Palo Alto Weekly July 14, 2017

Page 1

Palo Alto

Vol. XXXVIII, Number 41

Q

July 14, 2017

Facebook proposes giant development in Menlo Park Page 5, 12 w w w. P a l o A l t o O n l i n e.c o m

An A n inside inside look look at at one one of of C ityy Ha all’ss mostt m isunderrsto ood, City Hall’s misunderstood, and thankless, thankless, jobs jobs and

IN SIIDE

Page 1144 Page

Transitions 11 Spectrum rum 12 Movies 25 Puzzles 41 Q Arts Music@Menlo celebrates ‘The Glorious Violin’

Page 21

Q Home Real estate rebound may be due to pent-up demand Page 27 Q Sports Menlo-Atherton football plans to maintain success Page 42


TOO MAJOR FOR HOME

TOO MINOR FOR HOSPITAL

When an injury or illness needs quick attention but not in the Emergency Department, call Stanford Express Care. Staffed by doctors, nurses, and physician assistants, Express Care treats children (6+ months) and adults for: • • •

Respiratory illnesses Cold and flu Stomach pain

• • •

Fever and headache Back pain Cuts and sprains

Fast, convenient, connected In most cases, you can make an appointment for a visit the same day. After your visit, Stanford Express Care doctors update your doctor and share recommendations for follow-up care. If you don’t have a local doctor, we can help you find one. Express Care accepts most insurance and is billed as a primary care, not emergency care, appointment. Providing same-day fixes every day, 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Page 2 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

JUST RIGHT FOR STANFORD EXPRESS CARE

Express Care is available at two convenient locations: Stanford Express Care Palo Alto Hoover Pavilion 211 Quarry Road, Suite 102 Palo Alto, CA 94304 tel: 650.736.5211 Stanford Express Care San Jose River View Apartment Homes 52 Skytop Street, Suite 10 San Jose, CA 95134 tel: 669.294.8888 Open Everyday by Appointment Only 9:00am–9:00pm


You’re Invited Open House Sat. | Sun. 1:30 to 4:30 pm List Price $ 5,880,000 5 Beds | 4 Baths Home ~ 4,075 SF Lot ~ 44,030 SF Built 1939

Video Tour www.schoelerman.com

The Fine Art of Luxury Real Estate 40 Selby Lane, Atherton

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 3


SCENIC. SECLUDED. PRIVATE. CENTRAL.

Open Sunday | July 16, 1:30 – 4:30pm .IUQTa .IZU :WIL | ?WWL[QLM

T

he best of both worlds… close to freeway access, Sand Hill Road and Woodside and Portola Valley Town Centers, yet on a quiet, end WN K]T LM [IK XZQ^I\M SVWTT -VRWa ITT WN \PM JMVMÅ\[ of country living in this charming 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home.

• Approximately 6.02 acres with surrounding views of the western hills and the 1,189-acre Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve • The two-story approximately 4,680-square-foot main home has origins as a mid-century hunting lodge and sports several functional upgrades in recent years • Two guest houses, a pool and cabaña, a two-car carport and a detached three-car garage round out the property and its wide range of heritage trees 7‫ٺ‬MZML I\ !! ! | .IUQTa.IZU:WIL KWU

LARGE STYLISH TRADITIONAL WOODSIDE HOME WITH VIEWS

Open Sunday | July 16, 1:30 – 4:30pm 2IVM ,ZQ^M | ?WWL[QLM

E

nviable blend of privacy, proximity to open space, and elegant living situated at the end of a private cul-de-sac in one of Woodside’s only gated communities.

• Traditional 6-bedroom, 5.5-bath home with approximately 6,465 square feet of living space • Unusually large common areas including separate living, dining, and dual family rooms, each connected \W I TQOP\ ÅTTML SQ\KPMV IVL JZMISNI[\ ZWWU • Perfect outdoor entertaining venues includes large deck and patio with built-in barbecue overlooking a luxurious custom pool and spa with views of the adjacent open space hills • Lot size of 3.14+ acres • Minutes from Town Center shopping, restaurants, and the acclaimed Woodside School (pre-K – 8th) 7‫ٺ‬MZML I\ | 2IVM,ZQ^M KWU

For a private showing of these homes, please contact:

HELEN & BRAD MILLER #1 Team in Woodside, 2013 – 2016

HELEN MILLER 650.400.3426 | helenhuntermiller@gmail.com | BRAD MILLER 650.400.1317 | bradm@apr.com | www.HelenAndBradHomes.com

Page 4 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

License# 01142061 License# 00917768


Upfront

Local news, information and analysis

Plan to add housing, retail gets a boost Commission endorses The Sobrato Organization’s proposal for El Camino Real by Gennady Sheyner

P

alo Alto’s effort to chip away at what many in City Hall acknowledge to be a “housing crisis” advanced on Wednesday night, when the city’s Planning and Transportation Commission threw its support behind a plan to construct two buildings

with 50 apartments at an El Camino Real site that until recently was occupied by Mike’s Bikes. The plan from The Sobrato Organization calls for replacing two one-story buildings and a parking lot with a four-story development with 19,800 square feet of retail

and 30 apartments and a threestory building with 20 apartments. The existing buildings at 3001 El Camino Real include about 9,100 square feet of retail space. While the commission had a few concerns about some of the details in the plan, members agreed that in many ways, this project is exactly what the city should encourage and voted 5-0 to recommend approval (Eric Rosenblum and Asher Waldfogel were absent).

From the perspective of the commission and city planning staff, the project designed by Steinberg Architects achieves two important goals: It addresses the city’s housing crisis and helps to enliven a stretch of El Camino in the Ventura neighborhood that many believe is perfectly suited for development. It also does that without requesting any zone changes or major deviations from code. Another selling point is the

relatively high number of small residential units — an amenity that the City Council has been trying to encourage as part of its strategy to address the affordability problem in the local housing market. Of the 50 apartments, 24 would be studios and 10 would be one-bedroom units. The average size of the studios, located in both the mixed-use building and the apartment complex, (continued on page 7)

HEALTH CARE

Stanford dispute: Union claims high hospital infection rates Medicare penalized Stanford Health Care two years in a row for high hospital-acquired infections by Sue Dremann

H

Ben Hacker

Spreading the good word A Stanford University tour guide addresses his group of potential undergrads and tourists in front of Memorial Church, where an 84-foot-wide and 30-foot-tall mosaic of Christ and his followers adorns the soaring facade.

LAND USE

Facebook unveils plans for giant development in Menlo Park Company plans to build 3.45 million square feet of housing, office and retail space by Kate Bradshaw

F

acebook, which hit 2 billion users June 27, has announced plans for a major new office, residential and retail development near its headquarters at Willow Road and Bayfront Expressway in Menlo Park. The company submitted to the city last week plans to build a “Willow Campus” of 3.45 million square feet — about two and a half times the square footage of Stanford Shopping Center — at its 59-acre commercial property at 1350 and 1360 Willow Road. The proposal includes nine

office buildings, three parking garages, seven public access parks or plazas, 1,500 housing units, a visitors’ center, a grocery store and other retail spaces. The property occupies the area southeast of Willow Road, running from Mid-Peninsula High School to the Dumbarton right-of-way along Willow, to the start of the UPS Center and Pacific Biosciences office on O’Brien Drive and Adams Court. This project would be on top of the 1.8 million square feet of office space the company currently occupies in Menlo Park and the

almost 1 million square feet of office space it’s building in the city, plus the 207,000 square feet of office space it plans to occupy in the “Menlo Gateway” area off of Marsh Road. Facebook did not have an estimate of how many employees would work at the site but said it would be roughly the same ratio of employees to office space as at its other operations. A total of 9,350 Facebook employees work in Menlo Park, a 54 percent (continued on page 7)

igh rates of hospital-acquired infections at Stanford Health Care have caused Medicare to reduce payments to the hospital for the second year in a row. Now, members of Service Employees International UnionUnited Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), the union that represents 1,800 employees at Stanford Hospital, claim the high rates are because of inadequate staffing and training, union members said during a press conference at Stanford Medical Center on Tuesday. But hospital officials are disputing that assertion. They say the data is old and the union is using a strong-arm tactic to gain leverage during contract negotiations. The current contract expires in August, according to union spokesman Tom Parker. The dispute over infection rates is focused on Stanford’s Palo Alto campus alone, Parker said. Union members said on Tuesday that the issue isn’t just another ugly fight over a contract. They have been asking for more stringent changes and better staffing for a year. “That is not a bargaining tactic,” said Linda Cornell, a union member and 37-year patient-unit secretary. “We are not here today as a first course of action.” A Nov. 21 union memo to Suzanne Harris of Stanford Employee and Labor Relations shows that union members had been asking the hospital to address high-infection-rate and worker and patient safety concerns for at least several months. Two weeks ago, union

representatives were to meet with hospital CEO David Entwistle to discuss the concerns related to the infection data but the hospital canceled the meeting, they said. Stanford Health Care received a penalty reduction in reimbursements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 after the hospital had higher than appropriate rates of hospital-acquired infections, including surgical site infection after colon surgery and abdominal hysterectomy; diarrhea-causing Clostridium difficile (C. diff), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections, among others, according to data from the Centers for Medicare. The hospital-reported data was from 2016. The Centers for Medicare Services’ Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program ranked 3,203 hospitals nationwide during fiscal year 2017 for their hospitalacquired infection rates and penalized 769 hospitals. Children’s hospitals, VA hospitals and critical access hospitals, among others, are exempt from the reductions. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most severe, Stanford had an overall hospital-acquired conditions score of 7.85 in fiscal year 2017. Specific ratings that contributed to that score included: - Central-line-associated blood stream infections: 7 - Catheter-associated urinary tract infections: 8 - Surgical-site infection: 10 (continued on page 8)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 5


Upfront

Healthy Teeth and Gums That Last a Lifetime! • New Patients Welcome! • Free Consultations and Second Opinions • Saturday Appointments Available • Our patients love us on Yelp

Voted Best Dentist Don’t Wait! Call 650.969.6077 for your appointment today!

Best of MOUNTAIN

THE VOICE

2014

VIEW

2016

756 California Street, Suite B 650.969.6077 www.dentalfabulous.com Mountain View 94041

Premiere window and door resource for the South Bay Area since 1993

New Location

450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 326-8210 PUBLISHER William S. Johnson (223-6505) EDITORIAL Editor Jocelyn Dong (223-6514) Associate Editor Linda Taaffe (223-6511) Sports Editor Rick Eymer (223-6516) Arts & Entertainment Editor Karla Kane (223-6517) Home & Real Estate Editor Elizabeth Lorenz (223-6534) Assistant Sports Editor Glenn Reeves (223-6521) Spectrum Editor Renee Batti (223-6528) Express & Digital Editor Jamey Padojino (223-6524) Staff Writers Sue Dremann (223-6518), Elena Kadvany (223-6519), Gennady Sheyner (223-6513) Editorial Assistant/Intern Coordinator Anna Medina (223-6515) Staff Photographer/Videographer Veronica Weber (223-6520) Photo Intern Ben Hacker Editorial Interns Elinor Aspegren, Shawna Chen, Sarah Mason Contributors Chrissi Angeles, Dale F. Bentson, Mike Berry, Carol Blitzer, Peter Canavese, Chad Jones, Chris Kenrick, Kevin Kirby, Jack McKinnon, Alissa Merksamer, Daryl Savage, Ruth Schechter, Jeanie K. Smith, Jay Thorwaldson ADVERTISING Vice President Sales & Marketing Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) Multimedia Advertising Sales Adam Carter (223-6573), Elaine Clark (223-6572), Connie Jo Cotton (223-6571), Janice Hoogner (223-6576), V.K. Moudgalya (223-6586) Real Estate Advertising Sales Neal Fine (223-6583), Carolyn Oliver (223-6581), Rosemary Lewkowitz (223-6585) Inside Advertising Sales Irene Schwartz (223-6580) Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan (223-6578) ADVERTISING SERVICES Advertising Services Lead Blanca Yoc (223-6596) Sales & Production Coordinators Virida Chiem (223-6582), Diane Martin (223-6584) DESIGN Design & Production Manager Kristin Brown (223-6562) Senior Designers Linda Atilano, Paul Llewellyn Designers Rosanna Kuruppu, Talia Nakhjiri, Doug Young EXPRESS, ONLINE AND VIDEO SERVICES Online Operations Coordinator Kevin Legarda (223-6597)

Contractors and homeowners welcome

220 State St., Suite 1 • Los Altos • 650.941.0744 Hours: Monday - Friday 9 - 4, Saturday by appointment Sales: dave@selectwindows.com

www.SelectWindows.com

®

BUSINESS Payroll & Benefits Zach Allen (223-6544) Business Associates Cherie Chen (223-6543), Elena Dineva (223-6542) ADMINISTRATION Courier Ruben Espinoza EMBARCADERO MEDIA President William S. Johnson (223-6505) Vice President Michael I. Naar (223-6540) Vice President & CFO Peter Beller (223-6545) Vice President Sales & Marketing Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) Director, Information Technology & Webmaster Frank A. Bravo (223-6551) Marketing & Creative Director Shannon Corey (223-6560) Major Accounts Sales Manager Connie Jo Cotton (223-6571) Director, Circulation & Mailing Services Tatjana Pitts (223-6557) Circulation Assistant Alicia Santillan Computer System Associates Ryan Dowd, Chris Planessi The Palo Alto Weekly (ISSN 0199-1159) is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, (650) 326-8210. Periodicals postage paid at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for Santa Clara County. The Palo Alto Weekly is delivered free to homes in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, to faculty and staff households on the Stanford campus and to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 326-8210. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. ©2016 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. The Palo Alto Weekly is available on the Internet via Palo Alto Online at: www.PaloAltoOnline.com Our email addresses are: editor@paweekly.com, letters@paweekly.com, digitalads@paweekly.com, ads@paweekly.com

The DeLeon Difference® 650.543.8500 www.deleonrealty.com

Missed delivery or start/stop your paper? Call 650 223-6557, or email circulation@paweekly.com. You may also subscribe online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Subscriptions are $60/yr.

SUBSCRIBE! Support your local newspaper by becoming a paid subscriber. $60 per year. $100 for two years. Name: _________________________________ Address: ________________________________

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

Page 6 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

City/Zip: ________________________________ Mail to: Palo Alto Weekly, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto CA 94306

News Digest Edgewood developer granted break from fines Sand Hill Property Company won a reprieve in its court battle against the city of Palo Alto in late June when a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge allowed it to stop paying fines to the city, pending an October hearing. The ruling by Judge James L. Stoelker represents a victory after a string of defeats for Sand Hill, which is facing fines of $5,000 per day for failing to operate a market at Edgewood Plaza. The order bars the city from enforcing its three most recent citations against Sand Hill and from requiring the developer to prepay penalties under any new citation “arising from the vacancy of the grocery store building as a condition to obtain administrative or court relief.” The developer fulfilled the requirement for the market in June 2013, when Fresh Market opened its doors. The market, however, closed in March 2015, and the space hasn’t been filled to date, though Sand Hill announced on June 27 that a new grocer will occupy the space in the fall. Stoelker’s order offers Sand Hill temporary relief, but also makes clear that it is not disputing the city’s rights “to claim new or on-going violations of the zoning code while this action remains pending, or for penalties ... to continue to be accrued during the pendency of this action.” It also does not dispute the court’s right to order “that all or any portion of such accrued penalties may become payable to the Respondents (the city) following trial and depending on the adjudication of the merits of this action.” Q — Gennady Sheyner

La Comida set to move to south Palo Alto After four decades in downtown Palo Alto, La Comida’s lunch program for seniors will move to Charleston Road as part of an agreement between the nonprofit and Stevenson House, a senior-housing community, the two organizations announced in a joint statement Friday afternoon. The agreement means that La Comida will have a home for at least a year after Aug. 30, when it is scheduled to depart from its home at 450 Bryant Ave., a city-owned building occupied by Avenidas. It also means that it will be able to provide its lunch program without interruptions. It does not, however, resolve the broader question about La Comida’s long-term future. When Avenidas concludes its major reconstruction project and reopens to the public, it is expected to have a smaller dining area than what exists today. Last year, La Comida users argued that the new dining area would be insufficient for a program that supports 140 to 160 seniors daily. La Comida and Avenidas reached an agreement in December to permanently part ways. According to the statement, La Comida will continue to search for a downtown location that can accommodate its long-term needs. In the mean time, however, it will be moving into the Stevenson House building at 455 E. Charleston Road. According to the announcement, Stevenson House has a well-equipped but currently unused commercial kitchen. Q — Gennady Sheyner

Man wanted for brazen carjacking at gas station Police are looking for a man wanted for a carjacking at a Palo Alto gas station near U.S. Highway 101 Sunday morning. The vehicle was recovered Tuesday morning at Stanford University. Around 11:50 a.m., the man walked up to the driver of a black 2012 Dodge Ram pickup fueling the truck at the Shell gas station at 1161 Embarcadero Road, police said. The man yelled, “Give me the car!” and appeared to be holding a weapon in his right hand placed behind his back, according to police. The truck owner backed away from the man who entered the vehicle and drove away, in the process ripping off the gas nozzle and hose, which was later found west from the station at Embarcadero and Middlefield roads, police said. The vehicle with California license plate number 84634F1 was seen traveling west on Embarcadero Road, police said. The carjacking was reported to police roughly five minutes later. Responding officers were unable to find the suspect or truck, according to police. The truck owner, a man in his 40s, was not injured during the encounter, according to police. A resident who learned about the carjacking through a post on Nextdoor neighborhood social network found the vehicle parked and unoccupied on the Stanford campus Tuesday morning, police said. The carjacker is described as a “chubby” Hispanic man in his 20s wearing a plain dark-colored T-shirt and dark jeans, police said. Police are asking anyone with information about the carjacking to call the dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent by text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984. Q — Jamey Padojino


Upfront

Housing (continued from page 5)

Facebook (continued from page 5)

increase over last year, according to the city’s budget for the fiscal year that started July 1. Highlights of the Willow Campus master plan submitted to the city include • 1,500 rental apartments, totaling about 1.6 million square feet. As required by the city, 15 percent (or 225 apartments) would be rented at below-market rates to lower-income tenants. Tenancy of the other units would be open to the public — not restricted to Facebook employees. • 1.75 million square feet of office space, spread across nine office buildings. • 225,000 square feet of retail space, about enough to have ground-floor shops on both sides of the street for three city blocks. Plans include a grocery store and pharmacy, according to John Tenanes, vice president of global facilities and real estate. • 3,000 parking places in parking garages (the site currently has 2,300 spread out in parking lots). • Seven parks or plazas that will be accessible to the public. Early renderings indicate plans to reactivate the Dumbarton rail corridor from Redwood City to East Palo Alto. Pedestrian routes and bike paths connecting the site to neighboring areas of Menlo Park also are planned. Those plans could include a pedestrian and bike overcrossing of Willow Road to connect the new

Rendering courtesy Steinberg Architects

would be 543 square feet and 557 square feet, respectively. The onebedroom apartments would be between 700 and 750 square feet. The two buildings would also include 15 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom units. “We talk about housing a lot on this commission, and this is exactly what I have been yearning for,” commission Chair Michael Alcheck said during Wednesday’s discussion. Alcheck and Commissioner Przemek Gardias were also struck by how little opposition the development has generated thus far. The one opponent present at the meeting, Sandy Lockhart, said the proposed buildings are too massive for the neighborhood and would overwhelm Olive Avenue, where she lives. The area, she said, has already suffered from a departure of neighborhood-serving businesses and an injection of mass and traffic. “We don’t want monster housing developments engulfing us,” Lockhart said. The fact that she was the only person who spoke out against the project prompted Gardias to wonder whether the neighborhood had been adequately notified of the public hearing (planning staff assured him that it had sent out notices to nearby

A new development proposed for Palo Alto’s Ventura neighborhood would consist of a four-story mixed-use building on El Camino Real (to the left) between Olive and Acacia avenues and a 20-unit apartment building on Acacia. residences, in accordance with law). Alcheck and Planning Director Hillary Gitelman had a more hopeful explanation for the muted reaction from the public. “This is consistent with zoning for the area and it is something that many of us think the region really needs — more rental housing,” Gitelman said. “Maybe it’s an omen of things to come.” Alcheck acknowledged it’s possible that the public isn’t showing up because it is waiting for the project to get to the City Council, which will have the final say. But another explanation, he said, could be that the project “isn’t particularly bothersome to the community.” “In fact, maybe the community

supports it,” Alcheck said. Whether response to the project signifies a shifting of public opinion, the development itself reflects an emerging trend along one of Palo Alto’s most prominent and — in the view of many — underutilized thoroughfares. Two weeks ago, Stanford University celebrated the opening of a 70-unit below-market-rate complex on El Camino, just north of Page Mill Road. On the other side of the street from the Stanford development is a parking lot that developer Windy Hill Property Ventures is now eyeing for a 60-unit development aimed at “car-less” professionals — a project that the council has encouraged.

development to Belle Haven. According to Ryan Patterson, real estate manager at Facebook, the project represents a 10-year plan for the site, and would be built in phases. The first phase would include a grocery store and some portion of the proposed retail, housing and office space. The proposal also indicates potential for a hotel and a visitor or cultural center at the site. One of the conditions of Menlo Park’s recently approved generalplan update is that developers may be required to provide amenities to the community in exchange for being allowed to build above a certain density. Patterson said Facebook is “very committed” to including a grocery store in the retail space. “That was one of the asks from the community that came up very, very early — almost at the outset of the general-plan process,” he said. “We view it as a community benefit, but we aren’t going to wait to have that asked of us by the city.” Reactivating the Dumbarton rail corridor in some way is a key part of the plans for the development, according to Facebook officials. While the corridor is controlled by SamTrans, Facebook has already put $1 million toward a study by the transportation agency to look at best short- and long-term courses of action to deal with traffic congestion along the Dumbarton corridor. In a previous development agreement, Facebook committed an additional $1 million toward implementing the findings of the study, which is expected to be

completed in the late summer or early fall, Patterson said. “With 101 and other regional connectors being very congested, it just makes sense to find ways to utilize some of our existing resources that run right through the community,” he said. The hope is that adding more density along the existing rail corridor will be a catalyst in reactivating the rail corridor, whether that’s via light rail, bus rapid transit, a bike and pedestrian path, or something else SamTrans recommends, he said.

