Sand Hill Circle, Menlo Park

142 Sand Hill Circle, Menlo Park

$1,598,000

$1,488,000

$1,500,000

$1,400,000

3 BD / 2.5 BA

2 BD / 2 BA

$100k price reduction! Located in the

Masterfully renovated by renowned

Serene amphitheater views across the

Desirable TownHome Living. Excellent

desirable Morgan Lane Neighborhood,

architect Aaron Green! Steps away from

Sharon Heights gold course. Gracious curb

Las Lomitas schools. Remodeled kit and

close to Burgess Park.

Palo Alto downtown and Stanford, this

appeal, mature landscaping. Extra Large

hardwood ﬂoors. Pool and spa. Convenient

classic corner unit is truly a urban escape.

garage, Las Lomitas Schools.

to Stanford and Rosewood Hotel.

Amy Sung, 650.468.4834

Jennifer Pollock, 650.867.0609

amy@amysung.com

Deanna Tarr, 415.999.1232

Adam Touni, 650.336.8530 Wendy Kandasamy, 650.380.0220

Page 50 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

930 Carmel Court, Los Altos Offered at $2,788,000 Large, Centrally Located Property Enjoying a quiet cul-de-sac setting, this updated 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home of 1,902 sq. ft. (per county) sits on a huge lot of 16,199 sq. ft. (per county) with large side yards and an extensive backyard with a paver terrace. The light-filled interior boasts fine touches like plantation shutters, natural hardwood floors, and dimmable lighting, and the central common areas include an open dining area, a well-appointed living room, an immense kitchen, and a sunken family room. One of the bedrooms can easily serve as a home office, while the peaceful master suite offers a handsomely remodeled bathroom. The property also provides a playset, a variety of fruit trees, two fireplaces, and an attached two-car garage. Caltrain and Terman Park are just moments away, and you will be steps from Village Court Shopping Center. Excellent schools like Santa Rita Elementary (API 941) and Egan Junior (API 976) are within walking distance, and Los Altos High (API 895) is easily accessible (buyer to verify school eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.930Carmel.com

OPEN HOUSE

Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 51

DeLeon Realty Identifying and Understanding High-End Home Construction and Design Elements

330 Jane Drive, Woodside CA Tuesday, October 13, 2015 5 - 7 pm

Please join DeLeon Realty at our upcoming seminar. Be informed by Ken DeLeon, the founder of DeLeon Realty, on the importance of identifying and understanding high-end home construction and design elements. Plus, take a tour inside one of Woodside’s newest luxury listings.

To RSVP, please contact Lena Nguyen at 650.543.8500 or by email at Lena@deleonrealty.com Seminar is for prospective clients only. No outside real estate professionals permitted.

The #1 Real Estate Team in America 650.488.7325

Page 52 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

www.deleonrealty.com

CalBRE #01903224

List your home with

DeLeon Realty

DeLeon Realty will cover all of the following at no additional charge: • Staging* • Property Inspection • Pest Inspection *Includes: Design, Installation, 1 Month of Furniture Rental and Removal

Our clients love the personal attention they receive from Michael Repka, from beginning to end. Additionally you will receive a suite of free services from the DeLeon Team, including interior design, construction consulting, handyman work, and dedicated marketing to local and foreign buyers. ®

650.488.7325 | www.deleonrealty.com | DeLeon Realty CalBRE #01903224 www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 53

155 Sunrise Drive, Woodside Offered at $3,498,000 Striking Custom Home with Updated Amenities Offering truly remarkable views that reach San Francisco Bay, this custombuilt 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home of 4,742 sq. ft. (per seller) features a hillside lot of 4.7 acres (per seller) and seamlessly blends Mid-Century Modern design with spacious living areas, original features, and updated amenities. The striking interior is outfitted with walls of glass, high ceilings, skylights, and dual-zone heating and cooling, while fine, lightfilled spaces include a living/dining room ensemble with a fireplace, an airy master suite, and an immense bonus room. Fine features include a wine cellar, a large home office, and an oversized three-car garage, while outdoor highlights include a Zen-inspired gravel court and an expansive wraparound deck with a barbecue. Within this home’s scenic Skywood setting, you will be just minutes from popular local attractions like Alice’s Restaurant. Thornewood Open Space Preserve and Wunderlich County Park are also close by and provide inviting trails. Excellent schools include Ormondale Elementary (API 923), Corte Madera Middle (API 937), and Woodside High (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.155Sunrise.com

OPEN HOUSE

Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

Page 54 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

1531 Tyler Park Way, Mountain View Offered at $1,988,000 Modern Luxuries, Original Charm Extensively updated and elegantly appointed, this 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home of 3,381 sq. ft. (per county) offers a centrally located quarter-acre lot (per county). Deep porches, white oak floors, and a variety of handsome woodwork underline the home’s authentic character, while spaces that include formal living and dining rooms, a tastefully remodeled kitchen, and a den with a fireplace provide plenty of room for both everyday living and entertaining. The gracious master bedroom is privately arranged with another bedroom that can easily transition into an office, while the walk-out lower level offers large, flexible spaces. Other features include a detached two-car garage, a private backyard with a paver patio, new paint, and fantastic new landscaping. This home is just steps away from the exciting facilities of Cuesta Park, and is also within walking distance of both Mountain View Shopping Center and Grant Park Plaza. Fantastic nearby schools include Benjamin Bubb Elementary (API 920), Graham Middle, and Mountain View High (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.1531TylerPark.com

OPEN HOUSE

Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 55

1130 University Avenue, Palo Alto Charming Mediterranean in Sought After Crescent Park Location

Open House Saturday & Sunday 1:30-4:30pm This spacious Mediterranean style home has a flexible 4 Bed/2 Bath floor plan featuring Old World charm. Warm hardwood floors and rustic wood trim add to the period ambiance, and the 2,925+ sq ft of living space affords the opportunity for re-design to fit a buyer’s needs. There is a detached two-car garage with attached guest suite and full kitchen, perfect for extended family and multi-generational living. The oversized 11,730 sq ft lot lends the flexibility of adding additional living space, or building one’s dream home. Easy access to Downtown, with outstanding Palo Alto Schools.

www.1130University.com

Offered at $3,398,000

Derk Brill E-PRO, CERTIFIED RELOCATION SPECIALIST

Alain Pinel Realtors CELL 650.814.0478

dbrill@apr.com CalBRE# 01256035 Page 56 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

www.DerkBrill.com

1523 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto A?@;9 A58@ $1?501:/1 !Ŋ 1>? %@A::5:3 1-@A>1? You will have no shortage of entertainment options within this immaculate 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home of 3,309 sq. ft. (per /;A:@EJ @4-@ ?5@? ;: - 8;@ ;2 ] VVY ?= 2@ I<1> /5@EJ 5348E /A?@;95F10 -:0 .1-A@52A88E -<<;5:@10 @41 2>1?4 2>11 Ō ;C5:3 5:@1>5;> showcases open living areas that connect to the fantastic rear terrace by a wall of folding glass to enable seamless indoor/outdoor living. The expertly planned layout includes a main level designed to be handicap-accessible while featuring a professional-grade 01?53:1> 75@/41: @C; ;ő /1? -:0 - ?;<45?@5/-@10 9-?@1> ?A5@1 D@>-;>05:->E @;A/41? 8571 >-F585-: 4->0C;;0 Ō ;;>? - /A@@5:3 1031 LED lighting system, whole-house wiring, and striking custom cabinetry accent the remarkable interior, which is perfectly sized for large-scale gatherings. With easy access to Stanford University and Palo Alto Golf Course, this home’s ultra-modern blend of style and convenience is simply unmatched. Duveneck Elementary (API 956) is within walking distance, while other excellent schools nearby include Jordan Middle (API 934) and Palo Alto High (API 905) (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.1523Hamilton.com Offered at $4,988,000