Facebook’s Menlo Park expansion

F

acebook has been expanding its land holdings, office space and workforce in Menlo Park at a breakneck rate. The company currently owns 194 acres in eastern Menlo Park: 57 acres at the former Sun Microsystems location, 22 acres between Willow Road and Constitution Drive along Bayfront Expressway (where its Building 20 is located), 59 acres at the nearby former TE Connectivity site and 56 acres at the Willow Campus property, known as the Prologis Inc. site. On those properties, the company currently occupies at least 1.8 million square feet of office space, not counting its Buildings 21 and 22, which are under construction and nearing the final approval steps, respectively. Those two buildings will add almost a million square feet of office space when completed. The company also plans to build a 200-room hotel.

These projects, in and of themselves, will not come close to solving one of the city’s most complex and seemingly intractable problems, but they do represent some measured progress on a top council priority. And notably, none of these projects includes office space — a key factor at a time when Palo Alto has about three jobs for every housing unit. The jobs-housing imbalance is often cited as a leading cause of the city’s traffic and parking problems. “Knowing that the city is very interested in preserving retail ... we are committing that all commercial space in this project would stay and become retail only,” said Tom Steele, senior vice president at Sobrato. The project was made possible by a merger of three parcels that, between them, have three different zoning designations: service commercial, multifamily residential and single-family residential. In designing the buildings, architect Rob Steinberg navigated not only the requirements of the different zoning designations but also the design guidelines for both El Camino Real at large and for this specific segment of the boulevard. The result was a four-story building on the corner of El Camino and Olive Avenue and a three-story building with frontage on Acacia Avenue. One unique feature, Steinberg said, is the raising of the grade in the middle of the

site to an elevation of about 2 feet, which he said pushes activity to the flatter parts near the corners. “That’s a very large opportunity for us to create gathering spaces, plazas and areas for socialization,” Steinberg said. While the commission’s response was positive overall, commissioners had a few quibbles. Gardias suggested that the plans don’t reflect the impacts of building lighting on existing homes on Olive. Commissioner Doria Summa questioned whether the city should grant Sobrato an exception that would allow a garage ramp to intrude into an area designed for setback (the buffer between the building and the property line). Commissioners also had some questions about parking, which Summa noted remains an area of concern in Palo Alto. Sobrato plans to provide 189 spaces, four short of what the code requires. Most of the spaces would be inside the larger building’s underground garage and in the smaller building’s partially covered garage. These minor objections were not enough, however, to prevent the commission from endorsing the project. “Mixed-use is good, and we need that,” Commissioner Ed Lauing said. “And more housing units are essential. We need that.” Q Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.

Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ... The board plans to hold study sessions on 356 Hawthorne Ave., a request for a residential development consisting of three single-family residential units; and on 640 Waverley St., a proposed three-story development with office space on the ground floor and a residential unit on the second and third floor. The board also will hold public hearings on a proposed 16-home development at 567 Maybell Ave., and on a proposal to demolish an existing office building at 3045 Park Blvd. and construct a new twostory, 29,120-square-foot research-and-development building at the site. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. PUBLIC ART COMMISSION ... The commission plans to consider allocating $4,850 for maintenance of Michael Szabo’s sculpture, Confluence, discuss the public-art process for the proposed parking garage and public-safety building near California Avenue; discuss proposed public art at 3045 Park Blvd.; and hear updates about artist selection for the Avenidas project, the “public art in private development” program and the recent Code:ART event. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave.

Corrections

In the photo caption with the July 7 Upfront article, “Residents frustrated by repeated traffic violations in north Palo Alto,” it was incorrectly stated that resident Janine Bisharat hopes a traffic light will be installed at the intersection of Middlefield Road and Hawthorne Avenue. She does not. 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.

In addition, Facebook officials have confirmed the company plans to lease the first office building to be built by Bohannon Companies as part of the Menlo Gateway project, adding 207,000 square feet to its office space. No plans have been finalized for Facebook to lease future Menlo Gateway buildings, Facebook spokesperson Jamil Walker confirmed. This proposal represents the

company’s first foray into housing development. The apartments are planned to be open for rental by the public, though Patterson noted that for the purposes of reducing traffic, “I think our hope would be that folks who work locally, not just at Facebook, but at other companies locally, would live in the housing.” The project’s lead designer, (continued on page 10)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 7


Upfront

Health (continued from page 5)

Weekly file photo

SEIU-UHW President Dave Regan speaks on July 11 at a press conference outside Stanford Hospital during which union members expressed their concerns about what they claimed are high patientinfection rates and a lack of worker and patient safety. The union and Stanford Health Care are in the midst of contract negotiations.

- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infection: 6 - Clostridium difficile infection: 9 In addition, the score includes the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Index (or PSI 90 Composite), which considers eight safety concerns, including pressure ulcer rate, postoperative hip fractures, postoperative sepsis, accidental punctures or lacerations, pulmonary embolism and deep-vein thrombosis (around time of surgery), among others. Stanford scored a 7. Placing in the bottom-performing 25 percent of hospitals nationwide for hospital-acquired conditions, Stanford received a 1 percent reduction in Medicare reimbursements for each of the two fiscal years. Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Kim did not immediately know the equivalent in dollars. Stanford maintains the figures represented by the union are outdated, coming from 2014 California

Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development data that compared seven Bay Area teaching hospitals on one gastrointestinal infection, Clostridium difficile. That data shows an infection rate at Stanford nearly double the rate for University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, which was the second worst of the other teaching hospitals. Stanford instead pointed to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network metrics to show the hospital has greatly improved in recent years. The Standardized Infection Ratio scores for C. diff, for example, showed rate of infection for the first quarter of 2017 is 0.871 cases per 1,000 patient days, which is better than the 1.0 benchmark, Stanford interim Chief Quality Officer Dr. Ann Weinacker said. That’s an improvement over 1.09 in 2015 and 1.12 in 2016. Weinacker did not provide scores for the other infectious disease rates that are also measured by the

CDC’s Healthcare Safety Network. Data is submitted to the Safety Network monthly, Kim said. “National Healthcare Safety Network is the only reliable source of these data because they provide training in standard surveillance methods. It’s also the nation’s most widely used healthcare-associated infection-tracking system,� Kim said in an email. Weinacker said that one reason Stanford’s C. diff rate jumped in recent years by more than 100 percent is because the hospital began using new and much more sensitive testing procedures that are picking up more cases. The hospital began using the sensitive tests in 2012. State data shows that Stanford first had a huge jump in C. diff cases in 2011, rising to 1.05 cases per 1,000 patient days compared to 0.30 in 2010. Weinacker said the hospital has been tracking its data monthly so that staff can make adjustments to procedures. The hospital has signage for every room and pictograms of all precautionary procedures for

GrifďŹ n’s knows how to ďŹ x it right the FIRST TIME C e l e b r a t i n g 5 3 Ye a r s i n M o u n t a i n Vi e w

10%

Off Our highly trained technicians service most makes and models • Free check engine light testing • Free brake inspections • Free air conditioning inspections • 36 month or 36,000 mile guarantee

• Free pickup and delivery for regular service • Free rental car for major repairs • Free shuttle services • Specials for ďŹ rst time customers

ENTIRE

SERVICE

CertiďŹ ed and guaranteed

On labor and OEM parts only - call for details.

GRIFFIN’S (650) 961-8657

2423 Old MiddleďŹ eld Way, Mountain View behind Bajis CafĂŠ • Mon - Fri 8AM–5PM • Sat 9AM–2PM

AUTO REPAIR

Exclusive

www.grifďŹ nsauto.com/testimonials

Lean on us.

TRUNK SHOW Sat., July 15 11am-3pm

7KH Ć‚QHVW GHVLJQHU H\HZHDU EUDQG RI %DUFHORQD ZLWK WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ OHQVHV DQG D RQH RI D NLQG FROOHFWLRQ RI FRORUV

With a purchase of any Etnia Barcelona you will be entered into a drawing to win a free pair of Smoke x Mirrors sunglasses.

1805 El Camino Real Suite #100, Palo Alto ŕ Ž www.luxpaloalto.com Page 8 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

We’re here to help older adults and their families with resources and programs for positive aging: • Transportation Assistance

• Aging-in-Place Support

• Information & Counseling

• Handyman Services

• Health & Wellness Programs

• Volunteering Opportunities

• Personal Growth Activities

• Adult Day Care

For more information, visit us at www.avenidas.org or call (650) 289-5400.

TOOLS FOR POSITIVE AGING


Upfront a particular disease that staff and visitors must follow before entering a room, such as hand-washing and wearing a mask or a gown. But the union claims protocol enforcement has been inconsistent, communication is poor and staffing is inadequate. Nate Anderson, who has worked at the hospital for three years as a transporter bringing patients from the emergency room, said he was tested three times in one year for tuberculosis. Anderson said the tests came back negative, but he is still concerned about the potential for exposure. “People come through the ER, and we aren’t told if they are suspected of having an infection,� he said. Anderson fears that as he moves from room to room or has passed patients and visitors in the hallways, he might be contaminating people. When patients potentially have a disease passed by droplets through sneezing or coughing, they should be wearing masks. Often they are not when they are handed off to him, he said. “Everyone is confused about the proper protocol. Ask two different people and you get two different answers; ask three people and you get three different answers,� he said. Salyna Nevarez, a phlebotomist, said she worries on a daily basis about diseases she could bring home. “About one month ago there was a patient with active TB (tuberculosis),� she said. The patient was placed in a unit where phlebotomists were exposed to the infected patient but not given any notice to take precautions. It wasn’t until after she’d gone into other patients’ rooms that management informed Nevarez that she had been exposed, she said. Other employees said that housekeeping workers are put on a strict schedule of cleaning rooms that don’t give them adequate time. Cornell said that housekeepers are given 28 minutes to clean a room of a noninfectious patient and 43 minutes to clean an isolation room. In addition, the cleaning staff must handle conference rooms, nursing stations and hallways. “There is not enough staffing in all areas. They are under constant pressure. They are rushing to beat the clock,� she said. Anish Singh, a member of the Patient Companion Pool, which brings staff to sit with patients for up to eight hours a day, said he has also seen things left uncleaned because of staffing shortages. Stanford staff said the number of housekeepers per bed is 98 to 100 percent of the industry benchmarks established by Vizient, a ranking organization. Cornell and Nevarez also said because of hospital overcrowding, some infectious patients are placed in the hallways and are surrounded by screens, but they are concerned that the hallways might be contaminated. Weinacker did not refute that some patients are placed in halls when necessary, but she said that every precaution is taken to protect them and others from

being contaminated. “There are hours and hours of training for workers and managers to ensure how to protect themselves from potential infection,� she said. In a statement, Stanford staff said through the hospital’s “escalation policy,� all employees

are encouraged to share concerns through established channels. And although the hospital maintains the union’s data is outdated, staff have shared the information with its quality department, which will conduct a thorough review of the information, Stanford stated. Q

Are you getting the service you deserve? We answer our phones.

CityView A round-up

of Palo Alto government action this week

Planning and Transportation Commission (July 11)

Buena Vista: The commission approved a site map at the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park to reduce the number of parcels from five to three. Yes: Alcheck, Gardias, Lauing, Monk, Summa Absent: Rosenblum, Waldfogel 3001 El Camino: The commission recommended approving a proposal by The Sobrato Organization to construct two buildings with 50 housing units and 19,800 square feet retail at 3001 El Camino Real. Yes: Alcheck, Gardias, Lauing, Monk, Summa Absent: Rosenblum, Waldfogel

Utilities Advisory Commission (July 11)

Strategic plan: The commission discussed an update to the City of Palo Alto Utilities Strategic Plan. Action: None Water: The commission discussed the city’s billing policy for cases involving water leaks. Action: None

Serving the community for over 26 years! CHARLIE PORTER FarmersÂŽ Agency License # 0773991

671-A Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park 650-327-1313 cporter2@farmersagent.com

Historical Resources Board (July 12)

Stanford: The board discussed a report the historic resources board prepared as part of the Stanford General Use Permit amendment application. Yes: Unanimous

Architectural Review Board (July 13)

400 Channing Ave.: The board held a joint meeting with the Historic Resources Board to discuss a proposal to demolish a one-story medical office building at 400 Channing Ave. and construct two two-story homes. The ARB voted to approve the project. Yes: Furth, Kim, Lew No: Gooyer Absent: Baltay 1545 Alma St.: The board approved a proposal for an addition to a singlefamily residence and construction of two additional units on a 10,000-squarefoot lot at 1545 Alma St. Yes: Gooyer, Kim, Lew No: Furth Absent: Baltay

CITY OF PALO ALTO PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 250 HAMILTON AVENUE, COUNCIL CHAMBERS JULY 26, 2017 AT 6:00PM Study Session: 1. Presentation from Santa Clara County and Discussion 9LNHYKPUN 0UP[PHS ;YHɉJ :[\K` -PUKPUNZ 9LSH[LK [V [OL :[HUMVYK General Use Permit (GUP) 2018 Application. Action Items: *VTWYLOLUZP]L 7SHU <WKH[L! 9L]PL^ VM HUK 9LJVTTLUKH[PVU VU [OL +YHM[ 3HUK <ZL HUK ;YHUZWVY[H[PVU Element 7<)30* /,(905. 8<(:0 1<+0*0(3 ,S *HTPUV >H` <UP[ * * B 735 D! 9LX\LZ[ MVY H /LHYPUN VU [OL +PYLJ[VYZ ;LU[H[P]L (WWYV]HS VM H *VUKP[PVUHS <ZL 7LYTP[ *<7 MVY 4LKPJHS 6ɉJL \ZL KLU[PZ[ ,U]PYVUTLU[HS (ZZLZZTLU[! ,_LTW[ MYVT [OL WYV]PZPVUZ VM [OL *HSPMVYUPH ,U]PYVUTLU[HS 8\HSP[` (J[ *,8( WLY .\PKLSPULZ :LJ[PVU AVUPUN +PZ[YPJ[! *5" 94 " 94 -VY 4VYL 0UMVYTH[PVU 7SLHZL *VU[HJ[ [OL 7YVQLJ[ 7SHUULY 7OPSSPW )YLUUHU H[ WOPSSPW IYLUUHU'JP[`VMWHSVHS[V VYN 7<)30* /,(905. 9LJVTTLUKH[PVU [V [OL *P[` *V\UJPS 9LNHYKPUN H ;^LS]L 4VU[O ,_[LUZPVU VM 0U[LYPT 6YKPUHUJL 0TWVZPUN HU (UU\HS 6ɉJL 3PTP[ VM 5L[ 5L^ :X\HYL -LL[ PU +LZPNUH[LK (YLHZ VM *P[` HUK -PUKPUN ;OH[ [OL 7YVWVZLK 6YKPUHUJL PZ ,_LTW[ -YVT [OL *HSPMVYUPH ,U]PYVUTLU[HS 8\HSP[` (J[ *,8( PU (JJVYKHUJL ^P[O *,8( .\PKLSPULZ :LJ[PVU I -VY 4VYL 0UMVYTH[PVU *VU[HJ[ *SHYL *HTWILSS H[ JSHYL JHTWILSS'JP[`VMWHSVHS[V VYN ;OL 7SHUUPUN HUK ;YHUZWVY[H[PVU *VTTPZZPVU PZ SP]L Z[YLHTLK VUSPUL at O[[W! TPKWLUTLKPH VYN JH[LNVY` NV]LYUTLU[ JP[` VM WHSV HS[V HUK H]HPSHISL VU ]PH JHISLJHZ[ VU NV]LYUTLU[ HJJLZZ JOHUULS ;OL JVTWSL[L HNLUKH ^P[O HJJVTWHU`PUN YLWVY[Z PZ H]HPSHISL online at O[[W! ^^^ JP[`VMWHSVHS[V VYN NV] IVHYKZ W[J KLMH\S[ asp. -VY (KKP[PVUHS 0UMVYTH[PVU *VU[HJ[ @VSHUKH *LY]HU[LZ H[ @VSHUKH *LY]HU[LZ'JP[`VMWHSVHS[V VYN VY H[

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 9


Upfront

Facebook (continued from page 7)

Shohei Shigematsu of OMA New York, said in an interview that the biggest challenge of the project has been to “create a sense of place.” “I think that’s why we had to create, basically, part of a new city — not just a typical office park venture,” he said. The most important part, he said, was developing the public spaces. “The density is quite high compared to the rest of Menlo Park,” Shigematsu admitted, noting that studies were done to analyze traffic

patterns and movements. “We are quite confident it will work out, even with this density,” he said. Consolidating the parking into garages toward the interior of the site, he noted, will allow most of the campus to be car-free. Facebook invited some residents of the community to preview the plans before they were submitted to the city. Diane Bailey, executive director of Menlo Spark, a local environmental nonprofit, said the project, from an environmental perspective, is “great news for the community.” The proposal indicates the development would work toward a

net-zero energy goal and would plan to recycle water. Letting people live near where they work or go to school, she said, is the “single largest environmental mitigation you can design.” Menlo Park Mayor Kirsten Keith said that Facebook’s proposal comes as no surprise. “There’s always concern with change, but this is what we all worked up,” she said, referring to the many community and stakeholder input meetings held during the city’s general-plan update process. “I think Facebook’s making a very good effort at actually building a lot of housing. ... I feel blessed to

Jeffery Brace Wolfington

November 23, 1926 - June 28, 2017 Resident of Palo Alto

July 1, 1927 – June 23, 2017

his daughter Anais, and first son, Kurt and began playing professionally full time in Turk Murphy’s Jazz Band, which ultimately led the young family to San Francisco, where he played with the band on a weekly television show. With their third child Matt on the way, Birch took a job as the Senior Physicist at the Institute of Medical Physics working with Dr. John Goffman operating ultracentrifuge equipment, primarily for research as well as clinical findings for Low Density and High Density Lipoproteins and Serum Protein. After leaving the Institute in 1970, Birch became a successful stock and commodities trader ultimately being recruited as the first employee of an unknown startup in San Francisco by the owner, Charles Schwab. Birch turned down the commission only position as he was still raising a family and needed a more steady income. Throughout this time he continued to pursue his greatest lifelong passion, Jazz, playing in clubs and venues around the San Francisco Bay area and working with other great Jazz musicians. Birch was an intelligent and interesting man who loved to sit and talk about the economy and politics; sharing knowledge about jazz, history and family ancestry. At times he seemed a bit awkward around his grandkids but still enjoyed seeing them and hearing about their lives and found great joy and pride in them. Birch was particularly fond of Ruby Dominguez, his caregiver during the past two and a half years who treated Birch like a member of her own family Birch is survived by his three children; Anais (Steve) Kahermanes (grandchildren Geoff, Heather, Sarah) of San Jose, CA, Kurt (Sherri) Smith (grandchildren Elizabeth, Caleb) of Eagle, ID, and Matt (Janet) Smith (grandchildren Kyle, Cary, Collin) of San Gabriel, CA, 5 great-grandchildren, and his second wife Ardys of San Clemente, CA, He is preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy (1975), and brother Harry B. (2013). PAID

Page 10 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

the grocery store planned for the first phase of the Facebook project, along with other retail. “A grocery store is what Belle Haven residents have been asking for since 2013 and is badly needed to serve the neighborhood in that area,” he said. Patterson said he expects it to take about two years for the project to be approved — it will have to go through an environmental impact analysis, he said — and another two for the completion of the first phase of the project. That would put the projected completion of the first phase around early 2021, according to Tenanes. Q

In loving memory of

Birchall Warren Smith Birchall Warren Smith, Dixieland Cornetist, Physicist, Businessman, Husband, Father, died age 90 on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Westmont Senior Center, Morgan Hill, CA. Birch was a 60- year resident of Palo Alto, California. He was born November 23, 1926 in Springfield, Illinois to Harry B. & Cordelia W. Smith. Birch graduated from Springfield High School and was accepted as an accelerated student at Purdue University, prior to high school graduation. His time at Purdue was interrupted by WWII when he joined the Navy and served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid as their radar technician. When the war ended, he returned to Purdue and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physics, and was a member of Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics Honorary Society). While at Purdue he joined the Purdue Jazz Society, and then co-founded the Salty Dogs Jazz Band in 1947 which is the longest continuously performing jazz band ever. Birch was also the founder of Windin’ Ball Recordings in 1952, recording numerous influential jazz artists in the Chicago area. In 1957 Birch recorded with the legendary Turk Murphy on Columbia Records, and went on to play with and to form several other bands in the San Francisco area including the Euphoria Jazz Band, Euphonic Jazz Band and Great Pacific Jazz Band. Birch’s first job out of college was as a geophysicist for Shell Oil in Huston TX. While there he met the love of his life, Dorothy May Couture, a Fashion Illustrator for Rhodes Department Store in Houston. They both shared a mutual love of music and art and were married on May 2, 1952. Shortly thereafter, Birch and Dot moved to Chicago where he worked at the Museum Of Science and Industry. One of his jobs was to devise a way to move a captured WWII German U-boat from Lake Michigan, across Lake Shore Drive to the Museum where it sits today. During this time he became a father to

live in a community where people do want to develop. A lot of places don’t have that opportunity.” She anticipated that the project could generate the demand to reactivate the Dumbarton rail corridor, providing a transit connection from the Redwood City train station to Facebook and East Palo Alto. A transbay crossing could come later. “We have to show the numbers,” Keith said. “We have to show that it’s a viable solution.” Adding 1,500 new housing units and a lot more employees to a site along the corridor, she said, “bolsters the case.” Menlo Park Councilman Peter Ohtaki said he was excited to see

OBITUARY

A long-time Palo Alto resident, Jeffery passed away peacefully on the morning of June 23, 2017 at the age of 89. Born in Center, Colorado to parents Lee and Lillian, Jeffery spent his early years in Oklahoma on a turkey farm, moving with his family to Hayward in 1942. Jeffery served our country in the Navy (Mare Island), Army (Fort Ord & Presidio), Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. He received most of his education through the military, studying radio engineering at the Army’s Signal School in Fort Monmouth, NJ. In 1952, Jeffery began working for Hewlett-Packard as an engineer, with projects including gated and electric counters. He faithfully continued there until his retirement in 1982. An intensely quiet and private man, Jeffery loved his family, enjoyed researching his genealogy, rock hunting with his wife, and building computers with his son. Jeffery was proceeded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lois Mae and his son, Neal Len. He is survived by his sisters (Alice, Gladys, Jane, and Patricia), son Patrick Wolfington, and grandson Shawn Wolfington. A memorial service will be held at Alta-Mesa Funeral Home in Palo Alto on Friday, July 14th, 2017 at 1pm. PAID

OBITUARY

Janet Marie Hermsen August 20, 1934 – July 2, 2017 Janet Hermsen passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family. Janet attended Beaumont Elementary and Grant High Schools in Portland, Oregon. She graduated from Oregon State College in Business Education in 1956. She married Robert Hermsen in 1957 and they made their home in Palo Alto. A proud wife, mother and grandmother, she shared with her family a love of the outdoors. She was an active volunteer in the PTA and the Service for Sight mission of the Delta Gamma Foundation. She is survived by her husband and their daughters: Carol (Gary Forney) Hermsen, Jeanne (John Mercer) Hermsen, Susan (Peter Brown) Hermsen and Kathleen (Michael) Richman; their grandchildren: Colleen and Janna Forney, Stephanie and Paige Brown, Tyler, Colin and Jessica Richman; her sister Darlene (Louis) Balmer; and loving cousins, nieces, nephews and many longtime friends. At Janet’s request, no services will be held. Donations in her name may be made to Mission Hospice, 1670 S. Amphlett Blvd. #300, San Mateo, CA 94402. PAID

OBITUARY


Transitions Donald H. Mayall Palo Alto resident Donald H. Mayall died on June 28 after a brief illness. He was 85. Born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, he grew up surrounded by nature and close to a family farm, which instilled in him a life-long attachment to the natural world. At the age of 12, he and his family moved to Los Angeles. He later attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in sociology. His main profession was labor-market analysis, and he held positions with the state and federal departments of employment. In the 1970s, he worked for SRI, and in the 1980s, he authored several occupational guides and founded two job-market research companies. His last position was as a planner for Ohlone College, where he also was president of its local California School Employees Association. He moved to Palo Alto in 1979, where he joined the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) in the mid-80s and held leadership positions there. He also was active on the state level of in rare plant and invasive species matters. In December 2011, he was honored by CNPS for his work on behalf of California’s native plants, making him a Fellow. From 1987 to 1995 he was a member of the board of directors of the Midpeninsula Access Corporation, for which the Palo Alto City Council honored him in 1995. During this time, he was an active member of a video coalition of 20 local environmental organizations, producing and directing half-hour programs that aired biweekly on local, publicaccess television. A man of many interests, he and his wife served on the California Bach Society, attending its concerts, as well as many other early music concerts. He also attended local jazz concerts and, later in life, made trips to Los Angeles for L.A. Philharmonic concerts, as well as visits to botanic gardens, museums and what his wife referred to as “adventurous dining.” Favoring jeans, baseball caps and T-shirts that celebrated music and the natural world, he was known for his dry wit, even-handedness, realism and solid values, always taking time to visit as many California wildflower sites as possible each spring. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Curtis; children, Norman and Jeanie Mayall; former wife, Chizu Omori; brother, Russell Mayall; and two grandchildren. A memorial gathering is planned for Oct. 8. Memorial donations may be made to the California Native Plant Society, cnps.org.

Dr. Thomas Nelsen

Yetta Heynick

1926 – 2017 Tom died March 17, 2017 surrounded by his family and friends. He came to Stanford as a professor of General Surgery in 1960 when the on-campus hospital was opened. His research interests included surgery of the stomach and small intestine and smooth muscle physiology. Another of his major interests was the development of the staging laparotomy for Hodgkin’s disease. He lectured in various institutions in the United States, Canada, and Europe and was a member of a number of surgical societies and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Another professional activity was the development of silicon microtransducers in collaboration with Professor James Angell of the Electrical Engineering Department. After retirement in 1988, Tom became active in the development of lasers for surgery, particularly the Holmium laser and he continued professionally as a board member and adviser concerning medical lasers at Coherent, Inc. until the age of 72. His early career included his internship and residencies at the University of Chicago (interrupted by military service in the early 1950s), becoming an Assistant Professor there in 1959. He is survived by his wife, Roselyne Lombard Nelsen, his daughters Karen and Roxanne Nelsen and granddaughter Christina Shirley Choate. His first wife, Shirley Nelsen, predeceased him (1979), as did his grandsons Alexander Choate (2003) and Eric Choate (1985). Roselyne welcomes you to her parish church in Palo Alto on July 22 at 6:00 PM for a memorial prayer with choir to be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 751 Waverley Street. Additional details are available on www.paloaltoonline.com/obituaries or you may contact Karen at 510-912-8681. PAID

OBITUARY

Matsuye Tao July 12, 1914 - July 3, 2017 Matsuye Tao, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, passed away on July 3, 2017, in San Mateo, California, at the age of 102. She was born in Locke, California, the eldest of 5 children, to Sukeichi and Nobu Kuramoto. At the age of 5, Matsuye and her younger sister, Kikuye, were sent to Yamaguchi, Japan, to be raised by their paternal grandparents. When Matsuye was 16, she returned to Locke. She married Yojiro Tao in 1933. They lived in Walnut Grove and a daughter, Yoshie, and a son, Frank, were born. The family spent several years in internment camps (Gila River, Arizona, and Tule Lake, California) during World War II. In 1949, the family moved to the Bay Area and settled permanently in Palo Alto. The last 6 years, she resided at Sakura Gardens, an assisted care home in San Mateo. Matsuye was predeceased by her husband, Yojiro Tao, her brother, Eimi Kuramoto, and her sister, Haruko Hashimoto. She is survived by her daughter, Yoshie Janet (Glenn) Kameda, of Palo Alto and her son, Frank (Carol) Tao of Sunnyvale. She is also survived by her sister, Kikuye Okamoto of San Mateo, and her brother, Sam (Shirley) Kuramoto of San Jose. She also leaves behind 5 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 18, at 2:00 p.m., Palo Alto Buddhist Temple, 2751 Louis Road, Palo Alto. PAID

OBITUARY

97, died in Palo Alto of natural causes. She is survived by son Mitchell and daughter-in-law Nicole; daughter Carla Garrett and son-in-law Tom; grandson Aaron and his wife Draven, and numerous nieces and nephews. Yetta was a superb math teacher in the Palo Alto school district for 20 years. After retiring in 1984, she devoted her time and energy to Hadassah where she held many offices, oversaw the Calendar Book and was a Circle of Founders contributor. Yetta had many interests including: the book club (which she and her husband joined when they moved to Palo Alto in 1963), the Democratic Party, Torah study and doing the NY Times crossword puzzle. She was always immaculately dressed (skirts and stiletto heels for work) had a keen sense of organization, a sharp pencil (as well as a sharp mind) right up to the end. Interment was held on Thursday, July 13 at the Hills of Eternity in Colma, followed by a Memorial Service at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills. The family requests that any donations be made to Hadassah at the JCC in Palo Alto. PAID

OBITUARY

Jane Stein Beloved Lark, Ascended Jane Frances Stein died in her family’s embrace on May 28, 2017, after enduring with grace and great patience a struggle with aggressive kidney cancer and dementia. She lived with her husband, Marty, at The Forum in Cupertino, California. Jane was a wonderful, gentle and happy person, steadfast and strong, and the song and sunshine in our lives. She was a loving mother and wife who selflessly devoted her life to her family. Ever optimistic, she encouraged us in all our endeavors, comforted us through all our sicknesses, shared all our joys and sorrows, and stayed all our foolish decisions. Although Jane has gone, she will forever abide with us: we grieve deeply, but we carry in our hearts the warmth of her love, and the imprint of her tender guidance. Jane was born in 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of the four children of Clarence and Marie Voneman. She attended St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland, and earned a Bachelor Of Arts degree at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. She was a buyer and regional sales manager with several national department stores, and later a charitabletrust and property manager. She married Martin Francis Stein in 1965, and they lived first in St. Louis, Missouri where Marty was a physician in private practice. After their tour of duty in the Army Medical Corps Marty joined the Menlo Medical Clinic in 1968, and they moved to Palo Alto and later to Portola Valley, California. There Jane and Marty raised their children, Juliet Marie and Martin Edward. Later—during some of the happiest of all Jane’s years—she helped raise her granddaughter, Hannah, and greatly enjoyed the prerogatives of being a grandmother. Jane’s daughter, Juliet, lives in Africa and works with the International Rescue Committee; Hannah attends high school in Maryland. Jane’s sisters Janet Barry and Kay Sliman-Hart, sister-in-law Kay Voneman, and Jane’s many nieces and nephews live in Ohio. Her ashes are scattered on her favorite hilltop, where lie those of her son, Martin, who died in 2011. From this sacred place she returns to heaven, and to the stars, whence we have all come. Our family is her golden cup, And she the wine which overflows To lift us with her as she goes . . . PAID

OBITUARY

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 11


Editorial Facebook’s ‘village’ Massive development proposal will only worsen housing, transportation problems

I

t’s hard to imagine a better example of how messed up our region’s planning processes and development policies are than Facebook’s latest proposal to build nine new office buildings totaling 1.75 million square feet, likely to be occupied by up to 10,000 new employees, while eventually constructing 1,500 rental apartment units. That is the gist of a proposal for a new “Willow Campus” on a 59-acre Facebook-owned site a short distance from its existing headquarters on Bayfront Expressway in eastern Menlo Park. And this latest proposal is in addition to the almost 1 million square feet of previously approved new office space that Facebook currently has under construction, 207,000 square feet it will lease in the huge Menlo Gateway development off Marsh Road that is nearing completion and the 1.8 million square feet of office space the company already occupies. In effect, the Willow Campus is being proposed as a self-contained residential, retail and commercial district with retail stores, restaurants, a grocery store, hotel and everything residents and workers need. Viewed out of context, it’s a beautifully conceived project. But planning is all about context and how a community wishes to steer and control development to achieve its goals. The Facebook proposal, which was submitted to the City of Menlo Park last week, is seizing on the opportunity provided by the city’s newly adopted general plan, approved last November by the Menlo Park City Council. That plan established growth targets for the area bounded roughly by U.S. 101, Marsh Road, the bay and the East Palo Alto city boundary, including a total of 2.3 million square feet of non-residential development through 2040. While Facebook, as an individual property owner, is under no obligation under Menlo Park’s rules to develop any housing or amenities as it plans for its growth and need for more office space, its plan will drastically worsen the region’s housing problem. And under the proposal most of the apartments won’t even be built until after the completion of most of the commercial space, expected to be around 2025. The results of the company’s PR efforts of the last few days to shape the story are as impressive as they are misleading. The Guardian published a story Sunday headlined “Facebook addresses Silicon Valley’s affordable housing crisis” and on Tuesday Slate followed suit with “Facebook is building a ‘village’ for its workers. More big companies should do that.” The sad reality is that Facebook’s development plans, combined with the large office and hotel developments under construction in the same area by the Bohannon Development Company, will only put the region’s housing market under greater pressure. Adding 10,000 jobs and 1,500 apartment units means that Facebook alone could have as many as 7,000 new (and highly paid) employees competing for places to live on the Peninsula or elsewhere, adding to the already horrendous commute situation. Far from addressing the Valley’s affordable-housing crisis, this will only add to it. Housing costs will rise, the existing semi-affordable home and apartments in east Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and Redwood City will be priced higher as leases renew and the gentrification of these communities will accelerate. Where will the thousands of lower-paid service workers required to support these new developments live? Menlo Park city officials, including Mayor Kirsten Keith, who express delight at Facebook’s proposal and explain this is just what the city had in mind when it approved its new general plan last year, do a disservice to their constituents and to the region. A plan that allows for significant increases in employment by approving new, higher density commercial development is a plan that is divorced from the realities of our housing and transportation challenges. It makes those challenges all the more difficult to address and threatens to further erode our region’s diversity, affordability and quality of life. The message to property owners, including Facebook, should be that housing development must far outpace and precede any new commercial development, and it must itself be preceded by transportation initiatives that reduce current traffic congestion and increase transit options. Menlo Park needs recognize the fallacy of land-use policies that encourage more office development and a worsening of our regional housing and transportation problems. Otherwise everyone except the developers loses in the long run. We hope Menlo Park officials also recognize why they should immediately engage their counterparts in neighboring Redwood City, East Palo Alto and Palo Alto in discussions over the Facebook proposal. The regional impacts of what Menlo Park will be considering are enormous, and we hope this might finally lead to long overdue collaborative problem-solving among Midpeninsula leaders. Q Page 12 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions

Resolving controversy Editor, David Starr and Lewis Terman were two persons from the past. Long ago it was decided to name two Palo Alto Middle schools after them, and generations of our young have benefited at these institutions. Today, some of their beliefs are unacceptable, which has initiated the effort to change the school names. I have no wish to be involved in the relative merits of the two controversial positions. I think the complications of history cannot be rewritten today, nor could the present-day norms and thinking be ignored. My effort is to help resolve this controversy. I propose: (1) Name the Terman School as Martin Luther Terman Middle School. This would reconcile the past and the present norms and tie up history with the prevalent correctness. (2) Name the Jordan school as Malala Jordan Middle School. This would also reunite our community and re-emphasize the importance of education well-championed by the Nobel Laureate youngster. Malala is already recognized by this school in its fundraising effort. Akram Piracha Poe Street, Palo Alto

On changing the names Editor, For people who engaged in the discussion, the process followed by the Renaming Schools Advisory Committee of PAUSD was respectful, well-researched and clearly communicated. The committee’s conclusions were well-supported and centered around the best interests of current and future students. The RSAC, a committee of volunteer parents, teachers and community members, recommends that the names of both David Star Jordan and Lewis and Frederick Terman Middle Schools be changed. They recommend a clean break with both names to draw a clear contrast and to show the importance of respect and inclusivity for all members of the PAUSD community. Re-purposing or rededicating the names will only perpetuate the confusion and division that have dogged this issue. To correct the original mistakes of naming the schools for individuals who did not uphold the fundamental ideal of respect for other humans, PAUSD must completely rename both middle schools to plainly signal to the whole community its values and what kind of people it strives to educate. Let’s not leave any child with the burden of feeling less than enthusiastically welcomed to school. PAUSD has a fabulous opportunity to honor two or more individuals by naming middle schools after them. Surely, with adequate

research, two fitting names can be found that will inspire students by the accomplishments and values they represent. Fortunately for Fred Terman, his legacy is all of Silicon Valley and is much bigger than a middle school. To find these new names and to ensure that we all feel comfortable with the process will require community effort and engaged discussion. I hope you all will find the time and interest to be involved. Katie Talbot Junipero Serra Boulevard, Stanford

RVs are desirable Editor, The RVs parked along El Camino are desirable and should not be forced to move. In a city unable to provide its share of housing for the homeless because of high real estate costs, allowing these vehicles is a simple and inexpensive way of contributing to shelter needs. The RVs are no more unattractive than a row of small shops; after all, El Camino is not the site for romantic strolls. The RVs may generate trash, but adding trash cans and collection would be an inexpensive way to increase housing for the needy. We are lucky not to have the homeless encampments recently discussed in the S.F. Chronicle. I have read no justification for enforcing the law other than the fact that there is a law. I trust public protests are not camouflaged objections to the poor. We should have thought of the implications before effecting this unkind parking enforcement, which fortunately can be undone as easily as it started. K. Scott Los Arboles, Stanford

RVs not a problem Editor, You asked if we think RVs parked long-term on El Camino Real are a problem. They are not a problem at all! If they were parked on a residential street, they would be a problem. But who sees them

as a problem on El Camino? The city of Palo Alto says it received complaints. It looks like some wealthy people just have fun complaining, making the lives of poor people harder. This is like a cat playing with a mouse. One old man has asked the Palo Alto administration for four years, or now more, to install a bench on a shuttle bus stop. City bureaucrats wrote letters in response, but the bench was not installed. It is always hard to make something. And it is much easier to just send police to harass poor people and to make complainers happy. Palo Alto says it tries to reduce air pollution. And now dozens of RV dwellers will start their old dirty engines, polluting the air for no reason. And what if somebody’s engine does not start? They will lose their last home to police? And if they, hopefully, start, where will they move to? I will be happy if they park in front of the home of those complainers! Yevgeniy Lysyy Curtner Avenue, Palo Alto

Extracting value Editor, Palo Alto Planning Director Hillary Gitelman’s recommendation, incorporated in the budget which was recently adopted by the city council, that the city’s parking permits be priced “closer to market levels,” suggests that the city could be doing a better job of extracting value from some of the things that it owns. However, municipal governments are not usually well-suited to treating public properties as marketable assets. Why not sell or lease the city’s parking lots and garages to one of the private companies that have had many years of experience analyzing and understanding “market levels” in the parking industry and who price their products accordingly? Seth Knoepler, Ph.D. Cambridge Avenue, Palo Alto


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 ‘Contagious hope’ is powerful antidote to ‘suicide contagion’ by Jay Thorwaldson

A

three-person panel speaking in late June to a modest audience at Kepler’s bookstore in Menlo Park presented some simple-sounding but challenging approaches to Palo Alto’s nagging fear of being a “suicide contagion” capital. The panel focused not on suicide but on “positive contagions” that are as (or more) powerful than negative contagions — including a “contagion of hope” that leads people to personal happiness, positive relationships and redefining “success,” long a driving force in Palo Alto and the broader Silicon Valley region. The “suicide” label was applied to Palo Alto nationally after several Gunn High School students died by suicide on the train tracks over a several-year period. There had been two earlier train suicides of Palo Alto High School students and others dating back decades. Suicides from other causes were not publicly known. But the relatively tight cluster of Gunn students grabbed attention nationally and triggered a deep level of soul-searching among students, parents, teachers, school officials and citizens. The immediate responses were to create a Project Safety Net group and install “track watchers” at the rail crossings, specifically the East Meadow crossing. Deeper responses included programs at Gunn to encourage students and teachers to

be more concerned about and caring toward each other. The Kepler’s panel launched a new book by Palo Alto resident Lee Daniel Kravetz, titled: “Strange Contagion: Inside the surprising science of infectious behaviors and viral emotions and what they tell us about ourselves.” It was his first presentation of what will be a national book tour for the book. Kravetz had a career as a freelance science writer and has a master’s degree in psychology on top of bachelor’s degree in journalism. An earlier book, published in 2014, is “Supersurvivors: The surprising link between suffering and success,” which he co-authored. Kravetz moved to Palo Alto in 2009. At Kepler’s he led off by reading from the beginning of his new book: an account of how he and his wife, expecting their first child, were unpacking in their new second-story apartment when a commotion of sirens and jammed traffic outside caught their attention. It was the first of the Gunn suicides, they discovered when they later checked an online news story. The other Kepler’s panelists were Palo Altan Julie Lythcott-Haims, who had children in Palo Alto schools and served as the panel’s moderator; and Ronen “Roni” Habib, who teaches social studies and technology at Gunn. Following several suicides, Habib created a new “positive psychology” class — an approach that now is spreading nationally with teens, teachers and parents through an organization he also founded, EQ Schools, featured in 2015 in a TED Talk. Lythcott-Haims, a former dean of freshmen at Stanford University, is widely known for her book, “How to Raise an Adult: Break free of the overparenting trap and prepare

your kid for success.” She opened with recalling the reaction in Palo Alto to the suicides, noting that while “no one was trying to be sensational about the tragedies, everyone was hungry to try to figure out what we can do” about the then-pervasive “feeling of hopelessness and helplessness” that swept through the community. Kravetz said the suicides hit him hard, and his science-writer curiosity kicked in. He met Habib, who also was expecting a new baby, and they connected with a shared desire to do something effective to combat the hopelessness/helplessness root of self-destruction. As he looked into the research underlying the psychology of contagious beliefs and patterns, he discovered the highly contagious nature of negative beliefs that grow into selffulfilling prophecies. And he delved into how those could be countered, discovering research that showed positive perceptions and beliefs once implemented in a social setting can be as or more contagious than the destructive negative beliefs. Habib, who said he taught economics at Gunn for nearly a decade, created the positive-psychology class as an elective with that hope that perhaps 25 students might sign up for it. Instead, 107 students responded eagerly. The class, he said, focuses on encouraging students to openly share with others their inner feelings about their character generally and about their personal struggles about themselves, self-perceptions, bodies and life. Others in the circle “feel honored” by the sharing “and they begin to open up and share,” he said. “This is the most important thing I’ve ever done as an educator,” he said. And the follow-up with teachers nationally and

internationally is essential, as teachers need to learn to be open, sharing and vulnerable to connect effectively with their students. The panelists agreed that “emotional intelligence” should be considered as important as academic performance and that “success” should be redefined as being more than financial. People need to learn how to create a “contagion of happiness,” they agreed. Citing research by psychologist Martin Seligman, considered the father of positive psychology and the theory of “learned helplessness,” Habib listed the five things needed for someone to achieve balance in life, under the acronym of PERMA: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments. “The most important by far is relationships, which unfortunately are becoming more and more elusive in our busy, tech-heavy lives.” “We can feel helpless today in the face of certain stressors, in the face of pressure, certain definitions of success,” Lythcott-Haims summed up in “takeaway” comments. “We can feel stressed out and helpless because the robots are coming to take our jobs, and artificial intelligence and all. ... There’s a lot that we can be afraid of, and it can make us feel helpless in our own lives. But we are not. We all need to know that we matter: We need to matter to ourself. We need to know that we matter to one another. “And when we can show someone else that they matter, that we literally see them and give a darn about them, we can be the interrupters that you’re talking about — we can be the solution we’re looking for.” Q Former Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson can be emailed at jaythor@well.com.