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday & Sunday 1:00 - 5:00

Lunch, Lattes, & Jazz

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | m i c h a e l r @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o nwww.PaloAltoOnline.com r e a l t y. c o m | C• aPalo l BAlto R EWeekly # 0 1• October 9 0 3 2 29,42015 • Page 57

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1:30–4:30PM

PORTOLA VALLEY 183 Vista Verde Way, Portola Valley | 183vistaverde.com

LOS ALTOS HILLS RETREAT 14700 Manuella Road, Los Altos Hills | 14700manuella.com

$3,995,000 | Beds 4 | Baths 3.5 | Home ±4,680 sf | Lot ±40,616 sf 'S PMWXIH [MXL 4IXIV +MSZERRSXXS ` ` TIXIVK$HVI]JYWWMV GSQ

Offered at $4,495,000 | Beds 3 | Baths 2.5 Home ±3,285 sf | Lot ± 22,880 sf

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1:30–4:30PM

PROFESSORVILLE 1116 Ramona Street, Palo Alto | 1116ramona.com

LINDENWOOD 91 James Avenue, Atherton | 91james.com

Offered at $4,500,000 | Beds 4 | Baths 4 Home ±2,789 sf | Lot ±5,600 sf

Offered at $6,498,000 | Beds 4 | Baths 4 Home ±4,276 sf | Lot ±40,775 sf

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1:30–4:30PM

CRESCENT PARK 1465 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto | 1465edgewood.com

WEST OF THE ALAMEDA 75 Reservoir Road, Atherton | 75reservoir.com

Offered at $7,995,000 | Beds 5 | Baths 4 Home ±4,400 sf | Lot ±18,051 sf

Offered at $11,800,000 | Beds 4 | Baths 3 Home ±2,740 sf | Lot ±3.2 acres

Michael Dreyfus, Broker 650.485.3476 michael.dreyfus@dreyfussir.com License No. 01121795

Noelle Queen, Sales Associate 650.427.9211 noelle.queen@dreyfussir.com License No. 01917593 Downtown Palo Alto 728 Emerson St, Palo Alto 650.644.3474

Page 58 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Downtown Menlo Park 640 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park 650.847.1141

Ashley Banks, Sales Associate 650.544.8968 ashley.banks@dreyfussir.com License No. 01913361 dreyfussir.com )EGL 3J½GI MW -RHITIRHIRXP] 3[RIH ERH 3TIVEXIH

457 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto Offered at $1,498,000 Downtown Condo in Private Complex Nestled in a beautiful, secure complex, this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom condominium offers 1,530 sq. ft. (per county) and a prized location within walking distance of exciting University Avenue. Handsomely updated, the interior displays natural hardwood floors, recessed lighting, and crown molding. The beautiful living and dining room ensemble exhibits a marble-tiled fireplace, bookcases, and French doors leading to a large, shaded patio. Double doors open to the remodeled island kitchen, which shimmers with Carrara marble countertops and designer stainless-steel appliances, and provides a sunny breakfast area. Spacious bedrooms include a serene master suite with two closets and a bathroom with Carrara marble surfaces. Additional features like a convenient laundry closet and two stylishly upgraded bathrooms enhance this fine home. This peaceful complex is within an easy stroll of Heritage Park and other downtown Palo Alto attractions, and is also just moments from Stanford University. Excellent nearby schools include Addison Elementary (API 947), Jordan Middle (API 934), and Palo Alto High (API 905) (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.457Homer.com

OPEN HOUSE

Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday 1-5 pm

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 59

14303 Saddle Mountain Drive, Los Altos Hills Offered at $4,498,000 Handsome Home with Breathtaking Views Delivering breathtaking bay views, this 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home of 4,895 sq. ft. (per county) sits on a hilltop lot of 1.14 acres (per county) and offers an elegant interior featuring crown molding, recessed lighting, and spacious living areas. Fronted by a private courtyard, the main gallery opens to a sunken living room, a formal dining room with a butler’s pantry, and a family room that adjoins an island kitchen with a large breakfast area. Upstairs, one bedroom may easily convert to an office, while the immense master suite connects to a large patio overlooking the gorgeous grounds, which include a heated pool and spa, a stone terrace, and an outdoor barbecue. Additional features include two staircases, three fireplaces, an attached three-car garage, and an extensive paver driveway. Within moments of Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club, this home is also near Stanford University and Ladera Shopping Center. Excellent nearby schools include Nixon Elementary (API 955), Terman Middle (API 968), JLS Middle (API 943), and Gunn High (API 917) (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.14303SaddleMountain.com

OPEN HOUSE

Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

Page 60 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

945 Monte Rosa Drive, Menlo Park Offered at $1,988,000 Fine Setting and Tasteful Updates A terrific neighborhood setting is one of the many excellent features of this updated 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom split-level home of 2,220 sq. ft. (per county) that occupies a lot of 12,625 sq. ft. (per county). The home’s striking design is enhanced by crown molding, VELUX skylights, central cooling, and natural hardwood floors, while spacious, sun-lit common areas include formal living and dining rooms and a family room that opens to the beautifully remodeled kitchen. Large and inviting, the master suite provides two closets, while generous outdoor areas include a front patio and a private backyard with a patio, new landscaping, and fruit trees. Other highlights include two fireplaces, an attic fan, a remodeled bathroom with heated floors, and an attached two-car garage. Here, you will be steps from Sharon Park and within easy access of Sand Hill Road and Stanford University. Excellent schools within walking distance include Las Lomitas Elementary (API 943) and La Entrada Middle (API 963), and Menlo-Atherton High is nearby (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.945MonteRosa.com

OPEN HOUSE

Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 61

WEEKEND OPEN HOMES UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL TIMES ARE 1:30-4:30 PM

ATHERTON

FEATURED

4 Bedrooms 91 James Ave $6,498,000 Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474

HOME OF THE WEEK

75 Reservoir Rd $11,800,000 Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474 100 Fair Oaks Ln Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$3,698,000 462-1111

5 Bedrooms 425 Walsh Rd $11,336,000 Sat/Sun 2-4 Alain Pinel Realtors 644-3474

LOS ALTOS 3 Bedrooms 1098 Parma Wy Sat/Sun 1-4 Sereno Group

$2,749,000 947-2900

4 Bedrooms 220 De Anza Ln Sat/Sun Sereno Group

$2,749,000 (408) 335-1400

930 Carmel Ct Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty

$2,788,000 543-8500

430 Los Altos Ave Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$2,498,000 462-1111

1555 MITCHELL WAY REDWOOD CITY OPEN SAT/SUN 1:30-4:30 Updated Rancher on tree-lined street, 3br/2ba + family room, stainless steel appliances, pizza oven in back. Offered at $1,595,000

David Kelsey 223-5588

5 Bedrooms 360 Bellevue Ct Sun 1-4 Sereno Group

$4,450,000 947-2900

5 Bedrooms

668 Partridge Ave $3,190,000 Sat 1-4 Ferrari Investment Co 464-4984 1975 Avy $2,350,000 Sun 2-4 Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 847-1141 855 Menlo Oaks Dr $3,595,000 Sun Coldwell Banker 324-4456 945 Monte Rosa Dr $1,988,000 Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty 543-8500 1199 N Lemon Ave $1,788,000 Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty 543-8500 204 Ravenswood Ave $1,650,000 Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker 324-4456