Streetwise

What are your thoughts on the push to recall Judge Aaron Persky? Asked at Mitchell Park Community Center in Palo Alto. Question, interviews and photographs by Shawna Chen..

Wendie Lash

Yesh Ballon

Sarah Tan

Alexandra Sanchez

Lauren Tan

Spiritual director Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City

Spiritual director Ross Road, Palo Alto

Student Paul Avenue, Palo Alto

Nanny Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Student Paul Avenue, Palo Alto

“I’m not up on the recall decision, but I was horrified by the initial decision and the judge’s comments. I think (Brock Turner) being from a high socioeconomic level and being white was part of the decision. It’s disappointing when someone puts their own bias in (the decision).”

“I’m absolutely opposed. I certainly feel for the young lady and her family and all the suffering. But we shouldn’t be second-guessing the judge in a single issue on a single decision. It’s unfortunate that it wasn’t the best decision to make, but he followed the law.”

“Turner should’ve been punished according to what he did, but Persky favored (Brock Turner) when Turner violated the law.”

“I’m not familiar with the recall movement, but it’s unfortunate what happened. I definitely think there should have been more consequences for those actions.”

“I think he should be taken out of his position. He ruled very leniently in Brock Turner’s case and obviously favored Turner when he should’ve been more harsh.”

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 13


OF THE

by Gennady Sheyner

Elena Kadvany

An inside look at one of City Hall’s most misunderstood, and thankless, jobs

Palo Alto’s code-enforcement officers in May investigated the use of space at Gracie Jones’ Gluten Free Bake Shop in Palo Alto’s Midtown Shopping Center, where computer workstations line two walls and a counter serving up gluten-free pastries and selections from the Asian Box restaurant menu occupies the rear. Zoning codes prohibit take-out eateries and general-office businesses in the neighborhood-commercial areas, so the owner has added seating and stated that computers are for customers’ use. a.m. on Thursdays. The business may not be widely known to the general public, but Palo Alto’s code-enforcement officers have been regular visitors. They began to investigate CC Restaurant Supply for a possible zoning-code violation in the fall of 2015, after a resident filed a complaint and submitted photos showing a van with a Coupa Café logo regularly leaving the site in the morning hours. The van’s comings and goings, coupled with the fact that CC Restaurant Supply and Coupa have the same owner, fostered the impression that the building was being used as an illegal warehouse for the cafe business. In October of that year, code enforcement notified the building owner of the complaint and informed him that warehouses are illegal in a neighborhood commercial (known as CN) zone. The following January, after some back and forth with the building owner, Chief Building Official Amy French and James Stephens, the city’s lead codeenforcement officer, visited and found some irregularities, which French detailed in a letter to Winter Dellenbach, the resident who filed the complaint. French said she and Stephens had “witnessed the blocked storefront windows, (a) makeshift sign with a bogus phone number for ‘sales by appointment’ and (a) padlocked, fenced parking lot at rear.”

Page 14 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

French noted in an email, which the Weekly obtained through a Public Records Act request, that she called the number and “was dismayed that there was no recognition of any restaurant supply business.” Given that earlier in the month, CC’s owner, Jean Paul Coupal, had applied for and received a new “use and occupancy permit” that listed the business as an “extensive retail” operation, this struck the city as unusual. (The permit approval process involves both the fire department

and building division, who check for safety and to “ensure that zoning regulations are being followed,” according to the city.) “We agree the operations there do not live up to the ‘extensive retail’ land use the business claimed on the Use and Occupancy Permit that was issued at the Development Center on Jan. 29,” French wrote. “An ‘extensive retail’ store would need to have hours of operation open to the general public.” In the months after that visit, code enforcers continued to pop in

for inspections. They determined that CC was conducting retail during its very limited hours of operations, and they compelled the business to change its window displays to allow more visibility. But to the public at large, little changed. The Coupa vans continued to come on a regular basis. In April 2016, City Councilwoman Karen Holman reached out to city staff to inquire about what was happening at 3457 El Camino Real. “This is a very long time to

Veronica Weber

O

dds are, you’ve never shopped at CC Restaurant Supply. Though it’s in a Palo Alto “neighborhood commercial” zone, which is designed for restaurants, small offices and retail establishments that service the immediate neighborhood, it’s not exactly a magnet for residents living in the Ventura area. Despite its location along El Camino Real, one of Palo Alto’s busiest commercial arteries, it is largely obscure from the outside world. A vehicle cruising north on El Camino sees only darkness inside, punctuated by partially open blinds. A pedestrian peering in through the blinds can see only a tiny fraction of the store’s inventory — a meat slicer here, a coffee grinder there, a wicker basket of silverware. You can, of course, get a better sense of what CC offers if you go in when the store is open. That’s when you see a small room with shelves stocked with flavoring syrups, coffee filters, boxes of Ziplock bags, a display can of Diet Coke next to a display bottle of Orangina and then an open door leading to a much larger room filled with crates, metal shelves, pots, pans, boxes and bulk supplies. But buyer beware: The opportunity to shop here doesn’t knock all that often. Its hours are from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 8:30 to 10

Lead Code Enforcement Officer James Stephens takes a photo of an illegally dumped sofa in Palo Alto. Stephens will follow up with the property owner to remove it by a certain date or else the property owner will receive a citation.


Veronica Weber

Cover Story

have a non-compliant use (and windows) in a street-facing CNzoned El Camino location,” Holman wrote. “Coupa is a desirable and popular cafe in the community, but that should not exempt them from being a good neighbor in non-cafe locales.” Dellenbach sees this property and others like it (she has an extensive list) as indicative of a troubling Palo Alto trend: the death of neighborhood-serving businesses. Buildings in south Palo Alto that were once occupied by veterinarians and dry cleaners have been taken over by headquarters for local tech companies, multi-national corporations and support operations for other businesses. As a result, once-walkable neighborhoods are no longer so, she said. “We treasure our retail stores — not just retail but things like medical services and physical therapy — that really offer actual valuable services to locals in the neighborhood,” Dellenbach said. So when she saw the blinds shutter on the CC building — formerly occupied by Quality Discount Tile — and a paper “sales by appointment” sign go up on a door, she decided to take action.

“It offended me because it was certainly not in the spirit of the law and not in the letter of the law,” Dellenbach said. Another example of high-tech businesses taking over neighborhood-retail sites occurred earlier this year, according to Dellenbach. A tech company called InnoSpring, which provides services to startups, received a permit to move into the 3400 block of El Camino, where previously there was a medical office. Both Holman and Dellenbach see these kinds of situations as symptoms of a broader regulatory problem in Palo Alto: The city’s code enforcement is chronically lax. City officials, despite initial misgivings, didn’t institute any penalties against CC Restaurant Supply before closing the case last summer. All they did was require that the store modify the display area and hold regular hours of operation. Because the municipal code does not specify what those hours should be, five hours per week sufficed. From the perspective of codeenforcement, the resolution of this case was a success story. The city worked with Coupal to address

By the numbers $315,592 723 97 Zero or 1 250 7 52 $514,728 $500 to $5,000 Source: City of Palo Alto

³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³

Veronica Weber

The City of Palo Alto determined that the First Baptist Church, located at 305 N. California Ave. in Palo Alto, was violating zoning code in leasing space to the New Mozart School of Music.

C&C Restaurant Supply on El Camino Real has come under scrutiny from the city: Although its permit states that it is an “extensive” retail store, the business is only open a few hours Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. residents’ immediate concerns Not making the grade about what exactly people are upand, after the requested modificaset about. Is it construction noise tions were made, determined that or a team that consists and overgrown weeds? Is it hacker the store complied with city code. of just three people, Palo houses and Airbnb rentals in resi“You can walk in there, and I’ve Alto’s code enforcers have dential neighborhoods? Is it unactually seen people from other been facing an unprecedented enforced (and thus non-existent) businesses in there, getting some level of public scrutiny of late. “public benefits” from approved cups or other things,” Stephens In January, the council received development projects and busisaid. “It’s not as convenient as the latest National Citizens Sur- nesses that don’t conform with Costco — the hours aren’t nearly vey that showed a troubling trend: zoning laws? as user-friendly — but it’s a matter only 52 percent of the respondents The term “code enforcement” of ‘spirit of the law’ versus ‘letter rated Palo Alto code enforcement seems to be at least somewhat of the law.’ Until we get some other as “good” or “excellent” in 2016, correlated to residents’ broader issue where it can be enforced, they down from 59 percent in 2015 and frustrations about development are legally operating within the 62 percent in 2014. and its impact. It is perhaps no confines of the municipal code.” The results have prompted coincidence that only 37 percent Dellenbach, who has called CC some head-scratching among city of the residents in the National Restaurant Supply a “charade” and officials. City Auditor Harriet Citizens Survey gave “good” or a “farce” and who referred to its Richardson, who coordinates the “excellent” ratings to the city on retails hours as “lipstick on a pig,” national survey under a contract “land use, planning and zoning” saw things differently. with the National Resource Cen- in 2016; down from 50 percent in “To say that this retail site is ter, noted in the report that many 2006. anything but an illegal warehouse respondents who rated the quality Now the city is trying to solve is to insult the people in the two of code enforcement as “fair” or the riddle. In May, when the neighborhoods,” Dellenbach said “poor” had not actually observed council’s Finance Committee was in referring to Ventura and Bar- any code violations. reviewing the planning-departron Park. There’s also some confusion ment budget, members agreed to spend $30,000 on a supplemental survey to help the department figure out ways to improve code enforcement. As added incenHow Palo Alto code enforcement fares in public opinion, costs tive, the council on June 27 set an Combined salaries of Palo Alto’s ambitious goal when it approved the city’s 2017-18 budget: Get the three code-enforcement officers. percentage of residents who give Cases code enforcers filed in fiscal year 2016 code enforcement “good” or “excellent” ratings to 70 percent. (which ended June 30, 2016). One action that might help: RichPercentage of cases in FY 2016 ardson is preparing to conduct an audit of code enforcement, whose that were solved within 120 days. three officers earn a combined Leaf-blower formal warnings and citations $315,592 annually. She said she decided to do an audit after fieldissued annually between 2011 and 2015. ing complaints about everything from illegal signage to garbage Leaf-blower warnings issued in 2016. cans in the public’s right-of-way. “I had council members ask me about doing a code-enforcement Leaf-blower citations issued in 2016. audit, and I’ve had residents come to me to ask me if it was possible to do an audit,” Richardson said. % of National Citizens Survey respondents rating code enforcement “When you have a lot of inter“good” or “excellent” in 2016 (down from 62 percent in 2014). est all the way around, you realize, ‘We probably need to do an Revenue from citations issued in fiscal year 2017, which ended audit.’” on June 30 ($430,250 came from Sand Hill Property Company). Strikingly, the program’s plummeting survey scores came at a Daily fines the city ordered Sand Hill to pay because time when Planning Director of the Edgewood Plaza grocery-store vacancy.

F

(continued on page 16)

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 15


Cover Story

Enforcement reflects the community Municipal code, city priorities guide officers’ work by Gennady Sheyner

M Veronica Weber

Piano teacher Danielle Rosa gives Poppy Harrison a piano lesson at the New Mozart School of Music, which has been given six months to vacate its space at the First Baptist Church in Palo Alto.

Guardians of code (continued from page 15)

Hillary Gitelman’s department was making an effort to strengthen it. With the addition of Stephens in early 2016, the department began to enforce the city’s long-languishing ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. Between 2011 and 2015, the number of formal warnings and citations that the city had issued fluctuated between zero and one. Last year, the department investigated about 400 complaints and issued about 250 notices and seven citations, according to the city budget. Code enforcement also has been fielding more cases and resolving them more quickly, according to department data. Its 723 cases in fiscal year 2016 (which ended on June 30, 2016) was the highest total in at least a decade. Furthermore, 97 percent were solved within 120 days, a greater share than in any other year (in 2015, it was 91 percent). Hoping to build on that progress, this year Gitelman made a pitch to add another code-enforcement position. That proposal, however, was vetoed by City Manager James Keene during the budget process.

Diplomacy first

F

or the most part, Palo Alto’s code enforcers have tended to err on the side of caution. The last thing Stephens wants, he said, is for the city to end up on the losing end of a court battle stemming from a lawsuit filed by an aggrieved violator. “You can’t just be slapping things together (to substantiate a violation),” he told the Weekly. “You have to be able to document and prove your case, not beyond reasonable doubt but with a preponderance of evidence, that this person is in violation. “Without a preponderance of evidence, it’s a false accusation that I cannot uphold under scrutiny,” he said. Even a stack of photos of a van, labeled with the Coupa logo, coming and going from the back of CC Restaurant Supply, isn’t enough to prove anything. “Just because the Coupa van is there doesn’t mean it’s a warehouse,” he said. “They may actually be bringing supplies to sell.

They actually do refurbish equipment to sell it.” Fewer than 5 percent of the hundreds of cases code enforcement investigates every year lead to fines, according to staff. As long as the business owner is willing to work with the city, Stephens said, the city wants to work with the owner. Voluntary compliance is both the desired goal and the usual outcome. Though the city collected $514,728 in citations in fiscal year 2017 (which ended on June 30), the lion’s share — $430,250 — came from a high-profile case violation at the recently redeveloped Edgewood Plaza. “I want to build that relationship with you to help you gain compliance and maybe, if you need assistance, turn you toward the right local program that may be able to help you,” Stephens said. But for many in the community — and some on the council — this gentle approach only fuels the abuse. Holman said she often hears from the public that code enforcement is “slow to act.” On May 9, as the Finance Committee reviewed the planning department budget, Holman complained about the department’s alleged aversion to finding violators — a practice that only encourages recidivism. She called code enforcement “one of the largest things that people complain about in public.” “Of course you always want to get compliance first,” Holman said. “But there seems to be a culture where we don’t charge penalties or fines, even when there is recidivism.” Holman told the Weekly that when it comes to illegal use of space, she isn’t even sure that the city has any enforcement at all. When the city finally nudges someone into compliance, that person quite often reverts to illegal behavior once code enforcement stops paying attention. “When violations are allowed to continue, and without penalty, it leaves a decided impression that the violators have higher standing than the rest of us,” Holman said.

Innovation — or violation?

W

hen confronted with a coding violation, some residents complain to council; some file online reports

Page 16 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

ore than perhaps any other City Hall program, code enforcement is a custom-built operation that mirrors its community. When Lead Code Enforcement Officer James Stephens was working in San Luis Obispo (a city that, much like Palo Alto, is adjacent to a large and thriving university), most of his cases involved building violations, he told the Weekly. Because of the strong presence of California Polytechnic State University, there was also a high volume of property-maintenance cases (“Lots of red cups and couches in front yards,” he said). In Simi Valley, by contrast, the focus was more on commercial violations — protruding trash cans, illegal signs and things of that nature. Because “code enforcement” can refer to anything from the health code and vehicle code to building code, there is no onesize-fits-all approach. In some areas, the program is largely based in the police department; in others, it’s housed in the building or planning divisions. “It’s really all about what direction the council is going and what they want you to enforce,” Stephens said. Attitudes toward violators also vary from city to city. Palo Alto Planning Director Hillary Gitelman said that no matter the city, the process typically always involves a complaint, followed by an investigation, followed by an option of voluntary compliance and — if that fails — enforcement action. But code enforcement officers have plenty of discretion when it comes to the number of notifications and the amount of time they will give a resident or a business to correct the violation. In Palo Alto, where voluntary compliance is the overarching goal, a code-enforcement officer who spots a violation typically gives the property owner two weeks to comply (for complex issues that involve new planning permits, the period could be much longer). After that time is up, a code-enforcement officer will conduct a follow-up inspection. If the violation hasn’t been fixed, the city will follow up

through the city’s 3-1-1 portal; others opt for a good, old-fashioned “Gotcha!” moment. In May, Midtown resident Soudy Khan chose the third option when he walked into a restaurant on Middlefield Road and found cubicles and computer stations set up all around the shop’s periphery. In the middle of the room, a set of blueprints rested on a table. “This is basically an office!” he

with another letter, with a new deadline and a phone number that can be called for questions or further assistance. Only if the subject refuses to cooperate or fails to do the bare minimum to correct the violation does the city issue a citation. “A lot of it is based on goodfaith efforts,” Gitelman said. “Are they trying to understand what we’re asking them to do and are they trying to come into compliance, or are they blowing us off?” If the latter is true, the city has two options: It can issue a citation or — for more complex cases — ask for an administrative hearing and have a judge rule on the matter.

'Are they trying to understand what we’re asking them to do and are they trying to come into compliance, or are they blowing us off?' —Hillary Gitelman, planning director, City of Palo Alto In the case of the recently redeveloped Edgewood Plaza in Palo Alto, code enforcement relied on both approaches. Sand Hill Property Company, the developer behind the project, was required to provide a grocery store as part of a “planned community” agreement that also permitted it to construct 10 homes (which it then sold for $3 million each). In June 2013, after an extended period of vacancy, The Fresh Market moved into the grocery space, only to shutter in March 2015. That fall, spurred by residents’ angst about the missing supermarket, the city began fining Sand Hill — first $500 per day; then $1,000. In November 2016, with still no market in sight, the council agreed to raise the fees to $5,000 per day — a decision that was cheered by frustrated neighbors. “Please make Sand Hill think about a shiny new deli counter, the smell of fresh-cut roses and essentials of a healthy Palo Alto diet every time they write exclaimed. Khan quickly found out that the business, Gracie Jones’ GF Bake Shop, does in fact serve food, which one can order at a counter in the back. At one point, just before an employee called the police because Khan was video-recording the encounter, he ordered some chicken and rice. The business at 2706 Middlefield occupies the former site of Palo Alto Breakfast House. But

a check for $5,000 a day,” Carla Carvalho, who lives near the plaza, said at the Nov. 7 meeting. Sand Hill formally challenged the city’s fine, calling it illegal and excessive. In April, the city’s actions were affirmed by an administrative judge, who ruled that the developer must pay $248,250 in fines. To date, Sand Hill has paid $700,500 in penalties, though it scored a small victory on June 27, when a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge granted it a temporary reprieve from fines, pending the resolution of the dispute (the next hearing is set for October). For code enforcement, the Sand Hill case was an exceptional success story. The city’s action held up under judicial scrutiny and may have nudged the developer to finally fulfill the terms of the agreement (last month, Sand Hill announced a new grocer for the plaza). Yet it is also an exception that proves the rule. It took 19 months, a council action and sustained pressure from the citizens to achieve the result. For violations that are less publicized, the enforcement tends to be far more lenient — as any critic of “planned community” zoning will tell you. For code-enforcement officers, the municipal code helps set the tone for their work: The same code that they enforce dictates how they enforce it. Some jurisdictions, Stephens said, have a process that allows code-enforcement officers to have an expedited process for fining repeat offenders. In Palo Alto, if someone corrects a violation and then — once code enforcement is out of the picture — reverts to illegal activities, the extensive multiple-notification process starts all over. “It’s all about how the municipal code is written,” Stephens said. “The way the code is written has direct impact on case life, the steps involved in the case and how you go about enforcing. “We have very outlined steps of what we have to do to eventually get compliance if said individual doesn’t voluntarily comply. Other jurisdictions are a lot more conservative; other jurisdictions are a lot more liberal.” Q unlike the prior tenant, Gracie Jones’ does more than serve food; it also has doubled as a corporate office for Asian Box, an expanding chain with a popular location in the Town & Country Village shopping center. Frank Klein, CEO of Asian Box, told Khan that the Midtown venue is still a retail operation, with gluten-free cookies and (continued on page 18)


Lan Liu Bowling presents

380 Colorado Avenue Palo Alto

3487 Bryant Street Palo Alto

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:30PM - 4:30PM

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:30PM - 4:30PM

Beautiful, 5 Year-New, Contemporary Mediterranean Home

Beautiful New Craftsman in Midtown

A pavered drive, winding walk, sheltered front porch and gorgeous entrance door lead you into this lovely home of approx. 2400 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Luxurious tray ceilings, deep crown moldings, tall molded baseboards, hand-scraped hardwood floors and large, muntin framed casement windows create a marvelous ambiance throughout the home. The open concept living room features an elegant stone-surround fireplace and opens to the roomy dining area under a crystal chandelier. A gorgeous chef’s kitchen leaves no detail overlooked, and opens to a comfortable family room with a bay window and deep window seat. Sliding glass doors lead to the enclosed backyard, with a travertine patio and landscaped yard. Conveniently located near Hoover Park and Midtown shopping, with easy access to Hwy 101 and 280 via Oregon Expressway. Excellent Palo Alto Schools: El Carmelo Elementary, Jordan Middle and Palo Alto High (buyer to verify availability).

LISTED AT $3,598,000 www.380Colorado.com

Lan Liu Bowling Broker-Associate

(650) 520-3407

This Beautiful light-filled home provides more than 4200 square feet of luxurious space and features 7 bedrooms and 6 full baths. Designed and built to the highest standard – the best in fittings and finish, materials and workmanship, all carefully thought-out and implemented. A perfect blend of function, aesthetics and comfort from the gorgeous chef's kitchen and expansive family room, the broad covered porch and patio of the rear yard, the elegant sky-lit staircase and walk-out balcony of the master suite, to the large bright basement with home theater, wine closet and a fully equipped wet-bar. Great Midtown location convenient to Charleston Center and Piazza's Market, Midtown shopping and restaurants, and the new Mitchell Park Library and community center. Excellent Palo Alto Schools: Fair Meadow Elementary, JLS Middle and Gunn High School (buyer to verify availability).

LISTED AT $4,898,000 www.3487Bryant.com

John Chung Keller Williams

(650) 269-7538

lan@lanbowling.com

johnmc@kw.com

CalBRE # 01248958

CalBRE # 01720510

#1 AGENT AMONG 134,000 Kw AGENTS WORLDWIDE

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 17


Cover Story

Veronica Weber

This neglected home on the 200 block of Matadero Avenue is being investigated by Palo Alto’s codeenforcement officers. The property owner, who lives out of the country, is facing multiple citations for failing to take care of the property and could face an administrative hearing with the city for inaction.

Guardians of code (continued from page 16)

doughnuts available to customers. Legally, he added as he picked up a bottle of Coke in one hand and a bottle of Sprite in another, “All we have to do is sell these two items” to comply with zoning. “You are so bothered by the fact that we happen to have a unique hybrid system of a corporate office, catering kitchen and a retail location, and it really bothers you that we have everything combined in one,” Klein told Khan. In late May, Palo Alto’s codeenforcement officers received a complaint about Gracie Jones’ and began to investigate two days later. On June 13, Code Enforcement Officer Brian Reynolds sent an email to Klein requesting a new floor plan with fewer work stations and more customer seating. (The only seating had been stools at the counter.) When asked about Gracie Jones’, Stephens said that its use is “technically legal,” despite the zoning code’s prohibition on “general business office use (other than neighborhood-serving travel agencies and insurance agencies)” in the Midtown Shopping Center. The work stations, Stephens said, aren’t an office per se. They are also a place for customers to place large food orders (Asian Box provides catering services to area businesses). Code enforcement did, however, find one violation: The restaurant did not have enough interior seating, which effectively rendered the business takeout only. “That takeout aspect is prohibited in the CN (neighborhoodcommercial) zone,” Stephens told the Weekly. “It can’t be your primary business.” The problem, like most in Palo Alto, was resolved without formal letters announcing violations or citations. Instead, Stephens relied on his preferred method: talking to the business owner, explaining what needs to be done and following up as needed. Two weeks after Reynolds’ June 13 letter, code enforcement sent another email requesting a status of the floor plan,

which was submitted later that day. When asked about the zoning dispute, Klein said there was some confusion about land use. The business, he said, “wanted to slowly ramp up our bakery and test products out of the kitchen and also service several Asian Box Stores from the location. And have a work space.” Since the investigation, the business has morphed into what Klein described as a “community-type center where seniors are using our computers and printers and also ordering baked goods” — in other words, a neighborhood-serving business of the sort that the CN zoning is meant to accommodate. “We have desks in the space, which for some is obviously tough to wrap their head around because they are hell bent on this one-sizefits-all notion of evil techies taking over Palo Alto,” Klein wrote. “That may be happening, but it ain’t us.” “And who is to say what the interior space should look like?” he said, rhetorically.

Improving the system

F

or Palo Alto to take a harder stance toward repeat violators, as both Holman and Dellenbach said they would like to see, the city will have to take several steps. For starters, the municipal code needs to be revised to give enforcers more power to issue a fine earlier in the process. Another must, Dellenbach said, is that senior staff in the planning department should interpret the code in a way that keeps residents’ interests in mind. Dellenbach, who has spent years tracking “planned community” (PC) projects (in which the city grants zoning concessions in exchange for negotiated “public benefits”) and developers’ violations of their agreements, said she believes code-enforcement officers are generally diligent in investigating complaints. The problem comes when “higher-up staff interprets codes in such a way that they too often seem to default to interests that frankly seem to betray the very interests that these zoning

Page 18 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

codes were written to benefit.” InnoSpring, which caters to tech startups rather than to the surrounding neighborhood, is a perfect example, she said. “Residents have a real stake in seeing that our codes — particularly zoning codes that affect residents and that have to do with services and benefits that go to residents — get enforced,” Dellenbach said. It remains to be seen whether the council revises the zoning code to make code enforcement more strict. But even if it doesn’t, planning staff believe the city can take other steps to curtail some of the issues. In February, the council passed an ordinance that requires retail use on the ground floor in every commercial district. It also includes a provision that retail be open to the public “during typical business hours” — a detail that will prevent future businesses from adopting the CC Restaurant Supply schedule. It will not, however, require CC Restaurant to adopt longer hours; Stephens said the city attorney’s office had determined that the existing business is grandfathered in under prior rules. Gitelman said that in addition to allowing code enforcement to issue fines at a faster pace for repeat offenders, the city can be more explicit in detailing penalties and enforcement mechanisms in its conditions of approval — that is, writing them “with the intention of how enforcement would be most effective.” “It would be difficult to go back and enforce some of the ways some of the old PC agreements were written,” Gitelman said. “Prospectively, going forward, we can make an effort to be better about writing conditions of approval with enforcement in mind and writing ordinances with enforcement in mind.” Another area in which Dellenbach believes code enforcement has room for improvement is communication, which could materially affect the success of the whole operation. The 3-1-1 website and app, which Stephens said generates 60 to 70 percent of his cases, has given residents a quick way to flag a zoning violation or

a neighborhood nuisance such as graffiti or demolition debris. But when enforcement officers haven’t closed the loop — updating the complainant on the case — the convenient system has left some users feeling less connected. Khan, for instance, never heard back from code enforcement about his Asian Box complaint; without follow-up anyone can reasonably — and inaccurately — conclude that nothing was done. Dellenbach said the 3-1-1 system, introduced as a way to boost transparency and efficiency, can paradoxically discourage complaints as much as it encourages them. “People need to know that the city depends on us residents to make the system of code-enforcement work,” Dellenbach said. “The city needs to do all it can to encourage citizens to file complaints.” Even Stephens acknowledges the gap in communication. “Oftentimes, someone may not see the effective change, but the process is going on,” Stephens said. “But the feedback we get is, ‘Oh, I’ve called code enforcement and nothing is going on.’ Not everyone is privy to the back-door

discussions and what’s going on.” Yet the system also has its benefits. In December, code enforcement received a complaint on 3-1-1 about a phenomenon familiar to any fan of HBO’s “Silicon Valley”: the illegal conversion of a residence into a high-tech office. Downtown resident John Guislin filed the complaint after he observed a relocation van moving office furniture into a home on Waverley Street, near Hawthorne Avenue. His suspicions solidified when four identical vehicles with the name of the company, Reali, began to park outside the two-unit property. Upon receiving a complaint through 3-1-1 and a direct email, Code Enforcement Officer Judy Glaes inspected the home and confirmed it was being used illegally as an office. In February, she notified the out-of-state property owner that the business and the parking of Reali cars must cease and desist by no later than March 23. She also emailed Guislin to update him about her action. Then, on March 24, she followed up with another email to Guislin. (continued on page 20)

Why the bad rap? Challenges range from no-win situations to a lack of cooperation between departments

J

ames Stephens, hired in early 2016 to augment the city’s two-person enforcement team, is gregarious, professional and fluent in the ways of the municipal code. Having worked in Simi Valley and San Luis Obispo, he understands well why code enforcers often get a bad rap. The officers deal with all the most vexing issues of the day — zoning violations, gaspowered leaf blowers, too much construction noise, etc. — and are often seen by residents as the last line of defense in resolving problems. This is in part because officers often get their cases from other departments — whether public works or utilities — and by the time an issue gets to them, months have passed and the complainant is exasperated. Admittedly, there are also times when inter-departmental cooperation runs less than smoothly, to everyone’s frustration. Terry Holzemer, a resident of the Palo Alto Central condominiums, experienced this firsthand last month, when a developer who was constructing a basement for a new commercial building at 2555 Park Blvd. began to run a diesel-powered generator all day and night for about two weeks. It took a “Herculean effort,” multiple visits by the police and interference by three council members to finally resolve the situation, Holzemer told the council on June 27. “One of the officers even

suggested that we contact the code-enforcement people,” Holzemer said. “And they in turn sent me an email saying I should contact the police.” Another strike against code enforcement is that the work is often thankless — literally. When code-enforcement officers don’t get the results the residents seek, they are pilloried for being too lax; when they do, their efforts are largely unsung (no one ever comes to a council meeting to gush about all the leaf blowers they don’t hear). Then, too, some situations are no-win: Palo Alto’s code enforcement unit probably didn’t earn too many fans in June, when it ordered New Mozart Music School to vacate a space inside a North California Avenue church that it had occupied for more than a decade. The reason? Music schools are not a permitted use in residential neighborhoods. There’s also a built-in ceiling to officers’ popularity. Code enforcers aren’t firefighters or librarians; they won’t heal your pet, build you a playground or track down your purse-snatcher. And even if they perform their duties perfectly, they will inevitably leave someone (usually, the violator) fuming and invite potential litigation. “The minute we go to a more stringent enforcement, we’re going to get that kind of pushback,” Stephens said. “But you try to walk that fine line.” Q — Gennady Sheyner


Open Sat, July 15 & Sun, July 16 1:00 to 5:00 pm Come enjoy an ice cream or popsicle!

Beautiful Menlo Park Home Prime Location in Desirable Suburban Park

147 Dunsmuir Way Menlo Park

• 3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • Newly remodeled kitchen and bathroom

Offered at $1,695,000

• Fantastic neighborhood with annual holiday social events

For virtual tour and more information, go to

• Conveniently located near Facebook, Stanford, Flood Park and Highway 101

www.147Dunsmuir.com

• Award-winning Menlo Park schools: Encinal School, Hillview School (Buyer to verify enrollment.)

(415) 317-3036 – Direct Veronica.Kogler@CBNorcal.com BRE #01788047

Coldwell Banker • 1377 El Camino Real • Menlo Park, CA 94025 www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 19


Foothill Music Theatre presents

Cover Story

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

July 20 TO

August 6 ONLY!

Guardians of code (continued from page 18)

“Violations abated! Both units are empty, locks were being changed while I was there,” Glaes wrote.

On closer inspection TICKETS AVAILABLE AT

Big, Green and Ready to Sing! “Goofy, genuine charm.” – THE NEW YORK TIMES

foothill.edu/theatre FOR MORE INFO CALL

650.949.7360 Smithwick Theatre 12345 El Monte Road Los Altos Hills

“A big fat hit!” – USA TODAY

presented by

BOUNCY, JOYOUS & DEEPLY BRAZILIAN

Anat Cohen & Choro Aventuroso 7/22 8 PM Dinkelspiel Auditorium Stanford University

BRILLIANT CONCERTS JUNE 23 – AUGUST 5

7/15 Andrea Motis and Scott Hamilton

7/16 Wayne Wallace Quintet

7/19 Blues Night with Linda Tillery

8/2 Ravi Coltrane

8/5 Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton

7/17 Dial “P” for Piano: Larry Vuckovich Quintet plays Sonny Clark 7/20 SJW Jazz Mentors / Jacknife: the Music of Jackie McLean 7/23 Peter John Stoltzman and Friends: New Standards 7/24 Natalie Cressman & Secret Garden / Sandy Cressman’s Homage to Brazil 7/26 Allison Miller Quartet featuring Anat Cohen 7/27 An Evening with Victor Lin 7/29 Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet 7/30 Taylor Eigsti Quartet 7/31 George Cables Trio with Anat Cohen and Ravi Coltrane 8/1 Guitar Night with Camila Meza and Charles Altura 8/4 SJW All-Star Jam

stanfordjazz.org • 650-725-2787 Page 20 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

I

n the world of code enforcement, cases that have been closed don’t necessarily stay closed. On July 5, code-enforcement staff conducted another inspection of CC Restaurant Supply. An inspector saw that the doors were locked, the parking area was fenced off and a piece of paper on the building requested customers to “knock on door.” Coupal, owner of CC Restaurant Supply and Coupa Café, has categorically denied accusations that the El Camino business is being used for anything but retail. When asked about the Coupa vans last week, he wrote in an email to the

Weekly that CC Restaurant Supply “sometimes uses Coupa vans,” even though they are separate companies. “We hope to purchase a van for CCRS in the future,” he wrote. He also noted that there is very little foot traffic on El Camino, which is why the store hours are so limited. Most customers, he said, order through email or by appointment. “The hours open to the public are to provide the option of a spontaneous walk in, but labor costs do not get compensated with walkins,” Coupal wrote. “We tried extended hours in the past but it was not cost effective.” But Stephens last week took issue with the explanations. On July 7, following the inspection, he issued Coupal a notice of violation. The letter explained that “wholesale” retail is considered by code to be a “warehouse and distribution use,” and therefore the work of CC Restaurant Supply is inconsistent with the “extensive retail use” that Coupal had stated

on the Certificate of Occupancy form that he submitted to the city in January 2016. The letter noted that the city’s chief building official may “suspend or revoke” the certificate if it was issued in error, was based

‘People need to know that the city depends on us residents to make the system of codeenforcement work.’ — Winter Dellenbach, resident of Palo Alto on incorrect information, or relates to a building that is “in violation of any ordinance or regulation or provision of the building code.” The second and third findings, Stephens wrote, apply in this case. “The City of Palo Alto has been very patient with your business model, accepting your intention to function as a retail business, but this is no longer believable based on our recent inspection,” the letter states. “If you wish to continue with the current business model, the business will need to be relocated.” The letter also states that Coupal can prevent further enforcement action by increasing and maintaining “open to the public” hours, keeping all doors, gates and required exits open and removing any signage requiring the public to knock. Failure to correct these violations by July 28, Stephens wrote, could lead to an order to vacate the building, citations ($500 on the first day; $750 for the second day; and $1,000 per day each day thereafter) or “other remedies provided by law.” At last, the city had its preponderance of evidence. And Dellenbach had a moment of vindication after many months of frustration. “I’m very happy, and I congratulate code enforcement and the city for finding CC Restaurant Supply to be in blatant violation of our zoning codes,” Dellenbach said Wednesday. “However, it is stunning that it is happening nearly two years after my codeenforcement complaint was filed and that in the interim virtually nothing has changed but for a slight reduction in its already minimal retail hours.” Q Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com. About the cover: Lead Code Enforcement Officer James Stephens does a follow-up inspection of a home on Matadero Avenue, against which complaints have been filed for overgrown vegetation and encroachment onto the sidewalk. Photo by Veronica Weber.

TALK ABOUT IT

PaloAltoOnline.com Share your opinions on Palo Alto’s code-enforcement operation on Town Square, the community discussion forum at PaloAltoOnline.com/square.


A weekly guide to music, theater, art, culture, books and more, edited by Karla Kane

Music@Menlo celebrates ‘The Glorious Violin’ Festival features chamber concerts, master classes and more by Be’eri Moalem

E

Courtesy of Music@Menlo

Violinist Sean Lee will perform the complete set of Paganini’s 24 caprices on July 21.

studied with a Paganini specialist and rehearsals, coachings, master classes has a YouTube channel with point-of- and concerts, plus their daily personal view videos of him playing Paganini. practice. As opposed to orchestral music, in He loves playing scales and described “tackling the technical challenges” as chamber music, each player has their own unique part, with ensembles vary“lots of fun.” Another noteworthy program is ing in size from one to eight players. Yura Lee’s “Violin Universe” con- There is no conductor or drum to keep cert (July 26), which will include not the beat: The musicians literally have only virtuoso masterpieces such as to breathe together and match each other’s pitch with Bach’s “Chaconne” accuracy of less and Ysaÿe’s solo than a millimeter sonata but also on the fingerboard. Norwegian and “Musicians bluegrass fiddling used to take sumto be announced mers off,” said from the stage. A co-director David fiddle and a violin Finckel, “There are basically the didn’t use to be so same instrument; many festivals and the difference is in activities like there the approach to the are now. The summusic and the overmer has become all style of playing. very busy and In classical violin very demanding, music, all the notes repertoire-wise.” and dynamics are Finckel and carefully notated Han have been deby the composer scribed as chamber while in fiddle music’s “power music, rooted in couple.” Having folk traditions, the Yura Lee’s “Violin Universe” recently returned musician is free to concert on July 26 will include embellish and im- bluegrass and Norwegian fiddling from a tour of China and Taiwan, provise his or her in addition to classical pieces. they deal with jet own variations. This year’s “Encounter” lecture lag by getting up at 4 a.m. to practice. titles include: “From the Birth of the They stressed the need to “religiously” Violin to J.S. Bach and the Glory of keep their instrumental technique in Cremona” tracing the ancient history shape, describing the classical music of stringed instruments, “The Devil’s world as “not very forgiving.” Prior to Violinist: Niccolò Paganini” and “The arriving at Menlo this summer, their Violin Today,” which will feature a vi- concert and teaching schedule has olin maker in a panel discussion with also taken them to Kentucky, Minfestival artists on topics ranging from nesota, St. Petersburg, Russia, Aspen, Colorado, with pit stops in New York. pedagogy to instrument construction. In addition to Music@Menlo’s But Music@Menlo, they agreed, is as thematic main concerts, the “carte- a highlight of their summer. The festival holds events every day blanche” series that allows artists to curate their own programs, and lec- between July 14 and August 5, includtures that tell the story behind the ing free, public performances and music, the festival also offers a young- those requiring a ticket. Events are performers program to train the next held at Menlo School and Menlogeneration in this special sub-genre of Atherton High School. For complete info, schedules and tickets, go to muclassical music. “Very, very intense” is how festi- sicatmenlo.org. Q val co-director Wu Han described Freelance writer Be’eri Moalem the preparation and audition process. can be emailed at beerimoalem@ “Menlo Institute has become a premier gmail.com. program in the country. These youngsters have to audition rigorously in READ MORE ONLINE order to get into Menlo. They have to www.PaloAltoOnline.com/arts compete nationally in order to get into Read an interview with local artist/activist the program.” The 40 young artists Drue Kataoka at paloaltoonline.com/arts. selected will have a daily schedule of Courtesy of Music@Menlo

very sum summer for the past 15 years, a sselection of the most violinists, violists, celskilled vi lists and pianists pianis from around the world converge ffor the Music@Menlo festival: a three three-week celebration of chamber music. And each year, the festival focuses on an overarching concept that tie ties it all together. Past themes have feat featured individual composers or geographic areas, such as geogr “Russian Reflections” in 2016. This Reflec year, the festival is saluting a specific instrument: “The “Th Glorious Violin.” The festival’s brochure describes the violin as “a miracle of technology m that has not required an upgrade for req over 300 years.” Indeed, the violin has had superficial aaccessory upgrades — some different types of strings and chin rests — but Antonio Stradivarius’ original dimensi dimensions and materials are still emulated to tthis day (impressive in an era in which technology is obsolete t after just a few yyears). Music@Menlo’s Music@Menlo seven main concerts are a journe journey through the violin’s history in the W Western world from the 17th to the 20th ccentury. The story begins in Italy, wi with the baroque music of Corelli and Vivaldi, as well as lesser Vi known-composers known-compose such as Locatelli and Uccellini. The narrative then progresses to th the German classical style, style with Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Next comes the romantic era, with master composers such as Menp delssohn, Schumann de and an Brahms, as well as specialized virtuoso violinist-composers such vio as Niccolò Paganini, Joseph Nicc Joachim, Joachim Eugène Ysaÿe and Fritz Kre Kreisler. The final two concerts explore music from the latelate-19th and early-20th centuries, centuries with Shostakovich, Martinu and Dohnányi. John Corigliano is the only C living ccomposer featured in the festiv festival, and his “Red Violin Capri Caprices” seem the perfect choice fo for a series chronicling the history histor of the violin (they were composed for a 1998 film comp that tells the story of a single violin’s adventures iin the hands of several generations of players). pl One unique hhighlight of the festival is Sean Lee’s July 21 performance of the complete set of Paganini’s 24 caprices — a rare feat for the notoriously difficult compositions. Lee

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 21


OPEN HOUSE Saturday & Sunday, July 15 & 16, 1:30 – 4:00pm 758 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto

Elegant Gracious Home in Sought-After Community Center • Home elegantly and substantially rebuilt in 2005 from the studs up • Four bedrooms and three baths plus guest house/pool house • Dedicated office or 5th bedroom • Siberian white oak herringbone detailed hardwood floors throughout main level • Lovely guest house/pool house with radiant-heated floors, kitchenette and full bathroom • Beautifully landscaped yard, pool with in-ground cover, sauna, chicken coop, planting beds • Excellent Palo Alto schools • Just blocks to downtown Palo Alto restaurants and shopping, Stanford University, Highway 101

Offered at $5,250,000

JUDY CITRON • 650.543.1206 Judy@JudyCitron.com • JudyCitron.com

www.758Channing.com

A FRESH APPROACH

License# 01825569

#39 Agent Nationwide, per The Wall Street Journal, 2017 Page 22 • July 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com #114, Individual Agent Companywide

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.