1465 Edgewood Dr $7,995,000 Sat/Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474

4 Bedrooms

PORTOLA VALLEY

1203 N Lemon Ave $3,688,000 Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 462-1111 7 Vasilakos Ct $3,695,000 Sat Alain Pinel Realtors 462-1111 235 Gloria Cir $3,495,000 Sun Coldwell Banker 324-4456 2007 Sharon Rd $2,795,000 Sun 1-4 Pacific Union International 314-7200

14123 Tracy Ct Sun 2-4 Coldwell Banker

3 Bedrooms 14700 Manuella Rd. $4,495,000 Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474

4 Bedrooms 27446 Black Mountain Rd Sat 1-4 Sereno Group

$4,350,000 947-2900

14303 Saddle Mountain Dr Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty

$4,498,000 543-8500

5 Bedrooms 13030 La Paloma Rd Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$3,750,000 323-1111

28001 Arastradero Rd Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty

$4,998,000 543-8500

$9,888,000 324-4456

2030 Santa Cruz Ave $2,498,000 Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 462-1111 650 Berkeley Ave $5,625,000 Sun Pacific Union International 314-7200

6 Bedrooms 60 Politzer Dr Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker

$4,195,000 324-4456

2 Bedrooms - Condominium 1056 Pine St 1056 Sun Coldwell Banker

$1,295,000 851-2666

1056 Pine St 1054 Sun Coldwell Banker

$1,295,000 851-2666

2 Bedrooms - Duplex 482-484 Waverley St Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

As heard on:

6ග඗඘ ඔඍගගඑඖඏ ඐඝඏඍ ගඉචඍඛ ඌඑඔඝගඍ ඡ඗ඝක කඍගඑකඍඕඍඖග 6ඍඔඔ 7$; )5(( &ඉඔඔ 1඗ඟ Dr. Chuck Fuery, Broker Toll Free: 1-888-NO-TAXES “Using his strategy, I saved over $800,000 in taxes” - Bob B., Palo Alto Stanford Property & Finance is a local real estate company serving clients for over 25 years and is not affiliated with Stanford University.

$1,699,000 462-1111

• Interactive maps • Homes for sale • Open homes • Virtual tours • Prior sale info and more

FIND YOUR NEW HOME PaloAltoOnline.com/ real_estate

A variety of home financing solutions to meet your needs

1130 University Ave Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$3,398,000 323-1111

6 Bedrooms 405 Marlowe St Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$9,495,000 462-1111

1932 Emerson St Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty

$7,988,000 543-8500

3 Bedrooms 5 Sunhill St. $3,998,000 Sat/Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 847-1141 191 Meadowood Dr $3,595,000 Sun 1-4 Pacific Union International 314-7200 2 Sierra Ln Sun 1-4

Coldwell Banker

$5,500,000 851-1961

45 Joaquin Rd Sun Coldwell Banker

$2,195,000 851-1961

5 Bedrooms 5 Sunhill St $3,998,000 Sat/Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474

REDWOOD CITY

415 Olive St $2,495,000 Sat/Sun Pacific Union International 314-7200

50 Horgan Ave 12 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

MOUNTAIN VIEW

3 Bedrooms

2 Bedrooms - Condominium $849,000 323-1111 $729,000 323-1111

4 Bedrooms 2363 Lida Dr $2,498,000 Sat/Sun 1-5 Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474

5 Bedrooms 1531 Tyler Park Way Sun Deleon Realty

$1,988,000 543-8500

968 Stony Hill Rd Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

679 Waverley St $1,399,000 Sat/Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474

849 Mohican Way Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$1,950,000 529-1111

318 W. Oakwood Blvd Sun 1-4 Coldwell Banker

$2,498,000 851-2666

607 Lakelead Sun 12-4 Intero Real Estate

$2,198,000 206.6200

5 Bedrooms $2,695,000 462-1111

WOODSIDE 2 Bedrooms

3 Bedrooms - Townhouse 225 Homer Ave 2 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$1,995,000 462-1111

349 Manuella Sat/Sun 12-4 Intero Real Estate

$9,980,000 206.6200

3 Bedrooms

3 Bedrooms 457 Homer Ave Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty 425 Middlefield Rd Sat Midtown Realty

$1,498,000 543-8500 $2,695,000 321-1596

381 Family Farm Rd Sun 1-4 Coldwell Banker

$6,495,000 851-2666

3316 Woodside Rd Sun Coldwell Banker

$2,695,000 851-2666

4 Bedrooms

4 Bedrooms 1116 Ramona St $4,500,000 Sun Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 644-3474 1130 University Ave $3,398,000 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 323-1111 3527 Arbutus Ave $2,250,000 Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker 325-6161 1523 Hamilton Ave $4,988,000 Sat 1-5 Deleon Realty 543-8500

740 Whiskey Hill Rd Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$4,680,000 462-1111

280 Family Farm Rd Sun Coldwell Banker

$9,695,000 851-2666

785 W California Way Sun Coldwell Banker

$3,495,000 851-2666

155 Sunrise Dr Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty

$3,498,000 543-8500

:MGOM 7ZIRHWKEEVH Mortgage Loan Officer, SVP NMLS ID: 633619 650-400-6668 Mobile vicki.svendsgaard@bankofamerica.com mortgage.bankofamerica.com/vickisvendsgaard

The DeLeon Difference®

Page 62 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

$1,598,000 462-1111

4 Bedrooms

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Bank of America, N.A. and the other business/organization mentioned in this advertisement are not afﬁliated; each company is independently responsible for the products and services it oﬀers. Bank of America may compensate select real estate companies and builders for marketing its home loan products and services. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ©2014 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. ARK69DJ5 HL-113-AD 09-2014

$895,000 462-1111

5 Vera Ct $899,000 Sat/Sun 1-4Dreyfus Sotheby’s Realty 847-1141

542 Live Oak Ln Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

PALO ALTO 2 Bedrooms

EXPLORE OUR WEB SITE

$9,672,000 462-1111

3 Bedrooms - Townhouse

7 Bedrooms

700 Chiquita Ave 13 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 905 W Middlefield Rd 908 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

MENLO PARK

811 Hamilton Ave Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

4 Bedrooms

5 Bedrooms

7 Bedrooms

LOS ALTOS HILLS

Retired Professor &Wealth Advisor

3 Bedrooms

650.543.8500 www.deleonrealty.com 650.543.8500 | www.deleonrealty.com | DeLeon Realty CalBRE #01903224

1199 North Lemon Avenue, Menlo Park Offered at $1,788,000 Incredible Investment Opportunity This oversized corner lot of nearly a quarter acre (per county) is centrally located and includes two stand-alone homes. The first home is a charming 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with over 1,000 sq. ft. (per seller), while the second is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom residence of approx. 600 sq. ft. (per seller). Shaded by mature trees, this extensive, attractively placed property is located near Stanford University and enjoys great proximity to the conveniences along the Alameda and Santa Cruz Avenue, including many fine shops and restaurants. This great property would serve equally well as a rental or for an extended family, plus it provides plenty of space for expansion or even new construction. The main home includes a living room with a fireplace and a charming eat-in kitchen, while the detached rear residence adjoins a sizable outdoor retreat with a heated swimming pool, a spa, and a poolhouse with an additional half bath. You will be within walking distance of Hillview Middle (API 950), while other terrific schools nearby include Oak Knoll Elementary (API 961) and Menlo-Atherton High (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.1199NorthLemon.com

OPEN HOUSE

Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

Michael Repka CalBRE #01854880

Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm Complimentary Lunch & Lattes

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | i n f o @ d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | w w w. d e l e o n r e a l t y. c o m | C a l B R E # 0 1 9 0 3 2 2 4