OPEN SUNDAY July 16, 1:30 – 4:00 pm | 1301 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto

Zen-like Retreat in the Heart of Crescent Park • Three bedrooms and three and one-half baths • Spacious dedicated built-out study or possible 4th bedroom • Exceptional quality, concrete radiant heated floors, and

attention to detail • Vaulted soaring 12’-14’.9”ceilings, Blomberg windows • Vast open concept living, dining, and stunning kitchen with

lovely outside views • Amazing private backyard with steel sculpture, linear gas

fireplace, and lawn • Oversized lot of approximately 15,155 square feet • Designed by renowned architect Fergus Garber Young • Excellent Palo Alto schools

Offered at $8,098,000

www.1301Hamilton.com

Call Judy for a private showing.

JUDY CITRON • 650.543.1206 Judy@JudyCitron.com • JudyCitron.com

A FRESH APPROACH

License# 01825569

#39 Agent Nationwide, per The Wall Street Journal, 2017 #1 Individual Agent Companywide

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 23


TheatreWorks S I L I C O N V A L L E Y

A captivating new musical journey from Japan to San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century.

THE FOUR IMMIGRANTS

An American Musical Manga Book, Music, & Lyrics by Min Kahng Based on Manga Yonin Shosei by Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama Translated as The Four Immigrants Manga by Frederik L. Schodt Directed by Leslie Martinson

July 12–Aug 6

Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto theatreworks.org 650.463.1960 It’s a WORLD PREMIERE!

HANSEL TAN, SEAN FENTON, PHIL WONG, JAMES SEOL / PHOTO KEVIN BERNE

september 30, 2017 palo alto, ca

register today! canarychallenge.org

Join the fight! FundraisE foR cancer earlY detectioN research DJ/ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD TRUCKS • KIDS ZONE SPIN TO WIN • SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY

Page 24 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


Matched CareGivers

OPENINGS Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Karin Konoval, Terry Notary and Michael Adamthwaite star in “War for the Planet of the Apes.”

Ape-ocalypse Now Simian Caesar goes to ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ 000 (Century 16 & 20) At one point in “War for the Planet of the Apes” — the third film in Fox’s rebooted “Apes” franchise — the human antagonist stares down ape antihero Caesar and wonders at him. “My God, look at your eyes. Almost human.” He’s saying what we’re all thinking. The advanced state of visual effects here, a combination of motion-capture and computer-generated imagery, dazzles (and winningly) in service of a serious-minded allegory. Once again, Caesar marks a collaboration between visual-effects artists and actor Andy Serkis as they breathe life into the super-intelligent ape general. When Caesar and his tribe of apes get violently rousted from a deep-woods hideout, the conflict between apes and humans heats up again. Caesar finds himself locked in “this

time, it’s personal” combat with an off-the-reservation human “Colonel” (expertly conjured by Woody Harrelson). As always, the franchise maps the imaginary boundary between man and animal. The apes act more human than ever and the humans more monstrously in “man’s inhumanity to man” fashion (prisoner-of-war brutality, killing that approaches genocide). In the battle zones, graffiti comments as portentously as a Greek chorus: “ENDANGERED SPECIES,” “HISTORY HISTORY HISTORY,” “KEEP FEAR TO YOURSELF. SHARE COURAGE WITH OTHERS,” “THE BEGINNING AND THE END A?” In the hands of co-writer/director Matt Reeves, who also helmed the trilogy’s previous installment,

“War for the Planet of the Apes” makes for smart entertainment credible both as a summer blockbuster and an artful piece of cinema. Melancholy and measured, this “Apes” proves more interested in mood than spectacle, while providing both. In a very modern move, Reeves consciously evokes forebears, not only the original “Apes” films but war pictures like “Apocalypse Now.” In fact, Reeves’ film evokes the sort of tough-minded historical war drama John Milius used to write, with an eye on what war can do to the individual. The characteristically compassionate Caesar finds himself on the brink, motivated by revenge, while the emotionally scarred Colonel rants about his “holy war” against the apes’ “unholy kingdom.” The war has also turned human against human, and the humans manage, in some circumstances, to turn ape against ape. Well-drawn supporting characters, including a significant orphan girl (Amiah Miller) and a tragicomic “fool” called “Bad Ape” (the great Steve Zahn), add value. With its magical use of computer-generated imagery and the reorientation of the audience to root for the end of humanity, “War for the Planet of the Apes” could be accused of offering more parlor tricks than profundity. But if this sequel isn’t quite as deep as it may seem, it does add an earnestly satisfying (final?) chapter to a fine franchise. Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, thematic elements, and some disturbing images. Two hours, 20 minutes. — Peter Canavese

MOVIES NOW SHOWING 42nd Street (1933) (Not Rated) Stanford Theatre: Fri. - Sun. Baby Driver (R) Century 16: Fri. - Sun.

Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

The Beguiled (R) Century 16: Fri. - Sun.

Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

The Big Sick (R) +++ Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

Palo Alto Square: Fri. - Sun.

Cars 3 (G) +++ Century 16: Fri. - Sun.

Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

Despicable Me 3 (PG) Century 16: Fri. - Sun.

Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

The Hero (R)

Matched CareGivers is nurse owned and operated and has provided the best in home care and case management on the peninsula for over 25 years in their own home.

When someone you care about needs assistance... you can count on us to be there. Menlo Park • San Mateo • San Jose Lic# 414700002

MatchedCareGivers.com

The Little Hours (R) Maudie (PG-13)

Century 20: Fri. - Sun. Aquarius Theatre: Fri. - Sun.

(650) 839-2273

David Finckel & Wu Han, Artistic Directors THE FIFTEENTH-ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL:

The Glorious Violin

July 14–August 5, 2017 Menlo Park /Atherton, CA

Music@Menlo celebrates great composers and performers alike. Join us and enjoy •

Concerts by World-Renowned Chamber Musicians

Free Master Classes & Afternoon Performances

Aquarius Theatre: Fri. - Sun.

The House (R) Century 16: Fri. - Sun.

“There’s no place like home.”

Aquarius Theatre: Fri. - Sun.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13) +++ Century 16: Fri. - Sun. Century 20: Fri. - Sun. Transformers: The Last Knight (PG-13) 1/2 Century 16: Fri. - Sun. War for the Planet of the Apes (PG-13) +++ Century 16: Fri. - Sun. Century 20: Fri. - Sun. Wish Upon (PG-13)

Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) (Not Rated) Stanford Theatre: Fri. - Sun.

The Women’s Balcony (Not Rated) Guild Theatre: Fri. - Sun.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (PG-13) ++1/2 Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

Wonder Woman (PG-13) +++ Century 16: Fri. - Sun. Century 20: Fri. - Sun.

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

Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (For recorded listings: 327-3241) tinyurl.com Aquariuspa Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View tinyurl.com/Century16 Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood City tinyurl.com/Century20

CineArts at Palo Alto Square: 3000 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (For information: 493-0128) tinyurl.com/Pasquare Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (For recorded listings: 566-8367) tinyurl.com/Guildmp Stanford Theatre: 221 University Ave., Palo Alto (For recorded listings: 324-3700) Stanfordtheatre.org

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION:

WWW.MUSICATMENLO.ORG 650-331-0202

Find trailers, star ratings and reviews on the web at PaloAltoOnline.com/movies

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 25


Philz Coffee giftcard giveaways* *details at concert

NEW LOCATION: Lytton Plaza Thursday evenings. 6pm-8pm. July 13th: Tinman

August 3rd: Pasto Seco

Rock & Roll

Salsa/Latin

July 20th: Groove Doctors

August 10th: Long Train Runnin’

Dance

July 27: JC Smith Band Blues

Doobie Brothers Tribute

August 17th: Pride & Joy Motown

Our sponsors: City of Palo Alto, Premier Properties, Patty McGuigan/C & C Commercial, Boston Private Bank, Houzz, Philz , PA Weekly

facebook.com/musicontheplazapa

Twilight Concert Series 2017 Free Admission – All Events!

Buoyancy Teen Music & Art Festival • June 4 Free Teen Event | 4:30pm – 8:30pm | Mitchell h ll Parkk Ampitheater h

Concert Series • Saturdays • 6:30pm – 8:00pm Radio d the h City All-Stars All | June 24 | Mitchell h ll Parkk Caravanserai | July 8 | California Avenue Anton Schwartz | July 15 | Rinconada Park Children’s Concert | July 29 | Mitchell Park

Movie Nights • Saturdays • 8pm The Parent Trap | July 17 | Heritage Park Jumanji | July 22 | Heritage Park Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory | August 5 | Heritage Park Proudly Presented by:

Page 26 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


Home&Real Estate

OPEN HOME GUIDE 38 Also online at PaloAltoOnline.com

A weekly guide to home, garden and real estate news, edited by Elizabeth Lorenz

Home Front Real Estate Matters Surprise price rebound may be due to pent-up demand, wet winter LEARN HOW TO GROW WHAT YOU EAT ... Lyngso Garden Materials is holding an “Edible Container Gardening” workshop on Saturday, July 15, 1-3 p.m. Participants will learn how to create delicious container arrangements. Presented by the UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco, the class will cover practical issues of soil, plant selection and maintenance, as well as how to maximize space and create beautiful combinations. To register, go to lyngsoediblecontainergarden. eventbrite.com/. Lyngso Garden Materials is located at 345 Shoreway Road, San Carlos.

SAVE YOUR SEEDS ... Join the ranks of gardeners who plant their gardens each year from seed they saved themselves. The UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will host a workshop taught by master gardener Candace Simpson on how to save seeds from summer beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and other summer vegetables. Also, learn how to use and contribute to Rinconada’s new Seed Library. The free talk will be on Thursday, July 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Rinconada Library at 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto. LIKE WATER WITH PLANTS ... Want the look of a water feature in your garden without actually adding one? Garden Design magazine has some suggestions that can help create the illusion of water using plants. Garden Design’s Pam Penick suggests using grasses like meadowy sedge (Carex spp.) or buffalo grass to make low ripples. To create the illusion of billowing waves, taller ornamental grasses like bamboo muhly or rosy love grass do the trick. Plants with arching forms can look like fountains. “Fountain grass” (Pennisetum spp.), prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), and purple moor grass (Molinia spp.) are such plants. 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 elorenz@ paweekly.com. Deadline is one week before publication.

READ MORE ONLINE

PaloAltoOnline.com

There are more real estate features online. Go to PaloAltoOnline.com/ real_estate.

Low supply keeps prices high in first half of 2017 by Xin Jiang

A

fter a soft 2016, Palo Alto’s property market took a surprising upturn in the first half of 2017. Based on Multiple Listings Service data, as of July 5, the median price of all homes sold in Palo Alto in the first half of 2017 reached another historical Xin Jiang high — $2.6 million. It appears that low inventory drove a rebound in home prices. The wet winter and a small dip in home prices in 2016 put potential sellers on the fence. There were a total of 289 new listings in Palo Alto in the first part of 2017, which is a 16 percent decline from the same period last year. Only 195 homes changed hands, 21 percent less than the first half of 2016. Low inventory accelerated turnover and lifted prices, mainly because demand had been piling up since the end of 2016. Consequently, homes stayed on the market for 19 days, about three days fewer than last year. The $2.6-million median home price reported in the first half of this year is 9 percent higher than the same period last year and 6 percent higher than the last peak of $2.45 million in 2015. The average per-square-foot price of living area also rose to $1,492, compared to $1,390 in the first half of 2016. Because of robust market conditions, only 22 listings had to lower prices during the first

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 the deeds after the close of escrow and published within four to six weeks. San Mateo County statistics were unavailable this week.

Los Altos

1090 Autumn Lane J. & R. Archibald to Sathe Trust for $3,350,000 on 06/02/17; built 1977, 4bd, 2,775 sq.ft.; previous sale 05/20/2008, $2,004,000 1234 Carmel Terrace Izbicki Trust to Chen-Fei Trust for $3,800,000 on 06/05/17; built 1991, 4bd, 3,596 sq.ft.; previous sale 02/07/1990, $517,000 1626 Christina Drive Morel Trust to G. & S. Kollengode for $2,983,000 on 06/06/17; built 1953, 4bd, 2,791 sq.ft.; previous sale 05/08/1981, $212,500 660 Giralda Drive H. Zhong to J. Krygier for $3,130,000 on 06/07/17; built 1961, 4bd, 2,896 sq.ft.; previous sale 12/30/2014, $2,600,000 481 San Luis Avenue I. & L. Sullivan to J. Dormady for $2,700,000 †on 06/07/17;

half of this year, compared to 66 during the same period last year. From a long-term cyclical perspective, I predicted two years ago that property prices in Palo Alto would go down. Prices did drop by 2 percent in 2016 after “super cycle” increases from 2010 to 2015. The instant rebound so far this year is a surprise. As inventory has picked up, starting in April, competitive bidding has eased a bit. In fact, most recently, the market has shown some signs of divergence. Reasonably priced old homes on large lots in good locations still attract seven to 10 offers in the $2-million to $3-million range within a week, while listings with drawbacks not easy to overcome may stay on the market longer, and might not even sell above asking price. There have been more price reductions, especially at the high end. The million-dollar question again is whether home prices in Palo Alto will go down significantly, and how soon? The answer: Prices are not likely to drop much, as we are experiencing an historical low supply. From 1998 to 2006, we consistently had 1,000 to 1,200 new listings every year. The number dropped to 700-800 for the five years from 2007 to 2012. In 2013, inventory dropped even more and has stayed at about 500 a year since then. With such significant decline in supply, even if demand weakens, home prices in Palo Alto are unlikely to drop. Both changing demographics and high home prices may have contributed to the

built 1946, 3bd, 1,515 sq.ft.; previous sale 11/20/2009, $1,279,000 482 San Luis Avenue Urban Trust to Kim Trust for $3,400,000 on 06/02/17; built 1951, 4bd, 2,570 sq.ft.; previous sale 07/02/2001, $1,250,000 446 South Clark Avenue K. Gandhi to Q. Li for $2,425,500 on 06/02/17; built 1953, 3bd, 1,118 sq.ft.; previous sale 06/05/2014, $1,850,000 1231 Thurston Avenue Carlyle Trust to M. Oikarinen for $2,625,000 on 06/02/17; built 1992, 4bd, 2,593 †sq. ft.; previous sale 08/20/1997, $788,000

Los Altos Hills

13321 La Paloma Road Laris Trust to R. & M. Lahdesmaki for $4,400,000 on 06/02/17; built 1983, 4bd, 4,529 sq.ft.; previous sale 09/03/1999, $2,355,000

Mountain View

948 Cuesta Drive Lou-Kate Inc. to K. Youn for $1,800,000 on 06/07/17; built 1954, 3bd, 1,280 sq.ft.; previous sale 03/29/1996, $309,000 99 East Middlefield Road #48 L. Peng to S. Chien for $890,000 on 06/02/17; built 1969, 2bd, 1,052 sq.ft.; previous sale 06/15/2005,

$421,000 1641 Hollingsworth Drive Gc4cee Trust to A. Khan for $3,205,000 on 06/02/17; built 1947, 3bd, 2,561 sq.ft. 1322 Isabelle Avenue A. & M. Allen to T. & C. Hannon for $2,677,000 on 06/05/17; built 1949, 3bd, 2,243 sq.ft.; previous sale 04/21/1993, $415,000 254 Lassen Avenue Carter Trust to J. Robinson for $1,875,000 on 06/02/17; built 1955, 3bd, 1,280 sq.ft.; previous sale 06/30/2006, $900,000 1294 Mercy Street C. Barry to S. Purnama for $1,500,000 on 06/02/17; built 1922, 2bd, 1,432 sq.ft. 264 North Whisman Road #13 S. Huang to S. Freerksen for $757,000 on 06/02/17; built 1978, 2bd, 1,087 sq.ft.; previous sale 06/26/2013, $440,000 1883 Orangetree Lane Thornberry Trust to M. Chan for $2,905,000 on 06/05/17; built 1980, 3bd, 3,562 sq.ft.; previous sale 08/08/2007, $1,850,000 1960 Plymouth Street R. & L. Wittler to Safari Ventures for $1,500,000 on 06/06/17; built 1952, 3bd, 1,024 sq.ft. 820 San Pablo Drive Y. Zhang to C. & L. Dimitriu

drop in supply. The rotation of home ownership in Palo Alto is generally driven by public schools, as families with grown children are replaced by young families with school-aged ones. While the age distribution of Palo Alto residents allowed more homes to be released in the past, more young families have moved in in recent years, lowering the age distribution and thus restraining supply. Moreover, rising home prices have made selling without a large tax liability impossible, thus further discouraging home turnover. Old homes these days are routinely trust sales in Palo Alto, after being inherited from deceased parents, in order to reduce the tax burden. Lower supply leads to fewer closed transactions, and the immediate result is intensifying competition among real estate professionals. The easiest way to accommodate competition is to discount real estate commission. Lower commissions mean higher net proceeds for sellers. However, the fundamental flaw here is that a broker who is discounting commission may not defend the value of the listing property. If a seller relies on a discounted broker for likely the most important purchase of their lives, buyers bear significant risks. Competition among service providers generally benefits consumers. In the case of home selling and purchasing, the true benefit for consumers is not discounted, but improved service. Q Xin Jiang is a real estate agent for Alain Pinel Realtors in Palo Alto. She can be emailed at xjiang@apr.com.

for $1,725,000 on 06/02/17; built 1962, 3bd, 1,510 sq.ft.; previous sale 12/18/2012, $807,000 99 Sherland Avenue #D D. Gaffri to I. & P. Chowdhury for $750,000 on 06/02/17; built 1972, 2bd, 840 sq.ft.; previous sale 05/12/1993, $145,000 1940 Silverwood Avenue Tieger Trust to X. Hu for $860,000 on 06/07/17; built 1974, 2bd, 968 sq.ft.; previous sale 07/1979, $70,500 2005 St. Julien Court J. Barth to Z. Hu for $1,325,000 on 06/07/17; built 1988, 2bd, 1,407 sq.ft. 193 Thompson Square Reiling Trust to J. Fair for $1,800,500 on 06/05/17; built 1956, 3bd, 1,389 sq.ft.; previous sale 07/1971, $31,000 59 Tyrella Court †Cahoen Trust to P. Kancherla for $1,385,000 on 06/07/17; built 1990, 3bd, 1,700 sq.ft.; previous sale 05/28/2004, $650,000 248 Walker Drive #13 †Shelley-David Trust to Revestors for $825,000 on 06/02/17; built 1981, 2bd, 1,288 sq.ft.; previous sale 03/13/2007, $562,000

Palo Alto

858 Ames Avenue R. Mesnikoff to Wang & Ji Trust for

$2,200,000 on 06/05/17; built 1955, 3bd, 1,799 sq.ft.; previous sale 07/10/1998, $630,000 1021 Fife Avenue †Ko Trust to YQ Junior Limited for $3,890,000 on 06/06/17; built 2004, 4bd, 2,050 sq.ft.; previous sale 07/22/2009, $1,950,000 1023 Forest Avenue Blomenkamp Trust to Van Trust for $4,100,000 on 06/02/17; built 1900, 5bd, 3,161 sq.ft. 3436 Greer Road Deslonde Trust to L. Zhang for $2,200,000 on 06/06/17; built 1958, 3bd, 1,477 sq.ft. 2135 Hanover Street Ponchard Trust to Stanford University for $1,800,000 on 06/02/17; built 1968, 2bd, 883 sq.ft. 1092 Metro Circle C. Lieu to He-Ren Trust for $2,790,000 on 06/02/17; built 1951, 4bd, 1,857 sq.ft.; previous sale 11/30/2004, $959,000 606 Santa Rita Avenue S. Bengston to W. Wang for $5,550,000 on 06/05/17; built 1942, 4bd, 2,697 sq.ft. 3012 Waverley Street N. Kuo to W. Jiang for $3,650,000 on 06/06/17; built 2008, 4bd, 2,687 sq.ft.; previous sale 04/23/2002, $792,000

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 27


A Luxury Collection By Intero Real Estate Services 2088 Green Oaks, Pescadero

5 Betty Lane, Atherton

10440 Albertsworth Lane, Los Altos Hills

$26,800,000

$11,488,000

Listing By: Dana Cappiello & Derek Cappiello, Lic.# 01343305 & 01983178

Listing Provided by: Greg Goumas Lic.#01878208

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

2215 Liberata Drive, Morgan Hill

18612 Decatur Road, Monte Sereno

0 Spanish Ranch Road, Los Gatos

$27,500,000

$10,889,888 Listing Provided by: Joe Velasco Lic. #01309200

27466 Sunrise Farm Rd, Los Altos Hills

$9,800,000

$9,187,000

Listing Provided By: Joanna Hsu Lic. #01394844

Listing by: Matthew Pakel & Craig Gorman, Lic.#01957213 & Lic.#01080717

114 New Brighton Road, Aptos

106 Sacramento Avenue, Capitola

$8,750,000

$5,000,000

$4,498,000

Listing Provided by: Greg Goumas, Lic.#01878208

Listing Provided by: Mark DeTar Lic. #01156251

Listing Provided by: Jennifer Cosgrove, Lic.#01334273

13212 Peacock Court, Cupertino

8715 Leavesley Road, Gilroy

2965 Paseo Robles, San Martin

$3,995,000

$2,999,888

$2,895,000

Listing Provided By: Dominic Nicoli Lic. No. 01112681

Listing Provided by: Joe Velasco, Lic.#01309200

Listing Provided by: Don Barnes, Lic.#01791580

©2017 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 28 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


13212 Peacock Court, Cupertino Ca $3,995,000 | Listing Provided By: Dominic Nicoli Lic. No. 01112681

www.13212PeacockCt.com Customized to the unique style of each luxury property, Prestigio will expose your home through the most influential mediums reaching the greatest number of qualified buyers wherever they may be in the world. For more information about listing your home with the Intero Prestigio International program, call your local Intero Real Estate Services office.

www.InteroRealEstate.com ©2017 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. www.PaloAltoOnline.com •

Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 29


®

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US AT DELEONREALTY.COM/SUMMERSPLASH

650.543.8500 | WWW.DELEONREALTY.COM | CALBRE #01903224

Page 30 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


SOLD WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS OVER LIST PRICE!