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 63

A Luxury Collection By Intero Real Estate Services

Sand Hill Estates, Woodside

5 Betty Lane, Atherton

11627 Dawson Drive, Los Altos Hills

$35,000,000

$24,800,000

$23,995,000

Listing Provided by: Dana Cappiello & Cutty Smith Lic.#01343305 & 01444081

Listing Provided by: David Kelsey, Tom Dallas, Greg Goumas Lic.#01242399, 00709019, 01878208

Listing Provided by: David Kelsey, Tom Dallas, Lic.#01242399, 00709019

Ano Nuevo Scenic Ranch, Davenport

26880 Elena Road, Los Altos Hills

26140 Rancho Manuella, Los Altos Hills

$19,800,000

$13,950,000

$13,888,000

Listing Provided by: Dana Cappiello, Lic.#01343305

Listing Provided by: Dan Kroner, Lic.#01790340

Listing Provided by: David Bergman, Lic.#01223189

10440 Albertsworth Lane, Los Altos Hills

333 Raymundo Drive, Woodside

25 Oakhill Drive, Woodside

$11,488,000

$9,000,000

$8,250,000

Listing Provided by: Greg Goumas & John Reece, Lic.#01878208 & 00838479

Listing Provided by: Greg Goumas, Lic.#0187820

Listing Provided by: Dana Cappiello, Lic.#01343305

245 Mountain Wood Lane, Woodside

669 Hayne Road, Hillsborough

40 Firethorn Way, Portola Valley

$8,250,000

$7,950,000

$6,888,000

Listing Provided by: David Kelsey, Lic.#01242399

Listing Provided by: David Kelsey, Tom Dallas, Lic.#01242399, 00709019

Listing Provided by: Greg Goumas, Lic.#01878208

138 Bolivar Lane, Portola Valley

1100 Mountain Home Rd.,Woodside

$6,488,000

$5,850,000

$4,995,000

Listing Provided by: Irene Reed & Greg Goumas, Lic.# 01879122 & 01878208

Listing Provided by: David Kelsey, Tom Dallas, Lic.#01242399, 00709019

38 Hacienda Drive, Woodside

See the complete collection

w w w.InteroPrestigio.com

2015 Intero Real Estate Services Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc. All rights reserved. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are listed with another broker. Page 64 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

1990 Valparaiso V Avenue, Menlo Park | $2,825,000 | Listing Provided by: Denise Villeneuve, Lic.#01794615 A

Customized to the unique style of each luxury ryy propert r y, P Prrestigio will expose your home e thr through the mostt For mo morre infforma ation ab abo out lilist stiing yo your ur home with the Int Inte ero Prest esstiigi gio o Inte Interrnation tional al progrram,

Woodside 1590 Cañada Lane Woodside, CA 94062 650.206.6200

Menlo Park 807 Santa Cruz Avenue A Menlo Park, CA 94025 650.543.7740

Los Altos 496 First Street, Ste. 200 Los Altos, CA 94022 650.947.4700

$22,000,000

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are listed with another broker. www.PaloAltoOnline.com

• Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 65

ZachTrailerGroup

Community Connected

405 MARLOWE STREET PRIME CRESCENT PARK | PALO ALTO

S T U N N I N G H I G H - E N D N E W C O N S T R U C T I O N I N P R I M E C R E S C E N T PA R K

6BR 6BA | ±6,075SF | ±10,450SF Lot 7> Ã v } >ÃÃ] «i Ã«>ViÃ] V ÛiÀi` « ÀV iÃ > ` À V >ÕÌ i Ì V w Ã iÃ make this new home a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. UPPER LEVEL Luxurious Master Suite Two Bedrooms En Suite

MAIN LEVEL High-End Chef’s Kitchen Formal Living and Dining

LOWER LEVEL Theater, Rec and Wine Rooms Two Bedrooms En Suite

O F F E R E D AT $ 9 , 4 9 5 , 0 0 0

OPEN SUNDAY OCTOBER 11 | 1:30PM-4:30PM

ZachTrailerGroup

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650.906.8008

www.zachtrailer.com | ztrailer@zachtrailer.com Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. License# 01371338 Page 66 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

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8f\Ûo`YlÛYÛdg[Ylagf Rancho San Antonio Trailhead ......................<0.1 mi .. <1 min. Highway 280 .............. 0.6 mi ... 3 min. Andronico’s Market ... 2.3 mi ... 6 min. Nearest Starbucks ...... 2.3 mi ... 6 min. El Camino Hospital .... 3.1 mi ... 7 min. Downtown Los Altos .. 3.6 mi ... 8 min. Nearest Peet’s Coffee .. 4.1 mi ... 10 min. Caltrain ........................ 4.6 mi ... 14 min.

Apple ............................ 5.6 mi ... 15 min. Trader Joe’s ................ 5.8 mi ... 16 min. Highway 101............... 5.9 mi ... 16 min. LinkedIn ...................... 6.4 mi ... 17 min. Google.......................... 6.7 mi ... 18 min. Costco .......................... 6.9 mi ... 19 min. Stanford University .... 8.6 mi ... 21 min. Facebook...................... 14.5 mi.. 24 min. San Jose Int’l Airport.. 16.0 mi .. 26 min. All miles and times approximate © Pam Blackman 2015

PAM BLACKMAN

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CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST® ECO BROKER CERTIFIED®

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 67

OPEN Sunday 1:30pm – 4:30pm

785 West California Way WOODSIDE Beautifully remodeled home with western hill views 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths Approximately 3,828 square feet Home theatre, chef’s kitchen, and spacious family room Oversized master suite with walk-in closet and luxurious bath Attached 2-car garage with lots of storage space Numerous outdoor living venues, all with incredible privacy Almost one acre (approximately 40,075 square feet) Acclaimed Woodside School NEW PRICE Offered at $3,495,000 www.785WestCalifornia.com

Top 1% Nationwide Over $1 Billion Sold Top US Realtor: The Wall Street Journal

650.740.2970 edemma@cbnorcal.com erikademma.com

ERIKA DEMMA CalBRE#01230766

O P E N H O U S E S AT & S U N 1 : 3 0 - 4 : 3 0 P M

905 Middlefield Road Unit 908 Mountain View Located in the prestigious Waters community This 998 square foot condo home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Serene lake view setting plus convenient location, this light and bright second level unit is the perfect retreat. Spacious Living Room has vaulted ceilings and cozy fireplace, opens to large private deck overlooking the water. Beautifully remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Garden window brings light & charm to the kitchen. Master suite with en suite bath & large closet. Additional bedroom with walk-in closet. Also features detached extra deep 1-car garage, in-unit laundry, resort-like setting with heated swimming pool, jacuzzi and tennis court, plus nearby parks. Ideally located minutes to downtown Mountain View with great dining and quick access to freeways 101 and 237..

Offered at $729,000 www.tourfactory.com/1439836

CalBRE# 00866010 Page 68 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Marketplace PLACE AN AD ONLINE fogster.com

E-MAIL ads@fogster.com 650.326.8216 Now you can log on to fogster.com, day or night and get your ad started immediately online. Most listings are free and include a one-line free print ad in our Peninsula newspapers with the option of photos and additional lines. Exempt are employment ads, which include a web listing charge. Home Services and Mind & Body Services require contact with a Customer Sales Representative.

WISH LIST FRIENDS OF PA LIBRARY

Bulletin Board

150 Volunteers Does dementia stress your family

115 Announcements

Pregnant? Considering adoption? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 1-877-879-4709 (CalSCAN) PREGNANT? THINKING ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6293. Void in Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana

INDEX Q BULLETIN

100-155 Q FOR SALE 200-270 Q KIDS STUFF 330-390 Q MIND & BODY 400-499 Q J OBS 500-560 Q B USINESS SERVICES 600-699 Q H OME SERVICES 700-799 Q FOR RENT/ FOR SALE REAL ESTATE 801-899 Q P UBLIC/LEGAL NOTICES 995-997 The publisher waives any and all claims or consequential damages due to errors Embarcadero Publishing Co. cannot assume responsibility for the claims or performance of its advertisers. Embarcadero Publishing Co. right to refuse, edit or reclassify any ad solely at its discretion without prior notice.

Friends of the Mtn View Library

Couch from pet & smoke free home - $200

FRIENDS OF THE PALO ALTO LIBRARY

Peg Perego High Chai - $75.00

JOIN OUR ONLINE STOREFRONT TEAM

Victorian Love Seat - $125.00

152 Research Study Volunteers

245 Miscellaneous

Anxiety Treatment for Adults 60+ This project uses a DVD-based psychological treatment to help people learn to manage anxiety and stress. The study is 8 weeks long, with 2 testing sessions (each pays $30) at the Palo Alto VA. You may be eligible to participate if you are 60 and older, have anxiety or worries, and have not been diagnosed with dementia. For more information call (650) 490-5000, press 1, 1, and dial extn.68899.

DirecTV Starting at $19.99/mo. FREE Installation. FREE 3 months of HBO SHOWTIME CINEMAX, STARZ. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included (Select Packages) New Customers Only. CALL 1-800-385-9017 (CalSCAN) Dish Network Get MORE for LESS! Starting $19.99/ month (for 12 months.) PLUS Bundle & SAVE (Fast Internet for $15 more/ month.) CALL Now 1-800-357-0810 (Cal-SCAN)

250 Musical Instruments

For Sale 201 Autos/Trucks/ Parts

ASST SECTION MGRS FOR FOPAL Author Mark Coggins

GMC 2007 Canyon Pick Up Truck $6,500 obo

Does dementia stress your family Honoring Those Who Help Homeless

202 Vehicles Wanted

HUGE USED BOOK SALE/FREE BOOKS

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR FOR BREAST CANCER! Help United Breast Foundation education, prevention, & support programs. FAST FREE PICKUP - 24 HR RESPONSE - TAX DEDUCTION 855-403-0215

Museum Flashlight Tours Science Spooktacular!

130 Classes & Instruction Airline Careers Start Here - Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-231-7177. (Cal-SCAN) H.S. Math Turor

BOARD

Combining the reach of the Web with print ads reaching over 150,000 readers!

240 Furnishings/ Household items

PIANO FOR SALE - $1,000 An open letter to Ms. Jobs An open letter to Ms. Lauren Powell Jobs regarding her new XQsuperschool project. http://teachology.xyz/ol.htm

Dance Expressions - Fall 2016

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DISH TV Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) SAVE! Regular Price $34.99 Ask About FREE SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 888-992-1957

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133 Music Lessons

CASH FOR CARS Any Car/Truck. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car.com Donate Your Car, Truck, Boat to Heritage for the Blind. FREE 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care of. Call 800-731-5042 (Cal-SCAN)

Christina Conti Private Piano Instruction Lessons in your home. Bachelor of Music. 650/493-6950

I buy old Porsches 911, 356. 1948Â1973 only. Any condition. Top $$ paid. Finders Fee. Call 707-965-9546 or email porscheclassics@yahoo.com (CalSCAN)

Hope Street Music Studios Now on Old Middefield Way, MV. Most instruments, voice. All ages and levels 650-961-2192 www.HopeStreetMusicStudios.com

Older Car, Boat, RV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-800-743-1482 (Cal-SCAN)

210 Garage/Estate Sales Atherton, 33 Irving Ave, Oct. 10 & 11, 7am-3pm Grab an early morning coffee and come enjoy your Saturday morning at our 3rd annual estate sale! We will be selling electronics, designer purses, home decor, and brand name clothes such as Lululemon, Lucky Brand, and True Religion at great discounted prices.

Piano Lessons Quality Piano Lessons in Menlo Park. Call (650)838-9772 Alita Lake

145 Non-Profits Needs

Hope to see you there!

DONATE BOOKS TO SUPPORT LIBRARY Long Look Research Secular research needs support, online donation available with 100% of funds going to the organization, www.dwolla. com/hub/LongLook for contributions. Long Look Research Institute is a secular non-profit based directed impact on the future team with dynamic answers to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges to humanity. Examples: bit.ly/ApolloDividend as well as the ‘Quantum Life Experiment’ and for seafood safety a way of containment for Fukashima Daiichi with currently available technologies for donation to the nation of Japan as a gift.

LA: 655 Magdalena Ave. 10/16, 10-5; 10/17, 9-3 United Methodist Church Harvest Crafts Faire. 55 artisans plus garden and gourmet shops, coffee, snacks and lunch. @ Foothill Exp. Palo Alto, 50 Embarcadero, Oct. 10, 9-3

215 Collectibles & Antiques Victorian Love Seat - $125.00

230 Freebies Double paned sliding glass doors - FREE

Kid’s Stuff

Jobs 500 Help Wanted MAKE $1000 Weekly!! Mailing Brochures From Home. Helping home workers since 2001. Genuine Opportunity. No Experience Required. Start Immediately. www.theworkingcorner.com Business Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company is accepting resumes for the position of Business Strategy Analyst in Palo Alto, CA (Ref. #PALIHSF1). Define high-impact, long-term business strategies at the corporate, business, and/or regional level. Mail resume to Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, 5400 Legacy Drive, MS H1-2F-25, Plano, TX 75024. Resume must include Ref. #, full name, email address and mailing address. No phone calls. Must be legally authorized to work in U.S. without sponsorship. EOE.

Business Informatica LLC is accepting resumes for the following positions in Redwood City, CA:

330 Child Care Offered 4thTrimester.com PostpartumDoula Chandra’s Daycare Lic. daycare in home. Family environment. Newborn to age 5. 40 years exp. Refs. Near Google, Microsoft. Convenient to 101. 650/969-6651. Lic. 430752295 Nanny/mother helper

345 Tutoring/ Lessons

Staff Technical Writer (RCISI): Writes technical documentation including conceptual, task-based, and reference documentation that describes the product functionality. Please mail resumes with job title and reference Job Code # to Informatica LLC, ATTN: Global Mobility, 2100 Seaport Blvd., Redwood City, CA 94063. No phone calls please. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. EOE.

Math Tutoring One to One

live in sitter

355 Items for Sale

Restaurant Staff Now hiring, cooks, cashiers, banquet servers, bartender, full and part time. Michaels at Shoreline, 2960 N Shoreline Blvd. Mtn View

6-12 Months cooler weather outfi Baseball/SoftballLeatherGlove$8 Leather Pilot TopGun Jacket 4 YR Snow bibb size 7 Black $14 Sweet Lion Costume12-24month$20

Mind & Body 425 Health Services Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace -little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1-800-796-5091 (Cal-SCAN) Safe Step Walk-in Tub Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch StepIn. Wide door. Anti-Slip Floors. American Made. Installation Included. Call 800-799-4811 for $750 Off. (Cal-SCAN) Struggling w/ DRUGS/ ALCOHOL? Addicted to PILLS? Talk to someone who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free assessment. 800-978-6674

Seeking Programmer Analyst Specialist American Century seeking Programmer Analyst Specialist (Mountain View, CA) to be technical team leader for an application development support team. Requirements gathering, resource planning of investment applications. Technical design, application development and architecture, documentation and validation testing of investment applications. Follow application life cycle standards and procedures. Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field, 10 yrs exp supporting investment management or wealth management applications, that includes 5 yrs exp leading application development activities, business analysis, design and architecture. Java, Spring Framework, Tomcat and, MS SQ Database. Experience with market data providers like MSCI Barra, Factset, Bloomberg, or Thompson Reuters. Send resumes: S. McCloskey at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111.