907 Peggy Lane, Menlo Park

S

triking curb appeal is the first remarkable attribute of this expanded and remodeled 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home in the popular Suburban Park neighborhood of Menlo Park. A welcoming front porch leads to a large living room bathed in natural light streaming through a bank of windows framing views of the attractive front yard enclosed by a white picket fence. The spacious kitchen has been updated with slab granite counters, generous storage and stainless appliances. A separate dining room connects the living and family rooms. The family room features a dramatic open beam vaulted ceiling, clerestory windows and sliding glass doors providing a bright airy space for relaxed family living. Outstanding Menlo Park schools, Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle and Menlo-Atherton High School. Location is near Facebook, and has easy access to 101 and shopping at Marsh Manor. Living Area: 1,610 sq. ft. (Per County records, unverified) Lot Size: 5,500 sq. ft. (Per County records, unverified)

Offered at $1,680,000

www.907Peggy.com

Carol Carnevale

Nicole Aron

BRE#00946687

RE#00952657

Included among the top Real Estate Teams in the Nation by the Wall Street Journal

C :: 650-465-5958 E :: carolandnicole@apr.com

State-of-the-art real estate, State-of-the-heart relationships!

Stay Connected!

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 31 www.CarolAndNicole.com


Supporting Our Communities ee L a n Julia on i t a c Edu

650.8 57.10 00 Found ation

Together, We Prosper.

Juliana Lee Education Foundation OUR MISSION The Juliana Lee Education Foundation was created to support local schools and believes education has the power to expand opportunities and transform lives. We hope to inspire others to get involved and support our communities.

Since 2013, the Foundation has provided grants to the following programs / projects • PiE (Palo Alto Partners in Education)

• Ohlone Elementary School PTA

• Gunn High School

• Hoover Elementary School PTA

• JLS Middle School

• Palo Verde Elementary School

• Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation

• Palo Alto Chinese School

• Mountain View Los Altos Education Foundation

• Terman Middle School PTA • Walter Hays Elementary School

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP AND MAKE A DONATION Please make checks payable to: Juliana Lee Foundation Send to: Juliana Lee Foundation - 505 Hamilton Ave, Ste 100, Palo Alto, CA 94301 For more information please email: JulianaLeeFoundation@gmail.com

TOGETHER, WE PROSPER. Page 32 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 33


3487 JANICE WAY, PALO ALTO OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 1:30-4:30PM

4

2

1,698± SF

2

OFFERED AT $2,395,000 3487Janice.com

DENISE

SIMONS

Experience Like No Other License #01376733

650.269.0210 dsimons@apr.com DeniseSimons.com Page 34 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.


®

OPEN HOUSE Saturday & Sunday, 1 - 5pm

Complimentary Refreshments

UPDATED STYLE ON SPACIOUS PROPERTY 1051 Menlo Oaks Drive, Menlo Park Tasteful upgrades refine this charming 2 bedroom, 1 bath residence of approx. 1,000 sq. ft. (per county), which occupies a spacious, desirable property of 7,000 sq. ft. (per county). Crown molding, a fireplace, and a gleaming remodeled kitchen with marble countertops and stainless-steel appliances add dazzling luxury. The sprawling, shaded backyard retreat is fitted for entertaining, and boasts fruit trees and an organic garden. Exciting flexibility is found in the detached garage/studio and large separate shed with workbench. Enjoy prime access to Highway 101, Flood Park, Facebook, and outstanding schools like Laurel Elementary, Hillview Middle, and MenloAtherton High (buyer to verify eligibility).

Offered at $1,288,000

For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.1051MenloOaks.com

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | m i c h a e l @ 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 8 5 4 8 8 0

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 35


891 San Jude Avenue, Palo Alto Brand-New Luxury in Barron Park Sky-lit brilliance exudes throughout this luxury home of over 5,500 sq. ft. (per county), built in 2017 by well-known local architect $;31> ;481> -:0 .;-?@5:3 [ .10>;;9? -:0 Z 2A88 -:0 V 4-82 .-@4? &41 .5 81B18 5:@1>5;> <>1?1:@? 4534 1:0 Ō;A>5?41? 1D/5@5:3 -91:5@51? -:0 - .>11FE Ō;;><8-: 01?53:10 2;> 9A8@52A:/@5;:-8 85B5:3 C-88 ;2 2;805:3 38-?? ?1-981??8E /;::1/@? /1:@>-8 85B5:3 ->1-? @; @41 /;B1>10 B1>-:0- 2;> 1-?E 5:0;;> ;A@0;;> 1:6;E91:@ 4;91 @41-@1> - C5:1 /188-> -:0 - >1/>1-@5;: 8;A:31 C5@4 - ?1/;:0 75@/41: 3>-/1 @41 8;C1> 81B18 )5@45: 9;91:@? ;2 %@-:2;>0 ':5B1>?5@E -:0 -852;>:5- B1:A1 E;A /-: ?@>;88 @; ;8 "->7 -:0 1-?58E >1-/4 ;A@?@-:05:3 "-8; 8@; ?/4;;8? For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.891SanJudeAvenue.com Offered at $4,988,000

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday & Sunday 1:00-5:00

Jazz & Refreshments

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | m i c h a e l @ 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 36 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


165 Patricia Drive, Atherton Gorgeous Garden Estate in West Atherton Splendid gated grounds of approx. 1.05 acres (per county) showcase this lavish yet inviting 5 bedroom, 7.5 bath mansion of approx. 6,400 sq. ft. (per plans), which includes a poolhouse. Large, sun-lit gathering spaces allow warmth and easy living, while a master retreat with a palatial closet and a spa provides private leisure. A gourmet kitchen with a secondary prep kitchen permits functional convenience, and the poolhouse can convert to a meditation studio. Expansive gardens boast fountains, poolside terraces, and an outdoor kitchen. Exclusive Menlo Circus Club and prestigious private schools are within moments. Stanford University, two international airports, and the urban centers of both San Francisco and San Jose are easily accessible. For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.165PatriciaDrive.com Offered at $9,888,000

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday & Sunday 1:00-5:00

Jazz & Refreshments

6 5 0 . 4 8 8 . 7 3 2 5 | m i c h a e l @ 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 • July 14, 2017 • Page 37


WEEKEND OPEN HOMES

3 Bedrooms - Condominium

555 Byron St #410 Sun 2-4 Alain Pinel Realtors

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

ATHERTON

MENLO PARK

5 Bedrooms

2 Bedrooms

399 Atherton Ave Sun Coldwell Banker 165 Patricia Av Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty 40 Selby Ln Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker 165 Patricia Dr Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty

$5,295,000 324-4456 $9,888,000 543-8500 $5,880,000 324-4456 $9,888,000 543-8500

BELMONT 3 Bedrooms - Condominium

400 Davey Glen Rd #4705 Sun Coldwell Banker

150 W. Edith Ave #3 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$968,000 324-4456

$975,000 941-1111

LOS ALTOS HILLS 6 Bedrooms

$1,288,000 543-8500

3 Bedrooms 147 Dunsmuir Way Sat/Sun 1-5 Coldwell Banker 2 Lassen Ct Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 337 Central Ave Sun Coldwell Banker

$1,695,000 324-4456 $3,998,000 462-1111 $2,590,000 324-4456

1280 Bellair Way Sat/Sun 1-4 Coldwell Banker 1342 Cloud Ave Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 321 Camino Al Lago Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 2199 Clayton Dr Sun 2-4 Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

$2,850,000 324-4456 $4,595,000 462-1111 $3,150,000 462-1111 $6,000,000 847-1141

5 Bedrooms

27466 Sunrise Farm Rd Sat Intero Real Estate

$8,750,000 206-6200

455 San Mateo Dr Sun Coldwell Banker

$6,895,000 324-4456

Speaks Japanese & Chinese Fluently

4 Bedrooms

380 Colorado Av Sat/Sun Keller Williams Palo Alto 758 Channing Av Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 3487 Janice Way Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 40 Kent Pl Sat/Sun Zane MacGregor 525 Center Dr Sat 2-4 Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty 2451 Ross Rd Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

6 Bedrooms

2277 Bryant St Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$1,995,000 462-1111 $8,098,000 462-1111 $3,598,000 454-8500 $5,250,000 462-1111 $2,395,000 323-1111 $4,798,000 324-9900 $7,995,000 644-3474 $3,200,000 462-1111 $4,749,000 323-1111

7 Bedrooms

3487 Bryant St $4,898,000 Sat/Sun Keller Williams Palo Alto 454-8500 891 San Jude Av $4,988,000 Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty 543-8500

PORTOLA VALLEY

MBA: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania BA: Waseda University, Japan

1301 Hamilton Av Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

5 Bedrooms

4 Bedrooms

LOS ALTOS 2 Bedrooms - Condominium

3 Bedrooms

1051 Menlo Oaks Dr Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty

4074 Farm Hill Blvd #3 Sun Coldwell Banker

PALO ALTO

2 Bedrooms

322 Wyndham Dr Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker

3 Bedrooms

Xin Jiang 650.283.8379 xjiang@apr.com www.xjiang.apr.com

322 Wyndham Dr. Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker 10 Sandstone St Sat/Sun 1-4 Coldwell Banker

4 Bedrooms

7 Coalmine Vw Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker 11 Coalmine Vw Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker

2 Bedrooms 1012 10th Av Sat/Sun 1-4 Coldwell Banker

3 Bedrooms - Townhouse 635 True Wind Way #518 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

4 Bedrooms 1 Woodleaf Ave Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

4 Bedrooms 220 Frances Ln Sat/Sun Sereno Group

7 Bedrooms 21449 Toll Gate Rd Sat Deleon Realty

3 Bedrooms - Townhouse 777 Hollenbeck Ave #16 $1,088,000 Sat/Sun 1-4:30 Alain Pinel Realtors 323-1111

WOODSIDE

$1,649,000 324-4456 $1,649,000 324-4456 $2,600,000 325-6161 $4,800,000 851-1961 $2,950,000 851-1961

115 Harcross Rd Sun Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty 112 Comstock Rd Sun 1-4 Coldwell Banker

644-3474 $998,000 324-4456

4 Bedrooms 735 Woodside Dr Sat/Sun 1-4 Intero Real Estate 280 Family Farm Rd Sun Alain Pinel Realtors

$3,500,000 206-6200 $8,599,900 529-1111

1240 Woodside Rd #15 Sun Coldwell Banker

$549,000 325-6161

340 Jane Dr $5,750,000 Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 529-1111 307 Olive Hill Ln $11,995,000 Sun Coldwell Banker 851-2666

®

The DeLeon Difference®

Page 38 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

$2,700,000

3 Bedrooms

Q

Cell: (408) 313-4352

$8,988,000 543-8500

SUNNYVALE

the serenity of nature and family! Stunning home with mountain views and tech upgrades, minutes from downtown Los Gatos.

www.alanwangrealty.com | CalBRE #01380385

$3,298,000 323-1900

SARATOGA

A Dream Home that balances the demands of work and provides 3 Bedrooms All on the Same Level for Coziness Q Basement Houses an In-law Suite at 2,488 Square Feet with a Bedroom, Bathroom, Living and Bonus Rooms! Q Seconds to the Main Road, 5 minutes to Highway 17 and just 12 minutes to Downtown Los Gatos

$2,198,000 462-1111

SAN CARLOS

Los Gatos

6 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms, with 7,561 Square Feet of Living Space Q 2.21 Acre Lot with an Amazing View! Q Built in 2007- 10 Years Young! Q Dual Living Rooms and Family Rooms Q Massive Open Floor-plan from the Family Rooms, Kitchen and Dining Rooms Surrounded by Views of the Redwood Forest

$1,398,000 462-1111

6 Bedrooms

2 Bedrooms - Condominium

Q

$909,000 324-4456

2 Bedrooms

REDWOOD CITY

20545 BEGGS ROAD

$749,000 324-4456

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


12008 Adobe Creek Lodge Road Los Altos Hills Offered at $5,988,000 Rich Living, Alluring Serenity www.12008Adobe.com

®

433 O’Connor Street Menlo Park Offered at $2,488,000 Stunning Innovations, Elegant Design www.433OConnor.com

We don’t get great listings. We make great listings.

DeLeon Realty

At DeLeon Realty, we are not limited to accepting only turn-key, luxury-grade listings. Our innovative team of specialists enables us to transform every one of our listings into a truly must-have home. Let us show you what we can do for your home. www.DELEONREALTY.com

6 5 0 . 5 4 3 . 8 5 0 0 | 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 • July 14, 2017 • Page 39


Marketplace ONLINE

Bulletin Board

fogster.com

115 Announcements

PLACE AN AD E-MAIL ads@fogster.com

P HONE

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. So, the next time you have an item to sell, barter, give away or buy, get the perfect combination: print ads in your local newspapers, reaching more than 150,000 readers, and unlimited free web postings reaching hundreds of thousands additional people!!

INDEX Q BULLETIN

BOARD 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 Media cannot assume responsibility for the claims or performance of its advertisers. Embarcadero Media right to refuse, edit or reclassify any ad solely at its discretion without prior notice.

PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 A Week Mailing Brochures From Home! No Experience Required. Helping home workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www.MailingPros.net (AAN CAN)

A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted,local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-550-4822. (Cal-SCAN) 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 916-2886011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com (Cal-SCAN) 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 916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com (Cal-SCAN) 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 News Publishers Association new innovative website capublicnotice. com and check out the FREE One-Month Trial Smart Search Feature. For more information call Cecelia @ (916) 288-6011 or www.capublicnotice.com (Cal-SCAN)

PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 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 (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 1-800799-4811 for $750 Off. (Cal-SCAN)

Water Damage to Your Home? Call for a quote for professional cleanup & maintain the value of your home! Set an appt. today! Call 1-855-401-7069 (Cal-SCAN) FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY Grow Your Business by Referrals HUGE USED BOOK/CD/DVD SALE Mp3. download music. free Stanford music theory for all

fogster.com

TM

THE PENINSULA’S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEB SITE Combining the reach of the Web with print ads reaching over 150,000 readers! 150 Volunteers ASSIST IN FRIENDS BOOKSTORE ASST SECTION MGRS FOR FOPAL FRIENDS OF MENLO PARK LIBRARY FRIENDS OF THE PALO ALTO LIBRARY JOIN OUR ONLINE STOREFRONT TEAM Stanford Museum Volunteer

Stanford music tutorials STANFORD PLAY: August 10-27 The Vintage Mountain View Shop Try New Diabetes Tech

133 Music Lessons Christina Conti Piano Private piano lessons for all levels, all ages. In your home or mine. Bachelor of Music, 20+ years exp. 650-493-6950

Social Security Disability? Up to $2,671/mo. (Based on paid-in amount.) FREE evaluation! Call Bill Gordon & Associates. 1-800-966-1904. Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL., member TX/NM Bar. (Cal-SCAN)

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

Switch to DIRECTV. Lock in 2-Year Price Guarantee ($50/month) w/AT&T Wireless. Over 145 Channels PLUS Popular Movie Networks for Three Months, No Cost! Call 1- 800-385-9017 (Cal-SCAN)

145 Non-Profits Needs DONATE BOOKS/HELP PA LIBRARY

For Sale

235 Wanted to Buy $CASH$ PAID INSTANTLY For Pre-1975 Comic Books, Vintage: Star Wars; Transformers/GI Joe Action Figures; Video Games-Systems; MagictheGathering/Pokémon Cards CALL WILL: 1-800-242-6130, buying@ getcashforcomics.com (Cal-SCAN) WANTED! Old Porsche 356/911/912 for restoration by hobbyist 1948-1973 Only. Any condition, top $ paid! PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE 1-707- 965-9546 (Cal-SCAN)

240 Furnishings/ Household items PHOTO ALBUM - $235.00

210 Garage/Estate Sales

Mind & Body

Mountain View, Xxxxx, Call for time

215 Collectibles & Antiques Jewelry for Sale - $10

Classified Deadlines:

NOON, WEDNESDAY

“Arrangement in Black and White”— another freestyle puzzle. Matt Jones

This week’s SUDOKU

Answers on page 41.

Answers on page 41.

405 Beauty Services ELIMINATE CELLULITE And Inches in weeks! All natural. Odor free. Works for men or women. Free month supply on select packages. Order now! 1-844-703-9774. (Cal-SCAN)

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 News Publishers Association new innovative website capublicnotice.com and check out the Smart Search Feature. For more information call Cecelia @ (916) 288-6011 or www.capublicnotice.com (Cal-SCAN) DISH NETWORK. TV for Less, Not Less TV! FREE DVR. FREE Install (up to 6 rooms.) $49.99/mo. PLUS Hi-Speed Internet - $14.95/mo (where available.). Call 1-855-734-1673. (Cal-SCAN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. FREE 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care of. Call 1-800-731-5042 (Cal-SCAN) 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 Cecelia @ 916-288-6011 or http:// prmediarelease.com/california (Cal-SCAN) Free Roommate Service @ RentMates.com. Find the perfect roommate to complement your personality and lifestyle at RentMates.com! (AAN CAN) GET CASH FOR CARS/TRUCKS!!! All Makes/Models 2000-2016! Top $$$ Paid! Any Condition! Used or wrecked. Running or Not. Free Towing! Call For Offer: 1- 888-417-9150. (Cal-SCAN) Got an older car, boat or RV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1- 800-743-1482 (Cal-SCAN) Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a painrelieving brace -little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 800-796-5091 (Cal-SCAN) KC BUYS HOUSES FAST - CASH - Any Condition. Family owned & Operated . Same day offer! (951) 805-8661 WWW.KCBUYSHOUSES. COM (Cal-SCAN) KILL BED BUGS & THEIR EGGS! Buy Harris Bed Bug Killers/KIT Complete Treatment System. Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com (AAN CAN) Lowest Prices On Health & Dental Insurance. We have the best rates from top companies! Call Now! 888-989-4807. (Cal-SCAN) OXYGEN Anytime. Anywhere! No tanks to refill. No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: 1-844-359-3976. (Cal-SCAN)

Across 1 Get the DVD going 10 When doubled, a Japanese telephone greeting 15 Mole ___ (sauce named for a Mexican state) 16 ___ impulse 17 Ancestor 18 Passed out 19 One of Sri Lanka’s official languages (besides Tamil and English) 20 “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” author Eric 21 “Cool!” 22 Synagogue singer 23 Father’s Day gift that accessorizes another Father’s Day gift 27 U.S.-based Maoist group of the 1970s-80s (or an abbreviation for the thing you’re solving) 28 It may be captured from your laptop 32 Sport with mallets

33 Earlier offense 34 Kid’s game 35 Gives the eye 36 Bird on Canadian coins 37 Scout’s honor? 39 “That’s so weird!” online 40 Chaotic states 41 “The Imitation Game” subject 43 “___ come to my attention ...” 47 Scottish families 48 “Not even close!” 52 Therefore 53 “High Sierra” actress 54 Invest (with) 55 University of South Carolina team [giggle] 56 Daniel of “Home Alone” 57 Savvy Down 1 Boston ___ Orchestra 2 ___ to go (stoked)

3 Cervenka of early punk rock 4 Borat, really 5 Abandoned property dweller 6 Pilfer 7 ___-majesté (insulting the king) 8 Years, in Chile 9 Olden days 10 Zany 11 Indian, for one 12 Have no leads to follow up on 13 What a person who can eat constantly without gaining weight is said to have 14 Situate between 22 Op. ___ (bibliography abbr.) 24 Compound present in beer 25 Spanish actress and frequent “Love Boat” guest star 26 Latin suffix after “bio” or “techno” 28 Figures in Pollock paintings?

www.sudoku.name

29 Neologism paired with “embiggen” on a “Simpsons” episode 30 It’s between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo 31 Unimaginably long time 32 Jordan Spieth’s org. 35 Get in the way of 37 Auto ad stat 38 Frivolous type 40 Latent 42 Receive, as a penalty 44 “Join me for a ride!” 45 Ecclesiastical vestment 46 Airport bathroom lineup 48 Mediterranean fruit trees ... 49 ... whose leaves covered him up 50 “Rendezvous With ___” (Arthur C. Clarke novel) 51 Word after ring or coin ©2016 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com)

go to fogster.com to respond to ads without phone numbers Page 40 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


THE PENINSULA’S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITE TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO WWW.FOGSTER.COM 771 Painting/ Wallpaper

Jobs 500 Help Wanted Engineering Program Manager Resp. for eng’g dvlpmt cycle of co.’s prdcts from initial reqmt setting to release. MS or equiv. deg. in CS, Comp. Eng., EE, Eng. or equiv. field. 2 yrs exp. as Eng Prog Mgr, Prog Mgr, Eng or equiv. 2 yrs concurrent exp. with: Prgrm Mgmt, incl. Agile Scrum methodologies, sprint goals, Scrum tools, such as Version One, JIRA & Microsoft Prjct; Creating & defining PMO methodology & best practices, such as acceptance criteria, entry & exit criteria & milestone tracking; Prep’g & rvw’g Test Plans, envrnmt config., app installations & tst’g schedules, conducting risk-based tst’g & rvws, Build & Release mgmt & defect mgmt; Creating comprehensive Governance roadmap for Prcss, compliance & audits & metrics, implementing Change Ctrl Mgmt for s/w releases w/ tools like SVN & Bugzilla; Forex Mrkts, foreign exchng principles & FIX (Finc’l Info. eXchange) protocols; Wrkg w/ RDBMS: Oracle 9i, SQL Srvrs & UI Dsgn lang. such as HTML, DHTML, XML & JavaScript; Web Srvrs such as IIS & NT; Rprt’g tools such as Oracle Rprts, JIRA/Version One, Data Rprts & Salesforce. Jobsite: Palo Alto, CA. Mail resume: Position VC072017 Integral Development Corp., 850 Hansen Way, Palo Alto CA 94304 SCIENCE DNAnexus, Inc. has job opp. in Mountain View, CA: Genomic Scientist. Dvlp & implmt data analysis systms for genomics data. Mail resumes refernc’g Req. #GNM17 to: Attn: K. Green, 1975 W El Camino Real, Ste 101, Mountain View, CA 94040.