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Support Engineer and Software Engineer C3, Inc. d/b/a C3 Energy has job opps. in Redwood City, CA: Support Engineer [Req. #KYA88]. Spprt and implmt enterprise app. customer deploymts. Sharing pager duties and providing off-hours customer support at least once a month. Software Engineer [Req. ZRS23]. Dsgn & implmt SW sys. for qlty & prfrmnce analysis. Mail resumes referc. Req. # to: Attn: L. Burke, 1300 Seaport Blvd., Ste. 500, Redwood City, CA 94063.

TECHNICAL Informatica LLC is accepting resumes for the following position in Redwood City, CA: Senior Technical Support Engineer (RCKPA): Ensuring customers’ success and satisfaction with our products and contributing to their long-term loyalty, working closely with the rest of the PIM support team, QA, Engineering, Solutions Delivery, Sales, and Product Management to ensure that PIM is delivering overall superior service and support to customers. Please mail resumes with job title and reference Job Code # to Informatica LLC, ATTN: Global Mobility, 2100 Seaport Blvd., Redwood City, CA 94063. No phone calls please. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. EOE.

525 Adult Care Wanted Cook Housekeeper Elderly man in Palo Alto needs a creative cook / light housekeeping mornings Monday -Friday live in or out 650-862-0753

560 Employment Information Drivers: Great Miles plus Top 1% Pay! Loyalty Bonus. Quality Equipment w APUs. Pet/ Rider Program. Matching 401K. CDL-A Req. 877/258-8782. www.drive4melton.com (Cal-SCAN)

Business Services 604 Adult Care Offered Every Business Has a Story to tell! Get your message out with California’s PRMedia Release - the only Press Release Service operated by the press to get press! For more info contact Elizabeth @ 916-288-6019 or http://prmediarelease.com/california (Cal-SCAN)

624 Financial In BIG trouble with the IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 844-753-1317 Reduce Your Past Tax Bill by as much as 75 Percent. Stop Levies, Liens and Wage Garnishments. Call The Tax DR Now to see if you Qualify. 1-800-498-1067. (Cal-SCAN) Social Security Disability benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800-966-1904 to start your application today! (Cal-SCAN)

go to fogster.com to respond to ads without phone numbers www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 69

“It’s HA-MA Time!”--2 legit to solve. Matt Jones

THE PENINSULA’S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITE TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO WWW.FOGSTER.COM

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Structured Settlement? Sell your structured settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don’t have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1-800-673-5926 (Cal-SCAN)

Beltran and Mary Housecleaning 7 days/week. 10+ years exp. Good refs. Palo Alto. 650/630-9348

636 Insurance

Eco1 Dry Cleaners 4546 El Camino Real (Los Altos) www.eco1drycleaners.com

Lowest Prices Health & Dental Insurance. We have the best rates from top companies! Call Now! 888-989-4807. (CalSCAN)

640 Legal Services

Answers on page 71

Across 1 Fizzling firecracker 4 Aquarium growth 8 Crumbly coffeehouse buy 13 “Cheerleader” singer 14 Fishing line holder 15 James Cameron blockbuster film 16 Another name for #, before it became a “tag” 18 Certain VWs 19 Event for someone who displays a “13.1” bumper sticker 21 “Dr. Mario” platform 22 Air France destination 23 Dix + dix 26 Writer Kesey 28 Pet advocacy org. 32 ___ En-lai 33 Crankcase container 35 The Sugarhill Gang’s genre 36 Highbrow monthly that’s the second-oldest continuous publication in the U.S. 39 William McKinley’s First Lady 40 Deletes 41 Baseball’s Vizquel 42 Result of rolling in the dough, maybe? 44 “The Chronicles of Narnia” monogram 45 In an abundant way 46 1978 hit song with notable letters 48 “Doctor Who” airer 49 Adam Sandler’s production company, named after two of his films 54 Comic strip frames 55 Nastygrams 58 3/4-time dance 59 “True dat!” 60 2015 Melissa McCarthy comedy 61 Duel preludes 62 Pigeon fancier on “Sesame Street” 63 Clod-breaking tool

Down 1 “I just realized I messed up” outburst 2 “Be Cool” actress Thurman 3 Spoon companion, in a nursery rhyme 4 Band on a sleeve 5 Toronto Maple ___ (hockey team) 6 Hand sanitizer target 7 ___-Seltzer 8 Wife of Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev 9 “___ Clown” (Everly Brothers song) 10 Palindromic name 11 Palindromic bread 12 Urgent care center alternatives 15 Barely open 17 End a call 20 2008 presidential candidate 23 Monitoring device in some 1990s TVs 24 “If ___ nickel ...” 25 Ephron and Dunn, for two 26 Stadium display where you’ll see couples smooching 27 “___ World” (“Sesame Street” segment) 29 Groom fastidiously 30 Word after ear or Erie 31 Copycatting 33 Iron source 34 Artist’s rep. 37 Some may be good to set 38 Movie like “Shaun of the Dead” or “Warm Bodies” 43 Prepare for editing 45 Classless? 47 Dermatologist’s concern 48 Challenge for a dog trainer, maybe 49 Icy pellets 50 Faris of films 51 “Call me Ishmael” speaker 52 Judi Dench, e.g. 53 “A Beautiful Mind” mathematician 54 Some Brit. statesmen 56 Fitbit’s was in June 2015 57 Corrosive cleaner

Did You Know Information is power and content is King? Do you need timely access to public notices and remain relevant in today’s hostile business climate? Gain the edge with California Newspaper Publishers Association new innovative website capublicnotice.com and check out the FREE One-Month Trial Smart Search Feature. For more information call Elizabeth @ (916) 288-6019 or www.capublicnotice.com (Cal-SCAN)

650 Pet Care/ Grooming/Training Mary’s Dog Walking I’ll walk your dog, maximum 30 lbs., well behaved. Serving MP to S’vale. 650/630-9348

655 Photography Did You Know 7 IN 10 Americans or 158 million U.S. Adults read content from newspaper media each week? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For a free brochure call 916-288-6019 or email elizabeth@cnpa.com (Cal-SCAN)

Home Services 715 Cleaning Services

Attic Clean-Up & Rodent Removal Are there rodents living in your attic. Call today to learn more about our $89 Attic Cleanup Special Call Us Today (866) 391-3308 (paste into your browser) AtticStar.com

This week’s SUDOKU

Cleaning by Maria Specializing in homes. 20 years exp., excel. refs. 650/207-4609

Orkopina Housecleaning Celebrating 30 years cleaning homes in your area. 650/962-1536

726 Decor & Drapery Did You Know 144 million U.S. Adults read a Newspaper print copy each week? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For a free brochure call 916-288-6019 or email elizabeth@cnpa.com (Cal-SCAN)

748 Gardening/ Landscaping J. Garcia Garden Maintenance Service Free est. 21 years exp. 650/366-4301 or 650/346-6781 LANDA’S GARDENING & LANDSCAPING *Yard Maint. *New Lawns. *Rototil *Clean Ups *Tree Trim *Power Wash *Irrigation timer programming. 19 yrs exp. Ramon, 650/576-6242 landaramon@yahoo.com

757 Handyman/ Repairs

805 Homes for Rent

Handyman Services Lic. 249558. Plumb, elect., masonry, carpentry, landscape. 40+ years exp. Pete Rumore, 650/823-0736; 650/851-3078

Menlo Park, Allied Arts, 2 BR/1 BA $5400/mo

759 Hauling

Redwood City (emerald Hills) - $5800

J & G HAULING SERVICE Misc. junk, office, gar., furn., mattresses, green waste, more. Lic./ins. Free est. 650/743-8852 (see my Yelp reviews)

771 Painting/ Wallpaper

Palo Alto, 2 BR/2 BA - $5000/mont

Redwood City, 3 BR/2 BA - $4,900.00

809 Shared Housing/ Rooms ALL AREAS ROOMMATES.COM Lonely? Bored? Broke? Find the perfect roommate to complement your personality and lifestyle at Roommates.com!

Glen Hodges Painting Call me first! Senior discount. 45 yrs. #351738. 650/322-8325

820 Home Exchanges

STYLE PAINTING Full service painting. Insured. Lic. 903303. 650/388-8577

840 Vacation Rentals/Time Shares

775 Asphalt/ Concrete

ARCHITECT

Mtn. View Asphalt Sealing Driveway, parking lot seal coating. Asphalt repair, striping, 30+ years. Family owned. Free est. Lic. 507814. 650/967-1129 Roe General Engineering Asphalt, concrete, pavers, tiles, sealing, artificial turf. 36 yrs exp. No job too small. Lic #663703. 650/814-5572

R.G. Landscape Drought tolerant native landscapes and succulent gardens. Demos, installations, maint. Free est. 650/468-8859

779 Organizing Services

751 General Contracting

End the Clutter & Get Organized Residential Organizing by Debra Robinson (650)390-0125

A NOTICE TO READERS: It is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project valued at $500.00 or more in labor and materials. State law also requires that contractors include their license numbers on all advertising. Check your contractor’s status at www.cslb.ca.gov or 800-321-CSLB (2752). Unlicensed persons taking jobs that total less than $500.00 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.

Los Altos, 3 BR/2 BA - $4,265

Real Estate 801 Apartments/ Condos/Studios Mountain View, 2 BR/1 BA - $2600/mont Woodside, 1 BR/1 BA - $1450

fogster.com

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855 Real Estate Services Did You Know Information is power and content is King? Do you need timely access to public notices and remain relevant in today’s highly competitive market? Gain an edge with California Newspaper Publishers Association new innovative website capublicnotice.com and check out the Smart Search Feature. For more information call Elizabeth @ (916) 288-6019 or www. capublicnotice.com (Cal-SCAN)

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CONNECTED?

Did you know? The Palo Alto Weekly publishes every Friday.

Deadline: Noon Tuesday Call Alicia Santillan

(650) 223-6578

to assist you with your legal advertising needs.

E-mail asantillan@paweekly.com Answers on page 71

www.sudoku.name

Page 70 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

THE PENINSULA’S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITE TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO WWW.FOGSTER.COM

Public Notices 995 Fictitious Name Statement FOUNDER STORIES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 608677 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Founder Stories, located at 147 Santa Rita Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): REBECCA BOWRING 147 Santa Rita Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94301 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 05-26-2015. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 1, 2015. (PAW Sept. 18, 25, October 2, 9, 2015) DeLeon Platinum FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609061 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: DeLeon Platinum, located at 2600 El Camino Real Suite 110, Palo Alto, CA 94306, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Corporation. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): DeLeon Realty, Inc. 2600 El Camino Real, Suite 110 Palo Alto, CA 94306 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 8/7/2015. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 10, 2015. (PAW Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2015) MARTINEZ HOUSE CLEANING FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609252 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Martinez House Cleaning, located at 1531 Piedmont Rd., San Jose, CA 95132, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): MARIA MARTINEZ MELCHOR 1531 Piedmont Rd. San Jose, CA 95132 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 9-16-15. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 16, 2015. (PAW Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2015) MANILA VALLEY FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 608959 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Manila Valley, located at 780 Maplewood Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94303, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): CHRISTOPHER PERALTA 780 Maplewood Av. Palo Alto, CA 94303 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 9/8/15. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 8, 2015. (PAW Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2015) BRANNIGAN MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609277 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Brannigan Management Consulting, located at 6744 Leyland Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95120, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): MARGARET (aka PEGGY) BRANNIGAN 6744 Leyland Park Drive San Jose, CA 95120 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business

name(s) listed above on Sept. 1, 2015. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 17, 2015. (PAW Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2015) IDA GAMBAN PHOTOGRAPHY LUMINOUS GALLERIES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609417 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1.) Ida Gamban Photography, 2.) Luminous Galleries, located at 681 Folsom Circle, Milpitas, CA 95035, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: Married Couple. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): IDA GAMBAN DORR 681 Folsom Circle Milpitas, CA 95035 ROBERT JOHN DORR 681 Folsom Circle Milpitas, CA 95035 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on August 15, 2015. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 23, 2015. (PAW Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2015) PABT 100TH ANNIVERSARY FUND BUDDHIST EDUCATION COMMITTEE BEC BUDDHIST WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION BWA BAZAAR FUND CAMPAIGN BCA DANA FUND DHARMA SCHOOL EITAIKYO ENDOWMENT FUND FUJINKAI GOLF CLUB HALL FUND HELPING HANDS JUNIOR YOUNG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION JR. YBA TOMONIKAI YOUNG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION YBA YUWAKAI FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609371 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1.) PABT, 2.) 100th Anniversary Fund, 3.) Buddhist Education Committee, 4.) BEC, 5.) Buddhist Women’s Association, 6.) BWA, 7.) Bazaar Fund, 8.) Campaign BCA, 9.) Dana Fund, 10.) Dharma School, 11.) Eitaikyo, 12.) Endowment Fund, 13.) Fujinkai, 14.) Golf Club, 15.) Hall Fund, 16.) Helping Hands, 17.) Junior Young Buddhist Association, 18.) Jr. YBA, 19.) Tomonikai, 20.) Young Buddhist Association, 21.) YBA, 22.) Yuwakai, located at 2751 Louis Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Corporation. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): PALO ALTO BUDDHIST TEMPLE 2751 Louis Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94303 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 21, 2015. (PAW Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2015) NIRVANA CATERING TROPICAL DELIGHT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 608899 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1.) Nirvana Catering, 2.) Tropical Delight, located at 19399 Calle de Barcelona, Cupertino, CA 95014, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Limited Liability Company. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): BOHO LLC 19399 Calle de Barcelona Cupertino, CA 95014 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 3, 2015. (PAW Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2015) BLANK SPACE CONSULTING FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609280 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Blank Space Consulting, located at 2198 Weston Place, Santa Clara, CA 95054, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A General Partnership. The name and residence address of the

owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): QUYEN HUYNH 2198 Weston Place Santa Clara, CA 95054 TUAN HUYNH 2198 Weston Place Santa Clara, CA 95054 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 1/28/15. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on September 17, 2015. (PAW Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2015) ZHUANGZI LI AND ASSOCIATES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609876 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Zhuangzi Li and Associates, located at 4023 Villa Vista, Palo Alto, CA 94306, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A General Partnership. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): ZHUANGZI LI 14110 Negundo Ave., 1st. Fl. Flushing, NY 11355 FRANKLIN MARK SCHELLENBERG 4023 Villa Vista Palo Alto, CA 94306 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on Oct. 6, 2015. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on October 6, 2015. (PAW Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2015) DIVA DOGS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609877 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Diva Dogs, located at 125 Connemara Way #16, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: Married Couple. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): CYNTHIA LONNSTROM 125 Connemara Way #16 Sunnyvale, CA 94087 JEREL LONNSTROM 125 Connemara Way #16 Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/1/2015. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on October 6, 2015. (PAW Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2015) PLACES OF LIGHT FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 609885 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Places of Light, located at 590 Military Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the owner(s)/registrant(s) is(are): ELLEN McDONOUGH 590 Military Way Palo Alto, CA 94306 Registrant/Owner began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on October 6, 2015. (PAW Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2015)