Business Services 624 Financial Do you owe over $10,000 To the IRS or State in back taxes? Our firm works to reduce the tax bill or zero it out completely FAST. Call now 855-993-5796. (Cal-SCAN)

Home Services 715 Cleaning Services Isabel and Elbi’s Housecleaning Apartments and homes. Excellent references. Great rates. 650-670-7287 or 650-771-8281 Orkopina Housecleaning Cleaning homes in your area since 1985. Last minute calls! 650-962-1536 Silvia’s Cleaning We don’t cut corners, we clean them! Bonded, insured, 22 yrs. exp., service guaranteed, excel. refs., free est. 415-860-6988

748 Gardening/ Landscaping LANDA’S GARDENING & LANDSCAPING *Yard Maint. *New Lawns. *Clean Ups *Irrigation timer programming. 20 yrs exp. Ramon, 650-576-6242 landaramon@yahoo.com

751 General Contracting 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.

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

775 Asphalt/Concrete Roe General Engineering Asphalt, concrete, pavers, tiles, sealing, artificial turf. 36 yrs exp. No job too small. Lic #663703. 650/814-5572

799 Windows Window Cleaning Call Dennis 650-566-1393 window cleaning made easy Lic., Ins. 20 yrs. exp.

Real Estate 801 Apartments/ Condos/Studios Menlo Park 1B/Near Dwtn $2000 Per Month. Includes Utils, frplc, gar.,sm patio. 1BR/1BA. Call 650-322-2814. Menlo Park, 2 BR/1 BA - $3625 Palo Alto, 3 BR/2 BA - $3890/mont

805 Homes for Rent Menlo Park, 2 BR/1 BA - $3750

809 Shared Housing/ Rooms Redwood City, 1 BR/2 BA - 1200.00

825 Homes/Condos for Sale Redwood City, 5+ BR/4+ BA - $2668000

Legal Notices 995 Fictitious Name Statement M & M ARTS MOVE WITH MEG MAQQAM FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN630908 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1.) M & M Arts, 2.) Move with Meg, 3.) MAQQAM, located at 638 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): MAKAM MEGHA 638 Hamilton Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94301 Registrant 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 June 13, 2017. (PAW June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 2017) AMBER BRIDGE PARTNERS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN631051 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Amber Bridge Partners, located at 2651 Ross Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: Married Couple. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): NAOKO OKUMOTO 2651 Ross Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 JOHN DAVID FORRESTER 2651 Ross Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 04/01/2017. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on June 15, 2017. (PAW June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 2017) YOSHI FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN631583 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Yoshi, located at 1612 Mendenhall Dr., Apt. 3, San Jose, CA 95130, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Limited

Liability Company. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): JIN YAO YOSHI SUSHI & GRILL LLC 1612 Mendenhall Dr., Apt. 3 San Jose, CA 95130 Registrant 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 July 5, 2017. (PAW July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017) SOLAR INNOVATIONS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN631555 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Solar Innovations, located at 1313 N. Milpitas Blvd., Suite 177, Milpitas, CA 95035, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): INNOVATION EXPONENTS CORP. 1313 N. Milpitas Blvd., Suite 177 Milpitas, CA 95035 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 05/01/2017. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on July 3, 2017. (PAW July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017) SHS CLASS OF ‘61 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN631514 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: SHS Class of ‘61, located at 2431 Ross Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): JAMES STUART RUSSELL 2431 Ross Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 06/30/2017. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on June 30, 2017. (PAW July 14, 21, 28, Aug. 4, 2017) PENINSULA YACHT SERVICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN631474 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Peninsula Yacht Services, located at 12352 Priscilla Ln., Los Altos, CA 94022, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: An Individual. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): JONATHAN MICHAEL CLIFFORD 12352 Priscilla Ln., Los Altos, CA 94022 Registrant 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 June 29, 2017. (PAW July 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 2017) ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH ALL SAINTS CHURCH ALL SAINTS PALO ALTO ALL SAINTS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN631850 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1.) All Saints Episcopal Church, 2.) All Saints Church, 3.) All Saints Palo Alto, 4.) All Saints, located at 555 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): RECTOR, WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ALL SAINTS PARISH IN PALO ALTO 555 Waverley Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 02/26/1901. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on July 11, 2017. (PAW July 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 2017)

997 All Other Legals NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: KATHRYN VINOKUR Case No.: 17PR181349 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of KATHRYN VINOKUR. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: CHRISTOPHER C. SLOAN in the Superior Court of California, County of SANTA CLARA. The Petition for Probate requests that: CHRISTOPHER C. SLOAN 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

MARKETPLACE the printed version of

fogster.com

TM

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 on August 24, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept.: 12 of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, located at 191 N. First St., 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 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: Jan Marie Hales, Hales & George 19040 Cox Avenue, Suite 3 Saratoga, CA 95070 (408)255-6292 (PAW June 30; July 7, 14, 2017) NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: EFFIE JANE BRYSON, also known as EFFIE G. BRYSON and as SANDIE BRYSON Case No.: 1 17PR 181385 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of EFFIE JANE BRYSON, also known as EFFIE G. BRYSON and as SANDIE BRYSON. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: CHARLES S. BRYSON in the Superior Court of California, County of SANTA CLARA. The Petition for Probate requests that: CHARLES S. BRYSON 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 on September 1, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept.: 12 of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, located at 191 N. First St., 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 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: David R. Packard 706 Cowper Street, Suite 207-209 Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650)324-0300 (PAW July 14, 21, 28, 2017) NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: ROLAND FELIX Case No.: 17PR181439 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ROLAND FELIX. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: SILVIA FELIX and ERIC M. FELIX in the Superior Court of California, County of SANTA CLARA. The Petition for Probate requests that: SILVIA FELIX and ERIC M. FELIX be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. 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 author-

ity 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 on September 11, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept.: 12 of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, located at 191 N. First St., 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 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: Scott N. Carter, Esq. 2397 Forest Ave. San Jose, CA 95128 (408)241-2121 (PAW July 14, 21, 28, 2017)

Answers to this week’s puzzles, which can be found on page 40.

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

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 41


Sports Shorts

ON THE AIR Friday Beach volleyball: World Series, USA vs. the World, 2 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday Beach volleyball: World Series, USA vs. the World, 10 a.m., ESPN2 Beach volleyball: World Series, USA vs. the World, 9 p.m., ESPN2

Sunday Beach volleyball: World Series, USA vs. the World, 3 p.m., ABC

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

S

Daniel Heimuli (22) celebrates with teammates after winning the Central Coast Section title last fall. M-A is poised to repeat this year.

Can history repeat itself? If Menlo-Atherton football has a say, it can and will by Glenn Reeves the CCS finals, just missing a trip fter the best season in pro- to the state meet, without the spin gram history, what’s next? technique employed by all other Where do you go follow- entrants, utilizing brute strength and athleticism alone. Ravipati ing a historic breakthrough? The Menlo-Atherton football plans on using him at running team won Peninsula Athletic back as well as on the line this season. League, Central Coast Sakalia, a oneSection and Northern time triple jumpCalifornia championer, is described as ships last season. “super-athletic.’’ The future looks “He’s got a great first even brighter. step, a long frame and The team’s achievea high motor,’’ Ravipati ment brought about said. “A real athletic, heightened attention physical kid.’’ from the media, the The program’s depth public and from college was such that Heimuli recruiters. stayed on the junior The team’s linemen Adhir Ravipati -- the foundation for both offen- varsity team the bulk of last seasive and defensive success -- have son. He was brought up to the received increased scrutiny from varsity for the playoffs and had a talent evaluators with positive re- monster game against Milpitas in sults. Five players from the M-A the CCS semifinals. “A dynamic athlete with a fudefensive front seven have reture at linebacker,’’ Ravipati said. ceived Division I college offers. Running back Jordan Mims and Center/defensive lineman Ben Makoni (6-3, 300) has received quarterback Aajon Johnson got an offer from Utah; Defensive most of the headlines last year end/tight end Dimitri Sakalia (6- after putting up huge numbers. 3, 240) from Utah and Utah State; Mims is now at Fresno State and Linebacker Kilifi Leaaaetoa (6-1, Johnson at College of San Mateo. 220), a transfer from The King’s But their replacements have a leg Academy, from Hawaii, San Jose up on success with this group of State, Sacramento State, Idaho linemen providing a foundation. And the college-bound fiveand Montana State. Two juniors have also already some is only part of an incredreceived offers: Inside linebacker/ ibly deep group of linemen in the running back Daniel Heimuli (6- program. Of the 49 players on the 2, 215) from Utah State and de- varsity, 21 are linemen. Other players expected to get fensive tackle/running back Noa Ngalu (6-2, 290) from Utah and significant playing time on that front seven include junior DaWashington. “This is an exciting thing for vid Tafuna (6-0, 243), Alifeleti our program’s development,’’ Malupo (6-1, 250) and Palo Alto Menlo-Atherton coach Adhir Ra- transfer Moala Tautuaa (6-1, 310). Miles Conrad, who shared time vipati said. “These kids have put in the work. They are a big part with Johnson at the start of last of what we’re trying to do, on the season at quarterback, will step in as the starting signal caller. There field and in the classroom.’’ Ngalu was a full-time starter is a committee of candidates comon the defensive line last year as peting to replace Mims at running a sophomore. Then in the spring back, a group that includes Samhe placed fourth in the discus at son Motuliki and Serra transfer

A

Page 42 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com

Deston Hawkins along with Malupo, Heimuli and Leaaaetoa. “We have the talent and ability to do what last year’s team did,’’ Ravipati said. “But we’ll have to work for it.’’ The coach is particularly high on newcomer Troy Franklin (6-2, 165), a freshman who will start at wide receiver. “He has a chance to be a bigtime player, an impact player,’’ Ravipati said. One of the highlights of the offseason was a ring ceremony in which all members of last season’s team received rings to commemorate their achievement. “A little obnoxious, but they’re what the kids wanted,’’ Ravipati said. It’s well publicized the rings given to World Series-winning teams. But high school football teams? Ravipati said it’s not that unusual. “Serra did it,’’ said Ravipati, who is beginning his third year as head coach. “Sacred Heart Prep did it the years they made the state finals. It’s become more of a norm with football. Even the first year when we (tied) for the league championship the kids wanted rings.” Q

Bob Dahlberg

READ MORE ONLINE

by Rick Eymer tanford sophomore Kathryn Plummer and Stanford grad Alix Klineman have a lot in common in addition to sharing a school and two sports. Both were named National Freshman of the Year and earned All-American honors in indoor volleyball. Both have turned out to be pretty good at beach volleyball too. Plummer, with teammate Mima M i r kov ic, opened the U21 World Championships in Nanjing, China with a 3-0 record and earned a spot in Fri- Kathryn Plummer day’s Round of 16 against an opponent to be determined. The tandem also won the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Open in Huntington Beach over the weekend. Plummer and Mirkovic, who won the bronze medal at last year’s FIVB event, beat UCLA’s Savannah Simo and Torry Van Winden in the championship match at the Collegiate Open. In China, Plummer and Mirkovic swept matches from teams from Spain and Australia and then needed a 15-13 win in the third set to inch past an Italian team. Klineman and teammate Lane Carico reached the finals of the $150,000 AVP San Francisco Open last weekend. Carico has been in championship beach volleyball matches before but Klineman was playing on the final day for the first time. Her previous best was a seventhplace finish. The top-seeded pair of Betsi Flint and Kelly Larsen dominated Carico and Klineman to the tune of 21-13, 21-8 in the stadium court to walk away with the top prize. Still, it’s not a bad payday for Klineman, who earned just over $6,000 in prize money in her previous eight tournaments combined. Klineman had a great run this week, supported by a large contingent of family and friends. She also had a valuable resource in Carico, not only a former high school teammate but also an experienced beach player. This tournament was just the second time they played together and the fifth-seeded duo knocked off Flint and Larsen to reach the semifinals. Q

Noa Ngalu made a big impact for M-A as a sophomore.

FIVB

DIVING IN . . . Gunn grad Marisa Agarwal won the 16-18-year-old platform diving event to end the U.S. Zone E championships in Beaverton, Ore. with a pair of top five finishes. She was fourth in the 16-18 3-meter. Agarwal scored 422.95, more than 12 points better than the second-place finisher. Menlo-Atherton grad and incoming Stanford freshman Mia Paulsen was fourth in the event, scoring a 377.60. Paulsen also completed the championships with a pair of top five finishers. She won the 1618 1-meter earlier in the weekend.

Klineman, Plummer succeeding on the sand

Bob Dahlberg

NEW POSITION . . . Stanford Director of Athletics Bernard Muir announced that Rachel Hanson stepped down as head coach of the Stanford softball team to pursue other professional opportunities. Hanson will serve as the first Executive Director at the Baseball and Softball Education Foundation, a nonprofit based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on building one of the largest sports character education venues in the nation.

At the top of their game

Bob Dahlberg

IT’S IN THE NET . . . The United States men’s national soccer team got two goals from Stanford grad Jordan Morris and a single strike from Omar Gonzalez to earn a wild 3-2 victory over Martinique in its second match of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup in front of 23,368 fans at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. With the win, the U.S. moves atop Group B with four points and closes out the Group Stage with a clash against Nicaragua on Saturday . . . Sacred Heart Prep grad and Michigan water polo freshmen Maddy Johnston helped lead 680 Water Polo Club (based in the East Bay) to the U.S. Club Championship in the 18-andunder division over the weekend. Johnston earned MVP honors after leading the team to a 7-0 record on the weekend, including an 8-6 victory over SET in the championship game at Norco High. Stanford’s 16-under team placed 10th, the 18-under team tied for 13th and the 14-under team was 17th.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL


A BENEFIT EVENT FOR LOCAL NON-PROFITS SUPPORTING KIDS & FAMILIES

FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2017 3 3 R D

A N N U A L

WALK STARTS AT 7PM

Presented by City of Palo Alto

10K Run

5K Run & Walk GREAT EVENT FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES

For more information and to register:

PaloAltoOnline.com/moonlight_run CORPORATE SPONSORS:

www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • July 14, 2017 • Page 43


ColdwellBankerHomes.com

WOODSIDE

$5,295,000

SUN 1:30 - 4:30

$11,995,000

ATHERTON SUN 1:30 - 4

PORTOLA VALLEY $4,800,000 SAT/SUN 1:30 - 4:30

PORTOLA VALLEY $2,950,000 SAT/SUN 1:30 - 4:30

307 Olive Hill Lane Fabulous 3 acre estate on a quiet lane w/ views of the western hills. 307OliveHill.com 6 BR/5 BA Hugh Cornish/Erika Demma CalBRE #00912143/01230766 650.324.4456

399 Atherton Ave Carriage House from the 1900’s restored & updated. Original charm. Private serene acre. 5 BR/4 BA + 1 half BA Sue Crawford CalBRE #00587710 650.324.4456

7 Coalmine Vw Exquisitely remodeled Portola Valley Ranch home with spectacular views 7Coalmine.com 4 BR/3 BA Ginny Kavanaugh CalBRE #00884747 650.851.1961

11 Coalmine Vw Contemporary single-level home with quality amenities and stunning views 11Coalmine.com 4 BR/2 BA + 1 half BA Ginny Kavanaugh CalBRE #00884747 650.851.1961

MENLO PARK $2,850,000 SAT/SUN 1 - 4

PORTOLA VALLEY $2,600,000 SAT/SUN 1 - 4

CORDILLERAS HEIGHTS SAT/SUN 1-5

MENLO PARK

1280 Bellair Way Stylish 4 bdrm, 3.5 bth on cul-de-sac. Mother-in-law & beautiful pool. Los Lamitas Schools. Pat Mcdonnell CalBRE #01926896 650.324.4456

10 Sandstone St Wide, tranquil views. Rustic setting. Contemporary home in community environment. 3 BR/2 BA Nancy Goldcamp CalBRE #00787851 650.325.6161

623 Upland Rd Just Completed! Stunning fully Remodeled view home on huge private lot overlooking Bay! 4 Bd/3.5Ba Private and Peaceful Modern Designed Home. Sam Anagnostou CalBRE #00798217 650.888.0707

337 Central Ave Willows home w/new kitchen, new bath, new hall bath, flooring, huge lot in great location. 3 BR/2 BA Elaine White CalBRE #01182467 650.324.4456

$ , , PORTOLA VALLEY PALO ALTO $1,649,000 SAT/SUN 1:30 - 4:30 SAT/SUN 1:30 - 4:30

WOODSIDE

BELMONT

SUN 1 - 4

SUN 1:30 - 4

2135 Wellesley St Totally Remodeled College Terrace Charmer Next to Cameron Park/ Stanford/Top-Ranked School. 3 BR/2 BA Sheila McIntyre CalBRE #01364479 408.205.2535

112 Comstock Rd Fixer on a beautiful lot. Mature landscaping & a potential view of gorgeous sunsets. 3 BR/2 BA Valerie Trenter CalBRE #01367578 650.324.4456

400 Davey Glen Road #4705 1 lvl, remodeled modern-Italian kit, walls of glass, privacy, views, wood floors & more. 3 BR/2 BA Charlotte Van Orden CalBRE #00525483 650.324.4456

322 Wyndham Dr. Premier location - updated Calif Rancher. Light & airy LR, DR, Country Kitchen. PV Schools. 3 BR/1 BA Paul Skrabo CalBRE #00665727 650.324.4456

$2,595,000

$2,590,000 SUN 1 - 4

$998,000

$968,000

THIS IS HOME

REDWOOD CITY SUN 1:30 - 4:30

$749,000

4074 Farm Hill Blvd 3 Beautifully updated townhome-style condo. Hardwood floors and a remodeled granite kitchen. 2 BR/2 BA + 1 half BA Joan Ulibarri/Tim Kerns CalBRE #01991015/01800770 650.324.4456

REDWOOD CITY SUN 1:30 - 4:30

$549,000

1240 Woodside Rd 15 Lowest priced 2br/2ba in RC. Top floor end unit. Pool, courtyard. Close to shops, transit. 2 BR/2 BA Tom Huff CalBRE #00922877 650.325.6161

californiahome.me |

This is where love is constant, laughter fills the hallways and hugs are always welcomed. This is where awesomeness happens. Coldwell Banker. Where home begins.

/cbcalifornia |

/cb_california |

/cbcalifornia |

/coldwellbanker

©2017 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company and Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker has not and will not verify this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Real Estate Licensees affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of NRT LLC., Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC or ©2013 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate An Equal Opportunity Company. Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. BRE License #01908304. Coldwell BankerLLC. Residential Brokerage. CalBRE LicenseEqual #01908304.

Page 44 • July 14, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.