997 All Other Legals NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TS No. CA-14-652026-HL Order No.: 100726105 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 11/30/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 to the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, will be held by duly appointed trustee. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT

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TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. Trustor(s): MANAR ZARROUG, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY Recorded: 12/6/2007 as Instrument No. 19674605 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of SANTA CLARA County, California; Date of Sale: 10/28/2015 at 9:00 AM Place of Sale: At the North Market Street Entrance of the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse, 190 N. Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $6,366,533.92 The purported property address is: 996 LAUREL GLEN DR, PALO ALTO, CA 94304 Assessor’s Parcel No.: 182-43-037-00 NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800280-2832 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site http://www.qualityloan.com , using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA-14-652026-HL. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown herein. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. QUALITY MAY BE CONSIDERED A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Date: Quality Loan Service Corporation 411 Ivy Street San Diego, CA 92101 619-645-7711 For NON SALE information only Sale Line: 800-280-2832 Or Login to: http://www. qualityloan.com Reinstatement Line: (866) 645-7711 Ext 5318 Quality Loan Service Corp. TS No.: CA-14-652026-HL IDSPub #0091870 9/25/2015 10/2/2015 10/9/2015 PAW AMENDED NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF WILLIAM DEAN COLDIRON CASE NO. 115PR177100 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors,

copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: James M. Allen, 199 Fremont Street, 21st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-6640, Telephone: (415) 957-1800. 10/9, 10/16, 10/23/15 CNS-2803326# PALO ALTO WEEKLY

contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: WILLIAM DEAN COLDIRON also known as WILLIAM D. COLDIRON A Petition for Probate has been filed by WILLIAM D. COLDIRON, JR. in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The Petition for Probate requests that WILLIAM D. COLDIRON, JR. be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The Petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The Petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court on November 9, 2015 at 9:00 AM in Dept. 10 located at 191 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a

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Answers to this week’s puzzles, which can be found on page 70.

4 7 5 1 3 6 9 2 8

9 6 3 2 7 8 1 5 4

2 8 1 5 9 4 6 3 7

8 5 7 3 2 1 4 9 6

1 4 2 6 5 9 8 7 3

3 9 6 4 8 7 2 1 5

5 3 4 9 6 2 7 8 1

6 2 8 7 1 5 3 4 9

7 1 9 8 4 3 5 6 2

Free. Fun. Only about Palo Alto. C R O S S W O R D S

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • October 9, 2015 • Page 71

Sports Shorts

PAC-12 HONORS . . . Stanford midfielder Andi Sullivan was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week in women’s soccer. Sullivan scored two highlight-reel goals and was a key distributor in the midfield in Cardinal victories at Arizona State (2-0) and No. 17 Arizona (3-2) this past weekend . . . Stanford opposite Hayley Hodson was tabbed the Pac12 Freshman of the Week for the second time this season. Hodson helped lead the Cardinal to a split in the desert last week, outlasting No. 14 Arizona in five sets before falling to then-No. 6 Arizona State in four.

ON THE AIR Friday Women’s volleyball: Oregon St. at Stanford, 6 p.m.; Pac-12 Bay Area Prep football: Menlo-Atherton at Sequoia, 7 p.m.; KCEA (89.1 FM) Men’s soccer: Washington at Stanford, 8 p.m.; Pac-12 Networks

Sunday Men’s soccer: Oregon St. at Stanford, 1 p.m.; Pac-12 Networks Women’s volleyball: Oregon at Stanford, 5 p.m.; Pac-12 Networks

Thursday College football: UCLA at Stanford, 7:30 p.m.; ESPN; KNBR (1050 AM); KZSU (90.1 FM)

www.PASportsOnline.com For expanded daily coverage of college and prep sports, visit www.PASportsOnline.com

After four straight wins, Cardinal rests and preps for UCLA by Rick Eymer enior left guard Josh Garnett is on schedule to graduate in the spring with a degree in human biology, something he hopes will lead him into a medical career down the line. For now, there’s still got plenty of football left in him. Garnett and his No. 16 Stanford teammates get a break this week. The Cardinal (4-1 overall, 3-0 Pac-12) get a few extra days to prepare for visiting No. 20 UCLA. The game will be played Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and be televised on ESPN. “I appreciate the bye week,” said Garnett, who still has a full slate of classes to attend. “I can sit back and relax a little bit.” The Cardinal was expected to practice twice during the week before getting down to business on Saturday, the ‘official’ start of game week. Shaw said the bye week came at a good time. The defensive line is beat up and Hogan is still bothered by an ankle sprain suffered three weeks against USC. Defensive end Nate Lohn and outside linebacker Kevin Anderson both missed Saturday’s game and Anderson remains questionable for the Bruins. “I anticipate Kevin Hogan being closer to 100 percent,” Cardinal coach David Shaw said. “We’ll take it easy with him this week. He’ll continue to rehab and rest. I’m looking forward to him having a full week of practice.” Once he’s through with football, Garnett envisions himself working in an emergency room. An avid viewer of the television series ‘Untold Stories of the E.R.,’ he likens the atmosphere to football. “I like the rush,” he said. “Just like football you all have to work together in a high-paced environment and yet you have to be calm and relaxed.” Garnett was named Stanford’s offensive Player of the Game for his efforts in helping the Cardinal beat Arizona, 55-17, last Saturday. Garnett (6-foot-5, 321) lines up next to tackle Kyle Murphy (6-7, 301), giving the Cardinal a movable feast of rushing and passing options. The two preseason All-America’s have allowed Stanford to rush for an average of 209.8 yards and pass for an average of 242.8 yards a game. “They both have length and athleticism,” Shaw said. “They

Menlo School freshman Sam Untrecht (14) came up with a key steal late in the match and added four goals as the Knights defeated rival Menlo-Atherton, 11-8, in a PAL Bay Division showdown.

PREP WATER POLO

Menlo boys survive after early forfeit, ineligible player by Keith Peters ast season, Nadia Paquin was a standout freshman for the Menlo-Atherton girls water polo team. On Monday, she officially joined the Sacred Heart Prep squad after transferring and sitting out roughly 30 days to satisfy California Interscholastic Federation rules. October 5 was the first day first-time transfer students could join their new teams. While Paquin had a new school and team, Tiago Bonchristiano was still waiting. Bonchristiano, who plays goalie for Brazil’s junior national team, transferred to Menlo School prior to the start of school and was expected to take over in goal for the Knights. In fact, he did. Bonchristiano, a junior, played in Menlo’s 13-7 seasonopening water polo win over St. Francis. He was a standout while saving 17 shots. Within a few days, however, Bonchristiano was deemed ineligible and Menlo forfeited the match after Menlo self-reported the incident to the Central Coast Section office. As it turned out, not all of Bonchristiano’s paperwork had been approved and he, like all transfer students, needed to sit out the 30 days before becoming eligible. “There is no difference between a kid transferring out of the area vs. a kid from a local school when it comes to the Sit Out Period waiver,” explained Steve Filios, a CCS Assistant Commissioner. “The date is the same. So, even if the

Page 72 • October 9, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

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Keith Peters